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 99

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 99

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ABEL RAWSON (deceased) was born at Warwick, Mass., May 11, 1798. and was the third son of Lemuel and Sarah (Bass) Rawson, who were married there September S. 1791. He was of the sixth generation in descent from Edward Rawson. who settled in that State from England in 1637, and served as secretary of the colony of Massachusetts Bay from 1650 to 1685. Our sub- ject when a child suffered from a disease which crippled his left leg for life. and, being dependent, he taught school, and educated himself in this way. His desire was to become a lawyer, and after completing a good literary education he studied law, and was admitted to practice in Massachusetts in 1823. In 1824 he left his practice in New Salem, Mass .. and came to Ohio, where he taught school in Dover and later in Norwalk, where in 1825 he was admitted to the bar of Ohio. The same year he visited Tiffin, and February 15, 1826. located in Fort Ball with but little means and with a library containing the first volume of Swift's " Digest of Chitby's Pleadings." In May following he was appointed prosecuting attorney. which incumbency he held till 1833, as also

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other county offices and the postmastership of Fort Ball. In 1830 he was appointed register of the land office here, which position he retained six years, when he declined the office. In 1846 R. G. Pennington united with him in law practice, which had now become very extensive, the partnership lasting some twelve years. In 1844 our subject was delegate from the Ninth Congressional District to the Whig convention at Baltimore which nominated Clay and Fre- linghuysen. September 28, 1828, Mr. Rawson was married to Sarah Ann Clark, a native of Hancock, Vt., and this union was blessed with two sons: Allen A. and Homer C. (graduates of Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1855, and now physicians of standing at Corning, Iowa); and a daughter-Aurina H. - who died in 184S. followed by her mother June 6, 1849. September 25, 1856, Mr. Rawson was united in marriage with Mrs. Maria McNeal, nee Gregory, widow of Milton McNeal. and daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Gregory, of Ath- ens, Athens Co., Ohio. and with her he spent a happy domestic life till his death. which occurred August 24, 1871. Mr. Rawson was a man of sterling character and strict. unbending integrity, and, although during a busy life here in public matters he was often severely criticised, his position on all matters became always acceptable as the best, and he gathered around him in his de- clining years a gracious support from all who knew him.

CHARLES REINBOLT, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born October 17, 1843, in Clinton Township, this county, on the farm where he and his family now reside. His parents were Michael and Louisa Reinbolt, the former born in Alsace, France, and the latter in Byron; they immigrated to America about 1829, set- tling in this county; were married in Pleasant Township, where they remained two years, then moved to Clinton Township to the farm which Michael Rein- bolt bought from the government in 1834. and the one on which our subject now lives; the father of our subject remained in Seneca County until his death, which occurred May 4, 1880; his widow resides in Sandusky, Ohio. Our sub- ject was united in marriage, February 22, 1870, with Curtilda Sargner, who was born in Crawford County. Ohio, October 21, 1846. Her parents are Lewis and Regina Sargner, who reside in Tiffin, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Sargner were born nine children, seven now living-Sophia, Marcus, Catharine. Ann, Curtilda. Francis and Victoria. The deceased are Eve and Benedict. To Mr. and Mrs. Reinbolt have been born eight children: Michael, Joseph (deceased), George, Cathrien (deceased). Louisa. Charles, Daniel and Mary (latter de- ceased). Our subject owns 160 acres of land. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

ISAAC REVERT, marble manufacturer, Tiffin. was born in Osnaburg Township, Stark Co., Ohio, July 4. 1841. His parents, Daniel and Catharine (Funk) Revert, were pioneers of that place and descendants of pioneer Penn- sylvania people. originally from Baden, Germany. In 1849, they moved to Venice Township, this county, where Isaac (their only child) was reared to farming, and bought and owns a nice farm adjoining the old homestead. In 1880 the subject of this sketch came to Tiffin and united with Mr. Zeller in the coal business, with whom he continued till the spring of 1885, when he sold his interest and united with Mr. Thom in marble manufacturing. Mr. Revert was married, in 1865. to Sarah A. Bever of Bloom Township, this county, daughter of George and Sabina (Bretz) Bever. who settled there from near Martinsburg, W. Va. Mr. Revert is a public spirited and progressive citizen, fully awake to the times, and will, ere long, take no small share in the developments of many of Tiffin's interests. He and his estimable wife attend the services of the M. P. Church, of which the latter is a worthy member.

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LYSANDER REYNOLDS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in the State of New York. February 19, 1825, a son of Ibrahim and Harriet Reynolds, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Orange County, N. Y .: they were married in the State of New York where they remained until 1836, at which time they came to this county, afterward moving to Hancock County, and from there to Carey, Wyan- dot County, where they remained until their death. Our subject was united in marriage. September. 1, 1853, with Elizabeth Huss, born in Frederick County, Md., December 20, 1823, daughter of David and Nancy Huss, the former a native of Franklin County, Penn., and the latter of Mary- land, and who were married in Maryland. from whence they moved to Ohio in 1826, settling in this county, and here remained until their death. To our subject and wife have been born two children: Clara (wife of Emit Corthell), and Ida, (wife of William Corthee). Mr. Reynolds owns forty-four acres of improved land. He served his country in the late war, and is a member of the G. A. R.

JESSE RIFFLE, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md., in 1816, son of Andrew and Magdalena Riffle, who were married in Adams County, Penn., where they remained until their death. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, in 1846, with Mary A. Dedrick, born in France in 1824, and a daughter of Anthony Dedrick, who died in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Riffle were born nine children: Cina J .. Martin T., Mary A. (wife of Thomas Bowser), Theabolt T., Rosa C. (wife of Luther C. Harsha), Theadore N .. William F. and Jesse, now living; and Edward, deceased. Mr. Riffle is a miller by trade, which he followed for four years, but has engaged in farming during his latter days. He owns 100 acres of land in a high state of cultiva- tion. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Riffle de- parted this life December 27. 1880. leaving her family and many friends to mourn her loss.

LEROY W. RODGERS, contractor and builder, Tiffin, was born in Jeffer- son County, Ohio, September 25, 1844, son of William and Elizabeth (Walker) Rodgers, of that county, and grandson of John Rodgers, a native of Wales. The subject of this sketch, one of a family of five sons, learned his trade (car- pentering) at Steubenville, Ohio. Upon the breaking out of the late civil war he joined interests with the Union cause, and August 13, 1862, enlisted in Com- pany D, Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in service till the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Steuben- ville he carried on professional work there for a while, and afterward spent three years at it in Canton, Ohio, coming to Tiffin. Ohio, July 4, 1874. His work may be seen in many handsome residences, buildings, etc., among which may be mentioned the residences of George D. Loomis, Mrs. Cromwell, Mr. Nyman, Albert Buskirk, etc., etc., as well as many stores, warehouses, etc. He was united in marriage in Brookville, Penn., June 17. 1875, with Mary, daughter of William and Fanny Erdice. Mrs. Rodgers is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Rodgers is a liberal contributor.

JONAS ROMIG. dealer in boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Lehigh County, Penn .. November 1, 1844, son of Peter and Julia (Stephfen) Romig, natives of that county, the former of whom was a son of Peter Romig, Sr., who is of pioneer German people in the State, and the latter a daughter of Jonathan Stephfen, of similar ancestry to the Romigs. The subject of this sketch left his father's farm at nineteen and apprenticed himself to shoe-mak- ing at Emans (Lehigh County). In 1865 he came to Tiffin where he complet- ed his trade, which he followed till 1873, when he embarked in business on his

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own account. Mr. Romig was married in 1874 to Clara A .. daughter of John and Margaret C. (Umsted) Nighswander, by whom he has one son living. Rus- sell: their first born they have buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Romig is a member of the English Lutheran and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

JACOB ROSENBERGER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born February 19. 1837, in Clinton Township, this county, son of Henry and Jane (Shaul) Rosen- berger, natives of Virginia. Henry Rosenberger came to Ohio in 1822. set- tling in Clinton Township, this county, where he entered ninety acres of land (then all forest), and began toiling in the interests of his family, clearing the land and educating his children and making a perfect home for them; and here he lived and labored for fifty-one years. He was a valuable and honored citizen of his township. In 1876 he moved to Tiffin. Ohio. after selling his farm to Jacob (fifth son), and here our subject still resides. He was twice mar- ried, and by his first wife had eleven children, seven now living: James (mar- ried to Mary Romsburger), George (married twice; his present wife was Delila Baker), John (married to Ann Baker), Elizabeth (wife of George Kepple). Martha (wife of David Loose), Eliza (wife of J. B. Shaul) and Jacob. Our subject remained with his father on the farm till he was twenty years of age. He was married, June 5, 1859, to Sophia, daughter of John Loose, and by this union there were nine children, seven living: Frank (married to Ora Michaels), Cora (wife of Oliver Crum), William, Henry, Silas, Stullie and Early. The deceased are J. W. and Eli. Mr. Rosenberger has long been one of the substantial farmers of Clinton Township. He and his family are members of the M. P. Church.

JOHN CALVIN ROYER, mayor of Tiffin, and attorney at law. belongs to the "second generation" of Seneca County's eminent men and pioneers. He was born in Thompson Township May 6, 1856. His paternal grandfather. John Royer, who settled there in 1829, coming from Summit County, Ohio. was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and descended of pioneer German stock of that State. He had a family of six sons and six daughters. Samuel Royer, the father of Mayor Rover, was the second son of John Royer's family. and begat thirteen children, of whom four sons and four daughters are living. and five daughters are buried in the family cemetery near the old homestead in Thompson Township. The subject of our sketch completed a good training in the public schools of his native place, and at nineteen entered Heidelberg Col- lege in a classical and scientific course of study, from which he graduated in 1879. He then applied himself to the study of law in the office of N. L. Brewer, an eminent member of the profession, and in October, 1881, he was admitted to the bar of the State from the office of Judge J. F. Bunn, where he had officiated as deputy clerk of probate. He then formed a partnership with J. C. Rickenbaugh, a rising younger member of the profession and a gen- tleman "to the manor born" as well as his honor, and the firm has done an active business since. Mayor Royer married, April 11, 1883, Miss Clara Balt- zell, seventh child and fifth daughter of Thomas Baltzell, a retired farmer of Tiffin. She is a lady of fine accomplishments and a fitting helpmeet for him. They have one little girl, Helen. Mayor Royer's close application to the development of all public enterprises and social institutions of Tiffin is a marked characteristic of his life, and he has (although a young man) been intrusted with important official positions in the weal of many of its interests. He has been a member of the board of school examiners for several years. and for the last three has been president of that body. In April, 1883. he was elected to the mayoralty, which incumbency he has honorably held since.

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entitling him to the respect of his people, and by his strict executive ability to the sobriquet of the "Iron Duke." He is president of the board of health and one of the active members of the board for the establishment of the Tiffin public library. He is a member of the K. of P.

HERMAN RUST. D. D .. professor of church history and exegesis, Heidel- berg Seminary, Tiffin. is a native of Bremen. Germany, where he received a good literary training. In 1840 he came to America and completed his English and classical training in Marshall College. Mercersburg, Penn. In 1850 he entered the ministry of the Reformed Church and was ordained at Jonestown, near Lebanon, Penn., and then served the Millersville charge (near Lancaster, Penn. ), for one year, being afterward sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, by the board of missions of his church. and there had charge of the First Reformed Church for twelve years. During his ministrations there he built the present handsome edifice of the First Reformed Church, was instrumental in establishing two others in Cincinnati and one at Covington, Ky., and helped educate nine young men for the ministry, and began other interests in clerical work. In 1862 he accepted the chair of German professorship in Heidelberg College and Seminary, and subsequently filled that chair in the seminary alone. After a few years the professorship merged into the present chair of church history and exegesis, which he has since creditably held. He married. in Lancaster, Ohio, Elizabeth, daughter of John Ulrich and Mary (Hensel) Giesy, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter a descendant of pioneer Ohioans. Dr. and Mrs. Rust have been blessed with a family of three sons and one daughter: John Benjamin, a graduate of Heidelberg College, now in charge of the Reformed Church of Waynesburgh. Ohio; Herman Samuel Frederick, a farmer and stock-raiser of Harlan County, Neb. ; Eugene Calvin, a student at Heidelberg College, and Mary Catharine. a young lady of estimable attain- ments. In connection with Dr. Rust's seminary duties he also preaches in the German congregation of the Reformed Church here. In industrial matters Dr. Rust is an active supporter of all measures tending to their advancement. He is president of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company. and owns stock in other industries. He has served upon the board of education, and was president of that honored body for many years. Dr. Rust is of medium stature, of a strong constitution, and employs his time closely in doing good among his acquaintances, be they of his own time of life or young men just beginning for themselves. Though far advanced in years, he still feels young, and delights in his work.

MICHAEL SCANNELL, president and general manager of the Tiffin Water Works, Tiffin, Ohio. was born in County Kerry, Ireland. April 22, 1848. His parents, John and Kate (Fitz Maurice) Scannell, were natives of that county, where the former died in 1859; the latter died in Tiffin, February 17, 1873; their issue is three sons and one daughter, all living: Michael. Mary (wife of Thomas V. Kelley, a respected citizen of Mount Vernon, Ohio). Patrick J. (proprietor of book and stationery business, Tiffin) and Cornelius (superintendent of the Towanda Water Works, of Towanda, Penn.). The subject of this sketch, when a lad, conceived the idea of visiting this country, and in 1862 came over to New York City, where he was encouraged to think favorably of American citizenship. His mother preceded him to this country three years, and lived in New York until they moved to Tiffin and settled there, the balance of the family following soon after. In the early part of the year following he enlisted in the Union Army, and was mustered into Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, May 11. 1864; he followed the fortunes of his regiment till its dissolution in August following.

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and was mustered out at Cleveland on the 27th of that month. He imme- diately re-enlisted ir. Company C, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and did active service till July, 1865, when he was mustered out at Charlotte. N. C. Returning to peaceful pursuits he engaged with the Woolen Manufacturing Company of Tiffin, with which industry he remained connected for several years; the last eleven years he was in charge of the finishing de- partment. Retiring from this industry he applied himself more closely to study, and completed a commercial term at Commercial College. During this time he served the city (from the Second Ward) as member of the city council for one term. In August, 1879, he accepted the superintendency of the city water works, and in August, 1883, was elected president and general manager. Upon the organization of the present Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Com- pany he took an active interest, and one year later was elected its president. Mr. Scannell is an enterprising business man and an affable, pleasant gentle- man.

J. W. SCHAUFELBERGER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born near Fos- toria, in Hancock County, Ohio, January 29, 1853. His father (Jacob), a native of Baden, came to America in 1837, at the age of twenty-two, and lo- cated at Freedom, Penn., where he married Margaret Fritcher, of same nativ- ity. In 1852 he moved to Ohio and settled in Hancock County, near Fostoria, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1881, when he retired to quiet life in Fostoria. The family consists of six sons and three daughters. Mrs. Jacob Schaufelberger died in 1878, and is buried in the Fostoria Ceme- tery. John William, the subject of this sketch. was the second son and fourth child. He received a liberal training in the public schools, and at seventeen entered Heidelberg College, from which he graduated, in the classical course, in 1875. In September, of that year, he entered the law office of Hon. George E. Seney, his present partner, and was admitted to the bar of the State of Ohio, in April, 1877. He remained in the office of his preceptor until Febru- ary, 1878, when he located at Fostoria, where he carried on an active practice. In the fall of 1883 he returned to Tiffin and entered into his present partner- ship (Seney & Schaufelberger). In April, 1884, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. at Washington. Since his first admission he has devoted his entire time to the practice of his profession, and is now ranked as one of the leading members of the Seneca County bar. Mr. Schaufelberger is of good physique and pleasant appearance, studious in his character, a close reasoner and a devoted advocate of principles he considers just. He is a member of all the bodies of the Masonic fraternity.

PHILIP SCHEIB, merchant tailor, Tiffin, was born in Odenheim, in the Rhine Province of the kingdom of Bavaria, November 20, 1829. His parents were Kasimer and Katharina (Krob) Scheib, the former a farmer and shoe- maker. They reared four sons and two daughters: Peter, a shoe-maker, died in Rochester, N. Y., leaving children. Christian, same trade, unmarried when heard from at Houston, Tex., just before the war; Elizabeth, widow of Peter Durn, of Norwalk. Ohio; Philip and Kasimer (twins), Kasimer being a farmer in his native land, and Barbara, wife of Carl Krohn, also a resident of Bavaria. Our subject received a good education at home, and at fourteen be- gan his present business as an apprentice, and after a few years went to Munich, where he remained working at his trade for three or four years, and then returned to his native city. He concluded to come to America, and in 1852 landed at Rochester, N. Y. and in 1855 came to Tiffin, this county, and here worked at his trade till 1862, when he embarked in business on his own account. He married in Rochester, N. Y .. November 22, 1853, Margareta

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Emich, born in Siemen, in the Rhine province of Prussia. To this union were born four sons and one daughter: Elizabeth (deceased); Louis Philippe, a merchant tailor; Frederick William. M. D., a physician of standing, at Betts- ville, this county; Frank Kasimer and John Philip. Mr. Scheib is an excel- lent citizen and business man. He is a worthy member of the German Ro- formed Church. He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1856, and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar in De Molay Commandery. He is also a. member of the K. of H. (since its organization), L. of H., R. A., Druids and the I. O. O. F. February 19, 1885, Mr. Scheib sustained a loss in the death of his wife, who died in full communion with the German Re- formed Church and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery.

JACOB SCHEIBER. of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, Tiffin, was born in Schirrheim, Alsace, France, August 5, 1821, son of Jacob and Mag- dalena (Steinmetz) Scheiber. He came with his father to Baltimore, Md., January 11, 1832: and on the 15th of February following to Osnaburgh. Stark County, where his parents died and are buried. They there reared ten chil- dren, five now living: John, Joseph, Barbara, Mary and Jacob. Our subject spent his early life in Canton. Ohio. where he learned wagon and plow mak- ing. In 1848 he came to Tiffin and opened a blacksmith, plow and wagon shop, which he carried on till 1856, when he established a machine shop, which inerged into the " Tiffin Agricultural Works." He retired from this in 1874 and carried on coal business till 1875, in which year he organized the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, of which he owns the controlling stock. Mr.

Scheiber was married in Canton, Ohio, October 10, 1848, to Mary Saumbarger, a native of Canton Arau. Switzerland, and to this union were born twelve children: Louis Peter. Mary Louise* (deceased). Mary Elizabeth (deceased). John B., August. Louisa, Joseph, Rosa, Clara Matilda, William, Annie and Caroline Magdalena. The family are members of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Scheiber has been a member of the council two terms, street commissioner three terms, a member of the board of health one term, trustee of St. Joseph's Church two terms, and was one of the build- ing committee upon the building of that edifice, and one of the directors and organizers of the Northwestern Ohio Railway, acting as president of the pres- ent company for the first six years of its organization.

JACOB SCHEIBLEY, proprietor of restaurant, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, November 12, 1847. His parents, Michael and Barbara (Schneckenberger) Scheiblev, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, settled in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1845, where they reared one son and six daughters: Christina, wife of Fred Schauf, of Kansas; Margaret, wife of Mr. Swartzenberger of Cleveland: Mary, wife of Charles Andrews, of Tiffin; Kate, wife of Frederick Armbruster of Buffalo, N. Y .; Jacob; Annie, widow of Charles Bow, of Tiffin; Lena, wife of Edward Goddard, of Tiffin. In 1859 the father died and was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. The subject of our sketch was reared to his present business and has since been prominently connected with it here. Mr. Scheibley was married in Tiffin, in 1872, to Caroline Keiffer, daughter of Daniel Keiffer, of Crawford County. Ohio. and to this union have been born one son and one daughter living. Ralph D. and Bertha May, and two sons deceased: Charles F. and Lloyd F. Mr. and Mrs. Scheibley are worthy mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church. He is a worthy citizen; has been an active member of the fire department of Tiffin for over eighteen years and has officiated as foreman of Wilson Hose Company for many years.

LOUIS C. A. SCHMIDT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Germany, April 29. 1816. a son of Charles and Louisa Schmidt, natives of Germany,

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where they were married and remained until their death. Our subject came to America in 1840. and after traveling over different parts of the United States for several years. visiting Baltimore. Washington, New York, Pittsburgh and Harper's Ferry, finally settled in Tiffin, Ohio, where he was united in marriage July 2. 1546, with Anna M. Rife, born in Germany December 11. 1820. To this union have been born seven children, of whom five are now living: Charlie; Mary, wife of Jacob Marquardt; Amelia, wife of George Leisher: Albert and Emma A. : the deceased are Julia A. and Matilda. Mr. Schmidt is a gun- smith by trade. which he followed for many years, but of late years has en- gaged in farming. He owns 120 acres of well-improved land. where he and his family reside. Mrs. Schmidt and family are members of the German Reformed Church.

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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