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 65

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 65

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

McCutchensville, being well known as one of the early pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Beidler are the parents of three children, two living-Frank M., born March 2, 1847, and Mary E., born June 22, 1848. The deceased is Joseph H., born July 4, 1850; he died April 29, 1856. Mrs. Beidler was born October 14, 1824, in Pickaway County, Ohio. She came with her parents to this county in 1827, and has since resided here.

JOHN BENNER was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 19, 1827. He learned the cabinet trade in his native country, and emigrated to America in 1845, locating at Sandusky City till 1877, during which time he engaged at his trade and in agricultural pursuits. He purchased his present farm in 1877, and has since resided in this county, doing a good business in agriculture and stock-raising. He was married at Sandusky City November 16, 1851, to Mary M. Courhart, daughter of John P. and Mary (Fry) Courhart, natives of France, where Mrs. Benner was born June 2, 1828. Her parents emigrated to America in 1832 or 1833, settling in Pennsylvania. In 1834, they removed to Seneca County, where the father died in 1844; the mother died in Sandusky City in 1850. They had twelve children who removed from Pennsylvania with their parents by wagons. Mr. and Mrs. Benner had eleven children, eight still living, viz .: Cathar- ine, born May 13, 1855: Charles J., May 14, 1857; Elizabeth, June 22, 1860; Louis A., June 23, 1863; Rosa V., October 31, 1864; Carolina, De- cember 14, 1865; Mary A., August 18, 1867, and Frank P., March 29, 1869. The deceased are Caroline, Frank and Louis. Mr. Benner contri- buted about $800 to the late war; he served as Infirmary Director of Erie County two years; as Township Trustee six years, and as a member of the School Board nine years. Himself and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church, he being a Democrat in political faith. Margaret Benner, our subject's mother, emigrated to the United States in 1854, and resided with her son till her death, which occurred at Sandusky City November 12, 1877, in her seventy-eighth year.

FREDERICK BERG, of the firm of Von Stein & Berg, druggists and book-sellers, Upper Sandusky, was born in Mansfield, Richland County, Feb- ruary 11, 1851. He is the son of Conrad and Rachel (Von Stein) Berg, natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in 1850, settling in Mansfield, Ohio, where they resided till 1869, at which time they removed to Salem Township, this county, purchasing seventy acres of land, upon which they now reside. Frederick Berg, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Mansfield, and removed with his parents to this county, remaining with them upon the farm until 1873, when he engaged as clerk with his uncle, George P. Von Stein, of Cincinnati. He remained in Cincinnati until 1877, when he came to Upper Sandusky, and entered in- to a partnership with John H. Von Stein, in the drug business, which they have since successfully conducted. They keep a full stock of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper, stationery, fancy articles, etc., etc., carrying a stock $5,000 to $6,000 the year round. Mr. Berg was married September 18, 1877, to Eliza- beth Ash, daughter of John Ash, Sr., formerly a prominent resident, and farmer of Mifflin Township. By this marriage, four children have been born, three living-Clara M., born June 10, 1878; Charley, born, December 12, 1879, and died June 24, 1880; Carl J., born July 10, 1881; and Arthur, born January 14, 1883. Mr. Berg is an energetic young business man. He is a member of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association; member of the Royal Arcanum; Vice President of the Mutual Aid Society; Treasurer of the Acme Lodge, P. O. S. of A., and a Democrat in politics. Himself and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

William Malton

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CRANE TOWNSHIP.

HON. CURTIS BERRY, JR., for a number of years a prominent law- yer at the Wyandot County Bar, was born in Crawford Township, this county, April 19, 1831. He is a son of Curtis and Sally (Cavitt) Berry, of whom extended mention is made in the history of Crawford Township. Mr. Berry was reared on the homestead until of age, and enjoyed only the advantages of the common schools. After attaining his majority, he attend- ed the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, one term, after which, in the fall of 1852, he took a position in the office of the Treasurer of Sen- eca County. The following winter he taught school in Senaca County, returning to Wyandot County in the spring, and the next fall he was elected Clerk of the courts to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of G. C. Worth. He was re-elected in 1857, and again elected in 1860, serving in all seven years and four months. During the interim, between his first and second election to the above office, 1854-57, he was Chief Clerk in the office of the General Ticket Agent of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Rail- way, at Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne. While serving as Clerk of the courts he read law under the instructions of Hon. Robert McKelly, and was ad- mitted to the bar at Upper Sandusky, in 1858. He practiced his profession alone, until in 1865, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Hon. John Berry. The law firm of Berry & Berry soon took a prominent place at the bar of this, and surrounding counties, and were both recog- nized as able and worthy lawyers. In 1866, Mr. Berry, the subject of this notice, was elected to represent this district in the State Senate, and at the expiration of that term was again chosen to the same position. He rendered efficient service as a legislator, introducing at the session of 1869, and securing the passage amid great opposition of the Homestead Law, and also other measures of no less importance. He served as Vice President of the County Agricultural Society three years, and as Secretary five years. He was instrumental in organizing the County Pioneer Society, and was prom- inently connected with it during its existence. Mr. Berry has borne his part in all public improvements and enterprises of the county. In securing the Columbus & Toledo Railway, he took an active part, making the first speech in its favor at Marion, Ohio, and with Hon. George W. Beory at different points along the line of the road. He was married, May 1, 1860, to Miss Emma, daughter of Col. M. H. Kirby, by whom he had six children, of these five are living, viz .: Florence, Frederick, Anna, Louise and Fanny. Robert died at the age of two years. Mrs. Berry departed this life July 31, 1883.

HON. JOHN BERRY was born in this county April 26, 1833. He received a good education in the district schools, subsequently attending the Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1855, he came to Upper Sandusky and began the study of law with Hon. Robert McKelly, afterward attending the Cincinnati Law School at which he graduated with honor in 1857. Be- ing admitted to the bar in April of that year, he at once began the practice of his profession, which he continued with marked success till his death. In politics, Mr. Berry took very little interest; he was elected Mayor of Upper Sandusky in 1864; served as Prosecuting Attorney, and in 1872 was elected to Congress, being ranked among its most worthy and respected members. Mr. Berry was married, May 7, 1862, to Matilda L. Pierson, daughter of Christopher Y. and Delilah (Groff) Pierson, and two children were born to them, a son and daughter, the former dying in infancy; the latter is still living. Mr. Berry was a man of great promise and his death was deeply regretted by a host of friends.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

ADOLPHUS BILLHARDT, M. D., is a native of Saxony, Germany, and was born January 30, 1833. He graduated at Leipsic, and emigrated to America in 1858. He came directly to this county, and located in Upper Sandusky, where he immediately began the practice of medicine, teaching school at intervals, and continued in this pursuit till June, 1861. He then enlisted as a private in Company F, Thirty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and after a short service as Hospital Steward was commis- sioned First Assistant Surgeon, soon after acting as Surgeon of the regi- ment. On July 22, 1864, he was captured at Atlanta, and sent first to Ma- con, Ga., and then to Charleston, S. C., where he remained a prisoner three months. He was released in the following October, but being unable to join his regiment, he tendered his resignation in the following year, and returned home to resume the practice of his profession. In 1866, Mr. Billhardt opened a drug store, and since that date has devoted his atten- tion chiefly to that business. In 1880, he erected his handsome building on the corner of Sandusky avenue and Johnson street, at a cost of $30,000, and since its completion has been located therein. This structure is the finest in Upper Sandusky, to the appearance and business interests of which it is a most valuable addition. Mr. Billhardt has been largely iden- tified with the business affairs of the city in which he resides, and is one of its most prominent citizens. He is one of the leading spirits of the Ger- man citizenship, and is recognized as one of its most honorable, energetic and enterprising factors. He holds the position of agent of the Adams Express Company, Director of the Wyandot Dirigent Saengerbund, and Weather Observer for the Fifth Congressional District. He served as Clerk of the Board of Education for six consecutive years; is Post Surgeon of the G. A. R., and a prominent member of the F. & A. M., being a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge and Secretary of the Chapter. Mr. Billhardt was married, August 30, 1860, to Rosalie Fistler, of Buffalo, and a native of Prussia, born April 27, 1843. Their children are Adolphus, born June 25, 1861; Emma, April 10, 1863; Edwin, July 3, 1865; Oscar, June 26, 1867; and Ida, February 17, 1874.

JOHN S. BOWERS, born April 4, 1825, is a son of Henry and Martha (Pool) Bowers, and a native of Richland County, Ohio. His parents were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively, and early settlers of Richland County, having moved to that locality before their marriage, and when there were but three or four buildings in what is now the flourishing city of Mansfield. His father was a hatter by trade, but subsequently turned his attention to farming. He closed his earthly career January 1, 1874, his wife having preceded him about twelve years. John S. Bowers grew to manhood in his native county. He obtained a fair education in the district schools, and later engaged in farming on his father's land, and rented tracts till his twenty-fifth year. In 1849, he came to this county, and purchased fifty acres of his present farm in the spring of 1850. It was then covered with a dense growth of timber, which by long years of toil Mr. Bowers has succeeded in clearing away, now having one of the most pleasant, healthful and desirable locations in the township. He has added to his original purchase till he now owns 140 acres valued at $80 to $85 per acre. Mr. Bowers has always been quite successful in his farming pursuits; has dealt more or less in stock, and usually keeps good grades. He was married, April 25, 1850, to Mary Mower, who was born near Cham- bersburg, Penn., January 4, 1828, being a daughter of George and Mary (Crider) Mower, natives of Pennsylvania and of German parentage. Her

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father dying first; her mother survived till January, 1883, in her ninety- second year, having retained her faculties to a remarkable degree. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have eight children-May, wife of Myron Case, of Eden Township; Lorena, wife of Elzie Carter, of Upper Sandusky; Londes M., a teacher, now pursuing his studies at the Normal School at Ada; Newton M., an extensive farmer in Dakota; Mattie, a teacher; Franz Sigel, Virgil and Floy, at home. Mrs. Bowers has established quite a profitable busi- ness in rearing fine blooded poultry, keeping some extra qualities of bronze turkeys, light Brahma, Plymouth Rock and Leghorn chickens. She has already shipped large quantities of eggs to various parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Bowers is a strong adherent to Republican principles.

ISAAC N. BOWMAN, M. D. The subject of this sketch, a son of Thomas M. Bowman, was born in this county April 11, 1855. He grew to manhood on a farm, where he was more or less engaged till 1877. He was educated in the common schools, and as early as his sixteenth year com- menced teaching, which profession he followed at intervals until his twenty- third year. In the fall of 1876, he entered Oberlin College, where he pros- ecuted his literary studies, teaching occasionally till 1878. In the autumn of the following year, 1879, Dr. Bowman began the study of medicine with Dr. R. N. McConnell, of Upper Sandusky, a prominent physician of the State, and during the winter of 1880-81 he attended lectures at the Star- ling Medical College of Columbus, graduating in 1882, with the second hon- ors of the class. He at once formed a partnership with his preceptor, Dr. McConnell, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has since followed with signal success. Dr. Bowman is a genial gentleman of excellent character, and possesses the esteem of all those with whom he is associated.

CLINTON BOWSHER, the popular livery man, Upper Sandusky, was born in the above city March 4, 1847. He is the son of Robert and Ann (Clayton) Bowsher, natives of Ohio and of English parentage. They were married in Wyandot County, and reared a family of eleven children, all liv- ing at the present time. The mother died in 1877, aged fifty-five years. Clinton Bowsher was reared in Upper Sandusky, and has never resided out of this county. In the spring of 1866, at the age of eighteen, he started a hack line between Upper Sandusky and Tiffin, pursuing this occupation nine

years. In 1876, he purchased a livery stock of D. S. Miller, of Columbus Grove, and removed the same to his present location, where he has since en- gaged in a general livery business. He has increased his stock, usually from twelve to fifteen horses and vehicles, and has the leading stable of the city. He was married, October 31, 1872, to Melissa Morgan, daughter of Joseph Morgan, of Upper Sandusky. They have one child-Bessie, born March 11, 1876. Mr. Bowsher is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a Re- publican in politics. He has a comfortable residence on Fifth street, and is also the owner of the livery building and grounds which it occupies.

JESSE BOWSHER (deceased), was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in August, 1812. He is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Harpster) Bowsher, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been a soldier in the war of 1812. He came to this county when fifteen years of age, and settled in what is now Marseilles Township. He was married, January 5, 1833, to Elizabeth Clayton, and six children have been born to them, three now living-Russel B., Nelson and Mary, now the wife of Joseph Hutter, who was born Novem- ber 7, 1824. The deceased are Minerva, Silas and Miles. The latter was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment O. N. G.,

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

having enlisted May 2, 1864. He was taken prisoner the following August and sent to Richmond, where he was paroled October 9, his death occurring October 14, at Annapolis, Md. His remains were brought home and interred in the Mission Cemetery. Mrs. Bowsher, the wife of our subject, was born in Fairfield County May 10, 1814. She came to this county at the age of nineteen, and was an active worker at the old mission farm at the time of the erection of the old stone Mission Church. Her death occurred January 29, 1849. Mr. Bowsher departed this life February 12, 1857.

. WILLIAM E. BOWSHER, proprietor of grocery and provision store, North Sandusky avenue, was born near Bowsherville January 1, 1839, son of Henry and Margaret (Dickens) Bowsher. They removed to this county, (then Crawford), from Pickaway County in 1823, engaging in agricultural pursuits, and becoming the parents of fifteen children, six now living- Elizabeth, Mary E., Susannah, Elmeda, Sarah and William E. The father was one of the pioneers of the county, settling here while the Indians were more numerous than the whites. He was one of the victims of the terrible " milk sickness" epidemic of 1847, dying the 7th of August of that year. He was born in Pickaway County in 1803. His wife survived him three weeks, her death occurring September 3, 1847. They were married in 1825. William E. Bowsher, the subject of this sketch, after the death of his par- ents, spent some time in Allen County, but being disabled by disease, he returned to Upper Sandusky and attended the public schools, engaging in teaching at the age of eighteen. After several removals he located perma- nently at Upper Sandusky, and in 1864 was elected Township Clerk, serv- ing three consecutive years. In partnership with his brother Anthony he opened a grocery store on the Bowsher Corner, and to that he has since de- voted his attention, his brother having died in 1871. In the same year of his brother's death, Mr. Bowsher was elected Township Treasurer, and re- elected in 1872, and also elected Corporation Treasurer, serving in the for- mer office three years, and in the latter two years. In 1874, he was elected Township Clerk, and in that capacity he is still serving. He is the owner of a two-story brick store room, which he has well filled with a stock of gro- ceries and provisions. Mr. Bowsher has never married. In politics, he is a Democrat.

EWALD BRAUNS, deceased, was born in Werther, Westphalia, Prus- sia, May 25, 1832. He emigrated to America in 1850, and settled in New York, but after several subsequent removals located in 1854 in Upper San- dusky, where he resided till his death, at the age of forty-nine. His mar- riage to Miss Mary Ruff occurred December 25, 1856, and ten children crowned this union-five sons and five daughters. Mr. Brauns learned the trade of goldsmith in his native country, and on locating in this county opened a jeweler's shop in Upper Sandusky, continuing in this business during his entire life. Mr. Brauns was a man of generous impulses and possessed of social qualities of the highest order, being the life of any cir- cle he chose to enter. He was a natural musician, and the citizens of Upper Sandusky are largely indebted to him for the fine instrumental bands which have been the pride of their city so many years. He was a member of the Wyandot Saengerbund, and an estimable citizen in every respect. He was City Councilman from the First Ward two terms, and was without a known enemy at the time of his death.

.] EDWARD A. BRAUNS, of the firm of Brauns Brothers, jewelers, in Upper Sandusky, was born September 24, 1857, son of Ewald and Mary (Ruff) Brauns. He was educated in the Upper Sandusky Schools, and after

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CRANE TOWNSHIP.

finishing his education was engaged for some time in the dry goods stores of S. M. Worth and Henry Herman, beginning the watch-making trade in 1874. He remained at this work with his father six years, taking full charge of the store in 1880. By strict attention to business, he has largely increased the trade and thoroughly established his reputation as a business man. In May, 1883, a partnership was formed by admitting a second brother, Paul F. Brauns, into the firm, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Brauns Brothers. They carry a full stock of clocks, watches, plated ware and general jewelry, and are doing an honorable and flourishing business. Edward A., our subject, was married in Upper San- dusky, December 25, 1878, to Maria Ford, daughter of William Ford, of New York., and two children have been born to them-Zoe M., born No- vember 10, 1879, and William C., born December 13, 1881. Paul F. Brauns, the junior member of the firm, was the founder of Brauns' Orchestra, and is still its leader. In 1883, this company organized a brass band, con- sisting of eight members, entitled the "Little Six," and this band, under the leadership of T. B. Boyer, is becoming very popular. In 1883, at the Musical Tournaments of Findlay and Crestline, they were awarded the prizes over all their competitors.

A. W. BRINKERHOFF was born near Gettysburg, Penn., March 4, 1821. He is a son of Hezekiah Brinkerhoff, who was the son of Henry, who was the son of James, who was the son of Yoris (George in English) Brink- erhoff, from whom sprang all the Brinkerhoffs in Western New York, Adams County, Penn., and Ohio, and who moved from Bergen County, N. J., to Adams (then York) County, Penn., in 1771. His-A. W. Brinkerhoff's- father was born in 1791. His mother, Jane Kerr, was born near Gettysburg, Penn., in 1796. They were married in Adams County, Penn., in January, 1816, and resided there till 1826, when they moved to Baltimore, Md., where he kept "tavern " two years, after which time he returned to the place of his birth. In 1834, he moved to Seneca County, Ohio, arriving at Upper Sandusky May 31, having been nineteen days on the road, travel- ing by wagon. At Upper Sandusky, they spent the night at the old " Walker Tavern," kept by an Indian. On the day following, they went to McCutchenville, reaching their objective point at noon. Mr. Brinkerhoff purchased of Isaac Beery, of Fairfield County, Ohio, eighty acres in Sec- tion 22, Seneca Township, Seneca County, in the Sandusky Bend, where he began, August 5, to clear a site for a dwelling. He .erected a log house there, two stories, 18x30, in which the family moved November 24. He paid for this forest farm $2.50 per acre, and the following year bought thir- ty-five acres, paying $350. Five years after the first purchase, he bought sixty-two and one-half acres, for which he paid $960, this latter containing some cleared land. In 1844, he declined an offer of $37 per acre for the whole tract. He resided on this farm till his death, October 1, 1847, after an illness of six days, his eldest daughter, Mary A., wife of Elias Eyler, having died four or five days previous. Mrs. Brinkerhoff died very suddenly at the old homestead February 3, 1867. Their children were Mary A., born in 1817, died September 25, 1847; James H., born March 7, 1819; Alex W., March 4, 1821; Eleanor H., born in 1823, married Samuel Grelle, and died in 1881; Sarah J., born in 1826, married J. B. Wilson, and now resides in Toledo; Catharine E., born in 1828, died in May, 1849; Nelson B., born in 1830, died in March, 1849; Nancy M., born in 1832, married George M. Brown, and resides in Toledo; all the foregoing children having been born in Adams County, Penn., except Sarah J., who was born in Bal-

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

timore. Md. John H. was born in 1835 in Ohio, and now resides in Wau- pun, Wis. He has been a member of the Legislature of that State, and is Postmaster of the city in which he resides, a position he has held twenty- three years. George F., born in 1837, is now a resident of Bucyrus, Ohio. Dr. Brinkerhoff was reared on the homestead, and was engaged in clearing land till twenty-one years of age. He attended the subscription schools of Pennsylvania, learning to " read, write and cipher to the rule of three." At the age of thirteen, he removed with his parents to Ohio, settled in the woods, and there remained till twenty-one without a superior as an axman. Then, with health impaired, he engaged with Holmes Durboraw, of Mc- Cutchenville, to learn the cabinet trade. Eighteen months later, his health failed entirely, and one year was spent in recuperating. He theu engaged as clerk for James M. Chamberlin, a merchant at Mccutchenville; spent part of the following winter visiting in Darke County, Ohio; spent the sum- mer of 1845 as clerk for Mr. Chamberlin, and engaged in the fall of 1845 as teacher in a district school near Mccutchenville. He was examined by J. D. Sears as to qualifications; was asked five questions, answered but two; obtained a six months' certificate, granted on general principles; taught four months' school, and succeeded admirably. During the term he boarded at home, and took instructions from his father, who was a good mathematician. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University April 14, 1846, but was compelled to abandon his studies sixty days after, on account of ill-health. On the 3d of the following November, he began a four months' term of school at Syca- more, at $17 per month, the usual wages being but $15. He closed this term with credit, and secured the school for a second term, receiving his second certificate without re-examination. because of his creditable examina- tion in securing the first. At the close of the Sycamore School, he entered the employ of Alex Campbell, in Mccutchenville, as clerk, and remained two years, at $12 per month, preferring this work to teaching. In May, 1848, he married Martha E. Hall, of Painesvillo, Ohio, with whom he be- came acquainted while teaching at Sycamore. In the following August, he had three successive attacks of bilious fever, and on recovering again en- gaged in his school work at Sycamore, during which time he and J. B. Wilson, a brother-in-law, purchased a stock of goods of Dr. L. L. Pease, of Sycamore, and continued there in the mercantile business until 1856, when he removed to Upper Sandusky, and engaged in selling his patented inven- tions. In 1863, he engaged with F. F. Fowler & Co., consisting of F. F. Fowler, T. E. Beery and E. R. Wood as members, as a joint partner, he and Mr. Beery retiring from the firm after two years of very unsatisfactory re- sults. They then began the manufacture and sale of Dr. Brinkerhoff's pat- ent corn-husker, and this proved a decided success. During his connection with F. F. Fowler & Co., his wife and second son died. About one year after the dissolution of the old firm, the firm of Brinkerhoff & Beery was sued by Fowler & Wicks, successors to Fowler & Co., asking for a judg. ment of $30,000, as damages for fraudulent statements alleged to have been made at dissolution of partnership. At the urgent solicitation of Fowler & Wicks, Brinkerhoff & Beery consented to submit the case to Judge George E. Seney for trial, upon petition filed in court, and after three weeks' in- vestigation, said Judge decided in favor of the latter firm, the former hav- ing to pay the costs. Fowler & Wicks made an assignment one year after dissolution of old firm, and Brinkerhoff & Beery were held on paper of Fowler & Co. for $7,000, which they were enabled to pay out of receipts of the patent husker, accepting thereafter from Fowler & Wicks seventy per

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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 65

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

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