The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 111

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072

USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 111

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Hannah (Buchanan) Gibson, and a cousin of President James Buchanan, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish descent. They removed to their new home in 1848, where they continue to reside. By industry, they have added by subsequent purchases, until their home consists of 256 acres, highly improved in every respect. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are the parents of seven children-Elizabeth, George G., Samuel, William, Isaac N., Mat- tie and Ellie. In addition to their own family they have an adopted daugh- ter, Clementine. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and are now members of the Presbyterian Church of Upper Sandusky.

DAVID S. BRETZ was born in Marion County, Ohio, December 30, 1837. He is a son of Samuel and Catharine (Bibler) Bretz, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. His grandfather Bretz was drafted in the war of 1812, his son John taking his place as a substitute. His parents settled in Marion County in 1828, purchasing 320 acres of school land, afterward increasing this number to 500. Their children were Anna, Andrew D., Elizabeth B., Fanny M., Rebecca V., David S., Mahala, Amanda and Mary P., the two latter deceased. The father died in 1875, aged seventy-five years; the mother still living on the homestead in her eightieth year. David S. Bretz resided with his parents till twenty-two years of age; he then began dealing in stock, and has since engaged quite extensively in that business. In 1862, he purchased his first farm of 147 acres in Antrim Township, selling this a few years later and purchasing 403 acres on the Sandusky River, where he resided four years. Later, he disposed of this farm, and resided two years in Upper Sandusky, purchas- ing his present farm of 356 acres soon after, and adding to this till he now owns 531 acres, valued at $75 per acre. Mr. Bretz was married, September 1, 1859, to Jane A. Coon, daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Harmon) Coon, early settlers of this county. Four children have been born to this union -Fannie J., Stanton E., Cora B. and Sarah E. Mr. Bretz is a Republican; he was the first Mayor of Little Sandusky, and, with his wife is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

JACOB A. BREWER is a native of York State, born January 21, 1814; his parents, Jacob A. and Hannah (Stall) Brewer, were natives of the same State, and of German descent. They emigrated to Ohio in 1817, and lo- cated in Union County, where they resided seven years, removing to Little Sandusky in 1824, entering eighty acres of land. Their remaining chil- dren are Anna, Catharine, Jacob A., Cornelius, Peter, William and Hester J. Eliza, Lucinda and Mary C. are deceased. The father died about 1835; the mother about 1841. Jacob Brewer, our subject, spent the early part of his life with his parents; he was married at the age of twenty-one to Susan Eyman, daughter of Jacob and Hannah Eyman, early settlers of Marion County, from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have six children living -John, Hannah (wife of John Racy), Cornelius, Oscar, Mary J. (wife of William Lumberson) and James. The deceased are: W. H. Harrison, killed in late war; Jacob A., died of disease contracted in the war, and Oscar. Mr. Brewer leased a portion of his present farm of the Indians six years, and continued on the same after their departure, purchasing sixty acres, which number he has since increased tenfold; he began married life with $50, but has always been a hard worker, and now owns one of the best farms in the township. In politics, Mr. Brewer is a Republican; he has served three years as Trustee, and is highly esteemed as a citizen; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

907

PITT TOWNSHIP.

RICHARD CARTER was born in Wellsville, Ohio, June 9, 1850, son of John A. and Mary D. (Connel) Carter, natives of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia respectively; his parents settled in Marion County in 1852, rearing a family of six children, our subject being the eldest; he obtained a good edu- cation in the district schools, and graduated at the Pittsburgh Commercial Col- lege in 1871; he was engaged five years as a commercial traveler, and, in 1876 came to Ohio, where he was married January 25, 1877, to Miss Kate Bryant, daughter of Isaac and Maria (Fisher) Bryant, and distant relative of the poet; her parents were natives of New Jersey and New York respectively; came to Ohio where they were married about 1844. They came to this county in 1848, and entered land where Mr. Carter now resides, at the time of Mr. Bryant's death owning 2,300 acres; his children now living are Catha- rine, John Q., Charles and Jennie (twins), and Frank B. The deceased are Isaac, Frederick, Ann and Maria. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have one child- May B., born November 27, 1877. Mrs. Carter was born January 10, 1851. She inherited her present home of 320 acres, which her husband has now well stocked. Mr. Carter is a Republican, and both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Bryant, mother of Mrs. Carter, was left a widow with six children, whom she reared and educated. She is now a resident of Bucyrus; her brother, John A. Fisher, was a Mexican soldier; also a soldier of the late war during the entire struggle, lying in Libby Prison about eighteen months; he is now a resident of Kansas, nearly blind, having lost an eye by a gunshot during the last of his service.

JOHN CASTANIEN was born in Perry County, Ohio, June 11, 1825. His parents, Alexander and Marelius (King) Castanien, were natives of Prussia and Switzerland respectively, the former crossing the ocean to escape military service, the latter emigrating at the age of four years. They were married in Perry County, where they passed their entire lives, he a farmer and teacher of German schools. He died in his sixtieth year, his wife about the same age. Their children were John, Serenus, Jacob and David. John Castanien remained at home till his twenty-fifth year, obtain- ing the rudiments of an education and working upon the farm. In 1848, he came to this county, his father having entered his present farm of 100 acres, then covered with timber, which our subject has since removed. He is now the owner of 440 acres; his "bank" barn is the largest in the town- ship, and his dwelling was erected in 1863-64 at a cost of $2,000. Mr. Castanien was married in the autumn of 1848, to Christina Alspach, five children resulting-Mahala, Caroline (wife of Emmet Bachtel), Frank, Da- vid and Amos E. Mrs. Castanien's demise occurred in 1861, at the age of thirty five, and Mr. C. was married, November 25, 1863, to Miss Sophia Alspach (sister of first wife), daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Runkle) Alspach, natives of Pennsylvania, residents of Perry County, Ohio. She was born April 15, 1837. Their children were William H. and Allen B. In politics, Mr. C. is an independent Democrat. He and his family are all members of the German Reformed Church, of which he was many years a Deacon.

FRANK P. CASTANIEN, son of John and Christina Castanien, was born January 27, 1853. He obtained a good education, attending the Nor- mal School at Ada, Ohio, three terms, subsequently establishing a grocery store at that place, continuing the business several months. In 1876, he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, and has since engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He was married, March 15, 1877, to Miss Emma Har- lan, daughter of William and Catharine Harlan, residents of Logan County,

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Ohio. Her parents had two children-John and Emma. The mother died in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Castanien have four children-Emmet P., born May 10, 1880; Kitty B., June 1, 1882; Joseph and Esther are deceased. Mrs. C. was born October 4, 1856. Mr. Castanien is a Democrat, Master of Grange No. 503, and, with his wife, member of the Reformed Church; he was several years Superintendent of Sabbath school.

DAVID CASTANIEN, son of John and Christina (Alspach) Cas- tanien, was born July 16, 1855. He is a native of Pitt Township, where he was educated, and remained on the farm with his parents till 1878, when he moved to his present farm, which he purchased one year later, paying $50 per acre, the farm containing eighty acres. It is now well improved, stocked with varieties of the best grade. Mr. Castanien was mar- ried, January 1, 1880, to Miss Jennie McBeth, daughter of John and Jen. nie (Swaze) McBeth, residents of Antrim Township. In politics, Mr. Cas- tanien is a Democrat. He is a member of the Reformed and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

L. HOPKINS COOK, deceased, was born in Addison County, Vt., April 2, 1810. His parents dying when he was young, he resided with a sister, Mrs. Fisher, till about 1831, when he came to Ohio, and was married two years later to Eliza Cudworth, who died soon after. November 15, 1838, he was married to Sabina Adams, daughter of John and Rachel (Cookson) Adams, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Her parents came to Ohio in 1835, settling in Richland County, where they reared a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of five children-Mary (wife of Jessie McCracken), Stephen R., William D., George H. and Caroline, the latter deceased. In 1846, the family came to this county and purchased 420 acres of school land, where Mrs. Cook now resides. Mr. Cook was a strong Republican. He died April 8, 1874, leaving his widow in comfortable cir- cumstances. She was born June 11, 1821.

STEPHEN R. COOK, son of L. H. and Sabina (Adams) Cook, was born February 8, 1841. He resided with his parents till he joined the army in 1862, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Enlisting as private, he was soon promoted to Orderly, participating in the battles of Winchester, New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Snicker's Gap, Berryville, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg and Hatcher's Run. Being wounded at Cedar Creek, he was compelled to lie in a hospital six months, after which he was honorably discharged, having served three years. Returning home, he was married, June 17, 1869, to Miss Ann E. Bowman, daughter of T. N. and Eliza (Gib- son) Bowman (see sketch), and two children have been born to them- George B., May 23, 1875, and Helen E., March 29, 1878. Mrs. Cook was born January 26, 1847. He inherited twenty acres of his present farm, to which he has since added twenty, all valued at $70 per acre. Mr. Cook is a strong Republican. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Upper Sandusky.

DANIEL COONS was born in Fulton County, N. Y., in 1820. His parents, Thomas and Susan (Brower) Coons, were natives of the same State, and of German parentage. His paternal ancestor was a soldier of the Rev- olution, serving entirely through it. His parents came by wagon to Ohio in 1856, and located in this county one year later. Their children were Daniel, Sarah R., Mary, Thomas, Elizabeth, Reuda M. and Joseph; James, John and Henry are deceased. The parents are still living, the father in his eighty-fourth year, the mother in her eighty-third. Our subject entered

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PITT TOWNSHIP.

24 acres, and purchased 44 acres of his present farm of the Government, now owning 220 acres of bottom land valued at $80 per acre. He is an ex- pert at pigeon trapping, having realized not less than $2,500 from his sales. He traveled one year with Van Amburgh's show. Mr. Coons was married. December 11, 1849, to Lydia Dahmer, daughter of James and Sarah Dah- mer, her death occurring in 1865, leaving three children-Sarah, Flora and Laura. March 19, 1866, he married Miss Caroline Wilt, daughter of Henry and Mary (Star) Wilt, this union resulting in five children-Emory, Clara A., Eugene, Louis B. and Robert N. Mr. Coon has been a Democrat since the nomination of McClellan for the Presidency. He is an industrious citizen, and held in high esteem by his community.

HENRY H. DAHMER was born in Pendleton County, Va., April 15, 1836; his parents were Martin and Sarah (Herner) Dahmer, natives of Vir- ginia, and of German ancestry. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents were farmers; the father dying in Virginia, the mother is still living. Their children were John, Mary, George, Reu- ben, Henry H., Martha, William, Sampson, Adam, Jemima and Sarah, the latter deceased. Henry Dahmer worked on the farm for his father till twenty-one years of age, obtaining but a limited education; he came to this county in 1856, and engaged in ordinary labor, principally for J. S. Rappe, about seven years. In 1862, he purchased forty acres on the river near Little Sandusky; he increased this amount to seventy-one by subsequent purchases, and sold the whole in 1872, and purchased his present home of 100 acres on which he erected a fine residence at a cost of $2,000 in 1881; he makes a specialty of raising blooded Merino sheep, some of which cost him $1,000. Mr. Dahmer was married, November 8, 1863, to Ann M. Kellar, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Warren) Kellar, natives of Pennsylvania and Delaware respectively. They were brought to Ohio when children, and spent most of their days in Franklin and Wyandot Counties. They had nine children of whom Mrs. Dahmer is the youngest. In politics, Mr. D. is a Democrat; he served as Trustee four terms and as Treasurer two terms, refusing to hold the office longer.

CHARLES FEICHTER is a native of this township, born July 27, 1853, to John and A. Barbara (Buser) Feichter, natives of Switzerland; his parents were married in 1848, and settled in this township where our sub- ject now resides, having removed from Stark County with their parents in 1845. Their living children are Charles, Mary, Louisa, John, Albert and Eliz- abeth; the deceased are John, John H., Frederick, George, Eddie and an infant. The father died in 1876, aged fifty-three years. Mrs. Feichter still resides on the old homestead in her fifty-fourth year, a member of the German Reformed Church, to which Mr. F. also belonged; he left an estate of $10,000. Charles Feichter, the subject of this sketch, was married Octo- ber 24, 1878, to Miss Mary A. Bower, daughter of Emanuel and Sarah J. (Swartz) Bower, of German parentage. Their children are Charles, O. S., Winifred and John T. An infant is deceased. Since his marriage Mr. Feichter has been tilling his mother's farm. He recently purchased forty acres in Illinois, and is about to take his departure for that State.

C. RUSH FOWLER. This prominent citizen was born in Bradford County, Penn., December 31, 1821. His parents, Stephen and Leefe (Ste- vens) Fowler, were natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania respectively, and of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father was a surgeon in the war of 1812, and for many years a prominent physician in this section of the State, and the only one available, being frequently called to the various seats of the ad-

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

joining counties on professional business. He was at one time a member of the State Legislature, and served his term with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents. His wife, Leefe, whose mother's name was Lee, was a cousin to Gen. R. E. Lee, of Confederate fame, and is still living, a resident of Upper Sandusky, in the full possession of her faculties, and in excellent health. They came to this county in 1827, and located in this township, where Mr. Fowler purchased 600 acres, adding by subsequent purchases, till he owned 3,100 acres. They were the parents of eight chil- dren. and among the most estimable citizens of the county. He died in 1847, aged fifty-seven years. C. R. Fowler, the subject of this notice, was educated in the common schools and by the fireside at home, instructed chiefly by his father. He remained at home and assisted in conducting the farm till twenty-three years of age. He inherited $3,000 and a farm of 125 acres from his father's possessions, and in 1845 purchased a farm in Mifflin Township, consisting of 740 acres. In 1850, he purchased 200 acres near Little Sandusky, and to this he has added at intervals till he now owns, in this and Antrim Townships, 3,000 acres. He has dealt largely in stock, making a specialty of sheep and wool growing, though his success is mainly due to his industry and perseverance. In 1875, he erected his elegant two-story brick mansion at a cost of $17,000, it being, perhaps, as good a rural resi- dence as there is in the county. Mr. Fowler was married, February 20, 1845, to Miss Catharine Nesbit, daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Wal- lace) Nesbit, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish ancestry, parents of five children-James, Elizabeth, Catharine and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are the parents of seven children, of whom but three are living, viz., Hiram, Dwight, and Myrta, wife of Albert Boyd, of London, Ohio; the deceased are Olive, Sarah, Charles and an infant. Mr. Fowler has always been a Democrat, and strong in the faith. He served as Commissioner six years, and is among the most influential of the citizens of the county.

SCOTT M. FOWLER was born at the old homestead of Dr. Stephen Fowler, in Pitt Township, February 16, 1835, being the youngest son of the same. He resided with his parents on the farm till fourteen years of age, when his father died. He had been chosen by his father as the one son who should succeed him in the medical profession ; but the death of the latter during our subject's early years frustrated these plans. At the age of six- teen, he entered the Union School at Upper Sandusky, and in Prof. Thayer, the Superintendent, he found an earnest friend and adviser, who fanned to a flame his ardent desire to enter college and prepare himself for a profes- sion. But his friends who were most influential in their advice under the circumstances deemed it unwise to turn the boy loose upon his own respon- sibilities to the "demoralizing influences of college life." It was decided, therefore, that he should take charge of his property, the homestead, and at the age of seventeen his dream of professional life and higher education vanished, his disappointment was " pocketed," and he began work upon the farm, where he continued without interruption till 1865. During the sum- mer of 1858, he made the acquaintance of Miss Ada Bryant, of Frederick- town, Knox Co., Ohio, who was spending the summer with the family of her uncle, Rev. E. R. Wood, and this acquaintance resulted in their marriage at her home on the 29th of December of the same year. In 1865, Mr. Fow- ler removed to Nashville, Tenn., to engage in Government stock speculations, and soon after embarked in the lumber business, in which his fortune was wrecked. He remained five years in Tennessee, when, with health greatly impaired by hard labor, and with a desire to educate his children, he re-

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PITT TOWNSHIP.

turned to this county and again took up the pursuits of the farm. He sub- sequently engaged in the dry goods and grocery business for a short time at Upper Sandusky and Morral, but soon returned to the farm, and in 1884 purchased land in Western Kansas, where he now resides. By the aid of his mother his three eldest daughters became graduates of the Upper Sandusky Union Schools, and by their own efforts were enabled to take a course of instruction in the Oberlin College. Mr. Fowler is a man of the strictest in- tegrity of character, and through all the years of his misfortune and self- sacrifice he has worn "the white flower of a blameless life " as a citizen, a husband and a father. His children are Nora A., born October 15, 1859; Cora H., March 27, 1861; Erin Maud, October 9, 1864; Etna Adale, June 2, 1867; Leefe F., February 9, 1870; Stephen Bryant, December 3, 1873: Enid Marie, May 26, 1879.

STEPHEN P. FOWLER was born in Bradford County, Penn., Septem- ber 1, 1826. He is a son of Dr. Stephen and Leefe Fowler, early and prom- inent settlers of this county (see Medical chapter). He obtained a fair education in the common district schools of his time, assisted by his parents, with whom he remained on the farm till 1854. At the age of twenty-one he obtained $3,000 from his father, from whom he also inherited about ninety acres of land. This amount he has since largely increased and now owns one of the finest farms in the southern part of the county, consisting of "ridge " and "valley " land, provided with four to five miles of tile drainage, and stocked with the best grades of stock. In 1877, he built his elegant and commodious residence, provided with all the modern improve- ments, including gas and bathing facilities. The structure is one of the most imposing, as well as convenient farmhouses in the county, and was erected at a cost of $9,000. Mr. Fowler was married, December 18, 1878, to Miss Frances Flago, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hubble) Flago, natives of New Jersey and Connecticut respectively. Her parents came to Ohio when young, and settled in Champaign County, where they reared a family of seven children, Mrs. Fowler being the youngest. Her father was a tailor by trade, and an influential citizen of Urbana, at one time Mayor of that city. He died in 1857; his widow (since the wife and now the widow of S. T. Hedges,) is still living, a resident of Springfield, Ohio. In politics, Mr. Fowler is a Democrat, having grown up in the faith. He is one of the leading farmers and stock-dealers of the county, by whose citi- zens himself and family are held in high esteem.

WILLIAM H. FRATER is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born May 23, 1850. His parents were Thomas and Isabel (Taylor) Frater, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively, and of Scotch ancestry. The father was born in 1820, and died in 1862; the mother in 1818, and still living, a resident of Iberia, Ohio. They had five children-George, John T., William H., Archibald and Thomas, the latter deceased. William, our subject, was educated in the district schools, subsequently spending two years in the Iberia Academy, and teaching one successful term. In 1873, he engaged as shepherd for David Harpster, and continued in his employ four years. In 1877, he erected his tile works at Fowler, and also assumed charge of the warehouse at that place, conducting the latter business three years, and still engaging extensively in the tile manufacture. In 1877, he purchased three lots on which his tile yard is located, and in 1882 pur- chased the celebrated stallion " Brilliant," imported from France in 1875. Mr. Frater was married, June 10, 1879, to Rebecca Swartz, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Swartz, of this county. She was born January 15,

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

1857, and died January 13, 1884, leaving one son, George Earle, born December 25, 1883. Mr. F. is an active Republican, and highly esteemed as a citizen. He served as Assessor two terms, and has acquired a reason- able property by industry and economy.

SAMUEL HARMAN was born in Berkeley County, Va., March 9, 1808. He is a son of Michael and Margaret Harman, natives of Virginia, and of German extraction. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. His parents were married in 1792, and settled in Pickaway County in 1812, coming to this county in 1821, and, entering eighty acres where he now resides, built the first hewed-log cabin in this county, in which the first sermon heard by our subject in this locality was preached by Rev. J. B. Finley. They purchased eighty acres soon after, and this tract of 160 acres the father tilled till his death in 1828, aged sixty-two years; the mother died in 1859, aged eighty-two. Samuel Harman, our subject, remained at home with his mother and the younger children till 1826, and aided in supporting them. He was a strong and supple young man, always a hard worker, having cut with a sickle, bound and shocked fifty dozen of wheat in one day. He was married, September 19, 1833, to Rebecca J. Church, who died exactly one year later. He was married July 31, 1838, to Lovina Armstrong, daughter of Job Armstrong, this wife dying five months later. His third marriage was to Matilda Simpson, April 6, 1842, her death occurring in 1877. Mr. Harman has no childien. He inherited fifty-three acres from his father, and now owns 354 acres, well improved. He served two years as Trustee; was formerly a Whig, but now a Republican; was active during the late war, sending money, clothes and provisions to army friends. He is one of the oldest and most worthy citizens of his community.

DAVID HARPSTER, one of the most successful farmers in the State, is a native of Mifflin County, Penn .. born December 28, 1816. His parents were George and Catharine (Thomas) Harpster, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. His grandfather Harpster came to America and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father died when David was but eight years of age, and he removed with his mother to Wayne County, Ohio, two years later. He attended school but fifteen months, but has since ac- quired a good business education. After two years farming with his brother in the above county, he came to this locality in 1828 or 1829, and the fol- lowing year accepted a clerkship in Bowsher & Green's store at Bowsher- ville, this township, where he was employed three years. He then became a member of the firm, and continued the business till 1836, when he sold his interest and engaged in the cattle business with Barnet and Thomas Hughes and James Murdock two years with excellent success. From 1838 to 1840, he drove cattle to Detroit, but in the latter year he formed a part- nership with David Miller, their object being to fatten cattle in Illinois and drive them to Eastern markets, which business they conducted six years, Mr. Harpster continuing the business four years on his own responsibility. In 1845, he purchased 700 acres at the Government land sales, and to this he has subsequently added till he now owns in this township 3,100 acres, and in Mifflin Township, 1,300; besides these tracts he has eighty acres in Van Wert County, 600 acres in Nebraska, 240 acres in Iowa, and in the coun- ties of Ford, Campaign and McLean, III., 2,240 acres, all more or less im- proved and under fence. In 1850, Mr. Harpster settled on his present farm, and has since engaged largely in the sheep business, shearing 900 the first year, and increasing that number annually till he had clipped as many as

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The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 111

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway Number of Pages: 1072

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072