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 9
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 9
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 9
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 9
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The subject of our sketch was given excellent educational privileges in his youth, and at the age of eighteen became a student at the State Agri- cultural College at Lansing, Michigan, where he took a four-years' course,
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graduating with the degree of B. S. He then spent a year in the law depart- ment of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, and on leaving that institution he returned to Bryan to take the position of cashier in the First National Bank, entering upon his duties in 1891. His ability as a financier, native and acquired, soon asserted itself, and eventually he was made manager as well as cashier. The bank has safely weathered the severe financial storms of recent years, and is regarded as thoroughly reliable, Mr. Mor- rison's conservatism and unquestioned integrity having due weight in the community. On the death of his step-father, Mr. Oscar Eaton, then presi- dent of the bank, Mr. Morrison was appointed administrator of his estate, which is still in process of adjustment. On August 4, 1891, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Blanche Long, of Bryan. They are prominent in social life and are identified with the Presbyterian Church of Bryan, while Mr. Morrison is also connected with the Masonic fraternity. While attend- ing the university at Ann Arbor he was a member of the Omicron Chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
The Wilber family, from which our subject's mother is descended, origi- nated in Holland, and the first of the name of whom we have record was Josiah Wilber, who came to America in early Colonial days with his young bride, having been married in Holland a week before the departure. He was also accompanied by two brothers, of whom one settled in South Caro- lina and the other in Rhode Island. Josiah made his home near Pough- keepsie, New York, at a place then and since called Livingston Manor, where he purchased four hundred acres of land on the Hudson river, at one shilling per acre. He had a family of fourteen sons and four daughters, and of the sons all but two-Josiah, Jr., and James-served in the Revolu- tionary army. Josiah, the eldest son, passed his life upon the Livingston Manor farm, attaining the remarkable age of one hundred and two years. He had several children, among whom was a son, Joshua, who was born May 11, 1760. Joshua Wilber, the great-grandfather of our subject, mar- ried Mary McCarty, who was born January 17, 1771, at Saratoga, New York. the daughter of John and -- (Granger) McCarty. Her father was a native of Dublin, Ireland, but was abducted when a little boy by a sailor, who brought him to America and abandoned him in New York City to make his own way in the world. The Granger family were of English extraction and were noted for literary attainments. Joshua Wilber and his wife had ten children, of whom the sixth was a son, David S. Wilber, the grandfather of our subject.
David S. Wilber was born at Saratoga, New York, September 17, 1801,
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and was married December 25, 1823, at Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, to Sophronia Eaton, daughter of James Eaton, and a descendant of an old Puritan family whose representatives came from England at an early day, some coming in the "Mayflower" and others during the period between 1620 and 1636. James Eaton was born February 12, 1771, at Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont, and his wife, Mary Brockelbank, a lady of Scotch descent, was a native of Vermont. David S. and Sophronia Wilber had a family of six children, among whom was a daughter, Harriet, the mother of our subject.
As will be seen by the above record, the Wilber, McCarty and Eaton families were all early settlers in America, and it is an interesting fact that all furnished soldiers for the struggle against English oppression, the Mc- Cartys and Wilbers being especially active as members of Washington's army of patriots.
OSCAR EATON.
This deceased gentleman was for twenty years a leading citizen of Bryan, Williams county, and few men have played as influential a part in the development of varied interests of that locality as was sustained by him. Possessing a keen and sagacious mind, with a wide knowledge of men and affairs, his advice and co-operation were sought in every important meas- ure and undertaking, whether financial, political, or social, and he was always found ready to promote the best interests of the community. His unexpected death on June 22, 1895, caused sincere grief among all classes, and on the day of his funeral the entire business of the town was suspended during the solemn services which consigned his mortal remains to earth. Words can give but an imperfect idea of the personality of such a man, but the following brief memoir will serve to preserve for future generations a slight record of his achievements.
Mr. Eaton was born July 26, 1847, near Ridgeway, Lenawee county, Michigan. On the paternal side he was of English descent, while on the maternal side he was of French lineage, the line being traced to an ancestor who came to America about 1636. From the latter date the family records have been carefully kept, and show that in every generation descendants of this pioneer have been prominent as politicians, statesmen, financiers, mer- chants, and in the professions, while members of the family served as soldiers in the Revolution, in the war of 1812, and in the Civil war. The name is variously spelled, one branch of the family being known as Heaton.
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James Eaton, the grandfather of our subject, was born February 12, 1771, at Tunbridge. Orange county. Vermont, and married Mary Brockelbank, a lady of Scotch descent. Their son, Christopher Columbus Eaton, our subject's father, was born November 3, 1810, and was married December 24, 1835, to Eleanor Lamberson, who was born August 25, 1817.
Mr. Eaton's boyhood was spent upon his father's farm at Ridgeway, Michigan, and, like most farmers' sons, he had ample opportunity to gain a practical knowledge of agricultural work. His remarkable ability as a manager was manifested at an early age, resulting in the farm being placed entirely in his charge, and his well-directed efforts enabled him to speedily pay off a long-standing mortgage. After leaving home he studied for a time in the State Agricultural College at Lansing, Michigan, teaching be- tween terms in order to pay his way. In 1870, at the end of the junior year, he left school, and, going to Colorado, he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, where he applied his skill and knowledge of agricultural science so effectually that, with equal advantages, he made that pay much better than other farms in the same locality. In connection with his farm work he became a professional surveyor and carried on a real- estate business, having an office in Greeley, Colorado. During this time he also read law, and, although he was never admitted to the Bar his knowl- edge of the legal principles bearing upon general business procedure was of inestimable value to him throughout his subsequent career.
On November 5, 1873, he was married at Tecumseh, Michigan, to Mrs. Harriet Morrison, née Wilber, and in 1875 he made his permanent home at Bryan, Williams county. His strong personality and capacity for leadership quickly brought him into prominence. In 1878 he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of that city, and so ably did he perform the duties of this responsible post that he was later chosen to the office of vice-president, and then to the presidency of the institution, a position which he was holding at the time of his death. Under his management the bank enjoyed great prosperity, his judgment being equal to all emergencies. While he was scrupulously exact in his business dealings he was always urbane and courteous, his affability being especially noticeable in social and domestic circles. His home life was ideal, and in that beloved retreat from business cares he was ever a loyally devoted husband and a kind and indul- gent father, his chief happiness being found in ministering to the comfort and pleasure of his family.
Politically he was an ardent Republican, and in 1877 he was appointed postmaster at Bryan in recognition of his influence. He was frequently
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chosen to represent his fellow-workers in the conventions of the party, serv- ing as a delegate in the National Convention of 1892, and his death occurred at Cleveland, Ohio, while he was attending an important session of the National Republican League. On Wednesday, June 19, 1895, while talking with others of the pleasure which he anticipated in listening to the speeches about to be made in the convention, he was suddenly stricken with cerebral hemorrhage, and, his wife and stepdaughter, Miss Olive L. Morrison, being summoned by telegraph, arrived in time to converse with him and to be present at his bedside on Saturday, the 22d, when the brave and loyal spirit departed to the home above. His only son, Oscar Seaborn Eaton, survives him, and resides with his widowed mother at the homestead in Bryan.
PETER GARES.
The commonplace duties of life, trivial though they may seem to the casual observer, demand for their proper fulfillment the same admirable qualities of character which in a higher degree and under other circum- stances attract universal notice and approbation. However it may seem to the superficial mind, our rural communities furnish an excellent field for the development of the traits which go to the making of good citizens, and one purpose of this work is the preservation of records which show the innate worth and dignity of such a life.
Prominent among the representatives of the agricultural interest of Defiance county was Mr. Gares, who in his lifetime was a leading citizen of Tiffin township. He was born December 22, 1836, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and in the fall of 1839 was brought to the United States by his parents, Jacob and Mary Elizabeth (Drumm) Gares, who first lo- cated in Richland county, Ohio, but after a residence of three years there removed to Williams county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Our subject, who was the eldest of their eight children, was six years of age when the family took up their residence in Williams county, where he was reared to manhood on his father's farm. On leaving the parental roof at the age of twenty years, he started out to make his own way in the world empty handed, and was employed by the year at farm labor for some time in Tiffin township, Defiance county.
There Mr. Gares was married December 2, 1858, to Miss Christina Toberen, who was born in that township April 5, 1837, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Beiderwell) Toberen, natives of Prussia, Germany. On
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emigrating to America her parents first located in Massillon, Ohio, where they lived for about three years, and then came to Tiffin township, Defiance county, where their deaths occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Gares began their domestic life on the present farm of one hundred forty-eight acres of highly cultivated and well improved land, which at the time of purchase was mostly in its primitive condition. Of the children born to them-John W., Jacob H., Orestes P., Mary E. and Frederick W., are still living; four died when quite young; Sarah died at the age of seven years.
Mr. Gares was prominently identified with the public affairs of his township, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability often called him to office. For two terms he creditably served as county com- missioner, was infirmary director four years, was treasurer of the township from 1878 until his death, which occurred September 30, 1897. He also filled the offices of township assessor and trustee to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat. For thirty-five years he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, to which Mrs. Gares still belongs, and it is safe to say that no couple in Tiffin township were held in higher regard or had more warm friends than Mr. and Mrs. Gares. His death was a sad loss, not only to his own family, but also to the entire community.
CHARLES J. THOMPSON.
This gentleman, who is proprietor of the "Defiance Daily and Weekly Express," Defiance, is also postmaster.
The Thompson family, of which he is a prominent member, trace their paternal ancestry back several generations, through a long residence in the North of Ireland, to a period far remote, when their ancestral homes were in England.
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Charles J. Thompson, son of Thomas J. and Emily (Sallada) Thompson, was born January 24, 1862, at Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, and there received his first literary training. On leaving the high school of that place, he attended school a year at Knox, Indiana, then, in 1876, returned to his native town, and entered the printing office of the "Wapakoneta Bee," where he remained three years and learned the art of printing. He subsequently worked as a journeyman printer at various points in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the year 1880 found him foreman of the Defiance Express job room, Defiance, Ohio. In 1882 he again took up work in his native place,
Kompan.
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founding the "Auglaize Republican," the first number of which was issued in the spring of that year; but yielding to a strong inclination to resume study, he became a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, in the fall, and remained there until June, 1884. In the following August, he was elected general and political editor of the "Herald," a journal published at Anderson, Indiana, by unanimous vote of the directors of the paper, and accepting the position he conducted the paper with spirit and ability during the Blaine campaign, making a strong and aggressive organ of the Republican party. An engagement of five years, beginning with the spring of 1885, as cashier and bookkeeper of the Wapakoneta Wheel Works at Wapakoneta, followed, soon after which he located in Defiance, and resumed editorial work, having purchased, August 26, 1890, the plant of the "Defiance County Republican and Express," a weekly publication of that city, Republican in politics. It was then in a dilapidated condition, having a circulation of only a few hundred in a county that was solidly Democratic. Under the able management of its new editor it soon manifested a renewed life, and proved so successful a venture that in the face of the business depression of 1893-1896 Mr. Thompson was enabled to make a complete revolution of the old methods, by the introduction of new and modern presses, together with appliances of the most approved type. The year 1894 was signalized by the establishment of the "Daily Ex- press," which, meeting with favor, has reached a circulation of several hundred copies. The "Weekly Express" has a circulation of one thousand seven hundred. Mr. Thompson is a stanch and able supporter of the Republican party, and his publications are recognized exponents of Republican principles. He has also been prominently before the public as an active organizer in county and State politics ; was a member of the State Central Republican Committee in 1893 and 1894, and has been a worker in State conventions for many years. He has the honor of numbering among his friends Senators Foraker and Hanna, leading men in State and National politics, and also the present head of the nation, President Mckinley.
On November 16, 1886, Mr. Thompson wedded Miss Cora Craig, a daughter of Samuel Craig, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, Ohio. Three children have come to brighten the pleasant home of our subject and his amiable wife, viz .: Louis B., born February 21, 1888; Frederic S., born June 4, 1890; and Craig S., born April 10, 1894. Mr. Thompson is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Sons of Veterans, and other fraternal societies.
On June 1, 1898, C. J. Thompson assumed the duties of postmaster for the city of Defiance. He was appointed by President Mckinley, and con- firmed by the United States Senate May 10, 1898.
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EDWARD W. CROOK.
This gentleman is half owner of the extensive business and manufac- turing plant of Kerr Brothers, at Hicksville. The origin and ancestry of Mr. Crook is briefly given in the following account, written by his father, Thomas Crook, the founder of the family in the United States. The full account was not completed by him, owing to his death, but is supplemented by matter written from data in the hands of his descendants.
A short autobiography of Thomas Crook, written by himself January 18, 1888, for the benefit of his children and by their request: "My father, Thomas Crook, born in Bradford (on Avon), County of Wilts, England, A. D. 1784, was a clothier by trade; died in the same place in December, A. D. 1868, aged eighty-four. My mother had died a year previous. He left a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Two residing in England, and three in the United States of America-one in New York State and the other two in the State of Ohio-myself and my brother, John Crook.
"I, Thomas Crook, the third child of my parents, was born in Chippen- ham, County of Wilts, England, January II, A. D. 1817. When about eighteen years of age I moved with my parents from Chippenham to Brad- ford (on Avon). My education was very limited, there being no public schools at that day. Private or select schools existed, but their terms for tuition were higher than my parents could afford to pay. Sunday- schools existed, and were held twice on each Sabbath, in nearly all the churches of the land, and in these schools thousands of children were re- ligiously instructed, and taught to read and spell. My parents sent me regularly to the Sunday-school, where I soon learned to read, and also to commit many portions of the Holy Scripture to memory, which has proved a great source of comfort and consolation to my mind when oppressed or troubled. At the age of ten I was engaged to work in a woolen factory located in Staverton, three and one-half miles distant from home, at which place I worked daily for ten years, walking five miles a day to and from the factory, thirty miles per week, or one thousand five hundred and sixty miles a year, working twelve hours per day. Another important event of my life took place A. D. 1833: through the religious instructions received from faithful teachers at the Sabbath-schools, I became convinced that it was my duty to take upon me the profession of Religion, to renounce the world, and become a follower of Christ. I had been a regular attendant at the
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services of the Wesleyan Methodist Church for sometime, and felt a desire to become a member; application was made, and I was accepted into the society, and soon after experienced a change of heart under the preaching of the Word of God by Rev. John W. Button. I have retained, through the Grace of God, my integrity to His cause and His church, with a firm hope of eternal life. In June, 1836, another great and important event of my life took place, one which I have many times since had cause to be thankful for.
"On June 26, 1836, I was united in marriage to Jane Batchelor, a member of the same church, a noble, pious and good woman, who loved the church, and served God with all her heart, and became a great help- mate to me religiously, and a true helpmate in all our financial and house- hold affairs. In a very short time after our marriage we were called to pass through a severe trial. Business became dull, times rather hard, manu- facturers became discouraged, and workmen were put on short time; many people were out of employment, and wanted for bread. Our income was small, and we often conversed together about what we could or should do in order to better our prospects, and conditions of life, financially. Wife would often remark that the Lord would provide, let us put our trust in Him, and if we do, God has promised that no good thing shall be with- held from us. Yet times did not improve, and our troubles grew worse. Sometimes I worked only two days per week, and not more than three for nearly a year; wages were low, only two shillings per day (about forty- six cents), and there were scores of men offering to work for less, and had we not lived economically, previous to the panic, saving some money, we would have suffered want.
"About this time, my mother's brother, John Mead, who eight or ten years previous left England for America, and commenced business in New York, where he followed the tailor's trade successfully, came again to Eng- land to see his relatives and friends, calling often to see my mother and the family, and by his frequent visits I met him often. On one occasion we had a lengthy conversation in regard to America, and what prospects there were for a poor man to obtain employment and make a living. He stated there was more work to do in America than there were people to do it, and as trade was bad in England, and times hard, with no definite assurance of its improvement for some time, he advised me to leave Eng- land and go to America, where work was plenty and wages double to what they were in England, continuing to say, that by the change, in a short time, we could better our conditions in life. I immediately began to con-
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sider the matter, thought it over in my mind, consulting with my wife al- most daily in regard to the subject. She wanted to please me, but could not endure to think or talk of the idea of leaving her mother (who was a widow), brothers, sisters and relatives, and going to a strange land, among strange people. It seemed to be too great a sacrifice for her to make. Her mother, brothers, and sisters trying all they could to prevent her from giv- ing her consent, my own parents being also opposed to the change, would no doubt have succeeded in their attempt to induce us to abandon the plan, had it not been that, six years previous to this time, my wife had two brothers who left home for America, one of whom died soon after their arrival, the other settling in Ohio, and to this brother, James Batchelor, we all agreed to write for his opinion and advice, as to whether he would deem it best for us to remain in England, or emigrate to America, and then would be governed by his advice. He answered that he had never regretted his leaving home, but had reason to be glad he did, and recommended us to leave England and come over to America; yet this letter was not satis- factory to my wife, nor her relatives, in regard to our leaving our friends, home and country, for a new country we knew so little of. This was the talk and influence that was brought to bear against our leaving; the plan was readily agreed upon; circumstances were against us at the time, and Martha, our eldest daughter, was only a few weeks old, and we could not receive an answer for three or four months.
"As I returned from work one evening my wife met me with a smile. 'I have to-day been thinking over the subject of our leaving home for America, and have concluded that we ought not to go, and I hope you will not think any more about it yourself.' It took me by surprise, and after a few minutes of thought, I said to her: 'I have made up my mind to go this spring, with you (or without you) to America. I am deter- mined I won't walk five miles and work twelve hours a day any longer.' To this she made no answer. I saw she was troubled, and we both were silent for some time; the tears came to her eyes, and her heart seemed broken; we both felt very sad. After some time she said to me, 'If you go, I will go with you;' and it was settled at once. We began to make prepa- rations by disposing of household goods, as rapidly as possible, drew the money we had saved from the bank, and found it sufficient to take us to America and back again, provided we did not like the country. In a few days I went to Bristol and secured our passage in the ship 'Cosma,' bound for New York. After this our relatives and friends did all they could for us, in helping to provide for our leaving; they also bestowed on us many gifts that proved to be of great service to us.
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"We sailed on the 28th day of March, 1838, and arrived in New York on the 12th day of May. After a tedious voyage of forty-five days we went ashore, wife and Martha, our six-months-old babe, and stayed in New York with my uncle a few days; then left there for Pittsburg on the 23d day of May, 1838. Went by railroad and steamboat to Philadelphia; staid one day; thence to Pittsburg by the Pennsylvania canal, and after nine days' traveling arrived at Pittsburg on the 3d day of June; staid over one day ; then went by steamboat on the Ohio river to Wellsville, in Ohio, remain- ing one night, from there going to New Lisbon, and next day to Moore's factory, five miles west of Lisbon on the west fork of the Beaver creek. On our way to Moore's we became fearful we were not on the direct road. We met a person on horseback and asked him if we were on the road to Moore's factory, and he answered, 'Yes.' I asked him if he knew a man there by the name of James Batchelor; he said, 'Yes,' he knew him, and then began to smile (wife looked up in his face, and discovered that his face had taken a serious turn; he then spoke and said: 'Is that Jane?') and dis- mounted from his horse and made himself known to her, by saying: 'I am James Batchelor, your brother,' and taking her by the hand asked 'How is mother?' and then turning to me and taking my hand asked after my health and how we stood our journey, and many other questions, mounted his horse, returned and took us to his home, where we rested after nearly four months' journeying, and scarcely knew whither we were going, but were fully satisfied that a kind Providence was watching over us, and lead- ing us safely day by day. In Him we trusted, feeling assured that He who had brought us thus far would still be with us, even in a strange coun- try and among a strange people; and we desire here to acknowledge that we found those strangers living on and along the banks and hills of the West Fork of Beaver creek a kind-hearted people, who showed us no little kindness, but became very much interested in our welfares, and welldoings: a more social and clever people I think I can say I have not found ex- celled. I obtained work in the woolen factory owned by Abner Moore, and staid in his employ about one year. After the lapse of a week or two we found a Methodist society at the house of a neighbor over two miles from where we resided. Here we found a Christian and religious home, kind people, who took great interest in our Spiritual welfare. We staid here a little over a year, then moved to Hanover, where we staid until May, A. D. 1840, then moved to Elkrun township, Columbiana county, where we are still living. Here I went into partnership with James Batchelor and purchased a small woolen factory, which proved a profitable invest-
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