USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 51
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
George Rickabaugh was educated in the district schools of Plain town- ship, and he began assisting his father with the work on the farm when a small boy, continuing thus until he was seventeen years of age. He had always been interested in threshing and when an outfit visited his community he, as a lad, would usually accompany it until it went to some other neigh- borhood, vowing that he would some day operate one of his own. This desire was gratified at an early age, when in 1878 he began threshing and has con- tinued this line of work ever since during the summer seasons, operating a sawmill the remaining months of the year. He has been very successful and has become known throughout this locality as one of the leading threshers and mill men of the county.
Mr. Rickabaugh was married in 1900 to Clara Long, the daughter of an old and highly respected family of this county, and this union has resulted in the birth of three children, Carl, Irene and Clark. Mrs. Rickabaugh's father, who is now retired, still lives in Milton township.
Mrs. Rickabaugh is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Rickabaugh votes the Democratic ticket, but he does not find time to take a very active part in political affairs.
PROF. H. F. LONGENECKER.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of a business or a professional man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means
1383
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by cor- rect principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and higher. the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have brought him into contact Such a one is found in the person of Prof. H. F. Longenecker, whose career as an educator in the county of Wayne has won him the praise that is due those who succeed. He was born in Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, January 7, 1869, the son of Samuel B. and Elizabeth (Brenner) Longenecker, people of intelligence and influence in this locality. Professor Longenecker is the oldest of the family of six living chil- dren. He was reared on the home farm in Greene township, where he very early became inured to the toils of a farmer boy, alternating farming with schooling in the district schools until he was seventeen years of age. Having a natural thirst for knowledge, he studied in such a manner as to lay a broad and deep foundation for a subsequent structure of general learning. He at- tended the Smithville Academy for a time, then entered the Normal Univer- sity at Ada, Ohio, where he made a splendid record for scholarship and from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy in 1895, and taking additional work, he received the degree of Bachelor of Science from that institution in 1900. Professor Longenecker, after complet- ing his education in the institution named above and teaching during the win- ter months, thereby making his own way through school, and demonstrating what courage and rightly applied ambition can accomplish, did post-gradu- ate work at the Wooster University Summer School and taught at Rittman for two years and at Smithville for seven years. At present he is superintend- ent of the Dalton schools, where his services have won the good will of both patron and pupil, having greatly strengthened the educational system of the local schools since coming here, and shown by his thorough training. his pro- found learning and his pleasing characteristics of manner that he is deserving of a place second to none as an educator in this locality.
Professor Longenecker is the owner of a valuable farm of seventy-four acres one mile west of Smithville, this county, and although his professional duties claim most of his attention he finds time to look after his farm. no small part of his income being derived from the able management of the same.
An interesting chapter in the life of Professor Longenecker is that bear- ing on his domestic life, which began on September 1. 1909, when he espoused a lady of talent and refinement in the person of Ada Hershey, the daughter of George Hershey, a well known citizen living near Rittman, Chippewa town-
1384
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
ship, this county. Mrs. Longenecker was born in Chippewa township, Wayne county. Ohio, on January 4, 1875. She received a good education in the home schools.
The Professor is regarded as one of the substantial workers in the Re- publican ranks of his county, and he was the nominee of this party for county treasurer, and a criterion of his excellent standing among his fellow citizens is contained in the fact that at the subsequent election, although not elected on account of the large Democratic majority to overcome, he ran far ahead of the county ticket. Personally he is a man of pleasing address, gentlemanly in his bearing, courteous at all times and his integrity and honesty are above question. He at once impresses the stranger as a man of learning, well-bred. progressive and trustworthy, and no man in the county is more favorably known than he.
BENTON GIVLER HAY.
It is one of the beauties of our government that it acknowledges no hereditary rank or title, no patent of nobility save that of nature's, leaving every man to establish his own rank by becoming the artificer of his own for- tune. Places of honor and trust, rank and preferment that happily are placed before every individual, high or low, rich or poor, to be striven for by all, but earned alone by perseverance and sterling worth, are almost sure to be filled with deserving men, or at least by those possessing the energy and talent es- sential to success in contests where public position is the prize. Benton Giv- ler Hay, a member of the Wayne county bar, who is generally recognized as one of the ablest of the younger generation of attorneys in this locality, affords a conspicuous example of the successful self-made American who is not only eminently deserving of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, but also possesses the necessary talent and energy that fit him to dis- charge worthily the duties of the several responsible positions to which he has been honored by the people of his county. A man of vigorous mentality and strong moral fiber, he has achieved signal success in a calling in which few rise above mediocrity. and since entering the service of the public he finds those same qualities the chief factors in carving out of a career that has been above the suspicion of reproach and an honor to the county which he has so ably and acceptably served and whose interests he has ever had at heart.
Mr. Hay is the scion of an ancestry of which he may well be proud, not because their lives were marked by any meteoric effects or that they were in
Benton G. Stay.
1385
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
anywise leaders of men, but because they were of the type that build empires. hardy. thrifty, self-sacrificing, industrious, unswervingly honest and public spirited, and to such a type as they the great Buckeye commonwealth owes its eminent position in the brilliant constellation of our national union. Ben- ton G. Hay was born February 18. 1874, near Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio, the tenth child of Isaac and Sarah (Givler) Hay, the father a hard- working farmer who established a good home for his family and reared them in comfort and respectability. His death occurred on January 23, 1891, the mother surviving until September. 1907. They were highly respected in their community for their steady Christian lives, their neighborly and generous traits and their industry.
Benton G. Hay was educated in the country schools, working on the home farm during the summer months. He was ambitious to become familiar with the classics and to launch into a professional career, consequently he applied himself very assiduously to his studies and was soon enabled to teach, follow- ing very successfully this line of endeavor in Ashland county from 1893 to 1895. But not finding his labors in the school room entirely to his liking, he turned his attention to the law, and studied with C. E. McBride at Mansfield, Ohio, making rapid progress in Blackstone. After this preliminary prepara- tion he entered the law department of the Ohio Northern University, at Ada. where he made a very commendable record and from which he was gradu- ated in 1898, and in March of that year he was admitted to the bar. He com- menced practice in Wooster in October, 1898, and was associated for a time with John C. Morr, and he has succeeded in building up a very satisfactory practice. having a clientele from the start that has been loyal and has con- stantly increased. Since March 1, 1908, he has been associated with Lyman R. Critchfield, Jr .. this firm being an unusually strong and successful one and is rapidly gaining a prestige second to none in northern Ohio.
Mr. Hay has always taken an abiding interest in political affairs and he has been singled out for positions of trust and responsibility, worthily dis- charging his duties in every capacity requiring clear analysis and sound judg- ment. He was clerk of the board of deputy state supervisors of elections from August, 1903, to August, 1904. On the death of Hervey H. Hubbell. city solicitor. Mayor Van Nest appointed Mr. Hay to fill the vacancy, Sep- tember 1. 1904, and so well did he perform his duties that he was elected to this office in November, 1905, and again in November, 1907, serving in all five years and four months, greatly to his credit and to the welfare of the people, among the most praiseworthy acts of that period being the fact that le codified the city ordinances and laws. For the past two years he has been
I386
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
secretary of the Democratic county executive committee, the party being greatly indebted to him for his able management of its affairs. He is popular with all classes throughout the county and the future doubtless holds many honors for him.
Sufficient has been said to indicate Mr. Hay's high character and eminent success in the profession to which he is devoting his life and energies. He has broad views of the law, is painstaking, accurate, indefatigable in his efforts to. protect the interests of his clients, and his tact in the trial of cases is second to none.
THE AMSTUTZ FAMILY.
This family belongs to the early settlers, the first members having emi- grated from Switzerland to Greene township in 1824. There were three sons and two daughters; the mother accompanied them, passing away on the sea. Her maiden name was Basinger, but what her christian name was is uncertain. Some time after arriving in this county the father, John Amstutz, was married again to a Miss Katy Hilty. There were no children from this union. The second wife was a sister of Peter and David Hilty, who also were early residents of Milton township.
Originally the family came into the possession of a distinctive name near Thun, Switzerland. The place of origin is believed to be at the foot of the Niesen, a two thousand three hundred and thirty-six meter-high mountain- seven thousand seven hundred and fifty feet above sea level, and about the same distance, eight and a half miles, from Interlaken and Thun, lying at the corner of a right angle, the two sides of which pass through these places. Lake Thun almost forms the diagonal of the triangle. This location is marked on the Swiss "Topograpischer Atlas, Thun-Interlaken" section, of 1896. It is indicated on this geodetic survey map as Am Stutz. This was the way in which the name was spelled until the latter part of the seventeenth century (1675) or thereabouts, when the two syllables were united and the present-day spelling adopted. The name, in common with many Swiss and German ones, is a place name. In this case the old Swiss tongue designated a hill or mountain as a "stutz." The "am" literally means "at," from which the compound word was undoubtedly formed.
The place Am Stutz at present refers to but a single, or at most but a few chalets, found at the southern end of the Emdthal, about two and a half miles from the lake Thun. The place is five hundred and five feet above the:
1387
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
level of the lake and the Niesen towers above it five thousand four hundred and ten feet. The highest point of this mountain is just two miles away from the place, almost due west, trending slightly toward the north. All this indicates the significance of the name.
It is not definitely known if this branch of the family lived near this spot. Many persons of this name still live in the vicinity of lake Thun, especially at Sigriswyl, across the lake (where some of the family records ascribe the birth of the older members). Tradition says that John Amstutz, the stem of the family, was born at Lugnez, district of Porruntruy ( Pruntrut), almost in the extreme northwest portion of Switzerland. It is said that he lived for a time at Hindlinger, near Pruntrut, also at Sigriswyl. His death or birth are not known by date, but his place of burial is found in Greene town- ship, Wayne county, two miles south of the north line and one and a quar- ter miles from the east line.
His oldest son, Peter, was born on February 13, 1799 (died May 14, 1881). Ulrich, the second son and the third child, was born April 26, 1801 (died March 19, 1881). He lived the principal part of his life three miles straight north from the first location of the father in Greene township on the southwest quarter of the extreme northeast section of the township, number one. The youngest child, a daughter, Anna, was born February 15, 1817. The oldest daughter, Catharine, was born between the birthdays of the brothers Peter and Ulrich, and the youngest son, John, was born October 14, 1803 (died August 27, 1877).
The family came to America in 1824 by way of Havre, France, travel- ing overland from Switzerland by means of ox teams which were sold at their land journey's end. The ocean voyage, on a small sailing vessel, was anything but the comfort and the speed of a modern trip across the Atlantic. Storms and numerous delays lengthened the voyage until two months were consumed in reaching either New York or Philadelphia. It is uncertain at which port the party landed; some traditions contend for one place and some for the other. It is said that they for a time secured employment on the Ohio & Pennsylvania canal and that they came overland by ox team. It is related that at one time their food supply ran low and the women and children of the party were left alone with the wagons while the men went hunting game. The chase led them into unknown directions and to their own consterna- tion and terror of the women and children they were absolutely lost for a period of two days. This was not a comforting condition of things. both parties knowing that there were Indians and plenty of wild animals roaming the forests. Fortunately they found their dependents and then they gradually
1388
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
pushed their way westward. finally reaching Greene township. They seem to have temporarily put up with other pioneers. Ere long a Pennsylvanian came to section 1, Greene township, to claim the southwest quarter of this section, that he had purchased from land agents in the east. The dreary out- look so disheartened him that his goods were not even removed from the wagons. While in this frame of mind he readily sold his holdings to John Amstutz, who erected a cabin on the northwest quarter of this one hundred and sixty-acre plot.
The only highways open in 1828 were the Portage and Bristol roads, the latter extending from the intersection of Milton, Greene, Baughman and Chippewa townships to Bristol, as Marshallville was then called. Other di- rections of travel were simply paths blazed through the forests, winding here and there in circuitous meanderings. The settlers called them in the Swiss vernacular. "Schlupfweg." It is understood that the father lived on this section-the northeast of Greene township-and during his last years on the east half of his farm. Ulrich, his second son, built a house near the first cabin, which, after his removal to the old homestead of the Ulrich branch of the family, at present occupied by Daniel Amstutz, located just three miles due north, in Milton township, was sold to John Pettit after Mr. Pettit's marriage in 1833. The nearest neighbors to the south were the Schwartzen- truber family, who lived on the northeast quarter of the section immediately south of section 1. It bordered on what is now called the town-line road leading to Orrville (the Christ King farm). At the time of John Amstutz's funeral Christ Schwartzentruber acted as undertaker, hauling the body to the place of interment, one mile due south from the first home and one-fourth mile west on the Christ Steiner farm, latterly owned by Emuel Beck.
Parentheses enclose the names of persons united by marriage with those immediately preceding.
The oldest son, Peter, after his marriage, moved to the vicinity of Canal Fulton and in 1852 took up his residence in Allen county, Ohio, where he died. He was married twice, his first wife being Mrs. Anna Stutz (nee Steiner). A son and daughter. Peter and Catharine, both of whom are no longer living, blessed this union. The daughter was married to George Big- ler. They are long time residents of Wayne county, living near Fox Lake, and Marshallville. The oldest son of the Bigler family is John Bigler of Burton City, who married Eliza Rogers. The second marriage was with Barbara Luginbil. From this union there sprang four children, two brothers and two sisters. John. Joseph, Barbra and Anna (the latter deceased), in the order of their ages. There are only two families in existence of this branch,
1389
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
those of Rudolph J. Althaus ( Barbra ) and Joseph Amstutz ( Mary Zuber ), both now living in Allen county. John not having married. The oldest living descendants of each are Peter Amstutz ( Rosa Wright ) and Andrew Althaus, of Beaver Dam and Bluffton, Ohio, respectively.
The second daughter, Catharine, became the second wife of Rev. Chris- tian Steiner, resident until his death on the farm at Milton Center. Six chil- dren were the offspring of this marriage, three daughters and three sons, of which only one son and one daughter, Peter and Barbra, are now living. The others were named Catharine, Christ, John and Anna, the three last named deceased. The families of Christ and John resided at Milton Center and Anna, married to David Amstutz, resided until her death at Crystal Valley. Oceana county, Michigan. Barbra was the wife of Fredrick Amstutz, also of Milton Center. The oldest grandchildren are, according to their ages. relisting the children as well : Peter-not married. Christ ( Barbra Amstutz) -Mary J., Rittman, Ohio. Barbra ( Frederick Amstutz (d)-Christ ( de- ceased), Rittman, Ohio. John (deceased) (Maria Kratz)-Reuben ( Ma- tilda Moine), Rittman, Ohio. Anna (deceased) ( David Amstutz. Crystal Valley, Michigan)-Mary M. (David C. Burkholder ). Smithville, Ohio.
The largest branch of the original stock is that of the Ulrich Amstutz family, consisting of thirteen children, seven boys and six girls. Both par- ents, and two sons and four daughters have died. The children's names, ac- cording to their ages, are: Frederick (deceased), John (deceased). Peter, Maria (deceased), Jacob, Catharine (deceased). Fanny. David, Anna (de- ceased ). Lydia, Daniel, Joel B., and Lavina (deceased). All the members of this branch, as named, have lived continuously in Wayne county. Their offspring is, however, scattered throughout many of the states. The wife of Ulrich was Catharine Luginbil, who was born at Kolmar, Alsace, France. This province since the Franco-German war has belonged to Germany. In order to identify the various families to which the grandchildren of Ulrich Amstutz belong, only the names of the oldest members of each family are given, viz: Frederick (Barbra Steiner )-Christ, Rittman, Ohio. John ( ist Fanny Steiner, deceased)-Daniel S. (Anna Lehmann) Orrville. Ohio: 2d Elizabeth Burkholder, deceased-Reuben B. (Lena Bauman ) Birmingham, Ohio.) Peter ( Sarah Burkholder, deceased)-Emma C., deceased ( Mrs. Dr. H. Blankerhorn). Orrville, Ohio. Jacob ( Lehanna Fisher ) -Flora Alice ( Mrs. Everett Stone ), Creston, Ohio. Catharine ( Peter J. Steiner, deceased ) -Lydia ( Mrs. George Hoover), Rittman, Ohio. Fanny ( Abraham Fisher. deceased)-Aaron, Rittman, Ohio. David ( Fanny Steiner, deceased )-no children, Rittman, Ohio. Lydia ( Daniel Steiner)-Clara B. (Mrs. D. L ..
1390
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
King), Smithville, Ohio. Daniel (Mary Ann Burkholder, deceased)-John H., Rittman, Ohio. Joel B. (Susannah Hoover)-Menno S. (deceased), New York. Lavina ( Abraham Burkholder )-Kate (deceased) (Dan Yoder), Orrville, Ohio.
John, the youngest son, married to Mary Luginbil (deceased), lived un- til his death on the quarter section, in Greene township, adjoining the first homestead of his father on the east. The family consisted of Peter (de- ceased), Katy, John (deceased), Jacob (deceased), David, Barbra, Jakob (de- ceased), Joseph, Ulrich (deceased), and Anna (deceased). The oldest of each of the grandchildren is listed as follows, the names of the parents being given in each case : Katy (Levi Bennert)-Mary (Fred Ramsyer), Orrville, Ohio. John (Mary Bartholomew (deceased)-Mary Ann (deceased). David (Anna Steiner, deceased)-Mary M. (David C. Burkholder), Smith- ville, Ohio. Barbra (Christ Steiner, deceased) --- Mary J., Rittman, Ohio. Joseph ( Elmira Bressler)-Sarah (Fred Huber), Orrville, Ohio.
Anna, the youngest of the daughters, married C. D. Basinger (de- ceased), of Pandora, Putnam county, Ohio, where the family have resided ever since and the greater part of the descendants have remained in the near vicinity. To this union there came the following children: Jonathan J. (de- ceased), Catharine, Stephen E. (deceased), John M. (deceased), Stephen A. (deceased), Anna (deceased), David W., Christian I. (deceased), and Noah W. (deceased). The oldest one of each of the grandchildren is listed as fol- lows: Jonathan J. (Mary Ann Neuenschwander)-Ephraim D. (deceased), (Barbra D. Luginbil), Pandora, Ohio. Catharine (Joseph Steiner)-Amos (first. Anna Kener; second, Alma M. Reiter), Bluffton, Ohio. John M. (Catharine Kiene)-Sarah (Robert Roethlisberger), Columbus Grove, Ohio. Stephen A. (Catharine Neuenschwander.)-Christene, Columbus Grove, Ohio. David W. (Fanny Graver)-Peter A. (Leah Schaublin), Columbus Grove, Ohio. Christian I. (first, Emma A. Kelly, deceased-Jerome ( Bertha Hard- wick) ; second, Elizabeth Winkler)-Aldine C. (deceased), Columbus Grove, Ohio. Noah W. (Leah Gratz)-Tillman (Celena Stouffer), Columbus Grove, Ohio.
Agriculture has been the principal source of livelihood of these families, throughout the first, second and third generations. In fact, the largest part of the living members of the relationship are yet agriculturalists. The family has proved to be one of the most progressive in the county. There are, be- sides those who follow the honorable calling of husbandry, some who have chosen the equally desirable professions for their life work. This is espe- cially true in the third generation, from which doctors, business men, scien-
I391
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
tists, bankers, merchants, mechanicians, musicians, travelers, etc., have come. In 1906 there were in the relationship five hundred and ninety-six names, including ninety-five added by marriage, and one hundred and seventeen deaths, leaving three hundred and eighty-four living descendants, directly connected.
The family has been a force in the county through a temperamental quietness. The original parents were Mennonites, or Anabaptists, as they were called in Switzerland. This religious connection held fairly close until the third generation, when intermarriages, travel, removals, etc., began to widen the borders and change the religious traditions of the fathers, so that now there are found within the pale of the principal denominations some members from almost every family.
The family has developed and perpetuated considerable tribal proclivi- ties, which at times has developed into the better features of the Scottish clans. There has always been a strong leaning in the exercise of hospitality which has had the inevitable effect of spreading their reputation far beyond their own borders.
General education has not lost anything in the impetus of other growths. Aggressiveness, at times, like in other relationships, has become somewhat opinionated, yet there has gone from out their firesides a widespread influence for progress and the general good.
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.