History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 131

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 131

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Kieffer was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar- garet Williams Sept. 5, 1878. Mr. Kieffer at one time owned over 600 acres of land, but he has given liberally to his children and to char- ity. He now owns 200 acres of well-improved land. He is a Republican, and a consistent Christian.

MARTIN KEHRER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus. This gentleman is a native of Lycoming Co., Penn, where he was born on the 6th of April, 1813. He is the son of John and Margaret (Sherer) Kehrer, who came from Germany to Pennsylvania in 1805, where they resided until 1834, when they came to Crawford Co., Ohio, and located on the farm now owned by Jacob Hurr. Many years before coming to Ohio, in 1819, the mother died in Pennsylvania. The son, Martin, had come to Crawford Co., how- ever, in 1833, in search of a home, but had soon returned to his native State, and, the following year, the father came with his son to the new home in the West. In the year 1838, Martin returned to Pennsylvania, and, while there, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Bruck- lacher, the lady being a native of Pennsylva- nia ; the young couple immediately went West, to Crawford Co., Ohio, to the home Martin had selected. Here they have since resided, labor- ing and economizing, endeavoring to surround themselves with comforts for their declining days. Mr. Kehrer and lady have two children -Daniel and Catharine by name-both of whom are married and living on the home farm. Mr. Kehrer has passed his life on a farm. and is thoroughly conversant with all the de- tails of farm management. He has often held positions of trust in the township, and is one of Whetstone's best citizens. He is a Demo- crat in polities, and owns 212 acres of fine land. He made his son the handsome present of 80 acres of land. There were seven children in the elder Kehrer's family, four of whom are yet living. The father died about seventeen years after coming to the State. The members of the family are moral and upright, and make good citizens.

JAMES KERR, farmer and wool-grower ; P. (). Bucyrus. "Among those citizens of Craw- ford Co., who have, by their own exertions and upright conduct, become a part and parcel of the county, none are more worthy of mention than Mr. Kerr. He is a native of Knox Co., Ohio, where he was born Feb. 18, 1818. His

parents, James and Elizabeth (Arbuckle) Kerr, came from Pennsylvania to Knox Co., at a very early day. It was here that the subject of this sketch passed his life until 17 years of age. He then left his home in Knox Co., and traveled on foot to Crawford Co., where he began working for an elder brother, who had come to the county some years previously. He remained with his brother some three years, and then be- gan farming for himself. He was married to Miss Nancy Towers Nov. 5, 1840. She was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Jan. 14, 1820. From this union were three children-Susan and George T., living, and James F., deceased. Mr. Kerr now owns 675 acres of land in Craw- ford and Marion Cos. He has given liberally to his children, who are married, and reside in the county. He has been extensively engaged in the sheep trade, and is known throughout the county as one of the most successful wool- growers within its limits. He is a Republican, and a member of the Disciples' Church.

NANCY KERR, whose portrait and that of her husband, James Kerr, appear in this work, is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Sylivant) Towers, both of whom were natives of Mary- land, from where they moved to Pickaway Co., Ohio, in an early day. The former was a sol- dier in the war of 1812. They were both, for many years previous to their death, consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their occupation was farming. From Pickaway Co. they removed to Crawford Co., where they resided until their death. Mrs. Kerr is a na- tive of Pickaway Co., where she was born, Jan. 14, 1820. She was one of a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Owing to the straitened circumstances of her parents, and the newness of the country, she never had the opportunity of acquiring an education such as by her own efforts, in connection with her husband, they have been able to give their chil- dren. She bore bravely the struggles, hard- ships and privations of pioneer life, and, during their long years of married life, she has worked with an energy equal to that of her husband, in the amassing of their large fortune. For many years they have been active and faithful mem- bers of the Disciples' Church, located in Bucy- rus, an organization that owes its present pros- perous condition to their work and liberality. In the building of the church, Mr. Kerr gave $2,100, and afterward donated $2,000 to the

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support of it. Their home is about seven miles south of Bucyrus. in Whetstone Township, where they reside in peace and happiness, en- joying the fruits of their early industry and labors.

WILLIAM LOWMILLER, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Bucyrus ; is a native of Snyder Co., Penn., where he was born May 19, 1840. He is the son of Adam and Catharine (Baker) Lowmiller, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania, and who became the parents of eight children, six of whom are yet living. The par- ents are yet living in Pennsylvania. The father was a weaver by trade, an occupation he followed a large portion of his time, and was one of the county's most industrious citizens. William passed his youth in the Keystone State, but when 19 years of age came to Bucy- rus, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Kester, on the 6th of April, 1865. She was born in Whetstone Township June 29, 1838, and bore her husband four chil- dren, as follows : Edward C., Jeremiah A., Ellen M. and Ida E. After his marriage he lived a number of years with his father-in-law. When he first came to the State he had but $9, and has made his farm of 85 acres by a close adher- ence to business, this land being a part of the old Kester farm, first settled in 1828. Mr Lowmiller takes pride in raising good stock, and in improving the different varieties. He is a Democrat, and a member of the German Re- formed Church, and is one of Whetstone's most industrious citizens.

SAMUEL LUDWIG, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; of those who have for a great many years been identified with the best interests of Craw- ford County, none is more worthy of mention than Mr. Ludwig. In 1829, he came with his parents from Berks Co., Penn., to Crawford County. He was born May 26. 1813, and from early boyhood had to work early and late to assist in caring for the large family of which he was one. He married Miss Scotia Littler, a native of Hardy Co., Va. From this union were five children, two of whom are yet living. Soon after his marriage he went to live in Seneca County, where he remained twelve years and then removed to Sandusky County, and from there after a stay of two years to Craw- ford County, and purchased the old Littler farm,

upon which he resided some years, and then purchased the McGee farm. He now owns the farm settled by his father in 1829, besides valuable property in Bucyrus. His home farm of 260 acres adjoining the city of Bucyrus, is one of the most valuable in the county. About 70 acres of this farm are underlain with as ex- cellent sand as can be found in the State. On the farm are also quarries of the best quality of limestone. Mr. Ludwig has dealt largely in live-stock, especially in sheep, and at one time during the late war he owned a flock of 6,000. His wife died on Sept. 21, 1878, since which his son C. T. has resided with him. This son was a soldier in the war of the rebellion in Co. E. 86th O. V. I. Both Mr. Ludwig and his son are stalwart Republicans, and among the most intelligent, publie-spirited men of the county.

ELIAS LAVELY, Bucyrus ; was born in Frederick Co., Md., Nov. 29, 1823. His parents, John and Anna (Gorsuch) Lavely, were also natives of that State and the parents of nine children. They removed to Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1825. Their object in coming to Ohio was to remove their family from the evil influences of slavery in their native State. The father was a strong pro-slavery man, and a prominent " stock-holder " in the " underground railroad." He was a man who took an active and leading part in all the religious and educational enter- prises in the community in which he lived. Elias Lavely remained at home until his mar- riage with Miss Sarah Gorsuch, April 6, 1848. He received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. In 1853, he came to Crawford Co., Ohio, and purchased a partly improved farm of 240 acres. He has since resided upon this farm, each year making some improvements, until it is now one of the best improved farms in the county. He has never aspired to any political prominence, but has devoted his time and energy to the improve- ment of his farm. There is not a more practi- cal and successful farmer in Crawford Co. than Mr. Lavely. He is the father of eleven chil- dren-Mary E., Alice E., Flora A., John E., Ida J., Charles L., Henry E. and Sarah E. living-Milton. George W. and Jesse G., de- ceased. Politically, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM MODERWELL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. North Robinson ; belongs to a family that is one of the oldest and most

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widely known in the county. They have offi- ciated in various township and county offices, always with honor to themselves. They came to the county in about 1824, and have been Whigs and Republicans from the first. The subject of this memoir was born in Whetstone Township, Nov. 16, 1840, and is the son of James W. and Mary (Peterman) Moderwell, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. They were married in Crawford Co. The father lives in Indiana, and his son, Will- iam, lives on the farm first owned by Mr. Howard and afterward by William Rowse. His brothers and sisters were six in number, and his brother J. Q. enlisted in the late war, in the 123d O. V. I., in which he served some two years with signal bravery. Mr. Moder- well's wife was Miss Mahala J. Beck. the mar- riage occurring Nov. 17, 1864. This lady was born in Jackson Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, Nov. 13, 1844. To his union was born a fami- ly of five children, four of whom are yet living -Laura B., William P., Ellen A. F., and Rob- ert, and Isaac W. deceased. The father, James W. Moderwell, was a carpenter by trade, which occupation was followed for a number of years. For the past thirty years he has been exten- sively engaged in dealing in live-stock, of which he is a reliable and accurate judge. William and J. Q. Moderwell and Edward R. Faulkner, during the winter of 1875-76. pur- chased and shipped from North Robinson and Crestline over $100,000 worth of live stock. Both before and since that date they have dealt extensively in the same business, and are among the best stock judges in the county. They are prominent farmers and influential citizens.

CHARLES MYERS, Galion ; was born in Whetstone Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, May 17, 1840. He is the son of Nicholas and Saloma (Mauerer) Myers, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, where they mar- ried and lived until 1817. They then emigrated to the United States, and located in Northum- berland Co., Penn .. remaining there until 1830, when they removed to Crawford Co., Ohio, en- tering 100 acres of land near the center of Whetstone Township. By economy and hard work they managed to acquire considerable property. The father died July 10, 1869, and the mother, Feb. 6, 1873. They were the par- ents of ten children, and seven of them are vet

living. Charles' early years, until he was 17 years of age, were passed on his father's farm, but, after reaching that age, and until he was 22, he worked by the month for neighboring farm- ers, saving considerable money in the mean- time. On the 31st of December, 1861, he was married to Miss Catharine Beach. This lady was born in Whetstone Township, Feb. 16, 1840, and bore her husband seven children, as follows : Isaac I., Elizabeth E., Samuel H., Laura L., Washington W., Mary M. and George E. Mr. Myers has, by his exemplary conduct and sterling integrity, won the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and has been honored with various positions of responsibility, among which may be mentioned those of Trustee, As- sessor, Land Appraiser, Justice of the Peace, and has served for six years in the prominent position of County Commissioner. He owns 181 acres of land, upon which are comfortable and commodious buildings. He is an influen- tial Democrat, and also a member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church. For the last two years he has been shipping considerable live stock. It is scarcely necessary to mention that he is one of the most prominent citizens in the county.

JOSEPH S. PARCHER, Bucyrus ; was born Oct. 5, 1838, in Crawford Co., Ohio. He is one of a family of eight children born to Samuel and Sarah (Merriss) Parcher, the former a na- tive of the "Green Mountain State," and the latter of the "Empire State." The father, when a young man. left his native State and came to Lake Co., Ohio, where he remained un- til 1820, when he, in the employ of the Bacons, as teamster, came with them to Crawford Co. The mother came to Crawford Co. soon after this, and some years later was married to Mr. Parcher. They for many years endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life, and be- came well and favorably known to the people of the county. They accumulated considerable property, of which they give liberally to the poor, and to all enterprises that had a tendency to build up the community in which they lived, or benefit and better the condition of mankind. Samuel Parcher departed this life in 1845 ; his wife survives him and is residing upon the farm purchased by them soon after their mar- riage. Joseph S. was raised upon a farm, re- ceiving a good common-school education. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret

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Traxler Nov. 27, 1877. She was born in Bucy- rus Township in 1859. From this union there are two children-Flossie D. and Diana V. Mr. Parcher owns 148 acres of well-improved land. He is an uncompromising Republican in poli- tics, but liberal in his views regarding men and things.

BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus. This gentleman is the son of Henry and Christina (Winters) Phillips, and was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., on the 8th of June, 1819. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and resided until 1832, when they came to Crawford Co., Ohio. Here they resided until their deaths. They were the parents of six children, two of whom are yet living. The father was a success- ful and prominent farmer, an occupation he followed during life. His death occurred in 1851, his wife following him in 1860. They were consistent Christian people. and were uni- versally respected. Benjamin passed his early years on a farm, and, after the removal of the family to Ohio, where he had attained his ma- jority, he had charge of his father's farm. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Null, who was a native of Northumber- land Co., Penn., where she was born in 1820. Four children have been born to this union --- Rebecca J., Henry, Benjamin F. and Samnel. Mr. Phillips owns 80 acres of excellent land, all of which is under cultivation. He is a promi- nent Democrat, and himself and family are members of the Lutheran Church. The mem- bers of the family have been among the most industrious citizens in Whetstone Township. The sons at present own and operate a steam thresher, and they have the reputation of being among the most experienced managers of those machines in Crawford Co. The family is well known and highly respected.

J. G. RAISER, farmer and tailor ; P. O. Bu- cyrus. This gentleman was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, June 13, 1827. He is one of a family of five children of Jacob and Barbara (Hoch) Raiser, both natives of Wurtemberg. The father was a finely educated man, his voca- tion in life being that of a farmer and cooper. He died in 1866, and his wife in 1865. Our subject is the only one of the children now living. His youth was passed attending the schools of his native country. When 14, he began the trade of a tailor, serving an appren-

ticeship of three years, after which he worked as a journeyman until 24 years of age. During this time, he often was head workman, and had the overseeing of a large number of employes. At 24 years of age, he began business for him- self in his native country, where he remained until he came to the United States. He came almost directly to Bucyrus, Ohio, having at the time not a penny in his pocket, and being in debt to a fellow-passenger to the amount of $30. He soon secured work at his trade in Bucyrus, with a Mr. Failor, at $18 per month. He re- mained with this man until he failed, and then began in a sinall way to do business for himself. In four years after commencing for himself, he had, by hard work and economy, saved sufficient means to erect a large and commodious three- story brick business building. He continued working at his trade until 1876, when he bought the " old Reed farm " of 81 acres in Whetstone Township, upon which he moved, and has since resided. He was married to Miss Harriet Bair, March 30, 1858. She was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, May 31, 1839. From this union there are eleven children-Henry S., Charles W., George F., David R., Sarah C., Maria E., Anna E., Su- san F., Martha E. and Jacob A., and John E., twin brothers. Mr. Raiser came to this country a poor German boy, and has, by his upright conduct and straight business habits. attained an enviable position among the people of Craw- ford Co. He is a much-respected citizen.

ISAAC STUMP, Bucyrus ; was born in Ly- coming Co., Penn., Jan. 6, 1834, and is one of a family of six children of Jacob and Mary (Kehrer) Stump, who were natives of Germany, from which country they came when yet chil- dren. They were married in Pennsylvania, and resided there until 1835, when they removed to Crawford Co., Ohio. They were hard-working, intelligent people, respected by all who knew them. The father died in 1855, and the mother in 1860. Isaac was raised upon a farm, receiv- ing the advantages of a common-school educa- tion. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Heinlen, May 3, 1860. She was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1837. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are yet living, viz., Esther, Sarah, Henry. Amanda and Amy. Mr. Stump has always followed farming, and is one of the most successful of that calling in the county. He owns 355 acres of well-improved land, the greater portion of

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which he has obtained by his own exertions. Politically, he is a Democrat, though liberal in his views. He is a member of the German Re- formed Church, and has held the office of Town- ship Trustee a number of terms. Crawford Co. is benefited by having within her borders such men as Mr. Stump.

DANIEL STUMP, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus. Among the successful farmers of Whetstone is the gentleman whose name heads this biogra- phy. He was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Sept. 7, 1833. When he was but 6 years of age, his parents, Martin and Barbara (Kehrer) Stump, removed from Pennsylvania to Crawford Co., Ohio. Both parents came, when children, from Germany to the United States, their parents lo- cating in Pennsylvania. The parents of our subject were intelligent, industrious people, and, by hard work and economy, obtained a goodly share of this world's goods. The mother died in 1855, and the father Dec. 8, 1879. Daniel has always remained upon the old homestead, and, after his majority, took charge of it. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Zimmerman, on Sept. 15, 1857. She was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1835. Her parents were among the early settlers of Whetstone Township. This union has been productive of six children, three of whom are yet living-Samuel, Louisa and Clara ; the deceased were named Sarah. Lydia and Joseph. Mr. Stump owns 160 acres of land, upon which are good buildings. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and of the Dem- ocratic party. He is a man loved and respected by all who know him.

MICHAEL STOLTZ, farmer; P. O. Bucy- rus ; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on July 9, 1809. His parents, David and Sophia Stoltz, came from that country with their family to the United States in 1817, and located in Lycoming Co., Penn. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are yet living. Michael was raised upon his father's farm in Pennsylvania, receiving such education as the common schools afforded. He was married to Miss Mary Kober, a native of Germany, in 1833. From this union there were nine chil- dren, two of whom, only, survived of this large family, David and George. The names of those deceased were-Sophia, William, Jacob, Mary, Samuel, Sophia and Caroline. Mrs. Stoltz died in 1850, and in 1851, Mr. Stoltz married Mrs. Mary Keltner, who was born in

Union Co., Penn., in 1810. Mr. Stoltz came to Crawford County in 1836. He began life as a poor boy, and is a self-made man, now owning 255 acres of well-improved land in Whetstone Township. He is a Democrat and a member of the German Lutheran Church. His son George lives with him, and David some two miles south in the same township. They are intelligent, in- dustrious people, and respected by all who know them.

JACOB SHERER, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born in Whetstone Township, Crawford Co., on Jan. 18, 1835. He is the son of Jacob and Christina (Gross) Sherer. a sketch of whom appears in the biography of Daniel Sherer in this work. Jacob Sherer was raised upon his father's farm, receiving a good common-school education. He, like his brother, has always re- sided upon the old home farm, and he now owns 319 acres of nicely improved land. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hurr Oct. 13, 1859. She was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., July 17, 1841. From this union five children were born to them-Emanuel D., Sarah E., Emma C., John W. and Laura A. Mrs. Sherer died Dec. 27, 1875. Mr. Sherer was again married, to Miss Sarah Beal, on Dec. 17, 1878. She was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Oct. 21, 1856. Mr. Sherer is a Democrat, and has held a number of positions of honor and trust in the township in which he lives.

SAMUEL SHOOK, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; he is the eldest of a family of twelve children born to Valentine and Nancy Shook, the for- mer a native of Northumberland Co., Penn., and the latter of Hagerstown, Md. They were married in Stark Co., Ohio. In 1827, the fath- er entered the eighty-acre tract of land now belonging to Christopher Kiess, in this county, and, the following year, he left Stark Co. with an ox-team, two cows and six head of sheep for his possessions in Crawford Co. The fam- ily had to live in their wagon until a log cabin was built, which took some time, after which they got on quite well, as all were willing to work. The father had been an Ensign in a regiment under the command of Gen. Harri- son, during the war of 1812. After coming to this county, he followed carpentering in con- nection with farming. He died in 1843, and his wife some twenty years afterward. Samuel Shook was born in Stark Co., Ohio, March 15, 1815, and, from the time he was 8 years of age,

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was kept almost constantly at work helping to care for the family, and, in these pinching times of want and necessity, he learned the salutary lessons of economy and industry which have marked his career through a long and eventful lifetime. He was married, Oct. 5, 1848, to Miss Margaret Christman, who was born Sept. 4, 1828, in Germany. Her parents, Adam and Elizabeth (Snyder) Christman. came from Germany to the United States in 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Shook have been born five children-Francis L. and Sarah R. E. living ; Jefferson, John and Mary deceased. In poli- tics, Mr. Shook was at first a Whig, and later, when new issues gave rise to the Republican party, he took an advanced position with it in favor of the Union and equal rights. He owns 264 acres of land, and, beginning as he did, a poor boy, he has struggled up through his own efforts to a position of wealth and influence. He is eminently a self-made man, and may well be proud of his achievements.

DAVID SCHRECK; P. O. Galion ; was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Aug. 22, 1829. He is the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Buf- fington) Schreck, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. where they were married, and resided until 1835, when they came to Craw- ford Co., Ohio, locating on the Annapolis road, a short distance from Bucyrus. They remained there some four years, and then removed to Whetstone Township, which they made their home until their deaths. The mother died in 1868, and the father in 1872. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812. When he ar- rived with his family at Bucyrus, in 1835, he had but $4. He was an industrions man, how- ever, and, with the assistance of his good wife, who was a great weaver, and kept her loom go- ing early and late, managed to raise their large family in a very creditable manner. David's early life was passed upon his father's farm. He received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. He was married to Miss Belinda Sherer Oct. 19, 1851. She was born in Stark Co., Ohio, March 30, 1832. There have been eleven children born to them, nine of whom are now living-John A., Fran- cis M., George W., Sarah E., Sina B., Emanuel W., Ira E., Clara E. and Samuel I. The names of those deceased were Martha J. and Ida M. Mr. Schreck followed, for twenty-five years during the fall and winter months, threshing.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 131

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