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 44
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To William Zechman and his wife were born four children: Sarah, born December 31. 1875, married Henry May, of Bellevue. and died May 22. 1902; George D., born June 1. 1878, who is located in Flat Rock, in the shoe business, married Barbara M. Link, of Preston, Minnesota, and is the father of one child. Mildred, born January 11, 1906; Burton F., born February 29, 1880, is located in Ohio's capital city where he is engaged as a conductor on the Penn- sylvania Railroad. Mr. Zechman's political faith is Republican and both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church, in which they take an active part. the latter being a valued member of the Missionary society. The head of the house has held various township offices and served as a member of the school board for eleven years.
In the manner of so many successful men Arthur W. Zechman
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spent his earlier years upon the farm, amid its quiet and peaceful scenes learning those lessons in industry, thriftiness and honor which have since stood him in such good stead. He attended the schools of Flat Rock. When about twenty years of age he secured a position with the Orphans' Home at Flat Rock, where he acted in the capacity of a farm hand for some three years. He was mar- ried in 1906 and about that time took up the tinner's trade. After working for a short time in an inferior capacity he concluded to establish himself upon a more independent footing and in July, 1910, he opened a hardware store in Flat Rock, where he has ex- perienced the greatest success, now dealing in both hardware and roofing and enjoying a large and ever increasing patronage.
The marriage of Mr. Zechman was celebrated June 6, 1906. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Murbach, is the daughter of John Jacob Murbach, born June 6, 1853, and his wife, Elizabeth (Wickerly) Murbach. The date of her nativity was October 25, 1883. Mrs. Zechman's father was a native of the northern part of Switzerland, who crossed the seas to the "land of promise" when he was about twenty years of age. The young woman he made his wife was an Ohioan, a daughter of Martin and Anna (Sharer) Wickerley, her birth having occurred January 1, 1857, in Lucas county. John Jacob Murbach after an active career as an agriculturist is now living retired. He received his education in the old country and lived near the Rhinefall at Schoffhusen. The date of his emigration to these shores was June 30, 1873. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. Mrs. Murbach's father emigrated from Germany and located near White House, Ohio, on a farm of sixty acres.
The wife of the subject was engaged at the Orphans' Home at Flat Rock as a dining room girl for a year and a half prior to her marriage, and it was there that she met her husband. She is one of a family of seven children. They are in order of birth : Martha, born in January, 1881; Mrs. Zechman; George, born in September, 1884; Walter, born in November, 1886; Ida, born in June, 1888; Mary, born in October. 1890; Esther, born in August, 1896. Mrs. Zechman was educated at White House and graduated with the class of 1902. These people are among the leading citi- zens of the township and are widely known. their circle of acquaintances being coincident with that of their friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Zechman are the parents of one child, a daughter named Josephine, born March 1, 1909. They stand for all that is best and most elevating in the township and their church member- ship extends to the Evangelical church, in which they take an active part, he being class leader and steward, and his wife hold- ing membership in the Woman's Missionary Society. He is a
stanch Republican and a keen student of current events. In recognition of the confidence in which he is held by his associates he has been elected to several township offices and has several times held membership on the township board.
He owns his attractive and commodious home and has fitted it with modern conveniences, among them being a fine lighting system.
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ALBERT J. HAFLEY .- An active and highly esteemed citizen of Tiffin, distinguished for his ability and integrity, Albert J. Haffey is prominent in public affairs, at the present time holding the responsible position of treasurer of Clinton township. He was born March 2, 1867, in Cleveland, Ohio, and when but two years of age was brought by his parents to Tiffin, where he has since resided. 1
Educated in the public schools of Tiffin, he completed the studies of. the eighth grade, after which he began the trade of a machinist with the National Machine Company, remaining with that company until March 15, 1890. On that day Mr. Haffey met with a serious accident, losing his left hand. Being forced to change his occupation, he began to read law, making a special study of bookkeeping and commercial law. He afterwards accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Tiffin Gas Works, retaining it until . the gas gave out. He subsequently served seven years as clerk of Clinton township, and being then elected township treasurer of Clinton township has served in this capacity ever since. For the past ten years Mr. Haffley has also been bookkeeper for Mr. J. B. Matthias, a position for which he is eminently qualified.
Mr. Haffey married, in 1897, Anna J. Matthias, a daughter of J. B. Matthias, and of the five children that have been born to their union three are now living. Mr. Haffley and his family are mem- bers of St. Joseph's Catholic church.
RANSOM J. HIGGINS .- A substantial and prosperous resident of Clinton township, Ransom J. Higgins is actively identified with one of the leading industries of this section of Seneca county, being owner of two valuable oil farms which are highly productive. vield- ing him an excellent annual income. A native of Ohio, he was born August 1, 1852, in Wyandot county, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits. His father, John Higgins, was born and bred in Maryland. Coming as a young man to Ohio, he settled first in Newark. Licking county, where he met ard married Joanna Klinker, a native of New York state. He afterwards bought land in Wyandot county, and was there engaged in general farming for many years.
Brought up on the parental homestead, Ransom J. Higgins obtained the rudiments of his education in the district schools. after which he attended Buchtel College, in Akron, Ohio. two terms. He then turned his attention to the pursuit of agriculture, and find- ing the occupation both pleasant and profitable has since continued thus employed the greater part of the time. For three years he lived with his family in Tiffin. In 1905 he purchased his present home farm of thirty-seven acres in Clinton township, where he has since resided. This farm is rich in oil. and has three producing wells with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of this valuable pro- duet. He also owns another oil producing estate in Clinton town- ship, a farm of eighty acres situated near Swander Station. Politi- cally Mr. Higgins is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for official honors. Fraternally he is a member of Mccutchen- ville Lodge, No. 314, F. & A. M. Although Mr. Higgins lives
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on his farmi, he does not do the actual farm labor, but wisely superintends the operation of his wells and of his land.
On the 23rd of March, 1875, Mr. Higgins married Olive Slay- maker, who was born and brought up in Seneca county, Ohio, and to them three children have been born, the eldest of whom lived but a brief time. The two now living are as follows: Ernest J., born March 9, 1879, was graduated from the Tiffin High School, class of 1900 and after taking a two years' course in the Ohio Uni- versity established himself as a druggist at Norwalk, Ohio; and Mabel H., born February 7, 1890, is a graduate of the Tiffin High School and is living at home with her parents.
GEORGE A. GEYER was born at Woodville, Sandusky county, Ohio, April 20, 1873, a son of H. H. and Paulina (Allen) Geyer, natives respectively of Buffalo, New York, and Woodville, Ohio. When he was about ten years of age his parents moved from Wood- ville to Seneca county. After having gained a good primary education in excellent public schools he entered Heidelberg Univer- sity, Tiffin, Ohio, where he pursued his studies until he was ready to begin his active business career. Mr. Geyer was for thirteen years until 1907. a traveling salesman for a concern engaged in the manu- facture of buggies. In the year just mentioned he went into the hardware business, and his store on Main street, Bettsville, is one of the land marks of that town. He has taken an interest in the general enterprise and prosperity of the place, as is evidenced by the fact that he is a stockholder in the Bettsville Banking Com- pany. As a business man he is regarded as one of the leaders in the community. If he were called upon to mention the source of his business success he would probably refer to the knowledge of men and of trade conditions which he acquired as a traveling salesman. His neighbors might attribute his prosperity to his honest, upright character, to his affable manners and to his real desire to be useful to his fellow citizens.
In 1900 Mr. Geyer married Miss Ora Blue, and in 1904 she bore him a son whom they named Paul. Politically Mr. Geyer is an earnest Republican, but beyond doing his duty as a citizen he takes no active interest in public affairs. He is a Mason, affi- liating with the Greenspring Lodge No. 427. Free and Accepted Masons and enjoying the distinction of being a Knight Templar. He is a member also of Kansas Lodge. No. 183, Knights of Pythias, of Kansas, Ohio.
HOWARD E. WOLFE .- Not only is Howard E. Wolfe a native of Hopewell township. but he also has the somewhat unusual dis- tinction to have been born upon the very farm upon which he now makes his residence. His birthdate is June 25, 1870, and he is the son of Solomon and Mahalah A. (Bowless) Wolfe, and the youngest of the five children born to this worthy pair. Of these four are now living at the present day, namely: Jesse, a farmer who resides in Hopewell township with his brother Howard; Rose, wife of George Schroth of Tiffin ; Catherine, who is unmarried and lives at Tiffin ; and he whose name initiates this paragraph.
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Howard E. Wolfe passed the wholesome boyhood which is the heritage of most farmer's sons and was fortunate enough to re- ceive an excellent education. After receiving a preliminary train- ing in the district schools of his township he became a student at Heidelberg College at Tiffin, and after pursuing a course in that well known institution of learning he acquired a commercial train- ing, also at Tiffin. Although prepared for a career of different nature he was favorably inclined towards agriculture and from the year 1898 he has devoted his entire attention to this vocation, being one of the successful and representative exponents of the same. In addition to general farming he engages in the raising of stock upon a large scale. His interests, however, are by no means con- fined to his farming, for he is the representative of a number of large corporations. He is one of the directors in the Mutual Relief Association of Hopewell township, a fire insurance company, and he keeps in touch with all the leading movements of the day.
Mr. Wolfe joined the ranks of the Benedicts on January 21, 1898, the lady to become his wife being Miss Della M. Powers, who was born and reared in Hopewell township. Like her husband she took advantage of the educational opportunities afforded by the township, and later finished at Heidelberg University. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary Powers. To this union have been born three children, as follows: Herbert E., born November 27, 1900; Howard A., born November 23, 1902; and Margaret R., born August 2, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, attending that of Clinton township. The former is an adherent of the principles of Republicanism and is very active in the work of the party, his support being sought by a large contingent.
Solomon Wolfe, father of the foregoing, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1838, his parents being Michael and Margaret ( Engleman) Wolfe. His grandparents, Michael and Catherine (Smith) Wolfe, were natives of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, but subsequently went to Union county, Pennsyl- vania and cast their lot with the agricultural element, securing uncleared land and with typical pioneer dauntlessness bringing it to tillable condition. The first few years of their son Solomon was spent in Union county, Pennsylvania, but about 1843 he moved to Sandusky county with his parents and lived upon a farm located within its boundaries for the greater portion of his life. It was there that he received his training in the Three R's, as the elemen- tary education was termed in those days. and there he was married on January 16, 1862, to Mahalah Bowless, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Keller) Bowless, natives of Maryland and Seneca coun- ty. In the April following the solemnization of their union they located on a farm situated in the southeast part of section 2. this comprising one-fourth of the section. Here engaged in the various departments of the great basic industry of agriculture he lived until the year 1902. when he retired and came to Tiffin, Ohio, his household being situated upon the corner of Clay and Jackson streets. He and his family are consistent members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and the head of the house casts his vote and
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his influence with the Republican party. He is happy in the esteem and friendship of all those who know him best. The three brothers of Solomon Wolfe. Levi. Jack and Jessiah were soldiers in the Civil war. £ Levi and Jack are deceased.
HOWARD J. FRY, son of the late James H. Fry, who was filling the office of county commissioner when he died, was born in Liberty township, Seneca county. Ohio, March 13. 1881. James H. Fry, a native of Virginia, was brought as a child to Seneca county by his parents, who located in Pleasant township. He married Miss Emma Wickert and she bore him two children, Howard J., the im- mediate subject of this notice, and Orpha, born in 1863, who became the wife of Frank Voorhies. of Gibsonburg, Sandusky county, Ohio. He died in 1883.
Howard J. Fry was reared on the farm on which he now lives and was educated in the public schools and at the Toledo Business College, Toledo, Ohio. He was graduated from the last mentioned institution in 1899. after having taken a comprehensive course which fitted him to take almost any place of high responsibility in the average business office. He was also a student at Ada, Ohio. His tastes led him to the life of a farmer rather than to that of the business man. He was licensed to teach school, but never has done so. He gives attention to general farming, in which he has won much success. His farm is one of the best in its vicinity. has a good residence. a fine barn and ample outbuildings, and is well equipped with modern machinery and appliances.
Mr. Fry married Miss Bessie Baker, a daughter of John Baker. of Sandusky county, Ohio, born and reared on a farm and educated in district schools. She has borne him a daughter, whom they named Norene and who was five years old August 15. 1910. Poli-
tically Mr. Fry is a stanch Democrat. While too busy to become an active politician, he is interested in local and national affairs. wields a recognized influence in township matters and is consulted about every public movement of importance by practical men who know the value of his opinion. He owns sixty acres in Liberty township, Seneca county, and one hundred and fifty acres in San- dusky county.
JOHN M. FRY was born in section nine in Liberty township Seneca county. Ohio. September 15. 1856. His father was Daniel Fry, son of George Fry. The latter, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, came of an old family whose history has been traced to pre- Revolutionary days in the American colonies. Daniel Fry. born December 29, 1829. died September 3, 1910. His wife, who was Sarah Baker, was born in section 9. in that township, in 1832. shared with him the joys and sorrows of old age in the community where they made their home and reared their family and still survives. They had a son and a daughter. John M. Fry and Sarah E. (Fry) Houx. wife of James B. Houx. of Liberty township.
John M. Fry was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Liberty township. learned farming thoroughly and attended the common school near his home. Since he was twenty years old he has given his entire attention to farming. He has de-
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voted himeslf somewhat to the cultivation of sorghum. On Nov- ember 29. 1877. he married Miss Mary E. Kies. of Liberty township. She died without issue. On May 16. 1907. he married the widow of Charles R. Kies, who was Phoebe A. Kies and was reared to womanhood by Samuel Fry. There are no children by this marriage.
Mr. Fry is a member of the Evangelical church and prominent in connection with its affairs. He is a member of Kansas Lodge. No. 405, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and Mrs. Fry is a Rebekah, a member of the organization at Bettsville. He is identified also with Lodge No. 94. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Tiffin. He is a Democrat, and as such has been chosen to several important offices. He has been township trustee two years, treasurer four years. clerk four years, a member of the Bettsville board of education and of the Liberty board of educa- tion, and has been a county commissioner since 1909, having just been returned at the recent election for another term as county commissioner.
GEORGE W. MIGHT .- An idea is conveyed of the ambition and determination of this prosperous business man of Fostoria when it is stated that he came to this city about twenty years ago with his worldly possessions summed up in the contents of a grain sack. which he carried upon his back. By earnest and indefatigable industry and good management he has gained success worthy of the name. the while he has so demeaned himself as to gain and re- tain the unqualified confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact in business and social connections. Mr. Might was born in Gallia county. Ohio. in September, 1872. and there he was reared on a farm and afforded the advantages of the district schools. In 1889 he came to Fostoria, where he served for some time as car inspector for the Nickel Plate Rail- road Company. in whose employ he continued for more than thir- teen years. He resigned his position with this company to engage in the coal business, in which he here continued until 1907, when he engaged in the draving business with the modest equipment of one dray. His energy and effective service have enabled him to build up a successful business and he now operates four teams receiving the support of the leading business men of the city and maintaining his office at 108 East North street. He also owns a half interest in the Reservoir Ice Company and is the owner of an attractive residence at 318 west Fremont street.
In politics Mr. Might gives his support to the Republican party and he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Mr. Might married Miss Daisy Knecht, who was born at Union City. Indiana, and they have one son, Gerald, who was born on the 24th of April. 1901.
JAMES A. MILLER .-- The J. A. Miller Tile Company is one of the thriving industries of Seneca county, and standing in charge of its destinies is the gentleman whose name it bears. The plant.
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which since its inception has experienced a rugged growth. covers a space of eighteen acres and the company own some two hundred acres in Thompson township. Material for the product is secured from the eighteen acres. Mr. Miller was one of the originators of the Tile Drain Company and was chiefly instrumental in building the mill at Bascom in 1887. which up to the year 1893 bore the firm name of Creeger & Miller, after which it received its present designation. In the twenty years of its existence naturally there have been several changes and different partners have been taken into the concern, but always Mr. Miller retained the controlling interest until in 1905. when Thomas II. Drohen became half owner. Even under the present arrangement Mr. Miller manages the concern. The J. A. Miller Tile Company adds materially to the prosperity of Hopewell township and much credit is due to those who maintain it.
Mr. Miller was born in Seneca county. Hopewell township. on the 27th day of December. 1863. his parents being Adam and Margaret (Creeger) Miller. the father a native Pennsylvanian and the mother of Ohio. He shares the lot of so many success- ful Americans of having been born and reared upon the farm, and his education was obtained in the district school. About the time that he became of age he left the farm and very shortly afterward became engaged upon his career as a manufacturer. Although he started out with little capital he has made the most of every opportunity and by the exercise of sound judgment and and executive ability has built up a substantial business and one of large scope.
On September 22. 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ruse, of Hopewell township. where she was born and reared. She is the daughter of Solomon K. and Elizabeth ( Alspaugh ) Ruse. They are the parents of three sons, who have either attained to or are approaching useful citizenship. Ardie. born September 30, 1889, is married. his wife having been Miss Anna Stuller. daughter of Charles Stuller, and he is associated with his father in the tile business. Russell was born June 2, 1897, and Raymond
August 2. 1902.
The Miller family are affiliated with the United
Brethren church at Bascom. Mr. Miller is an enthusiastic lodge man. his fraternal relations extending to Pickwick Lodge. No. 175. Knights of Pythias of Tiffin Uniformed Rank. and to the Knighted Order of Tented Maccabees at Bascom, of which he is a charter member and past commander. Politically he casts his vote with the Republican party. His attractive home at Bascom is set in the midst of five acres. Mr. Miller was township treasurer, for two terms, having been elected to the office over strong oppo- sition by a large majority.
CHARLES L. PARK was born in Tiffin. Seneca county. Ohio. October 7, 1857, one of two sons of Peter and Sarah (Hemming) Park. Peter Park was born in Tiffin and lived there most of his life. He learned the tailor's trade and worked at it in his younger days. In 1849 he went to California in quest of gold and met with some success there. Ile was employed in the west for a time in some civil engineering enterprises.
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At the tender age of five years Charles L. Park became a member of the family of Jacob and Sarah Flack, who reared him from that time and sent him to the district school, where he obtained a practical education. When he was twenty-one he began farming on shares. In 1883 he married Miss Eda E. Harrison. daughter of John Harrison and a native of Sandusky county, Ohio. They had two sons and a daughter. Clarence and Ralph are farming the Park homestead. Florence is a mein- ber of her father's household. All three are well educated. Clarence and Florence have passed the Boxwell examination and Florence is now attending the high school at Fostoria. Mr. and Mrs. Park are members of the Evangelical church of Liberty town- ship. He is a layman of the church and has been Sunday school superintendent twenty-two years. His sons are members of Kansas Lodge, No. 183. Knights of Pythias, of which Ralph is a past chancellor.
In polities Mr. Park is a Republican, devoted to the good work of that party in pushing our country forward to a grand destiny. He has filled the office of assessor and served as a mem- ber of the board of education of his township. He has been for nine years treasurer of the Seneca County Sunday School Asso- ciation. Hle and his son Ralph are stockholders and he is a direc- tor in the Bettsville Banking Company. His farm consists of one hundred and seventy acres in sections 19 and 20. Liberty township.
CHARLES W. REESE .- This prominent citizen of Seneca county. Ohio, was born in Sandusky county, that state. July 28. 1865, a son of J. D. and Jemima (Freet) Reese, and was brought by his parents to Seneca county when he was yet a mere child. When he was in his fifth year his mother died and he was soon given a step mother. his father having married a few years after his own mother's death. He was reared at Kansas Station and acquired a good education in district school, more because he was a diligent and receptive student than because his opportunities were espec- ially good. He accepted a position as traveling salesman, which he filled for fifteen years. In 1889 he married Miss Hattie Lease. daughter of Thomas W. Lease. She had lived at Newmarket. Maryland, till she was thirteen years old, and then she came to Kansas Station. Seneca county.
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