USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 54
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E. B. Zimmerman was educated in the Smithville Academy; being an ambitious student, he later took a correspondence course with the Chautau- qua Correspondence School for a period of nine years, receiving a graded certificate.
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Mr. Zimmerman early in life began active farming and lumbering and has continued in these lines ever since with marked success. He now owns one hundred and sixty-two acres of the old homestead and seventy-eight acres in another place, besides one hundred and twenty-two acres owned by his wife, which he manages. He carries on general farming in a manner that stamps him as one of the leading agriculturists of the township, his places all being under a high state of improvement. He has a beautifully located and attractive dwelling, a fine barn and all the outbuildings and farm- ing machinery needed by an up-to-date farmer. He keeps an excellent grade of livestock, being especially fond of horses and cattle and a good judge of the same.
Mr. Zimmerman was married on March 14, 1877, to Frances Hess, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the daughter. of James and Christiana (Franks) Hess. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have been born seven children, namely : Edna E., a graduate of the University of Wooster, now engaged in teaching at Lander, Wyoming; Ira is a farmer; Clara is the wife of Earl Steiner; Ernest, who is still a member of the home circle, was educated in the Ohio State University, taking a short course there, later spent the first year in the University of Wooster and two years in Columbus ; Daniel E. is a student in the Marshallville high school at this writing; two children died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Zimmerman is a Republican, always taking considerable interest in local affairs. He has very ably served as trustee of Chippewa township for a period of three years and has also been school director. Mrs. Zimmerman is a member of the Baptist church.
S. GRANT CASE.
Among the citizens of Plain township. Wayne county, who seem to have the management of their affairs well in hand and who by their own efforts have climbed from a humble beginning to a place of influence and comparative ease financially, is S. Grant Case, who was born in this county in 1866. He is the son of Cyrus S. and Sarah ( Miller) Case, both natives of Wayne county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of the subjcet were Samuel and Rachel (Troutman) Case, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, in an early day, and settled three miles south of Wooster, where they devoted
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themselves to farming. Four of their sons were soldiers in the Civil war, namely : George T., Thomas D., Cyrus S. and Rezin B. The last named died in a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Samuel Case lived in Wayne county until his death. The maternal grandparents of S. Grant Case were Samuel and Rebecca (Snyder) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania. Shortly after their marriage in that state they came to Ohio and settled in Franklin township, Wayne county, on a farm which they developed. In about 1873 they bought a farm near Millbrook and there they remained the rest of their lives.
Cyrus S. Case received a very limited education in the early schools. He began farming early in life and has followed this occupation ever since ; however, he now lives practically retired in Millbrook. He has been a suc- cessful man and·has borne an excellent reputation, having been active in the Lutheran church for about fifty years. He reared three children, S. Grant, of this review; Luella, who married a Mr. Landis; Mamie, who married a Mr. Strock.
S. Grant Case was educated in the common schools and did a great deal of studying at home, preparing himself for a teacher, having early in life decided to devote himself to that laudable work. He began in 1887 and has continued this profession ever since, gaining a wide reputation as one of the ablest educators of the county, his services being in constant demand, possessing the happy faculty of pleasing both pupil and patron. He is deeply grounded in the basic principles of his profession and keeps abreast of the times in every line pertaining to the same.
Mr. Case's domestic life began in 1892, when he formed a matrimonial alliance with Eliza Musser, the accomplished daughter of Martin and Mary (Rickabaugh) Musser, both originally from Pennsylvania, each representa- tives of old and sterling pioneer families. To the subject and wife two chil- dren have been born, Claude C. and C. Marion.
Mr. Case finds time to carry on another line of business, which he finds both pleasant and profitable, being an extensive breeder of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens, being considered an expert judge of all varieties of fancy poultry. For several years he has judged poultry at most of the leading fairs in Ohio, including the state fair and numerous smaller fairs and poultry shows, and he has become widely known to poultry raisers throughout the country. His poultry is always greatly admired by whoever sees them.
Fraternally, Mr. Case is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and religiously he is a Lutheran. He is a Republican and has long taken an
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active interest in party affairs locally, being at this writing a member of the county board of elections, being supervisor of the board, and he makes his influence felt in county politics. In 1892 he was elected justice of the peace of Plain township and faithfully performed the duties of this office for one term, but refused re-election. In 1904 he was elected assessor of Plain town- ship, and re-elected in 1905. He has proven to be a most efficient and faithful public servant, giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned, irrespective of party affiliations.
HOMER B. ODENKIRK.
One of the public spirited citizens of Wayne county who withholds his co-operation from no movement which is intended to promote public improve- ment is Homer B. Odenkirk. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose, and his advance- ment to a position of honor and credit in the life of this community is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors and it would be hard to find a more popular or congenial gentleman in the section of the great Buck- eye state of which this volume treats.
Mr. Odenkirk was born March 29, 1857, on the line between Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, Pennsylvania, and he is the son of Isaac and Emmaline (Jacobs) Odenkirk. The father was a farmer and a stock buyer. The ma- ternal grandfather Jacobs fought in the Revolutionary war, and was given land for pay in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from the government. The paternal grandfather came from some foreign country, the exact location of his birth- place not being known. There were three sons, Isaac, John and George. Only two of them, Isaac and George, reared children. Isaac was reared in Pennsylvania and he was able to procure only a meager education. In the early days he teamed from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, and during such trips he was compelled to sleep in his wagon on account of the hotels being crowded. He was a sterling character. His death occurred about 1892, his wife having pre- ceded him to the grave about 1870.
Homer B. Odenkirk came to Ohio in 1877 and located at East Union. He remained there but a short time when he moved to Wooster. He had re- ceived a fairly good education in the schools of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, and as a young man he learned telegraphy, the old relay system, but he never followed his profession. Upon coming to Wooster he went into the
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music business, which he followed in company with his brother, John Thomas, for a year, then managed the business alone for two years, when he formed a partnership with Speers & McClaran and continued in this manner for a period of sixteen years, enjoying a very satisfactory patronage. He then again en- gaged in business alone for several years. He next went in partnership with the Boston Piano Company, of Wooster, continuing until the company sold out to a party in Coshocton, Ohio. Mr. Odenkirk then entered the oil busi- ness, which he followed for a period of nine years. He was the only person that made an attempt to develop the oil fields around Wooster. He met with discouragements on every hand, but for many years he was assisted in his labors by friends and at last his efforts were crowned with success. It might here be stated that he was responsible for the Boston Piano Company locating in Wooster.
In April, 1900, he began hauling timber to about one mile west of Woos- ter to a place known as Q. Jones' farm of five hundred acres and began build- ing a derrick which was soon erected and he began drilling. On July 9, 1910, the well was shot and it showed an abundance of gas and some oil. The gas was piped to the Shale Brick Works and is now supplying the same with fuel. This proves that such perseverance as Mr. Odenkirk has will always win, and Mr. Odenkirk should feel proud of his achievements. He is a man who does things, being energetic, broad-minded, persistent and straightforward in all the relations of life.
Mr. Odenkirk was married on November 2, 1889, to Elizabeth Miller, of Burbank, Ohio. She comes of one of the old and well established families, being the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Miller. Both are living at Bur- bank, retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Odenkirk one child, Rose, was born; she married William Holmes and they live in Wooster.
Politically, Mr. Odenkirk is independent, leaning somewhat toward Democracy. He is prominent in the Masonic lodge in Wooster. He has al- ways taken an abiding interest in the affairs of this locality and for a period of four years he very ably served in the city council. Personally he is a very pleasant gentleman, genial, genteel, honest. a man whom to know is to admire and respect.
JOHN V. STAHL, D. D. S.
Independence of spirit, enterprise, industry and determination, so essen- tial to a successful career in connection with any vocation, are possessed in an eminent degree by the subject of this review, who is one of the leading den-
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48, Knights Templar, and prelate of this commandery for the past eighteen years; is a member of Wooster Council No. 13, Royal and Select Masters tists in the city of Wooster. He was born in Winesburg, Holmes county, Ohio, on the 24th of March, 1868, and is descended from Bavarian parentage. His grandfather. John Valentine Stahl, was born in Bavaria, near Munich, Germany, and in 1827 he came to the United States, locating in Holmes county, Ohio. There he established the town of Winesburg and donated the site for the first church there. He was a potter by trade and ivas highly respected in his community, where he lived during the remainder of his life. The sub- ject's father, Charles Stahl, was born in Bavaria, in 1821, and accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States in 1827. On attaining years of maturity he took up the pursuit of farming, which he followed during his active life, his death occurring at Winesburg on February 28, 1902, at the age of eighty years. He had served as a justice of the peace for many years and stood high in his community. He married Louise Dodez, who was born at Mount Eaton, Wayne county, January 3, 1839. She is still living, though an invalid from the effects of paralysis, and is making her home with relatives at Canton, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Stahl were born seven children, all of whom are living, namely : Julius, of Bloomfield, Nebraska; Daniel, of Wines- burg, Ohio; Charles H., an attorney at Akron, Ohio; Joseph, of North Balti- more, Ohio, being vice-president of the First National Bank of that place ; Mrs. Mary Jefferson, of Plain View, Nebraska, and Mrs. Lulu Hansen, of Canton, Ohio.
John V. Stahl received his preliminary education in the schools of his home community and remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age. He then became a student in the Riverside Military Academy at Pough- keepsie, New York, after which he attended Eastman's National Business Col- lege, at Poughkeepsie, where he graduated in 1888. He then became a travel- ing salesman in the interest of F. A. Davis, publisher of medical books at Philadelphia, remaining with this house several years and making a good repu- tation as a successful salesman. In 1892 Mr. Stahl entered the dental depart- ment of Northwestern University, at Chicago, where he remained two years. taking one year in the study of medicine and one year in dentistry. He com- pleted his technical education in the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cin- cinnati, where he graduated in 1895. Upon the completion of his professional studies, Doctor Stahl located at Mowrystown, Highland county, Ohio, but was not satisfied with the location and in July of the same year he came to Wooster, where he has since remained. He met with a satisfactory reception
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from the public from the start and has always enjoyed his full share of the public patronage. He is a careful and painstaking workman and has invariably given satisfaction in his work. His office is fitted with all the latest and im- proved appliances for the successful practice of his profession and he keeps in touch with the latest advances made in his profession. In 1908 Dr. Stahl took a post-graduate course at the Northwestern University. He keeps in close touch with his professional brethren through his membership in the Ohio State Dental Association and the Northern Ohio Dental Association, of which he is a valued member. He also possesses a large and well-selected library of standard books in several lines of literature and is a close reader of the world's best authors. He has been a keen observer too and is a well informed man on matters in general.
Socially, Doctor Stahl is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Wooster. His re- ligious membership is with the German Evangelical church at Winesburg. The Doctor is up to date and ready at all times to encourage movements for the material advancement of his city or county. He has a large number of warm personal friends and is well liked by all who know him.
JAMES BUCHANAN MINIER.
It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real his- tory of a community, and its influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing the interests of their fellow men and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is the worthy gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, and as such it is proper that a resume of his eminently commendable career be ac- corded a place among the representative citizens of the city and county in which he resides.
James Buchanan Minier, residing at No. 12 Spruce street, Wooster, Ohio, was born at Elmira, Chemung county, New York, December 4, 1856. He is the son of Solomon and Henrietta Maria ( Olmstead) Minier, the father born
J. B. MINIER
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at Nunda, Livingston county, New York, July 21, 1815, and the mother at Fairsdale, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1832. The Minier family is of French (Huguenot) descent. The subject's paternal grand- father, George Minier, was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, and was among the survivors of the Wyoming massacre. Daniel Minier was an officer in Gen- eral Sullivan's army in the Revolutionary war. The subject's grandmother, Susan (Cooper) Minier, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and she was a sister of Major John Cooper, who was killed at the battle of Lundy's Lane, fought during the latter part of the war of 1812. The Olmstead family is of English descent. The maternal grandfather, Waller Olmstead, was related to Governor Waller of Connecticut.
James B. Minier, of this review, was educated at the Elmira Free Acad- emy. Taking up the study of law, in which he made rapid progress, he was admitted as attorney and counsellor at law in New York in 1880. In 1881 he removed to Ohio. He also successfully engaged in editorial and other newspaper and literary work for a number of years, winning a reputation as a clear, forceful and trenchant writer. He enlisted as a private in Company D. Eighth Regiment Ohio National Guard, Infantry, on October 5, 1882, and was honorably discharged on March 3, 1886.
Mr. Minier was married on January 5, 1879, to Etta C. Power, a young lady of culture and refinement, and an accomplished musician, the daughter of James B. and Martha (Riley), Power, one of Wooster's oldest and most highly esteemed families. This union has been blessed by the birth of one son, Victor Power Minier, born May 2. 1892.
Politically. Mr. Minier is a Democrat and has long been active and in- Auential in local party affairs. He served very acceptably as city clerk of Wooster from 1902 to 1903, and is the present able city auditor, having first been elected to this office in 1903 and taking charge of the same on May Ist of that year. He was the first auditor of the city under the new municipal code of Ohio, and made such a commendable record that he was re-elected for the second and third terms, his tenure of office expiring on January 1, 1912.
Mr. Minier's record as city auditor of Wooster is one of which his con- stituents and friends should be justly proud. His books have received the highest commendation from the state bureau of public accounting, and the official reports made by the state examiners during his terms of office show that he has ever performed his duty well and faithfully. One state examiner in his official report says: "The books of City Auditor Minier were found in their usual neat and faultless condition, and that very efficient officer de-
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serves pronounced commendation, not only for the careful and painstaking work which is clearly in evidence in his department, but also for the excellent judgment and comprehension shown in making intricate classifications, and in conducting the affairs of the office in strict conformity with the require- ments of the bureau." As Wooster's pioneer auditor he had the very re- sponsible and difficult task of installing the new and very intricate system of bookkeeping, accounting and reporting prescribed by the state. Having been educated in the legal profession, a careful student of modern office methods and accounting, with many years of practical experience therein, he has brought the auditing department of the city up to a high standard of correct- ness and efficiency unexcelled in the state. This fact has been repeatedly emphasized in the published unbiased official reports made by the state ex- aminers, one of which was quoted above, and is just cause for congratulation and pride on the part of every citizen of Wooster, irrespective of party align- ment.
In reference to the many responsible duties of the auditor, requiring legal knowledge, experience, skill and close acquaintance with the statutes, it is very important to note that he is required to prepare and issue all the bonds of the city, any flaw or error in which is liable to result in additional expense, delays and costly litigation. In the many bond issues prepared by Auditor Minier, representing thousands of dollars, not one error or irregularity has ever been discovered, although the bonds are frequently inspected, and passed upon by the most exacting bond attorneys in the United States.
Mr. Minier was elected to his third term in November, 1909, by an over- whelming majority, his plurality being two hundred and seventy-nine. At this time a Republican mayor was elected by a majority of one hundred and seventy-two votes. This is certainly evidence of Mr. Minier's popularity and of the confidence the public reposes in him. He is evidently the right man in the right place.
Mr. Minier is a consistent member of St. James Episcopal church at Wooster, having been vestryman and clerk of the parish for a period of twenty-four years, and was senior warden and lay reader for many years. Mrs. Minier, as choir director of this church, organized the excellent vested boy choir, which she conducted for many years with great success.
The subject is also active, influential and widely known in fraternal cir- cles. A past worshipful master of Ebenezer Lodge No. 33, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Wooster; past high priest, Wooster Chapter, No. 27, Royal Arch Masons; past eminent commander, Wooster Commandery, No.
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(Masonic) ; held the office of orator of Emeth Grand Lodge of Perfection ; is also a member of Mystic Grand Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and Brenton Chapter, Rose Croix, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, Valley of Canton, Ohio, and prominent in the degree work of these bodies. A past regent of Wayne Council No. 13, Royal Arcanum ; past sachem of Uncas Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; past master workman, Ancient Order United Workmen, of Wooster, is also a member of the grand bodies of these orders, and a member of the City Auditors' Association of Ohio .- During the more than twenty-five years of his residence in Wooster he has been held in the highest esteem as a clean, intelligent, cultured, honorable gentleman, and a good citizen in every sense of the term.
LOUIS K. FRANKS.
The Franks family is one of the best known in Wayne county, members of which have been prominent in private and public life since the pioneer days, and the present representatives of the honored name are seeking to bear aloft the high standard of excellence maintained by their forbears, being active in the affairs of the general public and never shrinking from their duties as citizens.
L. K. Franks was born in Chippewa township, Wayne county. November 29. 1854. the son of Abram Franks, who was born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, where he lived until he was twenty-eight years of age, then moved to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was married in 1848 to Amanda Franks, daughter of Abram Franks, Sr., a second cousin. Abram Franks, father of L. K. Franks, was educated in the common schools and followed teaching for a time. He was also engaged in the mercantile business at New Geneva. Fayette county, Pennsylvania, before coming to Ohio. Soon after coming to Wayne county he opened a store at Doylestown, where he re- mained for some time, then went to New York City and engaged in the wholesale business. He was successful as a merchant. But turning his at- tention to politics, in 1848, soon after his marriage, he was elected to the state Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and so faithfully did he serve his constituents that he was re-elected the following term. After his time in that office expired he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for a period of ten years, then moved to Doylestown and engaged in mer- chandising for sixteen or seventeen years, then retired, having made a great success of the same.
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On December 3, 1887, Mrs. Franks died, at the age of fifty-eight years. She was the mother of the following children : Jennie, wife of Rev. J. W. Law, of Richland county, Ohio; L. K., of this review.
The father of these children was for many years justice of the peace in Doylestown. He was a very versatile writer and contributed many in- teresting and entertaining articles to the papers of his day. He was a man of unusual force of character and his ability was recognized by all who knew him. His death occurred in January, 1891.
L. K. Franks was educated in the public schools of Doylestown. Early in life he took up the mercantile business; for three years he was junior partner in the firm of Charles McCormick & Company, of Doylestown. August 1, 1883, he was married to Linda V. Wharton, daughter of James and Nancy ( Williams) Wharton, a prominent family of Ashland county. To this union three children have been born, Metta L., Kent W. and Car- rie L.
Mr. Franks has been in the mercantile business nearly all his life, fol- lowing in the footsteps of his honored father, and he has been scarcely less successful than the elder Franks. He is also largely interested in agricul- tural pursuits in Chippewa township. He is a member of the firm of Franks & Cleckner, engaged in the lumber and saw-mill business, and with Dr. A. E. Stepfield he is interested in a fruit farm of seven hundred apple trees in Chippewa township, one of the valuable farms of its kind in this part of the state. In all these varied and extensive interests he is having great suc- cess owing to his splendid management and natural business ability, always paying close attention to details and being able to foresee the future outcome of present transactions.
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