History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 152

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 152

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John J. Geer married Sarah Smith, who was born Jan. 25, 1836 and died on the old farm on which she was born in Clermont county, O., July 7, 1880. She was a woman of such

rare qualities that she impressed her personal- ity on all who knew her and in loving, rev- erent remembrance her son, William J. Geer, bears testimony that all he is and has been of good is due to her. She came of worthy an- cestry. Her parents were David and Sarah (Conklin) Smith, who came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1798, and settled at what is now known as Walnut Hill. The Smiths of Smith- ville and the Conklins and Cranes of Crane's Mills, N. J. were kindered through intermar- riage and their ancestors were Revolutionary soldiers. David Smith was an early pork packer, a pioneer in that great industry and formerly it was his custom to take his meats down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on rafts. Late in life he retired to a farm in Clermont county, O., where he died. His wife subsequently remarried but her last days were spent with a daughter at Galion. To John J. Geer and wife four children were born, the two survivors being: William J. of Galion, and Charles E., of Cincinnati, O.

William J. Geer was an ambitious boy and is largely a self made man. While still on the farm and facing many early problems relating to his future advancement, he determined in some way to secure an education in the law. His opportunities were meager indeed, but he secured some law books and absorbed the foundation principles before he ever left the farm. He then earned the money which in- sured him a course in the Normal School at Lebanon, O., and afterward, for seven years he taught school, in the meanwhile devoting all possible time to his law studies. On May 27, 1886, he was admitted to the bar and im- mediately opened his law office at Galion and has occupied the same quarters in the Citizens Bank Building since June of that year. For many years Mr. Geer has stood at the head of the bar here and many honors have been ten- dered him by his associates during this long period. They recognize his personal as well as professional qualities and know that no lawyer in the State is readier with his legal knowledge nor better qualified for professional advancement. At one time he was the nominee for Common Pleas judge for three counties and for four years he served as city solicitor. Pol- itically he is a Republican and for six years he was mayor of Galion, his long administration

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being noted for its many admirable things ac- Roman Catholic church at New Washington. complished.

Mr. Geer was married at Plymouth, O., to Miss Edith Katherine Drenan, who was born in Richland county and. educated at Delaware University. She is a daughter of W. W. and Hannah ( Brinkerhoff ) Drennan and a niece of the late General Roeliff Brinkerhoff, for- merly of Mansfield, O., well known for his philanthropies. Mr. and Mrs. Geer have two sons : William Drenan and David Smith. Mrs. Geer was reared in the Presbyterian church but Mr. Geer retains his Methodist member- ship. He is identified fraternally with the leading organizations, is a Knight Templar Mason, has been exalted ruler of the Elks at Galion since its organization, and is one of the oldest members of the Knights of Pythias in this city, having united with this body in 1887. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is secretary of the Galion Building & Loan As- sociation. He has numerous other business in- terests and belongs to various charitable and benevolent bodies.

FRANK J. KREIM, who resides on his well improved and carefully tilled farm of 100 acres, which lies in section 23, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., one mile south and one mile west of New Washington, is one of the enterprising agriculturists of this section of the county. He was born in Huron county, O., March 31, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Barbara (Holley) Kreim.

Joseph Kreim was born in Germany and there learned the trade of nailsmith. He mar- ried in Germany and when he came to Amer- ica he was accompanied by his wife and their three children: Catherine, Philip and Made- line. After reaching the United States he worked as a general laborer for a time and then bought 40 acres of the present home farm, on which his family lived during the nine months he served as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil war. After his safe return he resumed farming and continued until he retired, some 15 years before his death, when aged 75 years. His widow sur- vived into her 84th year, for some ten years before her death having made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Shell, in Cranberry town- ship. They were devout members of the

After reaching America they had six other children born to them: Joseph, Frank J., Amelia and Annie, and two that died in infancy.

Frank J. Kreim remained on the home farm after. his school days, his father adding 40 more acres and as much of it was swampy there was a great deal of work to be done be- fore it was ready for cultivation and the serv- ices of the sons were needed. Later Frank J. bought the homestead and also an additional 20 acres that adjoins it and has put the greater number of the improvements here, including buildings, fences, laying drains and putting down tiling. All the land is now under culti- vation except eight acres still in valuable tim- ber. A general farming line is carried on and Mr. Kreim has every reason to be satisfied with the prosperity he enjoys.

Mr. Kreim married Miss Elizabeth Nieder- meier, a daughter of Peter and Barbara Niedermeier, of Cranberry township, and they have eight children, namely : Clemens L., Ed- ward M., Petronilla, Alphonse A., Reinald J., Rozena A., Marie C. and Walter A. Mr. Kreim and family are members of the Cath- olic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has always given his political support to the candidates of the Democratic party.

JOHN S. ZIMMERMAN, who is some- what retired from business activity although he keeps interested in many former avenues of activity, gives considerable attention to su- perintending his well improved farm of 118 acres, which is situated in Whetstone town- ship, Crawford county. He was born in that township, Dec. 28, 1840, and is a son of Rev. Daniel and Charlotte (Schneider) Zimmer- inan.

Daniel Zimmerman and wife were born in one of the Rhine provinces, Prussia, and were married before starting for the United States in 1834. They took passage in one of the old-time sailing ships that offered no luxuries but took 60 days to make its slow way across the mighty Atlantic and safely landed its pas- sengers at Baltimore, Md. Their objective point being Crawford county, O., they made the land journey by means of ox-teams per-

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haps, as the roads were difficult to travel over at that time, but they finally reached Whet- stone township with the babe that had been born on the ocean. It did not long survive.

Daniel Zimmerman was the only member of his family to come to America but there was quite a party made up of members of his wife's people, the Schneiders, who had been of consequence in Germany and who became good citizens of Ohio. At the head of the family was John Schneider, the father of Mrs. Zimmerman, and he was accompanied by his wife, four sons and four daughters. Two of these sons, John and Peter J., both became widely known as preachers in the German Methodist church in Ohio. The father of Mrs. Zimmerman was a man of such fine char- acter that in 1852 his son, Rev. Peter J. Schneider, published a memorial book of 325 pages setting forth his life as an encourage- ment and inspiration to others. The Zimmer- mans and Schneiders finally settled on a tract of 160 acres which is now in Polk township, for which they paid the sum of $350.

Shortly afterward, however, Daniel Zim- merman purchased a separate farm, in Whet- stone township, all of which was wild land, and this he cleared and on this property he and his wife lived for many years, moving to Galion late in life, where she died in 1882, in her 70th year and he in 1884, when aged 72 years. During the entire period of his life in Ohio he was a minister in the Reformed church and continued to preach up to within a year of his death. He was a man of high character and consistent in every relation of life. He was the father of ten children, four of whom survive, namely: Elizabeth, who is the widow of Daniel Stump, of Whetstone township, and has two children; John S., whose name heads this sketch; William, who resides with his family on West Main street, Galion, and has one son; Anna, who resides with her brother, John S., at Galion.

John S. Zimmerman grew up in Whetstone township and attended the district schools, afterward assisting his father. For twelve years prior to 1877 he engaged in farming and then moved to Galion, where, in partner- ship with a brother-in-law. Wendell Helfrich. he went into the shoe business and continued for seven years. Failing health then caused him to retire and prudence has made him give

considerable attention to interests that require his being in the open air. On his farm he has made many improvements and it is one of the fine properties lying adjacent to the Win- chester road.

Mr. Zimmerman was married in Whetstone township, to Miss Eliza J. Kester, who was born there May 13, 1844, a daughter of Jacob and Salome ( Wise) Kester. They were born in Pennsylvania and came to Crawford county in the late thirties and spent the rest of their lives in Whetstone township, the mother of Mrs. Zimmerman dying at the age of 62 years and the father when aged 82 years. They were good, Christian people, members of the Reformed church. Of their eight children two died young, six grew to maturity and two survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman three children were born, namely: Mary E., who died in infancy; Sarah C., who is the wife of Louis Martin and has three children, Carl, Aurelia and Mary; and Clara E., who is the wife of Rev. Benjamin Stern, a minister in the Reformed church, in Philadelphia, Pa., and has one son, Adiel, who is a student of architecture. Mr. Zimmerman and family are all members of the Reformed church.

MRS. PHEBE GRAFMILLER, one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., who, for 38 years has lived on her present farm of 100 acres, situated in section 5, was born in this township, and is a daughter of Enoch and Sarah (Hutchinson) Baker, the former of whom died in Knox county, O., and the latter in Auburn township, Crawford county.

Mrs. Grafmiller was reared to womanhood in Auburn township and attended the public schools. She was married on Nov. 5, 1878, to August Grafmiller, who was born at Can- ton, Wayne county, O., a son of Andrew Grafmiller, who was born in Baden, Germany. In Stark county, O., Andrew Grafmiller was married to Salome Weisard, who was also a native of Germany. They settled on a farm in Auburn township, Wayne county, and they had six children: Andrew, August, Christian, Jacob, Adolphus and Caroline. Andrew Grafmiller died at the age of 76 years and his burial was in Auburn township. His wife

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was 66 years old at time of death and her burial was at New Washington.

To August Grafmiller and wife the follow- ing children were born: Frederick, who car- ries on the industries of the home farm; Otis, who is a rural mail carrier; Etta Matilda, who is the wife of George Coffee, of Creston, Wayne county. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Grafmiller lived for one year on the Baker homestead and then came to the present farm, where Mrs. Grafmiller has lived ever since. Mr. Grafmiller was an industrious and judicious farmer and was very successful in his business, carried on general farming and made many substantial improvements on his land. He died in November, 1907, at the age of 66 years, and his burial was at Plymouth, O. He was a well known and much respected man and was a member of the Church of God. He was interested in supporting the laws and in assisting in making his neighborhood one of moral influence but was never active in pol- itics, although, as a citizen he cast his vote, a Republican in his preferences. Mrs. Graf- miller and family belong also to the Church of God.

CHRISTOPHER ALBRECHT, a repre- sentative business man of Galion, O., who established himself in the grocery business at No. 123 Parsons street, Galion, some 15 years since and has continued at the same location, was born Nov. 18, 1856, in Neckarbischofs- heim in Baden, Germany, a son of Johann and Margaret (Kessler ) Albrecht.

Johann Albrecht spent his entire life in his native village in Baden, a cabinetmaker by trade and a Lutheran in religious faith. He died in February, 1911, when aged 92 years. His father, Henry Albrecht, was with Na- poleon's Prussian Army and assisted in the storming of Moscow. He was one of the comparatively few soldiers of that unhappy and disastrous campagn that lived to return. He survived into old age, being in his 90th year at time of death. Johann Albrecht mar- ried Margaret Kessler, who was born in Hessen, Germany, and died in Baden, in Oc- tober, 1904, being then aged 87 years and the mother of 14 children. Eight of this family grew to maturity, all of these married and six are yet living.

Christopher Albrecht was reared in a home of considerable comfort and was given good educational opportunities. When he decided to come to the United States in 1881 he was 25 years of age, reaching Ohio and joining his brother, John Albrecht, who had come ten years previously. This brother carried on a baking business for some years afterward, at Louisville, Ky., where he died and is survived by his widow and seven children. Christopher Albrecht came to Galion in 1883 and for sev- eral years was connected with a business house here in a clerical capacity and for two years was with the Erie Railway Company, after- ward establishing his present grocery business and has carried it on with very satisfactory results. He has a large trade and necessarily carries a well assorted stock both in staple and fancy goods in his line.

Mr. Albrecht was married at Galion, Craw- ford county, O., in 1884, to Miss Marie Eliza- beth Kehrwecker, who was born at Carding- ton, May 24, 1864, a daughter of Christian and Sophia (Benz) Kehrwecker. They were born, respectively, in Schuetzingen in Wer- temberg and Neckarbischofsheim, Baden, Germany, and both came to the United States when young people and were married in Mor- row county, where they spent their subsequent lives and died so near together that their burial was in one grave, on Jan. 7, 1912. They were members of the German Lutheran church. In politics the father was a Demo- crat. Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht have one son. Henry Ludwig, who was born Feb. 16, 1889. After graduating at the Galion High School, he became a railroad man and now fills the important position of chief timekeeper for the Erie Railroad Company, at Marion, O. He was married, however, at Galion, to Miss Minnie Boehm, who is a daughter of Peter Boehm, one of this city's highly respected citizens and one of the head men in the Ger- man Lutheran Peace church. Mr. Albrecht and son are both identified with the Demo- cratic party. The family belongs to the Ger- man Lutheran church, where the son Harry is still superintendent of the Sunday school. He has from his boyhood up taken an especial interest in his church affairs, filling the place as organist and choir leader at different times.

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A. A. LOUDON, whose valuable farm of 120 acres lies in section 14, Cranberry town- ship, Crawford county, O., was born near Wayneburg, O., and is a son of James and Sarah Loudon, both of whom died in Auburn township, Crawford county.

A. A. Loudon was about 15 years of age when his parents moved to Auburn township and he completed his school attendance there. Since his marriage he has resided on his pres- ent farm and here carries on a general agri- cultural line, working according to modern methods, as Mr. Loudon is a thoroughly in- formed farmer and a very progressive man.

On Jan. 18, 1885, Mr. Loudon was married to Miss Cora M. Cox, who was born on this farm and was educated in the local schools, and also the High school at New Washington. She is a daughter of Luther and Lucinda Cox, old residents of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have four children: Ray E., now at Toledo, O .; Vera; Ivan W., and Wil- lard C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have been prominent in the Grange movement in this section and are charter members of the Cranberry Township Grange, assisting in its organization in the winter of 1895. At that time the membership was about 28 but the interest has spread and at present the lodge is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of fifty. Mr. Loudon is grange lecturer and Mrs. Loudon is an ex-official. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have given their hospitable residence as a meeting place for the order for the past three years. Nominally Mr. Loudon is a Republican.

PROF. SIMEON R. WACHS, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Crawford county, O., who now lives in comfortable retirement on his farm in Jackson township, not far from Crestline, O., for many years was a valued and successful edu- cator and for five years served with the great- est efficiency as superintendent of the Crest- line schools. He was born on his present farm, April 26, 1840, a son of Peter and Lydia (Bell) Wachs.

Peter Wachs, the first of the name known in America, was a native of Switzerland and crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary war,

spending his subsequent life as a farmer in Perry county. Of his family of sons, Philip, the grandfather of Simeon R. Wachs, was a farmer in Perry county, and died there when aged 60 years. His widow subsequently mar- ried a Mr. Bruner, all natives of Pennsylvania .. Philip Wachs left four sons and four daugh- ters, the eldest child, Peter, being the father of Prof. Wachs of Crawford county.

Peter Wachs (2) was born in Perry county, Pa., Dec. 2, 1807, and grew up on his father's farm. In those days work in the woods, lum- bering and logging, was usually a part of a young man's industrial training, in Perry county, and Peter Wachs was somewhat noted for his strength and skill in wielding his axe, thinking nothing of cutting down a tree and making it into stove wood or preparing it for the fireplace, for 25 cents a cord. He also skillfully made use of the flail and through thus threshing out rye, for three cents a bushel, secured enough money to enable him to accompany Rev. Mr. Smith to Ohio, in 1832. Here he subsequently purchased 80 acres of wild land, situated in Jackson town- ship, from the man who had entered the same from the Government, and here he continued to live until his death, July 31, 1884. He was well preserved in mind and body notwith- standing a very laborious life, with the excep- tion of being quite deaf and it was through this misfortune that his death was caused by a railroad train, not far from his home. He was widely known among the pioneers and had helped to build the first log house that was ever erected in the city of Galion. His own land was mainly cleared by himself, with the aid of his trusty axe. In politics he was a Democrat and all his life held connection with the United Brethren church, with which his people were associated in Pennsylvania.

Peter Wachs was married near Galion, O., to Lydia Bell, who was born in 1813, in York county, Pa., a daughter of John and Sarah ( Ritchie) Bell. She was one of a large fam- ily, and as she was a twin, she was taken by an aunt to be reared, who brought her to Ohio when young, all the other members of the family remaining in Pennsylvania. She died in Jackson township after the celebration of her Golden Wedding anniversary with her husband, A lifelong member of the United

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Brethren church, she was noted for her nat- ural gifts as a vocalist and could remember 100 hymns and sing them in church or for the pleasure of family and friends. She was the mother of eight children, six of whom grew . to maturity and four of these survive: Philip, a farmer in Michigan, who has lost his wife but has a married daughter and three grand- children: Daniel C., living retired at Grand Haven, Mich., who for years was a justice of the peace and city recorder, and has a married daughter and two grandsons; Sarah E., who now owns and occupies a part of the old home- stead, who has been twice married and twice widowed. She has no children.

Simeon R. Wachs is the third child of his parents' family of those who survived infancy. In his boyhood and youth this was yet a new country, to a large extent, and Jackson town- ship still was included in Richland county. He early showed a quickened intellect and was given educational opportunities, attending the local schools and afterward the Galion High School, and in 1872 was graduated from the National Normal School at Lebanon, O. He began to teach school in Vernon township, Crawford county, and his activities as a teacher covered about 51 years, mainly in Crawford county and, with one exception, he is the oldest teacher in years of service here. In 1876 he went to Missouri and spent one year teaching in Johnson county, later was principal of the schools of Upper Sandusky; for one year, in the seventies was superintend- ent of the schools of Crestline and continued active in the educational field until 1908. He has served on the board of school examiners and in 1864 was one of the organizers of the Crawford County Teachers' Institute, and its first secretary, and ever since has been more or less a leader in local educational bodies.

In 1868 Mr. Wachs was married (first) in Crawford county, to Miss Ruth A. Reinehart, who was born Oct. 8. 1843. and died at Crest- line, Sept. 6, 1878. Their one child, Tycho C., died at the age of eight months. Mr. Wachs was married (second) at Crestline, to Miss Ida J. Newell, who was born at- Elyria. O., March 13. 1857. where she was reared. She was of English and Irish ancestry, a daughter of Edmund and Margaret (Gaffney) Newell. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother

in Ireland and they were married at Lorain, O., and after some years at Elyria they moved to Oberlin, where the father died in 1909, when aged 82 years. The mother still lives there and is now in her 77th year.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wachs the following chil- dren were born: Victor H., Ferriden N., El Rito, Ruth, Milo, and Paul. The eldest son prepared for an active and useful life. After graduating from the Crestline High School he spent five years at Oberlin College and three years at the University of Boston, Mass., and in 1905 was ordained a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and volun- teered to go as a missionary to the Orient and is stationed in Korea. He married Sylvia Allen, who was also educated at Oberlin Col- lege and they have a daughter, El Rito, and a son, Miller Allen, who was born in Korea, May 13, 1912. The second son, Ferriden N., adopted a trade as his life work and is a skilled machinist residing at Crestline, but he also is a great student of the Scriptures and is deeply interested in his brother's missionary work. He married Byrda Richey and they have three living children : Mildred and Wilbur and Dale, twins. El Rito, the eldest daughter, who is a High School graduate, is the wife of Daniel Pry, a farmer in Vernon township, and they have an infant daughter, Florence Ruth, Milo and Paul, all reside at home, Ruth and Paul being High School graduates and Milo, still a High School student. Mir. and Mrs. Wachs have always been hearty church work- ers and supporters of all moral movements in which opportunity has been afforded them to exert influence. He has long been a class leader and other official in the church at Crest- line. In his political sentiments he is nom- inally a Democrat but considers favorably the claims of the Prohibition party.

E. J. BREHMAN,* a well known agricul- turist of Liberty township, Crawford county. who lives on his farm of 50 acres located two miles south of Sulphur Springs, was born in Whetstone township, this county. April 28, 1875. His father, Stephen Brehman, owns a farm of II0 acres adjoining that of our sub- ject.

E. J. Brehman was one of eight children born to his parents and was brought up on the

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farm. After completing his education in the district schools he went to work on a farm two miles west of where he lives at present. He also worked two years for Mr. Jerry Hopple and then bought his present farm, on which he has successfully carried on general farming and stock raising since. He has built a new house and barn and other buildings.

Mr. Brehman was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Grogg, a native of Liberty town- ship. To them have been born two children, Mary and Belva May, the former of whom is deceased.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 152

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