WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 975 name opens this sketch, and whose family of children are also worthy members of the community. He was born September 28, 1819, in Concord, N. H., and is the son of George T. Hedge. The grandfather of our subject was a native of England, and his calling was that of a whaler. He was the first of this family to come to the United States, and settled in Portland, Me., from which port he sailed on his whaling expeditions. He was lost at sea while on one of these voyages. He left two children, George T., and a daughter, Mary. His widow never re-married, and died in Boston, where she lived with relatives. Mary married a man by the name of Nobles, and resided in Boston until. her death. George T. married Miss Nancy Bradley, a native of New Hampshire, and of Irish extraction. Their two children were George B., our subject, and Mary Noble. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and at one time was overseer of the shoe shop of the State prison of New Hampshire. After the death of his first wife he married Dorcas Pettengill, who bore him two children. He was commonly known as "Captain" Hedge, having at one time commanded the Portland artillery. He was a man of fine character, and was very popular among his acquaintances. He died January 10, 1865, at the age of seventy years. Our subject was only seven years old when he was put out to work with a farmer named Asa Bradley, who soon after moved to northern New Hampshire, afterward going to Medina county, Ohio. When seventeen years old Mr. Hedge left this family, and began working for himself as a farm hand. The death of his mother, which occurred when he was a mere child, having broken up the family, he had lost all trace of his father. About the time last mentioned, in reading a newspaper, he noticed that a man named Hedge had been appointed keeper of the State arsenal, at Portland, Me., and writing to him, the man proved to be his father. The son took what money he had saved, and went to New England, visiting his father and other relatives. During this visit Mr. Hedge was for one summer employed in the State arsenal at Portland, Me., where his father was overseer. He soon after returned to Medina county, and again went to work on the farm. His only possessions at this time were the clothes he had on, and a very little money. When he left the Bradley family he had only the commonest of apparel, a palm leaf hat and cotton pantaloons. His most cherished piece of property was a very small knife, which was made for him by a prisoner fn the New Hampshire penitentiary, and which he still has in his possession. After working on the farm for a time Mr. Hedge was employed in a sawmill where he gained a good knowledge of the business. He rented a sawmill in Medina county, and afterward bought a half interest in one which was located at Center, York township, Medina county. His first purchase of land was fifty acres in Guilford township, that county, which he sold on becoming owner of the sawmill. Subsequently Mr. Hedge went into the hotel business in Medina county, where he remained three years, coming from there to Montgomery township, Wood county, in September, 1855. He had purchased land in this township from parties in Pennsylvania, which comprised 240 acres, in Section 5, for which he went in debt. The family drove from their former home to their new location, and lived in a rough-log house without windows until a better one could be built. Mr. Hedge was married in Medina county, September 10, 1845, to Catherine M. Crawfoot, who was born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 8, 1829. Her parents were Ambrose and Annie (Snyder) Crawfoot, who came to Medina county when their daughter was seven years old, and settled in the woods in Mountville township. Her father's family comprised fourteen children, Mrs. Hedge being the eldest of the five children born to the second wife. Her parents came to Wood county in 1855, and settled in Montgomery township, where they died. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hedge are as follows: George W., February 22, 1848, lives in Montgomery township; Ophelia A., August 7, 1849, is now Mrs. J. H. Lusk; Frank T., May 5, 1853; Albert, April 13, 1859, died May 2, of the same year; Harland W., February 23, 1862; Calvin B., October 11, 1866. These children all live in Montgomery township, and have given evidence of their excellent home training by becoming most estimable and influential citizens. Soon after coming to Wood county Mr. Hedge sold off forty acres of his land. Later he bought, in Section 17, a sawmill with four acres of land, and on the latter built a house, where he has resided ever since. He was engaged in the sawmill business until 1889, when he sold out to his son, George W., who is carrying on an extensive trade. At various times Mr. Hedge has bought small amounts of land, and is now the owner of 139 acres. He was appointed postmaster, under President Buchanan, at Montgomery Cross Roads, which was the first post office in the township, and served until the office was removed to Prairie Depot. He has always been a Democrat, and cast his first vote in 1840 in Defiance, Ohio, 976 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. where he was at that time at work on the Wabash canal. He has served in various township offices, and as justice of the peace. He was in his early days a member of the Odd Fellows, but on his removal to Wood county was so far distant from any lodge that he dropped his membership. Mr. Hedge is a self-made man, and had but very little schooling, but has acquired a practical education by observation and reading. He has traveled over the United States from Portland, Me., to San Francisco, Cal., and has made good use of his experiences and opportunities. He began life with nothing he could call his own, and by industry and economy has acquired a comfortable fortune. He has reared a large family of children, all of whom live in his immediate neighborhood, are prosperous and highly esteemed; and he is now passing the evening of his . life, surrounded by his loved ones, and with the consciousness of having done his whole duty, as far as he can see it, in every relation of life. He has to-day the good will and kindly regard of everyone who knows him. SELDON B. WELTON (deceased). As one of the enterprising and progressive men who have transformed the malarious marshes of Liberty township into well-drained and productive farming lands, the subject of this sketch should hold a prominent place in our records. He was born in Medina county, April 27, 1844, the son of John and Mary Welton, who had come from New England in early .life to become pioneer farmers in that locality. His father died in Michigan, and his mother in Wood county, in 1861. Seldon B. Welton was reared to manhood upon a farm, and, when a young man, deciding to seek a place where he could obtain the advantages which a new region offers to the agriculturist, he came to this county. Here he met and married Miss Emeline Mercer, a daughter of Daniel Mercer, a pioneer, who died September 22, 1896. She is a native of Wood county, born August 14, 1848, and possessed in abundant measure those qualities which fitted her to be his helpful partner in every enterprise. After their marriage they located in the wilderness near what is now known as Bays Station, on the C. H. & D. R. R. Their first home was a primitive one in a typical section of the '' Black Swamp," surrounded by water and dense-tangled forests filled with wild game, and reached by almost impassable roads, if one may call the irregular wagon tracks by that name. Malaria lurked in the unwholesome pools, and much labor and privation were to by borne; but obstacles yield gradually to courage and industry, and a comfortable home rewarded them in time. Twelve children were born to them: (1) Emmet W., February 17, 1868, married Augusta Daring, a native of Ottawa county, born August 7, 1878, and has one living child, George E., another, Ethel May, having died in infancy. (2) Norton R., December 12, 1869, is not married. (3) Lillian E., August 2, 187-, married and has one child-Claude C. (4) Emma D., January 15, 1893, married, and now resides at Bay Station, Ohio. (5) Delnora J., September 12, 1874, married L. F. Hewer. (6) Myrtle M., born April 2, 1876, married George Brubaker, and has one child-Flora May. (7) John E., February 3, 1878. (8) Edna S., July 31, 1880. (9) Clayton R., June 15, 1882. (10) Ralph C., April 12, 1884. (11) Lucy A., August 3, 1886; and (12) Joseph C. M., September 5, 1888. Mr. Welton was a man of fine business judgment, and was highly esteemed in the community for many excellent traits of character. His life was one of quiet usefulness, and his death, which occurred January 15, 1889, was mourned by all who had ever learned to know him. Mrs. Welton remained upon the farm until March, 1895, when, realizing the advantages of city schools and social privileges for her younger children, she removed to Bowling Green. She still owns the old homestead of 12o acres, however, and has a portion of it under development for oil, ten wells having been already opened. Her children are doing credit to the family name as they establish themselves in life. They are members of the Disciples Church, and the sons all adhere to the principles of the Republican party, to which their father belonged. THOMAS J. ADAMS, who ranks among the most successful agriculturists of Montgomery township, was born in that locality October 16, 1854, the son of Thomas and Mary (McGill) Adams. Thomas Adams was a native of Wigtonshire, Scotland, born April 25, 1812, and his wife was born in the same place, December 23, 1819. His family was in moderate circumstances, and when Thomas attained his majority he determined to seek a home in the New World. Sailing for the United States, he landed at New York City, after a voyage of six weeks and five days, and first found employment in that city as hostler for a wealthy family, which situation he lost from failure to salute his master with becoming deference, his Scotch pride not allowing him to do so. Some time later he went to Slatington, Seldon & Emeline Welton WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 977 Penn., where he worked in the slate quarries, afterward going to Tiffin, Ohio, where, on December 9, 1836, he was married to Mary McGill. She was the daughter of John McGill, who with his family, came to the United States in 1833, locating at Tiffin, Ohio, where both parents died of cholera not long after their arrival. Thomas Adams came to Wood county in 1835, and entered eighty acres of land in Section 9, Montgomery township. At that time the land office was at Bucyrus, and he walked to and from his land. It was in a primitive condition, with no improvements, and his first house was a small log cabin, built on a knoll a short distance southwest of where the old homestead now stands. The household goods of the young couple, who thus began life together with brave hearts and willing hands, were of the rudest type, and few in number. Until the land was cultivated they could not live off its products, and for the first year or so, Mr. Adams was obliged to work for other people, and he worked in a brickyard at Perrysburg for eight dollars a month. He was a stout, strapping young fellow, and, carried the apple trees for his orchard on his back from Tiffin to this home. He was a very robust man, and until his final sickness never had any illness in his life except the measles. The courage and industry of this worthy couple were rewarded by prosperity, and they lived to see the wilderness changed into fertile fields and blooming orchards, and, in place of the solitary log cabin, three handsome houses built upon the farm. They also had the happiness to celebrate their golden wedding on December 9, 1886, at which their large family were all present. Their j children were as follows: James W., born September 16, 1837, is a manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Mich.; John, born April 20, 1839, was a member of the 21st Regiment O. V. I., and died June 1, 1863, being buried at Murfreesboro; Robert W., born September 18, 1842, is a conductor on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, and lives in Chicago; Jennie, born September 18, 1842, married Rev. James Rhodes, a minister of the United Brethren Church, at Fostoria; Lizzie, born September 20, 1845, is the wife of W. W. Dunipace, of Webster township; Ella, born November 20, 1847, is now Mrs. G. K. Daily, of Montgomery township; Cornelia, born July 9, 1850, married Otis Hoiles, and died August 2, 1871, in Omaha, Neb.; Thomas J. is our subject; George A., born November 9, 1857, is a farmer in Montgomery township; Francis M., born April 3, 1861, is also a farmer in the same township; Minnie B., born November 23, 1863, is the wife of Dr. E. W. Heltman, of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Adams always followed farming, and, being steady, industrious and economical, his property increased from the original eighty acres to 320. He was a Democrat until the formation 1 of the Republican party, when he became one of its stanch adherents. He was no office seeker, but j served in minor township offices, and was a man of considerable influence in the community. He died April 26, 1888, his wife surviving him until December 20, 1891. Both are buried in the cemetery at Prairie Depot. This worthy couple were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and reared their numerous children to habits of industry and honesty. They were greatly respected and beloved by all who knew them, and their children have all become well-to-do and influential citizens. Thomas J. Adams, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon his father's farm, his educational advantages being only such as could be obtained in the district schools of his locality. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which took place December 25, 1879, in Jefferson township, Williams Co., Ohio, where he was united to Miss Ida M. Finch. Mrs. Adams was born Mar 3, 1858, in Wyandot county, the daughter of Randolph and Theresa (Caughey) Finch, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. Her father died in Williams county April 15, 1889, and her mother on October 22, 1892. When our subject was married he had property of small value, and rented a portion of the home farm until 1884, when he purchased forty acres of land in Section 9, Montgomery township, for which he went in debt. This he has since paid for, and has added forty acres to it, and he has been so successful in his operations that in 1892 he built an elegant home upon his place, where he entertains his large circle of friends with true hospitality. He is to-day one of the most prosperous farmers in the township, and is a man who is shrewd in his business enterprises, systematic and careful in the management of his affairs, and holds a high place in the community. While not an office seeker, Mr. Adams is an active worker in the Republican party, and his friends and enemies alike have felt the effects of his influence. He is a member and trustee of the Methodist Church, as is also Mrs. Adams, and she is prominent in the work of the Foreign Missionary Society. Their children are as follows: Charles R., born September 7, 1881; Albert L., born December 16, 1884, died May 23, 1885; Thomas Cleon, born December 1, 1887; and Terese M., born July 30, 1894. 978 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Finch, parents of Mrs. Adams, were as follows; Ida M., wife of our subject; Fred K., living in Montgomery township; Flora, now Mrs. Alonzo Webb, of Pemberville; Sherman, living in Williams county; Frank E., residing in California; Vashti M., now Mrs. William Foss, of West Unity, Ohio, and O. D., a resident of this township. RAYMOND SCOTT JUNKINS was born July 28, 1861, the second son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Long) Junkins, and received his early education at the district school of Pottertown, Wood county. On March 28, 1892, Mr. Junkins located on the farm he now occupies, which consists of 114 acres of land, most of which is improved. Since he was twenty years of age our subject has been engaged in stock and poultry raising to a considerable extent, and on his farm are to be found many fine specimens of stock and a large variety of poultry. His orchards are also quite extensive. Our subject was married, December 25, 1888, to Miss Mina Smith, who was born in Weston, Wood county, February 25, 1865, and was one of the eight children of Asa and Mary (Ellsworth) Smith. Three children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Junkins: Mary Elizabeth, born March I9, 1890; Clay Samuel, born December 25, 1893, died July 6, 1895, aged eighteen months; and Hazel Alma, born September 9, 1896. In politics Mr. Junkins is a Republican. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. at Weston. He is a self-made man, all he possesses being the result of his own industry and perseverance. EDMUND L. STOVE, a successful agriculturist of Bloom township, is a member of a family which sent six sons to the defense of the Union during the Civil war, and the eldest daughter was the wife of another soldier. Such a record of courage and patriotism needs no words of comment. The family is of English origin, our subject's grandfather, John Stove, having been a resident of Leicestershire, England, where John Stove (2), the father, was born March 3, 1803, the youngest of three sons. He was the only one of the family to come to America. He was a merchant and tailor by occupation. He married Miss Catherine Laywood, also a native of Leicestershire, and in 1838 brought his family to America, passing five weeks on the water, and spending $500 in gold before he was settled in Richland county, near Mansfield, on what is called Robinson's Big Hill, where the subject of this sketch was born, June 3, 1838. Seven older children were born in England: (1) Elizabeth married Solomon Whistler, who enlisted in Company H, 49th O. V. I., and was killed at Chickamauga. (2) William, now a resident of Van Wert county, was a member of Company E, 46th O. V. I., and was wounded at Vicksburg. (3) Joseph, now residing in Erie county, Penn., was a soldier in the Mexican war, ranking as first sergeant, and later served three years on the U. S. warship " Merrimac," which was captured by the Confederates during the war, and became the iron-clad " Virginia "; he spent one year on the lakes in the steamer "Old Michigan," and three years as an officer on the U. S. frigate ''Raritan." After the war broke out he served on the " Unadilla, " as an officer, eighteen months, taking part in the battles at Port Royal and Beaufort, N. C.; he was a member of the home militia until after the close of the war. (4) John, a printer by trade, died in Cincinnati in 1871. Previous to the war he was captain of a militia company in Missouri, and Gov. Price undertook to compel him to join the Confederate army, but when the detail of officers came for him they found him seriously ill (from a timely dose of ipecac), and they returned without him. He managed to join the Federal forces under Gen. Lyons, took part in the engagement at Wilson's Creek, and later took the place of his brother George in the 149th O. V. I., the latter remaining at home to care for the aged parents. During the last, year of the war John Stove was a member of the surgeon's staff of the 189th O. V. I. (5) George, referred to above, was a member of the " Home Guards." He was the first one to die, being killed by a kick from a horse in 1865. (6) Thomas was a member of Company E, 46th O. V. I., and served until discharged for disability. He died in Cadillac, Mich., in December, 1892. (7) Mary never married, and is now living in Fostoria. Three children besides Edmund L., our subject, were born in this country: Hannah, Priscilla and Sarah, all residents of Fostoria. A few years after their arrival the family moved to a farm near Ashland, and in 1852 they came to Bloom township, traveling by wagon, and settled upon a tract of 160 acres of land covered with heavy timber. Their first house was a log cabin, which was afterward enlarged, and soon supplanted by a more modern residence. Here the parents died in 1870, the mother in February, and the father two weeks later, and their remains were buried near Fostoria. They WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 979 had been members of the Church of England in their youth, but after coming to this country they united with the M. E. Church. They were thoroughly in sympathy with American institutions, and instilled their patriotic principles into their children. The father was a Democrat before the war, but later became a Republican. Edmund L. Stove was educated in the district schools of Ashland and Wood counties, and afterward at Fostoria. On August 28, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 49th O. V. I., under Capt. Hays, and was sent to Kentucky. His first battle was at Christmas Creek. In July, 1863, he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and spent four months in hospital, but returned to duty as soon as he recovered. Early in 1864 he came home on a furlough, and returned with the regiment from Tiffin, many of his comrades reenlisting as veterans. They joined Sherman's command in time for the battles of Rocky Face, or Buzzard's Roost, and then followed Resaca, Dallas, Kingston, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy Station. The force was divided then, and Mr. Stove's division returned to Nashville, later going to Huntsville, Ala., and Greenville, Tenn.', and being discharged at Nashville June 13, 1865. Mr. Stove never absented himself from duty except from sickness, and for the one furlough. On his return home he began farming, and on September 20, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary M. Fast, a native of Bloom township, born November 12, 1842, the daughter of John and Sarah (Hess) Fast, prominent residents of Bloom township. They went to housekeeping on the home farm of 240 acres, of which Mr. Stove took charge, together with forty acres of his own, adjoining. In 1872 he bought 120 acres of unimproved land near Bairdstown, where he built a log cabin for their first dwelling. Three years later he put up a large brick house, then one of the best in the township, and each year has seen the farm improved. With the exception of one year's residence in Fostoria, where he built a nice house, he has lived on his farm ever since. He also owns 122 1/2 acres in Cass township, Hancock county, and is one of the substantial farmers of that region. He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, in which he has held office. Mrs. Stove is a lady of fine intelligence and culture, and was a teacher before her marriage. He is one of the best informed men in his locality, an excellent mathematician and a great reader of the best literature. They have traveled extensively over the United States. Their two children have been given good educational advantages: John H. graduated from Hiram College, and is now a minister of the Church of Christ, at Winger, Ontario; Frank A. also studied at Hiram, and graduated from the Ohio Normal University at Ada. In politics Mr. Stove is a Republican, but he has declined all offers of official position. He is a member of Urie Post No. 110, G. A. R., of Bloomdale. Mrs. Stove's paternal grandfather, Christian Fast, was of German parentage. He became a soldier in the French and Indian war, in which he was wounded and taken prisoner, being held for two years, during which time he was adopted as a brother of the Indian chief. He heard the groans of Capt. Crawford as he was being burned at the stake in Crawford county, Ohio. He was a noted man, and a history of his adventures and prison life is given in book form. ISAAC N. VAN TASSELL, a well-known educator, and highly respected citizen of Bowling Green, was born in Wood county, September 21, 1851, and is a son of Isaac and Martha L. (Martindale) Van Tassell. He was reared in Milton township, and began teaching school when he was eighteen years old, subsequently entering Oberlin College, where he remained three years. He then resumed teaching, and has now been engaged in educational work for nearly twenty-five years. The first school which our subject taught was in Milton township, in 1869-70. In 1880 he took charge of the school at Haskins, which he conducted for eight years, also serving as clerk of the school board and member of the board of county school examiners for three terms. He resigned his position to take the principalship of a ward school in Toledo, going there in 1888, and remaining until 1890, in the latter year taking up his residence in Bowling Green. For some years thereafter Mr. Van Tassell was engaged in newspaper work, having an interest in the Tribune of that city; but in 1894 sold out, and again resumed the profession of a teacher, being connected with the schools at Portage and Tontogany. He has always been popular with his pupils, and is regarded as one of the best teachers in the county, being an earnest student, and possessing the happy faculty of imparting his knowledge in a clear and forcible manner to those under his tutorship. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party, and in religious faith he is a believer in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Socially, he is a member of the I. O.O. F. , 980 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO is a good citizen, and has many warm personal friends. He has never married. The father of our subject was born June 28, 1810, in Greene county, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood and acquired a common school education, after which he taught for one year in his native State. When about twenty years of age he came to Wood county at the request of his uncle, who was a Presbyterian minister, and who was then in charge of the Indian Mission, at the old mission station on the Maumee river. The young man was appointed teacher of the mission school, having under his care the little Indian and white boys and girls, which position he held for a year and a half. He then entered Western Reserve College with the intention of studying for the ministry, and during vacations taught school in the towns of Wadsworth and Windham. On completing his course at the college, he returned to the Maumee Valley, where he was engaged in teaching for several years, finally purchasing government land in Milton township, Wood county, where he reared his family and made his home from 1845 to 1876, in which latter year he returned to Bowling Green, where his death occurred in June, 1877. While living in Milton township he served for fifteen consecutive years as justice of the peace, and helped to organize a Presbyterian Church at various places in the vicinity. He held the office of elder in that religious body for many years, and was a stanch supporter of its doctrines. His father's family was rather a remarkable one in some respects, there being fifteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and all married with the exception of one daughter. When visiting his old home in Greene county, N. Y., in 1866, Mr. Van Tassell and his nine brothers attended Church together, and occupied one seat. He was six feet two and a half inches in height, strong and active, and could tell many interesting tales of the early days in Ohio, when he was clearing off his farm, his nearest neighbors being wolves and other wild beasts of the forest, who occasionally paid him a visit. His wife, the mother of our subject, who shared with her husband the privations and toils, is still living. She was born near Perrysburg, Wood county, October 2, 1821. The family, of which our subject is a member, consisted of eight children, a brief record of the others being as follows: Flavia L. married Julius Greely, who was a member of Company D, 111th O. V. I., and was killed at Franklin, Tenn.: after his death she became the wife of John P. Barton, of Leipsic, Putnam Co., Ohio. Emerson H. is a farmer in Monroe, Mich. Clara and Harry C. died in infancy. Helen M. is the wife of Robert Dunn, of Bowling Green. Charles S. resides in Bowling Green. Alice E. died in infancy. The family of our subject's mother were prominent in Massachusetts and Vermont, her father, Elisha Martindale, being a well-known citizen of Lenox, Mass., while on her mother's side they resided at Middlebury, Vt. Her cousin, Gen. James Henry Martindale, was a major-general in the Civil war under Gen. George B. McClellan. Her uncle, Dr. Conant, was the first resident physician in the Maumee Valley, settling there in 1816. A. E. STAHL, one of the best citizens and most substantial business men of Risingsun, was born in Jackson township, Seneca Co., Ohio, September 30, 1852, and belongs to an honored pioneer family of that county. Michael Stahl, his grandfather, located there at a very early day, when Indians still roamed through the forest, and endured all the hardships and privations of frontier life. He married Sallie Hampshire, and both spent their remaining days in Jackson township, Seneca county. Jonas Stahl, the father of our subject, was born September 14, 1828, and vas the eldest son and third child in a family of twelve children. He was reared in the midst of pioneer scenes, and as his services were needed in clearing and developing the home farm, his educational privileges were quite limited. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, November 1, 1849, with Miss Harriet Fiandt, the wedding ceremony being performed at Fort Seneca, by Rev. John Bilchartz, a Lutheran minister. She was born in Berks county, Penn., September 15, 1831, the daughter of Martin and Mary (Kingsley) Fiandt, both of whom had been twice married. Mrs. Fiandt's first husband was Gabriel Price. In 1834, Mr. Fiandt took his family to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1843 removing to Big Spring township, Seneca county, and later to Jackson township, same county. However, he died in Wood county at the age of ninety-four, and his wife spent her last days in La Grange county, Ind., dying at the age of ninety-six. In their family were five children, of whom the mother of our subject was the second daughter and third child. By his former marriage, Mr. Fiandt had eight children. Jonas Stahl began his domestic life upon a farm in Jackson township, Seneca county, where his death occurred November 12, 1870, and his remains were there interred in the Lutheran cemetery. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 981 and was one of the active workers and faithful members of the Evangelical Church, in which he held office. He left two children-Melissa, who was born November 12, 1850, and is now the wife of John Soules, of Seneca county; and A. E., the subject of this review. The mother, who is still living, was married December 31, 1874, to Noah Swope, of Risingsun. She also holds membership in the Evangelical Church. The education of our subject was such as the district schools near his boyhood home afforded, and he early became familiar with the work on a farm. He was but eighteen years of age when his father died, and at once assumed the management of the home place. On reaching his majority he led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Long, of Jackson township, Seneca county, the daughter of Benjamin Long, and to them were born two sons-Elroy, of Risingsun, and Benjamin, who died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Stahl located on the old home farm, where he lived for six years, and then came to Perry township, Wood county, where he purchased 120 acres, in Section 2, which place continued to be his home until his removal to Risingsun, in 1891. During his residence in Perry township, he erected all the buildings on his excellent farm, with the exception of his dwelling, and improved the farm in many ways. For two years after coming to Risingsun, he continued to follow agricultural pursuits; but has since engaged in the oil business, being one of the most extensive individual operators of Risingsun, and owning 200 acres of valuable oil land. He also owns two houses in Risingsun, his own residence being one of the finest in the village. He is an excellent business man, industrious and energetic, and has secured a comfortable competence. He is a shrewd and careful dealer, well deserving the success that has crowned his efforts, for he has secured his property principally through his own efforts and excellent management. He regularly supports the Democratic party, but is no politician or office seeker, his own interests requiring his entire time and attention. ISRAEL SIM0N, a worthy representative of one of the leading and prominent families of Wood county, carries on agricultural pursuits in Bloom township. His great-grandfather, John Adam Simon, was born in Switzerland, and became the founder of the family in the New World, where he arrived about 1735, when still a young man. He determined to make a home in this country, and to stand in defense of his God-given rights life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness. Later he married and located in the eastern part of the Colony of Maryland. During the Narragansett Indian war his house with all its contents was consumed by the flames, but, with one exception, the family escaped by flight, though with scant attire. Andrew, a boy of seven years, being some distance from the house, in a sugar camp, was captured, and at the hands of the savages suffered many cruelties, and it was seven years before he was able to return to the family. The father passed his last days in Washington county, Penn., where he died at nearly the age of one hundred years, and he was buried in an old German cemetery near his home. He was a brave, fearless man, of invincible integrity, charitable and friendly to all. In the family were ten children, five sons and five daughters, the sons being named respectively: Michael, Nicholas, Andrew, Adam and Jacob. The eldest of these, Michael Simon, was born in Maryland in 1741, and was the founder of the family in the Buckeye State., buying 640 acres of land in Mahoning county, in the year i800, from Henry Boardman, who then owned the entire township of Boardman, at that time in Trumbull county. Two years later Mr. Simon removed to his purchase; one of his four sons, Adam, had previously located there. He departed this life in 1839, when nearly ninety-nine years of age, leaving 464 descendants, sixteen being of the fourth generation. He was married three times. By his first wife he became the father of twelve children-Michael, Peter, Andrew, Adam, George, Jacob, Mrs. Barbara Gedaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Kistner, Mrs. Margaret Kistner, Mrs. Ann Mary Macherman, Mrs. Esther Hewitt and Mrs. Mary C. Phister. By his second wife he had one child, who died at the age of one year. His third union was with Gertrude Smith, and to them were born two sons-Abraham and Henry. The last named was the father of our subject. He was born in Washington county, Penn., June 7, 1796, and in. Allegany county, Md., on September 11, 1821, wedded Catherine Stemple, whose birth occurred in Preston county, Va., July 10, 1798. In their family were the following children: Israel, subject of this sketch, was born October 5, 1822; Jonas, born January 16, 1824, died in Hancock county, Ohio, April 5, 1854; Mary, born November 20, 1825, first became the wife of Isaac Bunnell, but is now Mrs. Joseph Beck, of Bairdstown, Ohio; Elias is next in order of birth; Abigail, born July 17, 1830, married Henry Carrell, of Wood county; Joshua, born February 17, 1833, died in McComb, Ohio, May 16, 1890; Carolus, born July 18, 1835, 982 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. died January 20, 1863, from a wound received while a member of Company H, 49th O. V. I., during the Civil war. The mother of these children died April 2, 1836, after a long illness, and was laid to rest in Boardman township, Mahoning county. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church. She had come to Ohio with her husband on horseback, bringing with her a set of dishes which had been given her. The father was again married in Mahoning county, March 11, 1842, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Miner, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Catherine, who died in Wood county of membranous croup while young; George, who was killed during the Civil war; David, who died in Eaton county Mich. ; Gideon and Armenta, who died while young; Henry, who makes his home in Eaton county, Mich. ; and Maria, now Mrs. Gidner, of the same county. The first land owned by Henry Simon was a tract of 100 acres in Mahoning county, for which he paid $400, and to its cultivation he devoted his time until November, 1844, when he came to Bloom township, Wood county, here making his home until 1870, when he removed to Eaton county, Mich. There he died May 15, 1872, and at the same place his widow passed away in 1894. His first vote was cast for the Whig party, and he later became a stanch Republican. Being the eldest son, Israel Simon was early called upon to assist in the labors of the home farm, so that his early education was limited; but after starting out in life for himself he attended both English and German schools. For two years previous to attaining his majority he had worked for others; but his father received his wages, and, at the age of twenty-one, he learned the shoemaker's trade under John Baird, with whom he remained for two years, then coming to Wood county, where his parents had moved in the meantime. In the fall of 1846 his father built hint a shop on the home farm. In Bloom township, on July 4, 1850, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Simon and Miss Susan Nusbaum, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 9, 1826, a daughter of John Nusbaum, who came to Bloom township at an early day, after first locating in Seneca county. Ten children graced this union: Theodore, who died at the age of eighteen months; Catherine, now Mrs. John B. Wilson, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Laura, now Mrs. John Rotz, of McComb, Hancock Co., Ohio; Lewis, who, in the fall of 1890, married Lizzie Lantz, of Preston county, W. Va., who died September 20, 1892; Lydia, at home; Martha, who is the widow of J. D. Munn, and is now engaged in school teaching; Mary, wife of Virgil James, of McComb; Winfield S., who died May 7, 1866; Della, now Mrs. J. H. Reese, of Crestline, Ohio; and Ida, who follows school teaching. On coming to Wood county, Mr. Simon's property consisted only of $30, an axe and a scythe, and, in connection with work at his trade, he also engaged in clearing land and chopping wood. In this way he and his brother Jonas secured the capital with which to purchase 160 acres in Section 32, Bloom township, to which they later added eighty acres, and on this tract our subject first began housekeeping in a rude log cabin 18 x 26 feet, standing a short distance north of where his present home is located. The land was all heavily timbered, not a tree having been cut with the exception of coon and bee trees. After working hard all day in the open air, Mr. Simon would make shoes in the evenings, in order to get a start in life, and the first rocking chair which the family owned, was earned by Mrs. Simon raking wheat at twentyfive cents per day. In 1890 they removed to McComb, but after two years returned to the farm, where they still continue to reside. It comprises ninety-seven acres of good land, and the improvements found thereon stand as monuments to the thrift and industry of the owner. Owing to his arduous toil in former days, Mr. Simon has not enjoyed very good health for some years, although he was once a robust, active man. Politically, he usually supports the Republican party, though he is not bound by party ties in township and county matters, preferring to vote for the man who he thinks will best fill the position. He was trustee of his township for seven years, assessor one term, and has held various school offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. Religiously both he and his wife are faithful members of the Disciples Church. J. D. HALSEY, a prominent agriculturist of Plain township, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born May 21, 1838, near Monmouth Court House, N. J. His grandfather, John Halsey, a native of England, and a sailor by occupation, was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. While attempting to bring supplies to the Colonial forces, his vessel was fired upon by the British and sunk off the "Highlands of Neversink." He swam for the shore, and the American coastguard seeing his courage, were inspired to fight the blockaders with such vigor that they captured WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 983 the entire force of marines. He lived to be ninety-eight years old, having spent sixty-two years of his life upon the sea. Mr. Halsey saw him at the age of eighty-eight, and heard from his own lips interesting reminiscences of his early life. Isaiah Halsey, our subject's father, was born near Monmouth Court House, N. I., in 1808, and during early manhood was a sailor. He married Abigail Brand, a native of the same locality, who died in 1841, leaving five children: (1) Jane (deceased), formerly the wife of D. J. Carbaugh, of Strasburg, Mo.; (2) Mercy, who married John Wickard, of Partello, Mich.; (3) Catherine, wife of A. L. French, died in 1872; (4) Jonas died at the age of ten; and John D., our subject, who was an infant at the time of his mother's death. The father married again, his second wife being Miss Rebecca Wells. Becoming dissatisfied with a sailor's life, he determined to become a farmer, and in 1840 he came to Ohio, locating first in Hancock county and later in Fulton county. He was a man of great physical strength. In politics he was an Old-line Whig; and, although the family were originally Quakers, he adhered to the Baptist Church. John D. Halsey was educated mainly in the schools of Wood and Lucas counties, where he grew to manhood. He learned the trade of mechanical engineer, and for three years sailed on the great lakes as an engineer. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, 14th O. V. I., and served in the army of West Virginia and the army of the Potomac; taking part in many engagements, among them the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Gaines' Mills, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg. Notwithstanding this hard fighting, Mr. Halsey was not wounded once. He served for some time as lieutenant of the 10th Ohio Sharpshooters, and afterward was acting captain, with three companies under his charge during part of the time. On his return from the army he gave his attention to farming. He was married in 1861 to Miss Anna Nobbs, a native of Fulton county, born May 13, 1840, and settled for a time upon a farm in that county. One child was born of this union: Jessie, now the wife of W. A. Ickes, both of whom reside at the homestead. In 1866 Mr. Halsey moved to Arcadia, Hancock county, and in 1875 he came to Wood county, and in 1892 located in Jerry City upon his present fine farm of ninety-six acres, near Bowling Green. He is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of that vicinity, and his sound judgment and upright character command the respect of all who know him well. In politics he is a Republican, and a strong "sound-money" man, and is a member of the G. A. R. GEORGE H. HARMAN, a farmer and oil dealer, was born in Section 30, Montgomery township, March 11, 1850, and is the eldest son of William and Mary (Kiser) Harman. Mr. Harman was reared as a farmer's boy, attended school, and lived on the home farm until his marriage, in 1870, to Miss Mary E. Cupp, a daughter of Jackson Cupp, who was at that time a farmer of Bloom township. At the age of sixteen, our subject had learned the carpenter's trade with Eli Swope, and after his marriage he located near Prairie Depot, rented a farm, and worked at his trade, later doing contract work, at which he continued for about twelve years. The first house and lot that Mr. Harman could call his own was in Tysontown, Wood county. The first land which he purchased was twenty-seven acres in Section 3I, Montgomery township, where, for a short time, he carried on farming. He then traded this land for the eighty acres which he now owns in Section 30, and which is the old home farm of the family, he being one of the third generation to own it. He now has in all 123 acres in Montgomery and Portage townships, where he is carrying on general farming, and has become one of the most prosperous and successful citizens of the township. He was at one time interested in a sawmill in Montgomery township with Bowers & Co. At present, besides his farm operations, he owns an extensive interest in the oil fields, and receives a handsome income from eighteen oil wells, of which he has the control. He is a shrewd dealer, a good business man, and stands well with all who know him. To Mr. and Mrs. Harman the following children have been born: Hattie, now Mrs. Henry Whitman, living in Portage township, and has two sons. Fred is a pumper, and lives in Montgomery township; he married Cora Albert, and has one child. D. Frank is also a pumper in the same township; he married Miss Hattie Wise, and has one child. Nelson and Tillie are at home. LIEUT. W. ROBERT JONES. Among the best known of the younger citizens of North Baltimore, is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born August 28, 1874, near Martinsburg, W. Va., and the same year, his father, John H. Jones, and family moved to Ohio. From his childhood Mr. Jones has taken an enthusiastic interest in military affairs. He is 984 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. a graduate of the Military School at Columbus, Ohio, and from the age of seventeen has been a member of the National Guard, being the instigator and organizer of Company K, of the 2nd O. N. G., raised at North Baltimore, which is made up of the leading young men of that city, and of which he was commissioned first lieutenant. Although still a young man, his activity in military affairs has made him widely and favorably known throughout the State of Ohio. Lieut. Jones has served in arduous duty with his company on various occasions when it was called out by the governor of the State to preserve the peace in cases of strikes. He is one of the most capable and popular officers of the regiment. The lieutenant has been a student all his life, first in the schools of Seneca and Wood counties, and later at the Fostoria Academy, where he paid some attention to the study of chemistry, in which, together with philosophy, he took a special course at Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio. This was followed by a three-years' course in pharmacy at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mr. Jones now contemplates a five-years' course to thoroughly qualify himself as a physician and surgeon. He is a young man of talent, and superior natural ability, which, combined with excellent mental training, class him as the peer of any of his associates. Of undoubted integrity, and the best of personal habits, his friends have cause to predict for him a bright and successful future. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and, like his father, is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Among his associates and acquaintances he is genial and popular, is enthusiastic and loyal to every enterprise that will benefit his city, State or country; of high character and honorable purpose, he is a worthy representative of worthy ancestors, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. ROBERT H. WOLLAM, an intelligent and wellto-do agriculturist of Montgomery township, is a member of one of the most highly respected pioneer families of that locality. In still earlier times his ancestors came from near Winchester, Va., and were settlers on the then frontier line of eastern Ohio, his grandfather, Henry Wollam, who was born September 15, 1777, having been among the first to make his home in Columbiana county. On December 17, 1800, he married Mary Bough, who was born October 11, 1783, and they reared a family of thirteen children, of whom our subject's father, the late Joseph Wollam, born February 8, 1824, was the next to the youngest. He was exceptionally gifted mentally, but the common schools of his day were poor, and he had no good opportunity to develop his powers in early life. He learned the carpenter's trade, and for some time worked at boat building in Wellsville, Ohio. On June 27, 1844, he was married, in Columbiana county, by Rev. O. S. Patterson, to Miss Mary A. Sloan, a native of that county, born February 7, 1827. Her father, Robert Sloan, came from County Antrim, Ireland, at the age of eleven, with his parents, Allen Sloan and his wife, who located in eastern Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. He married Elizabeth Stapleton, and eight children were born to this union: William, a farmer in Davis county, Iowa; Margaret, who married William Chambers, and died in Iowa; Joshua, formerly editor of the Keosaqua (Iowa) Republican; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Butler Sloan, of Missouri; Mary A., our subject's mother; Martha, who married Mr. McClure, and died in Iowa; John, deceased, formerly a resident of Bloomfield, Iowa, and a prominent politician, holding various county offices; and Robert, a well-known member of the Iowa bar, and at present a judge, residing at Keosaqua. For some time after his marriage our subject's father lived upon a farm in Columbiana county, but later moved to New Lisbon. In 1834, when he was ten years old, he came to Wood county with his brother Benjamin, remained through the summer, and then returned home to Columbiana county with his father. In 1851 he again came to Wood county, this time with his family, locating first at Hatton. Soon after he removed to Montgomery township, Section 25, N. W. J, where he settled in the primeval forest in true pioneer style. building the first house ever on the place, a log cabin. As prosperity came he erected a larger home, and in 1876 he built a third, a substantial brick residence, which is still in use. He worked at the carpenter's trade while his farm was being redeemed from the wood and water, finding plenty to do, and at one time he conducted a plant for making molasses from sugar cane. At the time of his death he owned 200 acres of land, and was regarded as one of the representative farmers of the township. A prominent member of the Disciples Church, he was in sympathy with all movements tending to benefit the people, and was an early patron of newspapers in his section, being an interested reader of all questions of his tune. Until the assassination of Lincoln he was a Democrat; but after that event he gave his influence to the Republican party, and was several times elected to township offices on that ticket. Since his death his widow has continued to WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 985 occupy the old home, where she has long been held in high esteem, not only on her husband's account but for her own good qualities. Robert Henry, our subject, is the eldest of their family of six children; the names of the others, with dates of birth, are as follows: William, September 2, 1847; C. F., May 15, 1851; Mary E., September 8, 1853, died February 6, 1878; Martha A., May 25, 1859, married David Myers, and died at Risingsun, April 13, 1882; and Joseph H., March 7, 1863. The four sons are all residents of Montgomery township, and are engaged in agricultural pursuits. R. H. Wollam, the subject proper of this review, was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, June 25, 1845, and was about five years old when he first looked upon the swamps of Wood county, where he was educated in the schools 'of District No. 7. His first teacher was Mary A. Stahl, a sister of Jacob Stahl, ex-commissioner of Wood county, and the building was a hewed-log structure. He was apt in learning, but lacked application, and his course of study only formed a slight foundation for his present knowledge, which has been gained by reading and observation. There was always' plenty of work to do at home, and there he stayed until March 6, 1865, when he enlisted in Company C, 193rd O. V. I. His regiment was stationed near Winchester, Va., where he served as a patrol guard for some time, receiving his discharge in August, 186 5. Soon after he returned home he bought forty acres of partially cleared land in Section 25, Montgomery township, which he cleared and improved. In March, 1874, he purchased a one-half interest in forty acres in Section 24, where he now resides. He has ninety-three acres of excellent land, and a comfortable income, and is highly respected in the neighborhood. Steady and quiet in his habits, fond of reading, and well-informed upon general topics, he is one of the best of citizens. He has never worn the Hymeneal yoke. In politics he has been a Republican since the close of the war, but previous to that his sympathies were with the Democrats. Although he is not a seeker for office, he is a regular voter and influential worker, and has been a delegate to several county conventions. C. F. CHAPMAN, a prominent manufacturer of Perrysburg, was born August 16, 1843, in Berea, Ohio. His family is of old New England stock, and his grandparents, Nathan and Mary (Whitney) Chapman, were among the first to come from Connecticut and settle on the Western Reserve. Typical pioneers, hardy and self-reliant, they lived to the patriarchal ages of ninety-six and ninety-nine, respectively. They located in Portage county, where their son, Nathan M., our subject's father, was born, in 1816. He married Miss Orra Collins, a native of New England, and in 1840 moved to Berea, where he engaged in the stone business and in the manufacture of wooden bowls. In 1862 he came to Millbury, Wood county, and is now living there, retired from active business. His wife died in 1880, at the age of fifty-nine. They had three children: George W., who resides at Millbury, Ohio; C. F., our subject; and Stella Angus, of Toledo. The subject of this sketch was educated in Berea, and in 1862, when only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company B, 103rd O. V. I., assigned to the army of the Ohio. He served as a private, and later as a non-commissioned officer, and took part in every battle in which his command was engaged, not absenting himself from duty a single day from the time he went to the front until the close of the war. Returning home, in 1865, he engaged in the wooden-ware and lumber business, at Millbury. Under his management the manufacture of specialties in wooden ware was largely increased, the trade of the firm now extending to all parts of this country, and to Europe as well. On January 1, 1887, he formed a partnership with the late A. G. Williams, continuing until 1892, when the latter sold out to H. H. Sargent, of Monroeville, Ohio, the firm opening an office in Perrysburg, from which Mr. Chapman still manages his wide and varied business interests. Their factories have been located at various points in Canada, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, and they still have one at Aylmer, Canada, although their work is principally carried on in Michigan, in the factories at Boone and Copemish. Mr. Chapman was married December 4, 1867, to Miss Philinda P. Tracy, who was born in Bowling Green, Ohio, July 13, 1844. They have four children: Edith, Charles F., Jr., Gertrude, and Linda Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are both leading members in the M. E. Church. In political connection he is a Republican; socially he is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Knights of Honor. SAMUEL SLAUGHTERBECK was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., January 1, 1831, and may be counted among the early settlers of Wood county, as his father, John Slaughterbeck, came with his family to what is now known as Perry township, in 1836. He bought land in the timber, and building a rude cabin, such as sheltered 986 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. the early comers, proceeded to make a home. It was hard work clearing away the large trees and thick underbrush, and, far from neighbors or society of any kind, the young farmer grew lonesome, and longed to return to his old home in Pennsylvania. He accordingly took the long journey on foot; but, after spending a short time among his early friends, again came west and took up his old occupations. John Slaughterbeck lived to the good old age of eighty-two years, and died in Lucas county, near Toledo, where he spent the later years of his life. He was originally a Methodist in his religious connections, but subsequently united with the Presbyterian Church. Rachel (Anderson) Slaughterbeck the mother of our subject, was about sixty- eight years old at the time of her death, which took place at Eagleville, Bloom township, Wood county; by her marriage with Mr. Slaughterbeck she became the mother of twelve children, of whom the following record is given: Sarah married Edwin Turnham, an Englishman by birth, and died a number of years ago; Edwin died after reaching manhood; Henry is deceased; Leah is the wife of William Cook, and lives in Bloom township; Mary married Peter Mominee, of Lucas county, and there died; John was a soldier for three years in the war of Rebellion, and died, aged twenty-two, in Bloom township; Jacob lives in Hancock county; George lives in Wood county; Catherine married Wesley Cobus, and is deceased; Samuel is our subject; the others died in childhood. Samuel Slaughterbeck, the fourth child of the above family, grew to manhood in Perry township, and on July 20, 1862, enlisted in Company B, 1 11th O. V. I., for three years, to serve his country in the war of the Rebellion. His command was assigned to the Western army. He was wounded through the left wrist while on picket duty near Louisville, Ky., and was sent home on furlough, afterward receiving his discharge September 18, 1863, at Columbus, Ohio. While Mr. Slaughterbeck was in the army his family remained with his father, and after his discharge he settled on a farm belonging to the latter in Bloom township. This place he afterward sold, taking up his residence in Henry township, where he carried on farming until 1892, at which time he removed to North Baltimore. Mr. Slaughterbeck has a good farm, upon which oil was discovered in 1889, and he now has an interest in eight wells, deriving a handsome income therefrom. He is an enterprising, active man, a good citizen, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. He is a Republican in his political views, and is a member of the Union Veteran Union. Mr. Slaughterbeck was married, in 1855, to Miss Mahala Ann Copus, of Bloom township, by whom he had eight children, as follows: Mary, who died when five years old; Peter, living in Hancock county, who married Marinda Laney, and has five children; George, living in Henry township, Wood county, who married Laura Chance; Samuel, who married Jennie Jennings, and has four children (he lives in Henry township); John, who married Jennie Graham, and has four children (they reside in Henry township); Selina Jane, married to James Fife, of North Baltimore, and they have eight children; Alfred, married to Fannie Durham, and living in Hammansburg, Wood county (have one child); Grant, a farmer in Wood county, married to Miss Minnie Cupp, and has four children. The mother of this family died in 1873, and, for his second wife, Mr. Slaughterbeck married Mrs. Mary Bunnell. Of this union one child was born, Jason, who married Ella Downs, and has two children, and lives in North Baltimore. In 1883 Mr. Slaughterbeck married Miss Malinda Feller, by whom he has four children-Louisa, Burley, Benjamin and Harrison. Our subject used to grind corn by hand, three grains at a time, for the family. The mill was located centrally for three families, Jacob Rhines John Swinehart, and John Slaughterbeck. While the children were grinding the corn the father stood guard against the wolves, firing his rifle to frighten them away. John, the father, had to go many miles to buy corn, and they called the journey " going to Egypt for corn." The Indians camped around the house for seven years, furnishing them with wild meat in exchange for corn. They never molested the white settlers. JOHN MARSH, an influential and progressive farmer residing in Section 33, Lake township, came to Wood county in 1857, locating first in Plain township, but the following year removed to Lake township. He made a settlement at Clay junction, now Millbury, and purchased forty acres of land where the village of Latchie now stands. He was born in Sussex county, England, in 1839. That country was also the birthplace of his parents, Joseph and Frances (Mathews) Marsh, who never left their native land. Four of their children became citizens of Ohio: Luke, who became a farmer of Lake township, where he arrived in 1854, and died at Latchie in 1886; Mark, who located in Lucas county, in 1855, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 987 and there died in 1888; John, of this review; and Morris became a resident of Sylvania, Lucas county, in 1867, and still makes his home there. When in his eighteenth year, Mr. Marsh, our subject, bade good-bye to home and friends, and started for the New World, boarding a sailing vessel at Liverpool, and at the end of seven weeks reached the shores of this country, since which time he has made his home in Wood county. He was married in Lake township, in 1863, to Miss Margaret Akerman, and to them were born three children: Jacob, who is married and lives in Lake township; Oscar M.; and Frances M., now the wife of James Wagoner, of Stony Ridge. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Marsh was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah Moore, a native of Lake township, where their wedding was celebrated October 8, 1871. Her parents were born in Pennsylvania, where they were married, and emigrated by team to Lake township, Wood county, where they entered the land now owned by our subject, and immediately settled thereon, being numbered among the earliest pioneers of the locality. There the father's death occurred October 25, 1880, and the mother died August 6, 1883. In their family were nine children, namely: George, who was born in 1822, died on the home farm in 1849; Mary is the wife of John Akenberger, of Millbury; John died in Lake township, in 1856; James is married, and lives in Nebraska; Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton died in Perrysburg township, Wood county, in 1872; Susanna died in Troy township, in 1833; Mrs. Margaret Shure resides in East Toledo, Ohio; Joseph, who now makes his home at Curtis, Ottawa Co., Ohio, enlisted in Lake township, in 1864, in Company K, 25th O. V. I., for three years, and served until the close of the war; Jacob enlisted in the same township, in 1862, becoming a member of Company K, 111th O. V. I., and died at Bowling Green, Ky., in 1863; and Sarah completes the family. It was in 1831 that this family located in Wood county, making a home in Troy township, on the ridge, near the village of Stony Ridge; but three years later they located upon the farm now owned by Mr. Marsh, which was then_ a vast wilderness, entirely unimproved. The parents were both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Five children came to bless the union of our subject and his wife, as follows: Rachel, now the widow of Jesse Wagoner, of Lake township; Eliza, who died in 1887; and Adelia, Sarah and Perry Earl. Prompted by patriotism for his adopted country, Mr. Marsh joined the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting at Latchie, in 1861, as a member of Company E, 72nd O. V. I., and was mustered into the United States service at Columbus, Ohio, being assigned to the Western army. After the battle of Shiloh he was taken ill, and at Columbus was honorably discharged, in 1862, after which he returned to Latchie. He is a true representative of the Republican party, and has always been a firm supporter of its principles. CHARLES WELLS THOMAS was born April 8, 1845, at Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., and when he was six months old his parents moved to Ohio, settling upon a farm known as ''The Islands, " in Perry township, Wood county. At that time the farm was owned by the late Charles W. Foster, who was a brother of Mrs. Catherine Thomas (our subject's mother), and after whom Charles W. Thomas was named. C. W. Foster was the founder of Fostoria, Ohio, and father of ex-Gov. Foster. Young Thomas received his early education at the common school in District No. 1, Perry township-two of his teachers being Maj. Thomas C. Norris and Capt. F. R. Stewart, while some of his schoolmates were Omar P. Norris (afterward captain); James Norris (afterward sergeant); and Charles F. Munger, Thaddeus Fletcher, George Kamphor, John Johnston and Volentine Ash (afterward privates in the O. V. I.). In Perry township Mr. Thomas enlisted as a private in Company G, Capt. Charles D. Dennis, 189th O. V. I., and was discharged at Huntsville, Ala., when he returned home. He then went to school again, during the winter of 1865-66, after which he worked three years in the L. E. & W. Railway Company's office in Fostoria, Ohio. Later he was bookkeeper for The Roberts Co. Foundry and Machine Shops, closing out their business as receiver for the same. He was elected and served two terms as city councilman of Fostoria, Ohio; for five years served as second lieutenant of Company D, Foster Light Guards, Sixteenth Regiment, O. N. G. He helped to construct the Toledo & Ohio Central railroad, and had charge of the inspection of all ties during the construction of the N. Y. C. & St. L. R. R.; was also transfer clerk, for two years, for The Western Transit Company, of Chicago, Ill., and for ten years was connected with the wholesale grocery house of Davis & Foster, Fostoria, Ohio. The northern street of Fostoria was named Thomas, in honor of C. W. Thomas. For two years he was connected with the municipal contractors of Jamestown, N. Y. He is a thirty- 988 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. second degree Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Mason. He has one son, Ralph F., who is in The Mechanics Savings Banking Co., at Fostoria, Ohio.-Monday, September 7, 1896. JACOB W. URSCHEL, the well-known lime manufacturer, of Sugar Ridge, was born March 6, 1845, in Stark county, Ohio. Daniel Urschel, his father, was a native of Germany, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He was married there to Fraulein Barbara Zintsmaster, and in 1834 came with his family to Ohio, settling upon a farm of 160 acres in Stark county. His wife died in 1885, and two years later he too passed from earth. They had ten children, three of whom were born in Germany: Catherine, deceased wife of Peter Rosche, of Stark county; Daniel, a farmer in Stark county; Barbara, wife of Peter Strauss, a farmer in Stark county; John, a farmer in Stark county; Andrew, a farmer in Indiana; Phoebe, wife of Fred Lifer, a farmer in Indiana; Jacob W., our subject; Elizabeth, deceased wife of John Muskopf, and two who died in infancy. Our subject attended the schools of his native township during his boyhood, assisting also in the farm work, and at the age of nineteen he began to learn the tanner's trade. After working at this for three years in Stark county, he moved to Lucas county, and engaged in the same business in the village of Monclova. In 1876, he went to Kansas and bought 140 acres of land, which he cultivated some six years, when he sold it and moved to Topeka, in order to engage in the butcher's trade, which same he followed three years. He then returned to Lucas county, and remained six years upon a farm of sixty acres, which he sold in 1890, in that year coming to Wood county. Here he bought eighty-three acres in Middleton township, which he has improved until it is now one of the finest farms of its size in the county, with commodious barns and a handsome dwelling house, costing $2,000. Shortly after his arrival he became interested in the lime business, of which he has made a success. On his coming to Wood county, in 1890, he and his wife's brother, F. W. Van Fleet, and W. N. Spencer, entered into the manufacture of lime, beginning in a small way. Soon, however, they put in patent kilns and doubled the capacity of their works, in 1895 turning out 80,000 barrels of lime, which they shipped to several States, both near and distant. In January. 1895, VanFleet and Spencer sold out to A. F. Christman, and the business has since been known as the "Sugar Ridge Stone & Lime Co." As a self made man, noted for his integrity as well as his ability, our subject takes high rank in business circles. On April 4, 1872, Mr. Urschel was married to Miss Helen I. Van Fleet, who was born in Waterville, Ohio, November 10, 1847, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Webb) Van Fleet. Four children were born of this union: Cora M., February 4, 1876, a successful teacher in Bowling Green; Burtis H., June 30, 1878; Charles, July 10, 1874, who died in infancy; and Clyde V., October 20, 1880. Mrs. Urschel's father was born March 19, 1822, in Dayton, Ohio, of Holland descent, and was a son of Matthias VanFleet, a native of Pennsylvania. By occupation he was a farmer, and was among the pioneers of Ohio, first locating near Dayton, and ultimately moving to Lucas county, where he died. Of his children, Charles, born March 19, 1822, was a farmer, and died November 10, 1884, the father of six children, two of whom died in infancy; Mrs. Urschel comes next; Henry F., born December 13, 1849, is a farmer at Waterville, Ohio; Cora, born June 21, 1852, is now the wife of W. U. Spencer, of Delaware; Fred W., born March 2, 1857, lives in Bowling Green. The mother of these in her maidenhood was Miss Sarah Webb, born at Syracuse, N. Y., March 13, 1828, daughter of John (a carpenter) and Hannah Webb, who came to Lucas county in 1834. Mrs. Urschel's mother, who was of English descent, died at Bowling Green, August 30, 1889. Mr. Urschel is a Prohibitionist in politics, and has at times taken a prominent part in local affairs, holding office during his residence in Lucas county. He is a leading member of the M. E. Church at Sugar Ridge, of which he is a trustee, and he is also superintendent of the Sunday-school, and teacher of a class. EMER WINELAND, of Bloomdale, is one of the prosperous self-made men whose careers furnish a valuable object lesson to the ambitious youths of the rising generation. Among the praiseworthy traits that may be noted are those which distinguished him from becoming a mere money maker, and have kept him in close sympathy with every phase of human progress and development. Mr. Wineland was born August 16, 1855, in Cass township, Hancock Co., Ohio. His father, David Wineland, was born in Fayette county, Penn., March 7, 1826, and was married in Connellsville, that State, to Miss Catherine. Barnhart, who, like himself, was a native of Fayete county, Penn., born July 25, 1829. In the fall of 1854 they came to Hancock county, Ohio, and bought forty acres of Helen Urschel Jacob W. Urschel WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 989 land (seven miles east of Van Buren), all heavily timbered. The spot upon which they built their first home, a log cabin 18 x 22, had to be cleared first. The father was a stone and brick mason by trade, and found plenty of work to do in the vicinity. On November 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 72nd O. V. I., and served. three years and a half. On his return he resumed his trade, and after a few years exchanged his first farm for 120 acres in another part of the township, where he spent the remainder of his life. In politics he was a Prohibitionist in his later years, but previously had been a Republican. His years of toil were rewarded by a fair share of worldly goods, and his later years were passed in comfort. He died March 29, 1883; his wife survived him until May 5, 1894, when she passed away quietly one night without warning, at the home of our subject; she was buried beside her husband in VanBuren cemetery. Both had united in early life with the U. B. Church, but after her husband's death Mrs. Wineland became a Methodist. They had thirteen children: John, who died in Hancock county; Benjamin F., a resident of Bloomdale; Mary, the wife of David Cotant, of Bloom township; Susan, who married Alonzo Dailey, and died in Perry township; Emer, our subject; Ida, Mrs. Joseph Cramer, of Bloomdale; Lucinda, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Joseph, who lives north of Findlay; Charles, a resident of Portage township; William, of Bloom township; Jacob, of Bloomdale; Cora, who died at the age of fifteen; and Turley, a clerk in Bloomdale, who lives at the old home. Emer Wineland attended school only three years, his present wide range of information having been obtained by private reading and study. He was kept busy upon the home farm until he was twenty-two, when he came to Wood county and engaged in business for himself. In company with Alonzo Dailey, he built a tile factory at Bloomdale, since enlarged, selling it as soon as it was ready for work. For some time after this he worked as a day laborer in Bryant & Linhart's sawmill, first as fireman and then on the planer, becoming an expert in the latter department. In 1884 he entered a tile factory, and worked three seasons as a laborer, and in 1886 he began working in a feed-mill, following this occupation for three winters. In the spring of 1890 he bought a one-third interest in the brick and tile works of Smith & Stacey, and later acquired a one-half interest, the firm being now Smith & Wineland. On July 3, 1879, Mr. Wineland was married in Perry township, by Rev. Mr. Hays, of the M. E. Church, to Miss Hettie Wineland, who was born in Cass township, Hancock county, February 9, 1862, a daughter of Jacob Wineland. Four children were born of this marriage: Blanche, September 1, 1880; Park, October 27, 1885; Jennie L., June 16, 1888; and Ross, March 15, 1891, all of whom are at home. Mr. Wineland was converted February 5, 1887, and joined the Methodist Church; but he and his wife are now leading members of the Radical U. B. Church, and he has been licensed as a. local preacher by the U. 13. Conference. He is a constant student of the Bible, and has a great liking for religious literature. A cheerful giver, he is always among the foremost in any progressive movement, arid when the Lakeside Co. were threatened with financial failure, and their beautiful grounds so well-known to all religious arid philanthropic workers, were about to be sold, he was one of those who came to the rescue, he and his partner taking $500 in stock. He is a conscientious and earnest worker in the cause of Prohibition, voting with the Third party since 1888, but had been a Republican previous to that date, and he held the office of constable of Bloom from 1888 to 1891. Mr. Wineland adds that W. S. Richard was his justice of the peace, and always gave good advice in all the business that came to his hand. DANIEL L. WHITACRE is numbered among the early settlers of Wood county, having for forty-five years made his home within its borders. He was born in Bloom township, May 17, 1851, and is a son of Reason arid Mary (McCrory) Whitacre. The father was a native of Virginia, and learned and followed the trade of milling. In 1833 he came to Wood county, where he was married, and located in Bloom township. Here he took up 130 acres of land, to which he has since added an adjoining eighty-acre tract, and also owns eighty acres in Liberty township. His wife died in 1862. In their family were eight children Mahlon, who died at the age of twenty-eight; Rebecca, wife of M. Milbourn, of Bloom township; Phoebe, wife of Horace Mercer, of Liberty; James, who died at the age of twentyeight; Samuel M., who (lied at the age of twenty-eight; Lewis, who is living on the old homestead; and Thomas, a farmer in Liberty. For his second wife, the father wedded Mary Bulles, and they have three children--Herman, Arthur and Warren, all living. In early youth our subject became familiar with farm work on the old homestead, and in the winter months, when the work on the farm was 990 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. practically ended, he entered the district schools of the neighborhood, and there pursued his studies until spring, On the 23d of August, 1874, in Bloom township, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Amanda Loe, who was born September 3, 1854, a daughter of Robert and Susan (McCoy) Loe, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in the city of Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Whitacre have a family of nine childrenRobert Mahlon, Reason Hayes, Rhoda Matilda, Ardie Ethel, Wildie A., Naomi C., Carrie A., Howard Dwight and Carrol Errett, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. Upon their marriage, Mr. Whitacre and his wife took up their residence on the Smith farm, but after a year removed to their present home. Just prior to their marriage he had purchased forty acres, but has since extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it now comprises 160 acres, half of which is under a high state of cultivation. All the improvements upon the place are the work of his hands, and he is a diligent, capable farmer, whose well-directed efforts have brought him a competence. In politics, Mr. Whitacre is a Republican, but has never been an office seeker. He has, however, served for seven years as trustee. He was first elected against his wishes, but so capably did he discharge his duties that his fellow townsmen retained him in that position for many terms. An active worker in and member of the Disciples Church, he is now serving as Sunday-school superintendent and as teacher. HENRY HUGHES, a leading grocer of Bowling Green, and one of the most progressive men of that thriving city was born in Plain township, Wood county, February 17, 1858, a son of James and Anna (Evans) Hughes. He grew up on his father's farm, which was situated about two miles from Bowling Green, and, until about six years ago, followed farming. At that time he took up his residence in Bowling Green, where he first engaged in dealing in horses. Later he opened a' grocery store styled the "Red Front," which he is still carrying on with success. He deals only in the best of goods, and by his excellent management, honest methods and genial manners, he has become popular throughout the county, and secured an extensive trade. In addition to his property in the city he owns one of the finest farms in the vicinity. On February 6, 1879, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Carrie Martindale, who was born April 6, 1861, in Plain township. The young couple attended the same school, grew up together, and were " sweethearts " during their childhood days. They are a most congenial pair, and their home is a model of domestic happiness. Mr. Hughes is a Republican, and takes an active part in public affairs, being frequently called into council by the older and more experienced men of the place. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Our subject is a genial and affable fellow with a good word for everybody, ever ready to do an act of kindness and a favor to his fellow man. He has traveled extensively, viewing the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Lakes to the Gulf, and come in touch with many people, and, having been a close observer, has picked up much in his travels that make him an interesting and entertaining companion. He is quite a favorite with the traveling men, and is by them regarded as one of the best posted men in his line of business in this section of the State. In 1895 himself and wife took quite an extensive Western tour, traveling through the Middle West and to the Far West, visiting the various points and places of interest in the Rocky Mountain country, in California, and throughout the West. They not only traveled by rail, but by stage through overland routes, and over the Rockies on the backs of the little burros. They visited old Mexico, and returned by the Gulf route through the South, visiting points of interest, and many of the old battle grounds. They were absent some six months. James Hughes, the father of our subject, was born September 28, 1818, in Lincolnshire, England, of which county his mother was also a native, her birth taking place in 1828. They were married in their native land, and came to America in 1854, settling at Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. There the father followed farming two years, when he removed to Wood county, residing in Plain township on a farm, until a few years ago, when they moved into the city of Bowling Green. The grandparents of our subject, on his father's side, came to America about the same time as their son James, and located in Washington township, Wood county, where the grandfather died in 1872 and the grandmother in 1892, the latter being ninety-four years old. They were the parents of three children: Harriet married James Ellis, and lives in Jackson township, Wood county; Ann is the wife of James Challen, and lives in Washington township; and James is the father of our subject. To James Hughes and his wife were born thirteen children, as follows: Sarah, who married H. Newton, and died when thirty-eight years old; James, living in Bowling Green; Harriet, married to Todd Brown, of Bowling Green; Rose, wife of WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 991 Albert Avery, of Bowling Green; Hugh, living in Center township, Wood county; Henry, the subject of this sketch; John, a resident of Center township; Orlando, living in Wessington, Beadle county, S. Dak.; Frank, a farmer in Plain township; Adona, the wife of Joseph Huffman; Emma, married to Henry Ostrander, of Toledo; Burton, of Bowling Green; and one that died in infancy. F. A. HASTINGS. Among the young and enterprising farmers of Montgomery township, there is probably none more energetic or thorough-going than the gentleman whose name begins this sketch. He was born August 19, 1865, on the farm in Section 6, where he still resides, a son of R. C. and Emeline (Crowfoot) Hastings. The, father's birth occurred at Liverpool, Medina Co., Ohio, December 8, 1830. He was there reared in much the same manner as most farmer boys, obtaining his education in the district schools, and in the spring of 1856 came to Wood county. Here he purchased eighty acres in Section 6, Montgomery township, which was still in its primitive condition, he having to cut down the trees in order to obtain a site on which to erect his hewed-log house. Here he married Emeline Crowfoot, who was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., March 30, 1834, daughter of Ambrose Crowfoot, one of the early settlers of Montgomery township. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm in Section 6, which has ever since been the family home. Six children came to gladden the householdEdna, who became the wife of C. W. Smith, and died in Montgomery township; Finando, a farmer of that township; F. A., subject of this sketch; Anna, who wedded Fred Swartz, and died in Montgomery township; Carl, also an agriculturist of that township; and Ottie, who died when a young lady. The mother was called from this life March 8, 1896, and was laid to rest in the cemetery of New Rochester, Wood county. Be sides being engaged in general farming the father has bought and sold considerable stock. He has converted his wooded tract into one of the most highly improved tracts of the township, and has added to his possessions until he now owns 130 acres, all in Montgomery township; in 1888 he erected his present elegant home. A Democrat in politics, he has always taken a deep interest in the success of his party, but has never cared for official position. The boyhood and. youth of our subject were alternately passed in the school room and in work upon the home farm, his training in the latter line being especially thorough. Early in life he was initiated into the stock business, as his father's assistant, and he has always remained upon the home farm. On March 31, 1896, he was married at Bowling Green, Ohio, to Miss Barbara Ballinger, daughter of William Ballinger, of Portage, Wood county. Politically, Mr. Hastings has followed in the footsteps of his father, always supporting the Democratic party, and socially he is a charter member of Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., of Prairie Depot. In his business as a stock dealer he has become widely acquainted, and it is hardly necessary to state that his circle of friends is almost equally large. JOHN R. WINTERS has spent his entire life in the Buckeye State, and is one of its worthy sons. As a citizen of Wood county, he is now devoted to its best interests, and gives a hearty support to all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. Widely and favorably known, we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, and gladly give it a place in this volume. Mr. Winters was born in Crawford county, Ohio, May 11, 1851, and comes of an old family of this State. His grandfather, Eli Winters, spent his entire life here, and always carried on farming-his property comprising 160 acres of rich land in Crawford county. The father of our subject, Abraham Winters, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, December 27, 1822, and accompanied his parents to Crawford county during his boyhood. He succeeded to the ownership of the old home farm, and there remained until the fall of 1851, when he removed to Hancock county, Ohio, and purchased 180 acres of land in Pleasant township, on which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1874. In Crawford county, he married Miss Sarah Elarton, a native of Pennsylvania, who still survives him, and is living on the old homestead. Their children are Eli, a farmer of Hancock county, Ohio; William W., who is traveling salesman for a nursery firm, and resides in Findlay, Ohio; James D., a farmer of Hancock county; Thomas Everett, of Washington; Albert S., of Findlay;. and John R., of this review. Our subject was only six months old when his parents removed to Hancock county, and there, on the old home farm, he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools. On attaining his majority he left home and followed various employments until his marriage. That important event in his life occurred in 992 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Pleasant township, Hancock county, October 10, 1880, Miss Josephine Williams, becoming his wife. She was born in Arcadia, Hancock county, November 6, 1859, and is a daughter of Elisha and Sarah (Peters) Williams. Upon his marriage Mr. Winters rented a farm in Putnam county, Ohio, and continued its cultivation for five years. He then came to Wood county, and, with the capital he had saved, purchased eighty acres of wild land in Jackson township. This he cleared, and with characteristic energy began its development. He has transformed the land into rich fields, has planted a good orchard, and, erected substantial barns and outbuildings. The frame of his house he constructed in Shawtown, Hancock county, and then hauled it on a wagon to the place where it now stands. He is a careful and conscientious business man, honorable in all things, and his presistent effort has gained him a handsome competence. In 1895 Mr. Winters was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died January 20, and was laid to rest in McComb cemetery. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and had many friends. In the family were the following children Arthur J., Roy and Bertha Dell, at home; Erl, who died at the age of four years; Annie Ruth, at home; Jessie; and one who died in infancy. In his political adherency Mr. Winters is a stalwart Republican, and has served for a year and a half as a member of the school board, but has never sought or desired political preferment, giving his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. LEWIS L. YATES, a successful and well-known farmer of Perry township, was born in Sycamore township, Wyandot Co., Ohio, November 8, 1844, and is the fifth son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Craun) Yates. Our subject was educated in the district schools of his locality, which, he thinks, were in some respects superior to those of the present day. His boyhood was spent on a farm, where he did all kinds of work without the appliances which in these days do so much to lessen the hard labor necessary in clearing and cultivating the soil. There were then no corn droppers or corn shellers, no harvesters or binders, and everything was done by hand. He was only a lad when his parents settled in Perry township, and he remained at home until his enlistment in the l00-days' service, which was on May 2, 1864, he becoming a member of Company E, 144th O. V. I., under Capt. Smith. During all the time of his service he was stationed at Wilmington, Del., doing guard duty, not a very active, though a very important, branch of the service. On August 24, 1864, he was honorably discharged, and returned home, again taking up work on his father's farm. Mr. Yates was married in Perry township, November 26, 1870, to Miss Martha A. Hall, who was born January 25, 1845, in Likens township, Crawford county, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Kirk) Hall, who removed to Perry township in 1855, and settled on a tract of land in the woods, to which Mr. Hall had to chop a road through the forest. His first residence was a small log house, which stood in the midst of the forest, on 160 acres, of which but a few acres had been cleared. It was on this farm that the young couple settled after their marriage, Mr. Yates at first renting and afterward purchasing it of his father-in-law, and he has ever since resided here. He owns 250 acres altogether in the township. Three children were born to them: Mary B. (now Mrs. Henry Kordee), residing in Montgomery township; James E., who was married in March, 1896, to Silva, daughter of Charles Stearnes; and Charles R., at home. In politics Mr. Yates is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in the success of his party, although he has never been an office seeker. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Protestant Church in Bloom township, of which he has been steward, trustee and classleader, and is well-known as a man of Christian living and sterling integrity. He is noted for his generosity and charity, and has never been known to turn a hungry man from his door or to refuse help to one in need. He is a devoted husband and father, and in all the relations of life has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a capable mars, a good manager, and is deserving of the prosperity to which he has attained. DAVID SHANKS, a leading agriculturist and stock dealer of this county, residing in Webster township, near Scotch Ridge, was born in that township, October 3, 1845 His father, Peter Shanks, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1808, came to America in 1834, and settled in Wood county, entering 160 acres of land in Webster township, which he cleared and transformed into a fine farm. He married Miss Jeannette Weddell, who had also come from Scotland, in 1834, and had twelve sons: John, a farmer in Center township; George, Lewis L. Yates WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 993 who was killed in the army; James, who died from an accidental injury; William, who was killed in the army; Thomas, a farmer in Webster township; David, our subject; Henry, an attorney and real-estate broker in Toledo; Robert and Louis, both farmers of Webster township; Jackson, deceased, and two who died in infancy. Our subject's mother died October 26, 1890, and the father survived but a few months, dying June 10, 1891. Mr. Shanks enjoyed the district school opportunities and the practical home training in industry, which falls to the lot of the average country youth. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Company I, 144th O. V. I. (Capt. McKee and Col. Miller commanding), and participated in the battles of Monocacy Junction and Berryville, Va. He was wounded in the left shoulder during the latter engagement, August 13, 1864, and on account of it was discharged in September, 1864, after spending some time in hospital in Baltimore. This patriotic family furnished five soldiers for the service of the Union. George and William were members of Company K, 21st O. V. I., and were killed within ten minutes of each other in the engagement at Chickamauga. On his return home Mr. Shanks bought forty acres of land near Scotch Ridge, to which he has added, until he now owns 120 acres, not to be excelled in location or fertility. His improvements are of a model character, and his barn and shed are the largest in Wood county, as he cannot content himself with anything short of the best. His specialty is stock raising and feeding, an annual trip being made to Chicago to procure Western cattle to fatten for Eastern markets. On October 9, 1872, Mr. Shanks married Miss Philinda Loomis, a daughter of George Loomis. She died December 14, 1875, leaving no children. His second wife was formerly Miss Ida Fox, a daughter of John A. Fox, a prominent resident of Webster township. Three children were born of this marriage: Philinda, Margaret and Darwell. In politics Mr. Shanks is a Republican, and he has held the offices of school director and township trustee a number of years. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church at Scotch Ridge, and belongs to Wiley Post, G. A. R., of Bowling Green. JOHN ISCH. Among those agriculturists of Wood county, whose places manifest to the most casual observer the energy and ability of their owner in his chosen calling, is the subject of this personal history. His residence is situated in Section 17, Lake township, where he has a valuable farm of 192 acres, well tiled and drained, and the buildings are such as are found on a model farm in the nineteenth century. Mr. Isch is a native of Wood county, his birth having occurred at Perrysburg, September 7, 1850, while his parents, John and Mary (Zimmerman) Isch, were both born in Switzerland. There the father first opened his eyes to the light of day in 1823, and at the age of twenty years he accompanied his father to the United States, coming direct to Wood county, where the latter died at the age of seventy years. In Perrysburg, the father of our subject carried on the baker's trade for a couple of years, and there married Miss Zimmerman, after which he located on a farm of 113 acres in Lake township. He made of his land a highly cultivated and productive place, and thereon spent his remaining days, dying in 1888. His wife also passed away on the old homestead in 1879. He was a sincere and earnest Christian, a member of the Evangelical Church, of which he often served as a local minister. In a family of three children our subject is the only one now living, and he was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the labors that fall to the lot of an agriculturist. After pursuing his studies for some time in the district schools of Lake township, he entered a Reformed Church school at Toledo, Ohio, where he continued for two terms, thus completing his literary training. On April 13, 1875, Mr. Isch married Miss Rosa Schaller, who was born in Switzerland, May 23, 1851, and they have become the parents of three children-Fred, Frank and Edwin. In politics, Mr. Isch is a Republican, a leader of his party in Lake township, and was elected county infirmary director in 1888, which position he continued to fill very satisfactorily for six years. His social relations are with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and he is one of the representative citizens of the community, noted for his honesty and integrity of purpose. Being publicspirited, he takes great interest in all the moral, religious and educational matters of the township, and always lends encouragement and support to whatever appears to be for the best interests of the locality in which he makes his home. JOHN S. POPE, deceased, was born in Newport, Vt., December 30, 1822, and was a son of E. S. and Sarah (Stocker) Pope, also natives of the Green Mountain State. With his parents he removed to Ohio early in life, the family locating at Huron, Erie county, whence they afterward removed to Sandusky county, locating near Roll- 994 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ersville. There the father engaged in farming for a number of years. His death occurred in Fremont, Ohio, in 1886, and his wife died in 1891. Our subject attended school in Erie county, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, where he remained until 1857, when he went to Kansas, spending four years in that State. The year 1861 witnessed his arrival in Wood county. He located on Hull Prairie, in Middleton township, where he purchased sixty acres of land, and at once began transforming it into rich fields. He made of it a highly improved farm, and, after the discovery of oil in this section of the State, there were several wells sunk upon the place. Mr. Pope was married at Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in 1854, the lady of his choice being Harriet Allen, who was born in Vermont, April 3, 1837, a daughter of Wells Allen, one of Sandusky county's prominent citizens, who died there, in Madison township, December 27, 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Pope were born ten children-Jessie B., born September 12, 1855, now the wife of L. P. Tribble, of Haskins; Joseph E., born October 9, 1859, a practicing physician of Dunbridge, Ohio; Fred A., born in Middleton township, in 1862, now living in Bowling Green; Hattie, born September 11, 1864, wife of O. Perry, of Nebraska; John M., born December 30, 1867, engaged in school teaching; Arch A., born December 6, 1870; H. Whittier, born July 14, 1874, an oil operator; Kent M., born March 3, 1882, attending school; Ruby, who died in infancy; and one who died in childhood. Mr. Pope was an advocate of tie Republican party and its principles, a gentleman of sterling worth and thorough reliability. He was well liked and highly esteemed, and in his death the community lost one of its best citizens. He passed away March 23, 1888. His widow, a most estimable lady, still resides on the old homestead, which she is carrying on with the assistance of her children. JOHN RYDER (deceased), in his 'day one of the oldest of the pioneer agriculturists of Middleton township, was born June 24, 1817, in Yorkshire, England. His father, Edwin Ryder, who was a native of the same locality, was r stone mason by trade. He married Miss Margaret Yeomans, and reared a family of five children: Jacob, deceased; John, our subject; Henry, who lives in England; Joseph, who died in Huron county, Ohio; and Edward, a resident of Liverpool, England. Our subject had but nine months' schooling in his youth, and, at twelve years of age, was sent to work for his grandmother for his board and clothes. At seventeen he found other employment at eight pounds a year, and later secured a position as coachman for a lady, with whom he remained until 1842, when he came to America. He spent five weeks on the voyage between Liverpool and New York, and calve west by canal, locating first near Oberlin, Ohio. He had learned his father's trade, and, finding stone masons in demand, he worked for a short time at that business, and then moved to Huron county, and bought fifty acres of land, which he farmed for ten years. In 1852 he came to Wood county, and settled near Hull's Prairie on 120 acres of wild land, to which he afterward added forty acres more. The entire tract is now in a fine state of cultivation, with an extensive orchard, and substantial, comfortable buildings. He was married in 1850, in Huron county, to Miss Betsey Willington, a native of England, born April 7, 1830. She came to Ohio in 1841 with an aunt, who settled in Huron county, where her father's death occurred. At the time of her marriage she and her mother were residing in Richland county, where the latter still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder reared to adult age a family of thirteen children, of whom twelve are still living. Frank is farming the old homestead; Charlotte married Thomas Barr, of Michigan; Mary, deceased, was formerly the wife of Frank Carter; Joseph and Thomas are both farmers in Middleton township; Addie married B. Carter; Vinnie married Peter Bowers, a farmer of Middleton township; George and Fred are both farmers near: the old homestead; Sarah married Lambert Carter; Belle resides at home, and is now teaching school; James is working at the tailor trade; and Libbie married Fred Conklin, a farmer of Perrysburg township. Mrs. Ryder died March 19, 1895, after forty-five years of happy wedded life, leaving the sweet memory of a life devoted to the welfare of others. Mr. Ryder, whose death occurred March 1896, was a man of broad views and high Christian character, and liberal in politics. After his death his sons Fred and Frank moved in the old home, and are working the farm. Mr. Ryder's death has cast a gloom over` the community. The once happy home is broken, the children have lost a kind father, and the community a kind and generous neighbor. J. C. SNYDER, M. D. In no profession does a man fill such a responsible position as oes the physician. He not only carries life and death in WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 995 his hands, but becomes the confidant and advisor of his patients, holding a nearer relation to them, ofttimes, than the members of their own families. A man, to succeed in this line of work, must possess, not only knowledge of his profession, and skill in applying that knowledge, but must also possess a character above reproach, and a nature capable of sympathizing with the afflictions of his fellowmen. The subject of this sketch possesses all these qualifications, and besides being a scholarly man, thoroughly versed in medical lore, he is popular with all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Dr. Snyder was born in Northumberland county, Penn., April 3, 1853, where he was brought up on a farm, and attended school until twenty-two years of age. At that time he went to California for his health, remaining there two years, and on his return entered the University at Lock Haven, Penn., taking the literary course for four years, and graduating with the degree of B. A. He then entered the medical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1881. Subsequently he took a special course in the Medical College of Buffalo, N. Y., on surgery and diseases of women. He then went to Michigan, where he remained four years, going from there to Osborne, Kans., where he spent the succeeding four years. At the end of that time he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he took his degree in 1891. Since the latter date Dr. Snyder has been a resident of Bowling Green, where he has a large general practice, and also makes a specialty of surgery and gynecology. He has beef very successful, and has become one of the prominent physicians of the county, his wellknown skill and thorough knowledge of his profession gaining for him the confidence of the public, while his genial manners and sympathetic nature make him many warm friends. He was married in Michigan to Miss Abbie Smith, a native of Canada, who died in 1888. His second wife was Miss Annetta Bainton, who is still living. They have two children: John B. and Blanche the Ethel. 'The parents of our subject were John S. and Margaret (Weiser) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming, and is now living in Florence, Mich., at the good old age of seventy-five years. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. She died when our subject was three years old. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father was a Republican. Their children were four in number, namely: A. W., residing in Kansas; W. L., deceased; M. L., residing in Pennsylvania; and J. C., the subject of this sketch. HENRY A. OLDS, a soldier in the Civil war, and a farmer in Center township, was born in Litchfield, Medina Co., Ohio, February 28, 1842. His father, Miles Olds, was born in New York, in 1813, and the grandfather, who died when his son Miles was only nine years of age, was one of the heroes of the Revolution. Miles Olds removed to Medina county with a family named Strate, with whom he continued until twentythree years of age. His employer then gave him fifty acres of land in compensation for his services, and this he placed under a high state of cultivation. On one occasion his log cabin and all its contents were destroyed by fire. In 1854 he sold that farm and came to Wood county, purchasing t00 acres of unimproved land in Center township, of which he cleared sixty acres. He built thereon a frame dwelling and good barn, and planted a two-acre orchard. For several years he served as school director and as supervisor. He was married in Medina county, in 1841, to Olive E. Kibbe, who was born May 19, 1826, in New York. They had three children, the eldest being Henry A. Andrew was killed by an artillery ball, May 14, 1864, while serving in the Union army. Emily is the wife of Milton Ford, a farmer of Oklahoma. The father died July 15, 1894, and the mother is still living on the old home tead at the age of sixty-nine. Henry A. Olds acquired his education in the district schools of Medina and Wood counties, and worked on the old homestead until twenty years of age, when he began life for himself, being employed at farm labor and as a mill hand. In 1863, with money he had earned, he purchased forty acres of timber land that he cleared and improved. He also , added to it forty acres, and now has a valuable property of eighty acres, on which stands substantial buildings and all the accessories of a model farm. He enlisted in the one-hundred-days' service at Bowling Green, May 2, 1864, as a member of Company C, 144th O. V. I., and was mustered out with his company, August 31, 1864. He suffered much from exposure during his service. Mr. Olds was mar led in Center township, January 29, 1871, to Mary Crom, who was born November 30, 1845, a daughter of Daniel Crom, a farmer of Center township. They had three children: Willard, born March 4, 1873; Leroy, born February 15, 1879; and Elma, who was born December 15, 1871, and died July 28, 1872. 996 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. In politics, Mr. Olds is a Republican. He served for several years as school director, and for six years was supervisor WILLIAM J. ERRETT was born in Galion, Crawford Co., Ohio, February 26, 1863, and is a son of Daniel and Melinda (Schoemacher) Errett, who were of German descent. The father was born in Crawford county, in 1836, and the mother was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1841; and in the latter county they were married. The grandfather, John Errett, was a farmer of Galion, Ohio, and there died in 1888. He was very prosperous, and, besides his home farm of 200 acres, owned 1, 300 acres in Henry county. His wife died in May, 1895, at the age of eightythree years. Their children were Daniel; Jonathan, a railroad man, of Galion; Susan, wife of John Bessinger, of Galion; William, overseer in the railroad machine shops of Galion; Jerry, a farmer, of Crawford county, Ohio; Nancy, wife of Daniel Smith, of Crawford county; and Iziah, a brakeman, who was killed on the railroad December i6, 1885. After about ten years' residence in Galion, the father of our subject came to Wood county, in 1866, settling on a one-hundred-acre farm in Liberty township; he now resides on a farm of fifteen acres in Plain township. William, therefore, was reared in this county, and pursued his education in a school built on land donated by his father for the purpose. He afterward worked in a sawmill owned by his father for about fifteen years, and also aided in the farm work. Mr. Errett was married in Liberty township, February 26, 1885, to Viola Belle Levers, who was born August 30, 1863. They began their domestic life on a rented farm of forty acres in Weston township, and afterward rented an eightyacre farm in Liberty township, for eight years. In the fall of 1891, he purchased his present farm of forty acres, which is a well-improved place. The children of the family are Pearl May, born June 28, 1886; Daniel W., born January 19, 1892; and one child, who was born December 18, 1894, died January 11, 1895. Mr. Errett is a stalwart Republican where matters of national policy are involved, but at local elections votes independently of party ties. JEROME B. MCCUTCHEN, justice of the peace of Troy township, was born in Franklin county, Penn., May 24, 1840, and is the son of James and Catherine (Shook) McCutchen, both natives of the same county. By trade the father was a stone mason and a brick layer, and, in 1856, he emigrated with his family to Troy township, Wood Co., Ohio. He continued to make his home until his death, January 14, 1896, at Stony Ridge, where his wife departed this life September 12, 1888. They were parents of three sons, who grew to maturity, Jerome B., of this sketch, being the eldest. Samuel enlisted in Company K, 111 th O. V. I., under Capt. Day, and was mustered into the United States service at Columbus, Ohio; like so many brave boys, he laid down his life on the altar of his country, being killed at Franklin, Tenn. James, who became a member of the same company in 1862, and served throughout the war, is now an engineer for Mr. Wagoner, at Stony Ridge. In the common schools of Franklin county, Penn., Jerome B. McCutchen acquired his education, and at the age of sixteen came with his parents to Troy township, Wood county, where he has since continuously engaged in farming and school teaching. In 1861, in that township, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Catherine Furry, a native of Lake township, this county, and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Butler) Furry, who, at a very early day, came from the Keystone State to Lake township, where they passed away. Six children have been born to our subject and his wife-Margaret A., wife of Eugene C. Calkins, of Stony Ridge; Elizabeth, who died in 1892; Emma J.; Samuel A.; Carrie M., wife of E. H. Williams, of Pemberville; and Charles H. With the exception of three years, Mr. McCutchen has been justice of the peace since 1866, discharging the duties of the office in a creditable and acceptable manner. Politically he is an ardent Democrat, twice being candidate of that party for probate judge, and for a number of years held the position of town clerk. Socially he is a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 123, F. &. A. M. For forty years he has witnessed the development and progress of the county, has aided materially in its advancement, and is numbered among its most popular and enterprising men. WILLIAM LONG, who is a well-known farmer of Weston township, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, September 19, 1844. J. B. Long, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in October, 1808. He was an ordained minister in the United Brethren Church, and spent his life in that calling, and, as was customary in many cases in those days, also carried on farming. After his marriage WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 997 he removed to Stark county, Ohio, from thence to Seneca county, and subsequently to Madison township, Sandusky county, in which latter place he made his home for thirty years. He later removed to Center township, Wood county, and, died at Gibsonburg February i0, 1895. He' married, in 1832, Miss Lyda Fry, who bore him ten children, as follows: Louisa, wife of J. F. Sampel, residing in Sandusky county; Samuel, residing at St. Louis, Mich.; Jacob F., residing in Bowling Green; Daniel, living at Bowling Green; Rebecca, wife of A. B. Garus, residing at Gibsonburg; William, the subject of this sketch; John Wesley, a farmer of Center township, Wood county; Arcanus, a farmer of Madison township, Sandusky county; Michael E., a farmer, also residing in Madison township; and Samantha E. (Mattie), wife of Charles Pike, of Bowling Green. The mother died April 21, 1878. The subject of this sketch had very few advantages of schooling, and, when only twelve years old, was put to work in a sawmill, where he remained some four or five years. In the spring of 1864, when a young man of eighteen, he enlisted, on February 26, 1864, at Fremont, Ohio, in the 3rd O. V. C., under Col. Siddal, his captain being Paul Diel. The regiment was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, and during the remainder of the war Mr. Long participated in over fifty battles, some of the more prominent ones being those of Selma, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, siege of Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Ala., and Rome, Ga. He was honorably discharged on August 4, 1865, at Edgefield, Tenn., and returned home. His health was so feeble, owing to jaundice contracted in the army, that for a year he was unable to engage in any business. At the end of that time, however, he became associated with one of his brothers and G. W. Smith, in a sawmill, which they carried on for seven years. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Long removed to Center township, Wood county, and purchased thirty acres of land, which he improved, and on which he lived until 1876, when he sold out and bought fifty-five acres on the middle branch of the Portage river, where he made his home for the following seven years. He then disposed of that property, and purchased the forty acres in Weston township, where he has since resided. Mr. Long was married November 7, 1869, at New Rochester, to Naomi Decker, and eight children have been born to them: Alwilda, after six years spent in teaching school, became the wife of J. F. Werner, a sergeant in the Regular army, Third Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, but is now honorably discharged, and living in Portage, Ohio; Clarence W. taught school two years previous to his marriage with Miss Maud Gooch, but now has a general store at Lacota, Mich., and is assistant postmaster, Mrs. Long being the postmistress at that place; Ernest E. attends school in the winter, and assists his father on the farm; Lula and Walter, aged eleven and nine years, respectively, are at home and attending school; Viola, Mabel, and Mamie, all died when children. Mr. Long follows in the footsteps of his father in Church work, having been elder in the Church of the Saints for the past seven years, and, whenever called upon to go out to preach, does so, his motto being, '' Bear the cross, and wear the crown. " He is a trustee of Grovehall Church, and its elder, and is superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he belongs to the Prohibition party, and carries out its principles in his daily life, never having used tobacco or intoxicating liquors. He is an honest, industrious man, and a most worthy citizen. SAMUEL MUIR, one of the oldest and most respected pioneers of Wood county, was horn in Whiteburn Parish, Scotland, August 15, 1822. His father, John Muir, a native of the same parish, married Mary Prentice, and in 1832 brought his family to America. The youngest child, Mary, died in Scotland; of the seven others, four are still living. William and James are both now deceased; Frances, deceased, married James Shanks; Jane is the widow of Robert Dunipace; Samuel is the subject of this sketch; Margaret married John Fenton; and John is a retired farmer living in Bowling Green. The little party were five months making the journey to Wood county. On arriving, John Muir entered 105 acres of land in Perrysburg township, which he sold three years later to buy 960 acres in Wood county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He became one of the most prominent men of his community, and for twelve years held the office of township treasurer. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which our subject also belongs. Samuel Muir, the subject of this sketch was only ten years old when he came to Wood county. He had attended school in Scotland for a few years, but the circumstances of pioneer life were not favorable to study, and his time was mainly spent in helping to clear and improve the farm. At first the squirrels, wolves, deer, coons, and wild turkeys were so thick that a constant watch was necessary to protect their grain. 998 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. About 1850 he sold his possessions with the intention of going to Oregon, but he changed his mind, and bought another farm in Webster township, near Scotch Ridge, and made for himself a permanent home. Mr. Muir was married August 24, 1843, at Scotch Ridge, to Miss Malinda Loomis, a native of Medina county, Ohio, born May 25, 1826. Eleven children were born to them, whose names with date of birth are as follows: John, September 24, 1844, enlisted in Company A, 100th O. V. I., and died a prisoner, February 18, 1863; Maria B., April 2, 1846, is deceased; William B., January 22, 1848; George, June 5, 1850; Samuel, December 8, 1852; Mary, August 31, 1855; James L., September 8, 1857; Jane, September 3, 1861, is deceased; Fanny, August 14, 1865, is deceased; Anna, September 14, 1866; and Ella F., June 6, 1871, who was married September 4, 1888, to Charles South, and has two children, Floyd H., born January 28, 1890; and Samuel Irvin, born August 24, 1891. Mrs. Muir died in 1893, deeply mourned by all who knew her as a loving wife and mother, and kind friend. In politics Mr. Muir is a Republican, one of the leading workers of the party in his vicinity, and he has been assessor for nine years. IRA C. TABER, a well-known lawyer of Bowling Green, senior member of the firm of Taber & Painter, is one of the leaders of the young, progressive element in that thriving community. He was born in New Rochester, Freedom township, October 6, 1860, the son of Nelson D. and Samantha M. (Skeels) Taber. His father was born in New York State, October 24, 1824, and came to Ohio in early manhood, locating first in Fulton county, where he took up land, and then in Fostoria, where he worked in the freight office, and later at his trade of harness maker. Here he married Miss Samantha M. Skeels, who was born in New York State, May 6, 1824, and in 1854 they removed to a farm in Freedom township, where three children were born to them: Our subject; Mary E., born November 22, 1862, died October 18, 1886; and Nellie, who died in infancy. Nelson Taber sold his farm in 1882, and has since resided in Bowling Green. Politically he is a Republican, and, while never a politician, he takes an intelligent interest in all public movements. Our subject attended the district schools of Freedom township until the age of seventeen, when he entered the public schools of Bowling Green, graduating in 1882. He immediately began the study of law, in the office of Frank A. Baldwin, of Bowling Green, and afterward finished his course in the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1885. He then returned to Bowling Green, where he "hung out his shingle," and now has a fine civil practice, with a record of success in his cases, which is the best guarantee for future business. In December, 1895, he associated with C. R. Painter in the practice of law, the style of the firm being Taber & Painter. On August 30, 1862, he married Miss Adelia Thomas, who was born in Wood county, and they have three children: Merle, Marie, and Melva. He and his accomplished wife are prominent members of the M. E. Church. He takes an active part in many local business enterprises, and was for a time interested in oil producing. He is now counsel for the National Supply Co., whose head offices are at Toledo, Ohio, and Pittsburg, Penn. It is engaged in supplying the oil fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Kansas. In politics our subject is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F., in which he has been through the chairs, and also the Encampment. LESTER A. PETTEYS. Among the well-known and greatly respected pioneers of Weston township, who have won success and independence through their individual efforts, none is more deserving of praise than the subject of this sketch. He was born December 6, 1850, on the family homestead in Weston, the son of David and Huldah (Bassett) Petteys. David A. Petteys, the father of our subject, was born in New York, and when a boy came to Huron county, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married to Miss Huldah A. Bassett, and five children were born to them: Lester A., our subject; 'Alice, the wife of David Gundy; Albert N., who is a farmer in Washington township; David, Jr., a farmer in Weston township; and one child that died in infancy. Mr. Petteys moved to Weston township, Wood county, in 1848, where he bought 136 acres of land, which he improved and lived on until 1876, when he gave up active business and removed to Tontogany, where his death occurred March 10, 1886. His wife still survives him, and lives in Tontogany. Lester A. Petteys was reared on the family homestead and attended the district schools, securing such education as the boys of those days could obtain. When his father left the farm, our subject rented it, continuing so to do until two years after his father's death, when the farm WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 999 became his by right of purchase. He continues to reside thereon, and has improved and fitted up the place, until he has one of the most beautiful homes in the township, with all the latest improvements in the way of barns, outhouses, etc. His reputation as a breeder of fine Jersey cattle has spread throughout the county. On September 30, 1873, Mr. Petteys was married in Weston to Miss Sarah E. Walters, a daughter of the late Jacob Walters, of Weston township. Of this union two children have been born: Lula E., December 11, 1876, and Howard L., May 5, 1882. Our subject is a Prohibitionist in politics, and has been clerk of the board of education four years. He is a firm adherent of the United Brethren Church, to which he is a liberal contributor. He is unassuming in demeanor, genial and affable by nature; progressive in thought and action, and is well-read, keeping abreast of the times by a judicious reading of all that is the best in current literature of the day. HENRY RIDEOUT is pleasantly located on a fine farm of fifty-three acres in Ross township. The improvements which we see to-day, have been effected by his industry and good management, and he has brought the soil to a fine state of cultivation. The farm buildings are neat and substantial, and, with their surroundings, present the picture of the complete country home, where peace and plenty abound. Upon this place he has made his home since 1880. The birth of Mr. Rideout occurred in Oregon township, Lucas Co., Ohio, in 1852, and he is a son of James and Julia E. (Brown) Rideout. His father was born in England, but, when only nine years of age, came with his father, Isaac Rideout, to Ohio, first locating at Massillon, but afterward coming to Perrysburg township, this county, where the father's death occurred. In 1849, in Oregon township, Lucas county, was celebrated the marriage of the parents of our subject, and there the father secured a farm for $1.25 per acre, to the improvement and development of which he devoted his time and attention. In 1864 he joined the Union army, becoming one of the "one-hundred-days' men." He held the office of assessor of Oregon township, where his death occurred in 1867. His widow now makes her home in East Toledo, Ohio. A record of their children is as follows: Carolina died in Oregon township. Henry, the subject proper of this sketch, is next in order of birth. James died in Oregon township. Mrs. Jessie Brown is living in East Toledo. Mary is the wife of Edward Hicks, of Ross township, this county. On leaving the home farm, our subject was employed for nearly six years by H. Eggleston, after which he came to his present farm. In Ross township, in 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rideout and Miss Alice Coy, daughter of George and Rebecca (Packer) Coy, the former a native of England, and the latter of New York. Her parents were among the early pioneers of Ross township, and both are now deceased. Nine children have been born to our subject and his wife-James, Bertha, Alice (deceased in 1881), Harvey, George, Emma, Clarence (deceased in 1889), and Ray and Roy, twins. Industry and shrewd common sense have been important factors in the success of Mr. Rideout, and he has been identified with much of the development and upbuilding of Ross township. He is an earnest supporter of Democratic principles, and has served as constable. JEROME H. HILL is a native of Allegany county, N. Y., born in 1856. His father, born in the same State in 1835, was reared on a farm, and received good educational privileges. He was married in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., to Aceseh Gail, and for a short time resided in Machias, N. Y., but soon removed to Delavan, in the same county, then known as Yorkshire Center, where he engaged in the lumber business. He was a prominent citizen, taking an active part in public affairs, and, for sixteen years prior to his death, he served as highway commissioner. He died in 1891; his widow is still living in Delavan. They had six children-Jerome H.; Jessie, widow of Phillip Hooper; Frank E., a fireman at Buffalo, N. Y.; Lillian, wife of George E. Pierce, of Delavan, N. Y.; Myron, a lumberman of Wisconsin; and Charles, an oil man, of Montpelier, Indiana. Our subject spent his boyhood days in Delavan, N. Y., and there acquired his education. At the age of eighteen he left the school room and began working in his father's lumber yard, being thus engaged until he had attained his majority, when he went into the oil fields of McKean county, Penn. While thus employed he returned to Delavan, and was married to Miss Adella M. Bull, who was born in New York, January 20, 1869. He then took his bride to the home which he had previously established. Her death occurred there in 1886, and a year later Mr. Hill came to Ohio, living in Findlay for about eighteen months. In June, 1889, he came to Wood county, and assumed charge of the Ohio Oil Company's interests, in Sections 28, 29 and 33, Liberty township. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1000 On the 12th of April, 1890, in Findlay, Ohio, Mr. Hill was again married, his second union being with Rosa M. Phillips, who was born in Peterborough county, Canada, October 27, 1864, a daughter of James M. and Zilpha (Hoard) Phillips, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Canada. They were married in Rochester, N.Y. Mrs. Hill was six months old when her parents located in Titusville, Crawford Co., Penn., and was a maiden of fourteen when they went to Andover, New York. In 1888, they came to Hancock county, Ohio, and the mother now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Hill. Her father is in Elkhart county, Ind., and is engaged in the jewelry business. In the Phillips family were the following members-Ida, wife of Jefferson Brewster, of Andover, N. Y.; Nettie, wife of George Delcomp, of Liberty township; Emma, wife of Abraham Sealy, of Pemberville, Ohio; Charles, an oil man, of Findlay, Ohio; Mrs. Hill; Earl, who died at the age of fifteen years; and Lola, wife of Bradly Keen, of Findlay, Ohio. By his first wife, Mr. Hill had three children, but Earl and the second child died in infancy, and May L. died at the age of twelve years. There is one son by the second marriage, Cassius Myron, born December 30, 1890. Upon his second marriage, Mr. Hill located on his farm of sixty acres, which he has since greatly improved, making it one of the valuable and desirable country homes in Liberty township. He started out in life for himself at an early age, and diligence, enterprise and a laudable ambition have been the important factors in his success, In politics, he is a stalwart Republican. WILLIAM WERNER. The subject of this sketch was born in Brunswick, Germany, February 19, 1842, and is a son of Henry Werner, who died in Germany of Asiatic cholera, was a shoemaker by trade, and left his widow in fairly good circumstances. Six children were born to them : William, Fred, Theo, Henry, Charles, and Caroline. Mrs. Werner came to the United States in 1854 with her children; the daughter had married in Germany, but came with her mother, and located at Albany, N. Y., where she now lives. The trip to America was made in a sailing vessel, and occupied forty days. Their destination was Missouri, where Mrs. Werner had an uncle; but on reaching Norwalk, Huron county, their money gave out, and they were obliged to stop there. Mrs. Werner rented property in that city, and Henry went to Missouri, where he entered land in Franklin county, and was joined later by his mother, Theo, the youngest child, leaving our subject and Frederick in Norwich. Upon being left to his own resources, William secured employment with a Mr. Redfield, a railroad contractor, with whom he remained for two years, receiving his board and clothes, and his first English schooling. During this time he had saved some money earned by driving cows to pasture; and with that took his brother Fred with him to Missouri, where they joined the other members of the family in Franklin county. Our subject took up the tinner's trade, and served a twoyears' apprenticeship thereat. His work consisted in putting up spouting along the Missouri & Pacific railroad, and he was often obliged to sleep out on the prairie. He became very ill, and his employer, thinking he was dead, hired another man in his place, thus throwing him out of his position. He secured work as a dry-goods clerk for a time, and in the winter of 1859-60 his mother, and two brothers, Theo and Fred, returned to Ohio, and located in Fostoria. They secured work, and remained there until the spring of 1861, when they enlisted in the Civil war, the mother going to Albany, N. Y., to live with her daughter until the close of the conflict, returning then to Fostoria, where she died in 1880. On October 16, 1861, our subject enlisted in Company B, 55th O. V. I.; Fred., Theo. and Charles enlisted in the 49th O. V. I., and Henry in a Missouri Battery, M, and all served full terms of enlistment, all coming home alive. William's regiment was organized at Norwalk, Ohio, its captain being A. S. Bement, and was sent to New Creek, W. Va.; their first fight was at Morefield, W. Va. Our subject remained with the regiment until his discharge, suffering numerous minor mishaps, but was never absent from duty. After the expiration of his first term of service he veteranized, and he was honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865. Returning to Fostoria, he was employed as a dry-goods clerk with the firm of Foster, Olmstead & Co., with whom he stayed seven years. On June 10, 1869, Mr. Werner was married in Fostoria to Miss Jane Brandeberry, who was born August 25, 1848, in Perry township, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Fish) Brandeberry. Mr. Werner had saved some money from his army pay, and this, with his salary, enabled him to secure the home, the first one of his own since he left Germany, in which he and his wife went to housekeeping in Fostoria. Failing health caused by his confinement to business compelled him to give up his position in the store, and in March, 1872, he returned to Perry township, where he William Werner WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. -1001 lived for a time on a farm of his father-in-law. On April 7, 1875, he moved to his present farm, in Section 15, which was the first farm he had ever owned. It consisted of seventy-five acres of land along the Perrysburg road, on which was a log house, and they lived in that during the erection of their elegant brick house, which they occupied in the fall of 1875. Mr. Werner now owns over 140 acres of land, and has erected all the buildings on the farm. He and his wife are the parents of the following children: Minnie M., born May 20, 1874; Isaac W., born April 11, 1886; Ruby L., born March 24, 1891; five children died in infancy. Our subject has always been a Republican, and has served three terms as township clerk, resigning during his third term; has also served two terms as school director. He is a member of Norris Post, G. A. R., at Fostoria, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held the office of steward, class leader, and recording steward. Mr. Werner is included in the State roster of soldiers from Wood county, but really belongs to Seneca county. He was in Missouri during the Kansas trouble (when it was not safe to proclaim oneself an Abolitionist), and saw scores of armed men going west " to kill Jim Lane " (so they said). He also distinctly remembers one particular night, when the Democrats had a torchlight procession, and how he and his brothers, Fred. and Theo. accidentally interfered with their transparencies while the procession turned in " to join " (take a drink), and how the brothers went into hiding for a few days. A. C. ERSKINE, a prominent resident of Bowling Green, is descended from a family long famous in the history of Scotland. In the year 1720, two younger brothers of Lord Erskine, of Edinburgh, came to America and settled in Boston. One of these brothers, James, died young; the other, John, had a son John (2), who was our subject's great-grandfather. His son, John (3), the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under General Stark; and took part in the engagements at Bennington, Lexington and Yorktown. Our subject's father, Salmon Erskine, was born at Warwick, N. H., in 1785. He married Betsey Hastings, who was born in Barre, Mass., in 1789, and settled in Plattsburg, N. Y., where he engaged in business as a mechanic. He was a man of great physical strength and active mentality, and always took a leading place among his associates. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and, at the battle of Plattsburg, his shop happened to be situated between the opposing armies and was shot to pieces. When he was relieved from service he moved his family to Middlebury, Vt., and then to Otsego county, N. Y., traveling over the mountains in a one-horse wagon which contained all his earthly possessions. Later he removed to Otsego county, N. Y., where he spent his last days. His wife died, and four years afterward he also departed this life. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Church. Of their seventeen children, all but one lived to maturity, and ten are still living. Their names in order of birth are as follows: Edward, deceased; Amasa, deceased, formerly a resident of New York; Salmon, living in Oswego county, N. Y.; Eliza (Mrs. Seth Dunbar); Phoebe, Mrs. Henry Chantney; A. C., our subject; John; Matilda, Mrs. Wm. Hathaway; Betsey, Mrs. C. Norris; Sarah, Mrs. Edward Norris Hastings, a resident of Oswego county, N. Y.; Charles, who mysteriously disappeared; Cyrus, living in Oswego county; Alonzo, who lost his life in defense of the Union, at Baton Rouge, La.; Azubia, deceased; Caroline, deceased in youth; Sarah and Susan. A. C. Erskine was born near Richfield Springs, N. Y., February 3, 1819. At the age of fourteen he came to Ohio, and took charge of a live-stock farm, holding no communication with his family for seven years. He then returned home and went to school for three years in the Rensselaer (now Mexico) Academy, at Mexico, N. Y. In 1846 he located in Wisconsin, where he lived for seven years, after which he spent fourteen years in New York State before coming to Wood county, Ohio, in 1867. Here he lived upon a farm in Plain township for fourteen years, and then moved to his present residence in Bowling Green. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Louise Emerick, a native of New York State, who died in 1881 at the age of sixty-one. They had four children: (I) Charles, married Louisa Evers, and has one son-Clarence; (2) Emmett, who enlisted in Battery G, 1st N. Y. Artillery, and died in the army; (3) Emma, deceased, formerly the wife of Charles Place, of Bowling Green; and (4) Fred, deceased. Mr. Erskine, despite his advanced age, has excellent health, and is active both physically and mentally. At the age of seventy-two he made a number of articles of furniture for his new home, which are models of fine workmanship. He is an inventor, and has handled many patent rights for himself and others. His latest invention, which he considers his best, is a gas generator, in which oil is utilized. This is pronounced by ex- 1002 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. perts to be the only perfect design of the sort in the market. Politically Mr. Erskine is a Republican. SAM LANE, a representative farmer and resident of Wood county, Ohio, was born in Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio, February 6, 1859, and is the son of Moses and Ruth (Lunbrick-Goodenough) Lane. Mr. Lane, Sr., was born in Somersetshire, England, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he continued to follow after coming to America and settling in Huron county. He married, in that county, the widow of Robert Goodenough, and they had seven children, four of whom died while young, the others being: Sam,, our subject; Moses, a farmer in Plain township; Ella, wife of William Leverton. Mr. Lane was a clever workman at his trade, which he gave up after coming to Wood county, and followed farming as an occupation. He was a member of the Baptist Church, in Huron county, and of the Methodist Episcopal, in Wood county. Grandfather John Lane lived and died in England, where he also followed the trade of a blacksmith. Our subject was about five years old when he came with his parents to Wood county. He grew up on the farm, and attended first the district school, then went to the high school at Weston, Ohio, and finally took a course of commercial studies at a business college in Toledo, Ohio; thus' it will be seen that his educational advantages were much above that of the average farmer's boy. He, however, determined to follow farming as an. occupation, and he did so in a systematic manner. He now has 182 acres of land, on which are situated three oil wells. Mr. Lane was married December 5, 1888, to Netta I. Hendricks, who was born in Plain township, May 5, 1866. They have two children-Fred and Ruth. Mr. Lane is a Republican, a publicspirited man, and is much respected in Wood county as a straightforward, intelligent citizen. EDWARD DAVIS, a highly respected agriculturist residing near Grand Rapids, was born in England, August 24, 1824, a son of David and Sarah (Newell) Davis. It is seldom that one finds, even in this country, which boasts of its self-made men, one who has made his way to wealth through such depressing circumstances as those which surrounded our subject in early life. Edward Davis never attended school, and at the age of eleven years was sent to work upon a farm, receiving for his first six months' labor the sum of twenty shillings, and he continued in the same employment until he was twenty-six years old, with a small increase in wages each year. In 185O he came to the United States, landing with forty dollars in his pocket, and came to Erie county, where he worked on a farm for thirteen years, remaining the entire time with one employer, and saving $1,300. With this amount he bought eighty acres of land in Weston township, the greater part of which was unimproved; to this he later added fifteen acres more, and cleared and improved almost the entire tract; in 1875 he sold this farm, and bought eighty acres of land in Grand Rapids township, where he still resides. He' has made many valuable improvements, and by his steady industry he has brought the whole to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Davis was twice married. In 1863 he was united to his first wife, Jane Martin, daughter of James Martin, a well-known citizen of Weston township. To them were born two children: James Waldo, a farmer in Grand Rapids township, born August 7, 1866, married, May 21, 1896, Ivy Reaker, who was born May 21, 1874; and Seth, who died in infancy. Mrs. Davis died in 1866, and on December 27, 1868, Mr. Davis married Mrs. Julia A. Bassett, who was born March 26, 1838, in Jackson county, Ohio. To them have been born five children: Edward, a farmer in Grand Rapids township, November 15, 1870, was married December 25, 1895, to Ada L. Barton, who was born September 16, 1877, and they have one child; Mary Estella, December 13, 1872; Howard M., May 21, 1875; Bert C., March 8, 1879, died March 3, 1881; and Arthur C., born March 17, 1883. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and although he never seeks political office he gives hearty support to every beneficial public movement. He takes special interest in educational affairs. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Grange, and in his native country was one of the fraternity of Odd Fellows. ALONZO C. JUDSON, deceased, who was a pioneer coal operator of the Buckeye State, resided upon a farm near Grand Rapids. He was born August 7, 1824, in Woodstock, New York. The family is of English origin, and the first of the American line was among the earliest settlers of New England, later generations moving to the vicinity of Woodstock, where they followed agricultural pursuits. Our subject's father, A. C. Judson, was born there, and married Miss Sallie Wilcox, by whom he had three children: Nathan, Otis, and Alonzo C., all now deceased. The father died a few years after his marriage, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. -1003 and his widow was married, in New York, to Clement Fay. They moved to Athens county, Ohio, of which he was a prominent citizen. By occupation he was a millwright. A. C. Judson enjoyed the usual district school advantages of the American youth in pioneer times, his active mind enabling him to supplement this by reading and observation, and to acquire a wide range of information. He learned the millwright's trade during boyhood, but on reaching the mature age of seventeen, he engaged in coal mining, being the first to open the well-known Nelsonville mines. With the exception of a short time in Henry county, where he at one time owned a farm of forty acres, he continued in the coal business until 1853, when he came to Wood county, and bought a tract of ninety acres of land in Grand Rapids township. This he 'sold later, and bought 16o acres from Henry Kimberlin, November 14, 1854, upon which he made extensive and valuable improvements, including fine barns and a handsome residence, so that they were well prepared to enjoy the fruits of their hard labor in their declining days. About 1882, feeling the approach of old age, he concluded to give up active business, and turned the management of this beautiful home over to his son Horace G., with whom he made his home until death. This son also tenderly cared for his mother and an invalid brother, until the reaper of death called them home. In 1864, Mr. Judson joined the one-hundred-days' service and went to the front, but was relieved from duty because of an injured limb, and returning home, he sent a substitute at the suggestion of George Laskey. Mr. Judson was married February 11, 1847, at Nelsonville, Ohio, to Miss Harriet C. Older, who was born October 12, 1829. Thirteen children were born of this union: Samuel 0., born December 11, 1847, died March 16, 1869; Alonzo C., born February 26, 1849, married Elizabeth Looman, and has seven children; William Henry, born August 6, 185o, married Miss Sarah E. Fields, and they have one child (he died January 10, 1876); John Wesley, born February 24, 1852, died June 25, 1895; Lorenzo Dow, born November 29, 1854, married Harriet E. Carson, January 13, 1887, and has one child, Florence S., born October 25, 1887; Christopher C., born September 30, 1856, married Loucina Walters, February 9, 1882, and has one son (Merl, born August 5, 189o); George W., born October 4, 1857, married Miss Louella Basset, June, 188o (he died January 6, 1892); Horace G., born June 28, 1859, was married March 16, 1882, to Miss Lizzie Weihl, who was born December 6, 1862, and they have two children (Gertrude, born May 18, 1883, and Mabel, born February 10, 1886); Joseph R., born January 29, 1861, married Miss Annie Weihl, November 3, 1888, and has two children (one who died in infancy, and Elsie Maree, born June 26, 1893); Mary M., born March 4, 1862, married Jay Carson October 2, 1884, and they have three children (Alta H., born August 17, 1885; Carrie J., born May 28, 1889; and Alice L., born June 3, 1895); Thomas G., born February 6, 1864, died April 2, 1864; Simon C., born July 26, 1865, married Miss Ella Walters, and has three children; Cora B., born June 25, 1867, married Dan Ducat, and has three children (Lula, Bernard and Ray). Mrs. Judson died January 14, 1891, deeply lamented by her family to whom, as a wife and mother, she had given years of loving devotion, and by a large circle of friends whom her rare womanly qualities had won. Her husband followed her to the unknown land June 30, 1896. She and her husband had long been consistent members of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Judson was for many years a teacher in the Sunday-school. In politics he was a Republican, and while he did not seek official place, he wielded great influence in all local affairs, and was a generous supporter of every progressive measure. He was honest and industrious, always dealing fairly with his fellow men. Upon his death, his children found that deeds of his lands had been made out, signed and acknowledged, deeding each of the children twenty acres of land justly divided. His children can look back with pride upon his exemplary life, and should they follow the example mapped out by their father's life, they will make no mistake. SAMUEL W. BRUNTHAVER is possessed of the true Western spirit of progress, and his chief characteristics are industry and enterprise, qualities which are always essential to success. He now follows farming in Middleton township, and his entire life has been spent in the Buckeye State. He was born in Ballville township, Sandusky county, August 18, 1853, and is a son of Peter Brunthaver, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, February 9, 1823, and spent the days of his childhood and youth upon his parents' farm. All his life he carried on agricultural pursuits as a means of support. From his native county he removed to Sandusky county, where he farmed 110 acres of land and reared his family. July 4, 1847, he was united in marriage, in Toledo, Ohio, with Miss Mary Jane Cook, a native of Richland WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1004 county, born March 2, 1827, and to them were born eight children, five of whom are now living namely: Charles, Samuel W., Orin, Frank, and Minnie. The father was called to his final rest while living in Fremont, in April, 1891, and his wife died in 1893. The gentleman whose name begins this sketch was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, working in the fields through the summer months, and attending the district schools of the neighborhood in the winter. When twenty-seven years of age he came to Wood county, and located in Middleton township, where he purchased forty acres of land, only twenty of which had been cleared and broken, and on which was a small house. He has extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of forty acres, so that he now owns a valuable tract of eighty acres, of which the entire amount is under cultivation, excepting four acres in timber. He has erected thereon a good dwelling and barns, and has added all the other improvements found upon a model farm of the nineteenth century. To some extent he has engaged in stock-raising, and has climbed the ladder of success until reaching a position of affluence. In 1883, at Bowling Green, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brunthaver and Miss Annie Norton, daughter of the late Michael Norton, of Middleton township, and a member of the Catholic Church. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and his social affiliations connect' him with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. JOHN C. PETERS is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Morrow county, September 17, 1842. When a child of four years he was brought by his parents, Abraham and Edith (Runyon) Peters, to Wood county, and he attended the district schools of Henry and Bloom townships, his first teacher being Phoebe Bell, a strict disciplinarian. He obtained a good education, and remained at home with his father until after he had attained his majority, when, in May, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, 161st O. V. I. From Columbus he went to the front, and took part in the battles of Cumberland Gap and Winchester, reaching Harper's Ferry July 4. He then participated in the engagement at that place, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1864. During the following year he worked at the carpenter's trade in Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich., and then returned to Wood county, working on the home farm until his marriage; he also followed ditch digging. On November 8, 1867, in Henry township, he wedded Miss Frances A. Wilson, the ceremony being performed by Peter Freyman, justice of the peace. She was born in Yates county, N. Y., July 14, 1848, and is a daughter of William and Mary S. (Kingsbury) Wilson, the former of whom was a weaver by trade. Their family numbered five children, namely: Mrs. Peters; Edward, of Henry township, Wood county; Olive, wife of Michael Henning, of North Baltimore, Ohio; Chester, who died in Tennessee, in 1892; Cassius, who died at the age of sixteen; and Charles, a farmer, of Tennessee. Mrs. Peters was only five years of age when she accompanied her parents to Ohio. They located in Hancock county, and in 1864 came to Wood county, settling in Henry township, where they resided until 1874; then removed to Tennessee, where the father still makes his home. The mother's death occurred there in August, 1888. Mr. Peters first purchased twenty acres of wild land, and lived in an old plank house, 18 x 24 feet, which was built by his brother William. After a number of years he located in Hoytville, and erected the first business house in that town. He then embarked in merchandising, which he carried on for two years, when he returned to the farm, there spending three years. His next business venture was in the line of stave manufacturing, purchasing an interest in the factory at North Baltimore, with which he was connected for two years. He then again returned to the farm, but later removed to Michigan, making his home in Coleman and in Mt. Pleasant, that State. In 1885 he again became a resident of Henry township, Wood county, and in the spring of 1894 he purchased property in North Baltimore, where he made his home for a year. He now owns 573 acres of valuable land, and his dwelling stands upon a forty-five acre tract, while upon his land are twelve good oil wells. To Mr. and Mrs. Peters were born the following named children: L. Lunda, born April 22, 1871, and died January 24, 1886; J. Loren, born September 9, 1872, and married Amanda Bartz, of Henry township; Mary Edith, born December 23, 1873, and is the wife of John A. Rogers, of North Baltimore; Anna Belle, born July 20, 1876, and died June 13, 1884; Willie, born July 22, 188o, and died eight days later; Bassett Le Roy, born September 2, 1881; and Claudie Mearl, born October 28, 1884, and died April 26, 1887. Mr. Peters is a stanch "Free-Silver" advocate, and is well-informed on the political issues of the day. He formerly took great delight in J. C. Peters Family WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1005 hunting, but on one occasion was accidentally shot by a fellow hunter, fifteen pellets entering his body. His life has been well spent, and has gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has been thrown in contact. He now lives in Hancock county, one mile south and one-half mile west of Mt. Cory. ANDREW J. KNAUSS. The Knauss family has long been prominently connected with the agricultural interests of the county, and is worthily represented by our subject, who was born in Plain township, January 27, 1864. He is a son of John Knauss, a well-known resident of the county. To the district schools near his home he is indebted for his educational privileges, having pursued his studies in both Center and Middleton townships. The summer months were spent in work upon the home farm, and from the time that he was old enough to handle the plow he worked in the fields. On attaining his majority he left the parental roof, and started out in life on his own account. He purchased forty ,acres of land, all of which was wild and unimproved. With characteristic energy he began its development, has divided it into fields of convenient size, which are now under a high state of cultivation, and in the midst of the waving fields of grain stand a good residence, substantial barns and other improvements. Mr. Knauss was married on March 16, 1887, in Bowling Green, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary B. Pickering, daughter of Robert Pickering, a farmer of Middleton township. Her birth occurred September 5, 1865. They now have two interesting children-Robert J., born December 19, 1889; and Essie M., born May 19, 1892. His parents hold membership with the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Knauss gives his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party. His life has been an industrious and busy one, and his energies have secured to him a comfortable home. In the county where he has always lived he is quite popular and has many friends. LINDWORTH P. THOMAS is now serving as trustee of Middleton township, and is a public spirited citizen, interested in the welfare of the community and its advancement. He was born in Monroe county, Mich., July 27, 1843, and is a son of Silas and Eliza A. (Beach) Thomas, both natives of New York. They were married, however, in Michigan, and became the parents of nine children, namely: Lindworth P.; Perry, a carpenter; Zachariah, Malvina and Albert, all deceased; India, the wife of G. H. Everett; Gideon, a farmer of Plain township; Clara, deceased; and Clarence, an agriculturist of Plain township. The father removed with his family from Michigan to Plain township, where he owned and operated a tract of land, continuing its cultivation until his death. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as trustee, supervisor and school director in Plain township. Religiously he was connected with the Baptist Church. His wife has also passed away. Our subject obtained his education in a log school house near his home, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He purchased forty acres of land in Middleton township, near what was called Devil's Hole. This was all covered with timber and water, but he succeeded in clearing away the trees, in ditching and tiling the place, and in course of time transformed the raw land into richly cultivated fields. He built a good house, erected a good barn in 1872, and also by purchase added sixty acres. In 1889 he exchanged that property for eighty-five acres of land near the Maumee river, in Middleton township, which he now operates, having made excellent improvements thereon. Mr. Thomas was married September 14, 1869, in Center township, to Lovina M. Noble, who was born in the State of New York. They have two children-Fannie, wife of Royal Daniels, a farmer of Middleton township; and Noble, who is attending school. Our subject has done effective service in the interests of the schools, while serving as school director in Middleton township, and for two years has been a member of the township board of education. He served as road supervisor for two years in Plain township, and one year in Middleton township, and has been trustee for five years. His fellow citizens appreciating his worth and ability, have thus frequently called him to office, and he has ever discharged his duties in a capable manner. In politics he is a Democrat. HENRY MICHAEL, one of the prosperous and go-ahead farmers of Portage township, is a native of the ''Buckeye State," born August 11, 1850, near Fremont, Sandusky county, a son of George Michael, who is a native of Germany, near Alsace. When nineteen years old George Michael came to the United States with his parents, who located near Fremont, Ohio. Here he was married to Miss Catherine Matthias, who was also born in Germany, and came to the United States with her parents when nine years old, the family 1006 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. locating in Sandusky county, where they were pioneers. Catherine had to walk four miles to school. She died November 20, 1894, when she was seventy-three years old, her husband preceding her to the grave, November 1, 1890, when he was seventy-four years old, and they sleep side by side in Oakwood cemetery, near Fremont, Ohio. Mr. Michael was a self-made man, working for every acre which he owned, and he improved his farm of fifty acres, until it was worth $15o per acre, and was one of the best places in the vicinity. He and his wife had eight children, as follows: Caroline (Mrs. Levi Parker), of Sandusky county, Ohio; Phillip, a lumber merchant, of Deshler, Ohio; George, of Fremont, Ohio; Henry, the subject of this sketch; John, a farmer of Portage township; Mary (Mrs. Reuben Swartz), of Fremont, Ohio; Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Thompson), of Sandusky county; and Charles, who is farming on the old homestead in Sandusky county. Mr. and Mrs. Michael were both members of the Evangelical Church for many years. He was originally a Republican in politics, but during his later years he supported the Democratic party. He held the office of trustee for several years in Sandusky township, but was not a man who gave much time to public affairs. Our subject received such educational advantages as the district schools near his home afforded. He remained at house until twenty-two years old, receiving a thorough training in farm work, and also working at the carpenter's trade during the season, having commenced to learn the same, under Asa Foster, when he was seventeen years old. After his marriage, in 1873, he went to Owosso, Mich,, *here he remained eight months, embarking in the furniture business; but as he did not succeed at that he followed the carpenter's trade, and returned from Owosso a poorer, though wiser man. He now rented a farm in Sandusky township, Sandusky county, and here went to work, with no team, no implements, no capital of any kind, his only possessions being the furniture for his house. In Ottawa county he soon bought twenty acres of land, on which he paid $100, and after working this farm for two years he sold out, and, in 1878, came to Wood county, buying fifty acres in Section 24, Portage township. This land was, at that time, almost in its primitive condition, the buildings were very poor, and he was obliged to go in debt to the amount of $635; but, allowing none of these things to discourage him, he set to work at once, and has succeeded in acquiring one of the neatest farm properties in this section. He has bought more land, and now owns ninety acres, equipped with good buildings, all of which he has erected. In 1887 he built a comfortable home, in keeping with the surroundings. He has accumulated all this by his own exertions, and his life is an example of what industry and energy can accomplish, even without capital. At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Michael was married to Miss Alice Cookson, of Fremont, who died in Sandusky county, January 15, 1891, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving one child, Mabel G., who now lives in Detroit, Mich. For his second wife, our subject wedded, in 1882, Miss Sarah C. Kratser, a native of Sandusky county, whose father, David Kratser, came from Pennsylvania. Five children have blessed this union: Mary, Lottie C., Laura, Chester H. and Lucy, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Michael are, in religious connection, members of the German Baptist Church, in which he is serving as trustee. He is not partisan in political affairs, voting for the man best fitted for office, without regard to political connection. C. J. UPDEGRAFF, the well-known carpenter and contractor of Portage township, was born February 26, 1850, in Canton, Ohio. His parents, Samuel and Caroline (Becker) Updegraff, were born in Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, and were married in Ohio. When our subject was twelve years old his father died, leaving a family of seven children with but little to support them, hence they were early obliged to take care of themselves. C. J. and Henry went to live with their uncle, Peter Kentz, near Tiffin, Ohio, and the former was to remain there until eighteen years of age. But, being dissatisfied for many reasons, he left at the age of sixteen years, and commenced work on his own account. He was to have been given fair school advantages, as he had attended school at Canton only a short time; but his schooling was altogether neglected, and he attended only one term after he was sixteen. With no capital, and a scant wardrobe, he set out for himself, commencing to work for a farmer at five dollars per month, and he continued to do farm work, at various places in Seneca county, Ohio, until early in 1871, when he came to Wood county. Here he commenced to learn the trade of carpenter under W. H. Ferguson, of Perry township, during his apprenticeship receiving $6o per year; and he continued with Mr. Ferguson for three years gaining a thorough knowledge of the trade, which he has ever since followed. For twenty years he has been successfully engaged in carpen- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1007 tering and contracting on his own account, giving employment to several men, and many of the best houses and barns in the county stand as monuments of his skill. He is a systematic, reliable workman, and has acquired a reputation for fairness and honesty, which could only be gained by satisfactory work, and straightforwardness in all his dealings. On May 23, 1874, our subject was married, in Perry township, to Miss Hattie M. Pelton, who was born October 6, 1856, in LaGrange township, Lorain Co., Ohio, daughter of Albert and Mary J. Pelton, the former of whom is now deceased, the latter living in Eagleville, Ohio. Albert Pelton was born in New York; Mary J. Elward, his wife, was born March 15, 1822, in County Tipperary, Ireland, and in early womanhood was married in Waterford to David Smith, with whom she set out for the United States several years later. He was buried at sea, and his widow continued alone on her journey to New York City, where a son, Martin D., was born. Mrs. Smith subsequently came to Ionia, Mich., where she had two brothers living, and supported herself by sewing until her marriage, at that place, to Albert Pelton. Not long after they removed to Perry township, Wood Co., Ohio, thence to LaGrange township, Lorain county, and thence, in 1857, to Wood county again, where Mr. Pelton died in 1865. Their children were as follows: William (deceased), Hattie M., Charles (deceased), Franklin J. and Lizzie E. Mr. and Mrs. Updegraff have had two children -Orrin W., born December 20, 1875, and Jesse R., born June 10, 1884, both of whom have been given all the advantages of good schools. After his marriage Mr. Updegraff located on rented property in 'Perry township, where he afterward purchased twenty acres of land, and in the spring of 1880 he removed to Burgoon, Sandusky county, where, with a partner, he was interested in the building of a saw and grist mill. He held his interest in this concern ten months, but the investment was not a profitable one, and he lost almost all he had during that short time. In the spring of 1882 the family removed to Eagleville, here purchasing a house and lot, and this was partly paid for with money which Mrs. Updegraff had saved. In 1884 Mr. Updegraff rented a farm in Bloom township, and commenced to follow agriculture in connection with his contracting business, in which he has ever since engaged to some extent. In the fall of 1887 he bought the eighty-acre farm in Section 25, Portage township, on which he and his family now reside, this being part of the " Bisbee Farm." During his busy life Mr. Updegraff has become widely and favorably known throughout Wood and Seneca counties, and he is respected by all who know him. He and his wife are, in religious connection, members of the U. B. Church; in politics, he is a Republican, stanch in his support of the principles of his party, but not an active politician. PETER C. HUBER, a young man of rare business skill and excellent judgment, was born in Section 12, Portage township, Wood county, September 15, 1862, and is the son of John U. and Clarissa (Foster) Huber. During his boyhood he attended the district schools near his home, where he learned rapidly; but when still in his 'teens he had a severe attack of typhoid fever, which necessitated his learning many things over again. Later, he was a student in a business college at Toledo, Ohio, conducted by R. H. Davis, on Summit street, where he remained for nearly three terms. On leaving the school-room, Mr. Huber began life for himself as a peddler and clock and watch repairer, traveling through Wyandot, Hancock, Crawford and other counties in northwestern Ohio. He sold jewelry, spectacles and photographic work, continuing canvassing at different times, and carrying on that business for awhile in Canada. In that way he earned enough capital with which to buy three acres of land and a sawmill in Portage township. He has since conducted the mill with good success, and also engages in the manufacture of cider, jelly and apple butter. He thoroughly understands his business, having been familiar with mill work since boyhood. A wide-awake, energetic business man, his success is well-deserved, and he is widely and favorably known throughout the community. He lives with his mother upon-the old home farm in Portage township. WARREN W. HAMPTON is a leading business man of Dunbridge, engaged in contracting and building, and is also the efficient and highly esteemed postmaster. He was born in Plain township, this county, May 29, 1850, and is a son of Joseph Hampton. He pursued his education in the Hampton district school, of Plain township, and to his father gave the benefit of his services on the home farm until he reached man's estate. He then began learning the carpenter's and joiner's trade, which he followed in Michigan, Toledo, Bowling Green, Tontogany, Haskins and Dunbridge, Ohio. In 1884 he took up his residence in the latter place. Here on all sides may 1008 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. be seen evidences of his handiwork. He thoroughly understands his business, and his excellent workmanship and strict adherence to straightforward business principles have secured him a liberal patronage. In Middleton township, July 26, 1879, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Hampton and Miss Melinda Jackson, who was born in Lake township, June 12, 1861. Their children are Maude, born July 14, 1880; Bernice, born August 8, 1882; James, born March 17, 1884; Pearl, born January 20, 1888; and Cora, who was born July 23, 1890, and is now deceased. Mr. Hampton has frequently been called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability. He served as constable of the town for three years, was school director for one term, and during President Cleveland's first administration served as postmaster, from 1887 until 1889, when he resigned. In April, 1893, he was again appointed, and he administers the affairs of that office in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. Socially, he is a valued member of Middleton Lodge, No. 786, I. O. O. F., of Dunbridge, and both he and his wife belong to Rebekah Lodge, No. 381. They are also consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Hampton is an active worker in the Ladies Aid Society. Their home is noted for its hospitality, and throughout the community they have a large circle of friends. DAVID D. HANLINE. It is eminently proper that one whose entire life has been passed in Wood county, and who, for more than half a century, has been identified with its interests, should be represented in a volume of this character. Mr. Hanline was born in Montgomery township, March 23, 1838, on the old family homestead of his parents, David and Eve (Rumler) Hanline. In his early childhood he suffered an accident that for sixteen years prevented the free use of his left leg, and in consequence made his attendance at school difficult. He attended a subscription school, to which he was forced to walk two miles, through a wet, swampy country. In his youth he accompanied his parents to Madison township, Sandusky county, where he was reared to manhood, and became familiar with the labors of a farm. In April, 1862, he purchased of his father forty acres of land in Section 25, Freedom township, of which only five acres had been cleared, while not a building stood on the place. He at once began to clear the property, and has carried forward the work of development until the once wild tract has been transformed into rich fields, whose productiveness brings to him a good income. He now owns eighty acres of valuable land, and the buildings upon the place stand as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. On this farm are three oil wells (the first bored in 1895), that produce about fifteen barrels per day. In politics, Mr. Hanline is a Democrat, and ardently advocates the principles of his party. He was drafted during the Civil war, but on account of disability, was not mustered into service. He holds membership in the Lutheran Church, and is a warm friend to the cause of education, taking a deep interest in the improvement of the schools, while for one term he served as school director in his district. He is a law-abiding citizen, one who has never engaged in litigation of any kind; but true to all the duties of public and private life, he has so lived as to win the respect and confidence of many friends. HENRY LUSHER has spent his entire life in Wood county, his birth having occurred in Perrysburg township, on March 20, 1854. His parents were Henry and Harriet (Reamer) Lusher. The father was a native of Switzerland, and when a child of seven years came with the grandfather to America, locating in Seneca county, Ohio. He was married in Bettsville, Ohio, in 1843, to Miss Reamer, a native of Berks county, Penn., and immediately afterward came to Perrysburg, Wood county. Here he purchased forty acres of land on Road-track 21-22, Perrysburg township, and there carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred December 26, 1875. He was killed by a falling limb blown from a tree, while he was returning from a neighbor's, and was found the next day, his skull completely crushed. His widow still survives him, and is now living near Lime City. They had twelve children: Sarah, of Michigan; Mary, Wesley and Malinda, who reside in Perrysburg township; Betsy, who died in childhood; Annie, and Susan, who are living in Perrysburg township; Amelia, who died in childhood; Matilda, who makes her home in Michigan; David, who died in infancy; Harriet, who is living in Perrysburg township; and Henry. The subject of this review was educated in that township his first teacher being William Morris. At the age of sixteen he left school to work for his father, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority, being engaged in general farming and threshing. On December 23, 1874, he was joined in wedlock with Miss David Hanline WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1009 Dora Baumgartner, a native of Wood county. They have an adopted child, Caroline, who was born July 22, 1878, and is a niece of Mrs. Lusher. After his marriage, Mr. Lusher engaged in teaming for a year, and then operated the old homestead until his father's death. In the spring of 1876 he purchased twenty acres of land in Section 36, Perrysburg township, and removed to that farm in the fall. Its boundaries he has since extended, until he now owns 120 acres of land, highly cultivated, and well improved with a comfortable residence, good outbuildings, and all the conveniences of a model farm. He received from his father's estate $578.00, but the remainder of his property has all been acquired entirely through his own efforts. Mr. Lusher is an advocate of the Republican party, and although living in a Democratic township, he has held the office of supervisor for five successive terms, a fact which indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. It is a trust that has never been betrayed, and in all the other relations of life he is true and faithful, while to him is given the warm regard of many friends. WILLIAM SMITH is one of the honored and esteemed citizens of Middleton township, and his well-spent life is in many respects worthy of emulation. Educational, social and moral interests have found in him a friend, and he has been an important factor in agricultural circles, thus adding to the material welfare of the community. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Smith was born in York county, July 23, 1823, and is descended from honored Revolutionary ancestry. His grandfather, Samuel Smith, was one of the heroes of the war for Independence, and the father, William Smith, Sr., a native of York county, Penn., served in the war of 1812. His wife bore the maiden name of Christiana Snyder, and was born in Germany. They had a family of ten children, but Samuel, Liza, Sarah, Liddie and William are the only ones now living. The parents both died in Crawford county, Ohio. Our subject acquired his education in the public schools near his home, and worked on the old home farm until twenty-four years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He purchased a farm of forty acres which he continued to cultivate until 1858, when he came to Ohio. He made his first location in Sandusky county, where he rented a farm of eighty acres for three years, and then removed to Seneca county, taking up his residence near Kansas, where he operated 160 acres of land. During the war, however, he laid aside all business cares in order to aid in the protection of the Union, enlisting, in 1863, as a member of Company F, 126th O. V. I. He participated in all the engagements of his. company, and valiantly did his duty until the war was over, when he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865. Mr. Smith then returned to his farm in Seneca county, subsequently coming to Wood county, and located in Portage township, where for two years he engaged in the operation of fifty-six acres of land. He then came to Middleton township, and purchased forty-two acres of land, which constitutes his present farm. This is now a very valuable tract, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute, while the buildings upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise, In 1847 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Catherine Snyder, a native of York Co., Penn., and a daughter of Adam Snyder, a blacksmith of that county. Ten children were born to them-Albert, a farmer of Sandusky county; William, a farmer of Wood county; Edward, an agriculturist of Nebraska; Levi, who operates a tract of land in Michigan; Barbara A., wife of Peter Bobey; John, a farmer of this county; Angelina, wife of J. H. Carnes, of Plain township; Jane, wife of Henry Schuyler, of Convoy; Mary; and one who died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Smith is a stalwart advocate of Republican principles, and is a faithful member of the United Brethren Church. He was one of the first to suggest the erection of Union Hall, gave $200 to the enterprise, and by his labors aided in its construction. He is now serving as one of its trustees, and does all in his power to promote its interests, and to advance the moral and educational welfare of the community. Over his life there falls no shadow of wrong, and his exemplary character and manly qualities have made him a popular and highly esteemed citizen. ALMON BAKER. The eighty-acre farm in Section 23, Montgomery township, belonging to this gentleman, is conspicuous for the manner in which it has been improved and cultivated, and is evidently the homestead of one of the most enterprising men of Wood county. He is an Ohio man in the best sense of the word, born at Adrian, on May 27, 1855, and is the son of John and Louisa (Strauss) Baker, who brought him to Montgomery township, Wood county, when he was a child of six years. The first school which our subject attended is what is now District School No. 5, his teacher being Jane Adams, and he later became a student 1010 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. in the Freeport school. He remained upon the home farm until 1881, at which tune the Nickel Plate road was being built, and for nine months he served as foreman on the grading for subcontractors. He was then made night watchman on the same road, and in March, 1882, became fireman on a freight engine, running between Bellevue, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Ind. For two years following he was fireman on a passenger engine running between the latter city and Chicago. He was promoted to engineer on a switch engine running between Stony Island and Chicago, and then ran a transfer engine between Fort Wayne and New Haven. He was later a freight engineer, running east and west from Fort Wayne, and was connected with railroad work until 1891. In January, 1874, in Seneca county, Ohio, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dern, who was born in that county in August, 1854, daughter of Hezekiah and Susanna (Hyter) Dern. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children-Gettie, who died at the age of three years, three months and nineteen days; and Bert, Willard and Myrtle, all at home. After his marriage Mr. Baker made his home upon the farm of his father, in Section 14, Montgomery township, but later removed to Risingsun, Ohio, and during his railroad career lived at Fostoria, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Ind. He then returned to Montgomery township, where he now has a fine farm of eighty acres in Section 23. In addition to general farming he is also engaged in oil pumping and teaming. He has made considerable money, always having lived well, and has spent what would be a good lifetime accumulation for many; but, notwithstanding all this, he has secured a good competence, and is now quite prosperous. He has a thorough knowledge of steam and its workings, as well as the business to which he now turns his attention. In politics he is a Democrat, and, socially, holds membership with Onward Lodge, K. of P., of Risingsun, and with several railway organizations. He is recognized as an honest, upright citizen, one who would be an honor to any community. His estimable wife is a consistent member of the Disciples Church at Prairie Depot. , W. A. FINKBEINER, a well-known, prosperous merchant of Perrysburg, is one of the most clear-headed and enterprising young business men in the county. Born in Perrysburg, Ohio, September 13, 1869, he is a son of Chris. Finkbeiner, formerly recorder of Wood county, and now a leading furniture dealer of Bowling Green. Our subject has spent the greater part of his twenty-seven years in the county, attending the public schools during boyhood, and serving as an apprentice to the mercantile business in his father's store. For four years he was employed in the wholesale house of E. C. Saw & Co., of Toledo, and then, returning to his native place, he bought his present store, where, as sole proprietor, his energy and good judgment have met with gratifying success. On June 30, 1891, Mr. Finkbeiner was married to Miss Winnifred See, who was born October 4, 1871, in Cleveland, Ohio. They have one son-Donald Arthur. In politics Mr. Finkbeiner is a Republican, and socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Royal Arcanum. JOHN MCMASTER, a popular, intelligent and esteemed citizen of Milton township, traces his ancestry back to one of the earliest families of New York. His parents were Levi and Charity (Newberry) McMaster, the former born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in T 800. They were married in Chautauqua county, that State, and in 1825 removed with their family to Huron county, Ohio, carrying on farming for a number of years in Greenfield township. He afterward removed to Richmond township, of the same county, where he purchased T00 acres of land that he afterward traded for a farm in Greenfield township. When he had lived on the last place for seven years, he sold it and rented another farm. His death occurred in March, 1851, and his wife passed away in 1872, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Jones, of Weston township. In the family there were the following children: John; Caroline, born June 12, 1829, now the wife of Joseph Horn, of Paulding county, Ohio; Adeline, born January 26, 1831, now the wife of John Jones, of Weston township; Emeline, born June 28, 1838, died at the age of three years; Myron, born July 10, 1833, a resident of Louisville, Ky. ; Levi, of Tuscola county, Mich., born January 28, 1835; Sidney, born August 10, 1839; Charles, of Huron county, born September 14, 1841 ; Dexter, of Lucas county, born December 20, 1842; Emeline, born August 21, 1843, wife of Horton Taylor, of California; Mark, born December 8, 1855, now of Jefferson county, Kans.; Deal, born July 31, 1847, wife of Peter Bliss, of Jefferson county, Kansas. Our subject was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., September 20, 1827. His educational privileges were limited, for there were none but subscription schools in the neighborhood. His school days were over at the age of fifteen, and WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. -1011 he then turned his attention to farm work, was also employed for one year in a sawmill owned by his uncle, Hiram McMaster, and drove a team in connection with a gristmill for a year. Subsequently he worked as a farm hand for $12 per month, and the next season received $13. Saving his wages, he then purchased a small farm of thirty-three acres in Greenfield township, making a home for his mother and the younger children of the family. For ten years he lived on that place. Mr. McMaster was married in Greenfield township, January 20, 1858, to Elizabeth Jane Grieves, who was born in Bergen county, N. J., October 2, 1829, and came to Huron county with her parents at the age of six years. Her father and mother, Thomas and Elizabeth (Stewart) Grieves, spent their remaining days in Huron county.' They had seven children who died in one summer, and the others are Thomas, also now deceased; and David, of Greenfield township, Huron county. To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster have been born the following named-John D., who was born March 12, 1859, and has always aided in the work of the home farm; Della, who was born March 29, 1863, and died at the age of three years; Myrtie, born May 16, 187O; and Laura, born February 27, 1875. In November. 1860, Mr. McMaster removed to Wood county, and purchased forty acres of land on which stood a log house. The following January he brought his family to the new home, and for twenty years they lived in a log cabin, which was then replaced by the present capacious and substantial dwelling. He had only $300 and a team of horses when he came to the county, but has become the possessor of a comfortable competence, and in connection with his son owns 147 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation. In his political views, *Mr. McMaster and his son are both Republicans, and he has served as township trustee for two years, assessor for one term, and school director for many years. He is deeply interested in whatever tends to advance the welfare of his adopted county, and well deserves representation in its history. LORON CLARK POTTER is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Washington township, and is one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of the community. He was born in Sherman township, Huron Co., Ohio, August 8, 1849, and at the age of twenty-one came to Wood county with his parents, David G. and Mary Ann (Bates) Potter, the former of Welsh, and the latter of English, descent. Our subject had five sisters, but two have now passed away- Celia Josephine and Roselia. Those living are Emma Jane, wife of Israel Huffman, of Grand Rapids, Ohio; Elnora, who resides in Toledo; and Alice, wife of William Bemis, of Waterville, Ohio. The early life of Mr. Potter was spent after the manner of most farmers' sons, in a comparatively uneventful manner, and during which he attended the common schools of Huron county, and made himself useful around the homestead as his years increased. In 1872, he was married to Miss Minerva Ann Wade, a daughter of John Q. Wade, a prominent farmer of Weston township, the wedding being celebrated in Tontogany, and four children have come to bless their union. (I) Dudley A., born May 28, 1873, graduated at the schools of Tontogany, and is now teaching in District No. 1 , Washington township. (2) Mary Ann, born January 3, 1875, is the wife of Frank Thomas, foreman of the Democrat office at Bowling Green, Ohio. They have one daughter, Helen, and lost a son in infancy, Harry Arthur. (3) Viola, born January 2, 1877. Birdie, born October 27, 1885, completed the family. Mr. Potter has ever resided upon the home farm, to the cultivation of which he gives his entire time and attention, making it one of the highly productive tracts of the neighborhood. Politically, he votes the straight Democratic ticket. Notwithstanding his busy and active career as connected with the general welfare of his township, he has never sought office, content alone to see the people around him steadily advancing socially, morally and financially. He has, however, served for two terms as assessor, holding that office in 1890 and 1891, and four times was a member of the central committee of his party, and at present is a member of the executive committee. He takes quite an active interest in the Odd Fellows fraternity, belonging to Tontogany Lodge No. 755, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, and is now past grand, while both he and his wife belong to Oriana Rebekah Lodge No. 400, of Tontogany. HARMON HOLLMAN, the well-known merchant tailor of Pemberville, was born August 3, 1851, in Kappeln, Prussia, the youngest of the three children of Frederick Hollman, a stone mason there, and his wife, Elizabeth Hollman. When a young man, our subject learned his trade at his native place, and wishing for wider opportunities, at the age of twenty-two, he came to this country. For some time he followed his WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1012 trade in Tiffin, Ohio, then came to Bowling Green where he worked one year before finally locating in Pemberville. During the first year of his stay there he was employed, but soon established an independent business which he has since conducted successfully. He now owns the only merchant tailor shop in the town, and his well earned reputation for honesty and efficiency bring him a constantly extending trade. In 1879 he married Miss Sophia Bimedick, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born September 27, 1855, the fourth in a family of ten children. Her parents, Henry and Margaret (Telemyer) Bimedick, were both born in Germany in 1826, and came to Ohio in early life, locating first in Seneca county, and later settling in Wood county. Mr. Bimedick was one of the first settlers of Freedom township, and well and favorably known. He was a poor man when he came here, and died March 26, 1893, the owner of a fine farm; his wife died December 26, 189O. Their family consisted of nine daughters and one son, Lewis, who died June 12, 1896; seven of the daughters are yet living. The parents were prominent members of the Lutheran Church at Pemberville for many years. Mrs. Hollman received an excellent education in the public schools and those of the Lutheran Church, is one of the most accomplished ladies of Pemberville, and with her husband takes an active part in Church work, and in every worthy cause. They have had two children: Edwin, born March 7, 1882, at present attending the public schools of Pemberville, and Clarence Lewis, who was born September 19, 1894, and was an exceedingly bright child; he died April 6. 1896, of scarlet fever, after ten days' illness. In politics Mr. Hollman is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. JAMES PINNIGER. Among the reliable, progressive and energetic farmers of Lake township, there is none better known or more highly respected than the gentleman whose name introduces this record. His farm is pleasantly located in Section 16, where he located in 1868, and was at that time covered with a dense growth of timber; but he has transformed the land, making it one of the most highly improved places of the locality. Mr. Pinniger was born in Berkshire, England, in 1844, and is the son of James and Sarah A. (Martin) Pinniger, also natives of the same country, where the mother died in 185O. Two years later the father brought his family to the United States, locating first at Cleveland, where he worked at the barber's, trade and later engaged in the grind-stone business at Berea, Ohio. From there he came to Lake township, Wood county, in 1858, and in the midst of the woods hewed out a farm, which ever afterward continued to be his home. By his first marriage he had three children: James, of this review; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. J. Parker, of Toledo; and Mary, also a resident of that city. In 1853, in Cleveland, Mr. Pinniger wedded Miss Ann M. Deacon. She died upon the farm in that township, leaving five children: Charles, William H., and Albert, all of Toledo; Caroline, wife of William Sanders, of Lake township; and Rosa, wife of John Selfe, of the same township. The father cast his ballot with the Republican party, and served as the first postmaster of Millbury, Wood county; for thirteen years was clerk of Lake township, which office he was holding at the time of his death in 187O; was a member of the school board, and assisted in organizing the school district. The education of our subject was such as the public schools of Cleveland and Berea, Ohio, afforded, and at the age of thirteen years he became a resident of Lake township, where he assisted his father in clearing and developing the home farm. From 1868 to 187O he engaged in the manufacture of wooden bowls, at Perrysburg, Wood county, and the following two years were spent in general merchandising in Millbury. It was in 1874 that he located upon his present farm, then comprising sixty acres of timber land, but is now one of the most highly cultivated tracts in the township, supplied with an excellent set of farm buildings, modern machinery, and everything to be found on a first-class farm. In September, 1869, in Lake township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pinniger and Miss Phillippa A. Bailey, a native of England, where her parents, john and Catherine (Beckle) Bailey, were also born. They were among the pioneers of Lake township, where they arrived in 1852, and there both died, the father's death occurring in 189O, and the mother's some years previous. In 1885, Mr. Pinniger was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. To them had been born seven children: Arthur J., who died in 1895, leaving a wife and one child; Mrs. Anna Wight, a resident of Millbury; John H.; Edith P.; Harry G.; Walter E.; and Frank D. In 1890, Mr. Pinniger was again married, this time to Miss Sabina Youngs, of Millbury, a daughter of Nicholas and Sarah J. Youngs, born in 1857 in Sylvania, Ohio, and educated in Millbury and Toledo. Mr. Pinniger endorses the principles of the Republican party, with which he always votes, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1013 and has served as township clerk and trustee, and as a member of the school board. Religiously he is connected with the Evangelical Church, of Millbury, and socially with the Knights of Honor, of that place, and with the " Tribe of Ben Hur," of Crawfordsville, Ind. His genuine worth gives him a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens. G. G. MYERS, a substantial self-made business man and leading citizen of Risingsun, is also the leading contractor and builder of that growing city. He was born February 28, 1854, in New York State, the son of Garman and Judith (Everhart) Myers, who left Germany in the fall of 1853, shortly after tneir marriage. They had a long and difficult voyage, and after many weeks upon the water landed in January, 1854. Tneir means were limited; but they were industrious, and secured a livelihood from the first. After spending a snort time in New York State they moved to Akron, Ohio, where the father worked two years in a brick yard. In 1857 he came with his family to Wood county, making his home for a time with a brother-in-law, Chris Kern, of Montgomery township, and afterward renting a farm in Section 36. Later he and Mr. Kern bought eighty acres in Scott township, Sandusky county, Mr. Myers incurring a heavy debt for his half. Building a log cabin 12 x 14, and 7 feet high, he began the task of paying for his home and supporting his family, and as his small farm could not do tnis he would work at various employments, such as ditching. He also made quite a little money by skinning cattle that died while at pasture on the Torway Prairie, adjoining his farm, from becoming fastened in the mud and mire. Tneir carcasses were rendered into soap and tallow, and he received half the proceeds. Although he was a hard worker and lived most economically, he found it impossible to pay for his place, and finally threw up the bargain, losing the $50 paid at the first. He rented a farm in Perry township for one year, and then moved to the "Charles Stahl farm " in Scott township, Sandusky county, where his death and burial occurred in 187O, when he was aged forty years and eleven months. In early life he had been a Catholic, but his wife was a Lutheran, and in later years both united with the Evangelical Church, known as the Mt. Tabor Church. The story of tneir early privations is graphically and briefly told in the following words of our subject: " In 1863 and '64 wheat was a failure in the country, so we had to resort to buckwheat and corn for bread-buckwheat and Johnnycake. When our parents went to town, instead of bringing home candy, oranges, etc., they would bring a loaf of wheat bread, which cost ten cents, and that was quite a treat to us. Our clothes were home-made; in winter they would be made of half cotton and half wool, and in summer they would be made of flax." Our subject was the eldest of their six children, the others being: Amelia, who married Noah Rheinbolt, and died in Montgomery township; Joseph, a resident of Risingsun; William, a farmer in Scott township, Sandusky county; Charles, who lives in Fostoria; and Louisa, now Mrs. Levi Harley, of Jackson township, Sandusky county. The mother still survives and lives with her daughter, Louisa. G. G. Myers was but sixteen years old when his father died, and his educational advantages had been limited; but he bravely took up the battle of life as the head of the bereaved family. The farm, which contained 180 acres, had been rented on snares, but a new arrangement was made on a cash basis, and, as time passed, the family prospered. On October ii, 1877, Mr. Myers was married, in Risingsun, to Miss Cora Ragon, a native of Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., Ill., born January 13, 1859. Her father, Daniel Ragon, a well-known tailor, died in Risingsun in April, 1896. Mr. Myers continued to cultivate the Charles Stahl farm for several years after his marriage, twenty-six years in all; but after a time he removed to Risingsun, and established himself in the livery and hotel business, which he followed two years, and then formed a partnership with William Lyons in the sawmill business. They owned eighty acres of timber land in Scott township, Sandusky county, and their mill was located on the same, one mile north of Risingsun. Two years later Mr. Myers became the sole owner, and, with the exception of one year with Charles Kline as a partner, he has conducted the business alone ever since. During that year they moved the mill to Risingsun, and added a planing machine. Mr. Myers has been an extensive dealer in all kinds of lumber and building materials, and in 1892 he began contracting for general building, in which he has been very successful, having built some of the best residences in Risingsun, Bradner, Kansas Station, and elsewhere. He owns valuable oil interests, and is looked upon as one of the most enterprising business men of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Myers nave had three children: Irvin, who died at the age of three years; a daughter, who died in infancy; and Mabel, who is at home. Although Mr. Myers is a Democrat in princi- 1014 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ple, he is not a strong partisan. He served four years as constable of Scott township, Sandusky county; two terms as a member of the city council of Risingsun, and has been a member of the school board. GEORGE BYRON PHILLIPS, familiarly known as '' By " by his many friends, is one of the honored pioneers of Washington township, where he has lived since the age of ten years, having at that time arrived in Wood county with his parents, who here located on a farm. He was born in Franklin county, Mass., August 3, 1847, and is a son of John Phillips, an active, energetic man, who is said to have never lost a day's work in forty years. The father's death occurred in 1878, from inflammation of the glands, and the mother died of consumption in 1864. They were well known people of the community, and had the respect and confidence of all who knew them. From early boyhood our subject aided in the operation of the home farm, and for twenty-five years he and his brother John engaged in the cultivation of 160 acres, which they made one of most productive farms of the neighborhood, and thereon Mr. Phillips erected a good dwelling at a cost of $ I, 800. He also has good out-buildings, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision. At the time of his arrival in the county, deer were still seen in great droves, while so much of the land was covered with water, fish could be caught almost anywhere. For almost forty years he has lived on his present farm, and has been very successful in its cultivation, rich harvests repaying him for his care and cultivation. In October, 1868, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Huffman, a sister of Jacob. Daniel and Henry, prominent farmers of Wood county. Five children have come to bless this union: Pearly, who was born November 1, 1869, and is now the wife of Clarence Moore, by whom she has one daughter, Cora; Cora, who died at the age of nine years; Ralph, born July 18, 1878; Jay S., born September 25, 1883; and Ray, born April 17, 1886. The eldest son, Ralph, has displayed great talent as a musician, having at present taken the fifth position on the violin. He is now attending school at Tontogany, intending to teach in the near future. The family holds a prominent position in social circles, having many friends in the community. In all the relations of life Mr. Phillips has proven himself an earnest, honest, upright man, and a citizen of whom any county might be justly proud. He has held several public positions of honor and trust, being school director five years, supervisor for two terms, and also a member of the township board, of which he is now serving as clerk. He has ever been a stalwart advocate of Republican principles, giving his undivided support to that party, and socially is connected with the Patrons of Industry, and the Grange, being at present treasurer of the former and overseer of the latter. At present he is serving as justice of the peace. DAVID M. ANDERSON, whose sterling worth and well-spent life have gained him the high esteem of many friends, is numbered among Ohio's native sons, having been born near Massillon, Wayne county, September 9, 1844. His father, Robert Anderson, was there born, and wedded Mary Deborah. McDowell, also a native of that county. By occupation he was a farmer, but learned the trade of blacksmithing, carpentering and tanning, and at different times successfully followed these pursuits. His first wife died during the early infancy of our subject, and after his. second marriage he removed to Tuscola, Mich., where he made his home until his death, which occurred about the year 1883. His wife survived him several years. Our subject was the youngest of three children, the others being: John, who died in Huron county, leaving a family; and Deborah, who died in childhood. There were two children of the second marriage: Hiram, a clerk in Bay City, Mich., and Mary, wife of Allan Hickoks, of Clifford, Michigan. Our subject resided with his father until he was eight years of age, and then went to live with an uncle who followed farming near Bristol, Wayne Co., Ohio. He there resided for six years, after which he went to the home of an uncle in Savannah, Ashland Co., Ohio, for whom he worked as a farm hand until 1861. In that year he enlisted in the 42nd O. V. I., under James A. Garfield, and going to the front took part in many noted engagements. In 1864 he re-enlisted as a veteran in Company D, 1st Ohio Light Art., with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., May 25, 1865. After his return to Savannah, he attended commercial college at Hayesville, Ohio, and later engaged in teaching for a year. He afterward was employed as a teacher in the academy in Savannah, having charge of the commercial department for two years, then removed to Warsaw, Ind. He next went to Auburn, Ind., where he had an uncle living, for whom he worked some months as a farm hand. He then opened WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1015 a singing school in Auburn, which proved quite successful, and later engaged in teaching school in De Kalb county, Indiana, at $2O per month. After a short visit in Castalia, Erie Co., Ohio, he went to Minnesota, and was engaged by the Northern Pacific Company to make a map showing the topography of that region. On March 20, 1875, in Erie county, Ohio, Mr. Anderson married Miss Sarah M. Hunt, who was born there June 29, 1849, a daughter of James M. and Malitta (Burpee) Hunt. Her father was born in New Hampshire July 29, 1819, and when a child of five removed with his parents to Franklin county, N. Y., whence he came to Erie county, Ohio, at the age of eleven. In 1843 he was married, and in 1869 removed with his wife and family to Harbor Springs, Mich., where they are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson began their domestic life in Collins, Ohio, where they lived for seven years, during which time our subject engaged in school teaching, bookkeeping and fruit farming. He then came to Wood county, and purchased 100 acres of wild land in Jackson township, where, within fifteen years, he has developed a highly improved farm. During two years of this time he taught penmanship, ornamental drawing, bookkeeping and stenography in Bowling Green. He has a strongly developed taste for music, and is a fine performer on the mandolin and guitar. Politically, he is a stanch Republican; socially, he is connected with the Grand Army Post, of Hoytville, and in religious faith he is connected with the United Brethren Church. In October, 1895, Mr. Anderson rented his farm, and bought twenty acres of land in Lucas county, Ohio, on the banks of the beautiful Maumee, where he now grows premium peaches, having 1,200 trees of the finest stock. This twenty acres he deeded to his wife in full; then purchased a ten-acre island in the Maumee river, near his or her home. This island is all out to fruit, and is the finest one in all the system of islands in the Maumee river. Here Mr. Anderson now rests from hard labor-boating, fishing, sailing and blessing God for landing him in such a home after the hardships of fifty-two years. DAVID HENNING, one of the progressive and practical farmers of Henry township, was born June 6, 1842, on the farm which is still his home. He is a son of John F. and Elizabeth (Longacre) Henning, the former of whom, a native of Germany, came to the United States at the age of twenty-six years, locating first in Pennsylvania. He afterward removed with his wife to Stark county, Ohio, and subsequently to Wood county. He was a blacksmith by occupation, and had previously followed that business; but he now purchased eighty acres of land in Henry township, and devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. There he spent his remaining days, his death occurring at the age of eighty-three, while his wife died at the age of eighty-four years. Our subject acquired his education in the district school of the neighborhood, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. He entered upon his-business career as a farm hand, and later was employed to some extent in a sawmill. During the greater part of his life, however, he has been connected with agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of fifty acres of good land, highly cultivated and well improved. His life has been a busy and useful one; but though his faun claims much of his attention, he has found time to faithfully perform his duties of citizenship, and for many years has capably served as supervisor. His political support is given to the Democratic party. On August 27, 1885, in Henry township, Mr. Henning was married to Miss Minnie Baird, who was born July 6, 1861, and their union has been blessed with children as follows: Ray S., born December 20, 1886; Ora Louisa, born December 7, 1889; Earl, born October 11, 1892, and Ethel Fay, born April 18, 1894. The family is widely and favorably known in their locality, and the parents have many warm friends. Mrs. Henning is a daughter of Shelman and Keziah (Locy) Baird, of Perry township, the former of whom was born December 18, 1829, son of Asa Baird, who was born about 1788. The family consisted of eight children, three sons and five daughters (seven of whom are living), as follows: Sarah Jane, Mrs. George Timmerman; William S., of Perry township; Louisa, Mrs. West Sharp, of Henry township, deceased; Mary, Mrs. John Houtz, of Sandusky county; Minnie, now Mrs. Henning; Clara and David (twins), the former married to Charles Milbourn, of Liberty, Wood county, the latter a resident of Henry township; and Lorenzo, who married Rena Brown, of North Baltimore. ALF. B. FARMER, deputy sheriff of Wood county was born in Berkshire, England, May 29, 1871, and is a son of Edwin and Charlotte (Tyrrell) Farmer. Our subject came with his parents to Wood county, in 1872, locating near Millbury, in Lake township. After attending the common schools, he entered the high school of Bowling Green, 1016 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. where he attained a good elementary education in English branches, and graduated in 1889. Soon afterward he found employment with the engineering corps engaged on the construction of the Toledo, Springfield & Findlay railroad, remaining with them until the line was completed. In the fall of 1890 he was employed in the county treasurer's office, in Bowling Green, and was made deputy county clerk in 1892, serving until January 7, 1895, when he became deputy county sheriff, which office he holds at this writing, and is doing good, efficient service. From his earliest recollections Mr. Farmer has been familiar with public life and public men in Wood county, and has in that way gained a practical knowledge of county affairs. No one is more qualified, or in a better position to hold office of public trust than he, and, judging from his capability, his large acquaintance through the county, it is generally conceded that he is in a fair way to become the recipient of future honors at the hands of his admirers in Wood county. Politically, he is a stanch Republican. On July 25, 1892, Mr. Farmer was united in marriage with Miss Amy E. Carter, who was born in Michigan, in April, 1872, and two children, Gertrude and Edwin R., have come to brighten their home. HIRAM BEATTY, one of the leading and influential citizens of Henry township, whose honorable life record well entitles him to the regard in which he is held, and makes him worthy of representation in his county's history, was born in Millport, Stark Co., Ohio, August 23, 1836. His father, John Beatty, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a carpenter by occupation. When a child of ten years he went with his parents to Massillon, which was then an unbroken wilderness. The grandfather, James Beatty, afterward entered more than 200 acres of land from the government four miles north from Massillon, and while living on that farm was killed by a runaway horse in the summer of 1849. He had a brother, John, who served in the war of 1812, and was the father of Gen. Samuel Beatty, of the army of the Cumberland in the Civil war. The father of our subject was reared to manhood in Ohio, and wedded Mary A. Ottinger, a native of Stark county, where they lived until 1854, the father working at his trade. He then removed with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, where he purchased 120 acres of land and carried on farming until his death, March 7, 1877. His wife died on the 9th of June of the same year. In the family were ten children: Hiram; Sylvester, who was killed at the battle of Stone River, September 30, 1862; Henry, who was in the three-months' service as a member of the 21st O. V. I., and is now a farmer of Sandusky county, Ohio; Hannah, wife of Cyrus Solomon, of Henry township; Sarah Rebecca, who died at the age of three years; Mary Melissa, who died at the age of one year; James, of Henry township; Emily, widow of Frank Frazier, of Cygnet, Ohio; John, a farmer of Henry county, Ohio; and Laura, wife of Lorin Myers, of Hammansburg, Ohio. The educational privileges of our subject were limited to the opportunities afforded by the common schools. He early began life as a farm hand, receiving about $10 per month for his services. In the spring of 1857 he went to Illinois, working on a farm near Mendota through the summer. He was there married, on February 11, 1858, to Delilah Jane Willford, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born April 15, 1834, and in September, 1858, returned with his wife to this State, locating in Jackson township, Seneca county, where he purchased forty acres of land of ex-Governor Foster, residing upon that place until the fall of 1866. In 1862 Mr. Beatty enlisted in Company K, 101st O. V. I., under Capt. Noble, and went to the front, where he remained until the close of the war. On March 10, 1864, he received a twenty-five-days' furlough to return home for private business; the furlough stated that for efficient service rendered at the battle of Stone River he was promoted to the rank of second sergeant, acquiring same after eighteen months of service. He was slightly wounded in the right knee at Stone River, and was mustered out at Nashville, June 21, 1865. Immediately after he returned home, and in the fall of 1866 removed to Wood county, locating on seventy-six acres of partially improved land in Center township, where he lived for five years. He then sold and purchased fifty acres in Freedom township, whereon he also remained five years. Again he disposed of his property, removing to Henry township, and there purchasing eighty acres of land for $3,800. When five and a half years had passed, he bought his present farm of eighty acres, a valuable property, on which he has developed five oil wells, and his wife also has three oil wells on a ten-acre tract which she owns. He has purchased seventy-two acres in Section 30, Henry township, and his wife seventy-six and a half acres in Section 36, Jackson township. To Mr. and Mrs. Beatty have been born the following children: Elnora, born December 2, 1860, is the wife of Joshua Jimison, of Hammans- Deliah Beatty Hiram Beatty WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 1017 burg, and has six children-Perry, born September 11, 1879; Elma, December 29, 1880; Ora, July 29, 1884; Carl, September 7, 1886; Lloyd, April 9, 1890; and Ollie, June 19, 1892. Ardella, born February 22, 1862, is the wife of Charles Auverter, of Henry township. Clara, born December 31, 1864, is the wife of Andrew Jimison, and has two children-Corna Viola, born in April, 1885, and Hiram Emery, born in 1891. Tibbie, born March 18, 1867, married Melvin Dirk, and died in North Baltimore, November 19, 1890, leaving one child-Glena Lenore, born October 25, 1889, who lives with our subject. Estella, born October 24, 1870, is the wife of Charles M. Tirk, of Henry township, and has one child-Jessie Mabel, born December 7, 1891. Mary A., born September 1, 1873, is the wife of Fowler House, of Hammansburg. Emma J., born February 19, 1877, died in 1880 at the age of two years and ten months. In politics Mr. Beatty is a stanch Republican, and an active worker in his party. He was elected township trustee in 1880 for one year, again in 1889 for a three-years' term, in 1892 for a three-years' term, and in 1894 for a similiar period, The prompt and efficient manner in which he discharges his duties has won him high commendation, and the community accounts him one of its valued citizens. S. G. COOLEY, a successful grocer of Bowling Green, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., December 26, 1846, and is a son of Charles and Phoebe (Thompson) Cooley. His father is a native of Ireland, and settled in New York State, going from there to Ohio, where he now resides. The career of our subject begins as a child of nine years, when he left home and went to work for his board and clothes. This was all the life he knew until sixteen years of age, when, on August 23, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 21st O. V. I., at Bowling Green. He re-enlisted as a veteran at Chattanooga, Tenn., in December, 1863, and served until the close of the war. During this time he took part in twenty-two pitched battles, among the most prominent of which were: Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Chattahoochee, the siege of Atlanta, the second battle of Chattanooga, and Allatoona Pass; besides many smaller engagements and skirmishes. Mr. Cooley's regiment entered the battle of Chickamauga 560 strong, of whom only 168 reported for duty the following day. He lost nine bunk-mates, the last of whom was Hiram Ordway, of Bowling Green. The many hairbreadth escapes encountered by our subject during his long and faithful service would fill a volume. He was never taken prisoner, but at one time his regiment was surrounded by the enemy, and surrendered. The Rebels left a gap open in their ranks and he, with a number of others, made a dash for liberty, many falling under the fire which was at once opened upon them, our subject, however, making good his escape. Throughout the entire time in which he was in the army, Mr. Cooley was not sick an hour, did not take a dose of medicine, never missed a day's duty, nor did he sleep a single night on a bed, or in a house during the four years. Mr. Cooley was promoted to first duty sergeant, but refused to accept the office. For this he was put under arrest; but a message from Gen. Thomas required him to go on special duty to which he promptly responded, and the fact that the army was about to march caused the matter to be suspended, at least he never heard any more about it. At the battles of Murfreesboro and Chatahoochee River he received slight wounds which, however, did not prevent him from continuing in active service. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 30, 1865, after making a record of which any man might well be proud. When the war came to an end, Mr. Cooley sheathed his sword, and returned to domestic pursuits. He clerked in a store in Bowling Green for a few years, and then opened a jobbing business in novelties, traveling on the road and doing his own selling for seventeen years. His territory was confined to eleven counties in northern Ohio, every town in which he visited regularly. For the past fifteen years he has been engaged in the grocery business in Bowling Green, and is one of its enterprising and substantial citizens. In politics Mr. Cooley is non-partisan. He is a man who attends strictly to business, is quiet and reserved in his manner, and one would little suspect, from his unostentatious bearing, that he bore such an active part in the leading events of the greatest Civil war on record. PHILIP BRESLER, a leading and influential member of the agricultural community of Perry township, is one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of Wood county, owning 300 acres of valuable land in Perry and Bloom townships. All the improvements are the work of his own hands, and reflect great credit upon him. His buildings are of a substantial character, and he is extensively engaged in general farming. 1018 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Hocking township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, is the place of his nativity, and he was born on May 5, 1840, to John and Esther (Nestlerode) Bresler. His father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1780, and there married his first wife, by whom he had eight children, all but two of whom grew to maturity. At an early day he located in the woods of Hocking township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he planted a large orchard, but it has since been allowed to go to decay. There he wedded the mother of our subject, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and at that time the widow of a Mr. Doner, by whom she had three sons-Christopher, John and David. Our subject is the eighth in a family of eleven children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood. The father was a very strong and active man, weighing about two hundred pounds, and some of his feats of activity were remarkable. He never rode in a buggy, preferring always to go on horseback, and up to within five days of his death, which was caused by running a nail in his foot, he would perform a hard day's work. He passed away in April, 1864, and the mother of our subject survived him many years, dying at a ripe old age. He always used his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party. In his chosen calling he was very successful, becoming owner of 320 acres of land. Although the school privileges of Philip Bresler were limited, his training at farm work was not meager, and a great deal of the labor on the old homestead was done by the sons. The money with which they bought their clothes, however, was secured by working for neighboring farmers, as it was the father's plan to have his sons buy their own clothes, and the only suit our subject can remember as being given to him was for taking care of his father's favorite horse" Logan. " On February 2, 1865, in Fairfield county, Ohio, Mr. Bresler was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Kiger, who was born in Hocking township, of that county, July 23, 1844, and is a daughter of Jeremiah and Eva (Ward) Kiger, who located in the woods in Section 6, Perry township, Wood county, in September, 1844, where only a clearing had been made for their cabin. There her father died in November, 1845, being buried at West Millgrove, and the widowed mother with her child returned to Fairfield county, where she departed this life in July, 1846. Thus, at the age of two years, Mrs. Bresler was left an orphan, and she was reared by her grandfather, William Kiger, during which time she received a common-school education. When Mr. Bresler had reached his seventeenth year, his father gave him his time, and he began life for himself as a farm hand, saving his earnings, so that at the time of his marriage he had a capital of $955. He had been thoroughly instructed in agricultural pursuits, his father being a most competent teacher, and that vocation he determined to make his life work. On April 1, 1865, he removed to the land in Section 6, Perry township, where her father had located twenty years previous, making his home in a log house that stood on the river bank; but this was replaced by a more commodious and substantial residence in 1871, where the family still live. Six children came to brighten the household, namely: Christy A. H., born January 6, 1866, is the wife of Hugh Reynolds, of Portage township, this county; John W., born January 29, 1867, died September 27, 1888, and was buried in Millgrove cemetery; Emma D., born October 15, 1870, is now Mrs. Alex Caskey, of Portage township; Ella V., born May 17, 1871, is the wife of Clayton Musser, of Freeport, Ohio; and Charles R., born March 13, 1876, and Jesse F., born June 1, 1879, are at home. The parents are earnest members of the Protestant Methodist Church, in which Mr. Bresler is serving as a trustee, and in politics he is a Democrat. A. J. HALL, deceased, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 27, 1825, and was a son of Joseph and Mary (Mills) Hall. The father, who was a native of the Emerald Isle, became one of the early pioneers of Likens township, Crawford Co., Ohio, locating there in 1829, and at the time of his death owned over 300 acres of land. He passed away at the age of seventy-two years, surviving his wife about eight years. Their family consisted of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. The father was a tireless worker and strictly a self-made man. Our subject was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys on the frontier, aiding in the work of clearing and breaking the land, and receiving his education in the primitive district schools that were then found in Crawford county. As a single man he came to Perry township, Wood county, about 1852, buying 140 acres of wild land in Section 17, the only improvement upon the place being an old log house. Mr. Hall was twice married, his first union being with Miss Susan L. Dresser, a daughter of Aaron Dresser, and the wedding ceremony was performed on April 6, 1854. Mrs. Hall being in ill health, they did not go to house-keeping. Her death occurred August 10, 1855, and in Perry RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE