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 56
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In the family were sixteen children, twelve of whom grew to adult age, namely: Nicholas. who died at Mount Union, at the age of eighty- five years; Mrs. Elizabeth Rinear, who died in Columbiana county, Ohio; William, who died in Lucas county; Charles, who died at Orville. Ohio; Maria, who was the wife of Joseph Barnaby, and died at Alliance; Joshua, who died at Mount Union; Benjamin B., of this review; Jonathan, who died in Montgomery township, Wood county; Melvina, now Mrs. John Watson, of Mount Union; Priscilla, who married Levi Pierce, and died at Mount Union; Zedrick, of Alliance; and Mary, who wedded John Johnson, and died in Stark county, Ohio. Many of the family died very suddenly of paralysis.
Most of the early life of Benjamin B. Hoiles was passed at Mount Vernon, where he learned the carpenter's trade with his brother Charles. He was married at Alliance November 11, 1852, to Miss Maria B. Stock, who was born at New Lisbon; Ohio, December 16, 1827, and is the daughter of Henry and Minerva (Stallcup) Stock. The former was of German parentage, and his birth occurred near Baltimore, Md., while his wife was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, about 1801, where her parents had located at a very early day, and there died. Her father, William Stallcup, was a millwright by trade, and was killed in a mill near New Lisbon. The parents of Mrs. Hoiles also died at that place, where their remains were interred. Going to Mount Union when a young lady, she there learned millinery and dress-making, and it was at that place she met and married our subject. They became the parents of four children: Frank L., who was born at Mount Vernon, and died at the age of ten years; Charley H., who now makes his home at Prairie Depot: Pressly C., a farmer of Mont- gomery township; and Addie M., now Mrs. Harry E. Blair, of Prairie Depot.
Being a carpenter, Mr. Hoiles built his own honse at Mount Union, upon a lot for which he went in debt, as he had but little money at the time of his marriage, for he had always aided in the support of his parents. Early in January, 1855, he came to Wood county to look up a loca- tion. He had chopped wood, but could not se- cure enough money to pay his fare, so his wife gave him twelve gold dollars from her own savings. He came by rail to Fremont, and walked the remainder of the distance to Prairie Depot, where he bargained for forty acres in Section 2, Montgomery township, costing $350. A log house stood upon the place, but it con- tained no doors or windows, hence a robe and
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blanket had to be hung over the openings which he made. In March he returned to Mount Union for his wife and child. He there sold his home, which was uncompleted, for $300, but out of that amount had to finish paying for the lot. His wife had $50 which she had saved, and with the proceeds of other sales they were able to secure their forest home in Wood county free from debt. In their rude little cabin they spent fourteen happy years, and there their children were all born. Game was quite plentiful, and Mr. Hoiles added not a little to their income by selling coon skins. Money was greatly needed as their first summer here was very wet, and but lit- tie was raised.
The health of our subject had been quite poor at Mount Union, he suffering considerably from stomach trouble, but this was relieved after coming to Wood county, as from necessity their food was quite plain, corn bread being their reg- ular diet. In those early days he also worked some at his trade, going away on Mondays, leaving his wife and baby boy alone, and would be gone for several days. In return for his labors he could only get produce, and corn at that time brought $1 per bushel and potatoes $1.25. He made his home upon four different farms in Mont- gomnery township, owning each one, which he would sell at a profit, and at the time of his death had a good farm of seventy-three acres. He died very suddenly December 5, 1886, mourned by a wide circle of friends throughout the com- munity, and his remains were interred at Prairie Depot cemetery. Though never very strong he was always a great worker, and well deserved the success which came to him. A strong Repub- lican in politics, he was an active worker in his party, and for several terms served as trustee of his township, and was school director during most of bis residence here. In manner he was con- servative, and gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
After her husband's death Mrs. Hoiles lived upon the farm left her, until 1892, when she built an elegant home; but this she sold two years later, and now has a very comfortable and pleasant dwelling at Prairie Depot. On the farm owned by her, she has seven splendid oil wells, and upon the original lease of ten acres, was found one of the largest producing wells in this locality. Though nearly seventy years of age, she is exceedingly well preserved, and is still quite active. She has led a most industrious and useful life, is a woman of more than ordinary business ability, and was an excellent helpineet to her husband, having many times in the early
days assisted him even in the work of the fields. She is surrounded by many warm friends, who have for her the most sincere regard. We may add that at the time of her and her husband's coming to Wood county, buggies were unknown. and Mrs. Hoiles relates that on Sundays, after the week's labors were past, she and her husband would take their team of black oxen, and go visit- ing across the swampy prairies.
GEORGE D. INSLEY, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who for three years followed the old flag on Southern battle-fields, is now numbered among the leading and influential citizens of Lib- erty township. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 16, 1834. His father, Thornton Insley, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1808, and when a young man learned the trade of a wheel- wright; but ill health forced him to abandon this. With his widowed mother he came to Ohio, and settled on a farin in Wayne county. Here he married Miss Amelia Eagle, and in 1854 took his wife and family to Hancock county. From that time on he lived with his children. He went with two daughters and a son to Dakota in 1884. and there died in 1890. His wife died in Han- cock county in December, 1882. They had the following children: Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Ewing, of Findlay, Ohio; George D., of this sketch; Nancy, wife of Samuel J. Feller, of South Dakota; Geiles, wife of Solomon Hartman, of South Dakota; Isaiah, also a farmer of that State; and. Almenia, wife of G. W. Phifer, who is living near Findlay, Ohio.
Mr. Insley, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in the counties of Wayne and Hancock, and at the age of eleven years began his education in a district school, to which he walked three miles through the woods. When twenty years of age he began work in a flour-mill at Findlay, and for twelve years was thus employed at various places. While in Findlay he was married, March 19. 1860, to Miss Mary Feller, a native of Ohio. They began their domestic life in Hancock county. and were there living at the time of the Civil war. On the 16th of August, 1862. Mr. Insley joined the boys in blue of Company D, 99th O. V. I .. and immediately afterward went to the front. participating in the battles of Perrysville and Stone River, those of the Atlanta campaign, Lookont Mountain, Chickamanga. and Nashville. After the second named he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was honorably discharged at Wilmington, N. C., where his regiment con- solidated with the.50th O. V. I.
Mr. Insley continued his residence in Han-
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cock county until the fall of 1871, when he came to Wood county, and got out timber to build his home. He purchased forty acres of land, and erected his residence in the spring of 1872. He afterward purchased eighty acres of land in Lib- erty township, which he disposed of in the spring of 1895. In 1887 he visited his relatives in South Dakota, and while there purchased 160 acres of land in Edmunds county. Again, in the fall of 1894, he made another journey to that State, and bought another quarter section. ' In politics he has always been a stanch Republican. So- cially he is connected with the Odd Fellows So- ciety of Portage, and religiously with the Meth- odist Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Insley were born seven chil- dren: Millie became the wife of A. L. See, and died at the home of our subject, leaving two chil- dren; Thornton F. died in infancy, and Juddie T. at the age of three years and six months; Emma, also died in infancy; Enola, wife of E. P. Blackman, of Wood county; Gelie became the wife of J. W. Ackerman, and died in Liberty township, leaving one child; George D. completes the family.
J. F. WOLLAM, M. D., a rising young physi- cian of Jerry City, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Wood county, being a son of H. B. Wollam, and grandson of Archibald and Catherine (Smith) Wollam.
Archibald Wollam was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and was there married to Catherine Smith, who was born east of the Alleghanies, in Pennsylvania, and crossed the mountains with her parents, Lewis and Smith, in a wagon, the family settling later in Columbiana county. In 1832, Archibald and Catherine Wollam camne to Seneca county, and were among the first white people to live along Wolf creek; but the next spring they removed to what is now Montgomery township, Wood county, settling in the midst of a forest. Their habitation was a log shanty, 18 x 20 feet in dimensions, and, as Mr. Wollam in- vested what little capital he had in land, they were obliged to live very economically until their land became productive. Oxen were the beasts of burden, and on one occasion, when Mr. Wol- lam made a trip to Swope's Corners, Seneca county, a distance of twenty miles, the journey took three days. Four children were born to this couple: Mary, widow of James Milner, who lives in Millgrove; H. B., who is mentioned far- ther on; Andrew J., a farmer in Bloom township; and Leah (now Mrs. G. W. Gupp), who was first married to Gardner Teff. Archibald Wollam was
originally a Democrat in politics, but later became a Whig, and on the foundation of the party joined the Republicans. He held various minor offices in the township, and took an interest in party affairs, but he was no politician. He died at the age of seventy-two years, his wife at the age of eighty-two, and they now sleep their last sleep in Mt. Zion cemetery, Portage township.
Henry B. Wollam was born January 6, 1825, in Columbiana county, and was eight years old when the family came to Wood county. He at- tended the primitive schools of his boyhood days, which were held in log buildings having greased paper windows, and other rude furnishings, and he taught school one winter in Henry township. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in early manhood worked three years in Huron county, as foreman for the Buffalo Stave Co., of Buffalo. N. Y., getting out staves. After his marriage he lived in Montgomery township for some years. finally during the war removing to Bloom town- ship, and settling on sixty acres of land in Section I, which at that time was all new and unim- proved, a shanty being their first dwelling there. In 1875 he removed to his present farm in Sec- tion 36, Portage township, which comprises forty acres, and he still owns the sixty acres in Bloom township.
On May 10, 1857, Mr. Wollam was married. in Montgomery township, to Miss Lydia A. Bair, who was born August 28, 1837, near Hanover. Penn., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoover Bair, the former of whom died in Pennsylvania. The widowed mother subsequently came with her four children-Susan, Jacob, Lydia and George -to Seneca county, Ohio, and about three years later settled in Montgomery township, Wood county, where Mrs. Bair owned eighty acres of land. After all the children married she removed to Fostoria, where she passed away at the age of sixty-six, her death being caused by cancer of the stomach. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wollam, as follows: J. F .; Tudie. Mrs. Thomas Wisner, of Gratiot county, Mich. : George J., a fariner of Portage township: Libbie. who died unmarried, at the age of twenty-one years: and Charles N., who died in infancy. The parents are both members of the Liberal U. B. Church, and in political affiliation Mr. Wollam is a Republican. He served as trustee of Bloom township, and has filled various local positions o! responsibility and trust.
J. F. Wollam, the subject proper of th's sketch, was born July 7. 1858, in Montgomery township, and received his primary education in the district schools of Bloom and Portage town-
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ships, his first teachers being Roxie McFarren and Jane Swinehart. Later he attended the Normal at Ada, Ohio, and he was afterward en- gaged in teaching some fourteen years, in Bloom, Portage, Montgomery, Henry and Jackson town- ships. He completed his general scientific studies at Ada, and commenced to read medicine with Dr. J. H. Whitehead, of Bowling Green, after which he attended Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, earning the money for his col- lege expenses by teaching. He commenced practice in Jerry City in 1892, and is meeting with deserved success in his chosen profession, his personal reputation being almost as great a factor in his success as his professional ability.
On May 7, 1891, Dr. Wollam was married, in Portage township, to Miss Nettie M. Teller, who was born and reared in that township, and daughter of James Teller. She attended the Normal at Ada, Ohio (where she and Dr. Wollam became acquainted), and subsequently taught school in Wood county for eight years, and in Ashland county, two years. Two children have been born to this union: Florence T. and Hel- ena A. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and during President Harrison's administration served as postmaster of Jerry City; while in Port- age township he served as assessor. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to Vitus Lodge No. 604, Jerry City, and is a mem- ber of the Homeopathic Medical Society, of Ohio; inedical examiner for several life insurance com- panies; a member of and medical examiner for the K. O. T. M., of Jerry City, Tent No. 92.
WILLIAM P. COBLEY, mayor of Haskins, and one of the ablest business men, and most success- ful agriculturists of Middleton township, is a native of the locality, born March 24, 1849.
Sebastian Cobley, his father, was born in Germany February 9, ISIT, and when a young inan came to Ohio. At Toledo, he was married 10) Miss Elizabeth Buriger, who was born in France in 1816. £
Her father, Joseph Buriger, brought his family to Norwalk, Ohio, and made a permanent home there. For some years after his marriage, Sebastian Cobley worked as fore- man in a brick yard at Toledo, and he at one time owned fifteen acres of land on what is now Sammit street, in that city. About the year 1840 they came to Middleton and entered land, which, by careful cultivation, he developed into a pro- Fictive farm. He and his wife were members of the Roman Catholic Church, and died in that futh, Mr. Cobley passing away February 8, 1885, his wife on March 22, 1895. Eight children -19
were born to them, namely: Caroline, who was born in 1841, married Joseph Debacher, and died June 20, 1888; Andrew, who was a soldier in the ILIth O. V. I., and was sent home to die from the effects of a cold caught "on guard " while canvalescing from an attack of mumps: Sophronia, the wife of G. W. Yount, of Toledo; William P., our subject; and Anthony, who was a farmer within the corporation of Haskins, and died July 30, 1895; Mary, who married A. F. Chase, a farmer at Haskins; Louisa, who mar- ried J. C. Nufer, November 18, 1873, and died October 23, 1885; and John, who died when about the age of twelve years.
Mr. Cobley attended the old "two-mile- woods school house," and at the same time gained a knowledge of farm work. In 1871 he married ‘ Miss Fannie Wickham, who was born September IS, 1854, on Parker's Island, near Perrysburg. Two children came of this mar- riage: John, born September 22, 1874; and Charles, born February 13. 1879.
For ten years after his marriage Mr. Cobley was engaged in agriculture, and then, coming to Haskins, established a grocery business which he successfully conducted until September, 1895, when he retired from that line of business, and now devotes his time and attention to his farm, and his several offices. He owns a fine home in Haskins, besides a business block. Those quali- ties which command the esteem and friendship of the people, he possesses in a marked degree, and he has held more offices than other man in the township. In politics he is a Democrat, as was his father before him; but he receives votes irre- spective of party lines when he consents to be a candidate. He was posmaster at Haskins during Cleveland's first term; has been treasurer of his school district six years; justice of the peace three years; and is now serving his second term as the latter. Socially he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. Encampment at Bowling Green, the order of Rebekah, and of the K. O. T. M., in which fra- ternities he has held many responsible positions, and is at present treasurer of the I. O. O. F. : record-keeper of the K. O. T. M., and record- keeper of Lincoln Division No. 7. of the Uniform Rank, K. O. T. M., of Bowling Green.
GEORGE P. SUTTON, a practical and progress- ive farmer, who owns and operates a valuable tract of land of fifty-four acres in Middleton township, is a native son of the Buckeye State. He was born in Erie county. September 8. 1857. and is a son of George P. Sutton, a native of England, who became a representative farmer of
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Washington township, Wood county. It was during the early boyhood of our subject that his parents removed from Erie to Wood county, and took up their residence in that township. In the district schools of the neighborhood George pur- sued his studies through the scholastic year, and in the summer months worked on the old home- stead, giving to his father the benefit of his serv- ices until 1885, when he started out for himself. He removed to Middleton township, where he purchased fifty-four acres of land, upon which, in the midst of well-cultivated fields, stands a fine dwelling, substantial barn and the various other improvements and accessories which go to make up a model farm, and which indicate to the passerby the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
On the 17th of March, 1885, in Middleton township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sutton and Miss Jennie M. Fox, who was born September 21, 1864, and is a daughter of John Fox, a farmer of Middleton township. Five children graced their union: Jessie, born Octo- ber 31, 1886; Roy, who died in childhood; Mil- dred, born June 30, 1890; Julia, born May 24, 1893; and Hazel, born June 20, 1896.
Mr. Sutton is an energetic, honest, upright man, whom to know is to respect.
J. H. ZIEGLER, an old-time agriculturist of large experience, is now numbered among the prominent residents of Portage township, by whose people he is held in that reverence and re- spect tacitly accorded those whose lives have been distinguished by integrity and usefulness. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Cherry Tree township, Venango county, March 5, 1830, at the modest homestead of his parents, George and Catherine (Murray) Ziegler, natives of Mary- land, the former born in April, 1796, and the latter a few months previous. Their marriage was celebrated in their native State, after which they removed to Pennsylvania, residing in Ve- nango county for fifteen years. One year was then spent in Trumbull county, Ohio, while for the following six years they made their home two and a half miles west of the city of Ashland, in what was then Richland county, but is now a part of Ashland county. They next located near Republic, in Scipio township, Seneca county, where they lived for the same length of time. Their remaining days, however, were passed in Portage township, Wood county, the father dying in October, 1865, while the mother survived him for fourteen years, and they now sleep side by side in the Mennonite cemetery of Perry township. Wood county. The father was quite an athlete.
six feet tall and weighing about two hundred pounds. He always supported the doctrines of the Democratic party, and when quite old was asked why he did not change his politics, and his answer was, " My hair is too gray to be turned black."
His family consisted of the following children: William, of Warren, Penn .; George, residing near Oil City, Penn. ; John, of Cattaraugus coull- ty, N. Y .; Hannah, widow of Stephen Landis, of Jamestown, N. Y .; Susan, widow of Daniel Siccafoos, of Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of James Loker, of Venango county, Penn .; Levi, residing near Traverse City, Mich. ; Daniel, who has been a United Brethren minister for thirty years, and also follows farming in Union county, Ohio; J. H., who is next in order of birth; Mary, now Mrs. Matthew Irvin, of Crawford county, Ohio; Ann, who married William Lee. and died in Michigan; Fannie, wife of H. R. Longacre, of Portage township; Catherine, who was the thir- teenth child, and died in Seneca county, Ohio, at the age of fourteen years, hers being the first deatlı in the family; and Andrew, who died in the same county at the age of twelve years.
Our subject was a boy of sixteen years when he left his native county, where he secured a limited education, as his parents were poor and his assistance was needed in the support of the large family. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage. In Ashland county, July 10, 1851, he married Miss Harriet Barr, a native of that county, and a daughter of James Barr. He had not a dollar at that time; but he went to work for the farmers at clearing away the tim- ber and making rails. In July. 1854, he removed to Putnam county, Ohio, where he purchased forty acres of wild land, making a temporary home with his brother Daniel, while his own log house was being constructed. As the land was wet and swampy, and his wife was in poor health, he removed to Seneca county, Ohio, in Novem- ber, 1855. There, on March 29. 1856, she died and was laid to rest in Republic cemetery. One son had been born to them - William E., who died at Six Points, Ohio, in [884, leaving four children - - Otis, Elfa, Dora, and Tinsey.
In April, 1857. at Attica, Ohio, Mr. Ziegler wedded Mrs. Mary J. Richards, widow of William M. Richards. Her birth occurred in Mansfield, Ohio, November 14. 1831, and she is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Wannamaker) Mader, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of the Keystone State. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and died in Portage township when over eighty years of age, while her mother
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passed away in Seneca county, at the age of fifty-seven. In their family were six children, one son and five daughters. The son served in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, then, joining the regular army, was sent west, and since the latter part of the '6os has never been heard of.
After his second marriage, Mr. Ziegler rented land for sometime in Seneca county; but in 1857 bought forty acres of land on Section 26, Portage township, Wood county, for which he paid $400 cash, that sum constituting his entire capital. In October he built a log house, 18 x24 feet, and the following February removed his family to their new home. He was compelled to bor- row $28 with which to meet the expenses of the journey, but they took great pleasure 'in their home. He was young and full of hope, and went earnestly to work to clear and develop his land. He was drafted in 1864, and assigned to Company B, 55th O. V. I. In November of the same year he joined the regiment at Atlanta, went with Sherman to Savannah, and followed that General through the Carolinas, participating in the last fight near Goldsboro. In March, 1865, at Bentonville, N. C., he was wounded in the left shoulder, and, after remaining in the hospital at Goldsboro' for ten days, was transferred by a vessel up the coast to New York City. He lay in the hospital at David's Island until May 28, 1865, was mustered out in New York on June I, and arrived home on the 3d of the same month. His wound was by no means healed, and his arm was very stiff. Going to the government phy- sician at Fostoria, Ohio, he was given the liberal (?) sum of $2.50 per month until he should be able to use his arm. He has since devoted his attention to farming, and has a good farm of seventy acres.
By his second union have been born the follow- ing children-Dora L., wife of Jonas Hampshire, of Fostoria, Ohio; Frank, who has followed the various occupations of a teacher, telegrapher and photographer, and is now engaged in farining in Nebraska; Abia J., who married George Bru- baker, and died in Perry township, Wood county, at the age of thirty-one years; James O. and John L., both of Portage township; and Ida, now Mrs. E. R. Shaffer, of the same township.
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