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 14
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Salomon Fries
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WOOD COUNTY, ORIO.
On February 21, 1856, Mr. Fries was mar- ried in Tiffin to Miss Louisa C. Steckel. a native of Lehigh county, Penn., born April 29, 1836. Her father, a blacksmith by trade, came to Ohio in 1840 with his wife Caroline ( Leisenring ) and their two children. They located first in Butler county, but later, in 1844, moved to Seneca county. On October 10, 1860, Mr. Fries bought 160 acres of land in Bloom township, Wood county, partly cleared, with a small barn and a log cabin, to which he brought his family April 16, 1861. He had saved enough money to be- gin farming to good advantage, and it was not long before he had his farm in good condition. For some time he worked at his trade, but later he gave his entire attention to his estate, to which he has added until he now owns 743 acres, much of which is the best land in that vicinity. In 1876 he built a model barn, and in 1882 he erected the finest brick farm house in the town- ship, and one of the best in the county. He has done the most of this work himself, and his fine orchard was planted by him, with the help of his wife, who has been an able assistant to him in all his efforts. Seven children were born to thein: Zenobia is at home; William A. is a farmer of Bloom township; Jennie died at four years of age; Selinda married Albert Ickes, of Webster town- ship; Edward M. is a lawyer at Bowling Green; Anna married Frank Slotterbeck, of Bloom town- ship, and Cora is at home.
In local affairs and in the work of the Repub- lican party Mr. Fries is prominent, his sound common sense and well-known integrity having gained him the entire confidence of a wide circle of acquaintances. For twenty-two years he was a member of the school board of his district, and lias also been trustee and supervisor of Bloom township. In the fall of 1881 he was elected county commissioner, and held that office for six years following, with credit to himself and satis- faction to the public. He and his amiable wife stand high in the esteem of the community.
MARCUS A. MCKENDREE, M. D. Among the many excellent physicians residing in Bowling Green may be found the subject of this sketch who, with his estimable wife, also a member of the medical fraternity, holds a leading place in both professional and social circles.
Dr. McKendree is the son of James and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Mckendree, the former of whom was born in 1801 in county Antrim, Ire- land, and came to America when eighteen years of age. His parents were natives of Scotland, who removed to Ireland, and there died. The
wife of James McKendree was born in Ists in Pawlet, Vt., and their marriage took place in Erie county, Penn., where for some years they carried on farming. In 1856, when the subject of this sketch was three years of age. his father removed with his family to Ohio, and kept what was called the " State Line House, " an old-time country inn, which stood on the State line be- tween Ohio and Pennsylvania, between Ashta- bula and Erie counties, Mr. McKendree own- ing land on both sides of the line. There they lived for twenty years, the father dying in 1874. The mother of our subject resides in Erie, Penn. Her parents came from Rutland county, Vt., and settled in- Erie county, Penn., where they both died, the mother surviving her husband for twenty years, and living to the good old age of eighty-four years.
Mr. McKendree, Sr., was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and his son has many of the emblems which he wore in the high degrees of the former order. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a highly esteemed citizen. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Snow, by whom he had two children, James, a farmer in Rulo, Neb., and Nancy, who became the wife of George Nash .and lived in Erie county, Penn .. both now deceased. By his second marriage seven children were born, namely: William J .. living in Lima, Ohio; Albert, in Erie, Penn. : Irvin P .. in Conneaut, Ohio; Helen and Robert E., residing in Erie county, Penn. ; Josephine E . married to Frank Colman, and also living in Erie, Penn. ; and Marcus A.
The subject of this sketch was born in Erie county, Penn., July 19, 1853, and his boyhood days were spent in the old inn which his father kept on the State line. He remembers sundry amusing incidents which occurred during his residence there, the house being the scene of many romantic weddings. At that time no marriage license was required in Pennsylvania. and many couples would come to the " State Line House" to be married, as the parlor and sitting room were in that State. The literary education of our subject was obtained at the Conneaut High School, after which he com- menced reading medicine at home, and later with Dr. Schooley, of Weston. After teach- ing school for a time he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in June, ISS4, and for two years thereafter was associated with Dr. Schooley in the practice of medicine at Weston. He then took up his residence in Bowling Green, where he has since been successfully engaged in general
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
practice. He has been connected with the Pen- sion Board since September, 1893, and is at pres- ent its.secretary. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society and of the Nortwest- ern Ohio Medical Association. Socially, he is a prominent member of the Encampment, Uni- form Rank, I. O. O. F., and is the physician for the Order of the Maccabees in Bowling Green.
Dr. McKendree was married December 25, 1876, to Lydia Walford, who was born in New York City, December 8, 1858. Mrs. McKendree graduated from the Toledo Medical College in March, 1893, after having read medicine for some time with her husband, and has a large practice. She makes a specialty of the diseases of women, and is very successful in her treat- ment. She is the medical advisor of the L. O. T. M., in Bowling Green. Both she and her husband are popular members of society.
JOHN D. MUIR, a leading agriculturist of Webster township, Wood county, was born in that vicinity, January 15, 1841. His father, James Muir, was born in Scotland, and in 1832 came to Wood county and entered 160 acres of land in Webster township, where he died April 18, 1857. He was a Republican in politics, and one of the earliest supporters of the United Pres- byterian Church at Scotch Ridge. He married Miss Marion Dunipace, a native of Scotland; and had twelve children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Margaret, Jane and James reside with their mother at the old homestead; Mary married John Hagamier; Susan married H. C. Swan; Jessie married Charles Greiner; William, Isabel, Frances, and Alice are deceased.
Mr. Muir went to school during boyhood in an old log house in District No. 4, Webster township, his first teacher being Miss Carruthers. He worked upon the farm until 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, 21st O. V. I., under Capt. S. S. Canfield. He participated in a num- ber of hard-fought battles, and in January, 1863, received an honorable discharge. Soon after he re-enlisted for five years in Company G. 64th battalion, which consolidated with a battalion from Wyandot county, forming the 144th O. V. I. (Col. Hunt commanding). After the consolidation, Lieut. Muir was transferred from Company G to E. He was ordered to Toledo September 16, 1863, where he was commissioned second lieutenant, and then sent home, Septem- ber 19, to order his company to report at Camp Lucas, Toledo, Ohio. A collision occurred Sep- tember 20, on the D. & M. R. R., while the new recruits were on their way to Toledo, and several
were killed and injured. Among the latter was Lieut. Muir, who was unable to go to the front for some time, but finally, in May, 1864, rejoined his regiment at Wilinington, Del. He returned home at the close of the war, and in 1866 bought forty acres of land, and built a log cabin with only one window and one door, and to this primitive abode, on May 2, 1866, he brought his bride, formerly Miss Eliza Loomis, a daughter of Dud- ley and Mary (Wallace) Loomis. Five children were born of this union, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Philinda, December 30. 1866, was for ten years a successful teacher in the public schools, and now travels as sales- lady for a Kansas fırın; Dudley J., June 2, 1868; Minnie, September 20, 1870, married Charles Urban; Fannie, July 15, 1874, married July 18, 1896, to Byron H. Callin: Mabel, August 2, 1875, is at home. Mr. Muir is now living in To- ledo, having retired from active business. He is a Republican in politics, and has held various of- fices of trust, having been school director for twelve years, and also trustee and supervisor. He is a member of the F. & A. M., No. 516, of Pemberville; of Manatean Club, and A. P. A., of Toledo, and of Benedict Post G. A. R., No. 26, of Pemberville, of which he is commander. DUD- LEY J. MUIR, our subject's son, was born at the old homestead in Webster township, near Scotch Ridge. He was educated in the schools of that neighborhood, and for a time was employed as traveling salesman for a firm in Chicago. On October 7. 1890, he married Miss Kaddie Beard, daughter of Alex and Mary (Shoemaker) Beard. She was born March 25, 1870, in Perrysburg township. They are leading members of the U. B. Church. Mr. Dudley Muir is a Republic- an, and a member of Camp A. Jolly, Sons of Veterans, No. 301, of Pemberville.
FRANK W. ROGERS, M. D., specialist in dis- eases of the eye, ear and throat, although still a young man, stands at the head of his profes- sion, and is one of the most successful practition- ers in the State. He is a native of Ohio. boril in Norwalk, April 3. 1863. and is the son of Samuel J. and Fanny M. ( Wilson) Rogers.
Dr. Rogers is the youngest of four children- three sons and one daughter - all of whom are living. During his boyhood he attended the schools of his native town, after completing the course in which he began reading medicine under Dr. Gill, of that city. For two years he was a student in the medical college at Ann Arbor. Mich., after which he entered the Chicago Ilo- ineopathic College, Chicago, from which he was
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
graduated in 1888. He began the practice of his profession in Bowling Green, and after a time took a course in the New York Post-Graduate School. In the colleges both at Chicago and New York he made a special study of the dis- cases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which line he has achieved a wonderful success. He is a fine scholar, devoted to his work, of which he is very fond, and is popular with his brother practitioners. He has recently established an elegant office in the Spitzer Building, Toledo, Ohio, thereby giving his patrons the advantage of better railroad facilities, and gaining a central location for all northwestern Ohio.
Dr. Rogers has been successful not only in his professional career, but also financially. De- pendent on his own exertions and his ability and energy, he has acquired a nice competence, most of his interests being located in Bowling Green. He owns the block on West Wooster street, in which he has the finest suite of offices in the county, and is one of the four partners in the Swayzee Glass Company, located at Swayzee, Ind. This company does a large business in the manufacture of fruit jars, oil cans, bottles, etc., and employs about one hundred men; they own their own gas wells. Dr. Rogers is a Republican in politics, and is one of the most popular young men in the city. On February 4. 1895, he was married to Alzora M. Downer, daughter of Wel- lington and Mary (Marlatt) Downer, of Mitchell, S. Dak. She is a lovable woman, a friend to every one, domestic in her life and an invaluable companion.
Samuel J. Rogers, the father of our subject, was born in Watertown, N. Y., November 14, 1826, and was the third in a family of twelve children. When eight years of age he came with his father's family to Norwalk, Ohio, where he was married January 26, 1851, to Fannie M. Wilson, who was born in the latter city January 31, 1833. He was a cooper by trade, but after his marriage he took up farming and made a com- fortable fortune. In his early days he exchanged half of a cravat for two oak trees, worked thein up into barrels which he hauled to Huron to sell, thus making his first start in business. Politic- ally he was a strong Abolitionist. He was a de- scendant of Gen. Harper, who was in command at the battles of Bunker Hill, Lexington, and other noted engagements in the Revolutionary war. Frank W. Rogers, a brother of Samuel J .. enlisted in the Third Ohio Cavalry during the Civil war, and died at the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky.
Mrs. Rogers was a member of the Methodist
Church. Her parents were Levi and Lucy (Kel- logg) Wilson, the former of whom was born at Scranton, Penn., of Scotch and German ances- try, and settled in Norwalk in an early day, where he was married and lived until sixty-three years of age. In early life he was a cooper, but he afterward followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a large, powerful man, a giant in strength and endurance. Until the time of the Civil war he was a Democrat in politics, but he became an ardent Republican during that period. His wife was one of the twelve children of Martin Kellogg, one of the leading pioneers of Norwalk, who died in 1892 at the advanced age of one hundred and six years. -
EDMUND G. BAKER. There are numerous fine farms in this county which will compare favorably with any others in the State as regards production, and, also, as to the improvements which have been made upon them. Many of these places are owned by inen comparatively young in years, who started in the world with but little more than an unlimited amount of en- ergy and perseverance, and who are succeeding to an eminent degree in building up a comfort- able home in Wood county. As a representative of this class of agriculturists, great pleasure is taken in presenting the name of the subject of this notice, who is living on a good farm of nine- ty-nine acres in Troy township, which was first opened up by Henry Baker, of Pemberville. Ohio. Our subject bought the place in 1888. and the following year inoved thereon. He now devotes his time to its cultivation, and also to stock dealing, making a specialty of handling sheep.
Mr. Baker made his advent into this world September 1, 1858, in Woodville township, San- dusky Co., Ohio, at the home of his parents. Sandford G. and Phoebe (Osborn) Baker. His father was born in 1817, in Vermont, and with his father, Elijah Baker, came to Wood county. in 1838, locating on a farm in Troy township. near Luckey. The latter's wife bore the maiden name of Lavina White, and was a native of Ver- mont. After residing on that farm for some years, the grandfather removed to Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he bought a farin of Sardis Burchard, on which the father now lives. His death occurred in that township in 1864, in his ninetieth year, and his wife died in September, 1862.
In 1840, in Troy township, Sandford G. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Almira Webster, a native of Connecticut, and a daugh-
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
ter of Joseph Webster, one of the honored pio- neers of Troy township, who died in Hillsdale, Mich. Mrs. Baker died in 1856, leaving three children who yet survive: Mrs. Helen Morse, of Missouri; Mrs. Emily Osborn, of Iowa; and John W., who resides at Burgoon, Sandusky county. In Woodville township, Sandusky county, the father again married, his second union being with Miss Phoebe Osborn, and their wedding was celebrated in 1857. The lady was born in Erie county, N. Y., and is a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (House) Osborn. Her father died in the Empire State, after which her mother moved to Sandusky county, Ohio, where she later be- came the wife of Mr. Benedict, but both are now deceased. In his younger days, Mr. Baker was a great hunter, and at that time had ample op- portunity to indulge in that sport all over Wood county. For two years he kept a public house at Lemoyne, and then removed to his present farm in Woodville township, Sandusky county. By his second union he had eleven children, ten of whom are still living, namely: Edmund G., whose name introduces this review; Ida, who is taking a literary course at Ann Arbor, Mich .; George, a teacher in the public schools in Kan- sas; Mrs. Belle Price, who previous to her mar- riage also engaged in teaching; Rose, at home; Sanford, an attorney at law of Seattle, Wash .; William P., who is studying electrical engineer- ing in the University of Michigan; Arthur, who is studying medicine in the same institution; and Kate and Charley, both at home.
After pursuing his studies for several years in the district schools of Woodville township, Ed- mund G. Baker entered the normal at Valpa- raiso, Ind., where after two years he was gradu- ated with the class of 1882, and on returning to Sandusky county served as superintendent of the Woodville school for two years. His marriage was there celebrated December 3, 1884, Miss Linda Herman becoming his wife. She is a na- tive of that county, born January 27, 1860, edu- cated in Woodville, and is a daughter of Henry and Clarinda (Webster) Herman, early pioneers of Sandusky county, who still make their home in Woodville township. By this union three sons have been born: Mark, born October 18, 1885; Roscoe, born April 17, 1888; and Ralph, born January 29, 1893.
F. H. THOMPSON, ex-county commissioner, farmer and fruit raiser, of Perrysburg township, was born in Rutland, Vt., July 28, 1839, a son of Augustus M. and Ann Maria (Slawson) Thomp- son.
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Augustus M. Thompson was born near Pough- keepsie in 1814, and first came to Perrysburg in 1832, settling there permanently in 1836. He afterward took up farming on the Stone road, and then returned to mercantile business in Per- rysburg, where he died in 1875. Politically he was a Whig. Mrs. Thompson was born in Rut- land in 1814, and died in Perrysburg in 1891. Six children blessed their union, namely: Helen, who died when five years old; F. H., our subject; Arrietta, now Mrs. Charles Dustin, of Toledo; Charles A., who lives in Massachusetts; Emma, the wife of W. S. Weed, of Toledo; and John P., residing in Perrysburg.
Our subject was an infant when his parents came to Perrysburg, where he went to school for a short time, and then left to work in his father's store. Later he was employed on a railroad in the positions of brakeman and conductor, re- spectively, on a freight train. In 1863 he was agent for the C. H. &. D. R. R., at Perrysburg, in which position he remained for over a year, then resigning to take a situation in a dry-goods store. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 21st O. V. I., and served nearly four months. On December 21, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Spafford, whose maiden name was Amanda Baird. For a year after his marriage he clerked, and then came to a farm in Perrysburg, where he has sixty-seven acres of land, forty-five of which are laid out in apple trees, to the cultivation of which he has devoted much of his time. From these apples he makes cider, and he has an extensive custom trade.
Mr. Thompson is a Republican, and was for two years trustee of the township. In the fall of 1886 he was elected county commissioner and served two terms-six years-consecutively. He has made a wide reputation as a county officer: he is a clear thinker, a natural student of human nature, and has posted himself so thoroughly on the law pertaining to the duties and powers of county and township officials that he has become the recognized authority on all technical ques- tions. He has a mind naturally adapted to research, and is too cautious to proceed blindly with a project, but prefers to stick to the old adage: "Know first that you are right, and then go ahead."
By her first marriage, Mrs. Thompson had three children: Clifton Amos, who married Grace Cooper, and has two children-Grace and May; Elmer, a civil engineer in Bowling Green. who married Mildred Kramer, and has one child - James Francis; and Waldo, who died when two years old. Two sons were born of her marriage
F. H. Thompson
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
with Mr. Thompson: (1) Leland Albert, born March 15, 1868, at present in charge of the water supply on the Clover Leaf R. R. (he mar- ried Miss Carrie Pierce, and they have one child-Esther M.); and (2) Edward A., born March 21, IS70.
F. M. YOUNG, cashier of the Commercial Banking Co., of Bowling Green, and a leading citizen of Wood county, was born September 12. IS45, in Mercer county, Ohio. Until sixteen years of age Mr. Young made his home at Wa- pakoneta. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, although only a boy, he decided to offer his services in defense of the old flag. He accordingly enlisted, August 7, 1862, for three years, in Company K, 99th O. V. I., and served throughout the war, being mustered out with his regiment June 26, 1865. at Salisbury, N. C., with the rank of orderly sergeant. He was sent to Camp Dennison, Ohio, and received his discharge July 17, 1865. The regiment to which he belonged was assigned to the Western division of the army, and participated in every battle of the campaign, twenty-four in all, besides many skirmishes. After the fall of Fort Fisher the regiment was assigned to the Eastern division, and marched through the Southern States, taking part in all the engage- inents in that section. The 99th went into service with 1,021 men, but lost so heavily, in killed and wounded, that although several times recruited, it was so reduced in number that it was finally con- solidated with the 50th O. V. I., and it was as sergeant in that regiment that our subject was serving at the time of his discharge.
After the close of the war Mr. Young settled in Plattsburg, Mo. Here he was employed in the office of the clerk and county recorder until IS7 1, when he returned to Ohio for the purpose of as- sisting his father, who was then in feeble health. He located in Weston, where, in 1872, he was married to Miss Hattie Baldwin, who was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, August 8, 1852. Three chil- dren have blessed this union: Mabel, Charles and Robert. After his marriage Mr. Young was en- gaged in the insurance business until 1877, when he was appointed to a position in the U. S. Revenue office at Toledo, and removed his family to Per- rysburg. He was " civil serviced " out of position for participating in politics, and returned to Wes- ton. Having been elected probate judge in 1884, he removed to Bowling Green, which has since been his home. In 1892 Mr. Young was made secretary of the American Foundry & Machine Co. On December 15, 1892, he was appointed cashier of the Commercial Banking Co., which 36
responsible position he continues to hold to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Mr. Young is a strong Republican, and as may be inferred from his war record, is an active mem- ber of the G. A. R., of which he founded the first post under the new rules in Wood county, at Wes- ton. He is also a member of the Masonic Order .. I. O. O. F. and Royal Arcanum. He is deeply interested in whatever pertains to the welfare of his community, and is one of its most highly re- spected citizens.
T. J. Young, the father of our subject, was born in 1Szo in Shelby county, Ohio, where for many years he followed farming. He was subse- quently made postmaster at Wapakoneta, which office he held from 1852 until 1863, removing in the latter year to Wood county. His death took place in IS8S at Celina, Ohio. He was a stanch Democrat. He married Lydia A. Shipman, who was born in 1826 in Mercer county, Ohio, the daughter of Herman and Sarah Shipman, both of whom were of Dutch descent; the former was born in New Jersey, the latter in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Young died in 1872. Their family comprised three children, namely: Lenora, who married J. S. Bodkin, now of Spencerville, Allen Co., Ohio: Sarah, who became the wife of H. H. Keil, of Weston, Ohio; and our subject.
John Young, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Kentucky. He was a great hunter, and his brother William was a friend and companion of Daniel Boone. The Young family is of Scotch origin.
JAMES H. LA FARREE, the efficient manager and secretary of the Bowling Green Natural Gas Co., enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of the stockholders in that prosperous enterprise. and has won, by his energy, integrity and good judgment, an enviable reputation throughout the community. He is a native of Wood county, born September 26, 1837, on his father's farm. near Stony Ridge.
His grandfather, David La Farree, came from the vicinity of Strasburg, which then belonged to France, over a hundred years ago, and settled near Chambersburg, Penn., where his son, James La Farree, our subject's father, was born Jan- mary 9, 1797, and spent his youth. Arriving at manhood, James La Farree married Miss Eliza- beth Sifford, who was born in Maryland March 12, 1800. Her father, Christian Sifford, was a prominent citizen of Frederick City, Md., and had been an under-professor at Heidelberg Chi- versity previous to his coming to America. She was one of a large family, of whom six -- John.
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