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 23
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JACOB BRIDINGER, M. D., a practicing physician and druggist. No. 157 South Washington street. Tiffin, Ohio, came to this place in his boyhood and has made it his home ever since with the exception of a brief time spent at Ashland. Ohio.
Dr. Bridinger is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Northampton county, that state, March 25, 1843. and his early ex- Vol. II-12
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perience was that of a farmer boy, assisting in the chores and other work of the farm and attending district school. In 1856 he came to Tiffin, where he continued his studies in the public schools and laid the foundation for his professional work. He pursued his regular medical course in the Eclectic School at Cincinnati. Ohio, where he graduated in March. 1876. Immediately after his gradua- tion he took up his residence at Ashland. Ohio, opened an office and engaged in the practice of medicine. He remained there, how- ever, only a short time. The following year, 1877, he came back to Tiffin, and with this city as his headquarters traveled throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, representing the St. John Medicine Company, and was thus occupied until 1900. That year he settled down to the practice of medicine, which he has since continued. at the same time being with Frank L. Bridinger in the drug business at 157 South Washington street.
On May 31, 1866. Dr. Bridinger married Miss Elizabeth Halver- stadt, and they are the parents of three sons, namely : Frank L., engaged in the drug business, as already stated, with his father ; Harry J., a conductor on the B. & O. Railroad with headquarters at Garrett, Indiana, and Leon A., a resident of California.
For a period of thirty-three years Dr. Bridinger has been a member of Seneca Lodge. No. 35. I. O. O. F .. in which he has passed all the chairs. Politically he is what is known as an independent, voting for men and measures irrespective of party lines.
BENJAMIN F. COCKAYNE .- Worthy of special mention in this biographical volume is Benjamin F. Cockayne. an esteemed and highly respected citizen of Tiffin, living at the corner of Hunter and River streets, where he has a most attractive home. A Virginian by birth and breeding. he was born June 26. 1853. in Marshall county, Virginia, and was there educated, being graduated from Marshall Academy.
Desirous of trying the hazard of new fortunes. Mr. Cockayne came to Belmont county, Ohio. in 1874, locating in Bellaire, where he first found employment as shipping clerk in the works of the Stamping Company, of which he afterwards became a stockholder. Selling his interests in that firm he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits until 1881, when he became one of the organizers of the Ohio Lantern Company and owner of one third of its stock. Subse- quently disposing of his share of the stock. Mr. Cockayne embarked in the wholesale and retail crockery and house furnishing business, which he conducted with marked success until the spring of 1889. The Ohio Lantern Company being then moved to Tiffin, Mr. Cockayne again became associated with it. holding a half interest in the same until January, 1894, when he sold out. He has since been engaged in the manufacture of cigars and other things, and for the past eight years has successfully and profitably conducted a general insurance agency, with an office at room 8 in the court house.
A stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Cockayne was real estate appraiser of the Second ward in 1900, and for three years was a member of the Tiffin Board of Education, declining, however, to
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serve a second term in that office. He is now serving as justice of the peace for Clinton township. Fraternally he is prominent in Masonic circles, being past high priest of Bellaire Chapter and a Knight Templar. a member of the Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Tiffin.
Mr. Cockayne married. November 4, 1879, Sarah J. Brockman, who was born in Wheeling. Virginia, but was brought up in Bellaire, Ohio. Six children blessed their union, two sons and four daugh- ters. One son died in infancy. and five children are now living. namely: Charles A., acting president and professor of philosophy and education at the Toledo University; Margaret A., wife of Rev. W. A. Clemmer, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Carolyn B .; Florence M .: and Wilhelmina, a member of the senior class at Heidelberg College. Mr. and Mrs. Cockayne and their children are members of the Presbyterian church.
EARL K. CUNNINGHAM .- It cannot be other than gratifying. in view of the nomadic spirit which seems to animate all classes of American citizens, to find a locality in which are persons who have passed their entire lives in the localities in which they were born. where they have achieved success through well directed efforts and where they command the respect and esteem of those who have been familiar with their entire careers. In Seneca county are to be found today many representative business men who are native sons of the county, and among this number is Mr. Cunningham, who is one of the enterprising and progressive business men and influential citi- zens of the younger generation in his native city of Fostoria, where he is the owner of the successful enterprise conducted under the title of the Cunningham Manufacturing Company. His status as a loyal citizen and substantial business man well entitle him to con- sideration in this publication.
Earl K. Cunningham was born in Fostoria, on the 27th of March, 1875. and is a son of Edward J. and Anne E. (Keller) Cunningham. both of whom are now deceased. The father de- voted the major part of his career to the business of milling and was one of the honored and influential citizens of Fostoria at the time of his death. Earl K. Cunningham was reared to maturity in the city of his birth and to its public schools he is indebted for his early educational training, which included a course in the high school, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1893. During the winter of 1893-4 he completed a course in the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y .. in which he was graduated
in the spring of 1894. He then returned to Fostoria and assumed the position of bookkeeper for the Cunningham Manufacturing Company, of whose office details he had charge until 1903. when he purchased the plant and business and has since been the owner. giving his active attention to the management of the enterprise. which has been signally prosperous under his directions. The
establishment manufactures wheel stock. and in the same employ- ment is given to a corps of from sixty to seventy-five operatives.
In local politics Mr. Cunningham maintains an independent attitude, giving his support to the man and measures commanding
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the approval of his judgment, but in national and state affairs, where definite issues are involved he gives his support to the Repub- lican party. He is most appreciative of the time honored Masonic fraternity and has been a close student of its teachings. He is · affiliated with Fostoria Lodge. No. 288. Free and Accepted Masons. of which he is past master : Garfield Chapter, No. 150. Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest, besides which he is a member of the order of high priesthood of the state of Ohio ; Fostoria Coun- cil, No. 90, Royal and Select Masters. of which he was the first thrice illustrious master; Fostoria Commandery, No. 62. Knights Templars, of which he is past eminent commander; Toledo Con- sistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in the city of Toledo. in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree; and Zenobia Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the city of Toledo. He is also identified with Fostoria Lodge, No. 935. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Cunningham is a bachelor and it may be stated that this fact in no wise militates against his personal popularity in the social affairs of his home city.
CHARLES DEPPEN .- Bringing to the practice of the profession of his choice energetic zeal and a well trained mind. Charles Deppen has gained an assured position among the successful attorneys of Tiffin, where he is now rendering noteworthy service as justice of the peace, a position in which he is serving his second term. A son of Eli Deppen, he was born. May 15. 1860, in Pennsylvania, but was brought up in Seneca county. Ohio. His grandfather, Rev. Isaac Deppen, was a noted preacher in the Evangelical church.
Inheriting the scholarly tastes of his father. Eli Deppen was interested in educational matters, and for several years was superin- tendent of schools in Reading. Pennsylvania. Coming with his family to Seneca county, Ohio. in 1860. he purchased land in Eden township, and was there engaged in general farming until his death, 1872. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Zook.
In common with the sons of the neighboring farmers, Charles Deppen obtained his rudimentary education in the district schools. He subsequently entered Heidelberg College. from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of B. S. Returning then to the homestead. Mr. Deppen devoted his time to farming for about five years, but was scarce content with his future prospects. Coming, therefore, in 1893. to Tiffin. he studied law in the office of Noble. Keppel & Noble, making such progress as a student that in 1896 he was admitted to the Ohio har at Tiffin. He subsequently prac- tised law successfully in Tiffin until 1905, when he was elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket. and served so accept- ably for three years that in 1908 he was re-elected to the same posi- tion without opposition. Mr. Deppen has an extensive law pat- ronage, his office being opposite the court house, in the Spayth block, while his residence is at No. 71 Coe street.
Mr. Deppen married Ella Blackburn, of Norristown, Pennsyl- vania, and they are both consistent members of the Church of Christ. £ Mr. Dippen is likewise a member of the Business Men's
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Bible Class connected with the Methodist Protestant church. Fraternally he is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; of the Modern Woodmen of America; and of the Auxil- iary branch of the Grand Army of the Republic.
JAMES T. YANT .- One of the native sons of Ohio who rendered to the nation valiant service as a leal and loyal soldier of the Union during the climacterie period of the Civil war and who is now one of the best known and most honored citizens of Fostoria, where he has maintained his home for more than two score of years is James T. Yant, who is a scion of one of the pioneer families of the Buckeye state and who is now superintendent of the water works and clerk of the city council of Fostoria. incumbencies that well indicate the regard in which he is held in the community that has so long represented his home. Mr. Yant was born in Navarre, Stark county, Ohio, on the 28th of October, 1841, and is a son of John and Mary (Ager) Yant, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. The father established his home in Stark county in the pioneer days and there reclaimed a farm from the wilderness. Both he and his wife continued to reside in that county until their death and their names merit a place upon the roll of those who played well their part in connec- tion with the development and upbuilding of that section of the state.
James T. Yant gained his vital experiences in connection with the practical affairs of life from his association with the devel- opment and other work of the home farm, and after completing the curriculum of the district school he continued his studies in the schools in the village of Navarre in his native county. At the age of sixteen years he completed his school work and thereafter he continued to be identified with the work and management of his father's farm until he had attained to the age of twenty years. He had been ambitious and assiduous in his studies and was thus enabled to do successful work as a teacher in the district schools, having followed the pedagogical profession for several terms. In 1861 he moved to Huntington, Indiana, where he was engaged in the produce business for one year, at the expiration of which he returned to Stark county, Ohio, and resumed his association with agricultural pursuits. In 1864 he laid aside the work of the farm to take up arms in defense of the Union. In May of that year he enlisted as a private in Company A. One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the West, under the command of General Thomas. Mr. Yant saw much arduous service and participated in a number of important battles during the closing years of the great conflict between the north and the south. Among the most notable of these engagements may be mentioned Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. He continued with his command until the close of the war, when he was mustered out and he received his honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, on the 17th of July, 1865.
After the close of his career as a gallant soldier of the Republic Mr. Yant located at Prairie Depot, Wood county, Ohio, where he
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had charge of a farm and also owned an interest in a general store. There he remained until 1867, when he removed to Fostoria, where he secured employment as a clerk in a dry goods establishment. He was thus engaged for a period of twelve years, at the expiration of which, in 1879, he engaged in the shoe business, to which he devoted his attention for the following decade. He was then, in 1889, appointed mail carrier in Fostoria, a position, of which he continued incumbent until 1903, in which year he was elected city auditor of Fostoria. He gave most able administration of this office and re- mained incumbent of the same until January 1. 1910.
Shortly afterward he was appointed superintendent of the city water works, in which position he is now serving, besides which he is clerk of the city council and also of the city board of control. Mr. Yant is a man of insuperable integrity and honor, of genial and engaging personality and no citizen has a more secure place in the popular confidence and esteem.
In politics Mr. Yant is an uncompromising advocate of the principles of the "Grand Old Party." and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds the office of deacon. As evidence of his continued interest in his old com- rades of the Civil war may be noted his affiliations with Norris Post, No. 27, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is a past commander.
On the 15th of April, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Yant to Miss Samantha A. Otis, of New Philadelphia, Tuscara- was county, Ohio. She was born and reared in this state and is a daughter of the late Dr. J. D. Otis, who here took up his residence in the pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Yant have one son. Harry O., who was born in 1870 and who is now traveling freight agent for the Ohio Central Railroad. with residence and official headquarters in the city of Toledo, Ohio. He married Miss Rebecca Kiger. and they have three children. Ruth K .. aged thirteen years; Anna Jeannette, aged eight years; and James Harrison, aged four years.
GEORGE C. JENNEY .- One of the native sons of Ohio who has here gained prestige as an able and representative member of the bar is he whose name initiates this article. Mr. Jenney is en- gaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Fostoria. and is known as an able and versatile trial lawyer and is a close student of the profession to which he is devoting himself.
Mr. Jenney was born in Greenwich township, Huron county. Ohio, on the 3rd of October. 1864, and is a son of John and Emma (Mervin) Jenney, both of whom were residents'of Huron county. The father is deceased, but the mother is still living and resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Jenney was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and is indebted to the district and graded schools for his early educational discipline. which included a course in the high school at Greenwich, Ohio. in which he was graduated. That he made good use of the opportunities thus afforded him is evident when we advert to the fact that for the long period of fifteen years he was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of his native state. He finally determined to prepare himself for the
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profession of law and with this end in view he entered the law department of the Northwestern Ohio University at Ada, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1901 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After his graduation and admission to the bar he continued to teach school for one year and in the month of May, 1901 he opened an office in the city of Fostoria where his novitiate in the work of his profession was of but brief duration, as he soon proved his excellent powers as an advocate and well fortified counselor and gradually built up a large and prosperous professional business, to which he has since devoted his undivided time and attention.
In politics Mr. Jenney has long taken an active and intelligent interest, keeping himself well informed concerning the questions and issues of the hour and giving his unqualified allegiance to the Democratic party, although he is the only member of his family to have become identified with this political body. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
On the 18th of October, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Jenney to Miss Lucy Mervin, who was born and reared in Huron county, Ohio, and who is a daughter of John Mervin, a prosperous business man of Rising Sun, Wood county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jenney have no children.
ALBERT E. HEILMAN .- An energetic and enterprising business man of Tiffin, Albert E. Heilman is meeting with well merited suc- cess in his operations, as a dealer in new and second hand furniture having built up a thriving trade. A native born citizen of Tiffin. his birth occurring April 28, 1877, he is a son of John Heilman.
Having acquired his elementary knowledge in the city schools, he took a full commercial course at the Heidelberg College, complet- ing his studies in 1895. Learning then the trade of a boiler maker, he followed it until 1904. In that year Mr. Heilman opened a second hand store at No. 1 South Washington street, where he has since been located. He has been exceedingly fortunate in his enter- prise, winning a large and lucrative patronage. He handles both new and second hand furniture of all kinds, and makes a specialty of repairing, that part of his business being of much importance.
Mr. Heilman married Sophia Borgee, and they have one child, Vera Heilman. Mr. Heilman is affiliated with the Democratic party, but is not active in politics. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and both he and Mrs. Heilman belong to the German Lutheran church.
HENRY L. SEEBON .- The great empire of Germany has contrib- uted a most valuable element to the complex social fabric of our American republic and among the citizens of German nationalty in Seneca county is numbered he whose name initiates this sketch. He came to America as a young man without financial resources or in- fluential friends and had the courage to face the battles of life with a strong heart and steady hand, by which means he was enabled to win in the stern conflict and to bring to bear determined purpose, sturdy self reliance and that self respect that is begotten of worthy ambition and a desire to do right under all circumstances.
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Mr. Seebon was born in the province of Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 1st of November, 1849, and his parents passed their entire lives in their native land, where the father's vocation was that of a farmer. Mr. Seebon received the advantages of the excellent schools of his fatherland and in 1866, when about seventeen years of age, he severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. £ Hle landed in New York city and from the national metropolis straightway came to Seneca county, Ohio, and located in Fostoria, on the 26th of December, 1866. His capital was reduced to the lowest ebb at the time of his arrival but he found work on a farm in this vicinity, where he was thus employed for one year. For the ensuing four years he was employed in a brickyard in Fostoria. He was frugal and industrious and had the good judg- inent to carefully save his earnings. After the expiration of the period last noted he secured employment in a sash and door factory with the operation of which he was identified for sixteen years. Hle then, in 1886. initiated his independent career by engaging in the draying business. His original equipment consisted of one dray and a team of horses. He gave careful attention to the de- mands of his patrons and has succeeded in building up a large and successful business, in connection with which he utilizes six drays and an automobile truck of the best modern type. He has won success through his well directed energies and his sterling integrity of character has not failed to gain to him the unqualified confidence and esteem in the community in which he has maintained his home for more than forty years. Mr. Seebon is a Democrat in his political proclivities and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. The attractive family home is located on North Poplar street.
In the year 1875 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Seebon to Miss Catherine Delano, who was born in the state of Ohio and whose parents were natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Seebon became the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Nellie, Anne, Leo, Harvey and Margaret.
JAMES P. MOURER .- It is a matter of gratification to the pub- lishers of this work to be able to offer within its pages a brief re- view of the career of this popular and representative member of the bar of Seneca county, of which he is a native son, being engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Fostoria, which has been his home from the time of his nativity.
James P. Mourer was born in Fostoria, on the 18th of October. 1875, and is a son of John J. and Catherine (Knissel) Mourer, the former of whom was born in Alsace, France, now a German Pro- vince, and the latter of whom was born in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The father emigrated to America about the year 1864 and soon after his arrival he established his home in Fostoria, where he was successfully engaged in the clothing business for a number of years and where he died in 1898, at the age of forty-six years. James P. Mourer is indebted to the public schools of his native city for his early educational discipline and was graduated in the Fostoria high school as a member of the class of 1891. Soon afterward he
-
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began reading law in the office of Brown & Guernsey, one of the leading law firms of Fostoria, and finally he entered the law depart- ment of the celebrated University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he continued his studies. In June, 1894, Mr. Mourer was admitted to the bar of his native state, at Columbus, where he passed the prescribed examination before the supreme court and he im- mediately opened an office in Fostoria, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. His success is the more gratifying to contemplate by reason of the fact that he has been dependent upon his own resources from his early youth and that he has won advancement through his own efforts and abilities. His loyalty and devotion were shown in the early days, as he assisted in the care of his widowed mother, his younger brother and two sisters, besides which he made provision for con- tinuing his arduous work of preparing for the exacting profession, in which he has achieved much prestige and distinction. He today controls a large and remunerative professional business and has given special attention to corporation law, in which department of practice his services have been in connection with many important corporate interests in this section of the state. Concerning his professional ability the following statements are apropos and worthy of reproduction in this article: "His preparation of a case is most thorough and exhaustive; he seems to grasp intuitively the strongest points of the law and fact while in his briefs and argu- ments the authorities are cited so extensively and the facts and reasoning are presented so cogently as to leave little doubt as to the correctness of his views and conclusions; no detail escapes him ; every case is given its due prominence and the cause is argued with such skill and power that he rarely fails to gain a verdict."
Though he has never sought or desired the honors or emolu- ments of political office Mr. Mourer gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party and in a fraternal way he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, besides which he is an associate member of the Grand Army of the Republic, to which he is eligible by reason of his father's valiant service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
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