History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 182

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 182

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About 1828 Joseph Albright was married in Columbiana county, O., to Hannah Jury, who was born March 1, 1812, a daughter of Silas and Anna (Thorp) Jury, of Welsh ancestry but natives of Virginia. Silas Jury died in luis native state and his widow married a Mr. Banks and they moved to Crawford county, O. Mrs. Albright died Oct. 4, 1890. To Joseph and Hannah Albright the following children were born: Sarah A., deceased, who was the wife of D. J. Sheckler, also deceased ; Daniel B., deceased, who was survived by two sons and two daughters-Charles, James, Cora and Flora; Emanuel, deceased, who was a farmer and was survived by nine children-

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William, Joseph, George, Mary, Gertrude, Grace, Nellie, Fred and Margaret; Hester A., deceased, who is survived by her husband, James Ludwig, and who was the mother of an infant, also deceased; Joseph, Jr., who is a resident of South Bend, Ind., and has three sons and one daughter-Edwin, Zuah, Silas and Bertrum; George W., whose name heads this sketch; John Thompson, who is a farmer in Holmes township, Crawford county and has three children-Franklin, Anna, deceased, and Hannah; Marcia, deceased, who was the wife of W. T. Minnich, of Bucyrus, and has one child, Orris; Hannah, who is the wife of W. C. Kelly, of Bucyrus, and has three children- Hetty, Clarence and Bessie; and Frank, who resides at Bucyrus and has one son and one daughter-Cassius and Desdamonia.

George W. Albright was reared on the old home place and the larger part of the home- stead finally became his own property. He engaged there in agricultural pursuits until 1910, when he retired to Bucyrus and in the following year erected his fine business block on South Sandusky street, his residence being at No. 210 on the same thoroughfare. Mr. Albright is independent in his political senti- ments to a large degree but nominally is a Re- publican.

Mr. Albright was married in Whetstone township, Crawford county, in 1866, to Miss Jemima Scott, who was born in that township, Jan. 22, 1845, and is a daughter of James Scott and a granddaughter of James Scott.

James Scott, the grandfather of Mrs. Al- bright, was born in Pennsylvania and was there married to Esther Halstead, and in 1822, with their family they came to Crawford county, making the long overland journey in the great covered wagons drawn by oxen. In Crawford county James Scott entered 320 acres of Government land and it was from this far-sighted pioneer that Joseph Albright bought his first 20 acres of land. - On this tract Mr. Scott developed a fine farm, made all nec- essary improvements and lived long enough to enjoy them, passing away when aged 60 years. His widow lived to be 72 years of age.

James Scott, Jr., son of James and father of Mrs. Albright, was born about 1796, near Wilkesbarre, Pa., and died in 1851. He ac- companied his parents to Ohio and in Holmes

township, Crawford county, was married to Caroline Martin. She was born in 1816, in England and in 1822 accompanied her parents to the United States and to Crawford county, O. They were James and Sarah (Hawks) Martin, the former of whom was born in Ire- land and when 16 years of age made his way to England. There he entered the British Navy and while serving for 14 years as a sailor, through his own efforts acquired a good education and became a man of religious con- viction. When he came to Crawford county he settled in Holmes township, on what is now the Gephart estate. He taught school and also was a preacher for a time and was one of the first auditors of Crawford county. He died when aged 66 years and was survived by his wife for eight years. After the death of James Scott Mrs. Scott married James Boner and died in Crawford county at the age of 48 years, Mr. Boner subsequently passing away at the home of a daughter, by a previous mar- riage. Mrs. Albright has one brother, Joseph Martin Scott, who resides with his family on his farm in Holmes township.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albright : Georgianna, a popular teacher, who was educated in the schools of Bucyrus and at Berea College; Grace, who died at the age of 38 years, unmarried, a highly educated, cultured woman and a graduate of Baldwin University and of the Northwestern Univer- sity, Chicago, Ill .; Mercy, who died at the age of 27 years, was also highly educated and a college graduate; Silas J., who died in infancy ; Carrie, who is the wife of Forest R. McFar- land; and Roscoe D., who died at the age of 14 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Albright and all their chil- dren have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church and active and interested workers. Mr. Albright was a charter member of the old order of Patrons of Husbandry, in Whetstone township, Crawford county.

CHARLES GALLINGER. Among the lawyers of Crawford county Charles Gal- linger stands as one of the most successful. He has won his standing at the bar by his care- ful attention to the legal phases of his cases and by bringing to his work an understanding of right and justice which enable him to make

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convincing arguments and to present his cases either to court or jury in a thoroughly con- vincing way.

Charles Gallinger was born near Wingert's Corners, in Lykins township, Crawford county, Ohio, on June 26th, 1869. His parents were Philip and Louisa (Angene) Gallinger. His father was a Bavarian, and his mother was born in French (now German) territory. His father died in 1879, and his mother in 1905. The parents are intered in the Brokensword Cemetery.

Charles Gallinger is the youngest of five chil- dren, all living. He received a common school education, and was an applicant for a teacher's certificate when only 13 years old, but was refused a certificate on account of his age; he secured one the following year, however, when H. J. Tracht, Reuben Stahle and J. F. Kimerline were the county school examiners. He regularly attended each annual county ex- amination, securing certificates, although he did not teach school until he was 18 years of age when he taught his home school three consecutive terms. Immediately thereafter he attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, for one year, at the end of which time he returned home for want of funds with which to complete a collegiate course, and while . at home he continued to assist his brother on the farm, reading law during his spare hours. In September, 1893, he came to Bucyrus and commenced reading law in the office of Finley & Bennett, and in the following June he passed the law examination and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, standing third highest in a class of 63 applicants.

He did not commence the practice of law until December, 1896, when he started alone, but two months thereafter, on the expiration of the term of Gen. E. B. Finley as Circuit Judge, a partnership was formed under the name of Finley & Gallinger, which has con- tinued ever since in the legal practice in all the courts. State and Federal.

In 1900 Mr. Gallinger was elected Prosecut- ing Attorney of Crawford county, and held the office for six years. He has been an inde- fatigable worker in his chosen profession and has built up a large and very lucrative practice. He has been engaged in some of the most im- portant cases in the courts, and his firm is

counsel for the New York Central lines in the county, and for a great many of the leading manufacturing plants.

Mr. Gallinger brought to his chosen profes- sion a natural love for study and the mastery of intricate problems. It was by conscientious devotion to a study of the principles of law that he has been able to attain and hold the high position as a practicing attorney. He gives to every case a care and determination to win which have naturally resulted to the advan- tage of his clients and he has won success for them by understanding their cases and applying his legal talents for their benefit.

Mr. Gallinger was married July 14, 1903, to Miss Clara Hoffman, daughter of John and Anna (Burns) Hoffman, and she has been active in good works in and for the upbuild- ing of Bucyrus, her work as head of the Kings Daughters being especially noteworthy. Mr. Gallinger has always taken a firm stand in helping his home town and with both counsel and cash he willingly helps the city.

JOHN H. SHEETZ, cashier of the Farm- ers Exchange Bank, of New Washington, O., is a member of one of the old and substantial families of Crawford County, one that has been identified with many leading interests and activities of this section. Mr. Sheetz was born at New Washington, Ohio, August 29, 1852, a son of John A. and Margaret (Donnen- wirth) Sheetz.

John A. Sheetz was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, Sept. 6, 1809. In 1830 he came to America, landing in New York City. From New York he went to Columbiana County, Ohio. For several years he was employed as a farm hand and at various occupations which would vield him an honest living, receiving but six dollars per month in the first capacity. From Columbiana County he went to Dayton. Ohio. About 1835 he came to Crawford County to visit his sister and while here be- came so favorably impressed with the agricul- tural possibilities of this section that he bought ninety acres of land situated in Auburn Town- ship which tract includes the present site of the village of Waynesburg. He erected a log cabin and began the task of clearing his land and cultivating crops. John A. Sheetz was a man of enterprise and became one of local

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importance. He was the first postmaster at New Washington and for several years prior to the establishment of the office here, carried the mails, once a week walking to a point four miles west of the village to meet the stage, its route not taking in New Washington. Dur- ing his later years he was engaged in the mer- cantile business at New Washington. He was a sturdy, honest, self reliant man, whose whole life was an exemplification of the meritorious qualities which belong to the race from which he came.

At Dayton, Ohio, John A. Sheetz was mar- ried in May, 1836, to Margaret Weisenbacher, who died in July following. In October, 1837, he was married secondly to Margaret Weaver, who was born in Auburn township, Crawford County, and lived but a little over one year after marriage, being survived by a daughter, Catharine Agatha, who is the wife of William H. Donnenwirth, of Canton, Ohio. His third marriage took place at New Washington, Ohio, in 1842, with Mrs. Margaret (Donnenwirth) Hesse, daughter of George Donnenwirth and widow of Ehregott Hesse. Mrs. Sheetz was born in Alsace, Germany. Her first husband was a merchant at New Washington, and after his death she continued in the business until after her marriage with Mr. Sheetz, when he took charge of the same and carried it on un- til 1866, when his son Jacob became a partner under the firm name of John A. Sheetz and Son. In 1876 he went into the banking busi- ness, in which he remained until his death, which occurred Dec. 7, 1889. To the above marriage six children were born, four of whom are yet living, namely : Jacob, president of the Farmers Exchange Bank of New Washing- ton, Ohio; Caroline, the wife of John L. As- senheimer, of Bucyrus, Ohio; John H. Sheetz, cashier of the Farmers Exchange Bank, and Louisa P., widow of the late John M. Guiss, of New Washington, Ohio.

John H. Sheetz attended the public schools at New Washington, and later at Oberlin Col- lege. He learned the principles of banking at Mt. Union business college, Mt. Union, Ohio, where he took a business course. During the last two years of his school life he spent the summer months on his father's farm. Agri- cultural pursuits being congenial to him, he desired to engage in farming, but in 1872 at

the earnest solicitation of his father, he be- came a clerk in the latter's store and served in that capacity until 1874, when he pur- chased his father's interest in the business and became a partner of his brother Jacob, under the firm name of Jacob Sheetz and Brother. This firm continued in business until 1904, when they sold their stock of goods to William Foos.

In 1876 the Farmers Exchange Bank was organized and our subject became cashier and financial manager. The success of the bank is largely due to his efforts, which have re- sulted in making this one of the leading finan- cial institutions of the county. On Oct. 2, 1889, he was married to Miss Theresia W. Michaelis, who was born at Bucyrus, Ohio, and is a daughter of Rev. August Michaelis. The latter was born in Prussia and came to America about 1840, when a young man, subsequently entering the ministry of the Lutheran Church. To John H. Sheetz and wife the following children were born: John A., who is a student at Capital University, Columbus, O., a mem- ber of the class of 1913; and Walter F., who is attending the same educational institution and is a member of the class of 1915, both promising students and fine types of young American manhood. In addition to his bank- ing interests, Mr. Sheetz is a director in the New Washington Lumber and Manufacturing Company. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. In political sentiment he is a Demo- crat.

FARMERS EXCHANGE BANK, of New Washington, O., was organized in 1876 and thus is one of the oldest financial institutions of the county and has enjoyed unusual pros- perity. Its officers were : John A. Sheetz, presi- dent; Jacob Sheetz, vice president; and John H. Sheetz, cashier, and this board continued to operate the bank until the death of John A. Sheetz in 1889. The business was then re- organized with Jacob Sheetz as president ; John M. Guiss, vice president, and John H. Sheetz, cashier, the directors and stockholders, in ad- dition to the officers, being Mrs. Margaret Sheetz and Mrs. Louisa P. Guiss. The death of John M. Guiss in 1910 and of Mrs. Mar- garet Sheetz in 1802, called for changes and accordingly Jacob Sheetz continued as presi-

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dent, Mrs. Louisa P. Guiss became vice presi- dent, John H. Sheetz continued as cashier ; George H. Seitter became assistant cashier in 1904 and in 1910 Miss Ida L. Kimerline be- came bookkeeper.

This bank was organized with a capital stock of $25,000.00. It now has a surplus account of $25,000.00 and its undivided profits ag- gregate $10,082.71.

The earliest location of the bank was in the back part of the J. Sheetz & Bro. store, which mercantile business was sold in 1904 to Wil- liam Foos, and in 1905 the present commodi- ous and modern bank building was erected. Its dimensions are 25x64 feet, two stories high, of brick construction, the entire first floor be- ing devoted to the banking departments and the second floor occupied by the local telephone exchange and by tenants. The bank is equipped with a burglar and fire proof vault, with inside dimensions of 7XII feet and an automatic time-lock door weighing three tons. Conveniences for the patrons of the bank have also been provided and the interests of all customers are carefully conserved. The of- ficers of the concern are members of the American Bankers' Association; the Ohio Bankers' Association, and of the Ohio Private Bankers' Association.

GEORGE A. BRAUSE,* who owns 705 acres of land in Lykens township, Crawford county, was born in this township, May 29, 1855, a son of Rudolph and Catherine ( Klink) Brause.

Rudolph Brause was a native of Germany but at the age of six years came to the United States and in 1830 located in Lykens town- ship, Crawford county, where he became a well known farmer. He married, as before inti- mated, Catherine Klink, who was also born in Germany, in Wurtemberg, and who at the age of six years came with her parents to the United States, they in 1828 settling in Liberty town- ship, Crawford county. To Rudolph Brause and his wife were born the following children : Caroline, who died when aged 21 years; George A .; John; Fidelia, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Zeigler; Willis H., a resident of Lykens township; and Emma, who died when aged 46 years. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Brause belonged to the Lutheran church.

George A. Brause received his educational training in the common schools of Lykens township and then turned his attention to farm- ing. He at first assisted his father in the culti- vation of the home place, but when he was 25 years of age he had through his industry and frugality acquired enough capital to be able to purchase a tract of 80 acres with but little help from his parents. To this tract he has added until he now has 705 acres of valuable land, on which he carries on general farming along scientific lines, also raising some stock.

On February 12, 1889, Mr. Brause was united in marriage to Miss Mary Anna Green, who was born in Chatfield township, this county. Her parents, Jacob and Magdalena (Drefts) Green, were natives of Germany but came to this country when young and were mar- ried here. Jacob Green was a farmer. Both he and his wife are now deceased and are buried at Sheely cemetery near Sulphur Springs. To them were born the following children : John; Catherine, wife of Emantiel Ulmer; Daniel; Benjamin; Gottlieb; Edward; Louisa, deceased, who was the wife of John Bower; Sophia, the wife of Jacob Feightner ; Mary Anna, the wife of our subject ; and Eliza- beth, deceased, who was the wife of of Abra- ham Clopftesteen. To Mr. and Mrs. Geo. A. Brause have been born children as follows: Edward Rudolph, Walter George, Clarence Al- bert, Rosa Anna and Hattie Magdalena Cath- erine.

A Democratic in politics, Mr. Brause is serv- ing as a member of the school board. He and his family are affiliated with the German Luth- eran church.

EDWARD VOLLRATH has been a life- long resident of Bucyrus. He was born of German parentage, 54 years ago, at the old homestead on the northeast corner of Mary and Walnut streets. He attended the public schools at his native city, graduating from the High School in the class of 1878. Part of his youth was spent in learning the trade of the cabinet- maker and joiner in his father's wood-working establishment at Bucyrus, and when he resumed his studies in the local schools he had become an expert wood worker. After graduating from the Bucyrus schools he entered Witten- berg College at Springfield, Ohio, in the fall of 1878, and remained at this latter institution

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until the close of his junior year in the spring of 1881. He subsequently entered Princeton College and graduated from that institution in the classical course with the degree of A. B. in 1883. He afterwards received the degree of A. M. from Princeton. After leaving col- lege Mr. Vollrath began the study of law in the law office of General E. B. Finley at Bucy- rus and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio in the fall of 1885. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Bucyrus and has continued in the practice of the law in this city since that time. In December, 1904, Mr. Vollrath was appointed Circuit Judge by Governor Myron T. Herrick for the Third Circuit of Ohio to succeed Judge Mooney who had died. Judge Vollrath occupied this position for a period of one year, being defeated at the ensuing election by Judge Michael Donnelly, of Napoleon. Judge Vollrath made a second campaign for this same position in the fall of 1906, but was again defeated by Judge Donnelly, who had an overwhelming democratic plurality behind him. Although defeated, Judge Vollrath had the satisfaction of reducing the normal demo- cratic plurality of ten thousand to three thou- sand.

Mr. Vollrath was united in marriage June 27, 1888, with Miss Millie Wise, daughter of William and Eliza J. Wise, of said city. To this union were born five children, Jeanne Eliz- abeth, Edna Grace, Charles Victor, Carol Per- milla and Edward Wise Vollrath. Mrs. Voll- rath died February 1, 1910.

Mr. Vollrath became identified with the Ohio National Guard in April, 1884, enlisting as a private in Company "A" of the Eighth Regi- ment. He was elected and commissioned cap- tain of his company in 1886, became major in 1892 and in that capacity served with his regi- ment during the Spanish-American war. The regiment saw service in the siege of Santiago in Cuba and assisted in the reduction of the province of that name. Maior Vollrath was present at the surrender of Santiago and, re- turning to the states with his regiment at the close of the war, was commissioned lieutenant- colonel in the fall of 1899. Upon the organi- zation of the Division. Ohio National Guard. Colonel Vollrath was elected and commissioned colonel of his regiment, the Eighth Ohio, with

rank dating from December 23, 1899, and has remained in command of his regiment since that date. This regiment, under Colonel Voll- rath's command, has been called upon by the governor of Ohio on various occasions in aid of the civil authorities.

Colonel Vollrath has always been a Repub- lican in politics. Socially and fraternally he is a veteran member of the Knights of Pythias. In his church relations he has been a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church of Bucyrus, Sun- day school and church, since early childhood.

Colonel Vollrath, whose full name is Charles Edward Vollrath, is the son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Hocker) Vollrath. The father was a native of Schwartzburg-Rudelstadt, Saxony, and the mother is a native of the grand duchy of Baden. The father, Charles Vollrath, who died December 26, 1902, was for long years prominent in manufacturing circles in Bucyrus and the head of the manufacturing firm of Vollrath Brothers. The manufacturing estab- lishment on the corner of Mary aud Walnut streets, Bucyrus, and the lumber yards in con- nection therewith, were long and well known to the older citizens of Bucyrus.

THE BRINKMAN FAMILY* of Tod township, Crawford county, O., is one well known and highly respected and was estab- lished here by the grandfather of the present representatives, William F., Edward F. and Jesse R. Brinkman. The grandparents came from Germany but the father, Jacob Brinkman, was born on the farm known as the Brinkman homestead, on which he passed his life as a farmer, and died March 17, 1895, when aged 52 years, four months and twelve days.

Jacob Brinkman did much to develop and improve his farm of fertile land, leaving to his family an estate of 229 22-100 acres, with substantial buildings, stock and machinery. He was a man of sterling character and com- manded the respect of all who knew him either as a business man or as a neighbor. He married Augusta Smith, who was born in Ger- many and still survives, residing with her youngest son. Three sons were born to them : William F., Edward F and Jesse R. William F married Sarah Ferrall and they have had four children: Nina Harper, deceased. Clar- ence and Henrietta. Edward F. married Della

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Shell and they have three children: Hazel, Lela and Robert. Jesse R. was married first to Gertrude Pickering, who died without issue, and second to Tornette Wingert. William F. follows the carpenter trade while the other sons carry on the farm industries and all are reliable and respected business men. It is a Democratic family and all the sons are active and interested citizens. William F. served for a number of years in the office of constable; Edward F was township trustee for six years, while Jesse R., at the present writing, is his party's candi- date for county commissioner. The brothers are closely united in all their interests. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

JAMES D. FERREE, newspaper reporter and historical writer, Bucyrus, Ohio, is a de- scendant from an old French Hugenot family and traces his ancestry back to Robert La Fer- ree, who in A. D. 1265 was confirmed to an extensive estate at Forchamps in lower Nor- mandy and became the founder of the family. During the troubled period following the re- vocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685, Daniel Ferree and wife, whose maiden name was Mary Warembur, with their family, escaped from France, made their way to Strasbourg, where they resided for some time, then went to Lindau in Bavaria, where the father, who was a silk manufacturer of wealth, died in a few years. A short time after his death his widow decided to emigrate to America with her chil- dren-three sons and three daughters. Her passport dated Bittingheim, March 10, 1708, as well as the family's certificate of standing and withdrawal from the French Reformed church at Pelican, of which they were members, under date of May 10th, 1708, are still in the pos- session of her descendants. They came via Holland and England; in the latter company they remained several months. Madam Ferree and family were introduced to Queen Ann by William Penn, both of whom extended many favors that greatly assisted the Madam in bringing her family to the new colonies. Her patent of naturalization and permission to colonize in America bear the date of August 27th, 1708. Upon the family's arrival at New York in the fall of 1708 they went to Esopus about 100 miles north of that place on the Hud- son river, where they had relatives. In the

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 182

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