USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 54
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Mr. Vaughn was born on the 8th of January, 1848, in Steuben county, Indiana, at a time when much of that district was still wild and uncultivated. He is the youngest in a family of six sons and three daughters born to Lewis B. and Kath- arine (Smith) Vaughn. The parents came from Genesee county, New York, to Steuben county, Indiana, about the year 1846, where the father engaged in the occupation of farming. The five brothers of our subject all enlisted in the Civil war and practically all remained in active service throughout the period of hostili- ties. Also six cousins, the sons of Loran Vaughn, entered for service and con- tinued until the close of the war, most of them receiving serious wounds although none met death on the battlefield. One died, however, soon after returning home.
John M. Vaughn was left motherless at the age of five years and from that time on he was practically without a home until his marriage. He drifted about from one place to another, living with different people, until sixteen years of age, when he crossed the threshold of the business world in the capacity of farm hand. He was thus engaged for three years, when he came to Norwalk and learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. He worked as a journeymen for two years and then, when twenty-two years old, engaged in businesss on his own account. Al- though little more than a boy in years, he nevertheless gained almost immediate
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success and is today one of the most prosperous and well known contractors of the community. Many of the most prominent and expensive structures in and around Norwalk were constructed by Mr. Vaughn and are the visible evidence of his su- perior ability and skill. The first large contract which came to him was the erec- tion of the large Presbyterian church at McMinnville, Tennessee, which he con- structed when only twenty-four years of age. He was awarded the contract for the Norwalk Opera House at a cost of five thousand dollars, and within ninety days it was completed and had offered its first performance. He erected many of the beautiful homes in this city, among them being the residence of Drs. Simmons, Dr. Merritt, Ex-Mayor Anderson, Dr. Billmyer, Dr. Goodsel, George Cline, Charles Bostwick, Frank Roth, Mrs. Roth, the Altaffar residence, the Pearl home, the Dowd residence, St. Mary's parsonage, The Prentice, the Keiser, the Nichols, Aldeman, Snyder and Cook residences, remodeled the Harley home and also Dr. Hawley's residence, and a great number of homes throughout the surrounding country. He built the Huron County Infirmary Hospital and remodeled the Huron County court house and the old St. Charles-now the Avalon-the leading hotel of Norwalk. His own home is situated a mile and a half south of the court-house on Norwood avenue and, although outside of the corporation limits, has all of the conveniences and accessories of the up-to-date city home and is one of the most comfortable and conveniently arranged houses of Norwalk. It is located on the old Rogers homestead, which property has been in his wife's family for nearly fifty years.
In 1872 Mr. Vaughn laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage to Emma J. Rogers, who was born in Huron county in April, 1855. Their home has been blessed with two daughters, Edna L. and Eva L., twins, born in 1873, the latter being now the wife of Elbin Vaughn of Toledo. The children received their education in the Norwalk schools and also pursued a very thorough course in mu- sic there, having been extremely well trained in this art. They have each taught music and are proficient on the piano, the violin and many other instruments. Mrs. Vaughn is the daughter of S. J. and Fanny M. (Wilson) Rogers, who were num- bered among the early pioneer settlers of Huron county. She is a descendant of Martin Kellogg, who passed away at the age of one hundred and five years. She and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Vaughn holds membership with the Tribe of Ben Hur.
The Vaughn family have all been republicans, a fact of which Mr. Vaughn is very proud, inasmuch as he is himself a very stanch and loyal supporter of that party. He is entitled to wear the G. A. R. button inasmuch as he enlisted three different times in the union army at the time of the Civil war, although he was but a mere lad at the outbreak of hostilities. Although Mr. Vaughn had to depend upon his own efforts entirely for the educational training which he enjoyed, nevertheless he has always remained a close student and wide reader. A close observer, quick to recognize and appreciate the lesson which comes with each new experience in life, he gained in the school of experience a thorough practical knowledge that has been of the utmost value to him in his business career. A man who looks well into the future before laying his plans, he possesses a resolute and determined spirit that carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of hon- est labor, while his honorable business methods and his true personal worth have
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gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of the entire community. He is one of the finest mechanics in the state of Ohio and his efforts along contracting lines have not only brought to himself gratifying success but have been of great assistance in the substantial growth and upbuilding of Huron county.
JAMES S. EVANS.
The farming interests of Ridgefield township, Huron county, find a worthy representative in James S. Evans, whose birth occurred in London, England, on the 14th of December, 1848. He is a son of Thomas and Sophia (Smith) Evans, also natives of England, who came to the United States in 1849, landing at San- dusky on the 12th of August. For a period of one year, they resided at Hunts Corners, Ohio, and then the father went to California, where he conducted a general store at Eldorado and also engaged in mining for some time. He re- turned home in 1865 and in 1870 removed to Wood county, Ohio. His death oc- curred in 1879, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of eighty years. In their family were six children, namely : Thomas, residing at Danville, Illinois; Mary Ann, the wife of Hiram Latham, a resident of Bellevue ; Elizabeth, the wife of Philip Schuyler, residing in this county; Sarah, the deceased wife of Joseph Setterly; William, who lives at Hunts Corners ; and James S., of this review.
Coming to Ohio when but one year of age, James S. Evans has therefore passed almost his entire life in this state. He acquired his education in the com- mon schools of the district and the period of his boyhood and youth was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks assigned him by parental authority. Upon attaining his majority, he was married in Wood county, Ohio, to Miss Nancy L. Neiblong and resided in that county for about six years, during which period he worked for his mother-in- law. In 1877. he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in the teaming business for about one year, after which considerable time was spent in moving about from one place to another. Subsequently he located upon his present farm and has since continued to devote his time and attention to its further improvement. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and year by year lias carried on the work of the farm until it has become a very desirable property, from which he annually gathers rich crops that bring to him a good financial return.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans was born one child, Lillian, now the wife of Will- iam Heyman, of Hunts Corners. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children : Clifford. Clarence, Willard, Eva and Mary. On the 21st of March, 1889, Mr. Evans was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah James, the widow of Edward James. Mrs. Evans is an old settler of Ridgefield township, having resided in her present home since 1853. She is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Mann) White, both natives of England, who spent their en- tire lives in that country. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom
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Robert, Mary Ann, Thomas, Mrs. Evans and William John grew to maturity, the others passing away in infancy.
Politically Mr. Evans gives his allegiance to the democratic party and served for two years as township constable and likewise as road supervisor. He is recognized as a violinist of considerably ability and for the past thirty-five years his services as such have been in great demand for parties and various social gath- erings. He is known extensively throughout the county and is held in high regard and esteem by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN WESLEY HOLTZ.
John Wesley Holtz, one of the well-to-do and enterprising farmers of Rich- mond township, Huron county, Ohio, was born in that township, March 5, 1851, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Holtz. The father was born in Pennsylvania, but the mother was a native of Richland county, Ohio, though of German des- cent, her grandfather having come from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Jacob Holtz was a farmer during the whole of his life. The first land he bought consisted of fifty acres and was purchased for seven dollars per acres, for it was heavily timbered and had to be cleared before it was cultivable. After building a log house and barn Mr. Holtz began to cut down the trees and with the rude farm implements of those days, make the soil fit to receive the seed. It repaid well the labor that was put upon it and made possible the purchase of more land, which from time to time, Mr. Holtz procured until at his death he was possessed of one hundred and fifty-eight acres. Six children were born to him and his wife: William, deceased ; George Washington and John Wesley, who were twins ; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of George Elston ; Simon, deceased ; and Jennie, who married Elmer Lyons.
John Wesley Holtz has always followed farming from his youngest days, for even during the period when he attended the little district schools his vacations and such time as was not required for the preparation of lessons, were devoted to performing the chores about the house or participating in the heavier work out- doors. For about ten years he worked for different farmers by the month and then purchased a farm in Richmond township. Here has always been his home though he has occupied several farms at different times, buying, selling or trading where- ever he thought it was to his advantage to do so. The place on which he is living today was known as the old Henry Dunston farm and was well improved when he located thereon. It is rich and arable and well supports the general farming which he pursues.
On the 4th of November, 1880, Mr. Holtz was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Frederick, a daughter of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Frederick. The mother died in July, 1909, in her eighty-first year, and was buried on the fifty- ninth anniversary of her wedding. She had four children: James ; Frank Aug- ust ; Mary E., now Mrs. Holtz ; and Ella, who is the wife of Frank Hough. Mr. and Mrs. Holtz have five children: Nellie, Fred, Bessie, Erma, Irene and Eulalie.
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Nellie has married Charles Keesey and they have two children: Marion and Harold.
Mr. Holtz and his family are members of the United Brethren church and in their daily life try to uphold its teachings. Politically his sympathies are with the democratic party, though he is not active either in its ranks or in the public life of his township. He has, however, served for one term as road supervisor and conducted his administration creditably. A good farmer, hard working pros- perous, he is also a good business man, making the most of the opportunities that are put within his grasp.
ED. A. EVANS.
Ed A. Evans, the present editor of the Chicago Times, is a native of Ohio, born in Licking county, and is a son of William D. and Amanda (Bell) Evans. His grandfather, Joseph Evans, was a native of Wales and was the first of the family to come to America, locating in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and later removing to Licking county, Ohio. William D. Evans, the father of our subject, has engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout life and is still residing upon his farm in Licking county. In his family are the following children: Ed. A., of this review; Cora, the wife of Albert Slater, who is postmaster and also con- ducts a general store at St. Louisville, Ohio, and by whom she has one son, Ed- ward F .; and Charles, express messenger at Newark, Ohio, who married Jen- nie Holmes and has two children, Holmes and Elizabeth.
Ed A. Evans began his education in the district schools of Licking county and later attended the Hanover high school, after which he was a student at Patas- kala, Ohio, for a time. He next entered a private normal school and on finish- ing his course there began teaching. After four years' experience as a teacher, he entered the University of Michigan and for some time pursued a special course at that institution, although he did not graduate. In 1887, he became identified with the district schools of Licking county as teacher and, his ability soon being generally recognized, he was called to St. Louisville four years later to organize a high school at that place of which he became superintendent. He had the honor of graduating the first class from that institution, which, under him, developed into a high grade school. Later he was principal of the high school at Pataskala for two years and afterward continued as superintendant for four years, resigning at the end of that time to accept the offer made him by the board of directors of Chicago, Ohio. The educator of today must of necessity be a man of scholarly attainments who has been carefully trained for his work. In addition to this, in order to succeed, he must be a man of sympathetic manner, possessing in- finite tact and patience and being a good judge of nature. Such a man is Mr. Evans, who for the past eight years has filled the responsible position of super- intendent of the schools of Chicago, and during that time has brought the stand- ard of excellence in them to its present high grade. He is a member of the Ceu tral and Eastern Ohio Teachers Association, holds membership in the Ohio Teachers Reading Circle, is secretary of the Ohio State Teachers Association
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and is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Teachers Association. He has been county examiner for three years, served as a member of the executive committee and was president of the county teachers institute. Perhaps no man has done more in his locality to bring about efficiency and thoroughness in school work. His methods are practical and have been adapted by many of his fellow teachers. In 1900, Mr. Evans was granted a life certificate by the board of examiners of Ohio, but will resign from his present position as soon as he can be replaced, for on the 16th of October, 1909, he purchased the Chicago Times from L. E. Simmons, and will now devote his time and attention to the conduct of that news- paper. It is with considerable regret that the board of education gave up the services of Mr. Evans, who has been a most important factor in the school de- velopment of this section of the state.
On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Locke, a daughter of Albert and Isabel Locke. Her mother died in May, 1897, and her father, who is a native of Ohio, now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Locke was born in Licking county, her parents having come to this state from New York. She was the mother of two children, namely: Mary, the wife of Walter Drake, who is an undertaker and furniture dealer of Monroe- ville, Ohio, by whom she has one son, John F .; and Sarah, now the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of the following named: Isabel, born in November, 1896; Ruppert P., in January, 1898; Edward A., in 1899; Ellen M., in October, 1901 ; Samuel S., in July, 1903 ; and Sarah Louise, in August, 1907.
Fraternally, Mr. Evans is a member of Chicago Lodge, K. P., and of the Pataskala Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M. In politics, he is a democrat but has never had time to devote to public affairs outside of his profession. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church and stand very high in the estimation of their associates there, as they do in the community at large where they have countless friends.
OTTO A. BETSCHMANN.
Otto A. Betschmann, residing upon a farm of forty acres in Norwalk town- ship, Huron county, is successfully engaged, in connection with his general agri- cultural pursuits, in the conduct of a profitable dairy business. He was born on this farm, November 27, 1874, a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Zimmerman) Betsch- mann, the former a native of Switzerland, his birth there occurring in 1822. When about twenty-five years of age, he came to the United States and located in the German settlement in Peru township, where he operated a blacksmith shop in connection with general farming. He later engaged in the blacksmith trade on the farm upon which our subject now resides, where he continued to live until his demise in 1886. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Reinick, and in their family were five children, namely: Frank ; John ; Rob- ert; Rose, deceased; and Francis. He was later united in marriage to Miss Margaret Zimmerman, and unto this union were born four children, as follows:
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Otto .A., of this review ; Julius, born May 24, 1877 ; George, born May 25, 1880; and Theodore, born February 12, 1882. Julius Betschmann resides at Fremont, Ohio, while the two last named make their home with our subject. Mrs. Nicholas Betschmann was born May 16, 1835. in East Liverpool, Ohio, and still survives, making her home with her son, Otto, having resided upon this farm for over fifty years. She also was twice married, her first union being with Roman Indel- kafer, who was the original owner of the farm which is now in the possession of Otto A. Betschmann, of this review. Unto this union were born five children : Mary, Lucy, Julia, Roman and Joseph.
Otto A. Betschmann was reared upon his present farm and acquired his edu- cation in the schools of Norwalk township. When not busy with his text books,. he assisted in the work of cultivating the fields and early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad. The practical experience thus gained proved of the utmost importance to him when, after attaining his majority, he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He has always followed general farming, bringing his fields under a fine state of cultivation. About twelve years ago, he instituted the East End Dairy, which he has since continued to operate, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him a high degree of prosperity and success in this under- taking.
Mr. Betschmann and his two brothers, Julius and Theodore, are members of the Eagles Lodge of Norwalk and hold membership in the Catholic church He has passed his entire life in this community and has become recognized as a public-spirited citizen, while he has gained a wide circle of friends. In his busi- ness life, he made good use of his opportunities, has utilized his possibilities to the best advantage, and as the years have passed by, he has gained a place among the substantial representatives of this county.
MICHAEL GIES.
Michael Gies, deceased, possessed many strong and salient characteristics which won him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact and thus his death, which occurred in 1904, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends. He was born August 15, 1830, and reared under the parental roof. After attain- ing man's estate he started out in the business world as an agriculturist and eventually became the owner of the farm which is still in possession of his family, a tract comprising one hundred and seven acres, conveniently located within three miles of Norwalk. He also owned an additional tract of ninety-nine acres, which he sold prior to. his demise and divided the proceeds among his children. For many years Mr. Gies was engaged in farming and each year, owing to the care and labor which he gave to his fields, he gathered good harvests. He also im- proved his place with good buildings, which were always kept in an excellent state of repair, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, he left his family in possession of a valuable farm, which today supplies them with all the
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necessaries of life and which had been the home of Mr. Gies since 1863, or for a period of forty-six years.
It was in 1861. that Mr. Gies established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Blandina Remelee, who was born on the 7th of May, 1840. They be- came the parents of six sons and one daughter : August, Ferdinand, Lawrence, Frank, William, Leo and Mrs. Amelia Shnord. All acquired a good education in the district schools and are now married and have homes of their own.
Mr. Gies gave his political support to the men and measures of democracy, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. A man of domestic taste, outside of his business duties, he spent his leisure time within the family circle. Of a genial and kindly disposition, he was a friend to all, and thus his death was mourned by many friends but most of all by the im- mediate members of his household.
RICHARD T. SLATER.
Richard T. Slater is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer, owning and operat- ing a tract of land of fifty acres in Hartland township. His birth occurred in North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio, on the 17th of August, 1857, his parents being John and Isabelle (Crow) Slater, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Quebec, Canada. The Slaters are of English lineage but have been represented in this country ever since the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, one of the ancestors coming over on the Mayflower. John Slater, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith by trade and for many years worked at that occupa- tion in North Fairfield. He was fifty-two years of age when he enlisted as a soldier of the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-Third Regiment of Ohic Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He was twice captured by the enemy and was incarcerated in An- dersonville prison and also at Belle Isle, being eventually exchanged in both cases. His demise occurred in 1887, when he had attained the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, and his remains were interred in the North Fairfield cenie- tery. His wife, surviving him for more than two decades, was called to her final rest on the 28th of September, 1908, and lies buried at New Buffalo, Michigan.
Richard T. Slater obtained his education in the schools of his native town and was employed at farm work as soon as his age and strength permitted. He was married when about twenty-three years of age and then carried on general agri- cultural pursuits in Fairfield township for a number of years, while later he spent seven years in Greenwich township, devoting his time and energies to the work of the fields. In 1898, he came to Hartland township, taking up his abode on the farm of fifty acres which has since remained his place of residence. It is a well improved and valuable property and the rich and fertile soil responds to cultiva- tion in bountiful harvests.
On the 30th of May, 1880, Mr. Slater was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Odell, a daughter of William and Rachel (Phillip) Odell, both of whom are natives of this county and now make their home in North Fairfield. Unto Mr. and
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Mrs. Slater have been born two children: Burt A., who is married and resides in Laport county, Indiana; and Blanche B., the wife of Horace Davis, who follows farming in Hartland township.
Mr. Slater has always supported the men and measures of the democracy and is now serving for the fourth year as township trustee, while he has also leen a member of the school board, maintaining a deep interests in the progress of public education. His cooperation and aid can always be counted upon to further any movement instituted to advance the general welfare and he is widely recognized as a most progressive, loyal and public-spirited citizen. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives. having won the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom they have been associated.
GEORGE W. PARKER.
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