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 33
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The education of our subject was acquired in Plain township, at District No. 1, and at Bowl- ing Green, Ohio. In the spring of 18;8 he began teaching in Center township, and later was em- ployed in the same vocation in his home school,
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liaving taught two entire school years and every winter since he began, to the present time. He has been successful in following that profession, and is ranked among the leading teachers of the county.
In 1882, in Troy township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Mary L. Hahn, a native of that township, where her father, Valentine Hahn, was one of the early pioneers. To them have been born five children -- Arthur A., Allen V., Mabel, Ruby and W. Waldo.
Mr. Brown is a Republican, and socially he holds membership with Centennial Lodge No. 626, I. O. O. F., of Bowling Green, with which he became identified in February, 1879.
L. A. TREPANIER, wholesale grain dealer. of Dunbridge, was born in Lorain county, this State, April 27, 1860. His father. Peter Tre- panier, was a native of France, and a teacher of French and English. When he crossed the Atlantic to America, he took up his residence in Lorain county, where he resumed his profession of teaching. In 1858, in New Hampshire, he was united in marriage with Caroline Sawyer. and to them was born one son, Leon A. When the war broke out, the father offered his services to his adopted country as a defender of the Union, and valiantly defended the old flag and the cause it represented.
Mrs. Trepanier afterward removed with her son to Pemberville, Wood county, and Leon first attended school at Scotch Ridge. He began earning his living as a farm hand, and was thus employed for eleven years, when, with the cap- ital he had acquired through his own exertions. he bought a forty-acre farm in Middleton town- ship, which he operated for twelve years. He next engaged in the hardware business, which he carried on for six years, and also conducted a meat market and engaged in shipping stock. In 1892 he organized the Dunbridge Elevator Com- pany, of which he owns a half interest, and is now engaged in making extensive shipments of grain to the East. He is a very energetic and progressive business man, thoroughly reliable, and his reputation in business circles is a spotless one. He has prospered in his undertakings. owing to his good management and energy, and may truly be called a self-made man.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Trepanier was in her maidenhood Libbie Wall- ace, daughter of John Wallace, a farmer of Mid- dleton township, where she was born in iso Five children grace this union-Pearl, Mary,
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Edith, Ada and Rosamond. The parents hold membership with the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Trepanier belongs to Middleton Lodge No. 786, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now efficiently serving a second term as justice of the peace.
GEORGE W. SMITH, having spent his entire life in this county, faithfully performing his duties of citizenship, well deserves representation in this history. He was born in Weston township, De- cember 5, 1856. The grandfather was a native of Germany, and the name was originally spelled Schmitt. When a young man he crossed the Atlantic, and was married in this country. Asa Smith, father of our subject, was born in West Virginia, in 1814, and in his early manhood left that State for Wood county, Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Weston township. Here he married Nancy McKee, who was of Irish line- age. They located on a farm of eighty acres which he had secured, and there the mother died in 1857. Some years later the father wedded Mariette Elisworth, a native of Wood county, by whom he had seven children. The children of the first marriage were John, who died at the age of forty-five; Melissa, wife of Solon Davis; Ann, wife of John Bortel, of Milton township; Warren, a member of Company F, 86th O. V. I., who died at Cumberland Gap, Ky., during the war, and was buried by his father, who went South in order to perform that last office; Celia, wife of Benjamin Bortel, of Weston township; and Emma, wife of William Haight, of Ironton, Ohio. The children of the second marriage are Deborah, wife of Silas Barton, of Weston town- ship; Lucinda, wife of Henry Webb, of Toledo; Minnie, wife of R. S. Jenkins, of Weston town- ship; Ida, wife of Daniel Doyle, of Toledo; Hat- tie, wife . of Ralph Poland, of Weston; Asa, of Weston; and Nettie, at home.
Mr. Smith, of this sketch, received meager educational privileges, attending school only through the winter season, for during the summer months his services were needed on the home farm. At the age of sixteen he began working by the day as a farm hand, and since that time has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. By his marriage, which occurred in Weston township, October 20, 188t, he secured. as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey, Miss Wilda Dewese, who was born in Weston township, November 27. 1861, a daughter of Jesse and Ellen Dewese. They have two sons- Clarence, born in October, 1882, and Roy, born November 7, ISSS.
At the time of his marriage, Mr. Smith lo- cated upon his present farm of 100 acres, which was given him by his maternal grandmother when he was fifteen years of age. In 1884 he replaced the log cabin by a more modern residence. He carries on general farming, and now has a well- improved place. He is industrious and energetic, and his finely-developed farm is evidence of his careful supervision. His political support is given to the Republican party, but his entire at- tention is devoted to agricultural interests.
B. M. CRANDALL, a leading and enterprising farmer of Lake township, residing in Section 8, was born in Jay, Orleans Co., Vt., October 12, IS43, and is a son of Adna and Anna (Sanborn; Crandall. His father, who was a native of New Hampshire, in early life went to Jay, Vt., where he was married, and there his death occurred. The mother also died in the Green Mountain State. Our subject was the fifth in order of birth in their family of five children, four sons and one daughter, the others being George, Mary and Ebenezer, deceased; and S. O., who resides in Ross township, Wood county.
Mr. Crandall, whose name introduces this sketch, in his youth received a fair education in the schools of Vermont, and remained under the parental roof until 1862, when he left home. going to Oregon township, Lucas Co., Ohio. The following year he laid aside personal plans and interests to aid in the defense of his country, be- coming a member of Company C, 3rd O. V. V. C., and joined his regiment at Nashville, Tenn. He participated in the battle of Selma, Ala., and remained with that command until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Lucas county, where he engaged in farming.
In Lake township, Wood Co., in 1874 Mr. Crandall was united in marriage with Miss Min- nie Craine, and to them have been born four children, namely: Thomas B., Ethel J .. Ernest K., and Bernice M. Our subject took his bride to his present fine farm of forty acres, which he now has under a high state of cultivation, and well improved with good buildings. His first vote was cast while in the army, since which time he has always been a stalwart Republican, and hokis membership with the G. A. R., Post No. 14. of Toledo, Ohio, He has never tasted liquor, or smoked or chewed tobacco, but has never tak n a pledge, and his exemplary life wins him the friendship and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact, either in a social or business way.
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WILLIAM S. DUESLER is numbered among the worthy citizens that the Empire State has fur- nished to Ohio. He was born in Yates county, N. Y., June 5, 1843, and is a son of George and Ellen M. (Schenck) Duesler. The father learned the trades of wood turning and blacksmithing in early life, and for many years followed those pur- suits. About fifteen years after his marriage he removed with his family to Michigan, locating on a farm which his sons operated, while he carried on his trade. After two years he came to Ohio, and purchased eighty acres of land in Seneca county, where he remained for several years. There the mother died. The father has since married Rachel McEwen, and is now living retired in Republic, Ohio. The children of the first mar- riage are as follows: John J., now of Kansas, was a soldier in Company A, 55th O. V. I., and lost his right arm at the battle of Chancellorsville: Miles belonged to the same company, was wound- ed in the same battle, and was then taken to a Rebel hospital, was paroled, and returned to Annapolis, Md., where he died of his wounds; Jane A. is the wife of F. C. Everett, of Crawford county, Ohio; William S. is the next younger; Sarah is the wife of J. A. Colwell, of Republic, Ohio. The children of the second marriage are Maria, wife of Jonathan Witter, of Republic; and George H., of Lafayette, Indiana.
William S. Duesler spent the greater part of his boyhood days in Seneca county, and attended the common schools until the age of twenty. At that time he enlisted, September 20, 1861, as a member of Company I, 9th O. V. C., and in the spring went with his regiment to the front, par- ticipating in the battle of Waynesboro, the At- lanta campaign, and all the engagements of Sherman's command until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge at Lexington, N. C., July 20, 1865.
Mr. Duesler at once returned home, and was married November 28, 1865, to Mary E. Hoover, a native of Seneca county. Four years later they removed to Kansas where Mr. Duesler took up a soldier's homestead of 160 acres, on which he lived for two years. He then returned to Seneca county, and operated his father's farm until 1870, when he traded his property in Kan- sas for sixty acres of land in Henry township, Wood county, where he lived until 1880. He has since resided at his present home, where he owns forty acres of land that is now a well-im- proved tract.
Here Mrs. Duesler died November 14, 1894. In the family were eight children -- Alice I., born June 3, 1867, is the wife of John R. Bateson, of
Six Points, Wood county: Miles C., born Jan- uary 15, 1869, is the husband of Nina Walls, and lives in Liberty; Harry C., born March 27, 1871, is at home; Julia E., born June 16, 1874. is the wife of J. Bennard, of Liberty; Effie Pearl, born November 29, 1876, died March 12, 1878; Oliver W., born March 14. 1880, died October 18. 1882; Loyd, and Floyd, twins, born September 1, 1883, are at home. Mr. Duesler was again married, May 9, 1895, this second union being with Miss Elizabeth (Caris) Drummond, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, in 1855. a daugh- ter of Williamn and Catherine (Heckard) Caris. The father was born in Ohio, the mother in Pennsylvania, and in 1867 they came to Wood county, locating in Portage township, where they now reside on a farm of sixty-seven acres. Their children were Eliza; Daniel, deceased; Anna, who died in infancy; Mrs. Duesler; Oliver, who died at the age of four years; Philip; Susan and Jennie.
In politics, Mr. Duesler is a stalwart Prohibi- tionist, but takes no active part in politics aside from casting his ballot. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. He started out in life a poor boy, but has steadily and persistently worked his way upward, and through his own efforts has acquired a comfort- able competence.
THOMAS J. HENRY is a native of Perry town- ship, where he was born December 27, 1845. His father, Hosea Henry, was born in New Hampshire in 1809, and was the son of Benja- min, who moved to New York when a child. Hosea was reared a farmer's boy, and attended the district schools of his time. When a young man he came to Wood county, and located in Section 8, Perry township, which was then heav- ily wooded. Mr. Henry helped to cut the roads around West Millgrove, which was at that time covered with trees. He was married in Mont- gomery township May 16, 1849, by Guy Morgan. J. P., to Miss Nancy Smith, who was born in East Union township, Wayne county. August 13. 1821. She was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Witherspoon) Smith.
Mr. Smith came from Pennsylvania in an early day to Wayne county, and in about INGO settled in Montgomery township, where he had entered 160 acres of land the fall before, built a log house, with pancheon floor and clapboard roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry went to housekeeping on his eighty acres of land in Section S. Perry township, in a small log house, which was rudely
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furnished with primitive furniture. Their children were: Orrin, living at Bowling Green; Sarah J., died young; Charles A., a physician of Fostoria; Thomas J., our subject; Lorinda, the wife of James Lusk, and who died in Perry; Perry, a resident of West Millgrove; Silas, died in infancy; Win- field, died while young ; and Alice, married to Dr. D. . O. Fruth, of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Henry was a Whig and a Republican, and, although no office-seeker, was a stanch supporter of his party. He had always followed the occupation of a farmer, and his last farm, on which his widow now lives, was started in the woods, which was cleared away by him and his sons. He was a self-made man in the fullest sense of the word, spent an active, busy life, and died March 17, 1883, in the house now occupied by his family.
Our subject spent his time in school and upon the farin until August 27, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, IIth Regiment, O. V. I., under Capt. Yeager. The regiment's first fight took place at Perryville, Ky. Mr. Henry stayed with the regiment, participating in all the fights until December, 1862, when he was taken ill with measles, and confined three months in the Louis- ville (Ky.) and New Albany (Ind. ) hospitals. He joined his regiment in the spring of 1863, at Bowling Green, and remained with it until Janu- ary, 1865; was laid up with fever at Nash- ville, Jeffersonville, Ind., and Camp Dennison, Ohio, and was sent home on a furlough. He returned to Camp Dennison, but never got nearer to the field of action, as the war closed. He was discharged June 26, 1865, and returned home. He was employed by his father on the home farm, and for nearly two years worked in a sawmill in the western part of Wood county. Two years more were spent in a grocery store in Fostoria, and then he again went to the home place, and has been living there continuously ever since. Being the eldest boy at home, and his father's health failing, he was given charge of the farm, and has managed it in a inost competent manner.
Mr. Henry is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Brough, for Governor of Ohio. He is one of the stanchest members of the party, and was for nine years trustee of Perry township; and in the spring of 1895 was elected its justice of the peace. He is a charter member of Odd Fellow's Lodge No. 646, at Prairie Depot. and also of Conley Post, G. A. R., at West Mitt- grove, and Lodge No. 446, K. of P., at the same place. On January 10, 1870, Mr. Henry was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Bosler, daughter of Tobias Bosler, and a native of Penn-
sylvania. She departed this life May 6, 1892, and is buried at West Millgrove. One son was born to this couple, John M., August 14, 1874: he attends school at Fostoria.
Mr. Henry was married March 19, 1896, to Miss Alice Albert, daughter of John Albert, of Fostoria. Our subject is a popular, well-to-do citizen of Perry, and has a host of friends. He is well posted on the current events of the day. being fond of reading, and is a pleasant and in- teresting companion.
JAMES E. HUMMEL, proprietor of a general mercantile establishment at Wingston, has a well-equipped store, containing a large and care- fully selected stock, and the public accords him a liberal patronage. His earnest endeavor to please his patrons, and his honorable, dealing, have enabled him to build up a good business, and he occupies an enviable position in social circles.
Mr. Hummel was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, August 30, 1846, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Ellsworth) Hummel, the latter of whom was born in Painesville, N. Y., in 1823. The father was born in Germany, in 1820, and came to the United States with his parents when seven years of age. They located first in Columbiana county, Ohio, subsequently removing to Jackson township, Sandusky county, where the grand- father died. John Huminel was there reared and educated, and after his marriage located in Scott township, where his death occurred in 1886. His widow is still living. Their children were James E. ; George W., a fariner of Arkan- sas; Lorenzo D., of Sandusky county; Matilda, wife of Wesley Smith, of Seneca county; Mar- garet .M., widow of John Michaels: Albert F .. of Seneca county; Mary E., of Fostoria, Ohio; and Alonzo, of Seneca county.
Mr. Hummel, the subject proper of this re- view, was early inured to the arduous labor of developing a new farmi, and at the age of seven- teen he started out in life for himself, working as a farm hand until he had attained his majority. after which he operated the old homestead for three years. Subsequently he rented a farm for a year, and then removed to Michigan, where he aided in laying out the town of Freeport. 1 year later he returned to Sandusky, county, Ohio. where he bought twenty acres of land, making hi- home thereon four years, and on April 12. 1870. he came to Liberty township, trading his farm for thirty acres here. In April, 1877, he went to Milton township, and two years later to Portaist township, where he lived three years. In the
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Christina
Hanmmel
2. E. Hummel
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spring of 1882, he embarked in merchandising in Wingston, and in the spring of 1891, he erected his present store. He build his home in the spring of 1882, and in addition to this property he owns a forty-acre farm in Henry township, and 112 acres of land in Sandusky county. He has an eighty-acre oil farm in Section 33, Liber- ty township, containing seven oil wells, and twenty-two acres of land in Section 29, Liberty township, whereon stands his fine home.
Mr. Hummel was married, September 12, 1869, in Sandusky county, to Christena Riegler, who was born December 25, 1851, a daughter of John G. and Mary (Stohl) Riegler, natives of Germany, who were married in Holmes county, Ohio, and died in Sandusky county. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel have three children: Laura, wife of George Brink, of Liberty township; Mary E., wife of John Gilger, of Liberty township; and Dolly M., at home. In politics Mr. Hummel is a Republican, and he served as justice of the peace for one term. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, and has been the architect of his own fortunes. In manner he is genial and courteous, traits which make him very popular. Socially, he is a member of Subordi- nate Lodge No. 598, I. O. O. F., at Milton Cen- ter, with which he united in 1892, and also of the Encampment; and he is a most valuable and active member of Wingston Lodge No. 553, K. of P., which was instituted March 25, 1892, mainly through his instrumentality. He secured the first sixteen names to the charter list, which comprises thirty-five names, was first chancellor commander, and has filled nearly all the offices in the lodge, which now has more than seventy members in good standing.
and later was employed by others in the same capacity. Returning to Columbiana county, he there remained for a few months but since that time he has made his home in Wood county.
In Portage township, in March, 18So, Mr. Todd married Miss Anna Miller, of Seneca coun- ty, Ohio, and a daughter of A. B. Miller, now of Jerry City, Ohio. He rented land in Portage township, and later in Center and Montgomery townships, where he also engaged in teaming, then returning to Portage township. After rent- ing a farm for five years in Liberty township. he removed to the Coffinberry farm, where he yet lives, owning forty acres of as good land as can be found in Portage township. When he came to this county he had but six dollars, and for the first three years was ill a great deal of the time with ague. Notwithstanding these difficulties he has succeeded in securing a good property, all the result of his own toil and energy.
On February 4, 1893, Mr. Todd was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was laid to rest in Portage cemetery. To them had been born five children-Berdell, Charles and Elva. at home; Pearlie, who died August IS, 1889. and Elmer, who died in infancy. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Todd was, in her. maidenhood, Miss Lizzie Sells, daughter of Jerzy Sells. She has many friends in this community. and is a consistent member of the Disciples Church. Besides general farming, Mr. Todd is also extensively engaged in teaming, which busi- ness adds materially to hisincome. His straight- forward, honorable life has gained him the con- fidence of all. Socially, lie belongs to Whitney Lodge, No. 589, I. O. O. F., of Portage, and his political interests are with the Democratic party.
DENNIS O'LEARY, a worthy representative of
JOHN A. TODD, one of the industrious and enterprising farmers of Portage township, was : one of the honored pioneer families of the born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 29, county, resides in Section 29, Lake township. where his birth took place in 1846 at the home of his parents, John and Ellen McCarty O'Leary, both natives of Ireland. When about eighteen years of age, the father left the Emer- ald Isle on a sailing vessel, which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York after a voyage of seven weeks. After remaining in that city for a short time, he went to Georgia, where he was employed on public works until 1835, when he secured a position with a railroad. The ni-vt year, however, he came to Maumee, Ohio, where he worked on the Maumee canal; but the follow - ing winter was again spent in railroading MI Georgia, and on his return to Manmee, he resumed work on the canal. He was also employed on 1855, and is the ninth in order of birth in the family of thirteen children of Andrew and Mary (Mccullough) Todd, both natives of Pennsylvania, but who departed this life in Columbiana county. As his parents were in limited circumstances, the educational advantages afforded our subject were quite limited, but his training at farm labor was not so meager As soon as he was old enough he was put to work, and, until he reached the age of twenty-two, his earnings went toward the sup- port of the family. In September, 1876, he left his native county, coming to Weston, Wood county, where his uncle, Michael B. Todd, was living. It was his intention to make only a visit. but he began work as a farm hand for his uncle,
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
the National pike, until it was nearly completed, during which time he was married at Detroit, Mich. He became one of the first settlers of Lake township. Wood county, where he secured" eighty acres of government land, to which he later added another eighty-acre tract, covered with a dense growth of trees, and not even a road had been laid out to the place. It was about 1842 when he located upon his land, his first home being a log cabin, but he went earnestly to work, and soon acre after acre was placed under the plow. He became quite well and favorably known throughout the county, and was serving as trustee of his township (which office he filled for three years) at the time of his death. His political support was given the Democratic party, and religiously he was a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Maumee. He was an excel- lent walker, often going to church and back on foot. and in his younger years would walk from near Perrysburg to Wilkinson, Ohio, where he would do a day's harvesting for fifty cents, and then return home at night. His death occurred in 1883, upon the old home farm, where his widow still resides. Six of their nine children are yet living, namely: Mary, at home; Dennis, , subject of this sketch; John, Johanna and Ellen, all at home; and Dan, a resident of Mercer county Ohio.
Dennis O'Leary was reared upon the old homestead and obtained his education in the district schools of Lake township. On leaving the parental roof, in 1868, he went to Iowa, lo- cating in the city of Tama, Tama county, where he was employed for two years at the carpenter's trade, after which he returned to Wood county, and has since been numbered among its most energetic and progressive farmers.
In 1873 Mr. O'Leary was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ludington, a native of England, and a daughter of William F. and Susan (Corn- wall) Ludington. Since the death of her father, her mother has become the wife of Dr. Buckland, of Stony Ridge, Ohio. Four children have been born to our subject and his wife: Mary, wife of Sydney Weaver, of Lake township; John; Will- iam; and Edward.
In politics, Mr. O'Leary is a stalwart Demo- crat, has served as a member of the school board, and since April, 1893, has been trustee of his township. He holds membership with the Ro- man Catholic Church of Perrysburg, Ohio, and is largely interested in any movement that is for the improvement of the township and county, or that will elevate and benefit the people among whom he lives.
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