History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 101

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088

USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 101

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Years of industrious and energetic labor in his profession have not been

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without substantial rewards to Judge Seney in fortune, as he has been suc- cessful. By his own exertions he has accumulated property estimated to be worth $150,000 to $200,000. He is the owner of the Tiffin Gas Works, which thirty years ago he assisted in constructing, and was for the first three years of their existence the secretary of the company who built them. He is a progres- sive, liberal and enterprising man. In whatever is calculated to advance Tiffin and the good of her people, he takes an active and leading part. If money is wanted to help the poor. the sick, or the unfortunate, no one gives more cheer- fully or liberally. If a church is to be built, a minister lacks support, the cause of education needs help, or any enterprise for the public good wants assistance. he is always ready and willing with his purse. He is a member of no church. yet the friend of religion and of all Christian effort. Judge Seney has no children. His estimable wife, Anna (Walker) Seney, is a daughter of the late Joseph Walker, Esq., long a merchant of Tiffin, and a granddaughter of the late Josiah Hedges, Esq., who was the founder of Tiffin. and is remembered by older citizens as an active leader in public affairs forty years ago. There are those who believe that still higher honors are in store for Judge Seney. We write not of the future, but of the past and the present.

WILLIAM HALDERMAN SHAFFNER, dealer in agricultural imple- ments. Tiffin, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., September 5, 1824. His parents, Martin and Sarah (Flescher) Shaffner, were descended from pioneer stock of that State, former of whom came to Crawford County in 1829. and to Bloom Township. Seneca County, in 1843. Martin Shaffner had twenty-one children by three marriages, William H. being the youngest of three sons and six daughters by the first marriage. Our subject took up farming, and has been very successfully identified with that industry, buying and selling consid- erably. He has exchanged nine different farms, aggregating about $90,000 or $100,000. He married. in Scipio Township, this county, in 1846, Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Frances (Lanaga) Coffman, natives of Perry County, Penn., and to this union have been born four sons and five daughters: Joseph Wesley, residing in Wyandot County, Ohio: Sarah F., wife of Jacob Basore. of Huron County. Ohio: Emma, wife of Leo Andrews, of Liberty Township, this county; Charles B .. of Hughes County, Dak. ; Martin F., of Loudon Township, this county: Alice, wife of Charles Cramer, of Loudon Township, this county; Clara (deceased); Elmer L. and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffner are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as trustee, steward. class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has been a member of the Masonic order for several years, and has attained to the degree of K. T. of De Molay Commandery. He is also a member of Isaac Rule Post G. A. R., having seen service during the late war of the Rebellion as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Shaffner's present farm comprises 240 acres of valuable Jand in Loudon Township, this county.

JOHN SHAULL, retired farmer, Tiffin, was born December 13. 1813, in Berkeley County, Va. ; son of Jacob and Susan (Pulse) Shaull, natives of Vir- ginia. Jacob Shaull came to Ohio in 1833, and for a few months his family stopped in Marion until he could find a suitable location. He finally entered land in Williams County, where he and a portion of his family settled, and there he and his wife lived and died, the latter departing this life in 1882, aged ninety-two years. Jacob Shaull became one of the leading farmers of Williams County and was one of its respected pioneers. His family consisted of six sons and three daughters, of whom Milton, Samuel and John, only, sur- vive. Our subject came with his father to Ohio, but did not remain with the

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family, coming direct to Seneca County to his grandfather, Michael Shaull. an old pioneer, and here began life, and by industrious habits and economy soou accumulated enough to make a start for himself. He was married, in 1837. to Miss Barbara Shedingham; subsequently purchased a piece of land of his father- in-law and began life in earnest. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaull were born ten chil dren, nine of whom are now living: George J., Mary E. (Mrs. F. Fisher), Samuel R .. David, Lydia (Mrs. R. Hill), Sarah (Mrs. Truman Zise). Conrad, Smiley and Joseph. The mother of these children dying. Mr. Shaull, October 18, 1868, was married to Mrs. Libby Staub, a widow, a daughter of Henry Stoner, an old settler of this county. John Shoull, who has been a successful farmer, still owns his farm in Hopewell Township, this county, but is living a retired life in Tiffin. He has been a leading pioneer; served in the offices of township trustee for several years and also as school director.

REZIN W. SHAWHAN stands prominent among Tiffin's people as a suc- cessful merchant and an active, public spirited citizen. His is an example of a well spent life, of careful, painstaking industry. His parents were Freder- ick and Eleanor (Wells) Shawhan, the latter a native of Virginia. His father was a native of Kent County, Md., but had settled in Virginia after the Revo- lutionary War, in which he was an active participant. having enlisted when but seventeen years of age. He served under Gens. Wayne. Green, Lafayette and Washington. He was at the capture of Stony Point by Wayne, at the battle of Monmouth, at the crossing of the Delaware, and at the subsequent capture of the Hessians at Trenton. In 1812 he moved to Ohio, and first located in Fairfield County, antl afterward settled in Seneca County, and died near Tiffin August 26, 1840, in the eightieth year of his age. The subject of this sketch was born October 19. 1811, in Berkeley County. Va., and worked on a farm until fifteen years of age. His chances for education were very limited, comprising only a common district school education of twenty- eight months. In 1827 he entered the store of William McComb, in Wooster, Ohio, as clerk, and when eighteen he was employed in the store of Zopher T. Moore, with whom he remained about three years. In 1833 he located in Tiffin, then a village of less than 500 inhabitants. In company with his brother, L. D. Shawhan, he opened a small store, but at the end of two years L. D., fearing his health was being injured, withdrew his entire interest. R. W., thereafter, driving the business alone. In April. 1839, Mr. Shawhan was married to Elvira Tuller, of Worthington, Ohio, who died May 20. 1880. June 29, 1881, he married Della Watson. of Toledo, Ohio, still living. Having engaged in many enterprises. many of which were unprofitable, still, by dint of perseverence and unyielding industry, he has accumulated a handsome fortune, and has assisted in the growth of many important industries, among which may be mentioned the banking and building interests, the "Shawhan House" built in 1850), being the only one however bearing his name. His enterprise has not been confined to Tiffin only, but he has been connected with merchandising in other places, and has been interested in extensive land purchases in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas, all of which accrued to his profit. Mr. Shawhan is a man of exceptionally vigorous constitution, and gives personal attention to all of his affairs. He has always been a close student of business matters. and has given considerable attention to general reading, having acquired a fine library. The subject of our sketch is the only surviving child in his father's family, and he has an only daughter. Ella, a lady of excellent attainments.

HENRY SHEATS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 23, 1822, son of Henry and Nancy Sheats, who were married in Pennsylvania, came to Seneca County, Ohio, in October, 1839, and remained

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in Clinton Township until the death of the former. After his death Mrs. Sheats went to Henry County, and there remained until her death. Our sub- ject was united in marriage, January 16, 1862, with Anna Ditto, born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 27, 1832, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Ditto, the former born in 1785, in Northumberland County, Penn., and the latter born on the Atlantic Ocean in 1795; died August 9, 1885. They were married Octo- ber 14, 1814, and settled in this county, where they remained until the death of Mr. Ditto. which occurred in 1853. Mr. Sheats is a carpenter and black- smith by trade, but since his marriage has engaged in farming. He and his family reside on a farm of 214 acres, owned by the late Mrs. Ditto. Mr. and Mrs. Sheats are members of Grace Reformed Church.

ELDRIDGE SHERMAN, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county Febrary 1, 1844, son of Howland and Huldah Sherman, the former a native of New York State, born June 3, 1814, and the latter a native of Connecticut. born March 3. 1823. They were married March 3, 1842, and settled in this county, where they remained until the death of Howland Sherman, which occurred June 13, 1865; his widow resides with our subject, the mother of five children: Eldridge, Frances, Phrona, Elnora and Lucinda. Our subject was united in marriage, April 23, 1867, with Catharine Earl, born in this county May 8, 1845, daughter of Matthew and Susanna Earl, the former deceased, the latter now living. To our subject and wife have been born four children, three now living: William T., Aura I. and Earl J. ; one died in infancy. Mr. Sherman owns eighty- four acres of good land. He served his country in the late war, and is a member of the G. A. R. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DANIEL SHUBERT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., November 3, 1846; son of Lewis and Esther Shubert, natives of Penn- sylvania, where they were married and first settled, remaining there until 1847, at which time they moved to Tiffin, Ohio, where they afterward resided. Our subject was united in marriage, December 31, 1868, with Barbara Einsel, born in Clinton Township, this county, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Einsel. whose sketch appears elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Shubert have been born five children, four now living: Cyrus A., Sarah E., Oleva M. and Henry L. The deceased is an infant. Our subject is a carpenter and joiner by trade. but has of late years been engaged in farming, owning 107 acres of fine land. He served his country in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1863. He was in several sharp engagements, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

H. E. SIMON, born in Boardman Township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, July 17. 1847. In 1851 the family moved to Bloom Township, Wood County, arriving there September 1, and in the public schools of that township our subject was educated. He was deputy auditor of Mahoning County in 1865-66, and in 1870-71 he was deputy recorder of that county. In October, 1872, he came to Tiffin, Seneca County, where he was engaged with the Baltimore & Ohio en- gineer corps until the line was located. upon which that railway was built in the spring of 1873. September 15, 1873, he entered the Tribune office (Locke & Bro .. proprietors) to learn the printer's trade, and remained at the case for about eighteen months until March 7, 1875, when C. N. Locke, the junior editor died. At this time Mr. Simon entered the counting room of the Tribune office and took the position left vacant, and became associate editor with O. T. Locke, a position which he has held over ten years. Mr. Simon was married.

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May 14, 1879, to Miss Mary L., daughter of Michael and Mary (Rinker) Wall. old settlers of Tiffin, then residing at Toledo, moving to Toledo in 1878, after about thirty years' residence at Tiffin.

JAMES V. SIX, dealer in groceries and provisions, Tiffin, is a native of Tiffin, this county. His father, William Alfred Six, was born in Frederick County, Md., of pioneer German ancestry in that State, and, at the age of twenty-one (1843), came to Tiffin and learned brick-making, eventually taking an important part in the building interests of the city for many years. He married, in his native State, Henrietta A. Filler (whom he buried here), and the issue of this union was three sons and three daughters: James V., David H. (a mason and builder); Winfield Scott (deceased): Ida (deceased); Lizzie (deceased); and Emma. The subject of our sketch was reared to his father's business, which he followed, doing considerable building. many of the business blocks, factories and residences of Tiffin being monuments of his handiwork. Retiring from that industry he took up merchandising. Mr. Six married, in Tiffin, Ohio, Hattie Crawford, a lady of estimable attainments, a graduate of the academy at Republic, and this union was blessed with three children, of whom but one daughter, Mabel, survives. Our subject and wife are worthy members of the Evangelical Church. He is a member of the K. of P., and of the American National Union Insurance Company of Mansfield, Ohio.

SAMUEL BAUGHER SNEATH, banker and merchant, one of Tiffin's prominent commercial citizens, is a native and to the "manor born;" his parents, Richard and Catharine (Baugher) Sneath, settling here in 1827, and his birth occurring December 19 of the following year. His father was a native of Connecticut, and was a prominent pioneer and business man of Tif- fin. His mother was a native of Pennsylvania, descended from a pioneer family of that State. Three sons and one daughter of the family survive: William O. and Richard G., residents of San Francisco, Cal. ; Catharine, wife of James T. Drake. of Missouri; and Samuel B. The subject of our sketch, in early life, engaged in manufacturing business, and was successfully identified with that industry here till 1853, when he turned his attention to merchandising, and embarked in business with Jesse Shriver, the firm of Shriver & Sneath continuing with good success for many years. In 1860 or 1861 Mr. Sneath retired from the firm, and established a produce and commis- sion business, which he still carries on, and in 1862 he bought his former part- ner (Shriver) out and continued in dry goods and merchant tailoring for a year or so, when he sold to P. Scheib. who still pursues the business. In 1865 he became an incorporator and stockholder of the National Exchange Bank, severing his connection with that institution recently. In 1876 he took an active part in the organization of the Commercial Bank, and has remained its cashier since. He is a very cordial supporter of measures tending to the city's growth and development, and has contributed in no small degree to its social and industrial institutions. Mr. Sneath married, in 1861. Mary L. Davis, a native of Tiffin, and daughter of Levi Davis, a native of Maryland, and pioneer farmer of this county. Mrs. Sneath passed away from this life in 1868, and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, leaving a daughter and son: Fannie, now the wife of C. F. M. Niles, an attorney at law and banker, a resident of Garden City, Kas., and Ralph. D., associated in the bank. In November, 1879, Mr. Sneath married Laura A. Stephenson, of Findlay, Ohio, a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of William Stephenson, a prominent farmer near Findlay. To this union has been born one daughter, Marian Lee. Mrs. Sneath is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Sneath has always been a liberal contributor. In public life he has kept aloof from

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holding office, but has nevertheless considered the importance of the ballot, his motto being "What is worth doing is worth doing well." Mr. Sneath has applied his abilities to the furtherance of the commercial interests of this locality, in which he stands a prominent character.

CALVIN SNYDER, proprietor of saloon and restaurant, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, August 28, 1847, son of John W. and Barbara (Hammon) Snyder, natives of Baden, who settled in Tiffin in early times, and who reared a family of eleven children, of whom five sons and three daughters survive. Calvin Snyder was reared to the molder's trade, which he followed for many years. He spent a number of years traveling through the Western and North- western country, trading and trapping. In 1881 he returned here and embarked in his present business. In 1882 Mr. Snyder married Mrs. Emma (Rhu) Smith, who was born in New Riegel, this county, and by this union there is one daughter, Edith Smith. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Molder's Union and Veteran Firemen, and of Rescue Hose Company No. 1.

WILLIAM A. SPONSLER, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Boardman, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1834, and comes of a line of pioneer Pennsylvania people of German ancestry. His parents were pioneers in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared in Cumberland Coun- ty, Penn., and, at twenty-one, went to Burbank, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he eventually engaged in merchandising. In 1874 he removed thence to Tiffin, this county, where he has since carried on a prominent business in his present industry. He was united in marriage at Burbank, in 1857, with Miss Sarah Jane Bowman, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio.

C. D. SPRAGUE, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, Tiffin, was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 28, 1847. His parents, Seth and Cynthia (Bowen) Sprague, are of Scotch and English ances- try, respectively; the Spragues of pioneer Scotchmen in Connecticut and Rhode Island, who settled there in the seventeenth century, of the family line- age of Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island: the Bowens of early English settlers in New York State. The subject of our sketch was the youngest of a family of four sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters sur- vive. His father carried on mercantile business in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. C. D. Sprague took up telegraphing at fifteen, at Gouverneur, that coun- ty; the year following he came to Elyria, Ohio, and clerked for awhile, com- pleting his education in telegraphy. He was creditably identified with his profession in Ohio and New York States, alternately, till 1872, when he came to Tiffin, and has been connected with his present occupation here since, mean- while taking an active part in other important pursuits. Mr. Sprague was married in Morristown, Minn .. to Jane, daughter of Joseph Hopkins, of St. Lawrence County, N. Y. She is a lady of estimable attainments, and was reared and educated with Mr. Sprague. This union has been blessed with four children: Mildred, Mamie, Charles B. and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer, superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school, and leader of the choir; she is treasurer of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Mr. Sprague has been a Mason, socially, since he was twenty-one years old, passing all the chairs of the chap- ter and council, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and served as private secretary to Gov. Foster during his canvass in 1877.

HON. DAVID J. STALTER, editor of the Tiffin News, was born in Eden Township, Seneca County, August 14, 1845. His parents, David and Nancy

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(Beery) Stalter, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, were old residents of Eden, ' and his father, one of the township's most enterprising farmers until 1863. Mr. Stalter attended the common schools of the district until 1859, when, owing to the death of his mother, he was compelled to work as a farm laborer. Early in 1865 he moved to Indiana, and during the summer of that year worked on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad as a section hand. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Michigan, and was there employed in brick-making, and subsequently in the lumber industry. During the latter part of the year 1867, he returned to Ohio; entered a select school at Adrian, in 1868; soon obtained a teacher's certificate; took charge of a school in Big Spring Town- ship, and subsequently presided over the school at Melmore for eleven terms. During this period of school-teaching he saved sufficient money to meet the expenses of schooling at Heidelberg College several terms. In 1873 he accept- ed the position of traveling correspondent for a Toledo paper, and eventually became one of its stockholders. His natural tact and industry, aided by the experiences which this position offered, pointed out to him other fields of labor. Disposing of his interest in the Toledo newspaper, he purchased a half inter- est in the Ottawa County News, and became editor and manager of that jour- nal. The columns of this newspaper he stamped with his individuality, and its business department with marked success until the spring of 1878, when he purchased the Wyandot Democratic Union, which journal he published at Upper Sandusky until November, 1879. Like the News of Ottawa County, he built up the interests of the Democratic Union until the journal became valu- able property under his management. Early in 1880 he founded the Tiffin News, a new journal which has won for itself a large measure of support from the people of Seneca County since the day of its establishment. Mr. Stalter's marriage, with Miss Lucy M., daughter of Amos and Penelope (Thompson) Westover, natives of Ohio, was solemnized at Nevada, Wyandot Co., Ohio, July 2, 1874. Two children were born to them-David K. and Miss Tonie Bernice; the former died in 1883, and was interred in Green Lawn Cemetery beside his mother, who died in February, 1883. Mr. Stalter was nominated by the Democratic Convention of 1883 to represent his native county in the Legislature. The nomination was bitterly opposed by the machine section of his party; and, in a measure, this opposition was carried to the polls, but the votes thus lost were largely compensated for by the votes of Republicans, as he received 4, 762, or 966 votes over his Republican opponent, 4, 717 votes over his Greenback opponent (W. H. Patterson), and 4,655 votes over A. T. McDonald, the candidate of the Prohibitionists. In 1872 he was elected clerk of Eden Township, the only Democrat ever chosen for that position by the people of Eden. His nominations for the major and minor offices were only agreed to by him on representations made by the best men of the party, and on condi- tion of retiring after one term of office. Whether in the newspaper office, Leg- islature or Masonic and Odd Fellows' circle, with which he is connected, in- dustry and zeal mark his every action.

EDWARD W. STEPHENSON, jobbing and commission house in general merchandising, Tiffin, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1845, son of Charles H. and Emily (Bellchamber) Stephenson, natives of England, the former born in Yorkshire and the latter in London. The subject of our sketch served an apprenticeship at the tinning business, and at the age of twenty came to this country and after traveling through the States a few years located in Tiffin, this county, in February, 1870, and united with Mr. Ranaldo A. Gray in the establishment of the present enterprise. Mr. Gray retiring in 1878. The busi- ness at first was small, but by dint of steady and persistent industry, Mr.

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Stephenson has reared it to an annual accounting of over $20,000, and it now employs eighteen well equipped wagons on the road. Mr. Stephenson was married, in Tiffin in 1872, to Mary Cooper Gray, only surviving child of Ranaldo A. and Elizabeth (Jolly) Gray, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Zanesville, Ohio. They have an adopted child, Daisy May Stephenson. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an active member of the K. of P., is Grand Inner Guard of the Grand Lodge of the State and recorder of the Uniform Rank of that society. He is a member of the P. O. of A., and of the I. O. O. F .; is ex- president of the National Union Insurance Company of Mansfield, Ohio. In industrial matters Mr. Stephenson has always contributed liberally, and was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the National Machinery Com- pany of Tiffin. In public life he has done efficient service and has contributed in no small degree to the advancement of the Republican party.

JAMES STINCHCOMB, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Bloom Town- ship, this county, March 25, 1831. His grandfather, George Stinchcomb, emigrated from Scotland, with his family, to America, and died in Maryland. The father of our subject, John Stinchcomb, came from the neighborhood of Baltimore, Md., to this county, December 3, 1825, and settled in Bloom Town- ship, where he purchased land and remained until 1851, when he removed to Clinton Township, and where he died, his widow, Barbara (Turnflinger) Stinchcomb, soon following him. They had ten children: Elizabeth A., George S., James, Mary J., Frances A., Daniel, Catharine (deceased), Amanda M., Henry and John. James Stinchcomb, the subject of this sketch, began to receive his education at the age of twenty-one, in Heidelberg College. He gradually worked up in his classes, and after the first term taught school, and continued teaching for twenty years. He is a quick observer, a lover of books, and a natural scholar. Mr. Stinchcomb was twice married; his first wife being Matilda, daughter of Ezra and Mary Baker. This wife dying February 15, 1871, our subject married, September 17, 1875, Annie S. Baker (a sister of his first wife), by whom he has one son- Robert Sherman.

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Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088