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Ottawa County, Ohio
BIOGRAPHIES |
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ELI
LA VIGNE, general merchant and postmaster at
Martin, Ottawa county, well worthy of representation in
this county, is numbered among the most prominent and
influential citizens of this county, and belongs to that
type of representative Americans who advance the public
welfare, while promoting individual prosperity.
A native of Michigan, he was born in La Salle township,
Monroe county, Feb. 7, 1847, and is a son of Joseph
and Mary (Jenaur) La Vigne, both of whom were
natives of Michigan, and were of French-Canadian
parentage. The father followed the occupation of
farming in that State, but both he and his wife are now
passed away. Their family numbered eleven
children, six of whom are still living, namely:
Joseph, a resident of LaSalle township, Monroe Co.,
Mich.; Eliza, wife of Samuel Arguett, of
Wayne county, Mich.; Eli, subject of this sketch;
Dolphus, who is living in Wayne county; Moses,
a resident of Monroe county, Mich.; and Rosaline,
wife of Charles Bomier.
In taking up the personal history of our subject we
present to our readers the life record of one who is
widely and favorably known in Ottawa county. The
public schools afforded him his educational privileges,
and to his father he gave the benefit of his services
until twenty-six years of age, working on the home farm.
In 1872 he came to Ohio, and has since been a continuous
resident of Martin. For a few years he was in the
employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad
Company, and in 1875 he embarked in business as a
general merchant at Martin, and is still conducting one
of the leading establishments of the kind in the county.
His genial and affable manner has won for him the esteem
and patronage of the residents of Martin and the
surrounding locality, and he carries a large stock of
goods to meet the growing.
In Erie township, in his native county, on Aug. 8,
1876, Mr. La Vigne was married to Agnes Baron,
who was born May 18, 1858, and is a daughter of Noel
and Margaret (Mominee) Baron, natives of La Salle
township, Monroe county. Five children have been
born to our subject and his wife, their names and dates
of birth being as follows: Gertrude, born
in Martin, May 26, 1877; Clarence, born in
Martin, Mar. 9, 1879; Mary Ettie, Nov. 17, 1881;
Alice, Apr. 21, 1884; and Bessie, Apr. 24,
1890.
Mr. LaVigne is now serving his second term as
postmaster of the village of Martin, having first been
appointed by President Cleveland to a
second term. He is a sound Democrat in his
political views, and the religion of himself and family
is that of the Roman Catholic Church. He possesses
business ability of a high order, and his keen
discrimination, enterprise and sound judgment have
brought to him success. He is one of the most
popular and influential citizens of his adopted county,
and is public spirited in an eminent degree, taking an
active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of
the community and its advancement. A pleasant,
genial gentleman, his circle of friends is limited only
by the circle of his acquaintances, and all who know him
have for hi the highest regard.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 622) |
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DAVID
LONG. None but the old pioneers and their families
know of the toil and the hardships undergone by the early
settlers of the country, and none have experienced more of
these than the subject of this sketch, who is the oldest
settler in Clay township, Ottawa county.
Mr. Long was born in Medina county, April
24, 1830, whence he moved with his parents, in 1836, to
Hardin county, where he attended school for a few winter
terms in the log schoolhouse of that day, with its
puncheon floor, slab seats, and greased paper for windows.
The schools were few and far between, and the advantages
for learning very limited. In the summer seasons he
assisted his father upon the farm. When he was fourteen
years old, his father purchased a farm in Clay township,
all of which was covered with timber. Here the young lad
worked with his brother and father, until attaining his
majority, when he started out for himself, buying eighty
acres of timber land. He at once set to work clearing of!
the trees, planting corn and sowing wheat as fast as the
soil was prepared. For many years he had to carry his
grain a long distance by ox-team to be ground. After
several years of hard struggle and toil, Mr.
Long managed to bring his land up to its present high
state of cultivation, and is now reaping the benefits of
his early labors. On February 20, 1865, he enlisted in
Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry,
under the command of Col. H. D. Kingsbury and
Capt. Lakeman, and was at Nashville, Tenn.,
when he was made cook for his company. He received his
discharge September 13, 1865, and returned home, resuming
work upon his farm and building a fine residence, barns,
and making other needed improvements. On March 13, 1853,
Mr. Long was married, at Genoa, this State,
to Miss Abbie, a daughter of Andrew and
Margaret Snider, of Clay township, and of their union
seven children have been born, of whom the following
record has been given: (1) David S. was born August
11, 1855, in Clay township, where he received his
education; he was married to Miss May Sheets,
August 11, 1893, and resides at Coleman, Mich., where he
is engaged in the manufacture of potash; they have one
child. (2) Sarah A., born January 31, 1858, was
educated in Genoa; in 1875 was married to A. Shantan,
and they had one daughter, Priscilla Shantan;
after three years' married life Mr. and Mrs. Shantan
separated, and September 4, 1895, she married Charles
Reef, who is doing business in Toledo. (3)
Harriet A., born November 28, 1862, was married April
24, 1882, to John Englehart, a manufacturer of
potash at Woodville, Sandusky county; they are the parents
of six children—Lizzie, Laura, Frederick,
Charles, Clarence and John. (4)
Mary S., born February 5, 1866, was educated in the
public schools of Clay township, and was married December
23, 1886, to Edward Schneider, who was born
in Cleveland, Ohio, March 7, 1864; he is a son of
Frederick Schneider, a cooper, and after
attending school there for some years, learned the
coopering business, afterward taking up that of stave
cutting; he is now working his father-in-law's farm; three
children have been born of this union— Frederick
D., born May 6, 1888; Abbie C., born December
8, 1889; and Earl C., born January 21, 1894. (5)
Charles A. Long was born August 8, 1870, in Clay
township, where he attended school; he was married, March
12, 1895, to Miss Rosie Sheffield, at Coleman,
Mich., where he resides, being employed as engineer in a
factory. (6) William Edward was born
September 22, 1865, and died in January, 1867; one child
died in infancy.
Louis Long,
father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1803.
came to Hardin, Ohio, and located in Medina county, where
he was married to Julia Delong, who was also
a native of Pennsylvania. Twelve children were born to
them, as follows: David, Jacob, Powell,
Catherine, Lewis, May, Joseph,
Andrew, Julia, and three who died in
infancy. Mr. Long removed to Hardin
county, and afterward to Ottawa county, in March, 1846,
settling in Clay township, where he carried on farming
until his death, in 1874. His wife died four years
previous. They were beloved and respected by all who knew
them.
Andrew. Snider,
father of Mrs. David Long, was born
in Pennsylvania, where he carried on farming and also
weaving.
He married Margaret Laudenstine, and to
them eight children were born—five sons and three
daughters, viz.: Eliza, Sophia, Daniel,
Andrew (a sketch of whom is given elsewhere),
Henry, Edward, Hannah and Abigail,
the latter becoming the wife of our subject. Mr.
Snider farmed for several years in Medina county, this
State, afterward coming to Clay township, where he died in
1876, his wife passing away in 1882.
Francis S. Lutman, nephew of our subject, and
who is at present residing with his uncle, was born in
Mulberry, Wood Co., Ohio, September 23, 1862, and is the
son of the late George L. Lutman, a merchant at
Mulberry. Francis studied for the ministry under the
tutorship of the Rev. D. Calkins, of Mulberry, but
on account of ill health has had to give it up for a time.
He hopes soon to be able to resume his studies, and in the
meantime has a license to perform ministerial duties.
The subject of this sketch held the office of school
director for thirty years, and was one of the few who
helped to establish his neighborhood. He helped to form
the church at East Toledo, and worked for several years in
Toledo when it had but a few houses. The family belong to
the Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. Long
is a Democrat. Mr, and Mrs. Long are both enjoying
a hale and hearty old age, surrounded by their children,
able to look after their own affairs, and proud of the
development of Clay township in which they have borne an
important part. (Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 697) |
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FRANK
R. LONG, an interprising young farmer of
Ottawa county, was born in Harris township June 11, 1874,
and is a son of John Wesley and Caroline (Guernsey)
Long.
John W. Long was born in Harking Hills, Logan
Co., Ohio, September 8, 1828, and on coming to Ottawa
county located on a farm in Section 8, Harris township,
where he lived until his death, which occurred April 4,
1892. He here cleared and improved a farm, erected
good buildings upon it and made a comfortable home for
himself and family. In 1852, he married Caroline
Guernsey, of Benton township, Ottawa county, and they
became the parents of four children _ Arthur Leroy,
born February 26, 1855; Irving C., born September
4, 1857; Julia Agnes, born January 25, 1871; and
Frank R., subject of this sketch. Irving
and Frank are the only ones now living, and the
former resides in Paw Paw, Mich., where he is engaged in
painting and paper hanging. He is married and has
three children. Arthur died October 26, 1856,
and Julia A. passed away March 31, 1872. The
children and father were laid to rest in the old cemetery
of Elmore.
Mrs. Long was born January 8, 1836, in Lorain
county, Ohio, where she spent her girlhood days and
obtained her education. At the age of fifteen she
came with her parents to Benton township, Ottawa county,
and for some years prior to her marriage was there
successfully engaged in teaching school. She is now
living on the old home place with her son.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, William
Long, was born August 15, 1797, of Irish descent, and
died in 1884. He married Margaret Smith, who
was born February 22, 1803, and died August 7, 1887.
The maternal grandfather, David Guernsey, was born
in New York, July 4, 1810, and at the age of fourteen came
to Ohio, where for many years he followed his trade of
carpentering. He is now living in Illinois at the
advanced age of eighty-five years, and his wife Achsah
(Cross), has reached the age of eighty-one, having
been born March 17, 1814. Her parents were Elisha
and Susan Cross, the former of whom was born in
Vermont in 1781, and died in 1851, while the latter was
born in 1778, and died February 22, 1848.
We now take up the personal history of Frank R. Long,
who is one of the progressive farmers of his native
county. He is educated in the district schools and
in Elmore, and completed his education in 1891, since
which he has had charge of the old home farm, which is
pleasantly and conveniently located a mile and a half from
Elmore. He is a young man of good business and
executive ability, and his genuine worth has won him a
host of warm friends who esteem him highly. His
political support is given to the men and measures of the
Democratic party.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 764) |
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GEORGE
W. LONG (deceased), who was one of the prominent
and progressive farmers of Carroll township, Ottawa
county, was born in Hanover, Germany, December 29, 183,
and was a son of Henry and Christina Long, natives
of the same country, who, emigrating to this country, took
up their residence in Erie township, Ottawa county, in
1843. The father was not long permitted to enjoy his
now home, his death occurring the same year. His
wife survived him about eight years.
Our subject remained under the parental roof until
sixteen years of age, when he bade adieu to his old home
and removed to Bureau county, Ill., residing there for
four years. He then returned to Erie township,
Ottawa county, and in 1867 took up his residence in
Carroll township, where his remaining days were passed.
On November 17, 1862, Mr. Long was united in
marriage with Miss Mary Louisa Meeker, who was born
in Erie township, Ottawa county, March 15, 1842, daughter
of Chalon and Mary (Ammons) Meeker, who were
pioneer settlers, and for many years honored and respected
residents of Erie township, where they made their home
until called to their final rest. The father passed
away very suddenly August 17, 1877; the mother died of
diphtheria February 18, 1869. Their family numbered
ten children, six of whom are yet living, namely:
Amanda, wife of Robert McKay, a resident of
Tuscola, Ill.; William, who makes his home in Henry
county, Ohio; Rachel, wife of Robert Stevens,
who is located in Carroll township, Ottawa county; Mrs.
Long; Teressa, wife of Thomas Hambly, a
resident of Rocky Ridge, Ottawa county; and Thomas,
who is living in Douglas county, Ill. To Mr. and
Mrs. Long were born three children, as follows: (1)
Amanda Lavina, born October 9, 1864, who married
Frank S. Foote, now a teacher in Toledo: she has one
child, Edgar Foote, Born October 12, 1890.
(2) George Edward, born August 7, 1869, living in
Carroll township. (3) Sylvanus, born April
10, 1881, is still living with the mother.
Mr. Long was killed by the kick of a horse, May
7, 1890. He was recognized as one of the valued and
leading citizens of the community, and took quite a
prominent part in county affairs. He was a
Republican, but though giving a loyal support to the party
he was not a politician in the sense of office-seeking,
rather one who favored safe principles and good officials,
and he capably served in many township offices,
discharging his duties with credit to himself and
satisfaction to all concerned. He made farming his
life work, and led a busy and industrious life.
Well-known and highly-esteemed by all who knew him, his
sudden death was mourned by a large number of sincere
friends. His genuine worth and true nobility gained
him the respect of all, and no one in Ottawa county was
more favorably known. Since his death his faithful
and devoted wife has managed the estate with more than
ordinary ability, and her excellent care has made it
return a good income. She is a consistent member of
the United Brethren Church, and very popular in the social
circles of the township, where she has a host of warm
friends.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896 - Pg. 393) |
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JAMES
WASHINGTON LONG (deceased) ranked among the leading
and valued citizen of Ottawa county. He was born in
Pickaway county, Ohio, August 22, 1824, and died at his
home three miles from Elmore, May 22, 1890, respected by
all who knew him. He was a son of Maxwell and
Elizabeth (Reynolds) Long, the former of whom was born
about 1797, and became one of the pioneer settlers of the
Buckeye State.
Amid the wild scenes of frontier life James Long
was reared, and after arriving at manhood's estate he
married Sophronia Thompson, of Harris township,
Ottawa Co., Ohio. To this union came four children -
Philander, who was born April 4, 1845; Diana
Elizabeth, born January 5, 1847; Maxwell, born
March 19, 1849; and Harvey, born March 3, 1850.
Of these two are deceased - Maxwell, who died April
19, 1849, and Harvey, who passed away March 12,
1889. The mother of this family died November 20,
1851. On April 12, 1854, Mr. Long was
married, his second union being with Mary Wainwright,
of Harris township, Ottawa county. They
became the parents of nine children - Ellen H.,
born February 16, 1855; Napoleon, born September 6,
1857, died April 15, 1877; Cora M., born May 19,
1859; Frank E., born February 28, 1860, died May
22, 1880; Dora E., born May 28, 1862, died June 18,
1866; Lulu M., born June 19, 1869, died November 4,
1889; Edgar, born January 21, 1872, died on the
16th of May following; and one who died in infancy
in 1874.
James W. Long came to Ottawa county when it
was almost an unbroken wilderness and settling in the
midst of the forest cleared and developed a farm three
miles from the village of Elmore, making for himself and
family a pleasant home on the south bank of the Portage
river. From the days of his earliest residence here
he was prominently identified with the development and
progress of this region. He had charge of the
erection of the bridge over the Portage river at Elmore,
and was for two terms a trustee of Harris township, while
for several terms he served in the position of Justice of
the peace. As county commissioner of Ottawa county
he was for some years prominently identified with the work
of public improvement, and was always interested in
everything pertaining to the general welfare.
Various business enterprises occupied his time and
attention. In his earlier years he was engaged in
the manufacture of staves in connection with a firm in
Cleveland. He was also employed as overseer of a
gang of men of the construction of the Lake Shore railroad
through northern Ohio, but he devoted the best ten or
fifteen years of his life to agricultural pursuits,
carrying on that business with the same progressiveness
and enterprise that characterized all his dealings.
His life was ever a busy and useful one, indolence and
idleness being utterly foreign to his nature. His
political support in his younger years was given to the
Whig party, but he afterward joined the ranks of the
Democrats. He was a fluent speaker, fond of debate
and could present his side of the question with force, at
the same time never losing sight of the most assailable
places in an opponent's argument. He was laid to
rest in the Guss Cemetery, near Elmore, and the community
mourned the loss of one who had been an important factor
in Ottawa county's history.
MRS. DIANA E. BINKLEY, the
daughter of James W. and Sophronia (Thompson) Long,
was born January 5, 1847, and completed her education at
St. Johns, Mich., after which she was for several years
successfully engaged in teaching. On October 7,
1869, she became the wife of Amos Binkley, of
Fremont, Ohio, who was born June 30, 1847, in that City
and there obtained his education. His father,
Samuel Binkley, was born in October, 1822, and married
Christiana Albert, who was born September 1, 1823,
and died April 10, 196. His paternal grandparents
were John and Mary (Fisher) Binkley, the latter
born in Northumberland county, Penn., October 15, 1802.
Their marriage was celebrated in 1819, and they became the
parents of fourteen children, six sons and eight
daughters, nine of whom were living at the time of the
mother's death, which occurred April 25, 1895, when she
had reached the advanced age of almost ninety-three years.
She left ninety-eight grandchildren, two hundred and
thirty great-grandchildren and twenty-five
great-great-grandchildren, making a total of three hundred
and fifty-three descendants living, probably more than any
other woman in the county. She was buried in
Muskallonge Cemetery, near her father and mother, while
her husband was buried in Allen county, where he died.
Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Binkley
removed to Benton township, Ottawa county, where they
lived for twelve years. The succeeding eight years
were passed at Ricky Ridge, and they then returned to her
father's old farm, where they now live. They have
four children - Althie May, born July 26, 1870, who
was married May 18, 1888, to Gilbert Gee, of Rocky
Ridge, by whom she has two children, Diana and
Lula; Alma Maud, born August 28, 174, who died
in infancy; Lenora Louisa, born March 4, 1876, who
was married April 18, 1894, to Oscar Hess, and has
one child Willella; and Willella Zula, born
June 3, 1883. The family is one of prominence in the
community, being both widely and favorably known.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896 - Pg. 734) |
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PETER F. LONZ,
a grape grower on Middle Bass Island, Ottawa county, was
born Mar. 5, 1857, in Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, son of
Peter and Mary (Werber) Lonz, who were born,
respectively, in Prussia and in Baden, Germany; both are
still living, having their home in Sandusky.
Peter F. Lonz was reared to manhood and educated
in Sandusky, and has been engaged principally in
agricultural pursuits since boyhood. In 1876 he
came to Middle Bass, and has since been a continuous
resident thereof, engaged in grape growing and wine
making. On Apr. 13, 1882, Peter F. Lonz was
united in marriage with Marguretta Siegrist, and
they have had four children, three of whom are now
living, namely: Cora Rosa M. born Aug. 31,
1884; George F. A., born Jan. 12, 1887; and
Louisa Anna, born Jan. 15, 1889. Mrs. Lonz
is a daughter of John and Margueretta Siegrist.
Mr. Lonz has served as a school director two terms.
In his political views he is a Democrat. He is
well-known in Put in-Bay township, and throughout the
county generally, has held many offices of trust, and in
all of them has performed his duty with fidelity.
He is a an of good use of his opportunities, possessing
sterling honesty, which has characterized his conduct
throughout life, and has won for him a high place in the
esteem and confidence of his fellow men.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 397) |
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DANIEL
M. LOWE, a farmer and wholesale butcher of Allen
township, Ottawa county, was born in Franklin county,
Penn., Mar. 16, 1845, and is a son of Philip and Mary
Nancy (Lowery) Lowe, of the same place. He
received his early education in the district schools of
his native county, and for sometime worked by the month
on various farms, afterward returning home and learning
the blacksmith's trade with his father, which occupation
he followed some three years. At the expiration of
that time he became overseer of slaves on a plantation
in Maryland, remaining there two years, or until the
beginning of the Civil war in 1861.
On leaving Maryland, Mr. Lowe returned home and
assisted his father upon the farm for about four months,
when he went to Sunset County, Penn., and worked in a
tannery for the same length of time. Although he
did not enlist as a soldier, Mr. Lowe had some
exciting experiences during the war. While in
Somerset county, the Rebels cross the Potomac and the
owner of the tannery with his employes were obliged to
leave their occupation. They fled to Yorktown,
with a string of twenty=two six-horse teams,, with
neighbors and people from different parts of the
country. There they remained three weeks until the
enemy was repulsed, when they returned to their work.
The came however was of short duration, as the Rebels
again came upon them, and forced our subject and his
employer to take refuge in the mountains, with the same
stock. There they hid for three days, and then
once more returned to the tannery, only to be driven out
the third time, the Rebels this time carrying off the
best of the farm stock, including his father's
Discouraged in his attempts to go on with his work at
this point, Mr. Lowe again returned to his
father's home, but even here his ill-luck pursued him.
One day out on a creek near his home, he was seized by a
party of enemy and forced to drive the stock belonging
to his neighbors to their camp across the Potomac.
Here he was kept as a prisoner four days, herding
cattle. Watching his opportunity, he got away one
dark night and reached his home in safety. He
worked on the farm some six months when he was again
surprised by the Rebels which invaded our country, this
time taking with them the remainder of the farm stock.
Mr. Lowe remained on the
old homestead until his marriage, Mar. 30, 18564, to
Miss Susan A. Talhelm, daughter of William and
Susan Talhelm, of Washington township, Franklin Co.,
Penn. He then came to Ohio locating in Sandusky
county in 1866, and for two years worked by the month on
a farm, at the end of that time renting a farm for
himself. In 1878 he removed to Clay (then Allen)
township, and in addition to farming took up the
business of a butcher, in both of which pursuits he has
been successful, having a good trade in the surrounding
county, and a fine, productive farm. Mr.
and Mrs. Lowe are the parents of ten children, of
whom the following record ins given: Susan A.,
born Apr. 9, 1866, is the widow of Charles
Brown, and the mother of two children, one of whom
lives with his grandfather, our subject, the other at
Lulu, Mich.; Emma C., born Sept. 18, 1867, is the
wife of Jacob Youncker, a farmer in Allen
township, and they have three children; Clara E.,
born Oct. 18, 1869, married William Jacobs, and
resides in Coleman, Mich. (she is the mother of five
children); Albert, born June 4, 1871; William
C., June 15, 1873 ; John P., Mar. 24, 1875;
Franklin D., Jan. 3, 1877, died May 12, 1882;
Herman E., born Oct. 18, 1878; Jessie B.,
born July 14, 1881; Myrtle M., born Jan. 3, 1884,
died May 6, of the same year.
Philip Lowe, grandfather of our subject was of
Scotch nativity. His son (also named Philip0) the
father of our subject, who was born in Franklin county,
Penn., where he carried on farming and also
blacksmithing. He married Nancy Lowery, who
was of Pennsylvania birth, and ten children were born to
them, viz: William, Philip, John, Martin, Daniel,
Josiah, Henry, Jacob, Barbara and Susan.
The wife of our subject was born in Pennsylvania.
Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father
born Oct. 5, 1845, and they are still living in
Pennsylvania. Her grandparents were born in
Germany. Mr. Lowe is an ardent Republican,
and with his family attends the Church of the United
Brethren.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the
Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1896) |
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