USA > Ohio > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 20
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Otto, next to the youngest son of our subject, was born in Wooster January 13, 1861. He attended the Wooster High School, and in 1882 entered a medical college in Cincinnati, but his health fail- ing he returned to Wooster and engaged in the grocery business with his brother Benjamin, the firm being Miller Bros. June 7, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Maud Jackson, daughter of William and Hannah Jackson, and a na- tive of Wooster. The father died in Crest- line, Ohio; the mother is now living in Wooster. Mrs. Miller is a graduate of the Crestline High School.
27, 1873; Shirley, born Angust 19, 1879, and Riley Tyler, born April 27, 1887, all how living.
James C. Sidle has followed farming and stock growing in Plain Township, Wayne County, since he first commenced for himself. He is interested in the fa- mous " Abdallah " and other fine breeds of horses, as well as Jersey cattle and improved blooded sheep. and took first premiums on his stallion " Foster " at the Wayne County Fair held at Wooster in 1887. Mr. Sidle is now living on the elegant farm formerly occupied by John (fillis, on Section S, Plain Township. With the rest of the family, he is in poli- ties a stanch Republican.
W ILLIAM H. WILER. This well- known citizen of Wooster is a native of the county. born in Wooster Township, April 15, 1855. Both of his parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and had migrated to Wayne County early in the thirties. His father's name was Philip Wiler, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Weirich. They set- tled upon a tract of new land in Wooster Township, where he had to clear away the Forest to make room for his home. There
AMES C. SIDLE, son of John and Joanna ( Carson) Sidle [ see sketch of John C. Sidle ], was born Febru- ary 18, 1850, in Plain Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. He was married April 27, 1871, to Mina Tyler, of Plain Township, Wayne County, and by her has the fol- lowing-named children: Cliffe, born July | they endured the hardships and ali-com-
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forts of a pioneer life, their labors sweet- ened by the knowledge that they were creating a comfortable home for the chil- dren growing up around their cabin. Their principal crop, in fact the only one they could turn into ready money. was wheat, and the nearest market for that was Massillon, Ohio. This home the pioneer occupied with his family until a few years before his death, when he re- moved to Wooster, dying there in 1880, at the age of seventy years. The mother and wife is now living in Wooster, aged sixty-nine. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. To this worthy couple had been born six children, of whom we make the following record: Sarah is now Mrs. Christian Shelley, of Plain Town- ship, this county: John is living in Ash- tabula Connty, Ohio; Christiana, now Mrs. Andrew Branstetter, lives near Woos- ter; Mary died in 1874; Ella is Mrs. James Miller, of Wooster; William H. is the youngest of the family
William H. Wiler, of whom we write, received his education in Wooster, and learned in his youth the trade of carpen- try. Upon reaching his majority, how- ever, he established himself in the boot and shoe business at Wooster, and has ever since continued therein. In 1876 he was married, taking for his life partner Miss Mary Lucas, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth ( Ritter ) Lneas, and a native of
Pennsylvania. Three children came to bless their union, one of whom, Roy, born in 1878, died when six months old; Zella, born in 1880, and Charles, in 1882, are the survivors.
Mr. Wiler holds au honored place in the business and social circles of Wooster, and he is justly esteemed as a business man whose word may always be depended upon, and a citizen who takes a pride in and does his share toward the growth and prosperity of his native county. His first start in the shoe business was in partner- ship with his father-in-law, Josiah Lucas. which connection continued until 1852, since when our subject has been alone. In the beneficial and secret fraternities Mr. Wiler takes much interest. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows order, of the Iron Hall, and of the Royal Areanum. He aud his wife are both members of the Lu- theran Church of Wooster.
D R. JOSEPH E. BARRETT, one of the best known physicians of Wooster, was born in Lycoming County, Pen., December 24, 1833. His father, William Day Barrett, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 2, 1809, and when twelve or fourteen years of age came to America with his father and
Joahh & Barett m ?
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maternal grandfather, latter of whom died in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather of our subject was drowned in the Schuyl- kill River, Pennsylvania. William Day Barrett was a carpenter and cooper by trade, and also a produce dealer. In Pennsylvania he was married to Maria Morris, a native of Lycoming County, Penn., whither her parents had come from New Jersey. Her ancestors were Welsh and German, the name on her mother's side being Shipman. To this union were born ten children, nine of whom still live. The father was an active politician, and a strong Abolitionist, becoming in 1850 a Republican; the mother was born in Lycoming County, Ponn., in 1811, and died March 20, 1880, aged sixty- eight years.
The subject of this commemorative record, as a boy, spent his time in his na- tive town, obtaining his education in the public schools of Wooster, Ohio, and at eighteen he became a school-teacher, a pro- fession he followed several years. He then went to the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1861, having ac- quired part of his medical knowledge in the office of Dr. Timothy H. Baker, of Wooster, Ohio. In 1862 he went as as- sistant surgeon of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, first becoming State surgeon, and resigned in the fall of IS65. He had been commissioned full surgeon 13
of the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio Vohmteer Infantry; was then made chief operator of the Army of the Shen- andoah, and for a time was in charge of a division hospital; had the care of all the wounded officers of the Eighth Army Corps after the battle of the 19th of Sep- tember, 1864. The Doctor attended the hospital duties until the spring of 1865, remaining during the winter at Winches- ter, Va. On the 4th of August. 1563. he was married to Orrilla, daughter of Charles Boydson, of East Union Town- ship, Wayne Co., Ohio, and then returned to Kanawha River, opposite Charleston, West Va., where his regiment lay en- camped, taking up his quarters in a tent, in which he remained all the fall and winter, in the same yard with Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Hayes, and several other offi- cers and their wives. After resigning his commission the Doctor returned to Wooster, Ohio, where he began the prac- tice of medicine, and has since continued. To Dr. and Mrs. Barrett have been born four children, viz .: Alpha, Edward Jeu- ner, Grace and Lucy Hayes, all at home. Dr. and Mrs. Barrett are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Sunday-school of which the Doctor has for ten years been superintendent. He is secretary of Wayne County Medical Society und a member of the American Medical Association. He is a member of
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the Masonie fraternity, having been son- for warden of Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has served as a member of the Board of Health for some time, and has always been an active worker in whatever might tend to improve his county and its people. Politically he is a Republican, and ever an out-and-ont tem- perance advocate, both by precept and in the practice of his profession. He grad- uated in the class of 1882 ( Chautauqua Class ), becoming second president of the same, and continued a member for some " six or seven years after graduating. He . passed through all the excitement and ox- periences of the army without tasting in- toxieating liquor; and never in all his life has he drank a glass of whisky.
P ERRY WEAVER, son of David Weaver, was born in Contre County, Pent., May 15, 1822. His father, who was also a native of that county and Stato, came to Ohio in 1831, locating in Congress Township. Wayne County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and here spent the remainder of his days, dying in his sixty-eighth year. He reared and educated a family of ton children, who grow to manhood and womanhood.
His son, Perry, the subject proper of these lines, received a liberal education at the public schools, and in his boyhood and early manhood experienced the Arca- dian life of a farmer's boy, from which he evolved, by his own individual exertions, into the successful and highly respected agrienlturist he is to-day. December 31, IS11, he was united in marriage with Mary Am, daughter of John Funal- man, who was one of the early pioucers of Wayne County, Ohio. To this union were born fourteen children, six of whom survive. Mr. Weaver commenced life with $500 given him by his father, and by hard work, indomitable perseverance, care- fal industry and judicious management he has now one of the finest improved farms in the county, embracing 225 acres. He and his estimable wife have long been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church; in polities he is a Democrat.
M ARION B. IHRIG, farmer, Wayne Township, Wayne County. Jacob Thrig, grandfather of M. B. Ihrig, was born in Washington County, Penn .. February 25, 1792, and during the War of IS12 was a contractor for the sup- ply of provisions to the western army. In 1815 he innnigrated to Wayne Conn-
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ty, seltling in Wayne Township, and marriage. In 1850 Simon P. Thrig im- migrated to California, and met his death by drowning, in the north branch of the Feather River, April 19, 1551. His widow, who was left in charge of the farm. after- ward married Thomas Barton, who is now deceased. The mother is still living on a farm in Ashland County owned by her, public- spirited man, taking a prominent : and her son makes his home with her. helped to organize the township in 1816. He was in the same year elected captain of a militia company, and in 1525 was made major of the regiment. Mr. Thrig was justice of the peace from 1824 to 1851. and was elected commissioner of the county in 1827. He was an active. part in the politics of the county. He Marion B. Tbrig was born April 15, 1819. He was educated in the common schools of the township, and has always followed farming, and now superintends the cultivation of the homestead, which has been in the family since its entry. Ile is also engaged in raising and break- served in the Ohio Legislature from De- cember 6, 1530, to December 4, 1837, and in the State Senate from December 3, 1538. to December 7, 1840. In 1852 he was made district assessor, and in 1853 was elected a member of the Board of Equalization. His wife was Elizabeth Eb- "ing colts and horses, and has never failed erly, whose parents were Pennsylvanians, « to bring most cases under perfect subjec- and she became the mother of five chil- tion. He has been moderately successful dren, whose names were Susan (Mrs. . in his farming operations, and is one of Kintner), Elizabeth ( Mrs. Brenizer), the progressive men of the township, Rachel (Mrs. Goodyear), Sophia and adopting new and improved methods to facilitate the work of the farm. He de- servedly stands high in the estimation of those who know him. In politics he is a Demoerat, taking an active part in cam- paign work. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is snporin- tendent of the Sunday -school, class-leader and chorister. He was married, January 7. 1972, to Rotta S. Miller, daughter of Thomas Miller, and they have had six children: Claude, born January 11. 1571; Ernest, October 6. ISTB: Roy, April Simon P. Jacob Thrig entered a quarter section of land. and made additional purchases, having sold but eighty acres prior to his death. He identified himself with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in early manhood. and remained a Faith'nl member to the time of his death, in 1877. Ilis widow is now aged ninety-two years. Simon P. their only son, was born in 1827. He married Elizabeth Some- decker, daughter of John Sonnedecker. Marion B. was the only child born to this
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22, 1880; Roscoe, September 21, 1581; Celia, August 24, 1886, and Paul, Sop- tember 27, 1888. Roy died in infancy.
died in 1831, when she lacked but two days of completing her eightieth year. They had six children: Jolin, Christian, Abra- ham, Susanna, Barbara and Elizabeth. The latter is the only survivor, and is the widow of Jacob Napp, who died fifty-six years ago. She is a resident of Wayne County, and is eighty-nine years oldl.
H ENRY B. HOOVER, retired farm- er, living on Seetion 14, Greene Johu Hoover, father of Henry B., was born August 31, 1750, and died in Greene Township, this county, December 16, 1563, aged eighty-three years. He was brought up to farming, and lived with his father until he was thirty-one years of age. In 1814 he moved to the adjoin- ing connty of Cumberland, where he farmed until 1833, when he and his entire family removed to this county. He bought the farm where our subject and daughter now live. This farm contained 167 aeros, of which but fifteen acres were cleared. The house was partially built, and was the first hewed log house in the township. It is yet a comfortable and pleasant home. Joli Hoover made this his home until his death, which, however, took place while he was on a visit to his daughter. Mrs. Daniel Holser, on an adjoining farm. le was an industrious man, was often called upon to act as exeentive or adminis- trator in settling up estates, and was a strictly upright man. He was married in York County, Poun., November 11, 1511, Township, and whose postoffice address is Orrville, Ohio, is one of the oldest citizens of the township, and was born in York County, Penn., on June 21, 1513. His great-grandfather, Benja- min Hoover, with his wife, came from Ger- many long prior to the Revolution, set- tling first in Lancaster County, Penn. At that early day the Indians were very troublesome, and the settlers had to make their erops with their rifles by their sides. The history of those times gives many incidents of interest in which Benjamin Hoover and family bore a part. His son, Henry, was grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1743, and he became a farmer and minister of the Mennonite Church. Later in life he removed to York County, Penn., and bought a farm of 180 acres near Dillstown, on which he lived the remainder of his life, dying in 1825, when nearly eighty-three years of age. His wife was Mary Neeswanger, also a native of Lancaster County, Penn., who to Catherine Bare, a native of that county,
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born September 29, 1791. She died in Greene Township October 5, 1867, aged sixty-six years and six days. This couple had but two children: Henry B. and Eliz- abeth (wife of Daniel Holser, living on the place where her father died). She was born in Cumberland County, Penn., July 16, 1823. .
Henry B. Hoover was in his twentieth year when he came with his parents to Wayne County. He worked for his father until his marriage. The farm which he inherited from the estate is one of the best cultivated and fenced in the county. Besides the original 167 acres, it com- prises six acres, with a brick house, which Mr. Hoover built for his own use when he retired from active life, twenty years ago. Mr. Hoover was married April 21, 1858, in Stark County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Christman, who was born in Westmore- land County, Pen., February 1, 1815, and came to Ohio with her mother and brother in 1851. Her brother, Jacob, is 1
yet living in Stark County, aged sixty-two. Previous to her coming here another brother, John, had been living in that county, and on the death of the father the rest of the family joined him. John died April 5, 1858, aged seventy-seven years and two months. Mrs. Hoover comes of patriotic stock. Both of her grandfathers
many battles. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have one child, Mary, wife of William A. Fike, whose history is given elsewhere. Mr. Hoover is well known and much respected. He has been appraiser, school director for twenty years, and has ever discharged the duties entrusted to his care with fidel- ity. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church at Orrville.
E MIL ROTTHAUS, a native of Ger- many, came to America in 1866, at the age of seventeen. After an ex- tended tour of the Southern and Western States he reached Chicago in 1875, where he learned the baker's trade. In 1876 he came to Wooster, where, after working for two years at his trade, he commenced business for himself, opening a bakery at the southwest corner of the public square. His success shows what a thorough knowl- edge of and close application to business can accomplish. In IS85 he built the block on West Liberty Street, where, bo- sides condneting a first-class bakery and confectionery, he keeps a full stock of groceries and provisions, and in the rear a well-equipped bar.
Mr. Rotthans married, in 1577, Miss had been Revolutionary soldiers, and the | Catharine Carroll, who, though of Irish maternal grandfather, Jacob Houk. was in
birth and parentage, was reared mal edu-
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cated in Baltimore, Md. Their union has only three of whom, Amelia, Herman and Julins, are now living.
OSIAH LUCAS, of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, is on his father's side of Scottish ancestry, his grandfather having emigrated from Scotland to America many years ago. His father, Solomon Lucas, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in that State was married to Maria Hoof, who was of German extraction. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom are yet living, our subjeet being the only one in Wayne County. The fa- ther was a carpenter by trade, and in April, 1858, passed away, at the age of eighty-four, and in 1868 his widow died, aged eighty-six years.
until 1844, when he began to learn the been blessed by the birth of five children, shoemaker's trade, and completed his ap- prenticeship in 1847. June 5, 1849, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Ritter, and a native of Bucks County, Pen. Mr. Lucas worked at his trade several years in Pennsylvania, and in 1865 migrated to Wayne County, arriving in Wooster Sep- tember 26, with his wife and ten children. For ten years he worked at his trade on the beuch, and in 1876 embarked in the retail boot and shoe business, in partner- ship with his son-in-law. William H. Wiler, in Wooster. This connection con- tinned until 1882, when he sold his inter- : est, and has since then worked at his trade, manufacturing custom work. To onr subject and wife thirteen children were born, of whom three are deceased, viz. : Frank P., John C. and Cassan. Those living are Josephine, at home: Alfred. a resident of Wooster; Mary, wife of Will- iam H. Wiler, of Wooster: Ehnina, wed- ded to A. Kincaid. of Canton, Olio: Ila. married to George Mavyers, of Houtzdale, Penn. ; Annie, now Mrs. William Linn, of Wooster; Harvey Il., of Wooster; Tillie. Alberta and Janet, at home.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lehigh County, Penn:, October 1, 1526. He had but limited school facilities, and when but ten years of age began working on a farm, where he was to receive his board and clothes and three months' schooling a year, but the latter he never Our subject is essentially a self-made man, having begun at the very bottom of the ladder and without a dollar. His first start was obtained by working as a jour- had. Ile remained at this place from 1836 till 1839, and then left and worked a time for others. In 1811 he was again hired by a farmer, remaining with him neyman shoemaker, and when he had
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saved $14 concluded to open a shop. Ho bought some stock and tools, and was obliged to run in debt for one set of lasts, for which he promised to pay in a week, and at the end of that time was able to meet his obligation. Since about 1851 he has been an employer, having usually six or more men working for him. His success is due to his steady industry, his sterling honesty and uprightness, which gained him the confidence of those with whom he was brought into contact, and these were the principal factors in build- ing up his business. To-day he is one of the best known and highly respected citi- zens of Wayne County, and one of whom everyone who knows him speaks in terms of praise. In politics Mr. Lucas was formerly a Democrat, but later he joined the Republican party, with which he is now affiliated. Since May, 1850, he has been a member of the Odd Fellows order, and he and his estimable wife are re- speeted members of the Lutheran Church of Wooster.
C YRUS BOWMAN, distiller, Wayne Township, is one of the representa- tive citizens of Wayne County. He was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1831, of German ancestry, the family
being among the early settlers of the United States. The first of whom we have any record was the grandfather of our subject, Christian Bowman, who was born in Lancaster County, Peun., and married Ann Horst. They had a family of nine children, five sons and four dangh- ters. Christian Bowman, Sr., died in Lexington, Ky. Their third son, Henry, was born in York County, Penn., in 1505, and died in Smithville, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1844. He was a farmer and miHer by occupation. He married Miss Martha Musser, daughter of Dr. Joseph Musser, and to them were born seven children, Conr sons and three daughters, Cyrus be- ing the eldest of the family. He was given fair educational advantages, and be- gan his life of labor by learning the har- ness-maker's trade. He subsequently was employed three years at clerking and mill- ing, and in 1864 started a distillery at Cedar Valley, where he remained nutil ISSO, when he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and operated a distillery for his son, C. K. Bowman, up to July, 1553, at which time he removed to Wooster, Ohio, where his son, C. K. Bowman, purchased the old Stibbs property, formerly a woolen manu- factory, and converted it into a distillery. and he is now superintending the same For his son. This is the only distillery in the State of Ohio that manufactures ex- elusively all rye whisky, distilled in all
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copper stills, and guaranteed free from Insel-oil and drugs.
Mr. Bowman was married in 1854 to Mary A. Krysher, and to them have been born four children, three of whom are living: Clarence K., Cora M. and Mand (now Mrs. Keller). Clarence K. married Miss Maggie Landow, daughter of Henry Landow, and they have three children. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; in polities he is a Democrat.
1 SAAC BECHTEL. This old and well- known citizen of Wayne County is of German ancestry, but the family have for several generations been natives of America. He was born in Northampton Connty, Penn., December 29, 1816. His father, George Bechtel, and his paternal grandparents were also natives of the same State. His maternal grandfather, " Jacob Berto, was also a native American, whose ancestors came from France. George Bechtel was by occupation a Farmer, and grew to manhood in his na- tive State, where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Berto, daughter of Jacob and Franie Berto, and a native of Berks County, Ponn.
In search of a better home and cheaper Jands on which to settle the family grow-
ing up around them, George Bechtel and wife cume to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1836, arriving at Wooster May S. He first purchased a small farm, about three miles from Wooster, and by industry and thrifty habits, aided by a good wife, was, after a time, enabled to increase his pos- sessions, becoming the owner of 200 acres of good land, and a grist-mill and a saw- mill on Crawford's Run. The good wife and mother was called to her last rest in September, 185-1, at the age of sixty-four years. She had borne eight children, as follows: Jacob B. and Hetty, both now deceased; Sarah, widow of Henry Hess; Isaac; Franie, now Mrs. J. Bahl, of Wil- son County, Kas. ; Abraham, living in this county ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Allen, of Sen- cea County, Ohio, and Renben, who was a Union soldier, and died while in the sery- ice, near Vicksburg, Miss., June 11, 1563, at the age of thirty-three years. After the death of his wife George Bechtel re- tired from the harder labors of life, and was later married to Catherine Beer- bangher, who died January 18, 1576. h November of the same year her husband followed her to the grave, at the age of eighty eight years. His life had been an active one, and having always enjoyed good health, he was able to do much for the npbuilding of his adopted county. Though not in any sense a politician, he was an old-line Whig, and east his ballot
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regularly for the candidates of his party. He was a member of the German Re- formed Church.
not only as one of its early settlers, but as a citizen whose character and conduct is above reproach, and who has done his share to advance its prosperity.
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