History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 114

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 114


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155


H. W. McDONALD, civil-engineer, Bucy- rus ; is the son of Reuben and Matilda (Cole) McDonald, and was born in Liberty Township Feb. 12, 1846. He received his education in the Bucyrus Public Schools, and at the age of 13 years entered a store in that place. At the age of 16, he commenced teaching, and taught nine terms in all, and also attended school in the meantime. In 1858, he commenced travel- ing through the Western States, introducing new inventions. In about 1862, he was ap- pointed by the County Commissioners, to the office of County Surveyor, to fill the unexpired term of Horace Martin. He was, at the next election, elected to fill the place, and, in all, was elected for three full terms. During the time that he held the office, Mr. McDonald surveyed. platted and published the current


map of Bucyrus, which is the standard publica- tion of its kind of the county. He also laid out the town by careful surveys, in its present system of sewer districts, and superintended the construction of the principal sewers of the town. The county is also indebted to him for many and important suggestions and improve- ments on the Infirmary farm. Since his retire- ment from the office, he has been engaged in civil engineering and surveying, and dealing in real estate. He has been a member of the City Council, and has been instrumental in the im- provement of the town lying north of the river. Throughout his public life, Mr. McDonald, has secured the respect and esteem of his fellow- citizens. He began without capital, and by in- dustry and good management he has placed himself in good circumstances. He was mar- ried Sept. 1, 1859, to Miss Hattie Perdew, of Benton, this county. Three children are living of this marriage-Laura, Maud and Mott H. Two died in infancy. In politics Mr. McDon- ald has always been a Democrat. His grand- father, Samuel McDonald, was born in Wood- stock, Conn., in January, 1745, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He enlisted in the Con- tinental army at the beginning of the Revolu- tion, and served under Washington throughout the war. After peace was declared, he removed to Berkshire Co., Mass., where he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Squiers. He re- moved to the State of New York about 1820, and settled in the "Holland Purchase," and died at the residence of his son in Cambria, N. Y., in November, 1829. Reuben McDonald, the father of our subject, and a son of Samuel Mc- Donald, the youngest of nine children, was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Jan. 12, 1803, and re- moved to Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1829, where he married Miss Matilda Cole, removing to Liberty Township, in this county, in May, 1832, and now resides on Maple street, in North Bucyrus. James Cole, the father of Mrs. Reuben Mc- Donald, was a native of Nova Scotia, born Nov. 13, 1752, of wealthy parentage. At the com- mencement of the American Revolution, he joined a company of Nova Scotia refugees and served in the Continental army throughout the war, for which he was disinherited; was at Valley Forge with Washington, afterward taken prisoner and incarcerated in a British prison ship in Boston Harbor, where he was badly wounded in one of liis limbs, by the ex-


-


789


BUCYRUS TOWNSHIP.


plosion of a shell, which crippled him for life. After the war closed, he was released and re- ceived pay for his services in Continental money, not worth a-continental-and hobbled on his crutch to Cheshire, Western Mass., where he hired out to a wealthy farmer, named Jesse Mason, working for him nearly a year, and in the meantime marrying his daughter Elizabeth. They removed to Vermont, came back to Mas- sachusetts, and afterward removed to Niagara Co., N. Y., where he died in November, 1826, at the age of 74 years.


JAMES MCKINSTRY ; P. O. Bucyrus, Ohio. James Mckinstry was born in Washington Co., Penn., June 18, 1811. His father, John Mc- Kinstry, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and came to this country in 1776, when but 3 years old. His mother, Mary Patton, was born in South Carolina, her father being a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and a brother-in-law to Maj. Andre. They were married in the year 1806, in Franklin Co., Penn., and became the parents of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, the youngest being now 59 years old. They attribute their long life to habits of industry and sobriety. The early life of James was spent on the farm, working dur- ing the summer and attending school a few weeks in the winter. At the age of 14, he com- menced teaming to Pittsburgh and Wheeling, driving five and six horses before heavily load- ed wagons, over the mountains. This life, which he followed for eight years, threw him among men of the most dissipated habits, and he, with commendable resolution for those times, pledged to himself to forever abstain from the use of spirituous liquors and tobacco, in all its forms-which pledge he has never broken. In September, 1833, his father's family moved to Marion Co., Ohio, and settled near Caledonia. The country was new and very thinly inhabited. Deer and wild turkeys were in abundance. He and his trusty rifle were constant compan- ions, and he can narrate many stirring inci- dents of those pioneer days. He possessed re- markable physical strength, and was therefore in constant demand at clearings and raisings. In 1840, he was nominated on the Whig ticket as candidate for Sheriff of Marion Co., but was defeated by a small majority. On Sept. 15, 1842, he married Miss Rebecca Garberson, old- est daughter of William Garberson, lately de- ceased, of Caledonia. He settled on a farm two


miles west of that town, and, by a life of in- dustry and frugality, he became the possessor of about 600 acres of the best land on the Plains. He was one of the prominent wool- growers of Marion Co., keeping from 800 to 1,800 sheep. During the war of the rebellion, he drove to Illinois more than 4.000 sheep, and fed them there for two years. To afford his children the advantages of an education, he re- moved to Bucyrus in April. 1863. Between 1868 and 1870, he engaged in the grocery bus- iness. His generous and unsuspicious disposi- tion made him frequently the dupe of design- ing knaves, and, during the panic of 1873, he was compelled to pay over $20,000 of that hard- est of all money to pay-" bail money "-by which nearly all the honest earnings of a life were swept away. He is the father of ten chil- dren, six of whom died in infancy and child- hood. Of those living, the oldest is William Thomas, who resides on a farm four miles south of Bucyrus ; the second is Mary E., wife of John R. Miller, proprietor of a saw-mill in Bu- cyrus ; the third is Ama H., wife of Theo. F. Shotwell, an attorney at law in Bucyrus ; and the fourth is Matthew, who still lives at home.


WILLIAM A. McDONALD, marble works. Bucyrus ; is a son of Daniel and Nancy (Thomas) McDonald, and was born Dec. 19, 1827, in Cal- edonia Co., Vt. He was raised on a farm until he was 16 years old, with but little opportuni- ties for obtaining an education. At the age of 16, he began traveling and selling notions, and followed it until 1859, except one year spent in Lyndon and Peacham Academies. During his 19th year he also taught three months. He traveled through all the Northeastern States, and a large portion of the Middle and North- western States, and the Dominion of Canada. with fair success, but his great desire was to see the country. In 1858. he came to Ohio and engaged in the tombstone business, at Mt. Gil- ead, Ohio, until 1867. when he came to Bucyrus and engaged as traveling salesman for the mar- ble shop of J. G. Sherwood. continuing as such until 1876. In 1877, Mr. McDonald started a marble-shop of his own in Bueyrus, and has since done a prosperous business. In January, 1880, he moved into his present shop, on the corner of Warren street and Sandusky avenue. At the same time. he became the partner of W. H. Houpt, under the firm name of Houpt & McDonald, with two large houses-one here


790


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:


and the other at Shelby. Ohio. They employ about twelve skillful hands-among them John HInllikan, of Rutland. Vt., who is one of the most skillful carvers in his profession, his work taking premiums over all competitors at the Crawford County Fair of 1880. Mr. McDonald was married. July 10, 1849, to Miss Jane D. Sayward, of Great Falls, N. H. He has two children living- Allie J. and H. Scott ; three died in infancy. His wife was born in Hollis, Me., on the Sth of September, 1830. Both she and her husband are members of the M. E. Church.


GEORGE MCNEAL, Bucyrus ; is the oldest son of Alexander and Jane (Goshorn) McNeal, and was born Aug. 8, 1822, in Huntington Co., Penn. His father was a native of Pennsylva- nia, of Irish parentage, and a farmer. He married Jane Goshorn about the year 1820; she was also a native of the Keystone State. They had twelve children, nine of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the old- est ; the others are Mary, John, Matilda, James, Alexander, Margaret, Susan and Eliza Ann. In 1835, his parents removed here and settled four miles east of Bucyrus. Here Mr. MeNeal was compelled to work early and late, in clearing the land, and received but little schooling, being compelled to work for the support of the rest of the family, there being twelve children younger than himself. He learned carpenter- ing at the age of 21, working three years with his brother-in-law, Daniel Parcher. He theu removed to Bucyrus, where he became Deputy Sheriff under William C. Beal, and served as Constable at the same time. He engaged in butchering several years, with good success. He then became a partner with J. H. Phillips, in the grocery and provision business, continu- ing from 1867 to 1870. In the spring of 1869, he was elected Mayor of Bucyrus, serving one term. He then became sub-contractor on the A. & L. E. R. R., to grade ten miles, in company with S. D. Rowse. Since that time, he has been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, representing Aultman, Miller & Co., of Akron ; C. Aultman & Co., of Canton; Gaar, Scott & Co., of Richmond, Ind., and other large firms, and is domg a good business. He is now Township Trustee, and has been many years, being also one of the leading auctioneers of the county. By his first marriage, he has four children liv- ing-Orlando, railroad conductor, Ft. Wayne,


Ind .; Maggie. wife of Frank Stauffer, of Bucy- rus ; Dilla Hulda, married, and living in Co- lumbus ; Mary J., Rebecca and Charlotte are dead. His first wife died in October, 1870 ; he was married to Lavinia Knisely, of Osceola, Aug. 8, 1871. He is a member of Bucyrus Lodge, No. 139, and a charter member of Ivan- hoe Chapter, No. 117. A., F. & A. M.


DR. A. C. MCNUTT, physician, Bucyrus ; is the son of Abraham and Jane (Craton) MeNutt, and was born Oct. 26, 1827, at Petersburg, Ohio. He passed his youth here until 12 years of age, when his father moved to Liberty Township, in this county. Here young McNutt worked upon the farm until 22 years of age, gaining his education at the common schools, save a few months spent in the school at Bucy- rus in 1850. In the following year, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. In the spring of 1852, he began the study of medicine with Dr. George S. Ziegler, of Sulphur Springs, Ohio, and, in the mean- while, for several years, teaching school to pay his way. He continued with Dr. Ziegler until his graduation, in March. 1856, at the Starling Medical College, at Columbus. Ohio. He began the practice of his profession in Leesville, in April, 1857, where he continued two and a half years. In 1860, he 'removed to New Washington, where he was at the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion. On Oct. 16, 1861, he was commissioned as State Surgeon by Gov. Tod, and was transferred to the United States service in August, 1862. He was at once sent to the post hospital at Raleigh, Va., where he acted as Assistant Surgeon. For some four months, he acted as Surgeon of the 11th O. V. I. In the fall of 1862, he was taken seriously ill, and returned home. In April, 1863, having re- gained his health, he engaged in his practice at Caledonia, where he continued with good suc- cess until 1874. In May of this year he re- moved to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he has since re- sided. Mr. McNutt is a member of the Ohio State Association. and one of the Vice Presi- dents. He was married Sept. 14, 1858, to Miss Emily Whittaker, of Leesville, a daughter of Annas Whittaker ; she was born there Sept. 14, 1835. Two children have been born to them- Grant A., born July 4. 1864, and Hortensia, born Sept. 10, 1867.


JEREMIAH MORRIS, deceased ; was the son of James and Elizabeth (Pittinger) Morris,


791


BUCYRUS TOWNSHIP.


and was born in Frederick Co., Md., April 6, 1793 ; his father, who was a Methodist minis- ter and a relative of Bishop Morris, died three years later, leaving only a Bible to his son and but little more to his widow; in 1800, Mrs. Morris brought the family down the Ohio to Portsmouth, and afterward married Isaac Monnett, the father of Col. William Monnett. During the war of 1812, Mr. Morris, then a lad of some 19 years, enlisted in Capt. Daw- son's company of Ohio militia, from Ross. Co., Ohio, in which his step-father held a commis- sion; he was stationed at the old fort near Upper Sandusky for some time, where, one night, while on a trip to Ft. Wayne, he lost a horse, stolen by the Indians ; meeting a mes- senger, who reported the affair of Drake's de- feat, they turned back, young Morris making the sixty miles on foot in one day, with noth- ing but a raw piece of bacon and a canteen of whisky. About 1815, he married Miss Mary A. Williamson, of Pickaway Co., Ohio. Here he was made Captain of a militia company, and spent his life until 1834, when he moved to his present residence, in Bucyrus Township ; here he lost his wife, and, some five years after- ward, Oct. 22, 1839, he married Miss Mary Parker, of Pickaway Co., Ohio; Miss Parker was born in Caroline Co., Md., Oct. 31, 1803, and still survives him ; a daughter, Elizabeth, is the only child of this union. Mr. Morris died Oct. 19, 1874. He was for many years a devoted member of the M. E. Church, and pos- sessed more than an ordinary share of amiable qualities ; he possessed a large and powerful frame, was strictly honest. and remarkably industrious, and a Republican in his political affiliations. He died possessed of some three hundred acres of land, most of which he gained through his unaided industry.


DR. J. T. MOLLESON, veterinary surgeon, Bucyrus ; the above-named gentleman is the only representative of veterinary science in this vicinity, and his calling is one worthy of our attention ; the practice of the healing art and study of that branch which has refer- ence to our noble animals has been a growth in this country, and our subject is one who strives, by careful study and scientific research, to exalt and dignify his profession ; many of the aids afforded the practitioner among the human species are denied him who would heal the dumb sufferers of the brute creation; the


diagnosis of these cases must be made by an examination at once scientific and difficult. J. T. Molleson, son of John D. and Lucy (Chamberlain) Molleson, was born March 23, 1840, at Miamisburg, Montgomery Co., Ohio ; while yet an infant, his parents removed to Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio, where his boyhood was spent in the varied employments allotted him on his father's farm until 17 years of age ; he then entered his brother's livery-stable, where he remained some years; at the age of 19, he began study of veterinary works, having been the constant companion and admirer of the horse all his life ; by the year 1861, he had carefully read some standard works on the subject, and began treating some diseases ; in 1867, he entered upon an elaborate course of study of veterinary medicine with Dr. Ballard, of Arcanum, Darke Co., Ohio, a man eminent in his profession ; he continued one year, and completed a course of study on the treatment of horses ; he practiced with good success in Southern Ohio until 1875, when he made his first trip to Bucyrus, locating permanently in 1877 ; since that time, he has successfully treated over one thousand horses, and, during the epidemic among horses in the fall of 1880, treated in three weeks over one hundred horses, without losing a single case. He was married, Dec. 21, 1867, to Miss Hattie McFar- land, of Tippecanoe, Ohio, and of this union five children were born-Fannie, Johnnie, J. D., Leon and Daisy. The Doctor is a member of De Graff Lodge, No. 549, I. O. O. F., and Demas Lodge, No. 108, Knights of Pythias.


JACOB R. MILLER, stock-dealer; P. O. Bucyrus. The subject of this sketch is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ramberger) Miller, and was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1839. The family lived in Dauphin Co. until Jacob was 8 years old, when they moved to Northumberland Co., of the same State, living some seven years there. They returned to Dauphin Co., where Mr. Miller lived until 1865, working hard at farm labor, and going to school but little in youth. In 1865, our sub- ject went to Schuylkill Co., and followed the double occupation of stock-dealer and butcher in the town of Ashland, Penn., until 1871, having good success except for the loss of ac- counts during the strike of 1869. In the spring of 1871, he came to Bucyrus, where he kept the Mader House for one year. In 1873,


792


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:


he opened a butcher-shop on South Sandusky avenue, between Charles and Warren streets, doing a prosperous business until 1878, when he rented the shop to John Heinlen, and has since devoted his attention to buying and sell- ing stock, dealing extensively in cattle. Oct. 22, 1866, he married Miss Hannah Bensinger, of Schuylkill Co., Penn., and of this marriage there were five children, two of whom are liv- ing-Ulysses G. and Villera L .; those deceased are Cora L., died in infancy, in Pennsylvania, and lies buried in Schuylkill Co., while two are buried here-Katie O. and Jennie B. Mr. Mil- ler and wife are both valued members of the German Methodist Church, and he is an es- teemed citizen.


FREDERICK MASSNER, contractor and builder, Bueyrus. A son of Jacob and Maggie (Snawenbarger) Massner, was born May 13. 1834, in Würtemberg, Germany, and received an education under the compulsory laws of the land of his nativity. He then began learning the carpenter's trade in Ludwigsberg, serving with one Charles Bair for four years, without remuneration, and working from 5 in the morn- ing until 7 at night, the year round ; subse- quently he worked two years as journeyman in Zurich, Switzerland. He sailed from Havre. and arrived at New York in September, 1854. He went to Dayton, Ohio. in search of work, and found employment with a farmer five miles from the city, with whom he remained for about one year, completing, in the meantime, his dwelling, which was in process of construc- tion. He then went to Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, where he plied his trade for a few months, thence to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked with a brother for about two years. beginning in 1856, upon the State house. April 4, 1857, was the occasion of his marriage to Miss Fred- ericke Nachtraub, of Columbus. In May, 1858, he came to Bucyrus, where he has since resided with his family, composed of wife and six children, namely-Anna, Henry, Albert, Matilda, William and Charles, two having died, each in the ninth year of its age. After com- coming to Bueyrus, he began taking contracts, building some of the finest residences in the city, among them, that of S. R. Harris. He is an architect of some note, having made it a study in the schools of the old country. His business is quite extensive, having several workmen employed during the season. He


and family are members of the German M. E. Church, also workers in the Sunday-school, he being at present Superintendent, also a Trustee in the church. His wife was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, near the place of his own na- tivity, and came to this country in 1852. Mr. Massner, to use his own language, is a " Re- publican always."


JERRY NIMAN, furniture dealer and under- taker, Bucyrus; was born in Richland Co .. Ohio, Feb. 27, 1841. He is the son of John and Margaret (Bradley) Niman. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Richland Co. at an early day, and there mar- ried about the year 1818. He followed farm- ing with good success. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of six children, and was 7 years old when his father removed to Mans- field, and he received his education in the public schools of that city. His brother was a manu- facturer of furniture, and while yet young Mr. Niman entered the workshop of his brother, having a natural taste for such labor. He fin- ished his apprenticeship at the age of 21, and, having served two apprenticeships at uphol- stering, he worked with his brother as journey- man until 1861. In 1863, he enlisted in the 163d O. V. I., and was at Petersburg and City Point, Va .; was mustered out in September and returned to Mansfield. In April, 1865, he came to Bucyrus and engaged in the manufacture and sale of furniture ; also attending to under- taking. In 1874, he built the northern half of Niman & Fisher's Block, one of the finest briek blocks in the city, his part being 110x21} feet, and three-stories high. Mr. Niman has his furniture warerooms on the second floor, and has a large and elegant stock of the latest and most desirable styles of furniture. He also makes a specialty of undertaking, and is prepared to embalm subjects in the most approved and scientific manner. His experience of twenty- five years makes him a man on whom the peo- ple may rely. He was married, May 5, 1870, to Miss Mary Seamen, of Toledo, Ohio. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and also of Royal Arcanum.


D. W. NUSBAUM, miller, Bucyrus ; is the son of David and Rebecca (Getuldig) Nusbaum, and was born in Frederick Co., Md., June 6, 1833. He went to school some during the winter, and, at the age of 18 years, moved to Seneca Co., Ohio. Previous to this, he had


793


BUCYRUS TOWNSHIP.


worked one year at milling in his native State. also assisting his father in the blacksmith-shop. After coming to Seneca Co., he worked a year at blacksmithing, and then entered a mill near Tiffin and remained three years. He then be- came foreman in the construction of the C., S. & C. R. R. After the completion of this road, he was Division Master for about two and a half years, and then went to Toledo, where he was foreman in charge of 125 men in building the Island House, which occupied two and a half years of his time. He then returned to Tiffin. Ohio, and engaged again at milling, continuing for three years. Next he rented Judge Lugen- beel's Mills, above Tiffin, for one year, and then the Honey Creek Mills for three years. took charge of Kaller's Mills one year, and then Benton's Mills, in Crawford Co., were under his supervision. His health failing, he purchased a farm near Bucyrus, which he still owns, and remained but one year. He came to Bucyrus in 1865, and has remained here ever since. He assisted in the erection of his present mill. He was employed in McClau's Mills, Sandusky Valley Mills, and in the establishment of Voll- rath's. Has been in the present mills since 1878 as a partner. He has always been a Re- publican, true to the principles of the party faith. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was married, in February, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Sinn, of Craw- ford Co. They have three children living- Emma J., Charles and David E., and one child is dead.


SAMUEL NORTON and wife, deceased, Bu- cyrus ; whose portraits appear in this work, were the first settlers of Bucyrus Township. For sketch of them see Chapter VIII, devoted to that township.


JOHN G. OTT, dealer in stoves and tinware, Bucyrus ; is the son of John G. and Mary (Aclin) Ott, and was born Nov. 27, 1810, in Baden, Germany. He went to school from his sixth to his 14th year, and then learned the trades of mill-wright and carpenter. At the age of 20 he entered the regular army, and served three years. In the fall of 1834, he came to America, making the voyage in twenty- eight days. He came by canal and steamboat, from New York to Sandusky City, and by team to Crawford County, with a family named Schlater, who settled in Chatfield Township. He assisted them to build a cabin, and remained


during the winter. In May he went to Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, where he was em- ployed at cabinet-making. He then went to Ft. Wayne and commenced work as a carpen- ter, returning, however, the same year, to Fre- mont. In the spring of 1836, he went to Springfield, Ohio, where he remained until 1841. In 1842, he removed to Kenton, Ohio, where he put up a steam saw-mill, and did a large busi- ness, remaining until 1852; in the meantime, erecting three saw-mills in the county. He re- moved to North Washington in that year, and remained there until 1867, in which year he removed to Bucyrus, and ran the steam pump for the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Rail- road, filling the position for five years. In 1872, he bought a stock of stoves and tinware, and opened a store on Sandusky avenue, north of public square, with his two sons, George and August, as partners. They have a large, complete and attractive stock of stoves, tin- ware and house-furnishing goods, and do all kinds of roofing, spouting and job work. Mr. Ott commenced without capital, and is now one of the substantial business men of the town. He is a member of Crawford Lodge, No. 139, A., F. & A. M. ; Ivanhoe Chapter R. A. M .; also of the Royal Arcanum. He is a Democrat in politics. He was married, Jan. 8, 1838, to Miss Eva Heisel, of Springfield. Ohio. Of this marriage, there are five children- George, Mary, August, Caroline and Louisa. His first wife died in 1854, and he afterward married Miss Elizabeth Orth, of Hardin Co., Ohio. Of this marriage there are two children living-Hamilton and Edward. George M. was born April 8, 1844, in Kenton, Ohio, and received a common-school education. He learned the tinner's trade, and since 1872, has been engaged with his father in the business. August was born June 3, 1847, and has been a member of the firm since 1872. He was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Shealy, of Chatfield Township. Hamilton Ott is a graduate of the Bucyrus High School, and is now attending the Wittenberg College. J. G. Ott & Sons are among the leading business firms of the city, and have an enviable reputation for doing good work, and giving general satisfaction.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.