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 47
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The constant toil and good management of Mr. Diver and his wife were rewarded; in the course of a few years, they found themselves in possession of 1,700 acres of good farming land. In 1848 he built a sawmill on the east branch of the Portage river, and manufactured the lumber with which he built a new house, one mile east of his first home, on the Perrysburg and Mc- Cutchenville pike. This was the second frame house built in this section of the country. In June, 1849, he moved his family into this house, and occupied it until his death, September 30. IS88, when he was aged eighty-one years, one month and seven days. In politics he was a Democrat, but believed it right to support the inost worthy candidate, especially in municipal affairs. In religion, he was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, and was a liberal sup- porter of every good cause within his reach. In disposition he was quiet and unassuming, a lover of books and his own fireside, and was the friend of the poor and oppressed. Only the pioneers who toiled with him know how much this genera- tion owes to those who changed the despised Black Swamp into the garden of Ohio.
Esther F. (Robinson), our subject's mother, was born April 2, 1818, near New Portage, Port- age (now Summit) Co., Ohio. At nine years of age, death deprived her of her father, and at eleven years of age she began teaching, a voca-
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tion she followed until the time of her marriage. Her labors were confined principally to the Western Reserve, with the exception of two years which were spent largely in Wood county, at West Millgrove, and four miles north of that village, at what was known as the Morgan school house. Her mother having moved to a farm near Latimerville, Crawford Co., Ohio, she made the journey from these points to her mother's home and return, several times on horseback, during her stay in Wood county. On February 24, 1842, she was married to Osman Diver at her mother's home, in Crawford county, returning with him on horseback. At the age of fifteen she espoused the cause of Christ, and has been throughout her life a faithful, consistent Christian. To her husband she was a helpmeet and counsellor, and to the five children entrusted to her care, she was a most lovable mother, a competent teacher and guide. She still survives her husband, living at the home her hand so in- dustriously helped to carve out of the wilderness.
WILSON W. BROWN, one of the heroes of the Civil war, the engineer of the train captured from the Confederacy by the famous Mitchell raiders, is now living quietly on his farm near Dowling, wearing his well-earned honors with the modesty which becomes so brave and distinguished a soldier. He was born in Fountain county, Ind., December 25, 1839, the son of Harlan S. Brown.
Possessing rare mechanical genius, our sub- ject early acquired a thorough knowledge of machinery, and before the war served some years as engineer on the Mobile & Ohio railroad. Just before hostilities began he returned home, and in September, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 21st O. V. I., which was assigned to the ariny of tlie Cumberland. He took part in the battles of Ivy Mountain, Shelbyville, Ky., and many other engagements that occurred in the early part of the war. When the 21st was en- camped at Shelbyville, Ky., he was detailed by Gen. O. M. Mitchell to go as engineer on the famous Mitchell raid-the story of whose gal- lant exploits forms one of the most thrilling chapters in the history of that time. He was more fortunate than many of his companions, eight of whom were. hanged at Atlanta, Ga., while Mr. Brown, with fourteen of his comrades, escaped to the North, but not until they had en- dured three months of suffering and hardship, did they reach the Union lines. Our subject re- ported to his regiment, and went into active serv- ice again, was appointed corporal by the colonel of the regiment, and soon after was made ser- 1
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geant of Company F, 21st O. V. I., for gallant and distinguished service. He participated in the battle of Stone River, and, for his bravery here, was granted a thirty-days' furlough and went home. While at home he received orders to report at Washington to depose in regard to the execution of his comrades, and while there had personal interviews with President Lincoln; Judge Holt, Gen. Hitchcock, and Secretary Stanton, and, before leaving, was presented with a gold medal from the hand of Mr. Stanton. By a special act of Congress he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. After leaving Washington, he re- turned to Ohio, and was ordered to report to Gov. Tod, at Columbus, who presented him with his commission. He then returned to his regi- ment and reported for duty as acting lieutenant until a vacancy occurred, after engaging in many battles, skirmishes and forced marches. He was twice wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, having two fingers shot from the left hand, and a severe wound in the knee joint, for which wounds and his gallant service on the Mitchell raid, he was given a pension of twenty-four dol- lars per month by a special act of Congress. He was mustered out May 15, 1864.
In 1863 Mr. Brown was married to Miss Clarissa Loman, who was born in Fostoria, Ohio, March 1, 1845. Ten children were born of this union: Emma H., married Samuel G. Cordery, and died at the age of twenty-four, leaving one son-George W .; Alice M. died in childhood; Ada Lodisca married Charles E. Ward, of To- ledo, and has two children-Rayman Oliver, and Ruby Marie; Harlan S. is a carpenter in Web- ster township, and married Miss Anna Beard, by whom he has one daughter-Gladys; James W. lives in Toledo (he married Cora Glenn and has one child, Ethel G.); Mary M. resides in Toledo; Mahlon T. is at home; Marquis A. lives in To- ledo; and Edith G. and Cecil Ulena are at home.
After the close of the war, Mr. Brown en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and spent some years in Logan and Hancock counties. In 1870 he established the home in Perrysburg township. where he now resides. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.
ISAAC VAN HORN, a well-known agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, December 7, 1830. He is a sou of one of the earliest settlers of his locality, the late Sanitel Van Horn, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, boru July 4, 18ot, which honored pioneer was married in October, 1824, to Miss Sophia Miner, a native of Pennsylvania, born
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December 15, 1804. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are still living.
In 1831 they came to Wood county, traveling in a wagon, which contained all their household goods. They settled upon a tract of eighty acres of wild land, building a house, 16 x 18 feet, im- mediately upon their arrival, and went through all the experiences incident to frontier life. They lived upon potatoes, corn, turkey, squirrel and deer, game being so plentiful that the family have known their dog to chase a deer out of the woods and up the lane leading to the house, where the boys would knock the animal down with clubs. Turkeys they would shoot enough of in the morning for that day's supply; and as for squirrels, they were so numerous that Mr. Van Horn says he has gone out in the wheat field by the woods, and shot from ten to twenty of them before picking any up. In spite of the far advanced spring, Mr. Van Horn succeeded in clearing more than an acre of ground in time to raise a crop of potatoes that year, and the second year he raised an excellent crop of wheat without plowing the soil, his pair of oxen having been sacrificed to secure ready money. Mr. Van Horn and his wife had united with the M. E. Church before coming to Wood county, and were among the meinbers of the first M. E. class, which was organized, in 1833, in Weston township, Rev. Elim Day being the leader. Samuel Van Horn died on the morning of February 4, 1886, aged eighty-four years and seven months to the day. The funeral services were held at home the next day, the Rev. George Matthews officiating, and his remains were then laid to rest in Beaver Creek cemetery. His wife, Sophia Van Horn, died June 4, 1890, and the funeral was held at Beaver Creek church, Rev. James Long officiating.
Isaac Van Horn, our subject, worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-five years old, when he bought twenty acres of land, and began farming on his own account. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in Company I, 144th O. V. I., under Col. Lew Wallace, and Capt. J. Mc- Kee. He participated in several engagements, and was taken prisoner at Perryville, Va., Au- gust 31, 1864. He was taken to Lynchburg. and from there to Libby prison, thence to Belle Isle, and then to Salisbury, from there back to Libby again, serving about eight months of prison life. He was the only one of seven, taken from his county, to survive prison life. From Libby he was sent to Annapolis, Md., and from there was sent home to Columbus, Ohio, where he re- ceived his discharge, March 23, 1865. He then returned to his little farm, which he soll a few
years later to buy fifty-five acres near Grand Rapids, upon which he has since resided. The improvements he has made thereon are of a high class, and he conducts the property in a model manner, having constructed ditches, planted orchards, and built substantial structures as needed.
On November 22, 1855, Mr. Van Horn was married to Miss Eliza J. Kerr, a sister of William B. Kerr, a prominent citizen of Grand Rapids township, and they had four children: Ella J., born June 11, 1858, married George Wolcott, of Deshler, Ohio; Etta May, born May 30, 1864, died in girlhood; Frank W., born August 26, 1866, now conducting the homestead; and one other died in infancy. The mother of this family died May 19, 1884, and September 11, 1889, Mr. Van Horn, for his second wife, married Miss Lizzie Dean, of Weston, who was born April 7, 1843. Mr. Van Horn cast his first vote for the Whig party. "The issues of the wai made him a "Black Republican," and he has adhered to that party since. He takes no active part in po- litical work, and has never held an office, or been a juror, or been engaged in any legal controversy. By his friends and neighbors he is held in high esteem, and he is a leading member of the United Presbyterian Church.
B. B. Buck, the cashier of the Exchange Banking Company, of Weston, and one of the leaders among the younger business men of the county, was born in Milton Center, December 13. 1862. William Buck, his father, was born July 31, 1832, in Stark county, Ohio. He married Miss Ann Hartz, and a few years later moved to. Wood county, locating at Milton Center, where they still reside.
Mr. Buck (our subject) attended the district schools near his home during his earlier years, and then entered the Normal School at Valpar- aiso, Ind., and was graduated from the commer- cial department in 1887. On his return home he was made bookkeeper of the Exchange Bank- ing Company, in which he is a stockholder, and later he became its cashier. In the discharge of the duties of his responsible position he has shown himself fully worthy of the trust confided to him. He was married October 17. Isso, to an adopted daughter of Dr. Schooley, of Weston -Miss Jessie Robinson -- who was born Novem- ber 9, 1867. They have one daughter, Agnes.
In politics Mr. Buck is a Republican, atid he takes an influential part in all progressive movements in his locality. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 59. Milion Center, the F. &
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A. M., 530, Weston, and of the order of Mac- cabees.
HON. JOHN J. GEGHAN. No man is more widely or favorably known in North Baltimore and vicinity than the one whose name introduces this sketch, and it is to him more than to any other single individual that the city owes its manufactories, railroads, and other improve- ments which have developed its resources, and brought wealth and prosperity to its inhabitants. The career of Mr. Geghan has been a rather re- markable one. In his years of restless activity he has seen the ups and downs of life in no small degree, yet his persistence, and unbounded faith in his ability to overcome all obstacles, have al- ways brought him out of his difficulties with flying colors, and with a determination to accomplish still greater results.
Mr. Geghan is a native of the " Emerald Isle," where he was born May 9, 1845, in County Meath, son of James and Elizabeth (McSweeny) Geghan. His father was a farmer, and spent his entire life in Ireland. After the death of her husband, the mother, in 1854, came with her little family to New Orleans, from there mov- ing to Cincinnati, Ohio, where our subject at- tended the public schools, and afterward took a course in Nelson's Commercial College. After leaving school Mr. Geghan was employed in the tobacco business, and organized the Tobacconists Association, of Cincinnati, of which he was made president. In 1865 the tobacco manufacturing company of Geghan, Porter & McHugh was es- tablished, and in the latter part of the year Mr. Geghan bought out the interests of his partners and formed the firm of Geghan & Brashears. He disposed of his share in this connection in 1866, and his next step was to organize a company which took part in the Fenian raids in Canada, being engaged in the fights at Ridgeway and Fort Erie. Havingsunk all his means in this venture, Mr. Geghan returned to Cincinnati, and became foreman in a leading tobacco house, which posi- tion he filled until 1870, when, in company with James W. Murphy, he established the Red Cloud Tobacco Works, at No. 18 Hammond street, in that city, which he conducted until 1876.
During this time and for a number of years previous Mr. Geghan took an active part in poli- tics, his first affiliation being with the Republican party. During the campaign of 1868 he, in connection with Hon. J. W. Fitzgerald, organ- ized the Irish "Grant & Colfax" Club of Cin- cinnati. He was also at the head of the liberal movement in that city which helped to carry Hain- ! also bought eighty acres of ground, and deeded
ilton county against Grant at a later date, and was president of the Greeley & Brown Club. Mr. Geghan has always been an intense Irish Nationalist, firmly believing that Ireland should be an indepenent nation, and, like the majority of Irish Nationalists, believing in the policy of the Republican party. He took an active part in the Presidential campaign of 1884, and at a meeting of Irish-American Republicans held at Long Branch, N. Y., immediately after the nom- ination of James G. Blaine, he was unanimously chosen secretary of the Irish National Repub- lican League, which accomplished such effective work in that memorable campaign. In 1873 Mr. Geghan was nominated by the Democratic party for member of the State Legislature from Hamilton county, and was elected. serving two years. He took a prominent share in legislative matters, and was instrumental in passing several important measures. Among the bills intro- duced by him were the amendment to the Adair Liquor Law, compelling parties wishing to bring suit or otherwise, to serve notice on the saloon- keeper to desist from selling liquor, or file the same with the county clerk; the Padrone bill. the Militia law, and the celebrated Religious Lib- erty bill, known as the Geghan bill. After his term in the legislature had expired, Mr. Geghan went to Washington, D. C., where he engaged as traveling salesman until he secured a position in the Adjutant-General's department. This he held for a few months, and then resigned to ac- cept the office of first assistant to the Dairy and Food Commissioner of the State of Ohio, which occupied his attention from 1886 to 1890. While in the commissioner's service he visited, among other places in his district, the thriving city of North Baltimore, and, at once perceiving its ad- vantages as a manufacturing point, he concluded to locate there. Accordingly, in June, ISS7, he took an option on 156 acres of land belonging to Joseph Dirk, at $150 per acre, and associating with himself A. L. Pfau and Col. I. Richardson, incorporated the North Baltimore Glass Co., of which he was made vice-president and director- the factory buildings being erected in the fall of the same year. In 1892, Mr. Geghan sold out his interest in these works, and engaged in general contracting, forming a company which built the North Baltimore water works, and in which he held the offices of secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager. A year later he disposed of his stock in this company, and paved Broadway street, and also macadamized Water street, two substantial and much needed improvements. He
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six acres of the same to the Zihlman Glass Com- pany, on which to erect their plant. He assisted in organizing a company known as the Missouri Railway & Navigation Company, and spent some time in southeast Missouri looking after its inter- ests and a tract of land he still owns there.
In 1891 Mr. Geghan, in company with G. G. Grimes, began the publication of the North Bal- timore Times, which he later disposed of. He has now settled in North Baltimore as a con- tractor and oil producer, being interested in seven oil wells in the vicinity, and expects hereafter to devote his entire time and attention to these pur- suits. He also put on foot the building of a rail- road between Welker and North Baltimore. which will add another to the many enterprises he has conducted for the benefit of this section of Wood county. He is a man of irrepressible energy, always busy, a genial companion, and popular with all classes of society.
In 1888, Mr. Geghan married Miss Sadie Tarr, daughter of the late Levi A. Tarr, one of the first settlers of Henry township. They have one child, Nellie. Mr. Geghan is a prominent Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Masons and Royal - Council. He is also a Knight of the Red Cross and a Knight Templar.
PETER P. SWINEHART, an industrious and thor- ough farmer of Bloom township, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, is also engaged in operating a feedmill, near Bloom Center. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Hopewell township, Perry county, July 23, 1848, and there his father, Andrew Swinehart, was also born, October 29, 1824. The paternal grandfather, John Swinehart, was a native of Northumber- land county, Penn., in which State his father, Andrew Swinehart, lived and died. John learned the carpenter's and cabinet maker's trades, which he followed in the Keystone State, and there married Christina Cruber, a native of the same township, a mountain separating their homes. On locating in Perry county, Ohio, in 1802, they had one daughter -- Sarah -- who became the wife of George Onsbaugh, and there died. Their family later numbered fourteen children, those living to adult age being as follows: Peter, who died in Perry county; Jacob, who died in Wyan- dot county, Ohio; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Cooperiole, and died in Perry county: Catherine, who wedded Jerome Stalter, and died in Wyan- dot county; Jonathan, who died in Portage town- ship, Wood county; Samnel, who died in Perry county; Daniel, who died in Fulton county, Ind. : Juda, now Mrs. Jacob Lawrence, of Wyandot
county; George, a farmer of Sandusky county; and Andrew, the father of our subject. When the last named was only fourteen years old his father died; his inother survived her husband many years, and they were both buried in St. Paul's church cemetery, in Hopewell township, Perry county.
Andrew Swinehart, the father of our subject, was able to attend school only a short time, as the family was large and the parents poor, and while young he learned the trade of a plasterer. He was married in Hopewell township, Perry county, September 30, 1847, to Miss Lydia A. Stimmel, who was born there July 13, 1824, and is the daughter of Peter and Margaret (Lutz) Stimmel, who were married in Maryland, and Mrs.' Swinehart was the oldest in their family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Mr. Stimmel, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1864, while his wife was burned to death when past the age of ninety years, and they were both buried in Thorn township, Perry county. For ten years Mr. Swinehart made his home on his father-in-law's farm, during which time he worked at his trade, or at day's labor, and for the following six years rented a house and garden of Jaines Parks, in Hopewell township, much of the tinie being employed by that gentle- man. On coming to Bloom township, Wood county, in December, 1864, the family located on a farm belonging to the father's brother, though he had previously purchased land in Sec- tion 35. that township, where he built a log house into which the family moved March 28, 1865. it being the first home they ever owned. The farm then comprised forty acres of swamp land, the water being so deep in some places that a horse would be compelled to swim across, but the land has been transformed into fertile fields. In politics the father is a Democrat, but voted for Abraham Lincoln and supports the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, regard- less of party affiliations. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Peter P. Swinchart is the oldest in the family and he was followed by nine others born in Perry county, namely : Margaret A., born January 10. 1850, died on the Ist of March following: Chris- tina E., born January 16, 1851. first wedded William Slater, and is now Mrs. Patrick Camp- bell, of Gloucester City, N. J .: Lydia A., born January 22, 1853, died on the 18th of April fol- lowing; Catherine F., born May 20, 1854. is now the wife of David Wiker, of Bloom township: An- drew J., born May 30, 1856, died September 15, of the same year: John A., born October 25.
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1857, died April 17, 1859: Susanna H., born September 4, 1859, is now Mrs. Nathan Denhoff, of Bloom township: Sarah Jane, born September 17, 1861, is the wife of George Parson, of North Baltimore; and Jacob H., born September 12, 1863, is also a resident of North Baltimore. Two sons were added to the family after coming to Wood county-George F., born October 19, 1865, lives in North Baltimore; and Noah A., born March 4, 1869, is at home.
In the primitive schools of his native county, Peter P. Swinehart obtained most of his educa- tion, which was completed in Wood county by attending a school taught by W. S. Richard, but failing health compelled him to lay aside his stud- ies. He remained at home until the age of twenty-seven years as his help was needed in the development of the farm. At Findlay. Ohio, in December, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Mrs. Staley, widow of John Staley. She is of German parentage, and bore the maiden name of Eva Helfrish. They have become the parents of three children -- Oliver A., Charles H., and Matthias B. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Swinehart owned eighty acres of land in Section 23, Bloom township, two head of horses, a inule, a plow and a drag. He had agreed to pay $2,000 for his land, and on that amount had to pay fifteen per cent. interest, but he went resolutely to work and soon had the in- debtedness removed. On locating there only ten acres had been cleared, but now sixty acres have been placed under the plow, and a comfortable dwelling has replaced the log house which was then standing, while everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He had previously owned a sawmill in Henry township, and in the spring of 1894 established a feedmill near Bloom Center, which he is now successfully conducting. He was reared a Dem- ocrat, but voted with either of the larger parties until becoming disgusted with their practices, when he joined the Greenback party, but is not strictly partisan, voting as his judgment dictates. Mrs. Swinehart is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Philadelphia the place of their residence. William S. Levers, when a child of nine years, was bound out to a man in Lancaster, Penn., where he re- mained until twenty-two years of age. In carly life he learned the weaver's trade, and afterward became a successful veterinary surgeon. He married Elizabeth Light, who was born in Dau- phin county, Penn., and in 1845 brought his fam- ily to Ohio, his death occurring in Seneca coun- ty, May 27. 1851. His wife died near Brook- field, Stark Co., Ohio. Their children were David, who died in Brookfield, Ohio; Isaac, who died near Upper Sandusky, Ohio; Sarah, who was married and died in Illinois, leaving ten children; Solomon, who died in Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio; Elizabeth, who became the wife of John McDowel, and died in Wooster; Joel, of Chippewa township, Wayne county: Daniel, who is living near Fulton, Ohio: Susan, wife of Ephraim Baker, of Michigan; Mrs. Liddy Hirschy; and William H., our subject.
Mr. Levers, of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Franklin county, Penn. When a young man he learned the trade of a stone mason and plasterer, which pursuit he has followed more or less since that time. He was married May 9, 1850, in Fulton, Ohio, by Rev. Hartley, to Miss Liddy Vernon, who was born February 20, 1826, in Philadelphia, and is a daughter of Thomas H. and Mary (Ekoff) Ver- non, also natives of Philadelphia. The parents both died on a farm near Bowling Green.
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