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 38
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
William Keefer, father of our subject. was born in October, 1801, in Mahoning county. His parents moved from Pennsylvania to Rich- land county at an early day, and settled in Orange township (now Ashland county). Mr. Keefer left there for Perry township, where he bought eighty acres in Section 28. He and his wife moved into a small cabin of round logs, with clipboard roof. no doors nor floors, the hearth made of mortar, under which a ground- hog had burrowed and made his home. The only clearing on the place was the spot oc-
1
.
i
1
-
A. Keeper
677
WOOD COUNTY, OUIO.
cupied by the cabin. There was wild game in abundance, bears, turkeys, etc. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Keefer were: Abra- ham, our subject; Mary, now the widow of Peter Bare, of Eaton county, Mich. ; Barbara, who married Eli Culbertson, and died in Eaton county; Margaret, who married Andrew Burns, of Eaton county, and is deceased; Catherine, who became the wife of John Hays, and died in Henry county, Ohio; John, who enlisted July 30, 1862, in Company B, ILIth Regiment, O. V. I., and was taken prisoner in action at Lenoir, Tenn., November 16, 1863, and died in a Rebel prison at Richmond, March 20, 1864; and Christopher, a farmer, in Perry township. Mrs. Keefer died October, in 1837, and was buried in Richland county. Mr. Keefer, for his second wife, wedded Miss Barbara Bare, by whom he had four chil- dren: Christina, who died young; Susan, who became the wife of Frank McConnell, and died in Toledo, Ohio; Sarah (now Mrs. William Fox). of Defiance county, Ohio; and Eliza (Mrs. Al- bert Becker), who died in Toledo. Mr. Keefer departed this life in Perry township, at the age of sixty-four years; Mrs. Keefer died about 1849, and both are buried at Center, Perry township. Mr. Keefer was at one time a Democrat, and later became a Republican, belonging to that party at the time of his death. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church when in Pennsylva- nia, but as there was no Church of that denomi- nation convenient in Perry he joined the Method- ist one. He was a man of few words, a liard worker, and possessed of a peaceable disposition.
ALLEN S. FERGUSON comes of a family whose loyalty and devotion to the country was well manifested during the Civil war, and in all the relations of life our subject has been found true and faithful to the trusts reposed in him. This Ferguson family is of Irish origin, and was founded in America by Samuel Ferguson, the grandfather of our subject, who was born on the Emerald Isle and crossed the Atlantic when a young man. In Pennsylvania, he wedded Mary Miller, a lady of German extraction. He was a weaver by trade, and followed that business dur - ing the greater part of his life. His death oc- curred in Belmont county, Ohio, at a ripe old age.
The father of our subject, Jantes Ferguson, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a millwright by trade. At the age of eighteen he accompanied his parents to Behnont county, where he wedded Mary Scroggs, a lady of Scotch descent. For two years they lived in Shepherdstown, Ohio, and then removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
locating near Cumberland, on Conotton creek. In 1853 they came to Wood county, making the journey by team, and the father entered forty acres of land in Section 33, Jackson township, from the government, and erected thereon a log cabin. He afterward worked at his trade in different parts of the State, but died in Jackson township, October 28, 1878. His wife passed away some years previous. They had seven children, namely: John, a farmer in Jackson township; Allen S .; Eliza Jane, deceased wife of Demos Leatherman, of Jackson township: James M., a farmer of Jack- son township; Sarah Ann, deceased wife of Jesse Ruff, of Jackson township; Samuel M., of Jack- son township; and Mrs. Cynthia Wright, de- ceased. The father and all of his sons were soldiers in the Civil war. John was a member of Company G, 21st O. V. I., and later of Company K, ILIth O. V. I. James M. belonged to Com- pany L, Ist O. H. A. ; and Samuel M. to Com- pany K, 29th O. V. I.
Our subject was a child of two years when the parents went to Tuscarawas county, where he acquired his education in the district schools, and learned the trade of a carpenter and millwright with his father. At the age of nineteen he came to Jackson township with his brother-in-law, Mr. Leatherman, for whom he worked during the summer. In the winter he engaged in hunting coons, deer and turkeys, and the game brought good prices in the city markets, he realizing more from this source of income than from any other work in those days.
In Pleasant township, Hancock Co., Ohio. January 28, 1858, Mr. Ferguson married Alice Mitchell, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., June 18, 1836, a daughter of Robert and Miriam (Butler) Mitchell. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Fairfield county. Ohio. thence to Hancock county, and subsequently to Jackson township, Wood county, where the par- ents passed away. Our subject and his wife be- gan their domestic life on a farm in Jackson township. Mr. Ferguson purchased forty acres of land, erected a log cabin, and began to ini- prove his property; but when the war broke out, he felt that his country needed his services, and he enlisted in Company G. 21st O. V. I., at Mc- Comb, for the three-months' service. When his terin had expired he returned home and engaged in the erection of a school house.
In June. 1863. Mr. Ferguson sokl his first farm and purchased forty acres in Hancock coun- ty, to which he removed his family. He then re-enlisted in Company L, ist O. H. A., and going again to the front, served until the
!
678
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
close of the war as a valiant defender of the Union cause. When he again came home he sold his Hancock county farm, and purchased eighty acres in Jackson township, Wood county, on which he erected two dwellings. He after- ward traded ten acres of this property for forty acres of his father's land, and subsequently sold an additional ten acres. In connection with his brother, J. M., he also bought a forty-acre tract in Jackson township, and then traded the land which he received from his father for his brother's forty acres, so that he there had eighty acres. This he later sold, and bought forty acres of the farm which he now owns, and which he has since doubled in extent. In addition he owns several town lots, and a third interest in the opera house in Hoytville, also eight shares in the creamery there. He is a man of excellent business ability, of sound judgment and sagacity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been born five children-Eliza Jane, wife of John L. Tyner, of Jackson township; Aaron B., of Hoytville; Myrtie M., wife of Milton J. Hoot, of Hoytville; and Maud M., at home. Mr. Ferguson is a stal- wart Republican and an active worker in his party. He was first called to public office as assessor, afterward served for three years as supervisor, for four years was trustee, two years township clerk, six years justice of the peace, census enumerator in 1880, and for six years as county infirmary director. He was also mayor of Hoytville for one term, and school director for a number of years. In these various po- sitions he has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him high commendation. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity of Deshler, Ohio, and to the Grand Army of the Republic at Hoytville, and holds membership with the Christian Church. He is now living practically a retired life, enjoying a well- earned rest and the fruits of his former toil.
WILLIAM WESTERFIELD. Among the influen- tial and progressive farmers of Montgomery township the subject of this sketch occupies an honorable position. He was born in Scipio town- ship, Seneca Co., Ohio, on February 25, 1856, and is the son of John William and Catherine (Overholt) Westerfield, who brought him to Wood county during boyhood. His education was ac- quired in the district schools, which at that date were not as far advanced as at the present time. Early becoming familiar with farm work upon his father's place, he decided to follow that vocation throughout life, and assisted in the operation of the home farm until after the death of his par- |
ents. For a time he then worked for others, but in 1894 purchased twenty acres in Section 2, Montgomery township, adjoining another twenty- acre tract, which was a part of the old homestead belonging to him. In 1891 he erected a very pleasant house upon his farm, where he now makes his home, and devotes his entire time and attention to the cultivation of his land.
Although Mr. Westerfield regularly votes the Democratic ticket, and is a stanch supporter of his party, he cares nothing for political prefer- ment. He is a steady-going, honest, industrious man, quiet and unassuming in manner, and has the confidence and regard of all who know him. By his earnest, persistent efforts he has now se- cured a good home and farm, and well deserves the success which has come to him. Besides his farming operations he has also worked at the car- penter's trade, being employed at tank building in Bradner.
ELIJAH H. HOPPER, a well-known agricultur- ist of Webster township, was born in Lucas county, Ohio, June 1, 1841. His family is of English origin, and his grandparents, William and Mary Hopper, were lifelong residents of the county of Kent, England. George Hopper, our subject's father, was born there in 1808, and in early manhood came to the United States, locat- ing first in New York State, where he was mar- ried, in 1830, to Miss Annie Robbins, who was born in New York, June 12, 1808. Nine chil- dren were born to them: Rufus, deceased; Will- iam, deceased; Mary, the wife of Samuel Ly- man. of Leesburg, Ind .; Priscilla; James J. ; Elijah H; Luella, the wife of Fred Leathers, of Michigan; Augustus H., a resident of New York; and Benjamin, who lives in Toledo. In 1840 our subject's father came to Wood county, and bought 160 acres of land in Troy township, which he improved. He was a man of excellent qualities, much esteemed by those who knew him, a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church. He died in 1878, followed two years later by his wife.
Mr. Hopper attended the district schools of Troy township during his boyhood, and in 1863 went to Webster township and bought ninety- six acres of fine land near Fenton, which he has since cultivated. His industry and frugality have inet their due reward, and he now has a hand- sonie residence and a barn of the latest model. He is chietly engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was married in 1863 to Miss Catherine S. Allen, who was born in Sandusky county, in 1842. They have had four children.
-----
1
1
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
two of whom died in infancy. The others are Mary, who married Adrian Hiser, and Ada, the wife of Eugene Morris, of Stony Ridge.
In the year 1895, Mr. Hopper lost his barn and all of his out-buildings by fire, occasioned by com- bustion. He afterward sold his farm and pur- chased a vegetable and fruit farm in Findlay, Hancock Co., Ohio, upon which he and his wife moved, and where they still reside.
Mr. Hopper holds a high place in the com- munity, and has held positions of trust in the township most of the time for twenty years. He is a leading member of the M. E. Church, and has been influential in the Sunday school for thirty-eight years.
WILLIAM HEUER. In political office, in his business career, and in his private life this gen- tleman has ever displayed a fidelity to duty and high moral principle, that has justly gained him a place among the prominent and respected cit- izens of his adopted county, and it is with pleas- ure that we present to our readers the record of his life. He was born in Prussia, Germany, May 25, 1848, and is a son of Frederick and Mina (Voga) Heuer, also natives of Prussia. When a young man the father served as a soldier in the German army, being first called out in 1848, and after that, on two different occasions. In the spring of 1857, with his wife and family, he sailed from the Fatherland on the vessel " Marcus," which after nine weeks and three days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. The voyage was a very stormy one, and the vessel was driven far from its course.
Mr. Heuer took his family at once to Lorain county, Ohio, and purchased twenty-five acres in Sheffield township. This he afterward sold, and bought fifty-eight acres where he was living at the time of his death, in 1865, at the age of forty- nine years. His widow still lives in the old homestead, and has a life interest in the estate. which was sold by the heirs to the Johnson Steel Company, and a large plant has since been erected thereon. The children of the family were: William; Julius, of Lorain county; Harvey, who was drowned in 1885, at the age of twenty-five years; Charles, of Lorain county; Elizabeth, wife Andrew Robinson, of Lorain county; Mary, wife of J. L. Hohn, of Milton township; and John, of Lorain county.
Our subject began his education in his native land, and completed it in the district schools near his early Ohio home. At the age of sixteen he left the parental roof, and engaged in service on freight boats which plied between the islands and
Cleveland. He was afterward mate on a schooner for five months, and made a trip by way of the lakes to Quebec, Canada, with the intention of going to Prussia, but instead re-shipped on the old schooner, "Van Volkenberg," which sailed for San Francisco, Cal., stopping at different points on the way. The ship was laden with sugar and coffee, and at San Francisco took on a cargo of merchandise. His parents hearing no news of him supposed he had been lost at sea. but after the two-years' voyage of this schooner was over, he returned to his home, and engaged in the manufacture of cheese in Lorain county.
Mr. Heuer was married in Elyria, Ohio, June 26, 1867, to Anna Maria Brown, who was born in Germany. They then removed to Ber- rien county, Mich., where Mr. Heuer purchased thirty-five acres of land which he operated until 1871. when his buildings and improvements were all destroyed by fire. He then sold his land and returned to Lorain county, where he operated the family homestead for two years. He next began work on the dock at Lorain, as foreman of the C. L. & W. Railroad Co., and continued in the employ of that company for fifteen years. In October, ISS7, he traded his property there for his present farm of 100 acres in Milton township, and has since resided in Wood coun- ty. Only eight acres of this was then under cultivation, but he has made excellent improve- ments upon it, erected a fine residence and good barns, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for his care and labor.
To Mr. and Mrs. Heuer have been born three children-Lorenzo, an oil man of Bays, Ohio; William, who is working in the oil fields at Gibsonburg, Ohio; and Minnie, at home. The family attend the Disciples Church, of which our subject is a member. In politics he was formerly a supporter of the Republican party, but is now a stanch Prohibitionist. He has served his school district as director for some years, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, while to all interests calculated to benefit the com- munity he gives a liberal support. He is himselt a well-read man, and is ever found on the side ot progress and advancement.
SAMUEL B. CESSNA, an enterprising young business man and agriculturist of Montgomery township, residing near Risingsun, has already won a reputation for his industry, shrewdness. and able management of affairs. He was born in Bedford township, Bedford Co., Penn., Sep- tember 13, 1862, the son of James B. and Mar- garet (Elliott) Cessna, and grandson of James
680
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Cessna (deceased), who was sheriff of that county four years, and held the office of justice of the peace some forty years. The family has had a high standing in that locality for several generations, and the members for the most part have been long lived, the grandparents of our subject on both the paternal and maternal sides having attained the advanced ages of over eighty years.
James B. Cessna, father of our subject, was born in Bedford, Bedford Co., Penn., Septem- ber 28, 1838. In his younger days he taught school, and then took up farming pursuits, in in which he still continues, being owner of 360 acres of fine land in Bedford county, Penn., im- proved and equipped with substantial buildings. He married Miss Margaret Elliott, by whom he had four children, three sons and one daughter, viz .: Sylvester T., Samuel B., Pendleton A., and Alida Blanche, who died in her tenth month. The mother of these passed from earth at Cen- terville, Bedford county, June 6, 1896, in the sixty-second year of her age, and was buried in Bethel M. E. cemetery, in the Cumberland Valley. She was a strict meniber of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church up to the time of her decease. Mr. Cessna is now living in Centerville, Penn., his business and public cares having been laid aside some years ago. In his active days he held various township offices, and was an influ- ential worker in the ranks of the Democratic party.
Samuel B. Cessna, our subject, was reared as a farmer's boy, with the usual district-school advantages, and plenty of work at home. On at- taining his majority he came to Fostoria, Ohio, where some relatives were living, and for two years rented a farm near Longley, Ohio. Al- though his father offered him 120 acres of land at his early home in the Cumberland Valley, he chose to remain in this region, and in the spring of 1888 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres in Section 26, Montgomery township, where in 1893 he built an elegant residence, supplied with water and other conveniences sel- dom found outside of cities. Soon after coming to this county he engaged in various lines of work in the oil fields, such as rig-building and dressing tools, and at times as field-boss, pumper. and operator, and as he prefers this to the actual labor of the farm he employs others to attend to the latter, under his general supervision. Steady- going, honest, industrious and progressive, his success has been marked, and he is regarded as certain to become one of the substantial men of his locality.
.
In the fall of 1883, Mr. Cessna was married in Bedford, Penn., to Miss Emma Wertz, daugh- ter of John Wertz, one of the most prominent agriculturists in the Cumberland Valley. Mrs. Cessna is a leading member of the Church of God, and with her husband takes an interest in every worthy movement. Socially he belongs to Risingsun Lodge, K. of P., and politically he is a Democrat on the State and National issues. but in local elections votes for the " best man."
ELIAS SIMON (deceased), who in his lifetime was one of the most highly respected citizens within the limits of Bloom township, is a fit rep- resentative of the honored family of that name. He was a son of Henry and Catherine (Stemple) Simon, the former of whom was born June 7. 1796, the latter on July 10, 1798; they were married October 5, 1822, and died May 15, 1872, and April 2, 1836, respectively.
Mr. Simon was born August 12, 1827, in Ma- honing county, Ohio, where he attended an ex- cellent German school. When he was but a few months over seventeen years old his parents moved to Wood county, accompanied by five of their children-Jonas, Carolus, Elias, Abigail and Joshua. They drove through the woods with three wagons, bringing their household goods. Our subject's father had met with finan- cial reverses in Mahoning county, and he made a new start in life upon a tract of eighty acres of timber land on what is now known as the North Ridge road. A rude log house, which he had built previously, furnished a shelter for the new- comers, and their first meal was cooked by the side of a brush heap. Our subject did many a hard day's work in clearing and breaking the soil of this farm, but he also found some time to at- tend an English school on the old Leathers farm. where Cornelius Simon, a cousin, was the first teacher. At the age of twenty-one he began to work on his own account, chopping and clearing for one year, and then working in a sawmill as a laborer. His savings were invested in 120 acres of land, his brother's estate, near Bairdstown. bought from the heirs, and its purchase left him nearly $1,000 in debt.
On August 2, 1855, Mr. Simon was married to Miss Margaret Frankforder, a native of Spring- field, Mahoning Co., Ohio, born March 15, 1837. daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Kugler) Frankforder, who came to Wood county in 1852. and located on a farm in Weston township. They were both natives of Ohio, the father born May 11, 1805, in Springfield township. Mahoning county. the mother born August 11, 1804. They
1
-
----
6 dias
681
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
were married August 27, 1826; the former died August 19, 1891, at Roca, Neb., the latter hav- ing passed away January 2, 1857, in Weston township, Wood Co., Ohio. The young couple began housekeeping upon the farm which became their permanent home. Mr. Simon continued to work in the sawniill and carried on his farm, at the same time hiring some of the work done. In 1 864 he enlisted in Company E, 144th O. V. I., and was sent to Wilmington, Del., where he was on guard duty until August 22, 1864, when he was discharged at Columbus.
In 1868 he built a sawmill upon his farm, and, notwithstanding many predictions of fail- ure, his energy and thorough knowledge of the business enabled him to make a success of it, and in three years he had paid off every obligation. He has been noted for his knowledge of milling machinery, often repairing for others. In 1889 he gave up his mill to his sons, Jackson and Del- ton, who conducted it for some time. There are two oil wells upon the place, producing about fifteen barrels per day, and on this farm was drilled the second gas well in the township. Mr. Simon's right wrist had been strained by over- work in lifting, and he afterward lived a semi- retired life, finding much pleasure in reading. He possessed strong intellectual powers, which should have been developed in youth. In 1878 he built one of the most substantial brick houses in the township, and his old home gives evidence not only of his worldly prosperity, but of his in- tellectual aspirations and artistic tastes. His wife had but limited educational facilities in her youth, but with ready adaptation she has availed herself of later opportunities at home, as her duties would permit. They have had five chil- dren: Mary E., born December 11, 1856, died February 6, 1857; Jackson, born March 16, 1858, now resides in Hancock county; Delton, born October 7, 1860, is farming the homestead and conducting the mill; Maud, born November 3, 1865, married Frank Elston, of Garrett, Ind., a Baltimore & Ohio railroad engineer, Chicago division; and Tressie, born August 9, 1875, now a successful music teacher, is at home.
Elias Simon, the subject of this sketch, died at ten minutes past eleven in the forenoon of Sep- tember 21, 1896, of apoplexy, and was laid to rest September 24, in Bloom Chapel cemetery, Bloom township. He, as is also liis widow, was a leading member of the Liberal U. B. Church of Bairdstown, in which he hield every office, and was the principal financial supporter. When the liew church was being erected he loaned a large sum of money, and afterward cancelled the debt.
1
Mr. Simon was no office-seeker, but took a keen interest in public affairs, and was in early years a Republican, but in later years voted with the Prohibition party.
JOHN LOUY is a strictly self-made man, who owes his success in life to his individual offorts, to enterprise, undaunted perseverance, and un- faltering industry. His career has also made him a man of broad sympathies, and he is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. Mr. Louy was born September 1 I, 1831, in Marzlich, near Trier, Prussia, and is the eldest of nine children born to Henry and Mar- garet (Kirche) Louy. The other members of the family are: Magdalena Clapper, of East Toledo, Ohio; Regina, widow of George Frische, of To- ledo; Antony, a farmer of Milton township; Peter, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Diemer, of Toledo; Henry (1), who died in childhood; Henry (2), also deceased; and Mary, who passed away. The father was a farmer in Prussia, and in 1862 came with his wife to America, landing at New York, whence they came direct to Milton township, Wood county, where they resided some years. They then removed to Toledo, Ohio, where his death occurred in October, 1867; his wife died in 1871.
John Louy, the subject of this sketch, received a good education in the common schools of his native land, and at the age of fourteen began work as a farm hand at a shilling per day. He was thus employed until coming to America. On April 12, 1855, he left home, sailing from Havre, France, on the 16th, on the vessel. . Connecti- 'cut," which after thirty-three days reached New York. One day, while crossing the deck, he fell down an open hatchway, and was picked up in an unconscious condition, with his shoulder broken. His clothing being removed in order to get at the hurt, someone managed to confiscate some gold coins he had sewed inside the lining of his vest- his only capital. Just before landing he sold his trunk and bedding for eighteen cents, and this was all the money he had with which to begin life in the New World, and this small sum was expended for bread. He then started for Tiffin, Ohio. . It Dunkirk. N. Y., he was obliged to wait for some time, and while gazing longingly at the tempting display in a restaurant window, the proprietor came out and asked him what he wanted. He was unable to speak a word of English, but the owner took him to a house some distance away where a German girl was working, who acted as interpreter between the two. On learning that he was hungry, the man took him back to the
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.