USA > Ohio > Williams County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Henry County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Defiance County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 26
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J. F. Raker, the subject proper of this review, received a liberal educa- tion, in part at the public schools of Fulton county, and in part at Oberlin College, after which he taught in the schools of Fulton county some seventeen terms.
In 1862 Mr. Raker enlisted for three years in Company H, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which in 1864 was attached to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and during its term of service participated in the battles of Lime- stone Station, Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Etowah Creek, Atlanta, Columbus, Franklin, Nashville, Town Creek and Wilmington. Upon arriving at Knoxville, East Tennessee, a portion of the regiment was sent up to the Virginia State line to guard the railroad. This detachment, two hundred and forty strong, our subject being one of the number, was cap- tured by the enemy, and was sent to Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Raker was incarcerated in various prisons, including Pemberton, Belle Isle, Libby and Scott. After about eight months he was exchanged, and then returned to the
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army, and participated in the remaining engagements in which his regiment took part. In June, 1865, he received an honorable discharge, returned north, and it was then that he pursued a course of study at Oberlin College, after- ward taking up teaching, as already related. In 1887 he bought his present farm in Swan Creek township, the old family homestead, whereon his father had settled in 1846, at which time Fulton county was all wild woodland, and our subject did his full share in clearing it up.
Politically, Mr. Raker is a lifelong Democrat, having cast his first Presi- dential vote for G. B. McClellan, and in casting his ballot, as in all other respects, he has been loyal to his party and to his country.
JOHN REYNOLDS.
Mr. Reynolds, the subject of this memoir, is descended from a family of English origin that was founded in America in early Colonial days, and furnished its representatives to the Patriot army in the war of the Revolu- tion. His grandfather, David Reynolds, was a native of Connecticut, and throughout his life followed farming in that State. He had seven child- ren: Josiah, who died in New York City; Albert, who died in Connecti- cut; Erastus, father of our subject ; Mrs. Sophia Pool; Mrs. Clarinda Whea- ton; Mrs. Sylvia Beardsley ; and Mrs. Chloe Brown.
Erastus Reynolds was born in Connecticut, was there reared to man- hood, and after attaining his majority engaged in quarrying marble. In his younger years he was also a music teacher, giving instruction in both vocal and instrumental music. His death occurred when he had attained the age of forty-five. He was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church, was one of the leading Freemasons of the community in which he lived, and was widely and favorably known in the county. He married Elizabeth Coggshall, also a native of Connecticut, and at his death, which occurred in 1834, left three children to the care of his widow. Mrs. Reynolds was a daughter of John Coggshall, a native of Connecticut, and a blacksmith by trade, which pursuit he followed throughout his entire life. His father, David Coggshall, served in the Revolutionary army, and was a member of the Episcopal Church.
In 1838 Mrs. Erastus Reynolds removed with her three children to Huron county, Ohio, and purchased twenty-five acres of land, on which some improvements had been made. Her children then operated the farm while she worked as a tailoress, and in this way, practicing close economy, she was enabled to keep her family together. In 1844 she married a Mr. Foote, and in her latter days was better provided for. After fifteen years Mr. Foote
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died leaving her a fair property. In 1861 she came to the home of her son John, remaining with him some fourteen years, when she returned to Huron county, living there with her daughter until her death in 1882. She was long a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. Her children were Will- iam, of Polk county, Iowa; Josephine, who died at the age of six years ; John ; and Mrs. Josephine Hopkins, of Huron county.
In Litchfield county, Connecticut, John Reynolds was born November, 28, 1830. He acquired his education in the common schools, accompanied his widowed mother to Ohio, and at the age of thirteen years began work as a farm hand by the month. During the winter seasons he attended school, and was thus employed until twenty years of age. He saved from his earn- ings all that was not needed in support of his mother's family, and in 1851 came to Bridgewater township, Williams county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he still resides. He has added to this another eighty-acre tract, and has a valuable farm of a quarter section. He returned to Huron county for a short residence, but in 1853 again took up his abode on his present homestead. His land was covered with forest trees, in the midst of which he erected a log cabin, his widowed sister coming to act as housekeeper for him. In 1858 he was married, and from that time he has largely given his attention to the cultivation of his land. His work was prose- cuted under great difficulties, for he suffered much from the ague. He now has one hundred and thirty acres cleared and transformed into cultivable fields, while the place is improved with a commodious residence, a large barn, other substantial outbuildings, and a windpump. The St. Jo river runs through his property, and furnishes an ample supply of good water for his stock. In addition to general farming he raises a good many horses and cattle, and altogether he is a progressive agriculturist.
In 1858 Mr. Reynolds married Miss Lydia Barnes, who was born in Huron county, in 1838, a daughter of Henry and Almira (Green) Barnes. The Barnes family came from Vermont, and were of Quaker faith, while the Greens were from New York. Her parents removed to Ohio, and after living for a time in Huron county and Richland county, came to Williams county in 1852. Here the father purchased a tract of land, built a house and improved a farm, which he continued to cultivate until his death in 1876. His wife died in 1871. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as jus- tice of the peace. In their family were four children: Mrs. Laura Huston; Louisa, wife of S. Davis; Daniel, a farmer of Bridgewater township; and Mrs. Reynolds.
Our subject and his wife have five children: Flora, who has taught
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school since the age of fourteen years ; Walter, who died at the age of three months ; Laura, wife of S. Drake; Hattie, wife of G. Wiseman; and Her- bert, who is married, and aids in the operation of the home farm. The children are all members of a Church. In politics Mr. Reynolds is a Demo- crat, takes a deep interest in public affairs, and has filled a number of local offices, including that of township trustee. His lot in early life was one of many hardships and difficulties, but his persevering, energetic nature enabled him to overcome these, and he now occupies a position of affluence. His success has resulted entirely from his own efforts, and for that same he de- serves great credit.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ENOS.
One of the brainiest lawyers in this section is the gentleman whose name here appears, and when one considers the unusual high standard of ability which is shown by the members of the legal fraternity in northwest- ern Ohio, it is seen that a man who has worked his way in competition with older practitioners of such notable attainments, and reached a front rank in this most exacting profession must, indeed, have rare gifts of mind. These Mr. Enos unquestionably has, and sustained by the potent aid of a strong and commanding personality he has proved himself an exception to the rule that a prophet fares illy in his own country and among his own kin.
Born at Defiance, October 1, 1851, Mr. Enos comes of a family which has been distinguished in previous generations for ability, courage and pub- lic spirit. His grandfather, Orange Enos, a native of Scotland, was a soldier in the United States army in the war of 1812, and his father, the late Captain William E. Enos, practically shortened his life as a result of his gallant service in the Union cause during the Civil war. An account of the life of this honored citizen will be of interest, and is most appro- priate here. Captain Enos was born in Rutland, New York, and as a young man came to Ohio, locating first at La Grange, where he married his first wife, Hannah Helm. In 1844 they moved to Defiance, where Cap- tain Enos engaged in business as a carpenter. He was postmaster of that city under Buchanan's administration. When the war broke out he raised a company of soldiers for the ninety-days service-Company -, Eighty- eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-and although more than fifty years old went to the front with them, serving as second lieutenant. At the end of their term the entire company re-enlisted, and he was made captain, in
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which capacity he served until the exposure and privations of a soldier's life brought on a serious illness from which he never recovered, and which caused his honorable retirement upon a certificate of disability. His death in De- cember, 1879, ended a long period of invalidism borne with heroic self-re- straint. By his first wife he had three children, of whom the youngest, Emma, died in childhood. The eldest, Louis, served four years in the Union army, in Company I, Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of sergeant. He was disabled by a gunshot wound, in one of the last bat- tles of the war, and died April 22, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Sarah, the second of the trio, married Charles P. Tittle, and now resides at Rapid City, South Dakota. The mother of this family died in 1847, and on Septem- ber 2, 1849, the father married Mrs. Esther M. Wasson, nee Southworth, a widow with one daughter, Mildred E. Wasson, who died at the age of seventeen. The Southworth family was of English origin. Mrs. Enos was born in Addison county, Virginia, and her father, Epaphras South- worth, who was by occupation a farmer and carpenter, removed in 1836 to Defiance. where he made his permanent home. Captain Enos would never apply for a pension, although clearly entitled to do so, but his widow has been awarded one. She is still residing at Defiance at the age of seventy-seven, and is a devout and consistent member of the M. E. Church, to which her husband also belonged.
B. F. Enos was the only child of the second marriage. His education was begun in the schools of his native city, and on completing his course there he entered the Jordan & Lypre Commercial College at Toledo, to prepare for a business career. As is often the case his vocation was not at first apparent, and after graduating from the college at Toledo he learned the machinist's trade. At eighteen he became an engineer on a tug en- gaged in lake traffic, and after two seasons in this position he entered the drug store of J. P. Buffington, as clerk. Two years were thus spent, and in the meantime, having come to a clear perception of his proper calling, he began the study of law under the direction of Hon. W. D. Hill and Gil- bert L. Myers, of Defiance. After two years of preparation he was ad- mitted, in 1873, at the Bar of the Circuit Court, and began practice at De- fiance. He formed a partnership with S. W. Rohn, which was interrupted in 1874 when Mr. Enos was appointed by Hon. W. D. Hill to the post of chief clerk of the Ohio State Insurance Department at Columbus. He held this position three years under Mr. Hill, and one year under his suc- cessor, but in 1878 he returned to Defiance and again engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. A partnership was formed with J. P. Cameron,
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which continued one year, Mr. Enos being then elected prosecuting attor- ney. This office he held two terms, and he also served several terms as city solicitor. He has been admitted to practice before the Federal courts, and has a large and lucrative business in general lines, although he is spe- cially noted for his skill in criminal cases. In the handling of witnesses and in addressing a jury he has few equals in this section, and his accept- ance of a retainer in a case is considered almost equivalent to a verdict for his client.
Mr. Enos resides in Defiance at the corner of First and Jackson streets in a commodious house erected by himself, the lot being the one upon which the family residence stood at the time of his birth. He was married, in 1874, to Miss Ollie S. Noll, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, by whom he had three children: Earl E., now twenty-one years old, is a student at the Ohio University at Columbus, Ohio; Helen, thirteen years old, is at home; and William died in 1886 at the age of three years. Their mother passed to the unseen life in 1884, and in 1887 Mr. Enos formed a second matri- monial union, this time with Miss Laura C. Wonderly. They have one daughter, Vanda M., now eight years old.
Fraternally, Mr. Enos is connected with numerous orders, the Masons, the Elks, the National Union, the Red Cross, the Improved Order of Red Men and others, and he is a hearty supporter of various progressive move- ments in his locality. Frank and outspoken, he is yet genial and courteous in manner, and makes and retains friends among all classes. The contour of his face closely resembles that of Robert Ingersoll. As a speaker, either on the stump or in the court room, he has won a high reputation, his sound and logical arguments being presented in a most eloquent and pleasing style.
A comparison of the sketch herein given of Mr. Enos with the one published in "The Bench and Bar of Ohio" reveals a striking contrast. Mr. Enos authorizes the publishers of this volume to state that this biogra- phy is correct, while that in "The Bench and Bar of Ohio" is not.
ANSON B. SMITH.
The editor and proprietor of the "Deshler Flag," of Deshler, Henry county, Anson B. Smith, was born December 6, 1853, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he was reared and educated, and afterward learned the printer's trade, serving a three-years' apprenticeship.
Mr. Smith then went to South Bend, Indiana, where for three years he was employed on the "South Bend Register," at the time Schuyler Colfax (the
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owner of the paper) was vice-president. Subsequently going to Nappanee, Indiana, he there established the "Nappanee News," which he conducted for a year, and on selling out that journal he worked at different places until the fall of 1882, when he purchased the North Baltimore (Ohio) "Gazette." After publishing the paper at that place for two years, he removed the plant to Bowling Green, Ohio, where he printed the first daily paper ever published in the town. Two years later he disposed of the plant, and went to Knights- town, Indiana, to take charge of the printing department of the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans' Home, with which he was connected for two years. In January, 1894, he came to Deshler, and has since been editor and proprietor of the "Deshler Flag," which now has a circulation of some nine hundred copies. It is one of the most popular journals of the county, and as it is ably edited it well deserves its popularity and success.
In Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Smith was married in April, 1882, to Miss Anna C. Thomas, a native of Columbus, this State.
FRANK G. BLUE.
The present efficient clerk of Highland township, Defiance county, F. G. Blue, is a representative of two of the oldest and most highly respected families of Ohio. His parents, Joseph B. and Rachel (Ashton) Blue, were both natives of this State, the former born in Miami county, December 27, 1810, the latter in Brown county, September 18, 1825. At an early day they became residents of Highland township, Defiance county, where the father died in 1883. In their family were three children, namely: Uriah S., Mary E. and Frank G.
A native of Defiance county, Frank G. Blue was born June 1, 1866, in Highland township, where the greater part of his boyhood and youth was passed, and where he has always made his home with the exception of about a year spent in Syracuse, Nebraska. In the common schools he began his education, subsequently attending Defiance College, and also tak- ing a special course in civil engineering at the State Normal School, Ada, Ohio. Being well qualified to teach, he has successfully followed that pro- fession in Highland township for sixteen terms, and was also principal of the Ayresville high school for four terms, and is engaged for the coming winter at the same place.
On April 10, 1895, in Highland township, Mr. Blue was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella Stone, a native of that township, and to them have been born two sons, Rodger H. and Teddy G. As an ardent Republican Mr.
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Blue has always taken an active part in local political affairs, and in the fall of 1893 he was the candidate of his party for county surveyor of De- fiance county. And is now a candidate for the same office this fall. For one term he acceptably filled the office of constable ; in the spring of 1894 was elected clerk of Highland township, two years later was re-elected to that office, and in 1898 was re-elected for a third term.
JOHN GEORGE NEFF.
This well-known business man and agriculturist, residing near Bryan, Williams county, is deserving of special mention in this volume because of his prominence in the various lines of effort which have brought about the de- velopment of that locality.
Mr. Neff is descended from good old Pennsylvania stock, dating back to the Colonial period, and his family originated in Germany. His ancestors had their home in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, for many years, but his father, Christopher Neff, resided in the central part of Westmoreland county, on Little Sewickly creek, where he followed farming and carried on his trade of shoe making. He was a religious man, noted for his strict integrity, and was honest because he wished to be honest, and not from fear or policy. In early life he was a Methodist, but later he joined the Church of Christ, with which he remained in full communion until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Struble, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, about 1804, and came to America about 1818 with her parents, who located in Pennsylvania. Our subject was the eighth in a family of ten children, as follows: William (deceased), Emanuel (in Pennsylvania), Israel (de- ceased), Salathiel (deceased), John George (our subject), Christopher (de- ceased), Michael (deceased), Matilda, Mary Ann (deceased), and Amanda (deceased).
Mr. Neff was born March 15, 1834, at the old homestead in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, and his education was begun in the common schools of that section. He also attended an academy at Irwin Station, Penn- sylvania, and after teaching school for a time he pursued his studies at Oberlin, Ohio, in the preparatory department. On leaving that institution he taught school in Montgomery and Darke counties, this State, and in 1856 he re- turned to Pennsylvania, where he was married in the same year to Miss Mary Garver, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Garver, of Fayette county, Penn- sylvania. Soon after his marriage he engaged in farming, and for four win- ters he was also employed in teaching, but he then removed to West New-
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ton, Pennsylvania, and worked for a short time in a brick yard. Finding a promising opening in the business, he purchased the plant and conducted it for three years, and then removed to Irwin Station, where he continued the same line of business some five years. In March, 1868, he located in Bryan, and about a month afterward he took possession of his present homestead in the outskirts of the town, the family occupying a little frame dwelling house on the place. He at once established a brick yard on the estate, and in 1879 he constructed a plant for the manufacture of tile, both ventures proving successful from the start. The output of brick has ranged from five hundred thousand to one million annually, while he has averaged forty kilns of tile yearly, valued at six or seven thousand dollars. The work has given employment to twelve or fifteen people, and after making brick for some time by hand in the old-fashioned way, Mr. Neff introduced steam power and other modern improvements. In 1888 he sold a one-half interest to his oldest son, and in February, 1897, he disposed of his remaining half to other sons, the firm being now known as Neff Brothers. His farm has increased in extent from sixty to one hundred and twenty acres through purchases made from time to time, and agricultural work has taken much of his at- tention. In 1873 he replaced the old frame residence with a handsome brick structure, and the homestead is now one of the most attractive in the vici- nity. For a time he was interested in breeding trotting horses, two of his colts, sired by "German Boy," and other noted horses, one, "Membrino Patch- en" and "Turk" and "Wilkes," sold at prices ranging from one hundred and fifty dollars to three hundred dollars. One, sired by "Vernwood," sold at the latter figure, made a record of 2:30 as a three-year-old. Mr. Neff's sons are also interested in this business, and they own several Kentucky-bred colts of trotting lineage.
Since locating at Bryan, Mr. Neff has become identified with various enterprises, and at times he has dealt extensively in real estate, several houses in the town having been built by him. He was one of the promo- ters of the oil industry during its palmy days, but was shrewd enough to dispose of his interests without loss. As he started in business life with a capital of two hundred dollars only, he is practically a self-made man, and his present high standing in the business world is due to his own industry and good judgment. While he has accumulated a comfortable fortune he has lived well, educating his children and giving them a good start in life, and a three-thousand-dollar life insurance policy is an evidence of his fore-thought. He is a temperance man in principle and practice, and in politics he is a stanch Democrat, although he has never sought or held office. During the cam- paign of 1896 he supported the doctrine of free coinage of silver at 16 to I.
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Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had ten children, of whom the following are living : Benjamin F., a member of the firm of Neff Brothers ; James L., who is engaged in the brick making business at Waterloo, Indiana; Jane, now the wife of J. A. Fox, of Bryan; Joseph W., of the firm of Neff Brothers; Chris- topher C., who is engaged in business at Elyria and Cleveland, Ohio; Anna, who married W. O. Weaver, and resides in Montpelier, Williams county ; Belle, the wife of George B. Hoag, of Cleveland; George, who resides on a farm east of Bryan; and Charles, who is still at home. The family is iden- tified with the Methodist Church at Bryan, of which Mr. Neff became a mem- ber in 1870, having previously been connected with the Church of God. He is active in religious work, has served as trustee, and at the time of the erec- tion of the new church edifice he was a member of the building committee. His personal contribution to this work was six hundred dollars, and his family gave altogether about one thousand dollars, their sympathy with any cause in which they are interested being always demonstrated by a generous help- fulness.
Mrs. Neff is a daughter of Joseph and Jane Garver, and was born April 2, 1836, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. She received her education at the schools of the neighborhood, and remained at home until her marriage. Her father by occupation was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and was an exhorter in the Dunkard Church. Moving to Wayne county, Ohio, he and his wife both died there, the parents of ten children-four sons and six daughters, viz .: John, David, Joseph, James, Nancy, Catherine, Belle, Mary (Mrs. Neff), Jane and Sarah. Of these-James, who served throughout the Civil war, is now deceased, and the rest are all living in Ohio except Joseph, who makes his home in Pennsylvania.
To the above Mr. Neff adds the following: "Being raised on a creek I was quite a fisherman and hunter when a young lad. I was soon able to handle a hoe, and I hoed corn, fed pigs, etc., on the farm. I also worked in a brick yard two summers, when quite young, in reality learning the trade. I also had a good knowledge of shoemaking, by watching my father when he was employed at it, and I worked to some extent at that trade. For sev- eral summers I farmed, and I worked at the tanner's trade about eighteen months; had a good knowledge of same, but did not like it. Accordingly I made up my mind that I would go to school, in order to prepare myself for the profession of teaching. My father gave me my wages, the same as the other boys, so we kept ourselves in clothes, and what was left over we gave to him to use till we were of age. On October 21, 1855, I had one hundred and sixty-five dollars in gold saved up, after paying my own way at school
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