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 32
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 32
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 32
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 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
JOHN W. LEACH.
Among the pleasantest rural homes of Richland township, Defiance county, is that of Mr. Leach in Section 2, North Richland precinct, and its gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material comforts. Our subject is a veteran of the Civil war, and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and in the paths of peace has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen.
3:1
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Leach was born April 2, 1834, on a farm in Marshall county, West Virginia, a son of Joshua and Hannah (Spoon) Leach, both natives of Penn- sylvania. From the county of his nativity he accompanied his parents on their removal to Coshocton county, Ohio, in the spring of 1840, and ten years later went with them to Henry county, this State. After a residence there of seven years they removed to Grundy county, Illinois, where they made their home until called to their final rest. In their family were four sons and seven daughters, our subject being the eldest son and second child.
John W. Leach was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys in a frontier settlement, and he remained with his parents upon the farm in Henry county, Ohio, until the fall of 1855, when he located upon his present farm in Section 2, Richland township, Defiance county. Here he has lived uninter- ruptedly, with the exception of the four years spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion. The place comprises five hundred acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of culti- vation, and he has erected thereon a fine set of farm buildings.
In October, 1861, Mr. Leach enlisted in Company F, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made sergeant of his company. For almost four years he was in the service, and was always found at his post of duty, never losing a day during the entire time. He participated in fifty-six en- gagements, including some of the most important battles of the war, such as Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Metamora, Jackson (Miss.), and Baker's Creek. He was also in the siege of Vicksburg and the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. The war being over and his services no longer needed, he was honorably discharged July 19, 1865, and mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. He is now an honored mem- ber of Bishop Post, No. 22, G. A. R., of Defiance.
On the 2d of October, 1866, Mr. Leach was married to Miss Mary E. Brubaker, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 19, 1838, a daughter of the later David Brubaker, of Henry county, this State. To them were born six children, as follows : Charles D. ; John J. ; William ; Russell A. ; Emma D. ; and Alma. Of these Charles D. married Annie Baker, of Richland township, where they now live, and they have two sons-Wesley D. and Julian. John J. married Emma Minsel, also of Richland township, and they now live in Mark township; Emma J. married George E. Gackel.
Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Leach has been one of its stanch supporters, and has done all in his power to insure its success. He has served his fellow-citizens as township trustee, and in the fall of 1896 was appointed by Governor Bushnell as representative to the Farmers' United
-
372
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
States Conference, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. His loyalty to his country has ever been above question, and his labors in the interests of his adopted State have been most effective and beneficial.
THOMAS H. IMES.
Mr. Imes, who after years of honest toil is now living retired in the village of Williams Center, Williams county, has spent his entire life in Ohio, his birth occurring in Morrow county, October 2, 1833.
Mr. Imes was reared upon a farm, and when a young man learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for eight years prior to entering the Union army during the Rebellion. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, was afterward promoted to sergeant, and later was commissioned first lieutenant of his company. For almost three years he was in active service, and participated in many important engagements and numerous skirmishes, including the battles of Resaca, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain; fol- lowing which came the Atlanta campaign, including the battles of the 22d and 28th of July, 1864, and closing with that of Jonesboro, Georgia. Then came Sherman's march to the sea, and the siege of Savannah. After leav- ing Savannah, January 28, 1865, the Eighty-first participated in the engage- ments at Little Ogeechee river (near that city), after which came the march through the Carolinas, which brought on the following engagements: North Edisto River (near Orangeburg), Congaree Creek (five miles from Colum- bia), and Camden, South Carolina: the campaign ending with the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, our subject serving up to and including the surrender of Johnston's army at Morrisville, April 21, 1865. The war ended, he was honorably discharged July 24, 1865.
Mr. Imes resumed blacksmithing and in the county of his nativity he continued to make his home until 1866, when he removed to Wyandot county, Ohio, following the sawmill business at that place until the spring of 1868. After a short time spent in Fulton county, he came to Williams county in the fall of 1868, and here has continued to reside. At first he operated a rented farm in Superior township, but in the spring of 1870 pur- chased a tract of land in Pulaski township, one and one-half miles north of Bryan, where he made his home for almost thirteen years. Laying aside business cares he removed to the village of Williams Center, but still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Center township. He is one of the self-made men of the county, his well-directed efforts, perseverance
-
Thomas Homes
Lydia y Ines
375
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and enterprise having gained for him a comfortable competence, which now enables him to spend his declining years in ease and retirement from active labor.
In Morrow county, Ohio, Mr. Imes married Miss Lydia Jane Russell, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born March 25, 1834. They have one son, William C., who is engaged in mercantile pursuits in Melbern, Will- iams county ; their only daughter, Ina, died in childhood. William C. mar- ried Estella Clemens, of Williams county, and they have two sons-Wilber C. and Willard C. Mrs. Lydia Jane Imes is a daughter of James and Lydia (Perkey) Russell, who were pioneers of Muskingum county, Ohio, the father born in Ireland, the mother in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Imes always gives his political support to the Democratic party, and has most acceptably served as township trustee for six years. A genial, pleasant gentleman, he has made hosts of friends throughout his adopted county, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM YEAGLY.
This successful agriculturist and prominent citizen, living in Farmer Cen- ter, Defiance county, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1833, a son of Andrew and Catherine (Dougherty) Yeagly, also natives of Pennsylvania. From Fayette county they removed to Richland county, Ohio, later to Crawford county, and early in the '50s located in Williams county, Ohio, where both died. They had a family of nine children-five sons and four daughters-of whom William is fourth in the order of birth.
With the family our subject removed to Crawford county, and at Bucyrus was apprenticed to the tailor's trade, at which he worked for about six months. He then joined his parents in Williams county, where he continued to en- gage in tailoring for about the same length of time. During the following six months he was similarly employed at Greenup, Illinois, after which he returned to Williams county, where he was married, November 29, 1854, to Miss Margaret Ann Hendershott. She was born in Columbiana county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1837, a daughter of John and Charlotta Hendershott. Six children were born of this union, namely: Blanche, now the wife of John Donley; Andrew Parke, a prominent farmer of Washington township, De- fiance county ; Lottie, wife of Hon. J. W. Winn; Sherman; Madge Britton Yeagley, of Farmer, Ohio; and Ida, who died at the tender age of sixteen months.
After his marriage, Mr. Yeagly located at Williams Center, Williams county, where he followed farming until his removal to De Kalb county, In-
376
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
diana. Feeling that his country needed his services he laid aside all personal interests in August, 1862, enlisting in Company H, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was made sergeant of his company, and with his command took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca (Georgia), Atlanta, Savannah and Bentonville. After almost three years of faithful and arduous service he was mustered out at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and returned to his home in De Kalb county, Indiana.
A year later he returned to Williams county, Ohio, where he remained three years and then came to Defiance county. For several years he success- fully engaged in farming in Washington township, and then removed to Farmer Center, where he has since made his home with the exception of two years spent in De Kalb county. He is now the owner of two hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and arable land, which is under excellent cultivation and well improved. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with Lew Bouker Post, No. 725, G. A. R. He is a man of sterling worth in all the relations of life, and as a citizen he always stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him.
ERASTUS HOADLEY.
Prominent among the early settlers and influential citizens of Williams county who have taken an active part in promoting its substantial improve- ment and material development, stands Mr. Hoadley, our subject. Through- out the greater part of his business career he has been interested in agricultural pursuits, and to-day owns and operates a fine farm in Florence township.
Mr. Hoadley was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 3, 1833, a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Davis) Hoadley, the mother being of Welsh birth. His paternal grandparents were Gideon and Sarah (Storm) Hoadley, the former of Welsh, the latter of Scotch descent. The grandfather, who was a native of Connecticut, died in Columbiana county, Ohio; the grand- mother also died there at the extreme old age of one hundred and four years. Their children were: Harvey, who died in Stark county, Ohio; Ebenezer, who died in Indiana; Erastus, who died in the war of 1812; Hiram, the father of our subject; Mrs. Mary Hadley; Mrs. Clarinda Borland; Mrs. Matia Ditcheon. The parents of these children both held membership in the Chris- tian Church.
Hiram Hoadley passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, Ohio, and was married in Columbiana county, where he successfully engaged in farming until 1868, which year witnessed his ar-
377
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
rival in Williams county. Here he bought an improved farm, and throughout life devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he met with good success. In political affiliations he was a Democrat, but he never cared for the honor or emoluments of public office. He died in 1895, aged eighty-four years, and his wife, who was a faithful member of the Christian Church, passed away in 1893, aged eighty-two. Five children constituted their fam- ily, namely : Erastus; Mrs. Sarah Cortney ; John D., who died in Galesburg, Illinois ; Hiram, Jr., who was a soldier of the Civil war; and Mrs. Mary Brosius.
Erastus Hoadley acquired his education in the common school, and upon the home farm obtained an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits. On leaving the parental roof in 1853, he came to Williams county, where he found the greater part of this region still in its primitive condition, most of the county being either swamp land or timbered tracts with scarcely any roads, while wild animals and game were found in abundance. After clearing fif- teen acres, Mr. Hoadley planted it in wheat, and then in the midst of the forest erected a frame dwelling.
Having secured a home he returned to Columbiana county in 1855 to claim his promised bride, marrying in that year Miss Sophia Morris, a na- tive of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jonathan and Sophia (Baker) Morris, who were also born in that State, and were members of the Friends Church. Her father died in Mahoning, her mother in Richland county, Ohio. Their children were eleven in number: Mrs. Phobe Johnson ; Benjamin, a resident of Richland county ; Mrs. Maria Calvin, now ninety years of age; William (deceased) ; Mrs. Eliza Preston; Parker, of Stark county ; Thomas, who entered the Union army as captain, and when discharged at the close of the war was serving as colonel; Mrs. Mary Martin; Sophia L., wife of our subject; Jonathan, Jr .; and Mrs. Hannah Cobbs. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoadley were born three children: Willis E., a farmer of Superior township, Williams county; Mrs. Eva Cummings, whose husband is prin- cipal of the Edon school; and Dimma B., at home. The mother of these chil- dren, who was an earnest member of the Christian Church, departed this life i11 1884.
In 1890 Mr. Hoadley married Mrs. Angeline Hoadley, who by her first marriage had three children: Mary, Annie and Jennie, all residents of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Mrs. Hoadley's parents are Stephen and Laura A. ( Palmer) Calvin, of Connecticut, who, on coming West, located in eastern Ohio, where they spent their remaining days, both dying when Mrs. Hoadley was quite young. They were members of the Christian Church, and the father was a
378
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farmer by occupation. Their children were Weston (deceased) ; Jesse, who was a Union soldier, and died in Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Emeline Bran- denberry; Angeline, wife of our subject ; and Mrs. Urania Childs, of Indiana.
After his first marriage Mr. Hoadley brought his bride to the home he had prepared for her, and then commenced the struggle of life in earnest. Clearing and improving his farm, he soon had one of the best places in Florence township. In 1868 he built a sawmill, which he operated for nine years, and in 1874, in partnership with another gentleman, he embarked in the dry- goods business in Edon, but as this did not prove very profitable, he sold out at the end of two years, and returned to his farm, which he has since suc- cessfully conducted in connection with stock raising.
In 1865 Mr. Hoadley enlisted at Toledo, Ohio, in the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and after being mustered in at Columbus, he was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, and served as such in command of his company the full time of his enlistment. He did provost duty most of the time, was in no important battles, and was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama, at the time of Lee's surrender, after which he was mustered out at Camp Chase, in October, 1865. He now receives a small pension. Previous to entering the service he had assisted in recruiting a company in his neighborhood, but held no com- mission. For three years he served as commander of Boon Post, G. A. R., of Edon, which is now disbanded, and as a Republican he has been promi- nently identified with public affairs, filling many township offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a member of the Christian Church, and his life has ever been in harmony with its teachings.
JOHN WAGNER.
This leading farmer of Pleasant township, Henry county, comes from the Fatherland, and the most creditable characteristics of the Teutonic race have been marked elements in his life, having enabled him to win success in the face of opposing circumstances. He possesses the energy and determi- nation which mark the people of Germany, and by the exercise of his powers he has steadily progressed, not only winning a fair competence, but command- ing universal respect by his straightforward business methods.
Mr. Wagner was born in Prussia, November 30, 1833, and when a lad of seventeen years he accompanied his parents on their emigration to Amer- ica, first locating in Avon, Lorain county, Ohio, whence they removed to Henry county in 1862. Both died in Pleasant township. Our subject continued a
379
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
resident of Lorain county until January 28, 1881, when he, too, came to Henry county and located upon the farm in Pleasant township, where he still lives. Prior to his marriage he followed the lakes for seven years; but since then he has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, improved with good buildings and under a high state of cultivation.
In January, 1860, in Lorain county, Mr. Wagner married Miss Helena Kiefer, who was born in Germany, August 5, 1833, and died October 15, 1878. To them were born twelve children, namely: Emma, who was born December 1, 1861, and is now the wife of Michael Limbaugh; Douglass ; Katie, wife of Frederick Oakley; Jacob; Mary, who wedded Joseph Traxier, and died at Leipsic, Ohio, July 31, 1895; John; Joseph; Maggie, wife of John Mangus; Josephine, wife of Wendell Oakley; Mathias; Peter; and Lena, who died at the age of fifteen years.
Mr. Wagner was again married, this time in 1883, in Henry county, to Mrs. Anna Mary Laubenthal, who was born in Germany, September 20, 1830, and came to America in 1846. On November 19, 1849, in Lorain county, Ohio, she gave her hand in marriage to Adam Laubenthal, who died in Put- nam county, this State, March 10, 1877. By this union she had eleven chil- dren, namely : Mary, Gertrude, Peter, Mathias, John, Frank, William, Fred- erick, Michael, Adam W., and Joseph M. She died January 23, 1898.
Since coming to Henry county, Mr. Wagner has become prominently identified with its public affairs, and is recognized as one of its valued and use- ful citizens. He has been elected a member of the board of education, served as its president one year, is treasurer of the Pleasant Township Oil Company, and for several years has been presiding judge of election in that township. For three years he served as township trustee. Since casting his first vote he has been identified with the Democratic party, and in local political affairs has always taken a prominent and active part. In religious belief he is a Catholic, and Church work also receives much attention from him.
SAMUEL SHUTER.
This prominent citizen of Evansport, Defiance county, is justly regarded as one of our representative citizens, as he is not only an able and successful business man, but he bears an honorable record for patriotism and public spirit, having served as a soldier in the Union army throughout the war of the Rebellion.
A native of this State, Mr. Shuter was born December 8, 1834, in Mont-
380
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
gomery county, where his father, Peter Shuter, was at that time engaged in farming. The latter, who died in Sumner, Lawrence county, Illinois, in 1872, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1800, as was also his wife, Barbara (Honsinger), who died in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1873.
Our subject was the fifth in a family of twelve children, and as a farmer's son was given practical instruction in all the details of agricultural work. He remained at the old home in Montgomery county until April, 1857, when he came to Defiance county, and located at Evansport, where he engaged in raising tobacco, being one of the first to undertake that business in Defiance county. In 1858 he became interested in mercantile business in Evansport, in partnership with Thomas Yeager, and continued for more than a year ; but he still devoted the greater part of his attention to tobacco rais- ing, together with other farm work. On August 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he served with that regiment until mustered out, July 23, 1865. He took part in numerous en- gagements, including the battles of Stone River, Wild Cat Hill, and Perry- ville, and was with Sherman in the famous Atlanta campaign. Entering the service as a private, he was raised to the rank of corporal, and during the "march to the sea" he had charge of twenty-one mounted men, detailed to forage for headquarters.
When the fighting was over he returned to his home in Tiffin township, Defiance county, and in September, 1865, he engaged in mercantile business in Evansport, continuing successfully until 1877, when he retired. He owns two hundred and forty-nine acres of good farming land in the township, and the care of this occupies much of his time, his judicious management mak- ing it one of the best farms in the locality. While he takes great interest in the questions of the day, and is always ready to forward any progressive move- ment in his community, he has never been an aspirant for public office. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 489, I. O. O. F., of Evansport, having been connected with that order since 1855.
On December 29, 1858, Mr. Shuter was married in Tiffin township, De- fiance county, to Miss Abby Snider, and the union has been blessed with four children : Mary O. (who died at the age of five years ) ; Thomas E .; John W .; and Charles R. Mrs. Shuter is a native of Evansport, born December 22, 1840, the fifth child in the family of John and Nancy (Coy) 'Snider, who were among the earliest settlers of Tiffin township, having removed there from Greene county, Ohio, in 1831. The father, who was for many years a leading agriculturist of Tiffin township, died in May, 1890, aged eighty-three years. The mother passed from earth in September, 1897, also aged eighty-three years. Mrs. Shuter is a member of the M. E. Church of Evansport.
381
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
DANIEL J. MILLER.
The fine farm of the subject of these lines is situated in Section 3, Range 7 W., Town 6 S., York township, Fulton county, and he is one of the most successful of the many prosperous farmers of this section of the State.
Born April 21, 1837, in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, he is a son of John and Saloma ( Yoder) Miller, and a grandson of Miller, and John Yoder, the former of whom was born in Germany, and never came to America. John Miller, father of our subject, came to Pennsylvania from his native Germany, and was married in Somerset county, Virginia, to Saloma Yoder, by whom he had a family of nine children: Tobias; Moses; Barbary ; and John, all now deceased except Barbary; David, living in Hickory county, Missouri; Elizabeth (deceased) ; Magdalena, wife of John Shetler, formerly of Coshocton county, Ohio; Samuel, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Daniel J. (our subject) being the youngest.
Daniel J. Miller was born on the land at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, now occupied by the Grand View Cemetery, and has plowed the very ground where- in lie the remains of eight hundred unidentified victims of the Johnstown flood disaster, May 31, 1889. In the district schools of his boyhood days he re- ceived his education, which was limited to three months each year, the rest of his time being occupied partly in flailing out rye and tramping out wheat with the horses. He also learned carpentry, at which he worked as a journeyman some five years, commencing at the age of twenty-two.
On December 13, 1861, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Lydia Jane Stutzman, a native of Pennsylvania, born near Johnstown, and they com- menced their domestic life on a farm close by there, which property he had purchased that year. Six children were born to this union, five of whom are living, a brief record of them being as follows: (1) Abraham L. is married, but still lives with his father; (2) Sadie is the wife of Abraham Pifer, of Lenawee county, Michigan, and they have three children-Lydia; Alden, and an infant unnamed; (3) William T. S. married Libbie Dunn, of Butler, In- diana, and they have one child; (4) Lomie wedded Martin Gray, and they live in York township, Fulton county (they have two children-Vernus and an infant unnamed) ; (5) Charles married Nettie Pifer, of Lenawee county, Michigan, and they had one child (now deceased). The mother of this fam- ily died September 27, 1892, and is buried in Union Cemetery, York township.
On October 16, 1862, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company K, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, for three years or during the war, and par-
382
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ticipated in the following engagements : Gettysburg, 1-3 July, 1863; Spottsylvania Court House; Strawberry Hill; seven-days' fight in front of Richmond; second Bull Run; Cold Harbor; Wilderness; and was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox. On January 22, 1863, Mr. Miller was taken prisoner, and was confined in Libby Prison ten days, thence taken to Castle Thunder dungeon, where he remained in utter darkness for fifty-two days, during which time he was tried on the charge of being a spy, but was proven innocent and paroled ; on account of sickness, however, he had to be sent to the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained some six weeks be- fore he was able to again proceed to the front. On August 22, 1864, he was wounded at Charleston, West Virginia, being shot in the right shoulder. On November 7, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was mustered out at Cumberland, Maryland, and then returned to the pur- suits of peace.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.