History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 142

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 142

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After his return from the army, Mr. Harris embarked in the produce business at Shiloh, O., in the employ of C. W. Wakefield, where he continued until 1875, when he came to Bucyrus and here established his own produce business, which he has conducted since. Politi- cally he is a Republican but he has never been

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much active in public matters, devoting his time and attention closely to the successful advancement of his private affairs.

Mr. Harris was married at Shiloh, O., to Miss Isabel R. Crawford, who was born in Richland county, in 1853, a member of one of the old and honorable families of that section. Her grandfather, John Crawford, was II years old when he accompanied his parents from Ireland to Cumberland county, Pa., where he married a Miss Eckles and they came to Richland county, O. James Crawford, father of Mrs. Harris, was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1817 and died in Richland county, from the effects of an accident, March 3, 1853. He was married first to Lydia Guthrie, who, at death, left two sons. His second marriage was to Eleanor J. Torbett, who was born in Pennsylvania, married in Huron county, O., and died at Shiloh, O., in 1900, aged 81 years. Of their five children Mrs. Harris is the only survivor. She is a lady well known in social life and is connected with numberless benevo- lent activities and is prominent in many uplift- ing organizations, religious, charitable and literary. She is an active member of the mis- sionary societies of the Lutheran church, was one of the organizers and for a number of years president of the North Side Reading Club, is a charter member of the Woman's Re- lief Corps, No. 225, of which she was the first president, was one of the organizers of the Li- brary Association, holding the office of presi- dent for four years prior to January, 1906, when the city took over the organization's in- terests as a part of the city library, and is also a member of the Bucyrus Hospital Association, a member of the board of lady managers of the Bucyrus City Hospital and a member of the juvenile and Correction Visiting Com- mittee of the county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Harris four children were born, the three survivors being: Fred C., who is identified with the Standard Oil company, and lives at Gore, O .; Judson Gaylor, who is manager of the American District Telegraph and Messenger company, and resides at New- ark, N. J .; and Warren Dean, who is engaged in the commission produce business at Toledo, and makes his home at Bucyrus and has a family. Guarda A., the third member of the family, who was born Oct. 30, 1878, died in

1889. Formerly Mr. Harris was very active in the leading fraternal organizations of the country, being past noble grand in the order of Odd Fellows and past chancellor commander in the Knights of Pythias. He still retains active membership in the Union Veteran Le- gion and the United Commercial Travelers, being chairman of the Executive Committee of the latter council.

CHARLES A. MANN,* who owns 22 acres of finely cultivated land, situated in the northeastern corner of Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., in section one, was born at Tiffin, in Seneca county, O., Nov. 2, 1884, and is a son of August and Maggie (Hepp) Mann.

August Mann was born in Germany and came to America in early manhood, locating in Seneca county, O. He was a shoemaker by trade and for 14 years has been a shoe mer- chant at Attica, O. He was married at New Riegel, O., to Maggie Hepp and ten children were born to them, two of whom reside in Cranberry township, Charles A. and a sister, Rose, who is the wife of Henry Alt, who operates the George Uhl farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mann are members of the Catholic church.

Charles A. Mann attended school in Seneca county and for six years afterward was en- gaged there in farm work and for four years more followed farming in Huron county. On Jan. 9, 1900, he came to Crawford county and settled on a 60-acre farm south of his present one, and one year later purchased the farm on which he lives, from John Forquer. Mr. Mann has taken a great deal of interest in his property, making many improvements and in 1910 erecting his comfortable residence and remodeling the other farm buildings.

Mr. Mann married Miss Rose Phiefer, who was born in southern Cranberry township, a daughter of Joseph Phiefer, and they have one son, Frederick Floran, who is a bright student in the public schools. Mr. Mann and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. Like his father he is a Democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Mann are well known and highly respected in Cranberry township.

FRANKLIN P. DICK, ex-president of the board of county commissioners of Crawford

MR. AND MRS. MOSES PUGH

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county, O., is one of the leading citizens of Dallas township, where he owns a finely im- proved farm of 100 acres. He was born Nov. 18, 1855, in Cass township, Richland county, O., and is a son of Jacob and Ann (Bushey) Dick, and a grandson of George Dick, who settled in Richland county in 1832.

The parents of Mr. Dick are long since de- ceased, the mother dying early, on the old farm in Richland county, and the father, when in middle life, in Hancock county. The father's death took place in February, 1870. Franklin P. Dick was only seven years old when he lost his mother and was 14 when he left home to take care of himself. He had secured a coun- try school education and was a youth of am- bition and of steady habits, and for the next 13 years found a happy home with his uncle, Levi Dick, who was a substantial farmer in Richland county. After his marriage, in 1882, he rented farm land in Dallas township for some ten years and then purchased his present farm, which was undoubtedly fine land but was much in need of improving. Practical in his ideas he soon made all needed improve- ments, thereby doubling the value of his prop- erty, and ever since has devoted himself to general farming and stock raising. He is one of the prominent Democrats of Crawford county and frequently has been tendered pub- lic office. He was first elected a member of the board of county commissioners in 1905, with a majority of 2,500 votes and was later reelected, and during his second term was made president of the board. In this position he had many duties, all of which were carefully attended to, Crawford county finding in him an energetic and honest official.

Mr. Dick was married in 1882 to Miss Lavina Noecker, a daughter of Benjamin and Lavina (Van Horn) Noecker, early settlers in Richland county. They have an interesting family and all are members of the United Brethren church.

The children are: J. J., May, Alwilda and Ruth.

MOSES PUGH, who carries on general farming and moderate stock raising on his valuable tract of 74 acres, situated in section I, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., was born in Lykens township, Crawford

county, April 6, 1843, and is one of the justly honored veterans of the great Civil War. His parents were Aaron and Mary (Jackson) Pugh.

Aaron Pugh was born in Virginia, 50 miles from Wheeling, where he grew to manhood and then came to Crawford county, O., and here purchased 40 acres of land in Lykens township, on which he erected a log cabin. When he had provided this home he returned to Virginia and was there married to Mary Jackson, and then returned to Lykens town- ship and in the following year his father-in- law, William Jackson, came also to this sec- tion. That farm continued to be the old homestead until 1863, when Aaron Pugh moved to Cranberry township and bought land in the northeastern part and at one time owned 500 acres here and in Huron county. Later le divided his land among his children and bought property at New Washington, to which he retired and died there when aged 77 years. Notwithstanding his southern birth and parentage, he was deeply opposed to hu- man slavery and early in the Civil War used his influence to exterminate such traitorous organizations as the Knights of the Golden Circle. He became a man of consequence in Lykens township and served as township trustee and he and wife were active members and liberal supporters of the Baptist church. She died at the age of 68 years. They had eight children, as follows: Elizabeth, who re- sides at New Washington, Crawford county, who is the widow of Wesley King; William, who died in Huron county, when aged 36 years; Moses; James, who lived but two years; Anlason and Anson, twins, the latter of whom lives in Plymouth, O., and the former in Put- nam county, O .; Alfred B., who lives at Chi- cago Junction, O .; and John, who lives in Deshler, O.

Moses Pugh attended the district schools near his father's farm in Lykens township and then assisted at home until he was 17 years and six months of age. The Civil War was then in progress and although so young he determined to enter the Federal Army and enlisted in Company H. 55th O. Vol. Inf., in which he served two years and three months. He then reenlisted and served until the close of the Rebellion and was hon-

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orably discharged. Although he was injured at Stephenson, Ala., in the right leg and after- ward was twice slightly wounded, he accom- panied his company and regiment into every engagement while in the service. The injury to his leg proved a serious matter and con- tinued to trouble him for many years and finally Mr. Pugh had to submit to amputa- tion on Feb. 20, 1893. This was a heavy price to pay for patriotism, but Mr. Pugh complains little of it but has much to say of his long march under Sherman to the sea. The hero element is yet found in the ranks of the veterans of every G. A. R. Post, and Mr. Pugh is a valued member of this organization.

After his discharge from the army, on Aug. 20, 1865, Mr. Pugh returned to Crawford county and on July 26, 1866, was married to Miss Martha Johnston, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Reed) Johnston. The father of Mrs. Pugh was born in Pennsylvania and the mother, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Reed, was born near Canton, O. They married in Crawford county where they lived ever after- ward, the mother dying in Cranberry town- ship at the age of 36 years, her burial being in the Sulphur Springs Cemetery. The father of Mrs. Pugh died in Lykens township, when aged 63 years. They were members of the Methodist Protestant church, very active and faithful in church work. All of their five children survive, namely: Martha; Nancy Jane, who is the wife of Samuel Miller, of Shelby, O .; D. D., who also lives at Shelby, O .; J. R., who is a school teacher and a justice of the peace and lives in Whetstone township, Crawford county; and Enoch, who lives at Findlay, O. For many years Mr. Johnston served faithfully in the office of school director and made it his business to visit the schools in pursuance of what he deemed one of his duties. He was a well read, intelligent man and was widely known.

To Mr. and Mrs. Pugh the following chil- dren were born: Gertrude, Effie, Mary Jane, Senate A., Harry Logan and William Bur- dette. Gertrude, who died Aug. 22, 1905 at that time was the widow of Hale Carpenter, who died Oct. 2, 1904. Their burial was in the Swamp burying ground at Mt. Pisgah church. They left three children: Elwood, Helen and Russell, who live with their mater- nal grandparents. Effie, the second daughter,

lives at home. Mary Jane married V. B. Al- spach, of Cranberry township and they have two children: Martha Evelyn and Marjorie Ruth. Senate A. is a prominent citizen of Crawford county and is postmaster at New Washington. Harry Logan, who was gradu- ated first from the New Washington High School, later completed a business course at Oberlin College. He married Dora Miller and they reside three miles from New Wash- ington. William Burdette, the youngest son, lives at home. Mrs. Pugh was carefully edu- cated and taught school in Cranberry township until the death of her mother and was mar- ried in the following year. She was born June 10, 1843 and is a woman of such amiable .character that she is universally beloved.

Since marriage Mr. Pugh has resided in the northeastern part of Cranberry township, lo- cating first on 80 acres which he improved and then sold to advantage, afterward buying a second tract of eighty acres and at present lives on his farm of 74 acres situated in sec- tion I, in the same township. This land is finely cultivated and well improved, and its management is largely carried on by his young- est son. Mr. Pugh has always given his pol- itical support to the Republican party and fre- quently, as one of the township's substantial and representative men, has been called upon to serve in public office and has been very use- ful as township supervisor and also as school director. He and family are members of the Baptist church, although Mrs. Pugh united with the Methodist Protestant church when she was 17 years old but at the time of mar- riage, in 1866, joined the Baptist church with her husband. She has always been very active in church work, belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society and for 38 years has been a member of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. She belongs also to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and additionally to the Woman's Relief Corps, in all these organiza- tions showing womanly sympathy and tender- ness coupled with the good judgment and practical views that have assisted her in rear- ing her family to respected and useful man and womanhood. In every relation of life she is an estimable woman.

ALBERT SHEIBLEY, who is a highly re- spected resident of New Washington, O., a

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retired farmer and a former superintendent of the Crawford County Infirmary, was born at Baden, Germany, April 6, 1837, a son of John B. and Mary Ann (Link) Sheibley.

John B. Sheibley was the only child of his parents and was born in January, 1800, in Baden, Germany, and on account of some per- sonal characteristics, was called John the Bap- tist, by his friends. In early manhood he learned the tailoring trade and lived until the spring of 1835 on his small farm in Baden, where he worked also at his trade. In the meanwhile he married Mary Ann Link, who was born in 1802, and died May 15, 1888. On March 6, 1843, Mr. Sheibley and family em- barked for America, at Havre de Grace, tak- ing passage on the St. Nicholas, and after a voyage of 36 days, reached the harbor of New York. This was the last voyage the old St. Nicholas ever made, the ship being then con- demned, it having formerly been a war vessel. The Sheibley family then traveled by canal to Buffalo, N. Y., and by canal and lake and later by wagon continued their journey until they reached Galion, O. It required some time for Mr. Sheibley to find what he considered de- sirable farm land and for awhile he hesitated between what is now the site of Crestline and the forty-acre tract which he finally decided upon. In a business way the former land pleased him the better but he could speak but little English and felt that he would be at a disadvantage among those who could not un- derstand German, so he located in a German settlement, where his native tongue was the general language. His 40 acres in Vernon township was then in Richland county but is now a part of Crawford county. He cleared ten acres of his land and set out an orchard and passed a number of years there, and was the first farmer to introduce artificial drainage in that section. He later moved to the south- east corner of Cranberry township, where he bought 80 acres which he improved and then sold and afterward bought another 80 acres, situated directly east of New Washington, on which he lived until his death, in January, 1885. He was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church.

Albert Sheibley was six years old when his parents brought him to America, one of a fam- ily of eight children, one of whom is living.

He was the only son to survive childhood and hence had to give his father assistance just as soon as he was old enough and strong enough to assume responsibilities. His education was not neglected, however, and as opportunity of- fered, he attended both German and English schools, and afterward learned the butcher's trade with William Weaver, a neighbor. After his marriage he resided for five months at Shelby, O., and was with the Anderson Slaughtering Company, and then returned to the home farm, one and a quarter miles east of New Washington, which he purchased and his parents lived with him during the re- . mainder of their lives. In addition to the above farm he owns 40 acres southeast of New Washington, which is considered one of the finest tracts of land in Crawford county. Since retiring and turning over his farm duties to his son Mathias, Mr. Sheibley has lived in his exceedingly comfortable residence, located on the corner of Main and Center streets, but he keeps up his old interest in agricultural matters and makes almost daily visits to the farm.

On Sept. 29, 1862, Mr. Sheibley was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Karl, who was born in Bohemia, a daughter of Christopher and Ann (Mottlin) Karl, who brought her to the United States when six years of age. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sheibley, as fol- lows: a babe that died in infancy; Mathias, who resides on the home farm, and who mar- ried Katherine McMahon and has four living children-Edward, Gertrude, Ida and Bertha, and two deceased-Frank and Arthur; A. F., who lives at Ottawa, O .; Mary, who is the widow of Joseph Miller; Rosa, who is the wife of Peter Heydinger; Catherine, who is the wife of Frank Goodman; Fannie, who is the wife of M. E. Lauerman, of Hammond, Ind .; John B .; Margaret, who is the wife of Joseph Miller, of Van Wert county, O .; and Jacob.

All his mature life Mr. Sheibley has been a Democrat and on many occasions he has been tendered public offices of responsibility. He was serving in the office of justice of the peace when he was elected superintendent of the Crawford County Infirmary and held the latter office for nine years and nine months, when he resigned on account of failing health. It was with many testimonials of regret that Mr.

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Sheibley was permitted to retire to private life a daughter of John M. and Martha M. for his faithful and honest performance of (Francis) Cleland, and they have one daugh- ter, Lois F. Mr. and Mrs. Ulmer belong to the English Lutheran church. He is not very active in politics but always gives support to the Democratic ticket. public duty had been appreciated by his fellow citizens. For 13 years he served as a trustee of Cranberry township and also was township supervisor for a long time. Mr. Sheibley was reared in the Catholic church and has been a conscientious member throughout life. In him New Washington has a most worthy citizen, a man of good influence, always a supporter of law and order and one who has given much in the way of benevolence.

HARRY J. ULMER. Crawford county, O., has many old and substantial families here, members of which are leading citizens of their communities and live busy but independent lives on their large properties which have been acquired through honest industry. One of these families is the Ulmers, which has been in Crawford county through several genera- tions. Harry J. Ulmer, a member of this re- spected old family, was born in Cranberry township, Crawford county, in 1874, and lives on his large farm containing 234 acres, which lies eleven miles northeast of Bucyrus. His parents are David and Catherine Ulmer.

David and Catherine Ulmer were both born in Crawford county, their parents having come here at an early day. They had six children born to them, namely : Elsworth F., Elmer D., Charles S., Louisa M., Ida E. and Harry J. Of these Charles S. is deceased. Elsworth F. resides at New Washington, O., married Clara Bender and they have four children: Edna, Florence, Helen and Orlo. Elmer D. lives at home and assists his father. Louisa M. is the wife of William Ulrich and they live at Galion, O., and have one child, Alta. Ida E. is the wife of Howard Stough and they live near Shelby, O., and have one daughter, Naomi.

Harry J. Ulmer secured a good, common school education. He remained at home, giv- ing his father help on the home farm, until his own marriage and then purchased his pres- ent farm in Sandusky township and has de- voted himself to its improvement and culti- vation ever since. He has erected substantial buildings, has purchased all necessary machin- ery and in every way has a well equipped and up-to-date farm.

Mr. Ulmer married Miss Pearl M. Cleland,

ABRAHAM MONNETT, a former resi- dent of Bucyrus, now deceased, was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Crawford county, being closely connected with its financial and business interests, which he did much to conserve and promote. He was born Oct. 12, 1811, in the state of Virginia, near the Maryland line, his parents being Jere- miah and Alcy (Slagle) Monnett. He was a grandson of Abraham Monnett, who with his family moved from Virginia to Ohio in the year 1800, settling near the village of Chilli- cothe. Abraham's family numbered eight children-Isaac, Thomas, Margaret, Jeremiah, John, William, Osborn and Elizabeth.

Jeremiah Monnett, father of our subject, re- turned to Virginia, where he married Alcy Slagle, and they settled near Cumberland, on the Potomac river, where they resided until 1814. Then, with his wife and five children he removed to Ohio and settled in Pickaway county. Their trip from Virginia was a very hard one, and probably would not have been undertaken but for the help of a widow Jones, with whom Mr. Monnett joined teams. Jere- miah Monnett was a regularly ordained min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church. On his arrival in Pickaway county he had only five dollars in money, his team, and a small supply of household goods. He remained a resident of Pickaway county until 1835, and then re- moved to Crawford county, settling four and a half miles south of Bucyrus, where he re- sided until his death, which took place in Sep- tember, 1863. One of his sons, Rev. Thomas J. Monnett, became an earnest and successful minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, belonging to the North Ohio Conference; further mention of him will be found in this volume.

Abraham Monnett, our direct subject, had but limited opportunities in early life for ob- taining an education, but made the best of those he had and subsequently improved his education considerably by reading and self

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study. Always active, energetic, and endowed with great decision of character, he had before leaving Pickaway county with his father, in 1835, taken an active part in all local matters, and while residing there served as first lieu- tenant in a company of militia. Shortly after his father moved to Crawford county, Abra- ham bought 40 acres of land lying in Scott township, Marion county, Ohio. Here also he joined the militia company, being elected first lieutenant under Capt. Beckley.

In June, 1836, Mr. Monnett returned to Pickaway county, where on the 9th of that month he was married to Miss Catharine Brougher, who had been an orphan from her fourth year and by whom he received $2,500, the proceeds of the sale of land of which she was the heir. This, with the exception of $120, given him by his father, was the only money received by him and the only part of his extensive fortune not accumulated by his own energy and industry and economy. Soon after his marriage Mr. Monnett took up his residence in Scott township, Marion county. In 1838 he began the handling of cattle, many of which he bought in Illinois and drove to his farm in Marion county, to do which some- times required a thirty days' drive. Later he became one of the founders of the Marion County Bank, which afterwards became the Second National Bank, and was its president for thirty years. He was also president for a number of years of the Farmers Bank of Mar- ion, O., and was also at the head of the Craw- ford County Bank of Bucyrus, where much of his time was spent. Besides his interest in these financial enterprises, he owned no less than 11,000 acres of fine land in Crawford and Marion counties, a vast accumulation for a man whose early life was spent amid pioneer surroundings and whose education was largely self acquired. This wealth was chiefly the re- sult of his operations in live stock and was well earned by hard work and good business man- agement. Indeed Mr. Monnett was one of the best known business men in this part of the state and was moreover a man of sterling character and worth, respected by all who had any dealings with him and sincerely esteemed by a wide circle of friends. His death, which took place March 19, 1881, caused a void in the community which could not easily be filled.

By his first wife, Catharine Brougher Mon- nett, he was the father of twelve children, all of whom were reared to honorable manhood or womanhood, and most of whom are still living. They were as follows: Ephraim B., a farmer living in Bucyrus; Martha, wife of G. H. Wright of Marion, O .; Oliver, now de- ceased, who was a farmer of Marion county, O .; John T., farmer, residing in Marion county, O .; Alcy, wife of James Malcom of Bucyrus; Augustus E., of Colorado; Marvin J., farmer, stock dealer, miner and banker, also interested in the oil business, living at Los Angeles, Cal .; Mary J., deceased, the wife of George Hull, banker, Findlay, O .; Madison W., of Indianapolis, Ind .; Nelson, residing on the old homestead in Marion county; Amina J., wife of Calvin Tobias of Bucyrus; and Kate, wife of Louis Ross, farmer of Dallas township.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 142

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