USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 81
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On the 28th of December, 1888, Mr. Gindlesperger was married to Alice Byers, a native of Wayne county and a daughter of David and Elizabeth Byers, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but early settlers in this section of Ohio. To the subject and his wife have been born two children, Harry and Hazel, the latter being now a student in the Congress high school.
Politically, Mr. Gindlesperger is an uncompromising Democrat and has given an earnest support to his party. He has taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs and served efficiently as a member of the township school board for eight years. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church, to which he and his wife belong, giving to the same their loyal and generous support. . A man of generous impulses, genial disposition and good, practical common sense, Mr. Gindlesperger has readily made friends and he stands today as one of the popular and enterprising men of his township. He withholds his support from no movement or enterprise that promises to be for the common good and is himself a definite influence for good in the com- munity.
CLAYTON GOOD.
There is now taken under review the career of one of the sterling citizens of Wayne county, Ohio, where he has practically passed his entire life and where he has ever commanded unequivocal confidence and esteem. The name which he bears has been prominently identified with the annals of the
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county since the days when the work of reclaiming the sylvan wilds of this section of the state was inaugurated, and here he is now known as one of the large land-holders and successful farmers of the county. He has ren- dered his community efficient service in an official capacity and is numbered among the sturdy, upright and progressive citizens, thus it may be seen that he is peculiarly worthy of representation in a work of this character, his character and services in the county making him thus eligible.
Clayton Good was born in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 23d of June, 1876, and is the son of Daniel B. and Margaret ( Worst) Good. The former was born in Pennsylvania on November 10, 1841, and the latter is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, where she was born April 1, 1843. The subject's paternal grandparents, John and Eliza Good, were both born in Pennsylvania, in which state they were reared and married, and in 1849 they came to Ohio, locating in Congress township, Wayne county, where Mr. Good became one of the pioneer merchants. Subsequently he turned his attention to the pursuit of agriculture and was eminently successful, owning at the time of his death four hundred and seventy-five acres of fine land, the greater part of which was in Wayne county. The subject's maternal grand- parents were Samuel and Mary (Martin) Worst, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively, the former having been born in Chester town- ship, Wayne county, on land which the subject now owns, and which his father had entered from the government. Daniel B. Good was a farmer by vocation and stood high in the communty. A Republican in politics, he took a great interest in local public affairs, and was a member of the school board in an early day, subsequently serving for many years in the capacity of a no- tary public. He was the father of two children, the subject and a sister. The father erected a splendid family residence at Pleasant Home, where he spent his last days, his death occurring on December 8, 1901. His widow is still - living.
Clayton Good was reared under the paternal roof and secured his ele- mentary education in the common schools, attending the Congress high school. Subsequently he attended the Bixler Business College at Wooster and was thus well equipped to take up the duties of life. After completing his educa- tion, he took up active farming operations, in which he realized that there was as good a chance for a young man of energy as any other profession, and his judgment has been abundantly verified during the subsequent years, as he has achieved a distinctive success in the line of agriculture. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of splendid farming land. His
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original possession was a part of the old homestead, but to this he has added one hundred and seven acres, owning now one of the best farms in Congress township. He here carries on general farming and stock raising, in both lines of which he has been enabled to realize a handsome profit. He main- tains the premises at a high standard of excellence, the general appearance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of good taste and sound judgment.
On the 3d of June, 1901, Mr. Good married Ellen Heacock, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, and the daughter of Oliver and Mary Heacock. To this union two children have been born, Dorothy and Katherine. In mat- ters political the subject gives his allegiance to the Republican party and is rendering efficient service as a member of the school board, having ever had a deep interest in educational matters. Mr. and Mrs. Good are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are regular attendants and to which they give a generous support.
In every avenue of life's activities in which he has been engaged. Mr. Good has exhibited the highest qualities of citizenship and he stands as one of the leading men of Congress township.
DAVID G. BLACKWOOD.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recogni- tion of the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can endure so rough a test but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by per- severance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable sta- tion in life, established a good home and become a worthy citizen of Wayne -one of the most progressive counties of the great Buckeye commonwealth.
David G. Blackwood was born in East Union township, this county, October 30, 1850, the son of William Blackwood, Sr., an influential and highly honored pioneer of that township, whither he came in the thirties. making the somewhat hazardous and tedious overland trip from liis ancestral home in Pennsylvania. He began life in a modest way like other first settlers and in time the dense wilderness gave way to his "sturdy stroke" to well- cultivated fields and his log cabin was replaced by a substantial and com-
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fortable frame dwelling. He married Hannah Gardner and here they reared their children in a wholesome atmosphere, leaving them the heritage of a good name, then passed on to their rest in the silent land.
David G. Blackwood, being ambitious from his early boyhood to suc- ceed in what the poets would call "the battle of life," studied hard and re- ceived a good education in the local schools of Orrville and the high school of Smithville, Ohio. He first turned his attention to teaching, which he fol- lowed very successfully for a period of four years in the district schools, and although his services were eminently satisfactory to pupils and patrons alike, he decided not to make teaching his life work and left the school room never to return as an instructor. He has been employed by the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company for the past twenty-seven years, being freight agent at Orr- ville ten years, and in 1900 was transferred to Wooster for duty as chief clerk in the freight office, which position he now holds. He is regarded by the company as one of their most faithful and efficient employes and his long period of service is indicative of his faithfulness and fidelity to duty. Mr. Blackwood has never had time to mingle much in politics, but he very ably served as clerk of the village of Orrville for a period of four years, and as a member of the council four years.
Mr. Blackwood was married on September 7, 1876, to Emma Weirich, who was born in Millersburg, Ohio, the daughter of K. Weirich and wife, highly respected citizens of that village, who afterwards moved to Orrville, this county. This union resulted in the birth of one child that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood have numerous friends throughout Wayne county, especially at Orrville and vicinity, where they were long among its worthiest citizens.
CHARLES FAHR.
That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public posi- tions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for one to exercise his talents and influence which in some way will touch the lives of those with whom he comes in contact. Although in the list of Wayne county's successful citizens who have won state or national reputations the name of Charles Fahr may
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not be found, yet there is much in his career that is commendable, and his success forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals.
Charles Fahr, well-known deputy auditor of Wayne county, Ohio, was born at Red Haw, Ashland county, this state, January 28, 1868. While very young he removed with his mother, his sole dependent, to Plain township. near Reedsburg, where she was employed as a domestic. Poverty prevented his receiving more than an ordinary education,-in fact, the mere rudiments of learning,-for during his school days he was compelled to labor on the farm, attending the district schools during the winter months, known as Union Institute, District No. 2, Plain township, later known as Mt. Wis- dom. But he was ambitious and studied hard, and here, during the latter part of his school days, he assisted in teaching, procuring some small means which he put to good use by attending the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, Ohio, during 1890 and 1892. This again consumed all his finances and he returned and taught his home school for nine terms, studying in the mean- time, until he became quite well informed on general topics, the sciences and the classics. His ability as an able, conscientious and painstaking educator became known and his services were in great demand. He was at the head of the Reedsburg schools for four years, and in 1900 he was chosen principal of the New Pittsburg schools, which position he retained, giving his usual eminent satisfaction, up to 1909. He is at home in the school room and en- tertains as well as instructs his pupils, and his ability to organize and man- age classes and all the details of school work made him popular with pupils. teachers and patrons, so that the most satisfactory results were accomplished.
Mr. Fahr's domestic life dates from August 1, 1894, when he married Mary Ebert, a lady of culture and refinement, of Apple Creek, Ohio, and the daughter of an excellent family.
Early in life, Mr. Fahr had imbibed a love for equality and political principles and therefore affiliated himself with the Democratic party and his first public work as an organizer was during the campaign of 1896, when he labored in behalf of Bryan, and his township gave a majority of thirty for Bryan when it was normally Republican by seventy majority. His politics can never be doubted as he has always been found fighting for the cause of Democracy, as can be attested by his efforts in Chester township in the last national and state campaign. He was a resident of New Pittsburg in Chester township from 1900 to September, 1909, when he removed to Wooster, Ohio.
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His record as a public school teacher can be attested by the fact that for thirty-eight terms of experience, these have all been in but three different schools. He was an active and energetic member of the Lutheran church at New Pittsburg, Ohio, and the Sunday school superintendent there for nearly six years, which position he resigned upon his removal to Wooster. He trans- ferred his membership and is now a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Wooster.
Upon the election of James L. Zaring as county auditor in the fall of 1908, he was appointed by Mr. Zaring, in the spring of 1909, as deputy audi- tor, and he assumed his present position on October 18, 1909. Personally he is a pleasant man to meet, always courteous, considerate, genteel and kind, so that he is generally popular throughout the county, with all classes, irrespec- tive of party ties.
DAVID JAMES.
In the death of the subject of this sketch, which occurred on the 25th of September, 1904, at his home in Franklin township, Wayne county suffered a distinct loss, he having been for many years numbered among the strong and virile characters. A man of forceful personality, sound judgment and enterprising spirit,. he had long occupied a high position among his fellow agriculturists, and had achieved a large measure of success in his life work.
David James was born in England, October 7, 1826, and was a son of George and Ann (Sealy) James, who migrated to America in 1832. They located on a farm in Franklin township, Wayne county, where they bought one hundred acres of land, for which they paid seven hundred dollars, this being the farm on which the subject's widow now resides. The country was at that time but sparsely settled, there being but one house between the James home and Wooster. There the parents made their home during the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1859 and the mother in 1870. George James was a stanch Whig in his political faith and was an active and influential man in his home neighborhood. To him and his wife were born four children. namely : William Albert, who died at the age of twenty-three years; John S., whose death occurred April 25, 1896; Amelia, deceased ; David, the subject of this sketch.
David James was but six years old when the family emigrated to the United States and here he obtained a fair common school education. When old enough he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, but never fol-
David James
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lowed it as a vocation, his entire life from that time on being spent on the home farm. At his father's death he took up the burden of its management and eventually he acquired the ownership. He was a hard and discriminating worker and succeeded in making this one of the best farms in Wayne county. He erected several splendid buildings, bought improved and up-to-date ma- chinery, and followed the best and most advanced methods in the cultivation of the soil. He was prosperous and bought other land, so that at his death he owned over two hundred and fifty acres of as good land as could be found in the community.
In 1853, Mr. James married Ellen Gilmore, the daughter of Thomas and Dorothy ( Young) Gilmore, of Holmes county, this state. The union was a most happy one and was blessed in the birth of the following children : Thomas A., of Franklin township, this county ; Dorothy Ann, at home ; William Alfred, . of Franklin township, who married Minnie Florence Morgan, and they have two children, Hugh Carl and Mary Ellen ; Jesse Gilmore is the wife of Alverta Watson, of Franklin township, and they are the parents of three children, Harry, Nellie and Blanche Ellen : Mary Nellie became the wife of Frank E. Langell, of Wayne township, and they have five children. Mark Bunyan, James Maxwell, Floyd, Myrel David and Francis Henry : Martha Nettie is the wife of Frank Shaw, of near Shreve, this county, and they have two children, Ernest and Forest ; Wesley David, who lives in Iowa, married Emma Morgan, and they have seven children. Glenn, Lucille, William McKinley. Althea. Ken- neth, Harrold, Max; John Charles, of Franklin township, married Flora Franks, to which union has been born one child. Clark ; George Walter died at the age of nineteen years ; Lorenzo Ellsworth died at the age of sixteen years ; Frederick Herbert married Alca Weetman, and they have two children. Earl and David; Francis Asbury, of Franklin township, married Nora Swinehart. and they are the parents of four children : Lester, Virgil. Harold and Wayne : Amelia Ellen is the wife of Wilbur Snure, of Franklin township: Sealy, of Wayne township, married Anna Bucher, and they have three children, Mabel. Ellen and Chester Allen; Anna Hortense is the wife of Richard McCoy. to whom she has borne one child, Ellen Marie.
Mrs. James' parents, Thomas and Dorothy ( Young) Gilmore, were na- tives of England, the former having been born at Somersetshire, November 17. 1810, and the latter at Bristol March 31, 1810, and at the litter place their marriage occurred. On May 1. 1831, five weeks after their marriage. they came to the United States, locating first at Fredericksburg. Wayne county. Ohio. Later they moved to Honeytown. Wayne county, this state, but two
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years afterwards they settled at Martins Creek, in Holmes county, where they remained thirteen years. Mr. Gilmore first followed the occupation of a miller and subsequently he purchased the Hockenberry Mill, which he operated until his wife's death, when he bought the Cider mill in Franklin township. He operated this mill twenty-eight years, when his second wife died, and he there- after made his home with his daughter, Mrs. James, until his death, which oc- curred at the age of ninety years, ten months and twelve days. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an earnest and liberal supporter, and he stood high in the estimation of all who knew him.
Politically, David James was a Republican and took a deep interest and an active part in local public affairs. He was an interested member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Moorland, and served as trustee and class leader. He was indefatigable in his efforts to advance the religious interests of the entire community, and assisted materially in the erection of the second church in Wayne county. His death occurred on the 25th of September, 1904, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Moorland. Since his death Mrs. James has personally directed the operation of the farm and has achieved eminent success in her efforts. She possesses business ability of a high order and has given to her affairs a discriminating intelligence that has en- abled her to realize a handsome income from her property. She is well liked by all who know her and in her hospitable and attractive home she gives a cor- dial greeting to her many friends.
JOSEPH SHERCK.
Another of the native sons of Wayne county who has here passed his entire life and by his energy, integrity and progressive methods attained a high degree of success, is Mr. Sherck, whose fine homestead farm lies in section 5, Franklin township. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, since his father located in Ohio nearly three-quarters of a century ago (in 1837), and that he has attained his prosperity by worthy means is evident from the unqualified esteem in which he is held in the com- munity where his life has been passed.
Joseph Sherck was born on the farm on which he now lives, on the 16th of November, 1849, and is a son of John and Catherine (Morr) Sherck. The subject's paternal grandparents were Peter and Barbara ( Pefley) Sherck,
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who were natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of seventy-two years he came to Wayne county and settled on the Franklin township farm, which at that time contained but little improvement. He was a strong and sturdy type of the early pioneer and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He died June 4, 1876, at the age of seventy-nine years, eight months and fifteen days, and his wife died September 14, 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-five years two months and four days. They were active members of the Evangelical church, which in those days held services in the homes of the members of the society. Peter and Barbara Sherck were the parents of the following children : Catherine, who makes her home with the subject; Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of John Morr; and John, father of the subject. John Sherck received but a limited school education, though in the great school of experience he was an apt scholar and by dint of close observa- tion and sound reasoning he became a well-informed man. He was brought by his parents to Wayne county when eighteen years old, was reared to the life of a farmer and remained a resident of Franklin township, Wayne county, until 1867, when he and his wife moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring in 1887, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a well-known local preacher of the Evan- gelical church, though he served without salary. In politics he assumed an independent attitude, voting for the man whom he considered best qualified for the office. John and Catherine Sherck were the parents of two children, Abraham, who is a resident of Dekalb county, Indiana, and Joseph, the sub- ject of this sketch.
Joseph Sherck is indebted to the common schools of Franklin township for his mental training and, with the exception of four years prior to his mar- riage, when he was employed in Wooster, his entire life has been spent on this place. He here carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this latitude, and he keeps in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture, so that he has long been numbered among the representative farmers of the township.
The subject married Laura Ellen Lauck, who was born in Wooster township, Wayne county, Ohio, January 9, 1851, the daughter of Joseph and Harriett (Kramer) Lauck. Joseph Lauck was a native of the state of Penn- sylvania, the son of David Lauck, and he came to Wayne county, Ohio, in young manhood. He settled first in Wooster township, later at Madison- burg, and followed the pursuit of agriculture all his active life. He is now deceased, and his widow makes her home in Denver, Colorado. They were
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consistent members of the United Brethren church, while in politics Mr. Lauck was a Republican. Mrs. Sherck is their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherck have been born six children, namely: Ora Alice, the wife of Julius Gasche, of Holmes county, and the mother of one child, Charles : Julia A., the wife of George Smith, of Franklin township, this county; Clara E. is the wife of Lambert Gilson, of Holmes county, this state, and they have three children, Virgil, John and Walter; Walter E. is at home; George M. resides at Sullivan, Ohio; Ida C. is at home with her parents.
Mr. Sherck is a Democrat in his political views and has been honored by his fellow citizens, having twice been elected to the office of trustee of Franklin township. He is public-spirited in his attitude towards all move- ments having for their object the advancement of the best interests of the community. Because of his fine personal qualities, he enjoys the unbounded confidence and regard of all who know him, regardless of religious creed or political belief.
JOHN JACOB LOWE.
One of the native sons of Wayne county who has here passed his entire life figures as the subject of this sketch, and it is not irrelevant to state that he is one of the most popular and highly esteemed citizens of Franklin town- ship, where he is successfully engaged in farming, having a well-improved and highly cultivated farm in section 8. As a member of one of our leading pioneer families we here enter record of the more salient features in his career.
John Jacob Lowe was born April 13, 1859, in Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, and is a son of Gilbert Lane and Catherine ( Armstrong) Lowe, the latter having been a daughter of John Armstrong, of Holmes county. Gilbert Lane Lowe was born in New Jersey and at the age of thirteen years came to Columbus, Ohio, with his parents, John and Rachael Lowe. A few years later they settled in Holmes county, this state, where they remained until Gilbert was married. After that event he came to Saltcreek township, Wayne county, where he engaged in the carpenter trade and farming, dur- ing his later years giving his attention exclusively to the latter vocation. He remained in Saltcreek township until 1867, when he moved to East Union township, where he resided until about two years prior to his death. He and .his wife were prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal
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church. In politics he had been at first an active Republican, but, in obedi- ence to the dictates of his conscience, he subsequently allied himself with the Prohibition party and was equally vigorous in its support. His death oc- curred in 1907, at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife died in 1868, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Fredericksburg. Mr. Lowe's second wife, who bore the maiden name of Effie Swinehart, survives her hus- band and resides at Moorland, this county. To the union of Gilbert and Catherine Lowe were born the following children: Ora A. is the wife of Silas Smith, of East Union township, this county; Alice is the wife of James Snyder, of Franklin township; Luella is the wife of William Ober, of Akron, Ohio; John Jacob, the subject of this sketch, is the next in the order of birth ; Walter is a resident of Stark county, Ohio.
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