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 95
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William S. Haskell, of whom this sketch more particularly relates, was two years old when his parents moved from Detroit to Kalamazoo, Mich., at the common schools of which latter
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W.S. Haskell
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
city he received his elementary education, then taking a two-years' course at the high school. In 1865 he commenced studies at Kalamazoo Col- lege, taking the Freshman and Sophomore years, then taught two years, after which he entered the junior year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating there in the classical course in 1872. Mr. Haskell then commenced teaching school at Three Rivers, Mich., where he was superintendent one year, after which he taught at Middletown, Ind., from 1873 to 1877, in August of which latter year he came to Bowl- ing Green. Here he served as superintendent of schools from 1877 to 1883, during which time he organized the present system, and graduated the first two classes-of 'S2 and '83. Desiring to retire from educational work, Mr. Haskell de- clined re-election to the office of superintendent of schools, and commenced the study of law in the office of Cook & Troup, passing his examin- ation and being admitted to the bar in 1885. At once commencing the practice of his profession at Bowling Green, he continued in the saine un- til 1887, in which year he was appointed secre- tary-treasurer of the Hankey Lumber Co., trans- acting all the legal business of that firm, in which he is now a stockholder. In July, 1894, he re- signed ltis position with that company, in order to enter his present partnership with Mr. Mears, in the practice of law, Mears & Haskell being recognized as one of the strongest legal firms in northwestern Ohio, and enjoying a wide and in- fluential clientele.
In 1875 Mr. Haskell was married in Vigo county, Ind., to Miss Eliza Weeks, who was born in Hartford, that State, daughter of Harvey and Mary (Piety) Weeks, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of Virginia; he died in 1865, and she is now a resident of Terre Haute, Ind. To Mr. and Mrs. Haskell have been born four children, named respectively: Stella, Frank, Mary and George. Mrs. Haskell is a member of the Baptist Church, a member and president of the school board of Bowling Green, elected thereto in 1895.
A Republican in politics, our subject has been a life-long supporter of the principles embodied in the platform of that party. He has served in various offices of trust and honor; member of the school board two terms from 1884; member of the Wood county board of examiners two terms; member of the city council two terms, and while serving his second term was appointed mayor of Bowling Green to fill the unexpired term of A. B. Murphy. In 1894, such is his popularity and superior administrative qualifications, he was re-
elected to that incumbency which he filled with characteristic ability and zeal through the term. Socially, Mr. Haskell is a member of the F. & A. M., Wood County Lodge No. 112, and of the K. of P., Kenneth Lodge No. 158. By persever- ance, energy and assiduous application, he has successfully surmounted many difficulties in the course of his career from boyhood, and has worked his way up steadily to an honorable po- sition in professional life.
DANIEL WEBSTER LEVERS is one of the na- tive sons of Wood county, born in Plain township, May 11, 1861. His parents were William H. and Liddy (Vernon) Levers. He obtained his education in the district schools of the neighbor- hood, and at the age of nineteen laid aside his text books to learn, in life's school, the difficult lessons of experience. Throughout his boyhood he spent his vacation months in work on the home farin, and was thus employed until his mar- riage.
On October 22, 1890, in Bowling Green, Mr. Levers led to the marriage altar Miss Della Bord- ner, who was born July 13, 1870. He purchased from his father forty acres of land, erected there- on a good substantial dwelling, and has made many other excellent improvements. In the spring of 1895 he purchased an additional forty acres, and now has a valuable farm which in re- turn for his care and cultivation yields to him a good tribute. He is an intelligent. enterprising agriculturist who follows progressive methods. and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the community. In politics he is a Republic- an, and has served for three terms as supervisor, but has never been active in political affairs, pre- ferring to devote his time and energies to his busi- ness pursuits.
CAPTAIN THOMAS MAWER, a prominent and well-known agriculturist of Washington town- ship, was born in Montreal, Canada, March 14. 1835. His father, William Mawer, was born in Leeds, England, in 1789, and was a butcher by trade. He married Jane Thompson, and they had twelve children: William (1), who died in infancy; William (2), who lived in Illinois, and died in 1893, aged eighty-one years; Matthew (1). died in infancy; Matthew (2), who died in 1838. aged eighteen; Jolin, died in 1839 at the age of sixteen: George (1), died in 1827, aged eight years; Septimus, a farmer in Washington town- ship; Jane (1), who died in infancy; Jane (2 . wife of Jacob Huff, of Milton Center; Margaret. who married Philip Smith, and after his death
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wedded D. Lashley, but is now deceased; George (2), who died in the army, aged thirty-one; and Thomas. On October 7, 1830, the parents and six children took passage on a sailing vessel for Canada, and on reaching that country remained until 1837, then lived in New York State a year, and in 1838 came to Ohio, where the father en- gaged in the building of a canal, and, purchasing the Indian island from a board of missions, he there made his home until his death in 1843. His wife died in 1858.
Our subject acquired his early education in the old log school house near his home, in Wash- ington township, Wood county. When a child of eight years his father died, and two years later he began work at four dollars per month; the following year he received five dollars a month, then took up the cooper's trade, which he fol- lowed while fitting himself for the profession of school teaching, to which he devoted his energies some two years. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was the first man in Washington township to enlist, becoming a member of Com- pany B, 21st Regiment O. V. I., under Capt. Carr and Col. Norton. He enlisted in the three- months' service, and from Cleveland, Ohio, went to Charlestown, W. Va., and in August, 1861, returned home. On July 15, 1862, he re-en- listed, received a commission, raised a company, which became Company A of the 100th Regiment, O. V. I. For meritorious service he was promoted from the rank of second lieutenant to that of first lieutenant, then to captain. He was mostly en- gaged in skirmish duty and border warfare in Kentucky, and participated in the battles of Hickinan, Ky., and Limestone, Tenn., at which latter engagement he was taken prisoner, and was held in captivity some fifteen months. He was in Libby prison at a time when the Union soldiers were given only one-fourth of the regular rations. From Richmond he was sent to Macon, Ga., where he was kept in a stockade during the months of May, June, July, until about August I, 1864, and was'allowed there two ounces of beef and two teaspoonfuls of beans for a meal. About August r he was removed and taken to Charles- . ton, S. C., with 1,700 officers, and placed in different parts of the city for the purpose of pro- tecting it from the bombardment of the Federal forces. "Here they were kept about three weeks, when the Union commander placed a like number of Confederate prisoners on the parapets ! of his fort, who would be kept there under fire as long as the Union prisoners were. " Lieut. Mawer was first placed in the Charleston jail, but in a short time was removed to the jail yard,
which was enclosed with a high stone wall. While confined in the latter place a terrific storm occurred and the water stood a foot deep in the jail yard. He, with the other prisoners, was compelled to lie in the water (for it did not pass away for twenty-four hours) and sleep, if they could. "Owing to the exposure he experienced, Mr. Mawer was taken sick, and had to be sent to Rickerville hospital, when many of the patients had yellow fever, which he fortunately escaped. In November of that year he, with some others, was sent to Savannah. Ga., and there paroled." Lieut. Mawer was sent to Annapolis, Md., and placed in the hospital, and was so emaciated that he weighed but eighty pounds. His mind was so affected he hardly realized he was within the Federal lines; was afflicted with scurvy and other diseases common to prison life (was fifteen months a prisoner of war). He remained in the hospital about two months, then was sent home. In February, 1865, he was offered a lieutenant- colonelcy of a new regiment being organized at the time, but on account of not being exchanged he could not accept it. He returned to his con- mand in North Carolina as soon as he was exchanged. During the time he was a prisoner he was promoted to the rank of captain, and on his return to the regiment he took charge of his company, and was present when Gen. Johnston surrendered, the 100th Regiment, O. V. I., taking charge of Johnston's arms and ordnance, and remaining until mustered out, June 22, 1865, thence was sent to Cleveland, Ohio, was paid, and discharged July 3. 1865.
On his return home in July, 1865, Capt. Mawer purchased ISo acres of land, forty of which he afterward sold. It was covered with timber and water, the former of which he cut into lumber and sold. He drained and tiled his land, and as fast as possible transformed it into productive fields. He now has a fine house upon the place, three acres in orchard, a good barn and tool house, a granary and a cooper shop.
On October 15. 1865, he was married to Helen Jane Batt, who was born in New York, October 29, 1843, a daughter of John and Ann Watkins Batt, natives of the Empire State, who came to Ohio in 1855. The father was a cooper by trade, which he followed for many years. He died in Waterville, Ohio, in 1891, his wife in 1800. They had five children: Levi, deceased: Mrs. Mawer; William, a cooper of Waterville; and John and Bert, deceased. Mrs. Mawer for seven years prior to lier marriage engaged in teaching at Waterville, aud is a lady of culture and refine-
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ment. They have five children: John V., born May 24, 1867, married Harriet Roe, and operates the home farm; Anna, born October 27, 1868, is the wife of Erwin Ellsworth, a harness-maker of Oak Harbor, Ottawa Co., Ohio, and they have one son-Erwin; George C., born October 19. 1871, married Anna Lao, and is now a veterinary surgeon at Oak Harbor, a graduate of Ohio University -- they have one child, Helen; Elbert C., born December 9, 1878, is at home; Frank, born October 6, 1881, died August 17, 1882. Capt. Mawer is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic. For three years he served as a justice of the peace, and then resigned; for fifteen years he was a school director; for fifteen years member of the township board, and has also been supervisor. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Democrat. In 1883 he ran on the Demo- cratic ticket for representative, and, though de- feated, ran ahead of his ticket; he also made the race for member of the State Board of Equaliza- tion, but was not elected.
OWEN W. MALONEY, the well-known tank manufacturer of Bowling Green was born in Crawford county, Penn., June 4, 1865. He is of Irish descent on the father's side, while his mother's ancestors were Scotch, and he combines in an unusual degree the best qualities of both races, his sound judgment and unyielding per- Severance being accompanied by geniality and pleasing humor.
Henry Maloney, his father, was also a native of Crawford county, Penn., but now resides in West Virginia where he has been engaged in the milling business for many years. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and a prominent member of the Baptist Church. He married Mis Hannah J. Troutman, a native of Perrysville, Clarion Co., Penn., by whom he had four children: Mary, who died in childhood; Owen W., our subject; Carrie M. and William (twins), the former now the wife of Charles Silkes, of Sisterville, W. Va., an oil operator; the latter is in the mining busi- ness in Missouri.
Owen W. Maloney spent the greater part of his boyhood in Cabell county, W. Va., and at- tended the schools of Milton. His first business venture was in gardening, but after two years of this he went to Emlenton, Penn., and secured employment in the oil fields, as pumper. In 1888 he came to Wood county, and began the business of tank building at Cygnet, where he re- mained uttil 1891, when he transferred his busi- ness to Bowling Green. His time is now occu-
pied with his constantly increasing work in this line, manufacturing his tanks from the rough, and employing two men steadily, and eight during the busier seasons. He is also interested in an oil company now operating at Haskins. He was married July 29, 1889, to Miss Malinda Jolly, a native of Einlenton, Penn., born June 29, 1867, and they have three children: Roy, George and Wayne, all of whom are at home. Politically Mr. Maloney is a Prohibitionist, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the K. O. T. M. Lodges.
JUDGE EDWIN TULLER (deceased).was one of the oldest pioneers of Wood county, and, as a leading factor in many events that have marked her progress, he has left the impress of his strong personality upon the history of this region. The family is of Scotch and English origin, the first of the American line being the Rev. John Tuller. who settled in New England at an early day. Roswell Tuller, our subject's father, was born near Simsbury, Conn. He was a soldier in the war of IS12, and took part in the battle of Fort Meigs and that of the Thames, at the latter being shot, bayoneted and left for dead on the field: but he recovered from his wounds, and finally came with his family to Delaware county, Ohio, where he was killed by lightning in 1824. His first wife was a native of Connecticut, and died in Ohio, leaving a large family of children. His second wife, Mrs. Sarah ( Holcomb ) Harrington, who was also born in Connecticut, was a widow with four children. Two sons were born of this union, George, who died in infancy, and our sub- ject. The mother died in Monroe, Mich., in 1858, and of the three families of children, Judge Edwin Tuller was the last.
Our subject was born in Delaware county, Ohio, July 28, 1821, and after the death of his father accompanied his mother to Worthington, Ohio, remaining until the age of fourteen. when. in October, 1835, he came to Maumee City, and clerked in the store of a canal contractor. Later a half-brother and brother-in-law opened a store there, under the firm name of Harrington & Hun- ter, and he worked for them until 1840, when they sold out. After two years passed in the store of Horace Waite, he, in December, 1842, went to Otsego ( where he had already bought land ) with a stock of goods of his own, remain- ing two years, and then bought a farm and set- tled down to agricultural pursuits and milling for a time. He had already begun to read law, in the office of James Coffinberry, of Maumee; was active in local politics, and one of the participants in the famous mass-meeting at Fort Meigs in
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1840, "hard cider and log cabin" campaign. He remembers meeting Henry Clay at Columbus, clad in his " Kentucky jeans.
On March 22, 1846, the Judge married Miss Catherine Kuder, who was born near Circleville, August 8, 1824, and six children came of this union: (1) Alice A., March 26, 1848, married Marshall F. Pennywell, and has two children- Maggie (who married John Losh, and has two sons -- Arthur and Edwin), and Eva, the wife of Dr. Lee Willard. (2) Catherine C., August 12, 1850, married Adelbert L. Petteys, of this coun- ty. and has one son-Charles. (3) Martha Jane, born November 24, 1855, died October 3, 1860. (4) Flora M., February 6, 1857, married Lester Hoover, of Union county, and has two living children-Flossie and Eva. (5) Harriet Ellen, November 10, 1859, married John J. Don- ald, of Wells, Minn. (6) Melvinia, born Novem- ber 17, 1861, died April 14, 1864. The mother of this family died in 1871; and on June 8, 1887, the Judge married Miss Nellie Paul, who was born in Rochester, N. Y., October 13. 1356, and was educated in Columbus, Ohio, where her parents were prominent people. She is an act- ive worker in the Presbyterian Church.
In 1863 our subject was appointed probate judge, and was re-elected two terms; in 1865 he was admitted to the bar. During his third term as probate judge he resigned on account of im- paired health. He then began the practice of law in connection with James R. Tyler, and re- sided in Perrysburg some eighteen months when he moved to Tontogany, where he continued his practice for many years. In political circles he was an influential worker, first as a Whig, and later as a Republican, and his well-known abili- ties caused him to be called many times to the service of the people. He was postmaster at Otsego for several years, and justice of the peace of his township some thirteen terms; was Inter- nal Revenue assessor, appointed in 1861, and served till his appointment as probate judge in 1863. Since 1872 he has been a member of the F. & A. M. His death occurred August 29, 1896, at the age of seventy-five years, and a large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances were left to mourn the loss of this grand old man.
JACOB EBERLY (deceased), a worthy member of the noble army of pioneers of Wood county, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Hunting- don county, July 14, 1804, and departed this life in his Wood county home, on the Portage river. October 31, 1894.
When he was a boy of some eight or nine
summers, his widowed mother removed with her family from Huntingdon county, Penn., to Dublin, Franklin Co., Ohio, where she passed the rest of her days, dying March 14. 1868, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. Of her children, those who reached their majority were John, Jacob and Nancy -- John by four years the senior, and Nancy two years the junior, of Jacob, all now deceased. Nancy married George Evans, and, as did also her brother John, remained at Dublin during her life. Hon. Eli P. Evans, now occupying the common pleas bench in Columbus, Ohio, is the fourth son of Nancy.
Jacob Eberly remained at Dublin, Ohio, until of age, and then set out to commence life for himself, first stopping at Fremont. Ohio, for a few months, then proceeding farther, reached Waterville ( at that time in Wood county ) on March 3. 1826. Here he inade the acquaintance of Elizabeth Cox, whom he married October 28. 1827. In this "Village on the Maumee" Mr. Eberly remained, carrying on his trade of black- smithing, until 1833, when he removed upon 127 acres of land pleasantly located upon the Portage river. one inile northeast of the town of Portage, in Wood county, where he thereafter resided. Here he also engaged at his trade, and for fifteen years or more applied himself with much energy. realizing a liberal income, for that day. A large factor in the success which attended his efforts, however, was the untiring energy, perseverance, ingenuity and economy of his faithful life com- panion. Through their joint labor, at the expi- ration of some fifteen years, aside from keeping up the excessive doctor bills growing out of the new and undrained condition of the country, and maintaining a large family, they had paid for and largely improved and drained, the homestead. As the avails of the farm increased, the cares and responsibilities grew lighter, so that during the balance of his life, aside from superintending the farm. Mr. Eberly devoted much time to reading, keeping well informed upon current events, and the political issues of the times. Personaliy quiet, even-tempered, generous and thoughtful, he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. In earlier life he was ( though against his wish ) elected township treasurer; served the term, and was re-elected for twenty-five years thereafter; was requested to become a candidate for more responsible places, but preferred the quiet domestic life he lived.
Over sixty-one of the sixty-seven years of the married life of this honored couple, and extending to the year 1894, were passed in peace and happi- ness upon the old homestead, in which year, on
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MRS. ELIZABETH EBERLY.
JACOB EBERLY.
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Yours Truly W. S. Eberly
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the 31st day of October, Mr. Eberly passed away ut his ninety-first year, and seventeen days there- after, in her eighty-ninth year, his companion followed. Six children survive them: Joseph C., Matilda Johnson, William S., Elliott, Harriet E. Doud, and Benjamin C.
A graphic description of the homestead and its occupants at an early day is given by O. P. Jaques, a nephew of Mrs. Eberly, in a letter written to a member of the family a few days after the death of Mr. Eberly. Mr. Jaques, who is a prominent citizen of Warsaw, Ind., had made a visit at their home a short time prior to the death of Mr. Eberly, and this sketch will close with the following extract from his letter, which is dated Warsaw, Ind., November 7, 1894:
" When I last saw the dear old man, how plain was it to be seen that he was fast nearing the end of his long life; and I fancy that when he saw that Aunt could not recover, he did not care to live. A plain, good, honest man; a true and devoted father and husband has gone. *
* What a remarkable married life! and how I am moved when thinking of them! Called back in memory, to the beginning as it were, of my life, one of the first places on earth impressed on my young mind, was the home of Aunt and Uncle Eberly, and although near sixty years have passed since that time, how visibly every feature of that pioneer home, with all of its environinents at that time, presents itself to me now! A large two- story hewed-log house, with brick chimney; a double round-log barn; four or five small fields cleared out of the dense wilderness; a garden fenced with pickets near the house; another smaller log cabin near the steep bank of the creek; the well in the yard with the old-fashioned windlass. In the cabin near the creek was Uncle's smith shop, where he could nearly always be found so full of life and energy, happy and cheerful, and so in- dustriously carrying on his business. In and about the house could always be seen the promi- nent figure of Aunt, surrounded by her large family of little children (the oldest but little older than myself ), so full of vigor and perseverance, with her strong will-power, faithfully and indus- triously doing and discharging the duties of a true young wife and mother, in a new country. I love to reflect upon her noble traits of good, true womanhood."
WILLIAM S. EBERLY, senior member of the well-known firm, in Bowling Green, of Eberly & Son, merchants, was born near Portage, Wood Co., Ohio, December 19, 1836, and is a son of the late Jacob and Elizabeth (Cox) Eberly.
Our subject passed his boyhood days working on his father's farm during the summers, and at- tending the district school in winter time. At the age of twenty he began to teach, winters, thus securing means whereby he was enabled to avail himself of better schools, at the close of each winter term. He taught some four or five win- ters, attending Fostoria Academy for a time, and also Otterbein College; but his school course was interrupted by his acceptance of the office of dep- uty clerk of the common pleas court, which had been tendered him by the clerk. During the three years or more he was employed in this office, he at odd times studied law, under the preceptorship of Hon. Asher Cook, of Perrysburg, and he was admitted to the bar August 7. 1868. Opening a law office in Bowling Green, he con- tinued for a short time, then removed to Fos- toria, where he soon built up a good practice. Here, about the year 1874, he formed a partner- ship with Alex. Brown, attorney at law, but Mir. Eberly, after a few years, retiring from the part- nership, returned to Bowling Green, and in the fall of 1877 was elected clerk of the common pleas court of Wood county, at the expiration of the term being re-elected-the two terms extend- ing front February, 1878, to February, 1884. In the latter year he again opened an office at Bowl- ing Green for the practice of law, but in a few days he was seized with a severe attack of pleurisy, from the effects of which. after a long prostration, he was partially restored to health, yet the effect upon his nervous system rendered him unfit to again en- gage in his profession, or, indeed, in any business. until the discovery of the great oil field of Wood county. Owning eighty acres of land in the heart of this field, his attention was for several years engaged in its development, since which time he has secured a lucrative income from its product.
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