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 42
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In his political views, Mr. Adams is a stalwart
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MRS. JANE J. ADAMS.
J. Q. ADAMS.
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Republican, unwavering in his allegiance to his party, whose principles he believes are calculated to promote the country's best interests. While in no sense a politician, he has always taken an interest in his party, and several times has been delegate to conventions-both Congressional and county. For a number of years he served as trustee and supervisor, was also a member of the school board, and from April, 1886, to April, 1892, was a justice of the peace, during which time he solemnized several marriages. No case has ever been appealed from his court, showing that he held the hands of justice with a balance that was beyond the interference of any court, and to the satisfaction of all. In religious belief he is a Universalist, although his family attend the Pres- byterian Churchı. For a time he was a member of the National Guards, and in the Masonic order he has attained the seventh degree in the Royal Arch Chapter, belonging to Lodge No. 451, of Tontogany, and the Chapter of Bowling Green.
J. WININGER, who for many years has been the postinaster at Hatton, and is also a prosper- ous inerchant of that village, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, December 2, 1839, the son of Adam and Mary (Sheller) Wininger.
The father of our subject was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but was a pioneer settler of Seneca county, and, at the time of our subject's birth, was living one mile from what is now Fostoria, on land which is now included in the limits of that city. When he was a child his parents removed to near Berwick, Ohio, where they owned eighty acres of unimproved land. He attended the dis- trict schools in the intervals of hard work, and was often prevented from even this scanty amount of schooling on account of high water, which covered the wet. swampy land in this section, near Fostoria. The young people of to-day have but little idea of the trials and privations the youth of those pioneer times had to undergo in order to procure even the limited schooling which they received, and it is to their credit that they grew up to be, in most cases, intelligent, well-in- formed inen who laid the foundations for one of the most prosperous commonwealths among the States.
Mr. Wininger remained on his father's farm until reaching his majority, when he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked at inter- vals for a number of years. On October 6, 1856, lic was married, in Fostoria, to Miss Sarah Stevens, who was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Stevens, Two chil- dren were born of this union: Laura E., who
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resides with her father, and Adelia, now Mrs. Earl Dillon, of Seneca county, Ohio.
Mr. Wininger began his active life without any assistance, at first renting land near Fostoria. which he farmed until his removal, in the spring of 1873, to a tract of eighty acres of wild land in Section 3, Perry township, for which he paid $1,000, a legacy which was left to his wife, about this time aiding him materially in its purchase. No improvements whatever were on this place; but the young man was a worker, and the effects of many days of hard labor were soon noticeable. Each year saw the land increasing in value, but by the time it had reached a high state of culti- vation, the incessant work had begun to tell on its owner, and he was compelled to seek some less laborious employment. He concluded to start in the grocery business at Hatton, but so cautious was he about investing in an enterprise entirely unfamiliar, that he bought at first only about $75 worth of goods, and not until 1885 did he remove his family to Hatton. It was soon necessary, however, to seek other quarters for the transaction of his rapidly-growing busi- ness, which has proved successful beyond his highest expectations. He now owns his store, the greater part of which he has built, and carries a stock of general merchandise, his trade being an extensive one, both in the im- mediate vicinity and throughout the township. He also owns and resides in the finest house in Hatton, and in addition to his farm of eighty acres, which he still carries on, is the owner of other valuable property.
On October 1, 1861, Mr. Wininger enlisted in Company D, 72nd Regiment, O. V. I., under Capt. Neufer, and participated in all the battles in which his company took part until the latter part of June, 1863, when he was taken seriously ill at Vicksburg, Miss., and was sent to the hospital at Memphis. Later he was transferred to the Invalid Corps at St. Louis, where he remained two months; then was sent to Rock Island. Ill., and from there to Washington, D. C., where he was discharged in November, 1864. During the administration of President Arthur, Mr. Wininger. was appointed postmaster at Hatton, and has re- tained that office ever since in spite of the changes in political leaders. He is a popular inan, and has been successful in pleasing all classes by his excellent management of the duties of this responsible position. "He is a stanch Re- publican, and has held a number of minor offices, though in no sense an office-seeker. He is de- serving of much credit for the active share he has had in the growth and development of his section.
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and it is to such men as he that Wood county owes her position as one of the foremost among the best counties of Ohio. His worth is appre- ciated by his fellow citizens, who hold him in high esteem. Mr. Wininger has had the sorrow of losing his estimable wife, who departed this life August 4, 1892, at Hatton, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Fostoria.
PETER S. PAINTER, one of the most progress- ive and enterprising agriculturists of Bloom town- ship, is a member of an old and highly respected pioneer family of that vicinity.
His ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, Adam Painter, came from that State to Columbiana county, Ohio, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, where he bought and improved a large tract of land. His son, Peter S., our subject's father, was born there August 21, 1798, and was reared as a farmer boy and given a good start in life, financially. He was a mechanical genius, and learned various trades without any instruc- tion, being an expert carpenter and shoemaker. He was married August 29, 1822, to Miss Eliza- beth Musser, a lady of English descent, who was a native of Maryland, born October 10, 1805, the daughter of Michael Musser. Although he owned an excellent farm in his native county, our sub- ject's father decided to seek "fresh fields and pastures new " on the then frontier line of west- ern Ohio, and disposing of his property he bought 600 acres of land in Bloom township, to which he brought his family in the spring of 1839. They traveled in an old-fashioned scoop-shaped wagon drawn by horses and oxen, and slept many nights in their rude vehicle or camped out near the road. A hewed log house was their first home, with wolves, deer, wild turkeys, and bears for neigh- bors, the latter making free with their stock un- less guarded against constantly.
Of the twelve children of this pioneer couple, eight were born in Columbiana county: James died in infancy; J. Adam, born February 9, 1824, was a member of Company D, 99th O. V. I., and died at Nashville, Tenn., where he was buried; Margaret A. (deceased), born July 11, 1829, married Dr. D. K. Pratt, of California; Michael M., September 11, 1828, died at Mc- Comb, Ohio: Henry, November 11, 1830, lives in Nebraska; Samuel, December S, 1832, lives in Oskaloosa, Ill .; Catherine A., December 15, 1834, married J. M. Sweeney, a native of Scot- land, now deceased, and she resides in Hartford. Conn .; John, January 28, 1837, died in Wood county. Four other children were born in this
county: Sarah E., September 10, 1839, married William Russell, and died in Bloom township; Peter S., Jr., August 7, 1841; Nancy, November II, 1843, married Abraham Hampshire, of Ot- tumwa, Iowa; and Hiram Z., born July 15, 1846, died in Bloom township. Our subject's father was a powerful man, six feet two inches in height, and weighing over 200 pounds. After a few years of toil at the new home, he died-De- cember 7, 1845-and was buried at West Mill- grove, his wife surviving him nearly fifty years, bringing up their large family of children to take useful and honorable places in life. She was known for miles around as the "Doctor," and was called for wherever there was any serious ill- ness to nurse, and often to prescribe for the suf- ferer. She made many long trips through the woods on these errands, protected from the wild animals by a large, brown dog, " Beldy," who had more than one desperate and bloody encounter with wolves after which his wounds would be dressed as if he were a human being. The de- voted labors of this noble woman were but poorly paid, and sometimes not paid at all, so far as out- ward return went. She possessed marvelous vitality, and lived until June 6, 1895, the last twenty years being spent in the home of our sub- ject. During her first years in Wood county, she had a remarkable escape from death. Her hus- band was chopping a tree, and she came near without attracting his attention, and the tree fell toward her; but a large fork in it separated the branches, which struck the ground on each side of her, so that she was not injured .. Her re- mains were interred in Bloom Chapel cemetery.
Peter S. Painter, our subject, went to live with an uncle, John Snyder, when he was seven years old, and at twelve began to work for neigh- boring farmers, doing any work suitable for his strength, which was unusual for a boy of his age. He was " at home wherever he took his hat off, and he did a great deal of work at cutting wheat by cradle in this and adjoining counties. He at- tended the district schools of his time, and the realization of their deficiencies makes him anx- ious that the rising generation should have the best advantages that can be given them. On August 15, 1861, he enlisted, in Bloom township, in Company H, 49th O. V. I. under Capt. O B. Hays, and Col. W. H. Gibson. After training at Tiffin and Camp Dennison, they went to the front, taking stock cars from Cincinnati to their first engagement at Green River, Ky. His regi- ment was the celebrated . Black Swamp Jayhaw- kers, " and during their entire service they were at the front, never being assigned to guard or
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
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picket duty. Mr. Painter took no furlough, but remained on duty throughout the war, and parti- cipated in every battle of his regiment, except for a terin of four weeks, in hospital, from a wound received at Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863. He was transferred to the Veteran Re- serve Corps, April 10, 1864.
After his return home he began farming " on his own hook," renting a place in Bloom town- ship. On May 25, 1865, he married Miss Mary J. Swinehart, who was born March 31, 1841, in Perry township, where her parents, John and Elizabeth (Hale) Swinehart, were pioneer farmers, having come from Jefferson county, at an early day. Four children were born to this union: Clyde R., a lawyer of Bowling Green; Eva, a teacher in Bloom township; Malissa, a teacher; and Mollie, a teacher in Milton township, all three living at home.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Painter bought forty acres of land in Perry township, making his first payment with $250, saved from his $13 per month as a soldier. Two years later he sold it, and bought the homestead in Bloom township, containing forty acres. In April, 1871, he moved to Clay county, Ill., buying a farm there, but in November, 1874 he returned to Ohio, having lost in the meantime about $2, 500. He rented land in Bloom township, and afterward bought eighty acres of it, which he improved, setting out fruit and ornamental trees, and erecting buildings. In 1894 he built a new barn, 45 x75, which is one of the best of the fine modern barns of the town- ship. His success is well deserved, as it is based upon hard work and wise management, and his fair dealing and upright principles have won for him the high esteem of his neighbors. He is a great reader, and keeps himself well informed upon the topics of the time. Politically, he is a Republican; but although he takes keen interest in the success of his party, he has declined all tenders of official positions, either in the township or county. He is a member of Urie Post No. TTO, G. A. R., of Bloomdale.
REV. DAVID BRANDEBERRY, one of the most higlily-respected citizens of this section of the country, is engaged in the work of the Methodist Episcopal ministry, serving the people of Betts- ville Circuit, Seneca county. He was born in Bloom township, Wood county, December 6, 1854, and is the second son and fourth child of Thomas C. and Catherine (Miller) Brandeberry. He obtained his early education at District School No. 8, his first teacher being W. S. Rich- ard, and, as he learned easily and rapidly, he
soon mastered the common English branches taught there. The greater part of his knowl- edge, however, has been acquired since leaving the school room, mostly by reading and observa- tion. From the time he was old enough he assisted in the work of the home farm until his marriage, which important event in his life oc- curred on November 21, 1878, when Miss Lydia Bowers became his wife. She is a native of Ohio, born in Licking county, October 9. 1858, and is a daughter of Lewis and Rebecca (Bailey) Bowers. Her education was also secured in the common schools, and by her marriage she be- came the mother of a son-Edward D., who died at the age of seven months.
In June, 1890, Mr. Brandeberry was licensed as a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He then pursued a four-years' course of study arranged by the bishops of the Church, and was graduated in 1894, receiving the highest grade in a class of nine. In 1895 he entered the Conference in a traveling relation, and is now pursuing another four-years' course of study in connection with his work. In 1894 he was ap- pointed to serve Hammansburg and South Lib- erty. The following year he was on Hoytville Circuit, and in 1896 received his present appoint- ment at Bettsville. Though only in the work a few years, Mr. Brandeberry has developed those qualities that have advanced him from one of the minor places to one of the best circuits in the Central Ohio Conference. He is an earnest Christian worker, and gains the love and confi- dence of all with whom he comes in contact. From the time he cast his first vote up to 1893, he always supported the Republican party, but is now a strong Prohibitionist. By his friends he has been offered political positions; but his aspirations are not in that line, though lie takes quite an interest in public matters, desiring to see the most competent men placed in office. He possesses a farm of forty-one acres in Section 35, Bloom township.
JOHN W. FARK is an enterprising farnier of Troy township, pleasantly located in Section 1 I. and although his residence in this county is of comparatively short duration, he has already identified himself with the representative and progressive citizens. In April. 1883, he located upon his fine farm of 116 acres, then only par- tially improved, which he had purchased the previous year, coming here from Toledo, Ohio, and has since devoted his time and attention to general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Fark was born in Woodville township.
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Sandusky Co., Ohio, in I854, and is a son of Ernst Henry and Louisa (Miller) Fark. The father, who was a native of Hanover, Germany, was unmarried on locating in Sandusky county, and at an early day he also worked in Perrysburg, Wood county. For his first wife he wedded Mary Borchesding, who died in Woodville town- ship, leaving two daughters-Caroline, wife of Henry Ernsthausen, of Freedom township, Wood county; and Mrs. Eliza Hartman, of Lucas county, Ohio. In 1853, in Woodville township, Sandusky county, was celebrated the marriage of Ernst Henry Fark and Miss Louisa Miller, who was born in Germany, and is a daughter of Diedrich Miller, one of the early pioneers of Woodville township, where he helped to build the pike, and there spent his remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Fark still make their home in Woodville township, where he developed a farm from the forest, and reared a family of seven children, who are still living, namely: John W., of this sketch; Henry, who resides upon the home farm; William, who is foreman of a tele- graph line of Toledo; Mrs. Kate Aufderhide, of the same city; August, who is married, and is engaged in bookkeeping in Toledo; Mrs. Emma Hoodlebrink, of Woodville; and Fred, at home.
Like most farmer boys, John W. Fark was reared, and in the schools of Woodville township obtained his education. At the age of twenty- two he left the parental roof, being for two years employed as a farm hand, and then went to To- ledo, where he worked at car repairing for two months during the day time, and then was made night inspector, which position he held for one year. His next employment was in a foundry, but after a short time he entered a sash factory. and on leaving that place secured work on a tele- graph line. He next came to Troy township, Wood county, where he has since resided.
which party he was elected in 1890 as trustee, and still continues to fill that office. For six years he efficiently served as a member of the school board, and for two terms was supervisor.
GEORGE HAMPSHIRE, for many years one of the leading well-to-do farmers and extensive landowners of Portage township, Wood county, is now living retired from active work, enjoying the prosperity which he acquired by hard work during his early years. He is a native of Ohio, born February 1, 1831, in Morgan county, near Eagleport, son of Jonas and Mary (Swope) Hampshire.
Jonas Hampshire was born October 16, 1808, in Baltimore county, Md., son of Barney Hamp- shire, who in 1811 removed with his family to Ohio, locating first in Muskingum county, where they lived seven years, and thence removing to Morgan county. Barney Hampshire was drowned in the Muskingum river. He was the father of eleven children-four sons and seven daughters. Jonas Hampshire was married in 1830, in Mor- gan county, to Mary Swope, daughter of Jacob Swope, and two children were born to them there-George and Henry. In the fall of 1832 the family removed to Seneca county, locating in Jackson township, where Mr. Hampshire had entered 160 acres of land, and they were pio- neers in that region, the country being very sparsely settled at the time of their arrival. They continued to reside there for over twenty years, in 1858 removing to Wood county and settling on a farm in Section 34. Portage town- ship. Here Mr. Hampshire had invested in 200 acres of farm land, on which the timber was still standing, no trees having been chopped except by coon hunters. He cleared the land, however, and continued to improve it during his lifetime, converting it into a valuable property. A hard- working man, he met with well-merited success, at the time of his death being the owner of 316 acres of land east of Jerry City, and thirty-three acres south, residing on the latter place for some years previous to his decease. He gave each of his children a farm. He became quite promi- nent in Jackson township, Seneca county, where he served as township trustee and assessor, and he was an ardent believer in the principles of the Democratic party. Having a natural aptitude for military tactics, he took great interest in such affairs, and was captain of a company of home militia in Jackson township, Seneer Ca , Ohio.
At Toledo, in 1881, Mr. Fark was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa Havekost, whose birth occurred in Monroe, Mich. Her parents, John and Anna (Behrens) Havekost, were both natives of Germany. The father, who was an ocean sailor, went in 1849 to California, where he worked in the mines for a time. after which he returned to the Fatherland, and on again coming to the United States located near Monroe, Mich., where he and his wife still live. Seven children have been born to our subject and his wife- Ernest John, Charley H., Lewis, Annie, Lorena, Gertrude and Mabel, the latter of whom died September 7, 1896, aged eleven months. The Of the children born to Jonas and Mary Hamp- shire the following named lived to maturity: parents are members of the Lutheran Church at Woodville, and in politics he is a Democrat, by ! George; Henry, who lives in Garden City, Kans. ;
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MRS. NANCY HAMPSHIRE.
GEORGE HAMPSHIRE.
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Emanuel, of Garnet, Kans .; Abraham, now liv- ing in Ottumwa, Iowa; Rachel, who married Sol- omon S. Frederick, and died in Henry township; and Catharine (Mrs. John Cupp), of Hammans- burg. The mother of these died in 1866, in Portage township, and for his second wife Mr. Hampshire wedded, on December 11, 1866, Mrs. Hannah (Clinger) Sanderlin. To this union were born three children-Jonas W., of Portage town- ship; Aminda, who died in young womanhood; and John, who is a farmer of Bloom township. Mr. Hampshire passed from earth July 29, 1892, in Bloom township, and was laid to rest in Jerry City cemetery. He was a member of the Luther- an Church. Mr. Hampshire possessed a strong will, and force of character, traits which marked the whole course of his life, and which were no small factors in his success and popularity.
George Hampshire passed all his early life in a pioneer region, and he was initiated into the mysteries of agriculture in a new country at a tender age. They lived two miles from a school, and, work at home being plenty, he as the eldest son could not be spared from the farm, so that the greater part of his education has been ac- quired by his own efforts. On December 4, 1851, he was married, in Jackson township, Seneca county, to Miss Nancy Foster, who was born in that township February 8, 1833, daughter of Christian Foster, who came to Seneca county fromn Perry county, this State, in an early day. After his marriage our subject farmed on his father's land, in Seneca county, until January 31, 1865, when he removed to Wood county, taking up his home on an eighty-acre tract in Section 33. Portage township, of which at that time but two acres were cleared, and seven acres chopped, and the dwelling and farm buildings were but rude structures. Mr. Hampshire was obliged to go in debt $500 for this tract, and he at once set to work to make it productive, succeeding so well that he was later enabled to buy eighty acres ad- joining his original purchase. He also has 110 acres in Bloom township, being the owner, alto- · gether, of 270 acres of excellent farm land. Mr. Hampshire does not now engage in active farm work, having acquired a snug competence for his declining years. He is, indeed, a self-made man. and throughout his business career he has retained his honorable standing among his fellowmen, who esteem him for his many sterling qualities. He has been trustee in his township two terms, -and has also served as school director, but he is no politician, and, though he is a Democrat in sen- timent, he supports the best inan, regardless of party ties.
Mr. and Mrs. Hampshire have had children as follows: Amanda (now Mrs. Daniel Smith), of Liberty township; Mary E. (Mrs. A. W. Lefler). of Toledo; Jonas H., who was deputy sheriff of Wood county and a registered pharmacist, and now living on a farm of ninety acres of his own, one and one-half miles from Bowling Green; Magdalena R. (Mrs. J. D. Simons), of Findlay. Ohio; Lucinda, living at home; Alice M. (Mrs. Charles Harnard), of Jerry City; Amelia (Mrs. John Harrison), of Portage township; Christ C., a farmer of Bloom township; Charles W .. at home; and Cora E., who died when four years old. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Hamp- shire are active members of the Radical United Brethren Church, and he is at present serving as trustee.
GEORGE M. PALMER, a leading citizen and representative farmer of Montgomery township, residing in Section 28, was born in Penfield township, Lorain Co., Ohio, January 17, 1857, and is a son of Randolph P. and Esther C. Palmer. His father, whose birth occurred in Camden, N. Y., in the year 1820, migrated to Penfield township, Lorain county, in 1835, with his par- ents, Edward and Lucretia (Babcock) Palmer. where the former died, but the death of the latter occurred in Wood county. Both, however, were interred in Lorain county.
Randolph P. Palmer had good educational advantages for his day, and for six years was a. successful teacher in the schools of Lexington, Ky. On November 16, 1847. in Grafton town- ship, Lorain county, he wedded Mrs. Esther C. Pearmain, who was born at Mayfield. N. Y .. April 29, 1820, and was the widow of Edward Pearmain. Her father, William McConnell. was the son of George McConnell, a native of Scotland, and a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, who at one time was the tutor of a son of the Duke of Hamilton, and later of Noah Webster. Her father, who was a cripple for many years, was a man of much more than ordinary intellect, and for thirty-five years served as justice of the peace in New York, in which State he lived before coming to Ohio. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jerusha Hale, was born in Pittsfield, Conn., a daughter of Joseph Hale, and a relative of the celebrated John P. Hale. Mr. McConnell died at Lagrange, Ohio. December 30, 1863. where he located on coming from New York, and his wife passed away at Grafton, Ohio, August 9. 1856. They were de- vout Methodists. They reared a family of ten children-three sons and seven daughters. Al-
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