History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 90

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 90

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The writer of this History in the chapter on Bucyrus has given his opinion without hesita- tion that the town was called after the Egyp- tan name of Busiris. In thus differing from the children of Samuel Norton, who met Col. Kilbourne many times, it is perhaps proper that the facts on which this opinion is based should be laid before the reader :

That Mr. Kilbourne was a classical scholar is true, but the inference drawn by Josiah Scott and Franklin Adams, who were com- panions of his, that he would never "attempt to coin a word in defiance of the rules laid down by Noah Webster," is hardly correct. Mr. Kilbourne laid out thirteen towns in Ohio. One of these is Claridon, in Marion county, and both Marion historians say it was "given the beautiful and historic name of Claridon by Col. Kilbourne." There is no such name in ancient or modern history, nor can it be found in Grecian mythology. It was probably named after a distinguished family named Clarendon who founded a colony with advanced ideas in South Carolina. The Colonel changed the spelling because it suited him, and sounded pretty. He laid out the town of Melmore in

Seneca county. He named it after the Latin word "mel," honey, and added the word "more" to it. He did the same thing in regard to Bucyrus; he changed the spelling, because it suited his fancy.

He did undoubtedly say, at Bucyrus, that he had named it after Cyrus, prefixing the first syllable of the word beautiful. Col. Kilbourne was one of the most sociable of men, very entertaining, and given to light and joking remarks. He was twice married. His second wife was Mrs. Barnes, whom he married in 1808, and she had three little daughters, and they were brought up in the Kilbourne home and were great favorites of the Colonel. One of these daughters, Mira, in 1818, married Cyrus Fay. Can any one doubt that the little Cyrus would be called by all sorts of pet names and before he could more than prattle, unable to master the "beautiful" would content himself by lisping "Boo-Cyrus." Can any one doubt that the happy Colonel gleefully told the story, and assured his friends he positively named the town after his little favorite. Later, when the infant had grown the story was flat, and the natural tendency was for the Colonel to transfer the story to Cyrus the Great. That is how Beautiful Cyrus probably originated.

When the Journal published the communi- cation of Mr. Ferguson, it published at the same time the following reply :

"Bucyrus is not, as many suppose, an Indian name, neither was it named after a boy whom his father was wont to call 'the Beautiful Cy- rus,' as a correspondent in the Philadelphia Presbyterian suggests.

"Col. Kilbourne, the founder of the town, derived the name from that passage in the first chapter of Milton's Paradise Lost, which reads thus :

"The red sea coast whose waves o'erthrew Busiris and his Memphian chivalry."

"The present orthography was the invention of Col. K."

As late as 1895 Major E. C. Moderwell wrote the Evening Telegraph a long letter on this subject, from which the following is taken :

"When in Bucyrus a few months ago, I heard one of the High School pupils say that one of the teachers had recently stated the origin of the name Bucyrus. Said it was so

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named by Col. James Kilbourne because he was a great admirer of Cyrus the Great, and as he knew the town was to be a beautiful one, he thought "Beautiful Cyrus" would be an ap- propriate name. As the name would be rather long he concluded to abbreviate 'beautiful' down to 'bu,' and called it Bu-cyrus.

"About 20 years ago J. Ward in his historical sketch of Crawford county made a similar statement, and in the history of Crawford county the same was given as the probable origin of the name Bucyrus.

"Now with all due deference to the authors of these sayings, allow one of the oldest na- tives born in Bucyrus now living to enter a protest against such ridiculous statements.

"I remember well, when about 12 years of age,* going with several schoolmates to attend a meeting of the board of the Bucyrus Library Association. Josiah Scott, president; George Quinby, librarian; Jabez Larwill, James Mc- Cracken, John Smith, and several other old citizens, all of whom knew Col. Kilbourne, were present.

"After the meeting adjourned, Judge Scott said to us: 'Young men, if you ever want to know the origin of the name of the town, look in Milton's Paradise Lost.' He took the book out of the library and quoted therefrom :

*Major E. C. Moderwell was born, March 6, 1838.

"The Red Sea coast, whose waves o'erthrew Busiris and his Memphian chivalry."

"Judge Scott was intimately acquainted with Col. Kilbourne, and used to play chess with him at Columbus and when he visited Bucy- rus."

Weighing all of the above and much more on both sides which has been gone over care- fully, it might be difficult to form a definite opinion. But the convincing proofs are cer- tain records which are not handed down, but appeared in black and white when the town first sprang into existence. It is impossible to figure any way by which "Busiris" could have crept into these records, except the fact that it was the foundation for the name.

I-In 1829, John Kilbourne, a nephew of Col. Kilbourne, published his ninth Ohio Gazeteer, giving the names of all the towns and postoffices in Ohio. On page 251 of that book the last "B" on the list is "Busiris," see Bucyrus." And under "Bucyrus" he gives the statistics relating to the village.

II-The Postoffice Department at Washing- ton writes: "Bucyrus or Busirus was estab- lished Feb. 2, 1824, with Lewis Cary as P. M., who served until Henry St. John was appointed July 20, 1829. During these five years the name of the office appears on the records as 'Bucyrus,' alias 'Busiris.'"

HON. DANIEL BABST

Representative Citizens

HON. DANIEL BABST. Among the con- ditions which determine the characters of men, their mental and physical qualities and their ultimate destiny in life, none are more power- ful than environment and heredity. The Babst family was nurtured beneath the shadows of the blue Alsatian Mountains. Living near the city of Strasburg, in that Rhinish borderland so many centuries the scene of contest between the Germans and the French, they were of necessity lovers of liberty, strong of limb and sturdy of body, keen of intellect, haters of oppression, upright in character, and ready and willing at all times to fight their own battles in life.

Of such parentage and country was Daniel Babst, Sr., who was born in 1810. His father was an officer in the French army, and the son retained until his death vivid recollections of Napoleon's last campaign, and especially of the straggling army returning from the disas- trous battle of Waterloo. He remained in his native country until 1832, when he came to America. He spent three years in New York city and then came to Ohio, locating in Stark county, first at Massillon and later at Canal Fulton. At the latter place in 1841 he was married to Margaret Yost, whose family were also natives of Alsace-Lorraine, and shared the 'sturdy characteristics of her husband's family.

It was at Canal Fulton that Daniel Babst was born, on Oct. 19, 1847. He was still but a lad when, in 1852, his father removed with his family to Crestline, a town brought into existence by the building of new railroads, and having the promise of a brilliant future. He received his public school training in the Crest-

line schools, and from 1864 to 1867 was a student in Oberlin College. Leaving college he began the study of law under the tutelage of Nathan Jones, Esq., of Crestline, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. His practice from that time was uninterrupted until his election to the Common Pleas bench in 1906.

During his career in the legal profession, in which Judge Babst soon attained a leading rank his services have always been at the com- mand of the poor and needy, the altruistic spirit being among the most marked traits of the man. The native talent which he inherited was accompanied by the genius for hard work which is at the bottom of every great success in life. To whatever task he applies himself is given the best effort of which he is capable.

A natural leader of men, he has been called to many positions of usefulness and honor. His antecedents made him naturally a Repub- lican, but he was appointed solicitor by a Dem- ocratic council, serving from 1877 to 1879, when he was appointed mayor by the same body. Later he was elected to that office, serv- ing for seven years at that time. He was again elected mayor in 1894 and served two terms. His service to his home town also in- cluded ten years as a member of the Board of Education and Board of School Examiners, a service which he justly regarded as the most useful and important that a man can give. To it he brought the benefit of his legal knowledge and his literary training, making it a service of rare value.

In 1884 Mr. Babst was the Republican nominee for Congress in this district, and al- though his opponent was elected it was by so greatly reduced a majority as to be really a

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defeat. Three years later he made the race improvement in Jackson township, and which for attorney-general of the State, losing out by a very narrow margin.

Always an independent thinker, Mr. Babst left his party in 1896, supporting Hon. Wil- liam P. Bryan on the financial issues that then became uppermost in American politics. He has since acted with the Democratic party. In 1906 he was nominated and elected to the Common Pleas bench of the Second Sub-divi- sion of the Tenth District, an office which he still holds. In accepting the position of judge, Mr. Babst had but one ambition. This was to merit the reputation of a just judge. Though a man of strong feelings, of ardent likes and dislikes, on the bench he knows neither friend nor foe. His knowledge of the law is broad and profound, and in practice he was brilliant and able. On the bench all of this talent is given to careful and just interpretation of the law, always bearing in mind also that a Court is a seat of equity as well as law. While, like all judges, he is compelled at times to render decisions which some of the parties do not like, they are almost uniformly sustained by the higher courts, thus demonstrating that the law has been faithfully and impartially applied. Judge Babst from his long practice realized the many evils that had crept into court procedure, and these he has striven to correct, with ad- mirable success. The rules have been simpli- fied and so arranged that all could understand and conform to them. Promptness has char- acterized the work of the court and the docket has been more nearly cleaned up than for many years. The great work that Judge Babst has accomplished is recognized by those most com- petent to pronounce an opinion, and he bids fair to realize his ambition of making a record as a model judge of a trial court, the most diffi- cult position in our judicial system.

But it is not alone in his professional and official work that Judge Babst has achieved success in life. As a citizen he has been al- ways active and public spirited. Without en- tering into elaborate details it may be noted that he was a leading factor in the establish- ment of the Schill Bros.' factory at Crestline. He promoted and established the works now oc- cupied by the Burch Plow Company. He drafted and procured the passage of the law which made possible the beginning of road

has since been of inestimable value to commu- nities throughout the state. He was a pro- moter of the Crestline Building and Loan As- sociation, and promoted and established the First National Bank of that city. It was he also who promoted and brought to Crestline the interurban electric road, now the C. & S. W.

Judge Babst's experience in business affairs has been wide and his judgment sound. He was a partner in the Babst Banking House with his brother Jacob for a number of years, and was his father's assistant in many important matters. He was a few years ago appointed receiver of the N. Y. & P. & O. Railway by Judge Caleb H. Norris and has had many other trusts confided to his hands, vital in im- portance, and always executed with the most scrupulous and painstaking fidelity. His ac- quaintance with public men is broad and his knowledge of affairs is of wide scope. His erudition and culture, his experience and travels at home and abroad, combined with a genial nature and broad and catholic sym- pathies, make him a welcome addition to every circle into which he can be induced to enter. He is a Mason of high degree and an Elk.

It is in his home that Judge Babst finds his greatest happiness and is at his best. His spacious residence on Pearl Street in Crestline is a center of whole-souled hospitality, and is admirably arranged for every purpose. The library is his favorite lounging place. In it he has a collection of relics and curios rarely to be equaled and almost never surpassed in a pri- vate collection. There too is his magnificent private library, the finest collection in Central Ohio. It is, indeed, many libraries in one. His law library is superb and includes many rare and valuable volumes seldom available to either legal practitioner or judge. The clas- sics, history, especially American, French and English, fiction, biography and other depart- ments, each reach to the dimensions of a li- brary, and each contains many volumes secured only by the true book lover and collector. Here, among his beloved books, Judge Babst enjoys his leisure hours. Here he receives and entertains his friends and here he does the work which his judicial service imposes upon the midnight hours. Here he produces the occasional addresses which never fail to charm

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his hearers, whether of the bar or laity, in so- cial gathering or before the general public. Sincerity, eloquence and literary polish mark legal opinions as well as public speech, and have helped to give him the good will as well as the confidence of all.

Judge Babst has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Alice Martin of Crestline. After a brief married life, Mrs. Babst died, leaving two children, both of whom are still living. They are: Lora May, now the wife of Prof. E. P. Wiles, of Evansville, Ind .; and Carl M. Babst, who is an attorney located at Crestline, and also a well known civil engi- neer. His second wife was Miss Lou Ella Carlisle, of Cambridge, Guernsey county, O. They have two children : Clara Eleanore and Guy M. Babst. Miss Clara is at home and has recently completed a course in Oberlin College. Guy M. Babst is interested in the manufacture of Aluminum Cast Ware at Kansas City, Mo.

Happy in his home and family, honoring the work in which he engages and honored by his fellow men, Judge Babst pursues the even tenor of his way through the afternoon of life-a life whose activities and usefulness will not cease until the lengthening twilight shad- ows have been merged into the night, to be the herald of a new dawn upon a brighter day.

HON. CHARLES F. SCHABER, probate judge in Crawford county, Ohio, and for many years a leading member of the bar at Bucyrus, is a native of said city, born July 30, 1873, and is a son of John A. and Bertha W. (Mar- graff) Schaber.

John A. Schaber was born in Germany and accompanied his parents John George and Fredrica Schaber, to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1854. He was a blacksmith by trade but was engaged during the larger part of his ac- tive life in merchandising. In 1877 he was elected sheriff of Crawford county and served with efficiency in that office for two terms. To John A. Schaber and wife three children were born: Charles F., Sophia M., and a son that died in childhood.

Charles F Schaber was educated in the pub- lic schools of Bucyrus. In January, 1892, he accepted a position as clerk in the office of Hon. J. C. Tobias, judge of the probate court, and later was made deputy clerk of said court

and served in that position for six years. He chose law as his profession and pursued his studies in the office of Finley & Gallinger, at Bucyrus, and in December, 1900, was admitted to the bar. He immediately opened a law of- fice and entered upon the labors of his pro- fession, showing the qualities as he rapidly made headway that aroused attention. His legal qualifications placed him early among the able members of the Bucyrus bar, while his years of close connection with the probate court seemed to especially fit him for the re- sponsible duties of a judge of the same and in 1905 he was elected to his present office on the democratic ticket.

Judge Schaber is identified with numerous social organizations, belongs fraternally to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and has al- ways taken an active interest in public matters as becomes the reliable and earnest citizen, and both personally and professionally is held in high esteem. During the Spanish-American war he served as a lieutenant and adjutant in the Eighth Ohio Vol. Inf., which was attached to the Fifth Army Corps, and was present at the surrender of Santiago, Cuba. Judge Schaber was married September 8, 1904, to Miss Ida Blanche Johnston, a native of this county ; they have three children, Bertha Mary, Virginia May and Ruth Marion. The pleas- ant family home is situated on West Warren street, Bucyrus. He was reared in the Ger- man Lutheran church.

WILLIAM ULMER, general farmer, and well known and respected citizen of Crawford county, was born in Crawford county, Jan. 22, 1851, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Bahler) Ulmer.

The father and mother of William Ulmer were born in Wurtemberg, Germany. They were the parents of the following children : John, William and Minnie (twins), Israel, and Mary. The father of this family died in 1856. The family then moved to Henry county, Ohio. William Ulmer attended the country schools and afterward worked on the farm and also learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some time and was con- sidered a skillful workman. Then, in part- nership with his brother Israel, he purchased the present farm of 113 acres, only 30 of

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which had been cleared when they purchased it. Since then the farm has been much im- proved. It is located in Bucyrus township, three and a half miles west of Bucyrus, on the Nevada road.

In 1882 William Ulmer was married to Miss Sarah Seibert, the youngest daughter of Peter and Catherine (Smith) Seibert. Two this union eight children were born: Edith May, wife of Clarence Briggs; Bessie Belle; William Calvin; Elsie Anna, wife of Harri- son Henry; Frank Adam; Katheryn Frances; James Monroe; and Howard Hamilton.

William Ulmer is a member of the Lutheran church and a Democrat in politics and is a very active party man, having held the office of trustee of Bncyrus township for two terms.

THOMAS J. GRISELL, one of Galion's highly respected citizens, was born in Morrow county, O., in October, 1851, and is a son of Thomas and Susanna ( Benedict) (Shaw) Gri- sell. They spent many years of happy mar- ried life on their farm near Cardington, O., and died there when aged about seventy years.

Thomas J. Grisell attended the country schools in boyhood but as soon as old enough to look out for himself, began railroad work with the Erie and Big Four lines and when he was promoted to be local freight conduct- or, settled at Findlay, O. In 1890 he came to Galion and since then has been engaged at carpentering and is known as a skillful work- man, apt with his tools and accurate in his estimates, and as such has been connected with a great deal of the recent building which has made Galion a very beautiful city.

Mr. Grisell was married at Findlay, O., to Miss Mary Jane Merrit, who died in 1882, at the age of 38 years, survived by two daugh- ters : Lulu, who married Fred Lamb, resides at Cleveland, O., and has two sons; and Olive, who is the wife of Walter Cristie, who is a clerk in the office of the Erie Railway Com- pany at Marion, O. Mr. Grisell was married (second) at Galion, to Miss Mary Gerth, who was born in this city, April 23, 1861, a daugh- ter of Peter and Amy (Baker) Gerth. The father of Mrs. Grisell was born in Germany and was six years old when his parents, Louis and Margaret Gerth, brought him to Galion. Grandfather Gerth was a well educated man

and taught in the early schools of Galion and lived to be seventy years of age. Peter Gerth learned the trade of custom boot and shoe- maker and for many years carried on business at Galion. He survives, being now 78 years of age and for the past six years has lived re- tired. He takes an active interest in public affairs notwithstanding his years, and has al- ways voted the democratic ticket. The moth- er of Mrs. Grisell died in 1892. Both parents were members of the English Methodist church. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grisell, Amy Louise, August 3, 1895, who is a bright student as well as attrac- tive young lady and is a member of the class of 1914, in the Galion High school. Mr. and Mrs. Grisell are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, with which she has been united since she was twelve years of age and in which she has always since been an active worker, belonging to the benevolent organizations in which this church is especially prominent among religious bodies. She is a member also of the Eastern Star.

FREDERICK W. HIEBER, one of the highly respected citizens of Liberty township, and one of its leading agriculturists, lives on his excellent farm of 120 acres which is situ- ated six and one-half miles northeast of Bu- cyrus. He was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, O., April 27, 1868, and is a son of Frederick and Lydia (Lust) Hieber.

Frederick Hieber was born in Germany and was brought to Crawford county when a child of five years; he grew to manhood here and followed farming all his life, and through in- dustry and good management became the owner of 372 acres. His death occurred in 1894, when he was aged but fifty-two years. He married Lydia Lust, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of one of the old settlers, Frederick Lust, and the following children were born to them: Frederick W., Mrs. Elizabeth Luidhardt, Samuel, Benjamin, Joseph, Jacob, Sarah, Isaac, Sophia and Reuben.

Frederick W. Hieber has been a farmer and stock raiser ever since his school days, spend- ing eight years in Lykens township prior to 1894, when he came to his present valuable farm in Liberty township, where he has made

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improvements and enjoys a comfortable home.

In 1891 Mr. Hieber was united in marriage with Miss Mary Schieber, a daughter of Ja- cob Schieber. The father of Mrs. Hieber came from Germany to Ohio and engaged in farming in Crawford county, owning 180 acres in Liberty township and 200 acres in Whetstone township, at time of his death, at the age of fifty-two years. He married Eve Mauer, who was born in Stark county, O., and they had nine children, namely: John, Louisa, Henry, David, Emanuel, Mary, Lizzie, Abraham and Jay, all now surviving except Louisa and Jay.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hieber, namely: Eva, Carrie, Gladys, Lulu and Lela (twins), and Naomi. Of this family all are living except Carrie. They at- tend the Evangelical church of which they are liberal supporters. In politics Mr. Hieber is a Democrat.

WILLIAM H. KEEL. There are few business men in the city of Bucyrus, O., who can claim a longer continuous business record than can William H. Keel, who established his monument and marble works here 33 years ago. He has been a witness of wonderful de- velopment and has borne a part in advancing the general welfare. He was born in Somer- set county, Pa., in April, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Harriet (Sailor) Keel.

Henry Keel was born also in Somerset county and spent the greater part of his life there, engaged in business as a shoemaker. He came to Ohio after his son had established himself here, but four years later returned to Somerset county and died there at the home of a daughter, when aged 69 years. He was a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Christian church, to which his wife also belonged. She died when her son, William H., was eight years old. Three sons and two daughters yet live and one son and two daughters came to Ohio, namely : William H., Mrs. John Auman, who lives at Ashland, O .; and Mrs. William Houpt, who died in Shel- by, O. Another daughter, Mrs. Harriet Woolley, died in Somerset, Somerset county, Pa .; and still another, Mrs. Lewis, lives at Barre, Vt .; another daughter, Mrs. Ruby, died at Braddock, Pa.

William H. Keel started to learn his trade in Somerset county, Pa., in April, 1867, after- ward coming to Ohio and working for nine years as a journeyman in Shelby, O. In 1878 he came to Bucyrus and started into business, establishing his shops at No. 220 South Walnut street. He soon built up a large trade being able to make his own de- signs and to work in any kind of stone being particularly skillful in cutting marble and granite. At one time, before machinery had been introduced to do a part of stone cutting work, he gave employment to twenty-four workmen and kept them busy. Mr. Keel is a well known and highly respected citizen and can look back over many worthy achievements of his industrious life.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 90

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