USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE D. BARNARD
1109
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
An ardent Republican in politics, Mr. Barnard has served his fellow citi- zens in several official capacities. He served two terms as township clerk, and was then elected township trustee of Congress township, in which posi- tion he has been retained during the past seven years. He has been a member of the board of education for the past eight years. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, holding membership in Lodge No. 552. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard are members of the Presbyterian church at Congress, and to this society they give a cordial and generous support.
On the last day of the year 1885 Mr. Barnard took unto himself a help- meet in the person of Rosa E. Howey, who was born in Congress township, this county, the daughter of John and Nancy ( Henderson) Howey. These parents, who are now deceased, were early settlers of Congress township, the grand father having taken his land from the government by patent. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have been born six children, namely: Grace, deceased ; Mabel, who is a graduate of the Congress high school, class of 1908; Charles, Maude, John and George, Jr. Progress has been Mr. Barnard's motto from the beginning and his career throughout presents a succession of advance- ments which have won for him the high standing he today enjoys as one of the representative men of the township.
SAMUEL KERSTETER.
Samuel Kersteter was descended from sturdy German ancestors, who settled in Center county, Pennsylvania. His parents were Leonard and Elizabeth Kersteter, the former born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. and the latter in Germany. Leonard Kersteter, who lived to the age of eighty- seven years, was a carpenter by trade and he successfully followed this occu- pation during his early years in Center county, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he purchased a farm, which he operated, and at the same time he ran a saw-mill. In politics he was a Democrat and served as supervisor. He was the father of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, all of large physique and all living to ripe old ages. Of these children, the subject of this sketch is the only one now living.
Samuel Kersteter was born in Heintz township, Center county, Pennsyl- vania, on August 29, 1820. He was reared under the paternal roof, but was deprived of the opportunity of attending school during his early youth. The German language was spoken almost exclusively among the members of
ยท
IIIO
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
the family and the subject was unable to speak English readily until he was eighteen years of age. From that age on he exerted every effort to acquire proficiency in the English language and to secure what education he could in a general way, so that, considering his opportunities, Mr. Kersteter be- came a very well informed man. He was during his life a careful and dis- criminating reader and a close observer of men and things and possessed a fair knowledge of things in general. In his youth he turned his attention to the blacksmith's trade, which he learned, and in 1844 he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and here followed his trade at various locations in this and Ash- land counties. He was so employed at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he offered his services in defense of his country and enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the date of his enlistment being August 12, 1862. This regiment was employed as a body guard for General Grant during the western campaigns. In the early part of 1863 a forced march was made from Louisville, Kentucky, to Frank- fort, that state, and so urgent was the order for quick speed that of the en- tire regiment that started only sixty-eight men reached their destination, one of them being the subject. However, because of his extraordinary exertions on this march he suffered an enlargement of the veins of his legs, which crippled him to such an extent that he was forced to go into the hospital for treatment. In March, 1863, he was honorably discharged because of dis- ability. After his discharge he returned to his home and then for several years he lived at Ashland. He subsequently located a shop two miles south of West Salem, and still later to Albion, where he lived for eleven years. In 1885, feeling the weight of advancing years, and having acquired a suffi- ciency of this world's goods to keep him comfortably the rest of his days, Mr. Kersteter retired from active labor. More recently he sold his farm and was living in West Salem at the time of his death. Since the death of Mrs. Kersteter, he had for companions his son Clark and family, who lived with him in his comfortable home on West Buckeye street. The subject was one of the grand old men of this community and he enjoyed the warm regard and confidence of all who knew him. He passed through rare ex- periences during his long life and in an interesting manner told entertainingly of his early struggles and of early customs and incidents, when this section was but thinly settled and very primitive in its development.
In politics Mr. Kersteter always voted the Democratic ticket and ren- dered efficient service in the capacity of school director and supervisor. His church relations were with the Methodist Episcopal, of which he was long a faithful and consistent member.
IIII
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Mr. Samuel Kersteter was united in marriage to Elizabeth Cramer, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1825, the daugh- ter of Jacob Cramer. The latter, who was a turner by trade, moved to Wayne county, Ohio, when his daughter Elizabeth was but four years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Kersteter were born eight children, as follows: William, born September 18, 1846, is deceased; James N., born October 17, 1848, deceased; George N., born June 10, 1852, now lives in Fulton county, Illi- nois; Johnson, born March 14, 1855, now deceased; Clark, born November 30, 1857; Melissa J., born January 31, 1850; A. J., born in 1860; Carrie, born December 21, 1864, deceased.
Of these children, Clark Kersteter is the superintendent of bridge con- struction on the Erie railroad, having been with that company for thirty years, and has built many of the best and largest bridges on the line. On December 7, 1882, he married Clara E. Funck, of Lattasburg, Ohio. She was born January 2, 1863, and is a daughter of Joseph A. Funck, a prom- inent farmer of Wayne county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kersteter have been born the following children : Carrie Idella, born June 26, 1884; died July 7, 1885; Harry Clifton, born December 9, 1885, is an employee of the Erie railroad and works with his father; Bertha Elizabeth, born June II, 1888; Zoe Mar- garet, born December 17, 1891, died July 1, 1900; Joseph Cloud and Sam- tel Lloyd, twins, born August 13, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Kersteter made their home with their father, the aged subject of this review, to whom they give every needed attention and endeavored to make his last years as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
ADRIAN C. SWART.
Very often it is greatly to the advantage of the farmer's boy that, in- stead of rushing off to the town or city nearest his native community, as so many of them do, to become a poor grocery clerk or factory employe, he re- mains in the country where he was brought up and where he knows what is necessary to make an honest living. He knows when and how to seed and har- vest his crops, and knows what is necessary to insure success in the raising and marketing of stock. If he goes to the city he must learn another business. and enter into competition with men who have grown up to the business. which he must acquire ; he is thus at a great disadvantage. These things seem to have been properly considered by Adrian C. Swart, for he has remained on the farm where he was born in Plain township, Wayne county, on February
1112
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
20, 1864, and he has made a success of life in his chosen pursuit and is the owner of valuable property, whereas had he forsaken the old home when a boy and went to some metropolis he might today be living in a small rented. house and working for a mere pittance. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Casper L. Swart, well known people in this county. The father was a far- mer and owned the farm the subject is now living on. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Cormany, was born in Blachleyville. She died April, 1885, and the father died in October, 1898. They lie side by side in the Blachleyville cemetery.
Adrian C. Swart attended the district schools of his community during the winter months, spending his summers working in the crops on the home place. The farm had its attractions for him and he has devoted the rest of his life to agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner of one of the best farms in Plain township, consisting of one hundred acres in the edge of Blachley- ville, a part of which is the old Swart homestead. He has greatly improved the same and has so tilled the soil as to cause it to retain its original fertility. He understands all the diversified phases of farming and he keeps some good stock; however, he does not make a specialty of stock raising. He has a good home, outbuildings, orchard, garden and all that goes to make such a life pleasant.
Mr. Swart was married on December 26, 1889, to Zoe G. Armstrong, daughter of W. V. Armstrong and wife, the former a son of William Arm- strong, a pioneer of Canaan township, this county. They have two children, Paul Harrold, born December 16, 1890, and Miles Merrill, born November 22, 1892. Politically, Mr. Swart is a Democrat. His religious membership is with the Christian church, while fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
SAMUEL SCHMUCK.
History generally treats of those who have attained eminence in politics or statecraft, or in military circles and to some extent in the field of letters and art, but has little to do with those toilers upon whom the real prosperity and progress of the nations depend. It is left to specific biography to perpetuate the record of those law-abiding citizens who, in the midst of the active affairs of this busy wordaday world, have stood forth in integrity of purpose, loyalty to friends and rative land, and in that enterprise and industry which have made for the well-being of their respective communities. To this class be-
Samuel Schmuck
1
. Mrs. Mary Schmuck
III3
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
longed the late Samuel Schmuck, of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, who during his active years was one of the progressive and successful farm -. ers and stock growers of his township, where he passed the best years of his life and where he gained prosperity through his own well directed effort, the while commanding the unequivocal esteem of the community in which his life history is familiar.
Samuel Schmuck was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th day of July, 1822. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Hymiller ) Schmuck, who, in 1832, made the long and wearisome trip from their section of the Keystone state to their new home in Wayne county, Ohio. Here the father entered a tract of land and during the remainder of his active years he devoted himself to the cultivation of this farm. His death occurred at the age of seventy-three years. The subject of this sketch was but ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and he re- mained at home and assisted in the cultivation of the farm until his marriage in 1847, at which time he acquired a fine farm in section 23, Franklin town- ship, where he spent his remaining days. He entered at that time actively into the work of improving and developing his newly-acquired place and suc- ceeded admirably, the farm becoming widely known as one of the best in the township. Mr. Schmuck was energetic in his efforts and his business affairs were conducted with a soundness that seldom permitted him to err. He was indefatigable and gave his personal attention to every detail of the farm work so that he was able to realize handsome returns from his operations.
In 1847 Mr. Schmuck was united in marriage with Sarah Geitgey, a daughter of John Geitgey. She died, leaving one son, James Henry. The latter died in 1880, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving a widow and two children. On January 27, 1854, Mr. Schmuck married Mary Myers, a daugh- ter of Daniel and Martha Myers, and to this union were born four children, namely: David Edwin; Sarah is the wife of S. H. Billman, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Ida May is unmarried and lives on the home place with her brother, David E., who is engaged in its operation; Anna May is deceased. Mrs. Schmuck's father, David Myers, was a native of Germany, where he was born in 1814, and at the age of seventeen years he came to the United States, the trip across the ocean requiring three months, during which period they were twice shipwrecked. He located in Pennsylvania, where he learned and worked at the carpenter trade. He married Martha (DeWeese) Shively, and they spent their last days on a farm in Wayne county, Ohio. The subject of this sketch died on the 19th of October, 1893, and in his death the com- munity suffered a distinct loss, his having been one of those strong, virile
III4
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
lives which leaves its impress on the entire community. His widow survived him a number of years, her death occurring on January 19, 1904. Their remains lie side by side in the cemetery at Wooster. They were members of the Lutheran church and in their lives they exemplified the religious faith which they professed. They were extremely domestic in their tastes, their chief concern being for their home and family, and the examples which they set before their children were worthy to be followed. Mr. Schmuck was a man of splendid personal qualities and enjoyed a large circle of warm personal friends, who admired him for his personal worth. On each Decoration day, with filial piety, his daughter Ida places the choicest flowers over his grave and that of her mother and sister Anna. He was endeared to his family by his kindness and their love for him is a perpetual memorial.
Within about two miles of Wooster, almost adjoining the lands of the State Agricultural Experiment Station, from the table lands, undulating in beautiful perspective, the Wooster University, north of the valley, observable, with commodious buildings, the prescience of the father is manifested by a value of twenty-five thousand dollars, upon the once modest and uncultivated beginning of his early home.
Edward and Ida are the sole owners of this model farm of about one hundred and seventy acres. Their large and commodious dwelling has the modern improvements and is tastefully furnished; the residence being within a short distance of Wooster, it is a combination of the conveniences of city and country life, and there is something quite novel in the ease with which their large number of acres is successfully managed. It has always been a hospitable home, and the children imitate the liberal disposition of the par- ents to their many friends.
There are many pleasant and honorable reminiscences in the family his- tory. Samuel DeWeese and Jacob Besse, great-grandfathers of the Myers family, and a great-grandfather, Hymiller, of the Schmuck family, were sol- diers of the Revolution of 1776, and Ida, the great-granddaughter, is a char- ter member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, and also a member of the Wooster (Wayne county) chapter of the same society, and to which also Edward and the other children of Samuel Schmuck are eligible. The children have steadily followed in the religious footsteps of their parents, and are members of the Lutheran church.
The engravings presented of Samuel and Mary Schmuck indicate much personal beauty and intelligence, and their many virtues that can not be writ- ten, may be gathered from the fine expression of their pictures and the per- sonality of their descendants.
-----
-
III5
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
CAPT. GEORGE P. EMRICH.
Prominent among the worthy representatives of the pioneer element in Wayne county is the Emrich family, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch being an interesting and praiseworthy connecting link between that picturesque epoch and the opulent present, having played well his part in all phases of life in this locality and winning the right to be referred to as one of the county's most substantial and progressive citizens.
Capt. George P. Emrich, now living practically retired from the active duties of life in his beautiful home in Wooster, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 1821. His father, Joseph Emrich, was also born in Berks county, reared, attended the primitive schools and mar- ried there. Leaving the home of his ancestors, he made a tedious overland trip to Wayne county, Ohio, in May, 1831, bringing his family and house- hold goods in an old-fashioned covered wagon, his son, George P., then being ten years of age. The family settled on a farm four iniles north of Wooster, the land remaining all these years in the family name, the property of George P. for many decades. The elder Emrich purchased a half section owned by William Elgin and Mordecai Boon, Captain Emrich still possessing the gov- ernment title to these lands, signed by President Madison. This land was developed into an excellent farm, Joseph Emrich having been a hard worker and a good manager. In his youth he married Elizabeth Kiser, who, like himself, was born of a fine old family of Berks county, Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of three daughters and one son. The elder Em- rich was summoned to his reward on August 31, 1863, in his seventieth year, his wife following him to the silent land in December of that year, aged sixty-five. George P., their son, remained under the parental roof, assist- ing, when he became of proper age, in the work about the place, until he was twenty-one years old, with the exception of about eighteen months spent with J. P. Coulter & Company, in their drug store, and with Robison & Jacobs, in the dry goods business in Wooster. He received a somewhat limited but serviceable education in the local schools, and in later years he became a well read man on current topics. Not taking any too kindly to the mercan- tile profession, young Emrich left Wooster and returned to his father's farm and for a period of three years cultivated the same upon the shares. thereby getting a good start. He then moved upon the west quarter of the original half section, having purchased the same from his father, going in debt for most of it, but it was all paid for in eight years, at the end of which time he went back to the old homestead, where he continued to reside and
III6
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
prospered at general farming and stock raising, in a short time owning a half interest in the original homestead. He took an especial interest in stock raising, buying and selling, handling large numbers of good horses, having always been an admirer of good saddlers and drivers as well as draft animals.
The breaking out of the greatest of civil struggles in the world's history found him thus busily and successfully engaged, but he unhesitatingly left his business, his pleasant fireside and all that made life attractive and offered his services, like the loyal Spartan of ancient days, to his country. On Au- gust 15, 1862, he was commissioned captain of Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a regiment which saw much hard fighting, and Captain Emrich comported himself as a gallant and fearless soldier in all the campaigns and battles in which his company was called upon to participate. He survived the scourge of malaria in the Mis- sissippi swamps and the disaster at Chickasaw, where his company was without lieutenant or orderly, all being sick or detailed; also fought at Ar- kansas Post. On account of illness, in the spring of 1863, he was discharged for disability, after which he returned home and, for several years, his health was not robust, but he has never regretted his service to his country.
In 1866 Captain Emrich launched in the banking business in Wooster, in which he was very successful from the first and which has claimed his almost exclusive attention during his subsequent business career, long the well-known president of the National Bank at Wooster, a safe and conserva- tive institution which owes much of its prestige to Captain Emrich.
In view of the fact that the Captain has always been a public-spirited . man he has been deeply interested in whatever tended to the county's prog- ress, politically and otherwise. In 1856 he was elected justice of the peace of Wayne township and so faithfully did he perform the duties of the same that he was re-elected in 1859, being the first Republican elected to that office in Wayne township. Although he erected one of the finest and most com- fortable of homes in Wooster, on North Market street, he has always en- joyed the quiet retreat of his splendidly cultivated farm and spent consider- able time there.
Captain Emrich has been twice married. On May 9, 1843, he and Sarah Fryberger, of East Greenville, Stark county, Ohio, were united in the bonds of matrimony. She was called to her reward on April 15, 1863. On August 24, 1865, the Captain married Kate Garver, of Chester township. Four children were born to the first union, one of whom, Will Emrich, long a teller in the Wooster National Bank, was a student of the University of
.
III7
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Wooster, and was a member of the scientific corps that visited the parks and canyons of Colorado under the direction of Doctor Stoddard, of that institu- tion. Two children were born of the Captain's second marriage.
Captain Emrich has always been a close friend of Wooster University and has done a great deal in promoting its interests. He at the outset sub- scribed the sum of five hundred dollars to the institution, but later contrib- uted liberally of his funds and time to procure whatever the university needed, having by his untiring efforts aided in obtaining sixty-five thousand dollars towards its subscriptions.
WOOSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
An institution of which any community might well be justly proud is the Wooster Public Library and Museum, which is the delightful fruitage of faith- ful philanthropic labor, and no history of Wayne county would be complete were there failure to give it and the worthy gentleman who has been the prin- cipal moving spirit of the same, proper space and recognition.
In 1895 a few ladies met at the home of Mrs. George J. Schwartz and, in response to a long felt want, decided to start a reading room, the principal object being to offer some inducement to the young who might be wantonly wandering about the streets, to turn their attention to the perusal of whole- some literature. Thus the enterprise had its incipiency, and everything started off very encouragingly, but after a year of continued success, interest waned, and although this was generally recognized as a worthy object. funds for its maintenance were secured with difficulty and abandonment remained as the inevitable outcome. In this trying and critical moment, George J. Schwartz was appealed to and, with generous and earnest spirit, he at once came to the rescue and for a period of four years solicited the necessary funds and otherwise aided to keep the reading room open, a very creditable and praiseworthy work which the people of the city and community fully ap- preciate.
Interest continuing to grow, a permanent organization was effected in 1897 and a charter for the Free Library Association obtained and a small ap- propriation was made by the board of education in 1900 toward paying ex- penses. The interest of all classes continuing to grow, the reading room became too small and larger and more attractive quarters were found and oc- cupied. By the year 1903 these rooms had been outgrown and an appeal was made to Andrew Carnegie for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, which he
III8
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
accordingly granted. At once plans were perfected, a suitable lot procured and actual work of constructing the new building was begun about May, 1903, but on account of a delay in obtaining proper funds and material, the building was not ready for occupancy until May, 1905. All during this per- iod Mr. Schwartz was a moving spirit and he continued as trustee until in June, 1907, when his term expired and he failed of re-appointment. He had accomplished a great work in securing the building and otherwise aiding in keeping alive the interest in the library, which he had been connected with and deeply interested in for a period of twelve years.
The first six years of the enterprise were exceedingly hard, due espe- cially to the raising of funds, and for years the library was continually indebted to Mr. Schwartz in the sum of many hundreds of dollars, not taking into ac- count the time spent soliciting funds and collecting. The utmost persistency was required to keep the reading room open, but now it must be a great pleas- ure to Mr. Schwartz when passing the beautiful building to stop and look in at all its attractive appointments, cognizant of the fruits of his labors. All credit is due him and he has the lasting esteem and the admiring plaudits of his numerous acquaintances and friends for such a noble monument to his enter- prise, foresight and unselfish ambition.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.