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 105

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 105

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WILLIAM N. DUNN. of Hopewell Township, was born in Sullivan County. N. Y., February 1, 1815. In 1834 he, in company with his parents, removed to Wayne County, remaining there until the year 1841, at which time he removed to Hopewell Township and cleared off the site of his present home- stead, containing 120 acres. In 1842, after having cleared a small space and erected a log-cabin, 18x20 feet, he married Sophia W. Clark, of New York. They resided here eight years, when Mr. Dunn erected a large building and moved his family into it, where they resided until it was destroyed by fire, together with eight other buildings, which calamity occurred April 13. 1872. The family consists of six children-all sons-an only daughter dying in infancy. Of these sons Arlington married Mary L. Oster; Devolson married Mahala E. Miller, and William G. married Alice M. Smoyer, all residents of the township. The farm contains 200 acres of land, a fine residence (which is occupied by D. C. Dunn, a son of Mr. Dunn) and a barn, 40x82 feet. The family now reside in a fine brick house in Tiffin, No. 23 Water Street, over- looking the Sandusky River. Mr. Dunn has been a hard worker, and is now enjoying the fruit of his industry.

ARLINGTON DUNN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born February 6, 1845, in Hopewell Township, this county, son of William N. and Sophia W. Dunn, natives of New York State, and who came to Ohio in 1842, settling on the old

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homestead. Our subject's grandfather, James Dunn, came to the county in an early day, and bought 400 acres of land. His sons came here afterward. To William N. Dunn and wife were born seven children: Elnora (died in infan- cy), Arlington, Devolson, William G., Deroy C., Norman and John A. They were all educated in the county schools. Our subject was married. August 12, 1873, to Mary L. Oster, the second in the family of seven children of Jacob and Catharine (Seewald) Oster, the former a native of Nassau, the latter of Sipperfelt, Germany, and who came to America in 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born three children: Cora Sophia, Clara May and William Arling- ton. Mr. Dunn enlisted in the army during the civil war. and served in the Twenty-fourth Corps in the Army of Western Virginia two years. ten months and six days to the close of the war. being then twenty years old. He is now erect- ing a fine brick residence in the most modern style, having a fine location on Wolf Creek. He is a member of the G. A. R.

DEROY C. DUNN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin. was born October 16, 1852, in Hopewell Township. this county, son of William N. and Sophia W. (Clark) Dunn, natives of New York State. Our subject was united in marriage, January 16. 1877, with Savilla, daughter of Frederick and Susan Crum, of Clinton Town- ship, this county, and to this union has been born one child. Mr. Dunn and family occupy the old home farm belonging to his father, and which is finely improved.

MICHAEL FREDERETZE, farmer, P. O. Bascom, was born in October, 1814, in Alsace, France, son of Matthew and Barbara Frederetze, parents of four children, and who came to America in 1828. and, after residing five years in Pennsylvania, settled in Seneca County. Ohio. in 1832. and here purchased a farm on which Mr. Frederetze lived for many years. He died, in 1851, at the home of his son, Michael. Our subject was married. in 1851, to Christine Ruse, and to this union were born six children: Frederick. married to Sarah Hoot; Joseph; Andy; Henry: Theresa and Ann. Michael Frederetze has lived fifty- two years on his present farm which he has improved; he has been an eye-wit- ness to the growth and improvement of this county. Some of his children live with him and help to manage the farm which is located near Bascom.

SOLOMON GLICK. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born October 2. 1811, in Lehigh County. Penn., son of Daniel and Sally A. (Stininger) Glick. who lived and died in that State; they were the parents of nine children. of whom three are now living: Charles. Lucy A. (Mrs. Hartman). Euphemia (Mrs. Leitchenwalter). In 1847 our subject moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois, where he remained until 1855, when he came to Ohio and settled in Eden Township, this county, and there lived until 1858 when he removed to Hopewell Township, where he still resides. owning a farm of 150 acres with fine improvements. He was mar- ried, in 1835, to Salome Litzenburger, by whom he had nine children, six now living: Lucy A. ; Willoughby H., married to Henrietta Miller; Adam S., mar- ried to Ellen C. Ish; Levi T., married to Nora Lichtner: Benjamin F., an enterprising young farmer, married to Emma Conrad (have two children-Ger- tie E. and Frankie Blaine): and Lewis N., married to Nancy B. Feasel. Henry, Theron and an infant are deceased.

HIRAM HART, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in 1804. in Oneida County, N. Y., son of Ozias and Polly (Pryar) Hart, natives of Connecticut and Ver- mont respectively. Ozias Hart went to New York when young, and there married, and in 1827 he moved to Ohio, and entered land in Hopewell Town- ship, this county. His children were Martha (deceased wife of Mr. A. Mal- let); Orrin; Orlow and Hiram. Our subject helped his father put up the cabin which they afterward lived in. and to clear the farm (comprising 145 acres)

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which is now among the best in the township. Hiram Hart afterward bought a piece of land for himself near Tiffin, for which he paid $6 per acre (the Government lands were $1.25 per acre), and which is now one of the finest farms here. He was a good workman, an expert ax-man. and a hunter who killed many a deer and other wild game. He was married. January 28, 1841, to Rebecca, daughter of Nathan Cadwallader, an old settler of this county, and who reared a large family. To Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born five children : Francis M. ; Mary E., wife of J. Roop. died, leaving one child; Orrin, married to Emma Hedge (have four children): Emma, wife of N. Cadwallader (have three chilren); and Della. wife of Philip Snyder (have one child living). Our subject and family were among the pioneers of the county. as well as his wife's father. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are now enjoying the fruits of their labor, having lived to see the growth and improvements of the county. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HENRY HOSTLER. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born July 9, 1816. in Lan- caster County. Penn., son of Henry and Catharine (Dinger) Hostler. also natives of Pennsylvania. Henry Hostler. Sr., came with his family to Ohio in 1831, and entered a farm in Hopewell Township. this county, when there were but few inhabitants in the township or county. They came here with one horse, and a wagon in which they slept at night most of the way, and had but little save health and willing hands. They made a clearing. built a cabin. and be- gan to work in earnest on the site where the beautiful dwelling of our subject now stands. On their way to this township they stopped at the then village of Sandusky, except the father. who came ahead and entered his land, then returned for his family. His children all attained maturity. and now the liv- ing occupy good positions in life. while their parents sleep, free from care and toil. Of their children (four sons and two daughters) the following survive: Henry; Sarah, widow of J. Martin: Catharine (wife of Rev. J. Powell. of San- dusky County) and Henry. Our subject, the only one who resides in this county, was educated here. He married. January 20. 1846. Miss Fannie, the eldest in the family of twelve children of John Baughman. of Liberty Township. this county. and who still occupies the old home farm. the property never hav- ing changed hands. Mr. and Mrs. Hostler have been blessed with nine chil- dren: George W., married to Mary Propps; Rebecca E .. wife of Isaac Mer- chant; Moses L .. married to Margaret Shaull: Silas J .: Dennis S. and David M. (twins); Stephen: A. D .: and Ira J., married to Harriet Bencoff. Mr. Hostler is one of the leading farmers of his township. and among its very suc- cessful men. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.

JACOB HUNDERLACH. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in September. 18 25 in Rhenish Bavaria. son of Adam and Anna (Mott) Hunderlach. who were the parents of three children: Andy, a resident of Germany: Mary (Mrs. Miller). who died in Tiffin, Ohio, and Jacob. Mary and Jacob were the only members of the family who ever came to America. The mother died while Jacob was young, and his father married again. Our subject received his education in Germany and came to America in 1850, first locating in Indiana, but later in Ohio, where he followed the trade of a butcher, at Tiffin, Ohio, for twenty-five

years. He was married. March 8, 1854. to Frederica, daughter of Frederick Sander, and to this union were born ten children. nine now living: Ida. widow of George Hammon; Ann; Flora A .. wife of John Pennington, and who removed to Douglas County, Kas .; Rosa (deceased); Rosa (second). wife of Charles Miller, of Tiffin; Neddie J. : Minnie: Charles H. : Albert and Ralph. In 1878 Mr. Hunderlach moved on his highly improved farm located near the railroad. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church.

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MICHAEL KELLER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin. was born in County Kerry, Ireland, September 29. 1818; son of Thomas and Margaret (Keeffe) Keller, natives of Counties Kerry and Limerick, respectively. The father died early in 1820, and the mother the following year, leaving six children, of whom Michael is the youngest, and was reared by his aunt, Mrs. Ellen Carter. In May, 1843, the subject of this sketch landed in New York City after a voyage of thirty-eight days, and proceeded to Fayette County, Ky. ; in 1846 he spent eight months in Seneca County, Ohio, then revisited Kentucky, and January 1, 1850, returned to this county and purchased seventy-five acres of land near Bascom, where he resided until 1858. November 4, 1850, Mr. Keller was married to Margaret Kinney, born in Hopewell Township, this county, June 8, 1831, daughter of Bartholomew and Mary (McBride) Kinney. In 1852 he went to California and spent three and a half years in pursuit of gold, during which time Mrs. Keller had charge of the farm. He made the round trip by water. In 1858 Mr. Keller sold his property near Bascom and bought a farm of 1982 acres near Tiffin, where he now resides. In 1875 he erected a large two-story brick house at a cost of $7,000. He owns one of the best farms in the county, finely improved, and has constructed over six miles of under drain- age on the land. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Keller, eight are living: Frank F .. John E .. Joseph P .. James M., Engene A., Lewis A., Irvine B. and Ellen C. Mary E., the eldest. and Leo F. are deceased. Mr. Keller and family are members of the English Catholic Church, of Tiffin. He is one of the substantial farmers of the township; starting with but small means he has acquired. through industry, a comfortable competence.

GEORGE KEPPEL. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Westmoreland County. Penn., March 4. 1810. His parents, Henry and Anna C. (Stamatz) Keppel, were natives of Northampton and Westmoreland Counties, Penn., re- spectively. They removed to Knox County, Ohio, in 1822, and resided there until 1839, in which year they came to this county. Henry Keppel died in 1842 at the age of seventy-four years. He served one year in the war with the Indians in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Keppel died in 1860, aged seventy-four. Our subject is the eldest son and third child in a family of whom six are now living. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools, and, being the eldest son, the management of the farm fell largely upon him. In the fall of 1838 he bought the homestead, containing 160 acres, all of which was woodland. He moved upon it the next year, and has since lived here. He has cleared most of it, made fine improvements, and has laid four miles of tile for draining. In 1875 he erected a brick residence, two stories high. at an expense of $3.000. He is now engaged with his son in agriculture and in rearing good grades of stock He also owns a farm of 100 acres, two and a half miles west of the homestead. November 10, 1843, Mr. Keppel was unit- ed in marriage with Mary E. Rosenberger, born in Jefferson County, W. Va., March 19. 1822, daughter of Henry and Jane Rosenberger, early settlers in this county. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are living: Anna C., wife of Daniel L. Crum: Jane E., wife of John Lautzenhiser; Henry D .. married to Mary M. Miller; and Harriet L., wife of Nelson A. Miller. An infant is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keppel are members of the First English Lutheran Church of Tiffin. Mr. Keppel is an enterprising. public-spirited citizen, and has done much in advancing the public improvements of his town- ship and county. He gave $500 toward the erection of the church in Tiffin. of which he is a member and an earnest supporter.

JERRY R. KING, farmer, P. O. Tffin. was born March 15, 1847, in Hopewell Township, this county; son of Jeremiah and Hannah King. natives

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of Ireland, the former of whom came to America in an early day: the latter accompanied her sister and two brothers to this country and settled in Buffalo, but after a time came to Ohio, where she was in the course of time married to Jeremiah King. and to this union were born eight children, all now living: John, Philip, Jeremiah R., Elizabeth. Stephen. James. Mary and Lawrence. Jeremiah King died October 19, 1856, and in May. 1884, his widow was mar- ried to Charles Bukman. They occupy a large brick residence on a part of the original farm. which is well improved. Our subject was married June 28, 1882, to Mary A .. one of the six children born to Richard Johnson, of Chica- go. Ill. Mr. King is living beside his mother.

PHILIP KING (deceased) was born in County Kerry, Ireland. A. D. 1806, and was a son of Timothy King, of the same county. Our subject came to America in 1836, and for a few years was engaged on the public works of Penn- sylvania, constructing pikes, etc. He subsequently came to Ohio and was employed about three years superintending work in the construction of the Miami Canal, and in 1840 he came to this county, where he purchased 120 acres of land of Samuel Waggoner. began a farmer's life and here remained the balance of his days. He was married soon after coming to this country to Miss Ellen Sullivan, and by this union there were three children: a son. Timothy, who died in his infancy; Mary L. (a bright intelligent lady, a student at the convent of Cleveland. where she was taken ill, returned home and died in 1856, aged eighteen years), and J. F. King, the present sole survivor. They also adopted a child, Philip B., who was highly educated, studied law, was admitted to the bar and subsequently became one of the able lawyers of Califor- nia. where he died. Philip King was a man of influence and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a hearty, robust man, but after an illness of but five weeks duration died February 10, 1879. His widow followed him to her rest the same year, leaving her only surviving son to occupy the old home farm where he now resides. This son. J. F .. was educated in the common schools of Hopewell Township, and afterward attended St. Mary's Seminary, near Cincinnati. He was married, in September. 1873, to Mary, daughter of John Keane, and to this union were born five children: Philip, Mamie L .. John F., Eleanor and Catharine L. J. F. King is a large, well-proportioned man, a good farmer, and member of the Catholic Church.

BARTHOLOMEW KINNEY (deceased), one of the early settlers of Hope- well Township. this county, was born in County Cork, Ireland, a son of Bartholomew and Margaret Kinney. He came to America when a young man, and settled in Chester County, Penn., where he married, in 1827 or 1828, Mary McBride, born in Ireland in 1809, daughter of Bernard and Nancy McBride, who immigrated to the United States about 1824, settling in Chester County, Penn. In 1830 Mr. Kinney moved with his family, and located in the southern part of Hopewell Township. this county. where he bought eighty acres of wood- land, on which he resided until his death, which occurred July 16, 1831. He was crossing the Sandusky River at Tiffin. where. by some accident, he was drowned. He left a widow and two children: Edward. born in Chester County, Penn., October 29, 1829, and died September 17, 1852. and Margaret, born June 8, 1831, now the wife of M. Keller. Mrs. Kinney remained a widow for four years. a part of which time she spun flax to maintain herself and family. The house she lived in was a rude log-cabin. and often she had to support the door with the furniture to prevent the wolves entering. In 1835 she married John King. with whom she lived until her death. March 27, 1852.

BENJAMIM F. KNEPPER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born December 4, 1838, in Franklin County, Penn., son of Peter and Eliza ( Wagoman) Knepper

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natives of Pennsylvania. former of whom was twice married. having by his first wife (Elizabeth Geeseman) three children, two now living: Sarah and Levi: by his second wife four children: Cyrus, Benjamin F., Elizabeth and Amanda. Peter Knepper lived and died in Pennsylvania, where his widow still resides. Our subject received his early education in his native State. He was married. February 6, 1862, to Mary Ellen. daughter of William and Cath- arine Reeme, by whom he has ten children: Minnie V., Cyrus D., Eva G., Arletta S., Emma S., Benjamin D., William I .. Russell M. Clara C. and Katie E. The daughters are now engaged in school. Mr. Knepper came to Ohio in 1856, and bought the farm of Aaron Ruse, on which he has since made many improvements and erected a fine. large brick residence.

DENNIS MALOY, farmer. Bascom, was born August 25. 1825, in Hunt- ingdon County. Penn .. son of Patrick. a contractor, and Esther (Kagen) Maloy. natives of Ireland, and who immigrated to Canada in 1825, thence went direct to Philadelphia. Penn., where they remained but a short time, however, moving to Lancaster. Penn., and thence to Huntingdon County. Penn., where they remained the balance of their days. Their children, five in number, are all living; Mary. wife of F. McCormic. residing at Hollidaysburg, Penn. ; Thomas. residing at same place (was a soldier in the late civil war); Bedelia, wife of D. D. Wood, in Tyrone, Penn .: Catharine (deceased wife of O. Manning. of Hollidaysburg, Penn. ): and Dennis. Our subject was educated in his native State, and came with an uncle to Ohio in 1546 and commenced business in Tiffin. He soon came to Hopewell Township, where he began farming. He was married. in 1848, to Margaret E., daughter of John Anderson. and by this union there are six children: Esther. wife of Andrew Hoover; John T .. married to Mary J. Kuhn: Anson A .. married to Kate Wade; Loretta C .. wife of David Haverstick; Margaret A .. wife of J. W. Wilson: and Timothy A. Mr. Maloy has been township clerk, and has held the office of justice of the peace for eight years: he was also county surveyor for several years. He resides in Bascom and is one of the leading citizens of the township. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

JOHN MAULE (deceased). one of the old pioneers of this county, was born in Pennsylvania, October 21. 1793. and was next to the eldest of four children born to Lewis and Edith (Thomas) Maule, also Pennsylvanians. He grew up on the farm till sixteen years of age, when he commenced learning the black- smith trade. an occupation he followed for twenty-five years. In 1820 he went to Frederick County. Md., where he pursued his trade till the spring of 1830, at which time he came West and purchased 212 acres of land in the east line of Hopewell Township, this county. The following year he built a shop on the State road. one mile and a half north of Tiffin, where he continued at his trade till 1838. Returning that year to his farm he resumed agriculture, which he followed till his death. May 24, 1827, Mr. Maule was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Derr. born in Frederick County. Md .. Septem- ber 14. 1804, daughter of Thomas and Ann Barbara (Stoner) Derr. This union was blessed with six children, of whom L. T., born in Frederick County, Md., February 19, 1829: William W., born in this county, December 11,1831; and Lydia M., also born in this county, March 18, 1833. are living; the de- ceased being Anna E .. born in Frederick County, Md., March 23. 1830, mar- ried to Adam Repp; Charles L., born Jannary 9. 1835 (died near Goldsboro. N. C., during the late civil war); John E., born May 18. 1839, died August 25. of same year. Mr. Maule was one of the pioneers of this section and cleared up a part of a large farm. He was an enterprising citizen, aiding in advanc- ing every improvement within his power. He departed this life October 31,

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1866, at the age of seventy-three. He was reared a Quaker, but at his death was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In his political views he was a stanch Republican. Mrs. Manle. now in her eighty-first year, has for more than forty years been a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Since the death of Mr. Manle the farm, comprising 192 acres well-improved land, has been conducted by L. T., the eldest son, who is engaged in farming and rearing live-stock.

W. W. MILLER, merchant. Bascom, was born November 8. 1841, in Adams Township, this county. son of Simon and Hannah (Wax) Miller. the former a native of Dauphin County, the latter of Perry County, Penn. Of their four children, our subject is the only one surviving. He received his education in Seneca County, and has followed farming most of his time. He was twice married. the first time to Sophia Jamison, who died in July, 1870, leaving one child, Simon J. Mr. Miller was married on second occasion. in April, 1871. to Mary L., daughter of David and Sophia (Delong) Creeger. early settlers of the county, and who were parents of two children. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born two children: Martha J. and Bertha M. Our sub- ject embarked in merchandizing. has a general stock of groceries and dry goods at Bascom, where he does a lucrative trade; he is postmaster at Bascom and a member of the United Brethren Church. During the late civil war Mr. Miller enlisted (in 1861) in Company I, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served 100 days.

JOSEPH OGLE (deceased) was born, in 1781, in Fredericktown, Md., son of Thomas Ogle and grandson of Joseph Ogle, of English parentage. and who was one of the old ship-masters, spending most of his time on the waters; his son, Joseph, became enamored of a Scotch girl. and the father, being determined he should not marry her, enticed him on board his vessel and started on a voyage to England, but Joseph jumped from the ship and swam ashore. He subsequently came to Maryland where he lived, reared his family and died. Our subject had but little means when he started on his career in life. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Valentine. He came to Ohio in 1824 and set- tled in Hopewell Township, where he made a small clearing and began pio- neer life. The Indians were numerous at that time, and he had also to defend himself against wild beasts. On one occasion his daughter, while milking the cows, was attacked by wolves, and he had to fly to her rescue. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogle were born ten children: Maria (Mrs. L. D. Shawn), Margaret, Elizabeth (deceased). Thomas, George (deceased), John (deceased), Joshna (deceased), Aaron (deceased), Benjamin F. (a soldier in the late war, a mem- ber of Company A. Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was appointed first lieu- tenant and afterward captain of the company. participated in the battle of Antietam and then came home; he now resides at Great Bend, Kas.), and Joseph, the youngest. Margaret and Joseph are occupying the old homestead. having a grand farm of the best bottom land in the county. Mr. Ogle. the subject of our sketch, died January 4, 1864, and his widow occupied the farm June 15, 1876. There were but three families in Tiffin when our subject came to this county. He had served as school director.

JOHN G. OSTIEN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Prussia, February 17, 1801, son of Jacob and Catharine (Moltre) Ostien, also natives of that country, and who were the parents of seven children, all of whom, except John G., died in Germany. Frank, one of the sons. served two years in the army of Napoleon I. Our subject was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools of the Roman Catholic Church. He followed the trade of blacksmith in his native land until 1833, when he immigrated to America.

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arriving in New York after a voyage of nine weeks. He located in Wayne County, Ohio, pursuing his trade there till 1840, when he removed to Tiffin and the following year to a farm of eighty acres in Loudon Township, this county, which he had entered in 1834. He cleared this land and resided on it till 1867, when he returned to Tiffin and lived in the city till 1877, at which time he purchased his present farm of 160 acres. In March, 1826, Mr. Ostien was married to Agnes, daughter of Francis Stein, and by her he had ten chil- dren, seven of whom lived to maturity: Catharine, Mary (deceased). George (deceased). William, John (killed at second battle of Bull Run), Jacob (a sol- dier for three years in the late war of the Rebellion). and Elizabeth. Mrs. Ostien departed this life June 11, 1854, and in September, 1854, Mr. Ostien was married to Mrs. Rebecca Groff, widow of Jacob Groff (by whom she had three sons and five daughters), and who died September 17. 1879. Mr. Ostien is now living retired, on his farm. In religious views he is a Roman Catholic. In politics he is a Republican, formerly a Democrat.

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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