USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 49
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THOMAS FREDERICK BLACK.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, who have so endeared themselves to the people among whom they have lived and labored that they seem to become an essential part of the com- munity. Having exemplified in their lives all the qualities of a good and thereby truly great citizen, they leave a lasting monument more enduring than any built of marble, in the sacredness with which their memory is cherished. Thomas Frederick Black was one whom to know was to esteem and honor, and he not only enjoyed the highest respect of his fellowmen, but that warm personal regard which may be termed friendship or love, but which draws man to man with ties that naught but death can sever.
Mr. Black was born at Shiloh, Richland county, Ohio, June 8, 1863, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Kinsel) Black. The father was a soldier of the Union army in the war of the rebellion, and soon after the close of hostilities passed away. The mother, however, long survived him, and after residing in Ada, Ohio, for some time, departed this life in 1904.
Mr. Black pursued his education in the public schools of Shiloh, con- tinuing his studies from 1877 until 1879, inclusive, under the direction of A. A. Douglass, later a well-known attorney of Mansfield. When but six- teen years of age Mr. Black began teaching in the district school at Beech Grove, near his home, and was thus engaged for several winters, proving his ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Ambitious for further education, he afterward entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and on the completion of the scientific course was graduated. His initial step after completing his university course was to engage in the book business at Waco, Texas, where he remained for several years, and then returned north to Richland county, settling in Mansfield in 1888. Here he took up the study of law under the direction of Connolly & Laser, a well-known law firm of the city, and after thorough preliminary reading Mr. Black was admitted to the bar on the 6th of December, 1889. He entered upon the practice of his profession well equipped for its duties, and from the beginning gradually worked his way upward until he occupied a commanding position among the distinguished lawyers of the city. On the 1st of January, 1890, he became a partner of W. H. Bowers, under the firm style of Bowers & Black, which relation was continued up to the time of his death. He was an able advocate and safe counselor. Few lawyers have made
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a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. Devotedly attached to his profession, he possessed an excellent presence, an earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles. His style was unusually lucid and clear, his briefs always showed wide research, careful thought and the best and strongest reasons that could be urged for his contention presented in cogent and logical form. Aside from his practice Mr. Black was well known in connection with the corporation interests of the city. He was one of the directors of the Mansfield Telephone Company, was a member of the executive committee of the Mansfield Savings Bank and one of the directors of the Barrow Electric Supply Company.
Mr. Black was prominent as a representative of the democracy, which he supported from the time that age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. He worked earnestly in the party campaigns, and during the one which preceded his death filled numerous assignments made by the state executive committee. On the 4th of November prior to his demise he ad- dressed a large meeting at Urbana from the same platform with Governor Pattison, and he also spoke to the people on the issues of the day at Gibson- burg, Richwood, Marysville and several other places.
On the 22d of April, 1890, soon after he entered upon the practice of law, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Shaffer, of Chicago, Illinois, who survives him. They had but two children, William, now a young man, and a son who died in infancy. In his home town Mr. Black figured as a leader of the democracy and was elected by his fellow townsmen to the office of mayor, giving a public-spirited and beneficial administration.
Mr. Black held membership in the First Lutheran church of this city and was devoted to its work and interests. He was also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was gifted with remarkable powers, with a strong intellect, an untiring industry, an indomitable will and an ambition that gathered intensity alike from defeat and success. He was distinguished for his tenacity of purpose, was considerate in his friendships, and, remembering his early life when his possessions were few, he was ever the friend of the poor. In the language of one of the mem- bers of the Bar Association, "His good traits of character so far outweighed the bad ones that the latter were insignificant when compared with the former."
Following his demise the Richland County Bar Association held a me- morial service, which was one of the most touching and effective ever held in Mansfield. On that occasion many who knew him long and intimately spoke of the days of his boyhood, when he was a bright and apt student, of his extreme kindness toward his mother and sisters, his splendid neighborly qualities and his marked devotion to his family. He was always a most affectionate husband and father and a man of unswerving loyalty to his friends, and was looked upon as one of the brightest and most brilliant members of the Richland county bar. The resolutions adopted on the occasion of the memorial service were as follows:
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" 'In the midst of life we are in death.' The truth of the quotation just uttered was never more strikingly illustrated than in the fate of the man to whose memory we today do honor. It is well for the living to express their sorrow and to pay the tribute of respect due to those who have been our daily associates and friends and who have before us passed over the line which is drawn between time and eternity. It is a duty demanded by friendship, by affection and by our common humanity ; and while engaged in this duty it reminds us that we, too, are mortal; that we, too, are hastening to the grave, and that when a few more fleeting moments have passed we will be called into the presence of that Creator who has given us existence and opportunity and to whom we are responsible for the use of the possibilities He has placed within our grasp.
"When one's life has been rounded out to hoary hairs and furrowed cheeks and his head is then bowed upon the bed of death, there is a consola- tion that comes to the hearts of loved ones and friends in the consciousness of the fact that he has reached the fullness of time allotted to man. But when we stand by the open grave of one who has fallen in the full vigor of physical manhood and intellectual endowment, there is a touch of deeper sad- ness, a pang of keener grief. It is in the shadow of that grief that the bar of Richland county stands today. Thomas Frederick Black is dead. These five words record the fact that on December 2, 1905, the earthly career of our fellow member of the bar was ended.
"In politics he was a democrat, but while a close stickler for his own opinions he was always ready to concede to others the right to differ. In the spring of 1893 he was elected mayor of the city of Mansfield, and at. the end of his term declined a reelection. As mayor he discharged his duties fear- lessly, faithfully, honestly and with the greatest fidelity to the best interests of the people. He had a good word for everybody, was courteous, kind and affable in his everyday walk. He was widely known and will be greatly missed.
"He was earnest in the advocacy of his cause, painstaking in its prepara- tion both as to the law and the facts, with an energy that scarcely knew any limitation, and had attained an enviable position in his profession. As in politics, so in the law he was a fair fighter. When assured that his cause was just he would pursue the enemies of it with a mailed hand, but he was always to be found waging his battle in the open, feeling that he would degrade himself and compromise his cause by resort to trickery or subter- fuge to gain his ends. He could prosecute without persecuting. He was a kind neighbor, ever alert to hear the call of distress and most prompt to respond to it.
"Why he should have been called away in the very prime of life we cannot understand. We can only deplore his loss, extend to his bereaved wife and fatherless child our sympathy. While we realize that no words of ours can 'soothe the dull, cold ear of death,' it will be some consolation to them to know that others share their sorrow."
Mr. Black's life was that of an earnest and consistent Christian. It is our duty to mark our appreciation of such a man-a man true in every rela-
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tion, faithful to every trust. It was in life's daily contacts and experiences, however, that he won the love of his fellowmen, proving the fact that "it is not from the few conspicuous deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, happier; but from the countless lowly ministries of the everydays, the little faithfulnesses that fill long years."
DANIEL M. TEETER.
Daniel M. Teeter, a well known farmer of Jefferson township, is a native son of Richland county, his birth having here occurred February 18, 1855. He is a son of John Teeter, whose sketch appears on another page in this work. Mr. Teeter received a good education, completing the high school course in the Bellville schools, after which he engaged in teaching for five terms. He also learned and followed the carpenter's trade for a number of years.
Mr. Teeter remained with his parents until he had attained the age of twenty-six years, when he established a home of his own by his marriage on the 1st of December, 1880, to Miss Mary E. Oldfield, a daughter of Abner and Ann (Tinkey) Oldfield, the former born in Richland county in 1834, while the later was born in the Keystone state and came to Richland county with her parents when twenty-one years of age. Her paternal grandfather located in Richland county in 1808 and was the first white man married in the county, he being one of a family of fourteen children. The father, Abner Oldfield, followed farming throughout his entire life and owned a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Jefferson township. His family numbered four children, Mrs. Teeter being the eldest. The only other living member is Susan, the wife of M. L. Pasts, a farmer. George is now deceased and the youngest died in infancy. The mother has also passed away, her death occurring January 2, 1902, and the father now makes his home with his two daughters. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Teeter has been blessed with three children, but the eldest died in infancy. Those living are Vena and Guy, both under the parental roof, the latter being a graduate of the Bellville high school.
Mr. Teeter follows the occupation of farming in Jefferson township, where he owns two hundred and forty-eight acres of good land, and he makes a specialty of raising strawberries. He uses the latest improved methods in carrying on his work and is a firm believer in scientific farming. He is also a strong advocate of education, and believes that the farmer should be espe- cially well educated in order to make a success of his occupation. He strongly favors pike roads, and, in fact, is a thoroughly up-to-date citizen, supporting every measure which he believes will advance the moral, social or material welfare of the community in which he lives.
Mr. Teeter gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democracy, and has served as justice of the peace and he has also acted as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias
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lodge at Bellville and is also identified with the Grange, while both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He has ever discharged his duties with marked ability and fairness, for he is a most loyal, public-spirited citizen, and one who is highly esteemed in the community in which he has always made his home.
DAVID LEEDY GARBER.
When Richland county was a frontier district the Garber family was es- tablished in this section of Ohio, and in both paternal and maternal lines David L. Garber was a representative of early families of this section who established their homes here on the frontier.
David Leedy Garber was born in Jefferson township, Richland county, Ohio, April 3, 1831. His parents were Samuel and Catherine (Leedy) Garber, who were pioneer residents of the southern portion of Richland county. They were prominent in the early days of the county and the father followed the occupation of farming. Mrs. Garber was the daughter of John Leedy, who was the first settler in that section of the country, arriving there in 1811. He took an active and helpful part in the early development of the county as the wild land was transformed into beautiful farms, while here and there a village sprang up, and the work of improvement and development was carried stead- ily forward. John Leedy was a man of gigantic proportions and at one time weighed four hundred and fifty pounds. His mother weighed three hundred and fifty pounds, and some of her daughters weighed between three hundred and three hundred and fifty pounds. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garber were of Swiss descent and they were married in 1825. As the years passed they assisted largely in the early development of the county, and among pioneer surround- ings and environments David L. Garber was reared. He acquired his educa- tion in the early district schools, although opportunities of that day were very limited. The school buildings were often constructed of logs and were fur- nished in a very primitive manner. Comparatively few branches were taught at that date, but Mr. Garber was naturally a bright student and soon mastered the courses that comprised the curriculum at that time. He early learned what hard work on the farm meant as he assisted in agricultural pursuits, developing and cultivating new land. He carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. He was a very successful farmer and made more than usual progress in his choosen occupation.
On the 8th of April, 1852, David L. Garber was married to Miss Susan Leedy, his mother's cousin. She is still living, having long sur- vived Mr. Garber, who passed away April 5, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Garber reared a large family, who have been a credit and honor to their name. Their eldest son, Aaron Leedy Garber, was married to Mary Etta Myers and resides in Ashland, Ohio. He is editor, pub- lisher, author and minister, and is well known and honored by reason of his life of general usefulness. Unto him and his wife were born
DAVID L. GARBER.
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one son and two daughters. Elihu Leedy Garber, the second son, married Ida Ritter, and has one son. He deals in musical instruments, teaches music and was for a number of years editor of the Bellville Star. Franklin Leedy Garber married Lovina Carpenter. He has five sons and four daughters, and is now engaged in farming and stock-raising, making his home upon the old farm which was originally the property of John Leedy. He also is known as a writer on agricultural subjects. Levi Leedy Garber wedded Alma Mooman, by whom he had one son and two daughters. For years he has been at the head of the normal department of the Ashland College, of Ashland, Ohio, and is the author of a series of study outlines for use in schools and colleges. Mar- tha Elizabeth Garber is the wife of Mr. Shireby, by whom she has two chil- dren, and they make their home near Butler, Ohio. Jennie Alice Garber is the wife of Edwin Crain and the mother of eight children. Ezra, the next member of the family, died when six months old. Mrs. Susan Leedy Garber, the mother, some years after the death of her first husband, became the wife of Stephen P. Dyer and had one son, who is now deceased, and one daughter, Mrs. Bell Keyser, who is living in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Dyer is still living and enjoying good health at the age of seventy-seven years. Her first husband, Mr. Garber, is well remembered in Richland county, where he spent his en- tire life and where he was widely known as a representative of the agricultural interests. He enjoyed the full respect of all with whom he came in contact.
JOHN W. FICKES.
John W. Fickes, who is now living retired on his valuable and highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Weller township, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, August 14, 1842, the son of Samuel and Barbara (Baer) Fickes. His father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1808, and in 1817 accompanied his father's family on their removal to Wayne county, Ohio, where they took up a tract of government land. In 1831 he came to Richland county and located near Plymouth, where he bought a farm. He remained here for a short time, when they sold and removed to Wayne county, returning, however, to Richland county in 1846. Here they purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, a portion of which is now the farm of our subject, referred to above. This place was partly cleared and had a few buildings on it, but above all, it possessed the prime requisite for further improvement, that is a rich and fertile soil. The father died on this place July 20, 1886, highly esteemed and respected by all. Hc had for many years been a leading citizen of the community. Politically he was a stanch democrat and was an active worker for his party's interest's, having been honored with a number of offices. He served as justice of the peace for several years, also as township trustee for a number of years, and at one time was a candidate for the state legislature, but was defeated owing to the republicans being in the majority. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On April 20, 1831, he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Baer, who was born in Bedford county,
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Pennsylvania, January 16, 1814, and was brought by her parents to Stark county, Ohio, in 1827. Five children were born to this union, of whom two are now living, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, of Mansfield, Ohio; and J. W., of this review. The mother makes her home with our subject and has attained to the advanced age of ninety-four years. Her mind is remarkably clear and her faculties unimpaired. Age has dealt kindly with her as her only affliction is that of defective eyesight.
J. W. Fickes was but four years of age when brought to Richland county by his parents. He received his early education in the district school and supplemented this with a course in the schools of Haysville, after which he taught school for several terms. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted August 16, 1862, in Company A, Mclaughlin's Squadron, and served with his company until the close of hostilities without a single day's absence. The first year his service was in eastern Kentucky and western Virginia; in 1863 he was with Burnside in the Knoxville campaign; in 1864 he was in the Atlanta campaign under General Stoneman; after the capture of Atlanta he was under Kilpatrick on Sherman's march to the sea, thence proceeded to North Carolina, where he was discharged at Concord in June, 1865. He then returned home and taught school for two terms.
On January 24, 1867, Mr. Fickes was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Backenstoe, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, April 29, 1849, the daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Fox) Backenstoe. The mother died in 1886, aged sixty-two years, while the father died in 1897 at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Backenstoe and wife came to Richland county from Pennsylvania, and from here they removed to Huron county, where they remained a few years, then returned to Richland county. where they spent the remainder of their days. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Irene, deceased ; Mary A., the wife of our subject; Anthony, who resides in Rome, Richland county ; Uriah, who resides in Weller township; John, a resident of Blooming Grove township; Ida, the wife of Ira Pittenger, of Logansport, Indiana; Leila, the wife of Isaac Oswalt, of Mansfield, Ohio; and Lillie, the wife of James Beveridge, of Greenwich, Ohio.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fickes were born two daughters. Jessie is the wife of F. A. Miller, of Mansfield, Ohio. They have become the parents of three children, one of whom they have lost. The names of the two surviving are Ethel and Ruth. The other daughter is Carlotta, the widow of F. L. Hombart, and she has one son, Russell F., and resides at home with her parents. The family thus experience the unique distinction of having four generations residing under one roof: Mr. Fickes, his mother, his daughter, and his grand- son. Mr. Fickes has resided continuously on his farm since his marriage. At one time he owned three hundred and twenty acres, the old original homestead, but he has since sold one hundred and sixty acres of this, and on the one hundred and sixty acres which he has retained he has had a tenant for several years past. In 1884 he built his residence, which is one of the finest country homes in Richland county.
Politically Mr. Fickes is identified with the democratic party. He is an active worker for his party's interest, has served as township trustee and
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township assessor, and for about twenty years served on the school board at different times. Religiously both he and his estimable wife are faithful and consistent members of the Christian church at Shenandoah, in which Mr. Fickes holds the office of elder. His life has been one of continuous activity, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. He is at all times ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calcu- lated to be of benefit to this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
W. A. CASSEL.
W. A. Cassel is one of the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Sandusky township, owning a farm of one hundred and six acres, where he has spent his entire life. He was here born July 12, 1857, a son of John and Sarah Ann (Strough) Cassel. His brother, I. J. Cassel, is mentioned on another page of this volume.
W. A. Cassel, whose name introduces this review, began his education in the district schools near his father's home, this being supplemented by a course of study in Crestline high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1879. He was reared on the home farm, spending his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads. His first independent venture was that of teaching school, which he followed for six terms. He was then engaged in clerking in a hardware store for two years, while in the spring of 1884 he returned to the home farm and has since operated this place. His father died in the spring of 1901, and his mother remained on the home farm until her death, which occurred about three years ago. The home- stead property then came into the possession of our subject. This is a valuable tract, comprising one hundred and six acres, situated in Sandusky township, one mile from Crestline. It is improved with good buildings, including a fine country residence, a barn which was erected by him in 1906, and every- thing about the place has a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating the pro- gressive methods of the owner. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and both branches of his business are proving a profitable source of revenue.
In 1888 Mr. Cassel was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Schwein- furth, a resident of Richland county. Three children have come to bless this union, namely : Clara Bell, who was born in September, 1889, and is at home; Charles William, who was born May 29, 1895; and Faith B., who was born April 24, 1899.
Mr. Cassel has allied himself with the democratic party, and for the past nineteen years has served as township clerk. He is also serving as clerk of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. His fraternal relations are with Crestline Lodge, No. 266, K. P. He and his wife are members of the English Lutheran church, of which Mr. Cassel has served as elder for the past seven years. In whatever relation of life we find
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him, whether in business circles, public position or social life, he is the same honorable and honored gentleman, and no man of this section of the state is held in higher esteem, and his estimable wife shares in the high regard in which he is held.
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