History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 112

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 112

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Wallace L., Sept. 18, 1871 ; Elizabeth, March 22, 1873; Julia, Nov. 13, 1874; Rachel, Aug. 3, 1876.

M. W. MONNETT, Assistant Cashier of Crawford County Bank, Bucyrus ; is the son of Abraham Monnett, whose biography appears in this work. He was born Aug. S, 1851, in Scott Township, Marion Co. He attended common school until 1871, and then took a commercial course in the Buckeye Business College, of San- dusky City, graduating in March, 1872. He remained on the farm until 1878, when he be- came Assistant Cashier in the Crawford County Bank, which responsible position he still holds. Before this appointment, he did considerable business in live stock, and proved himself a live business man. He was married, Sept. 12, 1872, to Rosalie A. Brewer, of Marion Co. Of this marriage there are two children living-Ernest E. and Edith A. His wife died Aug. 17, 1876. He was re-married, Dec. 3, 1879, to Miss Arma McCrory, of Bucyrus.

A. E. MONNETT, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; is a son of Abraham and Cath- arine (Brougher) Monnett, and was born Oct. 3, 1845, in Scott Township, Marion Co., Ohio. lIere he spent his youth on the farm. acquiring a common-school education in the meantime. At the age of 21, he took charge of a farm of 600 acres, which he still owns. He at once de- voted his attention largely to the raising of stock, principally that of cattle and sheep. In the rearing and handling of stock, he has been eminently successful. He united his fortunes with Miss Anna Walton, of Marion Co., Feb. 20, 1868. Of this marriage four children were born-Irvin E., Rosa C., Walter J. and Ada A. The latter died in infancy. Mr. Monnett is a Republican in politics.

ORWIN BRUCE MONNETT, farmer, etc .; P. O. Bucyrus ; son of Rev. Thomas J. and Hen- rietta (Johnston) Monnett, was born Sept. 29, 1850, in this township. He was 10 years old when his father returned from his ministerial labors to the farm. He worked on the farm from 1860 to 1869, attending in the meantime the com- mon schools. In the fall of 1869, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, re- maining one year. In the fall of 1870, he en- tered the Ohio Business College at Delaware, from which institution he graduated in January, 1871. In June of the same year he became book-keeper for the woolen-mill company of

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Bucyrus, serving acceptably there for nearly one year. In May, 1872, he bought an interest in a wholesale and retail grocery and provision store in Bucyrus, becoming a partner with G. W. Myers. This partnership lasted until Sep- tember, 1873, when he retired from the store and returned to the farm. In 1874 and 1875, he was clerk in American Express Company's office at Galion, and, in May of the latter year, became book-keeper for Monnett, Frayer & Co., for one year. In the fall of 1876, he again returned to the farm, where he has since remained, aiding his father in the management of his large estate. Nov. 14, 1877, he married Miss Annie Hoffman, of Bucyrus, a daughter of Charles F. Hoffman, Esq. She was born April 12, 1858. Mr. Monnett is a Republican ; and is at present a member of and President of the School Board of Bucyrus Township, and taught school in 1879-80. He is a local member of Chautauqua Scientific and Literary Circle, in which he takes considerable interest and is a shining light.

CHARLES S. MUNSON, Bucyrus ; was born in Paris, Oneida Co., N. Y., and is a son of Julius and Marie Antoinette (Smith) Munson. His youth was spent on a farm until 21 years of age. He completed his education at Rome Academy and Cazenovia Seminary, New York. In 1854, he went to Boston, Mass., there he en- tered the organ factory of Mason & Hamlin as foreman of the tuning department. He is a cousin to Mr. Hamlin, of this firm. While in this business he was a member of the leading oratoria societies of Boston, and for some years correspondent for the New York Musical Re- view. He remained in the factory about four years. Was married, Sept. 18, 1855, to Miss Harriet A. Cooper, of Wampsville, N. Y., and of this union five children have been born- Mary A., Emma L., Grace, Charles and William. He returned to New York after leaving Mason & Hamlin and taught school in 1857-58 ; had taught several terms before. He came to Ohio in 1858 to engage as commercial traveler for A. Miller & Co., his health demanding a change of habits. In 1859, he removed his family to Delaware, Ohio, where they lived some two years. In April, 1861, he came to Bucyrus, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business in Quinby Block until January, 1868, when he sold out and became commercial traveler for a wholesale drug house at Cleveland for two years,

at the end of which time he entered the whole- sale liquor and tobacco business in 1870, which he has still followed with good success. He began his musical education at 15, and in three years' time was leader of the choir in Paris, N. Y. His first instrument upon which to take les- sons was the violin, but he rapidly acquired a knowledge of other instruments. Of late years he has composed some very creditable pieces of vocal music. Has been leader of choirs since the age of 18 years. He organized the choral union in 1874, first formed of the Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian choirs for mutual practice, and under his direction sing classical music. He and wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church. His father was born in Paris, N. Y., in 1806, and followed farming ; he raised three sons and two daughters-Charles S., Julius S., James E., Jane and Sarah. Julius is professor of vocal music in Boston ; James lives in New York City, and is author of Mun- son's complete phonography, and is official reporter of Surrogate's court. The two daugh- ters are living at Chicago. His wife was a native of New York, daughter of Rev. William H. Cooper, late of Bellport, L. I. She was a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary, and was a fine Latin and French scholar.

GEN. SAMUEL MYERS, Nevada ; is a son of Abraham Myers, and was born on the 4th day of December, 1802, near Lancaster, Lan- caster Co., Penn. His father was born on the memorable day of July 4, 1776, and was a miller by trade. He bought a mill in York Co., Penn., where he lived for several years, and, about 1807 or 1808, he removed to Carlisle, Cum- berland Co. The subject of this sketch left home when 18 years of age, and learned the trade of tailor, serving three years. He was married on the 6th day of October, 1825 (then about 22 years of age), to Rebecca Deardorf, who was born July 31, 1808, and, in the fall of 1827, they removed to Bucyrus, Crawford Co., where they lived in the town and vicinity for a period of fifty-three years. His wife died July 17, 1845, leaving ten children, the youngest but 7 days old. He kept house with his children for about three years, when he was again mar- ried, June 22, 1848, to Mrs. Hannah Hamilton, the result of which was one son, born July 2, 1849. Bucyrus was but a small place when Mr. Myers moved to it, consisting of a few houses only, and they of the regular pioneer

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pattern. He, with a few other public-spirited citizens then living in the new settlement, went to work in good earnest to build up the town and improve the country, so as to make it at- tractive to emigrants. There were many In- dians then in this section of the country. They were good friends to Mr. Myers and his family, and he always felt himself perfectly safe among them. They, and their squaws and papooses, would frequently come to his house, and his good wife would give them something to eat, for which they always seemed grateful. Mr. Myers was instrumental in raising an inde- pendent company of militia, called " Bucyrus Guards," of which he was elected Captain, a po- sition he held several years, when he was elected Brigadier General of the Third Brigade, 11th Division of Ohio Militia, which, after command- ing several years, he resigned. He was elected County Treasurer in 1834, and served for ten years ; the county then embraced quite an ex- tensive territory, and he went to every township to receive the taxes, to the place of holding elections, on horseback, mostly along Indian trails and paths. In 1848, he was elected to the State Legislature, and, in the fall of the same year, was one of the Electors for the State, and was elected a second time to the Legis- lature. During those years, he lived at Bucy- rus, and was frequently called upon to assist in getting up improvements for the benefit of the town and the surrounding country, such as se- curing the county seat at Bucyrus, railroads and other improvements. Gen. Myers has al- ways been a public-spirited citizen, and to his enterprise Bucyrus and Crawford County owe much of their wealth and prosperity. He now lives at Nevada, just over the line in Wyandot County.

W. W. MILLER, retired ; P. O. Bucyrus ; whose portrait and that of his wife, appear in this book, is another of the old and honored pioneers of Crawford Co. He was born in Manheim Township, Berks Co .. Penn., on March 1, 1808, and is the son of Peter Miller, who migrated with his family to Crawford Co. in the year 1835 ; the journey was made by wagon and was a most tedious one, the family consisting of the father and mother and seven children, all of whom arrived safely at the old Blue Ball Inn, two miles south of Bucyrus, on the 16th of May, 1835. They resided at the Blue Ball until the 4th of the following June,

when they rented a house in the village of Bu- cyrus, to which they removed. Mr. Miller and his son, the subject of this sketch, engaged in hauling earth from the hill north of town, to fill in and level the public square. They continued teaming, at different kinds of work, until on the 12th of the following December, when they purchased the lot where the Western Hotel now stands, paying for it $850, when together they engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of Peter Miller & Son. Now, to go back to the earlier life of Mr. Miller : He was reared on a farm, and remained with his father until the age of 14, when he began hiring out to do farm-work. This he continued for a few years, or until 1828, when he secured a situation as salesman in a store at Mckeans- burg, Penn .; there his first instructions as a salesman were received. His first year's salary for this work was $30. In 1830, he secured, through the influence of his uncle, John Miller, a situation in the store of Mr. Henry Arnold, in Lancaster, Ohio. A short residence in that place brought on an attack of fever and ague, on account of which he returned to Pennsyl- vania. Recovering, he again secured a situa- tion in MeKeansburg, where he remained most of the time until preparations were made by his father to move to Ohio, which event oc- curred as above stated. The business was con- ducted in Bucyrus under the firm name of Peter Miller & Son, until the death of the old gentleman, which occurred on his 55th birth- day, August 1, 1839. W. W. continued the business until Ang. 31, 1848, when his building and entire stock of goods were destroyed by fire. Though sustaining this loss by fire, Mr. Miller was still in fair financial circumstances, and in 1852, he, in company with some other gentlemen of Bucyrus and Mansfield-John Sherman, now of national reputation, being one of the number-engaged in the general banking business in Bucyrus. The Mansfield gentlemen withdrawing, the business was continued until 1862, by Messrs. Musgrave, Hetich, Adams and Miller, of Bueyrus, when they discontinued the business to devote their time to other interests and enterprises. Mr. Miller has bought and sold many different lots and tracts of land iu and about Bucyrus. For a number of years, he has been in no active business, but has been reaping the reward of his early industry and economy, in a pleasant home in West Bucyrus,

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where, in company with his estimable wife, he resides in peace and contentment. On Jan. 28, 1836, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Cath- arine, daughter of Henry and Catharine Sell. She too, bore her burdens nobly in their early struggles to accumulate a competency, and in the rearing of their family of four children to honorable man and womanhood. Her portrait appears in this work, as a lady worthy of a place in the history of Crawford Co. Their children are Maria W., now the wife of C. H. Shonert ; Wilson A., James K. and Clarrissa.

HARVEY E. MORGAN, barber, Bucyrus ; was born in Springfield, Clarke Co., Ohio, Dec. 15. 1833. His father, Nimrod Morgan, was born Dec. 25, 1789, and was for many years a slave in Bourbon Co., Ky. ; he commenced to buy his freedom, and labored for several years in order to secure enough to emancipate him- self and wife ; he settled in Springfield, Ohio, about 1825, and followed the trade of a black- smith for many years ; Nimrod Morgan was the father of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters, and is still living at an ad- vaneed age ; he was 91 years old on Dec. 25, 1880. Harvey E. Morgan, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest son, and in his youth received only two months' instruction at a regu- lar school ; but in after life he acquired by his own efforts a good education. He assisted his father in the blacksmith-shop until about 18 years of age, and then entered a barber-shop at Cincinnati, Ohio, serving an apprenticeship of two years with George Anderson. During the next year he followed his trade on the steam- boat Jacob Streeter, which made regular trips between Cineinnati and New Orleans. He then worked at Richmond, Ind., for four months ; then at Dayton, Ohio, for two years ; then at Miamisburg about one year ; he also followed his trade as a journeyman barber in New York City, many places in Michigan, Penn- sylvania, Illinois and Ohio, including the cities of Chicago and Cleveland. He was married to Miss Isabella C. Bell, of Xenia, on Oct. 18, 1854, and after working in Springfield a short time removed to Miamisburg, where they re- mained about a year and then removed to Mansfield, where they resided for a longer pe- riod. In April, 1860, the family settled in Bu- cyrus, where Mr. Morgan has since followed his trade with good success. At the present time he runs three chairs in his establishment,

which is located in the Reid frame building at the northwest corner of the public square ; his rooms are conveniently located, handsomely furnished, and all his customers are satisfied with the treatment they receive upon giving him their patronage. He is gentlemanly in his deportment and has always attended strietly to business, but nevertheless, during the war, when politieal feeling was most intense against the race to which he is an honor, and when a eraven fear of the draft made ruffians and cowards of many, the trials of Mr. Morgan were exceeding- ly severe. The night succeeding the day of a politieal meeting, was certain to be disgraced by acts of oppression and cowardice toward him. Upon four different occasions his shop windows were broken in and his furniture de- stroyed. When prominent white citizens were frequently insulted and abused on the streets, it is not likely a colored citizen, although harm- less, inoffensive and non-combative, could es- eape similar treatment ; he was assaulted and abused on the streets by eowards and ruffians who were safe from all legal responsibility, for frequently officers sworn to preserve order in the community assisted the rabble in making the place uncomfortable' for Morgan, who was therefore stoned, chased and abused whenever it suited the pleasure of these enemies of his people. His employes were driven from the town. his family kept in perpetual alarm and at one time frightened from their home; thus an innocent wife and helpless children were also the victims of the brutality of the mob. Mr. Morgan is the father of nine children, seven of these are still living-Alice, Lucinda, Lil- lian, Edward H., Frederick D., Jay R., and Carl S. Mrs. Morgan is a consistent member of the M. E. Church.

DANIEL MILLER, Bucyrus. The history of Crawford Co. would indeed be incomplete without the subjoined sketch of the Miller family. John Miller, father of Daniel, was a native of Little York, Penn., from which place to Perry Co., Ohio, his parents removed when he was yet a child. Helearned the cabinet-mak- er's trade in early life, and soon after reaching his majority, went to Lieking Co., Ohio, where he worked at his trade. It was in this county at Granville that he met Miss Lydia Murdiek, to whom he was married, and who was the mother of his five children. For some time after his marriage, Mr. Miller resided in Perry

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Co., working at his trade. In 1825, he came to Crawford Co., and settled in Bucyrus, which at that time was but a small hamlet on the San- dusky River. For some time, he worked at carpentering and cabinet-making, and then en- gaged in the hotel business and dry goods trade. He built the first carding-mill in the town, and through his endeavors it proved a success, and was, for a number of years, one of the leading industries of the county. He was twice elected Sheriff of the county, and it is said by old settlers that the county never had a more efficient officer. For a number of years, he kept an exchange office and dealt quite largely in real estate. He purchased of a Mr. Clark 80 acres of land, which he laid out in town lots, and which is now known as " Miller's Addition " to Bucyrus. He was in fact one of the most prominent and successful business men of that day, and contributed not a little to the building-up and improving of the little city he had chosen as his home. This good man departed this life in 1858, and was followed by his wife in 1871. Daniel Miller was born in Perry Co., Ohio, June 1, 1824, and his youth and early manhood were passed upon a farm. He received a good common-school education, and soon after reaching his majority, began for himself as a farmer. His marriage with Miss Maria Lemmon occurred in 1847. She was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., May 20, 1827, and came from there to Seneca Co., Ohio, when a child. She is sister of Judge Lemmon, of To- ledo, one of the leading jurists of Northern Ohio. Mr. Miller's marriage bore the fruits of seven children. six of whom are yet liv- ing-Jennie, John D., Charles R., Francis E., Cassius M. and Stansbury L. Jeannette was the name of the one deceased. Mr. Miller has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 142 acres of land, one and one-half miles west of Bucyrus, upon which are good and substantial farm buildings. Politically, he is a Republican. Socially, he and wife are sec- ond to none in the county.

JOHN MEYER, Bucyrus ; was born March 24, 1832, in Lindach, Oberamt Gmuend, Wur- temberg, Germany. He is the son of Caspar and Catharina (Esterday) Meyer, who were na- tives of Germany and the parents of six chil- dren, viz., Dorotha, Christian, Mary, John, Catharina and Barbara. The father was twice married, his second wife being Margaret Man-

gold, who was the mother of two children, viz., Rosanna and Magdalena. The father was a baker and farmer, and held, during his lifetime, many positions of honor and trust in his na- tive country. The subject of this sketch at- tended school and assisted his father until 14 years of age. About this time, the father died. This compelled young Meyer to care for him- self, and the next five years found him working on a farm at $30 per year. He had saved some money at the expiration of that time, and he concluded to try his fortune in the New World. He arrived in the United States in 1853, and, the same year, came to Bucyrus, Ohio, which he has since made his home. On his arrival at Bucyrus, he had but $2, but he went to work on a farm, and, for two years, fol- lowed that as a vocation. He then, for a few years, worked in a hotel and at brick-making. He was united in marriage, April 8, 1858, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Eva (Stichler) Bauer, both natives of Bavaria, Ger- many, and the parents of five children. Mi- chael, one of the sons, was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, and was killed while fighting for his country. Mrs. Meyer was born Oct. 17, 1838, in Bavaria, Germany. Her marriage with Mr. Meyer bore the fruit of seven chil- dren, six of whom are now living, viz., Eliza- beth, John, Jacob, Catharine, Charles and Frank. The name of the one deceased was Amelia. Mr. Meyer worked, for some years after his marriage, at brick-making. He then entered the employ of Vollrath & Blicke, with whom he remained some three years, and then pur- chased the business of them, in which he has since remained. He owns a nice business prop- erty on Sandusky street, and is doing a large and steadily increasing business. He is a Democrat in politics, and has twice been elected to the responsible office of Corporation Treas- urer. He is spoken of in very complimentary terms as an official.

JOHN R. MILLER, lumber merchant, Bu- cyrus ; was born Nov. 13, 1840, near London- derry, England; he is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Henry) Miller, both of whom were born in Cheshire, England, and who now reside in Perth Co., Ont., Canada ; Mr. Miller was 8 years old when his people emigrated from England to Canada ; they settled on a farm in the same county in which they still reside ; there the early life of John R. was spent, and

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an education received ; at the age of 16 years, he began learning the carpenter's trade with one Jacob Bald, of Stratford, with whom he remained for two years; his father buying a carriage factory, required the help of his son to run it; he therefore quit the carpenter's trade to take charge of the wood-work depart- ment in the shops of his father; his father continued the business for four years, when he sold out ; this left young Miller free to make new arrangements for his own future ; accord- ingly, in the spring of 1863, he came to Seneca Co., Ohio, to see an uncle, and, while there, he took a contract to build for him a barn ; this piece of work served as an introduction for him, and, after its completion, he secured plenty of contracts for building : for a time, he followed the business of building in the States in summer, and returning to his home in Can- ada in winter. May 4, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary E. Mckinstry, of Bucyrus, Ohio. For two years after marriage, Mr. Miller lived in Seneca Co., Ohio, but, in February of 1876, he came to Bucyrus, where he has since re- sided ; for one year, he worked at his trade, and then became a member of the firm of Os- man Miller & Co., manufacturers and dealers in lumber ; several changes were made in the firm until 1879, when Mr. Miller became the sole owner and proprietor ; he has been one of the active, energetic business men of Bucyrus, and his success is the result of his own good financiering. He is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the Knights of Honor ; Mrs. Miller, as well as himself, is a member of the M. E. Church. They have two children living-Car- rie Gertrude and James William.

C. G. MALIC, merchant, Bucyrus. This gentleman, so well known to the citizens of Crawford Co., was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, March 20, 1834, and is the son of Caleb and Barbara (Heibold) Malic. After receiving his education, he sailed to America, and was on the ocean twenty-seven days, landing in September, 1847. He at once came to Craw- ford Co., and commenced work at cabinet-mak- ing, at which he continued some six months. Ile also followed threshing for two years, and, in the meantime, attended school, and acquired a knowledge of the English language. Liberty Corners, in Vernon Township, was the scene of his first clerical and mercantile labors. In October, 1851, he commenced at that place as

salesman. and continued for some four years. Hle then purchased a half-interest with John Kaler, in Bucyrus, which partnership lasted until 1859, when the subject of our sketch pur- chased the entire business, and continued it until the fall of 1864. In the following year, he began business in the place which he now occupies, with John Kaler and John Keil as partners, dealing in dry goods and groceries. Mr. Keil retired in 1867, and the remaining two partners continued the business until 1876, when Mr. Malic purchased the entire business, and was sole owner until 1878, when James Gloyd became an equal partner. They are now running the business together, and have large salesrooms on the northwest corner of the pub- lic square, one 26x60 feet, devoted to the dry goods business, and a carpet room on the second floor. The grocery occupies a room to the rear of the dry goods department. They are doing a flourishing business, and are recognized as among the leading business men of the place. Mr. Malic was married in May, 1864, to Re- becca Gloyd, of West Liberty. and of this mar- riage there are four children-Mary, the wife of C. C. Scott, of Bucyrus ; James B., a clerk in the store ; Emma, wife of H. J. Deal, of this city, and Charles. Mr. Malic is a self-made man, and began without capital, and has brought himself into affluence by industry and business tact. He is a prominent citizen, taking interest in public affairs, and is at present a member of the Council of Bucyrus.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 112

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