History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 130

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

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Albert J. Seele attended school until he was 12 years of age and then began to help his father on the home farm and remained until he was 30 years of age, farming having been his business through life. For 14 years Mr. Seele rented land, having his present farm rented for ten years before buying it, in Feb., 1901, from David W. Nussbaum. He has made improvements since becoming its owner and still continues these and has a valuable property. He carries on general farming and raises stock but only enough for his own use.

On December 12, 1887, Mr. Seele was mar- ried to Miss Ellen Rupert, a daughter of Solomon and Lydia (Haas) Rupert. The father of Mrs. Seele was born in Stark county, O., and the mother is Lykens township, this county. They lived on a farm in Lykens township. They had three children: Aaron, Ellen and Emery. Mr. and Mrs. Seele have one son, James Carson, who was born Oct. 2, 1888 and assists his father. He is a member of Co. A, O. N. G., at Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Seele attend the English Lutheran church. Both Mr. Seele and son are Democrats, and James C. Seele belongs fraternally to the Jr. O. U. A. M., at Bucyrus.

C. R. SHECKLER, M. D., who is the old- est resident physician of Brokensword, Craw- ford county, O., to which place he came in

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1882, was born at Bucyrus, O., in 1856, and is a son of Edward F. and Adeline (Shawk) Sheckler.

Edward F. Sheckler was of German par- entage but was born in Pennsylvania and from there came to Crawford county in young man- hood. For many years afterward he con- ducted a tailoring establishment at Bucyrus and his death occurred at the home of his son, Dr. Sheckler, when he was aged 67 years. He married Adeline Shawk, who passed away at Bucyrus some years before her husband. They had four children, namely : C. R .; Nettie, who married E. J. Williams, a teacher and fruit farmer in the State of Washington; J. Thompson, who is also a resident of Wash- ington, a carpenter by trade; and Edward, who also follows carpentering in Washington.

C. R. Sheckler attended the public schools of Bucyrus and with a local physician did his preliminary medical reading and then entered the Columbus Medical College, Columbus, O., where he was graduated in 1877. He com- menced practice at North Robinson, Crawford county, where he continued for six years and then came to Brokensword and made this pleasant town his permanent home. His prac- tice covers a wide territory and few men are better known in this section. As a citizen he. has been active in advancing the interests of the place and has taken much interest in educa- tional matters and has served on the board of education.

Dr. Sheckler married Miss Catherine Bo- gan, a daughter of Samuel Bogan of North Robinson, and they have three children : Ralph, a railroad man, who married Catherine Gallagher of Fort Wayne, Ind., and has one child; and Adeline and Archie B., both of whom reside at home. In politics Dr. Sheck- ler is a Democrat and fraternally belongs to the order of Foresters.

JOHN PARCHER,* farmer, and one of the leading citizens of Dallas township, was born in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., Sept. 16, 1846, a son of Daniel and Mary (McNeal) Parcher. His father was a native of this county, while his mother was from Pennsylvania. Daniel Parcher was a car- penter by trade and also followed farming to

some extent. In politics he was a Democrat. He and his wife are both deceased and their remains rest in Bucyrus cemetery. Their children were: John, whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Juliet, wife of Josiah Keckler; Wellington, Benjamin, Allison, Edith (deceased), George, Daniel, and Elizabeth and Alexander, who are both deceased.

John Parcher was educated only in the common schools so far as literary attainments are concerned, but his education in the school of life has been broader and more compre- hensive, and in it he has learned many things that are not taught by schoolmasters. Hav- ing been trained to agriculture, from his youth up he has followed farming as his reg- ular occupation and now owns 120 acres of excellent land in Dallas township, which is well cultivated and cared for. His buildings are convenient and supstantial and he is rec- ognized as one of the prosperous citizens of the community. He has owned his present farm for about 15 years, but has lived on it for about 34 years altogether ; it was formerly known as the Wesley White farm. In con- nection with his general farming operations, Mr. Parcher keeps enough stock for his own use. Hs is a Democrat in politics and has been sufficiently active to serve in public office. He was county commissioner for six years and has also served as township trustee.

Mr. Parcher was married Jan. 1, 1868 to Adelia Wilson, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Taylor) Wilson, the former a native of Crawford county, while Mrs. Wilson was from Ross county. Mr. Wilson was an active man among the early settlers of this section; he was both a farmer and merchant, his mer- cantile operations including a considerable trade in furs, which he bought from the Indians. There were thirteen children in the Wilson family, namely: John, Mary, Richard, Susan, Samuel, Malissa, William, Sarah, Daniel, Rachel, David, Adelia and Olive-a good stock contributing to form that high grade of citizenship for which the state of Ohio is noted. The same may be said of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Parcher, ten in number, who are as follows: Jesse; Mary E., wife of G. L. Shemer; Susannah, who is now deceased; Clara, also deceased; Lewis; Alma, wife of C. O. Shemer; John Grover;

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Clarence; Calvin, deceased; and Delcie. Mr. and Mrs. Parcher and family attend the Meth- odist church, while Mr. Parcher is a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum lodge at Bucyrus.

JACOB GEIGER, a well known business man of Bucyrus is the proprietor of the Bucy- rus Copper Kettle Works, a large and well equipped plant which gives employment to many people. He was born in Rhenish Ba- varia, 75 years ago, and was three years of age when his parents with their family came to this country, settling near Chatfield. At the age of 14 Mr. Geiger came to Bucyrus, where he was employed as a clerk by A. P. Widman, then a prominent dry-goods mer- chant. He remained with Mr. Widman about four years, then accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in the dry-goods store of J. P. Bowman. Later he went to Hayesville where he attended school. Returning to Bucy- rus Mr. Geiger clerked for several years, and in the fall of 1863 with Daniel Picking formed a partnership known as Picking & Geiger. This firm bought out the former hardware busi- ness of E. Blair, and conducted a hardware store, with Mr. Geiger as manager. In 1874 this firm started the manufacture of Copper Kettles for boiling apple butter.

Mr. Geiger remained in this business until the spring of 1879 when he sold his interest to D. Picking & Co. He then erected the first building of the Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works, and in the fall of 1879 formed a partnership with Philip E. Bush for the manufacture of copper kettles. To increase the business, other lines of kettles have been added from time to time, and as it became necessary there were additions built to the plant. Since the death of Mr. Bush in 1907, the business has been continued under the old firm name of Geiger & Bush, but Mr. Geiger has been sole pro- prietor. He is still actively engaged in man- aging the business and is assisted by his son, J. D. Geiger.

Mr. Geiger was married June 6, 1877, at Bucyrus to Millie Fenner. They have two children, Judson Dale, a graduate of Rose Polytechnic Institute, who is associated with his father in the business, and Alberta, (B. Lit., Oxford College) who is the wife of Charles W. Kern.

GEORGE BEARD, an agriculturist of Dal- las township, where he operates his farm of 8114 acres, came here on April 8, 1911, from Tod township, where he had lived since 1859 with the exception of one year spent in Wyan- dot county. The family had previous to 1859 been located in Richland county, Ohio. Mr. Beard was born in Germany, May 12, 1847, but was brought to this country when seven years of age. After a residence of seven years in Richland county, O., which was his first home in the United States, he came to Craw- ford county, this being, as before stated, in 1859. Mr, Beard is a son of Jacob and Jo- sephine ( Reichley) Beard, natives of Germany, who are both now deceased and buried at Ne- vada, Ohio.

After coming to this country Jacob Beard engaged in farming and in this way the rest of his life was spent. He was a Democrat in his political views and he and his wife were Lutherans in religious faith. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Beard reared a family of eight children, as follows: John, George, Mary, Cresia, Hat- tie, Fannie, Anna and Susan. Mary became the wife of Barrick Holmes; Cresia is mar- ried to A. D. Mulford; Annie is the wife of George Christy; and Susan, who is now de- ceased, was the wife of Reuben Wilcox.

George Beard grew up on the home farm and received the common school education generally afforded the youths of his day. He has since that time spent his life in agricul- tural pursuits with the exception of one year, when he lived retired at Nevada, Ohio. He does general farming and has been so success- ful in his undertakings that he now needs the services of hired men to help him. He raises stock for his own use.

In 1874 Mr. Beard was married to Mary Feichner, who was born in Crawford county. She is a daughter of John and Rose Ann (Cafeir) Feichner, who were well known farming people of Liberty township, Craw- ford county. They are both deceased and buried in Liberty township, one mile north of Sulphur Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have had one child, Lettie McHenry.

Mr. Beard is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are affiliated with the Lutheran church.

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WILLIAM MERIT McHENRY, a well- known resident of Dallas township, which he is serving as township trustee, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Nov. 21, 1874. This property comprises 100 acres of well-improved land. Mr. McHenry is a son of Caleb and Adeline (Rex) McHenry.

Caleb McHenry was born Nov. 15, 1829 in Columbiana county, O., his parents being Malcomb and Elizabeth (Wickert) McHenry, who had moved from Pennsylvania to Colum- biana county, O., in 1812 and afterwards moved to Richland county, O., where they re- mained until 1838, in which year Malcomb McHenry left his home to go west in search of a better location. He was never afterwards heard of and it is supposed that he was killed by the Indians. His wife moved to Indiana and died there Feb. 6, 1878.

Caleb McHenry, son of Malcomb, and father of our subject, grew up on the farm and fol- lowed agriculture all his life. He came to Dallas township, Crawford county, O., in 1840 and all his subsequent life with the exception of eight years when he was in Lake county, Ind., was spent here. He was widely known in Dallas township, having served as justice of the peace for a great number of years and also as township trustee and clerk to the chair- man of the school board. He was first united in marriage with a Miss Parmer, of Indiana, and their children were: Curtis, deceased; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of R. L. Hudson; Millard Esther, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Shupp; Joseph; and Mary, the wife of David Graham. He married, sec- ondly, Adeline Rex and they became the par- ents of children as follows: Martha, the wife of Willis Spade; Orpha, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Grooves ; Milen and Wil- liam M., the direct subject of this article, who is the youngest born.

William M. McHenry received the usual common school education and then turned his attention to farming which has since been his life's occupation. His land is well improved and Mr. McHenry successfully carries on gen- eral farming on it and he takes pride in rais- ing good stock though not registered.

On April 7, 1898, Mr. McHenry was mar- ried to Miss Lettie Beard, who was born in this county, a daughter of George and Mary (Feichner) Beard, who were formerly resi-

dents of Tod township but who now reside in Dallas township, where Mr. Beard is a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have had but one child, Mrs. McHenry, but Mrs. Beard has three chil- dren from a former marriage to a Mr. Mauer, namely: Frank; Caroline, who was married first to William Miller and secondly to Frank Layman; and Malissa, the wife of Edward Starner. To Mr. and Mrs. McHenry have been born the following children: Eber Wayne, Mary Eunice, Vera May and Maud Fay.

Politically, our subject is a Republican but votes for the man who in his judgment is most capable of filling office, rather than his party's choice. He is serving in his second term as township trustee, having filled this office for four years. He is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Nevada, Ohio, and religiously, he and his family are connected with the U. B. Mt. Zion church in this town- ship.

FRANK E. HAMAN, deceased, was a well known resident of Bucyrus, O., for many years and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fel- low citizens. He was born in the state of New York, Dec. 13, 1834, a son of William and Mary (Hopp) Haman. He was yet young when his parents moved to Richland county, O., where they spent the remainder of their lives. They had a large family of children, one daughter still surviving in the person of Mrs. Fannie J. DeGraff, who lives near Strak- ers, O.

Frank E. Haman spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the district schools. When old enough to learn a trade he came to Bucyrus and apprenticed himself to a black- smith and became a first class mechanic. Later he became a member of the city fire depart- ment and was a brave and efficient worker in that admirable organization for full 18 years. Politically he was a Republican and took an active interest in local measures and served for some years in the office of city marshal. He was a dependable man in every relation of life and his memory is tenderly preserved by his family and friends. His death occurred Feb. 17, 1905, and his obsequies were con- ducted by the Masons, of which fraternity he had been an active member.

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On March 2, 1852, Mr. Haman was mar- ried to Miss Isabella Jane Cromleigh, who was born at Middleton, Dauphin county, Pa., Oct. II, 1830. Her father died in Dauphin county when aged 37 years, 3 months and 7 days, hav- ing been a well known man, a teacher, merchant and lumber inspector. He was one of the leading members of the Lutheran church in his community and for years was superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. After some time his widow married a Mr. Stringfellow, but no children were born to the second union. Mrs. Haman was 18 years old when she accom- panied her mother to Richland county, being the only child born to the first marriage. Her mother died in Ohio when aged almost 60 years. She was a member of the Christian church.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Haman, three sons, and five daughters. One daughter, Josephine, died in far off Honolulu, having gone to Hawaii as a teacher of music. She was very talented and in girlhood had been the organist in the Presbyterian church at Bucyrus. She is survived by her husband and two daughters. Two other daughters died in maidenhood, M. Jennie, at the age of 14 years, and Ida, at the age of 13 years. Effie J., another child, died in. her fourth year. There are three surviving members of the fam- ily: Lewis C., who resides with his family at Cleveland, O .; Loring C., who resides with his family at Warsaw, Ind., where he is in the restaurant business; and Frances E., who is the widow of Joseph Shanks and has two sons. Mrs. Haman and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church.

WILLARD T. WHITE, proprietor of a farm of 800 acres in Dallas township, is one of this township's best known and most pros- perous citizens. He was born in Dallas town- ship, Crawford county, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1845, a son of Charles Wesley and Hannah (Hoo- ver) White. His paternal grandfather, also named Charles, was born and reared in Vir- ginia, and, being about 16 years old when the Revolutionary war broke out, was placed on the muster roll of the militia and was in active military service for several years during the struggle for independence, serving for a part of this period under the direct command of

General Washington. He also served for sev- eral years in that branch of the service known as "minute men." He inherited an estate from his father, a part of which consisted of slaves, and as the public conscience of those days had not been generally awakened in regard to the iniquity of a traffic in human beings, he con- tinued to own them and afterwards added to their number, settling subsequently in Fayette county, Ky. Later, however, he adopted more modern ideas with respect to the slav- ery question and becoming disgusted with the brutality of the system, liberated his slaves, some thirteen in number, and took up his residence in Ross county, Ohio. This act of self-sacrifice caused him to fall into somewhat straightened circumstances, and at the time of his advent in Ross county, which was in 1812, he had barely enough pecuniary resources to purchase a farm of 145 acres, upon which he settled. By industry and per- severance, however, he gradually improved his condition. He resided in Ross county for some 40 years, and died about the year 1856, at the advanced age of 96 years, 6 months and 14 days. He was the father of three sons- Samuel, George and Charles W. The two elder were soldiers in the War of 1812.

Charles W. White, the youngest son, was born in Fayette county, Ky., within a mile and a half of Lexington, July 18, 1802. He was too young at the time of the second war with England to take any part in it. At the age of 18 he left his home in Ross county and visited the New Purchase for the purpose of in seeking another home in this section of the state. About the year 1820 he obtained a sit- uation at the old Indian mill, located on the Sandusky river, several miles about the pres- ent site of Upper Sandusky. He was em- ployed by the Government Indian agent, received $15 a month, and boarded himself. His assistant in the mill was Charles Garrett, and at this time the nearest white settler was at the Indian mission, then Upper Sandusky. White assisted at the mill for some three years. During this time he saved money enough to purchase his first farm, consisting of 207 acres, now located in Dallas township, which farm he owned for over half a century. After working for different persons during the next nine years, he removed to his land, and, by

ALVERTIS D. SHARROCK

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industry, economy and hard labor he acquired a competence, and was the owner of some 1300 acres in Dallas township, besides 97 acres in Bucyrus township. His principal occupation was the raising of cattle, and from it he de- rived the larger part of his income.

He was married Nov. 25, 1830, to Miss Hannah Simmons Hoover and they were the parents of five children, namely: Mary, wife of S. D. Welsh; Lorena, who married first Benjamin Welsh, and secondly J. J. Fisher ; Emma, wife of Dwight Welsh; Willard T., subject of this sketch; and Charles W.

Willard T. White was educated in the com- mon schools and was brought up to farm life on the homestead, on which he passed his active career engaged in agricultural pursuits. He inherited from his father about 300 acres of the land, acquiring the rest by purchase. For some years he has been practically retired, his sons looking after the farm, and during a part of this time he has resided in Bucyrus. The homestead property is in excellent condi- tion, well cultivated, and enough stock being kept for use on the farm. Mr. White is a Republican in politics and attends the Baptist church.

He was first married to Clementine Swigart, a resident of this county, but who was born in Illinois. They had two children-Leo and Irene. The former, Leo White, is a prosper- ous agriculturist of Dallas township, now serv- ing in his third term as township trustee. He operates 240 acres of his father's farm and has an additional tract of 160 acres, which he rents. In 1898 he married Velma Maude Shemer, a native of Crawford county and has two children-Helen L. and Hazel M. Irene, the other child of Mr. White's first marriage, is the wife of E. H. K. McComb, who is as- .sistant superintendent of the Manuel Train- ing School at Indianapolis, Ind.

After the death of his first wife, Willard T. White married secondly Ella Brown, of Wyan- dot county, and of this marriage there are two children : Garrett B. and Abram Jay, the lat- ter of whom married Bertha Beal, a daugh- ter of Benjamin Beal of Crawford county.

ALVERTIS D. SHARROCK, who owns two of the finest farms in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., occupies one of 160

acres and also cultivates his other place, where he has 93 acres and also owns a piece of tim- ber land of seven and one half acres. He was born in Bucyrus township, Aug. 9, 1871, and is a son of Charles A. and Mary Ann (Stine- man) Sharrock. His father was a native of Morrow county, O., and followed farming for many years in Bucyrus township and owned a large body of land. His death oc- curred April 21, 1909, and his burial was at Bucyrus. He was a member of Mt. Zion church, to which his widow, who survives, also belonged. She continues to live on the old homestead in Bucyrus township. They had two children: Alpha, who is the wife of Tiro E. Ditty, and Alvertis D.

After his school days were over, Alvertis D. Sharrock assisted his father in his farm industries and has always lived in his native township. In addition to general farming he raises Percheron horses and Mrs. Sharrock takes much interest in her registered Jersey cattle. In the summer of 1911 Mr. Sharrock built a very fine modern residence already having other substantial farm buildings.

In 1893 Mr. Sharrock was married to Miss Emma L. Mollenkopf, who was born in Bu- cyrus township and is a daughter of John G. and Christiana Mollenkopf, who were born in Germany and later came to Crawford county. Mrs. Sharrock has three sisters and one brother, namely: Mary, who is the wife of August Sheffler; Frederica, who is the wife of Charles E. Wisman; Otto F .; Tena, who is the wife of Alvin Brinkman; and Elsie. In August, 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock's only son, Leo C., was born, who is a school boy. In politics Mr. Sharrock is a Democrat as was his father. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. They belong to old and highly respected families of this section and are representative people.

TIRA EDWIN DITTY, who is one of the substantial citizens and prosperous farmers of Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., pur- chased his home farm of 100 acres in 1900, and, in partnership with his wife owns this tract, another farm one-half mile west, con- taining 49 acres, a seven and one-half acre timber tract and also a handsome residence situated on the corner of Fisher and Reed

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streets, Bucyrus. Mr. Ditty was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, Feb. 13, 1872, and is a son of Abraham and Matilda (Seele) Ditty.

Abraham Ditty and wife were both born in Crawford county and he engaged in farm- ing throughout life, his death occurring in 1908. He was a member of the Evangelical church and his burial was at Brokensword. His widow survives and resides at North Bucy- rus and she also is a member of the Evangelical church. They had the following children : Clara, who is the wife of Frank Stineman; Tira Edwin; Irene, who is deceased, was the wife of William Drexel; and Laura, who is the wife of Roy Linn.

Tira Edwin Ditty obtained a public school education and grew to manhood on the home farm, afterward working for some two years on farms by the month and this practical train- ing has proved valuable to him in the manage- ment of his own large property. He carries on general farming, grows fruit and poultry for home consumption and sufficient stock also for his own use.

On Nov. 14, 1894, Mr. Ditty was married to Miss Alpha Sharrock, who is a daughter of Charles A. and Mary Ann (Stineman) Sharrock. The father of Mrs. Ditty was born in Morrow county and died April 21, 1909. His widow survives and still occupies the old homestead in Bucyrus township. Mrs. Ditty has one brother, Alvertis D., who owns 260 acres of fine land in Bucyrus township. Mr. and Mrs. Ditty have two children: Cleland Lemoin, who was born October 10, 1895; and Reva Ilo, who was born January 17, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Ditty attend the United Breth- ren church. Nominally he is a Democrat, as was his father, but frequently exercises his own judgment in casting his vote. He is iden- tified with the K. O. T. M. at Bucyrus.

WILLIAM F. CROWE, justice of the peace, and one of the well known men of Crawford county, who has been vitally inter- ested in the city of Crestline for more than 40 years, was born in County Clare, Ireland, Jan. 3, 1841, and is a son of John and Mary (Flannery) Crowe.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 130

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