Remember When: A wise man recorded our local history…
A wise man wrote in 1897: “The author of this history has had in mind a history of Lancaster for a number of years, believing that what is known of our historic town ought to be gathered in one volume and preserved. He had hoped, however, that some one more competent as an author would undertake the task…The author does not claim perfection for his book, but every effort has been made to make it historically correct...[and] it is submitted to the ‘considerate judgment’ of the charitable reader, believing that its value as a history will compensate for any defects.”
In the introduction to his book readers learn “The emigrants to Fairfield County came, first, from Kentucky over Zane’s trail in 1798.” His book, “Centennial History of Lancaster, Ohio and Lancaster People 1898” was published on the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the spot where Lancaster stands. Charles Milton Lewis Wiseman (1829-1904) was the wise man who collected historical details in his spare time to publish a 407-page book because he thought it important to preserve and pass on local history to future generations. This writer is of course one of his biggest fans.
Perhaps because Wiseman wanted to publish a book in 1898, or perhaps because he had collected too much information for one volume, he was soon ready to publish his second book of 430 pages. “Pioneer Period and Pioneer People of Fairfield County, Ohio” was published in 1901.
C.M.L. Wiseman was the first of 11 children, born in 1829 in New Salem to Philip (1806-1862) and Priscilla (1806-1888) Wiseman. A 38-page “brief sketch” written by C.M.L. and printed in 1902, provides an outline of his early life called “The Wiseman Family and the Old Church at New Salem.”
“I attended the common schools in log cabin school houses, and sat all day on wooden benches without backs…I loved to read papers and books…whatever success I have had, I owe to those books and papers. I mention these things to encourage my children and grandchildren to do likewise.”
He was 11 years old when he saw Lancaster for the first time. At the age of 18 he taught in small schools near Pickerington, Rushville and Basil. He left teaching to travel in the western states for three years as a collector for a Cincinnati company. In 1853 he married Mary E. Parr in the New Salem Chapel. They settled in Lancaster, and seven children were born to the couple between 1854-1867.
C.M.L. first served as a Deputy Sheriff, then Deputy Clerk of Common Pleas Court, and also secretary and treasurer of the Starch Company for four years. He became chairman of the Fairfield County Republican Central Committee, a position he said “…brought me in contact with many of the brilliant men of that period, whose acquaintance I highly prized.”
He was appointed postmaster of Lancaster by Abraham Lincoln in 1861. He was then reappointed twice and served 13 years total. By 1867 C.M.L. was an agent for Lancaster and vicinity of the Charter Oak Life Insurance Co. of Hartford, CT. The Governor appointed C.M.L. and George Ewing to investigate deficiencies at the Boys’ Industrial School in 1892.
Mrs. C.M.L. Wiseman died in March 1895 at 65 years. The couple’s son, Charles P. Wiseman married Anna Wetzler in May 1896. Charles would become the owner of Wiseman’s Department Store in Lancaster, and when he died his son Thomas W. Wiseman became owner. They are the Wiseman men that longtime Lancaster residents are most familiar with.
A license for the second marriage for C.M.L. Wiseman, insurance agent, to Mrs. Parthenia Collins, of Baltimore appeared in the Daily Eagle Nov. 2, 1900. A few friends and family members attended the ceremony on Nov. 1 at the home of the bride’s mother. A family dinner party was held that evening at the Wiseman homestead in Lancaster, 122 King St.
The family held a 75th birthday party for C.M.L. at his King Street home in Jan. 1904. A family orchestra provided music. After a short illness, C.M.L. Wiseman died at his home on Feb. 27, 1904, and was buried in Forest Rose Cemetery. C.M.L.’s widow lived until 1925 and died at 78.
C.M.L. had purchased his home at 122 King St. in 1869 for $2500. A year after his death 122 King St. was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. George Smith for $3500 (12 Jan 1905 Gazette).
Hopefully, readers are now wiser and more aware of the importance of the name Wiseman and his role in preserving Lancaster’s history. As stated in the Gazette (1902 Jan. 2) after his second book was published: “Much of the matter here collected would in another decade have been lost forever. It embraces a genealogical history of the early families of the county, the organization of the churches, schools, etc., and is enriched by anecdotes and reminiscences of the men [and women] and manners of the early times.”
Readers may contact Harvey at joycelancastereg@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Remember When: A wise man recorded our local history…
