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 53
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she has shown massive mental powers, and in comparison may be said to be a battery of guns of large caliber. But with all her mag- nificent abilities, the peculiarities of her fam- ily characteristics stand out repellant as an electric battery, an object of admiration, but not of adoration. For many years she has been an invalid, yet her work is not done, hor former pupils are over returning for re- view, advice, instruction, and to do homage to her superior genius. Her father, George Hippee, comes of a dignified family, which. embraces many individuals of recognized mental ability. His mother's name was Heisley, and her mother's maiden name was Ann Schriber. She was born in Adams Coun- ty, Penn., and a portion of her father's os- tato was embraced within the territory of the field of the battle of Gettysburg. She was a shrewd, discriminating and magnetic wo man, who won people by her earnestness, rather than by any charms. As a maiden, however, she was considered handsome; as a mother her affection for her children knew no bounds, no sacrifice was too great for their comfort or advantage; and while her husband had been successful, financially, in life, he admitted before his death that had her advice been taken he would have been better off.
In the fall of 1848 Rev. Pope accepted a call from the church at Wooster and sur. rounding congregations, and removed with his family to that cily. Here among the characters that at that time gave it its pecu- liar character and reputation, its strange mixture of extreme education and refinement, and the equally extreme of dare-deviltry and vice, the younger Popo grew up. Classed among and environed by the better people, ho nevertheless was frequently brought in contact with the more common. Of high spirit and somewhat pugnacions, it is not sur
prising that his acts were more conspicuous than one of either class especially. It is quite probable, therefore, that his pugilistic reputation has been overpainted. It is cer- tain thal he gave his parents much concern and put his father to the pains of frequently punishing him. On this point he jocularly remarks that his father always did his duty by him, and that he did not enjoy good health unless he was whipped once a day. One thing all agree upon is that he was either very dexterous and powerful or an adept in the science of pugilism, as his actual combats were severe and numerous as many of his contestants agree. He was usually accom- panied by a mastiff, which was as mich a terror among brutes as was his owner among human beings, either one backing the other to such an extent that each was usually taken as a measure of the other's wickedness. Age caused him to become more reserved and dig- nified, and he came to despise and avoid what. he formerly would not bend for.
The Doctor in speaking of the family's financial condition at that time says that a parson's ample legacy was theirs: a good name, noble aspirations, a pure character and clean bands not tarnished with filthy luere. Under such circumstances the boys' speenlative characteristics were cudgeled in- to activity, devising means to furnish spend- ing money, as the paternal exchequer was baroly able to furnish the necessary family wants. In one of These extremes he put in- to existence the advice of Barnum lo make money. His father had become possessed of an equine beauty to which the reverend gentleman had become devotedly attached. The Doctor in embryo, with his father's razor finely honed, shaved from the horse his coat of hair, and advertised a mustang horse which, for a small udmittance for. might be seen. Judge of the reverend's
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feelings when he beheld his stylish funeral cortege leader in his new attire, his caudal extremity slashing without brush at the unin- terrupted flies upon his bare sides, nearly frantic! The Doctor says that the whipping then inflicted was the only one of which he was afraid, as he began to think he was going to be killed, his father for the once being really angry; and, to his great mortification, by far the largest audience he had yet had entered the place of exhibition without pay- ing a cent.
C HRISTIAN EBY, a retired farmer residing on Section 6, in Greene Township, Wayne County, and whose postoffice address is Smithville, Ohio, was born in Lancaster County, Penn. His grandfather, Jacob Eby, a native of Switzerland, came to America more than 100 years ago, when quite a young man, settling in Lancaster County, Penn., where he was married to Annie Overholt- zer, a native of that county. They had two sons and two daughters, none of whom are now living, the youngest of the family, also named Jacob, becoming the father of Christian. He, Jacob, was born in Manor Township, Lancaster County, June 7, 1797, was brought up to farming, working for his father until the latter's death, when the younger Jacob was nine- teen years of age. He and his elder brother Christian then took the farm,
carrying it on until Jacob married, when he bought his brother's interest and there- after owned it alone. In the fall of 1548 he sold it, and following year moved to Ohio, settling in Section 20, Milton Town- ship, Wayne County, where he lived until his death, January 5, 1862. A man of kind, honest and generous nature, he had many friends, and bore an irreproachable name. Shortly after his marriage he joined the Mennonite Church, of which he was a consistent member until his death. He was married in Lancaster County, Penn., February 5, 1823, to Elizabeth Sander, whose ancestry were from Switzer- land, her grandfather emigrating from there with two brothers about 200 years ago. All these ancestors were members of the Mennonite Church. The father of Elizabeth, named Jacob, settled on a farm in Lancaster County, where he died. His family consisted of four sons and six daughters, all now deceased. Elizabeth was born on the farm in Lancaster County. January 20, 1805, and died on the Milton Township homestead, November 14, 1850, Jacob and Elizabeth Eby had eleven children, viz. : Elizabeth, who died young, and an infant at birth ; the others, all born in Pennsylvania, were Anna, born Jan- uary 3, 1824,and died in Milton Township, in August, 1871, was wife of Joseph Leatherman; Catherine, born October 11, 1825, is the wife of John Hoover, of
WAYNE COUNTY.
Medina County, Ohio; Christian (our subject), born March 17, 1827; Jacob, born February 15, 1829, is on the Ohio homestead; Mary, unmarried, living with Jacob, was born October 2, 1830; John, born April 26, 1833, lives near Goshen, Ind .; Samuel, born November 5, 1837, is unmarried and lives in Canaan Township, this county; Barbara, born April 4, 18.10, died at Berea, Ohio, November 14, 1840, and Tobias, born October 30, 1841, in Allen County, Ohio.
Christian Eby was twenty-two years old when his parents moved to Ohio. He resided with them until his marriage, five years later, and then went to live with his wife's father for a year. He next farmed the homestead on shares for two years, and then bought twenty-five acres on the northwest corner of Section 20, Milton Township, where he lived a year and a half. In the spring of 1858 he bought of his wife's father his present farm, and removed to it the following fall. February 28, 1834, Mr. Eby was married to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Feightner ) Sehrag, of Greene Township, former born in Switzerland, in June, 1792, and died September 8, 1858; latter born in Somerset County, Penn., August 3, 1801, and came with her parents to Ohio when seventeen years old. She lives part of the time with Mr. und Mrs. Eby, and part with her daughter
Christina, wife of Jacob Gochmour, in Wayne Township, this county. Notwith- standing her advanced age, she is in full possession of all her faculties. Jacob Sehrag was an industrious man, of a kind, neighborly disposition, and well thought of. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Eby were the parents of six children: Jacob and John (deceased in infancy), Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Christian S. and Barbara E., living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eby are members of the Medina County ( Ohio) Mennonite Church, and are conscientious and upright people, good neighbors. well spoken of by every one who knows them. During their many years' residence in Greene Township, many friends and no enemies have been made by them, and we are pleased to print this testimony of their worth.
M RS. MARY (WOODS) MAIZE, widow of Jeremiah Maize, a former well-known resident of Wayne County, now lives in the house in which he died, in the city of Wooster. She was born in Allegheny County, Penn., August 19, 1821, adaughter of Alexander and Mary ( Robbins ) Woods, the former a native of Ireland, who was brought to this country by his parents when he was but three years of age, they
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settling in Pennsylvania. The mother was born at Wethersfield, Conn., her an- cestors being Yankees. Brintnall Rob- bins, our subject's grandfather, was a revolutionary soldier, and drew a pension from the Government. When Mary Rob- bins was but five years of age her parents removed to Pennsylvania, and there she grew to womanhood, and met and wedded Alexander Woods. Five children were born to them, but two of whom are now living, our subject, and a brother, Reuben W., now a resident of Illinois. In 1843, Alexander Woods fell a victim to that dread disease, consumption, at the age of fifty-two, his wife surviving him nearly twenty years, dying in 1862, aged nearly seventy-six years. They had made their home in Wayne County in 1833. Mr. Woods was an ardent Abolitionist, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch was ten years old when her parents came to Wayne County, and here she grew to womanhood, and here her home has ever since been. At the age of twenty-one she was united in marriage with Jeremiah Maize, a na- tive of Dauphin County, Penn., his parents also being natives of that State. His father was a contractor, and built many locks, bridges, etc. In 1831, Jeremiah Maize came to Wayne County, which thereafter remained his home until his i
death. His parents both came at the same time, atd both died in Wooster. Jacob Maize kept the stage office in the American Hotel building, where he had the first regular stage line ever run out of Wooster. Some time prior to his mar- riage he had built a house and barn on his farm in Wooster Township, now owned by Gen. Wiley, and to that place he took his young wife, they making their home there, for some four years. Later he moved to a farm he had purchased in Wooster Township, south of Wooster, and remained thereon until 1869, when the family removed to Wooster, which was his home until his death, which oc- curred in October, 1885, at which time he was sixty-five years old. His life had been a busy and a successful one. He had keen, shrewd judgment, and did not follow in any beaten track, but took those paths and followed those plans which prom- ised the greatest success. While living on his farm he dealt largely in stock, and found it profitable.
Jeremiah Maize and our subject were parents of six children, viz: Jacob Alex- ander, Alice L., Harvey W., and Mattie F., all deceased; and Horace A. and Frank. both farmers in Wooster Township. Hor- ace A. resides on the old homestead. Hle was united in marriage with Miss Louise MeChire, daughter of Matthew and Eliza- beth MeClure, and to this union have
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been born three children, viz: Harvey, Percy and Florence. Frank resides on a farm near the old home. He married Miss Kate Hartman, daughter of B. J., and Elizabeth Hartman, and a native of Woos- ter; they have one child, Paul. Jere- miah Maize in his lifetime was highly re- spected, and his personal character was without stain. In all his numerous busi- ness transactions he ever sustained an honest reputation.
ing hands the immigrants persevered, and soon made for themselves a home. At this time they experienced much diffi- culty in their business. The cattle were wild, and had to be often chased for long distances and brought for miles to the town, after being shot. It was from the exhaustion caused by pursuing on foot these wild cattle, that the death of John Nold resulted. Notwithstanding the ex- treme labor required to capture and pre- pare the meat for market, money was so searee that a quarter of beef sold from $1.50 to $2.50, and mutton was corres- pondingly cheap, bringing from two to three shillings a quarter. The father did not, however, live many years to enjoy his new home, dying in 1543, at the age of fifty-two. In 1862 his widow followed him to the grave, at the age of sixty-six years. This worthy couple were parents of seven children, two of whom died in Germany; one died in this country, and our subject and three sisters still reside in Wooster; the latter are Mrs. A. Imgard, Mrs. F. Imgard and Mrs. G. Gasche.
W ILLIAM NOLD. This gentle- man is a respected citizen of Wayne County, and was one of its early settlers. He was born in Wetz- lar, Prussia, November 19, 1819, and in his native land learned the trade of a butcher, which had been the vocation of his father and others of his ancestors. His father, John Nold, immigrated to America in 1837, bringing with him his wife, four daughters and son William. The family lived in New York for a year, The education of William Nold was received in the schools of his native country. He has labored hard in the land of his adoption, aiding his father, and has not only seen, but materially helped to make, the wonderful changes which have converted a wilderness into a prosper- where the father carried on his trade. But he determined to seek a home in the West, and in 1838, reached Wooster, where he concluded to settle. The country was then new, and the settlers had many hardships to endure and difficulties to overcome, but with stont hearts and will- ons county. In June, 1814, when in his
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twenty-fifth year, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Frederika, daughter of William Hoegner, and a native of Penn- sylvania. Of this union five children were born, viz .: Matilda, who died at the age of twenty; William, who died in in- fancy; Jeanette, Mrs. John Hoelzel, of Wooster; Mary, Mrs. W. Groff, of Col- umbus, Ohio, and Ella, wife of Rev. M. Groh, of Silver City, N. M. For more than thirty years Mr. Nold carried on the business of butchering, and in June, 1865, having by constant industry and attention to business, and thrifty habits, accumulated a competence, he retired from active labor, and at once made a visit to the home of his childhood. He also traveled through France and Switzerland. During the Civil War, while the Six- teenth Ohio Infantry was stationed at Wooster, he supplied it with meat, and the manner in which he discharged his duty gave great satisfaction. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and for a number of years was elected township trustee; for eight years he was a trustee of the Wooster Water Works, discharging all duties entrusted to him in a highly creditable manner. For forty- three years he has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and was one of the founders of the order in Wooster. He is also identified with the K. of P. and the Inde- pendent Order of Red Mon. He is an
active member of the German Reformed Church.
Mr. Nold has always occupied a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens, and is one of the most respected men in the county. He has aided materially in the upbuilding of the city of Wooster, and Nold Avenue was named in his honor
D AVID FOGELSON. This well- known old citizen of Wayne County has spent well-nigh sixty years within her borders. He was born in Lan- caster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, February 2.4, 1808. His father, named John, was a na- tive of Washington County, Md., of Ger- man parentage, and was married to Ruth Nagle, who was a native-born American.
Her father and two of his brothers were Revolutionary soldiers, and both of his brothers died while in service. John Fo- gelson and wife had eight children, and David is the only one of the three survi- vors who lives in Wayne County. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and died in 1848, in Fairfield County, Ohio, whither he had migrated. The mother died in 1854, in Allen County, Ind.
Our subject learned the trade of shoe- maker, in Mansfield, Ohio, and in 1529 camo to Wayne County, arriving Novem- ber 7 in Wooster, which has ever since
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been his home. There he followed his trade until 1878, when he retired to the repose of private life, well earned by a long life of industry and frugality, and is now enjoying his rest and the respect of his life-long neighbors. February 17, 1835, he was united in marriage with Ruth, daughter of Christian and Lydia (Eaton) Smith, and a native of Wayne County. Her parents were born at Big Egg Harbor, N. J., and were among the pioneers of Wayne County, where they located in 1809. He was a dresser of deer skins, and soon after their marriage removed to Greenbriar County, Va., where the promise of business seemed good, and from there he went to near Washington City, and thence to Pittsburgh, and from there removed farther down the Ohio and established a ferry, and after some time they came to Wayne County, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Fogelson had eight children: Maria, now a resi- dent of Duluth, Minn. ; Byron, in Woos- ter; Schiller, in Marion County, Ohio; Irving, in Duluth, Min .; Josephine, liv- ing with her parents, and Corydon, Luther and Franklin, deceased.
When Mr. Fogelson came to Wooster
it was but a small place, and he has wit- messed and participated in its growth and development to its present flourishing con- dition. His early life was one of labor and struggle, but a firm will and a deter- mination to succeed has brought success. He has ever been industrious, temperate and upright, and now, in the evening of his days, is reaping his just reward. Thongh advanced in years he and his faithful wife are well preserved and in good health, and are comfortably living in their family home on Henry Street. Both are valued members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, but has never taken an ac- tive part in public affairs. At the time of the Rebellion our subject being too old to go himself remained at home, but was represented by three of his sons-Byron, Corydon and Schiller; Corydon, at the Battle of the Wilderness, received a wound from which he never recovered. He was shot in the mouth, the ball lodging in his neck, from which paralysis resulted.
Mr. Fogelson has a clearness of mind quite exceptional for his time of life, which. with his extensive experience, makes him an entertaining conversationalist.
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M ATTHEW JOHNSON and Sarah, his wife, settled in Wooster in 1817, having come from Beaver County, Penn. They were two of the first members of the old Seceder Church, now called United Presbyterian. He was born March 20, 1785, and died June 17, 1853. Mrs. Jolinson was born May 20, 1787, and died February 5, 1877, a remarkably smart and interesting old lady, loved and respected by all who knew her. They had a family of six sous and one daughter: John, Matthew. James, Elias S., William, Perry and Belinda, the latter of whom married Thomas Power and resided in Wooster until her death, in 1852. The sons were all active business men, none now living, James, the last surviving one, dying in Wooster in 1888.
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brother, George Nieman, a resident of Pittsburgh, Penn. In this place they lived until William H. was sixteen years old, when his uncle decided to go to Cali- fornia, in search of gold, leaving his family behind. He then began learning the trade of carriage-making with C. West, one of the most extensive dealers at that time in Pittsburgh. He also as- sisted his annt in carrying on his uncle's business. He remained in Pittsburgh until 1863, when he came to Ohio, and began work at his trade for a carriage maker there, with whom he remained nu- til 1874. The panic which began in Octo- ber of the previous year causing the failure of his employer, Mr. Banker purchased the shop from the assignees, and this was the beginning of the exten- sive business which he has since built up and is now carrying on, and which his rare good business ability and thoroughly upright dealing have brought to its pres- ent large proportions.
W ILLIAM H. BANKER, of Woos- fer, is proprietor of the largest carriage and wagon manufactory In 1860 Mr. Banker was married to Miss Christiana Heinlein, a native of Pittsburgh. Their wedded life was of but short duration, as the angel of denth claimed her ten years later, and she passed away leaving four children, all of whom are yet living. Her two sons, William D. and Albert C., are in Pitts- burgh, where they are engaged in the in Wayne County, is one of its most on- terprising business men, and an important factor in its prosperity. He was born in Germany. September 13, 1838, and had the misfortune to lose his father (whose name was Heury ) when he was but four years old. Six years later, when oar sub- jeet was ten years of age, his mother do- cided to come to America, and join a manufacture of bicycles; a daughter, 33
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now Mrs. W. L. Firestone, resides in Wooster, and Flora Eliza is still under the paternal roof. In 1871 Mr. Banker was again married, his bride being Miss Alvi- ra Barnes, who has borne him two sons: Arthur L. and George August. Mr. Banker is in the fullest sense of the word a self-made man, and the competence he has acquired and the honorable place he holds in the community are the rewards won by his untiring industry, honesty and upright life. He fills a large place in the public affairs of his adopted city. In politics he acts with the Democratic party, and he is now serving his third term in the city council; for four years he was trustee of the city water works board; was chairman of the building con- . mittee when the new city hall was built, and was the prime mover in establishing a paid fire department. He had always taken a warm interest in fire depart- ment matters, for fifteen years being con- nected with the department in Wooster, and for ten years he had been one of the fire commissioners of the city of Pitts- burgh. In fact in every enterprise tend- ing to the welfare of the community he has borne a prominent and active part. In social life he is also well known, and is a leading member of many organiza- tions. He affiliates with the orders of the K. of H., the K. of P., the Iron Hall, Chosen Friends, and he and his wife are
closely identified with the English Lu- theran Church. Mrs. Banker takes much interest in the Mission Aid Society, and both are liberal contributors to all benev- olent projects. They have a wide circle of friends, and no family stands higher in the esteem of the community.
H ON. WELLINGTON STILWELL, attorney at law, Millersburgh, Ohio, is a native of Holmes County, born in 18-17. He is a descendant of an English family that was prominent in the days of Charles I and Charles IT. The family name was originally Cook, and consisted of three brothers who were leaders of the party opposed to the crowned head of England. One held a prominent position under the British Gov- ernment during the reign of Charles I, and was executed for being conspicuous in securing the death of the King. The two remaining brothers then removed to Holland, whence all letters sent were signed Stil-well, and finally became Stil- well. The family has been a prominent one both in military and civil life, and since its identification with American his- tory has had representatives at the bar, on the bench, in Stato legislature and in Congress. At an early day the name be- came prominent in the State of Ohio.
R. Stilwell
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The representative of the family who is the subject of our notice is no excep- tion to the general rule, and although in youth his circumstances were not at all encouraging to one fired with an ambition to hold a high position among his fellow- men, yet by determination and persever- ance he was finally successful, and today he stands at the head of his profession, and is one of the most honored men in the county. His early life was one of toil on the homestead farm. Paying his way by teaching during the winter, he oh- tained an academic education, and then turned his attention to the study of his chosen profession, and in 1868 was ad- mitted to the bar. He served four years as school examiner, to the general satis- faction of teachers and public. Already his fellow-citizens recognized the ability of the young attorney, and the following year he was called upon to represent them in the State legislature. Here, although one of the youngest members of that body, he was conspienous in the argument and as the first to open the discussion upon the famous Fifteenth Amendment debate. In 1872 he was again returned to the legislature, thus serving a period of four years. For several years he gave his at- tention to the practice of his profession, and his work was usnally attended with success, both at the bar and as a count- sellor. In 1882 he was the choice of the
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