USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 26
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On the 20th of November, 1890, Mr. Keefer was united in marriage to Miss Cora Aby, whose birth occurred in Monroe township, April 7, 1871. Her parents are Solomon and Elizabeth (Gougwer) Aby, the former born in Monroe township, October 6, 1842, and the latter in 1849. They cele- brated their marriage on the 17th of May, 1870, and the father carried on agricultural pursuits in Monroe township until 1883, when he purchased a farm in Mifflin township, where he has since made his home. His family numbers six children, as follows: Mrs. Keefer; Stella, wife of Ovid Mitchell; Charles; Bert; Effie, deceased; and Elta. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keefer have been born three children : Leta, Boyd and May.
Mr. Keefer gives stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy, and is a member of the Patrons of Industry. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Washington Congregational church, and they are highly esteemed and worthy residents of this county, in which they have spent their entire lives.
WILLIAM M. DOUGHERTY.
William M. Dougherty, who for many years was closely associated with agricultural interests and who was numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, made in his active life a record which causes his name to be honored and his memory cherished now that he has passed away. He was born in New Jersey, September 17, 1831, and became a resident of Crawford county, Ohio, at the age of nine months, being brought to this state by his parents, Daniel and Lydia (Orwich) Dougherty, who were also natives of New Jersey. In Crawford county he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him.
There came a decided change in his life work when, after the outbreak of the Civil war, he responded to the country's call and went to the front as a member of Company H, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted
MRS. W. M. DOUGHERTY.
W. M. DOUGHERTY.
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from Shelby and after eleven months' service was honorably discharged, owing to physical disability. He could not content himself, however, to remain at home while the Union was thus endangered and re-enlisted in Wyandot county, joining the Eighty-second Regiment, with which he remained until the close of the war, serving altogether for thirty months. He participated in a number of hotly contested battles, was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, and made an excellent record as a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any duty, no matter how arduous.
When the war was over Mr. Dougherty returned to Crawford county, Ohio, where he engaged in threshing. While there residing he was united in marriage on the 7th of February, 1867, to Miss Maria E. Hahn, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1840, and was brought to Shelby, Ohio, by her parents in the fall of 1851. She is a daughter of Mathias and Mary Ann (Martin) Hahn, who were natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and cast in their lot with the early settlers of Richland county, Ohio. Her father worked at the carpenter's trade most of his life. After living for some time in Shelby he removed to Crawford county and his wife died at the age of fifty-two years, while he passed away at the age of fifty- seven. They were worthy people who enjoyed to the fullest extent the confi- dence and good will of those who knew them. In their family were four sons and four daughters, all of whom were reared in Shelby and the two youngest were born in this city. Of this family Mrs. Dougherty is the eldest and the others are: John, who is engaged in the insurance business and has attained wealth in his various business concerns; Elizabeth, now deceased; William, of Mansfield, who has held many political offices; Joseph, proprietor of a hotel at Andover, Ohio; Mrs. Rhuma Crouse, deceased; Daniel, who is living at Tyro, Ohio; and Estella, of Toledo.
Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty began their domestic life in Crawford county, where after their marriage he followed farming for two years and then came to Shelby in 1869, locating on a farm near the town. Later they removed to Mansfield, where he engaged in teaming for a while, but subsequently they returned to Crawford and resided with his parents until they died, caring for them in their declining years. The father reached the very venerable age of ninety-eight years; while the mother passed away at the age of eighty-three years. Following the death of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty returned to the farm south of Shelby but about eighteen years ago retired, taking up their abode in Shelby, where Mr. Dougherty spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He died here May 19, 1905, and his death was the occasion of sincere and deep sorrow to many friends as well as to his wife and kindred.
He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and he held membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining close relations with his old army comrades. While he never sought to figure in any public light nor tried to gain notoriety in office or in any other way, in his home locality he occupied a position that was accorded him in recogni- tion of his genuine worth and many good traits of character. Practically his entire life was spent in Ohio and he left behind him many friends in the
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different parts of the state in which he lived. Mrs. Dougherty still resides in Shelby, where she is well known. Here she has a pleasant home, while her business resources are sufficient to supply her with all of the comforts of life.
JOHN ULRICK WILER.
John Ulrick Wiler was born in Mansfield, April 20, 1824, a son of John Jacob Wiler. The latter was born in Herisau, Appenzell county, Switzerland, June 4, 1780, and was the oldest of a large family of children, only four of whom reached the age of manhood and womanhood. When quite young he learned the trade of a weaver in his native town, which he continued until his fifteenth year, then went to France, where he remained for two years, after which he traveled through the different countries of Europe as a journey- man weaver for fifteen years. During the campaign of Napoleon I, he enlisted in the Swiss army and saw duty along the frontier. While engaged in his occupation as a journeyman weaver he passed over the battlefield of Leipsic, while the dead were being buried. Mr. Wiler sailed for America from Amster- dam on the 19th of May, 1817, in the ship "Bourbon," Captain William Gob- rell in charge. He landed in Philadelphia, after a voyage of ninety-nine days, on the 26th of August, 1817. During the voyage a disease broke out on the vessel called "ship fever," of which a hundred and five persons, out of the five hundred on board the vessel, died and were buried in the sea. After landing at Philadelphia, Mr. Wiler was sent to the hospital, suffering from the effects of the ship fever. He remained at the institution three months, after which he set out on foot through Pennsylvania, accompanied by his nephew, John Ulrick Tanner, who had crossed the ocean with him. After touring Pennsylvania Mr. Wiler came to Ohio and stopped about a year in Lancaster, then went to Columbus and thence to Mansfield. Mr. Wiler, who in addition to his trade as a weaver, had become a baker, opened a bakery in Mansfield and seeing the demand for a house of entertainment, opened a hotel, then called a tavern, in a building situated upon the lot where the Bird building now stands. In the meantime he had married Miss Margaret Steyer, of Franklin township, this county. Miss Steyer's father owned the lot where Mr. Wiler started his hotel, renting the property from Mr. Steyer. Henry Steyer, Sr., and Henry Steyer, Jr., father and brother of Mrs. Wiler, were soldiers in the war of 1812. After the close of the war Mr. Steyer and his sons came to Richland county and located north of Mansfield, in what is now Franklin township. His son Henry's health failed on account of his hard service and exposure in the army, and Miss Margaret's sisterly care and atten- tion could not restore to health a constitution undermined by the exposures of camp and field, and it was soon said of him, as in time it will be written of us all, "And he died." Mr. Wiler's tavern was known for many years as the "Wiler House," and it was changed with the times from a small log building to a large brick structure which was widely known as a popular place of entertainment.
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John Jacob Wiler and wife were the parents of nine children, all of whom are now dead except Mary Ann-Mrs. J. H. Cook. Two sons who were grown to manhood, died in California of cholera; the others died in infancy and youth. Mr. Wiler died August 1, 1881. His wife preceded him to the Father's home by thirteen years, having passed away May 25, 1868. Mr. Wiler passed the latter years of his active busy life at the family homestead, corner of Fourth and Mulberry streets, which had been his home for many years, and where he died in the confidence of the Christian faith and in peace with his fellowmen. He was a devoted husband and an effectionate father. Having a vigorous constitution, by his untiring industry and economy he amassed considerable wealth, which he still held at the time of his death. No one in the county was held in higher esteem for strict honesty and integrity than Mr. Wiler and no one was more generally known while he was in active life.
In 1848 John Ulrick Wiler formed a partnership with John A. Lee in the jewelry business, which terminated in four years, Mr. Lee retiring and Mr. Wiler continuing in the business until 1857. Mr. Wiler later engaged in mechanical pursuits, in which he was assisted by his sons.
On November 14, 1850, Mr. Wiler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Louise Robens, by the Rev. James W. Dickey, and they were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. The sons are John Jacob, Hervey Henry and David Ephraim. The daughters were named Anna Licetta and Margaret Eva. Anna Licetta died when fifteen months old. Mr. Wiler passed away October 6, 1894, cheered to the last by the unfailing tenderness and devotion of wife and daughter. The mother was spared nine years longer to brighten the home with her gentle presence that fell like a benediction on all around her. Mrs. Wiler passed to the better life October 24, 1903, sadly mourned by her children and friends.
John U. Wiler was an honest, honorable and valued citizen of Mansfield and did much toward the upbuilding of the city from the small village in which he was born. He was active in business pursuits and good works. He was a peaccable, inoffensive and law-abiding man. He was liberal in his views and honest in his dealings with his fellowmen. He was upright in character and maintained the reputation of his father for goodness and hon- esty and instilled into the minds of his children the same principles of truth and right which had been handed down to him. The children of John U. Wiler all honor and revere the memory of their parents and grandparents, for the noble principles of both were instilled into them from childhood.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wiler proved a very happy one. Mr. Wiler was an exemplary husband and a good father. Mrs. Wiler was a loving wife, a kind and indulgent mother and an excellent neighbor. No one was ever turned hungry from her door and she was ready at all times to assist the poor and needy. In fact to meet her was to respect her, to know her was to love and adore her and to revere her for her kindness and goodness of heart. She was a patient sufferer for a number of years before her death, through all of which she expressed thanks to the good Lord for all his mercies. Her end was as peaceful as her life had been.
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The sons of John U. Wiler are skilled mechanics and machinists, as was their father, and they continue in the same line of business at the same place. They, with their sister, Miss M. Eva Wiler, still reside in the family home on West Fourth street, the home where their parents resided from their early life and where they died, the second house west of the old homestead of John Jacob Wiler and family.
Miss M. Eva Wiler is endowed with a degree of magnetism which draws her a large circle of friends, and those who know her well have much reason to love her, for she is ever ready in sympathy and is free from affectation. The feminine nature with its love of home, its instinct of beauty and its innate desire to minister to the comforts of its beloved are very notable in Miss Wiler, and its duties are most ably and conscientiously discharged by her. She was blessed with an exceptionally good mother, the narrative of whose life reads like one of the saints. She was a Christian woman and was the guide of her children in everything that was good and noble, and these good qualities have been inherited by her daughter. There is nothing in the divine ordering of human lives more beautiful than the way in which opportunities to do noble work grow out of similar work which has already been faithfully done. Life is no longer fragmentary, everything has meaning and unity, and the toiler goes thankfully on through the broader activities and into the deeper consecration, developing always a less self-conscious personality but one every- where more definitely recognized and honored. Miss Wiler's work and home life have developed her inherited noble instincts and made her self-sacrificing although yet young in years. She is an accomplished young lady and has a natural talent for music.
CHRIST B. STRAUCH.
Christ B. Strauch, who for twenty years was engaged in the dairy busi- ness, is now giving his attention to general farming on a tract of thirty-two acres located in Sandusky township. He is a native of Rhineberger, Ger- many, born March 28, 1842, a son of Christ, Sr., and Margaret (Weaver) Strauch, who are likewise natives of the fatherland. The father was a shoe- maker by trade and conducted business in that line in his native country. In 1848, however, he emigrated with his family to the United States and located in Crawford county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. His family numbered four children, namely: Conrad, who lives in Crestline; Christ B., of this review; and Elizabeth and Adam, both of whom have passed away.
Christ B. Strauch, whose name introduces this sketch, is the second son and second in order of birth in his father's family. He was a little lad of six years at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world. His education was acquired in the common schools of Crawford county, where he was reared to the age of twenty-one years. He was early trained to the duties of the home farm, giving his father the benefit of his services up to the time he attained his majority, when he began life on his own account by
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being employed by others at farm labor. After a time spent in that man- ner, he came to Richland county, where he has lived for more than thirty-six years. He now owns thirty-two acres in Sandusky township and he also has one and one-half acres in Crawford county. For twenty years he gave his time and attention to dairying, but has abandoned that pursuit and is now engaged in general farming. He has met with success in his under- takings and is numbered among the substantial citizens of this section of the state.
In 1866 Mr. Strauch established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Blazier, who, like her husband, was born in Germany. Their marriage was celebrated in Crawford county and their home has been blessed with ten children, namely: William, at home; Catherine, David and Conrad, all of whom reside in Toledo, Ohio; Sarah A., the wife of George Greter, who lives in Toledo, where he is manager for the firm of Tietke Brothers; Henry, who is employed by the Bell Telephone Company at Columbus, Ohio; Margaret, who is also with the Bell Telephone Company in Toledo; Lydia, at home; Calvin, who is now with the Bell Telephone Company at Lima, Illinois, being employed on inside work in the capacity of electrician; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Strauch votes for the men whom he deems best fitted for office, regardless of party affiliation. For one term he served as road supervisor, but otherwise has filled no public office. He and his family are members of the German Reformed church. He is a man of high moral worth and is respected by his fellowmen, for in his dealings with all he is honorable and straightforward. For a long period he has made his home in Richland county and is, therefore, well known in many sections as well as in the city of Crestline.
JOHN I. BEELMAN.
The People's National Bank of Plymouth was organized and began business on the 2d of January, 1904, with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, the stockholders representing some of the best known and wealthiest citizens of Richland county. At the first election of officers John I. Beelman was chosen cashier. Mr. Beelman was born near Chicago in 1875, and at the age of three years was brought by his parents, Daniel M. and Susan J. (Upp) Beelman, to Richland county. The father was a native of the Key- stone state, while the mother claimed Huron county, Ohio, as the place of her birth. The father for many years engaged in farming, but for the past three years had lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. Their family numbered five children, of whom four survive.
John I. Beelman, whose name introduces this review, as stated, was a lad of three years when brought to Richland county. Here he began his education in the common schools, this being supplemented by a course of study in the Ada Normal school. After completing his education he engaged
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in teaching for several years, during the winter months, or until 1895, when he entered the National Bank of Plymouth, where he was employed as assistant cashier and bookkeeper for eight years. On the expiration of that period he assisted in organizing the People's National Bank of Plymouth, of which he was elected cashier. The bank opened its doors for business on the 2d of January, 1904, being capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars. This institution has met with unexpected favor, the deposits having now reached two hundred thousand dollars. It is recognized as one of the concerns of the city in which the people feel a just pride-solid and safe beyond question, and its management conservative enough to keep it so.
Mr. Beelman was married in 1897 to Miss Edith M. Buck, who was born in Richland county, a daughter of W. J. Buck, of Shelby, this state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beelman has been blessed with four children: Larue, Harry, Thelma and Gertrude.
Mr. Beelman gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party. For four years he was clerk of Plymouth, while for a similar period he served as a member of the board of public works. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias. He possesses excellent business ability and his connection with the enterprise to which he is now bending his energies insures for the same a prosperous outcome.
AARON LEEDY.
Aaron Leedy was one of the honored pioneers of Richland county, Ohio, a man respected and honored wherever known and most of all where he was best known. He was born April 21, 1832, and was the youngest son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Zook) Leedy. His life record covered seventy-five years, six months and seven days, and he passed away October 28, 1907. His early youth was spent upon a farm near Ankenytown, Ohio, and throughout the greater part of his life he successfully followed the occupation of farming, although to some extent, especially early in his life, he worked at the car- penter's trade.
On the 13th of March, 1856, Mr. Leedy was married to Elizabeth Garber and for about a year they lived upon her father's farm, after which they removed to a farm in Berlin township, Knox county, Ohio. In 1860 they took up their abode about three miles east of Bellville, and in 1863 in com- pany with his brother-in-law, David L. Garber, Aaron Leedy purchased a farm that had formerly been the property of his father-in-law, Samuel Gar- ber. While he made the tilling of the soil his chief life work he possessed much natural mechanical ability and could do almost anything with tools. He worked at the carpenter's trade, operated a water mill and afterward a steam sawmill, also operated threshing machines and did other work along mechanical lines. He led a busy and useful life and he won a fair measure of success, so that for many years he was enabled not only to enjoy the neces- sities but also the comforts of life.
Aaron Leech
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Leedy there were born six sons and three daughters: Byron, born March 11, 1857; Elmina, who was born June, 28, 1859, and died in 1866 at the age of seven years; Eugene R., born February 16, 1861; Clement, born July 5, 1863; Albert, February 7, 1867; Bertha, March 30, 1871; Alfred, June 2, 1873; and Herbert; and Maude. All are now married with the exception of Bertha and Herbert.
In 1866 Mr. Leedy united with the Universalist church of Bellville and remained one of its faithful and helpful members throughout the remainder of his life. He contributed liberally to its support and he spent much of two years as the active member of the building committee while erecting the house of worship at Bellville. He also was a charter member of Jefferson Grange and served as its first master following its organization, October 9, 1873, while later at different times he again served as master. His greatest interest aside from his business and his church was in the Grange. He was prsident of the Patrons Mutual Relief Association from June 4, 1844, until January 12, 1899. Very fond of music, he taught singing schools in the early days and was an active member of the Grange Band for years. He was always interested in young people and "the boys" were ever welcome at his home. They would frequently gather there in the evenings and he would sit and sing with them for several hours at a time. While he was never a great talker, he was a most hospitable man and his wife shared with him in extending the hospitality of their home to their relatives and many friends. He believed in the religion of living rather than of creed and he earnestly put forth effort to encourage the good that he believed was in every individual. His life was fraught with many good deeds and characterized by kindly pur- poses and honorable motives. He passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten and at his death left the memory of an upright life and a noble example which is well worthy of emulation.
DIMON STURGES.
To enjoy the respect of the community in which one has spent his entire life means that the individual has so lived that his fellow townsmen yield him a tribute of admiration and regard because of manly virtues and loyalty to high and honorable principles. Such was the record of Mr. Sturges, who, though he never sought to figure prominently before the public, was a business man of integrity and a citizen of value who championed many measures for the public good. Born in Mansfield, he spent his entire life in this city and was closely associated with those movements, measures and interests which promote the substantial growth and development of a city along many lines.
His father, Eben Perry Sturges, was a pioneer merchant of Mansfield, although it was his purpose in early life to follow the sea, and. in fact, he commanded a merchant vessel when hostilities broke out between Great
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Britain and the United States in 1812. When homeward bound on a voyage from South America with a valuable cargo, his vessel was captured by a British frigate, and he and his crew were sent as prisoners of war to Kingston, Jamaica. Upon being paroled he returned to the United States. He felt that his seafaring experiences were then entirely sufficient and he turned his attention in other directions. Up to this time he had made his home in Fair- field, Connecticut,-his native state,-but later he removed to Richland county, Ohio, which was then a wild and largely unimproved district. The village of Mansfield had been established, but gave little promise of rapid future development. Mr. Sturges opened a store here in 1815 and remained in the city as one of the prominent and influential business men until his death, which occurred January 1, 1862. He was a marvelously successful man in mercantile affairs. In 1821 Eben Perry Sturges was married to Miss Amanda Buckingham, of Putnam, Ohio, and their eldest child was Dimon Sturges, who was born October 21, 1825, on Main street about on the lot where the Berno store now stands.
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