Abram Etling
When a man wins his own way from an humble station and discouraging environment to success and an honorable standing in the community, his career is worthy of representation in the history of such a locality. We find in studying the career of Abram Etling, a farmer in Chippewa township, Wayne county, that such were his experiences. His birth occurred on the homestead now occupied by his brother, January 9,1852, and he is the son of William and Abigail (Myers) Etling. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Katherine Etling natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1820, among the pioneers of the community where they settled. Mr. Etling did not long survive after coming here, Mrs. Etling living until 1866. The maternal grandparents of the subject were John and Mary Myers, also natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, about the same time as did the first members of the Etling family.
The maternal grandmother also took up land, two quarter sections in Chippewa township consequently at one time this family were collectively quite extensive land owners.
William Etling, father of Abram, was born in Pennsylvania on December 3, 1815, and his wife, Abigail Myers, was born December 18,1822. They came to Ohio with their parents and were here married on June 3, 1841. Mr. Etling engaged in farming, and at the time of his death owned over one hundred and sixty acres in Chippewa township, where he became well known and fairly well to do. His death occurred September 27, 1892, having been preceded to the silent land by his wife only a few months, her death having occurred on January 16, 1892. William Etling was a Democrat and took considerable interest in local affairs, having held the office of trustee several terms. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, seven living at this writing.
Abram Etling was educated in the common schools of Chippewa township and was reared on the farm, which he worked during the crop season. When the Civil war began Abram's older brother enlisted in the Union army and the subject was compelled to remain at home to work. Quite naturally he took up farming and has followed this line of work ever since, with the exception of three years, when he moved to Barberton and engaged in teaming from 1904. Finally returning to the farm he still manages the same with success, his place consisting of eighty acres, on which he raises a diversity of excellent crops and keeps some stock, the two lines of endeavor making him a very comfortable living.
Mr.Etling was married March 2, 1875, to Ada McIntyre, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and the daughter of Phillip and Agnes McIntyre, old settlers of this county, who now live in Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Etling were born nine children, namely: William E., Bertus Oliver, Arthur M. (deceased) Bertha Alice, Etta Blanch, Laura K. (deceased), Forest Richard, Florence, Arville and Abram Harold.
Mr. Etling is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Reformed church in Marshallville.
From The History of Wayne County, Ohio, B. E. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, 1910