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 34

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1140

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 34

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THOMAS SHINEW, one of the successful, pro- gressive farmers of Portage township, was born October 2. 1851, in Montgomery township, and is the eldest son of Dennis and Catherine (Gunder Shinew.

Our subject was the son of poor parents, and he was obliged to spend his younger days hard at work on the farm. His schooling was greatly neglected, as he was able to attend only a few weeks each winter. He served an apprenticeship in farming under his father's instructions, and re- mained on the home farm until he was twenty- one years old, up to which time he had never had $2 at one time that he could call his own. He started to work for his uncle, receiving seventy- five cents a day. He earned $9, with which he bought a pair of boots and a pair of trousers.

On April 3, 1876, he married, in Center town- ship, Miss Sarah Nelson, a native of Hancock county, and a daughter of William Nelson. At this time Mr. Shinew had saved $800 from his earnings, and with this he rented land in Portage, and lived there until he bought fifty-six acres in Section 3. of that township, from Noah Helm. for which he went heavily in debt. Later he sold this land and bought elsewhere. He took a con- tract for ditching, and made considerable money. About 1888 he moved to Section S, Portage town- ship, where he now resides, buying land at dif- ferent times, until at present he has 247 acres. In I891 he built one of the finest barns in the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Shinew have been born these children: Mary, William, Dennis. George, Isaac, Lester, Verna, and Thomas. All are living but Dennis.

Our subject is a stanch supporter of the Dem- ocratic party, and has always been a hard worker for its success. Although not an office seeker, lie has been elected constable of Portage township. He is well posted on all the political issues, and his influence in this field has been keenly felt by both friend and foe. He is an active and devout member of the Christian Union, and belongs to the Clover Dale class. As a farmer Mr. Shinew has probably few equals in Portage township for thrift and industry. An excellent manager and hard worker, his present position among the fore- most of Portage township's farmers is secure.

Dennis Shinew, father of our subject, was born in Canton Fribourg, Switzerland, about 1828. When he was seven years old he was brought by his parents to the United States, who located in Columbus, Ohio; about ISto the came to Wood county, and Mr. Shinew bought eighty acres of land in Section 12, in Portage township. Here he erected a log house, with its

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stick chimney and puncheon floor. He died after four years' residence in Wood county. Mrs. Shinew lived to be eighty years old. When six- teen years old Dennis left home, and went to work for a farmer for fifty cents a day. January S. 1850. he was married to Miss Catherine Gunder, who was born in Harrisburg, Penn., September 16, 1834, and was a daughter of Isaac Gunder. Mr. Dennis Shinew bought land in Montgomery township, for which he went in debt, and in March came to Section 9, Portage township, and bought seventy-seven acres, on which he lives at present. To him and his wife have been born these children: Thomas, our subject; Isaac, a farmer of Portage; George, also of Portage; Ellen, now Mrs. James Nelson, of Wood county; Eliza, who died in infancy; Susan, at home; Matilda, who married George Neirnberger, of Portage township; Frank D., living on a farm in Portage. Mr. Shinew is a Democrat, but is not an office seeker, and is not bound by party ties. He is a member of the German Baptist Church. He is a self-made man, and one whose success has been won by hard work. In 1877 he built one of the inost substantial brick residences in the township, which has often been a rendezvous for travelers, who would make it a point to go there for meals and lodgings, with which they were always ac- commodated. Mr. Shinew has retired from active life, and is at present enjoying the fruits of his early labors.

ELISHA M. HOLDEN, the pioneer blacksmith of Webster township, was born March 22, 1840, in Onedia county, N. Y. His father, Joseph Hold- en, a native of England, came to America at the age of eighteen, and engaged in agriculture in Pennsylvania. He married Miss Catherine Dopp, of Pennsylvania, and had ten children: Elijah, a farmer in Michigan: Elisha M., our subject; Eliza, deceased; William, a farmer in Michigan; Thomas, a resident of Findlay; Hattie, the wife of George Chamberlain; Tressia, the wife of Edward Bonesteel; Mary, now Mrs. Leroy Allen; Joseph, who died in the army; and one who died in infancy. Our subject's parents moved to Lorain county, Ohio, some years after their marriage, and his father died there in 1854, his wife surviving him twenty-five years.

Mr. Holden attended the schools of Colum- bia township, Lorain county, during boyhood ind assisted his father upon the farm. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, 124th O. V. I. Col. O. H. Paine commanding). He served nine months as a blacksmith in the army, and took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Tun-

nel Hill, Rocky Face, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, (where he was shot through the face), and many skirmishes. He received his discharge at Louis- ville, Ky., in 1864, and on returning home set- tled in Webster township, Wood county, and was for some years the only blacksmith in the township. In addition to carrying on his trade for the last thirty years, he has improved and cultivated a farm of ninety-four acres near Luckey, on which he has a fine modern barn. and a house costing $1,000. He was married, in 1866, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Harriet Claque. who was born in Brooklyn, Cuyahoga county, March 27, 1836. She died in 1867, and in De- cember. 1870, Mr. Holden married her sister, Miss Ellen Clague. Three children were born to this union: Irvin E., July 11, 1875; Mary E., May 11, 1877; and Frank, June 1, 1883.

An energetic and enterprising business man, Mr. Holden still finds some time to give to the interests of the community, where his integrity and good judgment are highly appreciated. He has been school director, township trustee, and justice of the peace, and as an active worker in the M. E. Church he has held every office in the Church. He belongs to the G. A. R., Benedict Post, of Pemberville, of the I. O. G. T., and the P. of I., of which he has been president and secretary.

WILLIAM H. ROGERS is one of the leading and enterprising farmers of Lake township, hav- ing a pleasant home in Section 22, where he lo- cated in 1868, purchasing at that time a wooded tract of thirty acres, which he has since cleared and placed under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Cornwall, England. in ISAS. and is the son of William and Margaret Baker Rogers. also natives of that county, where the mother died in 1862. The father brought his family to America two years later. and after living for a time in Lorain county, Ohio, came to Lake town- ship, Wood county, in 1866, where he purchased eighty acres of land, on which he and his present wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Han- cock, are still living. On coming to the New World he was accompanied by four children -- William H., of this sketch: Maria, who died in Sylvania, Ohio, in 1893; Richard, a resident of Bloomdale, Ohio; and Mrs. Ellen Tiplady, of Lake township.

The education of our subject, which was be- gun in Cornwall, England, was completed in the schools of Pittsfield township. Lorain county. and he there followed agricultural pursuits until he became a permanent resident of Lake town-

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ship, in 1868. He was united in marriage in Lorain county with Miss Alice Ophelia Fauver, who was there born to Alonzo and Emeline R. (Kibby) Fauver, natives of Vermont, who became early settlers of Eaton township; that county. Nine children were born to this union-Jesse, at home; Tillie, now Mrs. Adkins, of Toledo, Ohio; Edwin, Charles, Judson, Louisa, Ross and Roy (twins), and Flora. Politically, Mr. Rogers is a stanch Republican; socially, he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, Lodge No. 244, at Millbury; and, religiously, he holds membership with the Evangelical Association Church of that place. He has been prominently identified with the improvement and advancement of Lake town- ship since his location here.

CONRAD SIELING. Among the most worthy and substantial citizens of our country are to be found those of German birth or extraction, whose thrifty habits and untiring industry find, in this land of freedom and equality, a sare and speedy reward.

The prosperous farmer, whose name opens this sketch. is the youngest of ten children born to his parents, Christopher and Elanora Sieling, and is a native of Prussia, where his birth took place August 16, 1838. His father was a farmer in the old country, and, on coming to America in 1849. found his way to Wood county, Ohio, where he settled on a farm on the pike, near Perrysburg. : This was his home for the few remaining years of his life, he dying in 1855. The mother afterward resided with our subject until her death in August, 1869. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and most worthy people. They were the parents of the following children: Diederich, Frederick, Sophia, Henry, Lazata, Christie. Christopher. Caroline, Louise, and Conrad (our subject).

Conrad Sieling was a lad of ten years when his parents emigrated to the United States, and was reared upon the home farm, attending school at Perrysburg, and assisting his father when not engaged in his studies. In 1862 he was married to Miss Mary Winters, who was born in West- phalia, Germany, March 5, 1840. Eleven children have come to bless this union, namely: (1) Lou- isa, who is the wife of Henry Schramin, and has three children, John. Emma and Clara; they re- side in Perry township. (2) Mary, married John Schramm, and has two children, William and Louis. (3) Caroline married Jacob Schramm, and has three children, Oscar, Albert and Marten. (4) Christopher is a farmer, and married Delia Lim- mer; they have one child named Merl. (5) Henry,

(6) Dora, (7) Sarah, (8) Marguerite. (9) Fred. are all unmarried and at home. (10) Ella, died when an infant of seven months. (II) Conrad was drowned by falling into a cistern.

Mr. Sieling has a good farm of 103 acres, where he carries on general farming. He is an industrious man, attends strictly to his business, and has been prospered accordingly. In politics he is a Republican, and is at present a township trustee, to which office he was elected two years ago. He held the same position for two terms some twelve yearsago, and is considered an excel- lent man for the place. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, in which they are active workers.

THOMAS CLAGUE, a leading agriculturist of Webster township, was born near Brooklyn, Ohio, June 15, 1838. His father, Jaines Clague. was born on the Isle of Man, in 1802, and was married to Miss Mary Collister, also a native of the Isle of Man. Soon after their marriage, they settled on a farm in Cuyahoga county. Ohio, and he died at his homestead in 1973. His widow still survives him.

Mr. Clague was educated in the district schools near his early home, and later attended Berea College, in Berea, Ohio. He remained upon his father's farm until the age of twenty- two, when he enlisted in Company E, 65th O. V. I. (Capt. H. M. Whitbeck and Col. C. G. Harker, commanding). He spent four years and four months in the service, taking part in a num-

ber of battles, notably the engagements at Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Fall. Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek. Atlanta, and Spring Hill, receiving at the latter place a bullet wound in the head. In 1865 he was discharged at Victoria, Texas, and after his return home he came to Webster township, and. in partnership with his brother Henry, erected a sawmill which they operated for eighteen year -. In 1866 they bought 300 acres of wild land near Fenton, which they cleared and improved unty it is now one of the best farms in the township Mr. Clague was married in November, 1870, to Miss Eva Pugh, and has three children -Edith! now teaching in Wood county, Ohio; and Chat and Herbert, are at home.

Mrs. Claque was the daughter of the late David W. Pugh, who was born in Perry county. Ohio, in 1810, a son of David and Jennie Brown Pugh. He came to Wood county in 1835. ... . bought 150 acres of land in Plain towashy where he spent the remainder of his life. M. 1, 1834, he was married in Perry county, to M.

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Jane Higgins, a native of Pennsylvania, born May 25, 1812. She was the daughter of James and Mary (McClellan) Higgins. Mrs. Clague, born July 14, 1851, is one of eight children. Mr. Pugh was a prominent citizen, a Whig in politics, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He died October 21, 1857, and his widow married William Gorrill, of Plain township, who died in 1877. Mrs. Gorrill now resides in Bowling Green.

Mr. Clague is an enterprising and clear- headed business man, and his genial disposition wins and keeps for him the friendship of a wide circle of acquaintances. He votes the Republic- an ticket; belongs to the I. O. O. F., Centennial Lodge of Bowling Green, and to the G. A. R., Benedict Post, of Pemberville. He and his wife are prominent members of the M. E. Church of Luckey.

M. H. ELLIOTT is an honored and well-known resident of Bloom township. A native of Ohio, he was born at Fostoria, Seneca county, March 15, 1855, to David M. and Lydia Ann Elliott; but when an infant his mother died, thus leaving him destitute of the best friend on earth. So with no one to caress and cherish him, humor or pet him, he grew to be eleven years of age in Fostoria, where he enjoyed all the educational privileges accorded to any of the boys. Though he attended the old Stevens school, one mile southeast of Fostoria, he did not take the interest he would have taken, or that he was talented to take, had he had a inother to advise and aid him. He displayed remarkable tact in drawing, and has still some pen sketches of large animals.

At the age of eleven years Mr. Elliott accom- panied his father to Bloom township, Wood county, where the latter purchased forty acres of unimproved land in Section 21. Our subject then became a student in the old Baird Chapel School, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He continued to work on the home farm, or was employed at various occupations in the neighborhood, until 1879, when the effect of his younger life appeared, and he was consumed with a desire to see the world. He went first to lonia, Mich., where he was employed in a saw and planing mill, after which he traveled through the West, the last winter of his stay being passed at Salina, Kans. In 1889, he returned to his native State, and has since made his home in Wood county. On March 13, of the same year, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Jennings, of Putnam county. Ohio, and they have one child, Ollie Frances, born Decem- ber 18, 1894. For one year Mr. Elliott lived

upon the old homestead, and then purchased the J. A. Bailey farm at Bloom Center for an invest- ment. After residing thereon for a short time. he sold the place at a profit of $2, 100 and pur- chased the G. R. Santemeyer farm, directly north of Bairdstown, with a view of finding oil. The first well drilled produced sixty barrels per day, and the second, five hundred. Notwith- standing this luck, he has not laid aside active labor, but is engaged in teaming, though the in- come derived therefrom is insignificant compared to what he received from his oil. He has a com- fortable home, supplied with every necessity, and many of the luxuries of life. Though not taking an active part in political affairs, he loyally gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and socially he is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Bloomdale.

ISAAC GIDDINGS, one of the numerous self- made men who are prominently identified with the farming interests of Wood county, resides in Troy township. He comes from across the sea, his birth having occurred in March, Cambridge- shire, England, on December 11, 1835, and is a. son of Thomas and Ann (Setchfield) Giddings. The father engaged in farming and at general labor in England until his death, which occurred October 15. 1856, and there his wife also died about 1868. Of their family of nine children three are still living, namely: James, and Mrs. Sarah Ann Haile, both of London, England; and Isaac, of this sketch. The last named was reared to manhood in Cambridgeshire, obtaining his edu- cation in the schools of March, and at the age of twenty-two went to London, where he remained until coming to America. Hearing of the splen- did opportunities offered young men in the New World, he resolved to cast his lot on this side of the Atlantic, and on April 30, 1869, he landed at New York, whence he came direct to Wood county, arriving here on May 3.

Mr. Giddings had, in the meantime, formed matrimonial ties. being married June 6, 1857, to Miss Frances Gainer, the wedding taking place in Ely, Cambridgeshire, where she was born. Her parents, James and Elizabeth (Muett Gainer, were both natives of Ely, where their death oc- curred, the mother dying in 1867, and the father in 1875. They reared a family of five children. who still survive, all residents of Ely, England. with the exception of Mrs. Giddings, who is the third in order of birth. They are Amos, Charley, Mrs. Sarah Huckle and Mis. Eliza Miller.

On his arrival in Troy township, Mr. Giddings located on the Ridge, near the " Empire House."

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and was engaged at day labor, the first money he received being $5, that he earned on the farm which is now his home. For two years he re- sided at that place; in 1870 he began work for H. L. Wood, and in April, 1873, took charge of the tollgate, being thus employed for six years. In March, 1879, he purchased his farm, which com- prises thirty-five acres of fertile and highly culti- vated land.

For twenty-seven years, Mr. and Mrs. Gid- ings have made their home within the borders of Troy township, and they are numbered among its most highly respected citizens, taking an active interest in everything for the good of the commu- nity. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, John Thomas. They hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Giddings is now serving as one of the trustees. Politically, lie is a supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party.

JOHN RUDOLPH, one of the pioneer settlers of Washington township, was born in Germany, on May 21, 1827, a son of Conrad and Barbara Ru- dolph. In 1867 he decided to leave his native land with the hope of bettering his financial con- dition. He took passage at Bremen, and after a tedious voyage on the steamer "Bremen," landed safely at New York. He came at once to Hull Prairie, Wood county, where for a year he worked by the day. On the expiration of that time he purchased ten acres of wild land, entirely unimproved, and to which no roads had been cut. After clearing that tract he disposed of the same, and bought twenty acres, to which he has since added a like amount. This he has tiled and ditched, and now has an arable and productive farm on which stands a good frame residence, erected at a cost of $1, 200, and a barn built at a cost of $500. At the time of his arrival wild game was still found in abundance, including tur- keys and deer, and most of the land was still in its primitive condition; but he has lived to wit- ness a great transformation in this section, as the county now ranks among the most highly culti- vated and improved in the State.

On December 20, 1858, in his native land, Mr. Rudolph had married Anna Elizabeth Bikel, who, was born in the little village of Hausen, Germany, and they became the parents of nine children, but only one now survives-Gust, whose birth occurred August 10, 1864. He came with his parents to the New World in 1867, and in the district schools of Wood county pursued his liter- ary studies. He was married April 13, 1893, Anna Schutzberg becoming his wife, but she has

now passed away, having died of consumption on June 2, 1895, aged twenty-seven years and twenty-seven days. Her remains rest in the Union Hill cemetery. The son, in connection with his father, operates their fine farm of sixty acres. and they are meeting with a well-deserved suc- cess. In politics they are stalwart Democrats. and in religious belief are Lutherans, attending the Church of that denomination in Haskins. They are worthy, respected members of society, and have many friends in the community who hold them in high regard.

MOSES B. WALTERS has demonstrated in his life the fact that success is not the result of fort- unate circumstances or the aid of influential friends, but may be achieved through earnest and persistent purpose, enterprise, and honorable dealing. The record of such a man is well worthy of perpetuation, and we gladly give it a place in this volume. Mr. Walters was born in Montgomery township, August 25, 1848, and is a son of Joseph Walters, who was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, and afterward accom- panied his parents to Wood county, locating in Montgomery township. The grandfather. Michael Walters, there entered from the government a tract of land which he improved and afterward sold. He then removed to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days in the home of his daughter. The father of our sub- ject removed from Wood to Sandusky county, Ohio: but after two years returned to the old homestead in Montgomery township, where he continued for a similar period. Subsequently he spent two years in Wyandot county, and then took up his residence in Freeport, Wood county, where he made his home until his death in July, 1865. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Arnold, is now living in Fostoria. Seneca Co., Ohio, and is the widow of Hiram Pember. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Walters numbered the following named children-Michael. a carpenter of Fostoria, Ohio; Moses B., also a carpenter: Mary, who became the wife of An- thony Brockley, and died in Illinois; William, of Hatton, Ohio; Josiah, an express agent of Chi- cago, Ill. ; Melita, wife of Dennis McCarthy, et Fostoria, Ohio.

Mr. Walters, of this review, began his educ.i- tion under the instruction of Charles Young in a district school, near Perrysburg, Ohio. He was about fifteen years of age when his parents re- moved to Freeport, where he completed his edu- cation by a three-terms' attendance at the pubine schools. Upon his father's death he went to live

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with Rev. Dowling, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself, working as a farm hand for $20 per month and his board. Throughout his life he has carried on agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he lived on a farm near Jerry City for a year, then rented a forty-acre tract of land in Henry township. In 1884 he located on his present farm, having here purchased forty acres on March 17, 1873. The place has all been cleared of timber, and has many excellent improvements upon it, including a comfortable two-story frame residence, while the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute.

At West Millgrove, Wood county, in 1875, Mr. Walters married Sophia Henry, who was born near Jerry City, November 23, 1853. Their union has been blessed with five children, name- ly: Hattie, Orin, Irving, Jennie and Mary, all under the parental roof. The parents are active members of the Disciples Church at Mun- gen, Ohio, and socially Mr. Walters is connected with the Odd Fellows society there. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has served as supervisor, school director, and for three years as truant officer of Henry township.

JASPER N. MOSIER, a well-known agricultur- ist of Grand Rapids township, was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, November 29, 1838. Michael Mosier, his father, a tailor by occupation, mar- ried Miss Catherine Cooper, and reared a family of five children, of whom our subject was the eldest: Adeline married Philip Hineberger; Da- rius and Homer are residents of Fairfield county, and Sarah inarried John Lyons, of Fairfield coun- ty. Our subject's father died January 9, 1855, but his mother still survives, and resides at the old home.

Jasper N. Mosier received his early education in the schools of his native county, and worked upon a farm until the age of twenty-two, when, the Civil war breaking out, he enlisted in Com- pany K, 17th O. V. I. (Col. J. M. Connell and Capt. Ray, commanding). He participated in a number of important engagements. among them the battles of Wild-cat. Somerset, Mill Springs. Nashville, Shiloh, Louisville, Stone River, Hoov- er's Gap, and Missionary Ridge, and also took part in the Atlanta campaign; October 10, 1864, he received an honorable discharge and returned home. The next two years and a half were spent in traveling through the West, and, after visiting every point of interest west of the Missis- sippi, he again returned to Fairfield county, where he remained three years. In 1872 he came to ;

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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 34

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1140