History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 176

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 176

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Louis H. Sutter secured his education in the public schools near his father's farm and afterward learned his trade at Crestline and at Mansfield, for a number of years afterward working as a journeyman. Since 1909 he has been in business for himself and has a well

equipped shop and does plumbing and installs heating and lighting apparatus under contract for the best builders in this city. He is known to be an honest, experienced and capable work- man.

Mr. Sutter was married at Bucyrus, O., to Miss Anna Fisher, who was born at Kirby, O., but later accompanied her parents to Bucyrus, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Sutter have one daughter, Dorothy Marie, who was born July 15, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Sutter are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Crestline. In his political views, Mr. Sutter is a Democrat.

WILLIAM R. CUNNINGHAM,* super- intendent and master mechanic for the Amer- ican Clay Machinery Company of Bucyrus, O., is one of the clearheaded, rapid-thinking men demanded by modern industries in their responsible offices, and his years of experience have amply qualified him for his present work. He was born at Lafayette, Ind., in January, 1854.

Although not so many years have passed- since Mr. Cunningham was a small boy sell- ing papers on the railroad train between La- fayette and Fort Wayne, Ind., carrying water and wood and running errands for passengers and train men, it seems far back in the light of improvements along every line of industry

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nical points of mechanics while he learned E., but her family name has not been ascer- practical details in the Union Machine Works, tained. She was born May 14, 1765 and in her native Germany was married to John Jacob Smith. Sometime before the beginning of the nineteenth century they came to the United States settling in Perry county, Pa. on a farm, where they resided until they both died, each at an advanced age. They belonged to the German Reformed church. They had eight children-Catherine E., Jacob, Christian, George, Mary E., Daniel, Henry and Joseph -all of whom grew up, were married and had families, and all are now deceased. at Lafayette, where he became an apprentice in 1869 and remained connected more or less with these works until 1886. In the mean- while, from 1875 until 1878 he was superin- tendent of the foundry of John Barret, of Lafayette and also was at the head of the city fire department and also had worked in a foundry both at Lima and Dayton, O. For fourteen years before coming to Bucyrus and accepting his present position, he had been with the Wallace Manufacturing Company of Frankford, Ind.

Mr. Cunningham became superintendent of the American Clay Machinery Company in May, 1900, and here, as in every other posi- tion he had filled, he has rendered satisfactory service. He enjoys not only the confidence of his employers but also the respect and esteem of the workmen he has in charge, his manner with the latter not being that of a hard task- master but of a firm manager who thoroughly understands all industrial conditions and de- mands only what is just both to the firm and the employes. This has resulted in quiet and contentment with no interruption of business.

Mr. Cunningham was married at Lafayette, Ind., to Miss Priscilla E. Moore, who died in 1903, survived by three children: Arthur F., who resides in California where he is manager of a brick plant, married a lady there and has two children; M. Elizabeth, who resides with her father; and Auburn S., who is at the head of one of the departments of the American Clay Machinery Company and married a daughter of John H. Meyers, of Bucyrus. Miss Cunningham is a member of the Pres- byterian church. Politically Mr. Cunningham is a Republican. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, Elk and Mason, having been admitted to the Scottish rites in the Masonic order at Indianapolis.

ISAAC W. SMITH, a retired farmer re- siding in Galion, O., was born in Broomfield township, Perry county, Pa., Oct. 1, 1834. His parents were Christian and Nancy (Kirk- patrick) Smith, both natives of Pennsylvania, and he is a grandson of John Jacob Smith, who was born in Germany. July 25, 1767. The given names of the latter's wife was Mary

Christian Smith, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Perry county, Pa., April 29, 1801. He grew up in his native county and there married Nancy Kirkpatrick, who was born in that locality Oct. 1, 1806, and who died Oct. 27, 1860. He died in Jef- ferson township, Crawford county, O., Dec. 29, 1871, when in his 7Ist year. They were substantial people, and were consistent Chris- tians, belonging to the Presbyterian church. He was a Whig and later a Republican in poli- tics. Christian and Nancy Smith were the parents of nine children, whose record in brief is as follows: Anna married William Osborn and had five children. Catherine, now de- ceased, married George Hiltner and had chil- dren. Isaac W. is the direct usbject of this sketch. Richard B. married Jane Brokaw and both are now deceased; they left children. Ellen J. married Harvey Brokaw and died, leaving issue; her husband is also deceased. Wilmina married William McKain and both are now deceased; they left children. Amelia Jane, a twin sister of Wilmina, became the wife of James B. Murray and both died, leav- ing no issue. Hiram F. is a well to do busi- ness man, residing in North Robinson, this county. He married Harriet Slatterbeck and they have a family. Edwin G., the ninth mem- ber of the family, is a business man in North Robinson. He married Alice Major and they have children.

Isaac W. Smith grew up on the farm, but from 1862 to 1874 was associated with his brother Richard B. in a mercantile business at Leesville, this county. In the year last men- tioned he purchased 100 acres of fine land in Jefferson township, which he still owns, and on which he resided until 1888, in which year

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he went into business at North Robinson, where he remained thus engaged for 15 years, meeting with fine success. He then retired and took up his residence at No. 229 Erie street, Galion. In 1873 he was commissioned by Gov. Edward F. Noyes, as a justice of the peace, but held office only one term.

Mr. Smith was married in Galion, O., June 29, 1862, to Susanna Sechrist, who was born in Franklin county, Pa., March 27, 1844, a daughter of George and Mary A. (Jackson) Sechrist. Her parents, natives of Pennsyl- vania, came to Ohio and located in Wayne county on a farm when she was only six months old. Mr. Sechrist, who was born in Franklin county, Pa., Sept. 19, 1808, met his death suddenly in 1848, being killed by a run- away team. After his death his widow mar- ried for her second husband, Dr. Jacob Schaf- fer, of which union there was a son, Alonzo E., born, who is now deceased. Dr. Schaffer dying, his widow married for her third hus- band Peter Snyder, by whom she had no chil- dren. She died in North Robinson, O. (Craw- ford county ) Nov. 8, 1902 at the age of 85 years, having been born in Washington county, Md., Aug. 23, 1817. She was a member of the United Brethren church.

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac W. Smith have been the parents of twelve children, as follows: (1) Mary M., born in Crawford county, O., mar- ried Truman Morrow and lives on a farm near Leesville. She has three children-Roy, Clifton and Hazel. (2) William S., resides on the homestead. He married Alice Rhine- hard and they have two children-Glenn and Wayne. (3) Alverta A. married James Mor- ton, a merchant of North Robinson, and has two children-Orpha and Lelia. (4) Luna P. died at the age of fifteen months. (5)

Della L. is the wife of William Kibler, a Crawford county farmer; her children are Ralph, Harold and Louis. (6) Edith G. mar- ried Harry Knell, a farmer in Whetstone township; has four children-Lorin, Edwin, Myron and Mildred. (7) Alice M. is the wife of Dr. J. B. Kring of Calidonia; no issue. (8) Pearl married Luther Ness; they reside in Galion and have a daughter, Alice I. (9) R. Kelley is a merchant in North Robinson; married Daisy Shank and has two children- Linden Arthur and Donna. (10) Leslie M.

married Tacy Gladdle, and they live on a farm in Jefferson township; no issue. (11) Harri- son G. is a merchant at North Robinson; mar- ried Retta Ehrickson and they have a son, Norwood. (12) Bessie N. is the wife of Robert Bogan, assistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Galion, in which place they live. The mature members of the Smith fam- ily are all connected with the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Isaac W. Smith is an official. He is a Republican politically and is a sterling citizen, widely known and respected.

EPHRAIM H. BAKER,* who is one of the best known residents of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., a retired farmer owning 96 acres situated in section 5, was born in this township, three quarters of a mile south of his present farm, Jan. 22, 1839, a son of Enoch and Sarah (Hutchinson) Baker.

Enoch Baker was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and Virginia parentage and in early manhood came to Crawford from Licking county, O. Here he married Sarah Hutchinson, a native of Virginia, and they had eight children, the three survivors being: Mrs. Phebe Grafmiller, who lives in Auburn township; John, who is a resident of Shelby, O .; and Ephraim H. Enoch Baker entered eighty acres of land in Auburn township, on which he lived for many years. He then sold and moved first to Rich- land and later to Knox county, where his death occurred when he was aged ninety years, his burial being in Auburn township, by the side of his wife, who died in 1850. They were members of the Methodist Protestant church.

Ephraim H. Baker attended the district school in boyhood and remained at home with his father until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted for service in the Union Army, entering Co. C, IoIst O. Vol. Inf., in which he served faithfully for three years and received an honorable discharge. He returned then to Crawford county and resumed farm- ing in Auburn township and shortly afterward was married to Miss Averta Osburn, a native of Van Wert county, O., and since then has lived on his present farm. He continued to actively superintend the work until 1906, since which time he has been retired. His land is well drained by a ditch which was started by his father, who finished it in one season,

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with the help of one hired man, a pretty big undertaking when it is remembered that this ditch is 12 feet wide, 6 feet deep and a mile in length and now is a part of Honey Creek. This farm lies one and one-half miles north and five miles east of New Washington and thus both country and town life can be enjoyed by Mr. Baker and family.

To Mr. Baker's first marriage the following children were born: Margaret, who is the wife of Wentz Becker, of Auburn township; Annie, who is the wife of William Robinson, of Cran- berry township; Mary, who lives at home; Elda, who is the wife of Andrew Wenslick, of Plymouth, O .; and an infant son, deceased. Mr. Baker's second marriage was to Miss El- vira Hills and they have had three children: Irene, who is the wife of William Fourquer, of Richland county, O .; Carney, who died at the age of eighteen months; and Ross E., who lives in British Columbia. Mr. Baker casts his vote with the Republican party.

JOHN GOLDEN BARNEY,* now a prom- inent and honored retired citizen of Crestline, O., for many years was active both in business and in public matters in this section of the state. He was born in the village of Clyde, near Galen, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1833, a grandson of a Revolutionary patriot and of Irish-Welsh ancestry.

William Barney, grandfather of John G. Barney of Crestline, was born in New Hamp- shire. He served as a private soldier in the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle, took part in the battle of Concord and continued until the termination of the war, receiving wounds at the battle of Cowpens. After peace was declared he lived in New Jersey, later in New York and in his 82nd year died at Galen, N. Y., April 20, 1839. He was one of the early members of the religious de- nomination known as the Free Will Baptists. William Barney married Ruth Golden, who was a granddaughter of Governor Slade, of New Hampshire, and died at Galen, N. Y., in 1836, at the age of 65 years. They had the following children: Jacob, Nathan, Benjamin, Moses, John and Deborah, all of whom, with the exception of John, who served in the War of 1812 and died from sickness then con- tracted, married and reared families of their own.

Moses Barney, son of William and father of John G. Barney, was born Feb. 1, 1795, in Cattaraugus county, N. Y. During the War of 1812 he belonged to the reserved military force but saw little of active service, being only once called out, and then returned to the activities of his farm, situated near Galen, N. Y. His accidental death occurred ten days before that of his aged father, when he was 44 years old. In politics he was a Whig and for many years he was a deacon in his church. At Galen, N. Y., he married Matilda Powers, who was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and died at Cooperstown, when aged 78 years. They had the following sons and daughters born to them: Clarissa, who died in 1904, who was the wife of John Hines also deceased, and is survived by one son; Eliza, who died in 1907, who married Nelson Rase and is sur- vived by one son and four daughters; William, who died at the age of 18 years; Benjamin, who died in infancy; Lavina, who was the wife of Burton Banhan, also deceased, and left two sons; and John G., subject of this article.

John Golden Barney lost his father when he was five and one-half years old. He ob- tained a district school education and then ap- plied himself to farm work until 1858, when he came to Ohio. For a number of years afterward he was associated with V. L. Mar- shall in the fruit juice trade, with headquarters at Mansfield, Mr. Barney maintaining his res- idence until 1868, at Butler and Bellville, at that time coming to Crestline. For some years afterward he was engaged here as a mer- chant and then turned his attention to fire in- surance and real estate and continued active in these fields until 1908, in which year he retired from business. Prior to coming to Crestline, however, Mr. Barney had been a very prominent citizen of Bellville, an ardent Republican, a delegate to all important con- ventions, a justice of the peace for three terms and mayor of that city for one term.

In August, 1862, Mr. Barney enlisted for service in the Civil War, and as he had already established a record as a marksman, he was assigned a branch of the Sharpshooters under command of Capt. Pierce, in the 116th N. Y. Vol. Inf. Shortly afterward he was detailed as a recruiting officer. On Feb. 14, 1864, he reenlisted, entering Co. A, 187th O. Vol. Inf.,

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under Capt. W. W. Copley, and two days later was sent to the front, having been made orderly sergeant. At Dalton, Ga., he was pro- moted to be sergeant-major and two months later was commissioned second lieutenant of Co. I, and afterward was made first lieutenant of Co. D, and continued with that rank until the close of the war, when he was appointed commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, suc- ceeding General Wilder. Mr. Barney contin- ued in that difficult position until January 29, 1866, having had 29 counties under his juris- diction. Mr. Barney was an enthusiastic sup- porter of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and stumped the state, making his maiden political speech at Bellville. Since coming to Crestline he has continued his activity in public affairs and served as postmaster under the adminis- tration of President Harrison and until re- cent years has been active in party councils.

Mr. Barney was married in Schoharie coun- ty, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth Clemens, who was born there March 29, 1830, of an old Presby- terian family. Mrs. Barney died at her home in Crestline, Aug. 22, 1887. She was a highly educated, cultured and refined lady, was a graduate of the State Normal School at Al- bany, N. Y., in the class of 1850, and possessed a life certificate as a teacher. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barney: William, who died in infancy; and Emma F., who is the wife of Dr. W. P. Bennett, a well known physician and surgeon at Crestline. They have one son, John B., who after graduating from the Crestline High School, went into business in New York City, where he married and has one daughter. Since 1865 Mr. Bar- ney has been a member of the Presbyterian church.

DAVID MACKEY, who was for many years up to the time of his death, Dec. II, 1906, one of the most prominent citizens of Galion, O., was born in Franklin county, Pa., April 3, 1835, a son of William and Katharine (Leonard) Mackey. William Mackey, the father of our subject, was of Scotch parent- age; his wife, the latter's mother, was of English ancestry. They were married in Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Katharine Mackey died there when her son David was about three years old. A few years later William

Mackey, with his small family, removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where for some time he was engaged in business as a builder and contrac- tor. He later returned to his old home in Pennsylvania and was there married to his second wife, Rose Ann Gingerly, whose father was a prosperous miller. Accompanied by her, William Mackey then returned to Zanesville and continued in business there as a contractor and builder until his two sons by his first wife --- James and David-were grown to manhood. Then, not long before the Civil War, they came to Galion and established a prosperous business here as contractors and builders, be- ing kept pretty busy most of the time. Wil- liam, the father, died here at the age of 84 years, a well known and much respected citi- zen. His second wife had passed away some years before when not so old. They were both members of the English Lutheran church, were prominent in the work of the church and supporters of many worthy enterprises. In politics he was a Democrat.

The two sons, James and David, after the death of their father, which occurred in Au- gust, 1887, continued the business and were thus associated together until the death of James in 1890, after which it was continued by David alone. The latter, in addition to his other activities, also became president of the Galion Lumber Company, a flourishing con- cern, and held this position at the time of his death. He had then for years been one of the most prominent citizens of Galion and was as highly esteemed as he was widely known. He built and owned the Mackey block on South Market street, the City Na- tional Bank building, the Commercial and Savings Bank building, besides other business blocks and many fine residences. He was also largely influential in bringing various import- ant industrial enterprises to the city or in caus- ing them to locate here, and was a large prop- erty owner. An active Republican in politics, he served conscientiously and ably on the city council. He was also a director of the old Galion National Bank. To sum up, it may be said that he was the type of man that is a help and inspiration to any community in which he may reside and in his death the city of Galion suffered a loss not easily made good.

David Mackey was married in Galion to

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Miss Sarah Traul, who was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio about 1837 and who, at the age of three years came with her parents to Galion, O., where she has since resided, having witnessed the growth of the city to its present size and prosperity. Her parents were Conrad and Rachel (Knisely) Traul, both na- tives of Pennsylvania and of German ances- try. Her mother was a daughter of Abraham Knisely, who came at an early day to Ohio and purchased a farm on what is now the site of the thriving city of New Philadelphia, which he originally laid out. There he and his wife lived for many years and many of their descendants are now scattered through- out Tuscarawas county and the vicinity.

Conrad Traul, Mrs. Mackey's father, on coming to Galion established the first tannery here and conducted it until his death at the age of 47 years. His widow subsequently married George Money Smith and died in 1888, when 89 years of age. She left no issue. They were members of the English Lutheran church. Mrs. Mackey was one of eleven chil- dren-four sons and three daughters yet liv- ing, all of whom are married and have issue. She, herself is the mother of two daughters, Martha and Sarah. Martha is the widow of Homer Reisinger, D.D.S., who was a son of Dr. Reisinger, a well known Galion physician. Homer Reisinger died in early manhood, leav- ing two children-Elton, who is now a sales- man in the employ of the Cleveland Lumber Co., and Bertha, who is married and lives in Galion. Sarah, Mrs. Mackey's other daugh- ter, like her sister, graduated from the city high school and completed her literary educa- tion in the North Ohio University at Dela- ware, O. She is the wife of Harry A. Poun- der, who was born in England, and who is now manager of the Galion Lumber Co. They have two sons, Reuben and Donald, the former of whom is a graduate of the Galion High School, class of 1908. Mrs. Mackey and her family are all members of the Presbyterian church.

HARRY A. POUNDER, manager of the Galion Lumber Company, is a well known and enterprising citizen of Galion, O. He was born in Staffordshire, England in 1862, being the scion of a good family, with a long line of worthy ancestors. He was educated in the

public schools of Hull in his native country and was later graduated from the Technical depart- ment of the Government schools in that city as a marine engineer. Afterwards he worked under his father, Edward Pounder, who was manager of the Earl Shipbuilding and Engi- neers Company, of Hull. Subsequent to this he entered the employ of the Portugese Gov- ernment as an expert marine engineer, was made a subject of that country and was sent to Africa, where he was engaged for some time in the exercise of his profession. He then returned to England and in 1883 came to the United States, locating in Buffalo, N. Y., where as an expert engineer, he was employed by the Atlantic & Western (now the Erie) Railway Co., and remained with them four and a half years. He then took charge of the engineer's department of the Cleveland (O.) Forge & City Iron Co. In 1890 he became vice president of the Galion Lumber Co., in 1890 he became vice-president of the Galion Lumber Co., in which position he has shown marked business ability. He has been especially active in locating enterprises to help build up the city. He was one of the chief promoters and organizers of the Com- mercial Club (the leading and most active business men's association of the city) and lias since served as a director and in other official capacities, being chairman of one of the active committees. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order and of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Pounder married Miss Sarah Mackey, daughter of David and Sarah (Traul) Mackey, of Galion, O., and they have two sons, Reuben and Donald, the former of whom is, as elsewhere stated, a graduate of the Galion high school.

SAMUEL W NUNGESSER,* a leading citizen of Jefferson township, Crawford coun- ty, O., a prominent Democrat who is at pres- ent serving in the office of township assessor, owns property at Crestline but carries on farm- ing on a 40-acre tract which belongs to his mother. He was born in Polk township, Crawford county, June 16, 1861, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Morkel) Nungesser.

Both parents of Mr. Nungesser were born in Germany where their families were neigh-

EPHRAIM B. MONNETT

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bors. They were five years old when their parents came to America on the same boat, settled near each other in Pennsylvania for five years and then came together to Crawford county, and here Christian Nungesser and Elizabeth Morkel were married. He learned the shoemaking trade but later engaged in farming in Polk township, where he died in September, 1902. His widow still lives on the old homestead and in September, 1912, will see her 84th birthday. She is widely known and is much beloved by family and friends. The following children were born to Christian Nungesser and wife: Mary Ann, who is the wife of Samuel Beach; Lucinda, who was the wife of William Freeze; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Waterbeck; Samuel W .; and Albert, Christian, John, Emma and Henry. The parents of this family reared their children according to the German Luth- eran faith.

Samuel W. Nungesser attended the public schools with his brothers and sisters and has devoted himself mainly to agricultural pur- suits. He gives considerable attention to mar- ket gardening and poultry raising, favoring the Black Orpington strain, and finds a ready market both at Crestline and Bucyrus. As an active member of the Democratic party, Mr. Nungesser has become well and favorably known all over the county, has served in all the minor township offices and at present is township assessor, in which office he served continuously for five years, on a former oc- casion. Mr. Nungesser is a member of the Crawford County Democratic Central Com- mittee.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 176

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