History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 148

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 148

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OSNABURG TOWNSHIP.

spected among his fellow business men, as a man highly honorable, and good as his word in every undertaking that he lends a helping hand. He is a member of the Home Insur- rance Co .; also of the Board of Educa- tion for many years; is a Republican.

JACOB KLOTZ, dairyman; P. O. Canton. Jacob Klorz was born in Neiderbrund, Alsace, France, Jan. 5, 1831. In 1836, Mr. Klotz, in company with his parents, Jacob and Christiana (Gutebube) Klotz, emigrated for America, and located at Magnolia, Carroll Co. Ile apprenticed himself to the trade of shop- making, but not enjoying the business, he began on the farm, which agreeable occupa- tion he pursued for sixteen years. In 1871, ho purchased 100 acres in southern Nimi- shillen, which he sold at a neat profit; in 1813, he purchased his present dairy farm, in Sec- tion 6, N. W. quarter of Osnaburg Tp., in all a finely watered tract of 197 acres. In 1876, Mr. Klotz, began the dairy business that he has so successfully continned up to the pres- ent time. Ilis market is the city of Canton, which demands seventeen to twenty cows; in connection with his milk trade, he cultivates garden vegetables for the spring and summer markets. In connection with his many farm improvements, Mr. Klotz, has manifested his enterprise by erecting a capacious cider-pres-, which, last season alone, expressed 1,650 barrels of cider. In 1857, Feb. 19, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Mutchler, of Jackson Tp. In politics he casts his lot with the Democracy; in religion Mr. and Mrs. Klotz, are members of the Lutheran Church, Canton, Ohio.

GEO. LIEBTAG is a native of Germany; born in Creuznach, on the Rhine. His parents were Gabriel and Elizabeth (Eccardt) Lichtag. Ile sailed for America in 1853, and located in Berks Co., Penn. The family came the fol- lowing year. After a six years' resi lence in that county, they engaged in a family grocery store. Mr. Liebtag afterwards became inter-

ested in mill property, and engaged in the grist-mill business for six years. The subject of this sketch moved to New York City in 1859. From York State he came to Stark Co., O., in the winter of 1860. In this county he began the coal-mining business, commenc- ing in Clark's coal mine, and remained there until the breaking-out of the war. MI. L.

enlisted under Col. Beatty, in the 19th Ohio. Started dirret for camp Dennison, and from there to Louisville, and through the Kentucky campaign. At the time of the battle of Shiloh, Mr. Liebtag was with the wagon-train, and did not arrive at the scene of battle until after the contest was end 'd, reaching the bat- tle-fieid on the Tuesday following. From that date he was engaged in skirmishing, until the evacuation of Corinth. Marching through Alabama, to Battle Creek, Tenn., following Gen. Bragg in his retreat, reaching Louis- ville in advance of Gen. Bragg; from this city they followed him to Perryville, Ky., at no time coming in direct contact with the Con- federate troops, except in a few minor skirm- ishes. The next engagement was at Crab Orchard. Nothing of special interest until the engagement at Stone River, Dec. 31st, at which time Mr. Liebtag received a flesh wound in the thigh, disabling him for ten months. Ile again joined the regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn., where the army was being besieged by Gen. Bragg. Mr. Liebtag participated in the advance of Orchard Knob; also in the charge of Mission Ridge, passing through one of the severest marches of the entire campaign to Knoxville, camping at Strawberry Plains. Here he re-enlisted for three years more, and was granted a fur- lough. After the second return, began the Atlanta campaign; was engaged at New Hope Church, Kenesaw and Peach Tree Creek. In front of Atlanta and Lovejoy Station, engaging in many a hot skirmish, until the evacuation of Atlanta. Was also in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, after which he went with the 19th on their memor- able campaign to Texas. He returned to Columbus, O., and received his discharge Nov. 25, 1865, making in all four years and three months of active service. Mr. Liebtag is very fully informed upon a general as welf as a detailed history of the late Rebellion. Politics: he was formerly a Whig and Repub- liean, until the Greeley Campaign; he has since voted with the Democratic party. He was sent by his Democratie brethren to Colum- bus, O., as delegate, in the summer of 1880, for the purpose of nominating delegates to the National Convention, at Cincinnati. Has held minor local offices, being one of the Town Councilmen of Osnaburg at present. Mr

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Liebtag has been connected for many years in the coal-mining business, and is a stock- holder and mine superintendent of the Osna- burg Coal Company. Mr. Liebtag was mar- ried in 1867. The fruit of this marriage are three children-Charley, Lizzie and Della, who are all at home. Mr. L. received his education in Germany, and acquired his knowledge of English by his own unaided efforts, after coming to America.

SAMUEL MARKS, farmer; P.O. Osna- burg; is connected with one of the oldest families of Stark Co. His father, Jacob Marks, Sr., who is still among us, has weath- ered the storms of 87 wintry blasts,-the oldest man in the township. His venerable mother died in January, 1881. The subject of this biography was born in Osnaburg Tp., March 5, 1834. He is one of a family of five, living with his parents, three miles south of Osnaburg, doing general farm work and attend- ing district school in the winter When he became of age, he engaged in farming, for eight years, in Carroll Co., renting a tract of land in Brown Tp. In 1862, he returned to Stark Co., purchased 101 acres at $80 per acre. In 18:2, he added to his homestead, the Speigle farm of 31 acres, at $100 per acre. With the many improvements and richness of this tract of land, it is estimated to be worth from $125 to 8130 per acre. In May 1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Swalle, of Osnaburg Tp. Of this family, Miss Amelia is the eldest, the next are twins, George A. and Luellen, Emma is the youngest. They are all minors, and still form an unbro- ken family circle. Opposite to his father, Mr. Marks is a Democrat, and a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Marks is a member of the German Reformed; the eldest daugh- ter is also a communicant member of same.

WILLIAM JAMES McCONKEY, phy- sician; Mapleton; was born July 3d, 1836, in Armagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. Ile is a grandson of John McConkey, a freehold farmer; he inheritshis love for the medical profession from his father, Dr. Wm. Mc- Conkey; his mother was Rebecca V. (Max- well) McConkey; he attended the common schools of his native country until his 16th year, when he was advanced as clinical pupil in the county infirmary for two years. At the age of 18 he removed temporarily

to Dublin, taking a four years' course of medical lectures at the Royal College ; he repaired to Glasgow and obtained his surgical degree; after completing his studies in other branches, he received his second diploma and M. D. from Edinburgh; thus thoroughly equipped with a classical edu- cation and two degrees in his profession, he began practicing in 1854, at Clonmel, Ire- land. In 1858 he sailed for the shores of the United States, locating and practicing four years in New York city; in 1863 he located in Mapleton, where his practice has kept him busy. The active part he takes, and the in- fluence he wields in the Stark County Medi- cal Society, speak volumes for his reputation among his competitors. In 1864 he united his fortunes with Miss Sarah J. Blythe, of Waynesburgh; he is surrounded with five happy children-Eletta V., Wm. A., Edith, Auren M. and James C .; in politics he is Re- publican. Dr. McConkey, besides his extended information from books and practice has traveled quite extensively, having made trips through France, Germany, Belgium, England and Ireland, and in this country he has visited many places of historical interest both East and West. Mr. and Mrs. McConkey are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, farmer; P. O. Os- naburg. Connected with one of the old- est families and estates of Osnaburg, is John Mclaughlin, born in Canton Tp., Feb. 29, 1812. George Mclaughlin, his father, was native of Ireland, his mother, Mary (Fink) McLaughlin. In 1831 he moved to Osnaburg Tp., and began the wagon-making business with Jacob Hossler, which trade he pursued for about eight years in connection with farm- ing. In 1832 he purchased the N. W. } of Sec. 4, Osnaburg Tp., of his mother, for $700, and in 1851 bought the tract of land he at present resides upon. No better improve- ments were upon it other than a log hut, sur- rounded with a dense forest. All the fine improvements and conveniences now on the property, are monuments to his good manage- ment. In 1866 he purchased the Reading farm, one mile west of his dwelling, which he afterward sold. In Lake Tp. he purchased seventy-five acres. Selling same to his son- in-law, he purchased twenty in Nimishillen Tp. in 1876. In 1880 he purchased eighty-

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OSNABURG TOWNSIIIP.

two acres, holding same for speculation but a short time. B yond the State he pur chased 160 acres in 1875, situated in Il'inois, which was disposed of to his son-in-law. Mr. MeLaughlin was married to Miss Eliza- beth Wenger, Aug. 30, 1841. Miss Wenger was a member of one of the pioneer families of Stark Co. This union was made happy with five children-Leah, wife of Geo. Hul- ber, Osnaburg Tp .; Lydia, wife of Jacob Loral: Mrs. Susanna Caldran, of Illinois; Mrs. Elizabeth Slusser, of Lake Tp .; Celena, at home.

MANASSES MOUL, farmer and stock dealer and raiser, P. O. Osnaburg; was born Sept. 29, 1829, in York Co., Pennsylvania; son of John and Margaret (Wertz) Moul. The subject of this sketch moved to Ohio, Osna- burg Tp., in 1833, and began laboring on the farm, continuing at the same until his mar- riage to Miss Susanna Wetter, June 2, 1852. In 1857, he purchased the Werntz saw-mill at Bedford, running it for two years. In 1859, he removed to his present home at the western edge of Osnaburg village, Sec. 18. In connec- tion with his farming, Mr. Moul takes great interest in live stock, having been the first to introduce into the Township, the " New Kirk Steamer and Evaporator," with which he steams all the food for the farm stock. Mr. Moul has the following children -- Amanda A., Mrs. Byerley, of Lake Tp .; Byron S. and John F., still remain with him on the farm; the latter is associated with his father in the " New Kirk Evaporator." Mr. Moul has always been a Democrat, although in a Re- publican precinct, he has been repeatedly elec- ted Township Clerk. Mr. and Mrs. Moul are members of Reformed Church. He is also member of the Village School Board. Mr. Moul's sober and industrious habits, combined with a fine business talent, has given him rank among the first in his profession, as well as a well merited social position.

ADAM NIMAN, farmer and wagon maker; Osnaburg. Among the few in Osnaburg Tp., of foreign birth is Adam Niman, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 2, 1833, and in the following May, he crossed the ocean with his parents, John and Barbara (Moelin) Niman, who located in Columbiana, Co. In 1852 the family moved to Stark Co., working with his father in the shop in the

winter season, and pursuing agriculture in the other seasons. For many years, Mr. Niman and his father were the chief wagon makers in the township, which trade they have pur- sued up to the present time, but more limited in late years. In 1851, Mr. Niman purchased his presnt home of eighty acres; he has since added twelve acres to it. Mr. Niman deals to a limited degree in live stock, sheep being his preference. He was married Oct. 6, 1867, and from this union there are four children- Harvey, George W., Levi, and Frances. In politics he votes with the Democratic party, having cast h's first presidential vote for James Buchanan. Mr. Niman and family were all baptized in the Lutheran faith.

PETER NUMAN, coal dealer; Osnaburg; was born March 25, 1827, in Berks Co., Pa. His parents' names were Peter and Esther (Chrest) Numan. His father was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1835 he moved with his parents to Ohio, locating in Osnaburg Tp., three miles cast of the village. Mr. Numan remained with his parents on this farm until a year after his marriage to Miss Eleanor Dewalt, May 20, 1847. In the following March, he rented his father's farm of 120 acres, and remained on same until 1852. After which, he removed upon his father's newly purchased farm, south of the first. In 1854, he moved to the Kitt farm. In 1835, he took up his abode upon the John Numan land, at which place he began the coal busi- ness. In 1856 be purchased the George Numan property, selling same, he moved to Michigan, in 1857, and bought 80 acres in Ilillsdale Co., Mich. In 1859, Mrs. Numan died, after which, he returned to Ohio, and engaged for a year and a half in general mer- chandising. Dec. 31, 1859, he was again married, Miss A. C. Long, becoming his wife. In 1861, removed to Mrs. Lily's farm, Osnaburg Tp. In 1862 he purchased the American House, Paris, O., presiding over it for two years. In 1864 he sold his farm and hotel, and moved to Wooster, and run the Eagle House, two years. In 1866 he pur- chased the Canton 'Bus Line. In 1824 he sold out his 'Bus Line, and invested in his present homestead farm of eighty acres. In the Centennial year he moved upon this land, making coal his principal business, increasing his production to about 50,000 bushels an-

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nually. There are four children living of the first union, and seven from the second. In religion he was raised in the Reformed Church, but in 1865, he became a member of the Lutheran Church. At present, he is a member of the Reformed Church; is a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent in same. Is member of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 39, at Canton, O.

GEORGE REED, Osnaburg; was born in Berks Co., Penn., July 3, 1825; son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bowen) Reed, both citizens of Berks Co. The subject of this sketch re- mained upon the farm with his father, engag- ing in live stock dealing at an early age until his 21st year. When yet a mere boy he drove market horses across the mountains to the eastern cities. Not infrequently he would drive a herd of cattle or sheep over this long and tiresome route, long before the whis- tle broke the silence of the "rock-ribbed " Alleghenies. In one season Mr. Reed spent about one hundred days upon this mountain- ous trip. After becoming of age he continued this business, having had so thorough a train- ing under his father. Handling a great amount of live-stock led him to study the habits and diseases of cattle and horses, which has given him more than a local reputation and a name in doctoring and giving diagnoses of various stock diseases. In this department he ranks foremost in this section of the country. Mr. Reed has been identified with the stock in- terest of Ohio since 1840, having located at that time in Osnaburg Tp. In 1854 he pur- chased real estate in the east edge of the vil- lage, which in twenty years has risen in value 400 per cent. Mr. Reed was married Aug. S, 1853, to Miss Mary Warner. Mr. Reed is the happy father of six children: the eldest, Ange- line, died in November, 1880; Henry is a stu- dent in Oberlin College; will complete his course with the class of 1883; Josephine is yet at home; William inherits his father's love for a fine horse, and is well skilled for a youth in that line already, and is a close student of the stock market; the youngest boy, George, is in his 12th year; the "baby " is Ida. She is in her 9th year. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are communicants of the Lutheran Church. In politics he has always been a Democrat. Mr. Reed is a member of No. 60 Lodge, Free Masons.

C. L. REIFSNIDER, Osnaburg was born in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Penn., Oct. 8, 1827. The parents of Mr. Reifsnider, were Daniel and Mary (Greaff) Reifsnider, both born in Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was educated in the German district. school, at Greentown, Ohio. After his Ger- man education, he took a short English course, and turned his attention to commercial pur- suits. Beginning as a clerk in Greentown, which he followed for the two years, 1848-9, in a dry goods store. In 1850 he was employed by J. B. Estef, a dry goods merchant of Can- ton, O., remaining in his service for five years. His next position was as employe of Kimball & Co., in the same city for five years. In the Fall of 1864, he was elected County Recorder for Stark Co., on the Lincoln ticket. After serving his full term in this capacity with great credit to himself and county, he was ap- pointed Deputy Postmaster from 1869 to 1877, at which time he moved to Osnaburg, opening out a general store on Main street. Not only is he at present one of the leading merchants, but is also a stockholder and President of the Osnaburg Coal Co., organi- zed April 1, 1881; an enterprise that bids fair to be the leading feature of the township in the future. Mr. Reifsnider was married May 8, 1866, to Miss Emma Painter, of Pike Tp., Stark Co. They had two children, a boy and girl, both of whom are dead, the former dying at three months, and the other at the age of six and one-half years. He is a mem- ber of Eagle Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Canton, O .; also of the Nimisilla Lodge, I. O. O. F., Canton, O. In politics he is a pronounced Republican. His wife is a member of the Disciples' Church, Canton, there being no congregation of that faith in Osnaburg.

B. F. SIIENGLE, lumber dealer and sawyer, Osnaburg. Benjamin F. Shengle was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Feb. 8, 1831, son of John and Mary (Boucher) Shengle; at the early age of two he moved with his parents to Nimishillen Tp .; he served an apprentice- ship upon the farm until his 20th year, at which time he engaged himself to Eph. Fink, a leading carpenter, from whom he learned the trade. During the seven years that he fol- lowed this business, he spent one year in Indiana; in 1858 he returned to the old home- stead and conducted the farm for about five

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OSNABURG TOWNSHIP.

years. Preferring village life, he moved to Osnaburg and engaged again in the Inmber and building business and purchased a half interest in the village saw mill, supplying the lumber for many of the county contracts in bridge-building and other public work. At present he is also a member of the newly organized Osnaburg Coal Co., having the con- tract for sawing all the timbers used in the mine. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Youtz, of Stark Co; of this union there are eight children-Josiah, William, Franklin, Benjamin. William is in the livery business at Louisville, the other boys are still at home. Mary A., Ellen, Sarah and Alice are the four daughters. Mary is wife of Henry Warner, Marlborough Tp .; in politics has al- ways been a Republican. His friends and neighbors have honored him with local offices and duties, as Township Trustee, Delegate to the county conventions; was appointed one of the agents to incorporate the rising city of Osnaburg. He is a member of Lodge No. 60, A. F. & A. M., of Canton; his wife is a communicant member of the Evangelical Church.

JOHN H. SPRANKLE, dealer in short horn cattle; Paris, O .; was born, Sept. 2, 1829, in Canton Tp., Stark Co. He is connected with one of the early families that braved the hardships of early border life, his parents Jacob and Margaret, (Drushal) Sprankle, of Pennsylvania, being numbered with the pioneers; when he became of age he engaged himself as an apprentice at Canton, O., in the woolen mills, and acquired a knowledge of every department of that business. In his twenty sixth year he purchased 110 acres of the present farm. In a comparatively few years his energy called for more territory, so that in 1863, he was the purchaser of 100 more acres, and has been adding on every side since then. his last purchase being 80 acres in 1876. Though yet in the prime of life he is the possessor of 300 acres of excellent farming and grazing land. His enterprise led him, notwithstanding strong prejudice and ri licute against him, to go to Canada in 1575, and buy a herd of pedigreed short horn Dur- ham cattle; he has practically demonstrated to himself and neighbors the difference be- tween feeding and housing the "pennyroyal " stock and the sleek "marble" backed and

" well flanked " Durham. In the care of his stock and sale cattle, he takes great care and pride, keeping them in a good breeding con- dition. The success of this venture has en- couraged him to make other purchases in the near future from abroad. Mr. Sprankle was united in marriage to Miss Anna Fry, Stark Co. Six children constitute the family-the eldest is Jacob, engaged in the dairy business, in Pennsylvania; Alfred E., is running a porta- ble saw-mill in this county; Henry S., on the farm; Florence T., Anna, John G. are all minors. In polities he is a pillar in the Re- publican party of his corner of the township.

JOHN SHENGLE, deceased; was born in Chester Co., Penn., March 6, 1:97. He was one in a family of nine born to Martin and Elizabeth (Moonshower) Shengle, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. When 1% years of age, John left the home farm, and commenced working at the stone masons' trade, a business he followed until his marriage with Mollie Bucher, which took plac > about 1819, in Lancaster County. llis wife was a daughter of Jacob Bucher, a family well known in that county. lle lived in Pennsylvania, farming until 1834, when he moved to Stark Co., O., locating in Nimishillen Township, on the farm now owned by J. B. Draime. The farm at that time was only about one-third cleared, and after his settlement Mr. Shengle commenced clearing and improving the place, and soon erected a saw mill, which was for many years the leading saw-mill in the neighborhood. Mr. Shengle was a man of considerable inge- muity, and while he did not profess to be a master mechanic of any kind, he always did the harness and shoe-making for his own family, and to some extent for his neighbors also. To his union with Miss Bucher, there were born-Susan, Sarah, Nancy, Mary, Eliz- abeth, B. F., Jacob and J. B. Mr. Shengle died February 23, 1872. He was a man well known to the community for his upright character and deep religious principles, being a member of the German Baptist Church for upwards of fifty years. His political actions were with the Democrats, until Lincoln's nomination in 1860, when he voted the Re- publican ticket, and afterwards became iden- tified with that party. His widow still survives him, and is a resident of Wyandot

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Co. Jacob Shengle, their son, was born May 23, 1847, in Nimishillen Township on the old homestead. He remained at home, assisting on the farm until 21 years old, during which time he received a very ordinary educa- tion. He was married June 1, 1858, to Catharine Bower, daughter of David and Mary (Bollinger) Bower. This lady died February 15, 1859. Mr. Shengle's second and present wife is Melinda, daughter of Isaac and Susan (Stull) Myers, who was born in Osna- burg Township in October, 1845. By her he has a family of eight-Milton, Abana, Olivia, Phebe, Vinnie, Ira, L. D. and Maude. After his marriage, Mr. Shengle worked as a day laborer for a few years. In 1863 he started a steam saw-mill at Osnaburg, and followed that until the spring of 1825, when he formed a partnership with Elias Essig, at Louisville, in a planing mill and general lumber dealing. The firm name is Essig & Shengle; a more detailed account of their business will be found in the history of Louisville. Politically speaking, Mr. Shengle is a staunch Repub- lican, adhering to the principles laid down by the National Republican Party. In 1868 he was elected Justice of the Peace in Osnaburg Tp., and was successively re-elected until 1880, when he refused to serve again, as his business did not give him the time to attend to the office.

THOMAS TINKLER, dealer in iron ore, and farmer; Paris, O .; was born in England, Sept. 9, 1826; son of Joseph and Anna Tink- ler, in whose company he sailed for America, at the age of 7 years. At 12, he was placed under the tutelage of Arvine Wales, a farmer residing near Massillon, O. After arriving at his majority, he engaged as a clerk, in Massillon, in 1856. In 1862 he was employed by Hon. J. P. Burton, of Massillon, to go to Tuscarawas Co., for making inspec- tions in the black iron-ore belt. But he subsequently discovered the thickest stratum of black-band ore of the entire belt in Osna- burg Tp., upon the farm that he now resides upon, the maximum thickness measuring 18 feet, with two to three feet of stripping under- laid with twenty-four inches of coal deposit. Being employed as Superintendent, he began at once to open up this mine, the magnitude of which can be partially conceived, when we consider that twenty-five to thirty teams were

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 148

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060