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 67
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Mr. Benton was married at the age of twenty- seven in Medina county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Gunsaulis, a native of Pennsylvania, and daugh- ter of Benjamin Gunsaulis. He took his bride to a farm of forty acres, which he owned in I.itchfield township, in the same county, where they made their first home. Later he bought eighty acres in Scott township, Sandusky county,
slightly improved -- a little log house sheltering them for some time, until he could build a finer residence. He lost one excellent barn by fire, but replaced it. The farm was in good shape when he moved in the spring of 1886, to Brad- ner, and he still owns it. Mrs. Benton died at the old home, and her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Bradner. Four children sur- vived her: Mary, who married Cornelius Houtz, and died in Sandusky county; Reuben F., a plasterer by trade, who owns an extensive farm in Kent county, Mich., where he resides; Charles W., a noted educator, now a professor in Val- paraiso, Ind., and Gilbert H., a resident of Cleveland, Ohio.
In December, 1885, Mr. Benton married, for his second wife, Mrs. Emma Stover, a native of Northampton county, Penn .. and the widow of Cyrus Stover, an extensive flour merchant, of Stockton, N. J. Three children were born to their union: Warren P., who died in infancy; and Mary E. and Irvin S., both at home. His children have enjoyed fine educational advan- tages, and he has given them, as they left home, sufficient capital to begin life in a creditable way. He and Mrs. Benton belong to the M. E. Church, in which he is treasurer and a 'member of the board of trustees. Politically he is a strong Re- publican, but he has not been an office seeker.
R. E. MILBOURN, D. D. S. North Balti- more has a number of ambitious young men whose desire to succeed in the world, and make name for themselves, is most creditable. a Among these may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, Dr. R. E. Milbourn, whose birth took place in Bloom township, December 8, 1864. He is the son of Mandeville and Rebecca (Whitacre) Milbourn.
Both the Milbourn and Whitacre families are pioneers of Wood county, Reason Whitacre, our subject's grandfather, being one of the oldest residents in point of time.
Dr. Milbourn was married, September 12, 1895, to Miss Sylvia Wight, who was born Jan- uary 19. 1863, in Lake township, Wood Co .. Ohio. In politics he is a Republican. In re- ligious connection he is a member of the Christian Church.
LEVI SMITH WARNER, who has been post- master at Lime City for the past ten years, is all agriculturist of Perrysburg township, born in Sandusky county, Ohio, January 23, 1844. He is the son of Levi S. and Mary F. (Francisco) Warner. The father of our subject was born in
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New York State, and came with his parents to Lake county, Ohio, when he was two years old. When he was a young man he had the contract for furnishing wooden rails for the Ohio R. R., one of the first in the State. At Fremont, then called Lower Sandusky, he married Mary F. Francisco, the daughter of Jacob Francisco, a native of New York State and a soldier in the war of 1812 (he was taken prisoner at the battle of Queenstown Heights, but was exchanged soon after; he died in Fremont, Ohio). Shortly after his marriage with Miss Francisco he removed to Lake county, and in the fall of 1849 came to Wood county, settling in Walbridge, Lake town- ship, where his death occurred in 1854, from cholera. He was a Jacksonian Democrat. Seven children were born to this worthy couple, and grew to maturity: Zophar, Levi S., Byron J., Emerett, Harriet, Blanch, and Henry. Zophar served four years in the 14th, and Byron three years in the 67th, O. V. I., during the Re- bellion. Emerett is deputy postmaster. Harriet was the wife of Samuel Perry, and died in 1887. Blanch is the wife of F. J. Shovar, who is a member of the city council of Toledo. Two years after her husband's death, Mrs. Warner married his brother Samuel, and two children were born of this union: Lillian, the wife of L. Philes, and Wilber, now deceased. Mrs. Warner was of French and Spanish descent, the name being originally Franseco. She was left a widow the second time, her husband dying in 1869, from a disease contracted in the army; she still survives. at the age of seventy-eight years.
L. S. Warner, our subject, grew to manhood in this State, acquiring his education in the dis- trict schools. On October 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 14th O. V. I., at Toledo. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Cum- berland, and they remained in Kentucky until abont the time of the capture of Fort Donelson; from whence they were sent under Gen. Buell to Pittsburg Landing. At Nashville Mr. Warner was seized with typhoid fever, and when conva- lescent, was sent home, but as soon as he was able he rejoined his regiment. He was in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded, and after the memorable battle of Missionary Ridge, veteranized December S, 1863. He was with Sherman on the famous " March to the Sea," and was honorably discharged July 11. 1865, after serving throughout the entire war. After his return home he worked as a carpenter and joiner, which trade he picked up. being naturally inclined to architecture. He lived for some time in Lake township, where he bought a
half interest in a sawmill, which he afterward exchanged for vessel property; he then engaged as mate on the vessel "Maumee Valley," on which he sailed three years. After leaving the lakes he again took up the carpenter trade, and eleven years ago located in Lime City, where for a few years he conducted a country store, and at- tended to his farm. of seventy-four acres.
On February S, 1887, Mr. Warner was mar- ried to Miss Mellie E. Brownsberger, and to thein have been born two children: Albert Levi, de- ceased at the age of one year, three months and fourteen days, and Milo Joseph. They now re- side in a modern residence built by Mr. Warner in 1888. Socially Mr. Warner is a member of the Masonic order, and politically is a stanch Democrat.
R. PRESCOTT MORRISON. the well-known pho- tographer of Bowling Green, is descended on both paternal and maternal lines from early settlers in this country. Since the establishment of our national government there has never been a time when the United States Army has not enrolled some member of the family. Mr. Morrison himself was named after Col. Pres- cott, a relative of his mother, and served during the Civil war, in Company H, 133d O. V. I., and was for four months in front of Peters- burg, Va. His only brother, J. V. Morrison, died in 1867 of disease contracted in the army. Charles A. Varnum, a son of Gen. John Varnum. who was a brother of Mr. Morrison's mother, was a survivor of the ill-fated Custer expedition. He had charge of a detachment of Indian scouts. and was in advance of the troops at the time of the massacre. The Indians deserted him, but he escaped unharmed, and is now in command of the 7th Cavalry, U. S. Regulars.
Mr. Morrison's paternal grandfather was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a native of Lowell. Mass., where he was a machinist by occupation. He had three children - William, Henry, and Robert. The latter, our subject's father, was born in Keene, N. H., and became overseer of a factory in Lowell. He married Miss Charlotte Varnum, a native of that town, and a few years later went to California, where he met his death. in 1851.
Our subject was born in Granville. Ohio. March 16, 1848, and received his early education in the public schools there, and in the Business College at Columbus. His mother was married. in 1855, to Col. D. M Baker, of Granville, and had one daughter, Jessie M., now Mrs. Wallace M. Smith, of Bowling Green. Mrs. Morrison
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died in Granville, at the age of sixty-seven, an early age for one of her hardy and long-lived race. Her mother, who died at ninety-five, had nineteen children, and her five sisters all lived beyond the age of ninety. Mr. Morrison learned photography in Columbus, and for two years was engaged in that business in Fostoria: but in 1879 he established his present well-equipped gallery in Bowling Green, where he has since resided.
In 1871 Mr. Morrison married Miss Linnie Ball, who was born in Millersport, Fairfield Co .. Ohio, February 21, 1849. She is descended from one of the wealthiest and most honored families of that locality. Mr. Morrison is a man of fine physique, and is noted for his artistic tastes and accomplishments. In his professional work he ranks among the leaders, while he also finds time to take a prominent part in local affairs. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the G. A. R., the F. & A. M., the K. of P., and of the order of Maccabees.
CHARLES W. BENSCHOTER, a leading agri- culturist of Grand Rapids, was born in Erie county, Ohio, April 7, 1846, a son of Samuel Wetherlow and Nancy A. (Bassett) Benschoter. His father, Samuel W. Benschoter, was born March 27, ISII. a son of jeremiah Ben- schoter, who moved from New York State, about 1800, and settled in Erie county, Ohio. He was married in 1838 to Nancy A. Bassett, who was born March 4, 1821, the daughter of A. Biron Bassett, who also came from the Empire State to Erie county about 1800. To this hon- ored couple were born the following children: W. A .; J. S .; C. W. (our subject); J. W .; C. E .; L. M. ; and Mrs. E. E. Black, all of whom are proving worthy representatives of the family name in this generation.
Charles W. Benschoter finished his education at the excellent high school in Grand Rapids, in 1871, and in early manhood began to clear up and improve a farm of forty acres, a gift from his father. After improving this he bought forty acres more, the whole being conducted in a model manner. He has a fine barn and a hand- some brick dwelling house. For twelve years he was engaged in dealing in horses and other live stock, but his attention is now given to general farming. He was married in Ista to Miss Frances Jones, daughter of William Jones, a well-known resident of Center township. Four children were born of this union: Ada. who finished her education at Grand Rapids: Howard, also at Grand Rapids; Joseph Guy, and Lewis J., all of whom reside with their parents.
Our subject and his wife are actively inter- ested in temperance and other reforms, Mr. Ben- schoter voting the Prohibition ticket. He be- longs to the F. & A. M., Grand Rapids Lodge No. 289, and ranks as a Master Mason.
L. RHOAD, one of the most successful and enterprising agriculturists of Bloom township. was born July 29, 1857, in Crawford county. Ohio, to John and Catherine (Strong, Rhoad.
The father's birth occurred in Cumberland county, Penn., February 5, 1816, and at Repub- lic, Seneca Co., Ohio, he wedded Miss Strong, who was born August 2, 1833. He was a son of Frederick and Elizabeth Rhoad. For many years he made his home in Seneca county, but in the spring of 1861 he brought his family to Bloom township, locating on eighty acres of land known as the Slater farm, for which he went in debt. The improvements upon the place were not extensive, but included a small story-and-a- half house, and in the orchard was one row of trees. There the mother of our subject died July 21, 1865, and she was buried in Van Buren cemetery, Hancock county. To them had been born the following children: Sylvester, born August 6, 1852, who died Jannary 4, 1853; Will- iam, born October 27, 1853, who is now a farmer of Hoytville, Ohio; our subject; Lucinda, July 4, 1860, who died of spotted fever March 2 ;. 1866; and John W., born March 24, 1864, died of the same dread disease March 23, 1866. The father was absent in Michigan at the time his children took the spotted fever, and arrived home just in time to see them alive. He was later attacked by the same disease; but his strong constitution saved him, though after any illness large spots would appear on his body. Five years after the death of his first wife Mr. Rhoad married Catherine Shireman, who was born May 4, 1837, and they had one daughter, Margaret A., born June 14, 1874, who is now the wife of William Brandeberry, of Bloom township. Mr. Rhoad passed away February 23, 1894, and Mrs Rhoad died October 30, 1884. They were also interred in the cemetery at Van Buren. In con- nection with his farming operations, Mr. Rhoad also ran a threshing machine for twenty seasons. He was exceedingly neat both in his agricultural pursuits and dress, was fond of good horses. always keeping a spirited team, and was a model farmer in every respect. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and his political support was given to the Democratic party.
Mr. Rhoad, of this review, was only four years old when brought to Wood county, where he ob-
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tained his education, and as his own mother died when he was quite young, he found a loving sub- stitute in his father's second wife, a kind-hearted, agreeable lady, to whom he became much at- tached. He was married at Eagleville, October 23, 1879, the lady of hischoice being Miss Emma O. Crozier, who was born in Cass township, Han- cock county. September 1, 1862, the second daughter of Thomas and Mary (Campbell) Cro- zier, prominent farming people. To them have been born seven children-Charles W., Ellis C., John L., Howard, Lewis, Ethel and Leila, all at home with the exception of Howard, who died at the age of four years.
After his marriage Mr. Rhoad rented the old home farm for a couple of years, his entire pos- sessions at the time comprising a light team, buggy and harness, and the first plow he owned was given him by his father. In the spring of 1882 he purchased thirty-eight and a half acres in Section 33, Bloom township, for which he "went in debt $700, and there made his home for four years. In July, IS85, he sold the land, and the following month bought eighty acres in Sec- tion 32, of the same township, going in debt $2,700; but he went earnestly to work, and each year the amount became less. In May, 1893, he added another eighty acres, so that he now has an excellent farm of 160 acres. In October, 1889, he suffered quite a loss, as his house and its con- tents were burned; but he erected a more comfort- able dwelling, which he has surrounded by good and substantial outbuildings, and the neat appear- ance of the place indicates the thrift and enter- prise of the owner. He deserves much credit for the success he has attained, and deserves to be classed among the most active and energetic farmers and business men of the locality. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, in the success of which he takes a lively interest.
JONAS HANLINE, a gentleman of genuine worth, a valued and enterprising citizen of Lib- erty township, claims Pennsylvania as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Mor- rison's Cove, Huntingdon county, December 10, 1825. His parents were Michael and Hannah (Owerant) Hanline.
During his early boyhood the father came from Germany, with his parents, to the United States, and settled on a farm in Huntingdon county, Penn., where his father's death occurred about 1825. Michael Hanline was married in that county, and after living for many years on a farin there, removed to Stark county, Ohio, where he operated a tract of rented land until
coming to Wood county, in September, 1836. He located at Freeport, and for five years car- ried on a hotel there. Subsequently he removed to Genoa, where he died soon afterward, his wife surviving him many years. They were the par- ents of nine children: John, of Wauseon; Samuel, of Napoleon, Ohio; David, who died in Findlay, Ohio, many years ago; Eliza, wife of Charles Beyers, of Toledo, Ohio; Jonas, of this sketch; Catherine, wife of John Shoffstall; Mrs. Louise Chamberlin, who died in Bradner, Wood county; Harriet, deceased wife of William Gregg, of Sandusky county, Ohio; and Joshua, who resides in Bradner, - Wood county.
Our subject acquired the greater part of his education in Freeport, Ohio, and attended school until eighteen years of age, when he worked at anything that he could find to do in order to earn an honest living. When a young man he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In Lib- erty township, in 1849, he was married to Fidelia Norton, who was born in Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., December 13, 1827. They located in Liberty township, and Mr. Hanline worked as a farm hand, until purchasing an acre and a half of land in Section 4. There he built a log cabin which later was destroyed by fire, and was then replaced by a comfortable home. He afterward added five acres of land to his original purchase, and has now upon his place two good oil wells, which yield on an average 640 barrels per month, thus furnishing him with a good income. His life has been one of industry and earnest labor. In his business career, he has met with reverses; but steady application and diligence have now brought to him a comfortable competence.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hanline are: Julia, born December 8. 1854, became the wife of Nelson Emmons, of Kansas, where she died April 18, 1882; Mary Eliza, born July 1, 1857, is the wife of Charles Ferris, of Liberty; and Jessie, born July S, 1862, was burned to death in the fire which destroyed their home. In her sad death the loss to the family has been an irreparable one. Mr. Hanline takes quite an active interest in politics, and by his ballot sup- ports the Republican party.
W. H. RIDGELY. The life of this gentleman. a resident of Bloom township, is a striking ex- ample of perseverance and industry. He is a native of Maryland, born in Anne Arundel county, November 3, 1827, and is a son of Elijah and Mary (Higgins) Ridgely, who came to Ohio in November, 1829, locating in Seneca county, on Honey creek. The father there secured eiglity
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
acres of land from the government, and at the time of his settlement wild game of all kinds was plentiful, and his nearest neighbor on the east was six miles distant. The first home was a log house 18 x 22 feet, and upon that farm the parents both died, the father at the age of fifty- seven years, and the mother when sixty-six. They were buried at the old stone church on Honey creek.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of six children, three sons and three daughters, and in the district school, three-quart- ers of a mile from his home, he received his edu- cation. As a partner on life's journey he secured Miss Mary A. Mohr, a native of Lehigh county, Penn., born July 28, 1837, and a daughter of Charles Mohr, their wedding being celebrated at Tiffin, Ohio, October 5, 1859. They became the parents of the following children: Arthur C., who died at the age of twenty-six years; Mary I., now Mrs. F. J. Pelton, of La Grange county, Ind .; George M., a farmer of Bloom township; J. W., of New York State; Ellen, wife of John Monasmith, of Bloom township; and Emma, wife of Rev. John Stove, of Canada, a minister of the Disciples Church. The mother, who was a consistent member of the German Reformed Church, died November 7, 1872, and was laid to rest in Bloom Chapel cemetery.
After the death of his father our subject and his eldest brother, Charles A., took charge of the home farm comprising 175 acres, which they operated in partnership for nine years, during which time they purchased 120 acres in Bloom township, Seneca county. In April, 1861, Mr. Ridgely removed to that place, where a hewed- ! log house had been constructed, and a part of the land cleared, but in January. 1867, he re- moved to Eagleville, where, in connection with Mr. Strock. the subject proper of this sketch. is indebted to the district schools for his educa- tion, which, however, was limited to a few months attendance during the winter season until he was twenty years of age, when he spent a term and a half in Hiram College, Ohio, of which James A. : Garfield was then principal. He then began learning carpentering with his father, which he fol- lowed for about eight years. On September 21. 1865, Mr. Strock was married in Jackson town- ship, Mahoning county, to Drusilla Duer, who was born in that township, July 23, 1844, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Eckenrode, Duer, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They had nine children, of whom Mrs. Strock was the fifth. Previous to his mar- riage Mr. Strock had purchased 160 acres of land Henry Mohr, he carried on wagon making, which trade he had picked up at different times. For two years he followed that business, during which time he sold his farm, and in 1872 he : erected the first gristmill in Eagleville, which he operated for eleven years. Being unfortunate in his financial affairs, in February, 1882, he bought eighty acres of wild land in Section 13. Bloom township, and at the age of fifty-five began life anew. He continued to reside in Eagleville, however, until November, 1888, as at the time of his purchase the land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and not a building stood upon it. It is now well improved and equipped with an excellent class of farm buildings. From the time of casting his first vote up to 1880, Mr. Ridgely supported the Democratic party: but he ! in Bloom township, and in July, 1866, he removed
now affiliates with the Peoples party, in whose principles he firmly believes. He occupies an honorable position in society, enjoying to the fullest extent the confidence and respect of all with whom he is associated, and is widely and favorably known in business circles as an up- right, incorruptible man, whose word is as good as his bond.
WILLIAM H. STROCK is spoken of by his neighbors as an excellent farmer and a good citi- zen, and such a tribute from those who know him best is certainly an enviable one. His life record is as follows: Born October 12, 1837, in Mahoning county, Ohio, he is the son of Abraham Strock, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania, April 7, 1813. The grandfather, Henry Strock, was one of the earliest settlers of Mahoning county, Ohio, and there spent his remaining days. With the exception of one daughter, his five sons and five daughters all reached adult age.
Abraham Strock was married in Mahoning county to Sophia Whetzel, who was born in east- ern Pennsylvania. They became the parents of the following named children: Sarah A., wife of Daniel Blatt, of Mahoning county; William H. ; Eliza, wife of Henry Shaffer, now deceased; Ben- jamin F .. who died in infancy; Caroline, wife of Andrew Shefenstine, of Mahoning county; Lucy, wife of J. P. Hill, of Canton, Ohio; and George W., of Niles, Ohio. The father of this family followed carpentering, and was quite successful. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, and with his wife held membership with the Lutheran Church. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, his wife at the age of seventy-one, and their remains were interred in Smith cemetery, in Mahoning county.
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with his wife to that farm. The purchase price of the property was $1.900, and he paid for it as he could, until it was cleared from all indebtedness. It was heavily timbered, and hetransformed it into a highly cultivated tract, also erecting all of the buildings upon the place. During the first few years of his residence here he worked at the car- penter's trade, for his farm in its unimproved condition did not yield him a livelihood. As the result of his labors, however, it is now a very pro- ductive place, and he derives therefrom a good in- come.
Mr. and Mrs. Strock have two daughters- Leona, wife of J. M. Baird; and Mary S., wife of Charles Brubaker. Mr. Strock has given his daughters eighty acres of liis land, retaining eighty acres for himself and wife. This estimable couple are members of the Church of God, of Bloom Center, of which he is serving as trustee. In politics he is a Republican, and for fourteen years has served as treasurer of Bloom township. His life has been well and worthily passed, and he has the sincere regard of niany friends.
JAMES P. KRAMER, the senior member of the firm of Kramer & Chaney, leading hardware merchants in Bowling Green, was born April 14, 1846, in Franklin county, Ohio.
David Kramer, his father, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1805, of an old and highly- respected Dutch family, settled in early manhood upon a farm in Franklin county, Ohio. He was married there to Miss Elizabeth Moore, who was born of New England parents in 1809. They were consistent members of the U. B. Church in Canal Winchester, Ohio, for many years, the father dying in February, 1859, the mother in June, 1890. Of their twelve children, seven lived to maturity: Eliza, who married the late J. B. King, of Dayton, Ohio, and now lives in Columbus; Mary, deceased, formerly the wife of John Gehm; Ellen, the wife of George Powell, of Canal Winchester: Levi, a hardware merchant at the same town; Benton, a resident of Young county, Texas; J. P., our subject; and David, now in Colorado.
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