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 98

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 98

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HON. JAMES A. NORTON, Tiffin. a son of Dr. Rufus and Clarissa ( Waters) Norton, pioneers of Seneca County, was born here November 11, 1843. the youngest of a family of four sons and one daughter, all but one married and now heads of families. Dr. Rufus Norton was a native of Utica, N. Y., and son of Isaiah Norton, a native of the north of England, from whence probably came the corruption of the name MacNaughton, of Scotch history, to the English Norton. Dr. Rufus Norton settled here in 1835 and carried on a reputable . and extensive medical practice for more than thirty years. The subject of this sketch received a good education in the schools of Tiffin. Upon the breaking out of the late civil war. though but eighteen years of age, he enlisted in de- fense of the Union, was accepted and did active and honorable service for four years. He was promoted to a lieutenancy, upon examination by a regular army board, and was serving as post-adjutant at Louisville, Ky., when mus- tered out. He served in all the important battles of the Department of the Cumberland, being severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. After the war he completed a thorough medical education and engaged in the prac- tice of the profession with his father. He, however, began to display abilities as a political leader, and, although a young man. made his influence felt in this locality; his broad views of human nature and versatility of make-up. ren- dered him eminently fitted for this sphere, and his constituents recognized it by electing him to the Sixty-first General Assembly of the State, in 1873. by a very positive majority, and in re-electing him to the Sixty-second and Sixty- third General Assemblies, in the latter of which he served as speaker pro tem .. and during all his experience in the Legislature made his influence felt as an able speaker, a fearless defender of the principles of his (the Democratic) party. Retiring from active legislative duties, he studied law, and was admitted to the practice in the State in 1879, but has paid but little attention to office work in that profession, his later interests being in connection with the water works, and as manager for the Wiley Construction Company of Greenfield, Mass. Besides his interests here, he is a prominent stockholder in the Adrian. Mich., Water Works, and president of the Grand Haven, Mich., Water Works. He was married here, July 19, 1865, to Adeline, daughter of the late Thomas Hemming, and this union has been blessed with two bright children: Albert

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Leland, a graduate of the Tiffin High School and now an eight-years' cadet in the naval school at Annapolis, and Clara Adele. It may be truthfully said that Mr. Norton has but few equals as an extemporaneous speaker. He has served the city and county as an official and promoter of most of its important inter- ests. He is an active member of the Seneca County Agricultural Society, has served as president of the school board of the city, president of the council, is now serving as county auditor of this county. and has been prominently before the people as congressman; he represented the Seventh Congressional District as delegate to the late much respected Democratic National Convention; was appointed, by Secretary of the Treasury Daniel Manning, as inspector of cus- toms at the Isthmus of Panama. but declined the appointment because of bus- iness relations that forbade his acceptance.

WINDFIELD S. NOVINGER. carriage and wagon-maker. P. O. Tiffin, is a son of John and Susan (Killinger) Novinger, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1882 and settled in Clinton Township, where they are pleas- antly located. They have had eight children: Windfield S., Jacob, Irvin, George W., Virgil, Kate and Thomas, now living; and Hiram, who died when four years old. Our subject was born September 1, 1863, in Dauphin County, Penn., and was educated in the common schools. He came to Ohio with his parents in 1882, and after remaining one year in Stark County. moved to this county. He was married, June 14, 1881, to Emma, daughter of Levi Snively. and by this union there are two children: Clidie and Edgar. Mr. Novinger has purchased a beautiful corner residence and shop. in which latter he is doing a fine business, having all the facilities necessary for repairing carriages and wagons neatly.

JAMES O'BRIEN, president of the O' Brien Bros. Manufacturing Company, of Tiffin. represents an important industry, as well as one of the most public spirited and enterprising corporations in Seneca County. He is a native of Ireland, born in Dublin July 25, 1826. His parents were John and Eliza (O'Toole) O'Brien, the former a native of County Carlow, and the latter of Dublin, Ireland. John O'Brien was a plumber and gas-fitter by trade. In 1833 he came to this country and located in New Orleans. where he brought his family (consisting of his wife, two sons and a daughter) two years later, but soon afterward removed to Peoria County, Ill., where he carried on farm- ing until his death, which occurred in 1873, his widow following him some four years later. They reared a family of five sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to be active and useful citizens. The subject of this sketch learned carpentering at eighteen, and was prominently identified with the building in- terests in Illinois for several years. In 1855 he embarked in wagon and car- riage-making at Galva, Ill. Retiring from that industry there in 1859. he located in Princeville, Peoria County. and in 1865 located at Kewanee, Ill., where he was well and favorably known in the business for many years. In 1SS2 he opened his business here. in which he was united by his two younger brothers: William Smith O'Brien, the present superintendent and treasurer, and Joseph Peter, secretary and foreman of the machinery department of the company. Mr. O'Brien married, in 1850, Margaret Francis Seery, daughter of Lawrence and Bridget (Norton) Seery, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. O'Brien was born. To this union were born three daughters: Mary Caroline. and two dead; and three sons, John Edward (head book-keeper for the firm), Henry Eugene (traveling salesman for the firm), and George Norton (book- keeper and stenographer for the firm). Mr. O'Brien has always made his mark as an enterprising and public spirited citizen. He served Kewanee as its mayor, justice of the peace and councilman, and has been creditably identified

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in other official positions both there and elsewhere. He is a kind husband, a good father, and has educated his children well, his three sons all being grad- uates of Notre Dame University, Ind. Mr. O' Brien is a worthy member of the Roman Catholic Church, and a regular communicant of St. Mary's con- gregation.

CHRISTOPHER C. PARK, hardware merchant and dealer in grain and seeds, Tiffin, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., October 4. 1829, and comes of a pioneer family of English ancestry of the State of New Jer- sey. His father, John Park (formerly spelled Pearke) was a native of that State, and his mother, Elizabeth (Waggoner) Park, was a descendant of German pioneers of Pennsylvania. In 1830 John Park came to this county and located at Tiffin, but after engaging in merchandising for several years removed (in 1844) to what is now known as "Pleasant Hill" farm, Section 16, Clinton Township (C. C. Park's present property). where our subject grew to man- hood. At the age of twenty he (Christopher C. Park) went to California and spent two years successfully in mining operations, returning at the end of that time to continue his farming operations in this county. In 1868 he took stock in the Tiffin Agricultural Works, and has continued in successful connection with it since. In that year (1868) he invested in stock in the Tiffin Woolen Mills, and continued a supporter of that institution till its dissolution, and in 1874 he invested means in support of the Tiffin Shoe Factory, and was identi- tied with it till it ceased corporate existence. In 1875 he joined the establish- ment of the "Grange store." and continued an active manager of its interests, latterly (1880) purchasing the entire business, which he now represents only in hardware and agricultural machinery. He is also a very ardent supporter and contributor to many other public enterprises in Tiffin, and has done a leading share to support its industries. Mr. Park was married in Tiffin, No- vember 8, 1855, to Malinda, eldest daughter of Ezra Derr, of Clinton Town- ship, a native of Maryland. She died June 16, 1865, and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery with her two sons, Ezra Derr and Harry Rockey. leaving two sons and a daughter living: Hiram G., associated with his father; John C., with the United States Express Company here, and Anna. wife of Thomas E. Crank, a druggist of Golden City, Mo. Mr. Park was married on the second occasion. September 10. 1868, to Elizabeth C. Smith, a native of Virginia, a lady of estimable attainments, and by this union has two daughters and two sons living: Alva Marins, Ida May, Lela Gertrude and Charles Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Park are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for over twenty years; is trustee at present, and has held official positions in it for many years. He has been a member of the Masonic order for over thirty years, and is Past Eminent Commander of De Molay Encampment No. 9. K. T. He is also a member of the K. of H., and of the A. L. of H. During the late war of the Rebellion he served in Com- pany D, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the existence of that regiment. He has served with credit on the School Board of Clinton Township. and in municipal offices in same township. Mr. Park has been well and favor- ably known here for over half a century and has by dint of persistent indus- try and honesty accumulated a handsome competence, and has reared his fam- ily well, among the older members of which are some of our leading citizens.

ROBERT G. PENNINGTON. a prominent lawyer of Tiffin, was born in Delaware County, Penn., December 11, 1816, and comes of Pennsylvania parentage of Quaker antecedents and of English descent. Isaac Pennington, to whom the ancestry is traced, was an Englishman of large influence and broad Christian charity. His daughter married William Penn, and, with Penn,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

George Fox, Robert Barclay and Thomas Elwood. he founded the Society of Friends. The first American Pennington was Edward, the son of Isaac, and who emigrated from England with his brother-in-law, William Penn, in 1682. Edward married a daughter of Gov. Jennings, of New Jersey, and from that marriage the Penningtons of New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania claim their American origin. When the subject of this sketch had reached his eighth year, his parents, Joseph and Sarah Pennington, moved their family from Pennsylvania to New York, and in Cayuga County of that State the lad passed nine years of his early youth. His father, a well-to-do mechanic and farmer. desirous of procuring more acres for the increasing household, visited Ohio. and, purchasing land in Seneca County, settled here in 1834. Robert G. was then seventeen. He had been kept at school during boyhood and was reputed

a fair scholar. On reaching Ohio, however, he commenced a course of studies in Huron Institute. He went through the curriculum of that popular school. and having completed the academic course turned his attention to the selecting of a profession. He chose the law. He read under the supervision of Abel Rawson, a distinguished jurist and scholar, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. The preceptor thinking well of the pupil took him into partnership. The firm of Rawson & Pennington continued for many years and until the senior member, in 1850, retired from practice. It was in the office of that firm that the Hon. W. P. Noble and Gen. W. H. Gibson took their early lessons in law and became prepared for the bar. Subsequently Mr. Pennington was as- sociated as law partner with Gen. W. H. Gibson, and later with another of his law students, J. C. Lee, ex-lieutenant-governor of Ohio, and lastly with John McCauley, with whom he remained as partner to the time Mr. McCauley was elected judge of the common pleas court. In 1861. when the life of the na- tion was imperiled. Mr. Pennington rendered his country service by assisting to organize and prepare for the field the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and went with that regiment to the front as quartermaster, proving himself worthy of the position. In course of time he became adjutant on Gen. Mc- Lean's staff, but after two years of soldier life he quitted the army in conse- quence of impaired health, and returning to Tiffin applied himself to recover- ing the clients and practice which had strayed away during his absence. He was successful. Mr. Pennington has been devoted to his calling. He has made it the chief business of his life. Early in the practice he acquired the reputation of a painstaking, accurate, honest lawyer, which he still maintains. For over forty years he has been an active attorney, and has held out longer than any who was a member of the Tiffin bar at the time of his admission. Instinctively and religiously he has been a hater of slavery; was an original "Free Soiler" and conspicuous as a public speaker in the campaign of 1856. and the same year was a member of the electoral college and cast his vote for Fremont. He has upheld the faith and has at all times been in accord with the Republican party, but he has never held official position. His party, rec- ognizing his capacity for public life. has frequently placed him in nomination. but being in the minority in the district it has failed to elect. In 1847 Mr. Pennington was one of the incorporators of the Seneca County Bank, a bank of issue and the first established in the county. He was a director of that in- stitution and for a while its cashier. He was also a director and one of the largest stockholders of the late First National Bank of Tiffin. He was a pro- jector of the Tiffin Gas Light Company, and for several years was its president. He has taken an active and efficient part in the railroad projects that have seemed likely to benefit his town. securing the rights of way for them, invest. ing largely in their stock. and facilitating and making possible their construc-

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tion, and in this work he was for several years president of the Tiffin & Fort Wayne and the American & Central Railway Companies. Mr. Pennington has also encouraged and taken large pecuniary interests in manufacturing and other useful enterprises, that had for their object the present and prospective welfare of Tiffin, and though through the commercial disasters which have overtaken some of them he has suffered severely. yet he is in possession of an ample and hand- some competence. He is a close observer and thinker; his reading on the natural sciences and kindred subjects have been extensive, and he talks clearly on their application to architecture and the common affairs of life. Availing itself of this the court of common pleas has just (in 1883) appointed him on the committee of which he is chairman to supervise the initiative acts and to look after the construction of the contemplated new court house of Seneca County. In 1842 Mr. Pennington was married to Caroline A. Kuhn. a native of the Island of Minorca (a province of Spain), and daughter of Joseph L. Kuhn. of the United States Navy. and granddaughter of Lewis Chadwick Hargrave, late British consul-general to the Spanish Balearic Islands. The late Dr. Henry Kuhn, an eminent physician of Tiffin, was her uncle. The Doctor was also the husband of Mr. Pennington's eldest sister. Of Mr. Pennington's three daughters, Eugenia H. is the wife of Almon Hall of the Toledo bar (a lawyer of character and ability); Caroline C. is the wife of U. R. Steele (ex-member of the national Congress, and now a prominent attorney of large practice in the Territory of Dakota): Louisa A .. the youngest daughter, resides in Tiffin and is the wife of Samuel Keech (who is engaged in mercantile pursuits). Mr. Pennington is above the medium height. carries himself erect, and his move- ments are easy and active. In address he is affable, frank and kindly. He is modest and unpretentious, and his general demeanor bears the impress of his Quaker lineage. He attends with his family the services of the Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a communicant, and he contributes to its support. In 1884 he was appointed by Gov. Hoadly a member of the board of directors of the State Insane Asylum at Toledo. Ohio.

BARCLAY PENNINGTON, photographic artist, Tiffin, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Denison) Pennington and brother of R. G. Pennington, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., July 2. 1828. His parents removing to this county, in 1831, he was reared and educated in the high school, Tiffin City. He learned his profession at Tiffin, and subsequently bought out the interest in the business of his preceptor, a Mr. Hardsock, and has continued the business since. He was married here in 1861 to Josephine E. Creeger, the elder and only surviving sister of Mrs. Gen. W. H. Gibson. She was a native of Frederick City, Md. Our subject and wife have but one child, Stella Louisa, a young lady of excellent literary and artistic attainments. She and her mother are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Pennington has always been a liberal contributor. He has been a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. since his majority, and has been the permanent secretary of that order here for the past twenty-six years.

D. C. PITTENGER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Seneca County. Ohio, January 24, 1836; son of Benjamin and Theresa Pittenger, natives of Frederick County. Md., where they were married. They moved to this county and settled in Tiffin in 1824, and there remained until the death of Mrs. Pit- tenger, which occurred December 8. 1847. After her death. Benjamin Pitten- ger married Miss Mary A. Hunter, and in 1861 they moved to the farm where our subject now resides, and remained there until their death; Mrs. Pittenger died August 15, 1877, and Mr. Pittenger January 24. 1881. Benjamin Pit- tenger was the father of twelve children, five now living: Cornelia T. (wife of

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J. M. Naylor). Ann C. (wife of Albert Buskirk), De Witt C .: Emma L. (wife of E. T. Naylor) and Millard F. D. C. Pittenger, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage. November 11, 1863, with Alma Fleet, born in Steuben County. N. Y., October 31. 1844, daughter of Abraham Flect. a native of New York State. now residing in Jasper County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Pitten- ger are the parents of three children: Cornelia T .. Benjamin and Ethel. Mr. Pittenger is the owner of the fine farm where he and his family reside. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. of Tiffin.

JOHN O. PLANK. "mine host." of the "Shawhan House," Tiffin. rep- resents the leading hostelry of Tiffin, and stands prominent in hotel circles throughout not only Ohio. but the East, where he is the proprietor of the " Columbia Hall." at Lebanon Springs. N. Y., and the "Ocean House, " at Point Pleasant, N. J. Mr. Plank is entirely self-made, being left dependent when a mere lad. and as a successful hotel man he is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was reared in Planktown, Ohio, and at twelve years of age engaged as night clerk in the "Coleman House," at Shelby (his native town). and from here went to Mansfield, Ohio, where he clerked in the Tremont, Sherman, Kennard and St. James hotels, in which latter he spent two years. during which time he also engaged as silent partner with W. W. Reed, in the "Central House." at Galion, Ohio. He afterward had the management of the "Rowley House. " at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and in the same year leased the "Lake View House, " at Chantanqua Lake. N. Y. After a very successful sea- son with the latter house. he joined Mr. Reed in the "Haines House" at Mun- cie. Ind. Coming to Tiffin in 1878. he clerked in the "Shawhan House" a year. and then carried on the "Forest City House," at Forest. Ohio, and formed a joint stock company which built and opened the "Hotel Bryant," at Flint, Mich., the leading hostelry of that State. After this he returned to Tiffin and took charge of the "Shawhan House," which he still carries on. During this year he carried on the "Reesee House" at Kenton, Ohio, and became manager of the " Green Spring Water Cure." at Green Spring. this county. In 1880 he took charge of the "Tenekall House." at Demorest, N. J .. which he operated for one season successfully. and in the same year became the manager and proprietor of the "Columbia Hall." at Lebanon Springs. N. Y., which he has successfully carried on since; in 1884. at an immense expense. com- pletely remodeling that grand hostelry. In 1883 he leased the "Ocean House." at Point Pleasant, N. J., which he has carried on till the present time. and in 1884 leased the "Russell House," at Defiance, Ohio, which he ably carries on; and this year, 1885, he has in addition to the hotels mentioned. the famous hotels in the Green Mountains; the "Mount Mansfield Hotel." Stowe. Vt .. the largest and grandest hotel in the State, having accommoda- tions for 500 guests; the "Summit House." on the top of Mansfield Mountain. over 5,000 feet altitude, a very noted place, and the highest mountain peak in the East: also. in connection, he personally has supervision of the "Half-Way House" and " Moss Glen House" in the Green Mountains: making in all about twenty hotels he has been clerk, manager and proprietor of in the last seventeen years, since he was eleven years old. Mr. Plank's early training in hotel business was thorough, his first salary was but $6 a month, but by dint of per- sistent industry and frugality he accumulated sufficient to start him in busi- ness, and this, coupled with his excellent managerial ability, has placed him in the front rank of hotel men of the country. He is but twenty-nine years of age, and the wonder is that he has accomplished so much in his business in so little time. He was happily married, at Tiffin, to Miss Cora Bell, daughter of Martin and Susan Zeller, of this city. the union being blessed with one son, John Oliver, Jr.

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JAMES H. PLATT, city solicitor of Tiffin. was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 22, 1854, son of George and Eva M. (Faulk) Platt, the latter of whom was a daughter of Solomon and Marie (Rauch) Faulk, pioneers in Columbiana County, Ohio, coming from Pennsylvania. George Platt was a native of England, a millwright by profession, coming from Oldham, Lan- cashire, to this country, and after spending a useful life died in 1867 at Find- lay, Ohio. leaving there a family of three sons and five daughters. The sub- ject of our sketch was reared in Tiffin, where he completed a full classical course of study at Heidelberg College, graduating in 1875. He had taught a term previous to his graduation, and after that continued teaching till 1879. when he commenced law study, and was admitted to practice in 1881. He then joined Judge Harrison Noble, which partnership continned until recently. In 1883 Mr. Platt was elected solicitor for the city, and was honorably re- elected April 8, 1885. He was married in Tiffin, in 1883, to Rosa M. Warner, foster-daughter of Prof. B. F. Myers. This union was blessed with one daughter -- Mary Aleta. Mr. and Mrs. Platt are worthy members of Grace Reformed Church. He is a member of Seneca County Bar Association, and of the P. O. of A.

JOSEPH L. RANKER, hardware merchant, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin. Ohio, October 17, 1848, son of Joseph and Barbara (Shabacher) Ranker, natives of Bavaria, the former a blacksmith by trade, who settled in Tiffin in the spring of 1832; the father died April 8, 1858, the mother May 6. 1870. Four of their children survive: Frances A., wife of George Spayth, of Mccutchenville; John Hury, a blacksmith, in Tiffin; Josephine and Joseph L. The subject of this sketch was reared in Tiffin to the hardware business, and has been favora- bly identified with that branch of trade in the place for some years. He mar- ried in Tiffin, in 1870, Rosa K., daughter of Caspar Kirchner (brother of M. J. Kirchner), and they have a family of four sons and two daughters: Louis William, Emma Rosa, Albert Joseph, Flora Josephine, Herman Edward and Charles Jacob. The family are communicants of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church, which church Mr. Rankin has served as trustee. He is a member of St. John's Benevolent Association, and is the honored president of the Catholic Knights of America in Tiffin: is also an honorable member of the Bruderbund. Mr. Ranker is a thorough and progressive busi- ness man and citizen, and has always contributed liberally to the support of the social and industrial interests of his native city. During the year 1884 he made a trip to Europe, and visited with pleasure and interest the homes of his ancestors.

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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