USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 35
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 35
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Dr. J. A. Stansell is the third in order of birth in a family of nine children, and since his fourth year has lived in Olio. He took up the study of medicine at the age of seventeen years, taking a three-years course in the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity at Delaware, and in 1856-57 entered Miami College of Cincinnati. For a time he practiced in partnership with his preceptor, Dr. Stanley, in Patterson, this county, but in March, 1865, he was regularly graduated from Starling Medical College at Columbus. The following fall he took up his permanent abode in this place, where he has met with marked success.
September 28, 1854, Dr. Stansell and Eveline C., daughter of John Adams, were united in mar- riage. The lady was born in 1833, in Delaware
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County, Ohio, and is the mother of four children, namely: I,illie J., Mrs. Capt. John Campbell, of Forest; Iva Luella, Mrs. Allen T. West, also of Forest; Nellie J., wife of Martin F. Jordan, of. Fulton County, Ohio; and J. Franklin, an operator on the. Pittsburg Railroad at La Fay- ette, this state.
In the winter of 1877-78 Dr. Stansell took a post-graduate course at Bellevue Medical College in New York. He is very prominent in Masonic circles, having joined the organ in Kenton, Ohio, August 8, 1862, when he became a member of. Latham Lodge No. 154. He also belongs to Mc- Cutchen Chapter No. 96, R. A. M., of Upper Sandusky, which he joined November 12, 1866, and he was made a Council Mason at Bucyrus, Ohio. For years he has held positions in all these bodies and has been one of the most active workers in the state. Though he organized Sen- ate Lodge of Forest, named it, drilled its mem- bers and was its Master for eleven years, and though he also organized a lodge at Dunkirk, he still holds membership with the old lodge at Ken- ton, where many of his warmest friends are to be found. His mother was a schoolnate of the noto- rious Mormon, Joseph Smith, and was personally acquainted with the founders of that sect. The Doctor has a copy of the first "Book of Mormons," printed at Palmyra in 1830. He has visited Salt Lake and met many prominent Mormons, and through the influence of General McClernand, of that city, was enabled to visit various places of interest there.
ON. JOHN S. DUDLEY, Mayor of Marion, is one of the most popular officials in the county, and was elected to this honorable office by a handsome majority over his opponent. In order to achieve the prominence he has at- tained personal and business qualities of the high- est order were necessary, and of these he is pos- sessed in a large measure.
Mr. Dudley was born in Lexington, Richland County, Ohio, June 5, 1838. His father, Ezra Dudley, was born at Crown Point, and was for many years of his life engaged in farnring. The trade which he learned in early years was that of a shoemaker, and after his experience as an agri- culturist he engaged in the shoe business at Lex- ington, whence he later removed to Grafton, Iowa, where he died. His wife, formerly Elmira Bai- ley, is also deceased, having passed away some twenty years ago. Her husband survived her nine years, and was seventy-three years of age at the time of his death.
Our subject was the younger of two brothers. Graves B. is engaged in the stock business at Sextonville, Wis., where he is prominent and in- fluential among its best residents. John S., our subject, remained on his father's farm until six- teen years of age, in the mean time securing what knowledge of books he had in the district schools. Two years thereafter he went to Olivesburg, Richland County, this state, where he appren- ticed himself to learn the saddler's trade. Later he came to Marion, where for many years he was in the employ of T. J. McGruder, who was a saddler.
Our subject is now serving his third term as Mayor of Marion, being elected to this position on the Republican ticket by large majorities each time, although the city is strongly Democratic. He has been both honorable and upright during his incumbency of this office, and under his ad- ministration the streets have been paved and ini- proved in many ways. It would not be true to say that he has no enemies, for a person occupy- ing the office that he does. and bringing about such decided changes in the government of the city could not do so and please every citizen. It was his ambition and desire when entering upon his administration to plan and carry on work that would benefit the city, without fear or favor, and this he has done in a most admirable manner. He was candidate for Sheriff in 1893, and was defeated by only one hundred and eighty-six votes, thus reducing the Democratic majority from eight hundred to that number.
Our subject has been twice married. His first
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companion was Sarah Randall, who died leaving a daughter, Nellie, who is now the wife of H. D. Frymyer, of Monmouth, Ill. His present wife was formerly Mary Flood, of Sandusky City, this state. They have had born to them a daughter, Grace, who married Robert C. Fenton, a tele- graph operator in Marion.
Our subject stands high in social orders, be- longing to the Uniformed Rank, I. O. O. F .; he is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, Royal Arcanum and the Elks, and was District Deputy Grand Master of the order of Odd Fellows for a period of six years. He is a man deserving of the respect and high esteem in which he is held, and it is the wislt of the best citizens of Marion that he may be retained in office for years to come.
ICHARD SIEGEL. Many of the most pa- triotic citizens of our country have emigrated hither from foreign lands, and among them there are many of the stalwart sons of the Father- land. With keen intuition they have foreseen future prosperity in America such as never could be attained in their own land, and, coming across the ocean, have almost invariably been success- ful in their undertakings. Mr. Siegel furnislies a good example of this class, being prominent in Lynn Township as a skillful farmer and stock- raiser.
Our subject was born in Hesse Homburg, Ger- many, November 4, 1826, and in 1843 made the journey across the Atlantic, accompanied by his father, Richard Siegel, Sr., also a native of the Fatherland. The emigrants continued their west- ward way until they reached Holmes County, Ohio, where they secured a home. The wife and mother, who died prior to the removal of the fam- ily to their new home, bore the name of Mary Huller. Mr. Siegel was later married, in Holmes County, to Barbara Kleinsrott, and about the close
of the Civil War they removed to Lynn Town- ship, near the home of our subject, where the fatlier died about 1868. His wife had passed away while a resident of the above county, leaving two daughters, who kept house for their father until his death.
Richard Siegel continued to reside with his father for four years after coming to America, during which time he worked out to assist in paying for the home place. He worked as a farm hand for others until 1853, when, March 3, he married Miss Sarah S. Rainsburg. He rented property and lived in that locality until 1858, when we find him a resident of Hardin County. Having laid by a snug little sum of money from the successful management of his other estate, Mr. Siegel paid $500 for fifty-three acres of land, on which there were no improvements, not even a cabin. His first work was to hew some logs, and with these he constructed a dwelling, in which his wife and three children were made as comfortable as it was possible for them to be made in an uninhabited region. His means being limited, he worked out to obtain ready money, in the mean time using every spare moment in clearing his farm. This state of affairs continued for three or four years, during which time he was not even enabled to sell timber from his place, as the settlers were few and those who lived near were, like himself, trying to dispose of the sur- plus wood. As the years passed by and he at last redeemed his land from the brush and woods, he found it to be rich soil, excellent for farming purposes. He has since added sixty acres to his original purchase and is now the proprietor of a tract of one hundred and thirteen acres, the greater part of which is well cultivated. His house is substantially built, as are all the other buildings on the place. On his estate are about one hundred rods of tiling, and to the improve- ment of the place he has given liis entire atten- tion until of late years. He has also assisted his son William R. in purchasing a farm in this lo- cality. When he first came to this locality Mr. Siegel had only three neighbors, William Bradley, J. M. Piper and J. C. Rainsburg.
To Mr. and Mrs. Siegel there were born five
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W. J. OCHS.
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children. William R. owns one hundred and ten acres in Lynn Township, but rents this tract and farms the home place; Mary Catherine mar- ried Henry Walgerman, and is now deceased; Martha Ellen married John Edgington and is also deceased; Mahala is the wife of Ray Brelsford, a farmer and the son of George Brelsford; and Miller C. is engaged as a telegraph operator at Harper, this state. The mother of this family died January 26, 1882. She had been a true helpmate to her husband and aided him in ob- taining his present high standing among the' farmers of this community.
Mr. Siegel is a Democrat in politics, being very active in the workings of his party in this section, and has been the recipient of almost every posi- tion of trust which it has been in the power of his friends and neighbors to bestow upon him. For two or three years he was Township Trustee, has been Chattel Appraiser, served for nine years as Justice of the Peace, and has been Township Trustee. He is a man of many Christian virtues, and for many years has been comected with the Lutheran Church. He is a popular and energetic citizen, and has made for himself an enviable po- sition among the honored residents of Hardin County.
J. OCHS, Treasurer of Hardin County, at the time of his election had the distinction of being the youngest county official in the state of Ohio. Elected to his present po- sition in the year 1890, and re-elected at the expiration of his first term, he has discharged its duties in a manner highly satisfactory to the peo- ple. Having served as Deputy for a number of years prior to his election as County Treasurer, he was well qualified by experience and thorough knowledge of the position to become the head of
the department. He is a young man of unusual energy and ability, and is one of the local leaders of the Democratic party.
The Ochs family originated in Germany, where William, our subject's father, was born in Kur- hessen, June 13, 1823, and whence he came to America in 1852, accompanied by his wife, Mar- garet Alt, likewise a native of the Fatherland. He learned the trade of a miller, and in carrying on this business he became well-to-do. . For ten years he was thus engaged in Kenton, and later established and operated a mill at Marseilles. His sojourn in the latter place, however, was short. From there he returned to Kenton, and has since been identified with the milling interests of this city. The family are members of the Evangel- ical Church.
Mrs. Margaret Ochs departed this life in 1892, greatly mourned by a large circle of friends in this locality, where she had lived for so many years. Her family consisted of five sons and four daughters, of whom six are now living. Theo- dore is a partner in the Kenton Creamery in this city. The birth of our subject occurred in Mar- seilles, Wyandot County, Ohio, October 7, 1865. He was two years old at the time his parents re- turned to Kenton after a short residence in Mar- seilles. His education was acquired in the schools of this city and here his entire life has been passed with the exception of the time mentioned above. On completing the studies of the common schools he went to Cincinnati, where he took a course in Nelson's Commercial College, and later he at- tended a college in Newark, N. J.
In 1883 Mr. Ochs became bookkeeper .for the Kenton Milling Company, with whom he re- mained until 1886. He then resigned the posi- tion to accept the appointment of Deputy County Treasurer, in which capacity he continued until his election to the office lie now fills. In January, 1895, he bought the Main Street Mill, which he now carries on alone, and to which he expects to devote his entire time and attention on the expi- ration of liis term of office.
January 7, 1891, Mr. Ochs was united in mar- riage, by Rev. Father A. S. Siebenfoercher, to Miss Catherine T., daughter of Patrick and Mary
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Dugan, the former of whom is a prosperous busi- ness man of Kenton. They are the parents of a son and a daugliter: Arline Marie, born January 17, 1892; and Allen D., Angust 25, 1894. In so- cial affairs Mr. Oclis is an Odd Fellow, and is also prontinently comiected with the Knights of Pyth- ias.
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M ORRIS MEYER. The Hardin County Bank of Forest was established in Marclı, 1888, by Z. T. Lewis, of Urbana, Olio; J. W. Weil and C. M. Leon, of Colunibus; and Morris Meyer, the latter becoming Cashier, whichi position he has since filled. This is the only banking institution the village has ever liad, and it has proved remunerative to its projectors. In October, 1890, Mr. Meyer becanie the sole owner, and to its management he devotes his entire at- tention. The correspondents of the bank are the Chase National, of New York; the Fourth Na- tional of Cincinnati; and the Merchants' & Mant- ufacturers', of Columbus.
The birth of Mr. Meyer occurred in the city of Memphis, Tenn., December 19, 1865, his father, Jacob, being a merchant of that place. In 1873 his parents and eldest brother fell victims to the yellow fever, all dying within two weeks of one another. Orphaned at the early age of eight years, he and his brothers were obliged to become self-supporting at a time when boys are usually in school or at play. Probably this fact, how- ever, instead of proving detrimental, was on tlie other hand the secret of their success, fostering in them the habits of perseverance, determination and energy that were important factors in their business careers. All are well-to-do, occupying positions of trust and responsibility. His brother Samuel R. is a member of the firmn of Meyer, Wise & Kaichen, wholesale dealers in notions in Cincinnati. Another brother is foreman of the house of Laird, Schober & Mitchell, nianufac- turers of ladies' shoes, Philadelphia; his sister Amelia is stenographer for R. J. H. Smith & Co.,
of Cincinnati; and Leah is employed in the cloak department of tlie H. & S. Pogue Company, of Cincimati.
Shortly after the death of his parents our sub- ject came with his sisters to Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of thirteen lie went to Cincinnati, where for three years he was a student in the high school. He then entered the office of the wholesale dry-goods firm of Lewis Stix & Co., where from the position of errand boy he worked his way, within one and a-half years, to that of assistant bookkeeper. Later he held a similar position with the firni of Lewis Wald & Co. Dur- ing his vacation he spent a portion of one sum- iner in Urbana, Ohio, witli tlie local base-ball teanı. He had signed a contract with a teani in Chattanooga, Tenn., when the offer of the posi- tion of Teller in the Urbana Home Savings Bank caused a complete change in his plans. He ac- cepted the position, was soon prontoted to Assist- ant Cashier and became Cashier before he was twenty-one. His leisure evenings were devoted to the study of commercial law, in which he is thoroughly grounded.
When the President of the bank established the Hardin County Bank in Forest, Mr. Meyer asso- ciated himself in the undertaking, and to him the success of the concern is largely due. In1 1889, E. M. Leon, whose stock had previously been held by others (he being a minor), in connection with Mr. Meyer, bought the principal part of the stock, and tlie former became Assistant Cashier, remaining an employe of the bank until October, 1890, when our subject became sole proprietor. During the great panic of 1893, when throughout the entire country banks were closing their doors, and concerns apparently the most reliable were forced into bankruptcy, the Hardin County Bank maintained its credit, honored every draft, and passed through the ordeal unscathed; this, too, when the nearest banks to the north, east and west (those of Upper Sandusky, Findlay and Ada) were unabled to nieet the runs made upon then and were obliged to suspend business.
Thoughi his duties are many and his position one of great responsibility, Mr. Meyer is still de- voted to athletic sports. In base ball he is espe-
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cially interested, and in 1894-95 served as Cap- tain of the Kenton team. He also takes a promi- nent part in local theatricals, and in that capacity his services are in demand in other towns. He was made a Mason in Senate Lodge No. 378, F. & A. M., and is serving his second terin as Master. He is a member of Scioto Chapter No. 119, R. A. M., at Kenton, and is also active in Kenton Council No. 65, R. &. S. M. In the Ohio Bankers' Association lie takes an active part. Sucli are his energy and judgment, as dis- played in the management of his business affairs, that he has gained the confidence of the people, and is known and respected as a progressive young man, of the utmost integrity, great indus- try and far-seeing discrimination.
HARLES W. WIKOFF. The career of this gentleman has been marked by enterprise, and the well directed efforts that have been rewarded by the accumulation of a good property. He is at present senior member of the firm of C. W. Wikoff & Co., dry-goods merchants of Forest, where they do a large and paying busi- ness.
A native of this state, our subject was born in Adams County, October 21, 1834, . to William and Margaret (Stockard) Wikoff. The fatlier was likewise born in Adams County, in the year 1812. He, in turn, was the son of James Wi- koff, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, whence he came to Ohio about 1800, locating in the above county. Mrs. Margaret (Stockard) Wi- koff was born in Virginia. Her father dying when she was quite young, her mother afterward married Rev. Jamies Gurley, a well known Metli- odist minister, by whom she was reared. The mother lived for many years in Fairfield County, Ohio, whither her husband came, and after their marriage they continued to make that section their home until tlieir decease, both dying when about sixty-five years of age.
.Charles W. Wikoff, who is a well educated gentleman, completed his studies in the Fairfield Academy, at Rushville, Ohio. He lived at home until twenty-eight years old, althoughi from the time of reaching his majority he made his own way in the world. About this time he went to New Salem, and, forming a partnership with John Carolas, established a dry-goods business. This connection existed until March 4, 1869, when Mr. Wikoff disposed of his share of the stock and came to Forest. Here for the following four or five years he had a general store, selling dry goods, groceries, etc. In 1873, however, he gave his at- tention strictly to the grocery business, and ten years later, a good opportunity presenting itself for opening a dry-goods store, he did so, in com- pany with Capt. John Campbell. The firm was well known throughout this section, and for eleven years conducted a very lucrative business, under the name of Campbell & Wikoff. In February, 1895, they separated by mutual consent, dividing the stock, and since then our subject has carried on business with his son, Harlan C. They carry a good stock, which they retail at popular prices, and by honest dealing have secured the patron- age of the best people of Forest and the surround- ing country. The building which they occupy is 40x90 feet in dimensions, one-half of which is rented to other parties as a drug store.
In addition to this enterprise, Mr. Wikoff owns a farm of eighty acres near Forest, and has an in- terest in a natural-gas company, whose plant is situated one mile from the town. He also holds stock in the Forest Creamery, and in all these business interests he manifests an almost equal amount of zeal for the public welfare. He may be counted upon to bear a part in every worthy enterprise promulgated in the neighborhood, and is particularly interested in the cause of educa- tion.
Mr. Wikoff and Miss Elizabeth Wiseman were inarried June 7, 1866. Their son, Harlan C., who was educated at the Wesleyan University of Delaware, is in business with his father; Lavina died at tlie age of sixteen years; Maggie is also deceased; and Emma is attending the high school. Our subject is an official member of the Method-
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ist Episcopal Church, and a man of much influ- ence in his community. He is a prominent Ma- son, às is also his son, Harlan C., being members of Senate Lodge No. 378. Charles Wikoff has held nearly all the chairs of his lodge, and has been sent as a representative to the Grand Lodge at various times. In politics he is a stauch Re- publican.
OHN L. KROUT. This respected resident of Hardin County is distinguished as one of the veterans of the late war, as well as a pros- perous agriculturist of Jackson Township, his fine estate being located on section 6. He is a native of Maryland, and was born in Baltimore County, December 6, 1832. His parents soon after his birth removed to York County, Pa., where John L. grew to manhood, trained in the work of a farmer. His father, who also bore the name of John, in addition to his estate owned a paper-mill, and here also our subject received a practical education. He later carried ou a mer- cantile trade in Stewartstown, York County, but after four years' experience in this line, found farming a more prosperous occupation, and hence returned to the old place.
In the year 1862 our subject came to Hancock County, this state, and on the outbreak of the Civil War was living in Delaware Township, near Mt. Blanchard. In answer to the call for more volunteers, he offered liis services and was mus- tered into Company D, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infan- try, in August, 1862. His regiment was sent into Kentucky, joining the Army of the Cumber- land, with which Mr. Krout remained for nine months, when he was honorably discharged on account of failing health.
After his experience as a Union soldier, our subject again returned to his farm in Hancock County, and there made his home until 1887. His property there included two hundred and twenty-three acres of land, the greater part of
which he improved himself. He made a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle, and in the sale of these animals he reaped a handsome profit. In the above year lie rented his farm there and came to Hardin County. Here until recently he con- tinued to raise Shortliorn cattle on his estate of two hundred acres. It is conveniently located near the village of Forest, and since Mr. Krout has erected a fine dwelling thereon it is one of the most attractive in tlie township.
February 20, 1861, our subject was married to Miss Mary Free, of York County, Pa. Her par- ents, Peter and Naomi (Lowe) Free, were natives of Maryland, and moved to New Freedom, York County, Pa., where they lived until their deaths. Our subject and his wife have three sons, viz .: Frank, residing on the farm in Hancock County; William A., employed in the Forest City Flour- ing-mill; and Edwin R., attending school. Mr. Krout has always been a stanch Republican in politics, and at all times uses his influence in ad- vancing its cause. While in Hancock County he served as Trustee of his township, faithfully dis- charging his duties, although he had no predilec- tion for public life. He is a member of the Metli- odist Episcopal Church, and was the first Class- Leader of the church near his home. As a matter of course, he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is connected with Stanley Post No. 283, of Forest.
ZRA CAMPBELL. No better representa- tive of honest, upright manhood can be found than the above-nained gentleman, an influential farmer of Marion Township. His es- tate is located on section 16, and comprises sev- enty-seven acres. In addition to this Mr. Camp- bell is proprietor of a fifty-acre tract in Grand Prairie Township, Marion County, which he also operates himself.
Our subject is a native of this county, and was born January 16, 1837, in Grand Prairie Town-
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RESIDENCE OF JOHN L. KROUT, SECTION 6, JACKSON TOWNSHIP, HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO.
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ship. He is the eldest child in a family of eight bori to his parents, Michael and Mary (Bibler) Campbell. Samuel, the next in order of birth, is a farmer of this county; Annie is the wife of John R. Jury, and resides in Wyandot County, this state; Jolin B. is a well-to-do agriculturist of this county; Barbara married Iram Norton, and re- sides in Upper Sandusky; Ellen is now Mrs. M. O. Harmon, of this county. Two died in in- fancy.
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