History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 129

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 129

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WHETSTONE TOWNSHIP.

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WHETSTONE TOWNSHIP.

MICHAEL AUCK, Bucyrus. Christopher Auck, father of Michael, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, Jan. 31, 1813. He received a good education, and, when quite young, entered a shop, serving an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade. In 1831, he came to the United States, and located in Pennsylvania, where, in 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Wag- ner. From this marriage were three children- Michael and Elizabeth living-Mary, deceased. He removed from Pennsylvania to Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1848, and purchased a farm in the " Gibson Neighborhood." His wife died Sept. 2, 1875. Ile was married to Mrs. Catharine Flick Sept. 7, 1876. Michael Auck was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., July 23, 1842. He received a good common-school education, and has been doing business for himself ever since he reached his majority, although he and his parents always made their homes together. He was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Ehman Sept. 20, 1866. She was born in Wur- temberg. Germany, Feb. 9, 1845. There are six children from this union-Mary J., John C., Lney E., William H., Priscilla S. and Samuel E. Mr. Anek owns 204 acres of well-improved land, and is one of the prominent and influential men of Whetstone Township. He is the present Township Treasurer. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the German Reformed Church.

JOSEPH ALBRIGHT, retired, Bucyrus ; was born May 16, 1801, in Huntingdon Co., Penn. His parents, Daniel and Hester (Wag- ner) Albright, were also natives of the Keystone State, where they lived during their lifetime. This family of Albrights are descended from three brothers of that name, who came from Germany to America in colonial times. As a family, they are noted for their frugality, mo- rality and force of character. These character- istics have manifested themselves in the sub- ject of this sketch in a noticeable manner throughout his long and eventful lifetime. At a very early age, he was placed in his father's briekyards, where he was kept to work early and late, receiving but little or no education.

He remained with his father until about 27 years of age, although after reaching his ma- jority, he had an interest in the business. His marriage with Miss Hannah Jury was solem- nized Oct. 11, 1827. She was born in Loudoun Co., Va., March 1, 1809. They are the parents of ten children-Daniel B., Emanuel, Joseph J., George W., John T., Mercia, Hannah and Frank living-Sarah A. and Hester A., deceased. In 1830, he and his young wife left their native State and came overland to the then new and sparsely settled county of Crawford, Ohio. He began burning brick soon after his arrival, and has to a greater or less extent burned and man- ufactured brick and tile ever since. The first piece of land he purchased was 20 acres of un- improved woodland. From this he has gone steadily forward until he now owns about 600 acres of well-improved land. In all his under- takings in life, he has found in his good wife a sound counselor and ready helpmeet, and it is in a great measure owing to this good woman's help and advice that he has been successful. He and wife have been, for a number of years, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Albright was formerly an Old-Line Whig, but, on the organization of the Republican party, joined its ranks, and was, during the late war, an uncompromising Union man. He is an upright Christian gentleman, and one of Craw- ford Co.'s best citizens.

HENRY ALBRIGHT, farmer ; P. O., Galion ; was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Sept. 17, 1827. He is the son of John and Sarah (Shafer) Al- bright, who are natives of the Keystone State, their marriage occurring there in 1816. In 1829, they came to Crawford Co., Ohio, per- forming the journey in about a month, in a three-horse wagon, settling in Whetstone Town- ship, and entering 73 acres of land on Sec. 22. Mr. Albright was a boot and shoe maker, and after his arrival in the township, for quite a number of years, worked at his trade in con- neetion with farming. His death occurred in 1866, under peculiar and distressing circum- stances. On the 1st of May, of the last-men- tioned year, Mr. Albright had in his house

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about $400 in money, together with considera- ble jewelry. These facts having become known outside of the family, aroused the avarice of unknown parties, five or six of whom, com- pletely disgnised with masks and paint, came to the house one night and demanded the money. Having been refused their demands, they set upon Mr. Albright and beat him terri- bly, inflicting the same punishment upon his son John, who had come to the assistance of his father. To save their lives, they were forced to give up their hard-earned money, whereupon the robbers departed. Mr. Albright was so badly injured, that, after lingering until Angust of the same year, he died. The crimi- nals were never identified, although suspicion and some quite strong evidence pointed to some near neighbors as having a hand in the crime. Mrs. Albright died Dec. 4, 1874. Eight children were born to these parents, three sons and five daughters, seven of whom sur- vived the parents. Henry Albright's youth was passed, like that of other country boys, on the farm at hard work. He began for himself when of age, and was married to Miss Savina Weirick Jan. 4, 1854, who was born in Penn- sylvania. She became the mother of four chil- dren, as follows : Matilda, Agnes, Isaac and John. She died in 1866. On the 24th of Sep- tember, 1867, Mr. Albright married Miss Laura Noblit. This lady was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1840; she bore her husband three children-Charles H., George F. and Ida M., all of whom are yet living. Mr. Albright owns 226 acres of well-improved land. He is a prominent Republican, and is nicely situated as regards this world's goods.

SAMUEL BOGEN, farmer ; P. O. North Robinson ; was born in Gettysburg, Penn., Jan. 1, 1816. He is the son of John H. and Mar- garet (Lynd) Bogen, both of whom were natives of Maryland, where they were married and re- sided some years afterward. They then moved to Pennsylvania ; from there to Virginia, and thence to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1835. They came to Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1848. where they resided until their death. The father died Feb. 9, 1859, and the mother in 1869. They were the par- ents of seven children, six of whom are yet living. The father practiced medicine, a pro- fession he followed very successfully all his life. Samuel was raised upon a farm, receiving the advantages of a common-school education.

He was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Bowers Nov. 12, 1838. She was born in Stark Co., Ohio, May 16, 1821. From this union there are eleven children, viz., Sylvester, Eme- line M., Martha J., Sylinda, Emanuel L., Mary E., Sarah A., William S., Rebecca C. and Tabi- tha E., living ; Amelia M., deceased. Mr. Bo- gen began life as a poor boy, and has made what he now possesses by close attention to business, combined with honesty and industry. He owns 101 acres of land, all of which is un- der a good state of cultivation. He is an un- compromising Republican, and one of the most honored and respected citizens of Crawford Co.

DANIEL C. BOYER, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; son of Christian and Elizabeth (Gottshall) Boyer; born Nov. 14, 1822, in Schuylkill Co .. Penn. Christian Boyer was born March 1, 1799, and removed with his wife and family to Crawford Co., in September, 1842. He pur- chased of Martin Shaffner 160 acres in Whet- stone Township, just southeast of Bucyrus, pay- ing for this land $30 per acre. He also bought the 80 acres in Bucyrus Township, just west of his Whetstone farm, and 36 acres north of this land. After living in Crawford Co. nearly ten years, he died May 8, 1852. Elizabeth Boyer, his wife, died June 24, 1863. The subject of this sketch removed to Crawford Co. with his parents, and, shortly afterward, on Nov. 13, 1842, married his half-cousin, Miss Phoebe Boyer, who was born Feb. 15, 1819. She was the daughter of John and Catharine Hunsinger Boyer. Her father was a half-brother to Chris- tian, and had removed to Crawford Co. several years previous to 1842. For many years, he kept an inn on the Bucyrus and Galion road, some three miles from the former town. This pioneer died at the advanced age of 83 years and 9 months, on Dec. 12, 1874. For about twelve months after Daniel and Phœbe were married, they resided on John Boyer's farm, and the owner paid his son-in-law $75 a year for his labor. This was considered good wages at that time. In 1844, the young couple re- moved to the Whetstone farm of Christian Boyer, and, in about two years, Daniel pur- chased the 160 acres from his father, agreeing to pay him $5,000 for the farm. This was at the rate of $31.25 per acre. This farm, their present residence, they have owned and occu- pied for over thirty years. They were the par- ents of several children-Andrew Melanethon

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was born Jan. 16, 1846 ; Edwin Henderson was born Sept. 26, 1847, and died Oct. 27, 1848 ; Ida May was born Nov. 12, 1854, and died Jan. 27, 1858. Their eldest son and only living child, Andrew Melancthon, was married on May 3, 1864, to Miss Tillie J. Freeburn, and they are the parents of one child-Ida May Boyer. About 1853, the subject of this sketch accepted the agency of the Manny Reaper and Mower for the counties of Crawford, Seneca and Wyan- dot. He continued at this business for some nine years. He was more successful than at any other occupation, and was considered one of the best agents employed by the company. The last year of his ageney he was in partner- ship with Mr. Deal. About 1850, he purchased from the Brehmens two machines-a Hussey Reaper and a Hussey Mower. They were the first reaping and mowing machines ever brought to Crawford Co., and were used by D. C. and J. C. Boyer for several years to do their own cutting. Several years after, he purchased the first combined reaper and mower ever brought to the county. About 1860, he attended the Ohio State Fair at Zanesville, and noticed a Hubbard machine, which he purchased. It was the first Hubbard machine sold to a Crawford County farmer, and is still in use on Boyer's farm. Previous to 1840, Martin Shaffner built a rude threshing machine, which was possibly the first one operated in the county. Shaffner sold this to the Boyers, who ran it for several years. About 1858, Boyer purchased of Aaron Cary, for $60, the first piano ever brought to Bucyrus. Cary purchased this about 1850, of Mr. C. H. Shonert, who, several years previous, brought the instrument from Germany. In 1856, Boyer removed to Bucyrus, and resided for some two years on the southwest corner of Charles and Walnut streets. During this period, he was engaged in the mercantile business with his brother Eli, the firm being styled D. C. Boyer & Co. Mr. Boyer is at the present time the largest dealer in thoroughbred Spanish merino sheep in Crawford Co., and possibly the largest raiser of imported sheep. He commeneed breed- ing Spanish merino sheep about 1861, and, in September, 1863, purchased, for $1,200, in part- nership with D. J. Twitchell, the three-year-old Spanish merino ram, " Sweepstakes." This was the most expensive sheep ever brought to Craw- ford Co., and Mr. Boyer relates that it was the best investment he ever made. His large barn

is well adapted to sheltering these animals in bad weather, and, at the present time, he has 175 head of the imported Spanish merino sheep. He has served for many years as Superintendent of the Sheep Department at the annual fairs of the Crawford County Agricultural Society. When this association was re-organized in 1867, he served as President for one year, and was also, for several years, President of the Agri- cultural Joint Stock Co. He is at the present time General Agent of the Crawford County Farmer's Fire Insurance Co. Daniel Boyer united with the Lutheran Church, April 9, 1841, while a resident of Pennsylvania. His wife, Phæbe Boyer, has been a member since June 17, 1837. Mr. Boyer has been an active mem- ber of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Bucyrus for nearly forty years. Twenty-nine years of this period he has served in the Church Council ; three years as a Deacon, and twenty-six years as an Elder.

PETER BEACH, farmer; P. O. Galion ; was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Nov. 16, 1842. He is the son of Adam and Margaret (Simmer- maker) Beach. both of whom were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. They were mar- ried in this county, to which both had come with their parents in the year 1833. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are yet living. The father was an industrious man, and respected by all who knew him. He died in 1850. His wife survives him, and is one of the oldest living settlers of the township. Peter was raised upon a farm, receiving but a limited education. When he was 13 years of age, he took charge of the home place, which he now owns. It consists of 171 acres, upon which are good, substantial farm buildings. He was married to Miss Amanda Cook Feb. 6, 1868, who was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1849. They have two children-Ellen M. and Tina M. Mr. Beach is a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church, and a Democrat. He is one of the Trustees of Whetstone Township, and a prominent and influential citizen.

GEORGE BREHMAN, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Jan. 26, 1825. He is the eldest of a family of ten chil- dren born to John and Frances (Stach) Breh- man. John Brehman removed from Pennsyl- vania to Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1828, settling on the farm now owned by his son George in Whetstone Township. He was a wagon-maker

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by trade, and in that early day his services were highly prized, for there were few men of that trade who settled in Crawford County in that day. He was a very industrious man, working early and late, and doing much gratui- tous work for the settlers as they came into the neighborhood. His two sons, George and John, were kept constantly at work clearing the land he had entered, while he worked at his trade. George from early youth to the present has been noted for his industry, force of char- acter and strict business habits. He was mar- ried March 12, 1850, to Miss Hettie Reiter. She was born in Pennsylvania April 12, 1829. From this union there are ten children-Eme- line, Martha, Matilda, George, Amanda, Me- linda and Eli, living ; John, Ephraim and Clara deceased. He owns 183 acres of well-improved land in Whetstone Township, and is one of the prominent and successful agriculturists of the county. He is a Democrat politically, and has held numerous positions of honor and trust in his township.

JOHN BREHMAN, stock- raiser and farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Feb. 15, 1827, in Franklin Co., Penn. He is the second son of a family of ten children, of John and Frances (Stach) Brehman, who came from Pennsylvania to Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1828. The Brehmans, as well as the Stachs, are of German descent, the grandfathers on both sides being natives of that country ; they were frugal, industrious people, and secured to themselves and families a goodly share of this world's goods. The sub- ject of this sketch was but 1 year of age at the time his parents came to Crawford Co. He re- ceived but a limited education, as he and his brother George, as soon as old enough, were kept constantly at work clearing up the farm. When 23 years of age, he purchased 100 acres of land, paying but little down for it. He had, however, an indomitable will, and knew no such thing as fail. It was not many years until this was paid for and additions made to it. He now owns 260 acres of well-improved land, upon which are as good buildings as are to be found in the township. He was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Shrull March 14, 1850. She was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, July 14, 1833. From this marriage were nine children, four of whom are now living-Stephen, John A., Hattie A. and Eliza E. Mr. Brehman has held a number of offices in Whetstone Town-

ship, and is a Democrat in politics, and a lead- ing citizen.

MARTIN BACON, retired ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born in Mentor, Ohio, July 30, 1809, his parents being Ralph and Mary (Jourden) Bacon, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. When the father was 8 years of age, he was bound out to a man named Heath, near Boston, Mass. At the end of four years, he returned to his parents, and remained with them until he was 17 years of age, when he returned to Ohio, locating near Painesville. Hc acquired some property, and became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his wife. In 1820, the father came with his family to Crawford Co., Ohio, traveling by wagon with two yoke of oxen and one horse. The father had come out the previous year and located his land and made a deposit on it, designing to com- plete the purchase when the land became mar- ketable, which event occurred in 1820. There were but two houses in Bucyrus when they passed through it on their journey out. The father entered 240 acres of land, and his patents, which were signed by President Monroe, are now in possession of Martin Bacon, his son. They endured all pioneer privations and sacri- fices which fall to the lot of the first settlers in a country. The mother died Oct. 5, 1843, and the father followed her June 15, 1849. The parents settled on 80 acres of land in what is now Liberty Township, though the balance of their 240 acres was adjoining, but across the line, in Whetstone Township. At the age of 20 years, Martin Bacon bought the farm of his father, upon condition that the son should maintain his aged parents and raise the younger ones of the family, which consisted of thirteen children, all of whom reached their majority. This he did successfully. Dec. 15, 1833, he married Miss Jane Kemmis, who was born in Washington Co., N. Y., May 10, 1808. The wife bore her husband seven children-Clark, Warren N., Mary and William A., now living, and Clarissa, Charles W. and George W., de- ceased. Mrs. Bacon died July 2, 1872. Mr. Bacon owns 381 acres of fine land, having made it all by hard labor and privation. He was a Whig, and is at present a Republican ; he is also a consistent member of the Advent Church. He is one of the most prominent and honored citizens of the county. Though bur- dened with the weight of years, he is yet strong

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and hearty. Though a Republican, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace in a Demo- cratic Township. No citizen is more highly respected than Martin Bacon.

JOHN L. CASKEY, carriage-builder, North Robinson. This gentleman's mother died when he was about three years of age, and he was taken by Timothy Winterhalter to raise, in whose service he remained until the age of 17 years, where he served an apprenticeship of three years, learning the carriage-making trade at Sulphur Springs, after which he worked as a journeyman one year for the same man, and aft- erward one year in Bucyrus. He came in company with Lewis Heleker to North Robin- son, in which village he built a blacksmith and carriage shop. He did a good business for a number of years, until the introduction of cheap and inferior work in the county greatly injured his trade. He has the reputation of being a first-class workman, and his buggies are well known for their durability and superior excel- lence. No second or third class work leaves his shop, which at times has been manufactur- ing quite extensively. His birth occurred in Chatfield Township Sept. 24, 1847. His par- ents were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father when a young man came to Stark Co., Ohio, where he was married. The father, Levi Caskey, is yet living at the county seat. He lived in Tusearawas Co., Ohio, for a number of years, where he kept a tavern. John L. was united in marriage in 1874, to Sarah Ambros- hier, who was born in Wyandot Co., Ohio, March 2, 1855. Two children have been born to this union, as follows : Lyle and Clayton. Mr. Caskey, besides his commodious and ex- tensive shops, owns a nicely improved property and residence in the village. He is a member of the Bucyrus Lodge, No. 139, A., F. & A. M., and is an intelligent and enterprising gen- tleman.

EDWARD CAMPBELL, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus. In the spring of 1824, this gentleman, then but a small boy, was brought by his father to Crawford Co., Ohio. The father was a poor man, and all the money he could raise was only sufficient to enter 80 acres of land. During his first few years in the township, he owned neither an ox nor a horse team, and what little farming he did was without the assistance of those valuable aids, except what little he re- ceived from the neighbors ; but, notwithstand-

ing his poverty, he became one of the most prominent and influential men in the county. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for twenty-seven years, and was finally elected two terms to the Ohio Legislature by the people of Crawford Co., where he advanced the interests of the State and county by his judgment and deliberation. While serving as Justice of the Peace, his decisions were rarely reversed when appealed to the higher courts, proving the ac- curacy and excellence of his mind and judg- ment. This useful man died in 1865, greatly lamented by those who knew him. His wife's death had occurred in 1857. Edward's birth occurred in Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 16, 1816. His parents were John and Mary (Jones) Camp- bell, both natives of Pennsylvania, where their youth was passed, and from where they moved while yet children. Their marriage occurred in Wayne Co. Edward was raised on the farm, and has, by his own exertions and business sa- gacity, acquired a large, valuable farm of 656 acres. He was one of a family of nine children, four of whom are yet living. He began the battle of life when of age, though he remained on the old farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Tupps on the 4th of Janu- ary, 1838. His wife was a native of Pennsyl- vania, her birth occurring there on Sept. 20, 1820. Four children were born to this union, three of whom are yet living-Samuel K., John B. and Lottie J., living; and Catharine, de- ceased. Mr. Campbell, though a Democrat un- til the organization of the Republican party, is now a member of the latter. He is a member of the Disciple Church, and, during his divers- ified business career, has shown sufficient sa- gacity to accumulate much property in land, and place it in permanent shape.

JOHN COOK, Galion ; was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, Jan. 14, 1816. He is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Miller) Cook, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were married and resided until 1830, when they came to the United States. They stopped for four years in Franklin Co., Penn., after which they came to Crawford Co., Ohio, where they resided until their deaths. The father was a tailor, and after his arrival in Crawford Co., worked at his trade for a num- ber of years, although farming was his chief oc- cupation He bought thirty-seven acres of land, and began to work hard and economize.

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He had a family of four children, two of whom are yet living. The father died in 1835, and the mother in 1858. Both were good neigh- bors and citizens. After the family came to Ohio, John worked on a farm for some time, and afterward learned the plasterer's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years. He plastered in Bucyrus and adjoining towns for several years, working hard and making con- siderable money. By hard work and a judi- cious expenditure of his savings, he finally be- came the owner of 340 acres of fine land. This fine farm was afterward parceled out to his children, until he owns but ninety-one acres at present. His wife was Miss Sarah Deebler, to whom he was married in 1839. This lady was born in Pennsylvania, in 1819, and bore her husband ten children, five sons and five daugh- ters. Of these, four sons and four daughters are yet living, as follows : Henry, Isaac, George W., John L., Elizabeth, Christina, Amanda and Sarah J .; those deceased are Mary A. and Samuel. Mr. Cook is a prominent Democrat, and is a member of the German Reformed Church. He is a well known and influential cit- izen, and is highly respected in his neighbor- hood.

E. G. CHAMBERS ; P. O. Bucyrus ; he was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, June 4, 1819, and is the son of Edward Chambers, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and a carpenter by trade. The father died in Ireland, in 1823, and the mother soon followed him. Ten years after- ward, Mr. Chambers, then an orphan of 14 years, came to the United States, landing in the city of New York, where he began working on the Dela- ware & Raritan Canal, remaining there four months. He was the only one that could read in his party of workmen, and was employed by the company to conduct the men from New Jersey to Dedham, Mass., to work on the Boston & Providence R. R. He remained with the com- pany fifteen months, and, after working on a farm about eight months longer, he came to Bucyrus, Ohio. He stopped three years with his uncle, Charles Chambers, who had come to Ohio a number of years before. He learned the carpenter's trade, and, after working at it a few years, married Miss Elizabeth Henderson, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn. His children are William H., Charles C., Rachel J., Celestia E., Lucy E., Edward F. and James W. There has been no death in this family. After his

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 129

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