History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 123

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 123

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On March 21, 1890, Mr. Unger was mar- ried to Miss Maggie A. Staiger, who was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, Jan. II, 1865, a daughter of John George and Magdalena (Strohm) Staiger. They were natives of Germany who settled in Holmes township many years ago and the father engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Staiger had the following children: Will- iam, Charles, Mary, wife of Israel Ulmer; Mrs. Unger, George, Philip, Emanuel, Amelia, wife of C. R. Meyers ; David, Moses and Martha, wife of Warren Dininger. Mr. and Mrs. Unger have one son, Frederick G., who was born in Bucyrus township in 1895, and assists his father on the farm. The family belongs to the German Lutheran church. Mr. Unger is identified with two fraternal organizations, the Eagles and the Owls, attending both lodges at Bucyrus.

ELI KILE, a well known resident of Whetstone township, engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, was born on a farm in this township, now occupied by his son-in-law, Sept. 10, 1851. His parents, Tobias and

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Catherine (Knipp) Kile, were both natives of Germany, the former a son of Peter Kile and the latter a daughter of Christopher Knipp. After emigrating to America and settling in this section, Tobias Kile entered the land on which the Kile homestead now stands from the Government and began the development of a farm. He and his wife are both deceased and are buried in the Kile cemetery. They were German Lutherans in religion and he was a Democrat polit- ically. They had a large family, namely: Eva, wife of Jacob Helfrick; Philip, Peter, Elizabeth, who married Peter Knipp; Cath- erine, wife of Simeon Kiess; Sarah, wife of Joseph Dinkle; Fred, Eli, subject of this sketch; Amanda, who married William Beltz, and Ida, now deceased, who was the first wife of William Beltz.

Eli Kile was educated in the common schools of this locality and was trained to farm work, in which he has since continued, doing general farming and keeping enough stock for his own use. Like his father, he is a Democrat and has been somewhat active in local affairs, as he was township trustee for several terms and treasurer of the township for three terms, completing his service in that office in January last, after having held office in one position or another for about thirty years altogether. As may be inferred, he is a man well thought of by his fellow citizens-sagacious and enterprising, with good business ability and sound judgment in matters concerning the public weal.

He was married in 1875 to Sophia Tracht, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Johnston) Tracht. Mrs. Kile's father is now deceased, but her mother is still living and is now in her 84th year, a resident of Jefferson town- ship, this county. Their family was as fol- lows: Eva, wife of Daniel Christman, both now deceased; Leonard, deceased; Lu- cinda, who married Leonard Weber, now deceased; Rosetta, wife of Henry Hinkel; Henry, Michael, Sophia, who is now Mrs. Eli Kile; Delilah, wife of Henry Snyder; Alfred and R. C. Mr. and Mrs. Eli Kile have been the parents of six children, name- ly : Minnie, Lula, wife of Peter Boehm;

Adella, wife of Fred Hildebrand; Myrtle, wife of Harry Nelson; Lottie and Ollie. The Kile family attend the Lutheran church.

HOMER SIMPSON, who is a rural mail delivery official, out from Galion, O., and a. well known and representative citizen of Crawford county, was born in Mifflin town- ship, Ashland county, O., Oct. 1, 1871, and is a son of Robert and Josephine (Keight- ley) Simpson.

Robert Simpson was born in Richland county, O., in 1848, a son of Pennsylvania parents, who moved into Ashland county among the pioneers. They died near to- gether, during an epidemic of typhoid fever, and beside two other sons and four daugh- ters there was Robert, who was only two years old, at the time. All survive with one exception, and all have domestic ties of their own. Robert Simpson married Jo- sephine Keightley, and they still live on their farm in Richland county. They are members of the United Brethren church.

Homer Simpson was the eldest born of a family of ten children, there being yet six sons and three daughters of this family surviving. In 1892 Mr. Simpson came to Galion and for three and one-half years afterward was a brakeman on the Erie Rail- road, after which he was variously and busily employed until he was appointed to his present Government position by Presi- dent Roosevelt, Sept. 1, 1903.

On March 26, 1902, Mr. Simpson was married at Galion, O., to Miss Katherine C. Swaney, who was born in Ashland county, where she was educated and for some years prior to her marriage was a teacher in the Ashland county schools. She is a daughter of John W. and Lydia M. (Billings) Swaney, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in New York. The mother of Mrs. Simpson came from Saratoga county to Ashland county, O., when a young woman, and for some years afterward taught school and subse- quently was married to John W. Swaney. They spent their lives on the farm in Mont- gomery township, and there Mr. Swaney

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died in 1894, aged 83 years, having survived his wife for 16 months, her age being 73 years. They were members of the Baptist church. In politics; Mr. Swaney was a Democrat. Mrs. Simpson has two sisters and four brothers, all of whom have mar- ried, two brothers being residents of Galion. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a Mason, being a member of Galion Lodge and Galion Chapter at Galion, and belongs to the Council at Bucyrus. He also is iden- tified with the I. O. O. F. He is a prom- inent member of the Rural Letter Carriers' Association of Ohio, of which he is secre- tary. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are also active members of the Eastern Star.

SAMUEL M. BAIR,* a well known resi- dent of Whetstone township, lives on his farm of 40 acres, which is a part of the 130- acre Bair homestead. Mr. Bair was born in this township in 1857, being a son of John and Rebecca (Shearer) Bair.

John Bair was born in Stark county, O., where he was a farmer all his life. He adhered to the principles of the Republican party and was affiliated with the Lutheran church. He married, as before indicated, Rebecca Shearer, who was born in Whet- stone township, Crawford county, and they became the parents of children who were named as follows: G. W., Samuel M., Rachel Ann, wife of George Ness; Michael D .; Adam, deceased; Sadie J., deceased, who was the wife of John Seifert, and Lilly, wife of Lawrence McMichael.

Samuel M. Bair grew up on his father's farm, and after his school education was finished went to work on this farm with his father. He later was employed by the month, and so continued for ten years, when he rented a farm and went to work for himself. Eight years were spent in this manner and then Mr. Bair bought his pres- ent farm of forty acres from the Bair heirs and here he has since successfully carried on general farming.

In September, 1888, Mr. Bair was mar- ried to Miss Minerva Ellen Morrow, a na- tive of Jefferson township. She is a daugh-

ter of William and Catherine Morrow, of Crawford county, where William Morrow was formerly a well known farmer. He is now deceased and is buried in Biddle ceme- tery, but his wife survives and still lives in this township. Mr. Bair's brothers and sis- ter are as follows: Harvey, Charles, Irvin, Albert, Frank, Joseph and Maude, who is the wife of Frederick Ritzhof.

To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Bair there has been born one son, Ray Marion, who lives at home. Mr. Bair is a Republican and has served four or five years on the school board and as road supervisor for about seven years. He and his family are attendants of the U. B. church.

JOHN C. MEYER, who may almost be named as one of the pioneers in the ice busi- ness at Bucyrus, has been continuously en- gaged in the same since 1883 and has acquired an ample competency through the handling of this necessary commodity. Mr. Meyer was born at Bucyrus, April 7, 1861, a son of John and Margaret (Bauer) Meyer.

The parents of Mr. Meyer were both born in Germany and came to the United States in youth, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the cum- bersome sailing vessels of that day and after long and tempestuous voyages, landing safely at New York. They were married in Bucyrus, O. Mr. Meyer was an industrious man and was well known as a faithful and honest laborer along many lines and was a very promi- nent Democrat for many years. He was elected a member of the board of Infirmary directors, also of the board of Public Service and once was city treasurer. His death oc- curred August 6, 1908, when he was aged 76 years, 4 months and 12 days. His widow sur- vived until Aug. 2, 1911, her age being 72 years. They had seven children, four sons and two daughters yet living. They were mem- bers of the German Lutheran church.

John C. Meyer was the eldest son and sec- ond child in his parents' family. He attended school in his native city and in boyhood was variously employed but his main business in- terest for the past 28 years has been the hand- ling of ice. He married Miss Mary O. Bauer, who was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, in 1863, and died Sept. 5, 1902. She

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was a daughter of Frederick and Henrietta (Bauer) Bauer, natives of Saxony, Germany. After they came to the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer lived first at Boston, Mass., and then came to Crawford county, settling in Lykens Township, where Mrs. Bauer died, after which Mr. Bauer came to this city and died here at the age of 84 years. They had five sons and three daughters. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyers, the surviv- ors being : Carrie H., born Oct. 31, 1885, who is the wife of Otis Shearer and has one daughter, Mary Martha, their home being at Aberdeen, S. Dak .; Odelia M., who was born in 1887, and resides at home; Edwin F. B., who with his wife Anna resides at home, he being in business with his father ; and Augusta C., John and Adelaide, all of whom are at home. Mr. Meyer and family belong to the German Luth- eran church. He is a Democrat in politics and fraternally is connected with the Elks, the Eagles, the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and also has belonged to the Deutsche Gesell- · schaft since 1880, being a member in good standing of all these lodges.

CHARLES JACOB SCROGGS, senior member of the law firm of Scroggs & Mon- nett, was born in Bucyrus, O., July 14, 1863, a son of Hon. Jacob and Julia A. (Walwork) Scroggs. His paternal family is of Scotch origin, and according to tradition, their name is properly "Murray." During one of the border wars of the middle ages, Sir James Murray was on the losing side and he and supposedly all his family were put to death, except that after the battle, a child wrapped in the Murray plaid was found among the "scroggs," the local name of a kind of under- brush. Sir William Murray, a younger brother who had been on the other side in the battle was perfectly willing the older branch of the family should be extinct but was not quite equal to killing an innocent child in cold blood, and as a compromise, the boy. although undoubtedly his brother's son and the right- ful heir to the family title and estates, was never formally recognized nor given the fam- ily name, but was called "Scroggs" from the place where he was found. This rescued child was the ancestor of the Scroggs family under

present consideration. Among the family annals also we find that a Sir William Scroggs, born in 1623, was graduated from Oxford University in 1639 and served as chief justice under Charles II. He died in 1683.

The first ancestors of the Scroggs family to seek their fortunes in the New World were four brothers of the name-Alexander, Allen, John and James Scroggs, who in 1743 set- tled in Cumberland county, Pa. According to family tradition, they were either grandchil- dren or great grandchildren of Chief Justice Scroggs above mentioned. They became men of mark and substance, but with three of them our history has little to do, being concerned chiefly with Allen. The latter was a farmer in Cumberland county, Pa., where he died in 1776, leaving a numerous family. His second son, John, born in 1766, made his way to Bal- timore, where on May 18th, 1787, he married Frances Hook. He died in 1796 at the early age of 30 years.

His son, John Scroggs, Jr., who was born in Baltimore in 1792, was a hatter by trade. He continued to reside in that city until 1819 and saw military service in the War of 1812- 15, being present at the bombardment of Fort McHenry and at North Point. He then re- moved to Cumberland county, Pa., and one year later to Columbiana county, O. He was married in Canton, O., to Ann Shawke, a daughter of Jacob and Dorothea (Kester) Shawke. Her father was born in Lebanon county, Pa., Nov. 15, 1753, and was of Ba- varian ancestry, being able to trace his family back to the 14th century. He was a soldier of the Revolution, serving during portions of seven years in a number of Pennsylvania com- panies and dying at Lisbon, Ohio, in 1832.

John Scroggs, Jr., was a hatter, which trade he followed at Lisbon and Canton, Ohio, and afterward at Bucyrus, to which place he re- moved in 1839 and settling on the site of the present residence of the subject of this sketch. Here he resided until his death in 1861. having lived not an eventful life but one which won for him the highest respect of all who knew him. After his death his widow made her home with her only living daughter, Mrs. W. T. Giles, until her death in 1882, at the ripe age of 86 years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scroggs were lifelong and faithful members of the

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Methodist Episcopal church, and the present beautiful edifice in Bucyrus contains memorial windows in their honor.

They were the parents of seven children: Joseph R., who died in Freeport, Ill., unmar- ried, in 1867, a newspaper man by profession and a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. William M., for two terms county auditor, who married Miss Margaret Byron in 1849 and died at Bucyrus in 1874, leaving a widow and two children, all since deceased; Jacob, father of the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of W. T. Giles, one of the newspaper men of the West, who died at Freeport, Ill., in 1898, his wife having passed away in 1889, leaving two children-W. S., a railway mail clerk, and Mira L., a teacher in the Chicago schools, who died in 1904; Mira, wife of C. W. Butterfield, died at Bucyrus, O., in 1859; Amanda, who died young; John B., a promi- nent lawyer of Kansas City, Kas., where he died in 1899, leaving behind him a widow and three step-children.

Jacob Scroggs father of Charles Jacob, was born in Canton, O., Aug. II, 1827. He attended the frontier schools in his boyhood and also learned his father's trade, but finding it uncongenial employment, he taught school for five terms, worked on the local newspapers and in clerical positions in the court house. He held a clerk's position in Toledo for a year and also traveled a year for Winthrop Smith & Co., the predecessors of the American Book Co. He then applied himself to the study of the law under the direction of Judge Hall and D. W. Swigert, and was graduated at the Cincinnati Law School in 1854. In the fol- lowing year he opened an office in Bucyrus, where for 40 years he occupied an honored position at the Crawford county bar. His character as a lawyer has been well summed up in the following words: "Never sanctioning the sharp practice which too many consider a necessary concomitant of the practice of law, others had more success than he in making a jury believe 'the worse were the better cause;' but in profound knowledge of the law, fine reasoning powers, and in that integrity of character which enabled and compelled him on occasion to fearlessly tell a client he was in the wrong, he stood easily in the front rank." From the memorial to him adopted by

the Ohio State Bar Association we extract the following :

"Upon his fair name the breath of suspi- cion never dared to rest. His word was a bond that was never forfeited and his rugged man -- hood commanded confidence and won respect from all. With few early advantages, he made himself, by industry and energy, a peer of the ablest lawyers of the state, a man of lib- eral education, broad views and affluent cir- cumstances. He was held in universal esteem by men of all parties throughout the city, the county and the state."

Jacob Scroggs was an active Republican in politics, which circumstance prevented him from ever holding high office, Crawford county being strongly Democratic. He served, however, as mayor of Bucyrus for four years and for twelve years was a member of the board of education, for ten years of that time being its president; and for nine years his name was upon both tickets. He was a presi- dential elector in 1864 and again in 1880, was the Republican candidate for circuit judge in 1884, and two years later was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for supreme judge.

On Sept. 22, 1859, Jacob Scroggs was united in marriage with Julia A. Walwork, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 4, 1833. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Stephens) Walwork, the former a native of England and the latter of Glen Falls, N. Y., her mother's family tracing their de- scent from the early Puritan settlers. She became a school teacher at the early age of fourteen, teaching first near Syracuse, N. Y., and she held a life certificate empowering her to teach in any school in New York state. In 1855 she went to Georgia as a teacher, but her anti-slavery views caused her to return north in 1857. Coming to Bucyrus, she had charge of the high school here, holding that position until three years after her marriage, the rest of her life being devoted to her home, family and friends. She was a highly successful teacher and was a prominent factor in the social and intellectual life of the city, although virtually confined to her home as an invalid for many years before her death, which took place July 23, 1901. She had survived her

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husband several years, he having passed away March 23, 1897.

Charles Jacob Scroggs, whose nativity has been already given, was the only child of his -parents. He was educated by his mother and in the public schools, from which he was grad- uated in 1877 at the age of fourteen, being the youngest graduate on record. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, O., one year, after which he took a four years' course at Michigan University, Ann Arbor, graduating at that institution in 1884 with the degree of A. M., being one of seven in a class of 90 to receive the master's degree instead of the customary A. B. Two years later he was graduated at the Cincinnati Law School with the degree of LL. B., and since then has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Bucyrus, being associated with his father until the latter's death and since then with his present partner, Mr. Wallace L. Monnett. He has inherited many of his father's characteristics and as a safe, accurate advisor, particularly in matters of commercial and corporation law, he is excelled by none in the county. He has also been actively iden- tified with the business life of the community. He was one of the organizers of the Bucyrus Loan and Building Association, of which he has been attorney and director since its incep- tion, and he helped to organize and is one of the directors of the Home Mutual Fire Asso- ciation.

Mr. Scroggs is an independent Republican in politics, his independence being so marked that he has never affiliated with the regular party organization or been a candidate for office, and the only public position he has ever filled has been vice-president of the sinking fund commission, a place he has had since the adoption of the municipal code of 1903. In this capacity he at once on the organization of the board, insisted that the bank handling their account should pay the city interest on daily balances, and it is largely through his agitation and effort that all public funds of the county are now deposited with the banks pay- ing the highest interest, instead of, as for- merly, being left in favored banks without compensation.

Mr. Scroggs is a Free Mason of high stand- ing, his official record in that order being as

follows: W. M., Trinity Lodge, No. 556, 1906-7 ; H. P. Bucyrus Chapter No. 160, 1908- 9; T. I. M., Gwynn Council, No. 83, 1902-3; W. P. Bucyrus Chapter, No. 3, Order East- ern Star, 1905. He is also a member of Ma- rion Commandery, No. 36, K. T .; Ohio Con- sistory A. A. S. R., and Al Koran Temple N. M. S. He is also a Past Chancellor of De- mas Lodge No. 108, K. of P. and under Grand Chancellor Young was his deputy for the six- teenth Pythian district, composed of Craw- ford, Seneca and Wyandot counties; was a charter member of Bucyrus Lodge, No. 156, B. P. O. E., and is a life member of the Grand Lodge of that order. He also takes an active interest in the Sons of the American Revolu- tion and has been one of the board of man- agers of its Ohio Society and was a delegate to the national congress of the order in 1901. .He is also a man of strong literary tastes and has one of the finest private libraries in Bucy- rus.

He was married on June 5, 1912 to Miss Mary E. Zouck, eldest daughter of the late Peter G. and Mary E. (Myers) Zouck, of Bal- timore, Md. Her father was born at Tren- ton, Baltimore county, May 31, 1846 being of French Huguenot descent; was educated at Gettysburg College, of which in later life, he was a trustee, and during most of his adult life was a prominent figure in the business circles of Baltimore and Baltimore county, be- ing an extensive dealer in lime, lumber and other contractor's supplies. He was also one of the most prominent lay members of that branch of the Lutheran church commonly spoken of as the "English Lutheran" being a frequent delegate to its general synod and serving on a number of its boards. He died at Glen Morris, Baltimore county, Nov. 19, 1906. His wife was a native of Hanover, Pa., and is of "Pennsylvania German" and Virginian ancestry, being a daughter of Col. David Myers, whose mother was a second cousin of General Washington; and a great granddaughter of Col. Henry Schlegel of Revolutionary fame.

SIDNEY ELLSWORTH KIESS, a gen- eral farmer who has been very successful in his agricultural operations, resides on his own farm of eighty acres and is interested with his

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father in 160 acres, both properties lying in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O. He was born in Whetstone township, July 25, 1868, and is a son of Simeon and Catherine (Kile) Kiess.

Simeon Kiess was born in Lycoming county, Pa., a son of Jacob and Cath- erine Kiess, of German extraction, and for many years was a farmer in Whetstone town- ship and now lives retired at Bucyrus. He is a Democrat in his political views and both he and wife are members of the Evangelical church. He married Catherine Kile, who was born in Whetstone township, a daughter of Tobias and Catherine Kile, and they have three children : Sidney E .; Harvey E., who is cashier of the Farmers and Citizens Bank, Bucyrus; and Verne E., who is a farmer in Whetstone township.

Sidney E. Kiess attended the public schools and assisted his father on the home farm until he was 22 years of age and afterward engaged in farming for himself. In 1900, in partner- ship with his father, he bought 160 acres of the old Elias Lavely farm and in the spring of 19II, purchased the remaining eighty acres. This is considered a fine property, the land being well situated for both farming and stock raising and improved with substantial build- ings including two houses and two barns. Mr. Kiess is an intelligent and progressive farmer, a member of the local Grange, and he is also one of the leading Democrats of the township and served for seven years as township trustee.

On Jan. 29, 1891, Mr. Kiess was married to Miss Amanda M. Cook, a daughter of Fred and Rosanna (Wagner) Cook. They were both born in Lycoming county, Pa., their parents being George and Margaret Cook and John and Catherine Wagner, and they now live retired at Bucyrus and are members of the Evangelical church. They have three chil- dren: Mrs. Kiess; Harvey W., who is a farmer in Whetstone township; and Earl E., who is assistant cashier of the Second National Bank at Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Kiess have two interesting children, a son and daughter, Harold Raymond, who was born Nov. 29, 1901, and Kathryne Rosena, who was born June 13, 1910. They attend the Evangelical church. Mr. Kiess is one of the township's substantial as well as reliable citizens and is

a stockholder in the Farmers and Citizens Bank at Bucyrus.

PETER L. BASH, general farmer and stock raiser, whose excellent farm of 140 acres is situated four miles west of Bucyrus, O., in Holmes township, Crawford county, was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, Feb. 9, 1856. He is a son of Peter and Susannah (Cover) Bash,

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 123

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