Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 85

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 85
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 85

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F RANK BROWN, a practical* farmer and fisherman, and a pop- ular and respected resident of Carroll township, Ottawa county, was born in Venice, Erie Co., Ohio, Au- gust 11, 1856, and is a son of Daniel and Melissa J. (James) Brown. He was but eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Carroll township, and when his farm duties would permit he attended the district schools of the townships where- in his youthful days were spent. With the exception of two years devoted to railroading, his whole life has been given to agricultural pursuits and to fishing.

At Port Clinton, Ottawa county, on January 20, 1880, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Goodside, who was born near Dubuque, Iowa, Au- gust 13, 1859, and is one of a family of nine children born to William and Min- nie Goodside, seven of whom are yet liv- ing: William, of Bogart, Erie Co., Ohio; Minnie, wife of our subject; Frank, of Detroit, Mich .; and Charles, Andrew, Clelia and Eugene, of Sandusky City, Ohio. Her parents located in Erie county, Ohio, in 1861, where they still reside. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were four children: Alvira, born January 16, 1881; Bertha, born June 16, 1882; Nettie G., born March 22, 1884,

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and died March 2, 1894; and George R., born April 4, 1885.

Socially, Mr. Brown is a prominent member of the Knights of the Maccabees, while politically he is an ardent adherent of the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, and for two terms served as township clerk. Though still a young man, he has won for himself a name and standing in the community in which he resides, that might well be envied by many an older man. He well deserves the prosperity that has rewarded his years of toil, and his hospitality and cheering manner, combined with sterling worth, have won for him a host of friends.

P HILLIP VROMAN, one of the most progressive and highly-es- teemed residents, as well as the oldest living settler of Put in Bay Island, Ottawa county, and a prominent and successful fruit grower, whose sur- roundings indicate thrift, enterprise and good management, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., August 22, 1823, and is a son of John and Nancy (Becker) Vroman, both of whom were natives of New York State. Their parents, who were born in Germany, located in New York in an early day in the history of that State, and their respective fathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war.

When only nine years of age our sub- ject removed to Canada, where for a few years he resided with his father's brother. He then went to what is now Lake county, Ohio, where he obtained a limited educa- tion, and after leaving school he sailed upon the lakes for several years. On July 1, 1844, he located in Put in Bay township, Ottawa county, and for over fifty years has been a continuous resident of that Island, foremost in all works per- taining to its improvement, and giving of his time and means toward all interests calculated to promote the general welfare. Shortly after his arrival here he purchased |

100 acres of land, erected a substantial home, and for many years engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits and fishing for a liveli- hood; but of late years his attention has been more particularly devoted to fruit culture-his orchards and vineyards being among the finest on the island, on which he set the first vineyard.

Mr. Vroman was married in Tiffin, Ohio, May 2, 1847, to Miss Amelia Luce, a daughter of Joshua and Electa (Sander- son) Luce. She was born in Oxford, Erie Co., Ohio, March 31, 1829, and is of English and Welsh lineage. The fam- ily born of this marriage numbers four sons: Daniel P., born in Sandusky City, Ohio, April 21, 1848, was united in mar- riage in Cincinnati November 1, 1871, to Alice Bertrand, and now resides on Put in Bay Island. Frank, born at Groton Center, Ohio, July 5, 1854, died June 23, 1866. George Henry, born at Put in Bay February 29, 1860, was married on the Island November 19, 1891, and now has two children-Frank Leslie, born November 30, 1892; and Erma May, born September 7, 1894; with his family he now resides on the old homestead; he had been previously married, his first union being with Lottie Reynolds, by whom he had two children-Edna Amelia, born in January, 1881; and Florence, born February 22, 1883. The fourth son, Solomon Welden, was born at Put in Bay December 30, 1870, and died Feb- ruary 6, 1891.

Mr. Vroman purchased the first land ever sold on Put in Bay Island, and also erected the first schoolhouse on the Isl- and. He has been treasurer of the town- ship since its formation, and has been a prominent factor in the development of this region, and in making the Island what it is to-day, one of the most highly cultivated localities in northern Ohio. Though well advanced in years, he still takes an active part in all matters that will add to its attraction. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He

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is an active member of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and superintendent of the Sunday-school, and enjoys a reputa- tion that is above reproach. He and his family have the respect and confidence of every resident of the county with whom they are acquainted, and in this volume well deserve representation.

J OHN MCKENZIE is a prominent business man of Lakeside, Ottawa county, proprietor of livery and transfer stables. Being well known in this community, we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of inter- est to many of our readers and gladly give it a place in this volume. He. was born in Paisley, Scotland, July 12, 1841, and is a son of Neil and Mary Mckenzie, both of whom were natives of the High- lands of Scotland. When he was only three weeks old his mother died, and while still a young child he went with his father and an aunt, and two brothers of the latter, to Canada. They located in Hamil- ton, Ontario, where our subject received a common-school education. His father died leaving him an orphan when he was only seven years of age.

On the completion of his school life, John Mckenzie drove a stage for about five years, and afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1865 he re- moved to Ohio, settling near Norwalk, in Huron county, where he carried on farming, and worked in a sawmill for about three years, then spent a similar period in fishing in Lake Erie, at Huron. In 1871 he came to Lakeside, Ohio, where he has since resided, and for twenty-two consecutive years he has held the position of dock master. He has also had extensive business relations, and has been a prominent official. On November 6, 1894, he was elected county commissioner on the Republican ticket, and has also filled the office of

school director in Danbury township, Ottawa county, for several years.

On January 7, 1871, Mr. Mckenzie was united in marriage with Miss Martha, daughter of Bishop and Permelia Knapp, natives of the Empire State, who settled in Huron county, Ohio, at an early day in its history. They located first in Bronson township, where they resided for many years, and then removed to Milan, going thence to Norwalk. The father died about 1866, the mother in October, 1873.

Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have four children: Fenie was the first child born in Lakeside, the natal day being Febru- ary 23, 1874; the others are Daniel B., born November 17, 1875; Margery Aiken, born August 17, 1879; and John H., born April 24, 1883. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views, Mr. Mckenzie is a Re- publican, and, socially, is connected with Peninsular Lodge, No. 607, K. of P. He is recognized as one of the represent- ative and progressive men of Ottawa county, his character is above reproach, and he and his family are highly es- teemed residents of Lakeside.

OSEPH G. TOEPPE. In the fall of the year 1844, prompted by a desire to better their condition in life, there came from Baden, Ger- many, to America, Michael Toeppe and his brother, who settled near Buffalo, N. Y., and engaged in farming.

Michael Toeppe was born in Baden, April 15, 1813, and was married in New York State, in October, 1855, to Miss Mary Hillinger, also a native of Baden, born May 18, 1830. Eight children blessed their union: Joseph G., our subject; Mary, born in January, 1859, married and living at Tiffin, Ohio, has one child; Will- iam A., born in May, 1861, died at the age of twenty years; Mary, born in May, 1863, living at home; Helen, born Au-

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gust 31, 1865, living in Seneca county, Ohio; Movette, born in 1867, living in Chicago, Ill .: George and John, both living at home.

Joseph G. Toeppe was born Novem- ber 12, 1856, in Erie county. He re- ceived a common-school education in the near vicinity of Buffalo, N. Y., and at the age of twenty-six left home and em- barked in a general merchandise business in Kansas, Seneca Co., Ohio. After six weeks of trade he was burned out, On August 12, 1883, he located in Millersville, Ohio, where he rented a store and put in general supples. After two years of profitable trade he erected the two-story brick building which he now occupies. Mr. Toeppe is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed postmaster of Millersville, Ohio, August 10, 1890. On April 17, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary F., daughter of John Schock, a farmer of Seneca county, Ohio, and two children have come to them: Otto George, born August 30, 1891, and Mary F., born April 21, 1893.

H ENRY BEHRMAN is pleasantly located in Danbury township, Ot- tawa county, where he is success- fully conducting a fine fruit farm. He is a native of Germany, born in the Province of Hanover, March 25, 1841, and is a son of Henry and Mata (Lenan) Behrman, also natives of the same prov- ince. His parents are now both deceased, the mother having departed his life Jan- uary 28, 1867, the father on December 8. 1890. In their family were three children, two of whom still survive. Henry, and his sister Gasha, wife of Al- bert Bahs, of Danbury, Ottawa county.

In 1848 Mr. Behrman, the subject of this sketch, crossed the broad At- lantic to America, and located in Dan- bury township, where he has since made his home. In the common schools of

Ottawa county he acquired his education, and since large enough to handle a plow he has followed farming. On February 20, 1868, in Danbury township, Mr. Behrman was married to Miss Mary Kahrs, a daughter of John and Helena Kahrs, both natives of Germany, the former of whom has passed away, the latter still living and making her home in Danbury township. By this union seven children were born, one of whom died in infancy; the names and dates of birth of those still living are Edward A., February 21, 1871; Martha, July 22, 1873; Hattie, May 7, 1876; Mary, May 18, 1878; Hel- ena, July 28, 1883; and Henry, Septem- ber 5, 1887.

Mr. Behrman and his family attend the Lutheran Church, and are highly re- spected and esteemed as valuable mem- bers of the community. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a typical self-made man, having ac- quired his possessions through his own in- dustrious efforts and good management, and has arisen to a prominent and in- fluential position in his neighborhood. His reputation is above reproach, and he may undoubtedly be classed among the best citizens of Ottawa county.

C ASPER FOOS, retired farmer and a resident of Millersville, Jack- son township, Sandusky county, was born February 20, 1826, in Alsace, France (now Germany) a son of Casper and Mary (Toeppe) Foos. The parents of our subject came to America in 1842, and settled near Rochester, N. Y., where the father's death occurred in 1882, when he was aged seventy-eight years; the mother died seven years later at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Foos was a member of the Roman Cath- olic Church, and in politics he was a Democrat.

Casper Foos, the subject proper of these lines, who was one of a family of

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nine children, remained at home until his nineteenth birthday, when he started out for himself. He worked at different places and at various employments, for two years, and then secured a paying position in a distillery where he was em- ployed seven years, saving his earnings. In 1855 he moved to Jackson township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and there bought forty acres of land and engaged in farm- ing pursuits. Five years later he bought one hundred acres more.

On April 25, 1849, Mr. Foos married Miss Adeline Horchelar, of Rochester, N. Y., daughter of John H. Horchelar, now deceased, as is also her mother. The children of Casper and Adeline Foos were as follows: George, Maryette, John, Martin (1), Helena, Anthony, Louis and Martin (2). In politics Mr. Foos is a Democrat, and has held several offices, being popular and well-liked in the com- munity. He served in Company F, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteers, under Capt. W. W. Webb, Seventeenth Corps, Sherman's Army. In religious faith he is a member of the Catholic Church.

E LLIOTT F. PEIRCE. Among the leading and representative fruit growers of Catawba Island township, Ottawa county, there is none more prominent than the gentleman of whom this notice is written. He is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth having occurred in Lancaster county, August 22, 1857, and is a son of John A. and Mary E. (Cox) Peirce. When about twelve years of age he removed with his parents to Baltimore, Md., where most of his education was obtained in the pub- lic schools.

In 1875 Mr. Peirce came to Ohio, locating in Carroll township, Ottawa county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for over a year, and in 1877 re- moved to Catawba Island where he spent five years in fruit culture. From 1882

until 1889 he was in the employ of the Chicago and North Western Railroad Company as telegraph operator and sta- tion agent at Irwin, Iowa. At the end of that time he returned to Catawba Island, and after remaining there for about eigh- teen months, removed to Arkansas dur- ing the year 1890, where for two years he was employed as station agent by the Iron Mountain Railroad Company. Since 1892 he has been extensively en- gaged in fruit growing in Catawba Island township, and is meeting with excellent success.

On September 28, 1882, Mr. Peirce was married to Miss Elnora H. Porter, who was born June 22, 1858, a daughter of Wheeler and Flora H. (Bearss) Porter, and they have one child: Wheeler R., born July 25, 1883. The father of Mrs. Peirce was born in western Connecticut, May 30, 1808, and was a son of John and Sarah (Beers) Porter. In October, 1832, he located on what is now Catawba Island, and during his residence there re- sided in three different counties, though on the same farm, as the name was changed three times by reason of alterations made in the surveys. Dr. L. S. Porter is his son by his first marriage, and on Decem- ber 22, 1853, he wedded Miss Flora H. Bearss, a sister of his former wife. They had two daughters-Sarah A., who was born December 19, 1854, and is the wife of Theodore S. Porter; and Elnora H., the honored wife of our subject. The father passed away April 10, 1888; the mother, who was born in New Fair- field, Conn., December 17, 1832, still survives him and finds a pleasant home with our subject. From a local paper published in 1887 we glean the following reminiscence concerning Mr. Wheeler Porter: "Mr. Porter is one of the pio- neers of Catawba. He left Connecticut, September 27, 1832, and landed on his present farm (then consisting of 300 acres) one month later, where he re- mained until the fall of 1839, when,

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becoming homesick, he sold out and returned to Connecticut; but the first line of boats the following spring brought him back, and he purchased 100 acres of his old farm where he has resided ever since. When he first came to Ca- tawba it was known as Danbury township, Huron county. There was only one American family on the Island at that time. His party consisted of eight per- sons, the first night was spent in a log hut with no floor, door, windows or roof, ex- cept the heavens above. The first Thanks- giving Day observed on Catawba was cel- ebrated at Mr. Porter's house in 1833. The first religious service held on the Island was at his home down on the east shore in 1840. Many changes have taken place during his fifty-six years of residence on the Island, he has seen it change, as it were, from a howling wilderness to a garden of fruit.

Socially, Mr. Peirce is a member of Ellsworth Lodge, No. 473, I. O. O. F., of Irwin, Iowa, and is a charter member of Port Clinton Lodge, No. 361, K. of P., to the Grand Lodge of which he was the first representative. In political sen- timent he is a stanch advocate of the men and measures of the Republican party, while, in religious faith, he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the energetic young fruit growers of Catawba Island, and his farm is part of the old Porter homestead. He is pleasant and genial as a host, a general favorite with all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and both he and his wife enjoy the the respect and esteem of many friends and neighbors.

J OHN WELLES. No name is bet- ter known or more highly revered throughout Ottawa county than the one which introduces this sketch. For more than thirty-five years Mr. Welles has been closely identified with

the history of Martin, the thriving little village of which he is the founder, and which is indebted to him for its growth and prosperity. He comes of good old Revolutionary stock, and his life, full of enterprise, persistence and industry, and crowned with good deeds to his fellow men, proves the truth of the old adage, " blood will tell."

John Welles was born November 13, 1824, at Wethersfield, near Hartford, Conn., in the old Webb mansion, one of the oldest historic buildings in that State. The hospitality of its owners was so well known that it was styled "Hospitality Hall." It stands on Main street, in Wethersfield, and in 1752 was bought by Joseph Webb, Sr., from Maj. Samuel Wolcott, for two thousand eight hundred pounds sterling. The father of our sub- ject purchased it in 1820. This home was on more than one occasion a resting place of Gen. George Washington. His first visit was made June 30, 1775. when on his way to take command of the army at Cambridge. He was accompanied by Gen. Charles Lee and other military offi- cers. It was at the Webb home also that a most important military conference was held May 19, 1781, when Gen. Washington, with Count Rochambeau and other French officers, outlined the campaign which resulted in the siege of Yorktown and the close of the Revolu- tionary war. In this house, in 1753. Gen. Samuel Webb was born. He was aid-de-camp to Gen. Putnam, wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill, and after- ward private secretary to Gen. Wash- ington. He was the grandfather of the well-known Dr. William Seward Webb, president general of the "Sons of American Revolution," and of his three distinguished brothers. Our sub- ject's paternal great-grandfather was a major in La Fayette's corps, and after- ward general of the State Militia.

John Welles obtained his primary education in the schools of his native town,

John Welles

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and was preparing to enter Yale College when illness intervened and prevented him. At the age of seventeen years he left home, and going to New York City found employment as clerk in a whole- sale dry-goods store, where he remained for seven years. Being a young man of good business ability and progressive ideas, he determined to start in some en- terprise of his own, and embarked in the wholesale commission business, which he carried on for seven years with great suc- cess, shipping produce, butter, etc., all over the Western States, chiefly to Cali- fornia. He once sold two shipments of butter, in two days-bound to California by way of Cape Horn, there being no railroads in those days-which amounted to $30,000. In fact he dealt so largely in butter that it was impossible to obtain a sufficient quantity of barrels in which to place the firkins; but this only stirred up the Yankee blood of Mr. Welles, and with true grit he determined to show the dealers that he was not dependent on them. He came to Ohio and purchased six thousand acres of timber land, built a sawmill and employed a large force of men cutting logs and turning them into lumber, staves, heading, etc., making his own necessary utensils. He carried on the commission business in New York for a year longer, then sold out and returned to Ohio, where he devoted himself to the manufacturing of lumber, etc.

At this time Mr. Welles established the now thriving little town of Martin, nam- ing it for his father, Martin Welles. He extended his business, employing from eighty to one hundred men, and nineteen teams, and continued in this work for up- ward of twenty-five years, in the mean- time clearing his large tract of land and turning it into fertile fields, planting 150 acres of corn in one season. In 1880 a disastrous fire swept away his entire plant at a loss of $13,000, on which there was no insurance. A new mill speedily arose, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the old 37

one, and the business was again under way. The fire-fiend, however, continued to pursue him, and in 1885 a smaller mill was burned, Mr. Welles losing $3,000, on which there was but little insurance. After his second calamity he retired from the lumber and stave manufacturing business, which had not proved very profitable, and has since devoted his entire time and attention to his extensive farm.

On October 6, 1863, Mr. Welles was married to Ada M., daughter of Rev. Henry Moore, and they became the par- ents of two children: Frances Adaline, born October 29, 1878, who died October 22, 1880; and John Moore, born April 5, 1881, who is attending high school in Genoa.

Martin Welles, the father of our sub- ject, was born in 1788, in Newington, Conn., read law at Hartford, where he practiced for a number of years, and also for a time in New York City. He was for eight years speaker of the House of Representatives in Connecticut, was after- ward a member of the State Senate, and was also a candidate for governor of that State. In political faith he was an Old- line Whig. He was a man of strong character and excellent principles, and for many years prior to his death he served as judge of the Superior Court of Con- necticut. About 1808 he was married to Miss Frances Norton, who was born in 1791, a daughter of Reuben Norton, who was a merchant of Farmington, Conn. She became the mother of five children, a brief record of whom is as follows: Thomas Norton was born, in 1810, in Newburgh, N. Y., and received his edu - cation in his native town and in New York City, where he studied for the ministry, but on account of ill-health, was obliged to give up his plans, and in hope of reovering his health went to Illinois and took up farming; there he died in 1852, and was laid to rest in Jubi- lee College Cemetery. Charles R. was

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born in 1812, in Newburgh, N. Y., graduated from Yale College and read law at Springfield, Ill .; he was a warm per- sonal friend of the martyred President, Abraham Lincoln, and they practiced law side by side in the courts; after the death of Mr. Welles, which occurred in 1850, at Springfield, Mr. Lincoln, as his executor, transacted all the business for Mrs. Welles up to the time of his leaving the city to take his seat in the White House. Julia Welles was born in the old Webb mansion and died in infancy. Francis N. Welles was also born in the old Webb mansion, in 1823, and was educated in Hartford, graduating from Yale College; he took his degree from the Medical Uni- versity of Missouri, at St. Louis, and practiced for a short time at Springfield, Ill., returning to Wethersfield, Conn., where he died June 10, 1893; he was married to Miss Augusta Pulsifer, of Rocky Hill, Conn., and they had two children, Dr. J. N. Welles, a dentist at Hartford, Conn., and Dr. F. M. Welles, a physician, John Welles, the subject proper of this sketch, is the youngest child. The father of this family died January 18, 1863, while on a visit to his son John, at Martin, the mother passing away at the old home in 1876.

Adaline Moore, wife of our subject, was born February 16, 1840, in Portage county, Ohio, daughter of Rev. Henry and Adaline (Miller) Moore. Her mother was born in Hartford, Conn., and was a minister of the Congregational Church, as was also her mother's father. The children born to this couple were as fol- lows: Adaline M .; Catherine E., born October 16, 1841, who resides at Toledo; Lucetta P., born at Wayne, Ohio, in 1849, and died in infancy; Clara, de- ceased in infancy; Delia, wife of the re- nowned Dr. Carl Von Ruch, of Asheville, N. C., who graduated at Ann Arbor (Mich.) College, and afterward studied in Ger- many; Mary Alice, widow of George Bishoprich, who lives at St. Catharines,

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 85

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