WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 487 Brown, who died in Milan, Erie county, in 1884. They had six children: Mary, the widow of the late Volney Beverstock, of Milan, Ohio; Edwin, a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Norton, our subject; Helen Jane, the wife of Thomas J. Butman, of Milan; Harriet, Mrs. Thomas Bradley, of Milan, Ohio, and Samuel, who lives at Carthage, Missouri. Our subject first saw the light in Erie county, Ohio, January 18, 1821, and received his early education in the district schools there, and in Huron county. He was married in 1845 to Miss Ellen R. Wells, who was born September 4, 1823, in New York. Their three daughters are all married: Julia, born October 14, 1848, is the wife of W. C. Martin, of Bowling Green, and the mother of four children-Martia, deceased, Norton, Jo., and Frank. Helen, W., born May 18, 185o, married George Wooster, of Bowling Green, and has one daughter-Carrie. Luella G., born September 6, 1851, married M. P. Brewer, editor of the Sentinel, of Bowling Green, and has four children-Charles R., John, Harry, and Dixie. Mr. Reed followed farming as an occupation for some time after his marriage, first in Ridgefield township, Huron county, and then in Oxford township, Erie county. Since 1865 he has had his home in Bowling Green (with the exception of two years spent in Fulton county) and his fine brick residence is an ornament to the city. Mr. Reed takes a philosophic view of life, and enjoys the privileges which his wealth bestows. He spends a portion of each year in travel, and, of the last nineteen winters, one has been spent in California and the rest in Florida, where he owns a large tract of wild land. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk, and he has remained a Democrat to the present time. JOHN S. MAHONY. This gentleman, who spent his early manhood 'in active labor, and mainly in agricultural pursuits, is now living retired in Fostoria, Ohio, but still owns some valuable oil land in Montgomery township. A man of great energy and more than ordinary business capacity, his success has been largely due to his own efforts and sound judgment, by which he has been enabled to make wise investments and take good advantage of his resources. Mr. Mahony was born at Liverpool, England, December 31, 1828, and is one of the four children-two sons and two daughters-of Thomas and Ellen Mahony. His father, who was a successful grain merchant, died when our subject was only four years old, leaving his family in comfortable circumstances, and they continued to carry on the business. In the common schools John S. Mahony received a fair education, but at the age of thirteen years he formed the acquaintance of a sea captain who took a liking to him, and despite the pleadings of his mother, he shipped on the " Mary Gray," where he was chore-boy. They sailed for Brazil, but the voyage ended with a shipwreck on the Falkland Islands, while en route for Valparaiso, Chili, where they lived for a month on a desert island, but were finally taken by a schooner to Port Egmont, and later we're taken on board a New Zealand vessel, the "Bolena," which came to that port for water. He and another boy appealed to the governor of the Falkland Islands for passage home, but were refused. Finally, however, by working his passage, he got back to London, and then, after an eighteen-months' absence, to his home in Liverpool, where he found the family mourning for his supposed death. Mr. Mahony then clerked in the American wholesale house in Liverpool of James McHenry & Co. until the hard times caused him to lose his position, and then he went as a sailor to New Orleans, whence he went to Havre, France, and on that trip returned to New York with immigrants. For a time he sailed along the Atlantic coast and to the West Indies, but, on January 26, 1849, he left New York for San Francisco, having been taken with the gold fever, and arrived there the following August. He became part owner of a small boat engaged in rafting on San Francisco bay, and remained in California until June, 1854, engaged in rafting and mining. He returned to New York by way of the Panama route. Before leaving the Golden State, Mr. Mahony had been told, by a fellow-worker, of the "Black Swamp" in Wood county, Ohio, where he proceeded after his arrival in New York, and purchased 120 acres of partially improved land in Sections 3 and 10, Montgomery township ; but before hr- located thereon he made a visit to his mother in England, who died the following year. Farming was entirely a new business to our subject, who, under many difficulties, secured a knowledge of the business, and his first attempts at plowing will never be forgotten. He also made several runs on the lakes in the fall after the farm work was done. On February 21, 1855, in Montgomery township, Mr. Mahoney was married to Miss Lorinda F. McFerren, a native of Wood county, and a daughter of Ezekial and Hannah McFerren, and they have become the parents of five children -- 488 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Ellen A., now Mrs. R. C. Canfield, of Washington; Kate E., wife of E. D. Tandy, of Colorado; Clara E., wife of Charles A. Whaley, of Washington; Mattie G., at home; and John F., a hardware merchant of Fostoria, Ohio. Resolving to aid his adopted country in her struggle to preserve the Union, Mr. Mahony enlisted in 1861, leaving his plow standing in the field, and became a member of Company K, 21st O. V. I. He was in all the battles in which his regiment participated until September, 1863, when, after the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., he with his regiment was taken prisoner, and for seventeen months he was confined at Richmond, and in other Confederate prisons. Was mustered out May 15, 1865. He has never regained his former health. From private he received one promotion after another until after the battle of Stone River, when he was given a commissioned office, and later received a first lieutenant's and captain's commission. He was mustered out May 15, 1865, when his services were no longer needed, and returned to his home with an honorable war record. Until 1893 Mr. Mahony continued the cultivation and improvement of his excellent farm, and then moved to Fostoria, where two years later he built his elegant residence on West Fremont street. He comes from a good English family, and he has given to his children excellent advantages. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist, while his estimable wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is a charter member of Hamilton Post, G. A. R., of Bradner, Ohio, in which he served as its first adjutant. He is a stanch Republican, a firm believer in high protection, and is one of the most progressive and enterprising men of the county, who has here secured a comfortable competence and the regard of all with whom he comes in contact. W. M. TULLER, M. D. Among the physicians of Bowling Green none bears a higher position in the respect and esteem of the community than does the subject of this sketch, who well merits the confidence the public reposes in him, and who has attained to success in his professional career by his force of character and devotion to his work. Dr. Tuller was born in Delaware county, Ohio, July 7, 1848. On the paternal side he is of Dutch descent, John Tuller, the original American ancestor, having come from Holland some two hundred years ago. Roswell Tuller, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1794 in Connecticut, was a lifelong farmer, and died in February, 1866, in Delaware county, Ohio. He married Nancy Thompson, who was born in 1797 in New York State, and died in 1876. Roswell Tuller was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which his father, also named Roswell, served as captain. Alvin Tuller, the Doctor's father, was a native of Delaware county, Ohio, born August 5, 1817, was married, and engaged in farming there until after the birth of all his children, who were five in number, viz.: Adelbert D., a farmer in Wood county; Mary A., the widow of Isaac W. Yoakam, who was killed in Franklin county; one who died in infancy; W. M., and Milo A., living in Wood county, Ohio. Mr. Tuller subsequently removed to Franklin county, and in 1893 to Bowling Green, where the family still reside. His wife, whose maiden name was Elvira Maynard, was born in Franklin county October 30, 1819, and was there married. Her parents, Stephen and Mary (Phillips) Maynard, were both natives of Massachusetts, the father coming to Franklin county, Ohio, when he was nineteen years old. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived to be eighty-three years old. The mother died at the age of thirty-nine years. They had four children -- Matilda, Elvira, Darwin and Augustus. The Maynard family is of English and Scotch descent. Until sixteen years of age our subject remained at home, attending the common school, and assisting his father on the farm. He then entered Central College, in Franklin county, Ohio, and after completing the course taught school for six years, after which he began reading medicine with Dr. H. Henrickson, of Columbus, Ohio. He subsequently took a course in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1876, coming immediately thereafter to Bowling Green and beginning the practice of his profession, in which he has ever since been engaged. When Dr. Tuller first took up his residence in the place the town was composed of small wooden buildings, and was primitive in all its surroundings. He has been a witness of its growth and prosperity, and his practice has grown and prospered with it. For the past eight years he has been the physician and surgeon for both railroads passing through Bowling Green-the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton and the Toledo & Ohio Central. Of late years Dr. Tuller has confined his practice more especially to consultation and office business, in which he has a large clientage, being known far and near as a man of deep learning and great skill. He is a member of the Willis M Tuller WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 489 Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and also of the National Association of Railroad Physicians and Surgeons. Socially he affiliates with the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment, I. O. O. F., with the K. O. T. M. and the Woodmen of the World, and although prevented by his arduous professional duties from attending as much as he would like to, he is an enthusiastic supporter of these fraternal organizations. Financially Dr. Tuller has been very successful. He was one of the number who drilled the first gas well in this locality, and has ever since been connected with the company as an organizer, it proving a very profitable business. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Dunkirk, Ind. In politics he is a Republican, has held the offices of mayor and member of the city council, and has also been one of the board of city examiners of schools. In every relation of life he has borne his part well, and he is one of the representative men of the county. On July 4, 1871, Dr. Tuller was married to Josephine Mott, who was born July 24, 1846, at Rockaway Beach, L. I., daughter of Henry Mott, who was a sea captain. Their union has been blessed with five children: Willis Ray and Lillie May, living, and Jessie, who died when five and a half years of age; Bertha, who died when two and a half years old, and one that died in infancy. CARLES J. SAGE. The subject of this sketch was born in Washington county, Va., April 11, 1836, and was one year old when his parents moved to Erie county, Ohio. He attended the common schools of his time, but his opportunities were limited and much inferior to those of the present day. The death of our subject's father, when the former was a little over four years old, lost to him a valuable friend. Fortunately he had a good mother and older brothers-the latter, though young, seemed competent to discharge the duties thus thrown upon them. When our subject was eleven years old, his widowed mother and her family came to Wood county, and located a short distance west of Prairie Depot, where Charles attended school. In the summer of his sixteenth year he left home, and was employed as driver on the Wabash canal at a salary of $12 per month. The following summer he again worked at that business, and received $15 per month. When eighteen years old he began to learn the trade of a carpenter under his eldest brother, William, of Huron. He spent some time with him, and then went to Coldwater, Mich., where he worked with his brother-in-law, M. H. Parker.' In the summer of 1856 Mr. Sage went to Chicago, where he worked awhile, and then returned to Michigan, and Ohio, until 1859 when a desire to go west possessed him, and he went to Atchison, Kans., hired out as a teamster, and drove an ox-team of six yoke through to Salt Lake City, Utah, from which place he went on to Sacramento, Cal., which he reached after a journey of four months. He hired out to a rancher, and later worked at his trade. In the spring of 1861 he went to Nevada, in the vicinity of Virginia City, where new mines had been discovered. Here he followed his trade and bought a blacksmith shop in the mountains; not being a blacksmith himself, he hired a smith, and he did the wood work. This proved to be a good business, and Mr. Sage stayed in the Far West until the fall of 1865, when he returned to Ohio and spent the winter of 1865-66, and in the spring of the latter year returned to his business in the mountains, which he subsequently sold out, and went to work for the government at Fort Churchill, Nev., as wheelwright, until the fall of 1867, when he again went back to Ohio. Mr. Sage was married in Perrysburg November 17, 1868, to Miss Marian C. Benjamin, of Montgomery township, a native of Summit county, Ohio, where she was born February 3, 1845. Her parents were Aaron and Laura (Markham) Benjamin, the former of whom was born in New York State, and the latter in Massachusetts. They were married in New York, and went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, losing their money on the way by robbery. Mr. Benjamin bought a farm in Tuscarawas county, and from there moved to Summit county, and, when Marian was nine years old, they went to Scott township, Sandusky county, and finally to Montgomery township, where Aaron died February 4, 1883, nearly eighty-four years old. His wife died March 22, 1895, over eighty-seven. Their family consisted of six children: Nelson lives in Florida; Aaron was a blacksmith and shoemaker by trade, but followed farming much of his later life; and all living but one. At the time of our subject's marriage his finances were reduced very low; but being a good mechanic, he could always find something to do, and eventually got a start. In 1872 he located on the lot where he now lives, and where, in 1889, he completed an elegant house, arranged after his own ideas and under his personal direction. To him and his wife two children have been born, namely: Celia, an educated young lady, 490 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. is a teacher in the Prairie Depot schools; Charles B. is at home. Mr. Sage is a stanch Republican, and has served four years as township clerk, six years as justice of the peace, councilman for one term, and mayor of Prairie Depot for one term. Mr. Sage is a well-known mechanic of considerable skill, he has a comfortable home, an excellent family, and is highly respected and one of Prairie Depot's best citizens. J. C. EBERLY. The subject of this sketch is a farmer of Portage township, and has the distinction of being the first white child born in that locality, his birth taking place March 18, 1834. Jacob Eberly, the father, was born in Huntingdon county, Penn., July 14, 1804, and moved to Franklin county when but a child. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and when a young man came to Northern Ohio and worked at his trade in Upper Sandusky, Fremont and Toledo. He was married in Waterville, Lucas county, to Miss Elizabeth Cox, daughter of Benjamin Cox, who was born September 20, 1806. Mr. Eberly began life as a poor boy, and early in the '30s he came to Portage township and took up eighty acres along the Portage river, in Section 6, which was then in a wild state, the forests being full of game, large and small. Mr. Eberly made a clearing, in which he built a cabin 16x20 feet, and a blacksmith shop. It was strictly a pioneer settlement, and the earliest in the township. The farmers would come from a distance of eight and ten miles to have work done for them, which they would engage to be done for days ahead. In this way he became well known by the farmers for miles around. He was a Whig and later a Republican, and served a longer term as treasurer of Portage township than any other incumbent of the office. He died October 31, 1894, at the advanced age of ninety years, his wife following him to the better land November 17, of the same year, and they both rest in 'the Portage cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Jane, born October 6, 1828, died August 14, 1830; John, born June 3, 1830, died December 17, 1850; Mary, born June 2, 1832, married Elisha Prescott, and died November 24, 1858 ; Martha married Allen Hampton, and is deceased; J. C. is our subject; Matilda, born April 2, 1835, married John Johnson, of Toledo; William, December 19, 1836, is a merchant of Bowling Green; Elliott, September 10, 1838, lives in Center township; Harriet B., March 17, 1841, became the wife of L. L. Dowd, of Norwalk, Ohio; Benjamin C., January 11, 1843, is a resident of Bowling Green; Lucy, January 8, 1845, married John Sargent, and later wedded Albert Goumont. She is now deceased. Mr. Eberly was a great hunter, and had but one superior, and he was "'Squire" McMahan, in hunting deer in his section of the county. He was compelled to give up his trade when forty years old, and spent the remainder of his life upon the farm. His death had been predicted forty years before it occurred. Our subject was reared as a farmer's boy, and attended the district schools in Portage township, and for one term he went to the graded schools at Waterville. He began to learn the carpenter trade, but gave it up and returned home where he remained until August 7, 1862, when he enlisted at Portage in Company A, 100th O. V. I., under Capt. John A. Shannon. They camped for a while at Toledo, and then went to Covington, Ky., where our subject was confined in the hospital for a time, and then rejoined his regiment at Lexington. During an engagement at Resaca he was struck by a fragment of a shell, and was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga, where he remained for several weeks. After the fall of Atlanta, he went there and again joined his regiment, with which he remained until it reached Newbern, N. C., when he was taken with typhoid fever and confined in the hospital, at that place, and later was removed to Fort Schuyler, N. Y., where he recovered, and was finally discharged from the service there. Mr. Eberly returned to Portage after the war, and went to work on a farm. December 2. 1866, he was married to Miss Martha L. McFerren, who was born in Montgomery township, March 21, 1842, and who was the daughter of Ezekiel and Hannah (Lloyd) McFerren, both of whom were born in New York. Mrs. Eberly was a school teacher in her younger days. Our subject located in Section 7, on eighty acres of land which was owned jointly by himself and his brother William, and only a few acres of which was cleared at that time. Our subject later bought out his brother's interest, and became sole owner. He now has ninety-five acres. Mr. and Mrs. Eberly had two children, Grace, born August 20, 1880, died November 20, 1883; and Hazel, born November 3, 1883, now living at home. Mr. Eberly is a stanch member of the Republican party, and in former years was one of Portage's greatest workers in the cause. He never held office, being in politics not from selfish motives but to assist in the success of his party. In 1894, he built a fine home where he dispenses hospitality to all his friends, of whom he has a large number. His wife is a member WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 491 of the United Brethren Church, and they contribute freely to its support. HIRAM ADDISON CRAW is one of the early pioneers of Wood county, and for many years one of its prominent agriculturists. He is now, after many years of active labor, spending the evening of his life in quiet and ease at his home in Bowling Green. He was born in Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vt., March 9, 1829. His parents, John and Laura (Boardman) Craw, the former of whom was born in Suffield, Suffield Co., Conn., October 25, 1787, and the latter in West Corinth, Orange Co., Vt., November 14, 1789, were married December 14, 1809, in West Corinth, and lived in Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vt. In the fall of 1835 they carne to Ohio, settling in Ridgefield township, Huron county, where they bought a farm and lived until 1851, then removing to Wood county and locating in Plain township, four miles north of Bowling Green. The father died in that city July 7, 1883, the mother having passed away March 13, 1871, while living on the farm. The mother early in life was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in February, 1858, with her husband and one of her daughters, Almira Gregory, and her husband and the subject of this sketch and his wife, all fully believed and indorsed the Seventh-Day Adventist faith, and commenced to observe the Sabbath of the Lord according to the Scripture and Bible plan, and have observed it ever since. But the organization of the Church did not take place until October 6, 1861, at Battle Creek, Mich., by a conference, by the vote of which it was recommended that the Churches enter into organization, adopting the following as a Church covenant: "We, the-undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together as a Church, taking the name Seventh-Day Adventists, covenanting to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ." All of the above-named family united with this body, and are still connected with it, except the father of the subject of this sketch. He was as firm a believer in the truth and practice of it as any one of the family to the day of his death, and felt assured that he would have a part in the first resurrection at the second coming and appearing of the Blessed Master. In accordance with the views of this sect the Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday evening, and ends at the same hour on Saturday evening. Mr. Craw, Sr., while a religious man and an earnest Bible student and believer in its doctrines, never united with any Church. He was originally an Old-line Whig, subsequently becoming a Republican, was a man of much intelligence, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. This worthy couple were the parents of six children, of whom the following record is given: Matilda, born October 14, 1810, married Addison Fay, January 19, 1832. They settled in Fairfield township, Franklin Co., Vt.; in 1834 came to Ohio, and for a number of years lived in Huron county, and in 1850 came to Plain township, Wood county, adjoining Bowling Green, where Mrs. Fay died October 27, 1864, and her husband in 1892; Prudence D., born May 20, 1814, was married May 21, 1834, to Peter Hathaway (they lived in Milan township, Huron county, but after some years the county was divided, and Milan and where Mr. Hathaway lived on the Huron river became a part of Erie county, and they continued to live there until he died, when she sold out and moved to Adrian, Mich.) ; Almira, born June 26, 1817, was married in Fairfield township, Franklin Co., Vt., December 29, 1834, to Levi S. Gregory, and they now reside in Bowling Green; Horace B., born October 7, 1820, died in infancy; Boardman, born June 29, 1826, also died in infancy; Hiram A. is our subject. The paternal grandfather of the latter was Reuben Craw, one of the early settlers of New England, who died in Vermont. His maternal grandfather, Amos Boardman, was born in England, November 17, 1764, and was married February 4, 1789, to Prudence Chapman, who was born March 3, 1768, in Corinth, Vt. They were farmers, and lived in West Corinth, Orange Co., Vt., where he died July 31, 1854, and his wife July 21, 1851. Their family comprised the following children: Laura, the mother of our subject, born November 14, 1789; Betsy, born October 16, 1792, died August 15, 1802; Erastus, born August 3, 1795, died January 25, 1842; Almira, born December 5, 1797, died July 4, 1876; Edna, born December 10, 1799, died November 3, 1827; Direxa, born September 19, 1801, died October 5, 1802; Electa, born March 17, 1803, died in West Corinth, Vt., in 1892; Hiram, born October 3, 1805, 805, died April 14, 1871; Direxa (2), born March 20, 1808, died January 6, 1812; Hatsel, born January 2, 1811, died April 13, 1851 . Hiram A. Craw lived in Huron county, Ohio, where he attended school, and assisted his father upon the farm until the removal of the family in 1851 to Wood county. He was married June 2, 1853, to Miss Ann Hall, who was born in Olivesburg, Richland Co.., Ohio, June 19, 1833, and is WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 492 the daughter of James and Jane (Ralstin) Hall. Mrs. Craw's grandfather Hall was a hatter by trade, and on one of his expeditions after furs it is presumed he was killed by the Indians, as he never returned. After his death the mother bound out her two children, of whom one was the father of Mrs? Craw, to families in Pennsylvania. The people who took the sister moved away from, the State, and the two were separated for the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Craw's father was married in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio, settling first in Richland county, afterward living in Hancock county, two and one-half miles north of Findlay, and finally, in the fall of 1843, taking up his residence in Wood county. He was a wheelwright by trade, but later in life turned his attention to farming. He died in Bowling Green, February 3, 1883, when about eighty years of age. His wife died in Plain township, in 1863. Their family consisted of four children, namely: Olivia, who was married December 12, 1850, to F. E. Meagley, and lives in Middleton township, Wood county; John R. was married April 26, 1853, to L. R. Gregory, and lives in Bowling Green; Ann, wife of our subject, and her twin sister, Jane, the latter of whom died at Findlay when seven years old; Juliett, born July 9, 1836, was married August 16, 1851r, to John T: Sweet (deceased), and lives in Bowling Green. Our subject first settled on a farm in Plain township, where he owned 120, acres of land,. This he cleared up and improved, adding to it at various times until he had three hundred acres in one tract. Here he carried on general farming until his removal, on Thanksgiving day, 1882, to Bowling Green. He still owns 160 acres of this land, which he rents out, and is also the owner of four city lots. When Mr. Craw first settled in this county everything was in a primitive state, and he has been a witness of, and an important factor in, its growth and development. Among his early recollections are those of the school he attended inn his boyhood days, which was in an old log school house in the Webb settlement, Ridgefield township, Huron .county. He still has in his possession, and in a good state of preservation, the old Elementary Speller and English Reader, which were the text books in those days, the latter of which was given to him April 5, 1836. These antiquated volumes, with their coarse paper and coarse wood cuts, are a real curiosity in these days of handsome printing and illustrations. When Mr. and Mrs. Craw returned from their wedding tour in Huron county, Ohio, all he had was fifty cents in cash; but, as they both say, they were willing to work. The following children have blessed their union: Laura Jane, born February 25, 1854, died March 15, 1861; Prudence D., born October 4, 1855, married Herbert L. Denman, and has one child, Blanche; John B., born May 1, 1857, married Miss Ada Boardman, and lives on his father's farm (they have four children, Lorin, Iva, Howard and Cressa); George S., born May 23, 1860, married Anna Loomis, and has one child, Roland; Hiram O., born February 3, 1862, died January 6, 1885; Ira Lemon, born . December 1, 1863, married Mazie Whetstone, and has two children, Eva and Hazel A.; and two, younger children who died in infancy. Our subject and his wife have been members of the Adventist Church for some thirty-eight years, and have taken an active part in Church work. He is a man of high moral character, and holds an honored place in the community. Mr. Craw has been a leader in local affairs, and has held some responsible offices. He was supervisor of his township for six years, was constable for two years, and assistant postmaster at Lovett's Grove for fifteen years, afterward being appointed postmaster and serving two years, when the post office was discontinued. Progressive in his ideas, he saw at an early day the advantage of draining the soil, and has used tiling on his farm for a number of years. The great-aunt of Mr. Craw, Jemima Mitchell, had fourteen children, and each of these had fourteen (making one hundred and ninety-six grandchildren), who, with their children, brought the number of her immediate descendants to two hundred and twenty-six. ROBERT S. PARKER. If history teaches by example, the lessons inculcated by biography must be still more impressive. We see exhibited in the varieties of human character, under different circumstances, something to instruct us in our duty, and to encourage our efforts, under every emergency. As an illustration of the results of youthful enterprise and earnest effort, the life of this prominent attorney and successful man of Bowling Green cannot fail to be of interest, especially to the ambitious young man still struggling on the lower rounds of the ladder. The Parker family, to which the subject of this sketch belongs, is of English origin. In the history of Westford, Massachusetts, by Rev. Edward R. Hodgman, A. M.; Cutler's history of Jaffrey, New Hampshire; the Genealogy of John Parker, of Lexington, and his descendants, by Theodore Parker, and other authorities, his ancestors may be traced by clear and unbroken Robert S. Parker WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 493 records as far back as 1470, and by less perfect records to a much earlier date. In these records we find many divines, the most notable being Matthew Parker, seventy-first Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England (1559-1575). The Thirty-nine Articles were passed by convocation under his presidency in 1562. There were also many lawyers in the family in England. and it is a somewhat curious and striking fact that among the lawyers were several bearing the name of Robert. Mr. Parker is thoroughly American and democratic in his tastes and sentiments, and therefore lays no store by the titles, knightings, coats of arms and the like, which are noted in these records; but he respects and reveres his ancestors because they proved themselves God-fearing, law-abiding, self-respecting and honorable men and women-having the solid virtues of the substantial yeomanry of the country. He is especially and pardonably proud of the honorable record made by his family as patriots in the Revolutionary war. Of this family was Jonas Parker, a typical "minute man," who, after being wounded at the battle of Lexington, disdained to retreat from the " Red-coats," though cautioned to fall back by his commanding officer, but kept his ground, and was bayoneted by the British soldiers; he being the first Revolutionary soldier thus slain. In the celebrated painting, " The Battle of Lexington," which hangs in the Lexington town hall, he appears as the central figure. Of him Edward Everett said: " History, Roman History, does not furnish an example of bravery that outshines that of Jonas Parker. " His is one of the names of the eight martyrs for American independence cut in the granite monument erected on the Common, or Green, at Lexington by a grateful people to their memory. Capt. John Parker, also of Lexington, who was in command of the "minute men" on that occasion, and who fired the first shot that was fired at the British soldiers, was a full cousin of said Jonas Parker ; and there were in the company, and in the fight, Corp. Ebenezer Parker, nephew of Jonas; and Thaddeus Parker, a brother of the Captain. Later in the day, on the march to Concord to intercept the British, Capt. Parker's company was reinforced by troops from Woburn, with which were two of his nephews-Edmund and Josiah Parker; and from Reading came seventeen more who bore the name of Parker, under the command of Capt. Brooke, and they also took part in the hot fire which was poured in upon the enemy's column during the remainder of that eventful day. In the rosters of the Continental troops enlisted in Middlesex county, Mass., in the Revolutionary war, are found a great many Parkers who served as officers and privates, more of that name than any other, unless the Fletchers and Proctors may equal them in number. These three families were related by many intermarriages; representatives of all these families removed to Windsor county, Vt., soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, and their descendants are quite numerous in that State at the present time, as well as in Middlesex county, Massachusetts. Theodore Parker, the famous Unitarian divine, was of the same family. In the war of 1812, and in the war of the Rebellion, this family displayed the same spirit of patriotism as in the Revolutionary war. At the time of the war of the Rebellion, the subject of this sketch and his only brother were mere boys, too young to enter the military service; but his half-brother, Edwin, enlisted at an early period of the war, and served until near its close, when his left leg was shattered by a shot, and he was compelled to retire from the service. Three of his half-brothers, of the family name of Robinson (his mother's children by her first husband), were also in the Union army. When Cincinnati, Ohio, was threatened by Morgan's raid, and volunteers were called for, Abel F. Parker, the father of Robert S., though verging on threescore-and-ten, enlisted to assist in the defense of that city, and his children keep and prize the Squirrel Hunter's Discharge," which he received at the termination of that service. The first ancestor of Mr. Parker in America was Abraham Parker, who was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, in 1612. The exact date of his coming to America is not known, but it was about 1634. He first settled in the town of Woburn, Middlesex Co., Mass., where he married Rose Whitlock in 1644. He removed to the town of Clemsford, same county, upon its incorporation in 1653. His son Moses was born in Clemsford about the year 1657; he married Abigail Hildreth, daughter of Richard Hildreth, and removed to Westford, same county, where his son Aaron was born in 1689. Samuel, second child of Aaron, was born in 1717; he was married in 1739 to Sarah Fletcher, daughter of Deacon Joshua Fletcher. Leonard, the fifth child of Samuel, was born at Westford in 1745; he married Mary Foster in 1768. Early in this century he removed with most of his family to the Holland Land Purchase, in the vicinity of Arcade, Wyoming, Co., 494 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. N. Y., and the large tracts of land which they there took up and improved are still owned and occupied by some of his descendants. His son Abel was born in Westford in 1773, was married to Catherine Edgar, and removed with. her to Cavendish, Vt., where in the year 1800 their eldest child, Abel Foster Parker, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born. About 1818 Abel Parker also removed with his family to the vicinity of Arcade, N. Y., at which place Abel Foster was married, in the year 1824,, to Maria Strong. The children of this marriage were Edwin (mentioned above), who died at Findlay in 1883; Julia Ann, unmarried, residing at Findlay, Ohio; Lucy, married to John Martin, and residing at Lima, Ohio; and Albert, who died in infancy. In 1836 Abel F. Parker removed with his family to Findlay (then called Fort Findlay), Hancock county, Ohio, where he spent substantially all the remainder of his lifetime, and where he died in 1881. His wife Maria died in the year 1849, and in 1852 Mr. Parker married Mrs. Sallie Ann (Gail) Robinson, who was born in Wyoming county, N. Y. She was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Gail, a pioneer of western New York, many of whose descendants are living in Erie county, N. Y., where he died. The children of this union are Frederick Foster, a business man of Conneaut, Ohio; Robert S.; and Dora Alice (unmarried), who lives at Findlay, Ohio. By her marriage with Mr. Robinson, her first husband, Mrs. Parker had seven children, all but one of whom are still living, namely: Samuel G., a farmer in Hancock county, Ohio; Benjamin Oscar, a farmer, and manufacturer of brick and tile in Putnam county, Ohio; John Edgar, formerly a locomotive engineer, and now employed at the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court House; Henry Harrison, a market gardener of Findlay, Ohio; William Franklin, a locomotive engineer of Bellaire, Ohio; Mrs. Eleanor Woodruff, of Findlay, Ohio; and Elizabeth,. who died in infancy. Mrs. Sallie Ann Parker died at Findlay, Ohio, in 1864. While a resident of New York, Abel F. Parker was agent for the Wadsworths and other owners of the Holland Land Purchase; upon his removal to Findlay, Ohio, he was for a time principal of the Findlay schools, but, applying himself to the study of law, he was soon thereafter admitted to the bar, and, until his health gave way, devoted most of the remainder of his life to the practice of that profession in Hancock and adjoining counties. He ranked with the leading members of the bar in that part of the State, in his day. He was a public-spirited man, taking a prominent part in politics, and in all enterprises that tend to promote the interest of the people of his section. In political sentiment he was originally a Democrat, and held high rank in the councils of his party; served as postmaster under President Pierce, and for three terms held the office of prosecuting attorney of Hancock county, Ohio. In 1860 he severed his connection with the Democratic party, and supported Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, and thereafter ardently and loyally championed the principles of the Republican party. He was a gentleman of the old school, courtly and deferential in his manner, faithful in his friendships, and universally esteemed for his personal worth and integrity. He was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge at Findlay, and a member of the I. O. O. F., He was a great reader of good books, also a close observer of events, and consequently was possessed of extensive general information, which, united with a cheerful and vivacious disposition, fluency of speech and forcible style of discourse, enlivened by wit and humor, made him an entertaining and instructive companion. Robert S. Parker, whose name introduces this biography, was born March 8, 1855, in Findlay, Ohio, where he attended the public school until he was twelve years old. In early youth he learned the cigar-maker's trade, which he followed seven years, during part of which time he also attended school, and when not attending' school he pursued his studies at home. In 1874 he commenced the study of law in Findlay with Shaffer Brothers, with whom he continued one year, and the following year read law under his father, meanwhile supporting himself by working at his trade, his father and sister reading to him while he made cigars. The mother having died, our subject and his father kept " bachelor's hall," the son doing the cooking and other housework. In April, 1876, just after attaining his majority, Mr. Parker was admitted to the bar, and immediately thereafter opened an office in North Baltimore, Ohio, where he remained several months, practicing in partnership with William H. Anderson. In September of the same year he came to Bowling Green, where he has ever since been engaged in the active duties of his profession. The first year he practiced alone, and then became associated with Col. John A. Shannon, under the firm name of Shannon & Parker, this connection lasting for about two years, when it was dissolved. Mr. Parker practiced alone from that time until 1890, when h e and R. B. Moore established the firm of Parker & Moore, which continued some five years, since the end of which WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 495 time Mr. Parker has practiced with E. M. Fries under the style of Parker & Fries. Our subject has been eminently successful in his profession, and holds a leading rank among the lawyers of Wood county and vicinity. During his twenty years of active professional life he has never missed a term of court in Wood county, and has a large and lucrative practice, principally in the northwestern counties of the State. For two terms he served as prosecuting attorney of Wood county, and he was nominated by the Republican party for judge of the Court of Common Pleas, but shared the fate of others of his political faith in the Foraker landslide;" in three of the four counties of the judicial district, however, he ran ahead of his ticket. In the fall of 1894 he was indorsed by the Wood county delegation for representative in Congress, but was defeated in the convention by James H. Southard, of Toledo, at present representing that District in Congress. On May 1, 1879, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Susan Thomas, who was born November 5, 1859, in Bowling Green, Ohio, daughter of George H. Thomas, who was a native of New York State. He was a carpenter by trade, but in his later years was proprietor of the "Thomas House" (now the "Russell House "), and was widely known in Wood county; he died in 1890; Mrs. Thomas is still living. Mrs. Parker had two sisters: Emma, deceased wife of William H. Rudulph (also deceased), and Flora, widow of Edward Fryberger, of Bowling Green. Two children came to Mr. and Mrs. Parker: Edward Foster, born January 31, 1880, and Julia Alice, born June 8, 1887. In religious connection the family are Presbyterians. Mr. Parker is a member of the I. O. O. F., being connected with Centennial Lodge No. 626; also of Green Encampment, Bowling Green, and is colonel of the 4th Regiment, Department of Ohio, of the Patriarchs Militant. He is a director of the First National Bank of Bowling Green. Highly popular, and held in much esteem by his neighbors and fellow-citizens, he occupies an enviable social as well as professional position. JONATHAN W. MYERS, who was called from earth September 21, 1892, is remembered by the people of Wood county as one of its most worthy and useful citizens. His birth occurred in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 11, 1810, a son of John and Rachel (Wolfecale) Myers, the former born August 8, 1783, and the latter October 28, 1787. The names and dates of birth of the brothers and sisters of our subject are as follows: Mary Ann, March 30, 1809; Robert C., October 30, 1812; John, October 2, 1814; Reason, September 16, 1816; Pleasant, December 21, 1819; Elizabeth, February 25, 1822; Jacob B., September 2, 1,824; Rachel M., May 2, 1827; Agnes J., August 3, 1829; Margaret, May 11, 1833; Robert C. died November 9, 1834, John, July 12, 1842, and Rachel M., October 11, 1844. On April 3, 1834, Mr. Myers, of this review, led to the marriage altar Charlotte Hull, who was born February 5, 1812, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Henry B., born January 7, 1835, making his home in St, Louis, Mo.; Mary Ann. born September 24, 1836, is the wife of G. M. Barnd, of Bloomdale; Caroline, born November 27, 1838, is the wife of Benson Clayton, of Van Buren, Hancock Co., Ohio; and John A., born January 5, 1847, makes his home in Hancock county. The mother of this family died in 1849, and was buried in Hancock county. In Bloom township, on December 30, 1849, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Myers and Miss Elmira Robbins, a daughter of Daniel and Rhoda, (McCarty) Robbins, and a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born October 23, 1827. To this union three children were born-Rachel L., who died in infancy; Ella E., widow of L. D. Hatfield, of Bloomdale; and Jonathan E., of Campbell county, Tennessee. Daniel Robbins, the father of Mrs. Myers, was one of the first settlers of Bloom township, Wood county, locating near Bloomdale, when it was still a wilderness. He was born September 5, 1795, in Fishing Creek township, Columbia Co., Penn., and was a son of Thomas, and a grandson of William Robbins, a resident of New Jersey. Thomas Robbins lived and died in Fishing Creek township, and by his marriage with Elizabeth Kline, became the father of nine children-William, Abraham, Thomas, Daniel, John, Mathias, Isaac, Charity and Mercy. In eastern Pennsylvania, the parents of Mrs. Myers were married, and the mother, who was born October 17, 1802, was a daughter of John and Sarah (Thomas) McCarty, the former born November 8, 1773, and the latter in May, 1776. In their family were the following childrenMary, Rhoda, Margaret, Phoebe, James, Martha, Samuel, Sarah, and Elida. After his marriage Daniel Robbins lived in eastern Pennsylvania until 1825, when' he removed to Franklin county, Ohio, but in October, 1833, came to Wood county, locating on what is now the northeast corner of Main and Vine streets, but was then an unbroken forest. His was the third family to find a home in Bloom township, and their first 496 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. dwelling was a rude log shanty with a blanket hung up for a door. There they lived for six weeks when a more substantial log house was erected. Mr. Robbins died January 7, 1879. His wife had passed away in the fall of 1874, and they now sleep side by side in the cemetery at Fostoria. In 1834 Mr. Robbins and wife assisted in forming a Religious Society at the Vicker's home, and taught singing at private houses. Mr. Robbins held the office of justice of the peace for several years. He was formerly a stanch Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. In the family were seven children-Ellinda, born in Columbia county, Penn., married Joseph Urie, and died in Bloomdale in 1892; Jackson died in the same city, July 27, 1892; Elmira is next in order of birth; Rhoda A. married John Bolan, and died in Indiana; Margaret is the wife of G. W. Locke, of South Bend, Ind.; Russell B. died in Iowa; and Minerva is now Mrs. Peter Bussey, of Fostoria, Ohio. In the fall of 1844, Mr. Myers located in Bloom township, and his first purchase made him the owner of 160 acres, now comprised within the corporate limits of Bloomdale. To that tract he later added 10o acres, all of which was an unbroken forest, but he cleared his land, making it one of the best farms of the county. He was entirely self-made, having started out in life at the tender age of ten years, and assisted his widowed mother in paying for the home place. By good management and close attention to the details of his business, he left at his death a good property, and Mrs. Myers still resides on the home farm. For forty years she has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her husband always belonged. He now rests in the cemetery at Fostoria, and an acquaintance of forty years thus writes of him: "He was industrious, always busy-not a lazy drop of blood coursed in his veins. He was honest. This was one of his peculiar traits of character. He deigned to stoop to nothing groveling or low. He was generous, as the unfortunate always found in time of need. " Jackson Robbins (a brother of Mrs. Elmira Myers) was born in Franklin county, Ohio, March 17, 1826, and was but a small boy when his parents removed to Wood county where he grew to manhood, and November 9, 1848, was married to Miss Mary A. Beam. To this marriage were born eight children, namely: Emma, Jacob, William, Mary, Richard, Clement, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Robbins owned forty acres of land in this county, on which he erected a dwelling, but soon after the Civil war sold the place to W. H. Redfern (now deceased), and purchased eighty acres north of Findlay, Ohio, where his wife died June 18, 1884, and on July 9, 1887, he was married to Clara May, and to them was born a daughter. During the Findlay boom Mr. Robbins sold his farm to some capitalists of that place for a goodly sum, and moved to Bloomdale, where he purchased a home, which was within several hundred feet of the place where his first days in Wood county were passed, under a shanty made by driving some forks into the ground, the covering of which consisted of bark and blankets. His death occurred July 27, 1892. His pastor, Jason Young, officiated at his funeral. His remains rest in the cemetery at Findlay. He was greatly endeared to his sister (who wrote this brief sketch) and to all who knew him. He was a good citizen and an excellent neighbor. He was a Methodist, and in politics an unwavering Democrat. CAPTAIN OMAR P. NORRIS, a leading agriculturist of Perry township, with residence near "Norris " Station, T. & O. C. R. R., post office Longley, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 18, 1838, and comes of English and Scotch ancestry. Hon. John Norris, father of our subject, was born April 22, 1813, in Fort "Findlay," Wayne county, Ohio, and became one-of the most prominent and influential citizens of Perry township, Wood county. Amos Norris, his father (grandfather of our subject), was born October j6, 17i9, in Huntingdon county, Penn., and was married to Mary Shaver, of the same nativity, born February 16, 1788, of English descent, a daughter of Maj. John Shaver, who served in that rank during the war of the Revolution. Amos Norris and his wife moved from their native county to Ohio in 1802, making their home in Wayne county until 1814, when they removed to Ashland county, being the first white settlers in the neighborhood, at which time the Indians were troublesome, some of them, after Hull's surrender, murdering three families in Wayne county, so that the pioneers had to build a fort in which they and their families could take refuge. This fort was named "Findlay," and in it was born Hon. John Norris. Amos Norris and his wife both died in Orange township, Ashland county, he at the age of sixty-five, and she, when seventy-six years old. He assisted in the organization of that township, and was one of the rugged old pioneers well adapted by nature for the work of pioneer days. A brief record of their family of five sons and three John Norris Omar P. Norris WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 497 daughters is as follows: John (deceased) was the eldest; Vachel was drowned at the age of twenty-one, near Orange, Ohio; Nancy married Marsham Bowman, and died in Ashland county, Ohio; Temperance wedded W. J. Rigby, of Fostoria, Ohio; William, a farmer, died in Orange, Ohio; Amos was a lawyer and State Senator of Minnesota sometime in the " fifties," and afterward in the "seventies " judge of courts in Florida, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, and died there; Andrew, who was a Doctor, died in Farmer City, Ill.; Sarah, the youngest of the family, was twice married, and died in Ashland county, Ohio. Hon. John Norris was reared in Wayne county, Ohio, attending school '' off and on " in what is now Orange township, Ashland county, until he was fourteen years of age. Having accidentally cut his foot, so badly that he was unable to move about, he took that opportunity to learn the trade of a shoemaker, which he picked up so readily, and was so industrious at, that he made a pair of shoes the first day he worked. After he learned his trade he taught several terms of school, during the winter months only, receiving for his services eight dollars per month, meanwhile "boarding round " at the homes of his scholars. With this exception, he remained under the parental roof until his marriage, March 19, 1834, in Wayne county, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Cuthbertson, who was born May 28, 1815, in Washington county, Penn., a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Brownlee) Cuthbertson, both natives of Scotland, the mother born in Glasgow, the father a stocking weaver by trade. After marriage the young couple commenced house-keeping in Orange, Ashland county, Ohio, but soon afterward they took charge of his mother-in-law's farm in Wayne county, and continued thereon until 1843, in the fall of which year they came to Wood county, settling on 160 acres of unimproved land in Perry township, no clearing having been done until after they moved on the place. Mr. Norris had previously visited the locality, and built a common log cabin on the premises, which originally comprised 240 acres. In 1845 he sold eighty acres, with the proceeds of which he paid off some of the indebtedness he had incurred in the purchase. In April, 1880, retiring from the labors of the farm, and also on account of the burning of his home in Perry township, he moved to Fostoria, and here passed his declining years. The family born to John and Rebecca Norris were as follows: Omar, who died in infancy, in Wayne county, Ohio; Thomas C., who entered the service as captain of Company B, 111th Regiment, O. V. I., was promoted to major and commissioned lieutenant-colonel, mustered out with the regiment as major, and died in Fostoria, Ohio, in 1867, from injuries received in 1865, near Salisbury, N. C., in jumping from a flat-car that was off the rails, in a train carrying the regiment of which he was then in command; Amos was killed by the premature discharge of a cannon while celebrating July 4, 1863, at West Millgrove, Ohio; Omar P., the subject proper of this sketch; Mary, married to W. H. Kiger, of Prairie Depot (P. O. ), or Freeport, Wood county; William B., who was a fine scholar in his younger days, and died at the age of forty-two; James H., who served in Company H, 49th O. V. I., was promoted three times for bravery-twice in the company, and promoted to sergeant while in the signal corps, which he voluntarily left to please his captain-and was killed in the battle of Pickett's Mills, or Dallas, Ga., May 27, 1864, while leading his company as sergeant; Jane, who married Capt. Thomas H. Chance, of Fostoria; Fanny, married to Andrew G. Yates, of Perry township; Annie, wife of C. H. Stewart, of Fostoria; Emma, who was the wife of Dr. J. C. Lincoln, and died at Bowling Green; John H., a prominent physician of Fostoria; and Frank M., a farmer of Perry township. The mother of this family was a daughter of Scotch parents who were born and reared in the land of Wallace, Bruce and Burns, coming to this country at an early day. After a wedded life of half a century she passed from earth March 17, 1884, at Fostoria, Ohio, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried on the anniversary of her wedding. She and her husband joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, at their marriage, and remained consistent members of the same. She died in the triumph of a living faith in Christ, her Redeemer. She wanted and took Him for her all-in-all, in Time and Eternity. She was a very conscientious woman, and when her sons enlisted to go to the war, she stood up in a large audience and exclaimed: - Boys! It almost breaks my heart to see you go; but do your duty. Your country demands your help; be brave, and die with your face to the foe, and be men." She and her husband commenced in the woods twice during their married life-once in Wayne . county, where they cleared up heavily-timbered land, some fifty-seven acres, then after ten years moved to Wood county, and here also cleared up. heavily-timbered land, about Z00 acres. In 1885 Hon. John Norris married his second wife, Lydia A. Crum, of Columbiana county, Ohio, who survives him, living in a fine home he 498 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. deeded her. Here he passed the declining years of his life, dying May 23, 1896, of blood poisoning, aged eighty-three years and one month, a useful member of society all his life. In his political preferences he was originally a Whig, later a Republican, and was one of the stanchest supporters of the party in Wood county. In 1843 he was appointed township clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U. M. Corey; was then elected to the same office two terms; then as treasurer two consecutive terms; then as trustee two terms; then as justice of the peace two terms of three years each; then as assessor three terms. In 1872, when the county was for the first time entitled to a representative the people selected Mr. Norris to represent the county in the Sixtieth General Assembly, as a Republican. This was the first of the three-years' fight between Bowling Green and Perrysburg, as to which should be the county seat, Bowling Green in the end winning the prize. He was renominated for a second term as representative, but was defeated at the polls, on account of the county-seat fight; but he did not sour, or leave the party, or its principles. In religious faith he was for over sixty years a member of the M. E. Church, toward which he contributed liberally, and held office in the same. As a farmer he was systematic and progressive; as a public official he was straightforward and honorable; as a man no one was better known or more highly honored. He was hale and hearty up to the illness that caused his death, and not long before the final summons came, he said: " I wonder why it is that I am living, and so many former friends and acquaintances gone forever from this world! But I bide my time." Capt. Omar P. Norris during boyhood attended the district schools near his home, and after studying for a term in an academy at Republic, taught for three winter terms. He then entered Prof. Turner's school at Fostoria; but the war breaking out before his term was finished, he joined the army, as did every other male student in that school. Our subject enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company H, 21st O. V. I., three months' regiment, and was rejected at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio. In June, same year, he re-enlisted, this time in Company G, 25th O. V. I., soon rose to the rank of sergeant, and was in all the marches and engagements of that regiment up to and including the battle of Greenbrier, W. Va., was honorably discharged for disability November 21, 1861, and returned home. In August, 1862, he entered Company B, 111th O. V. I., and served until the end of the war, coming out with the rank of captain, having served in every intermediate rank except that of corporal. He and fifty-two men of Company B, of whom he was in command as first lieutenant, were sacrificed, while on picket duty, to let a division get " out of a hole, " on midnight of November 15, 1863, near Lenoir Station, East Tenn., when the Rebel general, Longstreet, crossed the Tennessee river with his army, en, route for Knoxville. Lieut. Norris and his men were surrounded and taken prisoners early on the morning of November 16, 1863. They were all stripped of their hats, overcoats and shoes, by the Rebels, and sent to Atlanta, Ga., thence to' Richmond, Va., where he and his men were separated, Lieut. Norris being sent to Libby Prison, and his men to Belle Isle. Of those fifty-two men, thirty-six died in Rebel prisons. [See ' Ohio in the War."] Lieut. Norris was in Libby Prison until May, 1864, when he was sent with all other officers, confined in Libby at that time, to Salisbury, N. C., from there to Augusta, from there to Macon, and from there to Savannah, Ga., where he lay at the point of death for several days, and was reported as dead in the New York papers, by chaplains who were exchanged at Savannah, and mourned as dead by his parents and friends at home. From Savannah he was sent to Charleston, S. C., where, for twenty-nine days, the Federal prisoners were under fire of the Union guns at Morris Island, and where, too, the yellow fever was raging among the prisoners confined in the city jail yard, among whom was Lieut. Norris. From Charleston he was sent to Columbia, S. C., where many of the officers died of yellow fever, among them being Capt. William Bender, 123d O. V. I., of Fostoria, Ohio, and Lieut. Asa Spafford, 21st O. V. I., of Perrysburg, Ohio. Lent. Norris escaped from Columbia, traveled over a hundred miles, and was then tracked up by blood-hounds and recaptured, taken back to Columbia and out to Prison Camp, where he soon afterward escaped again, at a great risk of his life. After traveling thirty-four nights, he reached the Union lines at Sweet Water, E. Tenn., December 27, 1864, having passed through many hardships and privations, and experiencing narrow escapes. He rejoined his regiment at Washington, D. C., February 8, 1865, and returned to the seat of war by the old ship °Prometheus," that narrowly escaped foundering off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. His regiment landed near Fort Fisher, N. C., and engaged in the North Carolina campaign. Here Lieut. Norris was promoted to captain of Company I, to date November 17, 1864. Capt. Norris was in all the marches and WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 499 engagements of the North Carolina campaign, and received his final discharge July 12, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C. [See History of the Regiment, by Capt. W. S. Thurstin, 111 th O. V. I., Toledo, Ohio.] After his return home he sold goods for ex-Gov. Foster, of Fostoria, for two years, then traveled a year selling a patent-right of his own invention, and then settled upon his farm in Perry township, where he has since carried on the business of stock raising, giving special attention to sheep. He has been twice married, first time, in 1869, to Miss Frona Patton, a school teacher, a daughter of Lieut. Col. John J. Patton, O. V. I. She was born January 1, 1850, in Quincy, Logan Co., Ohio, and died December 9, 1876, leaving three children: Ida, a school teacher, who married George E. Reed, enrolling clerk of the 72d General Assembly, and now editor and proprietor of the Prairie Depot Observer (they have two children-Frona and Mary); Emma, a school teacher, who now lives at home; and Belle, a successful teacher of the county. For his second wife Capt. Norris married Miss Libbie Yates, daughter of John W. Yates, first sergeant Company H, 49th Regiment, O. V. I., of Crawford county, Ohio, who was killed December 16, 1864, in the engagement at Nashville. Mrs. Libbie Norris was born September 9, 1857, and was a teacher in Wood county for some time. Three children were born of this union: Omar, Fannie and Thomas. A man of broad views and liberal judgment, Capt. Norris wields great influence in the community, and so fully does he enjoy the confidence of the public that he has been elected to the office of chairman of the board of education of Perry township. He has served two terms as treasurer of Perry township, also two terms as justice of the peace (refusing to serve longer), and was also a candidate before the county convention for commissioner. In 1895 he was elected to represent Wood county in the State Legislature (Seventy-second General Assembly). He was the author of two general Bills, which passed the House; one Bill was defeated in the Senate; the other, the "Anti-treat Bill," was smothered in the Senate committee. He also introduced three local Bills, all of which became laws. Capt. Norris took an active part in the Presidential campaign just closed. He delivered eight speeches in favor of the election of McKinley, protection to American industries, reciprocity and a l00-cent dollar, and is now happy over the election of Major McKinley as ' ° President of our greatest nation on earth. " D. A. HAYLOR, the efficient and popular superintendent of the public schools of Bowling Green, and one of the prominent educators of this State, was born February 14, 1851, in Yorkshire, England. His father, John Haylor, and his mother, Ann (Marshall) Haylor, were both natives of the same locality. As a mechanic and merchant, the father was successful and well-to-do, but came to America with his family in 1866 for the better opportunities it afforded. The family lived for two years in Oberlin, Ohio, and then removed to a farm in Henrietta township, Lorain county, afterward moved to one in Russia township, where they remained until the father's death in 1891. They were leading members of the M. E. Church, with which they united in early life. Of their nine children all are living, and five have settled in or near Oberlin, where their mother now resides. Sarah married Jacob Hales, of Ridgeville, Ohio; Henry is a dry-goods employe at Canton, Ohio; D. A., is the subject of this sketch; John is a farmer near Oberlin; William is in business in that city; Herbert, merchant and farmer, living at Irving, Kansas; and Anna, Mrs. Fred Papworth; Clara, Mrs. John Papworth; and Walter, all reside in or near Oberlin. Our subject attended an excellent private school in England until the age of thirteen. After coming to America he continued his studies in the district schools of Lorain county, working at the same time with his father on the farm, and at the shoemaker's trade. So well did he improve his opportunities that he received the position of teacher in the same place where he had been a pupil, and there and elsewhere he taught during the winter terms until the age of twenty-three, when he entered Oberlin College to fit himself for a professional teacher. He supported himself during five years of study, earning over one thousand dollars and completed a seven-years' classical course. He took the degree of B. A., and has also finished a professional course for teachers. He ranked among the first in a class of fifty-five, and- received the president's recommendation for the first place among their applications for teachers. During his senior year he was engaged as a tutor in mathematics. Since graduation he has been continuously and successfully engaged in educational work; one year in Seville, Medina county; two years in Perrysburg, Wood county; six years in Bryan, Williams county, and from 1889 to the present time he has been superintendent of schools in Bowling Green, and is a member of the city board of ex- 500 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. aminers. He has been an active institute instructor and lecturer. In each of the above places the schools secured under his management a reputation for thorough work and judicious control that has never been questioned, but has brought to him and the communities both honor and permanent good. He was married in 1882 to Miss Netta G. Lawrence, of Perrysburg, and has three children, Ruth, Vida and Janet. His high scholastic attainments and fine natural abilities give him an influential place in intellectual circles. He and his wife are leading members of the Presbyterian Church, and generous supporters of all educational and philanthropical movements in the community. In politics he is a Republican. EDWIN R. SAGE, M. D. No man in Wood county is better known or has a larger circle of warm friends than this popular physician, who for over thirty years has ministered to the sick and suffering of Montgomery township. He was born at Windham, Conn., January 18, 1825, and is a son of George and Lucy (Davis) Sage, The early education of our subject was obtained in the district schools of Erie county, Ohio, whither his parents moved when he was eleven years of age. The father dying when Edwin was fifteen years old, he was thrown upon his own resources, and at eighteen began learning the trade of a shoemaker at Berlin Heights, Ohio. At this he worked for three years, being paid at the rate of $30, $35, and $46 per year, out of this paying for his board and clothing. When twenty-one years of age he was sent on horseback to Prairie Depot for a yoke of oxen, and while there was urged to start a shoe-shop, as there was none in the village at that time. He returned to Berlin Heights, and soon afterward took the stage to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), from which place he walked, carrying his kit of tools, to Prairie Depot. This was in 1846. In the office of Dr. Hutchins he found the only available space for his bench, the use of this place being tendered him by the Doctor, who took a great liking to him.- This was a fortunate crisis in his life, for he had a craving for scientific study, and, being surrounded by medical books and appliances, he took up the study of medicine. Six months later Dr. Sage returned to Berlin Heights, where he spent the winter of 1846 and 1847. In the latter year his widowed mother, with his brothers and sisters, removed to Wood county, where he had procured a lot of land, he himself remaining in Berlin Heights until 1848, in which year he cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, the Free-soil candidate. In 1850 he went to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until the summer of 1857, at which time he took up his permanent residence in Wood county, at Prairie Depot, and the following year " hung out his shingle " as an M. D. During his stay at Chagrin Falls Dr. Sage had read medicine with Dr. H. W. Curtis, and had seen some practice, answering calls for his tutor, which the latter was unable to personally attend. On October 8, 1858, Dr. Sage was married at Perrysburg, Ohio, to Miss Sarah M. Pant, who was born in Bethlehem, Ohio, December 12, 1835, a daughter of John and Dorothea (Usher). Yant, the former a hotel-keeper, whose death took place in Crawford county. Three children have been born to the Doctor and his wife, namely: Rose D., the wife of F. B. Hill, of Chicago Junction, Ohio; Eddie, who died when two years old; and Edward R., who is in the United States railway mail service (on January 20, 1896, he married Evelyn Wingar). At the time of his marriage Dr. Sage was a poor man, and for many years had a "hard row to hoe. " His patients were also poor, as they were mostly people coming in and settling on new farms, who had little or no money for doctors' bills. He, however, was energetic and hopeful, and struggled on until times were better, and his practice became lucrative. Dr. Sage has thousands of dollars in fees that many physicians would have collected, but his kindness of heart would not allow him to insist upon payment from people he knew were unable to spare the money. In all his thirty-one years of practice, he has never refused to answer a call because his patient waspoor. Dr. Sage is to-day one of the most successful practitioners in Wood county, is Jell known for miles around, and his many acts of benevolence and liberality have endeared him to the hearts of the people. No man ever doubts his word, and his patients have the most im-plicit confidence in his ability as a physician. Politically Dr. Sage was formerly a Democrat and a Free-soiler, and voted for Gov. Wood, the Democratic candidate for that office. After the formation of the Republican party, however, he adopted its principles, and has ever since been one of its stanchest adherents. He served as clerk of Montgomery township for one term, and in 1875 was elected to the State Legislature, at the close of his term being re-elected. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order. Dr. Sage has i08 acres of excellent land near Prairie Depot, from which he derives a comfortable income. When the call on the Ohio National Guards was. Edwin B. Sage WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 501 made, Dr. Sage was a member of Company K, 144th regiment, Col. Miller commanding. At Berryville, Va., thirty-one of the company were taken prisoners, two killed, and two wounded, Dr. Sage being one of those taken prisoner. He was in the Lynchburg, Va., prison, and also in Libby, at Richmond, Va. He served as second lieutenant, and experienced some severe hardships, as he was on the march most of the time. No man stands higher in the community, or is entitled to higher respect from his fellow citizens than Dr. E. R. Sage. JOHN MEILY HOFFA, editor of the Wood County Tribune, was born December 9, 1854, at Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Penn., a son of Levi and Susan (Meily) Hoffa. Mrs. Susan (Meily) Hoffa, mother of our subject, was born July 21, 1831, a daughter of Henry and Margaretha (Vogt) Meily, the latter of whom was born October 24, 1992, and died November 29, 1847. She was a daughter of Mathias Vogt, who was born February 24, 1756, and died March 2, 1839; his wife Sophia, was born December 12, 1767, and died October 9, 1855. This long-lived couple had three sons and two daughters, our subject's grandmother, Margaretha, being one of them. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meily were born children as follows: Two sons died in infancy; John married Kate Zinn, and died in Lebanon county, Penn. ; Catherine, now deceased, was the second wife of Thomas Bassler, and had one child; Rebecca is the wife of Isaac Stoner, and they reside in Franklin county, Penn; Mollie is the wife of Christian Strack, who resides near Myerstown, Penn. ; Eliza is the widow of Jacob Bixler; Fanny is the deceased wife of Henry Glick; Mary is the wife of Henry Seltzer, and makes her home in Dauphin county, Penn. ; Sallie is the wife of Samuel Noll, she resides in St. Joseph, Mo.; Susan, the mother of our subject, comes next; she has her home in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. Levi Hoffa was born at Myerstown, March 9, 1827, and was a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Blecher) Hoffa, also natives of Lebanon county, the former of whom was a tailor by trade, which occupation he followed up to the time of his death To them were born children as follows: (r) Levi, father of our subject. (2) Cyrus Samuel, a graduate of Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Penn., and who was a German Evangelical Lutheran minister; shortly after the breaking out of the Civil war, in 1861, he enlisted in the 90-days service, and after his term of enlistment had expired, re-enlisted, this time in Company F, 4th Penn. Cav., was taken prisoner, and died in Andersonville. (3) Sarah, wife of Henry Wagner, resides at Lebanon, Lebanon Co., Penn. (4) Mary M. is deceased; (5) Catherine; (6) Melinda, born June 25, 1836, died May 27, 1857; by occupation she was a school teacher. (7) Leah Amelia, born February 6, 1839, married Henry Wise, and died March 27, 1860; she was also a school teacher. (8) Maurice J. (now deceased) was the youngest of this family. Levi died May 8, 1856, the father of two children: Mary Alice, born October 14, 1853, is now the wife of George W. Umberger, by whom she has one son, Herbert (they reside in Lebanon county, Penn.); and John M., our subject. There is also another son in the family, William Gurten Hoffa (a child of Mrs. Levi Hoffa by her second husband, Cyrus Samuel Hoffa), born August 24, 1864, and now a wholesale dealer in barbers' supplies at Philadelphia. John Meily Hoffa, whose name introduces this sketch, received his education in Pennsylvania, in part at the district schools and an academy, in part at the "College Palatinate," at Myerstown, which institution had been organized out of the academy. On leaving college he, in 1872, commenced to learn the trade of a printer in a job office at Myerstown, and in 1874 opened a job office in the same town, which he carried on until 1876, in that year moving to Palmyra, Penn., where he continued in the same line of business until 1878, when, in connection therewith, he established the Londonderry Weekly Gazette. In the course of about a year he sold out, and in 1880 removed to La Rue, Marion Co., Ohio, and bought the News of that place, the publication of which he continued until 1882, when he disposed of his interest therein. In 1883 he moved to New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio, and bought the Sun, publishing the same until 18g0, in which year he disposed of his property there took up his residence in Ottawa, Putnam Co., Ohio, and bought the Ottawa Gazette. In 1893 he sold this out, and purchased a one-fourth interest in the Wood County Sentinel (Daily and Weekly), at Bowling Green, which interest he still owns. In the fall of 1895 he also purchased stock in the Daily and Weekly Tribune, at the same place, consisting of 92' shares, and in March, 1896, he assumed the editorial management of that paper, his present incumbency. Later he purchased more stock, and now owns nearly half of that plant. These papers are a success, having few, if any, equals. In 1875, John M. Hoffa was married at Palmyra, Penn., to Miss Ida J. Zimmerman, who 502 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. was born January 3, 1859, at that town, a daughter of Abram and Maria (Kieffer) Zimmerman, the former of whom, a stonemason by trade, was born May 13, 1831, a son of John Peter, a farmer, and Sarah Zimmerman. The latter couple were the parents of children as follows: Henry; Abram; Daniel; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Miller of Annville, Lebanon Co., Penn. (they have three children-John, Joseph and Catherine) ; Sarah, wife of Mr. Farling, of Lebanon county, Penn. ; and Kate. Mrs. Maria (Kieffer) Zimmerman was a daughter of John Kieffer, who was also born in Lebanon county, Penn., and who married Sarah Horstick, born August 10, 1817, and by her had two children, viz.: Maria (Mrs. Abram Zimmerman), born April 24, 1840; and Reuben, a coal dealer at Annville, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania. To Abram and Maria Zimmerman were born children as follows: Ida J. (Mrs. Hoffa), born January 3, 1859; Lizzie Loretta, born in 1861, married Joseph Horstick, and they reside at Palmyra, Lebanon Co., Penn., and have no children; and Anna Lenora, married Albert Detwiler, and they reside at Harrisburg, Penn. (have two children). The fat, her of this family died November 2, 1886; the mother is now living at Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. To our subject and wife have come four children, to wit: (1) Mary J., born May 6, 1876, married to Clarence W. Griswold, at Ottawa, Ohio, where he is agent for the Findlay, Ft. Wayne & Western railroad and the American and National Express companies; they have two children-Ella Meily and Linn. (2) Meily Valentine, born February 14, 1878, died of typhoid fever October 29, 1891, at Ottawa, Ohio; (3) Harry Levi Marcellus, born April 6, 1881; (4) Abram Zimmerman, born September 21, 1886, at Ottawa. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hoffa are members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. Socially he has been affiliated with the P. O. S. of A. since he was eighteen years of age, joining Camp No. 192 thereof at Palmyra, Penn.; he held the position of State master of forms and ceremonies, and for one year was State trustee in Ohio; also was district president at large. At La Rue, Ohio, he organized a camp of the P. O. S. of A. and also united with Day Lodge No. 28, I. O. O. F., at La Rue, and is a past noble grand, and still retains membership in that society. At Richland he joined the Encampment, there being none at La Rue. He became a member of La Rue Lodge No. 463, F. & A. M., and affiliated with New Carlisle Chapter No. 57 and New Carlisle Council No. 30, both at New Carlisle. While residing at Ottawa, Ohio, being within the jurisdiction of Lima, he became a member of Shawnee Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, and on moving to Bowling Green he associated with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Valley of Toledo, being a member of Miami Lodge of Perfection, Fort Industry Chapter Rose Croix, at Toledo, and Northern Light Council, Princes of Jerusalem. He also belongs to Lake Erie Consistory, at Cleveland, Ohio, which includes the 32nd degree in Masonry. At Palmyra he became a member of Castle No. 7, Knights of the Mystic Chain; at New Carlisle he joined the Knights of Pythias Lodge; while at Ottawa he united with the K. O. T. M. and the National Union. A Republican in politics, Mr. Hoffa served as corporation clerk at New Carlisle, and on the board of health until he removed from that place. He was a member of the Building and Loan Association there, a director for two terms, also vice-president until he removed, and at the present time is vice-president of the Building and Loan Association at Bowling Green, which is a branch of the Cleveland Indemnity and Loan Association. F. T. HEDGE, the senior member of the well-nown firm of F. T. Hedge & Co., is at the head of the largest tile factory in Wood county, and is one of its most successful and enterprising business men. He is a native of Ohio, born in York township, Medina county, May 5, 1853, and is the second son and third child in the family of George B. and Kate (Crawfoot) Hedge. He was quite small when brought to Wood county, where he acquired his education in the district schools, and previous to his seventeenth year worked upon the home farm and in his father's mill. At that time Mr. Hedge began learning the saddler's trade with Andrew Emerine, at Fostoria, Ohio, where he worked for two years, when failing health caused him to abandon that trade for a time, though he later followed it for several years, in fact, until 1885. In the early eighties " he began brick and tile making in Montgomery township with his brother G. W., buying an interest in 'he business of Russel Morgan. His father afterward became a partner in the enterprise, but later sold his share to another brother, H. W., and the firm assumed the present title, that of F. T. Hedge & Co. They are now extensively engaged in the manufacture of tile, having a large plant erected in 1892, the main building being 40 x 98 feet, four stories in height, with a wing 36 x 82 feet. Our subject thoroughly understands the business in all its WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 503 departments, the arrangement for drying being originated by him, and very economical. At the home of Harlow Hill, in Montgomery township, on February 13, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hedge and Miss Martha Caskie, who was born near Carey, Ohio, May 3, 1858, and is the daughter of James and Matilda (Smith) Caskie. They began housekeeping in Montgomery township, on Section 18, and in 1892 remodeled their residence, and now have a comfortable and pleasant dwelling. The home has been brightened by the birth of two children -Jay C., born January 19, 1889; and George B., born October 9, 1892. Mr. Hedge uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but takes no active part in political affairs; socially he is a worthy member of Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., of Prairie Depot; of Prairie Depot Lodge No. 646, I. O. O. F.; and Crystal Encampment No. 271. Like all of the members .of the well-known Hedge family, of Montgomery township, he is prosperous and well-to-do, his success being mainly due to his own ability, enterprise and industry, and as the result of his efforts he has secured a comfortable competence, which is justly merited. B. L. ABBOTT, a prominent attorney at law of Bowling Green, was born in Townsend township, Huron county, July 5, 1850. His grandfather Abbott came at an early date with his family to Huron county, from Trumansburg, Yates county, New York. Our subject's father, James R. Abbott, was about seventeen years old at the time of this removal, and he at once devoted his energies to serving the best interests of the people among whom his lot was cast. He united with the Baptist Church before he had attained his majority, and supplying the deficiencies in his education by private study, he prepared for the ministry. His first charge was in Huron county, where he remained many years. He then preached at Reading, Mich., for seven years, after which he moved to Grand Rapids where his active usefulness was cut short by a stroke of paralysis, caused by overwork. The last twelve years of his life were spent in the home of our subject at Bowling Green. He was married in 1842 to Miss Caroline Smith, who was born in 1824, and is now residing with her son, Fred E. Abbott, at Bowling Green, the youngest of her five children. The others were Amanda (deceased), who married Daniel Howe, of Crawford county, Ohio; James R., a resident of Montcalm county, Mich.; B. L., our subject; and Ida, the wife of Frank S. Joels, of Fredonia, New York. Our subject's early life was spent in Michigan, where he acquired a knowledge of vocal music which afterward served him well. In 1871 he came to Bowling Green and studied law with an uncle, Philander S. Abbott, a well-known lawyer. He had intended to take a course in literature and law at Michigan, but the illness of his father compelled him to become the " bread winner " for the family, and in the emergency he resorted to the teaching of vocal music. His professional studies were postponed for several years, but after his marriage, in 1876, to Miss Mary L. Marshall, he resumed them, and August 13, 1878, was admitted to the bar. His wife is a native of the Buckeye State, born September 20, 1854, and she is an admirable helpmeet, cultured and sympathetic. They have five children: Floyd L., Henry L., Emergene L., Lilah Belle, and Lorene. Mr. Abbott began to practice law with a former preceptor, Edson Goit, and the, partnership lasted until the death of Mr. Goit. He has a good civil practice, and has been unusually successful in the conduct of business entrusted to him. Recently he engaged in oil producing, has sunk three paying wells and has others under way. Politically he is a Republican, and he has held several important official positions. In 1886 he was elected mayor, and for more than thirteen consecutive years has been a justice of the peace. About two years ago his friends were surprised at a new departure, seemingly out of his line, when he announced his discovery of a cure for baldness, which he christened "Baldoline. " His well-tried integrity lent credit to his claims for the new remedy, however, and the test of experience has abundantly confirmed them in every case where the treatment has been properly given. HON. ROBERT J. COLLIN, mayor of Tontogany, and a leading druggist of that town, was born July 21, 1849, in Medina, Ohio. His parents Ephraim and Matilda (Hall) Collin, were both born near Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, his father in 1825, and his mother in 1828. They were married there, and in 1848 came to the United States making their home near Medina, Ohio, until 1853, when they came to Wood county; but in the following year, owing to the breaking out of cholera in that section, they returned to Medina county, and bought a farm at Chatham Center. They sold this in the fall of 1860, and in the spring of 1861 they came to WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 504 Wood county, where they purchased wild land near Perrysburg, which they cleared and improved, converting it into a fine farm. Here they remained until the fall of 1874, at that time selling out their possessions in Wood county, and once more returning to Medina county, where they now reside. Mrs. Collin is a faithful adherent of the M. E. Church. Mr. Collin was an early Abolitionist, and one of the first in his locality to unite with the Republican party. They are the parents of four children: Robert J., our subject; Sophia, wife of Joseph Carpenter, of Perrysburg; Charles, a farmer in Medina county; and Wilson, deceased at the age of sixteen years. Robert J. Collin, the subject proper. of this sketch, received his education in part at the country district schools of Medina and Wood counties, three years at the high school of Perrysburg, and one year at Berea, graduating in 1875, at Valparaiso, where he had been studying two years. When he came to Wood county, in 1853, bears and wolves abounded, and around on his father's farms near Perrysburg, in 1861, deer were frequently seen in droves. He taught- five terms in district schools and two years in Miami schools, and then began to read medicine in Perrysburg, in 1876, a year later coming to Tontogany, where he bought an interest in a drug store since carried on under the firm name of Davis & Collin. This is one of the most substantial business enterprises in the vicinity. In addition to his drug business he is interested in farm land, owning property in Washington township, also in Kansas. On June 24, 1879, Mr. Collin married Miss Alice Hannah, a native of Ottawa county, Ohio, born August 28, 1854, and they have two children: Arthur, born September 16, 1880, and Harry, born December 4, 1885,, who have already given their allegiance to the church of their ancestors, the Methodist, of which Mr. Collin has been a prominent member for years, . For the past eighteen years he has been superintendent of the M. E. Sunday-school. The same sterling characteristics which have led to Mr. Collin's success in other lines of effort, have made him a favorite candidate for official position, as he is now serving his third term as township clerk, and was in April, 1895, elected to the office of mayor of his town. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M., Tontogany Lodge No. 451. EDWARD R. SAGE, one of the most highly respected citizens of Montgomery township, is descended from an old New England family, and is a representative of the seventh generation from David Sage, who was born in Wales, in 1639, and came to Middleton, Conn., in 1652. The grandfather of our subject, George Sage, was born in 1772, and his wife, Harriet, in 1774. The father of our subject, also named George, was born July 4, 180i, in Middleton, Conn., and was married in Chatham, Conn., June 26, 1821, to Miss Lucy Davis, also a native of Connecticut, born November 4, 1799. The father of our subject was a manufacturer and dresser of cloth, and followed that business for a time in Connecticut. In 1838 he removed with his family to Washington county, Va., where he settled near Glade Springs. He rented a fulling-mill and carding-machine, which he operated some ten years. He then came to Ohio, traveling all the way in wagons, camping out most of the time at night, and occupying four weeks on the road. He settled in Vermilion township, Erie county, where he remained one winter, then going to Hartsgrove, Ashtabula county, where he bought 160 acres of land in partnership with another man. On this farm was a fulling-mill and carding-machine, which was run by waterpower, and they subsequently built a gristmill on the same stream. Mr. Sage's partner proved to be dishonest, and two years later the firm failed. Mr. Sage had nothing left but a team of horses and eighty acres of land in Cook county, Ill., which latter-proved upon examination, by a person sent for that purpose, to be of so little value that it was not worth the taxes. Mr. Sage was obliged to return to Erie county, where he died of bilious fever, July 22, 1840. He was naturally a robust, hearty man, and his early death was a great blow to his wife who was left with nine children to care for. Mr. Sage had but a limited schooling, but was a man of much natural ability, honest and industrious, a member of the Episcopal Church, and an old-time Democrat. His wife was a Methodist. She lived t o be seventy-five years of age, and died in Huron, Ohio, and both are buried at Berlin Heights. The children of this worthy couple were as follows: William G., born in Windham, Conn., October 26, 1822, lives in Huron, Ohio; Edward R. and Edwin R. were born in Windham, Conn., January 18, 1825; Harriet M., born in Windham, February 10, 1827, is the wife of M. H. Parker, of Coldwater, Mich.; Orrin W., born in Washington county, Va., September 1, 1829, enlisted, in 1864, in Company K, 144th O. V. I., and was taken prisoner with his entire company (only nine of whom escaped) at Berryville, Va. (he died in the Rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C.); Elizabeth Edward R. Sage WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 505 J., born in Washington, Va., December-26, 1831, is the widow of Timothy Gould, of Prairie Depot; Louise, born in Washington county, Va., March 9, 1834, is the wife of Byron Case, of West Toledo, Ohio; Charles J. was born April 11, 1836, in Washington,, Va.; James M., born in Hartsgrove, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, April 21, 1838, died in childhood. Edward R. Sage, the subject of this sketch, had a limited education in the common schools of his day, whose curriculum seldom extended beyond the 'three R's." His father's early death left the family dependent upon their own exertions for a livelihood, but they managed to keep together, the boys learning various trades and the mother working at weaving. When sixteen years old Edward began learning the shoemaker's trade under Isaac Fowler, who had a country shop between Vermilion and Huron. For four years the lad worked in this place at a salary of $4 a month, out of which he kept himself and had money left to give his mother. After his uncle was elected sheriff of Erie county, Mr. Sage started a shop of his own, which he carried on for a time. In the meantime his twin brother, Edwin R., had come to Wood county and bargained for i08 acres of land, and the family decided to follow him and locate on the property. Accordingly, in 1847, the mother, with six of her children-Edward R., Orrin, Elizabeth, Lucy, Charles, and James came by team and settled in Montgomery township, making their home temporarily near the land mentioned. About a month afterward they were given possession, and a log cabin was their first home. This property was school land, and was bought in the name of William, the eldest son, it being intended as a home for the family, and that all the sons should aid in paying for it. The mother lived there for a short time, and then returned to Erie county, where she died. The three brothers-William, Edward, and Edwin worked the farm together until it was paid for; about 1860 our subject purchased the property from his brothers, and has lived there ever since. Since that time he has sold a portion of it for town lots, and has now about ninety-five acres remaining. Most of the improvements on the place have been made by him, he having, in 1858, built the house which he now occupies. On October 2, 1851, Mr. Sage was married at Freeport, Ohio, to Miss Caroline Yant, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 30, 1828. Her parents were John and Dorothea (Usher) Yant, and her father was a hotel-keeper. Of this union five children have been born, namely: Roswell E., who died in childhood; Lucy D., now Mrs. Frank King, of Prairie Depot; John, residing with his parents; Charles, living at Prairie Depot; and William E., who is farming with his father. Mr. Sage, who is a self-made man, with the assistance of his good wife has prospered in the world, and is one of the substantial farmers of the township. He was in former days an Abolitionist, but has for many years been a stanch Republican. He has held a number of important local offices, being for eight years treasurer of the township, for six years justice of the peace, and also township assessor. He has served two terms as mayor of Prairie Depot, and has been a member of the city council. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. A man of genial disposition, who preserves the vigor and enterprise of youth, he is exceedingly popular with all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. No citizen stands higher in the community or is more deserving of the esteem and respect in which he is held. H. A. LEASE, a well known and leading citizen of Bowling Green, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, July 16, 1835. His parents were Joseph and Delilah (Olmstead) Lease, the former of whom was born in Frederick county, Md., in 1806. He followed farming until coming to Bowling Green, when he took up gardening as an occupation. He was a man of unusual mental powers, a great student of the Bible, which he knew by heart, although a free-thinker in his religious views, and looked upon life through the eyes of a philosopher. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a Scotchman by descent, and was a thrifty and industrious man. His death took place in Bowling Green, November 12, 1884. His wife was born in Frederick county, Md., in 1812, and died April 28, 1891. Their two children were H. A., and Mary E., the wife of R. Gust, a capitalist of Fostoria, Ohio. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, where he attended college for seven months, afterward teaching school and reading law at the same time. In September, 1858, he went to California where he taught school and mined until 1860. In 1861 he was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court of California; was appointed district attorney of Colusa county, by the county commissioners, and served in that incumbency one term; was made assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Legislature of that State, in 1861, and served as copying clerk for the same body in 1863-64. He then went to Eldorado county, where he was employed as clerk in the office of the Placerville route of the Pacific 506 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. railway until 1866, when be returned to his home in Ohio. In 1867 he was admitted to the bar in Ohio. In 1869 be located in Bowling Green, and in the winter of 1870 was made enrolling clerk of the Ohio Senate, which position he filled for two sessions of the Legislature (1872-73), being at the same time engaged in the practice of law. Owing to ill health Mr. Lease bas been obliged to give up active work, and now devotes much of his time to literary pursuits, a most congenial occupation, as be is a man of remarkably bright intellect, keen observation, and retentive memory. Upon the organization of the Bowling Green & Toledo Railroad Co., Mr. Lease was elected attorney for the same, and continued an official of the company as either attorney, director, auditor or general manager until the road was sold to the C., H. & D. R. R. Co. In politics be is a Prohibitionist, and uses his influence in promoting the interests of that party, believing it to be the best means by which our country can be free from the curse of intemperance. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and in all public enterprises does-his part as a loyal citizen. He bas been quite successful in business, owning considerable property in Bowling Green, among which is that known as the Lease Building. Mr. Lease is unmarried, " and for free silver. " REV. HENRY DOTY, one of the leading ministers of the United Brethren Church, now the pastor of the congregation at Bowling Green, has shown in the twelve years since his ordination a rare combination of practical business talent, with spiritual power as a preacher. Although well fitted to make his way to financial success in worldly lines, be abandoned a prosperous business in early manhood (the management of a mill belonging to his father-in-law), in order to devote his energies to the Church, and while his earnest exhortations and convincing logic have turned the thoughts of many to the truths of religion, some trace of the natural financier is to be found also in churches built or repaired, or old debts paid, in every place where be bas been stationed. Mr. Doty was born October 30, 1851, near Findlay, Ohio. His parents, John and Margaret (Walters) Doty, were both born in Fairfield county, Ohio, his father on October 20, 1816, and his mother in November, 1823. On the maternal side be is descended from an old Virginia family. His parents still occupy the same farm upon which they located fifty-two years ago, and attend the same Church with which they then united. Their eight children are all living: (1) Margaret J., the wife of Thomas Cole, of Hancock county; (2) W. C., a resident of the same county; ( 3 ) Elijah, a lumber dealer at Leipsic, Ohio; (4) Henry, our subject; ( 5) Edward, a farmer in Hancock county; (6) John L., who lives at the old homestead; (7) H. Walter, a prominent young attorney at Findlay; and( 8) Flora Emma, the wife of Rev. W. R. Arnold, the pastor of the U. B. Church at Bascom, Ohio. Our subject improved the educational opportunities afforded by the public schools of Hancock county, and then entered the Union Biblical Seminary at Dayton, graduating in 1888. He bad previously been ordained at Helena, Ohio, September 21, 1883. His first charge was on Hoytville circuit, where during a two-years pastorate be bad 175 accessions, and built a church. At North Baltimore be spent two years, received 195 new members, built one church at a cost of $4,000, and repaired two others. He then came to Bowling Green, where be found the Church in a discouraging state; but with the help of the faithful and energetic women of the Society he raised between five and six hundred dollars, and purchased a bell and other needed supplies.. During his one-year's stay at that time eighty-five new members were received. In the two years following, on Sycamore circuit, be received 200 new members, and built a brick church costing $5,000, repaired two others and contracted for a parsonage. He then went to Dayton. where for three years be pursued a course of study in the Union Biblical Seminary, having charge during the last two years of his stay there of Miami Chapel (the old Mother Church of his denomination in Dayton), and taking into fellowship 200 new members. Here $1, B00 was raised for repairs, and sundry debts to former preachers and presiding elders were paid, among them some of ten years' standing. His next charge was at Chicago junction, where some debts were settled, and a parsonage built and paid for and 175 new members enrolled. In September, 1891, be returned to Bowling Green, where be bas well sustained his reputation as an earnest worker. About 350 members have been added, and the church bas been repaired at a cost of $4, 000, all of which, except the amount raised by Bishop Cassel at the rededication, was solicited and collected by the pastor. On September 23, 1895, at the Sandusky Annual Conference, be was elected presiding elder of the Fostoria District, and is now serving his second term as P. E. of the same District. In all his arduous efforts our subject bas been ably seconded by his wife, who was formerly Miss WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 507 Sarah E. Bishop, a native of Hancock county, born January 27, 1856. They were married May 30, 1872, and have two children: Eva B., born January 13, 1874, who is a student in Otterbein (Ind.) University, and John D., born October 11, 1878, who is at home, and is now attending the high school. Our subject is independent in politics. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Bowling Green. EDWARD BEVERSTOCK, the junior member of the well-known law firm of James & Beverstock, Bowling Green, was born in Tontogany May 8, 1862. As one of the brightest of Wood county's sons, the people of this locality look upon his success in his chosen profession with pride, and regard his future as assured. Reared upon a farm, his educational advantages were limited to an attendance at the neighboring district school until January, 1883, when he entered Oberlin College, where he completed the classical course and graduated in 1889, with the degree of A. B. Having determined to enter the legal profession, he took the course offered by the Cincinnati Law School, defraying his expenses while there by acting as librarian of the School and secretary of the Faculty. The degree of LL. B. was conferred upon him May 27, 1891, and he was admitted to the bar a few days later. In August of the same year Mr. Beverstock entered the office of Hon. Benjamin F. James, and in November they formed a partnership which still continues, with an office also at Toledo, Ohio. This firm has become better known, and acquired a larger practice, than any other has done in an equally short time in this county. Mr. Beverstock is a close student and is remarkable for his well-balanced abilities. With a clear insight into legal principles, and the power of ready application, he possesses also a high order of practical talent. In politics as well as in legal affairs his advice is valued, and he was chairman of the Wood County Republican Central Committee for the year 1894. Mr. Beverstock was married July 7, 1891, to Miss Elizabeth Ferguson, who was born in Oakland county, Mich., February 1, 1866. They have two daughters, Mary V. and Helena I. Mr. Beverstock and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. A. M. RUSSELL, the deputy auditor of Wood county, and a prominent resident of Bowling Green, is an official whose worth has been proven in various positions of public trust. He comes of sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry, and possesses many of the admirable traits of character which distinguished that race. His father, James W. Russell, was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1784, and came to the Western Reserve in early life, locating upon a farm in what is now Mahoning (then a part of Trumbull) county, where he married Miss Jane A. Wolfcale, a native of Virginia, born near Harper's Ferry, in 1792. She died in 1847; her husband lived at his old farm to an advanced age, and died in 1870 at the home of a son in Paulding county. They reared a family of ten children, as follows: Nancy, born in 1812, married John Cushman, and lives in Michigan; John, born in 1814, died in Wood county in 1884; Robert, born in 1816, died in Bowling Green in 1860; Caroline, born in 1818, married Davis Randolph, and lives in Mahoning county; James M., born in 1821, died in Paulding county, in September, 1879; Jonathan W., born in 1824, died in Trumbull county in 1855; Betsey, born in 1826, married John Williams, of Trumbull county; Abraham W., born in 1829, lives at Ithaca, Mich. ; Martha Jane, born in 1832, is the widow of John Moore of Mahoning county; and our subject, the youngest. A. M. Russell was born March 7, 1835, and remained at home until the age of fifteen. He attended Antioch and Oberlin Colleges for some time, and later engaged in teaching and clerking in a dry-goods store. On the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted at the first call to arms, and went to the front as first lieutenant of Company G. 14th O. V. I. At the end of his three months' term of service he returned home, and being injured on the way, at Columbus, did not re-enlist until 1863, when he went as a private in Company C, 68th O. V. I., and served until the end of the war, receiving by well-earned promotion the rank of sergeant-major. His regiment was attached to the army of the West, and took part in the battles at Atlanta and Bentonville, besides many other lighter engagements. After being mustered out, July 10, 1866, he came to Bowling Green as deputy treasurer, and later clerked in a hardware store at Perrysburg until his appointment as county treasurer in September, 1868, to serve out an unexpired term. So well did he perform the duties of the office that he was elected on the Republican ticket for the succeeding term, serving until 1871. For the next four years he was in the drug business at Perrysburg, but sold out in 1875, and a year later began clerking in different offices in the county court house. In 1879 he was again elected county treasurer, and since his term ex- 508 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. pired, in 1881, he has served as deputy auditor under three administrations. Mr. Russell has been twice married, first time in 1861, to Miss Rachel A. Carey of Paulding county, who died in less than a year afterward. His second wife was Miss Alta Sullivan, who was born in Defiance county, July 7, 1843. They have two children living: (1) Charles H., born June 21, 1867, is a druggist's clerk at Bowling Green (he is married to Miss Charlotte Morrison), (2) Maude, born September 23, 1875, a young lady of fine social gifts, lives at home. Mr. Russell is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Masonic fraternity. HON. ELIJAH P. EMERSON, of Bloomdale, is one of the representative citizens of Wood county, a business man and farmer, having won a distinguished success in every line of effort which he has entered. He is a self-made man, who as a boy walked into Ohio, accompanying the slowly-moving wagons which conveyed his parents and their household goods to their new home on the frontier. Mr. Emerson was born January 23, 1834, in Berkeley county, Va. (now W. Va.), which had been for many years the home of his father's family. His grandfather Emerson was a slaveholder, but his father, Noble Emerson, being opposed to this, in early manhood determined to seek a home in a free State. He had been employed in boyhood as a boatman on the Potomac, and as a steersman on the Chesapeake & Ohio canal, but later he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed throughout life. He married Miss Mary Keesecker, and had ten children, of whom three were born in Ohio. In 1833 the family removed to Beaver county, Penn., and in May, 1848, they came to Mexico, Wyandot Co., Ohio, traveling in a small two-horse wagon, our subject with others walking most of the way, a tedious journey for even a healthy lad of fourteen. One day his feet became sore, and mounting one of the horses he rode for a few miles; becoming weary, he fell asleep, tumbled off the horse without waking up, and narrowly escaped being run over. The father had but limited means, and on reaching Mexico found employment at his trade, later buying the shop, the trade in potash and in pork barrels furnishing him a good business. In 1859 he moved to Sycamore, where our subject's mother died December 7, 1862. The father survived her thirty years, dying September 10, 1892, at the age of eighty-three, and their remains now rest in the cemetery at Sycamore. Two years after his' wife's death he moved to Pike county, Mo., and bought a farm, which he sold later. He worked at his trade for some time, and in 1871 came to Eagleville to live in the home of our subject. He was a man of industrious habits, was over six feet two inches tall, and was spare in flesh. While he was no politician he took an intelligent interest in all the questions of his time and was a regular voter, being a Whig in his early years and later a Republican. Our subject is one of six surviving children of the following family: Samuel B. died in Ohio, a wealthy man, after many years spent in the practice of medicine at Eagleville; Elijah P. comes next; John M. enlisted in Company G, 123d O. V. I., and it is believed is one of the many who perished in Andersonville prison; Rachel A. died in Virginia; William W. lives in Bloomdale; Enoch died in Virginia; Mary J. is the wife of Rufus W. Lundy, a hardware merchant of Myrtle Point, Ore.; Milton L. is a prosperous resident of Sycamore, Ohio, a blacksmith by occupation; Frank N. lives in San Francisco; Rufus A. is a merchant at Bloonldale. Elijah P. Emerson attended the subscription schools of his time until he was fourteen years old, and after coming to Ohio availed himself of the privileges afforded by the district schools. Later he studied for three terms at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, and one term in the Seneca County Academy. At the age of twenty he began teaching, and was very successful; he taught thirteen terms in Wyandot and Seneca counties, and spent his vacations making shingles, owning a complete outfit, shaving-horse, drawknife, froe and brake. He received twenty-five cents per hundred when the timber was prepared, and $3.75 per thousand when the wood was taken from the stump, white and red oak being used principally. In March, 1865, he went to Pike county, Mo., and taught there for a short time. On April 17, 1866, he was married at Crawfordsville, Ohio, to Miss Catherine Smalley, and they began housekeeping at Eagleville, where Mr. Emerson previously fitted up a home. His brother, Dr. Emerson, who was then practicing there, had pointed out an opening for a mercantile business, and, as our subject had several hundred dollars saved, he made the venture. The cost of goods was high after the war, and his stock was small, but trade increased year by year, bringing him prosperity. In 1874, when Bloomdale was only a crossroad, he built a store there, which was conducted by his brother R. A., and in April, 1877, he sold it to him and another brother. In the spring of Elijah P. Emerson Kate Emerson WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 509 1878 he sold his Eagleville store. In 1882 he opened a dry-goods store in Bloomdale, but sold it after a few months; in 1889 he bought a hardware store in Bloomdale for a son, but subsequently sold it. He has been engaged in farming since 1876. He was then the owner of eighty acres in Bloom township, but had not given much attention to it, and one day, at a sale of the "French farm" of 232 acres, he made a bid merely to enliven the proceedings, and the farm was "knocked down" to him. The business was new to Mr. Emerson, but that could be said of all his other enterprises, and, despite the predictions that his uniform good fortune would desert him if he tried farming, he ventured, and succeeded. He now owns 352 acres in Bloom township, and fifty-eight and one-half acres in Hancock county, which he works in a thoroughly systematic and progressive manner. Politically Mr. Emerson has been identified with the Republican party nearly all his life. He cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and continued to vote regularly with that party until 1890, when, feeling fully convinced that nothing would be done by the Republican party to seriously interfere with the whiskey traffic, he began to enter his protest to the manufacture and sale of intoxicants by voting with the only party that makes public declaration of its intention, if clothed with power, to close the saloon by stopping the manufacture and removing the national sanction of partnership in the business, viz.: the Prohibition party. He has never aspired to office, but has been chosen to different positions. At one time he was clerk of Bloom township, declining a second term; from January 1, 1867, to 1875, he was postmaster at Bloom. (now Ted), and when the office was transferred to Bloomdale he became the first postmaster there, serving until 1877. In 1883 he was elected to the Legislature as Wood county's representative, and filled the place four years. He served four months in the Civil war, enlisting April 22, 1861, in Company G, 15th O. V. I. -, with Capt. Tyler, in the l00-days' service, being sent to West Virginia. On his return home he prepared to go again, helped to raise a company for the 123rd Regiment, and was one of the three men whose activity in recruiting was to be rewarded by positions of honor in the company. Mr. Emerson was elected by the men to the office of second lieutenant, but through some manipulation of the County Central Committee he was not appointed. A prominent feature of Mr. Emerson's charming home is his library, filled with well selected books which he finds pleasure in perusing. He and his wife are leading members of the Church of Christ, in which he has been an elder, and for many years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He contributes also to the support of other Churches in the locality. Their nine children were as follows: John J. died in infancy; Scott S. is a farmer in Bloom township; Olive L. married Benton Leathers, of Bloom township; Horace W. is at home; Dow P. died in infancy; Howard H. is at home; Elijah P., Jr., died in childhood; Lola E. and Florence E. are at home. Socially, Mr. Emerson was for some years a member of the I. O. O. F., but on moving to a distance from a lodge he "dropped out," and for the same reason he has withdrawn from active membership in Urie Post No. 110, G. A. R., of Bloomdale. Mrs. Kate (Smalley) Emerson was born August 20, 1844, near Rowsburg, Ashland Co., Ohio. She was the sixth child born to Isaac and Elizabeth (Smith) Smalley, whose family was subsequently augmented to the number of seventeen-eleven sons and six daughters--of which number but seven grew to manhood and womanhood. At the age of nine years Mrs. Emerson was brought by her parents to Wyandot county, Ohio, and settled on a farm adjoining the village of Crawfordsville, near the site of the memorable spot where Col. Crawford was burned by the Indians. Her father was classed among the progressive farmers of his day. He was strongly imbued with the belief that a well-raised child-one to whom the parents had faithfully discharged their duty-should be sent out to combat the realities of life, fully panoplied in head, heart and hands for whatever position fate held in store or whatever condition circumstances might develop. Hence Mrs. Emerson was early sent to the district school, and during the intervals between terms was schooled by the mother in the duties pertaining to housekeeping. Not infrequently she was also found in the field with her father, dropping corn--at which she was an adept--digging potatoes, and aiding in gathering corn and storing fruit, etc. Early in her 'teens she commenced teaching in the district schools, at which time she assumed all charges for clothing, and also managed by economy to pay her expenses at a select school in Carey for three terms. Mrs. Emerson was during the war of the Rebellion an active sympathizer in the cause of the Union, and spent much time in soliciting and forwarding supplies for the sanitary and commissary departments of the army. She is nat- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 510 urally inclined to faith in the teachings of Christianity, and early in life united with the Methodist Church, of Carey, Ohio. When she removed to Wood county with her husband, not finding near her home a Church of her first connection, she united with the membership of the Church of Christ, at Eagleville, and has remained a consistent Christian and constant attendant at the various services, and a helper in the many labors of the Church up to the present. She served as superintendent of the Sunday-school several years, and in the Church diligently labored to unite the congregation with the missionary wing of the Church. During the period of her teaching she met Mr. Emerson-her subsequent husband-at a teachers' examination. An attachment-mutual-was formed, that afterward culminated in their union for life, which was sealed April .17, 1866. Together their life barque has floated down the stream of time for over thirty years. Of the nine children born to Mrs. Emerson, six remain to bless her life--three having passed to the silent beyond. Like nearly all mothers she is devotedly attached to her children, and no sacrifice of time or labor is withheld when duty calls. Her father and mother are dead. Her brothers and sisters have all been married, and are living in their own homes. The elder brother, Allen, is known as Judge Smalley, and M. A. has recently been appointed and confirmed as U. S. marshal of northern Ohio. The distinguishing characteristics of Mrs. Emerson's life are patient industry, devotion to home, family, kindred and friends, and a conscientious regard for the rights and feelings of others. FRANK A. BALDWIN, a leading attorney of Bowling Green, whose abilities and attainments won for him at an early age a high standing among the legal fraternity, was born near Geneva, N. Y., July 30, 1854. His parents, Sanford and Juliette (Smith) Baldwin, were also born in New York State, the father December 7, 1825, at Saratoga Springs, and the mother October 12, 1827, at Seneca Falls. Soon after their marriage they came west, in 1846 settling at Perrysburg, Wood county, where Mr. Baldwin soon became a prominent and influential worker in municipal affairs, holding various official positions during his residence there. In I860 he moved to Weston and opened a hotel, which he conducted some twelve years. He then transferred the active management to other hands, and he and his wife settled down in Weston to spend their declining years free from business cares; there he died August 1, 1895. They had twelve children, five of whom grew to maturity: Mary, the wife of W. R. Worth, who manages the hotel at Weston; Hattie, the wife of judge Young, of Bowling Green; Frank A., our subject; Nellie, the widow of Dr. G. W. Pennington, of Weston; and Lulu, a bookkeeper for J. W. Long & Co., of Weston, who lives at home with her parents. Our subject attended the public schools at his home during his boyhood, and later studied in the high school at Toledo, and the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Under the direction of J. R. Tyler, of Perrysburg, and McCauley & Pennington, of Tiffin, he prepared for the bar, and was admitted April 12, 1877. In June of the same year he began the practice of his profession at Weston, and a few months later he received an extraordinary evidence of the esteem of his fellow citizens in an election to the responsible office of prosecuting attorney of Wood county; as he was the Democratic-candidate this is the more remarkable, Wood county having been a Republican stronghold ever since the Civil war. Retiring from this office at the end of two years, he engaged in practice at Bowling Green. An able advocate, his professional efforts have been attended with uniform success, and at the -present there are but few cases of importance in which he is not retained on one side or the other, this being especially true of those which involve questions of criminal law. Mr.. Baldwin is at present a member of the building committee for the Wood county court house. In 1879 he was married to Miss Clara Foote, who was born April 22, 1855, in Washington township, where her father, Joel Foote, was a prominent resident for many years. He died February 22, 1896. D. H. HILL, the deputy recorder of Wood county, and one of the most able and hard-working officials in the service of the county, was born in Milton Center, June 30, 1841. His father, William Hill, was born in eastern Ohio, and in 1836 came to Wood county, locating in Milton Center upon wild land which he cleared and cultivated. He was prominent among the pioneers of his neighborhood, and was a Whig in politics. He raised a family of twelve children- two girls and ten boysthe subject of this sketch being the youngest. Only three of the twelve are now living, viz.: Mrs. Eliza Stewart, wife of Robert Stewart, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Joseph B. Hill, of Piqua, Ohio; and the subject of this sketch. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 511 Our subject attended the district school in boyhood, and afterward learned the carpenter's trade. In May, 1862, he enlisted for three months in Company K, 84th O. V. I., and went to the front. He returned home October 1, of that year, and three weeks later joined Company G, 10th O. V. Cav. for three years; was appointed sergeant January 18, 1863, and first sergeant in September, 1864. His regiment was assigned to the army of the West, and did gallant service under Kilpatrick. In May, 1865, our subject was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Company C, but was wounded during a skirmish at Ringgold, Ga., was sent to the the hospital, and was mustered out with his company, July 24, 1865. After his return he followed farming at Milton Center, and for some years was postmaster there. Since September 2, 1895, he has held the office of deputy recorder, giving faithful and efficient service. In 1889 he was married to Miss Susan Masks, a native of Wood county, and they have one child-E. A. Hill, of Custar. Ohio. Politically our subject is a Republican; socially he is a member of the G. A. R. G. W. HELFRICH, the efficient manager and secretary of the Wood County Tribune Company, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, February 14, 1854. His grandparents, John and Barbara Helfrich, came from Germany to America in 1832, and died in Pennsylvania at an advanced age. His father, Adam Helfrich, was a native of Darmstadt, Germany, born May 4, 1828, and when four years old came with his parents to Franklin county, Penn. In early manhood, in company with some other young men, he walked to Tiffin, Ohio, where he secured work in a gristmill at ten dollars a month. He was married there to Miss Margaret Ruch, and not long after he bought eighty acres of school land near McComb, Ohio, to which he removed. Not being a skilled chopper of trees, and lacking money to hire help, he was obliged to resort to primitive methods of preparing logs for his new dwelling, burning them into proper lengths, after "pacing them off " for want of a better way of measuring them. However, he built the house. After a year he sold that property and bought twenty acres in the same county, six miles east, lived there ten years, then bought 116 acres within one-half mile of the first eighty acres, where he made his permanent home. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, 21st O. V. I., assigned to Gen. Rosecrans army, 14th Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Thomas, 2d Division, commanded by Gen. James S. Neegly, 2d Brigade, Col. John F. Miller. At the battle of Murfreesboro he was captured and taken to Libby prison; but was released on parole eleven days after, having had nothing to eat in the meantime but some "hard tack." Taken to Annapolis he there contracted the smallpox, and lay for seven weeks in the hospital. Returning home, with his health ruined, he never received a pension because, having never been ill for a day before entering the army, he had no " family physician" who could certify to his physical condition previous to that time, as required by the pension office. Politically, he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and in religious faith was a member of the U. B. Church. His death occurred September 29, 1892. His wife who was born in Canton, Stark county, Ohio, September 2, 1831, died December 11, 1895, at her home at Deweyville, Ohio. Our subject is the eldest of their nine children; the others being B. F., a butcher and stock buyer at North Baltimore, Ohio; Mary L., the widow of E. L. Ward, Findlay, Ohio; Jacob R., who is engaged in the real-estate business at Eldon, Mo.; Amanda Cordelia, who died when sixteen months old; Permilla J., the wife of E. O. Dexter, of Chicago, Ill.; Calista A., who married John Arnold, of Findlay, Ohio; Charlotte Elizabeth, the wife of M. Brooks, of Shawtown, Ohio; and Caroline May, the wife of Byron Powell, of Benton, Ohio. G. W. Helfrich was educated in the district schools near McComb, also in the high school at Findlay, and at the age of eighteen began to teach. After two terms he secured employment in a drug-store, and shortly afterward bought a half-interest in a harness shop, investing his entire capital, thirty-five dollars. This concern was closed by the sheriff two weeks later for old debts contracted prior to his entering the business. With most men this would have ended the matter, but a certain indomitable perseverance which is characteristic of our subject revealed itself, and he determined to go on, with no money, no tools, no stock, no custom, and no knowledge of the business. He borrowed a few tools, and as he was opening the shop a tanner called to collect an old bill for leather. After discussing the situation Mr. Helfrich obtained credit for forty-eight pounds of leather, which he brought on his back from the tannery, ten miles distant. He had never watched any one make a set of harness, but he was not to be daunted by a trifle like that, and he proceeded to manufacture one according to his own ideas. As trade came in he gradually learned the business, being assisted WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 512 usually by the well-meant advice of his customers. This proved vexatious at times, and wishing to perfect himself in the trade, he went to Ottawa, Ohio, where he worked under special instruction for seventeen months, and then returned to his old shop, from which time it was distinctly understood that the proprietor would accept no suggestions as to his methods of work. He established a fine trade, and in 1882 sold a half-interest to his brother, who took charge of the shop, while our subject opened a store for the sale of agricultural implements. Nine months later a fire destroyed everything he owned except a small dwelling house, he having no insurance, and was $2, 000 in debt. He then went ' °on the road" as a salesman for different firms, and in a short time paid every cent he owed, besides $800 security for others. With the exception of a short interval in the grocery business, and, later, in a real-estate and life insurance enterprise at Bowling Green, he continued to travel until January 1 , 1894-in all ten years-when he assumed the duties of his present position, of which he is making a great success. Previous to that time the liabilities of the Tribune were $4,000 more than the assets; in less than two and a half years the Tribune was out of debt under his management, and a steady increase in circulation and advertising patronage promises rich rewards in the future. Mr. Helfrich was married, in 1875, to Miss Mary M. Hardy, who was born in McComb, March 27, 1856. They have had three children: Myrtle Pearl, born February 15, 1876; Edward Earl, born June 27,1878; and Hazel Lurain, born February 21; 1891. Our subject and his wife and children are members of the Presbyterian Church, and actively interested in its work. In politics he is a Republican, .and he is a member of the K. of P., the I. O. O. F. and T. T. M. A. of Toledo, in all of which he is an enthusiastic worker. In and out of the Lodge rooms, no society or business is lowered any by having Mr. Helfrich as one of their number, but are bettered, morally, socially and financially. LEWIS W. MCCRORY. There is in the character of this gentleman some of the qualities of the Scotch-Irish ancestry from which he is descended-the thoroughness and unfaltering purpose of the former, and the adaptability to circumstances of the latter. His fellow-townsmen recognize him as a gentleman of sterling worth; for his life has ever been an honorable one. He was born in the town of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, November 5, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Pennypacker) McCrory. His father was born in Mifflin county, Penn., May 7, 1795, and was reared as a farmer boy. Subsequently he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, locating on a farm near Wooster, where he resided for twelve years. On October 6, 1836, he came to Wood county, and purchased eighty acres of wild land in Henry township, on which he erected a small log house. His death occurred in 1866, that of his wife on July 3, 1845. Their. children were: John, who was born November 20, 1819, served as a soldier in Company H, 21st O. V. I., and died February 6, 1873; Mary, who was born March 19, 1820, became the wife of Reason Whitacre, and died in Bloom township; James, born March 13, 1823, died in Liberty township; Elizabeth, born May 15, 1825, became the wife of Isaac Whitacre, and died in Bloom township; Jacob, born March 14, 1827, died at the age of, four years; Hannah, born March 7, 1829, married John Otterbach, and died in Liberty; Samuel, born April 12, 1831, died on the old homestead in Henry township; Daniel, born February 17, 1833 Lewis W., our subject, comes next; and Liddy Ann, born December 26, 1837, became the wife of Jefferson Shinebarger, and died in Liberty township. The mother of this family having passed away, the father married Eliza Shaffer, and they had four children: Eliza Jane, born January 13, 1847, died in Henry township; Philander, born November 20, 1848, a merchant of East Toledo, Ohio; Lucinda, born July 19, 1853, died in girlhood; Nancy, born in 1850, now the wife of Frederick Sheron, of Portage township. The mother of these died December 28, 1859. Lewis W. McCrory was only a year old when his parents removed to Wood county. He was educated in the district schools near his home, and in the usual manner of farmer lads was reared to manhood. He was married in Portage township, February 10, 1856, to Caroline Lucy Gorton, a native of Bloom township, whose parents came from Rhode Island to Wood county at an early day. They began their domestic life on a farm of twenty acres of wild land in Liberty township, and Mr. McCrory continued its cultivation until June 9, 1862, when he enlisted at Portage in Company A, 100th O. V. I. Soon after the regiment went to the front, and was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. He participated in the important battles of the campaign of that year, and September '8, 1863, at the battle of Limestone Station, was captured by the enemy and conveyed to Lynchburg, whence he was afterward first taken to Libby prison," WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 513 then to Belle Isle, lastly to Castle Thunder; he was at the last two on two different occasions, and March 13, 1864, was conveyed to Andersonville, where he remained until March 27, 1865; until April 24, he was at Vicksburg, and on April 27, he was put on board the "Sultana." When the vessel was within seven miles of Memphis the boilers exploded, and 1,700 men lost their lives. Mr. McCrory clung to the wreck for hours, but it finally took fire and he was obliged to let go his hold. He was also in the water nine hours before he reached the shore, and narrowly escaped drowning. At length he was taken to Memphis in a boat, from there to Cairo, Ill., on the steamer "Silver Spring," and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, May 21, 1865. In the meantime the news of the terrible disaster had spread northward, and Mrs. McCrory was told that her husband was dead. When he appeared before her alive and well, the shock was too great for her, and caused her death seven days later. Their children were, Melissa, born December lo, 1856, now the wife of George Gorton, of Providence, R. I.; Silas Augustus, who was born October 13, 1858, and resides in Portage; Frances Imogene, born September 6, i 86o, wife of William George, of Liberty township; and Lewis La Fayette, born August 5, 1862, now in North Baltimore, Ohio. Mr. McCrory was again married, this time on March 11, 1866, to Julia A. Taylor, who was born November 7, 1840, in Ashland county, Ohio, a, daughter of David and Eliza (Myers) Taylor. They have always lived on their present farm, Mr. McCrory having in the fall of 1865 sold his first purchase and bought eighty acres in Section 25, Liberty township. They have four children: Florence May, born January 20, 1867, wife of E. C. Marvin, of Liberty township; Mary Gertrude, born September 30, 1868, died November 10, 1883; Tryphena, born December 25, 1870, died January 27, 1874; Delia May, born February 4, 1874, now the wife of Albert Roberts, of Liberty township. . In his business interests, Mr. McCrory has prospered, and is known as a man of unquestioned integrity and honorable dealing, his success being well merited. He has greatly improved his place, and has recently erected upon it a handsome residence, wherein hospitality reigns supreme. In politics he is a stanch Prohibitionist, and in religious faith he is an active member of the Disciples Church, in which he is serving as deacon. Since the fall of 1874 he has also been a member of Whitney Lodge No. 589, I. O. O. F., of Portage. JAMES HUGHES, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Bowling Green known to young and old as "Uncle Jimmey," was born in the County of Sussex England, July 26, 1819. His father, James Hughes, was also at native of Sussex, born in 1799, and. previous to his emigration to America, in 1857, he was a farm laborer. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bachelor, was born in the same county, in 18oi, and both spent their last years on a farm near Tontogany, Wood county, where Mr. Hughes, Sr., died in 1876, Mrs. Hughes surviving him until 189o. While living in England they were members of the Established Church, and, in this country, of the Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of their four children, the others being Charlotte, who died in youth; Harriet, the widow of James Ellis, of Wood county; and Ann, who married James Challen, of Tontogany. Our subject was married in England, December 31, 1844, to Miss Ann Evans, who was born November 8, 1829, the groom being twenty-five years of age, the bride a little over fifteen. The father of Mrs. Hughes, James Evans, was a farm laborer at Malsey, Sussex county, and several generations of her family had been tenants of the same house in which she was born. He was a man of regular habits, and a devoted adherent of the Church of England, often walking ten miles to hear a favorite preacher. He married Jane Greenfield, also a native of Malsey. He had no brothers or sisters, and his wife was the only one of four children to live to maturity. Fifteen children were born of this union: Maria, who married William Challen, and came to Wood county, Ohio, in 1857, had also fifteen children; James came to America, and died after his return to England; William and the twins, Hannah and Samuel, all died in England; Elizabeth (deceased), married A. Mead, and lived near the old home; Jane, now Mrs. Phillips, lives in England; Ann became Mrs. Hughes; Sarah is the widow of Luke Marsh, and the mother of twelve children; Ellen (Mrs. White), lives in England; Alfred is a resident of Sussex, England; two whose names are not known; Susan, and Mary Cornwell. The youngest child was born when her mother was fifty-two years old. She married, and has a son who came to this country and now lives in Bowling Green. Mrs. Hughes' father died at the age of eighty, her mother when seventy-two. After their marriage our subject and his wife lived near the old home for ten years. In 1854, they came to America on the sailing vessel "Southampton," which was five weeks and three 514 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. days on the voyage. For over two years they lived in Erie county, and then settled, upon a farm in Plain township, Wood county, which he still owns. Of their eighteen children twelve grew to maturity, and eleven are still living: James lives in Bowling Green; he married B. McMillen, and has three children-Mina,'Rollo and Bertha. Harriet is the wife of Todd Brown, of Plain township, and has five children-Carrie, Jesse, Howard, Blanche and Ethel. Rose married Albert Avery, of Wood county, and has three sons-Harley, Homer and Allen. Hugh, who lives in Bowling Green, married Kate McCaulley, and has one son-Harry. Henry is a merchant in Bowling Green. John married Racy Bowerman, and is a resident of Bowling Green. Orlando married L. English, and also lives in that city; they have four children-Viola, Arthur, Gertrude and Flossie. Frank married Bertha Mearing, and lives in Plain township; has one daughter-Helen. Adonna married Albert Huffman, and has two children-Harrison and Aleta. Emma married Henry Ostrander, of Chicago, Ill., and has one son-Harry. Burton married Chloe Rader, and lives in Bowling Green; they have two children-Florence and Floyd. Sarah Ann married Henry Newton, of Perrysburg, and died leaving three children-Adonna, Willard and Coy-of whom, Adonna married George Haskill, of Columbus, Ohio, and has one child-Gladys; Willard married Gertie Hartman, and lives in Toledo; Coy is married and lives in Toledo. Mrs. Hughes passed away January 26, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes visited England in 1866, and again in 1882. The last time the trip out was made in eight and one-half days, a striking contrast to their first voyage; but coming back the ship struck a sand-bar near Sandy Hook, and they were detained for three days just outside of New York harbor. Mr. Hughes has not united with any Church since coming to this country. In politics he is a Republican. EDWARD ROE (deceased), who at the time of his death was a wealthy retired farmer of Bowling Green, was one of the fortunate men whose fertile acres have of late years given up their long-concealed treasures, and enriched their owners by copious supplies of oil. He was born May 12,' 1838, in Monroe county, Mich., where his father. Dominick Roe, was also born, in the year 1784. The family is of French-Canadian descent, and are counted among the early settlers of Michigan. Dominick Roe was a typical pioneer, robust and powerful, and possessed of perfect health, never knowing a day's illness until death came to him in 1861. His first wife was a lady of French-Canadian stock, Miss Lucy Bumean. For some years they lived in Michigan, but in 1847 they came with their family to Liberty township, and settled in the swampy woods among the muskrats, deer and bears. Here, in time, a large farm was cleared and a comfortable home made. Eleven children were born of the first marriage, of whom the following lived to maturity: Dominick and John (now deceased) ; Lucy, living near Detroit; Olive (now deceased) ; Stephen, living in Lucas county, Ohio; Victoria, the wife of Peter Malask; Jane (now deceased); .Justus, now living in Michigan; and Edward, our subject. Three others died in childhood. Our subject's father was married, second, to Miss Viana Leveret, by whom he had three children: Margaret (now Mrs. L. Garno); Mary, the wife of David De Sadler; and Eliza (the wife of Frank Ducat). Edward Roe was about nine years old when he came to Wood county. He grew to manhood upon the old farm which he helped to clear, and November 14, 1860, he married Miss Margaret Ducat, a lady of French descent, born in Michigan December 30, 1841. Her father, Anthony Ducat, was born April 20, 1815, in the same State. He died May 8, 1892, in Wood county, where he had located fifty years before. His wife, Margaret Renerdo, died in early womanhood. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roe lived upon a farm in Liberty township, removing some years later to another in Portage township. Ten children were born to them: Caleb, August 26, 1861, married Myrtle Gaghan; Robert, August 20, 1863, married Miss Addie Elder and had two daughters-Emily and Cora; Eliza, January 29, 1865, died at the age of fourteen months; Sherman, January 22, 1867, a farmer in Portage township, married Miss Bertie Creps, a native of Wood county, born October 15, 1871, and has two children--Burtsell and Floyd; Hiram, September 5, 1870, married Miss Myrtie Miller, and has two children-Loren and Harry, the younger of whom died in infancy; Alfred and Albert (twins), died at the same time and were buried in the same coffin; Louis, December i8, 1875; Lucetta, September 28, 1878; and Guy, April 7, 188o, are all at home. After many years spent in farming his 280 acres, Mr. Roe began testing for oil with encouraging results, and he owned ten wells at the time of death. A few years ago he and his wife came to Bowling Green to secure for their younger children advantages of education and society denied Solmon Fries WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 515 the dwellers in rural districts. During the Civil war Mr. Roe served for eleven months in Company A, 182d O. V. I., and took part in the engagement at Nashville. In politics he was a Republican. He passed from earth August 22, 1896. ALBERT FRONEY, senior member of the leading dry-goods firm of A. Froney & Co., Bowling Green, has been a resident of that city since the commencement of its progressive period. He is a distinctively self-made man, one who took the tide of fortune at its flood, and carried himself to one of the highest places attainable in the commercial circle of Wood county. Born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, September 23, 1842, he was, in 1847, brought by his parents, Augustus and Caroline (Gyer) Froney, to America, landing at New York on the first day of July that year. For a time the family lived at Buffalo, N. Y., then removed to Elmore, Ohio, at that time a mere village in the wilderness, where the parents both died in 1873, within a few days of each other, the father at the age of seventy, the mother when sixty-four. They had a family of five children as follows: Henry, now a resident of Bay City, Mich.; Rachel, wife of George Gossman, of Elmore; George, a farmer at Kewaunee, Wis. ; Albert, subject of sketch; and Sophia, wife of Daniel Eckert, of Elmore. Albert Froney received his education at the public schools of Elmore, and at the age of sixteen, in 1859, commenced his business career as clerk in a dry-goods store at Pernberville, Wood county, his salary at first being sixty dollars per annum. In this connection, with the exception of a four-months' experience in the army during the war of the Rebellion, he remained until December 1, 1865. So valuable were his services in the store that before the end of the first year his salary was raised, and five years later he became a partner in the concern. On May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, 144th O. V. I., was appointed first sergeant the same day, and served until the muster-out of the command August 31 following, after a short but useful campaign in Maryland and the Virginias. In December, 1865, Mr. Froney embarked in business, and soon won not only popularity but also success in the village where he first entered or his life's mission. He was one of the petitioners for the incorporation of Pemberville of 1876, treasurer of the town in 1877, and a watchful guardian of the public interests of the ambitious village of Pemberville. Elected treasurer of Wood county, he came to Bowling Green in 1886, took possession of the office and served one term, refusing point-blank to accept a second election on the grounds that the salary attached to the office did not warrant the financial risk carried by the incumbent. This political diversion 'was based on business principles, without any sentiment attached, and the experience of one term was quite sufficient to show him that mercantile life suited him better than official life. In 1889, selling out his business in Pemberville, he set out on a four-months' trip to Europe, visiting his birthplace and other points of interest. Returning to Wood county, he established in Bowling Green his present business, along with Mr. Boughton, under the firm name of Froney & Boughton, and with the exception of a four-months' trip through the Western States, his family accompanying him, the business thus established has claimed almost all his working hours, down to the present time. In 1892 he built a business block on South Main street, and in 1895 he erected his present three-story store building, 42 x 125, the first and second floors of which are occupied as the store proper, the third floor being utilized as a store-room. The store is equipped with all the latest improvements and accessories to be found in a first-class establishment of its kind, and filled with a large and wellselected stock of dry goods, carpets, etc., to the value of over $50,000, employment being given to some dozen clerks. Mr. Froney's sole partners now are his son, B. J., and son-in-law, Mr. Moore, each of whom, like the senior member himself, holds an important place in the commercial and municipal economy of Bowling Green. Politically Mr. Froney has been an ardent Republican since the formation of the party, and has well served his adopted county and city in various capacities, being a man of great public spirit, and taking a generous interest in every measure tending to benefit the community at large. In 1891 he was elected a member of the common council of Bowling Green, and in 1892 was a member of the City Hall building committee. A reference to the chapter on Plain township, to the political chapter of the general history of the county, and to the sections of the chapter on Bowling Green, dealing with municipal affairs, will disclose the fact that once in a while Mr. Froney is drawn into public affairs, perhaps not infrequently against his inclination. With the leading institutions of Bowling Green he is closely identified, and he was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, of which he is a director. In addition to the business 516 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO blocks, etc., already mentioned, he built a hoteland some private residences at Pemberville, also two stores, besides his residence in Bowling Green, two of the finest in the city. On October 24, 1863, Mr. Froney was married to Miss Sarah J. Pember, who was born at Pemberville, July 8, 1842, a daughter of James Pember, the founder of that village, and one of foremost pioneers of the county; he never ran for office, but he possessed great influence in political circles, and took an active interest in the movements which resulted in the formation of the Republican party. He lived to the age of seventy-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Froney were born four children, as follows: Augusta, who died of diphtheria at the age of thirteen; B. J., a partner with his father; Florence, at home; and Stella, wife of Fred Moore, also a member of the firm of A. Froney & Co. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, and are held in the highest respect. Mr. Froney is broad minded and liberal in his ideas, is charitable to the poor and needy, and in his unusually successful business career has developed the industry, souud judgment and frugality so characteristic of the German-American. WILLIAM W. HILL, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Weston, is a native of Ohio, born in the township where he now resides, September 6, 1845, and is the eldest in a family of ten children born to John and Hester (Crom) Hill. The birth of the father occurred September 9, 1822, in Stark county, Ohio, where he lived until 1831, when with his father, William Hill, he came to Wood county, locating in Milton township, where his father purchased some government land, and with the help of his sons began the arduous task of clearing and cultivating the same. William Hill came to this country from England after the Revolutionary war. John Hill remained upon the farm of his parents for several years, but after his marriage to Hester Crom he removed to Weston township, where he purchased a farm and immediately set about making the necessary improvements. In early life he was a member of the United Brethren Church; but after his removal to Milton township, Wood county, where there was no Church of that denomination, he united with the Christian Church. At the end of an exemplary Christian life he passed peacefully away August 10, 1887, at the age of sixty-four years. The mother of our subject was also a native of this State, born in Harrison county, January 5, 1821, and with her parents moved to Wood county, in 1831, locating in Washington township, where she lived until her marriage. Her father was an early pioneer preacher, who traveled through this country when it was inhabited mostly by Indians and wild beasts of all kinds. Like her husband she was first a member of the United Brethren Church, and afterward joined the Christian Church. Her death occurred November 9, 1894, when she was seventy-three years of age. At the early age of ten years our subject started out in life for himself. As his father was in limited circumstances, and the family large, it became necessary that the older children should do all in their power to assist in maintaining the others. Although young,, William was strong and willing to work, and soon found employment on a neighboring farm, where he was hired by the month. When a little past fifteen years of age he enlisted in Company G, loth O. V. C., with which he served for three years. On May 13, 1864, he was slightly wounded in the left hip by a piece of shell at the battle of Resaca, Ga., but as the wound was not serious he did not go to hospital; again, at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he received a slight flesh wound in the right leg while supporting a battery. On August 20, 1864, he was again wounded, this time at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., the ball striking him in the left leg about half way between the ankle and the knee, shattering both bones very badly. He was sent to Kingston field hospital, where he contracted gangrene in the wound, which proved very serious. Being granted a furlough in October, 1864, the Doctor returned home and remained at Perrysburg, Wood county, under the care of Drs. Peck and Hamilton for three months. When able to walk on crutches, he was ordered to report to David's Island, in New York harbor, where he remained until the close of the war, being honorably discharged, June 12, 1865. After his return home, he did not recover from the effects of his wound. For seventeen years he was a constant sufferer, being at times compelled to walk on crutches, and in 1886 his life was despaired of. As a last resort his leg was amputated, since which time he has enjoyed good health. After his return from the war Dr. Hill attended the Weston schools for a time, there receiving a fair education, after which he was engaged in teaching. Later he became clerk in a store, but after a short time decided to adopt the medical profession as a life work, and in 1874 he began reading medicine. In i 88o he entered the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1883 entered Toledo Medical College, from which he was graduated. July 11, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 517 1883, the Doctor began practice in Weston, where he was reared from childhood, and from the start met with success. His practice is now large and rapidly increasing in the town and throughout the country, and he is known as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Wood county. On August 25, 1869, Dr. Hill was married to Miss Elvira A. Hathaway, and by this union there are two sons: (1) Charles E., born March 10, 1872, is a prominent young business man of Toledo, Ohio, where he is working for the large firm of Armstrong & Co.; he was married November 20, 1895, to Helen Gibson Canary, and they now make their home in that city. ( 2 ) Fred M., the younger son, was born March 31, 1874, and is also thorough business man, having charge of the telephone business of Bowling Green, Ohio, where he now makes his home. On April 11, 1894, he wedded Florence E. Holbrook. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Dr. Hill is a member of the Wood County Medical Association, the Northwestern Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Association. Having started out in the world with nothing, and at the same time being a cripple, the prominence to which he has attained is due to his own individual efforts and perseverance. In all matters pertaining to his profession he is interested, and in addition to his duties as a general practitioner he does a large amount of surgical work. In politics the Doctor is an ardent Republican, believing in the principles of true government, free schools, free speech and above all the right of franchise to all, irrespective of race or color. He has never actively entered into political affairs, but has filled the offices of mayor, clerk and member of the board of health. He is an earnest supporter of the temperance cause, as he himself never smokes or chews tobacco, or drinks anything stronger than tea or coffee. He gives his aid to anything that will build up the town or advance the interests of the community. The Doctor has been a Mason twenty-eight years, being a member of the Grand Rapids Lodge No. 289 and Crystal Chapter No. 157, Bowling Green. He is also a member of Neibling Post No. 20, G. A. R., of Weston; of Kenilworth Lodge No. 340, K. of P., of Weston; and also of Anthony Wayne Tent No. 140, K. O. T. M., of Weston, in all of which he has been active, especially in the Masonic Order, having filled most of the Chairs in the Blue Lodge. Mrs. Hill is the youngest in the family of eleven children born to Elihu and Anita (Mallory) Hathaway, both of whom were natives of Queensbury, Warren Co., N. Y., the former born November 18, 1797, and the latter on July I, 1804. They were married February 23, 1820, at Westfield, Medina Co., Ohio, and the father was a pioneer farmer in Lorain county, where the mother died October 31, 1865. The father subsequently came to Wood county, where he passed away March 12, 1876. She was a member of the M. E. Church, he of the Baptist; in politics he was a Democrat of the Jacksonian type. Daniel Mallory, Mrs. Hathaway's father, was a merchant in New York State; he was murdered while on his way to enlist in the war of 1812. GILES C. ROCKWOOD, a prosperous farmer and oil producer of Plain township, was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., August 19, 1819. The paternal grandfather of our subject lived for many years in the State of New York, and there died. Three of his sons were: Asa, who lived and died in Pittsfield, Lorain Co., Ohio; Roswell, who spent the most of his life in Champion, N. Y.; and David, the father of Giles C. David Rockwood was born in 1777 in New Hampshire, and was reared to farm life. When a young man he came with some of his older half-brothers to Cherry Valley, N. Y., and, as they kept " bachelor's hall," he was their cook. In later years their parents came to New York State, also locating in Cherry Valley, and David and his half-brother William moved into Jefferson county, N. Y., and bought land. David was united in marriage in that county with Miss Ruby Rounds, a native of Westchester county, N. Y., and while living in that State they became the parents of six sons and one daughter, namely: Henry, a resident of Elyria; Benjamin S., who went west many years ago and has never since been heard from; Emeline, widow of David Gott; F. W., a prominent farmer of Lorain county, Ohio; Giles C., the subject of this sketch; David P., of La Grange Centre, Ohio; and Almon A., residing in California. Another child, Pauline, now the widow of Hiram Buswell, was born in Lorain county, Ohio. Mr. Rockwood was a well-to-do farmer in New York, and traded his farm there for 600 acres in La Grange township, Lorain Co., Ohio, for which place he set out in June, 1826, driving a team of horses. Five sons and the daughter came with the parents, the other son traveling by the water route with the household goods. Asa Rockwood, a brother of David, came at the same time. The journey to New York occupied ten days, and 518 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. they came by Cleveland, where at that time there was no bridge across the Cuyahoga river, and where Mr. Rockwood was offered land, now the site of the public square, at four dollars an acre, or land on the west side of the city at twenty shillings an acre. However, they pushed on to Elyria and thence to La Porte, where the family remained while the father went out to look over the land he had bargained for at LaGrange. Upon seeing this he was so disappointed that he concluded to return to Cleveland and invest in land there, but was dissuaded from this by Belden, Ingersol and Mennels, three of the leading men in Grafton township, who induced him to remain in La Grange in order to more thoroughly settle up the country. He remained on the 600-acre farm, a portion of which he traded to Nathan Clark for a like amount in Lot No. 49, and built thereon a 'rude house of logs, covered with elm bark, into which he moved. This was shortly after supplanted by a better one. Mrs. Rockwood died and was buried in LaGrange township, and Mr. Rockwood married for his second wife Miss Polly Graves, who bore him five children, all of whom died young. He was always a farmer, and after moving on his farm in the northwest corner of La Grange township sold some of it, giving it out for work on other parts of the tract. He was stirring, energetic and active up to the age of sixty-five, when he retired from business. His death, which occurred in 1877, when he was 100 years and one month old, was the result of old age. In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Democrat, and in religious connection he was a member of the Christian Church. G. C. Rockwood, subject of this sketch, came to Lorain county with his parents when he was about eight years old. His boyhood days were spent in a manner common to the lads of those pioneer days in the West, but of which the present generation can know but little. His services were required at an early age to help chop the timber, clear away the underbrush, and prepare the primitive soil for cultivation. School houses were few and far between, and such as they were were built of logs, the chinks daubed with mud, the floor, generally the bare earth, and the seats and desks of slabs. In these, school was held during the winter months, when out-door work was almost impossible, and happy the boy who could attend even for that limited season and get a smattering of " three R's. " Yet from these rude temples of learning have come some of our brightest and most powerful intellects, men who have made their mark in the history of our country. When old enough Mr. Rockwood learned the trade of cabinetmaker and also of a house-builder, which occupations he followed for a number of years. In 1852 he went to California, where he remained eleven months, going and coming via the Panama route, after this making his home in Lorain county until 1864, when he removed to Wood county and located on his present farm of ninety-one acres. On this place he has five oil wells, some of which have been running for two years. He also has the lease of some oil producing land, and has, at this writing, just drilled a fifteen-barrel well. His operations so far in this line have been very successful and bring him in a handsome income. Mr. Rockwood was married May 30, 1845, to Miss Laura A. Wack, who was born in Dorset, Vt., February 19, 1819, and who is still living. Three children have been born to them, namely: Emma V., who is the wife of judge Guy C. Nearing, of Bowling Green, Ohio, and has one child, Charles; Hoyt O., married Miss Lucia Miehe, July 4, 1872, and died when about twenty-seven years old, his wife also dying soon afterward, leaving two children; Frank died when an infant. Mr. Rockwood took charge after his son's death of the two orphan children and reared them as his own. The elder of these, William P., was a bright, studious, ambitious young man and his death, which occurred July 3, 1892, when he was twenty years old, was a sad blow to his grandparents. The other child, Ernest, makes his home with his grandfather. Mr. Rockwood is a man of strong character and of high principles, and is worthy of the esteem in which he is held. For many years he was an infidel, but later accepted the belief of the Spiritualists and finds much comfort in their doctrines. He was at first a Republican in his political affiliation, and for a time was with the Greenback party, but afterward joined the Democratic ranks. ALLAN W. RUDULPH, a leading real-estate dealer of Bowling Green, was born in Center township, Columbiana county, Ohio, September 19, 1853, and is the son of Joab and Mary A. (Wheatley) Rudulph. The father of our subject was born in Scott county, Ky., June 26, 1820, and the mother in Wheeling, W. Va., July 4, 1824. They were married at New Lisbon, Ohio, and lived at that place, and in the vicinity, until 1855, when they came to Wood county and settled on a farm in Middleton township. They made this their home Willima W. Hill Ann McCrory Lewis W. McCrory WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 519 until 1867, when they took up their residence in Bowling Green, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Rudolph was a merchant, and was engaged in business until 1890, when he retired from active life, his death occurring two years later, in October, 1892. He was a prominent man in his community and helped to organize the Republican party in his State. He held various township and city offices and was a leading member of the Swedenborgian Church. To this worthy couple twelve children were born, of whom the following record is given: William H., deceased, formerly deputy sheriff of Wood county; Emma A., deceased, was the wife of Frank C. Culley; George W., Sarah, Harriet and Adelbert died in infancy; Alice I. became the wife of J. D. Dolles, a druggist of Bowling Green, and died in 1874; Ernest E. married Addie F. Close and died in 1871; Allan W., our subject; James W., a physician, died in Bowling Green in 1881; Herman J. resides in Bowling Green; Mary May, the wife of R. B. Moore, a lawyer of Bowling Green, died in February, 1896. Titan K. Rudulph, the paternal grandfather of our subject, resided at different times in Columbiana and Carroll counties. He moved temporarily to Kentucky and while there left home on horse back, intending to go to Atlanta Ga., but as he was never heard from, it is supposed that he was murdered in the mountains. The name Rudulph is of German origin, but the family has been known in America since an early day. Our subject's great-uncle, Michael Rudulph, went from this country to France, and is supposed to be identical with Marshal Ney, who played such a prominent part in the history of that nation. Mr. Rudulph's maternal grandfather, Charles Wheatley, was born and reared in Maryland, going thence to Wheeling, W. Va., where he engaged in buying and selling stock, driving cattle over the mountains to the New York and Baltimore markets. He also met an untimely death, being murdered for his money while on one of his trips, and his wife dying soon after their children were left to the care of strangers. At the time of her parents' death Mrs. Rudulph was a mere child and she and our subject's father were married at a very early age, he being nineteen and she fifteen years of age. Allan W. Rudulph was only eighteen months old when his family came to Wood county, and thirteen years of age when they settled in Bowling Green. He attended the public schools of that city for one year, when he left home and went to Michigan where he learned the trade of printer with F. C. Culley, at Eaton Rapids. He early developed the instincts of a newspaper man, and at the early age of nineteen years was both editor and proprietor of The Sentinel, published at Bowling Green, which he conducted for twenty years, a part of the time in connection with C. W. Evers and M. P. Brewer. During this time, however, he had for a short period disposed of his interest in the paper, and was engaged in the drug business, and in 1887 was appointed clerk of the court to straighten out the affairs of the previous occupant of the office, who had proved a defaulter. Mr. Rudulph finally retired from the newspaper business September 15, 1893, since which time he has been dealing in real estate, and is one of the most active and enterprising men in Wood county. Our subject was married February 25, 1875, to Libbie A. Kitchen, who was born in Center township, Wood county, February 15, 1856. Two children have been born to them, Gerald Kitchen and Katie Wheatley. Mr. Rudulph is one of the organizers and a member of the board of directors of the Equitable Building & Loan Co., and is also secretary of the Water Works Co. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., Encampment and Subordinate. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in all public enterprises. WILLIAM WEDDELL, deceased. The subject of this sketch was one among the foremost of the able and enterprising men who have redeemed Wood county from its original state and established modern ways of life throughout its borders. He was born at Perrysburg March 20, 1839 his father, William Weddell, a Scotchman by birth, having settled there in 1832. He married Miss Margaret Dunipace, who was also born and educated in Scotland, and had, three children: George, deceased, formerly the clerk of Wood county; William, our subject, and Margaret, deceased. The father of our subject was a contractor and builder by occupation. In politics he was a Republican, and he was a stanch and consistent adherent of the United Presbyterian faith. His sterling character speedily gained for him the confidence of the people, and his death, which occurred in 1840, was felt as a loss by all who knew him. Our subject received his early education in the common schools of Webster township, and worked on the homestead until he was twenty-six years of age. He was married on Thursday, December 29, 1864, to Miss Isabell Zimmerman, who was born July 22, 1846, a daughter of William and Isabella (Householder) Zimmerman, a well-known resident of Webster township. Five WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 520 children were born of this union, whose names are as follows: (1) Minnie, who was educated in the Pernberville High School, the Normal at Ada, Ohio, and Valparaiso, Ind., is now a successful teacher in Wood county; (2) Margaret is also a school teacher; (3) Sarah J. married J. G. Hurr, a telegraph operator at Bellevue, Ohio, and has had three children-Max, George (deceased), and an infant daughter; (4) William L., and (5) Isabell. On August 26, 1861, Mr. Weddell enlisted in Company K, 21st O. V. I., under Capt. Canfield, but was discharged January 9, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. He was a member of the Ohio Militia, being commissioned lieutenant of Company G, 1st Regiment. Previous to his marriage he bought 160 acres of land in Webster township, near Pemberville, and built a handsome brick residence costing $3,000-one of the finest in the township. He was a good financier and was highly respected, not only for his ability, but for his integrity and manliness. He was a Republican in politics, and was justice of the peace and supervisor for a number of years, and school director from 1864 to the time of his death, which occurred July 11, 1895. He was a prominent member of the United Presbyterian Church at Scotch Ridge, as are also his wife and daughters, Minnie and Margaret, and a generous supporter of every good cause. He belonged to Benedict Post, G. A. R., No. 26, of Pemberville, in which he held for a number of years the office of Commander. THOMAS W. KNIGHT, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine, in Portage, was born in Taunton, England, January 8, 1855, and is a son of Thomas W. and Eliza (Warren) Knight. The father of our subject was a native of Somersetshire, England, born April 7, 1821, a son of Richard and Ann (Warren) Knight, the former of whom was a well-to-do farmer, owning 1,053 acres of land whereon his death occurred in 1828; his wife survived until 1855. They had a numerous family, no less than twenty-two children, including the following named: Amy; Ann; Richard, a wealthy woolgrower, who died in Australia; William and Anna, who died in England; Samuel, who died in London; John, who died in England in early manhood; Elizabeth, who passed away in the same country; and Thomas W. The parents of our subject had a family of nine children: (1) Sophia, born March 3, 1851, is the wife of Henry Lucal, of Sandusky City, Ohio. (2) John, born September 1, 1852, married Appelinda Mercer, widow of Samuel Whitaker; he now resides in Wood county. (3) Our subject comes next. (4) Fred, born September 25, 1856, died at the age of twenty-five years. (5) Samuel, born July 10, 1858, married Ella Hostetter, and is living in North Baltimore. (6) Eliza Jane, born January 14, 1 86o, married John Robertson, and after his death wedded Manning Goddington; they are now living in New Jersey. (7) Amy, born January 31, 1862, is the wife of John Groh, of Wood county. (8) Ellen, born December 27, 1864, is the wife of Jacob Sommers, of Wood county. (9) William Henry, born January 5, 1867, died at the age of nine months. (The three youngest children were born in America). The parents of this family were married May 22, 1850, in Plymouth, Devonshire, Eng., where Mrs. Knight was born March 23, 1825. Prior to his marriage, Mr. Knight worked in a grocery store for seven years. He afterward embarked in merchandising on his own account in Taunton, but disposed of his business in 1856, and with his family removed to the Isle of Guernsey. There he rented a farm and remained until 1861, when he came to America, sailing from Southampton, England, September 29, 1861, and after a voyage of fifteen days landing at New York. For eighteen months Mr. Knight and his family resided in Sandusky City, and then went to Ottawa county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and grape-growing. After three years he returned to Sandusky City, locating on a farm near there, which he operated for seven and a half years, when he disposed of that place, and removed to another farm where he engaged in fruit culture. In March, 1876, he came to Wood county, and purchased the Mungen farm, which was his place of abode until the spring of 1884, when he sold, and has since lived with the Doctor. His wife died June, 1873, and lies buried in Clyde cemetery. The father was a stanch Republican in politics, served as trustee of Portage township for three years, and is honored and esteemed by all who know him. Our subject, as will be seen, was an infant when his parents removed to the Isle of Guernsey, and attending a French school there he learned to speak that language very fluently. He also continued his literary education in the public schools of Sandusky City, Ohio, and afterward taught school for a number of years in Wood county. The study of medicine he took up under the direction of his mother, who for many years was engaged in practice, and in 189o, he entered upon a four-years' course in Thomas W. Knight Thomas W. Knight Sr. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 521 Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. On his graduation he came to Portage, where he has since successfully been engaged in practice, and now has a large and lucrative clientele. In addition, he owns twenty acres of land and four dwelling houses in Mungen, one house and three lots in Portage, and a quarter interest in eighty acres in Liberty township, a quarter interest in the one-sixth royalty of thirteen oil wells in Liberty township, and oil wells in Portage township. On December 14, 1884, Dr. T. W. Knight was married to Christina Sommers, who died March 9, 1889, leaving one son, Walter A., born June 24, 1886. Our subject was afterward married, April 4, 1893, to Miss Maud Book, who was born June 27, 1871. They have one son, Roy, born November 28, 1895. The Doctor and his wife are well known in their locality, and have many warm friends who esteem them highly. In politics he is a Republican, and a strong advocate of temperance. He has served his township as clerk for one year, and for nine months was township trustee, filling out an unexpired term caused by a removal. JOHN E. CARSON, deceased. The honored pioneer agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, whose life forms the theme of this biography, was born in Pennsylvania in 1826, the son of John E. and Jane Carson, both of whom were natives of the same State. He was the eldest of their six children, the others being Elisha, James M., Margaret, Oliver and Elija. The family came to Wood county in 1835, locating on Beaver creek, in what is now Grand Rapids township, and here John E. Carson received his education. He supplemented his district-school course by private reading and study, and fitted himself for teaching; for several winters he taught in this county, working in the intervals upon the homestead, of which he took entire charge after the death of his father, caring for his widowed mother. He was married March 30, 1854, to Miss Sarah McCabe, a lady of Scotch descent, born April 17, 1836, and the seventh daughter in the family of twelve children of James McCabe, a well-known farmer of Lucas county, Ohio, who was born in Pennsylvania, and married there to Miss Sarah Uhler, who was also a native of the Keystone State, of German parentage. Mrs. Carson's father died at his home in Lucas county, August 20, 1878, and her mother survived him ten years, passing away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Mower, October 6, 1881, aged seventy-seven years. A year after his marriage Mr. Carson bought 160 acres of land near Grand Rapids, to which he removed, having built a log cabin and made other improvements. He cleared 140 acres and continued to cultivate it until his death, which occurred March 13, 1878. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carson, ten of whom were twins. (1 ) Emma, born April 21, 1855, married John Stephens, of Grand Rapids. ( 2 and 3) Jennie and James (twins) were born June 21, 1857; the former married Albert Whitney Weston; the latter died in childhood. (4 and 5) Luther E. and Lucy W. (twins) were born March 18, 1861, and the former now manages the homestead for his mother; he married Miss Lula Gestice and has three children; Lucy W. died in infancy. (6) John J., born October 8, 1862, is a farmer in Weston township; he married Miss Mary Judson. (7) Harriet E., born June 11, 1865, married L. D. Judson, of Grand Rapids. (8) Addie, born August 20, 1868, died at nineteen years of age. (9 and 10 ) Dora and Leonard (twins) were born October 12, 1870; the former married Harris Heath, of Portage, and the latter died in childhood. (11 and 12) Nellie and Florence (twins) were born February 21, 1873; the former married John Ducat, of Sugar Ridge, and the latter died when nine months old. ( 13 and 14), also twins, died in infancy. Mr. Carson was for a time a soldier in the late war, enlisting in the one hundred days' service in 1861, in the 144th O. V. I. But ill health compelled him to return home where he sustained the cause of the Union to the best of his ability, giving liberally to secure troops, and hiring a substitute, John D. Gestice, whose daughter Lula is now the wife of Luther Carson. [To him he gave ten dollars a month in addition to the pay allowed by the government.] Mr. Carson was a man of unusual ability and influence, standing high in the esteem of his neighbors. A kind husband and father; his death was a sad loss to the home circle, but in his wider sphere of usefulness he was sincerely mourned. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, in which Mrs. Carson has also been a leading worker for many years, especially in the Home Missionary Society. He was a Republican in politics, and was supervisor for two terms, and also served as school director, and was at all times ready to help forward any measure tending to benefit the community. After his death Mrs. Carson conducted the estate, displaying marked executive ability, and adding many improvements, including a tasteful and commodious dwelling 522 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. house. Of late years, however, she has delegated the care of the estate largely to her son. JOHN W. BROWNSBERGER, the well-known furniture dealer and undertaker of Weston, was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, March 24, 1843. His parents were both natives of Lancaster and Cumberland counties, Penn., the father, John Brownsberger, born March 27, 1800, in Lancaster county, and the mother, Barbara (Failor) born August 30, 1804, in Cumberland county. They were married November 18, 1824, and in 1833 they came to Wood county, locating on a farm four miles east of Perrysburg. John Brownsberger was a weaver, having been bound out in childhood, after the death of his father, as an apprentice to that trade. He made much of the linen and woolen cloth, used by his family, from flax and wool grown on his own farm, for some years, and also filled occasional orders from outside parties. For twenty years he kept the tollgate on the Maumee and Western Reserve pike. After the death of his wife on March 18, 1878, he moved to East Toledo, where he died June 2, 1885. He was a Democrat before the war, then becoming a Republican, and he and his wife were both members of the Evangelical Church. They had nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity: Joseph, born August 20, 1825, was killed by accident at Toledo October 3, 1879; William, born September 6, 1827, was a shoe dealer at Maumee and Toledo, and died at the latter place December 23, 1892; Ann E., born February 24, 1829, married Benj. F. Myers, (since deceased) and now resides in Toledo; Mary, born February 28, 1833, married Henry Girkins, of West Toledo; Andrew J., born January 28, 183 5, was a soldier in Company A, tooth O. V. I., and was fatally wounded at Limestone Station, Tenn., September 8, 1863. (His brother, John, our subject, carried him off the field, and he died in the hospital September 26, following, at Knoxville, Tenn.); Caroline, born January 28, 1839, married John Farley, of Toledo; John W., our subject; Sidney, born September 20, 1845, lives near Sheboygan, Michigan. John W., whose name opens this sketch, obtained his education in the district school near his home, in the high school at Perrysburg, and the high school at Maumee, where he completed the business course. He clerked in a grocery store at Maumee until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, 100th O. V. I. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Ohio, served in Kentucky and Tennessee, until after the Atlanta campaign then participated in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., after which they went to Wilmington, N. C., and fought to Goldsboro, N. C., where they joined Gen. Sherman's forces, then returning from the sea. Mr. Brownsberger was taken prisoner on the same day that his brother was wounded, and spent the next six months and a half at Libby prison, Belle Isle, and Castle Thunder. He was company clerk throughout his service, and at Franklin, Tenn., was promoted for gallant conduct to the rank of corporal. June 20, 1865, he was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., and after the disbanding of his regiment at Cleveland a few weeks later he returned home. During the following winter he took a business course at Toledo, and in March, 1866, opened a store in Weston, dealing in groceries, boots and shoes and other commodities. An attack of small-pox interfered with his plans, and he disposed of the business and for some time clerked in the largest store in Toledo. He then went to work for Earl W. Merry in the recorder's office, where he made out a set of geographical abstract books for all the land of the county. He afterward worked in the county clerk's office, and during the latter part of C. W. Evers' term as sheriff, he served as deputy so acceptably that in October, 1868, he was himself elected sheriff. After serving two terms of two years each, he returned to Weston, and built a planing mill which he sold a year later. For ten months he was record keeper for the county probate court at Bowling Green, and for six years following was deputy county clerk. From 1882 to 1895 he was engaged in various enterprises, in the undertaking business at Toledo, and with the Clover Leaf railroad as conductor, and later as express agent and baggage master. In May, 1892, he opened his present establishment in Weston, where, if energy and integrity count for anything in business life, he-should make a success. He was married February 24, 1869, to Miss Lucy J. Bonney, who was born in Penn Yan, N. Y., February 19, 185o. Their only son, John L., was born June 2, 1870, and died October 30, 1873. They have two daughters, of whom the elder, Bessie May, born August 1, 1872, was educated at Bowling Green and in the high school at Toledo, where she graduated in 1891 ; she taught for one and a half years with unusual success, but left the profession to become the wife of C. K. Merrill, of Toledo. Mabel Bonney, the younger daughter, born February 1, 1879, is attending school at Toledo. Mrs. Brownsberger is of English descent. Her parents, Lester and Caroline (Merritt) Bon- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 523 ney, were natives of New York State, the father born in 1813 in Yates county, the mother in 1826 in Hammondsport, N. Y. They were married in New York in 1842, and had a family of six children: William A.; Sarah L. (Mrs. John E. Clark, of Weston); Lucy J. (Mrs. Brownsberger); Jethro, who was killed on the railroad when twenty-six years old; Merritt H., residing in Weston; and James F., who died in infancy. In 1863 the Bonneys came to Ohio, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in Weston in 1883; the mother is still living. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which he also belonged. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. Brownsberger is a man of high spirit. His friendship is steadfast and his enmity impetuous. During his service as sheriff of Wood county he was known as a man who was absolutely fearless in the discharge of the duties of the office, and his ability and trustworthiness in that capacity are still spoken of by his fellow citizens. In the first year of his term, on July 3, 1869, a murder was committed at Bowling Green, and the mob attempted to lynch the murderer, the notorious Dave Phillips; Mr. Brownsberger was at Perrysburg, which was the county seat, but he reached Bowling Green on horseback within an hour, and rescued the man, although the rope was already around his neck.. On various other occasions he displayed rare courage and coolness, and his official record is indeed one of which he may be proud. Mr. Brownsberger is an influential worker in the Republican party. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R., the U. V. U., and the F. & A. M. In religious connection he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and take great interest in Church work. SAMUEL E. VAIL, editor of the Sentinel, of Bowling Green, was born May 3, 1863, at Findlay, Ohio, the youngest born of the three children of Samuel B. and Eliza Vail. The other two are Frank B. (unmarried), born October 3, 1861, at present a compositor on the Chicago Record; and Cora M., born February 28, 1862, married to C. C. Potter, of Bowling Green, by whom she has one son--Rolland and two daughters--Myrtle and June. Samuel B. Vail, father of our subject, during the Civil war, enlisted February 2, 1864, as a member of Company A, 49th O. V. I., and was ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn. On May 27, same year, during the preliminary movement of Sherman's march to the sea, Mr. Vail was killed at the battle of Pickett's Mills, and was buried by the Confederates, who were left in charge of the field. He was twenty-eight years old at the time. After the close of the war the widowed mother, with her three children, removed to Bowling Green. On the paternal side, Samuel E. Vail is of Scotch origin; on the maternal side his ancestors were of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Edwin Vail, paternal grandfather of our subject, came in an early day from Connecticut to Ohio, locating first in Cleveland, but soon thereafter removing to Hudson, Ohio, where he married Hannah Post, also a native of Connecticut (she was one of a family of thirteen children). To Edwin Vail and his wife were born five sons--Cyrus, Alfred, George W., Samuel B. and Charles--and two daughters--Harriet and Mary. Some time during the "forties " the family moved to Findlay. Cyrus died in 1895, at Arlington, Ohio, where he had lived many years; Samuel B. was killed in battle as above related; Harriet (Brower) died, in 1896, at Hudson, whither she had removed from Bowling Green fifteen years previously; Mary (Mungen) died at Findlay in 1894. Of the sons now living, Alfred still resides in Bowling Green; George W., is a physician at Port Angeles, Wash., and Charles has his home in Findlay, Ohio. The father of this family died at Findlay in 1868; the mother passing away at Hudson in 1883. Enos P. Lease, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania; Catherine Oswald, the grandmother, was born in Girard, Trumbull Co., Ohio. The father of Enos P. was a soldier in the war of 1812. During the '' forties" the family removed to Hancock county, locating in the vicinity of Arlington, soon after which the father died; the mother survived until 1874. The children who grew to adult age were: sons-Henry, Nelson, Ferris, George and Enos Lease; daughters--Clara (Reel), Eliza (Vail), Rebecca (Fabun), Lucy (Holmes), and Mary (Long). Nelson died in 1890, at Warren; George in 1886; Enos in 1878; Clara in 1861. Rebecca, Lucy and Mary still reside at Arlington, while Eliza, who is now sixty-one years old, makes her home in Bowling Green. To return now to the life history of the subject proper of these lines, Samuel E. Vail. In 1870 he was admitted to the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' home, where he remained until 1876, at which time he entered the Bowling Green schools, attending same two years, in 1878 commencing the printing trade in the office of the Wood County Sentinel. Five years later, 524 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. at the age of twenty, he went to Lawrenceburg, Ind., where, associated with others, he conducted a daily newspaper; soon afterward he located at Toledo, and until 1886 ''worked at the case" on various daily newspapers of that city. In the fall of that year he accepted a proposition from Brewer & Co., and became manager of the Sentinel, of Bowling Green; four years later bought an interest in the firm (Brewer & Rudulph), the new firm becoming Brewer, Rudulph & Vail. Upon Mr. Rudulph's retirement in 1893 the firm became Brewer, Vail & Hoffa, and by a change in the present year (1896) is now known as Brewer, Vail & Co. Mr. Vail's connection with the Sentinel has been for an almost uninterrupted period of eighteen years. On September 8. 1884, Mr. Vail was married to Miss Elsie D. Long, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. Long, who in 1867 had removed from Sandusky county to Center township, Wood county, and to Bowling Green in 1871; they were the parents of three children: Frank M., at present engaged in the dry-goods business at Bowling Green; Elsie D. (Mrs. Vail); and Nettie, wife of R. P. Hankey, of Bowling Green. To Mr. and Mrs. Vail was born December 19, 1885, one son named Merl De Witt. Seven years ago Mr. Vail built himself a pleasant home on the corner of West Wooster and Maple streets, Bowling Green, where he still resides. BENJAMIN F. KERR is descended from a family who were pioneers in the country east of the Alleghanies, and married into one of the families who were forerunners of civilization in the beautiful Valley of the Maumee. Inheriting and imbibing, by such connection, that desire for an independence which made him self-reliant, industrious and economical, and which led to the success in life he has attained, a rank among the foremost business men and men of means in Wood county, and among the leading merchants of Grand Rapids. The ancestors of Mr. Kerr were of Scotch origin. His great-great-grandfather, James Kerr, accompanied by his wife, came from Scotland to this country with their family in 1765, settling in the State of New Jersey, and near the city of Philadelphia, Penn. A son of these pioneers, Joseph Kerr, was married in New Jersey, and soon afterward, in 1782, in company with several other families, moved to Western Pennsylvania, settling in Beaver county. Here he and his neighbors, among whom were Adam and Andrew Poe, whose names have gone down in history, had many thrilling adventures, and many narrow escapes, while fighting the Indians, who were troublesome and treacherous in those times. At this place, in 1785, a son, David, was born to Joseph and his wife, grew to maturity, and in1824 with his family moved to Richland county, Ohio. Jesse, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Beaver county, Penn., March 4, 1817, and at the age of six years came to Ohio with his parents. He grew up in the country, assisting his father to clear up a farm, received a good common-school education, and when, a young man taught school during the' winters. On September 14, 1837, he was married to Miss Eliza Evans, and in 1848 they moved to Lucas county, Ohio, where Jesse Kerr bought land and cleared up a farm. In politics he was a Whig, later a Republican. His death occurred July 2, 1862. Eliza (Evans) Kerr was a descendant of Thomas Evans, who came to this country with his family from Wales in 1796, making his home for a time in Philadelphia. Subsequently he removed to Cumberland county, Penn., where his death occurred. David, a son of Thomas Evans, was married in the State of Pennsylvania, and with his wife and children moved to Ohio in 1824, settling in Richland county. Eliza, the mother of our subject, was a native of Cumberland county, Penn., born May 24, 1818; her death occurred in 1892. To the marriage of Jesse and Eliza (Evans) Kerr were born ten children, four of whom died in infancy, the others being: John W., a resident of Lucas county; Benjamin F.; Nancy Ann, the wife of Jeremiah Walter; Thomas B., a resident of Zanesville, Ohio; William E.., a merchant of Grand Rapids; and Charles F., who is in the United States postal service in Texas. Benjamin F. Kerr was born in Richland county, this State, February 7, 1843, and was five years old when the family settled in Lucas county. He received a good common-school education at Maumee, and, on the breaking out of the Civil war, was among the first to offer his services to his country, enlisting in August, 1861, when eighteen years of age, in Company I, 14th O. V. I., commanded by Col. James B. Steadman. During the winter of 1861-62 this regiment was in service through Kentucky, and, owing to the exposure and hardships to which the men were subjected, the command sustained a great loss of men, and Mr. Kerr was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, August 22, 1862. In February, 1864, he returned to the army, accepting a clerkship with Capt. S. H. Benjamin F. Kerr WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 525 Lunt, a disbursing quartermaster, then at Knoxville, Tenn. Mr. Kerr remained with the army in this capacity until November, 1865, serving in the Atlanta campaign. After hostilities had ceased he assisted in removing the dead from the battlefields of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge to the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, this work being in charge of the Quartermaster's department. He had saved some money, and on leaving the service, in November, 1865, he purchased an interest in a general store at Chattanooga. Here he remained in business until in April, 1866, when he disposed of his interests and returned home. On October 24, 1867, Mr. Kerr was married to Miss Ann S. Pratt, the youngest daughter of Jonas and Susan (Reed-Griffith) Pratt. Jonas Pratt was a son of William and Bertha (Brown) Pratt, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Ohio in June, 1818, and settled near Perrysburg, in what subsequently became Wood county. William Pratt was born and raised in Boston, Mass., and was the son of Amos Pratt, a native of Wales, and a ship-builder by trade. William Pratt learned the ship carpenter's trade, and worked with his father in Boston. At the beginning of the war of 1812 he had a ship-yard in Canada, and employed a number of men. To avoid being impressed into the British army and compelled to fight against his native land, he fled from Canada to the United States, leaving a vessel on the stocks and all his property (which was afterward confiscated by the British Government). On arriving at his former home in the United States, he recruited a company of cavalry and entered the service of the United States as a captain of cavalry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. Mr. Pratt then built a small sailing vessel on Rundecroix creek, near Rochester, N. Y. When completed, he loaded into this vessel his household goods, a supply of provisions, his family and a crew, sailed down the creek into the Genesee river, then into Lake Ontario, up the Niagara as far as they could go and then took the vessel out of the Niagara river and transported it around the Falls with oxen. Launching the boat in the river again, above Niagara Falls, they came through Lake Erie to Orleans (now Perrysburg), Wood Co., Ohio, arriving there in June, 1818. This boat was afterward used in the trade between Orleans and Buffalo for a good many years. Jonas Pratt owned a farm near Perrysburg, and for a time he served as sheriff of the county. In 1836 he sold his farm and moved on a quarter section of land he had bought in Henry county, two miles up the river from Grand Rapids, on which Mrs. Kerr was born June 13, 1846. Here Jonas Pratt died in 1852. Susan (Reed-Griffith) Pratt was born near Utica, N. Y. (later moving to Rochester, N. Y.), and was a daughter of Amos and Mary (Smith) Reed, natives of Connecticut, the former of whom, who was a welleducated man, and a graduate of Yale college, died in Rochester, N. Y., in 1810, leaving a widow and several small children to fight life's battles alone. The widow and children (except the eldest son, Amos, Jr.) came to the Maumee river in 1815. Susan Reed was first married to William Griffith, of the firm of Gibbs & Griffith, who carried on a general store on the Perrysburg side of the river. Mr. Griffith died in 1828, and in 1831 the widow was married to Jonas Pratt. A short time after the death of Mr. Pratt his widow and the children moved to Gilead (now Grand Rapids), where the widow resided the rest of her life, dying at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Kerr, September 19, 1893, aged ninety years, eight months and one day. In September, 1866, our subject succeeded Messrs. Laskey & Bro. in a general merchandise and grain business at Gilead. Their predecessors were Laskey & Co., who in 1851 were the successors to Frank Hinsdale, who in 1838 succeeded Nicholas Gee, who established the business in what is now Grand Rapids in opening the first store in the village in 1833. Mr. Kerr is therefore in direct line of succession from the first business opened up at that point. He will soon have rounded up a thirty-years' career of business here-almost a third of a century a period covering nearly that of all his predecessors combined, quite a span of years of devotion to active business; but the reward has come, for although he has not made any rapid stride on the road to wealth, he has by close application to business, careful management, and by industrious and economical habits, accumulated quite an estate. He has built one of the finest residences in this section of the country, a building modern and complete that would be a credit to any city. Crowning a beautiful hill, it commands a grand view overlooking the river and charming Maumee Valley. He possesses several fine farms in the vicinity. Verily he is the architect of his own fortune. To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Kerr have been born seven children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Carrie, who married J. K. Williams, of Delphos, and has a son, Clifton F., born January 9, 1896; Clifton C., a student at Oberlin; and Jessie May, Frank E. and Glen B., 526 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. all three yet at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are identified with the Presbyterian Church, and every progressive and helpful movement in the community finds in them generous support. Mr. Kerr is a member of the G. A. R., was one of the charter members of Bond Post No. 24, of Grand Rapids, and in all respects is a thoroughly representative American. COLONEL A. B. PROBERT, of Bloomdale, one of Wood county's most prominent citizens, has been for many years a leader in military circles in the State. He is of English descent, and his grandfather Probert was a gentleman of wealth and culture, but reverses came, and our subject's father, James Probert, who was born in England November 16, 1802, was obliged to make his own way from the early age of eight years. He was married in his native land in 1829 to Miss Sarah Davies, and in 1831 came to America with his wife's brother, David Davies, and his own family, which then included two children. They had but little money when they landed in New York, and the wife and little ones were left there while the two men made their way by river, canal and lake to Cleveland, Ohio, having twenty-five cents left on their arrival. They found work and soon sent for Mrs. Probert and the children. In January, 1835, they moved to Pittsfield, Lorain county, then a pioneer section, a roadless wilderness, where a home was made on wild land after great labor with unsatisfactory tools. The mother on one occasion walked, carrying the son George, from their home in the wilderness to Cleveland, a distance of thirty-eight miles, to obtain urgent necessities for the family. Land advanced in price and a competence was gained and retained. His farm of 200 acres was in one square tract, a beautiful property. In 1852-53 he visited England, and was loud in the praises of his adopted country, '' the land of the free. " The questions as to the thousands of slaves here, always cut him deeply, and he replied with a sense of shame. He was a Democrat at that time but the attitude of his party on this question caused him to vote for Fremont, and he was from that time a Republican. When taunting remarks were made by his former associates, his answer was, " I have not left the old party; they have left me. I stand yet on the one time Democratic platform." Although a regular voter and earnest student of public affairs he was not an aspirant for office. He was a man of fine mental ability and was well-informed although he had had practically no schooling. His later years were passed in Oberlin, where he died May 5, 1876, at the age of seventy-four years. While he was of light build he was active and wiry, and bid fair to live twenty years longer, but an acute attack of pneumonia brought his life to a sudden close. His wife survived until December 17, 1892, when she died at the age of ninety-one years and six months, and the remains of both are at rest in Pittsfield cemetery. (Our subject's grandfather on the mother's side, and grandmother on the father's side, each lived to be upward of a hundred years.) Of their seven children our subject is the youngest. Eliza married Calvin C. Freeman, of Russia township, Lorain county; John was a farmer and later a merchant in Oberlin, where he died about 1891; George now owns and conducts the old home farm; James died at home in 1865; David G. resides in Oberlin; and Sarah V. married John Watkins, of Pittsfield. A. B. Probert was born at the old homestead, October 15, 1844, and was reared as a farmer boy, attending the neighboring district schools. In 1861 he did his first independent work, hiring out to a farmer in the vicinity. The following year he entered the preparatory school at Oberlin, but the urgent calls for recruits for the army appealed to his patriotism, and his studies were given up. October 6, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, 12th Regiment O. Cav., but on account of a disturbance on Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, where 3, 500 rebels were imprisoned, his regiment was divided and he with others cheerfully accepted the assignment to infantry duties there. While there he had an attack of measles, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. They remained until February, 1864, and then rejoined the cavalry troops, leaving Camp Dennison in May, 1864, and taking up the work of fighting bushwhackers on the border between Kentucky and Ohio. Geri. Sherman, having seen this regiment, telegraphed Secretary Stanton asking that it be assigned to him, which was impossible under the circumstances, and the refusal caused deep regret on the part of the regiment. Their first actual battle was at Mt. Sterling, although they were continuously engaged in light skirmishes. Three months after Mr. Probert's enlistment he was promoted over eight corporals to the rank of sergeant, having displayed rare military ability and skill in the saddle, although but a boy in years. He was not wounded, though he was always on duty up to the time of his discharge on June 8, 1865, save a time when on leave of absence on account of illness. He resumed farm work on his return home, and in WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 527 the fall of 1866 entered Oberlin College, but failing health compelled him to again relinquish his studies; however, he has always been a great reader, and is thoroughly posted on the topics of the day. Mr. Probert was married, December 24, 1869, to Miss Chastina M. Worcester, a native of Pittsfield, daughter of Joseph W. Worcester, who was born in Vermont in 1812 and was for years a citizen of Oberlin; he is now deceased. Three children were born of, this union: Merton A., an expert stenographer, who is serving temporarily in the superintendent's office of the Adams Express Co. at Columbus, and is taking a medical course in Starling Medical College, of that city; Jessie, who died aged two years, and Oliver M., now at home. After his marriage and two years of farming, our subject engaged in teaming in Oberlin for several years. Later he worked fourteen months as baggage agent at Oberlin for the L. S. & M. S. railroad, and was also for some time a brakeman. He then went into the grocery business with his brother John, under the firm name of Probert Bros., and carried it on profitably for five years. Selling out in 1881, he came to Bloomdale, where he has since resided. He bought eighty acres of timberland in Perry township which he cleared and now owns, and later he bought an interest in a drug store, disposing of that to buy a hardware and grocery business which he conducted for seven years under the firm name of A. B. Probert & Co.; in 1889 he retired from mercantile business. He is an active and influential Republican, and was the first mayor of Bloomdale, an honor conferred for his efforts as agent of the citizens in securing the corporation charter, and he has served in other positions of trust. In 1894 he was elected to his present office of justice of the peace. Col. Probert has a natural talent for military work and organization, and was captain of the first known mounted torchlight company, so strong at Oberlin in the Garfield campaign. During the Blaine campaign he organized a torchlight company at Bloomdale, which created much enthusiasm and led to the formation in 1885 of Company H, 2d O. N. G., with Col. Probert as captain, he having been the leader in the- organization. This was a fine body of soldiers, ranking among the foremost in the State and embracing men of wealth, influence and position, and its appearance overcame Asst. Adgt.Gen. Dill's objections to its acceptance as a part of the State militia. In 1886 Capt. Probert was promoted to the position of lieutenant-colonel of the 2d Regiment, which he held five years. He is a leader in G. A. R. circles, and at the National Encampment in Columbus in 1889, when fourteen G. A. R. posts of Wood county appeared in the parade as a regiment, he was chosen colonel of the organization, and was reelected the next year. During the great parade the Wood county battalion was one of the few to remain intact from the start to the disbandment. Later our subject was elected brigade commander of the Fourth District, G. A. R., of Ohio. He was also chosen to represent one district of five counties of Northwestern Ohio, at the National G. A. R. Encampment in Boston. He is now serving his fourth term as commander of Urie Post No. 110, of Bloomdale. He was admitted to practice as a pension attorney in 1892, and has met with great success. In the Masonic Fraternity, which he joined in 1867 at Oberlin, he has held several official positions. H. L. BYINGTON, M. D., the oldest practicing physician of Risingsun, and one of the most successful men of his profession in the county, is a notable example of a self-made man. He is of English descent. His grandfather, Nathaniel Byington, was a farmer in Vermont, during the greater part of his life, and was a hard-working man, often earning his slender income by shoe-making; but never accumulated a competence. The old homestead was near Weybridge, where his son, Edmund H. Byington, the Doctor's father, was born, the youngest of a family of four sons and one daughter. He married Miss Helen M. Langdon, a native of New Haven, Vt., and the daughter of Ward Langdon, who was at one time a member of the Vermont legislature. This family was also of English origin. The young man had but limited means, yet he and his bride started for the new lands in the West, as the frontier lines in Franklin county, N. Y., was then called, and locating upon a small tract of land in the woods they toiled on through all difficulties until prosperity dawned upon them. Their success was not won by self denial, but by industry and good management; they now own two farms containing more than 25o acres of valuable land. They have fortunately both been spared to enjoy the fruits of their labors, and are among the most highly respected citizens of their vicinity. Mr. Byington is one of the stanch supporters of the Democratic party, has always been prominent in public affairs, and has served creditably in numerous township offices. The last years of his father, who lived to be over eighty years old, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 528 were made comfortable in his home, and four children were reared to maturity: Alice (Mrs. Jason J. Carpenter), of North Yakima, Wash. ; Harlan L., our subject; Emerson, a farmer in Franklin county, N. Y.; and Jennie (Mrs. Theodore Fitch), of the same county. Dr. Byington was born 6n a farm in East Constable township, Franklin Co., N. Y., April 22, 1851, and passed through the usual experiences of a farmer's son, attending the district schools and helping at home with the '' chores " and on the farm. Later he studied at Franklin Academy, and at eighteen began to teach, following the profession successfully some four winters. He then pursued more advanced studies at Malone, N. Y., and, as he always had a desire to follow the medical profession, took especial interest in anatomy and hygiene while there. He was too proud to ask his father for money to continue his studies in this direction, and, shortly after attaining his majority, he started for Omaha, Neb. He had only ten dollars in his pocket when he left home, as his father was a believer that a little hardship would be good for him, and this sum was soon exhausted. He stopped, while en route, in Erie county, Ohio, where an uncle lived, and found employment as a locomotive firemen on the Sandusky division of the B. & O. R. R., and later fired on the construction train on the main line of the same road, which was then being laid west from Chicago junction, the completed portion at that time reaching Attica, Ohio. He then began teaching in Perkins township, Erie county, and determining to study medicine he took a preliminary course with Dr. Knestrick, of Bloomingville. During the summer he studied in the mornings, and worked on-a farm in the afternoons in order to pay his expenses. In the fall of 1874 he entered the Physio-Medical College at Cincinnati, and was graduated in February, 1876, standing third in the class. His professional career was begun in Fostoria in the fall of 1876, against a formidable array of old practitioners. As a total stranger he experienced the usual trials of a young physician, but he succeeded in establishing a good practice. In the fall of 188o he removed to Risingsun where speedy recognition of his abilities brought him a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor successfully removed eight pieces of skull-bone from the left temple of George Jonas which had been thrust into his head two inches by the kick of a horse, and covered the opening with a silver plate, which he prepared from a coin he took from his purse, it being nearly as large as a silver dollar. He also performed several successful delicate and difficult perineal operations, and others of a general nature, by which he gained an enviable reputation as a surgeon. On September 6, 1882, Dr. Byington was married in Fostoria 'to Miss Emma E. Shaw, a native of Hancock county, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Eliza Shaw. She is a lady of fine mentality, was well educated in the schools of Findlay, Ohio, and taught successfully in Fostoria. The Doctor has a pleasant home and office, built by himself. Of their three sons the second died in infancy; the others are Warren S., born June 17, 1885; and Ralph, born September 26, 1895. The Doctor contributes liberally toward the Churches of his locality, although not a member of any, and he is always ready to encourage and assist movements for the benefit of the thriving little city where he has made his home. As a citizen, not as a politician, he served six years as a member of the Risingsun council, but he has frequently declined nominations to political positions. In August, 1893, he was appointed a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, and still holds that office. In principle he is a Democrat, but occasionally supports men of other parties. A man of practical ideas in business as well as in professional life, he has acquired a fine competence, and is regarded as one of the substantial men of the place, owning extensive interests in oil holdings, and engaging largely in loaning money, and buying and selling notes. Despite his varied lines of work, he is fond of travel, recreation and hunting; has been in sixteen different States, Canada and old Mexico, and several seasons have found him in the game haunts of the West and South. Socially he was a charter member and first chancellor commander of Lodge 329, K. of P., at Risingsun. WILLIAM ECKERT, one of the intelligent, progressive agriculturists of Portage township, was born April 20, 1847, at Buffalo, N. Y., son of Martin Eckert, a native of the ''Fatherland," who was born February 2, 1808. Martin Eckert came to the United States when a young man, lived for a time in Eastern Pennsylvania; and made his first permanent location in Buffalo, N. Y. Here he married Margaret Zimmerman, who was born in Alsace, Germany, and came to the United States, where her parents also passed their remaining days. Mr. Eckert had learned shoemaking in Germany, and he followed his trade in Buffalo, also engaging in market gardening, in which he continued for a number of years. They lived near Cold Wm & Leonora Eckert WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 529 Springs, a suburb of Buffalo, and their produce was taken to Washington Street Market. In the panic of 1857, however, Mr. Eckert lost much of his property, and in the fall of 1861 he came west to Ohio, living in Scott township, Sandusky county, where he rented land. He was a large active man in his younger days, and after coming to Ohio he engaged in farming, but from 1867 until their deaths he and his wife made their home with our subject. He died at the latter's home in Portage township in February, 1891, his wife preceding him to the grave in April, 1882, and both are buried in Bradner cemetery. They reared a large family, all of whom were born in Buffalo, as follows: Jacob, who is a farmer of Portage township; Ellen (Mrs. John V. Hall), of Buffalo, N. Y.; George, a carpenter, who died in Boston, Mass. ; Martin, Jr., of Montgomery township, Wood county; Sarah (Mrs. William Wilson), who lives in Buffalo; Charles, who died of cholera in Buffalo; Louise (Mrs. Jacob Bowers), of Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio; and William. Mr. Eckert was originally a Whig in politics, but on the formation of the party he became a Republican, and was an ardent supporter of its principles. William Eckert received all his education in the schools of his boyhood home, and was thoroughly trained to farming, remaining at home, with one month's exception, until his enlistment in the Union army, on March 26, 1864, at Rollersville, Ohio. He became a member of Company I, 72nd O. V. I., the regiment at that time being home on veteran furlough, and returned with them to the field, seeing his first active service at Paducah, Ky. He participated in the battles of Brice's Cross Roads (or Guntown), Tishomingo, Tupelo, Oldtown Creek, Abbeville, Little Harpeth, Nashville, Spanish Fort, and Mobile, the command marching from that city to. Montgomery. En route they learned of Lee's surrender, and soon after of Lincoln's assassination. They remained in the service, doing guard duty and repairing railroads, until September 11, 1865, when they were mustered out at Vicksburg, and received the final discharge at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Eckert is now a member of Randall Post No. 53, G. A. R., at Freeport. During his service our subject was never absent from duty on account of injuries or sickness, but he was separated from his regiment a short time after the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, in which they were defeated; he and many others worked their way through the woods to Memphis, and during the journey it was, naturally, difficult for them to keep together. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Eckert began to, do farm work for others, and after six months,: rented a farm in Montgomery township, Wood county, from Conrad Shefler, which he worked' for two years, and after that rented more land, until he bought his present farm in Portage township. At the time of his marriage he had $200, besides a limited supply of farming implements, and he lived on different places in Wood and Sandusky counties until April 20, 1878, at which time he settled on his place of eighty acres in Section 15, Portage township, which he had bought four years previously, and which he had improved to some extent after it came into his possession, it being new land when he bought it. He now owns 16o acres, ninety of which are under cultivation, and which he has taken from its primitive condition. He has improved the land with buildings, and has placed over 1,200 rods of drain tile in the land, which has increased its fertility considerably. He is known as a most thorough, systematic farmer, and has the respect of all who know him for his industry and integrity. He is a thoroughly self-made man, having commenced life with no capital but his own energy and ambition, and he is now in prosperous circumstances, and able to support his family in comfort. In 1892 he built a fine barn, 40 x 72 feet in dimensions, and all the other improvements on the place are in keeping. On November 30, 1871, Mr. Eckert was married, in Scott township, Sandusky county, to Miss Lenora Sheseley, a native of that township, who was born March 30, 1850, daughter of John Sheseley, who came hither from Pennsylvania. Children have been born to this union as follows: Clarence R., September 9, 1872, who is a teacher; Adda, January, 26, 1874; Mabel, November 20, 1875 (died in August, 1879); Laura, April 28, 1877; Wilmer, August 18, 1878; Rolland W., July 23, 1883; Ralph E., January 26, 1885; Florence M., January 20, 1889; Floyd H., August 12, 189o; and Benjamin F., February 9, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Eckert are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he holds the office of trustee. He is a Republican in politics, and never fails to cast his ballot; but aside from that takes no active part in politics or public affairs, although he has served as school director in District No. 9. Socially he is a member of I. O. O. F., Prairie Depot Lodge, No. 646. EXEA DUCAT, one of the most prominent of the retired agriculturists who have made their home in the pleasant city of Bowling Green, was born of French-Canadian parentage, on the 630 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Ohio and Michigan line, near Toledo, February, 18, 1828. His parents, Joseph and Victoria (Jacob) Ducat, were born in Detroit, Mich., the former in April, 1805. Eleven children were born to them, our subject being the second. Joseph, the eldest, is now living in East Toledo, at the age of sixty-eight. The third, Alexander, born in 1830, died June 27, 1874. Julius, born March 10, 1834, died September 12, 1895. John is a resident of Rudolph, Wood county; Gilbert, of Bowling Green; Theodore, of Toledo; Marshall, of Bowling Green; Frank, of Ducat, Wood county; and the two youngest, Frederick and Victoria, died in childhood. Mr. Ducat's parents moved to Liberty township, Wood county, in 1851, and settled upon a large tract of land which is now very valuable. His mother died in Ottawa county in 1864, his father at the homestead in Liberty township, in May, 1871. Our subject enjoyed the usual experiences of a healthy country boy during his youth, and became in time one of the most successful farmers in the locality, cultivating a tract of 200 acres of land which he still owns, although of late years he has left the active work to other hands. He was married May 6, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Momee, of Toledo, who was born February 8, 1836. They have had nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, born June 1, 1852, died August 27, 1858; the second, born June 1, 1853, died the same day; Mary V. born April 15, 1854, was married December 4, 1873, to Paul McCrory, and died November 8, 1874; Peter Exea, born June 8, 1856, married Josephine Mantal, and has one son-Clarence; Thomas Jefferson, born March 12, 1859, married Emma Gano, and has four children living; Charles Henry, born October 14, 1863, died aged fifteen; Matilda Jane, born November 26, 1864, married Quincy Mercer, of Wood county; Lucy Ann, born June 7, 1871, died a year later; Fulton Daniel, born May 4, 1874, married Alta V. Bordner, and has one daughter. Mr. Ducat is a highly esteemed citizen, and uses his influence in quiet but effective ways to forward every measure which has for its object the good of the community. He is a leading member of the Christian Church, and in his political preferences of late years has been an ardent Prohibitionist. NATHANIEL L. HANSON. New Hampshire was first visited by Europeans in 1614, the first settlements being made at Cochecho (Dover) and Portsmouth, in 1623. Thomas Hanson, senior, was among the early settlers and lived at Cochecho (Dover), was taxed 1654-55, received from the Crown, or Protector, a grant of one hundred acres of land near Salmon Falls, N. H., dated November 11, 1658, was admitted a freeman, April 5, 1661, died 1666, and his will was approved June 27, 1666. His widow was taxed 1666-1672, and killed by Indians, June 28, 1689. These people were English. Their children were Tobias, Thomas (2), Isaac, Timothy and two daughters. Of the last four no record is left. Tobias was killed by the Indians May 10, 1693, his wife having been made captive June, 1689, at the time his mother was killed. Thomas Hanson (2), second son of Thomas, Sr., was born 1643, first taxed 1664 to 1677, at Cochecho (Dover), and his will bears date February 10, 1710. His children, of whom any record is left, were Thomas (3) and John (I). Thomas (3) was born in 168o, built a house at 11 Knox Marsh " near Dover in 1700 (still occupied-1883-by William Twombly). His children were (by Margaret Maul) Thomas (4), Robbert, Timothy (2) (see "Timothy hay," Standard dictionary), Maul, Jonathan and Samuel; (by Hannah Newell) Solomon, Ebenezer and Abigail. He died 1728, his will bearing date September 18, 1728, and it shows the ownership of slaves in New Hampshire at that date. John (1), brother of Thomas (3), married Elizabeth Meador, May 23, 1703, and lived at " Knox Marsh." His children were Hannah, Sarah, Elizabeth, John (2), Isaac (2), Daniel, Ebenezer (2), Caleb, Mercy and Abigail. On June 27, 1724, their home was attacked by Indians; John (2), Isaac and the father being in the field, and Hannah, being at church-all escaped harm. Ebenezer and Caleb (youngest of the boys) were dashed against a stone and killed. Sarah, Elizabeth, Daniel, Mercy (fourteen days old), the mother and the nurse were all taken captive, and, by forced marches for hundreds of miles through the then unbroken wilderness and swamps of the wildest section of our land, were taken into Canada. Pursuit proved fruitless. Without doubt the boys were killed because too young to make the march, and too large to carry, while the mother was spared for the larger ransom expected. Though still feeble, she was compelled to carry her fourteen-day-old babe, but was treated with some barbaric tenderness, sharing the chief's food, and by night his tent, and allowed to prepare nourishment for her babe when no longer able to nourish it herself. The following year the husband and father proceeded to Canada, and ransomed his wife and three of the children. He returned to Canada again in 1727 WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 531 to redeem the remaining child, Sarah, and perished at Crown Point, N. Y., on his return. Mercy Hanson, the fourteen-day-old captive, born to John (1) June 13, 1724, was among these ransomed children, and lived to marry one Nathaniel Hanson (1), and became the mother of seven children, viz.: Paul, John (3), Nathaniel (2), Ebenezer (2), Caleb (2), and two daughters. Of these children, Ebenezer Hanson (2) was born April 12, 1759, married Abigail Caverne September, 1789, lived in Strafford, N. H., and died May 26, 1826. The children of Ebenezer (2) and Abigail Hanson were Caverno, Paul, John (4), Ebenezer (3), Hannah, Judith, Nathaniel (3), Caleb (3), Abigail, Sarah and Jeremiah. All these lived to an advanced age. Nathaniel Hanson (3), father of our subject, was born in Strafford, N. H., May 11, 1807, married Marjorie Evans, of the same place, dwelt at Barnstead and died October 5, 1891, his wife having preceded him on March 9, of the same year-both having lived mere than fourscore years. The old home stands in shadow; the sunshine falls less sweetly among the many reminders-the reverently folded garments, the hat, the cane, and the old family Bible that lay en the stand. The immediate family of Nathaniel (3) and Marjorie E. Hanson, consisted of eight sons and one daughter, viz.: John (5), Caleb W., Levi H., Nathaniel L., Ebenezer, Lewis F., Joseph B., George and Jennie B. Nathaniel L. Hanson, fourth of the above named brothers, submits this genealogy by request, interesting chiefly in the fact that it covers a period of nearly three hundred years, embracing eight generations inclusive of his own family, and in that it shows something of the trials of the earliest settlers of our land. The names of those constituting the collateral branches of the family in the different generations, as gathered by him from court and ether records, are here emitted. The names of his own children are George Murray, Myra Hamilton, Elizabeth Murray, Fred Green (died in 1876), Raymond Evans, Luther N. and Ralph Trowbridge. Our subject, Nathaniel L. Hanson, was reared in New Hampshire, quit. the farm at fifteen years of age, and the shop at eighteen, was privileged to attend the public schools but twenty-five months in all this time, and one or two terms at the " select " school. In 1857 he entered the academy at New Hampton, N. H., taking the Latin and Greek course, having made a good start in the former in the shop, without an instructor' He graduated from this academy in June, 186o, second in a class of thirteen gentlemen, all but two of whom entered college. In the fall of the same year, with just funds enough in hand to meet the expenses of the first term, and obliged to rely absolutely upon his own resources, he entered upon a four-years' course at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., having been admitted en examination prior to graduation at the academy, taking the 25th position in a class of eighty-one members, which by later accessions enrolled an even hundred. Divers causes, chiefly the Civil war which broke out the following spring, left but fifty of this class to answer roll-call en graduation day, four years later, Mr. Hanson being among them. He had already been elected principal of the Grammar schools at Troy, Ohio, and came west seen after graduating in 1864. The following summer he was elected superintendent of schools at Sidney, Ohio, which position he filled for three years. In 1868 he was elected principal of the State street schools, Columbus, Ohio, succeeding T. C. Mendenhall, new president of Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute, and formerly at the head of the U. S. geodetic coast survey. At the holidays of this year Mr. Hanson received what he regards as two flattering propositions, viz.: An addition of $500 in salary ($1,700 per annum), to take the principalship of the Ludlow street schools, Dayton, Ohio; and the hand of Miss Lida McC. Murray, of Sidney, Ohio, in marriage; both of which he accepted, retaining the latter to this day (1896), and the former until the fall of 1871, three years, when a coveted opportunity to go into business presented itself, and he came to Perrysburg, Ohio, to accept a subordinate position in the Exchange Bank, then just starting under the auspices of Dr. E. D. Peck, as president, and F. R. Miller as cashier. He continued with this firm until the spring of 1879, when, Dr. Peck having deceased, the firm retired from banking, and Mr. Hanson established the Citizens Bank, continuing the business under that title until the spring of 1892, when it was reorganized as a State Bank and incorporated as the Citizens Banking Company, with a subscribed capital stock of $50,000.00; he became the cashier and responsible manager, and continues such to the present time. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Greek letter fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon, is a member of the beard of education, is serving his second term as a member of the city council, and is, and has been for ten years, a member and the 532 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. secretary of the board of managers of the Way Public Library. Mr. Hanson is a citizen of high standing, and a leading man a his community, and although rather reserved in disposition, is found on nearer acquaintance to be a most genial and companionable man. He is very domestic in his tastes, and although giving much time and attention to the details of his business, and to matters concerning the public welfare, he finds his greatest happiness when surrounded by his books and family in his pleasant home of printers and editors, consisting of about two hundred members, he being one of the originators of the association. He is a practical, artistic printer, and has one of the finest and best equipped offices in the State. In 1885, Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage with Miss Ella M. Thomas, daughter of Rev. A. C. Thomas, of North Baltimore, born April 21, 18.68, and educated in the common schools of Ohio. Mrs. Wilkinson is a valuable assistant to her husband, being in perfect sympathy with his work, and taking editorial charge during his temporary absence. To their union have come two children, namely: Gerald T., born in 1889, and Claire W., born in 1892. Mrs. Wilkinson is a member of the M. E. Church, at North Baltimore, and she and her husband enjoy the highest regard of the best citizens of the community in which they live. GILBERT DUCAT, a wealthy retired agriculturist of Bowling Green, and a descendant of a well known French-Canadian family, was born in Michigan, near the Ohio line, July 10, 1839. His father, Joseph Ducat, was born in Detroit, Mich, in 1805, and on arriving at manhood he married a native of the same city, Miss Victoria Jacob. He was a farmer by occupation, and some years after his marriage came with his family to Ohio, locating first in Wood county,, later removing to Ottawa county, where Mrs. Ducat died in 1864. The family soon after returned to Wood county settling in Liberty township, and here, in 1871, the father died. Both parents were devout adherents of the Roman Catholic Church. Eleven children were born to them: Joseph, a resident of East Toledo; Exea, of Bowling Green; Alexander, deceased; Julius, deceased; John, of Rudolph, Wood county; Gilbert, our subject; Theodore, residing in Toledo, Ohio;: Marshall, in Bowling Green; Frank, in Ducat, Wood county (named in honor of this family); and Frederick and Victoria, who both died in infancy. Gilbert .Ducat, our subject, spent his early life chiefly in Wood county. The conditions of pioneer life were not favorable to education, and, he received no schooling; but good natural abilities enabled him to overcome in a measure this lack of opportunity for learning. On November 25,. 1865, he was married to Miss Amelia Ganger, a lady of French-Canadian descent, who was born March 31, 1844, in Michigan, the daughter of Lewis and Olive (Roe) Ganger. At the age of thirteen she came with her parent's to Rudolph, Wood county, where her father still lives at the GEORGE W. WILKINSON, one of the self-made men of Ohio, a prominent editor of Wood county, and a worthy representative citizen of North Baltimore, is a native of the State, having been born March 15, 1859, in Logan county. At an early age he was left an orphan, his father having died when he was an infant, succumbing to exposure experienced at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in 1862; after which, until he was eighteen years old, young George made his home with his grandfather, John G. Wilkinson, during which period he acquired a common-school education. Fully realizing he was not yet properly equipped in an educational point of. view, for suitable life work, our subject, on leaving the home of his grandfather, went to Sidney, Ohio, where for three years he attended the public schools, at the end of which time he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed several years. For one year he had charge of the grammar department of public-school work at Deshler, and for two years he served as superintendent of schools of that place. During the year 1885-86 he leased and conducted the Deshler Flag, and then purchased the Beacon, of North Baltimore, which, under his able management, has become one of the leading journals of Wood county. Politically, Mr. Wilkinson is a Republican, and a representative in his party. For several years he has been a member of the County Central Committee, of which he has been chairman and secretary. He has also been several times a member of the executive committee, serving now in that capacity; is also serving as member of the County Election Board, by appointment from the Secretary of State, and is chairman of that board. Mr. Wilkinson has served four terms as trustee of the North Baltimore Gas Co., during which time he was its secretary. At this writing he is president of the board of examiners of teachers, for the city of North Baltimore. He is also serving his second term as secretary of the Buckeye Press Association, of Ohio, an organization George W. Wilkinson WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 533 age of seventy-seven. Her mother, who was born in I818, died in I890. Mrs. Ducat was the second of their eleven children. The eldest, . Victoria, now deceased, was the wife of Julius Ducat. The third, Harriet, is the wife of Paul Groneau; Mary married Victor Puye; Matilda married Fred Crostalker, of Bowling Green; Ellen is the wife of Lewis Sanglier; George lives in North Baltimore, Wood county; Daniel, in Liberty township; Cyril, near Rudolph; and Napoleon; the youngest child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ducat settled upon a farm in Liberty township after their marriage,, where four children were born to them, none of whom lived to maturity except the third, Napoleon, who was born August 21, 1868, and is now at home. The names of the others with the dates of birth and death are as follows: Henry, born January 30, 1867, died February 9, 1868; Louis Franklin, born November 6, 1873, died in May, 1875; Abraham, born in 1869, died in 1882. Fortunately for our subject his farm lies within the ''oil belt," and some years ago four wells were sunk upon it from which he has since derived a good income. In 1889 he retired from active business and removed to Bowling Green. He and his wife are faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church, as all their ancestors have been, and their wealth enables them to take an active part in many worthy enterprises. In politics Mr. Ducat is a Democrat. ABNER CUMMINGS (deceased) was a prominent and representative citizen of Wood county, highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 23, 1829, and acquired his education in the public schools of that city. He afterward removed to Tontogany, Ohio, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and later entered eighty acres of land from the government in Washington township, and bought an additional eighty acres. This he operated and improved for a time, and then sold eighty acres and purchased the Crum farm of eighty acres. On selling this property, he removed to Haskins, where he purchased a farm of similar size, which is now the abode of his widow. In 1855 Mr. Cummings was united in marriage with Christina Cameron, who was born in Caledonia, N. Y., a daughter of James and Maria (Davis) Cameron, of Scotch and English descent. Our subject and his wife became the parents of six children: Helen, born June 29, 1858, now the wife of G. A. Repass; Lillie, born December 19, 1861, now the wife of Edward Couture, a railroad man, Toledo, Ohio; Lucy, born April 9, 1864; Annette, born August 28, 1866; Fred, born March 12, 1870, and in 1892 married Jennie Jenson, by whom he has two children, the eldest, Lenore, born April 30, 1893, and Delos Abner, born August 28, 1896; and Mary, who was born December, 1867, and died in 1869. During the Civil war, Mr. Cummings enlisted in Company B, 144th O. V. I., under Capt. Black, and participated in a number of engagements. In politics he was a Republican, served as trustee and supervisor of Weston township, and for a number of years was school director at Tontogany. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was superintendent of the Sunday-school, and his many excellent qualities gained him high regard. He died in 1878, respected by all who knew him. His widow still resides on the old homestead, and the family is one of prominence in the community. Mrs. Cummings is a member of the Methodist Church at Tontogany; her daughters are members of the Baptist Church, and their circle of friends is limited only by the circle of their acquaintances. AMOS DEWESE, a well-known resident of Weston township, was born August 18, 1823, in Paris township, Stark county, Ohio. The first ancestor of the family of whom a record is given was Carl, the great-grandfather of our subject, who lived in Berks county, Penn., and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He had seven children-John, William, Elizabeth, Samuel, Powell, Thomas and David. His son Samuel became a captain in the Revolutionary army, and also served in the war of 1812, a biography of his life being published previous to his death. Thomas Dewese, who was the grandfather of our subject, was born in Berks county, Penn., May 4, 1770. He was a school teacher in early life, and later became a farmer. He was married to Miss Catherine Bessey, who was born May 18, 1767, and they emigrated to Stark county, Ohio, in I808, where they both died at advanced ages. Their children were as follows: (1) Lutice, was married July 7, 1808, to jasper Daniels, who was a preacher in the Disciples Church. They emigrated to the West, and he died in Illinois; (2) Samuel, the father of our subject; (3) Elizabeth was married July 18, 1815, to John Wickerd (he died in Hancock county, Ohio, and she in Michigan); (4) Catherine became the wife of Thomas Ebe September 7, 1817, and both died in Wayne county, Ohio; (5) Sarah was married March 19, 1820, to Andrew Livingstone, and both died in Wayne county; (6) Martha W. married Christian Shiveley October 30, 1821, and both died in 534 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Wayne county; (7) Uriah married Mary Snyder February 22, 1824, and died in Stark county; (8) Rebecca married Isaac Kelley August 23, 1827, and she was accidentally burned to death (her husband removed to the West); (9) Thomas was married October 6, 1830, to Sarah Watkins. Thomas Dewese and two other families were the first pioneers who settled in Paris township, Stark county, Ohio. Samuel Dewese, father of our subject, was born in Bucks county, Penn., March 5, 1793, and emigrated with his father's family in 1808 to Stark county, Ohio. On May 13, 1814, at the age of twenty, Mr. Dewese enlisted at the village of Canton, under Capt. James Drennan, for the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Harrison until the expiration of his term of service. He was discharged at Detroit, Mich., May 14, 1814. When first enlisted he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and from there to Fort Stephenson, now Fremont, arriving there the day after the battle, when the fort was so gallantly and successfully defended by Major Croghan. From this place his regiment was sent to Fort Ball, and from there to the mouth of the Portage river; -there the command took flat boats and crossed over the lake to Detroit. While at Detroit in the winter of 1814, Mr. Dewese was sent by order of Gen. Harrison as a scout to the Thames river. The mission was a difficult and dangerous one, but the young man accomplished his object. After his discharge Mr. Dewese returned home and labored on a farm. On May 16, 1815, he married Miss Sarah Boyer, who was born in Stark county February 19, 1798, and died August 6, 1824. They had six children, as follows: Margaret, born February 20, 1817, married Asa Hutchinson, and was the mother of thirteen children, and died in Wood county; Thomas, July 26, 1818, died in Canton, Ohio, July 20, 1892; Caroline, May 10, 1820, was postmistress in Fork Top, Mecosta county, Mich., and was the oldest incumbent of that office in the State, when she lost the position in 1894; Amy, December 26, 1821, married James Hutchinson, and died in Bowling Green March 14, 1891; Amos, the subject of this sketch; the sixth child died in infancy. Mr. Dewese was married, a second time, November 16, 1828, taking for his wife Miss Annie Switzer, of Stark county, who died after the birth of twelve children, and was buried at Weston, Ohio. The children of the second marriage are as follows: Jesse died in Wood county, and left a family; Dennis died when a boy; Franklin died in childhood; Mary Ann married John Wade, and died in Wood county; Noah died in childhood; Samuel was a soldier in the Civil war, and resides in Michigan; Uriah, a farmer of Weston township, was also a soldier in the Civil war; Parmilla married W. Wade, and lives in Iowa; Gurselda is the wife of Charles Bassett, and lives in Weston; Chauncey died while a prisoner at Danville, Va., November 6, 1864, during the Civil war. The other two children died in infancy. Amos Dewese, the subject of this sketch, received but meager school advantages before coming to Wood county, and of his first experiences in this wilderness let the following article, written by him, for the Weston Herald, and published in 1883, speak for itself: DEWESE CORNERS, February 17, 1883. Ed. Herald: As this day is my fortieth anniversary in Wood county, I will, with your permission, give your many readers a brief sketch of my first year of pioneer life in the county. I came here February 17, 1843. The snow was eighteen inches deep when I started from Hancock county without one cent of money, but a few clothes, and a dry chunk of bread constituting my pack; my shoes out at the toes; and carrying a few books. In the evening I crossed the line and saw a hunter riding an old horse, to the tail of which was tied a large deer. I followed a trail and came to a Mr. Robbins', of Bloom township, where I stayed all night. Early next morning I started for Mr. Frankfanter's, at Bloom Centre, found my old friend Joseph Shelia, and made my home with him, and went to chopping to get me a pair of boots. Mr. S. and I rode through the woods to Risden and Rome (now Fostoria), for an axe. We found a few, but as they wouldn't trust either of us, we had to return without it. Then I went back to Hancock county, got my axe, and was rich. I took a job of a Mr. Buisey to chop seven acres, for which he gave me a rifle and some second-hand clothing. I finished the job on March 24, when the mercury was twenty degrees below zero, that winter being still known as the ' hard winter.' "I began work for Mr. Solether April 1; snow and ice on the ground, and sleighing. He gave me a watch. While working there a Mr. Jonathan Stull came into the clearing. He had a bag on his shoulder with a peck of ears of corn that he had got from a Mr. Daniel Milbourn. Mr. Stull was much depressed and discouraged on account of the terrible hard winter. We talked of Adventism, as the Millerites said the end of the world was at hand. Mr. Stull said he prayed for it every day, as he had seen all the trouble he had wanted to see. He said he had WOOD COUNTY, OHIO, - 535 eight head of horses, and all had died; twenty-eight head of cattle and two hundred and sixty head of hogs, and all were dead. I had to pass Mr. Stull's cabin often. He told me that he had been married twelve years, and they had ten children, all of whom were almost nude. Not one had a full suit of clothes. They hadn't a bed nor a window in the house. He was the owner of a three-quarter section of good land. 'There,' said Mr. Stull, ' I have one peck of ears of corn in this sack, and when I take it home and grind it in the hand-mill, and mix it with water, bake and eat it with my wife and ten children, God knows where the next will come from. They must starve. He wept like a child. [Mr. Stull was the founder of Jerry City.] "During my stay with Mr. Buissey I had to go to and from Mr. Shelia's. I had to pass a number of cabins, forsaken and uninhabited. They looked gloomy enough, surrounded by ice and water and the dismal swamp. A number of wild hogs had taken possession of a new one which had belonged to a Mr. John Ford. They had piled in on top of each other, and there perished from cold and hunger. When out hunting for coons and minks, whenever we found hogs they were invariably dead. I next worked for Mr. Whitaker two weeks, and received $3.25 in June. Then I went to Milton Center, and cleared five acres for James Hutchinson for a pair of twoyear-old steers. In July I went to James Bloom's, worked for Bloom and Henderson Carothers, helped cut forty-five acres of wheat, and cut and haul a hundred tons of tame prairie hay, for which I received one pair of boots and fifty cents in money - a sum total in money for the year, $3.75. In the beginning of the winter of the year 1843 I went to Ralph Keeler's to work for my board and go to school in the old log schoolhouse in Weston. Mr. Keeler took sick, and as I had to take care of him and his stock, I lost the benefit of the school. I worked for him three months for twenty-five dollars, to take my pay out of the store. "I will attempt to describe the old Taylor school house. It was located in the back part of the lot now owned by Mr. Henry, on Main street. It was true pioneer in style, with puncheon floor, benches and desks made of the same. Round logs cut off, with ribs and weigh-poles to hold down the clapboards; windows, one row of glass, each eight by ten; writing desk, puncheon laid on pins driven in the wall. The teacher, Mr. Jesse Osborne, of New York State, received twenty-five cents a day, or five dollars a month. The scholars were Miss Mary Taylor, George, Lewis, Thomas and William Taylor; Samuel McAtee, who lived with Andrew Moorhouse; Olmsted, Amelia and Melicent Keeler. The teacher was paid by the parents, there being no school fund at that time. Mr. Taylor lost about forty-five head of cattle; Mr. Keeler seventy-five head, while the Sargents, Elsworth, Saulsbury and Green lost about the same proportion during that terrible winter, never to be forgotten by the old settlers. Many had to move out of the Black Swamp before spring. So ended my first year as a PIONEER." The vicissitudes of Mr. Dewese's early life were relieved by the sports of the hour, and he often engaged in the hunt and the chase when heavy game was abundant in the Black Swamp. He was not content, however, and yearned to cast his fate with the possibilities of the " Far West." He had all the preparations made to take a Western trip, when his father came to Wood county, entered land, and prevailed upon our subject to do the same and remain with him. True to a strong impulse of family unity that has been handed down to the latest generation of the Dewese family, he allowed the parents' advice to prevail, and on March 1, 1851, he entered the land which forms a portion of his present magnificent estate. On this he built a log house and commenced to make general improvements, and for two years kept "bachelor's hall." On November 3, 1853, Mr. Dewese was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Green, who was born August 17, 1829, in Liverpool, England, and came to this country with her parents in 1834. Of this marriage three sons were born, of whom the following record is given: (1) William, born March 21, 1856, was married January 25, 1887, to Miss Caroline Elizabeth Sautter, who was born in Huron county, August 17, 1866. They have two children, Donald R., born September 17, 1891; and Floyd M., born May 4, 1893. (2) George J., born April 30, 1858, was married November 29, 1881, to Miss Lucy Lee, whose birth took place January 7, 1864. They have one child, Sarah E., born January 20, 1887. When twenty-three years of age George J. entered the mercantile business in Weston under the firm name of Oswald & Dewese, they being the successors of A. J. Munn. Two years later he sold out his interest and went to farming, which he carried on until June, 1885, when he was appointed postal clerk, his run being between Toledo and Cincinnati. He held this position for about fifteen months when he returned to agricultural pursuits, in which he finds 536 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. his most congenial occupation, and now resides in a pleasant home on a portion of the Dewese estate, close to the suburbs of Weston. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the latter place. (3) Amos R., the youngest son of our subject, was born August 24, 1865. He is unmarried, and assists his father in the management of his estate. Of the many pioneer couples. whose names link the present advanced state of affairs in Wood county with its most primitive conditions, none have taken a more active part in the progress made than Mr. and Mrs. Dewese, and but few have been spared to such a ripe and healthful old age as this worthy pair, who still retain all their faculties and evince that eager interest in passing events which they manifested in the vigor of life. The following account of their silver wedding is taken from a Toledo paper: "At an early hour last evening, November 7, 1878, the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Dewese began to gather at their elegant residence, about two miles north of Weston, until about from seventy to ninety guests had assembled to participate in the festivities of the occasion, and to congratulate the happy couple upon the joyful return of the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding day. We must say that a more pleasant company it was never our good fortune to witness. Every one seemed to catch and imbibe some of the happiness of the bride and groom. As we wandered through the elegant home of our hosts, and noticed the gentlemanly deportment and manly bearing of their sons, and the marks of comfort and luxury on every hand, and thought that twenty-five years ago the then young bride and groom,. in what was then almost a wilderness, with no other fortune than brave, honest and willing' hands, with no other wealth but industry, integrity and economy, had grappled as pioneers with poverty and nature's unbroken soil, we could not refrain from admiring the work of a quarter of a century, and almost envied the wedded pair their joy as they looked back over the twenty-five years of their happy union. After an hour and a half spent in social greetings, friendly congratulations and kindly expressed wishes of future happiness for the bride and groom, the company assembled in the parlors, and the Rev. M. L. Donahey invoked upon the happy couple the blessing of God, and in a neat and appropriate speech, in behalf of the donors, presented to them the many beautiful gifts of their friends, to which Mr. Dewese, with his wife leaning upon his arm (with as much of happiness and less of doubt than twenty-five years before), responded with a grateful acknowledgement. After some good music and singing, the company gathered around the bountifully spread tables and partook of a repast, which they all seemed to enjoy. Then, after a little more chatting, a little more visiting, a little more singing, and (alas in some instances, we are informed) a little more flirting, the guests scattered to their respective homes, each one saying, 'What a pleasant time we have had;' 'How nicely everything passed off.'" Honorable citizenship with financial independence has been the ambition of Mr. Dewese, and that this has been more than satisfied is easily learned in Wood county. There is no name in the county better known than his, nor is there a home more abundantly filled with the choicest products of the earth. The hospitality of the Dewese family is known far and near, and as agriculturists they are accepted authorities for miles around. Two of the sons live with their parents on the old homestead, which is a palatial residence erected in 1877. The harmony that exists in the family is remarkable; the interest of one is the interest of all, and although each of the sons has an individual property of his own, the main estate is held in common. The sons of Mr. Dewese received only a common-school education, as did their father, but the breadth and scope of their reading, and their original manner of thinking, make them among the best informed people of Wood county. As samples of physical manhood, these men have certainly no equal in any one family in the county, the father having the frame of a giant, and the smallest of the three sons weighing one hundred and ninety pounds. Mr. Dewese was formerly a Republican, but he says he watched the evils of protection as they gradually gained a hold upon the country to the detriment of the agricultural masses, he asserted his right to think for himself, disavowed allegiance to the Republican party, and became a Democrat. Party organizations have tried to whip him back into the Republican ranks, but in vain, as he is firm in his belief that he is on the right side of the question. B. L. PETERS, a prominent pioneer of North Baltimore, and an- active business man and property owner, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 13, 1830, and was the son of Abraham and Edith (Runyan) Peters. Abraham Peters, the great-grandfather, came with his wife from Germany in Colonial days, and located in Rockingham county, Va., where he took up g00 acres of land under what was D. E. & Tille Peters S. L. & Fanny Peters WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 537 known in the English law as "Tomahawk Right." The land followed up the narrow strip along one stream a great distance, and down another. The old people died there, and the estate passed into the hands of our subject's great uncle. The grandfather, also named Abraham, was raised in Rockingham county, Va., where he married a Miss Catherine Zircle, and, after remaining in Virginia for a while, they came to Guernsey county, Ohio. They had the following children: Abraham, Isaac, Solomon, Reuben and Daniel. They all settled in Guernsey county before Ohio became a State, and the old people died there. Abraham Peters, father of our subject, grew to manhood in Guernsey county, and after his marriage remained there until 1834, when he moved to Richland county, bought a farm, and lived there until the fall of 1847, at which time he came to Henry township, Wood county. He bought land one mile and a half north of what is now North Baltimore, made his home and reared his family there. He died in February, 1879. His wife was born in Berks county, Penn., September 8, 1808, and died in Henry township February 1, 1895. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: B. L., our subject; William; Sarah, who married D. Hough, and died in Michigan; Mary E., deceased; John C., who lives in Henry township; Angeline, married to Jacob Ackerman; Franklin living in Henry township; Edith A. and Emily J., twins (Edith married Joseph Grove, and they live in Michigan; Emily is unmarried). John Brown, the maternal grandfather, was born in New Jersey, of English parents, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. All of our subject's ancestors were long lived. His grandmother was 112 years old at the time of her death, and his paternal grandfather was 103. B. L. Peters was about eighteen years old when he came to Wood county. He attended school until sufficiently qualified to obtain a teacher's certificate, which he secured, and then began teaching. Most of his learning was obtained at home by diligent study, which he carried on at night with the aid of a blazing log and hickory bark, in an old-fashioned fireplace; but he was ambitious to learn, and succeeded, even under all the existing difficulties. He had a special talent for mathematics. For about seven years he alternated between teaching and working on a farm, in the meantime being married March 24, 1853, to Miss Fanny Ackerman. Their children were as follows: William L., deceased when two and one half years old; David E., whose sketch appears elsewhere; Sarah C., who married Joel Rogers, by whom she had two children-Arthur and Louis (after her husband's death she married J. B. Todd, of Bowling Green, and two children were born to them Lee and Fanny); Bassett H., a merchant in North Baltimore, who married Florence McLaren, daughter of Dr. McLaren; Fannie J., who died when eight years old; Lydia, now the wife of J. C. Solether, one of the county school examiners, and superintendent of Jerry City High School; Hallie; Loren; Pliny; Harry; and McClellan, who is employed in a store in North Baltimore (he married Miss Ollie Genter, and they have two children-Don and Lenora). Mr. Peters settled on a farm in Henry township until the fall of 1873, when he assisted in laying out the town of North Baltimore. He started the first store, and owned and edited the first newspaper in the place, the North Baltimore Enterprise, which he subsequently moved to Bowling Green, where it is known as the Bowling Green Democrat. After disposing of the paper, Mr. Peters, devoted his time to the development of North Baltimore. His work in that direction was most important, and it is largely due to his efforts that the town is in its present flourishing and prosperous condition. He owned a great part of the land on which the town is now situated, helped to organize the First National Bank, was interested in the first sawmill, owned the first store, was the first agent on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and was a heavy dealer in grain; he is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He upholds the principles of the Democratic party; is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is strictly temperate in his habits, although he never took the pledge. For thirty years he has been a notary public and justice of the peace. Mr. Peters' importance to North Baltimore cannot be estimated, and he is justly considered the pioneer father of the town. He has served as mayor of the city four years, and has held one or another of the township offices of trust ever since he was twenty-three years old. Mrs. Fanny (Ackerman) Peters was born October 7, 1832, in Lancaster county, Penn., near Harrisburg, the eldest daughter of David and Catherine Ackerman, who moved to Wood county, Ohio, in May, 1838, settling on wild land. Here Mr. Ackerman cleared up a new farm, and became one of the most prominent men in the community. He served as township trustee for many years, and held other offices of trust. His wife was one of the most industrious and perse- 538 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. vering of women, ever ready to give a helping hand in time of need or sickness, and her daughter Fanny seems to have inherited her mother's good qualities. While quite young she was beloved and respected by all who made her acquaintance. In 1859, she and her husband identified themselves with the United Brethren Church, and she has been a prominent member of that society ever since. Haying purchased a portion of the old homestead, on which oil was afterward discovered, she has become worth several thousand dollars in her own right. She is one of the pioneer women of Wood county, and has done much to make North Baltimore the prosperous town it is. Always cheerful and contented, not easily discouraged, ever ready to assist the poor and needy, Mrs. Fanny Peters is held in great respect by those who know her best. D. E. PETERS, assistant cashier and director of the First National Bank of North Baltimore, was born in Henry township, Wood county, October 16, 18 5 5 Our subject's early years were spent on a farm, and in attending the public schools. He then worked in his father's store, and, when the newspaper then known as the North Baltimore Enterprise (now the Wood County Democrat at Bowling Green) was organized, without previous experience or preparation, demonstrated his natural abilities in that line by taking charge of it. The paper, which was a thoroughly popular Democratic weekly, was moved to Bowling Green, our subject retaining the management of it, and remaining with it until it was sold, when he returned to North Baltimore. He soon afterward formed a partnership with Jeff. Richcreek as retail carriage dealers, and after continuing in this business two years closed out and clerked for one year in a dry-goods store in North Baltimore. In 1885 Mr. Peters moved to Charlotte, Mich., and engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business. Two years later he returned to North Baltimore, and entered the insurance business with his father, continuing in that until the opening of the First National Bank, of which he became one of the stockholders and accepted the position of assistant cashier. He is still identified with his father in the insurance business, and is also secretary of the Home Sayings & Loan Association. He is a stanch believer in the principles of the Democratic party, Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Peters was married, November 13, 1876, to Miss Tillie Crosser, who was born in Henry township, March 6, 1857, and received her education in the public schools of Denver, Wood county. Two children have been born to this union, Pearl and Deloy. Mrs. Peters is a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Archer) Crosser, both of whom were born in Richland county, Ohio, the former in 1806, the latter in 1816; the father died in 1871 in Wood county, the mother in 1890. They are buried in the '' Ten-Mile cemetery." They became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living. They were pioneers of Henry township, Wood county, and entered their land from the government. Mr. Crosser was a great hunter. C. G. MCCAULEY, proprietor of the marble works at Bowling Green, and a prosperous business man of that city, was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 24, 1854. He is a son of Joseph and Ruth (Reed) McCauley. Joseph McCauley was born of Irish parents, in Chester county, Penn., August 8, 1820. He was married, in 1844, in Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, removing to Lima, Ohio, where he died. His wife, Ruth Reed, was born in Salem, in 1824, and is now residing in Lima. The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the public schools, and when thirteen years old began learning the trade of a marble cutter, in which he served an apprenticeship of five years. He worked for a time at his trade at Lima, and at Fort Wayne, Ind., where for two years he was also employed as fireman of an engine on the C. H. & D. railway. He then became a commercial traveler for J. D. Halter, of Lima, Ohio, selling monuments, etc., which occupation he followed for two years. In 1877 he located permanently in Bowling Green, and on April 15 of that year established his present business, in which he has been successfully engaged ever since. Mr. McCauley possesses the advantage of a thorough acquaintance in all the details of his business, being not only a stonecutter and marble finisher of the highest order, but also a firstclass salesman, and it is due to his ability in this direction, as much as anything else, that his trade has grown so rapidly and has spread over such a large extent of country, his goods being placed on the market not only in Ohio but in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana as well. He is a man of untiring energy and industry, and has an enviable reputation among the business men for square dealing and honest methods. Mr. McCauley was married June 4, 1879, to Miss Florence E. Reid, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 10, 1856, her parents WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 539 being Thomas C. and Margaret M. Reid, who removed to Wood county, Ohio, in 1866. Five children have blessed this union, namely: Ina, Arthur (died October l0, 1885), Florence, Reid, and Floyd. Our subject is a Republican, and while not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word, takes an interest, as every good citizen should do, in affairs relating to his own county and State. Socially he belongs to Centennial Lodge, No. 626, I. O. O. F.; Canton Alpine, No. 26, I. O. O. F., at Bowling Green, Ohio., and Lodge No. 53, of the Elks, at Toledo. He holds a high place in the regard of his fellow men, and is one of the worthy citizens of Wood county. S. S. HOPKINS. Among the substantial and prosperous citizens of Bowling Green, must be classed the man whose name opens this sketch, and who commands the respect of the community as a man of enterprise, and also as a brave soldier of the Civil war. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, February 23, 1839, and is the son of George and Hannah (Smith) Hopkins. The Hopkins family is of Irish and Welsh ancestry. Moses Hopkins, father of George Hopkins, and grandfather of our subject, died in Erie county, Ohio. The father of our subject was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1802, and came to Erie county, Ohio, in 1823, walking all the way. At that time there was only one house where the city of Cleveland now stands, and everything was in the most primitive condition. Mr. Hopkins was a wagon maker by trade, and he was offered every inducement to remain there, but he was bound for the then "Emporium of the West," Milan, Erie county, and would not be persuaded to stop short of his destination. He remained at Milan until 1844, when he went to DeKalb county, Ind., and seven years later returned to Ohio. In 1824 he crossed Lake Erie on the first and only steamer plying on that lake, and was in Detroit, Mich., when its population numbered only two hundred souls. He died in 1864. His wife died at Napoleon, Henry county, when ninety years of age. Of the nine children born to George Hopkins and his wife, eight grew to maturity, as follows: Mary Ann, wife of L. Weaver, of Napoleon, Henry county; Smith, who died in Henry county, Ohio; Charles B. lives in Illinois. He is an architect and was superintendent of the construction of the State building in Tokeka, Kans. (during the war he served in a mechanics' regiment, building bridges, pontoons, etc.); Harriet became the wife of L. Smith, and died in 1874 in Iowa; Carolina married Milton Stout, of Henry county; Homer P. lives in South Bend, Ind. (he served in the army of the Potomac from its organization until Grant captured Richmond); George resides in Cincinnati, Ohio (he enlisted when but fifteen years old, and served through the entire war, going with Sherman to the sea); S. S. is subject of this sketch.. S. S. Hopkins spent his younger days in Henry county, where he attended school and learned the trade of a blacksmith. He was married August 20,, 1863, in Henry county, to Miss Mary E. Reynolds, who also was born in Baltimore, January 18, 1845, and four children have blessed their union: John G., born September 15, 1864, married Miss Flora Van Tassel; Laura is the wife of A. Peters, of Bowling Green; Edward, born November 25, 1868, married Nettie Phenix, and they have one child, Fern; Mina May, born August 4, 1870, is the wife of Oliver Shearer, of Plain township. Mr. Hopkins began his married life in Henry county, and followed his trade in the town of Florida, until 1865, when, he removed to Napoleon, where he remained for ten years, and in 1875 returned to Florida. From the latter date until 1884, he lived successively in Defiance, Napoleon, and Toledo, coming to Bowling Green in the latter year. Since making his home in Bowling Green Mr. Hopkins and his sons have carried on a large business, doing not only horseshoeing but carriage work and painting. He is an energetic, active man, remarkable for his youthful appearance, and is to-day seemingly not over forty years of age. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and is prominent in the I. O. O. F., in which he is a past grand, and at present is past chief patriarch in the order at Bowling Green. When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Hopkins was the first man to enlist from Erie county, Ohio, going out with Company D, 8th O. V. I., for three months. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he returned home to care for his aged parents, who had been left alone by the enlistments of the other three boys. PERRY G. EMMETT, one of the oldest and most respected of Wood county's agriculturists, now residing near Fenton, Webster township, is a native of Lincolnshire, England, born April 26, 1820. It Dissupposed that the family are descended from the famous Irish patriot, Robert Emmett. His father, John V. Emmett, a sailor by occupation, married Miss Martha Banks, of Crannel, England, and reared to adult age a family of 540 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. sketch is the eldest. The others are-Thomas; Charles; Martha, the wife of Thos. Yarwood, of England; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Roper, of Fenton, Ohio; Ann, the wife of G. Graves, of Paulding county; and George, a resident of Buffalo, N. Y. Four other children died in early infancy. The later years of Mr. Emmett's parents were passed upon a farm in England, his father leaving the sea for agricultural pursuits some years before his marriage. Mr. Emmett received a limited education in his native country, and was sent out to work at an early age, tending sheep for his board and clothes. At twelve he began working on a farm at one shilling a week, and continued farm labor until the age of twenty-one, when he secured employment on public works. As soon as he had saved enough money, he came to America, landing at Quebec, in 1844. After remaining in America about six months, he returned to England, and remained there five years, returning to this country in July, 1849, landing at New York, thence going to Chicago, where he engaged in brick making. In 1850 he bought eighty acres of land in Huron county, which. he cultivated for a short time, and then sold, 'moving to Erie county, remaining until 1858 when he came to Wood county. His first purchase was a tract of forty acres; but his thrift and enterprise have enabled him to add to it until he now has one hundred acres under cultivation. His attention is given chiefly to stock and grain raising, and he was the first to introduce Lincolnshire sheep into this county. On October 26, 1851, Mr. Emmett, married Miss Emily Hunt, a native of Franklin county, N. Y., born April 28, 1830, the daughter of John and Nancy (Lloyd) Hunt. Six children were born of this marriage: Martha, the wife of Isaac Dent; Perry, born June 19, 1854; Isaac, born April 26, 1856; Mary E., the wife of Henry Williamson; George W., who manages the old homestead, and Elizabeth, who died in infancy. Mr. Emmett has always taken an active interest in public movements, and in politics he is an independent voter. George W. Emmett, our subject's youngest son, was born in Webster township, Wood county, September 10, 1871. He was educated in the schools near his home, and has always been his father's assistant, in later years relieving him entirely of the work of the farm. Industrious, sober, and clever, he is a worthy descendant of this honored family, and his genial manners make him popular wherever he is known. On July 26, 1894, he married Miss Ruby Coe, who was born in Elmore, Ohio, February 4, 1877, the daughter of Orlando and Katie (Bolander) Coger, prominent residents of Troy township. SOLOMON KUDER, deceased. The subject of this sketch, one of the honored pioneers of Wood county, and for many years a farmer near Tontogany, was born near Lancaster, Penn., September 4, 1790. In early manhood he entered the service of his country as a soldier of the war of 1812, and served one year. He was married December 22, 1816, at Circleville, Ohio, to Miss Catherine Row, who was born near Philadelphia, Penn., April 7, 1800. Her parents came to Ohio across the mountains in a wagon. In 1821 Mr. Kuder moved to Tiffin, where he engaged in milling, and in 1836 he came to Wood county and entered a tract of 1,l00 acres of land at the government price, with a view to stock-raising; but his cattle being afflicted with murrain, he abandoned that enterprise and engaged in agriculture. He was prominent among the early settlers, having resided near Tontogany about thirty-seven years, and previous to the Civil war was a member of the Whig party, later becoming a Republican. His wife died June 15, 1870, and on Friday, August 15, 1873, at 2 P. m., Mr. Kuder passed to his long rest, aged eighty-two years, eleven months and eleven days, after many months of suffering. Fifteen children were born to this union, of whom only three are now living. The names, with dates of birth, and of death of those deceased, are as follows: John, October 3, 1817, died September 3, 1818; Elizabeth, March 25, 1819, died September 25, 1819; Malinda, October 13, 1820, died August 2, 1888 (she was formerly the wife of Alexander Alcorn); Nelson, August 21, 1822, died April 30, 1888 (he was a farmer); Catherine, August 8, 1824, was the wife of judge Tuller, of Tontogany, and died in 1870; Margaret Ann, July 17, 1826, is the widow of John McColley, of Tontogany; Josiah Hedges, July 16, 1826, died July 6, 1882 (he was a farmer here); Mary Jane, April 30, 1830, died September 13, 1850; Eliza, December 25, 1831, married Barnard Phillip, of Washington township; Wellington, November 18, 1833, died April 7, 1841, having met his death by accident; Sarah M., February 2, 1836, died March 9, 1890 (she had been a teacher in early life); Martha Hortensia, October 13, 1837, never married, but with her sister Sarah remained at home and was the mainstay of her parents, caring for Solomon Kuder WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 541 them tenderly in their declining years; Victoria Virginia, June 12, 1839, died January 14, 1882 (she married E. B. Beverstock); Harrison, November 14, 1840, died November 13, 1854; and Caroline, born September 16, 1842, married E. Ketcham, and died December t0, 1869. Mr. Kuder divided his choice lands among his children as they reached maturity, and he and his wife had the satisfaction of seeing them settled near them, and of receiving in old age their affectionate care. He was a pensioner of the war of 1812, and received also a land warrant for his services at that trying period. Miss Martha Kuder has in her possession, among other valuable relics, her father's pension papers, and a deed made to him which was signed by the hand of Andrew Jackson. A. L. MUIR, president of the Wood County Tribune Company, and editor of both the daily and weekly editions of the Tribune, was born in Webster township, Wood Co., Ohio, January 5, 1857. Thoroughly identified with the best interests of his native county, he takes a conspicuous part in public affairs, and it is to his competent editorial management, that the growing popularity of the Tribune, with the reading public, is due. John Muir, grandfather of our subject, was born in Scotland, and came to America in 1832, locating at Perrysburg, Wood county, and moved to Webster township, where he built the first Presbyterian church out of logs. Notwithstanding the hard work and privations of pioneer life, he lived to the ripe old age of ninety-six. His wife, in her maidenhood was Mary Prentiss. John Muir, Jr., our subject's father, was born on a farm near Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1824, and was eight years old when his parents established their home in this county. He received no regular schooling in his boyhood, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits from early years. During the Civil war he served for three years and three months in Company L, 3rd O. V. C., under Gen. Kilpatrick, army of the Tennessee, holding rank as corporal and sergeant. He is one of four living children out of a family of seven, all of whom lived to the age of forty and over. He is an ardent Republican, and has taken an active part in local affairs, serving for some time as director of the County Infirmary. He married Miss Catharine C. Pember, a member of the old pioneer family for whom Pemberville was named. Her father, Carlisle Pember, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came in 1832 to Wood county, where he located on the " Dutch Fields" at the forks of the Portage river, now Pemberville, and erected sawmills and gristmills. He married Elizabeth Radabaugh, and reared a family of four children. Our subject's parents have been for many years leading members of the U. B. Church at Pemberville, where they still reside. Seven children were born to them: Elizabeth, the wife of James H. Muir, of Pemberville; John, a guard in the penitentiary at Columbus; Robert, a collector at Toledo; Mary, the wife of Frank Cook, of Chicago, Ill.; A. L., our subject; Charles, a farmer in Webster township, and James P., the assistant superintendent of schools of Peberville. Our subject acquired a good education in early life in the Maumee Seminary, and the academy at Fostoria, which he has supplemented by continuous reading and observation. He followed teaching as a profession for thirteen years, and in 1887 was elected clerk of the county courts, being at the time the youngest official ever elected in Wood county. He filled this position for six years and six months, to the complete satisfaction of the public, and on his retirement in 1894 he bought an interest in the Tribune, where his abilities and knowledge find a constantly widening field of usefulness. He was married, in 1889, to Miss Addie Thurstin, who was born near Bowling Green, April 12, 1869. They have had two children: Ruth and Wallace. Politically Mr. Muir is a Republican, and he is prominent in the various fraternal societies, the K. of P., I. O. O. F., and is a Master Mason in Wood County Lodge. N. R. HARRINGTON, a prominent attorney, of Bowling Green, was born August 27, 1860, in Pickaway county, Ohio, of English descent. His grandfather, William Harrington, was one of the early settlers of Trumbull county, coming from Vermont, and locating there in 1819. He died at the age of ninety-one. W. A. Harrington, our subject's father, was born in Trumbull county, in 1829, and died there June 5, 1893. From 1858 to 1880 he followed farming in Pickaway and Madison counties, but he returned to his native place to spend the remainder of his days. He was a justice of the peace in Trumbull county for many years, and took an influential part in the local work of the Republican party. He married Miss Helen M. Ross, who was born in New Hampshire in 1835, and died in 1883. They were both active members of the Presbyterian Church, and leading spirits in the various progressive movements in their society. They had four children, our subject be- 542 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ing the eldest; two died in infancy, and the other, Minnie M., is now the wife of Orlo Woodruff, of Rock Creek, Ohio. Our subject received excellent instruction during his boyhood in the public schools of Warren, Ohio, and started in business life as the bookkeeper for the Lima Paper Mills, of Lima, Ohio, and later was made secretary and superintendent of the works. He resigned in 1884 to study law, in the office of his uncle, C. A. Harrington, of Warren, a partner of William T. Spear, now justice of the supreme court of this State. While reading law he served as deputy clerk of court, for some time. He was admitted to the bar in March, 1887, at Columbus, and in the following May began the practice of his profession in Bowling Green. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Robert Dunn, in law and abstracting, which continued until 1890, when he went into business with his present partner, Frank Baldwin. In 1888 he was elected city solicitor on the Republican ticket, and made a fine record; but since the expiry of his term he has devoted himself to private practice, in which his marked abilities have already won him a high reputation. Mr. Harrington was married January 1, 1887, to Miss Laura Belle Case, of Trumbull county, and has three children: Edward A., Helen M. and Frank A. REV. ANDREW HAYS, one of the most widely and favorably known citizens of Wood county, has for over half a century been engaged in the work of the ministry. He was born in Hanover township, Beaver Co., Penn., May 6, 1818, and is a son of Henry and Hettie (Marshall) Hays, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Hancock county, W. Va. They were the parents of seven children-Louisa, who became the wife of John Wade, died in Richland county, Ohio, and was buried at Plymouth; Marshall, a tailor, of Fostoria, Ohio, died in 1890; James, who also died in Fostoria, was for forty-nine years a successful school teacher; Andrew is the next in order of birth; David is a wealthy citizen of Fostoria; Thomas, who died in that city, was the proprietor of the " Hays House;" and Sarah A. died while young. The mother of this family died in Pennsylvania, and in Beaver county, that State, the father wedded Jane McCormick, by whom he had a son-John, who passed away in Charlotte, Mich., after reaching manhood. Henry Hays owned a good farm in Beaver county, Penn., where he was regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that section; but in the spring of 1834, resolved to come to Wood county, where with his family he arrived on May 1, making the journey in a covered wagon, where the boys slept at night. While en route the family stopped in Richland county, Ohio, with a married daughter, Mrs. John Wade, and the father came on to enter his land. He secured 240 acres in Sections 20 and 29, Perry township, and then returned for his family. Nature was still undisturbed in this locality, and they had to cut their way through the dense timber to their home, where Mr. Hays died April 10, 1837, and was buried near Olive Branch church, in Hancock county. The funeral sermon, which was delivered by Wesley J. Brock, was among the first preached in the neighborhood. After it was over the minister offered to conduct services every two weeks if a place could be secured, and Mrs. John Chilcote offered her cabin home for the purpose. From that humble beginning sprang the beautiful edifice of Union Church, in Perry township. The father had served in the war of 1812, was a member of the convention held in Perry Center that organized Perry township in 1835, and was a Democrat in politics. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, as did also Andrew's mother. Andrew Hays was sixteen when he came to Wood county, and his primary education was secured in the district schools of his native county. When he left Pennsylvania he was but an ordinary scholar, but, as work was quite plentiful in those pioneer days, he did not continue his literary studies for three or four years. After his conversion at the age of nineteen years, he began reading some, and his first instruction here was in the South Ridge school. Later he attended a more advanced school taught by Lemuel L. Gorsuch, and for one year was a student in the seminary at Norwalk, Ohio, which was among the first Methodist schools in the State. While there he was licensed as an exhorter, and in the winter of 1844-45 was licensed to preach, since which time he has been a local minister, the year 1895 ending his fifty-third year as an expounder of the Gospel. At Fostoria, Ohio, October 24, 1844, Mr. Hays was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Thomas, who was born in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., August 23, 1823, and was a daughter of Joseph Thomas, a pioneer of Hancock county. Four children blessed this union: Edwin R. and Lorin N. were both attorneys of Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, where Edwin died February 26, 1896; Celestia died at the age of twenty-three years; and Emma B. is the wife of Edward Myers, of Tennessee. The mother of these children departed this life Sep- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 543 tember 28, 1872, and was buried in Fostoria. In that city, on October 17, 1873, Mr. Hays wedded Mrs. Jane Thomas, widow of Cyrus Thomas, who was killed during the Civil war. She was born January 8, 1843, and bore the maiden name of Jane York, daughter of Cyrus York, who was a native of Hardin county, Ky. By his second marriage Mr. Hays has a son, Norman M., born May 28, 1877. Our subject went to housekeeping in a small log cabin on his farm, but it was a happy home, where good cheer always abounded, as it does in the more comfortable home of his later years. For many terms he taught school, receiving fifteen dollars per moth, and as low as twelve dollars, barely enough to supply the common necessities of life. However, he now has a good farm of 117 acres. During the war he supplied pulpits for miles around, has probably married more couples than any other minister in Wood county, and has officiated at over 1,000 funerals. He is well preserved for one of his years, both mentally and physically, has a very wide acquaintance throughout this territory, and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. His first Presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate. Being an Abolitionist from principle, he joined the Republican party on its organization, and now on account of his views on the temperance question he is a stanch Prohibitionist, believing it his Christian duty to do all in his power against the liquor traffic. He made the first Prohibition speech in Perry township, and probably in Wood county, and for three or four years cast the only Prohibition vote in Perry township. ADELBERT D. TULLER is one of the leading agriculturists of Center township. His farm, with its tasteful and substantial buildings, its neat fences and general air of thrift and comfort, forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of the township. As a citizen and business man, our subject stands high in the estimation of his neighbors. In the various enterprises inaugurated for the advancement of the community, he has been a cheerful and ready assistant, and takes a lively interest in the progress of the people around him. Mr. Tuller was born in Liberty township, Delaware Co., Ohio, September 26, 1839, and is a son of Alvin and Elvira (Maynard) Tuller, and brother of Dr. W. M. Tuller, of Bowling Green. His early life was spent after the manner of most farmers' sons, his education being carried on in the district schools during the winter, while in the summer he aided in the work of the fields. He remained with his father until 1864, when he enlisted in Company D, 20th O. V. I., at Delaware. From there the troops proceeded to Camp Chase, then to the Mississippi and Black river. For a time they were stationed at Cairo, Ill., and participated in the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Tuller was in all the engagements in which his company took part, and at the close of his service was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. On returning to Ohio, our subject worked on the old homestead in Delaware for a time, and then removed to Licking county with his parents, where he operated eighty acres of land. He next went to Franklin county, where he farmed 110 acres for fourteen years, at the expiration of which time he came to Wood county, locating in Center township. In connection with the cultivation of the eighty-acre farm belonging to his brother, the Doctor, he also owns eighty acres, which was entirely unimproved at the time of his purchase. In Delaware county, Ohio, in October, 1867, Mr. Tuller was united in marriage with Martha E. Smith, who was there born on March 27, 1845. She was called to her final reward December 17, 1869, and Mr. Tuller was subsequently wedded to Elizabeth A. Shanholts, of Licking county, born in 1849. Five children graced the second union, namely: LeOda, born April 26, 1872; LeElda, who was born November 12, 1874, and is the wife of Azro Perrin; Linden, born March 23, 1876; Olland, born February 12, 1878; and Worthy R., who died in infancy. The mother of these children died August 10, 1891, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. In politics Mr. Tuller is identified with the Republican party, being a strong believer in its principles. He is numbered among the honest, industrious and enterprising citizens of the township, and is respected throughout the community for his sterling worth and unbounded liberality. RUFUS B. MOORE, attorney at law, formerly the junior member of the well-known firm of Parker & Moore, Bowling Green, was born March 30, 186o, in Hancock county, Ohio, and is a son of Levi and Margaret (Line) Moore. His father was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1824, and his mother in the same county in 1826. They were married December 1, 1844, and celebrated their golden wedding in 1894, on their farm in Wood county. Mr. Moore, Sr., was reared upon a farm in the north part of Fairfield 544 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. county, and received his education in the academy at Lythopolis, teaching for one year before his marriage, and for the same length of time afterward. He then entered the ministry of the United Brethren Church, becoming an itinerant, and was presiding elder of Sandusky Conference for a number of years. He was also for a time financial agent of Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio. In pursuit of his calling he made his home at various places, among them being Fostoria, Galion, Green Springs, Westerville, Elmore, and Bowling Green, retiring from active work about two years ago. Five children were born to the parents of our subject: Melissa, who married A. H. Berry, and died at Galion in 1880; Alida, who- is at home with her parents; Flora E., who is a graduate of Otterbein University, married the Rev. P. B. Lee, and lives at White Cloud, Kans. ; Rufus B.; and Cara A., who after teaching in the high schools of Hicksville and Fostoria, is now a stenographer in her brother's law office. The subject of this sketch was graduated from the high school at Galion, Ohio, in 1878, with the highest honors of his class, and also with the same grade from Otterbein University, in 1883, where he took a full classical course. His father being in moderate circumstances, Mr. Moore paid nearly all his school expenses by teaching during the vacations, and during part of the school terms. After finishing his college course, he taught for one year in the grammar school at Bowling Green, then going to Cowley county, Kans., where he was superintendent of schools and high-school teacher at Burden for two years. During the summer vacation of 1885, he went out on the western prairies about fifty miles from any railroad, and into a new country, built himself a sod house, and took up a claim of 160 acres from the government, which he duly proved up, and for which he received a deed. In 1886 he returned to Bowling Green and studied law with R. S. Parker, being admitted to the bar in June, 1888, and immediately after formed a partnership with that gentleman under the firm name of Parker & Moore. This partnership was continued until January 1, 1895, when Mr. Moore opened an office, and has since been doing business for himself. In the spring of 1887 he was elected township clerk, and has been re-elected at the end of each term ever since. In the spring of 1892 he was elected city solicitor of Bowling Green, and is now serving his third term in that office, having been re-elected in 1894 and 1896. He is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence and business ability, and in the important positions he has held has gained the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He is popular with all classes of society, and has a brilliant future before him. Mr. Moore was married January 1, 1889, to Miss May Rudolph, youngest daughter of J. R. and Mary Rudolph, who was born in Wood county, May 5, 1864, and died February 19, 1896. They have three children: Murton R., Donald R., and Harold B. In politics Mr. Moore is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. He is a member of the United Brethren Church of Bowling Green, and does his share in supporting all public and philanthropic enterprises. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Levi Moore, was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1779, and came to Ohio in 1799. He married Miss Sarah Bright, and his sister Debbie became the wife of Major Bright, whose descendants are numerous in Hancock county. Levi Moore settled near the present site of the city of Columbus; removing from there to the northern part of Fairfield county, he took up land which is still in possession of the family. He died in 1858, and his wife in 1861. The Moore family is of English descent. GEORGE KNAUSS. The history of this leading farmer and prominent citizen of Plain township, if written out in full would be an interesting story of the trials and hardships of pioneer life in the early days of this great State, and also an illustration of what may be accomplished by a strong will and persistent energy in the face of all obstacles. Mr. Knauss was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 21, 1830, and when a young man of eighteen years came with his parents to America. He had obtained a good education in the excellent schools of his native land, but could not speak' a word of English. On November 23, 1852, he was married to Miss Catharine Hirsch, also a native of Germany, born May 23, 1829. They settled on a rented farm in Medina county, Ohio, and from there came, in 1854, to Wood county, where our subject worked for his father for two years, receiving for his services thirty-three and one- half acres of land. On this the young couple settled in a log house which Mr. Knauss built, and then the hard work of his life began. During the daytime he worked for neighboring farmers at fifty cents a day, and at night cleared his own land, and made such improvements as he was able. Many a time the sound of his axe was heard, while the blaze of his fire, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 545 burning the brush, was seen long after midnight, and daylight of the next morning found him up and ready to go to work again for the small pittance which supported himself and wife. In 1856 Mr. Knauss rented a piece of prairie land, broke it up, and raised a good crop by which he cleared $600. This was his first real start in life, and this money was made under the greatest difficulties, for he was afflicted with that scourge of the early settlers, chills and fever, and worked straight on when really not able to be on his feet. Often when his wife brought his dinner to the field, so that he could eat while the ox-team was feeding, she would find him lying on the ground too sick to taste the food. Yet in spite of all this he persevered, and soon was on the high road to prosperity. A man with such pluck and endurance is bound to win in the end; and now Mr. Knauss, with his fine farm of 500 acres, his handsome home, one of the best in the county, and filled with all the comforts and luxuries one could wish-surrounded by affectionate children and grandchildren, and with the loving companionship of his faithful wife who with him has borne the burden of care-can look back upon the hardships of his early years with complacency, and spend the remainder of his days in peace and contentment. Ten children have blessed this happy home, of whom the following record is given: (1) Katie W., born September 5, 1853, is the wife of August Kaeding; they have seven children-George, Martin, Bertha, Edward, Adolph, Minnie, and Meta L. (2) George G., born May 23, 18 is unmarried, and lives with his parents. (3) Mary J., born October 13, 1857, is the wife of John Hilt, of Fremont, Ohio, and has two childrenGeorge and Theodore. (4) Matilda B., born December 16, 1859, is the widow of William Friedrich. (5) Adolph C., born March 9, 1862, married Mary Knettle (they live in Wood county, and have one child, Katie). (6) Anna E., born November 20, 1864. (7) Fred C., born May 13, 1867. (8) Helena C., born December 16, 1869, married James Brim, and they have three children-Walter, Ethel and Mabel. (9) Louise M., born February 2, 1873, died July 21, 1875. (10) Bertha O. L., born February 9, 1876. These children are all members of the Lutheran Church, and were educated in the district school. Our subject's parents were George and Elizabeth (Barbera) Knauss, both born in Wurtemberg, Germany, the former on January 23, 1803, and the latter on February 12, 1809. They were married in Germany, and came to America in 1848, locating first in Medina county, Ohio, and in 1854 removing to Wood county, where the father died at Bowling Green April 10, 1879, and the mother on October 29, 1880. Fifteen children were born to them, of whom five grew to' maturity, as follows: George, the subject of this: sketch; John, a farmer in Wood county; Amelia,. wife of C. Heiser, of Riga, Mich. ; Paulina, married to Levi Linegar, and living in Nebraska; Gilbert, a farmer in Wood county. Mr. Knauss is known throughout the county as a progressive, public-spirited man, in favor of public enterprises, and always ready to assist in projects for the welfare of the people. He was the chief advocate of the stone road north of Bowling Green, and contributed time and money for building the same. He gives it as his opinion that the chief reason why the German born citizens, who located in this part of Ohio, have outstripped the native-born farmers in the accumulation of wealth, is because of the superior education of the Germans in agricultural matters, they having a better knowledge of the proper methods of tilling the soil, drainage, etc., and being able to make their land produce all it is capable of. Mr. Knauss is a well-informed man, a capable manager, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In his political predilections he is a Democrat, but in voting he selects the man who, in his estimation, is best fitted for the place. He and his family are all members of the Lutheran Church. JOSEPH E. BAIRD, clerk of the courts of Wood county, and one of the most courteous and popular officials at the county seat, was born November 12, 1865, at Perrysburg, where his parents still reside. Proud of being a " Wood county product," he has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of this locality, and in return the community has bestowed upon him a hearty indorsement at the very outset of his career. C. C. Baird, his father, was born in 1830 in Stark county, Ohio, and came at an early age with his parents to Wood county, where he grew to manhood. He engaged in the hotel business at Perrysburgs and has also been prominent in the political work of the Republican party, holding various offices, from constable to sheriff of the county. He was elected to the latter position in 1872, and served for two terms, after which he returned to Perrysburg. In 1858 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Croft, who was born at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1838. Our subject, who is one of ten children born of this union, was obliged to depend upon his 446 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. own exertions for an education, and was still further handicapped by the loss of a leg when he was ten -years of age. But his worthy ambition was supported by fine mental gifts, and the resistless energy which a life of high moral ideals and correct habits develops, and he triumphed over every obstacle. After graduating from the high school at his native place, he taught for some years with marked success, was also assessor for two terms in his township, being elected on the Republican ticket in a strongly Democratic neighborhood. Entering the Law department of the University of Michigan, he was ;graduated therefrom in 1893. In August of that year he became the candidate of his party for his present position, and three months later was elected by 1,638 majority, being 319 more votes than were cast in his county for the head of the ticket, Governor McKinley. His native town usually gives a Democratic majority of 175, but he carried it by 275 votes. The universal esteem in which he is held is largely due to his excellent principles and good habits, as well as to his recognized talents. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P., and the I. O. O. F. lodges, both of Perrysburg. LEWIS C. EDGAR, attorney at law, and the popular mayor of Prairie Depot, Montgomery township, was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 18, 1846, and was a child of two years when his parents came to Wood county. Robert Edgar, the father of our subject, was born in Cork, Ireland, and came to America when eight years old. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Jeannette Perrine, a lady of Scotch extraction. He was a poor man, and made his living by his trade, which was that of a carpenter, when he settled in Section 13, Montgomery township; later he came to Prairie Depot, where he died at about the age of eighty; his wife passed away when over seventy-six years old. They were the parents of thirteen children, our subject being the youngest, all but one living to maturity. In politics Robert Edgar was first a Whig, later a Republican. Our subject received a limited education. He lived at home until his enlistment in January, 1864, when but a little over seventeen years old, .at Freeport, in Company C, 72nd O. V. I., under Capt. Samuel J. Snyder. The first engagement was at Paducah, Ky., and the next with Sturgis' raid, in which our subject was taken prisoner near Ripley, Miss., and conveyed to Andersonville and other Southern prisons, where he remained nine months. He was then paroled and went to Camp Chase, where he was discharged in June, 1865. Returning to Prarie Depot, he attended a select school, later going to Lebanon, Ohio, where he taught for awhile, and then attended school for two terms at Oberlin. In all he taught for thirty-five terms, eighteen of which were at Prarie Depot, and all, with the exception of one, in Wood county. In 1873, Mr. Edgar began to read law with Lockwood & Everett, in Toledo, and later with Haines & Price. His study was interrupted by his teaching, but, in 1880, he resumed his reading with Brown & Guernsey, of Fostoria, and in the spring of 1882 was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Bowling Green, where he remained until 1887, when he returned to Prairie Depot, and has lived and practiced there ever since. On January 2, 1876, Mr. Edgar was married, in Montgomery township, to Miss Ida Gould, who was born in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, August 29, 1855, a daughter of John and Harriet (Cook) Gould. Mr. Edgar is a Republican; in his younger days was clerk of Montgomery township, and also served as a member of the board of education. In 1889 he was appointed mayor to fill an unexpired term, and with the exception of one term, has served continuously since. He is a charter member of Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., at Prairie Depot, and he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, in which he is an elder, and she is superintendent of the Mission Band. She is also a member of the Y. P. S. C. E., and the C. W. B. of M. Mr. Edgar gives his entire attention to his professional and official business. W. J. WHITE, secretary and treasurer of the Zihlmann Glass Company, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, May 28, 1864. His parents, William and Mary (Schindler) White, were both born in Ohio, the father dying in Monroe county when our subject was about five years old. Mrs. White resides at Switzer, in the same county. To this couple were born three children, namely: Our subject, W. J.; Charles E, who lives at Switzer; Tillie C., who married C. E. Smith, and lives in Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. White remained in Monroe county until eleven years old, when, being obliged to make a living, he went to Powhatan, and clerked in a store during the summer and attended school in the winter. He learned the German language, which he reads and speaks as well as he does English. In 1886 he gave up his position in Powhatan and went to Cumberland, Md., where he secured a situation as shipping clerk in the George & Catharina Knauss WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 547 Cumberland glass factory. He stayed with that company until the Zihlmann Glass Company was incorporated, in 1889, when he came to North Baltimore and accepted the position of shipping clerk. He soon proved himself to be a capable, energetic business man and was rapidly promoted to various offices until, in 1892, he was given the responsible position of secretary and treasurer, besides attending directly to the shipping, which is quite extensive, as they ship material all over the United States, to Canada and to Mexico. Mr. White is not married. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encampment, and the Canton Alpine, of Bowling Green. He is also captain of Co. K, 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guards, and the company's success and prosperity are largely due to his energies in its behalf. Mr. White is a thoroughly competent business man, and has the entire confidence of his employers. He is a director in the Zihlmann Glass Company, and also is one of the owners of the Columbia drug store, which is doing a flourishing business. Mr. White's grandfather lived for awhile in Rome, Italy, where he spent his childhood. He was a butcher by trade, and died in Monroe county, Ohio. The maternal grandparents were from Switzerland, and the grandmother died at the extraordinary age of one hundred and four years. Mr. White is a leader in society, where his sincerity and genial nature have made him popular with all with whom he comes in contact. JAMES G. HICKOX, the well-known and popular cashier of the Exchange Bank of Bowling Green, one of the oldest and most reliable financial institutions of northern Ohio, was born in Washington, Conn., August 9, 1861, son of C. L. and Mary R. (Grant) Hickox. Our subject's early education was obtained in the schools of his native town. Coming west in 1881, he found congenial employment in Toledo, Ohio, with the banking firm of Raymer, Seagrave & Co., and later with the First National Bank of Toledo, with which he was connected for some years. Seeing an opening in the real-estate and loan business with George Ketcham & Co., he invested his means with that firm, and, resigning his position in the bank, gave his attention to their interests. On July 1, 1890, he became connected with the Exchange Bank at Bowling Green, as partner and cashier, and his energy, experience and ability have contributed largely to the growth and development of its already extensive business. Genial, cultured, social traits, Mr. classes. He is a ready and influential supporter of any progressive movement in his locality, taking special interest at present in the Wood County Fair Association, of which he is treasurer, and a leading stockholder. WILLIAM W. DUNIPACE, ex-commissioner of Wood county and a well-known pioneer of Webster township, residing near Scotch Ridge, is a native of Wood county, born in Webster township January 7, 1842. He is of Scotch descent; his grandfather, William Dunipace, was born in Scotland, and Robert Dunipace, our subject's father, was born in 1809, near Edinburgh, in Cregmille castle. In 1834 Robert Dunipace emigrated to the United States, and for four years resided at Perrysburg, building boats for Lake Erie and the Maumee river. He moved to Webster township about 1839, where he entered 160 acres of land, which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. He married Jane Muir, a native of Scotland, and had eleven children, of whom our subject is the eldest living. Of the others, the survivors are Margaret, Robert, Samuel, and Jane; Mary, Mary P., James, John and George are deceased. John died April 20, 1871, from injuries received while in defense of the Union cause, having served in Company I, 144th O. V. I. Our subject's parents were faithful and consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, to which our subject and his family also adhere. The father was for many years an elder in the Church. He was an influential Whig in early days, and took part in the great mass meeting at Fort Meigs. An honest, industrious, kindly man, his death in February, 1882, was deeply lamented by the entire community. William W. Dunipace began his education in a log school house in his district with Miss Martha Gilbert for his first teacher. June 30, 1863, he enlisted in Company D, 86th O. V. I., Capt. John H. Reed commanding. His first service was in Morgan's raid, when he took part in the capture of John Morgan, and acted as guardsman on the way to Columbus. His regiment was later assigned to the force under Gen. Burnside, and was at the surrender of Cumberland Gap, September 9, 1863. Mr. Dunipace was discharged at the expiration of his term of service, being mustered out with his company February 10, 1864, returned home, and for some time attended the Normal School at Maumee. He 548 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. then learned the carpenter's trade, and began the construction of bridges on contract in different parts of the county. He taught school in 1868, and the same year he bought eighty acres of land in Webster township, to which he has since added until he owns 180 acres of choice land, chiefly devoted to stock raising. On December 31, 1868, he married Miss Lizzie Adams, who was born in Montgomery township, Wood county, September 20, 1845. Her parents were Thomas and Mary (McGill) Adams, who came from Scotland in 1831 and settled upon a farm of 240 acres in Montgomery township, where Mr. Adams died in 1878, his wife surviving him until 1891. They had eleven children: James, John, Robert and Jennie (twins), Lizzie, Helen, Cornelius, Thomas, George, Frank and Minnie. Mr. Dunipace and his wife have had eight children, whose names with dates of birth are here given: Mary, April 25, 1870, is a school teacher in Montgomery township; Robert, February 16, 1872, is a student at Ada, Ohio; John, August 20, 1874, a graduate of the Fostoria Academy, is now engaged in teaching; Bertha, January 30, 1878, William, October 10, 1879, Hazel, December 19, 1886, Harley, April 8, 1888, are all at home; and George, who was born October 22, 1884, died at the age of three years. Mr. Dunipace possesses the honesty, energy and thrift so characteristic of his race, and stands high in the esteem of his neighbors. He has held various offices, having been township clerk, school director, member of the board of education, assessor, and in 1886 was elected county commissioner on the Greenback ticket. He is now a Populist in politics. He belongs to the G. A. R., Benedict Post, of Pemberville. WILLIAM PERRIN, deceased. In a brief sketch of any living citizen it is difficult to do him exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, from lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for want of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, develops and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its true and best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with a man so familiarizes us with his many virtues that we ordinarily overlook them, and commonly underestimate their possessor. Nevertheless, while the man passes away his deeds of virtue live on, and will in due time bear fruit, and do him the justice which the pen fails to record. Mr. Perrin, who during life was one of the most prominent farmers of Center township, was born in Madison township, Franklin Co., Ohio, January 1, 1816. His father, Joseph Perrin, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, where he wedded Mary Fletcher, and from there, in 1812, rode to Franklin county, Ohio, on horseback. They were the parents of the following children: Barbara, Jacob, Jonathan, John, Susan, Mary and William, all of whom have passed away, except Susan, and the father and mother both died in Franklin county; the former was drowned. Our subject was but eight months old when his father died, and he was adopted by his uncle, William Perrin, who gave him good educational advantages. On his farm William grew to manhood, aiding in its cultivation, and caring for his uncle during his declining years. For several years after the latter's death he still continued the operation of that farm. On November 14, 1839, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Breckenridge, and to them were born five daughters: Margaret J., born October 28, 1840; Eliza J., born May 16, 1847, now the wife of A. B. Ebright, of Columbus, Ohio; Susan, born July 29, 1850, now the wife of P. H. Stevenson; Theresa A., born July 31, 1853, now the widow of William Wade; and Mary A., born December 1, 1856. The mother of this family died May 29, 1858, and for his second wife Mr. Perrin chose Miss Rhoda M. Needels, who was born April 28, 1833, a daughter of James Needels, a. farmer of Madison township, Franklin Co., Ohio. By this marriage there were six children, namely: William, born September 3, 1860, and died in 1861; Sarah W., born October 13, 1863, now the wife of John Ralston, by whom she has a son, Le Roy, born in 1892; Frank F., born February 8, 1865, a farmer of New Mexico; Azro S., born September 15, 1868, and married Le Elda Tuller, by whom he has one child, Ray T.;, Jonathan A., ark oil operator, born February 13, 1871, and married to Mary English; and Minnie R., born April 21, 1874. In 1866, Mr. Perrin disposed of his property in Franklin county, and removed with his family to Center township, Wood county, where he purchased 320 acres of partially improved land, which he ditched, tiled and fenced, making it one of the most valuable tracts in the township. Besides his own fine residence he erected two other dwellings upon the place, and gave a large portion of his farm to his children, though his widow still retains forty acres, the cultivation of which she superintends. The cause of education ever found in Mr. Perrin a warm friend and supporter, he donating the land for a school house near his. RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE