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 39
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restaurant and gave him a good meal. After many hardships he reached his destination, but had to walk all the way from Sandusky to Tiffin, Ohio. He there made his home with his uncle, Nicholas Kirche, and after three weeks secured work in a brick yard. Later he was employed as a farin hand, and in grading the railroad near Lima, Ohio. He was afterward made section hand on the railroad, and subsequently served as brake- man. He was next engaged in laying track from Toledo to Lima, and then became section fore- man from Toledo to Perrysburg. To Custar he was sent as section boss, and in a short time he became express and station agent at that place. On abandoning that position he embarked in mer- chandising, and later erected a large store into which he put an extensive stock of general mer- chandise, which he sold out. He became inter- ested in the lumber business, and at one time owned two sawmills and a stave factory. He also bought and sold Soo acres of land, and has thus been connected with various business en- terprises.
Mr. Louy was married in Maumee, Ohio, Sep- tember 16, 1860, to Miss Julia Ann Ganshirt, who was born in Kappal-am-Rhine. Baden, Ger- many. Their children are: John Henry, who was born September 15, 1861, and is chief train dispatcher at Lima, Ohio; Ellen, born August 4, 1863, now the wife of Henry Rechener, of Lima, Ohio; Josephine, born March 31, 1865, widow of Frank Drummer, of Lima, Ohio; Mary Ann, who was born December 23, 1867, and is living at Lima; Charles, born June 26, 1869, also a resi- dent of Lima; Andrew William, born March 26, 1871, now a medical student at Toledo, Ohio; George Albert, born April 20, 1873, yard clerk for the Dayton & Michigan railroad, at Toledo, Ohio; Joseph H., born April 7, 1875, fireman on the Dayton & Michigan railroad, with residence at Lima, Ohio; Fred Edwas, born February 21, 1877, at present engaged in teaching; Frank Al- bert, born February 17, 1879, clerking for the Standard Oil Co., at Lima, Ohio; and Genevieve Wilhelmina, born March 15, 1881, now in a con- vent at Lima, Ohio. When our subject landed at Custar in 1859, there was but one Catholic family in the vicinity, that of Edward Byrnes, and the first inass was performed on the present site of that now thriving town, Father Bauer, D. D., of .Fremont, Ohio, officiating, later in an old log cabin. Now there are seventy-two families who worship in the Catholic church at Custar.
Mr. Louy is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He owns a valuable farın of eighty acres in Milton township, a large
store building with hall rented, and a spacious and beautiful residence in Custar, which was erected in 1872, at a cost of $5,340.00. In pol- itics he is a stanch Democrat, has been treasurer of Custar for two years, and councilman for two years. In religious belief he is a devout Catho- lic, and has been trustee of the Church.
JAMES KELLEY, deceased, was one of the leading and influential citizens of Middleton town- ship, and his death was felt by the entire com- munity. A native of the Keystone State, he was born in Northumberland county, September 5, 1826, and was a son of Joseph and Mary (Reed) Kelley, also natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. In his boyhood days their son James attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and aided in the labors of the home farm.
In March, 1852, in Pennsylvania, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage with Miss Annie Palmer, who was born in that State June 14, 1825. a daughter of Daniel Palmer. Three children were born of this union. Daniel, born June 9, 1853, was educated in Middleton township, and at To- ledo, Ohio, and in August, 1879, he married Ettie Chapman, who was born April 25, 1856. a daughter of Sylvester Chapman, of Sandusky county, Ohio. For nine years he has been an employe at the Toledo State Hospital. William. born April 16, 1857, now operates the old home- stead. He was married in ISSS, to Flora Camm, who was born in Huron county, April 8. 1860. and they have one daughter. Alta. Elwood, born in Plain township, this county, July 31, 1862. married Nellie Miller, and has two children. He has been employed at the Toledo State Hospital for seven years.
The subject of this review removed from Pennsylvania to Wood county in 1862, and loca - ted in Plain township, where he remained one year, then moved to Hancock county, where he carried on farming for six years. In 1869 he came to Middleton township and purchased seventy-two acres of land, which, with the aid of his sons, he cleared and improved, continuing its cultivation up to the time of his death. He was a man of sterling worth, honorable and upright in all things, was a loyal citizen, a faithful friend and a loving and devoted husband and father. He served as school director of his township. gave liis political support to the Democratic party, and was a consistent and earnest member of the Baptist Church. He passed away Janu- ary 5, 1891, and one more name was added to the list of lionored dead, but his memory will be
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kept green in the hearts of his friends for many years. Mrs. Kelley, a most estimable lady, has since conducted thie home farm, and displays ex- cellent business ability, while her many womanly graces of character have won her high regard.
HENRY SARVIS. The life of this gentleman has been prominently connected with the history of Wood county since early pioneer days, and many interesting incidents can he relate of the time when this region was but sparsely settled, and gave little indication of its present highly cultivated and properous condition. He was born in England, and was the fifth in a family of nine children-four sons and five daughters. His father was a man in comfortable circum- stances until, through the failure of a bank, he lost much of his property. As his children grew up he would say to them: " All I can do for you now is to give you a good common-school education, and teach you a trade; the rest you must do for yourself. Industry, perseverance, a wise economy, and honorable dealing will bring you success in life. Let your reading be his- torical and practical, and take the Bible for your guide through life." A favorite volume of the father's was a history of the United States.
When Henry Sarvis was a lad of twelve years he was sent to a boarding school in a farming country, where he first became acquainted with agricultural life, and this and his United States history exerted a great influence on his after ca- reer. After leaving school he was engaged in making piano keys in the piano factory, of Broadwood & Co., London, until nineteen years of age, his father holding a responsible position in that establishment. When Henry was nine- teen, his brother-in-law had to go to Canada to look after some property, and our subject sailed with him. After a short time spent in Canada, he went to New York, where he accidentally met his brother-in-law, and together they returned to England; but Mr. Sarvis had resolved to save money enough to establish a home in America. He resumed work at his trade, and soon after- ward married a farmer's daughter, who proved to hiin an efficient and capable helpmeet on life's journey. An old-time friend, John Wright, pro- posed to him that they come to America, and after consulting with his wife, Mr. Sarvis deter- mined to try his fortune in the New World. They were also joined by a boy of fifteen, and the four started for New York in the spring of 1844.
On reaching that city Mr. Sarvis and his wife went up the Hudson river, then by canal to Buf- falo, and parted with their friend, Mr. Wright,
in Cleveland. Leaving their luggage in Detroit, they made their way to the home of Mr. Sarvis' brother-in-law, about ten miles from Chatham, Canada, but he could not secure the land he had hoped to in that locality, and so returned to Chatham. While sitting outside the " Exchange Hotel," thinking what to do next, he became en- gaged in conversation with a gentleman there who said he lived in Perrysburg, Ohio, and the result was that Mr. Sarvis and his wife aecom- panied this gentleman to Wood county. They had a letter of introduction to a Mr. Isaac, living on Hull Prairie. Their newly-found friend, Mr. Spafford, told them of the excellent advantages afforded by this country; but the sight which greeted them soon after their arrival seemed any- thing but hopeful. For two days they remained in the hotel at Perrysburg, and the next morning started for the Prairie, about eight miles distant. Every few rods, so deep was the mud, they had to stop and clear the wheels before they could proceed. It may well be imagined that the progress was slow; and when they reached the Prairie its appearance was much more that of a lake, for it was covered with water, sometimes several feet deep. They found the driving through the water, however, better than driving through the inud, and finally reached a substan- tial log house, all surrounded by water. On pre- senting their letter of introduction-for this was the home of Mr. Isaac-they were cordially wel- comed in the true spirit of pioneer days. The prospect for comfortable homes in this locality, however, seemed to be very poor, but they were assured by their newly-found friends that the in- undation was an unusual one, and that they looked for a bright future.
The next morning the host drove Mr. Sarvis to the different fariners on the Prairie, who all seemed hopeful, and believed they would soon have good farms. Mr. Sarvis purchased eighty acres of land at $2.50 per acre, on which stood a log cabin, and forty acres at $1.25 per acre. He also bought two yoke of oxen and two cows. and began breaking the land. He planted a crop. but again all that region was flooded, and in the autumn it was parched by the hot August si111. For several years this was the condition of things. and the families were forced to endure many hard- ships and trials, such as are entirely unknown to the settlers of to-day. At length a meeting was called, and the settlers on Hull Prairie discussed the advisability of draining the land. Mr. Sarvis was asked for his opinion, and said that he would like two weeks' time in which to study the ques- tion. During that time he wrote a letter to the
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editor of the Journal, in connection with Mr. Isaac, and the editor requested that they write a communication of this sort every other week. It was done, and as a result the "ditch law " was passed, the Prairie was drained, and was trans- formed into a most valuable and productive tract of land, its farms being now unrivaled in excel- lence and richness. It was also through the in- strumentality of the settlers on Hull Prairie that the county fair was first instituted, and the work of progress and improvement has been carried steadily forward by thein, until they may well be proud of their improved homes, and what they have accomplished.
Mr. Sarvis' first wife died February 25, 1880, and was buried at Perrysburg, Ohio. Mr. Sarvis married Miss Alice Terry, who was born in Eng- land in 1858. They have no children. Mrs. Sarvis has two brothers-Thomas, formerly a surgeon in the British army, and now living in England; William, a business man in England. There is also a sister living there-Mrs. Har- court. Mr. and Mrs. Sarvis are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a Re- publican. His well-spent life, and honorable, upright career have gained for him the warm friendship of the neighbors, and the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN PERRIN, the earlier part of whose life was a most checkered one, is now a inost extensive land owner in Middleton township, having to-day a valuable farm of 500 acres, highly cultivated and improved with all the accessories and con- veniences of a model farm of the Nineteenth century. He belongs to that class of honored men known as "self-made," who, dependent upon their own resources, have worked their way upward from humble surroundings to positions of affluence.
Mr. Perrin was born in Nova Scotia, near Pictou, March 19, 1828. His father, James Perrin, was also a native of Nova Scotia, born of French parentage, and followed the occupation of farming in that province. There he married Helen Byers, a native of Scotland, born Novem- ber 17, 1795, and they became parents of nine children as follows: Jane, wife of James Young; Mary, deceased; John; Josephine, wife of Foster B. Pratt; Catherine, deceased wife of Stephen Langell; William, postmaster at Roachton, Wood county; and three who died in childhood. Froni his native province the father of this family came to Ohio, afterward removing to Indiana. where he and his wife both died in 1838, the latter on September 27, of that year.
As will be seen, our subject was ten years old when death deprived him of both his parents, at which time the children took up their residence in Perrysburg, Wood county, where they re- mained until the spring of the following year, the family circle being then broken up, John making his home with William Russell. With him he worked for his living some eighteen months, at the end of which period he went to Seneca county, Ohio, there working for Isaac Ingraham, also eighteen months, but from him he "ran away," returning to Perrysburg. Here for about a year and a half he worked for Charles Shepard, his remuneration being three dollars per month, he part of the time attending school, and then returned to Seneca county, where he was employed on the farm of a Mr. Ingraham, who, later, removed to Henry county, our sub- ject accompanying him, and remaining with him till he was eighteen years old. All lie claims he got from Mr. Ingraham was his board and in- ferior quality, and a sparse quantity of clothes, his wardrobe at the time of leaving Ingraham's employ consisting of but one suit of clothes. Nothing daunted, young Perrin hired out at $12.00 per month, saved his earnings and in course of time, in 1848, bought 120 acres of wild land in Henry county, near Liberty Center, about the same time taking up the pursuit of fish- ing, which he followed in connection with farming up to 1853. In that year he set out for the then " New Eldorado "-California -- to try his luck in the gold diggings. He set out from St. Louis by boat to Council Bluffs: but, the steamer becom- ing disabled, he, with some 500 others, had to be landed in the woods where they remained four days suffering greatly from hunger. A steam- boat, however, arrived opportunely, and took the temporarily marooned adventurers to Independ- ence, Mo., where Mr. Perrin joined a company of 101 other travelers who formed themselves into an "outfit," the entire company setting out for the gold fields in April. The journey occu- pied six months, our subject walking most of the way, and doing the hunting for the party, his previous experience in that line, in Ohio, and general knowledge of woodcraft, proving of much value to the party.
Arriving at the gold fields, Mr. Perrin imme- diately commenced mining, which he followed five years, not with much success, he says, after the first year, at the end of that time taking prospective trip up the Frazer river, in British Columbia, where he mined for goldl three years, in this venture meeting with good success, and a proportionate degree of adventure. He there,
John Bernie
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however, experienced the greatest hardships. There were some 30,000 people on the Frazer river, no law had been established, and the In- dians killed many whites, while the whites killed many Indians in return, so that each man had to protect himself. Mr. Perrin relates many an ex- citing tale of his experiences, the Frazer river itself, a large stream of water, in the springtime a perfect torrent, being in itself a source of con- siderable danger, as it had to be navigated with sutall boats, and many people lost their lives by drowning. Provisions most of the time were scarce, and death from starvation was not infre- quent during the winter of 1858-59. Robbers were also a source of great anxiety to the gold- diggers, who had to hide their treasure as fast as they found it. In 1861 Mr. Perrin ascended the Frazer river as far as Cariboo, where a new gold field had been opened out, and he there purchased a rich claim, but in the month of October, that year, the snow was so deep he could not work his claim, and as a consequence had to remain idle there and all alone, monarch of all he surveyed for the time, with nothing to read save the labels on the cans of provisions he had with him; and this highly interesting literature he says he com- nitted to perpetual memory, "canned salmon," "pickled beets," etc., being a sort of mental pabulum, the contents of the cans serving for the inner inan. Here he remained some six years, made money, and became the owner of many rich claims, paying for some as much as $20,000. From Cariboo Mr. Perrin went to Oregon and Washington Territory, intending to revisit the Frazer river, but while in Portland, Ore., he made up his mind to return to his old Ohio home, which he did, and has remained there ever since.
Much has been written about travel and ad- venture, and did Mr. Perrin's innate modesty per- mit him to give his personal mining experiences to the world, he could fill a good sized volume with exciting scenes and hair-breadth escapes rarely met with in a single lifetime.
On his return home in 1868 after an absence of fifteen years, Mr. Perrin found his land in Henry county sold, his relatives, with whom he had never communicated, having given him up for dead. He now, however, purchased 300 acres of land in Middleton township, Wood county, covered with timber and water. Tiling and drain- ing was necessary to make this cultivable, while the trees had to be cleared away ere crops could be planted. Ultimately the boundaries of the farm were extended until it now comprises 500 acres of very valuable land, covered in summer time with waving fields of grain, and where the
surrounding good buildings and modern improve- ments tell the passer-by of the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
On December 16, 1891, Mr. Perrin married May Halbert, a most estimable lady. Her father, Henry Halbert, was born in New York, April 6, 1838, and throughout life hasfollowed farming. In 1865 he came to Middleton township, Wood county, and purchased a farm which he yet oper- ates. He was married in New York, to Maria L. Hogan, who was born at Rome, that State, Sep- tember 15, 1842. They have five children: Har- riet, born December 27, 1860, deceased wife of Dr. H. W. Legalley: Henrietta, born June 17, 1863, wife of Oliver Mears; May F., born August 3, 1869, now Mrs. Perrin; Edward, born Sep- tember 23, 1879; and Miles, born December 5, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Halbert now reside in Has- kins. Mrs. Perrin is a graduate of the Haskins High School, taught school some six years, and is an accomplished lady.
To the Republican party Mr. Perrin gives his support. Aside from his farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Bank of Perrysburg, and he is in all respects one of the best known men in the county. His experiences have been varied; but he has steadily worked his way upward, and to- day ranks among the substantial citizens of the community, owing his success to persistent labor, thorough application and honorable dealing. Pleasant and genial in manner, he is very popular with all classes, and together with his amiable life partner commands the respect of all.
JOHN RUDOLPH was born in Germany, Sep- tember 5, 1848, and is a son of Frederick and Mary (Kroeger) Rudolph, who were natives of the same locality. The father was born January 4, 1815, and the mother on January IS, of the same year. In the fall of 1868 they sailed from Hamburg for New York, but after being on the water for twenty-six days the vessel, having been damaged by storins, was forced to put into port at Halifax, where it remained for repairs five days. After reaching New York, Mr. Rudolph and his family came directly to Cleveland, Ohio. and a year later to Wood county. They located on forty acres of wild land which was unimproved save with a log cabin. There the father still car- ried on agricultural pursuits; his wife died April 28, 1895. In the family were only two children- John and Sophia, the latter now the wife of Joseph Rossow, of Milton township.
Our subject attended school between the ages of six and fifteen years, and afterward worked at various employments until twenty-one years of
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age, when he came with his parents to America. As he could not secure work in Cleveland, he went to Iowa, where he secured employment as a farm hand at $14 per month, and board. After some time he returned to the Buckeye State, and has since been a resident of Wood eounty. He aided in clearing his father's farm, selling the timber to the railroad company.
Mr. Rudolph was married in Custar, May 14, 1879, to Miss Christina Wismer, who was born in Prussia, Germany, August 25, 1855, and is a daughter of John and Caroline (Henning) Wis- mer. They now have six children: Frank, a freight agent in Toledo, Ohio; and Fred, Daniel, Mary, Annie and George, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph began their domestic life on a forty-acre farm which our subject purchased of his father. He has inade excellent improve- ments upon this place, and his commodious and pleasant residence is one of the best in the town- ship. He has served on the school board for a number of years, and is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. His political support is given the Republican party. He is a prominent member of the Lu- theran Church, and is serving as trustee and Sun- day-school teacher.
A. GEORGE GALLIER. The splendid farm owned by this gentlenian, in Center township, is a standing monument to his industry, presever- ance and good management. He comes under the category of self-made men, having been thrown upon his own resources early in life, and has succeeded only by the exercise of his steady, earnest application to his duties. Just at this time he is one of the prominent representatives of the agricultural interests of Wood county.
Mr. Gallier was born in Herefordshire, Eng- land, February 24, 1848, and is a son of Samuel and Annie (Amond: Gallier, who were the parents of the following children: Millie F., wife of John Jinkson, of Salt Lake City; Jane, widow of John Dryer; William, a landscape gardener. of Toledo, Ohio; Annie, wife of Robert Barnes, of Wood county; Mary, who makes her home in Salt Lake City, Utah; A. George, of this sketch; Esther, still a resident of England; and two who died in infancy. The father followed the occu- pation of a common laborer, and died in his native land in 1866, but the mother still makes her home in that country.
Our subject received a very limited education in the schools of Herefordshire, and when a small boy entered a store where he was employed for three years, receiving one pound for the first
year and two for the second, together with his board. He then obtained a position as page in tlie home of a wealthy gentlenian, where he remained for five years, receiving only his board and clothing and five pounds per year. On the expiration of that time he became a hotel clerk, being thus employed until reaching the age of twenty-one, when he started in business for him- self on a small scale. After a year, however, at the solicitation of a brother who had previously located here, he resolved to come to America. He landed on the shores of the New World in 1871, and in Toledo, Ohio, found employment as a gardener, which occupation he followed there for nine years, when he came to Wood county, locating in Center township on forty acres of un- improved land, which he had purchased. This wild tract he cleared, ditched and tiled, erecting thereon a good house, barns and other outbuild- ings, besides planting an orchard. To this later he added another tract of forty acres, and now has eighty-two acres of arable, to the develop- ment of which he gives his entire attention.
Before leaving his native land Mr. Gallier was married in Herefordshire, July 1, 1869, to Sarah Jones, and they have become the parents of the following children: William, born July 8, 1872; H. A., September 11, 1874; John, June 28, 1876; Monroe, January 27, 1878; James, January 2, 1880; George, November 5, 1883: Millie, April 27, 1886; Walter, October 9, 1888; Mabel, September 22, 1891 ; and Myrtle, May 9, 1894. Mr. Gallier is quite prominent in local affairs, and politically is a stanch Republican. For several years he has served as school direct- or and president of the board of education, and is at present supervisor of his township, which position his son William filled last year, having run on the ticket with his father, and receiving inore votes than he. Our subject is a genial. pleasant gentleman, widely and favorably known, and he and his family attend the United Brethren Church.
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