History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 132

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 132

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URIAS CRISTEE, who has resided on his present farm of 120 acres, situated in Tod township, Crawford county, O., for 42 years, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., Feb. 16, 1831, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Grape) Cristee.

Joseph Cristee was born in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch parentage. By trade he was a blacksmith and he thought so well of it as a means of subsistence that he taught all his sons this trade. In 1833 he came to Rich- land county, O., and there his death occurred at the age of 70 years. He married Hannah Grape, who was born in Germany and was

seven years old when her people brought her to America. They had eight children, Urias being the fifth born.

Urias Cristee was sent to school in boyhood, his parents being concerned in the education and welfare of their children. He was about 21 years old when he came to Crawford county. For several years he was associated with his brother-in-law in business at Bucyrus, where they started the first real provision store, and dealt also in grain and seed, purchasing clover seed, oats and corn and has seen the day when corn could be bought for 35 cents and sold for seventy-five. After two and one- half years in the grain and provision busi- ness, Mr. Cristee sold out and for 30 years afterward worked at the blacksmith trade in Oceola, O. After selling his shop he spent six months in Richland county and worked as a horse shoer and was considered a fine one although he never believed himself as skilled a workman as was his father, the latter being a natural born mechanic and without instruc- tion was able to make a wagon as well as one who had learned the trade. Mr. Cristee pre- serves many memories of his father, whom he held in the highest respect and with great affection. He had had no educational oppor- tunities but could keep his accounts accurately although he could not tell one letter of the al- phabet from the other. From Richland county Mr. Cristee worked one year for his brother at Oceola and then returned to Bucyrus for three months, and in 1870 settled on his pres- ent valuable farm in Tod township, one mile west of Oceola. He put up the substantial buildings on this property and his residence is a handsome brick structure.

Mr. Cristee was married to Miss Adeline Failor, of Bucyrus, who died in 1902, when aged 65 years, and II children were born to them, the survivors being: Mrs. Ida Yost, Frank, Mrs. Nellie Yost, Mrs. Clara Andrews. Those deceased were: William, Lizzie. Mrs. Emma Moore and four infants. Mr. Cristee is a member and liberal supporter of the United Brethren church at Oceola. In politics he is a Republican and he keeps well posted concern- ing public affairs.

JOHN E. GEISSMAN, who is one of the successful young farmers of Cranberry town- ship, Crawford county, resides in section 22,

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where he is profitably cultivating 114 acres, which belongs to his father. He was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, July 30, 1882, and is a son of W. H. and Mary (Leimenstall) Geissman.

W. H. Geissman was born in Chatfield town- ship, Crawford county, where he was reared and educated. When he came to the present farm, 74 acres of which were bought of John Nigh, and 40 acres of Jacob Millimaier, very little improving had been done. In 1893 he built the substantial barn and in 1896 he erected the comfortable residence and made other ad- ditions to the farm equipment and put all its industries on a solid footing. In 1909 he re- tired and moved to Chatfield and later became mail carrier on Rural Route No. I, out of that place. He married Mary Leimenstall, who died June 2, 1904, the mother of six children. The second marriage of Mr. Geissman was to Mrs. Rosa Klink.

After his school period was over, John E. Geissman determined to become a farmer. He had been given excellent preparation for the same for after attending the high school, he had practical training in the Columbus Agri- cultural School. For the past three years he has been operating the home farm along modern lines and has met with excellent re- turns, and has brought Plain View Stock Farm up to a high standard. Like the other enter- prising agriculturists of this section, he is a member of the Cranberry Township Grange.

On April 4, 1909, Mr. Geissman married Miss Pearl Harrer, who was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, the only daughter of Caleb Harrer, and they have an infant daughter, Fern Mary Ann, born April 29, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Geissman are members of the Pietist and Evangelical churches respectively. In political opinions Mr. Geissman calls him- self an independent Democrat, and his neigh- bors consider him a valuable citizen and a wide awake business man.

G. F. ACKERMAN was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, Dec. 10, 1871, and until he was 16 years of age attended school and worked on his father's farm. The next two years he continued his studies at New Washington High School and in the fall of 1890 he entered the Ohio Normal Univer-

sity at Ada, taking the scientific course. He then became a teacher and taught school in the winter months, working on the farm in the summer until he returned to Ada and took a course in stenography in 1893 and 1894. He resumed teaching and farm life, and again. in the spring of 1896 took a review course at Ada. He then took up the study of law under Judge Tobias, also acting as the Judge's stenographer, but continuing to teach school in the winter months. From 1898 to 1902 he served as Principal of the Third Ward School of Bucyrus. On the Ist day of Jan- uary, 1902, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Crawford county, which position he filled until January, 1906. From 1906 to 1908 he was engrossing clerk for the senate at the state capitol, also acting as bookkeeper during the interims between sessions for the American Clay Machinery Co. In 1907 he accepted a position as salesman for the Strine & Grinder Manufacturing Co., of New Philadelphia, O. In June of 1908, he was nominated by the Democratic party for auditor without opposi- tion and was elected the ensuing fall. As his predecessor's term of office did not expire for eleven months he became principal of the Third Ward school of Bucyrus for the school year of 1908 and 1909. He is considered a very able and efficient auditor. He has served on the county central committee and has been delegate to judicial and senatorial conventions. Also in 1907 he was a member of the city coun- cil and was clerk of the county board of elec- tions during 1903, 1904, and 1905. In 1896 he was secretary of the Bryan Free Silver Club which had an enrollment of twelve hundred members.

On Nov. 10, 1896, G. F. Ackerman married Caroline E. Kuhn, daughter of August and Catherine (Limbach) Kuhn, of Tuscarawas county. They have two children living: Elva Marie and Margaret Catherine. His father, Caleb A., was born in Crawford county, Dec. 12, 1840. He married Margaret High, also a native of Crawford county and born Sept. 4, 1844. Both were of German ancestry and of pioneer families of Crawford county. They are still living and reside in Bucyrus. Caleb A. served in the War of the Rebellion in the Forty-Ninth Ohio Regiment under Colonel Gibson. Mr. G. F. Ackerman is a member of

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the Knights of Maccabees and of the Order of Eagles. In 1908 he was sent as a delegate by the Eagles to the national convention at Seattle, -Wash. He is also a member of the Reformed church and for 13 years has acted as treasurer and trustee of that church in Bucyrus. His chosen profession is the law which it is his in- tention to follow after the expiration of his term of office.

JOHN C. CAHILL, residing nine miles north of Crestline, O., and one and one-half miles south of Tiro, O., on the old homestead farm of 160 acres, which he owns, is one of the representative men of Vernon township, of which he has been a trustee for some ten years. He was born on this farm in 1862, and is a son of R. W. and Catherine ( Richards) Cahill.

R. W. Cahill was born in Pennsylvania and after coming to Ohio and marrying, followed an agricultural life until his death. The sur- viving members of his family are: Eliza; Jen- nette; Davis; D. C., who lives at Bucyrus; R. W., who lives at Napoleon, O .; John C .; and G. W. and James, who live at Tiro, O.

John C. Cahill attended the district schools in Vernon township and later the Ohio Normal School, at Ada, after which he returned to his father, with whom he remained until the form- er's death, when he purchased the homestead, widely known as the Green Hill Farm. He has made many improvements and is progress- ive in his agricultural methods and is num- bered with the most successful farmers of this section.

Mr. Cahill married Miss Mary A. Weirich, a daughter of Christian and Adeline ( Miller) Weirich, and they have had three children : Allen W., John R. and Edith, the last named being deceased. In politics, Mr. Cahill is a Democrat and in addition to his long period of service as township trustee, he was clerk of the township for four years, and enjoys the very desirable reputation of having conscientiously performed every public duty.

CLAUDE A. LINGENFELTER, M. D., physician and surgeon at Bucyrus, O., and a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, was born at Loudonville, O., May 24, 1884, and is a son of Dr. James A. and Mary (Petot) Lingenfelter.

Dr. James A. Lingenfelter was born in Bed- ford county, Pa., of German parentage, and lost his parents when young. He grew up on a farm, having no opportunity to follow the bent of his desires for a medical education, and was already a young man when he came to Ohio. He lived in Stark county for sev- eral years and then came to Loudonville and found work in a butcher shop as a meat cut- ter, but he by no means had given up his ambition to become a physician. Only he can tell of the obstacles he overcame and of the self denials he practiced before he was finally able to secure his degree from a medical col- lege at Cincinnati. He is known as a skillful physician and has a large practice. In politics, a Democrat he has held local offices but his profession claims the larger part of his time. He is identified with the Masons and other fraternal orders. He married Miss Mary Petot, who was born and reared at Loudon- ville, a daughter of Claud and Catherine (Specht) Petot, the former of whom was born in France and the latter in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Petot were married in Paris and soon afterward emigrated to the United States, living first at Pittsburg, Pa., and later moving to Loudonville, O. Mr. Petot was one of the leading shoe merchants of Loudon- ville at the time of his death. His widow still resides there. They were of the Catholic faith but later united with the English Luth- erans and Mr. Petot was liberal in his sup- port of all church demands made on him. Three sons were born to Dr. James A. Lin- genfelter and wife: Claude A .; Harry, who is engaged in the jewelry business at Loudon- ville; and Charles, who is in business at Los Angeles, Cal.

Claude A. Lingenfelter attended school at Loudonville and was graduated from the High School in 1900, after which he spent a student year at Oberlin College, and then he entered the Cleveland Medical College, where he remained for one year and subsequently was graduated after a four year course from the New York Homeopathic College in the class of 1906, with his well earned degree. He engaged in a general practice at Loudon- ville until 1908, when he came to Bucyrus, where, in answer to a general demand, he has specialized in the diseases of eye, ear, nose

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and throat, these so generally prevailing that careful and scientific men following this branch of medical practice are welcomed almost everywhere along this line of practice. Dr. Lingenfelter has been more than usually successful.

Dr. Lingenfelter was married in New York, to Miss Marian Gilmartin, who was born at Scranton, Pa., an was educated at Mt. Mor- ris, N. Y., completing her musical studies at Oberlin College. Her parents were Frederick and Rhoda (Jones) Gilmartin, of Welsh ex- traction. The mother died in 1906, but the father survives. Mrs. Lingenfelter has one sister, Dollie, who is a professional nurse re- siding in Philadelphia. Dr. and Mrs. Lingen- felter have one son, William Claude, born June 3, 1908. Politically Dr. Lingenfelter is a Republican and fraternally a Master Mason, Royal Arch Mason, Royal and Select Master Mason and a Knight Templar Mason, being identified with the Commandery at Marion, O.

SAMUEL J. STUMP,* who carries on his successful agricultural industries on three tracts of valuable land, situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., resides on a farm of 163 acres and owns a second one of 63 acres, and additionally, in partnership with Professor Guinther, superintendent of the schools of Galion, O., he owns a third farm of 190 acres. Mr. Stump was born on his home farm, July 9, 1857, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Stump.

Daniel Stump spent almost his entire life in Crawford county, being only six years old when his parents brought him from Lycoming county, Pa. His death occurred in the spring of 1897, and his burial was in the Sherer ceme- tery. He married Elizabeth Zimmerman, who was born in Crawford county and still sur- vives, residing on the homestead. The follow- ing children were born to them: Samuel J .; Louisa, who is the wife of S. F. Whiteamire; Joseph, who died at the age of 12 years; Sarah, who died at the age of eight years; Lydia, who died when aged five years; and Clara, who passed away at the age of 19 years. She was an attractive and talented young woman, had prepared herself for teaching and had just completed her first term as a teacher when she died.

Samuel J. Stump attended school near his home and then helped his father on the home farm and they remained together until the father's death. At that time the latter owned 163 acres in Whetstone township and 174 acres in Bucyrus township. Mr. Stump is a sensible, practical farmer, devoting his attention to the grains and tubers that he has proved are most profitable to cultivate in this soil and climate, and to a good grade of stock that has proved satisfactory, and he has prospered.

On March 16, 1897, Mr. Stump was mar- ried to Miss Lottie Guinther, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Shellenmiller ) Guinther, and a granddaughter of George and Margaret Guinther. The parents of Mrs. Stump are both now deceased, their burial being in the Sherer cemetery. Her father was born in Germany and was 15 years old when he came to the United Ctates and for seven years after- ward lived at Philadelphia, Pa., where he was in a bakery business. After coming to Craw- ford county he followed farming. He married Catherine Shellenmiller, who was born in Ly- coming county, Pa., and they had the follow- ing children born to them: Mary, who is the wife of George K. Ulmer; George; Sophia, who is deceased; Catherine, who is the wife of Samuel Rexroth; Isaac C., who is principal of the Galion public schools; Lottie, who is the wife of Mr. Stump; and Jacob.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stump the following chil- dren were born: Gertrude Elizabeth, who died when aged two years; Clarence Willard and Howard James. Mr. and Mrs. Stump are members of the German Methodist church, of which he is a trustee and for three years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Stump calls himself an Independent Democrat.

W. H. GARRIGUES, who owns one of the best improved farms in Tod township, Crawford county, O., containing 80 acres sit- uated one-half mile west of Oceola, O., was born at Oceola, in 1864, and is a son of R. T. and Sarah A. (Wert) Garrigues.

R. T. Garrigues was born in Maryland and came here before the town of Oceola was laid out. Being a carpenter by trade he had much to do with the erecting of the buildings at Oceola and became a man of ample means as the reward of a long and busy life, his death

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occurring at Oceola in 1910, when he was aged 84 years. He married Sarah A. Wert, who survived until 1911, passing away in her 76th year. Three of their eight children died in in- fancy, the others being : Mrs. S. D. Trout, of Bucyrus; Mrs. Minnie I. Fruth, of Oceola; W. H., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mettie A. Snavely, of Sulphur Springs; and Mrs. Sallie N. Brown, of Oklahoma.

W. H. Garrigues attended the Oceola schools and afterward became. a farmer, and for 12 years lived on a place east of Oceola, on which he made improvements and then moved to the farm where he still lives, one-half mile west of the town, and in March, 1907, having bought his present property, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Garrigues has very progressive ideas as to his agricultural methods and is no less particular concerning the way he lives. His fine residence in which he has installed all modern comforts and conveniences, and these include a complete system of lighting, would do credit to a city and surrounded as it is with a fine lawn and concrete walks, attracts attention and favor- able comment from every passer-by. It is a type of home that here and there, through the wealthy agricultural communities, is taking the place of the uncomfortable and often unsani- tary dwellings that the prosperous farmer of the present day no longer feels satisfied to oc- cupy, and this change brings a large measure of comfort, happiness and content to the whole family.

Mr. Garrigues married Miss Cora E. Peck, who is a daughter of Taylor Peck, a well known farmer of Bucyrus township. They have one son, Harry W., who attends the pub- lic schools in Oceola. Mr. Garrigues has fre- quently been elected to public office in Tod township and for two years was a member of the Tod township board of trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Garrigues are members of the United Brethren church. For some years he has been connected with Lodge No. 116 Jr. O. U. A. M. at Oceola. He is an intelligent, liberal-minded man, a capable farmer and a useful citizen.

JOSEPH A. BLUM, owner and manager of a prospering business enterprise of Cran- berry township, Crawford county, O., to which he has given the appropriate name of the

Twentieth Century Hatchery, is one of the wide awake, well informed and enterprising young business men of Crawford county. He was born May 22, 1888, on his present farm situated in section 23, Cranberry township, where he resides with his father, F. X. Blum.

Joseph A. Blum grew to manhood in his na- tive township and obtained his education in the public schools. In pushing out into a some- what new field of industry, Mr. Blum has shown commendable enterprise and he has a growing investment. The Twentieth Century Hatchery is located 3 miles southwest of New Washington, O., where it was started in 1904, with a 2,000 egg capacity. Its present capacity is 30,000 eggs per hatch, and during the sea- son there is a calculated hatch of 3,000 per week. Shipments are made to all sections of the country, special boxes being provided. Mr. Blum's present plant contains two buildings, one with dimensions of 22x75 feet and the other of 42x24 feet. In politics he is a Demo -. crat. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and is identified with the Knights of Columbus.

CLEMENCE J. WILLIAMSON, V. S.,* who is the oldest veterinary surgeon in Craw- ford county, O., in point of professional serv- ice, has been a resident of Bucyrus for a number of years and commands a large prac- tice. He was born in Crawford county, Jan. 14, 1872, and is one of a family of seven chil- dren. His parents were Benjamin F. and Mary (Auk) Williamson. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, where he learned the carpenter trade and came to Crawford county in 1850, from which county he entered an Ohio regiment and served in the Civil war.

Dr. Williamson attended the public schools in boyhood and grew up on the home farm. Later he attended the Ohio Northern Univer- sity, where he was graduated in pharmacy, in 1893. Subsequently he entered the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Can., where he was graduated in 1897 and immediately en- tered into practice at Springfield, O., in 1899 coming to Bucyrus.

Dr. Williamson married Miss Catherine E. Reiff, a daughter of Herman Reiff, and they have three children. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran church. Politically he

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is a Democrat but the volume of his profes- sional duties have always prevented his con- sidering any invitation to accept political office, but he is a reliable and interested citizen and enjoys the confidence of professional brethren and the public at large.

J. ERNEST WENTZ, who, for 33 years has been a continuous resident of Bucyrus, O., and until recently active in the business life of the city, was born at Chambersburg, Pa., Dec. 7, 1840, and is a son of Anthony and Catherine (Steak) Wentz.

Anthony Wentz was born in Germany prob- ably in 1815. He came to America when a young man and located in Pennsylvania and was married at Chambersburg in that state, to Catherine Steak. They remained there until after the birth of their first child, in the follow- ing year, 1842, starting in a great covered wagon for Crawford county, O. Mr. Wentz opened his shoemaking shop at Bucyrus and followed his trade until 1846 when his death occurred. He was an official in the English Lutheran church. His widow survived for many years, her death occurring at Bucyrus in her 75th year. Five children were born to An- thony Wentz and wife, namely: J. Ernest, George, who died in childhood; Albert, who died May 1, 1910, at the Soldiers' Home, San- dusky, O., who had served during the Civil War as a member of the Ioth O. Vol. Cav., and was honorably discharged, and is survived by two daughters-Florence N., wife of J. H. Huff, D. D. S., Chicago, and Sarah L., who is housekeeper for her uncle, J. Ernest Wentz; William M., a machinist at Bucyrus, who is married and has four children; and Mary, who died at the age of ten years.

J. Ernest Wentz was educated in the Bucy- man in a general store, first at Bucyrus and rus schools and afterward he became a sales- later at Mansfield, O. In 1878 he returned to Bucyrus and for ten years afterward was asso- ciated with George W. Harris in the produce business. In 1888 he opened up his own busi- ness on the corner of Walnut and Charles streets and continued until June, 1907, when he sold out and since then has lived retired. He has never married but his domestic affairs are well looked after by his niece, Miss Sarah L. Wentz, a very capable housekeeper and es- timable lady. Both she and her sister, Mrs.

Huff, are Christian Science practitioners and for some years she was First Reader in the church of this organization at Bucyrus. Mr. Wentz is in close sympathy with the tenets of this religious body. Politically he is a Repub- lican and fraternally is a Knight of Pythias.

CHARLES C. STEPHAN, a representa- tive citizen of Vernon township, Crawford county, O., residing seven and one-half miles northeast of Crestline, where he owns 80 acres of fertile and well tilled land, was born in Crawford county, in 1864, and is a son of Adam and Anna (Frank) Stephan.

The parents of Mr. Stephan were born in Germany, from which country the father came to the United States when 15 years of age, and the mother was brought when five years old, by her parents, who settled in Crawford county, O. To Adam Stephan and wife the following children were born: Frank, residing at Crestline, who married Barbara Paffenbach ; George, who married (first) Mary Bauer, and (second) Lizzie Bauer and survives them both; John, who lives at Crestline, who mar- ried Clara Swerer; Amanda, who is the wife of Conrad Strauch, of Crestline; Edward, who resides at Mansfield, O., and who married Hattie Culp; Ida, who lives at Crestline, the widow of Jacob Sleighberger, who died in 1912; Louis, who died in California, when aged 23 years; and Charles C., whose name heads this sketch.

Charles C. Stephan followed farming with his father until he was 23 years of age and then went to Crestline and was employed there for two years, after which he resumed farm- ing and purchased his present property. He devotes his land to general agriculture, raising the usual products of the soil that do well in this climate and also gives some attention to growing stock.

Mr. Stephan married Miss Catherine Kind- inger, a daughter of John and Catherine (Kaf- fenberger ) Kindinger, her brothers and sisters being : Charles, John, Mary, Julia, Emil, Al- bert and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Stephan have seven children, namely: Wilbur, Velma, Ed- gar, Anita, Lester, Luella and Lloyd. Mr. Stephan and family are members of the Re- formed church, of which he is a trustee and is also serving as church treasurer.

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CHARLES SHELDON WERT,* post- master at Monnett, O., and proprietor of a general store, was born at Oceola, Crawford county, Aug. 6, 1879, and is a son of James and Mary (Neally) Wert.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 132

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