USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 17
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WILLIAM H. RIESER.
William H. Rieser, who is successfully engaged in the conduct of a meat market as a member of the firm of Stras- son, Rieser & Fink of Upper Sandusky, is a worthy native son of Wyandot county, having been born in Mifflin town- ship on the 17th of July, 1883. His parents were William H. and Mary (Schick) Rieser, the former born in Wyandot county, Ohio, in 1838, and the latter in Virginia in the year 1857. William H. Rieser, Sr., followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and passed away in 1895. His widow survives and makes her home at Upper Sandusky. Their children were seven in number; as follows: John, who passed away at the age of nine years; Charles, who wedded Miss Marjorie Seebach, and is a hide buyer residing at Upper Sandusky; George, who died when twelve years old; Lena, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Ulrich, an agriculturist of Mifflin township, by whom she has three children, Nina, Earl and Emery; Lizzie, who is the wife of William Zahn, a salesman of Upper Sandusky, by whom she has four children, William, Charles, Mildred and Robert; Julia, the wife of M. McCleary, an agriculturist of Mifflin township, by whom she has one son, Charles; and Wil- liam H., of this review.
The last named attended the district schools of his native township until sixteen years of age and afterward worked as
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a farm hand until he had attained the age of twenty-five. He subsequently spent four years as a breeder of horses and on the expiration of that period came to Upper Sandusky and entered the meat business in partnership with his brother Charles. The latter disposed of his interest in 1912 and our subject is now engaged in business in association with T. D. Strasson and W. W. Fink under the firm name of Strasson, Rieser & Fink. He has attained a gratifying measure of suc- cess for one of his years and is widely recognized as one of the enterprising and prosperous young business men of the community. He is the owner of valuable race horses, includ- ing Lady Ashland, with a record of 2:08, McLan, 2:15, and Judge H. C. Fox.
Mr. Rieser has been twice married. On the 4th of Novem- ber, 1904, he wedded Miss Laura Swartz, who passed away in 1907, leaving two children, Clara and Floyd. On the 22d of August, 1908, in Gallia county, Ohio, he was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mrs. Della Poindexter, a widow with one son, Carl. By this marriage there are also two children, Ray and Grace.
In politics Mr. Rieser is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Paul's Lutheran church. Fraternally he is identified with the Red Men and the Maccabees. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is widely and favorably known, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
HERBERT NEWHARD.
Herbert Newhard, who for the past sixteen years has been postmaster of Carey, proving efficient, conscientious and capable in the discharge of his duties, is a native of Ohio, born in Upper Sandusky, March 31, 1865. He is a son of Jacob Newhard, who was born in Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, becoming subsequently one of the leading clothing merchants of Carey. He conducted a large and profitable retail establishment in this city until his death, which occurred June 2, 1895. By his honorable and upright life he had gained the respect and esteem of his fellow citi-
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zens and he was, moreover, honored as a veteran of the Civil war, having served as second lieutenant in Company F, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He received his honorable discharge from that regiment December 23, 1862, on account of disability. He was twice married. He wedded, first, Matilda Bixby, who was born in Champlain, New York, in 1833, and who died in 1876. To their union were born six children: Carrie; one who died in infancy; Jay P., a merchant in Carey, who married Miss Allie Shuman, by whom he has three children; Grove F., a director in the . Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company of St. Louis; Herbert, of this review; and Winfield J., a clothing merchant in Carey, who married Dellie Heffleman, by whom he has three children. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Newhard . married her cousin, Miss Mary R. Bixby, who survives her husband, making her home in Carey. They were the parents of five children: Mabel, who lives in Virginia, Minnesota; Robert; Persis, who is engaged in teaching in Blissfield, Michi- gan; Horace B., who is assistant manager and head of the hosiery department in the store conducted by Ely & Walker in St. Louis; and George J., bookkeeper for the National Lime & Stone Company at Carey.
Herbert Newhard acquired his education in the public schools of Carey, attending until he was fourteen years of age. Since laying aside his books he has been connected at intervals with the city postoffice in some capacity and when not so engaged has worked as telegraph operator in the employ of the Western Union Company, becoming very proficient at this occupation. At one time he spent two and a half years in Texas and thirteen months in Mexico but for the past sixteen years has resided in Carey, giving his attention to the duties which devolve upon him in the capacity of postmaster. The length of his service is the best proof of his capability, which is further evidenced in the excellent results which have attended his labors.
Mr. Newhard married, on the 30th of October, 1891, at Carey, Miss Ida Hackenberger, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hackenberger, of Canal Dover. Mr. and Mrs. New- hard became the parents of the following children: Guilford, who died at the age of nine; Mary, who is clerk in the Carey postoffice; Caroline; Harriet, who died at the age of two years and a half; Herbert, Jr .; Walter; and Russell.
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Mr. Newhard is connected with the Masonic order. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has always taken an active interest in the welfare and growth of the city, which during his two years' service as secretary of the board of public affairs he did much to promote. He also served as township treasurer for four years. Throughout a long career in the public service he has proven himself reliable, conscientious and trustworthy in every respect and his efforts in political and business life are such as commend ' him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he comes in contact.
PETER FRANK, JR.
Peter Frank, Jr., county auditor of Wyandot county, with residence in Upper Sandusky, was born in Salem town- ship, September 14, 1880, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Weber) Frank, natives of Germany. The father came to Ohio when he was still a child and after reaching mature years engaged in farming. He is still active in this line of work, living on two hundred and seventy acres of land in Salem township. His wife came to America at the age of twenty-one and died in Ohio in 1904, when she was fifty-five years of age. In this family were seven children: Theodore W., who is engaged in farming in Salem township and who married Julia Zahn, by whom she has one son, Carl; Edwin, who died at the age of four years; Peter, Jr., of this review; and Fred, Albert, Louise and Harmon M., who are engaged in farming with their father.
Peter Frank, Jr., acquired his education in the district schools of his native section, attending until he was eighteen years of age. After he had laid aside his books he taught for one term and then spent one year and a half in the Lima Business College. He began his independent career as clerk in the Commercial Bank, spending one year and a half in that capacity. At the end of that time he was called to public service as deputy county auditor and his six years in that capacity constituted a splendid preparation for his work as county auditor, to which office he was elected in 1908 and again in 1910. He has made a very satisfactory record, giving
PETER FRANK, JR.
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a public-spirited administration in his prompt and capable discharge of the duties which devolve upon him. He is now one of the directors of the Citizens Savings Bank.
Mr. Frank married, on the 25th of June, 1908, at Upper . Sandusky, Miss Clara Berg, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Ash) Berg, the former a prominent druggist in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Frank became the parents of a daughter, Irene E.
Mr. Frank gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has always been stanch and loyal in his support of pro- gressive public measures. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. His life has been that of a man who has worked ably and well in the public service, seeking always the good of the community before his personal interests and winning that success which comes as a result of earnest, per- sistent and honorable labor.
JOHN OWEN, JR.
John Owen, Jr., was born in Montgomeryshire, north Wales, June 7, 1814. He was the eldest son of John and Grace (Humphreys) Owen, both natives of Montgomery- shire. The family emigrated to America in 1820, coming direct to Delaware county. It then consisted of three sons, John, Jr., Samuel and Cadwallader. A daughter, Margaret J., was born in this country. They were Welsh, spoke the language and knew no English. John Owen, Sr., was an experienced mason, familiar with all lines of his trade. On his arrival, he immediately found work among his own people and it was not long before he attained sufficient command of English to enable him to widen the sphere of his business operations. This enabled him to extend the field of his work and he found employment as far east as Mount Vernon, west to Bellefontaine and north into the Wyandot reserve among the Indians. Near the end of 1823, through his acquaintance and the recommendation of Rev. Benjamin Chidlaw, he secured the contract for the building of the Wyandot Mission church at Upper Sandusky from Rev. James B. Finley, the resident missionary. Early in April, 1824, he moved his family to Upper Sandusky, occupying a small one-story, two-
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room log cabin, near the old-time ford, on the mission farm. This was convenient to his work. Unlike builders of today who have all their material prepared and furnished to hand, he had to go to the quarry and to the forest and prepare and collect his material on the building site before the actual work of building was begun. As soon as weather conditions permitted he opened up a quarry in the bed of the Sandusky just above the ford. There with the aid of the help of Ben- jamin Herbert he quarried the rock for the walls, built his lime kiln on the bank above and burned his lime. In the timber nearby he cut his lath timber and split his lath, pil- ing them up neatly and protecting them from sun and weather. William Watkins, the carpenter, and a helper from southern Ohio were busy in the woods preparing their material. Herbert and Watkins were both Welshmen and residents of Radnor, Delaware county.
At that time John Owen, Jr., was ten years of age and, like all pioneer boys, had to work when there was work to be done. His task was to drive the team and haul the rock and other material to the church site. When not so employed he attended the Indian mission school on the hill crest above the ford-along with his brothers. That school of sixty or more pupils, over fifty of whom were Indian children, was the first he ever attended, his teacher being a Miss Harriet Stubbs of Dayton, a relative of Judge McClain's. When the material was collected on the site the building of the church began and by early November the walls were completed. He then returned with his family to Radnor, leaving Watkins to complete the enclosing and finishing. The following spring he returned and lathed and plastered the building. Every Monday he would come up on horseback, bringing John, Jr., behind him, that he might return with the horse for use on the farm during the week and at its end return for his father's homecoming and Sunday rest. The quarry was operated as late as the early '50s and then abandoned. Its site was plainly visible as late as 1860 but has since become filled with drift and sediment. The location of the lime kiln is still plainly visible. The church builder continued the business of contracting and building for years, often away from home months at a time. On August 9, 1851, the wife and mother passed away at Radnor. This was a serious blow to the family. The farm was then sold, the family
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removing to Upper Sandusky. On October 5, 1857, the builder answered the summons that comes to all alike and passed away at Mount Gilead while on a visit to his son, Rev. C. H. Owen, aged seventy-one.
The burden of farm operations, owing to his father's occupation, fell upon John, Jr. He often said he knew from dear experience what it was to be a pioneer boy in the Ohio backwoods. He remained at home managing and conduct- ing farm operation, the younger boys going to school. The family have always been known by the name Owens in this country. The final "s" does not belong to the name. This came through combining the possessive with the name, and was only discovered when John, Jr.'s cousin wrote from Wales asking why this "s" was added. The boys had heard the possessive form so often it was concluded that was the way to spell it.
In 1832, when twenty-four years old, he served under indenture at Delaware as a tailor's apprentice for nearly four years. In 1836 he went to Columbus and worked as a journeyman three years. He then returned to Radnor and opened up a shop. Fortune favored him and he soon had plenty to do. On March 12, 1845, he was married to Miss Mary Hughes, also of Radnor. His early life in Wyandot county had endeared it to him, so that when the land sales occurred he, with his wife, came up to attend them and stopped over at the Old Inn. At the sale he bid off inlot No. 249 at fifty-two dollars, but not being pleased with his purchase went to the land office and bought inlot 110 (the homestead) for thirty-two dollars and an outlot for thirty dollars. For a house he bought an unfinished building stand- ing in Johnson street near the east line of Fifth street, moved it on his lot and finished and occupied it November 4th, begin- ning work at his trade in the front room of his residence. In the meantime his shop was building on the Thurman House corner, where after its completion he remained until nearly 1850, when he moved it to Wyandot avenue near Main street, he with William King and A. M. Anderson having bought that lot (173) of John Rappee. Then he continued in business until he retired in 1878.
In 1855 he, with his brother, Samuel, and William King opened a general store with a tailoring department in con- nection under the firm name of J. & S. Owen & Company, but
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the death of the brother soon after led to dissolution and the sale of the stock, and he changed back to piece-goods, cloths and tailoring. After his retirement he lived quietly, conserving his health, which had never been of the best. His wife's death, November 16, 1898, followed by that of his younger son, January 24, 1899, was too great a loss for him to bear up under in the frail condition of his health, and there were only intervening a few short months before his passing on May 4, 1900. He is survived by his elder son, A. H. Owen, who made the profession of teaching and literary work his vocation and is now retired and living in the old home.
CLINTON W. FOUCHT.
Clinton W. Foucht, engaging in expert mechanical work in Harpster, was born in Pitt township, April 24, 1857. He is a son of John D. and Mary Ann (Wirick) Foucht, both natives of Perry county, Ohio, the former born September 29, 1831, and the latter November 6, 1834. The father engaged in farm- ing until the time of his death, December 12, 1874. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred June 3, 1910. In their family were six children. William A. is the pro- prietor of a department store in Upper Sandusky. He mar- ried Jennie Ewert and has two children. Clinton W. is the subject of this review. Lizzie E. became the wife of F. M. Gibson, engaged in the insurance business in Cleveland. They are the parents of five children. Cedora E. became the wife of Levi From, a retired farmer of Somerset, Ohio. They have three children. Emma V. married Moffet Whitaker, who is engaged in the grocery business at Ravenna, Ohio. They are the parents of three children. Ida. C. married B. D. McElroy, who passed away in 1904.
Clinton W. Foucht acquired his education in the public schools of Pitt township, which he attended until he was sev- enteen years of age, laying aside his books at that time in order to become a farm laborer. He afterward acquired prop- erty of his own and developed and improved it until 1904, when he accepted a position as salesman of a line of harvester machinery, continuing in this occupation for two years. He
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is a natural mechanic, skilled in everything pertaining to the use and repair of machines, and this talent he is now turning to excellent advantage, engaging in expert work on machin- ery, specializing in reapers and farm implements. In this line of occupation he has been active since 1906 and has won in it a gratifying success, based upon his skill, intelligence and general business ability.
On the 9th of December, 1880, at Harpster, Mr. Foucht married Miss Annie Moulds, a daughter of Richard and Anna Moulds, the former a shoemaker in Lincolnshire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Foucht are the parents of four children. John Louis is an engineer for the Ohio Oil Company, with residence in Upper Sandusky. He married Mamie Seiger and has one daughter, Katherine. Grace Beulah became the wife of Scott Vickers, also an engineer for the Ohio Oil Company. They have two children, Robert Eugene and John Richard. The other children in this family are Clara Marie and Charles William.
Mr. Foucht is a member of the Reformed church of Pitt township. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the National Sales- man's Training Association of Chicago, having completed the course in 1910. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has always been active in local affairs. He was the first marshal in Harpster, serving for five years, and he was for four years constable for Wyandot county. He is now notary public, having been elected to this office in 1906, and his public service is distinguished by the same honesty, loyalty and conscientiousness which have dis- tinguished his business career.
ADDISON ELI GIBBS.
Addison Eli Gibbs is living practically retired in Carey after a long period of close identification with its business life. He is giving his time to the supervision and manage- ment of his extensive interests and occupies a leading place among the influential and prominent men of the community. He is a native of Ohio, born in Portage county, February 22, 1831, and is a son of one of the pioneers of the state. His
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father, Eli Gibbs, was born in Massachusetts, June 8, 1802, and in the early '20s moved to Portage county, Ohio, where he farmed. In 1840 he came by wagon to Wyandot county and with his wife and four sons lived for about two years on a farm near Upper Sandusky. He died December 4, 1866, and his wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Lucinda Cody, passed away in the same year.
Addison E. Gibbs acquired his education in the Ohio dis- trict schools, attending during the winter months and helping with the work of the farm during the summers. At the age of fifteen he laid aside his books and obtained a position in a general store at Patterson, in Hardin county, where he worked for one year for six dollars and a half per month. When he was sixteen he worked out as a farm hand in Seneca county, and in the fall of the same year obtained a position on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, receiving for his services nineteen dollars a month in the winter and twenty dollars during the summer season. It is a curious fact that he is the only member of that construction gang who is living today. Mr. Gibbs aided his parents until he was twenty-one years of age but afterward moved to Republic, Seneca county, and there worked in a grain elevator belonging to the railroad company. In 1855 he moved into Carey and has since main- tained his residence in this city. For some time he had charge of the large elevator here and retained this position for three years, after which he conducted a similar enterprise in the interests of Dow & Park. In 1862 he formed a partnership with Messrs. Park and Swartz and engaged in the grain and seed trade until the spring of 1864, when he purchased an interest in the drug business belonging to Houck & Myers. This he sold out in order to enter the army and he served loyally and faithfully until the close of hostilities. Upon his return he took a position in the dry goods store of Park & Swartz but shortly afterward was appointed agent of the United States Express Company, an office which he held until he was succeeded by his son Frank, the combined terms of service of father and son extending over forty years. To his activity in this line Mr. Gibbs added, in 1865, the duties of agent of the Cleveland, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad and this position he held until 1881 without the loss of a day's pay and with no vacation. In the latter year he retired from active life, but after a few days grew discontented with his
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inactivity and resumed business. He purchased the grocery store of A. J. Frederick and conducted it until 1906, when he sold the enterprise and again retired. He has, however, an office in one of his business blocks and there he still looks after his extensive interests. No man occupies a more envia- ble position in the community than he, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the fact that his methods have been straightforward and honorable. He is a . dependable man under all circumstances and the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important business relations.
On the 8th of April, 1852, Mr. Gibbs was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Kerstetter, who died on October 21, 1899. To their union were born nine children: Alice; Ella; Florence, deceased; Hattie; Maud, who has also passed away; Frank C .; Fred W .; Hiram J .; and Edward A. Politically Mr. Gibbs gives his allegiance to the republican party, his study of the questions and issues of the day leading him to the opinion that the principles of that party are best calcu- lated to conserve the general good. He has been township clerk, member of the school board, treasurer of the city of Carey and also treasurer of the school board and a member of the city council. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a dignified, courteous gentle- man, of kindly spirit and strong principles, who through his marked individuality has left an impress for good upon the community in which he has so long resided.
WILLIAM EARL MONTAGUE.
William Earl Montague, who since 1903 has conducted a photographic gallery in Carey, is numbered among the most able and progressive young business men of the city and his patronage is most extensive. He was born in Carey, Novem- ber 26, 1881, and is a son of Kinzie and Mary (Friend) Mon- tague, the former born in Crawford township in 1849 and the latter in Berwick, Ohio, in 1856. The father is a barber by trade and has followed this occupation continuously for the past thirty-five years. He and his wife make their home in Carey. They became the parents of four children: Grace,
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who died at the age of one year; William Earl, the subject of this sketch; LeRoy, a barber in Carey, who married Dorothy Brown, and Gladys, who died at the age of one year.
William E. Montague was educated in the public and high schools of Carey, laying aside his books in 1901. He spent two years thereafter assisting in his father's barber shop but in 1903 opened a photographic gallery in Carey which he has since conducted. His studio is supplied with the most modern equipment and the work which Mr. Mon- tague turns out is artistic and beautiful in every respect.
On the 10th of November, 1909, at Carey, Mr. Montague married Miss Hazel Donaldson, a daughter of William and Minnie (Stout) Donaldson, the former a farmer in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Montague have one child, Ruth Isabelle. Mr. Montague gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Although still a young man he has already attained a gratify- ing degree of success and his many friends in this city do not hesitate to predict for him continued advancement in his chosen field.
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