History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 143

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 143

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mrs. Catharine Monnett died on Feb. 8th, 1875, and on May 30, 1877, Mr. Monnett was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Jane L. Johnston. She was born Nov. 23, 1831, in Bedford county, Pa., when her father, Samuel Ludwig, was removing from Berks county, that state, to Crawford county, O. It was necessary to stop by the way, when the daugh- ter was born, and the heavy wagons proceeded to Crawford county, the mother being brought later with the infant girl and arriving here but two days after the wagons, or on December 14th. The history of the Ludwig family is an interesting one and may be briefly sketched here. Ancestors of the name were among the 500,000 Huguenots who were obliged to fly from France on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in 1685. Two Ludwig brothers from the province of Alsace, man- aged to make their way to the coast and took passage to America. With gold that had been sewed into the linings of their clothes, one of them on arrival bought land in Berks county, Pa. The other, a stone mason by trade, set- tled in Philadelphia, where he built many of the quaint brick buildings for which Philadel- phia was noted prior to the Revolutionary war. He married and had seven sons, one named Michael. At the age of 22 years Michael Ludwig married Sarah Hanks, a Quakeress of English descent, and later they moved to a farm in Berks county, Pa. Of

944

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

their six children the youngest was Samuel, born in Berks county, Jan. 25, 1788. When he was three years old his father died and the mother subsequently married a wealthy farmer in the neighborhood, Nichalos Yochem, the father of Nicholas and Moses Yochem, who later became the heaviest iron masters in east- ern Pennsylvania. Samuel Ludwig worked on the Yochem farm and was educated chiefly by his mother at night, who also taught her step-sons. She also gave lessons to a young teacher who came in 1805 to teach select win- ter school and who boarded at the Yochems. This teacher, Francis D. Shunk by name, afterwards studied law and became governor of Pennsylvania, and between him, Samuel Ludwig and the two Yochem brothers a life long friendship was maintained.

It was Samuel Ludwig's desire to study for a profession, but he was too poor, so he was apprenticed to a wheelwright and learned the trade. At the age of twenty he married Eliza- beth Redcah, daughter of Hon. John Redcah, a member of the Pennsylvania legislature. For 23 years after his marriage he was en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons and plows in Reading, Pa., building up an exten- sive business. He became a prominent and popular citizen and might have been elected to the legislature but declined all public office. He devoted much time to study and became a very well educated man, even in some of the higher branches of knowledge. In 1831 he came on horseback to Bucyrus and bought a tract of land just east of the city. He then returned home, disposed of his business and brought his family to Crawford county, arriving De- cember 12th of that year. In the spring of 1832 he bought 80 acres of John Coleman, just east of Bucyrus on the Mansfield road, and a part of this has been the Ludwig home for 80 years. In 1849, at the age of 62, he went over- land to California, returning by a sailing ves- sel to Panama, crossing the Isthmus, and home via New Orleans, his trip costing him $4,000, but he was then financially comfortable, hav- ing about 3,000 acres of land in Crawford county, besides other investments. Mr. Lud- wig and wife had eleven children. He spent the closing years of his life with his daughter Jane (Mrs. Abraham Monnett) and at her home he died on Dec. 20, 1876, aged 88 years and eleven months.

Jane Ludwig, whose marriage has been al- ready narrated in connection with the biogra- phy of Abraham Monnett, was first married to Henry D. E. Johnston, a son of Thomas F. and Martha Johnston, and three daughters were born to this union-Nora, now a resi- dent of Los Angeles, Cal .; Zua, wife of Frank A. Stivers of Ripley; and Mary Agnes, who married Peter G. Powell of Lexington, Ky., and died there Dec. 12, 1905. Mr. Johnston died April 19, 1870, but his wife continued to live on the farm seven miles south of Bucyrus, which she managed with characteristic ability, bringing up her young children and later giv- ing them every advantage of home and colle- giate education. Her subsequent marriage to Mr. Monnett, May 30, 1877, has been already recorded. This union, though a happy one, was all too short, owing to Mr. Monnett's death some four years later. Mrs. Monnett was well qualified to preside over the most re- fined household. Though reared amid pioneer scenes and surroundings, she had developed in a high degree an innate strength of character, as an accompaniment to physical beauty and grace, early the art of social conversation and hospitality which made her so interesting up to the very last days of her life. During her later years her home was the center of social interest. The entertainments given there were lavish and elaborate, yet presided over with a refinement that avoided all ostentation and was pervaded with a sincere and genuine hos- pitality. The elegant house sheltered many noted guests who were alike charmed with the gracious manners and pleasing personality of their hostess. A broad reader and careful thinker, Mrs. Monnett was a gifted conver- sationalist and her views on public questions were valuable. At her last birthday, Nov. 23, 19II, she entertained a number of friends at dinner, presiding at the table with a gracious- ness that made the occasion a delightful one to all present. A little more than five weeks later, on December 31st, 1911, she died after litle more than a week's illness, at the age of 80 years, one month and eight days, her daugh- ter, Mrs. F. A. Stivers, of Ripley, administer- ing to her as she slipped away on the sea of eternity. The funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. Frank Smith, and her burial was in Oakwood cemetery.

Mrs. Monnett was a lavish giver to all

945

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

worthy enterprises. She also took a leading part in many successful campaigns for the im- provement of Bucyrus. Her life was one of help for others, her counsel and judgment were freely given when called for and her purse was ever open to help along a good cause. Time dealt kindly with her, her eighty years of life and many years of exceptional cares and re- sponsibilities had not darkened her view of her surroundings or detracted from her interest in others. She had a broad conception of duty and was strong in her ability to encounter and overcome obstacles. Her life was an inspira- tion to all who knew her and her death brought sadness to all. It will be long ere her memory shall pass away, and still longer before her in- fluence for good and the effect of her works shall cease to be visible in the community of which she was so bright an ornament, and so strong a stay.

HENRY D. E. JOHNSTON, the first hus- band of Mrs. Jane Monnett, subject of the preceding sketch, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., August 8, 1825, a son of Thomas F. and Martha L. (Walton) Johnston. His father, Thomas F. Johnston, was born in the same county, Feb. 3, 1800, and was an only child, his parents coming to Pennsylvania from Ireland. Thomas F. learned the cabinet making business. On Sept. 20, 1823, he mar- ried Martha L. Walton, whose parents came from England. After his marriage Mr. John- ston continued in the business of cabinet mak- ing until October, 1825, when he started for Ohio one morning with a four horse covered wagon. Besides Mr. Johnston and his wife and their infant son, Henry, the party included Benjamin Warner, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Johnston, with his wife and one child. Their objective point was Dallas township, where George Walton, a brother of Mrs. Johnston, had located in 1823. After three weeks diffi- cult travelling they reached the eastern part of the state, where, on account of the condition of the roads, and also because Mr. Johnston took sick, they were obliged to halt. Here they remained until the spring, when they re- sumed their journey. finally reaching the plain in Dallas township, where the wagon became so badly mired that they left it and proceeded to the Walton cabin partly on foot, the women

and children riding the horses. The wagon was rescued the following day. A few days later the party started west, avoiding the swamps as much as possible, and turning north on the Claridon road (later the Sandusky pike), came to Bucyrus, where Mr. Johnston decided to remain and establish business at his trade as a cabinet maker. The town then con- sisted of a few log cabins surrounded with water up to the steps. They stopped at Bishop Merriman's store, which looked very like a river boat anchored in the water. Wild ducks were plentiful and also deer and the woods were well supplied with wolves. Moving into an abandoned cabin, Mr. Johnston began look- ing up his cabinet-making business and found that, with woods everywhere, it would be im- possible to get a piece of lumber dry enough to work up, so he determined to move to Col- to work up, so he determined to move to Co- lumbus. His neighbors, however, entreated him to remain, Benjamin Warner promising him a forty acre farm in Whetstone township, it being a part of what is now the Jacob Hurr farm. This offer he accepted on the under- standing that he could raise wheat on the farm .. He succeeded in raising the wheat, but the difficulty of getting it ground and the im- pure water, which caused much sickness in his family, prompted him in 1829 to remove to Findlay, where they promptly elected him county auditor, with a salary of $75 a year. After one term in office, however, he moved back to Crawford, this time settling in Dallas township, where the water was somewhat better. He now devoted his attention to stock raising, in which he was very successful, at one time having as many as 6,000 head. At the time of his death, Nov. 1, 1862, he had about 1,300 acres of land. After his death, and even before, his sons, Henry D. E. and G. E., carried on the stock business, prospering as had their father before them.

Henry D. Johnston was born in Lycoming county, Pa., Aug. 8, 1825, and came with his parents to Crawford county when but an in- fant. On May 6, 1857, he married Jane Lud- wig, youngest child of Samuel Ludwig. After his marriage he continued farming and stock raising in Dallas township until 1859 when he came to Bucyrus. Here he devoted his atten- tion exclusively to the stock trade for three years, when, on the death of his father, he re-

946

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

turned to the farm in Dallas township, con- tinuing in business there until his death on April 19, 1870. At the time of his death the father left his wife and daughters about 515 acres of land and other property.

SENATE A. PUGH, who was appointed postmaster at New Washington, O., Feb. 1, 19II, and a member of one of the old and pa- triotic families of Crawford county, O., was born in Cranberry township, Crawford county, two miles east and one mile north of New Washington, Jan. 15, 1883. He is a son of Moses and Martha. (Johnston) Pugh.

Moses Pugh was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, and there attended the dis- trict schools and helped his father clear up the farm until the age of 17 years, when he left home and enlisted as a soldier in Co. H, 55th O. Vol. Inf., and remained in the army all through the Civil War, although so severely wounded that he lost his right leg. On three different occasions he was promoted on ac- count of unusual bravery and when he was honorably discharged and mustered out he was second lieutenant of his company. He re- turned home and cleared up a farm of eighty acres in Cranberry township, south of Cran- berry Chapel. He now owns 76 acres in Cran- berry township. He is a valued member of the G. A. R. at New Washington. He mar- ried in Crawford county and five of his six children survive.

Senate A. Pugh attended the Cranberry township schools and the New Washington High School, graduated from Oberlin Business College, and afterward taught school for eight months at Auburn Center. For three years he engaged in farming two and one-half miles south of New Washington, where he owns 160 acres of land which he has under rental, it formerly being owned by John Remmle but Mr. Pugh has done the most of the improv- ing. He is a stockholder in the Cranberry Home Nursery Company of New Washington and has resided in the city ever since his mar- riage and since March 20, 19II, has been postmaster.

Mr. Pugh was married to Miss Hazel Cas- ner, who was born in Seneca county, O., a daughter of William and Ella Casner. Po- litically he is stanch in his adherence to the

Republican party. He belongs to the frater- nal order Knights of Pythias.

SIMON MATHIAS HEINLEN, whose fine farm of 84 acres lies in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., is a native of this town- ship, born June 3, 1853, and is a son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Bickle) Heinlen.

Mathias Heinlen and wife were both born in Germany and came young to Crawford county and married here, spent their lives in Bucyrus township and now rest in the old cemetery at Nevada. They were good and virtuous people, members of the Lutheran church. It is said that no call for help in their neighborhood was ever disregarded by them and on their farm friends and strangers found a hospitable, German welcome. They had the following children : Elizabeth, who is the wife of A. E. Bolinger; John, Simon Mathias; Samuel; Frank; Matilda, who was twice mar- ried, first to Harry Ochse, and second to James Johnston; Magdalena, who is the wife of Byron Kent; and Lucinda, who is the wife of Smith Murphy.

Simon Mathias Heinlen has spent his life in Crawford county, a part of the time living in Bucyrus township and a part in Tod township. He has followed farming and stock raising ever since his school days ended, and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation. On Dec. 31, 1889, he was married to Miss Jennie McConnell. Her parents, Alexander and Leanna (Wortman) McConnell, are both deceased. They were born in Belmont county, O., and after marriage settled on a farm in Wyandot county. Mrs. Heinlen is a grand- daughter of Isaac Wortman, who served in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell had the following children: Nettie, deceased, who married Josh Henry of Michigan; Rachel, who married John McAllister; Newton, Jen- nie, who is the wife of Mr. Heinlen; and Elmer. Two daughters and one son have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen: Edith E., Ethel V. and Herman M. The family attends the Martin Luther church. In his political views Mr. Heinlen, like his late father, is a Democrat. Since settling on his present farm he has accepted no public office but served two terms as assessor while residing in Todd town- ship. He is one of the well known and repre-

L. J. LINN

947

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

sentative men of this section of Crawford county.

L. J. LINN, whose substantial improve- ments and fine buildings add greatly to the value of his beautiful farm of 355 acres, which lies six miles north of Bucyrus, O., in a well irrigated and fertile part of Holmes township, Crawford county, was born in this township, in November, 1858, and is a son of William and Leah (Fralick) Linn.

William Linn is one of the venerable and highly esteemed residents of Holmes town- ship, in which he has spent a useful life. His occupation has been farming and he found suc- cess and contentment in caring for his fields and flocks. He married Leah Fralick, who also survives, and seven of their children, as follows: W. G., who lives at Bucyrus; and L. J., Mrs. Alice James, Mrs. Lucy Spore, Mrs. Melissa Brownshall, Mrs. Laura Heileman, and Mrs. Clara Sawyer. The Linn family is one of the oldest in Crawford county and early pioneers in Holmes township.

L. J. Linn had the best educational advan- tages the common schools offered in his boy- hood and afterward he engaged in farming. For the past 30 years he has resided on his present farm, which he devotes to stock rais- ing and general agriculture. He has erected such substantial and attractive buildings that favorable comment is made by passing visitors, while they add greatly to the general appear- ance of the neigborhood and satisfy a local pride. He has always been an enterprising and progressive man and takes a just pleasure in the ownership of such desirable property.

Mr. Linn married Miss Lizzie Heileman and they have three children: Roy, Jay and Vella. The eldest son is a farmer in Holmes town- ship. He married here Miss Laura Ditty and they have two children: Leslie and Pearson .. Jay, the second son, owns a farm adjoining that of his father. He married Miss Alta Lust and they have two sons: Marvin John and Dorsey. Vella is the wife of Minor Schiefer and they have one son, Ivan. In politics Mr. Linn and sons are Republicans. The family belongs to the Evangelical church at Broken- sword. As a recreation, Mr. Linn enjoys hunting and although he has never visited game regions in other lands he has pretty well covered those in his own country and has

trophies won from Maine to California, by his trusty Winchester. He has visited states from Maine to California and has seen much of the country in his travels.

Several years ago-in 1904-Mr. Linn took his entire family to the St. Louis Exposition, and then continued his tour to the West, look- ing up the early settlers, who had left Craw- ford county in the years that have passed to make their homes beyond the Mississippi. In Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, California, and other of the western states, he met many of those who had been associated with him in his youthful days in the development of his native county of Crawford, and with them, during his six month's trip, he exchanged many inter- esting reminiscences.

HENRY C. SARGEL,* who enjoys the dis- tinction of being the oldest department head connected with the Toledo & Ohio Central railway shops, located at Bucyrus, O., is the efficient foreman of the immense blacksmith shops here having been advanced to his pres- ent position in 1893, after years of faithful service. He was born in Marion county O., March 16, 1853.

The parents of Mr. Sargel were natives of Bavaria, Germany, and when they came to America settled at Marion, O., where the father died. The mother, now 88 years of age, resides with a son in Crawford county. The family is of the German Lutheran faith. Of the seven children, four are deceased : Peter, Louise, Elizabeth and John. The sur- vivors are : Henry C., Erhart and Jacob.

Henry C. Sargel was reared at Marion, O., attended school there and when old enough for railroad service, entered the employ of the Erie railroad and learned the blacksmith trade in the Erie shops. In 1881 he came to Bucy- rus to work in the shops of the Toledo & Ohio Central railroad and his skill and dexterity soon won him advancement and, as mentioned, he was made foreman of his department 19 years ago. In everything pertaining to the blacksmith work of this road he is an authority and he is very highly estimated by the com- pany. He has been a careful, prudent man and at times has made property investments and owns a beautiful residence at No. 428 Galion street, Bucyrus.

Mr. Sargel was married at Bucyrus to Miss

948

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

Louise C. Gerhart, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, Sept. 19, 1858, and in the same year was brought to Galion, O., by her parents, Angus and Catherine (Kline) Gerhart. In that city Mr. Gerhart was a mechanic in the shops of the Big Four railroad, in earlier years being a cooper. He was born Sept. 26, 1830, and his wife in 1836, and they both survive and are respected and esteemed residents of Galion. They have been almost lifelong members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Sargel have had the following children: Otho Orlando, who died at the age of three and one-half years; Edward Arthur, who lives at home and is a postal clerk on the Pennsylvania railroad; C. Irene, who is the wife of Carl Bechtel, residing at Bucyrus; and Roy Alonzo, who is a machinist with the Big Four railroad, at Bellefontaine, O. Mr. and Mrs. Sargel are members of the German Lutheran church. He belongs to the beneficiary order of Royal Ar- canum, at Bucyrus.

JOHN EDWARD HOPLEY, second son of John Prat and Georgianna Rochester Hop- ley, was born near Elkton, Todd County, Ken- tucky, August 25, 1850. His mother, writing to a sister when he was eleven months old said, "John Eddie has eyes as blue as the sky and as bright as the stars; he likes to play with books and is only quiet when looking at the pictures." This early love of books continued through life; he not only owns a large library but with a retentive memory possesses a knowledge of its contents.

His parents returned north, to Logan, Ohio; then to Bucyrus when he was six years old, his father being superintendent of the schools at both places. He attended the Bucyrus schools until the fall of 1867, when, his father having purchased the Bucyrus Journal, he left school and learned the printing business in his father's office. He read law with Hon. Ja- cob Scroggs, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He spent several years in New York at the printing business and in 1883 returned to Bucyrus and was associated with his father on the Journal. On October 17, 1887, he started the Evening Telegraph. He was attracted to politics early in life, as his home was a centre of political activity, and before he was of age he was mapping out plans, with his father, by

which majorities might be achieved. He was one of the organizers of the League of Repub- lican Clubs in the State, as well as the. Asso- ciated Ohio Dailies; was State Central Commit- teeman for four years. In 1894 he managed the campaign which resulted in the election of Hon. S. R. Harris to Congress, and he was that gentleman's private secretary for two years at Washington; in 1895 he took charge of the campaign which resulted in the nomination of Hon. Frank S. Monnette for Attorney Gen- eral. In 1897 he took an active hand in the exciting campaign which resulted in the elec- tion of Hon. M. A. Hanna to the United States Senate, visiting every close legislative district in the state. In 1898 he was appointed by President Mckinley as United States Consul to Southampton, England, and five years later was promoted to the Consulate at Montevideo, South America. His parents both died in 1904, and in 1905 he returned to Bucyrus to succeed his father as president of the Hopley Printing Company, and editor of the Journal and Telegraph. In 1912 he was nominated by the State Convention as one of the electors at large on the Republican ticket.

His consular service made him an exten- sive traveler; he has crossed the ocean fifteen times. He possesses many souvenirs of his for- eign travels, among them valued testimonials given him in recognition of faithful and popu- lar service, his first consular commission, bear- ing the signature of William McKinley and its acceptance, signed "Victoria R." He is a lover of politics, poetry and romance, Joan of Arc and Napoleon being his favorite characters in history. His amusements are "whist" and puz- zles. He is a member of the Masonic Frater- nity and the Eastern Star; also of the Elks, be- ing the first exalted ruler of the present lodge. He was never married but resides at the home- ·stead which has been his home for fifty-six years. He values friends above money, and his wealth is in his friendships. In June, 1911, he was engaged to write the History of Craw- ford County, and for over a year he has de- voted his entire time to the work. The result of his research and labor are presented in this volume.

T. T. TUPPS, who is numbered with the successful agriculturists of Liberty township,

949

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Crawford county, O., owns a finely improved farm containing 105 acres, on which he has resided for some years. He was born in Craw- ford county, O., and is the only child born to his parents, who were Dr. Uriah and Melissa (Jones) Tupps.

The father of Mr. Tupps was a physician and was widely known. He lived in Chatfield township, until his death and was survived by his widow. Dr. Tupps had one brother and one sister : Jaconiah, who lives in Whetstone township; and Mrs. Campbell, who is now deceased.

T. T. Tupps attended the district schools and remained on the home farm until he was 14 years of age, when he learned the house painting trade, which he follows in connection with farming. After purchasing his present farm he put in many improvements and built a very handsome residence.

Mr. Tupps married Miss Sophia Hilde- brand, a daughter of John Hildebrand, whose other children were: Solomon, George, Jacob, Emanuel, Christian John and Tillie. To Mr. and Mrs. Tupps the following children were born: Tony R., who married Grace Baird, and lives in Liberty township and has one child, Milliard; Carrie, who died in infancy ; Howard, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Idallas and Donald. The family belongs to the German Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Tupps has always given support to the Democratic party and on that ticket he has been, at times, elected to public office and has served satisfactory to all concerned as school director and supervisor.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 143

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