USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 82
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CASPER RAAB, one of the well known farmers and stock raisers of Pleasant Town- ship, Fairfield County, O., resides on his val-
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uable farm of seventy-two acres, every part of which he uses for growing crops, or fruit, or as pasturage for his stock, being a thoroughly practical man. He was born in Germany, June 3, 1849, and is a son of John W. and Eve Raab.
In 1853, when Casper Raab was four years old, his parents embarked for America and after reaching the United States, settled at Lancaster, O. The father, John W. Raab, was an excellent stone mason and soon found work at his trade and before he retired became known all over the county. In the strong, solid stone abutments of many of the bridges over different streams in the county, the worth of his work may be seen, it having outlived the expert builder. Later in life he engaged in farming in Rush Creek Township and there he died in 1890. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran and in politics a Republican. Of his children the following survive: Casper and John, both residents of Pleasant Township; Louisa, wife of Henry Martz, of Shelbyville, Ill .; Simeon, of Rush Creek Township; Bar- bara, residing in Pleasant Township; and Annie, wife of Herman Hoffman, residing in Berne Township.
Casper Raab attended the district schools during boyhood and afterward assisted his father on the farm and farming has been his main business. In addition to his home farm he owns other land, 163 acres in all, the entire body being situated in Pleasant Township. He married Miss Susanna Bodamer, who was born near Logan, O., a daughter of Jacob Bodamer who once was a well known farmer in that locality. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Raab, the six survivors being : Margaret C., wife of William A. Ellinger of Lancaster, O .; Eva, who is the wife of Arthur Hufford, of Bremen, O .; Otto C .; and Chris- tian M .; Enno J. and Adolph. Simon and Walter are deceased. Mr. Raab and family are members of Emanuel Lutheran Church at Lan-
caster, of which he is a trustee. He is a Re- publican in politics but has never accepted any office except that of school director, and served as such in Pleasant Township for some years, under a former law. He is one of the town- ship's most respected citizens.
JAMES A. IRICK, gas and oil contractor and a substantial citizen of Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., where he owns 112 acres of excellent land, bears an honorable name that has been known in Fairfield County for several generations. He was born at Pleasantville, O., November I, 1867, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Buchanan) Irick.
Thomas Irick was born in Fairfield County, O., February 18, 1837, and is a son of John F. Irick, who came to this county from Pennsyl- vania, probably just after the War of 1812. The latter settled on what is now the site of his grandson's residence in the village of Pleasant- ville and passed the rest of his life here. He had three children, one son and two daughters namely: Thomas, the father of our subject; Barbara, who is the widow of P. V. Mans- berger and lives at Pleasantville; and Eliza- beth, who lives on the old homestead. Thomas Irick has spent his life in the old home. For many years he was engaged in carpenter work and contracting and many of the substantial buildings in different parts of the county were erected by him. He married Catherine Buch- anan, who was born near Thurston, Fairfield County, a daughter of William Buchanan. She died November 22, 1884, the beloved mother of five children, James Alexander being the fourth in order of birth. Ida is the wife of Martin Leonard and they live at Thurston. John W. resides in Pleasant Township. Jennie married H. E. Dilger and they live at Center- burg, Knox County, O. Harley T., the young- est, lives in New Mexico.
James A. Irick was educated in the public
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schools and the Fairfield Union Academy. For eighteen years after reaching manhood lie worked at building oil derricks and then went into well drilling and contracting and subse- quently became a producer of oil and gas. He carries on general farming on his 112 acres, which he purchased from the Spittler heirs. He has greatly improved his place and in the spring of 1911 completed his present modern residence. He has also other business inter- ests, being a stockholder in the Pleasantville Bank.
On December 24, 1891, Mr. Irick was mar- ried to Miss Frances H. Dollison, a daughter of Dr. Samuel S. and Cecelia Dollison, and they have one child, Jennie May. Mr. Irick and family are members of the Methodist Pro- testant church. Politically he is a Democrat but takes only a good citizen's interest in pub- lic matters, desiring no office for himself. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Blue Lodge F. & A. M. at Pleasantville, O .; Lancaster Commandery No. 2 K. T., Lan- caster, O .; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, 32d degree, Columbus, O., and Aladdin Tem- ple. A. A. O N. Mystic Shrine, Columbus, O.
M. L. BURGNER, owner and proprietor of a general store at Clearport, O., is one of the leading and substantial citizens of Madison Township, Fairfield County. He was born in this township, December 30, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Julia Ann ( Bailor ) Burgner.
Joseph Burgner was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Conrad Burgner, who may have been born in Germany. Joseph Burgner was a farmer in Madison Township for many years and was a well known and respected resident and a member and liberal supporter of the Baptist church. He married Julia Ann Bailor, a daughter of Jacob Bailor, then of Ohio, and the following children were born to them:
Jacob, Eliza, Abraham, M. L., Mary, Eli, Aaron, Allen and Ardella, the survivors being : Jacob, Aaron, M. L., and Ardella, the last named being the wife of Leonard Davidson. The parents of the above family are both deceased.
M. L. Burgner obtained his education in the district school and afterward followed farm- ing and stock raising in Madison Township un- til 1905, when he purchased his store interest and property from Frank Faust. He draws trade from a wide territory as his is the only store in this neighborhood and hence he carries a large stock of goods that supply the wants and needs of the village and the surrounding country. He is very particular in its selection and is satisfied with a small profit and has a large amount of patronage. He is a Democrat in politics and on several occasions has been elected a township trustee and also a member of the scliool board.
On September 18, 1884, Mr. Burger was married to Miss Eliza Shaeffer, a daughter of Noah and Rebecca ( Fast) Shaeffer, the former of whom lives in Fairfield County. The mother of Mrs. Burgner died November 30, 1910, survived by the following children : Eliza, wife of Mr. Burgner; Eva, wife of Robert Raymond; and Joseph, Frank, Ernest, Edward and Oliver. Mr. and Mrs. Burgner have three children: Ethel, Miller Ray and Maple. Ethel married Orrell Schaffer and they have two sons, Waldo and Raymond. Miller Ray is a member of Confidence Lodge, No. 265, K. of P., Washington C. H., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Burgner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Scipio Lodge No. 255, Knights of Pythias at Stoutsville.
DAVID RIKER CHURCH, who owns ninety-six acres of excellent land which is
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situated in Section 14, Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., has been a resident of Fairfield County since he was four years old but is a native of Perry County, born near Somerset, October 9, 1859. He is a son of Sylvester Church and a grandson of David Church. His father emigrated to New York during his childhood.
David Church was born at Marblehead, Mass., and he there learned the blacksmith's trade. He then started out for himself, in a short time reaching Somerset, where he opened one of the first blacksmith shops-this being about 1820. He acquired land and at the time of his death owned two farms. He married Mary Mohler, who survived until 1893, being then in her ninety-third year. Of their ten children, Sylvester was one of the younger, his birth taking place near Somerset, Perry County, in 1837. He married Sarah Jane Cooper, who was born also in Perry County, and they had two children, David R. and Car- rie B., the latter being the wife of H. G. Belt, residing in Thorn Township, Perry County. During the Civil War, probably prior to 1863, Sylvester Church served as a soldier, being a member of Co. G, 160th O. Vol. Inf., under command of Captain Griner. In the above year he moved with his family to Richland Township, Fairfield County, where he bought a farm and there his death occurred in 1900. His widow still survives and is a resident of New Salem.
David R. Church accompanied his parents to Richland Township in 1863 and remained with them until his marriage. He was given educa- tional opportunities, after leaving the township schools being sent to the Fairdfield Union Academy, where he was creditably graduated in the class of 1881. Mr. Church taught school both before and after taking his acad-
emic course and so enjoyed educational work that he continued in it for five years, both in Perry and Fairfield County. He purchased his present farm in 1888, from the heirs of the late Isaac Hashbarger. It was considered an excellent property at that time but he has con- tinued to improve it and has put up some very substantial buildings. He devotes his attention to general farming and fruit growing.
Mr. Church was married first on November I, 1883, to Miss Lavina Hashbarger, who died February 18, 1906. Her parents were Isaac and Catherine Hashbarger. Mr. Church mar- ried for his second wife Miss Lulu Cooper, who is a daughter of Owen and Florence (Kenny) Cooper, and they have two children, Sarah Florence and Donald Cooper. Mr. Church takes no very active interest in politics but is a valued member of the Grange at New Salem. He belongs also to the Maccabees at the same place.
PERRY A. MUCK, whose excellent farm of ninety acres of well cultivated land lies in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, O., is a representative citizen of this section and a member of one of the old settled families. He was born in this township, March 28, 1859, and is a son of Isaac and Grace (Coffman) Muck.
Isaac Muck spent his entire seventy-two years of life in Hocking Township, where his father, Daniel Muck, had settled at a very early day. Isaac Muck was a substantial farmer and a man of excellent judgment and was elected a trustee of Hocking Township on the Demo- cratic ticket. He was one of the early sup- porters of the East Union U. B. church and at times held church positions. When he died in 1904, his township lost a worthy man. He married Grace Coffman, who was born in Fair- field County and now resides at Lancaster.
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They had three children: Isabel, who is de- 1888, to Miss Charlotte Roessler, a daughter ceased; Cecelia J., who is the wife of V. A. Greer, of Lancaster ; and Perry A.
Perry A. Muck was reared in Hocking Township and in boyhood attended the public schools and later a private school at Lancaster and also a well conducted Normal School, at Worthington, O., which no longer exists. Mr. Muck then engaged in teaching school and is well remembered as an instructor in Hocking. Greenfield, Clear Creek and Amanda Town- ships, having spent fourteen years in educa- tional work.
Mr. Muck married Miss Mary Peters, a daughter of Samuel Peters, formerly of Hock- ing Township, and five children were born to them: Clerel A., E. Francile, Leland I., Al- berta M., and Gladden, who is deceased. Mr. Muck is a Democrat. He takes much interest in the U. B. church at East Union and is serv- ing as superintendent of the Sunday-school and is one of the church trustees.
WILLIAM ELLSWORTH ZOLLINGER. general farmer and stock raiser residing on the old Zollinger homestead-now his property- consisting of 262 acres of fine land, situated in Sections 23 and 24, Walnut Township, Fair- field County, O., was born on this place, Nov- ember 7. 1862, and is a son of Jacob and Mar- garet (Linville) Zollinger.
William E. Zollinger has spent his life on his present farm, attending the district schools in boyhood and completing his education with one year of collegiate training at Ada, O. Hc is a man of progressive ideas, a valued ment- ber of the Grange at Thornville, and carries on his large agricultural operations with intel- ligent effort along modern lines. In addition to his farm he has other interests and is one of the directors of the Millersport Bank Com- pany, of which he was one of the organizers.
Mr. Zollinger was married November 27,
of Edward and Anna Roessler, of near Lan- caster, O. They have three sons-Noel, John and Howard. Mr. Zollinger and family bc- long to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen, both at Thornville. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and in the fall of 1911 was elected a trustee of Walnut Township, in which office he is giving effective service.
THOMAS E. ERICK, who is filling the of- fice of constable of Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., has resided on his farm of 160 acres since 1888 and is not only a representa- tive citizen of this section but is also a surviv- ing soldier of the great Civil War. He was born in Berne Township, November 11, 1847, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Erick.
The Ericks settled in Berne Township among the pioneers of this region, the great- grandfather Jacob Erick acquiring the quarter section of land that is now owned by Thomas E. Erick. His son, also Jacob Erick, lived in Berne Township, and here John Erick was born, spent his life and died in the nineties. Of his children the following survive: Mary E., who is the widow of John W. Miller, of Berne Township; Thomas E., and Earl, the last named being a half-brother. John Erick was a respected and useful citizen and at one time served in the office of road superintendent in Berne Township. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church.
Thomas E. Erick was five years old when his parents moved for two years to Allen County, Ind., from which they returned to Berne Township and here his home has been ever since, with the exception of four years when he lived in Hocking Township. In Feb- ruary, 1865, Mr. Erick enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. D, 188th O. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the
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Cumberland, and was honorably discharged in September, 1865. His military duty was in Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. Erick has been an active citizen, formerly serving on the town- ship school board and always doing his part to promote the general welfare. Politically he is a Republican and is a member of Ben. Butterfield Post, No. 77, G. A. R., at Lan- caster, O., of which he is quartermaster and for two years was commander.
Mr. Erick was married to Miss Julia A. Beck, who was born in Berne Township, a daughter of the late Lawrence Beck, a well known former resident, and they have one son, John A. The latter married Miss Bertha Shu- maker and they also reside in Berne Township. The family is one that is held in very high es- teen in Berne Township.
ENOS STRAWN MILLER was born March 21, 1818. He was the eldest son of Christian and Martha (Strawn) Miller. The father, Christian Miller, was a man of robust health and great vigor, who took life seriously. He was of English extraction, his family com- ing to Ohio from Virginia. The mother of the subject of this sketch drew her blood from the well known family of Strawns, whose Ohio home was in Perry County, near Somer- set. Their old farm was located along "Zane's Trace," east of the one-time county seat of Perry. The name of Strawn appears among the tax payers as early as 1806. Her family was of German origin and members of it came into Ohio from one of the Atlantic seaboard states. Christian Miller was a man of pro- found Christian character. Late in life he learned the German language in order that he might be able to read the German Bible, for he believed the Gospel was more clearly stated in that tongue. By occupation he was a wagon- maker and general carpenter. He was very
practical in his views of life, insisting that his boys should remain at home, working upon the farm until they had reached the age of eight- een. Then each one was taught some useful trade, thus being doubly equipped for the race of life.
Christian and Martha Strawn Miller had in all eight children, the others, in addition to the subject of this sketch being George, Elisha, Samuel, Anne, John Q., Rebecca and Lewis C. Their record, in brief, is as follows: George learned the saddier's trade, and with his brother Elisha, who had learned the trade of the tanner, settled in early life in Cedar County, Iowa, where they became prosperous farmers and stock raisers and were held in high regard by the citizens. Samuel became an expert blacksmith and removed, at an early day, to Indiana. Here, in Wells County, he cleared a fine farm and reared his family. His children were Naaman, who held prominent positions in his county and state; Edson, a most successful farmer, and Martha and Mary. Anne, the eldest daughter (of Christian and Martha Miller), married Jesse Macklin, to whom there were born three children, Carrie, deceased ; Charles and Essie, who are both liv- ing and prosperous. The Macklin farm was in Pleasant Township, on Pleasant Run. John Q. Miller made his home in Indiana, where he carved a fine farm from the forest and reared a family of eight children (see sketch of Frank P. Miller). Rebecca was twice married, first to John Paden, in 1872, and after his death to Benjamin Rudesill. She died at her home in Baltimore in 1905 and lies buried in the new cemetery in that beautiful village. She left no children. Lewis C., the youngest of this fam- ily of Christian and Martha Miller, married Elizabeth Sites, a relative of the noted mathe- matician of that name. They lived for a num- ber of years at the old homestead in Pleasant
ENOS S. MILLER
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Township; then they removed to a fine farm at Woodington in Darke County, Ohio. Many years later, after their family had been reared, they removed to a comfortable home in Green- ville, Ohio. Their children are Cletus, Laura ( Mrs. G. W. Izor), Emma, Mollie, Manuel and Maude. Of these eight children-Enos, George, Elisha, Samuel, Anne, Jolin, Rebecca and Lewis-all are gone to their reward- Enos in 1899, Anne in 1892, Rebecca in 1905, Lewis June 13, 1911, and John Q., the last to pass away, in August, 1911.
Enos Strawn Miller had but slight chance as as boy to gain an education. Those were the days in Ohio when schools and school teachers were not numerous, nor were they of high grade. Another difficulty in the way of an education in the early part of the Nineteenth Century was found in the fact that it usually required the help of the entire family to make a living. Nevertheless Enos acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches. He was a lover of books and a constant reader all his life. He always had a good weekly news- paper come to his home and alter, when it be- came possible, the daily paper was found there.
One of the achievements of which he was justly proud was that he had learned the wagon-making trade from his father,-and he had learned it so well that he could go into the woods, and with axe and saw prepare the tim- ber for a wagon, making every part of the woodwork from the trees standing in the pri- meval forest. And many were the wagons thus made, the faithfulness of his work being witnessed by the fact that there are many of his wagons still doing service in the county.
In his young manhood he met Miss Eliza- beth Radebaugh, daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Radebaugh. A mutual attraction sprang up between them, and later on a call was made at the residence of the young lady.
This call was rather sudden and unexpected on the part of the father, whose answer to the first remark of the young man, "It is very dis- agreeable traveling tonight," was, "Yes, and there are always those traveling who have no business to travel."
But the young man held his ground, and did not "travel" at once. Later they were married (1845), an event alike fortunate for both par- ties, for they lived a long and happy life, cach one seeking the pleasure and comfort of the other.
The Radebaughs were of German extrac- tion, coming originally from both Germany and Holland. On arriving in America they settled in Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio and made their final home in Fairfield County, shortly after its organization. Nicho- las Radebangh was a man of unusual physical strength, and of vigorous health, even in old age. He was full of good humor and loved to play harmless jokes upon his friends. He had the build of an old Roman gladiator and many are the instances of his strength in the field and at public gatherings in those early days. It is related that he and a friend carried a neighbor's farm wagon, piece by piece, and put it all in place astride the comb of the roof of that neighbor's barn, then loaded it and left it there to be discovered in the morning. He died in 1862 at the age of eighty-five. His faithful wife, Catherine Radebaugh, died in 1855 at the age of seventy-one years.
Their children were ten in number, namely : Mary, Rebecca, Joel, Esther, Elizabeth, who married the subject of this sketch, Daniel. Sarah, who married Levi Soliday, Samuel. Nancy, who married Alfred Clemens, and John, who married Maria Heberling of Lan- caster. Joel was one of the early county offi- cers, holding the office of Probate Judge in 1852, and being the first one elected to that of-
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fice in the county. He was also elected clerk of courts of the county and served three years. John removed to Columbus in 1861, filling im- portant positions in the State and National governments. During the Civil war he was a government inspector at Columbus-purchas- ing agent under Colonel Burr-handling thou- sands of dollars each week. He died at his home in Columbus, April, 1903, and is buried . in beautiful Greenlawn. His wife still sur- vives, though the hand of affliction has fallen heavily upon her. Their children were Man- ville, Charles, Katherine, Ida, Grace and Frank. Of these, only the eldest, Manville, is deceased.
For several years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Enos S. Miller made their residence with his father at the old home in Pleasant Township. Then they removed (1850) to a farm of fifty-two acres, which they had pur- chased in Walnut Township, near Baltimore. Their home was one mile and a quarter east of Baltimore, on the Pleasantville road, and here they resided for the rest of their lives. The farm now has eighty-four acres. Here also Mr. Miller followed the vocation of wagon- making, and at the same time managed his farm. In 1882 he was elected to membership on the board of county commissioners of Fairfield county in which capacity he served two full terms, of six years, retiring in 1888. He served the people of his county faithfully and well, making the business of the county his own. He was always interested in good water, good roads and good bridges. One of the pieces of work which he secured and of which he was justly proud, is the substantial stone bridge or viaduct over Poplar Creek in the town of Bal- timore, a picture of which may be found in this history. He made use of every spring along the highways, arranging watering places for thirsty horse and driver.
During his membership on the Board, the indigent children were taken from the County Infirmary and placed in the new Children's Home (see illustration), which was established by that board for that purpose. The purchase of the site for this Home and the arrangement of all details, was a work of no small magni- tude. Mr. Miller was always deeply interested in this Home for the little unfortunate waifs of the county. His love for his fellow man, his ability and honesty, made and held many close friendships. His public service received the endorsement of the people, for he believed "a public office was a public trust." All through life he tried to be a consistent Chris- tian and, with his faithful wife, was a lifelong member of the United Brethren Church, and one of its officials.
Mr. Miller was a born mechanic and loved to use tools. He was an inventor, for his mind took the channel that was new, and he tried to improve upon the old ways of doing things. He invented and patented an end-gate for wagon-beds, by means of which the load could be removed much easier and quicker. For this original work he received a patent from the United States government.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Enos S. Mil- ler are Manson, Chauncey Jerome, Mary and Charles Christian. Manson, the first born, died before he reached his second birthday. Chaun- cey, a prosperous farmer, lives on the old homestead. He married Henrietta (Messerly) Wildermuth. They have two sons-Bliss Tho- burn, an engineer on the Ohio Central Rail- road, and Wayne E., a successful student at the Ohio State University. Mary married William L. Whitecamp, who, with their mar- ried daughter, Mabel Lessler, and granddaugh- ter, Evelyn, reside in Newark, Ohio. Mr. Whitecamp is in the hardware business. Charles Christian Miller married Nellie Cor-
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