USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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Dr. George W. Sampson acquired his early education in a select school at Tiffin, Ohio, and afterward attended Heidel- berg University of that city. Before beginning his senior
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year there he went to Toledo and engaged in the commission business, spending a year and a half at this occupation. At the end of that time he resumed his studies, working for three months in the Toledo School of Design and then studying medicine under his father, who was located at Mccutchen- ville. Having determined to make the practice of this profes- sion his life work, he went in 1878 to Keokuk, Iowa, where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1880 with the degree of M. D. In the same year he joined his father in the practice of medicine at Mccutchenville and their association continued for six years, Dr. Sampson of this review coming to Upper Sandusky in 1886. He opened an office for the practice of his profession and has since maintained a continuous residence here. He is deeply interested in his profession, having long been a thor- ough and discriminating student of the science of medicine, and he has carried his investigations far and wide into the realms of research along medical lines. That he has attained proficiency and skill is indicated in the large practice which is accorded him and which has made him one of the success- ful members of the medical fraternity in Wyandot county. He and Dr. G. O. Maskey, with whom he is associated in prac- tice, do a great deal of the surgical work performed in this part of the state and have a wide and growing reputation which they have secured by reason of the remarkable results which they have achieved along this line. Aside from his private practice Dr. Sampson is also acting as pension exam- iner and president of the pension board, under appointment by President McKinley, and is also doing notable work as surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Upper Sandusky, a position which he has held continuously for twenty-five years.
On the 1st of September, 1881, Dr. Sampson was united in marriage at Mccutchenville to Miss Anne E. Johnson, a daughter of Milo C. and Hannah (Brundage) Johnson, the former a farmer residing near Mccutchenville. Dr. and Mrs. Sampson have a daughter, Grace E., who is a graduate of Madame Baur's Conservatory of Music.
Dr. Sampson owns a fine residence on South Sandusky avenue and also one hundred and fifteen acres of land in Crane township, from the rent of which he derives a comfortable addition to his income. He is a man who has always been faithful to every obligation of his life, discharging his pro-
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fessional work and the dutes of citizenship ably and loyally. When only ten years of age, in 1864, he enlisted in the Federal army as a drummer boy and went with his company as far as Camp Chase, where, owing to his extreme youth, he was not accepted for service. However, he was even then very patriotic and loyal and did valuable work in recruiting the Forty-ninth Volunteer Infantry, under General William H. Gibson. Dr. Sampson gives his political support to the re- publican party and is especially interested in educational affairs, having served from 1911 to 1912 as president of the local school board. He is connected with the Masonic order, in which he belongs to the Knights Templar, and is also iden- tified with the Red Men and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In pro- fessional lines he belongs to the Wyandot County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society, and he is also a member of the National Railroad Surgeons Association and the Pennsylvania Railroad Surgeons Association. Except in the positions before mentioned Dr. Sampson has never sought to figure prominently in public life, preferring to give his un- divided attention to his professional duties, which he dis- charges with a sense of conscientious obligation and with a thorough understanding of the responsibility which devolves upon him.
CHARLES OESTERLEY.
Charles Oesterley, who since 1892 has conducted a butcher business in Upper Sandusky, is a native of Germany, born March 12, 1857, and is a son of Andrew and May (Berkly) Oesterley. The father was a butcher by trade and conducted a store in his native country for some time. He was born in 1827 and in 1863 came to Ohio, where he died in 1892. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred January 26, 1890, when she was sixty-three years two months and fif- teen days of age.
Charles Oesterley acquired a limited education in the pub- lic schools of Upper Sandusky, which he attended until he was fourteen years of age, but his educational advantages were extremely limited and have been supplemented in later life by constant reading, experience and observation. For two years after laying aside his books he worked in a brick
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yard in Upper Sandusky but afterward learned the butcher business, at which he worked in the employ of others until 1892, when he began his independent career. He owns a first- class, modern butcher shop, equipped with machinery and fixtures valued at fifteen hundred dollars, and in recognition of his straightforward business methods and high quality of the goods which he handles has been accorded a liberal and constantly increasing patronage. He owns in addition eighteen acres of land and a comfortable and commodious residence on North Third street.
On the 15th of May, 1892, Mr. Oesterley married, in Upper Sandusky, Miss Katie Matz, a daughter of George and Catherine Matz, the former of whom followed the occupation of carpet weaving. Mr. Matz was born in 1837 and died in 1907, while his wife was born in 1839 and died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Oesterley became the parents of a daughter, Emma, who married Irving Mankle, a jeweler of Upper Sandusky.
Mr. Oesterley is a devout adherent of the German Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He is interested in the progress and welfare of the community in which he has resided for so many years and as a member of the town council did his best to promote all meas- ures of reform and advancement. Although born in Germany and still loyal to the memory of his fatherland, Mr. Oesterley's enterprising and progressive spirit has made him a typical American in every sense of the word. By constant exertion, guided by good judgment, he has raised himself to the promi- nent position he now holds in mercantile circles, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM J. FRAZIER.
William J. Frazier, who since 1854 has been engaged in the cabinet-maker's trade, is one of the oldest residents in Upper Sandusky and has been an active force in the growth and development of the city for almost half a century. He was born in Canal Dover, Ohio, October 13, 1830, and is a son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Spach) Frazier, the former a na-
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tive of New Jersey, born in 1802, and the latter of Stark county, her birth having occurred about the year 1807. The father was a carpenter by trade and a pioneer in Canal Dover, having come to that community before the canal was con- structed. He died in 1872 and was survived by his wife until 1907.
William J. Frazier was one of a family of eleven children. He grew to manhood in Holmes county and there attended district school until he was seventeen years of age, walking three miles daily to the schoolhouse. After he had laid aside his books he learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for two years, after which he took up cabinet-making, in which he has now engaged for over half a century. Each year of this period has added something to his skill and today he is one of the most expert workmen in his line in the state. He was one of the pioneers in Wyandot county, coming to the section in 1864, when it was still comparatively undeveloped, and throughout the course of his long residence here his in- terest in its further progress and advancement has never les- sened. For a time he was foreman of the sash and door factory in Upper Sandusky but afterward became connected as a cabinet-maker with Brinkerhoff's music store, where he has been employed for thirty-two years, winning that pros- perity which always follows earnest, persistent and well di- rected labor.
Mr. Frazier married, February 18, 1854, at Dayton, Ohio, Miss Elizabeth Leggett, a daughter of David and Lydia Leg- gett. Mr. and Mrs. Frazier became the parents of cleven children, five of whom are still living. Sarah Alice, the eld- est, married Curtis McBride, a lawyer in Mansfield, and they have one son, Victor. Harry L. is a postoffice railroad clerk in Chicago. He married Miss Hattie Parkinson, and they became the parents of two sons, Karl F. and William. Arthur D. is also a postoffice clerk in Chicago. He is married and has a daughter, Edith. Annette married Harry Striner, a painter and paper hanger in Upper Sandusky. They have four children, Irene, Alice, Kenneth and Morris. Charles L. is the proprietor of a steam laundry in Upper Sandusky. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Myrtle Kirk, and they have one son, John K.
Mr. Frazier gives a general allegiance to the republican party but, while he is public-spirited in his citizenship, his
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interest never takes the form of office seeking. He is active in everything pertaining to the city's progress, and move- ments for the public good have never sought his aid in vain. Moreover, in his business career he has demonstrated the value and worth of unflagging perseverance, determination and unsullied business integrity and throughout the many years of his activity in Wyandot county has gained the full trust and confidence of those with whom he has been asso- ciated.
ALLEN B. WHITNEY.
Allen B. Whitney is one of the prominent and leading business men of Wyandot county, being president of the Ohio Manufacturing Company and vice president of the Citizens Savings Bank of Upper Sandusky. He was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, December 2, 1877, a son of Amza A. and Jennie (Henderson) Whitney, the former born in Sunbury, this state, in 1852, and the latter in Mount Vernon in 1850. The father was for many years a dry-goods merchant at Mount. Gilead, Ohio, and there his death occurred August 20, 1911. He had survived his wife since 1885. They were the parents of three children: Allen B., of this review; Clarence; and Horace, who married Bertha Talmage.
Allen B. Whitney acquired his early education in the pub- lic schools of Mount Gilead, graduating from the high school in that city. He later attended the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity at Delaware, receiving his degree from that institution in 1899. Afterward for two years he taught school and then was for one year traffic manager for the United States Tele- phone Company. At the end of that time he turned his atten- tion to banking, entering the National Bank of Morrow County at Mount Gilead, as assistant cashier, but after two years he came to Upper Sandusky and became connected in 1905 with the Ohio Manufacturing Company as secretary. His worth as a shrewd and able business man was recognized when in 1909, after the death of his father-in-law, M. W. Kouns, he was made president of the concern, a position which he still holds, being also vice president of the Citizens Savings Bank. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of per-
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ception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his ex- cellent management have brought him a high degree of pros- perity.
Mr. Whitney married, February 24, 1903, at Washington Court House, Ohio, Miss Jane Kouns, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Kouns, of Columbus, the father being for many years connected with the Ohio Manufacturing Company as president. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney had three children, Alfred, Richard and Virginia.
Mr. Whitney is a member of the Methodist church and politically is identified with the democratic party. He is a member of the Upper Sandusky Chamber of Commerce and has important fraternal affiliations, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, and to the Knights of Pythias. He is recognized as a leader in business circles of Upper Sandusky and he well merits the success which has come to him, for it has been gained through busi- ness methods which neither seek nor require disguise.
JOSEPH NEIDIG.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men of Upper Sandusky is Joseph Neidig, who con- ducts a marble yard and monument business in the city which is his native community. His birth occurred on the 28th of November, 1862, and he is a son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Cook) Neidig, natives of Germany, the father born in Baden in 1822 and the mother in 1827. Valentine Neidig was a tailor by trade and followed that occupation both in Germany and America. He died in 1906, his wife surviving him until 1911. In their family were fourteen children, eight of whom are still living, namely; Herbert, Joseph, Katie, Peter, Henry, Wil- liam, Maggie and Lizzie.
Joseph Neidig attended the parochial schools of Upper Sandusky until he was twelve years of age and then laid aside his books and worked at various occupations until 1886. In that year he began to learn the marble-working trade and after mastering its details, engaged in it for seventeen years. He became a proficient and expert worker, commanding high
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JOSEPH NEIDIG
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wages, and, being ambitious and energetic, he saved his money and eventually became able to establish a business of his own. He opened a marble yard and monument business in his pres- ent location and in the course of years gained prosperity and success, being now numbered among the representative busi- ness men of the town. His place is modern and completely equipped and all of his work shows individuality and attract- iveness of design as well as skill in execution. In all of his. activities Mr. Neidig is systematic and methodical and his laudable ambition and determination have been forceful ele- ments in his success.
On June 15, 1887, Mr. Neidig was united in marriage at Upper Sandusky to Miss Sarah A. Feely, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Feely, the former a prosperous farmer who came to Ohio in 1855 and died in this state in 1902, at the age of sixty-seven. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Neidig are the parents of two children. Hortense married Charles W. Bringman, of Upper Sandusky, who is well known as a musician and leader of the Citizens Band. They have one son, Wallace Paul. The other child born to Mr. and Mrs. Neidig is a son, Clarence P.
Mr. Neidig has extensive fraternal relations, being a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Red Men. For five years he was a member of the Kirby Light Guards. In his political views he is a loyal democrat, giving stanch support to the men and measures of that party. He served as councilman for two years but has held no other public office, not being ambitious for official recognition. He is widely known in Upper San- dusky, where he has spent his entire life and where his gen- uine personal worth, high integrity and straightforward prin- ciples have gained for him the good-will, trust and respect of all with whom he has been associated.
JOHN H. KINLEY.
John H. Kinley, merchant and inventor, is one of the well known men in business circles of Upper Sandusky, where his name stands for progress, enterprise and strict business in- tegrity. He has conducted a large hardware store since 1896 Vol. II-5
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and his honorable methods and straightforward dealings have been rewarded by a steadily increasing success, which places him among the men of prominence and importance in the city. He is a native of Wyandot county, born in Tymochtee township, February 27, 1857, a son of George Frederick and Susanna (Soehunberger) Kinley, natives of Baden, Ger- many, the father born in 1814 and the mother in 1817. George F. Kinley came to the United States in 1846 and settled in Ohio, where he engaged in farming until his death on April 14, 1874. His wife survived him many years, dying on Sep- tember 19, 1906. In their family were seven children. The eldest, Frederick, who passed away in 1909, engaged in farm- ing. He married Hester A. Brown and they had two children, William E. and Nava N. William has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Laura Swinhart, who passed away in 1901. His second wife was a native of Indiana. He has three children. Henry is county commissioner of Crane township. He married Mary E. Tillen and has eight children. Mary became the wife of Frank Marks, formerly a contractor in Wichita, Kansas. He died in 1900, leaving four children. Louis married Ellen Von Blon and after her death in 1886 wedded Amelia Weber. They reside in Upper Sandusky and are the parents of one child. Caroline married Levi Paulin, a carpenter in Santa Barbara, California. They have six children. John H. is the subject of this review and the youngest child in this family.
The last named attended district school in Tymochtee township and high school in Upper Sandusky. He supple- mented this by a course in the normal school at Ada and by a few years' attendance at Valparaiso College, after which he spent ten years teaching school. During the summers he worked at the carpenter's trade but in 1886 secured a posi- tion as clerk in the hardware store conducted by J. A. Gott- fried & Brother, and he there remained for ten years, learn- ing the details of the business and becoming an expert in modern merchandising. In 1896 he established himself in business, purchasing a small hardware store in Upper San- dusky. His enterprise was destroyed by fire in 1909, but he immediately rebuilt and installed a new line of hardware and queensware. Mr. Kinley has here a complete, modern and up-to-date establishment, one hundred and sixty-four feet long and three stories high. His stock is well selected and
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his business methods are above reproach. He has patented some very ingenious appliances, known as the Kinley scoop flue stop and the Kinley victor flue stop, which he manu- factures and jobs to the wholesale trade all over the United States, his profits from the sales of his inventions being a val- uable addition to his income. Mr. Kinley is known in Upper Sandusky as a reliable, efficient and far-sighted business man, and these qualities have secured for him a gratifying patron- age and made his name an important one in business circles.
On the 12th of May, 1881, Mr. Kinley married, at Upper Sandusky, Miss Caroline F. Stecher, a daughter of George J. and Christina (Mollenberger) Stecher, the former a gardener in Upper Sandusky. Mr. and Mrs. Kinley became the parents of five children. Harry E. is clerking in his father's store in Upper Sandusky. He married Miss Abbie L. Lowery, daughter of W. J. Lowery. The others are George F., J. Avery, Villa C. and Everet R. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Kinley's fraternal connections are with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Rebekahs. He is a stanch republican in his political beliefs and has served as councilman for the third ward, his service being distinguished by straightforward and conscientious work in the city's in- terests. From 1880 to 1884 he was a member of the Kirby Light Guards. He is one of the active and progressive merchants of Upper Sandusky-a man of good business capacity and enterprise and of unquestioned integrity, en- joying in an unusual degree the confidence and good will of the community.
HENRY CLAY LITTLE.
Henry Clay Little, who since 1885 has been in the poultry business in Upper Sandusky, is senior member of the firm of H. Little & Sons, poultry dealers and shippers. His store is the largest of its kind in this part of Ohio and he himself, by reason of his progressive methods and resourceful ability, is numbered among the men who have for years been active in promoting and shaping the business development of the
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state. He was born in Upper Sandusky, September 14, 1854, and is a son of Alexander H. and Elizabeth (Huff) Little, the former born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and the latter in Germany, in 1834. The father came to Wyandot county when he was still a boy and grew to manhood in this section, following the occupation of farming. He was well known in local politics and for the last twenty years of his life served as constable, dying in 1897. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred in 1873. In their family were three children: Henry Clay, of this review; Alice E .; and May A.
Henry C. Little attended district school in Crane town- ship until he was nineteen years of age and then turned his attention to farming, an occupation which he followed until 1882. For four years thereafter he worked upon a farm in Kansas but at the end of that time returned to Upper San- dusky and after three years embarked in the poultry busi- ness, with which he has been connected since that time. In business circles his name has become a synonym for integrity, honor and straightforward dealing and as a result his concern has grown and expanded, being today one of the largest in Ohio. Mr. Little has taken his two sons into partnership with him under the firm name of H. Little & Sons and the father handles all kinds of dressed and live poultry besides doing an extensive shipping business to the eastern markets, where they sell about six hundred thousand pounds a year. Mr. Little is a progressive, able and successful business man, who has gained prosperity by hard and intelligently directed work through the years and who stands today as a central figure in mercantile circles. He also owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Texas and has recently erected a modern, nine-room residence on South street, Upper San- dusky, and has here besides extensive property interests, owning three other fine dwellings, which he rents out, besides his valuable business structure.
Mr. Little married, on the 3d of October, 1878, in Allen county, Ohio, Miss Christina A. McKee, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McKee, the former a prominent farmer of Allen county. Mr. and Mrs. Little became the parents of three children. Walter is the eldest in the family. Forest H., mar- ried Matilda Baldauf, a daughter of Andy Baldauf, of Upper Sandusky. They have four children, Earl H., Laura M., Rob-
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ert and Ray F. Birdie, the youngest child in this family. be- came the wife of Harry Schuler, a poultry buyer in Upper Sandusky, connected with the firm of H. Little & Sons. They have one child, Russell.
Mr. Little gives his political allegiance to the democratic . party and his only fraternal relation is with the Royal Arcanum. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Upper Sandusky than he, for he has been an im- portant factor in business circles for almost twenty-five years, and his prosperity is well deserved, for it is the result of his unbending integrity, his energy and his well directed in- dustry.
WALTER M. SMALLEY, M. D.
Dr. Walter M. Smalley, practicing in Upper Sandusky along modern scientific lines, is recognized as an able expo- nent of his profession and the liberal patronage accorded him is proof of the confidence reposed in him by the general pub- lic. He is also a successful and discriminating business man, his shrewdness and foresight being important elements in the rapid expansion of the Union National Drug Company, of which he is the vice president and a large stockholder. He was born in Fredericksburg, Wayne county, Ohio, January 19, 1862, and is a son of Dr. Jacob W. and Margaret C. Arm- strong (Porter) Smalley. The father was a native of Wayne county, born August 30, 1822, and a prominent and success- ful practicing physician, engaging in the duties of his profes- sion until 1882 and passing away in 1902. The mother was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Porter, early settlers in Holmes county. She has also passed away, her death having occurred in 1901. In their family were four children: Wil- liam P., who makes his home with the subject of this review; Walter M., the subject of this sketch; Charles E., who mar- ried Miss Effie Sellers, of Marysville, Ohio, and who has four children; and Richard, who lives in the west.
Dr. Walter M. Smalley acquired his early education in the grammar and high schools of Upper Sandusky and supple- mented this by a course in the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, which he attended for two years. He later en-
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