USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 3
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FREDERICK SAMMET
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the corner of Pleasant View and High Streets, and the green- houses are built adjoining his home. Since coming into pos- session of this property he has rebuilt his residence, has put up a new barn, has laid cement sidewalks and made other im- provements until his place is now a most beautiful one. He has also greatly increased the business and the volume of trade returns to him a substantial income. He deals in plants and cut flowers of all kinds, understands the best methods of grow- ing these and by reason of honorable dealing and reasonable prices his products are finding a ready sale.
Mr. Sammet was united in marriage to Miss Katie Lau- denschlager, a daughter of John and Anna (Sprau) Lau- denschlager. Mrs. Sammet passed away in 1909, leaving a son, Harold, who was born May 25, 1894. On November 6, 1912, Mr. Sammet was again married, this union being with Miss Mina M. Veithes, of Upper Sandusky, a daughter of C. F. and Mary (Althouse) Veithes, the former a retired farmer, who still owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres east of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Sammet are devoted members of the Lutheran church, to which they give their moral and material support. Mr. Sammet is well known in Wyandot county, where he has spent much of his life and where he has so directed his energies as to win not only a good trade but also the merited regard and confidence of those who have dealings with him. He is ever diligent and pro- gressive and is today the owner of one of the leading florist establishments in this part of the state.
EDWARD KATZENMEYER.
Edward Katzenmeyer, who conducts one of the leading stores in Upper Sandusky, carrying a fine line of farm imple- ments and roofing materials, was born in Mifflin township, September 29, 1880. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Zahn) Katzenmeyer, the former of whom was born in Mifflin town- ship in 1855 and the latter in Upper Sandusky on the 17th of March, 1857. The father engaged in farming during his active career and died on the 10th of April, 1910. His wife survives him and makes her home in Upper Sandusky. To their union were born three children, Edward, Elizabeth and
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Sylvia. Mrs. Katzenmeyer still owns the fine home farm com- prising fifty-eight acres of the best improved land in Ohio, equipped with most up-to-date buildings and machinery. She is a lady of many high qualities of character, well beloved by all who have the honor of her acquaintance and esteemed by a large circle of friends. Her hospitality is proverbial, and friend or stranger find a ready welcome at her fireside. Char- itable and of a kind and helpful disposition she allies herself with all movements to better humanity and there is no one who merits more the high respect which is readily conceded her.
In the acquirement of an education Edward Katzenmeyer attended district school in Mifflin township. After laying aside his books he worked upon his father's farm until 1900, when he moved into Upper Sandusky and opened the business with which he is connected at the present time. He has a stock of farm implements and roofing materials valued at thirty-five hundred dollars and has already secured a gratify- ing and representative patronage by reason of his progressive business methods and in recognition of his well known integ- rity.
Mr. Katzenmeyer gives his allegiance to the democratic party, and fraternally is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a devout member of the German Lutheran church. He is, moreover, one of the most able, alert and pro- gressive of the younger business men of Upper Sandusky and an active force in matters pertaining to the general interests of the community, and he has a host of friends throughout his native county.
WILLIAM E. MARTIN.
On the roster of county officials of Wyandot county appears the name of William E. Martin, now serving as sur- veyor. His entire life has been spent in Upper Sandusky and his history is well known to his fellow townsmen, who have always found him a reliable and enterprising citizen and a pro- gressive business man. His birth occurred on the 26th of September, 1882, his parents being John B. and Lydia (Brobst) Martin, the former of whom was born in Ireland in
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1830 and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1839. The father was for many years connected with railroading and passed away in September, 1904, having survived his wife by three years. To their union were born seven children, Thomas J., Joseph, Frank, George, Charles, Mary and William E.
William E. Martin acquired his education in the public schools of his native city, attending until he was seventeen years of age, when he began to study civil engineering at night and soon became proficient in this work. He was employed for nine years after leaving school as a telegraph operator, after which period he worked for two years in the office of the county surveyor of Wyandot county. In 1912 he was himself called upon to fill this position and has since served, discharg- ing his duties with credit to himself and thus commanding the esteem and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact.
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On the 14th of April, 1904, Mr. Martin was united in mar- riage at Upper Sandusky to Miss Nellie Trautwine, a daugh- ter of John and Henrietta (Young) Trautwine, the former a stone mason and contractor by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have two children, Nellie Pauline and Maurice W. Fra- ternally Mr. Martin gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is active and progressive in all matters of citizen- ship, although his public spirit never takes the form of office seeking. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and fra- ternally is connected with the Masonic order, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Upper Sandusky and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and pros- perity of his native city, giving his cooperation to many meas- ures calculated to promote the material, political and moral interests of the community.
L. WALTER NAUS, M. D.
Dr. L. Walter Naus, proprietor of the Naus Sanitarium in Upper Sandusky and one of the most successful specialists in cancer, tumor and blood diseases in Wyandot county, was born in Hardin county, Ohio, March 4, 1874. He is a son of David A. and Fannie (Zimmerman) Naus. The father, also a native
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of Hardin county, was born in 1847. He has followed farm- ing since the beginning of his active career and is now one of the most successful general agriculturists in Hancock county. In this family were two children: L. Walter, of this review; and Anna Ellen.
Dr. Naus acquired his early education in the Hardin county district schools, which he attended until he was seventeen years of age, supplementing this by one term in Findlay Col- lege and two years at the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Having determined to study medicine, he entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati and was graduated from that institution in 1899 with the degree of M. D. He located for the general practice of his profession in Upper Sandusky and has since attained a place of prominence in professional circles of this community. After three years he formed a partner- ship with Dr. C. L. Shepard and together they operated a hos- pital and sanitarium for four years, after which Dr. Naus associated himself with Dr. Smalley, operating the Naus & Smalley Sanitarium. This they conducted until 1911, when Dr. Naus purchased his partner's interest and has since had entire charge of the institution, now known as the Naus San- itarium. He specializes in the treatment of cancer, tumor and all blood and chronic diseases and has met with remark- able success in his chosen work. He is a physician of ability and, moreover, possesses the laudable ambition to achieve suc- cess by promoting his efficiency by further study and research, keeping in touch with the most advanced thought of his pro- fession through his membership in the American and Ohio State Medical Associations and the Northwestern Medical Society.
On June 2, 1901, at Upper Sandusky, Dr. Naus married Miss Emma L. Stephan, a daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Finck) Stephan, the former a blacksmith and tool dresser. Dr. and Mrs. Naus became the parents of three children: David H., who died at the age of twenty months; Edwin S .; and Charles A. Dr. Naus is a member of the Upper Sandusky Chamber of Commerce and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the National Union. He is a regular attendant at the Evan- gelical church but does not hold membership in any religious organization. His political allegiance is given in a general way to the republican party but he casts an independent ballot
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on all questions involving the general good of the community. A constantly increasing practice makes heavy demands upon his time and attention and his devotion to the interests of his patients is proverbial. He manifests a sense of conscientious obligation in all of his professional work and the excellent results which have attended his labors are proof of his ability.
EDWARD R. LOWRY.
Edward R. Lowry, engaged in the grocery business in Upper Sandusky as a partner in the firm of Finkle & Lowry, was born in Crane township, February 24, 1884, and is a son of W. J. and Mary (Walton) Lowry, both natives of Wyandot county. The father was born in this section in 1852 and after he grew to manhood engaged in farming, retiring from active life in 1907. His wife was also born in 1852, and they make their home in Upper Sandusky. They became the par- ents of three children: Ruth, who married Foster Finkle, of the firm of Finkle & Lowry, by whom she has four children, Herbert, Catherine, Mildred and Dorothy; Edward R., of this review; and Abbie, who is the wife of Harry Kinley, a mer- chant of Upper Sandusky. W. J. Lowry was during his active life prominent and successful in agricultural circles and a force in local politics, having been a commissioner of Wyandot county for two terms. He is highly regarded in Upper Sandusky, where he is well and favorably known and enjoys the esteem and regard of a wide circle of friends.
Edward R. Lowry acquired his education in the Indian Hill district school and later attended the Tri-State Business College at Toledo, graduating from this institution when he was twenty-two years of age. For six months thereafter he worked upon a farm but at the end of that time turned his attention to commercial pursuits, opening a hardware store in Upper Sandusky. At the end of one year he obtained a position as a grocer's clerk and after holding it for six months joined Mr. Finkle and opened a grocery store under the firm name of Finkle & Lowry. They carry a stock valued at three thousand dollars and have built up a very liberal patronage which is accorded them in recognition of their honorable busi-
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ness principles, their earnest desire to please their patrons and their reasonable prices.
Mr. Lowry attends the Evangelical church, and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs also to the Chamber of Commerce and has been the champion of many progressive measures whereby the interests of the town have been promoted. Starting out in life without any special fam- ily or pecuniary advantages to aid him, he has worked his way steadily upward, standing, although still a young man, among the leading grocers and progressive business men of Upper Sandusky.
JOSEPH FLECK.
Joseph Fleck. the only merchant tailor in Upper San- dusky, is a native son of the city, born July 24, 1861, his parents being Henry and Dorothea (Bastel) Fleck, the for- mer a native of Baden, Germany. The father's birth occurred on the 18th of October, 1833, and after he grew to maturity he came to America, following the occupation of a clothing merchant and tailor during the entire period of his residence in Upper Sandusky. He died in this city in 1896, the mother of our subject long preceding him in death, passing away on December 17, 1861. The father subsequently married. again and was survived by his second wife until 1910.
Joseph Fleck acquired his education in the Catholic schools of Upper Sandusky, attending until he was four- teen years of age, after which he entered his father's cloth- ing store, spending his evenings for several years studying at home. He remained with his father until 1882, learning merchant tailoring and mastering the clothing business in principle and detail, and when he finally went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was an expert workman. When he returned to Ohio he spent several years in business with his father and in the employ of others, working at tailoring, until 1901, when he embarked in business for himself, opening a shop in Upper Sandusky, which he has since conducted. He has secured a liberal patronage, for his workmanship is excellent, his prices
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reasonable and his methods of dealing always straight- forward and honorable.
Mr. Fleck married, on the 19th of August, 1884, at Upper Sandusky, Miss Magdalene Keller, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Zahn) Keller, the former a saloon and cafe proprietor in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Fleck have one daughter, Mae A. Mr. Fleck is a member of the Roman Catholic church and fra- ternally is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and served as councilman of the second ward from 1895 to 1896. He was appointed clerk of Crane township May 1, 1909, and elected to the same position at the last two elections, and he is still serving, being known throughout the township as one who has labored earnestly for the betterment of public inter- ests and has never withheld his cooperation from progressive public movements. In all of his business dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and straightforward and, moreover, his influence is at all times in favor of those projects and measures which promote general progress, improvement and growth.
JACOB GONGUER.
Jacob Gonguer, who is a retired agriculturist living in Upper Sandusky, was born in Mifflin township, Ashland county, May 12, 1851, a son of Phillip and Salome (Long) Gonguer, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1809 and after completing his education followed the distilling business for a number of years, later engaging in farming. He died in 1876 and was survived by his wife until 1890. They were the parents of twelve children, Sarah, Susan, Eliza- beth, John, Lydia, Jacob, May, Lucinda, Rebecca, Hannah, George and Joseph. All of these children are living except Lydia, who died in infancy.
Jacob Gonguer was reared to farm life and acquired his education in the old Stony Point schoolhouse which he inter- mittently attended until he was twenty-one years of age. On putting aside his text-books he took up agricultural pursuits on a farm in Ashland county, where he remained until 1878. He afterward rented land for about eight years but in 1885 bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 37,
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Antrim township, this county, which he still owns and in the cultivation of which he was successfully and profitably en- gaged until his retirement from active business life. Mr. Gonguer raised hay, corn, oats and wheat, gathering abundant harvests, and in addition to general farming carried on stock- raising on an extensive scale, both branches of his business returning him a gratifying annual income. Several years ago he moved into Upper Sandusky and has since been living in honorable and well earned retirement.
Mr. Gonguer was twice married. His first wife was Miss Cinderella Piper of Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of John Piper, who was a cooper by trade. Both Mr. and Mrs. Piper have passed away.
On December 18, 1898, at Harpster, Ohio, Mr. Gonguer mar- ried Mrs. Harry Young, a daughter of Patrick and Christina (Mahley) Tivenan, the former a prominent farmer in Antrim township. Mrs. Gonguer has a son, Frank Young, by her former marriage. Mr. Gonguer gives his allegiance to the democratic party and makes his public spirit effective in an important way by his service as a member of the school board, with which he has been connected for six years. His life in former years was one of continuous activity, in which was accorded due recognition to labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Upper Sandusky, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
CHARLES F. SHEALY.
Prominent among the enterprising, progressive and pros- perous business men of Upper Sandusky is Charles F. Shealy, the president of the Buckeye Foundry & Manufacturing Com- pany. Gradually he has worked his way upward, seeking success along legitimate business lines, his record being another proof of the fact that success is not a matter of genius or of circumstance, as held by some, but is the outcome rather of clear judgment, experience and close application. Mr. Shealy was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, February 19, 1864, and is the eldest of four children, the others being John E., C. Otto and Mary A. The father, John Shealy, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, September 24, 1833, and became a lumber dealer,
CHARLES F. SHEALY
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continuing in that business for many years. He married Lena Heiby, who was born in 1840 and is now living at the age of seventy-two years, but Mr. Shealy passed away in 1897. The son, John E., married Jennie Vetters, of Bucyrus, and C. Otto wedded Catherine Kitchler, by whom he has one child, George A. C. Otto is now proprietor of a grocery and bakery establishment in Indiana. The daughter, Mary A., lives with her eldest brother.
The removal of the family to Upper Sandusky gave Charles F. Shealy the opportunity of attending the public schools of this city-an opportunity of which he availed himself until he reached the age of eighteen years. He worked for his father in the lumber business as clerk and manager until the father's death in 1897, when he succeeded him in the owner- ship of the business and in 1898 admitted E. F. Stephan as a partner. This relationship was continued until 1911 or for a period of thirteen years, at the end of which time Mr. Shealy sold out to Mr. Stephan. He then purchased a machine shop and in 1912 organized a stock company for the conduct of the business with a capital of fifty thousand dollars by taking in the Zanesville Manufacturing & Supply Company. The busi- ness is now conducted under the name of the Buckeye Foun- dry & Manufacturing Company, with Mr. Shealy as the presi- dent and William H. Lauer as secretary, treasurer and general manager. They manufacture malleable pipe fittings and do general repairing along mechanical lines. Mr. Shealy has been very successful both in the lumber business and in his present connection. He is now accorded a liberal patronage and his trade is growing month by month. What he under- takes he carries forward to successful completion, for his are well formulated plans and his industry and determination will brook no obstacles that can be overcome by honest effort. He also figures in financial circles of the city as a stockholder in the Commercial Bank and the Citizens Savings Bank.
In Upper Sandusky, on the 24th of October, 1889, Mr. Shealy was married to Miss Mary A. Walter, a daughter of Samuel L. and Candace (Stephenson) Walter, the former a mason contractor. Mr. and Mrs. Shealy have but one child, Walter Allen. The parents are Presbyterians in religious faith and Mr. Shealy belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a democrat in politics and he is a member of the Chamber of Vol. II-3
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Commerce, in full sympathy with the latter organization in its efforts to promote the welfare and progress of his city. His cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement for the general good and he is numbered among the business men whose efforts are contributing to public prosperity as well as to individual success.
GEORGE O. MASKEY, M. D.
Dr. George O. Maskey, who since 1882 has successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Upper Sandusky, was born in Nevada, Ohio, February 7, 1856. He is a son of Benjamin and Adeline (Zook) Maskey, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1830 and the latter in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1835. The father was brought to this state when he was still an infant and grew to maturity here, following the carpenter's trade during his business career. He died in 1897, having survived his wife for some time, her death having occurred in 1884. In their family were three children, George O., William F. and Jacob A.
Dr. Maskey spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and acquired his early education in the public schools of Upper Sandusky. At the age of sixteen he laid aside his books and for two winters thereafter engaged in teaching in the country schools. When he resigned this position he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela- ware and after three years' study in that institution was made principal of the high school at Upper Sandusky, a position in which he acted for two years. Having determined, however, to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University at Cleveland and was graduated in 1882 with the degree of M. D. He returned immediately to Upper Sandusky and formed a partnership with Dr. R. A. Henderson, their asso- ciation continuing for over five years. Afterward Dr. Maskey entered into partnership with Dr. G. W. Sampson, an associa- tion that still maintains. His ability has brought him a large and lucrative patronage which is steadily increasing, and he is numbered among the leaders of the profession in this part of the state. He has some valuable property interests, own-
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ing a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Crane town- ship and a comfortable residence and a business block in Upper Sandusky.
On the 28th of October, 1892, Dr. Maskey was united in marriage at Mount Blanchard, Ohio, to Miss Stella Fahl, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Fahl, the former a hardware merchant of that place. Dr. and Mrs. Maskey have become the parents of a son, Robert F. Dr. Maskey is a devout adher- ent of the Methodist church, and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a democrat in his political beliefs and active in local politics, having served as a member of the school board for many years. He did able, conscientious and efficient work during his two terms of serv- ice as corporation treasurer and was also health officer for some time and coroner for two terms. His ability and skill along professional lines have been demonstrated in the suc- cessful handling of a number of complex medical cases, and he is highly esteemed, not only as a professional man but as a citizen and friend to humanity, who uses his knowledge for the good of his fellowmen.
HARRY S. RIESER.
Harry S. Rieser, who is a worthy representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of Wyandot county, is also one of the most progressive merchants and reliable busi- ness men of Upper Sandusky, where he conducts a grocery store. He was born in Salem township, December 11, 1869, and is a son of John F. and Nancy (Ewing) Rieser, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. The father's birth occurred in Baden in 1837 and when he was nine years of age he came to America. After landing at New York he came by canal via Albany and Buffalo and the Great Lakes to Ohio, arriving in Sandusky City, whence he went overland to Upper Sandusky, arriving there early in the year 1846. He grew to maturity in that section and for many years afterward followed farming, be- coming also identified with public life as postmaster of Upper Sandusky. In 1894 he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, establishing himself in the grocery business in part-
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nership with his son and continuing in it until 1911, when he passed away. His death was widely and deeply regretted, for his success was acquired only through the most upright and straightforward methods and all who had business deal- ings with him knew him to be a man of strict integrity and honor. His wife's death occurred in 1889. In their family were ten children, six of whom have passed away. Those who survive are: George W., a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs Minnie Chase, of Baltimore, this state; Mrs. Annie Veith of Upper Sandusky; and Harry S., of this review.
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