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 28
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The mother of our subject was a daughter of John and Mary Trass, whose family of children were: Senath, Margaret, Ann, Henry, Joseph, and Catherine.
JOHN H. NEEDLES, a highly respected farmer of Jackson township, was born in Hancock coun- ty, Ohio, August 19, 1857, his parents being William and Mary (Harris) Needles. He attend- ed schools near his home, and spent the hours of vacation in aiding his father in the farm work. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in Rawson, Hancock county, February 21, 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Olive, daughter of Abram and Anna (Hanna) Flick. They were natives of Ohio, married in Fairfield county, and soon after took up their residence near Rawson, Hancock county. They had four children: Alice, Olive, Rufus and Lydia. Mr. Flick was twice married, and by his first union had six children. He was a highly re- spected citizen and farmer, and both he and his wife died in Hancock county.
After their marriage our subject removed with his bride to Rawson, where for a year he engaged in operating a sawmill. He then sold that prop- erty, and bought a farm of twenty acres, on which he lived for two years, when he came to Wood county, and purchased his present property, a tract of eighty acres, that was then in its prim- itive condition. He placed a considerable por- tion of it under cultivation; but after two years he sold it to his father, and returned to Hancock
Mr. Mitchell is an ardent Republican, and as an old soldier is greatly interested in everything connected with the events of those stirring times. He never fails to attend the reunions of the vet- erans of the war, at which many interesting stor- ies are told, and the battles fought over again. He held the office of township trustee for many years, and in November, 1893, was elected a di- rector of the County Infirmary, and re-elected in | county, where he spent the succeeding two years
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on a farm of fifty acres, that he had purchased there. He then again bought his old home, in Jackson township, Wood county, and soon after erected his present residence; he has since added forty acres more, making now a fine farm of 120 acres. His farm is neat and thrifty in appear- ance, and is now a desirable property.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Needles has been blessed with three children: Arthur Cloyd, Ada Violet and Mary Maud. The parents are well- known in 'this locality, and are highly esteemed by their many friends. In his political views, Mr. Needles is a stalwart Republican; he served as school director for a number of years, and while living in Rawson was appointed constable, but would not accept the office, caring nothing for political preferment. He is an active worker in the United Brethren Church of Hoytville.
HENRY J. RUDOLPH is one of the progressive and enterprising merchants of Wood county, and, as he is both widely and favorably known, we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers. He was born November 22, 1861, in Republic, Seneca Co., Ohio, and is a son of Charles Rudolph, a native of Germany, who in that country learned and fol- lowed the trade of shoemaking. In 1852, at the age of eighteen, he crossed the Atlantic to Amer- ica, and for a few years thereafter worked as a laborer in Seneca county; he then opened a cus- tom shoe shop in Republic, and continued in that business until 1865, when he came to Wood county, locating on a forty-acre tract of wild land in Lake township. His first home was a log cabin, but it has since been replaced by a com- modious frame residence, and the other improve- Inents of a model farm have been added.
Charles Rudolph was married in Republic to Sarah Heirwagoner, a native of Crawford county, Ohio, and to them have been born the following children: Henry J. ; Edson C., a farmer of Lake township; Louisa, wife of John Bringman, of Wood county; Amelia, wife of John Gilbert, of Moline, Ohio; Maria, wife of William Hackman, of Lake township; Margaret, wife of Thomas Crago, of Lake township; Lawrence, who died at the age of six years; and Ellen.
Our subject acquired a good common-school education in Lake township, and laid aside his text books at the age of sixteen in order that he might give his entire attention to the work of the home farm, at which he continned until nineteen years of age. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for four years, after which he embarked in general inerchandising in
Moline, carrying on a successful business there for two years and nine months. He then became station agent and assistant- postmaster, and sold his store to F. J. Schreiber & Co. Later he re- moved to Mermill, where he purchased a store and stock of G. C. Dauterman, and greatly en- larged the stock. There he did a good business until May, 1891, when he sold out, as he had be- gun business a year previous at his present loca- tion. In 1892 he made a large addition to his. store, and in 1894 built another extension thereto. His trade has constantly increased, and he receives from the public a very liberal patronage. Owing to his well-directed efforts, his enterprise and honorable dealing, he has secured a handsome competence, and to-day ranks among the sub- stantial citizens of Wood county.
On January 22, 1891, Mr. Rudolph was united in marriage with Miss Nettie E. Mercer, who was born in Liberty township, May 6, 1870, a daugh- ter of Charles and Jane (Mominee) Mercer. In politics he is a Republican. and for three years he served as postmaster; but he has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his entire at- tention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. Religiously he is con- nected with the Disciples Church.
LOREN D. LANGMADE. The romantic his- tory of Scotland, the pure, unselfish patriotism of her Wallace and her Bruce, and the inherent love of liberty in the hearts of her sons, have been themes of which the world never wearies. The blood that was so freely shed around Stirling Castle. or on the moor of Culloden, still flows through Scottish veins, and never a deadly shaft is aimed in Freedom's name, but finds some as- sistance wafted on the breeze from the waving heather. The family of the subject of this sketch is of Scottish origin, and that the descendants have proved themselves true sons of worthy sires will be easily seen.
Samuel and John Langinade came from Scot- land and settled in New Hampshire in the year 1750. They were in the Revolutionary war, and were what were called . . Cow-boys." After the war, John Langinade settled in Canada. He had but one son. Samuel (great-great-grandfa- ther of our subject), had five sons-Stephen. Samuel, Solomon, Winthrop and Gideon -- and three daughters- Suke, Fanny and Sally. Ste- phen and Sammel both became soldiers in the Revolutionary war, serving in the infantry through- out the whole war.
After the close of the war, Stephen great- grandfather of our subject), married and moved
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to Rutland, and later to Danville, Vermont, where he died about the year ISoo, leaving a family of five boys, whose names were William, Samuel, Solomon, Jonathan and Stephen. Solo- mon served with the dragoons during the war of 1812, and for some heroic deed was promoted to the rank of captain; but on account of youth and bashfulness he refused the position, although he was mustered out as captain. William, who . was the grandfather of our subject, was born at Danville; Vt., February 22, 1790. He also did his part in the war of 1812, being a hospital steward, afterward promoted to surgeon. He lived at Barton, St. Johnsbury, and Danville, Vt., and he was a great horse farrier and trainer, once owning the famous Justus Morgan horse. About 1827, he moved to New York State, and settled in the town of Arcade, thence moving to Sardinia, where he kept a hotel; but this he gave up and returned to his profession as his services were needed and appreciated. In 1838 he moved to the town of Yorkshire. About the year ISIS, he had married Effie Sweat, by whom he had five sons. After her death, which occurred about 1832, he married Laura Davis, and by this union he had three sons and five daughters. The chil- dren were: Stephen S., William F .. Nathan N., George P., Lorenzo D., Andrew J., Mason C., Daniel P., Asenath M., Amelia A., Melissa A., Janett A., and Mary A. Stephen S., the eldest son, was born in Vermont; William F. (the father of our subject), was born in Canada, while his par- ents were there on a visit, and to collect some money; Nathan N. was born in Vermont; and the remaining children were born in New York. An- drew J. served three years and five months in the late war, and was in twenty-one battles. He was six months a prisoner of war in Libby, Belle Isle and Salisbury Rebel prisons. He has been elected fifteen times in succession as commander of the G. A. R. Post, and holds an appointment on the commander-in-chief's staff with rank as colonel. He received a Medal of Honor from the State of New York for bravery at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Loren D. Langmade, the subject proper of this sketch, was born February 22, 1853. in Yorkshire Center, N. Y., and is the son of Will- iam F. and Ervilla H. (Record) Langinade. William F. Langmade, a carpenter and joiner by occupation, gave his son a fair education at the schools in the vicinity of his home, From the age of twelve to sixteen years young Loren was also a student at Tenbroeck Academy, at Frank- linville, N. Y., and from the age of sixteen he began to make his own way in the world, first as
a clerk in a store at Springvale, N. Y. In 1870, having been seized with the " Western fever," he set out for Mound City, Kans., where he found employment at various occupations, and also taught school one winter, near Garnett, Anderson county. In the fall of 1871, he returned to his native State, and entered the employ of J. G. Ayers, of Syracuse, N. Y., as traveling salesman for sewing machines, etc., a business he followed two years, after which he conducted a meat bus- iness at his native place for the same length of time, in which venture he sunk his entire capital. Nothing daunted, he kept energetically at what- ever for a time offered adequate remuneration. In 1876, he made his advent at Bradford, Penn .. where he built a barn and established a livery and feed stable, which proved a successful venture. Here, in 1879, he also first became identified with the oil-producing industry. drilling his first wells near Warren, Penn., and, by 1885. had put down and owned some eight or ten producing wells. He lived at Tarport (sometimes called East Bradford), a place then of some 4,000 inhab- itants; and so high was his standing in the esti- mation of his fellow-citizens, that, at the city election for mayor in 1884, he was, without his knowledge or consent, nominated by his party (Republican) for that office, was duly elected. and served. In 1885, after ten years' residence at Bradford. he disposed of his interests there, and removed to Ohio, locating at Findlay, since when he has devoted his whole time and energy to the oil business. As a producer throughout the oil-fields of Hancock and Wood counties, and where hundreds engaged in the same enter- prise have made failures of it, and abandoncd the business, he has, by good judgment, keen fore- sight and persistent application-many times against most discouraging circumstances -- built up a large and successful business, comparing well with that of any of the foremost men engaged in the same kind of enterprise in his section. The qualities of mind and character, that have contributed to make his success, may be brieily enumerated as untiring perseverance, indomit- able pluck under adversity, business integrity and fair dealing, and a mind acute, prompt and decisive enough to at once grasp golden oppor- tunities. In the oil fields of Wood and Han- cock counties, Ohio, his name is a synonym for success. He exclusively owns upward of 160 producing oil wells, and a three-quarter interest in one hundred or more other producing wells all in the fields above named. In these vast in terests he employs an average of sixty-five hands. If a man can properly be called self-made, who,
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without any financial inheritance or assistance from others in early business life, has, by his own labor and energy, in middle age accumulated a large fortune, and won a grand success, then Mr. Langmade can with propriety be so described, as he is the architect of his own fortune, having had no assistance save what Dame Nature provided him. From his youth his career has been one of constant and energetic activity, in which, it is true, all his enterprises have not been successful, many of them having been beset with difficulties and adversities which were bravely met.
On June 5, 1890, Mr. Langmade was happily united in marriage with an amiable and accom- plished lady-Miss Carrie Hillman-by which union there are two bright and attractive chil- dren: Roy Loren, born May 23, 1891, and Ferne, born August 14, 1893. Mrs. Langmade is a na- tive of Sharpsville, Penn., having been born there August 13, 1867, and is a daughter of William Cole and Eugenia (Mccullough) Hillman, the first of German and the latter of Scottish ancestry. The father, William Cole Hillman, was a Union officer in the war of the Rebellion, serving as first lieutenant of a company in the 14Ist Penn. V. I., subsequently as regimental quartermaster, and, after three years of arduous service, he was hon- orably discharged and mustered out at the close of the war. He is now an honored resident of Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. Langmade resides with his family at the southeast corner of Tarr street and Broadway, North Baltimore, in a large and handsome resi- dence, fitted with all modern conveniences, which, graciously presided over by Mrs. Langmade, is the scene of many pleasant gatherings and hos- pitable greetings to their many friends.
PETER BOOZER, a leading agriculturist of Bloom township, was born in Springfield town- ship, Columbiana Co., Ohio, November 26, 1835, only eighty rods from the Pennsylvania line.
His father, Henry Boozer, was born in Switz- erland, in 1801, and came to the New World, when quite young, with his step-father, mother and sister, as his own father had died in his na- tive land, when Henry was only seven years old. In Lancaster county. Penn., he was bound out to a farmer, distiller and teamster, by the name of Becker, with whom he remained for four years, and he always said that they were the four most pleasant years of his life, as he could fish and engage in other boyish sports to his heart's content. By trade he became a weaver, making silk, and also coarser fabrics, which busi- ness he followed in Pennsylvania. In Columbi-
ana county, Ohio, he wedded Miss Catherine Painter, who was born March 25, 1804, daugh- ter of Adam Painter, a millwright and miller by trade. Mr. Boozer first owned twenty-four acres of land in that county, which he traded for eighty acres in Section 10, Bloom township, Wood county, five acres of that amount being cleared. Late in the summer'of 1845 he and his son Henry came by team to this county, where they bought seed of neighbors, and put in their first crop, returning to Columbiana county the last of October. He then brought the family to their Western home; but, as no house had been erected. they lived for a time with Peter Painter, a brother of Mrs. Boozer, until late in the fall of 1845. when the house was completed. That dwelling was burned in I851, with all its contents; but, with the help of neighbors, the father soon erect- ed another, where he died in December, 1881. His widow made her home with her children until her death, April 26, 1896, when she was aged ninety-two years, one month. one day. Ten children were born to this worthy couple, all in Columbiana county, Ohio, as follows: Adam, who died while young; Henry, who died in McComb, Ohio; Mary, who makes her home in Jerry City, Ohio; Catherine, who died in girlhood; Peter, sub- ject of this review; Elizabeth and Margaret, twins, the former the wife of Levi Shaffer. of Six Points, Portage township, Wood county, and the latter a resident of Jerry City: John, who served as a member of Company D, ILIth O. V. I., during the Civil war, and now makes his home in Jeffer- son county, Ill .; Eli, who was a member of the same company, and was killed near Franklin, Tenn. : and William, who died in infancy.
Peter Boozer was only ten years old when brought by his parents to Wood county, and here he attended an English school for a short time in Bloom township, his instruction before that time being in German. He disliked study, and would do almost any kind of work rather than attend school. As the ground was mostly covered with water, the children would walk almost the entire distance to the school house on logs to keep from getting wet. He early became famil- iar with the work of the farm, and fremained at home until his marriage, April 17, 1859. in Henry township, Wood county, with Miss Mary J. Milbourn. She was born February 22. 1837. in Augusta township, Carroll county, and was only ten months old when brought by her parents. David and Emma : Taylor Millbourn, to Wood county, where she received her education and was married. By this union she has become the mother of seven children, namely: Emina C ..
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wife of J. W. Lee, of Bloom township; Harriet A., wife of Allen Saylor, of Jerry City; Minerva A., wife of John F. Lee, of Bloom township; Mary D., wife of O. H. Snyder, of Cygnet, Ohio; Clara O., wife of Jacob Whistler. of Bloom township; Minnie M., wife of William ยท Myers, of the same township; and Bertie C., at home.
For a time after his marriage, Mr. Boozer rented 120 acres of land, and his first home was a rude affair of logs, 14x 14 feet, with a roof weighted down. The first property he owned was twenty acres; but he never lived upon that tract, and, in 1866, bought forty acres in Section 9, Bloom township, of J. D. Moore, going into debt $150. He erected the first buildings upon the place, and has made all the improvements thereon. In 1892 he built his present residence, which stands on the site of his former home. In- dustry, diligence and energy have characterized his entire life, so that he is now in comfortable circumstances, and well deserves the success which has come to him.
PETER BLASIUS, who has won success by de- termined and energetic effort, was born January 6, 1840, in the village of Nittel, near Saarburg, in the Government of Trier, Rhine Province, Prussia.
Mathias Blasius, father of our subject, and who was a farmer by occupation, served in the German army, and had the sight of one eye de- stroyed in battle. In 1833 he was married, in the village of Nittel, to Gertrude Rheinhardt, and thirty years later, in 1863, he brought his family to America, taking passage on a sailing vessel at Antwerp. After a voyage of thirty-one days they landed at New York, thence proceed- ing at once to Toledo, Ohio, where the father worked for about a year in a tobacco factory. In the fall of 1864, in connection with our subject, he purchased torty acres of land, to which the family removed in the spring of 1865. There the father died August 25, following, at the age of sixty-nine years; and his wife, who was born in 1811, died in February, 1892. They had five children, of whom, Mathias was born in Nittel, in 1834; Nicholas, born in 1836, is now a farmer of Texas; Mary, born in 1850, is the wife of Charles Seaman, of Milton Center; and Eliza- betha, who became the wife of John Nagel, died in 1887, at the age of thirty-six years.
Peter Blasius, the subject proper of this rec- ord, received a good education in his native land, and on leaving school, at the age of thirteen, be- gan work as a farm hand at $5.00 per year.
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After two years thus spent he, in 1855, began to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving a three- years' apprenticeship, and during the first two years had to furnish his own clothing and tools, and pay by way of premium sixteen dollars in cash, which sum was returned to him at the end of his apprenticeship. For five years after com- ing to America he continued to follow that busi- ness. When the family came to Wood county they were in very destitute circumstances, and Peter was obliged to go to Toledo to work in order to assist in the support of the rest. While there he was engaged in loading vessels, and for three consecutive days and nights he went without food or sleep in order to support his parents. He has experienced many hardships and trials, but perseverance and energy have overcome many difficulties. In August, 1865, he purchased a small stock of leather and some shoemaking tools. At the time he purchased his farm of 160 acres, in 1868, he was told that all taxes had been paid on the land; but on going to Perrys- burg some time afterward he found there was $144,00 back taxes. Not long afterward this land was claimed by Boston parties, and Mr. Blasius had to secure a lawyer's service to protect his interests. With unfaltering courage, how- ever, he continued his labors nntil now he is the possessor of a comfortable home.
On May 5, 1873, Mr. Blasius returned to his native land. He landed at Bremen after eleven days spent upon the ocean, and remained on the continent until August, 1873, when, with his promised bride, he sailed from Antwerp for Phil- adelphia. They at once continued their journey to his father's home, where, on the 19th of Sep- tember. Peter Blasius and Magdalene Gorgen were married. She was born in Luxemburg. Germany, December 1, 1844, a daughter of John and Magdalene (Kohl) Gorgen. They located on the old family homestead, and in 1887 our subject erected the large brick residence which is now their home. To them have been born eight children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Mathias, September 16, 1874; John, October 19, 1875; Peter, October 20, 1876; Gertrude, November 20, 1877. died January 26. 1885; Charles (1), August 30, 1880, died Angust 26. 1881; Charles (2), December 2, 18St, died on the 30th of that month: Joe, September 7. 1884; and Henry, July 24, 1889.
Mr. Blasius is a Democrat in politics, and takes a prominent part in educational work. hu - ing served as school director for many years. He belongs to the Freemason Lodge at Deshler, and to the I. O. O. F. at Milton, both the Subordi-
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Peter Blasius
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nate Lodge and the Encampment. His fine farm of 270 acres, now highly cultivated and improved, is evidence of his enterprise and well-spent life.
LEVI SIMON (2nd), an enterprising and pros- perous agriculturist of Bloom township and a veteran of the Civil war, was born April 16, 1836, in Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio.
His parents, Andrew and Leah (Crist) Simon, were married in 1830 in Mahoning county, and settled upon a farm in Crawford county, then a new region. They had thirteen children, of whom eleven grew to maturity, and ten are still living. In 1851 the family came to Bloom town- ship, where the father bought forty acres near Bloom Center, covered with heavy timber, and they experienced all the trials of frontier life; a small log house afforded thern their only shelter for some time. Both parents lived beyond the "three score years and ten," the mother dying when seventy-two, and the father when seventy- six years of age, and they were both laid to their final rest in Weaver cemetery.
Levi Simon was the fourth child and second son of this worthy pioneer couple. He attended the district schools of his day; but his time was mainly spent in farm work, either at home or for others, his wages being given to his parents until he was twenty-one. He then began to work for himself, and for some time he was employed in a sawmill near Grand Rapids, Ohio. In August, 1861, he enlisted, at Fostoria, in Company H, 49th O. V. I., under Capt. Hays. After going into camp at Tiffin and Camp Dennison, this famous regiment of fighters was sent to the front. Mr. Simon's first engagement was at Shiloh, and then followed Corinth, Lawrenceburg, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, Cassville and Pickett's Mills. In this last engagement he was wounded in the right hip and left leg, and he also received a scalp wound. He was with his regiment con- tinuously (except for one-half day, when. on the surgeon's advice, he rode on the train instead of inarching) until February, 1864, when he came home on a veteran furlough. Shortly after re- turning to his regiment he was wounded, as just related, at the battle of Pickett's Mills, at 4 P. M. on May 27, 1864, and was taken prisoner. He lay in the hospital at Andersonville prison until November 20, 1864, when he was paroled, and sent to Savannah and then to Annapolis. In December he came home; but in March, 1865, he rejoined his company at Huntsville, Ala. After the surrender of Lee part of the regiment was sent into Texas, and Mr. Sinon remained in
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