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. 2 > Part 12
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W. J. WHITE, secretary and treasurer of the Zihlmann Glass Company, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, May 28, 1864. . His parents, Will- iam and Mary (Schindler) White, were both born in Ohio, the father dying in Monroe county when our subject was about five years old. Mrs. White resides at Switzer, in the sanie county. To this couple were born three children, namely: Our subject, W. J .; Charles E., who lives at Switzer; Tillie C., who married C. E. Smith, and lives in Cumberland, Maryland.
Mr. White remained in Monroe county until eleven years old, when, being obliged to make a living, he went to Powhatan, and clerked in a store during the summer and attended school in the winter. He learned the German language. which he reads and speaks as well as he does English. In 1886 he gave up his position in Powhatan and went to Cumberland, Md , where he secured a situation as shipping clerk in the
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Cumberland glass factory. He stayed with that company until the Zihlmann Glass Company was incorporated, in 1889, when he came to North Baltimore and accepted the position of shipping clerk. He soon proved himself to be a capable, energetic business man and was rapidly promoted to various offices until, in 1892, he was given the responsible position of secretary and treasurer, besides attending directly to the shipping, which is quite extensive, as they ship material all over the United States, to Canada and to Mexico. Mr. White is not married. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encampment, and the Canton Alpine, of Bowl- ing Green. He is also captain of Co. K, 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guards, and the com- pany's success and prosperity are largely due to his energies in its behalf. Mr. White is a thor- oughly competent business man, and has the en- tire confidence of his employers. He is a director in the Zihlmann Glass Company, and also is one of the owners of the Columbia drug store, which is doing a flourishing business.
Mr. White's grandfather lived for awhile in Rome, Italy, where he spent his childhood. He was a butcher by trade, and died in Monroe county, Ohio. The maternal grandparents were froin Switzerland, and the grandmother died at the extraordinary age of one hundred and four years. Mr. White is a leader in society, where his sincerity and genial nature have made him popular with all with whom he comes in contact.
JAMES G. HICKOX, the well-known and pop- ular cashier of the Exchange Bank of Bowling Green, one of the oldest and most reliable finan- cial institutions of northern Ohio, was born in Washington, Conn., August 9, 1861, son of C. L .. and Mary R. (Grant) Hickox. Our subject's early education was obtained in the schools of his native town. Comning west in 1881, he found congenial employment in Toledo, Ohio, with the banking firm of Raymer, Seagrave & Co., and later with the First National Bank of Toledo, with which he was connected for some years. Seeing an opening in the real-estate and loan business with George Ketcham & Co., he in- vested his means with that firm, and, resigning his position in the bank, gave his attention to their interests.
On July 1, 1890, he became connected with the Exchange Bank at Bowling Green, as partner and cashier, and his energy, experience and abil- ity have contributed largely to the growth and development of its already extensive business.
Genial, cultured, and possessed of admirable social traits, Mr. Hickox is popular with all classes. He is a ready and influential supporter of any progressive movement in his locality, taking special interest at present in the Wood County Fair Association, of which he is treas- urer, and a leading stockholder.
WILLIAM W. DUNIPACE, ex-commissioner of Wood county and a well- known pioneer of Web- ster township, residing near Scotch Ridge, is a native of Wood county, born in Webster town- ship January 7, 1842. He is of Scotch descent; his grandfather, William Dunipace, was born in Scotland, and Robert Dunipace, our subject's father, was born in 1809, near Edinburgh, in Creginille castle.
In 1834 Robert Dunipace emigrated to the United States, and for four years resided at Per- rysburg, building boats for Lake Erie and the Maumee river. He moved to Webster township about 1839, where he entered 160 acres of land, which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. He married Jane Muir, a native of Scot- land, and had eleven children, of whom our sub- ject is the eldest living. Of the others, the sur- vivors are Margaret, Robert, Samuel, and Jane; Mary, Mary P., James, John and George are deceased. John died April 20, 1871, from in- juries received while in defense of the Union cause, having served in Company I, 144th O. V. I. Our subject's parents were faithful and consistent members of the United Presby - terian Church, to which our subject and his family also adhere. The father was for many years an elder in the Church. He was an influ- ential Whig in early days, and took part in the great mass meeting at Fort Meigs. An honest, industrious, kindly man, his death in February, 1882, was deeply lamented by the entire com- munity.
William W. Dunipace began his education in a log school house in his district with Miss Martha Gilbert for his first teacher. June 30, 1863, he enlisted in Company D, 86th O. V. I., Capt. John H. Reed commanding. His first service was in Morgan's raid, when he took part in the capture of John Morgan, and acted as guardsman
on the way to Columbus, His regiment was later assigned to the force under Gen. Burnside, and was at the surrender of Cumberland Gap, September 9, 1863. Mr. Dunipace was dis- charged at the expiration of his terin of service, being mustered out with his company February 10, 1864, returned home, and for some time attended the Normal School at Maumee. He
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then learned the carpenter's trade, and began the construction of bridges on contract in different parts of the county. He taught school in 1868, and the same year he bought eighty acres of land in Webster township, to which he has since added until he owns ISo acres of choice land, chiefly devoted to stock raising.
On December 31, 1868, he married Miss Lizzie Adams, who was born in Montgomery township, Wood county, September 20, 1845. Her parents were Thomas and Mary (McGill) Adams, who came from Scotland in 1831 and settled upon a farm of 240 acres in Montgomery township, where Mr. Adams died in 1878, his wife surviving him until 1891. They had eleven children: James, John, Robert and Jennie (twins), Lizzie, Helen, Cornelius, Thomas, George, Frank and Minnie.
Mr. Dunipace and his wife have had eight children, whose names with dates of birth are here given: Mary, April 25, 1870, is a school teacher in Montgomery township; Robert, Feb- ruary 16, 1872, is a student at Ada, Ohio; John, August 20, 1874, a graduate of the Fostoria Academy, is now engaged in teaching; Bertha, January 30, 1878, William, October 10, 1879, Hazel, December 19, 1886, Harley, April 8, 1888, are all at home; and George, who was born October 22, 1884, died at the age of three years. Mr. Dunipace possesses the honesty, energy and thrift so characteristic of his race, and stands high in the esteem of his neighbors. He has held various offices, having been town- ship clerk, school director, member of the board of education, assessor, and in 1886 was elected county commissioner on the Greenback ticket. He is now a Populist in politics. He belongs to the G. A. R., Benedict Post, of Pemberville.
WILLIAM PERRIN, deceased. In a brief sketch of any living citizen it is difficult to do him exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, from lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for want of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, develops and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its true and best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with a man so familiarizes us with his many vir- tues that we ordinarily overlook them, and com- monly underestimate their possessor. Neverthe- less, while the man passes away his deeds of virtue live on, and will in due time bear fruit, and do him the justice which the pen fails to record.
Mr. Perrin, who during life was one of the
most prominent farmers of Center township, was born in Madison township, Franklin Co., Ohio, January 1, 1816. His father, Joseph Perrin, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, where he wedded Mary Fletcher, and from there, in 1812, rode to Franklin county, Ohio, on horseback. They were the parents of the following children: Barbara, Jacob, Jonathan, John, Susan, Mary and William, all of whom have passed away, ex- cept Susan, and the father and mother both died in Franklin county; the former was drowned.
Our subject was but eight months old when his father died, and he was adopted by his uncle, William Perrin, who gave him good educational advantages. On his farm William grew to man- hood, aiding in its cultivation, and caring for his uncle during his declining years. For several years after the latter's deathi he still continued the operation of that farm. On November 14, 1839, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Breckenridge, and to them were born five daugli- ters: Margaret J., born October 28, 1840; Eliza J., born May 16, 1847, now the wife of A. B. Ebright, of Columbus, Ohio; Susan, born July 29, 1850, now the wife of P. H. Stevenson: Theresa A., born July 31, 1853, now the widow of William Wade; and Mary A., born December 1, 1856. The mother of this family died May 29, 1858, and for his second wife Mr. Perrin chose Miss Rhoda M. Needels, who was born April 28, 1833, a daughter of James Needels, a farmer of Madison township, Franklin Co., Ohio. By this marriage there were six children, namely: William, born September 3, 1860, and died in 1861; Sarah W., born October 13, 1863, now the wife of John Ralston, by whom she has a son, Le Roy, born in 1892; Frank F., born Feb- ruary 8, 1865, a farmer of New Mexico; Azro S., born September 15, 1868, and married Le Elda Tuller, by whom he has one child, Ray T .; Jonathan A., an oil operator, born February 13. 1871, and married to Mary English; and Minnie R., born April 21, 1874.
In 1866, Mr. Perrin disposed of his property in Franklin county, and removed with his family to Center township, Wood county, where he purchased 320 acres of partially improved land, which he ditched, tiled and fenced, making it one of the most valuable tracts in the township. Be- sides his own fine residence he erected two other dwellings upon the place, and gave a large por- tion of his farm to his children, though his widow still retains forty acres, the cultivation of which she superintends. The cause of education ever found in Mr. Perrin a warm friend and supporter. he donating the land for a school house near his
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home, also furnishing the stone for the founda- tion, and. superintending the construction of the building. For several years he held the office of su- pervisor, and was also trustee of his township. He was a man of progressive and enterprising ideas, which he endeavored to carry out, and gave his sup- port to allobjects calculated to benefit his township or county. He laid aside life's cares after a pure, honorable and useful career, actuated by unself- ish motives, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice, passing away March 25, 1895, leaving a loving wife and children to mourn the departure of a kind and indulgent husband and father. His death was deeply regretted throughout the county, for he was widely and favorably known. His political support was given to the Republican party. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member for over fifty-one years.
Mrs. Perrin was one of a family of fourteen children, of whom seven are now living: Cyrus F., a farmer of Franklin county, Ohio; Curtis L., of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Perrin; Mrs. Re- becca E. Brown, of Franklin county; Mrs. Mary Ann Brown, of Franklin county; Mrs. Jennie L. Wilkins, of Wapakoneta, Ohio; and Mrs. Lizzie N. Kile, of Columbus. The parents, James and Sarah A. (Stevenson) Needles, were both born in Franklin county, Ohio, the former in 1808. They died in 1860, and December 4, 1874, re- spectively. Philemon Needels, his father, was born in Delaware, and when a young man set- tled in Franklin county, where he owned a large property. Mrs. Perrins' parents were noted for their purity and good deeds. Their industry and economy brought forth abundant fruit, hence there was a competency during their lives, and a heritage for their children.
Mrs. Perrin spent two years at Delaware (Ohio) Wesleyan Female College, thus laying the foundation for an intelligent, useful life. She has never ceased to be a student. What she learned last year did not satisfy her. She is up to the times, and takes an interest in the advancement and enterprise of the day. When she came to this vicinity there was no school, Sabbath-school or literary priviliges. Mr. Perrin's efforts were ably seconded by her to secure a school district, and the first election of officers was held in her best room. When the school house was com- pleted, she did not cease her efforts until there was Sabbath school, and no assistance she could give was ever considered grievous. Through shade and shine she was in her place, doing anything assigned her, teaching infant or Bible class, or in the absence of the superintend-
ent, filling his office creditably. Her work has not been a failure.
When her children and others were advanced far enough to be benefited by literary exercises, she urged the young people to organize for that purpose, and at their request wrote a constitution and by-laws for them, became a member, and made it a rule to be prepared for any duty assigned her. In her reading, if she saw any- thing either in poetry or prose suitable for any one to read or speak, it was carefully put by. The young ladies and gentlemen soon learned where the supply inight be found, and the smaller ones where to get good pieces. "Little acts of kindness; little deeds of love," have been the factors which have bound old and young in loving cords to their friend and neighbor. She is an humble follower of Christ, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since she was eleven years of age. Her children rise up and call her blessed.
B. F. DAVIS, M. D., a prominent physician and druggist, of Tontogany, was born at Painted Post, Steuben Co., N. Y., October 11, 1836, of old New England stock -- his great-grandfather Davis, and grandfather, Arthur Davis, having both been born in Rhode Island.
J. P. Davis, father of our subject, was a native of Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., born in ISIO. There he married Miss Mary Darby, who was born in December, 1809, near New Berlin, N. Y., a daughter of Rufus Darby, a farmer who was of English and Scotch ancestry, although her family had long been residents of New England. For some years after their marriage, our subject's par- ents lived on a farm at Painted Post, and in 1837 they came to Ohio, settling on an eighty-acre farm near South Bloomfield, Morrow county Here Mrs. Davis died in 1859, leaving seven children, namely: B. F., our subject; Harriet E., since deceased, who married N. H. Patton, of Bryan, Ohio; William R., living in retirement at Traer, Iowa; Arnold, who was a soldier during the Civil war in the 20th Regiment, O. V. I., was killed at Atlanta, and buried there in the National Cemetery; Albert L., deceased, who graduated in the Medical Department at Ann Arbor in IS;1. and was in practice with our subject until his death, in January, 1877, when he was aged thirty years; Morgan, residing at Mount Liberty, Ohio; and Malon R., a traveling salesman and resident of Toledo. By Mr. Davis' second mar- riage with Miss Joanna Bishop, three children were born: Minnie, the wife of N. D. Huddles- ton; Cora Converse; and Ella. In 1864, J. P.
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Davis moved to Mount Liberty, where he died three years later. Politically he was a Democrat until the Slavery question became a party issue, when he joined the Republican ranks.
Our subject attended the district schools until he was sixteen, and then a select school at Cen- terburg. At the age of nineteen he began to teach, and afterward studied one term in col- lege at Iberia, Ohio, and one term in Delaware. In the spring of 1859 he entered the office of Drs. Russell & Thompson, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he studied medicine, and then in the win- ter of 1861-62 attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and the winter of 1862-63, at Starling Medical College, Columbus, graduating in Feb- ruary, 1863. In 1861 he enlisted in the three- months' service, in Company B, 4th O. V. I., Capt. H. B. Banning (afterward a general) com- manding, and in the fall of 1862, when Cincinnati was threatened by Kirby Smith, he was one of the "Squirrel Hunters." On March 11, 1863, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 44th Regiment, O. V. I., which served in the 23d Army Corps, under Gen. Scofield, Gen. Burnside com- manding the department. In February, 1864, the regiment veteranized, and was made the 8th O. V. C., after which it served in the Lynchburg raid under Gen. Averill, and took part in the cam- paign in the Shenandoah Valley, under Sheridan. The Doctor was at the battle of Winchester, and was an eye-witness of the historic ride which turned at Cedar Creek the fortunes of the day. Part of his regiment was captured at Beverly, W. Va., in January, 1865, taken to Richmond, and released on parole. On being mustered out in 1865 Dr. Davis located in Tontogany, and has since followed his profession with marked success. In 1872 he and his brother opened a drug store in Tontogany, conducting the same jointly until the death of the latter in 1877, after which our subject carried it on alone till the fall of that year when R. J. Collin became associated with him in business, under the firm name of Davis & Collin.
Dr. Davis has been twice married, first in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth White, who was born in Dela- ware county, in 1846. She died in 1878 leaving three children, the first born having died in in- fancy. The names and dates of birth of the younger three are: Hattie E., born August II, 1870; Frederick W., March 7, 1873: and Bern- ard Francis, July 22, 1875. Dr. Davis married, second, Mrs. Sarah A. (Carpenter) Ross, who was born in Maumee in 1845. In politics the Doctor is a Republican, and he is an influential worker in all measures for local improvements. He is a
member of the G. A. R., of the F. & A. M., No. 451, Tontogany, and of the Wood County Med- ical Association.
LE ROY VAN TASSEL. From Holland to America came the founders of the Van Tassel family in 1795, and settled in the beautiful valley of the Hudson, where their descendants lived for several generations. Luke Van Tassel, the fa- ther of our subject, was born on the banks of that river, and at the age of seventeen years became a fifer boy in the war of 1812. He sub- sequently removed to Lorain county. Ohio, afterward to Indiana, and was engaged in mnak- ing castor oil, and later became a resident of Wood county. In 1836 he took up his residence in Plain township, near Bowling Green, whence he removed to Missionary Station farm. He afterward lived at Waterville, and later at Tur- key Foot Creek for two years; also two years on the Hedges farm. In 1849, he purchased sixty acres, on which our subject now resides. He was married in 1818, at Chautauqua, N. Y., to Sallie Richmond, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: Amelia, first the wife of Francis T. Lane, deceased, then the wife. of A. H. Plant, deceased; Lyman; Ann, wife of Josiah Kuder; Silas, of McClure. Ohio; Isaac. and Olive, deceased; Harriet, wife of Hiram West: Sidney; Le Roy; Luman and Reuben. The father of the subject of this sketch died De- cember 2, 1869, on the farm in Washington, township, and the mother on September 29, 1894.
Our subject was born in Lorain county, Ohio, May 11, 1834, and was educated in the district schools. He became a mechanical engineer, and for fifteen years was employed as head sawyer in some of the principal sawmills of his and ad- joining counties. The pursuits of civil life, how- ever, were interrupted May 2, 1864, by his service as a member of Company B, 144th Regi- ment, O. V. I., in the Civil war. He was dis- charged on August 31, following, and on his return home engaged in farming.
Mr. Van Tassel was married July 20, 1862. to Martha Alcorn, and to the union were born seven children, as follows: Carrie, born July 5. 1863, now the wife of James Mc Williams, by whom she has three children ; Willard, born October 10, 1864, is a resident of Toledo, Ohio: Helen, deceased; Effie J., born October 4, 186 ;. now the wife of William Hariman; Laura E .. born February 8, 1869; Florence, born Septem- ber 27, 1870, wife of Herbin Gill; and Lulu, born December 24, 1889.
Mr. Van Tassel is a warin friend to the cause
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of education, and for six years served as school director. He is a member of the Grange, of which he served as master one year, and chap- lain two years. In politics he is a Republican, and socially is connected with Neibling Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Weston. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are most highly esteemed people. They have a pleasant home in the midst of a highly improved farm, and their friends throughout the community are many.
William W. Hariman, who married their third daughter, was born in Plain township, July 25, 1854, and is the only son of Jonathan and Ann (Wickham) Hariman. In 1890 the mar- riage of the young couple was celebrated, and their union is now blessed with two children- John I .. , born January 22, 1891; and Homer L., born August 3, 1893. In 1891 Mr. Hariman purchased his present farm of forty acres, which has been tiled and drained, and is now a very valuable property. He is a member of Kenil- worth Lodge, K. of P., of Weston, and a Demo- crat in politics. He and his wife attend the United Brethren Church.
CHARLES O. IRELAND, a reliable and intelli- gent young agriculturist of Liberty township, re- siding in Section 25, was born in that township in 1869. His parents, Thomas and Laura (New- berry) Ireland, were born, reared and married in Clermont county, Ohio, whence in 1864 they re- moved to Liberty township, Wood county, where the father purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, which he at once began to develop, making his home thereon until his 'death, in 1884. In politics he was a Democrat, and served his town- ship as supervisor; in religious belief he was a faithful member of the Disciples Church. His widow still lives on the old homestead. Their family comprised six children: Mrs. Nancy Steel, of Liberty township; Edward, who died in Cler- mont county; George, who is married, and makes his home in Liberty township; Alex, who died in that township in 1866; Charles O .; and Mrs. Mary Schrader, who resides on the old home farm.
The subject of this sketch has spent his en- tire life in Liberty township, and received the rudiments of his education in the district schools, which he has supplemented by considerable read- ing, and is well posted on the current topics of the day. He is the owner of a good farm of twenty acres of highly productive and fertile land, which by industry and good management he has brought to a high state of cultivation.
His income is increased not a little by the prod- uct of three oil wells upon his place, which bring him from $120 to $140 per month.
In ISSS, in Liberty township, Mr. Ireland was married to Mrs. Sarah R. Robinson, widow of Joseph Robinson. She was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. M. Lang, of Liberty township. Mr. Ireland has never taken a very active part in politics, although keeping well informed upon matters of general interest, and uniformly voting the straight Demo- cratic ticket. Socially he is a member of Wings- ton Lodge No. 553, K. of P., and he is classed among the most respected representative citizens of the community.
GEORGE B. SPENCER, M. D., a leading phy- sician at Weston, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., December 16, 1844.
The Spencer family originated in England, and the ancestors of the American branch came to this country in Colonial timnes. William Spen- cer, our subject's great-great-grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war on the side of the colonies, and afterward settled in New Jersey where he passed the remaining years of his life. His son Nathan, and grandson John, the grand- father of our subject, were lifelong residents of New Jersey.
Nathan Spencer, the father of our subject, was born there in 1817, and in early manhood removed to New York State, where he married Miss Louise Barhite, a native of Schenectady. N. Y., born in 1822. He came with his family to Ohio, in 1848, locating in Huron county, and there his wife died in 1850. They were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and stanch Abo- litionists. During the days of the " Underground Railroad " they fed and helped many an escaping slave on his way to Canada, and Mr. Spencer was an influential worker in the Republican party from its beginning. He died in Olena, Huron county, in February, 1888. Our subject was the second of a family of three children. Melissa. the eldest, married Lewis Toan, of Weston, and died in 1892. The youngest, Mary, is the wife of Randall West, of Little Sioux, Iowa.
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