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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
. JOHN KNAUSS is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Blnenburg. February 21, 1840. He is a son of George and Barbari E. Knauss, and a brother of George Knauss who resides in Plain township. He came to this country with his parents, the family loenting
582
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
in Ohio, and in the public schools of Me- dina county he acquired his education. He after- ward worked as a farm hand in that county for five years. In 1854 he accompanied his parents to Center township, this county, and to his father gave the benefit of his services until twen- ty-four years of age, when he was married and removed to Middleton township. Here he pur- chased forty acres of land, and at once began its, development. He placed many rods of tiling upon the farm, erected a good house and barn, and afterward extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of forty acres. He now has a richly cultivated farm, the well tilled fields yielding to him a good return for his care and labor.
On the 31st of March, 1863, in Perrysburg, Ohio, Mr. Knauss was united in marriage with Catherine Bostdorf, daughter of Henry Bostdorf, and a native of Ohio. Fourteen children have been born of this union-Andrew J., a farmer; Emma E., wife of Fred Neeglie; Daniel; John; Edwin; Charles H .; Orange A .; Maggie B .; Martha G .; Cyrus R .; Rutha R .; Herald V., and two who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Knauss is a Demo- crat, but has no aspirations for office. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, in which he is now serving as steward, and is an upright, honorable man who ranks among the best farm- ers of Wood county, and has the esteem and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN H. COCHREL, who is now serving as postmaster of Haney, and carrying on a general merchandise store, is one of the prominent bus- iness men of Jackson township. He was born in Hancock county, Ohio, July 31, 1858, and is a son of John Cochrel, who was born in Muskin- gum county; when a young man he entered a vet- erinary college, where he was graduated. He afterward became one of the most proficient vet- erinary surgeons in this part of the country. He was married in Coshocton county, Ohio, to Mary Buckler, and immediately afterward removed to Hancock county, locating in McComb, where he successfully practiced his profession. He also purchased a farm of 120 acres, which was oper- ated by our subject and his brother. The mother died in Hancock county, December 10, ISSI. The members of the family are Nathan, a farmer of Jackson township, Wood county; Sarah E., wife of George Fout, of Hancock county; Susan, wife of Jolin Edgington, of Hancock county; Fin- ney, a farmer of the same county; and John H.
The last named is indebted to the district schools of Portage and Pleasant townships, Han- cock county, for his education, which was com- pleted at the age of twenty years. He then be- came clerk in the post office and grocery store at McComb, Hancock county, for Mr. Barney, where he remained for three years, receiving a good business training. He afterward purchased a farm in Blanchard township, Hancock county, of one hundred acres, which he cultivated for a year, and then sold. Removing to McComb, he purchased a saloon, which he carried on for three years, and later was proprietor of a meat market for a year. Disposing of his business interests in the town, he then returned to his farm, and not long after established a grocery store on his farm, running three huckster wagons in connection with the store. In October, 1894, he disposed of his property in Hancock county, and came to Wood county, erecting a store in Haney, which he sup- plied with a large stock of groceries. He also runs three huckster wagons, buying up all kinds of fruit, which he sells at retail through the county. In the winter he also deals quite extensively in poultry.
Mr. Cochrel was married in Henry township, Wood county, March 4, 1878, to Miss Minerva Fellers, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, where she lived until seventeen years of age, when she came to Wood county with her par- ents, Noah and Almeda (Evans) Fellers, now residents of Rawson, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Coch- rel have two children -- Harley J. and Flora May. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and has held some local offices, being now postmaster of Haney.
EMERSON WEBSTER FISHER, M. D., a young man of progressive spirit and enterprise, is suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Portage. He was born in Snyder county, Penn., at the town of Selin's Grove, November 14, 1870, and is a son of Ben and Lydia (Snyder) Fisher, also natives of the Keystone State. The family is of German origin. and the grandfather. Christian Fisher, who was born in Germany, was the first of the name to seek a home in America. He located in Pennsylvania, and traded a rifle to some Indians for a large tract of land along the Susquehanna river, there following farming until his death. The father of our subject was born on the old homestead, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. After his marriage he located on the Isle of Que, and, by his well directed business efforts, accumulated consider- able property. His death occurred in 1875, and
583
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
several years later his widow married Solomon Miller, and is now living in Wymore, Neb. Her children are as follows: Mattie A., who became the wife of Rev. W. C. McCool, and died in Ponca, Neb. ; Ben F., a merchant of De Witt, Neb .; William I., cashier in the bank at Wy- more, Neb .; Peter A., a resident of Lincoln, Neb .; Charles M., a farmer of Logan, Neb .; John W., a machinist of North Platte, Neb. ; George C., an agriculturist of Logan, Neb., Emerson W., of this sketch; and Della May, who is clerking in a store in Ponca, Nebraska.
Dr. Fisher, of this sketch, attended the com- mon schools of his native town until ten years of age, when he went with the family to Nebraska, where his elder brother Ben had previously moved and taken up a homestead for the family. The Doctor attended school in the West until seven- teen years of age, then continued his studies in the Homer Academy of Homer, Neb., and also spent one terin in college in the same State. During the winter of 1888-89, he was a student in the Midland College of Atchison, Kans., after which he pursued a three-years' course in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated March 29, 1892. He immediately began practice at Ponca, Neb., but four months later came to Wood county, and for a short time was in the office of Dr. Snyder, of Bowling Green. On December 24, 1892, he located at Portage, where he has since built up a good bus- iness.
Dr. Fisher was married in Portage, August 16, 1894, to Miss Henrietta L. Teller, who was born' in Portage township, September 29, 1870, In his political views, he is a Democrat, and his religious belief connects him with the Evangel- ical Lutheran Church. His ability, laudable ambition and well-directed efforts have already secured him a good business.
J. W. PENNELL. The paternal great-grand- father of Mr. Pennell emigrated from Wales to America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he died. His son, the grandfather of our subject, carried on farming in that State during his life, and in Beaver county, Penn., William Pennell, the father of J. W., was born in 1816. He was a merchant and hotel-keeper by occupation, and died in Meadville, Penn., in 1865.
The mother of our subject was, before her marriage, Miss Cynthia Thatcher. her ancestors being residents of New Jersey, and of old New England stock. She was born in Beaver county, Penn., in 1821, and died in 1882. By marriage with Mr. Pennell she became the mother of seven
children: Elizabeth died when eighteen years old; Madison lives in Trumbull county, Ohio: John died in infancy; J. W .: Ellen is the wife of W. Beadman; George, residing at Zanesville. Ohio; Anna, the wife of Washington Harris, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
J. W. Pennell was born in Mercer county, Penn., July 13, 1845. and came with his parents to Ohio when a lad. When seventeen years old he returned to his native State, and began work in the oil fields of Butler county. From there he went to West Virginia, and subsequently came to Wood county. During all this time he has been engaged in the oil-producing business, and has held various responsible positions with leading oil companies. In the year 1895 he struck one of the best wells found in Wood county dur- ing the year, and has been very successful in all his ventures in that line.
Mr. Pennell was married in Marietta, Ohio. April 19, 1869, to Miss Eugene Douglass. who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. December 1, 1850. Of this union seven children have been born: William, who is foreman of the Palmer Oil Company, at Bairdstown, Ohio. mar- ried Miss Mattie Baird, and they have one child. Merle; the others are Frank, who is also with the Palmner Oil Company: Clyde, Lamott, Nellie. Cleveland and Burt.
Mr. Pennell is a leading Democrat, and was treasurer of the Democratic County Centrai Committee for three years. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Maccabees, and is very popular in the community as a thorough gentleman, and a man of high prin- ciples. At the present writing he is carrying on a restaurant, in connection with his oil business. which is largely patronized and well managed.
HENRY F. BOWLUS, partner of the well-known firm Hobart, Bowlus Co., of Pemberville, was born September 18, 1855, near Fremont, Ohio.
Henry Bowlus, the great ancestor from whom are descended the Bowlus families, was a native of Germany, who came to America in the Colo- nial period, about 1735, and settled in the Mid dletown Valley, Frederick county, Md. He had four sons-Jacob, George, Valentine and Nich- olas -- the youngest being then but five years of age. Nicholas Bowlus was reared on a farm in Frederick county. Md., where he became the head of a family of eight children -Jacob, John. Henry, Nicholas, Jr., Mrs. Beckaback. Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Haller, and Mrs. Christ. Of these. Jacob, a distinguished pioneer minister of the United Brethren Church, and Hepry a farmer.
584
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
came to Ohio, about the year 1828, and settled in Sandusky Tp., Sandusky Co. The children of Rev. Jacob Bowlus were: Jacob, David, Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Susannah, all of whom became heads of families in Sandusky county. In 1828 Henry Bowlus located on a farm of 320 acres, which was then an unbroken forest, and helped clear up the famous "Black Swamp." He had a family of six children, namely: (1) Magdalene, wife of Daniel Young, who lived and died in Maryland. (3) Adam, who married Eli- zabeth Krohn, and remained in Maryland. (3) Sophia, wife of Jacob Thomas; she died in 1895, at the age of eighty-eight years. They had nine children-John H., Richard, Joseph, Lizzie, Maggie, Amanda, Charles, Alice, Anna; of these, the eldest, John H. Thomas, a million- aire, was the competitor of Calvin S. Brice, for U. S. Senator, in 1893. (4) Henry Bowlus, father of our subject, comes next. (5) Nicholas, who married Mary Donnell, and lived in Mad- ison township, where he died in 1893. (6) Ma- hala, wife of Jesse Dorcas, living at Lisbon, Iowa. The father of this family was killed in !832, by a kick from a horse.
1
Henry Bowlus, our subject's father, one of the early pioneers of Sandusky county, was born in Maryland, September 27. ISIO. On November 20, 1833, he married Miss Catherine Keller, of Tiffin, Ohio, who was born February 14, ISTI, and died October 20, 1846; their chil- dren were-Hanson R., Mahala, Martha, Cath- erine, Elizabeth and Caroline. The first four of these became heads of families in Sandusky county. On September 27, 1849, he married for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca C. Bowlus (née Willianison), of Maryland, born July 4, 1824, and died January 28, 1891; their children were- Warren A., who lives on the old homestead near Fremont; Anna C., wife of Cyrus Smith, of Gib- sonburg; Henry F., our subject; and Robert, a farmer in Sandusky county.
Our subject's father has lived to see a great change in the Valley of the Sandusky. When lie first came, there were more Indians than white people. The Wyandottes, Senecas and Tawas lived here, and used to assemble in great numbers every year when they went to Malden to draw their annuity from the government of Great Brit- ain. There, seemingly, was no end of squirrels and other wild garne. Mr. Bowlus followed farm- ing and stock raising. About the year 1868, in company with his son, Hauson R., he operated a sawmill, furniture shop and planing-mill, abont sixteen years, at Fremont. In politics he was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist, a Whig, and later
a Republican; strange to say, his father was a pro-slavery man. Before the Civil war he kept a station of the " Underground railroad," and as- sisted runaway slaves from the Southern States to escape, making their hearts glad, and sending them on their way to Canada. He has for many years been a member of the M. P. Church, near Fremont. Though now (1896) past eighty-six years of age, he enjoys life among his children and grandchildren, with a mind still active, and a memory undiinmed.
Henry F. Bowlus, our subject, passed his early years at the old farm, and was educated in Adrian College, at Adrian, Mich .; but before he was twenty-one he came to Pemberville and be- came a partner with his brother-in-law, M. Hobart, in the hardware business. As the years have passed, and their trade increased, they have enlarged the scope of their business, until now they own one of the most extensive general stores in Wood county, their stock of various kinds, oc- cupying three rooms 22 x 20, 22 x 85, and 50 x 50. They are owners also of the grain elevator, where they deal in all kinds of grain.
On June IS, 1879, Mr. Bowlus was married at Pemberville to Miss Mary Balmer, a native of Cumberland county, Penn., born March 20, 1853. They have three children: Harry M., Edith, and Romayne. While Mr. Bowlus holds a high rank in business circles, he is also prominent in all local movements of importance, and was one of the first to open up the oil field near Pemberville. His fine personal qualities give him marked in- fluence in the community. In politics lie is a Re- publican, and he and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. He was mayor of Pemberville for two years, and a member of the council for a number of years; has been super- intendent of the Sunday-school, and is now an elder in the Church. He and Mr. Hobart are the oldest firm in Pemberville, and among the oldest in the county.
CHARLES R. ROSENDALE, M. D. Among the highly successful men in Wood county, it would be difficult to find one who has surpassed our subject in accumulation of property, as well as in services rendered to suffering humanity.
In early times in this county, when the swampy condition of the country made it a con- genial abode for fevers, ague, malaria, etc., the physician was often called upon to attend those who fell victims to these dire diseases, where i ride of many miles was necessary through the forests. These journeys were frequently nece - sary at all hours of the night, and it can easily
...
C.R. Rosendale MA
555
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
be imagined that the lot of a pioneer doctor, such as was our subject, was no sinecure.
Charles R. Rosendale was born August I. 1831, in Swanland, seven miles from Hull, in Yorkshire, England, the son of William and Jane (Brown) Rosendale, who had a family of seven children. When he was about nine years of age they decided to come to the United States, where they would find better opportunities for making a living. After a tedious voyage of many weeks they landed at Quebec, thence coming to Lorain county, Ohio, partlyvio Erie canal and lake to Cleveland, and from there by team to their destination. Forty acres of land in a primitive state, on which were some log buildings, were taken up, on which the first payment was made with money given Mrs. Rosendale by her father. The land was situated near the center of Grafton township, and here the family began their strug- gle for existence in the new country. The farm being small, and the family large, it became necessary for our subject, who was among the older children, to start out for himself, and when only twelve years of age he went to work for some of the neighboring farmers. For some years he lived in the vicinity of Wellington, Ohio, where he was engaged in farm work during the sum- mers, in the winters attending the district schools. Industrious and ambitious, he learned rapidly, and : was asked to teach, but declined. He attended the Elyria High School in addition to the district schools, and in this way laid the foundation for the scientific course to be his later in life.
While thus employed he was seized with ty- phoid fever, and after a long illness, through which he was cared for by kindly hands, he re- covered, but found that his money, ten dollars in all, would prove sadly deficient in paying the expenses of his long illness. Dr. Smith, of Well- ington, Ohio, who was his physician, had be- come much attached to the young man, and on his recovery urged him to take up the study of medicine. This he decided to do, and at the age of twenty began his reading with Drs. Smith and Johns, and subsequently with Dr. Mckenzie, of Litchfield, Medina county, spending in all four years under their tutorship. He completed his medical studies at the Cincinnati Eclectic Insti- tute, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1856. This schooling required money, which was supplied by friends, none of whom were rela- tives, whose only security was the honesty of our subject.
ville, in Bloom township, where in May, 1856. our subject came to recuperate after his exhaust- ive years of study. He had made up his mind to go west after he had fully recovered his health; but an incident occurring at this time served to change his plans. Just thien a serious malady, known as dysentery or "bloody flux, " was prev- alent in Wood county, which had baffled many of the resident physicians. It being noised about that young Rosendale was a doctor, he was called upon to treat a man by the name of George Bron- son, who was suffering from the disease. He had no intention at that time of practicing, but consented to take the case, and the rapid recov- ery of the patient from an ailment that often lasted for many weeks, frequently proving fatal, was so surprising as to stamp this young physi- cian as a man of ability. He was soon after called into consultation by Dr. Mclaughlin. of West Millgrove, and the impression made by hini upon the patients was such as to secure requests for individual calls, which he answered, and which were followed by numerous entreaties for him to locate in West Millgrove. This Dr. Rosendale decided to do, and thus began one of the most successful careers ever experienced by any physi- cian in Wood, or surrounding counties. From that time, and for thirty-five years following. he never knew any such thing as lack of business, being sent for from far and near, his success be- ing in keeping with his extensive clientage.
In the early part of his career, before he be- came well known, he experienced. as many other professional men have, the inconvenience of lack of capital. Desiring at this time to purchase au- other horse, as excessive riding was telling on the one he owned, he was offered a fine four-year-old animal, owned by Jackson Lee, for $too. The Doctor wanted it badly, but did not have the money, and his note with security was suggested. He could not find any man to go on this note, so wrote to friends in Lorain county, who promptly forwarded the money. To-day he could without any trouble get security for a thousand times that amount.
In October, 1857, our subject was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Wade, who was born in Seneca county, a daughter of Abner Wade, a farmer of that county, Nine children were born of this union, namely: Charles [ .. November 27, 1858, died when four years old: Harry B., October 17, 1860, died when eighteen months old: Wilbur W., June 28, 1863, lives in Perry township: Watson S. September to, 1805. , died in infancy; Fred C., born May 6, 1807.
In the meantime Dr. Rosendale's parents had removed to Wood county and located near Eagle- | Tunison T., born May 12, 1871, is a physician in
586
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Fostoria, Ohio; Clara M., born January 16, 1874. is now Mrs. L. Marsh, of Prairie Depot, Ohio; a son, who died in infancy, unnamed; and Chester A., born October 27, 1882, is at home with his father. Mrs. Rosendale for five years before her death, which took place in 1885, was a sufferer from paralysis, having had three strokes. She was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, a Christian woman and a kind mother. For his second wife Dr. Rosendale married Miss Charity Arthur, of Bowling Green, Ohio, who bore him one child, Earl A., born April 7, 1889. She died July 2, 1890, and was buried in Bowling Green cemetery. Her death was greatly mourned, as she had proved a most devoted and loving mother to her step-children, with whom she was a great favorite, and who found her a faithful friend. The Doctor is robust and exceptionally well preserved, and he still continues to practice for those who refuse to surrender his services as their family physician. No physician in Wood county has been more successful as a practitioner, and none has a larger circle of warm friends.
Our subject has for a number of years been interested in the real-estate business, during this time buying and selling hundreds of acres of land. He has given each of his sons a large farm, retaining for himself about 825 acres of land, and owning some of the most valuable business and resident properties in Fostoria, which latter are estimated to be worth over $100,000. There are few men whose business interests are as extensive, and yet kept in as good shape as those of Dr. Rosendale. He is a shrewd financier, and personally looks after his affairs, so that in case of his sudden demise no danger of complica- tions will arise.
In politics Dr. Rosendale is a stanch Demo- crat, and takes an active interest in the success of his party, although he is not what would be called a politician. He has served several terms as treasurer of Perry township. Several years ago he became a member of the Masonic order at Fostoria, and is a Master Mason. The Doctor has traveled very extensively over the world; but unlike many another tourist he did not visit Europe until he had seen the interesting and wonderful in America, and he was thus pre- pared, when abroad, to interest those whom he met with stories of the scenery of this country. In June, 1889, he spent some three months in England and France, visiting the Exposition at Paris, and the scenes of his early youth in Eng- land. He went to the same Sunday-school in which he was taught as a boy, and saw the same pond of clear water which he once fell into from
his horse while watching the reflections of tree tops. This trip was greatly enjoyed, and brought back many pleasant memories.
LEWIS WILBER, deceased, who during life was one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of Center township, was a native of Ohio, born in Huron county, March 17, 1836, a son of Stephen Wilber, a farmer of that county, who died when our subject was quite young. After attending school for a short period, Lewis began work on a farm for his uncle, Mr. Meede, where he remained for several years. Then, for four years, he worked for wages as a farm hand in Huron county. There he later rented forty acres of land from a Mr. William, which tract he operated for three years. The year 1860 witnessed his arrival in Wood county, where he purchased forty acres of land in Plain township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his time, until his enlistment for service in the Union army during the Civil war.
In 1862, at Tontogany, Mr. Wilber became one of the " boys in blue," joining Company D. ILIth O. V. I., and remained with that company until the close of the struggle, after which he re- turned to Huron county, where he made his home for two years, as his father-in-law had sold his farm in Wood county. He suffered much from sickness contracted during his service in the army. In 1867 he returned to Wood county, and this time bought eighty acres of land in Cen- ter township, of which a part had been cleared. He made many improvements upon his place, which to-day stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.
On March 11, 1852, in Huron county, Ohio, Mr. Wilber was married to Miss Catherine Knapp. The bride was a native of that county, born De- cember II, 1833, and to them were born six children, all of whom are still living-Emerson. born December 23, 1857; George E., born Au- gust 23, 1861; Rosie A., born September 26, 1864: Bird and Birth (twins), born November 30. 1866; and Clara, born May 15, 1870. Emerson and George now operate the home farm. and Bird was married August 1, 1894, to Miss Augusta Reniger.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.