Curtis Emery Markel was born on 27 October 1894, in Ironton, Ohio. His parents are James S. & Abigail “Gillie” (Willis) Markel. Curtis arrived in Marion, Ohio, in 1913. Shortly after arriving in Marion, on 30 May 1914, Markel joined D Company, Ohio National Guard (O. N. G.). He was listed as a member of D Company, when they returned to Marion, Ohio, from the Border Campaign.
When D Company reorganized for the deployment to the First World War, Curtis E. Markel was among the members, serving as a sergeant. He sailed to Europe aboard the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory. The ship departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on 18 October 1917. While in Europe, Curtis Markel was serving as the First Sergeant with D Company, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division “Rainbow.” He was discharged on 3 May 1918, so he could accept the commission of a Second Lieutenant. On 8 November of 1918, Markel was promoted to First Lieutenant. On 8 June 1918, Lt. Markel was reassigned to H Company, 132nd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division “The Prairie Division” “Golden Cross Division”. He remained with the 132nd until his return to the United States. Lt. Curtis E. Markel arrived back in the United States on 14 May 1919, aboard the Kasserin Auguste Victoria.
After returning to Marion, Curtis E. Markel married Ethel V. (Green) on 2 August 1919. In 1920, Markel was working as a machinist with the Marion Steam Shovel Company. On 16 May 1925 Markel was employed at the Marion Fire Department. In 1927, Markel was elected trustee of the Firemen’s Indemnity Fund, along with Owen A. Sifritt, Fred Reiff, Charles Thurston and James Rynn. In a 1928 article, the firemen of Central Station lauded Markel for his cooking, stating, “He could cook spaghetti that would raise a cheer from an Italian in Italy.” Markel resigned from the Marion Fire Department on 27 February 1929. An article from The Marion Star reported that Markel; would relocate to Columbus, Ohio. He worked as a machinist after leaving the fire dept.
Curtis E. Markel eventually relocated to California where he died on 26 April 1952, in Hayward, California. Curtis E. Markel is buried in The Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California.
Leroy Wesley Miller was born on 22 November 1886, in Delta, Ohio. His parents are Lewis B. & Harriet “Hattie” L. (Ackerman) Miller. By the1900 Census, Leroy and his parents were living in Marion, Ohio. Leroy married Elizabeth A. (Duffey), in Marion, in 1906.
Leroy W. Miller initially enlisted into the Ohio National Guard in 1903. In July of 1913, Miller was serving as First Sergeant when D Company, Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, went to Camp Perry, Ohio, for the annual encampment. In 1915, L. W. Miller was promoted to First Lieutenant.
From The Marion Daily Star 6-1-1917
Lt. L. W. Miller was serving in D Company, Fourth Ohio National Guard when it served in the Border Campaign. After serving on the southern border and returning to Marion, Lt. Miller served as the recruiting officer of D Company. He was charged with recruiting and building up the manning of D Company in preparation for D Company being inducted into federal service for the First World War. D Company was then in the 166th Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division “Rainbow.”
Lt. Miller departed the United States for Europe aboard the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory. The Mallory departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on 18 October 1917. While in Europe, Lt. Miller was transferred from D Company to Cardington’s A Company.
From The Marion Daily Star 3-16-1918
In March of 1918, the family of Leroy Miller had a scare. The Casualty list came out with a Leroy W. Miller, but of a different rank than Leroy. The family had not received an official notice from the government, but concern was high. They later found out the casualty was from Rhode Island.
Miller was honorably discharged 7 March 1918. Lt. Leroy W. Miller departed Brest, France, and arrived back in the United States, aboard the U. S. S. Covington, on 8 March 1918. He then was employed with the Erie Railroad as a detective for a time before becoming a fire fighter with the Marion Fire Department.
Leroy W. Miller was hired on the Marion Fire Department on 19 July 1922. During his career he was assigned to Engine Company No. 1, he drove the Chief’s car for a period and was also assigned to Engine Company No. 3.
Leroy W. Miller retired from the Marion Fire Department on 4 April 1947, with 25 years of service. Miller had served 13 years with D Company, ONG. He had also served as Post Commander Geran-Thomas, VFW 3313, and was a member of the Bird-McGinnis Post 162, American Legion.
Leroy W. Miller died on 8 August 1962, and is buried in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
Owen Alpheus Sifritt was born in Green Camp Township, Marion County, Ohio, on 31 October 1884. His parents are Owen L. & Ellen (Harper) Sifritt. Owen had a brother, Paul Sifritt. Owen first married Mary “Mamie” Kathryn (Dreher), who died in 1940. After Mary died Owen married Dorothy (Stephan). This marriage occurred in 1949.
Owen’s father was a member of the Marion Police Department and Owen’s brother, Paul, was a long-time member of the Marion Fire Department.
In 1907, Owen Sifritt was serving as a Captain with G Company, Fourth Ohio National Guard. He mustered the company out of service in 1907. Owen A. Sifritt began working at the Marion Fire Department as a temporary firefighter in 1907. In 1908 he was appointed as a regular firefighter. He was one of the first firefighters appointed as permanent members under the new Board of Public Safety.
Chief Owen A. Sifritt’s career spanned the era of the horse drawn equipment to the full motorized fire apparatus. He was recognized for 50 years of service to the city in May of 1957, at a banquet held at the Hotel Harding. He was a member of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association and was made a lifetime member of the International Association of Firefighters.
The words used to describe Chief Sifritt were faith, enthusiasm, ambition and resourcefulness. He has had faith in his community and in its children, said the speaker, who went on to explain that the chief held enthusiasm for his job even when he was a substitute fireman back in 1907 with small intention of making fire fighting his career.
From The Marion Star
Owen is pictured in many old department photos and he is often standing very near Chief T. J. McFarland. On 1 March 1915, Owen was promoted to the position of Captain. He served in this capacity until the retirement of Chief McFarland. On 1 January 1944 Owen A. Sifritt was promoted to Chief of the Marion Fire Department.
Chief Owen A. Sifritt retired 21 May 1959, after 52 years of service to Marion. He died on 26 September 1968, at the age of 83. Members of the Marion Fire Department served as pallbearers and Chief Sifritt was laid to rest in the Marion Cemetery.
James Andrew Knapp was born on 19 July 1853, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are John R. & Lydia (Lybarger) Knapp. James A. Knapp married Rosetta (Tavenner) in 1878. They were the parents of Mary “Mame”, James W., George B., Frank M., Rosette “Etta”, Lydia and Wallace L. All the children were raised at the Knapp home, at 355 Mt. Vernon Avenue.
James A. Knapp was very active in Marion, Ohio. James’ occupation in Marion, was as an insurance agent, whom he was one of the first. He was active in politics, the Masonic Lodge, served as secretary to the Marion Agricultural Society and served as the Chief of the Marion Fire Department. Much more has been written about Mr. Knapp in the history books of Marion County.
James A. Knapp had served on the Marion Fire Department since at least 1871. He served as Foreman of the Hand-Engine, Foreman of the Hose Company and then two years as Assistant Chief under Chief William Fies, Jr.
James A. Knapp served as Marion Fire Chief from 4 June 1900 until 6 July 1903. During this time the positions at the fire department were politically appointed and not permanent. While Chief Knapp served the department was made up of five paid men; Chief Knapp; James A. Butler, Driver of the Ladder Truck; Charles Thurston, Driver of the Hose & Chemical Wagon; H. D. Uline & J. G. Trefz, Firemen. There were also 41 minutemen. The department was supplemented by two “Call Departments,” No. 2 being at the Huber Shops and No. 3 at the Steam Shovel Company.
Following Chief James A. Knapp’s appointment as Fire Chief, a Board of Public Safety was created, and the first full-time Fire Chief and Firefighter positions were created. This meant that the Fire Chief and firefighters did not have to be reappointed with each change in political office.
James A. Knapp died suddenly at the Masonic Temple on 4 August 1930. It is noteworthy when the family of James A Knapp is studied, that he was described as “a good father and of high reputation in the community.” James A. Knapp is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Edward Huber was born on 1 September 1837, in Dearborn County, Indiana. His parents are Phillip & Mary (Hurn) Huber. Edward Huber came to Marion and became a very industrious member of the community. He was well known as an honest and noble member of the community. He is best known for his invention of the revolving hay rake. He went on the become president of several businesses in Marion. He also invented several machines that became known and used worldwide. His inventions and business ventures are already documented and well beyond the scope of this article.
One of Edward Huber’s businesses was the Huber Manufacturing Company that had shops located between the railroad tracks between today’s Main and Prospect streets. Among these shops Edward Huber had his own firefighting equipment. In the mid to late 1800s, Marion did not have very much in the way of a fire department. Edward stood to lose a lot, if he was unable to check a fire quickly. It appears he not only had the equipment but had his own fire department within the Huber shops. His firefighters responded to fire within the community to prevent a conflagration from spreading to his shops.
Also, the history of the Ohio National Guard, states that Marion’s G Company had been preceded by the Huber Guard. The Huber Guard may have been a local militia organized at the Huber shops. In that time the local militias often were called upon to man the fire equipment and were the manpower to fight the fires.
Due to a positive experience with the use of the first fire engine, a call for a hook and ladder company and a fire company was proposed. The Marion Independent newspaper, dated October 19, 1865, stated that, “militia fight very well sometimes, but well drilled volunteers or regulars are much more reliable.”
When G Company left for the Spanish American War, the Marion Daily Star ran an article, “Are Still More. Captain H. N. Love Organizing a New Company,” dated 26 April 1898, in which Capt. Love was raising another company and “Capt. Love announces that the first drill of the new company will take place at Company G’s old armory on north State street next Thursday – evening.” This may be the old Houghton Sulky building.
Of the equipment at the Huber shops, was a hand hose cart. This cart was a cart pulled by manpower and it contained fire hose and other firefighting equipment. Records at the Huber Museum, in Marion, Ohio, describes how the hose cart was used to also protect the community. It is said to have been hitched to the “Marion Electric Street Car Line” and was towed to the nearest intersection to the fire. From there, men would pull the hose cart on to the location of the fire.
Photo courtesy of the Huber Machinery Museum
Later, 1883, it is reported that part of the Marion Fire Department included the Huber Fire Company: E. D. Barlow, Foreman; James Fairbanks, Assistant; twenty-five members. Also, a hand engine, purchased many years ago. By 1891, there was a fire department at the Marion Steam Shovel Company, also a business of Edward Huber. The departments at the Huber shops and the Marion Steam Shovel were “call departments” with 10 volunteers each. T. J. McFarland was employed as a machinist with the Huber Manufacturing Company from 1886 to 1903. He left Huber to become the first fulltime Fire Chief of the Marion Fire Department.
In a history researched by Phil Reid, Chief (Retired) of the Marion Fire Department, he recorded that a some point Edward Huber was a chief of the Marion Fire Department. It may be that Huber was appointed or was filling in as interim chief in between Chiefs T. C. Bowen and William Fies. And since he had fire equipment and management experience, he would have made a sensible choice. More research is going on to secure verified information and dates on Edward Huber and his possible role as Marion Fire Chief. Either way, Edward Huber played an important role in not only the manufacturing and economic growth of Marion, both in the fire protection of both his businesses and community.
One of the pumpers at the Huber Company
Edward Huber died on 26 August 1904, in Marion, Ohio. A grateful and sad community showed up at Saint Mary Catholic Church to pay homage to his life. Edward Huber is buried in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Marion, Ohio
Much more can be read about Edward Huber’s impact on the manufacturing in Marion and the rest of the United States. There is also a very good museum in Marion, located at the Marion County Fairgrounds. This is the Huber Machinery Museum. It has the history of both the Huber Manufacturing and the Marion Steam Shovel (Marion Power Shovel Company), as well as displays.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 