SEITZ, E.B
SEITZ, E.B.-- Born in Fairfield County Ohio, August 14, 1846; died in
Kirksville {Mo}, October 08, 1883. His life was largely spent in the
school room. He was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1870,
and taught in the Greenville (Ohio) High School from 1872 to 1879. In
1879 he was elected to the chair of mathematics in the State Normal
School at Kirksville, which position he continued to fill until his
death. He sustained a reputation which was world-wide, for his ability
in mathematics. Memorial exercises were held in honor of his work and
character at the Normal School chapel on October 21, 1883, at which
addresses were made by President Blanton, Professor Nason, and Rev.
Mitchell.
Henry Balthaser
Like many of the valued citizens of Fairfield county, Henry
Balthaser came to Ohio From Pennsylvania, taking up his abode in
Fairfield county at an early age. He now resides
in Clear Creek township, where he owns and occupies ninety-one acres of rich farm land just south of the village
of Amanda . He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1832, and is a respresentive of one of the old
families of that locality. His paternal grandfather, Henry Balthaser, lived and died in Berks county, being a well
known farmer and a prominent man there. The father of our subject, Henry Balthaser, was born in Berks county, learning
the carpenter’s trade and following that vocation throughout his residence in Pennsylvania, and after coming to
Fairfield county he engaged in the operation of a sawmill and also devoted a portion of his time to agricultural pursuits.
For a number of years he continued the manufacture of lumber. He put all of the improvements upon his
farm and there made a good home for himself and family, living at that place until his death, which occurred when
he was eighty-two years of age. He passed away on the anniversary of his birth, which occurred on the 22nd of January, 1803. He held membership in the Lutheran church and his life was permeated by honorable principles and Christian teachings. In politics he was
a Democrat but he never aspired to office, preferring that his attention should be given to his business interests,
in which he prospered. He was an advocate of all that tended to improve the community along social, intellectual
and moral lines. His worth as a citizen was widely recognized. He married Sarah Warner, who was also born in Berks
county, Pennsylvania,
and there lived until coming to Ohio with her husband. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Balthaser
survived her husband but a short time, passing away on the old homestead, June 25, 1886. She was the mother of
eight children, five of whom are now living, the subject of this review being the second in order of birth. In
taking up the personal history of Henry Balthaser, whose name introduces this record of one who is widely and favorably
known. He has always lived upon the home farm in Clear Creek township and many of the improvements there are the
visible evidence of his life of industry and earnest toil. He has erected a new and modern residence which is an
attractive feature in the landscape and other equipments upon the farm have been secured through his efforts. He
has always engaged in the cultivation of the soil and to some extent has carried on stock raising and as the years
have passed his labors have annually added something to his income until now he is one of the substantial and well-to-do
citizens of this community.
In 1857 Mr. Balthaser was untied in marriage to Miss Susanna
Kessler, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, a daughter of Michael and Eliza Ann (Shabbel) Kessler. Her father
was a carpenter by trade, and removing to Clear Creek township, Fairfieldcounty, carried on work along that line
for a number of years. He afterward became a resident of Illinoiswhere he died at an advanced age. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Balthaser have been born twelve children, of whom eleven are now living. Theodore, who resides in Amanda,
was employed as engineer in the grain elevator. He married Nettie Crites, and their children are- Ollie, Eva, and
Adolph. Elizabeth is the wife of David Barr, a farmer of Amanda township and they have two children- Bertie and
Mary. Peter resides in Columbus ,Ohio, where he is employed as a street car conductor. He married Effie Griffith
and they have five children – Rome, Merril, Ruth, May and Fred. Joseph resides in Amanda township where he follows
farming. He wedded Etta Weimer. Ella is the wife of John Sultz, a resident farmer of Fairfield county. Annie is
the wife of john Campbell, of Madisontownship and they have one son Raymond. Frank is employed on the farm of Mr.
Campbell. He married Mattie Hamby, who died two years ago.. Charles resides in Amanda, Ohio , and is operating
the home farm of his father. He married Ella Shaeffer. Chancy resides in Amanda township and is employed on the
railroad. He married Anna Thomas. Harry is living at home. Welby is a minister of
the United Brethren church, now
located in Athens county, Ohio. He wedded Miss Dixon. Fanny died at the age of nineteen years. All of the children
were born in Clear Creek township and educated in the schools here. The family is one of the prominence in the
community, the various members occupying creditable positions and in social circles, enjoying high regard by reason
of sterling worth. From the age of six years down to the present time Henry Balthaser has made his home in Fairfield
county and the history of pioneer life is therefore familiar to him through actual experience, and as the years
have passed, as a valued citizen he has borne his part in the work of public progress and improvement. His labors
too in the business world have been effective and have brought to him creditable success, making him one of the
prosperous and well-to-do farmers of Clear Creek township.
Source: A Biographical Record of Fairfield County,
Ohio , Illustrated By S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Published by S. J. Clarke
Pub. Co. , 1902 – Pgs 347-349
Submitted & Transcribed by Linda Dietz
(Source: Educational History of
Ohio
by James J. Burns. Published 1905)
Submitted & Transcribed by Linda Rodriguez
JOSHUA
C. HARTZLER
Joshua
C. Hartzler was born
near
Lewistown
,
Pennsylvania
. November 27, 1832. His parents came to
Ohio
in 1839, settling near
Lancaster
. An account of his early life would be but another telling of the story so
common in this country. It had its full share of hardships, and luxuries in
hut small measure.
After
obtaining the usual elementary education in the common schools he learned
the carpenter trade, at the same time continuing his studies which, later,
he took up in a more systematic manner at La Fayette Academy.
His
work as a teacher began in the
Lancaster
schools, where he showed marked ability. In 1866 he was called to Galion as
superintendent and here remained for six years. In 1873 he travelled abroad
and upon his return was elected to the superintendency of the Newark public
schools, in which position he did most effective and satisfactory work for
nearly a quarter of a century.
In
1883 the
University
of
Wooster
conferred upon him the degree of A. M., and in 1890 he was honored with the
degree of Ph. D. by the
Ohio
State
University
. He was appointed a member of the State Board of School Examiners in 1892.
The
foregoing contains a bare recital of facts connected with the life and work
of another earnest teacher who has gone to his reward. We shall see him no
more here, but he lives in the grateful memory of the thousands of children
who have come under the influence of his pure life and helpful example.
The
writer formed the acquaintance of Dr. Hartzler in 1884, when entering upon
his work as superintendent of the Granville schools, and the acquaintance
soon ripened into a cordial friendship which became more intimate as the
years passed by. His clear, accurate views on school questions, always
expressed with the greatest consideration for those who might not agree with
him, his penial and dignified bearing, his conviction regarding the right,
and his strict adherence to the path of duty, are the chief characteristics
which made his life lovable and his death sincerely mourned.
To
the teachers who were associated with him, Dr. Hartzler was more than a
superintendent — he was always the true friend, who could be relied upon
for sympathetic help in the difficult work of the school room.
O. T. Corson.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN was born in Lancaster,
Ohio, February 8th, 1820. Losing his parents at an early age, he was
adopted, in 1829, by Hon. Thomas Ewing, entered West Point, and graduated
sixth of his class, in June, 1840. He was sent as second lieutenant to
Florida, where he became first lieutenant in 1841, and afterwards, being
sent to Charleston Harbor, remained on duty at Fort Moultrie for several
years. He served in California in 1846, and received the brevet of captain
in 1848. In I860, he was made captain, and served in St. Louis, after which
he was commissary at the military post of New Orleans. He left the army in
September, 1858, and was manager of a banking house in San Francisco,
California, for four years. He became, in 1857, Superintendent of the State
Military Institute of Louisiana, and when, in 1861, he found that the school
was used to aid rebellion, he resigned his office, and went to St. Louis. In
June, 1861, he was made colonel of the Thirteenth infantry, and displayed
great gallantry in the command of one of Tyler's brigades, at the battle of
Bull Bun. In
August, 1861, he was made
brigadier-general of volunteers, and was sent to report to General Bobeft
Anderson, in the Department of the Ohio. The health of the latter failing
him, he resigned, and Sherman succeeded to the command. Requiring
reinforcements, a demand which the War Department deemed absurd, General
Sherman, at his own request, was relieved of the command, and succeeded by
Buell, who was reinforced with more troops than Sherman had requested. He
now served at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, was sent by Halleck with
reinforcements and supplies to aid Grant at the siege of Fort Donelson, and
finally was placed in command of the Fifth division of Grant's army, with
which he fought gallantly, April 6th and 7th, 1862, at the battle of Shiloh.
He was soon promoted to the rank of major-general, captured Holly Springs,
Mississippi, June 20th, 1862, and soon after commanded at Memphis.
In December, 1862, his attack on Chickasaw Bluffs failed, for want of the
co-operation of General Grant, whose base of supplies at Holly Springs being
captured, he was unable to give the expected aid. At the capture of Arkansas
Post, and in the operations against Vicksburg Sherman displayed great
ability and heroism. Soon after, he was appointed to the command of the Army
of the Tennessee. He reached Chattanooga on the 15th of November, and
raised
the siege of Knoxville. In his command
of the Military Division of the Mississippi, Sherman exhibited great
military capacity. His Atlanta campaign was a series of conflicts with the
enemy, and the march to the sea is one of the most remarkable ever recorded.
The movements through the Carolinas were executed with great strategic
ability, and the battles of Waynesboro, Averysboro, and Bentonville, were
the expiring efforts of the " Confederacy * Sherman, at a later date,
became lieutenant-general, upon Grant's promotion to the full grade of
general of the armies of the United States. (Source: A Complete History of
the Great Rebellion of the Civil War in the U.S. 1861-1865 with Biographical
sketches of the Principal actors in the Great Drama. By Dr. James Moore,
Published 1875)
Submitted & Transcribed by Linda Rodriguez
HENRY
F. UNDERWOOD—A native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born, October 3,
1843; son of Henry and Maria (Brandt) Underwood, both natives of
Pennsylvania and of German extraction. The subject of this sketch was raised
on the farm and received a common school education. In 1861 he enlisted in
Company I., 43d Ohio Volunteers. He served one year and then came home,
being honorably discharged in 1862 on account of wounds received at the
battle of Corinth, Mississippi. In January, 1864, he went again to the front
and remained until the close of the war. He came to Miami County in 1866 and
in 1868 entered the law office of Shirk and Mitchell and in 1869 began the
practice of his profession. Previous to 1869 he began the pension claim
business, which he has since continued. During 1879 and I88o he was a law
partner of Nott N. Antrim. He was married October 3,1871, to Miss Nannie
Hollipeter, of Wabash County, and daughter of Elizabeth Hollipeter. They
have seven children as follows: William E., Charles H., Lyman M., Viola M.,
Nancy E., Frank I., and Edith Floy. He is a Republican. In 1868 was elected
a Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the G. A. R. and Secretary of
Canton, Peru, No. 20 P. M., I. O. O. F., and of the K. of P. Order.
(Submitted
& Transcribed by Barb Zigenmeyer)
History of Miami County, Indiana: From the earliest time
to the present ... By Brant & Fuller, Chicago
GIDEON ALSPACH, one of Perry Township's substantial
farmers, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 25, 1830, the son of Jacob
and Mary (Miller) Alspach, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and
Virginia. Gideon was reared on the farm in Ohio, remaining with his parents
until the death of his mother, which occurred when he was fifteen years of
age. He had received a limited education: he then engaged as a farm hand,
until he attained his majority, when in 1851, he made a prospecting tour to
Indiana and Miami County, purchasing land on which he permanently located
the following year. February 22, 1855? Catherine Kensler became his wife,
and to their union five children have been born, viz: Ambrose, who married
Maggie Beard; Glendora, Abner, Albert and Laura. In his vocation of farming,
Mr. Alspach has met with good success, owning 102 acres of well-improved
land. He and wife are members of the Church of God. In politics he is a
Democrat.
(Submitted
& Transcribed by Barb Zigenmeyer)
History of Miami County, Indiana: From the earliest time
to the present ... By Brant & Fuller, Chicago
J. Q. A. DUTTON, blacksmith, Marion; born in Lancaster, Ohio,
Aug. 13, 1833; came to Marion, by wagon, in 1852. He married Louisa
L. McKnight; they have had five children; one daughter died in
infancy; the living are Ellis Ray, Hattie May, Ida K. and Lulu Belle.
Mr. and Mrs. Dutton are members of the Presbyterian Church.
[Source: The history of Linn County Iowa;
Western Historical Company; 1878; transcribed by Andaleen Whitney]
