USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 115
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 115
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R OBERT RICHARDSON. Among those who devote their time and energies to farming and fruit grow- ing in Portage township, Ottawa county, and have attained success in their undertakings, is this gentleman. He was born in Bay township, that county, No- vember 2, 1844, and is a son of Robert and Mary (McRitchie) Richardson, who were natives of Dundee, Scotland, the father born May 12, 1803, the mother August 10, 1803. They were married near Dundee, Scotland, and became the parents of five sons and one daughter: Jane, born in Scotland, in August, 1832, married Samuel Farsht, who was killed in the Civil war; she is now living in Toledo, Ohio. David and Robert, twin brothers, were born March 11, 1835, at New Tyne, Scotland; the latter died in infancy, while the former resides in Port- age township, Ottawa county. George, born in Paterson, N. J., about 1838, died in childhood. William, born in Nyack, N. Y., about 1840, died at the age of three years. Robert is the subject proper of this sketch,
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In September, 1834, Mr. Richardson crossed the Atlantic to America, and in August, 1836, was joined by his wife and their two children. They continued to reside in New York until 1840, the father working at his trade, that of stone mason. The family, on coming west, located in Bay township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where Mr. Richardson engaged in agricultural pursuits for about six years, also working at his trade at intervals, and erecting the first stone house ever built in Portage township, for Col. Lockwood, of Plasterbed. This house is still in a good state of repair, and is now occupied by the Colonel's son, J. W. In the spring of 1847 Mr. Richardson purchased 180 acres of land in Portage township, where he erected the first log house built between Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay, making it his home up to the time of his death February 28, 1855. His faithful and de- voted wife, who survived him twelve years, passed away March 31, 1867. They were among the early settlers of the township, and endured many of the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life.
When in his fourth year, Robert Rich- ardson was brought by his parents to Portage township, Ottawa county, where he has resided continuously for the past forty-eight years. He received his educa- tion in the common schools of Port Clin- ton, and with the exception of three years spent in sea-faring life on the lakes, he has been continuously engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. On January 3, 1864, Mr Richardson responded to the coun- try's call for troops, joining the "boys in blue" of Company G, One Hundredth O. V. I., and with his regiment partici- pated in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, as well as the engagements of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. The reg- iment was afterward taken on transports to Fort Anderson, N. C., proceeded thence to Wilmington, and on to Golds- boro, where they joined Sherman's army,
continuing their march to Raleigh, N. C., where the campaign virtually ended. At Greensborough, N. C., Mr. Richardson was mustered out and received a final discharge on July 11, 1865, after which he returned to his home and once more resumed farming.
In Fremont, on November 18, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of our sub- ject and Miss Harriet E. Magruder, daughter of James H. and Elizabeth (Hollingshead) Magruder, and a native of Port Clinton, born July 11, 1847. Three children grace this union-James Frank- lin, born October 6, 1870; Charles B., who was born February 15, 1872, and died August 27, 1874; and Clara May, born June 19, 1875. Mr. Richardson was reared in the faith of the Presbyter- ian Church, while his wife attends the Roman Catholic Church.
Our subject has filled the office of in- firmary director for six years, and was township trustee for twelve years, dis- charging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that won him high commendation. His political support is given the Demo- cratic party, and socially he is connected with George A. McRitchie Post, No. 524, G. A. R., of which he served for two years as commander. He is one of the progressive and successful farmers and fruit growers of the township, giving his attention largely to the cultivation of peaches and grapes, and his comfortable surroundings bespeak thrift and industry. As a friend and neighbor he is held in the highest esteem throughout the com- munity in which he resides.
D AVID RICHARDSON, eldest son of Robert and Mary (McRitchie) Richardson, was born in New Tyne, Scotland, March 11, 1835, and came to America with his mother in 1837. Five years later his parents re- moved to Bay township, Ottawa county, and in the district schools of the neigh-
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borhood he acquired his education, tak- ing advantage of such limited opportuni- ties as were then afforded. As soon as old enough to follow the plow he began work in the fields, and his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. Since 1847 he has been a continuous res- ident of Portage township, and he is still living on the old homestead farm which his father secured nearly fifty years ago. He has his land all under a high state of cultivation, and to-day ranks among the most popular and prominent farmers of the township, highly respected by all who know him for his integrity and straight- forward dealing.
Mr. Richardson was married, in Fre- mont, Ohio, December 16, 1862, to Miss Paulina Adelman, who was born in Ger- many, May 8, 1843, daughter of Chris- tian and Catherine (Moos) Adelman, na- tives of Germany. who became residents of Fremont. The father passed away March 12, 1892, on the eighty-fifth anni- versary of his birth, and the mother died in August, 1864. By this marriage there are five children-Emma J., born De- cember 8, 1863, who is now the wife of Edward J. Fall, a resident of Port Clin- ton; Mary J., born September 14, 1865, wife of Edward Wedekind, of Port Clin- ton; John R., born April 2, 1867; William A .. born February 17, 1869; and Anna E., born October 6, 1871, the last named three still living with their parents. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are widely and favorably known throughout the community. Mr. Richardson is a member of the Port Clin- ton Lodge No. 627, I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a Democrat.
A UGUST HEILEMAN, a son of Gottlieb and Henriette (Black) Heileman, was born in Germany, August 29, 1839. His parents were also natives of the same country,
and the father followed the blacksmith's trade.
Our subject spent the first fifteen years of his life in the land of his birth, and in July, 1854, sailed wilh his mother for America. Upon their arrival here they received word that the father and husband had died. They did not return, however, but at Quebec, where they had landed, took a canal boat for Buffalo, N. Y., and thence came by steamer to Sandusky, Ohio, and on to Fremont. There our subject secured work as a farm hand and the mother as a domestic. A few years later she was married to Solomon Bow- man, an agriculturist, residing in Wash- ington township, Sandusky county. In 1860 August Heileman began working for Mr. Bowman, with whom he remained until the latter's death. From the guar- dian in charge of the property he then rented the farm, comprising 154 acres, and in 1869 purchased two of the quit claim deeds. In 1871 he purchased the other one, and thus came into possession of one of the best farms in Sandusky county. He has since devoted his time and attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits, and is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community, for his fields are well tilled, the place im- proved with good buildings, and every- thing kept in good repair.
During the Civil war Mr. Heileman was drafted and on September 24, 1864, joined the Thirty-third Ohio Infantry, which went first to Columbus, thence to Kentucky, and on to Kingston. In the battle of Bentonville, N. C., he was wounded, a rifle ball striking him between the eyes. He was taken to the hospital in Newark, N. J., and on his partial re- covery was sent home on a furlough. While here the war ended, and on July 29, 1865, he received an honorable dis- charge.
Mr. Heileman was united in marriage, February 19, 18-, in Fremont, with Miss Mary Elizabeth Bowman, a daughter
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of his stepfather, and by their union they have become the parents of ten children, namely: Henry A., born June 10, IS -- , who died April 22, IS68; Louisa, wife of Theodore Kerns, a farmer of Ottawa county, Ohio; Simon, born January IS, 1871, who died November 27, 1873; John B., born July 22, 1873, who died Novem- ber 27, following; Charles, born Septem- ber 8, 1874; Clara, born in February, 1877, wife of William Foreman, a farmer of Ottawa county; Emma K., born April 19, 1879; William, born August 22, ISSI; Hattie L., born December 10, 1883; and August C., deceased.
Mr. Heileman is a member of the German Lutheran Church. He came to this country a poor boy of fifteen years, and was from that time dependent upon his own resources for a living. He worked long and earnestly before he was able to secure a farm, and his life has ever been a busy and useful one. Thus, through his own enterprise and energy, he has gained a comfortable competence, and to-day is numbered among the substan- tial agriculturists of Washington town- ship.
J OHN H. FRY, retired farmer, of Ballville township, Sandusky coun- ty, was born February 28, ISIo, in the Province of Westphalia, Ger- many, a son of L. H. and Mary E. (Schulte) Fry.
L. H. Fry was also a native of West- phalia, born in 1770, and was a cabinet maker by trade, following farming as well. He died at the age of eighty-four years. The mother of our subject lived in Ger- many all hier days, dying there at the age of seventy-three. His paternal grand- father, L. H. Fry, Sr., a farmer by vocation, died at the age of eigty- four; the maternal grandfather, John II. Schulte died at the age of eighty- five. All were members of the Reformed Church. Our subject was one of five
children: Lambert H., who died in Ger- many; Mary E., who died when thirteen years old; John H., whose name opens this sketch; Henry, who lives in Ballville township; and Elizabeth, wife of L. C. Speller, of Ballville township.
Our subject learned the trade of a cabinet maker in Germany. When twenty- five years of age he came to America, landing in New York July 4, 1835, and went at once to Ohio. He came up the Sandusky river on the old steamer "Jack Downing," of pioneer fame, and locating in the village of Ballville, Sandusky coun- ty, worked at his trade there for about six years. In 1839 he bought 106 acres of land about three and a half miles from Lower Sandusky, and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, living on his farm for more than twenty years, and doing all his own farming. At one time he was the owner of as much as 240 acres, the greater part of which he has willed away.
Mr. Fry was married to Miss Julia W. Miller, who was born in Lycoming county, Penn., June 15, 1815, and died May 9, 1892, without issue. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and, in religious connection, a member of the Reformed Church. He is a typical, old-style gen- tleman, a good citizen and a kind neigh- bor. He could not speak a word of En- glish when he came here, but he patiently contended against difficulties, and has made his life a grand success.
W ILLIAM GERWIN, a substan- tial farmer of Woodville town- ship, Sandusky county, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 14, 1839, son of Louis and Sophia (Hunton) Gerwin.
Louis Gerwin, who was a wagon- maker by occupation, came to America in 1853. He located in Woodville town- ship, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and bought seventy-two acres of timber land, the greater part of which, with the help of his
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children, he succeeded in clearing. He died in May, 1861, and his wife who sur- vived him, died in June, 1877, at the age of over seventy-seven years. They were the parents of six children, viz. : Dora married Casper Anthonsen, and they have had seven children; they live in Ot- tawa county. Henry died at the age of sixty years. Sophia married Henry Schumberg, a carpenter, and they live in Toledo, Ohio. Fred lives in Toledo. William is the subject of this sketch. Harmon is a farmer in Madison township, Lake Co., Ohio.
William Gerwin received his educa- tion in the Fatherland, and was fourteen years of age when he came to America. During his early life he remained under the parental roof, and on April 28, 1866, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Falling, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Cook) Falling. Ten children have blessed their union, as follows: Sophia, born November 27, 1865, married Will- iam Schmitt, and they live in Gibsonburg, Sandusky Co., Ohio; Henry L., born February 21, 1867, died March 5, 1867; Ludwig H., born March 29, 1868, lives in Woodville township; Henry G., born January 6, 1870, lives in Ottawa county; Maria Louisa was born Jannary 14, 1872; Herman, September 20, 1873; Louisa M., March 14, 1875; William Henry, Angust 1, 1877; Johanna F., Jannary 14, 1879; and Fred, October 3, 1881. Mr. Ger- win has seven good oil wells on his place. In politics he is a Democrat, and in re- ligions affiliation a Lutheran.
W ILLIAM ZIMMERMAN, widely known as one of the substantial and progressive farmers of Green Creek township, Sandusky conn- ty, is a son of John and Rebecca (Fisher) Zimmerman, and was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 23, 1825.
John Zimmerman's father came to Pennsylvania from Germany with his
parents when but two years old. The family located on a farm, and by indus- try and frugality succeeded in accumulat- ing a sufficiency of this world's goods. John Zimmerman and his wife were born in Pennsylvania-in 1800 and 1802, respectively. They were married in 1821, and in the following year came to Ohio, settling in Stark county. A farm was purchased, and the work of clearing away the primitive forest was begun and con- tinued among many hardships, as any pioneer can tell. Here life's battles were fonght and won, till, after about thirteen years, the family found a new home in the wilderness where now are seen the fruit- ful farms of Seneca county. In 1847 a new location was sought, and the farm which William Zimmerman now occupies was purchased. Here, in 1850, Mrs. Rebecca Zimmerman passed away. John Zimmerman continued to live here for several years, and then returned to Seneca county, where he died in 1878.
On July 5, 1847, William Zimmer- man was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brownell, who was born in New York State, April 20, 1830. The following children were born to them: (1) Charles W., a boilermaker by voca- tion, lives in Dayton, Ohio, and his chil- dren are-William, Carrie, Eddie and one whose name is not given. (2) John F., a photographer, formerly had a studio at Clyde, Green Creek township, is at present at home working at his pro- fession and helping his father; his chil- dren are-Mary E., William H., Carroll, and Charles L. (3) Electa A., wife of Harvey Gray, of Green Creek township, has six children-Fannie, Jesse, Flora, George, Charles and Elijah. (4) James A., a boiler maker at Dayton, Montgom- ery county, has children-Fay and Mary E. (5) Elijah H., for several years a barber and bandmaster in Green Spring township, later went west, but returned and went to Canada, where he died in 1890.
ยท
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William Zimmerman did not serve in the Civil war, but two of his brothers- Benjamin and Franklin-did. Although Mr. Zimmerman has espoused the prin- ciples of the Democratic party, and affili- ated with that political organization, he has no scruples against voting for the best man even though his name is found on another ticket.
G EORGE FETTERMAN, farmer of Rice township, Sandusky county, was born in that town- ship, March 28, 1843, and is a son of John and Catherine (Daniel) Fet- terman, who were born and married in Pennsylvania.
John Fetterman was born in 1809, married Catherine Daniel, and they came to Ohio in 1860, settling in Rice town- ship, where he bought forty acres of land. Mr. Fetterman died March 18, 1892, his wife April 30, 1892, and they were both buried in Sandusky township. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Lima married Michael W. Wal- ter, and they had seven children (they live in Indiana); Mary married William Overmeier, and they had one child, Ellen, who married John Hess, a farmer of San- dusky county, Ohio, by whom she had four children; Daniel died in 1892, and was buried in Henry county; Amanda was born in 1834, and lives in Lindsey, Washington township, Sandusky coun- ty; Sarah married John Taking, and they have five children, of whom Isadore lives at home, Monroe lives in Wood county, Ohio, and Emma, Alice and Ida live at home; John, who is a farmer, married a Miss Prince, and lives in Mich- igan; Solomon, who is single, lives in Oak Harbor, Ottawa Co., Ohio; George is the subject of this sketch; Jacob died September 7, 1889, and was buried in Sandusky county; Romanzas Inarried Amanda King, and they had four children; and a son, whose name is not
given, a farmer by occupation in San- dusky county, married Catherine Artz, and they had four children.
In 1850, George Fetterman was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fought, in Rice township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and purchased IS0 acres of land, where he now lives. They have three children, as follows: Ernest, who is a farmer in Rice township, married to Almeda King; Frank, also a farmer in Rice township, married to Mary Benter; and Westley, living at home. Mr. Fetterman was con- stable in Rice township for two years, was engaged in railroading on the Wabash for about two years, and was then mar- ried and went to farming. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and a Catholic in re- ligion.
W A. COLLIER, owner of one of the finest fruit farms in Ben- ton township, Ottawa county, is a native of Ohio, born February 18, 1849, in Licking county, and is a son of Aaron and Catherina (Grove) Collier.
Aaron Collier was born March 21, 1822, in England. He enlisted in the British army, but deserted because he could not eat the hard tack furnished the soldiers, and coming to America com- menced peddling pills, in which he en- gaged on his journey from New York to Licking county, Ohio, walking all the way, and going from house to house. On ar- riving in Ohio, he learned the trade of blacksmith from Stephen Grove, father of the lady he afterward married, and he followed same some twelve years. On June 12, 1847, he was married in Ohio to Miss Catherina Grove, and they had a family of ten children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Collier was born November 20, 1829, in Virginia, daughter of Stephen Grove, who was born in 1782 in Germany, came to America in his youth, and served in the war of 1812. As above intimated, he was a blacksmith by trade, and fol-
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lowed this occupation for many years on a slave plantation. His wife was born in 1801 in America, and died in 1856.
WV. A. Collier lived in his native county until he was nine years of age. His pa- rents then removed to Wood county, Ohio, where they resided eight months, at the end of that time taking up their residence in Ballville, Sandusky county, where they lived four years. From that place they removed to Riley township, Sandusky county, and there remained three years. So far as attending school was concerned, Mr. Collier's education was completed when he was ten years of age. His father died in 1865, and the then sixteen-year- old lad was obliged to work out, and also on the home farm, in order to assist his mother in caring for the family of ten children. For ten years he faithfully rendered all the assistance in his power, until his younger brothers and sisters were able to care for themselves.
At the age of about twenty-seven our subject started out in life for himself, embarking in the sawmill business, in which he continued until thespring of 1875, when he turned his attention to agricul- ture. After engaging in farm work two years he resumed sawmilling, in partner- ship with John Woodcott, at Hickory Isl- and, Erie Co., Ohio, remaining there about one and a half years, and then came to Benton township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, settling on fractional Section 30, where he purchased a farm of ninety acres, all covered with timber and en- tirely unimproved. On his first coming to the farm he lived in an old trapper's shanty until he could build a more com- fortable home, the upright to the house in which they now live. Having made a comfortable abode Mr. Collier commenced getting out stave bolts, saw logs, etc. In the fall of 1880 he put up a sawmill across from his house for John Stang, of Lorain county, Ohio, who owned a large tract of land in that section, and operated it for that gentleman some three years, during
which time he disposed of much of the timber on his farm. Returning now to his farm, he removed the rest of the tim- ber, blew out the stumps, and put up good buildings and fenced the farm neatly, also thoroughly underdraining the greater part of it. In addition to all these improve- ments he put out 600 pear trees, 200 quince trees, 1,800 gooseberry bushes, 500 grape vines, and 100 apple trees, all of which are now producing nicely, and Mr. Collier has one of the finest fruit farms in Benton township, if not in the entire county.
On April 18, 1877, Mr. Collier was married to Miss Louisa Robinson, who was born February 10, 1849, in Erie county, Ohio, where she received her education. She is the only child of Har- rison and Elizabeth (Austin) Bowles, Pennsylvanians by birth, the former born in 1824, of Irish descent, the latter in I 830. They were married in 1848, and the father died in 1849, the mother sur- viving until 1883. Mrs. Collier's mater- nal grandfather was born about 1798, in Vermont, of Scotch descent, and died De- cember 27, 1860; he served in the Mexi- can war. The maternal grandmother was born February 25, 1802, and died July 7, 1892. They were married October 26, 1829, and their union was blessed with four children-two sons and two daugh- ters-all of whom are now deceased. The family made the journey from Pennsyl- vania to Knox county, Ohio, with a team, and settled in Sandusky about 1816, when it was a mere village. At the age of fourteen Mrs. Collier went to Sandusky county, where she lived up to the time of her marriage.
To Mr. and Mrs. William A. Collier have come five children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: George Aaron, June 4, 1878; John William, Jan- uary 6, 1882; Lester Arthur, November 19. 1884; Harrison O'Neill, September 8, 1888; and Foster, June 25, 1892 (he died February 5, 1893, and is buried in Elliston
.
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cemetery). Politically, Mr. Collier sup- ports the Republican party; socially he is a member of Graytown Lodge No. 599, I. O. O. F.
W ILLIAM PECK is numbered among the successful agricultur- ists who have transformed tracts of wild land into rich and pro- ductive fields. Where once stood the forests is now seen the waving grain, giv- ing evidence of abundant harvests. Mr. Peck is a wide-awake and progressive man, and is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Sandusky county. He was born in Scott township, that county, March 14, 1841, and is a son of William and Luna (Cole) Peck, who were pioneer settlers of Ohio. The grandfather of our subject, and his parents, who were natives of Holland, emigrated from that country to America in an early day, locating in Connecticut, where the father of our subject was born March 29, 1800. He followed farming through the summer months, and in the winter en- gaged in teaching. In 1840 he left his native State, and with his family came westward, taking up his residence in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he spent his remaining years. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-nine. His wife was of German lineage, her parents having emigrated from the Father- land to the New World. She was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1810, and passed away in July, 1888. The subject of this review is the youngest of four children, the others being Nelson, a resident of Madison township, Sandusky county; Catherine, who became the wife of George Spayde, and died, leaving two children; and Jason L., a resident farmer of Kansas.
William Peck spent his early boy- hood days on the home farm, continuing to give his father the benefit of his serv- ices until twenty-two years of age, when
he began farming in his own interest. For five years he cultivated a tract of land in Madison township, and during that time was married. On July 4, 1869, he wedded Armena Fairbank, of Madison township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, who was born September 3, 1851, a daughter of Josiah and Sovina (Bowman) Fairbank, residents of Washington township, San- dusky county. Her father is a carpenter by trade.
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