History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 153

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 153

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Our subject is a Democrat in his political views and with his wife belongs to the Lutheran church of Sulphur Springs.

ALBERT HAWORTH, who has served continuously as postmaster of Crestline, O., since April, 1898, has been a resident of this city since boyhood, but his birth took place in Manchester, England, March 22, 1848, a son of Benjamin and Martha A. Haworth.

When Benjamin Haworth brought his fam- ily to the United States in 1848, he settled at Providence, R. I., subsequently moving from there to Cleveland, O. In 1861, when the call was issued for volunteers for army service for three months, Mr. Haworth went to Massa- chusetts and there enlisted as a private soldier in the First Mass. Vol. Inf., later reenlisting and at the close of the Civil War, a veteran through three enlistments, started for home, in 1865. While crossing the State of Tennes- see, he, with others, met death from the muskets of bushwackers, not far from the city of Chattanooga. He had been a brave and cheerful soldier throughout the long struggle and on several occasions had been wounded, and it was a sad ending to the career of one who had so continuously done his duty to his adopted country. On account of the disorder of the times, his assailants, border ruffians as they were, were never brought to justice. The widow of Benjamin Haworth survived until June, 1892, dying at Cleveland, when aged about 75 years, having been a faithful member of the Catholic church all her life, while Mr. Haworth was a member of the Episcopal church. They were parents of eleven chil- dren. seven of whom grew to maturity and six of whom survive. One son, Joseph Haworth,

who died unmarried, was a well known actor and for many years was connected with the Boston ( Mass. ) Museum. The four daugh- ters all live in the city of Cleveland, the eldest, Kate, being unmarried. Martha is the wife of George Schneider; Nora is the wife of John E. O'Conner; and Emma, the wife of M. Kelly.

Albert Haworth came to Crestline when Cleveland capitalists opened the Continental Hotel, and he became its manager in 1886, conducting it until 1891. Prior to becoming manager he had been chief clerk for many years and was interested in other activities, in the meanwhile completing his eudcation in the night schools and for some years being the chief support of the family. Later Mr. Haworth purchased and operated the Central Hotel for some time, closing out his hotel in- terests one year before he became postmaster. He has always been active in the Republican ranks and for 20 years has been a member of the county organizations. For 41 years he has been identified with the Knights of Pythias here and belongs also to the Elks, at Bucyrus.

Mr. Haworth was married at Youngstown, O., to Miss Magdaline Mccutcheon, who was born at Montreal, Canada, being of Scotch an- cestry, and they have two children; William Joseph and Effie A. William Joseph Haworth, who is in the marble and mosaic business at Cleveland and a representative business man of that city, is a graduate of the Crestline High School and also of Kenyon College, of the class of 1896. He married and has two children, Martha and Marion. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the Commandery at Cleveland. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Haworth, is the wife of Carl Martin Babst, a son of Judge Daniel Babst, a prominent jurist of Crawford county. Mr Babst is a graduate of Oberlin and Kenyon Colleges and is a member of the Crestline bar. Mr. Haworth is paymaster for the railway mail clerks on the Pennsylvania Railroad be- tween Pittsburgh and Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth are members of the Presbyterian church and he is serving on its board of trus- tees. He has been a citizen of activity and public spirit, and is a marked example of self made man.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

WILLIAM SIEFERT, one of the substan- tial and well known citizens of Crawford county, O., resides on his valuable farm of 224 acres, situated in section II, Cranberry town- ship, on the north side of Angling road, one and one-fourth miles northwest of New Washington. On this farm he was born, Oct. 26, 1863, and is a son of Michael and Christine (Hoffses) Siefert.

Michael Siefert was born in Stark county, O., Oct. 8, 1830, and died at New Washing- ton, O., June 17, 1904. He was a son of John and Salome (Lantz) Siefert, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were mar- ried in Stark county, O., and had four sons and two daughters: Michael, George, John, Jacob, Anna and Catherine. From Stark county they came to Crawford county, when Michael Siefert was four years old, and here John Siefert secured land from the Govern- ment, located in Cranberry township, which was then the home of many Indians. At that time New Washington was little but a hamlet. When Michael Siefert entered into business it was first as a farmer in Cranberry township, where he lived until 1882, moving then into New Washington, where he had an elevator and conducted a large grain business and also baled hay. He was an excellent business man and an honorable and upright citizen. In his political preference he was a Republican.

In January, 1856, Michael Siefert was mar- ried to Christine Hoffses, who was born in Germany, Aug. 12, 1834, attended school there and was 19 years of age when she ac- companied her mother to America. Her par- ents were George Jacob and Catherine Hoff- ses. The father died in Germany and it was in 1853 that the mother and daughter crossed the Atlantic Ocean and began life in a new country. The mother had also a son, Matthew, who is deceased. From Shelby. O., Mrs. Hoffses and daughter walked to New Washington and within two days the latter secured a situation at Plymouth, O., in which she remained until her marriage with Mr. Siefert, when she was reluctantly parted with by those who had become her attached friends as well as her employers. The mother sur- vived to be 81 years old, dying at New Wash- ington and her burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery. she having been a devout member of the Lutheran church for years.

To Michael Siefert and wife the following children were born: Jacob, a resident of Galion, O., who married Mary Rhoades and has three children-Dora, Malinda and Josephine; John, who died when aged four and one-half years; Michael, who died when aged three years; Caroline, who is the wife of John Knodle, of New Washington, and has eight children-Emma, Ella, William, Ralph, Nora, George, Paul and Frederick; George, who resides at New Washington, and married Sarah Sutter and has had four children-Or- lando, Sylvester, Alva, deceased, and Chris- tian; William, the subject of this sketch; Anna, who is the wife of Frederick Michael- felder, of New Washington, and has three children-Carl, Lydia and Walter; John (2), who married Ada Sheets, and has four chil- dren-Christine, Ernest, Carl and Esther ; Michael, who died when one year old; Adam, who died when aged two years; Clara, who is the wife of George Sheets, of New Washing- ton, and has four children -- Mary, Margaret, Jacob and Martin; Emma, who is the wife of A. F. Donnenwirth, of Tiro, O., and has four children-Oliver, Helen, Walter and Ruth; and Frederick, who married Wilhelmine Mohrhoff and resides at New Washington, and has three children-David, Mildred and Paul.

William Siefert attended school in Cran- berry township and later at New Washington, in the meanwhile performing the usual duties that fall to youths on the farm and in this way securing the training that prepares them for the very serious business of later years when they assume the management of large estates of their own. For nine years Mr. Siefert worked as a farm hand and then settled for himself on the homestead, of which he is the owner, in the third generation. His grand- father secured the original 80 acres from the Government, in 1826, and this 80 is included in Mr. Siefert's present farm of 224 acres. He has done a great deal of improving here and built the first brick house in the north- western part of this township, a modern resi- dence with city comforts and conveniences, including a hot and cold water system and electric lighting. Mr. Siefert carries on gen- eral farming and makes something of a spe- cialty of producing hay.

Mr. Siefert was married to Mrs. Elizabeth

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(Schafer) Mohrhoff, who was born in Chat- field township, Crawford county, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Schafer and widow of William Mohrhoff. The latter was sur- vived by two children: David, who married Louetta Sutter; and Wilhelmine, who is the wife of Frederick Siefert. Mr. and Mrs. Siefert have two sons: Freeman and Arnold, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Siefert and family are members of the Lutheran church. He casts his political vote with the Democratic party.

THOMAS BENTON BURGERT, who has been a continuous resident of Galion, O., since about 1856, and for many years a prosperous business man here, now lives in comfortable retirement but has not lost interest in all that contributes to the progress and development of this city. He was born in 1838, at Paris, in Stark county, O. and comes from German stock and old and responsible settlers of Penn- sylvania.

John Burgert, grandfather of Thomas B., was born in Pennsylvania and in early man- hood married there and early in the twenties came as a pioneer to Stark county, O., where he and wife both died in their seventies. He was a weaver by trade, an excellent one in those days, but by the time his sons had reached manhood other occupations paid them better and David, his eldest son, who subsequently be- came the father of Thomas Benton, became a wood worker and established the Burger Fan- ning mills. He was yet youthful when the family came to Stark county, where he lived until 1860, when he moved to Crestline, and worked for the Pennsylvania railway company, and there his life was lost through an accident when he was aged 55 years. He was an active and enterprising man, highly respected by his business associates and useful as a citizen. He was married in Jefferson county, O., to Mar- garet Shultz, who died at Tiro, O., in her 76th year. They were members of the Christian church. Eight sons and one daughter were born to them, all of whom reached maturity and married, and four sons and the daughter still survive, Thomas Benton being the eldest born.

Thomas Benton Burgert had the usual school advantages that were afforded children in his bovhood, and then was apprenticed to a

tinner at Canton, O., where he learned the trade. In 1856 he came to Galion and worked at his trade until 1860, when he went to Crest- line with his father's family, but five years later returned to Galion and then established himself in business here, as tinner and hard- ware dealer, subsequently admitting L. W. Banister as a partner. They continued this business association for 17 years, but in 1906 sold out to the Diamond Hardware Company, both partners then retiring. Mr. Banister re- moved to Springfield, O., where his death oc- curred in 1909. For many years the firm had led the trade in their line and both partners enjoyed the confidence of all dealers and their fellow citizens as honorable business men.

Mr. Burgert was married at Galion to Miss Mary A. Riblet, who was born in 1840, in Richland county, O., and three children were born to them, namely: Harley J., Lulu and Olie. Harley J. Burgert is in the hardware business at Cleveland, O. He married Maude Flagel and they have two children, Mary L. and Ruth. Lulu is the wife of Henry Hause, a conductor on the Erie Railway. Olie, who died in 1907, was the wife of Charles Hall, and is survived by two children, Howard B. and Mildred.

In politics Mr. Burgert, like his deceased father, is a Republican and served one term as a member of the city council. He was in- terested in many of the earlier enterprises of the city of a public nature and belonged to the Galion Fire Department when the com- pany was organized as the Phoenix Fire Com- pany and continued with it under its later title of the Niagara Fire Company, and is still in the service as fireman. His period of service covers 57 years, he first joining in Canton, the father of President McKinley's wife being the secretary of that company and then later while in Crestline he organized the fire department there. For many years he has employed his spare moments in working out inventions of different kinds and a railway lantern that he invented and patented in 1862, is still in use on many railroad lines, no later invention hav- ing displaced it, its utility being so evident. On Feb. 22, 1910, Mr. Burgert was granted a patent for water cut off for cisterns with a special feature to filter the water before it goes into the cistern.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

JAMES M. SPILLETTE, one of the sub- stantial citizens and successful farmers of Au- burn township, Crawford county, O., where he owns 60 acres of well improved land, is a na- tive of the Dominion of Canada, born Jan. 31, 1849, a son of Samuel and Lydia (Laddich) Spillette.

Samuel Spillette was born and reared in England and left his native land for Canada in early manhood, and later learned the manu- facture of brick. He was married in Canada to Lydia Laddich, also a native of England, and they had eight children, all but the young- est being born in Canada : Charlotte, Richard, Martha, Samuel, Stanley, James, Amy and Laura. From Canada the family moved to Buffalo, N. Y. and from there to Cleveland and afterward to Bucyrus, O., Mr. Spillette working at his trade and in other lines, for 35 years his main business being brick making. For two years he made brick and also followed ditching at Sulphur Springs. In 1861 he came to the present family farm in Auburn town- ship and improved the place to a considerable extent and at the time of death, in his 75th year, owned about 200 acres. He was a man of sterling character, honest and upright and was a member of the Church of God. His wife died at the age of 54 years and both were buried in the Goodwill Cemetery.

James M. Spillette obtained his education in the district schools and afterward assisted his father and later, when farming became the family occupation, took the most of the re- sponsibility on himself, as, by that time, his father was past middle life. Mr. Spillette has remained here and has always given his main attention to agricultural pursuits.

On Dec. 25, 1874, Mr. Spillette was mar- ried to Miss Lucinda Glosser, who was born in Wyandot county, O., Sept. 10, 1855, a daughter of John and Barbara (Graffmiller) Glosser. The parents of Mrs. Spillette were born in Germany and were married in Wayne county, O., afterward moving to Wvandot county, where they died, the father at the age of 77 years and the mother when aged 54 years. Their burial was in Salem Cemetery, near San- dusky, in Wyandot county, O. They were good. Christian people, members of the Ger- man Reformed church. They had the follow- ing children: Elizabeth, Barbara, Rosanna,

Henry, Catherine, Caroline and Lucinda. To Mr. and Mrs. Spillette the following children were born: Frank H. who is married and has a son; Olive May, who is the wife of Jacob Godfried and has two children-Norman and Theora; and Pearl and Ina Merl, twins. The former married Ethel Carson and they have two children-Elaine and Vivian L. The lat- ter is the wife of Daniel Bordner of Auburn township, and they have three children-Gra- don S., Thoburn E. and Evelyn A. Mr. Spillette and family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Politically he is affi- liated with the Republican party.

PHILIP TRAUTMAN,* who occupies the important office of chief of police, at Bucyrus, O., has been identified with the public guar- dianship of this city, for the past 14 years, gaining merited promotion at different times and during the administration of Mayor Val- entine, in 1903, was appointed to his present position. Chief Trautman was born 50 years ago, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of George and a grandson of George Trautman.

The grandfather of Chief Trautman was a small German farmer and he married in Bava- ria and both he and wife died there. Three of their children lived to maturity, two daugh- ters who spent their lives in Germany, and George, the only son. They were of the Ro- man Catholic faith.

George Trautman, Jr., was born in 1835, attended the village schools and then learned the milling trade. He there married Catherine Becker and after the birth of two sons, George and Philip, decided to emigrate to America where he believed existed better business op- portunities for a man of family. Hence he reached the United States, in 1862, and al- most immediately secured a position as an army cook in a New York regiment serving in the Civil War, and he continued with this military body for two years, when he came to Bucvrus. Here he engaged first in the milling business and then, with rare foresight, opened up an ice business, being the pioneer in what is now one of the important industries of the city. He continued to handle ice as long as he was engaged in business. his death occur- ring in 1877, having survived his wife for two years. When he found his business prospects

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promising, he sent for his wife and sons to a public official to read such words of sincere join him at Bucyrus and they crossed the At- praise, for often an elevated position is a thankless one, while, at the same time, it is heavy with responsibility. lantic Ocean in the steamer Harmony. Three more children were born to George Traut- man and wife, in America, making five in all, Philip being the eldest of the family. The second son, George, is yard master at Bucyrus for the T. & O. C. Railroad, and has two sons, George and Fred. John, who was born in America, died in 1896, at Denver, Colo., his widow being a resident of Chicago, Ill. Anna, the only dauhgter, is the wife of Fred K. Petersilge, and they have two children: Au- gusta and Ralph. Frank, the youngest of the family, is a plaster contractor doing business at Bucyrus.

Philip Trautman was about four years old when his mother brought him to America and was 16 years of age when this good mother died. Four years later he lost his father. He attended school during the life of his mother, who was concerned in the education of her children, and afterward learned the plastering trade, which he followed continuously for four years. He was engaged in contract plastering during the building of the beautiful White City of Chicago, for the World's Fair. After his business was concluded there he returned to Bucyrus accompanied by William Lutz, his partner of Chicago, and together they con- tinued in business at Bucyrus. When the part- nership was dissolved, Mr. Lutz returned to Chicago, and in 1897, Mr. Trautman was ap- pointed a patrolman of the police force at Bucyrus. He served on his beat until 1902, when he was elected city marshal by a major- ity of 500 votes, and in the following year, on account of a change in the law, the mayor ap- pointed him to a second term as marshal and in 1904 made him chief and head of the force. Since taking full charge Chief Trautman has introduced many changes, all for the good of the public, and all progressive in character. He not only gives extreme satisfaction to the citizens of Bucyrus, but impresses strangers with his efficiency, the following being a quo- tation from a leading newspaper in another part of the state: "Perhaps no man in the State of Ohio, who holds the position of chief of police of a city, is more highly respected and more universally esteemed than Philip Trautman of Bucyrus." It is gratifying for

Chief Trautman was married at Bucyrus, in 1882, to Miss Lucy Metzger, who was born in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, a daughter of Charles Metzger, formerly a well known farmer in Bucyrus township. He and wife had come to this section from Baden, Germany, and the mother of Mrs. Trautman died when her daughter was but two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Trautman have two daughters: Blanche and Mazie. The former graduated from the Bucyrus High School in the class of 1902 and afterward attended the Ohio Nor- mal University at Ada, O. She is an accom- plished and capable young woman and for the past four years has been a stenographer in the Fort Wayne, Ind., Electric Works. Mazie, the second daughter, is a graduate of the class of 1904, Bucyrus High School, and is a stenog- rapher in the employ of the American Clay Machinery Company, Bucyrus. The one son, a youth of ten years, Robert Trautman, is a bright student in the city schools. The family attends the German Lutheran church.

Politically Chief Trautman is a stanch Democrat and is a member of the Crawford County Democratic Committee. From 1882 until 1900, he was identified with the Ohio National Guards and was a sergeant in the Stli Infantry from the time of its organization in 1884. His fraternal connections are with the Eagles and the Knights of Pythias.

PETER BAUER, who, for seven years served with honesty and efficiency as a county commissioner of Crawford county, O., is one of the well known and highly respected cit- izens of this section of Ohio and a substantial retired farmer of Jackson township. He was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, Feb. 23, 1837, and is a son of John Philip and A. Catherine (Fike) Bauer.

John Philip Bauer, the father, was a soldier under Napoleon, suffered capture and as he was put in the ranks to fight against his own people and country, took advantage of the first opportunity to desert and made good his es- cape. John Philip Bauer, father of Peter Bauer, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

many, and in his native section learned the cabinetmaker's trade. He married in his neighborhoood and he and wife remained there until after the birth of all but their young- est child. In order to secure better opportu- nities for these children, Mr. and Mrs. Bauer decided to undertake the long journey to the United States, which, at that time, when only sailing vessels ventured on the ocean, was a formidable enterprise and very different from the camparatively easy conditions under which people of other lands now reach America. After 72 days of buffeting on the water, the Bauer family was safely landed at Baltimore, MId. Their objective point was Crawford county and many miles had to be covered be- fore it was reached. The small capital that the family possessed was pretty well exhausted by the time the city of Pittsburg was attained and from there, to Leesville, O., the distance was covered on foot. They paused long enough here for the mother to recuperate from the birth of their youngest son, Peter, and then moved to the 40-acre wild land which Mr. Bauer secured in Vernon township. By this time they were so accustomed to hardships and deprivations that they patiently awaited the building of their first log cabin shelter, the gradual clearing of their land and its subse- quent cultivation. A comfortable hewn-log house supplanted the first one, more land was acquired and through German industry and thrift. they prospered and saw many years of ease in their old age. This land is still owned by the family and the old hewn-log house yet stands. Of their children the youngest is the only survivor.

Peter Bauer grew up on his father's farm in Vernon township and had district school op- portunities. For many years he successfully carried on farming and stock raising and, al- though retired for some years, still owns many acres of valuable and productive land, mainly situated near Crestline. He has been a very active and useful citizen, a lifelong Democrat. and frequently has been called to public of- fice. In 1873 he was elected a county commis- sioner and served continuously until 1880. When he retired from this office, a mark of confidence and appreciation was shown him by the presentation of a fine gold-headed cane. which he values very highly.

Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Elizabeth Cook, who was born in Richland county, O., Aug. 4, 1842, and died Aug. 14, 1900. Mrs. Bauer attended a picnic and afterward was at- tacked by what was probably ptomaine poison- ing, which caused her death. She was be- loved by family and friends and was a faith- ful member of the German Reformed church.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bauer, namely: Margaret, who is the widow of Jacob Eichorn, and has one son, George Fred, a resident of Crestline; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Frank S. Shepard, a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and has six chil- dren; Mary, who is the wife of William T. Muntis, a farmer in Jefferson township, and has two sons and one daughter; Carolina, who is the wife of Joseph E. Winters, a rural mail carrier, and has three daughters; Catherine, who is the widow of George B. Scott, a resi- dent of Crestline and has one child; and Emma L., who is the wife of Joseph E. Mit- chell, a railroad man, and has four children. Mr. Bauer is a leading member of the Ger- man Reformed church and has been a liberal contributor to all its different benevolent and charitable movements. He is recognized as one of the sterling men of Jackson township.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 153

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