USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 8
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spent two years in the conduct of a sash factory and then resumed general agricultural pursuits, to which he has since given his time and energies. He has here ninety-two and three-quarters acres of land, less the strip on which the railroad has been built. It is the old homestead upon which his grand- father settled in June, 1839. A. J. Rogers cleared a part of this tract after coming here and now has a valuable and well improved farm, which has been his home since 1876. The place presents a neat and attractive appearance, giving every evidence of the care and supervision of the owner.
On the 8th of March, 1866, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Katharine Hammon, who was born near Rome, Ohio, in 1837, and died May 8, 1877, leaving one son, Albert, who is now a physician of Washington. On the 5th of November, 1880, Mr. Rogers was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Gould, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 24, 1859, and there resided until her marriage, her parents being William and Anna Gould. She has become the mother of four children: Olive, Anna, Mamie and Jehiel.
From the foregoing account it will be seen that Mr. Rogers is a representa- tive of two of the oldest families of this part of the state and he has for sixty- four years been a witness of the succession of changes which have led to Shelby's present development and to the substantial upbuilding of the entire county. While he has never sought to figure before the public in any light, save that of a business man, he has in the control of his trade and agricultural interests manifested many sterling qualities, which have made him a valued resident of this part of the state.
GEORGE KLINKLE.
George Klinkle follows farming on section 29, Sharon township, and also operates a sawmill and cider press. He was born in Springfield town- ship, Richland county, Ohio, July 5, 1864, his parents being George and Katharine (Peifer) Klinkle, who were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. The father died on the old home farm December 2, 1903, at the age of seventy-two years, his birth having occurred in 1831. His wife, who was born in November, 1835, now resides upon the farm with her son George, who purchased the place twelve years ago. The parents were married in Germany and came to the United States in 1854 with one child, who had been born unto them in the fatherland. They lived for a short time in Henry county, Ohio, and then came to Richland county, settling in Spring- field township. They were the parents of eight children: Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher, who is living in Springfield township and who was the only one of the family born in Germany; Gerhardt, who follows farming in the same neighborhood as his brother George; Mrs. Katharine Kearn, living in Jack- son township; Mrs. Margaret Frank, of Sharon township; Mrs. Caroline Smultz, of Sharon township; Mrs. Mary Horner, of Shelby; George, of this review; and Mrs. Susan Eiler, of Shelby.
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George Klinkle remained upon the farm where his birth occurred until about seven years of age, when he came with his parents to the place which is now his home. He has fifty-six acres of land on section 29, Sharon town- ship, which he purchased about twelve years ago, and to the development and improvement of the property he is devoting his time and attention with good results. He also operates a sawmill and cider press, having conducted the sawmill since 1891 and the cider press for four years. All branches of his business are bringing to him a good return, for he labors most diligently and energetically.
On the 8th of July, 1898, Mr. Klinkle was married to Miss Roxie Crowse, a native of Huron county, Ohio, born July 4, 1863, a daughter of Granville Crowse. Their children are Viva Leona, Dana F. and Reabell. The parents and children were all born in the month of July, and the mar- riage of the parents was celebrated in the same month. In his political views Mr. Klinkle is a democrat and has served as road supervisor of his town. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and gives loyal support to many movements for the general good.
ADAM DELP.
The rich soil of Richland county responds readily to the labors of its agriculturists, bringing forth good harvests, and in carrying on the work of tilling the soil Adam Delp has become one of the substantial residents of Madison township. He has long been known as a representative agriculturist here and brought his farm under a high state of cultivation, adding to it many modern equipments and improvements and erecting in its midst a fine modern residence.
Mr. Delp was born in Crestline, Ohio, July 20, 1851, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Hardman) Delp, who were natives of Germany and came to America in the early '40s, first locating in Crestline, Ohio. Their family numbered but two children, the elder, a daughter, Dora, now living with her brother Adam. The father died in 1888 and the mother, surviving him for four years, passed away in 1892.
Adam Delp in his boyhood days was a public-school pupil and in the summer months he received instruction in the work of the farm under the direction of his father. He continued at home until twenty-one years of age and that his father had confidence in his business ability is indicated by the fact that he rented the old homestead to the son, who lived thereon for two years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings, after which he purchased eighty-six acres of land on section 18, Madison township. Here he has now lived for forty-three years and his labors have wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place. He has carefully tilled the soil and through the rotation of crops has kept his fields in rich condition. He has secured the latest improved machinery to carry on the work of the farm and in its midst has erected substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of
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grain and stock. His own home is a fine residence, constituting one of the attractive features in the landscape.
Mr. Delp was married in 1882 to Miss Minnie Snook, who was born in Germany and came with her parents to America at an early day. She was one of a family of six children, all now living in the state of Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Delp have been born ten children, as follows: Laura, the wife of Emanuel Miley, of Mansfield, Ohio; Charles, who resides in Cleveland; John, Otto, Catharine, Caroline, Edward, Eliza, who has departed this life; Mary, and Ada. The seven youngest children are still under the parental roof.
Politically Mr. Delp is a democrat and has served as supervisor for two years. He has, however, preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs rather than to seek or hold office. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran church. Mr. Delp has worked earnestly and persistently through an active business career and has not only gained success but an honored name that constitutes him one of the valued and respected residents of the community.
MICHAEL ACKERMAN.
In the history of Mansfield wherein mention is made of those who have been active in promoting its progress along the various lines that have con- tributed to its material, intellectual, political, social and moral advancement, it is imperative that more than passing notice be given to Michael Ackerman, who figured many years here as a business man and continued a resident of the city until his death, which occurred in 1904. He was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, July 9, 1826, and while yet a young man learned the miller's trade with his father in Germany. On the second day of the Christ- mas festivities of 1848, he married Miss Margaret Reinfus, with whom he sailed for America in 1849, landing at Castle Garden, New York, on the 18th of October of that year.
Mr. Ackerman did not tarry in the east, however, but with his young wife came at once to Mansfield where they continued to reside until they were called to the home beyond. Here he began business as a laborer and for several months had charge of a large stable of horses. In the spring of 1850 he took charge of the Wilder House Stables and two years later he began driving on an omnibus line. When he had spent two years in that way he bought a dray and did teaming for three years and later he entered the employ of Spice & Son, wholesale and retail grocers, with whom he continued until they sold out to Tracy & Avery. He continued with the latter firm for four years and then again engaged in the business of draying on his own account, continuing that work until 1864, when he secured a position in J. B. Netscher's wholesale liquor house where he was employed for four years. He resigned his position there to go into business in partnership with Adam Matthes in the conduct of a restaurant in the basement of the Weldon Block, at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets. There they continued for four
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years. Mr. Ackerman then bought out his partner and continued in business alone at that place until 1879, when he purchased the Gaudert building on North Main street.
In the following year he moved to this place and continued business there until he retired on the 1st of December, 1888. He had lived a very busy and active life throughout the period following his arrival in America, and during the year 1889 he returned to the fatherland for the first time since he left it in early manhood. In this connection he was accompanied by his wife and youngest daughter and he greatly enjoyed his visit to his old home, where he renewed acquaintances and friendships of his boyhood and early manhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman were the parents of twelve children, four of whom are now deceased, while those who still survive are: Peter, John, Mrs. Kate Wappner, Phillip, Mrs. Anna Senns, Frederick, Charles L, and Mrs. Mame Springer. The last named was the daughter who accompanied her father on his return to his native country. On the 14th of September, 1892, she became the wife of John Springer and unto them have been born three chil- dren : William Ackerman, who is a student in the Mansfield high school; Ann E., and John.
After visiting for four months in the fatherland, Michael Ackerman returned to this country well content to spend his remaining days here. He had become closely attached to the land of his adoption and felt that he had enjoyed better business opportunities in the new world than could have come to him in his native country. He was a past noble grand of the Richland Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F., with which he held membership for thirty-seven years. He was also a member of Madison Lodge, No. 26, K. P., for thirty-two years and at all times he was loyal to the teachings of these organizations.
His political support was given to the democracy, but he never sought nor held office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon other interests. He was one of the founders of St. Paul's Lutheran church and continued his membership there until his death. His wife died June 3, 1898, and thus passed away two of the oldest representatives of the German-American citizen- ship of Mansfield. Mr. Ackerman won his success through his unfaltering industry, strong purpose and laudable ambition and as the years passed he gained the good will and respect of his fellowmen by reason of the many admirable traits of character which he displayed.
HENRY L. FENNER.
Through a long period Henry L. Fenner has been prominent in the agricultural life of Plymouth township, Richland county, where he has spent his entire life. He was born here October 15, 1856. The parental grand- parents, Felix and Elizabeth (Trauger) Fenner, removed from Tompkins county, New York, to Richland county about 1832, their family numbering. thirteen children, of whom twelve lived to years of maturity. The father, with his son William, went to California in 1849, at the time of the gold
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excitement on the Pacific coast. He was lost at sea while in the west. An- other son, Levi, served in the Civil war. His son Ephraim also served in the Civil war and now makes his home at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Simon was a clergyman, who became well known in Mansfield, Richland county.
The father of our subject, Felix T. Fenner, was born in Tompkins county, New York, August 20, 1825. He journeyed with his parents by wagon from New York to Richland county when a small lad and spent his entire life in Plymouth township, where he was engaged in farming. He accumulated considerable property, owning one hundred and fifty-six acres on the homestead place, while he also owned one hundred and three acres in Huron county. He was a republican in his political views and was promi- nent in public life, serving for fifteen consecutive years as township trustee. He was married in Richland county to Miss Mary E. Hills, who was born in Plymouth township January 5, 1829, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Aumend) Hills, who were pioneer people of Richland county. They had a family of three sons and two daughters : Adam F., who is a minister; George; Benjamin, who is also a minister; Susannah; and Mary, now Mrs. Fenner. The latter still survives and makes her home on the farm which was left her by her husband, who is now deceased, his death here occurring March 16, 1896, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. Their family numbered four children. Sarah, the eldest, is the widow of Thomas L. Barr, of Plymouth, Ohio, who served for four years in the Civil war. The widow is now living in Brockton, New York, with a son. Clara E. became the wife of Henry Wilson, but is now deceased. Mr. Wilson resides with his wife's mother and operates the home farm. Henry L. is the next in order of birth. Ida Adora became the wife of Dr. George Searles, but is now deceased.
Henry L. Fenner, whose name introduces this review, was reared to farm labor and remained with his parents until his marriage. He now owns and operates eighty-five acres of land which formerly constituted a part of the old homestead property, and which he purchased of the other heirs after the death of the father. This land is now a cultivable property and it is also improved with good buildings, Mr. Fenner having remodeled the house and built a fine barn in 1899. In addition to this property he also has charge of one hundred and sixty-three acres in Huron county, which belongs to his mother. He was formerly superintendent of the Farmers Farm Company of Plymouth, conducting the same for two years. They owned forty-five hundred acres of land, in the conduct of which they employed about one hundred and seventy-five men, of which Mr. Fenner had charge. During his superintendency they erected a green house at a cost of nine thousand dollars, a fertilizer plant at a cost of two hundred thousand dollars, and also erected a number of other buildings. He is now giving his entire time and attention to his own farm and that belonging to his mother, and this gives him little time for outside interests. In addition to carrying on general farming, he is engaged quite extensively in raising stock, of which he makes a specialty of De Lain sheep. His success is well merited, for it has come to him through excellent management and his own well directed efforts.
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On May 28, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fenner and Miss Clara Flora, who was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1852 and came to Richland county at the age of fifteen years. By her marriage she has become the mother of twins, Robert and Flora, born September 18, 1881. The former is at home, while the latter is the wife of Walter Delancy, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Fenner has been a lifelong republican and for two terms, or six years, served as trustee of Plymouth township. He has also been identified with the school board for a number of years, the cause of education finding in him a warm and helpful friend. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Plymouth, of which his grandfather was one of the founders, while his father served as a member of the building committee at the time the new brick structure was erected. The family have been prominent in the work of this church since the time of its organization, and at the present time our subject is serving as an elder. In every undertaking he has made in a busi- ness way his efforts have been crowned with success-the success which may always with safety be predicted as a reward of steady, strong and well directed energy, and the results of his life work are being left as monuments of his activity.
ELI BERRY.
Eli Berry, to whom has come well earned ease, was born on the farm on which he now resides in Monroe township, Richland county, June 8, 1830. His father, Jacob Berry, was a native of Pennsylvania and arrived in Richland county in 1829. He wedded Mary E. Albright, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, although their marriage was celebrated in Stark county, this state. Both died when eighty-six years of age. The father was a very suc- cessful man, who by his well directed business affairs gained a gratifying meas- ure of prosperity. Unto him and his wife were born nine children: Anthony and Adam, both now deceased; Benjamin, a resident farmer of Monroe town- ship; Eli, of this review; Samuel, deceased; Elizabeth; Margaret A .; Sophia; and Katherine. The paternal grandparents of Eli Berry were Peter and Elizabeth (Bearly) Berry, whose family numbered six children: Jacob, Henry, Phillip, Christian, Elizabeth and Katie.
In his boyhood Eli Berry attended the district schools, although his oppor- tunity for the acquirement of an education was somewhat limited, for his services were needed upon the home farm. He continued to assist his father in the care and development of the fields until twenty-one years of age and then he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in and near Lucas until he was thirty years of age. He then bought a farm adjoining the one on which he now lives and there he remained for twenty-four years. When he had brought this under a high state of cultivation and had added to it many modern improvements, he purchased the old Berry homestead, embracing the tract of land which his grandfather had preempted, and, removing to this property,
ELI BERRY
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Mr. Berry has since made it his home. He today owns three hundred and eight acres of valuable and productive land, on which are good buildings, while all of the equipments and accessories of a model farm property are here to be seen. The farm is splendidly located not far from Lucas. Standing on the rear porch of his home, Mr. Berry can see a magnificent willow, large of growth, which he carried onto the farm as a cane about fifty years ago. Putting it into the earth, it sprouted and is today a splendid tree. He is now enjoying his declining years in the peace and quietude deserved only by those who have striven hard to accumulate enough to meet the demands of an inevitable old age. While he is living retired, in spirit and interest he seems yet in his prime and he is well preserved physically for a man of his age.
In 1859 Mr. Berry was married to Miss Sarah Hays and unto them were born two children. Ira, who died sixteen years ago, had married Mary Runnell and they had one child, Blake K., now deceased. Huldah, the daugh- ter of the first marriage, is the wife of Fremont Teeters, a farmer of Monroe township and they have four children, Eli, Lela, Jessie and Roy. Seven years after their marriage Mrs. Sarah Berry passed away, and a number of years later Mr. Berry was married again, his second union being with Mary E Goodale. Unto them were born four children: Early Douglas, who died at the age of a year and a half; Annie, who is the wife of Clark Smith, head bookkeeper for J. L. Baxter, of Mansfield, by whom she has one child, Douglas ; Eva Joy, the wife of Edgar Snyder, who is living on one of her father's farms and by whom she has three children, Marie, Mabel and Caroline; and Mary Mercedes, the wife of Bert Baker, a street railway employe of Mansfield.
Mr. Berry is an advocate of democratic principles but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring that his service for the community shall be done as a private citizen rather than in an official connection. He belongs to the Christian church, as do all the members of his family, and is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Lucas. He has now reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and can look back over the past without regret, for the years have been fraught with many good deeds, while in his business career he has prospered and yet never has won success at the expense of others, but has been honorable and straightforward in all of his dealings, gaining his prosperity through his diligence and unfaltering determination.
HON. JOHN W. JENNER.
On the list of distinguished attorneys who have practiced at the Rich- land county bar appears the names of Bartley, Brinkerhoff, Sherman and Stewart, together with others almost equally illustrious, and of John W. Jenner, Judge Martin of the supreme court said: "I have seen many brilliant lawyers and able men upon the bench, but I truly bear from the depths of my heart the voluntary testimonial that Judge Jenner ranks inferior to none and that he is a peer of the best." For forty-five years he has been a prac-
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titioner in the state and federal courts and for eleven years sat upon the bench as one of the judges of the fifth judicial circuit of Ohio.
He is a representative of the family which in its lineal and collateral branches has been distinctively American through many generations. The founder of the family in the new world was Richard Jenner, of London, England, who established his home in Connecticut about 1675. His great- grandson, Dr. Samuel Jenner, was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1739, and was the great-grandfather of Judge Jenner. Nathan Taylor, a great-grandfather in the paternal line, was a private in a New Jersey regiment in the war for independence, while Captain John Foster, a great-grandfather in the maternal line, owned a plantation on the Roanoke in North Carolina and was a commander of a coast trading vessel, which was placed in commission as a privateer. When the English were blockading our coast Captain Foster at one time attempted to get into Pam- lico Sound, and in full view of his family and friends was closely pursued by the blockading squadron and barely escaped capture. The judge's grand- mother, then a small girl, was deeply impressed with this incident and often related it to her grandchildren.
DI. A. Jenner, father of Judge Jenner, became a resident of Mansfield in 1834 and represented Richland county in the legislature of 1858. He was a man of marked integrity and purity of character, faithful in his friend- ships and honorable in every relation of life. He left the impress of his individuality upon the history of this section of the state and his memory is yet honored among the early settlers who knew him. He had four sons: Dr. A. E. Jenner, a physician of Dayton, Ohio, who for two terms was sena- tor from the Crawford district in the general assembly; Dr. C. W. Jenner, who was a medical practitioner at Denver until his death; John W. and Samuel E., who became members of the bar.
In the public schools Judge Jenner acquired his early education, after which he engaged in teaching for several terms, and then spent three years in pursuing an academic course. He afterward became a sophomore in Ohio Wesleyan University and completed the work of the junior year there, subsequent to which time he engaged in teaching in an academy in Missouri for a year. He regarded this, however, merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his desire to become a member of the bar, and in 1860 he and his brother, S. E. Jenner, began preparation for the legal profession, with Hon. Thomas W. Bartley, of Mansfield, as their preceptor. They were both admitted to practice in 1863 and early in his professional career Judge Jenner became the third partner in the firm of Bartley, Johnson & Jenner. About a year later, however, Judge Bartley retired from the firm and removed to Cincinnati, while Mr. Johnson was elected to congress and died soon after the close of his term.
S. E. Jenner, then partner of Judge Bartley in Cincinnati, returned to Mansfield and the two brothers entered into a partnership relation, which was maintained until 1872, when S. E. Jenner joined his father-in-law, Judge Bartley, in the practice of law in Washington city. Judge Jenner was at one time associated for several years with Judge M. R. Dickey, of Cleve-
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land, and afterward with Judge Geddes. As the years passed he demon- strated his powers in the courts. His is a natural discrimination as to legal ethics and he is so thoroughly well read in the minutiæ of the law that he is able to base his arguments upon thorough knowledge of and familiarity with precedents and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to recog- nize the main point at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough prepara- tion. ITis pleas have been characterized by a terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the cause in a sentimental garb or illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved. In 1864, when he had practiced for but a year, he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Richland county, and that his service was able is indicated by the fact that he was afterward elected for two full terms. Following the close of his second term in 1869, he spent a year in the Harvard Law School, which proved a very profitable one. It was about that time that President Elliott became the head of the institution, while Professor C. C. Langdell, whose case system has revolutionized legal instruction in the schools, was also a teacher there.
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