History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 171

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 171

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JEFFERSON GANSHORN,* who, for the past ten years has been foreman for the Big Four freight department at Galion, O., one of the reliable and well known employes of this road, was born in Marion county, O., 50 years ago, and is a son of John and Eva (Healey) Ganshorn.

John Ganshorn was born in Germany and in 1843 accompanied his parents to America, while his wife, who was also born in Germany, came alone to the United States and they met at Bucyrus, O. They were married in Marion county and in 1869 the family came to Galion and here the father embarked in the grocery business and continued until his death in 1893, when aged 66 years. In Germany he had been known as a fine musician. He was survived by his wife until 1900, her death taking place at Galion when her age was 75 years. They were members of the German Reformed church. Five sons and one daughter were born to them, the latter of whom was married first to James Tracy and after his death, to

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William Ludington, both of whom she sur- vives and lives at Dayton, O., with her two daughters. Jefferson is the only surviving son.

Jefferson Ganshorn grew to manhood at Galion and after his school days entered the employ of the Big Four Railroad and for 20 years was switchman and yard master at this place, being promoted then to his present po- sition. Mr. Ganshorn owns some valuable city property that has been in the possession of the family since 1871 and he has other invest- ments.

At Galion, in 1884, Mr. Ganshorn was mar- ried to Miss Josephine Baumgartner, who was born in Elk county, Pa., a daughter of Joseph and Christiana (Didlaw) Baumgartner, na- tives of Germany. The parents of Mrs. Gans- horn were abut 14 years of age when they came to the United States and were married at Philadelphia, Pa. and later lived in Elk county. About 1864 the father came to Crawford county with his family and settled in the Ger- man settlement near Crestline, where he con- ducted a hardware store until 1874. Mr. Baumgartner then moved to Galion and con- tinued merchandising until his retirement a few years before his death, on June 16, 1906, when aged 81 years. He was born in Alsace when it was a French province. The mother of Mrs. Ganshorn died in 1889, when aged 63 years. They were members of the German Catholic church. Mrs. Ganshorn is one of a family of eleven children. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ganshorn, namely: Clara, who is the widow of Earl Helfrick; Laura, who is the wife of Joseph Gall, of Bucyrus, and has one daughter, Ruth; Richard, who lives at Galion, and is a brakeman on the Erie Railroad, and who married Josephine Carras; and Iva and Gertrude, who live at home. Mrs. Ganshorn and children are mem- bers of the German Catholic church. Mr. Ganshorn is a Democrat in politics and be- longs to the Railroad Men's Association.

JOHN R. ECKERT, who is one of the well kown men of Crawford county, O., and a prominent citizen of Jefferson township, lives on his valuable farm of 161 acres situated here and owns a farm of 35 acres, adjoining, which lies in Sandusky township. He was born

in Lancaster county, Pa., Oct. 3, 1849, and is a son of John and Anna Margaret (Reuter) Eckert, and a grandson of John Eckert. In 1847 the parents of Mr. Eckert emigrated from Germany, settled in Lancaster county, Pa., resided there for 19 years, and in 1866 they came to Crawford county, O., and lived here until death. They were of the Lutheran faith and the father gave his political support to the Democratic party.

John R. Eckert is an only child and he re- mained at home with his father until the lat- ter's death which occurred in 1886, at which time he inherited 105 acres of his present land, purchasing the remainder as it suited his con- venience. For many years he operated his land himself and was counted a very successful farmer, but his sons have relieved him of his heaviest responsibilities and he is now prac- tically retired. Mr. Eckert has been an active and useful citizen since early manhood, and, as one of the leading men has frequently been elected to offices of responsibility, on the Dem- ocratic ticket. For several years he served as assessor of Jefferson township, was land appraiser for two terms, in 1900 and 1910, for six years was township trustee and at present is serving in his fifth year as turnpike com- missioner. He has thus been in the public eye for many years and his services have been so satisfactory to his fellow citizens that he is held in universal esteem.

In 1871 Mr. Eckert was married to Miss Barbara Volkmar, who was born in New Jersey, and died in October, 1909, her burial being at Leesville. She was the eldest born child of Frank P. and Elizabeth (Herr) Volk- mar, the others being: Phoebe, wife of Joshua Crouse; Anna, wife of Albert Holsaple; and George Henry. To Mr. and Mrs. Eckert the following children were born : Jacob, who mar- ried Emma Glower and has three children- Irvin, Fern and Forest; George H., who mar- ried Philomena Mckean, and has two chil- dren, Oliver and Evalene; Anna M., who mar- ried William A. High, and has two children, Martha and Luther; Eva E., deceased; Wil- liam J., who married Ruth C. Mckean, and has three children-Bessie, Robert and Leila; Al- bert C., who married Louise Strauch, and has one son, Michael; Ernest P .; Maud M., who is the wife of Clarence Ott, and has one son; and

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Ruth O. Mr. Eckert and family are members of the Lutheran church.

FREDERICK K. BERRY, general man- ager of the Galion Brewing Company, at Ga- lion, O., is a business man of recognized abil- ity and one of the representative men of this city. He was born at Upper Sandusky, Wy- andot county, O., in 1864, and is a son of Curtis and Emma (Kirby) Berry.

Curtis Berry was born in April, 1831, in what was then a part of Crawford, but is now Wyandot county, the county being named after the Wyandot tribe of Indians, then nu- merous in this section. Of Irish ancestry, he possessed the genial temperament and bright intellect of his race, and became a lawyer of acknowledged ability and a citizen whose judgment was frequently consulted in the de- veloping of this section. He was twenty-one years old when he was elected to the office of county clerk and subsequently became probate judge and a member of the Ohio State Senate, for fifty years being influential in political life. His death occurred when he was seventy- three years old. He married Emma Kirby, who was of English ancestry and was born at Columbus, O., a daughter of Hon. Moses Kirby, who was secretary of state during the administration of President Arthur. In early manhood Mr. Kirby had served in the state legislature and fifty years later, when aged eighty-three years, he was elected a member of the state senate and served with ability through two terms. He was born in 1798, in Virginia, and died at Upper Sandusky in 1889, at that time being yet upright of figure and well preserved in both body and mind. For twenty-one years Senator Kirby served as pro- secuting attorney in Wyandot county and for fifty consecutive years held political office. In early life he was a Whig but later became a Democrat, and for years was one of the most influential men of his party in Ohio. He took much pleasure in his Masonic connection and after he was eighty years old took his Knight Templar degree. He belonged also to the Odd Fellows and continued to attend the meetings of his lodge after he was ninety years old. In every way Senator Kirby was a remarkable man. He survived his daughter, Mrs. Curtis Berry, who died in 1883.

Frederick K. Berry was reared and educated in Wyandot county. He began his business life by entering the Government railway mail service during the administration of Presi- dent Cleveland, and was thus occupied until 1889, when he went to St. Mary's, O., where he embarked in the hotel business. He after- ward removed to Bucyrus, where he operated the Stull Hotel, now the Royal Hotel, for two years. Mr. Berry then re-entered the railway mail service and so continued until 1898. Since 1901 he has been connected with the Galion brewery, of which he has been man- ager since 1906.

The brewing business now represented by the Galion Brewing Company, was established just outside the city, in 1854, by John Kroft, who began in a small way, with few con- veniences and in great contrast to the present immense plant. In 1886 the business was taken over by Henry Altstaetter, who ope- rated the brewery until his death, in May, 1900. He had made many improvements, in- cluding the erection of a fine brick residence- on the grounds and under his management the enterprise proved a lucrative business concern. In 1901 the Galion Brewing Company secured the plant and at present the owners are: Mr. Berry and wife and a sister of the latter, Miss Emma Altstaetter, the home of the last named being Waynesville, N. C. The property is located on an elevation which gives one of the finest and most extended views in all this section. Mr. Berry has been very successful in his management, although the business was new to him when he took charge, and a large force of men are employed, the output amount- ing to 15,000 barrels of a high grade of beer annually.

In 1889 Mr. Berry was married in the beau- tiful residence he now occupies, to Miss Hen- riette A. Altstaetter, who was born in Allen county, O., but was reared and educated at Upper Sandusky. She is a daughter of Henry and Hedwig (Jettinger) Altstaetter.

To Mr. and Mrs. Berry have been born two children, Henry C. and Florence. The for- mer, a young man of twenty-two years, is now associated with his father in business. He was educated in the Galion schools and the New York Military Academy at Cornwall- on-the-Hudson, where he was graduated in

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the class of 1911. The daughter, who was graduated from the Galion High School in the class of 1909, subsequently entered the Dwight School for Girls, an exclusive sem- inary conducted at Englewood, N. J., and was graduated in the class of 1911. She is a mem- ber of the younger social set at Galion and has many pleasant connections in this and other cities. Mr. Berry is a member of the fraternal order of Elks and the National As- sociation of U. C. T., and belongs also to the orders of Moose and Eagles. He was a char- ter member of the Elks at Upper Sandusky and also of Galion; is past president of the order of Eagles, and is present senior councilor of Lodge No. 476, U. C. T., at Galion. He is one of the active members of the Galion Com- mercial Club. In addition to his other in- terests, Mr. Berry is on the directing board of the Cleveland-Galion Moter Truck Com- pany.

Although he is credited with being one of the city's best citizens, Mr. Berry has never been a seeker for public office. He was reared in the Democratic party and naturally his preference lies in that direction, but political activity has been more or less distasteful to him, and he has contented himself with cast- ing his vote and giving loyal support to his friends. He is public spirited and ever ready to lend his influence to support movements for the city's welfare, and takes pride in her prog- ress and substantial development, contributing with liberal hand to her charities and assisting in advancing benevolent enterprises which promise to be permanent in character and suf- ficiently useful. In all that goes to make up a worthy citizen, Mr. Berry stands the test.

M. F. HASSLER, whose finely improved farm of 40 acres is situated in section 24, Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., may be numbered with the prosperous agricult- urists of this part of the county and also is one of its solid, reliable and representative citi- zens. He was born April 16, 1860, at Bloom- ville, Seneca county, O., being the only son of Henry F. and Sarah (Watson) Hassler.

Mr. Hassler attended the public schools of Bloomville and later the Ohio Normal School, after which he entered into educational work and devoted about 19 years to the profession

of teaching. For four years he was an in- structor in the Bloomville High School, taught for two years in Illinois, and the rest of the time in Seneca county, O. In 1904 he came from Bloomville to Crawford county and purchased his farm from R. N. Sears. At that time this land was entirely undevel- oped but to its clearing and subsequent im- provement Mr. Hassler has devoted much at- tention and scientific knowledge. He not only operates his own land but rents 80 adjoining acres, carrying on general farming and dairy- ing, breeding Jersey cattle and handling cream for the Medina Creamery Company, of Me- dina, O., his volume of business being very large and constantly expanding. He is also general agent for the Everlasting Silo, and through his efforts farmers in this section have been awakened to the desirability of add- ing this adjunct to their farm equipment. He is a member of the Cranberry Grange and is considered an authority on things agricultural. Politically he is a Republican but has never called to public office although qualified for the same.

Mr. Hassler married Miss Mary Prouse, a daughter of Philip and Sarah Duffy Prouse, of Bloomville, and they have four children with ages ranging from eleven to two years: Eva Pearl, Leon Prouse, Donald Fillmore and Mildred Fay. Mr. and Mrs. Hassler attend both the United Brethren and the Methodist Episcopal churches. The grandfather of Mrs. Hassler was Rev. John K. Duffy, a minister in the M. E. church.

WILLIS E. MUTH,* a prosperous busi- ness man of Galion, O., interested in lumber and saw mills and owning a handsome resi- dence at No. 1265 East Main Street, Galion, was born here Feb. 20, 1879, and is a son of Henry and Sophia S. (Balliett) Muth.

Henry Muth was born at Crestline, Craw- ford county, O., about 59 years since and is a son of George Muth, the latter of whom was born in 1820, in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- many, and came to the United States soon after his marriage. He was a tailor by trade and worked as such first at Mansfield, O., and later at Galion. George Muth died at the home of a daughter, in Morrow county, O., at the age of 79 years. Of his five children

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there are four survivors. The eldest, Henry Muth, has spent the larger part of his life as a farmer, mainly in Crawford county but at present is a resident of Morrow county. He was married at Galion to Sophia S. Balliett, who was born and reared near this city and is a daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Klop- fenstein) Balliett. Enoch Balliett was born in Germany and his wife in Switzerland and her father, John Klopfenstein, came early to Crawford county and took up 1,000 acres of land in the vicinity of Galion. To Henry Muth and wife the following children were born: Willis E .; Francis, who is deceased; Otto, who is a farmer in Crawford county; Pearl, who resides with her parents; Adessa, who is deceased; and Lloyd, who is a resi- dent of Galion.

Willis E. Muth obtained a good public school education, one that qualified him for teaching school had he so desired, but after reaching his majority he turned his attention to lumbering and saw milling and along these lines has been a very successful business man. While in no sense a politician, he takes a good citizen's interest in all that concerns the wel- fare of city, state and nation, and, like his father and brothers, is a Democrat in politics.

Mr. Muth was married at North Bloomfield, Morrow county, O., to Miss Estella A. Spade, who was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, a daughter of Marion and Priscilla (Schemer) Spade. The family is of German extraction and the parents of Mrs. Muth were born in Pennsylvania. After the birth of Mrs. Muth they moved to Morrow county and Mr. Spade is a prominent farmer there. Mr. and Mrs. Muth are the parents of two children: Maude L., who was born March 16, 1899; and Harold A., who was born June 8, 1909. They are members of the Lutheran church at Galion.

FRANK NUNGESSER, who is serving in his second term as a trustee of Jefferson town- ship, Crawford county, O., owns 40 acres of very valuable land here and carries on general farming. He was born in Polk township, Crawford county, a son of Peter and Delilah (Ditty) Nungesser.

Peter Nungesser was born in Germany but lived many years in Crawford county, where

lie married Delilah Ditty, who now resides at Galion. During life he was a well known man, having followed the carpenter trade all over this section. His family consisted of the following children : Washington; Frank; Cath- erine, wife of Daniel Ricker; Ida, widow of Daniel Knause; Ellen, wife of Albert Christ- man; Neeley; Viola, wife of Lewis Kluppman; and Eli and Raleigh. The parents of this fam- ily reared their children in the Lutheran faith.

Frank Nungesser obtained his educational training in the public schools and remained at home and mainly followed farming until he was 25 years of age, when he secured em- ployment with a railroad company and fol- lowed railroading for 18 years. Mr. Nun- gesser then purchased his present farm in Jefferson township from Nicholas Wallbillick, this being in 1903, since when he has followed farming to some extent, but as his land is very fertile he has found it advantageous to devote the most of it to truck gardening, having a ready market for his produce at Crestline.

In October, 1884, Mr. Nungesser was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Beach, who was born in Crawford county and is a daughter of Peter and Magdalena (Meyers) Beach, who were well known farming people here for many years. Mrs. Nungesser has the following brothers and sisters: Levi; Samuel; Charles; Rebecca, wife of John Price; Mary Jane, wife of Lewis Cramer; and Laura N., who is the wife of Andrew Meyers. Mr. and Mrs. Nun- gesser have three children: Henry, who is in the employ of the Big Four Railroad Com- pany ; Malinda, who is the wife of Otto Blazer ; and Carrie, who resides at home. Mr. Nun- gesser and family attend the German Luth- eran church. In his political views Mr. Nun- gesser has always been a Democrat and has frequently been chosen by his party for im- portant public positions. While living in Polk township he served two terms as road supervisor, and was a member of the city council of Crestline, for two years, while in Jefferson township he has been an equally ac- tive citizen. He belongs to the order of M. IV. A., at Crestline.

ZEN WILSON SEIBERT, V. S., who has been established in his profession at Crest- line, O., since April, 1901, following his grad-

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uation from the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, is in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice brought about by his thorough education and an enthusiasm for his work that has kept him fully abreast of all scientific discoveries in his particular depart- ment of medicine. He was born in Mohican township, Ashland county, O., Aug. 27, 1869, was reared on a farm and gained his early education in the public schools.

From boyhood Dr. Seibert had a leaning toward his present profession and even then liad success in treating the mild ailments of the farm stock and as he grew older his prac- tice extended. He had no financial assistance and only through his natural talents, his per- sistent efforts and close study was he able to finally enter the above college, an institution that stands first in the land in vetinary science. His reputation extends far beyond Crawford county and there have been many exhibitions of confidence shown him when owners of valu- able animals have consulted him and relied on his judgment, which has seldom been at fault. He maintains a veterinary hospital and owns other valuable property, including a very handsome residence at No. 207 Thoman Street. He is identified with a number of medical bodies.

Dr. Seibert was married in Holmes county, O., to Miss Abbie Bitner, who was born near Lakeville, in January, 1869, and to her inter- est and sympathy in his aims, Dr. Seibert at- tributes a large degree of his success. The mother of Mrs. Seibert is a member of the family, her father, James Bitner, who was a soldier in the Civil War, having been accident- ally killed afterward, in 1875 a tree falling on him. Dr. and Mrs. Seibert are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politic- ally he is a Republican and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in which order he is vice chancellor of the Crestline lodge No. 266. As a citizen Dr. Seibert stands in line with the temperate, broad-minded, reliable men who make the back-bone of a community.

JAMES L. ANGELL, deceased, for many years was a respected resident of Galion, O., and an honored veteran officer of the Civil War, in which he won distinction. He was born at Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1832, and was

a son of Israel Angell, who spent his entire life in New York, a machinist by trade, and died there when aged 70 years.

James L. Angell lived at Rochester and ob- tained his schooling there and his training in a machine shop. When 25 years old he went to Laporte, Ind., and worked there at his trade and some years afterward was a ma- chinist in railway shops in Chicago, and after the Civil War, in 1877, he came to Galion and was employed in the shops of the Erie Rail- road continuously afterward until his death, Nov. 23, 1899. When the Civil War opened he was at Laporte, Ind., and there he enlisted in the 29th Ind. Vol. Inf., was made adjutant of the same and served with the rank of col- onel. He was a brave and efficient officer and saw hard fighting, at Shiloh and elsewhere, and, although a number of horses were shot from beneath him and his clothing was prac- tically riddled with bullets, he never was wounded. He not only was a brave soldier in battle but was worthy in every relation of life, a good citizen and a kind husband and father.

Colonel Angell was married at Laporte, Ind., to Miss Lydia A. Robinson, who was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in Indiana. They had one son, Alexander L., who was born May 30, 1874, at Laporte, Ind., but was edu- cated at Galion and after a commercial course in a business college here accepted a clerical position in a business house. He was mar- ried at Akron, O., to Miss Mary Eva Dyer, who was born at Cleveland and educated at Creston, O. Her parents were John A. and Emeline (Hastings) Dyer, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Angell have one son, James Ellsworth, who was born Nov. 21, 1900. Mr. Angell is a Republican in politics as was his late father. Col. Angell and family attended the Presbyterian church. He was prominent in G. A. R. circles and was a valued and beloved member of Dick Morris Post No. 30, at Galion. Although undoubtedly deserving of a pension, he always refused to accept one and, although somewhat active in politics, declined public office for himself.

HUGH CALDWELL, general farmer for many years but now practically retired, re- sides in section 3, Auburn township, Crawford

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county, O., on 60 acres of excellent land which was owned by his wife. He was born in Ply- mouth township, Richland county, O., Jan. 17, 1835, a son of Thomas and Mary ( Miller) Caldwell.

Thomas Caldwell was born at Martinsburg, Va. and after he came to Crawford county, O., rented a farm in Auburn township, situated one-half mile north of the one above men- tioned. There he died when aged 43 years. He married Mary Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Indiana, in her 79th year. There were eight children in the fam- ily, the survivors being: Hannah, Catherine, Hugh and William; and those deceased being : George, Elizabeth, James and Susanna.

Hugh Caldwell remained with his mother on the farm until he was almost 23 years old, when he secured work at other points and for sime time split rails and cut wood, receiving 25 cents a hundred for rail splitting, 50 cents a hundred for cutting and splitting and 25 cents a cord for wood. After his marriage he settled on his wife's farm of 60 acres and practically did all the clearing himself, the larger part of the place being under cultiva- tion although there is yet a valuable timber tract untouched. He made many improve- ments that tended to comfort and convenience and until 1900 directed all the farm indus- tries himself, since when these responsibilities have been taken over by his son. During the Civil War Mr. Caldwell served as a member of Co. B, 60th O. Vol. Inf., from Feb. 23, 1864, until he was honorably discharged July 28, 1865, having been fortunate enough to escape all permanent injury although he was ever at the post of duty during this time and then returned to his farm duties and to those of a good citizen of his community.

Mr. Caldwell was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Bevier, who was born in Plymouth town- ship, Richland county, O., and died at the age of 74 years, her burial being in New Haven township, Huron county, O. She was the mother of five children, namely: John, who resides on the home farm and manages its industries, and who is married and has a fam- ily; Franklin, who lives at Plymouth; Wil- liam, who lives at Chicago Junction; and two babes that died in infancy. Mr. Caldwell has been a lifelong Republican. He attends the

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 171

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