USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 85
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On August 31, 1887, Mr. Flack wedded Priscilla B. Hoagland, of Dan- ville, Knox county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Stephen A. Hoagland, of Knox county, and is descended from a family of soldiers, five of her father's brothers having served throughout the Civil war as members of the Northern armies. To Mr. and Mrs. Flack have been born the following children : Elmer C., now seventeen years of age, has completed his common school ed- ucation and is now a student in Bixler's Business College, at Wooster; Hazel V., aged thirteen; Urshel E., aged ten years; Genevieve, aged five years ; Edgar V. died at the age of ten years.
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Socially, Mr. Flack is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, both subordinate and encampment, the Knights of Pythias, in which he has risen to the Uniform Rank, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Home Guards of America. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, though not an aspirant for the honors or emoluments of public office. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Flack and their children, Elmer and Hazel, are members of the Chris- tian church, to which they give a generous support. The subject is one of the county's public-spirited citizens, and he has so ordered his life as to command unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county where he has passed prac- tically his entire life. He is widely and favorably known and has co-operated earnestly in every movement which he believed would advance the general welfare and progress of the county.
OHIO J. HARRISON.
As a representative of one of the pioneer families of Wayne county and as one who has here passed his entire life, it is certainly consistent that we enter in this work a review of the career of Mr. Harrison, who has long been identified with the agricultural and stock-growing interests of the county, having a fine estate in Franklin township and being honored as one of its representative men. He is a native of the township in which he now maintains his home, having been born on the old pioneer homestead on the 9th of January, 1852. He is a son of William and Mariah (Criswell) Har- rison. His paternal grandfather was William Harrison, who was born on the Harrison homestead in this township in 1823 and lived here all the days of his life, his death occurring on the 9th of October, 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years. His remains are buried in the Fairview cemetery at Fredericksburg. William Harrison was a man of many excellent parts and stood high in the estimation of the community. He was a farmer all his life and was a practical and industrious man. His wife died on January 9, 1898. He was in religious faith a Presbyterian and took an active part in the work of the society, having served efficiently as trustee. In matters political he was affiliated with the Republican party and took a commendable interest in local public affairs, though he was never an aspirant for public office of any nature. He was the owner of three hundred acres of fine and fertile land and was very successful in his agricultural operations, being energetic and progressive in his methods and a man of excellent discrimina-
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tion. He was the father of three children, namely: Ohio, the immediate subject of this sketch; Adeline, who died at the age of six years; Gerry S., who resides at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Ohio J. Harrison was reared on the paternal homestead and secured his education in the schools of the township. He was reared to the vocation of a farmer and has always been a tiller of the soil. He has always lived in the immediate neighborhood where he now resides and has been con- sidered one of the leading men of the township. He is the owner of a splendid and well improved farm of one hundred and ten acres, to which he devotes his entire attention, with gratifying financial results. His place is well improved with neat and substantial buildings and other accessories of an up-to-date farm and here he carries on a diversified system of agriculture, raising all the crops common to this section of the country. In addition, he gives much attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, in which also he is successful.
Mr. Harrison married Margaret Moore, a daughter of William Moore, and to them have been born two children, namely: George Clarence mar- ried Ellen Hall, a daughter of Asa Hall, of Holmes county, and they have three children, Margaret Helen, Wayne Hall and Dorothy Fay. George C. Harrison served five years as a private in Company H, Eighth Regiment Ohio National Guard. William I., the youngest son, lives at home with his parents. Politically, Mr. Harrison is an enthusiastic Republican and is active in the interest of his party, though not himself ambitious for the honors or emoluments of office. Religiously, he is a member of the Presby- terian church, to which he gives an earnest and liberal support. He is a man of fine personal qualities and during his lifetime spent in this community he has done nothing to forfeit the unbounded regard in which he has been held by his friends and neighbors. He is keenly alive to the best interests of the community and gives a hearty support to every movement calculated to advance the moral, educational, religious or material interests of the town- ship in which he lives.
WILLIAM S. EVANS.
William Shafer Evans, son of James and Katherine Gardner Evans, was born on the family homestead farm in section 25, school district No. 5. Baughman township, Wayne county, Ohio. December 23, 1843, fourth son of his father's family, the other children being David G., John G. and James S. He traces his lineage back to John Evans, who was born in Wales
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in 1724, emigrated to Pennsylvania and died in Ohio. His grandfather (James Evans) and father were both born in Pennsylvania. The former died on the above mentioned homestead in the year 1852; the latter died in Orrville in the year 1887.
IV. S. Evans never attended any other schools or educational institute than the "Pokeberry" district school near the place of his birth, and it was exceedingly primitive at that time. As early as ten years of age he gave evidence of his journalistic or newspaper tendency in editing and reading before the school each Friday afternoon, or literary day, an imitation local newspaper, in which the neighborhood and school news and gossip was presented in a semi-comical manner, which afforded much amusement to the scholars and their parents, who would assemble to enjoy the exercises of the occasion in the little red school from which it took the cognomen "Poke- berry." He was also the champion speller in the school and his elder brother frequently carried the smaller boy on his shoulder through the deep snow for the purpose of "spelling down" the champions in the surrounding dis- tricts such as "Bunker Hill," "Number Four" and "Mock's" schools.
His first effort in writing for publication occurred when, at about nine years of age, he conceived the idea of reporting the condition of the growing crops and other farm news for the Ohio Farmer, then published in Cleveland. In February, 1860, his brother, D. G., opened a grocery and drug store in Orrville and brought W. S. with him to help about the store. During the next two years and while about the store during the day he got permission from John D. McNulty, Orrville's first telegraph operator, to go into the telegraph office at night and practice the art of telegraphy. In this way he became extra operator for the relief of operators along the line of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago railway. In the spring of 1863 he was sent to take charge of the telegraph office at Plymouth, Indiana, where he was employed for one year and was returned to Orrville in 1864 and was the manager of the telegraph office in that place for ten years, or until 1874, when he went to Akron and spent the summer in the office of the Akron Daily Argus, as assistant to the editor and in other office duties. Resigning this position at Akron, he returned to the railway office and filled such positions as telegrapher, freight office clerk, ticket, freight and express agent, with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Northern Pacific; Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific: Chesapeake & Ohio: Chicago Great Western ; Wheeling & Lake Erie; Pennsylvania and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railways.
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On June 21, 1868. Mr. Evans was joined in marriage with Celia Sey- mour Painter, adopted daughter of the late Rev. W. H. Painter, and who is yet living. From this union one son, William P. Evans, was born. This son gave great promise from his very unusual mental endowment, but died on his twenty-fifth birthday in Chicago in the year 1894 from spinal tuber- culosis.
In the year 1866, while in the telegraph office at Orrville, the subject of our sketch procured a small printing outfit which included a "Lowe" press, a conical shaped cylinder, which swung around from one end and by which he could execute various kinds of job work, such as sale and hand bills and indifferent card printing. This was the first printing press and outfit in Orrville and rendered much service for those days, but its work was not fine enough for the fastidious taste of our pioneers in this line of progressive development, so he sold it to C. M. Kenton, a printer at Shreve. Determined upon continuing yet further efforts in the printing line our amateur purchased a Novelty foot-power press and a nice outfit of type, with which he turned out much of the small work in a highly creditable manner.
In the year 1867 Mr. Evans began the publication of Orrville's first newspaper and on September 15th of that year he issued number one of volume one of The Orrville Ventilator, a four-page monthly paper devoted to the local news and business interests of Orrville, the printing being done at the office of the Wooster Republican. This arrangement was continued until January, 1870, when John A. Wolbach, of Wadsworth, came to Orrville with a printing outfit of type and presses and prepared to issue a weekly paper. On the third week of January, 1870, Mr. Wolbach issued the first number of the Orrville Ventilator, weekly, taking the data of the monthly l'entilator number one, volume five. In April, or three months later, the name was changed to Orrville Crescent and Mr. Evans was continued as local editor the first year of the issue of the weekly Ventilator and Crescent. Mr. Wolbach is now a respected resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In October, 1906, Mr. Evans was offered and accepted the editorship of the Orrville Courier, which he held for one year, when too arduous labor and advancing age obliged him to relinquish. He found much pleasure in conducting its columns in accordance with his ideas of what best subserves the requirements of a village and country weekly and made a commendable record.
It was noticeable throughout the multiplicity of essays, editorials, selec-
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tions and random notes that he always upheld and advocated optimism, hopefulness, good cheer and a higher and better life. He was possessed of a rare appreciation of genuine wit or clean, good humor and always liked to publish anything that he thought would be appreciated and cherished by his readers. He also nourished an inherent hatred of hypocrisy, conceit and falsity. He was naturally of a retired, reserved disposition, but a true and devoted friend to any one whom he believed to be honest and trying to do what is right. If he acquired a dislike of any one it was not his disposition to quarrel with him, but rather to let each go his own way. He was generous to an unusual degree and would give the last cent he had to help a friend. In politics he was an ardent Republican from the date of that party's birth in 1856, but did not care to indulge in political discussion, because he believed that every man was entitled to his own opinion.
L. S. STUDER.
Holding worthy prestige among the leading business firms at Apple Creek, East Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, is that of Studer Broth- ers, proprietors of a thriving and important milling business, one of the best known and most important establishments of the kind in the county. The proprietors, L. S. and C. E. Studer, enjoy honorable reputations as enter- prising, progressive and eminently reliable men in the lines of commerce in which they are engaged and since locating at their present place of business they have built up, by fair dealing and correct methods, an extensive and lucrative patronage, which under their able and judicious management is steadily increasing with each succeeding year.
The milling plant now operated by the Studer brothers was built about the year 1880 and is a modern and up-to-date mill, with a capacity of one hundred barrels in twenty-four hours. The plant is equipped with the best of machinery and other appliances for the production of mill products and is kept busy practically the year round. In addition to the milling business, the firm also handles coal, plaster, lime and cement, and in these lines also they do an immense and constantly increasing business. They carry large supplies in all these lines and by the courteous treatment of the trade and their fair dealing they have built up a splendid trade throughout this part of the county. They are also heavy buyers and shippers of all kinds of grain, handling many carloads annually. They have been uniformly successful in
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their various lines of trade and are today numbered among the enterprising and prosperous concerns in this part of the county.
L. S. Studer, the senior member of the firm of Studer Brothers, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 19th of March, 1870, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Zurcher) Studer. He was reared on the home farm and received a fair education in the district schools of his native county. In 1890 he apprenticed himself to learn the milling business at Kent, Ohio, and served three years, during which time he made it his business to acquire a knowledge of every detail of the work, from the handling of the grain and the manufacture and shipping of the finished product to the keeping of mill accounts. After the completion of his period of apprenticeship he became a regular or "trick" miller in the same mill, holding the position four years. He then was offered and took the management of Thompson Brothers' mill at Brink Haven, Ohio, and continued in this capacity for eight years. In 1905 he and his brother C. E. bought the flouring mill at Apple Creek, which they put in first-class condition and have continued to operate it continuously to the present time.
Mr. Studer is a benedict, having been united in marriage with Effie Klein, who is a native of Stark county, this state. This union has been, without issue. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Studer are active members of the Reformed church at Apple Creek, of which the subject is an elder. His political belief is that of the Republican party, in the support of which he takes an active part. He is interested in all that promises to benefit the com- munity, giving his support to all worthy enterprises. In evidence of this fact it may be stated that he is a stockholder in the Apple Creek Banking Company, as is also his brother. Mr. and Mrs. Studer are well liked in the community. Though they have no children, their hospitable residence is ever open to young and old alike and within its walls the guest is sure of a welcome such as only comes from hearts in close touch and sympathy with what is noblest, best and most elevating in humanity.
FRANK HECKMAN.
The Heckman family needs no introduction to the readers of this history. for members of the same have figured prominently in the life of Wayne county for several generations. Frank Heckman, to whose career the read- er's attention is especially directed in the following paragraphs, was born in
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Clinton township, this county, in 1868, the son of Henry B. and Barbara (Jacobs) Heckman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter born in Knox county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of Frank Heckman were Samuel and Catherine (Grafius ) Heckman. To Henry B. and Barbara A. Heckman were born six children, five boys and one girl. The sister died April 1, 1908.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was educated in the common schools of Clinton and Plain townships, and early in life he decided to become a tiller of the soil and consequently he has devoted his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits, his wife now owning one hundred and thirty-nine acres in Plain township, which is one of the best farms in this vicinity and which yields its owner a very comfortable income from year to year.
Mr. Heckman was married on April 5, 1888, to Lora Bunyan, a native of Macon township, Ashland county, Ohio, where her people were well known. She is the daughter of Elijah Bunyan, a leading farmer of Ashland county. Mr. Bunyan was one of the men who made a successful trip to the gold fields in California in 1849, and came back in 185 1.
To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heckman the following children have been born: Howard Cuyler, Clarence Clark, Sherman LeRoy, Ralph Richey and Earl Wayne.
Mr. Heckman has an attractively located and comfortable home and ex- cellent outbuildings on his place and he is carrying on general farming in a manner that shows him to be fully abreast of the times in this line. He takes considerable interest in the affairs of his township and has been superintendent of the township roads, discharging his duties in this connection in a very able and conscientious manner. He is a member of the United Brethren church.
SAMUEL M. BRENNEMAN.
In the past ages the history of a country was comprised chiefly in the rec- ord of its wars and conquests. Today history is largely a record of com- mercial and financial activity and those whose names are foremost in the an- nals of the nation are those who have become leaders in business circles. The financial and commercial history of Orrville, Wayne county, would be incom- plete and unsatisfactory without a personal mention of those whose lives are interwoven closely with the industrial and financial development of this portion
S. M. Brenneman
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of the state. When a man, or a number of men, set in motion the machinery of business. which materializes into many forms of practical utility, or where they have carved out a fortune or a name from the common possibilities. open for competition to all, there is a public desire which should be gratified to see the men as nearly as a word artist can paint them, and examine the elements of mind and the circumstances by which such success has been achieved. These thoughts are prompted by reference to the lives and works of him whose name appears as the caption to this article and his father, both of whom have exerted a wide-felt and wholesome influence on the growth and development of Wayne county.
The subject's paternal grandfather was Adam Brenneman, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, in about 1832, and nobly performed his part in the development of this section. He was the father of a large number of children, nearly all of whom remained in this county and became prominent and respected citizens, so that it has been aptly said that the history of this part of Wayne county is a history of the Brenneman family. The subject's parents were Jacob and Nancy (Martin) Brenneman. The latter was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and is still living at the old homestead in Orrville, which was erected in 1874. Jacob Brenneman, who was born in Pennsylvania, accompanied his father to Wayne county in the thirties, and during the subsequent years he occupied a conspicuous place in local business circles. He was a pioneer in commercial enterprises and a man of large influence. In 1859 he came to Orrville and the following year he built a store building and entered the dry goods business, in which he was successful from the beginning. continuing this line until 1867. when, on account of ill health, he retired to his farm. Five years later he re- turned to Orrville and erected the building now occupied by the Orrville Sav- ings Bank. About 1868 the Brenneman & Hoist Exchange Bank was organ- ized and he remained identified with this institution until 1876, when he with- drew. In 1881, with the subject of this sketch, he organized the Orrville Bank- ing Company, with which he was identified until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was a larger holder of landed interests and was a heavy dealer in grain, owning a warehouse for its storage. He was a Mennonite in religious belief and was a man of sound moral principles and sterling integrity. in whom the people with whom he dealt had absolute confidence.
Samuel M. Brenneman, who was born in Baughman township. Wayne county, February 12, 1855, attended the schools of Orrville and Wooster, and subsequently matriculated in the law department of the University of Mich- igan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1880. He was a member of
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Sigma Chi fraternity. The following year he was interested with his father in organizing the Orrville Banking Company and was identified with it until 1892. A few years later he organized the Orrville Savings Bank, of which he is the proprietor. The banking room was first located in what was then known as Dr. D. L. Moncrief's office and moved into its present convenient and well- arranged quarters in 1905. The bank has been prosperous from its inception and is counted among the prominent and solid financial institutions of the county. Mr. Breneman is also proprietor of the Rittman Savings Bank, at Rittman, this county, a private bank which was established in October, 1907.
In 1886 Mr. Brenneman was united in marriage to Maria Orr, a daughter of the late Judge William M. Orr and a granddaughter of the founder of Orrville, Smith Orr. She was a native of Wooster and was a most estimable woman, possessing many qualities of character which commended her to all who knew her. Her death occurred on January 5, 1909. To this union were born two daughters, Charlotte and Maud, both of whom are students at Wooster University and popular young ladies among their associates.
In politics Mr. Brenneman is identified with the Republican party, in the success of which he takes a strong interest, though not in any sense an office seeker. His fraternal relations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the lodge at Orrville. Mr. Brenneman is a man of strong men- tality and keen discernment, and he commands the confidence and respect of his fellow men because of his sterling worth of character.
CHARLES E. BURCHFIELD.
The subject of this sketch has lived what to many persons might appear to be an uneventful life, yet to one who looks beneath the surface and seeks the hidden springs of human action, there comes into view the intrinsic worth of a man who has in every sphere of action in which he has engaged been faithful to his trust, and in any line of activity faithfulness is the keynote to success. Mr. Burchfield is well known throughout Wayne county and everywhere his sound qualities are recognized and he enjoys the unbounded confidence of all who know him.
Charles E. Burchfield is a native son of the old Keystone state, having been born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on the IIth of April, 1857. His parents were Hiram and Sarah (Fox) Burchfield, also natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they were married. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1860,
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when the subject of this sketch was but three years old, and here they spent their remaining days, the father's death occurring in 1886. He was a miller by trade and after coming here was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at Massillon. The subject of this sketch was the only child born to this union. After his father's death, his mother again married and is now living at Apple Creek, this county.
Charles E. Burchfield was reared by his parents and in his youth was early inured to the labors of a farm. During his boyhood days he was given the advantage of attendance at the common schools and secured a fair educa- tion. In 1876 Mr. Burchfield entered the employ of Silas Moore as a grain buyer and continued in this capacity until 1882. He then entered the employ of the Orrville Milling Company, at Orrville, this county, in which he has remained continuously since. He has a position of responsibility and has performed his duties to the full satisfaction of the company. He is widely known and has by his own efforts brought much business to the firm with which he is connected. He has exercised a wise economy and has exercised sound judgment in his investments and is now the owner of two good resi- dence properties at Apple Creek, which are a source of income.
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