USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 166
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DAVID RITTER, proprietor of Sehriver Mill ; Lake. Peter Ritter, the father of our subject, was born in Snyder Co., Pa., where he spent the early years of his life. In 1831 he came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Portage Co .; he remained there a few years, and sub- sequently removed to Springfield, Summit Co., where he remained a resident up to the time of his death. He was a man much be- loved by all his neighbors and acquaintances. David, the subject of these few lines, was born in Portage Co., Ohio, in the year 1849. The early years of young Ritter's life were passed on the farm ; he attended the common district school of his neighborhood, where he acquired a liberal education. 'At the age of 21 years he engaged in farming, and continued in the same until 1877, at which time he, in company with his brother, purchased the mill property known as the Schriver Grist-mill, situated in the northern part of Lake Tp. Mr. Ritter has made many improvements on it, until now he has one of the best country mills in Stark Co., the mill's capacity being 60 barrels daily, for which he finds ready sales in Cleveland and other points. Mr. Ritter united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Samuel R. Phillips, of Summit Co., and from that union there have been two children.
A. P. REAM, retired ; Greentown. Pe- ter Ream, the father of our subject, was born in Centre Co., Pa., where he was engaged in farming. He married Miss Barbara Smith, who was a native of the above-named county. In 1812 they came to Ohio, settling in Lake Tp .; he erected a cabin and commenced to clear a farm, and was making good progress, when he was drafted and was taken to Can-
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ton ; that same night he made his escape, re- turned home, and with his wife and family returned to Pennsylvania, and there lived some years. He then returned, and thenee went to Indiana, where he died. A. P. Ream, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lake Tp., this county, in 1821. His childhood was spent on the farm, but little interrupted by educational pursuits. He lived at home until he was 22 years of age, and then engaged in farming. In 1854 he bought 160 acres of land, and has lived on the same ever since. He has made several improvements on the same, and has a very pleasant home. In 1848 he was married to Miss Sarah Moore, who was a native of Lake Tp. From that mar- riage there have been nine children. In 1855 Mr. Ream was ordained a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a faithful worker, and has done much for the progress of his church. One of his sons is a Methodist Episcopal preacher in Russell Co., Kan.
JACOB SCHWARTZ, farmer; P. O. Mid- dle Branch; whose portrait appears in this history as a representative of Lake Tp., and a prominent promoter of the agricultural in- terests of the county, was born in Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., in Jannary, 1859, and is the son of Henry and Catharine (Coonfare) Schwartz. They came from Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania, to Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., as early as 1810, and bought a farm of 160 acres on Section 6. There Mr. Schwartz he- gan work and soon cleared up a farm, on which he subsequently built a distillery. le re- mained a resident of that township ten years. In 1820 he sold his farm in Nimishillen, and bought the farm in Lake Tp., which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. He re- mained a resident of Lake Tp., until 1854, during which time he built a distillery, and kept the same in operation for twelve years. 1854 he moved to Canton, where he resided until his death, which occurred about five years later, aged 66 years. His widow survived him until 1869, when she died, in her $4th year. They were consistent members of the church. They were the parents of ten child- ren, of whom Jacob was the oldest. His ear- ly life was spent on a farm, and at the age of 10 years he began driving team on the road for his father. His education was obtained
at the imperfeet district schools of that pe- riod, which left much of the progress to the inclination of the student. He remained a resident of his father's house until he was 25 years of age, when he rented a farm in Plain Tp., and resided there for 6 years. He then bought a tract of timber-land in Marlborough Tp., which he at once began improving, and upon which he resided for ten years. Dispos- ing of his property in Marlborough, he bought his present place in 1854, on which he has since resided. He has added many fine im- provements to the property since he bought it, among which may be mentioned, one of the finest bank barns of the township. He now owns a total of 222 acres of well eulti- vated and improved land. In 1862 he began raising sheep, in which he has taken much pride, and in 1869 he turned his attention to thorough-bred cattle. Ilis success in thor- ough-bred stoek has made his name familiar as one of Stark Co.'s fine breeders. He has held a number of local offices, and is a Repub- liean in polities. Much of the success of the Stark County Agricultural Society has been due to his interest in it and his determina- tion to make it an honor to the county and a credit to the members of whom he was one of the directors for a number of years. In 1839 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Brouse, of Lake Tp .; eight children had been born to them, six of whom are living, as follows :- John and Adam, of Iowa, Mar- garet, now wife of Isaae Brenneman, of Co- lumbia City, Ind. Alice, Washington, and Colvin at home. Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz are members of the Lutheran Church.
J. STEESE. physician; Lake; born Feb. 14, 1820, in Inion Co., Penn., and was the sev- enth child of a family of nine children born to Jacob and Sarah Steese, both natives of Union Co., Penn. In 1828 JJacob Steese moved to Summit Co., Ohio, and settled on a farm. ffe subsequently built a flouring and carding-mill at Mitheim, which was the first erected in that part of Summit Co. He continued in the milling business until his death, which occur- red in 1833. Mrs. Steese survived him until 1846. After the death of his father the Doc- tor made his home with an older brother at Canal Dover. He attended the new Hagers- town Academy, of Jefferson Co., Ohio, and afterward Athens College. At the age of
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19 he began the study of medicine with Drs. Steese and McNeil, of Canal Dover, and sub- sequently attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lexington, Ky. After completing his medical course, he began practice in Zanesville, Ohio. He soon established an extensive practice, but his physical endurance not being equal to his energy and ambition, his health became so seriously impaired as not to admit of the hard riding required. Dis- posing of his interests in Zanesville, he moved to Uniontown, Stark Co., where he has since resided, engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1880 Dr. Milton Bowers be- came associated with him in the practice, and is still with him. In addition to his practice, in 1873, the Doctor opened a drug and gro- cery store in Uniontown, which business he is still successfully operating. In 1848 the Doc- tor was married to Miss Edith McCormick, of Zanesville, who died in 1859. By this mar- riage there are three sons-Felix, of Alliance, Ohio; Isaac, now in Wisconsin, and Charlie, of Cincinnati. In 1860 the Doctor was inar- ried to Miss Amanda M., daughter of John R. Bowers, of Lake Tp. Two children have been born to them, viz .- Cleveland and Jes- sie, the latter an accomplished young lady, and at present attending school at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mrs. Steese is a lady of much more than ordinary ability and accomplishments, and the Doctor has lost nothing in popularity by having so estimable a lady for a life part- ner. In 1880 she was appointed Postinis- tress, and has her office in the Doctor's store. PETER SHOLLENBERGER, farmer ; P. O. Hartville. Joseph Shollenberger, the fath- er of our subject, was born in Berks Co., Pa., Aug. 1, 1801 ; his father, Peter Shollenberger, was a native of the same county in Pennsyl- vania, and in 1810 he came to Stark Co., O., first settling in Plain Tp., on a farm that was in the wilderness ; but by labor and industry he soon converted it into a productive farm, but subsequently removed to Marlborough Tp., where he died in 1843, aged 72 years. His wid- ow survived him until 1848, and died aged 72. Joseph Shollenberger passed his childhood in Berks Co., and in 1810 came to Stark Co. with his parents. The early years of his life were passed in the labors of the farm and in acquiring an education, facilities for which were scanty and of an inferior order in the
neighborhood of his home. He lived at home until he was 26 years of age, when he was married to Miss Lydia Baum, who was for- merly from Union Co., Pa. She was an ex- emplary and faithful companion, commanding the esteem of all who became acquainted with her. After his marriage he settled on the homestead, and there lived several years. In 1850 he removed to Lake Tp., and has re- mained a resident of the same ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Shollenberger are members of the German Reformed Church. There were three children born to them, Peter, our sub- ject, being the only surviving one. He was born in Marlborough Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, his birth occurring March 1, 1830. His youthful days were spent on the farm, and during this period he received a common-school educa- tion in the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of 16 he engaged as a clerk for Mar- tin Hoover, of Harrisburgh, this county, with whom he remained a short time. In 1852 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and for seve- ral years he did a successful business. He has had several partners, and in 1880 disposed of his interest in the business. Mr. Shollen- berger is a man of more than ordinary ability, and by his economical habits has accumulated considerable property. Mr. Shollenberger has always been identified with the Demo- cratic party, and is a member of the German Reformed Church.
HENRY SCHONER, farmer ; P. O. Lake; is the oldest in a family of eight children, born to Henry and Margaret Schoner, who were natives of Germany, where the father was en- gaged in the milling business. In 1847 he came to Ohio, settling in Lake Tp. on a farm, where he lived but a short time before being called to his final home. He died in 1850, at the age of 79 years. During his short sojourn in the community he made many friends, who deeply mourned his loss. Henry, Jr., was born in the Province of Alsace, Germany, in January, 1824 ; he attended the schools of that Province until he was 14 years of age ; he then was apprenticed to the miller's trade, and served two years at the same ; he then worked at the trade for several years in France, and in 1847 he emigrated to this country, and came to Lake Tp., Stark Co., where he worked for six years as a farm-hand. During this time he accumulated considera
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ble money, and with it purchased 80 acres of land ; he moved on the same, and by hard work and economical habits he soon made additions, until now he owns 192 acres of wefl improved land. In 1854 he began deal- ing in stock, and continued the business suc- cessfully for over twenty-five years. He was married in 1833 to Saloma, daughter of JJacob Frank, of Lake Tp. From that union there are eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Schoner are consistent church members. Mr. Schoner has always voted with the Democratic party.
O. P. SHANAFELT, merchant; Green- town; is a son of Henry and Catharine Shana- felt, who were natives of Frederick Co., MEd. In 1828, Henry Shanafelt came to Ohio, set- thing on a farm in Lake Tp., this Co. He was engaged in hotel-keeping, and in 1845, was elected Sheriff of Stark Co., and held the office for two terms. After his term of office expired he returned to Greentown, and was engaged in hotel-keeping up to the time of his death. O. P., was born in Canton, March 8, 1846. His youth was spent at home, and he recived his education in the common- schools. In 1864 he enlisted in the 6th Ohio Independent Battery, and was out until the close of the war. In 1866 he commenced elerking for S. S. Bombarger, of Greentown, and three months later was taken in as part- ner; this continued but a short time. Mr. Shafer was next made a member of the firm ; this continued some time, when they' Shanafelt & Shafer) purchased Bombarger's interest, and have sinee conducted the business. Mr. Shanafelt has been very successful in business, and by his strict attention and genial dispo- sition, has made many friends. In 1867 he was appointed Postmaster at Greentown, Ohio, and has held the office up to the present time. In 1866 he married Mahalia Wise, daughter of Joseph Wise, of Lake Tp. From that marriage there have been born six children, four of whom are still living. Mr. Shanafelt is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 60, and a staunch Republican.
ABRAHAM STONER, farmer; P. O. Greentown; is a son of John and Lydia (Brumbaugh) Stoner, who were both natives of the Keystone State, where John was en- gaged in farming. Hle was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after the war he returned to the farm, where he lived up to the time of his
death. In a family of twelve children, our subject is the oldest, and was born in Bed- ford Co., Pa., in 1816. His childhood was spent on the farm, and as he was the oldest in the family, he was obliged to remain at home and assist his father. However, he received a liberal education in the distriet schools. He lived at home until he was 27 years of age. He then farmned the father's farm for a few years, and in 1853 he came to Ohio, settling in Lake Tp., this county. He bought a farm, and has lived on the same since. He now owns 260 acres of valuable land. In 1843 he was united in marriage to Susanna, daugh- ter of Isaac Bowers, of Bedford Co., Pa. From that marriage there have been eight children, six of whom are still alive. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner are devont members of the Christian Brethren Church.
HENRY SHANAFELT, merchant; Green- town; is the second in a family of eight child- ren born to Peter and Elizabeth (Funk) Shan- afelt, who were natives of Washington Co., Md. In 1831 they came to Stark Co., Ohio, and remained residents of that county up to the time of his death. Henry, the subject, was born in Washington Co., Md., in 1827, and came to Stark Co. with his parents in 1831. He received his education in the common schools, which at that early period afforded a scanty education. At the age of 15 he was engaged as elerk by a Greentown merchant, and there remained two years; he then elerked for Mr. Henry, of Akron, for some time, and in 1850 engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, and has continued in the same up to the present time, with the exception of one year. Mr. S. has been very successful in his business undertaking, and has accumula- ted considerable property. In 1856 he mar- ried Rosa F. Peters, of Lake Tp. From that marriage there have been seven children, three of whom are living, viz .- R. P., Carrie M., and Nettie C.
L. E. WISE, farmer; P. O. Greentown George Wise, the father of L. E., was born in Union Co., l'a., about the year 1806. His parents were natives of the same county, and came to Ohio, settling in Lake Tp., in 1809. It was in this township George passed his boyhood. Facilities for obtaining an edu- eation were not abundant in the region of his home; he went to the old log-cabin school-
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house, where he obtained as good an educa- tion as the times afforded. He assisted his father in ridding the farm of its massive oaks, and in this way passed his early life. He married Miss Barbara Cramer, who came to Ohio with her parents, from Pennsylvania, at an early time. Soon after their marriage he commeneed farming, and in this vocation continued for several years; he subsequently removed to Springfield Tp., Summit Co., set- tling on a farm, and there lived up to the time of his death. Both he and wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and by their deaths the church lost faithful and true christian members. Young Wise, the subject of this short sketch, was born on his father's farm, in Lake Tp., Jan. 27, 1834. The early years of his life were passed on the farm. He attended the com- mon schools of his neighborhood, and after ac- quiring a good education, he directed his at- tention to farming. He at the age of 21 be- gan farming the homestead, where he remain- ed seven years. He subsequently purchased a farm of 133 acres upon which he settled, and has continued to live on the same ever since; he has made several important improve- ments on the same, which now ranks among the first farms of the township. In 1858 he was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Rachel Moore, daugh- ter of Joseph Moore, appropriate mention of whom is made in this work. That union has been blessed with four children, all of whom are living. Mr. Wise affiliated himself with the Republican party at its organization, and has been an adherent of its principles up to the present time.
LEWIS WISE, farmer ; P. O. Greentown; is the youngest in a family of ten children, born to John and Barbara (Auble) Wise, who were natives of Union Co., Pa., where John Wise was engaged in farming. While Lake Tp. was in an unimproved condition, this family left its home in the native state for the purpose of founding a new home in the west ; after a journey, that in these days would be termed tedious and adventurous, John Wise arrived in Lake Tp. He settled on a farm, and after a few years of hard labor he eonver- ted it into a productive farm. He remained a resident of Lake Tp. up to the time of his death. The subject of this sketch was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, his birth occur-
ring May 14, 1827. The early years of his life were spent in the labors of the farm, but little interrupted by educational pursuits, as facili- ties for procuring an education in those days were scanty and of an inferior order in the re- gion of his home. At the age of 21 he began working in Aultman & Miller's works, where he remained one vear, he then bought 80 acres of land, upon which he settled and lived 16 years. He then settled on the farm he now occupies, consisting of 126 aeres. In 1848 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Raber, who was a native of Lake Tp .; from that mar- riage ten children were born, viz .- Calvin, Milton, Alvin, George, Ida, Catharine O., Frank, Frances, Charles, and Wilbur. Mr. and Mrs. Wise united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in early life, and still remain consistent members of the same body.
WILLIAM WAGNER, school-teacher ; Hartville ; is the second in a family of ten children, born to Jacob and Magdalena Wag- ner, who were natives of Germany, where Jacob was engaged in farming. He left his native country and came to Ohio at an early date, and without means, and was for a time engaged as a laborer on the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal ; he then began working at the shoemaker's trade, which he continued for twenty years, during which time by his indus- try and economical habits, acquired sufficient means to purchase a farm which he settled on, and where he still resides, commanding the respect and confidence of all his neighbors and acquaintances. Young Wagner, the sub- ject of these lines, was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in May 1845; the early years of his life were passed on the farm. He at- tended the common schools of Lake Tp., at the Greensburg Academy and the College at Mount Union. At the age of 18 years he en- listed in Company D, 25th Reg., O.V. V. I., and served until the close of the war. After his return he engaged in school-teaching and for several years followed that vocation. Mr. Wagner, although a young man, has held many offices of trust in the township, such as Clerk and Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. In 1868 he united in marriage with Miss Urania, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Baum, of Lake Tp. From that mar- riage there has been three children. Mr. Wagner is a Democrat.
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D. J. WISE, farmer ; P. O. Greentown ; is a son of John and Barbara (Dickerhoff) Wise. John Wise was a native of Union Co., Pa .; he lived at home on the farm until he was 18 years of age, when he went to the army as a substitute for his father, who was drafted in the war of 1812. Hle was stationed at Buffa- lo, and served his country faithfully. In 1813 he came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Lake Tp. in that year. He apprenticed himself to the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for many years after serving his ap prenticeship ; he then bought a farm, where he lived until a few years preceding his death. D. J. Wise, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in October, 1833. The early years of life were passed on the farm. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and in them acquired a liberal education. He then gave his attention to farming, which business he is engaged in at the present time. In 1834 he united in marriage with Sarah A. York, of Lake Tp. She died in 1869, leaving five children, viz .- Alvin, Milo D., George E., Cora and Laura E. In 18TO he married for his second wife Miss Nancy M. Moore, who was a native of Lake Tp. From that marriage there have been two children-Marshie and John F. Mr. and and Mrs. Wise are members of the Methodist Episcopal t'hurch.
JOSEPH WISE, retired ; Greentown; is a son of John and Barbara (Auble) Wise, ap- propriate mention of whom is made in the sketch of Lewis Wise. Joseph, the subject of this short biography, was born on his fath- er's farm in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, April ", 1824. His youthful days were passed, as were those of most farmers' sons at that day, in assisting in the clearing of the farm, at which Joseph served his apprenticeship. He attended the schools in his neighborhood, and procured such an education as those common schools afforded. At the age of 21 he com- meneed to work the homestead, where he re- mained a short time ; but subsequently bought 80 acres, and there lived until 1864, when he exchanged for a farm of 165 acres, where he lived until recently. In 1845 ho united in marriage with Miss Savilla, daughter of John Babb, of Summit Co .; she died in 1876, leav- ing four children, viz .- Mahalia, Edwin, Ellen and Ira. In 1880 he married for his second
wife Miss Sarah Schick, of Plain Tp. Upon the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Wise adopted its principles, and has been an an adherent to the same party ever since.
LEVI WISE, farmer ; P. O. Greentown. This gentleman was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1843, and is the son of Samuel G. and Catharine Wise, who were early settlers in Lake Tp. Levi, our subject, spent his childhood on the farm, where he re- mained until he reached his 16th year. In the meantime he attended the common schools and acquired a good education. At the age of 16 he apprenticed himself to the carpenter trade, serving two and a half years as an ap- prentice, and worked at the same for three years. He was connected with the Green- town Foundry for eleven years, and in 1881 he purchased a pleasant and a desirable home adjoining Greentown, where he still resides. In 1866 he united in marriage with Miss La- vina, daughter of S. P. Pontius, of Stark Co. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wise are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always been identified with the Demo- cratic party, and has held many offices of trust in the township.
CHRISTIAN WINGARD, farmer; P. O. Middle Branch. In a family of twelve child- ren, born to Samuel and Lydia (Garver) Wingard, our subject, is the fourth. He was born in Stark Co., Ohio, March 2, 1827, and passed his boyhood at home, and when 10 years of age was placed at work for a farmer, and there remained until he was 16 years of age. He then learned the painter's trade, and after following it two years abandoned it for the trade of a carpenter; the latter trade, suiting him much better, he worked at it for eight years. In 1857 he moved on the farm he now occupies, and has remained on the same ever since. In 1854 he married Miss Susanna, daughter of Goo. E. and Sarah Smith, who were among the prominent citizens of Lake Tp. From that marriage there have been six children, five of whom are living, viz .- Sarah J., Mary E., Lucy A., George, and Susan. Mr. Wingard is a prominent Republican, and has always identified himself with the same.
JOIN YOUNG, farmer; P. O. Lake; This gentleman was born in Lawrence Tp-, Stark Co., Ohio, his birth occurring Feb. 23d, 1838. His parents, George and Ra-
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chel (Rouch) Young, are made mention of elsewhere in this work. John's youthful days were spent at home on the farm; he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and acquired a liberal education; he remained at home until he was 27 years of age, and then commenced farming for himself, by renting a farm, where he remained three years; he rented for a few years and finally bought 115 acres
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