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 104

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 104

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ROBERT M. C. MARTIN (deceased) was born September 18. 1822. in Perry County, Ohio: son of Samuel and Mary Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, and who came to Seneca County in 1827. Samuel Martin first bought a tract of land in Scipio Township, which he traded for land on Section 19, Eden Town- ship, holding the same until his death. though he purchased other property at different times. Of his children, eight in number, five now survive; Absalom, Samuel. Nathan, Nancy and Hannah. Hugh, one of the sons, and who be- came a noted lawyer, read law under Gen. Gibson, opened practice in Iowa,

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and was killed by a rolling boulder at Colorado. Our subject, the eldest son, received a fair education, and was reared a farmer. He was married, October 12, 1848, to Miss Barbara, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Wrouff) Kagy, and by this union there were thirteen children, ten now living: Mary E., Samuel S., Hannah J. (Mrs. Clinton Lease), Eliza E., Isaac R. (married to Hattie Hoverstock), John V., Hugh Mc., Charles E., Francis A. and Anna C. Robert M. C. Martin was a successful farmer. having acquired several large farms, together with everything that denotes prosperity. He was appointed county recorder to fill an unexpired term, and then was elected and subsequent- ly re-elected to this office. He was present at the last reunion of the Kagy family, where there were over 100 members of the family gathered. He died April 4, 1879, leaving his property to his widow during her life time, and at her demise, to his children. Mrs. Martin and some of her children occupy the homestead. She is a pleasant lady, striving to make home comfortable for her family.

DANIEL PRICE, farmer, P. O. Melmore, was born March 24, 1835, in Eden Township this county; son of Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1823, and settled on Section 20, in Eden Township, where Jacob Price's father-in-law entered land the same year, and where he began as a pioneer, having to cut the bushes to enable him to turn his team. Jacob Price's children were eleven in number, four living: Isaac, Daniel, Joseph and Estlier, wife of Abraham Saul, residing in Indiana; all educated in Eden Township, this county. Our subject was married. in 1859, to Delila. daughter of Thornton Cross, and to this union was born one child. G. C. Price. The mother of this child died April 4, 1864, and Mr. Price then married, in 1867, Martha, daughter of Henry Berry, by which union there were four children: Pearl (deceased), Harvy. Robert M. and Dallas J. (latter deceased). Daniel Price's parents are deceased, and he now occupies the old home farm, comprising 160 acres, well-improved and watered by streams. Mr. Price's family are members of the United Brethren Church.

LORENZO ROGERS, farmer. P. O. Melmore, was born April 29, 1819, in Lake County. Ohio, son of Barnabas and Polly (Rider) Rogers, natives of Vermont and Connecticut respectively, and who were parents of three children: Lorenzo, Orange and Martha, latter now widow of A. Lee, residing in Michigan. Barnabas Rogers, a tanner and currier by trade, when a young man came to Ohio on foot. carrying a kit of tools, making shoes as he journeyed. He entered land December 24, 1824. and erected the first cabin on his place, in the township, where he engaged in cutting timber, farming, and part of the time working at his trade, establishing also a tannery, which he carried on for sev- eral years. He was a member of the Baptist Church. He died in 1879: his wife died in 1874. Our subject received his early education in Eden Town- ship. He was twice married, the first time to Susan Babcock, by whom he had two children, both now living: Luther, married to Mary Sailor, and Eliza, married to John Nichols. His second marriage was with Mrs. Lucinda Sho- maker, and by this union there is one child living, Mattie M. Our subject, who has been one of the prominent farmers of the township, and is a well-to- do citizen, not being in the best of health, has rented his farm and now occu- pies a pleasant home of twenty acres on Section 27. He has served his town- ship as trustee. Politically he is a Republican.

SAMUEL SAUL, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born September 25, 1801, in Northampton County, Penn., son of Leonard and Eve (Rubrecht) Saul, who were the parents of ten children. Leonard Saul, a native of Germany, came to America and to Mahoning County, Penn., when but six years old, with his

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parents, who had a family of five sons and two daughters. four living-three of whom are residents of Ohio: John, Mary (Mrs. Raider, a widow in Frank- lin County), and Samuel. Leonard Saul came to Ohio in 1815 and settled in Franklin County, purchasing land, where he lived the remainder of his days. Our subject has been twice married, first in Fairfield County, Ohio, to Miss Ann Spitler. and by this union had seven children: Edward (deceased), was married to Lovina Kagy; Rachael, wife of David Fowley; Abraham, married to Hester Price; Eliza (deceased wife of William Martin); Regina, wife of Michael Bair; Ann, wife of Thomas Singer; Elizabeth, wife of W. Souther- land. This wife dying. Mr. Saul was subsequently married to Mrs. Catharine (Slimmer) Coleman, a widow, by whom he had three children: Jesse. married to Sarah Kirshner (have one son, L. H.), and occupies the farm north of the homestead; Martha, wife of Davied Geis; Mary, a maiden lady keeping house for her father (who is partially blind), her mother having died in 1877. Four of Mr. Saul's children reside in this county. Our subject came to this county in 1828, began pioneer life. entering eighty acres of land, and built a house where he still resides. He was a leading farmer in his earlier days. Was elected county commissioner, serving six years.

JOHN SEITZ, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born March 12, 1829. in Bloom Township, this county; son of Lewis and Barbara . (Kagy) Seitz, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio. and Virginia, respectively. and grandson of Lewis Seitz, Sr., and great-grandson of John Seitz, who with his young wife came to York County, Penn., from Prussian Germany in 1767. He reared a family of nine children-three sons, Lewis, John and Andrew, and six daughters: Catherine, Anna Mary (married Zeller, and Stabler), and the four youngest girls came to Fairfield County, Ohio, and were married to Keller, to Einsel. to Leib and to Swartz, respectively. John lived and died in York County, Penn., after rearing a family of fourteen children; Andrew moved to Mary- land. Lewis Seitz, Sr., left York County, Penn., in 1789, and moved to Rock- ingham County, Va., where he remained twelve years, and there had ten chil- dren. In 1801 he moved to Fairfield County (one of its first settlers). Here four more children were born; fourteen of the family grew to manhood and womanhood and reared families, seven sons and seven daughters. all of whom lived to be over sixty years of age. and of whom two now survive: Lewis (father of our subject) and Rebecca (Mrs. Friesner. of Illinois). Lewis Seitz, Jr., came to Seneca County in 1825, locating on lands his father had entered, and here began as his father had done before him as a pioneer, and like his father he was a minister of the Old School Baptist Church, and labored among the people for many years. Lewis Seitz, now eighty-three vears old, was twice married, his children by his first wife numbering fourteen: Catharine. Lydia, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Anna, Daniel, Barbara, Hannah, Abraham, Lewis, Aaron, Lavina and Jonas, eight of whom are living (Daniel and Jonas died in infancy). Our subject was reared on a farm, educated at the common schools and Seneca County Academy, then under Prof. T. W. Harvey. He was mar- ried. April 9, 1851. to Miss Celia, daughter of David Hite, a pioneer of Marion County, Ohio, and by her he has had seven children, five now living: Milford K., Omar B. (married to Susie Richardson). Marshal, May (wife of R. W. Thorn- burg), Nettie, Orin and Jay. The three oldest sons are in Texas, engaged in sheep rearing. Our subject was elected justice of the peace of Bloom Township in 1862, which office he held till 1865, when he removed to Eden Township. where he purchased a farm which is now finely cultivated and improved. He was elected a member of the State Legislature of Ohio in 1869, where he served four years, after which, in the fall of 1873. he was elected to the Senate from the

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Thirty-first District of Ohio. which position he held two years; was re-elected in 1877, and after serving four years returned to his farm. Mr. Seitz. during his second term in the Ohio Senate introduced a bill which became and is now law: to make it a felony to bribe or intimidate a voter at any general election. or during the canvass of any candidate for "nomination" or election, and makes a guilty candidate ineligible to hold the office, though elected. This statute is now known throughout the State as "the Seitz election law." Of the legislative record of Mr. Seitz it is said of him in the biographical sketches of the General Assembly of Ohio (63d) and other State officials: "He has made a brave member of the Senate; brave because it requires courage of the highest order for a representative of the people to fearlessly fight the schemes of a powerful and active lobby. which is doing more legislation than the Legis-

lature. Mr. Seitz has been severe in his advocacy of retrenchment in public expenditures. and has justly earned the title of the watch dog of the treas- ury.'" In 1880 he was a candidate for Congress on the Greenback labor ticket, and in 1881 candidate for governor, on same ticket. He is a leading politician, and in 1882 was before the people as candidate for Congress, mak- ing no canvass. In 1883 he was candidate for State Treasurer, and in 1884 was candidate (Greenback labor ticket) as elector at large.

JOHN TITTLE, farmer, P. O. Melmore, was born November 20, 1820, in Westmoreland County, Penn., son of Jonathan and Susan (Beaty) Tittle, also natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan Tittle came to Ohio in 1840, and settled on Honey Creek, Eden Township, this county, where he bought a farm of Thomas West, of which a few acres were cleared, now one of the most valua- ble farms in Eden Township, with fine improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Tittle had six sons and three daughters when they came to this county, and were parents in all of eleven children: Martha C. (wife of William Ferguson). John, Sarah, two infants (deceased), Ralph W. (married to Agnes Spittle). Benjamin B. (married to Rachael Finch), Jonathan, Allen (married to Amanda Johnson), William W. (married to Emily Johnson), Samuel W. (married to Hattie Beals). Our subject was united in marriage, in June, 1857, with Lina. daughter of John and Nancy (Weidner) Chamberland. Mr. and Mrs. Tittle have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Lottie. Our subject now owns the old home farm on which his parents lived, and is a thrifty, neat farmer living at his ease, enjoying the fruits of his labor. He has served as township trustee.

JOSEPH WALTER, P. O. Tiffin, a well-to-do farmer of Eden Township. was born September 4, 1832, in Northumberland County, Penn., only child of David and Nancy (Huntsicker) Walter, who came to Ohio in the fall of 1851. purchasing a farm and settling in Richland County. David Walter died in Mansfield. Ohio, in 1864; his widow now makes her home with her son. Our subject received his education in his native State. He was a farmer in his earlier days. but later entered the drug business at Mansfield, in which he con- tinned for ten years. He was married, in 1855, to Susan, daughter of Joel Keller, of Pennsylvania, and who came to Ohio in an early day, settling near Mansfield. Of their children. eight in number, four are now living: Anna E. ; David K .; Amos J., married to Sophia Kerschner (have one child, Grace), and Albert C. Mr. Walter came to this county in the spring of 1880, and pur- chased. of Samuel J. Seed, the farm of 157 acres, with fine improvements. located on the Mohawk road, where he now resides. He is proprietor of the hack lines of Tiffin.

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HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS BALTZELL, farmer, Tiffin. was born July 22, 1815, in Fred- erick County, Md., son of Charles and Elizabeth (Creidler) Baltzell, natives of Maryland and of German descent. Charles Baltzell died in Maryland, and in 1837 his widow came to Ohio, bringing her only son. Thomas, with her; she died in 1857. Thomas Baltzell was a successful farmer, but in 1881 he retired from his farm, moved to Tiffin and bought a house on Clay Street. where he now resides. He was married, in June, 1844, to Caroline Souders, the fifth born in the family of six children of David Sonders, natives of Fred- erick County, Md. To Mr. and Mrs. Baltzell were born ten children: Charles D., married to Mallie Butler; Henry C., married to Kate Pennington (have four children: Carrie. Henry. Willie T. and Bessie); Malinda E., wife of C. Shuemaker (have following children: Viola. Leora, Carroll, Calvin); Emma, widow of T. A. Kaup (has one child. Hallie D.); Nettie; John T .; Flora C .; Clara B., married to J. C. Royer (have one child, Helen); Ida B., and Jesse MI. One son enlisted in the late war of the Rebellion when but twenty years of age and served until the close of that struggle. They are all members of the Presbyterian Church.

JACOB A. BONER. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born May 2, 1809, in Frederick County, Md. He has no remembrance of his father, who died when our subject was very young. His mother subsequently married John Julian. Our subject came to Ohio in 1826 and located near Tiffin, where his step-father bought forty acres of land and spent the remainder of his life. The Indians, who were then quite numerous, would often visit the family in those early days. To Mr. and Mrs. Julian were born seven children: Samuel. Margaret, John, Sarah A., William, Joseph and Victoria, All of this family are now deceased but Victoria and John. The subject of this sketch was married, in September. 1831, to Elizabeth, daughter of George Slosser, one of the pioneers. In 1844 Mr. Boner and wife came into the woods of Hopewell Township. settling where they now live, and when there was but one log schoolhouse in the township. They have six children living: Agnes, wife of Joseph Staub; William, married to Rachael Cook; Ann, wife of Mathias Ulman; Joseph, married to Mary Kuhn; Catherine A .; Jacob A .; all residing in this township but Ann, who lives in Indiana. Mr. Boner has been an eye witness to the growth and improvement of Seneca County. He was justice of the peace for three years in Hopewell Township, and has been a leading farmer. His wife, who is now seventy-seven years old and who has been married fifty-four years, is a lively old lady, with a retentive memory, and remarkably quick in her actions con- sidering her age. The family, one of the oldest in the county, are members of the Catholic Church.

JOHN BRITT, retired farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born June 24, 1811, in County Longford. Ireland, son of Patrick and Alice (McCormic) Britt, who with their six children came to America in 1830. and settled in Pennsylvania, where they remained twenty years. The names of the children are John, Mary J., Annie (deceased), Timothy, William (deceased), Catharine (deceased). Our subject was married, in Huntingdon County, Penn, to Miss Mary Nolen, by whom he had the following children: Frank P. (he was a soldier in the late war

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of the Rebellion, a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, remaining until the war closed), Ann (Mrs. Leonard Beacox), Elizabeth, Alice, John, Ella (Mrs. F. Flack), Clara, Esther A. (deceased wife of S. W. Rohrer) and Maggie. In 1848 the subject of our sketch came to Ohio and settled in Hopewell Township, this county, where he lived and reared his family, and became a very successful farmer, He removed to Tiffin in 1883. but still retains his farm. He lost his wife by death May 19, 1884. Mr. Britt was elected justice of the peace of Hopewell Township, but resigned in favor of U. . P. Coonrod. He filled the office of treasurer of the school funds and volunteer funds, of Hopewell Township, for eight years; was director of the infirmary six years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

CHARLES M. COMER, physician. Bascom, was born June 13, 1849. in New Albany, Franklin Co., Ohio, son of the late John Comer, one of the lead- ing farmers of Franklin County. He was educated in his native county. and there spent the early part of his life. In 1879, and while engaged in the drug business, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Smith, of Franklin County. He afterward took two terms (six months each) of lectures at Columbus Medi- cal College under Dr. Hamilton, and graduated in the class of 1882. His father died at New Albany, April 14, 1878. and Charles M., being the ouly child. inherited his lands and personal effects. The Doctor was married. in September, 1872, to Sarah J .. the fifth born in the family of seven children of Aden Mullen, of Delaware County, Ohio. This union has been blessed with three children: Melissa, John and Charles N. December 9, 1882, the Doctor came to this county and began the practice of medicine at Bascom, where he still follows his profession.

HENRY M. CREEGER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, is a son of Henry and Cath- arine (McDonald) Creeger, natives of Frederick County, Md., and who, with their three children, came to Tiffin, Ohio, in 1826, and the following spring bought a piece of land on Fulton Creek. in Hopewell Township, on which there was a small cabin raised by Michael Shaull, and which was located on the site of an Indian wigwam; but the timber was yet uncut, and there were no roads, and Mr. Creeger, with the assistance of his sons, cut the first road to Tiffin. This pioneer couple had ten children. seven born after their arrival in Ohio: John H., Catharine, James, Laurence, Mary, David, Margaret. Sabina, Delila and Henry M. Our subject was educated in Hopewell Township, this county, attending the log schoolhouse with its puncheon floors and paper windows; helped to cut the first road. and also assisted in building the first bridge across the river. and operated the first saw-mill in the township. There were Indian mounds on his farm, on which trees grew that measured three feet through, and out of these mounds Mr. Creeger excavated a skeleton. Mr. Creeger now occupies the old homestead on which he has built a fine, large, brick residence, and opened a large stone quarry and a limekiln on the creek where thousands of bushels of lime are made, and thousands of perches of stone are taken yearly. The first church he attended was the German Reformed at Tiffin, Rev. Daniel Cron officiating. Our subject was twice married, the first time to Ruth A. Culbertson, who bore him four children, three now living: Melissa, Orrow J. and Chipeway L. Daniel is deceased. Mr. Creeger was married, on second occasion, March 21, 1864, to Christena Biddle, by whom he has the following children: Josephena, James, Catharine, Oliver, Bertha. Minnie, Ross and Ida. Mr. Creeger is one of the leading farmers in the county, and has the finest residence in the township.

He has served as school director for years.

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LAURENCE CREEGER. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born July 22. 1820, in Frederick County, Md .. and came to Tiffin. Ohio. with his parents, Henry and Catharine (McDonald) Creeger. July 6, 1826, and there remained until the following spring, when his father bought a piece of land on Wolf Creek, Hope. well Township. and began life in real pioneer style with a family of small children around him. Our subject. the fifth born, soon began to labor. His parents had ten children in all: John (deceased), James (deceased), Catharine (deceased), Mary L., Laurence. David (deceased), Henry M., Margaret, Sabina, and Delila (latter deceased). Our subject early became interested in educa- tional matters and fitted himself to be a teacher: then taught school for twenty years. He was twice married. the first time. October 3. 1842, to Susan Mus- setter, who bore him three children: Samuel Levi (deceased), Catharine, wife of F. Kipke, and Mary E., wife of Calvin Smith. The mother of these chil- dren died August 4, 1848. Mr. Creeger was married on second occasion, Sep- tember 20, 1849, to Belinda Chenoworth, by whom he had the following children: Christopher (married to Minnie Osborn), Minerva A. (deceased), Henry M .. Alice (deceased), Adelia, Laurence (deceased), Emma A. (deceased), Min- nie I. (deceased), Hiram D. and Adam, twins (both deceased), Mintie B. (married to J. M. Ruse) and John Henry. Mr. Creeger is one of the elder children of the county, having seen the rise and progress of Hopewell Town- ship. and remembers well the first deer killed by his father on the Wentz farm, now in the corporation of Tiffin, and many another afterward. He has been a peaceful, law-abiding citizen, and is now reaping the reward of his labor, having been a successful farmer. Mr. Creeger has been a follower of Christ for over fifty years and intends to hold out to the end of his life.

L. D. CREEGER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born August 22. 1848, in Hopewell Township, this county. son of John H. and Mary (Young) Creeger, of Stark County, Ohio, and grandson of Henry and Catharine (McDonald) Creeger, who came to Tiffin. Ohio, in 1826, settling in the following spring in Hopewell Township, near Wolf Creek, where they entered land, being among the first permanent settlers, and here they lived, overcoming all the difficulties of a pioneer's life, and reared their family. At that time there were no roads, only Indian trails. Our subject's parents were married, December 11, 1834, and had a family of four children, three now living: Ann Elizabeth, Ann Rebecca and Lorenzo D. Ann Lucinda is deceased. Soon after marriage John H. Creeger moved on a farm bought of his father, and there lived and labored the balance of his years. He died May 26, 1872, and his widow August 28, 1881. Our subject lived in Hopewell Township on a part of his father's land, to which he has added by subsequent purchase, and has made fine improvements. He obtained the timber from the woods, and built his barn, 40x80 feet, in six weeks: has also erected a fine large brick residence. He was married, June 6. 1871, to Elizabeth Shaferlev. by whom he has three children: Charles R., William F. and Russel E. Mrs. Creeger died September 17. 1881. Mr. Creeger is an enterprising man, engaged in farming and sell- ing agricultural implements.

ELIAS W. CRUM, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Dauphin County, Penn .. April 28, 1846, second son in the family of eight children of Frederick and Sus- anna (Reeme) Crum, natives of Dauphin County, Penn., and who moved to this county in 1857, settling on the farm Elias W. now occupies. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm and educated in the common schools. In 1871 he took charge of the homestead, containing 160 acres, which he purchased in 1880. January 31, 1871, he was married to Miss Frances A. C. Lambright, born in Frederick County. Md .. November 23. 1841, daughter of Henry and

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Catharine Lambright, also natives of that county: the former born December 13, 1801, the latter June 30, 1804, and who came to this county in the fall of 1856, settling near Fort Seneca, where they resided till the following year. when they moved to Clinton Township, this county, and purchased 120 acres of land. eighty acres being in Hopewell Township. Since the death of Mrs. Lambright. May 1. 1876, Mr. Lambright has lived with his children, who in all numbered nine: Susan E., Philip G. J., Mary J., Henry V., Elijah D., Catharine M., Hamilton K .. Frances A. C. and Charles C. To our subject and wife have been born the following children: Minnie Idella, Mary Oleta and Herbert L. Mr. Crum has always successfully followed farming. He is a member of the Bethel Methodist Church, and Mrs. Crum of the first Reformed Church, of Tiffin. The farm now owned by Mr. Crum was entered by John Rosenberger, who sold it to Andrew Dorcas, who four years later sold it to Frederick Crum.

WILLIAM CUPP. retired farmer. Tiffin, was born May 7, 1808, in Augusta County, Va., son of Valentine and Mary (Fall) Cupp, of German descent. Valentine Cupp was twice married, and had nine children, of whom six survive. two - David and William-being residents of Ohio. Our subject was brought to Fairfield County, Ohio, by his parents in 1808, his father carry- ing him in front of him on his horse most of the way. They settled in Walnut Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where the father purchased a farm. on which he passed the remainder of his life. Our subject was educated in Fairfield County and was there united in marriage with Miss Catharine Fall (a second cousin), by whom he had three children: Mary A., now the widow of Joel Kel- ler (has two children): Elizabeth C., wife of William Orme (have four chil- dren), and George W., married to Lucy Fisher; they reside in Tiffin and have one child living. Mr. Cupp bought a fine farm in this county, and moved here in 1865. Retiring from same in 1877, he came to Tiffin, where he now lives, having bought a fine property on Market Street. He has been a successful farmer, and is a fine gentleman. He is a member of the first Reformed Church, of Tiffin. Col. Valentine Cupp, of the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, a brother of our subject, was killed at the battle of Chickamauga in Septem- ber, 1863.

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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