USA > Ohio > Crawford County > Cranberry > New Washington and Cranberry Township; directorial, biographical, historical > Part 5
USA > Ohio > Crawford County > New Washington > New Washington and Cranberry Township; directorial, biographical, historical > Part 5
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A. F. HIGH (page 22) is a native of Cranberry town- ship, Crawford county, Ohio, was born in 1865, and is a son of Michael and Mary High. The days of his youth were passed on the farm where he found plenty of work to engage his attention During the winter seasons he attended the common schools
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
where he soon became a strong rival in the art of learning for his fellow pupils. Seeking to widen his intellectual achieve- ments he entered and completed the prescribed course or the New Washington High School. He afterwards attended a term at the North-western Ohio University at Ada. After thus qualifying himself he began teaching and taught four success- ive terms of school. Like many young men he was determined to see the West and for about a year was through the principal cities in the Missippi Valley. In 1888 he assumed the manage- ment of his mother's farm and in connection established an ex- tensive henery, doing a large and profitable business. He is con- nected with the German Lutheran church at New Washington. He is a good citizen and neighbor, esteemed by all who know him and is a Democrat.
S. J. KIBLER (page 12) is a native of New Washing- ton, Crawford county, Ohio, is a son of Mathias and Frederica Kibler and was born on March 9, 1851. While yet in the prime of life he embraced the advantages then offered for education thereby qualifying himself for his future busy life with a good business education. He assisted his father, who was a tanner,to carry on the then already very extensive business of his tannery, at the same time mastering that occupation. After the death of his father, Mr. Kibler and his'younger brother, J. W.,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
assumed the management of the tannery and have ever since been carrying on a very extensive business. As wholesale deal- ers in hides, pelts, tallow, &c., they are second to none in north- ern Ohio. On April 22, 1875, Mr. Kibler was married to Miss Elizabeth Herr, of Seneca county, and by her had six children of whom five are yet living-Alfred G., Clara O., Milton, Syl- vester and Ida. Mrs. Kibler was born on May 24, 1854. S. J., takes a deep interest in all matters which are of importance to the community especially so in the matter of educating the youth of the present generation. He has been a member of the board of education of the New Washington schools for years during a portion of which time he has served in the capacity of clerk and for the last four years has been president of that organization. He has held other positions of honor and trust. Mr. and Mrs. Kibler are both members of the German Lutheran church. He is an influential Democrat and stands high in the estimation of his party in his county. His ability, honor and integrity are acknowledged by all who know him.
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J. W. KIBLER (page 12) is a native of New Washing- ton, Ohio, was born on June 28,1859 and is a son of Mathias and Frederica Kibler. His father was a very influential man and had much to do with the affairs of his village and township. He was the first Mayor of New Washington and always took a deep interest in the educaton of the rising generation. He departed this life on Sept. 23, 1876, a loss which was keenly felt by the en- tire community. His widow yet survives and those who are yet with her at home are J. W., Monroe, Lovina and Louisa. Ths last named completed the course of the New Washington High School in the spring of 1883 with the highest honor. In the autumn of the same year she accepted the position of teach- er of the intermediate department of the school in New Wash- ington which position she yet retains. She isa good instructor and an exemplary and highly esteemed young lady. After the death of his father, the subject of this sketch formed a partner- ship with his brother, S. J., and carried on extensively what was his father's business, viz., tanning. During his connection with the firm he has proven himself a successful business man. The people of New Washington recognized his honesty and ability by electing him for three consecutive terms to the office of village clerk, an office, the duties of which he faithfully executed with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Heis an unswerving Democrat, and a hard worker for the cause of his party. His courtesy, affability and integrity win him friends everywhere. A brilliant future awaits him.
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A. H. HISE, M. D., (page 11), second son of W. H. and Isabella Hise, is a native of Liberty township, Crawford county, Ohio, and was born near Bucyrus, August 24, 1851. His father is of German descent and his mother of English extraction. Until the age of 12 he attended the district school which usually was under the supervision of a muscular man whose chief qualifica- tion was the superior manner of weilding the birch rod in bright- ening ideas. A part of the summer he assisted on the farm. His father being possessed of the good old idea that every boy should learn a trade, he required him to serve the regular apprentice- ship of a shoemaker. While taking this prescribed course he obtained only two or three months schooling during the latter part of the winter. During the long winter nights such books as were found at home and in the townshp library were read with great eagerness, and formed the nucleus of his education. The earnest desire for more knowledge was partially satisfied by en- tering the Bucyrus High school. After attending several terms at this place he took a regular course at the Lebanon Normal School, Lebanon, Ohio. The following four years were spent in teaching schools in the neighboring towns. Having decided that the practice of medicine should be his life work, the next three years found him an indefatigable student in that science and graduated with honor from the Columbus Medical College in the Spring of 1879. Shortly after this he located at New Wash-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ington, Ohio, and became one of its most active citizens in pro- moting the interests of the town. He is a member of the State and the North Central Ohio Medical societies, and in the latter is an active working member. Through his many genial quali- ties and close application of his extensive library he has acquired a large an successful practice and one of the finest residences in the village. In the spring of 1879 he married the youngest daughter of the late Dr. G. L. Zeigler, of this county. They are both members of the M. E. church. His family consists of his wife's mother, one of the pioneers of the county, and Bessie and Bertha Sexauer, his orphan nieces.
JACOB SHEETZ, (page 14), is a son of John A. and Margaret Sheetz, was born on September 26, 1843, at New Wash- ington, Ohio. Until he became 21 years of age, his time was engaged in assisting his father, who was a merchant, in the dis- charge of his business and devoted his leisure time in devel- oping his mental powers by attending school. After he became of age he engaged his services to his father until. October 10, 1866, at which time he formed a partnership with him, which firm done a large and constantly increasing business. In 1874 his father retired from an active business career. His brother, John H. now became a member of the firm. Hitherto their place of business had been on Main street, but the constantly in- creasing trade necessitated their removal to more spacious apartments and in consequence they moved their stock of goods to its present location on the Southeast corner of Mansfield and Franklin streets. About this time the Farmer's Exchange Bank was founded with which Jacob has been connected ever since. On October 17, 1867, Mr. Sheetz married Miss Annie Elizabeth Guiss, the only duaghter of Abraham and Catherine Guiss, who was born in Cranberry township on February 16, 1845. Their children are Ada Matilda, born Feb. 28, 1869; George William, born Oct. 2, 1871; and Emma Louisa, born Oct. 15, 1875. As a business man, Mr. Sheetz has an honorable career and has the reputation of having been one of the best financiers of the county. Nor were his energies wholly directed on business matters alone. He has been a prominent figure in matters relative to the intel- lectual advancement of the youth, and his influence was greatly felt in matters concerning the schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheetz are members of the German Lutheran church. His fam- ily is one of which he may well be proud. Intelligent, courteous and commanding the respect of the best society. Geo. W., his only son. has completed the prescribed course of the New Wash- ington High School and is now Teller of the Farmers' Exchange Bank. In politics he is identified with the Democrats.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHARLES J. KAPPUS, (page 12,) is the youngest son of Charles, Sr., and Louisa Kappus, is a native of Huron county, Ohio, and was born near Monroeville on September 14, 1863. When Charles was five years old his parents moved to Crawford county and located on the farm where his father yet resides about 2 miles north of New Washington. Here he was reared and his life was such as is common to a farmer's boy. His school advan- tages were those of the district school which he attended during the winter seasons. When he became of age, Charels assumed the management of the farm, the affairs of which he creditably conducted until he became 25. At this time he abandoned the farm and came to New Washington and purchased and took charge of the Sample and Lunch room formerly owned by his brother, Ed. He has carried on a respectable and thriving bus- iness ever since. On May 14, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Lena Hepp, daughter of Geo. Hepp, who was born on June 12, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Kappus are highly respected by those with whom they come in contact, and are both members of St. Bernard's Catholic church. Mr. Kappus is an influential young man and has a brilliant future before him. In politics he has always been known as a staunch Democrat.
JOHN H. SHEETZ (page 14) was born August 29, 1852, at New Washington, Ohio. He is a son of John A. and Marga- ret (Donnenwirth) Sheetz. He attended the village schools un- til the winter of 1869-70, when he attended school at Oberlin, Ohio. Having a dislike for mercantiling, he then followed farming for two years. In 1872 he took a commercial course at Mt. Union College. In the spring of 1873 he commenced clerk- ing for John A. Sheetz & Son, and in 1874 bought his father's interest in the business, forming a copartnership with his broth- er, Jacob. The business had increased to such an extent that they were obliged to secure more room. They then moved their stock into the brick block which they now own and occupy. In
1876 Mr. Sheetz was elected Cashier of the Farmers' Exchange Bank of New Washington, Ohio, which position he has held since its organization. Much is to be attributed to his efforts and energy in the organization and management of this Bank. He was married October 2, 1889, to Miss Theresia W. Michaelis, of Bucyrus, Ohio, daughter of Rev. A. H. G. and Caroline (Margraf) Michaelis. Rev. Michaelis departed this life in Aug- ust 1885 at Westerville, Ohio, while Mrs. Michaelis rasides at Bucyrus, Ohio, at present. Mr. Sheetz is a member of the Lu- theran church.
JOHN A. SHEETZ, Banker, (page 14.) Among the old and honored residents of Cranberry township is the subject of this sketch. He was born September 6, 1809, in Hollenhas- lack, County of Waihingen, Wuertemberg, Germany. In 1830 at the age 21, he left Europe and came to America, residing for
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the first two years in Columbiana county, Ohio. Thence he went to Lebanon, Ohio, in which vicinity he labored at $6.00 per month on the farm. In May 1836, he was married to Mar- garet Weisenbacher, whose parents lived near Lebanon, Ohio. This union was of very short duration, his wife dying two months after the wedding, in Auburn township, where he had purchased a home of 93 acres of timber land. Upon this land (now owned by Jacob Uhl,) he erected a log cabin which is still occupied as a dwelling house at this date. He was married again in September, 1837, to Agatha Weaver, but was equally unfortunate, his second wife dying in 1838 giving birth to a daughter, Catherine A., who is the wife of Wm. H. Donnen- wirth, of Canton, Ohio. He was married again April 8, 1842, to Margaret Hesse, widow of Ehregott Hesse and daughter of Geo. Donnenwirth who died in 1858. To this union were born the following family; Jacob, born in 1843; Mary M., born 1845, died in 1871; George, born in 1849 and died the same year; Caroline M., born in 1850 and is the wife of John L. Assenheimer, Bucy- rus, Ohio; John H., born 1852; Lousia P., born in 1854 and is wife of John M. Guiss. His wife by her first husband, Mr. Hesse, had one daughter, Matiida, who lived with Mr. Sheetz until she married George Schwemley. She died in Chatfield township July 1870. Mr: Sheetz first began the mercantile bus- iness with a general assortment of goods at New Washington in 1842 in a room of his log dwelling house situated on the North East corner of Main and Franklin street. His entire stock of goods could have been hauled on a wheelbarrow. He also had the first and only hotel in the village at that time. In 1850 his trade and stock had so increased that he was obliged to build a business room, which he did on S. E. corner of Main and Frank- lin street. He continued until 1866, when he took his son, Ja- cob, in as a partner. The firm then being John A. Sheetz & Son. They continued to do business at the old stand until 1874, when he sold his interest to his son, John H. Sheetz, he retiring from the mercantile business. Mr. Sheetz was one of the organ- izers of the Farmers Exchange Bank, of New Washington, O., and has been president of the bank since its organization. He is an honest straigthforward man having made all his money by hard labor and honorable dealing. He has always been a mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
Since the above was written, the subject of this sketch de- parted this life on December 7, 1889, aged, 80 yrs., 3 mo., 1 da. Thus closed an honorable and eventful career.
PART III.
HISTORICAL. New Washington.
The Beginning,
Topography. The tract of land which comprises the site of the Incorporated Village of New Washington, Ohio, lies on either side of the eastern boundary line of a tract of land, which, after 1820, was known as the New Purchase, in Cranberry town- ship, Crawford county. The corporation contains an area at present of nearly a section of land and is 40° 58' North latitude and about 6° West longitude reckoning from the Meridian at Washington. A's late as 1820 the site upon which the Village now stands was a dismal conglomeration of swamps and forests, inhabited only by the Red Man and the wild beasts of the for- ests. Bnt it was not ordained that matters were always thus to continue. The Indian was to resume his lonely march toward the setting of the sun; the beasts of the forests were to become the victim of the hunter; the forests were to fall mercilessly be- fore the White Man's ax, and the swamps were to be dried up by artificial drainage; civilization was to succeed savagery, the stag- nent pool was to be superseded by large business blocks and the winding path of the Indian was to be converted into streets and vast thoroughfares for the carrying on of business of a busy and intelligent race. The soil, once beaten by the tread of the wolf, the panther and the bear, is now beaten by the feet of the me- chanic, the merchant and the professionalists, and their former abode is now the abode of 1100 prosperous and hapny souls.
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Such have been a few of the multifarious transformations which have taken place in the corporate limits of New Washington within the lapse of less than seventy years. When another three score and ten years shall have passed, we predict there will be as distinct changes as there have been in the past. That the changes will be for the better, no one will question. That the steady onward march of civilization, culture and refinment will do wonders in the extension of the borders of the Village is not to be doubted.
The Founder. In 1826 George Myers purchased the tract of land on which the principal part of the village now stands. His cabin, probably the first building erected in New Washing- ton, stood near the present site of the grist-mill. Being an in- dustrious man, he at once began the work of clearing away the forest and preparing the soil for cultivation, which indeed was an exceedingly arduous task, and which comparatively few had the nerve to undertake. While others were rovng about the woods in search for game, he was always to be found at his work on the land which he purchased, and the result was that in 1833 he had about thirty acres cleared, fenced and under cultiva- tion. Though a robust man, continual hard work ruined his health to a considerable extent. He was commonly known as "Chipmunk" Myers from a fancied resemblance of a chipmunk in his appearance, wearing heavy whiskers which stood straight out. On September 3, 1833, Mr. Myers secured the service of T. C. Sweeney, then surveyor of Crawford county, and laid out thirty-one lots from a portion of his cleared land. At this date the history of the Village proper, begins. The Village was named New Washington by its founder, probably on account of a patriotic impulse caused by the esteem and honor which the founder had for the "Father of his Country." What the mag- nitude of the expectations of the founder of New Washington, regarding her future, were, can hardly be imagined. He saw that it was sufficiently removed from any very extensive business center to insure a lively trade, and later events proved his views to be correct. The sturdy industry of George Myers, which was well worthy of imitation, seemed to be inherited by the leading · business men of the suceeding generations, and the result was that the village, though at times at an apparent stand still, en- joyed a steady growth, which, beyond a doubt, fully met the
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expectation of the industrious and hard working founder.
Early Settlers. There is so much uncertainty regarding the first settlers within the corporate limits of New Washing- ton that itis impossible to give a definite account of them. It is, however, generally believed the second cabin erected was that of Jacob Hoover, who with his brother, Nimrod, were great hunters and spent all their time in quest of game. Their hab- its differed materially from that of Mr. Myers. In 1833 a large German emigration arrived and located in the vicinity of New Washington and some of them were afterward closely connected with the affairs of the village. Among those who constituted that emigration were George Donnenwirth, George Klein, War- ner Rang, Joseph Worst, John, William and Armstrong Irwin, Wm. Scott, Wm. Hoover, Henry Kahler, George Siefert, Tim- othy McCarthy, Adam High, John Robinson and many others. The arrival of this emigration and the laying out of the village by Mr. Myers, were simultaneous events, and from henceforth the village has been the central figure of the entire community. In 1834, Adam High built a regular dwelling of hewn logs in New Washington. It was in reality the first building in town worthy of the name of dwelling. He was an old man when he came to New Washington but commanded considerable wealth. He invested in real estate and let out his money on interest. Three years later his son set up a blacksmith-shop and in con- nection with other pursuits, followed that vocation for many years. About the time of Adam High's location in the village, Robert Robinson arrived and erected a cabin and began the manufacture of shoes, giving employment to several men. He was also a tanner and was therefore enabled to prepare his own leather and some for market besides. His tannery which con- sisted of five or six vats was in a small building a short distance from his shoe shop. In 1836 a Mr. Hussey brought the first stock of goods, which was purchased in Sandusky City, to town and began to do business. The stock was necessarily very much varied. He continued in business until his death which occur- red on Lake Erie in 1842 while on board a vessel which was wrecked in a fierce gale. Mrs. Hussey, however continued in her husbands's business. In about 1836 George Donnenwirth became a resident of New Washington. He set up a blacksmith shop and followed that vocation for years. His sturdy honesty
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won for him a popularity throughout the entire county such as is rarely enjoyed by any one man. He served as Justice of the Peace for many years and afterward represented Crawford county in the Ohio Legislature. In 1855 he was elected treasur- er of Crawford county. After this he ceased to be a citizen of New Washington, but his influence and a large circle of rela- tives yet remain. His death at Bucyrus a few years ago was universally lamented by the people of Crawford county among whom he had been such a prominent figure.
About a decade after Adam High's arrival a number of other personages became residents of the villiage, who were promi- nently identfied with its affairs in later years. Among them was John A. Sheetz, who became the proprietor of the stock of goods, formerly owned by Mr. Hussey, in 1842. He and Mrs. Hussey were united in marriage and are yet living at this place. Mr. Sheetz increased the stock of goods and carried on business on an extensive scale until some years ago when he left his sons in charge of the business. He is at present president of the Farmer's Exchange Bank. Two years later Vollney Powers be- came a citizen of the village and brought the second stock of goods to town and begin to do a thriving business. Much of his attention was required at his ashery which was second only to his store in a pecuniary point of view. Ashes were brought in by the wagon load and converted into "pearl ash" of which an average of nearly fifteen tons was made per anumn. Mr. Powers is yet alive and resides on one of the best farms of Cran- berry township, one mile east of New Washington. Another of the arrivals in 1844 was William H. Pratt and family. He was a skillful carpenter and in subsequent years became a prominent resident of the village. He possessed energy in a sufficient de- gree to accomplish any task which he undertook. He employed a large force of men and became an extensive building contrac- tor. In later years he began to deal in furs in which, it is said, he realized large profits. In connection with dealing in fur, he opened a provision store, which stock of goods he sold in a few years, substituting in its place a stock of drugs and continued in that business for many years and realized a substantial income. In 1871 Mr. Pratt erected a large planning mill and was its proprietor for about ten years. In later years he moved to Nap- anee, Indiana.
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HISTORICAL.
In the spring of 1847 another prominent figure was added to New Washington in the person of Mathias Kibler. He was a practical tanner and had been a resident of Cranberry township for six years prior to his arrival in New Washington. Mr. Kib- ler purchased the tannery and outfit formerly owned by Rob- ert Robinson. His reputation as a first-class tanner soon became widely known, and this resulted in his Jeather finding a ready market and commanding the highest prices. His business in- creased in such proportions that a larger and more commodious building was necessary. He thereupon erected the building, which is now owned by his sons, and prosecuted the work with renewed energy and zeal. It is not probable that any other man deserves as much credit as Mr. Kibler for arousing the early set- tlers from their lethargy regarding educational matters. He did not think that the idea of having the youth grow to manhood in ignorance was just and right. To him the development of the mind was, at least, equally as important as that of the body. Possessed with these ideas concerning the intellectual advance- ment of the rising generation, he concentrated all his energies and brought his most powerful influence to bear heavily upon his fellow men to divide the township into districts, erect school- houses and furnish such advantages for education as lay within their power and means. His labor was not in vain as later events are evidence of its success. Mr. Kibler served his fellow men in various positions of honor and trust, and always with credit to himself. He was an ardent friend of the public schools and his strong support still exerts a most magnificent influence in matters pertaining to schools, and it is to be hoped that it will become more and more powerful as time rolls on. Nor has the present generation of the Killers deteriorated in the promotion of educational interests. His son, S. J., has for many years been a member of the Board of Education and is now president of that organization. His daughter, Louisa, has for the past sev- en years had charge of the intermediate department of the schools and is acknowledged to be one of the most successful teachers in Crawford county.
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