USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 66
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 66
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Samuel . I Wood.
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born May 3, 1837, is living in Genoa, Ohio; Samuel, born June 27, 1839, died August 3, 1846; Maria E. is the wife of our subject; Noah, born May 14, 1844, is located in Toledo; and Nelson A., born August 17, 1846, died June 19, 1880.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wood has been blessed with six children, as follows: Alonzo, born July 6, 1866, died in infancy; Mary and Martha (twins), born August 10, 1871, and died in infancy; Charles, born July 7, 1875; Lizzie, born Decem- ber 27, 1872, died March 6, 1876; and Nelson J., born March 18, 1879.
Mr. Wood manifested his loyalty to the government during the Civil war by joining Company A, Fourteenth O. V. I., September 5, 1861. He served for three years, participating with his regiment in numerous skirmishes, and some of the most important battles of the war. At the battle of Chickamauga, he was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and for forty-three days was held as a captive in the Smith tobacco-house prison, opposite the renowned Libby Prison, in Richmond, Va. At the expiration of that time with a number of others he was removed to a prison in Danville, Va., where he was held until February 21, 1864, when he suc- ceeded in making his escape, and reach- ing the lines of the Union army at Browns- town. For twenty-one days he was trav- eling toward the Northern army, and en- during untold hardships before he reached his destination. He was then granted a thirty-days' furlough, which he spent in visiting his family, rejoining his regiment at Ringgold, Ga., and with his command participating in the Atlanta campaign. At the capture of Jonesboro, five days after the expiration of his term of service, he was seriously wounded, and when hos- tilities ceased was sent to the hospital. Fourteen days later he was honorably discharged, returning to his home in Clay township, Ottawa county. He had been a faithful soldier, always true to his duties and the cause of the Union arms.
Mr. Wood is a member of Clay Lodge, No. 584, I. O. O. F., and Elliott Wyman Post, G. A. R. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in the discharge of his official duties has won the commendation of all concerned. The family attend the Methodist Episco- pal Church, of which he and his estimable wife are consistent members.
H ENRY GERMAN, the efficient manager and superintendent of the Gypsum Plaster Mills and Carielea Farm, Portage town- ship, Ottawa county, was born in the town of Tyrone, Steuben Co., N. Y., April 3, 1832, and is a son of Andrew and Hannah (Force) German, the former a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., the latter of Steuben county. Both were of German lineage, and the mother was also of French descent. The paternal grandmother of our subject was a grand- daughter of Governor Winthrop, the first governor of the Colony of Massachusetts. Andrew German was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Steuben county, N. Y., and there spent the greater part of his life, passing away in 1851. His widow with seven of her children removed to Ohio in 1857, locating in Margaretta township, Erie county, whence, in 1880, they went to Sandusky county, where the mother departed this life in 1882.
Henry German acquired his education in the district schools of his native coun- ty, and his boyhood days were spent at farm work, while during his early man- hood he was engaged in milling and engin- eering. After locating in Erie county, he followed agricultural pursuits in the town- ship, where the family took up their abode until 1880, when he removed to Townsend township, Sandusky county. There, in association with his son-in-law, Henry Brown, he purchased a sawmill, which he operated in connection with his agricul- tural pursuits until 1884, when he en-
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tered upon his present position as man- ager and superintendent of the Gypsum Plaster Mills and Carielea Farm. He still makes his home in Sandusky coun- ty, where he is also extensively engaged in fruit farming. He is now manager of one of the largest limestone quarries and mills, and also one of the most extensive fruit farms in his section of the State, and his duties are performed with faithful- ness that is well indicated by his long continuance in office, covering a period of more than eleven consecutive years.
On January 10, 1852, in Steuben county, N. Y., Mr. German was joined in wedlock with Miss Lydia A. Howe, daughter of Joseph Howe, and to their union two children were born-Eva, wife of H. E. Brown, who is living in Townsend township, Sandusky county; and Lyman, who died in infancy. The family attend the Universalist Church, and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in social circles, while their home is noted for its hospitality. Mr. German is a Republican in politics, and is a man of broad views, keen and quick perceptions, sterling integrity and a spotless reputation-qualities which have secured him the unlimited confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. While still making his home in Sandusky county, he also takes an active interest in the welfare of Ottawa county, and well deserves representation among the leading men of his locality .- [Since the above was written, Mr. German has re- signed his position in Ottawa county, and gone back to Sandusky county. - Ed.
R ICHARD B. SONOCRANT, a leading and representative citizen of Ottawa county, ex-superintend- ent of the Ottawa County Infirm- ary, was born in Lucas county, Ohio, July 27, 1845, son of John and Matilda (Mommoney) Sonocrant, the former a native of Monroe, Mich., of French an-
cestry, the latter a native of Port Clinton, Ohio, of French and Scotch ancestry. They were highly-respected residents of Carroll township, Ottawa county, for forty-three years, but in 1893 moved to Lucas county, where they now reside. Their family consists of six children, viz. : Peter, residing in Canada; John N., of To- ledo, Ohio; Richard B .; Elizabeth, wife of A. G. Renner, of Locust Point, Ohio; Jennie, wife of Gabriel Dubrie, also of Locust Point; and Samuel E., a resident of Lucas county.
Our subject is one of the wide-awake, pushing men of his day, and has filled several important positions in life. His primary education was received in the public schools of Carroll township, Ottawa county, his early boyhood being spent in assisting in the care of the farm. At the age of seventeen years he left the paren- tal abode, and started out in life as a sail- or, sailing on Lakes Erie and Michigan for upward of six years, experiencing many of the hardships and dangers inci- dent to a sailor's life. In 1870, having left his vessel, he engaged in the fishing industry for one year; then purchased a farm, which he cultivated for about seven years, after which he sold it, and in 1878 embarked in mercantile pursuits at Locust Point, Ohio, shortly afterward opening a branch at Trowbridge, Ottawa county. In 1883 our subject transferred the busi- ness to Clarksfield, Huron county, but re- turned to Locust Point one year later. In 1885, having disposed of his mercantile business, and being recognized as a man of sound judgment and excellent business qualifications, Mr. Sonocrant was ap- pointed to the position he so efficiently filled for some ten years, and in this in- cumbency, as in all his business enter- prises, he proved a success. On June 26, 1895, he leased the "Lake House " at Port Clinton, which he has re-modeled and re-fitted. He is a genial landlord, well calculated to merit and hold a good patronage, and is enjoying a fair trade.
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Mr. Sonocrant was united in marriage at Locust Point, July 16, 1871, with Miss Hetta Pierson, a daughter of Alfred and Mary (Lindley) Pierson, natives of New Jersey, and for many years prominent res- idents of Carroll township, Ottawa coun- ty, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter is still residing in that town- ship. To this union have come seven children, as follows: Ora M. and Cora M. (twins), born August 5, 1872, the lat- ter dying October 6, 1876; Alfred Byron, born July 20, 1874; Elsie L., born April 2, 1876; Burgert H., born September 18, 1879, died June 15, 1884; Eber R., born August 20, 1881 ; and Vida A., born April 13, 1884. Politically Mr. Sonocrant uses his right of franchise in the support of the Democratic party. Socially he is a mem- ber of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 735; I. O. O. F., and of the K. of P.
E DWARD A. POWERS, county auditor of Ottawa county, is num- bered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Woodville, Sandusky county, April 7, 1861.
His father, Charles A. Powers, was born in New York in 1819, and was of Irish descent. He married Lydia A. Banks, who was born in Ontario, Canada, August 24, 1829, and was descended from English ancestry who settled in New York at an early day in the history of this coun- try. Coming to Ohio, Charles A. Powers engaged in merchandising for many years, carrying on the business in Woodville and in Elmore. In 1869 he removed to Per- rysburg, where he retired from active business life and passed away in July, 1871. He was numbered among the pio- neer settlers of Sandusky county of 1837; was one of its enterprising and successful business men for over thirty years, and did much toward promoting its growth and prosperity. He represented that county in the Legislature in 1859, and
honorably filled various positions of trust. His widow now resides in Pawtucket, R. I., with her younger son. Her mother, Mrs. Warriner, née Banks, is also yet liv- ing at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
To Charles and Lydia Powers were born eight children, seven of whom are living, one having died in infancy: Helen A., wife of Gustavus Jaeger, a resident of Elmore; George P., who is residing in Marshalltown, Iowa; Charles A., living at Ardmore, Ind. Ter .; James F., of Cali- fornia; Edward A., subject of this sketch; John L., of Carroll, Iowa; and William H., who is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
When Edward A. Powers was eight years of age he removed with the family to Perrysburg, where he acquired his edu- cation in the public schools. Subse- quently, in 1876, he entered the hard- ware store of Gustavus Jaeger, at El- more, as a salesman, and remained in his employ for two years, when, on the expiration of that period, he began teach- ing school. He was employed for two winter terms in Harris township, Ottawa county, and in the summer continued to work in the hardware store. In 1880 he bought out a mercantile establishment at Webb, Wood Co., Ohio, and successfully conducted that business until the spring of 1883, when he removed to Genoa, where he followed the same pursuit. He has also erected a spacious elevator there, and is engaged in the grain business and in stock buying, still retaining an interest in the store. On November 6, 1893, Mr. Powers was elected auditor of Ottawa county, and took possession of the office on September 10, 1894. He is discharg- ing his duties with a promptness and fidel- ity that wins him high commendation. He has also efficiently served as township clerk for two years, and was a member of the school board some five years. In his political views he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and takes a deep
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interest in everything that pertains to its growth and success.
Mr. Powers was united in marriage in Elmore, Ohio, on the 2d of May, 1883, with Wilhelmina Georgii, daughter of Otto and Frederica (Jaeger) Georgii, and a native of Prairie du Chien, Wis., born in January, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Powers have an interesting little family, number- ing the following children: Charles A., born March 25, 1885; Helen Gertrude, born August 2, 1887; and Alice Permelia, born November 7, 1891. The family at- tend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Powers is a member of Genoa Lodge, No. 433, F. & A. M., of Genoa, and Fort Meigs Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., of Toledo. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of Genoa. As well as being one of Ottawa county's most capable public officers, he is known as one of the most enterprising business men of Clay town- ship, and few, if any, residents of that township have taken a more active part in its upbuilding or done more toward its prosperity than Edward A. Powers.
W ILLIAM H. FRY, a well-known citizen and ex-postmaster of Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, was born in Baden, Germany, May, 23, 1848. His parents Andrew and Katherine (Schlenker) Fry, emigrated to America in 1850, locating in Sandusky county, Ohio, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits and resided until his death, which occurred in 1858. The mother was afterward married to Chisto- pher Lammale, and at present resides on the old homestead in Sandusky county. The family consisted of five children, four of whom still survive, viz. : Rosana, wife of William Schenfeldt, a resident of Sandusky county; William H., the sub- ject of this sketch; Emma, wife of Simon Crane, of Hamler, Henry Co., Ohio; Christian, wife of John Speildiner, a resi-
dent of Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and Andrew, who died in 1893.
William H. Fry, subject proper of this sketch, received his early education in the public schools of Sandusky county, subsequently taking a course in the Bry- ant & Stratton Business College, of Chicago, on leaving which he accepted a position as clerk in a general store at Rocky Ridge, Ottawa Co., Ohio. In 1874 he entered into the employ of H. H. Mylander, of Oak Harbor, as salesman, and was also with George Deel, of the same place, for one year, at the expiration of which time he engaged in the grocery business for himself. In 1885, having received the appointment of postmaster of Oak Harbor, Mr. Ery disposed of his grocery store and efficiently filled the po- sition four years. After his retirement from official life, in 1890, he opend a res- tuarant at Oak Harbor, which he still continues to carry on. Besides filling the position of postmaster, Mr. Fry has serv- ed four years as township clerk, also one year as corporation clerk, and as a serv- ant of the public he has proved himself a thorough business man, discharging his various duties with a painstaking fidelity that won for him the respect and esteem of the entire community in which he re- sides. Our subject also saw considerable service as a soldier during the Civil war. On December 12, 1863, he enlisted in Com- pany D, Twenty-third O. V. I., and with his regiment participated in thirteen im- portant engagements. At the battle of Winchester, Va., he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Confederates, and for seven months was confined a prisoner in Danville, Lynchburg and Libby pris- ons; after being paroled from the latter prison he received his discharge at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, June 20, 1865, on account of disability, and returned home. Mr. Fry is a member of the G. A. R., George Field Post No. 195, Oak Harbor.
On June 20, 1878, our subject was
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united in marriage at Oak Harbor, with Miss Alice Deel, a daughter of George and Julia M. (Koch) Deel, and to this union were born five children, all of whom survive, viz .: William, Mildred, Roland, Ursie and Erma. In his political views Mr. Fry is a stanch Democrat; socially he is a member of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.
G EORGE O. MOMENY, retired merchant and hotel-keeper of Oak -Harbor, Ottawa county, whose parents ranked among the promi- nent pioneers of Sandusky county, Ohio, and who himself is a native as well as one of the oldest living residents of the section of the State to which this volume is devoted, first saw the light of day in Fremont, October 24, 1822.
Joseph Momeny, father of our subject, is a native of Canada, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Gonia, was born in Monroe, Mich., and both were of French descent. The for- mer served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was sent by Gen. Harrison with dis- patches to Gallipolis, on the Ohio river. On the close of the war he took his fam- ily and, accompanied by a neighboring family of the name of Beaugrant, made his way across the country with one horse from Monroe, Mich., to Ohio. They left on account of the Indian ravages. He was well known and on friendly terms with the Indians, however, and therefore his party was not molested, though they witnessed the death of several other set- tlers at the hands of the savages. The party landed at Presque Isle, at the head of Maumee Bay, and continued their journey to the mouth of the Huron river, where they remained until the winter of 1813. The following spring they pro- ceeded on their way to Sandusky county, and located where now stands the city of Fremont, but at that time the site was an
unbroken wilderness. Joseph Momeny worked at the baker's trade, and contin- ued his residence in this section of the State up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1837. His faithful wife passed away in 1834. They had a family of eight children, of whom George O. is the only one now living.
Our subject's boyhood days were passed in Sandusky county amidst the wild scenes of pioneer life, and with the family he shared in many hardships and dangers of which the present generation have little realization. Like other chil- dren of pioneer parents, he received very limited educational privileges, pursuing his studies in an old log schoolhouse with half barrels for seats. The strictest dis- cipline was maintained by a stern school- master, who believed that "to spare the rod is to spoil the child." In early life Mr. Momeny was initiated into farm labor, and became familiar with the arduous task of developing wild land that had hitherto been untouched by the plow. Subsequently he entered upon a clerkship in a general store, but his labors were in- terrupted in 1846 by his enlistment in the United States army. He was assigned to Company C, Fifteenth Regiment, com- manded by Capt. James A. Jones, of Nor- walk, Ohio, and Col. George W. Morgan. He served for one year, and September 13, 1846, was so severely wounded in the left arm as to necessitate the amputation of that member at the shoulder. In con- sequence he was detained in the hospital for nine months, and on becoming con- valescent was discharged in the City of Mexico, whereupon he returned to his home in Fremont, Ohio.
During the succeeding five years Mr. Momeny was a tollgate-keeper on the Western Reserve and Maumee road, and in 1852 was appointed lighthouse-keeper at Port Clinton, efficiently filling that po- sition for three years. In 1855 he em- barked in general merchandise there, car- rying on his store until 1858, when he
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emigrated westward, locating in Hanni- bal, Mo., where he was again engaged in general merchandising for three years. In 1861 he returned to Port Clinton, and re-engaged in mercantile pursuits for a year, when he removed to the country, and devoted his time and energies to pur- chasing furs. His residence in Oak Har- bor dates from 1866, and for seven years he was proprietor of a hotel and grocery store. Since 1873 he has been engaged in fruit growing, but is now practically living retired.
Mr. Momeny has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Angeline Guyett, but afterward separated, and later he was married at Oak Harbor, in February, 1866, to Miss Hester La Jenness, who was born in Monroe, Mich., January 14, 1856, a daughter of Henry L. and Delia La Jenness, residents of that place and natives of Canada. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Momeny: George H., born September 22, 1878; Mary Louise, born January 6, 1880; and Alverretta, born November 26, 1890. Mrs. Momeny and the family attend the Roman Catholic Church. In his political views Mr. Momeny is a stalwart advocate of the Democracy, and has served as a member of the town council of Oak Har- bor, and for four years was a member of the school board, acting for three years as its president. His fellow townsmen rec- ognize in him a citizen who is devoted to the welfare of Oak Harbor, and who in all possible ways will promote its inter- ests. His career has been that of an honorable, straightforward business man, and no one is more worthy of the esteem in which he is held than is George O. Momeny.
G UY P. RAFFERTY, an enterpris- ing citizen and successful manu- facturer, of Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, was born at Easton, Northampton Co., Penn., September 16,
1846, to Michael and Margaret (Clem- men) Rafferty, the former of whom was a native of New York, the latter of Schuyl- kill county, Penn. The family consisted of twelve children-three deceased and nine yet living-namely: John, Mary (Mrs. Peter Magee) and Sarah, all three deceased; and Hannah E. (wife of T. A. Hineline), residing in Sandusky county, Ohio; Felix, a prosperous farmer of near Fremont, Sandusky county; Jacob F., of Easton, Penn .; Margaret (Mrs. George Brown), of Fremont; Ellen (wife of S. B. Snyder), also of Fremont; Michael H., residing in Creighton, Knox Co., Neb .; Guy P., the subject proper of this sketch; James A., residing in Fremont; and Mary, wife of Alfred Stierwalt, a prosperous ag- riculturist of Sandusky county. The parents have both long since passed away, each at a good old age, and are now peacefully awaiting the resurrection morn.
Guy P. Rafferty, whose name intro- duces this sketch, remained at home with his parents for the first eight years of his life, then going to live with his sister in Ohio, near Fremont, and remaining with her until the age of fifteen years, when he returned to his old home at Easton, Penn. His primary education was re- ceived in the public schools of Fremont, to which place his parents removed in 1863, and after leaving school he appren- ticed himself to the trade of stone and brick mason. On finishing his term of apprenticeship Mr. Rafferty started out in life as a builder and contractor, in Sandusky and Ottawa counties, and being a thorough business man, well acquainted with all the minute details of his trade, he proved very successful. In 1879 he moved to Oak Harbor, and engaged extensively in the manufacture of brick and tile, and has since been an honored and respected resi- dent of that town. In 1880 he was elect- ed a justice of the peace, which office he still continues to fill in an efficient man- ner; he is also president of the board of education, and has served two terms as a
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member of the Oak Harbor council. Mr. Rafferty has made a complete success as a business man, and fully merits the re- spect and good opinion of his fellow citi- zens.
On March 25, 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Auzurella J. Yates, born at Green Spring, Seneca Co., Ohio, May 28, 1857, a daughter of Dr. Porter and Mary L. (Williams) Yates. This union has not been blessed with any children, but they have an adopted son, named Bert Yates Rafferty. In his polit- ical views Mr. Rafferty is an ardent sup- porter of the Democratic party. Socially he is a member of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 516, K. of P. Mrs. Rafferty is a member of the Disciple Church, and of Rathbone Sisters, Portage Temple.
Dr. Porter Yates, a retired physician, father of Mrs. Guy P. Rafferty, now re- siding with his son-in-law at Oak Harbor, was born in Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y., February 18, 1818, to George and Eliza- beth (Harrington) Yates, both natives of New York State. Dr. Yates' boyhood days were spent in New York State, where he received his preliminary education; subsequently he commenced the study of medicine and surgery under the preceptorship of Dr. S. Brow- nell, a medical practitioner of Butter- nuts township, Otsego Co., N. Y., with whom he remained three years, at the ex- piration of that time removing to Chautau- qua county, N. Y., where he continued his studies for about two years with Dr. Ellsworth, teaching school during the winter months. In 1850 Dr. Yates en- tered the Medical College at Cleveland, and on graduating from that institution commenced practice in Green Spring, Seneca Co., Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States army as surgeon, and was assigned to hospital service at Brand's Hospital, in Farmington, Tenn. Besides attending to his hospital duties, he also served as surgeon to the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth and One Hundred and
Twenty-eighth Regiments, O. V. I., his duties being very arduous. In July, 1865, he was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, and on receiving his discharge proceeded to Port Clinton, Ottawa county, where he engaged in the practice of his profes- sion and was a resident of that town until 1875, in which year he removed to Green Spring, Ohio. In 1882 Dr. Yates be- came a resident of Oak Harbor, and has since lived a comparatively retired life, his health having been seriously impaired during his service in the army.
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