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 72
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The early life of Mr. Swartz was passed amidst the surroundings of slavery. As his parents were in limited circumstances, be was able to attend school only about six months al- together, and as soon as he was old enough he was hired out by his father, and his work was
often very arduous. In 1851 he concluded to come to Ohio, making the journey by convey- ance, in company with his brother-in-law and sister Sarah, who had been on a visit to their oid home in West Virginia, which was about forty miles from Cumberland, Md. By stage they proceeded to West Newton, Penn., thence down the river to Pittsburg, where they boarded a train for Mansfield, Ohio, thence going by rail to Shelby, from which place they were driven to their destination. On his arrival our subject had about $10, and with that amount began life. in Crawford county, where he found work during the winter in the lumber woods, making his home with Mr. Parks. He then worked at what- ever he could find to do, often making shingles by hand, for which he received twenty-two cents per hundred.
On September 28, 1854, in Lykens township, Crawford county, Mr. Swartz was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Hall, who was born in Walnut township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 14, 1827, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Mills) Hall, both natives of Virginia, who had come with their parents to Ohio, when small, being reared in Fairfield county, where they were mar- ried. Their last days were passed in Lykens township, Crawford county. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: Silas, a farmer of Milton township, Wood coun- ty; Rosella, who died at the age of twenty years; Isaac W., of Bloom township; Samuel, who operates the home farm in Perry township; and Mary, who died at the age of twenty-two.
It was in March, 1855, that Mr. Swartz re- moved to Perry township, Wood county, and there he rented land until 1859, when he bought eighty acres, which he later sold, buying another tract. This he afterward traded for his original farm in Section 19, where he had located on coming to this county in 1855, at which time the land was almost entirely covered with water. and once while chopping a tree trunk into the de- sired lengths after he had felled it, the portions would float away. The season of 1865 was ex- ceedingly wet, and, becoming discouraged, he would have left the county had he been able to get away. His farm is now a fertile, pro- ductive tract, made so by draining and tiling, and the rich fields yield bountiful harvests. Since the 20th of November, 1804, he has made his home in Bloomdale, enjoying a well-earned rest. Besides his excellent farm of 130 acres, he has two lots and 'a comfortable residence in that place. Although starting out empty-handed, he has secured a comfortable competence, the re-
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sult of his own indefatigable energy and perse- verance. Mr. Swartz was a Democrat until the formation of the Republican party, since which time he has fought under its banner, taking an active interest in the success of the party, while in religious belief he and his estimable wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN S. BARND, the Baltimore & Ohio railroad telegraph operator and station agent at Hoyt- ville, Ohio, was born January 24, 1874, in Han- cock county, this State, and is a son of Hiram and Melissa (Barnd) Trout. His father died in Feb- ruary, 1875, and he was then adopted by George M. and Mary Ann (Myers) Barnd, the former be- ing his maternal uncle, and since that time he has been known by the name of Barnd. His mother is still living, and is now the wife of Henry Rob- erts, a farmer residing near North Baltimore. The children of her first marriage are Flora, wife of George Connell, of North Baltimore; John S., and William H., who is living with his mother.
When our subject went to live with his uncle, that gentleman was residing in Van Buren, Ohio, where John attended school until eleven years of age, when the family removed to Marseilles, Wy- andot Co., Ohio. He there continued his studies until fifteen years of age, and afterward pursued his lessons under the direction of Prof. Shefler, in Risingsun, Wood county, where his adopted parents located in 1889. A year later the family removed to Bloomdale, this county, and he com- pleted his education in the high school under Prof. John Todd. He next learned telegraphy at the Bloomdale station on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and on the expiration of eight months was filling the position of night operator at that place. He was afterward promoted and made day operator and station agent at Bairdstown, Ohio, where he continued until February, 1893. He was then transferred to Whiting, Ind .; but after three months he resigned, and became the relief agent, being thus employed until July, 1894, when .
he was given his present position in Hoytville. He is now acceptably serving in this capacity, and is well liked by all.
Mr. Barnd was married in Michigan, January 9, 1895, to Miss Ida V. Kratz, who was born in Ida township, Monroe Co., Mich., February 28, 1872. Since locating in Hoytville, he has purchased a comfortable home. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity in Hoytville, and also holds membership with the Senior United American Mechanics of Bloomdale, and the Order of Railroad Telegraphers.
URIAH DISHONG is a successful business man who, depending entirely upon his own resources, has made the best of his opportunities, and by his diligence and good management worked his way steadily upward to a place among the sub- stantial farmers of Jackson township. He was born in Fulton county, Penn., January 26, 1859, and is a son of John and Anna (Dishon) Dishong. natives of the same county. The father was a
fariner and stock dealer. Some years after his marriage he removed with his family to Hancock county, Ohio, where he rented land for three years, and then came to Jackson township, Wood county, where he also operated a rented farti for a time. Later he purchased a tract of land; but sold it after three years. He then bought five acres, and afterward forty acres, and both he and his wife are still living on that property. Their family numbers three sons-Uriah; Elias, a farmer of Jackson township; and George, who is living with his father.
Our subject was only three years old when his parents removed to Hancock county, and in the public schools there he began his education. which was completed by attendance for one term in Jerry City, Ohio. No event of special im- portance occurred during his childhood days. which were passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. On March 23, 1884, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Ella A. Butterfield, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, January 23, 1866, and is a daughter of - and Esther A. (Thomp- son) Butterfield. They began their domestic life in Hoytville, where, for two years, Mr. Dishong had been carrying on a notion store. He con- tinued that business for about six months, then erected a larger store building, and put in a stock of general merchandise. This was destroyed by fire August 29, 1888, causing a loss of about $2, 500; but within a week he began the erection of a new store building, and now has a large two- story structure, stocked with an excellent line of dry goods, clothing and groceries. He is a very successful merchant, and his honorable dealing, courteous treatment and earnest efforts to please his customers have brought to him a liberal patronage.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dishong-Maudie, who was born February is, 1885, and died on August 25, following; Diminis, born August 7, 1886: Dauvray, born March 12. 1888; Lloyd, born August 4, 1890; and Lena. born March 15, 1893. On matters of national importance Mr. Dishong is a Democrat, but at local elections he pays little attention to party ties. He served as councilman one year, has been
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township treasurer for two years, and was post- master during President Cleveland's first admin- istration. In manner he is pleasant and genial, a kind-hearted, broad-minded man who has the confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES SOLETHER, one of the most highly respected citizens of Bloom township, a promi- nent agriculturist and veteran of the Civil war, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 15, 1827.
John Solether, his father, who was a farmer there, married Dorethea Anger, and after a few years spent in trying to make a living from thir- teen acres of land, they came to America with two boys, of whom our subject was the elder. They left Bremen in the spring of 1833, on the sailing vessel, "Amelia," and forty days later landed at New York. They eame by way of the Hudson river, Erie canal, and Lake Erie to Cleve- land, and thence on the Ohio canal to Bethle- hem, Stark county, where the mother and chil- dren were left while the father went to Holmes county, their destination, and secured the help of a brother-in-law, who brought his ox-team, and carried the little family home in his wagon. The father had $30 left, and this he invested in some land; but the title being defective, he lost it. In the spring of 1834 Mr. Solether moved to Bolivar, Tus- carawas county, where he rented a house and gar- den, and he and his wife worked out to support the family. The next year he rented fifteen acres of timber land in Stark county, which he cleared and fenced, and in the fall of 1840, having now be- come the possessor of a wagon, three horses, a colt and $100 in cash, representing years of hard work and close economy, he came with his family to Wood county. They had started for Indiana, but wisely concluded that State could hold nothing better than the lands of Bloom township, where he entered eighty acres in Sections 8 and 4, cov- ered with heavy timber.
Their first home was a log cabin, 18 x 22, a rude affair, and the prepara- tion of the land was such a task, that, if they had not raised some crops on the Limestone Ridge. they would have fared badly. Perrysburg was their marketing point, and at first their milling was done at Freeport, later at Findlay. Wild game was plentiful, but often proved destructive to the crops. By trading one of his horses, the father secured a cow, a plow and some corn, and a few years of steady toil placed him in compar- atively easy circumstances. He added more land to his farin after a time, and at his death owned 260 acres. In politics he was a Democrat, but
gave no attention to party work, the welfare of bis family being an absorbing interest. He died December 22, 1854. from the effects of a kick from a horse, received while hitching up a team. His wife survived him until March, 1863. and the remains of both now rest in Sugar Grove ceme- tery. Both had been for many years faithful members of the Evangelical Church. Of their six children, John, the second, born in Germany, resides in Fostoria; the four younger children. born in America, are Harriet, the widow of Amos Stettler; Mary, the widow of Marquis Hamman; Catherine, now Mrs. Simon Gilbert, of Fostoria; and Julia; who lives at Fostoria.
Charles Solether attended school irregularly in his youth, the farm work requiring his help. When he was eighteen years old he began work- ing for Charles Mercer at $10 per month, but his time was mainly spent on his father's property. On March 14, 1854. in Portage township. he was married to Miss Sarah Miller, a native of Lan- caster county, Penn. He settled upon a farm of eighty acres in Section 5, which he still owns. It was then covered with forest, and Mr. Solether cut the trees for his first hoine, and then invited his neighbors to help him to raise the building. Four children were born of his first marriage: J. Calvin, now a professor in the schools of Jerry City; C. Wilson, of Jerry City; Caroline, who died at the age of thirteen, and Frances, who died in infancy. Mrs. Solether died August 13. 1861, sincerely mourned by all who knew her, and was buried in Sugar Grove cemetery.
On August 31, 1862, Mr. Solether enlisted in Company B, ILIth O. V. I., with Capt. Thomas Norris. They went into camp at Perrysburg and Toledo, and then joined the forces in Kentucky, going to Covington Heights, Lonisville, Shelby- ville and other places. Mr. Solether was taken ill at Frankfort, Ky., October 26, 1862, the day of the remarkable snow-fall, and was sent to the hospital at Louisville; but a week later he re- joined his regiment at their winter quarters at Bowling Green, Ky. On July 5. 1863, he was again prostrated by sickness, and when his regi- ment moved to East Tennessee he was left be- hind at Glasgow, and later was sent to Lebanon and Louisville; but he did not recover, and on October 19, 1863, was discharged for disability. For some time after his return home he was un- able to do any active work, but he gradually re- gained his health, and is now quite well preserved for his age.
On February 14, 1864, in Jerry City, he was married to his second wife, Miss Elizabeth Stull. a native of Wayne county, born March 7, 1833.
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Charles Soletter Charles
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the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Hockenber- ger) Stull, who came to Bloom township in July, 1834. She had never seen a school house until she was ten years old, and as she grew older she assisted in the support of the family by working for other people, one of her employers being Reason Whitacre. Five children were born of this union: Jerius, who died at the age of thir- teen years; Ora, married to Samuel Brecht, of Bowling Green; Getta, Rosa and Charles F., now attending the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana.
Mr. Solether's later years have been eminently blessed. He has the satisfaction of seeing his children occupying useful and honorable positions in'life, and his worldly possessions have been greatly increased by the development of the oil industry. He added to his first farm from time to time until he owned 470 acres; but he has since sold all but 190 acres, where he has a hand- some and commodious residence. As a reliable and substantial business man, he takes a high rank in the community. Politically he was a Democrat until the breaking out of the Civil war, since when he has been a stanch Republican; but he has never sought official preferment, his pri- vate business requiring his constant care.
Mr. Solether is the author of a neat little work of thirty pages, in pamphlet form, entitled, "Thy Kingdom Come," in which he sets forth his re- ligious belief, and in which he discusses the fol- lowing topics: What is it to confess Christ ? Church and Churches, The Seven Pillars of the House of the Devil, Biasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Jews and Gentiles, Differences in Dis- cipline, The Rejected Stone, Parable of the Tares, What the Kingdom is like, Baptism, and Gathering Home. Mr. Solether has not prepared this volume to sell, but furnishes copies to all who ask for them.
REZIN JEWELL, deceased. The subject of this sketch, formerly a prominent agriculturist and stock breeder of Plain township, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born January 16, 1839. Ilis father, John Jewell, married Miss Nancy Mccullough, by whom he had children as fol- lows: Aaron, deceased; Jane, the wife of B. Franklin, of Lucas county; Samuel. a farmer of Plain township; Margaret, the wife of Myron Le- Galley; William, a farmer of Portage township: George, a farmer of Weston township: Celia, the wife of William T. Le Galley, Jr. ; Heury, a fariner in Michigan; Rezin, our subject; and John, who died in infancy. In 1840 the family came to Wood county and settled in Plain town- ! 54 .
ship, where the father died in 1864, the mother surviving him six years.
Mr. Jewell received an excellent education in youth, his fine natural abilities enabling him to make the most of every opportunity. After at- tending the schools of his district for some years, he studied in Waterville and West Millgrove, paying his own way, and then taught for twenty- five terms, farming at intervals. When his fa- ther died he bought the homestead, where he aft- erward resided, making many improvements, and conducting the estate upon progressive meth- ods. He was married, in 1862. to Miss Cath- arine Alexander, who was born in Bellevue, Ohio, December 26, 1847. Her father, William Alexander, was a native of Huron county, Ohio, born August 29, 1822, and her mother, Susanna (Moore), of Bellevue, was born September 15, 1827. They had twelve children: Catharine (Mrs. Jewel!). Albert, John, James, Judson, Edwin, Ida, William, George, and Chester M. ; the others died in infancy. In the year 1856 Mr. Alexander came with his family to Wood county, and became one of the leading farmers of Plain township. His wife died in 1889, and he still survives, residing in the county.
Mr. Jewell was'a man of kindly and genial nature. Loving and considerate in his domestic life, he was ever ready to respond to any call upon his sympathies from outside the family cir- cle. He took pride in advancing the interests of his township and county, and for a number of years served in a number of official positions- constable, school director and supervisor. He was a great lover of horses, and was one of the first to introduce good breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs into this county. Thoroughly progressive in his ideas, he was always among the foremost in advocating any change which would benefit the community, and his early death, in August, 1892, was deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends, who cherish the memory of his good deeds.
Mrs. Jewell still conducts the homestead, the active management being in the hands of Edward E. Everett, who married Ida Alexander, a sis- ter of Mrs. Jewell. They have three children: Blaine, born August 4. 1884; Imogene, born September 19, 1886; and Clyde E., born Octo- ber 7, 1889.
JOHN HIPSHER, who is engaged in farming in Center township, is one of the substantial and re- liable citizens of the community, and a prosper- ous and able agrieulturist. He is a native of Al- len county, Ohio, born February 14, 1844,
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His father. Jesse Hipsher, was born in Penn- sylvania in I810, and was a son of Lawrence Hipsher, one of the honored soldiers who served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. By trade the father was a cooper, but de- voted most of his time to agricultural pursuits. He was married at Clear Creek, Penn .. to Charity Myers, and to them were born nine children: (1) Mary, the deceased wife of Jeremiah M. Buckmas- ter. (2) William H., also deceased, was a Union soldier in the Civil war. (3) Ezra, also a Union soldier, in the 57th O. V. I., served four years and was twice wounded; after the close of the war he went to Michigan, and was drowned in Lake Huron. (4) Samuel, also a Union soldier in the 57th O. V. I., died of typhoid fever while in the service. (5) John is next in order of birth. (6) Sarah is the wife of Isaac Shively, of Allen
county, Ohio. (7) George W. is operating the old homestead farm. (S) Eliza is the deceased wife of Charles Oxburger, a farmer of Allen coun- ty. (9) One child died in infancy. From the Keystone State the father removed to Van Wert county, Ohio, where he remained a short period engaged in farming, and in 1870 bought forty acres of land in Allen county, on which he resided until death called him hence in 1895, when he was at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The mother is yet living, and has reached the age of ninety years.
The subject of this biographical notice was reared in his native county, and there received the elements of his education in the district schools, and laid the foundations of his future life. He remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil war, when, prompted by a spirit of pa- triotism, he enlisted at Bluffton, Ohio, in Company B, 61st O. V. I., under Col. Schleich and Capt. Miller. From Camp Chase the regiment went to Virginia, and our subject participated in all the battles in which his company was engaged. On account of a sunstroke, he was for a few days incapacitated for service, but on his recovering resumed his position in his company. At the last battle of Bull Run he received a wound on the left shin, after which he was sent to convalescent camp, and there received his discharge April 20, 1863. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and there re-enlisted, this time in the roth Penn. Cav., which was sent to participate in the battle of Lookout Monntain, Tenn. Mr. Hipsher remained in the ariny until May 14, 1866, when he was dis- charged at New Orleans, and then returned home to Allen county.
For a short time Mr. Hipsher remained in Allen county, and then went to Michigan, where
he spent eight years in the lumber camps. In 1874 he removed to Wood county, locating in Center township, where he purchased forty acres of land, which he lias improved, making it one of the best cultivated farms in the township. Here he was married February 22, 1875, to Miss Mary Sader, a daughter of Lawrence Sader, a farmer of Center township. Ten children grace this union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Martin, January 7, 1876; John. April 9, 1878; Jane, April 23, 1880: Lawrence, Janu- ary 7, 1882; Sarah, September 25, 1883; Rosie, June 11, 1886; Eliza, March 30, 1838; James, April 17, 1892; Bertha, March 18, 1894; and Howard, March 4, 1896. The eldest died while young. The family are devout members of the Catholic Church, and in his political views Mr. Hipsher is a Republican. He is regarded as among the leading men of the township, the friend of every worthy enterprise, and for two terms he held the office of school director, while for four terms he served as supervisor.
H. G. STRAWSER was born November 30, 1851, at Hallsville, Ross Co., Ohio, where he re- sided until 1872, in the meantime obtaining what education he could in the village schools, and working on the farm in his spare moments.
In 1872 Mr. Strawser went to Marysville, Ohio, and worked three years for W. E. Baxter, with whom he learned the jewelers' trade. and who had twenty-eight years' experience in the business. In June, 1875, Mr. Strawser came to Weston, and worked for D. A. Avery until March 28, 1878, at which time he opened up a jewelry store in the post office, acting, at spare time, as assistant postmaster under F. M. Young for two years. Then Mr. Strawser formed a partner- ship with E. D. Gallagher, and continued with him until January, 1881, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Strawser buying out his partner, and the branch store, which had been operated during the partnership, at Deshler, Ohio, was discon- tinued, and the two were consolidated into one store, located at Weston. In 1883 Mr. Strawser erected a two-story brick block, twenty feet wide and ninety feet long, which he now occupies, and in which he carries the largest jewelry and musical instrument stock in the city.
In 1878 Mr. Strawser was united in marriage to Miss Eva A. Gunn, who was born in Water- ville, Ohio, May 3, 1857. They have two chil- dren: Mamie Mayree, born July to, 1882, and Leroy Wheeler, born October 19, 188; Mr. Strawser is a Republican, a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and of the following fra-
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ternities: I. O. O. F., past grand of the Wes- ton Lodge No. 681 ; Columbian Encampment No. 274, of Weston; Master Mason of the F. & A. M. No. 560, Weston; Canton Alpine, Uniform Rank, I. O. O. F. No. 26, Bowling Green, Ohio; Kenil- worth Lodge, K. of P., No. 340, Weston; and Anthony Wayne Tent, K. O. T. M .. No. 140, Weston. He is also a director and stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Weston, and is interest- ed in the oil business.
Jacob Strawser, father of Mr. Strawser, was born in Pennsylvania, March 31, 1817, and was a blacksmith by trade. On February 9, 1840, he married Miss Susan Rockaway, who was born in Pennsylvania, February 8, 1822. He located at Hallsville, Ross Co., Ohio, where for twenty years he followed his trade as a miller, and then that of blacksmithing. To him and his wife were born ten children, one of which died in in- fancy; the names and dates of birth of the others are as follows: Katie, June 1, 1844; John S., October 1, 1846; H. G., November 30. 1851; Mattie, February 16, 1853; Ella, March 2, 1856; Byron, March 27, 1858; William, September 25, 1860; Lizzie, January 20, 1863; Franklin, No- vember 12, 1866.
WILLIAM A. SARGENT. Success can always be achieved through enterprise, indefatigable in- dustry and sound judgment, and these have made our subject one of the substantial citizens of Liberty township. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 10, 1833, and is a son of John and Agnes (Linn) Sargent, the former a native of southern Ohio, the latter of Virginia.
They were married in Ross county, Ohio, and in the spring of 1833 came to Wood county, arriv- ing in Liberty township, April 6. The father entered 400 acres of wild land, later adding 240 acres. He erected a rude log cabin, which after fifteen years was replaced with a substantial frame dwelling. His death occurred on the old homestead, May 11, 1857; his widow died in 1872. In their family were seven children: Snowden L., a liveryman, of Jerry City; Nancy Ann, who became the wife of Ambrose Shiveley, and died in Center township, at the age of twenty-three; Sarah A., who became the wife of John Fearnside, of Liberty township, and died at the age of twenty-three; George, who died in in- fancy; William A., subject of this sketch; and John Wesley, who died in St. Louis, Missouri.
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