USA > Ohio > Putnam County > A Portrait and biographical record of Allen and Putnam counties, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Ohio, pt 2 > Part 64
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Charles E. Wight, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wood county, Ohio, December 9, 1861. He was reared a farmer, and, with the exception of two years spent as a teacher, he has always followed tlris vocation. His common-school education was supplemented by a course of study at the Western Reserve Norinal college, where he used his talents and opportunities to good advantage.
He was married in Paulding county, Ohio, March 12, 1884, to Miss Emma Behner, the date whose nativity was July 10, 1866. The lady was a daughter of John and Lydia (Frasy) Behner, who were likewise married in Lorain comty. They lived in Defiance and in differ- ent portions of Paulding and Putnam counties,
Ohio, and Mr. Behner now resides in Clinton county, Ill, where he owns a one-third inter- est in an extensive hoop and stave factory and bending works. He is a most successful busi- ness man, a prohibitionist in politics and a Methodist in religious affiliations. The chil- dren in order of their birth are Emma, Nellie (wife of John Tingle) and Ida (wife of James Miller), all of whom are living.
After his marriage, Charles E. Wight set- tled upon the farm which he still occupies, and here he has ever since made his home, with the exception of two years passed in the city of Defiance. When he took possession of this farin, however, it was not the beautiful and fertile section of land that it now is. At that time only six acres were cleared, and the surroundings were anything but inviting, but by indefatigable industry he has made it a most substantial and comfortable farm home. In addition to this homestead, Mrs. Wight is also the owner of another tract of land in this township, the same containing forty acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Wight are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Wight is a steward in the local organization of that denomination. He has always taken a deep interest in Sunday school work, has officiated as superintendent and now teaches a class in the school. He Is also a member of lodge No. 737, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Oakwood. Mr. Wight is not a partisan, politically, in the sense of seeking office, and prides himself upon voting for the best men rather than for party alone. Mr. and Mrs. Wight have a family of three children-Susie. Alta and Florence-and the family circle is a very happy one. Mr. Wight is well and favorably known throughout this section, where he is classed as one of the progressive and successful young farmers, and recognized as a public-spirited and liberal- minded citizen, ever ready to contribute his share toward the weal of the public.
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e DWARD L. WYGANT .- The devel- opment of the state of Ohio from an almost unbroken wilderness into the beautiful and fertile country that it now is, has been accomplished only by the natural enterprise, progressive spirit and amnbi- tious perseverance of the men who invaded the uninviting forests and made for themselves and families comfortable homes. A man of these attributes is Edward L. Wygant, con- cerning whose genealogy and life work we now make due mention in this volume.
Leroy Wygant, our subject's father, was a native of the state of New York, where he learned his trade as wheelwright and wagon- maker. When a young man he left his native state and located in Summit county, Ohio, af- terward removing to Portage county, Ohio. Still later he located at Hartsburg, Putnam county. During the greater portion of his life he was employed at his trade, although later in life he engaged in the manufacture of ax handles. In politics he was an ardent repub- lican, and from the standpoint of that party took a lively interest in public affairs. His marriage to Miss Elmira Chase, daughter of Heman Chase, was solemnized in Summit county, Ohio, and their union was blessed with the birth of six children: Lorinda A., Viola E. (wife of Valentine Yakee), Edward L., Frank E., Allison H., and John D., the last named being deceased. The father died in October, 1886, while the mother is still living.
Edward L. Wygant, our subject, was born in lowa, September 19, 1854. He was reared on a farm until he was fifteen years of age, in the meantime improving his opportunities by obtaining a common-school education. A goodly portion of his life was passed at me- chanical labor, until 1887, when he took pos- session of the farm where he now resides. August 20, 1876, he united his destinies with
those of Miss Florence J. Smart, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, August 31, 1858. She is a daughter of M. L. Smart, who now makes his home with Mr. Wygant. The name of Smart is closely linked with the early history of Ohio, and a brief mention of Mrs. Wygant's father and grandfather is not out of place in this connection. M. L. Smart was born in Delaware county, Ohio, November 4, 1836. He married Miss Priscilla Carr, danghter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Crain) Carr, who was born in Delaware county, April 14. 1836. To them were born six children -- Alta J., Florence J., Olive C., William F., Estelle and Leroy. Olive C. is now deceased. They always lived in Delaware and Union counties until they came to Putnam county in 1872. Mr. Smart is one of the germine Jacksonian democrats, and he takes a decided interest in public affairs. Although possessed of only a common-school education, he is a man of keen observation, and has been called upon to fill varions posi- tions of trust and honor. His father, William Smart, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1803, and was a man prominent in the carly history of Ohio. His whole life was passed in the state and county of his nativity, and his name was a familiar one in that section. He was a colonel in the old militia, and at one time represented his county in the state legis- lature. Politically he was one of the old-time Jacksonian democrats, and was an active po- litical partisan. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and a man held in high regard. He married Catherine Davids, who was born in 1803. She was the daughter of David Davids, and proved a valuable helpmate for her distinguished husband. Seven children were born to them, their names being Joseph. Isabella J., M. L., Samantha O., Clarinda, Leroy and Frank.
After the marriage of Ni and Mrs. Wy- gant they settled in Hartsburg, Ohio, where
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they lived until they came to their present place in 1887. The land comprising their fine farm was then a perfect wilderness, not a foot of the land being cleared, and covered nearly knee-deep with water. With stout hearts, however, the young couple set to work to make themselves a home. A spot was cleared away sufficiently large to erect a house thereon, and when this had been accomplished they settled down with the determination to trans- form the wilderness into a comfortable abiding place. That they have succeeded in the effort is plainly to be seen to-day. Of the forty acres comprising the farm thirty-seven acres are now tillable and fertile land, and the trans- formation has been effected entirely by their · own efforts. Two daughters have been born to them, Isabella D. and Bertha O., the first- named being deceased. Politically Mr. Wygant is a republican, and in religious affiliations his wife is a Methodist, and both are among the higlily esteemed people of this township and surrounding country.
AVID WISTERMAN, in whose honor Wisterman, Putnam county, Ohio, was named, is a gentleman of gen- eral culture, refinement and wide ed- ucation, who is descended from a long line of ancestors noted for the possession of similar attributes. His paternal grandfather, George J. Wisterman, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and in 1795 he came to America and settled near Buffalo, N. Y., where he married a Miss Brosins. He was a fine German and English scholar, and a student of Hebrew, Greek and Latin. For many years he was the leading Lutheran divine of the state of New York, and was known throughout the cast as a man of scholarly attainments, being the author of several books and possessing, in
addition to his classical education, a thorough training in music.
George J. Wisterman, our subject's father, was born near Seneca, N. Y., in 1797, and in his youth received a liberal education, being prepared for the ministry of the Lutheran church. He was a German and Latin scholar, and early in life taught school for a time. Under the direction of Dr. Shingler he studied medicine, and in connection with his other vo- cations practiced the noble art of healing for many years. In 1836 he came to Putnam county, Ohio, and settled in Kalida, where he built, owned and operated a tan yard. In 1846 he disposed of this and settled upon a farm he had purchased in Greensburg town- ship, on the Blanchard river. Two vears thereafter he bought the water power and grist and saw-inills five miles west of his farm, and operated the same. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, and returning in 1852 set- tled down on the old place in Greensh irg, where he died in January, 1853. He was an old-line whig in politics, and for a number of years acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Pontius, by whom he had three children-Henry, Joseph and Isabella. His second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Cigler, who was born in Carlisle, Pa., Septem- ber 30, 1817. She was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Cigler, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject's parents had eight children, as follows: Sarah, David, Eliza, Isaac, Jonas, Mary, Catherine and Susan.
David Wisterman our subject, was born in Kalida, Ohio, March 6. 1838. In his early youth his time was passed at school, in his father's office, and ipon the farm. He re- ceived private instruction in Latin and later attended the college of Kenyon, where be pre- pared himself for the profession of teaching, paying particular attention to higher mathe-
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matics. He taught twenty-eight terms of school with unqualified success -- the major portion of the time in Putnam county-where he ranked as the best instructor of the day, teaching the highest grades then in vogue and being the first teacher to give instruction in algebra in the common schools. During his pedagogical labors he always kept fully abreast of the times by pursuing a wide course of read- ing, and eventually gave up the profession only on account of continued ill health. For the past fifteen years he has practiced homeopathy inore or less, and possesses a fine collection of works by the best medical authorities. Mr. Wisterman is a polished and highly educated man, and one with whom it is a pleasure to converse. He is a wide reader of current and scientific literature, is an enthusiastic disciple of Darwin, and takes a deep interest in educa- tional matters.
August 14, 1862, David Wisterman re- sponded to the call of his country and enlisted in company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio volunteer infantry, as musician, and was in the "foot race " after Bragg. On account of physical disability he received an honorable discharge August 27, 1863. Mr. Wisterman owns three productive farms, their acreage being respectively 141, 120 and eighty-three, and makes his home upon the largest one of the three. Last summer he erected a modern elevator and feed-mill which will add greatly to the welfare of this community. He believes that the people's party stands nearer the old Jacksonian principles than does any other party in existence in this country, and consequently he is a firm believer therein. He is a member of Drake post, G. A. R., at Continental, and socially is deservedly popular.
Mr. Wisterman was united in marriage, March 17, 1864, to Miss Leandra Brower, daughter of Brickman and Angeline (Stalnaker) Brower. The father was a native of North
Carolina, and the mother a native of Virginia, and early became identified with Putnam county, Ohio, as pioneer settlers. Brickman Brower was a leading man in the Methodist church and a strong republican. Mrs. Wister- man's paternal grandfather, Frederick Brower, was a native and resident of Randolph county, N. C., where he married Miss Nellie Staley. He was in the war of 1812, and a prominent citizen of the south. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wisterman, of whom the eldest two are deceased. In order of birth they are named as follows: Chauncey B., Lizzie I., William H., Thomas C., Harvey M., Alexis E., Viola M., George J. and Myra M.
AUL YARGER .- Well may those of this end-of-the-century period pay tribute of honor to the courageous men and women who deprived them- selves of those elements which go to make up the creature comforts of life and those environ- ments which contribute to personal enjoyment, for the purpose of grappling with the forest wilds and evolving therefrom fertile and pro- ductive farms, thereby contributing to the ma- terial prosperity and the substantial advance- ment of this greatest republic the world has ever known. Strong hearts and willing hands were typical of the sturdy pioneers of the middle west, and there is to be accorded them not only honor but gratitude for their ceaseless toil and endeavor.
Panl Yarger, the subject of this review, is one of the substantial farmers of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, and is hon- ored for his integrity and for his earnest efforts in furthering the advancement of this prosper- ous section of the state. His grandfather, John Yarger, was born in the state of Pennsyl- vania and was reared there to maturity. He esponsed in marriage a Miss Anker, and in
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1804 they identified themselves with the pioneer history of Perry county, Ohio, taking up their abode upon a tract of 160 acres, all of which was a virgin forest, and which Mr. Yarger suc- ceeded in reclaiming and developing into a rich and productive farm. In politics he was a Jacksonian democrat and in religion he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. They became people of prominence and in- tlnence, and during the war of 1812 Mr. Yar- ger showed his loyal allegiance to his native land by rendering active service in that struggle.
John Yarger, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania and was reared to farm life. Upon attaining maturity he was united in marriage to Christina Kiester, daughter of . John Kiester, and they became the parents of the following children: Jacob, Panl, Adam, Eve, Sarah, Sammel and Isaac. The parents were married in Perry county, Ohio, and there passed the remainder of their lives, having maintained their residence upon a fine farm of eighty acres. In religion they were Lutherans, and in politics Mr. Yarger chung to the princi- ples of his father.
Paul Yarger, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Perry county, Ohio, De- cember 9, 1831, and received his educational discipline in a primitive log school-house, such as represented the only evidence of educational institutions in that period and locality. In December, 1853, in Fairfield county, Ohio, our subject was united in marriage to Mary A. Yarger, daughter of George Yarger, and they became the parents of the following children: Adam, Eve (deceased), John, Paul, Jr., Annic, Sarah and Joseph. After residing for two years in Fairfield county Mr. Yarger removed with his family to Monroe township, Putnam county, becoming one of the pioneers of this section, and undergoing many of the trials and vicissitudes which had attended his ancestors in their efforts in the still earlier days. The
date of his arrival in this connty was 1855, and he has seen the county transformed from a veritable wilderness into a favored and flour- ishing section, with well-tilled farms and at- tractive villages. He labored early and late, and at last realized his ambition in the reclaini- ing of as fine a tract of farming land as is to be found in the county. He has cleared two farins, and the area of his possessions now aggregates 224 acres. He is a man of inflexible principle and strong individuality, and well merits the position which he holds as one of the leading and honored pioneers of Monroe township. Politically he has ever been an ardent supporter of the principel and policy of the democratic party.
J OHN YARNELL, a leading farmer of Palmer township, Putnam county, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, Sep- tember 9, 1854, a son of David and Mary (Lantz) Yarnell. The father, David Yarnell, of English descent, was also a native of Guernsey county, was born in 18: , and followed the vocation of a farmer all his life. He married in his native county Mary Lintz, a daughter of George Lantz, who was born September 11, 1814. David Yarnell died Sep- tember 6, 1854, and in November of the same year his widow, with her infant child. who never knew his father, and her other children -Aaron, Mary A., Jonas, Sarah, Alexander, George, David and High-moved to Hardin county. She lived in thirteen years : single woman, and then became the wife of William Spurr, who also died, and the mother was summoned to her long home October 1, 1893, dying at the residence of her son John, our subject, with whom she had passed the later years of her second widowhood. She was a lady of many domestic virtues, being devoted to her children and her home, and her loss,
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even at her advanced age, was a deep affliction to her sorrowing offspring.
It will be seen that John Yarnell, our sub- ject, was a mere infant in arms when his widowed mother moved to Hardin county. There he received his education in the common schools, and being an apt scholar soon attained the information necessary to carry through successfully the affairs of life. Reared under his mother's care until about fourteen years of age, he was taught all those lessons of moral- ity which make mnen successful in life -- for, from honesty always springs prosperity when added to industry, a virtue which our subject never lacked. After arriving at his majority he was married, November 25, 1875, to Miss Mary J. Long, who was born October 14, 1846, a daughter of Tobias and Sarah Long, the marriage resulting in the birth of one child- Ida. Mrs. Yarnell was a pious Christian and died in the faith of the German Reform church January 25, 1882, on the farin at present oc- cupied by Mr. Yarnell. The second marriage of Mr. Yarnell was to Ophelia, daughter of Zacharias Tobias, and this union has been blessed by the birth of four children-Metta, Lloyd, Elva and Paul.
At the time of his first marriage Mr. Yar- nell settled on his present farm in Pahner township, Putnam county, and has brought to perfection a homestead that vies with any in the township. This farm comprises 1 10 acres, is improved with a modern frame dwelling and is well stocked in every particular. He makes a specialty of potatoes, to the cultivation of which edible he has the past year devoted twenty-five acres. In politics he is a republi- can; in religion is a member of the United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee. His wife is also a member of this church, and both are active in its work, and deeply interested in the progress of the Sunday-school. They con- tribute liberally of their means to the support
of the denomination in which they place their faith, and live in strict accordance with its teachings. Mr. Yarnell is an advocate of good toads, good schools and good morals, and is a promoter of everything that tends to elevate the standard of the community in which he lives. He has been very successful in his undertakings, and although yet a comparatively young man, has reached a standing among the formost of the agricultorists of Palmer township. He is universally respected for his straightforward demeanor and honest expression of opinion, and few men of the township stand higher than he in the general esteemn.
ENRY D. YENNER, a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of Jackson township, Putnam county. was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 20, 1849, and is the son of David and Francis Venner. The father and mother were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and were there married, but came to America and located in Fairfield county, Ohio, some time in the early 'forties, and in 1855 removed to Putnam county, where they purchased 240 acres of land, on a part of which Henry D). Yenner, the subject of this memoir, now lives. The mother died in 1856 and the father six months later, two children surviving them, Henry David, and Frances, the wife of John Friend, a farmer of Jackson township. Three other children were born to them, all deceased; Mary, Christian and Fred.
After the death of their parents Henry and his sister, Frances, were taken care of by J. H. Allemier, but when the brother attained the age of fourteen years he began life for him- self and for three years made his home with Mr. Friend; at the expiration of that time he went to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he re- mainted a year, and then returned to Putnam
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county, where he worked at the carpenter trade for two years, when he was united in marriage to Mary Allemier, daughter of Fred- erick and Phena (Friend) Allemier. The fruit of this union was five children, as follows: Phene, born October 10, 1876; Otto, who died at the age of five years; John, who died at the age of three years and Lena, born April 26, 1885; and Jacob, July 13, 1890. The mother, Mary (Allemier) Yenner, was born August 11, 1856, in Putnam county. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of Pennsylvania; the father departed this life in 1862 but the mother is still living.
Immediately after his marriage Henry Yen- ner and his young wife lived on a part of his present place, which part he has since_sold, and in 1888 located where we now find him, where he has built a pleasant home and sur- rounded himself with the many comfortable things that go to make farm life happy and de- sirable. He and family are members of the Lutheran church and are esteemed as among the best ane most worthy citizens of the town- ship. Mr. Yenner is a model American citi- zen politically-that is, he supports the best man, regardless of politics and party, and withal he is a public-spirited, wide-awake, thoroughgoing citizen, and the kind of neighbor and friend one wishes to possess.
ILLIAM H. YOUNG, a mill owner and the postmaster at Dorninton, Putnam county, Ohio, and one of most prominent and influential of the young men of Greensburg township, was born in Vermillion, Ohio, in 1854, his parents being John W. and Margaret (Sterns) Young, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1830, a son of Henry Young, an architect and builder. About 1832 or 1833 Henry Young came to this country and located in Lorain
county, Ohio, but afterward moved to San- dusky county, where he remained a while and then moved to Ottawa county, where he died. His son John, the father of the subject of our sketch, received his education in Germany before his parents emigrated to this country. He afterward taught school there and learned the trade of stone-cutter and stone-mason. Soon after coming to America with his father he married Margaret, the daughter of Daniel and Katharine Stevens, of Vermillion, Ohio, who had come from Germany to America with her parents about 1830. One son was born to them-William H., of whom this sketch is written. The wife and mother died in 1856 in the faith of the Lutheran church. Mr. Young remained single for a while and then married Margaret Hague. After this marriage he, for a while, lived at Amherst, Lorain county, and then moved to Ottawa county, where he on- gaged in saw-milling and the manufacture of staves. Ten years later he moved to North Creek, Putnam county, where he owns a large stave and mill plant, and is also engaged in farming. In politics he is a democrat, and has heid several local offices, including that of justice of the peace for twenty years. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and socially a member of the German order of Druids. He is a prominent and public- spirited citizen. His family by his second marriage consists of twelve children: Kate, the wife of Roy Trout; Maggie, married to Harry Swartz; Annie, married to Boone Taylor, of North Creek: Delia, the wife of Globe Perry, of Wood county; Lizzie and an infant, deceased; Susie, at home; Louie, of Ironville, Ohio; Henry and Fred, of Wood county; Jacob and Andrew, still at home.
William H. Young, of whom this biograph- ical sketch is written, was given an education in the common schools at Ottawa and then attended high school at Elmore. He married
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Katie Frances, who was born in Fremont, Ohio, July 8, 1865. Her father, James Frances, was a native of France, and her mother, Mary (Perney) Frances, was a native of Fremont, Ohio, but of French ancestry.
After his marriage Mr. Young engaged in the saw-mill business at North Creek for awhile, and then moved to Toledo, where he was foreman of a machine shop for two years, and for three years lumber inspector. In 1889 he operated a saw-mill at Wisterman, and in 1890 at Continental. In 1891 he started his present mill and has been very successful. He is an active worker in the interest of the democ- racy, and he has been rewarded by being made postmaster of Dorninton. He is an active, energetic business man, a public-spirited citizen; socially he is an active member in the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Catholic church. One little daughter, Mabel, makes bright their happy home.
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