Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 92

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 92
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 92

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We now take up the personal history of their son William, in whom the citi- zens of Ottawa county are deeply inter- ested. When he was only a year old his parents removed to Ohio, where they lived five years, when they came to the farm which is now his residence. His

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youth, therefore, was largely passed within its boundaries, and he early became famil- iar with all the duties that fall to the lot of an agriculturist. To his father he con- tinued to give the benefit of his services until twenty years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of the old home place, and is surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences that go to make life worth living. In addition to his own farm he controls and operates sixty acres of land belonging to a sister- in-law. He employs two hands upon the place to aid him in the cultivation of the various crops adapted to this climate, and his average yearly yield of grain is one thousand bushels of wheat, one thousand six hundred bushels of corn, and seven hundred bushels of oats. He also deals quite extensively in stock, making a specialty of the raising of horses and hogs. The excellence of his farm, its highly- cultivated appearance and the modern accessories, all together make it one of the most valuable places in the county, and give the owner rank among the most prominent agriculturists.

An important event in the life of Mr. Ernsthausen occurred December 8, 1886, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Carrie E. Otto, daughter of Ludwig and Margaretta (Schafer) Otto. Her father lost his parents during his early life, so we have no account of the family. He was reared in Germany, became a shoemaker by trade, and served for one year and six months in the war of the Rebellion. He was married January 16, 1856, to Miss Otto, whose father was born in Germany in 1803, and whose mother, Margaret Korb, was born in the same year. They had five children, three of whom are now living. Great-grandfather Schafer was born in Germany in 1770, and his wife was born about the same time. Mrs. Otto was born in Prussia April 12, 1832; at the age of nineteen came to America, locating in Clyde, Ohio, which was her

place of abode for twelve years. Mr. Otto died in 1864, leaving three children -May Jennie, born August 14, 1859; Matilda, born July 26, 1861; and Carrie E., born February 2, 1864. The last named is now the wife of our subject. Her birth occurred in Elmore, and she acquired her literary education in its pub- lic schools, and also received superior in- struction in instrumental music. She is a lady of culture and refinement, presiding with grace over her home, which is noted for its hospitality. Four children bless this union: John F., born January 15, 1888; Bertha E., born August 8, 1889; Clarence W., born October 11, 1891; and Mabel M., born July 21, 1894.

In his political views Mr. Ernsthausen is a Republican, taking an active interest in the growth and success of his party, and doing all in his power to advance its interests. For some time he has been president of the school board of his dis- trict, and the cause of education and all other interests calculated to promote the general welfare find in him a warm friend.

C HARLES H. GRAVES, one of the prominent members of the Ottawa county bar, was born June 6, 1872, in Clay township, Ottawa Co., Ohio. He was reared amid pleasant surroundings, and his childhood was similar to that of other boys of the period, he thoroughly enjoying and par- ticipating in the sports of the time. He is a son of John H. and Mary (Joseph) Graves, residents of Harris township, Ot- tawa county, the father a native of Prussia, the mother of Baden, Germany.

Our subject received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Oak Harbor, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1889. He then taught school two years in Salem township, and at the same time pursued the study of law under the tutorship of Charles I. York, of Oak Harbor, Ohio. In 1891 he entered the Law Department

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of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he took a thorough course in law, being graduated from that institu- tion in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor at law in the State of Ohio, on June 9, 1893, at the age of twenty-one years. Returning to Oak Harbor, he at once embarked in the practice of his chosen profession, and to- day, although a young man, enjoys a large and lucrative clientage, and ranks among the leading members of the bar.

Politically, he is a Democrat. Socially. he is a member of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M., and formerly he belonged to Fremont Chapter No. 64, R. A. M. ; at present he is a member of Oak Harbor Chapter, U. D., Royal Arch Masons. He possesses a keen analytical mind, is quick to grasp a situation, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, lead one to predict that his career as a lawyer will be one of marked success. In social life he has the respect of all who know him.

F ERDINAND L. MILLER. Among the prominent and well-to-do farmers of Salem township, Ot- tawa county, who can now look back nearly half a century to the days when that township was nothing more than a vast unbroken wilderness, and re- call the many dangers and hardships ex- perienced by them; the discouragements incident to an early life on the frontier; and who, as the reward of many years of hard, honest labor, have now acquired a comfortable competence to tide them over the balance of life's journey, there is probably no one deserving of a more prominent place in this biographical record than the gentleman whose name intro- duces this brief sketch.

Our subject is a native of the Father- land, born in Baden March 16, 1834. His parents, George and Lena Miller,

also natives of Germany, emigrated to America in 1857, locating in Danbury township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, of which township, they were honored and re- spected citizens for many years. They have both long since passed away from earth, the father dying in 1864, the mother in 1874.

Ferdinand L. Miller received his pre- liminary education in the public schools of his native land, and since early youth he has constantly been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, his long experience in this honorable branch of industry making him one of the most practical farmers of the county, his well-tilled fields, comfort- able home and barns bearing striking evidence of this fact. In 1854 Mr. Miller crossed the ocean to the " New World," locating first in Sandusky county, Ohio, thence, in 1859, moving to Ottawa coun- ty, same State, locating in Danbury township; in 1865 he settled on his pres- ent farm in Salem township, of which he has since been a continuous resident, honored and respected by all who know him for his thrift, honesty and many other sterling qualities.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage in April, 1865, with Miss Mary Wiganist, of Riley township, Sandusky county, a na- tive of Germany. To this union were born six children, five of whom are living, viz .: Amelia, born January 27, 1867, now the wife of Henry Godeman, of Toledo, Ohio; Elizabeth, born August 17, 1868, wife of J. F. Mylander, of Salem town- ship; Ellen, born October 26, 1870; John, born February 21, 1874; and Katherine, born August 16, 1877, the latter three residing on the homestead farm in Salem township. In 1880 the father was called upon to mourn the demise of his faithful wife, and the children that of a kind and loving mother, Mrs. Miller passing away during that year. In 1881 Mr. Miller was again united in marriage, his second wife being a Miss Rosina Koser, a native of Germany, born October 24, 1844. To

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this union have been born three children, viz .: Rosa and George (twins), born Feb- ruary 20, 1882, the latter of whom died in infancy; and Matie, born August 17. 1886, died September 23, 1890.

Mr. Miller has ever taken an active interest in the welfare and progress of his township; but although he has frequently been requested, by his many friends, to accept positions of trust, he has never been an office seeker, always refusing to accept them, recognizing the fact that the duties in connection with his home and farm commanded his unremitting time and attention. In his political views our subject votes with the Democratic party. The family are strict adherents of the Evangelical Church.

J ACOB S. STEWART, one of the earliest pioneers of Allen township, Ottawa county, and a brave soldier in the Civil war, was born in Vinton county, Ohio, August 6, 1844, a son of John N. and Letitia (Sain) Stewart, both also natives of this State.

The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the public schools of Sandusky county, on leaving which he worked on a farm for six months. The Civil war break- ing out, he felt called to go to the defense of the old flag, and, although only a boy, offered his services, enlisting July 24, 1862, in Company F, One Hundredth Ohio In- fantry. He took part in the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., and in the battle of Strawberry Plains, in the same State. His regiment was then sent back to Knoxville, and was placed among those who went with Sherman on that famous "March to the Sea," near Atlanta. Mr. Stewart re- ceived a severe wound in his right leg, from the effects of which he suffered for six months. In that engagement he saw men fall all around him, and out of a force of 309 men, over two hundred were killed, or died from the effects of their wounds. When Mr. Stewart had par-

tially recovered, he rejoined his company, which was then a part of Twenty-third corps. They left Atlanta and marched to City Point, North Carolina, and then to Goldsborough, where they met General Sherman. Mr. Stewart received his final discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, and coming to Allen (then Clay) town- ship, Ottawa county, purchased sixty acres of unimproved land. On this he built a log cabin, in which he lived for twenty-five years, in the meantime being diligently at work clearing off the timber and cultivating the soil, and to-day he is the happy owner of one of the most pro- ductive and best improved farms in the township, with a comfortable residence and all necessary attachments, the result of his untiring industry and perseverance.

Mr. Stewart was married, March 12, 1879, to Minerva C., daughter of Oscar and Philindia (Baldwin) Billings, of Wood- ville township, Sandusky county, and they are the parents of four children: Rollin L., born December 26, 1881; Oscar T., April 12, 1886; Dasey M., December 23, 1890; and Harley, born June 12, 1880, died February 25, 1883. John N. Stew- art, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, May 6, 1815, and was of Scotch and English descent. His father fought against the English in the war of 1812 at Fort Stevenson, in Fremont. John N. was a tanner and currier, and assisted his father for a time at his trade. He after- ward worked in the flour-mills, and was also in the employ of Carder & Fuller; in his later years he returned to farming. Mr. Stewart was married to Letitia, daughter of Jacob Sain, a farmer of Vin- ton county, this State, and by this mar- riage eight children were born, three of whom still survive: Jacob S., our subject; Spencer, a mail carrier at Toledo; and Emina V., wife of Stephen Heckathorne, of Toledo. Levi S. was killed during the Civil war, in 1862, in the skirmish on Cheat Mountain, West Virginia. Os- car Billings, father of Mrs. J. S. Stewart,

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was born in the State of New York in 1824, where he was a farmer for many years. He came to Ohio in 1841, where he was engaged at his trade in Woodville, Sandusky county. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the three- months' service, after which he removed to Minnesota, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. His first wife was Mary Boose, who died two years after marriage, leaving one child. He subse- quently married Miss Philindia Baldwin, October 27, 1858, and of this marriage there were nine children: Minerva C., born in Elmore, Ottawa county, July 3, 1859, became the wife of our subject; Sarah J., born in Woodville, Sandusky county, June 22, 1862, married Bradford Lindsey, a farmer of Allen township, and of this marriage four children were born, viz. : Orvil, Clarence, Leroy and Edith; Nelson O., born March 10, 1863, is a barber in Genoa, Clay township (he mar- ried Annie Fuller, of that township, and they have one child named Harold); Ar- thur T., born August 31, 1864, is unmar- ried and lives in Allen township; Lorenzo A., born March 3, 1868; Leonard G., born December 11, 1871, in Woodville township, Sandusky county; Casper A., born July 23, 1874, in Harris township, Ottawa county; Mirtie B., born August 29, 1876, in Harris township, and Laura born May 28, 1880, are all single. The mother of these children was born in Woodville, and was a daughter of Nelson and Catherine E. Baldwin.

The subject of this sketch is a Re- publican, a member of the G. A. R., and with his family attends the Church of the United Brethren. He still suffers from the effects of a wound received while in the army, and is obliged to use crutches a part of the time. In his noble wife he finds a true helpmate, and she has been of inestimable service to him. In 1889 she began the weaving of carpets, and she has made many thousand yards, adding materially in this way to their income.

B ARNEY VALIQUETTE is one of the young and progressive farmers of Carroll township, Ottawa coun- ty, of which township he is na- tive born, his birth having occurred Sep- tember 28, 1870, and he is a son of James and Elizabeth (Doroucher) Valiquette. The carly life of our subject was spent upon the homestead farm, and in the public schools of the neighborhood he ac- quired his education. In connection with his farm duties he also assisted his father in mercantile pursuits. On February 6, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Dora Pickard, a daughter of Andrew and Serdelia (Moore) Pickard.

James Valiquette, the father of our subject, was born in Monroe, Mich., No- vember 23, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Monique (Ganier) Valiquette, both natives of Monroe county, Mich., and of French-Canadian ancestry. In their fam- ily were nine children, four of whom still survive, namely: James; T. Isadore, a resident of La Crosse, Wis .; Henry, of Toledo, Ohio; and Matilda, wife of Ra- phael Navare, of Toledo. The father of this family served with distinction in the war of 1812, and was a prominent farmer of his native county, where his death oc- curred in February, 1861. His faithful and devoted wife survived him for some- years, and passed from earth in Carroll township. Like the majority of the youth of his day, James Valiquette re- ceived only such education as could be obtained in the primitive log schoolhouse, and only at such times as he could be- spared from the farm duties, which in those days took precedence to education. In 1846, he came to Ottawa county, the trip from Michigan being made by way of the canal, and on his arrival made his home in Carroll township, which at that- time was a vast forest, inhabited princi- pally by Indians. Here he has since re- sided and to-day ranks among the oldest living pioneer residents in the county. In 1848 he began inerchandising, which he:

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continued in connection with agricultural pursuits until 1885. since which time he has lived a comparatively retired life, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

In Monroe county, Mich., May 26, 1850, was celebrated the marriage of James Valiquette and Elizabeth Dorouch- er, daughter of Lawrence and Monique (Saucombe) Doroucher, who were the parents of nine children, six of whom are still living: Lawrence, Saucombe, Luke, Cleopha (widow of Anthony Miltz), Marie (wife of Henry Latour), and the mother of our subject. Mrs. Valiquette was born in Monroe, Mich., July 22, 1829, and by her marriage has become the mother of children whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Elizabeth, April 1I, 1851, died April 25, 1879; Caroline, April 15, 1853, died April 25, 1861 ; Saucombe, July 29, 1855; Clara, October 7, 1859, now the wife of D. M. McLean, of Kala- mazoo, Mich .; Annie, July 10, 1861; and Barney.

F REDERICK COOK is a native of Germany, born June 18, 1852. His father died a few months prior to the birth of his son, and when Frederick was three years old he was brought by his mother and a friend of the family to this country. Mrs. Cook re- mained in New York, and gave her son to one of the friends that accompanied her on the voyage in order that he might have a good home and education. With his foster-parents he went to Sandusky county, Ohio, and by them was reared on a farm, where he worked from early age until he had attained his majority. For his services he received only his board and clothing, being granted no education- al privileges, and the only knowledge he acquired during this period was through experience and observation.

When he had attained his majority, Frederick Cook left his foster-parents,

and for a year and a half worked as a farm laborer. He then took up the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed some five years, and he afterward was employed for several years as a journey- man in the same line of business. After saving enough money from his meager earnings he went west to the State of Kansas to visit his mother, who had mar- ried in New York and was then living up- on a farm in the " Sunflower State." He spent a year or more in that place, work- ing on farms until he had obtained enough money to take him to Ohio again, when he once more settled in Sandusky county, working at carpentering two years. Abandoning that pursuit, he then rented a farm in that locality, which he operated until 1887, when he removed to Ottawa county, and purchased a farm in Clay township, containing seventy acres, most of which was improved. He then cleared the remaining eleven acres, and trans- formed the whole into rich and fertile fields. He has made many improvements upon the place, planted an orchard, erected a good barn and other necessary outbuildings, and to-day has one of the best cultivated farms of the neighbor- hood.

On September 5, 1876, in Woodville township, Ottawa county, Mr. Cook wedded Mary Blausey, daughter of Henry Blausey, a farmer of that township. Nine children came of that union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Henry, who was born in Woodville town- ship, January 5, 1877, and now aids in the operation of the home farm; Ricke, October 8, 1878; Minnie, September 27, 1880; August, May 11, 1882; Caroline, September 5, 1884; Lucy, September 25, 1886; Lena, January 18, 1889; Julia, April 1, 1891; and Lewis, December 18, 1893. Mrs. Cook died December 20, 1893, and Mr. Cook was again married July 5, 1894, his second union being with Tillie Zesing, who was born May 5, 1872, daughter of Charles and Minnie (Tropp) ,

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Zesing, farming people of Wood county, Ohio.

In his political views, Mr. Cook is a stanch Democrat, has held the office of school director for several years, and is a warm friend of the cause of education. He is numbered among the leading agri- culturists of Ottawa county, and his straightforward, honorable life well en- titles him to representation in its volume.

AMES PALMER, M. D. That a smooth sea never made a skillful mariner is fully realized by all who have successfully carried to comple- tion any undertaking on the sea of life. The world is indebted to-day for its great- est achievements to men who have come upward through adversity; to men who are self-made; to men who from early manhood have been compelled to stand alone and fight single-handed for what they believe to be true, and for their own best interests.

The subject of this sketch is one of Ottawa county's self-made men. He is a native of England, born December 9, 1832, in the Parish of Harlington, some thirteen miles west from London, and is a son of Thomas and Ann (Palmer) Palmer, the former of whom was born in 1801, and lived to be ninety-three years of age; the latter was born in 1803, and died in 1887. Seven children-six sons and one daughter-were born to them, one of the sons being now a shoemaker in Saginaw, Mich .; another (our subject) a physician in Oak Harbor, Ohio; the other three being farmers; the daughter resides in Canada. Robert Palmer, the maternal grandfather of this family, rep- resented the fifth generation of Palmers who rented the same farm in England. One of Dr. Palmer's uncles served in the ever-memorable Crimean war of 1854-56, in which the quadruple alliance- England, France, Sardinia and Turkey-was en- gaged in a sanguinary struggle with Russia.

When our subject was nine years old (1841) his parents emigrated to this coun- try, bringing their family and settling in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where for four years they made their home, the father following his trade, shoemaking. It was here our subject received his first school- ing, only three months in all, the rest of his time being occupied in farm labor, he working by the day or month as occasion presented. In 1845 the family moved to Canada, settling on a farm in that por- tion of Middlesex county that is now in- cluded in Elgin county, and here our subject had his home until he was twenty years of age, his time and energy for the most part being devoted toward assisting in the clearing up and developing of a homestead for his parents, although for nearly three years (owing to illness which seized him when eighteen years old, through exposure in the timber) he was unable to do much hard work. In 1852 he went to live with his brother, Thomas R., of Port Burwell, now in Elgin county, Ontario, but soon afterward moved with him to St. Thomas, a few miles northwest of Port Burwell, and here he was con- verted to Christianity, uniting with the Baptist Church. At the same place, and through the kindness of his brother, he received another three-months' schooling, making in all six months' education up to the age of twenty-one.

From early boyhood Dr. Palmer had looked forward to the possibility of the practice of medicine being his life work, such being his devout wish; but lack of means all along stood in the way of his accomplishing his desire in that respect. Moreover, more money would have to be carned, to accomplish which he com- menced, after leaving school the second time, to learn the trade of carpenter, which he continued several years, among other work assisting in erecting all the Great Western railroad buildings, includ- ing docks, at Windsor, Canada. About the year 1858 our subject moved to

1 DrJames Palmers

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Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, where he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. R. F. Dow, and with him diligently pursued his prelimi- nary readings, completing same with a three-years' course at the Medical De- partment of the Western Reserve Uni- versity, Cleveland, Ohio, where our sub- ject was graduated with the degree of M. D. Immediately thereafter he opened an office in Cleveland, where for six months he enjoyed a good practice; his business relations in Painesville, however, were such that he deemed it advisable to remove thither. In 1893, after building up an extensive practice in that city, the Doctor, for reasons that will presently be explained, transferred his practice to Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, where he has since remained.

Dr. James Palmer has been twice married, first time at St. Thomas, Canada, January 1, 1857, to Miss Margaret L. Card, of that city. In 1883, while they were on a visit to Canada, Mrs. Palmer was taken ill, and died there before she could be removed to her home in Paines- ville. On November 22, 1887, Dr. Palmer was wedded to Miss Mary B. Beatty, of Butler county, Penn. In 1893, as already related, the Doctor removed from Paines- ville to Oak Harbor, hoping that his wife's health would be improved by the change, for she had been unwell for some time. Only temporary relief, however, was se- cured to the patient, for on April 2, 1894, she passed to the home beyond. Her brothers are the proprietors of one of the largest rose gardens in the world, same being located at Oil City, Penn., and their productions received first premium at the World's Columbian Exposition, held at Chicago in 1893. Dr. Palmer is a typical self-made man, and the enviable position he now holds in his chosen pro- fession is conclusive proof that " where there's a will there's a way." Let every young person who may read this sketch remember that what has been accom-

plished under adverse circumstances can be done again, and that a man with en- ergy, perseverance and application will, in any sphere of life in this wide country, always find "room at the top." The Doctor attributes his success in life to his adherence to the principles of rectitude instilled into him by his mother, whom he remembers with true filial devotion and loyalty.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 92

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