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 9
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Born in Frederick county, Virginia, May 27, 1823. John Puffenberger was scarce two years old when brought by his parents to Liberty township, Seneca county. Beginning life as a teamster at the age of thirteen years. he continued thus employed five years. Going then to Cincinnati, he was employed in various kinds of labor, including that of carpentering. Seized with an attack of wanderlust. he went from that city to Kentucky. thence to Ten- nessee, and ere his return to Seneca county had worked at the
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carpenter's trade in seven different states of the Union. He sub- sequently settled in Hopewell township. and was a resident of Seneca county until his death in 1902.
On November 2. 1854, John Puffenberger married Margaret J. Shaull, who was born, March 8. 1828. in Virginia, and died in Seneca county, Ohio. in 1900. Her father. Bartholomew Shaull. was born August 16. 1797, in Virginia. a son of John and Elizabeth (Benner) Shaull. early settlers of Pleasant township. Bartholo- mew Shaull migrated to Ohio with his family, settling in Seneca county. where he resided until his death, in 1875. He married Rebecca Blue, a daughter of John and Hannah (O'Nan) Blue. She was born in Virginia. August 3. 1799. and died in Ohio in 1865. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Puffenberger. as follows : Henry B., the special subject of this brief sketch ; Rebecca C., wife of Solomon Srudes; Alice J., wife of John Anderson; H. V. J. and S. A. D., twins ; J. S. ; and Jessie B.
Brought up beneath the parental roof-tree, Henry B. Puffen- berger had a practical training in the various branches of agricul- ture while young, and in the district school, which he attended dur- ing the winter terms until eighteen years old. he laid a substantial foundation for his future education. £ He subsequently continued his studies for three years at Heidelberg College. after which he taught school nine successive winters, during the summer seasons working at the carpenter's trade. Taking up the study of civil engineering, he became proficient in the profession. and during the past fifteen years has done a great deal of private surveying. In November, 1908. Mr. Puffenberger was elected county surveyor of Seneca county. and since taking the office. in September. 1909, has performed the duties devolving upon him most satisfactorily. He is a natural mechanic, possessing much inventive genius. and has made a level of his own. an instrument that is both practical and useful.
Mr. Puffenberger married. in August. 1901. Alwilda Brown. who was born in Liberty township. Seneca county. December 25. 1863. Their only child. James B. Puffenberger, was born Novem- ber 9, 1903. Politically Mr. Puffenberger is affiliated with the Democratic party.
WILLIAM M. SHAFFER .- One of the foremost citizens of Tiffin and an able business man. William MI. Shaffer has served with credit to himself and to the honor of his constituents in various offices of trust and responsibility, at the present time. 1910. being county treasurer of Seneca county. A son of Joseph Shaffer, he was born. October 23. 1851, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Born. reared and educated in Pennsylvania. Joseph Shaffer began life for himself a poor man. but by means of persistent industry and thrift built up a substantial business as a shoe manufacturer and dealer accumulating a comfortable property. Ile married Amelia Romig. also a native of the Keystone state, and the thirteen chil- dren born of their union are all living, a family of stalwart sons and fair daughters of whom any one might well be proud.
Brought up in Cedarville. Pennsylvania. William M. Shaffer
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attended the public schools until eighteen years of age, acquiring a practical education. Working in the meanwhile at the bench with his father, he learned the trade of a shoemaker, and on attain- ing his majority went to Allentown, the county seat of Lehigh county, and was there a resident about four years. In 1876, his health failing. Mr. Shaffer came to Ohio, locating at Flat Rock, Thompson township. Seneca county, to recuperate. His physical strength improving. he secured employment at the Evangelical Orphans' Home, where for eight years he filled any position re- quiring his services. Proving himself so capable. he was then made assistant superintendent of the institution, at the same time serving as one of its directors.
Retiring from that position, Mr. Shaffer purchased a general store at Flat Rock. and was there engaged successfully in mer- cantile pursuits until February. 1892. Coming then to Tiffin, he entered the sheriff's office and served as deputy sheriff until 1895. a term of three years. Buying then an interest in Romig's store, he was here a general merchant until November, 1896, when he was elected sheriff of Seneca county, a position which he filled satis- factorily until January. 1901. Having in the meantime retained his interest in the store, Mr. Shaffer again engaged in the shoe business, which he conducted until November, 1905. He was then elected treasurer of Seneca county, and in the discharge of the duties of his office showed such financial and executive ability that he was re-elected to the same responsible position in 1907, and is still county treasurer.
Mr. Shaffer married. in October, 1882, Louisa Williman, who was born in Van Wert county. Ohio. and they are the parents of two children, namely: W. W. C., born March 5, 1885, employed in the shoe department of Taylor & Company at Cleveland, Ohio; and Rama R .. born September 29. 1888. a graduate of the Tiffin High School and the Tiffin Business College and now a clerk in the office of the county treasurer.
An active and influential member of the Democratic party, Mr. Shaffer has been a delegate to conventions and has served on committees of importance. Fraternally he is a member of Tiffin Lodge, No. 175, K. of P., and of the Junior Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics.
EUGENE W. ALLEN .- In this age of colossal enterprise and marked intellectual energy the prominent and successful men are those whose abilities lead them into large undertakings and to as- sume the responsibilities and labors of leaders in their respective fields of endeavor. and it is certain that success is but the result of the determined application of individual energies and powers along the rigidly defined lines of labor. whether mental or physical. The subject of this brief sketch holds precedence as one of the sub- stantial business men and influential citizens of the city of Fostoria. where his capitalistic interests are of diversified and of important. order, and he has contributed a generous quota to the industrial and civic advancement of his home city, where he holds an impregnable vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem. Here he is
RESIDENCE OF E. W. ALLEN
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closely associated with financial and manufacturing enterprises of broad scope and importance, and he merits consideration in this publication as one of the throughly representative citizens of Seneca county.
Mr. Allen claims the stanch old Hoosier commonwealth as the piace of his nativity. He was born at Wolf Lake, Noble county, Indiana, on the 4th of June, 1864, and is a son of Felton and Susan (Childs) Allen. The Allen family was early founded in the southeastern section of Pennsylvania, from which state Daniel Allen, grandfather of the subject of this review, emigrated to Indi- ana and numbered himself among the pioneers of Noble county, where he reclaimed a farm from the wilderness and where he con- tinued to reside until his death. Both he and his noble wife were members of the Society of Friends, and their lives were guided and governed according to the simple and gracious teachings of this organization. Felton Allen was born and reared in Noble county, Indiana, where for many years he owned and conducted a large and well improved farm. He devoted much attention to the rais- ing of and dealing in live stock and was one of the leading repre- sentatives of this line of industry in that state. His wife was a native of Virginia and was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Noble county, Indiana. Her father became the owner of a large tract of land near Wolf Lake, that county, and was one of the honored and influential citizens of the community.
Eugene W. Allen was reared under the vitalizing and grate- ful influences of the home farm and early began to assist in its work and management, the while he duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools of the locality and period. He continued to maintain his home in Indiana until 1893, and had already shown his fine constructive and initiative powers in con- nection with business affairs. In the year mentioned he came to Seneca county and established his home in Fostoria, where he be- came one of the interested principals in the organization of the Peabod : Buggy Company, of which J. B. Peabody was made presi- dent. In 1895 Mr. Allen and his brother Warren O .. purchased Mr. Peabody's interest in the enterprise, and he thereupon became president and treasurer of the company, while his brother assumed the office of vice president and secretary. Under their able manage- ment the business has been developed from modest proportions until it is now one of the extensive and important industrial enter- prises of the city and county. The transactions of this company now reach a business involving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, and its trade extends into the most diverse sections of the union. In the well equipped plant employment is afforded to a large force of men, and thus the enterprise contributes in a direct way to the civic as well as the industrial prosperity of the city.
Mr. Allen initiated his association with banking interests in Fostoria in July, 1899. He was one of the leading factors in the transforming of the old Mechanics' Savings Bank Company into the Mechanics' Banking Company, of which he became cashier. Under his effective management as an executive the institution was signally prospered, and under the same title a branch was estab-
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lished at Bradner, this county, where the enterprise is still con- ducted under the title noted. In 1908 the bank in Fostoria was re-organized and received its charter as the Union National Bank, which is incorporated with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, all paid in, and of this institution Mr. Allen is vice presi- · dent, being closely associated with its executive management and having done much to direct its policies in such a way as to make it one of the substantial and popular banking houses of the state. The deposits of the bank now aggregate fully seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and its assets nine hundred thousand dollars. William Manecke is president, Mr. Allen is vice president and George A. Snyder is cashier of the institution. The full person- nel of its directorate is here indicated : William Manecke, William J. Wagner, Warren O. Allen, L. R. Parker, A. Mennel, Eugene W. Allen, Walter C. Beckwith, L. J. Eshelman, Ira Cadwallader. Frank D. Kingseed, Hugo Scherer, Mahlon A. Thomas and Elias Fox.
Mr. Allen is a director of the Mechanics' Banking Company of Bradner, also of the Ashland Bank and Savings Company. of Ashland, Ohio, and of the City National Bank of Tiffin. Ohio, be- sides which he is interested in a number of other important business enterprises in his home city. He has valuable holdings in the oil district of this state. The following appreciative words are well worthy of perpetuation in this sketch, as they represent the esti- mate of one familiar with the career of Mr. Allen : "Ile is a generous contributor to all movements for the social, intellectual, material and moral benefit of the community and Fostoria numbers him among her valued citizens. He has made good use of his opportunities and has prospered from year to year. He has con- ducted all business matters care fully and prudently and has shown not only distinctive administrative and constructive ability, but has also guided and governed his course according to the most in- violable principles of integrity and honor. Ile has not permitted the accumulation of wealth to affect in any way his attitude toward those less successful, and he always has a cheerful word and pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact. He has a high sense of stewardship and an abiding sympathy for all sorts and conditions of men. a sympathy that is one of helpfulness as well as of sentiment."
In politics, while never seeking the honors or emoluments of public office, Mr. Allen is found aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and he keeps well informed in connection with the questions and issues of the hour, so that he is well fortified in his opinions as to matters of public polity. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are numbered among the zealous and earnest members of the First Presbyterian church of Fostoria, of whose board of trustees he has served as a member for about ten years. He has been a most effective and valued worker in the various departments of church activity and is an officer in the Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are identified with the best social activities of the community and their attractive home is a recognized center of gracious hospi- tality.
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On the 15th of February, 1898, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Allen to Miss Mary Leonard, a daughter of C. Clark Leonard, a representative business man and influential citizen of Fostoria. Mrs. Allen was born at Fostoria, Ohio, and after due preliminary education along literary lines she entered the celebrated New Eng- land Conservatory of Music, in the city of Boston, in which she completed courses in both music and elocution and in which she was graduated as a member of the class of 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have two daughters, Clara Louise, aged ten, and Mary Winifred, aged eight years.
JOSEPH R. DROWN .- A well known factor in the many sided life of Pleasant township is Joseph R. Drown, who is entitled to particular consideration as a progressive agriculturist, a Civil war veteran who gave cheerful and faithful service to his country in her greatest hour of need, a good church man, and one whose record in public office is unimpeachable. Joseph R. Drown is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, where his eyes first opened to the light of day December 22, 1835. The parents of Mr. Drown were Solomon and Fannie (Dennis) Drown, natives of New Hampshire and Maine, respectively, the former's father, John Drown, being of English descent and a farmer by occupation. They were mar- ried in the state of New York and one year after the birth of him whose name initiates this sketch they came on to the newer state of Ohio and bought land in Adams township, Seneca county.
Joseph R. Drown resided under the home roof until he was about twenty-five years of age, or about the year 1859 or 1860. He had been educated in the district schools and at Republic under those well remembered educators, T. W. Harvey and Aaron Schuy- ler and he was at the date mentioned the possessor of an eight years' experience as a school teacher. his pedagogical activities hav- ing begun at about the age of eighteen years. His career was in- terrupted by the breaking out of the Civil war, and his enlistment under the Union flag was made in the month of May, 1864, as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His immediate officers were Captain Huntz- berger and Colonel Whistler.
During the period of the conflict between the states Mr. Drown was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Bowersox, their union being celebrated in the month of February, 1864, at Tiffin, Ohio. She was born October 31, 1843. the daughter of Jacob and Susan Gettinger Bowersox, natives of Maryland, who came here about the year 1836 or 1837 and located on the farm which is still owned by the subject, it having at that early day virtually been reclaimed from the wilderness.
In the matter of making a choice of a life work Mr. Drown followed in the footsteps of his ancestors and secured some two hundred of the fair and fertile acres of Seneca county as his own. His industry and thrift and the assistance of his faithful wife and helpmeet have been rewarded and he stands as one of the veteran and substantial citizens of the section. His three children are all residing in Pleasant township, secure in the enjoyment of the
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respect of all who know them best. Charles C. Drown, the eldest child and only son, was born May 19, 1866, received his education in the district school and at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, and is en- gaged in the hardware business at Old Fort, in whose affairs he plays a prominent part, being in truth one of the most widely known men in Seneca county. Zua was born June 23, 1868, and is the wife of Gibson Barto of Pleasant township. She, like her brother, was educated in Heidelberg College. Mary A., born May 16, 1879, is the wife of Frank Hover, of Pleasant township.
In his political faith Mr. Drown is Republican, giving, enthus- iastic support to the men and measures of the Republican party. He is the friend of good education and it was due to the efforts of several such as he that the adoption of the present excellent school system in this township was brought about. His public service includes several years as township trustee and member of the board of education. Among those additional interests which en- gage his attention is the Mutual Telephone Company, of which he is a director.
CHARLES C. DROWN .- A man much esteemed in the community, whose support is always given to just causes and whose career as a business man, has been marked by prosperity, progress and honor- able dealing is Charles C. Drown. Mr. Drown has not always been in business, but has had some experience as an agriculturist and in his youth for a time followed the profession of a teacher in the dis- trict schools. He was born May 19, 1866, in Pleasant township, Seneca county, and is the son of Joseph R. and Mary J. (Bowersox) Drown, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. Mr. Drown received his education in the district school and at Heidel- berg College and then began upon his career of two years in the pedagogical capacity. After his marriage he and his bride located upon property in Pleasant township but in 1897 found it expedient to give up farming and took up the hardware business, building up one of the largest trades in the county, amounting to over $18,000 per year. This unqualified success has come through his own efforts, for he is a man of indomitable purpose and great executive ability. He is in truth one of the most prominent citizens of Pleasant township and his prosperity has contributed materially to that of the whole community.
Mr. Drown resided upon the homestead of his parents until his marriage to Ella J. Snyder which was solemnized December 14, 1892, the parents of Mrs. Drown being Bartlett and Mary M. (Whitmire) Snyder. She was born March 16, 1866, and received her education in the district schools and Heidelberg College. She taught for five or six years in this and Clinton townships and her efforts in the training of the youthful mind were both conscientious and successful. She is German in extraction, her parents, Bartlett and Mary M. Snyder, having come here from Bavaria, in the early days with their parents, their residence in this country having been of about seventy years duration. The father was born December 26, 1821, and the mother September 19, 1829. After reaching America they finally drifted out to Ohio and located on land south
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of Tiffin. They were married after their parents had settled in Ohio, the year in which their union took place being 1850 and nine children were born to them, namely: Sarah, Mary, John, Lizzie, Louisa, Eva, Anna, Calle and Ella, Mrs. Drown being the youngest of eight daughters.
Few men take a more lively and none a more intelligent interest in public matters, than Charles C. Drown. £ He is a Republican, but is independent insofar that he is willing to vote for the best man to fill an office no matter what party he represents, principle weighing more with him than mere partisanship. That he is the friend of good education has been recognized generally and for ten years he has given valuable service as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Reformed church and takes an active part in its affairs, contributing generously to its support and advancing in every way all the good causes promulgated by it. That he finds time and strength for anything aside from his large business is an evidence of his unusual energy and his many friends and admirers attest that whatever he attempts, whether a campaign for the increase of trade, the putting through of a beneficial educa- tional movement, the strengthening of the church body, etc., is well and capably done. Mr. and Mrs. Drown have one child, a daugh- ter just growing to young womanhood, named Mary O., whose birth date was April 21, 1894, and whose education has been com- pleted as far as the Old Fort high school.
A sketch of Mr. Drown's venerable father, Joseph R. Drown, including data concerning his sisters, Ina and Mary A., occurs on other pages of this volume, whose mission is to chronicle the parentage and deeds of all such good and valuable citizens.
DAVID D. HILSINGER .- Few men are better or more favorably known in Seneca county than David D. Hilsinger, one of the pros- perous and progressive members of the agricultural class and a man who has figured to a considerable extent in public life. He is a native of the county which still claims his residence and his birth date is shared by one George Washington, his eyes having first opened to the light of day, February 22, 1867. He is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Smith) Hilsinger, who were married in 1861. The father was born in Ohio, January 20, 1841, and the mother was born November 22, 1839. The latter was the daughter of David and Susan (Neikirk) Smith and the eldest of twelve chil- dren, all of whom lived to reach full manhood and womanhood. She departed this life August 31, 1909. Joseph and Catherine Hilsinger became the parents of five children : David D., Nora S .. Lottie M. (deceased), Calvin J. and Clara B.
The grandfather, whose name also was Joseph Hilsinger, was born in the Black Forest of Germany. Living was rather meager and wonderful tales of the riches and opportunity of the new world reached his parents' ears and they started off for Amsterdam to take the ship which would carry them to this "Land of Promise." Alas, upon arriving in the city, they found that the ship had sailed and that there would be a long interval before another one. The father concluded to remain in the city until the next departure, but the wife and children set out again for the Black Forest, making
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the journey on foot. On the way the mother died and the children went on to the old home alone. The father remained in Amsterdam and the son, Joseph, (Mr. Ililsinger's grandfather) apprenticed himself to a clock and watch maker and later came to America, the year of his emigration being 1825. He came with two other men and upon arriving in Philadelphia Joseph's companions appro- priated most of the tools and stock and left without leaving their address. Ruefully he packed what was left and went on to Allen- town, where he established himself in the jeweler's business in a small way. He afterward married Mary Rairich, of Leigh county Pennsylvania. He subsequently came on to Scipio township, Seneca county, Ohio, where he secured farming property and lived upon it until his death. He and his wife were the parents of three children, Joseph Jr., being the youngest, and the others being named, Harrison and Sarah. Joseph senior's sister was left in Germany, married one of her own countrymen and lived the rest of her life in her native country.
David D. Hilsinger passed his early years upon his father's farm and received a good education, attending the district schools, the Academy of Fostoria and Heidelberg College at Tiffin. When he was eighteen years of age he began teaching and acted in the capacity of a pedagogue for eight winter terms, his educational work giving the highest satisfaction. About the time of his mar- riage he launched out independently as a farmer, and he now manages an estate of two hundred and thirty acres of fine land. Last year he built upon his farm the largest stock barn in northern Ohio, this being eighty by eighty-seven feet, with a basement under the whole affair with the exception of a space of eighteen by fifty in one corner. He engages in general farming and stock raising, being thoroughly successful in the latter line. He raises thorough- bred Shorthorn cattle and Delaine sheep, having from twenty to twenty-five head of cattle and about one hundred head of sheep.
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