History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 177

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 177

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In 1885 Mr. Nungesser was married to Miss Jennie Schaad, who was born in Crawford county, O., a daughter of John and Margaret (Uhl) Schaad. The father of Mr. Nungesser was an undertaker and cabinetmaker at Lees- ville, O., where his death occurred. The mother, now in her 86th year, lives at Dela- ware, O. They had the following children : Benjamin, Brice, John, George, Lewis and Ed- ward; Catherine, wife of Albert Graham; Savilla, wife of John Buchanon; Elizabeth, wife of William Radford; Rosa, wife of Lewis Hurr; Jennie; and Emma, wife of Wil- liam Price. Mr. and Mrs. Nungesser have four children, namely: Ralph; Bessie, who

married Frank Bogan, and has one son, Ralph; Hazel, who is the wife of Delbert Plotner; and Edna. Mr. Nungesser and family attend the English Lutheran church at North Robin- son. For six years, in addition to his other public duties, Mr. Nungesser served as one of the board of directors of the Crawford County Infirmary and during all that time was secretary of the board, with the exception of a few months. He belongs to the M. W. A., at Galion, the Eagles, also at Galion, and the Elks at Bucyrus.

EPHRAIM B. MONNETT, for many years one of the active business men of Bu- cyrus, O., traces his ancestry back to French emigrants who landed in the American col- onies prior to the Revolutionary War. He was born March 21, 1837, in an old log cabin, in Scott township, Marion county, O., the family having been established in this state by his grandfather, who was a pioneer preach- er of the Methodist faith.

Rev. Jeremiah Crabb Monnett was born in Maryland. His religious activities covered sections in many states, including Virginia, Maryland and Ohio, and in very early days he traveled to points then regarded as frontier posts. From Pickaway county, O., he came to Crawford county and here continued his ministerial work into old age. He married Aley E. Slagle, who was born in Ireland and was brought to this country in youth. She was reared a Roman Catholic but later joined the religious body with which her husband was always connected. She was a woman of force of character and her descendants show many of her admirable characteristics.

Abraham Monnett, son of Rev. Jeremiah and father of Ephraim B. Monnett, was born in Maryland, Oct. 12, 18II, and was one of a family of 14 children. After coming to manhood he traded a wagon and horse and $40 for a tract of 160 acres of land, subse- quently purchased 80 acres more, and kept adding to his land until at his death he was the owner of 4400 acres in Marion and Craw- ford counties. He first moved into a primitive log cabin, which stood on his place, but later built a larger and more comfortable house and otherwise improved his property, on which he lived until he retired from active life, moving

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then to Bucyrus. Here he died in 1887, re- spected and esteemed by all who knew him and leaving behind him the record of a blame- less life. In his early years he was a Whig and later affiliated with the Republican party. He refused public office but his advice was frequently asked and his judgment relied on in matters concerning the public welfare. He was a constant and liberal contributor to the Methodist church. Abraham Monnett mar- ried Catherine Braucher, who was born near Circleville in 1815 and died in 1875. Twelve children were born to this happy union, all of whom survive except three-Oliver, John and Mrs. Mary Hall. The others are married and have children.

Ephraim B. Monnett is the eldest of his par- ents' family. He had admirable home sur- roundings which tended to the development of character. His first employment as a boy was to pen up his father's sheep to protect them from the wolves, the woods at that time being filled with wild game and Indians. While his educational opportunities were somewhat limited, on account of lack of early school privileges, his life has associated him with developing events and wide awake peo- ple and he is a man of well rounded knowl- edge. In early manhood he assisted his father in the latter's business of shipping cattle and he became one of the largest shippers of live- stock in the county. He has been promin- ently identified also with financial institutions for many years and through his business fore- sight and excellent judgment, has been one of the main organizers of at least two successful banking concerns in Crawford county and one in Marion county. He was one of the found- ers and for many years was vice president of the Caledonia Bank, helped to organize the Bucyrus City Bank, of which he was president for seven years, and also is identified with the Second National Bank of Bucyrus, of which he has been a director for 22 years. He has always been credited with being a shrewd business man, but his integrity has never been questioned and he takes pride in the fact that notwithstanding his large volume of business dealing, he has never had a law suit brought against him, nor did he ever consent to bring one against any debtor. Politically a Repub- lican, he held many of the local offices while

living in Dallas township and in the execu- tion of public business he showed the same fidelity and efficiency that he displayed in his own.

Mr. Monnett was married first in 1859, at Bucyrus, to Miss Ellen C. Barton, who was born at Pittsburg, Pa., July 6, 1840, and died Jan. 13, 1888. She was a daughter of Wil- liam and Esther (Booklacker) Barton. She was survived by five children, namely: Rich- ard O. and Clarence D., who died young; Ephriam Guy, who died when aged twenty- two years; William A. who died March 7, 1910, and is survived by his widow and one daughter, Edna G., who are residents of Mon- nett Station; and Annetta G., who is a resid- ent of Cardington, O. Mr. Monnett's second marriage was to Miss Cornelia Yost, who was born Oct. 8, 1852, a daughter of Jeremiah N. and Elizabeth (Woodside) Yost, natives of Dauphin county, Pa., who came early to Bu- cyrus. The father was a saddler and was a highly respected citizen. His death occurred March 4, 1908, he having lived to the rather unusual age of ninety years. He was a Meth- odist in religious faith, while his wife was a Lutheran. The latter died in January, 1892, aged about sixty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Monnett have one daughter, Nellie Lorie, who was born Dec. 19, 1892. She is a bright, engaging young lady and a favorite in her class in the High School, where she will be graduated in 1913. With her parents she belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her father has ben a trustee since 1882. The family home is a hospitable one and its members enjoy much of the quiet, social life of the city.

PETER DRUMM,* one of Crestline's cap- italists and representative citizens, was born in Summit county, O., in 1850 but has been a resident of this city since boyhood. He came of German and French ancestry, for over 200 years his forefathers living on the same estates in Alsace-Loraine, where his parents, Peter and Magdalena (Babst) Drumm were born and married.

In the early forties the parents of Mr. Drumm came on a sailing vessel to the United States and settled in Summit county, O., where the father first followed his trade of

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cabinetmaker. and later was connected with the car building department of the Pennsyl- vania Railway Company, and in this relation came to Crestline, where he lived some 40 years, his death occurring Dec. 2, 1905, when he had passed his 90th birthday, having sur- vived his wife since Dec. II, 1887, she being then aged 67 years. They were members of the German Reformed church. Of their four children, three grew to mature years and two survive : Peter and Lena, who reside together, neither having married.

Peter Drumm, Jr., was young when his par- ents came to Crestline, where he attended school and later learned the art of photography and for many years conducted a studio in this city but retiring from business to a large de- gree fully 20 years ago. His time is fully occupied in looking after his large property interests, he being one of the heavy tax payers of the city. In politics a stanch Democrat, he has been active in party matters and has been loyal in his support of party measures and candidates.

J. O. HARER, whose valuable farm of 154 acres is situated in section 25, Cranberry town- ship, Crawford county, O., was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, July 14, 1878, a son of Caleb and Mary Harer, whom he accompanied, when six years old, to Lykens township where they still live.

J. O. Harer remained at home and gave his father assistance until he was twenty-three years of age, in the meanwhile doing contract work on the turnpikes in the township, after which he was in the livery business at New Washington for five years. He then sold his stables and went more largely in the horse business, buying and selling, in which he is yet interested. In 1909 he bought his pres- ent farm, on which he has resided since his marriage, all of which is well tiled, and all but one acre, still in woodland, is under cul- tivation.

Mr Harer married Miss Bertha Geissman, a daughter of Henry and Mary Geissman, of Cranberry township, and they have two chil- dren, Lulu May and Herbert. In politics Mr. Harer is a Democrat but has too many busi- ness interests to make him a seeker for office. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to

the Cranberry Township Grange, taking much interest in these organizations.

JOHN ROBERTS,* deceased. Among the old and substantial families of English ex- traction who have assisted in the developing of many of the interests of Ohio, may be men- tioned that of Roberts, and the pioneer of this family in Crawford county was John Roberts, a man of broad mind, enterprising spirit and financial independence. He was born in Ly- coming county, Pa., April 7, 1805, and died near Bucyrus, O., in 1884. His father, George W. Roberts, was of English birth and was in early manhood when he came to Lycoming county, Pa., in 1800. He was a fine specimen of physical manhood, a fact to be noted as his descendants inherited, with many of his worthy qualities, his noble stature and abound- ing health. After the death of his wife, in Lycoming county, he started out to see some- thing of what was then the great West and on this trip visited in Ohio but subsequently located in Iowa, where he went into the bank- ing business with a son-in-law, and died at Brighton, in that state, when more than 80 years of age.

John Roberts was one of a family of seven children and all but two of these spent their lives in Pennsylvania. He remained in Ly- coming county until late in the twenties, when he decided to come to Ohio. He had married Lavina Walton, who was born in Lycoming county, Dec. 30, 1799, and died near Bucyrus when aged about 72 years. When the deci- sion was made to break up the old home ties in Pennsylvania, Mr. Roberts found in his young wife a ready helper and she cheerfully assisted him in all his undertakings although at that time she had the responsibility of an infant. Mr. Roberts in the course of time became one of the wealthy men of Crawford county, the owner of 1500 acres of land and one of the shrewdest and most successful stock buyers and dealers in the country. In those days there was much to contend with in his business but he was endowed with perfect health and indomitable courage and was never known to be defeated in any of his many un- dertakings. He identified himself with every- thing of public interest although he refused public office and being a man of such excellent

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judgment was a leading factor along almost every line of development during his active years. Finally he consented to accept a life of ease but it was only when old age had reached him, and he died in his comfortable home, his residence being located just north of Bucyrus, in 1884. In early days a Whig, he later became a Republican. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, their conversion having been accom- plished at the same time when they were in attendance at a camp meeting on the banks of the Susquehanna river.

To John Roberts and wife four sons and one daughter were born. The daughter, Mary Jane is the widow of James Cobb and is a resident of Bucyrus, being now in her 78th year. The eldest son, Fleming, was the babe brought to Ohio by his parents. He died early leaving a widow and one son in Marion coun- ty, O. Another son, George Washington, who was born in 1835, is a wealthy retired stock dealer and large landowner in Marion county. Edwin, the youngest son, was born in 1840 and died in Harrison county in 1908, survived by a family.

Wesley Roberts, father of Thomas E. and Charles W. Roberts, of Bucyrus, was the sec- ond son in the above family and was born in 1829, in Crawford county, O., and he was reared in Whetstone township. In a remark- able degree he inherited his father's appear- ance and characteristics. He loved hard work and in endurance could excel any of his asso- ciates from boyhood. At one time he owned 2800 acres of land in Crawford county, while his fields and pastures showed herds of fine cattle and horses, droves of fattening hogs and flocks of sheep. He was, like his father, a careful and judicious business man and in a business in which there is large opportunity to fail, he met only with prosperity. For years he was designated as the leading breder, feeder and buyer of stock in this section of the state. His perfect health continued into advanced life and the slight digestive trouble that caused his death was at first looked upon as of little consequence, so unaccustomed had he been to illness. Like all strong men he had settled opinions of right and wrong and he had the courage to live up to his convictions. In politics he was a beliver in the superiority of the principles of the Republican party and

when he worked for a candidate he did that task as he did every other, with all his strength, but was never willing to accept political preferment for himself. He was a Methodist in religion.

Wesley Roberts was married first to a Miss Monnett, a member of a very prominent old family of the county. She died in Whetstone township, survived by two sons: Isaac, who is a prominent stockman in Nebraska; and Madison, who is a farmer in Scott township, Marion county, O. His second marriage took place in Morrow county, O., to Miss Eliza- beth Newson, who was born there in 1832. She died at the home of a daughter, in Bu- cyrus, Feb. 7, 1889, and her memory is ten- derly preserved by the following surviving children: Frank H., Joseph, Charles, Mar- cellus M. and Ida. Belle died at the age of seven years. Frank H. and Willis G. are both prominent in the livestock industry at Bucyrus. Marcellus M. is part owner of a fine farm in Dallas township. Ida is the wife of Harry Keil, who is a large landowner and stock dealer in Illinois.

JOSEPH W. ROBERTS was the eldest born son to his father's second marriage, and was born in Dallas township, Crawford coun- ty about 1860. He inherited the tastes and business acumen of his father and grand- father, along with their physical build, and has devoted his attention since reaching man- liood to agricultural activities and handling of stock. During the larger part of his life he has resided within the borders of Craw- ford county. In 1911 he established a resid- ence at Bucyrus, where he is in partnership with his brothers in a livery business and standing stables. Politically he is a Repub- lican but is active only as a voter. He is a man of large means, is charitable and public spirited and has many personal as well as busi- ness friends. In Marion county he married Flora B. Miller, who died there without issue in 1901, at the age of 35 years. Mr. Roberts was married (second) at Bucyrus to Miss Pansy G. Neish, a daughter of the late Byron Neish.

CHARLES WESLEY ROBERTS was born in Scott township, Marion county, O., Jan. 15, 1862, but was mainly reared in Craw-

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ford county. He scarcely required the hardy discipline that prevails on a large farm, to develop his muscles and ensure his health, for he, like his brothers, father and grandfather and even farther back, possessed these gifts from kind Nature. At one time it pleased the five sons of the family to test their added weight, each claiming some 200 pounds, and the aggregate was 1100 pounds. With sound constitution, clear mind and steady habits, Mr. Roberts, like other members of this rather re- markable family, has been very successful in his business undertakings, which have been along the line of the family industry almost exclusively. In 1901 he came to Bucyrus, from his farm in Caledonia township where he had sold and bought stock for six years previously, having moved from his former farm in Marion county. For some years he has associated his business interests with those of his brothers.

Mr. Roberts was married near New Win- chester, Crawford county, to Miss Malinda Loyer, born in Marion county, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Heinline) Loyer, of German stock. The father of Mrs. Roberts died at the age of 40 years but the mother lived to be 70 years old. They were German Reformed church people. Four children have been born to Charles W. Roberts and wife: Earl W., who was accidentally killed in Mon- tana, at the age of 24 years; George W., who owns and successfully operates a sheep ranch in Montana; and Helen and Franklin Harry, who resides with their parents. ·

CHARLES E. SWITZER,* one of Ga- lion's leading business men, senior member of the wholesale and retail firm of Switzer & White, dealers in grain, hay and seed and operators of elevators at both North Robin- son and Monnett, O., was born in Miami county, O., Dec. 3, 1869, and is a son of Jacob and Mary C. (Kunkle) Switzer.

The parents of Mr. Switzer were born and married in Pennsylvania and for many years after coming to Ohio were farming people in Newton township, Miami county. In 1910 they left the farm and now live in comfort- able retirement at Covington, O., where they are attendants and supporters of the Brethren church. Their family consists of five children.

After attaining his majority and complet- ing an educational course at Ada, O., Charles E. Switzer went to Columbus and began work in the clerical department of the grain and hay firm of J. B. McAllister & Company, and remained with that house for twelve years, coming from there in 1900, to Galion, to go into business with Mr. White. The present company was established in 1906 by Charles E. Switzer and George M. White and is one of the important business enterprises of Craw- ford county. In their elevators they carry more than 30,000 bushels of grain and in all other commodities are large dealers, their mar- ket being anywhere in the state. Their meth- ods are those of a progressive firm and their prosperity is assured.

Mr. Switzer was married at Columbus, O., to Miss Margaret J. Evans, who was born in Wales and was nine years old when her par- ents brought her to America. They settled at Columbus, O., where her mother died, and after working at his trade-that of stone- mason-until some twelve years since, her father went to Montana. There he married again and still resides. Mrs. Switzer was one of a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have three children: Edith M., born May 10, 1905; Herbert C., born June 20, 1907; and Malcolm Evans, born Feb. 25, 191I. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Switzer is a good citizen but is not particularly active in politics. He votes with the Republican party.

ALEM MOORHEAD,* who is one of the well known citizens of Crestline, now living retired, for a number of years was in the real estate business here and owns valuable city property. He was born on a farm in Jack- son township, then in Richland now in Craw- ford county, July 7, 1847, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Barber) Moorhead.

Robert Moorhead and wife were born at Milton, . Pa., and when they came to Ohio they settled in Jackson township, when all that section was a wilderness. Mr. Moorhead was forced to cut down trees in order to make a space on which to build his log cabin. He per- severed, cleared land and improved it, and he and wife spent their subsequent lives here, the mother passing away shortly after the

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birth of their son Alem, when aged 50 years, but the father lived into advanced age, dying when nearing his 94th birthday. They were members of the Presbyterian church and a brother of Mrs. Moorhead, Rev. Daniel Bar- ber, was a prominent divine of that body. Of their family of 12 children, nine reached maturity and eight married. The survivors are: Alem and Mrs. Clarissa Courtright, who is a childless widow and a resident of Mans- field, O.

When 18 years of age, Alem Moorhead heard the call for soldiers issued by the Presi- dent of the United States, to assist in putting down rebellion, and he was one of the first to enlist, in April, 1861, in Co. I, Ist O. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Mclaughlin and Col. Cook. This regiment was rushed to the front and took part in the first battle of Bull Run, which Mr. Moorhead survived and served out his enlistment. Soon after his honorable dis- charge he came to Crestline, which city has been his chosen home ever since. In politics Mr. Moorehead is a stanch Democrat.

In early manhood Mr. Moorhead was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Miller, who died at the age of 54 years, leaving four children : Charles A., who is with the Pennsylvania Railway Company; Flora I., now deceased, who was the wife of William Bagley, and who is sur- vived by one daughter, Genevieve; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Everett Sutton, residing at Bloomington, Ill., and has two daughters, Effie and Beatrice, and an infant son; and Howard, who was accidentally killed by a rail- road train on a grade crossing, when aged 27 years, and is survived by a widow and one daughter, Margaret. Mrs. Moorhead was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was an active worker in the Woman's Relief Corps, Mr. Moorhead being identified with Snyder Post, No. 97, G. A. R. He be- longs also to the Knights of Pythias.

JOHN HARRISON TRAGO, who is a retired farmer and well known citizen of Crawford county, O., resides on his excellent farm of 120 acres, situated in section 17, Au- burn township, was born in this township, on an adjoining farm, May 31, 1840, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Waters) Trago.

Daniel Trago was born in Honeybrook

township, Chester county, Pa., May 8, 1796, and died in Ohio, Jan. 3, 1876. After com- ing to Ohio he lived for five years in Colum- biana county and then located on 160 acres, which tract at that time was in Richland coun- ty, but is now included in Auburn township, Crawford county, later buying the 120 acres on which his son resides, paying eleven dol- lars an acre for the same. Still later he pur- chased eighty more acres and for that tract paid $35 per acre. All this land was heavily timbered at the time of purchase and each farm was cleared and improved by Daniel Trago. On December 20, 1826, he was mar- ried to Sarah Waters, who was born in Ches- ter county, Pa., Jan. 1, 1806, and died May 22, 1871. Ten children were born to them, the family record being as follows: Samuel Waters Trago, who was born in Honeybrook township, Chester county, Pa., Nov. 3, 1827; Ann Elizabeth Trago, who was born Sept. 21, 1829, died Feb. 21, 1841; Elmira Trago, who was born Feb. 12, 1831, was married to John Griffith, Dec. 28, 1852, and died July 12, 1878; Agnes Trago, who was born in Smith township, Columbiana county, O., in Nov. 1833, died Jan. 27, 1854; Francis Marion Trago, who was born in Smith township, Co- lumbiana county, O., Dec. 17, 1835, enlisted for service in the Civil War as a member of the 64th O. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Peach Tree Creek, near Atlanta, Ga., July 20, 1864; Vincent T. Trago, who was born in Smith township, Columbiana county, O., Feb. 28, 1838, enlisted in Co. I, 15th O. Vol. Inf. and served four years in the Civil War, living to return, his death occurring April 14, 1880 (was married first to Laura Carlisle on Dec. 25, 1866, and secondly to Mary E. Dull, May 5, 1870); John Harrison Trago; Alice Ann Trago, who was born July 14, 1843, died in 1852; Mary Trago, who was born April 22, 1846, married William N. Keller, April 17, 1870, and lives at Monroeville, Ind .; and Morris Winfield Trago, who was born Jan. 24, 1848, died in March, 1849.

John Harrison Trago remained on the home farm with his father and has always been in- terested in farming and stock raising. For some time he has been retired from active labor and now rents out his farm on shares, finding this plan satisfactory. From early

COL. WILSON C. LEMERT

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manhood he has given his political support to the Republican party, but has never been par- ticularly active in politics-just an interested citizen who has exerted his influence to make this a law-abiding community.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 177

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