USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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Henry Kinley attended the district schools of Crane town- ship until seventeen years of age and subsequently worked as a farm hand until 1872. In that year he took up his abode on
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the farm which has remained his home continuously since or for more than four decades, his property now comprising two hundred and ninety-four acres of productive and valuable land in Crane and Salem townships. He raises hay, corn, oats and wheat, which he sells in the local market, and also makes a specialty of sheep, having one hundred ewes. His residence was destroyed by fire in 1885, and immediately thereafter he erected the handsome modern home which now adorns the place. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Upper Sandusky and has long been numbered among the pros- perous and leading citizens of his native county.
On the 26th of March, 1871, in Crane township, Mr. Kinley was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Tilton, a daughter of Green and Maria (Smith) Tilton of that township. The father was one of the earliest settlers of this county and became an extensive property owner here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kinley have been born twelve children, as follows: Grant W., an agriculturist of Salem township, who wedded Miss Carrie Cope and has four children, Laird H., Gladys, Mary Evelyn and Zelma; Myrtie E., the wife of Marly Gibson, a farmer of Crane township, by whom she has four children, Inez E., Hazel, Robert and Herbert; Jay J., who wedded Miss Bertha Corb and is a mail carrier of Toledo, Ohio; Edward M., a farmer of Salem township, who married Miss Maggie Hentzel and has two children, Helen and Dorothy; Ada A .; Frederick E., an agriculturist of Crane township, who married Miss Cassie Wade and has one child, Harmon; Grover C., residing at Portsmouth, Ohio, and acting as surveyor of Scioto county, who married Miss Mabel Fritz and has one child, Imogene ; Miner M., a farmer residing in Crane township, who wedded Miss Maggie Gibson and has one child, Kenneth; Inda; Bessie M. and Elva, both of whom are deceased; and one who died when young.
Mr. Kinley gives his political allegiance to the democracy and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to serve in several positions of public trust. He acted as trustee of Crane township for six years and has been a member of the school board for a period of nine years. In 1910 he was elected commissioner, making a creditable rec- ord in this connection. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Red Men and the Champion Grange.
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While acquiring success in life he has also gained and retained the respect and honor of his fellowmen by his public service and private life, and all who know him feel honored by his friendship.
HOMER CLARKE RAMSDELL.
Homer Clarke Ramsdell, a representative of journalistic interests in Wyandot county, is the enterprising editor of the Sycamore Leader. Practically his entire active career has been spent in the newspaper business and in his present position he is reaping the reward of many years of thorough and systematic training and experience. He is a native of New York, born in North Brookfield, January 2, 1872, a son of Sidney D. and Lucinda (Clarke) Ramsdell, the former a mechanician of great talent and ability and the latter a school teacher previous to her marriage. This family is one of the oldest in America and the line can be traced back through successive generations to the Earl of Chester, who left his native country and settled in Massachusetts in pre-Revolu- tionary times after his estate had been confiscated by King James II of England. Howard Ramsdell, the great-great- grandfather of the subject of this review, founded the family in New York, going to Saratoga from Massachusetts as one of the pioneer settlers in that vicinity.
Homer C. Ramsdell acquired his education in the public schools of Brookfield, graduating from the high school in 1892 with the highest class honors, being chosen as valedic- torian. For two years after laying aside his books he read law in order to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of legal principles and also for the sake of the business training which this study afforded him. He began his business career by engaging as a printer, entering the printing office of the Brookfield Courier when he was fourteen years of age. He, however, was at that time attending school and gave only his vacation months to these duties. When he abandoned the reading of law he resumed his printing business, later rising to the position of foreman in large country establishments and finally holding the same responsible position in city plants. Being thus thoroughly equipped by experience and
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education, he came to Sycamore in 1907 and on the 4th of February of that year purchased the Sycamore Leader, in the conduct of which he has met with a well deserved success which is founded upon his expert knowledge of the details of his profession and his long experience and well directed training. The Sycamore Leader has a large subscription list as well as an excellent advertising patronage and has become important in this part of the county in the direction of pub- lic thought and opinion.
On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Ramsdell was united in marriage at Freedom, Ohio, to Miss Vivian Elida Wolcott, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Newell Wolcott. Mrs. Ramsdell received an excellent education in the high school at Chagrin Falls and supplemented this by a two years' course at Hiram College, and was later graduated from the Cleveland School of Oratory. She afterward taught elocution until her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsdell are the parents of a daughter, Helen Josephine, who was born October 7, 1902, at Utica, New York.
Homer C. Ramsdell is prominent in the fraternal circles of Sycamore. He was made a Mason in 1898 at Hamilton, New York, but has transferred his membership, belonging now to Enterprise Lodge, No. 579, F. & A. M., at Sycamore, in which organization he has filled most of the chairs, being master in 1913. He is also a charter member of Enterprise Chapter, O. E. S. He gives his allegiance to the republican party but, being a conscientious journalist, he has always declined political preferment, wishing to keep his editorial point of view untouched by bias or obligation. His life has ever been upright and honorable and the motives which guide his actions are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
REUBEN S. ULRICH.
Reuben S. Ulrich, a well known and leading resident of Wyandot county, is now serving in the capacity of county commissioner. He owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 24, Eden township, and also owns a residence and harness store in the town of Nevada.
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His birth occurred in Eden township, this county, on the 7th of March, 1859, his parents being Samuel B. and Helena (Sellers) Ulrich, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Cumberland county in 1830 and the latter in 1838. Samuel B. Ulrich took up his abode in Eden town- ship, Wyandot county, in 1847 and here spent the remainder of his life, devoting his attention to the pursuits of farming and carpentering. His demise occurred in 1887, while his wife was called to her final rest in the year 1906. To them were born the following children: Reuben S., of this review; Peter, who died in infancy; Benjamin S .; Elmira; Howard; Martha, who passed away at the age of twenty-eight years; Noretta; Samuel S .; Helena M .; and one who died in infancy.
Reuben S. Ulrich attended the district schools of Eden township until twenty years of age and subsequently worked at threshing and carpentering until 1887. In that year he rented a tract of land comprising one hundred and sixteen acres. He also owned a farm of two hundred acres in Texas township, Crawford county, in partnership with his uncle, and after disposing of his half interest in the property pur- chased one hundred and twenty-seven acres in Sycamore township, Wyandot county. At the end of three years he sold the land and in 1904 bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 24, Eden township, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he has devoted his time and ener- gies continuously since. He has won a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings as an agriculturist, raising hay, corn, oats and wheat, which he sells in the local market. He makes a specialty of the breeding of Hereford and Short- horn cattle, of which he has twenty head, and his stock also includes one hundred head of sheep and as many hogs. In connection with his farming interests he owned and operated a threshing machine for twenty-five years. In addition to his farm, he owns a residence and harness store in Nevada and in the latter carries a stock of goods valued at three thousand dollars. Mr. Ulrich is likewise a stockholder in the Nevada Telephone Company and has long been widely recognized as one of the enterprising, progressive and pros- perous citizens of this county.
On the 25th of December, 1879, at the home of the bride in Eden township, Mr. Ulrich was united in marriage to Miss Annie E. Harter, her parents being Jacob and Susan
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(Haas) Harter, farming people of that township. Unto our subject and his wife have been born the following children: Lesta L., the wife of Samuel T. Bell, a farmer of Eden town- ship, by whom she has two children, Ulrich and Allen; Lau- rence B., an agriculturist residing in Eden township, who wedded Miss Ollie Walters and has four children, Lea Jean, Beth, Ulva and Wayne B .; Clate H., who died in infancy; Clara H., twin sister of Clate, who gave her hand in marriage to Stephen Golling, a barber of Nevada, Ohio, and has two children, Coline and Martha; and Ralph F., who passed away when but a year old.
In politics Mr. Ulrich is a stanch democrat and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He has served as clerk of Eden township for two terms and for a period of fifteen years acted as president of the school board in that township. In 1910 he was chosen county commissioner and two years later was reelected, holding that office at the pres- ent time and discharging his duties in connection therewith in a most commendable and satisfactory manner. His fra- ternal relations are with the Royal Arch Masons, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of God, attending the services in Eden township. A lifelong resident of Wyan- dot county, he has witnessed its continuous growth and development for more than a half century and has been an active factor in the work of progress and upbuilding along many lines.
GUSTAV KUMMERER.
Gustav Kummerer follows general farming upon seventy- nine acres of land on section 8, Crawford township, and is numbered among the representative and substantial agri- culturists of this vicinity. A spirit of enterprise and prog- ress actuates him in all of his business life and has led him from small beginnings to large undertakings, wherein his labors are crowned with gratifying prosperity. He is one of the sturdy, industrious and capable men whom Germany has given to the new world and he was born in the father-
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GUSTAV KUMMERER AND FAMILY
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land, June 22, 1858. His parents were John and Elizabeth Kummerer, the former a farmer in his native country. They spent their entire lives in Germany, where their deaths occurred.
In the acquirement of an education Gustav Kummerer attended the public schools in Germany and there remained until he was twenty-two years of age. At that time he and his brother, Joseph, crossed the Atlantic to the United States, separating upon their arrival, Joseph going to the state of Washington, where in 1912 he was accidentally killed in an explosion. Mr. Kummerer, of this review, settled in Tiffin, Ohio, and for some time worked at anything which would bring him an income. He at first worked in a brickyard and later did plastering, adding to his activities by hiring out as a farm laborer. He was ambitious, economical and energetic and by the practice of strict frugality saved enough money to rent a farm, operating this property in Ohio for sixteen years and becoming in that time a practical and progressive agriculturist. When he left his first farm Mr. Kummerer resided for six years upon another tract of land in the same vicinity and then moved to Wood county, where he operated a rented farm for three years. His efforts were crowned by prosperity and in 1910 he purchased land of his own, buying seventy-nine acres on section 8, Crawford township, whereon he has since resided. Since locating upon this property he has greatly improved it, having built a fine residence and good barns and installed the necessary equipment. Although at times handicapped by ill health, he has attained a gratify- ing measure of success, for he is a practical farmer and does well whatever he undertakes, his strong determination, in- dustry and ambition constituting the secret of his prosperity.
In 1884 Mr. Kummerer was united in marriage to Miss Friedolina Matt, who by her help and encouragement through- out the years aided her husband greatly in his struggle for prosperity. She was a loyal and faithful wife and mother and at her death in 1911 left ten children, Gustave, John, William, Albert, Frank, Leo, Mary, Elizabeth, Friedolina and Anna. Mr. Kummerer and his children are all devout adherents of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Kummerer has made many changes in location throughout the course of his career but all have materially advanced his prosperity. In every community in which he Vol. II-14
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has resided he has gained a reputation for strict integrity and well directed industry and has won the confidence and esteem of his associates and friends. He is a good financier and business man and, as the years have gone by, has grad- ually worked his way upward, until he is now one of the pros- perous citizens of Crawford township. He is practical and systematic in all that he does and has gained that measure of success, which follows earnest, persistent and well directed labor.
GEORGE L. CARY.
George L. Cary is one of the prominent and progressive farmers of Marseilles township, where he owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of land on section 11. This con- stitutes a portion of the homestead on which he was born November 4, 1874, his parents being Henry Halsey and Sus- anna (Keckler) Cary, the former born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the 4th of March, 1827, and the latter in Penn- sylvania in 1838. The father came to Ohio when he was only sixteen years of age and engaged in farming in this state until his death, which occurred on the 11th of August, 1901. His wife survived him some time, dying in 1912. To their union were born six children. Charles and Louis have passed away. Isabelle married David Young and they have three children, Elizabeth, Sarah and Halsey. Elizabeth is the wife of James Hastings and they reside in Hardin county and have six chil- dren, Cary, Isabelle, Jeannette, Jay, Susanna and Ernest. George L. is the subject of this review. Frank married Mag- gie Range, by whom he has two sons, Ralph and Paul.
George L. Cary acquired his education in the district schools of his native township, dividing his time in his child- hood between his studies and work upon his father's farm. When he was twenty-one he laid aside his books and there- after until 1898 assisted with the work of the homestead, forming a partnership with his father, with whom he con- tinued in association until after the latter's death in 1901. At that time the farm was divided, George Cary receiving as his share the two hundred and forty acres on section 11 upon which he now resides. Since that time he has steadily
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carried forward the work of improvement and development, giving a great deal of his time to the cultivation of his fields, on which he raises hay, corn, oats and wheat, and becoming also extensively interested in stock-raising, keeping about ten head of cattle and an equal number of horses. He makes a specialty of raising sheep and has fine flocks of these ani- mals, which command high prices and ready sales in the local markets. He is practical and progressive in all that he does and his labors have been rewarded by a success which places him today among the prosperous farmers and substantial business men of his native community.
On the 29th of September, 1898, in Hardin county, Ohio, Mr. Cary was united in marriage to Miss Mary P. Spitzer, a daughter of Gabriel and Sarah J. (Miller) Spitzer, the former at one time an extensive land owner and prosperous farmer of Hardin county. He is now retired and makes his home in Forest, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cary have two children, Ruth Anna and Clarabel.
Mr. Cary is a member of the Presbyterian church, and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. Although never active as an office seeker, he is interested in the community welfare and served for four years as town- ship trustee, discharging his duties in a capable and far- sighted way. He is a man whose industry, ability and integ- rity are well known throughout the township and command for him the respect, confidence and esteem of all who are associated with him.
JACOB A. PETTY.
Through successive stages of business development and progress, Jacob A. Petty has worked his way upward to a prominent place in commercial circles of Sycamore, where he conducts a sawmill and general lumber business, having an extensive and growing patronage. He was born in New Jersey on the 20th of February, 1848, and is a son of John and Jane (Lake) Petty, both natives of New Jersey, the father born in 1819 and the mother in 1821. The father of our subject was a wheelwright by trade and followed that occupation until his death in 1860. His wife survived him
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many years, dying in 1894. In their family were seven chil- dren: Jacob A. and Louis, living; and William, John K., Albert, Cyrus and Charles, deceased.
J. A. Petty's father died when our subject was twelve years old and he was left to work his own way, which he did by working for farmers in the summer months and attending school in the winter. At eighteen years of age he removed to Wyandot county, Ohio, near Mexico, still working on farms in the summer and attending district school in the winter. At twenty he removed to Carey, Ohio, to learn the stone, brick and plastering trades, which he followed during the summer months, and attending Heidelberg College in the winter. Thus by his own efforts he supplemented the defects of his early education. At the age of twenty-four he estab- lished himself as a contractor, specializing in building churches and schoolhouses. He became gradually very suc- cessful in this line of work, securing a gratifying patronage. In 1888, however, he purchased a sawmill in Sycamore, Ohio, and in partnership with Leslie Patrick operated it until 1892, when he purchased the interest of his associate and has since managed the enterprise alone. In addition to his mills Mr. Petty conducts a lumber and coal yard, a planing mill, and carries a general line of building materials and wire fencing. He has a liberal patronage and in all of his dealings is strictly fair and reliable, his business integrity standing as an unques- tioned fact in his career. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life practically penniless and is today one of the prosperous and representa- tive men of his community.
On March 7, 1872, Mr. Petty was married at Upper San- dusky, Ohio, to Miss Clarissa Badger, a daughter of George and Harriett (Pyle) Badger, of near Mexico, Ohio, his wife having proven a loyal partner in all their labors. Mr. and Mrs. Petty have become the parents of four children. Ward B. is postmaster of Sycamore. He married Maude Case, of Eden township, and they have one child, Case. Ivy became the wife of Philip J. Heilman, editor and owner of the Syca- more Leader, who was one of the organizers of Company L, Second Ohio National Guard, and was captain of that organi- zation at the time of his death in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Heilman had one daughter, Clarissa. The other children, Winniefred M. and Frank B., are at home.
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Mr. Petty attends the Reformed church and fraternally is connected with the Masonic order. He gives loyal support to the men and measures of the republican party and for many years has been active in local affairs, having served as president and director of the school board for a number of years. He was also for a long time a councilman and chair- man of the executive committee of Sycamore and acted as township treasurer, commissioner of jurors and also was a member of the board of trustees of the Memorial Association of Wyandot county and trustee of Pleasant View cemetery, discharging his duties in these positions in a manner to fur- ther the welfare and progress of his section. He is widely known in Wyandot county and throughout northern Ohio, and his substantial characteristics have gained him the warm regard and unqualified trust of his fellow townsmen.
JAY OSBORN.
Jay Osborn, engaged in the conduct of a first class bakery in Sycamore, is numbered among the well known and promi- nent men of this city, his wise management and capable con- trol of his interests winning him a most gratifying degree of success. He was born in Crawford county, near Benton, May 23, 1863, a son of James B. and Susanna (Durck) Osborn, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1838 and in his youth learned the blacksmith's trade. He came to Crawford county at the age of fifteen and moved from there four years after- ward to Wyandot county, where he followed his chosen occu- pation until his death in 1912. His wife resides in Sycamore and has reached the age of seventy years.
Jay Osborn acquired his education in the district schools of Eden township and laid aside his books at the age of eighteen in order to become the manager of his father's farm, the latter being disabled by illness. Later Mr. Osborn of this review worked in a brickyard and then engaged in busi- ness in Sycamore township. In 1887 he moved into Sycamore and established himself in the restaurant and bakery busi- ness. His establishment is fully equipped to meet all the demands made upon the business, being perfectly clean and
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sanitary, and as a result Mr. Osborn has secured a gratifying patronage, being accounted an able and successful business man.
On the 10th of November, 1887, Mr. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Ida Swartz, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Swartz, the former a well known farmer of Eden town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have two children, Geneva and Philip S. The family are devout members of the United Brethren church. Fraternally Mr. Osborn is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and for two years served as councilman, although he is not ambitious for official recognition, pre- ferring to devote his entire time to the management of his business interests. Early realizing that success is the legiti- mate and logical result of well directed effort and intelligent labor, he applied himself to his work, and his determination and high standards of integrity have brought him to the creditable place which he now occupies in business circles.
HON. SAMUEL J. BLACK.
Samuel J. Black, superintendent of the Upper Sandusky Water Company, has ably served in that capacity for the past nine years. His birth occurred near Franklin, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of April, 1880. His father was born in Ireland and his mother was a native of Ohio. His early education was acquired in a country school, while subsequently he attended Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, after a preparatory course in Bucknell Academy. Upon leaving college he was made assistant superintendent of the Sharon Water Company of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and held that position until 1904, when he came to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, as superintendent of the Upper Sandusky Water Com- pany, which position he now holds. He is likewise a director in the Citizens Savings Bank of Upper Sandusky and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous and leading citizens of this county.
Politically Mr. Black is an active worker in the local. ranks of the democracy, having served as a member of the democratic county central committee and as secretary and
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