History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 138

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 138

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).

JACOB SHIEBER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born in Würtemberg, Germany, May 19, 1831. His father, Gottlieb, and mother, Mag- dalen (Brosey) Shieber, emigrated from Ger- many to the United States in 1832 ; they had five children, Jacob being then a mere child. They, with a party of German emigrants, came by way of the lakes to Sandusky City, Ohio, and resolved to make a search for one Fred Feichtner, with whom they were acquainted in Germany, and who had settled in Crawford Co .; with this intent Mr. Gottlieb Shieber and several of his German friends and fellow emi-

939

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

grants left their families in Sandusky City and set out on foot to walk here. After considera- ble weary search they were successful in find- ing their friend Feichtner, located comfortably in this township on the Broken Sword. Being much pleased with the appearance of the coun- try, they coneluded to locate in the same neigh- borhood. When they had made a short visit and looked around for a place to locate, they returned on foot to Sandusky City to move their families here. They hired teams and brought their effects to this locality, and turned their attention to providing a home for themselves. Mr. Shieber bought 40 acres of J. Caris, and soon after he entered 40 acres, and added by purchase until he owned 110 acres. This con- stituted the homestead where the children grew up to maturity ; there were nine in all-Chris- topher, Gottlieb, Fredericka, Christian, Jacob, Catherine, John, Abraham and Mary. Of these Fredericka, John and Abraham died when young. They were poor when they arrived here and had a hard time, but were blessed with good health and industrious habits, which are the basis of all material success. Jacob was the youngest son who lived to mature years, therefore he remained with his parents until 24 years of age. He married Eve Mauer June 14, 1855 ; they farmed his father's place one year, and then moved, in April, 1856, to the farm where they are living, and where they had bought 80 acres, of which about 20 acres were cleared and a log cabin erected. They were poor and worked hard to improve their home and make it comfortable. At length they were able to purchase 37} acres of Henry Cobb, and subse- quently bought 80 acres of his brother in Holmes Township, and added by purchase until he owns in all 287 acres of good land with good buildings and otherwise well improved. They received only about $3,000 in all from the old homestead, and all the balance has been made by his own and his wife's industry. They reared nine children, eight of whom are living-John, Lonisa J. (was married to Harrison Klink, but is now deceased), Henry, David S., Emanuel, Mary, Lizzie, Abraham and J. W. Mrs. Shieber was born June 21, 1835, in Stark Co., Ohio, and was only 2 weeks old when her parents left Stark Co. to come to Crawford. Her father's name was Jacob Mauer ; he emigrated from Germany with his wife and one child and first settled in Stark Co. and, as stated, moved thence to Craw-

ford Co., where he died ; his widow married one Simon Price. Mrs. Shieber is the only surviv- or of her parents' six children. Mr. Jacob Shieber was elected Township Trustee for two years ; he was drafted into the army, but fur- nished a substitute ; his father died here in August, 1869, full of years, when he had lived to see all his children enjoying comfortable homes of their own ; his widow still survives at the advanced age of 82 years. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church.

DANIEL SELL, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born on the farm where he now lives, June 19, 1838. He is the son of Jacob H. and Mary (Keplinger) Sell, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, and moved to Stark Co., Ohio, when quite young. They were married in Stark Co., and lived there several years afterward. In 1837, they moved to Crawford Co., and brought with them two children-Henry and Elizabeth. Mr. Sell entered 160 acres, and afterward pur- chased 40 acres more; there were no improve- ments on any of the land which they located on. Mr. Sell erected a log cabin in the woods, and began clearing and improving his home. Two children were born to them after they came here, viz., Daniel and Catharine ; the latter died when about 3 years old ; three grew up to ma- turity. Henry married here one Mary Peter- man, and got 80 acres of his father's estate, but subsequently sold out and moved to Williams Co., where he now resides. Elizabeth is the wife of Samuel Forst, of Indiana. Daniel resided on the farm with his parents, and owns almost 80 acres of the same to-day, and enjoys the fruit of their industry as well as that of his own. Their first residence, or cabin, was re- moved only six years ago. to give place to their more comfortable residence. When Mr. Sell was about the proper age for attending school, there was but little opportunity for attending, as there were but few institutions of the kind in the kind in the country, and on account of his father's ill health, he was obliged to take charge of the farm, consequently his school education is limited. He married Lovina Alice Cooper Nov. 19, 1863. She was born in this county Nov. 19, 1844. They have five children, viz., Willie O., Frank, Harry, Orie and Perley. Mrs. Sell's father, Adam, and her mother, Eliza (Knisely) Cooper, were natives of Pennsylvania, and moved to this county quite early, and after- ward moved to Findlay, where they died, leaving

940

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

four children-Eliza, Mary, Lovina Alice and Horace G. Mr. Jacob H. Sell died here on the old homestead, Oct. 3, 1876, and his aged widow resides with their son Daniel.

SEXAUER BROS., carriage manufacturers, Sulphur Springs. To give a short sketch of the family, it is necessary to go back to one Christian Sexauer, who, when a young man, emigrated from Baden, Germany, about the year 1827, and landed at New York, but had resolved to push on to the West. According- ly, he set out for Ohio, and located at Sandusky City. After a few years' residence there, he removed to Bucyrus, and there pursued his trade of shoemaking. On the same ship, there sailed a maiden of his own nativity (Baden), one Carolina Schindler, who was also en route for Sandusky City, Ohio, and who shortly after- ward moved to Bucyrus, which, no doubt, had something to do with the attraction of young Sexauer thither, as subsequent events proved. There they united their fortunes in matrimony, and indeed the financial part was easily united, as neither one had much to begin with except willing hands and good health, which was their capital stock. Here they lived happily for a number of years, when the cold hand of death snatched the husband and father from the fam- ily circle, leaving the widow and four sons, the eldest about 6 years, and the youngest a mere infant, viz., William F., Christian, C. F. and Lewis. Subsequently, the widow married J. G. Kinninger, of Galion, a wagon-maker by trade. In the meantime, William F. had gone to live with Stephen Brinkman, a chair mann- facturer, and learned that trade with him. Christian had been living with a family in Bu- cyrus until about 17 years of age, when he went to John Sims, and learned the trade of harness-making. When his apprenticeship had been served. he spent some time traveling and working at his trade, with the intention of im- proving thereby. He finally located in Elgin, Ill., and began business for himself in 1860, and died there in 1877, leaving four orphan daughters, as his wife had died a few days pre- vious. C. F. and Lewis lived with their mother and step-father, the former going into the wag- on-making business, which he learned thor- oughly. The latter, when about 13 years old, was apprenticed to the painter's trade with Jefferson Norton. At the termination of his apprenticeship, he traveled some in connection

with the interests of his trade. In the mean- time, their step-father had moved from Galion and opened a wagon-shop here (Sulphur Springs) in 1849, C. F. being his only help, and in fact the sole conductor of the business, as both parents were advanced in years and re- quiring the assistance of their son. In 1862, the three brothers, William F., C. F. and Lewis, entered into co-partnership, under the firm name of Sexauer Bros., for the purpose of man- ufacturing carriages and wagons. (For partic- ulars of this industry, see township history.) They employ from eight to ten men, besides what they do themselves, in the various depart- ments. William and C. F. attend principally to tlie woodwork, as in that they are both pro- ficient, and Lewis takes charge of the painting department. The iron work is under their own supervision, which is sufficient guarantee that it is well done. They began here with limited means, and, although they have not sprung at once to the zenith of a financial success, they have raised steadily and surely in the favor of their patrons, which is indicative of good, hon- est work and fair dealing, at reasonable prices. Theirs is not the hurriedly-made machine work such as floods the country, but everything war- ranted, and made by hand, of the best mate- rial. They are all married, and have each a home of their own. William F. was born Nov. 19, 1835. When 21 years old, he married Mary Rupersberger (Jan. 24, 1856). She was born June 8, 1837, in Germany, and came here with her widowed mother and four other chil- dren, two boys and three girls in all, in 1849, and located at Galion. They have five chil- dren, viz., William, Charles, Frederick, Aman- da and Christian. C. F. was born Nov. 17, 1839. He married Mary Ziegler Nov. 26, 1863. She was born Nov. 17, 1841. They have four children living, viz., Ella, Bessie, Susan and Bertha ; two deceased, Celia and George L. Lewis was born March 17, 1843. He married Sarah Culver May 24, 1871. She was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 21, 1853. They have two children living, viz., Laura A. and Walter A .; three deceased-Carrie, Edward and Frank.

DR. JOHN B. SQUIER, physician, Sulphur Springs ; was born in Salem Township, Wash- ington Co., N. Y., May 16, 1818. His grand- parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Wood) Squier, were natives of New York, and reared their family of eleven children to manhood and

941

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

womanhood in the same county. There were in the family seven sons and four daughters, viz., Elizabeth, Salmon, Alice, Daniel, Charles, Lucinda, Irene, Calvin, Nehemiah, Sheubel and Elijah. One of these, Lucinda, who was mar- ried to Isaac McClallen, and of whom nothing definite had been known to her kinfolks of Ohio for more than thirty years, was considered de- ceased, when, recently, to their surprise, the knowledge of her survival and residence in

Western Pennsylvania came to hand. The Doctor (her nephew) paid her a visit and found her living happily with her son, James McClal- lan, remarkably vigorous and strong for one who has passed 92 summers, and is without a single nervous quiver. To move from the old homestead in New York, Salmon was the first. He settled in the Black River country, in the western part of that State. Calvin, his wife and one child ; Nehemiah, wife and two chil dren, viz., George M. and John B., started, with two two-horse teams and wagons, packing therein goods and utensils such as they deemed would be necessary, set out to push their way to this State. They arrived here safely on Nov. 5, 1822, making the journey in thirty days. They stopped with John O. Blowers, near the Sandusky River, on the farm now owned by Samuel Blowers. The wives of Calvin and Ne- hemiah were sisters, and sisters of John O. Blowers, who was pleased to have the Squiers locate by him. He gave them privilege of erecting a cabin on his premises to protect them from the rapidly-approaching winter. This was soon accomplished. There Calvin and Nehe- miah, with their families, spent the winter of 1822-23. When the spring opened, Nehemiah built a more comfortable dwelling on 10 acres, which he purchased of Ralph Beacon, on the Bucyrus road; and, in a short space of time, Calvin and Nehemiah bought 80 acres across the Sandusky, to which the former removed in 1824, and there made his home until 1851, when he sold out and moved with his family to De Kalb Co., Ind. Nehemiah purchased the mill property of J. O. Blowers, and moved to it in 1833. He had by this time added 20 acres to his first purchase. Here Mr. Squier reared his family, and knew full well the hardships inci- dent to "life in the woods " in those days. He was a man of sterling worth in the newly-settled neighborhood. They reared five children- George M., who died here when about 17 years

old ; John B., of whom we make further men- tion ; William H., who died when about 17 years old ; Nehemiah, who moved to Illinois, and is near Olney, Richland Co .; Daniel W., who resided in Indiana, and died there in 1862 from disease contracted in the army. The fond wife and mother was called away, in August, 1842, from the scenes where she so nobly bore her part, not only in assisting and encouraging her husband in domestic duties, but by leaving the impress of her character on the youths who were about to step into and form part of the coming society ; and how seldom are self-sacri- ficing mothers duly accredited for their pains in that direction. Nehemiah married a second wife-widow of the late Horace Smalley-and, by this union there was one daughter-Alice, now Mrs. A. J. Messenger. April 24, 1865, Nehemiah died, and was interred in the ceme- tery near his original farm, as is also his brother Calvin, and a brother of their wives, William Blowers, who came to Ohio with them and lived here two years, and taught school in Bucyrus the first winter, and preached frequently through this section, as he was one of the first Meth- odist ministers here; but he then returned to care for his aged and infirm father in New York, and never returned, except, on three occasions, to visit. On the last occasion, he was taken sick, and, in twenty days' illness, he died at the Doctor's residence. How significant were his last words : "Lay me beside Nehemiah and Calvin, and I know that I'll be with two honest men." Some time previous to the death of the latter, the Doctor had gone to visit his Uncle Calvin in Indiana, and found him in failing health, and brought him along to his home, be- lieving that a change of scene and air would have a good effect, to which Calvin readily as sented, and gave evidence of his desire to be here when his final dissolution would come. He lingered six months, and died, and was interred here. After years of separation and hundreds of miles had intervened, how singular that cir- cumstances should bring the three to the same place to die, who had been life-long, devoted friends, and, as by their desire, their ashes rest side by side ! As above stated, John B. was only 4 years old when his parents came here, and, when about 7 years old, he met with a pain- ful accident by cutting his right knee with an ax. Inflammation set in and resulted in com- plete anchylosis of the knee joint, which influ-

942

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

enced his parents to apprentice him to the tailor's trade. He began when 13 years old and worked six years. In the meantime, he had ac- quired more strength in the wounded leg, and the tailoring business was too sedentary for his active mind, so he concluded to learn the mill- wright's trade. In connection with millwright- ing, he taught school winters for ten years. Still striving for a wider and higher field of knowledge, he took up the study of medicine with Dr. G. L. Ziggler the three last years of millwrighting, and, being determined to master the subject, he would carry his book on medi- cine in his tool-chest, and study nights, wher- ever he was at work, thereby carrying together one of the most important studies and a most particular mechanism. After three years' study. he attended one term in medical college at Cin- cinnati in the winter of 1847-48. He then practiced with his preceptor one and a half years, and then began practicing on his own ac- count; and, in the winter of 1852-53, he at- tended another term in medical college at Cin- cinnati, at which date he graduated ; and, since that time, he has been applying the healing art in this vicinity with more than ordinary success. The evidence in his favor proves him to be a physician of much ability, a man of great breadth of knowledge, with years of varied ex- perience, and possessed of the strongest vital- ity ; courteous to the stranger, a true friend to his friends, kind and affectionate in his family. He has been married three times-first, to Eliz- abeth Decker, in October, 1839. She was a na- tive of New Jersey, and came here with her parents when quite young. She died in July, 1848, leaving one child-Thomas Corwin. Dur- ing the late rebellion, he enlisted, in March, 1864, in Co. C, 49th O. V. I., and served until the following June, when he was taken prisoner at Altoona Mountains, Georgia, and sent to Andersonville Prison, where he died July 20, 1864. His second marriage was with Achsah M. Dilts, in January, 1849. She was a native of this State. She died in January, 1855, leav- ing one child-Ellen, now Mrs. A. E. Humiston. His third marriage was celebrated with Dorothy Hottel. She was born in Bristol, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1830. By this union there are six children-Edgar A., Emma (now Mrs. E. Van Vorhis), Annie, Oscar W., Flora and Effie. He owns the flour-mill, which he bought in Jan- uary, 1867, in partnership with W. S. Beacon.

They moved it from the river to Annapolis, and rebuilt it, and, in 1874, the Doctor bought Bea- con's interest, now owning the entire property, which is run by his sons, Edgar A. and Oscar W .; and owns valuable town property besides. The Doctor's religious views are decidedly of the Swedenborgian school, which doctrine he converses of understandingly, with unpreten- tious and unassuming zeal. Politically, he was a Republican while he believed that party's banner was emblazoned with human rights and freedom. He withheld not his son (who fell on the national battle-field) when the country was in its greatest need. But, believing that when a party forsakes its principles, patriots should forsake the party, therefore, he espoused the Liberal cause in 1872, and was a warm sup- porter of Horace Greeley, and has since sup- ported the Democracy.

NELSON SMITH, sawyer and farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Feb. 7. 1844. in this township. He is the son of Thomas and Mi- rilla (Ketchum) Smith, who came here young, and, after they were married, located near where Mr. Smith lives. Our subject is the seventh of a family of nine children, who are all deceased, except himself and one brother. His parents were among the first settlers of the county, and knew well the hardship which pioneer life subjected them to. Both died on the same farm, where they first began for them- selves, the mother in 1853, and his father five years later. Nelson worked on his father's farm until he was 27 years of age, except one year in which he worked at the carpenter's trade. On Nov. 29, 1866, he cast his lot with that of Cornelia Hise, who was born in this township Feb. 27, 1846. They have two chil- dren-Willie F. and Nellie B. In 1870, he purchased and erected a good saw-mill on his premises, which he has run ever since, doing a good deal of work. He owns 20 acres of land in connection with his mill, which makes them a comfortable home, and which he has made by his own industry. He is a member of Lib- erty Lodge, Knights of Honor, No. 845.

SAMUEL SPONSELLER, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Dec. 31, 1836, on the place which he now owns. He is the youngest of a family of eleven children. His father, Michael, and mother, Susana (Mentzer) Sponseller, came from Columbiana to Crawford Co. with seven of their children, in 1832. They settled on the

943

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

northeast quarter of Sec. 20, in this township, and his first purchase was 80 acres, for which he paid $400 to his brother-in-law, Jacob Mol- lenkopf. He (Mollenkopf) had been here as early as 1828, and made some improvements, but moved west of Bucyrus when Mr. Spon- seller bought him out, where he died many years ago. Mr. Sponseller was possessed of considerable money when they came here, and soon purchased 80 acres more besides entering other 80 acres. One relic of the pioneer im- provement still remains on the place, in the shape of an old log barn, which was built in 1838. When it was up to the square, the famous wind-storm, so destructive in this sec- tion, swept over, carrying the tops of a large hickory and two large oak trees into one of the bays, filling it completely, which was a terrible job to get cleared out. considering the height of the walls, and the weight of the pieces carried in by the wind, and while chopping and clearing it out, he sustained a serious in- jury on his foot. In 1858, he replaced the old residence with a good substantial frame dwell- ing, now occupied by Samuel. They had eleven children-Elizabeth, who married George Emery, and died, leaving three children ; John, who died in Van Wert Co .; Susan, now the widow of Martin Brown, late of Indiana ; Julia, wife of Eli Bressler; George, now in Van Wert Co .; Fred, in this county ; Eman- uel, in Hancock Co .; Henry, now in Kos- ciusko Co., Ind .; Reuben, in Defiance Co., and Samuel (he was a twin, but the other died in infancy). After many years of anxious care and toil, with a varied experience of pioneer life, Mrs. Sponseller closed her worldly cares in death, in 1858. Mr. Sponseller married a sec- ond wife, the widow of one Mr. Hatten, whom he followed across the river in 1874. Samuel Sponseller, our subject, married Sarah A Kling, daughter of Moses Kling, April 18, 1861. She was born Oct. 1, 1840. For twelve years after they were married, they rented land in this neighborhood, although in nine years from the time they were married, he purchased 40 acres, and afterward bought 15 acres more. He sub- sequently purchased the old homestead of 120 acres, after his father's death. He has held the office of School Director for several years, which office he now holds. They have three children-Sylvanus E., James Q. and William H. During the early settlement of this neigh-

borhood, the locality known as the Wolf Swamp, was infested with wildcats of a very large size, which caused them much annoyance by carrying off lambs, and Mr. Sponseller's place adjoining was subjected to their ravages frequently.

JOHN L. SNYDER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Sept. 3, 1830, in Harrison Co., Ohio. His grandparents came from Maryland and set- tled in Harrison Co .. Ohio, in the year 1800; they had eight children-Adam, Samuel, Henry Clay, George, Eve A., Mary, Sarah and Eliza- beth. Of these, Henry C. was the progenitor of the Snyder family, of this county ; he was drafted into the war of 1812, and was present at Baltimore at the time of Buckingham's defeat. He worked on his father's farm in Harrison County until he married, which event occurred about the year 1822 or 1823, with Hannah Miller, who was born in Maryland, and came to Ohio with her parents in 1801. Shortly after Henry C. and Miss Miller were married, they entered 160 acres in Harrison County, which they put under good improvements. And there Mrs. Snyder ceased her worldly cares in death, leaving seven children-Mary (deceased), Mahala, Samuel, John L., Marie, Catharine and Joseph M. Mr. Snyder married a second wife, Mary Myers, who was then a resident of Craw- ford County, and shortly after his second mar- riage, he moved with his family to this county, and settled on the farm where John L. resides, in 1844. By the second marriage there were seven children-Salina, Hannah, Frances, Mar- garet, James M. (deceased), Martha and Ar- mina. Our subject, John L., worked at home on his father's farm until he was of age, and when quite young acquired the knowledge and taste for grafting fruit-trees, at which art he became an expert. He has dealt extensively in nursery stock of various firms, and made a business success of it in every respect ; as his practical experience affords him facilities for knowing what is and what is not adapted to this climate and soil. On May 22, 1862, he married Susanna Ronk ; she was born in Penn- sylvania Oct. 10, 1842, and came here with her widowed mother and the rest of the family in 1848. Shortly after their marriage, they bought and located on 80 acres, just west of his present farm, where they lived about eight years, when he sold out and moved to Johnson Co., Mo., but being so lately after the close of

944

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the war, the state of society was scarcely what an Ohioan could wish for, so he concluded to return, and in six months came back to Craw- ford County and bought the farm of 80 acres where he is now living, of his father, who was then about to retire, and was aged and infirm. They have four children-Clark C., John L., Jr., Virgil V. and Lavern. Mr. Snyder has held the offices of Constable, Assessor and Trustee, for several terms in this township, and is a member of Liberty Lodge, No. 845, Knights of Honor. His father died here in 1871; his brother, Joseph M., was drafted during the late rebellion, and went into service in 1862, 49th O. V. I., and served one year, which was the time for which he was drafted; at the expiration of that time he returned home unhurt, and died here Aug. 16, 1880. The southeast corner of Mr. Snyder's 80-acre farm is said to be the ex- act geographical center of Crawford County.

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.

History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 138

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