762 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Swope, and they reside in Columbus, Ga.; George is practicing medicine at Bluffton, Ohio; Lottie L. is the wife of H. B. Saylor, a hardware dealer, of Portage.
The early education of our subject was obtained at Hunt's Corners, in Huron county, and in the district schools of Wood county, which he attended until he was nineteen years old. He then taught some five winters, after which he spent two years in Ada, and there took the commercial and teachers courses, also higher mathematics and surveying, at the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, the average grade of his studies being 98. He left the institution in August, 1877, at the time of the great railroad strike at Mechanicsburg, Penn. In the meantime he assisted his father, and worked as a bridge contractor and carpenter during the summers. For six years he taught during the winters, and worked at his trade the remainder of the year. From September, 1881, to June, 1888, he was superintendent of public schools, at Tontogany and Portage. Mr. Bradshaw was married May 2, 1880, in Weston, to Miss Louisa Phillips, who was born in Troy township, Wood county, October 6, 1857, a daughter of Solomon and Maria (Chollette) Phillips, the former born in West Virginia, February 14, 1816, of English descent, the latter a native of New York State. They were married in Fremont, Ohio, where the father followed farming, and was a supervisor and contractor. He died at Weston, his former home, March 27, 1896, aged eighty years; his widow, who is of French extraction, is now sixty-two years old, and one of a family of thirteen children. She commenced teaching school at the age of thirteen years; is a member of the Methodist Church, and has been a great Sabbath school worker. To this worthy couple were born two children: Louisa (Mrs. Bradshaw), and Eva, who died when two years old. Mrs. Bradshaw taught school until she was twenty-four years old, some eight years in all, having taught two years after her marriage. She is a lady of much culture and refinement, and is highly esteemed in the community..
In 1882 Mr. Bradshaw purchased forty acres in Weston, where he now resides. He has a pleasant home with fine barns and out-buildings, and is a prosperous and well-to-do farmer. Some six years ago he began operating as a contractor and builder, and has been very successful in that line. His family consists of four children: John W., born July 5, 1882; Pauline Louise, born March 17, 1884; Charles Blythe, born June 29, 1887; and Gladys Marguerite, born February 2, 1893. Mr. Bradshaw is a stanch Republican, and an active worker in the interests of his party. Socially, he is a member of Weston Lodge No. 681, I. O. O. F. He has been a councilman for six years, and is looked upon as a worthy citizen. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. Mrs. Bradshaw is also a member of the Foreign Mission Aid Society, of the M. E. Aid Society, of which she held the office of secretary for three years, and is always ready to assist in philanthropic work.
GREENBURY BURDITT, JR., a valued and esteemed agriculturist of Washington township, where he has a farm of sixty acres of good land, is meeting with a merited success in his farming operations, and bids fair to achieve an easy competence, so that in his declining years he may rest peacefully from the cares of life. The buildings upon his place are neat and substantial in character, and betoken thrift and prosperity.
The birth of Mr. Burditt took place in Washington township, September 12, 1867, and in his youth he attended school at Maple Grove; but owing to ill health his work in the school room was rather limited. He remained beneath the parental roof, surrounded by all the tender influences of that home until his marriage, which occurred April 26, 1888, Miss Ollie Long becoming his wife. She was a daughter of George Long, and her birth occurred in January, 1871. Two children blessed this union: Gracie Ann, born March 7, 1889; and Flossie Edna, born June 23, 1891. The mother died November 3, 1893, and for his second wife, Mr. Burditt wedded Charicie Jennie Lynn on April 15, 1895. Born October 15, 1866, she is a daughter of Melvin Lynn, a prominent farmer of Huron county, Ohio; she is a faithful member of the United Brethren Church.
On starting out in life for himself, Mr. Burditt first rented forty acres of land, which he operated for a year, and then purchased his present farm, in connection with the cultivation of which he is also engaged in the breeding of Jersey cattle. He is not strictly partisan, though he usually votes the Republican ticket; but at local elections his support is given to the man he thinks best qualified for the office, regardless of party ties. He attends the Christian Union Church.
E. H. CHILCOTE, M. D., a prominent physician of Bloomdale, senior member of the firm of E. H. & A. M. Chilcote, was born in Perry town-
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ship, September 9, 1848. He is of English descent, the first of the American branch of the family being his great-grandfather, John Chilcote, who settled first in Maryland, and later came to Richland county (now Ashland county), Ohio, where his death occurred at the age of ninety-six. His son, Mordecai, our subject's grandfather, was born in Maryland, and was married there to Ruth McCrill. In 1814, they removed to Ohio, settling in the then unbroken wilderness of Ashland county. Their journey caused much alarm to them and their friends, as Indians were numerous and troublesome. Mordecai Chilcote died at forty-seven, before his farm had been fully brought under cultivation. His wife survived him and died at the age of eighty-one, in the home of her son Samuel, in . Ashland county, where the remains of both of these brave pioneers now rest. They had seven children, none of whom are now living: John, formerly a farmer, died in Perry township; Rachel died in Ashland county; Delilah died there also, at the age of sixteen; Mary married William Murray, and died in Ashland; Elizabeth died at the old home; and Mordecai, in Hillsdale county, Michigan.
Samuel Chilcote, the youngest of this family, and the father of our subject, was born in Amanda township, Lancaster county, June 2, 1813, and was only a year old at the time of the removal to Ashland county. He had but limited educational advantages in that frontier neighborhood, but was an apt scholar, and made good use. of his time when not working upon the farm. On February 21, 1833, he was married, in Orange township, Ashland county, to Miss Susan Hatfield, a native of Harrison county, born October 16, 1816, the daughter of William and Nancy (Craig) Hatfield. Her mother having died in 1823, she had been reared by strangers from the age of seven, until an older sister, Marian, was married to James Worley, and she then made her home with them, and came to Ashland county on their removal there. Samuel Chilcote was only nineteen years old when he married, and his portion of his father's estate could not be secured, so he continued to work upon the farm as before. After attaining his majority, he came to Perry township, Wood county, where he arrived October 21, 1834, in the primeval forest, without even a roof to shelter his family. A shanty was hastily raised with bass bark roof and three sides made of slabs, the opening being toward a huge log fire where they did their cooking. He and his brother John then owned 16o acres, which they divided. ' , Uncle Sam," as he was called by everybody, became a leading man of his day in this county, first as a Democrat, and later as a worker in the Republican party. He held various offices, serving six years as county commissioner, twelve as justice of the peace, and he was also trustee for some time. He held various offices in the M. E. Church, with which he and his wife had united in early life, He had a genial nature, and possessed most admirable qualities of mind and heart. His physical strength was unusual, and he was six feet tall and built in fine proportion, weighing over 200 pounds. He met his death December 9, 1885, from being thrown from a double wagon box, injuring his spine, and he was buried in Perry Center cemetery by the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been a leading member. His widow remained at the old farm until 1890; but since that time she has lived with her three sons, who care for her with a filial devotion which does them honor. All are residents of this county: Russell A., the eldest, born February 16, 1841, is a farmer in Perry township; E. H., our subject; and Allen M., the youngest, born April 8, 1851, who is in partnership with the latter.
Our subject was reared as a farmer's boy, and attended the district schools until the age of sixteen, when he began to study at Fostoria. He learned rapidly, and at eighteen was competent to teach, and taught two terms in Loudon township, Seneca county. Afterward he attended school at Fostoria for some time, and then entered Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating in March, 1871. He began the practice of his profession in Van Buren, Hancock county, and three years later moved to Bairdstown, where he remained two years, but failing health compelled him to relinquish his work,' in which he was unusually successful. He spent a few years at the old home, and in 189o, with his health restored, he resumed his professional labors in partnership with his brother, they being now the oldest practitioners in Bloomdale.
In 1884 Dr. Chilcote was married in Cleveland to Miss Fannie Cooper, a native of Wood county, and a daughter of George Cooper, a prominent farmer of Perry township, Wood county. They have just built a beautiful residence, one of the finest in Bloomdale, and three children, Eva M., Florence Edna and Russell Cooper, make it merry. Mrs. Chilcote is active in all social and philanthropic movements, and is a leading member of the M. E. Church. The Doctor is an admirer of fine horses, and owns some fine specimens. In politics he is a Republican and a regular voter, but he has never been an office seeker.
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GEORGE MURRAY BROWN, ex-sheriff of Wood county, Ohio, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., August 23, 1843, a son of Joseph and Cynthia (Jones) Brown, the former of whom was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1806, where he took up farming, thence coming, in 1856, to Wood county.
Mr. Brown traces his ancestry to one Nathaniel Brown, who, in 1730, ' came from England to the New World, settling in the town of Killingly, Conn. He had two sons, Jacob and Zacharias, the latter of whom died in Connecticut when yet comparatively a young man, leaving a family. Jacob, the elder of these brothers, married Lucy Russell, a French lady, and in 1780 moved to Columbia county, N. Y. In 1797 he journeyed to Decatur, Otsego county, on a wood-sled, drawn by oxen, bringing with him a few household chattels, among which were a Bible, teakettle, chair, table and some pewter dishes, which will be further mentioned presently. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived to the age of seventy years, dying in 1810. Eight children-three sons and five daughters--were born to him and his wife, the eldest son dying without issue. The second son, Barzillai, grandfather of our subject, was born, in 1764, in Connecticut, and went to New York State, where he engaged in farming. He married Miss Sarah Scoville, who was born in 1767, and they had ten children -seven sons and three daughters. Barzillai died May 7, 1844, his wife on February 9, 1847. Nathaniel, their eldest son, married Orpha Seward, and had nine children. At a reunion of the Brown family, held September 4, 1879, at Decatur, Otsego Co., N. Y., on the old farm, the articles brought by Jacob Brown, in 1797; to Decatur-the Bible, tea-kettle, etc., above mentioned-were used, the old Bible being read from, and the chair, table and pewter dishes used. On that day there were living 279 descendants of Jacob and Lucy Brown, and seventy descendants of Barzillai and Sarah Brown. The Brown family, as far as can be traced, have always been loyal, and records show that they were represented in every war in which this country was engaged, from the Revolution of 1775 down to the Civil war of 1861. Three members who lost their lives in the Rebellion are buried in Otsego county.
Joseph Brown, the father of our subject, located in Perrysburg township, Wood Co., Ohio, in 1856; in 1858 he moved to Bowling Green, in Plain township. When a young man he was employed as an overseer on a plantation in Virginia. He was well acquainted with Andrew Jackson, of whom he was a personal friend, and was a Democrat of the old school. His wife was born iii Lewis county, N. Y., March 16, 1808, and died in Wood county, November 14, 1880, Mr. Brown died November 15, 1892, in Bowling Green, at the residence of George M. Brown, where he made his home. To this couple were born the following children: Paul J., born June 5, 1837, is a farmer of Plain township; Paulina, born August 27, 1840, married Lafayette Borden, of Lucas county, Ohio, where they live on a farm; George M. is our subject; Banyer Blakely, born July 12, 1845, left home, in 1867, for California, and was never heard from after he reached Kansas City; Gibson Lamont, born December 22, 1847, died September 24, 1863; and Gibbs F., born December 22, 1847, died in 1848.
George M. Brown, the subject proper of these lines, attended school in Perrysburg until 185758, after which he came to Bowling Green, where he completed his education, and was reared on the farm. In 1864 he entered the army, joining Company C, 144th O. V. I., and took part in engagements in Maryland and Virginia, being present at the battles of Monocacy (Md.), and Berryville (Va.). In the fight at the latter place several of the regiment were taken prisoners, some of whom afterward died in prison. Our subject was captured, but managed to escape after being detained only a few hours. He then joined Company K,- 185th O. V. I., with which he served until the close of the war. He was promoted to the rank of corporal during his first service with Company C, which lasted about four months, and was sergeant of Company K.
After the close of the war Mr. Brown returned home, settled on a farm, and on February 14, 1868, was married to Miss Lucy Brown, a (daughter of Isaac and Cassia (Rhinehart) Brown), born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1843, and whose death occurred February 14, 1895, the anniversary of her wedding day. They had one child, Mary Bertha, born June 27, 1874, who married Fred W. Hankey (they also have one child named Don Brown Hankey, born January 17, 1895), and one adopted son, Banyer B. Brown, born in October, 1876, whom they took when threemonths old. After his marriage our subject settled on his farm, and he and his brother have about 35o acres of land near the town of Bowling Green, and our subject has also forty acres within the corporation, on which he lives. He has also a royalty in tenor twelve oil wells. In 1891 he built what is known as the " Brown Hotel " in Bowling Green, which is considered to be the best of its kind in the county.
George M. & Sarah Brown
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A stanch Democrat in his political predilections, Mr. Brown has been elected on that ticket to various offices of honor and trust, several. terms as trustee of the township. In 1883 he was elected sheriff, and re-elected in 1885, the first time receiving a majority of 200 votes, and on the second occasion a majority of 700, being the first Democratic sheriff of Wood county since the war. While in office he hung two men, one each term, one of whom, a murderer, he followed to northern Wisconsin, near Eau Claire, where he captured him, took him back to Bowling Green, convicted him and hung him in the penitentiary, he being the last man hung by any sheriff in the State, as all now condemned to capital punishment are hung by the warden of the penitentiary. Socially, Mr. Brown has been a Mason since 1866, and is in the thirty-second degree; belongs also to the Blue Lodge and Chapter in Bowling Green Commandery No. 7, and in the Cincinnati Consistory. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and G. A. R., and has passed all the degrees in each of them. A typical whole-souled American, he justly deserves and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community at large.
ABEL COMSTOCK, a well-known justice of the peace of Bowling Green, was born September 4, 1843, in Mercer county, Penn., and is the son of Robert and Sarah (McDowell) Comstock. His father was born August 8, 1818, near Burlington, Vt., and his mother April 13, 1817, in Mercer county. Their marriage took place in the latter county, in 1842.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Abel Comstock, was born in Connecticut, about the close of the Revolutionary war, and was a millwright by trade. He removed to northern New York, near Lake Champlain, and soon after his son Robert came to Ohio he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died at the age of ninety-seven years. He was one of the old Scotch Covenanters, of stern demeanor, adhering strictly to what he believed to be right, and was deeply imbued with the spirit of the old Blue Laws of Connecticut., His wife was a Miss McClintock, who was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and who died sometime in the "sixties," in Iowa. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John McDowell, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he followed farming. At the battle of Fort Meigs, he commanded a company of State volunteers, and was a brave soldier.
The father of our subject went to Pennsylvania about 1840, and engaged in lumbering and milling, operating a grist and saw mill. He came to Ohio in September, 1848, locating two and one-half miles from Bowling Green, on the old Findlay road, where he bought land from a man named Frank McGinnis, and where he has made his home ever since. His wife died May 17, 1889. Mr. Comstock, Sr., in his early life, belonged to the old Scotch Covenanter's Church, afterward, with his wife, going over to the Seceders, but is now a member of the Congregational Church. He was originally a Whig, later, on the formation of the Republican party, adopted its platform, and has cast his vote for both the Harrisons for President. To Robert Comstock and his wife were born eight children, as follows: Abel; John, who died in 1846; Robert H., who resides in St. Louis, Mich.; Jennie, married to Everett Chapman, and living at West Mystic, Conn. ; Isabelle, who became the wife of S. C. Woodberry, and died in 1873; George, deceased in infancy; William, a commercial traveler, residing at Perrysburg, Ohio; and Edward, living on the old homestead.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Wood county, where he attended the common school, finishing his education at a university. When the guns of Fort Sumter were fired, the military spirit inherited from his brave ancestors broke forth in the young man, and, although he had not yet attained his majority, he enlisted in August, 1861, in Company C, 21St O. V. I., under Gen. Nelson, his regiment being sent to eastern Kentucky, and later to Louisville. It was then assigned to the 14th Army Corps, army of the Cumberland, and there remained until the close of the war, in 1865. Mr. Comstock took part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated during this time, until the spring of 1864, when he was stricken with smallpox, and was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga. On his recovery he again went to the front, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. While stationed at Savannah, Ga., he went on December 16, 1864, on a foraging expedition, and was taken prisoner by a band of guerrillas. He was sent to Augusta, thence to Florence, S. C., and to Goldsboro, N. C., where he remained in prisons until March 4, 1865, suffering all the horrors endured by the captives in those terrible days, some idea of which may be gained from the fact that in these few months his weight was reduced from 180 to 90 pounds. He was very ill a greater part of the time, being delirious with fever, and was unconscious at the time he was paroled at Wilmington, N. C., March 4, 1865. He was honorably discharged June 8, 1865, having
766 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
served his country well and faithfully during the entire war. His regiment made a brilliant record during its service. In the battle of Chickamauga, history states that it went into the fight with 448 privates and non-commissioned officers, and came out with 106 privates and two officers, our subject being one of the latter.
At the close of the war, Mr. Comstock returned home, and engaged in farming, but soon afterward removed to Michigan, where he taught school, and also worked at lumbering. His health failing, he came back to Bowling Green and opened up a lumber yard, which he carried on until the spring of 1879, when he began reading law with Col. J. A. Shannon, with whom he afterward formed a partnership, which continued until the former left the city in 1886. Mr. Comstock has made a specialty of pension cases, having had charge of over five thousand claims, and has practiced in the department at Washington. He was elected justice of the peace of Bowling Green in September, 1890, was re-elected in 1893, and is holding that office at the present time. He is an ardent Republican, and, as may be inferred from his war record, a loyal supporter of the government. He is a leading member of the G. A. R., belonging to Wiley Post No. 46, of which he was first adjutant for six years, and commander for two years. He also belongs to the K. of P. On February 21, 1864, he was married, in Wood county, to Miss Rosamond Davis, who was born in Perrysburg, October 12, 1846. They have had five children, of whom two are now living: Helen I., a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, who has attained a local reputation as a contralto singer, and also as a pianist; Herbert, a telegraph operator in Chicago for the C. M. & St. P. R. R.; Harry, who died when twenty-two years old; James A., deceased in infancy; and Itana B., who died when sixteen years old of typhoid pneumonia.
BENJAMIN B. HOILES, deceased, was for a number of years one of the most prominent and influential agriculturists of Montgomery township. He was a native of Ohio, born in Georgetown, Columbiana county, September 18, 1825, and was a son of Joshua and Rachel Hoiles, who moved to Alliance, Ohio, when our subject was quite small, making their home in what is now known as Mount Union, a part of that city. In religious belief they were Friends, and were originally from Philadelphia, Penn. The father never accumulated much of this world's goods, but was an industrious, honest man, who was employed mostly at day labor in clearing land.
In the family were sixteen children, twelve of whom grew to adult age, namely: Nicholas, who died at Mount Union, at the age of eightyfive years; Mrs. Elizabeth Rinear, who died in Columbiana county, Ohio; William, who died in Lucas county; Charles, who died at Orville, Ohio; Maria, who was the wife of Joseph Barnaby, and died at Alliance; Joshua, who died at Mount Union; Benjamin B., of this review; Jonathan, who died in Montgomery township, Wood county; Melvina, now Mrs. John Watson, of Mount Union; Priscilla, who married Levi Pierce, and died at Mount Union; Zedrick, of Alliance; and Mary, who wedded John Johnson, and died in Stark county, Ohio. Many of the family died very suddenly of paralysis.
Most of the early life of Benjamin B. Hoiles was passed at Mount Vernon, where he learned the carpenter's trade with his brother Charles. He was married at Alliance November 11, 1852, to Miss Maria B. Stock, who was born at New Lisbon, Ohio, December 16, 1827, and is the daughter of Henry and Minerva (Stallcup) Stock. The former was of German parentage, and his birth occurred near Baltimore, Md., while his wife was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, about 18o1, where her parents had located at a very early day, and there died. Her father, William Stallcup, was a millwright by trade, and was killed in a mill near New Lisbon. The parents of Mrs. Hoiles also died at that place, where their remains were interred. Going to Mount Union when a young lady, she there learned millinery and dress-making, and it was at that place she met and married our subject. They became the parents of four children: Frank L., who was born at Mount Vernon, and died at the age of ten years; Charley H., who now makes his home at Prairie Depot; Pressly C., a farmer of Montgomery township; and Addie M., now Mrs. Harry E. Blair, of Prairie Depot.
Being a carpenter, Mr. Hoiles built his own house at Mount Union, upon a lot for which he went in debt, as he had but little money at the time of his marriage, for he had always aided in the support of his parents. Early in January, 1855, he came to Wood county to look up a location. He had chopped wood, but could not secure enough money to pay his fare, so his wife gave him twelve gold dollars from her own savings. He came by rail to Fremont, and walked the remainder of the distance to Prairie Depot, where he bargained for forty acres in Section 2, Montgomery township, costing $350. A log house stood upon the place, but it contained no doors or windows, hence a robe and
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blanket had to be hung over the openings which he made. In March he returned to Mount Union for his wife and child. He there sold his home, which was uncompleted, for $300, but out of that amount had to finish paying for the lot. His wife had $50 which she had saved, and with the proceeds of other sales they were able to secure their forest home in Wood county free from debt. In their rude little cabin they spent fourteen happy years, and there their children were all born. Game was quite plentiful, and Mr. Hoiles added not a little to their income by selling coon skins. Money was greatly needed as their first summer here was very wet, and but little was raised.
The health of our subject had been quite poor at Mount Union, he suffering considerably from stomach trouble, but this was relieved after coming to Wood county, as from necessity their food was quite plain, corn bread being their regular diet. In those early days he also worked some at his trade, going away on Mondays, leaving his wife and baby boy alone, and would be gone for several days. In return for his labors he could only get produce, and corn at that time brought $1 per bushel and potatoes $1.25. He made his home upon four different farms in Montgomery township, owning each one, which he would sell at a profit, and at the time of his death had a good farm of seventy-three acres. He died very suddenly December 5, 1886, mourned by a wide circle of friends throughout the community, and his remains were interred at Prairie Depot cemetery. Though never very strong he was always a great worker, and well deserved the success which came to him. A strong Republican in politics, he was an active worker in his party, and for several terms served as trustee of his township, and was school director during most of his residence here. In manner he was conservative, and gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
After her husband's death Mrs. Hoiles lived upon the farm left her, until 1892, when she built an elegant home; but this she sold two years later, and now has a very comfortable and pleasant dwelling at Prairie Depot. On the farm owned by her, she has seven splendid oil wells, and upon the original lease of ten acres, was found one of the largest producing wells in this locality. Though nearly seventy years of age, she is exceedingly well preserved, and is still quite active. She has led a most industrious and useful life, is a woman of more than ordinary business ability, and was an excellent helpmeet to her husband, having many times in the early days assisted him even in the work of the fields. She is surrounded by many warm friends, who have for her the most sincere regard. We may add that at the time of her and her husband's coming to Wood county, buggies were unknown, and Mrs. Hoiles relates that on Sundays, after the week's labors were past, she and her husband would take their team of black oxen, and go visiting across the swampy prairies.
GEORGE D. INSLEY, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who for three years followed the old flag on Southern battle-fields, is now numbered among the leading and influential citizens of Liberty township. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 16, 1834. His father, Thornton Insley, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1808, and when a young man learned the trade of a wheelwright; but ill health forced him to abandon this. With his widowed mother he came to Ohio, and settled on a farm in Wayne county. Here he married Miss Amelia Eagle, and in 1854 took his wife and family to Hancock county. From that time on he lived with his children. He went with two daughters and a son to Dakota in 1884, and there died in 1890. His wife died in Hancock county in December, 1882. They had the following children: Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Ewing, of Findlay, Ohio; George D., of this sketch; Nancy, wife of Samuel J. Feller, of South Dakota; Geiles, wife of Solomon Hartman, of South Dakota; Isaiah, also a farmer of that State; and Almenia, wife of G. W. Phifer, who is living near Findlay, Ohio.
Mr. Insley, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in the counties of Wayne and Hancock, and at the age of eleven years began his education in a district school, to which he walked three miles through the woods. When twenty years of age he began work in a flour-mill at Findlay, and for twelve years was thus employed at various places. While in Findlay he was married, March 19, 1860, to Miss Mary Feller, a native of Ohio. They began their domestic life in Hancock county, and were there living at the time of the Civil war. On the 16th of August, 1862, Mr. Insley joined the boys in blue of Company D, 99th O. V. I., and immediately afterward went to the front, participating in the battles of Perrysville and Stone River, those of the Atlanta campaign, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, and Nashville. After the second named he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was honorably discharged at Wilmington, N. C., where his regiment consolidated with the 50th O. V. I.
Mr. Insley continued his residence in Han-
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cock county until the fall of 1871, when he came to Wood county, and got out timber to build his home. He purchased forty acres of land, and erected his residence in the spring of 1872. He afterward purchased eighty acres of land in Liberty township, which he disposed of in the spring of 1895. In 1887 he visited his relatives in South Dakota, and while there purchased 160 acres of land in Edmunds county. Again, in the fall of 1894, he made another journey to that State, and bought another quarter section. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society of Portage, and religiously with the Methodist Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Insley were born seven children: Millie became the wife of A. L. See, and died at the home of our subject, leaving two children; Thornton F. died in infancy, and Juddie T. at the age of three years and six months; Emma, also died in infancy; Enola, wife of E. P. Blackman, of Wood county; Gelie became the wife of J. W. Ackerman, and died in Liberty township, leaving one child; George D. completes the family.
J. F. WOLLAM, M. D., a rising young physician of Jerry City, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Wood county, being a son of H. B. Wollam, and grandson of Archibald and Catherine (Smith) Wollam.
Archibald Wollam was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and was there married to Catherine Smith, who was born east of the Alleghanies, in Pennsylvania, and crossed the mountains with her parents, Lewis and Smith, in a wagon, the family settling later in Columbiana county. In 1832, Archibald and Catherine Wollam came to Seneca county, and were among the first white people to live along Wolf creek; but the next spring they removed to what is now Montgomery township, Wood county, settling in the midst of a forest. Their habitation was a log shanty, 18 x 20 feet in dimensions, and, as Mr. Wollam invested what little capital he had in land, they were obliged to live very economically until their land became productive. Oxen were the beasts of burden, and on one occasion, when Mr. Wollam made a trip to Swope's Corners, Seneca county, a distance of twenty miles, the journey took three days. Four children were born to this couple: Mary, widow of James Milner, who lives in Millgrove; H. B., who is mentioned farther on; Andrew J., a farmer in Bloom township; and Leah (now Mrs. G. W. Cupp), who was first married to Gardner Teff. Archibald Wollam was originally a Democrat in politics, but later became a Whig, and on the foundation of the party joined the Republicans. He held various minor offices in the township, and took an interest in party affairs, but he was no politician. He died at the age of seventy-two years, his wife at the age of eighty-two, and they now sleep their last sleep in Mt. Zion cemetery, Portage township.
Henry B. Wollam was born January 6, 1825, in Columbiana county, and was eight years. old when the family came to Wood county. He attended the primitive schools of his boyhood days, which were held in log buildings having greased paper windows, and other rude furnishings, and he taught school one winter in Henry township. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in early manhood worked three years in Huron county, as foreman for the Buffalo Stave Co., of Buffalo, N. Y., getting out staves. After his marriage he lived in Montgomery township for some years, finally during the war removing to Bloom township, and settling on sixty acres of land in Section 1, which at that time was all new and unimproved, a shanty being their first dwelling there. In 1875 he removed to his present farm in Section 36, Portage township, which comprises forty acres, and he still owns the sixty acres in Bloom township.
On May 10, 1857, Mr. Wollam was married, in Montgomery township, to Miss Lydia A. Bair, who was born August 28, 1837, near Hanover, Penn., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoover) Bair, the former of whom died in Pennsylvania. The widowed mother subsequently came with her four children-Susan, Jacob, Lydia and George to Seneca county, Ohio, and about three years later settled in Montgomery township, Wood county, where Mrs. Bair owned eighty acres of land. After all the children married she removed to Fostoria, where she passed away at the age of sixty-six, her death being caused by cancer of the stomach. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wollam, as follows: J. F.; Tudie, Mrs. Thomas Wisner, of Gratiot county, Mich. ; George J., a farmer of Portage township; Libbie, who died unmarried, at the age of twenty-one years; and Charles N., who died in infancy. The parents are both members of the Liberal U. B. Church, and in political affiliation Mr. Wollam s a Republican. He served as trustee of Bloom township, and has filled various local positions of responsibility and trust.
J. F. Wollam, the subject proper of this sketch, was born July 7, 1858, in Montgomery township, and received his primary education in the district schools of Bloom and Portage town-
J. F. Wollam
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ships, his first teachers being Roxie McFarren and Jane Swinehart. Later he attended the Normal at Ada, Ohio, and he was afterward engaged in teaching some fourteen years, in Bloom, Portage, Montgomery, Henry and Jackson townships. He completed his general scientific studies at Ada, and commenced to read medicine with Dr. J. H. Whitehead, of Bowling Green, after which he attended Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, earning the money for his college expenses by teaching. He commenced practice in Jerry City in 1892, and is meeting with deserved success in his chosen profession, his personal reputation being almost as great a factor in his success as his professional ability.
On May 7, 1891, Dr. Wollam was married, in Portage township„ to Miss Nettie M. Teller, who was born and reared in that township, and daughter of James Teller. She attended the Normal at Ada, Ohio (where she and Dr. Wollam became acquainted), and subsequently taught school in Wood county for eight years, and in Ashland county, two years. Two children have been born to this union: Florence T. and Helena A. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and during President Harrison's administration served as postmaster of Jerry City; while in Portage township he served as assessor. Socially he is a member of the 1. O. O. F., belonging to Vitus Lodge No. 604, Jerry City, and is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society, of Ohio; medical examiner for several life insurance companies; a member of and medical examiner for the K. O. T. M., of Jerry City, Tent No. 92.
WILLIAM P. COBLEY, mayor of Haskins, and one of the ablest business men, and most successful agriculturists of Middleton township, is a native of the locality, born March 24, 1849.
Sebastian Cobley, his father, was born in Germany February 9, 1811, and when a young man came to Ohio. At Toledo, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Buriger, who was born in France in 1816. Her father, Joseph Buriger, brought his family to Norwalk, Ohio, and made a permanent home there. For some years after his marriage, Sebastian Cobley worked as foreman in a brick yard at Toledo, and he at one time owned fifteen acres of land on what is now Summit street, in that city. About the year 1840 they came to Middleton and entered land, which, by careful cultivation, he developed into a productive farm. He and his wife were members of the Roman Catholic Church, and died in that faith, Mr. Cobley passing away February 8, 1885, ,his wife on March 22, 1895. Eight children were born to them, namely: Caroline, who was born in 1841, married Joseph Debacher, and died June 20, 1888; Andrew, who was a soldier in the 111th O. V. I., and was sent home to die from the effects of a cold caught ' , on guard " while canvalescing from an attack of mumps; Sophronia, the wife of G. W. Yount, of Toledo; William P., our subject; and Anthony, who was a farmer within the corporation of Haskins, and died July 30, 1895; Mary, who married A. F. Chase, a farmer at Haskins; Louisa, who married J. C. Nufer, November 18, 1873, and died October 23, 1885; and John, who died when about the age of twelve years.
Mr. Cobley attended 'the old "two-milewoods school house," and at the same time gained a knowledge of farm work. In 1871 he married Miss Fannie Wickham, who was born September 18, 1854, on Parker's Island, near Perrysburg. Two children came of this marriage: John, born September 22, 1874; and Charles, born February 13, 1879.
For ten years after his marriage Mr. Cobley was engaged in agriculture, and then, coming to Haskins, established a grocery business which he successfully conducted until September, 1895, when he retired from that line of business, and now devotes his time and attention to his farm, and his several offices. He owns a fine home in Haskins, besides a business block. Those qualities which command the esteem and friendship of the people, he possesses in a marked degree, and he has held more offices than other man in the township. In politics he is a Democrat, as was his father before him; but he receives votes irrespective of party lines when he consents to be a candidate. He was postmaster at Haskins during Cleveland's first term; has been treasurer of his school district six years; justice of the peace three years; and is now serving his second term as the latter. Socially he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. Encampment at Bowling Green,. the order of Rebekah, and of the K. O. T. M., in which fraternities he has held many responsible positions, and is at present treasurer of the I. O. O. F. ; record-keeper of the K. O. T. M., and recordkeeper of Lincoln Division No. 7, of the Uniform Rank, K. O. T. M., of Bowling Green.
GEORGE P. SUTTON, a practical and progressive farmer, who owns and operates a valuable tract of land of fifty-four acres in Middleton township, is a native son of the Buckeye State. He was born in Erie county, September 8, 1857, and is a son of George P. Sutton, a native of England, who became a representative farmer of
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Washington township, Wood county. It was during the early boyhood of our subject ' that his parents removed from Erie to Wood county, and took up their residence in that township. In the district schools of the neighborhood George pursued his studies through the scholastic year, and in the summer months worked on the old homestead, giving to his father the benefit of his services until 1885, when he started out for himself. He removed to Middleton township, where he purchased fifty-four acres of land, upon which, in the midst of well-cultivated fields, stands a fine dwelling, substantial barn and the various other improvements and accessories which go to make up a model farm, and which indicate to the passerby the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
On the 17th of March, 1885, in Middleton township, was celebrated the marriage of . Mr. Sutton and Miss Jennie M. Fox, who was born September 21, 1864, and is a daughter of John Fox, a farmer of Middleton township. Five children graced their union: Jessie, born October 31, 1886; Roy, who died in childhood; Mildred, born June 30, 1890; Julia, born May 24, 1893; and Hazel, born June 20, 1896.
Mr. Sutton is an energetic, honest, upright man, whom to know is to respect.
J. H. ZIEGLER, an old-time agriculturist of large experience, is now numbered among the prominent residents of Portage township, by whose people he is held in that reverence and respect tacitly accorded those whose lives have been distinguished by integrity and usefulness. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Cherry Tree township, Venango county, March 5, 1830, at the modest homestead of his parents, George and Catherine (Murray) Ziegler, natives of Maryland, the former born in April, 1796, and the latter a few months previous. Their marriage was celebrated in their native State, after which they removed to Pennsylvania, residing' in Venango county for fifteen years. One year was then spent in Trumbull county, Ohio, while for the following six years they made their home two and a half miles west of the city of Ashland, in what was then Richland county, but is now a part of Ashland county. They next located near Republic, in Scipio township, Seneca county, where they lived for the same length of time. Their remaining days, however, were passed in Portage township, Wood county, the father dying in October, 1865, while the mother survived him for fourteen years, and they now sleep side by side in the Mennonite cemetery of Perry township, Wood county. The father was quite an athlete, six feet tall and weighing about two hundred pounds. He always supported the doctrines of the Democratic party, and when quite old was asked why he did not change his politics, and his answer was, "My hair is too gray to be turned black."
His family consisted of the following children: William, of Warren, Penn.; George, residing near Oil City, Penn. ; John, of Cattaraugus county, N. Y.; Hannah, widow of Stephen Landis, of Jamestown, N. Y.; Susan, widow of Daniel Siccafoos, of Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of James Loker, of Venango county, Penn.; Levi, residing near Traverse City, Mich. ; Daniel, who has been a United Brethren minister for thirty years, and also follows farming in Union county, Ohio; J. H., who is next in order of birth; Mary, now Mrs. Matthew Irvin, of Crawford county, Ohio; Ann, who married William Lee, and died in Michigan; Fannie, wife of H. R. Longacre, of Portage township; Catherine, who was the thirteenth child, and died in Seneca county, Ohio, at the age of fourteen years, hers being the first death in the family; and Andrew, who died in the same county at the age of twelve years.
Our subject was a boy of sixteen years when he left his native county, where he secured a limited education, as his parents were poor and his assistance was needed in the support of the large family. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage. In Ashland county, July 10, 1851, he married Miss Harriet Barr, a native of that county, and a daughter of James Barr. He had not a dollar at that time; but he went to work for the farmers at clearing away the timber and making rails. In July, 1854, he removed to Putnam county, Ohio, where he purchased forty acres of wild land, making a temporary home with his brother Daniel, while his own log house was being constructed. As the land was wet and swampy, and his wife was in poor health, he removed to Seneca county, Ohio, in November, 1855. There, on March 29, 1856, she died and was laid to rest in Republic cemetery. One son had been born to them - William E., who died at Six Points, Ohio, in 1884, leaving four children - Otis, Elfa, Dora, and Tinsey.
In April, 1857, at Attica, Ohio, Mr. Ziegler wedded Mrs. Mary J. Richards, widow of William M. Richards. Her birth occurred in Mansfield, Ohio, November 14, 1831, and she is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Wannamaker) Mader, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of the Keystone State. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and died in Portage township when over eighty years of age, while her mother.
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passed away in Seneca county, at the age of fifty-seven. In their family were six children, one son and five daughters. The son served in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, then, joining the regular army, was sent west, and since the latter part of the '60s has never been heard of.
After his second marriage, Mr. Ziegler rented land for sometime in Seneca county; but in 1857 bought forty acres of land on Section 26, Portage township, Wood county, for which he paid $400 cash, that sum constituting his entire capital. In October he built a log house, 18 x 24 feet, and the following February removed his family to their new home. He was compelled to borrow $28 with which to meet the expenses of the journey, but they took great pleasure in their home. He was young and full of hope, and went earnestly to work to clear and develop his land. He was drafted in 1864, and assigned to Company B, 55th O. V. I. In November of the same year he joined the regiment at Atlanta, went with Sherman to Savannah, and followed that General through the Carolinas, participating in the last fight near Goldsboro. In March, 1865, at Bentonville, N. C., he was wounded in the left shoulder, and, after remaining in the hospital at Goldsboro' for ten days, was transferred by a vessel up the coast to New York City. He lay in the hospital at David's Island until May 28, 1865, was mustered out in New York on June 1, and arrived home on the 3d of the same month. His wound was by no means healed, and his arm was very stiff. Going to the government physician at Fostoria, Ohio, he was given the liberal (?) sum of $2.50 per month until he should be able to use his arm. He has since devoted his attention to farming, and has a good farm of seventy acres.
By his second union have been born the following children-Dora L., wife of Jonas Hampshire, of Fostoria, Ohio; Frank, who has followed the various occupations of a teacher, telegrapher and photographer, and is now engaged in farming in Nebraska; Abia J., who married George Brubaker, and died in Perry township, Wood county, at the age of thirty-one years; James O. and John L., both of Portage township; and Ida, now Mrs. E. R. Shaffer, of the same township.
The political support of Mr. Ziegler has always been given the Democratic party, he has served as school director, and he and his wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church, in which he has been class-leader. He takes great pleasure in travel, and has visited many parts of the United States. He is a kind-hearted, genial gentleman, and contributes liberally to all worthy charities.
H. B. SAYLER, a leading and popular merchant of Portage, is now engaged in the hardware business, carrying a complete and well-selected stock, and has built up an excellent trade by his fair dealing and courteous treatment of customers. He was born in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1855, and is a son of S. K. and Juriah (Culp) Sayler, both natives of Pickaway county, Ohio, and whose wedding was celebrated in Marion county. In 185o they located in Tiffin, where the father followed his trade of shoemaking until 1860, when he came to Liberty township, Wood county, and there opened up a farm in Section 2, in the midst of the wilderness. On that place he continued to live until 1881, since which time he has made his home in Weston. His wife departed this life in Weston, in 1895. At a very early day, the paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Sayler, who was a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Pickaway county, Ohio, but later became a resident of Marion county, where his death occurred.
In the family to which H. B. Sayler belongs were eight children, namely: C. L., now a resident of Kansas, enlisted in Liberty township, in 1861, as a member of the 11th O. V. I., for three years, on the expiration of which time he enlisted again and served until the close of the war. J. B., who enlisted in Liberty township, in 1862, in the 10th Ohio Cav., for three years, served in the Western army, as a scout for Gen. Sherman, and was killed in Georgia. Mrs. Louanna White makes her home in Kansas. Susie Bentley resides in Illinois. H. B. is the next in order of birth. W. H. is married, and resides in Portage. O. L. lives in Trinidad, Colo. A. O. is a resident of Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Sayler, whose name introduces this sketch, was only five years old when he accompanied his parents to Liberty township, where he obtained his education in the district schools, and he early became familiar with the labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. For thirteen winters he engaged in teaching in that township, and for one term had charge of a school in Center township, though most of his time was taken up in farming, which he continued to follow until he established his present business in Portage, in February, 1888. However, he still owns a valuable farm of 160 acres in Liberty township, which is under a high state of cultivation, and well improved with substantial buildings.
In October, 1879, in Liberty township, Mr.
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Sayler married Miss Lottie Bradshaw, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Charlotte (Wortley) Bradshaw, both natives of England. It was in 1852 that they made a settlement in Huron county; but eight years later they became residents of Liberty township, where the father developed a farm in the midst of the forest, and thereon died in 1883. His wife, who survived him for some years, died in 1894, at Bowling Green, Ohio. Three children bless the union of our subject and his wife -Merlie, Pearl, and Bernie. In politics, Mr. Sayler is a hearty supporter of the policy of the Republican party, has served as a member of the school board, and is at present school treasurer for the corporation. Socially, he belongs to Whitney Lodge No. 589, I. O. O. F., and, religiously, is a member of the Christian Church, at Rudolph. He is a man of remarkably good judgment, sound common sense, and ability, which traits have made him prosperous and influential, and the respect in which he is held is due to his high moral character and disinterested benevolence.
HUGH CAMPBELL, the well-known and popular druggist of North Baltimore, was born June 12, 1837, in Washington county, Penn., and is a son of William and Elizabeth (McFadden) Campbell. The father of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania, while the mother came from Ireland. They were married in Washington county, Penn., and in October, 1838. came to Ohio, entering land in Henry township, and also buying a farm in Bloom township, Wood county, where they made their home for the remainder of their lives. William Campbell was born in 1798, and died in 1874. His wife was born in 1795, and died in 1872. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father was originally a Whig, joining the ranks of the Republican party on its formation. They were the parents of nine children, of whom seven grew to maturity: Nancy, who married James Eckles, and is deceased; William, who was a soldier in the Rebellion, from Hancock county, Ohio, and died in Liberty township; John, who was in the 144th O. V. I. during the Civil war, and died in Michigan; Elizabeth, who married Ephraim Miller, and is deceased; Henry, living in North Baltimore; Sarah, the wife of James Morehead, of Seward, Neb.; and Hugh.
The subject of this sketch attended school in his boyhood in the Stone Battery school house in Bloom township, and assisted his father upon the farm until his marriage. This event took place October 10, 1861, when he was united to Miss Margaret Telfer, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, August 31, 1833. Four children have come to them, namely: Corwin E., born July 8, 1862, married Miss May Lampitt, and has one child-Edith; William S., born April 19, 1866, is at home; Frank B., born September 22, 1867, married Miss Cora Trout; James Owen, born October 26, 1870, married Miss Katie Miller. After his marriage Mr. Campbell settled on a farm in Bloom township; but did not long pursue this peaceful avocation of a farmer, for on August 20, 1862, he enlisted in defense of the old flag, going out as corporal in Company I, 111th O. V. I., which regiment was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. During his threeyears' service he saw much active fighting, being in the battles, amongst others, of Campbell Station, Buzzard's Roost, the siege of Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville, Tenn. He was honorably discharged June 27, 1865, with the rank of sergeant.
On his return from the army Mr. Campbell resumed his occupation as a farmer, which he continued until 1889, when he sold his place and removed to North Baltimore, a year later opening the drug store which he has since so successfully carried on. He is recognized as a man of much ability, of high principles, undoubted integrity, and a force of character which brings him to the front in all public enterprises. His genial manners and straightforward methods of business have made him many friends and brought him a large trade, while his worth as a citizen has made him a leader in his community. Mr. Campbell is a Republican in politics, a Presbyterian in his religious belief, and a member of Sill Post No. 57, G. A. R., of which he was commander for one term.
LUCIUS MARSH, a liveryman of Prairie Depot, is one of the prosperous young business men of that village, where he was born in September, 1873. He is the youngest of four children, two sons and two daughters, born to Lucius and Sarah Marsh. He acquired his education in the common schools of his native village, where he has spent his entire life. Having a fondness for horses, his work has been mainly connected with those animals, so that he is well fitted for his present business. On August 11, 1894, he purchased the livery business of F. H. Fike, and in May of the following year removed to his present commodious quarters, his main building being 8o x 32 feet, and the annex 30 x 30. While a young man, he has shown himself capable of
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managing his large business, which he has built up through his own efforts.
On October 17, 1892, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage with Miss Clara Rosendale, of West Millgrove, the only daughter of Dr. Charles R. and Rebecca (Wade) Rosendale, and to them has been born -one child-Earl R. A stanch Republican politically, our subject keeps himself well posted in regard to current events, and is one of the reliable and straightforward young business men of the community, well and favorably known.
JOEL FOOTE, deceased. Among the straightforward, energetic and successful farmers in Washington township, none stood higher than the subject of this sketch. A native of Massachusetts, he was there born July 26, 1815, to Epaphroditus, a son of Epaphroditus and Eunice (Ringe) Foote. They were Connecticut people, and from that State our subject's father went with his parents to Madison county, N. Y., where he received his education. After his marriage he removed to the Bay State, but later returned to New York, this tune locating in Genesee county. Leaving his family there, he, in 1825, came to Ohio, where he remained some four years, and then returned for them on an Indian pony. In the spring of 1829 he brought them to this State by water. From Utica, N. Y . , to Black Rock they proceeded by the Erie canal, and at Buffalo they took passage on the schooner "Eagle," commanded by Capt. David Wilkison, but, on account of delays from ice, they were six weeks upon the journey before reaching Maumee. They located on Granger Island, where the mother died the same year. There the father operated a distillery two years, at the expiration of which time, in the spring of 1831, he bought eighty acres of land, and entered eight more one mile north of Haskins, Wood county. This he improved and cultivated, and in 1850 traded for the farm on which our subject now resides. In the meantime, from 1835 to 1841, he conducted a hotel at Miltonville, and after disposing of the hotel, he removed to the farm, which comprises 12o acres of rich and arable land.
By his first marriage, Mr. Foote became the father of five children, of whom our subject was the eldest. The others are Delos, who died and was buried at Lockport, N. Y.; Mary, deceased wife of James Blinn, a farmer of Perrysburg; Sarah Ann, deceased wife of John Arnold, of Iowa, where her death occurred; and Epaphroditus, who died in the fall of 1840, at the age of twenty years. In 1830, Mr. Foote wedded his sec and wife, Charlotte Smith, a native of Herkimer county, N. Y., and to them were born children, to wit: Leroy, a farmer in Canada; Oscar, deceased; Emily, wife of Freeman Smith, of Wayne county, Ind.; Frederick, a merchant of Kent, Portage Co., Ohio, where he is living with his wife; Eunice, wife of John S. Matthews, of Tontogany; one who died at the age of eight years; and Harriet, wife of Frank Yost, a merchant of Tontogany.
Our subject was fourteen years old when he arrived in this State, so his education had been acquired in New York before that time; and he remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. In 1836 he began work for J. W. Smith, a brother of D. B. Smith, with whom he remained some three years, receiving $10 per month during the first year; $15 during the second; and $20 during the third. For the following two years he drove a stage for the firm of Neal, Moore & Co., the former, the builder of the Neal House" in Columbus. Our subject was the first to run a boat over the levee between Providence and Miami, Ohio, and in 1842 began his farming operations, in which he met with excellent success.
In 1841, Mr. Foote was united in marriage with Margaret Canela, a native of Ireland, and to them were born seven children, three of whom still survive: Alice, wife of George E. Bliss, of Kendallville, Ind. ; Albert Delos, postmaster of Tontogany; and Clara, wife of F. A. Baldwin, of Bowling Green. Those deceased were: Ella, who died when fifteen years old; Calvin, who was a veteran of the tooth Regiment, O. V. I., during the Civil war, and was killed by being run over by a team after the close of the struggle; Mary, who died when young; and James Knox, who died at the age of thirty-six. The mother of this family died in 1864, and in 1867 Mr. Foote wedded Emily (Soash) Oswald, widow of John Oswald, and four children graced this union; Eddie and Freddie (twins), the former o whom died when four weeks old, and the latter now conducts a livery stable at Liberty Center, Ohio; Frank Forest, a merchant of Rochester, Fulton Co., Ind., and Joel W., a clerk at Warsaw, Indiana,
The death of our subject occurred February 22, 1896. In politics he was an ardent and loyal Democrat, and for several years he served as a trustee of Weston township, also, later, of Washington township. In religious faith he was a Universalist, while his first wife was a Catholic his second a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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JOHN H. LE GALLEY, who is a highly respected farmer in Plain township, was born in Huron county, Ohio, April 22, 1839, and is the son of William and Abigail (Terry) Le Galley. Our subject lived in Huron county until eighteen years of age, when he came with his parents to Wood county, and settled in Plain township. His education was obtained in the district schools, and on September 12, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary S. White. He carried on farming, and was so engaged when the Civil war broke out. When the call was made for hundred-days' men, he enlisted, in May, 1864, in Company C, 144th O. V. I., and served four months. During this time he contracted rheumatism, from which he has been a sufferer ever since. Mr. Le Galley is a Democrat in his political views, and is highly respected for his integrity and worth. He has a good farm, and is progressive in his methods.' To him and his estimable wife, three children have been born, as follows: Henry W. was born in 1862, and lives in Bowling Green; he is married, and has one child. Marion E. and Myron E., twins, were born in 1872, and both are dentists.
Mrs. Le Galley was born May 9, 1844, and is the daughter of Jonathan and Sallie M. (Moore) White. Her father was born in Vermont, October 5, 1818, and was married in Huron county, Ohio, in 1842. He subsequently removed to Kansas, where he died in 1883. His wife was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., January 19, 1818, and now lives in Anderson county, Kans. They had two children: Mary S. (Mrs. Le Galley), and Ellen M., wife of Jesse Dotts. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. LeGalley was Cephas White, a native of Vermont, who, in 1844, came to Huron county, Ohio, and settled in Norwalk township, where he was a successful farmer. He served in the war of 1812, participating in the battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, etc. He left seven children, of whom three are living, namely: Mrs. Sarah F. Moore; Luther, who was a soldier in the Civil war; and Mrs. Rhoda R. Benn, a widow, living in Norwalk. Those -deceased are Cephas, Jonathan, Henry and Mary K. Rogers.
Mrs. Le Galley's maternal grandfather was Joseph Moore, who was born November 19, 1787, and died October 5, 1876. He was a weaver by trade, and also carried on a small distillery. In June, 1833, he came to Ohio, and settled in Norwalk township, Huron county, where he bought a farm, and, in 1855, moved to Hartland township. He married Susannah Silcox, a daughter of Henry Silcox, of New Jersey, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. They had the following children: Sallie Marie, mother of Mrs. Le Galley; H. L. and David R., twins, the latter deceased; a daughter who died in infancy; and Lewis, who died in Hartland township, Huron county, March 7, 1896.
ALBERT DELOS FOOTE, the efficient and popular postmaster at Totogany, this county, and a leading merchant of that town, is a native of Weston township, where he was born February 23, 1851. His early education was obtained in the schools of his district, and he had also the training in farm work which falls to the average country boy. He had some experience as a clerk, and continued in that vocation some five or six years after his marriage, moving then to Belmore, Ohio, where he engaged in the grocery trade on his own account; but three years later he was burned out. After winding up his affairs there he returned to his old situation, and in 1884 he and Frank Yost bought out the mercantile business of Capt. Black, and together they conducted the store, under the firm name of Foote & Yost, some twelve years, or until January 1, 1896, at which date Mr. Foote bought out his partner, and he has since carried on the business alone. Among other commodities his lines of trade consist of general groceries, boots and shoes, and queensware.
On February 10, 1878, Mr. Foote was married to Miss Viola J. Parsons, who was born in .Plain township, March 27, 1855, and five children were the result of this union: Clarence, Ella, Albert, Glenn and Mildred. Mrs. Foote is a daughter of John and Charlotte (Whitehead) Parsons, the former of whom, a native of Wood county, whose parents were of New York nativity, was a soldier in the Civil war, having, in 1861, become captain of Company H, 67th Regiment, O. V. I., and was killed at Deep Run, Va., August 11, 1864. Mrs. Charlotte Parsons was born in 1835, on Station Island, in the Maumee river, and lied in 1891, the mother of three children: Viola J. (Mrs. A. D. Foote); John A., a hardware merchant in Leipsic, Putnam county; and Sidney B., who died in 1862.
Mr. Foote is an active and influential worker in the Democratic party, and was appointed postmaster at Tontogany during Cleveland's first administration, serving over four years. In 1893 he was again appointed, and still discharges the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of the public. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., was a charter member of Tontogany Lodge No. 755, and was the first noble grand in that Lodge;
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in religious faith he and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Foote a ruling elder in the Church, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school for a number' of years, and continues in that position.
HENRY J. PELTON, a highly respected citizen of Bloomdale, and formerly one of the representative agriculturists of Perry township, was born April 2, 1841, in LaGrange Center, Lorain Co., Ohio.
James Pelton, the grandfather, was a farmer in New York State for many years. He reared a family, among whom was Daniel Pelton, our subject's father. James Pelton came to Ohio in an early day, locating in Lorain county, where he was a pioneer. In 1839, Daniel Pelton was married, in Lorain county, to Miss Eleanor Helm, a native of New York State, and, in 1850, they came to Wood county, settling in Perry township; a brother, P. J. Pelton, had come some time before. At the time of the removal, the family consisted of three children, of whom our subject was the eldest; T. V. is now a farmer and stock-buyer, of Bloom township, and W. S. lives in Perry township. Four children were born in Wood county, of whom Philo S. is a farmer in Perry township; Mary married Nelson Lowe, of the same locality; Matilda, died in 1873; and Robert C. is a farmer in Perry township. Before coming to Wood county, Daniel Pelton invested his capital in a steam sawmill, which he brought with him, it being the third in Perry township. He leased land for a mill site, and rented a residence until his increasing prosperity enabled him to buy a tract of 120 acres, where he was engaged in milling, and, in later years, in farming, also. He was an active, industrious man, slender in build, but fairly robust. He took a prominent part in local affairs, and, although he never sought office, he was a regular voter, and attended the caucuses of the Republican party from its formation, having previously been a Whig. He and his wife were leading members of the United Brethren Church. He died November 24, 1873, at the age of fifty-four years, and his wife survived him nearly nineteen years, dying March 29, 1892, at the age of seventy-two years. Both now rest in the cemetery at, Perry Center.
Henry J. Pelton was nine years old when his parents came to this county, and his early training was that of the average country boy, with plenty of hard work at home and not too thorough instruction in the district schools. Time was found for recreation also, and he has attended many a rural dancing party. In June, 1861, he married Miss Amanda Baird, a native of Wayne county, born January 29, 1844, a daughter of Asa I. Baird, a well-known farmer of Perry township. In September, 1861, he enlisted at Fostoria, in Company B, 55th Regiment, O. V. I., with Capt. A. S. Bement. They went into camp at Norwalk until January, 1862, when they went to the front with nearly 1,000 men. From Grafton, W. Va., they went to their first engagement at Cross Keys, Va., and then followed Cedar Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run, and Chancellorsville, where this regiment was under a terrific fire. The next morning at roll call half the number failed to respond, and none had been captured. Next came the threedays' struggle at Gettysburg, then a long march with Hooker to the banks of the Tennessee, near Chattanooga, then Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the raising of the siege of Knoxville, involving a long march in the dead of winter without tents, and, indeed, with hardly a blanket for each man, and many without boots or other suitable footwear. However, when Mr. Pelton's term expired he re-enlisted for another three-year term, and, after a short visit at home on a furlough, he rejoined the regiment, and took part in the continual skirmish from Chattanooga to Atlanta with Sherman, the battles at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, and Atlanta, and the historic march "down to the sea." After the engagements at Savannah, Averysboro and Bentonville, they went to Washington and participated in the Grand Review, and were afterward transferred to Louisville, not being mustered out until July 11, 1865. His regiment saw much hard fighting, and recruits were constantly added, 1,400 men having been members. Mr. Pelton enlisted as a private, and September 1, 1862, was made sergeant; October 1, 1864, orderly sergeant; January, 1865, quarter-master sergeant, and was then commissioned 1st lieutenant, but never served in that capacity, the war closing soon after. He never lost a day from duty throughout his service.
When at home in 1864 Mr. Pelton bought forty acres of cleared land in Perry township for $1,200, for which he went in debt to some extent, paying for it from his wages as a soldier. His young wife had remained at her father's home during the war, but on his return home they began housekeeping in a ' "plank " house on this farm. A great deal of hard work, and a thorough knowledge of farming, was required to bring the property into its present satisfactory condition, but Mr. Pelton was equal to it. He
776 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
added to his first purchase as time passed, and now owns 160 acres. June 3, 1895, he retired to Bloomdale, having erected a tasteful dwelling at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets, where he and his estimable wife hope to enjoy the harvest of their past labors. They have had six children: Sarah E. married M. K. Fox, a farmer of Perry township; Hartwell died at twenty years of age; Carrie married George Bair, of Montgomery township; Elsie married Charles Coe, of Perry township; Burr is in the public schools of Bloomdale, and Ethel is also at school.
Mr. Pelton has always been among the leaders in local affairs, and a personal knowledge of the deficiencies of the old-time rural schools has made him an active advocate of the best that can be obtained for the future, and for nearly thirty years he has been a member of the Perry township board of education. He was also assessor for four years, and real-estate assessor in 1880. Politically he is a Republican, and he is a member of Urie Post No. 110, G. A. R., of Bloomdale. A kind neighbor, an honorable business man and a patriotic citizen, he deserves and holds the esteem of the community. As a farewell tribute to him and his family, the citizens of Perry township gave a surprise party at his home June 1, 1895, the entire neighborhood, regardless of age or sex, being present-an honor of which any one might well be proud.
S. P. HARRISON, a successful attorney at law of North Baltimore, was born April 23, 1849, his parents being John K. and Mary A. (Reepsumer) Harrison, the former of whom was born in Harrison county, Ohio, July 26, 1816, the latter born on October 22, 1818. The paternal grandparents of our subject were born in Cadiz, Harrison county, and moved to Indianapolis, Ind., where his grandfather died from sunstroke in the harvest field on a July 4th. They came from the same stock as Benjamin Harrison, ex-President of the United States.
John K. Harrison was reared to manhood in his native county, and then went to Youngstown, where he worked at mining coal for David Todd, during which time he became an exhorter for the Christian, or Disciples, Church. He was married to Miss Reepsumer December 16, 1838, in Trumbull county, Ohio, and they went to live at Girard, in the same State, where Mr. Harrison learned the trade of a wagonmaker, which he followed until 1846. In the spring of that year he started on horseback to find a home in the " Far West." Stopping one day at Flint Hill, in the Whitaker settlement, near where Jerry City is now located, he learned that the community there were Disciples, so remaining over Sunday, he preached for them. So well did they like him that they secured for him a house in Portage, pursuaded him to locate there permanently, and become their preacher in Wood county. He did so, and preached at a schoolhouse where Mermill is now located, in the forenoon, and at a school house where Rudolph is now located, in the afternoon. He reared his family in Portage, where he started a wagon shop, in which he worked during the week. Politically, he was a firm supporter of the Republican party. He died in the fall of 1867, and his widow is now living at Gordon, Neb. Nine children were born to them, namely: Almon G., born July 25, 1840, was a member of Company C, 21st O. V. I., during the Civil war; was captured at Stone River, and was confined in Libby prison; he died at Portage in 1872. John H., born January 14, 1843, was in the 86th O. V. I. loo-days' service, and also in the 144th O. V. I., 6-months' service; he died and is buried at the Dayton Soldiers' Home. Sarah J., born January 12, 1845, died October 10, 1847. Alcinda 'A., born January 10, 1847, is the wife of Manning Abbott, and now resides near Gordon, Neb. S. P. is our subject. Mary A., born August 18, 1851, became the wife of R. M. Donnelly, formerly clerk of Wood county court, and died at Findlay, Ohio, in 1892. Austin R., born October 23, 1853, resides at Bowling Green, where he has been deputy clerk of the court for ten years; Lucy E., born June 24, 1858, married A. J. Holcomb, of Gordon, Neb., where she now resides. Freeman, born May 22, 1861, lives in Gordon, Nebraska.
Our subject spent the days of his youth in Portage, where he received his education, and at the remarkably early age of fifteen years began teaching school, in which line he continued some twelve terms in the district schools of Wood county, and then went to Portage and taught one term in the high school there. When only twenty years old he was principal of the Girard (Ohio) High School, where he stayed one year, and then studied law with the firm of Watson & Strong, of Norwalk, Ohio. In 187o and 1871 he was mayor of Portage, and in 1874-7576 was a justice of the peace in Bowling Green. In 1871 he entered the law department of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and, after graduating in 1872, formed a partnership with J. R. Tyler and J. W.. Canary, of Bowling Green, which was known by the firm name of Tyler,
S. P. Harrison
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Canary & Harrison. The latter dropped out of the firm after one year, for twelve years thereafter practicing alone in Bowling Green, and then for one year in Toledo. In 1885 he went to New York, and practiced there for a while, then moved to Ellsworth, Kans., remaining in that place for three years, thence proceeding to Phoenix, Ariz., sojourning there for a few months. He finally returned to Wood county, locating in North Baltimore, where he has continued the practice of his profession. He was the first city solicitor of North Baltimore, being elected to that office in 189o. In 1891 he lost all he possessed in the great fire, and was obliged to start afresh.
Mr. Harrison was married October 15, 1873, to Miss Sarah E. Flint, who was born in Fort Plain, Montgomery Co., N. Y., where she spent her childhood, receiving her education in the Fort Plain Seminary. Mr. Harrison was a charter member of Whitney Lodge, Portage, and of Centennial Lodge, Bowling Green, I. O. O. F., which he named.
T. J. CAMPBELL, the well-known merchant and banker, of Bloomdale, is justly regarded as one of the leading men in the commercial circles of southern Wood county. A shrewd business man, he is at the same time generous and publicspirited, and is ever ready to encourage any movement to benefit the community. He is the only child of one of the most prominent of Bloom township's pioneers, Andrew Campbell, who was born May 10, 1803, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
William Campbell, our subject's grandfather, came from the North of Ireland, in 1787, and died in Pennsylvania in 1810. Andrew Campbell was reared in Washington county, Penn., experiencing the common lot of a country boy in pioneer times. In 1832 he came to Wood county, on foot, and entered 16o acres of land in Henry township, which was among the earliest claims taken. He visited this land each year for some time, making some improvements each time, and in 1839 he purchased eighty acres in Bloom township adjoining the tract of 16o acres; on this he erected a rude log cabin. In August of the following year he was married to Miss Mary Harsha, a native of Washington county, Penn., and a daughter of Thomas Harsha, a leading citizen there. A month later the young couple set out for their new home in the swamps of Wood county, driving a team the entire distance. When they reached their destination they took shelter for a time in a small log pen 15 x 15, until the floor of their cabin could be laid. Much remained to be done to prepare for the chilly blasts of the winter, and it required years of hard labor to transform their section of wilderness into a farm; but this was done. Andrew Campbell' was a man of fine abilities and liberal ideas, and, although his schooling had been limited, his information was varied and extensive. Previous to the war he was a Whig in politics, but later he voted the Republican ticket, and took a hearty interest in the success of the party, attending conventions and primaries, but never entering the race for office himself. He was active up to the time of his death, which occurred November 19, 1878, from pneumonia. His wife, who had been for many years a consistent and devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, had passed away on August 20, of that year, and the mortal remains of both were laid to rest in Weaver cemetery.
T. J. Campbell spent his boyhood upon the farm, with plenty of work and such educational advantages as the district schools afforded. He has seen great improvements in these schools since his day, and endorses them most heartily. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 111th Regiment, O. V. I. (Capt. John Yeager, commanding), which was sent first to Covington, Ky., to help intercept Bragg, who was threatening the Ohio border. Mr. Campbell was under fire for the first time at Huff's Ferry, and then followed the battles of Lenoir, Campbell's Station, Knoxville, Rocky Face, Burnt Hickory, New Hope Church, Alatoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Anderson and Wilmington. He was never wounded, and was always on duty, except when physical ailments prevented him from taking his place. June 27, 1865, he was discharged at Salisbury, and came home to assume the active management of the farm.
On January 18, 1866, he was married to Miss Emeline Foster, who was born within the present city limits of Findlay, a daughter of Silas Foster, a prominent resident of Henry township. Seven children were born of this union: Orrin F., the cashier of the Exchange Bank at Bloomdale; Boyd E., a clerk in his father's store; Minnie, who died at the age of three months; Ford H., employed in his father's store; Curtie, now Mrs. M. A. Probert; Charles R., the bookkeeper in' the Exchange Bank; and Edna, who is at home.
After carrying on the farm successfully until September, 1888, Mr. Campbell sold apart of it, retaining 12o acres. He moved to Bloomdale, and gave his native business talent scope for ac-
778 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
tivity in several lines of work. He bought of L. C. Smith a one-third interest in the Gas Center Mill, opened a grocery store, and became interested in the grain business of Stacy & Co., owning the elevator. Later he disposed of these interests, and in 1891 established the Exchange Bank with a capital of $20,000, and in 1893, erected the Exchange Block, a fine office building, where he provided suitable accommodations for the bank. In 1895 he opened there the hardware and stove store, which has the largest quarters and most extensive trade of its kind in the town. He is a stockholder in the Bloomdale Creamery, a director in the Bloomdale Building and Loan Association, of which he was an organizer, and he is also interested in the Star Addition to Bloomdale. He is not an office seeker, but is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has given some time to local affairs, serving four years as township clerk, and several terms as trustee, and he was the second mayor of Bloomdale. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In G. A. R. affairs he has been very active, and was a charter member of Sill Post, at N. Baltimore. At present he belongs to Urie Post No. 110, at Bloomdale.
THOMAS STONE, one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, was born in Yorkshire, England, November 23, 1829, and is a son of William and Mary (Booth) Stone, both of whom died in England, the father in 1838, the mother in 1866. They were the parents of twelve children: John, a farmer and preacher of Yorkshire, England; Annie, wife of John Carr, a farmer of Yorkshire; Harriet, wife of William Chaplain, a resident of the City of York, England; William, who was drowned at the age of twelve years; Robert, who was drowned at the age of ten; Mary, who was burned to death at the age of seven; Thomas, subject of this sketch; Maria, widow of. William Whitehead, of Southport, Lancashire, England; Francis, who died in infancy; Frank, who died in Yorkshire, in 1881, at the age of forty years; and two who died in infancy.
In his native land the education of our subject was mostly, acquired, and in 1850 he embarked on the ship, " Seringapatam," at Hull, England, which, after a long and stormy voyage of eight weeks , dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. On landing , on the shores of the New World, Mr. Stone came to Erie county, Ohio, locating near Sandusky City, where he worked on a farm until 1861, in which year he came to Wood county, where in April, 1858, he had purchased his present farm of sixty acres, at that time all wild land, mostly covered with water, in part so bad was it that in order to drive a team to the mill he had to go round by the river.
In June, 1852, in Erie county, Ohio,. Mr. Stone married Miss Emma Smith, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Clarke) Smith, both natives of Lincolnshire, England. The family came to this country in 1849, and the father died in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1881; the mother had passed away in 1852. They had six sons and four daughters, namely: Charles, who belonged to the Fifth Iowa Infantry, was taken prisoner by the Rebels at the battle of Missionary Ridge in 1863, and died in Andersonville prison in September, 1864: Cooke, who was a member of the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and died from the effects of army service, in Michigan, in November, 1872; John and Robert, who both died in Iowa; Clark, who served in an Iowa regiment, and now lives in that State; Thomas, a farmer in Washington township; Emma (Mrs. Stone); Mary Ann, now the wife of Edwin Meeks, a farmer of Cadillac, Mich., who formerly operated a flouring-mill at Fostoria, Ohio, which he had to abandon on account of ill health; and two girls who died in infancy. Mrs. Stone, who is the eldest in the family, was born March 27, 1833.
Ten children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stone, seven of whom are yet living: George W., born May 29, 1856, is a farmer of Washington township, married Hattie Brillhart, and has four children-Fred, Allie, Francis J. and Birdie. Samantha, born September 11, 186o, is the wife of John McCombs, who resides near Blissfield, Lenawee Co., Mich. Francis C., born August 14, 1862, rents the Joel Foote farm in Washington township, which he operates; his wife bore the maiden name of Mary Crool. Clara, born April 2, 1864, is the wife of Louis Jefferies; they make their home near Monclova, Lucas Co., Ohio. Clarke J., born May 21, 1866, married Louisa Mozenia, and now carries on farming in Plain township, Wood county. Josephine, born August 15, 1868, is the wife of C. E. Gundy, a farmer of Washington township. Hattie N., born November 4, 1870, is the wife of John Welch, a farmer of Monclova, Lucas county. Three died in infancy, namely: William, born August 8, 1854, died September 7, following; Mary, born December 1, 1858, died April 9, 1861; and Nettie, born October 20, 1872, died on November 3, following. The parents also reared two brothers and a sister of Mrs. Stone.
In May, 1864, Mr. Stone enlisted at Tontog-
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any in Company B, 144th Regiment, O. V. I., under Capt. Black and Col. Miller. On May 1, 1864, the troops left Perrysburg, Ohio, for Columbus, being mustered in at Camp Chase. They then proceeded to Pittsburg, thence to Harrisburg and Baltimore, where they remained two nights, and thence to Camp Parole, Md., near Annapolis, where they did guard duty until the 1st of July. Then they went to Monocacy junction, near Fredericksburg, participating in several skirmishes, and while thus engaged Mr. Stone was taken prisoner on the 13th of August. When within five miles of Culpeper, he with four others succeeded in making their escape; but were five days and six nights on the road before reaching the Union lines near Fairfax Court House. On the close of his term of enlistment our subject was mustered out at Columbus, where he had suffered from an attack of fever. He is now a member of Walter A. Wood Post, G. A. R., of Tontogany.
In June, 1889, Mr. Stone returned to England, visiting the scenes of his youth and renewing old friendships, being absent on his trip about four months. He has aided in every enterprise calculated to enhance the best interests of his township and county, and labored earnestly for the welfare of their citizens. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and filled the position of trustee for one year, was supervisor several years and also school director. In religious faith he attends the services of the United Brethren Church. He has ever found his greatest pleasure in his home, and on June 15, the anniversary of his marriage, always holds a re-union of the family, which now comprises thirty-one members, including his children and fifteen grandchildren.
JAMES BRANDEBERRY, one of Perry township's most honored citizens, was born in Richland county, Ohio, May 4, 1828, and is a son of Philip and Catherine (Zimmerman) Brandeberry. In the fall of 1838, the father brought the family to Wood county, locating on 24o acres in Section 15, Perry township, but he later sold that tract and purchased a like amount in Bloom township. For his service in the war of 1812, he received eighty acres of land in Eaton county, Mich., and in that struggle took part in the engagements around Fort Meigs. He made the first improvements upon his land in Perry township, and, while their first cabin was being constructed, the family found a temporary home with John Chilcote. Philip Brandeberry was quite successful in his business transactions, and gave to each of his children eighty acres of land, or its equivalent. He was very fond of hunting, and used to engage in that sport to a great extent. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. His death occurred in Perry township at the age of eighty years, eight months and eleven days, while his wife lived to be nearly seventy-eight, and they were buried side by side at Center of Perry. In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: Betsy, who became the wife of John Chilcote, and died in Perry township; Jonathan, who died in Portage township; Philip, who departed this life in Bloom township; Christina, who was the wife of William Burke, and died in Freedom township; William, who died in Bloom township; Mary, who became the wife of Henry Hays, and passed away in Perry township; Isaac, who died in the same township; Thomas, a prominent citizen of Bloom township; and James, of this sketch.
The last named was less than eleven years of age when brought by his parents to Wood county, and acquired his education in the district schools. Farm machinery in those early days was quite primitive, so that the life of an agriculturist was not an easy one, but he continued to devote his energies to the cultivation of the old homestead until his marriage. He then began its operation on his own account, making his home there until April, 1885, since which time he has lived with his step-grandchildren, in Perry township.
On May 10, 1849, in Sandusky county, Ohio, Mr. Brandeberry led to the marriage altar Miss Jane Bates, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and a daughter of Andrew Bates, a pioneer of Sandusky county. Five children blessed this union-Minerva, who married Abraham Longacre, and died in Perry township; Mary J., who first wedded Marcus Keefer, but is now the wife of Randall Baird, of Perry township; George, who makes his home in Wood county; Emily, now Mrs. William Johnson, of Perry township; Laura, wife of Simon Hartley, of the same township. The mother of these children was buried in Perry township. In 1872 Mr. Brandeberry was united in marriage with Mrs. Rosanna Zepernick, widow of Frederick Zepernick, and daughter of Samuel Burns, one of the honored early settlers of Perry township. On the 29th of August, 1890, Mrs. Brandeberry was called to her final rest, and was buried at Center of Perry.
For twenty years Mr. Brandeberry followed threshing, besides his regular agricultural pursuits, and became widely known throughout the county. Although his school training was slight, he is a man of great natural ability, and is well informed
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on the current events of the day. His support has always been given the Republican party, and he has been called upon to fill several local positions, being supervisor and school director, and for two years was treasurer of Perry township, but always preferred to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, rather than to political matters.
HON. H. L. HUDDLE, ex-mayor of North Baltimore, well deserves a place in this history of the representative men of Wood county, and a brief sketch of his life will prove of interest to the readers of this volume.
Mr. Huddle was born July 5, 1854, in Bloom township, Seneca Co., Ohio, a son of Noah and Lavinia (Bretz) Huddle, who were both natives of Seneca county, the former born in 1825, the latter in 1828. They were there married, followed agricultural pursuits, and passed the rest of their busy lives, the father dying in 1863, and the mother in 1872. To them eight children were born, namely: John, a farmer in Seneca county; A. C., engaged in the undertaking business in Fredericktown, Ohio; Homer L., the subject of this sketch; Barbara, who married Wesley George, and died in Michigan; George M., a farmer in Ionia county, Mich; Gratten G., who died in 1892; and two who were killed in a runaway when young.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming and died in that State. The grandfather, Benjamin Huddle, left Pennsylvania at an early day, and became a pioneer settler of Seneca county, Ohio. His wife was a sister of Elder Seitz, a noted pioneer preacher of that section. Benjamin Huddle began life a poor man, but, by industry and perseverance, accumulated a fortune, owning at one time 400 acres of land, and passing his last years in a comfortable home, surrounded by an abundance of the good things of life. The family were all "hard-shell " Baptists, and were proud of the title, answering all captious or sneering remarks on their peculiar sect by saying that " a hard shell is better than no shell at all."
The subject of this sketch is essentially a selfmade man. His father died when he was nine years old, and he was left to the tender mercy of relatives, living here and there, working for a living at odd jobs, and drifting with the tide, and knocked about by the waves of adversity during his boyhood days. As maturer years approached, he realized that destiny is generally the result of individual effort, and bringing to mind a favorite adage, " A rolling stone gathers no moss," he determined to have a purpose in life, and made a start to fulfill it. He had been living in Marion county, Ohio, with relatives, and, although nineteen years old, had little or no education. This he set about rectifying, and entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Republic, Ohio, working at anything through his leisure hours, and on farms during the vacations, in order to pay his way. When the school was removed to Fostoria, he followed, and by untiring application, and in spite of numerous obstacles, obtained a good English education.
On October 14, 1875, Mr. Huddle was married, in Fostoria, to Miss Amanda M. Tumpaugh, of which union four children have been born, of whom the eldest, Frank, died when two years old; the others are-Charles, Hazel and Fred. After his marriage Mr. Huddle remained in Fostoria, working at anything he could find to do until 1876, when he removed to North Baltimore. His means were very limited, but he was able to buy a blind horse, with which he began draying. This he carried on with increasing success for a few years, when he bought a half interest in a dry-goods store in North Baltimore. Sixteen months later, in 1884, he disposed of this business and leased the elevators, becoming the principal grain buyer and shipper in the vicinity. His motto is "live and let live," and he has built up an extensive business by his fair dealing, honesty and untiring activity. His road to fortune seems now assured, and he can look back upon the obstacles surmounted as so many incentives to action which really served as good purpose in bringing out the reserve forces within him.
Mr. Hubble is a man of genial nature, and exceedingly popular in the community, which was proven by his election as mayor of North Baltimore in 1892. He held that office for two years, to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a liberal-minded, patriotic citizen, and merits the high esteem in which he is held. In politics is a stanch Republican; socially is a Knight of Pythias, and in religious affiliation is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife.
ALEXANDER MCCOMBS. The representatives of the farming interests of Wood county acknowledge this gentleman as one of the important factors in bringing this section of the State to its present enviable condition. He is a man of more than ordinary business capacity, intelligent and well informed, and has identified himself with the progress and best interests of the people.
H. L. Huddle
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Mr. McCombs was born October 15, 1834, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, a son of Archibald and Catherine (Jeffers) McCombs, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born May 13, 1799, in Washington county; the mother born February 14, 1802, in Susquehanna county. They were married in Harrison county, Ohio, after which Mr. McCombs bought a fifty-acre lot in Tuscarawas county, near New Philadelphia, all in timber, whither he removed, and which he cleared and put into good shape. To him and his wife were born eleven children, as follows: (1) John, who was a member of the 144th O. V. I. during the Civil war, and died in a Rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C.; was married, and had a family of eight children; at the time of his enlistment he was a prominent farmer of Washington township, Wood county. (2) Sarah Jane, widow of Charles Patterson, has three children-Henry, Jacob and Percy-and resides near Scotch Ridge with a son. (3) William, a farmer of Mecosta county, Mich., also served in the war of the Rebellion as a member of the 51st O. V. I. (4) Jacob was a member of the 21st O. V. I., and died at Nashville from the effects of hard service. (6) Martha is the wife of Wesley Cochran, a farmer of Ann Arbor, Mich., by whom she has two childrenWilliam and Agnes. (7) Catherine, who makes her home in Whiteside county, Kans., is the widow of Henry Grooves, and has five childrenJohn, Lewis, Alex., Thomas and Sadie. (8) Margaret died at the age of twenty-two years. (9) Mary died at the age of ten. (1 o) Charles died in infancy. (11) Alexander, the subject of this sketch, completes the number. The entire family grew to manhood and womanhood on the Tuscarawas county farm, except our subject, who was thirteen years old when his parents moved, in the fall of 1847, to Wood county, Ohio, in the spring of 1848 buying a home in Washington township, where they lived some years the children in the meantime, one by one, leaving the parental roof, some for homes of their own, others, as already related, crossing the dark river to the Unknown. When they became old and feeble, the parents were persuaded by their son, Alexander, to move, in the spring of 1874, to his home in Washington township, and there they died, the father on April 18, 1874, the mother on June 22, 1885. They were members of the United Brethren Church, and in politics Mr. McCombs was a stalwart Democrat.
Alexander McCombs began his education in the schools of Tuscarawas county, and continued his studies for a short time after coming to Wood county with his parents; but his school training was rather limited. On July 24, 1862, he enlisted at Tontogany, in Company G, First Ohio Light Artillery, under Capt. Alex. Marshall and Col. Barnett, and was mustered in at Toledo. From there the troops proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., after which they participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Franklin, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain, besides numerous small engagements. While in winter quarters at Chattanooga, Mr. McCombs was cooking some meat about ten feet from his tent, when a shell was thrown down from the mountain above, and exploded in the tent, totally destroying everything, yet he was uninjured! Though in many hotly contested battles, he was never wounded. At the battle of Franklin, two pieces of his battery were sent out on the pike to cover the retreat of the Union army, and, while marching into Franklin, Hood had his forces massed so solidly on a high knoll, that three out of the four men at the gun on which our subject served were killed, he alone surviving. They held the Confederates at bay as long as they could; but it became so hot the captain ordered them to limber to the rear, and get inside the line of works. Mr. McCombs had not time to put up equipments, but carried sponge-bucket in one hand and sponge-staff in the other, and, while marching in, quite a number of Hood's men followed them inside the breastworks. It was a hard fight while they were at it; "but," Mr. McCombs says, the ' Johnnies' used us much better at Franklin than they did at Stone River, where, on the third day's fight, they killed about half of our horses and took four of our guns. It was a terrible slaughter, and after the conflict was over they went to Nashville and drew new guns and horses." Mr. McCombs and his ''bunk-mate," H. G. Mercer, grew up together in boyhood, and served together throughout the war. Mercer was Mr. McCombs' partner when his tent was blown up at the foot of Lookout Mountain, as related above. On the close of hostilities our subject was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., June 13, 1865, and returned home, having made for himself an honorable war record, of which he may be justly proud.
Mr. McCombs then gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, operating a rented farm for seven years, when he purchased forty acres of land, which had been entered by his uncle from the government at seventy-five cents per acre, since which time it has never passed out of the family. Nineteen acres had already been improved, but he has since drained the tract, using 16,000 tile, erected a fine house at a cost of
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$1,100, built fences, and set out a fine orchard upon his land, the place being now a credit to the enterprise and industry of the proprietor. On February 11, 1868, he married Catherine Crom, a daughter of John Crom, a prominent farmer of Washington township, and five children blessed their union: G. E., who died 'at the age of fourteen months; L. A., a farmer of Washington township, who married Martha Daniels, by whom he has two sons-George and Harold; J. Chester, a farmer, at home; W. H., who is still under the parental roof; and H. A., who died at the age of three years. The unwavering support of Mr. McCombs is given the Republican party, whose principles he stanchly advocates, and has held several offices in his township, being trustee for seven years, and for many years he was school director and a member of the board of education. His religious belief is that of the United Brethren Church, while socially he is connected with Walter A. Wood Post, G. A. R., at Tontogany. In the summer of 1895 he attended the grand encampment at Louisville, Kentucky.
F. M. COOK. The subject of this sketch, who is a prominent farmer of Plain township, is well-known as a man of intelligence and enterprise, and also as a brave soldier, the story of whose adventures in the ''Far West," as it was called some twenty-five years ago, reads like some tale of fiction. He has no need to recall fairy stories to relate to the children, for his own experiences are quite as exciting as any of these, and have the added merit of being true.
Mr. Cook was born in Liberty township, April 3, 1845, to Robert and Elizabeth (Huff) Cook. His father was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, December 12, 18x6, and spent his younger days in Circleville. Ohio. He came to Wood county when about twenty-five years of age and was here married. Soon after this event, in 1848, he removed to Miami county, Ind., where he carried on general farming and dealt in stock, driving hogs to the market at Cincinnati. He was a Whig in his earlier years, but afterward became a Republican. He died in Indiana, September 23, 1870. Henry Cook, the father of Robert Cook, was born in Virginia in 1790, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, and by that means became a resident of Ohio. He was a shoemaker by trade, and in religion was a Universalist. He died in Indiana at the home of our subject's father. His family comprised ten children, of whom the following grew to maturity: Robert; Cervantes, who was a soldier in the Civil war, belonging to Company B, 40th Indiana, and died at Nashville, Tenn., from wounds received at the battle of Stone River; Reason, who died in Indiana; Alvin, who was killed by the falling of a tree; Melissa married George Gordon, and died in Kansas; Catherine married Joab Gordon, a brother of George; Susanna married a Mr. Morehead, and died in Indiana. Henry Cook was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his ancestors fought in the Revolutionary war.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of Henry and Huff, who were natives of England, and were there married. She was also born in England, and was the only one of the family who grew to maturity. Her parents came to America in 1832, and settled at Erie, Penn., where they remained one year, and then came to Wood county, Ohio, locating first in Liberty township, and later in Plain township, here the father died in at the age of eighty-six years. He did not vote until the time of the Civil war, when he became a Republican. He belonged to the Methodist Church.
The subject of this sketch was one of four children, of whom the following record is given: Adaline, married William Lucas, and died in Indiana. William lives in Lake county, Ind. ; he served during the Civil war in Company B, 40th Ind., and was wounded at Mission Ridge, but did not leave the army until the war was over. F. M. is the third in order of birth. Mary is the wife of Thomas Mearing, whose sketch will be found in another place. Mr. Cook was a child of three years when his parents removed to Miami county, Ind., and there obtained his education, and grew to manhood. In 1864, he enlisted in Company A, 138th Ind., for the hundred days' service. His time expired when he was in Nashville, Tenn., and he re-enlisted in the 151st Ind. regiment, in which he served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, and returned home, where he remained two years, then went west with the purpose of locating. His first stop was at Fort Scott, Kans., which at that time was a pretty rough place, being infested with bushwhackers from the North and South, who had congregated there. Two men were killed the first night Mr. Cook was in the town, and, although he remained there, and in the vicinity, for about four months, he decided to find some other place in which to try his fortune.
Mr. Cook's next step was to take up a claim on the Salmon river, and in the latter part of August, of the same year, the settlement was raided by the Indians. They killed a number of the
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white settlers, and took the women and children captives, destroying and burning the cabins and everything within their way. Gov. Crawford, of Kansas, came to the rescue of the whites, and organized a company of young men to follow the savages and exterminate them. Our subject was one of these volunteer soldiers who composed what was known as the 19th Kans. Cav., and on September 20, 1868, they started in pursuit of the red men. Driving the Indians before them, this brave band swept up the Salmon river, finally reaching Fort Hayes, where they were met by gallant "Little Phil " Sheridan and the 7th U. S. Cav. ; this little army then was extended in a line from Kansas on their forward march, determined that none of the savages should escape them. The latter made a stand at the Arknasas river, but were so closely pressed that they fled. The soldiers all massed at Camp Supply, and, under the command of the lamented Gen. Custer, marched sixty miles south of Wolf creek and struck the river, on whose banks the Indians were encamped. The troops attacked them before daylight, taking them by surprise and capturing all who were not killed. The prisoners were marched back to Camp Supply, and a few days later some of the soldiers returned to the battle field to care for the dead, but found only the bones of their comrades, the wolves having destroyed the bodies.
Mr. Cook was one of a company of men detailed to accompany a train of five hundred wagons sent to Fort Hayes, five hundred miles distant, for supplies. On the way they met a band of 'roving savages, and sent two men back to report the fact at headquarters. On the return of the expedition they found the head of one of these men in one place and parts of his body in other places, and later the other man was found tied to a tree, his body full of arrows. Both had been killed by these terrible scourges of the Plains. In addition to the other hardships of this never-to-be-forgotten trip, the teamsters drove both ways in a blizzard. Many other most thrilling and interesting incidents are related by our subject, of his experiences during this wild life on the Western frontiers. Among other things he saw herds of bufflalos, so numerous that no team or horseman could drive through them, and containing thousands of these great animals. Mr. Cook remained with the army in the West until June 19, 1869, when he went to Kansas City and worked in a woolen-mill there for a year. On the death of his father in 1870, he returned to his old home in Indiana, and took charge of affairs. He succeeded his father as justice of the peace, in Miami county, holding the office for eight years. In 1881 he came to Wood county, Ohio, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Cook was married November 4, 1875, to Miss Martha E. Paul, who was born September 30, 1856, and they have two children, Glenn C. born August 7, 1876, and James H., born July 7, 1883. Mr. Cook is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and is popular among his acquaintances.
GEORGE H. SPECK. Among the newspaper men of northwestern Ohio, few have a wider acquaintance than the popular editor and proprietor of the Pemberville Leader. At the time he assumed the management of the paper, the tide of its fortunes was at a very low ebb, but his energy and tact have succeeded in gaining for it a place among the most prosperous journals of Wood county. Possessing an inexhaustible fund of humor, together with a wide range of information upon topics of every nature, he is well fitted for the responsible position he holds.
The family to which our subject belongs originated in Germany, where his great-grandfather, Godfrey Augustus Speck, was born in 1754, and whence he emigrated to America. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Townsend, was born in September, 1763, and passed away December 13, 1815. His death occurred December 24, 1828. Among their eight children was Augustus, our subject's grandfather, who was born in Pennsylvania, December 13, 1787, and died in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 12, 1870. His wife, Sarah Reed, was born April 22, 1789, and died August 7, 1875. Their family consisted of eleven children.
On his mother's side our subject traces his ancestry to Benjamin Hiskett, a native of Virginia, who died in Belmont county, Ohio. A son of the latter, Norval Valentine Hiskett, our subject's grandfather, was born in Loudon county, Virginia, February 15, 1805, and died in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1852. He married Massey Nichol, who was born December 13, 1811, and passed away April 19, 1844. Isaac G. Speck, the father of our subject, was born near Westchester, Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 11, 1832, and is a merchant by occupation. At Cardington, Ohio, June 23, 1853, he married Matilda Ann Hiskett, who was born near Mt. Gilead, Morrow Co., Ohio, March 3, 1836. They became the parents of ten children, namely: John F., who was born July 17, 1854; Sarah E., February 16, 1856; Mary V., born June 14, 1857,
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and died July 23, 1857; Eda A., born July 18, 1858; Ira E., July 4, 1860; Ocenie B., January 4, 1862; George H., June 8, 1865; Charles E., May 21, 1867; Clarence C., who was born August 27, 1875, and passed away September 12, 1879; and Clive L., whose birth occurred December 5, 1880.
In the public schools of Defiance and Green Spring, Ohio, our subject received such educational advantages as those institutions of learning afforded. At the age of seventeen years he entered the office of a newspaper at Green Spring, the "Tunes," and though he commenced, with the humble position of "devil ", soon worked his way upward, and within two years was local editor of the paper. In 1885 he became connected with the Greenwich Enterprise, of which he was editor and business manager for one year. In 1887 he went to Chicago, and for a year and a half he was employed in a job printing office. In April, 1889, he came to Pemberville, and became editor of the Leader, of which he has since been in charge. The task of resurrecting the departed fortunes of this paper was not an easy one; but he applied himself to it with ardor, and soon achieved noteworthy success. Besides his regular newspaper work, he has a job printing office, and turns out a very superior quality of work. While the Leader is independent in politics, Mr. Speck himself is a stanch advocate of Republican principles, and always casts his ballot for the candidates of that party. Socially, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and K. O. T. M., and in religious belief is a Methodist. His marriage was solemnized at Lima, Ohio, June 12, 1888, his wife being Miss Cora Ann Smith. They have lost one child by death, and have two sons living, Clayton S., and Claire H.
S. P. HATHAWAY has the reputation of a strictly first-class business man, reliable and energetic, and is a citizen of whom Wood county may justly be proud. He is one of the oldest merchants of Luckey, having begun business there in 1872, and in 1881 erected a two-story building, which burned down in 1893, but with characteristic energy he at once rebuilt it, and now has a substantial two-story brick block, in which he is doing a large and lucrative business.
A native of Wood county, Mr. Hathaway was born in Webster township October 6, 1847, and is a son of Isaac M. and Nancy (Stevens) Hathaway, the former a resident of Geauga county, Ohio, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The father's birth occurred in 1822, and in his native county he acquired his education, after which, at the age of eighteen years, he came to Montgomery township, Wood county, with his parents, Daniel and Polly (Merricks) Hathaway, both of whom were born in Fall River, Mass. About 1820 the grandparents of our subject removed to Geauga county, Ohio, and later came to Montgomery township, this county, where they opened up a farm; for many years made their home in Webster township, Wood county, where the grandfather died in 1856, and his wife in 1880. He served his country in the war of 1812. By trade the father was a shoemaker, but also carried on farming. In Webster township he enlisted, in 1861, as a member of Company K, 21st O. V. I., for three years, being mustered in at Findlay, Ohio, and served in the army of the Cumberland. At the close of his term he reenlisted in the same company and regiment, and was killed on May 31, 1864, at New Hope Church. His wife still survives him, and makes her home in Luckey. Our subject is the eldest in their family of six children, the others being James and John, both of Luckey; Mary, who died in Webster township; Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols, of Michigan; and Mrs. Lasetta Hibbs, of Auburndale, Lucas Co., Ohio.
S. P. Hathaway was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys, receiving his education in the district schools of Webster township, but after the outbreak of the Civil war, although quite' young, he laid aside civil pursuits, and in 1864 joined Company K, 21st O. V. I., enlisting for three years or until the close of the war. He was mustered into the United States service at Toledo, Ohio, and was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, including the engagements at Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kingston, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, siege o Savannah, went in pursuit of Hood, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He was in the Carolina campaign, being in the battles of Averyboro and Bentonville, and at the latter place was taken prisoner. He was confined at Danville and Richmond. On being discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1865, he returned to his home in Webster township, where he followed farming for a time. At Toledo, in 1866, he joined the regular army, and during the three years of his service was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Randall and Fort Sully, after which he returned to Wood county.
On August 20, 1873, Mr. Hathaway was married to Delila (Bochman) Kinney, and to the marriage was born a daughter, Mary (Mrs. Clem-
S. P. Hathaway
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Eberhart), September 7, 1874. She was educated in the public schools of Luckey and of Albion, Ind., and is now a resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., and has one child, Gertrude.
In 1878, in Troy township, Mr. Hathaway was the second time married, this time to Miss Mary Bushnell, a native of Sandusky county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Emily (Clough) Bushnell, who were early pioneers of Troy township, and are-both now deceased. The lady is a sincere and faithful member of the Christian Church.
In his political relations, Mr. Hathaway is identified with the Republican party, served acceptably as postmaster under both Harrison and Garfield, and is a notary public of Troy township. He belongs to Benedict Post, No. 26, G. A. R., at Pemberville, in which he has filled the chair of quartermaster-sergeant, and is a member of Freedom Lodge No. 127, I. O. O. F. Personally and in a business sense he is popular among his townsmen, and considered a valuable addition to the community.
J. E. SOMMERS, M. D. This well-known and popular physician of North Baltimore was born May 22, 1854, on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were on their way to this country from Germany. He is the son of Frederick and Rosina (Groh) Sommers, both of whom were natives of Wittenberg, Germany.
The parents of our subject settled on a farm in Medina county, Ohio, where they lived until 1861, when they moved to Wood county, taking up their residence in Portage township. The year following Mr. Sommers offered his services in defense of the flag of his adopted country, enlisting in Company I, 111 th O. V. I., and serving as a private for three years. In all this time he was not wounded, but contracted rheumatism from which he was a sufferer the remainder of his life. He was born _n 1821, and died in 1878 in the prime of life. His wife, who was born in 1829, is still living in North Baltimore. Four children comprised their family, as follows: J. E., the subject of this sketch; Jacob, living in Henry township; Frederick, also in North Baltimore; and Christina, who was the wife of Dr. Knight, of Portage, and is deceased. The parents were both members of the Lutheran Church, although the mother is now connected with the Christian Church at Mungen.
Our subject was seven years old when his parents took up their residence in Wood county, and here he attended the public schools, acquiring a good common-school education. In 1889 he began the study of medicine under Dr. Bryant, of Toledo, afterward attending the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he was graduated in June, 1892, with the degree of M. D. He began his professional career in North Baltimore soon after his graduation, and in a short time has built up an extensive practice. He is a man of fine ability, a close student, and has the confidence of the people, a most necessary factor in the success of a physician. He is also popular on account of his genial ways and many excellent qualities as, a neighbor and friend.
Dr. Sommers was first married, in 1878, to Miss Clara Wallace, who died a little more than two years after her marriage, leaving one child, Henry. The Doctor took for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca McCrory, of Liberty township, who was born June 3, 1852. She has one child, Mary, by her first marriage, and one by her marriage with our subject, Floyd. Dr. Sommers belongs to the Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Association, and the Ohio State Medical Association, and is medical examiner for the lodge of Woodmen of the World at North Baltimore. He is a 'Democrat politically, and in religious connection is a member of the United Brethren Church at North Baltimore. In addition to his practice, he looks after a tract of land which he has leased to the Ohio Oil Co., and on which he has placed many improvements. He also owns city property in North Baltimore, and the Columbia Drug Store, in the same city, which is conducted by a professional pharmacist, F. M. Hoffman, the Doctor's time being entirely taken up with his extensive practice.
MARSHALL R. GORRILL owns and controls one of the leading industries of Middleton township, being engaged in the manufacture of lumber and staves at Dowling. Fully in sympathy with the spirit of progress and enterprise characteristic of the age, he carries forward his business interests with energy and perseverance, and is recognized as one of the leading representatives of commercial circles in his locality.
Mr. Gorrill is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Troy township, August 3, 1854. His father, Thomas Gorrill, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1807, and about the year 1830 crossed the Atlantic, taking up his residence in Center township, this county. Subsequently he removed to Troy township, where he secured a claim of 260 acres, which he cultivated and improved. He married Miss Eliza Barr, a native of Peru, Ohio, and they had eight children: Robert W., a con-
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tractor and farmer; Martha J., wife of Wesley Thurston, a lawyer -of Toledo; Marshall R. Samuel B., Thomas A., and Henry L., James C., all four now deceased; and Mary G., deceased wife of S. Smith, of Elmore, Ohio. Two of the sons-Samuel B. and Thomas A.were soldiers in the Civil war, the former serving in the 189th O. V. I. some nine months; Thomas A., who had a gallant record, served three years in all, first in the 72nd O. V. I., but on April 8, 1865, he was commissioned lieutenant in the 189th O. V. I., receiving an honorable discharge with his regiment at the close of the campaign. The father of this family served as county commissioner of Wood county for several years, was justice of the peace in Troy township, and was an honored, respected man. In his political relationship he gave an unswerving support to the Republican party. His death occurred in 1874, that of his wife in 1880.
Our subject was educated in Troy township, and in the Normal Schools at Fostoria and Berea. For several terms he taught school, and then worked on the home farm until 1881, when he and his brother, Samuel B., built a hoop and stave factory at Stony Ridge, this county, expending thereon some $4,000. On July 26, 1885, they were burned out, and, unfortunately, were uninsured; but with characteristic energy, they in the following year commenced the manufacture of staves and hoops, at Dowling, furnishing employment to from twenty-five to forty hands. On December 31, 1890, Samuel B. died from injuries received on the 26th of the same month, being crushed by a log, and then Marshall R. assumed exclusive control of the business, which he has since conducted with wellmerited and gratifying success, shipping the product of his factory to all parts of the country. In addition to this he is interested in the oil industry, being a director in the Dunbridge Oil Co., who have ten wells in operation at present, and contemplate drilling more in the near future. Mr. Gorrill also owns and manages 120 acres of land in Middleton township.
On January 25, 1887, Marshall R. Gorrill was married to Ida A. Gast, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Lahman) Gast, of Troy township. They are farming people, natives of Pennsylvania, married in Ohio, and in 1887 moved to Alabama where they are now making their home. They had a family of six children, two of whom are living-Mrs. Gorrill, and John Me., who is a merchant at Huntsville, Ala.; Emery, Joseph, 'George and Anna are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Gorrill have been born two children: Irvin A., May 8, 1889; and Grace, March 13, 1893. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and socially is affiliated with Phoenix Lodge No. 123, F. & A. M., of Perrysburg, also of Fort Meigs Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Perrysburg. He holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is serving as steward and trustee therein.
SIDNEY B. VAN TASSEL, who occupies a fine and well-improved farm in Washington township, is numbered among its well-to-do farmers, and from a small beginning has gradually worked his way upward, making all that he now possesses by his own well-directed and persevering efforts. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in North Amherst, Lorain county, November 30, 1830, and is a son of Luke and Sallie (Richmond) Van Tassel.
The father was born in 1795 in New York, of Holland parentage, while the mother's birth occurred in Rhode Island, in 1800. They were married in 1818, and to them were born eleven children: Amelia, widow of A. H. Plant, of Maumee, Ohio; Lyman, who was born December 4, 1820, and resides with our subject; Isaac and Olive, both deceased; Ann, a resident of Wood county, and the widow of Josiah Kuder; Harriet, deceased wife of Hiram West; Silas, a farmer of McClure, Henry Co., Ohio; Sidney B. and Leroy A., both farmers; Luman, who works for the Toledo Blade, and resides in Bowling Green; and Reuben, also a resident of Bowling Green. By occupation the father was a farmer, and on coming to Ohio in 1837, located in Plain township, Wood county, but after one year removed to an Indian mission farm, on the banks of the Maumee river, at the mouth of Tontogany creek, where he made his home for four years. His death occurred December 2, 1869, on his farm of sixty acres, one mile north of the present home of our subject. The mother died in September, 1874.
Sidney B. Van Tassel (during the family's residence at the Indian mission, he found as his playmates the little Indians) obtained his literary education' in the district schools of Washington township, and besides aiding in the work of the home farm also worked for others, his wages going toward the support of the family until he was twenty-five years of age. He then had no capital with which to start out in life, owning nothing but his clothes. At first he rented land, and besides general farming began raising stockboth horses and mules. He finally sold enough of his stock to purchase forty acres of the land,
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on which he now makes his home, though he continued to operate rented land for several years, and, in the meantime, however, he cleared eleven acres of his tract, to which he subsequently added twenty acres, and, as his financial resources increased, added still another tract of thirty acres. With the exception of five acres of timber land, his place is now under a high state of cultivation, improved with good buildings, and is one of the model farms of the neighborhood. For the past five years he has also dealt in Jersey cattle, having now a fine herd of thirteen. He also gave some attention to sheep raising, having as many as two hundred in his flocks, but owing to the low price of wool has given up that enterprise.
In 1855. Mr. Van Tassel married Jane Ann McCauley, a daughter of Capt. John and Betsy (Hart) McCauley, farming people of Washington township. One daughter graced this union-Ann Elizabeth, born June 7, 1858, is the wife of William Mawer, a farmer of Washington township, by whom she had four children, only two of whom are still living-Septimus and Sidney R. Mrs. Van Tassel died in June, 1884. For his second wife our subject married Letta Moore on August 9, 1887, and they have a daughter, Jennie, born in June, 1888. Miss Moore was the daughter of J. C. and Mary Ann (Green) Moore, and by her first marriage became the wife of Mr. Dunbar, by whom she had two children-Hattie May, born August 9, 1883; and Cecil Urania, born November 29, 1885. Mr. Moore, the father of Mrs. Van Tassel, was formerly a prominent farmer of Washington township, but later engaged as a rnachinist in Blissfield, Mich. In his family were five children: Ellen, wife of A. O. Neifer, of Weston township, Wood county; Sarah Frances, wife of John Bullis, of Tennessee; Hattie. wife of D. C. Credicott, of North Baltimore, Ohio; J. W., a farmer residing in the southern part of Missouri; and Mrs. Van Tassel. The father now makes his home in Weston, Ohio, but the mother departed this life February 16, 1884. She was born in England in 1821, and when quite young was brought to America by her parents; her mother died when she was but eleven . years of age, leaving her and her father the care of six children, with the Indians of the neighborhood as their only advisors.
During the Civil war Mr. Van Tassel was a strong Republican, but later voted the Democratic ticket, and now intends to give his allegiance to the men and measures of the Peoples party, whose principles he strongly endorses. For two terms he served as trustee, was constable seven years, and for a number of years was school director, ever discharging his various duties with promptness and fidelity. Socially, lie holds membership with Tontogany Lodge No. 755, I. O. O. F., and formerly was a member of the Grange, of which for two terms he served as master, and the same length of time as overseer. His religious belief is that of the Spiritualists. He has ever been a hard-working, industrious man, and well deserves the success which now crowns his efforts. Each year, on August 16, the family hold a reunion.
GEORGE ROBINSON, a farmer and fruit raiser, of Troy township, came to Wood county in 1870 from England, his native land. He was born in 1843, in Cambridgeshire, and is a son of Nathaniel and Martha (Wright) Robinson, who were the parents of six children, five still living. In order of birth they are as follows: Charles; George, of this sketch; Mrs. Sabina Gatson, of England; Lizzie, deceased; and Henry and Mrs. Salena Howard, also of England. The father was born in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, followed gardening as a means of livelihood, and died in his native land in 1880. The mother still survives, and has never left England. She had a brother, George Wright, who came to Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1853, and the following year located on the farm where our subject now resides. There his death occurred, in 1879, and his wife died in 1887, at the same place.
Mr. Robinson, of this review, received the benefit of a common-school education in his native land, and was otherwise fitted for the battle of life. At Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, in 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Whetstone, a native of Cambridgeshire, and a daughter of James and Frances (Moxon) Whetstone. Her parents, who were also born in Cambridgeshire, crossed the Atlantic in 1871, locating on a farm in Des Plaines township, Cook Co., Ill., but in 1895 removed to Minnesota, where they now reside. Seven children came to bless the union of our subject and his wife, but Charles died in November, 1879, at the age of twenty-seven months. Those living are: Emily Jane; Nathan George; Lizzie, wife of Hiram Cabel, of Lime City, Ohio; James; Salena; and George.
In 1870 Mr. Robinson emigrated to the New World, locating first in Perrysburg, where he worked for some time, but in 1884 removed to his present farm, where he owns thirty-three acres of lime-stone land. He gives special attention to fruit culture, and his products find a ready sale in the market. He is not an active politician,
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but, as his sentiments and beliefs dictate, votes with the Republican party. His wife is a sincere and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CURTIS PLOWRIGHT, who is among the prosperous young farmers of Plain township, is of English descent, his parents, Henry and Mary (Cross) Plowright, both being natives of that country. Henry Plowright was born August 1, 1821, and his wife July 21, 1829. They came to America in 1850, first settling in Huron county, Ohio, and fifteen years later coming to Wood county, where Mr. Plowright purchased a farm, which he put under good cultivation and made into a valuable piece of property. He died November 3, 1891, and his wife is still living. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Susan died when eight years old; Bertha is the wife of L. Stoots; Elizabeth married J. Manges; Willie died when three years old; Ida is the wife of Henry Krarnp; Curtis is the subject of this sketch; Cora is the wife of John Philips; Mary is at home.
Curtis Plowright was born in Huron county, Ohio, December 6, 1863, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Plain township, where he obtained a fair education in the district schools. He was married October 6, 1887, to Miss Mary Vernon, whose birth took place in Plain township, January 28, 1863. Three children have blessed their union, namely: Ethel A., born March I, 1889; Otho C., October 11, 1892; and Harold V., May 18, 1894. After his marriage Mr. Plowright settled on ten acres of land which he owned in Plain township, and on the death of his father, he purchased from the heirs the old homestead on which he has since resided. He is a man of much energy and enterprise, and has made a success of farming, being considered one of the best and most thrifty of the younger class of agriculturists in the county. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and is an active worker in the interests of his party. He is a man of integrity, highly esteemed by his associates, and with his amiable wife holds an enviable place in the community.
MYRON CHAMBERLAIN, a prominent educator of Wood county, and one of the well-to-do agriculturists of Webster township, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, November I I, 1849.
His father, Luther Chamberlain, was a native of Ontario, Canada; but in early manhood he came to Ohio and purchased sixty acres of land in Lorain county, where he remained some years, afterward removing to Hardin county. Here he continued his occupation of farming until 1877, when he came to Wood county, and bought a farm in Webster township. He was married in 1848 to Miss Emily Smith, and they reared a family of eight children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are Jesse, Willard, Phillips, Louis, Frank, Bert and Lorin. Both parents are still living at the old homestead, where our subject's father has been for years one of the leading members of the Democratic party, and an active worker in all public movements, and especially in educational affairs, having been school director for many terms.
Mr. Chamberlain met with a sad accident at the age of sixteen, while feeding a cane-crusher with his hands, both were caught and so injured as to necessitate their amputation. He prepared for teaching as a life work, completing his education at the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and for twenty-seven years has followed his profession. His fine mental gifts and professional training make him an unusually successful instructor, and he has taught in every district in his township with universal satisfaction, and is still teaching. Through his own efforts he has bought and paid for fifty-four acres of the finest 'land in Webster township, located near Fenton, and most of it is under cultivation. On April 3, 1877, Mr. Chamberlain was married to Miss Lavilla Loomis, of Scotch Ridge, who was born June 5, 1850. Six children were born to them: George L., . January 15, 1878; Kenneth and Benjamin (twins); Permelia Ray, Fred and Winn E.
Mrs. Chamberlain died in 1888, her early demise bringing deep grief to her many friends as well as to the smaller home circle, who miss her loving ministrations. In all public affairs Mr. Chamberlain's advice and influence are given to the side of progress. As a justice of the peace, he has served the people of his township for three years with ability and impartiality.
GEORGE W. HARTMAN, farmer and stock raiser, Plain township, was born in Center township, May 26, 1841. He grew up on his father's farm, receiving his education in the common schools of his native place. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H, 67th Regiment, O. V. V. I., for the Union cause, and served nearly two years, doing duty at the siege of Richmond, Va., where his regiment was under fire for nearly a whole summer. The 67th was kept in Virginia, getting the State under martial rule, until December 19, 1865, at which time Mr. Hartman was discharged. He was fortunate enough to escape without
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receiving a wound. After the war he sheathed his sword, came home and returned to pursuits of peace. Shortly after he returned he bought his present excellent farm in Plain township. He was married in October, 1871, to Miss Barbara Apel, who was born in Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, March 27,,1849. They have had three children: John, born May 21, 1873, died June 6, 1895; Walter, born November 19, 1878; and Irene, born March 18, 1881.
Mr. Hartman has continued to live upon his present farm since the war, and has been engaged in general stock and grain raising, his farm giving evidence of careful cultivation. It is fertile, and capable of producing a large amount of grain. Our subject is recognized by his fellowcitizens as one of the opulent men of the county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican.
Jacob Hartman, father of our subject, was born on the Lower Rhine, Germany, May 26, I808. He came to America when about twentythree years of age, and married Miss Margaret Listenburger, who was born in Germany, and who is still alive. They moved to Perrysburg in 1833, later to Center township, where they made their home.
ELLIOT M. WARNER, who is engaged in fruit culture in Ross township, belongs to a family that was early established in Connecticut. Near New Milford, that State, his grandfather, Martin Warner, was born April 27, 1781, and was the third of five sons born to Martin Warner, Sr., the others being, Orange; Solomon, who was married and had one son, Asa; Ruggles, who had two sons, Ashbel and Hiram, both of whom graduated at Yale College; and Lemuel, who also had two sons, Luzon and Elmer. There were also two sisters in the family, one of whom married a son of Rev. Brooks, a Congregational minister, for whom Brookfield, Connecticut, was named.
On November 20, 1803, the grandfather led to the marriage altar Miss Nancy Hart, daughter of Lewis and Anne Hart, and they became the parents of the following children-Elliot, Henry, Martin, John H., George L., Mary, Eliza, Harriet, Margaret, and Sarah, who were born in Brookfield, Derby, and Huntington, Conn. In 1806 the grandfather began farming on a thirtythree-acre tract, two miles northeast of Brookfield, in Fairfield county, Conn., and twentythree miles from Bridgeport. In 1811, in company with his father-in-law, he built a schooner of 170 tons burden, which was sailed by Lewis Hart, and in the war of 1812 was shot and fired by the British, off Bridgeport, Conn., but, after being run down, the fire was extinguished and the vessel saved. It was named the "Nancy," and was partly wrecked off the coast of Nantucket Island, but was repaired at a cost of $500.00. Martin Warner removed to Derby, Conn., in April, 1815, where he engaged in distilling rum and whisky, which at that time was thought to be consistent in a Christian and deacon in the Church. Reverses of fortune followed, and in November, 1823, he went to Rochester, N. Y., making the journey partially by canal, which became frozen. On January 1, 1824, he proceeded to Black Rock; but on May I, removed to Buffalo, locating on Pearl street, one and a half squares northwest of the junction o Main and Niagara streets. His wife and three children had joined him at Black Rock. and the same year they removed to Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he engaged in carpentering. In 1824, his son Elliot sailed as cabin boy on the " Red Jacket" and the ''Erie," the former of which was sent over the Falls with a black bear on board. In 1827, the grandfather purchased 119 acres in Rose township, Wayne county, for $6.00 per acre; but in September, 1833, with his son, Elliot, and his son-in-law, James Barber, he came, by way of Buffalo and Lake Erie, to Perrysburg, Wood Co., Ohio. However, in the latter part of October of the same year, he returned to New York, and the family came by way of Detroit to Perrysburg on Capt. Asa Hart's schooner. The grandfather built the first frame dwelling in Washington township, Wood county, in which religious services were held in 1835 and 1836, by Rev. Benjamin Woodbury, who organized a class of Presbyterians in Plain township, Martin Warner and Jacob Minton becoming deacons. In 1838 a house of worship was erected in Section 12, Plain township. In Washington township the grandfather departed this life November 14, 1854.
Henry Warner, the father of our subject, learned the hatter's trade, of Van Vorhes, at Lyons, N. Y., in 1827, and came with the family to Wood county in 1835. He was born March I1, 1811, and died April 24, 1894. On January 19, 1841, he was united in marriage with Jane Elizabeth Wright, whose birth occurred in Hardin county, Ky., in June, 1820, and to them were born five children-Liberty P., born May I I, 1842, became a member of the 21st O. V. I., during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; Elliot M. is the next in order of birth; Eliza J., born November 23, 1845, is now the wife of Charles E. Allen; Mary W.,
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born September 15, 1847, is now Mrs. William Rhymers, living at 895 Bancroft street; and Hattie, who was born November 20, 1851, died at the age of ten years. For twenty-two years the father. engaged in the work of the Methodist ministry, preaching at the following places in this state-Findlay, Bucyrus, Congress, Copley, Doylestown, Fostoria, Mt. Blanchard, Mellmore, Port Clinton, Bryan, Sylvania and Waterville. In September, 1859, he located in Washington township, Wood county, where he made his home for fourteen years, when he retired to Perrysburg, where he resided for twenty years. He was a conscientious Christian gentleman, beloved by all who knew him.
Elliot M. Warner, whose name introduces this sketch, was born January 23, 1844, in Waynesburg, Wayne Co., Ohio. On attaining to man's estate, he married Miss Margaret E. Brown, who was born on Beaver creek, in Weston township, Wood county, in November, 1843, and is a daughter of Alexander Brown, of Grand Rapids township, this county. They now have three children-Howard N., a fruit grower, born December 25, 1872; Otis Arthur, also a fruit grower, born March 26, 1874; and Jennie E., all at home. Until 1874, Mr. Warner devoted his attention to general farming, but since that time has engaged in fruit culture, at first having twenty-five acres, to which he has since added fifty-seven acres, which he has thoroughly cleared, drained, and erected thereon good buildings, including a fine residence. The following is the average production of his fruit farm-500 bushels of peaches, 400 of pears, 125 of plums, 100 of apples, 60 of cherries, 25 of currants, 10 of quinces, 8 of gooseberries, and 4 tons of grapes, all of the best varieties. He rents the remainder of his farm, for which he receives one-third of the crop raised, and his corn generally yields 100 bushels to the acre.
Mr. Warner is a member of the Clark street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Toledo, Ohio, in which he has served as trustee and class leader; has always been a Republican in politics, to which party his ancestors also belonged, after the dissolution of the Whig party, which they had formerly supported. For sixteen years he capably served as trustee of his township, and for several years was also school director.
On May 2, 1864, Mr. Warner enlisted at Perrysburg in Company B, 144th O. V. I., under Lieut. Miller, Capt. Luther Black and Col. Hunt, and participated in the engagements at Monocacy, Md., and Berryville, Va. Out of seventeen, twelve were captured by the Rebels, our subject being among the five who escaped, and in September, 1864, he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio. He now holds membership in Ford Post No. 14, G. A. R., at East Toledo. His brother Liberty, who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, was buried in the National Cemetery, at Chattanooga, among the thousands marked "Unknown."
EDWARD BALDWIN, a prominent and wellknown grain dealer and agriculturist, of Weston, was born November 28, 1843, at Townsend, Huron Co., Ohio, and is the son of Watson and Almira (Church) Baldwin.
To some men there is no such word as fail. Unkind fortune may buffet then about, they may be now on the topmost wave of prosperity and to-morrow in the depths of adversity, but their courage never falters, and obstacles and disappointments seem to bring out. all the force of their character, and to incite them to still more strenuous efforts. Mr. Baldwin has had a checkered career, but, thanks to his undaunted energy and unflagging perseverance, he has conquered all difficulties, and sees before him smooth sailing, it is to be hoped, for the remainder of his life. The history of such a man is worth reading for the lessons it teaches.
The father of our subject was born November 2, 1805, at Wilkesbarre, Penn., and was there married April 15, 1832, to Almira Church, who was born April 27, 1814. He was a farmer, and also kept store at his native place. In 1837, he came with his wife and four children to Ohio, locating at Townsend, Huron county, where he bought a large farm. This he carried on for a year, when, owing to the fact that another person had a prior claim on the property, he lost it, and all he possessed. He afterward engaged in mercantile business, and also carried on the manufacture of potash. In 1846 he came to Wood county, making the trip, which occupied an entire week, with an ox-team. He purchased sixty acres of land in Portage township, afterward buying fifty acres more of wild land, which he improved. He resided on this place for nine years, and in 1852, when our subject was thirteen years old, he removed to Weston township. Here he carried on the manufacture of potash for two or three years, and then rented a farm. He traded the property, he had at this time in Weston, for a farm east of Portage, on which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring January 15, 1867. His widow then disposed of this farm, and returned to Weston, where she purchased property and resided until her death in 1892.
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The four children born to this worthy couple in Pennsylvania, were: Elinor E., born January 26, 1833, who died in infancy; Ruth Ann, born March 21, 1834, was married February 14, 1854, to D. A. Gunn, and died October 21, 1873; Helen E., born August 28, 1835, was married June 8, 1853, to Francis Franklin, and died October 21, 1873; Byron C., born December 6, 1836, was married February 4, 1864, to Emeline Clark. He was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Franklin,. Tenn., November 30, 1864. The flag which he carried, and which was stained with his life's blood, is now in the Capitol at Columbus, Ohio. The children born in Ohio were: Charles B., born August 1, 1839, in Townsend, Huron county, was married June 20, 1874, at Weston, to Miss Ella Jeffery; Abid V., born April 11, 1841, was married January 29, 1866, to Miss Jane E. Caswell; Edward is the subject of this sketch; Wilson M., born March 22, 1845, died September 25, 1855; Mary J., born February 12, 1848, died July 23, of the same year; Sarah E., born June 13, 1849, was married December 17, 1868, to John Freyman, and died October 7, 1881; Alice G., born June 28, 1852, died November 29, 1852. The youngest children died in infancy. Of this family, Charles, Avid, Edward and William were born in Huron county, and reside in Wood county.
Edward Baldwin obtained his education in the schools of Weston and Portage, at which he was a student until he was seventeen years old, his leisure time being employed in assisting his father upon the farm. After leaving school the young lad determined to make his own way in worlds and, following the advice of the poet to seize the duty that lieth nearest," he took up the first occupation that presented itself, which was sawing and splitting wood. He worked at this until he had finished, six cords at fifty cents a cord, which, at the rate he worked, gave him about ten cents a day. This was, however, the means of getting him a good job in a store, the proprietor of which admired the boy's pluck. He worked for this man three years, his wages the first year being $5.00 a month, $8.33 1-3 the second year, and $12.00 the third year. Out of this he saved $60.00, with which he speculated in produce with good success, making $300 from fall until spring. The next summer he bought potatoes at fifty cents a bushel, on the advice of a stranger, who promised to buy them of him; but the price fell, and Mr. Baldwin shipped them to Cincinnati, where he realized $138 from their sale.
On his way home from Cincinnati, Mr. Baldwin met a stranger who entered into conversation with him, and who soon discovered from the young man's appearance that he was feeling rather blue and discouraged. He inquired into the latter's history, and seemed favorably impressed with his story and his evident enterprise and ambition, and, without knowing anything more about him, advanced him $600, taking not even a note for it, and advised Mr. Baldwin to return home and invest the money in hides. This he did, and the result of the transaction was that Mr. Baldwin made $400 for himself, besides paying back the $600 loaned him by his new friend, Mr. May, and also paid the latter $50.00 for the use of the money.
Mr. Baldwin continued buying and selling hides until 1864, when he went to Milton Center and bought a store. This he carried on for six months, in which time he made $2,000, then built a store in Weston, and, in connection with J. E. Clarke, engaged in general merchandising. At the end of a year Mr. Baldwin sold out his interest to his partner, and went on a farm, which after a couple of years he was obliged to sell on account of ill health. He then formed a partnership with W. B. Ladd, in the hardware business, and subsequently owned a gristmill which he operated-for twelve years. During this time Mr. Baldwin was also speculating in lands, in 1870 buying the 120 acres where he now lives, and for which he paid $55. per acre. On this property he erected a fine dwelling at a cost of $3, 300, and engaged in general farming for three or four years, when he purchased the stock of goods belonging to Mr. Clarke, afterward trading it for 200 acres of land adjoining his present home. This gave him quite an extensive farm; but owing to severe winters and other ill fortune he lost $10,000. His next enterprise was the purchase of a stock of goods at Mt. Blanchard, where he carried on a store for six months, then removing it to Weston, and traded a farm for a stock of goods in Columbus Grove; he brought that to Weston, and in 1884 Mr. Baldwin cleared $10,000, in his business, and the following year, $11,000; in connection with the store he handled stock and grain. Fortune, which hitherto had smiled upon him, now turned a cold shoulder, for, in the following three years he lost $42,000, owning to dishonest help. This caused his failure in business, and came near destroying his faith in mankind, for, .when he most needed their assistance, those whom he had helped failed to show their gratitude, and left him to face the storm alone. He, however, put his trust in a
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Higher Power, remembering how, when a lad of seventeen he started out on his career, his dear mother placed in his hands an old black Testament, and told him to guard against doing anything wrong, and, whenever he was tempted, to read his Testament and follow its teachings.
With renewed perseverance, and by diligent labor, he recovered from this disastrous blow, and to-day is the owner of a good farm of seventy acres, also of a grain elevator, and of various other business interests, which bring him in a good income. He is the gainer in many ways by his hard experiences, and, as he is now still in the prime of life, can look forward to many years of activity and it is to be hoped of uninterrupted prosperity. Mr. Baldwin was married January 1, 1866, to Maria Taylor, a sister of Thomas Taylor. Five children have blessed this union, as follows: Albert B., born March 14, 1867, travels for the wholesale notion and dry-goods house of L. S. Baumgardner & Co., of Toledo; Thomas Watson is deceased; James V. married a daughter of A. J. Munn; Almon is deceased; Harriet A. is at home.
Mr. Baldwin is a stanch Republican, but has never cared to run for office. He is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is also steward and a class leader, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school for twentythree years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the K. of P., and is esteemed and respected by all who know him.
HENRY W. STERLING, a wealthy oil operator and real-estate owner of Wood county, now residing in Bowling Green, was born April 6, 1843, in Hancock county, Ohio, where his ancestors were among the earliest settlers. His grand-father, Jacob Sterling, came there from Ireland in early manhood, and cleared the land upon which he made his home until his death, at the age of seventy years. His wife lived to the advanced .age of ninety-five.
Their son George, our subject's father, was born in Guernsey county February 13, 1812, and died July 15, 1885, in Iowa. He was twice married, and had twenty children. At the age of sixteen he married Miss Delilah Cummings, who was born October 1, 1812, and died June 30, 1843, Ten children were born to this union, as follows: Olive M., born July 28, 1832, married James Lanning, of Hancock county; John Althans, born March 2, 1833, is a resident of Hammansburg, Ohio; George C., born November 27, 1834, lives in California; infant, born March 17, 1835, died two days later; twins, born in 1836, died the same year; Mary Ann Isabel, born June 22, 1837, died October I1, 1887, the wife of N. Richmond; William Jackson, born February 15, 1839, was murdered in Umatilla, Ore., September 30, 1886; Nancy J., born August 20, 1841, died in 1892; Henry Wesley is our subject. Mr. Sterling's second wife was Miss Mary Ann Llewellyn, who was born March 26, 1828, and died August 16, 1888. Ten children were born to them: James Wellington, born October 7, 1846, now living in Wisconsin; Delilah, born November 13, 1840, died September 8, 1850; Melissa J., born April 5, 1850, married and living in Iowa; Arkinson B., born February 17, 1852; infant, born February 19, 1854, died when three days old; Margaret D., born May 25, 1855, the wife of George Helline, of Des Moines, Iowa; Francis M., born March 10, 1859, a resident of Des Moines; Hiram Perry, born July 5, 1861, living in Iowa; Rebecca E., born May 10, 1864, married and living in Montana; Amanda E.., born July 19, 1869, died December 19, same year. Our subject's parents lived in Hancock county for some years after their marriage, then moved to Michigan and later to Indiana. Returning to the old home after about fourteen years of absence, they lived there a short time, and finally moved to Iowa. The father was a man of exceptional strength, and weighed 240 pounds. In politics he was a Democrat, first, last and all the time.
Henry W. Sterling spent his boyhood in Hancock county. When nine years old he went to live with Jacob Crist, remaining with him eight years, when, not being able to agree as to what he was to receive on reaching his majority, he left and hired out to do farm labor for $4.00 per month. In September, 1862, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in Company H, 21st O. V. I., which was assigned to the army of the Tennessee. He was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, and spent three months in Libby prison, entering in good health, weighing 185 pounds, and coming out weighing 94 pounds, and wholly unfit for duty. The prison was so crowded while he was there that all the men could not lie down at the same time. After four months in a hospital, and a short stay at home, during which he was married, on December 24, 1863, to Miss Catherine Fellers, he rejoined his regiment in Atlanta, and took part in the famous march to the sea. He was in the battles at Bentonville, Fort McAllister and Savannah, and from the latter place went by boat to Raleigh. When the war closed his regiment marched to Washington, and had its place in the Grand Review. Returning home, he
Henry & Julia Sterling
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spent a year there, and then located in Henry township, Wood county, buying a farm, where he lived some twenty-one years. Having invested in a place in Liberty township, he lived there for five years before purchasing his present residence in Bowling Green.
Mr. Sterling's first wife was a native of Hancock county, Ohio, born July 7, 1845. She died May 13, 1884, mother of nine children: Mary E., born September 24, 1864, married W. Thrush and has five children-Scott, Wesley, Gertrude, Earl and Burton; Daniel M., born January 9, 1869, married Miss Laura Courtright, and has one son-Clarence; Florence C., born January 9, 1869, is the wife of Cornelius Swope, of Wood county; Dallas W., born December 26, 1871, married Miss Addie Buchanan, and has one daughter-Melinda; Henry W., born May 19, 1875, and John S., born October 13, 1877, are both living at home; Oliver, born April 26, 1884, died July 15, 1884; Grace C., born August 15, 1881, died September 15, same year; Willie C., born April 6, 1874, died aged one month and seven days. On October 6, 1885, Mr. Sterling married, for his second wife, Miss Julia MacFaden, who was born in Bowling Green, March 26, 1848.
Mr. Sterling has been one of the most enterprising and successful business men in Wood county. At present he is engaged in the livery business. For fourteen years he ran a sawmill, and also made a specialty of contracting for the digging of ditches. He is a member of an oil company, which is extensively engaged in operating upon leased lands in various parts of the county, and he owns an interest in fifteen wells, having eleven on his farm in Liberty township. He never sold the farm in Wood county, which he bought when a young man, and his two farms in the county now comprise 340 acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat; socially he is a member of the I. O.O. F. and Encampment, and he is also an active member of the P. O. S. of A. and the G. A. R.
L. N. LEMBRICH, treasurer of Portage township, and one of its prosperous farmers and leading citizens, was born December 24, 1855, in Section 8, of the same township. His parents are Martin and Margaret (Amos) Lembrich. In District School No. 3, he received his education, and being the eldest son early began to assist in the labors of the home farm, remaining a member of his father's household until reaching man's estate, when he started out in life for himself.
Mr. Lembrich was first married in 1878 to Miss Flora Johnston, of Portage, who bore him one child, Edith M., at home. This wife died December 6, 1881, and was laid to rest in Mercer cemetery. Later he wedded her sister, Miss Sophia Johnston, daughter of Robert Johnston, and they have two children-Ray A. and Wanda. She is an earnest Christian woman, a faithful member of the Disciples Church.
For a time after his first marriage, Mr. Lembrich rented land, and then purchased forty acres in Section 8, Portage township, which he yet owns, though his home is located on another tract of forty acres in Section 3, which he subsequently purchased. He has been quite successful in his undertakings, is progressive and enterprising, and all that he possesses is the result of his own industry and good management. He is one of the leading Democrats of the community, enthusiastic in the support of his party, has served as constable for four years, and in 1887 was elected treasurer of Portage township, which office he has since capably filled to the satisfaction of all concerned. Though quiet and unassuming in manner, he gains many friends, which he always retains, and socially is a member of Whitney Lodge No. 589, I. O. O. F., of Portage.
WILLIAM A. MANDELL, son of Henry and Frederica (Kreps) Mandell, was born February 1, 1849, in Perrysburg, Ohio, and at Mandell school, District No. 6, some four and one-half miles from Perrysburg, he received a liberal education.
At the age of eighteen years he left school, and during the succeeding twenty-three years he followed agricultural pursuits. He has always lived on the old homestead of his parents, and has a comfortable frame residence, and owns a well-kept farm nearby. On November 18, 1880, he was married to Miss Ella Whitson, by whom he has had five children, as follows: Henry Elbert, born March 6, 1882; Mabel Edith, born September 11, 1883, and died July 5, 1887; Raymond A., born September 1, 1888; Harry W., born November 12, 1890, and died October, 18, 1895; and Ralph E., born September 7, 1895. In his political preferences Mr. Mandell is a Republican, his first Presidential vote being cast for Gen. Grant. He has neither sought nor accepted office, merely taking a voting interest in public matters. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Fort Meigs Lodge No. 774, Perrysburg, Ohio.
CHARLES LEMART JUNKINS has, by his wellspent life, shown that success is not always a
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matter of genius, or talent, but may be achieved through persistent, earnest and honorable effort. He was born in Weston township, September 25, 1863, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth Nancy (Long) Junkins. He received a commonschool education, and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-two he was married in Weston township, July 2, 1885, to Inez Lucretia Wright, who was born May 1g, 1864, and is a daughter of O. H. Perry and Mary Jane (Marks) Wright, both natives of Ohio. Their daughter, however, was born in Jay county, Ind., and during her early girlhood was brought by her parents to Wood county. Two children grace this union-Thomas Perry and Ethel Lotta.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Junkins took his bride to his parents' home, but after, a short time purchased his present farm of eighty acres, for which he paid $1,000. Many of the improvements on the place are the work of his hands, and he is well known as an enterprising, progressive agriculturist, whose well-directed efforts have brought him success. In politics he is a Republican, but has never sought office, giving his time and energies to his business interests. His estimable wife is a member of the Disciples Church at Milton Center.
JERRY LOMAN, of Bloomdale, is an encouraging example of a self-made man, having become, with but little help, one of the substantial men of that vicinity. His great-great-grandfather Loman, came from Old England at an early period, and settled in Maryland, where our subject's father, Richard Loman, was born in 1803. His father, Richard Loman, Sr., moved to Lancaster county, Penn., at an early day, later coming to Ashland county, Ohio, where he remained until April, 1832, when he moved to Wood county, and located on a tract of wild land in Perry township, there being at that time only four other settlers in that township. His first home was a shanty which had been abandoned by some Indians. The road to it had to be cut out for the wagon, as he proceeded through the almost unbroken forest of heavy timber. Richard Loman, Sr., was a, heavy-set man of five feet eight inches in height, and was of an active and aspiring disposition. He died in 1853, and five years later his wife followed him, both being buried at Fostoria. They had six childrenthree sons and three daughters-of whom our subject's father was the eldest, and the one who lived longest.
Richard Loman, our subject's father, had but limited opportunities for an education, and his youth was spent on his father's farm, which he afterward inherited. In 1842, he was married in Fostoria to Miss Caroline Ward, a native of Gallia county, Ohio, and four children were born to this union, our subject being the eldest; Thomas R. is a grain dealer, and owner of an, elevator at Newmarket, Iowa; Nancy J. married William Fry, of Siam, Iowa; and Sarah married Samuel Hiller, of Bloom township. The mother of this family died in October, 1851, and was buried in Fostoria. In 1854, for his second wife, he married Miss Jane Hannan, of Fostoria, who died in 1879, leaving two children: Mary E., now Mrs. John E. Wineland, of Bloomdale, and Delilah, the wife of J. F. Smith, also of Bloomdale. Richard Loman was prominent in local affairs, and, although no office seeker, he held various offices in the township, and was school director for many years. He was a steadfast supporter of Democratic principles, but sometimes in local politics '' scratched the ticket," if the Republicans nominated a better man. He was member of the U. B. Church at the time of his death, which occurred in 1886, when he was aged eighty-two years. He had enjoyed the best of health until within the last four years of his life, when he was seized with dropsy, and he then retired to Bloomdale. In 1884 he went to Iowa to visit his sons, but returned only to breathe his last at the home of our subject.
Jerry Loman was born April 5, 1844, on the old farm in Perry township, and in boyhood attended the district school, his first teacher being Rev. Andrew Hays. At the age of sixteen he began to study in Fostoria with the intention of preparing for a medical .course--Dr. William Cake, of Fostoria, a cousin by marriage, having offered to assist him; but at the beginning of the third term this benefactor entered the army as surgeon of the 53d O. V. I., and on October 1, 1861, Mr. Loman enlisted in Company B, 57th O. V. I., under Capt. Phillip Faulhaber. They remained in camp at Findlay until January 14,1862, and were then mustered in at Columbus. They took part in some of the fiercest battles of the war, including those of Shiloh, Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou (where their captain was killed, December 28, 1863), and Arkansas Post, where, on January 11, 1863, they captured the garrison and all. They then worked on the attempted canal at Vicksburg for a time, in Sherman's Fifteenth Corps, going up the Yazoo river to Haines' Bluff and Milliken's Bend, crossing the Mississippi at Port Gibson, and joining the fight at Champion Hills, May 12 and 13, 1863. Then
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followed operations around Vicksburg, and on May 22, during the second grand charge, 600 volunteers were called for to proceed in the van of the line of battle, and carry ladders and planks to surmount the breastworks when reachedsurely as brave a piece of work as any soldier ever did. Mr. Loman was one of that heroic band, of whom only 135 came out without a wound. A few days prior to that, he had been slightly wounded in the right arm. He worked for nearly two weeks in the tunnel leading under the fort at Vicksburg. After Pemberton's surrender, July 4, 1863, Mr. Loman's regiment left for Jackson, Miss., and took part in the battle there. They then joined the forces at Chattanooga, arriving the day before the engagement at Missionary Ridge. Their next work was to march to Knoxville to relieve Burnside; but when sixteen miles away Longstreet left for Virginia, and they moved on to Larkinsville, Ala., arriving December 31, 1863. On the next day Mr. Loman's regiment re-enlisted-the first regiment of the Fifteenth Corps to re-enlist. He came home on a thirty-days' furlough, and, April 1, rejoined the regiment. On May 5, they left Larkinsville to participate in Sherman's campaign, and then came the battle of Resaca, May 14; Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, June 27; Peach Tree Creek, July 20, and Atlanta two days later. On August 31, came the desperate and bloody struggle at Jonesboro, where the Rebels fought to recover the railroad which brought their supplies to Atlanta, and, on September 1, Atlanta fell. Mr. Loman took part in Sherman's raid of November 14, 1863, and the engagement at Fort McAllister was his next. He was one of the host #hat marched to the sea under that great leader, and was the detailed forager for Company B, during that historic journey. From Savannah the 15th and 17th Corps were taken to Port Royal by vessel, and after the battle at Bentonville, March 19, 1865, there followed the surrender of Johnson at Durham Station, without a struggle. After this affair Sherman's army marched to Washington, and took part in the grand review May 22, 1865. Although most of the participants in that glorious parade were allowed to go to their homes, the Second division of the 15th Corps was sent to Little Rock, Ark., to do guard duty, and Mr. Loman's brigade went several hundred miles into the Indian Territory. On their return to Little Rock, the ''boys" concluded that they would go home, and one morning at bugle call they stacked their rifles and made known their intention, despite the severe threats of their officers, who telegraphed to Washington for instructions. An order to discharge them came forthwith, so they were mustered out at Little Rock, August 15, 1865, and at Columbus, twelve days later, were discharged. Mr. Loman lacked only four days of four-years' service, during which time he had three furloughs, and had spent twenty days in Cumberland Hospital, Nashville, having been injured by a log rolling on him while building breast-works.
On his return home he rented his father's farm, and October 28, 1866, was married, in Tiffin, to Miss Colletta Steckel, a native of Hamilton county, and daughter of William Steckel, a wellknown farmer there. Two years later he bought forty acres of wild land in Clinton county, Mich., and began farming there, remaining until 1871, when he moved to Charlotte, Mich., and began clerking for Baughman & Fouts, dry-goods merchants; after two years he entered the carpet and dry-goods store of Hazlett Bros., in the same capacity. On August 22, 1874, his wife died, and was buried in Tiffin. Her loss so affected him that he resigned his position, but later resumed the work, until 1875, when he returned to Wood county and again engaged in farming, buying an eighty-acre tract adjoining the old homestead. On December 27, 1876, our subject was married, in Tiffin, to Miss Rosa Troxell, a cousin of his first wife, and a native of Lehigh county, Penn., and by her had three children: Nina, Lloyd R., and Carl C., all yet at home. In 1883 he made up his mind to go west, and sold his property, but undertook to do some teaming for E. S. Bryant, the lumberman of Bloomdale, later becoming superintendent of teams for him, finally the superintendent of the entire plant of Bryant & Linhart, continuing until 1895. His second wife died November 20, 1890, and was buried in Baird cemetery. Mr. Loman was again married, August 23, 1891, this time to Miss Rhoda S. Redfearn, daughter of Joseph and Ann (Phillip) Redfearn. She died December 1, 1894, and was buried at Fostoria.
Mr. Loman moved to Bloomdale in 1879, and two years afterward bought a house and lot there. In 1884 he traded eighty acres of land in Iowa for forty acres within the present limits of Bloomdale, and later added twenty-three and a half acres to it, making a fine farm where he now resides; he also owns several village lots. He is cautious and shrewd in his investments. In politics he has always been a Republican, casting his first vote while in the army, and that for Abraham Lincoln. He has been township trustee, and treasurer of the school board for three years, but is not an office seeker. In G.
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A. R. affairs he is very active, and was a charter member of Urie Post No. 10, Bloomdale, and was first adjutant and has been commander. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 406, Bloomdale, joining August 13, 1868, and is a charter member of Bloomdale Lodge No. 278, K. of P., and a member of Green Encampment at Bowling Green.
DAVID B. BROWN, M. D. The professional men of Pemberville are an element in the development of this progressive little city, to the reputation of which they are constantly adding by their talents and skill. To this class belongs Dr. Brown, who has conducted a general practice as a physician and surgeon here since 1881. As a physician he is patient, constant, sympathetic, yet, in the hour of extremity, cool, calm, and courageous, thus inspiring his patients with the greatest confidence in his skill. Although his practice requires almost his entire time, yet he still continues the study of his profession, keeping himself abreast with the practical details in the improvements of medicine.
For several generations the family to which the Doctor belongs has resided in Ohio. His father, Thomas Brown, was born in Knox county, this State, near the city of Mt. Vernon. He was reared upon a farm, and upon arriving at man's estate selected agriculture for his life occupation. Settling in Morrow county about 1850, he engaged in cultivating a farm there for about nine years. In 1859 he came to Wood county, and afterward made his home upon a farm seven miles south of Pemberville, where his death occurred in 1887. His widow, who is still living on the old homestead in this county, was a native of Maryland, and bore the maiden name of Rachel Mills. Orphaned by the death of her parents when she was a mere child, she came to Ohio with a family by the name of Meyers, with whom she remained until her marriage.
During the residence of the family in Morrow county, Ohio, the subject of this sketch was born April 17, 1852. The family of which he is a member consists of three brothers and three sisters, all of whom are living. Henry B. has for twenty-four years been principal of a college at Valparaiso, Ind.; William T. resides on a farm near Bradner, Ohio; Sarah is the wife of James Shoewalter; Ellen married Milton Ashley; and Mary is the wife of Joseph Jennings. The first seven years of the life of our subject were passed on the home farm near Mt. Gilead. In 1859 he came with his parents to Wood county, where he attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and the public schools of Bradner. On completing his studies he began to teach, and followed that profession five years. It was not, however, his intention to make this his life work, and having resolved to become a physician, he in 1872 commenced the study of medicine at Freeport, Ohio, under the guidance of Dr. N. W. Goodrick, with whom he remained two years. In 1874-75 he attended lectures in the Cincinnati Medical College, from which institution he was graduated February 23, 1876.
At once, after completing his medical studies, Dr. Brown opened an office for practice at Sherwood, Defiance Co., Ohio, where he remained a number of years. In 1881, he came to Pemberville, where he has given his attention to professional duties ever since, and has built up a large and remunerative practice. Through devotion to his profession he has gained a place among the successful physicians of the county, and has also become the possessor of some valuable property, including a comfortable residence. Here he and his wife, with their three children-Truman Glen, Dale Benton, and Neva B.-have established a pleasant home. Mrs. Brown was Miss Minnie Truman prior to her marriage in 1881, and is the daughter of a farmer living near Woodville. In his fraternal relations Dr. Brown is a Scottish Rite Mason, and for five years filled the position of master of the Blue Lodge. In the Odd Fellows Lodge he is serving as noble grand, He is also connected with order of the Maccabees. His religious views incline him to the faith of the Baptist Church, with which his father was connected, having aided in the erection of the Ladd Hill Baptist church, of which he was a member until death. Mrs! Brown is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and is always ready to aid in charitable enterprises to assist those in distress. While the Doctor has never been an aspirant for official honors, he never fails to cast his ballot for the men nominated by the Democratic party, and his views coincide with the principles promulgated by that organization.
AARON LESHER, the popular proprietor of the "Freeport House " at Prairie Depot, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, November 5, 1845. When he teas seven years old his parents, Daniel and Fannie (Cain) Lesher, came to Wood county, where his father purchased some 25o acres of land in Section 15, Montgomery township, near Freeport.
Daniel Lesher was born in Berks county, Penn., in 1801, his wife in the State of Virginia,
David B. Brown
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in 1811. He was a carpenter and shoemaker by trade, and followed the latter vocation after coming to Ohio, from the time of his settlement in Montgomery township, carrying on farming during the remainder of his life. He was educated in the common schools of his day, his attendance being limited to a few weeks in the winter season, and, as he was a bright, intelligent man, he accumulated, in the course of his life, a comfortable property. At the time of his marriage, which took place in Pennsylvania, his only wealth was an axe, and a large stock of energy and ambition.
He was a Republican, and held some minor offices in the township. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and were estimable people. He died in 1872, aged seventyone years, and his wife in 1864, at the age of fifty-three years; both are buried in Minkler's cemetery, in Sandusky county. The children of this couple were as follows: David, who died when twenty-one years old; Susan, who married William King, and after his death wedded John M. Adams, of Montgomery; Elizabeth, who married George Bonlus, and died in Illinois; Rebecca, who became the wife of Frank Langworthy, and died in Illinois; Sarah A., deceased when eighteen years old; Joseph, living in Cripple Creek, Colo. ; Jane, the widow of George Freatenburg, living in Toledo; Martha, who married Henry Miller, and resides in Columbus, Ohio; Fannie, who married John Scott, and died in Toledo; and Frances, Mrs. Oliver Hall, of Toledo.
Our subject's early schooling was obtained in the public schools of Freeport, Wood county, Phoebe Osborne being his first teacher. He remained at home with his parents until his enlistment, May 2, 1864, in Company K, 144th Regiment, O. V. I., under Capt. Philo Hathaway. Their first engagement was at Berryville, Va., where the entire company was captured by the Rebels, nine only escaping, and our subject was one of the fortunate number. Several Rebel cavalrymen rode up to where he lay on the ground, and drawing their carbines ordered him to follow the rest, but he feigned sickness and refused to move. After they left he took to the woods, and made for Harper's Ferry, eighteen miles away. On the road he met another Union man, and in twenty-four hours they were both safe within the Union lines at Harper's Ferry. A few days after this adventure Mr. Lesher was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged in September, 1864. His mother died during his absence in the army. Mr. Lesher remained at home until 1868, when he entered the dry-goods business in Prairie Depot and later took as a partner, James Yant. After several years he bought out his partner, and sold out the business to J. W. Graham, resuming farming in Montgomery township, in Section 21. Our subject was only twenty-one years old when he was married to Miss Caroline Chapman, of Freeport, the daughter of John Chapman. Since that time he has made his home in Prairie Depot, and in 1869 built his elegant residence, which is one of the most pleasant in the town. In 1895 he completed the present modern hotel known as the "Freeport House", of which he is proprietor, and which has a high reputation throughout the county. Mr. Lesher is a Republican and an active worker in the interests of his party. He served as mayor of the city for one year, also in the city council, and as clerk of the corporation of Prairie Depot. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, in which he is at present a trustee, and to which he has always been a liberal contributor. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Prairie Depot. Personally he is very popular, being a man of generous disposition, sincere and devoted in his friendships, and thoroughly reliable. He has been considerably interested in the oil business and in addition to his property in Prairie Depot, owns sixty acres of land in the township. He is considered one, of the leading citizens and farmers of the place.
PROF. HENRY B. BROWN, now principal of the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, Ind., was formerly a resident of Wood county, his home having been with his parents, Thomas and Rachel Brown, near Bradner. He was born October 6, 1847, at Mount Vernon, Knox county. At the early age of two years, his parents removed to Morrow county, and later to their home near Bradner.
Until he was fifteen years old, Henry attended simply the country school; subsequently he went to Fremont to the public school one term, and then began to teach in the country. This laid the foundation for a still higher education, which was gratified, in part, by attendance for a brief period at the Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio. After additional teaching he entered the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1869, and graduated from its Scientific Department in 1871. In September following he became one of the instructors in the Northwestern Normal School, at Republic, Ohio, under the management of Prof. J. Fraise Richard, and rendered acceptable service for two years. In September, 1873, he established at Valparaiso, Ind., the Normal School, of which he is now principal, taking
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with him from Republic, as associate laborers, Miss Mantle E. Baldwin, Mr. M. E. Bogart, and Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Perrine. From a humble beginning of thirty-five students, he has developed the largest educational institution in America, its patrons coming from all parts of the United States, and being counted annually by the thousands.
Prof. Brown was married in February, 1886, to Miss Neva Axe, of Valparaiso, the union being a very happy one. Three interesting childrenHelen A., Henry Kinsey, and Ruth A.-have blessed this union.
Prof. Brown and his wife are both active members of the Church of Christ, in Valparaiso. Politically, he has always been identified with the Democratic party. He is in many respects a most remarkable man; magnetic, industrious, self-sacrificing. ambitious, and thoroughly in earnest, he is a natural leader and organizer of forces. His presence is inspiriting and encouraging, and his students are passionately attached to him. He is a thorough financier. These qualifications have enabled him to build up and maintain, not only the largest, but one of the best, schools in the nation.
Prof. Brown has always been devoted to his parents. His father, Thomas Brown, who died id 1887, was a deacon in the Baptist Church, and for many years served his neighbors in the capacity of justice of the peace. Mrs. Rachel Brown, mother of Prof. Brown, still lives on the old homestead, near Bradner, and cheers by her presence and kindly administrations her faithful children, as they come back to visit her under the parental roof. Possessed of the confidence of her neighbors, among whom she and her late consort lived so many years, she enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that her son has become not only one of the great educators of the age, but a man of influence and usefulness in the religious world.
L. L. YONKER, D. D. S. The subject of this sketch was born in Center township, October 16, 1865, and is the son of H. H. Yonker. His boyhood was spent in Bowling Green, where he attended school until thirteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He was, for a time, clerk in a store, but when seventeen years old, began studying dentistry with Dr. B. R. Taber, then a prominent dentist of Bowling Green. After remaining with Dr. Taber for several years, he entered the dental department of Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., from which he was graduated, in 1887, with the degree of D. D. S. On his return to Bowling Green, he went into partnership with his former preceptor, which continued until Dr. Taber's death, when our subject succeeded to the business.
Dr. Yonker is a skillful practitioner, and is highly respected both by members of his profession, and by the public generally. He has an extensive practice and is well-known throughout the county. He is a member of the Ohio State Dental Association and the Northwestern Ohio Dental Association, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is adjutant of the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Brigade, Uniformed Rank, K. of P. He is an ardent Republican, and has always taken an active part in politics, being for a number of years a member of the County Central Committee. Dr. Yonker was married June 20, 1892, to Miss Bell Goldamer, a daughter of the late Dr. Goldamer, the Rabbi, of Cincinnati, who, with Dr. Wise, were the leaders of the reformed Jewish Church in the United States. Dr. Yonker and his wife hold a high social position, and are popular with all classes.
WILLIAM T. BROWN is numbered among the most progressive and intelligent agriculturists of Montgomery township, where he has a good farm of forty acres in Section 1, and is a complete master of the calling which he is following. His sterling integrity, and honorable, upright manhood, fully entitle him to the position which he holds in the estimation of the people of the community. He was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, July 17, 1845, though at the time of his birth, his parents, Thomas and Rachel (Mills) Brown, were living near the town which now covers their land, and when fourteen years of age was brought to Wood county, the father purchasing eighty-one and a half acres in Section 2, Montgomery township, which was but slightly improved. The timber was very dense, little having been cleared. The family drove the entire distance from Morrow county, via Tiffin, Fostoria, and West Millgrove. Wild game was still found in the locality, deer and turkeys being often seen.
Thomas Brown, the father of our subject, was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, May 3, 1812. His father, David Brown, was of German descent, and died while Thomas was yet a boy. The young man worked faithfully on the farm, and at the age of thirty-one was united in marriage to Rachel Mills, who was born September 20, 1820, at Clear Springs, Md., and came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1835. Her ancestors were Scotch. They commenced life without any property, but by careful work and economy they
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soon acquired a comfortable competency. In 1850 they moved to Morrow county, Ohio, and nine years afterward to Wood county, where Mrs. Brown now resides. He, while living, filled various offices, constable, justice of the peace, etc. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, of which he was for many years an officer, and to this Church almost all of his children belong. Perhaps no parents ever gave more careful attention to the direction of the lives of their children, and few children have followed more faithfully in the footsteps of their parents. To the training received at the home, all the children attribute whatever success they may have acquired. The word of Thomas Brown was always as good as his note. He was the soul of honor, and he, together with his most excellent wife, was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and friends. He died April 25, 1887, at the ripe age of seventy-five years. His wife still remains at the old homestead, and makes a pleasant and happy home for the frequent gatherings of her children. Though quite old, he has successfully managed the farm and has taken care of the business in such a way that it has increased in value rather than decreased. She has shown marked business ability in the manner in which she has conducted the affairs of the estate.
To this couple were born seven children, three sons and four daughters: Elizabeth Ellen, William Thomas, Henry Baker, Emily Ann, David Benton, Sarah Katherine and Mary Emeline. Emily Ann died at the age of two years, and all of the others with the exception of one, are near the old homestead. The husbands of Sarah Katherine and Mary Emeline are also prosperous farmers, living in the immediate vicinity of the old home. (1) Elizabeth Ellen was married to John Stahl, March 17, 1861. Theirs was a happy marriage, but in 1867 Mr. Stahl died, leaving no children. In 1872 Mrs. Sfahl married Milton Ashley, and is now residing with her husband and one child at Bradner. Mr. Ashley is a successful mechanic, and they have a very -pleasant home. To them two children have been born, Allen and Dot. Allen died at the age of ten years. (3) H. B. Brown was interested in literary pursuits, and commenced teaching school when but a boy. In 1871 he completed his course of study and began teaching at the Northwestern Normal School at Republic, Ohio, where he remained two years. In 1873 he established the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., at which place he has remained ever since. The school has-been a great success. Starting with thirty-five students and four teachers, it now has an average of more than 2,000 students, with more than twenty fully equipped departments and fifty teachers. He was married in February, 1886, to Neva Axe, and to them three children have been born, Helen A., Henry Kinsey, and Ruth A. (5) D. B. Brown gave his attention to medicine, completing his course at Cincinnati, Ohio, and since that time has had a very successful practice at Pemberville, Ohio. He was married on July 7, 1881, to Minnie Truman, and to them three children have been born, Glen T., Dale B. and Neva B. (6) Sarah Katherine was married to James Showalter, October 3, 1877. To them one child, Belva, has been born. (7) Mary Emeline married Joseph Jennings December 24, 1878. To them three children have been born, Rachel, Benson and Guy.
William T. Brown, the subject proper of this sketch, when young taught one term of school in Sandusky county, then returned to his parents' home, where he remained for two years. On April 28, 1867, in Montgomery township, he was united in marriage with Miss Roena Stahl, who was born in Section 1, of the same township, the daughter of Godfrey and Rosanna Stahl. To them were born five children-Hattie B., now the wife of L. O. Broyles, of Montgomery township, and they have three children; John T., at home; William R., who died August r, 1888, at the age of fourteen years; and Jesse E., and Clarence B., also at home. The wife and mother departed this life October 16, 1888, dying in the faith of the Methodist Protestant Church, and was laid to rest in Bradner cemetery.
On his marriage our subject located on a rented farm in Section 1, Montgomery township, and later lived at other places until he purchased forty acres of land in Section 2, of the same township, going in debt for much of the amount. There he made his home for several years, but in the spring of 1883 bought his present forty-acre farm in Section 1. Mr. Brown has ever been quite a student, finding great pleasure in reading, and. is a patron of literature. The cause of public education has always received his most earnest support, for three years he served as a member of the Bradner school board, and was also clerk of the board. As was his father, so is he an earnest Democrat, and for two terms was trustee of his township. Religiously he is a Baptist.
GEORGE K. DAILY, an old soldier of the Union, is now numbered among the thoroughgoing and enterprising farmers of Montgomery
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township. He owns a good farm of forty acres in Section 4, of which he purchased in April, 1880, when only five acres had been cleared, and the house upon the place was a rude affair. He has made many valuable and useful improvements, including the substantial buildings now found there, and is accounted one of the most industrious, energetic and highly respected agriculturists of the community.
Our subject was born in Troy, Miami Co., Ohio, December 8, 1841, the sixth child and third son in the family of nine children born to William and Susan (Brown) Daily, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania; the latter is said to have been the first female white child born within the corporation limits of Troy, Ohio, where her father, William Brown, had located at a very early day. The father of our subject was a large man, above the ordinary height, and was a blacksmith by trade, though in early life he conducted a tavern at Troy. He was first a Whig, and on its organization, joined the Republican party. He died in 1861, in Troy, where both he and his wife are buried, the latter having died at La Fayette, Ind., while on a visit there in 1888. In religious belief they were both Methodists. The family of this worthy couple included the following children: David, who went to California in 1849, and returned in 1865, is now a printer of La Fayette, Ind.; Elizabeth is now Mrs. Jerry Layton, of Troy, Ohio;. Catherine first married William Carroll, a colonel in the Union army during the Civil war, and is now the wife of William Creiger, of La Fayette, Ind.; William is a blacksmith of Troy; Mary is now Mrs. Washington Bemis, of La Fayette; George K. is next in order of birth; Thomas, a baker by trade, died at Homer, Ill.; Sarah is the wife of Robert Adams, of Chicago, Ill.; and Belle is now Mrs. J. L. Adair, of Frankfort, Indiana.
Mr. Daily, whose name opens this review, was reared at Troy, where he attended the public schools, and assisted his father in the blacksmith shop. At that place he enlisted, in 1861, in Company H, 11th O. V. I., and the first engagement in which he participated was along the Kanawha river, in West Virginia. He remained with his regiment until the battle of Chickamauga, where he was shot through the right foot, and it was a year before he was fit for duty. He was at Camp Dennison hospital when his threeyears' service expired, and was discharged. In the fall of 1864 he began cabinet-making at Troy, under Andrew Helpman, and there continued to follow that trade until May, 1867. It was in the summer of 1865 that Mr. Daily first visited Wood county, and on December 26, t866, in Montgomery township, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Ella D. Adams, who was born in Section 9, of that township, November 20, 1847, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (McGill) Adams. They have become the parents of the following children: Thomas B., born October 14, 1868, now located at Bradner, Ohio; William I., born. August 3, 1870, who is an oil-pumper of Montgomery township; Frank R., born September 22, 1872, who is also an oil-pumper, residing at home; David 0., born July 10, 1874; Albert E., born October 4, 1876; Charles K., born March 6, 1878; Mary B., born November 12, 1879; Bessie M., born August 17, 1881, died in infancy; Leroy, born April 9, 1883; James L., born December 9, 1886; and Alpha, who was born August 23, 1889, and died in infancy.
Mr. Daily took his wife to La Fayette, Ind., soon after their marriage, and there worked at his trade until failing health compelled him to abandon it. For eight years he then made his home at Homer, Ill., where he was engaged in the bakery and confectionery business until 1875, when he came to Montgomery township, Wood county, and lived on his father-in-law's place until April, 1880. Since that time he has lived upon his present farm, and no man is more widely or favorably known within the limits of the township than George K. Daily. He was a Republican in politics until Gen. Weaver became a candidate, when he joined the Greenback party, and he is now a stanch supporter of the People's party. For fifteen years he has efficiently served as school director of District No. t.
SILAS FOSTER is familiar with pioneer experiences in Henry township. He now owns a farm there, which he cultivates in addition to his labors as a minister of the United Brethren Church. He is now the oldest citizen of the community in which his home is located, and as an honored pioneer well deserves representation in this volume. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, February 17, 1822, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Burket) Foster, natives of Maryland. After their marriage they removed to a farm in Logan county, Ohio, and in 1829 went to Hancock county, locating on a tract of land which now lies partly within the corporation limits of Findlay, spending their remaining days upon that farm of 16o acres. The father died in 1844, the mother in 1857. Their family of children was as follows: Jacob and Daniel, both deceased; Mrs. Sarah Carlin; John, Thomas and James, who have also passed away; Mrs. Mary Douglas,
Silas & Susan Foster
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 801
of Findlay, Ohio; Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Rachel Greer, deceased; Mrs. Phoebe Hickson, of New Mexico; Jackson, deceased, and Silas.
Our subject, who was about seven years of age when his parents removed to Hancock county, attended the public schools of Findlay, and was reared on his father's farm, assisting in the work of cultivating and improving it until his marriage. In the spring of 1843 he wedded Susan Loehr, who was born in Plainfield township, Northampton Co., Penn., March 19, 1826, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Brood) Loehr. Her mother died in Pennsylvania, and when Mrs. Foster was twelve years of age she accompanied her father to Hancock county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days on a farm near McComb. She was the fourth in order of birth in the following family: Adam, Sophia and Louisa, deceased; Susan; William, who has passed away; Catherine, wife of David Wilson, of Allen township, Hancock county; twins, who died in infancy; Abraham, deceased; and one other who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Loehr wedded Mrs. Frances Kemper, and to them were born these children: Sarah, Frederick and Harmon, all deceased; Jacob, in the West; Frances, wife of Cyrus Dillinger, of Hancock county; and twins, who died in infancy. For about four years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Foster remained on the home farm, and then removed to Wood county, locating on their present place, containing ninety-five acres, which was given to our subject by his father. Their cabin was the first house in the township, built by Henry Shaw, in whose honor the township was named. They experienced many hardships and trials in those early days; but as the years passed prosperity smiled upon their efforts, a substantial residence replaced the log cabin, and the farm became a valuable and productive one. Mr. Foster has also given much time to the work of the Church, and in 1848 was appointed a minister of the United Brethren Church, since which time he has engaged in preaching through this section of the country.
Fifteen children have been born to our subject and his wife: Emeline, wife of Johnson Campbell, of Bloomdale, Ohio; Samilda, wife of Benjamin Bair, of Hancock county, Ohio; Thomas, who was State Senator from Fort Wayne District, Indiana, and died at the age of thirty-five; Matilda, wife of Charles Wilson, of Fulton county, Ohio; William, a painter of Jackson, Mich.; Elizabeth, wife of Jesse Berger, of Albion, Ind.; Rachel, wife of Nelson Anderson, of Findlay, Ohio; Corwin, of Wood county; Minnie, wife of Olin Robbins, of Van Buren, Hancock Co., Ohio; A. Lincoln, at home, and a twin brother who died at birth; Nellie, the wife of Ben Thurston, of Bairdstown, Ohio; James. Sherman, of Van Buren; Susie, wife of Jasper Elton, of Toledo, Ohio; and Jennie Olive, who, died at the age of twelve years.
Mr. Foster is a supporter of the Prohibition party, and has served as assessor, school director,. trustee and supervisor, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that have won him high commendation. His life has been an upright and honorable one, commanding the respect and confidence of all.
ISAAC NEIFER. From Germany to America came the founder of the Neifer family in this country, Isaac Neifer, who was the father of our subject. He was then a young man of eighteen, who, with the hope of bettering his financial condition, had come to the New World, and for a year after his arrival worked in order to get money to pay for his passage. Locating at New Holland, Penn., he there married Elizabeth Miller. Subsequently he moved to Ohio, and later to Indiana, where his last days were spent. Our subject, Isaac Neifer (2), was born in New Holland, Penn., July 29, 1813, and was a cabinet maker by trade, following that pursuit until 1859, also, at odd times, for a few years later. On November 13, 1838, he married Harriet Oberly, who was born in Leacock township, Lancaster Co., Penn.. May 16, 1821, a daughter of Adam and Catharine (Myers) Oberly, the former of whom made farming his life work, and both continued their residence in Lancaster county, until called to their final home, the father passing away in 1873 aged ninety-three years, the mother in 1856, aged seventy-eight years. Their children were : Elizabeth, deceased wife of Benjamin Miller; John and Isaac, deceased; Catharine, deceased wife of John Sullinberger; Daniel, who died in Lancaster county, in April, 1896, aged eighty-nine years; Samuel, deceased; Margaret, deceased wife of Christian Erb; Liddie, deceased wife of Samuel Hafer; Sarah, wife of Daniel Geist, of Lancaster county; Levi, also of Lancaster county; Harriet (Mrs. Neifer); and Adam, the last born, who died when two years old. The Oberly family was also of German origin.
Mrs. Clauser, the great-grandmother of Harriet Oberly Neifer, was killed by the Indians in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1743, being pierced under the left arm with a spear. A son was shot off his horse by an arrow from the bow of an In-
802 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
dian, and fell dead beneath the animal, and a daughter, Catharine Clauser, then a child of nine years, was taken from the wagon, carried away some distance by the Indians, who were in the act of scalping her when overtaken by the men of the party who were in close pursuit. The Indians had cut a great gash across her forehead from ear to ear, the scar of which she carried to her grave, living to be seventy-eight years of age. On growing up she married a Mr. Jacobs, who died three years subsequently, leaving one son who moved to Ohio and died. After the death of Mr. Jacobs, she was married to Valentine Myers, and to them were born two sons and three daughters, namely: Mary, Catharine, Jacob, Isaac and Margaret. Catharine became the wife of Adam Oberly, and mother of Harriet Oberly Neifer.
In 1848 Isaac Neifer (2) brought his family to Wood county, Ohio, and rented the farm, one mile south of the present village of Weston, known as the "Keeler Farm, " in Milton township. The same year he purchased what is now the old family homestead, comprising 12o acres, to which he afterward added forty acres. He built a log house, and then a cabinet shop, also of logs, that are still standing, and in connection with farming he worked at his trade. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred May 17, 1892. His children were as follows: Catharine, who died in infancy; Adam O. , born February 13, 1841; John M., born January 15, 1843, and died July 22, 1892; Amos M., born November 17, 1844; Sarah E., born May 25, 1848, died in infancy; and Isaac Newton, born October 5, 1854. Of the children who married and reared families, the following is a brief record: (1) Adam O. , the eldest, at the age of eight years came with his parents to Ohio, where he worked in the cabinet shop with his father, but gave the most of his attention to farm labor. His education was acquired in Pennsylvania and Ohio. On November 12, 1863, he married Helen J. Moore, who was born in Milton township March 30, 1844, and they became the parents of four children: Sarah J. , wife of Albert Smith, of Milton township; Mary Nettie, wife of Henry Steinman; John N., who married Gertie Stretchberg; and Jessie, a young girl at home. (2) John M. was married in 1872, to Eliza Sawyer, and to them were born eleven children, eight of whom are living; John's death occurred in 1892 from disease contracted while in the army. (3) Amos M. was married to Flora S. Bassett, and to them were born four daughters, of whom the eldest two are now married, while one died in infancy; Amos M. is now living in Bowling Green, Ohio. (4) Isaac Newton, the youngest, is spoken. of more fully farther on. The father of this family in political affiliation was for the most part a stalwart Whig and Republican, but was never given to office seeking, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests, in which he met with good success. The widowed mother still remains on the farm where she has passed many years of her life, beloved and respected by all who know her. She is among the oldest settlers, and holds the U. S. patent for the farm she lives on, with only one transfer from the original enterer, Samuel Cobb, who made the entry and got the patent direct.
ISAAC N. NEIFER, a leading citizen of Weston, is a native of Milton township, Wood Co,, Ohio, where he was born October 5, 1854. He is a son and youngest child of Isaac and Harriet (Oberly) Neifer, whose sketch appears above.
Our subject attended school at Weston, his spare moments being occupied on the home farm. He worked at various employments until his marriage, October 13, 1875, with Miss Addie Alice Henry, who was born November 26, 1857, in Ashland county, whence she moved with her parents to Weston in May, 1873. They have had two children: Willie, who died in infancy, and Annie Alice, who was born August 10, 1887.
In 1876, Mr. Neifer commenced in the produce-shipping business, for his father-in-law, and with the exception of one year, continued with him up to January, 1892, when he rented, and one year later bought out the business of the firm, since which time he has continued in the produce-shipping business with success. He is the only extensive dealer in the egg and poultry business in this section of Wood county, most of his produce being shipped to New York City. His trade is such as to necessitate the keeping of a wagon on the road continually, gathering in produce. Socially Mr. Neifer is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the F. & A. M.
John Henry, father of Mrs. Neifer, was born in Savannah, Ashland Co., Ohio, in 1824, and came to Weston in 1873. He entered the produce trade in which he continued until our subject purchased his business, as related above, when he retired. He amassed a comfortable fortune, and is to-day recognized as one of the monied men of Weston. Although over seventy, he is hale and hearty, and is recognized as one of the patriarchs of the town. In his political predilections he is a Democrat; and socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the F. &A. M.
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