USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 21
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
George McFerren is the younger of two sons born of his father's marriage, his brother being Samuel McFerren. The son pursued his studies in the common schools and was early trained to the duties of the home farm, assisting his father in plowing, planting and harvesting the crops, so that when he started out in life on his own account he had excellent knowledge of the methods of agriculture. He is now the owner of one hundred and fourteen acres, situated in Perry township. He has tiled and fenced the land and erected substantial buildings, so that today his property is a valuable one, and each year he adds to his financial income, owing to the sale of abundant crops.
Mr. McFerren chose as a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Miss Naoma R. Black, whom he wedded in 1862 and who died September 8, 1905. Unto this marriage were born a daughter and two sons, but the eldest, Ellen, is now deceased. The sons are C. L. and William A., both farmers of Perry township.
Mr. McFerren's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give hearty support to the men and measures of democracy, but he has never been active as an office seeker, preferring rather to give his undivided time and attention to his private business interests, in which he is meeting with success. Brought to Richland county when but two years of age, he has always lived here and is therefore familiar with the history of this section of the state, and now in the evening of life he is surrounded by many warm friends who esteem him for his many excellent traits of heart and mind.
PETER KUHN.
A valuable and well improved farm property, comprising eighty acres. located on section 26, Jackson township, has been the home of Peter Kuhn since 1876, and here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits, in which he is meeting with success. He is a native son of Richland county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Plymouth township, December 31, 1842.
His paternal grandfather, David Kuhn, was born near Wurtemberg, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1754, locating on a farm in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, this tract of land having remained in the Kuhn family to the present time. The father of our subject, Samuel Kuhn, was born on his father's farm in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1807. He was married in the Keystone state to Miss Julia Ann Reymer, who was born April 10, 1812. They were reared and married in the state of Pennsyl- vania, after which they came to Richland county on the 1st of June, 1833. They established their home on a farm in Plymouth township, located mid- way between the villages of Shelby and Plymouth. They made the journey to Richland county by wagon, the party also including his brother John and his family, the brothers having married sisters. The two families made their home on that tract of land for eight years. When they arrived here
PETER KUHN.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
they had no plow and drove to Mansfield, a distance of twelve miles, but could secure none and on their return stopped at the home of a farmer, who sold them a plow for twelve dollars. They endured many hardships and priva- tions on account of the unsettled condition of the country and bore their full share in the development and progress that was here carried on.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Philip Reymer, was born near Wurtemberg, Germany, and was left an orphan at the age of twelve years. He then emigrated to America, his passage being paid upon his arrival by a man in New Jersey, with whom he made his home. He received ill treat- ment and one day while in the field threshing rye a recruiting officer of the Continental army passed and asked Mr. Reymer to become a member of the army. He was at that time only fifteen years of age, but becoming identified with the Continental army served in the Revolutionary war for seven years. His wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Statler and their family numbered three sons and five daughters. Mr. Reymer died in Franklin county, Pennsylvania.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kuhn numbered ten children, as follows: Louisa, the wife of John G. Hartman, of Jackson township; Ellen, the deceased wife of J. W. Huffman, also of this township; Philip, who served in the Civil war as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and is now deceased; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Cairns, of Jackson township; Harriet, who died at the age of two years; Peter, of this review; Elijah, of Shelby; George and Samuel, who died in infancy; and Reynier, who makes his home in Cleveland.
Peter Kuhn, whose name introduces this review, was reared on his father's farm and each year assisted in the plowing, planting and harvesting, remain- ing under the parental roof until thirty-three years of age. At the time of the inauguration of the Civil war he enlisted on the 22d of August, 1862, as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, doing service under Lieutenant Barlow, of Shelby. He participated in the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862; Chickamauga, September 20, 1863; and Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864; and was subsequently with Sherman on the Atlanta campaign and the celebrated march to the sea, after which he participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C. With the exception of eight days, on account of illness, he lost no time and served for two years. nine months and twenty-seven days. He arrived home June 19, 1865, having made a most creditable military record.
Following the close of hostilities Mr. Kuhn returned to his home and resumed farming on his father's place-a tract of two hundred acres, which he cultivated for ten years in connection with his brother Elijah. In 1876 he purchased his present property, comprising eighty acres of land on section 26, Jackson township. He erected a nice country home and there are also many substantial outbuildings on the place, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. Mr. Kuhn is here engaged in general farming and stock-raising and in his business follows the most modern and progressive methods.
Mr. Kuhn was married, February 27, 1868, to Miss Sarah Kirkpatrick. who was born in Jackson township, May 26, 1845, a daughter of Jeremiah and
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Catherine (Flora) Kirkpatrick, the former born in Perry county, Pennsyl- vania, July 20, 1821, while the latter was born in Washington county, Mary- land, September 14, 1819. Her father came here with his parents, October 31, 1831, and spent his remaining days in Richland county, passing away September 15, 1904. The mother came to Richland county with her parents in 1835 and also lived and died here, passing away September 19, 1900.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn has been graced with eight children : Clayson, who died at the age of sixteen years; Charles, who died when but five months old; S. H., who resides in Franklin township, is married and has two sons, Nihl and Gail; Nellie, the wife of W. C. McCracken, of Mansfield; Willis O., at home; Anna, the wife of J. A. Bricker, of Jackson township, by whom she has one son, Reymer; B. B. at home; and Henry, who died in infancy.
Mr. Kuhn is independent in politics. He served as assessor of Jackson township for several years and was also for a long period a member of the school board. He is a member of Mt. Bethel Lutheran church and of the Grand Army of the Republic at Shelby. Mr. Kuhn's life has been one of continuous activity and no blot or stain of dishonor rests upon his name for his business principles and actions have ever been governed by strict integrity and honesty of purpose.
ROSCOE CARLTON SKILES.
Roscoe Carlton Skiles is the junior member of the law firm of Skiles, Green & Skiles, constituting one of the strongest legal combinations of Richland county, but while he is making for himself an enviable record at the bar, he is also winning an equally commendable reputation as a public-spirited citizen and for five years, as chief executive officer of Shelby, did effective work in promoting public progress and improvement in his native city. He was born here October 18, 1878, and has always made this city his home, spending his boyhood days under the roof of his father, George M. Skiles. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, he at length completed his course by graduation from the Shelby high school with the class of 1896. He then matriculated in the Ohio State University, where he remained until 1901, when he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In June of that year he was admitted to the bar and entered his father's law office, practicing with the firm of Skiles & Skiles until the death of his uncle, the Hon. W. W. Skiles, in 1904. A new partnership was then formed, under the style of Skiles, Green & Skiles, with our subject as the junior partner. He is a lawyer of wide learning, careful in the preparation of his cases and clear and forceful in their presentation, and although one of the younger, he is also recognized as one of the foremost members of the Shelby bar.
Few men of his years have so long filled the chair of mayor as has Mr. Skiles. In April, 1903, he was called to that office as the candidate of the republican party and in May took his seat for the administration of municipal affairs here. By act of the legislature his first term was extended to January 1,
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
1906, after which he was reelected and served until January 1, 1908, so that for five years he remained the chief executive head of Shelby. He has been very active in party organization, being one of the most prominent and influential republicans of this district.
On the 3d of October, 1901, Mr. Skiles was married to Miss Isabelle Fullington, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a daughter of James Fullington. Attractive social qualities render Mr. Skiles popular in the Colonial Club and the Mansfield Country Club. He is well known in Shelby and his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor, save in his own country, for in the city where his entire life has been passed Roscoe C. Skiles has gained a position of distinction that is indicative of the respect and admiration which his fellow citizens entertain for his substantial intellectual qualities and professional ability.
REV. FATHER FERDINAND A. SCHREIBER.
Rev. Father Ferdinand A. Schreiber, pastor of St. Peter's church at Mans- field, was born at Callicoon, New York, July 3, 1861. His father, Charles Schreiber, was a native of Baden, Germany, and about 1848 came to America, settling at Newark, New Jersey, where he was employed as a laborer for some time, but later engaged in business on his own account. About 1862 he removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he still resides and is yet active to some extent, although he has reached the age of seventy-six years. He married Appalonia Guenther, also a native of Baden, Germany, although they were married in this country. She is still living at the age of seventy-four years. Their family numbered six children, who still survive, of whom John, Joseph and Jacob Schreiber are all engaged in business in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Mary is the wife of Henry Scholl, of Scranton, and Catherine is at home.
Father Ferdinand A. Schreiber spent his boyhood in Scranton, where he attended the parochial schools, made his first communion and was confirmed. At the age of fifteen years he entered St. Vincent's College, conducted by the Benedictine Fathers near Beatty in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. There he remained until he finished his classical and philosophical courses. When he had completed these he studied under the Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour. bishop of Cleveland, and after the completion of his theological course was ordained to the priesthood July 3, 1886. Following his ordination he was appointed to take charge of missions, with headquarters at Antwerp, Ohio, where he ministered to the spiritual needs of six or seven congregations located in Pauling and Defiance counties, Ohio, having charge of the mission churches at Payne, Latty, Cecil, Junction, Hicksville and Delaware Bend, Ohio. He built the churches at Latty and Cecil, Ohio, and after four years spent in that charge he was assigned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus church at Shelby settle- ment in Richland county. There he remained for over seven years, during which time he was instrumental in erecting a nice stone church. In 1898 he was removed to Mansfield, where he has since remained.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Father Magenhann had just resigned on account of ill health. Father Schreiber found a large debt incumbering the parish property, which was soon fully paid. The financial condition of the church is now excellent. A home has been built for the Sisters of St. Francis, nine in number, seven of whom are employed as teachers. A cemetery site has also been purchased and improved and an annex has been built to the school property, adding four new schoolrooms. A large tract of eighty foot frontage adjoining the church has been purchased and on this is to be erected a new house of worship, toward which purpose Father Schreiber has already accumulated a considerable sum. Upon the completion of a new church the old one will be used as a school hall. Since his coming the Knights of Columbus have been established here and are growing in membership, while various other parochial societies have been formed. Father Schreiber is most zealous and earnest in all of his work and is accomplishing great good for Catholicism.
DAVID RHODES.
The present home farm of David Rhodes in Jackson township was also the place of his birth, which occurred January 3, 1849, so that he has throughout a long period been identified with the agricultural interests of Richland county. He is the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, whose parents were Henry and Rachel (Stoner) Rhodes, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania, the former born in Lancaster county, in 1808, and the latter in York county, that state. They were reared and married in the Keystone state and the year 1831 witnessed their arrival in Richland county, Ohio, the family home being established on a tract of land whereon no clearing had been made. The father at once cleared a space large enough to erect a log house and in this the family took up their abode. He then cleared the balance of the land and placed it under the plow, in due course of time harvesting rich crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. The children of the family, five in number, are as follows: Henry P., who resides in Richland county and is mentioned on another page of this work; Mrs. Elizabeth Bloom, a resident of Michigan; Mrs. Sarah Paul, of Indiana; David, of this review; and Mrs. Melvina Armold, also of Jackson township. Both the father and mother are now deceased, the former having passed away in March, 1896, in his eighty-eighth year, while the latter died in October, 1888, when she had reached the age of seventy-five, for her natal day was October 15, 1813.
David Rhodes, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to the duties of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the labors of plowing, planting and harvesting. He is today the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land, divided into two farms, sixty acres of which constitute a part of the father's old home place. He has here two sets of buildings and in 1891 erected a good barn thirty-eight by sixty-six feet, with a shed thirty-two feet long, and on the farm which he rents stands a good brick residence. For a long period he was actively connected with agricultural pursuits and while he
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
still retains his home on his farm he leaves the active labor to others, merely giving supervision to the work.
Mr. Rhodes was married in 1886 to Miss Izora Artz, who was born in Richland county, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Holtz) Artz. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes was blessed with four children: Harry Earnest, David Dale, Wilber Willis and Roy Stanley. After a happy married life of but nine years the wife and mother was called to her final rest, her death occurring October 26, 1895.
While Mr. Rhodes is in hearty sympathy with the principles of democracy he largely votes an independent ticket. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias at Shelby. Mr. Rhodes was given a start in life by the inheritance of sixty acres of land from his father's estate, but it has been through his own energy, careful management and well directed labors that he has extended the boundaries of his place to its present acreage, so that he de- serves much credit for what he has accomplished. In his younger years he spent a busy and active life, so that today he can enjoy the fruits of his former toil in ease and comfort, being surrounded by a host of warm friends, who es- teem him highly for his own moral worth.
CONRAD FLOCKERZI.
Conrad Flockerzi, serving as a member of the board of public service at Mansfield, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, his birth having there occurred on the 23d of November, 1861, of the marriage of George and Anna Elizabeth (Ebert) Flockerzi. On his emigration to America in February, 1872, the father located at Mansfield, where in 1882 he engaged in the butchering busi- ness, continuing successfully in that line of activity until his death in 1889. The mother of our subject, however, still survives.
Conrad Flockerzi is the eldest in a family of seven children, of whom four are living and are residents of Mansfield. He attended the public school at Neustadt, his native town, till eleven years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the new world and completed his education in the public schools of Mansfield until he had attained the age of thirteen. He then entered upon an apprenticeship to the butchering business with Hein Brothers, remaining in that employ for three years, after which he worked in various other markets until 1882. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he then established a meat market at No. 200 North Main street and for a period of twenty-four years, or until October. 1905, he was thus successfully connected with the mercantile interests of this city, gaining a large degree of prosperity by reason of his reliable business methods and straight- forward dealing. He is also interested to a considerable extent in Mansfi ld real estate and is the owner of a commodious and attractive home at No. 281 West Fourth street.
On the 16th of February, 1888, at Mansfield. Ohio, Mr. Flockerzi was united in marriage to Miss Sophia, a daughter of George Reddig, a tailor of this city.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
In his political views he has always been a stanch democrat and active in local politics. For two terms of two years each, beginning in 1897, he served as councilman from the third ward and also had the honor of being the presiding officer of that body. From 1902 until 1904 he was councilman at large, was elected vice president of the council during this term and, owing to the death of the president, acted as chief executive officer the greater part of the time. In November, 1907, he was elected a member of the board of public service, taking his seat on the 1st of January, 1908. At various times he has also served as a member of the board of equalization and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen is well merited, for his entire public service has been characterized by the faithful and capable discharge of every duty devolving upon him.
Mr. Flockerzi is identified through membership relations with the For- esters, the German Pioneer Society and the Arion Singing Society, being an honorary member of the last named. He also belongs to St. Matthews Luther- an church and is a member of its council. Richland county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have controlled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review demands representa- tion as one who has served the county faithfully and well in positions of distinct trust and responsibility. For more than a third of a century he has been a resident of Mansfield and his genial, social manner and deference for the opinions of others has gained him a wide circle of friends and won him the esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
BARTLEY CRUM.
Bartley Crum, a successful agriculturist of Franklin township, was born on the farm where he now resides, on the 29th of April, 1854. His grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Keith) Crum, were both natives of Pennsylvania, where their marriage was celebrated. The grandfather left Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1815 and took up his abode on the farm which is now the home of our subject. He cleared the land, which was entirely covered with timber, erected a log cabin and underwent many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life in his efforts to establish a home on the frontier.
Here he spent the remainder of his days, passing away when fifty-three years of age. His wife, who survived him, was called to her final rest about 1857.
John Crum, the father of Bartley Crum, was born March 1, 1820, on the old homestead farm here and it remained his place of residence, with the exception of about two years, until the time of his death. In 1847 or 1848 he wedded Miss Catherine Clay, a native of Franklin township, and subse- quently he removed to Williams county, Ohio, where he remained for about two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to the old home farm and here resided until he passed away in 1900. Throughout his entire business career he was connected with agricultural pursuits and placed many substan- tial improvements on his property, including a fine residence and outbuild-
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
ings, which today stand as monuments to his unremitting industry and enterprise. Meeting with success in his undertakings, he became the owner of several farms and was widely recognized as a prosperous and influential citizen of his native county. His estimable wife is still living at the age of seventy-nine years, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Hummel, in Jackson township. Her family numbered eight children, namely : Jacob, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of David Robinson, an agriculturist of Williams county, Ohio; Margaret, who died in infancy; Bartley, of this review; Mary, the wife of Adam Hummel, who follows farming in Jackson township; Franklin J., who is also deceased; Lucinda, who has passed away; and Ida, the wife of Jacob Zackman, of Shelby.
Bartley Crum acquired his education in the district schools of Franklin township and remained under the parental roof until he was married at the age of thirty years. Subsequently he lived in an adjoining house and farmed both places. His holdings at present comprise one hundred and sixty-five acres of rich and productive land, on which he has a commodious and substantial residence and fine outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In the work of general farming he has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity, and is well known as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of the community.
On the 9th of October, 1884, Mr. Crum was united in marriage to Miss Borgetta M. Skiles, of Richland county, by whom he has three children : Wave Jeannette, who died in infancy; John J., who is attending business college at Mansfield; and Fleta Margaret, at home.
Mr. Crum gives stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has served as school director for six years, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge at Shelby. His wife is a member of the Reform church. A worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer families here, he has lived in this county for more than a half century and has gained the warm esteem and regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
W. S. LEITER.
Ambition and determination are strong characteristics in the life of W. S. Leiter, who, starting out at an early age, employed as a farm hand, has worked his way steadily upward until he is now in possession of a good farm of eighty acres, situated on section 16, Monroe township, Richland county. He is a native son of the county, born October 6, 1858, his parents being Lewis and Rachel (Marvin) Leiter, the latter also a native of Richland county. The father, however, was a native of Maryland but came to Rich- land county with his parents in 1838. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Lutheran church. The father passed away in 1873, but the mother still survives and now makes her home with our subject.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
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