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 22
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During the summer of 1891 Mr. Frazier entered the Ohio Normal University, and having completed the classical course in that in- stitution was there graduated in July, 1892. Going to New Wash- ington, Crawford county, he began his professional career as principal of the high school, a position which he held three years. Being then, in 1895, elected superintendent of the schools of that village, he served in that capacity until June, 1900, giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned.
Continuing his studies in the meantime, Mr. Frazier was given a common school life certificate in 1894, and in 1895 was granted a high school life certificate. 3 From 1897 until 1900 he pursued his studies at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, where, in June. 1900. he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. A constant student, he has since taken post graduate studies at the University of Chicago. The week after he received the degree of B. A. Mr. Frazier was elected principal of the Tiffin High School, and in the years that have since elapsed has met with almost phenomenal success in his labors. In 1910 he was appointed a county examiner for Seneca county.
Mr. Frazier is a member of various local and state teachers' associations, and is active influential not only in educational circles, but in church, lodge and public enterprises.
EDMUND SHELBY MYERS, one of Tiffin's highly respected citi- zens and one of the Buckeye state's well known newspaper men, has had a varied and interesting career and one which has taken him into many quarters of our country. His present and most important connection is as an exponent of the Fourth Estate, for he is identified with the Advertiser Company of which for many years his brother, the late John Michael Myers, had editorial direc- tion. The publications of the Advertiser Company, as is well known, are the Seneca Advertiser, established in 1832, and the Daily Advertiser, established in 1886.
Edmund Shelby Myers was born in Clearspring, Washington county, Maryland. December 18. 1840, his parents being Michael and Anna E. (Wagner) Myers, both of whom were of Teutonic origin, and thus the subject partakes by inheritance of those splen- did traits which have ever made the German one of America's most desirable elements of emigration. In the month of May, 1856. the Myers family, consisting of father and mother, four sons and two daughters, left Maryland and followed the tide of emigration westward, and attracted by the natural advantages of this partic- ularly favored portion of Ohio. located at Seneca county, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives. They speedily became known as the champions of all just causes and in conse- quence enjoyed the respect of the community in which they were best known. The father was a contractor and builder by vocation and his residence in Tiffin was of thirty-five years duration. for he lived to see the year 1891, passing on to his reward at the ripe age of eighty-one years. £ The mother was summoned to her eternal rest in 1876, at the age of sixty-four years. .
A greater part of the educational discipline of Mr. Myers was
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secured in the Maryland publie schools, for he was sixteen years of age when the family traversed the intervening hills and vales to the wild young virgin country, which in a few years was to become the granary, the vital core of the nation. They lived for a while at Fort Seneca, but after several years, in April, 1862, to be exact, removed to Tiffin, which was to be the permanent seat of their activities. The spirit of adventure burned in the breast of young Edmund and in April 1864, he went overland to Boise City, Idaho, where, the gold fever having not yet abated, he prospected for gold in the mountains for about a year and a half. In November, 1866, very much richer in experience, at any rate, he returned to Ohio and went into partnership with his brother, the late John Michael Myers. That revered and much regretted gentleman be- came a compositor in the office of the Sencca Advertiser in Feb- ruary, 1860, and three years later was installed as editor and publisher of the pioneer newspaper of Tiffin. In 1878 a third brother, E. Bruce Myers, became a partner also. The brothers continued to be thus associated with the conducting of the business until April, 1834, when they disposed of a two-third interest to L. A. Brunner and J. W. Geiger. In 1888, after the death of Mr. Brunner, they bought back the plant and business of the Advertiser, the daily edition of which had been established two years pre- viously. About 1890 they erected their present building, the entire plant being enlarged and otherwise improved, while at the present time the equipment throughout is of the most modern and metro- politan type.
Mr. Myers has from time to time been associated in other busi- ness enterprises and is a stockholder of the Citizens' National Bank of Tiffin. In 1884 he went into the cattle business with his brothers, John Michael and Edward Bruce, the latter being also deceased. These cattle operations were carried on in New Mexico, and the subject had charge until June. 1908.
On December 14. 1870, Mr. Myers laid the foundation of a happy married life by his union with Miss Ellen Haas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Haas, of Tiffin. No children were born to their union.
The influence exerted by Mr. Myers has ever been of the most enlightened and altruistic character. and it is to his credit that the powers invested in him as an exponent of the Fourth Estate have ever been put to noble uses.
D. S. HAMILTON, a representative of Tiffin. Ohio, engaged in the shoe business, was born in Scotland, of Scottish parents, Decem- ber 6, 1850, and until he was sixteen years old he lived in his native land. Then he came to America. Hle had received the usual common school education and learned the trade of shoe cutter previously to his coming to this country, and on his arrival here he stopped first at Cleveland, Ohio, where, on Superior street. he ob- tained employment in a shoe shop. Not long afterward we find him at Cincinnati, employed as a cutter for Prichard, Smith & Company, and from there he came to Tiffin to work in the same capacity for the Tiffin Shoe Company, with which firm he remained
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six years. Returning to Cincinnati in 1878, he engaged with Stribey & Company, as a cutter, and subsequently left them to accept the position of superintendent and general manager of the factory department of J. & A. Simpkson & Company, which place he filled for a period of five years. After this he was engaged by Goodbar & Company, of Memphis, Tennessee, to fit up and start a factory, and gave a year's time to the work. Then he went back to Cincinnati, and for four years had charge of Rosenthall & Con- pany's factory. Returning at the end of that time to Tiffin, he engaged in his present business, which he has since successfully conducted.
Mr. Hamilton married a Tiffin young lady, Miss Cora F. Stoner, daughter of Milton Stoner, and they have three sons and two daughters, all at home.
In fraternal work Mr. Hamilton has for years been active and influential. He is Past Chancellor of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 80, and is identified with Masonry up to and including the Com- mandery. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 163, F. and A. M .; Olive Branch Chapter, R. A. M .; Jefferson Council, R. & S. M., and Newport Commandery, No. 13, K. T. And in these bodies he has filled all the chairs save those of high priest of the Chapter, captain of gnard in the Council and eminent commander in the Commandery. At this writing he is secretary of the Tiffin Board of Health. He yotes the Republican ticket.
DR. D. PROCTOR CAMPBELL, (deceased) was a man of high civic ideals and a practitioner whose loss to the profession is still keenly felt, and although his death occurred nearly a decade ago his memory is still green in the community in which he played a useful and prominent part and where he was regarded as a man among men. Dr. Campbell was born in Hampton, New Hampshire, March 1, 1842, his parents being David and Betsy (Godfrey) Campbell. They were natives of New Hampshire and belonged to the agricul- tural element. After lives of activity and usefulness this worthy couple went to Boston, where in the leisure of retirement they enjoyed the fruits of their former industry and thrift, and it was in that city that they were called to the great beyond.
The early years of D. Proctor Campbell were passed at the place of his birth and his preliminary educational discipline was acquired in the schools of the Shaker society of Canterbury, New Hampshire, and under the private instruction of Professor A. J. Goss, M. A., of Epsom, Merrimack county, New Hampshire, a distinguished scholar who devoted the latter part of his life to teaching. In 1864 Dr. Campbell began the study of medicine un- der the instruction of some of the most eminent physicians in the eastern states, including Dr. Dio Lewis and others of equal note. He was very thorough in his preparation for the distinguished call- ing to which he was subsequently an ornament and a credit and continued his study until 1874. Ile began his practice in Dubuque, Iowa, and in his short stay in that city attained to success and recognition. He even then took further post graduate work, at- tending the New York College of Medicine and the Cincinnati
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College of Medicine, graduating from the latter institution in 1877.
The identification of Dr. Campbell with Greenspring dated from the year 1881. and within a few years he had built up a large practice. It was not long before he had gained a prominence much more than local, and his advice was sought far and wide. He was not a man of rugged constitution, and finding the labors of general practice too severe for him he took up sanatorium work at Green- spring. In later years he also engaged in several business ven- tures. both at home and in Colorado. in which state he was vice president of the Granite Mountain Mining Company and interested in mines at Idaho Springs. He had gone to Colorado largely on account of his health. which was so benefitted by the high altitude and change of climate that he found himself able to return to Greenspring and to resume his practice, which he followed until his death, this generally mourned event occurring January 7. 1901. The indomitable energy and inflexible will which were saliant characteristics were not matched by bodily strength and this poorly balanced combination no doubt contributed as much as anything towards his failing health. His professional life was marked by many successes and his reputation was well established through- out this and neighboring states.
Dr. Campbell laid the foundation of a happy home life by his marriage. May 23. 1878, to Miss Alice Watrous, their union being celebrated at Bedford. New Hampshire. The lady to become his wife was a native of Greenspring. a daughter of James A and Hannah F. (Carpenter) Watrous, natives of New London. Con- nectient. They left New England and came to Ohio in abont the year 1825, and here maintained their residence until their de- mise. that of the mother occurring in May. 1882. and that of the father in December. 1884. To Dr. and Mrs. Campbell was born but one child, a daughter, named Gracie T .. whose birth date was July 7. 1883.
The mother of Mrs. Alice Campbell. the widow of Dr. Camp- bell, was twice married. her first husband having been Mr. Finns Adams, whose name Adams township bears. He was one of the first settlers. in the early '30s making his abode in a log house which stood where the town hall now stands. After the death of Mr. Adams his widow left the farm. In 1840 she married James A. Watrous who had been previously married and was the . father of three daughters and two sons. This second union was blessed by the birth of the following children : Nancy E .. born February 14. 1843; Hannah L., born April 16. 1846: Alice. born May 16. 1849. a twin of Albert S., who died April 16. 1853. at the age of four years; and an infant named Peter, who died at the age of three weeks. Mrs. Campbell survives her husband and makes her resi- dence in the home left by him.
THOMAS P. JOHNSTON .- A large and valuable contribution to the material and civic upbuilding of the city of Fostoria has been made by this well known and highly esteemed citizen whose in- terests here are of wide and varied order, including a large invest- ment in real estate, and he is an able member of the bar of the
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county, besides which he is now serving in the office of justice of the peace.
Thomas P. Johnston is a native son of the fine. old Buckeye state, as he was born in Benton township. Hocking county, Ohio, on the 21st of June. 1855. He is a son of James and Sarah (Bar- ton) Johnston, who were natives of Perry county. Ohio, and who finally emigrated from the state of Ohio to the state of Idaho. where they passed the residue of their lives. The father's vocation · during the greater part of his active career was that of a tanner and banker. Ile whose name initiates this article was reared on the home farm and after duly availing himself of the advantages of the public schools he entered the Ohio University. in which he com- pleted the prescribed course and was graduated as. a member of the class of 1876. with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thereafter he devoted some time to the reading of law at Logan, this state, and later he was identified with the life insurance business. Mr. Johnston established his home in Fostoria in 1887 and here con- tinued his law studies under effective preceptorship. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1894 and he has given more or less attention to the work of his profession. though he has found consistent demands upon his time in connection with his large and successful operations in the handling and improving of real estate. in connection with which he has had charge of properties owned by a leading syndi- cate in Fostoria. He has erected a substantial. modern business block and sixty dwelling houses. a number of which he still owns. Through his efforts in this direction he has done much to further the development of the city and he has been known at all times as a liberal and public spirited citizen. He was the first secretary of the Fostoria Board of Trade, with which he is still actively iden- tified, and he is an interested principal in a number of manufactur- ing industries in his home city. Mr. Johnston is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and he has given effective service in the promotion of its cause. He has been a delegate to various public conventions and he has been active in its local work. IIe has held the office of justice of the peace since 1909 and he was acting mayor of Fostoria for a period of one year. Mr. Johnston is affiliated with the Home Guards of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
In Hocking county. Ohio, in the year 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Johnston to Miss Josephine P. Iles and they have two sons. The elder son. Clyde N .. was graduated in both the literary and law departments of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and is now professor of Latin in the leading college in the state of Oregon. The younger son. Dr. Cecil J. Johnston, is en- gaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Chicago.
MARTIN L. BAUMGARDNER .- One of the best known and most successful contractors and builders of Seneca county, is Martin L. Baumgardner, head of the firm of M. L. Baumgardner & Sons. of Tiffin. Hle has long been an important factor in advancing the
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industrial prosperity of this part of the state, and has been especial- ly active in the upbuilding of his home city. A son of Joseph and Mary (Rinsey) Baumgardner, he was born December 27. 1849. in Tiffin, at No. 200 South Monroe street. His father located in Tiffin in 1837, and as a mason and a contractor erected many of the older buildings of the city.
At the age of eighteen years, having obtained a practical edu- cation in the Tiffin schools. Martin L. Baumgardner began working with his father. and in 1888 started in business for himself as a con- tractor and builder. He has built up a substantial business in this line. filling large and valuable contracts, and as his work in- creased he admitted to partnership two of his sons, Frederick J. and Carl W .. the firm name becoming M. L. Baumgardner & Sons. This enterprising firm makes plans when desired, the junior mem- bers of the firm being skilful architects, and also manufacture all kinds of cement products, including the cement blocks used in
building. In the filling of its many contracts this firm does the entire work from start to finish. and the work is invariably satis- factory. Messrs. Baumgardner are all very pleasant, genial and courteous, prompt and eminently trustworthy in the completion of their many contracts. They have erected many beautiful resi- dences and substantial buildings in Tiffin, among others drawing the designs. making the plans and building one of the structures connected with the Saint Francis Orphans' Home.
Mr. Baumgardner married. in 1875. Johanna Eidt, and into their household three sons have been born, namely: Frederick J., Carl W. and Aloysius. Mr. Baumgardner and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, of which his father was one of the five organizers and toward the support of which he is a generous contributor. Politically he is independent. casting his vote for the best men and measures regardless of party restrictions.
BERNARD A. YOUNG .- The services of Bernard A. Young to the Commercial Bank Company of Greenspring in which institution he is the trusted and efficient cashier. are of a valuable character and his promotion to this high trust came as the natural sequence to a decade of usefulness in another capacity. Of the younger genera- tion, he is progressive and up-to-date in his ideas and he is one of the beneficent factors in the many sided life of the community. Mr. Young is a native of Greenspring. Ohio, his birth having oc- curred on the 25th day of May. 1880. His parents are Albert R. and Ida J. Young, their sketch appearing elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Young is bound to Greenspring by many ties of associa- tion. for it was within her pleasant limits that he passed his youth- ful years and it was here that he attended the public schools, being graduated from their higher department in 1896. With a view _ to preparing for future usefulness he then entered the Greenspring College of Commerce. being graduated from that institution in 1898. Shortly thereafter he sought employment with his father and while thus associated he had charge of the bookkeeping depart- ment of the furniture business. His father took occasion to show
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C. J. Oller, of Findlay. some of the work done by the subject. and Mr. Oller, who was much pleased with it. later returned to consult with the elder Mr. Young with reference to the son's taking the position of assistant cashier in the bank. And this after due reflection was agreed upon on all hands. He, Mr. Young, was ap- pointed in October. 1900. and his salary has been gradually increased without his solicitation. as the confidence in his ability has grown from day to day. On the death of Mr. MeIntire, which occurred April 14, 1910. and who at the time of his demise was cashier, Mr. Young was elected to the cashiership of the bank and this position he has continued to hold. The deposits during the past few years have quadrupled.
The Commercial Bank Company of this city has a capital stock of $25,000. Its officers are N. W. Cunningham. of Bluffton. Ohio. president ; C. J. Oller of Findlay, Ohio. vice president : and Mr. Young cashier ; while the directors are as follows: N. W. Cunning- ham. C. J. Oller. William Dudrow Sr .. John Holtz and G. H. Schuster. The bank transacts regular banking and savings busi- ness, paying three per cent interest on time deposits. It is insured against burglary both day and night, having a time lock safe. The company owns its own building. Mr. Young's services to the institution have recommended him in the most eloquent manner. He likewise has the agency of all kinds of insurance and success has ever accompanied his enterprises.
Mr. Young is a Mason and takes great interest in the affairs of this ancient and august order. in whose circles he is a prominent figure, his geniality and social talent recommending him to all who know him. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. He is past chancellor and has represented the lodge several times in conclaves. He gives his heart and hand to the Republican party and is interested even to the point of activity in local polities. in- sofar as they pertain to the public welfare. Like all good citizens he is public spirited and a student of current events.
On December 20. 1900. Mr. Young joined the ranks of the Benedicts. taking as his wife Miss Anna J. Lee, daughter of Martin and Mary C. (Ritchie) Lee. natives of Topeka. Kansas. The wedding of these two young people was solemnized at Pataskala. Ohio. Mrs. Young was born April 22. 1878. in Marysville, Ohio. but her home was properly Kansas. She subsequently removed to Van Wert. Ohio, where she received her education and grew to womanhood. To this union has been born one child. Herman B., on April 25, 1906.
FRANK E. NEAR .- Worthy of recognition in this publication as one of the alert and representative business men of Fostoria is Frank E. Near, who is superintendent and head miller of the finely equipped flouring mills here owned and conducted by Isaac Harter. He has been incumbent of this position since 1893 and his technical and executive ability have been potent in furthering the interests of the large and important industrial enterprise with which he is identified. He is a director of the Seneca Wire & Manufacturing Company and is a stockholder in the Commercial Bank & Savings Company, two of the leading business concerns of Fostoria.
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Frank E. Near takes a due measure of pride in reverting to Seneca county as the place of his nativity and he is a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of this favored section of the Buckeye state. He was born at Tiffin. this county, on the 3rd of August, 1850. and is a son of Robert E. and Sarah A. (Shuman) Near, both of whom are now deceased. The subject of this review was only a few months old at the time of his mother's death and he was reared to the age of fifteen years in the home of his maternal grandfather, Philip Shuman, who was engaged in the shoe business in Summitt county. In the meanwhile he was afforded the advan- tages of the public schools and when seventeen years of age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the miller's trade. in which he has long been recognized as a most competent operative. For nine years he and his brother J. S. conducted a farm in the state of Illinois and at the expiration of this period he returned to Ohio and resumed the work of his trade. with which he has since been actively identified. For four years he held the position of expert miller for a prominent milling concern in the city of Cincinnati. Ohio, and in 1893 accepted the superintendency of the Harter mills of Fostoria, where he has since remained in tenure of this respon-
sible position. Mr. Near is progressive and public spirited as a citizen and is ever ready to lend his aid and encouragement in con- nection with the promotion of all enterprises that tend to advance the general welfare of the community. The Isaac Harter Milling Company's plant has a capacity for the output of twenty-five hun- dred pounds of flour in twenty-four hours and its brands of flour. known for their superiority. command a large and superior trade.
In politics Mr. Near gives his support to the Democratic party but he has never had any aspiration for the honors or emoluments of public office. He is affiliated with Wilmington Lodge. No. 218. Knights of Pythias; and with the N. P. Robbins Division of the uniformed rank of this fraternal order.
On the 4th of November. 1872. Mr. Near was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucetta Haulk. who was born in Summit county, Ohio, and she and her husband became acquainted in their child- hood days. Concerning their three children the following brief record is entered : Mertie, who was born on the 13th of April. 1874. died on the 10th of November. 1875; Flossie M .. who was born on the 3rd of January. 1877. is the wife of Warren Eberhard. of Wadsworth. Medina county. Ohio: and Earl R .. who was born on the 17th of August. 1878. married Miss Abel Starkey and they re- side in the city of Chicago. He was graduated in the Fostoria High School and in the Case School of Applied Science in the city of Cleveland, being now chief inspector for the Automatic Electric Company in the city of Chicago.
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