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 90

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 90

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CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

he resides. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, trustee and land appraiser. Many years ago he was captain (commissioned September 20,1833) of a company of State militia; eight years afterward he was promoted to the rank of major, a position he declined, accepting the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Col. Bowser is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bowser departed this life in January. 1876, leaving her husband and children. besides a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.

NELSON LUTHER BREWER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born in Clear Spring, Washington Co., Md., September 17, 1832. the only son and youngest child of the family of five children of Emmanuel and Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer. His father was a son of Henry Brewer or Brua (as it was formerly spelled), who settled in Washington County about the time of the Revolution, and comes of German (Huguenot) ancestry, they having left their native country in consequence of the persecutions of that sect. Our subject's mother, Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer, was a daughter of George Zacharias, who set- tled in Washington County, Md., from Pennsylvania. Our subject at the age of twelve years went to Frederick City. Md., where he remained under the guardianship of his uncle, Rev. Daniel Zacharias, D. D., of the Reformed Church, a gentleman of prominence in his professional work in that State. There he gained a good literary training, and at nineteen years of age "went West" and taught school near Monroe City, Mich., for a year and a half. May 11, 1853, he came to Tiffin, this county, for the purpose of furthering his education and entered Heidelberg College, from which he graduated in 1855. Soon after he entered the office of the Hon. J. C. Lee, where he devoted him- self to the study of law, and meantime taught in the college. In May, 1858, he was admitted to the practice and accepted a partnership with his honored preceptor, which continued till 1869. Meanwhile the great civil war broke ont, and Mr. Brewer pronounced himself in strong terms for the Union cause, and assisted with his means in defense of it, and in May, 1864, entered the field of service, where he remained till the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge with a commission as captain. Upon the dissolution of partnership, in 1869. Gen. Lee went to Toledo, and Mr. Brewer, continuing the practice here, has since transacted a very important part of the professional work in this locality. He has often been urgently solicited to become a candi- date in the political field, but with the exception of serving honorably on the school board for many years, has declined any further official honors. He has been an ardent member of the Reformed Church many years, has served its Sabbath-school as superintendent for over twenty years, and has been elder in the church for several years. Mr. Brewer was married, in Tiffin, September 17, 1857, to Libbie. eldest daughter of Dr. Joseph and Juliette (Hedges) Mason, and who passed away her young life in 1860, followed by her only child, Lettie, five years later. In 1861 Mr. Brewer married Harriet M., daughter of Amaza and Julia Chidester, of Aurora, N. Y., and by this union has two sons and two daughters: Julia. Edward A., Wallace W. and Grace. Mr. Brewer is a close student of human nature, a gentleman of broad and liberal principles, and, while in political minority, has done important service here in blending strong political factions in a common cause for the better furtherance of local interests.

ANDREW J. BRICKNER, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Stove Works, and distiller. Tiffin. was born near Rodenfelss, Kingdom of Bavaria, January 12, 1829. His parents, Michael and Margaret (Raedelbach) Brickner. came to America with their family in 1840, and settled on land now known as Cromer's Station in Liberty Township, this county, where they reared four sons and five daughters: Michael, the eldest son (died, leaving a family of four children in

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Delphos, Ohio); John, a resident of Washington Township, Van Wert Co., Ohio; George, a manufacturer of woolen goods at Sheboygan Falls, Wis .; Mary. wife of John Houk, of Tiffin; Margaret (single), who manages Andrew J.'s household affairs; Lizzie, wife of L. E. Sexstater, of Tiffin; Louisa, a Sister in the Ursuline Convent, and Lucinda, also a Sister in the Ursuline Convent; and A. J. The subject of our sketch learned merchant tailoring in Tiffin, and clerked for awhile in a dry goods store at Delphos. At twenty-two, he and his brother George went to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., and commenced a general store and milling business. In 1857 he retired from business there and went to Delphos, where he was connected with distilling for several years, in part- nership with Bernhard Esch of that place. Withdrawing from that, he came to Tiffin, and in 1867 bought an interest in the grocery and distillery, the firm being known as Wagner & Brickner; the distillery is still carried on by Mr. Brickner. In 1879 he became one of the original incorporators of the Ohio Stove Works, in Tiffin, with which he is still identified. He has been promi- nent before the people as an enterprising citizen and business man, and although adverse to holding office, has filled the alderman's chair for his ward for eight terms. Socially, he is a very pleasant and affable gentleman.

JACOB BRIDINGER, M. D., health officer of Tiffin. was born in North- ampton County, Penn., March 25, 1843; son of Jacob and Saloma (Snyder) Bridinger. natives of that county, and of pioneer ancestry in the State. The subject of this sketch came to this county at the age of fifteen, completed a good education, and taught school for six years, principally in Crawford Coun- ty, Ohio. He had meanwhile engaged in the study of medicine, but followed merchandising in Bucyrus, whence he removed after two years to Mount Blanch- ard, where he remained in that connection till 1874, when he returned to his medical studies and graduated in 1876, from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. After a short practice in Ashland, Ohio, he came to Tiffin, where he has since been professionally connected. Dr. Bridinger was married in Columbiana County. Ohio, to Lizzie Alberstadt, a native of that county, of pioneer Pennsylvanians. To this union have been born three sons, living: Frank L .. Harry J. and Leon A. The Doctor and his wife are members of the English Lutheran Church. He is a F. & A. M., and has passed through the council. He is a member of the Ohio State and Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Associations. Since locating here the Doctor has been a very active worker in professional and public life, and has served the city as a member of the council for his (Fifth) Ward.

KORA FRANK BRIGGS, son of Knowlton H. and Mary A. (Steele) Briggs, was born in Huron County, Ohio, March 6, 1858: moved with his parents to Wyandot County, where he grew to manhood; attended school at Upper Sandusky, and taught his first term in the winter of 1878-79, and five subsequent terms: attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, several years. teaching during vacation to pay his expenses. First newspaper work, as a solicitor for the Tiffin News, in 1880, and afterward for the Upper Sandusky Republican. In August, 1883, he engaged to Dumm & Brunner to take charge of the local department of the Marion Democratic Mirror. Shortly thereafter Messrs. Dumm & Brunner sold their interest in the Mirror, and Mr. Briggs came to Tiffin with Mr. Brunner, and assumed a similar place on the Seneca Advertiser, in April, 1884, which he still holds. Our subject is married to Emma E., daughter of John Brobst, of Upper Sandusky, and has one child, a little girl.

C. D. BRISH, butcher, Tiffin, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1839, son of William and Delila (Snook) Brish, and nephew of Gen. H. C. Brish;

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both the brothers. William and Gen. H. C. Brish, served with credit in govern- ment employ in early times; they were natives of Maryland, and of Scotch ancestry. Charles D. Brish was one of a family of four sons and five dangh- ters. He married Catharine, daughter of Frederick Barres, Esq., of Tiffin, Ohio, who was of Pennsylvania pioneer stock, and by this union there is one son, Henry. Mrs. Brish is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Brish served for thirteen years as a member of the city constabulary of Tiffin, and was a member of the fire department. He belongs to the I. O. O. F.

HENRY BROHL, notary public, insurance business and steamship pas- senger agent, Tiffin, was born in Bonn, on the Rhine, kingdom of Prussia, November 10, 1831. His parents. Henry and Anna Maria (Froendgen) Brohl, natives of Bonn, reared a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom Henry came to this country. The subject of our sketch was reared to mercantile pursuits (his father's business), and was completing a thorough collegiate training in his native land, when, in consequence of the "revolution." and upon his entering his majority, he felt compelled to seek an asylum where he could better cultivate his political independence, and came to our shores. locating at Sandusky City, Ohio, where he clerked for a few years in the dry goods and grocery business. In 1855 he came to Tiffin, and clerked in a wholesale grocery till the following year, when he joined Robert Crum in the wholesale grocery and liquor trade, in which he continued till 1865. when he retired from it, and has since been engaged in mercantile business. He married in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1856, Miss Katharine Kranz, a native of Wiesbaden, Grand Duchy of Nassau, Ger- many, and daughter of Balthasar and Elizabeth Kranz, who came to this country in 1848. and settled on a farm near Sandusky City. Mr. and Mrs. Brohl have four sons and three daughters: Harry, in the Tribune office here; Edward P. (plumber by trade). now a book-keeper in Sandusky City; Charles, a civil engineer at New Hanover. Ill. : Theodore, a clerk in the Tiffin postoffice; Jennie; Bertha; and Katie. In 1880 Mr. Brohl was appointed notary public, and soon after added an insurance and steamship agency to the business. He is a gentleman of fine learning and noble qualities, has been a useful citizen in public as well as social life, and has served with credit on the school board of Tiffin for six years.

THOMAS GALEN BROSIUS. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born December 30, 1850, in Wayne County. Ohio; son of Newton and Sarah (Dawson) Brosius, former of whom was born December 5, 1823, in Chester County. Penn. ; a son of Benjamin and Phoebe (Booth) Brosius, who settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1836, removing seven years later to Stark County, where they pur- chased land near Mt. Union: they reared a family of ten children, all of whom are yet living; their names are Charles. Barkley, Newton. Joseph. Henry, Benjamin. Septimus, Jacob. Abner and Thomas. Our subject was married, May 4, 1881, to Mary E. Zook, daughter of George W. Zook, who died in Henry County, Ohio, in the spring of 1865. formerly a resident of Bedford County, Penn., and one of the earliest pioneers of Clinton Township. (A part of his family still live in that section of the county.) This union has been blessed with two children-one deceased at age of ten months and Edward Galen. In 1876 Mr. Brosius visited Philadelphia, attending the exposition in that city. He has a fine farm, well stocked, and is an enterprising farmer and stock raiser.

HON. LOUIS A. BRUNNER, of Tiffin, is of German ancestry, and was born in Frederick City, Frederick Co., Md. He fully availed himself of the advantages of an elementary and classical education, and, after a thorough course of theological study, was licensed to preach, in the summer of 1846, at

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Columbus, Ohio. Subsequently he entered upon the duties of the ministry, and served several Presbyterian congregations. In the spring of 1852 he was elected, by the Presbytery of Marion, Ohio, commissioner to the General Assembly, and attended the sittings of that body in Philadelphia, Penn., in May following. In 1860 his nervous centers gave way, prostrating him to such an extent as to force him to relinquish his chosen profession. However, having from a young boy dabbled in printer's ink, and being compelled to labor for a livelihood. he purchased a printing office and took charge of the editorial department, and while not engaged in his duties of the tripod, worked at the case, sticking type. He has performed editorial work on the Odd Fellow, pub- lished at Boonesboro, Washington Co., Md., the Pioneer and the Union, of Upper Sandusky, and the Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel, an interest in which he owned in 1868 and 1869. He has resided in Wyandot County since 1849, excepting four years passed in Maryland, from 1856 to 1861. He has served on the board of school examiners of Wyandot. as a member of the village council, and was elected a member of the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, occupying during the session of 1883-84 and 1885 the honored position of Speaker pro tem. In the Sixty-fourth General Assembly he served as clerk of the house, and his large experience as a lawmaker and his peculiar fitness for clerical duties, the result of early training, made him one of the best clerks the assembly ever had, and it was acknowledged by the members of both parties. Hence, as a mark of recognition. embodying the admiration of members, he was presented at the close of the session with a costly gold watch and chain, which he still carries with pardonable pride. Mr. Brunner's first year in the General Assem- bly was marked with ability and true statesmanship. and although it is seldom the lot of a new member to take prominence at the beginning, his experience was an exception. for. before the close of the session, he was the recognized leader of his side of the house, and this position he has ably and gracefully maintained during every term of his legislative career. His superior qualifi- cations as a presiding officer attraced attention from all parts of the State, and in the Sixty-sixth Assembly he was the almost unanimous choice of his party for speaker; yet his usefulness upon the floor, and his own inclinations for activity amid conflict, induced him to decline the honor, and to accept at the demands of his party the position of speaker pro tem. He is perhaps the finest parlia- mientarian in the State, and we cannot better express this opinion than to give an extract from a letter written by a newspaper correspondent during the ses- sion of 1883-84. "The Wyandot Sachem. Brunner, as speaker pro tem., has demonstrated himself to be a superior presiding officer, fit to have held the gavel of the Long Parliament of Cromwell's days, and whose legislative career has given his solid little Gibraltar (Wyandot County) a cameo-like prominence in the State's councils." In 1879 Mr. Brunner, in connection with Robert D. Dumm. purchased the Wyandot Union of L. J. Stalter, and by their united efforts again made the old Union one of the best county newspapers in the State. It now enjoys a large circulation, and an enviable widespread reputa- tion. As an editor Mr. Brunner has few superiors. He is logical. clear and very effective, and has gained many admirers for his humorous touches of local incidents; but his great force and efficiency is as a campaigner, filling his well- rounded and emphatic periods in that direct and forcible manner, which leaves no room for effective reply. While a ready, spicy and able writer, he is equally as ready and effective as a speaker, which his prominence in the house on all important questions of State policy has fully made clear. His polish. as a gentleman. and his great tact in winning and retaining the admiration and

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esteem of his fellow citizens are due, to some extent. to his genial nature. thorough education and wide range of information. gained through the avenues of an extensive and careful study of books and men. In September, 1882. he, with his old partner, Mr. Dumm, bought a half interest in the Mirror, at Marion, Ohio. and, although it proved to be a profitable investment and, in connection with the Democracy of Marion County, highly acceptable and pleasant, after eighteen months they sold their interest to their partner, Col. J. H. Vaughan. A part of this time Mr. Brunner was editor of the paper, and in the memora- ble campaign of 1883 gained a host of admirers for his efficient editorial work. Since the close of the legislative session of 1883-84 he has assumed a controlling interest and editorial charge of the Seneca Advertiser, one of the oldest and best newspapers published in Ohio, ard he has fully made up his mind to make Tiffin his future home. He still holds his connection with the Wyandot Union with Mr. Dumm, but undoubtedly in the near future will sever that relation, and give his whole attention to the Advertiser, which will advance under his influence and enterprise, and rapidly become the leading county paper of the State. Mr. Brunner was married, in 1850, to Miss Jane Sherman, of Dela- ware. Ohio, and who was a native of Watertown, N. Y. Their three children are Mary, now the wife of John W. Geiger, of Tiffin, Ohio; Addie, now Mrs. B. W. Holman, of Washington. D. C., and Grace.

PETER BUCHMAN. farmer, P. O. Tiffin. was born in this county in June, 1842. His parents. John and Magdalena Buchman, were natives of Switzer- land. where they were married and remained till about 1840, at which time they came to America, settled in this county, and there remained until the death of the latter, which occurred October 4, 1868. Mr. Buchman now re- sides with his children. Our subject was united in marriage, April 10, 1867, with Catharine Senn, born in this county May 23, 1843. a daughter of John and Catharine Senn, the former of whom was born in Switzerland, the latter in Belgium; they were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and first settled in Seneca County, Ohio, and from there removed to Pulaski County, Ind., where they now reside. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Mary E., Maggie C. and Rosa A. Mr. Buchman is one of the prosperous farmers of this county. and owns 163 acres of improved land. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

JACOB FREDERICK BUNN. attorney at law, Tiffin, and judge of the Probate Court of Seneca County. was born in Thompson Township, this county, June 6, 1847. He comes of English ancestry on his father's side, and is of pioneer Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, John Bunn, was a native of Berks County, Penn., and thence removed to Perry County. in the same State (where Jacob Bunn, father of the Judge, was born), and from there to this county at an early period in its history, settling in Thompson Township. The subject of this sketch, when a lad, attended the common schools of this county, and at nineteen entered Heidelberg College. taking a full classical course of study, graduating in 1870. He had in the meantime engaged in the study of law in the office of the Hon. George E. Seney. and upon completing his studies at Heidelberg entered the Cincinnati Law School, in affiliation with the Uni- versity of Cincinnati. and the following year was admitted to the practice of that profession in the State. He formed a partnership with the late Hon. A. V. Bierce, of Akron, Ohio, where he continued in excellent professional work for two years, when he retired from it there and came to Tiffin, this county, the associations surrounding his alma mater proving the magnet. Here he de- veloped his abilities as a jurist, and, in 1878, received the nomination of his party and was elected to the incumbency which he now enjoys, and was re-elected to

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succeed himself in 1881. He married in Tiffin, in October, 1873, Miss Laura O .. daughter of the late Hezekiah Groff, of Tiffin, a lady of estimable attain- ments, a graduate of Heidelberg, and who passed away her young life July 12. 1880, and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. Judge Bunn is a keen dissecter of facts, a deep reasoner, and, while busily engaged in adjudicating the more important portions of a case, does not let a single feature escape him, weighing well every issue. He is slow of conviction, but positive when convinced, char- acteristics which eminently fit him for more exalted spheres as a jurist in the time to come. Socially, he is an excellent citizen and an active supporter of measures tending to the city's development. He is vice-president of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company, was for several years president of the Board of Trade of Tiffin, member of the school board, and is a member of the Library Association.

HENRY A. BUSKIRK, coal merchant, Tiffin, was born in Penn Yan. Yates Co:, N. Y., in 1824; son of Jacob Buskirk (originally Van Buskirk), of pioneer Holland people in that State, and Adeline Wilson, of English an- cestry of pioneer Vermont people. In 1832 Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Bus- kirk settled in Melmore, this county, where they were connected with the hotel business till the death of the former in 1837. In 1839 Henry A. took charge of the hotel. and carried it on till 1845. when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in merchandising, in wholesale grocery business as clerk, from which he retired in 1849, and in 1851 embarked in business in Tiffin. and carried on an extensive wholesale and retail grocery trade for over twenty-six years, re- tiring from it in 1877 and engaging in his present industry. He was married at Melmore, this county, in 1848, to Angeline Arnold, by whom he has two sons and two daughters: Clara (wife of T. H. Noonan, general freight agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; E. K., in the wholesale mercantile trav- eling trade; Harry W., in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight office here. and Jennie, wife of Dr. John Robb. of Baltimore, Md .. surgeon for the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad. In 1868 Mrs. Buskirk passed away from this life in full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried in Wood Lawn Cemetery here. In 1871 Mr. Buskirk married Fannie E. Grover, of Silver Creek, N. Y .. and by this union has one son and two daughters: H. Grover, Eirene and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Buskirk attend the Presbyterian Church service, of which church she is a member. Mr. Buskirk has been a very act- ive, public spirited pioneer citizen of Tiffin, and has contributed liberally toward the development of its many social and industrial interests.

ALBERT BUSKIRK, farmer, etc .. Tiffin, a son of Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk, was born in Pittsburg, Penn., August 7, 1832, and was brought the same year to this county by his parents, who settled in Melmore, and there his father died in 1837; his mother died in Lima, Ohio. in 1880. (For the genealogy of the Van Buskirks and Wilsons, see H. A. Buskirk's sketch. ) Albert Buskirk was reared to merchandising, and was well and favorably known to the trade here for eighteen years, retiring from it about 1867 to give his attention to farming. and stock rearing and dealing; in 1876 he went West to engage in stock rearing and dealing, and in 1880 he took J. M. Naylor in as partner, and so continued until they sold in 1883. Mr. Buskirk has ever been enterprising and progressive, and has contributed in no small degree to the many important interests of Tiffin. He was one of the organizers of the National Exchange Bank of Tiffin (now the Tiffin National Bank), and is at present one of its board of directors. During the war he did service in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as quarter- master. He was married in Tiffin. in 1856, to Ann C., daughter of Benja-

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min and Theresa (Creeger) Pittinger. natives of Maryland, and this union has been blessed with two sons and two daughters: Ralph J .. Kate, Don and Addie. Mr. Buskirk is liberal in religious and political matters, and contributes to all worthy enterprises. He has accumulated a goodly amount of property, the result of steady, persistent industry, and has reared and educated his family well. He is a worthy citizen, and a kind husband and father.

FRANKLIN CARPENTER. dry goods merchant. Tiffin, was born in Bennington, Vt .. February 2. 1832, and comes of a line of merchants. His father. Richard Carpenter, merchant, of Bennington, was a grandson of Capt. Oliver Carpenter. a native of England, who was educated for a sea captaincy, and held a commission on the civil list of Great Britain in the merchant ma- rine. finally settling in Providence, R. I .. where his descendants eventually espoused the cause of Independence. His mother, Betsy (Austin) Carpenter. was a daughter of John Austin, of Vermont, and whose genealogy is connected with the early settlers in this county from the Netherlands. The subject of our sketch, at thirteen, went to Albany, N. Y .. and subsequently to Bridge- port, Conn., spending six years of this time in mercantile pursuits. When twenty years old he accompanied his father to Oberlin, Ohio, where he after- ward carried on merchandising for several years. In 1858 he came to Tiffin, this county, and after six years of successful merchandising here he went to New York, where he embarked in extensive importing and jobbing business. After several years of active business life he went to White Plains, N. Y .. where he remained in business for nine years, retiring then to come here in 1832. Here he represents the firm of F. Carpenter & Co., dry goods, etc., etc., and does a leading business. He was married in his native place, in 1853. to Miss Helen M. Roberts, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of James Roberts. merchant of Windsor, Conn., and by this union has one son and one daughter: Richard, now a merchant, and Louisa. Mr. Carpenter. a very able master of his business, is public spirited and progressive, and socially is a very pleasant gentleman. He and his wife attend the worship of the Episcopal faith. He is a F. & A. M. of many years standing.

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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