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 47
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was a man of strong constitution and though twice stricken with cholera. recovered. his recovery being looked upon as a miracle. Hle was a man of pronounced views in religion and politics. For two score years he was an elder in the Presbyterian church, in which for over fifty years he was a member. as were his forefathers in this country and those before them in Scotland and Ireland.
R. H. Watson. son of the foregoing. married a daughter of Rasselas R. Titus. a native of Litchfield. Connecticut. He was born June 21, 1819. of Erastus and Lucinda (Wilerman) Titus, of the Nutmeg state. and came to Adams township, this county. in 1833, with his parents. Here Erastus died in 1835 and his widow in 1846. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters. namely : Celina. Wilhelmina, Miles M .. Rasselas R. and Hulda. The father of Erastus was in youth and middle age a sea faring man, but subsequently abandoned that life and engaged in agri- culture in the state of New York. He was a Democrat and a Mason and received the title of captain on account of having given some time to drilling the militia in the Empire state. His grand- son. Rasselas R., in his younger days engaged in job work. He lived a short time in Michigan and in 1838 went to Illinois, where he was employed by the government to assist in removing the Indians from Council Bluffs. Iowa. He returned to Seneca county in 1839 and for some time worked by the day or month. In 1840 he bought land in Indiana. selling the same one year later and pur- chasing property in Pleasant township. He prospered and at his death owned nearly one thousand acres of land. In 1859 he was elected to the state equalization board, and he was a member of the
state legislature for two terms, serving from 1861 to 1865. He was married in 1844 to Elvira S. Clark, of this township, she having been born in 1820 in New York. Her parents eventually located
in Huron county. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Titus became the parents of four daughters. namely: Augusta. wife of F. J. Fry. of Tiffin ; Celina M .. wife of Lorenzo L. Abbott. of Tiffin ; Flora, wife of O. S. Watson, of Tiffin : and Lillie, wife of R. H. Watson. Further mention of the history of the Tomb family and its connections appears on other pages of this work. additional data appearing in the sketch of the subject's brother, Harry W. Tomb.
To return to the immediate subject of this review, Leonard B. Tomb resided with his parents until the age of eighteen years. at that time going to the city of Cleveland. He had received a good education, the first of it in the school house located on his father's farm and the latter part in Heidelberg University. Upon arriv- ing in the Forest City he found employment with the Standard Oil Company and spent four years with another company. Subse- quently he went to Akron. where he was engaged with the Akron Printing & Paper Company, and after a commercial career, varied and successful though it was, he returned to Seneca county and re- sumed that occupation with which he had been familiar in his youth and of which he stands at present as one of the best representatives. keeping in touch as he does with the newest ideas and believing in the application of science to this most important of industries.
Mr. Tomb was married October 1, 1896. to Miss Cora May Vol. II-24
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Miller, the daughter of John W. and Mettie E. (Brown) Miller. They have one child, a daughter, born May 27, 1901. and through her mother she is a descendant of Captain Perry of the battle of Lake Erie fame. Mr. and Mrs. Tomb are members of the Con- gregational church and the former casts his vote with the Republi- can party. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Akron. Ohio.
Mr. Tomb's mother. Leonora F. Benham, was one of a family of ten children. One of her brothers. General W. D. Benham. had charge of the Seventh Regiment of Infantry in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American war. Previous to that he had com- mand of Fort Logan. George is a business man located in the south. James was connected with the Standard Oil Company and patented certain naptha refining process. W. W. is a business man of Cleveland. Nora F. and Amelia died young, and Bruce is a sergeant in the regular army.
ELI STRENG is a native of Big Spring township. Seneca county, born April 24. 1856, a son of Frederick and Eliza (Bruner) Streng, of old families of Alsace. Germany, both of whom came as emigrants to the United States. After their marriage, which was celebrated in Tiffin. Mr. and Mrs. Streng located in Big Spring township. Mr. Streng who was a shoemaker by trade and occupa- tion, enlisted for service in the Civil war in the Forty-seventh Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and followed Sherman in his historic march from Atlanta to the sea. He died in Loudon town- ship in 1908. His wife died in 1907. They were the parents of six children. all of whom are living in 1910. Mary became the wife of Andrew Sharf and lives in Fostoria. Eli. the immediate subject of this sketch, was the second in order of birth. Elizabeth was the third. Catharine married Lewis Manecke. of Loudon township. Anna and George have not married.
When Eli Streng was about seven years of age his parents moved from Big Spring township to Loudon township, and there he was early initiated into the mysteries of farming and attended district schools until he was about thirteen years old. In the course of time he developed into one of the most successful farmers in this vicinity. £ He now owns a fine farm of sixty-three acres, well improved and fitted up for stock raising. to which he gives attention in connection with mixed farming. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the im- provement and advancement of the farm and of farm life and has from time to time been a member of important organizations of farmers. In politics he is no less aefive and public spirited. He is a Republican and the fact that he is the only Republican in his family is worthy of note. It should be noted also that in Loudon township, which usually goes Democratie by about two hundred majority, he was elected ditch supervisor, which office he has filled to the present time so faithfully and efficiently that it would sur- prise no one if he were re-elected.
In 1897 Mr. Streng married Miss Amelia Peter, who was born in Loudon township October 15, 1858, and died there in 1902.
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She bore her husband one child, whom they named James H. Streng. Mr. Streng is a regular attendant upon the services of the Protestant Reformed church.
JOHN FRUTH was born in Bavaria. Germany. a son of Jacob and Syvillia (Sherdon) Fruth, both natives of Bavaria, the former born in 1812, the latter, in 1818. and they were married in the fatherland. Their son John first saw the light of day June 17, 1851, and the family came to America in 1854 and located near Cleveland, Ohio. About two years later they removed to Sencca county. where the parents lived out the remainder of their days. The father died in 1872. the mother some years later. They were members of the German Evangelical church. Mr. Fruth ownel at one time two hundred and forty-eight acres of land which even- tually he sold.
When his parents took up their residence in Seneca township John Fruth was about five years old. He grew up on his father's farm, doing such work as a boy can do in such environments and attending district schools a good deal of the time until he was about fifteen years old. He helped his father, as was the custom at that time in the country round about. until he attained his majority. then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed for some years.
Mr. Fruth married Magdalena Mergenthaler, a native of Loudon township. and they became the parents of thirteen chil- dren. twelve of whom are living in 1910. Mary S., is deceased ; Jacob F .. lives in Fostoria ; William, in Loudon township : David. in Hancock county. Ohio; Ida. is the wife of Henry Zuern, of Big Spring township: Christina. married George Heilman : Daniel T ... lives in Loudon township: Clara F .. is the wife of Jacob Reiss, of that township: Abraham. Sarah A .. John C., Clarence H. and Lena M. have not married.
John Fruth owns seventy acres of farm land in section 5 Big Spring township. and one hundred and thirty acres in section 32. Loudon township. The last mentioned property. on which he makes his home, he has developed into a fine farm, well stocked and having good improvements. £ In the days of farmers' granges he was active in grange work and was master granger of his home organization. He now adheres to the Democratic party. taking an active interest in its local work. He has served faithfully and efficiently as township assessor and has twice been elected a mem- ber of the school board. IIe was at one time a county committee- man and is now filling the office of assessor. He is influential not only politically but socially and in business circles and is recognized as a public spirited man who has the best interests of his com- munity close to his heart.
GEORGE W. HENRY, carpenter and painter and trustee of Loudon township, was born in Big Spring township. Seneca coun- tv. June 12, 1855, a son of Daniel and Anna (Simmons) Henry. When he was about a year and a half old his parents moved from Big Spring township to Loudon township. There he worked on
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his father's farm, attending district schools as opportunity was afforded him, until after he was eighteen years old. He then found work, from the earnings of which he was enabled to contri- bute to the support of his mother, to whom he was devotedly attached. His mother died on the 20th of November, 1909. IIe married Miss Mary Huff. June 21, 1881. who died August 6, 1907, sincerely mourned by all who had known her .. Mrs. Henry bore her husband several children : John W .; Clara, who is the wife of Merle Hall; Della. who became Mrs. Ed Watts; Mary and Augusta.
At the age of seventeen years while still with his mother, Mr. Henry took up the carpenter's trade. at which he was successful and to which he added that of painter, frequently undertaking con- tract work of more or less importance. He owns three acres of fine land a mile and a half east of Fostoria, on the Tiffin and Fostoria road. In his political affiliations Mr. Henry is a stanch Democrat. He has since early manhood taken a deep interest in all public questions affecting his township, county, state and coun- try. Though Loudon township usually goes Republican by about three hundred majority, he was in the fall of 1909 elected township trustee by a vote that was highly creditable to his personal popu- larity. He was for seven years assessor of Loudon township. His administration of the affairs of these offices have commended him to the good opinion of his fellow citizens of all political par- ties. All mortals are liable to reverses of one kind or another and despite his general success Mr. Henry is no exception to the rule, as was proven in January, 1904, when his right hand was torn off by a corn husker while he was at work on the farm of E. A. Dillon.
JAMES STULTZ is one of several sturdy Republicans of Loudon township. Seneca county. who though politically influential are not aspirants for public office. He is a successful farmer and stock- raiser, a man of prominence in his community. He has never married and his sister is his housekeeper. Mr. Stultz was born at Tiffin. the county seat of justice, March 9, 1850, a son of Isaac and Martha (Dailey) Stultz. Isaac Stultz was born in Frederick county, Maryland. Martha Dailey was a daughter of Samuel Dai- ley, who was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. and a pio- neer at Tiffin. Mr. Dailey operated a tannery in that city, at the northeast corner of Market and Monroe streets, where the building of the Tiffin fire department has since been erected. He ended his days at Tiffin, where he left an enviable name as citizen and busi- ness man. Isaac Stultz removed from Tiffin to Loudon township in 1867. when his son, James Stultz. the immediate subject of this brief notice, was about seventeen years old, and located on a farm of fifty and one half acres, which he operated successfully until his death. James Stultz was reared as a farmer's boy of all work and gained his early education in the public schools at Tiffin. When his father's estate came to be settled he bought the interest in it of the other heirs and, taking possession of the old home farm, has since operated it with much gratifying success, giving his atten-
12
ADAM GRINE
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
tion to general farming and stock raising. The place is well im- proved and is in all respects up-to-date, provided with good build- ings and the best machinery and appliances. Its owner is known throughout the county as a careful, well informed, progressive farmer who keeps abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his business and who as a stock raiser takes rank with the best in his vicinity.
CONRAD FRUTH is of German descent, and Frank Fruth, his grandfather in the paternal line, and Jacob Peter, his grandfather in the maternal line, were both born in Germany. The latter came to the United States in 1833 and was a pioneer in Loudon town- ship. There the former located in 1855. Conrad Fruth was born in that township March 6, 1868, and has lived there continuously to the present time. Ilis parents were Conrad and Mary (Peter) Fruth. He was brought up to be a practical farmer and gained his education in the public schools, in which he studied until he was about sixteen years old. He was then employed as a farm laborer by the man who was later his stepfather. His father died in 1868,
the year in which the son was born. In 1890 he rented a farm which he operated until 1905. At that time he had saved about five hundred dollars, with which he was able to negotiate the pur- chase of one hundred and thirty-six acres in sections 31 and 32, Loudon township, which he has improved until it is a fine farm well stocked and with the best appliances for its cultivation. He owns also two acres and a half of valuable land on the corporation line of Fostoria. His home farm is only four miles and a half south
of Fostoria. Devoting himself to general farming, he gives con- siderable attention to buying and selling land, stock and general farm property, in which business he has been quite successful.
Mr. Fruth married Emma Herbert, who was born in Loudon township, a daughter of Andrew Herbert, who now lives on Colum- bus Avenue, Fostoria. To Conrad and Emma (Herbert) Fruth have been born three children: Lester, aged about fifteen years; Norman, now aged about thirteen years; Marie, aged about ten years. In politics Mr. Fruth is a Democrat. Although he is very modest in his political aspirations, he was persuaded to accept a nomination to membership of the school board. He was duly elected and has served his fellow citizens greatly to their satisfac- tion. He is a communicant of the United Brethren church of West Independence and a liberal supporter of all its interests.
ADAM GRINE .- It is doubtful if anyone is better or more pleasantly known in Big Spring township than Adam Grine, who resides upon a valuable farm in section 28. He is a progressive agriculturist who understands bringing the land to the highest state of cultivation, but the exercise of his powers has by no means been limited to this and he has given to the community public ser- vice of a high character. It is a favorable comment upon the con- fidence reposed in him and upon his personal popularity as well that he was elected land appraiser of Big Spring township by
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a majority of one hundred and one, Mr. Grine being a Republican, and an unswerving one, and the township being two hundred and fourteen Democratic. He is a councilman at the present time and he has displayed much conscientious efficiency in the handling of public affairs.
Adam Grine was born in Big Spring township, Seneca county, July 23, 1858, the son of John and Mary (Shortgen) Grine. The father was a native of Belgium, as was also the mother, the former having been born in that country September 24, 1810. In 1847 he and his wife, born in 1827, decided to cast their fortunes with the new world across the Atlantic. Shortly after coming to the United States they found their way to Seneca county, and were fortunate enough to have their dreams of the adopted country come true, for they became prosperous and respected citizens. The father, who owned one hundred and one acres of land. was a Republican, and he and his family attended the Catholic church. He was the father of fifteen children, five of them born to his first marriage and ten to his second, which was contracted in 1849 with Miss Mary Shortgen, daughter of John and Mary Shortgen. The subject was the sixth in order of birth of the latter family, his brothers and sisters being Catharine. John, Joseph, Peter, Margaret, (then Adam), Anna. Nicholas, Henry, Thomas, all liv- ing except Peter and Margaret and all living in Seneca county ex- cept Catharine, who is living in Trumbell, Nebraska.
In the fashion of the usual farmer's son Mr. Grine attended the district school in the winter months, when the duties of the farm were somewhat lessened, and in the summer devoted his time to assisting his father. When he was fourteen years of age he left his desk in the school room and gave his entire attention to farm- ing. He remained under the parental roof until his thirty-first birthday. when he was married and established a household of his own. Through the exercise of thrift he was able to purchase two hundred and forty acres of land in sections 28 and 33 and to this he and his wife removed. He subsequently found it expedient to dispose of a part of this and to invest elsewhere, and he now retains eighty acres in section 28. upon which he lives. He has cleared and improved this tract and has brought it to an excellent state of development, the principal secret of his success having been hard work and presistence.
Mr. Grine's wife before her marriage was Philomena Pethe, . of Big Spring township, a daughter of August Pethe. She was born April 3, 1863, and was educated in the public schools of the township. Their union was celebrated September 24, 1889, and it has been blessed by the birth of eight children. They are Merle A., Cletus HI., Stephen E., Mary A .. Leo N., Anna C., Susan C. and John. The various members of the family are affiliated with St. Nicholas Catholic church of Big Spring township.
As previously mentioned Mr. Grine is a councilman, a posi- tion he secured by unanimous consent. IIe is a stalwart supporter of the principles taught by Lincoln. Grant, Garfield, MeKinley and Roosevelt, and takes a keen and intelligent interest in all matters
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pertaining to the public welfare. He is pleasant, courteous, and obliging and one of the substantial citizens of Big Spring town- ship. He is the present treasurer of his church.
Mr. Grine's father died in 1889, his mother having preceded him to the Great Beyond in 1884. They were married at New Riegel, Seneca county, Ohio.
JOHN W. LAMBERJACK, a native of Lake Superior, Michigan, was born January 30, 1864, a son of John and Margaret (Haimes) Lamberjack, natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country, locating at Detroit, Michigan, whence they removed to Lake Superior, Michigan, where they lived until 1865, when they came to Loudon township. When they arrived their son was not much more than a year old. He was brought up to a working knowledge of farming on his father's homestead and was educated in con- venient district schools. He was employed by his father until
He married Miss Ella Kuhn on he was twenty-six years old.
April 29, 1890. She was born at Tiffin, Ohio, June 9, 1865, and was brought by her parents to Loudon township when she was only a child. There her father and mother both died. John W. and Ella (Kuhn) Lamberjack are the parents of four children: Mary E., born December 22, 1891; John M .. born April 17, 1893; Mar- garet R., born February 14, 1896; and Florence, born May 5, 1906.
After his marriage Mr. Lamberjack passed the first year operating a farm in Hancock county, Ohio, which he rented of his father. For nine years thereafter he farmed for his father in Loudon township. In 1900 he bought the Reiter farm of eighty acres in section 23. Loudon township, eight miles and a half west of Tiffin and six miles and a half southeast of Fostoria. He has since bought thirty acres formerly of the Frankart estate. Devot- ing himself to general farming, he gives considerable attention to stock raising. He is an ardent member of the Democratic party, and as a Democrat he was elected a trustee of his township and is now filling that office most efficiently. He and his family are com- municants of St. Patrick's Catholic church in Loudon township. His success in a business way has been won by most commendable methods and he is prepared to meet possible future obligations by negotiating insurance in the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company.
John Lamberjack, the father of our subject, is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty years, in Fostoria, being retired. The mother died June 1, 1903.
CHARLES N. FEINDEL was born in Seneca county and like many of his associates has found it a sufficiently favored portion of the globe to warrant his remaining here ever since. He rents of his father in London township one hundred and five acres, upon which he makes his home, and forty acres in Hopewell township, and he is well known in connection with public affairs, being the present township assessor. The date of the nativity of Mr. Feindel was January 26, 1876, his parents being Jacob and Eliza- beth (Basel) Feindel. £ The former was a native of Big Spring
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township, born in 1853, and the latter came from Germany, her birth having occurred in that country May 21, 1854.
The early years of Mr. Feindel were spent on his father's homestead, located south of Fostoria on the Tiffin and Findlay road. He attended the district school in the winter and in the summer assisted his father in the manifold duties and tasks of farm life. He left school at the age of sixteen and when twenty- one years of age he rented a farm of forty acres in Loudon town- ship and proceeded to establish himself upon an independent foot- ing. At the age of twenty-two years he became a married man, Flora A. Peter, of Loudon township, becoming united to him in matrimony on the 4th day of November, 1897. They lived upon the above mentioned rented place for about one year and then re- moved to Hopewell township, where they engaged in farming for two years. The first few years of their married life were indeed full of change, for they left Hopewell township for Liberty town- ship, in which they remained only a year and returning to Hope- well were for three years residents of that township. Their last move was to Loudon township, which they intend to be their permanent home.
In politics Mr. Feindel is a Democrat, having been elected township assessor on that ticket, and his term of office not expiring until January 1, 1912. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Bascom and has passed all the chairs. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church of Bascom and give their sympathy and support to all the good causes promulgated by it. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one son, Marion, born January 9. 1899.
Mr. Feindel was the oldest in order of birth of a family of four children, the other members being : George, Laura and Mary, but the latter died in infancy. His parents are living a retired life in Bascom, Hopewell township.
FREDERICK ROSEN .- One of the most progressive, successful and honorable of the citizens of that favored portion of Ohio- Seneca county-is Frederick Rosen, whose eighty acre homestead is one of the most valuable of its size to be found in the locality and whose resources are developed in the most scientific manner, Mr. Rosen being one of those who keep in touch with the latest discoveries and investigations in his chosen profession-agricul- ture. Although it would be difficult to find any one more en- thusiastically loyal to the community in which are centered his interests and his affections, he is an adopted son of the Buckeye state, and his birth occurred on the 8th day of September 1853, his parents being William and Mary Rosen, whose ancestors came from Germany. ₼
When Mr. Rosen was but a child his parents moved from their native state, crossing the Delaware river and taking up their resi- dence in Pennsylvania. When he was a lad of twelve they settled in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, which is situated rather centrally in the Keystone state, and it was there that he grew to young man-
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