USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vo. II > Part 20
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LEWIS O'CONNELL .- The substantial and well-to-do residents of Tiffin have no more worthy representative than Lewis O'Connell, who is actively identified with the mercantile interests of the city as a dealer in coal and hay. A native of Tiffin, he was born Sep- tember 1, 1869, a son of Edward O'Connell. . His grandfather, Thomas O'Connell, was born, reared and married in Ireland, and on coming with his family to the United States located in Seneca county, Ohio. A lad of eight years when he came with his parents to Seneca county, Edward O'Connell was reared and educated in Hopewell township. Locating in Tiffin soon after attaining his majority, he was here busily employed as a teamster until his death. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Brigett Mary, three children were born, namely: Lewis, the special subject of this brief sketch ; Minnie R., a graduate of the Tiffin High School and now a teacher in the Miami street building; and Frank, deceased.
Leaving school at the age of fourteen years, Lewis O'Connell began life for himself, being first employed by Dildine & Glick in the coal yard which he now owns. He worked for four years in various capacities, at the age of eighteen years being placed in charge of the coal yard and the hay business. The business subse- quently passed into the hands of C. Hatcher, with whom Mr. O'Con- nell continued for some time. On August 1, 1895, Mr. O'Connell purchased a third interest in the business, and on May 25, 1903. another change occurring in the personnel of the firm. he became head of the firm of O'Connell & Knepper, each member owning one half of the business. In a little less than three years Mr. O'Con- nell, on February 12. 1906. bought out his partner, and has since been conducting the large and extensive business. Ile handles coal and hay, being one of the most extensive wholesale dealers of hay in Seneca county. Beginning work for himself on the modest salary of one dollar a day, Mr. O'Connell has made rapid strides along the pathway of prosperity, and attributes his success solely to his strict application to business.
Mr. O'Connell is still a single man. In his political affiliations he is a sound Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to Tiffin Lodge. No. 77, F. & A. M .; to Seneca Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M .; to Clinton Council, No. 47, R. & S. M .; to De Molay Commandery, No. 9. K. T ; to the Knights of Pythias; and to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
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WILLIAM DUDROW .- A man who is generally recognized as one of the leading citizens of Seneca county and whose influence is always given to just causes is William Dudrow, an agriculturist and the scion of a family which for a good many years has been influential in the locality. He was born August 22, 1856, in Adams township, near the town of Lowell, his parents being David W. and Mary Rule Dudrow. The father, like a number of Seneca county's citizens, was a native of Maryland, having come from Frederick county in that state, and the mother's parents having been residents of the county. They were among the first families to settle in the locality and they enjoyed a well deserved considera- tion, the father being a man of judicial mind. clear vision and · fairness, whose advice was sought by other men. His high moral & character was everywhere recognized and made his opinion of the utmost weight. He gave loyal allegiance to the Republican party and he took an active interest in township politics and all those questions effecting the whole body politic.
William Dudrow spent his early years upon his father's estate, and those excellent principles which had always directed the elder man's life and conduct became his own by force of example. Be- side that practical training in the various departments of agricul- ture which he received from his father he was initiated into the mysteries of the "Three R's," as the previous generation had been wont to term a rudimentary education. His attendance at school was at the academy of Republic. Ohio, under Professor Hall.
On October 19, 1881, Mr. Dudrow established a home of his own by marriage, the lady whom he asked to share his fortunes through life being Miss Adelle Crockett, the descendant of a family of doughty pioneers, whose history includes many thrilling pages. She was born June 20, 1859. the daughter of Edward and Eliza (Brown) Crockett, both native Ohioans. Edward Crockett was the son of James and Mary ( Haskell) Crockett, the latter a descend- ent of William Wallace, the only survivor of a village of white people in the state of Maine, who were massacred by the Indians in the days when the redman was lord over the fertile valleys and abundant forests and streams of America. He was a babe at the time and his escape was a narrow one. he having been flung to the ground and left for dead. The mother suffered a cruel fate by burning, blazing pine knots having been bound to her body.
Mrs. Catherine Sherrick, maternal grandmother of Mrs. Dud- row, was a noble pioneer woman. born July 5. 1811, in Hopewell township, Perry county, Ohio. She lived to see the dawn of the twentieth century, being ninety-eight years of age at the time of her demise. She and her parents were among the first white people in this, Scipio township, the father, whose name was Elijah Brown, having entered land from the government in 1828 for his mother. In 1841 he conveyed his little family to this locality in an ox cart, leaving them with a friend while he went into the unbroken wilderness to ereet his log cabin. They came to be among the best known of the settlers in the locality and their kindliness and generosity made them everywhere held in affection. Their hands were ever extended to help the poor and the needy and to care for
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the sick. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mrs. Dudrow's father, Edward Crockett, was born in Pleasant township. Seneca county, Ohio, near Watson Station, on the 22nd day of November, 1833, and he died on his place two miles east of Greenspring. February 20, 1908. His parents James and Mary Haskell Crockett. were natives of Maine and of Scotch descent, and they were people of notably fine character. James Crockett's father served in the war of 1812 and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. In early life Mr. Crockett came with his parents in search of a new home where the natural conditions were favorable and they settled on land near the village of Lowell, this homestead now being known as the Engler farm. There the head of the family maintained the home until he removed to the present family estate some fifty years ago. He enjoyed an un- usually good education for those days. this being acquired in the old academy at Republic, which was at that time one of the best institutions of its kind in the country. This he utilized for general advantage by becoming a school teacher. in which profession his earlier years were passed, and his last term was taught at the Raymond school. He was married. September 12. 1858, to Miss Eliza J. Brown, and ten children were the issue of their union. The off spring were by name Adelle, Henry, Charles, Nellie, Frank. Theodore, Mable, Catherine. Elijah B. and Alice. Charles and Theodore died in childhood and Frank, at the age of twenty-four, years, the rest of them becoming useful and successful citizens. Mr. Crockett was of the most admirable and lovable nature, finding his greatest happiness in bringing happiness to others. He was a thorough Bible student, especially of the New Testament and widely promulgated the law of Christ, "that ve love one another."
Mr. and Mrs. Dudrow are the parents of two children. a son and a daughter named William Jr. and Mary, and both of these young people have been afforded good educational advantages. William graduated from the Veterinary College at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Mary, from the high school at Greenspring. The son was born November 18. 1883, and the daughter. September 2. 1890, and she still resides with her parents. William is married to Ethel Perin and is located at Greenspring, Ohio.
Mr. Dudrow takes great interest in public issues and casts his vote with the Republican party, and he has held several of the township offices. He and his family have their church home in the Evangelical church and take an active part in the Sunday school. Like those of the family who have gone before them they are generally respected and beloved and those in need of sympathy, advice or more material benefits come freely to them.
Besides his activities in the line of general agriculture Mr. Dudrow has several additional interests, being connected in an im- portant capacity with the Commercial Bank and the telephone com- .pany. With his brother. Fred Dudrow, he is associated in live stock interests, buying and selling. He has a wide reputation as a stock breeder and engages extensively in the shipping of cattle hogs and sheep. The beautiful residence with its attractive sur- roundings is situated near Greenspring and is the center of a gracious hospitality.
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HENRY ZIEGLER .- One of the foremost citizens and a represent- ative farmer of Bloom township. Seneca county, Ohio. Henry Ziegler was born on his father's old homestead farm in Venice town- ship, this county. on the 23rd of March. 1860. He is the son of Henry and Louisa (Keller) Ziegler, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany. and the latter in the kingdom of Bavaria. In 1854 they emigrated to America, Henry Ziegler locating in Bloom township, where he hired out. as a farm laborer for about three years. By German thrift and industry he accumulated enough money to justify the purchase of a small farm in Venice township, and after his marriage, in 1858, he and his wife here maintained their home until 1864. when Mr. Ziegler purchased eighty acres of land in Eden township. He subsequently added an adjoining tract of eighty acres to this and here he spent the residue of his life. his death occurring November 9. 1877, at the age of fifty-two years. Mrs. Ziegler survived her honored husband by a score of years and she was summoned to eternal rest in October, 1897. at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler were the par- ents of eight children. whose names are here entered in order of birth : Jacob. Henry, John, Susan M., George. Christopher L .. Emiline K. and Adam A., and of the number seven are now living.
Henry Ziegler was second in order of birth and was but four years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Eden township. Here he was reared to adult age and availed himself of the advan- tages of the common schools. At the time of his marriage, in 1887, he located on a farm of eighty acres in the same township and de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1891, when he re- moved to Lyken township. Crawford county, where he followed the same vocation on a farm of one hundred acres. At the expiration of two years he returned to Eden township and undertook the man- agement of the home farm. consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He also purchased forty-three acres in Texas township. Crawford county. About 1905 Mr. Ziegler removed to Bloom township, where he now owns and operates three hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land, on which his splendid buildings, costing no less than seven thousand dollars, are the finest in the township. His farm is devoted to diversified agriculture and his fine stock and crops command the highest market prices. In poli- ties Mr. Ziegler is an uncompromising supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party and he has served most effi- ciently and satisfactorily as road supervisor and as township trustee. Both he and his wife are devout members of the Base Line Reformed church, to whose charities he has been a most liberal contributor.
On the 27th of September, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ziegler to Miss Clara Klaiss, who was born and reared in Bloom township and who is a daughter of Thomas and Mary Klaiss. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler are the parents of seven children. namely : Frank L., Fannie M., Blanche M., Raymond A., Eliza E., Cora A .. and Howard .J., all of whom remain at the parental home. The modern and attractive family residence is known throughout the county for its generous hospitality and gracious refinement.
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HIRAM W. YEAGER .- In the annals of Seneca county no man is more worthy of representation than Hiram W. Yeager, a genial. broad minded, whole souled man, who has spent the larger and bet- ter part of his life in Tiffin, where he now holds a prominent posi- tion among the more prosperons and progressive citizens. Begin -. ning life for himself with no other resources than a courageous heart. willing hands and a self reliant spirit, he has steadily on- ward trod the path of progress. By wisely directed industry and thrift he has accumulated a handsome property, having quite ex- tensive and valuable real estate interests. and being identified with various important corporations as a stockholder and as an officer.
Born on a farm in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, he is a son of the late Jacob Yeager, a blacksmith and farmer, whose ancestors were for generations born and reared in the Keystone state, where the founder of the family settled when coming to this country from Germany. Spending his early life on the parental farm, Hiram W. Yeager gleaned his early knowledge of books during the winter terms of the district schools. his education there acquired be- ing supplemented by one year's attendance in a high school. At the age of sixteen years, in the spring of 1864, he started westward, arriving in Tiffin, Ohio. with the meagre sum of one dollar and twenty-three cents. his entire wealth. in his pocket. Hunting up an old friend in the country, he soon secured employment on a farm. where he remained six months. In the fall of 1864, inspired by true patriotie ardor and love of country. he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to Schofield's Division. Twenty-third Army Corps, and actively participated in a three days battle at Kingston, North Carolina. Remaining as a soldier until the close of the war, he was mustered out of service at Columbus. Ohio.
Coming out of the army with the munificent sum of four hun- dred dollars in his pockets. Mr. Yeager spent money very freely, the amount seeming to him almost inexhaustible. The illusion was only too soon dispelled. and finding himself again nearly penniless he began learning the marble ontter's trade. which he followed most successfully until about 1890. when the Soldier's Monument at Fort Ball was completed. Mr. Yeager has been actively associated in his career with many enterprises and pro- jects, having been a successful oil operator, president of a cattle company in New Mexico, and an extensive dealer in real estate. Being an excellent judge of property. he holds much valuable realty, and as a buyer and seller is eminently successful. He has a warm heart. is generous and liberal toward others, and many men now prosperously engaged in business owe their start in life to his thoughtful kindness and liberality.
Mr. Yeager is a stockholder and a director of the Tiffin Sav- ings Bank ; is president of the News Publishing Company ; a stock- holder and a director in the Columbus Life Insurance Company ; is financially interested in the Consolidated Telephone Company ; and is actively interested in the furniture business, spending much of his leisure time in its business house.
Fraternally Mr. Yeager is a thirty-second degree Mason and
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much interested in promoting the good of the order. £ Politically he is a straight forward Republican. standing high in the party and being a successful worker in its ranks. He has represented his district in many state conventions and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1908.
EDWARD C. MAY occupies a place among the foremost men connected with the business activities of Tiffin, Ohio, which has been his home for the past dozen years. Mr. May is a native of Ohio and was reared and educated in this state, receiving a com- mon school education and having the advantage of two years in college. At the age of fourteen he began learning the trade of tool maker, a trade he followed from that time until he was twenty- five. While employed at Cincinnati, Ohio, he was offered the position of assistant superintendent of the La Stella Machine Com- pany at Monterey. Mexico, which he accepted and where he spent two years. At the end of that time, in 1899, he returned to Ohio and established his residence at Tiffin. where he embarked in the fire and casualty insurance business, which he has since continued, having the leading business in his line in the city. In 1906 Mr. May helped to organize the Tiffin Commercial Club, which was incorporated in the fall of that year, and of which he has since been secretary. Thus he is not only in touch with city affairs, but is a prime mover in the activities which make for the advance- ment of the city's best interests.
Politically Mr. May is a Democrat, active and influential in local party matters. In August, 1909. at the hands of Mayor Joseph C. Arnold. he received the appointment of director of public safety, which placed him at the head of the fire and police depart- ment, and to this position he was re-appointed January 1, 1910, at this writing being the incumbent of the office.
Fraternally Mr. May belongs to the K. of C., and the B. P. O. E. He married Miss Jennie Jentgen. of Tiffin. Ohio, and they have two children, a daughter and son, Alice and Charles, aged respectively eight and six years.
WILLIAM H. RENNINGER, a contractor and builder of Tiffin, Ohio, was born in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania Septem- ber 7. 1871. and there spent the first nine years of his life. In 1880 his parents moved over into Ohio and established their home on a farm in Seneca county, where William HI. was reared and re- ceived a district school education. At the age of nineteen he began work at the carpenter's trade, and soon also engaged in con- tracting. and this business he has since followed successfully.
On February 17, 1897. Mr. Renninger married Miss Minnie Koch, who was born August 11. 1877. In 1903 they moved to Tiffin, which has since been their home, he having erected the modern residence which they occupy at 149 Sycamore street. Both are prominent members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church.
Fraternally Mr. Renninger is identified with the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics, the Knights of Pythias and the Free and Accepted Masons. in the Masonic Order having received the Knight Templar degree.
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ALBERT R. YOUNG .- In the front rank of Greenspring's promi- nent citizens stands Albert R. Young. who is engaged in the furni- ture and undertaking business and who is not only one of the most thorough and up-to-date of the representatives of his line but who is everywhere regarded in the light of a just and upright man. He is German in extraction and is a worthy member of a race everywhere regarded as superior in natural gifts and in educa- tion. Ile was born February 14, 1851, in Adams township. Seneca county. the son of Charles and Mary C. (Spangler) Young. who emigrated from Germany in their youth. The father was born September 27. 1817, at St. Julian in Rhenish Bavaria, and when a youth about twenty years of age, inspired by the many flattering accounts of the opportunity of the new world, he said farewell to old friends and old associates and set sail to claim his share of the waiting good. He first located in the city of Balti- more, Maryland, and there followed his trade, which was that of a wagon maker. until 1845. when he concluded to follow the pro- gress of civilization westward and came into the Buckeye state, locating in Seneca county.
Ile secured land about nine miles northeast of Tiffin. and there followed agricultural pursuits for the rest of his life. He had taken a wife a few years after com- ing to America, she being Mary C. Spangler, daughter of John Spangler, born in Germany. Their union was solemnized April 6, 1841, in Frederick county, Maryland, and it was blessed by the birth of a family of ten children. All but the youngest member were sons, the names of the children being: Henry F., Charles M., Lewis W .. John P., George W .. Albert R., Josiah, Daniel, Edward A. and Minerva. In 1870 the father retired from the duties of agricultural life which had occupied him for many years, and re- moved his household to Greenspring, where he remained until his death, which occurred November 28. 1877. The wife and mother passed to the great beyond November 7. 1873, when about fifty- four years of age, her birth having been upon October 28, 1819. The paternal grandfather. Peter Young. lived nine miles south- west of Kusel, the county seat of Rhenish Bavaria.
Albert R. Young received his education in the public schools of Seneca county and remained upon his father's farm until he became eighteen years of age. About that time, having come to the conclusion that he would not make agriculture his life work and by the consent and advice of father Young, who knew the mechani- cal ability of the son, he having worked in his shop since boyhood. advised him to learn a trade. In the spring of 1869 he went to Dayton, Ohio, and took up the trade of carpenter, working for one year among seventy-five men, building in all ninety buildings. In the spring of 1870 he came to Greenspring. Ohio, and com- menced work for Wolfe Brothers, working for them three years. during which time he helped to build the Stinchomb block, Myers block, Fisher block and a great many of the dwellings in Green- spring and vicinity. In the spring of 1873 he built his first funeral car and started in the undertaking business. On Septem- ber 4, 1873, Mr. Young was married to Miss Ida J. Miller, of Adams township. She was born January 4, 1856. Three children have
A. R. young
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been born to them. Mary B., born November 8, 1874; Charles J .. born March 5. 1876; and Bernard A., born May 25. 1880. Mary B. was married to Fred Rall October 2. 1895. and their daughter, Hazel E. was born April 26. 1898. Mr. Rall resides in Green- spring. his occupation being that of a contractor. carpenter. painter and paper hanger. Charles .J., eldest son of Albert R. Young. was married to Catherine Crockett, who was born March 26. 1877, the daughter of Edward and Eliza (Brown) Crockett. To this union have been born two children: Albert E .. born July 17. 1897. and Alice C .. born January 29. 1907. the former of whom attends the Greenspring High School. Bernard A .. youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Young. was married to Anna J. Lee. December 20. 1900. and she was born April 22. 1881. her parents being Martin and Mary (Ritchie) Lee. To this union has been born one son. Herman B .. born April 25, 1906.
Charles J., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Young. was educated in the village school and left his desk at the age of six- teen years to assist his father in the furniture and undertaking business, and has been very prominent in public affairs and has held various offices. He was treasurer of Greenspring village three years, was elected assessor two years and has held the office of school treasurer. He has pronounced musical ability and was a member of the Greenspring band at the age of fourteen years. He obtained his expert knowledge of his profession at the Massachu- setts College of Embalming, from which institution he was graduated May 24, 1904. taking his first term at Columbus. Ohio. and the second term in Cleveland. Ohio, with Professor A. Johnson Dodge, lecturer and demonstrator. and has diploma and embalmers license. Bernard A .. youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. Young, was graduated in the Greenspring public school and the Greenspring College of Commerce. He has been in the insurance and banking business since the fall of 1900 and at present is cashier of the Commercial Bank Company. and enjoys the highest confi- dence of the officials. Mrs. Young's parents were Jacob and Sarah (Robenalt) Miller. the former a native of Yates county, New York, born February 21. 1838. and he came to Seneca county with his parents then a lad nine years of age. The names of the grandparents were Daniel and Anna (Bergstresser) Miller. the latter of whom died March 4. 1849. Jacob Miller when sixteen years of age learned the cooper's trade. and followed the same for twenty-six years with the exception of two years spent in mining in California. His western ventures were very fortunate, and with his gains in that quarter he was able to purchase a farm of two hundred and four acres and to erect a handsome residence costing over three thousand dollars. In 1857 he was married to Sarah Robenalt, daughter of Soloman Robenalt. of Clinton town- ship. born September 1. 1837. They reared a large family. ten children being born to them. Mr. Miller is a member of the Re- formed church. He has served in several township offices and is prominent in the community in which he has made his home for so many years. Mrs. Miller passed to the great beyond December 7. 1908.
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