USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 30
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William A. Williamson, the immediate subject of this sketch, remained in the township of his nativity until reaching mature years, and to its public school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he was permitted to enjoy in his youth. Removing to Union township, he there con- ducted a farm belonging to his father, and in 1876 purchased forty acres of his present place, to which he has added from time to time until his landed possessions now consist of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres of which are located in Union township, while the remainder lies in Orange township. In addition to his general farming Mr. Williamson is also engaged in stock raising, shipping about one carload a year. The sheep which he raises are of a superior grade, as are also his horses and hogs, and in both branches of his business he is meeting with a high and well merited degree of success. Aside from his extensive private affairs he has also found time to devote to the public welfare, having for a number of years served as the assessor of his township, was also president of the board of education for several years, and in all the movements and measures intended to advance the inter- ests of his fellow men he has been an active and efficient worker.
On the 14th of October, 1880, Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to Miss Anna J. Hamilton, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1860, and is a daughter of James and Sarah Hamilton. This union has been blessed with two children,-James M. and Ruah E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which the former has long served as a deacon and elder, also a Sunday-school superin- tendent and has held other minor offices. He has given his aid in many generous ways to the perpetuation of those forces which conserve the best interests of the community, and the course that he has followed in political, business, social and home circles commends him to the high esteem of all. He was a member of the board of agriculture four years, president of the same for two years and vice president one year.
WILLIAM G. WAGGONER.
William G. Waggoner, one of the foremost and most successful farm- ers of Marion township, Hancock county, Ohio, resides on a farm of eighty acres, which he devotes to general farming, and on which are a number of valuable gas and oil wells. Mr. Waggoner was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, March 4, 1840, and removed with his parents to this county when ten years of age. He has lived on his present farm since the year 1875. For a number of years he was engaged in the grocery business in Marion
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township, but finally abandoned it for the present occupation. In public life he has done his duty to his fellow citizens, having served them in the offices of township trustee, supervisor and school director. He is ever ready to take part in anything that will inure to the benefit of society in his county and state. He was united in marriage to Miss Rachel, the daughter of Will- iam and Margaret Davis on the 7th day of October, 1866. The children born to this union are: Edward L., Charles D., and Mary M. The eldest son, Edward L. married Laura Wisely, and now resides in Findlay; Mary is the wife of John Welsch, and resides in Findlay. Mrs. Waggoner was born in Marion township in 1843, and for the further consideration of her family the reader is referred to a sketch of Mary A. Wolfe. William G. Waggoner is a son of Edward and Eliza (Allen) Waggoner. His father was born in Jefferson county in 1811, his mother in the same county in 1812. They were married on the 13th day of April, 1837, and their family num- bered seven children, five of whom are now living. William G. is the only one residing in Ohio, the others being residents of Michigan.
In 1850 Edward Waggoner purchased eighty acres of land in Cass township, Hancock county, upon which he continued to reside until his re- moval to Michigan in 1875. In that state the father died in 1886 and his wife Eliza in 1884. The paternal grandmother of Mr. Waggoner was Mary Jackson, who was born in 1775, and died in 1840. She was related to Presi- dent Andrew Jackson. Her husband, William Waggoner, was born July I, 1776, and died in 1854. His maternal grandparents were Aaron and Mary Allen, who died in 1850 and 1843 respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner enjoy the esteein and confidence of a very large circle of the best citizens of Hancock county, whom they delight to receive and entertain in their pleasant rural home. In politics he is an earn- est Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
NELSON COLEMAN.
When Thomas Coleman arrived in Hancock county in 1840, the aspect of affairs was by no means so inviting as it is at the present day. There were no large towns, no manufacturing industries except of the rude pioneer kind, and farming had yet to assume that scientific and progressive form which now distinguishes the fertile fields of the Buckeye state. The famous and historic campaign of "log cabin and hard cider," coonskins and primi- tive emblems was then in full blast, which was to land "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," in the seats of power at Washington. But young Coleman,
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newly arrived from his native state of Delaware, was thinking more of find- ing some way of making a living than he was of politics, though no doubt he was affected by the prevailing enthusiasm and perhaps lent a hand in landing General Harrison in the presidential chair. However this may be, it is recorded that he located near what is now Benton Ridge, purchased forty acres of virgin soil and set to work manfully to cut and grub a home out of this primeval wilderness. That he succeeded is proved by the fact that before his death he not only made a productive farm out of the first purchase, but added to it about four hundred acres more, which was also brought to a high state of cultivation. In fact, Thomas Coleman was one of those stirring and industrious nien who are up early and late, improve every moment of their time and are not satisfied until the best results obtain- able from busy minds and hands are visible before their eyes. He came to the country a single man, but found an excellent wife in the person of Susan Baldwin, a daughter of one of his neighbors and a native of Hancock county. This union proved happy and fruitful and eight of their nine children are still living, all residents of Hancock county, as follows: Nelson, Theodore, Oliver, Herbert, Viola, Jennie, Belle and Charles. Effie, the fifth born, is deceased, and the father passed away April 21, 1901, after a residence of nearly sixty-one years in Hancock county.
Nelson Coleman, the eldest of the children, was born in Hancock coun- ty, April 1, 1853, and was reared on his father's farm in Blanchard township. He was trained to farm work, while attending the common schools in sea- son, and has never followed any occupation except that connected with ag- riculture. In 1883 he bought fifty-six acres of land in his native township, only ten of which were cleared, and it is only necessary to look at it now to realize that Mr. Coleman has fully improved his time as a practical farmer. It is in the best state of cultivation, well fenced, well cleared and well tilled, with fine modern improvements and buildings up-to-date in all their cou- veniences. He inherited his father's thrift, economy and industrious traits, and these are reinforced by observing and taking advantage of the latest discoveries in agriculture. All his life Mr. Coleman has been also engaged in the stock business in connection with general farming. In poli- tics he is a Republican and one of the leading men of Blanchard township.
In 1879, Mr. Coleman married Miss Caroline Hopkins, one of the neighborhood girls, and a daughter of M. E. and Maria M. Hopkins, estima- ble people of Blanchard township. The four children resulting from this union were Harry E., Hall, Alma and Gale, the two first mentioned being called from life at an early age. The family are connected with the United
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Brethren church, in which Mr. Coleman holds the position of trustee, and they enjoy the good will which is due to those who spend blameless lives in an honorable calling.
JOHN F. HIRSCHBERGER.
Having been connected with the shoe business at Findlay for sixteen years, part of the time as salesman for others and latterly on his own ac- count, the subject of this sketch is now one of the best known men of the city in that line of trade. He is also regarded as one of the best informed of the merchants engaged in furnishing footwear to the public, besides en- joying the reputation which his urbane manners and accommodating dispo- sition have secured for him during his long years of contact with the people of Findlay and the territory tributary thereto. He has met with success in his ventures and those who know him most intimately will be ready to admit that this success is well deserved. As the name would indicate, he is of German origin, his father, Anthony Hirschberger, having been born in the empire of the Hohenzollerns in 1835. He came to America in his youth, first locating in New York state and later finding his way to the pretty town of Clyde, in Ohio. Throughout the period of his active life he was en- gaged in the business of shoe merchant and followed this occupation in Ohio until the time of his death in 1883. He was married in Rochester, New York, to Miss Kate Nape, by whom he had four children, the two sur- vivors being Mary, wife of Alfred Passey, of Clyde, and John F. Hirsch- berger. The latter, to whom this memoir is especially devoted, was born in Rochester, New York, in 1861, and was deprived of his mother by death four years later. He was eleven years old when his father located in Clyde, Ohio, and he remained there until 1886. He attended the schools of that place but the most valuable part of his education was obtained by his service in various capacities in the shoe store of his father, and under the latter's experienced tutelage. He commenced this apprenticeship at the age of seventeen and continued it until his father's death five years later. From 1883 until 1886, Mr. Hirschberger was employed in other stores, one year as manager of the B. M. Lyons grocery and two years in the same kind of position at the clothing and furnishing establishment of E. D. Harkness. In 1866 he returned to "his old love" by being installed at Findlay as man- ager in the shoe store of George F. Tanner and retained this responsibility until January, 1893. In that year Mr. Hirschberger purchased the entire stock and good will of the business he had been supervising and has since
18
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been the sole proprietor. His previous experience, besides an inherited adaptability for this branch of trade, has enabled Mr. Hirschberger to in- crease the original business and carry it on to the entire success of a large line of patrons. He enjoys general esteem in the business world and is re- garded as a merchant of integrity as well as a citizen of good repute. In October, 1893, was solemnized the wedding of John F. Hirschberger and Miss Ella E., daughter of Thomas H. McCune, all of Findlay, where the ceremony was performed amid the congratulations of many friends. Mr. Hirschberger is a member of the two popular fraternities of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is an esteemed addition to each of these orders. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party and socially he and his wife enjoy the best that Findlay can afford.
T. C. BOYD.
T. C. Boyd comes from good old Dutch stock. The parents are both natives of Pennsylvania and the family has devoted itself for years to farm- ing. The father, R. W. Boyd, was born July 22, 1822; the mother, Almira Ewing, in June, 1834. They were married about 1852. In 1856 they moved from Ashland county, this state, and for five years lived upon various rented farms in Liberty township, this county. In 1861 they took hold of the eighty acres now the property of their son T. C. Boyd. The Half-Way House between Findlay and Macomb stood directly north across the road. Mr. Boyd kept his eye on that place and in 1868 he bought the establishment and the surrounding eighty acres. He not only wanted to use the land, but he wanted to put an end to the liquor business there. He tore down the liotel and later, in 1887, erected a fine, brick residence in its stead. Mr. Boyd has served his township in the office of trustee and as justice of the peace and has always been prominent in township affairs. Politically he sides with Republicans, and religiously he is a Presbyterian. At present writing (1902) he and his wife are living a quiet, retired life in Findlay. Of their nine children, four only reached maturity and are living to-day. They are: T. C., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Reed; Mrs. Etta Heimhoffer, and Mrs. Jennie Mitchel.
T. C. Boyd was born in Ashland county, this state, November 5, 1855; but has lived in this county since he was six months old. He has taken kind- ly to the occupation of his forefathers and followed agriculture with con- siderable success. On his and the adjoining eighty acres of his father there are now forty oil wells, yielding a fine income.
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On November 5, 1879, lie married Miss Barbara, daughter of David and Catherine Sherrick, a young woman born in Liberty township in 1861. They have three children: Joseph M., born in 1880; Lois M., born in 1882, and Virgil, born in 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Boyd belong to the Presbyterian church and he is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias. In political belief and interest Mr. Boyd is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
ALBERT J. THOMAS.
In various lines of employment the subject of this biography has been well known in Hancock county, since his business career began twenty-five years ago. He has been a school teacher, carpenter, salesman of threshing- mashines, agricultural implement dealer, tile manufacturer and finally a pro- ducer of oil, in which last capacity he has operated largely and successfully for some years past. During this period of multiplied employments, Mr. Thomas has gained a well recognized standing in the industrial world as one of the county's enterprising citizens. He inherits Welsh blood, strength- ened by Irish admixture, a combination that usually results in vigorous and energetic progeny who are able to make their way in the world wherever their lot is cast. Originating in Wales, the family emigrated to the north of Ireland and located in county Down. There James Thomas was born in 1792, married Mary A. Campbell in 1814, and with her emigrated two years later to America. After spending a few years at Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania, he settled in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1822, remained there until 1835, and then located permanently in Biglick township, Hancock county, where he died in 1879. His eleven children all grew to maturity, and six of these are still living as follows: Samuel B .; Robert; Ann, wife of Henry Shroy ; Joseph; Nathaniel and Martha. Robert Thomas, second of the surviving children, was born in Wayne count, Ohio, January 1, 1827, came with his parents to Hancock county at the age of eight years, and since reaching ma- turity has been engaged in farming. In 1849 he married Dilly A., daughter of Solomon Little, had seven children, and the five of these who still survive are thus named: Albert J. and Alvin S. (twins), Alice R., Elsworth C. and Edgar P. Nathan H., the oldest, died April 9, 1899, and Libbie M. died September 1, 1887. The mother died December 23, 1898, but the father is still living, having sold his farm and moved to Findlay in April. 1902.
Albert J. Thomas, eldest of the survivors and one of the twin brothers above mentioned, was born on the farm in Biglick township, Hancock coun-
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ty, Ohio, January 14, 1856. During his boyhood he received the ordinary farm training and education, but later had the benefit of a six months' course at the Normal school in Findlay. When eighteen years old he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which furnished him employment during three summers, and upon reaching his majority he engaged in school teaching in his native township. During the seven succeeding years, he continued his pedagogic labors in winter, and spent the summers and falls in selling thresh- ing machines, or such other work as could be obtained. In the spring of 1880, in partnership with M. C. Sheraden, he built the first tile factory es- tablished in Biglick township, which was carried on by the firm for eleven years. At the end of that period Mr. Thomas embarked in the agricultural implement business at Findlay, in connection with I. C. Porter, and he con- tinued in this line for two years. In 1893 he engaged as traveling salesman for the Flint & Walling Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of mills, pumps and kindred articles at Kendallville, Indiana. In 1894, however, Mr. Thomas returned to Findlay and renewed the work of drilling water wells, which he carried on extensively throughout Hancock county. In the spring of 1896 he went into the oil business, leasing lands and drilling wells, and this has been his occupation up to the present time. The first twelve wells he drilled proved to be what is known to the craft as "dry-holes," but he "struck oil" in his thirteenth venture. In fact he has been one of the most successful of the many oil producers in the Findlay field and is able to show good results from his years of arduous labor. Mr. Thomas has never mar- ried but belongs to the class who rejoice in "single blessedness" and freedom from matrimonial restraint. He is, however, a man of regular habits and upright life, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in good standing, and active in connection with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican.
SHELDON WOODRUFF.
Sheldon Woodruff resides in Eagle township, Hancock county, upon the farm on which he was born, July 10, 1842, his parents being Elijah and Sarahı (Walters) Woodruff. The father was a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway county, July 28, 1806, and the mother's birth occurred in Jeffer- son county, Kentucky, December 17, 1819. She was brought to Hancock county by her parents about 1827. All the grandparents of our subject died in comparatively early life with the exception of the maternal grandmother, who reached an advanced age and passed away during the boyhood of Shel-
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don Woodruff. Her only living child is Margaret Doty, the wife of John Doty, Sr., of Jackson township. The parents of our subject were married in Eagle township, October 16, 1836. He had two brothers, Adam and William, who also settled in Hancock county and both died here, the latter many years ago. There were also two sisters who became residents of the county-Polly Ann, the wife of Peter George, and Hannah, who married Bonaparte Martz. Both of them were well advanced in years when called to their final rest.
Elijah Woodruff had about thirty acres of land at the time of his mar- riage and in the cabin home on that farm his two eldest children were born. He later built the home in which Sheldon Woodruff is now living and in it the other children first opened their eyes to the light of day. He also erected a large farmhouse in the same year, but it was afterward destroyed by fire. The father entered his first land from the government and our sub- ject now has in his possession three old parchment deeds, according him the ownership of property. The first is for one hundred and sixty acres of state land, which had been granted to the state to aid in building canals, and the deed was signed by Governor Allen Trimble, in October, 1829. Another deed for forty acres was signed May 6, 1835, and bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson. A third for forty acres, dated April 18, 1837, was signed by Martin Van Buren. Taking up his abode in a little log cabin built in the primitive manner of pioneer times Elijah Woodruff began the development of his farm and placed about sixty acres of his land under cultivation. He died May 20, 1865, and his wife passed away March 30. 1886, at the age of sixty-six years, three months and three days. After the death of her first husband she married John Bickelhaupt, with whom she lived about two years and then returned to the old homestead, where her remaining days were passed. She was very devoted to her family and was an earnest Christian woman, who became one of the charter members of the United Brethren church at Pleasant Grove. Mr. Woodruff was a Democrat in his political affiliations but was never an office seeker. In their family were three children who died in childhood, while five reached years of ma- turity and are still living. These are: Benjamin, who owns a part of the old homestead; Samantha S., the wife of R. M. Henderson, of Dunkirk, Ohio; Angeline, the wife of John S. Bishop; and William, who also owns a part of the old homestead.
The other member of the family is Sheldon Woodruff of this review. He was reared upon the old farm and has spent his entire life here. The three brothers purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property and
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all lived together during the mother's lifetime, but after her death the prop- erty was divided, each taking a share of the farm. Mr. Woodruff has always carried on agricultural pursuits, and his land returns a good tribute for the care and labor he bestows upon it.
On the 18th of February, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Woodruff and Miss Missouri Alspach, a daughter of George W. and Eliza- beth (Zoll) Alspach, of Eagle township. Mrs. Woodruff was born in this township, January 17, 1846, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children. Ella is the wife of E. J. Pepple, of Jackson township. Harry, also of Eagle township, married Matilda Hartman, and has two children, Lola and Orval. Floyd, who operates his uncle Benjamin's farm, married Jennie Hoy, and they have one child, Farrell. Ollie, who cultivates his father's home farm, wedded Lillie Decker.
Mr. Woodruff is a Democrat and has some times served as a delegate to the conventions of his party, but has never had any aspirations for office, though he was trustee for six years. He attends and supports the Pleasant Grove United Brethren church, and devotes his life to the farm, whereupon he has spent his entire days, so that the place is endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and manhood.
JOHN W. GRIMM.
Though practicing at the Findlay bar only about twelve years, the sub- ject of this sketch has not only done well but may be said to have achieved a notable success, considering the competition he has had to meet. Besides the business transacted in the ordinary channels he has held the posititon of deputy probate judge for seven years, and is at present referee in bank- ruptcy for the northern district of Ohio. Besides his industry and energy as a practitioner and the conscientious discharge of such judicial positions as he has held, Mr. Grimm has the recommendation of geniality in tempera- ment and courtesy of address which brings its possessor in easy touch with the multitude and gains friends from widely diverse elements. These quali- ties make him one of the most popular, as he certainly is one of the most pro- gressive, members of the local bar.
The Grimm family seem to have been long settled in Pennsylvania and well represented in the industries as well as the professions. John Grimm, grandfather of the Findlay attorney, was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1814, spent his life as a farmer and grist-miller, and died in his native state in 1886. His son, Joseph Grimm, became in after life a noted
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minister of the Church of God, and owing to his evangelical peregrinations was known over a wide scope of country in different states. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, was ordained at an early age and spent his whole life in the cause of religion, not ceasing to labor "in the vineyard" until death claimed him in October, 1900, while a resident of Allegheny county, of his native state. This reverend gentleman owned and for many years successfully operated a farm in Moon township, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. He married early and became the father of eight children, the second of whom was John W. Grimm, whose birth occurred at Freedom, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1860. The children of itinerant preachers are apt to see considerable of the world, as their fathers travel from place to place and stay nowhere for any great length of time. By this process of moving around continuously, young Grimm's rearing and education were not lack- ing in such variety as could be given by frequent change of place, but for this very reason doubtless possessed additional elements of advantage. The boy grew up to manhood mostly in western Pennsylvania, and among the more important schools attended were Mt. Pleasant Institute and the State Normal at Edinboro, both in Pennsylvania. He taught school for a number of terms in the public schools of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. After Mr. Grimm came to Findlay in 1886 he entered the college of that place and put in two years of hard study by way of a finishing course. Upon leaving this institution in 1888 he immediately entered upon the study of law under Theo- dore Totten, and made such headway as to be admitted to the bar in 1890. He opened an office in Findlay without delay, but was hardly well started in general business when, in 1891, he was appointed deputy probate judge, the duties of which position occupied the principal part of his time until 1895. At the present time he is one of the referees in bankruptcy for the northern district of Ohio, with headquarters at Findlay. Soon after coming to Ohio, Mr. Grimm purchased a farm in Hardin county, and has been much inter- ested in Ohio farming ever since.
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