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 75

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 75

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DELILAH PIERSON, widow of the late Christopher Pierson, was born in Frederick County, Md., October 18, 1807. She was the second child of Joseph and Magdalene (Smith) Groff, who were natives of Maryland, and who reared a family of eight children, five of whom still survive-Zebnlum, Delilah, Hezekiah, Joseph and Mary, the latter now the wife of James Rob- erts. The mother, Magdalene, departed this life about 1831, but the father, Joseph, survived till June 10, 1873, his demise occurring at the house of his daughter, Mrs. Pierson, on Sandusky avenue, Upper Sandusky. Mrs. Pier- son removed with her parents from Maryland to Seneca County, Ohio, be-

641

CRANE TOWNSHIP.

fore her marriage. She began her united life with Christopher Pierson September 23, 1833, their marriage occurring near Tiffin, Ohio. Their children were Naomi, born October 6, 1834; Tottie, March 6, 1840; Matilda L., May 15, 1843; Joseph, May 20, 1849; and Cora L., November 1, 1854, all now (1884) living. Mary A. was born February 1, 1837, and died Octo- ber 30, 1856; Emeline was born August 24, 1838, and died September 12, 1841; Charles D., born December 25, 1845, and died May 2, 1878. Their father, Christopher Y., was a son of Joseph and Charity (Youngs) Pierson, who were natives of Sussex County, N. J., where he was born in 1809. ' He was reared to manhood in his native county, and on arriving at that state in life he came West and settled at Tiffin. In 1842, he removed with his family to Upper Sandusky, where he engaged in hotel keeping, a business to which he was most admirably adapted. In 1847, he erected the brick building known as the Pierson House, and through all his life was a citizen of great value to his community-always energetic, active and enterprising. He amassed a considerable fortune, and was perhaps the most widely known of any citizen of Upper Sandusky. He was identified with most of the business and public interests of his resident town up to the date of his decease, and those who shared his acquaintance or hospitality, either as landlord or pri- vate citizen, bear ample testimony as to his genial and generous nature. He died at his home in Upper Sandusky, December 31, 1876, aged sixty- seven years. Mrs. Pierson is still living, and enjoying fair health for one of her years.

JAMES M. POOL, farmer, was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 11, 1823. His parents are William and Elizabeth (Harris) Pool, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively, and of English parentage. They were married in Washington County, Penn., and had eleven children; the four living are Mary, Annie, James M. and William H. They removed to Knox County, Ohio, in 1809, and to Richland in 1811, where he entered 160 acres of land, on which he resided till his death, November 30, 1846. He was born October 30, 1787; his wife was born March 19,'1787 and died in Mansfield, Ohio, June 16, 1863. James M. Pool grew up in his native county and engaged in carpentering and farming, removing to this county in 1850 and settling on his present farm, paying $7.50 per acre. He now owns 140 acres, provided with excellent buildings and valued at $90 per acre. Being a member of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards, his company was called into service in May, 1864; he participated in the skirmish at Berryville, Va., where he was captured, but made his escape into the Union lines on a Confederate mule; he was also in several skirmishes prior to this, and was discharged September 2, 1864. Mr. Pool was married in Richland County, Ohio, November 4, 1847, to Mary E. Hartupee, daughter of William and Rachel (Logan) Hartupee, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively; the latter born in Washington County, Penn., April 29, 1799. She was married to William Hartupee November 11, 1819, and moved with him to Ohio in April, 1822. settling in Richland County. They had twelve children. Their son, Rev. G. H. Hartupee, D.D., is an active and efficient member of the Northern Ohio Conference. Mrs. Hartupee died January 19, 1879. Her husband is still a resident of Richland County, in his eighty-eighth year. Mr. and Mrs. Pool have had eleven children, nine surviving: William F., born July 23, 1848; Emma E., October 7, 1850; Weller B., September 7, 1854; Al- bert H., November 6, 1856; Ora B., February 22, 1859; Elmer E., March 18, 1861; James C., August 6, 1863; Frank L., November 5, 1865; Harley

642

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

A., December 24, 1868, The deceased were Candace A., born March 7, 1855, died October 8, 1855, and an infant. Mrs. Pool was born in Rich- land County November 17, 1827.

WILLIAM F. POOL, son of James M. and Mary E. Pool, was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 23, 1848. He came to this county in 1851, and settled in Crane Township with his parents, where they still reside. Mr. Pool obtained a good education in the public schools, closing his liter- ary pursuits at the age of twenty-five. He began teaching at the age of nineteen and continued at intervals in that profession for eight years. In 1872, he began the study of law under the instruction of Henry Maddux, of Upper Sandusky, and was admitted to the bar to practice in Common Pleas Courts in 1874. He was engaged one year in the High School of Upper Sandusky, and began the practice of the legal profession in 1875, which occupation he has since continued to pursue. He first formed a partner- ship with George G. Bowman, which existed eighteen months, and subse- quently practiced one year with Adam Kail, this partnership being dissolved by the death of Mr. Kail in December, 1881. Since the above date he has continued his profession independently, and has established a fair practice. Mr. Pool was married March 16, 1874, to Anna Eaton, daughter of James and Oresta Eaton, and three children have been born to them: Harley E., born February 14, 1876; James C., October 11, 1877; and Howard L., July 10, 1880. Mr. Pool is an energetic business man, and in politics, a stanch Republican.

JOHN RAGON, one of the oldest pioneers of this locality, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 7, 1807. He is a son of Eli and Rebecca (Stew- art) Ragon, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Virginia, of Irish and English parentage. Of their nine children but three survive- John, Baley and Eli. The father was born July 30, 1778, and died in Warren County, Ill., April 9, 1856; the mother was born April 9, 1784, and died July 30, 1856. John Ragon came to this county with his parents in 1827, and settled among the Indians of Tymochtee Township, where he worked by the month for a number of years. In 1842, he removed to Crane Township, where he was elected Justice of the Peace, serving eighteen years. In 1859, he was elected Land Appraiser, and in 18-, lacked but seventeen votes of election as County Treasurer. Mr. Ragon owns 100 acres of well-improved land valued at $75 an acre, and has been a success. ful farmer. Our subject was married January 22, 1829, to Elizabeth Dud- dleson, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born October 20, 1807, and daughter of Ralph and Catharine (Bush) Duddleson, the former a native of Maryland, born July 24, 1768, and died October 6, 1848; the latter was born in Virginia, August 15, 1775, and died May 29, 1833; both deaths occurring in this county. Of twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ragon nine survive-William M., born March 8, 1830; Eli P., December 3, 1831; Irene, April 18, 1834; Henry H., March 8, 1837; Mary J., September 17, 1838; Eliza A., February 22, 1840; Lydia M., April 14, 1841; George W., March 28, 1843; and Harvey B., February 24, 1845. The deceased are Julia, born June 16, 1833, died June 30, 1833; Rebecca, born September 17, 1835, died October, 1836; Albert, born November 2, 1847, died Octo- ber 1, 1848. His four sons, Eli, Henry H., George W. and Harvey, all served in the late war: Eli B. was First Lieutenant of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Henry H. was Lieuten- ant of Company H, Fifty- fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. He then returned home, and in 1864, raised a company for the One Hun-

643

CRANE TOWNSHIP.

dred and Forty-fourth Regiment, and was subsequently made Captain of Company A, of said regiment. Harvey B. was taken prisuner three days before Lee's surrender, and was afterward compelled by hunger to eat raw corn that had previously done service as food for the mules. Mr. Ragon's father was also a soldier, and served in the war of 1812.

JOHN F. RIESER was born in Baden, Germany, December 31, 1837. He emigrated to the United States in 1846, locating in this county, where his parents purchased lands on which they resided till his father's death, which occurred in 1875. His parents, John G. and Reginia Rieser, had five children: John G., Mary A., Sophia, Caroline and John F. The latter enlisted in Company K, Fifty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, October 17, 1861, and participated in the battles of Cross Keys, Cedar Mount- ain, Shenandoah Valley, Bull Run, second, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and several skirmishes. He was color bearer of his regiment during the Gettys- burg campaign. He was transported to the Western army, subsequently taking part in the engagements at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge; veter- anized in January, 1864, taking part in all the battles of the Atlanta cam- paign and with Sherman to the sea, witnessed the Grand Review at Wash- ington, and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 20, 1865, having served nearly four years. Mr. Rieser enlisted as private, but was soon after pro- moted to Fourth Sergeant, then to First Sergeant, latter to Commissary Ser- geant, and finally commissioned First Lieutenant, April 20, 1865. At the close of the war Mr. Rieser returned home and has since devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising on the old homestead. He was married, March 18, 1859, to Nancy Ewing, daughter of Samuel and Christina (Mason) Ewing, and ten children were born to them-four living: George W., born November 9, 1860; Minnie, April 13, 1866; Anna, Feb- ruary, 1868; and Harry S., December 11, 1870. Mr. Rieser is a Republican. He has been a member of the F. & A. M. twenty-one years, and is the pres- ent Worshipful Master of the lodge (Warpole No. 176), and has attained the Knight Templar degree. At Marion, Ohio, was the first Post Com- mander of Robins, Post No. 91, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rieser was appointed Postmaster at Upper Sandusky, Feb- ruary 26, 1884, and assumed the duties of his office on the 1st of the fol- lowing April.

JAMES G. ROBERTS is a descendant of a Quaker gentleman of that name, who came to America with William Penn, in 1682, and settled with Penn's Colony in the vicinity of Philadelphia, Penn. He purchased a large tract of land near Philadelphia, which, in 1876 formed part of the Centennial Grounds. He was an ardent Quaker, as all his descendants have been excepting two families. The Roberts were prominent in England and were wealthy, but it being at a very remote date the American descendants have never derived any benefit from that wealth. James P. Roberts, the father of the subject of this sketch, and a direct descendant of Penn's colonist, above mentioned, was born in Philadelphia, in 1781. He was a tailor by trade, and when twenty-five years of age he went to Sussex County, N. J., where he married Miss Hannah Bell, a mem- ber of a Scotch-Irish family, and in 1806, removed to New York City. To them were born twelve children, all in New Jersey, except the eldest, who was born in the city of New York. James P. Roberts with his wife and eight younger children removed from Sussex County, N. J., in 1835, and settled in Richland County, Ohio. In 1838, he removed to Knox County, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1861 or 1862, at the

644

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

age of eighty-two years. His wife died also in Knox County, Ohio. James G. Roberts was born near Newton, Sussex Co., N. J., December 3, 1825. Until fifteen years old he had attended the common schools and the Academy at Fredericktown, Ohio. He then became a clerk in the store of Messrs. Struble & Roberts, of Fredericktown, and continued in their employ for five years, thus acquiring a thorough knowledge of the mercan- tile business. In 1845, he began portrait painting, under the instruction of Prof. Van Sickle, and continued to be so employed until 1846, when on the 5th day of June, of that year he came to Upper Sandusky. He aban- doned the occupation of painting in March, 1848, and assumed the duties of Deputy Auditor, of Wyandot County, under Samuel M. Worth. He remained in the Auditor's office two years. He then engaged in the drug business with Joshua Cross, under the name of Cross & Roberts. At the close of one year, Mr. Roberts sold his interest to Dr. H. P. Roberts, and embarked in the dry goods trade with George P. Nelson, under the firm name of Roberts & Nelson. One year later he purchased Nelson's interest, and did business alone two years, at the end of which time he admitted

Joseph H. Groff as a partner. The firm of Roberts & Groff continued as one of the leading dry goods firms in the town until 1859, when Mr. Roberts, having sold his interest in the store to F. W. Martin, retired from the mercantile business. The business of Roberts & Groff was conducted from 1854, by Mr. Groff alone, Mr. Roberts, meanwhile devoting his atten- tion to the banking interests of Harper, Ayres, Roberts & Co., of which he was a partner. In 1858, he, with Joseph H. Groff, erected the Upper San- dusky Steam Flouring Mills, now owned by James Kerr & Son. Mr. Rob- erts remained in the bank until the fall of 1859, when he took charge of the mills, and conducted them till March, 1863. Soon after he accepted a position in the then newly-organized First National Bank, and subsequently was elected Cashier, a position he still occupies (see history of Upper San- dusky for sketch of that bank). He disposed of his interest in the flouring mills, in 1866. He was also prominent in the organization of the Wyandot County Agricultural Society, and the Upper Sandusky Gas Light Company. Never an aspirant for office, yet he has served two years as Mayor, and four or five years as Village Councilman. He was a Democrat until 1862, when he became a Republican. During the late war he rendered effective service as President of the County Military Committee. The town has almost entirely been built up since his advent here, and every public enterprise and improvement has secured his cordial support. He came here without capital, and by his excellent and honorable business management has acquired a handsome competency. In 1867, he erected an elegant two-story and basement brick dwelling, at the corner of Sandusky Avenue and South street, at a cost of $16,000. He also owns much other valuable real estate in this town and county. He was married November 16, 1848, to Mary A., daughter of Joseph Groff, a pioneer of Seneca County, Ohio, and for- merly of Frederick County, Md. Mrs. Roberts was born near Emmittsburgh, Frederick Co., Md. Their only child, Mary A., was born June 16, 1850, and died July 10, of the same year. However, Mr. Roberts has raised and educated six foster children, all of whom are married.

GOTTLEIB H. ROPPOLD, upholsterer and manufacturer, was born in Wittenburg, Germany, November 10, 1838, son of Gottlieb and Louisa (Shulle) Roppold, natives of Germany, in which country they were mar- ried. They emigrated to America in 1839, settling in Lancaster, Penn., and after several removals, located in this county in 1848. They were the

645

CRANE TOWNSHIP.

parents of eight children, three only now living, namely; Leonard, Rosenna and Gottlieb. The latter, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Upper Sandusky, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the baker's trade, engaging in this occupation until 1860, and subsequently being employed as cook on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway one year. He was engaged in the bakery and grocery business from 1862 to 1865; in the hardware business four years, with J. A. Godfrey & Co .; returning September 19, 1868, engaged as salesman in the hardware business three years for Hale & Kirby; in 1871, he opened up an establishment in the queensware trade, continuing one year; engaged in the manufacture of carriages and buggies six months during the year 1873. In 1874, Mr. Rop- pold again engaged in the grocery trade, continuing four years. He began the upholstering business in 1877, in connection with his grocery, but dis - posed of the latter in 1878, since which time he has devoted his entire atten- tion to the upholstering business. He has acquired considerable property, owning his present business room and lot, valued at $3,400, and his resi- dence, valued at $3,000. He does an extensive business, employing five workman during the entire year. Mr. Gottlieb Roppold was married in Upper Sandusky, to Miss Catharine Veith, April 1, 1862, and seven children have been born to them-five living, viz .: Ella M., born October 8, 1862; William G., March 24, 1866; John, January 22, 1868; Clara O., August 19, 1869; Julia, July 7, 1871. The deceased were an infant and Minnie C., born October 26, 1864, died August 13, 1882. The death of Mrs. Rop- pold occurred February 1, 1873. In 1875, May 22, Mr. Roppold was mar- ried to Miss Bertha Miller, her parents residents of Peru, Ind. Four chil- dren are the result of this marriage, but one living, Joseph O., born Sep- tember 7, 1878. The deceased were Anna I., born July 17, 1876, died September 21, 1880; Ralph A., born March 29, 1877, died August 10, 1877; Jennie A., born May 22, 1881, died October 22, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Rop. pold are both members of the German Lutheran Church.

· " WILLIAM R. SALTSMAN was born in Upper Sandusky, August 20, 1847; son of George W. and Harriet (Robbins) Saltsman, natives of Penn- sylvania and Massachusetts respectively; they were married in Seneca County, Ohio, and were the parents of three children, our subject being the only one surviving. The deceased are Mary and an infant; the former died when about four years of age. George W., the father, removed to Upper Sandusky prior to 1845, and was extensively engaged at intervals in pack- ing pork for fifteen years. He was identified with most of the enterprises of the city in an early day, and acquired considerable property as a result of his labors. He was an honored member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., in which societies he took an active interest. Harriet, his wife, departed this life in 1852, he joined her in " the realm of shade " October 15, 1876, aged sixty years. William R. Saltsman, our subject, was educated in the public schools of his native town, supplementing this knowledge by one year's study at Hayesville College and a commercial course in Cleveland, in 1865. He subsequently engaged in the packing business with his father for a number of years, and has acquired valuable town property through his efforts. He was married March 1, 1870, to Miss Letitia Frederick, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Frederick, and three children: Nellie, George W. and Hattie have been born to them.

HON. JOHN D. SEARS, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, is a direct descend- ant of one of the Pilgrim fathers-men whose deeds, and whose desperate struggle for existence, in midwinter on the bleak shores of Massachusetts,

646

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

have since been emblazoned in history, and made the theme of many an entertaining song and story. Thus, as early as the year 1632, Richard Sears, a native of old England, and the progenitor of a large majority of the Searses of America, was a tax-paying inhabitant of Plymouth, Mass. Subsequently, he became a resident of Yarmouth, on Cape Cod, where he passed the re- mainder of his days, and where many of his descendants are yet living. At an early day, however, a branch of the family settled in Connecticut, where Benjamin Sears, the grandfather of John D, Sears, was born. The former married in the State of bis birth, and soon after removed to Greene County, N. Y. He was the father of seven children, of whom Elkanab was the eldest child and son. While the latter was quite young, Benjamin, the father, made another change of residence, and settled in Delaware County, N. Y., where Elkanah Sears grew to manhood and married Miss Desiar Phelps, a native of Connecticut. To them were born in Delaware County, N. Y., four children-John D., the subject of this article; Benjamin, a present resident of Bucyrus, Ohio; Arminda, now Mrs. Nicholson of East Rockport, Ohio, and Cyrus, who is also a resident of Ohio-Wyandot County. Accompanied by his wife and the children just named, Elkanah Sears removed, in 1836, from Meredith, Delaware County, N. Y., to Ohio, and early in the next year settled on a farm near Bucyrus, where in peace and comfort he passed many years. His wife died in 1872. Since that time he has resided with his daughter, Mrs. Nicholson, at East Rockport, Ohio, and is now nearly ninety years of age.

John D. Sears, the subject of this notice, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., February 2, 1821, and thus was in his sixteenth vear when he became a resident of Crawford County, Ohio. In 1838, he entered the Ohio University at Athens, as a student, and diligently pursued his studies in that institution, for a period of three years. Afterward he taught school for one year in the town of McConnellsville, Ohio. He then returned to Bucyrus, and taught for several months, and at the same time began the study of law, under the instructions of Hon. Josiah Scott, later a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio. In 1844, he was admitted to the bar, and began to practice law with his preceptor, under the firm name of Scott & Sears. Soon after the erection of Wyandot County, but before its organization, Mr. Sears deemed it advisable to establish an office for the practice of his profession in the chief town of the new county. Hence, on March 3, 1845, he became a resident of Upper Sandusky-a town which has since been his continuous place of abode. During all these years he has ever taken an active part in promoting the prosperity of the town, as well as that of the whole county of Wyandot. He has not been an office- seeker, but has given his principal attention to the practice of his profes- sion, in which he has been eminently successful. He is still an active and very prominent member of the bar, and is regarded as one of the most sound and able lawyers in Northwestern Ohio. Notwithstanding his aver- sion to office holding, he served some twelve or fifteen years as school examiner for Wyandot County, and two terms as Mayor of the town, which has entirely grown up under his personal observation. In 1873, he was elected a member of the third State Constitutional Convention, which as- sembled at Columbus, Ohio, during the summer of that year. He served on many important committees, and was recognized as an able and accomplished member of that gifted body. Possessing fine literary tastes, and a true ap- preciation of the value of rare books, etc., he has also found time, during an active professional career, to gather an extensive library of choice and

647

CRANE TOWNSHIP.

costly volumes, complete files of county newspapers, and a large and varied assortment of archæological specimens, in the possession of which, as would most men, he evinces a pardonable pride. Quiet and unassuming in his manners, yet ever frank and genial, he has won and retains the esteem and respect of all who know him. In his domestic relations he is most happy. He was married in 1847, to Miss Frances E. Manley, of Up- per Sandusky. Their only child, Clara, is the wife of Pliny Watson, a wholesale grocer of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Sears was a Whig, until that party ceased to exist. Since he has been a consistent, but liberal and independ- ent member of the Republican party. His elegant residence, southwest corner of Eighth and Johnston streets, was built in 1852. It is surrounded by spacious, shaded, well-kept grounds, and, taken as a whole, affords a fair index of the gentlemanly instincts and tastes of its owner.

JOHN SEIDER, of the firm of Seider & Ludwig, carriage manufac- turers, was born in Witterburg, Germany, March 31, 1833. He is the son of Jacob and Catharine Seider, the former being accidentally killed in his native country in 1837. John Seider emigrated to America with his mother and six children in 1852, and located in Upper Sandusky. He acquired a knowledge of carriage-making in Germany, and on settling in Upper San- dusky, engaged with William Barringer at $6 per month, remaining in his employ four years. At the expiration of this time he began business for himself on a capital of $150, manufacturing wagons and ox carts. He continued this business nine years, forming a partnership with D. Hale in 1865, and conducted the business six years under the firm name of Seider & Hale. He then purchased Mr. Hale's interest, and subsequently admitted Frank Beidler; in 1880, Mr. Beidler retired and the partnership of Seider & Ludwig was established, which continued till the spring of 1884, when Mr. Seidler became the sole owner and proprietor. He employs from fifteen to twenty workmen, and does an extensive business, manufacturing wagons, carriages and buggies. Mr. Seider estimates his property at about $20,000. He was married November 22, 1857, to Rosina Agerter, four children result- ing from this union, viz. : Clara V., Minnie B. and Elizabeth. The de- ceased was an infant, Harry, who died in 1861. The death of Mrs. Seider occurred December 23, 1863, and Mr. Seider was again married January 5, 1865, to Amelia Meyer, widow of Jacob Meyer, by whom she had one child, Louisa A., born in Switzerland, November 24, 1858. She emigrated to America with her mother in 1861, then three years of age. By this second marriage Mr. Seidler has had five children-four living-John J., Edwin, Anna and Alice. Mr. Seidler has served in nearly all the city offices, and has been a prominent member of the F. & A. M. since 1872. He is a Dem- ocrat, and member of the German Lutheran Church, and is recognized as one of the most successful business men of the city. He is a man of excel- lent character, of generous impulses, and though always carefully guarding his own interests, has never lost an opportunity to lend his aid in enhanc- ing the interests of the public generally.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 75

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

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