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 94
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140
785
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
FREDERICK K. HOLDERMAN, dry goods merchant, Tiffin, was born near Fremont, Ohio, Angust 1, 1843. His parents, Michael and Mary (Smith) Holderman, natives of Freiburg, Duchy of Baden, came to this country on the same steamer, in 1832, and settled near Fremont, where they were married in the following year, the union being blessed with three sons and three dangh- ters, of whom only the sons survive. Frederick K., the youngest son, com- pleted a liberal common school training, and at fourteen entered the store of D. Betts & Co., of Fremont, in dry goods merchandising, where he remained in creditable connection till the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in defense of the Union and was detailed to service in the Mississippi Squadron, under command of Com. Porter, where he remained in active duty dur- ing the term of his enlistment (one year). Upon receiving his discharge he returned to his home, and, after recuperating his health, went to Sandusky City in the fall of 1862, where he was connected with merchandising as clerk and, later, as principal; retiring in 1870, he came here and has been successfully identified with the dry goods industry of Tiffin since. He was married in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1866, to Miss Susan Kogg, daughter of the Rev. George Kogg, a pioneer minister of the Evangelical Church, by which happy union he has two little daughters: Alice and Nina. Mr. Holderman is a clear- headed and far-sighted business man, and while endeavoring to arrange his very numerous classes of goods to the public taste, he in no small degree edu cates his customers to his own choice by a very ingenious introduction of his goods by advertisements, etc .. etc. Socially he is an excellent gentleman and an honored citizen. He is a Knight Templar and a member of De Molay Com- mandery No. 9. In politics he is a stanch Republican, voting last election for James G. Blaine. Mr. and Mrs. Holderman attend the Presbyterian Church service and are active supporters of that denomination.
FRANK H. HOLMES, of the firm of Holmes & Romig, manufacturers and dealers in boots and shoes, 80 Washington Street, Tiffin, was born in Huntington, Mass., January 7, 1856, son of Loren Smith and Letitia C. (Knox) Holmes. The former was a son of Joseph Holmes, Jr., whose father, Joseph Holmes, settled in that State (from northern England) at a very early period in its history. The latter, Letitia C. (Knox) Holmes, was a daughter of Alanson Knox, who descends from Scotch pioneers in Massachusetts. Frank H. was one of a family of three sons and a daughter-Eugene L., who died in Chester, Mass., in October. 1874; Joseph A .. a resident of Defiance, Ohio, and Katie L., a resident of Deshler, Ohio, all of whom settled in Jackson Township, Wood Co., Ohio, with their parents, in 1866. The subject of our sketch, at seventeen, left the farm, and took a position as salesman in a general merchandise store at Deshler. Ohio, and in 1875, at the age of nineteen, a part- nership was formed. consisting of his father, brother and self. for the purpose of conducting a general merchandise business under the firm name of L. S. Holmes & Sons. August 20, 1877, his father died, but the business continued until the spring of 1881. In 1882 he and his brother came to Tiffin, and bought out the present business, which was carried on under the name of Holmes Brothers for one year, Joseph A. then withdrawing and disposing of his interest to Jonas Romig. Mr. Holmes was married, in Deshler, Ohio. May 6, 1880, to Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, April 22, 1855. Mrs. Holmes is a lady of estimable attainments, and a highly respected member of society. Since coming here Mr. Holmes has taken an active part in the development of all enterprises tending to the social and in- dustrial life of Tiffin. He is a member of the city council, an officer of Tiffin Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M., and member of the Royal Arcanum. He is also
786
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife are regular attendants.
GEORGE HOLTZ, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Frederick County. Md., February 20, 1819, son of Jacob and Susannah M. Holtz, natives of Mary- land, and who came to Seneca County, Ohio, April 28, 1834. settling in Clin- ton Township, and there remaining until their death : Jacob Holtz died December 28. 1859, and his widow May 28, 1870. Our subject was united in marriage, October 9. 1870. with Phoebe Moore, whose maiden name was Wise. She was born in Washington County, Penn., January 25. 1841. Her parents, David and Charlotta Wise, now reside in Pleasant Township, this county. Mrs. Holtz is the mother of one son, John W., by her first husband. Our sub- ject has always been engaged in farming, and now owns 134 acres of good land, where he and his family reside. He is a F. & A. M. and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Holtz is a member of the German Baptist Church.
DENNIS HOLTZ. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born March 21. 1827, in Frederick County. Md. His parents. Jacob and Susannah M. Holtz, na- tives of Maryland, where they were married, remained in Maryland until April 28. 1834. and then moved to Seneca County. Ohio, where they remained until the death of the former, which occurred December 28, 1859. on the farm where our subject now resides. After the death of Jacob Holtz his widow resided with her son George until her death, which occurred May 28, 1870. Our subject was united in marriage. November 16. 1851, with Mary J. Schroyer, born in Frederick County, Md .. November S. 1527. a daughter of George and Meribah Schrover (both deceased). To this union were born two children. Marcus and Meribah R. Mrs. Holtz departed this life September 16. 1870. She was a member of the First Reformed Church of Tiffin. After the death of his first wife Mr. Holtz was united in marriage, May 20, 1873, with Anna M. Good. who was born near Reading, Penn., September 19, 1829. daughter of Philip A. and Elizabeth Good. who remained in Pennsylvania until their death. Our subject has resided on his present farm since seven years of age. He owns 160 acres of land. He and his wife are members of Grace Reformed Church of Tiffin.
BENJAMIN H. HORNE, farmer. P. (). Tiffin, was born March 24, 1859. in Lehigh County. Penn., where his parents and their parents were also born, raised and educated. In 1869 Samuel Horne, father of our subject, together with his family. came to Ohio and settled at Fort Seneca, in Seneca County, where they still reside. Samuel Horne has a family of six children: Benja- min H., Samuel. John. Aquilla. Elmina and Rosa. Our subject was engaged in farming with his father until 1982. when he took the large farm of Noble & Shawhan. near Tiffin, which he has well stocked. He is a stirring business man; has 327 acres of land, and is engaged in stock-raising in connection with his father.
PHIL. A. HOUCK, dealer in boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin. this county. September 12. 1853. His parents. John and Ottilia (Fisher) Houck. natives of Baden, came to this country with their respective families. who settled in this county. His mother died in December, 1858, his present mother being his step-mother. Phil. A. is a full brother of the Rev. G. F. Houck. secretary to Bishop Gilmoure, of Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject's pa- ternal grandfather and father were shoe-makers and dealers in boots and shoes, and it well became him (Phil. A.), when arriving at manhood, to follow their example. He embarked in the boot and shoe trade, and when twenty-eight years old took entire possession of the business of his father, which he ably represents. He is the fifth child and fourth son of a family of nine sons and
787
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
six daughters living (two sons are deceased). He married, in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1876, Louisa Buyer, and to this union were born two sons: William and Eugene. Mrs. Houck is the second daughter and fourth child in the family of four sons and five daughters of Nicholas and Barbara (Schei- del) Buyer, natives of Bavaria and Baden, respectively. Mr. Houck is an enterprising business man and citizen. Although averse to holding political office himself, he is, nevertheless, a pronounced partisan of the Democratic party, and has contributed in no small degree to its maintenance and support. He and his worthy wife are members of the R. C. Church and regular com- municants of St. Joseph's congregation, of which church he is trustee. He is an active member of St. John's Benevolent Association, and has served as its financial secretary for eight years.
HENRY HUBACH, brewer, Tiffin, was born in Dür Kheim, province of Rheinpfalz, kingdom of Bavaria, January 27, 1843, and comes of a line of people prominently connected with the brewery business. His parents were Henry and Catharine (Engel) Hubach. The subject of this sketch came to this country in 1865, and worked at the brewing business in Philadelphia for a time, afterward spending some considerable time in the same occupation in the West and South, principally in Milwaukee, Wis., and Cincinnati, Ohio. He eventually embarked in the business at Fort Wayne, Ind., which he con- ducted there for four years. Coming here in 1877 he purchased the business of F. J. Wagner, and has brought it up to an excellent condition, doing the leading business in his line in this locality. He is thoroughly awake to the progressive interests of his trade, and is an excellent business man and citizen. He was married at Cincinnati, in 1871, to Miss Emma Refus, who was born in the Duchy of Baden, Germany, and by her he has two sons and four daughters: Emma, Willie, Alma, Charlie, Selma and Alice. Mrs. Hubach is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Hubach is a member of the Bruderbund and Turnverein.
HON. ELISHA BLAIR HUBBARD, M. D., druggist, Tiffin, was born in Chester, Hampden Co .. Mass., December 28, 1840, and comes of very worthy pioneer people of English ancestry in that State. His father, Ed- mund Hubbard, formerly of Chester (now of Pittsfield) Mass., is a son of Ed- mund Hubbard, of Chester (whom he succeeded in the leather manufacturing business there), whose father was also named Edmund, and who in turn was a son of Daniel Hubbard, who located in Hadley, Mass., in 1700, being one of three brothers who came over from England to Massachusetts between 1665 and 1685, one brother returning to England, and the others settling in Con- necticut. Dr. Hubbard's mother, Caroline (Blair) Hubbard, was the eldest daughter of Luther Blair, of Beckett, Mass., a prominent merchant of that place, and also widely known in Congregational Church work. The subject of this sketch completed a good academical training at Hinsdale, Mass., pre- paratory to entering Williams College, but, in consequence of the financial embarrassments of his father through heavy western land investments, he joined his brother, Dwight, in coming West, and located at Bellevue, Ohio, and for three years was favorably known in connection with the teaching pro- fession in Huron and Erie Counties. In 1860 he returned to Massachusetts to accept the supervision of the State primary schools at Monson, where he re- mained about three years, meanwhile embracing the opportunities offered there in the hospital and dispensary of that institution for the study of medicine and pharmacy. Upon retiring from that incumbency he went to Springfield, Mass., where he remained in pharmaceutical study in the office of Dr. Hutch- ins for about a year, and soon after embarked in the drug business in Amherst,
788
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Mass. In 1871 he retired from business there and came West with the view of locating at Chicago, Ill., but invested in a drug business in Bellevue, Ohio, where he remained till 1873, when he came to Tiffin, and in January, 1874. embarked in the drug business, and here has been well and favorable known. not only professionally but as a business man and a public spirited citizen. He is an active member of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association. He has been an efficient city official. serving upon the school board for several years and as president of that body for six years. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of Tiffin, and served as its secretary. He is manager of the National Hall (opera house) and owner and proprietor of the Daily Herald, and has been ever ready in his support of all measures tending to the development of the social and industrial interests of his adopted city and county. Hon. Dr. Hubbard has been prominently recognized as a master spirit in his party, who, foreseeing in his ability excellent substance for a worthy representation of their interests in the councils of the State or nation, have (1885) chosen him by a handsome majority as their representative in the State Legislature. He married, August 27, 1873, in Nashua, N. H., Helen M. Sawyer, a graduate of Clinton College, N. Y., and eldest daughter of the Hon. George Yeaton Sawyer, attorney of Nashua, and judge of the supreme court of the State, and of worthy pioneer ancestry of that State. By this union were born two children, of whom the eldest, Clara Sawyer Hubbard, survives. Their son. Sheldon B., is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Dr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he has been a vestryman for several years. He has been a member of the Masonic order since attaining his majority, and is now a Knight Templar in Connecticut Valley Commandery, of Greenfield, Mass.
JOHN HUMMER, city marshal of Tiffin, was born in Dieferdinger, Luxemburg, Germany, February 27, 1840: son of Peter and Margaret (Kolb) Hummer (the former a native of Tyrol), who came to America in 1846, settling in Seneca Township, where they reared three sons and one daughter: John, An- thony, Margaret and John B. The subject of our sketch, the eldest, began life for himself, when but a boy, at saw-milling and lumber dealing, and worked at stave-making, etc., in this and surrounding counties for many years. November 1, 1877, he came to Tiffin and worked at stave-making and in the lumber business till 1883, when he was appointed to the city police, and April 6, 1885, was honorably elected to his present incumbency, which he ably fills. He had, while residing in Ansonia, Darke Co., Ohio, served as its marshal and commissioner of streets, so that we find the Marshal with a creditable pro- fessional record before him. He married, in New Riegel in 1864, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Wile. This union was blessed with nine children: Mary, John B., Katrina, Elizabeth, Margaret, Hattie, Clara, Annie and Willie. Mr. Hummer and his family are of the Roman Catholic faith. and members of St. Joseph's congregation. He is a worthy member of St. John's Benevolent Society, Catholic Knights of America, Catholic Benevolent Legion and the Bruderbund.
S. S. HUNTER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, December 20, 1832. His parents, William and Clorinda Hunter, natives of Virginia, were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and settled in Clin- ton Township, where they remained until the death of the former, which oc- curred December 23, 1868. His widow resides in Tiffin. Our subject was united in marriage, October 31, 1860, with Emma Tunison. She was born in Rahway, N. J .. June 15, 1839. Her parents, David C. and Abigail Tunison, natives of New Jersey, where they were married, in September, 1838, moved
789
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
to New York City in 1850; thence to Tiffin, Ohio, in 1854, where they have since resided. Our subject and wife have been blessed with three children: Harvey B .. Alice M. and Willie D. Mr. Hunter is a F. & A. M. Mrs. Hunter has been a member of the Episcopal Church for nearly thirty years.
GEORGE ROBINSON HUSS, dealer in books and stationery, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, January 22, 1828, and comes of pioneer stock of Seneca County. His father, Jacob Huss, saddler and harness-maker, settled here from Maryland in 1824, and carried on the first industry in his line in Tiffin: he died in 1849. Sarah (Robinson) Huss, subject's mother, was a na- tive of Berkeley County, Va., and was descended from prominent pioneer an- cestry in that State. She passed away from this life in 1876, and is buried (beside her husband, one son and two daughters) in Maple Grove Cemetery (the family burial place); she left one son and two daughters: George R., Han- nah R., wife of George Adams, and Sarah, wife of Judge S. T. Sutphen, of Defiance, Ohio. The subject of our sketch was reared to his father's business and conducted it for several years after latter's demise. He was subsequently prominently identified with the early banking interests of Tiffin, forming one of the firm of Tomb, Hess & Co., and was afterward a director of the First National Bank, in which he held important stock interests till its dissolution. In 1861 he embarked in his present business. He was married, in 1851, to Mary Ann Tomb, of Lycoming County, Penn., daughter of Benjamin Tomb, of Tiffin, and by her he has four sons and two daughters: Benjamin J., en- gaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania; John R., physician at Peabody, Kas. : Harry H. G., merchant in Kansas City; Frank C., in cattle business in Nebraska; Emma and Nellie. Mrs. Huss is a worthy member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Huss of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been an official for many years. He is a member of De Molay Commandery No. 9. Mr. Huss has contributed an important share toward the development of the social and industrial life of his city, and has aided very materially in railway building and other important outside interests.
WILLIAM HYTER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Carroll County, Md., August 26, 1831, son of Jacob and Margaret Hyter, natives of Maryland, where they were married and remained until 1839, at which time they came to Ohio, remaining in this county until their death; he died in 1860, and his widow survived him but a few years. Our subject was united in marriage, February 18, 1855, with Margaret A. Gittinger, born in Frederick County, Md., August 23, 1834, daughter of Daniel and Jane E. Gittinger, natives of Maryland, and who remained in that State until 1845, when they moved to Ohio and settled in this county until their death. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, only two now living: Charles W. and Frank K. (twins), born January 7. 1866. The deceased are Alice, Emma B. and Will- iam C. Mr. Hyter owns 181 acres of improved land, situate in Ohio and Indiana. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY JACOBS, proprietor of the "Jacobs Neck-yoke Manufactory," was born in Karlskrohna, Sweden, March 28, 1838, son of Hokenson and Mary Jacobson (the name "Jacobs" being the English abbreviation). In 1854 the parents came to this country and located at Rock Island, Ill., where they were carried off by the cholera; they left three sons and two daughters: John, a mechanic, with the firm; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Mary, now Mrs. Nelson, of Waco, Tex .; Anna, wife of Owen Jones, of Marshall, Kas. ; and Oliver, whose whereabouts is unknown. Henry Jacobs was reared in Knox County, Ill. Being dependent, he set about obtaining a good education, and after a while taught school. He attended two years at Knox College in Gales-
790
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
burg, and afterward entered Union Park Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1868. He was then for five years actively identified with mission work in con- nection with the Congregational Church; meanwhile he had given considerable attention to mechanical work, and in 1871 he engaged in manufacturing near Elgin, Ill. In 1877 he moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and in 1883 came to Tiffin, Ohio, where he built his present factory. Mr. Jacobs married, in 1870, in Oneida, Knox County, III., Cordelia, daughter of Michael Metcalf, Esq., of English descent, who came from New York State to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have two sons and two daughters: Alva, Henry, Mary and Helen. There being no congregation of their faith in Tiffin, our subject and wife attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church.
PORTER HAMILTON JAYNE, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born near Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co .. Penn., March 7, 1853, and comes of pioneer ancestry of that State. His parents were William and Nancy (Sumner) Jayne. The father of all the Jaynes in this country was a Puritan preacher, who was buried on Long Island, and the inscription on his tombstone was as follows:
Here lies ye body of WILLIAM JJAYNE, Born in Bristol, England, Jan. ye 25, 1618. Deceased Mar. ye 24, 1714. Aged 96 years.
The subject of our sketch was the seventh child and fifth son in a family of six sons and four daughters. He received a good schooling in his native place, and at nineteen years of age entered Wyoming Seminary and Commer- cial College at Kingston Penn., from which he graduated at twenty-three. He engaged in teaching at that institution, but soon came West and located in Tiffin, this county, in 1876, and here read law in the office of Noble & Lutes and was honorably admitted to the practice of that profession in 1878. He then entered practice, and in the following year was elected justice of the peace. He was married, in 1877. to Lefee Fouke, of Tiffin, a lady of estima- ble attainments, and by her he has one son and two daughters: Porter H., Jr., Mary L. and Helen. Mr. Javne is a member of the P. O. of A. society and of the Chosen Friends. He has shown himself well fitted for his official incumbency. and has been honorably continued in it since his induction. He has applied himself to the practice of law. and, sitting as justice of the peace, having heard and decided over 1,000 cases since his election. Although not giving his whole time to his law practice, he has some bright talent employed in his office in the study of the profession.
ABRAHAM KAGA, born in Seneca County, in November, 1839, entered the Advertiser office at Tiffin, in 1856, to learn the printer's trade; became editor and publisher of the Shelby County Democrat, in 1860: enlisted in April, 1861. and was commissioned captain of Company F, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; transferred to Company E, Benton Cadets, and then to Company K, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as captain, in January, 1862. He was wounded at Raymond. Miss. ; was discharged in January, 1864. He was chief clerk of the House of Representatives in 1864-65; edited and published the Tiffin Tribune from April, 1864, to June, 1865, and the same fall was local for the Daily Advertiser, of Kansas City. From February, 1866, to September. 1868. he held a position in the Treasury Department, at Washing-
791
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
ton, D. C .; was a storekeeper for the Northern Ohio District up to May. 1869, then engaged in cotton and broom-corn growing in Alabama, in 1870, moved to Missouri as a journalist, served as clerk in the Missouri Legislature in 1875, and has since been editorial writer and correspondent.
SOLOMON KAUP, manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, etc., Tiffin, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., in 1813. His father, John Kaup, was a native of that county, descended of pioneers in that State from Amsterdam, Holland. His mother, Hannah (Bensinger) Kaup, was of German ances- try. John and Hannah Kaup reared a family of six sons and four daughters. The subject of our sketch in early life embarked in manufacturing, and was prominently identified in that connection in the East for many years, princi- pally at Newark, N. J., where he engaged for a considerable time in lumber and afterward in flour-milling. Mr. Kaup married in Newark, N. J., in 1839, Hannah H. Osborn, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of Thomas H. Osborn, a boot and shoe merchant of that city, and by her had the following children: John T., mail agent of the Lake Shore Railway; A. I. (carpenter by trade), manufacturer; Mary Jane, wife of George W. Rugg, of Cleveland; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William B. Stanley, of Tiffin, and Benjamin S., a builder; their youngest daughter, Hanna H., is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery here. Our subject and his family came to Tiffin, this county, in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Kaup are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
LEWIS HAMILTON KEFAUVER, pastor of the First Reformed Church. Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md., January 25. 1827; son of John and Rebecca (Clum) Kefauver, natives of that county, and grandson of Nicholas Kefauver, of direct Alsatian pioneer stock in Maryland, and of presumptive Huguenot stock in Alsace. John and Rebecca Kefauver had a family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom live in Ohio: William, a builder in Dayton; Lewis H. ; Anna, wife of William Zittle, a merchant of Springfield, Ohio; and Elizabeth. In early life the subject of this sketch learned cabinet- making, but upon attaining to manhood he felt a closer tie to the church of his people and decided to work in its vineyard in the ministerial office. January 31, 1847, he made a public profession of faith in Middletown, Md., and completed a preparatory training in the parochial school of the Reformed Church of that village. He afterward attended Marshall College, at Mercers- burg, Penn., in a literary and theological course of study, taking his college degree in 1852, and he had in his senior year at college taken the first year's course of studies in the seminary, so that in the year following his collegiate graduation he graduated from the seminary. He then took a charge of the Reformed Church, in Fairfield. Penn., where he received his ordination and re- mained three years and a half. He next went to Greensburg, Penn., and spent nearly four years in church work there, which he still remembers with a pro- fessional fondness; the results were flattering, but his youthful ambition en- couraged him to seek Western work, and accordingly February 3, 1861, he took charge of the Reformed Church at Dayton, Ohio, whence (after two and a half years of successful labor) he came to Tiffin, July 1, 1863, where he has remained since, and is the oldest resident minister of the city. Mr. Kefauver was united in marriage in Middletown, Md., in 1855, with Amanda E., youngest daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Floyd) Routzahn, natives of Maryland; the ancestry of her father is similar to that of our subject, and the ancestry of her mother is of English stock. This union has been blessed with three sons and one daughter: Charles Addison, a student of medicine in the medical depart- ment of the Western Reserve University, of Cleveland: Elmer Routzahn, with the American Express Company, at Dunkirk. N. Y .; and William Franklin,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.