USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 34
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Frederick Anthony was eight years old when he landed in the United States. He found everything strikingly different to what he had been used to in old Alsace and with a boyish eagerness he began imbibing new ideas as to our customs and manners. He attended our common schools, where he learned rapidly and received a fairly good education. While he was at- tending school he was also learning one of the technical trades, that of shoe- making, under his father, whom he assisted in making the living for the family during his first years in this country. Thus he continued until his marriage, which occurred n 1886 to Lavina Rehm, a daughter of George Rehm, a well known family of Baughman township, whose members are no- ticed on other pages of this volume. Mrs. Anthony was born February 21, 1864, and received her education in the home schools.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Anthony moved on the old Rehm farm in section 24, Baughman township, it consisting of ninety-five acres. Although the place is an old one, the first settler of Baughman township, a Mr. Baughman, having settled on the same upwards of a century ago, it has been so well managed that the soil has retained much of its original vi- tality and bounteous harvests are still reaped from its well tilled fields. This township was named after the gentleman just referred to and the farm is known to this day as the Baughman Hill farm, since it covers a large hill. It was here that George Rehin started in life. Mr. Anthony has practically retired from active farming ; however, he oversees the planting and harvest-
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ing and other general work, and now that the evening of life has begun to advance he finds himself surrounded with plenty on this historic old place, as an evidence of his former years of thrift.
To Mr. and Mrs. Anthony three children have been born, namely : Stella M., born August 9, 1887: Warren F., born November 14. 1888: George R., born May 31, 1896.
The Anthony family are members of the Lutheran church, Mr. Anthony being one of the deacons of the same, also treasurer of the local congregation. He takes an abiding interest in church work and is practically one of the pillars of the society to which he belongs. He is a member of the board of education of Baughman township. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Anthony is financial secretary of the Ladies' Society of the local church and she, too, takes much interest in church affairs.
SAMUEL WOOD.
Among the prominent and successful citizens of West Salem, Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, the subject of this sketch takes rank. As a business man, agriculturist and citizen in private life, he has so lived and acted as to win the unbounded confidence and the high regard of all who know him and he is eminently deserving of representation in this work.
Samuel Wood was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of January, 1837, and is the son of Samuel and Christina ( Brady) Wood, both of whom were also born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, the for- mer on March 6, 1815, and the latter on June 17, 1815. The subject is a descendant of one Edward Wood, a native of England who emigrated to Pennsylvania about one hundred and fifty years ago. He was the son of James Wood, who was a prominent and wealthy banker in England, and it is a noteworthy fact that in nearly every subsequent generation some member of the Wood family has been connected with the banking business. The subject's father, Samuel Wood, was a shoemaker by trade, and in 1842 he left Pennsylvania and settled in West Salem, Ohio, where he bought a farm. In 1855 he moved to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, where he resided until his death. By his union with Christina Brady he was the father of the following children: Samuel, George, William Henry, Frank, Sarah J., Margaret N., Lydia A., Mary and Emma A.
Samuel Wood secured his education in the district schools of Congress township, this county, and the early schools in West Salem. He had been
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Samuel Word
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brought to this state when he was five years old, and at that time there were but five houses in the town of West Salem. Mr. Wood remained at and near West Salem until he was eighteen years of age, and during the latter three years of this time he was engaged in assisting his father on the home farm. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching school at the Beech Grove schoolhouse and the next year he moved to Princeton, Illinois. There he taught two terms of school, followed by two terms back in Ohio, and then three terms in Benton county, Iowa. Other terms were taught in Illinois, making a total of eleven terms in that state. During the following five years he served as postmaster at Dysart, Iowa, resigning at the end of that time in order to become associated with a bank there. In 1888 he moved back to Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, and purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which he proceeded to improve and cultivate. Several times during the next few years he returned to Iowa to help in the bank there temporarily. In 1902 Mr. Wood established a bank in West Salem, which he has since developed into one of the foremost business institutions in the town. Mr. Wood bought and fitted up a building on the east side of Main street and the bank is now comfortably and conveniently quartered there. The bank has proved an important factor in the advance- ment of the business interests of the town and its institution here has been fully appreciated by the business men of the town and farmers of the com- munity. In 1902 Mr. Wood purchased a splendid residence property on North Main street and has here a very comfortable and attractive home.
In politics Mr. Wood is a stanch Republican, but does not take an active part in political matters. He is not a member of any religious denomination and makes no profession of religion, but he is a firm believer in the great truths of the Scriptures and is the teacher of the largest Bible class in West Salem. Socially he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at West Salem, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Good Templars in Iowa. During the Civil war he was a member of the Union League, in con- nection with which he passed through a number of exciting experiences.
On the 14th of November, 1866, Mr. Wood wedded Elizabeth Bucher, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and the daughter of Henry Bucher, also a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Wayne county, Ohio. They have become the parents of three children, namely : Otto H., of near Seattle, Washington : Lillian Belle, at home, and Frank R., who is a clerk in a shoe store at West Salem. In all the relations of life Mr. Wood has proved true to every trust and now can feel assured of the sincere respect and esteem of all who know him.
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D. B. KECK.
Early in life D. B. Keck realized the fact that success never smiles upon the idler or dreamer and he has accordingly heeded such an aphorism, devot- ing his life to ardent toil along lines that cannot but insure success. The pros- perity which he enjoys has been the result of energy rightly applied and has been won by commendable qualities. He is a native of Chippewa township, Wayne county, Ohio, where his birth occurred January 14, 1845, the son of David and Sarah (Benger) Keck, the former having been born in Colum- biana county, this state, in 1817. He came to Wayne county about 1844, locating in Chippewa township, where he lived the remainder of his life. He received a meager schooling in the old-time log school houses and early took up farming, which he made a success, being a hard worker and delighting in denuding the virgin soil of the primeval forest. He reached an advanced age, his death occurring in 1895, his faithful life companion having preceded him to the silent land in 1894. They were well known and highly respected citizens of Chippewa township. Seven children were born to them, namely : "Catherine, wife of Jacob Namman; Eunice, wife of N. R. Gensemer ; Ephraim, who married Elizabeth Sichley, was a soldier in the Civil war; D. B., of this review, was next in order of birth ; Harriet is the wife of David Van Kirk; Mary is the wife of Amos Steel; Ezra married a Miss Damel. These children all received every advantage possible at the hands of their solicitous parents.
D. B. Keck was reared in this county, receiving his education here; his opportunities along this line were not the best, but he made the most of his time and was enabled to begin teaching. All his brothers and sisters were also teachers, and this family became widely known as educators.
D. B Keck was married on November 21, 1872, to Amy Franks, daugh- ter of James Franks, an old and prominent family of this county, where she was born, the date of her birth being October 14, 1849. She, too, attended the local schools, receiving a good education. She taught ten terms very acceptably, her services in this line of work being in great demand, for she had the happy faculty of pleasing both pupil and patron.
To Mr. and Mrs. Keck one daughter, Edith, was born December 25, 1876. She graduated from the local high school at Marshallville, after which she took a philosophical course in the Wooster University, where she made a splendid record for scholarship, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. She took up teaching in the graded schools, which she followed with uniform success for some time. She married William Galehouse and
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they are the parents of two children, namely: Daniel LeRoy, born April 19, 1906, and Florence I., born September 4, 1908.
Mr. Keck has for a number of years given his attention to his fine farm, near Marshallville, Baughman township, which he has always maintained at a high standard of excellence, and he enjoys an excellent reputation as a progressive and successful agriculturist.
In his political relations, Mr. Keck is a Republican and he has long taken considerable interest in the affairs of his party. He served very ably and conscientiously for a period of twelve years as one of the township trus- tees of Baughman township. He is a member of the Evangelical church and one of the trustees of the same, taking an active interest in its affairs, and, in fact, in whatever has for its object the betterment of his township and county in any way. He is well known throughout the county and is judi- ciously guarding the good reputation of the Keck family which has ranked with the leading and most honorable in Wayne county since the days of the first settlement.
H. A. SCHOLLENBERGER, M. D.
The qualities that have made Dr. H. A. Schollenberger eminent in his chosen profession are proper intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the utilization of the various attributes essential to success, and he stands today in the front rank of physicians in a community noted for its high order of medical talent. He is an American by adoption only, having been born in Germany on August 5. 1862, and when a child he was brought to the United States by his parents, John Franklin and Elizabeth W. (Gil- bert) Schollenberger, who came to Ohio and located in Wayne county on a farm, subsequently becoming known as progressive agriculturists. Here young Schollenberger grew to manhood amid the wholesome outdoor environ- ments that contributed to a healthy body and mind. When he became of proper age he began working on the home place, attending the district schools during the winter months, receiving a good common school education. Very early his predilection to become a physician manifested itself and he accordingly entered the medical department of the Wooster University, later attending the Medical College of Cincinnati, also Columbus and Cleve- land and was finally graduated from the medical department of the Na- tional Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1892, after making a very cred- itable record in all the above named institutions. He also holds other di-
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plomas, thus being exceptionally well trained for his work. He first located at Homerville, Ohio, where he remained five years, building up a good prac- tice from the first; later he established an office at Danville and in time moved to Buckeye City, both in Knox county, successfully practicing in that county for over six years. It was in 1902 that he located in Smithville, Greene town- ship, Wayne county, and he has since remained here, having built up a wonderful practice in the meantime and gaining a reputation as an able and conscientious physician second to none in the county. His practice covers a wide field and he is kept very busy attending to his numerous patients in this and adjoining townships, and even to remote parts of the county. He purchased a modern, beautifully located and nicely furnished home in Smith- ville. He is official examiner for a number of life insurance companies, and he is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society and the State Society of Medicine. Fraternally he is a member of West Salem Lodge, No. 398, Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Woodmen and Macca- bees, carrying insurance in each. Politically, he has departed from his rear- ing as a Republican and votes with the Democrats; however, he does not take a very active interest in local political matters, not having the time to do so. Religiously he belongs to the Disciple church at Danville, Knox county.
Doctor Schollenberger was married in 1887 to Sarah J. Hutchinson, who was born in this county April 7, 1860, the daughter of an old and influential family. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Charles E. J., a graduate of the local high school, and is now a student in the chemical department of the Wooster University; Hazel L. was born May 5, 1893; Rose X., born October 28, 1899; Zola E., who is deceased, was born in 1890.
Doctor Schollenberger's family is regarded as leaders in all circles in this locality and they are the recipients of the friendship and esteem due peo- ple of their worth and honorable standing.
CHARLES J. KOLLERT.
Back to stanch old German stock does Mr. Kollert trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked the true type of the German nation, is manifest when we come to consider the more salient points in his life history, which has been marked by con- secutive industry and invincible spirit, eventuating most naturally in securing
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MRS. KATE KOLLERT
CHAS. J. KOLLERT
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him a high position in the respect and confidence of his fellow men. In an analysis of his character we find the qualities of an upright manhood- loyalty in citizenship, reliability in business, conscientiousness in the discharge of the duties of private life-and these are so combined as to make his a strong personality, commanding respect and confidence.
Charles J. Kollert was born on the 28th day of August, 1880, near Loudonville, Holmes county, Ohio, and is the son of Robert and Catherine (Heil) Kollert, both of whom were natives of the German empire, the for- mer born near Leipzig and the latter at Grosenstadt. Robert Kollert en- tered the German army when he was about eighteen years of age and served his full period. He served throughout the bloody Franco-Prussian war, securing for himself a most honorable record and was shot twice, once in the wrist and once in the back, between the shoulder blades, while a third bullet lodged in his coat pocket. When a young man of about twenty-three years of age he came to the United States and took up government land near Birmingham, Alabama. The same land, which at that time could be bought cheaply, is now very valuable. Subsequently Mr. Kollert sold his southern home and came to Loudonville, Ohio, where for two or three years he worked by the month. When about thirty years old he married and soon afterwards bought a farm a short distance west of Wooster, Ohio. In 1891 he disposed of this property and purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty- two and a half acres in Canaan township, where he lived until his death and which is the present home of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Kollert met with an untimely death on the 23d of May, 1904, when he was struck and in- stantly killed by lightning in his barn in Canaan township, the barn being destroyed by the fire which ensued. He was widely and favorably known in this county and in his death the community suffered a distinct loss. He was a Democrat in politics, and took a commendable interest in local public affairs, though he never held public office of any nature. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and were faithful and consistent in their lives. A man of many sterling qualities of character, he made friends of all who enjoyed his acquaintance and his memory remains as a priceless heritage to his family. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Charles J., the subject of this sketch; Fred, living in Congress township; Mrs. Mary Steltzer, of Ashland county, and Mrs. Ida Oswald, of Canaan township.
Charles J. Kollert was reared under the parental roof and early became accustomed to the duties pertaining to agricultural life. His educational opportunities were somewhat abbreviated because of the necessity of his con-
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stant help on the farm, but his lack of school-room education has been made up during his subsequent life by much reading and habits of close observation, and today he is considered a well-informed man. He remained his father's assistant until the latter's death, since which time he has devoted himself to the operation of the farm and the care of his widowed mother, to whom he gives the most careful and solicitous attention. He possesses a thorough knowledge of agriculture in all its details and keeps in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture, so that he has been enabled to realize handsome returns for the labor he has bestowed. He is maintaining the place at the same high standard of excellence set by his father and is considered one of the enterprising and progressive young farm- ers of the township. He is a man of splendid qualifications and has a host of warm personal friends.
On the 26th of February, 1905, Charles J. Kollert was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Laura Briner, a native of Chester township, Wayne county, and this union has been a most happy and congenial one, being blessed in the birth of four children, namely: Theresa, Catherine, May and Robert. These children comprise a bright and interesting family and the comfortable and attractive home is the center of a refined hospitality which is ever in evidence. In matters political Mr. Kollert gives his support to the Democratic party, and he takes a live and commendable interest in the success of the ticket, though he is not an aspirant for office or public preferment of any nature.
Mrs. Catherine Kollert, who makes her home with the subject, is a woman of splendid attainments and holds a warm place in the hearts of all who know her.
ELMER U. BURKHOLDER.
The emigrant ancestor of the family of this name was John Burkholder, a native of Bern, Switzerland, who, when only a boy, was seized with the wanderlust spirit, like so many of his contemporaries, and accordingly made his way across the broad Atlantic to the New World. Believing that greater opportunities awaited him in the then far West, he came to Ohio, locating in Wayne county, and, being a thrifty lad, he got possession of a farm which he redeemed from the wilderness and lived on the same the rest of his life, making a good living and leaving a competence to his descendants. His death occurred in Smithville, Greene township, in 1875. He and his faith-
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ful helpmeet were the parents of four children, namely: Jonathan S., Jonas K., Nancy and Sarah; the only one living in 1909 is Nancy, the widow of Enos Hartzler, of the state of Kansas.
Jonas K., father of Elmer U. Burkholder, was reared upon the home farm in Greene township, which he assisted in developing. He married Nancy Smucker and they went to farming, Mr. Burkholder becoming one of the leading farmers of his community and he was regarded as a man of excellent personal traits and was influential in local affairs. He is now sleeping the sleep of the just, his death occurring in 1892. His widow is still living. They were the parents of nine children, of whom one died in in- fancy and another when fifteen years of age. The others are Emma, David, Malinda, Lydia, Anna, Amanda, and Elmer U.
Elmer U. Burkholder was born in Greene township, Wayne county, June 12, 1873, and he was reared upon the home farm which he helped im- prove, attending the district schools during the winter months, later going to school at Wadsworth. He received a good education, having applied himself very closely to his text-books, and he taught several terms very ac- ceptably in Wayne county, and he was gaining a wide reputation as an edu- cator when his father died, which event rendered his return to the home farm a necessity, consequently he abandoned teaching and resumed farming, which he continued very successfully for a period of ten years.
Mr. Burkholder was married, in November, 1897, to Amanda Wenger, a woman of talent and refinement and the representative of an excellent family. This union has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Ray- mond, born February 16, 1900; Mabel, born September 2, 1901 ; Forest, born April 16, 1903; Eva, born October 13, 1905; Vergil, born January II, 1909.
Mr. Burkholder is an all-round business man, exercising wise discrimi- nation and sound judgment in all his affairs. His attention is now devoted almost exclusively to banking, since he is at this writing cashier of the Farm- ers' and Merchants' Bank at Smithville, Wayne county, and he is discharg- ing the duties of the same in an able and satisfactory manner to all con- cerned, his careful methods and his courteous demeanor towards the patrons of the bank having done much in establishing its prestige throughout the community. This rapidly growing and sound institution was opened for business on August 6, 1906. Mr. Burkholder was at once chosen cashier. for when the organizers began to cast about for someone worthy of this responsible position, none more available could be found than Mr. Burk- holder, and the successful manner in which he has looked after the same
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would indicate that they were not misled in their estimate of the man they selected. This is a private bank of four stockholders, namely: Wesley H. Zaugg, president; E. W. Thompson, Charles M. Gray, Christian Tschantz.
In his political relations, Mr. Burkholder is a Democrat, though in the midst of his many pressing duties he does not find much time to devote to his party's affairs. Religiously, he is a member of the Mennonite church. He has always borne a reputation such as those established by his father and grandfather-exemplary in every respect.
MARTIN LAWRENCE.
It is a rare privilege and should be duly appreciated, as indeed it is in the present instance, to be able to reside throughout life on the place where we were born, for there are tender memories and associations about the old home that nothing can take the place of. Martin Lawrence was born on the place he now owns in Chester township, Wayne county, January 28, 1859. the son of George and Julia Ann (Yetter) Lawrence. His paternal grand- parents, Christian and Magdalena ( Etley) Lawrence, were natives of Middle- town, Pennsylvania, and as early as 1818 they came to Wayne county. Ohio, locating about three miles west of Wooster on the farm now owned by Doctor Ryall. They lived there for many years, but finally moved to Chester township, where Christian Lawrence spent his last days on his son's farm, which is now owned by the subject. He had taken up government land for each of his children. When he came here he found an undeveloped country, but one that abounded in great opportunities to the strong of heart and courageous. The maternal grandparents of the subject, Philip and Elizabeth Yetter, were natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio very early, first settling in Holmes, later in Richland county, finally coming to Wayne county where they became owners of a good home, spending the remainder of their lives here ; however, the death of Philip Yetter occurred in Michigan, and that of his wife in Wayne county.
George Lawrence, father of Martin Lawrence, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1820. and his wife, Julia Ann Yetter, was born here in 1820. They grew to maturity in their respective communities and married here, taking up farming soon afterward, living and dying on the farm now owned by their son, Martin, of this review, the death of the father occurring in 1888 and that of the mother in 1892. Ten children were born to them, six of whom
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