USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 26
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In Virginia, in August, 1861, he was promoted from private in Company E to fifth sergeant of Company D and in October, 1861, after the death of Colonel Andrews, he was, by Col. James Cantwell, promoted to sergeant- major of the Fourth Regiment.
On recommendation for promotion by Col. John S. Mason, United States Army, who succeeded Colonel Cantwell, he was on December 22, 1861, com- missioned second lieutenant by William Dennison, governor of Ohio, and was assigned to duty in Company G (Capt. Peter Grubb) and afterwards in Company D (Capt. Gordon A. Stewart). He was acting adjutant of the regiment for some time.
In September, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant by David Todd, governor of Ohio, and assigned to duty in his first Company, E. Fourth Regi-
(72)
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ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged at Fort Gaines near Georgetown, D. C., June 7, 1863, on surgeon's certificate of physical disability, caused by the hardships endured in the campaigns through which he had passed.
On recommendation of officers under whom he served and after going before a military board at Washington and passing a favorable examination as to soldierly qualifications, he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company C, Twentieth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, February II, 1864, by Abra- ham Lincoln, President of the United States; and on September 8, 1864, President Lincoln promoted him to captain of that company at Point Look- out, Maryland. The Veteran Reserve Corps being a branch of the United States army, not belonging to any state troops, these commissions of lieutenant and captain, issued by the President, had to be and were confirmed by the United States Senate.
For a time he was an officer, captain and inspector on the staff of Gen. William H. Browne, of New York City, on duty in Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia with headquarters at Baltimore. He participated in the following engagements in Maryland and Virginia : Middle Fork Bridge, Rich Mountain, Mechanicsburg, Romney First, Romney Second, Blue Gap, French's Store, Bloomery Gap, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Woodstock, Edin- burg, Mt. Jackson, Rood's Hill, Stony Creek, New Market, Salem, White Plains, Front Royal, Petersburg, Port Republic, Elvington Heights, Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, Second Bull Run, Centerville, Snicker's Gap, Fredericksburg, Falmouth, Bank's Ford, Monocacy.
He served under the following generals: J. D. Cox, Kelley, Schleigh, McClellan, Rosecrans, Benham, Lander, Shields, Nathan, Kimbal, Keyes, Ferry, Casey, E. B. Tyler, John S. Mason, S. S. Carroll, N. P. Banks, John C. Fremont, O. Brown, W. H. Browne, W. B. Franklin, W. S. Hancock, Alex. Hayes, Couch, W. F. Smith, E. V. Sumner, French, James B. Fry, A. E. Burnside, Joe Hooker, Grant, John Gibbon, E. K. Warren, O. C. Ord, McDowell, O. O. Howard, Lew Wallace, etc.
With other soldiers then in that department of the country, Captain Jeffries at once went to Washington at the time President Lincoln was as- sassinated by Wilkes Booth, and early in the morning of April 15, 1865, he was in the excited and sad crowd of citizens and soldiers in front of the house (to which the night before Lincoln had been carried unconscious from Ford's theater ), when the President died. He was one of the many soldiers at the funeral of Lincoln in Washington, and was among the guard of honor that stood near the remains while thousands of citizens passed by taking a "last view."
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A month after this, on May 23, 1865, he was among the tens of thousands who participated in the "Last Grand Review" of the Union Army at Wash- ington.
After this he was sent on duty into Virginia on the "Reconstruction" service under Gen. O. O. Howard-Gen. O. Brown having charge of the state of Virginia, with headquarters at Richmond. Captain Jeffries was stationed at Jerusalem, Southampton county, Virginia, on the Nottaway river near the great "Dismal Swamp" running into North Carolina.
In brief, Lemuel Jeffries served in the Union army from 1861 to 1866, as follows: Private Company E, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; fifth sergeant Company D, Fourth Regiment; first sergeant Company D, Fourth Regiment; sergeant major Fourth Regiment; second lieutenant Com- pany G, Fourth Regiment; second lieutenant Company D, Fourth Regiment ; acting adjutant Fourth Regiment; first lieutenant Company E, Fourth Regi- ment; first lieutenant Company C, Twentieth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps; captain Company C, Twentieth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps; captain on general's staff ; captain on "Reconstruction" duty in Virginia ; his muster out of the service.
In April, 1866, he returned from Virginia to Washington, where, on May 4, 1866, a year after the war closed, he was, as captain of Company C, Twentieth Regiment Reserve Corps, honorably discharged from service and returned to his home in Wooster, Ohio.
Captain Lemuel Jeffries died at his home in Wooster in the spring of 1909.
ALBERT I. HARTZLER.
Upon the roll of representative citizens and prominent and influential agriculturists of Greene township, Wayne county, appears the name of Albert I. Hartzler, who is also a stock man of more than local reputation, and he has been successful in whatever he has been interested. His birth occurred in Holmes county, this state, November 9, 1869, the son of Isaac and Sarah (Mast) Hartzler, the former born on a farm in Greene township, this county, October 16, 1824, and his death occurred here May 24, 1900. He was reared to manhood in his home community and then went to Holmes county, where he married Sarah Mast, daughter of Abraham Mast, of the last named county, and in 1877 he returned to Wayne county and here spent the remainder of his busy and successful life. He was one of the prosperous farmers of this
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locality. When he returned here from Holmes county he located where his father, John Hartzler, had settled when he came here from Pennsylvania in an early day. Thus the name Hartzler has long been a familiar and highly respected one in this part of Wayne county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hartzler six children were born, namely: Cath- erine, who became the wife of John Kreger; Jacob died in infancy ; Joseph, who married Mary Gingerich, lives in Texas ; Albert I., of this review ; Sarah, wife of J. S. Yoder, of Greene township: Elias E. married Rachael Grove.
Albert I. Hartzler was born in Holmes county and in 1877 he accom- panied his parents to Wayne county where he has continued to reside to the present time. He was educated in the common schools, and when he reached maturity he married Amanda B. Burkholder, daughter of J. K. Burk- holder, well known in Greene township where Mrs. Hartzler was reared and where she received her education in the district schools.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hartzler settled on the old home- stead which they now own, located in section 15, Greene township, consisting of one hundred and sixty-three acres, which is among the richest farms of the county. Having been a good manager, Mr. Hartzler has not worn his land out, but on the contrary has increased its productiveness. He has a large com- modious bank barn, and beautifully located brick house. He is an extensive stock raiser, being a breeder of short-horn Durham cattle, many of them being registered.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hartzler the following children have been born: Elma M., born May 18, 1897; Nora E., born April 1I, 1900; Ellis R., born January 29, 1902; Elida, born June 27, 1904.
Mr. Hartzler is a member of the Amish Mennonite church, and is one of the deacons of the same.
OSCAR DAVID KAUFMAN.
The history of this excellent family goes back to a remote period in the old Keystone state and from that day to this the many members bearing this name have endeavored to bear aloft the worthy name of the earliest progeni- tors in this country, thereby becoming well established and favorably known in whatever community they have been pleased to reside. Oscar D. Kauf- man, one of the best known of this name in Wayne county, whose present home is at Wooster, was born at Blachleyville, this county, on October 12,
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D. Kaufman
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1878, the son of Thomas J. and Susan (Urban) Kaufman, the former born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1834 and the latter in Lancaster county, that state, in 1847. Thomas J. Kaufman came from his Pennsylvania home to Ohio in 1840. The earliest record of the Kaufman family that can be definitely traced is that they were substantial citizens of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1790. The paternal grandfather is described as a man of sterling characteristics and of good business sagacity, and he left each of his children a very substantial inheritance when he died. He was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and he began his career in Junicta county, that state, in the farming and stock business. Learning of the better advantages to be had in Ohio, then practically undeveloped, he emigrated over- land to Wayne county in 1840, making the journey in old-fashioned covered wagons, and here, amid primitive conditions, he soon had a good start and his business grew to large proportions, in raising and fattening cattle and in ยท the stock commission business. He became one of the influential men of his community and his advice was often sought in various business matters. His death occurred in 1864.
Oscar D. Kaufman had the advantages of a liberal education, passing through the common schools and taking a special literary course in the Uni- versity of Wooster, also graduating from the Wooster Business College. Aft- er finishing his school work, he turned his attention to farming, and with the exception of the year 1899, at which time he was employed by the Ashland & Wooster Railroad Company, his time was spent on the farm. In October, 1904, he was appointed rural letter carrier from Funk, his home office, which he served very creditably until April I, 1907, when it was discontinued and he was ordered to report at Wooster, Ohio, where he was in charge of a route from that office. He is a member of his county association of Rural Letter Carriers, and has served as delegate to several of the state conventions of this organization. He successfully passed the examination for the railway postal service and has a high mark on the list of eligibles for that department.
Politically, Mr. Kaufman is a Republican and has always been active in political matters, and at one time he served very faithfully as central commit- teeman. He was elected justice of the peace in 1904, and he was twice candi- date for county recorder, but owing to the large Democratic majority failed of election, but made a very good race. The Kaufmans are members of the Lake Fork Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kaufman belongs to the St. James Club and the Taft Club. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Maccabees, Ebenezer Lodge, No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons, Wooster
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Chapter, No. 27, Royal Arch Masons, Wooster Council, Royal and Select Masters, and Wooster Commandery, No. 48, Knights Templar. He stands high in Masonic circles of the state and he believes in carrying into his every- day life the sublime precepts taught by these worthy orders.
SWEN A. SWANSON.
To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our great country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterizes the foreign element that has entered largely into our population. By comparison with their "old country" surroundings, these people have readily recognized the fact that in America lie the greatest opportunities for the man of ambition and energy. And be- cause of this many have broken the ties of home and native land and have entered earnestly upon the task of gaining in the new world a home and com- petence. Among this class may be mentioned Swen A. Swanson, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, not only acquired a well-merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has associated.
Swen A. Swanson is a Scandinavian by birth, having been born in far- away Sweden on the 20th of October, 1854, and is the son of Swen and Anna (Birdson) Swanson, both also natives of that country. The father was a soldier by profession, being a member of the standing army of Sweden. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Of these, the subject and a sister are the only ones who came to the United States. The father's death occurred in 1883 and his widow survived him a number of years, her death occurring in 1909. They never left their native land.
The subject was reared by his parents and received his education in the common schools of his native land. He was reared to the life of a farmer and in 187.4 he emigrated to the United States, locating first in New Jersey, where for three months he was employed as an ore miner. He then took up railroad work, in which he was engaged in a number of states for several years. However, he could not overcome his longing for the free outdoor life of the farm and the stimulating odor of the fresh soil, and in 1881 he came to Wayne county and for a number of years he was engaged in the cultivation of rented land. He was energetic, enterprising and economical and in 1902
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he was enabled to purchase a farm of one hundred acres in Congress town- ship, in the cultivation of which he has since been employed. He has made a number of permanent and substantial improvements on this property and has maintained it at the highest standard of excellence. He here carries on a diversified system of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and in connection with his farming operations he gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has been successful. During 1910 Mr. Swanson bought an attractive home in the quiet village of Pleasant Home, where he will reside, laying aside the major part of the work which has characterized his active years.
In politics Mr. Swanson gives his support to the Republican party and takes a live and commendable interest in local public affairs, though he is not in any sense a seeker after public office or preferment. In religion he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and in their daily lives they exemplify the religion which they profess. Fraternally, he is a member of the Grange.
On the 15th of February, 1883, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage with Maria Swinehart, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Josiah and Martha Swinehart. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed in the birth of four children, namely: Edna, Alice (the wife of Vern Kime), Irwin and Elmer. Mr. Swanson's business methods have ever been commendable and have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has been associated. By persistent energy, sound judgment and keen foresight he has succeeded in his chosen line of endeavor and is now the owner of one of the valuable farms of Congress township.
BENJAMIN GERIG.
One of Greene township's worthy and highly respected citizens is the above named, Rev. Benjamin Gerig, a man who is nobly performing his work as a minister of the Gospel, always willing and zealous to do his part in furthering the movements instituted here that will benefit his fellowmen in any way. He was born in France in 1842, the youngest son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Gerig. The former spent his life in agricultural pursuits and they were members of the Amish Mennonite church. Neither he nor his wife ever came to America. They were the parents of thirteen children. After the parents had died, which occurred while the subject of this
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sketch was yet young, and being among strangers, his school work being com- pleted, which consisted of French and German, receiving a fairly good educa- tion, which has since been supplemented by wide reading and home study ; and since the French government at that time required of every male citizen to serve in active military service for seven years and this not being in har- mony with his religious belief, and there seemed to be greater opportunities in the New World, he emigrated to America in 1860, at the age of seventeen years, following a former brother, who came for the same reason in 1856. Mr. Gerig married Lydia Schrock in 1862. She was born on the farm where they now reside, and was a daughter of Peter and Catharine ( Burkholder) Schrock, who emigrated to America from Switzerland in 1817. After their marriage they began farming as an occupation, and were successful in their work, in a general way improving their farms in fertility, buildings, etc.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gerig ten children were born, as follows: Caroline, Jacob, Seth. Emma, John, Catharine, Daniel, Christian, Lydia and Fanny. These all grew up to manhood and womanhood and most of them are mar- ried and are living in the community. Caroline, the oldest, died in 1898.
Benjamin Gerig was ordained to the ministry in the Amish Mennonite church in 1894 and in 1895 to the important office of bishop and is serving the church in this capacity at the present time. His charge is Oak Grove and Pleasant Hill, doing occasionally evangelistic work outside of his own charge. He visited most of the above named congregations throughout the United States and Canada. He is well and favorably known by all classes, whom he desires to serve to the best of his ability in every way possible.
JAMES T. STITT.
Among the honored veterans of the war of the Rebellion is numbered Mr. Stitt, who accorded to his country the loyal and patriotic service of a true son of the republic, and whose life has been such as to commend him to the respect and good will of his fellow men. He is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, and is a citizen of splendid personal qualities. His public-spiritedness and interest in the general welfare of the community has commended him to the favorable esti- mation of his fellow men and today he enjoys an enviable reputation in the township.
James T. Stitt is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in
Same I Stutt
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Belmont county on February 22, 1839, the son of Robert and Eliza (Tem- pleton) Stitt. In the spring of 1849, the family came to Wayne county and bought land in section 27, Franklin township, the tract comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres. To the task of clearing and improving this land the members of the family at once applied themselves and they succeeded in cre- ating one of the choice and productive farms of the locality. The log house was built which did service until a substantial frame house was erected, and this first log house is still standing in excellent condition. Robert Stitt died in 1860, at the age of fifty-one years, while his widow survived him more than a quarter of a century, her death occurring in 1887, at which time she was seventy-three years old. She was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and was of sturdy Scotch-Irish descent, while her husband was born near Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio. He was a Democrat in his polit- ical faith during his earlier years, but subsequently he allied himself with the Republican party, whose tickets he afterwards supported. He took a live and commendable interest in local public affairs and rendered appreciated service as trustee of his township. Originally they were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church, but in 1858 they severed their relations with that body and joined the Associate United Presbyterians. Robert and Eliza Stitt were the parents of the following children : John, who, during the Civil war, was a member of Company C, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, hold- ing the rank of corporal and sergeant, was in the siege of Vicksburg, and died soon after that event; James T., the immediate subject of this sketch; Wil- liam, who now resides at Grand Island, Nebraska, was a soldier in Company C, Sixteenth Ohio Regiment; Alexander, deceased, was a member of the same command and his death occurred three months after his enlistment, at Camp Denison ; Robert T. was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twen- tieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died in hospital at Cairo, Illinois, while on a furlough, and is buried at Wooster; Joseph H., deceased; Mary J., deceased, was the wife of Rev. J. H. Turnbull, who also is deceased ; Lucy J., the wife of B. F. Wallace, of Bloomington, Wayne township; Eliza is the wife of W. C. Cummings, of North Wooster; Margaret, of this township.
The subject was ten years of age when he accompanied the family on their removal to Wayne county. He was given the advantage of attendance on the common schools and the public schools of Wooster. He received a good education and taught school with marked success for ten consecutive years during the winter months. He then engaged exclusively in farming, to which line of effort he has since confined his attention. In May, 1864. Mr. Stitt evinced his patriotism by enlisting for the defense of his country, join-
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ing Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed sergeant, and his command was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, the subject being stationed during the greater part of the time at Washington. He was honorably discharged from the service at Cleveland, Ohio, in September of the same year and at once returned home. Since then he has been continuously engaged in the tilling of the soil, and has achieved a marked success in this line. He is the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty-nine acres, all the improvements of which have been made by himself. The land is very fertile and under the careful and discriminating care of Mr. Stitt it has been made to return splendid re- sults. Mr. Stitt is progressive in his methods and ideas and nothing is left undone to keep the place up to the highest standard of excellence.
Mr. Stitt was married to Mary Taggart, a native of Franklin township and the daughter of William and Lydia M. Taggart. To this union have been born two children, Robert W. and William T., both of whom are at home. Politically, Mr. Stitt is an ardent advocate of Republican principles and has taken an active part in local campaigns, though he has never been per- suaded to seek public office for himself. His religious affiliation is with the United Presbyterian church at Wooster, of which he is an earnest and lib- eral supporter. Mr. Stitt has witnessed many changes in conditions in Wayne county since his boyhood days and can relate many interesting reminiscences of those days. He is, despite his years, as alert mentally as ever and takes a keen interest in the trend of passing events. His sterling qualities of char- acter, his indomitable industry and his genial manners have won for him a host of warm personal friends throughout the community in which he lives and he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
HARVEY LINDSEY.
Though no land is richer in opportunities or offers greater advan- tages to its citizens than America, success is not to be obtained through desire, but must be persistently sought. In America "labor is king," and the man who resolutely sets to work to accomplish a given purpose is certain of suc- cess if he has but the qualities of perseverance, untiring energy and practical common sense. Harvey Lindsey is one whose career excites the admiration and gains the respect of all, for through his diligence and persistent purpose he has won a high place in agricultural circles in Wayne county, where he has made his home for more than two score of years.
HARVEY LINDSEY
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Mr. Lindsey is a native son of the old Keystone state, having been born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of May, 1849. His par- ents were Alexander and Eleanor (Taylor) Lindsey, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The subject's paternal grandparents were of Irish descent on the male line and old New England Yankee stock on the female side, the combination of these two nationalities usually being one of peculiar force and power. Alexander Lindsey was a farmer by occupa- tion and a shoemaker by trade and was most highly esteemed in the commun- ity where he lived. He enjoyed good health during his life and lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years, he having died within forty rods of where he first saw the light of day. He was twice married. By his first marriage he became the father of two children, both of whom are deceased, and by his second union he had eight children, all of whom are living. He lived a quiet and unostentatious life, but enjoyed a large circle of warm personal friends, who esteemed him for his personal worth.
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