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 30
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
Our subject was a child of two years when his parents came to Ohio. He obtained his edu- cation in the schools of Guernsey county, and at the age of twenty-four learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. On April 22, 1858, he was married in Fostoria, Ohio, to Mary Stevens, who was born in Seneca county April 26, 1836, and is descended on the paternal side from Scotch ancestry, and on the maternal side from German. Her parents were natives of Ohio, but were married in Washington county, Penn., and afterward removed to Seneca county, Ohio, where the father died May 24, 1840, while the mother passed away September 28, 1Sos. They had six children: Sarah, who first marrie 1 Jacob Frinth, and after his decease became the wife of John Wininger (she died in Fostoria,
1
£
Samuel Mckee
Mary Mckee
637
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Ohio); Bayard E., an army surgeon, who was never heard from after the battle of Shiloh; Mrs. McKee; Priscilla, wife of Mathew Keo, of Liberty township: Allen, of Fostoria, Ohio; and Thomas. who died at Nashville while serving in the Union army.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. McKee number three children: Armeda C , born October 21, 1866; Elden, born August 31, 1872, and Loy, born September 6, 1876.
On August 29, 1863, our subject enlisted in the Ohio National Guard, 49th Regiment, to serve for five years. He was mustered into the United States service in May, 1864, in the call for " one-hundred-day" men, and was honorably discharged May 1, 1866. In 1871 Mr. McKee came with his family to Wood county, and since 1877 he has resided upon his present farm. His political support is given to the Republican party, but he has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests, in which he is meeting with good suc- cess.
C. S. ST. JOHN, M. D., a well-known phy- sician of Bowling Green, was born in Plain town- ship, Wood county, November 13, 1854, and is the son of S. W. and Harriet Jane ( Husted) St. John. The family is of French descent, the ancestors of our subject coming to this country in an early day, and representatives are found in many States of the Union.
The father of our subject was a native of New York, born June 30, 1817. He moved thence to Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, and in September, 1843, removed to Bowling Green, where he was mar- ried and spent the remainder of his life, dying December 7, 1893. He was originally a Whig, later becoming a Republican, and held the office of commissioner of Wood county for seven years. He belonged to a large family, of whom the fol- lowing grew to maturity: Mrs. Nicholas Kline, formerly of Milan, Ohio, now deceased; Henry, living in Portland, Ore .; Mrs. Nathan Moore, re- siding in Toledo; and Ezra, also living in Port- land, Ore. The mother of Dr. St. John, who is still living, was born June 5, 1833, in Tioga county, Penn., and was one of six children, namely: Mrs. Leverton (now deceased), who lived in Wood county; Joel, residing in Toledo: Clarinda, widow of Judge Ewing, residing at Piqua, Ohio (Judge Ewing was a pioneer of Wood county, and died August 20, 1890; he was president of the Wood County Pioneer Society); Harriet Jane; Philander, a resident of Wood county; and Findlay. The Husted family is of
Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. To our subject's fa- ther and mother were born seven children, viz .: Mary Ann, deceased wife of G. W. Callin ; Clement W., who died when twenty-two years old; C. S .; Julia M., who died when sixteen years of age; Ezra H., residing in Bowling Green; Elden, deceased when six years old; and Everett E., who died at the age of seventeen years.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Fostoria, Ohio, and Valparaiso, Ind., and being dependent upon his own exer- tions he early showed of what stuff he was made, and his determination to make a name in the world by his persistent efforts to acquire knowl- edge. During these years he taught school at intervals, being employed both in country dis- tricts and in the city public schools, in the latter teaching five years. In this way he earned money enough to pursue his own studies. After com- pleting his literary course. during which he had studied medicine to some extent, he en- tered the Columbus Medical College, subse- quently, in 1883, graduating from the Med- ical Department of Wooster University. He practiced in Bowling Green one year with Dr. Fuller, and then went to McComb, where he remained two and a half years, at the end of that time returning to Bowling Green. where he has since made his home. Dr. St. John is extensively read, well posted in his pro- fession, and has a large practice in the city and vicinity. He is a member of both the medical societies of the county, also of the board of health, and was at one time a trustee of the Cemetery Association; also served as coroner of Wood county two terins. In politics he is a Re- publican. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P. and National Union, at Bowling Green. On June 30, ISSo, the Doctor was married to Miss Ella Ralston, who was born February 22, 1857. in Wood county, and they have two children. Edith L. and C. Harold.
E. A. POST. like many of the prominent and representative citizens of Wood county, our sub- ject is a native of the Empire State, born m Otsego county, May 10, 1838, and is a son of William P. and Rhoda Osborne Post, who re- moved to Medina, Ohio, when their son was bint a child. There the father followed his trade of carpentering until his death at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, while his wife was cighty-one when she passed away.
Mr. Post, of this review, was the only son in the family of eight children, and in the schools Medina secured his education. When a boy he
638
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
learned the machinist's trade at Bradway's ma- chine shop, and also took up carpentering, at which he worked for some time. In April, 1862, spurred on by a spirit of patriotism that reigned in so many of the bosoms of the young men of our land, our subject enlisted at Medina, in Com- pany G, 84th O. V. I., under Capt. J. C. Powell. From Columbus, Ohio, where the regiment was formed, they were sent to Grafton, W. Va., where they took part in their first engagement. They were assigned to the army of the Potomac, and were in the battles of New Creek and Rom- ney, W. Va., Harper's Ferry and Painted Rocks, after which Mr. Post returned to Cumnber- land, Md., and was sent home as his term had ex- pired. In September, 1863, he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of the First Ohio Bat- tery, and saw hard service in Tennessee, being at Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Moun- tain, the siege of Knoxville and Strawberry Plains. While on a raid he was taken ill and after his recovery was in the engagements at King's Salt Works, Bull's Gap, Greenville, Tenn., Stony River, Leadville, Tenn., Danbridge, Jonesboro and Ashville, N. C. At the latter place they released 5,000 prisoners. After the war was ended they were sent to Knoxville to guard stores and equipments received from Johnston and there were discharged in Septem- ber, 1865, while at Camp Dennison they were mustered out.
On returning to his home in Medina, Ohio, Mr. Post worked at his trade for some time, but the winter of 1867-68 he passed in Wood coun- ty in the employ of John Norris, of Perry town- ship, after which he went again to Medina. There on August 27, 1873, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Post and Miss Mary A. Fay, who was born at Medina Center, May 20, 1852, and is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Conway) Fay, who were both natives of County Clare, Ireland, where they were married, and later came to the United States. Mrs. Post is the second in order of birth in their family of nine children, and after receiving a good educa- tion taught school in Medina county. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children-William M., born October 30, 1874; Zelotes G., born June 21, 1878; and Ella M., born January 12, 1884.
In the spring of 1875 Mr. Post brought liis family to Wood county, locating on an eighty- acre farm in Section 16, Perry township, which he had purchased some years previous. Only four acres had been cleared, and a log house was the only improvement; but since that time a
great transformation has taken place. Sixty acres have been placed under the plow, a com- fortable dwelling has been erected, and also good barns and other outbuildings, some of the car- penter work being done by his own hands.
Mr. Post's tastes are domestic in character, he taking great delight in his home and family, and is eminently worthy of the trust and high regard which in he is held by his fellow citizens. He takes an intelligent and earnest interest in public affairs, is a stanch Republican, and has served as delegate to the county conventions. He is a charter member of Yates Post, G. A. R., of West Millgrove, Ohio. Mrs. Post takes an active part in religious and temperance work, belonging to the Union Methodist Church, and is secretary of the Home Missionary Society and the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
H. A. ELLSWORTH, deceased. Prominent among those who were successful farmers of Wood county may be named the subject of this historical notice, whose homestead was in Sec- tion 5, Portage township, and who, by enterprise and energy in the direction of his chosen industry, had given to his work a significance and beauty of which few deemed it capable. He was brought into the world July 23, 1830, in Wyoming county, Penn., and is the son of Leonard and Maria (Dimon) Ellsworth, farming people of but moderate means, who lived and died in the Key- stone State. In their family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, our subject was the fifth in order of birth. He was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the district schools. At the age of twenty-two he com- menced his struggle upon the stage of life on his own account, being able at that time to do a good day's work.
In Wyoming county, January 11, 1856, Mr. Ellsworth wedded Miss Betsy A. Waring, a native of New York, who bore him the following chil- dren: Lydia J., who died in childhood; Fannie, now Mrs. Owen Borger, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Ella, wife of Lewis Abbott, of Milton Cen- ter, Ohio; Albert, of Henry county, Ohio; Andrew, who died in infancy; George, a farmer of Portage township; Charles, who died while young ; Emma, now Mrs. Charles Sayer, of Portage village; and Cora, Jessie and Nellia, all at home. Mr. Ellsworth rented land in Pennsyl- vania until the spring of 1857, when he removed to Liverpool. Medina Co., Ohio, where for six years lie kept a hotel, and on selling out came to Wood county, locating on forty acres of timber land in Montgomery township. This was the
----
r
!
639
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
first tract he had ever owned, and after improving it for some time, sold and purchased fifty acres elsewhere, to which he later added a tract of forty-eight acres. That farm he traded for the home property, consisting of ninety-five acres in Section 5, Portage township, which is highly cul- tivated and well improved with good buildings.
On December 1, 1890, his first wife passed away, and her remains were interred in Oak Grove cemetery, Bowling Green, Ohio. In Luzerne county, Penn., August 12, 1892, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Turcan, widow of William Turcan. Her birth occurred in Kingston, Luzerne county, February 6, 1838, and she is a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Myers) Frace. She acquired her edu- cation in the district schools of her native county, and endeavors by a blameless life to set a good example to the rising generation, being a member of the Free Methodist Church.
On coming to Wood county, Mr. Ellsworth suffered considerably from malaria and ague, often having to work whole days when he could hardly stand, but he had invessed his entire capital in his land, and his family had to be sup- ported. Many men of less courage would have given up, but love of his family inspired him, and he kept steadily on until he had secured a com- fortable competence. Politically he had always been a Democrat until 1892, since which time, until his death, he was a Populist, and a stanch supporter of that party. He passed away May 9, 1896.
GEORGE SIMPKIN was born in Cambridgeshire, England, August 6, 1849. His father, John Simpkin, was a butcher by trade. He married Anne Barley, and they became parents of eight children, namely: Robert, Mary Anne, George, Sarah (wife of Thomas Senate, of England), Lider, Ezekiah, Eliza, and Ellen.
Our subject acquired his education in his na- tive land, and when twenty-five years of age crossed the Atlantic, locating in Toronto, Can- ada, where for five years he followed the butch- er's trade. In 1879 he came to Wood county, Ohio, locating at Scotch Ridge. He purchased eighty acres of land in Center township, erected a dwelling at a cost of $1,000, and has here made a good home, reclaiming the land from its orig- inal condition, and transforming it into fertile fields.
Before leaving his native land Mr. Simpkin was married in Cambridgeshire, in 1867, to Eliza Houghton, who was born in that place, in 1850, a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Day) Hough-
ton. They have three children-John, born in 1868; Alice, born in 1870, now the wife of Isaac Lambright, of Fostoria; and Arthur George, who was born in 1872, and operates the old home- stead. When Mr. and Mrs. Simpkin arrived in Canada they had only $20, but their united efforts have brought to them a comfortable com- petence and a pleasant home, which they rich- ly merit.
W. B. BRYANT, M. D. This . well known and popular citizen of Bowling Green, who for two consecutive terms held the responsible of- fice of sheriff of Wood county, was born at Prairie Depot, Wood county, July 1, 1852.
The father of our subject, W. R. Bryant, was born in New York State, coming to Ohio and settling in Wood county at Freeport. about fifteen years ago. He was a lawyer by profes- sion, and practiced in the courts of this and ad- joining counties. He married Melissa A. Sher- man, who was also a native of New York, and both are now deceased. Their children were eight in number, as follows: Charles enlisted during the Civil war in the 144th O. V. I., was captured by Moseby, and died in the Confederate prison at Salisbury; the second child died in early infancy; Diana is the wife of M. Hall, and lives at Hastings, Mich .; Adolphus died in in- fancy; George is a planter at South Riverside, Cal .; William B. is our subject; O. N. is post- master at Freeport, Wood county; Flora A. (deceased) was the wife of S. J. Dunn, of Prairie Depot.
Our subject obtained his literary education in his native place, and in 1872 began the study of medicine. For two years he was in the offices of Dr. Nelson Goodrick, at Freeport, and Dr. Rosendale, of West Millgrove. He was gradu- ated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Insti- tute in 1875, and began the practice of his profess- ion at Freeport, where he remained for two years, then removing to Jerry City, where he had a large general practice. In the fall of isgo he was elected sheriff of Wood county. and the follow- ing year took up his residence in Bowling Green. Wood county is largely Republican, and Dr. Bryant had a majority of only five votes at this election; but so well did he fulfill the duties of that office, that when he ran the second time he received a majority of 323 votes in spite of the fact that the county went over a thousand Re publican. He is a man of sterling character. popular with all classes, and possesses good executive ability. He has large oil and real- estate interests in Wood county, and also owns a
640
WOOD COUNTY, OUIO.
fine drug store in Toledo, at the corner of Sum- mit and Lagrange streets, which he opened in April, 1896. However, it does not interfere with his practice. Socially lie is a member of the I. O. O. F., and K. of P.
Dr. Bryant was married November 25, 1881, to Zidama V. Dunlap, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, July 16, 1853. Her parents were David and Mary (Gribben) Dunlap, the former of whom was born in Portage county, Ohio, and the latter in Pennsylvania; the mother is now deceased; the father, who is still living, is now seventy-nine years of age. Mrs. Bryant is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a most estimable woman.
A. EDDMON, M. D., a well-known physician and druggist of Tontogany, was born October 13, 1848, near Philadelphia, a son of Gottlieb Edd- mon and wife, who were both natives of Ger- many. They spent the first years of their mar- ried life in America, returning to their old home on account of the ill health of the father, who was a druggist by occupation. The mother died shortly after their return to Germany (the father not long surviving her), leaving four children, of whom our subject, then about five years old, was the youngest, and he was then taken to live with relatives. The others-Frank, Amelia (now de- ceased), and Anna (the wife of F. Nagle) - all remained in Germany.
Our subject received a liberal education, graduating from Halle University, Germany, in the departments of Literature and Medicine, having studied medicine there from May, 1865, to September, 1868 - three years and four months, He then accepted the position of as- sistant-surgeon on the steamer . Limenia," and visited Chili, as well as other countries of South America, the Society Islands, Tahiti (a French port), and then, leaving the vessel, secured pas- sage on a French Government vessel bound for San Francisco, where he engaged in the drug business. An attack of smallpox having inter- fered with his plans, he, in the following year. went to Chicago, and there remained until after the great fire, which occurred one week after his arrival. He then made a short visit to his native place, and in December, 1871, revisited Ger- many, where he again became interested in a drug store, and was also assistant to an old sur- geon. In 1876 he returned to America, and after a trip through the Southern States, he attended a course of lectures in Cincinnati. He graduated March 5, 1877, from the Physio-Eclectic Medical College in that city, after which, in the same |
year, he located at Custar, Wood county, and in December, following, settled in Tontogany. where he has since remained, and where his pro- fessional skill and wide range of knowledge have received due recognition. After a few years prac- tice in Tontogany, he opened a drug store there, which he still owns.
In 1879, Dr. Eddmon was married to Miss Catherine Black, a sister to Capt. L. Black, of Tontogany. In politics he is an Independent, and served as township clerk one term: was mayor of Tontogany six years; and has been a notary public since 1879. He is assistant-surgeon for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Co .; socially he is a charter member of the I. O. O. F., Tontogany Lodge No. 755, and has filled all the chairs; is also a member of the K. of P., Perrysburg Lodge No. 524, and has at- tained the Oriental Degree in the same. In con- nection with his profession he is affiliated with the American Medical Society, of Ohio, and the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1882 the Etna Insurance Co., of Hartford, Conn., appointed him recording agent for Ton- togany, and in 1887 the passenger department of the C. H. & D. R. R. appointed him as special agent for Tontogany, and all through traffic is referred to him. Both positions he still occupies. and he stands in high repute with his employers. For the past ten years he has been the recog- nized authority for the leading Mercantile Agen- cies at Tontogany.
J. R. JUDSON, who is now living in Bowling Green retired from active business, was born in Medina county, Ohio, April IS, 1837. The Judson family in this country is descended from two brothers, who came from England at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania. One of these subsequently went south, and all trace of him has been lost. The other was the progenitor of that branch of the family to which our subject belongs. Beyond this, the first of whom any definite history has been preserved, is Ithimar Judson, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He had four brothers, viz .: Isaac, John, William and Egbert, all of whom grew to maturity. He died near Meadville, Penn., leaving two children: Benjamin, father of our subject, and Silva. The latter married Moses It. Herrick, and removed t Clinton county, Iowa. They had four daughters. all of whom married physicians, one of the' being the wife of Dr. Very, a druggist in Chicago)
Benjamin Speas Judson was born January 13. 1812, and married Catharine Osgood, born neat
1
------
------
1
G. Eddwow
611
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Elinira, Penn., October 1, 1811. They resided for a time in Bedford county, Penn., and in 1835 removed to Ohio, settling near Waterville, Lucas county, on the Manmee river. There they lived for three years, when they decided to return to Pennsylvania, and started in wagons to make the long journey. On reaching Medina county, . Ohio, however, the father was taken ill and they were forced to stop, and as they were pleased with the appearance of the country, they con- cluded to stay awhile. After living in that coun- ty for six years, they abandoned the idea of going to Pennsylvania, and finally decided to locate in Wood county. They reached Plain township in March, 1843, and there made a home for them- selves, in which they spent the remainder of their lives, and where the father died in 1864, the mother surviving him until 1887. They were consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Judson was originally an Old-line Whig, uniting with the Republican party after its organization. To this worthy couple six children were born, namely : Ithimar, who died when two years old; Sarah M., who married Ernest Miehe, and died in 1864; Ithimar (2), who is a farmer in Perrysburg, Wood county; J. R., subject of this sketch; Miles, born June 18, 1844, is a mechanic and lives in Lucas county, Ohio; Lucie died when about eight years old. The parents of our subject's mother were Thomas and Abigail (Ingalls) Osgood. The former was of Irish descent, and came to Wood county in 1835, taking up his residence in Plain township, where he died.
J. R. Judson came to Wood county, when a lad of some six years, with his parents, and was reared to manhood in Plain township, attending the primitive schools of those days, and gaining as good an education as was possible with such lim- ited advantages. When civil war threatened to dismember the Union, his patriotic impulses led him to enlist in defense of the stars and stripes, and he was one of the first to offer his services. April 18, 1861, he entered his name as a soldier, and the following monthi was mustered in at Camp Dennison. The State quota was full, how- ever, and his company was not accepted, and he re-enlisted in Company C, 13th O. V. I., for three years, and in June, 1861, was transferred to Company D), Itth O. V. I., but was again doomed to disappointment, as in the following July he was attacked with measles, and was discharged for disability. His anxiety to serve his country did not cease, however, and although chagrined at the fact that his health did not al- low him to actively participate in the conflict, he
became captain of the home militia company, andl assisted in recruiting men for the Union army. He was also an active member of the "Wide Awakes," which organization took such an active. part in the political campaign of 1860, when Abraham Lincoln was first elected President.
Mr. Judson was married February 28, 1865. to Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, who. was born in Plain township, August 13, 1841, and of this union six children have been born: Florence. boru May 20, 1866, was married July 3. 1888, to William Mintel, and has one child, Beatrice; Charles H., born February 9, 1868, married Mertie Abbott, and lives on the old homestead (he is employed in the oil field); Frederick S., born February 2, 1870, died a few days later; William C., born September 26, 1874, is at home, and is employed in the oil field: Albert O., born October 24, 1876, is employed in the Toledo Bicycle Works; his twin brother died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Judson settled in Plain township, but a year later removed to Liberty township, where he worked at his trade as a car- penter for some time; but his health failing, he decided to take up farming as a more healthful occupation. He now owns a good farm of fifty- five acres in Liberty township, on which are five productive oil wells. Since 1894 he has resided in Bowling Green. In politics Mr. Judson is a Republican, and his advice is often asked in pub- lic matters. He is recognized as a man of broad and liberal views, and of extensive reading and general information. He is higlily esteemned as a loyal citizen and a good neighbor.
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.