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 38
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Ethel, and Sylva. There are also six great-grand- children.
Mr. and Mrs. Avery have brought up more than twenty children in their home, at different times. They are interested in all religious and philanthropical movements, and have been for inany years leading members of the United Breth- ren Church. Mr. Avery is a Democrat politic- ally, and was at one time elected director of the county infirmary.
THOMAS FORRESTER, deceased. The subject of this sketch, who, until a few years ago, held an honored place among the fast-thinning ranks of Wood county's pioneers, was born in Scot- land, September 22, 1822. He was one of the nine children of Thomas and Ellen (Stein) For- rester, and came to America with his parents at the age of twelve years. They located in Web- ster township, where, not long afterward, he en- tered eighty acres of land on his own account, to which he added as his fortunes improved. + man of great industry and courage, he overcame the many hardships incident to pioneer life, and early established himself successfully in his chos- en home. He was married, in 1848, to Miss Annie Davidson, of Webster township, who was born in Scotland, October 21, 1824. Six chil- dren were born of this union: Robert, a farmer, and trustee of Webster township; James M., a farmer, and trustee of Center township: Walter a farmer of Webster township: and three who are now deceased-Thomas, Andrew and William.
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people. His wife is the eldest daughter of Mrs. William Fletcher, a prominent resident of Wood county. She is a member of the United Presby- terian Church, of Scotch Ridge. They have no children living.
STEPHEN SCHALLER. In the beautiful and historic country of Switzerland, this gentleman was born in February, 1846. His father, Benjamin Schaller, was also a native of " the land of the Alps," and there followed the occupation of farm- ing until IS51, when he came to Wood county, Ohio, accompanied by his family. Here he car- ried on agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1862. His wife bore the maiden name of Ros- anna Hanning, and their family numbered nine children-Benjamin, Frederick, Simon and Alex- andra, all farmers of Perrysburg township: Lewis, an agriculturist of Middleton township; Barbara, wife of John Mosier; Stephen; Augustus, a farm- er of Middleton township; and Rosie, the wife of John Isch. of Lake township.
Mr. Schaller, whose name introduces this re- view, accompanied his parents on their emigra- tion to America, and attended school in Middle- ton township. He early became familiar with farm labor on the old family homestead, where he continued until twenty-six years of age, and was then employed on neighboring farms for two ; years. With the capital thus acquired he pur- chased eighty acres of land, covered with timber and water. He drained the place, cleared it of the trees. and to-day possesses one of the best equipped farms in Middleton township. A good barn furnishes ample shelter for his grain and stock, the latest improved machinery facilitates his labors. and a pleasant residence stands as a monument to his diligence and enterprise. He is a self-made man in the best sense of that term, and the success that crowns his efforts is certain- ly well-merited.
Mr. Schaller gives his political support to the Democratic party, and, though he has never been an office-seeker neglects no duty of citizenship, and gives a hearty support to those measures cal- culated to prove of public benefit. In is79, at Whitehouse. Waterville township, Lucas county, he married Sarah Moser. daughter of Christ Moser, a native of Switzerland, living in Grand Rapids. Ohio. The children of this marriage are Louisa, Herman, Andrew, Ernest, Bertha, Cora, and Elner.
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WILLIAM ROLLER is the owner of one of the most higbly improved farms of the county, and his name stands among the first on the roll
of Middleton township's leading agriculturists. A native of the Buckeye State, he was born in Biglick township, Hancock county, June 8, 1848, and is a son of Michael Roller, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 4, 1822. The grandfather, William Roller, was associate judge of Hancock county, and one of its honored pio- neer settlers, while his brother, L. Roller, was the first white man to locate in Scott township, San- dusky county. The father of our subject re- moved from Ashland to Hancock county, in 1835, and was one of the pioneers of that local- ity. . His father eutered 1. 200 acres of land from the government, giving to each of his children a farm of 160 acres. He married Elizabeth Swind- ler, of Jefferson county, Ohio, and they became the parents of nine children: William; Mirs. Sarah Spar, widow of Allen Spar, a farmer of Hancock county; Mary A. ; Philimena, wife of Jefferson Huffman, a farmer of Michigan; George W. and Henry, agriculturists of Hancock county: Ida, wife of Samuel Taylor, a Hancock county farmer; Lorana, wife of Edward Vicker; and one who died in infancy. The father of this family was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen, and died on the old homestead in 1885. In politics he was a Democrat, and for a number of years served as township trustee. His widow is still living on the old farm in Hancock county.
William Roller was educated in the common schools, and worked on the home farm until . twenty-four years of age, when he came to Wood county, and began farming for himself. Of the ninety-six acres of land which he purchased, and which are now situated in the center of a petro- leum field, twenty were cleared, but the remainder was in its primitive condition. With character- istic energy he began to improve this, has drained it by ditching and tiling and now the ouce wild land yields to him a handsome return for his care and labor, while various improvements stand as monuments to liis thrift and enterprise. He has a very pleasant country home, erected at a cost of $2,000, and a barn, the cost of which was $1,000, affords ample shelter for the stock, of which he raises good grades. He possesses an unfaltering perseverance that is not daunted by obstacles, and his resolute purpose and energy have been the essential factors in his success.
In politics, Mr. Roller is a Democrat, and has served as trustee of Middleton township for one term, and was the Democratic candidate for : county commissioner of two precios, which she ws his high stru ffin, with his pus Heen prominent, faithful and active worker in the Methodist Church at Dowling, is serving as trus-
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tee and steward, and has been both a teacher and the superintendent of the Sunday-school. His home life is pleasant and he has an interest- ing family. In 1871 he married Martha Ruck- inan, who was born in Hancock county, April 2, 1847, one of the eight children of James and Hannah (Huffman) Ruckman. Seven children grace their marriage: James T., a very intelli- gent young man, and a successful school teacher in Dowling; Elizabeth, widow of Charles Clark; Florence, Jay, Mary, Michael and William.
HARRISON B. WOOD, one of the wide-awake and enterprising citizens of Liberty township, was born on October 16, 1852, in this State, and is one of the fourteen children of John J. and Ruhana (Severence) Wood. During his early boyhood his parents removed to Illinois, and he attended school in Astoria, that State; but com- pleted his education in the district school of North Manchester, Wabash Co., Ind. When a youth of sixteen he began to earn his own living by carrying the United States mail from North Man- chester to Lagro, Ind., following that pursuit for two years. He afterward worked as a farm hand and in sawinills, and, in 1871, took up his residence in Fulton county, Ohio.
Two years later, Mr. Wood was there married to Elizabeth Crile, and to them has been born a daughter, Lillie, now the wife of Charles Bowen. « of Jackson township. They began their domestic life on an eighty-acre farm, which Mr. Wood pur- chased and operated for some years. He then re- moved to Henry county, where he carried on the sawmill business, four miles northwest of Grand Rapids, Ohio. In 1886 he brought his family to Wood county, and purchased a farm of forty acres near Bowling Green, which he conducted for about four years. He sold this and bought a sawmill in Center township. Afterward he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Liberty township, twenty acres of which he later disposed of. He has added to the farm, however, until it now com- prises 160 acres, upon which he has erected a large and substantial dwelling and good barns. He has greatly improved the property, and now has one of the most desirable farins in the com- munity. He operates a sawmill upon his place, and also owns one in Jackson township.
Mr. Wood owes his prosperity entirely to his own efforts. A resolute purpose and enterprising perseverance have overcome the obstacles he has met, and his own industry has given him a place among the substantial citizens of his adopted county. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and, while serving as constable of Fulton county
for five years, he proved his efficiency as a pub- lic officer.
LUTHER S. PUGH, a successful and enterpris- ing farmer of Richfield township, Henry county. is a native of Weston township, Wood county, born February 3, 1848, son of John Pugh.
Mr. Pugh attended the district schools when a boy, and worked on his father's farm until lie was twenty-seven years old. In 1871, however. he had commenced life for himself with a capital of $200, purchasing eighty acres in Milton town- ship, which he improved. In 1872 he bought the sixty-eight acres on which he now resides. In 1883 he secured eighty acres more, to which! he added, in 1888. 109 acres, and in February, I891, 104 acres, making a total of 441 acres, all of which are improved, and on which Mr. Pugh has erected barns, sheds, outhouses, etc. One hundred acres of this land is in timber.
On April 13, 1875, our subject was united in marriage, in Weston township, with Miss Har- riet Martin, a daughter of James Martin, and a sister of William Martin, of Weston township. To Mr. and Mrs. Pugh have been born five chil- dren. as follows: Rufo M., April 8, 1878; John J., June 12, 1880; William Otis, December 12. 1885; David R .. December 30, 1888; Effie S., October 11, 1892. In connection with his farm- ing interests Mr. Pugh has one of the finest stone quarries in the county. Thousands of tons of stone have been used in many of the buildings in Weston, Custar and other towns, and the business brings him in from one to two thousand dollars a year. About forty loads of stone are taken from the quarry every day. He is also a breeder of cattle, and has an excellent stock of Aberdeens, some of which took first prize at the Wood County Fair. Mr. Pugh is one of the most practical farmers in the county, and is looked upon as the leading agriculturist in Rich- field township. He is a hard worker, and cleared 125 acres of land, cutting the rails from the timber himself, making a record in one sea- son of 6.000 rails. In this work he has often been seriously injured; his legs have been broken several times, and on two occasions he set the broken parts himself. At another time he had two of his ribs broken.
Mr. Pugh is well known for his philanthrophy. and is a liberal contributor to all worthy pur- poses. On every occasion he has donated twenty-five cents on every dollar's worth of stone purchased from him tor church-bont ling purp : He is progressive, industrions, and one of the substantial citizens of Henry county, he is a
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Sp. El. Lough.
Harriet Ougho
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stanch member of the Republican party, but not an active politician, and takes a substantial inter- est in local educational affairs.
WILLIAM SMITH, one of the most highly re- spected citizens of Bloomdale, was born Decem- ber 29, 1829, on the island of Bermuda, of Scotch-Irish parents.
His father. James Smith, a weaver by trade, served for twenty-six and one-half years in the British army, enlisting at the time of the battle of Waterloo, but he did not take part in any of the Napoleonic wars. While stationed in Can- ada, lie married Martha Elder, a native of County Derry, Ireland, and sometime afterward was or- dered to Bermuda, where our subject's birth oc- curred. In the family were five children: John and John W., both deceased in infancy; Will- iam; James, a carpenter, of St. Louis, Mo .; and Matilda, wife of James Caskey, of Montgomery township, Wood county. On leaving the British army, the father located in Scotland, where he followed weaving for the remainder of his active life. He died in April, 1879, at the age of eighty years, and his wife passed away two weeks before, at the age of eighty-two. They now lie buried at Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, Scot- land.
William Smith was about nine years of age when his father left the army, being at that time a resident of Ireland, and his childhood days were passed in several different places. For one year the family resided in Glasgow, and then went to Newton Stewart. Our subject's educa- tional privileges were limited, and at the age of sixteen he left the school-room, and began learn- ing the shoemaker's trade, which required five years' apprenticeship, before he was deemed a competent workman, so thorough are trades learned in the mother country. He then went to Glasgow, but after a year returned to Newton Stewart. Although economical and industrious, he was unable to save much money, and as he wished to launch on the sea of matrimony, and had not sufficient means, he determined to come to the New World, where better opportunities are offered for acquiring a competence.
On May 26, 1853. Mr. Smith sailed from Glasgow, on the .. Java," which arrived in New York seven weeks later. His destination ' was Slatington, fourteen miles from Allentown, Le- high Co., Penn .. where he had an annt living, and, on arriving at that place, had only ten cents remaining. Inspired by the hope of making a home in America for himself and his intended, whom he had left behind, he went earnestly to
work at shoemaking; but after three months his trade became slack, and for one month he was employed in a slate quarry. It was now, late in the fall of 1853, that he moved farther west with his uncle, Hugh Carr, to Logan county, Ohio. where he was employed the following winter driving a team. In April, 1854, he hired out as a farm hand with William McDowell, and during the following summer saved enough to send for his intended wife, Miss Margaret Clanachan, who was a daughter of William and Mary (Laurie, Clanachan, and was born in Wigtownshire, Scot- land; March 17, 1833. She left Scotland, and June 15, 1854, sailed from Liverpool, arriving in Logan county, Ohio, August 21. On September 9, following, they were married in Jefferson town- ship, that county. They have become the par- ents of eight children. namely: James, a car- penter of Bloom township: Walter, a farmer of Perry township: J. F .; Samuel, a carpenter of Bloomdale; Robert, a clerk of Bloomdale; Rosa. wife of Albert Stillwell, of Perry; Mattie, at home; and Mary j., who died in infancy.
For a time after his marriage Mr. Smith and his wife lived with Mr. McDowell, and during the following winter he worked at his trade. In the spring of 1855, however, he rented twenty acres of land in Jefferson township, Logan county, near Zanesfield, and followed the occupation of farm- ing until leaving that county. On May 8, 1861. he enlisted in the one-hundred-days' service, be- coming a member of Company I, 132nd O. V. I .. under Capt. Porter, doing service mostly in Vir- ginia, and on being discharged at Camp Chase. Ohio. in September, 1864, he returned to Logan county. It was in January, 1865, that Mr. Smith brought his family to Wood county, locating on forty acres of land which he had purchased in Montgomery township, and he there made his home until 1871, when he bought eighty-seven and one-half acres in Section 30, Perry township. which he operated until November, 1893. Since that time lie has resided in Bloomdale, having erected a comfortable dwelling there, and is now living retired from active business cares. In poli- tics he is a stanch Republican, though no politi- cian, and filled the office of trustee of Percy town- ship. He holds membership with the United Brethren Church. to which he is a liberal contrib- ntor, has served as trustee, class-leader and super- intendent of Sunday-school, and is now a teacher in the same. He is a devont Christian, and has ever taken a foremost and active part in the work of the Church. In April, r879, he was summoned to Scotland by the illness of his aged parents, but arrived too late to see them, as they had been
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buried two weeks before he reached the old home. He has crossed the Atlantic eight times, and revis- ited many of the scenes of his youth. In 1882 his wife and daughters-Rosa and Mattie -- visited Scotland, Mrs. Smith not having seen her mother for nearly thirty years. Although he has been a great worker, Mr. Smith is still well preserved, and he is a kind-hearted, conscientious gentleman, enjoying the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.
JACOB HARTMAN. Among the citizens that Germany has furnished to Ohio, is this well- known farmer of Wood county, who was born in Nassau, November 5, 1850. His parents, Peter and Christina (Dower) Hartman, were also natives of Germany, and had a family of four children, namely: Jacob; Christ, a farmer of Middleton township; Emma, wife of George Williams; and Eliza, wife of John Snyder. In 1852 the father came with his family to America, and located in Huron county, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1857. His wife afterward mar- ried Joseph Hofner, and they had three children -Mary, wife of Henry Asmus; Katie, wife of Henry Stutzburg, a farmer; and Michael, an agriculturist of Middleton township. Mr. Hof- ner died in 1892; his widow 'now makes her home with George Williams.
Jacob Hartman, of this sketch, obtained his education in the public schools, and worked upon his father's farm until nineteen years of age. In 1863 he came to Wood county with his mother, who purchased the farin on which he now resides, comprising fifty-five acres. This Mr. Hartman cleared. transforming the wild tract into well-developed fields. In 1876 he purchased the old homestead, and has since con- ducted the farm, on which he has erected a fine residence at a cost of $1,500. He has made it cultivable by tiling and ditching, and is to-day the owner of a very valuable farming property, which yields him a handsome return for his labor.
On December 9, 1888, in Middleton township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hartman and Miss Eliza Hattonroth, who was born in Germany, November 27, 1855, and is a daughter of Henry and Barbara "Elm) Hattonroth. They now have two interesting children -- Albert, born June 15, 1890; and Frederick, born December 18, 1892. Their home is a pleasant and hos- pitable oue, and Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have many friends in their locality. In his political adherency he is a Democrat, in religious faith he is a Lutheran, his membership being with the
Church in Haskins. He is a man of genuine worth and thorough reliability, and is popular with all who know him.
ABRAHAM LOE, who is now living retired in Jerry City, was for a number of years engaged in farming in Bloom, township, owning a fine farm of seventy acres. Mr. Loe first saw the light December 14, 1823. in Philadelphia, Penn .. where his father, Robert Loe, was born.
When eight years of age Robert Loe was bound out to a farmer living west of Philadel- phia, remaining with him until he reached ma- turity, and he never saw his father, who was a seaman, after he was eight years old. Robert Loe enlisted in the war of 1812, and served some eighteen months, much to the displeasure of his " master." He was married, near Philadelphia. to Miss Catherine Seldenrick, and they com- menced married life in that city, where two or three children were born to them. Mr. Loe drove teams, and did general work. They subse- quently lived for a time in New Jersey, returning thence to Philadelphia, and there remaining until early in the winter of 1837, when they migrated to Ohio, making the long, tedious journey over the mountains in wagons. Locating in Belmont county. Mr. Loe was engaged in farining for about two years; at the end of that time, in connection with his son William, opening a brick yard. They engaged in the manufacture of brick for years, and built several brick houses in West Wheeling, Belmont county. Mr. Loe removed to Wood county six months after his son Abra- ham (our subject), and here his wife died about eighteen months later, on September 10, 1848, and was laid to rest in Sugar Grove cemetery. The entire family then returned to Belmont county, whence, after a residence of nearly three years, during which time. in 1849, Mr. Loe re- married (his choice this time being Miss Kizia McCulick), Mr. Loe again came to Wood county. His reinains now rest in Sugar Grove cemetery. he having died in 1864, his wife surviving him until 1872. He was originally a Whig in politics. later becoming a Republican.
Abraham Loe received his primary education in the Philadelphia public schools of his time. and came with his parents to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1837. When his father opened the brick yard he worked in it, and learned the busi- ness, following it for some time. On September 5. 1844, he was married, in Bolaget counts. Ohio, to Miss Lucinda Baird, who was till of Ohio conaty, W. Va., born about 1825, along Wheeling creek, daughter of James and Sylvena
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(Wetzel) Baird; the latter was a relative of Louis Wetzel, the pioneer Indian fighter, so well known in this locality. The young couple began house- keeping in West Wheeling, Belmont county, and Mr. Loe was engaged in various kinds of labor, inaking several trips to New Orleans on coal barges. There was a doctor living in West Wheeling who owned forty acres of land lying in Section 6, Bloom township, Wood county, which he offered for $50. Our subject, desiring to commence life independently, went out to inves- tigate the land, borrowing a horse from his fa- ther, and also rode to Perrysburg, the county seat, to look up the title. After a ten-days' trip he returned to West Wheeling, and in the follow- ing spring, 1846, having closed the purchase, he came to his land and made a few improvements on it, building a log house, ISx 20 feet in dimen- sions, and also having some clearing done. In August, same year, he removed his family hither, and they had two wagons for their household goods; but, by that time, "butter weeds" had sprung up within the cabin, which had no floor. and completely filled it. Here the family resided until November, 1848, when they returned to Belmont county, Mr. Loe's father and brothers having also returned thither, and he learned and followed the bricklayer's trade there for some time. He had not sold his Wood county tract, however, and in January, 1854, the family re- turned, making the trip by team, and, as the weather was cold, Mr. Loe had a stove in the wagon, which added greatly to their comfort.
While in Belmont county Mr. Loe had bought thirty acres adjoining his original purchase, and before his return he had his log house moved to the new land, to the same site occupied by the present residence on the farm. Here Mr. Loe resumed farming, and continued to follow that vocation until his retirement, in 1886, from act- ive life. As a result of his persevering industry and thorough attention to his affairs he met with gratifying success, and, in addition. to the farm of over eighty acres in the township, owns three houses and lots in Cygnet, Wood county, and his comfortable home in Jerry City, which he built at the time of his retirement from the farm. When our subject was married, he bor- rowed $40 from his brother John, with which to commence housekeeping, and, as he has worked hard to place himself in his present position, he well deserves the prosperity he now enjoys with his noble wife, who was never less ready to do her share in making a comfortable, happy home for the family. In September, 18044, this honored couple celebrated their golden wedding, surround-
ed by their family and numerous friends. A brief record of their children is as follows: Albert died in Bloom township, leaving a wife and one child; Mary J. is the wife of James H. Whitacre; Jaunes H. is a resident of North Baltimore: John W. died in infancy; Martin L. lives in Center town- ship; Abraham resides in Bloom township; Isaac has his home in Liberty township; Hattie is the wife of Henry Parsons, of Cygnet; Neammetta is the wife of Thomas Whitacre, of Liberty town- ship. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Loe are members of the Church of God. Since 1891 Mr. Loe has been a Prohibitionist, and previous to that time he gave his political support to the Republican party.
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