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 13
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George B. Spencer's boyhood was passed in Huron county, where he availed himself of the educational advantages offered by the district schools. In September, 1861, when but little over sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Com- pany F, 3rd O. V. C., and served three years and two months, receiving his discharge in November. 1864, before lie was twenty. He served in the army of the Cumberland, and took part in the
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battles of Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, and many minor engagements. He was captured three times and twice escaped from the hands of the enemy. On January 15, 1863, he was cap- tured by Morgan's men, and was paroled by Morgan. He still retains the parole he received from him, as a relic of those stormy days. In the Kilpatrick raid around Atlanta, in 1864, he received a slight wound while charging a bridge, and he had several close calls during the course of his service; at Stone River his cap was shot off, and on another occasion bullets pierced his clothing.
After his return from the war he entered Oberlin College, where he remained one year, and then began the study of medicine with Dr. Sykes, of Plymouth, Richland county. He fin- ished his professional course, in Western Reserve Medical College, graduating in 1867 with honors, being made valedictorian of his class. He at once engaged in practice, first in Tiffin, where he spent a year and a half, and later in Shiloh, Richland county. In 1870 he located perma- nently in Weston. Here he soon became popu- lar, not only as a physician but as a citizen, and he has held different offices of public trust. He has taken great interest in local and educational affairs, having been a member of the Weston board of education, member of the council, a county school examiner for nine years, and for the past three years clerk of the school board. He has been a trustee of the cemetery at Weston for some time, and is now clerk of the board, and takes considerable pride in fitting it up and im- proving it; an ornamental fountain has recently been erected there through his exertions, and he is at this time working for the erection of a soldiers' monument, that will be not only an honor to all soldiers, but a splendid ornament to the cemetery. In the fall of 1887 the Doctor was elected a member of the Legislature for Wood county, an office which he filled for two terms with fidelity and ability. He was chairman of the committee that built the Soldiers' Home at Sandusky, and was secretary of the committee on insane asylums during both terins.
In 1868, Dr. Spencer married Miss Sarah K. Strong, who was born in Plymouth, Ohio, June I, 1849. They have three children: William H., the eldest, graduated in pharmacy from the State University at Columbus, was married in 1893 to Miss Rena La Dow, of Plymouth, Ohio, and now conducts a drug store at Oberlin; George, who was married in 1893 to Miss Grace Pugh; and Mary. Dr. Spencer is a broad-
minded man, taking an intelligent interest in all the questions and movements of the day. He is a member of the Wood County Medical Society, and, being a member and health officer of the board of health of his village, meets every year with the Ohio State board of health. Socially, he affiliates with Kenilworth Lodge No. 340, K. of P., with Weston Lodge No. 560, A. F. & A. M., and with Neibling Post No. 20, G. A. R., Weston, of which he was second commander, serving two years in that capacity. He has been taking considerable interest in horticulture for several years, and now has a fine fruit orchard of ten acres just north of town. He was for several years editor of the Weston Free Press, a weekly newspaper, and gained quite a reputa- tion as a writer of comic sketches and locals.
PHILIP W. HEYMANN, a prominent retired agri- culturist of Grand Rapids township, Wood county, was born June 22, 1822, in the village of Kalten- holtzhousen, Province of Nassau, Germany.
Mr. Heymann received his education in his native land, and, in 1847, came alone to America, the voyage, which occupied fifty-two days, being made in a sailing vessel. He landed at New York with but two dollars in cash, he having loaned a friend on board the vessel some forty dollars, which, by the way, was never returned. In New York, however, Mr. Heymann found a friend of whom he borrowed eight dollars, and with this sinall sumn he was enabled to travel west to Sandusky City, Ohio, from there proceeding to Huron county, where, in Lyme township, he bought on credit a farm of 198 acres, which he improved. In the following year his parents. John G. and Mary (Opperman) Heymann, emigrated to this country, bringing with them the rest of their family, and twenty-five hundred dollars in cash, with which the father bought a farm in Lyme township. Here the parents passed the rest of their pioneer lives, the mother dying in 1872, the father nine years later. They were leading members of the German Reformed Church. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Jeannette, Anna, Philip W. (our subject), Will- iam, George, Henry, John P., Catherine. Will- iam F., and Margaret, all yet living except Jean- nette, Anna, William and Margaret.
When the subject of these lines left the paren- tal roof, in 1852, his father gave him a teani and two hundred dollars, and bringing his wife and two children (for in the meantime he had mar- ried) Philip came to Wood county, setthing on his present farm of 160 acres in Weston (now Grand Rapids) township, at that time all unim-
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proved woodland. Their first home in this wild spot was a little log cabin, with neither doors nor windows, and from this humble beginning Mr. Heymann has evolved a valuable estate, having ditched and tiled it thoroughly, planted thereon a fruitful orchard, and erected commodious and comfortable buildings. He and his worthy wife reared their family of children well, and helped each to secure nice homes, Mr. Heymann prefer- ring to do so during his lifetime, and when his children really needed such aid, to allowing them to wait until his death, at which time the prop- erty would be divided up, though, it may be added, he has still a good residue to leave. He now enjoys a well-earned leisure, leaving to others the active work of his estate.
On October 9, 1849, Philip W. Heymann was married at Sandusky City to Miss Mary Morehead, who was born October 9, 1832, a daughter of George Morehead, one of the early settlers of Huron county, born in January, 1795, in Harrison county. W. Va. When a mere boy of seventeen Mr. Morehead enlisted under Gen. Har- rison in the struggle of that day with the British and Indians along the Maumee river, but was taken ill and sent home. He married Miss Charity Pat- ton, and by her had three children: Mary (Mrs. Heymann), Emily (wife of Joseph Morris, of Ne- braska), and Andrew J. (a prominent resident of Huron county). Mr. and Mrs. Heymann have had five children: (1) Louisa, born August 18, 1850, married to Willian Ross, of Weston town- ship. (2) G. Albert, born November 5, 1851, is a farmer of Grand Rapids township; he married Sarah Dull, who died December 11, 1888, the mother of four children; G. Albert afterward married Mrs. Jennie Pratt, a widow, and by her has one son. (3) Lester W., born August 17, 1857, is also a farmer in Grand Rapids township; he married Stella Roland, and has four children. (4) Anna L., born August 18, 1859, died at the age of eighteen; and (5) Flora May, born March 14, 1862, is the wife of J. F. McKee, a proini- nent resident of Grand Rapids township.
Mr. Heymann is one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens of his locality, and by his integrity, geniality and good judgment has won the friendship and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. He has been school director for a number of years, and is a ready and generous promoter of any worthy cause. In politics he was originally a Democrat, afterward becoming a Republican, but of late years has been a stanch Prohibitionist. In Germany he served in the German army four years. Ever liberal support- ers of the United Brethren in Christ, he and his
good wife are unceasing in their works of philan- throphy and charity, and none stand higher in the estimation of the community in which they live.
HENRY C. FEARNSIDE. One does not have to carry his investigations far in the Wood coun- ty history to find that the Fearnside family has been prominent in its development and upbuild- ing, and a worthy representative of this family is the present subject of our sketch. He was born in the town of Washington Hollow, Dutchess Co., N. Y., October 20, 1833, and is a son of Thomas and Ellen (Robinson) Fearnside. His father was born near Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1792, was a self-educated man, and possessed superior business ability. He worked in a woolen- mill, owned and operated by his father, until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Scot- land and was employed by his uncle, Benjamin Fearnside. His wife was born in Fochabers. in 1795. In connection with his brother, Mr. Fearnside rented and operated a factory for the manufacture of woolen goods. About 1821 he went to Liverpool, and took passage on a sailing vessel bound for New York. When out only a few days they encountered a severe storm, and the ship lost most of its rigging; but after a long and perilous voyage of ninety days they reached their destination. The food supply, however, gave out, and the passengers for some time only had one biscuit per day. Mr. Fearnside rented a building on Manhattan Island, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. He was there joined by his wife and family a year later, and carried on business for about six years. when he removed to Glenhamn, N. Y., and later to' Dutchess county. Subsequently he went to Clark county, Ohio, and prepared a home for his family, who came to the West a year later. After seven years he removed to Wood county, and purchased 105 acres of wild land in Liberty township. where he carried on agricultural pur- suits until his death. He passed away in Janu- ary, 1871, and his wife died May 4, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Fearnside were the parents of the following named children: Thomas, who died in California; Mrs. Martha J. Corey, of Urbana, Ohio; James, of Michigan; William, who died in southern Illinois; George, a merchant of Oregon; Hannah, who became the wife of Henry Haskins, and died in Kendallville, Ind .; John, of Toledo, Ohio; Henry C .; and Benjamin, who died at the age of two years. Our subject was a youth of fifteen when his parents came to Wood county. No event of special importance occurred in his childhood, and he remained at
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home until his marriage, which was celebrated in Liberty township, April 25, 1865, Miss Anna E. Sizer, of Huron county, Ohio, becoming his wife. She traces her ancestry back to Antonio de Sozier, who located in Massachusetts soon after the landing of the Pilgrims. The orthography of the name was changed to its present form by the Massachusetts Legislature.
Mrs. Fearnside was born in Woodstock, Ul- ster Co., N. Y., May 31, 1843, and is a daugli- ter of Franklin and Abigail (Bloomer) Sizer. the father born in Hampden county, Mass., in 1806, the mother in Greene county, N. Y. He was a carpenter by occupation, and on his marriage located in Greene county, N. Y., whence he re- moved to Greenwich, Huron Co., Ohio. In 1858 he settled in Liberty township, . Wood county, where the mother died in 1883, the father in 1888. Their children were Clarissa C., wife of Anson B. Abbott, now of Weston, Wood county; Daniel W., who died in Waterville, Ohio, in 1876; Abraham F., who served in the Civil war in Company A, 14th O. V. I., and was accidentally drowned July 29, 1862, at Pulaski, Tenn., while bathing in the river; and Mrs. Fearnside.
On their marriage our subject and his wife located on the old homestead, and he has since given his entire attention to farming. Their union has been blessed with four children: Mar- tha, wife of William Haskins, of Waterville, Ohio; George W., assistant cashier in the Com- mercial Bank of Bowling Green; William F. and Benjamin, at home. Mr. Fearnside is a stal- wart Republican in politics, but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and is an intelligent, well-read and popular man, highly esteemed by many friends.
THOMAS N. BIERLY. No citizen of Pember- ville has contributed more to the development of its highest interests than has the subject of the following paragraphs, who is well known throughout northwestern Ohio as an able attor- ney and a man of superior business qualifications. With but limited ineans, when a young man, and with no influence to assist him, he nevertheless, by indefatigable energy and tireless determination, has gained a position of importance among the professional men of the locality, and occupies an influential place in the legal fraternity of Wood county.
Before presenting in detail the events that have given character to the life of Mr. Bierly. i some mention of his ancestors may appropriately be made. The family has been identified with
the history of America for a number of genera- tions, and its members have invariably been patriotic and honest men. He traces his lineage to Prussia. His great-great-grandfather, who was born in that country, participated in the con- flict usually known as the Thirty Years war, in which he was severely wounded. On coming to America, he settled in Pennsylvania, though it is not known whether his home was in Bucks or Lancaster county. For many years he led a se- cluded life, and his last days were spent on the top of Blue Mountain, where he died unattended by any friends.
Anthony Bierly, the great-grandfather of Thomas N., was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving through the entire period of the con- flict. His house and all of his property were de- stroyed by the Indians; but, undaunted by the misfortune, he worked his way once more to prosperity and success. He was a man of some education, and was looked up to as a leader among the early settlers of Center county, Penn. His son Nicholas was born near Sunbury, Penn., in 1775, and married Miss Lucinda Buchtel, a native . of Center county, and a descendant of German ancestors. Her father was obliged to work seven years in payment for his passage from his native country to America. Aside from this fact, but little is known of the early history of that branch of the family. The last days of Nicholas Bierly were spent in the home of his son, George, to whom he bequeathed the farm.
The father of our subject, George Bierly, was born in Center county, Penn., July 17, 1819. His character is in some respects unique. Pos- sessing no educational advantages except four months in school during his boyhood days, he nevertheless became one of the best posted men in his locality. He has been a thoughtful reader of ancient and modern history, and is particularly posted concerning current historical topics. In early life he learned the trade of a wheelwright. and later adopted the occupation of an agricult- urist. Possessing the brave and patriotic spirit of his ancestors, he enlisted in the army during the Mexican war, but saw no active service. For seven years he was connected with the Pennsvi- vania militia. In 1857 Mr. Bierly came to Ohio and settled on a farm near Bradner. where he still makes liis home. A Republicanin his polit- ical belief, he has advocated the principles of that party since the time of President Lincoln's first election. Among the pioneers of Wood county he was a leader, and by his fellow citizens he was often selected to occupy positions of trust and lionor. His wife, Sarah, born January 21.
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1821, is a daughter of James Magee, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, but was of Scotch descent.
Two years before the family removed to Ohio, the subject of this notice was born in Center county, Penn., February 21, 1855. He grew to manhood in Wood county, and has known no other home than this. Even in boyhood he was prominent among his schoolmates on account of his superior talents and recognized ability. Being a diligent student, he availed himself of every op- portunity to acquire knowledge, and early laid the foundation for the broad fund of information he possesses to-day. At the age of seventeen he took an examination for a West Point cadetship, and stood fourth in his class of twenty-three, with an average of over seventy-seven per cent. He attended the Normal School at Republic, Ohio, and taught several terms of school. When the time came for him to select a life occupation, Mr. Bierly chose the profession of law, and car- ried on his readings with the late Hon. James R. Tyler, of Perrysburg. Immediately after his ad- mission to the bar, in 1877, he opened an office in Pemberville, where he has since conducted an increasing and profitable practice. As a member of the Democratic party, he has been active in local politics, and is a leader in the councils of his party. He has served as mayor several terins, has been president of the school board, and was a candidate for prosecuting attorney, to which he would have undoubtedly been elected had it not been for the large Republican majority in the county.
The landed possessions of Mr. Bierly are ex- tensive and valuable, including residences in Pem- berville and three well-improved farms in Wood county, besides the "Crystal Hotel " at Brad- ner and other real-estate interests. His dwell- ing, one of the most attractive homes in Pember- ville, is situated on the east side of the river, and is a substantial frame structure, a model of ar- chitectural beauty, and surrounded by a wide- spreading and well-kept lawn. Into their pleas- ant home Mr. and Mrs. Bierly welcome their hosts of personal friends, and extend a cordial greeting to the stranger within their doors. Mrs. Bierly was, in maidenhood. Miss Jennie Furbush, and is a native of Wood county, where her en- tire life has been spent. Four children bless the happy home, Clarence, Lulu, Everett and Neva.
Possessing a generous and philanthropic na- ture, Mr. Bierly has made a fortune, not for the purpose of hoarding it, but that he may do good, and render the lives of others happier. He contributes liberally to the support of his par-
ents, whose declining years are made comfortable through his thoughtful attention; and he is also generous in aiding other members of the family who need assistance. His benefactions. however, are not limited to the circle of his relatives, but extend to all worthy enterprises. The public library of Pemberville is a standing monument to his generosity; most of the books and shelving were donated by him, and he has taken the live- liest interest in the success of the work. On Christmas of 1894 he presented each of the Sun- day-schools of the city with one hundred books as a free gift. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Royal Arch Masons, and for some time served as master of the Ma- sonic lodge at Pemberville. On April 1, 1895, Mr. Bierly moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he opened an office at No. 310 Valentine Building. He has recently purchased a fine residence at No. 1521 Twenty-second street, where the family now reside.
CAPTAIN A. W. ADAMS, postmaster of North Baltimore, and a veteran of the Civil war, is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born November 28, 1838. He is the son of Martin and Martha (Dillon) Adams, both of whom were born in Jef- ferson county, Ohio, the former in 1800, and the latter in 1807. They were the parents of the following children: George W., who is in the insurance business in Chicago, Ill .; Thomas, a dentist in Springfield, Ohio; Henry Clay, a lieutenant in the 25th Kansas Regiment, who was killed during the Civil war; Pollie, deceased, wife of - Hall, of Pueblo county. Colo .; Andrew J., deceased; A. W., our subject; Fran- cis Marion, who was killed in Colorado: Rhoda D., who died in Nebraska; Eli R., residing in Toledo; Peter C., living in Springfield: Camp- bell, who died in Troy, and Jennie, living in Co- lumbus.
Capt. Adams remained in Seneca county dur- ing his childhood, attending the district and graded schools. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company K, 49th O. V. I., and contributed his mite in the cause of preserving the Union. He was promoted through the various ranks to the position of captain, receiving his commission at Nashville, Tenn., and served in that capacity during the remainder of the war, being mustered out of service November 30, 1865. The Cap- tain participated in all the battles with his com- pany, among them being those of Chickamauga, Stone River, Nashville and Franklin. He took part in twenty-eight pitched battles and numer . ous skirmishes, and was fortunate enough to
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escape without receiving a wound. At the close of the war Capt. Adams returned to Tiffin, Ohio, and was engaged in the shoe business for one year. Selling out in 1868 he went to St. Paul, Minn., and after a short residence there to California, where he engaged in the lumber bus- iness. From California he went to Nevada, where he remained a year, afterward spending another year in Minnesota before he returned to Ohio, coming first to Toledo, in this State. He finally settled on a farm in Bloom township, Wood county. This place is situated in Section 28, and comprises 240 acres, on which there are three oil wells, which produce ISo barrels per day, he receiving a royalty of one-sixth. In 1886 the first gas well was drilled on this farm. In 1893 Capt. Adams was appointed postmaster at North Baltimore, and in this capacity has made himself one of the most popular citizens of the town. He adheres to the Democratic party, and is a stanch believer aud admirer of its principles.
Capt. Adams was married in Toledo, Decem - ber 22, 1874, to Miss Minnie K. Maybee, who was born in Monroe county, Mich., March 14, 1849, and they have two children, Grace M. and Maude; the former graduated from the public schools of North Baltimore May 29, 1896; Maude is now in the class of 1898, same school. The Captain is of distinguished appearance, a most genial companion, his many and varied experi- ences making him an interesting conversation- alist, and his travels have given him an excel- lent insight into human nature, with a power of self-restraint that makes him an admirable pub- lic official.
SOLOMON FRIES, ex-commissioner of Wood county, and one of the substantial agriculturists of Bloom township, furnishes a demonstration of what right ambitions, hard work, wise manage- ment and an economical wife will enable one to accomplish. He was born November 24, 1824, in South Whitehall township, Lehigh Co., Penn- sylvania.
His family is of English origin, the first to come to America being John Fries, his grand- father, who settled near Philadelphia. He died . there suddenly, of cholera, leaving five children penniless. They were sent to relatives in Lehigh county, and there Abraham Fries, our subject's father, was reared, attending school but little and learning the shoemaker's trade at an early age. He married Miss Mary Smith, a daughter of Henry Smith, a well-known resident of Leliigh county, and of their family seven grew to adult age: Gid-
eon, of Lehigh county, Penn. ; Mary, deceased wife of John Acker, of Lehigh county; Solomon, our sub- ject; Amos now living in Lehigh county: Samuel, who died in Alabama about 1885; Violetta (now Mrs. Ezra Hildebeite!), of Allentown, Penn., and Elias, who resides in Bowling Green. Abraham Fries won creditable success in life, without the aids upon which so many others have based their progress. He and his wife were devout adherents of the Reformed Church; in politics he was a Democrat, but took no active part in public affairs. His death occurred in 1858, when he was seventy- six years old, his wife having passed away some years before, aged fifty-six. Her parents came from Scotland, and settled near Philadelphia.
The subject of our sketch attended a German subscription school. the only one of any kind in his neighborhood, which itself was German. In May, IS41, he began to learn the trades of bricklayer, stonemason and plasterer. His mother had died three years before, when he was fourteen, and his father, being consumptive, had early impressed upon his children the necessity for their becoming self-supporting. Three years were spent by young Solomon Fries as an apprentice, during the first of which he received nothing; during the second he received his board, but no wages. and for the third he got his board and twenty-five cents per day. His trade he followed continuously for ten years, and although Allentown, Penn., was burned about that time, and labor was in demand, he never received more than seventy-five cents per day, and sixty-five was considered good wages. In the fall of 1851 he came to Tiffin, Ohio, traveling by the Erie canal to Buffalo and a lake steamer to Sandusky. From that point he took the Mad River railroad (now the Big Four), arriving Octo- ber 28, 1851, at his destination, where he waswel- comed by some old friends named Strauss. Work was scarce and money scarcer, and, winter coming on before any regular employment was found, he offered to work for his board. Still unsuccessful, he determined to make the most of his time by attending an English school, although he was twenty-seven years old at the time, and this he attended only twenty-two days. After he paid his tuition, on April 1, 1852, he had only the small sum of $1.84 left. He would have returned to Pennsylvania had he been able to se- cure the means, but things soon took a turn for the better, and he found some work at carpentering. and, later, steady work at his trade. During the dull season in winter he would chop wood for twenty-five cents a day and board, the highest price he ever received being thirty-five cents per cord.
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