USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 44
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John Tuttle. Prominent among the names worthy of honorable mention is that of John Tuttle, a native of Warren County, Ohio, who was born August 16, 1819, and emigrated to Defiance in September, 1833. He had the misfortune to lose his parents almost in his infancy, and was thrown upon the world to seek a home among strangers. On reaching Defiance, not finding a shelter in any of the few cabins that were here at that time, the Stoner family, with whom young Tuttle migrated, were obliged to procure a
cabin on the Kepler farm, four miles down the river. Here young Tuttle found employment with Mr. Kep- ler in husking corn and digging potatoes, receiving for a day's wages one bushel of either corn or potatoes. He soon gained the confidence and friendship of his employer, who was a kind and companionable man, and a practical hunter, and young Tuttle was soon in- vited to join him in his night sports of coon hunting, and immediately made a joint partner in the coon trade generally. This partnership, or sort of co-operative industry, proved a good thing for both parties in the end. Coons were plenty and their pelts in demand at fair prices, and by the time winter set in they had, by aid of dog and gun, procured over one hundred pelts. The income from this source, small though it was, rendered important service to the Kepler family that season, for before the winter set in Mr. K. was taken sick, and but for the money derived from the sale of those furs (carried a long distance to market by young Tuttle), tho family must have suffered greatly through the winter. The next spring, or in the season of 1834, the village of Brunersburg was laid out, and with the prospect of plenty of work the Kepler family, together with young Tuttle, were in- duced to move to that place. Mr. Tuttle in his younger days worked for whomsoever would furnish him honor- able employment, not refusing at times barely board and clothes. He speaks of working much for his old friend Brice Hilton, and greatly enjoying the society of his family. In the spring of 1836, young Tuttle entered the grocery store of a Mr. Williams from New York State, as clerk, a situation he obtained, by the by, only on condition of good and sufficient recom- mendation from good and responsible parties. Here he continued about a year, when he purchased the stock and trade of his employer and started business for himself. In 1844, he sold out, came to Defiance and entered the store of Pierce Evans & Sons as clerk, Mr. Evans being at that time the oldest pioneer in the country. In the following fall, Mr. Tuttle, with what means he had of his own and with some help from his friend Evans, started a store on the north side of the Maumee, in what was then called Williams Town, now known as North Defiance, from which place he has never moved his place of business above a few rods. In July, 1845, he married Miss Char- lotte Bruner. The children by this marriage were Andrew, Isabella, Cornelia, Avaro, Ellen, Laura B. and Mary. Andrew served through the war of the rebellion. In the fall of 1849, erected a large warehouse near the north end of the Maumee bridge at a cost of $4,000, and with a floor space of over half an acre. Here Mr. Tuttle still may be found at all business hours ready to grasp the hand of any old friend or accommodate a customer. Mr. Tuttle has
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
ever been characterized as a liberal man, "want ever went smiling from his door," and from his benevolent impulses, perhaps, he readily fell into the credit sys- tem of doing business, so prevalent in early times, not having the face, as he expresses it, to turn a cus- tomer away empty-handed for want of means where- with to settle his bills. A great many men have been made happy by striking his acquaintance. Through the credit system, Mr. Tuttle has many times been severely crippled in his business, but never to the extent of a failure, nor to the creditors' loss of a single dollar, and though old in business he sustains an unimpaired credit, with a competence to make life glide smoothly on. In politics, he, from the beginning, was a Whig, and gave his first vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840. He also voted for Fremont, believing yet if Fremont had been elected the war of the rebellion would have been averted. If, how- ever, as he avers, he had been a voter in Jackson's time, he would have most surely voted for the old hero. Mr. Tuttle has at times held important offices of trust; was at one time Deputy Postmaster in Brunersburg, and also at Defiance under his old friend Evans, and was elected the second Treasurer of Defiance County. Mr. Tuttle, though somewhat advanced in years, has lost but little of the vigor and vivacity of his younger days, neither has he forgotten the sports of his youth. To-day the rod and gun are as much cherished as in days gone by. At one time while working on a farm a mile or two up the river, he killed in the short space of two months, twenty-five deer without losing a half day's work.
Peter Kettenring was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 10, 1835, and the same year his parents, Adam and Charlotte (Allspach) Kettenring, immigrat- ed to America, and in 1838 settled on a farm in Henry County, Ohio, twelve miles southeast of Defi- ance. To them were born thirteen children; but three of this large family are now living, viz., Peter, Catharine and Mary. Mrs. Kettenring died in 1855. Mr. Kettenring is still living and is smart and active for one of his years, having passed through hardship, toil and privation, incident to pioneer life. At that time there were no roads except Indian trails, and but one house between Defiance and one Mr. Hoff- richter, a distance of ten miles, and that was Henry Brechbill's, at Ayersville. Mr. Ketteming well ro. members his father going to mill at Evansport, a distance of twenty-four miles, not with a team but with the grain on his back, following Indian trails and footpaths. In the spring of 1844, he came to Defiance, which has been his home most of the time since. In the spring of 1850, he engaged himself to Messrs. Kimball & Frank, of this place, as an ap- prentice to learn the molding trade. Having served
his time, he worked in Toledo and in Ft. Wayne. In the spring of 1856, he returned to Defiance and leased the foundry then owned by Seaman & Stevens, which was situated upon the grounds on which the present build- ing now stands, known as the Defiance Machine Works, where he commenced business with a cash capital of $125, and for the first six months employed but two men. Mr. Kettenring married Miss Frances Kahlo, of this place (Defiance), October 25, 1856, by whom he had eight children, five of whom are now living, three boys and two girls. In 1858, he sold out his interest in the foundry to Strong Brothers & Orcutt. Six months thereafter, he bought a fourth interest in this firm, and in 1860 Strong Brothers bought out Or- cutt, and the firm was changed to Strong & Co. In 1864, the foundry was destroyed by fire, but was re- built and run under the name of Kettenring & Strong. In 1869, William Lauster was connected with the firm, known as Kettenring, Strong & Lauster. In 1872, they were chartered as a stock company ac- cording to the laws of Ohio, and known as the Defi- ance Machine Works, for the manufacture of wood working machinery, engines, boilers, shafting, pul- leys, hangers, plows, etc., together with all kinds of castings and also to do a general jobbing business, and a better class of work or machinery bearing the impress of finer master workmen can nowhere be found in Northwestern Ohio. These works are stead- ily increasing in business year by year, as will appear by comparing 1856, when two men were employed, with the present, 1882, now giving employment to about one hundred and twenty-five men. Mr Ket- tenring was chosen President of this company at the time of the charter in 1875, and has been re- elected annually ever since.
William Lewis, Jr., was born March 31, 1812, in Frederickstown, Md .; immigrated with his parents, William and Ellen (Hooper) Lewis, to Lancaster, Ohio, in 1822. They had ten children-Thomas, James, Eveline, Charlotte, William, Abraham, Nancy, Charles and Susan. The second child died in infancy and was not named. Mrs. Lewis died at Lancaster in March, A. D. 1827. Mr. Lewis moved from Lan- caster to Defiance in A. D. 1832, and was again mar- ried to Elizabeth Hively, of Defiance County, iu June, A. D. 1832, by whom had four children-Re- becca, Ann, Jonathan and Ellen; these are all living in and around Defiance. Of the first family of chil- dren, only two are living-William, Jr. (the subject of this sketch), and Charlotte, who married Thomas Applegate, of Fairfield Connty, Ohio, and who is still living in that county. William, Jr., after arriving at Defiance, worked four years for Dr. John Evans, for the first three months receiving $25. But his wages were increased, and the last yoar he received $25
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
per month. His next job was clearing up a farm of 151 acres for Isaac Hull, in Section 24, on the south side of the Maumee River, for which he received $8 per acre. This farm he also rented during the time of clearing. This was in 1835, when Mr. Lewis, with ax and saw on his shoulder, marched into the woods to a log cabin where he kept bachelor's hall and cleared up the farm; this being accomplished, he rented it for a time and then bought it. He also cleared up a portion of the John Hollister farm, in same section, which joined him on the west and ox- tended to the Auglaize, which he afterward purchased. This gave him a farm of 240 acres, bounded by the Maumee River on the north and by the Auglaize on the west. On the 3d day of June, 1838, Mr. Lewis was married to Ann Caroline Davis and settled down on this farm; to them were born nino children -- Abraham L., William (deceased), John W., Mary (deceased), Frank, Cornelia, Emna, Hattie and An- drew J. William enlisted September 20, 1861, in the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; died at Columbia, Ky., November 20, 1861. John enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, October 8, 1861, and in the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry November 8, 1862, and went through till the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn. August 16, 1865, having passed through many battles. At Selma, Ala., April 5, 1865, he was wounded in three different places, a ball passing through his wrist, another through his right arm near the elbow, and a third through his left leg, crippling him badly; the right arm is nearly helpless. Octo- ber 3, 1878, he married Ettie Meanor, of Defiance. They have one child -- E. Lewis, who was born Jann- ary 1, 1880. Mrs. Lewis was born in Alliance, Ohio, December 6, 1857, her parents moved to Lima, Ohio, when she was about three years old. She lived there about seventeen years and then came to Defiance with her parents. In 1843, William Lewis built his brick residence. February 27, 1854, Mrs. Lewis died. She came to this county with her parents, Walter and Dorcas (Lewis) Davis, in the fall of 1832, from Frederickstown, Md., where both she and her parents were born. Mr. Lowis married his present wife Elizabeth Logan, October 24, 1858. In July, 1873, he sold his farm to W. C. Hutchinson and the three Frost brothers, viz. : J. H., J. B. and J. F., who at once pro- ceeded to lay it out in town lots and gave it the name of East Defiance. Mr. Lewis has been quite an extensive dealer in stock, and at an early day was acquainted with all parties living between Defiance and Maumee City, Ft. Wayne, Findlay and Wapa- konetta. The Lewis family came to this place by way of Findlay, and had to leave their wagons and goods there and come through on horseback, there
being no wagon roads further. They returned for their goods with pirogues or boats.
Edward F. Lindenberger was born near Olive Green, Delaware Co., Ohio, April 21, 1818. His parents removed to Rhode Island with him when he was quite small. He started in life to earn his own liv- ing at the age of twelve years, when he left his home and came to New York State with the intention of studying medicine, but circumstances not his fault changed his resolution, as also the resolution to study law under Judge Brown, of Marion County, Ohio, to whom he afterward resorted. He came to Defiance about 1836, at the age of eighteen, and com- menced clerking for Dr. Evans, in the same house where L. E. Myers' residence is now. He often re- lated the trades he had with the Indians, camping out at nights, and the many tricks played on their fierce but ignorant simplicity. They could only count ten, and every pile of ten skins must be settled and paid for beforo any further bargains could be made. Soon after his arrival in Defiance, he was taken into part- nership, and two or three years after removed to Ft. Wayne with Dr. Evans, who also moved his store. He was married to Miss Mary M. Hull December 25, 1842, after which he moved to Evansport and en- gaged in the hotel business, but was burnt out there in February, 1849, and came to Defiance the same year. His first wife died April 3, 1862. Ho was married to Mrs. Maria Dunning, his present widow, November 5, 1863, He retired from businoss in 1872, after having been in the dry goods trade thirty-six years. He did not live long after his retirement, but died October 5, 1875. Two children remain of his first marriage-Cassius, born in 1846, and Lillian, born in 1850, the latter the wife of Charles J. Chenevert, all residents of Defiance.
G. M. Weisenburger was born in the village of Mor- tria, on the banks of the River Rhine, in France, July 4, 1822, and immigrated to America with his parents, Matthias W. and Josephine Weisenburger, in the spring of 1830, and settled in Hanover, Columbia Co. Ohio. Thence they moved to Seneca County, Ohio and settled on what was called Wolf Creek in 1833, where they died-Mrs. Weisenburger, in 1836, aged forty- five years; Mr. Weisenburger in 1846, aged sixty-five years. They had a family of ten children -- Frank J., Margaret, Andrew, George M., Frances, Joseph, Mary Josephine, Mary Magdalene, John B. and Elizabeth, four now living- Margaret, in Cary, Wyandot Co., Ohio; George M., John B., grocery and provision merchant of Defiance; and Joseph, in Seneca County, Ohio. George M. Weisenburger, the subject of this sketch, came to Defiance in 1838, and worked on the construction of the canal for about two years, then returned to Seneca County and was em-
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
ployed to help run the route for the first railroad of Northern Ohio, known as the Mad River Railroad, after which he returned to Defiance and started a provision store in the fall of 1843, on the canal, back of Lock No. 4, where he continued business for a number of years; was married September 23, 1846, to Miss Barbara Rickard, of Ft. Jennings, Putnam Co., Ohio. Of this marriage thirteen children were born-George M., Jr., Joseph M., William A., John Edward, John P., Frank H., Frank J. (deceased), Frances Ellen, Leanie M., Caroline, Mary Jose- phine (deceased), Mary Elizabeth, (deceased), and Anna (deceased). In 1857, Mr. W. went into the dry goods business for two or three years, on Clinton street, where Schultz & Son's brick grocery building now stands. After this, he engaged in boating and lum- bering business for a number of years, and in 1858- 59 was superintendent of the division from Independ- ence to the State line of Indiana, distance some thirty-two miles. Of late years and at the present time, Mr. W. is engaged on the public works of the city, grading streets, laying sidewalks, building bridges, etc., etc. At the time Mr. Weisenburger came to this town in 1838, it was pretty much a wil- derness. There were two stores, one grocery and bakery, and a saddler's shop. The stores were kept by Pierce Evans & Son, Benjamin Brubacher and C. L. Noble-all were located near the old fort grounds. The parents of Mr. Weisenburger were born, the father in Mortria, in France, about twelve miles be- low Strasbourg; the mother in Baden, Germany.
Francis J. Weisenburger, eldest son of Matthias W. and Josephine Weisenburger, was born in Ger- many December 28, 1817; immigrated to America with his parents A. D. 1830, settling first in Colum- biana County, Ohio, afterward moving to Tiffin in Sen- eca County, Ohio, where he became acquainted with Miss Mary E. Smith, who was born in Germany Feb- ruary 9, 1821. Her father, Conrad Smith, immi- grated to this country in 1833, and settled at Tiffin also. At the time the canal was being built through Defiance in 1838, Mr. Weisenburger concluded Defi- ance would be a good point in which to settle down for life. Mr. Weisenburger and Miss Smith both came to Defiance in 1838, and on the 25th of July of the same year were united in marriage by Rev. Will- iam B. Stow. Mr. W. first found employment here as a day laborer on the canal, then started a grocery and bakery, and finally went into the dry goods busi - ness, and continued in the same till his death, which occurred February 13, 1860. Thirteen children were born to this union-seven boys and six girls; six are now living-George W., married Catharine, eldest daughter of Peter and Mary Shannon; they have three children-Frances P., Andrew A. and George
E. Mr. W. is a harness-maker by trade, and is carry- ing on that business. Josephine married Joseph S. Haller. Frances married Frederick F. Shoner. Mary C. married Henry T. Connoven. John S. married Ellen Miller; Henry F. is unmarried.
Michael Hoeffel, Jr., was born September 22, 1853, in Lorraine, France. His parents, Michael and Mary E (Schoeffer) Hoeffel, were the parents of five children-Mary Magdalene, Charles Leo, Michael, Jr., Casper and Joseph Isadore; all are living in this State, except Casper, who resides in Colorado. His father came to this country in December, 1867, and died on what is known as North Ridge, in this coun- ty, September, 1868, aged fifty-two years. His mother died in the old country February 2, 1862, aged about thirty-eight years. Michael, Jr., learned the boot and shoe making with Henry Bittner, of Defi- ance, and is now doing business for himself; in con- nection with his shop is running a boot and shoe store. He was married February 16, 1882, to Mrs. Mary Connoven, formerly Mary C. Weisenburger, daughter of Francis J. and Mary E. Weisenburger, all of Defiance.
Isaac Corwin was born October 3, 1824, in Wash- ington County, Penn. His great-grandfather, Will- iam Corwin, and two brothers, Benjamin and Moses, immigrated to this country from Ireland about 1770. William settled in Washington County, Penn .; Ben- jamin in New Jersey, and Moses in West Virginia or Kentucky. His grandfather, William, Jr., was born in Washington County, Penn., and his father, Eph- raim, at the same place, April 3, 1798. He was mar- ried to Margaret Sharp, of the same county, in 1822. Then had ten children, seven boys and three girls; two died in infancy; eight grew up and were married and raised large families. One has since deceased- William, who died in December, 1876. Mr. Corwin (Ephraim) left Pennsyvania in November, 1827, for Ohio, came to what was then Knox County (now Morrow) and died there in December, 1877. Isaac learned the blacksmithing with his father, and re- mained at home until he was eighteen; then went to Newark, Ohio, to work at his trade, and from there to Mt. Vernon, and worked there about a year; then re- turned to Williamsport, Morrow County, and started a shop, and at that town was married, February 4, 1845, to Miss Maria Smart, by whom he had a fam- ily of eleven children, six boys and five girls, six of whom are living-Zeliett, Erasmus D., Frank P., Alice M., Fred H. and Mary. Mr. Corwin continued the blacksmith business at Williamsport until Octo- ber, 1850, when he left for Defiance. After arriving here, he expended his all in a cook stove, a barrel of flour and half a hog. He came by team, staying the first night at Mellmore. Next day he struck
RESIDENCE OF PETER GARES, TIFFIN TP. DEFIANCE CO., OHIO.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
the pike at Fremont, staying that night at a farm house on the pike. Next day came to Perrysburg and crossed the Maumee at that place, and followed up the river about ten miles and stayed all night with Richard Fancher (generally known as Dick); next day arrived at Independence, stayed over night at the hotel kept by George Thompson, and arrived next day at Defiance, October 5. 1850, making the un- usual good time of about forty miles a day, the roads be- ing dry. October 15, 1850, Mr. Corwin formed a copartnership with John Yocum in the blacksmith business, on the north side of the Maumee. In about six months they dissolved, and Mr. Corwin then built the shops now occupied and owned by Peter Dickman, and carried on the blacksmith and carriage-making business till 1861; then sold out and bought a small farm about a mile from town, and farmed about two years; then, in 1863, commenced dealing in horses, cattle, hogs and sheep; followed the business about four years; then John Kiser joined him, dealing in horses only. Mrs. Corwin died March 7, 1868, and
about a year thereafter Mr. Corwin took up his trade again and married for his second wifo Martha L. South worth. December 21, 1869. By this marriage had two children (boys); the eldest is dead; Charles I. is living. Mr. Corwin rented an old shop of James Hudson, situated on the grounds where Corwin & Kiser's fine brick shop now stands, carrying on
the business alone from March 14, 1870, to April 19,
1880. In 1872, he bought Hudson out, and in 1873 built the present brick shop, at a cost of $2, 700. In 1875,
built an addition to the brick, at a cost of $1,250. In 1876, added to it again, at a cost of $1,400. Value of lot, $200. April 19, 1880, formed a copartnership with John H. Kiser in the blacksmithing and car- riage-making business, also in the livery business. Then raised the shop to a three story building, at an additional cost of $3,000; then bought the adjoining lot, known as the printing office corner, extending to Second street and fitted up for the livery, at a further cost of $3,300; total cost, $12,650. They are doing quite an extensive blacksmith and carriage business, turning out from a heavy lumber wagon to a fancy top buggy, and cutters the finest of the season. The Corwin family have been famons as blacksmiths. The grandfather, William, and his three boys, Ephraim, and his six boys, and the subject of this sketch (Isaac) and three sons were all blacksmiths by trade. Mr Carwin built his prosent residence in 1861, situated on the hill north side of the Maumee (North Deti- ance), commanding a fine view of the whole town as
also up and down the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers, and the old fort grounds-Defiance and Winchester.
Peter Dickman was born in Wooster, Ohio, March
4, 1811. His father, William Dickman, was born Oc-
tober 2, 1810, in Hanover, in Bruchhausen County. in Hanover, Germany. He immigrated to America, July 4,1832; landed in Baltimore September 8, 1832; from there went to Middletown, Penn., and was mar- ried there to Miss Rebecca A. Kanecamp, by whom he had a family of eight children- John, William, Margaret, Peter, Albert, Catharine, Henry and JJacob. Albert and Margaret are dead. He came to this county in 1848, and located in Tiffin Township, and entered 160 acres of wild land. He first cleared up a little patch for the log cabin, and erected it with diffi- culty, as help was scarce and he had to take in a circle of four or five miles. The next thing in order was to get a little clearing on which to raise a little grain for bread for the family, but for meat there was no scarcity, as the forest abounded with wild game of every description. Mr. Dickman identified himself at an early day with the Evangelical Albright Church, and for some twenty six years was chosen class leader. Mr. and Mrs. Dickman finally with- drew from this church and united with the United
Brethren Church, of which the former is still a mem - ber. Mrs. Dickman died October 8, 1872, on the farm where they made their first start. Mr. Dickman is still living and remains on the same place. Peter, who was about seven years old when his father went into the woods, remained at home, helping to clear up the farm until he was seventeen. Then learned the blacksmith trade with Jacob Dow, at Bru- nersburg, to whom he was bound as an apprentice for two years. After serving his time, he worked as jour- neyman at $8 per month, which was increased with experience until he very soon received $20 per month. He then quit his trade for a time and on August 13, 1862, enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served till the close of the war. He was married April 13, 1865, to Margaret Sughsworth, of this county, who immigrated from Germany at the age of about thirteen. They had four children-Adaline M., Wallace M., Clara B. (who died August 14, 1872) and Rosie O. Mr. Dickman after marriage settled at Brunersburg and took up his trade again and did a thriving business there for about four years. In the fall of 1869, he moved to Defi- ance and entered into partnership with Charles Black, and built a shop; then sold his interest to Black, and in January, 1870, purchased the property which he now owns, consisting of wagon and blacksmith shops and steam saw mill, it being the property formerly owned by Isaac Corwin, the site of the first black- smith shop in Defiance, and carried on by Arthur Burras, on the north side of the Maumee River. The mill will probably cut 2,000,000 feet of lumber this year, principally wagon and shipping lumber, the ash lumber being shipped to New York, the oak and hick-
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