History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 151

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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William R. Davis was the eleventh child of his parents. He was reared and educated in the district schools and when 21 years of age entered the employ of the Big Four Railroad

as conductor, residing at Galion. In 1885, he removed to Marshall county, Ind., where he was engaged in farming trom that time until 1910. He then returned to Galion and took possession of his present residence at 314 Orange street, where he now lives retired.

On Aug. 15, 1862 he enlisted from Galion in Company E, IOIst Regt., O. V. I., under Capt. William C. Parsons and Col. Leander Stem, and was made corporal of his company. The regiment formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Rosecrans, after- ward under Gen. George H. Thomas, and after the battle of Chickamauga, on the reor- ganization of the army it was assigned to the First Division, First Brigade and Fourth Corps. With it Mr. Davis did gallant service until his discharge on June 12, 1865, remain- ing a member of the regiment from muster in to muster out, was never on the sick list a day, and was never wounded or captured, be- ing the only member of the regiment living today who can say as much. He took part in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862; Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862, Jan. Ist and 2nd, 1863, where the colonel and lieutenant-colonel were both killed; afterwards was in several minor engagements; then in the great and bloody battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19-20, 1863; and afterwards in the battles at Rock Face Ridge, Ball Knob, Resaca and Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville, be- sides many skirmishes. He was made com- missary sergeant, in November, 1862; first lieutenant, Sept, 29, 1864. with the rank of captain, and held this rank at the time of his discharge. At the battle of Franklin he cap- tured a dozen Confederates with the men under his command. He had many marvelous es- capes, some so narrow that at times he almost thinks he must have had a charmed life to have avoided death, injury or capture. As may be supposed, Capt. Davis can tell many interesting stories of the war-stories the in- terest of which is enhanced by the fact that they describe a part of his own personal ex- perience and are therefore of unimpugned veracity.

Capt. Davis was married in Galion, O., Oct. 14, 1856, to Miss Leah M. McCrady, who was born in Polk township, near Galion, this county, June 8, 1838, and who was brought

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up in this locality. Her parents were Isaac medicine, and in the success that has attended and Margaret (Parsons) McCrady, of Lan- his farm activities, there is proof that his time was well employed. He assisted his father until his own marriage, when he purchased the homestead and has carried on farming and stock raising here ever since. With the exception of erecting the farm residence, Mr. Wentz has made all the other substantial im- provements on the place and has a well kept, up-to-date farm.

caster county, Pa., who were there married. and who resided there until 1837, when, after the birth of three children, they came to Craw- ford county, Ohio, where the remainder of their lives were spent. Mr. McCrady died at the Old Olentanga Tavern, near Galion, in 1841 when in the prime of life. His wife sur- vived him many years, being married 25 years after his death to Jesse Perkypile, with whom she lived for 18. years.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been the parents of eight children-Frank D., Charles, Henry, Belle, Louisa Lee, James J., Augusta, and Jean, of whom the following is a partial rec- ord. Frank died in early manhood. Charles died at the age of three years. Henry died in early manhood. Belle is the widow of Andrew Mould and lives in Omaha, Neb. She has three children-Mabel, Addison and Harriet, of whom the last mentioned married a Mr. Jaschka. Louisa Lee is a widow ; has no chil- dren. James J. resides in Columbus, O., is married and has a son, Robert. Augusta is the wife of William M. McNeil, and lives in Marion, O. She has a daughter, Marian. Jean is the wife of Dr. Morton W. Bland of Bellevue, O .. and has a daughter, Florence. Capt. Davis is a charter member of Dick Mor- ris Post, no, 130, G. A. R., which he served as first adjutant and later as senior vice com- mander. He is a Republican in politics and attends the Presbyterian church.

JOHN I. WENTZ,* one of the enterprising and educated men and progressive agricultur- ists of Holmes township, Crawford county. O., resides on his fine farm of 138 acres, which lies one and one-half miles west of Bucyrus, this being the old Wentz homestead. He was born here, Nov. 27, 1878, and is a son of John Wentz, formerly a well known man of this township.

John I. Wentz completed the common school course in Holmes township and then spent one year as a student at the Ohio State University at Columbus and afterward took an agricult- ural and engineering course at the Ohio Nor- mal University at Ada. Mr. Wentz was thus well equipped for farming, just as he would have been had his intentions been for law or

Mr. Wentz was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Florence Miller, a daughter of Frank and Effie Miller, the latter of whom survives. Frank Miller was born in Richland county, O., came in early manhood to Craw- ford county and engaged in farming, his death occurring at the age of 42 years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had eight children born to them, namely: Irvin, who lives in South Dakota; Mrs. Wentz; Carl, who is a resident of Bucy- rus and Harry. of Chicago; Ina who lives with her mother; Mrs. Samuel Lenthold; Frank and Eleanor, both of whom live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wentz have three children; Richard George, Florence Eleanor and James. Mr. Wentz and family attend the Presbyterian church at Bucyrus. In his views on public questions he maintains an independent atti- tude and the only political office he has ever accepted was that of justice of the peace, in 1906, and served one term. His interest in agricultural interests is hearty and he is a valued member of the local Grange.

CHARLES E. STINE, cashier of the Babst Banking Company, at Crestline; O., was born here, July 3. 1868, and is a son of Adam and Hannah (Wentz) Stine.

Adam Stine was born in Bucks county, Pa .. and came to Shelby, O., and was reared in Richland county from youth. In Richland county he married Hannah Wentz, who was born in Perry county. Pa., and then came to Crestline, about the time the railroad now known as the Big Four line was being built. He was a carpenter by trade and assisted in the construction of the bridges and station build- ings then being constructed by the railroad company. Later he went to Delaware. O., and helped to build the old college buildings there. and in 1854 returned to Crestline and started a planing mill here, which he operated

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until he retired in 1892, about the time of death which occurred in 1892, his wife surviv- ing until 1901. They were charter members of the English Lutheran church. Of their seven children, five were sons and two daugh- ters and all survive.

Charles E. Stine attended the public schools at Crestline until the age of 16 years and then entered the Babst Banking House as an em- ploye and has continued to be identified with this firm and is held in such very high regard by Mr. Babst, that he fills the office of cashier without any bonds. He is well known in financial circles throughout the country and has proven himself an accurate and astute business man.

Mr. Stine was married to Miss Grace A. Reed, who was born and educated here. They have one daughter, Dorothy, who was born Aug. 9, 1903. Mr. Stine is a responsive cit- izen but ia not particularly active in politics.

C. P. FRANK, for many years connected with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Company as foreman of the copper shops, at Crestline, now retired from railroad life but still active in business affairs, is presi- dent of the Crestline Building and Loan Asso- ciation, one of the city's important commer- cial enterprises. Mr. Frank was born in But- ler county, Pa., Jan. 21, 1839, and is a son of John G. and Mary (Schneider ) Frank.

John G. Frank was born and reared in Ger- many and came to the United States in 1835, locating at Saxonburg, in Butler county, Pa., where he engaged in farming and also con- ducted a tannery. He died there in 1870, in his seventieth year and was a member of the German Lutheran church during the greater part of his life. He married the widow of Carl Hahn and a daughter of Christian Schneider. She also was a native of Germany and was the mother of ten children, five born to her first and five to her second union.

C. P. Frank was the eldest son and second child of his parents and in boyhood attended the district schools for about three months dur- ing the year, in the meanwhile making him- self useful to his father. When 17 years old he went to Pittsburg and there entered a foundry to learn the trade of coppersmith and served an apprenticeship of four years, after

which he entered the employ of Prior, Har- beck & Co., a Cleveland firm. He continued work at his trade there for nine months and then came first to Galion, where he was en- gaged with the old Bee line railroad company for four years, and from there, in 1863, came to Crestline and this city has continued his home ever since. For 45 years Mr. Frank was foreman of the coppersmith department in the shops of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, now the Pennsylvania Lines west of Pittsburg, a fact which speaks for itself in proving his capacity in his trade. He had a long and successful business career with this corporation and reliance was placed on his skill and experience while personal esteem was felt for him by his employers. Since retiring from railroad work, Mr. Frank has continued his active interest in the opera- tions of the Crestline Building and Loan As- sociation, has displayed excellent judgment, a thorough knowledge of realty values and an energy that might be envied by a much younger man.

On Feb. 4, 1862, Mr. Frank was married to Miss Elen A. Keen who was three years old when she was brought to America by her par- ents, who settled among other German pio- neers in Crawford county and became well known and respected people of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Frank have four children living, namely : John E., who is assistant to the chief clerk in the general freight office of the Pere Marquette Railroad at Toledo, O .; Mary M., the widow of I. W. Tarkworthy, who lives in Cleveland, O .; Willard A., machinist, living at Galion, O .; and Frederick G., who suc- ceeded his father as foreman in the Pennsyl- vania Lines shops at Crestline. Two children died, Nelly C. and Alice J., aged two and six years respectively. Mr. Frank and family are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally is identified with the Masons and Odd Fel- lows.

JOSEPH GILBERT SMITH, a retired farmer and well known citizen, residing in Galion, O., was born in Jefferson township, Crawford county, O., Dec. 15, 1839, a son of Joseph and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Smith. His paternal grandfather, John Jacob Smith, was

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a native of Germany, who married in his na- tive land and came to America, settling in Perry county, Pa., about 1798, he and his wife dying in that state at an advanced age. They were farmers by occupation, Mrs. Smith be- ing a Presbyterian in religion.

The parents of our subject were both born in Perry county, Pa. Joseph Smith (the father) was brought up to farming and mar- ried his first wife, Mary Kirkpatrick, in Perry county. After the birth of their first two chil- dren-Leonard and Mary E .- they removed, in 1837, to Ohio, making the journey with teams, and stopping here and there by the wayside. When they reached Crawford county, Joseph Smith selected and entered 150 acres of solid timber land, in Jefferson town- ship, and, being a practical carpenter, he cut out timber and built himself quite a comfort- able home. There were no roads in the local- ity at that time, so for some years the family liver a real pioneer existence in the wilder- ness. His first wife Mary, who had accom- panied him to this section, did not long sur- vive, dying on the day that her last child, the subject of this sketch, was born, Dec. 17, 1839. She was only 23 years old. Joseph later mar- ried in this county a cousin of hers, Nancy Kirkpatrick, who was born in Pennsylvania, and she died on the homestead at the age of 58, leaving two children, Alvin and Matilda, the former of whom now resides on the home- stead, is married and has a family. Matilda married William Michaels, who is now de- ceased, and died herself when over 69 years old, leaving two children. Joseph Smith, after the death of his second wife, contracted a third marriage, this time to Sarah Welsh, nee Kirkpatrick, who was a sister of his second wife. She died without issue, and her hus- band Joseph, died April 26, 1870.

Joseph Gilbert Smith grew up on his father's farm and was trained to agricultural pursuits. He conducted a farm for his father until 1870, when he came to Galion, where he remained five vears. He then purchased a farm near No. Robinson, in Whetstone township, this county, which was his home until October, III. He then sold 64 of the 84 acres he owned there and took up his residence again in Galion, purchasing his fine home at No. 225 No. Union street, where he is enjoying a well earned respite from hard labor.

He was married in Jefferson township, this county, Nov. 8, 1863, to Miss Amanda Van Voorhis, who was born at Olentazie, this county, April 20, 1843, a daughter of William R. and Almeda (Johnson) Van Voorhis. Her paternal grandparents were Samuel N. and Sarah (Meyers) Van Voorhis, who came to this section in the second decade of the 19th century, locating at the early settlement known as Olentazie, south of Bucyrus, and on the plains. Samuel N. Van Voorhis assisted in laying out the city of Bucyrus, the site of which lay partly on his early farm. He helped to organize the first Christian (or Campbell- ite) church in this county, and was a member of that faith at the time of his death, which took place when he had attained an advanced age. His wife died several years before him.

William R. Van Voorhis was born near Schuylkill, N. Y., May 25, 1802, the early Dutch ancestors of the family having settled on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers several generations before. After coming to Ohio with his parents he grew up on the homestead in Bucyrus township, where he remained until after his marriage. He then purchased a new timber farm in Whetstone township, where he lived for several years. He then went to Michigan and while living there, not far from St. Joseph, he lost his wife, who was in maid- enhood Miss Hannah Jones. She left him with five children. He returned with them to Craw- ford county, O., where later he married his second wife, Almeda Johnson. Here they spent the rest of their lives, Mr. Van Voorhis dying Aug. 4, 1893, and his wife at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Smith, on July 7, 1910. She was over 92 years old, having been born March 19, 1818. They were lifelong members of the Christian church and he was a strong Democrat in politics. They had a family of twelve children, of whom five are still living and one is yet unmarried.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been the parents of eleven children, as follows: (1) Lora A., born Aug. 11, 1864, is the wife of Henry S. Evert, of Galion and has three children - Beatrice, Stewart and Arthur. (2) Alice E., born Oct, 2, 1867. is the wife of Newton Evert, a farmer of Whetstone township and has two children-Marion A. and Paul G. (3) Bertha, who has been a public school teacher in Galion for some years and who re-

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sides at home. (4) Jessie E., born 1872, July 12, who is the wife of Charles A. Throckmor- ton and lives in Columbus, O. Her children are Warren S. and Maxwell H. (5) Eva E., born Nov. 5, 1875, who is the wife of Michael Eusey and lives in Galion. She has three chil- dren-Cora, Fred and Gordon. (6) Charles B., a farmer in Chatfield township, who is un- married. (7) Lettie E., a school teacher, un- married, who resides at home. (8) Helen M., who married Orvin Braden, resides in Woo- ster, O., and has a son Donald. (9) Ethel T., who died at the age of eleven years. (10) Edna L., unmarried, who is a stenographer and resides in Cleveland, O. (II) Josephine, born in September, 1878, who is the wife of Dorsey Littler and resides in Galion, has no children. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the English Lutheran church. They are well known and have a wide circle of friends. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics.

PEARL J. HILLS, whose well cultivated farm of 100 acres is situated in section 21, Auburn township, Crawford county, O., is a native of Auburn township, born June 24, 1878, and is a son of Julius and Alvira Hills, both of whom are now deceased.

Pearl J. Hills was reared in Auburn town- ship and attended the public schools and began his farm training on his paternal grandfather's estate, where he grew up. For four years after his marriage he rented land, after which he purchased his present valuable place. He is an up-to-date, progressive agriculturist and has drained and tiled his land at an expense of hundreds of dollars and has it all under till- age except 14 acres woodland and pasture. He devotes some attention to raising fine Jersey cattle, feeds from eight to twelve horses a year and never sells hay, finding it more prof- itable to feed the crop and in this way return to the soil what is taken out of it. Mr. Hills is one of the well informed farmers who own and value a silo and he is confident that it saves him three hundred dollars worth of feed a year. He has taken pride in the appearance of his property and all the buildings have been remodeled and all surroundings are attractive. Mr. Hills is also agent for the Overland Auto- mobile for Auburn, Vernon and Cranberry townships and has disposed of a number of these fine cars.

Mr. Hills married Miss Mary E. Melick, who was born in Richland county, O., and they have four children: Harry, Florence, Otis and Ross. In politics Mr. Hills is a Democrat and is a member of the Board of Education at the present time and served previously in the same office for two terms. He belongs to the local Grange and also to the Knights of Pythias and to the Odd Fellows, at Tiro. With his family he attends the Baptist church.

FRANK E. LAMB, a representative and substantial citizen of Bucyrus,. O., property owner and civic official, was born in Ingham county, Mich., March II, 1850, and is a son of George S. and Laura (Silsby) Lamb.

George S. Lamb was a well known man in several sections of the country. He was born in Ohio and for a number of years engaged in farming, after which he became an Indian trader and subsequently located in Murray county, Minn., his being the eighth family to settle there. It was a wild region at that time and Mr. Lamb's business often left him un- protected and on one of his trips he was killed by the Indians, this occurring in what is known as the Little Crow massacre. He mar- ried Laura Silsby, who was born in New York, a daughter of Felix Silsby, and three children were born to them: Frank E .; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of San- ford Peck; and a child that died when five years old.

Frank E. Lamb had but meager educational opportunities, growing up on a farm that was 65 miles distant from any town. He was only a boy of 14 years when he succeeded in enlist- ing for service in the Civil War and was out for nine months and fifteen days as a mem- ber of Co. C, 195th O. Vol. Inf., from Wil- liams county, O. He then returned to Williams county and was but 18 years old when he was married, on Nov. 19, 1868, to Miss Mary Ogle. She was born in Williams county, where her grandfather, Robert Ogle, was the fifth settler in its early days. Her par- ents were Thomas and Jerusha (Clark) Ogle, the former of whom was a native of Colum- biana county, O., a civil engineer and a farmer. The mother of Mrs. Lamb was born in Penn- sylvania. They had three children: Robert, Eliza, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Champion ; and Mary.

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To Mr. and Mrs. Lamb the following chil- dren were born: Cora, the widow of Neal Sullivan, who has four children-Eunice, Frank, Clyde and Russell; Edgar F., who married Mary Quinn, and has ten children- Herbert, Cora, Howard, Elsie, Maurice, Ed- gar, Hilda, Vivian, Ralph and Glen; Laura, who married Milo R. Haynes, and has two children-Donald and Naomi; Nellie, who is the wife of Clarence N. Haynes, and has one daughter, Lila; and Mary, who is a popular and successful teacher at Bucyrus.

For many years Mr. Lamb has been prom- inent in political life at Bucyrus and at pres- ent is serving in his second term as a member of the city council. He is also in his fourth year as probation officer and formerly offici- ated as constable and for a long time as a jus- tice of the peace. He has property invest- ments at Bucyrus that include two handsome and valuable residences. He is a member of

Keller Post No. 128, Grand Army of the Re- public, of which he is the present quarter- master, having been interested in this post ever since it was organized. His family attends the United Brethren church. He is identified politcally with the Democratic party. On August 3, 1912, Mr. Lamb was appointed justice of the peace in Bucyrus township.

GEORGE R. FOSTER, whose well culti- vated farm of 79 acres lies in sections 14 and 23, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., two and one-fourth miles southeast of New Washington, was born in Richland county, O., Jan. 25, 1877, a son of Reuben H. and Sarah E. Foster, who still reside in Richland county.

After his school days were over, George R. Foster lived for five years in Richland county, following farming. In March, 1907, he set- tled on his present farm, which he bought from his father-in-law and the Cox heirs. He has greatly improved his property, erecting the substantial buildings, fencing and drain- ing, and raises hay. grain, cattle and hogs. He follows modern methods and believes in the best kind of farm machinery. Mr. Foster is a stockholder in the Toledo Life Insurance Company, of Toledo, O.

On Oct. 24, 1891, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Maude E. Hageman, who was born on this farm, a daughter of Henry and Martha

Hageman. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which Mr. Fos- ter attends and liberally supports. He is iden- tified with the Knights of rythias and belongs also to Cranberry Grange. He is not very active in politics but has always been identified with the Democratic party and never fails in the duties of a good citizen.

T. E. HILBORN,* who is serving in his second term as trustee of Tod township, Craw- ford county, O., residing on the old Hilborn homestead, situated two miles south of Oce- ola, O., was born here in 1874 and is a son of Samuel and Mary ( Rhinehart) Hilborn.

Samuel Hilborn was born in Ashland county, O., and came to the present home farm when a young man, cleared it, developed its agricultural possibilities and erected the sub- stantial buildings. His death occurred here when he was aged 68 years. He married Mary Rhinehart, who is now in her 70th year and resides at Nevada, O. Ten children were born to them, namely: Mrs. Krickbaum, of Wyandot county; Charles and Joseph, both of Bucyrus; Clara, deceased; Mrs. Stella Gregg, of Nevada; Mrs. Floe Gingery; T. E .; Mrs. Hilborn, of Iowa; Royal, of Nevada; and Mabel, living at home.

T. E. Hilborn has been engaged in farming ever since his school days and operates the home place of 120 acres for his mother. He is known as a capable and successful farmer and as a good business man. He married Mabel Todd, of Tiro, O., whose mother re- sides at Akron. In politics Mr. Hilborn is a strong Democrat and as township trustee is a valuable township official. He is identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanics and with the Knights of Pythias. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Nevada, O.

WILLIAM J. GEER, one of the oldest practicing lawyers at Galion, O., may easily be numbered with the leading members of the bar and at the same time is more or less prom- inent in other lines of business. He was born at Clermont county, O., Oct. 8, 1858, and is a son of Rev. John J. and Sarah (Smith) Geer.

Rev. John J. Geer was born in 1833, in Rockbridge county, Va., where his father and

WILLIAM J. GEER

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grandfather were native born, the family having been established there prior to the Re- volutionary War. Grandfather Geer became convinced of the injustice of slavery and after liberating his negroes came to Ohio and in the late 30's settled near Sidney, in Shelby county, where he died in 1870. He and wife were Wesleyan Methodists. Their son, John J. Geer, grew up mainly in Shelby county and when he united with a religious body it was with the Protestant Methodists, in which he became a preacher and was pastor of the old George Street Church, Cincinnati, when the Civil War broke out. In May, 1861, he en- listed as chaplain in the 48th O. Vol. Inf. At the battle of Shiloh he was captured by the Confederates and with his unfortunate com- rades was afterward incarcerated in Anderson- ville Prison. In some way he managed to es- cape but was pursued by the blood hounds kept by Capt. Werz for that purpose and was recaptured and again made to suffer within that terrible stockade. When he was finally ex- changed there was little hope entertained by his friends that he would recover his health, but his constitution at that time was strong and in 1863 he determined to again face the dangers and hardships that so many of his fellow men were bravely enduring. Although he had en- listed as chaplain it was his own wish that he be given an active place in the command and the company elected him captain and later be- came adjutant general on the staff of General Buckland. He enlisted a second time as a member of the 183rd O. Vol. Inf. and at the close of the war was made chaplain and sup- erintendent of the Geer Hospital at Wilming- ton, N. C., and was honorably discharged in 1865. He was the author of a stirring story of those memorable days, relating his per- sonal experiences, the title of it being "Beyond the Lines" or "Yankee Prisoner Loose in Dixie." These hardships had shattered his health to such an extent that he never recov- ered and two years after the close of the war, on Aug. 25, 1867, this brave and good man passed away, a true martyr in the cause of his country.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 151

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