Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 96

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 96
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 96

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John W. Worst, attorney at law, of the firm of Meek, Dudrow & Worst, Fre- mont, Ohio, was born in Ballville town- ship, Sandusky Co., Ohio, September 3, 1847, a son of Jacob and Hannah (Parks) Worst. Jacob Worst was a native of the Keystone State, and when a young inan in pioneer days, came to Lower San- dusky. He grew up on a farm and learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked for some time in Lower San- dusky. In 1845-46 he served as a sol- dier of the Mexican war, under Gen. Zachary Taylor. He located on a farm in Ballville township. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Seventy- second Regiment, O. V. I., for three years or during the war, and served un- der Gen. U. S. Grant, in the Western Department. He was killed at the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, on Sun- day morning April 6, 1862. His widow is still living on the family homestead.

Our subject was one of a family of nine children, and fifth in the order of birth. He was reared on a farm, ed- ucated in the public schools, and grad- uated from the Fremont High School with the class of 1872, having worked his way chiefly by teaching country schools for twelve successive terins. He had also during this time read law as he had op-

portunity. Having finished his course of study, he next served as superintendent of the schools at Green Spring, Seneca county, two years, and at Elmore, Ot- tawa county, eight years. From 1882 to 1885, Mr. Worst served as school ex- aminer of Sandusky county, and in the

fall of 1887 was elected county clerk, which office he held six years. Unlike many other teachers, he did not confine his mind solely to school matters, but during these years became interested financially in the timber and lumber bus- iness in Paulding county, Ohio, where he has for a number of years been engaged in the manufacture of stave heading and lumber. He has, more recently, in con- nection with other parties, opened up an extensive lumber interest in Missouri. Having had a good opportunity, during his service as Clerk of Courts, to observe the practice of law, he continued to read on that subject, under the tuition of B. R. Dudrow, and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, on December 6, 1894.

Mr. Worst is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and of McPherson Post, No. 367, I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and has passed all the chairs in each. In 1872, he married Miss Calista S. Long, daughter of Rev. M. Long, an early pioneer of Sandusky county, and an United Brethren divine for more than fifty years, whose death occurred Novem- ber 18, 1891. To our subject and wife were born three children: M. Le Clare, Cleo G. and Vonnieda Grey.

B F. JACKSON, editor of the Clyde Enterprise, Clyde, Sandusky coun- ty, was born June 17, 1861, in Chester county, Penn. After se- curing the rudiments of a good education in the common schools of the county, he learned the printer's art in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

In 1881 he came to Clyde, and began the study of law, teaching school during the winters in order to pay expenses. In 1884 he bought a half-interest in the En- terprise, which was then in bad financial condition, A year later he became sole proprietor, and began a series of improve- ments and a systematic pushing of the business that soon placed the paper on a

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paying basis, so that it is now a most valuable property and an influential fam- ily journal. Meantime Mr. Jackson found time to pursue his legal studies, and in 1894 was admitted to the bar by the Su- preme Court of Ohio. He does not prac- tice law, however, but devotes all his en- ergies to his newspaper business.

Mr. Jackson was married November 20, 1884, to Miss Margaret Taylor, and they have two sons-Howard H., born December 7, 1885, and Arthur Taylor, born May 31, 1894.

C ASPER H. MEILANDER, one of the most progressive and prosper- ous farmers of Ottawa county, was born in Prussia, Germany, and is a son of William and Anna Louisa (Speakamon) Meilander, both of whom were also natives of Prussia. In Novem- ber, 1854, they emigrated with their fam- ily to America, locating in Pemberville, Wood Co., Ohio, where the mother passed away in September, 1855. The father afterward removed to Salem township, Ottawa county, where he resided until his death, which occurred January 16, 1887. In the family were seven children, five of whom are living at the time of this writing (summer of 1895), namely: Henry, residing in Bedford, Cuyahoga county, Ohio; Casper H., the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Martin Seberlin, a resident of Cleveland; Louisa, wife of Dr. L. Schimansky, a physician of Oak Har- bor; and Ann, wife of Frederick Hage- myer, whose home is in Pemberville, Ohio.

The subject proper of this record ob- tained his education and was reared to manhood in the land of his birth, and in April, 1854, left his home in Germany for the United Statese His first location was in Cleveland, Ohio, but after a few months he removed to Pemberville, Wood county, where he made his home for a year, and then, returning to Cleveland,

was a resident of that city until 1861. On April 16 he located in Salem town- ship, Ottawa county, where for the past thirty-four years he has been one of the most honored and respected citizens. He devotes his time and energies to agricul- tural pursuits, and his good management and business ability have brought to him success.

Mr. Meilander was married in Cleve- land, April 16, 1861, to Flora Brinkmyer, who was born in Prussia, Germany, Sep- tember 4, 1836, daughter of Herman and Margaret (Grotthouse) Brinkmyer, and their family numbered seven children: William, born in January, 1862, died June 3, 1876; Henry Otto, born February 27, 1864, is doing business in Oak Har- bor as one of the firm of Meilander & Williamson, blacksmiths and wagon mak- ers; Louis F., born January 20, 1866, aids in the operation of the home farm; Clara, born May 7, 1868; Mary, born January 31, 187 1, is the wife of John Han- son, a resident of Clay Center, Ohio; Flora, born February 27, 1873, is the wife of Henry Longanbach, and they re- side near Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio; and Louisa, born September 12, 1875, is the wife of George Glaser, of Carroll township, Ottawa county.

Mr. Meilander has served as township trustee for three years, and was treasurer for twenty years. What higher testi- monial could be given of his faithful serv- ice than his long continuance in office ? His public and private life are alike above reproach, and his example is well worthy of emulation. In political views he is a Democrat, and the family attend the Lu- theran Church.

G ABRIEL DUBRIE, a prominent and progressive farmer of Carroll township, Ottawa county, was born in Lucas county, Ohio, Sep- tember 4. 1846, and is a son of Gabriel

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and Cleophe (Page) Dubrie, the former of French ancestry, the latter of German.

Our subject's mother died when he was but two years old, and he was only four when his father also departed this life, after which he was adopted by Jan- uary Valiquette, of Carroll township, by whom he was reared to manhood. In the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education, and at a very early age began to assist in the labors of the fields. With the Valiquette family he remained until he had reached the age of seventeen years, and on February 26, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Forty- first O. V. I. For two years he remained in the service of his country, during which time he participated in numerous important engagements. At the close of the war he was mustered out and dis- charged at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865, and returned to Carroll township, where he has since made his home.

On November 15, 1870, in Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, Mr. Dubrie was united in marriage with Mary Jane Sono- crant, who was born in Lucas county, Ohio, August 20, 1849, a daughter of John and Matilda Sonocrant. Mr. and Mrs. Dubrie have three children: Gabri- ella J., born August 16, 1871, now the wife of Daniel O'Hearn, of Sandusky City, Erie county; and Lester J., born June 4, 1876, and Stanley R., born Octo- ber 2, 1877, still at home. At the time of his parents' death, Mr. Dubrie had a baby sister, but since then he has heard nothing of her.

Both our subject and his worthy wife were reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, and in his political views Mr. Dubrie is a stanch Republican, always advocating the men and measures of that party. He may truly be said to be a representative self-made man, being left an orphan almost in infancy, he has from a small beginning, by dint of inde- fatigable energy, coupled with sound judg- ment and good management, attained a

comfortable competence. He is now the possessor of a fine farm, well equipped with commodious buildings, and is a thorough- ly practical as well as theoretical agricul- turist, one who has proven himself as capable as he is popular.

D AVID GILLARD, M. D. This well-known physician and surgeon of Port Clinton, Ottawa county, . was born at Venice, Erie Co., Ohio, July 30, 1852, and is the son of John and Margaret (Hynes) Gillard. His mother died when he was thirteen years old, after which he went to live with his brother, Dr. Edwin Gillard. He attended the public schools in Sandusky for one year (1866), and then entered Oberlin College. After leaving college he took a course of reading in medicine with his brother, which he supplemented with a course in Hahnemann Medical College at Cleve- land.

Dr. Gillard began the practice of medicine in Port Clinton on March 6, 1878, which he has carried on very suc- cessfully ever since. He is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the country, and has gained the con- fidence of the people, both by his un- doubted skill in all branches of his pro- fession and by his integrity of character. He has a very extensive and constantly increasing practice, often more than he can attend to, and, while being a general practitioner, he has made a specialty of surgery, in which also he has been re- markably successful. He has held the position of surgeon for the L. S. &. M. S. Railway Company since 1890, and is major surgeon of the Fourth Ohio Regi- ment, Patriarchs Militant. He is also a member of the encampment and canton of the I. O. O. F. ; of the Maccabees and of the Knights of Honor. He was brought up in the faith of the Episcopal Church, but is not exclusive in his views on relig-

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ious subjects. In politics he is a Re- publican.

Mrs. Clara H. Gillard, M. D., wife of Dr. David Gillard, was born April 4, 1862, in Bay township, and is a daughter of Edward and Mary (Lattimore) Hyde. Her father is a retired farmer, living, with his wife, at Port Clinton, Ottawa county. Their children are: John, Elizabeth, Alice, Olive and Clara. John married Lucy Park, and is a farmer in Bay town- ship, Ottawa county (they have six chil- dren); Elizabeth is the wife of Roswell Robinson, and lives in Port Clinton; Alice married David McRitchie, who is in the meat business at Port Clinton, and has one child; Olive is the wife of Charles Freer, a fish dealer, and lives in Port Clinton.

Mrs. Gillard grew to womanhood in Port Clinton, Ottawa county, attended the public schools in that place until 1879, and taught school one year in Bay township. After her marriage to Dr. Gil- lard, November 22, 1881, she became in- terested in the study of medicine, and, after completing a course of reading with her husband, went to Chicago, where she became a student in the Hahnemann Medical Cellege, from which she grad- uated in 1889. Returning to Port Clin- ton, she opened an office in connection with her husband, and has been practic- ing ever since. She has a large clientele, and is very popular with all classes. She is an enthusiast in the Hahnemann meth- ods of treatment, and has been unusually successful therein. Mrs. Gillard is a lady of culture and refinement, always inter- ested in whatever tends to the advance- ment of her sex and the general good of the public. She takes an active part in the studies of the Chautauqua Circle, of Port Clinton, from which she was grad- uated at Lakeside, August 21, 1895, and is a valuable member of that organization. She served one year as president of the Ladies' Literary and Social Club, and this year is corresponding secretary of the saine.

A sketch of the parental family of Dr. Gillard may not be out of place in the biographical record, and is herewith given. John Gillard, the father of our subject, was born October 30, 1814, at London- derry, Ireland, and was of Scotch and Irish descent. His father, whose name was Richard, was a native of County Donegal, Ireland. His people went from Scotland to Ireland, and were linen dealers. He learned the trade of a flax dresser, and subsequently owned mills of his own and prepared flax for the market. He also carried on the business of a commission merchant, dealing in yarn in the city of Londonderry, Ireland. He afterward went to Scotland, settling in the vicinity of Glasgow, near the same mill to which he had formerly shipped yarn. He lived to an advanced age. Nothing further is known of this branch of the family as the father of Dr. Gillard caine to this country before his parents removed to Scotland. The Gillard family were mem- bers of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, until some trouble arose between our sub- ject's father and the minister, after which he united with the Episcopal Church.

John Gillard, the father of our sub- ject, grew to manhood about a mile and a half from Londonderry, Ireland, He attended a subscription school until four- teen or fifteen years of age, working meanwhile upon his father's farm, and learned the trade of wagon maker. Af- terward he went to Londonderry and entered the service of a gentleman, as coachman; he had the reputation of being the best coachman in the city, and re- ceived the munificent sum of four dollars a week and his board, which was consid- ered good wages in those days. In the employ of this man he remained for some four or five years, and then having deter- mined to try what the New World held in store for him, set sail on May 1, 1833, for America. It was a comparatively seri- ous matter to make a voyage across the At- lantic in those days, as steam had not come

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into general use for traveling purposes and the sailing vessels were very slow. He was just two months making the voyage, which was rendered not only more tedious, but even dangerous, by the breaking out of typhus fever, from which fifteen pas- sengers died. They were quarantined for two weeks at Quebec, Canada, where they landed. Mr. Gillard at first worked in a livery stable in Quebec, then went into the country two and a half miles from the city, entering the employ of a Mr. Hunt, with whom he remained four years. He was married to Miss Margaret Hynes, a daughter of John Hynes. She was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1821, and died December 1, 1864, at Venice, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Gillard, with his wife, went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked for a short time in a quarry for the government, which was then building the Erie canal. Leaving Buffalo he came to Venice, Erie Co., Ohio, and for a while worked on a farm. He then be- gan hauling flour and carrying the mail between Venice and Sandusky, which oc- cupation he followed some eleven years. At the expiration of that time he went into partnership with Mr. Haywood, for whom he had formerly worked, in the sheep business, at which they made a great success, owning at one time about five thousand sheep. This occupation he followed for five years, but the price of wool fell, under a Democratic adminis- tration, and he disposed of his sheep, selling them at a low price. He then bought a farın near Venice, and carried on farming until 1874. In the meantime, his wife having died, Mr. Gillard was mar- ried, the second time, September 18, 1866, to Miss Ida Matt, who was born in Baden, Germany, March 30, 1846. By his first marriage he had seven children, as follows: William, who was born July 3, 1840, enlisted in 1861 in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio In- fantry, and was made corporal of his company (he was killed at the battle of

Winchester, Va., in June, 1863); James was born May 17, 1843; Edwin, June 20, 1845; Samuel, December 11, 1847; David, July 30, 1852; Louisa, January 28, 1859; and Martha, April 11, 1862. By his sec- ond marriage Mr. Gillard had six chil- dren: Mary W., born September 5, 1867, wife of Duglass Borden; John W., Sep- tember 28, 1870; Belle O., August 8, 1872; Stella A., January 16, 1876; R. H., January 9, 1879; and Ann L., January 5, 1881. John Gillard was a Whig in the olden times, and remembers helping to build a log-cabin for a demonstration dur- ing the log-cabin and hard cider cam- paign, and also remembers shaking hands with President William Henry Harrison in Sandusky, Ohio. After the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and has always been an ardent advocate of its principles. He hauled the first engine used on the old Mad River railway at Sandusky, when it was carried from the boat on the lake to the main train on the track. In addition to his other occupations Mr. Gillard for many years practiced as a veterinary surgeon, in which he was very successful. He is postmaster at Rocky Ridge, having served under Harrison's administration, and so far under that of Cleveland. Although arrived at a good old age, Mr. Gillard is hale and hearty, with a clear head, has never used tobacco, and is strictly tem- perate. He once suffered an attack of Asiatic cholera, which was the worst ill- ness he ever had. He has the respect and esteem of the entire community, and in peace and prosperity is passing the closing days of a well-spent life.

F REDRICK JORDAN. Among the progressive farmers of Salem township, Ottawa county, none are more deserving of representa- tion in this volume than the gentleman whose name begins this sketch. He is one of the worthy citizens that Germany

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has furnished to Ohio, his birth having occurred February 10, 1845, in Baden. His parents, Christopher and Barbara Katherine (Walter) Jordan, were also na- tives of the same country, and when their son Fredrick was a year old came to America.

Our subject obtained his education in the district schools of Erie county, Ohio, and since his youth has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Ottawa county, the family locating in Salem township, where he has since made his home. To-day he ranks among the most popular and progressive farmers of his time, taking an active part in all matters tending to the advancement of the township and county. On April 27, 1870, in Salem township, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Lapp, daughter of Henry and Doratha (Draves) Lapp, who were both natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, the former born August 18, 1824, and the latter August 20, 1823. Mr. Lapp is still living, but his wife departed this life November 9, 1893, in Oak Harbor. They emigrated to the United States in 1852, and located in Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. After a two-years' residence there they removed to Salem township, Ottawa county, locating about a mile south of Oak Harbor, where they made their home until 1883, when Mr. Lapp abandoned farm life. He has since lived retired in Oak Harbor, and is one of the most highly- esteemed residents of that town. The family numbered four daughters, but only two are now living-Rachel, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and is the wife of Fredrick Jordan; and Amanda, who was born April 21, 1854, and is the wife of Frederick Beck, a resident of Salem township, Ottawa county.

Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have an inter- esting family of seven children, all of whom are living, namely: Charles H.,

born April 26, 1872, who is now studying dentistry in Chicago; Julia A., born Sep- tember 10, 1874, who is now the wife of Carl W. Sperling, of Oak Harbor, their wedding having been celebrated Septem- ber 4, 1894; Fredrick P., born September 23, 1876; Emma Magdelena, born Oc- tober 6, 1878; Albert Franklin, born Oc- tober 28, 1880; Odessa Regina, born November 21, 1882; and Paul Grover, born November 5, 1884. Mr. Jordan is a member of the Knights of the Macca- bees, and with his family attends the Lutheran Church. In his political views he is a Democrat, but has neither time nor inclination for public office. His life work has been that of a practical farmer, and he is one who has found pleasure in the performance of his duties and in lead- ing an upright, honest life. He holds to the theory that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and his aim has been to put this principle into effect. As a result success, not only in material things, but in the higher walks of life as well, has crowned his efforts.

The Jordans have long been promin- ently connected with the history of Ottawa county, and this work would be incom- plete without further mention of the parents of our subject, Christopher and Barbara K. Jordan, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, the former born July 6, 1809. They emigrated to America in 1846, locating first in Craw- ford county, Ohio, where they resided one year, removing thence to Margaretta town- ship, Erie county, where they resided fourteen years. In 1861 they came to Ottawa county, locating on the farm which is now the home of their son Fredrick, and until 1870 Christopher Jordan was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has since lived a retired life, making his home with his son Fredrick, who man- ages the farm. His is now in his eighty- sixth year and is the oldest living resident of the township, if not of Ottawa county. He has retained his mental and physical

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vigor to a remarkable degree, but during the past few months has been suffering from cancer of the throat.

Mr. and Mrs. Jordan had a family of seven children-Jacob, who was born April 3, 1843, and is living in Astoria, Oregon; Fredrick, mentioned above; Christopher, who died in infancy; Kath- erine, wife of Albert Bichalmyer, of Cleve- land, Ohio; Magdelene, who was born December 18, 1848, became the wife of Frank Stang, and died in Denver, Colo .; Caroline, born May 3. 1852, died July 6, 1894; and Peter, born April 5, 1859, who is now living in Astoria, Oregon. The father of this family served as trustee of the township for one term, but was never a politician in the sense of office-seeking. For thirty-five years he has been a con- stant resident of Salem township, and those who know him best know how much his strong arm and tireless industry have done toward the removal of the primitive forest and the development of the ma- terial prosperity of this section of the county. But never in his devotion to material things has he forgotten the higher duties of life, for whatever tends to pro- mote moral or intellectual culture and social reform has found in him a ready helper. He is always to be found on the side of whatever is true and honest, what- ever is just and pure. He is one to whom the hand of deserving charity never ap- pealed in vain. Whatever tends to ele- vate humanity in the social, moral or educational scale receives his support. He has been a devoted husband and father, attentive to all home duties, and as a friend and neighbor has always been held in high esteem.

W ILLIAM KING. This promi- nent agriculturist, who is closely identified with the interests of Allen township, Ottawa county, of which he has been a resident for the past twenty-eight years, is a native of

New York, having been born in Niagara county, that State, January 11, 1837. His parents were Sherman and Rebecca (Benedict) King, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Massachu- setts, of English descent.

Mr. King was brought up on a farm in the State of his birth, receiving his education in the district schools. In 1856 he came to Ohio, and locating near Fremont was for some time employed by Mr. Samuel King, a farmer of Sandusky county. For ten years he remained in that county, engaged in farm work, and in 1867 came to Clay township, Ottawa county, settling in that part which has since been set off and named Allen town- ship. Here he has continuously carried on agricultural pursuits, and has done much toward the improvement and up- building of his community. Mr. King was married January 11, 1858, to Mary, daughter of George and Sarah (Lones) Roberts, both of whom were natives of Perry county, Ohio, and of German an- cestry. The father was born March 22, 1807, and passed away July 7, 1880; the mother was born February 1, 1810, near Rushville, Perry county, and died at her home in Sandusky county, August 10, 1887, Their marriage took place in Feb- ruary, 1834, and for nearly half a century they fought life's battle together. They were among the very earliest settlers of Sandusky county, having come there when that section of the county was a vast wilderness. They cleared away the forests and planted orchards, sowed the grains, tilled the soil, made for them- selves and children a comfortable home, and lived to see towns spring up around them, churches and schoolhouses built, and all the comforts and conveniences of civilization brought within their reach. For forty-seven years they were valued members of their community, and they died honored and respected by all.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 96

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