USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 10
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Albert P. Walter, who is the owner of a fine farm in East Union town- ship. Wayne county, was born in Holmes county, this state, on October 26, 1868. and is a son of Joseph and Mary ( Stouff ) Walter. These parents were both natives of France, where they were reared, educated and married, and from whose vine-clad hills they came to the United States in the hope of bet- tering their fortunes. They were poor in this world's goods when they ar- rived in the United States, but the father was energetic and honest and was en- abled to save money. He was a tailor by trade and worked at that emipioy- ment for a number of years here before sending back to France for his family. They first lived in Massillon, Ohio, and later in Fredericksburg. Wayne county. Mr. Walter then bought a little farm of ten acres in Holmes county, to which the family removed. The father was practical and energetic in his agricul- tural labors and at length was enabled to add to his possessions, buying addi- tional land until at the time of his death he was the owner of eighty acres, which he had developed into a splendid farm. To him and his wife were born the following children : Joseph, Henry, Mary, Josephine, Adeline, J. A., Julius, Charles, Jane, Celia and Albert P. Of these, Joseph, Adeline, Charles and Mary are deceased.
Albert P. Walter was reared on the Holmes county farm and secured his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood. As soon as old enough he took a hand in the farm work and continued to assist his father until he was nineteen years of age, when he attended the Ohio State Normal University at Ada, with the idea of following the pedagogical profession. He was granted a license to teach and followed that occupation one term, at the end of which time he decided that agriculture offered the most promising re- turns and returned to that employment. He married about this time and dur- ing the following three years he and his wife lived on rented land in Holmes county. In 1896 they located on rented land in East Union township, where they remained three years, and then for the same length of time they were on
MR. AND MRS. A. P. WALTER
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rented land in Wayne township. In 1902 Mr. Walter bought eighty-two acres of fine land in section 17, township 16 north, range 12 west, and bought the east half in 1909. He rents it to a tenant, but will operate it. This one-fourth section is peculiar in that it has a public road clear around it, no other farm being so located in the township. He has improved and developed it until to- day it is considered one of the fine farms-of the township. He started in his independent career with but little in the way of worldly goods, but by dint of persistent industry, wise management and rigid economy he has accumulated a handsome property and is on the fair road to affluence. He has made a number of permanent and substantial improvements on the place, the general appearance of which reflects great credit on the owner. Mr. Walter carries on a general line of farming, in connection with which he gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which also he has been successful to a gratifying degree.
On the 5th of September, 1893. Mr. Walter was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Lucy E. Rouhier, who was born in Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, May 1, 1872. She was reared on a farm and secured a good practical education in the common schools. She is a woman of many fine qualities and has proven to her husband a true helpmeet in the broadest sense of the word. They have become the parents of the following children : Mabel, born September 6. 1894; John, born February 24. 1896, and Lloyd, born May 2, 1899.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Walter are Catholics and hold their mem- bership in the church of that faith at Wooster, to which society they give a generous support. In political faith Mr. Walter is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the success of his party. Though he does not aspire to public office of any nature, he was recently elected trustee of his township and in the discharge of his official duties he is giving eminent satisfaction.
As a man and citizen Mr. Walter is highly esteemed in the community and occupies a conspicuous place in the confidence of the public. He is a man of strong personality and represents a distinct type of the best American citizen- ship. He has always been interested in every enterprise for the general wel- fare of the community and liberally supports every calculated to benefit his fel- low men.
DANIEL RAMSEYER.
There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that
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came in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly; and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens and successful men of Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, stands Daniel Ramseyer. The qualities of keen dis- crimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his make-up and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.
Daniel Ramseyer was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 30th of July, 1853, and is a son of Peter and Barbara (Reich) Ramseyer. He is descended . from sturdy Swiss ancestry, his grandfather on the paternal side, John Ram- seyer, having been a native of that far-away republic from which has come such a desirable element into our national population. John Ramseyer was a poor man when he came to the United States, having to borrow part of the passage money. His son, the subject's father, afterwards helped to repay this debt. He landed in this country in 1834 and came at once to Stark county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. He never succeeded in accumu- lating much material property and died a comparatively poor man. He was the father of several children, all of whom were reared to lives of honesty and integrity. His son Peter was loyal to his parents and worked hard, contributing to their support out of his meager earnings. So closely did he stint himself that when he had attained manhood and married he was the possessor of but fifty cents in cash. After his marriage he worked for his father-in-law and. being a man of energy, sound judgment and wise economy, he managed to save some money. Subsequently he bought a small farm in the hills of Stark county, going into debt for most of the purchase price. Com- mencing with a yoke of oxen, he went manfully 'to work and succeeded in realizing a profit in his operations. Subsequently he sold this hilly land and in 1857 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land near Paris, Ohio, and on this farm he spent his remaining days. He was prospered and added to his landed possessions from time to time as he was able and at the time of his death he owned four hundred and twelve acres of fine land and twelve thousand dollars in money. After he had gotten a fair start, he made money rapidly. He was shrewd and far-sighted and was not afraid to run chances, the outcome of his transactions proving the soundness of his judgment. He invariably sold his crops at the top of the market and in other ways showed the qualities of a keen business man. From boyhood he had been a member
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of the Amish Mennonite church. He was the father of eleven children, namely : Jacob, John, Peter, Joseph, Catherine, Leah, Daniel, Mary, Lizzie, Sarah and Amos. Of these, seven are yet living.
Daniel Ramseyer was reared on the paternal estate and assisted his father in the manifold duties of the farm. During his youth he attended the common schools and secured a fair education. His father, who had been denied the privilege of an education, was determined that his children should enjoy what had been denied to him. The subject was married at the age of twenty-two years and at that time his father gave him one thousand dollars with which to start him in life for himself. Daniel at once bought one hun- dred acres of land of his father, which he sold in a short time at a handsome profit, and during the following three years he was engaged in operating his father's farm of two hundred and three acres. In 1878 he moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, where he now lives. At that time but little improvement had been made on the place, but in a short time, under the able management and wise direction of the subject, the place became known as one of the well-improved and prof- itable farms of the township. In 1890 Mr. Ramseyer erected a fine barn, ninety feet by forty-five feet in size, in which he can shelter thirty-two head of horses, besides a capacious hay loft and other convenient arrangements. He has added to his land holding's at different times and became the owner of three hundred and twenty-two acres of splendid and fertile land in Greene township, all of which is under the subject's personal supervision, excepting one hundred and eighteen acres which he sold to his son, A. C. Ramseyer. The land is estimated to be worth easily forty thousand dollars, and it is doubtful if that sum would induce Mr. Ramseyer to part with the place.
One of the principal features of Mr. Ramseyer's operations has been the feeding of horses, and in this line he is known far and wide. He handles the finest and purest-bred Norman horses and so well known has his stock be- come that they find instant sale as soon as they reach the eastern markets, and frequently buyers from those markets come to Mr. Ramseyer's farm to secure the horses they desire. Some of the animals sold by him have been the equal of any produced on this continent and they command fancy prices. Few better judges of horseflesh live than Mr. Ramseyer and his high ideal of a perfect horse has enabled him to maintain a high standard in his feeding, a fact duly appreciated and recognized by those who have had dealings with him. This feature of his business has been a source of considerable income,- indeed, Mr. Ramseyer has made a success of everything he has undertaken, being considered one of the most successful and progressive farmers and stockmen in Wayne county.
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In 1875 Daniel Ramseyer married Rebecca Smiley, a native of the state of Indiana, and to them have been born the following children : Alvin C., born January 17, 1880, who is a graduate of the school at Goshen, has been twice married, first to Miss Yoder and second to Miss Schrock; Amanda, born January 8, 1883; Melvin, born January 8, 1886; Chauncey, born De- cember 13, 1888; Mary, born April 22, 1892; Ward, born August 5, 1894. The family are all members of the Amish Mennonite church, to which they give an earnest and generous support. In politics Mr. Ramseyer is a Demo- crat, though he voted for William McKinley for President. He is keenly alive to the best interests of the community and gives his support to every movement that promises to benefit his fellow citizens. Genial in disposition and of sterling integrity of character, he has won a warm place in the hearts ยท of all who know him, and he stands high in the estimation of the people of the community.
JOSEPH G. SANBORN.
It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that industry is the key to prosperity. Success comes not to him who idly waits for Fortune's favors, but to the faithful toiler who, with cheerful celerity and sleepless vigi- lance. takes advantage of every circumstance calculated to promote his inter- ests. Such a man is Joseph G. Sanborn, secretary of the Wayne Building and Loan Company and a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Wooster, who within a comparatively brief period has advanced from an humble station in life to a proud position among the leading business men of a city long noted for the high order of its business talent. Mr. Sanborn is a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and one of a family of six children whose parents, Joseph Beverly and Mary Jane Sanborn, were both born and reared in the state of New Hampshire. The Sanborn family is of English stock, Lieut. John, Wil- liam and Stephen Sanborn, three brothers, having come to America with their grandfather, Rev. Stephen Bachiler, in 1632, settling in Hampton, New Hampshire.
Joseph Beverly Sanborn, the subject's grandfather, was born in Deer -. field. New Hampshire, July 4. 1762, and spent his life not far from the place of his birth. His son, Joseph B. Sanborn, the subject's father, came to Ohio in 1837, where for a number of years he was a successful teacher in the public schools. About 1849 he took up his residence in Loudonville, Ashland county, where he subsequently became deputy collector of internal revenue, and also
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served a series of terms as justice of the peace. He was a fine type of the educated New England gentleman who stood high in the confidence of the public and his death, which occurred in the above town in 1882, was deeply mourned and profoundly regretted by his friends and fellow citizens.
Mary Jane Smith, wife of J. B. Sanborn, and daughter of Moses Levant Smith, was born in Merrimack county, New Hampshire, and spent her early life in the town of Meredith, where in due time she made the acquaintance of the gentleman who subsequently became her husband. Their marriage took place in the East and was blessed with six children, four of whom survive, namely : Mrs. Clara J. Winans, of Galion, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah L. Taylor, of Loudonville : Charles L., also a resident of that town, and Joseph G., whose name introduces this sketch. The mother of these children was called from earth in the month of March, 1870, and left to them the tender memory of a life lovingly and unselfishly devoted to their interests and welfare.
Joseph G. Sanborn, whose birth occurred on November 8, 1847, was two years old when his parents moved from Holmes county to Loudonville, where he spent his childhood and youth. He obtained his preliminary education in the district schools and later attended the academy of Loudonville until his sixteenth year, when he severed home ties and went to Ashland to learn the printer's trade. After serving a three-years apprenticeship and becoming not only a skillful typo but familiar with nearly every phase of the business, he was made foreman of the office of the Ashland Times, the official Republican organ of Ashland county and one of the leading local papers in the northern part of the state. Within a brief period he rose to the position of local editor and as such rendered efficient service to his employer, proving an energetic and untiring news gatherer and an interesting and attractive writer in preparing his items for publication.
Mr. Sanborn remained with the above paper six years, when he resigned and in 1870 came to Wooster to take a similar position with the Wooster Re- publican, of which Enos Foreman was then editor and proprietor. In August of the same year he and Captain McClure purchased the paper and assumed control of the same, Mr. Sanborn becoming business manager of the enter- prise, besides doing a large part of the editorial work, a department originally intended for his associate.
During the fifteen years that Mr. Sanborn was connected with the Re- publican he not only made it one of the most popular and influential local sheets in northern Ohio, but secured a patronage which enabled him to build up a large and prosperous business. Coming to Wooster a stranger, with but meager capital, he addressed himself resolutely to the work of rendering his
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paper acceptable to the public and it is needless to state that he succeeded in his laudable aim, as the enterprise grew from the beginning and in due time, as already indicated, became an influential factor in moulding public sentiment, also the source of liberal income. Assuming a large obligation in the purchase of the plant, he succeeded by judicious management in meeting the same and in the course of a few years the property was not only free from incumbrance and on a self-supporting basis, but, as stated above, the business was so con- ducted as to become very successful from a financial standpoint.
Disposing of his interest in the paper at the expiration of the period indi- cated, Mr. Sanborn took a few years of needed rest, during which time he re- cuperated his overwrought energies, regained his strength and was thus well fitted for the heavy and responsible duties upon which he subsequently entered. In March, 1899, he assisted in establishing the Wayne Building and Loan Company, from which date to the present time he has been the efficient secre- tary of the organization, the success of which is largely due to his judicious management and general oversight. The association has an authorized cap- ital of one million dollars, with assets considerably in excess of one hundred thousand dollars and is one of the strongest and most popular organizations of the kind in the state. It is backed by some of the leading business men and financiers of Wooster and Wayne county and during the eleven years of its existence has proven of inestimable value to men of moderate means desirous of securing homes, also a safe means of investment for those with surplus capital at their disposal.
On the evening of Thanksgiving day, November 30, 1876, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Sanborn and Kate E., daughter of the late Dr. S. F. Day, for many years one of Wooster's most distinguished physicians and sur- geons. Mrs. Sanborn died February 6, 1903. She was a native of Wooster, received her educational training in the city schools, and was a most lovable and esteemed woman. Three children, Mrs. Henry D. Allen, Martha Virginia, and Lloyd Day, are residents of Wooster, the son being his father's able assistant in the office.
Mr. Sanborn is a Baptist in his religious belief and demonstrates his faith by his daily life and conversation. He is an active and influential member of the church in Wooster and has filled the office of treasurer and trustee for the organization and is now serving in the capacity of deacon.
In his relations with the public, Mr. Sanborn has ever been enterprising and progressive, giving his support to all measures that tend to advance his city and county and assisting every laudable means for the general good of his fellow men. He was one of the organizers of the Wooster Board of
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Trade, and served for some time on the legislative committee of the same, besides contributing in many other ways to the success and perpetuity of the enterprise. Of high character and unimpeachable integrity, he has made his influence felt for good in the different stations to which called, and, a self- made man in all the term implies, he has just reason to be proud of his achieve- ments and of the universal esteem in which he is held throughout the county of Wayne. Few citizens in this part of Ohio are so widely known, none oc- cupy a more conspicuous place in the confidence of the public, and it is a com- pliment worthily bestowed to class him with the representative men of his day and generation in the city of his residence.
WILLIAM A. SOLLIDAY.
A man who has stamped the impress of his strong individuality upon the minds of the people of Clinton township, Wayne county, Ohio, in a manner as to render him one of the conspicuous characters of this locality is William A. Solliday, well known grocer of Shreve, in the development of which place he has ever been an important factor. Faithfulness to duty and a strict ad- herence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's inter- ests than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained. He is known to be a man of strictly honest business principles, industrious, pleasant and agreeable.
Mr. Solliday was born in Plain township. this county, June 14. 1862. the son of John and Susanna (Sparr) Solliday, the father a successful farmer of that community. These parents were married in this county and have since made their home here, four children having been born to them, named as follows : Ida Mary, William A., Sidna G. and Lyman L.
William A. Solliday, of this review, was educated in the common schools of Plain township and Smithville. He applied himself very closely to his text books and when twenty-one years of age began teaching, having charge of the Strauss school in Plain township in 1884 and in 1885 he taught at the Maple Grove school in Plain township. But not taking as kindly to teaching as he had anticipated, he abandoned the same although he had a very good start in this line of endeavor, and, in 1886, following the tide of emigration then setting in to the comparatively new state of Kansas. he found himself at Kingman, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, meeting with fair
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success in these enterprises. He returned to Wayne county, Ohio, and launched in the grocery business at Shreve, soon enjoying a good patronage, and-he has continued in the same with increasing success, owning now one of the neatest and most popular stores in this section of the county, always carrying a fresh and carefully selected stock of goods, his place of business being the mecca of farmers from a wide range of territory.
Mr. Solliday has found time to mingle in politics and has aided in what- ever way possible the advancement of his community. In 1907 he was elected clerk of the local school board, of which he was one of the most enthusiastic members. Politically he is a Democrat and in religious matters holds mem- bership with the local Presbyterian congregation.
On December 28, 1887, Mr. Solliday married Agnes J. Lebo, daughter of Jonathan and Fiatta (Camp) Lebo, a highly respected family of Holmes county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Solliday are the parents of one daughter, Fern Geraldine, born in Kingman, Kansas, April 28, 1900. She is now at- tending school in Shreve, being in the third grade.
Fraternally, Mr. Solliday belongs to the Ancient Order United Woodmen in Kansas and the Maccabees.
JACOB A. MILLER.
The life history of him whose name introduces this review is closely identified with the history of Wayne county, which has been his home for many years. His business career was begun in this county, and throughout the years which have since come and gone he has been closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success attained by comparatively few. He is of the highest type of business man, and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among those whose enterprise and abilities have enabled them to climb the ladder of success and whose sterling qualities have been widely recog- nized in their native county.
Jacob A. Miller, who is now engaged in the operation of the old Miller homestead in section 20, Greene township, was born on this farm on the 7th of January, 1850. He was there reared and secured a fair education in the common schools of the locality. He assisted his father in the work of the farm until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account. He first engaged in the timber business, being principally employed in furnishing car timber for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad
JACOB A. MILLER
MRS. SARAH MILLER
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Company, at which he continued about sixteen years. During the first part of this period he made his home in Seneca county, Ohio, and later at Defiance, Ohio. He was financially successful in the lumber business and at length was enabled to buy a splendid farm in Defiance county. While living there, he took a deep interest in local affairs and served several terms as trustee. In March, 1887, Mr. Miller retired from the lumber business and returned to his old home in Greene township, Wayne county, which he purchased. He entered at once on the operation of the place, which he has greatly improved and brought up to a high standard of excellence, it being now considered one of the best farms in the township. In addition to the cultivation of the soil, Mr. Miller also gives considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has achieved a distinctive success. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty-four acres and the present condition of the place indicates to the passer-by the fact that the owner is a man of good taste and wise discrimina- tion. Everything about the place is kept in good shape and the farming opera- tions are carried on under the most favorable conditions, a full line of up-to- date machinery and other convenient accessories being here found.
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