History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 110

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 110

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JOSIAH H. G. KECKLER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; is the son of John and Rosannah (Gorden) Keckler, and was born Feb. 16, 1829, in Adams Co., Penn. His father's family re- moved to Harrison Co., Ohio, and settled five

miles from Cadiz when the subject of this sketch was but 8 years old. Here young Keckler aided his father on the farm. and also in his blacksmith-shop, gaining in the mean- while a common-school education. At the age of 18. he left home and commenced working for $10 per month at first, and continued six years for one man, remaining also three years longer. He came to this county in 1852 with $1,000, which he had saved from his wages while working by the month. For some time after his arrival here, he rented land and farmed, also raising considerable stock. and im- porting large numbers of Saxony sheep into the county, and selling them here at good fig- ures. In about 1864, he purchased 1042 acres of what comprises his present farm, and com- menced raising stock. He has increased the size of his farm to 2463 acres of first-class farming land, and has been engaged in buying, grazing and feeding large numbers of sheep, handling from 300 to 500 at times, with good success. Mr. Keckler is an enterprising farmer, and by his careful management has amassed considerable property. He is a Republican, casting his maiden vote for Gen. Scott. He was married, April 4, 1873, to Miss Juliette Parcher, born Oct. 16, 1850. and the daughter of Daniel and Mary (McNeal) Parcher, of this county. This union has been blessed with three children -John Franklin, Agnes Rosannah and Orrie Gorden.

JAMES LEWIS, P. O. Bucyrus ; son of David and Rachel (Rogers) Lewis ; was born Sept. 2, 1813, in Harrison Co., Ohio. He lived on a farm, performing the continuous hard labor in- cident to that calling, until 19 years old. Dur- ing this period, he received only such instrue- tion as the common schools afforded, yet he had made the most of his opportunities, and presented himself for pedagogical honors. The first certificate he received comprised the sub- jects of reading, writing, and arithmetic as far as the rule of three. From this modest beginning, as he tanght he studied, often late into the night, and, each year, added two new branches of learning to his qualifications for many years. He began teaching in 1832, and taught almost continuously until 1849. When not employed in the public schools, he taught many terms of select school, thereby fitting many young men and women for the responsi- ble work of teaching. In November, 1849, he

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came to Crawford Co., and engaged in farming in Bucyrus Township, which he followed until 1866. In 1855, Mr. Lewis was elected to the State Senate from the Thirty-first Senatorial District. which then comprised Crawford, Sen- eca and Wyandot Counties. He was the only Republican ever elected from that district, and, for two years, faithfully represented the inter- ests of his district. He served as chairman of the Committee on Temperance, being then, as now, a pronounced temperance man. In Sep- tember, 1862, he was appointed Assistant As- sessor for a portion of Crawford Co., holding this position until March, 1867, when he was appointed by President Johnson Revenue As- sessor for the Ninth District of Ohio. He dis- charged the duties of this office until June. 1872, when he resigned, and purchased an in- terest in the Eagle Foundry, and became book- keeper of that institution until his health failed. Of late years, Mr. Lewis has been prin- cipally employed in settling some large estates, which have been entrusted to his administra- tion. Aug. 8, 1833, he united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Gregory, of Harrison Co .. Ohio : this union has been blessed by the birth of seven sons and five daughters, of whom nine are liv- ing-Pinkney, wholesale merchant at Mans- field ; Jane A., died in her 6th year ; David, attorney at Chicago, Ill .; William G., merchant at Bucyrus (see sketch below) ; Angeline, died in her 2d year ; Emily, wife of Henry Neil, of Cherokee Co., Kan .; Albert C., druggist, of Bu- cyrus (see sketch) ; Milton R., of Bucyrus (see sketch) ; Samuel M., died June 1, 1871, in his 21st year; Israel, farmer, of this township ; Mary B. and Rachel, still at home. Mr. Lewis and his wife both united with the M. E. Church, during the same meeting, about forty-eight years ago, and have been consistent and de- voted members ever since. He has filled ac- ceptably the offices of Class-leader and Stew- ard, and, for three sessions, has represented his congregation as lay delegate to the Annual Conference. He is a Republican, and a much- respected citizen.

WILLIAM LEWIS, merchant, Bucyrus; is the third son of James and Rebecca (Gregory) Lewis, was born Sept. 2, 1839, in Harrison Co., Ohio, where he lived until he was 10 years old, when the family came to Bucyrus Township, where young William lived on the Plains until 18, when he entered the harness-shop of Jerry

Yost, to learn the trade ; he only remained about one year, however, when he became a clerk in a store. He has since been employed by the leading firms of Bucyrus, except the year 1865, which he spent in Iowa. In Novem- ber, 1880, he purchased of T. A. Rowse & Co., a stock of goods, and is now doing a good bus- iness in confectionery and notions, in connec- tion with the news depot, at the old Failor corner, where you can find all the periodicals of the day.

A. C. LEWIS, druggist, Bucyrus ; is the son of James and Rebecca (Gregory) Lewis, and was born Jan. 15, 1845, in Harrison Co., Ohio. His youthful days were spent on a farm, and in attending district school until he was 19. In November, 1863, he entered the drug and book store of R. F. Johnston, and in the following May, he enlisted in Co. E, 136th O. N. G., and served until August of the same year. He resumed his former clerkship and there remained until March, 1878, a period of fifteen years. In April of this year, he pur- chased a new stock of drugs and opened a store in Picking Block, South Sandusky avenue, where he has a salesroom 70x20, being the finest business room in its appointments and ontfit in Bucyrus. It is filled with a first-class stock of drugs, paints, oils, books and wall- paper. Mr. Lewis is here doing a flourishing business, and is a man of considerable push and enterprise. He was married Dec. 10, 1878, to Mary A. Fenner, of Bucyrus. As a business man, Mr. Lewis has been successful, and is an upright and valuable citizen, who is well es- teemned by all who know him.

MILTON R. LEWIS. traveling salesman ; P. O. Bucyrus, Obio ; is the son of James Lewis, and was born Nov. 13, 1847, in New Market, Ohio. He was but 2 years old when the family moved to this county ; here he spent his youth on the farm until 18 years old, in the meantime receiving a fair education in the Bul- cyrus Union Schools. He then served two years as chief clerk under his father. who held the office of Internal Revenue Assessor for this district. In February, 1868, he accepted the position of clerk, book-keeper and cashier of the Grant House, one of the largest hotels in Wheeling, W. Va., where he remained until 1877. He has since been employed by the leading wholesale grocers of Mansfield, Ohio, and is now employed as traveling salesman for

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Tracy & Avery, of that city, with excellent suc- cess. Oct. 30, 1872, he united his fortunes with Miss Lily Rowse, of Bucyrus, daughter of Stephen Rowse ; two children were born of this marriage, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Lewis is a member of the M. E. Church, and a Republican in politics.

B. F. LAUCK, merchant, Bucyrus ; is the son of George and Mary (Deardorff) Lauck, and was born May 27, 1839, near Bucyrus ; he passed his youth on a farm, and went to the Bucyrus schools until he was 16 years of age. In 1855 and 1856, he attended Wittenberg Col- lege, in Jasper Co., Iowa. He then returned to Bucyrus and clerked in Craig's hardware store, and also in Johnson's drug store. In the spring of 1860, he went into the grocery business until the breaking-out of the war, when he en- listed in May, 1861, in the 86th O. V. I., under Col. Lemert. After his term of four months had expired, he re-enlisted in Co. I, 157th O. V. I., and was in the engage- ments of Chickasaw Bayou, Black River Bridge, Champion Hill, Raynon, Port. Gibson, Yazoo River, Ft. Arkansas, Hollow Springs and siege of Vicksburg, also Jackson, Miss. He was soon after taken sick, and, after lying sick for three months, he was discharged in October, 1864, and returned to Bucyrus, en- gaging in selling groceries and dry goods, in the firm of G. A. Lauck & Bro., continuing for two years, when C. W. Fisher became a part- ner, and the business was continued under the firm name of Fisher & Lauck. This partner- ship lasted for nine years. In December, 1877, he commenced traveling for Tracy & Avery, of Mansfield, and was thus employed until Sep- tember, 1880, when he became a member of the firm. Strong, Leiter & Lauck are doing a large business in grain, seeds, wool, coal and salt, having leased the Crawford County Elevator for five years. During the month of August, they handled over 18,000 bushels of wheat. The subject of this sketch has now entire charge of the business. On Nov. 21, 1861, he was married to Miss Laura E. Bodine, of Huron Co., Ohio ; they have three children-Anna L., Franklin B. and James L. He is a member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church, and also a Knight of Honor. His father was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and was a farmer. In the spring of 1827, he, with his wife and one child, came to Bucyrus in a one-horse wagon,

and bought 160 acres of land, lying east of the O. C. R. R. He purchased it of a man named Garton, paying $16 per acre, and soon after added to it 80 acres. It was in a primitive condition, and by hard labor Mr. Lauck im- proved it greatly. He was a man of good ed- ucation, and had fine business capacity, having at one time served this county as its Treasurer for four terms.

HON. ROBERT LEE, ex Judge and State Senator, retired, Bucyrus ; was born April 20, 1805, in Butler Co., Penn. He was the son of Robert Lee, a prominent clergyman in the Presbyterian Church, who was for many years Pastor of Salem Church, in West- moreland Co., of that State, and distantly re- lated to Gen. Robert E. Lee, the celebrated General and Chief Commander of the Confed- erate armies in the late Southern rebellion. His mother, Sarah Lee, whose maiden name was Swearingen, was of Dutch extraction. In the youthful days of Robert, the " schoolmaster was not abroad in the land," and the facilities for education were exceedingly limited, espe- cially in the rural districts. Not only were the teachers deficient in knowledge, but the text- books in use were lamentably imperfect. In consequence, nearly all the education he re- ceived was from his father, whose learning, as a minister, was freely and lovingly communi- cated to his children. None but the pioneers of the early days knew the toils and disad- vantages incident to that period. Moved by a passionate desire for knowledge, the subject of this sketch would arise at 4 o'clock each morn- ing for study, labor on the farm during the day, and then resume his intellectual pursuits until 10 o'clock, while the rest of the family were asleep. Nobly he consummated his purpose, although surrounded by almost insuperable difficulties, and he became, though self-edu- cated, well educated. During this period, he studied the elementary principles of law. When 18 years old, he removed to Richland Co., Ohio, with his father, who laid out and established the town of Leesville Cross Roads. Thus pursuing his course with books and toil, he commenced business on his own account at the age of 23 ; believing, as a prime condition of success and happiness, "that man should not be alone," he married Miss Sarah Hall, daughter of George and Catharine Hall, of Richland Co., and settled down to the active

Elizabeth Deurdoof

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duties of life. The fruit of this happy union was seven children, only three of whom are now living-George H. Lee, Sarah C. Tidball, wife of Dr. John Tidball, of Booneville, Iowa, and Anna M. Cady, wife of L. S. Cady, whole- sale and retail jewelry merchant, of Kansas City, Mo. Few of the farmers of the present dlay understand the amount and quality of hard work necessary, when the country was densely wooded and thinly inhabited. With an energy characteristic of himself, Mr. Lee cleared three farms in five years, and made them fit for agriculture. But, in the meantime, his love of study did not desert him, for he continuously studied law, for which he exhib- ited a natural taste. As a more congenial pur- suit, shortly after marriage he opened a store at Leesville Cross Roads, embracing every line of goods, from dry goods to hardware, which he continued successfully for three years. Selling his goods he purchased a farm adjoin- ing Leesville Cross Roads, and put it in a high state of cultivation. In connection with his brother, S. F. Lee, he purchased the steam flouring-mill, saw-mill, carding machines and fulling-mill, in said village, and operated the same ten or twelve years. In 1836, he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature for Richland Co., by a majority of 1,000, and was honored by a re-election in 1837, by a majority of 2,400. In 1839, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held continuously ten years, when he resigned. In 1842, he was elected by the Legislature, a Director of the Ohio Penitentiary and served in that responsi- ble capacity for three years. In the meantime that portion of Richland Co., in which he lived, was attached to Crawford Co. He was elected Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, by the Legislature for Crawford Co., and served with ability and integrity in that posi- tion, until the adoption of the present constitu- tion. In 1853, he was elected State Senator from the counties of Crawford, Wyandot and Seneca, of which body he was elected Presi- dent pro tem. Owing to the illness of the Lieutenant Governor, it became his duty to preside over the deliberations of the Senate, a large portion of the Session. In 1854, he was admitted to practice as an attorney and coun- selor at law and solicitor in chancery, by the Supreme Court of Ohio. In 1858, he engaged in the dry goods business in Crestline, Ohio,

at which he continued about five years. After losing his wife, by death, in 1861, he sold his store and town property and quit housekeep- ing, his children by this time having homes of their own. But, finding single life undesirable, he married, in 1864, Mrs. Clara M. Tweed, of Indianapolis, Ind., who now presides over his beautiful home. Resuming his business in Crestline, he engaged in the grocery and pro- vision trade. In 1865 and 1866, he served as Deputy Revenue Assessor for Crawford Co. By the suffrages of his fellow-citizens he was elected Mayor of that village, and elected Pro- bate Judge of Crawford Co., in 1869. He was almost unanimously re-elected in 1872, serving his constituents and the people generally with entire satisfaction. He has been an active member of the Bucyrus Union School Board. Thus, at the age of 75, " Judge Lee," as he is familiarly termed by his numerous and admir- ing friends, has come down from pioneer days to the present generation. His industry, suc- cess, love of learning, integrity of purpose and practice, together with an unswerving devo- tion to correct principles of life, make him a model for the imitation of youth.

GEORGE A. LAUCK, merchant, Bueyrus ; is a son of George and Mary (Deardoff) Lauck, and was born in Bucyrus Township Sept. 19, 1843 ; he attended school in town until he was 17 years of age, and then became a clerk in the dry goods store of L. B. Lyday ; after one year's experience here, he entered Wittenberg College in the spring of 1861; in about four months he enlisted in the 64th O. V. I. band, and served some ten months, when, his health failing, he was honorably discharged ; he made a visit to various points in Iowa, and, in the fall of 1863, he became a clerk in a dry goods house at Pitts- burgh ; after this he also filled a clerical posi- tion in Mansfield, Ohio. In 1864, Mr. Lauck commenced business in Bucyrus, in company with Lyday, carrying on the business under the firm name of Lyday & Lauck; in 1865, he bought Mr. Lyday's share in the enterprise, and continued until the fall as sole proprietor ; he then took in B. F. Lauck as partner. Our subject retired in the spring of 1866, and re- moved to Shelby, Ohio, where lie engaged in the sale of dry goods until 1867 ; he then re- moved his stock to Bucyrus, where he was in business until the fall of the year following ; in 1870, he engaged in the grocery business, being

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alone until 1872, when he took Joseph Kimmel as partner ; in 1876, they bought a large stock of dry goods and groceries, and in 1877, Mr. Lanck purchased the interest of his partner, and is now continuing the business in Bowman's Corner, where he has a store second to none in the city, and is doing a flourishing trade. He is a member of the City Council, and has been a member of the Lutheran Church for twenty years, and is now Superintendent of the Sunday school. On Oct. 19, 1864, he was married to Lizzie Atwood, of Bucyrus ; four children are the fruits of this union-Clarence, Ella A., Stella M., and Mary.

REV. L. G. LEONARD, D. D., Bucyrus ; is a son of George and Rebecca (Converse) Leonard, and was born Jan. 6, 1810, in Mon- son, Mass. He attended school at Willington, Conn., under Prof. Loomis, father of Prof. Elias Loomis, of Yale College. He acquired quite a degree of proficiency in mathematics and Latin, and at 18 he began teaching in the southern part of New York, on the Hudson River. When 20 years old, he entered the Newton Theological Institute, near Boston, and graduated in July, 1836. He entered at once upon his labors in the vineyard of his Master, at Webster. Mass., remaining seven years, his labor being blessed. For the next four years he labored in New London. In the autumn of 1848, he received a call from Zanesville, Ohio, and remained there until 1855, thence going to Marietta, where for eight years his labors were abundantly blessed, and in one year. 130 joined the church. In July, 1863, he went to Lebanon, Ohio. After eight years spent in hard yet precious labor here, he started on a visit among the scenes of his early childhood. In May, 1872, he came to Bucyrus to spend his declining years in quiet, and to retire from act- ive pulpit duty. However, the Lord had willed that his work in the great field of the world was not yet completed, and he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of this city ; but, on account of poor health, he retired in 1874. He again resumed his labors in 1875, and has since continued working earnestly with unabated zeal, for the glory of God. Dr. Leon- ard was first married in September, 1836, to Mehitable H. Fish, of Boston, Mass. Six chil- dren were born of this marriage, two of whom are living-Georgiana F. and Hattie M. His wife died April 11, 1863. He was remarried,

to Amanda M. Dey, of Lebanon, Ohio, July 10, 1864. Four children were born and all have died ; George R., Susan R. and John C. all died in infancy; Eugenia R. died at the age of 19. Dr. Leonard has been for a long time Trustee of Dennison University, and, in 1860, the de- gree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by that institution. He has been a devoted worker in the glorious cause of salvation, and now he awaits his reward, and looks forward to the day when he shall pass through the gates of the New Jerusalem and receive the reward mer- ited by a well-spent life.

CHARLES LAKE, jeweler, Bucyrus ; was born April 2, 1835, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and went to school in that city until his 17th year. He then commenced to learn the jeweler's bus- iness, paying attention to clock and watch making. He served an apprenticeship of three years with Clements Oskamp. He then re- moved to Fostoria in 1853, and worked for Dr. Lust nearly two years. He next worked at Up- per Sandusky for a short time. In May, 1855, he came to Bucyrus, and at once became the partner of William H. Burkhardt in the jewelry business, this partnership lasting eight years. In April, 1861, they divided the stock, and Mr. Lake removed to the public square and com- menced business on the site of Retz & Van Vorhis, and there continued for two years, pay- ing $1,000 for a lot 20x60 feet. In 1863, he bought out the stock of Franz Bros., and, add- ing his own, he carried on business at Barth's Corners for two years. In the meantime, lie erected a business block on his own lot. About the year 1869, he moved into his present room, No. 4 Quinby Block, which he owns. He has done a prosperous business, and has a fine stock of clocks, watches and jewelry, as well as a large stock of musical merchandise. He is a skilled repairer of watches and jewelry, having had good advantages in learning his trade at Cincinnati. He began life without capital, and has, by steady perseverance and industry, placed himself in affluence. He was married, Oct. 19, 1859, to Miss Appaline Seiser, of Bucyrus. One son and two daughters were born to them -Edmond, died in his 8th year ; Fannie, died April 7, 1880; and Ella, at home.

SAMUEL LUDWIG, SR. (deceased), Bucy- rus. The subject of this sketch, whose por- trait appears in this work, was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1788. His grandfather

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Ludwig was a native of the Province of Al- sace, France. His ancestors on this side of the house were Huguenots, and it was during the reign of Louis XIV, of France, who gave the Huguenots a given time in which to leave the country, with such clothing as they might be wearing and a staff in their hands, and that those who remained were, by his orders, to be put to death. Among those who escaped were two brothers by the name of Ludwig, who managed to sew into their clothing, in such a way as to escape detection, gold, with which one of the brothers afterward entered land in Berks Co., Penn. Each of these brothers married and had seven sons. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a stone mason by trade, and settled in Philadelphia, where he helped to build many of those quaint old buildings that attracted so much attention, but have since given way to buildings of more modern architecture. It was in that city that Michael, the father of Samuel Ludwig, was born, and raised to man's estate. About the age of 22, Michael Ludwig married Sarah Hanks, an English Quakeress, and then moved to Berks Co., Penn., where the subject of this memoir was born, he being the youngest of six children, two boys and four girls. His father (Michael) dying when he was but three years old, his mother was left with a large family on a little barren farm among the hills, to make a subsistence for herself and young children. This she did nobly for years, when she married Nicholas Yochem, a wealthy farmer in that neighborhood. He was the father of Nicholas and Moses Yochem, who afterward became the heaviest iron masters in Eastern Pennsylvania. Here, with the Yochem boys, Samuel worked on the farm of his stepfather for years. The old man was a hard master, his sons and Sam- uel Ludwig doing about all the work on the farm, which comprised 400 acres, the boys get- ting very little time to go to school, as they were obliged to thresh out all the grain with flails, during the winter season. Under these circumstances, a strong attachment grew be- tween these young men, which was not lessened by long years and gray hairs. Up to the age of 18, Samuel Ludwig had gone to school but about six months, all told. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, he was a pretty fair scholar, as he had received instruction from his mother -a highly intellectual and well-educated lady

for that day-who was the home preceptress for her son and the Yochem boys. In the winter of 1805, Francis B. Shunk, who was afterward Governor of Pennsylvania, came to that neighborhood, a mere stripling of 18 years, and raised a select school. This school Mr. Ludwig attended. Mr. Shunk made his home with the Yochems, and, during that win- ter, they had very profitable and interesting evening exercises, Mrs. Yochem acting as teacher, the Yochem boys, Samuel Ludwig and the future Governor, as scholars. In the fol- lowing spring, Mr. Shunk, the teacher, went to Lancaster, Penn., to study law, while Samuel Ludwig, being too poor to study a profession, engaged as an apprentice in the wheelwright business, at which he continued for two years. At the age of 20, Samuel married Miss Eliza- beth Redcha, daughter of Hon. John Redcha, who, at that time, was a member of the Penn- sylvania Legislature, then in session at Lan- caster, at that date the capital of the State. After his marriage, he removed to Reading, Penn., and engaged in the manufacture of wag- ons and plows, which he carried on extensively for twenty-three years, and by his industry and economy amassed a fortune for that day. He was often solicited by the people to accept an office. Repeatedly he was offered the posi- tion of member of the Legislature, and differ- ent county offices, all of which he peremptorily declined, saying, that, as he was now his "own master." and did not want to become the serv- ant of the people, he would infinitely prefer domestic life in the bosom of his family to any public honor they might bestow upon him, and that a large family and an extensive business, even if he had the inclination, precluded the acceptance of official trusts. So great was his thirst for knowledge, that, long hours after the family had retired to bed, he would sit and read, sometimes until 12 or 1 o'clock in the morning. At the age of 45, he had gained an extensive knowledge of chemistry, geology and natural philosophy, besides accumulating a large store of historical and general informa- tion that was surprising in one possessing his meager advantages. In 1831, Mr. Ludwig made the journey on horseback from Reading. across the Alleghany Mountains to Bneyrus, where he bought a tract of 100 acres of land, joining Bucyrus on the east. He returned to his home, and, in the fall of the same year, re-

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 110

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034