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 5
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The subject was reared upon his father's farm, receiving his education in the district school and finding much for his hands to do in assisting in the manifold tasks to be encountered upon the farm. Under the tutelage of his father he was introduced to the various departments of agriculture and even arrived at a suffi-
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ciently early date to assist in clearing and developing some of his father's land. After his marriage, April 10. 1890. at the Presby- terian parsonage in Tiffin. Ohio. Mr. Shriver worked by the day . for Johu Holtz. continuing thus engaged for three years. Later they moved to the Huss farm. where they remained for two years and then took up their abode upon the Scott Holtz farm. which they operated for eight years. After these several changes they located upon eighty acres west of Greenspring. where they have ever since resided and where Mr. Shriver conducts operations in mixed farming and stock raising.
Although of Democratic inclinations in every sense of the word he is sufficiently independent to believe that the best man and the best measure should receive the support of the voter. irresper- tive of party and partisanship. Ile and his family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church.
The subject was married. April 10. 1890. to Catherine A. White. born December 3. 1869. in Scipio township. her parents being Jacob R. and Adda M. (Shadler) White, natives of the Keystone state. The removal of the White family to Ohio oc- curred when the father was a youth about eighteen years of age. The date of the mother's birth was January 28. 1848, and that of the father May 23, 1847. The wife of the subject at seven years of age went to live with Jacob and Susan Holtz. parents of John Holtz. and she remained with them for about eleven years. Later she went to keep house for Mrs. John Holtz. remaining in this household for about five years and it was in the meantime that she married. After their union. as previously mentioned, Mr. Shriver for three years worked for Mr. Holtz.
Mrs. Shriver's mother was a sister of Mrs. Sam Westerhouse of Adams township. one of Seneca county's worthy citizens, whose maiden name was Emma R. Shadler. She was born March 13. 1852. and was married July 2. 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Westhouse became the parents of seven children. some of whom have played a prominent and estimable part in the life of the community. Nora. born September 3. 1872. became the wife of Charles H. Riffel, the son of Samuel and Mary (Mayhew) Riffel. his birth date being March 20. 1874. Born in Maryland, he came to Ohio with his parents. locating first in Dayton and then in Xenia. where the father conducted a tinshop in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home. The family removed to Greenspring about the year 1893. the father engaging in the same occupation. although in a private capacity. Following their marriage on July 2. 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Riffel went to Gibsonburg. where they resided for one year. then going to Republic. where for one year the husband was employed in the hardware store of Wvant & Hillsinger. He was stricken with cerebro-spinal meningitis and was cut off by the hand of death in the prime of his manhood. Left a widow with a little son. Clarence S .. born July 23. 1898. Mrs. Riffel took up the career of a professional nurse. continuing this for several years. For the past few years she and her son have resided with her parents. She is one of Seneca county's brave and devoted women. her relations as mother and daughter being unselfish and gracious.
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She is a member of the Evangelical church and acts as choir director in the Sunday School. She has a beautiful sunny nature and is beloved by all who know her. Charles H. Riffel was a most estimable citizen, father and neighbor. He stood very high in his community.
JEREMIAH O'CONNOR, who owns and occupies a modern frame residence at 53 Clay street. Tiffin. Ohio, has been a resident of this city from his childhood and is as popular here as he is well known.
Mr. O'Connor was born in Ireland. April 10. 1850. a son of Thomas and Mary (McGraw) O'Connor, but he has never known any other home than an American one. as at the age of nine months he was brought by his parents from the "Emerald Isle" to the United States. They settled at Tiffin. Ohio, in the spring of 1851. which was henceforth the family home. Thomas O'Connor was an educated man, and for years held a responsible position here in railroad construction work, having under his charge a number of men. As a boy Jeremiah O'Connor's educational advantages were limited to the country schools. but after he attained his majority he attended night school and further equipped himself to be able to cope with the problems and emergencies that con- front the man of varied interests and constant contact with the business world. At the age of twenty-two. in 1877. he accepted a position as traveling salesman, and in this line of work soon proved himself a success. A man of fine personal appearance, pleasing manner, keen insight into human nature. quick and shrewd. he possesses the qualities of the first class salesman. These qualities developed as he went out on the road. He has repre- sented various lines of goods. chiefly patents. and with the pass- ing years has made numerous personal investments that have netted him handsome returns. He has large western interests. including lands. mining and banking stocks.
Mr. O'Connor married Miss Helen Gosling of Wellington, Ohio, and while they have never had any children of their own they have reared two children. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. Politically he has always voted. with the Democratic party, but has never been active in politics.
ANDREW S. BAKER .- A man of sterling worth and integrity. Andrew S. Baker. late of Tiffin. Ohio. was for many years asso- ciated with the best interests of the city. his high principles and manly virtues rendering him an esteemed and valued citizen. He was born, January 4, 1841. in Sandusky. Erie county, and died November 21. 1907. his body being laid to rest in the Castalia Cemetery. His parents. Shepard and Elizabeth (Linehangh ) Baker. were pioneer settlers of Erie county, and there spent the greater part of their lives. living in comfort on the farm which they improved.
Brought up on the homestead. Andrew S. Baker acquired his education in the common schools. in the meantime becoming fami- liar with farm work. On November 29, 1861., inspired by
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patriotic ardor, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and served several months, being discharged August 5, 1862, on account of physical disability. Soon after his return to the parental roof, Mr. Baker began life as a sailor on the Great Lakes, continuing before the mast for a while. Subsequently forming a partnership with William Robinson, he was engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business in Sandusky, and for a number of years conducted a successful mercantile trade. He afterwards became one of the founders of the Nost Spice Company, of Toledo, Ohio, and was salesman for the company until it was sold to Arbuckle & Company, the transfer of business being made- in 1898.
The home of Mr. Baker was for three years after his marriage in Castalia, Erie county, but in 1867 he removed to Sandusky, where he lived until 1882, when he became a resident of Tiffin. He was here employed as an agent for various products on the market, building up an extensive and substantial business, which he conducted until his deathı.
Mr. Baker married, January 14, 1864, Martha E. Wilson, who was born in Castalia, Ohio, January 19, 1846, a daughter of John A. Wilson, who was born in New York state and came to Ohio when young with his parents, John and Mary Wilson. Her father married Elizabeth Young, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Baugh) Young, and granddaughter of Governor Baugh, one of the early governors of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parents of one child, Minnie J., born September 6, 1870, and who now lives with her widowed mother in their hand- some residence on Monumental Square. Mr. Baker was a member of the Church of Christ, towards its support being a liberal con- tributor. He was a Republican in politics and a member of Leander Post, No. 80, G. A. R. of Tiffin.
WILLIAM L. HERTZER .-- A man of pronounced business . acumen, earnest in his endeavors and strong in his convictions. William L. Hertzer is intimately associated with the development and advancement of the financial prosperity of Seneca county, and as cashier of the Tiffin National Bank he is widely known and highly respected. Studious, persevering and ambitious as a youth, he was a keen observer of men and events, letting no oppor- tunity for advancement escape his notice, making in early life such good use of his advantages that he made steady progress along the pathway of achievements, and through his own earnest efforts has risen from a poor boy to a position of note among the best business men and citizens of Tiffin. A son of G. F. Hertzer, he was born October 27, 1860, at Greenspring, Seneca county, coming of excellent German lineage.
Born, bred and educated in Germany, G. F. Hertzer emigrated to the United States in 1856, hoping in this land of bright promise to attain a competency. Coming directly to Ohio, he located in Greenspring, where he followed his trade of a merchant tailor, building up a good patronage. He is now living on South Green field street, Tiffin. He is well known as a member of the Ancient
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Free and Accepted Order of Masons; is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; and as a member of the Ancient United Order of Druids. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Rauch, seven children were born, six of whom are now, in 1910, living.
Coming with his parents to Tiffin when young, William L. Hertzer attended first the graded schools, afterwards studying for a year in the Tiffin high school. Working afterwards with his father, he learned the trade of a tailor, but not finding the occupa- tion congenial to his tastes he entered the post office as an employee and served in various capacities under Levi Werick, remaining in the office six years, the last four years serving as assistant post- · master. In 1882 Mr. Hertzer became collector for the Tiffin National Bank, and subsequently served the institution in different grades until 1902, when he accepted his present position as cashier of the bank. Careful and conservative in his business methods. he has gained the confidence not only of his employers but of his fellow associates and of the general public.
This banking institution was organized in March, 1865, as the National Exchange Bank, and continued under its original charter for twenty years, when, in March, 1885, it was reorganized under the name of the Tiffin National Bank. It has a capital stock of $250,000. and a surplus of $150.000, being in point of capital, deposits and surplus the largest and strongest of any similar in- stitution in Seneca county or in adjoining counties. The bank officers for 1910 include John M. Naylor, president; W. L. Hertzer. cashier ; E. B. Naylor. assistant cashier ; and L. H. Smith, auditor ; while the directors are J. M. Naylor, George D. Loomis, E. Car- penter, B. W. Crobaugh, and W. L. Hertzer. The Bank's state- ment for March 29, 1910. is as follows :
Loans $1,352,217.66
United States Bonds
251,000.00
City and County Bonds
166,400.00
Banking Houses
16,000.00
Cash and due from other banks
451,915.08
Liabilities
Capital
$ 250,000.00
Surplus
50,000.00
Profits
115,709.26
Circulation
1
250,000.00
Deposits
1,571,823.48
Total
$2,237,532.74
Mr. Hertzer is also financially interested in other enterprises of note, being the treasurer. a stockholder. a director and a mem- ber of the board of managers of the National Machinery Company ; a director and the treasurer of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association ; and secretary of the Green Lawn Cemetery Associa- tion. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has represented
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
his ward in the City Council and has served as a member of the Tiffin Board of Education. He is a member and a past noble grand of Seneca Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., and a member and a trustee of the National Union. Religiously he and his family are worthy members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Hertzer married. April 25, 1889, Emma Geyer, a daugh- ter of Charles and Ida (Kaessman) Geyer, of Tiffin. and to them four children have been born, namely: Carl G., born February 15, 1890, completed his studies in the Tiffin high school, and is now in the employ of the Webster Electric Company as a machinist ;' Robert W., born May 14, 1894, is attending the high school : John S., born November 27, 1901, and Lucille Cornelia, born JJuly 5, 1906.
GEORGE J. RING .- An honored citizen of Republic, Seneca county, Ohio, is George J. Ring, who has gained prestige as an able business man and whose loyalty and public spirit have been of the most insistent order. He was born in Springfield. Illinois. on the 11th of February, 1851, and is a son of James M. and Eliza (Armstrong) Ring, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter at Canada. James M. Ring emigrated to America about the year 1821, and after a short sojourn in Canada he re- moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he was engaged in railroad construction work. His marriage to Miss Eliza Armstrong was solemnized at Ottawa, Canada, and when George J. was a mere infant the family moved to New York. where Mr. Ring was identi- fied with the general merchandise business in the capacity of & commercial merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Ring became the parents of six children, and of this number four are now living. The father was summoned to the life eternal in 1871 and the mother passed away in 1876.
George J. Ring was educated in the public schools of Illinois and New York and in 1873 he came to Ohio. where he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, that road be- ing then in process of construction. He continued to be identified with railroad work for about one year, at the expiration of which he turned his attention to saw milling, in which line of enterprise he was successfully engaged for fifteen years. Since his marriage, in 1906, to Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Ring has been running a boarding house in Republic. This establishment is finely equipped with all modern conveniences, is immaculately clean and the quality of food set before the guests would please the most exacting of epicures. In politics Mr. Ring accords a stanch allegiance to the principles and policies of the Republican party and though he does not take an active interest in political affairs he is ever alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures pro- jected for the good of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
On the 5th of August. 1906, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ring- to Mrs. Elsie M. (Way) Rogers, who was born on the 17th of February, 1864. the place of her birth being Republic. She is a daughter of Charles A. and Mary E. (Platt) Way, the
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
former of whom was born in New York and the latter of whom was a native of Seipio township. Mr. Way was born on the 21st of April, 1833. and Mrs. Way, on the 21st of April, 1839. Asa Way, father of Charles A. Way, was a loyal and faithful soldier in the Civil war. He was captain of Company G, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he served from 1863 until the close of the war. Prior to enlisting in the Union army Captain Way was an attorney, residing on a farm near Republic. For a num- ber of years he was engaged in the active practice of his profession at Republic and he succeeded in building up a large and lucrative clientage. Charles A. Way resided at the parental home until his marriage. April 11, 1858. after which he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time on his father's farm. He then engaged in saw milling and in engineering. following the same with marked success until the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted under his father in Company G. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August. 1863. Ile was a gallant soldier and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After the war he located on a farm in South Dakota, the same being a claim given him by the government in return for military service. He continued to reside in South Dakota for a period of eight years, at the expiration of which he returned to Ohio and established his home in Republic. He and his wife became the parents of six children, Carlotta, born July 3. 1859, became the wife of Warren IIall, of Chicago Junction, and she died in 1898; Charles A., Jr., born March 13, 1861, resides in Pensacola, Florida; Elsie is the wife of him whose name initiates this review; Gertrude, born March 21, 1875, is the wife of D. Mc- Mahon, of Tiffin; Edson P .. born November 21, 1877, resides in Florida ; and Frank. born on the 20th of December, 1879. main- tains his home in Tiffin. Elsie Way first married Aldin Rogers,
who was born on the 4th of August. 1841. a son of O. Perry and Sallie (Shaw) Rogers, natives of New York. Aldin Rogers was summoned to the life eternal in January, 1900, being survived by four children. Helen, the wife of Mat Freedman, of Tiffin, Ohio; Pearl, married Christ Diller, of Wakersville. Michigan; Lloyd L .. resides in Tiffin ; and Florence remains with her mother. Another child, Roy, was accidentally drowned in September, 1900. All the children have received good educational advantages. all but the youngest being graduated in the Republic high school. After
the death of her first husband Mrs. Ring supported her family. with the aid of her son, until her marriage, in 1906. to Mr. Ring, as already noted. Mrs. Ring was educated in the Republic high school. She is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. in which order she has served as secretary for two terms; and she is also affiliated with the Women's Relief Corps and the Good Templars. She is a woman of most gracious personality and she and her hus- band have a host of loyal friends in Republic. Mrs. Mary E. Way is still living and she makes her home with her daughter. Mrs. Ring. She has in her possession a very old book. a "New Testa- ment," printed in 1808, and she has a table, which purports to be of Divine authority and which is supposed to govern marriage relations. It reads: "A table of kindred and affinity, wherein
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whosoever are related are forbidden in scripture to marry to- gether." Among the many prohibitions are the following, A man cannot marry his brother's wife, or his wife's sister, or his step-daughter, etc.
ALEXANDER MCCARTAN has been identified with the business activities of Tiffin, Ohio, ever since he became a resident of this country, and has worked his way upward from a clerk to a part- nership in one of the leading establishments in the city.
Mr. McCartan was born in Sunderland, England. a son of Dennis and Mary A. (Quinn) MeCartan, both natives of county Down, Ireland. At the age of twenty, ambitious to have the bene- fit of advantages enjoyed in America, where some of his relatives had already established themselves. young McCartan left the old home and its associations and joined his uncle at Tiffin. Ohio. clerked in his uncle's store here until after his uncle's death. and early acquired a knowledge of American methods of doing busi. ness which made him of value to his annt after her husband's death. He continued to clerk for her until finally. in connection with his brother Bearnard and Cornnell Haughey, he was a partner in the purchase of the stock and building. Subsequently they bought the adjoining building, in which they have a meat market. he having charge of the grocery and his partners of the market. And they have since opened up and are now conducting a branch meat market on Six's corner.
Mr. McCartan has a wife and two sons, Alexander Joseph and Daniel B. Mrs. McCartan, formerly Miss Anna Donahoe. is a native of Missouri and a woman of many excellent qualities which make her popular with her large circle of friends. She and Mr. MeCartan are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, and he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, having taken the fourth degree. His time and attention are wholly devoted to his own personal business affairs.
HENRY J. WELLER .- For the high rank of its bench and bar Ohio has ever been distinguished. and it is gratifying to note that in no section of the commonwealth has the standard been lowered in any epoch in its history. To Mr. Weller, who is junior member of the firm of McCauley & Weller. of Tiffin, reference may be made with utmost propriety by reason of his being one of the able and representative members of the bar of the state and that he is a native son of Seneca county lends significance to the prestige which he has here attained. He has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Tiffin for nearly thirty years. has been con- cerned in much important litigation and is known to be thoroughly informed in the science of jurisprudence-an able attorney and a safe and duly conservative counselor-while his personal integ- rity and honesty of purpose have begotten objective confidence and esteem of no equivocal order.
Henry J. Weller was born in Thompson township, Seneca county, Ohio. on the 21st of January. 1856. and is a son of John and Christina (Orner) Weller, both of whom were natives of
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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Pennsylvania and of stanch German lineage. John Weller was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and was reared to maturity in his native state, where he continued to maintain his home until 1843, when he came to Ohio. He became one of the successful representatives of the agricultural industry in Seneca county and here he continued to reside until his death, as did also his wife, who was a daughter of Joseph.and Elizabeth Orner and who was a child at the time of her parents removal from Pennsylvania to Seneca county. John and Christina (Orner) Weller became the parents of five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living and of the number Henry J. is the oldest.
Henry J. Weller was reared on the old home farm which was the place of his birth and he continued to attend the district schools until he had attained the age of fourteen years. There- after he continued to be associated with his father in the work of the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he supplemented his earlier discipline by attending a normal school at Republic, this county, for one term. He then put his schol- astic attainments to practical test by turning his attention to the pedagogie profession. For five winter terms he taught in the district schools of Seneca county and though he was successful in his work he realized the limitations of this vocation and deter- mined to prepare himself for the law. Accordingly, on the 2nd of April, 1878, he entered the law office of the firm of Noble & Adams, in Tiffin. the senior member of which was the late Warren P. Noble, one of the most distinguished members of the Seneca county bar. Under such able preceptorship Mr. Weller made rapid advancement in his absorption and assimilation of the science of jurisprudence and he was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Ohio on the 2nd of June. 1880. He was the first law student from Seneca county to be admitted to the bar under the provisions of the new law requiring examination of candidates, before the supreme court. Prior to January 1. 1880, students had been admitted by the district courts. £ On the 1st of March, 1881, Mr. Weller opened an office in Tiffin, where he conducted an individual practice until June 10. 1885. when he formed a partnership alliance with Judge John McCauley, with whom he has since been associated, under the firm name of Mc- Cauley & Weller, and with offices in the Commercial Bank Block, at the corner of Washington and Court streets. These offices have been occupied by the firm since the 1st of March. 1885. and Mr. Weller has maintained his home in Tiffin since the 2nd of April, 1878. He was admitted to the supreme court of the United States in April, 1897. He has proved an able coadjutor to his honored partner, of whom more specific mention is made on other pages of this work. Mr. Weller's close application, reliability and un- mistakable ability in the various branches of professional work have brought to him a definite and worthy success, giving him prestige as one of the leading members of the bar of his native county, where he has a strong hold upon popular confidence and esteem.' He has shown a lively interest in public affairs and is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, under whose banner he
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