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 67

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 67

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DAVID CRAMER, dealer in stoves, tinware, etc., Upper Sandusky, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, May 22, 1839. He is the son of Frederick and Mary A. (Helterbrake) Cramer, natives of Maryland, and of English ancestry. He was educated in the district schools of Seneca County, and was engaged in farming until August, 1861. At that time he enlisted in the United States service, Company D, Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, to serve three years. He participated in the battles of Green River and Pittsburg Landing, and was taken sick at Corinth, after which

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he was confined six months in the hospitals of Evansville and Terre Haute, Ind. He rejoined his regiment in November, 1862, and was wounded in his right thigh in the battle of Murfreesboro December 31, 1862, being sent to the hospital at Nashville, and afterward to Cincinnati, where he was dis- charged March 17, 1863, on account of disability. He then returned to Upper Sandusky, and soon after opened an ice cream parlor and restaurant, which he conducted over four years. . In 1868, he established himself per- manently in the stove and tinware business in partnership with William McCormick. This connection existed two years, when Mr. Cramer pur- chased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor, and has since con- ducted the business as such. He carries a large stock of everything in his line, and makes a specialty of tin and slate roofing. Mr. Cramer was mar- ried, May 8, 1872, to Miss Jennie Hackadorn, daughter of S. J. and Mar- garet (Gray) Hackadorn, of Van Wert County. They have three children, namely, Howard L., born November 16, 1874; Maggie, born August 3, 1876; and Bonnie B., born January 25, 1880. Mrs. Cramer was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., October 8, 1853. Mr. Cramer is the owner of a valuable brick residence on Wyandot avenue, and all of his store room, which he occupies; is a member of the Knights of Honor, the G. A. R., and a Democrat in politics.

FRANCIS M. CRAMER, machinist, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, September 19, 1846; son of Frederick and Mary (Helderbrake) Cramer, natives of Maryland. Francis was partially educated in the schools of his native county, removing to Upper Sandusky with his parents at the age of fifteen, and finishing his studies in the schools of that place. He subse- quently engaged as brakeman on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- road for a short period, and entered the Stevenson Machine Works as an apprentice in the fall of 1868. He is still employed by this company, and is one of their most faithful mechanics. By industry and economy, Mr. Cramer has provided a comfortable home on West Walker street, where he now resides. He was a non-commissioned officer of Company B, Ohio National Guards, in which he faithfully served five years, receiving bis dis- charge in 1879. He was married, May 22, 1872, to Mary Graham, daugh- ter of Daniel and Hannah (Bowsher) Graham, of Upper Sandusky. They have two children living-Roy C., born July 6, 1876, and Earl D., born December 28, 1881. The deceased is Robert E., born December 5, 1873, died June 25, 1881. Mrs. Cramer was born in Crane Township October 19, 1851.

JAMES CRAWFORD is a native of Sycamore Township, this county, born April 15, 1836; son of James and Mary (Sparr) Crawford, the former a native of Orange County, Va., born in 1761, the latter of Fairfield County, Ohio, born November 20, 1802. Their children were Jacob V., James, William B., Peter L. and Emma E. They came to this county in 1833, and purchased eighty acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and in 1852 removed to Noble County, Ind., when he died April 19, 1854, and she in 1872. James Crawford was reared and educated in Sycamore Township, and began life for himself by daily labor at $10 per month. He purchased his present farm, consisting of forty acres, in 1875, and devotes his atten- tion to agriculture and the raising of blooded stock. He enlisted in the war May 2, 1864, and was on detached service in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards, during his entire term spending most of his time at the Relay House, Maryland, as Post Commissary. He was discharged at Columbus September 2, 1864. Mr. Crawford was mar-

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ried, September 3, 1857, to Susanna Brown, daughter of Abraham and Frances (Coon) Brown. They had four children, Louisa C., born March 29, 1864, being the only living. The deceased are: Emanuel E., born Sep- tember 20, 1861, died April 30, 1862; William S., born September 20, 1866, died April 9, 1873; and an infant. Mrs. Crawford was born Septem- ber 15, 1838, and died November 10, 1867. Mr. Crawford was married, December 24, 1868, to Eliza Fernbaugh, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, born July 31, 1835. Her parents were natives of Cumberland County, Penn., and York County, Penn., the father born February 13, 1810, the mother April 15, 1808. By this latter marriage three children were born-John S., born December 26, 1871; Sarah L., August 10, 1873; and Nettie M., March 28, 1870; the latter is deceased since April 4, 1873. In politics, Mr. Craw- ford'is a Republican, and a member of the Church of God, of which he is also one of the Trustees. His father was a full cousin of the lamented Col. Crawford, who was burned at the stake by the Indians near Upper Sandusky.

MYER DANIELS, the popular clothier of the firm of Daniel Bros., was born in Cincinnati March 14, 1853. He is the son of Michael and Fannie (Goldsmith) Daniels, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America before their marriage. They were the parents of seven children, six now living. The father engaged in the boot and shoe business in an early day at Cincinnati, where he died in 1855. The mother still survives, now a res- ident of Cleveland, Ohio, aged about sixty-eight years. Myer Daniels, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in the city of Cincinnati, receiving some instruction from a private tutor in Macon, Ga. While at the latter place, he engaged as clerk with Scheuermans Bros., dry goods merchants, and remained with this firm seven years. He subsequently en- gaged one year with his brother Cornelius, at Mt. Vernon, Ill .; three years with W. L. Yates, of Cleveland; three years again with his brother in Howell, Mich .; four months at Union City, Ind., after which he came to Upper Sandusky September 29, 1878. and in the following month established himself permanently in his present business, usually employing two clerks, and doing a flourishing business-the leading clothier of the city. Mr. Daniels is an energetic young business man, and a prominent member of the F. & A. M.

JACOB W. DAVIS, M. D., was born in Adams County, Ohio, April 15, 1853; son of John and Sarah (Wickerhorn) Davis, of English parentage. He assisted his father in agricultural pursuits, attending the public schools of his neighborhood until eighteen years of age, when he engaged as sales- man in a mercantile establishment at Locust Grove, Ohio, remaining in that work two years. In the fall of 1873, he entered the West Geneva Commercial College of Logan County, graduating in 1874. He at once be- gan the reading of medicine in the office of Dr. J. L. Wright, of Bellefon- taine, Ohio, attending lectures at the Indianapolis Medical College, and graduating from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati February 20, 1876. He began the practice of his profession at Carey, this county, and remained in that locality one year. He located at Johnsville in October, 1877, where he continued his practice until February, 1881, when he re- moved to Upper Sandusky. In the latter place, he has established a good practice. Mr. Davis was married, June 5, 1877, to Laura A. Meckley, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hosler) Meckley. She was born in Morrow County January 16, 1859. Mr. Davis' parents were both natives of Adams County, where they were married by Rev. Huston February 17, 1852. His mother died January 22, 1854, leaving an only child, our subject. His

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

father was again married, November 18, 1856, to Elizabeth Sharp, and eight children were born to them, seven living-Edwin S., Sarah B., Rhoda E., Mary A., William, Milton and Leonidas; an infant, unchristened, is deceased. Their home lay in the path of John Morgan's raid in 1863, and Dr. Davis, then a lad of ten years, while out plowing corn was ap- proached by three rebels, who demanded his horse. Young Davis, not wishing to be interrupted, was about to proceed when his "Get up, Joe!" was responded to by the three rebels' leveling their revolvers upon him in a decidedly suggestive manner. Changing his mind with a "Whoa, Joe !" he permitted them to take the horse, and this, with two others, was never recovered. When the father returned home and found his horses gone, he was very indignant, and, taking his gun, followed them to his father's res- idence where he was approached by two of the raiders leading a valuable gray horse. On being asked why he had his gun, and told to go home, he leveled his piece upon them when they fled in great haste, leaving their horse; they soon returned in increased numbers, however, and Mr. Davis sought refuge in a corn-field near by; and as he fied from this field to the woods, several shots were fired at him, the whizzing of the bullets being distinctly heard. He passed through these woods just as the main rebel army moved along, being in such close proximity to the lines as to render it necessary to lie prostrate upon the wet ground while they passed, thereby saturating the loose powder, which he had hastily placed in his pockets when starting in pursuit of his property.

SILAS DEBOLT, one of the venerable pioneers of this county, was born in Masontown, Fayette Co., Penn., February 15, 1807. He is a son of George and Mary (Rider) DeBolt, both natives of the same county; the former born February 24, 1781, the latter in 1784 or 1785. His paternal ancestors were natives of France and Germany. His grandfather, Lawrence Rider, came to this country at the age of eighteen, his brother, Stofle, com- ing with him. His grandfather, George DeBolt and brother Nicholas were both captured by the Pottawatomies in Pennsylvania. The latter was in his sixth year and never returned home. He became chief of the tribe and died September 28, 1828. The former, George D,, was in his eighth year when captured and was sold to the Senecas and was held captive nine years. He was also afterward a soldier under Washington. He was in the battle in which Braddock was defeated, and was subsequently in the employ of the Government as a scout. George DeBolt, the father of our sub- ject, moved from Pennsylvania to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1809, and resided there till about 1855, owning 200 acres of land. In 1855, he moved to Jay County, Ind., where he died October 1, 1868. His wife died in 1852. He was a prominent minister of the Old-School Baptist Church, and was the father of twelve children, six of whom are now living, namely: Silas; Belinda, widow of C. Skinner; Matilda, widow of William Skinner; Miranda, wife of A. Ashbrook; Hulda, wife of P. Rauk, Ogden, Utah; and Rezin A., of Trenton, Mo. The latter is now a prominent lawyer and Judge, and was formerly a Congressman. Silas DeBolt, the subject of this sketch, resided with his parents until his twenty-third year, and learned the tanner's trade in Fairfield County. He came to this county in 1830 and located near Mexico, where he resided near forty years, eighteen of which were spent in the mercantile business. In 1868, he moved to his present farm of 260 acres, purchased at the land sales in 1845, and has since turned his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. In connection with his other occupations, Mr. DeBolt has studied the nature of and treated cancers for

L.R. WALTON .

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CRANE TOWNSHIP.

fifty-six years. He is in possession of an Indian remedy, known only to himself and family, and has never failed to cure cases of external cancers which were subjected to his treatment. He has cured hundreds of cases, three on his own person. His remedy is unknown to physicians. In taking care of his material interests, Mr. DeBolt has not overlooked the spiritual, having been engaged in the ministry of the Old School Baptist Church more or less since 1840. Mr. DeBolt was married July 6, 1827, to Eliza- beth Parkison, a native of Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, born April 28, 1812, daughter of John and Sarah (Miller) Parkison, natives of Virginia, and of Scotch and German parentage. Her father was born July 19, 1783; her mother September 10, 1785. They moved to Perry County in 1800, Mr. Parkison's death occurring there about 1814. Mrs. Parkison was subse- quently married to Thomas Strawn, and died November 7, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt are the parents of twelve children, namely: Mary, born July 11, 1829; John P., April 10, 1831; George R., March 4, 1833; Sarah, March 5, 1835; Margaret, April 2, 1837; Elizabeth, August 27, 1839; Silas S., December 15, 1841; Rezin S., July 29, 1843; Miranda A., August 2, 1845; Nora F., October 11, 1847; William R., December 13, 1849; Emma P., March 14, 1854. Margaret, Emma, William and George are deceased. The latter was captured at the battle of Chickamauga, and died in prison at Danville, Va. Mr. DeBolt served in a rifle company eight years in Fair- field County, and was made Major in the militia in this county. He and Mrs. DeBolt are members of the Old-School Baptist Church. They are among the most worthy of the pioneers, and are highly esteemed as citizens.

JOHN DIRMEYER, son of John and Anna (Fleah) Dirmeyer, was born in Baden, Germany, August 24, 1837. His parents were also born in Baden, and had seven children-Annie, John, Andrew, Simon, Mary, Fred and William; Annie and Fred are deceased. The father died in 1872; the mother in 1848. John Dirmeyer emigrated to America in 1853, land- ing in May. He came to Upper Sandusky (after six weeks' stop on Staten Island), and resided there till 1863, when he moved to his present home. His farm contains ninety-six acres, and is in good condition. He was married, April 9, 1863, to Mary Frederick, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, July 9, 1837. She is a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Witmer) Fred- erick, natives of Baden, Germany, and Ohio. Her father came to America at the age of ten years; was married in Seneca County and reared a family of twelve children, six living, viz .: William, Letitia, Ann E., Julia, Ma- tilda and Mary. The mother died in 1843, the father in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Dirmeyer have had four children-William F., born February 10, 1864; George A., March 4, 1867; Anna M., August 29, 1869, and John C., July 27, 1873. Mrs. Dirmeyer's father was once captured by the Indians, but made his escape. Mr. Dirmeyer is a Democrat, and a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mrs. Dirmeyer is a member of the Reformed Church. They are well respected in their vicinity.

CHRISTIAN ENGEL, retired groceryman, was born in Ostheim, Ger- many, April 17, 1823. He is the son of Christian G. and Maria E. (Streck) Engel, both of whom died in Germany, the former in December, 1872, aged seventy-three; the latter November 7, 1873, aged seventy years. They were the parents of six children, four living at present-Christian, John K., Johanna L. and Ernest. Christiana and Magdalena are deceased. Christian, our subject, emigrated with his brother John K. to America in 1849. After traveling over seventeen States, he located in Upper Sandusky

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in 1853, and opened a barber-shop on the grounds now owned by Mrs. John Van Martyr. In 1856, he opened a grocery store and continued in this business until October 10, 1881, at which time he disposed of his stock to C. F. Veith and retired. He was married, August 24, 1854, to Anna M. Hipp, daughter of Frederick and Sabina (Beckbissinger) Hipp, and ten children have blessed their union, four living-Johanne L. (born April 1, 1855), Caroline S. (January 12, 1857), Rosa L. (March 6, 1859), and Annie M. (August 24, 1862). The deceased are five infants and Irena, born April 18, 1874, died October 31, 1877. Anna M., their mother, was born in Germany June 24, 1832. One year after, she emigrated to America with her parents, who are both now deceased; her father died December 1, 1856, aged sixty-three years; her mother survived till January 30, 1872, aged nearly seventy-six years.

JOHN K. ENGEL, retired merchant, is a native of Ostheim, Saxony, Germany, where he was born November 19, 1828. He is a son of Christian G. and Maria E. (Streck) Engel, a notice of whom is given in another sketch. John K. obtained a good education in "the fatherland," and emigrated to this country at twenty years of age. In 1849, he engaged as an employe in the bakery and confectionery trade with William Saunderson in Upper Sandusky. In 1854, he formed a partnership with his brother in the gro- cery and provision business, and two years later he purchased the latter's interest, re-selling it to his brother in 1858. He was engaged as clerk for A. G. Tribolet seven years, and from 1865 to 1877 conducted a grocery and provision store on his own account, retiring from business at the latter date. Mr. Engel was married, May 22, 1856, to Maria B. Retter, daughter of Frederick and Maria (Sturm) Retter, a native of Baden, Germany, born September 30, 1834. In 1852, she emigrated with her parents to this county, where they both died, the mother in June, 1868, aged sixty-five years; the father in November, 1881, in his eighty-first year. Mr. and Mrs. Engel have no children; their adopted daughter, Amanda B. Engel, was born in Germany March 7, 1861. Mr. Engel has been a member of the F. & A. M. since 1856, and is also associated with the I. O. O. F., and has filled all the subordinate offices. He is an independent voter. He is now enjoying the reward of his past labors. In 1872, in company with his wife, he paid a visit to his native home in Germany. He has been very successful in his business career, and in all his dealings has preserved a character worthy of the emulation of his fellow-merchants. He is one of the leading German citizens of the county, being noted for his interest in all public enterprises of importance.

WILLIAM FERNBAUGH was born in Ashland County, Ohio, Decem- ber 21, 1835. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Brandt) Fernbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania who settled in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1847, sub- sequently removing to this county, where they purchased 120 acres of land, and reared a family of nine children. The father died in 1878; the mother resides with her daughter, Mrs. Crawford, in this township. Our subject enlisted October 18, 1862, in Company K, Fifty-fifth Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, under Capt. Robins, and participated in the battles of Bull Run 2d, Cross Keys, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Chancel- lorsville-taken prisoner, but paroled in a few days-siege of Atlanta, and all through the Atlanta campaign, and with Sherman to the sea; partici- pated in the grand review at Washington, and was discharged at Cleveland in July, 1865. He returned home, purchased eighty acres of land on which he resides, and was married, January 31, 1869, to Mary C. Tobias,

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native of Pennsylvania, born May 11, 1845, daughter of Peter and Mary J. (Hale) Tobias. Their children are Harry T., born April 20, 1870; Laura, January 14, 1872; Elizabeth M., May 6, 1874. Laura is deceased; died January 30, 1872. Mr. Fernbaugh has been a farmer most of his days, and now values his land at $80 per acre. Himself and family are members of the Church of God.

DAVID FRAZIER, groceryman and retired farmer, was born in Pick- away County, Ohio, October 2, 1822; son of Jacob and Rebecca (Morris) Frazier, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They were the parents of sixteen children, eight of whom are still living-Jacob, John, David, Joseph, William, George, Mary and Silas. David Frazier, our sub- ject, was reared upon the farm, and attended the district schools, his only chance for an education. He remained upon the farm with his parents un- til sixteen years of age, and subsequently engaged in various callings until his marriage. This event took place August 8, 1844, taking as· his wife Eliza A. Bolander, a resident of Pickaway County. They have but one child-Noah G., born March 31, 1857. Mrs. Frazier was born August 29,

1825. They removed to Seneca County and engaged in farming seven years, coming to Wyandot County in 1852, where he purchased eighty-four acres of land, afterward adding thirty more. He subsequently sold these re- spective lots at $75 and $50 per acre (they having cost him him $10 and $23 per acre respectively), and in 1879 purchased 127 acres of well-improved land of the estate of C. Y. Pierson, deceased, paying for the same $80 per acre, the land lying within less than one mile west of Upper Sandusky. In 1876, Mr. Frazier abandoned the farm and removed to Upper Sandusky, where, with his son, he is doing an extensive business in the grocery, queensware and crockery trade, located on Sandusky avenue, between Walker and Fin- ley streets. Mr. Frazier is the owner of valuable town property; his son, Noah G., now managing the grocery establishment on his own responsibili- ty. In politics, he is a thorough Republican; himself and wife both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

BARBARA FREDERICK, widow of Joseph Frederick, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 23, 1821. She is the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Miller) Miller, who emigrated to America in 1835, and settled in Seneca County, where they both died-the mother in 1864, aged seventy- five years; the father in 1866, at the same age. Their four children- Elizabeth, Margaret, Peter and Barbara-are all living. The latter, our subject, was fourteen years of age when her parents came to America. She was married, in Seneca County, Ohio, April 25, 1841, to Joseph Frederick, a native of Baden, Germany, born February 22, 1810. He emigrated to America with his parents in 1817, and located in Philadelphia, removing to this county two years later. Joseph Frederick settled in this county immediately after his marriage in 1841, while the Indians were still numerous, some of whom were employed by him as assistants; among these were Mrs. Stanzley, Nancy Wright Bigelow and others, all full-blood Indians. Mr. Frederick was an industrious and energetic citizen, and accumulated a large amount of property, which he left to his wife and five children at his death, which occurred September 14, 1869. Mrs. Frederick still resides on the old home- stead, the old "Mission farm," near Upper Sandusky. Mr. and Mrs. Fred- erick were the parents of ten children, but five of whom are now living, viz., William H., Leutitia, Anna E., Julia and Matilda. The deceased are Adam, Christian, Daniel, Caroline and Catharine, twins.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

GEORGE W. FREET, Treasurer Wyandot County, was born in Loudoun County, Va., February 22, 1835. He is the son of Henry D. and Lydia C. (Clice) Freet, of German ancestry and natives of Virginia. They were married in their native State, and came to Ohio in 1836, settling in this county, where he engaged in the blacksmithing trade till his decease. They were the parents of twelve children, our subject being the youngest. All attained their majority, but at present only four are living-Amanda A., Henry C., Lydia C. and George W. The latter was educated in the district schools of this county, and learned the blacksmithing trade of his brother, following this business till they removed to Upper Sandusky and began the manufacture of carriages and wagons, doing an extensive business. Mr. Freet was married, March 5, 1863, to Mary G. Hussy, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Plummer) Hussy. Six children were born to them, two only surviving: Ida A., born July 7, 1867; and Clara B., born Novem- ber 18, 1877. The deceased are: an unchristened infant, Mary E., Lilla and Howard. In 1880. Mr. Freet was elected Treasurer of the county, and re-elected in 1882. Prior to his removal to Upper Sandusky, he served three years as Justice of the Peace in Tymochtee Township, and six years as Clerk of the same. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and K. of H.

JOSEPH E. GARFIELD, painter, is a native of Chittenden County, Vt., born October 14, 1832, son of Lewis B. and Catharine A. (Parks) Gar- field, the former a cousin of the father of James A. Garfield, the martyr. They had six children-William H., Joseph E., Marced M., Lura A., Emma A. and Lydia M. They settled in this county in 1840, Mr. Garfield pur- suing the occupation of millwright, being the inventor of the celebrated Garfield Turbine water-wheel. He died in 1843. Mrs. Garfield is still living, a resident of Iowa, in her seventy-sixth year. The subject of this sketch was given a common school education, and has devoted his entire life to the chair-making and painting trades, which he acquired from his uncle. He came to Upper Sandusky in 1849, and was married in the same city June 19, 1850, to Mary Little, daughter of David and Ann M. (Hoke) Little, a native of Canton, Ohio, born August 15, 1825. They had six chil- dren-Genevra S., born May 4, 1851; David E., May 5, 1853; Lewis B., January 19, 1856; Alexis W., February 4, 1859; Amanda M., February 26, 1862; William H., born April 24, 1865. The latter is deceased, his death having occurred April 24, 1865. September 19, 1861, Mr. Garfield enlisted as private in Company K, Fifty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve three years. He was taken prisoner at the battle of McDowell, Va., May 9, 1862, and after several months in the custody of the enemy at dif- ferent places, he received his discharge by a special order through the in- fluence of Gen. Garfield, January 9, 1863, on certificate of disability. He then returned home and resumed his former occupation. He is a member of the Knights of Labor and owns a comfortable home.

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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 67

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

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