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 77

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 77

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CRANE TOWNSHIP.

000 and about thirty workmen are employed, the institution being Upper Sandusky's most important industry. The establishment to date has been the means of bringing over $2,000,000 into this county, and is one of which the citizens may justly be proud. Great credit is due Mr. Stevenson for the energy and enterprise he has displayed in giving to Upper Sandusky so valuable an acquisition to its business interests, the influence of which can scarcely be estimated. Mr. Stevenson is a Republican in politics and an honored member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a man of estimable char- acter, and his extensive operations in this county are ample evidence of his superior business qualities and genius.

JAMES M. STEVENSON, of the Stevenson Engine Works, Upper San- dusky, was born in Paris, Stark County, Ohio, October 1, 1853; son of James N. and Susanna (Hite) Stevenson. James M. was educated in the public schools of Canton and Upper Sandusky, having removed with his parents to the latter place in his thirteenth year, in 1866. In 1870 or 1871, he entered the machine shop of Stevenson & Sears, and, with the exception of eleven months' employment in the Union Iron Works, of San Francisco, Cal., has remained in the establishment through all its changes ever since. In 1881, he was admitted to the firm as partner, which relation he still sus- tains. Mr. Stevenson was married in Upper Sandusky in 1875, to Alice L. Vandenburg, daughter of John and Lucia D. (Sturtevant) Vandenburg, natives of Herkimer County, N. Y. Four children have blessed this mar- riage, namely: Alice M., John V., James M. and Norman S. Mr. Steven- son has been engaged in the engine works fourteen years, and is one of the most reliable and highly respected citizens of his native city. In politics, he is a Republican.

JAMES A. STOCKTON, dentist, was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 17, 1846; son of Thomas and Sarah (Rea) Stockton, natives of Washington County, Penn., and of Scotch and Irish parentage. They were married in their native county in January, 1835, and had seven chil- dren, five living-Joseph R .; Belle S., wife of Henry C. Adgate, Lima, Ohio; Robert G., James A. and John V. The deceased are Thomas M. and Mary A. The parents came to Ohio in 1835 and settled in Licking Coun- ty, when Newark, the county seat, contained but two houses. They pur- chased 320 acres of land, upon which they resided till 1865, when they re- moved to Allen County, having purchased 280 acres near Lima. They re- sided on this farm till 1872, when they retired from active life and removed to Lima, where the father died August 27, 1875, the mother in April, 1879. Dr. Stockton, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and shared the advantages of a common school education. He entered the Vermillion Institute at Hayesville at the age of nineteen, remaining one year. In 1868, he began reading dentistry under the instructions of Dr. C. N. Swisher, of Lima, and subsequently with Drs. Moon and. Hall, remaining one year with each, at the same time beginning his practice. In 1876, he attended lectures at Cincinnati and graduated in 1879. He located in Up- per Sandusky March 19, 1872, and has built up an extensive practice. He was married December 29, 1870, to Callie S. Hover, of Lima, Ohio, and four children have been born to them, three living, viz .: Carrie I., Luella M. and Rea H. Leola Blanche is deceased; she died April 30, 1880, aged two years and seven months. Dr. Stockton is a member of the Knights of Honor and is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

JOHN L. STOKER is a native of Rushville, Fairfield Co., Ohio, born September 1, 1834. His parents were John and Sarah (Lowmaster) Stoker, the former born in Frederick County, Md., February 15, 1804, died in Up- per Sandusky, October 4, 1877; the latter born in York County, Penn., October 4, 1809 -- still living. Their children were Melanchthon, John L., Noah, Edna, Anna and Allen, the two latter deceased. The parents were married in Fairfield County, January 14, 1830, and settled in this county in 1839. John L. Stoker, our subject, resided with his parents till 1853, when he learned the saddle and harness trade in Tiffin, but subsequently abandoned that vocation on account of failing health and engaged in the trade of house carpenter, continuing in this work eight years. In 1869, he, with his father, purchased his present farm and has since engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He owns ninety-five acres, valued at $75 per acre. Mr. Stoker's marriage to Rachel Bowsher occurred in Carey, March 31, 1857; her parents being Henry and Margaret (Dickens) Bowsher. Their children were Melanchthon, born July 17, 1858; Orren J., April 9, 1860; Noah A. W., June 5, 1862; John, September 5, 1864. Mrs. Stoker was born Octo- ber 2, 1835, and died November 22, 1866. Mr. Stoker's second wife was Sarah Brown, their marriage taking place May 9, 1872. Her parents were Abraham and Frances (Coon) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Bucks County, June 6, 1804, his father losing his life in the war of 1812. He was married to Frances Coon in 1825, and died at his son-in-law, our subject's, home, January 26, 1880. Mr. Stoker being a member of the Home Guards, his company was called into service in May, 1864, and he participated in the battle at Berryville, with Mosby's cavalry. He was discharged September 1, 1864. In politics, Mr. Stoker is a Repub- lican.

JOHN J. STOLL, of the firm of Stoll & Co., manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds, etc., was born in Germany, May 25, 1827; son of John and Dorothy (Zoller) Stoll, who emigrated to America in 1832, settling in New York, and removing to Bucyrus in 1838. John Stoll, the father, died in New York City in 1837, aged fifty-six years; his wife survived until 1868; and died in her eighty-fifth year. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, four now living: Rosanna, Eva, John and John J. The latter, with whom this sketch deals, began the trade of carpenter at the age of seven- teen and pursued this occupation in various places until 1859, when he established himself in the planing mill business in Bucyrus. This was continued till 1868, at which time he removed to Upper Sandusky and established his present business. Several changes have occurred in the management at different times, the present firm, comprised of J. J. Stoll and J. Shealey, being formed in 1881, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of Stoll & Co. They do an extensive business, usually employing fifteen to twenty workmen. Mr. Stoll was married July 1, 1851, to Elizabeth Reiger, daughter of John P. and Cath- arine (Peters) Reiger, and eight children have been born to them-four living: Elizabeth A., born March 21, 1853; Martha, born November 27, 1857; Ida M., May 10, 1862; and Cora, June 30, 1868. The deceased are Catharine, born August 1, 1855, died July 2, 1856; Franklin, born Novem- ber 25, 1859, died February 28, 1860; Anna A., born August 31, 1865, died April 10, 1869; and an infant unnamed. Mrs. Stoll was born in Franklin County, Penn., July 5, 1833. Mr. Stoll served two years as City Council- man; is a member of the Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, and votes for the best man in political issues.

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JOHN STRASER, son of John and Elizabeth (Simons) Straser, is a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born August 24, 1834. His parents were natives of - and emigrated to the United States in 1832. In 1833, they located in Seneca County, Ohio, where his father died in 1868; his mother is still living and resides with him in this township. Seven of their ten children are living, viz., Catharine, Peter, John, Adam. Elizabeth, Mathias and Mary E. Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the age of eighteen began to work on the Mad River Railroad, which he continued a number of years, but subsequently engaged in farming, and in 1862 re- moved to this county, where he now owns seventy-eight and one-half acres of land well stocked and improved. Mr. Straser was married August 19, 1856, to Mary Stark, daughter of John and Mary (Walker) Stark, natives of Germany. They emigrated in 1853, Mrs. Stark dying the same year; Mr. Stark died in Pulaski County, Ind., December 17, 1881. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living, viz., John, Mary, Car- oline, Anthony, Jacob and Christena. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Straser, seven living: Elizabeth, born August 31, 1857; Henry, born February 27, 1860; Mary.A., December 1, 1864; Anthony, November 4, 1867; Clara, January 27, 1870; William E., July 18, 1872; Frank A., March 26, 1875. The deceased were John A., born December 27, 1862- died November 1, 1863; John P., born July 8, 1879-died January 9, 1880. Mrs. Straser was born in Germany, December 25, 1835. Mr. Straser is a Democrat in politics, and the family are members of the Catholic Church.

WINFIELD J. STREBY, of the firm of Streby, Myers & Kail, City Flouring Mills, is a native of Richland County, Ohio, where he was born October 6, 1848. His parents were Elias and Elizabeth (Foguelsong) Streby, natives of Pennsylvania and York State respectively. They were married in Richland County, and reared a family of five children, named as follows: Winfield J., Maggie, wife of J. P. Karg; Savilla, Samuel O. and Almira. Elizabeth, a sixth child, died at the age of fourteen. Win- field J., our subject, obtained a fair education in the district schools of his native county, finishing his studies in the Union Schools of Upper Sandus- ky. He remained on the farm with his father, and in 1875, purchased the first steam threshing machine in Crane Township. He operated this ma- chine with great success for twelve seasons, threshing 41, 014 bushels the first year; the largest result of one day's work was obtained the second year, consisting of 1,188 bushels of oats and 188 bushels of wheat-in all 1,376. June 1, 1879, he purchased a one-third interest in the City Flouring Mills and another third in 1881, turning his entire attention to the business. He rented the remaining third one year, and during that time assumed full control. In 1880, the firm of Streby & Myers was established, and in 1881, Mr. W. D. Kail was admitted as a third member. Their mill has been provided with the latest improvements, and the firm is doing an extensive business under its efficient management. In August, 1883, Mr. Streby in- troduced the roller process into the mills. He has operated different kinds of machines more than twelve seasons.

JAMES SWANN, farmer and wool-grower, was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 18, 1831; son of Jesse and Sarah (Erwin) Swann, natives of Anne Arundel County, Md., and Westmoreland County, Penn. Jesse Swann was born October 6, 1795, settled in Richland County, Ohio, in 1828, and died in Mansfield December 3, 1876; his widow is still living and resides in the same door-yard with her son James. Their children were James, George, Elizabeth, wife of A. E. Chew, William; Caroline, wife of Norman

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Baker; Mary A., wife of Washington McBride, and Edwin; the three latter being deceased. James Swann resided in Richland County till February 29, 1860, at which time he removed to this county and settled in Crane Township, on 135 acres of land purchased at the land sales of 1845, by his father. He has since added forty-five acres and values the whole at $100 per acre. He makes a specialty of Atwood Spanish Merino sheep, having a number on hand; his favorite sheep, known as "Jason " No. 95-two years old-is valued at $4,000. Mr. Swann was married April 30, 1857, to An- geline Robinson, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stansbury) Robinson, (natives of Brook County, W. Va.), born June 1, 1839. Her parents moved to Richland County in 1853, where her father died in 1873; her mother is still living. James and Angeline Swann have six children: Mary J., born September 7, 1858; William A., January 16, 1860; Frank, February 27, 1866; Jissie, June 3, 1871; Della, February 9, 1874, and Edna, March 21, 1875. Mr. Swann is one of the leading farmers of the county, and although a Republican. he was elected Township Trustee in 1874, in a township usually 250 Democratic. Himself and wife are members of the English Lutheran Church.

JACOB SWARTZ is a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., born July 31, 1837, son of Abraham and Christena (Celmer) Swartz, of German descent. The surviving children are Daniel, Anna, Abraham, Christena, Polly, Lovina, Jacob and John; four others are deceased. The parents came to Richland County, Ohio, in 1840, where the father died in 1861, aged sixty-seven years; the mother in 1882, aged ninety-three. Our subject came to Wyandot County in 1859, having been educated in the district schools of Richland. He erected the first circular saw mill in the county, and, in partnership with George W. Moon, continued in the milling busi- ness about two years. He then purchased 160 acres of land, which, in 1882, he sold to his nephew and bought his present tract of 138 acres, paying $75 per acre. He was married in Richland County June 19, 1864, to Sarah Balliet, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Williams) Balliet, a native of Richland County, born January 26, 1837. Mr. Swartz is a good fariner, selling annually $500 to $800 worth of stock. In politics, he favors the Democratic school,

WILLIAM M. THOMPSON, Ex-Postmaster at Upper Sandusky, was born in Washington Co., Penn., September 6,1832. He is the son of William and Nancy (McNary) Thompson, of Irish and Scotch ancestry, and natives of Pennsylvania, in which State they were married. They removed from their native county to Carroll County, Ohio, and from that point to Hancock County in 1848, where Mrs. Thompson died in 1850. Her husband is still living, being a resident of Findlay, Ohio, in his seventy-fifth year. They were the parents of six children, William, our subject, being the eldest. He obtained a fair education in the common schools, and embarked in life upon his own resources at the age of twenty-one. He learned the carpen- ter's trade when a mere boy, and followed this occupation several years. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting August 12, 1861, in Company E, Forty ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of Will- iam H. Gibson. He enlisted as a private, and participated in the following battles: Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. At the battle of Chickamauga, he was wounded in the right shoulder, but con- tinued with his company until after the battle of Mission Ridge, where he received a wound in the left arm, which rendered him unfit for duty. He was sent to the Nashville Hospital for a short period, and subsequently re-

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moved to Evansville, Ind., where he was discharged as Orderly Sergeant, June 27, 1864, on account of his wounds. He returned to Marseilles, Ohio, and was commissioned Postmaster at that place September 25, 1865, by William Dennison, Postmaster General. Was appointed Assistant United States Marshal in 1970. In 1873, Mr. Thompson removed to Upper San- dusky, and was appointed Deputy Postmaster at that place, serving in that capacity four years. July 1, 1877, he was commissioned Postmaster by President Hayes, and re-commissioned January 12, 1882, by President Ar- thur. He was married, February 17, 1859, to Miss Jennie Livenspire, daughter of Levi and Jane (Cochran) Livenspire, and five children have re- sulted from this union,. three living-Leon, born July 13, 1865; Mary B., February 3, 1872; Gail, August 25, 1881. Josephine and Leroy are de- ceased. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the G. A. R.

CHARLES O. TILTON, one of the foremost farmers and stock-dealers of this township, was born on the old homestead, where he now resides, Jan- uary 18, 1850. He is a son of Green and Maria (Smith) Tilton, who were natives of Hampton County, N. H., and Seneca County, Ohio, respectively. His grandfather left New Hampshire in an early day and went to Vermont, moving later to New York, locating near Rochester, and purchasing a farm on the " Genesee Flats." Later in life he came West, and settled in San- dusky County, Ohio. While a young man, Green Tilton was employed as a stage driver on the route from Bellevue to Perrysburg five years, and, later, running from Bellefontaine to Zanesville. He located in this county in 1841, and herded sheep on the Sandusky Plains, being the second to en- gage in that business. In 1844, he purchased forty-one acres at the first land sales, and in 1845, forty-one acres more, increasing this number be- fore his death to 575 acres. In 1855, he drove sheep to Illinois, and herded one year, and in 1861, July 4, in company with Moses Kirby, started with a second drove, being three years gone. In this pursuit he lost his health, and died September 26, 1863, his wife following September 19, 1867. Charles Tilton, the subject of this sketch, resided at home till his mother's death, overseeing the farm during his father's absence. At seventeen, he took up his abode with Joseph M. Smith, with whom he lived two years. He subsequently attended school one year at Fremont, Ohio, and taught two terms, farming in the meantime. In 1872, he obtained 100 acres of land by inheritance, going to Kansas in the same year and purchasing 160 acres of land, which he has disposed of, and has since resided on his pres- ent farm, which now contains 180 acres, all thoroughly drained by tile, and valued at $125 to $150 per acre. In 1881, he erected a handsome frame dwelling, at a cost of $7,000, it being the finest of the kind in the vicinity. Mr. Tilton has dealt extensively in stock, and has also done a large farming business, harvesting 2,000 bushels of wheat in 1879, and 1,500 in 1880. He keeps a herd of thoroughbred cattle-short-horn-and also a fine lot of Poland-China hogs. In the spring of 1884, he opened one of the largest sugar-camps in the county, tapping 550 trees, and conducting the business on the improved plan. Mr. Tilton was married, September 1, 1872, to Miss Sarah C. Curlis, who was born in this county March 1, 1852. She is a daughter of David and Charity (Snover) Curlis, who came to this county from New Jersey in 1836. Three children have blessed this union, namely: Cora B., born October 2, 1873; Anna M., October 24, 1875; and David G., May 30. 1882. In politics Mr. Tilton is a Republican. He is a young man of keen business tact, and is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

JOHN TILTON, son of Green Tilton (see sketch of C. O. Tilton), was born in this township January 27, 1854. He began business for himself independently at the age of eighteen, working two years by the month. Having inherited eighty acres of land, he then began farming, and has, by his success, been able to increase his possessions to 191 acres, valued at $100 per acre. In 1877, he opened a grocery store at Upper Sandusky, conducting the business two years, then returning to the farm, where he has since been prosperously engaged. He is a good farmer, and does a thriv- ing business, keeping considerable stock of the best grades-cattle, sheep and hogs; the latter thoroughbreds. Mr. Tilton was married, September 2, 1877, to Laura A. Divins, who was born in Clarion County, Penn., April 18, 1861. Her parents were David and Nancy E. (Baird) Divins; her father died in 1864; her mother is still living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton have two children, namely: Minnie B., born July 14, 1878; Virgil D., May 25, 1883. In politics, Mr. T'ilton is an earnest Republican. He is an energetic and enterprising young farmer, and a citizen of excel- lent character.

ELIZABETH J. TOBIAS, widow of Peter Tobias, deceased, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., January 26, 1819. Her parents were John and Mary (Povenmeyer) Hale, of German ancestry; they had eight cbil- dren-Anna, John, Jacob, Samuel, Michael, Mary M. and Elizabeth J .; one child is deceased. The parents both died in Cumberland County, Penn., the father, about 1856, the mother in 1860. The marriage of our subject to Peter Tobias, occurred at Newville, Penn., October 19, 1837. Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller officiating. Peter Tobias was a son of Benjamin and Mary (Snyder) Tobias, and was born in Berks County, Penn., August 16, 1809. He spent his boyhood in his native county; he subsequently removed to Cumberland County, Penn., and to this county in 1852. He purchased the farm on which his widow resides in 1859, and here his death occurred April 24, 1876; he was highly respected as a citizen; served as Trustee a number of years, and was in political faith a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias had four children, three living-John H., born April 26, 1841; Mary C., May 11, 1845, and Rebecca E., June 13, 1848. The deceased was Sarah A., born July 16, 1838, died December 6, 1876. Mr. Tobias had amassed con- siderable property, his widow still holding eighty acres, on which she re- cently erected a good frame dwelling. She is universally respected and adheres to the English Lutheran doctrine, but attends the Church of God.

HAZARD P. TRACY, Justice of the Peace, Upper Sandusky, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, September 27, 1852. He is a son of Bowen and Sarah (Geddis) Tracy, natives of Ohio, and of Irish and English parentage. They had nine children, seven now living -- Mary A., Amanda E., Emily, Winfield S., Hazard P., Johnson G. and Almeda. The deceased were Al- fred and Royl. The latter enlisted in the late war early in 1862, being a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died at home October 9, 1862, at the age of nine- teen, of typhoid fever contracted while in the army. Alfred was a member of Company , Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in March, 1864, and died at Bridgeport, Ala., in the following April, aged about seventeen years. Bowen Tracy, the father of our subject, removed to Wyandot County in 1857, settling in Richland Township, pur- chasing lands upon which'he resided until his death, which occurred Novem- ber 15, 1862, in his fiftieth year. His wife, Sarah Tracy, still survives, residing at Carey, Ohio, in her sixty-seventh year. Hazard P. Tracy, the

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CRANE TOWNSHIP.

subject of this sketch, was reared upon the farm and attended the district schools, closing his educational pursuits by two years' attendance at Ober- lin College in 1873, taking only a preparatory course. He engaged in teaching about nine years, during which time he was employed as Superin- tendent of the Little Sandusky Schools, the schools of Wharton and also of the Union Schools of Green Camp, Marion County. In 1881, he removed to Upper Sandusky and opened an insurance office, and in 1883, was elected Justice of the Peace on the Republican ticket, overcoming his com- petitor by a majority of seventy-three, the usual majority being about 300 Democratic. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Legion of Honor, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Universalist Church. Mr. Tracy was married, August 17, 1875, to Miss Mariah Mullholand, daughter of Hugh Mullholand, a resident of Crawford Township. Two children resulted from this marriage-Ora H., born July 17, 1877, and Zeland G., October 14, 1879. The death of Mrs Tracy occurred October 24, 1879, and Mr. Tracy was again united in marriage, July 10, 1883, to Miss Laura B. Clark, daughter of George and Martha (Randolph) Clark. Mr. Tracy is doing a good business in insurance, and is a popular young Republican.

PHILIP TRACHT, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes, Up- per Sandusky, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, April 1, 1834. His parents, Adam and Ann Elizabeth Tracht, were natives of Germany and emigrated to America September 17, 1831, settling permanently in Craw- ford County, where he purchased 200 acres of land, upon a portion of which he resided until his death, which occurred May 14, 1871, aged ninety-one years and four months. The death of Mrs. Tracht occurred September 5, 1862, her age being about sixty-five years. They were the parents of eigh- teen children, eleven attaining their majority, seven now living-Eva E., Adam, Barbara, Philip, John, Ann M., and Michael J. Philip Tracht, our subject, was reared upon the farm and obtained his education in the Craw- ford County schools. At the age of sixteen he abandoned the farm and served an apprenticeship at the shoemaking trade with J. M. Schneider, of Mansfield, Ohio, where he remained two years. He afterward spent six years in Galion, a short time in Cleveland, and removed to Upper Sandusky, March 7, 1858. He immediately opened a boot and shoe store on the old " Yellow Corner, No. 2," forming a partnership with Michael Katzenmeyer. In 1863, this partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Tracht began business with his brother, Michael J., which partnership lasted three years. They then sold out, and the subject of this sketch started on his individual account in 1870, in the " Old Yellow Corner," which place he occupied till April 1, 1884, when he moved to the room occupied by the late Central Bank. He employs from three to five assistants, and carries a stock valued at $2,500 to $3,000. He is the owner of a fine residence on the corner of Finley and Fifth streets, and an adjoining lot and building. He was married at Bucyrus, Ohio, October 28, 1858, to Lucinda Kile, and five children have been born to them-W. A., born April 17, 1860; H. A., Au- gust 26, 1862; Cora E., August 29, 1867; Mary M., May 19, 1870, and Emma S., August 31, 1875. Mrs. Tracht was born March 20, 1837. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Adam Tracht, father of our subject, was ten years a soldier under Napoleon, serving in the coun- tries of France and Spain. He participated in several severe battles and was twice captured, but each time made his escape.

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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 77

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

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