History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 187

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 187

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Mr. Rooks was married at Plymouth, Ohio, to Miss Annie E. Frye, who was born, reared and educated in that place. She is a woman of amiable character and is still capable of looking after her household affairs and enjoy- ing social life. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rooks, one son and two daughters, namely: Abraham E., Irilla Isa- dore, and Mary L. Abraham E. Rooks, who is now engaged in the grocery business at Crestline, for 17 years previously was a skilled machinist in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company. He is married and has two children-Kenneth P. and Lethia G. He and his wife are members of the M. E. church at Crestline. Irilla, familiarly called "Rilly," is the wife of Albert H. Kinsey, who is en-

gaged in the drug business in Crestline; they have two children-Herbert Samuel and Al- bert Rooks Kinsey. Mrs. Kinsey is a member of the Presbyterian church and her two sons attend the Sunday school. Mary L. Rooks married Edward D. Miller, who is a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania Railway Com- pany; they have a daughter, Bertha Isadora Miller, who attends the Presbyterian Sunday school and who is the best pianist of her age in the town. Mrs. Mary L. Miller is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Rooks is a member of the M. E. church, to which his wife also belongs.

ISAAC F. SWOPE, formerly a very active business man of Galion, O., now living re- tired, is a representative of an old Swiss fam- ily of Canton Bern. His grandfather was David Samuel Swope, a blacksmith by trade, who lived into old age but was survived by his wife, who lived to the age of 116 years. They had eight children and all of them lived and died in Switzerland except one son, David, who was the father of Isaac F. Swope of Gailon.

David Swope was born in Switzerland in 1800 and by the time he was 14 years of age had so continually assisted his father at the forge that he knew all the practical details of blacksmithing. It is not known if his father gave consent, but, at any rate, the boy took passage in 1814 for America, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in one of the old-time sailing vessels but reaching New York in safety. He made his way to Black Fork, Richland county, O., where he was one of the early settlers. He must have been a youth of unusual parts and ready for adventure, for in this strange coun- try his first friends were the Indians, who admired his skill in tipping their arrows and and as he was kind and friendly with them they treated him in the same manner. In fact they became very helpful to him, assisting him in clearing off his land and as long as he remained in that neighborhood these friendly relations were maintained. In the early 20's he came to the vicinity of what is now Ply- mouth but was at that time called Paris in Richland county, Crawford county not being organized until 1823. Here he acquired a farm and built a shop in the northeast corner

THE HOPLEY RESIDENCE, BUCYRUS, O.

RESIDENCE AND GREENHOUSE OF F. G. NORTON, BUCYRUS, O.

A SWORD OF WASHINGTON

In possession of Major E. R. Kearsley, of Bucyrus, Ohio. It is a sharp, three-edged, French rapier, which Washington wore at Braddock's defeat, 1755, and upon which is en- graved "Draw me not without reason, Sheath me not without Honor." In the dark days at Valley Forge, Captain Samuel Kearsley and his estimable wife provided the soldiers with flour and meat to the extent of their means. The charitable act coming to the ears of Washington touched his great heart. The Commander-in-Chief ordered the troops paraded at Head- quarters, and calling Captain Kearsley to the front, commended him for his meritorjous ser- vices as an officer and his philanthropic efforts for the relief of the soldiers and presented him with this sword.

The precious relic descended to Major Jonathan Kearsley (born 1786, died 1859), a veteran of Lundy's Lane, Stony Creek, Chrysler's Field and Fort Erie, where he lost a leg.

The scabbard having been lost, Captain Kearsley converted the sword into a sword-cane, substituting a portion of the antler of a deer of his own killing for the hilt.

RESIDENCE OF FRED K. BERRY, GALION, O.

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of Crawford county. Here again he was sur- rounded by Friendly Indians, he using the same tactics as formerly and never had any cause to regret the fellowship he extended to his brethren of a darker color than his own. Here he improved a farm and as his black- smith shop was one of the earliest, he had much custom. In the course of time he erected a handsome brick residence and put up a large barn, with dimensions of 80x40 feet. He had started an orchard very soon after locating there and later as many as 90 bushels of apples were gathered from a Rhode Island Greening tree that he had set out. He was a very progressive and resourceful man and was the inventor of the first threshing machine in his day, a one-cylinder machine that threshed the grain that went out with the straw. This ingenious invention was the cause of his death, for while operating it very sat- isfactorily, his clothing was caught accident- ally and his death was instantaneous, this hap- pening in October, 1852. He had accom- plished a great deal totally unaided and at the time of his death had a competency and had he lived no doubt would have improved his crude threshing machine until, in all prob- ability, he might have made a vast fortune as have other experimenters along the same line. In politics he was a Whig and in re- ligion he was a member of the German Re- formed church, a most worthy man in every relation of life.

He was married first in Stark county, O., to a young woman who had been born in Con- necticut and when she died she left six chil- dren, the three survivors being residents. of Ohio. His second marriage took place in what is now Auburn township, Crawford county, to Margaret Blum, who was born in Frankfort, Germany, in 1827 and was brought to Stark county, O., when young. She survived her husband for many years, her death occurring in 1876, when aged 69 years. She was a mem- ber of the German Lutheran church. Two sons' are yet living: Isaac F. and Abraham, the latter being a resident of Shelby, O., where but one grandchild remains of his family.

Isaac F. Swope is the younger of the two brothers and he was born Jan. 30, 1846, in Auburn township, Crawford county, and was only a small boy when accident removed his

father. His mother kept him at home until he was 14 years of age, when he learned the painter's trade, which he followed for a few years but this seemed to bring ill health and he then learned the carpenter's trade and had a natural leaning toward architecture and later became a contractor. In this line he became very successful and completed contracts all over the northern part of the state, erecting. buildings in different cities and through the country. He purchased a small farm on which he finds much enjoyment in growing fruit.

Mr. Swope was married at Plymouth, O., to Miss Emily J. Solinger, who was born at Belleville, O., where she was educated and was graduated from the High School. They have one daughter, Mabel Estelle, who is the wife of Bert E. Place, and Mr. and Mrs. Place have three children: Lawrence Earl, Mar- garet E. and Horace Frederick. In politics Mr. Swope is a Democrat but he has never been a politician, just a fair-minded, law- abiding, good citizen.

FREDERICK E. UHLE,* of the firm of Crooks & Uhle, machinists, at Bucyrus, O., and manufacturers of the Crooks' go-cart run- ner, have a fine plant and do a large volume of business, and Mr. Uhle has been connected with it from the first. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, April 29, 1844, attended school in his native province and then learned the shoemaking trade. Every German youth gives military service to his country in some department, and in 1864, when the Prussian- German War was in progress, Mr. Uhle be- came identified with the army hospital service and continued until the close of that war. In 1871 in the war between France and Germany, he volunteered. He saw hard service, his du- ties frequently being continued both day and night, when he had charge of from 60 to 70 disabled soldiers. Finally he received his hon- orable discharge and a vote of thanks for his valuable services.

In the spring of 1872, Mr. Uhle decided to see something of other countries of the world beside his own and took passage on the steamer Simpare bound for the harbor of New York. After a short time spent there he made his way to Attica, O., where at first

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he worked at his trade and through prudence accumulated enough capital to enable him to go into the grocery business, where he con- tinued for many years, in the meanwhile be- coming interested also in other enterprises and investing in property which he still owns. Prior to coming to Bucyrus he retired for a period from business care but later became interested in the invention of the go-cart run- ner, by his son-in-law, Earl G. Crooks, a prac- tical and skilled machinist, and in 1908 the present partnership was formed, Mr. Uhle becoming then a resident of this city. The manufacture of this invention, which is a run- ner that can be adjusted to any kind of a go- cart, has been developed into a large business. The machine shop operated in connection is mainly for repair work of every description and it is equipped with machinery of all kinds, the motive power being supplied by electricity.

In the fall of 1871, Mr. Uhle was married in Germany, to Miss Wilhelmina Kramer, who was born in May, 1849, of Nassau, Ger- many, parentage. All of their children were born at Attica, O., and are seven in number. William, the eldest, is a prominent citizen of Attica, formerly a hotel-keeper and now town clerk and president of the local Fair Associa- tion. He married Jane Courtright and they have an infant daughter, Wilhelmina. Anna, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Rev. George Smith, who is a Lutheran minister stationed in Indiana. They have four children. Carl is engaged successfully in the practice of den- tistry at Springfield, O. He married Helen Eckerson and they have one son, Robert. Ed- win conducts a large meat market at Attica. He married Minnie Bookman and they have two sons: Clyde and Frederick. Albert C. is manager of a large cement plant at Colum- bus, O. He married Louise Farion and they have three children: Frederick, Louise and Nicholas. Eugenia is the wife of Earl G. Crooks, Mr. Uhle's talented partner in busi- ness. They have two children: Dorothy and Eleanor. Freda, the youngest of the family, is the wife of Philip Seifert and they live at Bloomville, O. and have one daughter, Al- berta. Mr. Uhle and family are members of the German Lutheran church. Politically he is a Democrat.

PROF. THOMAS N. JOHNSON,* for many years was a prominent educator in Ohio, a man of scholarly attainments and of high personal character. He was born in 1846, in Harrison county, O., and died in 1892, at Cleveland, O.

Thomas N. Johnson had district school ad- vantages in his youth and displayed the mental gifts that led his father to encourage his am- bition for a higher education and consequently he became a student in a Babtist college and later was graduated from Dennison Univer- sity, at Granville, O. His subsequent life was devoted to educational work and after some years of teaching in Normal schools in Maryland, he became superintendent of the schools in Canal Dover, O., and from there was called to Cleveland, where he was an in- structor in the public schools and also was a Normal school teacher. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity.

Professor Johnson married Miss Anna E. White, a daughter of the late Prof. Thomas Fuller White. The father of Mrs. Johnson was also a very prominent educator and for years was connected with the public school system of Pennsylvania, his death occurring at the age of 55 years, in Allegheny county. To Professor and Mrs. Johnson two sons were born, Alfred T. and Reginald G. Mrs. Johnson and sons are members of the Epis- copal church. She is a leading member of the Current News Club, at Galion, and at one time was its president.

MAJOR J. CHARLES BIGELOW, de- ceased, for many years a well known resident and prosperous business man of Galion, O., and a veteran and honored officer of the great Civil War, was born April 10, 1841, in the State of New York, and was a son of John and Maria (Stout) Bigelow. Major Bigelow came of the old Bigelow family of Massachu- setts which has contributed many distin- guished citizens to the United States. His father died in advanced age at New London, O. In New York he was married to Maria Stout, who died at Canton, O. They were members of the Adventist church. Of their large family there are two yet living: Mrs. Elizabeth Wood, now of Alton, Pa .; and Frank, whose present place of residence is

JOHN G. HERBOLD

THE JOHN G. HERBOLD RESIDENCE, GALION, O.

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not known. Two of the sons, John and Silas, served in the Civil War from 1861 until 1865, in a New York regiment and both held the rank of lieutenant.

J. Charles Bigelow was 21 years old when, in 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, contracting for 90 days, Later he raised a company at Syracuse, N. Y., which became a part of the 15th N. Y. Cav., and he was advanced to the rank of major, filling that office when he was honorably discharged and mustered out in 1865, at the close of the war. He was in many battles and saw much hard service, being ever at the post of duty and danger, but he escaped all serious injury and at the close of the Rebellion returned to his parents at New London, O. Later he settled in Richland county and from there came to Galion. For nine years he was in the Gov- ernment mail transfer business here and con- ducted a livery and transportation business of his own. His death occurred at Hamilton, O., in July, 1908.

Major Bigelow was married at Cumberland, Md., to Miss Eugenia White, who was born, reared and educated in Maryland, and is a daughter of Prof. Thomas Fuller White, who was born near Boston, Mass., and died in Al- legheny county, Pa., at the age of 55 years. He was a college graduate and for some years was professor of languages at Charlotte Hall, Cumberland, Md., after which he went to Al- legheny county, where he practically organ- ized the public school system. His widow survived to the age of 78 years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while he belonged to the Episcopal church. Ten daughters were born to them and the fol- lowing survive: Mrs. Anna E. Johnson, wid- ow of Prof. Thomas N. Johnson; Mrs. Bige- low; Mary E., who is the wife of Dr. F. L. Brown, of Galion; and Alice and Jessie, both of whom reside in Maryland, Miss Jessie White being a well known teacher. Mrs. Bige- low and Mrs. Johnson reside together at Ga- lion. Mrs. Bigelow, like her sister, is a mem- ber of the Episcopal church. Major Bigelow was a Republican in politics. He was identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity and with the G. A. R. Post at Hamilton, O.

JOHN G. HERBOLD. Closely identified from his early youth with Galion's business

life, was John G. Herbold, the well known funeral director, the character of whose work brought him prominence and easily accredited him with being an artist in his profession. Mr. Herbold was born in Galion, Ohio, his life-long home, on July 3, 1866, and passed away there on Aug. 16, 1910. He was the son of Philip and Frederica (Feldman) Her- bold, natives of Germany, and for many years well known and highly respected citizens of Galion. As a boy he attended school in Ga- lion, his education being furthered by study in Cleveland, Ohio. When a very young man he became associated in the cabinet and under- taking business with his father, the latter long being one of the substantial business men of the city. Purchasing his venerable father's interest in 1899, he embarked in business for himself, locating at 250 South Market street. In 1909 he erected a combined residence and business block at 218 South Market street. The building, a handsome three story brick structure, is one of the finest in the city. Its first floor is fitted for the undertaking and funeral business, and includes a reception room, private offices, a chapel accommodating one hundred and fifty people, a morgue and embalming room. Mr. Herbold's equipments for his business were always of the best and his enterprise was noteworthy. He was the first embalmer in Galion, and owned the first funeral ambulance used in the city. Through his efforts the business to which he devoted his life was brought up to the present standard in which it is found in Galion.

Mr. Herbold was married June 4, 1895, to Miss Esther Burgener, who was born near Galion, March 23, 1867. She was a real help- mate during her husband's lifetime, learning the business in order to assist him, and since his death, continuing it, being capable and efficient in every way.

Mr. Herbold was highly esteemed and held in tender regard by many, his kind and sym- pathetic manner gaining and retaining for him the friendship of those with whom his exten- sive business brought him in contact. Mr. Herbold was an Elk, a Pythian, an Odd Fel- low, a Modern Woodman, a member of nu- merous Embalming Associations and also of the National Association of Funeral Direct- ors. He was associated with the Presby- terian Church, as is also Mrs. Herbold.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

JEFFERSON PFAHLER,* who owns 100 acres of fine farming land situated in Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., lives on the 60-acre farm which lies in sec- tion 25, range 18, the other 40 acres being located in section 24, same range, the home place lying six miles southeast of New Wash- ington. He was born in Cranberry township, April 30, 1864, and is a son of Mathias and Margaret (Gossman) Pfahler, and a grand- son of John Pfahler.

Jefferson Pfahler attended school in Dis- trict No. 5, Cranberry township, and after- ward remained on the home farm with his mother, his father having died when he was not more than four years old. He continued to live at home until 1888, when he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Amanda Hilborn, a daugh- ter of William Harrison Hilborn. In the spring of the following year he rented a farm of R. T. Geiger which he operated for a time and then located on his present farm which he, worked for ten years for his father-in-law and bought the place two years after the lat- ter's death. In a general way Mr. Pfahler found the buildings on the place satisfactory but since taking possession has added to them as he has deemed necessary and has carried on a general line of improvement. He has a valuable sugar maple grove on his land and makes this profitable. He is much interested in high grade cattle, hogs and horses and owns a valuable stallion, which, as a colt, broke all weight records at the county fair at Bucyrus. Since May, 1912, Mr. Pfahler has been prac- tically retired from many of his former in- dustries. On Oct. 7, 19II, he met with a heavy bereavement, in the loss of his beloved wife, who is survived by three children : Royal Emerson, Oran Harris and Iona Irene. The eldest son showed musical talent and was given advantages at the Dana Musical School and also in Chicago and now is on the road for musical firms. Oran Harris, the second son, taught school for several terms and now is foreman in the Fort Wayne Electric Works at Madison, Wis. The daughter is the wife of Melvin Hartman, who rents and operates Mr. Pfahler's farms. Mr. Pfahler is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served as trustee of the Tabor and Good- will churches. In politics he has always been

a Democrat and with other responsibilities of citizenship, at one time accepted the office of road supervisor. He is one of the well known men and substantial citizens of Crawford county.

A. G. KIBLER,* who is vice president of The S. J. Kibler & Brother Company, whole- sale dealers in hides, at New Washington, O., belongs to an old and representative family of this section and was born at New Washing- ton, Aug. 1, 1877, son of S. J. Kibler.

A. G. Kibler attended the New Washington schools in boyhood and afterward took a course in the Tri-State College and upon his return home became associated with his father in the present business. When the company was organized he became one of the officers and travels for the company. He is president of the associated concern, the Lake Erie Hide and Leather Company, of Sandusky, O. The business is one of volume and importance in Ohio and is largely in the hands of the Kiblers.

On Nov. 6, 1900, A. G. Kibler was married to Miss Mildred Donnenwirth, a daughter of John and Malinda (Hosler) Donnenwirth, the former of whom is a resident of Bucyrus, while the latter is deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kibler: Al- fred G., Jr., Beatrice Elizabeth and Eunice Winnifred. Mr. Kibler built the handsome family residence on Main street. The family attends the Lutheran church. Mr. Kibler has long been identified with the Democratic party although he has independent tendencies, never- theless has served as a member of the Dem- ocratic Executive Committee of the county and for some six years has been president of the school board.

L. MELANCTHON SMITH, principal owner and managing director of the Bucyrus Publishing Company, was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, Sept. I, 1868, a son of Frederick and Lucy Ann (Shupp) Smith. The father, Frederick Smith, was a native of Saxony, Germany, who, on coming to America, first took up his abode in Columbus, Ohio, whence he came to Craw- ford county in 1840. He did contract work on the National pike and afterward purchased

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a quarter section of land in Lykens township, which he brought under a high state of culti- vation. He first married Christina Tipman, of Saxony, Germany, who died in 1846, leaving four children, namely : Louis F., formerly of Lykens township, who died several years ago, after having served as justice of the peace and notary public; John F., a farmer of the same township; Adolph G., a contractor at Aurora, Ill .; and Clara, the widow of Joseph Laipply, of Bucyrus.

After the death of his first wife, Frederick Smith married Lucy Ann Shupp, a daughter of Michael Shupp, a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Crawford county. She was born June 3, 1830. The children born of this marriage were as follows : Cornelius, of Bucy- rus; Matilda, who is now deceased; Catherine, wife of Jacob Meck, of Holmes township; Frederick, who is in the Walther hardware store; Henry, a farmer of Holmes township; Lucy Ann, now deceased; Jefferson I .; Emma J., wife of Abraham Scheifer, of Lykens town- ship; L. Melancthon, subject of this sketch; and Sarepta, wife of C. H. Flickinger, of Holmes township.

The father of this family was a prominent and influential citizen of Crawford county and from 1862 until the time of his death served as justice of the peace. His rulings were fair and impartial and his wisdom and honesty were so generally recognized that his counsel in law matters was sought far and near. He was also township clerk for many years and during a great part of the time was a member of the school board and actively promoted the educational interests of his community. He was also a leading member of the Grange and in all things an active and progressive citizen. He died Dec. 3, 1877, at the age of 61 years ; his wife passed away in 1891, when also 61 years of age.

L. Melancthon Smith spent his childhood days on the home farm in Lykens township and acquired the elements of knowledge in the district schools. He was only nine years old at the time of his father's death and at the age of 16 was obliged to begin the battle of life on his own account. He worked in the country store of his brother, where he acquired a taste for business and where he came into contact with human nature. He later at-

tended the Bucyrus High School and the Mansfield Business College. After graduat- ing from the latter, he was engaged in business, and in 1891 bought an interest in the New Washington Herald and was associated there with his brother, J. I. Smith, deputy county auditor. In 1898 he desired to come to the county seat and accordingly bought an inter- est in the Crawford County News and be- came its business manager, filling that place so successfully that the consolidation of his paper with the old party organ, the Forum, was a logical result. He made many improve- ments in the Daily Forum and in the semi- weekly issue, which, since the consolidation has been called the News-Forum. One of his most notable improvements was the installing, in 1912, of a Goss Comet perfecting press for the more rapid printing of his papers. The Forum under its old management was scrappy, peevish and arbitrary in party affairs. Mr. Smith changed this and declined to enter into party bitterness. He believed in the right of everyone to express honest opinions and did not call names editorially nor speak disre- spectfully of those whose opinions did not coin- cide with his own. If there was an argu- ment to make, he made it, and if only nasty talk would suffice, he neglected the opportunity to use it. He has given to his papers a great deal more popularity than they ever had be- fore. In party councils he has had an impor- tant place. For four consecutive terms he was chairman of the Democratic County Executive Committee. In March, 1908, he was appointed a member of the Ohio State Board of Peniten- tiary Managers, by Governor A. L. Harris, where his ability was used to the advantage of that important state institution. As a citizen he is public spirited and enthusiastic for the prosperity of Bucyrus.

L. M. Smith was married in 1892, at New Washington, Ohio, to Miss Bessie Sexauer, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Zeigler) Sexauer. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandpar- ents were Christian and Caroline (Schindler) Sexauer, both natives of Baden, Germany, who came to America in 1827, locating at Sul- phur Springs, this county. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Sexauer married J. G. Kinniger, who opened a wagon shop at Sul- phur Springs, being associated in this indus-

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try by his step-son, C. F. Sexauer, and together prominent physician in pioneer times. Mr. they carried on the business for a number of years. Mrs. Mary (Zeigler) Sexauer was a daughter of Dr. G. L. Zeigler, who was-a Smith belongs to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

Property of Harald John Horno Galion Ohio.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 187

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