USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 46
USA > Ohio > Wood County > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 46
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Politically Mr. Van Rensselaer is a stanch Re- publican. His estimable wife is on the Advisory Board of the Lucas County Children's Home and has served as its President.
MANUEL LAHR. This honored resident of Providence Township is one of the rep- resentative citizens of Lucas County, and removed to his present abode in 1862. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Northumberland County, July 29, 1824, in a town located on the banks of the Susquehanna River. He is the son of Peter and Barbara (O)xenrighter) Lalır, who were born in Alsace, France, of German parents. The father was well-to-do, and in his na- tive land was a manufacturer of spinning-wheels, for which article there was great demand many years ago. He was twice married, his first wife leaving a family of seven children: George, Henry, Jolın, Lizzie, Katie, David and Hugh, the latter two twins.
To Peter and Barbara Lahr there were born eight children, of whom Emanuel was the second. The eldest was Mary, then followed Sarah, Peter, Michael, Louisa, Esther and Daniel. Of these two families, including fifteen children, eight are now living. When the family emigrated to this coun- try they immediately took up their abode in the
Keystone State, where the father worked at his trade of making spinning-wheels. He departed this life in Pennsylvania in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His second wife also died in Pennsylvania.
Emanuel Lahr attended school in his neighbor- hood in the winter months, and in the summer his services were utilized on the farm of his father. At the age of twelve years, however, he secured a position with a neighbor, working on his estate for his board and clothes. A few months later he was given a salary of $3 per month, but shortly after, thinking to still better his condition, he left the employ of this gentleman and began working in a clover-mill, being at this time fourteen years of age. After one winter spent in working in the mill he returned to farm life, and two years later we find him a carpenter's apprentice, which occu- pation he followed eight years after becoming thoroughly familiar with it.
In the year 1850 Mr. Labr took contracts on his own account, and for twelve years following did a good business in his native state. In 1862 he removed to this state, and, purchasing forty acres of farm land in Providence Township, established his home there. He worked industriously to im- prove this tract, and in 1870 completed the eree- tion of two large barns and made many other val- uable improvements. Later he purchased eiglity acres of timber-land, which he later disposed of at a good advance in price.
January 23, 1849, Mr. Lahe was married to So- phia Wayne, a native of Pennsylvania. Of the children resulting from this marriage, James, born February 23, 1850, is now living in Providence Township; Fiana, born December 20, 1852, first married Elijalı Jones, and then William Box, with whom she makes her home in Grand Rapids, Ohio; Emma, whose birth occurred August 10, 1855, is deeeased; Jolin, whose birth occurred September 3, 1859, makes his home in Ohio; Mary, born August 17, 1861, is the wife of William LaBarr; William, born February 5, 1868, lives in Lucas County, this statc.
In politics our subject is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He has been Supervisor of his township, and has also served in the capacity
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of Trustee for two years, and for the same length of time gave satisfaction as a member of the School Board. In religious .matters he is identified with the German Lutheran Church.
RNEST TORGLER, a well known resident of Washington Township, Lucas County, was born in Germany, but has lived in the United States since he was twelve years of age, and, with the exception of the time when he was fighting the battles of his adopted country, has lived since 1852 on the farm that hc now owns, which is located on section 8.
The parents of our subject were Ernest and Au- gusta (Ranfeldt) Torgler. Their daughter Emily became the wife of Robert Winters, since deceased, and Elizabeth, who has passed from this life, was formerly the wife of Valentine Brown. Ernest Torgler, Sr., was a painter and artist in the Father- land, but after coming to America, settled on a farm and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. The place which is now owned by our subject was the old homestead, but it was then unimproved, and the price which he paid for it was only $8 an acre. His death occurred February 13, 1869, and he was interred in Forest Cemetery. He was a stanchi Republican, politically, as is also his son.
Ernest Torgler of this sketch was born March 29, 1840, and received his early education in the schools of Germany. He was married October 5, 1868, to Augusta Schacker, by whom he has had eleven children, thirec of whom died in infancy. The others are Ernest R., a bookkeeper; Lewis G .; Augusta; Carl, a student at Davis College; Edith; Walter; Arthur; and Herbert, who is also de- ceased.
August 22, 1862, Mr. Torgler enlisted as a pri- vate in Company G, Thirty-seventh Ohio Volun- tecrs, and was mustered in at Columbus. He is
the proud possessor of a flag that was presented to the Thirty-seventh Regiment by the ladies of To- ledo on starting away for the front in 1861. This flag was presented by the ladics of Toledo to the regiment, and by the other members was tendered as a mark of respect and good-will to Mr. Torgler, who liad carried it for a year in the war. His first engagement was at the siege of Vicksburg, and soon after the surrender of that place with his regi- ment he went into camp, and while there was pro- moted to the rank of Corporal. After participa- ting in the battle of Jackson, he marched across the country from Memphis to Chattanooga. At the battle of Mission Ridge lie was a color-bearer, and after that important engagment was sent to Knoxville, whence he went on the Atlanta Cam- paign, afterwards going with Sherman on his march to the sea. As proof of tlie gallant part he took while in the army, it may be mentioned that by an act of Congress he was presented with a badge of honor for meritorious service at the bat- tle of Ezra Chapel, July 28, 1864. He was honor- ably discharged from the service in October, 1865. Since the war lic has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ILLIAM LEYBOURN, proprietor of a valuable fruit and dairy farm in Washington Township, Lucas County, is one of the honored pioneers of this section, to which he came when only a year old, and he grew to inanhood upon the homestead where he now re- sides. During the late war he was one of the brave boys who went to the defense of the Union, and of late years perpetuates his army recollec- tions by membership with the Grand Army of the Republic.
Born in Canada, near Mercer, Mr. Leybourn is
PHILIP SCHMIDT.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a son of Jolin and Jane (Burton) Leybourn, the date of his birth being July 19, 1824. John Ley- bourn was born in England in 1800, and came to the United States in 1825, after a few years' resi- dence in Canada. For some time he worked in Toledo, but in 1828 purchased forty acres of land on section 22, Washington Township. On this farm he erected a log cabin and set to work indus- triously to clear away the heavy timber. In the early days of his residence here he served as Con- stable. He died March 4, 1838, and is now sleep- ing his last sleep in Collingwood Cemetery. After his death his widow married his brother Anthony.
Our subject is one of seven children, the others being as follows: Samuel, Elizabetlı, Eliza, Eve- line, Stephen B. and Mary. He remained with his mother until reaching his majority, when he rented land and embarked in the battle of life on his own account. In 1862 he returned to the old home- stcad, which he has managed ever since.
June 18, 1873, Mr. Leybourn married Sarah Wilson, who was born in Bloomington, Iowa, May 8, 1845. Her parents were William and Rebecca (Shearer) Wilson, natives of New York and Penn- sylvania, respectively. Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Hessic, April 5, 1874; William C., July 7, 1876; Charles W., May 31, 1880; and Arthur, January 22, 1883. The daughter is a successful teacher, and the eld- est son assists his father on the home farm.
In politics Mr. Leybourn has been a Repub- lican since becoming a voter. On the 12th of May, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Johnson's Island. From there he was sent to Washington, thence to Richmond, where he was on guard duty until he received his honorable discharge, in September, 1864. He has many interesting recollections of pioneer times. In his school days he had to go a distance of a mile and a-half to the nearest school, and Indians were no unusual sight. As he first saw Toledo it was a small village, with but onc store or so. His father had to do his trading for several years after coming here in Monroe, Mich., and when he wished to vote was obliged to go to Toledo. The farm which has been owned by himself and father for a
period of over sixty-five years is one of the best in this locality, and many substantial improve- ments have been made upon it by its present pro- gressive owner.
L HILIP SCHMIDT, proprietor of the City Bottling Works of Toledo, is a prosperous and enterprising business man of this place. He was one of the organizers of the Ketcham Na- tional Bank, and has been interested in other local enterprises. Since 1878 he has had full control of the bottling works, when he succeeded to the former owner, Mr. Schrenk.
Born in Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1843, our subject is a son of Henry and Anna M. (Melt- zer) Sehmidt, also natives of Bavaria, and the former a farmer by occupation. Until he was seventeen years of age young Philip attended the common schools of his native land and remained with his parents. In 1860 he set sail for the United States, his destination being New York City. On landing there he continued his journey to Cincin- nati, whence a brother had preceded him. There he at once set to work to learn the wagon-maker's trade, and was thus occupied for two years and a-half.
It was in the year 1865 that Mr. Schmidt came to make his permanent abode in this city, and for a number of years he worked successfully at his trade. After that, for a period of two years, he was employed in the old Grasser Brand Garden, and in 1869 he bought out the interest of William Enderman, and in partnership with John Schrenk established the City Bottling Works. This concern continued to do business until January, 1878, when, his partner retiring from the firm, our subject be- came sole proprietor. He manufactures a large as- sortiment of soft drinks, soda water, etc., and also bottles mineral water and pure cider vinegar. He
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
has an extensive patronage and, as he endeavors to mect the wants of his customers, mnerits the suc- eess which has attended his efforts. His large plant is well equipped with modern machinery, and is in every respect a model one of the kind.
September 21, 1869, Mr. Schmidt married Eliza- beth, daughter of Jacob Riess, an old settler of the Buckeye State. Mrs. Schmidt is a native of Toledo, and by her marriage has beeome the mother of three sons and four daughters, namely: Katie, Millie, Charlotta, Walter H., Carl Philip, Maria Lil- lian and one son, Edward, who died in infancy. The pleasant residence of the family is at No. 719 Michigan Street.
Fraternally Mr. Schmidt is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in polities he is a stanch defender of the principles and can- didates set forth by the Republican party.
M ICHAEL BEST, one of the enterprising farmers of Washington Township, Lucas County, has owned a good farm on sce- tion 21, where lie makes his home, for over a quar- ter of a century. He was one of the first of our brave soldier boys to respond to the President's call for troops, and served from the beginning to the end of the War of the Rebellion. He was fre- quently eommended for his bravery and his un- swerving faithfulness to the duties devolving upon him during his service. In many of the most im- portant battles of the war he was actively engaged, and for one whole month, night and day, was un- der steady fire from the enemy.
The parents of Michael Best were Jacob and Lucy Best, natives of Germany, who had eiglit children, seven of whom, Philip, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, Henry, Jacob and Conrad, are deceased, thus leaving our subject the only survivor of the family. He was born in Darmstadt, Germany, De-
cember 16, 1839, and wlien seven years of age started with his parents on a sailing-vessel to seek a home in the United States. At the end of a voyage of forty-cight days they reached New York City, from which place they went to Buffalo and tlcnee to Toledo by way of the Great Lakes. The father purchased forty acres of land in Wash- ington Township, but death called him from his labors before he had accomplislied anything of what he had undertaken, for he died only three weeks after settling on his farmn. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, to which his wife also belonged. She died on the same day, and both were buried in the same grave.
Thus left an orphan at the tender age of seven ycars, Michael Best was early pushed out into the world to make his own living. From the time he was twelve until he was fifteen years of age, he worked for Lyman Haughton, prior to which time he did errands and such work for neighbors in re- turn for his board. April 21, 1861, the young man enlisted as a private in Company B, Four- teentli Ohio Infantry, being mustered into the service at Toledo. His first active engagement was at Philippi; then followed Winchester, Port Republic, Manassas Gap, Fredericksburg, Chancell- orsville, Gettysburg, the battle of the Wilderness, and many others. He went with Grant on the Richmond campaign, and at the battle of Peters- burg was stationed on Ft. Hell for a monthi, this being the time he was under constant fire. He was mustered out of the service at Cleveland, Olio, June 16, 1865, with the rank of Sergeant, having been promoted from private to Corporal and from Corporal to Sergeant.
For a short time after returning from the War, Mr. Best worked on a farm, after which he rented land for a year, and finally, in 1867, moved to the farm where he has since lived. This place com- prises fifty-two acres, which are devoted to gene- ral farming and to the raising of vegetables and garden truck for the adjacent city markets. Our subject is industrious and has always been a hard- working man. The prosperity which he enjoys he lias achieved by himself, unassisted by anyone save his good wife and sons.
July 11, 1865, Mr. Best married Adelia J.
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Haughton, and their union has been blessed with seven children, six of whom are living. In order of birthi they are as follows: Orrin J., Mabel E., Althea M., Alfred L., Elva and Harold. Conrad R. is deeeased.
Mr. Best's educational advantages were extreme- ly limited, owing to the untimely death of his par- ents, and he has been obliged to make up for this laek as best he could by private reading and ob- servation. In polities he is a Prohibitionist, being a strong believer in the temperanee cause.
RANK CONVERSE, one of the enterpris- ing agriculturists of Lueas County, has been engaged in the cultivation of the old homestead on section 4, Providence Township, for almost a quarter of a century. This farm, whieli comprises one hundred and sixty aeres, was for- merly the property of his father, and was partially cleared' by that worthy old settler. Many im- provements have been placed thereon of late years, thus greatly inereasing its market value.
The father of the gentleman whose name heads this article, William W. Converse, was born Octo- ber 14, 1822, in New York, and his early life was devoted to carpentering and ship-building in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1840 he was married, in Wellington, Ohio, to Cordelia Litzfield, who was born April 17, 1824. February 22, 1876, Mr. Converse settled in this county, buying one hun- dred and fifty-three aeres, the place now owned by his son Frank. He engaged in its operation and management until his death, which oeeurred April 26, 1879. His good wife survived him un- til June 16, 1894.
In a family of six children, who grew to mature years, Frank Converse is the eldest. Corintha,
the next younger, born September 23, 1845, mar- ried Joseph S. Coombs. Edison, born April 23, 1847, is engaged in farming in Paulding County, Ohio. Henry was born August 18, 1852, and is a resident of Wellington, Ohio. Harley, born in Illinois, January 17, 1855, is a resident of White- house, Ohio; and George, whose birth also oc- eurred in the Prairie State, June 15, 1862, makes his home in Victor, Colo.
Frank Converse is a native of Wellington, Ohio, his birth having oceurred August 18, 1843. His boyhood was passed on a farm until he was in his twelfth year, when he moved with the family to Bureau County, Ill. At the end of nine years they returned to their former home in Wellington, and in 1871 Frank came to make a permanent home in this township.
July 3, 1872, Mr. Converse and Ina I. Coombs were married in Michigan. The lady was born in Grand Rapids, Ohio, October 2, 1855, and is a daughter of Joseph and Sidney ( Adams) Coombs, natives of New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, re- spectively. Mrs. Coombs died January 4, 1877, in Whitehouse, but the father is still living, his home being in Toledo. Their other children were as follows: Edison A., born Mareh 7, 1850; Emma L., May 5, 1853; Charles A., September 24, 1857; William H., September 30, 1860; Joseplı A., Feb- ruary 5, 1863; John F., July 10, 1866; Albert, July 4, 1870; and Myrtle, June 4, 1873. The eld- est, Emma, is deceased. The three eldest sons are residents of Chicago, in which eity Albert also makes his home, and John lives in Toledo. Myrtle is the wife of Clarence Clyne, of Miamisburg.
To Mr. and Mrs. Converse have been born the following children: Harley C., born December 27, 1876; Emily, November 18, 1879; Edith, April 3, 1881; Linnie L., February 21, 1883; Ina C., Mareh 7, 1885; Frank J., April 13, 1887; George H., July 23, 1889; and Cora, July 11, 1892. The only death in the family was that of little Emily, who lived but ten days, her death occurring November 28,1879.
In his home distriet Mr. Converse is respected by his friends and neighbors, as he is always inter- ested in whatever tends towards the good of the community. He uses his right of franchise in favor
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of Republican principles and nominees, and has never been an office-seeker, the only publie posi- tion in which he has ever served having been that of School Director.
HARLES KOSCH. Among the prosperous estates of Providence Township, Lueas County, there is one comprising eighty aeres on seetion 9, to which the eye of the passer-by is at onee attracted. Everything about the place bears an air of neatness, and a complete set of ex- cellent buildings and the well kept fenees add to the pleasing prospect afforded by well cultivated fields. The place is owned and occupied by the gentleman whose name opens this sketeli, who was born in Prussia, Germany, September 17, 1849.
Charles F. and Henrietta Kosch, the parents of our subject, were also born in the Fatherland, and after emigrating to America, in 1860, located in Lucas County, on an estate in Waterville Town- ship. After two years' residence there, the father purchased forty acres of timber-land in Provi- denee Township, on whielt he ereeted a log cabin, making it liis home until his decease. His widow still survives, and lives on the old homestead. Of their large family of ten children only four survive.
Charles, who was the eldest of the parental household, attended school for about five years prior to coming to the New World with his par- ents. After arriving in this country lie attended school for part of three winters and gained a good knowledge of the English language. He was mar- ried, May 10, 1874, to Rosa Sommer, who died June 7 of the following year, leaving a daugli- ter, Mary R., who was born May 20, 1875, and who died August 5 of that year. March 28, 1880, Mr. Kosel chose for his second wife Nellie Stamm, the daughter of Philip and Eliza ( Woolf) Stamm, natives of the kingdom of Bavaria. Mr. and
Mrs. Kosch's surviving children are: Emma, who was born Jannary 18, 1883; Charles F., November 17, 1885; Anna E., March 21, 1888; Clara, in March, 1890; and Albert, August 28, 1893. Will- iam, the eldest, born October 1, 1881, died Septem- ber 19, 1893; and Nellie, born July 12, 1892, died September 27 of the same year.
In 1870 Mr. Koseh made a purchase of eighty aeres of land in Providence Township, which he cleared, and erected thereon suitable farm build- ings, making of it one of the attractive homesteads in the township. He devotes his attention to mixed husbandry, and thus far has been more than ordinarily successful in the prosecution of his labors.
Prior to engaging in farm work, our subjeet was employed on the Wabash Railroad as a section- · hand. In polities he is a Democrat, and on that ticket he has served on two different occasions as Trustee of his township. In 1895 he was elected as Trustee for three years. He has also been Su- pervisor for a period of fourteen years, and in every capacity in which he has been before the publie has discharged his duties in a manner giv- ing satisfaction. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and with his wife has many warm friends in this county, who higlily respect him for his upright and honorable life.
EVI DE MUTH is the proprietor of a thrifty and well kept farm situated on section 3, Waterville . Township, Lucas County. He is an enterprising and practical ag rieulturist, and is thoroughly familiar with every- thing pertaining to the proper management of a farm. In politics he is an ally of the Democracy, and lias acceptably filled a number of township positions of trust and honor.
A native of Westmoreland County, Pa., Mr. De-
JONAS M. STANBERY.
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Muth was born August 9, 1826, to William G. and Elizabeth (Kent) De Muth, both of Lancaster County, Pa. Their family numbered eight ehil- dren, namely: Catherine, who became the wife of David Lucas; Renatus, who married Lydia Wins- low; Mary Ann, Mrs. E. P. Heller; William H., whose wife was formerly Kate Dishier; Eliza, de- ceased; Levi, of this sketch; Lydia Ann, who mar- ried Daniel Whitmore; and Charles, who died in childhood. William G. De Muth was one of nine children, and was the fourth in his father's family. The others were: Jolin, Christian, Renatus, Fred- erick, Jonathan, Benjamin, Joseph and Polly, all of whom have passed to the sileut land. In 1847 the father of our subject emigrated to the Buck- eye State, and buying a half-section of timber- land in Waterville Township, Lucas County, de- voted the remainder of his life to its cultivation and improvement.
The early years of Levi De Muth were passed in a quict manucr on his father's farm in Peunsylva- nia, and there he received a common-school cdu- cation. He had nearly reached his majority when his father settled in the wilds of Ohio, and he was of great assistance to him in making a beginning and in clearing away the heavy timber. He helped ercet the log cabin that is still standing on the old homestead, and continued to live under the pa- rental roof until the death of his father. He has been the owner of his present homestead of ten acres for the past eight years, and the substantial buildings, good fences, etc., on the place indicate his careful management and supervision of all his affairs.
On the 28th of August, 1849, occurred the mar- riage of Levi De Muth and Diana Ruff, who was born July 23, 1830. . They became the parents of three children, two sons and a daughter: Mary Jane, who was born June 2, 1850, and became the wife of A. Mayers; Asher, born February 26, 1852, and who for his wife chose Ruby Lincoln; and Lemuel, born June 10, 1860, and now a railroad engineer. The mother of these children departed this life January 30, 1870. The lady who now bears the name of our subject was before her mar- riage Miss Mary Ann Henderson. She was a na- tive of the Emerald Isle, and came to the United
States about 1867. Her marriage with Mr. De- Muth was celebrated in the winter of 1870, and five children have come to bless their home: Ida, born November 29, 1872; Cora, December 28, 1873; Clark, March 16, 1878, and who died Au- gust 11, 1879; Eliza, born September 2, 1879; and Homer, April 27, 1884. The family are regular at- tendants at Allbright Church, and contribute both of their means and time to religious and benevo- lent work.
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