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 132

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 132

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SEBASTIAN SENN, Attica, a prominent pioneer of this county and a rep- resentative farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Switzerland, born January 20, 1828. His father emigrated from Switzerland to America in 1838, and settled on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio. Our subject, the youngest of seven children, resided with his parents on the farm until fifteen years of age. He then learned the miller's trade, an occupation he followed in connection with farming in Pulaski and Carroll Counties, Ind., from 1849 to 1863, since which time he has devoted himself to his present business, meeting with marked suc- cess. His farm, on which he resides, consists of 165 acres of land, well improved and stocked. Mr. Senn was married, in Ohio, in 1852, to Miss Louise, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Sickle) Meyers, the former a native of Switzerland, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Senn were born, in Indiana, four children, all living at home: Frank, Lizzie, John and Maria. Mr. Senn is a prominent member of the Catholic Church in Attica, and was a member of the building committee when it was erected, and has always given liberally to its support. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat.

JACOB SHERMAN, a native of Germany, was born January 26, 1819, and is the youngest of the nine children born to William and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Sherman. He received his education in the common schools, and

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learned the trade of weaver in his native land. He came to America in 1847. and same year settled in Attica, this county. He was married in America to Catherine Hachtle, also a native of Germany, and by this union were born four children. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman are members of the Lutheran Church. of which he has been trustee and Sabbath-school superintendent.

GEORGE SHERMAN, harness-maker, Attica. was born in Attica, this county, May 4, 1862; son of Jacob and Catherine (Hachtle) Sherman, of Atti- ca. Our subject is the third born in a family of four children. He was edu- cated in the schools of his native town, and learned harness-making. In 1882 he embarked in business on his own account, and is meeting with success. He is a Republican in politics.

J. M. SILCOX, merchant. Attica. was born in Reed Township, this coun- ty, January 5, 1834; son of Alonzo and Mary (King) Silcox, natives of New York State and of Englishi descent; former of whom, who was a farmer, only lived to be thirty-five years old. Our subject. the second in a family of three children, attended common school six years, and this constituted all his school- ing. He worked on the farm till twelve years old and then was a clerk for William Rininger ten years. He afterward moved to Huron County, and had a half interest in a store with his employer with whom he continued two and one half years, then sold out and embarked in the dry goods business at West Lodi, Ohio, where he continued for four years. In 1864 he sold this business and came to Venice Township and bought a farm which he worked nearly two years; then sold it and purchased the store of William Rininger, which he car- ried on alone for one year, when his former partner and old employer bought a half interest. Mr. Silcox is running the store and has full charge of the busi- ness. He is a first-class business man, enjoying the fullest confidence of his partner, and having many warm friends and very few, if any, enemies. Mr. Silcox was married, in 1859, to Zilla, daughter of Seth Read. a farmer, and of English descent, and to this union have been born the following children: Belle, wife of O. A. Smith ; Ella, now attending college, and Frank B., at school. Mr. and Mrs. Silcox are members of the Universalist Church, of which he is treasurer. In politics he is a Republican. He served as a member of the town council several times, has been a member of the school board for four- teen years and president of that board for six years.

MARTIN SMELTZ is a son of Peter Smeltz who came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania when our subject was only seven years old. Peter Smeltz afterward moved to Carroll County, Ohio, and settled on a farm where Martin grew to manhood. He, Martin Smeltz, was among the early settlers of this county where he followed the occupation of farming. He was married to Christiana Lebold and reared a family of eight children.

MARTIN SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. New Washington, Craw- ford County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, July 22, 1834: son of John and Mary (Weaver) Smith, natives of Washington County, Penn., and of Dutch descent. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Sen- eca County, Ohio, in 1838, and settled in Venice Township, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1882. Our subject, the fifth in a family of seven children, acquired his education in the log schoolhouse. He remained with his parents on the farm until the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- lion, when he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in the forty-two battles in which his regiment participated, and at one time was under fire for ninety days. He was wounded at the bat- tle of Stone River, and after a service of three years, one month and thirteen days was honorably discharged. The first year after returning home he

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worked at the carpenter's trade, since when he has been farming. He now owns a fine farm, comprising ninety-three acres of land. Mr. Smith was mar- ried, in 1868, to Fannie, daughter of James and Rebecca (Overholser) Robin- son, the former born in Washington County. Penn., July 8, 1808, the latter in Westmoreland County, Penn., January 7, 1815. They came to Huron County, Ohio, in 1838, and reared a family of five children. Mrs. Smith is a member of the United Brethren Church. Politically our subject is a Repub- lican.

SAMUEL SPEAKER, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Attica, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. July 20, 1830: son of Samuel and Hannah (Har- per) Speaker, the former born in Pennsylvania of German parents, the latter a native of Virginia of Welsh descent. They reared a family of twelve chil- dren. Our subject's father, who was a miller, came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1840, and for a time worked at his trade, but eventually pursued farming; he was among the first settlers in Venice Township, and died in 1868; he was a Democrat in politics, and served as justice of the peace of Venice Township. Our subject, the fifth born in the family, was reared on the farm and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed. together with farming, all through life. He was married. in 1851. to Caroline, daughter of John Balt, and of German descent, and to this union were born the following children: Martha Ellen, wife of Alvin Cheny; Harriet F .. wife of Simeon Stout, and Jefferson, a resident of Caroline, Ohio. Mr. Speaker is a Democrat in politics, and has served as trustee of Venice Township.

I. A. SPENCER. farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Washington Township, Richland Co., Ohio, November 21. 1828, son of Huckkins and Nancy (Bing- ham) Spencer. latter a native of Ireland. Huckkins Spencer, a farmer, of En- glish descent. born in Maine, settled on a farm in this county in 1834. Our subject, the eldest of a family of ten children, was reared on the farm, receiv- ing a limited education in the common schools of Venice Township, and has followed agricultural pursuits through life. At the death of his father, who was accidentally shot, in 1851, he was appointed administrator of the estate. and has since taken care of the family. Mr. Spencer has been very successful and now owns a farm comprising 111 acres of land. He was married first, in 1852, to Catherine Mechener, by whom he had the following children: Mary J., widow of Dr. J. C. Myers; Emma E., wife of Scott N. Bruner, of Chi- cago, Ill. : Anna and Sherman. Mrs. Spencer died in 1864. She was a mem- ber of the Free-Will Baptist Church. The year of his wife's demise Mr. Spencer enlisted in the United States Regulars and served 100 days as Fourth Duty Sergeant, Company C. November 25, 1865, he was married to his pres- ent wife, Emeline, daughter of Daniel Dunahay, and to this union were born Ella and Jennie. Mrs. Spencer is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. Spencer is a Republican in politics. He has passed all the chairs of the I. O. O. F.

JOHN W. STEIGMEYER, farmer, P. O. Attica, is a son of Frederick Steigmeyer, who was born in Switzerland, and there received his schooling. Frederick Steigmeyer's parents were Dominicus and Barbara (Meyer) Steig- meyer, also natives of Switzerland. Fred. Steigmeyer came to America in 1831 and settled in Pennsylvania, where his father worked at the carpenter's trade for six years. He came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1837 returned to Switzerland and there married Elizabeth Senn, returning to Seneca County the same year. To this union were born the following children: John W., Fred H. (a resident of Attica) and Elizabeth (wife of John Buchman, a prominent farmer living near Tiffin, Ohio). John W. Steigmeyer, the subject

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of this sketch, was born in Venice Township, this county, January 4, 1838, and was reared on the farm, acquiring his education in the schools of his na- tive county. He has proved himself to be a successful farmer, and now owns a fine place consisting of 160 acres of land. He was married, in 1863, to Mary E., daughter of Henry Seiger, a farmer, and of German descent. They have three children: Flora A., Henry F. and Cecilia. Mr. Steigmeyer has served his township as trustee. In politics he is a Democrat.

M. C. STEINMETZ, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. St. Stephen, was born in France September 29, 1829, son of Martin and Elizabeth (Baltz) Steinmetz, also French people, who immigrated to America in 1831 (being six months making the journey), and settled on a farm in Stark County, Ohio, but moving in 1837 on a farm in Venice Township, this county; the former, who was a shingle-maker in France, after coming to America followed farming. Our subject's parents raised a family of nine children. of whom M. C. is the sixth born. Our subject was reared and acquired his education in this county, and worked on the farm until nineteen years old. He then learned the car- penter and millwright trades, which he followed (most of the time in this coun- ty), and with more than average success, for eighteen years. Since then he has devoted his entire attention to farming. He has met with marked success, and is the owner of two well-improved farms, one comprising seventy-eight and three-quarters acres, and the other (where he resides) 136 acres. When he started out for himself Mr. Steinmetz worked for $8 a month, and what he has accumulated has been obtained mostly by his own exertions. Our subject has been twice married; first, in 1852, to Mary E., daughter of Philip Falter, a native of Germany, and who died in 1881. The children born to this union are John C., Philip, Mary, Christena, Celia, Clement, Louise, Anthony, Law- rence and Maria. The first five mentioned are married, and are useful citi- zens. Mr. Steinmetz was married, on second occasion, January 1, 1885, to Magdalena, daughter of Henry and Freniga (Wagner) Wattz, natives of Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Steinmetz and family are members of the Catholic Church, of which he has been a trustee for thirty-four years, and he has also been a member of the church council. In politics he is a Democrat. He has served as trustee of Venice Township for six years, and as assessor for two years.

CAPT. WILLIAM STEPHENSON, grandfather of Prof. William H. Stephenson, a teacher and carpenter. was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1784; was raised on a farm. and received his education in the common schools and subscription schools of Washington County. He was a very snc cessful teacher, having taught three years in his own house; left the school to raise a company in Belmont County, Ohio, to go to the war of 1812, serving all through it, marching with his men across the State from St. Clairsville to Lake Erie; took active part through all the campaign at Detroit and Fort Stephenson (Croghan), and came back home very much broken in health. Capt. Stephenson moved, in 1821, with his family to Crawford County, Ohio, where he took an active part in opening up the new country; purchased land of the Government, and cleared up a very fine farm three miles west of Bucyrus, where he died about the year 1830. Capt. Stephenson took an active part in church and educational matters, and everything for the good of society. He de- parted this life very highly esteemed by his many friends and acquaintances.

PROF. WILLIAM H. STEPHENSON, farmer and teacher, Attica, was born in Venice Township, this county, July 13, 1842, son of John A. and Sarah (Stephenson) Stephenson, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent, and who were parents of four children. His father came to this county, and

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settled in Venice Township in 1831, obtaining land from the Government. Our subject was raised on the farm, receiving his education in his native township and at the high school of Bucyrus, Ohio. He has taught twenty-eight terms in this county, mostly in the schools of Venice Township. He favors and is a constant attendant of the teachers' institutes, and he himself writes for edu- cational journals. He was married, in 1866, to Maria, daughter of Francis Montgomery, and of Irish descent, and their children are Homer (attending the Attica High School), Frank O., William M. and Cora. Prof. Stephenson and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he has been Sabbath-school superintendent for many years. Politically he is a Repub- lican. During the late civil war he enlisted, in 1864, as a member of Company F, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participating in several engagements and served till the close of the war. He was taken prisoner the day Lee sur- rendered, and was discharged as a prisoner of war. He is chaplain of Post 112 of the G. A. R. He took an active interest in the Grange movement, and served two years as secretary in that organization. He served two years as secretary and one term as Worthy Chief of the Good Templars, and is a F. & A. M. His farm comprises sixty-six acres of well-improved land, located a mile and a half south of Attica on the Sandusky pike.

LESTER SUTTON, attorney and banker, Attica, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., July 13, 1836, son of John and Christina (True) Sutton; the former, a native of Pennsylvania, was of Dutch descent, the latter, born in New York, was of English lineage. John Sutton, a farmer, was twice mar- ried, our subject being the eldest child by the second wife. Lester Sutton was reared on the farm, remaining with his parents until he was seventeen years old, when he commenced teaching school, an occupation he followed until he was almost twenty-three years of age, He then began the study of law at Tiffin, Ohio, in the office of Col. Leander Stem, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He opened an office at Attica in 1865, and has been in active prac- tice here ever since. In 1880 Mr. Sutton started in the banking business, and has since divided his time between the bank and his profession. He was united in marriage, in 1859, to Emaline Rundell, and to this union were born four children: Leonard L., attending college; Laura, Charles and Luella. Mrs. Sutton is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Sutton is a Republican.

ISAAC TANNER, farmer and stock-raiser, Attica, was born in Newport Township, Herkimer County, N. Y., August 24, 1811, son of John, a farmer, and Nancy (Nortrip) Tanner, natives of Rhode Island and of English descent, and of whose nine children, Isaac is the fifth. The parents and grandparents of Isaac Tanner. our subject, moved into New York State, when a wilderness, with only here and there a settlement, wild animals being in abundance. The schooling of our subject was obtained in his native State. He came from New York to Ohio in 1854, and settled in Venice Township, this county, when Attica was not worthy of being called even a village, where he has followed farming, an occupation in which he has been successful, and is now the owner of a farm. Mr. Tanner was married, in 1833, to Hannah, daughter of Isaac and Tabitha (Bently) Tanner and granddaughter of Isaac Tanner, Sr. She was born June 27, 1813, in Schuyler Township, Herkimer Co., N. Y. This union has been blessed with six children, of whom only two are now living: Augustus U. B. and Eugene B., both farmers in Venice Township, this county, and both married; the former of whom served as a soldier all through the late war of the Rebellion (he has two children: Avis Agnes and Harley Martin). The parents and grandparents of Mr. and Mrs. Tanner were

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from Rhode Island. Our subject and wife are members of the Universalist Church.

HENRY V. TRUMPLER, agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Carrothers, was born in Venice Township, this county, February 17, 1853, son of Peter and Christine (Deisler) Trumpler, natives of Bavaria, Germany, and who reared a family of seven children, five now living, of whom Henry V. is the youngest. Peter Trumpler, father of our subject, a shoe-maker by trade, was among the early settlers of Venice Township, and here followed farming as an occupation. He was a member of the German Church, and died in 1870. Our subject received his education in the common schools, chose farming as an occupation and followed agricultural pursuits until 1884, when he sold his farm of 109 acres adjoining the village of Carrothers and entered his present occupation. He was united in marriage, in 1881, with Rebecca, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Revert) Meiser, and a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Trumpler are members of the English Reformed Church, in which he is deacon. In politics he is a Republican.

J. W. WALKER, furniture dealer and undertaker, Attica, was born in Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio, February 27, 1849, son of John and Fanny (Hoff- man) Walker, the former a native of Virginia of Irish descent, the latter of New Jersey and of Welsh lineage. His father, who was a plasterer and stone- mason, came to Attica. Ohio, in 1852. He is now residing on a farm in Huron County, Ohio. Our subject is the third of eight children born to his parents, and is the oldest of the four that lived to grow up. His education was obtained in the common school, Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, and at the Northwestern Normal College at Republic, Ohio. He learned the trade of a stone-mason and plasterer, which he followed for twelve years during the sum- mer months, teaching school in the winters, commencing at the age of nineteen years. He was married, April 12, 1874, in Huron County, Ohio, to Miss Jennie Fast, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and of Dutch origin. To this union were born Winfred J., Royall B. (who died in infancy) and Rollo E. Soon after his marriage Mr. Walker purchased a small farm in Richmond Township, Huron Co., Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1880, when he sold the farm and bought property in Attica, this county. In 1881 he entered into partnership in the furniture and undertaking business, which he still follows, having since purchased the entire stock. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. Walker usually votes the Democratic Ticket. He is a member of Venice Lodge No. 197, I. O. O. F.

E. WEAVER, Attica, one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of this county, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1856, son of Samuel Weaver, a native of Carroll County, Md., born in 1822, a farmer by occupation, and who came among the early settlers to this county. Samuel Weaver was united in marriage with Sarah Bixler, who was born in 1824, and to this union were born eight children, of whom six are living. They were of German descent. The father died in 1863, and the mother died in 1866. Samuel Weaver owned 320 acres of land, and since his death the sons have paid all out-standing debts, bought more land, and at present the farm comprises 420 acres of well-improved land, which is well stocked. E. Weaver, our subject, received his education in Freeport, Ill. In politics he is a Democrat.

MARTIN S. WEAVER, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Washington County, Penn., April 17, 1811, son of John, a farmer, and Catherine (Spoon) Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Our subject, the eighth in a family of twelve children, was reared on the farm, receiving a com-

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mon school education, and has followed agricultural pursuits through life. He now owns a farm of 117 acres of land in Venice Township, where he has lived since 1833. He was married, in 1831, to Narcissus, daughter of Valentine Cooper, a farmer, and of English descent. She died in 1860 and subsequently Mr. Weaver married Mrs. Abigail (Bennington) Thompson, widow of Adam Thompson. Mr. Weaver is the father of eleven children, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, viz. : Washington, Joseph, John V., Mary, Elizabeth, Clarcy C. and Sarah, by his first wife, and Juliann, Jane, and John W. (deceased), by his last marriage. Two sons served in the Union Army during the civil war, one dying in his country's defense. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. In politics lie is a Republican.

J. B. WILHELM, farmer, P. O. St. Stephen, was born in France October 6, 1844, son of John and Catherine (Swailer) Wilhelm, also natives of France. His father, who was a farmer, came to America in 1857, remaining two years in the State of New York, and thence came to and settled on a farm in Bloom Township, this county. Our subject, the eldest of four children, was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the county schools at Republic Academy and Baldwin University, a Methodist institute at Berea, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he commenced to teach school, chiefly in Stark County. He taught ten months each year for two years, and then for eight winters, working in the summers. He is an extensive reader. Mr. Wil- helm was married, in 1871, to Marcella, daughter of Matthew and Annie (Melio) Delaney, natives of Ireland, her father being an early settler of Venice Township, this county, and to this union were born the following children: Francis X., Catherine and Clara. They are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Wilhelm is one of the trustees of Venice Township. In politics he is a Democrat. He is owner of 1263 acres of well-improved land.

E. D. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, January 6, 1853, son of O. H. and Agnes (Shepherd) Williams, natives of Ohio and of English and French descent, the former a carpenter in early life, but later a successful farmer, still residing on a farm. Their family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom now survive. Our subject, the fourth in the family, was reared on the farm. His education was obtained in the normal school, Lebanon, Ohio, and at Fostoria, this county, where he attained his majority. He first taught school for six years, and then for three years farmed in the summers and taught in the winters. He has three sisters and one brother who have followed the same profession, and his brother E. E. is now a successful lawyer in West Jefferson, Madison Co., Ohio. Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss A. J. Mckibben, of Scotch-Irish descent and daughter of James B. Mckibben, a pioneer farmer of Venice Township, this county, but now a resident of Reed Township, this county. To this union were born two children: Bessie and Ivan. Mrs. Williams is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican.

By request of Mr. E. D. Williams the following letter, written to him by his brother, E. E. Williams. is inserted verbatim:

RINGGOLD, OHIO, September 14, 1884.

Dear Brother : I received your letter yesterday. Many thanks for your kindness. Three weeks ago I vis- ited the old home. I walked out from Malta. When I arrived at the brow of the hill above the old school- house, being tired, I lay down on the grass beneath the shady beech trees that line the hillside, and while lying there I lived over again our whole past life My mind went back to our boyhood days when we used to play in the bright sunny meadows of southern Ohio. 1 could see every little mill and flutter-wheel we had ever made. I remembered our removal from Ringgold on to the old farm. I remembered our struggle with poverty, and I could see two little white-headed boys as they started out across the fields to their work, either talking over the hardness of their lot, or singing some old war song that made the hills ring with gladness. 1 could see their white heads bobbing up and down iu the hot sun among the long corn rows, or after hoeing to the top of the hill, the giant strides we made to reach the bottom of the hill to begin anew another row. I remembered of lying behind the fence over behind the vineyard (which had not then been planted), waiting for the horn to

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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