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 128

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 128

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JOHN ROYER, JR., farmer, P. O. Flat Rock, was born March 20, 1831, in Thompson Township, this county, a son of the famous pioneer John Royer. He is said to be the first child born to a Pennsylvanian settler in Thompson Township. He endured the usual lot of a pioneer's son, and attended the primitive schools of those early days. He married Miss Barbara Bunn December 4, 1852, and in 1855 they moved to Erie County, Ohio, there remaining seven years, then proceeded to Sandusky County, Ohio, where they resided four years, and in March, 1866, they finally located where they now reside, in Thompson Township, this county; here they have acquired a fine farm of 140 acres of well-improved land: their residence stands within ten rods from where was lo- cated the house in which Joseph Parmenter, in 1820, held the first township election of Thompson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Royer are parents of Leander K., Mrs. Salome A. Rubert, Mrs. Lydia A. Wollenslegel (now in Kansas), Cerena E., Jared (deceased), Mary N., John Douglas, Jacob Mcclellan (in Kansas), Samuel Vallandigham, Emma M., Isaac Williard, Benjamin Franklin S., Solomon I., Clement L., Elda E. and Lulu V. Mr. and Mrs. Royer are members of the Reformed Church. He is a life-long Democrat, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is one of the enterprising and influential farmers of Thompson Township, highly respected by all who know him.

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GEORGE RUBARD, physician and surgeon, Flat Rock, was born De- cember 2. 1847, in Thompson Township, this county. His parents Edward and Eva (Harpster) Rubard, of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, were married in Thompson Township, this county. and reared a family of six sons and one daughter. Our subject, who is their fourth son, took his pre- paratory medical course under Dr. Sandmeister, of Bellevue, and afterward attended lectures in the Cincinnati Eclectic College. graduating in February. 1871. He at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Flat Rock, and by faithful application to his work has built up a large practice. Dr. Rubard married for his first wife Miss Mollie O. Mull, in 1870: she died June 24, 1881, leaving three children: John Irvin, Blanchie E. and Bertha Caroline. February 10, 1883, Dr. Rubard was again married, this time to Miss Mary A. Burgner, by whom he has one son-Harry E.

CHARLES SANDMEISTER. physician and surgeon, P. O. Bellevue. Huron County, was born February 22, 1831, in Hessen Cassel, Germany. His father, John George Sandmeister, was a merchant in the town of Hersfeld, where he died in 1853. Our subject immigrated to America and to Bellevue, Ohio, in 1851; here he studied medicine under Dr. Overmiller, of Tiffin. from 1853 to October, 1855. He then moved to Thompson Township, where he be- gan the practice of his profession, locating on or near the Kilbourne road. He afterward attended lectures and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1864. The Doctor married. October 22, 1860, Miss Helena Wygant, of Sandusky City, Ohio; her parents died of cholera, in 1852. The Doctor and wife remained in Thompson Township until 1873, when he located permanently in Bellevue. Dr. Sandmeister still takes a deep interest in Seneca County as his former home. He has 227 acres of land in Thompson Township, and also owns a fine residence and several valuable pieces of prop- erty in Bellevue. He has four children: William, Charles, Katie and Emma. They are intelligent and enterprising young people and have taken a high position in society. In 1877 the Doctor visited Germany and brought his mother to America; she died in April, 1882. aged seventy-seven years. Doc- tor Sandmeister is of portly build and of a genial, social disposition. He is recognized as one of the most skillful and scientific physicians in this part of the State. He has built up a large practice both in the city and country, and enjoys the closest confidence of the people with whom he associates.

GEORGE SCHOCK. P. O. Flat Rock, was born March 2, 1812, in Union County, Penn. He was married. February 17. 1835, to Miss Rachael Korner, who was born in the same county, December 25, 1816. Our subject and wife started April 13, following their marriage, for Thompson Township, this county, reaching here on the 28th. Mr. Schock had previously been out here in 1833 and 1834. His parents, George and Margaret (Seibert) Schock, and her parents, Andrew and Sarah (Hendricks) Korner. all came to Thompson Township in 1836, and resided here until their death. Our subject located on the land now owned by Peter Stetler. He and his brother-in-law, Jacob Kor- ner, laid out the most of the town of Flat Rock (formerly called Lewisville) in 1840. He carried on a dry goods and general store in this place from 1850 to 1854. To Mr. and Mrs. Schock have been born twelve children, of whom eight are now living: Mrs. Elvina Crouse, in Findlay, Ohio: Jacob, in Leona, Kans. ; Benjamin Franklin, in Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Kendall, in Flat Rock, Ohio; Mrs. Caroline Leiter; Mrs. Margaret Shadel, in Bellevue, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Harpster, in Blue Springs. Neb., and Prof. Charles H. Schock. in Bloomville, Ohio. Their children. grandchildren and great-grandchildren. living, now number thirty-six in all. Mr. and Mrs. Schock are worthy mem

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bers of the Evangelical association. In early life they were Lutherans. They are now living a retired life, honored by their descendants and respected by all who know them.

FERDINAND SCHOEFFEL, merchant, and postmaster at Frank, was born July 24, 1844, in Alsace, France (now Germany). He received his edu- cation in the French and German languages in his native country. In Octo- ber, 1865, he entered the French Army to serve his regular term of seven years. He served through the war in Italy against Garibaldi, in 1867. and in the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 and 1871. He was in seven battles. includ- ing St. Barbe, St. Briva, Gravelotte, Mars-la-Tour and others. His term of serv- ice ended December 31, 1871. October 22, of the same year, he married Miss Magdalena Reiff. They came to America and to Fremont, Ohio, May 1S. 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Schoeffel have four children: Magdalena, Mary, Joseph and Anna. After carrying on a barber shop in Fremont for seven years Mr. Schoeffel purchased the store in Frank, Thompson Township, this county, January 6, 1880, where he now carries on business and has a large and pros- perous trade with the surrounding country, being a successful business man, highly respected by the community in which he lives. He is also postmaster at Frank. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

HON. JOSEPH SHERCK, mayor of Bellevue, Ohio, was born November 10, 1828, in Mifflin County, Penn. His parents, John and Magdalena Sherck, came to Thompson Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, October 1, 1834. and re- moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1868, where Mrs. Sherck died in Feb- ruary, 1882. John Sherck, now eighty-five years old, still resides in St. Jo- seph County, Mich. The subject of this memoir received his education in

Thompson Township. He married, August 19, 1851, Miss Barbara A. Decker, daughter of Hon. Jacob Decker, and they have two children: Mrs. Mary A. Miller and Charles M. Sherck (a clothing merchant in Bellevue. Ohio). In 1860 Mr. Sherck purchased his father's homestead at the center of the town- ship-a farm of 160 acres of well-improved land, which he still owns. In 1873 he moved to Bellevue and established a large saddle and harness busi- ness, from which he retired in 1884. Mr. Sherck is a Democrat, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. While in Thompson Township, this county, he served as justice of the peace nine years. He was elected mayor of Belle- vue in April, 1882, and re-elected in 1884. He has led an active and use- ful life, and is honored and respected by all who know him.

SAMUEL STEWART (deceased) was born in Lancaster County. Penn., No- vember 1, 1800. His mother died in Lancaster County, and his father. James Stewart, moved to Buffalo Valley, Union County. There our subject became acquainted with and married, in November, 1826. Miss Sarah Wilt, who was born in that county February 15, 1809. They came to Seneca County, Ohio. in 1829, locating in Thompson Township in October of that year, where they purchased a farm, which they cleared and developed. In 1867 they retired from the farm and located in Flat Rock. Here Mr. Stewart died November 2, 1870. He was a successful farmer. and acquired a handsome property. He was a Democrat in his early life, but during the war he became an earnest Republican and remained so until his death. He and his wife were members. from early life, of the Congregational Church. Mr. Stewart was an upright pioneer of the strictest integrity, highly respected by all who knew him. He was the father of eleven children, and those who lived to maturity were Mrs. Amanda Weiker. Mary. Martha, David, James (now in Williamson County, Tenn.), Sarah, George. Newton (now in Falls City, Neb. ), all deceased except David, James and Newton. Mary went to Vicksburg. Miss .. as a teacher in

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February. 1865, and died there in June of the same year. Mrs. Stewart now resides in Flat Rock, Ohio.

DAVID STEWART, railway postal clerk, P. O. Flat Rock, was born April 8, 1837. in Flat Rock, Seneca Co., Ohio, His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Wilt) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania. located on Section 2, Thomp- son Township. Seneca Co .. Ohio, in 1829. The country was then new. and they began the pioneer work of clearing up their farm. They remained on this farm until April, 1867, when they moved into Flat Rock, adjoining their farm. Of their eleven children three are living: David. James H. (now in Davidson County. Tenn. ) and Isaac Newton (now in Falls City, Neb. ). Samuel Stewart departed this life November 1. 1870, exactly seventy-two years of age. His widow survives him: she is now seventy-nine years of age, and is living in Flat Rock. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of the home district. and completed his education with a short course under Prof. Aaron Schuyler, at Republic. He married, May 13, 1858, Miss Fannie Bunn, born in Thompson Township. this county, April 29. 1841. Her par- ents, John and Susanna (Peten) Bunn. were married in that township. where they resided until 1867. when they moved to Three Rivers, Mich., where Mrs. Bunn died September 2. 1880; Mr. Bunn still resides there. To this union were born the following children: Ella May, Mrs. Carrie Belle Schock, Wal- ter D .. Arthur J .. Mary Matilda. John Rolland and Susanna B. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have resided in Flat Rock since their marriage. He established a general mercantile store in 1859, which he carried on until February, 1870. In February, 1874. he was tendered a position in the United States Mail Serv- ice as railway postal clerk, which he accepted, and has steadily risen in the service until he now holds the position of head clerk. Our subject and wife are consistent members of the Evangelical Church. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the K. of H.

JOHN M. TERWILLIGER. merchant, and postmaster at Flat Rock, Ohio, was born November 3. 1839, in Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Penn., where his parents, Abraham and Hannah Terwilliger. resided until their death. He came to Thompson Township. this county, December 25, 1857, and commenced learning the wire-maker's trade. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty- fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and served in the campaigns of Western Virginia. taking part in the active operations in that part of the field. He was captured by the enemy June 10, 1864. at Buchanan, Va., and was held prisoner ten months in Andersonville, Ga. He received an honorable discharge from the service in June, 1865, leaving a fine record as a brave and faithful soldier, always ready for the discharge of duty. Returning to this county he again devoted himself to his trade. March 22, 1866. he married Miss Sarah Mohn. of Thompson Township. this county, and by this union were born Sylvia C., Katie E .. Etna M., Calvin C. and William M. Mr. and Mrs. Terwilliger are worthy members of the Evangelical Church. He is an earnest Republican, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is a mem- ber in high standing of the I. O. O. F. In September, 1881. Mr. Terwilliger was appointed postmaster at Flat Rock, and in August. 1882, he established a grocery and provision store. moving the postoffice into the store.

ALEXANDER TITTLE, farmer, P. O. Bellevue. Huron County, was born March 3. 1840, in Snyder County, Penn. His parents, Henry and Rebecca Tittle, passed their entire lives in that county. Alexander Tittle came to Thompson Township, this county, when he was eighteen years of age. He enlisted in the Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, September 10, 1861. and served in the Army of the Cumberland. taking part in the campaigns

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throughout the West and Southwest. He was taken prisoner near McMinn- ville, Tenn., but was exchanged in about fifteen days. He re-enlisted with his regiment. serving in all four years, and was discharged August 10, 1865. He left an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier, always ready for the discharge of duty. Returning home he married Miss Almira Zeiber, daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Kern) Zeiber. former of whom came from Snyder Coun- ty. Penn., to Thompson Township. this county, about 1845, and owned a farm of 520 acres: he died January 27, 1876, aged fifty-seven years; his widow now resides in Bellevue, Ohio: they were the parents of the following children: Almira. Daniel, Wilson, Mrs. Mary Kageris, and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tittle have three sons: Samuel Richard. Arthur and Ervin. Mr. Tittle has two fine farms of 120 and 280 acres, each, of fertile land. Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

ISAAC WEIKER. farmer. P. (. Bellevue, Huron County, was born No- vember 17, 1842, in Thompson Township, this county. His father, Elias Weiker. of Snyder County, Penn., came to Ohio when he was sixteen years of age, and finally settled in Thompson Township, this county, in 1833, with his parents, George and Susanna Weiker, who passed the last few years of their lives in Bellevue. Elias Weiker married Miss Maria Heater, daughter of John Heater. She had eight children, five of whom are living; she died about 1860. and Mr. Weiker has since married a second time, and now resides in Bellevue. Isaac Weiker was reared on the farm on which he now resides. He married. December 31. 1863, Miss Caroline Fauble, daughter of Michael Fau- ble, and born in Thompson Township, this county. Of their nine children seven are living: Mrs. Cora Bell Garmen, Mrs. Sarah Jane Garmen, William W .. Amanda Estella, John P., James Franklin and Jessie Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Weiker have a fine farm of 160 acres of well-improved land. They are mem- bers of the Christian Union. Mr. Weiker has been trustee two terms. He is one of the most enterprising citizens of Thompson Township, highly respected by the entire community. In politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL WYANT. teacher. P. O. Flat Rock, was born March 21, 1837, in Scipio Township. this county. After attending the district school he com- pleted his education under Prof. Aaron Schuyler, at Republic. At the age of twenty years he commenced teaching in this county, a profession he has fol- lowed during the winters ever since. About the same time he became engaged in selling lightning rods throughout this and adjoining counties; he has con- tinued this ever since, and in 1877 added the business of selling rubber bucket pumps, manufacturing the pumps himself at Flat Rock, this county. Mr. Wyant married Miss Susie Korner May 30, 1865. She died February 9, 1871. leaving one son (Claudie) and one daughter (Addie, now the wife of Alton Heter). June 21. 1876, Mr. Wyant married for his second wife Miss Jennie Brown, of Clark County, Ohio, a native of Miami County, Ohio. They have one daughter. Gracie. Mr. Wyant is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Wyant of the Evangelical Church.

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VENICE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN ARMATAGE, farmer and stock-raiser. P. O. Carrothers, was born in Baltimore. Md .. December 15, 1806, son of Roger and Margaret (Hayes) Armatage, also natives of Maryland, of English descent, and who were parents of four children. John being next to the eldest. Roger Armatage was sexton for the Society of Friends in Baltimore for many years. Our subject received a limited education and first engaged in driving a milk wagon and working in a dairy, an occupation he followed for eleven years. He was an economical lad, and in 1829 he started for the new county, settling in the woods of Venice Township. Previous to leaving Baltimore he had the method of tapping trees for sugar explained to him. and on arriving here, in the sugar season, immediately commenced operations and had tapped quite a number of oak instead of maple trees before he discovered his mistake, but before the season of 1830 closed he was a good hand at the business. He first entered eighty acres which he sold. then bought three eighties, and he has now 200 acres where he resides, located in Seneca and Crawford Counties. He has made farming the principal business of his life. and has been remarkably successful. Mr. Armatage was married, in 1830, to Mary Parlett, of English and Welsh descent. and this union was blessed with five children: Mary E., married to H. Royce and had three children (the family are all deceased); Rebecca, wife of Elisha Roberts, a farmer of Venice Township, this county: John W .. now a promi- nent farmer, born in Venice Township, this county, in 1834, married in 1858 to Elizabeth McClelan (had nine children: Wesley, George. Etta J. (wife of John B. McCibben), Thomas (deceased). Charles. Alvin, Louis. Erwin and Bertie): Margaret. wife of John A. Whitmire: George W. (deceased) was a farmer in early life, but later a merchant (he was twice married and by first wife had two children: Robert, now a hardware merchant in Attica, and Bell, and by his second wife, two children: William and Jay). Our subject is a Republican in politics. He and his family are members of the Protestant Methodist Church.

ROBERT ARMATAGE, of the firm of Armatage & Wurts, dealers in hardware, stoves, tinware, farming implements, spouting, paints, oils, etc .. Attica, was born in Venice Township, this county. April S. 1864, son of George W. and Mary J. (Walker) Armatage, natives of this county, and of German descent. His grandfather. John Armatage, now a prominent farmer of Venice Township. this county, settled here in 1827. George W. Armatage (subject's father) born in 1829. was reared on the farm. received a common school edu- cation and made farming the business of his life. He died in 1884. Robert. the eldest in a family of four children. grew up on the farm. attending the Attica school. When eighteen years of age he embarked in business on his own account, dealing in agricultural implements. His father bought a hard- ware store in 1883, and after his death the stock was purchased by the firm of Armatage & Wurts, who are now carrying on the business.

E. D. BEMENDERFER, senior member of the firm of Bemenderfer & Co., manufacturers of sash .. doors and blinds, manufactory located on High and West Main Streets, Attica. was born in Stark County. Ohio. May IS, 1842. son of Samuel and Christine (Funk) Bemenderfer, natives of Virginia and

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Ohio, respectively. and of German descent. The father of our subject, who settled in Venice Township, this county, in 1842, and who was a successful farmer, died in 1884: of his eight children, seven are now living, all residents of Seneca County except Jacob, who is now in New Mexico. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, and after receiving a common school education attended the academy at Republic, and in early life taught school. In 1866 he embarked in the manufacture of handles and rakes, which in 1874 was merged into his present business. The building is two stories high, nearly seventy feet square, and the firm employ fifteen men. and manufacture about 1,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Bemenderfer was married, in 1867, to Mary Jane, daughter of John Koller and of German descent. by whom he has two children: Esther and Harry. Mrs. Bemenderfer is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bemenderfer is a Pro- hibitionist in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is now in the town council.

W. K. BEMENDERFER. farmer, P. O. Attica, was born on the farm where he now resides. in Venice Township, this county, April 2, 1851; son of Samuel Bemenderfer. who served in most of the township offices, moved to Attica in 1872, and for ten years previous to his death led a retired life; his widow now resides in Attica. Ohio. Our subject. the seventh in a family of eight children, was educated in the district schools of his native county and has followed farming all his life. He is now owner of eighty acres of well- improved land. He was united in marriage, in 1873, with Susan, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Murray) Hoke, former of whom, of German descent, was a miller, farmer, and an early settler of Venice Township. this county. To our subject and wife has been born one child, Effie May. Mr. Bemenderfer has acted as school director of Venice Township.

HARRY G. BLAINE. physician. Attica, was born in Wheeling. W. Va., November 25, 1858: son of William I. and Nancy (Voshall) Blaine, the former a native of Pennsylvania. of English descent. the latter of Ohio, of Welsh lineage. William I. Blaine, who has been a printer and editor nearly all his life, is now editing the Attica Journal. Our subject, the third in a family of six children. received his education in the schools of Fostoria, Republic and Attica, this county. and at the age of sixteen commenced to teach school. When nineteen years old he entered the office of Dr. J. M. Parker, of Attica; in 1880 he attended the Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and afterward the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which he graduated in 1882. He is now a member of the board of regents of that institution. The Doctor commenced the publication at Attica, in 1884. of the Medical Compend, a monthly journal of practical medicine. having a large circulation. He also owns the office of the Attica Journal, of which his father is editor. The Doctor commenced the practice of medicine at Reedtown, this county, in 1882, and in 1883 came to Attica. He is an honorary member of the Toledo Medi- cal College Association, of the Northwestern Ohio Association and the Ohio State Association. In May. 1885. he was elected demonstrator of practical anatomy in the Toledo Medical College, and later he was chosen as professor of diseases of women and children in the same institution, which position he now holds. He is a F. & A. M. The Doctor was married, in 1877, to Lucy E .. daughter of James Shanks, a farmer of Huron County, Ohio, and of Ger- man descent. The children born to this union are Ernest G. and Earl H. (twins), Harry S. and William G. G.

JOHN B. BLUM. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica. was born in France, July 1. 1828: son of Joseph and Magdalena Blum, also French peo.

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ple, former of whom was a farmer all through life. They reared a family of four children, John B. being the third born. Our subject was educated in France and Germany, and came to America April 4, 1850, first settling in Stark County, Ohio, but a year later came to this county where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. He now owns two well-improved farms in Venice Towlt- ship. Mr. Blum was married, in 1857, to Mary M., daughter of John and Catherine (Seen) Steigmeyer. Her father, a farmer and stock-raiser. was born in Switzerland in 1811, there received his education, and in 1835 came to America, settling two miles west of Attica, this county, on the farm where he still resides. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blum are Susan, wife of William Hahl (have four children: Mary M., Rosa D., John S. and Edward), and Frank J., who is still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Blum are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

LEWIS BOLLINGER (deceased) a pioneer farmer of Seneca County, Ohio, was born in Germany, September 14, 1825. He was reared and edu- cated in his native land and came thence to Stark County, Ohio, in 1842, set- tling on a farm where he remained two years. He then came to this county and bought thirty acres of land in Venice Township. He was a prudent, indus- trious man, and at the time of his death, which occurred June 28, 1880, owned 250 acres of well-improved land. He was married in this county, in 1850. to Margaret, daughter of Conrad Plouch. a farmer. Her parents were of Ger- man origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger were born the following children: Margaret, wife of George Duerr, a resident of Michigan; Philip; Catherine, wife of Samuel Kemrick; Lewis W., married and farming; Louisa, wife of David Zellars; Mary E .. wife of Charles Deisler; and Henry, Daniel, Alexander F. and John F. at home. They are members of the German Reformed Church. Philip, who is a farmer and stock-raiser, was born February 20, 1853, on a farm in Venice Township, where he was reared and received a con- mon school education, and here he still resides. He was married, in 1878, to Anna Mary Fink, born in Pennsylvania. of Dutch origin, and by her he has three children: Ida, George F. and John F. Lewis Bollinger, the subject of this sketch, was a prominent Democrat, and during his life held most of the public offices of Venice Township; he was frequently chosen by his party as a delegate to political conventions, and was often a member of the grand jury at Tiffin.

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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