USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 42
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members of the Lutheran church, and having spent their entire lives here are well known, while their many good qualities have gained them high regard and warm friendships.
ADAM GROSS.
Adam Gross is well known in connection with the mercantile and indus- trial interests in Mansfield. He is now proprietor of the Mansfield Show Case & Store Fixture Company, in which connection he is controlling a prosperous and constantly growing business. He was born at Albeshein, near Wurmz, Germany, April 30, 1858. His father, Philip Gross, was a wine-grower there, but after coming to America was foreman of the lumber yards of McVey & Allison until his death. He had for six years survived his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Woorkley. Of their family of four children all are living, namely: Jacob, a gardener and farmer near Mansfield; Philip, who is with the National Safe & Lock Company, of New York; Adam, of this review; and Henry, an artist with a studio in New York.
Adam Gross accompanied his parents to America when but six years of age, the family home being established in Pittsburg, whence they removed a year later to St. Charles, Missouri, and after twelve months came to Mans- field. Mr. Gross attended the public schools here and afterivard pursued his studies through the winter months, while in the summer season for three years he worked at the McVey & Allison planing mill. When he had perma- nently put aside his text-books he devoted five years to that work, there continuing until twenty-one years of age. He next spent four years with the Aultman-Taylor works, building threshing machinery, after which he became connected with Gross & Clayberg, furniture and bar fixtures manufacturers, his brother Philip being senior partner in that business. When two years had passed he purchased the business from the receiver and has since con- tinued in this line of trade. About four years ago he discontinued the manu- facture of bar fixtures and took up the work of manufacturing show fixtures, show cases and general work to order.
For ten years he also manufactured barber chairs, but during the last decade has not done work of that character. The output of the factory is to be seen in the majority of the business places in Mansfield, and the house also enjoys a large trade throughout the west in church furniture. They supplied the fittings and furnishings for the Carnegie Library, of Mansfield, the Ash- brook drug store, the Nolan drug store, for the Marshall & Reynolds store, for the H. L. Reed Dry Goods house, the Koch & Fisher stationery store, for Charles Ritter & Co., and others. The furniture for the Carnegie Library is very elaborate and indicates the creditable work turned out by the Mansfield Show Case & Store Fixture Company. They have also done considerable work in nearby towns and the business is now recognized as one of the leading productive industries of this city. Mr. Gross also owns some good property here, including three fine residences, one of which, at No. 58 High street, he occupies, while the others are also on that street.
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On the 10th of October, 1883, Mr. Gross was married to Katherine Esch- baugh, a daughter of Christian Eschbaugh, of Mansfield. They have four children: Howard, twenty-four years of age, is now with his father in busi- ness, but is a pianist by profession, having toured a large part of this country. During the summer of 1907 he was at Oak Summit Fark, at Evansville, Indi- ana, where he led an orchestra of ten pieces. He has also had engagements with Murray & Mack, Verna May and the Humpty Dumpty Company and was at the Orpheum Theater, Mansfield, during the winter of 1907 and 1908. Lee, the second son, is a finisher in the employ of his father; Helen, seven- teen years of age, and Sybilla, sixteen years of age, are stenographers. The younger is a china painter of rare ability and both are good musicians.
Mr. Gross gives his political support to the democracy and was a member of the Mansfield school board from 1900 to 1904. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters and the Royal Foresters, and is a member of the First English Lutheran church. In 1906 he bought his home, for which he made all the finishings and furnishings and these are splendid specimens of fine workmanship, unexcelled by anything of the kind in Mansfield. Mr. Gross has always held high ideals in business and his name has become a guarantee for good workmanship and materials in anything connected with the trade. He employs only skilled mechanics and makes a specialty of show cases, although the company manufactures other interior fittings and furnish- ings and does upholstering. He regards his work as his best advertisement and the house not only enjoys an excellent reputation for its output but also for the character of its service to the public.
JACOB L. BARGAHISER.
Jacob L. Bargahiser is a retired farmer living in Shelby and a repre- sentative of a family that has been found in this county since the second decade of the nineteenth century. He was born November 29, 1834, on the farm which he yet owns and which adjoins the corporation limits of Shelby on the northwest. This has always been his place of residence. His parents were Levi and Susanna (Eshelman) Bargahiser. The father was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1791, while the mother was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 11, 1800. Leaving the Keystone state, he removed to Mansfield, Ohio, with Martin Ruffner, who was soon afterward killed by the Indians. Levi Bargahiser had served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, doing duty at Norfolk, Virginia, and continuing at the front until hostilities were over. He entered the farm which is now the home of our subject in 1815, securing a quarter section, but did not receive the deed to the property until the land was placed upon the market. He was then given the deed for the southwest quarter of section 6, township 22, range 19, on the 10th of June, 1819, and this today is still in possession of the family. In 1836 he secured seventy-eight acres from James Smith, who had entered this from the government during the Jackson administration.
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Levi Bargahiser located upon his new farm in 1818. It was all covered with a heavy growth of timber and there was only one house between his place and Mansfield at that time. He built a cabin before bringing his family to Ohio and began to clear away the forest and to place the fields under culti- vation. Year after year he continued his work, with visible results as seen in richly tilled fields and the generous harvests which he gathered. He continued to reside upon this farm and to devote his life to the tilling of the soil and to the raising of stock, meeting with well merited success in his undertakings. The Indians often called at his home and at different times had camps upon his farm, but they were always friendly and never molested the family in any way. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he re- mained a champion of the party principles until his death, which occurred December 26, 1868. His wife survived him for about ten years and died May 25, 1878. They were the parents of five children: Washington, who after attaining adult age removed to Williams county, Ohio, where he died in 1854; Mrs. Lavina Kunkle, who was born March 4, 1821, and is now living in Williams county; Mrs. Elizabeth Post, who died in Shelby; Mrs. Rebecca Stock, who died in Williams county ; and Jacob L., of this review. The father prospered in his undertakings and eventually became the owner of two hun- dred and thirty-eight acres of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation.
Amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life Jacob L. Barga- hiser was reared and early assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He aided in cutting the timber, in clearing away the stumps and brush and in plowing and planting the fields. As his age and strength increased, the work of the farm devolved more and more largely upon him, and after his father's death he purchased the home property and has lived here continu- ously since. For a long period he was active in the work of the fields and met with success in his undertakings. He made most of the modern improve- ments upon his farm and by purchase he added to it, becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty acres. At a recent date, however, he disposed of the farm to his children and is now living a retired life with his daughter.
It was in 1856 that Mr. Bargahiser was married to Miss Laura E. Price, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1838, and came to Richland county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Price. Her death occurred March 4, 1899, and was deeply regretted by her friends, who had learned to esteem her highly for her many good traits of heart and mind. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bargahiser were born seven children: Andrew Jackson, who is now living in Mercer county, this state; Levi, who died at the age of eighteen years; Isaac, who died at the age of two years; Frank, deceased; Lovina, twin sister of Frank and the widow of J. C. Skiles, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Lorenzo D., deceased; and Susan, the wife of Howard Eckis, residing on the old homestead.
Mr. Bargahiser has served as an elder in the Lutheran church for a num- ber of years and is one of its devoted and zealous members. He has voted the democratic ticket, but maintains only a citizen's interest in political affairs. He has now reached the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and the
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straight path that he has ever followed has given him a place in public esteem that is most enviable. He is a worthy representative of one of the old families and has himself been a witness of the growth of the county and the changes that have here occurred during more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten.
GEORGE LATIMER.
George Latimer, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Butler township, was born in Richland county, Ohio, August 2, 1837, a son of William and Nancy (Wilson) Latimer, the former a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Westmoreland county, that state. The father, who was a miller by trade, came to this county in 1825, locating in Blooming Grove township, where he taught school and subsequently became connected with agricultural interests. His marriage was celebrated in Rich- land county. He passed away on the 12th of February, 1850, while his wife, long surviving him, was called to her final rest in 1899. Their family num- bered seven children, namely: Elizabeth J., of Iowa; George; John, deceased ; Wilson, who has also passed away; Mary E., the wife of James Huston, of Ohio; Margery, who is the wife of John Gilger and makes her home in this county ; and William S., also a resident of Richland county.
George Latimer acquired his education in the public schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. After his mar- riage he was successfully engaged in the operation of a rented farm for seventeen years, on the expiration of which period he purchased the place of one hundred and three acres on section 13, Butler township, where he still resides. He has placed many substantial improvements on the property, and in addition to the work of general farming makes a specialty of stock-raising. He has long been well known as one of the substantial and enterprising agri- culturists of the community and as one whose success is entirely the result of his own well directed labor and capable management.
When twenty-three years of age Mr. Latimer was united in marriage to Miss Euphemia Maden, whose birth occurred in Blooming Grove township in 1837. Her parents were Alexander and Susan (Crofford) Maden, the former a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. They are both now deceased. Mrs. Latimer was one of a family of three children, and by her marriage became the mother of four: William A., who has passed away ; Martha Jane, at home; J. W., residing in Weller township; and Mary, the wife of Elza Martin. In 1892 Mr. Latimer was called upon to mourn the death of his wife. Her remains were interred in the Blooming Grove cemetery.
In his political views Mr. Latimer is a stanch democrat and takes an active interest in the local work of the party, having served as trustee and also as a member of the school board for a number of years. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Having resided in this county throughout his entire life, covering more than the psalmist's allotted span of three score
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years and ten, he is well and favorably known here and has gained the warm esteem and friendship of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. Moreover he has been an interested witness of the county's development and upbuilding from a pioneer period to the present time and throughout his active business career has been a factor in its agricultural progress.
WILLIAM SCHETTLER.
William Schettler has since 1891 been identified with agricultural inter- ests in Madison township, at which time he took up his abode upon the farm which is now his home and here, in connection with the cultivation of the fields, he is successfully engaged in the dairy business. He was born in the city of Mansfield, September 9, 1864, his parents being Theodore and Janette (Kleinhans) Schettler, who were natives of Germany and came to America in 1864, settling in Mansfield, Ohio. The father was a shoemaker by trade and worked at that occupation in Mansfield for fifteen years, after which he turned his attention to the flour and feed business, with which he was con- nected for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention from industrial to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm of eighty acres on section 10, Madison township. He then began cultivating the fields and continued in that business until his death, which occurred November 6, 1892. He never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he found good business opportunities here and as the years passed by prospered in his undertakings. His widow still survives him and is now making her home with her son William. Unto them were born five children : William; Charles, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; Ferdinand, who is living in Oregon; Emma, deceased; and one who died in infancy.
William Schettler spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Mansfield and was educated in the public schools. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then began learning the molder's trade, which he followed at intervals for twenty years. Since 1891 he has been engaged in general farming, taking up his abode upon the place where he now resides. His time and labors have been given to its further development and improve- ment and he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, so that good crops are annually gathered. In connection with this work he conducts a dairy and it also proves to him a profitable source of income.
On the 25th of November, 1885, Mr. Schettler was married to Miss Pauline Jud, who was born in New Albany, Indiana, July 30, 1864, a daughter of Rev. J. B. and Mary (Umbeck) Jud. Both parents were natives of Switzer- land and came to America in early life. Their family numbered thirteen children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Schettler have been born eight children: Nettie L., now at home; Clara M., a resident of Chicago; Theodore W., Florence H., Emma M., Paul F., Freda and Herbert H., all yet under the parental roof.
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The parents are consistent members of St. John's Evangelical church and Mr. Schettler belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Mansfield and also the Modern Woodmen camp there. In his political views he is a democrat but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs. Since removing to the farm he has conducted a profitable business, becoming one of the substantial residents of Madison township.
W. H. SWIGART.
The farm of one hundred and sixteen acres, situated on section 29, Monroe township, now owned and occupied by W. H. Swigart, has been in possession of the family since 1832, having been purchased in that year by the paternal grandfather. Mr. Swigart is a native of Richland county, his birth having occurred on his present farm, December 1, 1860. His father, George W. Swigart, accompanied his parents on their removal to this county from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,-the place of his birth-when a small boy, and was, therefore, reared and educated in Richland county. The old home- stead eventually came into his possession, and he built the brick house now occupied by our subject. He operated the old Swigart mill at Pleasantville, which stood on a part of his farm, this mill being the oldest in the county. It was erected over eighty years ago, and its wheels are now used as flower beds in our subject's yard.
George W. Swigart was married in this county to Miss Margaret Ryder, and their union was blessed with five children, but two of the number are now deceased, those living being: Mary E., the wife of J. C. Pitts, a resident of .Monroe township; Harriet; and W. H., of this review. The father of this family passed away in 1900, having been preceded by the wife and mother, whose death occurred in 1897.
W. H. Swigart was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in carrying on the work of plowing, planting and harvesting during the summer season, while throughout the winter months he attended the district schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learning. He con- tinued under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, at which time he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Nettie Gatton, who is one of a family of eight children. Her mother died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart have four children, namely: Minnie M., Flossy Luella, Osy Pearl and Walter G. C., all of whom are at home.
Following his marriage Mr. Swigart purchased the old homestead prop- erty, comprising one hundred and sixteen acres of land on section 29, Monroe township. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter branch of his business, in which he is meeting with excellent success. He is everywhere known for his prompt and honorable dealings, and all with whom he has business relations have for him warm regard. Mr. Swigart is also of an inventive turn of mind, having invented and secured a patent on what is known as the sill bed system for a railroad,
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MR. AND MRS. W. H. SWIGART.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
this being used instead of ties. This is a valuable invention in the line of road bed construction, and as the author of the same Mr. Swigart has become widely known.
His political support is given the men and measures of the democratic party. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church. He has in his possession an interesting relic and one which he prizes very highly, this being an iron kettle, which was purchased by his grandfather in 1808, and is, there- fore, one hundred years old. His life has been one of continuous activity. which has contributed not only to his individual success, but has also been an active factor in the development of the section in which he has always made his home, so that he is accounted one of the honored and esteemed residents of Monroe township.
GEORGE BRINKERHOFF DRENNAN.
Prominent among the business men of Plymouth is George Brinkerhoff Drennan, who for a number of years has been closely identified with the his- tory of the city as a representative of one of its most important industrial interests, acting as secretary and treasurer of the firm of J. D. Fate & Com- pany, manufacturers of brick and tile machinery. Mr. Drennan is of Irish descent in the paternal line, while in the maternal line he is of Holland ancestry. He was born in Plymouth, October 26, 1855.
The paternal grandfather, James Drennan, served in the war of 1812, having command of a company of Pennsylvania volunteers, which was sent to relieve Fort Cregor, then being besieged by the Indians. On the way to Fort Cregor the company camped on what is now the public square at Plym- outh. Being pleased with this location, the grandfather afterward returned and located here in the year 1825. He was twice married, his first union be- ing with Jane Patton, by whom he had one son. After her death he wedded Eliza Wolf, who taught the first school in Richland county prior to her mar- riage, having come to Mansfield in 1808 with her widowed mother. By the second marriage of Mr. Drennan there were the following named children : James, Eleanor, Kate, Artemesia and Emanuel. The first representative of the Brinkerhoff family came to this country from Holland about 1638, while the Wolf family came just prior to the Revolutionary war, the grandfather serving as a soldier in the Continental army. The four grandfathers of our subject, the great-grandfather and the grandfather in both the paternal and maternal lines served in the Revolutionary war, the paternal great-grandfather, Augustus Wolf, serving on General Washington's staff.
The father of our subject, William Wolf Drennan, was born in Canton, Ohio, July 18, 1820, and came with his parents to Plymouth, August 6, 1825. He engaged in merchandising in 1838, continuing in business until 1859. During this time he studied law in the store at night, but was not admitted to practice until 1866. He made a specialty of ditch law and for a long period followed the profession. He served as sutler of the Sixth-fourth Regiment of
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Ohio Volunteers in the Civil war from 1861 until 1865. Prior to his enlist- ment in the war he served as mayor of Plymouth and upon his return was again elected to that office, while at one time he filled the office of justice of the peace and in many other ways took an active and helpful part in public affairs, being a stanch advocate of the republican party. He died in January, 1895, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Brinkerhoff. She was born in Owasco, Cayuga county, New York, in January, 1822, a daughter of George R. Brinkerhoff, who spent his entire life in Owasco. The daughter came to Richland county in 1846 to visit her sister and remained here until the summer of 1849, during which time she was engaged in teaching. She then returned to her native state, where in March, 1850, she gave her hand in marriage to William W. Drennan. She was a sister of General Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, this state. Mrs. Drennan spent her entire married life in Plymouth and passed away here in August, 1890, at the age of seventy-eight years. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, namely : Eleanor and Mary, both of whom have passed away; George, whose name introduces this review; John, who was married and is now deceased; Artemesia, also deceased; and Edith Katherine, the wife of W. J. Geer, now acting as mayor of Galion, Ohio.
George B. Drennan was educated in the public schools of Plymouth, completing his studies at the age of eighteen years. At the age of twelve years he entered the office of the Plymouth Advertiser and learned the printer's trade, remaining there for three or four years. He later engaged in farming, follow- ing that pursuit until 1889, while in 1890 he became connected with E. M. Freese in the manufacture of brick and tile machinery. . After this partner- ship was dissolved he became identified with the J. D. Fate & Company in the conduct of a similar enterprise, and for the past thirteen years has served in the office of secretary and treasurer. The other officers of the company are: H. H. Fate, president; and H. S. Fate, vice president. The business is now being carried on under the firm name of the J. D. Fate & Company, manufac- turers of brick and tile machinery. They occupy a building seventy-five by three hundred and forty feet and employ seventy-five men in the manufacture of their products, which are shipped to all parts of the world. Mr. Drennan possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to the company the high degree of prosperity which it today enjoys.
Mr. Drennan was married in 1879 to Miss Mary Brittain, a native of Delaware, Ohio, and a daughter of J. K. Brittain. Mr. Drennan is a repub- lican, stanch in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He has served as mayor of Plymouth, filling the office for two terms, while he has also served as a member of the city council. He is now a member of the board of public affairs. He was one of the organizers, was the first secretary and is now treasurer of the Commercial Motor Truck Company, of Plymouth. He is a Mason, belonging to the Knight Templar commandery at Mansfield. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Drennan
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