History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 124

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 124

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Peter Bash was born in Pennsylvania and there grew to manhood. When he started out for himself he came to Ohio and afterward made his home in Liberty township, and Holmes township, Crawford county, where he died when aged 80 years. He was a well known man in his day, a successful farmer and a worthy citizen in every respect. He married Susannah Cover, who was also a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and they had ten children born to them, three of whom died in infancy. Samuel and Jacob are farmers living in In- diana. Mary, who is now deceased, was the wife of Jacob Seibert. Elizabeth is the wife of William Poister, of. Holmes township. Rebecca is the wife of Willis Noblet of Wyan- dot county, O. Peter L. was the sixth in order of birth. Susannah is the wife of S. A. Mc- Bride and they live in Indiana.

Peter L. Bash was one year old when his parents moved to Holmes township and here he went to school and afterward became a teacher. He taught five winter terms in Holmes township and two terms in Tod town- ship and then settled down to farming the homestead, which he subsequently bought and has always made his home here. His father had kept the place in good condition, having cleared the land when he first settled on it, and with the exception of building a new barn, Mr. Bash has not had to add improvements except those which all good farmers provide who take a pride in their possessions.

Peter L. Bash was married in 1883, to Miss Laura Miller, who died in 1892, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Miller. Mr. Bash has four children, namely: Floy, who is the wife of Carl Harvey, living in Holmes township; Orlo R., who married Flora Mutchler and lives in Tod township, having one son, Cecil; Roy E., who married Ethel Kimbel and lives with his father ; and Russell D., who is a student in the

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township schools where he is making fine prog- ress, having successfully passed the Boxwell examination. Mr. Bash and family attend the United Brethren church which is situated just north of the homestead. He is a Democrat in politics and has served on the township school board very usefully and for two terms was township assessor.

HARRY A. PAXTON,* proprietor of the Paxton Garage, located at Nos. 310-12 South Sandusky street, Bucyrus, has been in business here since 1907, having succeeded the firm of Rosina Bros., who founded the concern in 1905. Mr. Paxton was born at Iberia, Mor- row county, O., July 1, 1875 and obtained his education in the public schools.

Mr. Paxton was married in this city to learned his trade at Fostoria, O., in the great Seneca Machine shops. Afterward he was connected with the Shunk Plow Company, at Bucyrus, with which house he continued for ten years and during this time became well acquainted with the people of Bucyrus and the business prospects in this city. Since tak- ing charge of his present quarters he has in- creased his floor space to three times the origi- nal extent, now having 16,800 feet, the build- ing being of concrete and steel construction, favorably located within two blocks of the public square. He has room for the display of 45 cars and his plant is equipped with a paint house and a machine shop. He has shown himself a shrewd and reliable business man and is prospering.

Mr. Paxton was married in this city to Miss Laura N. Rosina, who was born and educated here, and they have one daughter, Jessie R., who was born Dec. 29, 1903. In politics Mr. Paxton is a Republican. Frater- nally he belongs to the Elks, Modern Wood- men and the Masons, in the last named organi- zation belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, all at Bucyrus.

ANDREW McINTIRE RUMER was born near Rockland, in Newcastle county, Del., Oct. 19, 1836, and comes of an old fam- ily that was established at Whitely Creek Hundred prior to the Revolutionary War. His father was James Rumer, his grandfather was John Rumer and his great-grandfather was Henry Rumer.

Henry Rumer came to the American col- onies from Germany before the Revolution- ary struggle and secured the equivalent of a while township of land in Delaware, where he lived into old age. John Rumer, son of Henry, was a man well educated for that day and taught school and utilized a cherry desk which his grandson now prizes and keeps in repair, this heirloom being at least 150 years old. John Rumer served in the War of 1812 and seems to have been a man of considerable prominence, for years collecting the state taxes and serving in other offices. He miar- ried Ellen Emma McGlade, who was born in Ireland but was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They were among the early members of the Presbyterian church in their section. Their entire family of nine children survived to maturity and all, with the exception of James Rumer, who died at the age of 71 years, lived to be more than 80 years of age. All mar- ried and left descendants except Henry, who succumbed to the injuries received in the Mex- ican War, a short time after his return from the same.

James Rumer, the eldest born of the chil- dren of John and Ellen Emma Rumer, was born about 1800, in Delaware, and died at the home of his son Andrew. His life had been an agricultural one and probably he owned slaves to assist in the developing of his lands. He was a Democrat in politics but never accepted public office. James Rumer married Eleanor Biddle, who was born in Newcastle county, in 1811, and died in 1867, when aged 56 years. She was reared by Pres- byterian parents, who were rigid church dis- ciplinarians. Nine children were born to James and Eleanor Rumer, two of whom died in infancy. Seven grew to mature years and married and the six survivors all reside in Ohio.

Andrew McIntire Rumer was the second born in the above family and the eldest son, and was reared in Delaware. His educational opportunities were meagre and as soon as old enough he learned the stone cutting and stone mason trades, and in 1856 entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and was engaged in construction work for them when the Civil War broke out. He soon de- cided to enter the army and on May 26, 1862, enlisted, entering Co. H, 130th Pa. Vol. Inf ..

ANDREW McINTIRE RUMER

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as quartermaster sergeant, and was mustered out May 23, 1863. He re-enlisted, Feb. 1864, and was a second time honorably discharged and mustered out Oct. 8, 1865. For some time his battery had been stationed in front of Petersburg, Va., and was at Fort Spring Hill when General Lee surrendered to Gen- eral Grant. Although Mr. Rumer saw hard service and very often was in positions of the gravest danger, he was permitted to escape without injury although a heavy toll was ex- acted from his regiment at Antietam and at Bloody Angle.

After his return from the war, Mr. Rumer soon became connected with the construction department of the Western Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and was placed in charge of all work calling for the use of brick or stone. In 1880, when he came to the T. & O. Railroad, he located at Bucyrus and from then until 1908 was a contractor with this road, at the head of the contracting firm of A. M. Rumer & Co. 1909 Mr. Rumer retired from business and his son, Charles Victor Dupont Rumer, succeeded to the busi- ness, which he now carries on at Columbus, O. Mr. Rumer continues to be interested in it as a director and he has other large interests, including the Fulton Stone Company, in Mor- row county and owns the Corning Stone Quarry, in Perry county, O. During the win- ter seasons Mr. Rumer and family live at Bucyrus, but in the summer time they retire to a beautiful farm of 118 acres, which Mrs. Rumer owns in Portage county, O.

Mr. Rumer was married in Richland coun- ty, O., to Miss Susan J. Cope, who was born in 1843 and was reared and educated at Mans- field, O. She is a daughter of John and Eliza C. (Stough) Cope, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and came from there to Ohio in the thirties and settled in the vincinity of Mans- field. John Cope became a man of large means and was an extensive farmer and stock raiser. His death occurred at the age of 48 years, while his widow survived to be 54 years old. They were worthy people and were members of the German Lutheran church. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rumer, namely: Frank Llewelyn, who resides at Corpus Christi, Texas, and who married Harriet Sagar and has three

children-Margaret Lucile, John Andrew and Norma Ray; Charles Victor Dupont, who married Rose Eichman, of Bucyrus. These two sons are the only survivors. Charles V. D. Rumer is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, while Mr. Rumer is also an equally advanced Mason. The latter belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Bucyrus, to the Toledo Commandery and to the Shrine at Cleveland and is a life member and past high priest of Maumee Commandery. In other fraternal bodies he has also been prominent, having been identified with the Odd Fellows for 35 years and is past noble grand in that order; is a member of the East- ern Star, the Royal Order of Scotland, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Ru- mer belongs also to the Eastern Star and is past matron and also grand chaplain of the Grand Chapter; belongs also to the order of Rebecca and for some years has been a mem- ber of the Ladies' Relief Corps. She is well known in philanthropic movements here and is very active as a member of the church mis- sionary and aid society.

Mr. Rumer is a valued member of Kelley Post, G. A. R., at Bucyrus and takes part in its deliberations and is deeply concerned in the pending legislation in reference to vet- erans of the Civil War. His political attitude has always been in accord with the Republican party, but he has always felt too much occu- pied with buisness affairs to feel at liberty to accept public office which has many times been tendered him. Frequently he has given ad- vice and has willingly cooperated in further- ing public spirited enterprises here.

W. L. SPRINGER, who resides on his birthplace farm, a tract of eighty acres, which lies in section 26, Cranberry township, Craw- ford county, Ohio, belongs to an old Ohio family which was established here in pioneer days. Mr. Springer was born on this farm October 23, 1877, and is the son of Samuel S. and Annie M. (Tobin) Springer.

Samuel S. Springer was born near Big Hill, in Richland county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and later settled one mile southeast of New Washington, and after marriage set- tled on the farm above described which he completed clearing. Here he lived the life of

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a busy farmer until his last sickness, his death occurring Feb. 2, 1899, and his burial was in the Goodwill cemetery. After his death his widow continued for a time to carry on the farm and still resides here. Mr. Springer was an honorable and upright man and was widely known. He was a good citizen and did not seek public office but performed his duties- ac- cording to his conscience and . judgment. Nominally he was a Democrat but before death had become much interested in the Prohibition party. He married Annie M. Tobin, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth Tobin, and four children were born to them: Mrs. Etta Miller, who lives at Decatur, Ind .; Mrs. Zella May Nye, who is a resident of Auburn township, Crawford county ; Mrs. Alma Ackerman, who lives in Cranberry township; and W. L., who has leased the homestead. The parents of the above family reared their children in the beliefs of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In going to school and in helping on the home farm, and in taking part in the pleasant social life of his neighborhood, Mr. Springer passed from boyhood into youth and man- hood and then settled down to the serious busi- ness of cultivating his acres with successful results. He has a near market at New Wash- ington, which is but four miles distant in a northwesterly direction. General farming is engaged in and Mr. Springer raises his own stock and fruit.

On Sept. 27, 1901, Mr. Springer was mar- ried to Miss Edna Grace Bruce, who was born in Auburn township, Crawford county, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Keller) Bruce, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Springer was II years old. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have had three children : a babe that died un- named; Elsworth, who is a school boy of nine years; and Roberta, who is in her seventh year. Mr. and Mrs. Springer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and is also secretary of the church board. In his political views he is a Demo- crat.

MISS LOUISE HOFSTETTER. After devoting practically her whole life to educa- tional work at Galion, O., it is a matter of justifiable pride to Miss Hofstetter to be able to number among her former pupils so many

who have attained prominence in their various careers, and also to recognize the great ad- vancement made in educational standards in the Galion schools since she, figuratively, put her girlish shoulder to the task of turning the wheel of progress. She was born at Galion and this city has been her continuous home. She is a daughter of Charles Hofstetter and a granddaughter of Jacob Hofstetter, who was the founder of the family in America.

Jacob Hofstetter was born in Germany and was married there to Louise Holz, who died in Germany, leaving children. Jacob Hofstet- ter was married a second time in Germany and with this wife and his children, came to America in 1847 and later reached Galion, O. His second wife died here and he married one more and died here in old age.

Charles Hofstetter was born Nov. 22, 1827, at Grossestadt, Baden, Germany, a son of Jacob and Louise (Holz) Hofstetter. He accompanied his father to the United States and to Galion, O., but soon afterward went to Mansfield, where he became a clerk in a hardware store and remained until 1857, when he returned to Galion and started the first hardware store in the place, in that same year erecting his own building at No. 104 East Main street, one of the early brick structures that still remain suitable for business purposes. He remained in the hardware business for seven years and then accepted a position as travel- ing salesman for a large firm and afterward came back to Galion and went into the whole- sale wine and liquor business and in this con- nection compounded and put on the market a medicinal preparation under his own name that had a wide sale and became a standard remedy. He was a foremost man in many lines of activity and very public spirited and during the long siege of the Civil War when so much hardship was entailed on the families of the soldiers at the front, he was generous and resourceful in providing for their necessi- ties. He was a charter member of both the Masons and Odd Fellows at Galion and until the close of life remained active workers in these organizations. After a long, useful and honorable life he passed away at Galion, April 5, 1872.

On April 2, 1858, Mr. Hofstetter was mar- ried at Galion, to Miss Lena Kraft, who was

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born in this city, Oct. 22, 1840, in a house standing in sight of the present city hall, which ground had been cleared of timber by her father, John Kraft, who was born in Prus- sian Germany and came young to the United States and located at Galion, O., where he married Margaret Ichhorn, who was a native of Baden, Germany. In 1854, Mr. Kraft built what was known as the Galion Brewery. He built his first home, a log house, where now stand the city public buildings, in 1836. He was one of the founders of the German Re- formed church here and his daughter, Mrs. Hofstetter, has always been a member of this religious body, and remembers many occasions when the preachers were hospitably enter- tained by her parents.

To Charles Hofstetter and wife the fol- lowing children were born: Louise; John F., who is a resident of Cleveland; Catherine, who is in the millinery business at Crestline; Lena, who is the wife of Charles Knight, of Galion, and has two children; Naoma L., who is the wife of Aldon Metheany, who is in the insurance business at Galion, and Lorin C.

Miss Louise Hofstetter was graduated from the Galion High School in 1876 and in 1877 began teaching school and has taught contin- uously at Galion ever since. Her circle of ac- quaintance takes in old and young and the affectionate regard in which she is held in many homes is indicated by the title of Aunt Lou, given by those who have been the objects of her affectionate care and instruction for so long a time. Miss Hofstetter and the other members of the family, are all communicants of the Reformed church.

GILBERT FERRIS MALCOLM, a prosperous farmer, who is now serving in his third term as trustee of the township, is the owner of 275 acres of good farm land in Dal- las and Bucyrus townships. He was born in Bucyrus township, this county, April 29, 1865, a son of James Harvey and Elcy (Monnett) Malcolm. His grandparents were James Har- vey and Elizabeth Malcolm, and his great grandfather on the paternal side, who was also named James, was an aide to General Scott in the War of 1812 and fell in the battle of Lundy's Lane, being buried on the battlefield.

James H. Malcolm, father of our subject,

was born Oct. 18, 1827, in Ulster county, N. Y. He lived on a farm and attended dis- trict school. His father dying and leaving him to fight the battle of life alone, he found em- ployment in a mill, where he worked morning and evening to pay his board, while he at- tended . school during the day. In the summer he worked on a farm. At the age of 16 he commenced buying cattle for his brother and was thus employed for about three years, his brother being one of the first to slaughter and send quartered beef down the Hudson to the New York markets. He next went to Wash- ington, where he engaged in selling beef by the quarter, which occupation he followed for five years. During this time he formed the acquaintance of some of the leading stock dealers of the Sandusky Plains, among whom were the Monnetts. In 1851 he went to Cali- fornia, taking the water route, the voyage oc- cupying 36 days. While there he purchased a tract of land in the Santa Clara valley and kept a ranch for one year, then selling it at a fair profit. He then located on the river 20 miles below Sacramento City, on the great Vine ranch and here turned his attention to the raising of vegetables. A large portion of his crops were ruined, however, by an over- flow of the river. In the winter of 1854 he returned to New York, where he resumed the handling of cattle.

In June, 1856, he came to Bucyrus and en- gaged in buying and feeding cattle, in part- nership with George Roberts. This business union lasted three years and was productive of fair success. He then continued in the stock business alone, and rented the Abraham Mon- nett "Mud Run" farm for one year, when he bought the homestead portion, consisting of 360 acres, living here nine years and adding 300 acres in 1868. In May, 1878, he removed to Bucyrus to educate his children. His wife, to whom he was married Nov. 4, 1862, was in maidenhood Elcy Monnett, a daughter of A. Monnett of Marion county, O. Their chil- dren are Catherine E., wife of Mitchell Aye; Gilbert F., subject of this sketch ; and Ella M., wife of Dr. Kock at Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Malcolm were members of the M. E. church, which Mr. Malcolm served as trustee and steward.

Gilbert Ferris Malcolm in his boyhood at-

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tended the common schools of Bucyrus town- ship and was brought up on the farm acquir- ing a good knowledge of agricultural methods. In course of time he acquired land of his own, as already described, and is now engaged suc- cessfully in general farming. He also deals extensively in mules, both buying and selling them. He owns a Percheron stallion, Cardan; also a Belgium stallion, Eclatant, and one road stallion, Bert Wilks. In politics he is a Re- publican, and the fact that he is now serving in his third term as township trustee shows that he has gained the confidence of his fellow citizens and is a man of recognized ability in business affairs.

Mr. Malcolm was married Feb. 18, 1897, to Elizabeth Hinamon, of Marion county, whose father is Frederick Hinamon, a farmer of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm attend Scioto Chapel.

ANSON WICKHAM, attorney at law at Bucyrus, O., and president of the Bar Associa- tion of Crawford county, has been prominent in his profession for many years, during the larger number of which he has been a resident of Bucyrus.

He was born on a farm in Crawford county in June, 1849, and grew to manhood thereon. He is a son of Willard and Phoebe (Pen- nington) Wickham, the father being a native of New York and of English ancestry. The mother was from Virginia, being of Irish and German ancestry. They had a family of seven children.

Anson Wickham attended the district schools and later attended the University of Otterbein where he was graduated in May, 1873. In July following he began the study of the law in the office of Scott & Harris of Bucyrus, O., a leading law firm of northwestern Ohio, and on the 18th day of September, 1875, was admitted to the bar at Kenton, Ohio. He thereupon began the practice of the law at Bucyrus and has continued to practice there ever since. Shortly after he began the practice of the law he was appointed city solicitor and served for some time in that capacity and subsequently elected prosecuting attorney of Crawford county, in which exacting office he served six years. Mr. Wickham has always been an active and use-

ful citizen and has lent his influence to all measures for the public good.

In May, 1893, Mr. Wickham was married to Catharine Shellhase who was born in Prussia. Her parents emigrated to this coun- try when Catharine was of tender years and settled in Jefferson township, Crawford county, where she resided until the decease of her parents which occurred in 1886-7, after which she moved to the city of Bucyrus. For the past few years Mr. and Mrs. Wickham have been practically living under the eaves of the courthouse.

JOHN EDGAR GIBSON, general farmer and substantial citizen of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., was born on his present farm of 80 acres, all in one tract, Dec. 31, 1859, and is a son of John and Mary (Kerr) Gibson.

John Gibson was born in Franklin county, Pa., a son of George and Hannah (Buchan- non) Gibson, and came to Crawford county as a young man and entered the farm which is still called the John Gibson place. He became a prominent man in Whetstone township, served many years as a justice of the peace and in other offices especially those connected with educational advancement. He was also a leader in all moral movements, a strict Pres- byterian and frequently visited over the county in order to encourage the establishing of Sun- day schools. He was married (first) to Mar- tha Mathews, who left one daughter at death, Martha, who married William Gregg and is now deceased. His second marriage was to Mary Kerr, who was born also in Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Campbell) Kerr, and to this union the fol- lowing children were born: Margaret Ann, now deceased, was the wife of John Camp- bell, deceased; Hannah, who was twice mar- ried, first to Andrew R. Walker and second to Peter Helfrick, surviving both and now residing at Bucyrus: Andrew H., who mar- ried Lettie J. Campbell; George B., who mar- ried Hattie Shroll; Mary Belle, who is de- ceased; James M., a practicing physician at Suffolk, Va., who is a graduate of Columbus Medical College, and who married Rachel Stewart: Emma Aline, deceased, who was the wife of William Stewart; John Edgar; Charles

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E., who married Ella Woods; and Della J. and Leaffa L. Charles E. and his two younger sisters had collegiate advantages, attending the Central Ohio College at Iberia, and Della J. was also a student at the National Normal School at Lebanon, O.

John Edgar Gibson attended the public school and has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and has remained on the homestead where his two youngest sisters also live. Mr. Gibson and sisters attend the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican as was his father, and has served one term as a mem- ber of the school board. This family is known all over the county and is held in high regard.

WILLIAM F. HOOVER, whose valuable farm of 115 acres lies three miles west of Bucyrus, O., was born on this place, July 27, 1872, and has spent his life there engaged in farming and stock raising. His parents were Jacob and Fredericka (Haffner) Hoover.

Jacob Hoover was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Holmes township, Crawford county, O. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, came to the United States in 1851 at the age of 19 years and settled in Crawford county, where he died July 7, 1900, having spent all his life in this county after emigrating to this country. This section of the county was a wilderness when he came here, he securing his land in Holmes township, in 1868. Where now stands Roher's planing mill was a burnt over tract with stumps left and where other industries are now carried on was still forest, swamp and brush. For three years after reaching Craw- ford county he lived at Bucyrus and afterward for a time on another tract and then secured the present homestead, which he cleared and built the residence that still serves. He mar- ried Fredericka Haffner, who was born in Germany and came to the United States when 14 years of age. Ten children were born to them, the survivors being: Mrs. Elizabeth Mollenkopf, who is a resident of Galion, O .; Mrs. Martha Quaintance, who lives at Bucy- rus; Mary, who lives with her brother, Wil- liam F., on the home place; and Mrs. Minnie McGarry, who is a resident of Cleveland, O.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 124

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