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 38
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Reared to manhood on the home farm, Lawrence J. Wingart was well drilled in the various branches as a boy and youth. in the meantime being well prepared for a teacher in the district schools. Preferring life in the open, however, he never entered upon a professional career. but as soon as attaining his majority began farming in association with his father. Evincing a warm interest in local progress and improvements during his entire life, Mr. Wingart became influential in public affairs, and served as assessor of Pleasant township. In 1907 he removed to Melmore Eden township, where he conducted a general store for two years and while there. was treasurer for one term of Eden township which he resigned to assume his duties of recorder. In November. 1908. he was elected county recorder of Seneca county, and having assumed the duties of his position in September, 1909, has since served most faithfully.
Mr. Wingart married. February 18. 1903. Elizabeth Snyder, who was born and educated in Seneca county. Politically Mr. Wingart is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and to lodge No. 174. B. P. O. E .. of Tiffin. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Wingart are valued members of the Reform church at Tiffin, and at one time he served as president of Pleasant township Sunday School Convention.
ERWIN D. YOUNG .- Holding an important place in the indus- trial life of Seneca county is Erwin D. Young of Greenspring, who with his brother Howard R. conducts the tile manufacturing busi- ness started by his father nearly thirty years ago. He was born May 27. 1880, and is the son of Josiah and Caroline (Schuster)
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RESIDENCE OF JOSIAH YOUNG
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Young, the former a native of Ohio and the latter a resident for some time of the state of New York. The date of the former's birth was December 5, 1850, and the latter's July 3, 1857, and their union occurred in the year 1878. Mr. Young's mother was born in Eden Center, New York, and her father was born in Germany. She is a member of the Evangelical church and one of its most earnest and valued members. The sketch of Mr. Young's parents appears elsewhere. Josiah Young was educated in the district school of the locality and when he began upon his career as a wage earner and the head of a family he located in Greenspring and started a tile manufacturing business, this step being made in 1880, the year of the subject's birth. The plant has grown steadily and has experienced a substantial gain in output and quality, a business of between six and nine thousand dollars being done yearly, and the plant having been extended until it now covers something like fifty-six acres of land. including the clay from which the tile is made.
Erwin D. Young was reared and educated at Greenspring, after his preliminary training entering the High School where he graduated and later attended the academy and graduated there- in with the class of 1896. When he was nineteen years of age he went to Springfield, on a contract with the sheet and metal company of that place. 3 Hle spent eight years there and it was there that he was married, on June 25, 1903. to Miss Carrie E. Tannreuther, the daughter of Fred and Gertrude ( Etinger) Tannreuther. Mrs. Young was born January 8, 1880, and although her father. was born in Germany her mother was born and reared in Logan, Ohio, and they now reside in Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Young was born in the land of the stars and stripes. In 1907 Mr. Young and his family returned to Greenspring. where he with his brother, Howard R., have taken charge of the manufacturing business of their father, who is now partially retired. The factory has all the modern machinery used in the manufacture of tile and brick. The capacity of brick is something like 150,000 a year, and that of tile 400,000. This tile ranges in diameter from three inches to that of twelve inches, and the owners of the factory have practically an inex- haustable supply of clay. They are intending to enlarge the factory which is situated about one mile south of Greenspring. Mr. Young resided in town until 1909, when he built him a comnio- dious home near the factory. In this location he finds greater con- venience for the superintendency of the business which is continual- ly becoming of larger scope. A great proportion of the product is taken by farmers who come for it to the factory.
Mr. Young is the eldest in a family of three children. the two other members of the family being Howard R., previously men- tioned, and Lura May. Like his father before him he is an inde- pendent Democrat and he is a man who takes no small amount of interest in the progress of events of a public import. He is a lodge man, holding membership in both the great Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. In the latter he has the rank of past grand chancellor. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of one child. a daughter named Gertrude C., who was born November 20, 1906.
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DANIEL F. SMITH .- In April. 1909, Daniel F. Smith estab- lished his home in Republic. Ohio, where he is now living virtually retired from active business affairs. For years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Seneca county and in this line of enter- prise his success has been on a parity with his well directed en- deavors. Mr. Smith was born in Scipio township. Seneca county, on the 23rd of January, 1844, and he is a son of David and. Susan (Neikirk) Smith, the former of whom claimed Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. as the place of his nativity, and the latter of whom was born in Maryland. The father was born on the 31st of Decem- ber, 1810, and he was summoned to the life eternal on the 26th of
February, 1901, at the patriarchal age of ninety-one years.
The
date of Mrs. Smith's birth was April 27, 1820, and she passed away on the 26th of August, 1899. at the age of seventy-nine years. In
1835 David Smith, in company with his sister and brother-in-law, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and they located in a log cabin in Scipio township, Seneca county, and there began to reclaim a farm from the virgin forest. He married Miss Susan Neikirk. who was a daughter of Jacob and Margarine ( Hoenish) Neikirk, the former of whom was a son of Michael Neikirk, who emigrated from Frederickstown, Maryland, to Ohio in the early pioneer days. He located with his family in the woods on what is known as the Neikirk homestead. This old homestead is situated on the Kilbern road in Scipio township and is one of the old landmarks of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of twelve chil- dren, concerning whom the following brief data are here incor- porated : Catherine, is the wife of Joseph Hilsinger, of Scipio town- ship; John R., resides in Nebraska ; Daniel F., of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; David A., of Scipio township; Mary A., who is the wife of A. J. Neikirk, of Bellevue, Huron county, Ohio ; Harriet, who married Edson Gray, of Scipio township; Henry J., who maintains his home in Oklahoma; Isaac, of Scipio township ; James, of Clinton township; Emmett, who is deceased; Ella, who is the wife of Douglas De Witt, of Clinton township; and Rolla, of Oklahoma. A remarkable feature in connection with this large family is that throughout his entire life the father never expended as much as one hundred dollars for family doctor bills. Mr. Smith was a carpenter by trade and prior to his death he was the originator and largely interested in the Seneca County Mutual Fire Association. £ He was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party in his political convictions, and both he and his wife were devout members of the English Lutheran church. They were both highly honored citizens in Seneca county and did much to advance the civic and material welfare of their home community.
Daniel F. Smith, to whom this sketch is dedicated, availed himself of the advantages afforded in the common schools of his native county and he continued to maintain his home under the paternal roof until his marriage, March 30. 1873. His first teacher was Clerry Stryker, his wife's uncle. After his marriage Mr. Smith initiated his independent business career as a farmer and he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits in Scipio township until 1909, when he removed to the village of Republic,
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where he is deeply interested in public affairs of a local nature, being at the present time one of the village councilmen. He is much interested in educational matters and is serving as a member of the school board. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Hildreth Lodge. No. 165, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is past worshipful master and which he has represented in the Grand Lodge of the state. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Eastern Star.
In 1873 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Mary Gray, who was born in Scipio township on the 19th of January, 1851, and who is a daughter of Samuel B. and Jane (Stryker) Gray, both of whom were born and reared in the old Empire state of the union. They came from Steuben county, New York, to Seneca county. Ohio, about the year 1832, and here the father was engaged in farming until his death. Mrs. Gray was summoned to the life eternal when her daughter Mary (Gray Smith was an infant two weeks old. Mrs. Smith was reared and educated in New York, in the home of her maternal grandmother. and she returned to Ohio when eighteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of six children, namely, Nellie, who was born on the 21st of January. 1874, is the wife of Robert Smith, of Republic ; Susie was born July 5, 1879. and she died on the 21st of July, 1892; Arvilla, who was born on the 31st of March, 1882, is the wife of Walter Anway, of Republic; Belva L., who was born on the 6th of October, 1886, married Frank Carpenter and they reside in Chicago, Ohio; Leona F., was born on the 16th of Septem- ber, 1891, and she remains at home with her parents; and Ola M .. who was born on the 4th of July. 1896, is now attending school in Republic. It is interesting to note that Daniel F. Smith has in his possession his grandfather's old clock, which his parents had when they were married. This clock was made by the first Hil- singer to come to this county, his son being now the husband of Mr. Smith's sister, as previously noted. The attractive home of the Smith family in Republic is recognized as a center of gracious and refined hospitality and the young daughters who remain at home are popular factors in connection with the best social activi- ties of the village.
FRED J. Cook .- One of the foremost agriculturists and horse dealers in Seneca county, Ohio, is Fred J. Cook, who was reared in this county and who is a seion of an old German family. his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Detterman) Koch, having come to America in the year 1854. The father was born in Vesfalan, Germany, on the 4th of January, 1818, and the mother was born in the same place November 7. 1823. The family name, which was originally spelled Koch. as noted, is spelled Cook by the present generation. Mr. and Mrs. Koch located on a farm in Adams town- ship, this county. The father through native thrift and industry made a decided success of farming as a vocation and at the time of his death, Angust 6, 1890, was one of the most prosperous citi- zens in this section of the fine old Buckeye state. He was a stanchi advocate of the cause of the Democratic party in his political con-
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victions and he and his wife were devout members of the Reformed church. Elizabeth Detterman Koch died August 20, 1890, just two weeks after her husband's death. They became the parents of nine children, concerning whom the following facts are offered : Catherine is the wife of Melchoir Kechley and they reside in Nebraska ; Harmon is deceased ; Henry is engaged in farming near Attica ; Fred J., is the immediate subject of this review; Lewis is deceased ; Eliza is the wife of J. W. Cole, of Tiffin; John W., resides at Republic, Ohio, and a sketch of his career appears on other pages of this work; Annie married R. Straub, of Scipio town- ship; and Daniel F., resides in Thompson township.
Fred J. Cook attended the public schools of Adams township until he had attained to the age of twelve years and thereafter he was a student in the Scipio schools until he was eighteen years old. He resided with his parents until his marriage, December 6, 1877. at which time he initiated independent operations as a farmer on a tract of forty acres of land in Scipio township, where he devoted his attention to general farming and the buying and selling of western horses. He has increased his original farm by the addi- tion of different tracts of land until he now owns some two hundred and fifty-one acres of most arable land, which is in a high state of cultivation. In polities Mr. Cook accords an uncompromising allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party, and he and his wife are devout members of the Reformed church, of which he has served as deacon the most of his married life. He has been a mem- ber of the school board for the past thirty-three years and he is a most loyal supporter of all measures projected for the good of the community.
In the year 1877 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cook to Miss Anna E. Hoppel, who was born in Adams township on the 21st of August, 1858, a daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Buckhold) Hoppel. The father was born and reared in Germany and the mother, a native of Scipio township, and concerning whose history further data are given in the sketch dedicated to Warren Hoppel on other pages of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Cook became the parents of seven children, namely: Stella T .. born February 25, 1879. remains at the parental home; Arthur B., born October 4, 1881, has spent the last three years on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Dakota ; Charles W., born Novem- ber 28, 1886, married . Mabel H. Westerhouse. in 1908, and they maintain their home in Scipio township, this county, on one of the family farms; L. Hale, born on the 6th of May, 1889, was married February 8, 1911, to Nina B. Boldoser, of Scipio township, and they now occupy the old homestead recently vacated by his father and mother who have added to their holdings of Scipio township property by the purchase of a home of sixteen acres and five brick dwellings within the corporate limits of Republic; Rollie F., at home, born October 25, 1891; Roxy C., born June 25, 1897; and Dora A., born February 14, 1900. All the children have been afforded excellent educational advantages and the two younger ones are still in school.
الكوفة
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JOHN SPENCER .- A representative farmer and a Civil war veteran whose service to his country in her time of need was of the most patriotic and loval order. John Spencer was born in Venice township, Seneca county. Ohio, on the 27th of January. 1836, and he is a son of Huckins and Mary (Bingham) Spencer, the former of whom was born in the state of Maine, on August 7. 1804, and the latter in Ireland, June 30. 1807. Mary (Bingham) Spencer came to America when a child of eight years and lived in Richland county until her marriage. In 1836 Mr. and Mrs. Spencer re- moved to Seneca county, where they purchased a farm of forty acres, on which they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Spencer died in 1852 as the result of injuries received by an acci- dental shot gun wound. and Mrs. Spencer passed to eternal rest in 1860. They became the parents of ten children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here entered : Ichabod. November 20, 1827; William, November 22. 1829; Mary J .. November 18. 1831; Dorothea. April 4, 1833; John. January 27, 1836; Ellen, October 18, 1839: Abigail, May 8. 1841: Samuel, September 24, 1843 ; James. April 8, 1845: and Francis M .. March 25, 1850. Of this number John (of this sketch). Ellen, Samuel and James are now living. (1910).
John Spencer was the fifth in order of birth and he was sixteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He was reared to maturity on the home farm and received a good common school education. He is essentially a self made man and his present success and prosperity are the result of his own well directed en- deavors and his close application to duty and business. In 1866 he purchased a tract of forty acres of land in Seneca county. to which in due time he added two hundred and sixty acres more. this making a fine farın of three hundred acres. At the time when the integrity of the nation was jeopardized by open rebellion John Spencer gave proof of his intrinsie patriotism by enlisting as a private in Company I. One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, on the 22nd of August. 1862. He participated with his regiment in the following engagements: Winchester. New Mar- ket. Lynchburg. Snickers Ferry. Berrysville. Opequan. Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek. Petersburg, High Bridge and Appomattox Court House, all in the state of Virginia. On June 15. 1863. he was captured at Winchester and conveyed to Libby prison, his parole being effected in July of that year. He rejoined his com-
mand at Martinsburg, Virginia. He was recaptured at High Bridge on April 16, 1865, being released three days later on the surrender of General Lee and the close of the war. He received
his honorable discharge on the 12th of June. 1865. ITis brother
James served in the same command as did John. Samuel Spencer enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. while William and Ichabod Spencer served in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. All were gallant. dashing soldiers. whose courage and faithfulness were of the highest order. .John Spencer has ever retained a deep and abiding interest in his old comrades in arms and the same is evidenced by his membership in Rice & Creglen Post, No. 112, Grand Army of the Republic. In
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polities he is a staunch advocate of the cause of the Republican party and he has ever accorded a strong support to all measures and enterprises advanced for the furtherance of the good of the community. As a citizen and business man Mr. Spencer's career stands as an example of that old time integrity so rare in the rush of modern American life and withal so worthy of emulation, and his record thus far will bear the searchlight of the fullest investi- gation. It may be said of him that his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church.
On the 21st of March. 1861. was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Spencer to Miss Mary A. Todd, who was born in Venice township, Seneca county, on the 30th of January, 1840, and who is a daughter of John and Mary A. Todd, both of whom were natives of Columbiana county, Ohio. The former was born on the 15th of April. 1812. and the latter on the 7th of June, 1811. Mr. and Mrs. Todd moved to Seneca county about the year 1830 and they purchased eighty acres of land in Venice township, where they constructed a log house and endured the privations and vicissitudes of early pioneer life. They became the parents of ten children, three of whom were valiant soldiers in the Civil war. Michael Todd served in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Alexander and John enlisted in the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This shows a re- markable record for two families, the furnishing of eight able bodied men for the subjection of rebellion and the preservation of the union. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer became the parents of four children, concerning whom the following brief record is here in- corporated; Ira E., who was born on the 6th of March, 1862, mar- ried Miss Amanda Shuly and no children were born of this union : Sheridan J., who was born on the 21st of February. 1866, married Miss Melissa M. Springer and they have one son. Clarence J .; Silas B., was born on the 25th of August. 1868, and died in March. 1872; and James M., who was born on the 10th of February. 1872. married Miss Florence Trexell and they have two children. Lloyd and Doris.
JOHN W. COOK .- A citizen who has gained distinctive pre- cedence and prestige in the industrial and financial affairs of Seneca county is John W. Cook, who was born in Adams township. this county, on the 24th of September, 1860. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Detterman) Koch (now spelled Cook). both of whom were born and reared in Germany. whence they came to America about the year 1854. locating in Adams township, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. With practically nothing to begin with Mr. Henry Koch through earnest industry and thrift managed to accumulate considerable property and he saw each of his nine children established in fine homes prior to his death. Henry Koch was a Democrat in politics and both he and his wife were devout members of the Reformed church. in whose affairs they took an active part. Mr. and Mrs. Koch became the parents of nine children, and concerning them the following
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brief data is here incorporated : Catherine became the wife of Melchoir Kechley and they reside in Nebraska; Harmon is de- ceased ; Henry is engaged in farming near Attica; Fred J. resides in Scipio township; Lewis is deceased : Eliza is the wife of J. W. Cole, of Tiffin ; John. W. is the immediate subject of this review ; Annie married R. Straub, of Scipio township; and Daniel F. re- sides in Thompson township.
John W. Cook received an excellent common school education in his youth and he continued to reside on the old homestead farm until his marriage, in 1887. He is still engaged in farming on his farm of eighty acres in Scipio township. Mr. Cook was one of the organizers of the Republic Banking Company, a substantial monetary institution which was founded in 1903 and which is incorporated under the laws of the state with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Of this company Mr. Knapp is president and Mr. Cook is giving efficient service as vice president. In politics Mr. Cook is a staunch adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, in the local councils of which he has been most active. In 1908 he was elected county commissioner and he was re-elected to this office in 1910. He takes a keen and intelligent interest in educational affairs and has served as a member of the school board for a period of twenty years. He is affiliated with the Ohio Protective Association and his religious faith is in har- mony with the teachings of the Reformed church, in which he holds the office of trustee. His wife was likewise a devout member of the Reformed church. As a citizen Mr. Cook is recognized as a liberal minded and public spirited man and he manifests a deep interest in all matters projected for the general welfare of the community.
In 1887 was recorded the marriage of Mr. Cook to Miss Maggie Cole, who was born and reared in Seneca county and who was a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Thompson) Cole. Mr. Cole was officially connected with Adams township for several years and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Reed town- ship. He was a farmer by vocation and he was summoned to the life eternal on the 18th of May, 1896. his cherished and devoted wife having passed away on the 17th of May. 1886. After the death of his wife Mr. Cole resided with Mr. and Mrs. Cook until he was himself called from the scene of his mortal endeavors. Mrs. Cook died on the 22nd of March, 1908. deeply mourned by all who had come within the sphere of her gracious influence.
W. H. AND C. C. PITCHER .- In this age of advanced civilization and phenomenal progress it is the man whose energy is on a par with his ambition that forges and makes a name for himself and with him success is not an accident but a logical result. Through their own well directed efforts the Pitcher Brothers have built up their present prosperous enterprise. that of supplying the citizens of Attica with pure milk and cream. They observe all the sanitary and pure food laws in the handling and sterilizing of their product. They own and operate one hundred and sixteen acres of land in Venice township, this county, and they have large
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herds of Jersey, Holstein and Durham cows, whose daily output averages no less than thirty-five gallons of fine rich milk per day. The business was begun in November. 1909, and their marked suc- cess is evidenced by the ever increasing patronage which they enjoy.
William H. Pitcher was born in Seneca county, Ohio. on the 13th of January, 1868. and his brother. Clinton C., was born in the same place on the 3rd of August. 1871. they being the sons of William H. and Hannah H. (Hanford) Pitcher. both of whom are natives of Ohio. They removed to Seneca county in 1864 and the father became identified with the hotel business in the city of Attica. Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher reared a family of five children. namely: Frank B., Lottie L., Edwin K .. William H. and Clinton C., the latter two being the subjects of this brief review. Mr. W. H. Pitcher. Sr .. was summoned to the life eternal in 1899 and is survived by his widow and five children : Mrs. Pitcher now main- tains her home at Attica. W. H. and C. C. Pitcher are both stanch advocates of the principles and policies of the Republican party and they give their aid in support of all measures and enter- prises projected for the general welfare of the community. Wil- liam II was engaged in the barber business in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. for about twenty years and through his thrift and industry he managed to save up enough capital to enter into part- nership with his brother in the dairy business. In the year 1889 he was united in marriage to Miss Cecil A. White, who was born in Wayne county and who is a daughter of George and Tenie (Gast) White, both of whom are now deceased. No children have been born to this union. Clinton C. is a painter and paper hanger by trade and he followed this line of business for a period of fifteen years or until 1909 the time of the formation of the firm of Pitcher Brothers. which enterprise has already been described. In 1891 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary A. Wilcox. who is a native of Erie. where her birth occurred on the 10th of April. 1872. she being a daughter of Isaac and Mary A. (Reed) Wilcox. both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Pitcher are the parents of three children, whose names are here entered in order of birth, Carl C., Ronald W. and Ruth N.
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