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 33
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The last named was born and reared in Michigan, and accompanied his parents on their removal here. In Liberty township he married Miss Margaret Ducat, and secured a tract of land by giving in exchange two young calves. He farmed various tracts of land in Liberty town- ship, and in his undertakings was successful. In 1864 he entered the Union army, and served until the close of the war. His family numbered the following members -- Caleb, a farmer of Jackson township; Robert, a farmer of Milton township; Sherman, a farmer of Portage town- ship; Matilda, who died in childhood; Hirani, who is engaged in the oil business in Ohio: Lewis. of Bowling Green, Ohio: Lucetta, it home; Albert and Alfred, twins, who died in childhood; and Guy, who completes the family. The father died August 22, 1896, at the age of fifty- four years, and was buried in Radolph cenietery.
Mr. Roe, of this review, is indebted to the public-school system for his education. He was reared under the parental roof, and aided in the
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operation of the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he began working in the tile yard owned by George Bradshaw, for $25 per month. After eight months he entered a thirty- acre tract of land in Liberty township, and in 1886 he purchased a tract of similar size. This was the first property he ever owned. After clearing two acres he found that there was oil upon the place, leased it and secured therefrom a handsome income which enabled him to get a good start in life. In the fall of 1888, he purchased his present farm, then comprising eighty acres of land, all cleared, but otherwise unimproved. He has since erected a fine resi- dence, good barns and outbuildings, has the lat- est improved machinery, high grades of stock and everything found on a first class farm of the nineteenth century.
On January 1, 1890, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Roe and Myrtie Gaghan, who was born in Milton township, May 31, 1869, and is a daughter of George and Mary (Finney) Gaghan, natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to America, locating in Wood county. Here the father died August 28, 1890. Mrs. Roe was educated in the district schools of Milton town- ship, and pursued her studies for one year in Mc- Comb, and two years in Weston, Ohio. When a maiden of only fifteen summers she began teaching school in Jackson township, and for six years successfully followed that profession. By her marriage she has one daughter, Bernice, born July 5, 1895. In politics Mr. Roe is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. He has, how- ever, never sought office, but served as school director.
REASON WHITACRE is the oldest resident pio- neer of Bloom township, and he and his brother Isaac are the only ones of the ''34 settlers " now living. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 20, 1814, and is now one of the successful agriculturists of Wood county. He has been a hard worker in his time, and is still active and energetic for a man of his years.
The Whitacre family canie originally from Virginia. The grandfather, Edward Whitacre, married Martha Brown, and their son Mahlon, our subject's father, was born in the Old Domin- ion. When a boy of ten he was brought by his parents to Harrison county, W. Va., where he was married to Miss Phobe Beck, also a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Preston Beck. Soon after marriage they moved to Columbiana county, which was then on the frontier line, and
subject to Indian attacks and rumors of attacks, the family being so alarmed on one occasion as to seek refuge in the nearest settlement. In the spring of 1833 he came to Wood county on foot. and entered 160 acres in Section 6, eighty in Section 6, eighty in Sections 31 and 32, in Portage township; 160 acres in Section 5, forty in Sections 7 and S, and eighty in Section 22, in Bloom township. He selected a spot for his future home in Section 6, near the present site of Cygnet, and returned to bring his family, which included seven children. They left Columbiana county April 18, 1834, and traveled in a wagon drawn by oxen via Minerva, Canton, Massillon, Woos- ter, Mansfield, Galion, Bucyrus and Upper San- dusky. They brought one cow with them, the younger members of the party walking by turns to drive her. Whenever they could, they stopped at hotel for the night, but often camped out, and after leaving Upper Sandusky they lived in that primitive fashion until their log house was built from trees felled after their arrival on May 4. 1834. The roads were so bad for the latter part of the trip that seven miles made a good day's travel. Their nearest neighbor lived two miles away, and their milling was done on the Maumee river, the trip taking five days. coming and going. Their first crop was corn, planted in small holes made in the solid ground, the stumps and roots making plowing impossible, and much of the grinding was done by hand-mills, made from stones found on the farin. The yield was abund- ant and wild ganie plentiful, so they fared weil. They secured considerable ready money by sell- ing coon skins at one dollar apiece. Our sub- ject's father was a large man, weighing ordi- narily 225 pounds. He possessed fine abilities. and great force of character, and when there were but few to give was a liberal supporter of the Disciples Church, of which he and his family were members. His large tracts of land were divided among his children, with the exception of forty acres, which he gave to a preacher. In politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and he took great interest in public questions. He died in 1847, at the age of sixty-three, and his wife in 1849, aged sixty-two, both being interred in the family lot in Sugar Grove cemetery. Of their children only two are now living. Preston was married in Columbiana county to Martha Lucy, and died two years after coming to Wood county; Gula E. was married at the old home to Abiah Stackhouse, and died in Wood county in 1838: Edward was married, before coming West. to Hannah McNeely, and died in this county in IS46; the fourth child is the subject of this
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sketch; Isaac was married in Wood county to Elizabeth McCrory, later to Eliza Wolfe, and now lives in Bloom township; Lydia A. married John McCrory, and died in Plain township; Sarah J. died of consumption three years after coming to this county.
Reason Whitacre in his childhood attended first a subscription school, and later, when pub- lic schools came into vogue, he availed himself of them. He was trained to farm work, and when a young man worked out for three shillings a day; for one year before coming to Wood county he had worked in a gristmill at Minerva. In all the work and hardships and pleasures of the pio- neer days in this county he took his full share, and his reminiscences are most interesting. On March 22, 1837, he was married to Miss Mary McCrory, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1820, daughter of Samuel McCrory, a prominent citi- zen of Henry township. They commenced housekeeping on seventy-two acres of land in Section 6, Bloom township, a gift from his par- ents. It was in its primitive state, and his little log cabin was the first house upon it. He cleared eighteen acres, and after his father's death traded the tract for his sister Lydia's interest in the homestead, where he has ever since resided.
By his first marriage Mr. Whitacre had eight children: Mahlon was a farmer in Liberty town- ship; he died leaving two children-Conrad and
Elmer. Hannah R. married Mandeville Mil- bourn, of Bloom township, and died leaving five children-Edward R., Lydia, Horace, Mary and Arthur. Phoebe married Horace C. Mercer, of Liberty township, and their children are Milton, Alburtus, Mary, Delorma, Clarence, Rosa, Jeff- erson, Frank and George. James, deceased, was a farmer in Liberty township; he left one child-Frederick. Samuel was a farmer in Lib- erty township, and died leaving two children- Elletha and Olerious. Daniel is a farmer in Liberty township; he married Amanda Loe, and they have nine children-Mahlon, Hayes, Rhoda, Ardie, Wildie, Naomi, Carrie, Howard and Karl. Lewis S. is a resident of Cygnet, and has one child-Frank. Thomas lives in Liberty town- ship; he has two. children-Charles and Floyd. Mrs. Whitacre died in 1861, and was buried in Sugar Grove cemetery. On March 22, 1866. our subject was married to Miss Mary M. Bullis, a native of Durham, N. Y .. born December 24, 1835, daughter of Isaac and Amanda (Hervey) Bullis, who came to Wood county in 1845, and located in Plain township. Four children were born of this union: Herman W. is a farmer in Liberty township; Arthur I. is a farmer in Bloom
township (he has one son-Reason); Warren R. is at home, and Marian died in infancy.
Mr. Whitacre still operates his farm of 200 acres, and also 100 acres in Liberty and Plain townships belonging to his wife. In 1886 he leased his land to a Mr. Scott, who did not operate, but sold to Barnum & Boden, and they began operations in March, 1890, drilling two wells. Then Mr. Barnum bought out his part- ner, and sold a one-third interest to a Mr. Hughes, and this firm now control the territory. At this writing they are operating eight wells, and will probably drill two more. The whole production amounts to about $4,000 per month. our subject securing one-seventh. On Mrs. Whitacre's property in Plain township there are three wells, one in operation. Politically our subject is a Republican, he has been a favorite candidate of his party for various offices, and has served thirteen years as trustee, one terin as justice of the peace, and has also been supervisor and school director. He is an elder in the Dis- ciples Church, of which the family have so long been leading members, and has always been among the most generous helpers of any worthy movement.
WILLIAM HEYMAN, a well-known saloon keeper of Tontogany, this county, was born in the vil- lage Kaltenholzhausen, Kreis Diez, Nassau, Ger- many, February 19, 1840. At the age of fifteen years he started for this country, and the voyage across the Atlantic occupied sixty-three days, the ship being an old sailing vessel; and two weeks more were passed in coming from New York to Monroeville, Ohio, the point of destination. Young Heyman first went to work on a farm in Erie county, for which he was paid fifty cents a day. He then hired out by the month, first at eight dollars, and afterward at ten dollars. Later he became employed by the year, receiving, for his services the first year. $140, and, for the sec- ond, $150. He remained and worked for this same man-John Wright-for six years, his wages being increased until they reached $200 per year. During this period Mr. Heyman saved about $600, and then began farming for himself in Erie county; and in 1865 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Nickel, a native of Germany. whose parents had been farmers in Erie county for some years. Two children were born of this union, namely: Louise, who married Gustave Thorn, and they have three children- Gustave, Ella and Goldie; and William F., who is in the saloon and restaurant business at Ogden, Utah. Mrs. Heyman died in 1869, and in 1871 Mr.
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Heyman married Miss Margretta Erbe, who was born in Erie county, near Castalia, in 1850. Shortly after the latter marriage he moved to Bellevue, in Huron county, where he clerked in a store, and two years later came to Tontogany, where he opened a sample room. To the second marriage were born eight children, and all at Tontogany: Albert, John, Frank, George, Charles, Cora, Avery and Eddie. Through the energy, industry and good management of our subject his business has proved a profitable one. He is one of the progressive citizens of this local- ity. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a prom- inent member of the Lutheran Church.
EZRA J. MOE was born in Lorain county, Ohio, February 4, 1840, and is a son of Isaac and Angeline (Moon) Moe. The father. a native of Genesee county, N. Y., was a child of six years when he went with his parents to Lorain county, the family locating on a 160-acre tract of wild land which the grandfather, Isaac Moe, purchased in 1802. He had journeyed to this State on foot, pre-empted his land, and planted a few acres of corn, and in the fall returned for his family. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Ridgeville township, about 1850. The members of his family were Edwin, who died in Wisconsin; Charles, who died in Lorain county; Betsy, deceased wife of Gersham Gillett, of Lo- rain county; Polly, deceased wife of Abraham Moon, of Lorain county; Jane, wife of Leander Wilcox; Philand, wife of Otis Gilmore, and Han- nah, wife of Husted Moe.
Isaac Moe was married in Lorain county to Miss Moon, who was there born in 1804. She became the mother of seven children, namely: Edwin, who died in infancy; Ann, deceased wife of George Hinger, of Sandusky, Ohio; Rosanna, Isaac and Wellington, who died in infancy; Ezra J .; and Rosanna, deceased wife of George Gill. After the death of his first wife, the father was married in Clyde, Sandusky county, to Mrs. Polly Heydon, and they had three children-Isaac, Mary and Emeline, all deceased. Mrs. Moe died in Clyde, Ohio, and the father afterward removed to Michigan. In 1873 he came to Wood county to live with our subject, and died in 1881.
When a child of eight years, Ezra Moe ac- companied his parents to Clyde, where he ac- quired his education. When only ten years of age he began earning his own living, and for seven years rode race horses for Tuttle Brothers, of Clyde. He then worked as a farm hand until October 23, 1861, when, having obtained per- mission from his father to go to the train to wit- 1
ness the departure of Company A, 72nd O. V. I., he, instead, joined the troops and went to the front, where he participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and aided in building a fort at Memphis, Tenn. With Grant's command he then went to Holly Springs, and after their supplies were cut off returned to Memphis, proceeding down the river to Milliken's Bend. After making the canal at Vicksburg, his command marched to Grand Gulf, and later participated in seven bat- tles which drove the Rebels into their works at Vicksburg, where they then entered upon tlie famous siege, which ended with the surrender of the city July 4, 1863. Before sundown that night they were fighting Joe Johnston sixteen miles away, and engaged with that general in three battles. The troops afterward returned to Memphis, subsequently going to Little Rock, Ark., and following Price, who threatened the destruction of that city. They afterward marched to Cape Girardeau, were loaded into transports, and subsequently proceeded to Sedalia and Lex- ington, Mo. They then marched to Kansas City, and captured Price on the Big Blue river. Re- turning to St. Louis, they were at once ordered to Nashville, but Mr. Moe remained in St. Louis for about twelve hours. He rejoined his regi- ment in Cairo, and took part in the battle of Nashville. Later the troops marched to New Orleans, and were engaged in service in the gulf district for some time. This included the capture of Spanish Fort, after which they started for Montgomery, where the news was received of Lee's surrender, and the restoration of peace. They then proceeded to Vicksburg, and Mr. Moe, who had veteranized in 1864. was honorably mustered out September 11, 1865, after almost four years of military service, in which he made for himslf an honorable record.
It was just four years later-September 11, 1869-that he was married in Perrysburg to Ellen Spoors. They removed to Garden Grove, Deca- tur Co., Iowa, but after a year removed to Wood county, and for three years operated the Hen- dricks farm near, Bowling Green. Mr. Moe later rented the Starr farm for nine years, the Lathrop farm for four years, and the Todd farm for four years. In the spring of 1892 he purchased twenty acres of land, erected a good residence thereon, and has since made it his home. His wife died in May, 1882, leaving five children: Charles, of Milton township: William Allen, of Liberty township; John, Maud and Fred, at home. One son, Frank, was accidentally shot at the age of thirteen years, and death resulted. Mr. Moe is a Democrat, and a member of the
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United Brethren Church. He discharges his duties of citizenship with the same loyalty and fidelity that marked his honorable soldier record.
E. F. METZGER, the efficient town clerk of Troy township, and postmaster of Stony Ridge, is a native of Wood county, born in Troy town- ship, January 15, 1867, and is a son of Lewis and Mary (Reninger) Metzger, both born in the German Empire, emigrating to America in 1835. In Medina county, Ohio, they were reared and married, but, as early as 1856, became residents of Wood county; in 1850, the father purchased his present farm in Troy township. They reared a family of seven children, namely: John, who died in Perrysburg township, November 7, 1894; Charles, who died in Troy township, Novem- ber 3, 1888; George, a resident of Paulding county, Ohio; Henry, who died in Troy township, in 1883; E. F., of this sketch; and Carrie and Allen, both at home.
Our subject was reared to rural life, receiving his primary education in the district schools, after which he pursued his studies for two sea- sons in the Fostoria Normal School. On leav- ing school he began teaching, which profession he followed for eight years in Wood county, meeting with excellent success as an instructor. In his political affiliations, Mr. Metzger is a Democrat, and for the past six years has taken an active part in local public affairs, being one of the leaders of his party in the township. In 1892 he was appointed town clerk, and after- ward elected for three consecutive terms; in De- cember, 1893, he was appointed postmaster of Stony Ridge, to succeed J. E. Stewart. He has proved a capable official, discharging the duties of the offices to the satisfaction of all concerned. He holds membership with the Lutheran Church of Stony Ridge, and Fort Meigs Lodge No. 774, I. O. O. F., of Perrysburg, and is universally respected as an honorable, upright young man.
ABRAHAM HUFF (deceased) was one of the straightforward and honorable citizens of Wood county. He was a native of the Buckeye State, born on January 20, 1825, in Sandusky county, near the city of that name, and was the fourth of six children, the others being Nancy, Mary, Snowden, George and Benjamin. He received his early education in Missouri, and followed farming as a means of livelihood.
Mr. Huff was married February 11, 1847, in Washington township, the lady of his choice being Lucy Ward, daughter of J. M. and Maria (Cowen) Ward, prominent farming people of that
township. In religious belief her father was a Dunkard, while her mother held membership with the Lutheran Church. They are both now deceased, the latter passing away March 21, 1884. They had four children: (1) Elizabeth, born June 4, 1825, has departed this life. (2) Mrs. Huff is the second in the order of birth .. (3) Ira, born August 16, 1831, became a inem- ber of Company H, 2Ist O. V. I., during the Civil war, and died in Rebel prison at Anderson- ville, Ga. He had married Charlotte Jeffers, by whom he had two children-Elizabeth Maria. wife of Charlie Thompkins, a resident of Mis- souri; and Alice Ann, wife of James Madison. also of Missouri. (4) Eliza died at the age of fifteen years.
Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Huff, namely: (1) Sarah Maria, born July 27, 1850, is the wife of David McCombs, a contractor of Toledo, Ohio, by whom she had five children-Clinton, who died in infancy; Ver- nie Minnie, born August 20, 1871; Effie Myrtle, born September 20, 1873; Orlando Lester, born March 20, 1876; and Lucy Pearl, born Decem- ber 15, 1879. (2) Ann Eliza, born December 15, 1851, died at the age of three years. (3) Eugene B., born in Weston township, January 16, 1854, inarried Della Clark, and resides on his own farm.
Mr. Huff, for the last twenty-five years of his life, traveled the greater part of the time. His death occurred in California, September 7. 1876. In politics, he was a Republican, and by his fellow citizens was chosen to fill several offices of honor and trust, including that of supervisor. which he held for two terms, while for several terms he was constable, and his duties were always faithfully discharged. He and his esti- mable wife were ever faithful and devoted mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, and the family is one of prominence in the community.
G. W. SMITH, a well-known farmer of Plain township, Wood county, comes of good old Rev- olutionary stock, his great-grandfathers on both sides of the family having fought and died in the struggle of the colonies for liberty, the one being killed at the battle of Brandywine, and the other at the battle of Trenton.
The parents of our subject were George and Mary (Wirts) Smith, the former being born in Pennsylvania in 1791, and dying in Summit county, Ohio, in 1854. The mother was a na- tive of New Jersey, born in 1795, and died in Summit county in 1874. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the
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father followed farming as an occupation. He was a Democrat, and a loyal citizen. The pa- rental family comprised seven children, namely: Malinda, who married Joseph Hall, and died in Kansas; J. J., a physician, who resided at Akron, Ohio, and practiced there many years, but died .December 7, 1884; J. B., who was assistant sur- geon in the 14th O. V. I., and died at Nashville, Tenn .; Hannah, who married W. C. Smith and died at Rock Island, Ill .; Thomas, who was killed accidentally in Missouri; G. W., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Margaret, the wife of L. M. Newton, residing in Kansas.
G. W. Smith was born in Summit county, Ohio, September 26, 1826, was educated in Akron, Ohio, under the superintendence of Gen. Leggett, and lived at home until twenty-one years old, when he went to California. There he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and, after thirty- days unconsciousness, had but partly recovered from that terrible disease, when dread cholera broke out, and he was seized with that. He for- tunately escaped with his life, and, strange to say, for twenty-eight years afterward did not have a day's illness. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Smith took passage for Australia, reaching there in July, and for three years was engaged in min- ing in that country. He then decided to return home, and came by way of England, landing at Bristol, and stopping at London and many of the principal cities in Europe, and, being, in all, two hundred and eleven days, and traveling about 25,000 miles on the water before he reached the United States. He says, these were the happiest days of his life.
Mr. Smith finally settled in Wood county, . Ohio, and in 1857 was married to Miss Matilda Eaton, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, August 10, 1829. Of this union three children have been born: Era G., born June 24, 1866, is the wife of J. W. Le Galley, and has two chil- dren, Harry and Marguerite; Carl L., born March 11, 1868, was married February 6, 1895. to Miss Gertrude Hopkins, of Brownhelin town- ship, Lorain Co., Ohio, who was born Jan- uary 20, 1871 (he was educated at the High School in Bowling Green, and at Ada Normal School, and at present is assessor of Plain town- ship); Lulu E., born March 3. 1874, is at home with her parents.
Mr. Smith is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is a man of good business ability and of progressive ideas. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and is highly esteemed as a loyal citizen and good neiglibor, who wants justice to all and special privileges to none.
BENJAMIN F. PRATT. This pioneer farmer of Perrysburg township was born March 9, 1824, on the place where he still resides. He assisted in wresting the now fertile acres from the prime- val forests, and the wonderful growth and de -. velopment of the surrounding country have all taken place before his eyes. He can relate many most interesting reminiscences of those early days, and of the people whose struggles and privations sound like a fairy tale to the youth of to-day.
Gen. William and Bathia (Brown) Pratt, the parents of our subject, were natives of Massa- chusetts, where they were married, and whence. in [814. they came to Ohio, settling in Orleans, Wood county, on the Maumee river, near Fort Meigs. They had previously lived in Canada, where the father owned a store and a farm: but when the war of 1812 broke out he came with his family to the United States, leaving behind him all his property, and cast his lot with the young republic. They crossed the lake in an open boat to Orleans, and there entered land. In later years a part of the property in Canada was reclaimed by one of the children. The father served during the war of 1812, and rose to the rank of general.
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