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 37
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During that time Mr. Asmus chose as a com- panion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Cath- erine Shively, daughter of Henry Shively, a farm- er of Seneca county, and a native of Pennsyl- vania. The lady was born in 1838, in Seneca
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county, and the marriage was there celebrated in 1861. Six children graced their union-Sarah, wife of Henry Philips, of Washington township; Henry, a farmer of Middleton township, who married Catherine Hoffman; Mary; John, de- ceased; George, and Ora.
In 1866 Mr. Asmus brought his family to Wood county, locating in Middleton township, where he purchased a tract of raw land, which he cleared and improved. To this he has added from time to time until he to-day owns a fine farm of II0 acres. It has been drained, plowed and planted, and now waving fields of grain indi- cate good harvests, and tell of the thrift and en- terprise of the owner. The home of the family is a beautiful brick residence, which was erected at a cost of $2,000. A substantial barn, costing $1,000, affords ample shelter for grain and stock, of which he raises considerable.
Mr. Asmus has served as school director for a number of years, and for four years was road supervisor. His political support is given the Democracy. He belongs to the Lutheran Church of Haskins, of which he has been trustee for ten years, and also Sunday-school teacher for a siin- ilar period. His life is an upright one, over which there falls no shadow of wrong, and he has prospered in his undertakings by use of the advantages which have surrounded him, and by industry, good management and sound judg- ment.
SAMUEL MILLIGAN. Among the honored set- tlers who gave their energies to the task of mak- ing habitable the waste places of Wood county, the subject of this sketch, now a wealthy retired citizen of Risingsun, holds a worthy rank. Al- though not so early in this field as some who have happily been spared to enjoy the fruits of their labors, he settled in an undeveloped spot where he contended with primitive conditions with true | pioneer spirit. He entered upon life's pilgrimage June 19, 1819, in Walnut township, Fairfield Co., Ohio.
William Milligan, his father was a native of Maryland, born August 8, 1772. He was mar- ried there in early manhood, and soon after came to this State, locating near the Ohio river, where his first wife died. He was married there for the second time, and later removed to Fairfield county, where death again left his home bereft. He then wedded Miss Ann Crawford, of Fairfield county (our subject's mother), who survived him, living to the age of sixty-eight years, he having died at the age of sixty-three years, after an act- ive life as a pioneer farmer. He was a large, ro- 1
bust man, with curly dark hair. There were eleven children by his three marriages (and five children-two sons and three daughters by the last), and of this large family our subject and his brother David are now the only survivors.
Samuel Milligan was the youngest son and third child of his mother, and was reared as a farmer's boy, gaining a much more intimate ac- quaintance with farm work than with books, al- though he attended the schools of the time and locality. He remained at home until he was about twenty years old, when his father died and he became, in a sense, the head of the family, being appointed guardian of his two younger sisters. He was married November 21, 1843, to Miss Mariah Palmer, a native of Fairfield county, and settled upon a part of the homestead, where he made a home for his mother and younger sisters.
He made several prospecting trips through this portion of the State, and in 1854 he rented a farm in Perry township, Wood county, to which he removed, driving through from his old home with a wagon. His work there was suc- cessful, and in 1856 he purchased eighty acres of new land in Section 35, Montgomery township. It was heavily timbered, and the greater portion of it was under water. Wild game was plenti- ful, and he has shot ducks many times upon his swamp, and would then get his horse and wade into the expanse of water to get them. On that same spot he has raised as fine a crop of grain as ever ripened in Wood county. He was a hard worker, and his robust health enabled him to ac- complish much. As he redeemed one piece of land from the wild state he added another, until he now owns 160 acres, and his handsome com- petence has been acquired through his own efforts, as he started with but little from his father's estate.
Mr. Milligan's first wife died October 18. 1844, in Fairfield county, leaving one daughter. Marialı (now Mrs. Henry Bennett, of Mercer county, Ohio). Subsequently he married, for his second wife, Miss Louisa Tabler, who died in Fairfield county, on April 29, 1849, leaving a son -William (now a farmer of Trego county, Kans .. of which State he was a member of the Legisla- ture, serving one term as a Democrat, and he passed seven bills within the space of three months). Mr. Milligan was again married May 20. 1851, to Miss Rebecca Gessell, his present wife, who was born in Fairfield county, May 3, 18.30. a daughter of John and Margaret Gessell, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Eleven children were born of this union: John, who
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Samuel Milligan
Rebeca Milligan
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died at six months of age; Margaret A., now the widow of Joseph Furster, of Fostoria; Emma, who married Isaac Dicken, and died in Fostoria; James and Joseph B., farmers in Montgomery township; Mary J., now the wife of Fred Whit- man, of Oro Grande, Cal .; Louisa, married to George Arnold, of Montgomery township; Jesse, who wedded Alta Byers, of Risingsun, and lives in Perry township; Orvilla, married to Ovid Byers, of Risingsun; and Arminta and Ira J., both at home. Increasing prosperity has en- abled Mr. Milligan to assist his children substan- tially, and they are well-fittedgfor useful places in life.
In September, 1892, Mr. Milligan bought a home in Risingsun, and has since resided there, enjoying a well-earned leisure. Both he and his estimable wife have greatly impaired health by reason of their years of hard work, and it is for- tunate indeed that their later days can see the reward of their labors. In spite of all the ex- posures and hardships our subject has experienced, he has never yet, with the exception of one oc- casion, required medical attention. They have been members of the Old-school Baptist Church for thirty-six years, and are devout and consist- ent in their faith, their high character, no less their past labors, gaining for them the esteem of all who know them. Although Mr. Milligan is a Democrat on State and National issues, he uses his judgment as to the relative fitness of the in- dividual candidates in local politics. He has served two terms as township trustee, and for a number of years he was school director in Dis- trict No. 7, where he did much to advance the cause of education, his own lack of opportunities in youth making him desire that the children of this and future days should be within the reach of thorough and practical instruction.
JOHN DAVIS. The essential qualities of suc- cess are not fortunate circumstances and influen- tial friends, but indefatigable energy, industry that stops not at difficulties, a resolute purpose and perseverance. These qualities Mr. Davis possesses, and he is known as one of the leading farmers of Middleton township. He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, January 20, 1842. His father, Michael Davis, was born in Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farining, and married Catherine Basinger, a native of Ger- many. Of their union the following children were born: John, Christian, Fannie and Re- becca. The father died in Monroe county, Ohio, and the mother afterward married Jacob Hiphire.
Mr. Davis, of this review, spent his boyhood in the usual manner of farmer lads, attending school in the winter and working on the farm during the summer months, in Putnam county, Ohio. When only eight years of age, he was thrown upon his own resources, and worked on a farm for his board until fourteen years of age, when he began receiving wages. He was em- ployed at farm work and on the canals until thirty-three years of age, when he came to Wood county, locating in Middleton township, where he purchased seventy acres of unimproved land. This he cleared and transformed into finely cul- tivated fields, and to-day he owns and operates a valuable farm of ninety acres, improved with good buildings.
In 1875, in Putnam county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Davis and Magdalena Mosier, a native of Allen township, and a daughter of John Mosier. One child graces their marriage -- Edward, who was born August 10. 1878, was educated in the common schools, and now aids in the work of the farm. For six years our sub- ject has served as school director, and is a warm
friend of the cause of education. In politics he is a Democrat, and with his family attends the Lutheran Church in Waterville. Dependent on his own resources from the early age of eight years, he certainly deserves great credit for him- self, and to-day he has the consciousness of know - ing that he has not a dollar that he has not him- self honestly earned. He is a popular citizen, well liked, and is deserving of honorable men- tion in the history of his adopted county.
J. L. KRAMER, a progressive and intelligent agriculturist residing near Bowling Green, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, February 3, 1855. Levi Kramer, his father, was a native of Fairfield county, born in 1825. For many years he was a contractor and builder near Columbus, Ohio, but in his later years he engaged in agricultural pur- suits, first in Hancock county, and then in Wood county, where he died in 1888. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Margaret Beatty, who was born in Franklin county in 1828. She survives him and resides at the homestead, near Bowling Green. Six children were born of this union, our subject being the eldest.
Mr. Kramer's youth was spent chietly in Han- cock county, and afteracquiring an elementary edu- cation in the schools near his home, he entered the academy at Fostoria, from which he was gradu- ated February 3. 1881. He was married Oc- tober 28, 1887, to Miss Christiana Ries, who was born in Huron county, April 8, 1867; she is a
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very clever woman intellectually, and had taught school up to the time of her marriage. In this union intellect as well as heart are inated, and Mr. and Mrs. Kramer are students together on all the questions of the day, and the best books and periodicals are to be found in their happy home. Both are prominent workers in the Wood Coun- ty Farmers Institute, of which Mrs. Kramer, a lady of considerable business tact, is now secre- tary. She has been highly complimented by the press upon her able and scholarly addresses and papers on various occasions,
Mr. Kramer held the office of secretary for six years previous to 1889, when his wife suc- ceeded him. He is an energetic and enterprising business man, owning and operating a farm where he puts scientific theories to the test of practice. He and his wife are active members of the U. B. Church at Portage, taking especial interest in the Sunday-school, of which Mr. Kramer has been superintendent for six years, and Mrs. Kramer, a good musician, is the organist.
JOHN MERCER, whose well-cultivated farm indicates his industrious and energetic nature, was born April 4, 1831, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and is a son of George Mercer, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Wood county, in 1833, locating in Liberty township, where his remaining days were passed.
Our subject was therefore only two years of age when he became a resident of this county. Upon his father's farm he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming familar with the labors of the fields. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three years. With the capital he acquired through his own efforts, he then purchased 100 acres of land in Liberty township, and with characteristic energy began its development and improvement. This work he continued until 1885, when he removed to his present farm in Middleton township. He here owns sixty acres of rich and valuable land, and a fine residence and good barns add to its attract- ive appearance, and make it a very desirable prop- erty. All this he has acquired through his own efforts, and he may well be proud of his well- merited success.
On April 13, 1858, Mr. Mercer was united in marriage, in Middleton township, with Amanda Creps, a native of Perrysburg. Ohio, born No- vember 26, 1833, and a daughter of David and Rosanna (All) Creps. They became the parents of nine children, namely: Emma A., born Feb-
ruary 15, 1859, wife of Henry E. Morris; Sheb- ner A., born May 19, 1862, a farmer of Liberty township; Owen, born June 3, 1865, a farmer of Jackson township; Leonard S., born August 21, 1871, operating the old homestead; Milla, born November 6, 1875; Walter, who was born Sep- tember 20, 1860, and died February 28, 1864; Clara A., who was born May 29, 1867, and died in January, 1873; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Mercer has several times been called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who recog- nize his worth and ability. He has served as trustee for six years, was school director for ten years, and a member of the township board of education for eight years. He belongs to the Disciples Church, and gives his political support to the Republican party. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to the trust reposed in him, and his friends throughout the community are many.
J. H. WESTERFIELD, a leading farmer of Montgomery township, was born in Scipio town- ship, Seneca Co., Ohio, November 27, 1853, son of J. William and Catherine (Overholt) Wester- field, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Ger- many, the former born in February, ISII, and the latter in November, 1816. In that country the name is spelled Westerfieldt. Being the son of poor parents, the father received no aid in starting out in life for himself, and in the fall of 1853, with his little family, he started for the New World in hope of improving his financial condition. After a voyage of seven weeks they landed in this country, and made their first home in Seneca county, Ohio. From there they came, in 1868, to Wood county, locating upon a thirty- five-acre tract of land in Section 2, Montgomery township, in the midst of the wilderness, where a modest log cabin served as their home.
In the family were five children, namely: Mary E., who became the wife of Reuben Kiser, and died in Sandusky county, Ohio, March 24, 1869; Engle, who died at sea, October 28, 1853, while the family were coming to America: J. H .. the subject of this sketch; William, a farmer of Montgomery township; and Amanda, now Mrs. Frank E. Wirebaugh, of Montgomery township. The parents are both now deceased, the father dying October 29, 1889, and the mother January 6, 1888, and rest in the Bradner cemetery. Re- ligiously they were Lutherans. The mother, who was strong and robust, was a good weaver. and was of great assistance to her husband m early days. At the time of his death he was the owner of a good farm of seventy-five acres, and
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possessed all the thrifty habits characteristic of the German race. His ballot was cast in sup- port of the Democratic party.
The common schools afforded our subject his educational privileges, and his labors were devoted to the improvement and cultivation of the home farm until he attained his majority, when he be- gan working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three years. In the , spring of 1879 he purchased forty acres in Section 1, Montgom- ery township, from George Bierly, for $2,000, for which he was compelled to go in debt over $1, 500. On laying aside his trade, he began working as a farm hand for that gentleman, and on January 5, 1882, married his daughter, Miss Malinda E. Bierly, who was born February 3, 1860, and they now have four children-Bertie R., Addie, Helena and Milo. Mr. Westerfield began his do- mestic life upon his forty-acre farm, where he has since resided. In 1885 was erected his com- fortable dwelling, and six years later his barn was built. He is numbered among the self-made men of Montgomery township, his accumulations being the result of his own industry, obtained by self-denial and economy, and the exercise of a naturally good judgment. both in regard to agri- cultural pursuits and business matters. Though not strictly partisan, he usually supports the Democratic party, and for nine consecutive years served as a member of the Bradner school board, filling that position when the new building at that place was completed; for two years he was president of the board. An active member of the Lutheran Church, he is at present superin- tendent of the Sunday-school at Bradner; his ex- cellent wife belongs to the Protestant Methodist Church.
George Bierly, the father of Mrs. Westerfield, was born in Miles township, Center Co., Penn., July 17, 1819, and as there were no free schools his education was limited to four weeks' attend- ance at English schools, but he received consider- able instruction at Sunday-school. At the age of eighteen years he learned the wheelwright and wagon-maker's trades. On April 25, 1844, in Center county, Penn., was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Bierly and Miss Sarah Magee, who was born in Union county. that State, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Buch- ner) Magee, in whose family were seven chil- dren, three sons and four daughters. Her father came from Londonderry, Ireland, to the United States at the age of fifteen years, being eleven weeks upon the ocean, and was married in Union county, Penn. By trade he was a weaver, making carpets, table cloths, etc. Both himself
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and wife died in Center county, Penn., he at the age of sixth-three years, and she at the age of eighty-eight.
With his wife Mr. Bierly came to Wood county, April 2, 1857, locating on a partially ini- proved tract of eighty acres in Section 1, Mont- gomery township, for which he paid $2,700 cash, and they still live upon that place. They have now traveled life's journey together for over fifty- two years, sharing its joys and sorrows, its ad- versity and prosperity, and are still well-pre- served old people, highly respected by all who know them. In early life Mr. Bierly was a Democrat, but since Lincoln ran for the Presi- dency has been a stalwart Republican. His wife holds membership with the Methodist Protestant Church. The following children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bierly-Alfred and Edward, who died in infancy; Cyrus, at home; Nancy, wife of Peter Plants, of Bradner, Ohio; Lorenzo D., who died at the age of twenty-one years; Thomas N., of Wood county; Emma E., now the widow of F. S. Furbrush, of Bradner; and Malinda E., who is the only member of the family born in Ohio, and is now the wife of J. H. Westerfield, whose name introduces this sketch.
F. E. WIREBAUGH, an agriculturist of energy and ability, who is residing in Montgomery town- ship, Wood county, was born near Bucyrus, Ohio, May 6, 1863, and when but a boy was brought to this county by his parents, N. P. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Wirebaugh, who located first in Freedom township, thence removing to Section 30, Montgomery township. Later they took up their residence upon a farm in Section 17, of the same township, and on selling out there located in Section 1, Montgomery township, where the father made his home until his removal to Risingsun, Ohio, his present place of abode. The mother died while living near Bradner, this State. In their family were four children -- F. E., of this sketch; Charles E., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Laura, now Mrs. Charles Aldrich, of Toledo; and Bert E., of Ris- ingsun. Since the death of his first wife the father has been again married.
The education of our subject was such as the district schools near his home afforded, and dur- ing the days of his youth he assisted in the labors of the farm, thus becoming familiar . with his chosen calling. On leaving home, at the age of twenty-one years, he started out in life for him- self as a farm hand. In April, 1888, n Freeport township, Mr. Wirebangh was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Westerfield, who was bom
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June 13. 1861, in Scipio township, Seneca Co., Ohio, and is the youngest child of J. William and Catherine (Overholt) Westerfield. One child now graces their union-Walter R., whose birth occurred December 15, 1894. Mr. Wirebaugh began his domestic life upon a rented farm in Freedom township, and later one year was passed upon a rented farm in Section 1, Montgomery township. In the spring of 1891 he removed to his present place, then comprising fifteen acres, but now has a fine tract of thirty-five acres, un- der a high state of cultivation. In 1893 he re- modeled the house, which was the old homestead of his wife's people, and now has a very comfort- able and attractive dwelling. Besides his agri- cultural pursuits he also has charge of two oil leases, having a general supervision of affairs and looking after the oil pumping. Mr. Wirebaugh is a decided Democrat, but is no politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his entire time to his business interests. An indus- trious and enterprising man who has already won success, we feel assured that he is destined to be- come one of the substantial citizens of Wood county. His estimable wife is a member of the Lutheran Church.
ABRAHAM KEEFER, one of the oldest pioneers of Perry township, and a most estimable citizen, was born July 23, 1822, in Orange township. Richland Co., Ohio, son of William and Barbara (Kreps) Keefer.
Our subject, who is the eldest son, when old enough assisted in supporting his parents. He went to school in Orange township until seven- teen years of age, at which time he came to Wood county, which was then, for the most part, a dense forest. On December 22, 1844, he was united in marriage with Miss Christina Bare, a daughter of Nicholas Bare, and a native of Penn- sylvania. At that time he was $25 in debt, and owned an axe, a wedge and a wife. He was to have, for the clearing, forty acres of land to use for ten years. Commencing work in Section 28, he secured from the profits of this hard bargain a beginning in life, and upon the expiration of the time he left the land and moved to forty acres in Section 21, which he had bought two years be- fore at a cost of $450. Ten acres of this were cleared and had on it a log house, the first home he ever had that he could call his own. From this time he worked and prospered, and later on added, at different times, forty and eighty acres more. In July, 1858, before the last purchase of eighty acres, lie moved to his present place, which then contained a log hut, and in July of the fol-
lowing year he moved into the house he now occupies.
To Mr. and Mrs. Keefer were born the fol- lowing children: Eliza J., who died in infancy; M. D., who died in Perry township at the age of thirty-eight, leaving five children; Catherine, married to I. C. Conley, of Perry township; Will- iam, who died at the age of ten years; Nancy, who died when. seven years old. The mother of these died April 29, 1889, and was buried at Center. On May 10, 1891, Mr. Keefer married Mrs. Eliza (Wiseman) Frink, a native of Wash- ington township, Hancock Co., Ohio, who was a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Sommers) Wiseman. This wife died May 19, 1896, at 2.30 A. M. The previous day she had prepared sup- per for herself and her husband, conducted the family worship that evening, and retired feeling as well as usual. She is buried in the cemetery at Fostoria.
Mr. Keefer first voted the Democratic ticket; but on the formation of the Republican party he joined it, and in 1892 again changed his political views, and voted in the ranks of the Prohibition- ists. He has served as treasurer and trustee of Perry township, as the choice of the Republican party. He is a member and one of the pillars of the Union Methodist Church, to which he has belonged since 1858, and has been a class-leader for thirty-two consecutive years. At present he is one of the trustees, and is a most liberal con- tributor to the Church work. On May 2, 1864. he enlisted in Company E, 144th Regiment, of which he was first lieutenant, doing guard duty at Wilmington, Del., and serving until August 24, 1864. He is a quiet gentleman, well-pre- served, and an earnest worker in the cause of Prohibition. He enjoys the best of health, and, at the age of seventy-three years, "Does not know of an ache or pain." He is the owner of 160 acres of excellent land, which he has drained with 3, 300 rods of tile, and all but thirty acres of which he has cultivated from its primitive condition.
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