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 45
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After his marriage Mr. Reese bought the Jacob Zeis farm of two hundred and forty acres. which is well improved. well stocked and well equipped for successful cultivation. He was in business at Fostoria. Ohio, four years. He is a stockholder in the Union National Bank of that town. In politics he is a stanch Republican He is a member of Lodge No. 935. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Fostoria. To Mr. and Mrs. Reese have been born four children, who are here mentioned in the order of their nativity. £ Ethel is a student in the Fostoria. Ohio, high school. Waldo is a student in the same school. Doran and Robert are awaiting their turn to take advantage of the same excellent oppor- tunities for a practical education.
This account of the busy and successful career of Mr. Reese
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should be instructive in many ways, especially to those just about to face the world and its difficulties. It will be recognized as a story of triumph over obstacles of a selfmade man who at the outset had little to depend on but his grit and determination.
HERMAN S. RUST .- A man of excellent business capacity, energetic and enterprising. Herman S. Rust is numbered among the active and progressive agriculturists of Seneca county, his well-kept and productive farm being advantageously located in section 22, Clinton township. A native of Ohio, he was born November 25. 1861. in Cincinnati, and when a year and a half old was brought by his parents to Tiffin, where he was brought up and educated. Mr. Rust's father. Dr. Herman Rust. a well known minister and professor in Heidelberg College for over a third of a century, married Elizabeth Geesey, and to them four children were born, namely: J. B., of Tiffin; Mary C., of Tiffin ; Herman S., the special subject of this brief biographical sketch : and Calvin E., who is engaged in the real estate business at Pellston, Michigan.
After completing the course of study in the public schools of Tiffin Herman S. Rust was for three years a student in Heidelberg College. He was afterwards here employed in a drug store for about a year, when, following the advice of Horace Greeley, he went westward, and in the succeeding four years was engaged in farming with his cousin in Wisconsin. Going then to south- western Nebraska, where his father had invested in land, Mr. Rust was there engaged in tilling the soil for another four years. Moving then with his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he re- mained in that city eight years. being engaged in the dairy busi- ness. Returning to Seneca county, Ohio. in May. 1895. Mr. Rust located on his present farm. which is situated two and one-half miles east of Tiffin. Here he owns eighty acres of rich and fertile land, which he has devoted chiefly to general farming and stock raising. although he is at the present time, in 1910. making prepar- ations to carry on market gardening on an extensive scale. his land and location being admirably adapted for that purpose.
While a resident of Nebraska, on August 25, 1886, Mr. Rust was united in marriage with Julia Schwartz, who was born and educated in the city of Milwaukee, and into their household five children have made their advent. namely: Charles H .. of Tiffin : · Ervin .J .. of Fremont; Anselm H .. born in August. 1895; Erna. born in December. 1897; and Elsie. born in January. 1900. Charles H. married Bertha Reinhard. of Tiffin. December 25. 1909, and they have one child, born in November. 1910. Ervin J. married Iverna Snyder, of Plymouth, Ohio. in September. 1910, and they reside in Fremont. The other children are living with their parents and attending public schools in Tiffin. Mr. and Mrs. Rust are members of the Second Reformed church of Tiffin. Politi- cally Mr. Rust invariably supports the principles of the Republican party.
Vol. II-23
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SOLOMON E. SRODES .- This well known farmer and stock- dealer of Liberty township. Seneca county. Ohio, was born in Jones county, Iowa, October 7. 1851, a son of Thornton and Caro- line (Strode) Srodes. His parents, natives of Virginia, came to Ohio with their parents, were married there and later went to Iowa. About 1853 they returned to Ohio, locating in Seneca county, where Mrs. Srode died in 1855 and where Mr. Srode lived many years. The latter took a second wife, who so far as was possible stood to the immediate subject of this sketch as a mother. When he was old enough to do chores and go to school he was given plenty to do. It is probable that he learned farming faster than he learned his lessons at school, because the method of instruc- tion must have been more practical. but in due time he became a student at a select school at Adrian, Ohio, and was graduated from Heidelberg College, Tiffin. He remained under the parental roof till he was twenty-one years old.
Mr. Srodes married Miss Rebecca Puffenberger. daughter of John Puffenberger, a pioneer in Liberty township, where she was carefully reared and liberally educated. She was a chaming young woman who developed into a good and faithful wife, ex- emplifying all the virtues inherited from a long line of good women who were her forbears. After their marriage they located in Michigan, where they lived seven years and where Mr. Srodes was active in local politics, holding the office of clerk of his township. Coming back to Seneca county, they made a home for themselves in Liberty township, where they have. since lived. Mr. Srodes owns the east one-half of the northeast one-fourth of section 28. which he has made a good and productive farm, providing it with up-to-date buildings, implements and appliances for successful cultivation. While doing mixed farming, he gives much atten- tion to stock. which, with Joseph Martin as a partner, he buys and sells quite extensively. He is considered one of the best judges of livestock in his vicinity.
To Solomon E. and Rebecca (Puffenberger) Srodes have been born three sons and two daughters. James married Clara Flum- merfelt. Grace married Jesse Day. a telegrapher at Swandes Station, Ohio. Harry married Maurie Morehoff and lives at Gibsonburg, Ohio. Dessie married Lester Zimmerman. of Green- spring, Ohio, a telegrapher in the employ of the Nickel Plate Rail- way Company. Dada is a member of Mr. and Mrs. Srodes' house- hold. Mr. Srodes is one of the dependable Democrats of Liberty township. He is now ably filling the office of township trustee. His public spirit is such that he may be safely looked to to do anything in his power for the benefit of the township or of the county.
SILAS CRAUN, postmaster at Kansas. Liberty township, Seneca county, Ohio, was born November 10, 1872. a son of Isaac C. and Catherine (Ash) Craun, who were then farming in Liberty town- ship. Isaac C. Craun was a native of the Buckeye state. His wife was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Silas was reared on a farm that his grandfather had entered as government .
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land. He was carefully instructed in all work pertaining to good farming and during the winters attended public schools near his home until he was about eighteen years old. Then he devoted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits. He lived on the old Craun homestead until 1902, when he removed to the village of Kansas, to take charge of a hotel and livery stable. He was thus employed until 1907, when President Roosevelt appointed him postmaster of Kansas, which position he has since filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and that means of course to the satisfaction of the whole community. In politics he is a Republican, taking a lively and helpful interest in local, state and national affairs. While he has never been offensively parti- san he has been active enough in a judicious way so that he has acquired considerable local influence in township affairs. It should be noted in this connection that he was for three years as- sessor of his township. In connection with his postoffice he oper- ates a small general store.
Mr. Craun married Miss Lottie Schuster, a native of Betts- ville. He is a member of Kansas Lodge, No. 183, Knights of Pythias, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Craun has no children.
HARMAN STAIB was born in Seneca township, Seneca county, Ohio, August 13, 1854, a son of Lewis and Catherine (Emich) Staib. His father and mother were both born in Germany, both were brought to the United States and to Seneca county by their parents, and they were married and lived out their lives there. They were the parents of ten children, all but two of whom live in Seneca county.
Harman was reared on a farm and educated in public schools. Early orphaned, he has looked out for himself ever since he was about fifteen years old. For a time he worked for farmers and others by the day or by the month. But he was of the kind that are certain to improve their condition as time goes on, and he has acquired sixty acres of good land in section twenty-one and forty acres in section 16 in Seneca township. Giving his attention to general farming and stockraising, he has prospered well and is considered one of the stanch, forehanded farmers in his part of the county. In politics he is a Democrat. IIe has ably served on the township school board and has in all ways demonstrated that he possesses great public spirit. In fact, there is no question touching the general advancement of the township about which he is not consulted.
In the spring of 1879 Mr. Staib married Anna C. Fritz, of Seneca township but a native of Tiffin. They have three daugh- ters and one son. Lydia is the wife of John Zuern. Ella mar- ried August Stahl. Harman G. and Alma are members of their parents' household. All of them have had good educational ad- vantages. Mr. Staib is a member of the Evangelical church of Seneca township and of its board of trustees. He and his family are generous contributors toward the maintenance of this church and toward the promotion of all its varied works for good.
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NEWTON C. THOMAS was born in Liberty township. Seneca county, Ohio. April 26. 1859, a son of Jacob and Esther (Betts) Thomas, natives of New York, who came in youth to Liberty town- ship with their parents and were married and lived there till late in life. They then moved to Bettsville where they lived out their allotted days.
Mr. Thomas was reared in Liberty township, where he ac- quired a common school education. He worked by the month for farmers till he was twenty-five years old. He then married Joanna Hull, who was born in Sandusky. Ohio, January 7, 1862, a daughter of Lucien and Martha (Rozell) Hull. Her father was a native of the state of New York and her mother was born in Trenton, New Jersey. They came west to Huron county, and thence removed to Sandusky. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were married December 11, 1884. They located at Van Buren, Mich- igan, where he was employed on the P. and M. line as a baggage master. After living there eight years he bought his farm at Maple Grove, Seneca county, Ohio, which has since been their home. It consists of ninety-five acres in section 15. Liberty township. Mr. Thomas has good buildings and all modern facilities for successful general farming and devotes himself to a considerable extent to stockraising. He is what is popularly called "a forehanded man." as is evidenced by the fact that he has secured a goodly life insurance.
Mr. Thomas is a Republican in the very best sense of that now comprehensive word, and as such he wields a recognized influence in township affairs. He is the present efficient ditch supervisor and in his administration of that office demonstrates the thorough- ness which is a distinguishing characteristic of his mental makeup. As a lifelong resident of Seneca county he is public-spiritedly interested in everything that pertains to its advancement and pros- perity.
CHARLES E. FEASEL .- One of Liberty township's substantial and well known farmers is Charles E. Feasel, who owns and oper- ates some one hundred and thirty-eight and a half acres of the land entered originally by his grandfather in 1829. This George Feasel, the founder of the family in Ohio, came to the state in 1821. He moved to Franklin county and then back to Seneca county in 1829. from his native state, Virginia, and entered the southwest one-fourth of section 15, Liberty township, living upon this for the remainder of his life. He became prominent in local affairs and is still remembered by some of the older generation. His demise occurred in 1886.
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Mr. Feasel was born June 24, 1863, in Jackson township. Seneca county, his parents being John and Rebecca (Stahl) Feasel. After his marriage the father moved from his parents' estate to Jackson township and there followed the vocation of a farmer until his death, which occurred in January. 1885. To this worthy couple were born seven children, five of whom survive at the pres- ent day : Charles E., William F .. John L., Ervin E. and Ester A. Mr. Feasel gained his education in the district school, learned
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farming in the school of practical experience, and showed such marked aptitude in this honorable vocation that he chose it for his life work. After his marriage he removed to the farm upon which he still resides and which. as previously mentioned, is a part of his grandfather's property, and which has in consequence borne the name of Feasel ever since it was entered. Mr. Feasel has the original deed signed by Andrew Jackson. He engages in general farming and is also prominent in public affairs, having served as a member of the school board, is township treasurer, and at present is one of the township trustees. Politically he subscribes to the policies and principles of the Republican party and believes it to be one of the duties of good citizenship to keep in touch with current affairs and all matters affecting in any way the public welfare.
On the 19th day of March, 1885, Mr. Feasel took as his bride Mary Millhine, of Jackson township, and to them nine children have been born, eight surviving at the present day. They are by name: Irvin, Harvey, deceased, Cora, Alverdie, Ethel, Belvia, Gladys, Harmon and Wilfred. Mr. and Mrs. Feasel are consistent members of the United Brethren church and play an active part in its affairs, the former being trustee, class leader and Sunday school superintendent and giving valuable service in these several capacities.
JOHN P. WANNEMENT .- Noteworthy among the enterprising and skillful agriculturists of Seneca county is John P. Wanne- ment, who is industriously engaged in the prosecution of a calling, upon which the support and wealth of our nation so largely de- pends, in Clinton township, where he owns a well improved and valuable farm. A son of August Wannement, he was born October 31, 1839, in Big Spring township, Seneca county. Born and reared in Belgium, August Wannement there married Catherine Sosson, a native of the same country. He was a man of culture
and an accomplished musician. Emigrating with his family to this country in 1838, he came directly to Seneca county, Ohio, and settled in Big Spring township. He was for a few years employed as a music teacher, but afterward devoted his attention to the improvement of the land which he had purchased, being there engaged in general farming until his death, August 16, 1856, at a comparatively early age. His wife survived him, pass- ing away in 1884. Of the seven children born of their union, four are living, namely: John P., Philemenda, Victoria and Joseph.
Brought up on the home farm. John P. Wannement ob- tained the rudiments of his education in the schools of his native district, completing his studies in a French school at Louisville, Stark county, Ohio. Familiar with the various branches of agri- culture from his youth up, he naturally chose the independent occupation of a farmer, and in his operations has met with satis- factory success. Coming to Clinton township in 1880, Mr. Wanne- ment purchased eighty acres of land on section 15, and in its care and improvement has exercised skill and judgment, his estate
In
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being now one of the most attractive in the vicinity. In addition to farming he carried on the threshing business for about thirty years in Seneca county, beginning the occupation when only twenty years old.
Throughout his many years of residence in Clinton township. Mr. Wannement has ever evinced an intelligent interest in local progress and improvement, and has served acceptably in positions of trust and responsibility, for six years being a township trustee and for six years rendering valuable and appreciative service as a county commissioner. IIe is a straightforward Democrat in politics, an active worker in the interests of his party.
Mr. Wannement married. in October. 1862, Margaret Pecher, who was born in Seneca township, Ohio, April 17, 1842. Nine children have blessed their union, namely: Joseph, Charles, Stephen, Just, deceased, Leo, John, Pius, Mary J .. deceased. and Bertha C. Mr. and Mrs. Wannement have thirty grandchildren and are very proud of their descendants.
SAMUEL T. WANNAMAKER was born in Piqua, Ohio, in Decem- ber, 1838. a son of Isaac and Catharine (Billig) Wannamaker. His branch of the family of Wannamaker is related to that of Hon. John Wannamaker of Philadelphia, once postmaster general of the United States. Isaac Wannamaker was brought by his parents to Seneca county in 1849, when he was about eleven years old. The family settled in Seneca township, where his parents both died, his mother on the 14th of March, 1911. at the ripe old age of ninety-nine years. Isaac Wannamaker was a religious man and his influence upon the community was always for good. His widow, who was born in 1812, became the mother of eleven chil- dren, only four of whom survived in 1910. These are Samuel T., Caroline, Joel and Sylvester B., all of whom live in Seneca township.
Samuel T. Wannamaker was educated in public schools and was taught the practical side of farming by his father, whom he helped during his boyhood and youth. He was for a short time in business in Tiffin. He married Amanda Hustsberger, who died six months after their wedding, and he has never been inclined to marry again. His mother and sister welcomed him to their home at the time of his bereavement and he has lived there ever since. For fifteen years he operated a threshing machine in Seneca and nearby townships. He owns a fine farm in Seneca and Hopewell townships and gives attention to mixed farming and stockraising. A Democrat in his political affiliations. he was as such repeatedly elected township treasurer, holding the office continuously fifteen years, till his retirement in 1910. He is a member and a trustee of the Lutheran church at Tiffin and a liberal supporter of its varied interests. As a citizen he is progressive and public spirited ready at all times to encourage in the most practical way any move- ment which in his opinion promises benefit to any considerable number of his fellow citizens.
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HARRY W. TOMB .- Secure in the enjoyment of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and figuring as one of the enterpris- ing business men of the locality is Harry W. Tomb, who was born December 11, 1875. The founder of the family in Ohio was Ben- jamin Tomb, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review and a native of the state of Pennsylvania, who came farther west to the Buckeye state in the earlier part of the nineteenth century. In his native state he had made his livelihood as the driver of a canal boat, but after making his new location he settled upon the Spicer section, securing as his own two hundred acres of land and occupying his time in clearing it, erecting a home and cultivating the virgin soil. In his later years he removed to Tiffin, where he became an important factor in civic life as president of the First National Bank, of which he was one of the founders. He was a Republican, stanch in his political convictions, and he gave effi- cient service as a member of the school board. He married his second wife in Tiffin, she having been a Leonard previous to her marriage, and it is of this union that Mr. Tomb is a descendant. There were children named as follows: Rebecca, Thomas B., Benjamin F., father of the subject, George and Harry.
Mr. Tomb's father. Benjamin F., was born in the month of April, 1845. He resided under the home roof until his marriage, receiving his educaton in the district. schools, at the university at Granville, Ohio, and under the tutelage of his father becoming well grounded in the various departments of agriculture. At the time of the Civil war he joined the one hundred day service as a member of the Ohio volunteer infantry. He went into camp with his regiment at Harper's Ferry, was there taken prisoner and was finally exchanged. At the age of twenty-three he estab- lished a household of his own by his marriage to Miss Nora Ben; ham, who was born August 5, 1845. She was of English descent. To this union were born five children, George, Mary B., Frank, Leonard and Harry W.
Benjamin Tomb, like his father, is a Republican and a mem- ber of the Baptist church. He also holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his worthy wife reside upon a farm near Bloomville and are known throughout the community as public spirited and altruistic citizens.
Harry W. Tomb, at the age of twenty-seven years, laid the foundation of a happy married life by his marriage to Miss J. G .. Dimick, of Bellevue. Mrs. Tomb was born October 10, 1878, the daughter of Weston and Mary M. (Derr) Dimick, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. They reside in Bellevue, where the father is in the employ of the Lake Shore and Michigan South- ern Railway Company. He was formerly with the Eastern Ohio Gas Company.
For nine years Mr. Tomb has represented the U. P. T. Com- pany of Cleveland, and for three years he was on the road for this company. He is an enterprising and trustworthy gentleman and enjoys the confidence of employers and customers. He and his wife are the parents of a son, named Webb D. and born Novem- ber 21, 1907. Mr. Tomb is independent in politics, believing in
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the freedom of thought which allows a voter to support the man and the measure he is convinced is the best. He and his wife attend the Congregational church.
The Tomb family has been long in America and has a most interesting family history. One of the first of the name whose life record has been preserved was Jacob Tomb, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, of German extraction. and he settled in the northern part of one of Ohio's counties in 1786. Six months later his residence there was successfully contested by Indians and he took refuge in Cumberland county, where he remained several yearc. His son Philip was the progenitor of the subject and he came with his father, and the rest of the family made a difficult journey to the vicinity of Pine Creek, Pennsylvania, and there made their home. An account of their interesting pioneer experiences is given in the sketch of Mr. Tomb's brother, Leonard B., which appears on other
pages of this work. Philip's son was Benjamin. the first, grand- father of Mr. Tomb. Men of fine, dauntless character and. un- flagging energy, they did much to pave the way for latter-day prosperity.
MAURICE R. MENCH, cashier of the Bettsville Banking Com- pany, was born at Mifflinburg, Union county, Pennsylvania. July 13, 1873, a son of John R. and Susan (Hassenplug) Mench. ITis parents were of German extraction but were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on his father's farm, as a farmer's boy of all work, and gained a practical education in public schools. In due time he became a student in the Central Pennsylvania College at New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and later took a complete course in the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Lockhaven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of B. E. For a year after his graduation he was a teacher in the high school at Hartle- ton, Union county, Pennsylvania, of which he was also principal. In 1895 he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Commercial Bank at Tiffin. Ohio. After being employed thus for seven years
he was for two years a farmer. In the summer of 1905 he was conspicuously instrumental in the organization of the Bettsville Banking Company, which operates under an authorized capitaliza- tion of twenty-five thousand dollars. George I. Garn was its first president : Elijah Voorhies, its first vice-president; A. A. Miller, its first secretary; and Maurice R. Mench, its first cashier. At this time George I. Garn is its president ; Dr. M. E. Wilson, its vice-president : Maurice R. Mench, its cashier. Its directors are J. E. Shaw. U. N. Keller. M. N. Mowry, N. B. Flack, H. H. Geyer. C. L. Park. Adam Gamertsfelder. Frank Kenan, Dr. M. E. Wilson, Elijah Voorhies and George I. Garn. Mr. Mench, who, as has been seen, has been connected with banking interests during most of his active years. brought to his duties with this concern an intimate knowledge of financial and commercial conditions and requirements which has enabled him to take rank as one of the best and safest practical bankers in his part of the state.
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