USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 14
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C. W. Reiff received his education in the district schools of the county, and aided his father in the work of the farm up to the time he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Kansas, where he remained two years, return- ing home in 1860. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the war for three years and two months, receiving an honorable discharge on July 25, 1864. He was in twelve hard fought battles, in one of which he received a slight scalp wound. Among the battles in which he was engaged may be mentioned that of Shiloh, of Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Andersonville, Kenesaw and
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Peach Creek. On receiving his discharge he returned to the parental roof, and afterward worked at the tinner's trade. He now owns twenty acres of valuable land in Weller township, on which he has resided for about thirty- five years.
In 1867 Mr. Reiff was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Houston, who was born in the house where they now reside. Mrs. Reiff was one of five children. Both parents are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reiff have been born one son, Leroy, who married Miss Etta Fike, a native of Knox county, this state. They have become the parents of four children: Forest C., Gayle, Charles H., who is deceased, and Elfa A.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Reiff has voted the republican ticket. Religiously, both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly respected and esteemed by their many friends.
EDWIN MANSFIELD.
As the years are added to the cycle of the centuries and the individual passes on from one stage of development to another, the honors and successes he achieves are justly taken as the measure of his talents and his powers. In the course of an active life, Edwin Mansfield has made consecutive progress and his native talent and acquired ability have gained him recognition as one of the foremost lawyers of the Richland county bar, who is now serving as judge of the common pleas court. He makes his home in Shelby, his native city, and has long been a leading factor in its municipal interests.
His parents, Martin H. and Anna (Saeger) Mansfield, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, became residents of Ohio about 1842, establishing their home in Ashland county, where Mr. Mansfield engaged in the manufacture of clover hullers. He died in 1880, when fifty-eight years of age, and his wife, surviving him for almost two decades, passed away in 1899, at the age of seventy-four years, while still a resident of Ashland, Ohio.
While spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Edwin Mans- field acquired his early education in the public schools and later received the benefit of instruction at Ashland College. He made his entrance into business life in railroad service at Zanesville, Ohio, in connection with the Zanesville & Southeastern Railroad Company, but in the latter part of the year 1881 returned to Ashland, where he remained until 1882. In that year he accepted the position of night clerk in the Junction Hotel at Shelby, Ohio, and while thus engaged he took up the study of law, his reading being directed by the firm of Skiles & Skiles. In 1886 he was admitted to the bar and has since been active in the profession which is regarded as the conservator of the human rights, liberties and privileges of the individual. He is an able law- yer, never fearing that laborious attention to his cases which constitutes the office work and must always precede the clear and forceful presentation of his cause in the courts. His mind, naturally logical and inductive, enables
EDWIN MANSFIELD.
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him to present with clearness the salient points in his case and to arrange them so as to bring into special prominence that point of importance upon which the decision always turns. He was for some years associated in partnership with B. F. Long and in their practice they made a specialty of municipal law.
It was this which well qualified Mr. Mansfield for his sixteen years' service as city attorney-service which won him high encomiums. Interested in community affairs, he has had marked influence in shaping the welfare of the city in the last third of a century. In 1886 he was elected mayor of Shelby and gave a public-spirited administration, characterized by the intro- duction of many needed reforms and improvements. He also served for some years on the board of examiners of the city schools and was made its president. In 1906 he was chosen judge and his service on the bench has been characterized by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution, while his decisions are at all times strictly fair and impartial.
In October, 1891, Mr. Mansfield was married to Mrs. Ada E. (Davis) Low, a daughter of Henry Davis, who was for many years one of the most prominent and successful business men of Shelby and whose death on the 17th of June, 1896, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield have one daughter, Margaret, born March 23, 1897. In his social relations Mr. Mansfield is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the National Union. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he is interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of his city. He is one of the best known residents of Shelby, and the position which he occupies in public regard is a most enviable one.
ANDREW JACKSON SUMMERVILLE.
Andrew Jackson Summerville, one of the best known and most promi- nent representatives of the lumber interests of this state, and also connected in an official capacity with many important commercial, financial and manu- facturing concerns of Mansfield, was born in Hardin county, Ohio, Septem- ber 10, 1847.
His grandfather, Robert Summerville, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and served as a Revolutionary soldier, crossing the Delaware with Washington. He was a shoemaker by trade and lived to the remark- able age of one hundred and four years, his demise occurring in 1863. The great-grandfather was of Scotch birth and was one of Braddock's men. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was born in Germany and came to America about 1800, locating at Girard, Trumbull county, Ohio. His son, Andrew Kridler, removed to Hardin county about 1841, being one of the pioneer farmers of western Ohio. He made his way to that part of the state when it was largely inhabited by the Wyandotte and Shawnee Indians. with whom he was always on very friendly and hospitable terms. He en-
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gaged extensively in hunting and settled on what is known as the Hog Creek marsh at the head of the Hog creek, Sciota, Eagle creek and Blanchard, all fair sized streams. His family numbered four sons and four daughters, of whom the mother of our subject was the eldest child. Benjamin Summer- ville, father of A. J. Summerville, was a native of Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, and removed to Hardin county in 1839, where he engaged in farming until his retirement from active business life in 1901, when he came to Mans- field, passing away here about three years ago. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Kridler and was a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, also died in this city, her death occurring December 19, 1902.
Andrew Jackson Summerville, who was an only child, remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, acquiring his education in the district schools and in an academy at Findlay, Ohio, conducted by Pro- fessor Miller. When eighteen years of age he began teaching in a country school during the winter season, while in the summer he assisted in the work of the home farm, being thus alternately engaged until he had attained man's estate. He then removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and entered into the lumber business at Cedar Springs. After eight years he there formed a partnership with the Cedar Springs Exchange Bank, acquiring three sections of pine land near a place called Chase, on the Pere Marquette Railway. It was then only a sidetrack, and the half dozen houses which comprised the settlement were destroyed by fire shortly after Mr. Summer- ville had erected his mill there. He then laid out a town site adjoining, and within six months had built up a town of about sixteen hundred inhab- itants. In 1885, after having been engaged very successfully in the lumber business there for seven years, he returned to Ohio, locating at Salem, where he became connected with the retail lumber business as superintendent for Monroe Brothers, of Cleveland, Ohio.
This concern was closed out in 1887 and Mr. Summerville came to Mansfield, where he has resided continuously since. On his arrival here he engaged in the wholesale lumber business, handling lumber in carlots and receiving his supply from Michigan and the south. He was one of the first to introduce red cedar shingles into this state and continued in the lum- ber business until 1895. At that time the lumber dealers of the state, having become dissatisfied with the high rate of insurance charged them by all com- panies, held a meeting of the association, at which they appointed a commit- tee to devise some way of securing cheaper insurance. Mr. E. S. Nail, who was appointed chairman of that committee, recognizing the fact that Mr. Summerville was the oldest and best informed representative of the lumber business in this state and that his acquaintance included about every dealer in Ohio, Indiana and western Pennsylvania, prevailed upon the latter to assist in the organization of an insurance company whose policy holders should be confined exclusively to lumber dealers. On the 10th of October, 1895, as the result of Mr. Summerville's efforts in this direction, the Lumbermen's Mutual Insurance Company was organized, with which he has been connected and filled various offices up to the present time. He has been its traveling repre- sentative, secretary and department superintendent successively, his incum-
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bency in these positions covering the entire period of its existence. Subsequent to the organization of this company, other lumbermen's associa- tions in various parts of the country followed the example that had been set them and organized mutual insurance companies. In 1898 Mr. Summerville organized the firm of A. J. Summerville & Company, which writes the surplus insurance of these organizations throughout many sections of the United States, conducting this business in conjunction with that of the Lumbermen's Mutual Insurance Company. He has also been a promoter of other com- mercial enterprises of Mansfield, and was one of the organizers of the Farm- ers Saving & Trust Company, in which he is a director and active member. He is also president of the Eureka Truck Company, an important manu- facturing concern of Mansfield, and is largely interested in Mansfield real estate and owns a farm two miles north of the city, comprising one hundred acres, which he is improving and endeavoring to make a model property. He is likewise an enthusiastic and extensive raiser of fine poultry.
On the 26th of October, 1875, at Cedar Springs, Michigan, Mr. Summer- ville was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Parker, a daughter of William Parker, of that place. Two children have been born to this union: Earl R .. who has been in the service of the United States navy for eighteen years, is chief master-at-arms on the U. S. S. Prairie, and was a gunner on the Boston in the battle of Manila. He is an accomplished athlete. Benjamin C., who is a machinist and electrician, served in Company M of the Eighth Regiment in the Spanish-American war, seeing some hard service in Cuba. Mrs. Sum- merville is active in social and club circles of Mansfield, being a member of several ladies' clubs, the Hospital Association and the Humane Society. She is helpful in all affairs of public interest and moreover is devoted to her family and home.
Mr. Summerville is a democrat in his political affiliations and while a resident of Michigan was very active in local and state politics. He was an intimate friend of Don Dickinson of the cabinet. When he located in Lake county it had only sixteen democratic votes and when he left there, it had a democratic majority of three hundred. He has served as chairman of the county democracy, as a member of the ninth congressional district committee and the state central committee, and was president of the village of Chase during his entire residence there. Outside of these honors, he has never desired political preferment. Since coming to Mansfield he has always taken a lively interest in local politics to the extent of accepting a number of appointments for special service, but outside of these he has refused to allow himself to become a candidate. His fraternal relations connect him with all the Masonic bodies, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the United Commercial Travelers and the Hoo Hoos. He is not affiliated with any religious organization but is a liberal donor to church work and all charities, and is a member of the ways and means committee of the Humane Society. He has always been a hearty supporter of the local baseball team, having been an enthusiastic participant in that sport in his youth. A lover of music and literature, he is the possessor of a good library and has always devoted a large part of his leisure time to reading. He has prospered from year to year and has conducted all business
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matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management. He has not permitted the accumulation of wealth to affect in any way his actions toward those less fortunate than he and has always a cheerful word and pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact.
ALLEN E. BELL.
Allen E. Bell, postmaster at Butler, was born August 13, 1867, in Worthington township, Richland county. His parents are Robert W. and Rosanna (Reeder) Bell. The father was born in Troy township, September 2, 1825, his parents having been pioneer settlers of Richland county, coming from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1820. They made the journey in a wagon after the primative manner of travel in those days. They found here an almost unbroken wilderness. Over large areas the timber had not been cut and only here and there had a little clearing been made to indicate that the work of civilization was being carried forward. On reaching this county the grand- parents settled in Troy township and a year later moved to Worthington town- ship, where Mr. Bell first purchased eighty acres of land on section fifteen. It was covered with a native growth of forest trees, and with characteristic energy he began to clear the property preparatory to utilizing the land for general farming purposes. In the midst of the forest he built a log house and the family lived in true pioneer style. There were bears, wolves and other wild animals in the forest, while wild game of all kinds was plentiful. It was amidst the scenes and environments of frontier life that Robert W. Bell was reared, and in his youth he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was married in 1866 to Miss Rosanna Reeder and began farming on a tract of forty acres, which he increased and developed until he had a fine farm of one hundred and eight acres under a high state of cultivation.
In September, 1861, Mr. Bell enlisted for service as a soldier of the Civil war, joining Company H of the One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and reenlisted as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, thus serving until the close of the war. He was then mustered out in July, 1865, at Houston, Texas, having in the meantime participated in a number of hotly contested engage- ments which were effective forces in bringing about the final result of the war. In days of peace Mr. Bell was equally loyal in his citizenship and cooperated in many movements for the public welfare. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and in politics he was a lifelong repub- lican, always supporting the party until his life's labors were ended in Feb- ruary, 1906. He continued to reside on the farm in Worthington township until his death, and was a respected agriculturist of the community.
Allen E. Bell, only son and child of his parents' marriage, was reared on the home farm and acquired his education through the medium of the public
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schools. He was a young man of about twenty years when in 1887 he took up newspaper work, running the Butler Enterprise, and was connected with that journal for about seventeen years. He also spent one year in connection with the Daily News at New Philadelphia, Ohio, worked for two years on the Mansfield News and is now its Butler correspondent. On the 1st of September, 1904, Mr. Bell was appointed postmaster of Butler, which position he is now filling. He yet owns the old homestead of one hundred and eight acres in Worthington township, together with a nice property in Butler.
On the 6th of January, 1892, Mr. Bell was married to Miss Essie R. Farst, who was born in Worthington township, this county, July 25, 1873, and is a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Rummell) Farst. The father was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1827, and his life record covered the intervening eighty years to the 1st of October, 1907. The mother was born in Richland county and died in 1893 at the age of fifty-nine years. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom survive, namely: Izaiah, a resident of Worthington township; Mrs. H. C. Secrist, who is living in Jef- ferson township; Mrs. J. W. Coe, whose home is in Worthington township; Mrs. A. W. Swindle and J. E., residents of Mansfield; Luthera I., of Toledo, Ohio; Luther R., of Troy township; Mrs. S. K. Stake, of Worthington town- ship, and Mrs. Bell. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born a daughter and son, Estella C. and Kenneth L. The parents are both members of the Evangelical church, and Mr. Bell belongs to Lucullas Lodge, No. 121, K. of P., and to the Modern Woodmen. The fact that he is now serving as postmaster at Butler indicates his adherence to the republican party. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a supporter of its principles and has done what he could to secure their adoption. He is well known in the county and this part of the state and is popular with a host of friends.
HENRY C. SECRIST.
Henry C. Secrist, who is living retired on his farm on sections 11 and 12. Jefferson township, was born in Worthington township, Richland county, Ohio, August 27, 1849, his parents being Michael and Elizabeth (Baker) Secrist, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. The father came to this county with his parents in 1829, locating on a farm, and here lived until the time of his demise on the 21st of August, 1897, when he was eighty- six years of age. Mrs. Secrist passed away in February, 1875. Their family numbered eight children : ยท Nancy, the wife of Daniel Spayde, of Butler. Ohio ; Leah, the wife of Joseph Clever, of Butler. Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of James Neer, likewise of Butler, Ohio; Sophia, the wife of Samuel Yarger, residing in Butler Ohio; Elah, of this county; Henry C., of this review; Malinda, the wife of B. F. Oberlin, of Butler, Ohio; and Lavinia, the wife of Andrew Ramsey, also of Butler, Ohio.
Henry C. Secrist acquired a common-school education and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he pur-
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chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Worthington township, which he improved and on which he made his home for twenty-seven years. He then sold the place and for seven years lived in Butler, on the expiration of which period he took up his abode on his present farm of one hundred acres on sections 11 and 12, Jefferson township, where he has since resided, although he has retired from the active work of the fields. He and his son also own another tract of eighty-seven acres. He gained a competence through the excellent management and capable direction of his agricultural interests in former years and is now enabled to enjoy the comforts of life without recourse to further labor.
On the 17th of December, 1871, Mr. Secrist was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Farst, a native of this county and a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Rummel) Farst, who were born in Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. The parents came here in an early day and the father, a carpenter by trade. died in 1908. The mother passed away in February, 1893. Mrs. Secrist was one of a family of thirteen children, and by her marriage became the mother of three children: Alva F., who is on the home farm and is associated with his father in business, having finished his education at Angola, Indiana; and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Secrist likewise have three grandchildren : Franklin, Alberta and Edith.
In his political views Mr. Secrist is a stanch republican and for several years served as school director. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church and are well known and highly respected throughout the entire community. He has spent his entire life in this county and is widely recognized as one of its public-spirited and substantial citizens, who in former years was actively connected with agricultural development here.
JACOB W. WEIL.
Jacob W. Weil, chief of police of Mansfield, was born in this city July 15, 1858. His education was acquired in the public schools and he entered upon active connection with the police force as a patrolman. In 1883 he was elected city marshal and served in that office for two terms or four years. Later other official honors were conferred upon him. In 1889 he was chosen by popular suffrage to the office of county recorder, wherein he served for three years, and again in 1893 he was chosen for a three years' term. He retired from that office as he had entered it-with the confidence and trust of all concerned, having made an excellent record for loyalty and ability. In 1901 he was elected chief of police and following the passage of the civil service law in 1902 he has since held the office. That he is popular in the county is indicated by the fact that he was elected recorder by eleven hundred and thirty-nine votes and the second time by twelve hundred and fifty-four votes. He regards a public office as a public trust and it is needless to say to those who know him that no trust reposed in him is ever betrayed in the slightest degree. He
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is now a member of the Ohio Police Chiefs Association and was formerly connected with its board of directors.
Mr. Weil has been married twice. On the 17th of October, 1878, he wedded Miss Katherine Etz, of Mansfield, and unto them were born four children : Mamie K., William G., Albert F. and Lillian. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Weil was again married, his second union being with Sarah Elizabeth Ferguson, of Wooster, Ohio, whom he wedded on the 5th of July, 1891. They have one son, Menan Jacob. The parents attend the Lutheran church and Mr. Weil belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he has been president. Since attaining his majority he has remained almost continuously in the public service and his record has been characterized by an unfaltering devotion to duty and to whatever he believes to be right in connection with the administra- tion of the affairs of his office. As a custodian of the public interests in the preservation of law and order he has done most effective work and his efforts have brought him wide renown and unqualified regard.
J. C. PITTS.
J. C. Pitts, a representative of the farming interests of Monroe township, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, November 16, 1850. He is a son of John A. Pitts, who was born in Pennsylvania, and of Elizabeth (Hawley) Pitts, who was born near Bunker Hill. There was also a daughter of the family-Elizabeth. The father died when his son, J. C. Pitts, was only about six weeks old, and some time afterward the mother became the wife of a Mr. Hayes, while J. C. Pitts was left to the tender mercies of strangers.
His childhood experiences were not unlike those of many other children who are reared under similar circumstances. Fate decreed that he should have the educational advantages offered by two years' study at the district schools, and he could neither read nor write when he started out to carn his own livelihood. Although handicapped in every possible way and encounter- ing many obstacles and difficulties as he has proceeded along the journey of life, he carly became a self-reliant, energetic youth and later a man of strong purpose, laudable ambition and firm determination. Many a man of less perseverance would have given up the struggle in despair if they had been forced to meet the hardships and difficulties which came to Mr. Pitts. His record, however, is another proof of the fact that it is under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in man is brought out and developed. In the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons, and possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he has in this way gained much knowledge and stands today as a man of good judgment and keen foresight.
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