Jacob Seitz

JACOB SEITZ.

A deep feeling of sadness spread throughout Springfield when it was announced that Jacob Seitz had passed from this life, but while those who knew him remain his memory will be cherished not so ‘much on account of the splendid success he achieved in business, not because he contributed to the improvement of the city and promoted its commercial activity, although either would make him worthy to be long remembered, but because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy and his deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellow men. His nature was so kindly and gentle that he won not merely regard but that deeper feeling which, call it friendship or love, kinds man in close relation to his fellow man in ties which naught can sever. Thus it was that Springfield has seldom so widely and sincerely mourned one of her residents. But for thirty-seven years he was closely associated with her history, and many of his friends, in thought have breathed the sentiment,

“He was a man, take him for all in all. I shall not look upon his like again.”

Jacob Seitz was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1818, a son of Henry and Mary Seitz, who came to Clark county in 1831, settling near what is now Ferncliff cemetery, Springfield's beautiful city of the dead. Springfield was then but a mere hamlet, and the early settlers were at that time instituting the work of progress and improvement which was soon to make a vast change in the county and place it with the leading counties of this great commonwealth. Henry Seitz purchased a farm about a mile and a half from this village, and there he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred a few years after his arrival here. He also conducted a still upon the river which ran by his farm. His children were: Andrew, Isaac, Elizabeth, Henry, Jacob and Catherine, all of whom were born in Pennsylvania and came to this county with their parents.

Jacob Seitz was one of the self-made men of Clark county, for he began his business career working by the month as a farm hand, and these earnings proved the foundation upon which he built his later success. He attended school in Pennsylvania, but left his native state when twelve years of age and came with his parents to Clark county. He was always fond of books, however, and in his youth studied at home by the side of the fire whenever he had the opportunity.

Throughout his entire life he read extensively and thus became a well read man, conversant with all topics of general interest. In 1840 he turned his attention to the milling and distilling business, carrying on operations along these lines for a few years. He afterward went to Champaign county, Ohio, where, in connection with George Stineberger, he conducted a large flouring mill for ten years, meeting with success in this undertaking. When that decade had passed he sold his interest in the mill there and returned to Springfield, in 1855, making his home here continuously up to the time he was called to his final rest. For a number of years he was engaged in the wholesale tobacco business in this city, yet he did not confine his efforts to any one line, and his wise council and sound judgment proved important factors in the successful conduct of a number of other business concerns. He was a director and stock holder in the Mad River Bank, of Springfield, was also a stockholder in the Lagonda Bank of that city and a stockholder in the bank at Urbana. He became quite an extensive land-owner, and had both farm and city property. In 1865 he purchased what is now the Miller House, and it is still in possession of the family. He erected a fine large residence of brick at No. 77 North Limestone street, and that he made his home until his death, and it is still the home of Mrs. Seitz.

In the year 1846 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Stineberger, a daughter of David Stineberger. She was born in Champaign county, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of three children, but Theodore H., the eldest, died in 1869 at the age of twenty-one years. Olive E. is the wife of Charles Anthony, a member of the firm of Black & Anthony, of this city, and they have five children: Frank, who is married and has two sons, Theodore and Robert, while the other members of the Anthony family are Theodore, Louise, Rachel and Howard B. Laura, the younger daughter of Mrs. Seitz, is the wife of M. Hedges, a resident! of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and they have two sons, James and Lawrence.

It was in October, 1892, that Jacob Seitz was called to his final rest, his remains being interred in Ferncliff cemetery. He was a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county. Br came here at am early date, and for more than sixty years was a witness of the progress and development of this portion of the state and took an active part in the work of improvement and upbuilding. He was deeply interested in all that pertains to the general good and co-operated in many measures calculated to benefit the community along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. The poor and needy found in him a friend and no one ever went to him with a tale of distress that did not receive his sympathy and his more substantial assistance. He had a large circle of warm friends, and his friendship was most prized_ by those who knew him best. His loss to the community wasa severe one, but he left a name which is honored and respected. His wife and older daughter still reside in Springfield, where they have the high regard of many friends.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.