USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 41
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years as bookkeeper for the Rock Island Railroad Company. While on a visit to his old home in Hancock county he met Miss Nancy, the popular daughter of Wilson and Mary Roller, and the result was a mutual attachment on the part of the young people. Their marriage was consummated April 10, 1862, and proved both happy and fruitful, the children resulting there- from being Wilton, born October 6, 1864; Flora A., born January 19, 1868; Edwin, December 14. 1870; James .\., April 21, 1873; George WV., December 29, 1875; Thomas J., September 29, 1878; and William H., born June 28, 1884. The mother of these children is a native of Hancock county, having been born in Big Lick township, September 23, 1840, and her family is one of high respectability and influence, while she herself is a lady of many virtues and most excellent judgment. In his earlier years, Mr. Stall joined the forces engaged in teaching "the young idea how to shoot" and was an efficient member of the educational guild for nine years. He has always stood well in his community, is regarded as a man of good business judgment and was called on at different times to take charge of township offices, holding the clerkship for six years and the position of assessor for one term. In 1871 he took possession of his present farm of eighty acres in Big Lick township and has since operated it with such skill and industry as to make it one of the best tilled tracts of its size in that part of the county. Mr. Stall and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he holds the position of trustee, and the performance of all his duties, both as man and citizen, has been done with such conscientiousness as to gain him general esteem. George, the father of our subject, was a twenty-four degree Mason and belonged to Findlay Blue Lodge, No. 227.
WILLIAM GREEN.
William Green, who has passed the seventieth milestone on the journey of life, is an honored and respected resident of Hancock county, Ohio. A native of the Keystone state, he was there born in the year 1829, and is a son of Will- 1am and Susan (Hummond) Green, both also natives of Pennsylvania. In 1840 they left their home in that commonwealth and came to Hancock coun- ty, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of virgin forest land in Union township. During his lifetime the father cleared and improved his land, mak- ing it one of the most productive farms of his community. His life's labors were ended in death in 1862, and a short time afterward his widow joined him in the spirit world.
William Green, of this review, was one of eleven children, five of whom
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are still living, but he is now the only representative of the family in Hancock county. He was but eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this locality, and throughout his entire business career he has devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil. In 1855 he purchased his present homestead, which at that time was in its primitive condition, but as the years have passed by he has cleared and improved the land, has erected commodious and substantial buildings, and the farm is now one of the val- uable ones of Union township. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to positions of honor and trust, and he has efficiently served his township as its trustee, supervisor and as a school director.
Mr. Green was first married in 1855, when Miss Rachel Winniger be- came his wife. This union resulted in the birth of six children, namely : Calvin W., who is engaged in teaching school; C. L., a successful agricultur- ist, who died December 10, 1902; W. J., a minister of the Methodist Episco- pal church; Morris; Mary and Rachel. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1866, and for his second wife Mr. Green chose Catherine Linehart, their marriage having been celebrated in 1868. One son, Austin L., was born of this marriage. This union was also separated by the hand of death, for in 1871 the wife and mother was called to her home beyond, and in the following year, 1872, Mr. Green wedded her sister, Annie M. Linehart. They became the parents of four children,-Loa I., Irvin O., Pearl M. and Parl M. For the third time Mr. Green was called upon to mourn the loss of a beloved companion, for on the 21st of April, 1895, the wife passed into eternal rest. Mr. Green is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held office. He is widely and favorably known in the county in which he has so long made his home and his friends are almost as many as his acquaintances.
ANDREW J. PLOTTS.
A highly respected retired farmer of Hancock county, Ohio, is Andrew J. Plotts, who now is a resident of Findlay. His birth occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1821, and he is a son of Gershum and Mary ( Plotoner ) Plotts, who were both natives of Pennsylvania.
Gershum Plotts was a brickmaker by trade and followed this occupation in Fairfield county, combining it with farming. When he located in Han- cock county, he settled on a farm of eighty acres, in Amanda township, but some years later, disposed of this property and bought a farm in Michigan,
A, D, E latte
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upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1877. He was an industrious man, and one who was honest and upright in his dealings with others. His political views made him a Democrat. In religious belief, both he and wife were consistent members of the United Brethren church. His first wife, who was the mother of our subject, died prior to his removal from Fairfield county, and he then married Mrs. Mary Donaldson. By his two marriages Mr. Plotts had a family of seven sons, by his first union, and two by his second, and seven of these children still survive.
Andrew J. Plotts was fifteen years of age when his father located in Hancock county. He was the third son and upon him fell much of the hard work of the farm, but it gave him a practical knowledge which he has put to excellent use throughout life. His education was obtained in the short win- ter terms of school in both Fairfield and Hancock counties. In 1873 he pur- chased ninety acres of land in Henry county, Ohio, and moved upon that farm about 1879, and resided there for fourteen years. In 1896 he returned to Hancock county, and in 1901 he sold his Henry county farm, retiring to his pleasant home in Findlay.
The first marriage of Mr. Plotts was in 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Dipert, and to this union there were born eleven children, eight of whom still survive, namely: Mary A. Bowman ; Lydia Kistler; Ella L. Altman; Christina Alt- man; Elizabeth Martin; Sarah J. Woulgmuth; Ira and John W. Plotts. The death of the mother of these children took place in 1875. The second marriage of Mr. Plotts was in 1897, to Mrs. Nellie T. Martin. By a life of exemplary living, our subject has preserved both his physical vigor and his mental faculties in a very remarkable way, and enjoys life, very free from the cares which frequently attend advancing years. He is held in very high es- teem in Findlay and has a wide circle of friends.
LEWIS H. HOSTLER.
This gentleman is among the leading merchants of the village of Arcadia, Hancock county. He is one of the younger members of the business circle of his town, but his previous career has been such as to augur well for his future. He believes heartily in the principles of "living and letting live." His upright dealing with his customers is rapidly pushing him to the front as one of the leading merchants of the community. Mr. Hostler was born in Washington township. A preliminary training in the country school was supplemented by a thorough course in the Arcadia high school, which training has fitted him well for a life of usefulness in business. He
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operates and owns a first class general store, in which may be found the best of everything in its line. His marriage occurred in 1885, to Miss Mary, the daughter of J. J. Boyle, her mother's maiden name having been Mahala Mc- Cray. To this union a family of four children have been born : Mertie M., Arthur J., Wilbur R., and Corine. The mother of this family is a lady of many graces of character, and is a true helpmate and advisor to her husband. She was born in West Virginia, March 6, 1869. Mr. Hostler takes an active interest in the social life of his community, being a member of several of its leading organizations, of which might be particularly mentioned the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
Passing to the consideration of the family history of Mr. Hostler we note that he is the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Linhart) Hostler. His father was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 6, 1843. His mother was a native of the Keystone state, where she was born in Pittsburg, in 1846. Their mar- riage was celebrated in 1867, and the result of the union was the birth of Francis A., Lewis H., Nettie B., Frederick, and Bertha. Jeremiah Hostler and his wife removed to Hancock county in an early day, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and during his lifetime continued to engage in agricultural pursuits. He was a practical business man, and an excellent farmer. In connection with the operation of his farm he was en- gaged extensively in the buying and selling of stock, of which he was an ex- tensive shipper to the eastern markets. He made a host of friends by his conscientious conduct in business, and the geniality of his temperament was such as to keep the friendship which he had gained. He was an attentive listener of the gospel as it was expounded from the Lutheran pulpit. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. His death occurred in 1887, lis widow continuing to reside on the home farm near the town of Arcadia. Jeremiah was a son of Peter and Susana (Sherman) Hostler, the former having been born in York county, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1821, and the latter in Maryland, in 1825. They removed to Stark county, Ohio, in 1842, where they reared a family of twelve children, four of whom are now liv- ing, namely : Morris, David, William and Sara. Peter Hostler by trade was a contractor and builder, and a thorough-going business man. He stood well in the esteem of the public, enjoying their entire confidence and respect. He was intimately connected with the development and growth of Hancock county in its early history, having removed here with his family as one of the pioneers. As stated before, he was an excellent business man, and had a mind which was well fitted for the promotion of enterprises and the organ- ization of new schemes. He was instrumental in 1874 in the organization
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of the Farmers' Bank of Findlay, of which he was president from that date until 1887. He then retired from the presidency of the Farmers' Bank and in the following May organized, together with a number of other business men of Findlay, the City Bank. Of this he was also president. He was an earnest and active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and received recognition at its hands by election as treasurer of the county, an office which he filled to the entire satisfaction of his constituents for a period of four years. His death, which took place in February, 1894, was sincerely lamented by his friends and mourned by his relatives, both of whom are numerous.
It is proper to state of the son, Lewis H. Hostler, that he is a worthy representative of a worthy father, in whose footsteps he is consistently fol- lowing. He endeavors to give his support to every movement that is cal- culated to prove of public good, and is widely acknowledged as a worthy citi- zen. All who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth, and his circle of friends in the community is extensive.
B. F. WINELAND.
B. F. Wineland, who is ex-county commissioner and a resident of Cass township, is one of the well known and popular men of Hancock county. His birth was in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1839, and he is a son of Joseph and Frances (Greenawalt) Wineland, the former of whom was born in 1801, also in Westmoreland county.
In 1824 Joseph Wineland married Frances Greenawalt, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, and in 1844 they moved to Hancock county, Ohio, and located on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Cass township, adding other tracts until he owned three hundred and sixty acres in various parts of the township. Mr. Wineland became one of the leading men of Cass township, serving for many years as a justice of the peace and filling many local offices. His party at one time nominated him for county com- missioner. His interest in public matters was that of a single-minded citi- zen, his hopes always being for the final triumph of those principles which he deemed right. Mr. Wineland was a Democrat in the early days, and later was one of the first movers in what was known as the Know Nothing party, finally becoming one of the organizers of the Republican party in Han- cock county. He was a large-hearted, hospitable and generous man, and was ever ready to contribute to the advancement of his locality. Joseph Wineland passed out of life in August, 1861, before he saw the consumma- tion of his hopes for his country. In October of the same year his faithful
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wife also passed away, and both of them sleep in honored graves in the beat- tiful cemetery near Van Buren, Ohio.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm and his education was obtained in the public schools. He cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1860. The outbreak of the Civil war aroused his loyalty, and ever since he has been an earnest worker in the Republican party. On October 14, 1862, he put aside the duties which had thus far hindered him, and as a private enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which immediately joined others at Fal- mouth, Kentucky, and from then until the close of the war our subject par- ticipated in every battle where his regiment was engaged, with the exception of Resaca, at which time he was serving on detached duty. A long line of notable battles was this, including Mossy Creek, Kennesaw Mountain, At- lanta, the Atlanta campaign, Franklin and Nashville. At one time Mr. Wineland was under fire for one hundred and twenty days. After the battle of Nashville he was transferred to General Sherman's command in North Carolina, and assisted in the capture of Fort Anderson.
In 1864 our subject's gallantry brought him into notice, and he was made orderly-sergeant, and continued to efficiently fill this position until he was mustered out in July, 1865. With his contrades he then returned home, where each one endeavored to pick up their old occupations. Many of these lost opportunities could not be found, but others, like our subject, found warm hearts awaiting their return, and in their added affection and admiration found solace for many of the terrible hardships they had passed through. Mr. Wineland purchased his present farm in Cass township and for some years engaged both in farming and lumbering, but has discontinued the latter branch.
On July 3, 1862, shortly before his enlistment, Mr. Wineland was mar- ried to Miss Caroline Nelson, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, on February 17, 1844, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Pettigrew) Nelson. By this union there were three children: Franklin L., born Marchi 31, 1863; Mary S., now Mrs. William Davis, born August 31, 1867; and Merle B., born December 15, 1884. Franklin L. Wineland is one of the most talented and skilled musicians in western Ohio. His genius was early recognized, and after enjoying great advantages in instruction in America, he completed his studies under some of the best masters of the art at Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Wineland has been a prominent man in his immediate locality, and has been honored by the treasurership of the township for a period of four-
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teen consecutive years, and was elected county commissioner, serving most efficiently from September 16, 1895, to September 14, 1901. He is an hon- ored member of the United Veterans' Association.
Mr. Wineland belongs to a patriotic family. Two of his brothers were also soldiers in the Civil war, and they bravely met a soldier's death. The honorable record which our subject can show is not only a matter of just pride to himself, but reflects honor upon his children and upon a country which, in need, can find such valiant sons.
JOHN A. THOMAS.
One of the prominent G. A. R. men and worthy citizens of the city of Findlay is the above named gentleman, who lives in a comfortable residence at 1115 East Sandusky street. He is a native of Findlay township, where he was born May 13, 1846, and is a son of James B. and Eliza J. (Abrams) Thomas. The father was a native of Caroline county, Maryland, where he was born July 4, 1804. The mother was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. James Thomas was one of the first settlers in Hancock county. His father moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, when James was about six years of age. James remained here up to 1829, when he removed to Hancock county, where he filed upon ninety-eight acres of virgin forest land. He put up the usual log cabin and remained a year, when he returned to his home in Pickaway county, and there married our subject's mother, this being in 1832. They returned immediately to Hancock county, and passed the re- mainder of their lives engaged in agricultural pursuits. To them were born ten children, eight of whom are now living. James Thomas left the reputation of being a man of large heart whose sympathies were soon touched by the woes and wants of others. He was very charitable and of a gen- erous cast of character. During his lifetime he held some of the township offices, and at his death distributed his property to his family. The mother of this family died in 1863, on the Ist of April, while the father lived until November of 1877.
Mr. John A. Thomas, whose name initiates this paragraph, was there- fore reared and educated in Findlay township. He was but a lad when the Civil war came on, but he watched with interest the progress of events which precipitated the country into that sanguinary conflict, and when the storm broke he was found among the boys in blue who went forth to battle for the Union. He enrolled as a private soldier in Company G, Twenty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on the 5th of December, 1863. In this or-
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ganization he participated in some of the bloody battles of the war, some of which were as follows : Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Altoona, Kennesaw Mountain, Vining Station, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jones- boro, Savannah and Bentonville. He was fortunate in passing through this experience without harm, and received his discharge July 25, 1865. Returning from the war, his thirst for knowledge was such that although advanced in age for a school boy, he entered the Findlay high school and passed some time in the pursuit of knowledge. After leaving school he went west to the state of Missouri, where he became apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and after spending three years in the west he returned to his native county, where for the next two years he was engaged at his trade. In 1871, having the previous year, on January 27, married Lydia A. Kiehl, second daughter of Eli and Maria (Uber) Kiehl, he removed with his family to Kansas, where he remained for a period of four years. There he followed his trade. The charms of his native county were too great, however, and he again returned and has since been a resident within her borders. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have reared a family of six children : Etta, Almeda, Albert R., Bessie P., Mary G. and John A., Jr. The mother of this fam- ily was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of October, 1849, and is of German descent. Mr. Thomas has figured prominently in his township, and is a man of forceful character. He is at the present time holding the office of assessor. In the G. A. R. organization he has taken an active interest and has been honored with the office of commander of Stoker Post of Findlay. As a contracting carpenter Mr. Thomas enjoys the entire confidence of his wide field of patrons, and the large number of fine residences which he has built in the city of Findlay and adjacent terri- tory, is a lasting monument of his skill and ingenuity. He and his family are held in high repute in their native city, and deserve and receive the best wishes of a large circle of acquaintances.
WILLIAM J. CUSAC.
The Cusac family has been intimately connected with the development of Hancock county since pioneer days. Its members have been active not only in wresting from nature lands of the primeval forest, in maintaining a glorious fight for the Union during secession times, but also in serving through quiet seasons the needs of a community progressive in agriculture, mining and education.
From the day that Daniel Cusac, a quiet, unassuming man, bought
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from the government a tract of land in Liberty township, the family has been continuously engaged in converting the forest into arable land. They have not been content to till the improved soil, but from time to time they have given up the old for new and uncleared tracts, though the first land purchased from the government has always remained in the family, and is now the property of William Cusac.
John Cusac, son of Daniel and father of William J. Cusac, was born in Ohio, May 20, 1820, and soon after came to Hancock county with his father. He married a native of Pennsylvania, Miss Nancy Bell, who was born in 1823. They had six children: The four still living are: J. S., Abbie, Emeline and William J. Cusac.
John Cusac bought his first farm of forty acres at the time of his mar- riage. This he cleared and shortly after sold, buying in turn three other farms, which he improved and subsequently sold. He now lives in Portage township on a fine farm, which is the fifth piece of land that he has brought under cultivation. His life has been decidedly active, useful and progress- ive. When improved methods of farming began to be put into practice and the benefits of unified action and mutual helpfulness presented themselves to the farming community, he was among the first to call into existence the idea of an organization which speedily materialized in the form of the Han- cock County Agricultural Association. For many years lie acted as its presi- lent, dictating its affairs with remarkable wisdom.
William J. Cusac was born in Liberty township November 9, 1841. where he received his early training and education. He turned his atten- . ton to farming with the view of making it his life work, and, with the excep- tion of three years spent in the military service of his country, agriculture has been his uninterrupted pursuit. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G of the Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry. He was taken prisoner, sent home on parole and in the following year exchanged. Thereupon, in 1863, he entered the Army of the Cumberland, as a member of Battery L, First Ohio Artillery, serving as sergeant and being actively engaged in Tennessee. In 1865 he was hon- orably discharged, and returning to civil life once more took up the quict «luties of the farm. The same year he married Miss Naoma, daughter of the pioneer, Joseph Morrill. She was born in Liberty township in 1845. Seven children were born to them: Charles, Frank, Effie, Hattie, Joseph, Florence and Bertha. Of these all except the second son, Frank, are still living. In 1872 he made his first investment of sixty-six acres. . By hard work he increased his holdings from time to time, until in 1889 he owned one hundred and twenty-six acres, the size of his estate today. This land is
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valuable not only for agricultural purposes, but for its twelve oil-producing wells, which yield a considerable output annually.
Besides being the president of the Hancock County Agricultural Asso- ciation, an honor which has descended to him from his father, Mr. Cusac has identified himself actively with the G. A. R. He has been a director of the county infirmary for seven years, and a member of the school board for twelve years. Like his father and Daniel Cusac, the grandsire, he has made for himself many friends, who will always find him at the head of all enter- prises that speak of healthy progress. He is a Republican in politics.
JOHN SCHOONOVER.
John Schoonover is one of the prominent farmers of Hancock county, who is the fortunate possessor of a large, well improved farm located in Lib- erty township, in the oil belt, and receives the revenues of several producing wells.
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