History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 115

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 115

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PHILIP OSMAN, tile manufacturer, Bucy- rus ; son of Jacob and Catharine (Eichman) Osman ; was born March 29, 1829, in the town of Rutdow, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He

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left school when 12 years old to learn black- smithing. He served an apprenticeship of four years, during a part of the year working from 4 o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock at night, and without compensation. He next worked in the Province of Baden about eighteen months, when he went to France, and there worked as journeyman blacksmith for about three and a half years. On reaching the age of 21, he sailed for America, landing at Phila- delphia in June, 1850. He worked in a car- riage factory of that city some seventeen months, when he set out for Ohio, reaching Bucyrus in December, 1851. Here he was employed by Jefferson Norton one year, when he started a shop of his own. He did only custom work for some time, then began the manufacture of car- riages and wagons. He continued in this busi- ness with fair success until 1876, when he re- tired, selling his interest to his son Lewis and David B. Woodside. In 1870, he became in- terested in the manufacture of draining tile, but rented the factory until 1877, when he gave the business his personal attention, and has since done a large business at the factory located on the Galion road. Mr. Osman is one of those who started in business without capital, and by hard work, and close attention to business, has steadily gained the confidence of all, and that esteem which is the meed of every worthy and useful citizen. Feb. 14, 1854, he united in mar- riage with Miss Catharine Hooker, of Bucyrus. The fruit of this union was six children, only three of whom are living-Lewis, Aquilla and Mattie. The wife and mother of these children died July 25, 1866, and he subsequently was married to Miss Anna Keller, of Bucyrus. Mr. Osman takes an active interest in the cause of temperance, and believes in the legal prohibition of the rum traffic.

DAVID PETRY, Bucyrus ; was born July 4, 1841, in Schuylkill Co., Penn. He is one of a family of five children born to Charles and Phobe Petry, both of whom were natives of Berks Co., Penn., where they were married, and 1 resided until their removal to Schuylkill Co. ; They removed from this to Richland Co., Ohio, in 1857, where the father now resides. The mother died Sept. 5, 1872. David Petry was reared upon a farm, and received the advantages of a common-school education. He was mar- ried March 28, 1863, to Miss Mary A. Wirt. She was born in Bavaria, Germany. Nov. 26,

1842. They have one daughter-Mary A., born March 1, 1864. Mr. Petry came to this county in 1870, and has become well and favorably kuown to the people of Bucyrus and vicinity. He takes great interest in all educational enter- prises, and, by his integrity and gentlemanly conduct, has surrounded himself with a large circle of friends. He owns 132 acres of land, which he farms in a successful and systematic manner. Politically, he is a Democrat.

JUDGE JOSIAH S. PLANTS (deceased), Bucyrus. Judge Plants, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, was a son of Samuel and Rachel (Sands) Plants, and was born Dec. 10, 1820, in York Co., Penn., it is believed. When 14 years of age, he came to Bucyrus with his parents. They stopped with George Lauck, who kept tavern at that time. He persuaded them to remain, and he bought land within three miles of Bucyrus. The subject remained there two years, when he learned the shoe- maker's trade, but only worked at it a short time. By his own exertions, he educated him- self, plying his vocation with an open book be- fore him, and, when he acquired a sufficient education to teach, took up a school. When his term closed, he entered Ashland Academy, alternating for several terms as teacher and student. When about 23, he entered upon the study of the law with Robert McKelly, of Bucy- rus, now of Upper Sandusky, finishing his course with Judge Scott, of Bucyrus. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1842, as noticed in the sketch of the legal profession in another depart- ment of this work, and practiced until 1858, when he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in which capacity he served until his death, which occurred at Davis Station, Ill., by the accidental discharge of a gun, on the 24th of August, 1863. He taught the first high school in Bucyrus, previous to his begin- ing the study of law. He commenced life with- out capital, and acquired a handsome com- petency through his own exertions. He was married Jan. 1, 1849, to Miss Amanda C. Lauck, of Bucyrus. Three sons and one daughter were born of this marriage-Justinian L., Galen S., Frank and Anna J. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Plants has cared for and educated her family. Justinian lives at Bedford, Iowa, and is a Notary Public and Real Estate agent. Ga- len lives in Concho Co., Texas, and is a stock- raiser. Judge Plants is spoken of among his

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large circle of friends, as a faithful friend, hon- est counselor, able advocate aud just Judge. His heart was open as his charity was bound- less, and the poor were never turned away hungry from his door.

DAVID PRICE, proprietor of Monnett House, Bucyrus ; son of John and Anna (Watts) Price, was born Sept. 6, 1823, in Man- hattan Co., Island of Manhattan, then Harlem, where he went to school until he was 14 years old. His father was a butcher, and our subject attended on a stall in Washington market in the meantime. Mr. Price has "roamed through many lands;" for years he was a sailor, and his life was spent "on the ocean wave," his home was "on the rolling deep," and to use his own words he " never felt so much at home as when on blue water." In addition to his other sailor experiences and other voyages, he made a trading voyage around the world, leav- ing New York in 1844. His vessel, which was the sail vessel Truscot, sailed from New York direct for the Gulf of Guinea, on the coast of Africa, where they took on a cargo of ivory ; thence rounded the Cape of Good Ilope ; passing across the Indian ocean, they touched at Ans- tralia ; thence north to Kamtchatka and the sea of Okhotsk ; thence among the islands of the South Pacific for spices ; thence rounded Cape Horn, up the South Atlantic and back to New York, after an absence of thirty-nine months. He shipped, originally, as a cabin boy in the Live Oak, schooner, bound to Flor- ida, which he continued at intervals until he started on his " voyage round the world." He began his nautical career as cabin boy, then served as a sailor, and finally as fourth mate. In 1850, he left the high seas, intending to con- fine his voyages to the lakes ; took one trip to Marquette, but, not liking it, he retired from the business and settled in Cleveland, where he started a butcher shop, which proved success- ful. He became clerk in Gorham & Aplin's grocery for some time. He was next money deliverer for the American Express Co., which position he filled for about three years. In 1872. he became proprietor of the Gibson House, at Crestline, and operated it for about three years. July 1, 1875, he purchased the furniture and fixtures, and leased the Monnett House, of Bucyrus, and has done a good busi- ness ever since as its proprietor. The house contains forty-nine light, airy rooms, all newly

furnished and re-fitted. It has two large and elegant sample rooms on first floor, and his ta- ble is furnished with all the delicacies in their season, and if his guests do not get hold of them it is not his fault. He has made such improve- ments as render the Monnett House first-class in every respect. In September, 1859, he was married, at Milwaukee, Wis., to Miss Abbie M. Shurbin, of Concord, N. H.

E. P. PENFIELD, physician and surgeon, Bucyrus ; is the son of Samuel and Clara E. (Woodworth) Penfield, and was born in Huron Co., Ohio, April 5, 1833. His home was in North Fairfield until he had attained to the age of 14 years. He then went to the Normal Academy at Norwalk, and received a good edu- cation. He commenced the study of medicine in 1854, with Dr. D. H. Reed, of his native village, and graduated at the Homeopathic Medical Col- lege in 1859, and immediately after, went to Newark, Ohio, where he entered into a good practice, remaining some three years. He re- moved to Bucyrus in June, 1861, and opened an office. During this time, he has built up an excellent practice, and gained an enviable reputation as a skillful physician, being the only representative of the homeopathic school in the city. He is a member of the State Homeopathie Association, and was, at its sec- ond session, elected Secretary. On April 15, 1857, he was married to Louisa H. Smith, of North Fairfield, Huron Co. Three sons are the blessings of this union-Charles S., Jamie W. and Arthur E. The eldest, Charles S., is a graduate of Hahnemann Homeopathic School of Chicago, and is practicing there at present. The doctor's father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. They were early settlers in Huron Co., where his father was a wagon-maker, but followed farming later in life. Dr. E. P. Penfield is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been Trustee for nine years. As a physician, he ranks among the first in the city, and has been a prominent and valuable citizen, and one who is well known as a man of principle and true worth.

WILLIAM POPE, manufacturer, Bucyrus ; is the son of Perry Pope and a native of New York, having been born in Edmeston, Otsego Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1825. His earlier years, until he had attained the age of 15, he spent upon the farm and secured such education as was afforded by the common school in his

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neighborhood. At the age mentioned he began the harness trade, working in his native county for some five years ; subsequently he engaged in work at an art gallery, where he continued for some eight years. In the meanwhile he read medicine, and, in 1852, he commenced the practice of medicine in the Western part of New York. In the spring of 1855, he came to Crestline, where he continued the practice of his profession until 1870. In the meantime, in con- nection with William Franz, he became inter- ested in the improvement of knitting machines, and applied for their first patent in 1868, which was granted in the following March. Since then they have taken out eight patents on these machines and have purchased six others. In 1870, Mr. Pope, in company with Dr. C. Fulton. James Clements, John Franz and others, became incorporated for the pur- pose of manufacturing these machines and knit goods. Their first machines were put upon the market in 1870, when they became quite popu- lar and are now used extensively as a family machine and by manufacturers. Mr. Pope is President and General Manager of this com- pany, and has shipped goods to Germany, England and Japan. He was married to Cor- nelia Waring, of Franklinville, N. Y., on Nov. 17. 1856. Seven children have been the fruit of this union-William W., Lois, Ida, Kate, Henry, Anna and Frank.

REV. JAMES T. POLLOCK, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bucyrus ; is a son of William and Fannie R. (Thomson) Pollock, and was born in Leesburg, Carroll Co. Ohio, Aug. 14, 1835. He was reared on a farm and went to a common school until he was 16 years of age. He was then given the advantages of a higher education, and at the age of 22 he grad- nated at Geneva College, Logan Co., Ohio. He was licensed to preach, April 16, 1860, by the Scotch Covenanter Church, and was ordained at Utica, Ohio, July 11, 1861. He entered upon his ministerial labors at Bovina, N. Y., serving from 1861 till 1863 with gratifying success. In the following year he enlisted as Chaplain of the 91st Ind. V. L., and continued until the close of the war, witnessing the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and proving of great assistance to the wounded. After the war, he was called by the New School Presby- terian Church, of Osborn, Greene Co., Ohio., to fill their pulpit, where for four years he labored

successfully. For the three years following, he was Pastor of the Church at Monroeville, Hu- ron Co., Ohio. The Presbyterian Church of Tif- fin next gave him a call and here he labored in his chosen calling, until 1877, when he removed to Maumee City, remaining but six months, and in January, 1879, he came to Bucyrus, where he has proven himself a model Pastor and beloved of his people. He was married, June 12, 1867, to Elizabeth A. Andrews, of Montgomery Co., Ohio. Of this union there are three children living-Fanny T., Margaret R. Melville A. A son, Charles F., is dead.

ZALMON ROWSE (deceased), whose por- trait appears in this work, was one among the earliest of Crawford County's pioneers. He was born in December of 1789, in the State of Massachusetts. His parents were poor and un- able to give him the advantages of a classical education. He was endowed with a quick and comprehensive mind, and by his own efforts he

succeeded in getting a good education, which he turned to the best advantage by engaging in school teaching. When 16 years old he went to .Wayne Co., Penn., and while there, when he had arrived at the age of 19. he was married to Miss Mehetabel Kent, who was then 16 years old. In the spring of 1821, he walked from Wayne Co., Penn .- 500 miles-to Craw- ford Co., Ohio, where he entered three tracts of land of 80 acres each, after which he again walked to his home. In the fall of the same year, he moved to this county with his family, which consisted of his wife and six children. They started on the 12th of October, 1821, and with a team of oxen made the journey to Craw- ford County by the 2d of December following. Mr. Rowse first located in Whetstone Town- ship on one of his purchases, that now lies within one-fourth of a mile of the incorporate limits of Bucyrus. He remained there about two years and then removed to another of the three original eighties, which is now owned and resided upon by Col. William Monnett. Mr. Rowse taught one term of school after he came to Crawford County. Shortly after his arrival, he was made one of the County Com- missioners, and following this he was elected Justice of the Peace. He was then appointed Clerk of the Court of Crawford County, in ad- dition to which he also held the office of County Recorder. These different offices he held about fifteen years. He was a member of

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the Whig party, and at the organization of the Crawford County Militia, he was re-elected Colonel. He never engaged in the mercantile business, but bought and sold many tracts of real estate in and about Bucyrus. He also did contracting of almost any kind. When the old Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike was built, he contracted and built several miles of it, which ran through Bucyrus. His greatest amusement was hunting, at which in those early days he had a decided advantage to grati- fy his passion, as game of almost every descrip- tion common to the climate was abundant. He was a member of the order of A., F. & A. M., and for twenty years previous to his death he was a member of the M. E. Church, as was also his wife, whose death occurred in 1849. Mr. Rowse survived his wife until Aug. 16, 1854, when he also passed away. They were both interred in the old burying-ground, east of Bu- cyrus, but subsequently their remains were re- moved to Oakwood Cemetery. They left a family of children to mourn their loss, among whom were the sons, Horace and William, who have since become prominent business men of Bucyrus, and to whom we are indebted for many of the facts and data of this sketch and for the portrait of their father, the subject of this memoir, Col. Zalmon Rowse.

WILLIAM ROWSE, merchant, Bueyrus, is a son of Zalmon and Mehetabel (Kent) Rowse, and was born in Bucyrus April 24, 1824. He was among the earliest born in this city, and is now, probably, the oldest native of the town, now living. He spent his youth in tilling the soil, and attended school, acquiring a servicea- ble education. At the age of 21, Mr. Rowse be- gan to labor for himself, and commenced farm- ing on the place now owned by William Mon- nett, which land had been entered by his father, Zalmon Rowse. For three years he continued to farm this property, and then exchanged it for one in Whetstone Township, where, for seven years, he lived and farmed, with good success. In 1859, he removed to Bucyrus, and, in connection with his brother Horace, built the Rowse Block. After its completion, they opened a general store, and with the exception of one year, Mr. Rowse continued in this busi- ness until 1876, meeting with splendid success. In March, 1878, he opened a store at No. 3 Quinby Block, and is at present doing a flour- ishing business, carrying a general stock of

dry goods, groceries and boots and shoes. He was married, in September, 1849, to Catherine C. Finn, of Dundaff. Six children were the fruits of this union, three of whom are dead. Those living are Charles H., Cora A. and Carrie A. Mr. Rowse is an old resident of the city, and one of its influential men. He is a prom- inent member of the M. E. Church, being one of its Trustees, and is a man of noted honesty and integrity, who shares largely in the esteem of his fellow-citizens.

HORACE ROWSE, merchant, Bucyrus, was born Sept. 23, 1811, among the hills of Wayne Co., Penn., and is the son of Zalmon and Mehetabel (Kent) Rowse. The subject of our sketch spent the first fifteen years of his life on a farm. When aged 10 years, his parents removed to this county, and located on what is now known as the Ludwig farm, one mile east of town. They next moved to the William Monnett place, when Horace, who was then 16 years of age, came to Bucyrus, and went to school the first winter to a teacher named William Blowers. He worked for his father on the farm till he was 23, and, in the meantime, taught his first term of school at the age of 21 ; continued at intervals, teaching some four terms. For three years he worked for his father on a contract of the Columbus and San- dusky Turnpike. He and his brother bought 400 acres of land, about two and a half miles from town, where he lived about two years. In 1838, he removed to town, and worked on the jail and boarded other employes. In 1842, himself and brother opened in the mercantile line, but Horace sold out in two years, and re- moved to Sulphur Springs, where he kept a general store. He was here in business for seven years, and then bought the old home- stead, where he remained two years, and then selling it to William Monnett in 1853. Return- ing to Bucyrus, he opened a store where Malic is now. Two years afterward he purchased the corner, and exchanged that for 400 acres of land in Whetstone Township, which he rented. In 1856, he put a stock of goods in Rowse's Block, and was there until 1858. He and his brother then built the structure which he now occupies, and continued business for some ten years. In company with his son, he opened a shoe store in the Quinby Block, in 1875, and subsequently put in a stock of dry goods. He retired in 1878, and, in 1879, he

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and his son opened a grocery and provision store, also a news depot. in which business they still continue, and have been successful. He was married, in September, 1834, to Cath- erine Bell, of Delaware Co., Ohio, and of that marriage six children are living-Eva, Ada, Theron A., Emma, Kate and Henry. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and Steward of its organization. Mr. Rowse has been a suc- cessful business man, and is a much-respected citizen.

ALEXANDER A. RUHL, Clerk of Courts, Bucyrus. The genial and popular Clerk of Crawford County was born April 4, 1828, in Shrewsbury, York Co., Penn., and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Daws) Ruhl. His father was a farmer and came to Ohio in 1833, settling near Galion, the north part of which city is now on land that he once owned. At the time of his settlement there, Galion was composed of a few cabins. The subject of our sketch gathered chestnuts on what is now the public square, and deer were common even in his day. Mr. Ruhl, Sr., cleared that portion of the city north of the square. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a highly re- spected citizen, and died at the age of 63. His family consisted of nine children, eight of whom are still living-Cornelius K., died in July. 1863; Joanna, wife of O. T. Hart, of Galion ; Margaret, wife of C. G. Rupp, of Bucyrus ; James H., farmer in Allen Co., Ind. ; Mary M .. lives in Galion ; Louisa M., is now the wife of W. H. Clymer, editor of The Times, Van Wert, Ohio ; Calvin E., dentist at Findlay ; Sarah G., married S. G. Cummings. These, including the subject of our sketch, composed the family. Alexander was but four years old, when he came to Ohio with his parents, and attended school but little, the advantages of education not being as at present. At the age of 22 he entered Wittenberg College, at Springfield, at- tending two years. In 1850, he came to Bucy- rus, and entered the dry-goods store of Henry Converse, and remained some four years. In 1859, he was elected Auditor, and discharged the duties of that office four years. He trav- eled extensively through the West and South, during the years of 1866 and 1867. When in 1868, the Bucyrus Machine Works were started under the direction of a stock company, Mr. Ruhl was elected Secretary, and filled the posi- tion with satisfaction for some eighteen months,

when he commenced traveling and selling ma- chinery for McDonald & Co., of Wooster, Ohio, and continned for five years. In 1875, he com- menced selling machinery of various kinds in Bucyrus, and continued until his election as Clerk, in October, 1879. He was married, Dee. 27, 1853, to Aurelia M. Shanke, of Bucyrus, and they have three children-Ida B., Geo. S. and Frank I. Mr. Ruhl is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a highly re- spected citizen.

JOHN REXROTH, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; a son of John N. and Anna M. (Writman) Rex- roth, was born May 10, 1836. in Bucyrus ; at the age of 3 years, his parents removed to Winchester, where ten years of his youth were spent, he attended school at that place three months each year. and returned to Bucyrus with his family in 1849. going to school here until the winter of 1854, under John Hopley, Esq. He and his brother rented land near But- cyrus, and supported the family by teaming and other work. He aided his father in his shop until he gave up blacksmithing, about 1855. The family exchanged town property for 80 acres of land, in 1857, lying just south of town, to which they moved. Here they lived some time, and then removed to another farm-the Riley Pettitt farm-where they lived until 1867 : his father died there June 15, 1867. They then returned to Bucyrus. Thus far the subject had been a member of the fam- ily and its chief support in early part of the time ; all working together, however. He was married, Dec. 18, 1867, to Miss Maggie S. Frey, of Bucyrus, who was born June 14, 1847, in Germany, and came to this country when but 6 years old, and was educated here. They have four children living-Charles F., born Oct. 1, 1868 ; Lilly J., born July 5, 1875 ; Royal R., born Dec. 8. 1877 ; Clyde N., born Sept. 15, 1879 ; John Jay died when only 3 years old. After marriage, Mr. Rexroth removed to his present place, two and a half miles south of Bucyrus, where he owns at the present time 296 acres of fine farming and grazing land, with some beautiful groves of light timber, and with four flowing springs. These springs have been bored to different depths ; the deepest to a depth of twenty-one feet, and yields a suffi- ciency of water for 1,000 head of cattle. It is of mineral nature (slightly impregnated with iron). He began life in the spring of 1855,

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without a dollar, and in twenty-five years, by hard work and careful management, has accu- mulated a good property. During the war he dealt largely in sheep, buying, grazing and sell- ing. He is now engaged in farming and stock- raising-breeding a high grade of Merino sheep, and has a fine flock. He has always been Republican in politics, and is a member of the M. E. Church at Bucyrus. John N. Rex- roth, the father of John Rexroth, was born Nov. 6, 1800, in the village of Erbach. Hesse- Darmstadt. Germany, and went to school there from 6 to 14 years of age, after which he learned the trade of blacksmithing. probably with his father. He followed his trade in the old country until 30 years old, when he came to the United States, landing at Baltimore, after a voyage of six months. being wrecked twice on the way. At Baltimore, he met and married Anna M. Writman, who was born near Carls- ruhe of Baden. She came over about the same time as himself-the only one of her family, and they were married March 1, 1831, in Baltimore, and at once removed to Gettys- burg. Penn .. where they lived little more than a year. In 1833, they came to Bucyrus, where he followed his trade until 1855, accumulating property rapidly. He purchased considerable land by his indefatigable industry, but by se- curity debts for friends, lost nearly all, except a comfortable home. and they worked together until all the children were educated. Mr. Rex- roth was raised a Lutheran, and when he came to Bucyrus he united with the Evangelical As- sociation, but that society did not prosper, and he united with the German M. E. Church, and was a devoted Christian to the time of his death, which occurred June 15, 1867 ; and was class- leader for many years. He had two remarkable visions or dreams ; some twenty years before his death, when reverses had come upon him, and he retired feeling very despondent. like Bunyan, he "saw in his dream" a "presence," which said, " Come, and I will show you your future ;" following it, he saw a house, larger than the one then occupied ; they went on for some time, when the "presence" said, " Here you stop;" these appeared to be like in ap- pearance to his future home, and the last was the exact counterpart of the place where he afterward died. A stranger, a countryman, once called on Mr. Rexroth, and, after remain- ing with him a couple of hours, left, and went

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 115

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