USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 24
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On the 1st of February, 1866, in Chambersburg, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Bear was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Height, a daughter of Henry and Julia (Beaver) Height of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Bear became the parents of six chil- dren. Alice became the wife of George Dean, a carpenter at Findlay, Ohio. They have one daughter, Ruth. John W. is engaged in farming in Marseilles township. He married Mary E. Fox and they have two children, Lester J. and Wildie H. and also have an adopted daughter, Tempa Kenton. Edward
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is connected with a mill in Fostoria, Ohio. His wife was in her maidenhood Mary Burkhardt. George is an oil pumper at Findlay. He married Julia Parsel and they are the parents of four children, Ralph E., Russell, Ira, and Sarah C. Laura married Jackson Young, a carpenter at Fostoria, and they have two children, Leota S. and Paul L. Emory is residing on the home farm on section 30, Mifflin township. He married Daisy La Rue and has three children, Ruth, Luella M. and Floyd R. Mr. and Mrs. Bear have also an adopted son, a nephew of Mrs. Bear, Henry Witbeck, who lost his mother when he was still a child.
A stanch republican, Mr. Bear is interested in the growth and progress of the community where he has long resided and has rendered the township excellent service as a trustee and a member of the school board. He is a devout member of the Methodist church of which he is now an elder and he was a teacher in the Sunday school for many years. A man of genuine personal worth and high standards of integrity he commands the sincere regard and esteem of all who come in contact with him and in the course of his many years residence in Wyandot county has proved his loyalty in citizenship, his reliability in business and his fidelity and to all the ties and obligations of life.
CHARLES F. STECK.
Charles F. Steck, who since 1883 has been a resident of America, has throughout the entire period resided in Wyandot county, where he is now engaged in farming on section 15, Salem township. He was born on the 21st of February, 1858, in the city of Calw, Wurtemberg, Germany, his parents being Gottlieb and Frederika Steck, who were also natives of Calw. In the schools of that city Charles F. Steck pursued his edu- cation until he was graduated on the 15th of May, 1874, hav- ing completed courses in German, Latin and French. He then turned his attention to farming, becoming acquainted with that pursuit while employed on a private farm of King Carl of Wurtemberg. He thus worked until 1879, when he was drafted for military service, doing duty with the Queen Olga Ieibgarde Dragoon Regiment as drillmaster and sergeant from
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1879 until honorably discharged in November, 1882. The following year he determined to seek a home and fortune in the new world, arriving in America on the 20th of March, 1883. He made his way at once to Wyandot county, Ohio, and for seven years was employed on the farm of M. D. M. Carey, near Crawford.
On the 18th of March, 1888, Mr. Steck was united in mar- riage to Miss Carolina Ross, of Upper Sandusky, a daughter of Adam Ross. Their children are: Carl F., Allen H., Homer C., Alice E., Anna M., Leonard E. and Elmer. Since 1886 Mr. Steck has been a member of Carey Lodge, No. 407, I. O. O. F. He has also taken the degrees of the blue lodge in Masonry and became a Royal Arch Mason in 1911. His polit- ical views are indicated in the fact that he identified himself with the "bull moose" party in 1912, advocating the progres- sive policy followed by Roosevelt and other leaders. His religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church. After residing for more than a quarter of a century in the United States Mr. Steck returned to Germany on a visit in July, 1909. He renewed acquaintance with friends of his early life, visited the scenes of his boyhood and afterward traveled in Germany, France, Switzerland and Holland, again coming to America on the 5th of October, 1909. He has never had any occasion to regret his determination to make his home in the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought, and in their improvement he has worked his way upward, being now a substantial farmer of Wyandot county. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have passed and his energy and determination have brought him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
DANIEL SCHLICHER.
A city does not depend so much upon its machinery of gov- ernment or even upon the men who control its public offices as upon those who are active in establishing and promoting its business affairs. Commercial activity is the basis of progress and improvement at the present day and in business circles in Upper Sandusky, Daniel Schlicher is well known as pro- prietor of a soda water factory, to which enterprise he turned
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his attention in 1904. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, Janu- ary 8, 1864, a son of Theodore and Eva (Smith) Schlicher, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to Ohio when a young man of nineteen years and the mother ar- rived in this state when a little maiden of nine summers. He died in 1912 but Mrs. Schlicher is still living, making her home in Marietta at the age of seventy-two. They had a family of six children: George, Daniel, David, Edward, Flora and Emma.
Between the ages of six and fourteen years Daniel Schlicher was a pupil in the public schools of his native city, but when a boy in his early teens he felt it necessary to pro- vide for his own support and secured employment in a chair factory, where he remained for four years. He then began learning the moulder's trade, which he followed for seven years, on the expiration of which period he went to Califor- nia, remaining for five years on the Pacific coast. He then returned to Marietta, where he engaged in the saloon busi- ness for seven years, after which he came to Upper Sandusky in 1904 and began the manufacture of soda water, which has proven a profitable venture. He admitted Patrick Doyle to a partnership and they have established a business which is growing year by year. They hold to high standards in the excellence of their product and are therefore liberally patron- nized, while their fair dealing and reasonable prices are also an element in their success.
Mr. Schlicher votes with the democratic party, to which he has given his allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men and he belongs to the German Lutheran church-in which associations are indicated the principles that govern his life.
SAMUEL PHILLIPS.
Samuel Phillips, who in 1909 retired from business life following many years of active identification with the black- smith's trade in Marseilles, was born in Marion county, Ohio, June 18, 1834. He is a son of Jacob Phillips, a native of Massachusetts and a shoemaker by trade, who at one
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL PHILLIPS
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period settled in Marion county, whence he went to Michigan. He was twice married and by his first wife had two children, William and Edna. After her death he wedded Miss Com- fort Martin, a native of Ohio, and to their union were born the following children: Samuel, of this review; and David, John and Jacob. The father passed away in 1838 and the mother, who was born in Ohio in 1810, died in 1870.
Samuel Phillips acquired his education in the public schools of Michigan and he pursued his studies until he was eighteen years of age, when he returned to Ohio, settling in Marseilles, where he worked as an apprentice to the black- smith's trade, receiving for his services ten cents a day for three years and managing to save sixteen dollars out of his wages. In 1854 he purchased a half interest in the shop con- ducted by his employer, James R. Eaton, with whom he con- tinued in partnership for twenty-one years, gaining a reputa- tion during that time for expert work and honorable business dealings. Eventually he purchased Mr. Eaton's share of the business and continued to conduct the enterprise alone, build- ing up during that time an extensive and lucrative trade and accumulating a fortune sufficient to enable him to lay aside the cares of active business life. Since 1909 he has been living retired in his comfortable home in Marseilles and is enjoying the leisure and rest which has rewarded many years of earnest, persistent and well directed labor.
Mr. Phillips married, in Upper Sandusky, in 1857, Miss Mary A. Ellis, a daughter of Richard and Mary P. (Slover) Ellis. The father went to California in 1849 and spent some time in the gold fields of that state, later returning to Ohio, where he followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of ten children. John was a prominent real-estate dealer in New York city, where he also engaged as an im- porter of drygoods. He died in 1912, at his father's home in Marseilles, Ohio. Eva O. married J. L. Hastings, a farmer in Marion county, and they became the parents of seven children, Maud, Augusta, Spear, Fay, Carrie, Frank and Eloise. James E. is a merchant in Marion, Ohio. He mar- ried Carrie Fulton, and they became the parents of two chil- dren, Isabella and James Fulton, who died in infancy. Charles N. is cashier of the Marion National Bank at Marion. Jennie died when she was fourteen years of age. Frank is
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a member of the firm of Uhler & Phillips, drygoods mer- chants at Marion, Ohio. He married Miss Alta Craig and has one son, Robert. Anna became the wife of L. C. Wogan, a real-estate dealer in Marion. The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Mary, Harlan and Slover, died in infancy. Mrs. Phillips passed away on October 6, 1905, and was buried in the cemetery at Marion, Ohio. She was highly esteemed by all who knew her and her demise occasioned not only deep sorrow to her family but a wide circle of devoted friends. She was charitable and kindly and a good wife and mother, being an example of what a true woman should be.
Mr. Phillips was a resident of Ohio at the time of the Civil war and he enlisted for one hundred days' service as a mem- ber of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but on account of sickness was debarred from active service. He is a member of the Methodist church and active in religious work, having served for thirty-eight years as secretary of the Methodist Sunday school. Politi- cally he is a republican, believing firmly in the policies set forth in the principles of the party, and he is always a loyal supporter of its candidates. Locally he is interested in the betterment of the community where he has resided for over a half century, and for a number of years rendered the town- ship able service as a member of the council and as a member of the school board. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, reliable in business and progressive in citizenship and during the course of a long, active and honorable life has gained the confidence, good-will and esteem of all who have been in any way associated with him.
E. A. SLEMMER.
Among the younger and successful business men of Upper Sandusky is E. A. Slemmer, who for a number of years has conducted a first-class restaurant in this city which enjoys a reputation that places it in a class by itself. Born in Salem township, this county, on August 15, 1872, E. A. Slemmer is a son of Henry and Catherine (Coppler) Slemmer, natives
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of Germany, the former born in 1822 and the latter in 1839. The father came to America when about seventeen years of age and all his life followed the occupation of tailoring. He died on March 24, 1884, his wife surviving until April 2, 1911. In their family were the following children: Charles L .; Henry; William H .; E. A., of this review; George W., who was a member of the Second Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and served in the war with Spain as a corporal; and Elizabeth.
E. A. Slemmer attended the district schools of Salem township in the acquirement of his education until sixteen years of age, when he engaged in farm labor for one year. He then turned his attention to clerking and remained in that capacity and as bartender until 1900, when he and his brother Charles opened a buffet in Upper Sandusky, which they con- tinued in partnership until 1906, at which time our subject acquired the interest of his brother in the business. Later, however, Mr. Slemmer turned his attention to the restaurant business and opened a first-class 'establishment of that kind, which has gained in reputation as the years have passed. Careful attention is paid to the wishes of his patrons and his meals are not only prepared in the cleanest and best fashion but are substantial and varied, giving a great selection to his customers. He is the only one in Upper Sandusky who serves special game dinners during the season, which have become famous and have brought many new patrons to his place. His patronage is not only extensive but representative and com- prises the best class of residents, his trade being largely re- cruited from out of town, besides enjoying a steady custom of regular dinner guests. Much of the success of the establish- ment must be ascribed to the genial and pleasant manner of its proprietor, who tries in every possible way to please his patrons and gives vent to his appreciation by faultless service. As the years have passed Mr. Slemmer has become prosperous and he now owns two valuable residences in Upper Sandusky which he rents.
On April 7, 1903, he was married at Upper Sandusky to Miss Cora Taylor, a daughter of Hark and Mary (Gilliland) Taylor, the former a native of Salem township and the latter of Iowa. The father engages in farming in Salem township and is one of its prosperous residents. Mr. and Mrs. Slemmer have two daughters, Dorothy May and Marjory F., and one son, Robert H.
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Politically Mr. Slemmer gives his support to the demo- cratic party and fraternally affiliates with the Red Men. His faith is that of the German Lutheran church. Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Slemmer takes deep interest in all mat- ters that affect the public welfare of Upper Sandusky and Wyandot county and can always be found in the ranks of those men who seek promotion and advancement. Able and active, it has taken him not long to attain a substantial posi- tion and as his success has been won on his own merits, he is highly esteemed and regarded for what he has attained.
GEORGE W. ZEITER.
George W. Zeiter, a highly respected citizen and success- ful business man of Wyandot county, has for the past decade been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and farm machinery at Upper Sandusky. His birth occurred at New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1856, his parents being George and Katherine (Rapp) Zeiter, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. George Zeiter, who became a resident of Crawford county, Ohio, when still but a boy, worked at the carpenter's trade throughout his active business career and passed away in 1863. His widow makes her home in Eden township, Wy- andot county, and is now seventy-six years of age, her natal day being February 1, 1837. They had four children, namely: George W., Frank, Sophia and Mary. Our subject is the only surviving member of the family, the others passing away in early life.
In the acquirement of an education George W. Zeiter attended the common schools until twenty-one years of age and subsequently worked as a farm hand by the month for nine years. During the following six years he operated a rented farm in Tymochtee township and on the expiration of that period took up his abode in Sycamore, Ohio, where he worked in an implement store for eight years. In 1903 he came to Upper Sandusky and embarked in business as an implement dealer on his own account, having since built up a gratifying patronage in this connection. His stock of farm machinery and agricultural implements is valued at more
G. W. ZEITER
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than three thousand dollars. He is likewise a stockholder in the Buckeye Foundry & Manufacturing Company, and also in the Commercial National Bank.
On the 15th of February, 1883, at Upper Sandusky, Mr. Zeiter was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Ekleberry, a daughter of Levi and Barbara (Hufford) Ekleberry, of Tymochtee township, where the former was active for a number of years as a farmer and veterinary surgeon.
Politically Mr. Zeiter is an independent democrat, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias of Sycamore and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Upper Sandusky. He also belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce. Though not a member, he attends the services of the Methodist church and lives a consistent Christian life. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact through- out the period of their residence here.
AARON FRANKLIN GOTTFRIED.
Aaron Franklin Gottfried, who since the beginning of his active career has been prominent as a farmer and stock-raiser in Wyandot county, was born in Upper Sandusky, November 20, 1871. He is a son of George Adam and Caroline Amelia (Purkey) Gottfried, the former born in Germany, July 21, 1827, and the latter in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1841. The father was a brick and tile maker and followed this occu- pation in his native country and after he came to Wyandot county. Many of the buildings in this part of Ohio are con- structed of his hand-made bricks and tile, for he was in busi- ness in Upper Sandusky for thirty-seven years and was one of the pioneers in his line of work in the city. He died July 23, 1904, and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in Upper Sandusky. They became the parents of six children. The eldest, William, is a well driller in Lima, Ohio. He mar- ried Maggie Seigler and has five children. Ella became the wife of J. Widman, a clothing merchant in Upper Sandusky. Aaron Franklin is the subject of this review. Harry makes his home in Upper Sandusky. Edward O. is engaged in farm-
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ing in Salem township. He married Edna Ulrich and has one son, Dale Edward. Harriett R. married Ralph Ingard, a western rancher, who died in 1912, in Payette, Idaho. She is the youngest child in this family.
Aaron F. Gottfried acquired his education in the public schools of Upper Sandusky and in college at Ada, pursuing his studies until his fifteenth year, after which he aided with the work of the homestead until he was nineteen years of age. He then became a clerk in a grocery and clothing store and after attaining his majority farmed on shares until 1904, when he purchased ninety acres of land in Salem township and turned his attention to independent agricultural pursuits. He carried on general farming and stock-raising upon this prop- erty until 1906, when he sold his first farm and bought one hundred and one acres in Crane township, on section 10. This farm, which he has recently sold, he has made one of the finest agricultural properties in Wyandot county, well developed along modern lines and equipped with all the accessories and conveniences necessary to its conduct. Mr. Gottfried raises hay, corn and oats and in addition is an extensive stock-raiser, breeding Scotch and Scotch topped Shorthorn cattle of pure bred stock. He has eight head of these animals at the present time and expects to increase his herd in the future. He also raises fifty hogs every year. He is, moreover, a fancier of Plymouth Rock chickens, of which he raises annually about two hundred and fifty for the market. He sells many settings for hatching purposes and his poultry-raising has always been an important source of his income. He has since purchased a farm of eighty acres and now occupies the same. It is located two miles west of Upper Sandusky and owing to its pleasant location he has named it "Sunny View Farm."
Mr. Gottfried married, September 5, 1906, in Delaware township, Hancock county, Ohio, Miss Clara Elizabeth Wilch, a daugher of John A. and Mary (Kroske) Wilch, of Hancock county, Ohio, the father being a prominent farmer and stock- breeder of that region. Mr. and Mrs. Gottfried became the parents of two children, Norma Harriett and Ruth Leverna. The family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church.
Mr. Gottfried belongs to Champion Grange of Wyandot county and was for two years president of the Upper San- dusky Farmers Institute and vice president for a similar period. He gives stanch allegiance to the democratic party
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and takes an active interest in public affairs, ably filling public office when called upon to do so. In 1907 he was assessor of the first ward and was a delegate to two state conventions, one senatorial, one judicial and one congressional convention. He is one of the most substantial farmers of the vicinity, well known throughout his township for his diligence and enter- prise, and he deserves great credit for his present prosperity, which is entirely due to his own efforts.
ANTHONY VOGEL.
Anthony Vogel, a well known, enterprising and successful merchant of Upper Sandusky, has built up an extensive trade as a dealer in shoes and has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his native county. His birth occurred at Upper Sandusky on the 20th of June, 1862, his parents being Frank Joseph and Susanna (Fleck) Vogel, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born on the 28th of June, 1827, and the latter on the 7th of January, 1832. When a young man of twenty-five Frank J. Vogel emigrated to the United States, coming to Ohio and establishing his home at Upper Sandusky, where he spent the remainder of his life at the tailor's trade. The house which he built in 1861 and in which his children were reared is still the home of our subject. His demise, which occurred on the 30th of October, 1883, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret for he had won many friends during the long period of his residence here. His wife came to the United States at the age of twenty-one and spent the remainder of her life at Upper Sandusky, here passing away on the 21st of June, 1909. Unto them were born twelve children, namely: Frank, Susanna, John, William, Henry, Anthony, Cather- ine, August, Joseph, Edward, Lena and Elizabeth.
Anthony Vogel attended school until fifteen years of age and then learned the shoemaker's trade, working at that occu- pation for about seven years. When a young man of twenty- five, he opened a shoe store at Upper Sandusky and has con- ducted the same continuously since or for a period covering three decades. He carries a stock of goods valued at ten
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thousand dollars and has always been accorded a gratifying and well merited patronage.
On the 19th of November, 1891, at Upper Sandusky, Mr. Vogel was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Donnersbach, a daughter of Reinhardt and Anna (Paulse) Donnersbach, both of whom are deceased. During his active business career the father followed farming in Mifflin township, this county. The parents of Mrs. Vogel were both natives of Germany. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children, as follows: Walter C .; Margaret, who passed away on the 5th of November, 1905, at the age of eleven years and seven months; Mary, who died on the 28th of April, 1899, at the age of three years and seven months; Grace C .; Marcus A .; and Helena. On the same lot where his father erected a home more than a half century ago, Mr. Vogel has built a hand- somne modern dwelling of seven rooms.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Vogel has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He has effi- ciently served in the capacity of treasurer of Crane township and has also done valuable service in the cause of education as a member of the township school board. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio and a devout communicant of the Catholic church. In the community where his entire life has been spent he has won and maintained an enviable reputation as a prosperous merchant and respected citizen. Industry and progress seem to be the salient features in his career and have been potent elements in the acquirement of a success which, however, speaks not only in terms of material gain but in the regard and high esteem of his fellowmen.
FLOYD STROUB.
Floyd Stroub, carrying on general farming upon an excel- lent tract of land in Ridge township, is a native son of Ohio, born in Hancock county, July 20, 1873, his parents being Ben- jamin and Rebecca (Benner) Stroub, natives of Germany. The family was founded in America by the grandfather of the subject of this review, a well known United Brethren minis-
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