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 35
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 35
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 35
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 35
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Like many of the best citizens of the county, Mr. Böhm is of foreign birth, born in Germany, December 15, 1842, the eldest in the family of three children born to John W. and Margareta Böhm, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. In that country he was reared upon a farm, ob- taining a good common-school education, which has well fitted him for the practical and responsible duties of life. In October, 1867, he crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York, whence he came direct to Defiance county, Ohio, and for two years and a half he worked as a farm hand by the month. He then married, and located upon his present farm, which he has con- verted into one of the most highly cultivated tracts in the locality.
On February 24, 1870, in Defiance county, Mr. Böhm wedded Miss Matilda Greenler, who was born in Richland township, January 1, 1845, a daughter of George C. A. and Mary (Hoelbrich) Greenler, natives of Ger- many, who on their emigration to America at an early day took up their residence in Richland township, Defiance county, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives. In their family were five children-three sons and two daughters-of whom Mrs. Böhm is the third in order of birth.
To Nicholas Böhm and his wife have been born seven children, namely : Henry Otto, a graduate of the Ohio Normal University of Ada; Beta E., now the wife of Edward Brachbill; Laura M., wife of Benjamin Poven- mire; George P. Edwin; Elma ; John Louis, and Eleanora.
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Mr. and Mrs. Böhm are consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and give a liberal support to all measures which they believe calculated to ad- vance the moral, educational or material welfare of their community. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to serve in a number of official positions in his township.
LEANDER BUXTON.
This truly representative citizen of Fulton county, a scientific farmer, a man of marked individuality and wide experience, has for several years made his home in Section 3, Town 10 S., Range I E., Franklin township.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Buxton was born October 1, 1842, in Knox county, a son of John and Elizabeth (Todd) Buxton, both natives of Mary- land, the father born in June, 1804, the mother on September 4, 1803. When John was a boy his father moved the family from Maryland to Coshocton county, Ohio, where they became pioneer settlers, and where Grandfather Buxton died. He had children as follows: Sons-Alvin, Francis, John, William, Noah and Thomas; daughters-Susan and Mary-all now de- ceased. The mother of these died in Knox county, in 1858.
John and Elizabeth (Todd) Buxton were married in 1825, in Coshoc- ton county, and had a family of eleven children, to-wit: (1) Francis mar- ried Rosana Pearson, and they live in Knox county, Ohio, where he follows agricultural pursuits; they have two children, Rev. E. O. Buxton, of Cin- cinnati, being one of them. (2) Rebecca Ellen is the deceased wife of S. A. Larason, of Delaware, Ohio; she left five children-John (since de- ceased), Enseba M. (wife of a Mr. Parsons), of Delaware, Ohio; Almira E. (also married) is an old school teacher; Alfred A. is also married; Sarah Ellen is a school teacher; and Edward (married) makes his home in Xenia, Ohio. (3) Sarah Ann married Jacob Long, late of Knox county, now de- ceased; she lives in Kansas; children-John, Noah W., Benjamin, New- ton and Almira. (4) Noah W. married (first) a Mrs. Butler, by whom he had two sons-Dr. John Butler, of Homer, Licking county, Ohio; and James, a resident of Mt. Vernon; by his second marriage, with Miss Candis Buxton, Noah W. had four children-William, Ollis, Mary (deceased) and Gertrude. (5) Mary Jane wedded a Mr. Frazier. (6) Minerva is de- ceased. (7) John W. (Rev.) is a minister of the Gospel at Yuba City, Cali- fornia. (8) Louisa married (first) a Mr. Montour, and (second) Eras- tus Bell, of Xenia. (9) Thomas W. lives in Utica, Ohio. (10) Leander is our subject. (II) Elizabeth (twin of Leander) died in infancy. The
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father of this family in his younger days was a blacksmith by trade, later following farming in Knox county, Ohio, where he settled in 1839. Hc was ordained a minister of the M. E. Church, and preached on Sundays, the rest of the week being devoted to labor. Politically he was first a Whig, later a Republican.
Leander Buxton received his education in Knox county, Ohio, and at the age of sixteen commenced life for his own account, working on farms at thirteen dollars per month. After his marriage (which will presently be referred to) he and his wife located temporarily on a farm in Knox county, thence moving to Morrow county, where he enlisted, in 1863, in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, one of the regiments that did guard duty near Washington. At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Buxton settled on their present farm in Franklin township, Fulton county, which he cleared and improved with good sub- stantial buildings. He now owns ninety acres, having sold eighty.
On Christmas Day, 1861, Leander Buxton was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Brown, a native of Knox county, Ohio, born in 1837, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Larison) Brown, highly respectable farm- ing people of Knox county, both now deceased. To our subject and his wife have been born three children, a brief record of them being as follows: (1) Florence A., born July 18, 1862, was married to Rev. D. L. Woods, of Ohio, and they have two children-Homer E. and David Elmer. (2) Xalia A. married Robert R. Johnson, of Detroit, Michigan; have one son- Harvey Leroy. (3) Elmer E. wedded Rhoda Prickett, and they have two children-Henry Leland and Florence; they live in Detroit, Michigan.
In his political preferences our subject is a Republican, has served in various township offices ; was a justice of the peace some eighteen years; and in 1896 was elected county commissioner for a three-years' term. Socially he is affiliated with the K. of P. and G. A. R. In religious faith he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and they rank among the lead- ing and most influential citizens of Fulton county.
THOMAS W. HAVER.
Mr. Haver, the subject of these lines, is an enterprising and progres- sive farmer, owning and operating a good farm of eighty acres in Section 28, Mark township, Defiance county.
Mr. Haver is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, born December 21, 1840, and when a lad of twelve years accompanied his parents on their re-
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moval from that county to Defiance county, locating in Mark township, where he grew to manhood, and where he has since made his home with the ex- ception of about seven years.
During the dark days of the Civil war he enlisted February 18, 1865, in Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service until October of that year, when he was honorably dis- charged. Returning to his home in Mark township he resumed farming, which occupation has always claimed his attention.
On November 23, 1862, in Mark township, Defiance county, Ohio, Mr. Haver was united in marriage with Miss Susan E. Reed, a native of Rich- land county, Ohio, and a daughter of Adam Reed, of that county. Three children were born to them, namely: Morton and Elmer E., who are still living; and Lewis, who died in infancy. The wife and mother died in Delaware township, Defiance county, July 9, 1868. In that township Mr. Haver was again married in April, 1869, his second union being with Miss C. M. Smith, of Athens county, Ohio, by whom he has five children: John, Edgar, Charles, Zeno and Frank.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Haver a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens in the capacity of township trustee and justice of the peace two terms. Socially, he affiliates with Hancock Post, G. A. R., of Sherwood, Defiance county.
HENRY H. WHELLER.
Among the enterprising agriculturists who have assisted in the clear- ing and improvement of this section, this well-known resident of Adams township, Defiance county, has won a worthy place. Like many of our suc- cessful men he is of English birth, but as he came to Ohio when only five years old his life has been mainly spent here.
Born May 8, 1843, in Dorsetshire, England, Mr. Wheller is the young- est in a family of three sons and four daughters born to Joseph and Jane (Hammond) Wheller. In 1848 his parents emigrated to this State, and after spending one year in Cleveland located in Columbia township, Lorain county, where the father was killed February 10, 1857, at the age of fifty- six, by a limb from a falling tree. The mother continued to reside in Lo- rain county until the spring of 1863, when she moved with the subject of this sketch to Defiance county, Ohio, living there with him until the spring of 1868, at which time she returned to her eldest son's, in Lorain county, and there died in the fall of 1868, at the age of sixty-nine years.
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Mr. Wheller's boyhood was passed in the wholesome activities of farm life, and in 1863 he left the old home in Lorain county to secure a farm of his own in this newer section. His present homestead was then cov- ered with forest, but he has cleared the greater portion of it and erected sub- stantial farm buildings. The place contains one hundred and thirty-five acres, and under his judicious management ranks among the best farms of the locality. His attention has been devoted almost exclusively to agri- cultural work, but for four years, during the sixties, he carried the mail be- tween Wauseon and Defiance. As a citizen he is public-spirited, taking much interest in local affairs, and he is especially active in religious work as a member of the M. E. Church. On October 11, 1881, he was married at Neapolis, Henry county, Ohio, to Miss Harriet Hobbs, and they have had four children : Delia Edith, Laura Alice, Bertha Mabel, and Dora Celia. Mrs. Wheller was born August 25, 1849, in Madison county, Ohio, and was the eldest in a family of three sons and three daughters. Her father, Winthrop S. Hobbs, who died in Henry county, Ohio, April 2, 1872, was a native of New Hampshire, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Mann, was born in Ohio.
VINCENT V. MILLER.
In the front ranks of prosperous agriculturists and enterprising citizens of Delaware township, Defiance county, we find the name of this gentleman. He is a son of Elias and Rebecca ( Foos) Miller, and is a native of this State, born in Harrison county, December 18, 1845. After a residence for a num- ber of years in Harrison county, the family, in the fall of 1855, removed to Defiance county, making it thenceforth their home. The mother is deceased. [A fuller history of the parents is given in the sketch of their son, Z. H. Miller. ]
Vincent V. Miller, the third of their family of five children, came with his parents to Defiance county when nearly ten years of age, and here, in Dela- ware township, his early education was completed. At the age of seventeen years he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed regularly for twenty years. He then continued it in connection with farming four or five years, and with his brother Emanuel was interested in the sawmill business about five years.
In early manhood he married Miss Caroline E. Gordon, who was born in Paulding county, Ohio, April 1, 1848, a daughter of the late George Gordon, of the same place; and there they were married, October 19, 1871. Of the
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two children born to them, one, Arthur E., is living, their little daughter Grace having died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Miller votes with the Prohibition party. He takes an active interest in the public affairs of the township, and is a warm advocate of measures tending to the advancement of educational interests. He has served as a member of the school board three years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller located in their present home in the fall of 1871; and Mr. Miller's valuable farm of two hundred acres, together with its good farm buildings, stands a wit- ness to the thrift and prosperity of the owner.
JACOB HORNUNG.
Mr. Hornung is a manufacturer of slack barrel staves and all kinds of lumber, also a dealer in agricultural implements at New Bavaria, Henry county. He is one of the public-spirited citizens to whose energy and fore- sight the locality is indebted for many improvements. While Mr. Hornung, as a prosperous business man, has given close attention to his private af- fairs, he has never forgotten or ignored that bond of common interest which should unite the people of every community, and he has always been ready to promote progress in every line.
Mr. Hornung was born November 25, 1848, in Pleasant township, Henry county, a son of Charles and Catherine (Desgrange) Hornung, natives of Germany, the former born May 16, 1823, the latter on January 25, 1825. The father became one of the leading and influential citizens of his section of Henry county-served as postmaster of New Bavaria for many years; was county commissioner three terms; assessor thirteen years; notary public twelve years; and justice of the peace for many years-proving a most efficient and popular official. Religiously he was a member of the German Reformed Church. He died June 6, 1894; his widow is still living.
In the family of this worthy couple were eleven children, Jacob being third in the order of birth. He was reared on his father's farm in Pleasant township, and continued to assist in its cultivation and improvement until twenty-three years of age, when he embarked in business on his own account as a farmer. He also became interested in the manufacture of brick, and in 1882 began the manufacture of hoops, staves and lumber, in connection with which he now operates between five and six hundred acres of land, and deals extensively in agricultural implements. Mr. Hornung is also engaged in the breeding of Polled-Durham cattle, also Percheron and French coach horses. His strict integrity and honorable dealing in business commend him
Jacob Haenung
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to the confidence of all; his pleasant manner wins him friends, and he is one of the popular and honored citizens of New Bavaria.
In Pleasant township, Henry county, October 10, 1871, Mr. Hornung married Miss Julia Sauer, who was born in that county, June 21, 1851. Of the thirteen children born to them, only six are now living, namely : Charles, John, Andrew, Albert, Ora and Ruth Esther. Those deceased are Maggie, who died at the age of four years; Edna and another, who died in infancy ; Herman W., who died at the age of fourteen years; Walter, who died at the age of ten years; Anna, who died at the age of eight years; and Willie, who died at the age of four months.
PETER HORNUNG.
Mr. Hornung, the subject of this brief biographical sketch, and who is successfully engaged in the grain and liquor business in New Bavaria, Henry county, is one of that county's native sons, and a representative of one of her most prominent and honored families, whose identification with her history dates from an early period in the development of the county.
Mr. Hornung was born in Pleasant township, September 28, 1861, and is next to the youngest of the eleven children constituting the family of Charles and Catherine (Desgrange) Hornung. The father was born in Germany, May 16, 1823, and died in Henry county, Ohio; the mother was born in the same country, January 25, 1825, and is still living.
In the local schools Peter Hornung acquired his education and upon the home farm was reared to habits of thrift and industry. On leaving the parental roof in 1889, he came to New Bavaria, where he embarked in the saloon business, which he has since successfully conducted, and since 1893 he has also engaged in the grain business, which he has found quite profitable. He has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, is an enterprising, progressive citizen, and has acceptably served as township clerk for three years.
On May 21, 1889, in New Bavaria, Mr. Hornung married Miss Maggie Roos, who was born in that village, April 19, 1871, fourth in the order of birth of the thirteen children of George and Elizabeth R. Roos. Mr. and Mrs. Hornung have four children: Charles F., Earl W., Mabel A. and Esther M.
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WILLIAM D. FRIED.
This gentleman, who is numbered among the most enterprising, ener- getic and successful agriculturists of Bridgewater township, Williams county, was born August 18, 1842, in Stark county, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Anna (Davis) Fried.
His paternal grandfather, Henry Fried, a native of Germany, came to America in boyhood with his parents and located in Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside until he attained his majority, removing then to Stark county, Ohio. Having obtained a good education, he successfully engaged in teaching for some time, but never settled down to one line of occupation. His last years were spent at the home of his son Joseph, in Williams county, where he died about 1859. He served as a soldier in the Mexican war, and was a strong Whig in politics. His last wife died at Osnaburg, Ohio, in 1858, and six of their twelve children died before reaching maturity. The others are Henry, William, George, Joseph, Polly and Nancy
During his boyhood Joseph Fried (our subject's father) attended the common schools to a limited extent in Columbiana county, where he was reared. Starting out in life for himself at an early age, he labored by the day and month until after his marriage, when he and his brother William bought a sawmill in Stark county, borrowing the money to pay for the same. In their efforts to secure a home and competence they were ably assisted by their wives, and meeting with success in the operation of the mill they were at length able to purchase eighty acres of land, which they improved. Sub- sequently Joseph Fried purchased his brother's interest in the business, and later devoted his entire time to farming. In 1858 he sold his property in Stark county, and came to Williams county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of heavily-timbered land, on which he built a log house and made some improvement; but after a short residence here he was called to the home beyond in 1863, leaving a widow and six children. Of the thir- teen children born to them, six died in childhood, the others being Eliza J., wife of J. Cogswell; William D., the subject of this sketch; Catherine, wife of J. Kale; Ellazan; George, who died in Marietta, Georgia, while in the service of his country during the Civil war; Amy, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Cora, wife of P. Hornish. Four of these children were living at the time of the mother's death, which occurred in 1886. After the death of her first husband she married Henry Layman, of Defiance county, Ohio. Both parents of our subject were faithful members of the
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German Baptist Church, of which the father was a minister, and politically he was identified with the Republican party.
William D. Fried pursued his studies in the common schools near his boyhood home, and after coming to Williams county at the age of sixteen, he continued to assist his father in the cultivation and improvement of the farm until 1863, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He first did guard duty on Johnson's Island, Ohio, and later was a nurse in a hospital until the war ended, being mustered out at Columbus and honorably discharged July 3, 1865. As his father had died during his service, he assumed the management of the farm on his return home; on July 4, 1879, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place, and also bought his mother's life interest. At that time only eighty acres had been cleared, and the buildings were all in a dilapidated condition, but with characteristic energy he has devoted his time and attention to its im- provement, and now one hundred and twenty-five acres are under a high state of cultivation, and improved with a comfortable two-story frame resi- dence, a large barn, good outbuildings and a fine orchard. He raises a va- riety of cereals adapted to this climate, and is also interested in stock rais- ing.
In 1868 Mr. Fried was married to Miss Lydia Brown, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, July 11, 1847, a daughter of Rev. John Brown and Lucinda (Briggs) Brown, natives of Stark county, Ohio, where they were married. Daniel Brown (Mrs. Fried's grandfather) was a native of Germany, whence with the family he started for the New World, but his father died on the voyage and was buried at sea. The remainder of the family located in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Stark county, Ohio. Rev. John Brown, a minister of the German Baptist Church, and also a farmer, came to Williams county, in 1848, at which time this region was very sparsely settled. He purchased land in Center township, and improved a farm, on which he is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Since reaching manhood he has engaged in farming, and in preaching the Gospel, and is to-day one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of Williams county. His wife was called to her final rest in 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. Of the eleven children born to them, six died in childhood, the others being Malon, who died in 1862 while a soldier in the Union army; Lydia, wife of our subject; Sanford, a plasterer living in San Diego, California; Mrs. Harriette Kunkle; and Manuel, a physician of Salina, Kansas.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fried were born nine children, namely: Della, who
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died at the age of twelve years; Delbert, who operates the old homestead; Effa, wife of Charles Martin, a prominent farmer of Bridgewater township; Dessie, who died at the age of one year; Ora and Cora (twins), who are suc- cessful school teachers; Vallie, who has received a good education, and is now at home; and John J. and Carmie B., also at home. Socially, Mr. Fried affiliates with London Post, G. A. R., and politically is identified with the Republican party. Not caring for official honors, he has generally re- fused office, but has been elected trustee of his township, in which capacity he is now serving in a most creditable manner. His election plainly shows that his friends and neighbors justly appreciate his ability and worth, as the township usually supports the Populist or Democratic candidates. Mr. Fried has also efficiently served in school offices, takes a deep interest in the cause of education, and has provided his children with excellent advantages along that line. Mrs. Fried is a consistent member of the German Baptist Church.
WALTER S. TOMLINSON.
This section furnished many brave soldiers for the defense of the gov- ernment during the Civil war, and the subject of this biography, though only a boy of eighteen at the beginning of the struggle, did gallant service from 1861 to 1865. He is descended in both paternal and maternal lines from New England ancestry, and is a representative of the highest type of Amer- ican citizenship. For many years he has been a leading resident of Far- mer township, Defiance county, and his homestead of three hundred and sixty-five acres is one of the best farms in that locality.
Mr. Tomlinson's ancestry can be traced back eleven generations com- mencing with Walter D. Bender (grandson of Walter S.) through his mother, Mrs. Eva (Tomlinson) Bender, and her father, Walter S. (our sub- ject), as follows, commencing with the first generation on record: (I) George Tomlinson married Maria Hyde in January, 1600, at St. Peter's Church, , England. (2) Henry Tomlinson was born in Derby, England, came to America in 1652, and died at Stratford, Connecticut, in 1681. (3) Jonas Tomlinson married Alice Hannak, lived on Grant Hill, Derby, Connecticut, and died in 1693. (4) Isaac Tomlinson was born in 1687, married Patience Taylor in March, 1712, and died in 1754. (5) Noah Tomlinson, born March 6, 1727, married Abigail Beers July 2, 1847, and lived and died at Derby, Connecticut. (6) Daniel Tomlinson, born in 1749, married Susanna Hotchkiss, June 3, 1774, and died near Marbledale, Connecticut. (7) Abijah Tomlinson was born in 1780, married Betsey,
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daughter of David and Ruth (Hawkins) Tomlinson, April 29, 1805, and died at Marbledale, Connecticut, in 1862. Their children were Ruth, George, Giles H., Daniel, Charles, Eliza, Agnes, etc. (8) Giles H. (father of Walter S.) was born at Marbledale, Connecticut, September 22, 1809. In 1842 he married Eunice Ensign, daughter of Oren and Nancy (Pepoon) Ensign, who came from near Painesville to Farmer township in 1837. Besides Eu- nice their children were: Oscar, Dwight P., Henry A. (deceased), and Frank and Elbridge (still living). Three children were born to this mar- riage of Giles H. and Eunice (Ensign) Tomlinson, as follows: (I) Wal- ter S., our subject; (2) Dwight O., who served as a soldier in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Rebel- lion, and never recovered from the effects of the hardships of army life, his death, which occurred in 1890, being doubtless hastened thereby. His wife died in 1874. They had no children. (3) Frank A. resides near Des Moines, Iowa, and is engaged in farming. He has two children-Alta, married to J. G. Black, and L. G., married to Stella Morrison, all living near Des Moines. Mrs. Eunice Tomlinson died at Williams Center in Septem- ber, 1854, at the age of thirty-three, and for his second wife Giles H. Tom- linson married Electa Hemenway, who is still living, as is also Mr. Tom- linson.
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