WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 930

in infancy; Sarah Jane, wife of L. S. Woodruff, a minister of the U. B. Church, and Greenbury.

In 1855, Mr. Burditt came with his family to Wood county, and after renting land for a time purchased seventy-eight acres. Of this he retained possession of thirty-eight acres for some time, then traded it for eighty acres of land on the river, to which he afterward added another eighty-acre tract. Later he traded a portion of this for eighty-two acres, the farm which Andrew now occupies, and later increased its size by the additional purchase of 12o acres. His property he has divided among his children, thus aiding them in getting a start in life.

Mr. Burditt cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. His sons have also given their stalwart support to its principles. He has served as supervisor and school director for several terms, acceptably discharging his duties. His has been a noble and honorable life. . For more than fifty years he has been a member of the United Brethren Church, and has a life membership in the Bible Society of Bowling Green.

JOHN W. HAMLIN, a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Wood county, was born in Marion township, Hancock Co., Ohio, March 28, 1857. There his father was born in 1830, and in Findlay, Ohio, wedded Mary Corkrell, also a native of the same county. The mother's death there occurred in 1865. Her children were as follows: Susan, wife of Dennis Sloan, of Michigan; Sarah, wife of John Fullwiler, of Hancock county; Isaac, of Hancock county; John W.; Samuel, a farmer of Hancock county; David, of Findlay, Ohio; and Margaret, wife of Sherman Powell, of Hancock county. After the death of his first wife the father married Deborah Long, widow of John Hidecker, and by this union were born five children, namely: William, of Wood county; Theodore, of Findlay; Fred, of Wingston, Wood county; Sadie and Nettie. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Hamlin, was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Fairfield county, Ohio, and subsequently to Hancock county.

Mr. Hamlin, of this sketch, acquired his education in the district schools, and during vacation worked in a handle and stave factory, also as a farm hand. During four years of his life he was employed as an engineer in a sawmill, but with the exception of that period has always carried on agricultural pursuits. He was married in Findlay, Hancock county, December 8, 1881, to Miss Ella Powell, who was born in Liberty township, that county, June 15, 1861, a daughter of Andrew and Caroline (Dotson) Powell, both natives of Ohio, the former born in Fairfield, and the latter in Allen county. The father was only about six years old when his parents went to Hancock county, and he is now a prosperous farmer there. His wife departed this life in 1878.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin have been five children-Ellsworth J., born June 6, 1883; Emerson Kenneth, born April 2, 1885; Howard Elroy, born July 9, 1888; Florence Ermo, born December 20, 1890; and Edna May, born January 14, 1893. The parents, began their domestic life on a fifty-one-acre farm in Hancock county, but after a year Mr. Hamlin sold that property and came to Wood county, where he purchased eighty-one acres in Henry township. This is improved with a good house and barns, is fenced and tiled, and the well-tilled fields indicate the care and supervision of the owner, who is an energetic, wide-awake farmer, owing his success in life to his own enterprise. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious belief he is a Methodist.

FRANK SNYDER, a retired capitalist and farmer of North Baltimore, is a native of Lehigh county, Penn., born January 9, 1846. His father, Peter Snyder, was born in the same county, in 1822, and died in 1895. He was a stonemason and farmer by occupation. His wife, Rebecca (Weaver), was born in Pennsylvania in 1827, and died in 1882. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Peter Snyder, was born in Lehigh county, Penn., and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was over seventy years old at the time of his death. The maternal grandfather, James Weaver, and his father, Jacob Weaver, were both of old Pennsylvania stock. The subject of this sketch was one of five children, the others being: Nathan, now living in Lehigh, Penn. ; Levi, who died after attaining manhood; Edwin, who now lives in Wood county, and Mantana, who married H. Kunkle, and lives in Lehigh county.

Mr. Snyder passed the early part of his life in his native county, remaining on his father's farm until twenty-one years old, and securing in the meantime a limited education. He then moved to Mahoning county, Ohio, where he stayed about eight months, at the end of that time returning to his home in Pennsylvania. He made several trips between Mahoning and Lehigh counties, and finally, in .1869, settled in Henry township, Wood county. He engaged in the sawmilling business, as it was the only possible means of making money at that time, was successful in his

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 931

venture, and purchased land in Liberty township on which he built a comfortable home. He retired in 1891, and is to-day one of the prominent citizens of North Baltimore, where he owns a block, among other interests too numerous to mention in detail. He also has 16o acres of land in Liberty township.

Mr. Snyder was married, November 2, 1869, to Lucy Brobst, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, October 16, 1842. She is a daughter of Daniel and Magdalena (Fullweiler) Brobst, the former of whom was born in 1798, and died in 1894; the latter was born in 1797, and died in 1858. They had ten children, six now living, of whom Mrs. Snyder is the youngest. Mrs. Snyder has one daughter, Belle, born in 1863, who now resides in Alma, Mich. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church. He is one of the leading men in Wood county, and does everything in his power to further the interests of his community. A man of upright purposes and conscientious principles, he commands the respect of all who known him.

WILLIAM A. KINNEY, a prominent agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, was born July 24, 1842, in Crawford county, Ohio. Abraham Kinney, his father, was born in Berks county, Penn., February 4, 18o6, of Irish parents, and learned the trade of shoemaker there. In early manhood he came to Ohio and located first in Stark county, but finally bought 240 acres of land in Crawford county, 16o acres of which he cleared and improved. He was married in Stark county to Miss Catherine Lichtenwalter a native of that county, born July 23, 1829. Some years after his marriage he moved to Indiana, where he died in 1890, his wife having died two years previous (1888). Fourteen children were born to them: Isaac, a farmer residing near Milford, Ind.; Mary, deceased, who married the late Henry Brubecker; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Lichtenwalter, of Milford, Ind.; Emeline, the wife of Wesley Pinkerton, of near Milford, Ind.; Michael, deceased; John, deceased; William A., our subject; Melissa A., the wife of John Pinkerton, of near Warsaw, Ind.; Anna, deceased; Harriet, the wife of Edward Beckwell, of Elkhart county, Ind.; George C., deceased; and three who died in infancy.

William A. Kinney remained at his father's farm during his youth, attending the district school and enjoying the usual initiation into farm work, which forms so large a part of the life of a country boy. On August 7, 1862, at the age of twenty, he enlisted in Company C, 101st O. V. I., and served throughout the war. He took part in a number of engagements, the most important being the battles of Stone River and North Gap, and the siege of Nashville. He was wounded at Stone River and taken prisoner, and received only one meal in twenty-six days, while confined in Libby prison, enduring, besides, other hardships too numerous and painful to record. On giving his parole he was released, and soon after rejoined his regiment at Franklin, Tenn., and was mustered out at Camp Harker, Tenn., June 12, 1865.

After his return home, in 1865, he went to Indiana and bought eighty acres of land, where he lived for ten years. Selling out in 1881, he came to Wood county, and bought eighty acres of improved land near Grand Rapids, which is now a valuable property, with a good orchard, first class farm buildings, and a handsome brick residence.

On March 9, 1857, he was married to Miss Sarah Shafner, daughter of Samuel Shafner, a well-known agriculturist of Crawford county. Six children were born to this union: Henry F., June 28, 1869, and Samuel O., October 17, 1871, are employed in the Clayport factory at Findlay, Ohio; Edgar B., March 23, 1876; Ira Calvin, August 12, 1882, and Roy A., January 5, 1884, are at home; and Catherine died in infancy. Mr. Kinney's energy, integrity, and progressive spirit as shown in his generous support of all worthy local movements, as well as in the management of his individual affairs. He is especially interested in educational matters, and has been a member of the township school board for four years, and a school director for several terms. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and he is a leading member of the M. E. Church. He belongs to the G. A. R., Bond Post No. 24, at Grand Rapids.

JOSEPH H. SANDS, president of the Bowling Green Natural Gas Co., Bowling Green, and a representative self-made man, is a native of Pennsylvania, born July 3, 1852, at Rohrsburg, Columbia county. Joseph E. Sands, father of our subject, was also a native of Columbia county, Penn., where he first saw the light July 18, 1811. By occupation he was a woolen manufacturer, during the Civil war operating two woolen-mills in Pennsylvania, the first of which was established in 1835 at Rohrsburg, the second one at Mordansville in 1858, which latter is now being operated by his son, Charles L. Joseph E. Sands married Miss Esther Lundy, also of Columbia

932 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

county nativity, and eight children were born to them, all of whom lived to maturity, there being no death in the family until that of the eldest son, (1) John, who died in Pennsylvania at the age of forty-five years. (2) Henry H., the next in order of birth, resides in Pennsylvania; at the commencement of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, in the 132nd, later in the 210 th P. V. I., and served till the close of the Rebellion. (3) William E. also has his home in Pennsylvania; he served in the war of the Rebellion one year. (4) Thomas E. first enlisted for one year, in the P. V. I., then joined a scouting party composed of a company of one hundred picked men, in which he served till the close of the war, over three years in all. (5) Anna M., the only daughter in the family, married W. W. Eves, of Millville, Penn., and died December 8, 1894, leaving five children. (6) Charles L. lives in Pennsylvania. (7) Joseph H. is the subject of sketch. (8) James, who was a merchant in Pennsylvania, died in 1889. The father of this family, who during the later years of his life followed mercantile pursuits in Columbia county, Penn., died February 24, 1881, at the age of seventy years, the mother passing away at Mordansville, that county, September 3, 1886, aged seventy-three years. Mr. Sands was a strong Union man during the critical years of 1861-65, a member of the State militia, and, had his health permitted, would gladly have entered active service at the very commencement of hostilities. John Sands, his father, who was a miller by trade, died in Pennsylvania at the advanced age of eighty years, and his father (the great-grandfather of our subject), came from England to America, and died on Block Island, New York.

Joseph H. Sands, the subject proper of these lines, lived in his native State until seventeen years of age, and then became a student at the Starkey (N. Y.) Seminary. On leaving school he came west, determined to , grow up with the country," arriving in Bowling Green, in 1871. After about a year he moved to Cincinnati, sojourning there only a short time, however, as he returned to Bowling Green, where for a time he was employed as clerk in a hotel. He then moved to Portage, and clerked for a Mr. McMahan four years, at the end of which time he once more came to Bowling Green, and in partnership with William Goit, later with R. W. McMahan, conducted a hardware business. The venture proved a success financially, but, Mr. Sands' health becoming impaired through overwork, he was obliged to sell out his interest in the business and seek some other less confining occupation. He then became a member of the oil producing firm of Hankey Bros. & Sands, and was one of the organizers of the Bowling Green Natural Gas Co., of which he became president, in 1891.

On September 5, 1877, Mr. Sands was married to Miss Mary D. Turner, who was born April 22, 1856, in Huron county, Ohio, daughter of Rev. Elisha B. and Catherine (Bross) Turner, all of Portage, Ohio. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican. Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 589, I. O. O. F., of Portage. For several years he has spent the winters in the South and on the Pacific coast, for the benefit of his health. In spite of his poor health, Mr. Sands has always been energetic in his ideas, and foremost in all good works, looking to the advancement of Bowling Green and Wood county. He is one of the leading men in the county, one who has risen in the world entirely unassisted, and is highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.

JOHN PHILLIPS, an enterprising and successful agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, was born February 24, 1854, in Holmes county, Ohio, where his grandparents were among the earliest residents. John Phillips, his father, and his mother, whose maiden name was Susan Mets, were both born there, but removed after their marriage to Wayne county, where the father died February 22, 1864, and the mother, January 7, 1895. On the paternal side Mr. Phillips is of English descent, while his mother's people came originally from Germany.

John Phillips spent his boyhood mainly in Wayne county, where he attended district school, and worked until the age of nineteen upon his father's farm. In 1875 he came to Wood county, and rented a farm of sixty-four acres near Grand Rapids, which he conducted some seventeen years, the half of which his wife owns, and which he still cultivates in a scientific way and keeps in a high state of improvement. He was. married in 1877, to Miss Mary J. Keys, a native of Grand Rapids township, born September 11, 1856. She is the daughter of George Keys, one of the pioneer settlers of that locality, and a sister of D. W. Keys. Two children came of this marriage: James F., born April 16, 1883, still with his parents, and one that died in infancy.

Progressive in thought, and industrious in habits, Mr. Phillips has a promising future before him. He is a Republican politically, and has. served one term as supervisor, giving to his pub-

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 933

lic duties the same energy which brought him success in his private business. He is associated with the I. O. O. F., No. 529, of Grand Rapids.

EDSON K. SMITH, one of the most extensive agriculturists of Henry township, is also one of the youngest to achieve prominence in that line of work, and his management of the 40o acres which he has under cultivation would do credit to a man of fifty years of experience. He was born in Eagle township, Hancock Co., Ohio, July 21, 1865, the only son of Jacob B. and Eliza J. (Helms) Smith. His education was begun in the district schools near his home, and he supplemented this rudimentary instruction by a course in the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and in 1887 enjoyed still better advantages in Findlay College. From an earnest student he became a successful teacher, as is evident from the fact that for twenty-one months he was employed in the same school where he received his own elementary training. All who are familiar with the profession will recognize the difficulties which he must have overcome in the place. where his pupils were among his own immediate acquaintances; success, there, being a test of personal worth as well as of ability as a teacher. He afterward taught successfully in Wood county for some time.

On September 30, 1888, Mr. Smith married Miss Adda L. Hartman, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, January 8, 1868. Her parents, J. N. and Mary E. Hartman, removed later to Allen township, Hancock county, and she was educated in the Van Buren High School. The young couple began their married life at the Smith homestead, where they remained five years. March 22, 1893, they carne to Wood county and took up their abode upon a tract of eighty acres which they had previously purchased in Section 17, Henry township. Since April I, 1895, Mr. Smith has rented the farm of 32o acres belonging to the Fellers estate, and operates the two properties with marked ability. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and in religious faith he and his wife adhere to the doctrines of the Predestinarian Baptists, but they are not members of any Church.

The late Jacob B. Smith, our subject's father, was born October 21, 1841, in Adams township, Seneca Co., Ohio. He was a man of remarkable intellect, and, from 1871, was a preacher in the Baptist Church, although he was indebted to no man for a livelihood, working in early years as a blacksmith, carpenter and farmer. He left a good estate in Hancock county, and in his will his son was appointed executor. Politically he supported the Democratic party, and in various township offices he proved his efficiency and trustworthiness. On August 10, 1864, he married his first wife, our subject's mother, who departed this life July 9, 1873, leaving three children, Edson K., the eldest; Laura I., now Mrs. F. M. Hartman; and Nellie I., who died April to, 1881. On December 13, 1874, the father married a second wife, Miss Evaline Barnd, and of this union five children were born, of whom, two, Mary O. and Elva J., are the only survivors. They reside with their widowed mother in Hancock county. The father's death occurred under circumstances of peculiar sadness. He had been in Cleveland to undergo treatment for fibroid tumors, and an operation had been performed upon them, and while on his way home, May 29, 1896, he took inflammation of the brain, and died at Fremont, Ohio, among entire strangers.

JEREMIAH S. BENSCHOTER, a well-known agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Erie county, Ohio, September 19, 1843, son of Samuel Wetherlow and Nancy Ann (Bassett) Benschoter, who were pioneers of Grand Rapids township, having settled there upon a tract of wild land in 1853.

Samuel W. Benschoter was born March 27, 1811, in Erie county, Ohio, near the mouth of Rock river. His education was somewhat limited, but he was a bright and industrious man, and, by hard work and judicious management as a farmer and stock dealer, accumulated a comfortable competence. In 1838, in Milan township, he married Miss Nancy Ann Bassett, by whom he had ten children, as follows: Sarah A., who died at the age of three years; William A., of Bowling Green; Jeremiah S., subject of these lines; Charles W., a farmer of Grand Rapids township; Ella Eugene, now the wife of J. J. Black, of near Tontogany, Ohio; J: W., in the insurance and real-estate business at Bowling Green; Lucy M., single; Alice H., who died in 1862, when eight years old; Jennie, who also died in 1862, at the age of five; and Curtis E., of Bowling Green. The mother of this fine family is still living. The father passed from earth September 2, 1884, at Lakeside, Ohio, a consistent member of the M. E. Church; during the later years of his life he was a strong advocate of temperance. Politically he was originally a Democrat, but in 1861 he voted for Lincoln, and ever afterward supported the Republican party.

J. S. Benschoter attended the district schools

934 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

of the neighborhood of his boyhood home, later the schools of Grand Rapids. On July 4, 1863, he enlisted in Company F (Capt. Squire), 86th O. V. I. (Col. Lemert) ''six-months servicemen," and, after a short stay at Camp Chase, the regiment took part in capturing Morgan's men when they made their raid into Ohio. Later it served in the army of the Cumberland, participating in the battle of Cumberland Gap, and the siege of Knoxville. Mr. Benschoter received his discharge February 14, 1864, returning home, resumed his studies for a time at Perrysburg, and then spent three years in teaching. He and his brother William took charge of the homestead for several years, but, in 1869, our subject began farming independently, and now owns an eightyacre farm near Grand Rapids, besides his interest in the old homestead of 24o acres. His farm is well tiled, has a productive orchard, fine barns, and a brick dwelling house costing $2,000.

He stands well in the esteem of the comnity, is a Republican in politics, and has held many local offices, such as supervisor and school director, for a number of years, trustee for two terms, member of the school board twelve years, and he is now serving as justice of the peace. He is a member of the M. E. Church, in which he has been steward for many years, and has faithfully discharged the duties of trustee, classleader, and Sunday-school superintendent. He belongs to the G. A. R., Bond Post No. 24, Grand Rapids, also to the F. & A. M., Grand Rapids Lodge No. 289, and is past master of the Lodge; also of the Enterprise Grange, in which he has served both as secretary and master. He has always taken an active interest in the Farmers Institute, and for three years was president of the Tri-county Institute of Henry, Lucas, and Wood counties.

On February 25, 1869, Mr. Benschoter was married to Miss Rachel S. Hannah, and three children have blessed their union: Lilly May, a young lady of fine abilities, who was educated in Grand Rapids, and is now at home; Charles E., a graduate of the Grand Rapids schools, later attending Oberlin College; Effie Belle, now at school. Rachel S. Hannah was born February 10, 1845, in Portage township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of William P. and Elizabeth (Dalzell) Hannah, who were the parents of ten children, as follows: Nancy Isabel (Mrs. McMann), now deceased; James Gill, who died when .nineteen months old; Robert D., a farmer of Grand Rapids township; Elizabeth Jane, wife of C. C. Gundy, county commissioner of Wood county, and residing in Washington township; Mary Ann, deceased wife of William Spangler; Rachel S., Mrs. J. S. Benschoter; Sarah M., deceased wife of George Cummings, farmer of Washington township; Cynthia R., wife of W. U. Baker, a farmer of Washington township; William H., a farmer of that township; and Alice E., wife of R. J. Collin, mayor, and a druggist, of Tontogany.

William P. Hannah, father of Mrs. Benschoter, was born January 1, 1809, in Adams county, Ohio, of Virginia parentage, of Welsh descent; was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Wood county, in 1864. On December 26, 1833, he was married in Marion county, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Dalzell, who was born February 8, 1813, in County Down, Ireland, and when six years old came to America with her parents. She died August 22, 1891. Mr. Hannah passed from life February 27, 1867, in Grand Rapids township. In politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, a zealous worker for his party, but no office-seeker, and was a self-reliant, trustworthy man, highly respected. On the 8th of February, the anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth Dalzell, the Hannah family have each year, for twenty-seven years, held reunions, happy events that serve to link the past with the present, and preserve the unity of the family. In June. 1895, the descendants of the Dalzell family held their first reunion, at the home of C. C. Gundy, near Tontogany, Ohio. Their second reunion was held the 18th and 19th of August, 1896, at the home of Milton H. Rhoads, near Cochranton, Marion Co., Ohio.

W. H. MILLIKIN is one of the largest oil operators in Wood county, and a wealthy and influential citizen of Bowling Green. He is the architect of his own fortunes, and, as an example of a successful self-made man, his life record is worthy of more than a passing notice.

Mr. Millikin was born April 3, 1854, in Venango county, Penn. During his earlier years he attended the common schools, and later became a student at the State Normal School at Edinburg, in his native State. For six winters he was occupied in teaching. Some twenty years ago Mr. Millikin was induced to go into the oil business, in which he was at once successful, and in which he has been interested ever since. He at first operated in Pennsylvania and southern New York, coming thence to Ohio, and for a time making his home in Lima. He afterward removed to Wood county, finding a more extensive field for his operations in this section. Besides having a number of wells of his own, he is

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 935

interested with others in some eighty-seven wells, and also owns the leases of a large amount of land in the vicinity of his oil fields, which he superintends in person. He is an enterprising, energetic business man, and the oil industry is not the only line of business in which he is interested. He owns considerable valuable property at Bowling Green, where he is now completing a hotel and business block, with all modern improvements, which will take place among the finest in this part of the State. The cost of the building will be at least $50,000, and it is a material improvement to the business section of the city. Mr. Millikin is also a director in the First National Bank of Bowling Green. He is the owner of a fine 300-acre farm in Hardin county, on which he raises onions, potatoes and corn. Mr. Millikin is a shrewd financier, and one of the best oil operators in Wood county, and by his skillful management he has accumulated a snug fortune. His success is well merited, for he has risen to his present high position by' energetic application to his business affairs, conquering the obstacles that rose in his path by his indomitable perseverance, and allowing nothing to discourage him, or destroy his ambitious spirit. Unassuming in manner and honorable in purpose, with a just regard for the rights and feelings of others, he is popular among both his business and social acquaintances, and occupies an enviable position in the city where he makes his home.

Mr. Millikin is a leader in, and liberal contributor to, all enterprises that have for their object the welfare and advancement of Bowling Green, and he is regarded by his fellow citizens as a valuable member of the community, loyal to all its interests. He has twice been elected a member of the city council of Bowling Green, his good judgment and business ability making him valuable in this important position.

In 1884 Mr. Millikin was married to Miss Alice Delphine David, who was born in New York in 1857, and four children have blessed their union, namely: Carrie, Mary, Grace and Charles William. Mrs. Millikin is a lady of intelligence and refinement. She is a leader in Church work, she and her children belonging to the M. E. Church, to which Mr. Millikin is a liberal contributor, though he is not a member. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and in political sentiment is a stanch Republican.

Charles B. David, Mrs. Millikin's father, was a native of Maine, born in October, 1830. When a boy he removed with his parents to Fort James, N. Y., and later to Allegany county, that State, where he was married to Miss Clarissa Burns, who was born September 17, 1834, in Connecticut, removing thence with her parents to Allegany county, when she was six years old. Mr. David was a stock farmer, became quite well-to-do, and was highly respected in the community in which he resided. He died in August, 1894, leaving a widow and four children, viz.: Alice D., Mrs. Millikin, born in May, 1857; Charles E., a merchant at Belmont, N. Y.; Frank E., a merchant; and Minnie A., now Mrs. George H. Osborn, of Watertown, N. Y. Mr. David and all the family became members of the M. E. Church. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and took great interest in that order, becoming a Master Mason.

The parents of our subject, John and Ann (Smullin) Millikin, were natives of Ireland, the former born in County Donegal, near Strabane. They were married in that country, and after the birth of one child, James, came to America, in about 1840, locating in Venango county, Penn. There the father carried on farming until his death, in 1877, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife survived him until 1883, when she, too, passed away, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were estimable people, and consistent members of the Methodist Church. Twelve children were born to this worthy couple (of whom ten are still living) : James resides in Springfield, Mo. ; Eliza married Samuel Weaver; John died in Salina, Kans., when forty-nine years old; L. S. lives in Fremont county, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Cramer lives in Pennsylvania; Maggie is the widow of Homer Hull; Thomas S. lives in Saline county, Kans.; Charlotte is the wife of W. R. Christy, and lives in Hardin county, Ohio; Peter P. resides in Warren, Ind.; Canston Z. is an attorney at Salina, Kans. ; Sarah died when two and a half years old; W. H. is the subject of this sketch.

ORRIN HENRY. The subject of this sketch, who has been a resident of Bowling Green since 1877, is a native of Wood county, Ohio, his birth taking place October 24, 1840. His grandparents, and Rebecca (Follett) Henry, were born in New Hampshire, and at an early day came to Ohio, settling in Portage township. They had thirteen children.

Hosea Henry, the father of our subject, was born in New Hampshire in 1807, and accompanied his parents to this State. He settled on a farm near Millgrove, Perry township, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying on March 17, 1883, at a good old age. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Smith, was a native of

936 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

Pennsylvania, born in 1820, and is still living on the farm where they first made their home. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Henry was an Oldline Whig. To this estimable couple nine children were born, of whom six grew to maturity, namely: Orrin; Charles, a physician residing in Fostoria, who served during the Civil war in the 144th O. V. I.; Lorinda, deceased, was the wife of D. Lusk; Perry lives in Millgrove, Wood county; Alice married D. O. Furth, and lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Orrin Henry grew to manhood in Perry township, attending the public and select schools during his boyhood, and on December 5, 1861, was married to Miss Mary S. Bosler, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 2, 1842, and who died April 22, 1891. Three children were born of this union: W. O.; Hattie, who died when eight years old; and Dwight L.

Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, Mr. Henry enlisted in Company I, 100th O. V. I.; but being unable to leave when his regiment was mustered in, he again enlisted, August 18, 1862, in Company A, 111th O. V. I., at Toledo. His command was assigned to the army of the Ohio, subsequently known as the army of the Tennessee. Mr. Henry was sergeant of his company. Among the. battles in which he took part were the siege of Knoxville, the Atlanta campaign, Perryville, Wilmington and Raleigh. He was honorably discharged from the service, at Salisbury, N. C., and reached Cleveland, Ohio, July 5, 1865, it lacking but a few days of being three years he had spent in the army.

On his return from the South Mr. Henry took up farming for a time in Perry township, and also had the management of a sawmill. For some six years he had charge of a hotel, but in 1876 sold out his interests in that business, and went out west to the Black Hills, remaining there some two months. In the fall. of the same year he was elected sheriff of Wood county, and .held that office for four years, afterward serving for one term as deputy sheriff under his successor. He was then appointed U. S. Deputy Internal Revenue Collector, filling that position for two years, when the district was changed, and he lost the place.

Mr. Henry remained at home for over a year when he was appointed captain of the night watch in the State Penitentiary, where he was employed for twenty months, at the end of which time, on December 31, 1887, he was given a clerkship in the trust fund department of the State Auditor's office, where he served for four years. On January 1, 1892, he was appointed land clerk in the State Auditor's office, which position he still holds. Mr. Henry is a Republican in politics, a Chapter Mason, a K. of P., and a member of Wiley Post, G. A. R., at Bowling Green. He has filled the various positions of trust which he has held with great ability, and is esteemed by all who know him.

ENOS GOLDNER. Among the energetic and prosperous tillers of the soil who have made Bloom township the center of a high type of rural life, the subject of this sketch ranks with the foremost. Twenty-seven years ago his fertile fields were a stumpy waste, and now his farm is second to none in the county for productiveness and beauty.

George Goldner, the father of our subject, was a native of Schuykill county, Penn., and a carpenter by trade. He married Miss Susan Folk, of Austintown township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, and settled in that vicinity, purchasing a farm of 160 acres, whereon he made his residence. He died in 1879, at the age of sixty-six, and his wife in 1873, aged fifty-eight.

Enos Goldner was born October 1, 1839, in Jackson township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, the eldest of ten children-four sons and six daughters. His boyhood was spent in useful work at home, indoors as well as out, as he lightened his mother's labors whenever he could. He never liked to go to school, probably because the advantages then offered to the pupil were not strikingly apparent. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the carpenter's trade with his father, a younger brother taking his place on the farm, and he followed his trade for seven or eight years, but has since been a farmer. On November 16, 1868, he was married at his native place to Miss Christina Handwerk who was born there May 20, 1850, the only daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brobst) Handwerk. Mrs. Elizabeth (Brobst) Handwerk was the daughter of Daniel Brobst, who was born November 1, 1797, in Pennsylvania, and died August 14, 1894, at our subject's home, where he had lived for eighteen years. In 1818 he married Magdalena Folwiler. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, he of the Lutheran. Joseph Handwerk was born in Schuykill county, Penn., and came thence to Ohio with George Goldner, our subject's father, driving across the country. He died December 3, 1893, at his home in Bloom township, aged seventy-six years, nine months and twenty days. In 1848 he married Elizabeth Brobst, who was born October 13,

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 937

1825, in Campbell, Mahoning Co., Ohio, and now makes her home on the old home farm. Both were members of the Lutheran Church.

In March, 1869, Mr. Goldner and his fatherin-law came to Bloom township, and bought eighty acres in Section 29, and 160 in Section 32, adjoining, for which they went in debt to the extent of one thousand dollars. A small old house was the sole improvement, the fields standing full of stumps. They took up their residence' in the township the same year, commenced to clear the tract, and afterward added to it until the farm now comprises 444 acres, with 335 acres under cultivation. In 1892 they built the handsomest farm house in this region at a cost of $4, 200, but Mr. Handwerk, did not long enjoy it, his death occurring December 3, 1893.

Mr. and Mrs. Goldner have no children of their own, but four boys and two girls have found a home under their hospitable roof at different times. Mr. Goldner was a strong man physically, and was always a hard worker until 1889, when his health was affected by " La Grippe." He is a Democrat politically, but in local matters votes for the ablest and most honest candidate without regard to party. He and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, and to bring a case of need to their attention is to secure ready and generous help.

WILLIAM HARMAN, one of Montgomery township's best citizens, is a native of Prussia, born June 13, 1829. His father, who was a carpenter in Germany, married Miss Catherine Sturmer, and in 1836, when our subject was seven years old, they sailed from Bremen on the vessel " Brilhiff," bound for New York, the trip taking eleven weeks and three days. They first went to Albany, N. Y., thence to Toledo and Sandusky, and remained a short time in each place, the father working at various odd jobs. He was employed on the Wabash canal at Toledo, and in the same capacity at Napoleon, Ohio, where he remained two years. He next went to Maumee City, helped to put in locks and side-cut, and lived there until September 1, 1842, when he came to Section 30, Montgomery township, here buying seventy acres of land, a few acres of which had been chopped over, and on which was a small log cabin. He had saved $350 from his work on the canal with which to get a home. Here he lived until September, 1852, when he moved to Freeport and opened a hotel called the "Washington House," of which he was the proprietor for twenty-seven years. He then returned to Section 30, where he died August 21, 1883. In politics he was a Democrat. His widow passed away August 7, 1896, in Montgomery township, at the age of ninety-two years, mourned by a host of friends who knew this grand old pioneer lady only to love her.

Our subject attended the district schools of his time, and was in his " teens" when his parents came to Montgomery township. On May 27, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary Kyser, who was born near Philadelphia, August 21, 1825, daughter of George and Mary (Shut) Kyser, who came to Columbiana county in 1833, and died there. Afterward Mary visited her sisters in Montgomery township, where she met and married our subject. They began their married life on the home farm, and in 1872 came to Section 29, where they now reside. The following children have been born to them: George H., who is a farmer of Montgomery township; Frederick William, who lives near Hicksville, Ohio; Milton, who died in infancy; John H., a resident of Freeport; Frank P., a farmer of Portage; Daniel, living in Pulaski county, Ky.; Catherine, who died when twelve years old; and Andrew J., who is farming in Montgomery township. Mr. Harman has helped all his children to obtain homes, and has plenty of means left. He is no partisan in politics, but his sympathy is with the Democrats, and he has held a school office. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, as was also his wife. He has been a successful farmer, and is one of the good citizens of his township, than whom no one is more respected. On January 14, 1894, he had the misfortune to be completely burned out; but he has rebuilt the farm buildings, and to-day has one of the best homes in the township.

ADDISON LANSDALE, who is well and popularly known not only in Montgomery township, where he resides, but throughout Wood county, was born April 7, 1821, in Champaign county, Ohio. His parents, Richard and Jemima (Hyatt) Lansdale, were married in Maryland in 1804, and in I808 came to Ohio, settling in what is now Champaign county, on the banks of Little Darby creek, near Mechanicsburg, where our subject was born and where Mr. and Mrs. Lansdale both died. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom our subject was the youngest, and all of whom are deceased except himself and his brother Richard, the latter a resident of Olympia, Washington.

Mr. Lansdale was an infant when his parents died, and he was reared by strangers. His schooling, which was somewhat meager, was obtained in a log schoolhouse of the rudest description.

938 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

There was then no common-school system as today, and educational affairs were managed in a manner which seems very strange to us. Each pupil was required to furnish a load of wood to keep the schoolhouse warm, the teachers "boarded round," and very few of them were able to instruct their pupils beyond the " three Rs." Our subject was early put to work on the farm, and earned a shilling a day, riding horses for the men who were raking hay. When a boy of sixteen years he learned the trade of a mason, plastering and brick-laying included. The family had been scattered on the death of the parents, and one of the sons, Alpheus, who was a molder by trade, had located at Lower Sandusky, now Fremont. Here our subject went to visit him, traveling on the Mad River railroad-the first road built in Ohio-to Tiffin, and walking the remaining distance. He easily found work there, and was soon after married, in June, 1850, to Miss Martha, daughter of Elisha Moore, a farmer living near Fremont. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Lansdale was the proud owner of twenty dollars in gold, which represented his entire capital. In October of the same year the young couple took up their residence in Prairie Depot, where the wife died in the spring of 1851, and was buried in Bradner cemetery. She left one child, Martha, now Mrs. David Bovie, of Sandusky county. On November 18, 1852, Mr. Lansdale was married in Sandusky county to Miss Sarah King, who was born in Franklin county, April 13, 1831. Her father, Samuel King, was a pioneer of Sandusky county, having come there in 1832. Mrs. Sarah Lansdale died January 9, 1896. Two children were born to this union, Mary E., who became the wife of Franklin Palmer, and died January 15, 1879; and Florence, who married Samuel Pennell, and died, leaving one child, Mabel M., who makes her home with our subject.

In the fall of 1850 Mr. Lansdale traded a horse and buggy for his present lot, on which there was then only a log shanty. He subsequently bought other lots, for one of which he gave a shot-gun, and, for another, $35. About this time he went into the grocery and clothing business, having a stock worth $200. His business increased steadily, and he carried it on for twenty-five years, when he sold out. In the meantime he had purchased a couple of farms in Montgomery township, where he carried on general farming. In 1861 he was elected county commissioner on the Union ticket, although he was a Democrat. Originally a Whig, he joined the Democratic forces on the dissolution of that party, but voted for Abraham Lincoln for his second term. Since 1880 Mr. Lansdale has retired from active work, and only attends to the supervision of his business interests. He owns two business rooms in Prairie Depot, and two dwelling houses. Beginning life a very poor boy, he has acquired his present comfortable competency by his own. unaided exertions. He is the pioneer of Prairie Depot, and is known over a large portion of Wood county. He is a jovial man, one who thoroughly enjoys life, and is a most agreeable companion and entertaining conversationalist. In his religious views he is a Free Thinker. As a citizen he is public-spirited, and greatly interested in the cause of education.

CHRISTIAN BAY, a wealthy retired agriculturist of Perrysburg, is one of our typical German American citizens, who, by their industry and frugality, make their way to success over every obstacle. He was born December 31, 1825, in Wittenberg, Germany, which for generations had been the home of his forefathers. His parents, George and Catherine Bay, died when he was still a youth, and in 1852 he came to Ohio. He spent one year in Wayne county, three in Lorain county (part of the time residing at Columbia Station), remaining until 1861, when lie came to Wood county. Here he settled in the unbroken wilderness, in the heart of the '' Black Swamp," where he experienced all the disheartening trials of pioneer life. For thirty-four years he lived there-the locality being now known as " Bay Station," on the C. H. & D. railroad-and had already acquired a competence when the discovery of oil upon his land enabled him to sell it for a large sum-a fortune, in fact. He, then removed to Perrysburg, where he is spending the leisure which he can so well appreciate after his early years of toil. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for many years has been a member of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Bay was married in Liverpool, Medina Co., Ohio, to Miss Jane McConnell, who was born in 1835, and died September 13, 1894, mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. Of the seven children born of this union: (1) Jerusha B. married G. Mercer, - and has three children-Mabel, Vernie and Edith; (2) Elizabeth married William Bower, of Milton Center, and has four children (three sons and one daughter)-Clarence, Bearl, Karl and Marie ; (3) George W., born June 29, 1860, died October 2, 1866; (4) William S., born December 9, 1867, died October 11, 1871; (5) and (6) Mary J. and Miny A., born August 10, 1870, the for-

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 939

mer died August 26, 1870, and the latter, January 21, 1871; and (7) the youngest daughter in Christian Bay's family is Mary D., who is at present attending high school at Hart, Oceana Co., Michigan.

GEORGE W. HENGSTELER. As one of the prominent young self-made business men of Risingsun, and a partner in the firms of Hengsteler Bros. and Bigley & Hengsteler Bros., the subject of this sketch is well-known in financial circles, and he -is also an agriculturist of note in his locality, owning a farm of l00 acres in Montgomery township.

He was born September 22, 1859, in Westmoreland county, Penn., the son of Lewis and Mary (Bauders) Hengsteler. He-was a mere child when his parents came to Ohio, and his education and training was that of the average country boy of his time. His somewhat limited opportunities for schooling have made him an active friend of educational progress, as is shown by his constant and practical efforts for that cause on the school boards of District No. 7, Montgomery township, and later in Risingsun. As a mechanic he possesses fine natural ability, and has done some carpentering; but in early manhood his attention was mainly given to agricultural pursuits. In the winter of 1892 the Hengsteler Bros. engaged in the oil business, operating an eighty-acre lease in Scott township, Sandusky county, and placed thereon four wells. In the winter of 1894 -95 they associated with them, in their oil business, C. P. Bigley; however, the Hengsteler Bros. still constitute an independent firm.

On April 15, 1880, our subject was married to Miss Mary A. Graber, who was born in Risingsun November 28, 1866, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Strouse) Graber. His first home was, upon a rented farm in Jackson township, Seneca county, and later he spent two years on the Carey farm in Montgomery township, on leaving which place he bought forty acres in Section 35, same township, incurring a debt of $1,700. At that time there was not a building on the farm that was habitable, and the sparse improvements did not even include a well. Here he resided until the fall of 1892, when having acquired a competence he purchased his present elegant residence in Risingsun, at the corner of Day and Walnut streets. He still keeps his farm, however, and oversees it, and he owns another fine building lot in Risingsun. On November 28, 1892, his first wife was called from earth, and her mortal remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Prairie Depot. Two children survive her-Lulu M. and Jay R., both at home. For his second wife Mr. Hengsteler married Miss Christina Stoudinger, who was born March 14, 1867, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Myers) Stoudinger, wellknown residents of Montgomery township.

Full of public spirit, Mr. Hengsteler is always ready to encourage any enterprise for the benefit of his town. Although he is a Democrat in principle, he is not bound by any party ties in local elections, and he has served the community in various positions, including that of supervisor. At present he is street commissioner of Risingsun. He and his wife are leading members of the Church of God, in which he was superintendent of the Sunday-school for three years, and he now holds the office of deacon. Socially, he affiliates with the I. O. O. F.

BYRON H. CALLIN is one of the most able and successful school teachers of Wood county, and is a young man of genuine worth, giving a liberal aid and support to all enterprises and interests which are calculated to benefit the community. He was born in Bowling Green, November 5, 1874, and is a son of John H. Callin, a well known resident of the county. He spent his earlier years in his native town, and in 1887 removed with his father to Middleton township, where he aided in the development and improvement of an eighty-acre farm. In the winter months he attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and displayed special aptitude at his studies. In the winter of 1885-6 he was a student in the public schools of Leipsic, Ohio, and in 1893 continued his education in the high school of Perrysburg. In that year he was graduated from the common schools of the county, and in the winter of 1895-6 he attended Findlay College, at Findlay, Ohio.

When only sixteen years of age, Mr. Callin was granted a teacher's certificate by the county board of examiners. All his life he has been interested in educational work, and has given general satisfaction as a teacher in Wood county. In 1895 he also taught and attended Berea College, of Berea, Ky., and is a young man of broad general information, much of which he has acquired through extensive reading. For six years he was a correspondent to the local newspapers, and is a poet and writer of fiction of no little ability, having contributed many articles of merit and interest to the county and Eastern magazines. When fifteen years of age he joined the Presbyterian Church at Dunbridge, and has since taken a very active part in Church work. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Berea, is a mem

940 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

ber of the Home Missionary Society, and is president of the Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor, also secretary of the A. Z. L. Society of Berea. He is a member of Randolph Palmer Camp No. 273, Sons of Veterans, of Prairie Depot, Ohio. His political support is given the Republican party. Held in the highest regard by all who know him, he has made many warm friends wherever he has gone, and his well-spent life commands the respect of all. Mr. Callin was elected Professor of History and Natural Science in Jackson Collegiate Institute, at Jackson, Ky., which position he declined. On July 18, 1896, he was united in marriage with Fannie E., daughter of John and Eliza Muir, of Scotch Ridge, Ohio. Mrs. Callin is a woman of genuine worth, is accomplished, and has a large circle of friends.

J. W. POWELL, senior member of the wellknown firm of Stratton, Powell & Co., leading hardware merchants of Bowling Green, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 21, 1844. He is of Welsh descent, but his family have been in this country for several generations.

His grandfather, Peter Powell, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the pioneer settlers of Fairfield county, died in Hancock county, in 1858, at the age of eighty-five. Our subject's father, George Powell, was born in Fairfield county, March 10, 1819, lived there until 1873, and then bought a farm in Liberty township, Wood county, whereon he spent his last years. He married Miss Sarah• Beatty, also- a native of Fairfield county, born in 1818, and they reared a family of six children: J. W., our subject; Martha J., now the wife of L. Smaltz, of Hancock county; S. H., living at the old homestead; A. V., a resident of Bowling Green; C. L., who died in Weston, at the age of thirty-five; and Laura B., the wife of James Stafford, of Liberty township. The father of these, in politics, was a Democrat, up to the Civil war, when he became a Republican, and so remained until his death. In religious faith he and his wife were active and consistent members of the U. B. Church. The father died January 26, 1893, the mother on April 26, 1892.

J. W. Powell, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools in his native county during his boyhood, and remained at home up to his enlistment, when he was barely eighteen years old, in the 90th O. V. I., attached to the army of the Cumberland. He took part in a number of engagements, Perryville, etc.; at Stone River he was severely wounded, and sent to hospital, where he spent ten months, being able during the last five to perform light duties. In 1864 he was transferred to the 5th Regiment, V. R. C., and detailed to guard the Rebel prisoners at Indianapolis. He was mustered out July 5, 1865, and then returned home to resume his duties on the farm, so continuing until his marriage. In February, 1867, he moved to Hancock county, to his farm of eighty acres, whereon he remained six years, at the end of which time, selling his interests there, he came to Wood county and bought a 240-acre farm in Liberty township, which he improved, placing good buildings on it, and underdraining it with sixteen miles of tiling, in which latter line of improvements he may be said to have been the pioneer in both Wood and Hancock counties. In all respects his farm is one of the finest in the State, and no other is equipped with a better class of buildings; he also owns another farm of ninety-six acres in the same township.

In 1888 Mr. Powell opened out a hardware business in Bowling Green, and in January, 1889, he moved his family into the city, in the following year building his present elegant and commodious residence. He owns seventeen oil-wells, the first of which was drilled in October, 1889, being the first well started in that section of the county, Mr. Powell being the second individual to lease land for that purpose in Wood county. He is also interested in oil productions outside of his own wells, in all his undertakings proving himself to be a typical American " hustler," one who by innate grit, pluck and enterprise, has from but a small capital built up a comparative fortune.

On October 11, 1866, Mr. Powell married Miss Isabel R. Courtright, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 14, 1844, and three children have blessed this union: Alba F. and George V., and a son, Herman C., who died in infancy. Of these children, Alba F. was married in November, 1893, to W. H. Wyrauch, of Bowling Green, a partner in the store with Mr. Powell, his wife acting in the capacity of bookkeeper; while George V. is at present attending college at Westerville, Ohio, this being his third year thereat. With true practical philanthropy, our subject and his amiable wife have opened their hospitable doors to the children of others. A girl, Effa Kirk, they reared from the age of eleven years, and she is now the wife of E. A. Saxby, a druggist of Pemberville, by whom she has one child, Florence. A boy, Tobias Miller by name, Mr. and Mrs. Powell reared from the age of four till he was seventeen, and they are at

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 941

present bringing up another little girl, named Myrtle, who is nine years of age at this writing.

Mrs. J. W. Powell is a daughter of O. P. and Sarah (Harmon) Courtright, the former of whom, a farmer by vocation, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1814; he was captain of Company A, 78th Ill. V. I., serving two years in the Civil war, and enjoys an enviable record as a soldier. The mother was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1817. They were the parents of children, as follows: America P., Harmon V., Isabel R. (Mrs. Powell), Elizabeth J., and Martin L. The mother of these died in 1850, and Mr. Courtright subsequently married Mary McElroy, of Lancaster, Ohio, by which union there were nine children: James, Frank, John, Joliette, Fannie, Oliver, Robert, Walter and Stephen. The father died in 1868.

In his political preferences Mr. Powell is a Republican; socially he is affiliated with Wiley Post No. 46, G. A. R.; in religious faith, he and his wife are leading members of the U. B. Church, toward which they are liberal in their donations, as well as to educational works and all deserving charities. They enjoy alike the esteem and regard of a wide circle of friends, not only in the city of their adoption, but in the entire county.

GEORGE W. BELL, one of the boys in blue of the Civil war, and now a valued citizen of Middleton township, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, November 22, 1837. His father, Elisha Bell, was a native of Belmont County, Md., and for some years was engaged in farming there. He afterward removed to Monroe county, this State, where he spent ten years, and then took up his residence in Washington county, where he carried on farming until his death in 1871. He married Louisa Tucker, a native of Maryland, and they became parents of these children-Ellen, wife of George W. Miller, of Washington county; George W.; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Aplin; Willston, a farmer of Washington county; William, an agriculturist of Washington county; Jane, wife of Isaac Wickley; James; John and Martha, who died in childhood. The mother of this family passed away in 1894.

To the common schools our subject is indebted for his education. He was reared on the old homestead until twenty-four years of age, when he left the farm to enter his country's service, enlisting in 1863, as a member of Company K, 36th O. V. I. He joined the service at Washington, Ohio, and participated in the battles of Gettysburg and Mission Ridge, and in the siege of Atlanta. He suffered much from exposure, but continued at the front until the war was over, as a faithful defender of the Union cause. He then returned to Washington county, where he reremained until 1881, when he purchased his present farm, near Dunbridge, in Middleton township.

Mr. Bell was married, in 1862, in Washington county, to Minerva Aplin, a native of Ludlow county, Md. They became parents of nine children-Joseph; Fannie, wife of John Dusing; Don; Irene; Chester; Russell; Eva, deceased wife of Dr. Baker; and William and Daisy, who died in infancy. Mr. Bell is a member of Robert Stewart Post No. 690, G. A. R., of Dunbridge. He is an energetic, industrious man who owes his success in life to his own exertions. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, interested in the general welfare, and in this volume well deserves representation.

JACOB H. HOWER, a prosperous farmer of Bowling Green, was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 24, 1829, and comes of good old Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. Jacob Henry Hower, the paternal grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in New Berlin, Stark county, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. The day before his death he walked three miles and killed seven squirrels with his rifle, an old-time flintlock, which is still retained in the family. He dressed the squirrels himself, and had his daughter prepare him a squirrel supper. He was found the next morning dead in his bed, with his arms folded upon his breast, indicating that he had passed quietly into his last sleep. He was the father of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others were Jesse, John, George (the father of our subject), Isaac, and Barbara, the latter of whom married a Mr. Lawson.

George Hower was born in Pennsylvania in 1801, and was united in marriage with Barbara Haines, who was also born in Pennsylvania, in 1808. They emigrated to Ohio, living first in Stark county, and then in Medina until a short time before their death, when they moved to New Berlin, where they both died in 1884. They followed farming all their lives, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To them were born twelve children, three of whom died while young. The others are: Mary, who married Hiram Burr, and died in Kansas; Jacob Henry, subject of this sketch; Nancy, who married Adolph Derthick (he died, and she married a second time, and is living in Clinton, I11.); Jesse, who died in 1867; Sophia, married, and living in Illinois; Solomon, who served all through

942 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO

the war of the Rebellion, and. died soon after; G. W., living in Clinton, Ill.; Sadie, married and living at home; Irene, who is the wife of Jacob Bowman, and resides in Pennsylvania.

Our subject grew up with his parents until nine years old, when he commenced working on a threshing machine, and has done more or less threshing ever since, making, in all, fifty-four seasons. At thirteen years of age he went to Indiana, and worked on a farm. He picked up the cooper's trade, and also that of a machinist, and, determining to see something of the great world about him, became a rover. As soon as he earned money enough in one place to carry him away, he would leave for parts unknown, his various trades standing him in good need as he always found employment adapted to some one of them, and he went on in this way until he had traveled over twenty-three different States of the Union. He finally settled down in Wood county in 1858, and with considerable effort curbed his roving propensities. He married January 7, 1861, Miss Martha J. Mitchell, who was born in Plain township June 8, 1835, and one child was born to them: Irvin M., November 18, 1867; he is married, and has one child, Ufford Rollin. Our subject had one adopted child, Lulu, who is now the wife of John Holly; He was born in Auglaize county, Ohio, in 1867.

Mr. Hower joined Co. K, 185th O. V. I., in January, 1865, and served during the remainder of the war, under Capt. Black. He is now settled in Plain township and has fifty acres of good land under excellent cultivation, and does general farming.

ALBIRTUS RUSSELL is a wide-awake and progressive business man of Plain township, whose life record well deserves a place in the history of his adopted county. He was born in Erie county, Penn., January II, 1848, and is a son of Charles H. and Maria (Williams) Russell, the former born in New York, June 11, 1821, and the latter in Pennsylvania, in June of the same year. The father was educated in the Empire State, where for a time he followed farming; but he was married in Pennsylvania. In 1857 he brought his family to Wood county, locating on forty acres of wild land in Washington township, where he built a log cabin, and then began the work of improving his farm. His death there occurred in February, 1882, and his wife was called to the home beyond August 25, 1890. Their children were Mary J., born March 22, 1846, wife of P. P. Condit; Albirtus, our subject; Elijah D., born March 25, 1850, now of Fulton county, Ohio; Viola M., who was born February 14, '1854, and died July 20, 1855; Aurora B., who was born April 20, 1859, and died April 16, 1864; Ida A., who was born December 11, 1862, and died April 30, 1864. The father was a Presbyterian in religious faith; a Republican in political belief, and for some time served as school director.

Albirtus Russell is indebted to the district schools of both his native county and Wood county for his education. The first ten years of his life were passed in the Keystone State, and he then came with his parents to Ohio, locating on the home farm. In December, 1863, at the age of sixteen, he laid aside school books for the rifle, and the school-boy became a soldier of Company G, 10th Ohio Cavalry. His regiment was assigned to the Western army, and he participated in the siege of Atlanta, and went with Sherman on the celebrated '' march to the sea. " On the day when the country celebrated its national independence in 1865, our hero of the Civil war received an honorable discharge, and started for his home with a military record of which he may be justly proud.

Mr. Russell continued to aid in the operation of the homestead until 1873, when he located on a sixty-acre farm, which he yet owns. He is, however, operating 200 acres of land which he has under a very high state of cultivation. He is also a salesman for the Plano Mnfg. Co., of Chicago. His political support is given to the Republican party. For three years he has served as constable in Washington township, and school director for twelve years, and also clerk of the school board; he was elected trustee of Plain township in the spring of 1895 by a majority of three hundred; he served ten years as road supervisor, and was the first assessor of his precinct in Plain township. He belongs to the United Brethren Church, and to the Blue Lodge of Masons, of Tontogany, and Crystal Chapter, R. A. M., of Bowling Green.

Mr. Russell was married to Miss Julia Condit, the adopted daughter of Philip Condit, formerly of Plain township. They have ten children: Clayton R. J., born January 14, 1869, now foreman of the wood works in the Empire Plow Company, of Cleveland, Ohio; he married Katie Kadle. Charles H., born June 10, 1871, is a farmer, and was married January 15, 1895, to Mary Digby. Louisa M., born February 13, 1873. William, born June 8, 1875. Rutherford Hayes, born November 12, 1876; Frank F., born October 7, 1878; Howard A., born December 12, 1880; Nellie M., born May 11, 1883; Leonard

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 943

F., born February 27, 1887, and Enos A., born December 6, 1890, are all at home. Mr. Russell justly ranks among the leading business men and representative citizens of Wood county. He is a gentleman of sterling worth, and the soul of honor in all business transactions, and a highly esteemed man in private life.

F. B. ADAMS, one of the most progressive and prosperous of the younger citizens of Portage township, is a native of the county, born May 15, 1869, on a farm in Section 2, Bloom township, a son of Henry and Margaretta (Dresser) Adams.

Our subject received all his education at the district schools of the neighborhood of his boyhood home, excepting an eight-weeks' attendance at the North American Normal School, at Fostoria. He acquired a good fund of general knowledge; but he was always more fond of machinery than books. Up to the time of his marriage he lived at home, assisting his father, under whose tuition he gained a thorough insight into the mysteries of agriculture, and after that event bought his fifty-acre farm in Section 35, Portage township, where he now lives. He has never devoted himself to the cultivation of this tract, however, the farm work being done by hired help, while he gives his attention to the oil business, acting as overseer for Fowler Bros., of Bradner. He is interested in the Lone Star Oil Co., which carries on operations in Portage township. Mr. Adams was formerly interested in a picket mill operated in Portage township, and though young he has been very successful in all his ventures. He is steady-going and ambitious, and bids fair to become one of the well-todo citizens of his community.

On March 19, 1892, Mr. Adams was married, in Perry township, to Miss Mary Longacre, of Portage township, daughter of H. R. Longacre, and one child has blessed this union, Olen J., born April 23, 1894. Our subject is a Democrat in political faith, but usually supports the best man without regard to party lines. . Socially he is affiliated with Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., of which he is a charter member.

WILLIAM BROOKS. As an example of what may be accomplished by industry and '' grit, " the life of the man whose name opens this sketch is worthy to be recorded in a work of this kind. With no advantages in early youth, landing in a strange country with a meager sum of money, and no friends but his strong hands, and no assistance but a steady purpose to make his way in spite of all obstacles, Mr. Brooks' career teaches a lesson by which other young men would do well to profit.

Our subject was born April 10, 1829, in Lincolnshire, England, the fifth son and sixth child in a family of nine children born to Benjamin and Jane (Hall) Brooks. The father supported his family by day labor, and both parents spent their entire lives in their native land, the father dying at the age of sixty-two, and the mother when eighty-seven years old. When a mere child, only eight years old, William was put to work driving a team, and such other work as his tender youth was capable of, his wages being the munificent sum of four cents a day and his dinner. He afterward worked on a farm until he was twenty two years old, his highest wages in all this time being $59 a year.

This slow way of getting on in the world was not at all to the liking of the ambitious young Englishman, and he determined to seek in the New World the opportunities denied him in the old country. Accordingly, having out of his scanty pittance saved enough to pay for his passage, he shipped, on April 14, 1852, at Hull, on the sailing vessel " Fingal, " bound for Quebec, which he reached after a tedious voyage of six weeks, and with six sovereigns in his pocket. He remained in that city for a day and a half, then came to Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, and worked there and in the vicinity as a farm hand for four years. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Brooks came to Wood county and bought eighty acres of timber land in Section 19, Perry township, all but six acres of which had been slashed. He then returned to Lorain county, and for some three years worked hard to raise the money, $450, to pay for his land. In 1856 he again came to Wood county, and settled upon his land, keeping "bachelor's hall" in an old log cabin on the place, and began at once to clear up and improve the property. His industry and thrift have met with their sward, and he now owns 250 acres of land, which, from its primitive condition of wild forests, has been made to bloom and "blossom as the rose," and which as a farm has few equals in the county. All the improvements on it are the work of his own hands, and he can now enjoy in ease and comfort the results of his hard labor and privation in his early days.

On November 1, 1855, Mr. Brooks was married in Bloom township, Wood county, to Miss Catherine Walker, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and was twelve years old when her parents, . Adam Walker and wife, removed to Wood county. She died in May, 1875, and was

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 944

buried in the Weaver cemetery, in Bloom township. On January 6, 1876, Mr. Brooks was again married, his second wife, who is still living, being Miss Matilda Walker, who was born February 9, 1848, in Bloom township, daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Fellows) Walker. They have four children-George, Fannie, Clarence and Herbert, all living at home.

Mr. Brooks is in sympathy with the Democratic party, although he is no partisan, and looks more to the character of the men who run for office than to any party affiliations. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church, and, although not a Church member himself, he contributes liberally to religious enterprises and charitable objects. In many respects he is a remarkable man. Without any schooling, he has accomplished what many a man of education has failed to do, and his reputation for honesty and upright dealing is known throughout the county. He is one of the most industrious men living, and is considered one of the best citizens of the community.

JAMES W. WILLIAMS, M. D., Weston, was born February 3, 1849, in Delaware county, Ohio, whence about a year later his father moved to Hancock county.

When our subject was eight years old his mother died, and he returned to Delaware county to live with his uncle, Joseph C. Cole. About the year 1864 his father married again, and young James returned to Hancock county, where he taught school for one term, later attending Findlay Union Schools, graduating, after four years, from the Normal department thereof. For one year he taught in the grammar department of the Findlay Union Schools, then attended the Normal School at Worthington, Ohio. Later he taught in Prospect, Marion county, and in the district schools of Delaware county, in the meantime occupying his leisure moments in reading medicine. In Delaware, Ohio, he was associated with his uncle, Ephraim Llewellen, M. D., in the drug business, and studied with him. After his preliminary preparation he sold his interest in the store to his uncle, and went to Cincinnati, where, in 1874, he again attended school, graduating in May, 1875. After looking around, he finally located at Weston, and in June, 1875, opened an office. In 1884 our subject went to Chicago, and took the practitioner's course in Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, deriving considerable benefit from visiting various hospitals, including Cook County and Mercy Hospitals. He then returned to Weston, where he has since continued the practice of his profession.

Politically the Doctor is a Republican, and has held the office of mayor for one term, was a member of the council, a justice of the peace, and a member of the school board, at present holding the office of township trustee. In religious faith he is identified with the Presbyterian Church. Socially he is affiliated with the following societies : Weston Lodge No. 560, F. & A. M., of Weston; I. O. O. F., Weston Lodge No. 681; Subordinate Lodge and Columbian Encampment No. 274 (representing this district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio); Kokosing Lodge No. 303, Daughters of Rebekah; the Ohio Homeopathic Medical Society, and the North Western Ohio Homeopathic Medical Society.

On January 17, 1878, Dr. Williams was married to Miss Mary M. Murphy, and their children are: Sarah Edna, born April 2, 1879, and May M., born September 2, 1882. Mrs. Williams died March 26, 1885, and on September 18, 1888, our subject was married at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, to Miss Devella E. Starr, by which union there are three children: Elda, born September 2, 1889; Ruth, born August 1, 1892, and Nehemiah Starr, born November 4, 1895.

The Williams family trace their ancestry back to Nehemiah Williams, great-grandfather of our subject, who was born May 5, 1737, in New York State. From information received by Dr. Williams from the War Department at Washington, it appears that Nehemiah Williams, during the Revolutionary war, was enlisted August 6, 17-, as a sergeant in Capt. Christian Getman's company of Rangers, known as the Second Company of Tyrone, N. Y. This company was reviewed August 29, 1776, by Isaac Paris, mustermaster, and on that muster roll the name of Nehemiah Williams appears as sergeant. It also appears that he was appointed a sergeant March 8, 1777, in Capt. Giles Wolcott's company, in the battalion of Continental forces commanded by Col. Seth Warner, and his name is borne on the rolls to include June, 1779. Some time after the latter date Nehemiah Williams removed to Washington county, Va., and about the year 1817 came with his wife and three children to Ohio, settling in Troy township, Delaware county, where he died October 20, 1821. By occupation he was a farmer. His wife, Mary, was born in Ireland, March 14, 1759, and died in Troy township, Delaware Co., Ohio, May 21, 1822. Their eldest son, James (grandfather of our subject), was born March 2, 1800, and died in 1824. He married Sarah Cole, and two sons were born to

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 945

them: Nehemiah and James, the latter of whom died when a young man. Both were farmers by occupation.

Nehemiah Williams, father of our subject, was born September. 27, 1822, and lived in Delaware county until twenty-six years of age, when he moved to Orange township, Hancock county, there passing the remainder of his life. He died March 17, 1895, on the same farm which was held by a patent presented to him from the President of the United States, and which never changed its title until just before his death, when it was divided among his children. He was twice married, first time on December 30, 1847, to Janet Trindle, who was born March 9, 1830, and died August 23, 1857. Their children were: James W., our subject; Joseph, born July 20, 1851, died March 7, 1865; Sarah Ann, born July 12, 1853, died April 4, 1876; and Emma, born October 21, 1855, died July 7, 1884. For his second wife, Nehemiah Williams, in the fall of 1864, married Catherine Longworth, and they have seven children: Hugh, who lives in the old home in Hancock county; Mary (Mrs. Henry Foltz), of North Baltimore; Jesse, a farmer, living on part of the old farm; George, also a farmer, residing on part of the old farm; Mattie, wife of Jesse Agin, who is a farmer in Hancock county; Ada, wife of L. Heite, a farmer in Wyandot county, Ohio; and Floyd, who is still unmarried, and lives on a part of the old homestead. The father of this family, when a seventeen-year-old boy, united with the Marlboro Regular Baptist Church, and continued a member of the Regular Baptist Church to the day of his death. In his, political predilections he was a Republican.

R. B. ROGERS. Prominent in the history of Wood county are the representative business men and enterprising farmers, and among them is the subject of this personal history. He was for several years engaged in the sawmill business, but now devotes his energies to agricultural pursuits, in which he is meeting with well-deserved success. A native of England, he was born in Cornwall, April 24, 1854, and is the third child of William and Margaret (Baker) Rogers, the others being William, a farmer of Lake township; Anna, who was the wife of Morris Marsh, and died in Lucas county, Ohio; and Ellen, now Mrs. Robert Tipladay, of Lake township.

The mother died in England. and with the hope of giving his children a better start in life, the father resolved to emigrate to the New World in the spring of 1863. In May the family embarked on the steamer "Kangaroo," at Plymouth, and fifteen days after leaving Queenstown, Ireland, they landed at New York. Their destination was Lorain county, Ohio, where for four years the father rented a farm in Pittsfield township; in 1867 he purchased eighty acres of new land in Lake township, Wood county, which was entirely unimproved, not even a road being laid out to his place, the most of which was underwater. Two of his children, William and Anna, accompanied him to Wood county, but our subject and his sister Ellen remained with relatives in Lorain county until 1871. Here the father was again married, his second union being with Mary White, and they now have a pleasant home in Lake township, the land having been converted into a highly cultivated and desirable farm. He has been quite successful in his business transactions, securing a comfortable competence, and still superintends the management of his affairs, although he has reached the age of seventy-seven years.

Mr. Rogers, of this sketch, began his education in the subscription schools of England, and then attended the government schools, where a tuition was paid. He was about nine years of age when brought to the United States, and, with the exception of two years spent at the home of his uncle, Edward Rogers, in Pittsfield, Lorain county, he remained with his father until the age of sixteen. For one year he was then employed on government work in Toledo, after which he entered the sawmill business, being thus engaged for several years, with the exception of six months spent in Missouri at farm labor and threshing, where he had gone in the spring of 1878. It was in the early part of 1888, that Mr. Rogers removed the sawmill, in which he owned a third interest, to the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 13, Bloom township, in the midst of timber, where he began to fell the trees and manufacture lumber. Two. years previous to the time, J. B., T. A., and R. B. Rogers had purchased the eighty acres of land where the sawmill was afterward located. In the fall of 189c, J. B. Rogers sold his interest to the other members of the firm, and in August, 1895. our subject disposed of his share in the mill to his partner, and bought the eighty acres of land, which he is now successfully operating.

On the 28th of November, 1883, in Monroe, Mich., Mr. Rogers married Miss Merilla Marsh, a native of Lake township, and a daughter of Luke Marsh, a farmer. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Flossie, who has made her home with them since

946 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

the age of two years. In his political views Mr. Rogers is a Republican, and has served as, a member of the school board of District No. 11, Bloom township. He is classed by his fellow citizens as one of the public-spirited and representative men of the township, and the competence he has secured is the just reward of his own labors, as he has had to make his own way in life since the early age of fourteen years.

ISRAEL BOROUGHF was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, May 13, 1842, and is a son of Peter and Sophia (Felger) Boroughf. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but were married in Wayne county, Ohio, whence they afterward removed to Sandusky county. The mother died January 19, 1889, at the home of our subject. The children of the family were Eliza, who died in infancy; Eli, a machinist and engineer of Toledo, Ohio; Sarah, wife of James Daringer, of Richland county, Ohio; Israel; Mary Catherine, who died, in girlhood; Caroline, deceased wife of Horatio Van Tassel; and Samantha, who died at the .age of eleven years. Frederick Boroughf, a member of the family, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Our subject was a child of eleven years when the mother removed with her family to Bellevue, Huron county. In July, 1863, he enlisted in the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery, then went from Cincinnati to Covington, Ky., and on to the South. After the close of the war, he was honorably discharged in July, 1865, and arrived home on the 10th of August. He has since followed agricultural pursuits. His educational privileges were limited, but, through extensive reading and experience, he has become a well-informed man. In February, 1866, he arrived in Wood county, where he worked as a farm hand for a time, and later operated land on shares. He was also employed in a brickyard near Weston for two seasons.

In Milton township, May 3, 1870, Mr. Boroughf married Miss Emma Jane Morehouse, who was born September 20, 1852, in Wood county. Their children are: Elmer, who is married, and lives in. Milton township; Charles, Henry and Fred, at home; Carrie, who died at the age of seventeen months; and Lucy and John.

In 1874 Mr. Boroughf purchased sixteen acres of land, which he afterward sold, and rented a farm in Grand Rapids, for three years. His present home comprises forty acres in Section 11, Milton township, improved with good buildings, while the well-tilled fields yield to him a comfortable income. He started out in life a poor boy, but diligence and unfaltering determination have secured to him a comfortable home. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but for ten years he has been a stalwart Prohibitionist.

WILSON HAMILTON, a prominent stockman and agriculturist of Montgomery township, was born in Richland county, Ohio, August 15, 1841, a son of Edward and Louisa (Miller) Wilson, who moved to Huron county when our subject was five years old. As they were poor, young Wilson's schooling was necessarily limited, for at an early age he was put to work on the farm, and remained at home until he was twenty years of age, working for as low wages as $4 per month.

On August 4,1862, Mr. Hamilton enlisted at Havana, Huron county, in Company D, 101 st O. V. I. under Capt. H. C. Sheldon. The regiment camped at Monroeville until September 4, of that year, then went to Cincinnati, and later to Kentucky, where its first battle was fought at Perryville. Our subject participated in all the engagements of his regiment until September 20, 1863, when he was wounded and taken prisoner at Chickamauga; for thirteen days he was confined at Crawfish Springs, Ga., and was then paroled and sent to the field hospital at Chattanooga, and later to Bridgeport, Ala., and Hospital 19, at Nashville; he was then sent to the parole camp at Columbus, Ohio, thence home on a furlough. At Camp Chase he was discharged in August, 1864, and returned home in a much-used-up condition; he, for one year, was engaged as a stage driver between Havana, Steuben, North Fairfield, Peru, and Norwalk, Ohio, making tri-weekly trips of forty-five miles a day. Previous to locating at Prairie Depot, he had been in the grocery business on a small scale at Havana. In July, 1865, he was employed by Halladay & Owen in Huron county, and later became a partner in the firm, after which he became identified with the Toledo Wheel Co., of Toledo, Ohio, and later had charge of their mill at Portage, Wood county. Returning to Huron county, he entered into partnership with E. P. Halladay in the lumber business, until 1890, which business is now conducted under the firm name of Halladay & Hamilton. This firm continued in the lumber business at Prairie Depot from 1871 to 1890, since which time they have been exclusively carrying on agricultural pursuits, and are among the most extensive farmers in Wood county.

On October 8, 1879, Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Frances E. Spalding, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Carlos Spalding, a farmer of. Eaton county, Mich. The following children were born to them: Irma A., still at

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 947

home; Louisa L., who died at the age of four years; Fanny A., and Wilson E. also at home. Mr. Hamilton is a Republican, and has held the offices of township treasurer, township clerk, mayor of Prairie Depot, member of the city council, and was appointed county commissioner to fill a vacancy, but declined to accept. He is a man who deserves great credit for the manner in which he has managed his business, and his success may be attributed to his thorough knowledge of all its details, no matter how trifling. He is quiet and unassuming, and is regarded as one of the representative business men of Wood county. He has one of the most luxuriously furnished homes in Prairie Depot, in which it is his pleasure to entertain his many friends and warm admirers.

BARNARD PHILLIPS, a farmer in good standing in Washington township, successful as a tiller of the soil, and one who has been prominently identified with local affairs, is the proprietor of a fine farm of I20 acres, well improved and supplied with a good set of farm buildings. He is one of the pioneers of his township, and there the greater part of his life has been passed, aiding in all those interests calculated to promote the welfare of his local community, and the county at large. The Empire State has furnished many worthy citizens to Ohio, and not the least among these is our subject, who was born in Kinderhook township, Columbia county, December 27, 1827. His father, John Phillips, was of German parentage, born in the town of Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1805, and there he grew to manhood. In New York he met and married the mother of Barnard, who bore the maiden name of Elsie Van Valkenburg, and was of Holland origin. Their union was blessed with eleven children; who were named as follows: Almira, wife of Lemuel Johnson, of Massachusetts; Barnard; Eliza, who died in infancy; Jane E., a resident of Evanston, Ill., and the widow of George Shaw; Sarah A., who is the widow of Lyman Chapman, and lives in Tontogany; William and Francis, both deceased; Caroline, wife of Daniel Huffman, of Wood county; John, a farmer of Washington township; Byron, of this county; and Elsa, wife of Jeremiah Hoffman, of Grand Rapids, Ohio. While a resident of Massachusetts, the father was, for some time, superintendent of a cotton mill; but on coming to Ohio, in 1855, he purchased l00 acres of partially improved-land in Washington township, to which he devoted his entire time and attention, and there passed his remaining days.

The school training which Barnard Phillips received was quite meagre, being limited to only a six-months' attendance at a public school when ten years of age, so that he is almost entirely self-educated. Learning the machinist's trade, he followed that occupation for six years; but, owing to ill health, he was compelled to seek some other employment, and bought l00 acres of land in Washington township, which he afterward sold to his father, then becoming the owner of the fine farm which he still has in his possession.

Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Eliza Kuder, a daughter of Solomon Kuder, the ceremony taking place on the 17th of October, 1858. The lady was born on Christmas Day, 1831. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, as follows: Elsie, born October 25, 1859, died while young. John S., born November 6, 1861, was married January 16, 1890, to Harriet N. Ross, by whom he has one child, Aldace, born November 19, 1894 (his vocation is that of farming, and he still resides on the old homestead, aiding in its development); Katie E., born August 7, 1866, is a music teacher. Lucy M., born August 12, 1872, completes the family.

Mr. Phillips was one of the brave boys in blue during the Civil war, having enlisted at Tontogany, May 2, 1864, in Company B, 144th O. V. I., under Capt. Black and Col. Miller, and from there the troops went to Columbus, on to Fort McHenry and then to Camp Parole, where our subject was taken prisoner in July, 1864, near Frederick, Md. He was first confined in Lynchburg, then sent to Danville, and later to Richmond, and on being released weighed only ninety pounds, having, during the seven months of his incarceration, lost fifty pounds. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, April 6, 1865, and has never yet fully recovered from the effects of his army service. He now belongs to Walter A. Wood Post No. 48, G. A. R., of Tontogany, and in politics is identified with the Republican party. His son and two daughters are consistent and faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife holds membership with the Woman's Relief Corps. In their pleasant home they are surrounded by all that makes life worth the living, and in the enjoyment of the respect and confidence which they have won from their neighbors by their beneficent and upright lives.

FRANCIS M. WIRICK, a popular and leading citizen of Jerry City, is a native of Wood county, born December 30, 1860, at the home of his parents, David H. and Mary Ann (Smith) Wirick. During his early years he attended District

948 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

School No. 3, of Bloom township, where he acquired a fair common-school education, while at home he received the training which has been so valuable to him in carrying on agricultural pursuits. He remained upon the family homestead, assisting his father in his daily labors all through his boyhood, and for one year after his marriage,

That happy event was celebrated on June 22, 1885, Miss Mettie Swope becoming his wife. She was born in Jerry City, December 22, 1868, and is a daughter of Daniel H. and Sarah (Boyd) Swope. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children-Ida E., born May 1, 1886, and died in infancy; David C., who was born July 30, 1887, and died November 17, 1894; and Orpha M., who was born September 15, 1889. Mr. Wirick became the owner of eighty acres of land in Section 5, Bloom township, residing there until the spring of 1891, when he removed to Jerry City, there making his home for one year, but on the expiration of that time returned to his farm. Since November, 1894, however, he has resided in Jerry City, where he owns a pleasant home, though he still superintends the cultivation and improvement of the excellent eighty-acre farm. He is a practical, far-sighted business man, energetic and progressive, and takes a commendable interest in the welfare and advancement of his town and county. He uses his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party, and has been elected to the office of councilman.

ROBERT PARGELLIS. Among the residents of foreign birth who have sought homes in America and become valued citizens of their adopted land is this gentleman, a well-known farmer of Middleton township. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 29, 1838, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Wright) Pargellis, also natives of Scotland, the former born in 1800, the latter in 1808. They were married in Glasgow, where the father carried on business as a wholesale stationery merchant for some years. In 1843 he brought his family to the New World, and became a resident of Wood county, purchasing 160 acres of land on Hull Prairie. To the city-bred man, who had enjoyed all the advantages and conveniences of metropolitan life, the difficulties of frontier life and the labor of developing a farm might well seem appalling, but after a time the land began to put on a semblance of a good home and a wellcultivated farm. Mr. Pargellis died in 1855, his wife in 1888. They were consistent Presbyterians in religious faith, and the first members of Hood Church, on Hull Prairie. In politic was an Old-line Whig.

The family numbered seven members - Alexander, a farmer of this county; Robert; Andrew; a farmer of Middleton township; Duncan, who in early childhood was burned to death while his father was clearing the land; Margaret, who is keeping house for her brothers; Oswald, who died in Kansas; and one who died in infancy.

Our subject was a child of five summers when the family crossed the Atlantic, and on the home farm was reared to manhood. After attending the district schools he spent one term at Perrysburg. He was married November 1, 1863, to Emily Crook, a native of Perrysburg, born August 8, 1842. The following children graced their union: Frederick R., of Toledo; Etta, wife of Frank Horton, by whom she has three children, Ilo, Leo, and Laura; Mortimer B., who is employed in Toledo; Ella, who is keeping house for her brothers in that city; Gertrude and Margaret, at home; and Wright and Henry, twins. The first child died in infancy.

Upon his marriage Mr. Pargellis located on his present farm, where he now owns eighty acres of rich land that is under a high state of cultivation and well-improved. He manifested his loyalty during the Civil war by enlisting, in 1861, in Company C, 21st O. V. I., in which he served for three months, in West Virginia. He now belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church. The Republican party claims his political support, and he is a progressive citizen, who co-operates with all measures calculated to benefit the community. He is a well-informed man, of high moral principle and genuine worth, and has the respect of all.

DANIEL SCHEREIN was born December 23, 1817, in Mecklenburg, Germany. His parents, Johan Kaspar and Katrina (Bircher) Scherein,. were also natives of that locality, where the father carried on business as a florist. His entire life was spent in his native land. His children were Benjamin, deceased; Caroline, Dena and Theodore, who have passed away; Ferdinand, who is living in Cleveland, Ohio, and Daniel.

Our subject acquired a good education in the land of his birth, and learned the trade of gardening with his father. At the age of twenty-two he entered the German array, and during his three-years' service participated in a number of important engagements. In 1836 he sailed from Antwerp for the New World, and on landing

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 949

made his way direct to Rockport, near Cleveland, Ohio. When he reached that place he was almost penniless; but he possessed a resolute purpose and energy, and soon secured work in a sawmill, being employed in that capacity for about fifteen years. He then came to Wood county with his wife, whom he had married in Rockport. She bore the maiden name of Catherine Koch, and was a native of Ohio. In connection with his brother Ferdinand, our subject purchased all of Section 20, Milton township, and erected a sawmill on the present site of Custar, the first in this section of the county. Near by he built a log cabin, and thus began life in Wood county. There were many hardships and difficulties to be experienced, but his energies overcame these. In 1874 his first wife died. Their children were Lena Myer, now deceased; Anna and Richard, who have also passed away; Eva, wife of Fritz Wismer, of Milton township; Daniel, now of Michigan; Mary, who is keeping house for her brother-in-law; and Albert, in Detroit, Michigan.

For his second wife, Mr. Scherein married Mrs. Louise Kaiser, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, April 22, 1838. She first married Kaspar Kaiser in 1861. He was a slate-roofer by trade, and two children were born to them in Germany-Mrs. Ida Sawada, now deceased; and Annie, at home. In 1861, Mr. Kaiser sailed with his family for America, on a vessel which weighed anchor at Hamburg, Germany-the "Germania. " They were three weeks upon the way when the vessel sprang a leak, and had to return to Southampton, England, for repairs. It was five weeks later before it reached New York. Going to Cleveland, Mr. Kaiser was there employed at his trade, receiving $5 per day for his services. In the fall of 1869, he came to Wood county, and purchased twenty acres of land of our subject. His death occurred March 24, 1874. His children were: Ida, born April 16, 1863; Annie, born September 21, 1865; Robert, born August 18, 1868, and died at the age of nine months; Lena, born August 12, 1870; and Julia, born February 26, 1873, and died at the age of six years. In 1875 Mr. Scherein and Mrs. Kaiser were married and they became the parents of one son-Theodore who was born March 26, 1876. He is now operating the home farm, which comprises forty-five acres of land. Mrs. Scherein is a member of the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM N. TRACY, a wide-wake business man and a prominent fruit grower of Ross township, is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather and the latter's oldest son having taken up arms against the Mother country, and aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. His father, Doria Tracy, was born in Richmond, Mass., in 1808, of Yankee parentage, and by occupation was a lumberman. He married Almira Nichols, and they became the parents of three children-Francis, born in 1842, is married; and is a brick manufacturer of Toledo, Ohio, residing on Twenty-second street, between Madison and Jefferson; William N. is the second in the family; Catherine is the wife of J. G. Lamson, living at No. 1216 Jefferson street, Toledo. The mother, who was a Congregationalist in religious belief, died in Toledo, July 3, 1879, and was there interred. In 1840 the father removed to New York, later came to Ohio, and now makes his home with his daughter in Toledo.

The birth of our subject occurred May 11, 1846, and he grew to manhood at Cuba, Allegany Co., N: Y. On December 26, 1866, he was united in marriage with Sarah Foster, daughter of Elijah Chester Foster. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Almeda Bailey, was a member of the Methodist Church, and died when her daughter was but seven years old. Mrs. Tracy is the eldest in a family of four children, the others being Amos H., who was a member of the 85th N. Y. V. I. during the Rebellion, and died in the service; Miner A.; and John D. Three sons grace the union of our subject and his wife -Clarence A., born in October, 1867, married Anna Messer, by whom he has two children, Margaret and Helen Virginia, and now resides in Oregon township, Lucas Co., Ohio; William E., born November 11, 1868, married Jennie Messer, by whom he has two sons-Marion D. and William Curtis, and one daughter, Hazel; and Doria, born May 29, 1871, also lives at home.

The year 1867 witnessed the emigration of Mr. Tracy to Ohio, and his locating at his present residence; he made the trip from the Empire State with a team, which was presented him by his father, and was valued at $600.00. Two weeks were consumed in making the journey. On account of ill health he went to the pineries in 1872, where he remained for eight years, returning in 1881. Upon forty-five acres of the 150-acre tract belonging to his father, he began fruit culture, and so successful has he been in his undertaking, that his receipts now amount to $4,000.00 annually. He formerly sold his fruit through commission men, but now through his son, marketing as high as a thousand baskets per week at Bowling Green, and handles all kinds of fruits that grow in this section of the

950 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

country, having upon his places four acres planted in strawberries, ten in raspberries; three in blackberries; 3,000 bushes, or two and one-half acres, in currants; four acres in grapes; 500 gooseberry bushes; 200 bearing cherry trees; 1,000 plum trees; 500 peach trees; 500 two-year-old peach trees; 150 apple trees; 100 pear trees; 100 trees of miscellaneous fruits, including apricots, quinces and plums of different varieties, as experiments; and also some Kansas wild plums. He has erected two good houses upon his place, and remodeled another at a cost of $11,000.00, while, in 1890, he laid four miles of tiling.

In 1890 and in 1891, Mr. Tracy was elected, and acceptably served as, president of the Lucas County Horticultural Society, and for two terms his wife was also president of the Ladies' Floral Society. In 1894 he was elected trustee of Ross township, in which capacity he is now serving, and before going to the pineries he was school director for the same length of time. At local elections he votes independently, but on national affairs he supports the Republican party. Though not members of any Church, Mr. and Mrs. Tracy favor the Congregational belief, and give their earnest support to all interests that will advance the moral welfare of the community, while she has served as president of the ladies' society in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member of the Ford Circle (now of the G. A. R.) Aid Society.

HENRY R. SCOTT, well known throughout Ross township and vicinity, came to Ohio in 1848, stopping first in Oregon township, Lucas county, where he made his home until 1870. In that year he purchased forty acres of land pleasantly located in Section 32, Ross township, Wood county, in the cultivation and improvement of which he has since been industriously engaged, with most satisfactory results.

Mr. Scott is a native of Canada, where his birth took place in October, 1847, at the home of his parents, John A. and Barbara (Horton) Scott, who were born, reared and married in that country. In 1848 they removed to Oregon township, Lucas Co., Ohio, where, in the midst of the wilderness, the father opened up a farm, and there served as assessor. Later he became a resident of Ross township, this county, where his death occurred in 1890. The widowed mother now makes her home with John E. In the family were seven children, six of whom are still living-Michael J., of Ironville, Ohio, during the Civil war enlisted in Lucas county, in the one-hundred-days' service; Henry R. is next in order of birth; Mrs. Sarah Stalker makes her home at East Toledo, Ohio; Adda is the wife of Archibald Stalker, of Walbridge, Ohio; Mrs. Eva Miller lives in Lake township, Wood county; and John E. is married and resides in Lake township.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon his father's farm in Oregon township, Lucas county, where he attended the district schools, and received his first training in farm work. There he was married on February 8, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth H. Ford, who was born in England, and was a daughter of William H. Ford, also a native of that country, who at an early day located in Perrysburg, now Ross, township, this county. In 1863 he went to California, where his death occurred in. 1892, but his wife died in this State. On December 25, 1889, Mrs. Scott departed this life. She was a most estimable lady, and left many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her death. Three children had been born to our subject and his wife, but two died in infancy. The one now living is Roland R. Mr. Scott, believing in the guide of the Sacred Book, " It is not good for man to be alone," was married on December 18, 1895, to Miss Alice Loraine Matthews, of Lake township, this county. She was one of Wood county's most popular teachers, being successfully engaged in the public schools for more than sixteen years, and her acquaintance throughout the county is extensive. Her character and work are most excellent; she was educated at the Ada (Ohio) Normal University, and has gained the esteem of all who know her. Politically, Mr. Scott is a stanch Republican, strongly upholding the principles of that party, ,and for four years has served as assessor of his township. He is a true citizen in every respect, and has an excellent reputation as a straightforward and upright man.

JOHN LEWIS MCCOLLEY, deceased, was; for many years a prominent and influential farmer of Washington township, and was one of the brave soldiers who aided in the preservation of the Union. His birth occurred in Derby, Conn., December 16, 1821, and he was a son of John and Betsy (Hart) McColley, the former of whom was a native of Kinderhook, N. Y., and while a resident of the East was the owner of an ocean vessel. On coming to Ohio, in 1839, he bought an interest in a vessel sailing on the lakes.

The literary education of our subject was obtained in the schools of Connecticut, and on

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 951

coming to Ohio, he followed the lake as a mariner until 1861. August 3, 1862, at Toledo, Ohio, he enlisted in the 1 00th O. V. I., and earned an honorable military record. At Limestone Station, Tenn., September 8, 1863, he was taken prisoner, and was confined in Lynchburg, Belle Isle and Libby prisons; on December 24, following, he was paroled at Belle Isle, and at Cincinnati, May 19, 1864, he was transferred to the navy department, serving on the U. S. Steamer " Vindicator." On January 11, 1865, he was sent to Pinckney Hospital, at Memphis, Tenn., from which he was discharged the following April on account of disability. He saw much hard service, and was ever found at his post of duty. On returning home Mr. McColley purchased forty acres of rich land in Washington township, adjoining forty acres owned by his wife, which he greatly improved, making it one of the best farms of the locality. There he died February 26, 1886, leaving a devoted family and many friends to mourn their loss. His political support was given to the Republican party, and for one year he served his fellow-citizens as trustee. Before the war he held membership with the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Perrysburg, Ohio. He was affiliated with Walter A. Wood Post, G. A. R., at Tontogany.

In Plain township, January 23, 1848, Mr. McColley married Miss Margaret Ann Kuder, who was born in Tiffin, Ohio, July 17, 1826, and they became the parents of three children: (1) Francis A., born in Washington township, October 30, 1848, died January 22, 1869, at the age of twenty years. (2) Carrie S., born in Perrysburg, January 21., 1854, now the wife of Patrick O. Carrol, of Toledo, Ohio, by whom she has a daughter, Maggie, born May 22, 1880. (3) Cornelia M., twin sister of Carrie S., died March 15, 1872, at the age of eighteen years. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, are widely and favorably known throughout Wood county, and Mrs. McColley, during her residence here, has made many warm friends.

GEORGE W. WAGONER, one of the leading merchants of Stony Ridge, is a man who combines the virtues of energy and pluck, with excellent judgment, which has brought great success to his efforts and labors. He is a native of Lake township, born in 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Conrad) Wagoner, natives of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, John Conrad, was born in the Keystone State, and became one of the first settlers of Lake township, Wood county. On their arrival in this county the parents of our subject were single, and their marriage was celebrated in Lake township. By trade the father was a cooper, but also followed farming. In 1864 he entered the Union army, and was a member of Company G, 189th, O. V. I., and died of typhoid fever at Huntsville, Ala., September 9, 1865. His body now rests in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn. The mother died on the old homestead in Lake township in 1881. In their family were six children: Mary Emma, wife of James McCutchen, of Stony Ridge, Ohio; Samuel E., of Lake township; Henry H.; William W.; George W., of this sketch; and Loretta Jane, who died October 13, 1877.

George W. Wagoner spent his boyhood on the home farm, receiving the usual educational advantages in the common schools of Perrysburg township, and from his mother a good training in the duties of life, so that he was well prepared to make his way in the world. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and after a four-months' apprenticeship took a contract to build a large barn. In 1881 he came to Stony Ridge, and, with his brother Henry, purchased a sawmill and engaged in contracting and building. In 1885 they opened a general store, which they conducted for about five years, when the partnership was dissolved. Later our subject built a store, which he sold in 1890, and in 1893 erected his present building, where he carries a full line of hardware, and has succeeded in building up a liberal patronage. He also deals extensively in grain, owning a grain elevator, and doing a large business at Stony Ridge, and still owns his sawmill and a good farm in Perrysburg township.

In 1884 Mr. Wagoner was united in marriage at Stony Ridge with Miss Hattie E. Morse, a native of Perrysburg township, and a daughter of Lewis and Jane (Hoffard) Morse, who were also born in that township. 'Five children grace this union: Esther J., Iva E., Festus G., Rhea E., and Virda E. Mr. Wagoner is a Republican in political faith, attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a gentleman of sterling integrity and honorable principles, enjoying the esteem and confidence of the entire community.

WOLFGANG KELLERMEIER (deceased) became one of the representative citizens of the county. Seeking a home in America, he made the most of his opportunities, and won here a comfortable property, and the high regard of those with whom he came in contact. He was born in Baiern (Bavaria), Germany, September 19, 1816, and there, in accordance with the laws of his native

952 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

land, he was educated, and served in the German army. His occupation was farming, which he followed in the Fatherland until 1854, when he came to America, making his first location in Toledo, Ohio, where he spent two years working as a laborer. His desire, however, being to secure a home, he believed he could do this bettor outside of the city. Accordingly, in 1856 he came to Middleton township, and worked as a farm hand until he had saved enough to purchase thirty acres of land, which he improved. To this he added, in 1875, a forty-acre tract, which he cleared and cultivated, and erected buildings thereon, until the once wild region was replaced by waving fields of grain. Industriously and energetically he continued his labors until he won a place among the substantial citizens of the community.

On August 16, 1860, in Middleton township, Mr. Kellermeier wedded Mrs. Mary Auth Celler, who was born in Germany, October 10, 1836, and was the widow of Joseph Celler. The following children were born of this marriage: Frances, born May 17, 1861, is the wife of Marcus Wideman, of Toledo, and has four children; Barbara, born March 9, 1863, is the wife of Frank Kessler, of Toledo; Wolfgang, born January 4, 1864, now operates a part of the old homestead; John, born December 5, 1867, aids his brother in this work; Katie, born September 10, 1869, is the wife of George Schwind, a farmer of Middleton township; and Joseph, born September 16, 1873.

Our subject was a Democrat in politics, and served for three years as school director. He was a liberal supporter and faithful member of the Catholic Church, and led an industrious, exemplary and honorable life, which was ended on August 14, 1895. His death was widely and sincerely mourned, for he had many friends who held him in high regard for his excellencies of character. Mrs. Kellerneier, an estimable lady, still survives her husband, and is keeping house for her sons. The management of the farm now devolves upon John, who is a wide-awake, progressive business man, and is successfully conducting the old homestead. He is an advocate of the Democratic party, and his Church affiliations are Roman Catholic.

JOHN G. HOFFMANN, leading grocer of Perrysburg, and one of the most successful of the selfmade men of his vicinity, was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 18, 1840.

In 1852, he came to America with his parents, George Frederick and Margaret (Shutz) Hoffmann, who died two years later of cholera, the mother on July 21, and the father on the 24th 0f the following month. Six children were left to fight the battle of life alone, and the subject of this sketch at once began to learn the butcher's trade. Five years later he started in business for himself, and continued the same until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he responded to his country's call to arms. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was honorably discharged, and then returned to the butcher business, in which he continued till 1882. He then sold out and opened a grocery and saloon, which he still conducts; he also owns a farm and vineyard, and is one of the most extensive wine dealers in Wood county.

Mr. Hoffmann was married November 25, 1863, to Miss Catherine Cornelius, a native of Perrysburg, born April 3, 1848. Twelve children were born of this union, of whom nine are living: George Frederick, born April 18, 1867, who married Lulu Witzler, and has two childrenErnest and Edgar; Katie, married to Lawrence Harbauer, of Pemberville; Mamie, at home; Charles H., born December 4, 1874, who is his father's assistant in business (he married Miss Mamie Schlecht, of Perrysburg, and has one child -Leonidas Charles); and Regina, Alexander, William, Eva and Lillian, all five at home.

Mr. Hoffmann's success in all his undertakings is the more remarkable because he had but a limited English education. He received a good German education in his native land, and in this country attended a private English school for a short time. He possesses fine native abilities, as well as great energy, and has made good use of such facilities as have come in his way during his busy life. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic.

D. LUCAS, deceased, in his lifetime a leading business man of Perrysburg, was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, February 17, 1820. At the age of twenty-seven, after several years experience as a clerk in a grocery in his native place, he came to America, first locating in California. As he possessed, in abundant measure, those admirable business qualifications which distinguish the better class of the German-born citizens in this country, he was not long in securing a foundation for the wealth which he left to his family at his death. After three years spent in the Golden State, he came, in 1854, to Perrysburg, and engaged in the retail grocery business.

On June 28, 1850, he married Miss Margaret

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 953

C. Warns, who was also a native of Hanover, born June 8, 1834. Her parents, Poppe and Margaret Warns, came from the Fatherland in 1852, and settled in Perrysburg township, on the Maumee and Western Reserve pike, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Her father had been a miller and grain merchant in Germany, but his later years were spent in agricultural pursuits. For many years Mr. Lucas was the leading merchant in Perrysburg, retiring into private life in 1890. His career was characterized throughout by frugality and rare judgment in financial matters. On June 14, 1894, he died suddenly from sunstroke. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and the weight of his influence was always thrown on the side of progress.

He was a Republican in politics, and for several years served as township treasurer, besides on the school board a number of terms. In all respects he was a representative self-made man. He was not one to mix up much with the world. He loved justice, and observed the laws of business closely, giving to others their just dues with the same punctuality and conscientiousness as he demanded for himself. Thoroughly domestic in his nature, he devoted much time to his family, and to the study of literature. In German, English and French he was well versed, was also a student of Latin, and he continued his studies until the close of his life. As a financier and economist, he had few peers in northern Ohio; but, although he amassed wealth and took a reasonable pride in his acquisitions of land and other property, it was in the bosom of his family, he found that happiness which filled his cup of joy nearly full.

Mrs. Lucas survives her husband, and is a hale and young-looking lady to be a grandmother. Her eldest son, Henry, lives in the suburbs of Perrysburg; Celia married Ferdinand Wenz, a prominent civil engineer, of Perrysburg; Edward is living at home; Julia M., the youngest child, is one of the most popular ladies in the best circles in Perrysburg.

GEORGE H. FEASEL, a highly respected farmer of Montgomery township, was born November 21, 1830, in Fairfield county, Ohio. His parents, Henry and Jane (Kendall) Feasel, removed to Seneca county when our subject was three years old, and located on a farm in the woods, near the center of Liberty township. Here the father owned 100 acres of land, and on this place reared his family of nine children, five of whom were boys, and all of whom reached adult age.

He was a quiet, peaceful man, who never quarrelled with his neighbors, was never sued, and was known for miles around as old uncle Henry Feasel. " He lived to the age of eighty-four years, and his wife to that of seventy-two years, both dying in Liberty township.

Our subject was the youngest son and seventh child of his parents. His first schooling was in a building made of logs, whose windows consisted of one pane of glass, eight by ten inches. The seats were made of basswood logs, split in two, with sticks inserted for legs, while the writing desk, which extended all around the building, was made of boards laid on pins stuck in the wall. A chimney was built on the outside of sticks and mortar, and big logs in the fire place heated the room. Such was the kind of school houses in which the early pioneers of the West obtained what little schooling they had. Our subject was brought up as a farmer boy, and, it being in the days before threshing machines were invented, he was often kept at home from school to ride one of the horses while the wheat was being tramped out on the barn floor. When nineteen years old he left school, and the day after reaching his majority he started out to work for himself, his first occupation being that of chopping cord wood at twenty-two cents a day.

On January 22, 1854, when our subject was twenty-three years old, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Keziah Dicken, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, November 29, 1833. The children born of this union were as follows: Angeline married Philip Stump, and died in Montgomery township; Charles D. died in childhood; Mary J. married Jacob Dieter, and died in the same township; Sevilla B. died in childhood; Keziah D. married Frank Warner, and is deceased; Ann E. married James Hutton, and is also deceased; Henry G. is a farmer in the township; John W. lives in West Millgrove; Livona R. died in childhood; George W. resides with his father. The mother of these children died May 29, 1888, and is buried in Freeport cemetery. Mr. Feasel was married to his present wife October 10, 1889. She was the widow of A. J. Rainey, her maiden name being Regina Baker, and she is a daughter of Frederick Baker.

After our subject's first marriage he rented land in Jackson township, subsequently working the home farm of his father in Seneca county. Later he bought one-half of his father-in-law's farm, in Liberty township, of the same county, on which he lived until September, 1865, when he bought his present place in Sections 32 and

954 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

33, Montgomery township, which then comprised 190 acres, and of which he has since sold about seventy acres. He has about 110 acres of this land cleared and under good cultivation, and has a comfortable residence. This is the second house he has built on the place, the first one having been destroyed by fire. Mr. Feasel has always been a Republican, has been township trustee, and has held other local offices. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he has held office for over twenty-five years. He is a self-made man, and has been a hard worker all his life, but at present does not take an active part in farm work. He is highly respected for his upright, honest life, and is one of the best citizens of the township.

P. F. RICHARD, one of the pioneer settlers of Wood county, now living a retired life at. Bowling Green, was born near the village of Noma, province of Alsace (then in France), August 21, 1815. , His parents, David and Margaret (Britie) Richard, spent their lives upon their farm there, the father dying at the age of eighty-four, the mother at eighty-nine.

Our subject left home when he was nineteen years old, and came to America. He lived for a year' and a half in Akron, Ohio, then came to Wood county, with one dollar remaining in his pocket at the end of the trip. He found work upon a farm at $6.00 a month, and, with the thrift and foresight of the typical French farmer, began to look forward to owning a home of his own. August 18, 1842, he was married to Miss Samantha Shively, who was born in Clumbia county, Penn., October 15, 1825,. the daughter of Henry Shively and his wife, Margaret McCartney, both of whom were natives of the same place. Her father was born May 28, 1802, and her mother March t0, 1804. They were married in 1824, and three years later moved to Wayne county, Ohio. In 1830 they went to Middlebury, Summit county, where they lived for four years, and then, with a small band of acquaintances, they came to Wood county; they traveled by ox-team, arriving, about the middle of April, at Bowling Green, then a settlement containing only two or three frame houses.

The Shively family, and David L. Hixon, with his family, occupied for some time a log cabin 12 x 14 feet, in what is now the southern part of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Shively bore the hardships of life in this new country most courageously, and lived to a good old age. Mr. Shively united with the Masonic order when he was twenty-one, and in later years was regarded as the father of the local society, his venerable but well-preserved form and flowing white whiskers making a striking figure in the place of honor in all processions and gatherings. He died March 5, 1886, his wife having gone to her long rest May 5, 1879. They had ten children, of whom Mrs. Richard is the eldest. Of the others, the names with dates of birth are as follows: (2) Ambrose, May 26, 1829, married Jane Dubbs, and moved to Mahomet, Ill., where he was a wealthy and influential resident; he was killed by lightning July 28, 1884. (3) Albert, February 9, 1831, enlisted in the army from Grand Rapids, Ohio, and died in Texas, December 16, 1878, from the effects of wounds received in battle. (4) Lucinda, May 9, 1833, married Charles Groves, of Portage, Wood county, now living at Rolla. (5) Alfred, September 9, 1835, enlisted from Decatur, Ill., and was killed September 20, 1863, at Chickamauga. (6) Clay, January 15, 1837, also enlisted at Decatur, but returned in safety, and died February 26, 1890, at Papinsville, Mo. (7) Cynthia, September 15, 1839, is the wife of Benton Emery, of Henry county, Ohio. (8) Minerva, September 25, 1842, married Cicero Venette, of Bowling Green. (9) Alva, July 23, 1845, enlisted during the war, was captured and sent to Libby prison. He is now sheriff of Piatt county, Ill. (10) Charles Morrison, August 18, 1848, is a farmer in Center township.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard settled upon a farm in Center township, after their marriage, and still own 150 acres of land there. After fortytwo years of labor, cheered by affection and rewarded by increasing prosperity, they retired from active business, and October 26, 1884, took up their residence in Bowling Green. Of their nine children, six are living. (1) Margaret, born July 8, 1843, married W. W. Alcorn, of Toledo; they have had three children, Minnietta died at the age of seven; Herbert R. lives in Toledo (he married Miss Grace Smead, of Boston, Mass., and has one child, Elizabeth Grace); Leon J., at home. (2) David H, born April 29, 1845, married Miss Florence Donaldson, and lives in Leipsic. (3) Frances, born June 12, 1847, died at the age of eight years. (4) Infant, born August 18. 1849, died when two days old. (5) Mary, January 6, 1851, is the wife of Charles Reed, of Toledo, who is deputy collector of customs, and editor of the Toledo Sunday Courier. (6) George, April 1, 1856, lives at the old homestead; he married Miss Alice Reed, and has four daughters- Leota, Glenna, Florence, and Marguerite. (7) Willis, June 12, 1859, married Emily Mills, of, Perrys-

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. - 955

burg, and lives at Bowling Green. (8) Adella, March 24, 1864, died at the age of three. (9) Cora, born October 26, 1866, is the widow of Harry Remick; their only child, Grace M., is now at school in Toledo.

A young sister of our subject, Louise Richard, visited him some years ago, and while at Buffalo, on her way back to France, she was lost, and never heard from afterward. A halfsister, Catherine, the wife of Fredrick Peachim, died at Watseka, Ill., a few years since. His sister Catherine, whose husband, Fred Bossard, died in Cincinnati, Ohio, of cholera, lives in Bowling Green. Mr. Richard returned to France, in 1865, accompanied by his sister Catherine, and visited the old home. His first voyage had lasted forty-eight days, his second was made in eleven. Mr. Richard has many interesting stories to tell of old times. He was a Whig previous to the war, and was present at the great mass meeting at Fort Meigs, in 1840, also helped to haul the logs and build the miniature forts on that occasion. [Since the above was in type, we have learned of the death of Mr. Richard fro