History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 94

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 94

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Mr. and Mrs. Stricker have one son, Harold Eugene, who was born April 16, 1905. He is a child of great promise and possesses artistic talents that may make him famous in after life. When but four years old he could use a pencil artistically and by the next birthday could produce landscapes and correctly draw engines in motion. Mr. and Mrs. Stricker are members of the English Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Knight of Pythias. The family residence, a fine one re- cently completed by Mr. Stricker, is located at No. 420 Middletown street, Bucyrus.

ABRAHAM J. LUST, a well known citi- zen of Holmes township and a successful gen- eral farmer and stock raiser, resides on a valu-

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able farm of eighty acres, which lies one mile east of Brokensword, O. Mr. Lust belongs to one of the representative families of this sec- tion. He was born on the old Lust homestead, August 28, 1872, and is a son of David Lust.

Abraham J. Lust obtained a district school education and then chose farming as his life business, following it first in Lykens township but retaining his residence always in Holmes township. His well cultivated and comfort- ably improved farm is numbered with the good properties of this part of the county.

Mr. Lust was married in 1894, to Miss Emma Haas, who is a daughter of Henry Hass, a blacksmith in business at Broken- sword, and they have one daughter, Edith, who resides with her parents. Mr. Lust and family attend Emanuel church at Broken- sword. He belongs to a Democratic family, he and his brothers having followed the ex- ample of their father in public matters.

REV. CHARLES BRASCHLER, pastor of the Holy Trinity Catholic church, at Bucy- rus, O., came to this charge in May, 1899, and for fourteen years has zealously devoted him- self to the spiritual upbuilding of this congre- gation and has also been in no wise neglect- ful in regard to the material advancement of his parish. Rev. Father Braschler was born in Switzerland, October 29, 1842, a son of Jacob Braschler. His parents were also na- tives of Switzerland, most worthy people, who gave their eleven children every advantage within their power.

Father Braschler attended the parochial schools in boyhood and after deciding to be- come a priest, he entered a Catholic college in Switzerland, where he was graduated. After coming to the United States he still further prosecuted his theological studies and at Cleve- land, O., on July 17, 1870, was ordained by Right Reverend Bishop Mullin, of the Erie diocese. During the first three years of ser- vice in the church, Father Braschler minis- tered to eight missions distributed in three counties, after which he was stationed at Up- per Sandusky, where he remained in charge for sixteen years. His next parish was in Putnam county, O., where he continued for ten years and then was called to Bacyrus to be- come pastor of Holy Trinity. His congrega-

tion includes 150 families and his influence has been markedly beneficial. The church school attached to Holy Trinity has 120 pupils and is in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic and Father Braschler erected the present commodi- ous school building in 1910. He is well known to all circles at Bucyrus and is held in the high- est regard by his own people and respected by those of every denomination.

ANCHEL EDELSTEIN, a well known business man of Bucyrus, O., who has been engaged in stock buying and dealing in Craw- ford county for the past thirty years, is a prominent man in this industry, in connection with which he is widely known in other sec- tions. He was born in Germany, May 3, 1850, and is a son of Joseph Edelstein, who was born in Germany in 1800 and died in 1876. He was a butcher by trade and he dealt extensively for the times, in horses and cattle.

Anchel Edelstein was practically reared in his present business and early learned the values of stock and the alertness necessary to make a success along this line. He was but fourteen years of age when he completed his first purchase, buying a cow that he immedi- ately sold at an advance and this has been a business policy of soundness that he has fol- lowed ever since. In July, 1880, Mr. Edel- stein came to Bucyrus and soon afterward be- came interested in the stock business here and operated in a small way from 1882 until 1888. At that time he became connected with M. Goldsmith, one of the largest exporters of cat- tle at that time in New York city and con- tinued a purchasing agent for Mr. Goldsmith until the latter's death in 1891. Later he ac- cepted a similar position with another large importing house and for eight years bought cattle for them, terminating that connection when his firm was dissolved on account of the death of the senior member. In 1903 Mr. Edelstein became purchasing agent for E. J. Joyce & Co., of Pittsburg, Pa., and remained with this house until the death of E. J. Joyce of Pittsburg, Pa., in March, 1912, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Edelstein at once became associated with S. B. Hedges & Co., of Pittsburg, with whom he is at present. His experiences have been wide and varied. He has purchased cattle in a number of counties

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

in Ohio, in West Virginia and other cattle growing sections and his expert knowledge and thorough experience make him very valu- able along this line. Besides being engaged in the live stock business Mr. Edelstein is also a well known wool buyer in Crawford county.

Mr. Edelstein was married in 1878 at Un- terredenberg, Germany, to Miss Reka Sitz- man, who was born at that place, September 25. 1854, a daughter of Meyer and Leah (Strauss) Sitzman. They were members of the Hebrew congregation, in their native land. In 1800 Mr. Edelstein came to Ohio and two years later was joined by his wife. They are active in the Manon Jewish congragation at Marion, O. Five sons and two daughters have been born to them, as follows: Hattie; Clara, who is the wife of Lester Mitchel, a business man of Cincinnati; Joseph, who is a business man of Toledo; Carl, who is associ- ated with his father; Nathan and Victor, both of whom are High school students; and My- ron, who attends the public schools. Politic- ally Mr. Edelstein is a Republican. He be- longs to the National Union and is identified also with the Elks.

FREDERICK E. SHIFLEY, who culti- vates with much success his valuable farm of eighty acres, which lies in Whetstone town- ship, Crawford county, O., not far from Bucy- rus, is a well known resident of this section and was born in this county, March 25, 1867. His parents were Daniel and Louisa (Motz) Shifley.

Daniel Shifley was born in New York, while his wife was a native of France. He engaged in farming for a number of years in Holmes township, Crawford county, and was some- what active in Democratic politics. Both he and wife are now deceased, their burial being in the Oakwood cemetery. They had the fol- lowing children : Daniel, Samuel. John, Benja- min. Addie, Frederick E., Henry. Amelia. Effie. Charles and Andrew. Of the above all survive except John. Addie and Amelia. Ad- die was the wife of Frank Bare, and Amelia the wife of Ark Kimble. Effie is the wife of Charles Melchor.

Frederick E. Shifley obtained his education in the public schools and assisted on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age.

He then bought a general store business at New Winchester. which he conducted for eighteen years. Mr. Shifley then decided to return to an agricultural life and after dispos- ing of his store, bought from the county court what was known as the old Joseph Albright place. He found the property needed improv- ing and the land enriching, and was not long in making these improvements including the building of a new house and barn. The prop- erty known as Block Farm, is now one of the best improved farms in the county. Mr. Shif- ley makes a specialty of pure bred Poland China hogs. In his activities he is greatly as- sisted by his son, Russell Valentine, who promises to be as good a farmer as his father.

In December, 1891, Mr. Shifley was married to Miss Mary Ellen Keiter, who is a daughter of Josiah and Sarah Ann (Darger) Keiter. The father of Mrs. Shifley was a well known blacksmith and a highly respected man. The mother servives and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Shifley. the latter being the only survivors of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Shifley have eight children, namely : Claudius Alvah, who is a creditable member of the class of 1912, in the Bucyrus High school; Ida Alethea; Russell Valentine : and Mildred Cleo, Ruia Arvella, Hazel Floy. Carl Milford and Harold Eugene. Mr. Shifley and family are members of the German Reformed church. Mr. Shifley is an active citizen in all that pertains to public mat- ters in his township but has neither time nor inclination for public office. He gives political support to the Democratic party.

MARTIN SIDNER, a respected and well known citizen of Bucyrus. O., residing at No. 463 South Walnut street, for some years has been retired from active pursuits but remains fully alive to all that concerns his country. city and social circle. He was born September 12. 1831. in Clear Creek township, Fairfield county. O., and is a son of Nicholas and Sarah ( Winters ) Sidner.

Martin Sidner. the grandfather. came to America from Germany and was a young man when he settled near Fredericksburg, Va. He served under General Washington, in the Rev- olutionary war. and afterward moved with his family to Bourbon county, Ky., where he died at the age of eight years. He owned large

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antations and many slaves and at the time death left the sum of $20,000 to be divided nong his children, all sharing except his son icholas, who had displeased him through s marriage. To this son one slave and one orse was willed and it is not recorded that le son protested at this unjust discrimination, it, that, on the other hand, he gave the slave s liberty and with the horse made his way another section of the country.

Nicholas Sidner was born in 1774, near redericksburg, Va., and at the usual age of arriage was united to Mary Cline, who, for me reason, was objectionable to his father. here is nothing to show that she was not an imirable wife and she bore her husband ght children, all of whom survived to rear amilies of their own but are now deceased. fter being practically disinherited by his ather, Nicholas Sidner, accompanied by his ife, came to Ohio, in 1798, where he settled n a tract of land as a squatter. Before he ost this first tract, by pre-emption, he had im- roved the same, but afterward secured forty cres and in 1809 secured a deed for 160 acres 1 Clear Creek township, Fairfield county. his valuable piece of parchment is in the pos- :ssion of his son Martin Sidner, bearing the gnature of Thomas Jefferson, president of le United States, and James Madison, secre- ry of state. On this farm Nicholas Sidner eacefully passed the remainder of his life, his eath occurring in 1845. His second marriage as to Sarah Winters, who was born near agerstown, Md., in 1799. She survived her isband and died in Clear Creek township, hen aged seventy-five years. To the second arriage five children were born and four of ese still survive: Mrs. Elizabeth Coldren, a idow, who lives in Pickaway county, O., and ho is now aged eighty-six years; Mrs. Eliza ond, who is the wife of Thomas Bond, of harleston, Coles county, Ill. ; Mrs. Sarah Jane oner and Martin, twins, the former of whom res at Farmer City, Ill. When the last med children were born the father was fifty- ne years of age.

Martin Sidner remained at home with his rents and through interest and practical ex- rience became a successful farmer. His ucational opportunities were somewhat eager but he has always been intelligently

interested in people and events and has kept well informed not only along his own line of work but regarding the other activities and in- dustries that go to make a contented and pros- perous community. His home has been main- tained at Bucyrus since 1861 and until he re- tired he was engaged as a farmer and trucker. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen- eral Winfield Scott and his second one for General John C. Fremont and since then he has given his political support to candidates of the Republican party.

In Pickaway county, O., Mr. Sidner was married to Miss Lydia Raymond, who was born there in 1830, and died at Bucyrus, in 1886. They had three children: Chauncy, Charles and Della. Chauncy Sidner, who was accidentally killed by the premature explosion of a cannon during the honorary saluting of high French officials when on a visit to the United States, had been in the U. S. regular army for a number of years. He had served with honor for five years in Texas as a caval- ryman, and one year as an artilleryman at Fort Columbus, N. Y. and at the time of death, when aged twenty-eight years, was holding the position of commissary sergeant. The second son, Charles, died at the age of sixteen years, while engaged with a business house at Chi- cago, Ill. The daughter is the wife of Charles Goodman. Mr. Sidner and daughter are mem- bers of the Lutheran church.

WILLIAM L. PETERMAN represents the fourth generation of one of the old pioneer families of Liberty township, Crawford county, O. His great grandfather, John Pe- terman, coming to Liberty township in the be- ginning of the 19th century from New York county, Pennsylvania, his grandfather, Mi- chael, entered the present homestead from the government. William L. resides in one of the two fine residences which stand on the valu- able farm of 215 acres, belonging to his father, which is situated six miles northeast of Bucy- rus, O. He was born on this farm on Feb. 22, 1873, and is a son of Michael A. and Amelia (Stremmel) Peterman.

Michael A. Peterman was born on the same farm on the 23rd of September, 1837, and was married to Amelia Stremmel, who was born in Maryland, Mar. II, 1849. Three children

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were born to them: William L .; Cora, who is the wife of Sidney McCurdy, who lives in Whetstone township and has three children -Harry, Jessie and Ethel; and Amanda, who is the wife of John A. Blackford, and lives in Sandusky township and has one son, Ralph. Michael A. Peterman is a veteran of the Civil war. He served in Co. C, 49th O. Vol. Inf., under the command of General Gibson until he was honorably discharged, and during his period of service participated in numerous bat- tles but escaped without injury.

William L. Peterman was afforded excellent educational advantages and after graduating creditably from the Bucyrus High school en- tered the Spencerian Business college, at Cleve- land and after graduation was connected with Cleveland business houses for seven years as a stenographer. He then returned to his fa- ther's farm, which has been under his manage- ment ever since, general farming and stock raising being the industries carried on.

On Nov. 17, 1898, Mr. Peterman married Miss Ida May Patterson and they have three children, Ruth V., Helen C. and Millie A. Mrs. Peterman has two brothers and one sis- ter: James L .; Wilbur, who is a resident of Bucyrus, married Pearl Nickler and they have three children-Eveline, Marguerite and Ha- zel; and Elizabeth, who married Charles D. Nickler, and has three children, Olive, George and Florence. Mr. Peterman is a Democrat in politics and has frequently been tendered public offices which he is well qualified to fill but has accepted none outside of membership on the school board, of which he was presi- dent.

JAMES McCRACKEN, deceased, for many years was a prominent and useful man in Crawford county, O. He was born in Wayne county, O., July 16, 1800, and died in Crawford county, December 2, 1875. He was the only son of James McCracken, who came from Ireland to Wayne county, among the early settlers.

The late James McCracken came to Bucyrus about 1830 and established himself as a manu- facturer of spring wheels, being a wheel- wright by trade. He became a leading citizen as was evidenced by his appointment, in 1840, as postmaster, under the administration of

President William Henry Harrison. At that time he was a strong Whig and until the close of his life continued to be deeply interested in public matters, becoming identified with the Republican party about the time of the Civil war. In the meanwhile he asquired land, first a tract two miles south of Bucyrus and three years later bought eighty acres three miles west of the growing city. This land he cleared and developed into a valuable farm. The closing years of his life were spent on this farm and were peaceful and happy ones. He was public spirited to a large degree and do- nated the land on which the McCracken school building stands on the Nevada road. He was reared in the Presbyterian church and never failed to give it liberal support and to live ac- cording to its teachings, and helped organize the first Presbyterian church here.

On December 4, 1832, Mr. McCracken was married in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., to Miss Ruth Marquis, who was born May 26, 1813, in Belmont county, O., but was reared in Crawford county. She sur- vived to the age of seventy-five years. The following children were born to them: Portia; William Vance, deceased, who was survived by his widow and one son, the latter being now deceased; James Kelly, who was in the insur- ance business at Fort Wayne, Ind., and has one son and two daughters; Alexander McB., de- ceased, who was married but left no children; Augusta M., who is the city librarian, at Bucy- rus; Harvey Marquis, who is in business at Louisville, Ky., and has one son, James T .; Charles W .; Harriet, who is matron of a Girls' school, at Honolulu; and Rachel and Elizabeth, who died in childhood.

Miss Portia McCracken was reared and edu- cated in Crawford county. For many years she was a successful teacher, beginning at the age of twenty years, and her pupils may be found among the leading residents of Bucyrus and other parts of the county. Of the ma- jority of these she preserves affectionate recol- lections and counts them among her warmest friends. Miss McCracken has kept alive her interest in all that goes on in the world and it is difficult to believe, when conversing with her, that she has seen and lived through so much of the developing period of this city.

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J. L. HEINLE, whose well improved farm of eighty acres is reputed to be one of the best properties in Holmes township, resides two miles west of Brokensword, O. and is well known all over Crawford county, in which he has spent his life. He was born in Bucyrus township, January 23, 1879, and his father G. W. Heinle, still carries on his farm industries there. The Heinle family is one of the old- est and most substantial in this county.

J. L. Heinle obtained his education in the schools of Bucyrus township. He comes of an agricultural family and naturally became a farmer when the time came for him to make choice of a career. He received excellent training on the old home farm and continued there until April 1, 1909, when he sold his sixty acre farm in Bucyrus township and came to his present farm in Holmes township. His operations are carried on along practical lines, with due regard for improved methods, and the interest he takes in his property is shown by its fine condition, together with that of the valuable stock produced on his farm.

Mr. Heinle was married March 20, 1909, to Miss Rufena Miller, a daughter of Lewis Miller, whose farm lies one mile west of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Heinle. In politics Mr. Heinle is a Democrat. He served as school director in Bucyrus township, being elected to that office when only twenty-one years of age.

CLARK T. LUDWIG, a retired capitalist residing at Bucyrus, O., belongs to an old French Huguenot family that found refuge in the American colonies prior to the War of the Revolution. Record is preserved of two brothers, Captain John and Michael Ludwig, the former of whom saw military service in the French army before he came to America and later became an officer under General Washington. His home was at Germantown, Pennsylvania.

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Michael Ludwig, the direct ancestor of Clark T. Ludwig, married in Pennsylvania and died there, being survived by children, among whom was one son, Samuel Ludwig. After the death of Michael Ludwig, his widow mar- ried a Mr. Yokum, whose sons became promi- nent iron men and also leaders in political life.

Samuel Ludwig was born in the vicinity of Germantown, Pa., in 1786 and probably re-

mained there until 1831, when he came to Crawford county, O., making the trip on horseback and carrying in his saddle-bags the sum of $10,000, for the purchase of land. He acquired 3,000 acres, in different sections. In 1832, having been joined by his family in the meanwhile, he ordered the building of a brick house, on a site near the present limits of Bucyrus, in Whetstone township. The bricks for the same were burned by Daniel Albright and so stanchly was the house constructed that it still is utilized as a dwelling, although un- doubtedly it is the oldest brick house in Craw- ford county. Here Samuel Ludwig passed the remainder of his life until extreme old age, when he went to the home of a daughter, in an adjoining township, where his death occurred in 1876, when he was within one month of ninety years. He married Elizabeth Redky, who was born in Pennsylvania and died on the family homestead east of Bucyrus. For some years her father served as a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. She was reared a Quaker but later in life united with the Reform church body. They had eleven children born to them, the last survivor having been the late Mrs. James L. Monnett, who died at Bucyrus, December 29, 19II.

Samuel Ludwig (2), son of Samuel Lud- wig, and father of Clark T. Ludwig, was born near Reading, in Berks county, Pa., May 21, 1813, and died September 14, 1893, at the home of his son, Clark T. Ludwig, with whom he had resided for twenty-one years. He was nineteen years of age when he accompanied the other members of his father's family to Ohio and subsequently settled on one of the latter's numerous farms, between Fremont and Tiffin, O. Here he had 480 acres of land. He was prudent and industrious and accumulated what was considered an ample fortune at that day. Eight years later he bought a farm in San- dusky county, but afterward returned to Craw- ford county and later bought his father-in- law's farm of 180 acres, near Leesville, in Jef- ferson township. On that property he made many improvements, a notable one being the erection of a commodious barn, the material used being the finest black walnut obtainable at the time. Subsequently he and wife came to Bucyrus, her death taking place in 1877, in the brick house above alluded to. She was

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born in Virginia, in 1810 and prior to her mar- riage was a teacher and was considered a fine singer. She was a very active and interested member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Five children were born to Samuel Ludwig and wife, as follows: a babe that died; Mary Jane, who died in 1856; Clark T .; Eliza, de- ceased, who was the wife of John P. Monnett ; and William Dorsey, who died in Texas, in 1878. He married Belle Caldwell, who sur- vives and resides on South Sandusky street, Bucyrus.

Clark T. Ludwig was born in the Old Indian hut which had been built by Chief George Wip- ingstick, in Seneca county, O., on the land later owned by Mr. Ludwig's grandfather and fa- ther, and was young when the family moved to Crawford county. He was educated in the schools at Bucyrus, at Delaware, O., and in Wittenberg college, at Springfield, O. In May, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Co. K, 86th O. Vol. Inf., under Cap- tain Moderwell and Col. Barney Burnes of Mansfield, and was honorably discharged at the termination of his term of enlistment, in 1863. For some time afterward Mr. Ludwig was engaged in teaching school and later be- came interested in farming and stock raising. In 1870 he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was in the real estate business for two years. For five years he was a commercial traveler for the large wholesale house of Burr & Hard- wick, New York city. Mr. Ludwig returned to Crawford county in order to look after his aged parents and has resided here ever since. During 1883-4 his handsome brick residence, to which he has given the name of East Lynne, was completed, its situation being in the east- ern portion of Bucyrus, with a fine surround- ing estate. Its situation is ideal and it is one of the stately homes of the city in all its ap- pointments.

Mr. Ludwig was married near Mansfield, O., to Miss Mary Smith, who was born July 14, 1847, in Columbiana county, O., where she was reared, coming to Crawford county in young womanhood. She is a daughter of Wil- liam and Eva (Freed) Smith, both of whom were born in Columbiana county, O. William Smith died at Kirksville, Mo., in 1884, when aged sixty-eight years. His widow, who was born January 10, 1824, is a member of the

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 94

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