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 43
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Mahlon A. Thomas was born in Ripley township. Huron coun- 11: Ohio, on the 17th of December, 1855, and is a son of Delos ' and Abbie J. ( Hulbert ) Thomas. The lineage of the Thomas fam- ily is traced back to stanch English origin and Amos Thomas. great-grandfather of the subject of this review, was the founder of the family in America. This worthy ancestor established his home in Otsego county. New York. where he continued to reside until his death. His son Mahlon was the grandfather of him whose name initiates this review. and Mahlon Thomas. Sr., mar- ried Miss Elmira Baker and their son, Delos L. was born and reared in Otsego county. New York, as was also his wife, who was a daughter of Hatzel Hulbert. a representative farmer of that coun- tv. Soon after their marriage the parents of Mr. Thomas emi- grated to the west and established their home in Huron county, Ohio, about the year 1850. There the father died on the 27th
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of December. 1899, his birth having occurred in 1827. He de- veloped one of the fine farms of Huron county and was one of the honored pioneer citizens of that county at the time when he was called to the life eternal. His wife, who was likewise born in the year 1827, died in September, 1892. both having been devout and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They be- came the parents of five children, of whom two are living. Mahlon A., whose name introduces this article, and William Leonard. who is a resident of Hastings. Michigan.
Mahlon A. Thomas was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm, with whose work and management he continued to be identified until he was twenty years of age, in the meanwhile hav- ing been accorded the advantages of the public schools of his native county. For two years he was a student in the high school at Plymouth and for several terms he continued his studies in a normal school in Ohio. In his youth Mr. Thomas learned the valuable lessons of consecutive industry and he has ever retained an appreciation of the value of honest toil and endeavor. In 1892 he established his home in Fostoria. where he conducted a general merchandise business for five years, at the expiration of which he disposed of the same and turned his attention to the real estate business, in which his operations have been of wide scope and importance and in connection with which he has gained a reputation for fair and honorable dealings and for the careful protection of the interests of his patrons. He is associated with his brother in the ownership of several farms in Huron and Wood counties. this state, and these properties are very valuable owing to their highly improved condition. The brothers have also been prominently identified with oil operations in Wood county. where they have held large leases of land and operated many wells. Mr. Thomas has made extensive improvements on real estate owned or controlled by him in Fostoria and in his business operations. as well as in a generic way, he has at all times shown high civic pride and loyalty. He is a stockholder in an automobile manu- factory in Fostoria. is a director in the Union National Bank and is president of the Mechanics' Banking Company, which conduets a state bank at Bradner. this county. Mr. Thomas has shown marked administrative and executive ability and has been in the most signifient sense the architect of his own fortunes. His acumen in connection with financial operations has made him a valued factor in connection with the banking interests. with which he is identified. and he is known as one of the able representatives of financial interests in Seneca county.
In politics Mr. Thomas accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party in so far as national and state issues are involved. but in local affairs he maintains an independent attitude, giving his support to the men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian church in Fostoria. of which Mrs. Thomas is a most zealous member and in which she is serving as president of the Ladies' Aid Society. The follow- ing statements relative to the subject of this review are well worthy of perpetuation in this sketch : "In business Mr. Thomas has Vol. II-22
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achieved success through honorable efforts, untiring industry and capable management, and in private life he has gained that personal warm regard which is a recognition of worth of character, defer- ence for the opinions of others. kindliness and geniality. He is fond of hunting. finds recreation in numerous excursions in forest and field. visiting the best hunting grounds in Michigan and the south. His home is one of the most attractive residence properties in the city of Fostoria and is the center of refined hospitality. both he and his wife being prominent in the social life of the community."
On the 21st of October. 1880. was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Thomas to Miss Ida J. Hammond, who was born and reared in Huron county. this state, and whose father, now deceased, was one of the representative farmers of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have no children.
CLARENCE S. STREELY .-- The able and popular ticket agent for the Burlington & Ohio Railroad in the city of Fostoria has been long and prominently identified with railroad interests and his fidelity and effective service have been indicated by the many posi- tions of trust to which he has been called in this connection, the while his unfailing courtesy and genial personality have gained to him the esteem of the traveling public. as well as the high regard of the various communities in which he has maintained his home.
Clarence S. Streely was born at Maple Park. Kane county, Illinois, on the 28th of November. 1859, and he is indebted to the public schools for his early educational discipline, which included a course in the high school in Elkhart, Indiana. In that city he secured employment in a paint shop and later he was similarly employed in the celebrated Studebaker Wagon & Carriage Manu- factory, at South Bend, Indiana. Finally he learned the tele- graphist's trade and in 1882 he was given the position of telegraph operator and ticket agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad at Warsaw, Indiana. Later he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and was stationed at Crestline, as operator and agent. From there he removed to Green River. Wyoming, where he was similarly employed in the service of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Later he held the position of treasurer in the office of the Wabash Railroad Company, in the city of Detroit, Michigan, and coming to Fostoria. Ohio, he entered the employ of the Burlington & Ohio Railroad Company, with whose services he has here since been identified. He has the distinction at the present time of being the oldest employe, in point of consecutive service, in his department. Mr. Streely has ever shown the utmost courtesy and solicitude in his treatment of the people with whom he has come in contact in an official and private capacity and by this means he has not only given the more effective service to the companies by which he has been employed but has also justified the high esteem which has been accorded him in a popular way. In politics he gives his support to the Republican party and he is identified with the order of Railway Trainmen. Mr. Streely was united in marriage to Miss Rose Woessner and they have one
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son, Frederick, who was born on the 5th of May. 1888, and who is now employed by the Hocking Valley Railroad Company at Fostoria. He married Miss Catherine Smithers.
ALBERT ABBOTT, a Seneca county farmer, residing at 243 N. Washington street. Tiffin. Ohio, was born in Liberty township, this county, January 28. 1848. son of Henry and Eliza (Lott) Abbott. Henry Abbott was one of the early settlers of Seneca county. he having come here previous to his marriage; and his wife was a native of the county. They were the parents of eleves. children, eight sons and three daughters. all of whom were reare .. at the old homestead in Pleasant township, and received then educations in the district school near by.
After the father's death. which occurred in 1862. the sons continued the farming operations, and subsequently Albert bought the interests of the other heirs and acquired title to the farm. the operations of which he has since conducted. He now owns 260 acres on section 29, Pleasant township, where he lived until 1903. when he moved his family to their present home in Tiffin.
And while they live in the city, he still looks after his farm.
On March 18, 1880. Mr. Abbott married Miss Addie Sager, who was born in Pleasant township, June 22, 1856, daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Thompson) Sager; and the fruits of this union are two sons. Herbert, born January 7. 1881, is a graduate of the Tiffin High School and the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Law School. and is engaged in the practice of law at Sioux Falls. South Dakota. . The other son, Carl, was born June 20, 1886, and at this writing resides with his parents. Politically, Mr. Abbott is a Republican.
GRANT LOTT. a native of Liberty township and the grandson of a well known pioneer. is not only one of the large land holders and successful farmers and stock raisers. but he is prominent in public affairs as well. being one of the pillars of local Republi- canism. He was for many years a member of the central com- mittee, was the former clerk of Liberty township, and his interest in the advancement of good education being known is at present a member and clerk of the board of education ..
Mr. Lott was born April 16, 1863. and is the son of James and Margaret (Feasel) Lott. The father was born in Fairfield county. Ohio, December 4. 1826. but when a child. in 1832. removed with his parents to Seneca county. they settling in section 29. Liberty township. The grandfather. Reuben Lott, was a native of New Jersey, who later removed to Pennsylvania and then came to Fair- field county. Ohio. in 1819. The country was very new at the time of his locating in Ohio, and he built the third cabin in Liberty township. Ilere he made his home for the residue of his life. He was a Whig and later, upon the formation of that party, a Republican, and he held the office of constable. His death occurred at the age of ninety years.
As previously mentioned James Lott's residence in Seneca county dated from the year 1832. Here he was reared and here
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became not only a farmer of means, but a man of political note. as an exponent of the Republican party. serving in various town- ship offices. Ile was a member of the United Brethren church. His land comprised some two hundred and forty acres. much of which he cleared himself. His wife died in 1885, but he survived until 1903. They were the parents of six children, five of whom survive at the present time, the eldest having been burned to death at the age of two and one half years. Laura is the wife of Charles M. Cross of Indianapolis. John L. is a member of the legal fraternity who has attained to no small amount of distinction, having held the office of assistant state attorney-general of Ohio for a number of years and being at present special United States attorney of Washington, D. C. Sherman W .. is an attorney practising in Toledo, Ohio. The youngest is Anna M. Lott of Liberty township, who resides on the old homestead.
Grant Lott was reared upon his father's homestead and re- ceived an unusually thorough education. taking full advantage of the public school opportunities. and after an attendance at the Fostoria Academy, spending three years at Heidelberg University. Shortly after leaving college he accepted a position as traveling salesman for a firm having their headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, and he spent about three years thus engaged, in that time acquiring a commercial experience of an interesting character. After his marriage in 1895 he devoted his entire attention to his lands, engaging extensively in farming and stock raising and his endeavors have resulted in the most unqualified success. He has charge of two hundred and forty acres and is scientific and up-to- date in his methods.
On May 1. 1895. Mr. Lotf took as his wife Bertha Armstrong. of Indianapolis, she having been born in Champaign county. Illi- nois, March 21. 1874. She received her education in the public schools. but has herself supplemented this in the most effectual manner, being a wide reader and student today. They have one son. Harold E .. born in August. 1896. Mrs. Lott is a member of the United Brethren church and Mr. Lott gives liberal support to the same. His political activities are of an important character and his support is sought as a most valuable adjunct. His election to the clerkship of Liberty township was in 1902 and he continued · to be the incumbent of this office for seven years. It may well be said of him that he is of the best type of politician, being honest and direct in his methods.
WILLIAM I. ZECHMAN .- The name of Zechman is well and honorably known in Seneca county. and it has been identified with this section of the Buckeye state only since about 1873, when Wil- liam I. Zechman. then less than twenty years of age, answered the challenge of a youthful desire for change and adventure and came westward to meet as a soldier of fortune adventure more pleasant in retrospect than when experienced.
Mr. Zechman was born July 19, 1854. in the state of Pennsyl- vania (Snyder county) and is the son of Simeon and Elizabeth A. (Bilger) Zechman, both of them also natives of the Keystone state.
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The father was a mason by trade and a veteran of the Civil war, in which he saw service almost from beginning to end of that great conflict. He enlisted at the beginning of the war in 1861 in Com- pany F, Fifty-sixth Regiment. Although one of the first to enlist the elder Mr. Zechman never applied for a pension. and gloried in having given his service to the country he loved without hope or idea of reward. Upon the return of peace he resumed his trade. The subject was one of a family of seven children, the members of the family being Zachariah T., William I., John F., Robert, Mary E., Adda M. and George H.
Prior to his leaving for Ohio on the fifth day of August, 1873, William I. Zechman had resided with his parents. He initiated his journey by going by railroad as far as Pittsburg, and from that city he went on foot to Fort Wayne and proceeded in the same manner to Three Rivers, Michigan, and thence to Bellevue, Ohio. His financial reserve was low and at night he slept in the woods, too tired and footsore to heed the dismal howling of the wolves and the other far from soothing sounds of the forests at that time. Sometimes he found a night's repose on a depot platform and his meals were gained in various and sundry fashions. When he reached Bellevue he hired out to cut wood in Adams township and for several months engaged in this strenuous toil.
On the 10th day of December, 1874, Mr. Zechman was united in marriage to Mary E. Arnold, born in 1858 and the daughter of David and Sarah (McCauley) Arnold, natives of Pennsylvania and West Lodi, Ohio, respectively. The mother came to Ohio with her parents in 1840, when about six years of age, and they located south of Flat Rock on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which they zealously improved and brought to a state of fruitfulness. Mrs. Zechman's grandfather, Samuel Arnold, came to Seneca county and located on a farm six miles south of West Lodi, in Thompson township. Mrs. Zechman is one of a family of four children, the other members being, Philip, who died at the age of four years. Eliza and William.
For some years followng his marriege Mr. Zechman resided on a farm in Adams township, the time of his residence there being about nine years in duration. They then secured seventy acres of their own and took up their residence upon this tract, remain- ing for five years, after which they moved to property west of Bellevue, which they rented from one of Seneca county's land- holders. They subsequently secured farming property near Flat Rock and having engaged in its cultivation for some time then took up the management of a farm of T. E. Wyant. At the end of a year's time they purchased a home in Flat Rock, where they now reside, enjoying the advantages of town life and at the same time profitably cultivating a forty-two acre farm near by and another of fifty-two acres somewhat south of that. Mr. Zechman is to be counted among the considerable property owners, being the proprietor of a business block, five houses and lots and two lots which contain a fish pond filled with fish. He is a man of varied interests and also deals in black walnut logs and serap iron. His
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career should be particularly gratifying to him when he remem- bered that he started with a princely capital of fifteen dollars.
To Mr. Zechman and his wife have been born four children. The eldest daughter, Sarah A., born December 3, 1875, became the wife of Henry May. of Bellevue, and died May 22, 1902. George D., born June 1, 1878. is located in Flat Rock in the shoe business. He married Barbara M. Link. of Minnesota, and is the father of a daughter, Mildred, born January 11, 1906. Burton F., born February 29. 1880, is engaged as railroad conductor, with head- quarters in Columbus, Ohio. Arthur W., born March 9. 1882, is located in Flat Rock, where he manages a hardware business. He married Lydia M. Murbach, of Whitehouse. Ohio, and they have one daughter, Josephine E. born March 1. 1908.
Mr. Zechman and his family are faithful members of the Evangelical church, in whose affairs they take an active interest and to whose support they afford generous contribution. The wife is a valued member of the Missionary society. In his politi- cal adherence Mr. Zechman gives his heart and hand to the men and measures of the Republican party. and in evidence of the confidence in which he is held by his associates is the fact that he has been intrusted with various township offices. He has rendered estimable service during an eleven years' career as a member of the school board.
In a resume of the subject's business activities there should be included the fact that he deals extensively in furs and skins, and he has traveled over various sections buying these commodities. He also ships a great many car loads of iron and hides during the vear. HIe is one of the substantial men of Flat Rock and the surrounding country and is widely known by reason of personal popularity and his varied business associations.
GEORGE D. ZECHMAN, son of William I. and Mary (Arnold) Zechman. the former one of the most prosperous and influential citizens of Flat Rock, whose career is sketched in detail on other pages of this work is one of the live business men of this part of Seneca county, being the proprietor of an up-to-date shoe shop and also pursuing the vocation of a painter He was born June 1. 1878. the scene of his nativity being Adams township. On the 28th day of September. 1905. he was united in marriage to Barbara Link. a young woman born April 23, 1875, her parents being Albert and Frances (Geisler) Link, natives of Bavaria, Germany. When a youth of sixteen the father paid his adiens to the old coun- try and sailed for the shores upon which he expected to find oppor- tunity awaiting him. He was accompanied by his parents. John J. and Anna C. (Smith) Link, and first located in New York, going thence to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where they became the proprietors of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1895 they retired and removed to the town of Preston, where they at present reside, enjoying in their declining years the fruits of their previous thrift and industry.
Mrs. Zechman's father was born June 10, 1847. and his wife. September 14. 1850. The latter is the daughter of Anna Barbara
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Geisler, a German, who upon coming to the United States, located in New Orleans, Mrs. Zechman's mother being at that time but nine months old. From Louisiana they removed to Minnesota, and in that state the parents of the subject's wife were united in matrimony in the month of November, 1869. Nine children were the issue of this union: Mary C., born September 30, 1870, resides at home with her parents; Joseph, born in September, 1871, is a Minnesota farmer, his land being situated near Racine; John died in infancy; Carrie, born August 25, 1872, married Alfred Ginder, and is now deceased, a son, William A., surviving her; Anna B .; Rev. H. W. Link, born in 1878, now pastor of the Evangelical church of Fostoria, married Laura Hahn, and is the father of one child, named Francis M .; Sarah, born in June, 1879, is the wife of Charles DeHaven, of Idaho, and the mother of five children; Louisa M., born January 27, 1884, is the wife of Earl D. Miller, of Flat Rock; Emma C., born February 17, 1886, wife of Hugo M. Henderson, of Preston, Minnesota, and mother of three children; named Mary, Howard and Eveline M. Joseph, mentioned above, married Lizzie Burkhard of Racine, Minnesota, and has four chil- dren, who answer to the names of Walter J., Flossie L., Raymond A. and Louisa E.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Zechman returned with his bride to Flat Rock and there they took up their residence, both of them now playing an important part in the many sided life of the community. As said before Mr. Zechman is a shoemaker and owns and conducts a first class shoe store, enjoying a large and ever growing patronage. Mrs. Zechman is a zealous member of the Evangelical church and takes an active part in all its affairs. She is a teacher in the Sunday School; belongs to the missionary society, was formerly president of the Young People's Association, and holds membership in the local Women's Christian Temperance Union. They have one child, a daughter, named Mildred Gertrude, born January 11, 1907.
ARTHUR W. ZECHMAN is one of Flat Rock's influential citizens and up-to-date men of affairs, conducting a hardware and roofing business whose transactions average over eight thousand dollars annually, his patronage coming not only from the busy center in which he resides but as well from the outlying districts. Not only is Mr. Zechman favorably known in this section, but he has an interesting and honorable ancestry whose description is well worth the telling. Mr. Zechman is one of the younger generation of business men, his nativity having occurred March 9, 1882, and his parents being William I. and Mary (Arnold) Zechman. The father was born July 19, 1854, in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Simeon and Elizabeth A. (Bilger) Zechman. The subject's grandfather, Simeon Zechman, saw service at the time of the Civil war, serving as the lieutenant of his company, Company F. Fifty-sixth Regiment. He was not among those who escaped unscathed, but received numerous bullet wounds, whose sears long gave eloquent testimony of his valiance and bravery in the defense of his loved country. He enlisted in 1861 and
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was mustered out in 1865. He was a brick mason by trade and upon the return of peace he returned to his trade, as a good citizen serving his country as faithfully in time of peace as in war. He was the father of seven children, whose names were Zachariah, William I., John F., Robert A., Mary E., Adda M. and George H.
The father of him whose name initiates this review remained beneath the parental roof until his twentieth year, when he con- cluded to seek new fortunes in the west. He went by boat to Pittsburg, then went on foot to Fort Wayne, Indiana, thence to Three Rivers, Michigan, and thence to Bellevue, Ohio, making the whole journey on foot from Pittsburg and at night sleeping in the woods or on station platforms. Upon arriving at Bellevue he hired as a wood cutter to a man in Adams township and soon afterward, in 1874, he married Mary E Arnold, born in 1858, to David and Sarah (McCauly) Arnold, natives of western Ohio and Pennsylvania. Her mother had come to Ohio with her parents in 1840, when six years of age. They had located on land south of Flat Rock, this comprising some one hundred and twenty acres, which they improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. Mrs. William Zechman was one of a family of four children, the other members of the family being: Philip who died at the age of seven years. Eliza A. and William. Samuel Arnold, maternal grandfather of the subject. came to West Lodi, Ohio, from the Keystone state, locating on a farm south of Flat Rock in Thompson township.
For nine years following his marriage William I. Zechman resided on a rented farm in Adams township, and then bought seventy acres to which he removed. After five years residence upon the same he went to Bellevue and after staying there a short time, came to Flat Rock and bought the house and lot where he now resides. He has prospered and although he had but fifteen dol- lars when he began for himself he now is an owner of no incon- siderable amount of property. This consists of two small farms near the town consisting of forty-two and fifty-two acres, several houses and lots in Flat Rock, and a large brick block in Flat Rock. and other holdings. He is engaged in the walnut lumber and iron business and is one of the substantial citizens of the locality.
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