USA > Ohio > Henry County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
B ASSETT, DR. L. A. Lyman Augustus Bassett was born in Lyme town- ship, Huron county, O., on the 25th of October, 1825. He was the old- est of eleven children of Smith and Huldah (Lee) Bassett. His father was a farmer of Huron county, and on the farm our subject was brought up, attend- ing school, summer and winter, until old enough to do farm work, when his school days were confined to the winter months.
At the age of eighteen years young Bassett was apprenticed to learn the trade of harness making, which, at that time, meant more than simply the mak- ing of a harness, as he also learned to make saddles, trunks, bags, and trim car- riages. At this occupation he worked three years and eight months, but, ow- ing to ill health, was compelled to give up the trade, and, in or about the year 1846, commenced to study medicine under the instruction of Dr. John R. Os- born, of Wood county, to which county Mr. Bassett had gone, and located a tract of land. He continued reading and studying medicine, but not continu- ously, for some four or five years, not, however, with the intention of becom- ing a physician, but rather that he might have a knowledge of homeopathy; but gradually he found himself drifting into its practice, in the neighborhood in
625
BIOGRAPHICAL.
which he lived. He, in order to perfect himself, then attended lectures, and the year 1857 found him actively engaged in a successful and growing practice. About this time, or soon after, Dr. Bassett established himself in Fulton county, at a point south of and near the village of Swanton, where he continued his professional labors, and engaged in other branches of business. He started a general store at Swanton, and managed it about six years, but prior to that he was in the drug business, which could be conveniently carried on in connection with his professional work. At Swanton his stock comprised groceries, staple dry goods and drugs, and, as his mercantile interests increased, he gradually went out of his medical practice. The store, except the drug stock, was sold about the year 1872, but the latter he continued nearly five years longer.
In his business and professional life Dr. Bassett was quite successful, and accumulated considerable property. He has also engaged in handling real es- tate in his vicinity, and this has been a source of profit in a rapidly growing town, as Swanton has proved to be. In the affairs of this village, its improve- ment and development, the doctor has been a prominent figure. Upon its in- corporation he was elected mayor, and subsequently re-elected to the same office, serving in all, four years. For the last twelve years he has filled the of- fice of justice of the peace. In 1887 he was a candidate for nomination in the county convention, for the office of probate judge, and in that convention he developed considerable strength. He was defeated, however, a compromise candidate being chosen. As is a well known fact, Dr. Bassett has been iden- tified with the Republican party since its organization, and prior to that was an ardent Whig.
Lyman A. Bassett has been twice married. His first wife was Cornelia Elizabeth Farrand, of Sandusky county, whom he married January 1, 1850. Three children were born of this union, only one of whom is now living. From his wife Dr. Bassett was divorced by a decree of date October 23, 1867. In 1870, on the 9th day of December, he married Laura A. Grover, daughter of Girden Grover, and step-daughter of George H. Hollis, of Swan Creek town- ship.
ROSCHNER, HON. H. C. Herman Christian Groschner, the subject of ( this sketch, was born in Baddelaben, Prussia, on the 4th day of February, in the year 1844. He was one of the younger children of Jacob C. and Dor- othy Groschner, who will be remembered among the highly respected Ger- man families of Napoleon. The family emigrated from Prussia when Herman was but seven years of age, and took up their residence at Buffalo, N. Y., where the father found employment at his trade, that of a blacksmith and car- riage maker. They lived in that city but one year, when they moved to De- fiance county, O., only to remain there six months; thence to Florida, in this county, and, a little later, to the county seat of Henry county, at which place
79
626
HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
he lived up to the time of his death. Herman C. was employed in assisting his father in the shop. He proved an apt helper, and soon became conversant with the English language. At the age of fifteen years he became clerk in a hardware store at Defiance, and remained there four years, during which time he learned the detail of the business, and, being able to speak both German and English, soon became a valuable employee. When about twenty-one he ac- cepted a managing position in the hardware store of Henry Kahlo, a pioneer merchant of Napoleon, with whom young Groschner remained until the pro- prietor sold to Imber & Gillis, when the young man was given the manage- ment of the business. Soon afterward Mr. Groschner became an actual part- ner, being for two or three years associated with the junior member of the former firm ; and from that until the present time he has held an interest, either as part or sole owner. 3 He was connected with the business under the several firms of Gillis & Groschner, Groschner & Hellers, and Groschner & Redder- son, but in May, 1887, he purchased his partner's interest in the stock and be- came sole proprietor.
It must be remembered that when our subject commenced his business life he was wholly without means, and whatever of success has attended his efforts has been the result of his own personal energy and industry. His position, for some years, was that of a clerk, but by the interest he showed in the welfare of his employer's business, he gradually became entitled to more than a clerk's position. Of course, with advancement, there came increased salary and greater responsibility on his part ; step by step has he advanced, until now he is sole proprietor of a large and well-stocked hardware establishment, added to which are special branches, and all requiring close and careful attention. Mr. Groschner's store on Perry street, in Napoleon, is in the business center of the town, and his trade is large and constantly increasing.
It would seem that a man whose business cares are so great would find but little opportunity to indulge in the worry and labor of politics ; nevertheless, he is not wanting in political zeal and ambition, both in local and State affairs. In Napoleon he has served in several capacities : first, he was treasurer, and later a member of the board of education, holding in the last named office for nine years, and being on the most important committees of that body. He was the successful candidate for the office of representative in the Legislature of Ohio, and took his seat in 1879. At the expiration of his first term he was renomi- nated in convention, and again became a member of that body, serving in all, four years. Again, at the earnest solicitation of friends, he became a candidate for senatorial honors, but was twice defeated in convention ; but in 1885, he was the nominee of the Democracy of the 33d Senatorial District, comprising the counties of Lucas, Hancock, Putnam, Henry, Fulton and Wood, and was elected by a good majority.
As a member of each branch of the Ohio Legislature, Mr. Groschner
627
BIOGRAPHICAL.
served with credit to himself and with satisfaction to his people ; he originated no special measures, but identified himself with such acts as seemed for the general welfare. It was his policy to acquaint himself with the duties of his po- sition, and then act understandingly. During his two years in the Senate he was a member of the following important committees: Finance, board of pub- lic works, labor, roads and highways (chairman), ditches and drainage, fish cul- ture and game, board of public survey.
In the fall of 1887 Mr. Groschner was renominated by the District Senato- rial Convention, but owing, in a measure, to the extraordinary efforts of the opposition party in behalf of their candidate, he was defeated at the polls.
At the age of twenty- three years, in 1867, soon after having become a res- ident of Napoleon, Herman C. Groschner was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Darrah, of Toledo. Of this marriage there has been born seven child- ren, six of whom are still living-two girls and four boys.
H [ORNUNG, CHARLES. Of all the classes or nationalities of people that have settled in and developed the county of Henry, none have been more prominent, more active, more thrifty, or more enterprising than the Bavarian Germans; and of this class in the southwestern part of the county the family name of Hornung is, perhaps, the most conspicuous.
The pioneer of Pleasant township was John Peter Hornung, who, with his family, came to this locality and settled among the Indians, in the year 1837. Here he had a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild, uncultivated land, the improvement of which he commenced and completed, except such further development as was made after his death ; he built up a fine farm with build- ings suitable for the times. Both John Peter Hornung and his wife, Elizabeth, died within the township, but, at the time of their coming to the place, Pleas- ant, as a township, was unknown. Charles Hornung, one of the younger children of this family, seems to have been the person upon whom fell the duty of making the subsequent improvements in this locality ; he built up the little hamlet of New Bavaria; he has, at various times, established manufacturing industries here, cleared large tracts of land, had a post office established, en- gaged in mercantile business, and done and performed all the acts needful to entitle him to the honor of being the founder of the town, which he, in fact, was.
Mr. Hornung was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 16th of May, 1823, and at the time of his parents coming to this country, in 1837, he was fourteen years old. He was brought up on the farm, and in 1844 he commenced work for himself. On the 14th of July, in this same year, he was married to Catha- rine Desgranges of Pleasant township. Of this marriage there have been born eleven children, of which number but six are now living.
For the ten years succeeding his marriage Mr. Hornung was devoted to
628
HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
farm work, clearing and cultivating, but at the end of that time he commenced selling goods, in a small way at first, but gradually enlarging his store and stock, keeping step with the growth of the township, until his business has assumed large proportions. In 1855 he commenced the manufacture of pearlash and continued it with fair success until about 1870.
It was in 1844 that he laid out and started the little town of New Bavaria, naming it in honor of his native country. Here about this time, through his efforts, a post-office was established. His mercantile business had so grown, that in 1882 he built the large and commodious brick store building that he now occupies, and about the same time or soon afterward, he started the ex- tensive hoop and stave factory which is now in successful operation.
These, then, are the enterprises that have, in the main, occupied the time of Mr. Hornung during the last forty and more years of his residence in Henry county ; and they have been, through his untiring industry, energy, thrift, and last, but by no means least, his straightforward honesty in every transaction, the source of goodly fortune to him. But he has found time also for matters outside of strict business, which show his interest in the affairs of the county in general, and, furthermore, attest his business capacity, and the appreciation of his efforts by his fellowmen. During his early residence in the county he was elected to the office of county surveyor. In 1854 he was elected county com- missioner, serving one term, and then re-elected for the succeeding term. The same office was held by him at still later period, from 1874 to 1880, making in all twelve years of service in this important position. He has been post- master since 1844, with exception of one year (1860). He has been justice of the peace forty-two years.
From these several political holdings it will be seen that our subject has been a somewhat prominent figure in the affairs of the county, and while he has been thus favored he has, during these years, been elected upon choice of each of the great political parties of the day. His political career dates from the time of Mr. Buchanan. Twice upon the candidacy of Mr. Lincoln he voted for his electors, and upon General Grant's first canvass he was his warm sup- porter ; but when Mr. Greeley became the nominee of the Democracy and the Liberal Republicans, Mr. Hornung was found among his admirers. From that time he has been identified with the Democratic party of the county, and one of its strongest men.
K ILPATRICK, MRS. MARY I. The subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Mary Isabelle Patrick, is a daughter of one of the pioneers of the Maumee Valley, John Patrick, who made a settlement in this county in 1825. John Patrick was a native of Canaan, Mass., and his wife Esther (Tift) Patrick, was born in Providence, in the State of Rhode Island. They were married in Oneida county, New York State, whither their parents had removed
1
MILA.
MARY KILPATRICK.
629
BIOGRAPHICAL.
before the happening of that event. Soon after the young couple left for the then western country, intending to locate in Indiana, near Vincennes, to which place the wife's parents had emigrated. John Patrick and his wife lived here some three or four years, after which they went to Michigan, but on account of the severity of the winter months, they returned to Ohio, and on the 17th of October, 1825, settled upon a tract of land in the Maumee Valley, in what is now Liberty township, this county, the same land now owned by George E. Patrick.
On this farm Mary Isabelle Patrick was born, on the 4th day of November, in the year 1827. She lived with her parents until October 28, 1852, when she was united in marriage to David Kilpatrick, a native of Ireland, but who came to Ohio in or about 1840. After their marriage they moved to the farm the first below that now occupied by our subject in Harrison township, and oppo- site to the place first settled by her father. Of this marriage one child, Ralph, was born, but died in infancy.
David Kilpatrick was a soldier in the army, and served early in the war, but died on the 19th of October, 1863, from diseases contracted in the South.
The struggles, hardships and privations of early life in the valley are so fully recorded through various portions of this work, that it is not important to re- cite all of those endured by the Patrick family. John, the pioneer, died on the 15th day of December, 1868, aged seventy-three years; his wife, Esther, died on the Ist day of January, 1879, aged seventy-nine years. In their family was a number of children, viz .: Sarah, who died in infancy; Kennath, who died in infancy ; Ralph, who died in November, 1848; Mary Isabelle, the subject of this sketch, now a widow, and living in Harrison township; Asenath, who died May 15, 1851 ; Jane, who married George W. Hoskinson, and who died at Na- poleon, July 20, 1887 ; George E., now residing on the old home farm in Lib- erty township; Hester Ann, who married Samuel C. Hanna, and lives in In- dianapolis, Ind .; Almira, who died in infancy; Mahala, who died in infancy ; and Augusta, who died in infancy. It will be seen from this record that of a family of eleven children, but three are now living, and one of these is a resi- dent of Indiana.
R ORICK, HON. E. H. At the growing village of Fayette, in the north- western part of Fulton county, is the residence of Dr. Rorick, of which place he has been a citizen for something like fifteen years. Here he enjoys the reputation of being a leading physician and surgeon, and this is shown not only in his extensive and lucrative practice, but also by the fact that his lei- sure time is largely devoted to study with a view of further improving his mind in his most honorable calling. In many respects the life of Dr. Rorick dis- proves the frequent remark that self-made men do not exist in these times, as every one of his acquaintances knows that for many years the early life of Dr.
630
HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
Rorick was one of hardships, struggles and misfortunes, but they also know that his energy, perseverance and strong determination overcame every mis- fortune and surmounted every obstacle, and has made his later life one of the most gratifying success.
This much of comment on the part of the biographer will certainly be par- donable, as it is demonstrated by the events of Dr. Rorick's life, and is, furth- ermore, thoroughly understood by his most intimate friends ; nor is it the pur- pose of this sketch to dwell upon, or even to narrate the various accidents, in- cidents or misfortunes that have happened to our subject, but rather to present, in a general way, a brief outline of his life, together with some of the impor- tant events that have made him so prominent among the people of the county, and further to present an example in life, notwithstanding its drawbacks, that is worthy of emulation.
Estell H. Rorick was born near Morenci, Lenawee county, Mich., on the first day of September, in the year 1842. His father was a farmer, and on the farm young Rorick was brought up, rendering such assistance as a boy could, and attending school in the vicinity. He afterward attended school at the Me- dina Academy, and a school of higher grade at Kalamazoo, but his expenses here were paid with money that he himself had earned. At the age of twenty- one years he commenced teaching and so continued for about two years, after which he commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Weeds, a prominent physician of Medina, Mich. During the last year of the war he accompanied Dr. Weeds to Nashville, Tenn., where he acted as his assistant in the army hospital in that city, and here he acquired valuable knowledge and experience in surgery.
After the close of the war Mr. Rorick returned home and worked on the farm for about two years, after which he attended the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was gradu- ated in the spring of 1869. Then not seeing a favorable opening for practice, he found employment on a brick yard in Lenawee county, where he worked for some months, and in the fall of 1869 he established himself for practice at Spring Hill, Dover township, in this county. At this place Dr. Rorick prac- ticed with a fair degree of success for a period of about three years, when, in the spring of 1872, he left that place and came to Fayette.
Of his success in his professional labors at this place the people are well aware, and of his interest in the welfare of the village, and of the valuable ser- vices rendered by him in his lectures at the Fayette Normal School there is abundant evidence which needs no setting forth in this place.
But with his graduation from the university at Ann Arbor the studies of our subject by no means ceased ; his life thus far has been one of constant study and constant advancement in his profession. After locating at Fayette, Dr. Rorick attended a course of medical lectures at Detroit ; he was there for a
631
BIOGRAPHICAL.
term of six months and graduated March 2, 1875. Still later he visited Scotland, and for a period of six months attended lectures at the University of Edinburgh. Again, while spending a winter in the South, he took a course of lectures and graduated from the Alabama] Medical College at Mobile, March 15, 1883.
It is quite apparent from this narrative that Dr. Rorick's time has been de- voted almost wholly to matters pertaining to his profession, but notwithstand- ing this fact, he has found opportunity to show a commendable zeal and patri- otism in the political welfare of his county. In 1885 he, at the solicitation of friends, became, or rather allowed his name to go before the people as a candi- date, in the Republican convention for nomination for the office of representa- tive in the State Legislature, but he was defeated in convention. In the year 1887 he again became a candidate for the same preferment, this time with suc- cess, for he was nominated and at the polls, on November 8th, was elected by a good round majority.
From one of the newspapers of Fulton county some extracts are made show- ing the position our subject occupies among his own people. In commenting upon his professional career it says: "From the start he never claimed to know more than his superiors, and frequently called in council such well- known physicians as Doctors Hollister and Bennett, and securing the confi- dence of the public, his practice has been from that time to the present, very successful." And further, in speaking of the interest he has taken in educa- tional and other matters, the paper continues: "Dr. Rorick has always been identified with educational interests and has spared neither time nor money to make the Normal School of Fayette a success. He has furnished a room in that institute and fitted it up with manikins, models, charts and suitable appa- ratus, entirely at his own expense, and delivers regular courses of lectures in anatomy, physiology and hygiene, free of charge. He is practically acquainted with every feature of agricultural enterprise and runs a good farm himself, which is said to be one of the best managed in his section of country. Being, therefore, a man of broad views and wide experience, whose integrity has never been questioned, he can safely be trusted with every legitimate interest of his constituency and no jobs or class legislation will ever secure his support."
The domestic and home life of our subject has been as fully pleasant and agreeable as his association with people outside these sacred precincts. In the year 1868, while a resident of Lenawee county, Estell H. Rorick united in mar- riage with Mary Acker, the daughter of George Acker, of Morenci, Mich. Of this marriage there have been born three bright children, and of these two are now living.
632
HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.
S COFIELD, JAMES E. In the latter part of the year 1833, a number of pioneers and their families ascended the Maumee River in rudely con- structed boats. Among these was the family of Jared Scofield, a former resi- dent of Delaware county, N. Y., who settled on lands in that part of Henry county that was known as Flat Rock township. Here he had a tract of for- est land, ninety acres in extent, that required the attention of himself and sons for some months before it was fit for tillage.
After a residence at this place of only three years Jared Scofield died. His first wife died two years before this, but he had remarried. In the family were nine children, of whom James Edwin Scofield, the subject of this sketch, was the third. He was born near Unadilla, Delaware county, N. Y., on the 13th day of May, 1821, therefore at the time of his father's settlement in this county he was but twelve years old. He lived at home until his father died, after which a guardian was appointed for him, and he was put to work on farms, at which he continued faithfully until about nineteen years of age, when he went to Lancaster, Fairfield county, and took up his residence with an uncle, where he remained one summer attending school. He then returned to this county and resumed general work on the farm and the canal, which was then in course of construction, and so continued until the fall of 1846 when he was elected surveyor of Henry county. In this office he served two terms of three years each. During these years Mr. Scofield, with his earnings, started a general merchandise business at Florida, in Flat Rock township.
Mr. Scofield, on the 16th day of September, 1849, took to himself a wife in the person of Catharine Elizabeth Loesch, daughter of George A. Loesch, of Flat Rock township. Of this marriage seven children have been born, six of whom are still living. In 1850 Mr. Scofield was appointed postmaster at Florida, and continued in office until 1856, at which time he was officially decapitated for not supporting Mr. Buchanan as a presidential candidate; he was, however, reappointed in 1861 and held the position until 1864, when he resigned and moved to Okolola, where he again en- gaged in trade, and when a post-office station was established at that place, in 1865, Mr. Scofield was made postmaster, and so held until 1869, at which time he ceased the mercantile business, resigned the office and returned to his farm ; he, however, continued to hold his commission as postmaster until 1872, as his resignation was not accepted prior to that time. From that to the present time Mr. Scofield has been numbered among the thrifty, persevering and suc- cessful farmers of Flat Rock. In the affairs of the township and county he has always taken an active interest, and has frequently been chosen by his towns- men to fill some of the important offices in their gift; in 1846 he was elected county surveyor, as the nominee of the Democracy, and affiliated with that par- ty until 1856, when he supported John C. Fremont, but since that campaign he has been an active, earnest Republican. Since about 1852 Mr. Scofield has
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.