Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 80

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 80
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mrs. Jaeger's maternal grandmother, Mrs. Pamelia (Phillips) (Banks) Warriner, was born February 12, 1809, in Peters- burg, N. Y., daughter of Elisha and Mary (Lewis) Phillips. She was married Jan- mary 1, 1826, to David B. Banks, who died in 1838, and in 1867 she married Mr. Warriner, who died in 1879. She is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs.

Jaeger, and at the advanced age of eighty- six is enjoying good health. She was a pioneer of Seneca and Sandusky counties, having lived there at a time when the vil- lage of Woodville was unknown, and the county was still a wilderness and a swamp. Her father was born about 1782, her mother in March, 1791, and he was drowned in the Conewango creek, Penn- sylvania, in 1840, she dying in 1886; he served a short time in the war of 1812. Mrs. Warriner's paternal grandfather, 'Squire Phillips, was born about 1752, and he and his wife, Anna (Gates), died in Pennsylvania, she preceding him sev- eral years to the grave. Her maternal grandfather, Augustus Lewis, was born about 1735, in Rhode Island, his wife, Ester Lewis, about 1745; both died in Petersburg, New York.

C HARLES D. JOHNSON. Pomi- nent among the enterprising, pros- perous and progressive fruit grow- ers of Danbury township, Ottawa county, who, by willing heart and hands, have attained an eviable position in the history of Ottawa county, stands the gentleman whose name here appears.

He was born in the town of West- brook, Middlesex Co., Conn., May 13, 1835, and is a son of William and Har- riet (Hill) Johnson, who were also both natives of the Nutmeg State. The father died at Northford, Conn., when Charles was but a youth, the mother coming to Dan- bury township soon after he had located here, and passed away at his home, April 23, 1894, at the very advanced age of ninety-one years. In the family were five children, three of whom still survive: Charles D. ; Frederick A., a prominent resi- dent of Danbury township; and Willian G., who makes his home in Canada.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native town amidst the surround- ings of a comfortable home, and received the advantages of a liberal common-

CD. Johnson

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school education. Since early life he has followed the vocations of fishing and farm- ing, but of late years has devoted the greater part of his time to fruit culture, which he at present conducts on an extensive scale. In 1858 he located in Danbury township, and for thirty-seven years has now been a continuous resident, during which time he has done much toward developing the re- sources of the county, ever taking an act- ive part in all matters having for their object the advancement of the interests of the county and township.

In Danbury township, February 13, 1859, Mr. Johnson was united in mar- riage with Miss Harriet Hartshorn, who was born in that township December 27, 1837, a daughter of Wyatt and Jane (Kelly) Hartshorn. To this union were born seven children, six of whom are yet living, as follows: Etta, born May 20, 1860, is the wife of Emanuel Jesse, a resident of Danbury township; Lottie, born November 18, 1862, is the wife of W. D. Preston, and they also make their home in Danbury township; Dewitt C., born July 6, 1864, lives at Lakeside, Ottawa county; Irwin C., born October 23, 1865, is a resident of Pennsylvania; Fletcher H., born September 26, 1870, is at present in Oregon; and Gertrude, born November 10, 1871, is a teacher in the Lakeside High School.

Mr. Johnson is a firm Republican in politics, always casting his ballot with that party, and socially is a member of Castle Rock Lodge, Knights of the Golden Rule, of Lakeside. The family attend the Congregational Church, and are classed among the best people of the community, worthy of any distinction that may be conferred upon them.

J OHN LUCKEY has the distinction of being the first white person born in Ottawa county, his natal day be- ing April 6, 1824. His parents were John and Anna (Wolfly) Luckey. His

maternal grandfather was a native of France, his maternal grandmother of Germany.

He is the owner of one of the largest and finest farms in the county of his na- tivity. The valuable tract of land of 160 acres on which he now makes his home has been entirely cleared and developed by him. He cut down the timber, dug up the stumps, plowed, planted and fenced his land, and in the course of time rich fields of grain replaced the once wild tract. He also erected a fine brick resi- dence, spacious barns and other outbuild- ings which are models of convenience. As time passed and his financial resources increased owing to his well-directed ef- forts and good business ability, he was enabled to add to his farm and by pur- chase extended its bounderies until it now comprises nearly 500 acres. Much of this he rents in order that he may be free from the care of the place and enjoy a more quiet life, together with the fruits of his former toil. His home has always been in Harris township, and his life has ever been a busy one, devoted to his business interests and his family. He has won the prosperity that comes from honest labor, and gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. In politics he is a supporter of the Repub- lican party.

His wife was born in Sandusky coun- ty, Ohio, July 28, 1833, and was educated in the public schools of Fremont. In 1850 she became a resident of Port Clinton, and in 1851 was married to George E. Bell, of Sandusky City, by whom she had one son, George E., who is now in busi- ness in Toledo. They became residents of Illinois, where Mr. Bell soon after de- parted this life. In 1858 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Luckey, in Elmore, Ohio, and their union has been blessed with three children: Della C., who was born October 31, 1859, now the wife of John N. Magee, a banker of El- more; Oscar L., born April 20, 1861, and

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Rebecca M., born May 1, 1863, and died September 16, 1870. The eldest daugh- ter pursued a course of study in Oberlin College.

Mrs. Luckey's father, Halsey Forger- son, was born February 3, 1789, in Orange county, N. Y., and on January 3, 1830, married Caroline Camp, who was born August 14, 1804, daughter of David Camp, who was born in 1778. His wife was born in 1787, and they became the parents of ten children, all now deceased with the exception of a daughter, who reached the ripe old age of ninety-one years, dying September 30, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Forgerson had a family of four children, and the surviving representatives are Mrs. Ann Luckey and Mrs. Emily Beach. One brother, Oscar Forgerson, D. D. S., was born April 13, 1831, and died April 28, 1859, while Halsey F., born September 24, 1840, died August 28, 1843. The father of this family passed away in 1840, but Mrs. Forgerson died since this was written, September 30, 1895.

J OSEPH W. SYLVESTER, who at the advanced age of eighty-five years is in the enjoyment of good health and possessed of a freshness and vigor seldom seen in octogenarians, is a native of New Jersey, born April 6, 1810, in Essex county.

He is a son of Obadiah and Mary (Wallen) Sylvester, who were of English descent, and the parents of children as follows: Hannah, Sarah, Benjamin, Oba- diah, Jr., Wallen, Joel, Matilda, John, William, Phebe Ann, Susan Maria, Joseph W., and three who died in infancy. Twelve of these grew to maturity, most of thein marrying in Ohio, and their de- scendants settled in different parts of the West-Obadiah in Tennessee and Wallen in Texas. In 1814 the family, after the death of the father, moved to Franklin county, Ohio, where the mother died in

1823, and our subject lived nine years, thence removing to Licking county, thence to Delaware county, remaining three years in each, after which, in 1828, he went to near Fremont, Sandusky county, and from there, in 1830, to Port Clinton, where he has since made his home. Oba- diah Sylvester, father of our subject, died in Licking county, Ohio, when the latter was five years old. He was a Revolu- tionary soldier from his native State, Ver- mont, serving seven years, as did also three of his brothers. When they ex- pressed a desire to fight for the independ- ence of their country their mother ex- claimed: "Go, my sons, and fight for your Country and Liberty!"

Joseph W. Sylvester, the subject pro- per of these lines, learned the tanning business with his brother William in Dela- ware county, Ohio, and afterward worked for him in Port Clinton from 1830 to 1840, in which latter year he was elect- ed county treasurer, serving one term. Afterward, from 1844 to 1860, he car- ried on a boot and shoe business, and from 1860 to 1872 a harness business in the same city, when, having been appoint- ed deputy United States collector of cus- toms for the port of Clinton, he retired from the trade, and for eight years, from 1872 to 1880, filled that incumbency. Since the year 1868 he has been fire in- surance agent, representing the " Home," of Columbus, the "Cleveland," of Cleve- land, Ohio, and the " Star," of New York. He now represents the "Phenix," of Brooklyn, and the "Queen," of New York.

On March 1, 1849, Mr. Sylvester was married at Toledo, Ohio, to Miss Eliza Correll, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 1, 1826, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Officer) Correll. The children of this union were Hattie E., John Wesley, Mary Eva, Edward J., El- iner G., and Susan M., only the first two of whom are now living. Hattie E. is living with her parents at the old home-

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stead; John W., who is a conductor on the L. S. & M. S. R. R. was married in 1878, at Port Clinton, to Lucy Gates, by whom he has three children-William Ray, Nora and Wallen Joseph. Our sub- ject and his faithful wife have been resi- dents of Port Clinton a great many years, as will be seen, and are held in universal respect. They are consistent and promi- nent members of the M. E. Church, at Port Clinton, which they joined in 1841; in politics Mr. Sylvester was originally a Whig, arterward, on the organization of the party becoming an equally ardent Re- publican.

W ILLIAM A. HOLBROOK. As an early pioneer of this State, a well-known agriculturist of Clay township, and a brave veteran of the Civil war, the subject of this sketch is well worthy of place in this volume, in which is preserved the record of many of the men who have aided in placing the " Buckeye State" in the proud position which she now holds. A man who has seen many vicissitudes of fortune, yet has always borne himself courageously, this honored citizen, with the faithful wife, who has traveled by his side without fal- tering for these many years, is now tak- ing his ease, happily enjoying the sunset of life after the heat and burden of the day.

Our subject is the son of Josiah G. and Clarissa (Felton) Holbrook, who were natives of Massachusetts and Penn- sylvania, respectively, and his birth took place in Groton township, Huron (now Erie) county, Ohio, March 12, 1823. His education was very limited, as the school facilities at that early day were exceedingly meagre. A rough log cabin with puncheon floor and slab seats, with an aperture between logs, covered with greased paper doing duty for windows, very few and simple text books and a teacher who probably knew but little

more than the pupils, were not great in- centives to learning; yet from such school- houses have emanated some of the great minds who have controlled the nation. At twelve years of age our subject was thought old enough to take up the burden of life, and began work on the farm with his father. At this he labored until eigh- teen years old, when he learned the trade of a blacksmith, serving as an apprentice for five years. He then worked as a journeyman for a year and a half, when his eyesight became affected and he was forced to give up the business. He next took up the trade of a carpenter and builder, although he had no previous knowledge of it, and also worked as a shipwright for a period of three years. He then tried sailing on the lakes, and at one time commanded a boat plying on the Wabash Canal. In 1852, he went to Michigan, where he took any employ- ment that came to hand, from that of a common laborer, to that of a contractor and builder. He remained there until enlisting September 3, 1862, in Company A, Third Michigan Cavalry. With his regiment he traveled over a good portion of the Southern States, and on March 12, 1863, in the engagement at Island No. IO, he was shot in the left arm, the bul- let passing through his shoulder and disabling him. He was sent to the hospi- tal, where he remained one month, and then receiving leave of absence, went to his father's house in Sandusky county, where his wife was staying. After the expiration of his month's furlough, he returned to Camp Chase in July, but his wound still being troublesome he was discharged in August, as physically unable for duty. On leaving the army Mr. Hol- brook spent a short time in Sandusky county and then came to Clay township, locating at Genoa, where he was engaged in the cooper's business for three years. At the end of that time he sold out and purchased eighty acres of timberland in a part of the same township, which is now

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Allen township. At that time there were only three log cabins in the vicinity, no roads, no schools, nothing to foretell the great future in store for the State and county. With the energy and industry so characteristic of those grand old pio- neers, our subject at once began work, and in a short time had built a cabin and cleared fifteen acres of the land. Be- coming dissatisfied with his location he sold this place and bought forty acres in another part of Clay township. This was also timberland, and he began the work of carving out a home in the wilder- ness. By degrees the trees were felled, orchards planted, fields tilled and soon a comfortable dwelling house, with its ac- companying barns and outhouses, trans- formed the place into a home worthy its industrious occupants. With his own hands Mr. Holbrook erected all the build- ings upon the place, and with the aid of his devoted wife has secured the pleasant home where they are spending their later years, surrounded by their children, and happy in the consciousness of well-spent lives.

On August 19, 1849, our subject was married in Sherman township, Huron county, to Miss Nancy Murry, and to them have come four children, viz. : Lewella A., born in Huron county, June 1, 1850, died at New Buffalo, Mich., August 29, 1857; Naomi, born November 22, 1856, at New Buffalo, and educated in Clay township, was married to George M. Pierson, who was killed in 1892, in a railroad accident at St. Louis (she has one child, Lillia, a graduate teacher at Port. Clinton, where they reside); Jennie was born October 9, 1865, in Clay township, where she attended school, and was mar- ried June 8, 1894, to Elmer Rue, who is in the oil business at Gibsonburg, San- dusky county (they have no children); Eleazer M., born April 29, 1869, received his education in Genoa, and was married August 18, 1893. to Emma Ulrich, daugh- ter of Charles Ulrich, a farmer of Clay

township (one child has come to them, Annie Lewella, born May 14, 1895).'

Josiah G. Holbrook, father of our subject, was born March 8, 1796, in New York State, where he was a farmer. In 1815 he came to Ohio, locating in Groton township, Huron (now Erie) county, and farming there for twelve years; he then re- moved to Sandusky county, and there resided until just before his death, which occurred in Michigan in 1882. He was first married in 1815, in the State of New York, to Deborah Olds, by whom he had three children: Alvina, Silas and Rachel. His wife died in Huron county December 17, 1819, and on October 22, 1820, he was again married, this time to Clarissa Felton, daughter of John Felton, of Sherman township, Huron county. To this marriage children were born as fol- lows: Deborah, July 17, 1821 (died No- vember 25, 1822); William A., March 12, 1823; Erastus F., November 21, 1824; Lucinda, September 2, 1826 (died August 25, 1827); Margaret, July 24, 1828; So- phia, March 26, 1832; Josiah, born July 10, 1830 (died in 1851); Samuel, April 25, 1836 (died October 25, 1836); Henry, born August 26, 1838; one child died in infancy. The mother of this family died in Sandusky county in May, 1872.

James Murry, the father of Mrs. Will- iam Holbrook, was a native of Ireland, and came to this country when a lad of sixteen, learning the blacksmith's trade in New York, and working there until com- ing to Ohio, where he located in Huron county and followed his trade. He was married about 1814 to Miss Almira Slater, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, viz .: John, Naomi, Nancy (Mrs. Holbrook), James, and Eleazer (who died in April, 1865). Mr. Murry died in 1840 in Huron county. His wife passed away July 20, 1895, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years.

Mr. Holbrook is a strong supporter of the Republican party, from principle, and has no aspirations for office, never having

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accepted even the smallest gift in that way that could be conferred upon him. He is content to do his duty for the sake of right, and commands the respect and es- teem of all who know him. He belongs to Elliott Wyman Post No. 39, G. A. R., and in religious connection both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, attending services at Genoa.

0 H. THOMAS, M. D., physician and surgeon, Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in Findlay, Han- cock Co., Ohio, January 14, 1859, a son of James B. and Louisa H. (Ab- rams) Thomas.

The father of our subject, a native of Virginia, was born in 1804, came to Ohio in 1818, and located in Gallia county. There he remained until after his mar- riage, when he removed to Hancock coun- ty, where he opened up a farm on which he resided until his death, which occurred December 5, 1877. His wife, who was also a Virginian, born of Huguenot ances- try, died at the old homestead in Findlay, April 6, 1863. They had ten children- five sons and five daughters-a record of them being as follows: Nannie is the wife of Alexander S. Skelley, of Ottawa, Ohio; Caroline is the wife of William Ramsey, of Findlay, Ohio; Martha is the wife of William Glauner, also of Findlay, Ohio; Jennie died at the age of nineteen; Hat- tie is the wife of Ambrose Thomas, of McComb, Ohio; John A. is a contractor, of Findlay, Ohio; James N., who was a grocer, of Findlay, Ohio, died Septem- ber 6, 1895; Percy C., is a farmer, of Findlay, Ohio; Alexander P. is a farmer, of Weston, Ohio; our subject is the young- est, and all are yet living except Jennie.

Dr. Thomas was reared in Findlay, Ohio, educated in the Findlay public schools, the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, also the Ohio University, at Delaware, Ohio, and taught school for four consecu- tive winters in Hancock county. In 1875

he began the study of medicine, and in 1876 he matriculated at the Ohio Medi- cal College, Cincinnati, from which he graduated with the first honors of his class of 104 members, winning the Faculty prize, consisting of a fine microscope, March 1, 1882. He located the same year in Fremont, for the practice of medi- cine, and has since built up an extensive clientele.

On June 6, 1888, Dr. Thomas mar- ried Jennie A. Rawson, youngest daughter of Jos. L. Rawson, whose family history appears elsewhere. Dr. Thomas is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Med- ical Association, also of the Ohio Medical Association, and a charter member of Fremont Lodge, No. 204, Knights of Pythias.

S AMUEL A. MAGRUDER, man- ager of the S. A. Magruder & Co. banking house, Port Clinton, Ot- tawa county, is a native of that city, born October 8, 1843.

James H. Magruder, his father, was a native of Maryland, born, in 1820, in Calvert county, where he was reared un- til he was about fifteen years old, his elementary education being received there. He then attended school at Washington, D. C., and at Gambier, Ohio, at which latter city he was graduated. He then studied law in Holmes county, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar. In IS41 he came to Port Clinton, where he practiced law up to the time of his death, which occurred April 15, 1888. He became an important factor in the affairs of Ottawa county, which he served as prosecuting attorney several years. In 1874, in connection with his son, Samuel A., he established what is now known as the S. A. Magruder & Co.'s Bank, at Port Clinton, which has always enjoyed the reputation of doing a safe and conserva- tive business. On December 27, 1842, James H. Magruder was married to Miss

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Elizabeth Hollinshead, who was born, in 1825, in Ohio, on Portage river, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Myers) Hollinshead, and a family of children was born to this union. The mother is yet living in Port Clinton, hale and hearty, and ever taking a lively interest in the affairs of the family.

The subject proper of these lines, whose name appears at the opening, at- tended the Port Clinton schools until he was fourteen years old, completing his education at the Sandusky High School, where he was graduated in June, 1859, after which he entered the business house of C. C. Keech, dealer in fur, wool, hides etc., Sandusky. Here he remained some sixteen years, or until 1874, when he re- turned to Port Clinton. Here on July Ist, of that year, in conjunction with his father, he opened what is now known as the S. A. Magruder & Co.'s Bank, of which he has since been manager. For several years he has been treasurer of the Port Clinton Board of Education, and has in many other ways proved himself a use- ful and progressive citizen.

On October 19, 1876, Samuel A. Magruder was united in marriage with Miss Ella C. Mott, who was born March 14, 1851, in Upper Sandusky. Ohio, daughter of Judge C. R. Mott, of that city, and three children have been born to them, their names and dates of birth be- ing as follows: Eleanor E., October 19, 1878; Mary Augusta, September 14, 1882 (died December 25, 1885); and Jes- sie Dorothea, February 22, 1886. In religious faith Mr. Magruder is an Epis- copalian, but at present is identified with the U. B. Church.

J OHN H. MAGEE is one of the pio- neers of Ottawa county, not only in the settlement but also in its busi- ness interests. He established the first bank in Ottawa county, and is recog- nized as an able financier whose honor-

able business methods have gained him the confidence and respect of the entire community. He was born in New York, September 15, 1833, and is a son of James and Mary (Myers) Magee, the for- mer of whom was born in the Empire State in 1786, the latter at about the same date. In 1838 they emigrated west- ward to Sandusky county, Ohio, where they purchased a farm and in this State spent their remaining days. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject, who was a native of Scotland, when only ten years of age ran away from home, boarded a man-of-war, and for six years remained on that vessel. He then went to New York City, and spent his remaining days in this country.

The subject proper of this sketch was reared on the old home farm and ac- quired his education in a log schoolhouse with slab seats and other primitive fur- niture. At the age of twenty he started out in life for himself, buying his time of his father. He was first employed as a laborer on the Lake Shore railroad, help- ing to grade the southern division. When this was completed he secured a clerk- ship with C. H. Haines, of Fremont, Ohio, for whom he worked two years, and was then employed by another firm of the same place for six years. While residing there he was married, in 1856, to Miss Anna Shepard, of Huron county, Ohio, and to them was born a son, John N., in 1857. He is now serving as cash- ier in the Bank of Elmore, and is a pro- gressive business man. He married the only daughter of John Lucky, who was the first white male child born in Ottawa county. Mrs. Magee died in 1855, and in 1858 Mr. Magee was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Tench, of Erie coun- ty, Ohio, and to them have been born four children: Cyrus, Clarence, Ralph and Grace.

In 1861 Mr. Magce removed from Fremont to Hessville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he engaged in merchandis-

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ing, but his residence in that place cov- ered a period of only fifteen months. He then sold out and came to Elmore, where he bought out Mr. Rider, and in 1864 established himself again in the mercan- tile business, which he continued until a period of fifteen years had elapsed. Once more he sold out, and his next enterprise was in the grain and pork business, buy- ing and selling on an extensive scale for six years. He then extended his opera- tions by adding to this the banking bus- iness, and controlled both interests for two years; but finding his attention large- ly taken up with the latter, he placed the grain business in care of his son, while he is devoting his energies to banking. He also owns a large stave factory, which is managed by his younger son. He is a highly enterprising and successful business man, whose careful management, well -directed efforts and honorable deal- ing have won him the confidence of all concerned, and made him one of the most successful of Ottawa county's citi- zens. He is highly esteemed, and his fellow townsmen showed their apprecia- tion of his worth and ability by electing him to the office of county treasurer of Ottawa county, in which capacity he served for four years, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfac- tion to his constituents.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 80

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040