USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
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life was engaged in mercantile pursuits and for eighteen years served efficiently as postmaster at Convoy, Van Wert county. He retired in 1912 and both he and his wife still reside in the city which was their home for so many years and which wit- nessed the business success of the father. In their family were the following children: Oliver H. is a merchant at Fos- toria, Ohio. He married Adaline Knapp and has five chil- dren; Frank O., Floyd O., Forrest O., Fannie O. and Florence O. Charles died in childhood. Orlando V. is the subject of this review. Margaret M. married Lee G. Friedenburg, a station agent on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Whiting, In- diana, by whom she has two children, Harry and Martha. Nellie M. married Christopher Hoelle, a telegraph operator in the employ of the Pennsylvania system at Van Wert, Ohio. Cleo G. married Paul Long, a bank cashier at Convoy, Ohio, and they have one child, Mary Louisa. One child of Mr. and Mrs. David M. Riley died in infancy.
Orlando V. Riley attended public school at Convoy until sixteen years of age, when he laid aside his text-books in order to accept a position as telegraph operator with the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, a connection which he maintained for sixteen years. Thrifty and industrious, and desirous of establishing himself in business independently, he then be- came a merchant in Nevada, also handling farm implements and machinery and extending his efforts to the real-estate field, being successful in all these connections. He has since built and now is the sole owner of the only fireproof auto garage in Nevada, deriving a substantial income from this enterprise. Before the natural gas company began opera- tions he supplied Nevada for a period of seven years with acet- ylene gas, operating a plant for the manufacture of the com- modity. As landholder of ninety-two acres on section 4, Antrim township, and section 33, Eden township, he is con- nected with agricultural interests and he also owns his hand- some residence in Nevada.
At Monroeville, Indiana, on August 21, 1889, Mr. Riley was united in marriage to Miss Georgia L. Gartly, a daughter of Mrs. Millie Edwards of her first union, with Mr. Gartly, and now residing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have three children: Clyde G., Margaret A. and David E. The elder son, Clyde, married Beatrice Young and assists his father in the automobile business.
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Mr. Riley gives his allegiance to the republican party and has for ten years served efficiently as member of the school board, giving thereby evidence of his public spirit and inter- est in the cause of education. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. His career is proof of the fact that success is but ambi- tion's answer and that the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry will still win the day. He has become one of the most substantial men of his community, where he is highly regarded and respected, enjoying the confidence and good- will of all who know him in a business and social way.
MARSHALL E. FOUCHT.
Marshall E. Foucht, surveyor and civil engineer of Upper Sandusky, is one of the county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Mifflin township, March 24, 1877. His father was William A. Foucht, who was born in Pitt township, this county, in 1855, and is now a merchant of Upper Sandusky. In his earlier life he followed farming but retired from agri- cultural pursuits and is associated with Andrew Bardon in commercial interests in the county seat. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah J. Ewart, was born in Mifflin town- ship in 1857. They are parents of two sons: Marshall E., and Paul L., the latter now a professor in Oxford University. He wedded Carrie Purnell and they have two children, Beat- rice and William.
Marshall E. Foucht pursued his early education in the district schools of Mifflin township and afterward attended the high school of Upper Sandusky and the Ohio Northern University at Ada. He next entered the Zanarian Art Col- lege at Columbus, Ohio. In early life he spent two years in farming upon the farm of his father-in-law and afterward engaged in teaching in connection with Wolf's Business Col- lege at Hagerstown, Maryland. Subsequently he established a restaurant in Ada, Ohio, but afterward turned his attention to the insurance business in connection with W. A. Gibson. He devoted four years to that undertaking and in his different lines has been very successful. In 1908 he was elected to
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the office of county surveyor of Wyandot county and served for a period of four years. He studied civil engineering at A'da in the Ohio Northern University and in following his profession is meeting with good success, receiving now a liberal and well merited patronage.
On the 24th of October, 1901, in Mifflin township, Mr. Foucht was married to Miss Cora E. Justice, a daughter of Henry M. and Susan (Miller) Justice, who were farming people in Mifflin township. Mr. and Mrs. Foucht have three children: Mildred J., Stanton H. and Evelyn L. His political allegiance has always been given the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and his fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Royal Arch Masons. He is interested in matters of public-spirited citizenship and to this end cooperates in all progressive movements of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a member. His religious belief is evidenced in his membership in the Methodist church and at all times his influence is on the side of right, progress, reform and truth.
THOMAS D. STRASER.
Thomas D. Straser, a leading butcher of Upper Sandusky, owns and conducts a well appointed meat market in the city and is meeting with a gratifying success because of his hon- orable business methods and his earnest desire to please his patrons. He was born in Big Spring township, Seneca county, February 16, 1859, a son of George and Mary (Siebenaller) Straser, natives of Germany, the father born October 15, 1830, and the mother in 1836. George Straser left the fatherland at the age of fifteen and, crossing the Atlantic, settled in Ohio, where he grew to maturity, later becoming a prominent fac- tor in agricultural circles. His wife passed away in 1908. She was the mother of eleven children, Rose, Thomas, Peter, Anna, Elizabeth, John, Louis, Victoria, William, Charles and Christine.
Thomas D. Straser acquired his education in the district schools of Seneca county, which he attended until he was eighteen years of age, after which he worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-four. He then turned his attention
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS D. STRASER
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to business pursuits, forming a partnership with his brother Peter in the carpentering and contracting business, which he followed for four years, building many fine residences and barns throughout that section of the state. The partnership was finally dissolved when Peter Straser moved away and in 1888 Thomas Straser turned his attention to general farming, buying one hundred and sixty acres in Mifflin township, upon which he resided until 1905, when he came to Upper Sandusky and engaged in business. He opened a livery barn but after two years established himself as a retail butcher, a line of work in which he has been very successful. His modern, well appointed shop and excellent line of goods have secured him a gratifying patronage, which extends beyond the limits of Upper Sandusky into the surrounding country districts. In addition to this Mr. Straser still supervises the operation of his one hundred and sixty acre farm in Mifflin township, upon which he raises fine crops of hay, wheat, corn and oats and keeps one hundred sheep, forty hogs and eleven horses, selling his stock in the local markets.
Mr. Straser married, October 16, 1888, in Mifflin township, Miss Sophia Rall, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Bricher) Rall, the former a prominent agriculturist of that locality. Mr. Straser gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has been trustee of Mifflin township for seven years. He is a member of the Catholic church, is identified with the Catholic Knights of Ohio and in his social and business life is recog- nized as a man of genuine personal worth, who well deserves the widespread respect and esteem which he has won.
JOHN CASEY.
John Casey is a retired farmer now living in Upper San- dusky. During the years in which he cultivated his fields his intelligently directed industry brought him success, en- abling him now to rest from further labor. He was born in Erie county, Ohio, March 4, 1850, and is of Irish lineage. His father, Timothy Casey, was born in Ireland in 1805 and at the age of seventeen years came to Ohio, where in business circles he was afterward well known as a contractor in stone and ballast. He furnished the rock to fill in the lake front at
Vol. II-9
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Sandusky and had other important contracts. He died in 1892, having for two years survived his wife, who bore the maiden name of May McDrewry, and who was born in Ire- land in 1813. Their children were twelve in number, five of whom are yet living. Katie is the widow of James Gillin, a farmer, who died in 1910, leaving nine children. Maria is the widow of Phillip Kennedy, who passed away in 1909, and their children were ten in number. John is the next of the surviving members of the family. Sarah is the wife of John Courtad, a farmer of Crane township, and they have six children. James, who married Elizabeth Hoffman, is a farmer of Wyandot county and has six children.
In the common schools John Casey pursued his education to the age of nineteen years and afterward worked as a farm hand until he had attained his majority. He then started out independently by renting a farm and after continuing the cul- tivation of leased land for a number of years he purchased, in 1883, sixty-four acres in Pitt township which a decade later he traded for one hundred and sixty-four acres on section 18, Crane township. For more than ten years he was busily en- gaged in cultivating and improving this property, making it one of the rich and productive farms of that section of the county. He was very successful and with a handsome compe- tence acquired through his own efforts retired to private life in 1904. His property holdings now include his place of one hundred and sixty-four acres in Crane township and two fine residences on West Wyandot avenue in Upper Sandusky, one of which he occupies.
On the 9th of May, 1871, at Tiffin, Ohio, Mr. Casey was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Seifert, a daughter of Phillip and Susan (Terry) Seifert, of Seneca county, Ohio. Her parents were farming people. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Casey has been born one son, James, who married Miss Emma Mitch. He is also a retired farmer, living at Upper Sandusky.
In politics Mr. Casey has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and his capa- bility in office is widely acknowledged by his fellow town- men who have frequently called him to serve in public posi- tions. He was justice of the peace in Pitt township for one term, was a trustee of that township for four years, was county commissioner for six and a half years, was supervisor for ten years and a member of the school board for twelve
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years. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and his religious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Catholic church, in which for eighteen years he served as councilman. He has always worked dili- gently and his life's labors have been productive of good results, winning for him not only a substantial competence but also the respect and good-will of his fellowmen.
CHARLES F. CHATLAIN.
Charles F. Chatlain, one of the most successful and promi- nent farmers and stockmen of Wyandot county, was born in Eden township, February 1, 1877, a son of Frederick H. and Ella (Carr) Chatlain. The father was born in Switzerland, October 18, 1847, and was five years of age when he arrived in America. He grew to manhood in this country and later followed farming in Wyandot county for many years, passing away in 1910. His wife was a native of Eden township and was born in 1851. She died February 19, 1913, at her late home in Nevada. To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Chatlain were born seven children: Charles F., of this review; Louis, who is a partner of Charles F. in the stock business; Myrtle, who married Charles Steinetz, a farmer of Crawford county, by whom she has three children; Nettie, who married Luther Mollencop, a farmer in Antrim township, by whom she has two children; Clarence, who is engaged in farming in Eden township and who married Maud Thomas, by whom he has one child; Frank, who is an agriculturist in Eden township and who married Mary Brewer, by whom he has one child; and Minnie, the wife of Frank Martin of Nevada, Ohio.
The public schools of Eden township afforded Charles F. Chatlain his educational opportunities but he laid aside his books at the early age of fourteen in order to assist with the work of the home farm. When he was eighteen his father made him a partner in the stock-buying business and their association continued until the death of Frederick H. Chat- lain, Mr. Chatlain of this review laying at this time the broad foundations of his present success. After his father's death he continued to buy and sell stock and is interested in this line of work at the present time in connection with general
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farming. He owns four hundred and three acres of land in Atrim township, upon which he raises corn, wheat and hay, and he keeps also one hundred head of cattle, eight horses, three hundred sheep and six hundred hogs. He takes a great interest in the affairs of his township and is a member of the Farmers Association, a society organized for the purpose of building roads and making general improvements.
On February 24, 1898, Mr. Chatlain was united in mar- riage at Morral, Ohio, to Miss Bessie E. Krestetter, a daugh- ter of Christ and Elizabeth (Leith) Krestetter, the former a prominent farmer of Antrim township. Mr. and Mrs. Chat- lain have four children, Leo C., May A., Ona M. and Flossie I. Mr. Chatlain attends the Baptist church but is not a member of any religious organization. He gives his alle- giance to the republican party, voting its ticket on all national and local questions, but beyond casting his vote takes no active part in political affairs. He is one of the most active and able business men and progressive farmers in Wyandot county and his prosperity has come to him through his own energy, labor and perseverance, so that he stands today among the representative citizens of his native section.
BENJAMIN F. KENNEDY.
Benjamin F. Kennedy, who since 1883 has been the effi- cient manager of the W. L. Bones estate, located in Pitt and Mifflin townships, is numbered among the earliest residents of Wyandot county and among her most progressive and suc- cessful native sons, his birth having occurred in Marseilles township, October 8, 1838. He is a son of Frederick and Elmira (Hull) Kennedy, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born about the year 1818 and the latter in 1820. The father was a wheelwright by trade and followed that occupation until his death in 1841. The mother has also passed away, her death having occurred in 1905. In their family were two children: Benjamin F., of this review, and Jerome.
The district schools of Marseilles township afforded Ben- jamin F. Kennedy his educational opportunities. He laid aside his books at the age of seventeen and clerked from 1855 to 1863 in a local dry-goods store. He made rapid advance-
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ment in this field of labor and was in the latter year taken into partnership, his association with mercantile interests continuing until 1883, in which year he became manager of the W. L. Bones estate. He has been very efficient and faith- ful in his service, looking after the interests entrusted to him carefully and intelligently, and as a result has made the prop- erty one of the finest farms in this section, its attractive appearance standing as an evidence of Mr. Kennedy's many years of care and labor.
At Marseilles, September 26, 1861, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Susan L. Knibloe, a daughter of Philip and Katherine Knibloe, of Marseilles township. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have become the parents of five children, Louis A., Jared C., Charles F., Cora E. and Edna B. Louis A., the eldest, was born August 24, 1871. He was educated in the district schools of Marseilles township, laying aside his books at the age of nineteen in order to accept a position in the office of the adjutant general at Columbus, Ohio. He retained this position from 1891 to 1894 and then came to Harpster, where he entered the employ of H. H. Sears. In 1901, however, he severed this connection and worked in the elevator owned by C. F. Barnhouse until 1905, in which year he purchased an interest in the general store conducted by W. S. Wood. After four years he disposed of his stock and was afterward for twelve months engaged in shipping hay, becoming in 1912 manager of the local elevator. On Janu- ary 10, 1906, he was married at Little Sandusky to Mrs. Mary Swinehart, who by her former marriage had one son, Lehr W. Louis A. Kennedy is one of the successful and prosperous young business men of Harpster and he possesses in his char- acter and ability the foundation of still greater future ad- vancement. Jared C. Kennedy, the next in order of birth, married Leland Reed and they have two children. He is engaged as an engineer for the Standard Oil Company. Charles F. is a grain merchant. Cora M. married John C. McCleary, a real-estate dealer, and they have two children. Edna, the youngest member of the family, resides at home.
Mr. Kennedy belongs to the Masonic order, and his reli- gious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church. He is a stanch republican and served for twenty-one years as trustee of Marseilles township and for twenty years as a member of the school board, his labors having been of
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direct benefit to the educational advancement of the com- munity. He owns an attractive home in Harpster and is one of the most widely known men in this part of Wyandot county, with the agricultural development of which he has been asso- ciated since pioneer times. He has seen the growth of this section of the state and through the years of an honorable and upright manhood has been connected with it, being today, at the age of seventy-five, still an active factor in the world's work.
JOHN N. BENTGES.
John N. Bentges, filling the office of deputy sheriff of Wyandot county, has been a lifelong resident of Upper San- dusky. He was here born March 11, 1863, his parents being Hubert and Catherine (Neidig) Bentges. The father was born in Germany in 1832 and in early life learned the black- smith's trade, which he afterward followed for many years. On coming to America he settled at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1854, but afterward removed to Upper Sandusky. He died in 1898 but his widow, who was born in 1831, is now living in Colum- bus, Ohio, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. Their children were six in number. Catherine is the wife of August H. Engeman, proprietor of a hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, and they have three children: Mamie, John and Helen. John N., of this review, is the second in order of birth. Mary is the wife of Michael Bentges, proprietor of a saloon at Columbus, Ohio, and they have one child, Margaret. Anna became the wife of John Comyns, a molder of Cleveland, and died in 1898. William married Agnes Butts, by whom he has three children, Edith, Mildred and Beatrice, and their home is in Lansing, Michigan, where he follows the machinist trade. Joseph, who married Margaret Griffin, was a butcher and died in 1912.
John N. Bentges pursued his early education in the paro- chial schools and in the public schools of Upper Sandusky, which he attended to the age of seventeen years. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for nine years. He was afterward engaged in the conduct of a meat market until 1910, when ill health forced him to retire
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from that line of business. He had been very successful and had built up a large trade. In fact he may well be termed a self-made man, for he started out with practically nothing and has worked his way upward with unfaltering energy and determination until he is now in very comfortable financial circumstances. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank and has some property interests.
On the 22d of June, 1897, at Nevada, Ohio, Mr. Bentges was married to Miss Johanna O'Connor, a daughter of Phillip and Margaret O'Connor. Her father was a railroad man of Nevada for over forty-five years and was highly esteemed there. Mr. and Mrs. Bentges hold membership in the Catho- lic church and he has been one of its trustees since the erec- tion of the house of worship. He also holds membership with the Catholic Knights of Ohio. For five years he was a mem- ber of the Kirby Light Guard. In politics he has always been a democrat, interested in the success and growth of his party, and upon its ticket was elected to the office of councilman in 1898 and by reelection was continued in the office until 1902. Following his retirement from commercial pursuits he was appointed deputy sheriff of Wyandot county in 1913 and is now acceptably filling that position, making as creditable an officer in that connection as he did when a member of the city council.
RAYMOND H. GRIFFITH.
Raymond H. Griffith, who has led a life of activity and enterprise, resulting in the acquirement of a goodly measure of success, is now engaged in the blacksmithing business in Carey, conducting a profitable enterprise of this character as a member of the firm of Griffith & Stoody. He is a native of Ohio, born in Pike county, August 17, 1877, and is a son of John F. and Sarah H. (Spahn) Griffith, also natives of this state, the father born in Marshall, Highland county, in 1856, and the mother in 1858. The father is a blacksmith by trade and now conducts a shop in Middletown. He and his wife became the parents of eight children. Raymond H. is the subject of this review. Edna passed away at the age of four years. Madge died in infancy. Blanche makes her home in
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Middletown, Ohio. Earl is an iron worker in Middletown. He married Pearl Baird and has one daughter, Leva. The other children in this family are Floyd, Eber and Glen, all of whom reside in Middletown.
Until Raymond H. Griffith was seventeen years of age he attended district school in Highland county and then began his independent career, working for three years in a grist- mill. He also learned the blacksmith's trade, specializing in the horseshoeing branch, and worked under his father from 1895 to 1898. In the latter year he came to Carey and worked at his trade in the employ of others until 1901, when he pur- chased a shop and started in business for himself. In 1912 the volume of his patronage justified him in taking a partner and accordingly he associated himself with John Stoody under the firm name of Griffith & Stoody, the firm now controlling a large and growing trade. Mr. Griffith is a skilled blacksmith and mechanic and upon his efficiency and ability has founded a gratifying degree of success. He owns his own business premises and an attractive residence on Patterson street.
On the 23d of August, 1899, at Sinking Spring, Highland county, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Nettie M. Patten, a daughter of Samuel and Etta (Woltz) Patten, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have two daughters, Margaret J. and Helen P. Mr. Griffith is a member of the English Lutheran church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a firm advocate of its principles but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs, which are capably conducted, making him one of the leading business men in the city.
VOLNEY E. WILLIAMS.
Volney E. Williams is classed among the important land- owners of Pitt township, owning and operating three hun- dred acres of land, and he is also well known as a breeder of high-grade racing horses. He has spent his entire life in Pitt township and no man of this section of the state is more widely and favorably known. His birth occurred on January 2, 1850, his parents being Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hitchcock) Wil-
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