History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 91

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 91

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Mr. Keel was married first at Bucyrus, to Miss Tena Hipp, who died in this city August 15, 1894. She was a daughter of Judge Fred- erick Hipp. One son survived, Claude D. After graduating from the Bucyrus High school, he graduated in the class of 1897, from the Ohio State college, at Columbus, as a drug- gist and chemist and since then has been en- gaged in the business at Bucyrus. He mar- ried Minnie Leifer. Mr. Keel was married, secondly, to Miss Catherine Haas, who was born, reared and educated in Holmes town- ship, Crawford county, a daughter of Henry Haas, who carries on a blacksmith business there. The mother of Mrs. Keel died some eight ears ago, leaving one son and four daugh- ters. Mr. Keel is a Democrat in politics. He belongs to La Salle lodge, No. 51, Odd Fel- lows, of which he is an ex-official.

J. WALTER WRIGHT, attorney and counsellor at law, with offices in the Rouse Block, Bucyrus, O., was born at West Liberty, Logan county, O., July 14, 1874, a son of James W. and Margaret S. (Secrist) Wright. James W. Wright was born at Frostburg, Md., in 1831, and came to Ohio in 1838 with his father, James Wright, the family settling in Champaign county, O. Henry Wright, father of James Wright the elder, came from Ireland, being of Scotch-Irish ancestry, settling in Maryland. James W. Wright married Mar- garet S. Secrist in 1860, and they have lived continuously at West Liberty, O. She was born near West Liberty in 1840, a daughter of

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George Secrist, a farmer, who came from Vir- ginia and settled in Logan county.

J. Walter Wright attended the public schools of West Liberty and was graduated from the High school and afterwards was a student at Oberlin college, Oberlin, O., for one year. He then began the study of law and en- tered the law school of the Ohio Northern university, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the spring of 1898, when he was admitted to the bar at Columbus. In January, 1899, he came to Bucyrus and with the exception of a part of the year of 1903, when he was practicing law at Belling- ham, Wash., he has continued his professional activities in this city for the past twelve years. In politics Mr. Wright is a Republican. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

ALVIN G. FLICKINGER, deputy county auditor of Crawford county, belongs to one of the old county families and was reared on the home farm in Holmes township. He was born there in July, 1872, and is a son of Horace H. and Catherine (Fralick) Flickinger, and a grandson of Samuel Flickinger, who was the first of the family to settle in Crawford county.

Samuel Flickinger was born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 29, 1792, and accompanied his parents to McConnellstown in 1796 and from there came to Stark county, O., in 18II. He engaged in farming in that county until 1833 when he came to Crawford county and purchased a farm in Holmes township, which is yet known as the Flickinger farm although now owned by Reuben Hershberger. He died here June 20, 1871. In 1820 he married Phy- linda Healy, who was born at Jamaica, Ver- mont, and died in Crawford county in 1873. Of their ten children two died in infancy and all have now passed away, with one exception, Mary, who is the wife of Horace Austin, a merchant in Portage county, O. They have three sons and one daughter.

Horace H. Flickinger was the seventh born in his parents' family. His birth took place in Holmes township, Crawford county, O., April 22, 1833, and he continued to reside in his na- tive township until 1876, being in the lumber and saw mill business. He then moved to Bucyrus township, where he followed an agri- cultural life until his death, which occurred

May 28, 1898. He was an honorable business man and a respected citizen. For many years he had been a member of the Albright Meth- odist church. He married Catherine Fralick, who was born in Holmes township, Aug. 31, 1841, and died at her home in Bucyrus town- ship, Nov. 30, 1909. Five children were born to the above marriage, namely: Herschel V., who is deputy county surveyor and formerly was county surveyor ; Della A., who is the wife of Lincoln Havey, of Bucyrus, and has four children-Carry, Harrison, Cecil and Maude; Clement L., who is a farmer in Bucyrus town- ship; Alvin G .; and Carry B., who is the wife of Albert L. Shoemaker.

Alvin G. Flickinger was educated in the country schools and at Bucyrus and assisted his father on the home farm. Since early man- hood he has been to some degree connected with political offices and in 1903 was first ap- pointed deputy county auditor and through re- appointment has served in this capacity ever since. He is very active in Democratic circles and frequently has been sent as a delegate to important conventions.

Mr. Flickinger was married in Bucyrus township to Miss Effie V. Foulk, who was born at Bucyrus, Nov. 30, 1870, a daughter of John and Susana A. (Ort) Foulk. John Foulk was born Aug. 17, 1830, at Baltimore, Md., and died Feb. 12, 1874, at Bucyrus, O. His wife, Susan A. Ort, was born Nov. 19, 1835, at York, Pa., and died at Bucyrus, Aug. 28, 1906. They were married at York, Pa., Dec. 28, 1851, and to them thirteen children were born, four of whom died in infancy. Mr. Foulk followed the trade of a butcher during his residence in Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Flick- inger attend the Methodist Episcopal church. The only fraternal organization with which he is identified is the order of Eagles.

CHRISTIAN F. BIRK, of the well known drug firm of Birk Bros., operating at Bucyrus, O., and made up of George M. and Christian F. Birk, was born at Bucyrus, April 29, 1852, and is a son of John G. and Joanna (Kuhn) Birk.

The Birk family is of German extraction and the grandfather, John G. Birk, Sr., was born in Wurtemberg, in the village of Kri- cheim, where the old family residence still

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stands. He was one of the patriots of 1848 who, on account of his courage in advocating freedom of speech and action, was threatened with persecution and in order to avoid it, in 1849, followed other members of his family to America, deeding his estate in his native land to a daughter, but later it was confiscated by the government. Mr. Birk and wife found a safe and pleasant home in Liberty township, Crawford county, he following agricultural pursuits until his death in 1876. He became an American citizen and identified himself with the Democratic party, but never severed his connection with the German Lutheran church. In his own neighborhood he had married a Miss Schmidt, who died in 1862. They had the following children : Louis, who died at Fort Plain, N. Y., in 1865; J. Christian, who died unmarried in the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, O., at the age of sixty-two years, having served in the Civil war from 1861 until 1865; John G .; Salome, who married William Carle, a farmer in Holmes township; Wilhelmina, who married Jacob Bower, and lived and died in Liberty township; and Rosanna, who married Jacob Donnenwirth, and lived and died at Bucyrus.

John G. Birk, Jr., was born in Germany, July 22, 1823, and came to the United States in 1847, locating first at Albany, N. Y., but in 1849 reached Bucyrus and here established him- self in the harness making business and con- tinued in this line until the close of his life, his death occurring October 10, 1888. He was active in the Democratic party and served four years as county treasurer of Crawford county. On April 24, 1851, he married Joanna Kuhn, who was born also in Germany, June 6, 1831. Her parents came to America in 1832 and dur- ing the long voyage she learned to walk, al- though it may well be supposed that the ship's floor was unsteady for little feet. Her people remained in New York until 1837 and then came to Bucyrus, where she died October 9, 1893. Both she and husband were members of the Lutheran church. The following children were born to them : Christian F .; Louis C., born in 1854, who is in the harness business at Bucy- rus, and who married Caroline Kircus; Eliza- beth, born in 1857, who is the wife of Frank P. Donnenwirth of Bucyrus and has two children -Louis and Gertrude; Helen and Matilda,

both of whom died in infancy; Emanuel, born in 1866, who is proprietor of the harness store which his father founded in 1849, and who married Theresa Vollworth; and George M., who is associated with his brother, Christian F. Birk, in the drug business at Bucyrus.

Christian F. Birk attended school at Bucy- rus and then learned the harnessmaking trade with his father and for eighteen years worked in the shop. In 1892, associated with his brother, George M. Birk, a licensed pharma- cist, he became part proprietor of the present drug business, this being the third oldest drug store in the city. Mr. Birk has not only been a successful business man but he has been a useful, reliable and active citizen. In 1877 he was elected a member of the city council for a period of four years; in 1884 was elected city marshal, serving until 1890, when he was elected sheriff of Crawford county and served in that capacity for four years and nine months. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Bucyrus and served as such for two terms. In many ways his fellow citizens, at times, en- deavored to show their appreciation of his public-spirited and faithful efforts and on one occasion presented him with a handsome ring, properly engraved. On numerous occasions he has been sent as a delegate to Democratic con- ventions where matters of vital party interest have been under consideration.

Mr. Birk was united in marriage with Miss Bertha S. Volk, who was born at Bucyrus, March 3, 1851, and died August 10, 1898. They had three children born to them: John W., who is a graduate of the School of Phar- macy, at Columbus, O., and of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, of which he is a member of the faculty, who served as first lieutenant in Co. A, in what was known as McKinley's Own, in the Spanish-American war, and who married Margaret Curtis and has one daughter, Helen; Caroline Elizabeth, who is the wife of Glenn W. Kerr, who is pri- vate secretary to the president of the Good Roads Machinery company, at Kennett Square, Pa., and has two children-Virginia and Caro- line; and Edna T., who is the wife of O. W. Kennedy. Mr. Birk is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church. He is identified with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

C. H. AHLEFELD, general farmer and a mason by trade, resides on his valuable prop- erty located eight and one-half miles north- west of Bucyrus, where he has 60 acres. He was born in Wyandot county, O., Jan. 7, 1868, and is a son of John C. and Susanna ( Paulin) Ahlefeld.

John C. Ahlefeld was of German extraction but he was born at Mansfield, O., and in child- hood accompanied his parents to Wyandot county, where he followed farming until his death, when aged 46 years. He married Su- sanna Paulin who still lives on the old home place in Wyandot county. They had four chil- dren: C. H .; Melinda, who married Christ- opher Shengler; William; and Bessie, who married William Grove.

C. H. Ahlefeld attended school in Wyandot county and worked on the home farm until 1891, when he came to Holmes township and located on his present place. Here he has made many excellent improvements, including the building of a substantial barn. By trade Mr. Ahlefeld is a mason and his sons mainly carry on the farm industries.

Mr. Ahlefeld married Miss Amanda Schie- fer, a daughter of C. G. Schiefer, and they have five children, namely : Christopher, Zearl, Hattie, Fred and Harland. The family attend the Evangelical church. Mr. Ahlefeld is a Democrat in politics. He takes much interest in educational matters and is serving as school director and has also been township constable.

ORRA H. LINN, the owner of 160 acres of land in Dallas township, operates also 200 acres which belong to his father, 80 acres belonging to Gertrude Linn Hilty and 80 acres belong- ing to Helen A. Linn. He was born in this township Jan. 10, 1886, a son of Henry and Alice (Martin) Linn, who are now living re- tired at Bucyrus. Their children were named as follows: Grace, who is now deceased; Ger- trude, the wife of Elmer Hilty; Helen, who lives with her parents; and Orra H., the sub- ject of this article and the youngest child.

Orra H. Linn attended the common schools and after completing his education took up farming and has since made this his occupa- tion, having been very successful. His land is devoted to general farming and he has to have the services of two men the year around.

In 1910 Mr. Linn was married to Miss Edna Winch.

Orra H. Linn and his father are both Demo- crats in political views. The family belongs to the Methodist church.

JACOB L. DAY, who now lives in com- fortable retirement at Galion, Ohio, is a citi- zen well known throughout both Crawford and Richland counties, and is a member of one of the old pioneer families of the latter. He was born in Sandusky township, Richland county, Ohio, February 1, 1838, and is a son of Ezra and Nancy (Wolf) Day.

Ezra Day was born October 19, 1811, in Washington county, Morris township, Pa., and died at Tecumseh, Mich., June 2, 1896. His wife Nancy was born in Richland county, Ohio, June 20, 1812, and died in Sandusky township, Richland county, Ohio, March 28, 1840.

Amos Day, grandfather of Ezra Day, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and is of Scotch birth. He was born Sept. 15, 1754. His wife was of Irish descent. They emi- grated to America and settled in Maryland and from there to Richland county, O., where he died Feb. 4, 1830, and was buried in the fam- ily burying ground on the place of his son Lewis Day. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and lost one of his legs in the service. His wife bore the name of Jane, and was born Sept. 2, 1759, and died Sept. 9, 1833, and was buried beside her husband.

Lewis Day, son of Amos, and grandfather of Jacob L. Day, was born in Washington county, Pa., April 26, 1785, and died July 5, 1863, in Sandusky township, Richland county, Ohio. In his native county he married Mary Hull, who was born there Sept. 4, 1790, and died November 14, 1862. In early days the Days were Scotch Covenanters, and the later generations have been, almost without excep- tion, Presbyterians. The family has been largely an agricultural one.

Jacob L. Day is the only living child of his parents. He was reared on the home farm and remained with his father until he became of åge, and then accepted a position as clerk in a store in Ontario village, and while engaged there enlisted for service in the Civil war, in answer to the second call of President Lincoln

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for troops. On Sept. 9, 1861, he became a private in Co. G, 15th O. Vol. Inf., in the Fourth Army corps, and was honorably dis- charged Sept. 19, 1864, after dangers innu- merable and many escapes with his life. At Resaca, Ga., his cap, that had been presented him by a young lady sympathizer, at Nashville, Tenn., was shot from his head by a murderous minie ball; at Pickett's Mills. he was thrown several feet in the air by a shell; before Atlanta he received a flesh wound in the pit of the stomach, and sun stroke, this so disabled him as to require attention in a hospital for some time. On March 9, 1862, he was sent from his regiment to Nashville for special service, where he served as clerk and manager of the U. S. Hospital bakery and assistant and chief stew- ard of hospitals. Later he was acting orderly sergeant in charge of commissary and details at Camp Louden, Tenn., and chief clerk and second officer in command at Camp Remington, Knoxville, Tenn. In all Mr. Day took part in 13 battles and 36 skirmishes, and more than once just escaped being captured by the enemy. He with the teamster alone, with the country filled with rebels and guerilla bands, took the 15th O. V. I. hospital wagon through from Bowling Green, Ky., to Nashville, Tenn., 84 miles, without arms, rations or guards, and en- route three days did not see an officer or sol- dier of Uncle Sam. This was March 2-3-4, 1862. On arriving at Camp, south of Nash- ville, they received three rousing cheers as they had been given up as captured.

Among his treasured army relics are testi- monials from his superior officers of service satisfactorily rendered and recommendations for promotion and commission.

In Richland county, Ohio, March 8, 1865, Mr. Day was married to Miss Mary Jane Mc- Connell, who was born in Franklin county, Pa .. Feb. 27, 1838, a daughter of John and Jane (Barr) McConnell. The father of Mrs. Day was born in Pennsylvania, of Irish parents, later participated in the War of 1812, married in Pennsylvania and in 1839 moved to Ohio. Later in life they came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Day in Blooming Grove, where the fa- ther died when aged eighty-seven years, and the mother in her seventy-third year. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Day, the following chil- dren were born: Homer B., who is widely known in the theatrical business as manager and playwright; M. Ollie, who is the wife of James Hugo, an engineer with the Big Four railroad, with home at Galion; Nettie Ora, who married John E. Rayl, a resident of Galion; Harry J., born Apr. 26, 1881, who maintains his home at Galion, a commercial traveler, and has one son Robert W., born Aug. 20, 1903, and Mattie, Cora and Nettie, all three of whom are deceased.

After his return from the army and period of rest, Mr. Day embarked in the mercantile business at Blooming Grove, Morrow county, Ohio, and in 1876 transferred it to Galion, Ohio, and continued in business until 1898. Then, on account of ill health, he retired, and in the fall of the same year moved to Tecum- seh, Mich., where he lived one year, and then moved back to Galion, and engaged for a short time in the news business, previous to his re- tirement on a little farm west of the city. He is now a resident of Galion, and member of Dick Morris Post, No. 130, G. A. R., and Chaplain of the Post, year 1912.

JAMES J. MARTIN, M. D., physician and surgeon at Bucyrus, O., to which city he came in 1898, following his graduation from medi- cal college, is in the enjoyment of a satisfac- tory practice and is recognized professionally and otherwise as a worthy citizen. Dr. Martin was born in Marion county, O., March 20, 1866, and is the only child of James H. and Catherine (Mack) Martin.

James J. Martin spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the public schools and afterward, for some fifteen years, was a teacher in Marion county. In the meanwhile he devoted much time to medical study and research, his natural inclinations being in this direction, and later entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1898. Dr. Martin has al- ways kept in close touch with the advances made by his profession and belongs to the leading medical organizations of the country including the American Medical Association, the Ohio state and the county bodies, the Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Asso- ciation and the National Medical Association.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

Dr. Martin married Miss Dora Ruth, a daughter of John G. Ruth, of Marion county, O., and they have one son, Rolla U. Dr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen and the Home Guards of America. He maintains his office at 114 S. Walnut Street, and his residence is at No. 116 S. Wal- nut Street, Bucyrus.

S. J. KIBLER, one of the representative citizens of New Washington, O., who is known all over Crawford county through his many important business enterprises, was born at New Washington, March 9, 1851, and is a son of Mathias and Frederika ( Pfahler) Kibler.

Mathias Kibler was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and when two years of age came to the United States and was one of the early school teachers on the frontier of the Western Reserve. He became a prominent man at New Washington, O., both in public life and in business. For many years he operated a tannery and was otherwise engaged. He was a Democrat in politics, served on the school board and for many years was a justice of the peace and was the first mayor of New Wash- ington. He lived a long, busy and honorable life and died in September, 1876. He mar- ried Frederika Pfahler, who was also born in Germany and died at New Washington, O., in October, 1902. Of their eight children, three are deceased, the five survivors all living at New Washington.

S. J. Kibler obtained his education in the New Washington schools. He began his busi- ness career by assisting his father in the tan- nery and in this way became interested in the hide and leather business, which has partic- ularly claimed his attention for many years and which is one of the important business enterprises of many parts of Ohio. He is a member of the firm which operates under the style of The S. J. Kibler & Brother Company, which was incorporated in 1901 under the name of S. J. Kibler & Brother. Later the brother retired and S. J. Kibler then admit- ted his sons, A. G., M. M. and A. S. Kibler, to partnership, when the present firm name was adopted. The firm deals in hides, tallow and sheep, skins and wool and furs, wholesale, and

maintains its offices at New Washington, but it owns 90 per cent of the Lake Erie Hide & Leather Company, of Sandusky, O. A vast volume of business is done by this firm, its annual sales ending in May, 1912, amounting to over two million dollars. Mr. Kibler's ad- ditional business connections include equally important enterprises. He is president of the New Washington Lumber & Manufacturing Company, which was established in 1903. His beautiful home, one of the handsomest resi- derces in the city, stands on the corner of Main and Center Streets, New Washington.

Mr. Kibler was married at New Washington, to Miss Elizabeth Herr, who was born in Sen- eca county, O., a daughter of George Herr, and the following children have been born to them : A. G., who, after attending the local schools and taking a commercial course at Toledo; O., went into business and is now vice president of the local firm above mentioned and presi- dent of the Lake Erie Hide & Leather Com- pany, and is married to Mildred Donnenwirth and lives at New Washington having three children-Alfred Leo, Beatrice Elizabeth and Emma Winnifred; Clara T., who is the wife of A. F. Cronenberger, manager of the Lake Erie Hide & Leather Company, and a resi- dent of' Sandusky, O., and has three sons- Marshall Kibler, Harold Frederick and Cecil Paul; M. M., secretary and director in the firm of S. J. Kibler & Brother Company, who mar- ried Elsie Michaelfelder, and has three chil- dren-Harold Weldon, deceased, Marian Geraldine and Donald Orville; A. S., who is connected also with the above named company, and looks after its interests at Toledo, O .; Ida P., who is a stenographer for her father; and Florence Edith, who is a member of the class of 1913 in a musical college in Ohio. Mr. Kibler and family are members of the Luth- eran church. In his political views he is a Democrat and has always been somewhat active in public affairs, believing in business men as- suming the responsibilities of citizenship and public office when tendered them. For 15 years he has been a member of the school board and also of the city council and for four years was treasurer of Cranberry township. He is a man of ripe business experience and in managing his many interests, has displayed exceptional foresight and good judgment.

COL. CYRUS W. FISHER

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JOHN SHEALY, a well-known farmer and citizen of Liberty township, Crawford county, O., resides on the old Shealy home- stead, of which he owns a part, has 60 acres of well improved land, situated eight and one- half miles northeast of Bucyrus, O. His parents, Christian Shealy and wife, were born in Germany and were brought to Ohio in childhood. Christian Shealy was a farmer during his active years but had practically re- tired when his death occurred in his seventieth year. His widow survives and is now aged 82 years.

The following children were born to Chris- tian Shealy and wife: Michael, who married Lidy Luidhardt and lives in Cranberry town- ship; Henry, a resident of Bucyrus, who mar- ried Esther Nagle; John; Lena, who is the wife of Jacob S. Kafer, living near Sulphur Springs; Mary, who is the wife of John Feichtner, living near Sulphur Springs; Cath- erine, who married George Luidhardt and lives in Liberty township; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Green, of Liberty town- ship; Matilda, who is the wife of H. J. Rowe, and lives at Sandusky City, O .; and Anna, who died at the age of 23 years.

John Shealy obtained his education in the township schools and is an intelligent, well in- formed man and practical farmer. He mar- ried Miss Matilda Hildebrand and while he had two brothers and six sisters, his wife had six brothers and two sisters and each have one sister deceased, who died after reaching womanhood. Mrs. Shealy's sister, Mary A., died when aged 25 years. Her one other sister, Sophia, is the wife of T. T. Tupps and they live in Liberty township. Her brothers are as follows: Solomon, who lives at New Castle, Pa., and who married Sue McFarland; George, who lives at New Washington, O., and who married Rika Michelfelder; Jacob, a farmer in Bucyrus township, who married Maria Utz; Christian, living at Brandywine, O., who married a Miss Mary Heiby; and John, a resident of Liberty township, who married Ida Shell.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 91

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