History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 122

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 122

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JOHN L. COOK, who was born Jan. 31, 1857, on his present valuable farm ot 165 acres, which is situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., belongs to a highly respected family of this section. His parents were John and Sarah (Decber) , Cook.

John Cook was born in Germany and was a son of Peter Cook. By trade he was a plasterer and for many years during the season was steadily employed and also en- gaged in farming. He always voted the Democratic ticket and he gave liberal sup- port to Trinity Reformed church at Galion. He married Sarah Deeber, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Louis Dee- ber, and they had the following chil- dren : Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of John Albright; Henry ; George ; Amanda, who is the wife of Peter Beach; Tena. who is the wife of Jacob Whiteamire; Isaac; John L .; and Sarah, who makes her home with her brother, John L. Cook. The par- ents of the above family are deceased, their burial being in the Whetstone Cemetery.

John L. Cook attended the district school in boyhood with his brothers and sisters and afterward remained at home, as his father needed his assistance in cultivating his large estate of 335 acres. When his father died, Mr. Cook bought 91 acres and kept on adding until he now owns 165 acres as stated above. He carries on general ag- riculture here and is one of the prosperous farmers of this section.

Mr. Cook was married in 1887 to Miss Mary E. Gibler, a daughter of Adam and Rachel (Shearer) Gibler, who came to Crawford county very early and became people of ample means and were highly respected. Mrs. Cook has two brothers and one sister : Isaac and John, and Sarah, who is the wife of James McPeak. Five chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, as follows: Rachel C., who is the wife of Ora Laughbaum; and Ida S., Nettie J., Elsie B. and Verdie B. The family attend Trinity Reformed Church. A stanch Demo-

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crat, Mr. Cook has been elected to local of- fices by his party and has served three terms as school director and one term as road supervisor.

SIMON J. DENZER, a prosperous farm- er, owning I01 acres in Bucyrus township, was born in this township, Oct. 21, 1856, son of Jacob and Matilda (McNeal) Den- zer. His grandfather, Andrew Denzer, was born in Baden, Germany, and served under Napoleon in the disastrous Russian cam- paign, where so many of the army perished. Being lucky enough to escape death, he afterwards-about 1833-came to America, dying in this country seven years after. He and his wife had four sons and a daughter, Andrew, George, Jacob, Marv and Simon. Two of these children died in Germany and were buried at Upfingen, Baden. Mrs. An- drew Denzer survived her husband many years, passing away in 1876 at the advanced age of ninety-four.

Jacob Denzer was thirteen years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States. They soon settled in Crawford county, Ohio, the father (Andrew) pur- chasing 15 acres of land in Liberty town- ship. This he cleared and in the following spring built a cabin on it. The same spring -of 1834-Jacob began work as a farm hand, earning three or four dollars per month, and was thus employed until he was 25 years of age. Until reaching his majority he gave his earnings to his parents. At the age of 25 he began farming rented land, which he operated for three years. On March 13, 1850, he married Matilda Mc- Neal of Crawford county, who was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., Dec. 6, 1826, and she proved a most capable help-meet to him. After his marriage he rented a farm for six years and in the meanwhile bought 38 acres of land. In 1863 he pur- chased the homestead on which he resided for the rest of his life, where he carried on farming and stock-raising becoming in time one of the prosperous and substantial citi- zens of the township. For about ten years he also operated a saw-mill. He and his wife had thirteen children, of whom two-

Florence and an infant son-died in child- hood. The others were Mary L., Jennie, Andrew, Esther, J. Anson, Simon J., Ella, Alexander, Maggie, Lewis I. and Electa V.

Simon J. Denzer was educated in the common schools and was brought up on his father's farm, acquiring a competent knowledge of agriculture methods. He has since continued in this now profitable line of industry and is now engaged in gen- eral farming keeping enough stock for his own use. A part of his farm belonged originally to the Denzer homestead; the rest he has acquired by purchase. He has made substantial improvements in the prop- erty, building the fine barn and residence which stands on his land, and the general aspect of his place is one of thrift and pros- perity. He votes the Democratic ticket but is not an active politician.

He was married Feb .. 15, 1888, to Clara F. Miller, who was born in Holmes town- ship, this county, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Lichtenwalter) Miller. Her parents were early settlers in Crawford county and cleared a farm there, the father coming from Columbiana county and the mother from Stark county. They were farmers. Their children were Isaac L .; Elizabeth, now de- ceased, who was the wife of Martin Shaff- ner; Sarah, wife of Andrew Gidley; Mary, wife of Valentine Heiby ; Adeline, who mar- ried Michael Shiffler; Catherine, who mar- ried William Lotzenheiser; Clara F., the wife of our subject; Daniel, now deceased; and Laura, who is the wife of Peter L. Bash. Mr. and Mrs. Denzer have two children, both sons, namely, John Evan and Allen D. The family attend the English Lutheran church.

CHRISTIAN HOOVER, who is one of the substantial citizens of Dallas township, Crawford county, O., owning 244 acres of finely developed land, was born in Craw- ford county, in September, 1844, and is a son of William and Phebe (Swisher) Hoover.

William Hoover was born in Pickaway county, O., but the greater part of his life was passed as a farmer in Crawford county.

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He married Phebe Swisher, who was born in Franklin county, O., and the following children were born to them: John T .; Emma, who is the wife of Henry M. Welch; Christian; George W .; Margaret, who is the wife of David E. Fisher; Marcellus; Alice, who is the wife of Marks Tea; Charles Fremont; Flora, who is the wife of H. L. Weber; and William.

Christian Hoover had public school ad- vantages as they were offered when he was a boy, and since then has devoted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits and since the age of four years has lived on his pres- ent farm, which is generally known as the old Hoover homestead. He no longer does more than overlook his farm, having placed all the practical responsibilities on the sturdy shoulders of his sons, who are capa- ble and thorough farmers.

In 1868 Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Lorenna Kirby, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Welch) Kirby, old settlers here and well known people. Mrs. Hoover died Nov. 8, 1909, and her burial was in Oakwood ceme- tery, Bucyrus. Two brothers and one sister survive her : John, George and Emma, who is the wife of James Orr. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoover the following children were born: Ernest, who married Nona Flock, and has four children, Hugh, Alice, Florence and Lucile; Burdett K., who married Elnora Quaintance, and has two children, Chester and Hazel; Charles F., who married Nora Kerr and has five children, Helen, Wayne, Clifford, Marjorie and an infant; Maud; and Madge, who is the wife of Arlington Blair and has three children, Hoover, Thomas and a child unnamed. Mr. Hoover is a Republican in his political sentiments and occasionally has consented to serve his his township in public office, for three years being a trustee, serving through an impor- tant period of the township's history. With his family he attends the Methodist Epis- copal church.

HARRY R. SCHULER,* one of the able young professional men of Galion, O., a member of its bar and an important politi-

cal factor, was born at Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 24, 1877, and is a son of Philip and Mary (Amann) Schuler.

Philip Schuler was born in Baden, Ger- many, and when eleven years of age came alone to the United States. After a few years in Michigan he came to Galion, O., where he engaged in the grocery business for some time and then turned his attention to insurance and real estate, and maintains offices in the Schaffner Block. He was mar- ried to Mary Amann, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of George and Mary Amann, who came to Ohio from Germany in 1855. George Schuler followed farming and dairying near Galion. He survived his wife, dying in 1906. They were members of the Roman Catholic church, and to this re- ligious body Philip Schuler and wife also belong. He is one of the well known public men of Crawford county, a member of the General Assembly in 1867 and 1868 and chairman of the city council of Galion in 1880. He is one of the influential men of the Democratic party and a loyal supporter of its candidates. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuler three sons and four daughters were born, all of whom survive and are well known peo- ple of this section.

Harry R. Schuler was the second born in the above family and with his brothers and sisters was given excellent school advant- ages. In the 69th General Assembly of Ohio he was a page, after which he entered upon the study of law, and in 1902 was grad- uated from the law department of the Uni- versity of Georgetown, D. C., receiving his degree of L. L. D. and in the following year that of L. L. M. In May, 1904, he came to Galion, after being admitted to the bar, to enter upon practice, and in 1909 was elected city solicitor, in which office he served until January 1, 1912. On numerous occasions he has been the delegate of his party to State, Senatorial and Congressional Democratic conventions and he is person- ally on the friendliest terms with many of the highest party leaders. His ability is very generally recognized and his party loyalty has withstood every test.

Mr. Schuler is unmarried. He is a mem-

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ber of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church at Galion. Fraternally, he is identified with the Elks, the Eagles, the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Knights of Columbus and belongs also to the Commercial and the Lambs' Clubs.

MELANCHTHON GEORGE NUNGES- SER, a prominent farmer and politician of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., residing on his valuable farm three miles west of Galion, was born at New Winchester, O .; Jan. 16, 1863, and is the only son of Christian A. and Elizabeth (Helfrick) Nungesser.

Christian Nungesser was born in Germany and before coming to the United States he. learned the trade of shoemaking. He lived in Cincinnati, O. but later located at New Winchester in Crawford county and still later purchased his farm of 100 acres five miles west of Galion. This farm he still owns al- though he and his wife now live retired in Galion. They are members of the German Lutheran church. They had the following children born to them: Delilah C., wife of I. A. Cook; Margaret C., widow of H. P. Rexrith; Martha J., Wife of J. F. Guinther ; and Melanchthon G.

Melanchthon G. Nungesser availed himself of the advantages of the county school of those days but left this school at the early age of 16 years and was thrown upon his own resources. However, he determined to fur- ther his educational training and he managed under very adverse circumstances and with much sacrifice to attend school at the Ohio Central College at Iberia, O. for one year. Later he spent several terms at the N. W. O. University at Ada, O. He then made prac- tical application of his knowledge by teach- ing school, in which work he continued for 12 years. As a teacher, through his earnest devotion, persistent effort and close applica- tion he was eminently successful, winning the respect of his pupils, patrons and fellow teachers. Through his teachers' institute work and relations he was a very active and useful member.

On Sept. 29, 1887, M. G. Nungesser was married to Miss Matilda C. Burkhart, who was born in Marion county, O., a daughter of Abraham and Caroline (Schaffer) Burk-

hart. Mr. Burkhart was born in Pennsyl- vania and Mrs. Burkhart in Morrow county, O. They now live retired in Galion, O. Their children were as follows: Samuel; William; Matilda; Amanda, wife of J. McKinistry; John E .; and Cora, wife of H. O. Smith.

Mr. and Mrs. Nungesser have had three children born to them: Vesta Vanola, Virgil Vinton and Cleoda D. The last named, who is 12 years old, is the only survivor, the two first named dying in infancy. Mr. Nungesser and wife are members of the English Luth- eran church.

After marriage they located on a tenant farm which was all but modern and in a state of productiveness. Becoming discouraged at the wasted efforts of his best days, Mr. and Mrs. Nungesser concluded to buy a home for themselves and in 1904 they bought an 80 acre tract of land from the Jacob Christman heirs, located three miles west of Galion, for which he went heavily in debt. With renewed interest and added effort he set about im- proving it and at once adopted his plan of parallel tiling, which has since become so popular, erecting modern and commodious farm buildings, remodeling his residence and installing the most modern comforts and con- veniences. Now by his close application, economy and thrift the encumbrance is can- celled, improvements paid for and the farm in a high state of productiveness. At present Mr. Nungesser is erecting another residence on West Main street, Galion, which he ex- pects to occupy on completion. As a farmer and stock raiser he is a fancier of pure bred stock and raises registered stock as practical with his operations. His flock of registered American Delaine Merine sheep ranks among the best in the state. His stock as a whole well shows judgment in good breeding.

Mr. Nungesser is and always has been very active in Farmers' Institute work and is rated as one of the most progressive agriculturists of his county.

In politics he is a Democrat and has always taken a great interest in civil matters, thus stands as an important factor in his county and at the time of this writing is the candidate of the leading party of his county for the of- fice of county representative. He has served on many very important committees and for

MELANCHTHON G. NUNGESSER

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several terms served as justice of the peace. He is also an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry, the I. O. F. and also the I. O. O. F.

Mr. Nungesser is as a whole a self-devel- oped man, ambitious, persistent, known for loyalty and integrity, which has won for him a place of high regard in the minds of his fellow men.

CLARENCE R. SNYDER, one of the enterprising and successful young farmers of Whetstone township, operates 133 acres of valuable land, situated near Bucyrus and belonging to his father-in-law, David Win- gert. Mr. Snyder was born in Whetstone township, Dec. 3, 1883, and is a son of John D. and Mary Elizabeth (Rorick) Snyder. The mother died on Jan. 2, 1905, but the father survives and is employed by the Galion Vault Company and formerly was a farmer. His children are: Clarence R., Ira M., Melvin V., Gladys Amelia and Margie Elizabeth.

Clarence R. Snyder attended the public schools and spent several terms at the O. N. W., at Ada, O. After completing his studies he was a teacher in the public schools for three years and then engaged in farm work, to which he has since devoted his attention. He is very industrious and possesses excellent judgment and has been very successful in the management of the property belonging to Mr. Wingert. Gen- eral farming is his main business, although he raises some good stock, fully enough for home use.

Mr. Snyder married Miss Nancy M. Win- gert, who is a daughter of David and Catherine (Kehrer) Wingert, the latter of whom died April 22, 1910. Mr. Wingert re- sides with Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, the latter being the only daughter. Mr. Wingert has one son, William M., who is a farmer in Whetstone township. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have one daughter, Viola Lucilla, born June 6, 1907, and one son, Kenneth Willard, born May 22, 1912. In politics he is a Demo- crat and is serving as a member of the school board. He and wife belong to the German Reformed church, attending in Whetstone township.

CHARLES N. JUMP,* who is the pop- ular teacher of the Frogtown school, in Dis- trict No. 4, Tod township, Crawford county, O., was born in 1873, near Lemert, O., and is a son of William A. and Abbie (Dun- lop) Jump.

The Jump family is an old one in Craw- ford county and the grandparents came here from New York when William A. Jump was three years old. The latter survives and has resided on his farm in Tod town- ship for 40 years. He was married first to Abbie Dunlop and second to Adeline Heft. To the first union five children were born: Charles N., John Wallace, Ralph, Bertha and Denise, who married C. Burnshaw. To the second marriage two children were born: Theo and Fred, the mother of whom survives.

Charles N. Jump attended school at Le- mert and afterward took a course in the university at Ada, O., and thus prepared, began, in 1893, to teach school and has con- tinued in educational work ever since. Mr. Jump is considered a careful, conscientious and efficient teacher and his best recom- mendation is the fact that his pupils make steady progress and when they go out into the world for themselves find that the in- struction he has given them is very valu- able.

Mr. Jump was united in marriage with Miss Iva Diffenbaugh. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has served in the office of township assessor. He was reared in the United Brethren church.

WILLIAM M. WINGERT, general farmer and stock raiser, operating 122 acres of fine land which is situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., was born in Whetstone township, Nov. 1, 1880, and is the only son of David and Catherine (Kehrer) Wingert.

David Wingert was born in Pennsylvania but has spent the larger portion of his life in Crawford county, O., where, for many years, he was a prosperous farmer. He now lives retired and since the death of his wife, in April, 1910, has resided with his daughter and son-in-law, Clarence R. Sny-

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der and wife, in Whetstone township, Mr. Snyder renting one of his farms, and also with his son, Wm. M. Wingert, and wife. He married Catherine Kehrer, who was born and died in Whetstone township. They had two children, William M. and Nancy M., the latter of whom is the wife of Clarence R. Snyder. In politics, Mr. Wingert is a Democrat. He is one of the older members and liberal supporters of the Reformed church in this township.

William M. Wingert obtained his educa- tion in the public schools. Under the di- rection of his father he became a reliable and careful agriculturist and for some years has rented from his father the farm which he is successfully conducting.

On March 13, 1910, Mr. Wingert was married to Miss Chloe Stump, who is a daughter of H. J. Stump, a family of con- siderable importance in this section of Crawford county, and they have one son, Layton H. Mr. and Mrs. Wingert attend the Reformed church. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat.

RUFUS AURAND, retired farmer and highly respected citizen, and also an hon- ored veteran of the great Civil War, has been a resident of Bucyrus since 1903. He was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., March 28, 1837, and is a son of Jonathan Aurand and a grandson of Henry Aurand.

Henry Aurand, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of a Revolu- tionary soldier who fought in the Battle of Yorktown. Henry married Margaret Tre- baugh, of German ancestry, and they both died in Union county, Pa. Henry Aurand and wife were members of the Reformed church.

Jonathan Aurand was born in Beaver township, Union county, Pa. He was mar- ried there to Susan Whittemeyer and they came to Ohio in 1827 and located in what was then an unimproved part of the county, although near Bucyrus. There the first wife of Jonathan Aurand died, Aug. 20, 1828. Two children survived her, both of whom are now deceased. On July 28, 1829,

Jonathan Aurand was married to his sister- in-law, Rachel Wittemeyer, also a native of Pennsylvania. They continued to live in Whetstone township for a number of years and then moved to Tod township, where Jonathan Aurand died July 12, 1875, his widow surviving him until May 1, 1892. They were estimable people, active in the Reformed church, valued neighbors and worthy examples. After moving to Tod township they united with the Methodist Episcopal church and were equally inter- ested in its good works. A family of eight sons and four daughters were born to them all of the daughters and four of the sons be- ing now deceased. All of the survivors have married, and all, with the exception of Emanuel, who resides in Nebraska, still live in Ohio. Of these eight sons, five be- came soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War: Emanuel, Rufus, John, Jona- than and Enoch. Emanuel and Rufus were members of the 56th Ill. Vol. Inf., and after this regiment was disbanded by order of the Secretary of War, both served in other regiments. John was a member of a Mis- souri regiment; Jonathan served in the First O. Cav. and the 174th O. Vols., and was wounded while in the service; and Enoch was a member of Co. E, 34th O. Vol. Inf., and during his enlistment of eighteen months was made a prisoner in West Virginia and for a time was incar- cerated in a Richmond prison.

Rufus Aurand grew up on the home farm, attended the district school and as- sisted his father and brothers until Sept. 7, 1861, when, with his brother Emanuel, he enlisted in the regiment which was later disbanded and he re-enlisted in the 6Ist O. Vol. Inf., becoming orderly sergeant of Company B, and serving as such until after the second battle of Bull Run, where he was temporarily in command. He was pro- moted for his soldierly qualities at this time, being made first lieutenant of Com- pany K. a position he served in until serious ill health compelled him to resign and re- turn home to recuperate. As soon as he was better and again able to take the field he re-enlisted, entering the 3d O. Cav., with

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which he continued until the close of the war. He participated in many of the most serious battles of the time, and in looking back over the long list of engagements that meant death or injury to so many of his brave comrades, he is disposed to regard the second battle of Bull Run as the one most stubbornly contended. He was a part of the command that took part in Wilson's Raid through Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia in the last months of the war, and was at Macon, Ga., when hostilities ceased. After his military service was over he was connected with the saw mill industry until 1896 and was also a farmer until 1903, when he retired to Bucyrus, well entitled to a period of ease and comfort. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has consented to serve but little in a public capacity except as a justice of the peace, in which office he passed 24 consecutive years. He has been very active in Grand Army affairs and is senior commander of Keller Post, No. 128, G. A. R., at Bucyrus.

Mr. Aurand was married in Liberty township, Crawford county, O., to Miss Eva L. Seibert, who was born in 1855, in Holmes township. Her parents, Peter and Catherine (Smith) Seibert, were well known farmers in Holmes township, where they lived into old age. Mrs. Aurand is one of the six survivors of their large farming. Mr. and Mrs. Aurand are mem- bers of the U. B. church.

CHARLES F. UNGER,* who is one of the representative men of Bucyrus town- ship, Crawford county, O., serving in his second terni as township trustee, has op- erated what is known as the Henry Flock farm for the past five years and has brought its 85 acres up to a fine state of production. He was born in Liberty township, Craw- ford county, Jan. 17, 1860, and is a son of Frederick and Rosa (Bollinger) Unger.

Frederick Unger and wife were both born in Germany and both came when young to Crawford county, where they were subsequently married. The mother died June 1, 1895, and her burial was in Oakwood cemetery at Bucyrus. The fa-

ther engaged in farming during his active life and now lives retired at the home of a daughter in Richland county, O. They had the following children: Charles F., Caro- line, wife of Charles Gearhart; William H., Albert J. and Sarah A., wife of David Croft.

Charles F. Unger obtained his education in the public schools and then worked for his father and remained at home until he was 30 years of age. In 1890 he bought a farm in Bucyrus township, which he sold in 1900, and then moved to Holmes town- ship, where he bought his second farm, but in 1906 he also disposed of that property and since then has been renting the farm above referred to, carrying on farm indus- tries here. He is one of the leading Demo- crats in this part of the county, and while living in Holmes township served two years as ditch superintendent, and as an official of Bucyrus township, has served with ex- treme efficiency. He is well known over the county, in which he has lived his entire life, with the exception of five years.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 122

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302