Stark County OH

The Michael Fetter Family

The Michael Fetter Family

Welcome to a journey through the annals of time, one that is deeply rooted in the lives of the Fetters family and the world they inhabited. The History of the Michael Fetters family, a culmination of a quarter-century worth of research, is an enriching tapestry of generational experiences, shared ambitions, and compelling stories that echo through centuries. This book invites you to traverse a fascinating timeline, beginning with an announcement of the discovery of the 1703/04 baptism of Johann Michael Vetter in Freinsheim, Germany. We then explore the lives of Vetter and his siblings, journeying with them as they brave the waves of migration to America between 1728 and 1738, escaping the Palatinate’s persistent turmoil and religious intolerance. With each chapter, we delve deeper into the narratives of the Fetters family, unfolding their tale of endurance and courage as they venture into the wild frontiers of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.

A Legend Of Slaughter At The Seneca Capital

The legend recounts a fierce battle between the Seneca and Wyandot tribes in 1755 after their alliance against the English at Braddock’s defeat. Upon their return home, tensions reignited. An old sachem, Ogista, intervened to propose a truce, allowing each tribe to select twenty warriors for single combat, culminating in a collective grave for the slain. The conflict ended with Ogista sacrificing his own son, leading to a pact of peace. This legend persisted until the investment of Fort Laurens in 1770, where subsequent violence erupted near the memorial mound.

Biographical Sketch of John Rorabaugh

John Rorabaugh, born on August 19, 1835, in Stark County, Ohio, was the son of farmers Henry and Elizabeth Shaffer Rorabaugh. He lived with his parents until the age of twenty-one, after which he farmed in Ohio before relocating to Daviess County. Rorabaugh married Sue M. Brown on January 8, 1860, and they had six children: Anson, Delia, Delos, Maggie, George, and Alexine. He established his residence on a farm in Sheridan Township.

Biography of Fred A. Sowers

Fred A. Sowers, a notable figure in Wichita’s history, was born in Ohio in 1839. A distinguished member of the Kansas bar and pioneer newspaper man, he actively participated in the Civil War and later moved to Leavenworth to practice law. Sowers founded the Wichita Beacon, the city’s first daily newspaper, and became a respected figure in real estate and civic affairs, including serving on the city council and board of education. He had two wives, with his second marriage producing three children, two of whom are successful professionals.

Slave Narrative of David A. Hall

David A. Hall, born on July 25, 1847, in Goldsboro, NC, recounts his life as a slave and his journey to freedom. His mother worked as a cook, and he faced limited educational opportunities but learned basic reading and writing. After the Civil War, a soldier named Kuhns helped him find work. Hall lived in Canton, Ohio, where he dedicated 70 years to the milling industry. Married with four children, he remained active in his church and noted societal changes, advocating for community and personal improvement.

Slave Narrative of William Williams

William Williams was born into slavery on April 14, 1857, in Caswell County, North Carolina. He learned his father’s identity, Thomas Williams, only after the Civil War. Sold at age three, he remembered little of slave life, although his father was a cobbler. After the war, both parents worked small farms while he undertook various jobs. Williams recounted the harsh conditions of slavery, including lack of education, poor living standards, and strict overseers, and later migrated to Canton, Ohio, where he has lived since 1884.

Slave Narrative of Susan Bledsoe

Susan Bledsoe, born on August 15, 1845, in Gilee County, TN, recounts her life as a slave on a plantation. She describes her family dynamics, work in the fields, and interactions with overseers, portraying a mix of harsh realities and moments of joy among slaves. Her memories include singing and dancing after work, receiving better food than in later life, and her eventual freedom celebration. After emancipation, she worked on the plantation and married Wade Bledsoe, later moving to Canton, Ohio, to live with family.

Biography of William A. Myers

William A. Myers, born in 1856 in Indiana, has been a prominent citizen of Topeka, Kansas since 1888. With a long career in the state printing department, he is a respected figure and potential candidate for the Republican Party in Shawnee County. Myers started his career in printing, eventually owning a newspaper before settling in Kansas. He married Mattie D. Hale, with whom he has two daughters. His family’s roots trace back to the Pennsylvania Dutch, showcasing a rich heritage of industriousness and integrity.

Biography of John Welker

John Welker, born May 8, 1838, in Stark County, Ohio, has lived in Billings for over a decade. Descended from German heritage, he engaged in various occupations, including teaching and photography, before entering the produce business. A former mayor and justice of the peace, he currently focuses on notary services and real estate. Welker, a Republican and veteran of the Civil War, is married to Alice Sutton and has seven children. He is active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and local organizations.

Biography of William Munks

William Munks, a prominent figure in the history of Puget Sound, is recognized as a veteran, pioneer, and the first white settler of Fidalgo Island. Born in Ohio, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War and later participated in Indian wars and various military campaigns. After years of trapping, mining, and trading, he settled on Fidalgo Island in 1859, where he cultivated a successful farm and operated a mercantile store. Munks’ contributions to the region are lasting, as he is also a long-serving postmaster and holds significant land holdings in the area.

Biography of Levi Livermore Tucker

Levi Livermore Tucker, born December 10, 1853, in Vermont, dedicated his life to educating young people in business for over forty years. A graduate of the Vermont Conference Seminary and Troy Business College, he held numerous teaching and administrative positions before becoming president of the Kansas Wesleyan Business College in Salina in 1913. A devout Methodist, he was recognized for his character and leadership both in education and community service. Tucker passed unexpectedly on March 30, 1917, leaving a legacy of devotion to his students and faith.

Biographical Sketch of Curtis L. Harris

Curtis L. Harris, a prominent attorney in El Dorado for thirty years, has significantly influenced Butler County’s business and political landscape. Born near Alliance, Ohio, he graduated from Mount Union College in 1883 and began his legal career in 1887. Elected to the State Senate in 1910, Harris later focused solely on law practice while engaging in local governance. He married Mary L. Miller in 1885, and they have one daughter, contributing to his legacy of hard work and dedication to public service.

Biography of Amasa B. Campbell

Amasa B. Campbell, born on April 6, 1845, in Ohio, is a prominent figure in Idaho’s mining industry. He began his career as a clerk, gaining valuable experience before moving west to work for the Union Pacific Railway. Drawn to mining, he engaged in prospecting throughout the West until co-founding a syndicate in Youngstown to develop mining properties in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene district. A self-made man, Campbell’s success stems from hard work and business acumen, and he remains committed to education and community service. He married Grace M. Fox and has one daughter.

Biography of Merifield Vicory

Merifield Vicory, born August 24, 1840, in Springfield, Ohio, was a notable pioneer in Kansas, arriving in 1867 after serving honorably in the Civil War. The youngest of seven, he faced early adversity but became a dedicated farmer and rancher in Wabaunsee County. Mr. Vicory, married twice, had three children with his first wife, Louisa Tuttle. A staunch Republican, he focused on his business and personal integrity, embodying the values of a patriotic citizen throughout his life.

Biography of Charlie H. Riker

Charlie H. Riker, born in 1866 in Ohio, became a prominent farmer in Kansas after moving there as a child. His family, including his father, William J. Riker, a Civil War veteran and successful farmer, settled in Coffey County. Charlie initially farmed there before relocating to Shawnee County, eventually acquiring and improving a ten-acre home near Topeka. Married to Effie D. Long, a respected physician’s daughter, the Rikers have established a beautiful home and a reputation for community engagement and social hospitality.

Biography of Frank Durein

Frank Durein, born on September 11, 1843, in Germany, has been a prominent figure in Topeka for thirty-seven years. After a modest upbringing and limited education, he immigrated to the United States in 1865, eventually settling in Topeka in 1870. Durein successfully ventured into the hotel and bakery businesses, notably opening the Topeka House. Since 1890, he has lived in retirement, focusing on property management and community betterment. A devoted Catholic, he shares a quiet life with his wife, Lena, and their two sons, contributing to the growth of their city.

Biography of Andrew Jackson Bixler, Rev.

Rev. Andrew Jackson Bixler, born October 6, 1844, in Stark County, Ohio, was a dedicated Union soldier and a long-serving minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He moved to Marion, Kansas, in 1871, where he contributed significantly to the community and church for over three decades. After returning from military service in 1865, he taught school and became an itinerant minister in 1879. Bixler married Margaret Ann Stage in 1872, and they had four children. Now retired, he enjoys a peaceful life in Marion.

Biography of Joseph Buckle

Joseph Buckle, born April 3, 1857, in Stark County, Ohio, emerged as a prominent figure in Kootenai County, Idaho. A son of German immigrants, he initially farmed in California before moving to Idaho in 1882. Buckle served as deputy sheriff and later became the assessor and tax collector in 1899, winning election by a significant margin. Known for his business-like approach and respect for property owners, he earned widespread popularity. A member of the Knights of Pythias, he is married with three daughters and is noted for his public spirit and contributions to the community.

Biographical Sketch of Milton Freshwater

Milton Freshwater, born on September 11, 1877, in West Virginia, was a paving contractor educated in a commercial course at Morgantown. He married C. B. Williams in 1907 and has two children. Beginning his career in street paving in 1893, he has worked on projects in several towns across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. Since April 1909, he has been part of a firm managed by family members, with offices located in Morgantown and Cleveland.