History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 167

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 167

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Amos F. Keller in boyhood displayed a love of learning that was somewhat unusual among his school-boy comrades, and the result was that he soon outstripped them all. He took up the scientific course under Professor Churchill.

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then of Oberlin University, and by the time he was nineteen years of age, he had solved every problem in mathematics that belonged to the district school course. When he began to teach school it was probably with no idea of the real interest the work would have for him, but later he continued as an educator because of the opportunities it gave him of arousing am- bition in others, as many of these have since testified. He continued in the educational field for more than eighteen years. In the meanwhile he was acquiring knowledge for himself along other lines and not only equipped himself for the practice of law, but made a study of the great questions of the day, becom- ing deeply concerned on the subject of the re- lations of capital and labor. Possessing a well trained mind and the gift of oratory, Mr. Kel- ler came to the front in political campaigns, and identified himself with the Labor party, becoming a party worker under the organiza- tion of Hon. T. V. Powderly. In 1894 Mr. Keller was a candidate for Congress on the People's ticket, and, although not elected, showed remarkable strength. He subsequently became an admirer and supporter of Hon. William Jennings Bryan for the Presidency, and in the campaigns of 1896 and 1900 traveled through Ohio speaking in his behalf. While all the people did not have the same confidence in the political wisdom of the Democratic candidate, a large proportion were always willing to go long distances to listen to Mr. Keller, on any subject, his popularity being very general all over his native state.

Mr. Keller was married Oct. 30, 1895, to Miss Hattie Maudesta Carrothers, a daughter of James B. Carrothers, a substantial farmer of Vernon township. They have four chil- dren. As mentioned above, the old home farm has continued to be the chosen place of resi- dence by Mr. Keller and family, he having been its owner since he was twenty-three years of age. In addition to being second officer in the Farmers and Citizens Bank and Savings Company, he is associated with its president, George W. Miller, in the Farmers' Mutual In- surance Company. on Jan. 2, 1911, Mr. Kel- ler was appointed deputy sheriff of Crawford county. He is now the Democratic candidate for Probate Judge and is certain to be elected, nomination on the Democratic ticket in this county being equivalent to election.

DANIEL KREITER, county treasurer of Crawford county, O., is widely known as a reliable and representative citizen and also as a successful business man. He was born in Crawford county, Sept. 22, 1854, one of three children born to his parents, who were Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Hess) Kreiter, who are now deceased.

Daniel Kreiter was educated in the schools of Galion, O. and also attended school at the Capitol University at Columbus and the Le- banon, O. Normal School. He had learned the shoemaking trade, although his father had been a tailor, and had worked at that before entering upon his college education. Inter- vening his school course at Columbus and Le- banon, he taught school one year in the pub- lic schools at Galion. After his graduation in the commercial course at Lebanon, he was em- ployed about seven years in the freight and ticket office of the Erie Railroad Company at Galion. Later he served for many years as bookkeeper in Kreiter & Schaefer's grocery store and while in this service was elected for and served two terms as city treasurer of his home city. He continued as bookkeeper in the grocery business until he was elected coun- ty treasurer of Crawford county on the Dem- ocratic ticket, this election being held in No- vember, 1908. He assumed the office in the following year and has served two terms with the greatest efficiency.

Mr. Kreiter married Miss Margaret Bohl, a daughter of Ludwig Bohl, and they have three children, namely: Clio, Fred W. and Elfrida. They attend the Lutheran church.

JESSE G. BROWN, one of the live busi- ness men of Galion, O., progressive in his ideas and enterprising in his undertakings, is proprietor of the Old Reliable Piano Store, which is situated on the corner of Walnut and South Market streets, and has additional business interests. He was born on a farm in Champaign county, O., near Kingston, in 1858, and is a son of John and Anna (Myers) Brown.

John Brown and wife were born in Berks county, Pa., of old Dutch ancestry, and were reared and married there. In the forties they came to Champaign county, O., locating on a farm and spent their subsequent lives there. well known and highly respected, his death

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occurring at the age of 58 years. After being lett a wiuow, Mrs. Brown moved to Urbana and died there in 1908, when aged 89 years. Both she and husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had eleven children and of these one son and three daugh- ters died in early childhood and seven reached maturity. Elizabeth is a resident of Urbana, Champaign county. Sallie J. resides at Ur- bana and is the widow of E. M. Most and she has four sons. David H., a county official, lives at Urbana with his wife. Eliza is the widow of E. B. Kiser and lives at Urbana with her four daughters. James and John, twins, the former of whom is a business man of Springfield, O., unmarried, while the latter is a railroad man and is married and has one son.

Jesse G. Brown was reared in Champaign county and obtained his education at Urbana. When 19 years of age he accepted a commer- cial position and went out on the road and for about 20 years traveled over the country, his business taking him into almost every State of the Union, his line being the selling of pianos. He was thus engaged until he deter- mined to go into business for himself and chose Galion, of which city he had already been a resident for six years, as a good busi- ness field, establishing his present store in 1889. He carries a fine line of high grade musical goods, including the Ivers-Pond pi- anos of Boston, the Adam Schaafer, of Chi- cago, together with a special make of piano, with new and admirable features, the J. G. Brown piano, which is specially manufactured for him in New York City. He also has the exclusive agency for the Edison phonographs, for which the demand is large. Mr. Brown has been public spirited in promoting many of the business enterprises of Galion and owns stock in many of them. As a pastime Mr. Brown interested himself some 20 years ago in horticulture and fruit growing but the pastime has developed into a large business and he is known all over the state for the products of his fine orchards and his success in the growing of all kinds of fruit that will mature in this climate. Mr. Brown still finds enjoyment in his experiments and has solved many horticultural problems.

At Galion, O., Mr. Brown was married to

Miss Minnie Gledhill, who is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Hershner) Gledhill. This substantial family of Crawford county is well known and is one of the old settled ones of Jefferson township, members of the United Brethren church, to which religious body Mr. and Mrs. Brown also belong. They have three children; Claudia O., a graduate of the Galion High School, who married E. Landis Miller, an Erie Railroad official, re- siding at Galion; Hazel F., who is a graduate of the Galion High School in the class of 1908; and Jesse Gledhill, who is yet a school boy.

In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. While he has not accepted any political office he is a charter member of the Commercial Club, of which he has been president and otherwise officially connected, at present being chairman of the entertainment committee. He has been the chief mover in many of the recent successful enterprises organized to make this city more widely known as a de- sirable place in which to establish both a home and business. He belongs to Lodge No. 186 Knights of Pythias and is a past official of the State Grand Lodge, and belongs also to the Odd Fellows at Galion.

WILLIAM E. MILLIRON, who is a mem- ber of the firm of Milliron Bros., manufac- turers of drain-tile and brick, with plant lo- cated five miles northeast of New Washing- ton, just across the Huron county line, in Richmond township, is half owner of this large business enterprise and is a very active and successful business man. He was born in Crawford county, O., and is a son of John and Helen ( Page) Milliron.

John Milliron was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in boyhood. Later he learned the carpenter trade and worked at the same until 1882, when he turned his at- tention to the manufacturing of drain tile and brick, came to near New Washington and pur- chased 25 acres of land, subsequently adding ten more acres. In the above year he erected the present plant, two buildings with dimen- sions of 30x145 and 40x40 feet and also built a saw mill for custom sawing. Here he re- sided and manufactured from three to 12-inch tile building blocks. In 1890 he took his

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three sons into partnership and the firm name became J. Milliron & Sons, and a large busi- ness was done, trade being drawn from Huron, Richland and Seneca counties, as well as all over Crawford county. After the death of the founder, in 1902, the three sons con- tinued under the style of Milliron Bros., un- til 1912, when Harry L. Milliron retired and sold his interest to his two brothers, John R. and William E., who are sole owners. The present firm has enlarged the facilities of the plant, erecting two new buildings, one with dimensions 54x54 feet and the other of 32x40 feet. They are prepared to make every size of tile and their annual output approaches 50,000 building blocks and 50,000 bricks, and give employment to four steady men who un- derstand the business.

John Milliron was married at New Wash- ington, O., to Miss Helen Page, who was born in Guernsey county, and they had twelve children born to them, the survivors being: Mrs. Jeremiah Lewis, who lives in Garfield county, Okla .; Mrs. John Beamer, who lives four miles north of the above mentioned plant; Mrs. Newton Carson, who lives at Ply- mouth, O .; Charles, who married Lottie Rapp and lives in Auburn township; Harry L., who lives at Plymouth, O. and who married Nora Jones; William E., subject of this sketch; John R., who resides at the plant and who married Minta De Witt; Mrs. Isaiah Kem- mery, residing near the plant; and Mrs. Hen- rietta Yarnell, who resides at Norwalk, O.

William E. Milliron makes his home at his place of business. He married Miss Matilda E. Warner and they have two children: Alta, who lives at Plymouth, O .; and Inez B., who is attending school.

HARRY L. BODLEY, cashier of the First National Bank of Galion, O., and one of the progressive and energetic citizens, wide awake to public conditions and well qualified as a citizen and business man, was born at Bucyrus, O., Nov. 16, 1877, and is a son of William A. and Frances (Miller) Bodley.

William A. Bodley was born near Ply- mouth, O., and his wife near Olney, Ill. They were married at Olney, Ill., and shortly after- ward moved to Bucyrus, where Mr. Bodley engaged in business as a merchant until 1882.

In that year he came to Galion and resumed merchandising here and for 30 years has con- ducted a book, stationery and wall paper store on the Public Square. He is a well known and respected citizen, has served as a member of the board of education and is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His family numbered but one child, Harry L. The latter was a child of five years when the family came to Galion and as youth and man he has been identified with this city ever since. After he completed the public school * course, in 1893 he became a messenger in the First National Bank, being then 17 years of age, and through fidelity and efficiency has won promotion all along the line, serving as assistant cashier prior to being made cashier in 19II, being elected to this office in January of that year.

The First National Bank of Galion, O., was organized in 1864 and its present officers are : E. M. Freese, president; B. E. Place, vice president; H. L. Bodley, cashier, and J. E. Casey, assistant cashier. The following cap- italists make up the board of directors: E. M. Freese, B. E. Place, H. W. Todd, R. W. Johnston, M. R. Crim, W. A. Bodley and H. R. Schuler. This institution is the oldest bank in Crawford county and its first president was C. S. Crim and its first cashier, J. S. Bloomer. The report of the condition of this bank at the close of business, Feb. 20, 1912, showed a very prosperous condition. The original capital of $50,000, in 1903 was in- creased to $100,000.

Mr. Bodley was married at Columbus, O., to Miss Margaret L. Beelman, who was born in Richland county, O., and they have one son, Herbert D., who was born in January, I9II. Mr. and Mrs. Bodley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Mans- field Commandery, Blue Lodge and Chapter at Galion, being past high priest of the Chap- ter and junior warden of the Blue Lodge, and to Gwynn Council, No. 83, at Bucyrus. He belongs also to Galion Lodge, Knights of Pythias.

SAMUEL EDWARD AUCK, an enter- prising business man of Bucyrus, O., who is associated with his brother, William H. Auck,

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in the real estate and general insurance line, was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., Aug. 11, 1876, and is a son of Michael and Caroline (Ehmann) Auck. The family is an old and very prominent one in this section and for many years the parents of Mr. Auck resided in Whetstone township on their large estate but now live retired at Bucyrus.

Samuel Edward Auck was afforded excel- lent educational advantages, from the public schools entering the Ohio Northern University and later taking a business course in a Toledo commercial school, where he was graduated in 1898. He then taught school for one year and then came to Bucyrus and associated him- self with his older brother, William H. Auck, in their present line of business, under the firm style of Auck Bros., purchase having been made of the business of F. M. Kerr. This firm handles farm and city properties in Crawford and adjoining counties and deals in investment and security bonds and repre- sents the best old line insurance companies. During his father's second term as county treasurer he served as deputy and continued with Treasurer Wm. L. Alexander, his fa- ther's successor, until April 1, 1901, when he resigned in order to accept a position as cash- ier for the American Clay Machinery Com- pany of Bucyrus, O., and remained with this well known business concern until Dec. 17, 1908, when, as noted above, he joined his in- terests with those of his brother. They are men well qualified in every way for successful business, energetic, honest and reputable and their standing in commercial circles is equally high with that won by them personally.

Mr. Auck was married Dec. 25, 1900, at Bucyrus to Miss Lulu V. Knoedler, who was born Jan. 6, 1879 and educated here, graduat- ing from the Bucyrus High School with the class of 1898. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Volk) Knoedler. Mr. and Mrs. Knoedler reside at Bucyrus, the former being a retired business man, and both he and wife are members of St. John's Reformed church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Auck also belongs. The latter have two children : Carol Elizabeth, who was born Feb. 22, 1902, and Donald Knoedler, who was born Aug. 23, 1907. Mr. Auck is a member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat.

C. P. DEERWESTER,* who is in the iron roofing business at Brokensword, O., re- siding on the edge of the town, is well known all through this section as for many years he has been at work at the carpenter trade, in Holmes and adjacent townships. He was born in Defiance county, O., Sept. 10, 1854, and is a son of Peter and Julia Ann (Hall) Deerwester.

Peter Deerwester was born in Clermont county, O., and was a farmer all his life, his death occurring at the age of 56 years. He married Julia Ann Hall, who was also a na- tive of Clermont county, and they had two sons born to them: C. P. and W. S .; both of whom are residents of Holmes township, Crawford county.

The parents of the subject of this sketch died when he was but a babe and with the family of Isaac Heller the homeless little child was brought to Crawford county and here he was educated and afterward followed farm- ing for about ten years and then began work as a carpenter. For some 20 years he fol- lowed that trade and has assisted in the erec- tion of a large number of the most substantial buildings in this section. Since 1900 he has given his attention mainly to the iron roofing business.

Mr. Deerwester married Miss Rebecca Shupp, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Shupp, a . representative of one of the old county fam- ilies, and they have two children: W. E. and Grover P. The older son married Carrie J. Hattick and they are the parents of one son, Lloyd A. Our subject's younger son assists him in his business.

C. P. Deerwester has been active in local political circles and has served six terms as township assessor being elected to office on the Democratic ticket. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association. For a number of years he has been identified with the fraternal order of Foresters.

FRANK M. CAIRNS, foreman of the Pennsylvania Railway Company's round house, at Crestline, O., is a valued employe of a corporation with which he has been con- tinuously identified for 35 years. He was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., in October, 1861, a son of James and Mary (Young) Cairns.

James Cairns and wife were born in Perth-

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shire, Scotland; the old family estate in Scot- land, belonged to the Cairnes for 300 years. In 1851 James Cairns and wife and their one son, James, came to the United States and located at Dunkirk, N. Y., where he secured work as a machinist, having learned this trade in his native land. In 1853 the family moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where James Cairns entered the machine shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad and remained there until he was re- tired on the age limit, after a connection of 4I years. Later he came to Crestline and his death occurred here at the home of his son, Frank M., on March 27, 1909. He was a charter member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., at Fort Wayne and past master of the same and was one of the organizers of the Caledonian Society of that city. He assisted in the organization of the Congregational church there and in all matters pertaining to good citizenship and true manhood he was a leading factor. His wife passed away at Fort Wayne, in November, 1903. She was a wo- man of admirable qualities and through these won recognition and esteem wherever she lived. She was a charter member of the East- ern Star, a charter member of the Congrega- tional church and was president of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Caledonian Society. Three sons were born to James and Mary Cairns: . James, John S. and Frank M. James Cairns, who is a building contractor at Wichita, Kans., was city marshal for nine years of Wichita; he married there and has two daughters, Edna and Nellie. John Cairns was a machinist with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Fort Wayne and died there when aged 27 years. His widow survived with two children-James, who was killed in a railroad accident at Butte, Mont .; and Mary, who became the wife of W. J. Hess of the Fort Wayne Post Office and has two children.

Frank M. Cairns has been connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company since August, 1877, first as an apprentice in the machine shops at Fort Wayne. He worked his way steadily upward until 1897, when he left that city for Chicago, Ill., where he was foreman in the Pennsylvania shops until 1900, when he came to Crestline. Prior to leaving Fort Wayne much responsibility had been given him, as he had charge of the erecting

department and more or less had charge of the machine department up to 1900, when he was appointed to take charge of the round- house at Crestline. This is a position of great responsibility as may be understood even by those not well informed concerning railroad affairs, while all railroad people, from the bot- tom to the top, understand that a man must have a pretty clear record and be deemed sober, reliable, experienced and skillful in order to secure a position of this kind. Mr. Cairns has every qualification for the place and has faithfully performed his duties here for the past twelve years.

Mr. Cairns was first married at Fort Wayne to Miss Sadie Kline, of that city, who died at Crestline, Nov. 1, 1904. The children born to that marriage were: Frank, who married Blanche Foltz, who is a machinist at Crest- line and has four children-Nellie, William, Lloyd and Geneva; and Wibert E., who is employed in the Pennsylvania Railway shops. Mr. Cairns was married, secondly, to Miss Mary Adams, who was born at Anderson, Ind., Sept. 8, 1876, a daughter of Ephraim and Nancy (Rector) Adams, of Anderson, where Mr. Adams still lives. The mother of Mrs. Cairns died July 29, 1912, at the age of 61 years and eleven months. Mr. Adams is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church as was his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Cairns have no living children. They attend the Presbyterian church. A Republican in politics in National issues, Mr. Cairns votes according to his judg- ment in local matters. He belongs to the Crest- line Lodge, F. & A. M.

ADAM NEFF, carpenter, builder and con- tractor at Crestline, O., has been in this line of business, including the operating of a plan- ing mill, for more than 50 years. He was born near the city of Darmstadt, Germany, March 22, 1844, and is a son of Peter and Barbara (Pfeifer) Neff.

Peter Neff was born about 1822, in Ger- many, was reared there and married and after the birth of several children, he and his wife decided to emigrate to America where better advantages could be secured for their fam- ily. Taking passage on a sailing vessel they were safely landed at New York after 49

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days on the sea, a storm nearly wrecking their ship on the last day, carrying away the masts. By water and wagon they finally reached Crestline, O., and then secured IIO acres of virgin land, situated in Hancock county, on which they built a log house and there spent the remainder of their lives, subsequently de- veloping this wild land into one of the finest farms in Hancock county. This property re- mains a possession of the family. The mother died on that place in 1875, when aged 48 years, the father surviving until 1893, passing away when aged 71 years. They were mem- bers of the Lutheran church and were leaders in the same in those early days. By trade the father was a weaver but he was more than a skilled workman at that trade, having some knowledge of medicine and enough dental science to enable him to pull teeth without en- dangering life. He is recalled as a kind, gen- erous, neighborly man, one who was unusually well qualified to be a member of a pioneer set- tlement. Of his sixteen children, ten grew to maturity and all married and became heads of families and five of these yet live.

Adam Neff was the eldest born of his par- ents' children and was but three years old when they came to America. He assisted on the home farm in boyhood but preferred a trade rather than an agricultural life and learned that of a carpenter. In 1864 he came to Crestline and was engaged here for 12 years and then went to Hardin county, where he became owner of, and foreman in, a plan- ing mill and remained 12 years, going then to Lima, Allen county, where he was engaged as foreman in a planing mill. After an ab- sence of 15 years, Mr. Neff returned to Crest- line where he has become one of the leading men in his line of business and has been iden- tified with a large part of the building opera- tions which, in recent years, have enlarged and beautified Crestline.

On Dec. 20, 1866, at Crestline, Mr. Neff was married to Miss Catherine Poth, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1847, and in the same year came to the United States with her parents, George and Maria (Mathias) Poth. The family landed at New Orleans, La., and came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati and then to Crest- line, locating on a farm near this city. The

father of Mrs. Neff died in 1893, aged 71 years, and the mother passed away at the home of her dauhter, Mrs. Neff, in 1901, at the age of 82 years. They were Lutheran church people, sturdy, honest, industrious and virtuous.

Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Neff, three of whom survive: Henry W., who is connected with the general offices of the Buckeye Pipe Line Company at Lima, O., and who is married and has one daughter, Lelia W .; John Adam, who is married and is manager of the shoe department of the J. L. Hudson Company at Cleveland, O .; and Charles F., a dry goods merchant at Galion, O., who is married and has three children --- Lillian M., Bertha G. and Charles A. One son, Philip E., died in 1909, when aged 32 years.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 167

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