Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 1, Part 90

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Wood County > Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 1 > Part 90

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).

The Citizens Bank was established April 8, 1890, under a State charter issued February ! 3, 1890, to Henry C. Uhlman, John R. Jones, Jo- seph A. Holmes, W. C. Singer, H. G. Strawser, John A. Henry and Robert D. Henderson. Henry C. Uhlman has been president since the beginning of this financial house, and Joseph A. Holmes, cashier. The banking office is in the Henry C. Uhlman brick block, erected in 1889-90.

Fires -- The Levi Taylor gristmill was burned early in the "sixties," being the first large fire in the village. The Weston fire of October 4, 1880, originated in Shuster's bakery, destroyed Harper & Ladd's livery, and injured Kiel's brick block and Mrs. Atkins' house. The bucket brigade did extraordinary work in saving the " Atkins House" and adjoining buildings. The burning of two children of Widow Anthony, who lived two miles northwest of the village, took place on the eve of Christmas, 1880, when the mother's house was burned. In August, 1891, the elevator was burned. The fire of December 19, 1891, de- stroyed the buildings on the west side of Main street from the railroad to Cherry street, includ-

ing Gingery & Co.'s and George R. Banks' stores, at the corner of Main and Cherry; J. K. Hender- son's dry-goods store, and Knights of Labor hall, above; A. L. Avery's meat market next; Mrs. W. R. Worth's residence, with offices of Solon Davis and Van Tress & Holly; L. S. Dome's "Exchange Hotel" next; Mrs. Pennington's mil- linery store and residence; the post office; Ben Indlekofer's residence and restaurant; Stratton & Powell's harness shop, near the railroad, with J. B. Caddy's house close by. The fire originated in the rear of Henderson's store at about 1:30 A. M. There being no fire engine, the bucket brigade was called out, but its efforts were un- availing until the Deshler Fire Department ar- rived. The fire of October 2, 1893, destroyed the building on the east side of Main street, be- tween the railroad and Cherry street, destroying Mrs. Worth's new "' Exchange Hotel," Shipman's butchery. Gingery & Co.'s produce store, Drum- mer's grocery, Rickard's meat shop, Mudge's va- cant drug store, C. W. McDonald's and M. Gil- lespie's vacant buildings, Peinert's barber shop and Baldwin's corn cribs. Baldwin's elevator was damaged. The fire of July 29, 1894, de- stroyed Edward Baldwin's elevator and Martz's new flouring-mill. The mill may be called a local enterprise, since the citizens contributed $1, 500 toward its construction.

Sccicties, Etc .- Neibling Post No. 30, G. A. R., was chartered June 18, 1879, with the following named members: F. M. Young, of the 99th and 50th O. V. I .; Carlo Call, rooth Inf .; G. B. Spencer, 3d Cavalry; E. P. Williams, 2Ist Inf. ; H. G. Burdue, N. S. Lee, G. W. Rickard, D. B. Pugh, 144th Inf. (died in 1883); J. J. Clark. Capt. 140th Inf. ; William W. Hill, 123d Inf. ; C. Chandler, E. Gross, 102d Penn. Inf. ; O. Hol- brook, E. A. Cook, in cavalry; Wallace W. Hill, roth Ohio Cavalry: A. and E. Brisbin, cist Inf. : George Rei, S. L. Irwin, 185th Inf. ; T. L. Wood. 192d Inf .; W. M. Stretsberry, S. Weirs, H. B. Smith, and H. A. Motley. Only six of the num- ber were here in January, 1893, and four in Sep- tember, 1895. The past commanders are named as follows: F. M. Young, June 18, 1879. re- elected in 1880, 1881 and 1884, and subsequently junior vice-commander of the Department of Ohio; George B. Spencer, 1882 and 1885: Wil- son S. Swank, 1883; W. W. Hill, 1887-88-95: Carlo Call, 1889: John Whitker, 1886; Lewis Baker, 1890; John L. Dull, 1891: E. W. Schoo- ley. 1892; G. H. Depew, 1893: and H. D. Baker, 1894, re-elected in December, 1895 The adjutants are named as follows: A. Brisbin. 1879; H. A. Kiel, 1880; C. F. Lewis, 1881. 1885;

432

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

Solon Davis, 1890, 1892, 1894; W. W. Hill, 1886, 1891; J. L. Dull, 1893; C. Call, 1887, 1895: Hiram D. Parker, 1888; L. S. Baker, 1889, and Solon Davis, elected in December, 1895. This Post was named in honor of James M. Neibling, the second colonel of the 21st O. V. I., from December 20, 1862, to December 6, 1864. Only one member died prior togune 18, 1883, but by January 19, 1893, there were only 10g of the 212 members mustered in, in good standing. Down to that date, the sum of $4,000 was collected for dues. [These figures are taken from Dr. Hill's sketch of the Post, published early in 1893.]

Neibling Women's Relief Corps was organ- ized September 20, 1887, with twenty-five mem- bers, and chartered October 29, 1887. The charter members were Elizabeth Stearns, Rachel Peininger, Cora Berry, Nettie Hill, Harriet A. Call, Alice Foreman, Lottie Blodgett, Eva Hart- zell, Kate Biddle, Nettie Dull, Louisa Thompson, Laura Motley, Lewellyn Ladd, Eva Strawser, Harriet Baldwin, Sadie Dull, Jennie Munn. Mol- ly Long (1), Mollie Long (2), Mary E. Dubbs, Lulu Jones, Libbie Gunn, Juliet Baldwin, Eliza- beth Steinshauer, and Colista Hewitt. In a pa- per written by Mrs. Schooley, in April, 1893. she speaks of $797.41 being collected down to that date. Mrs. Kate Biddle was president in 1887- 88-89; Mrs. Schooley, in 1890; Mrs. C. Call, in 1891; Mrs. Kate E. Biddle, in 1892; Mrs. Eva Hartzell, in 1893; Mrs. Schooley, in 1894; and Mrs. Addie Morgan, in 1895; with Mrs. H. D. Baker, secretary.

William Taylor Camp, S. of V., was instituted August 8, 1887, with fifteen members. The of- ficers in order of rank were: G. W. Taylor, Arthur Smith, H. E. Deyo, Fred Brisbin, F. H. Taylor, Orrin Brisbin, C. R. F. Berry, C. C. Richardson, F. Burdo, Ed. Seymour, Wilbur Call, Rollin Brisbin and Theodore Gross. This organization disbanded within a few years.

Keeler Camp, S. of V., was organized Jan- uary 9, 1893, with Irvin Edgar, captain, and the following named officers in camp order: John Miller, John Stretsberry, Christ Linn, Charles Stern, George Marshall, J. Rosencrantz. Lemuel Walling, Charles Walling and John Horner.

Weston Lodge, No. 681, I. O. O. F., was chartered May 15, and instituted July 15, 1879, with twenty-five charter members, namely: Theodore L. Wood, J. A. Henry, S. F. Long, Barnet Older, John Kistner, Ross Boyles, Josias Smith, 1 .. Cretzinger, Wm. H. Pugh. H. Satter- ly. James Stretsberry, George Askins, Peter Nyswander, Geo. W. Downs, Joseph B. Ward

(first noble grand), John Rechner, A. Brisbin, S. K. Saylor, J. W. Williams, W. Culver John Buckingham, Jaines Salisberry, W. O. Keeler. George Ingmire, and James T. Dean. The past grands in good standing, in March, 1893. are named as follows: J. W. Williams, Josias Smith, R. D. Henderson, W. H. Pugh, H. C. Uhlman. I. N. Neifer, W. D. Mudge, H. G. Strawser, E. A. Saxby, G. W. Barnes, G. P. Thompson, S. C. Oswald, B. S. Jones, W. T. Stretsberry, W. H. Walters, E. E. Stearns. N. T. Foster, A. S. Coward, Allen Bortel. Jacob Bohmer and H. E. Jones. In July. 1895. Charles B. Saxby was installed noble grand, and in January, 1896, William Martin succeeded him, with G. P. Thompson, recording secretary. The members who were past grands when they joined this lodge are Barnet Older, James T. Dean and Howard Cline, W. F. Peinert, F. Wetzell. W. F. Shipman, and L. A. Lathrop. The lodge was incorporated March 22, 1882.

Columbian Encampment, No. 274, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 27, 1893, with twenty members, under the charter of May 3, 1893. The first members were W. H. Walters. W. Martin, George W. Barnes, Perry Junkins. Fred Wetzell, W. F. Peinert, J. K. Henderson, H. G. Strawser, A. T. Munn, L. L. Holly, G. W. Pore. R. D. Henderson, H. E. Jones, W. Sockman. Allen Bortel, J. W. Long, James Stretsberry. Jacob Bolimer, J. M. Williams. G. P. Thomp- son, E. W. Schooley, S. F. Hull, William Ship- man, William Stretsberry, M. A. Matheny, W. D. Mudge, John M. Wright, M. W. Hunter. I. N. Neifer, J. W. Anderson and E. A. Saxby. The patriarchs have been W. D. Mudge, R. D. Henderson, J. K. Henderson and Dr. Williams. J. V. Beverstock is the scribe. The membership is forty-three. The encampment was incorporated April 19, 1894. In July, 1895, W. F. Shipman was installed as chief patriarch.

Kokosing Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 303. I. O. O. F., was instituted July 25. 1890. The charter members were: J. W. Williams, S. K. Saylor. E. A. Saxby, W. H. Pugh, J. B. Smith, B. Older, G. W. Barnes, E. E. Stearns, Dr. E. W. Schooley, W. F. Stretsberry, William Martin. W. H. Walters, N. T. Foster, with Mesdames S. K. Saylor, E. A. Saxby. W. H. Pugh. J. B. Smith, B. Older, G. W. Barnes, E. E. Stearns, E. W. Schooley. W. F. Stretsberry, William Martin, W. H. Walters and Emma Burson. The past grands of this lodge are named as follows: Madamis Maria R. Schooley three terms , Lu- cretia J. Martin, Rebecca Stretsberry, Mary Bortel (two terms), Effie Saxby, Sadie Hunter, Harriet

483

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

A Heath (elected in November, 1894), Louisa Thompson (in June, 1895), with Mrs G. P. Thompson, secretary; and Mrs. L. A. Lathrop in December, 1895, with Mrs. Heath, secretary.

Kenilworth Lodge, No. 340, K. of P., was instituted March 29, 1889, with the following mained members: J. H. Biddle, J. M. Oswald, W. C. Singer, Ed. Baggally, G. H. Pratt, Ed. Baldwin, O. C. Sterling, J. E. Clark, D. L. Aldrich, W. W. Hill, H. G. Strawser, W. D. Mudge and Will Clark, officers; S. C. Oswald, L. E. Long, C. H. Petrie, F. H. Taylor, W. P. Smith, S. E. Burson, Carlo Call, G. W. Taylor, Herman Feil, J. T. Steinshauer, G. B. Spencer, T. W. Taylor, J. W. Long, L. S. Baker, R. D. Henderson, J. W. Lingo, W. O. Keeler, Luther Ames, J. J. Morgan, W. H. Pugh, G. W. Barnes, Ed. S. Spaulding, G. E. Lingo, John Ballmer, A.L. Avery, R. H. Ballmer, and Joseph Ship- man. The chancellor's chair has been held by the following named: D. L Aldrich, J. M. Oswald, W. L. Clark, A. L. Avery, H. G. Straw- ser, Fred. Schwind, W. D. Mudge, G. O. Hart- zell, Carlo Call, S. Gingery, G. L. Bortle and J. W. Filmore. The keepers of records and seals have been: Ed. Baggally, F. M. G. Si- bert. W. S. Stearns, G. W. Taylor, Arthur Smith and D. M. Cluxton. This lodge claims no less than 110 members. In January, 1896, M. D. Hall was installed C. C., and G. W. Tay- lor, K. of R. & S.

Anthony Wayne Tent, No. 140, K. O. T. M., was instituted January 31, 1893, with thirty-one meinbers, namely: W .. F. Stretsberry, B. B. Buck, George Barnes, S. F. Long. J. L. Dull, D. R. Angell, Tom Pugh, George W. Pore, E. A. Saxby, J. T. Steinshauer, W. C. Mullally, Art. T. Munn, Fred M. Hill, James V. Baldwin, W. H. Schooley, W. W. Hill. G. H. Depew, O. E. French, W. H. Lehman, F. J. Banks, H. G. Strawser, E. A. Hartman, E. W. Schooley, Henry Thomas, W. D. Mudge, Howard Wise, Dr. J. M. C. Cook, Barney Cramer, G. R. Banks, Charles F. Holland and Charles B. Saxby, who was elected P. C., with Dr. Hill. C., and Fred J. Banks, record keeper. In July, 1895, Fred Hill was installed commander.

Emerald Hive. No. 42, L. O. T. M., was in- stituted July 5, 1893, with the following named

officers in Hive rank: Mrs. W. W. Hill, Mrs. J. W. Miller, Sadie Ash, Mrs. C. B. Saxby, Stella Holbrook. Mrs O. Hartzell, Mrs. Shoup, Mrs. O. E. French, Mrs. B. Older, Mrs. G. P. Thompson, Ella Reardon, Flora Fuller and Lizzie Murphy.

Weston Lodge, No. 560, A. F .. & A. M., was organized U. D. October 23, IS89. The first meeting was held November 11, 1889, L. Black being master, F. M. Dubbs, S. W., and J. A. Holines, J. W. The charter was issued October 19, 1891, to twelve members, who elected J. A. Holmes master. The officers installed December 1, 1891, were the above named, with J. H. Bid- dle, secretary; A. J. Munn, treasurer; A. L. Avery, S. D .; W. P. Smith, J. D .; S. Sterling and J. A. Henry, stewards; and Joseph Parrott, tyler. F. M. Dubbs succeeded Mr. Holmes as master. The number of members in June, 1895, was thirty.

The Knights of Labor had, at one time, a strong lodge here. The Grange, too, had a numerous following, while the Sons of Temper- ance, the A. O. U. M. and other secret organ- izations existed here.

The Weston Library Association was organ- ized June 13, 1883, with 101 members, and the following officers: N. C. Helfrich, president: Ed. Baldwin, vice-president; Mary Singer, sec- retary; Mrs. W. B. Ladd, treasurer; and W. D. Mudge, librarian. The payment of one dollar was the only qualification for membership.

The new Opera House is a venture of 1895. In the summer of that year a few young business men purchased the old school house, moved it to a new location, and fitted it up for theatrical pur- poses, employing Karl B. Steers to paint the drop curtain and scenery.

A secret society existed here long before any of the present organizations existed. Though nearly all the able-bodied men were engaged in the field of Civil war, in 1863, enough remained to attend to local affairs, for, on June 13. 1863. when the formation of the Union League, of Scott's Mills, was proposed, no less than fifty- eight males and 104 females joined the organiza- tion, and they sustained it until the necessity for such a society ceased.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

APT. LUTHER BLACK, of Bowling Green, is one of the most prominent citi- zens of Wood county, throughout which he is known and esteemed, not only as a successful busi- ness man, but also for his high character, and his splendid record as a brave soldier in the war of the Rebellion. On his father's side he is of Irish descent, his great-grandfather having emigrated from Ireland to this country at an early day. His grandfather Black was killed by accident while raising his barn in Perry county, Ohio. On the mother's side the grandfather was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, while the grand- mother, who was a Miss Oatley, was a native of Scotland. From these sturdy ancestors our sub- ject has inherited the best traits-traits that have . manifested themselves in his long career of useful activity.

Capt. Black was born in Washington town- ship, Wood Co., Ohio, May 18, 1836, and is a son of John and Phoebe (Skinner) Black, the former of whom was born in Mercer county, Penn., when ten years of age moving with his parents to Perry county, Ohio. In 1831 he took up his residence in Wood county, and was one of the first three pioneers of Washington township, where at that time over one thousand Indians dwelt. i While living in Perry county he married and had two children, and on removing to this county he took up some unimproved land which he cleared and converted into a productive farm, in the meantime experiencing all the trials and priva- tions incident to the life of early settlers. In politics he was a Democrat, in religious faith an Old-school Presbyterian, and he was a man of irreproachable character. He died August 21, 1861, his wife passing away at Hull Prairie in 1883, and both are buried at Tontogany, Wood county. To this worthy couple were born seven children, of whom the following record is given: (1) William resides in Newport, Mich., where he has held the offices of deputy sheriff and col -! lector of the port; during the Civil war he en- ' in September, 1865.

listed at Olmsted Falls, Minn .. and proved a brave soldier. (2) Elizabeth A. married A. P. Treadwell, and lives at Hull Prairie, Wood county. . (3) Minerva J. became the wife of Joseph Jeffers, and died at Waterville, Lucas Co., Ohio. (4) Calvin lives at Washington, Kans. (5) Luther is the subject of this review. (6) Catherine married Dr. A. Eddmon, and lives at Tontogany. (7) Mary is the wife of Dr. E. R. Wood, of Belle Plaine, Kansas.

Luther Black grew to manhood on his father's farm in this county, attending the schools of that locality and those at Waterville, and also the seminary at Mauinee. After leaving school, he for four years taught in the district schools of Wood county, and for two years in Champaign, Ill. About this time the whole world was elec- trified by the outbreak of the Civil war, and the partiotism of the young teacher induced him to lay aside his ferule for an army musket, and offer his services in defense of the stars and stripes. On April 27, 1866, he enlisted in Company B, 21st O. V. I., three-months' ser- vice, which was passed in Virginia, at the ter- mination of which, his father having died in the meantime, he was obliged to return home in order to take charge of the family. There he remained until 1864, on May 4 of which year he organized Company B, 144th O. V. I., of which company he was made captain. While at Berryville, Va., he and seven of his mien were taken prisoners by the Rebels and sent to Lynchburg, thence to Libby prison where they suffered the horrors of slow starvation, and where all except himself and one other fell victims to cruel treatment. Three months after his capture, Capt. Black was released by ex- change, and his patriotic zeal being still una- bated, in spite of the terrible scenes through which he had passed, he raised another com- pany, of which he was also made captain. This was Company K, 185th O. V. I., which after- ward saw much service in Kentucky in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap, where they had frequent skirmishes with the guerrillas. The regiment was mustered out at Lexington, Ky ..

434

Black

435

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

His career as a soldier being ended by the cessation of hostilities, and the return of peace to the land, Capt. Black returned to private citi- zeuship, and, having in the meantime purchased the old homestead, carried on farming there for two years. At the end of that time he engaged in the drug business, in Tontogany, which he conducted some eighteen years, and then, being elected county treasurer on the Republican ticket, he, in 1881, removed to Bowling Green. That responsible office he held for two terms, or four years, such being the limit of the law, fulfilling its duties in a most creditable manner. The Captain then established himself in the clothing business, and some six or seven years ago became interested in the oil wells of Wood county. On February 20, 1894, he sold out his clothing establishment, since when he has given all his attention to his oil interests. He is now a part owner in sixty-one wells in this county, and a member of various firms connected therewith, the most prominent of which is that of Black, Reese & Hazlett, who own a number of produc- tive wells, and are doing an extensive business. He is also cultivating a couple of farms which he owns in the vicinity.

In 1860 Capt. Black was married to Miss Sarah J. Camron, a native of New York State, who died three years later, leaving one child, Frank H., who was killed by a railroad accident when fourteen years old. On January 16, 1873, the Captain married Miss Georgie A. Cooper, who was born in St. Lawrence county. N. Y .. daughter of James and Almira (Brooks) Cooper, who were married in 1840. James Cooper traces his ancestry back to the year 1661. as follows:

(1) James Cooper, of Stratford-on-Avon, England, born in 1661, died in 1732; came to Philadelphia, Penn., in 1682 ; had eight children -Esther, James, Joseph, (2) Samuel, William, Benjamin, Isaac and Rebecca. James Cooper owned a lot on Chestnut street, Philadelphia, opposite Marble Custom-house. (2) His son William had six children-Rebecca, (3) Thomas, James, Joseph, Samuel, and Letitia. He died in 1736. (3) His son (3) James was twice inar- ried, and had fifteen children: by his first wife, Hannah (Hibbs), he had eight children-Susanna, (4) James, William, Letitia, Levi, and Benjamin ; by his second wife, Elizabeth (Wager), (3) James bad seven children-Amelia, Marmaduke, Me- shach, Laodosia, Naboth, Noah and Alpheus.

(4) James Cooper, son of (3) James, and grandfather of Mrs. Capt. Luther Black, was born in Moreland, Montgomery Co., Penn., March 6, 1753: served in the navy and army of |

Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary war, and par- ticipated in the battles of Monmouth and Ger- mantown. He was married three times: first to Naomi Nelson, by whom he had three children -- Hannah, Naomi and Caroline; by his second wife, Mary (Albertson) he had no children; by his third wife, Sarah (Comely), he had chil- dren-Courtland, (5) James, Henry, William, Nancy, Hamilton, George and Amos. The father of these died May 1, 1849, in his ninety- seventh year. He was a man of strong likes and dislikes, served as judge on the bench, and was a large land holder, owning property whereon a portion of the city of Philadelphia now stands. He and his wife were both Quakers.

(5) James Cooper, son of (4) James Cooper, and father of Mrs. Black, was born November 23, 1795, in Philadelphia. He was own cousin to James Fennimore Cooper, the distinguished American novelist. James Cooper was twice married; first time to Sarah Rice, by whom he had six children-Esther, Ezra, Ruth, Hannah, William and Alonzo: by his second wife, Almira ( Brooks), he had two children-Georgie A. (Mrs. Black), and James B., an inventor who resides in Minneapolis. The sons, Ezra, Alonzo and James B., were all soldiers, making for themselves an enviable military record. The father of these was a man of superior education and acknowl- edged ability, for which, indeed, the entire fam- ily have been noted. He was a pronounced Abolitionist, and an outspoken advocate of the cause of freedom to all mankind. Migrating to Ohio about the year 1844, he settled at Water- ville, Lucas county, where for many years he served as a magistrate. During his busy life. time he owned several flouring-mills and saw- mills, doing an extensive business in both those lines of industry. He died there in 1868, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. His widow, who is now passing her declining years at the home of her daughter, was born, in 1812, in the town of Champion. Jefferson Co., N. Y., daughter of Joseph Brooks, a Revolutionary soldier from Massachusetts. She was a cousin of Amos Kendall, who was postmaster-genera! under President Jackson's administration, and when a young man taught in the family of Gen. Clay, afterward holding many offices of honor and trust. He became an able attorney at law, and was influential in the establishment of the first Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Washington. D. C.

To Capt. and Mrs. Black have been born two children: Marie C. and Jaunes L., the latter of whom at present is a student at Oberlin College. The Captain is a consistent member of the

436

WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.

Presbyterian Church. in which he is an elder; socially, he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., Wood County Lodge, No. 112; is a member of Crystal Chapter. No. 157, and of Toledo Com- mandery. K. T., at Toledo, Ohio. In politics he has always been an ardent Republican, his first vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has never failed to deposit his ballot, save twice -- first when he was in Libby prison, and again, in I880, when he was too ill to go to the polls. Capt. Black was delegate to the State Convention, and was honored with election as alternate delegate to the National Convention, to be held at St. Louis in June. He has served as president of the school board and of the gas board, and is a director of the American Foun- dry & Machine Co., also of the First National Bank, of Bowling Green. During the past year he has been interested in gold mining in Cali- fornia, being identified with a joint-stock com- pany. In every relation in life, Capt. Black has borne an honorable part as an upright, patriotic, loyal citizen, and is justly classified among the social representative men of Wood county.

JOHN R. HANKEY, the well-known capitalist of Bowling Green, has, by his varied business en- terprises, done much to develop the natural re- sources of this region, and to open up its com- merce. In judgment of human nature, and statesmanlike manipulation of a complex situa- tion, he has few equals; but his shrewdness is combined with rare kindliness of heart, shown in many ways characteristic of the man. It has been said that if simple justice were to rule the business world, there would be no need for "char- ity," and the subject of this sketch is one of the first to try to bring this high ideal of human brotherhood into practical effect in his relations with his employes. In his large planing-mill at Bowling Green he inaugurated, some years ago, the co-operative system, issuing stock to his men and carrying it for them until such time as they could pay for it from their savings, and paying back money, so invested, at any time at the re- quest of the shareholder. This plan has suc- ceeded admirably, and to the lasting profit of all parties concerned.

The members of the Hankey family, living in Bowling Green, aredescended from Louis Hankey, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America at an early day. It is related that he had just enough money to pay his way across the Atlantic and furnish his own provisions. The vessel he set sail in lost her course at sea, and the passage consumed so much more time than was antici- i

pated, that his stock of food became exhausted long ere he reached land again, that he becaine indebted to the ship for part of his board. On reaching New York, he was "'sold " by the ship's company, or agents, as was the custom in those days, they getting the money for his time, which he worked out with a farmer. He afterward be- came a minister of the Evangelical Church, and also followed agricultural pursuits. He married a Miss Less, whose father served in the Revolu- tionary war seven years, and our subject remem- bers hearing his grandmother often tell of how she could trace the path the soldiers took by the blood left on the ground from their shoeless feet. In later life Louis Hankey lived in both Star .: and Summit counties, Ohio, in which latter he and his wife passed their last days. This estima- ble couple were the parents of seven children, as follows: John, father of the subject proper of this sketch; Catherine, married to John Himmel- right, of Summit county; Jacob, who lived in Summit county, Ohio, near Akron; Lydia, mar- ried to Rev. Miller, a minister of the Reformed Church; Sarah, married to a Mr. Hawk; Louis. living in Wayne county, Ohio; and Samuel, a farmer, residing at Copley, Ohio.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 1, Part 90

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1060