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. 3 > Part 12
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Our subject acquired a good education in the land of his birth, and learned the trade of gar- dening with his father. At the age of twenty-two he entered the German army, and during his three-year- service participated in a number of important engagements. In 1836 he sailed from Antwerp for the New World, and on landing
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made his way direct to Rockport, near Cleve- land, Ohio. When he reached that place he was almost penniless; but he possessed a resolute purpose and energy, and soon secured work in a sawmill, being employed in that capacity for about fifteen years. He then came to Wood county with his wife, whom he had married in Rockport. She bore the maiden name of Cath- erine Koch, and was a native of Ohio. In con- nection with his brother Ferdinand, our subject purchased all of Section 20, Milton township, and erected a sawmill on the present site of Custar, the first in this section of the county. Near by he built a log cabin, and thus began life in Wood county. There were many hardships and difficulties to be experienced, but his ener- gies overcame these. In 1874 his first wife died. Their children were Lena Myer, now deceased; Anna and Richard, who have also passed away; Eva, wife of Fritz Wismer, of Milton township; Daniel, now of Michigan; Mary, who is keeping house for her brother-in-law; and Albert, in Detroit, Michigan.
For his second wife, Mr. Scherein married Mrs. Louise Kaiser, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, April 22, 1838. She first married Kaspar Kaiser in 1861. He was a slate-roofer by trade, and two children were born to them in Germany-Mrs. Ida Sawada, now deceased; and Annie, at home. In 1861, Mr. Kaiser sailed with his family for America, on a vessel which weighed anchor at Hamburg, Germany-the "Germania." They were three weeks upon the way when the vessel sprang a leak, and had to return to South- ampton, England, for repairs. It was five weeks later before it reached New York. Going to Cleveland, Mr. Kaiser was there employed at his trade, receiving $5 per day for his services. In the fall of 1869, he came to Wood county, and purchased twenty acres of land of our subject. His death occurred March 24, 1874. His chil- dren were: Ida, born April 16, 1,863; Annie, born September 21, 1865; Robert, born August 18, 1868, and died at the age of nine months; Lena, born August 12, 1870; and Julia, born February 26, 1873, and died at the age of six years. In 1875 Mr. Scherein and Mrs. Kaiser were married and they became the parents of one son-Theo- dore --- who was born March 26, 1876. He is now operating the home farni, which comprises forty-five acres of land. Mrs. Scherein is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM N. TRACY, a wide-wake business man and a prominent fruit grower of Ross town- ship, is descended from good old Revolutionary
stock, his grandfather and the latter's oldest son having taken up arms against the Mother coun- try, and aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. His father, Doria Tracy, was born in Richmond, Mass., in 1808, of Yankee parentage, and by occupation was a lumberman. He married Almira Nichols, and they becanie the parents of three children-Francis, born in 1842, is married, and is a brick manufacturer of To- ledo, Ohio, residing on Twenty-second street, be- tween Madison and Jefferson; William N. is the second in the family; Catherine is the wife of J. G. Lamson, living at No. 1216 Jefferson street, Toledo. The mother, who was a Congregational- ist in religious belief, died in Toledo, July 3, 1879, and was there interred. In 1840 the father re- moved to New York, later came to Ohio, and now makes his home with his daughter in Toledo.
The birth of our subject occurred May II. 1846, and he grew to manhood at Cuba, Alle- gany Co., N. Y. On December 26, 1866, he was united in marriage with Sarah Foster, daugh- ter of Elijah Chester Foster. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Almeda Bailey, was a member of the Methodist Church, and died when her daughter was but seven years old. Mrs. Tracy is the eldest in a family of four children, the others being Amos H., who was a member of the 85th N. Y. V. I. during the Rebellion, and died in the service; Miner A. ; and John D. Three sons grace the union of our subject and his wife -Clarence A., born in October, 1867. married Anna Messer, by whom he has two children, Margaret and Helen Virginia, and now resides in Oregon township, Lucas Co., Ohio; William E .. born November 11, 1868, married Jennie Mes- ser, by whom he has two sons-Marion D. and William Curtis, and one daughter. Hazel; and Doria, born May 29, 1871, also lives at home.
The year 1867 witnessed the emigration of Mr. Tracy to Ohio, and his locating at his pres- ent residence; he made the trip from the Empire State with a team, which was presented him by his father, and was valued at $600.oo. Two weeks were consumed in making the journey. On account of ill health he went to the pineries in 1872, where he remained for eight years, re- turning in 1881. Upon forty-five acres of the 150-acre tract belonging to his father, he began fruit culture, and so successful has he been in his undertaking. that his receipts now amount to $4,000.00 annually. He formerly sold his fruit through commission men, but now through his son, marketing as high as a thousand baskets per week at Bowling Green, and handles all kinds | of fruits that grow in this section of the
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country, having upon his places four acres planted in strawberries, ten in raspberries; three in blackberries; 3,000 bushes, or two and one-half acres, in currants; four acres in grapes; 500 gooseberry bushes; 200 bearing cherry trees; 1,000 plum trees; 500 peach trees; 500 two-year-old peach trees; 150 apple trees; 100 pear trees; 100 trees of miscellaneous fruits, including apricots, quinces and plums of different varieties, as experiments; and also some Kansas wild plums. He has erected two good houses upon his place, and remodeled another at a cost of $1,000.00, while, in 1890, he laid four miles of tiling.
In 1890 and in 1891, Mr. Tracy was elected, and acceptably served as, president of the Lucas County Horticultural Society, and for two terms his wife was also president of the Ladies' Floral Society. In 1894 he was elected trustee of Ross township, in which capacity he is now serving, and before going to the pineries he was school director for the same length of time. At local elections he votes independently, but on national affairs he supports the Republican party. Though not members of any Church, Mr. and Mrs. Tracy favor the Congregational belief, and give their earnest support to all interests that will advance the moral welfare of the community, while she has served as president of the ladies' society in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a mem- ber of the Ford Circle (now of the G. A. R.) Aid Society.
HENRY R. SCOTT, well known throughout Ross township and vicinity, came to Ohio in 1848, stopping first in Oregon township, Lucas county, where he made his home until 1870. In that year he purchased forty acres of land pleas- antly located in Section 32, Ross township, Wood county, in the cultivation and improvement of which he has since been industriously engaged, with most satisfactory results.
Mr. Scott is a native of Canada, where his birth took place in October, 1847, at the home of his parents, John A. and Barbara (Horton) Scott, who were born, reared and married in that country. In 1848 they removed to Oregon township, Lucas Co., Ohio, where, in the inidst of the wilderness, the father opened up a farm, and there served as assessor. Later he became a resident of Ross township, this county, where his death occurred in 1890. The wid- owed mother now makes her home with John E. In the family were seven children, six of whom are still living-Michael J., of Ironville, Ohio, during the Civil war enlisted in Lucas
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county, in the one-hundred-days' service; Henry R. is next in order of birth; Mrs. Sarah Stalker makes her home at East Toledo, Ohio; Adda is the wife of Archibald Stalker, of Walbridge, Ohio; Mrs. Eva Miller lives in Lake township, Wood county; and John E. is married and re- sides in Lake township.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon his father's farm in Oregon township, Lucas county, where he attended the district schools, and received his first training in farin work. There he was married on February 8, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth H. Ford, who was born in England, and was a daughter of William H. Ford, also a native of that coun- try, who at an early day located in Perrysburg, now Ross, township, this county. In 1863 he went to California, where his death occurred in 1892, but his wife died in this State. On De- cember 25, 1889, Mrs. Scott departed this life. She was a most estimable lady, and left many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her death. Three children had been born to our subject and his wife, but two died in infancy. The one now living is Roland R. Mr. Scott, be- lieving in the guide of the Sacred Book, "It is not good for man to be alone," was married on December 18, 1895, to Miss Alice Loraine Mat- thews, of Lake township, this county. She was one of Wood county's most popular teachers, being successfully engaged in the public schools for more than sixteen years, and her acquaint- ance throughout the county is extensive. Her character and work are most excellent; she was educated at the Ada (Ohio) Normal University, and has gained the esteem of all who know her. Politically, Mr. Scott is a stanch Republican, strongly upholding the principles of that party. and for four years has served as assessor of his township. He is a true citizen in every respect, and has an excellent reputation as a straightfor- ward and upright man.
JOHN LEWIS McCOLLEY, deceased, was for many years a prominent and influential farmer of Washington township, and was one of the brave soldiers who aided in the preservation of the Union. His birth occurred in Derby, Conn., December 16, 1821, and he was a son of John and Betsy (Hart) McColley, the former of whom was a native of Kinderhook, N. Y., and while a resident of the East was the owner of an ocean vessel. On coming to Ohio, in 1839, he bought an interest in a vessel sailing on the lakes.
The literary education of our subject was ob- tained in the schools of Connecticut, and on
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coming to Ohio, he followed the lake as a mariner until 1861. August 3, 1862, at Toledo, Ohio, he enlisted in the 100th O. V. I., and earned an hon- orable military record. At Limestone Station, Tenn., September S, 1863, he was taken prisoner, and was confined in Lynchburg, Belle Isle and Libby prisons; on December 24, following, he was paroled at Belle Isle, and at Cincinnati, May 19, 1864, he was transferred to the navy depart- ment, serving on the U. S. Steamer " Vindica- tor." On January 11, 1865, he was sent to Pinck- ney Hospital, at Memphis, Tenn., from which he was discharged the following April on account of disability. He saw much hard service, and was ever found at his post of duty. On returning home Mr. McColley purchased forty acres of rich land in Washington township, adjoining forty acres owned by his wife, which he greatly im- proved, making it one of the best farms of the lo- cality. There he died February 26, 1886, leav- ing a devoted family and many friends to mourn their loss. His political support was given to the Republican party, and for one year he served his fellow-citizens as trustee. Before the war he held membership with the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Per- rysburg, Ohio. He was affiliated with Walter A. Wood Post, G. A. R., at Tontogany.
In Plain township, January 23, 1848, Mr. Mc- Colley married Miss Margaret Ann Kuder, who was born in Tiffin, Ohio, July 17, 1826, and they became the parents of three children: (1) Fran- cis A., born in Washington township, October 30, 1848, died January 22, 1869, at the age of twenty years. (2) Carrie S., born in Perrysburg, Janu- ary 21, 1854, now the wife of Patrick O. Carrol, of Toledo, Ohio, by whom she has a daughter, Maggie, born May 22, 18So. (3) Cornelia M .. twin sister of Carrie S., died March 15, 1872, at the age of eighteen years. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, are widely and favora- bly known throughout Wood county, and Mrs. McColley, during her residence here, has made many warm friends.
GEORGE W. WAGONER, one of the leading merchants of Stony Ridge, is a man who com- bines the virtues of energy and pluck, with excel- lent judgment, which has brought great success to his efforts and labors. He is a native of Lake township, born in 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Conrad) Wagoner, natives of Pennsyl- vania. The maternal grandfather, John Conrad, was born in the Keystone State, and became one of the first settlers of Lake township, Wood county. On their arrival in this county the par- ents of our subject were single, and their mar-
riage was celebrated in Lake township. By trade the father was a cooper, but also followed farming. In 1864 he entered the Union army, and was a member of Company G, 189th. O. V. I., and died of typhoid fever at Huntsville, Ala., September 9, 1865. His body now rests in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn. The mother died on the old homestead in Lake township in ISSI. In their family were six chil- dren: Mary Emma, wife of James McCutchen, of Stony Ridge, Ohio; Samuel E., of Lake town- ship; Henry H. ; William W. ; George W., of this sketch; and Loretta Jane, who died October 13, 1877.
George W. Wagoner spent his boyhood on the home farm, receiving the usual educational advantages in the common schools of Perrysburg township, and from his mother a good training in the duties of life, so that he was well prepared to make his way in the world. At the age of six- teen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and after a four-months' apprenticeship took a con- tract to build a large barn. In ISSI he came to Stony Ridge, and, with his brother Henry, pur- chased a sawmill and engaged in contracting and building. In 1885 they opened a general store, which they conducted for about five years. when the partnership was dissolved. Later our subject built a store, which he sold in 1890, and in 1893 erected his present building, where he carries a full line of hardware, and has succeeded in build- ing up a liberal patronage. He also deals exten- sively in grain, owning a grain elevator, and doing a large business at Stony Ridge, and still owns his sawmill and a good farm in Perrysburg town- ship.
In 1884 Mr. Wagoner was united in marriage at Stony Ridge with Miss Hattie E. Morse, a native of Perrysburg township, and a daughter of Lewis and Jane (Hoffard) Morse, who were also born in that township. Five children grace this union: Esther J., Iva E., Festus G., Rhea E., and Vir- da E. Mr. Wagoner is a Republican in political faith, attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. and is a gentleman of sterling integrity and hon- orable principles, enjoying the esteem and conti- dence of the entire community.
WOLFGANG KELLERMEIER (deceased) became one of the representative citizens of the county. Seeking a home in America, he made the most of his opportunities, and won here a comfortable property, and the high regard of those with whom he came in contact. He was born in Baietn (Bavaria), Germany, September 19, 1816, and there, in accordance with the laws of his native
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land, he was educated, and served in the German army. His occupation was farming, which he followed in the Fatherland until 1854, when he came to America, making his first location in Toledo, Ohio, where he spent two years working as a laborer. His desire, however, being to se- cure a home, he believed he could do this better outside of the city. Accordingly, in 1856 he came to Middletontownship, and worked as a farm hand until he had saved enough to purchase thirty acres of land, which he improved. To this he added, in 1875, a forty-acre tract, which he cleared and cultivated, and erected buildings thereon, until the once wild region was replaced by waving fields of grain. Industriously and en- ergetically he continued his labors until he won a place among the substantial citizens of the com- munity.
On August 16, 1860, in Middleton township, Mr. Kellermeier wedded Mrs. Mary Auth Celler, who was born in Germany, October 10, 1836, and was the widow of Joseph Celler. The fol- lowing children were born of this marriage: Frances, born May 17, 1861, is the wife of Mar- cus Wideman, of Toledo, and has four children; Barbara, born March 9, 1863, is the wife of Frank Kessler, of Toledo; Wolfgang, born January 4, IS64, now operates a part of the old homestead; John, born December 5, 1867, aids his brother in this work; Katie, born September 10, 1869, is the wife of George Schwind, a farmer of Middle- ton township; and Joseph, born September 16, 1873.
Our subject was a Democrat in politics, and served for three years as school director. He was a liberal supporter and faithful member of the Catholic Church, and led an industrious, ex- emplary and honorable life, which was ended on August 14, 1895. His deathi was widely and sin- cerely mourned, for he had many friends who held him in high regard for his excellencies of char- acter. Mrs. Kellermeier, an estimable lady, still survives her husband, and is keeping house for her sons. The management of the farm now de- volves upon John, who is a wide-awake, progress- ive business man, and is successfully conducting the old homestead. He is an advocate of the Democratic party, and his Church affiliations are Roman Catholic.
JOHN G. HOFFMANN, leading grocer of Perrys- burg, and one of the most successful of the self- made men of his vicinity, was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 18. 1840.
In 1852, he came to America with his parents, George Frederick and Margaret (Shutz) Hoff-
mann, who died two years later of cholera, the mother on July 21. and the father on the 24th of the following month. Six children were left to fight the battle of life alone, and the subject of this sketch at once began to learn the butcher's trade. Five years later he started in business for himself, and continued the same until the out- break of the Rebellion, when he responded to his country's call to arms. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was honorably discharged, and then returned to the butcher business, in which he continued till 1882. He then sold out and opened a grocery and saloon, which he still conducts; he also owns a farm and vineyard, and is one of the most extensive wine dealers in Wood county.
Mr. Hoffmann was married November 25. 1863, to Miss Catherine Cornelius, a native of Perrysburg, born April 3, 1848. Twelve children were born of this union, of whom nine are living: George Frederick, born April IS, 1867, who married Lulu Witzler, and has two children- Ernest and Edgar; Katie, married to Lawrence Harbauer, of Pemberville; Mamie, at home; Charles H., born December 4, 1874, who is his father's assistant in business (he married Miss Mamie Schlecht, of Perrysburg, and has one child -Leonidas Charles); and Regina, Alexander. William, Eva and Lillian, all five at home.
Mr. Hoffmann's success in all his undertak- ings is the more remarkable because he had but a limited English education. He received a good German education in his native land, and in this country attended a private English school for a short time. He possesses fine native abilities. as well as great energy, and has made good use of such facilities as have come in his way during his busy life. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic.
D. LUCAS, deceased, in his lifetime a leading business man of Perrysburg, was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, February 17, 1820. At the age of twenty-seven, after several years experience as a clerk in a grocery in his na- tive place, he came to America, first locating in California. As he possessed, in abundant meas- ure, those admirable business qualifications which distinguish the better class of the German-born citizens in this country, he was not long in se- curing a foundation for the wealth which he left to his family at his death. After three years spent in the Golden State, he came, in 1854. to Perrysburg, and engaged in the retail grocery business.
On June 28, 1850, he married Miss Margaret
John G. Hoffmann
Gatherme Hoffmann.
.
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
C. Warns, who was also a native of Hanover, born June 8, 1834. Her parents, Poppe and Margaret. Warns, came from the Fatherland in 1852, and settled in Perrysburg township, on the Maumee and Western Reserve pike, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Her father had been a miller and grain merchant in Ger- many, but his later years were spent in agricult- ural pursuits. For many years Mr. Lucas was the leading merchant in Perrysburg, retiring into private life in 1890. His career was character- ized throughout by frugality and rare judgment in financial matters. On June 14, 1894, he died suddenly from sunstroke. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and the weight . of his influence was always thrown on the side of progress.
He was a Republican in politics, and for several years served as township treasurer, besides on the school board a number of terms. In all respects he was a representative self-made man. He was not one to inix up much with the world. He loved justice, and observed the laws of busi- ness closely, giving to others their just dues with the same punctuality and conscientiousness as he demanded for himself. Thoroughly domestic in his nature, he devoted much time to his family, and to the study of literature. In German, Eng- lish and French he was well versed, was also a student of Latin, and he continued his studies until the close of his life. As a financier and economist, he had few peers in northern Ohio; but, although he amassed wealth and took a reasonable pride in his acquisitions of land and other property, it was in the bosom of his family, he found that happiness which filled his cup of joy nearly full.
Mrs. Lucas survives her husband, and is a hale and young-looking lady to be a grandmother. Her eldest son, Henry, lives in the suburbs of Perrysburg; Celia married Ferdinand Wenz, a prominent civil engineer, of Perrysburg; Edward is living at home; Julia M., the youngest child, is one of the most popular ladies in the best circles in Perrysburg.
GEORGE H. FEASEL. a highly respected farmer of Montgomery township, was born November 21, 1830, in Fairfield county, Ohio. His par- ents, Henry and Jane (Kendall) Feasel, removed to Seneca county when our subject was three years old, and located on a farin in the woods, near the center of Liberty township. Here the father owned too acres of land, and on this place reared his family of nine children, five of whom were boys, and all of whom reached adult age.
He was a quiet, peaceful man, who never quar- relled with his neighbors, was never sued, and was known for miles around as " old uncle Henry Feasel." He lived to the age of eighty-four years, and his wife to that of seventy-two years, both dying in Liberty township.
Our subject was the youngest son and seventh child of his parents. His first schooling was in a building made of logs, whose windows consisted of one pane of glass, eight by ten inches. The seats were made of basswood logs, split in two, with sticks inserted for legs, while the writing desk, which extended all around the building, was made of boards laid on pins stuck in the wall. A chimney was built on the outside of sticks and mortar, and big logs in the fire place heated the room. Such was the kind of school houses in which the early pioneers of the West obtained what little schooling they had. Our subject was brought up as a farmer boy, and, it being in the days before threshing machines were invented, he was often kept at home from school to ride one of the horses while the wheat was being tramped out on the barn floor. When nineteen years old he left school, and the day after reach- ing his majority he started out to work for him- self, his first occupation being that of chopping cord wood at twenty-two cents a day.
On January 22, 1854, when our subject was twenty-three years old, he was married to Eliza- beth, daughter of Charles and Keziah Dicken, was born in Crawford county, Ohio. Novem- ber 29, 1833. The children born of this union were as follows: Angeline married Philip Stump, and died in Montgomery township; Charles D. died in childhood; Mary J. married Jacob Dieter, and died in the same township; Sevilla B. died in childhood; Keziah D. married Frank Warner, and is deceased; Ann E. married James Hutton, and is also deceased; Henry G. is a farmer in the township; John W. lives in West Millgrove; Livona R. died in childhood; George W. re- sides with his father. The mother of these chil- dren died May 29, 18SS, and is buried in Free- port cemetery. Mr. Feasel was married to his present wife October 10, 1889. She was the widow of A. J. Rainey, her maiden name being Regina Baker, and she is a daughter of Frederick Baker.
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