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 41
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HAZEL D. ORWIG
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JOHN HEATER
أدلاست
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from active business and he lived retired in Flat Rock thereafter until his death. which occurred in March. 1882. He ever com- manded uniform confidence and esteem in the community that so long represented his home, and as a citizen he was loyal and public spirited. He was a Republican in politics and was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic.
The marriage of James Orwig to Miss Sarah Ream, of Flat Rock, was solemnized about the year 1850. and his wife was sum- moned to eternal rest in 1902. She was born in July, 1834, and was a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Ream, who were natives of Pennsylvania. whence they came to Seneca county about the year 1832, making the trip with an ox cart. Mr. Ream secured a tract of wild land, comprising about one hundred and eighty acres, in Thompson township, and here he reclaimed a productive farm. on which the Seneca county orphans' home is now located. This worthy pioneer lived up to the full tension of the early days of arduous toil and manifold privations, and it is related that in the early days he cleared land for others in order to secure sufficient money to pay his taxes. Mr. and Mrs. Ream continued to reside on their old homestead until their death. James and Sarah (Ream) Orwig became the parents of three children. of whom William F., of this sketch, is the eldest; Oliver A., who was born in 1854, is a representative agriculturist of Thompson township; and Nellie E., born in 1860, is the wife of Frank Kimmel, of Bellevue.
William F. Orwig is indebted to the public schools of Flat Rock for his early educational discipline and he continued to reside at the parental home until the time of his marriage. Shortly after this important event in his career he established an individual home at Flat Rock and turned his attention to the teaming business. with which line of enterprise he continued to be successfully identi- fied during the greater part of his active business career. He is liberal and public spirited as a citizen and gives his support to all measures tending to advance the general welfare of his home vil- lage and county. He is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party.
In the year 1876 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Orwig to Miss Amanda M. Weiker, who was born in Thompson township. this county, on the 14th of April. 1856, and who is a daughter of Elias and Maria (Heater) Weiker, whose marriage was celebrated on the 4th of November. 1838. and the latter of whom died January 22. 1859. Elias Weiker was a native of Union county. Pennsyl- vania, born on the 15th of August. 1818, and was a son of George and Susannah (Deahl) Weiker. whom he accompanied on their re- moval to Thompson township. Seneca county. Ohio, in 1832. John and Sarah Heater. the maternal grandparents of Mrs. Orwig. came from Pennsylvania to Seneca county about the same time and both the Weiker and Heater families secured tracts of government land in Thompson township. where they reclaimed good farms. The mother of Mrs. Orwig was born in the year 1818 and her death occurred in Seneca county.
Elias Weiker became one of the prominent and influential Vol. 11-21
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citizens of Seneca county, whence he eventually removed to Belle- vue, Ohio, where he continued to reside until his death, which oc- curred in 1904. The following lines commemorating his death appeared in a local publication : "One by one the pioneer citizens are passing away. Elias Weiker, one of the oldest residents of Bellevue, died at his home on North street this morning at two o'clock, aged eighty-five years. six months and twenty days.
"Elias Weiker, son of George and Susan Weiker, was born in Union county. Pennsylvania, August 15. 1818. When a young man in 1832 he came with his parents to Thompson township, Seneca county. Ohio, locating upon a farm near Flat Rock. Here he grew to manhood. The family was one of the first to locate in what was then an unbroken wilderness and here amid the scenes of that heroic age, in nature's school. the subject learned the lesson of industry and thrift that were his chief characteristics in later life.
"Mr. Weiker was twice married. He was married to Miss Maria Heater. November 4. 1838. Eight children were born to this union, three of whom died in infaney and five survive. They are Isaac Weiker, who lives on the old homestead south of town in Thompson township; Mrs. John Wertz and Mrs. Mary Scothorn, of Nashville, Barry county, Michigan; Mrs. Sarah Hiskey, of Bellevue and Mrs. Frank Orwig, of Flat Rock. Mrs. Weiker died January 22, 1859.
"Mr Weiker was married to Miss Maria Deahl in 1870 and three children were born to this union. one Mrs. W. J. Klein, of Hamilton, Ohio, who with the widow survives.
"Mr. Weiker was the last of his family, one brother, Jonas Weiker, having died January 21, 1904. Mr. Weiker was a suc- cessful farmer and by industry and frugality amassed a handsome fortune and was the owner of large land interests in Nebraska, Kansas. Seneca county and also owned a number of houses and lots in Bellevue. Mr. Weiker retired from active farming about thirty years ago, when he moved to Bellevue. Since that time he devoted himself to looking after his property. Mr. Weiker was a highly esteemed pioneer citizen, whose more than four score years have been associated with the early history of Bellevue. He was permitted to live to see the straggling county hamlet develop into a prosperous city. He enjoyed a reasonable degree of health until about a week ago, when he took to his bed. He suffered from no specific disease but 'Like a clock, worn out with eating time, at last the weary wheels of life stood still.' "
John Heater, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Orwig, be- came an extensive landholder in Seneca county and he gave to each of his children a farm of eighty acres, together with household goods and other appurtenances necessary for es- tablishing independent homes. Later his own house and barn were destroyed by fire. kindled by malicious persons whose identity was never discovered, and under these condi- tions the children had the privilege of showing their filial solicitude, as they provided for the erection of new buildings for the parents as well as for the proper furnishing of the house. The children
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who had received each a tract of eighty acres of land were eleven in number, and the generous provision made by the honored father was shown proper appreciation when the children in turn found it possible to reciprocate as noted above. Mr. Heater died at the age of eighty-seven years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and for services rendered he received a pension until his death. Both the Weikers and Heaters were respectable and honorable pioneers. George Weiker died at the age of eighty-four.
Mrs. Orwig was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Seneca county and those of Decatur, Indiana. where she gradu- ated in the high school as a member of the class of 1875. Mrs. Orwig owns twenty acres of land near the village of Flat Rock, and she is the owner of real estate in Cleveland, as well as a house and lot at Bellevue. The latter property is the old homestead of her father. Mr. and Mrs. Orwig became the parents of three chil- dren, concerning whom the following brief record is entered : Della M., who was born on the 20th of June, 1877, is the wife of Weston Leininger. of Bellevue, and they have seven children, Donald C., Harry A., Mildred E., Frank. Hazel Dell, Isabel and John; Myrtle Bell, who was born on the 10th of June, 1882, is the wife of John Carr, of Chicago, Ohio, and they have two children. Thelma F. and Thomas; Hazel Dey, the youngest of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Orwig, was born on the 12th of August, 1886, and still remains at the parental home. She was graduated in the Flat Rock high school as a member of the class of 1902 and is a popular factor in the religious and social activities of the con- munity, being secretary of the Sunday school of the Evangelical church and also secretary of the Young People's Association of the church, besides which both she and her mother hold membership in the local hive of Ladies of the Modern Maccabees.
WILLIAM F. MARTIN is one of Hopewell township's prominent citizens, owning and operating one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land, engaging extensively in stock raising in addition to general farming and being very active in public life. He is bound with especial nearness to this part of Ohio, having been born within the pleasant boundaries of the county. April 20. 1863, his parents being Henry W. and Caroline (Smover) Martin. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, but the father was born in Liberty town- ship, Seneca county. the year of his nativity having been 1839. and his residence in that township lasted until 1874 in which year he removed to Hopewell township. Following his schooling in the public institutions of learning. he attended Heidelberg University at Tiffin and later engaged in school teaching. He was the father of six children, three of whom were boys and three girls and five of whom were living in 1910, Jacob W. being the one deceased. William F. is the eldest in order of birth; Ora C. Newhouse of Fostoria is the widow of Perry Newhouse : Nora Cromer is the wife of C ._ B. Cromer of Hopewell township; Catherine Martin resides with her mother in Hopewell township; J. M. Martin is in Chula. Virginia, engaged as superintendent on a large plantation for a Mr. Wilson of Illinois.
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William F. Martin passed the peculiarly wholesome boyhood of the boy who is raised upon the farm, both Liberty and Hopewell townships having been the scenes of his earlier years. After securing his educational discipline in the district schools he took charge of the farm and has proved very efficient in his management of the same. He was married September 28. 1882. to Miss Ida B. King, daughter of William H. King of Hopewell township. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Martin has been blessed by the birth of six children. Ross W .. the eldest, born July 11. 1883, is engaged in farming with his father, having followed in the paternal foot- steps in the matter of a life work; Grover A .. born July 4. 1888, is taking a business course in Heidelberg College ; Earl L., engaged in teaching school in Hopewell and Liberty townships, was born September 27. 1890; Maurice K., born July 19, 1896, and Mar- guerite C., born April 27. 1901, constitute an attractive young household. Ralph. born JJuly 27, 1892, died September 7. 1903.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Church of God, the former being one of the elders in church organization. He favors the policies and principles advanced by the Democratic party and for a period of eight years has served as township clerk. his assump- tion of the office being in the year 1904. His valuable farming property is located in section 23. and in addition to his general farming and stock-raising he has engaged with much success in the dairy business.
AUSTIN C. LITTLER .- A prominent citizen of Seneca county is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in sec- tion 12. Liberty township, and is one of the best judges of horses in that part of the state. Though he is himself a practical farmer. he rents his land and is living a retired life, simply looking after his private affairs. He is well known as a Democrat but has little taste or inclination for active politics. Yet he is interested in all that pertains to the advancement and prosperity of Liberty township and publie spirited enough to do ail within his power and means to aid them.
Mr. Littler is a native of Seneca county, born in Pleasant township, October 17. 1851, a son of Nathan and Mary ( Engler) Littler. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in Maryland. Their parents brought them to Ohio, both families locating in Seneca county. where the elders lived out their days. Austin C. Littler was reared in Liberty township, where his parents removed from Pleasant township. and was educated in public schools near his home. He was early initiated in a most practical way into the mysteries of farming. In 1880 he married Miss Margaret Davidson. daughter of William and Maria David- son, born in Seneca county in 1855. Their daughter Blanche was graduated in music at Heidelberg College. Tiffin, and is the wife of Wilbur Hull of Liberty township.
WESLEY W. MILLER, an estimable citizen and a man well known in this part of the state. has been postmaster at Bascom for a per- iod of twelve years in his present services, having also served a
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period of over six years from 1879 to 1886. For many years a farmer in Loudon and Adams townships, upon removing to Bascom in the year 1878, he took up the grocery business and conducts this in addition to fulfilling the duties of his office. Mr. Miller is a veteran of the Civil war and tracing his descent as far as his great- great-grandfather, we find that gentleman to have been a native of Switzerland. Mr. Miller is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred in Adams township November 8, 1839. his parents being Simon and Hannah (Wax) Miller. £ Simon Miller was the son of Daniel Miller who was the son of Daniel Miller, Sr .. who is believed to have been born in the city of Philadelphia. Of Swiss parentage, Daniel Miller, Senior, went to Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, at an early day, and it was he who laid out the town of Millersburg. which received his name and which was the scene of his death. His son. Mr. Miller's grandfather, migrated to Seneca county. Ohio, in pioneer days. and with his three sons and one daughter settled in Scipio township, here living out the remainder of his days.
The father's birthplace was in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, but it was in Seneca county that he grew to manhood, married, and reared his family, which like that of his father, con- sisted of three sons and a daughter. Of these four, whose names were Wesley W., Daniel. Simon and Martha, all are deceased with the exception of him whose name initiates this sketch. Daniel, as well as Wesley W., were soldiers at the time of the Civil war. The subject enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company I of the One Hundred and Sixty-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the colonel being Colonel J. C. Lee and his was one hundred days service. For his service to his country he now receives a pension.
Mr. Miller was reared upon his father's homestead in Adams township, secured his education before a desk in the district school. received a practical training in that vocation to which his father's energies were devoted, and remained beneath the home roof until his twenty-second year when he was married to Sophia Jamison of Kosciusko county, Indiana. She was a native of the Hoosier state and the daughter of William and Susan ( Rough) Jamison. They took up their residence upon land in Loudon township and it was there that the death of the wife occurred, one son being left, Simon J., born July, 1869, and a present resident of Port Clinton, Ohio.
In April, 1870, Mr. Miller again married, this union being with Mary L. Creeger, born in Seneca county, Ohio. She passed away in Bascom August 8. 1901. There are two daughters. the elder, Martha, being the wife of S. J. Mathew of Port Clinton, and the younger, Bertha. being married to A. R. Windsor, who is located near Port Clinton. Mr. Miller and his family belong to the United Brethren church and he maintains relations of war days by his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics Mr. Miller favors by his support and sympathy the men and meas- ures advanced by what its admirers term "The Grand Old Party." Besides his eighteen years service as postmaster, he has also served for three years as township trustee.
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DR. M. E. WILSON was born April 14, 1852, at Dayton, Mont- gomery county. Ohio. At an early age he became a member of the household of Lewis Friedley, for whom he worked as a farmer boy, attending district schools as opportunity was afforded him. After a time he took his future in his own hands and labored diligently at whatever he could find to do. He was early impressed with the idea that in order fitly to enter upon the battle of life he should have education beyond that which he had been able to obtain in public schools. Therefore he entered the Ada College at Ada. Hardin county, Ohio, where he was a student through several suc- cessive terms. paying his way by means of such work as he was able to find. He taught three terms of school in Huron county, Ohio. then took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. II. T. Blain. Later he became a student at the Toledo Medi- cal College, where he took the course of study prescribed to fit him for the practice of medicine and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1887. There too he paid his way with his own earnings from month to month. To the practice of his chosen profession he has devoted the same energy, perseverance and good judgment that characterized him in his preparatory period. Soon after his graduation, he located at Bettsville, where from the beginning he had the confidence and esteem of his townspeople where his prae- tice has grown substantially from year to year down to the present time. Since he came several other physicians of ability have tried without success to establish themselves in the town. His practice which embraces all classes at Bettsville extends in all directions into an extensive area of country. His fellow citizens point to him not only as a man of remarkable success in a professional way but as a self-made man whose achievements are worthy of the emulation of younger men.
In 1889 Dr. Wilson married Miss Cora Patterson of Reed township, and they live in their own comfortable home on Main street. As a Democrat Dr. Wilson wields an influence for good that is recognized by thinking people in his vicinity regardless of their political affiliation. Though eighty-five or ninety per cent of the vote of his township is Republican he has been five times elected its treasurer, which office he is filling at this time. He is a stockholder and a director in the Bettsville Banking Company of which corporation he is vice-prsident. He is identified with Greenspring Lodge. No. 427 Free and Accepted Masons. with Fremont Chapter, No. 64, Royal Arch Masons. and of Fremont Commandery No. 56, Knights Templar. As a physician he is well known through his part of the state, holding membership as he does in the County. State and American Medical societies.
FRANK S. WALTER is well known in the locality and is former assessor and present land appraiser of Hopewell township. He finds particular cause for loyalty to Seneca county from the fact that he is a native son. his birth having occurred in Liberty town- ship January 28, 1874. Hle is a son of Michael W. and Mary (Brendle) Walter. both of whom are deceased at the present time. The father was born April 12, 1845, in Seneca county. Ohio, and
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the mother's birth was on the 23d of September, 1847, she being a native of Germany and about seven years old when she came to Seneca county. The demise of the former occurred October 1, 1901, and that of the latter January 20, 1902. Mr. Walter is the second in order of birth of a family of seven children, the other members living being: Jessie W., Charles L., Harvey O. and James E. The last two are located at Medford, Oregon and Charles L. is living in Bascom. Seneca county.
Mr. Walter was but an infant when his parents removed from Liberty to Hopewell township, and it was in the district schools of the latter that he acquired his education. By means of assisting in the duties to be encountered upon every farm, he became the possessor of much agricultural information and is now one of the progressive farmers of the locality. His farm is the old home- stead of his father and grandfather, and comprises some one hun- dred and twenty acres of fertile and highly cultivated land. H enjoys the confidence of the community, being especially well liked where he is best known and his three years' service as assessor and his present incumbency of the office of land appraiser have been of · marked efficiency. He gives his heart and hand to the cause of the Democratic party and is public spirited and well informed upon public issues, giving his support to all those measures likely to result in the attainment of the greatest good to the greatest number. He is a member of the German Reform church of Bas- com and one of its trustees.
Mr. Walter has never joined the ranks of the Benedicts and he and his brother Jessie W. are living on the farm. He finds an additional source of revenue in the ownership of an excellent thresh- ing machine, which he has followed for the last thirteen years.
ARCHIE F. SOMERS .- A representative business man of Repub- lic, Seneca county, Ohio, and one who has contributed materially to the progress and development of this section of the state, is Archie F. Somers, who was born on the 25th of September, 1870, and who is a son of Frank D. and Sarah A. (Myers) Somers, both of whom were born and reared in Ohio. Archie F. Somers is a native son of the village of Republic and he is descended from stanch old German stock, his paternal grandfather, Charles Somers, having emigrated to America from Germany in the year 1830. He and his wife first located at Fremont, Ohio, and later they established their home in Seneca county, where they passed the residue of their lives. Frank D. Somers was but eight years of age at the time of his mother's death and his father was summoned to the life eternal before his birth. After the death of his mother he resided with his brother and sister for some time and his preliminary edu- cation was such as could be obtained in the district schools. At fourteen years of age he hired out-as a farm hand and he continued to be thus employed until he had attained to his legal majority, when he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Myers. Thereafter he engaged in farming on his own account and he became one of the most successful and substantial farmers in this county. Of his brothers and sisters, Charles, Elizabeth and Christena were born
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in Germany; John was born on the passage over to America; and Henry and Billy were born in Ohio. To Frank D. and Sarah A. Somers were born three children, namely: Harry, of Scipio town- ship; Fred. of Fostoria; and Archie F., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Somers was summoned to eternal rest on the 13th of August. 1899, and Mr. Somers is now living on his finely improved farm of eighty acres in Scipio township.
Archie F. Somers, the immediate subject of this review. availed himself of the advantages afforded in the conmon schools of his native county and of those of the village of Republic. He contin- ued to be associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm until his marriage, at twenty-one years of age. He then initiated his independent operations as a farmer and con- tinued to be so occupied for a period of three years. at the expira- tion of which he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road company. Five years later he again became identified with agricultural pursuits and in 1906 he established his home in the village of Republie, where he is now extensively engaged in the buying and shipping of hay, in which connection he handles about three thousand tons per annum, shipping the same to all points of the compass. He is a stanch Republican in his political pro- clivities and is at the present time giving most efficient service as village councilman. He has ever given freely of his aid and in- fluence in support of all measures and enterprises projected for the general welfare of the community and is recognized as an essen- tially progressive and publie spirited citizen. IIe holds a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen and in his business relations he has gained a reputation for fair and honor- able methods and unquestioned integrity. In a fraternal way he is a valued and appreciative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed through all the official chairs, being at the present time (1910) noble grand of the local lodge. IIe and his wife hold membership in the Daughters of Rebekah and the latter is a devout member of the German Lutheran church. in the various departments of whose work she has been most active.
On the 18th of October. 1891. was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Somers to Miss Liza Jane Wiker. who was born in this county on the 24th of November. 1872, and who is a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Sharger) Wiker. both of whom were born and reared in Germany, whence they came to America in an early day, settling on a farm in Adams township. Seneca county. Mr.
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