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 29
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 29
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 29
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 29
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died in Van Buren, Ohio, at the age of seventy-seven years, but the mother is still living at an advanced age. When three years old our subject was taken by his parents to Van Buren, Hancock county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and obtained his education. In October, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and although only sev- enteen years of age he became a brave and fearless soldier, always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it repre- sented. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and participated in six important engagements besides many skirmishes.
On receiving his discharge at the close of the war Mr. Zarbaugh re- turned to Hancock county, Ohio, and for about four years was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store in Van Buren, after which he engaged in the grocery business on his own account for two years. Under President Grant's administration he was appointed postmaster of Van Buren, but before his term expired, he resigned, sold out his business and removed to North Bal- timore, Wood county, Ohio, where for three years he was employed in a sash, door and blind factory. He subsequently clerked for a few years in the same place and in March, 1881, came to Holgate, where he has since made his home. Here he engaged in merchandising until 1889, when he disposed of his store, and under President Harrison's administration served as postmaster for four and one-half years. He also filled the office of justice of the peace six years, and in 1897 was appointed notary public, a position he is now filling. As a business, he is now interested in real estate and col- lecting.
While living in Van Buren, Mr. Zarbaugh was married in Findlay, Ohio, September 29, 1870, to Miss Rachel Poe, a native of Hancock county, and a daughter of George L. and Jane (Wilson) Poe, who both died in Findlay. Mr. and Mrs. Zarbaugh have one child, Lyman L., now a dentist of To- ledo, Ohio. The parents are both active and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, while socially Mr. Zarbaugh belongs to E. Gleason Post, No. 644. G. A. R., and was formerly an active member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. At ten different times he has been a dele- gate to the State Encampment of the Grand Army, was twice alternate dele- gate to the National Encampment, once acting as delegate, and in 1892 was elected delegate to the silver anniversary of the National Encampment held at Detroit, Michigan. Since 1888 he has been chairman of the Indigent Soldiers' Board, and has always taken an active and prominent part in everything tending to advance the interests of his old army comrades.
Mr. Zarbaugh is one of the leading representatives of the Republican
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party in Henry county, is a member of the County Executive Committee and the County Central Committee, and is also a member of the State Republican League. In 1894 he refused the nomination for Congress from the Fifth Con- gressional District, but has twice been the candidate of his party for the State Legislature and once for county treasurer. In 1895 he came within three hun- dred votes of being elected to the office of representative. The cause of educa- tion has always found in him an earnest advocate, and as a member of the school board he has done much to advance its interests. He has also served as an efficient member of the village council, and is numbered among the valued citizens of Holgate who have been devoted to the public welfare. On April I, 1898, he was appointed by President Mckinley postmaster at Holgate, the duties of which office he commenced May 1, 1898. He has manifested the same loyalty in days of peace as in days of war, and all who know him have for him the highest regard. At the declaration of war with Spain Mr. Zarbaugh at once made application to Governor Bushnell for permission to recruit a company of men, and had the war lasted any length of time or more men been needed, he would again have been at the front defending "old glory."
THEODORE W. KNIGHT.
One of the leading citizens of Swanton, Fulton county, is the gentle- man whose name here appears. He is a descendant of an honored pioneer family and was born in Huron county, Ohio, July 4, 1846.
Wesley Knight, father of our subject, was born in Burlington, Ver- mont, June 10, 1808, and followed farming during the earlier part of his life. He came west with relatives, his father having died some years be- fore, and settled at Bellevue, Ohio, when that now beautiful town consisted of but four log houses. This was his home until 1853, when he came to Fulton county and located about a half mile south of Swanton, at a place known as Centerville. This was on the old plank road, and for twenty- five years he kept a tavern here. The advent of the railroad spoiled the old plank road for business, and while he closed his tavern he continued to live there until the death of his wife, when he removed to Swanton and made his home with our subject until his death in 1894. Politically he was a Republican until about ten years before he died, when he became a Prohi- bitionist. He was always very temperate in his habits, never having drank or used tobacco in his life. For over sixty years he was a faithful and con- sistent member of the Methodist Church. His wife was Miss Louisa Bas., sett, who was born in Cortland county, New York, January 5, 1809, and
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died March 25, 1890. Their children were: Wilhelmina, widow of Charles Hilton; Julia, who died when nineteen years of age; and Theodore W. The father had three brothers-Ira and Rufus (now deceased), who lived near Battle Creek, Michigan, and Lyman, who went west and was never heard from afterward.
Theodore W. Knight was educated in the common schools and the semi- nary at Maumee. After leaving school he taught for sixteen or seventeen years, and under the administration of President Hayes was appointed post- master at Swanton, fulfilling his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. He then engaged in. the grocery business, which he still continues with great success. As may be inferred from the above, he is a stanch Republican ; he has served as treasurer of Swan Creek township for six years, and as a member of the village council for several terms.
On September 1I, 1873 Mr. Knight was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Sikes, who was born in Dorset, Vermont, July 29, 1847. Two children have gladdened their home: Earl Roscoe, born October 2, 1879, and Norman W., born March 11, 1883, died February 8, 1897. Mr. Knight is a member of the Methodist Church, and is perfectly temperate in his habits. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Swanton, and of the Encampment at Delta. Quiet and unassuming in manner, his genial courtesy has won him many friends, whose respect is retained by his hon- orable, upright life.
EDWARD H. OTIS.
Mr. Otis, who is a representative farmer and influential citizen of Milford township, Defiance county, residing in Section 26, is a native of Ohio, born December 28, 1827, in Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, and is a son of Jesse and Charlotte (Davy) Otis, who died in Wayne county. In their family were nine children-seven sons and two daughters- our subject being fifth in the order of birth. In the county of his nativity he was reared and educated, and there continued to live until 1861.
In Wayne county, Mr. Otis was married October 14, 1858, to Miss Isabella J. McElhinney, who was born in that county, September 16, 1836, second in the family of twelve children-five sons and seven daughters- of Robert G. and Eliza (Bell) McElhinney, who also died in Wayne county. Two children have been born to this union: (I) Eliza, now the wife of Madison Sinn, by whom she has three sons-Otis, Glenn, and Jacob Lee-the last named being now deceased; they reside in Hicksville town-
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ship, Defiance county. (2) Hampton J., who married Miss Geraldine Rudolph, of Colorado, and they have one child. Hampton Otis is a gardener in Colorado.
In the spring of 1861 Mr. Otis came to Defiance county, and located on the farm where he still lives, it being pleasantly situated in Section 26, Milford township, and comprising three hundred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land under excellent cultivation, and improved with good build- ings; in fact, it is one of the most desirable farms of the locality.
Mr. Otis has always taken an active and prominent part in local affairs, and has given his influence to all enterprises for the public good. For two terms he efficiently served as land appraiser, and was township trustee for seven years. His industry in the pursuit of his own business, his spotless private life, and the character of the services he has rendered in official capacities have elevated him to the highest esteem in the community in which he lives. His wife is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a most estimable lady. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN M. BRAYER.
The financial and commercial history of Henry county would be very incomplete and unsatisfactory without a personal mention of those whose lives are interwoven so closely with the industrial and financial development of this section of the State. Prominent among this class of citizens is Mr. Brayer, who was for several years engaged in the manufacture of staves in Holgate, and is now officially connected with the Holgate Commercial Bank.
Mr. Brayer was born in Rochester, New York, March 21, 1855, and in that city was reared and educated. His father, Michael Brayer, was a native of Alsace, Germany, crossed the Atlantic when a young man, and in Roches- ter, New York, married Miss Elizabeth Wackerman, also a native of the Fatherland. They became the parents of ten children-six sons and four daughters-of whom John M. is fifth in the order of birth. Both parents died in Rochester.
In his native city John M. Brayer remained until 1874, which year wit- nessed his arrival in Henry county, Ohio. Some time previous, his father. in company with two other gentlemen, had come to the county and erected a stavemill in Holgate, where our subject was employed until 1882, when he and his two brothers, Jacob W. and Nicholas W. Brayer, purchased the mill, which they successfully operated until 1891, selling out at that time to G. W. Walker, the present owner. Mr. Brayer has since been connected
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with the bank, now known as the Holgate Commercial Bank, which was organized by our subject, his brother, Nicholas W., and F. H. Voigt, the firm name at that time being Brayer Brothers & Voigt. As the founder of what has become one of the most reliable financial institutions of the county he deserves special credit. His success has been the result of honest, per- sistent effort in the line of honorable and manly dealing, and he is justly numbered among the leading and influential business men of his adopted county. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity.
In Flat Rock township, Henry county, March 21, 1886, Mr. Brayer mar- ried Miss Caroline Eberly, daughter of Henry and Eve Eberly, who were among the early settlers of Henry county. Her father is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Brayer have four children, namely: Carrie E., Thomas H., Nellie E. and Jean A.
GEORGE W. WALKER.
It is not difficult to conjecture what manner of man Mr. Walker is. In a Republican country where merit must win, we can tell much of his life. Wealth may secure a start, but it cannot maintain one in a posi- tion where brains and executive ability are required. Mr. Walker did not have wealth to aid him in beginning his business career. His reliance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute purpose and commendable zeal, and withal his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned. He is a true type of American progress and enterprise. His intellectual en- ergy, prudent business methods and reliable sagacity have all combined to make him one of the ablest business men of Henry county.
Mr. Walker was born in Hamburg, Lancaster county, Ohio, Decem- ber 8, 1847, a son of John Peter and Sarah J. Walker, the former a native of Hanover, Germany, the latter of England. They were married in Chilli- cothe, Ross county, Ohio, and became the parents of thirteen children- eight sons and five daughters-George W. being second in the order of birth. The father has always followed the occupation of farming, and is now a resident of Henry county, but the mother died near Deshler, Ohio, June 29, 1895.
When five years old George W. Walker was taken by his parents to Putnam county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and acquired a good com- mon-school education, which has well-fitted him for the responsible duties of business life. In 1872 he went to Belmore, Ohio, where he was engaged
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in the dry-goods business two years. In 1874 he removed his business to Holgate, Ohio, and continued to engage in that line of business in con- nection with milling, at one time operating four different sawmills, two planing mills and one grist mill. He became known as "the hustler," of Henry county, and for twenty years worked eighteen hours a day, keeping his own books in connection with his other work. At the present time he owns two stavemills and two sawmills in Holgate, also a saw and shingle mill in Vandalia, Illinois, employment being furnished to one hundred and ten men. In addition to his management of this business, Mr. Walker ope- rates over three hundred acres of land, most of which lies near Holgate, and he formerly owned and carried on large mercantile establishments in Holgate and Malinta. Probably no man in the county has done more to advance its interests by building up several villages, including Belmore, Con- tinental and Holgate, having erected twenty houses and two good business blocks in the last named. He has recently purchased a thirty-two thousand five hundred dollar residence in Vandalia, Illinois, whither it is his intention to shortly remove.
On June 5, 1869, in Sidney, Ohio, Mr. Walker wedded Miss Mary J. Wagner, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and to them have been born four sons, namely : David W., Charles A., George A., and Angus A. Socially Mr. Walker is a member of Holgate Lodge, No. 271, K. P., while politically he is identified with the Democratic party, taking an active interest in the affairs of the party, and doing all in his power to insure its success. He is a leading spirit in all matters of public interest, cheerfully gives his support to those enterprises that tend to public development, and with hardly an exception he has been connected with every interest that has promoted gen- eral welfare. He has been a prominent member of the village council and school board, and in religious faith has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. His name is a synonym for honorable business dealing, and he is always mentioned as one of the valued citizens of Henry county.
WILLIAM S. BARHITE.
This prominent merchant of Hamler, and one of the leading business men of Henry county, has shown in his successful career that he has the ability to plan wisely and execute with energy, a combination which, when possessed by men in any walk of life, never fails to effect notable results.
Mr. Barhite was born November 11, 1866, in Norwalk, Ohio, and there
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made his home until seven years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Wood county, this State. A year later, however, he returned to Huron county, and until twenty years of age lived with his uncle on a farm, acquiring his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He then came to Hamler, Henry county, where he was employed for three years in an implement house, and at the end of that time embarked in busi- ness on his own account as a merchant. He is an enterprising, wide-awake business man of known reliability, and from the public receives a liberal pat- ronage.
On April 5, 1887, Mr. Barhite was married in Hamler to Miss Ella Mc- Granahan, a native of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born two children : Lulu and Marjorie.
Mr. Barhite is one of the leading Republicans of Henry county, and as one of its influential citizens has become quite prominently identified with the political affairs of the community. During the fore part of President Har- rison's administration he was appointed postmaster of Hamler, a position he creditably filled for four years, and in 1893 was the candidate of his party for clerk of the courts of Henry county. He is an earnest Christian gentle- man, and an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he belongs. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Tekopa Lodge, No. 715, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
RALPH D. WEBSTER.
Mr. Webster, who is one of the publishers of "The Democrat" and "The Evening News," of Defiance, is a worthy representative of a family which has long been noted for mental ability, its members having won distinction for the name in political, literary, and professional fields.
The first ancestor of whom we have record was John Webster, a na- tive of England, who came to America between 1630 and 1633 with his wife and son Robert. In 1634 he was made a voter in the Massachusetts Bay colony, and in 1636 he removed to Hartford, Connecticut, with Rev. Mr. Hooker's colony, becoming one of the earliest settlers of Connecticut. From 1639 to 1655 he held the office of magistrate, and in the latter year he was elected lieutenant governor of Connecticut. In 1656 he became gov- ernor of the colony, and after retiring from this office he removed, in 1659, to Hadley, Massachusetts, where his death occurred in 1661. He had sev- eral children, and Noah Webster, the distinguished lexicographer, was a grandson.
A. R. Webster
Rowerlater
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II. Robert Webster, the eldest son of John, was in military service with the rank of lieutenant. He was married in 1652 to Susanna Treat, and settled in Middletown, Connecticut, but in 1659 returned to Hartford. He had a family of children, of whom the eldest was a son, Jonathan.
III. Jonathan Webster was born in Middletown, Connecticut, Jan- uary 9, 1657. By his second wife, Mary Judd, he had a son, also named Jonathan.
IV. Jonathan Webster, son of Jonathan III., was born at Hartford, March 18, 1682, and was married December 14, 1704, to Esther Judd, by whom he had several children, his eldest son being named Jonathan.
V. Jonathan Webster, son of Jonathan IV., was born at East Hart- ford, Connecticut, December 25, 1709, and was married in February, 1730. to Mabel Risley.
VI. Ashbel Webster, eldest son of Jonathan V., was born March 12, 1733, at Glastonbury, Connecticut, and served as a soldier in the French and Indian war from April 15 to September 12, 1755. He held the rank of corporal in the Second Regiment of Connecticut troops, commanded by Captain Elizur Goodrich, of His Majesty's service, and was credited with twenty-one weeks and three days, his pay being at the rate of one pound, eight shillings per month. He was doubtless with the troops at Lake George, New York, and probably took part in the principal battle of that campaign on September 5, 1755, at Fort Edward, afterward known as Fort William Henry, as he received his discharge seven days after that engage- ment. He died August 1, 1801, leaving several children, and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Price, died May 8, 1813.
VII. Ashbel Webster, the second son of Ashbel VI., was born at Glas- tonbury, Connecticut, August 3, 1756, and did notable service as a soldier in the Revolutionary army. In 1775 he took part in the siege of Boston under Captain Hanchett and Colonel Spencer, and later was at Boston Neck and "Bunker Hill." On August 27, 1776, he was in the battle on Long Island, near New York, under Captain Samuel Wells, and during the re- treat of the patriot forces he participated in the fighting and skirmishing. During 1779 and 1780 he was on duty at the military posts along the Hud- son. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Connecticut, and in 1793 he removed to Poultney, Vermont, where he remained about four years. In 1797 he settled near Cuyler, New York, and in 1831 he removed to Cuba, New York, where he died November 13, 1838. On September 7, 1777, he was married at Bolton, Connecticut, to Mercy Swetland, who sur- vived him, her death occurring September 16, 1843. They had eleven
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children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Plumly, Jan- uary 8, 1779 ; Jesse, September 19, 1780; Ashbel, February 15, 1783 ; George, April 12, 1786; Jason, January 12, 1789; Hannah, February 4, 1791 ; Dan- iel, December 2, 1793 ; Jared, February 17, 1795; Mercy, March 16, 1798; Israel Swetland, August 29, 1801, and Eliza, April 10, 1804.
VIII. Jason Webster, the grandfather of our subject, married Ann Woolley, and spent the greater portion of his married life at Portland, Chau- tauqua county, New York, where he died very suddenly, about 1857. They had several children, of whom the second was a son, James Hervey, our subject's father.
IX. James Hervey Webster was born October 14, 1820, in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of fifty, in Portland town- ship, Chautauqua county, New York. For many years he was engaged in farming in Portland township, Chautauqua county, New York. He mar- ried Mary Tucker, and had the following children: Jason, Herbert T., Henry H., Ella Ann, Ralph D., Israel J., Nelson R., all of whom are now living, and one son ( Monroe) and one daughter (Sarah) who both died in infancy.
X. Ralph D. Webster, the subject proper of this sketch, was born March 9, 1855, at Portland, New York, and his boyhood was spent mainly upon his father's farm. He attended the local schools until he reached the age of fifteen, and then, after one year in the Westfield Union Schools, he entered Jamestown Collegiate Institute, where he completed the English course, passing the State Regents examination. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the printer's trade in the office of "The Sentinel," at May- ville, New York, occupying for a time the humble but eminently useful po- sition of "devil." After two years he went to Jamestown, New York, and worked for a year as a journeyman on the "Jamestown Journal" and "Chau- tauqua Democrat." He then removed to Port Clinton, Ohio, where he was employed for some time on the "Ottawa County News" and other pa- pers. In January, 1878, he engaged in the newspaper business on his own account at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, as one of the proprietors of the "Upper Sandusky Union;" but in January, 1879, he severed his connection with that enterprise and removed to Paulding, Ohio, where he purchased "The Democrat" and conducted it successfully for eleven years.
During this period he took an active and influential part in local affairs, serving as county auditor for two terms, and holding various minor offices. In 1891 he located at Defiance, and became one of the proprietors of "The Democrat," which was owned by a stock company. His youngest brother,
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Nelson R., is now associated with him in the publication of the "Defiance Democrat" and "Defiance Evening News." The "Democrat" is one of the oldest papers in Ohio, having been founded in 1844 by A. H. Palmer, and under its present management it has largely increased in circulation and in- fluence. It is an eight-page quarto, of eight columns, with a circulation of two thousand six hundred, and is a valuable medium for advertising as it reaches an excellent class of citizens, being bright, newsy, and progressive. The "Daily News" has one thousand subscribers, and is also conducted in a manner to commend it to the community. It was the first Democratic daily newspaper in the Sixth Congressional District. In politics Mr. Webster is a stanch Democrat.
On July 17, 1875, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Clara J. Snider, at Port Clinton, Ohio. She is a member of a well-known family of that locality, her father, Philip R. Snider, being a prominent agriculturist there. Two children blessed this union: Harry L., who died at the age of three years, and Philip H., born in 1886. Socially, Mr. Webster and his wife are popular, and he is identified with the B. P. O. E., and also with the Ma- sonic fraternity, being a member of Defiance Commandery, No. 30, Knights Templar.
NELSON R. WEBSTER.
This, the junior member of the firm of Webster Bros., publishers of "The Democrat" and "The Evening News," of Defiance, was born June 25, 1862, on his father's farm in Chautauqua county, New York.
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