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 40
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During his childhood, James Gibson attended the schools of Troy township, and contributed his share to the cultivation of the farmi. In 1875 he was married in Sandusky county, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Miss Elmira Herman, a native of that county, and a daughter of Henry and Clarinda (Webster) Herman, he of German nativity, and she of Ohio. but they early became residents- of Sandusky county, where the father still lives. Five children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely: James E. who is attending school at Ada, Ohio), Linda, Herman R., Florence and Margaret.
In his political affiliations Mr. Gibson is an inflexible adherent to the doctrines and principles of the Republican party, and has served as county commissioner. He is a public-spirited and enter- prising man, taking an active part and interest in everything which seems to promise a benefit to the community, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. Socially he is con- nected with Maumee Valley Lodge No. 515. I. O. O. F. : Perrysburg Lodge No. 524, K. P .. and belongs to the Knights of Honor No. 3490. of Stony Ridge.
WILLIAM DIGBY. Among the reliable, intel- ligent and substantial farmers of Washington township, there is probably none who stands higher in the public estimation than the gentle- man whose name begins this sketch. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in Erie coun- ty, Ohio, on December 29, 1854, and he re- mained on the home farm until he attained his majority, during which time the public schools of Washington township afforded him his educ.i- tional privileges. His wife owned forty acres of land in Section 14. to which he bought forty more, fifteen of which he cleared and improved but he has since sold forty acres of the amount In addition to the cultivation of his own land. he also operates eighty-seven acres belonging to his father. On his place he has a good dwelling. which he erected at a cost of $600, and a general air of thrift pervades the entire tract.
It was in Washington township, September 5. 1875. that Mr. Digby was married, the Foh
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of his choice being Miss Martha Jane Burditt, and they have become the parents of four chil- dren, as follows: Myrtle Belle, who was born December 8, 1876, and is the wife of Charles H. Russell, of Plain township, a son of Albirtus Russell; Lottie Alice, born December 21, 1878; Lilly, born September 1, 1881; and Cora, born October 23, 1883. The three youngest are still at home.
Mr. Digby, politically, is a Republican, and takes a genuine interest in the enterprises set on foot for the progress and welfare of his adopted county. For four years he served as supervisor, and the same length of time held the office of school director. He holds membership with the l'atrons of Husbandry, in which order he has filled the chairs of master, chaplain and steward, all for two years each. Religious work, however, receives a great share of his attention, has been class-leader of the United Brethren Church, superintendent of the Sunday-school four years, circuit steward three years, and at present has six churches under his charge, namely: The Washington Chapel: the Centennial, two miles north of Tontogany; the one in Grand Rapids; the Custar Circuit; Old Beaver Creek and Liber- al Branch. He was sent as a delegate to the conference of the United Brethren Church at Chicago Junction, and everything tending to ad- vance the moral welfare of the community re- ceives his earnest support and co-operation; he is also a member of Tontogany Lodge No. 755, I. O. O. F.
GEORGE UNKART (deceased) was a prominent farmer in Washington township, Wood county, and was numbered among the "boys in blue," who, through the long years of the Civil war, followed the old flag until it waved victoriously over the conquered South. His military record. and that of his private career, were alike honor- able. He was born in Germany, December 17, 1843, a son of Martin and Rosa (Fox) Unkart, natives of the same country, and whose family numbered nine children. In 1866 the father came to Sandusky county, Ohio, and died near Fre- mont.
In his native land our subject learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1858 came to America. When the Civil war was begun he enlisted, Octo- ber 17, 1861, in Company H, 72d O. V. I., Col. Buckland, participating in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and was also in Sher- man's march to the sea. On March 31. 1805. he was severely wounded, a ball entering his houlder, and coming out at his side, from which , his theories to the test, and opened several good-
injury he never fully recovered. He was honor- ably discharged September 11, 1865, and his war record was marked by the strictest fidelity to duty. When his services were no longer needed, he returned to Fremont, Ohio, afterward spent three years in Sandusky, one year in Lime town- ship, Huron county, and nine years at Weaver's Corners, Ohio, after which he came to Wood county. In 1879 he took up his residence in Weston, and in January, 1880, removed to Has- kins, where he remained until 1893, when he purchased forty acres of land in Washington township, erected a blacksmith shop, and was there engaged both in blacksmithing and farming.
On February 17, 1870, Mr. Unkart was mar- ried to Anna Bollenbacher, daughter of Henry and Elica Bollenbacher. They had six children.
as follows: William Charles, born August 24. 1871, now a farmer; Joseph H., born November 23, 1873, also a farmer; Cora, born September 7. 1876, died in childhood; Rosa, born August IS, 1878. also died in childhood; Charles Will- iam, born September 11, 1880; and John Ed- ward, born January 26, 1888. Mr. Unkart was, in political affiliations, a Democrat; when a boy he joined the German Lutheran Church, in Ger- mania, and when he inoved to Haskins he be- came a member of the Haskins Lutheran Church, and so remained until his death.
Mr. Unkart having been in poor health for seven years, he, in January, 1896, succumbed to his illness, suffering until death came, at 5 P. M., May 13, 1896, being able to say: "Come, wel- come death, all end of fears. I am prepared to go." He was aged fifty-two years, four months and two days. The funeral services were held. May 16, in the Christian Church at Dewese Cor- ners, the Rev. Klochner, of Waterville, officiat- ing. and he was laid to his final rest in the Wes- ton cemetery, deeply mourned by a host of friends. Mrs. Unkart and four children survive him, also two brothers and three sisters, Benja- min, George, Lizzie (of Bowling Green, Mrs. Limestahl, and Mrs. Rose, of Fremont.
ALBERT L. KURRLEY, a leading oil-producer of Bowling Green, owes his present prosperity to a lucky investment, in 1883, in a half interest in seventy-seven and one-half acres of wild land in the northeast corner of Section 17. in Portage township. It was not then thought to be of any great value, and it lay idle until i801, when the development of the oil fields in this region !" Mr. Kurrley to believe that it could be mad profitable. With his father as partner, he put
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paying wells. Since that time he has been act- ively engaged in operating there, and on leased land in the vicinity, and, as he has the advantage of youth, with its energy and enterprise, the future may hold for him still greater success.
He was born in Delaware, Ohio, March S, 3865, the son of Frederick and Catherine (Au- warter) Kurrley, both of whom were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, the father July 5, 1831, the mother January 1, 1829. They came to America in 1853, and were married the same year, in Delaware, where Mr. Kurrley became engaged in a number of profitable enterprises,
and accumulated a fortune. They were leading members of the German Lutheran Church. Our subject's mother died July 9, 1894; but his father still resides in Delaware, although no longer act- ively engaged in business. He takes an intelli- gent interest in all the issues of the day, and es- pecially in political questions, being an adherent of the Democratic faith. Of the eleven children of this union, five grew to maturity: (1) Caro- line, deceased February 28, 1896, was the widow of Philip Geoble, of Delaware county; (2) Mary is the wife of John Horn, an engineer on a pas- senger train of the Big Four railroad; (3) Katie is still at home; (4) A. L. is our subject; and (5) Victor is a resident of Elyria, Ohio. For many years our subject's paternal grandmother was a member of the honsehold, but she departed this life in 1892, at the age of ninety-one.
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A. L. Kurrley obtained his early education in the public schools of Delaware, and his subse- quent reading has enabled him to keep thorough- ly well-informed upon the topics of the times- scientific, literary, and political. At the age of twenty-six he began his notable career as an oil operator, and the success of his ventures may be indicated by one of the most peculiar freaks of fortune. He became interested in a well which had twice been abandoned as worthless, and the third attempt at pumping produced 3,200 barrels of oil in an incredibly short period. He was mar- ried, in Delaware, to Miss Sarah Renner, a na- tive of that place, born December 15, 1865, and has one daughter, Mildred, born at Delaware. Ohio, September 24, 1891. In November, 1892, he removed, with his family, to Bowling Green, and has since made it his home.
J. G. ARMSTRONG was born in Jefferson coun- ty, Ohio, January 23, 1844, and is the son of Robert and Ann (Ekey) Armstrong, the foriner of whom was born in Jefferson county, in 1802. where he grew to manhood. Some time after his marriage he went to Seneca county, in 1966.
where he died ten years later. His wife was born in Ohio in 1811, and died in 1883. He was a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this couple were born seven children, as follows: J. G., our subject; Mary J., who is unmarried; Benjamin, who died when eighteen years old; Beaty, who lives in Kansas; Martha, who died while young: and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Armstrong spent his boyhood days in Jefferson county, where he attended the district schools. While living in Seneca county he was married, December 24, 1873, in Wood county, to Miss Celia M. Leonard, who was born in Seneca county May 22, 1848. Two children were the result of this union, Leonard E., born May 11, 1877, and Xenepheon E., born Septem- ber 29, ISSI. Mr. Armstrong farined in Seneca county until ISSo, when he moved to Wood county, and located on a farm of eighty-seven acres in Plain township, on which he does gen- eral farming. When the war broke out he joined Company H, 157th O. V. I., for the one-hundred- days' service, and was at Camp Relay, Md., and on Delaware Island. In politics he is a Populist, and he is one of the industrious citizens of the county.
The paternal grandfather, Charles Armstrong, was a shoemaker, and came to America from Ireland, settling in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died at the age of ninety-three years. He was the father of seven children: Peggy, who died young; Margaret, George, William, John, Charley and Robert.
EUGENE T. SLY. The Sly family is English, : and can be traced back as far as the grandfather of our subject, James Sly, who was a native of Wiltshire, England, and served in the British army for twenty-two years and eleven months He was married at an advanced age, and lived on his pen- sion. Three children were born to him and his wife -William, James and Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Sly and Thomas all died in England. James and : William came to America, and the former died in Wood county.
William, the father of our subject, was the eldest child, but, his parents dying while he was quite young, the exact record of his birth is not known. He died in Bowling Green, Ohio, June 17. 1894, and was supposed to have been about sixty- eight years old. He came to America when a young man, and located in Monroeville. Huron Co., Ohio, and on December 7. 1856, was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Callin, who was born in Ashland county, March 2. 1838. At the
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age of thirteen she moved with her parents to Huron county, and there grew to womanhood. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sly went to Erie county, and about 1860 came to Wood coun- ty, and located in Plain township, which, with the exception of a short interval, was their home until they retired to Bowling Green in 1890. In late years they became members of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Sly survives her husband, and lives on her farm in Plain township, which contains nine good oil-producing wells. They be- came the parents of five children, namely: Will- iam James, born October 15, 1859, who resides in Tontogany (he married Ada Avery, and they have three children, Zaidais, Sanford and Fern); Elmer, born January 11, 1861, died June 11, 1890; Alice, born December 30, 1863, is the wife of Cyrus Young, of Bowling Green (they have six children, Ava; Albert and Myrtle, who are twins; Floyd; Clara, and an infant); Eugene, our sub- ject; May, born August 12, 1877, unmarried, and lives with her mother in Bowling Green.
Eugene T., our subject, was born in Plain township, October 31, 1867, where he attended the common schools, meanwhile working on the farm. He was married December 25, 1890, to Anna Gayno, and t.vo children were born of this union, Hattie Julia and Clarence Jefferson. After his marriage he bought a farm in Liberty town- ship, with two oil wells on it; but he lived on and operated the old homestead in Plain township. until October 13, 1895, when he was called upon to mourn the death of his devoted wife. Since that sad event he has changed his business, and is now at work in the oil fields. He is an enter- prising young man, and so far has made life a success, and will no doubt be one of the leading inen of the future in Wood county, as he is frugal, industrious, and full of vigor and energy.
FINIS S. BURWELL, one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of Grand Rapids township, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Columbiana county, November 2, 1840. Richard Burwell, his father, was a native of Tus- carawas county, and, when a young man, he moved to Columbiana county, where lie engaged in farming. He married Miss Catherine Smith, and reared a family of nine children, their names being: Phebean, Nancy Jane, Lewis Webster, Richard Smedley, Finis Sylvester, Daniel Icart, Mary Catherine, Santford Alonzo, and Sintha Al- vina. The father died at the old homestead in Columbiana county in 1887, and his mother in Wood county in 1883.
Finis S. Burwell spent the first seventeen
years of his life at his native place, attending the district school and assisting with the farm work, and in IS57 he went to Crawford county, and engaged in farming on his own account. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, IOIst O. V. I. ( Col. Stem and Capt. B. B. McDonald commanding), and was appointed sergeant August 29, 1862. He took part in several important engagements, among them being the battles of Covington Heights, and those in which the regiment partici- pated while in pursuit of Bragg in West Virginia. Mr. Burwell was disabled at Stone River by a charge of artillery, and remained in the hospital at Murfreesboro, until June, 1863, when he was relieved from further service. Returning to Craw- ford county, he carried on his farm there for two years, and then came to Wood county, and bought fifty acres of land in what is now Grand Rapids township. This he improved and operated until 1886, when he traded for eighty acres belonging to the late John Walters. He had added sub- stantial improvements, and made the farm one of the best of its size in that vicinity.
On November 11, 1869, in Henry county, he was married to Miss Nancy J. McLain, who was born July 19, 1843. She is a daughter of Robert McLain, a well-known resident of Henry and Wood counties. The only child of this union - James H., born July 27, 1881-resides with his parents, attending the schools of the neighbor- hood, and taking part in the work of the home- stead.
In politics Mr. Burwell is a Republican, and he has been an active worker in local affairs. serving two terms as supervisor, and filling the office of school director for a number of years. He and his wife are leading members of the M. E. Church, of which he is steward and trustee. His progressive spirit and genial nature make him a leader in every movement for the public welfare.
TIMOTHY OSBORN, the owner of a well-devel- oped and highly-improved farm of 140 acres in Liberty township, was born in Bethlehem town- ship, Stark Co., Ohio, November 20, 1829 and is a son of John and Julia Ann Bachtel Osborn. The father was born at Harper's Ferry, Va .. and was a physician. At the age of ten he accom- panied his parents to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he worked for a time for Dr. Duffel. Later he took up the study of medicine with Dr. Neiz. In Stark county, Ohio, he was married, and later re- moved to Wood county, settling in Montgomery township. Two years later he removed to Tus- carawas county, where he made his home until 1845, when he returned to Montgomery town-
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ship. Up to this time he had engaged in the practice of medicine. In 1847 he located on the farm now owned by our subject, making his home there until 1864, when he removed to Noble county, Ohio, where he continued until the fall of 1885. He died on the home farin in Liberty township, Wood county, in the spring of 1886, at the age of seventy-five years; his widow still survives, and is now living with our subject. In the family were the following named members -- Timothy, of this sketch; Precida. wife of Hec- tor McMahon, of Portage, Ohio; Susan, wife of Dr. Whitehead, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Louisa, wife of T. M. Carr, of Portage; and Catherine, wife of Whitney McMahon, of Portage township.
Our subject acquired his literary education in the common schools, and under his father's di- rection he took np the study of medicine, and began the practice of the profession after passing his twenty-sixth birthday. In Liberty township, in 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Yarnall, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and upon the old homestead they began their domestic life. They have two children- Maggie U., wife of Frank Hodgeman, of Liberty township; and John Robert, at home.
In politics, Mr. Osborn is a Republican, but has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests, in which he has met with good success.
THOMAS F. CONLEY, a rising young lawyer of Bowling Green, who also holds the position of official stenographer of the Common Pleas and Circuit Courts, is a native of Maryland, his birth taking place in Baltimore, July 31, 1861. The Conley family is of Irish origin; the ancestors of our subject, however, emigrated to this country before the Revolutionary war. The great-grand- father was in the old Maryland Line Regiment, and fought on the side of the United States in the war of 1812 with Great Britain. He married an Englishwoman, and died in Maryland. His son Felix, the grandfather of our subject, was a planter in Maryland, and owned a great number of slaves. Thomas E .. father of Thomas F .. was born in January, 1835, and married Miss Rebecca Venable, who died when her son was only a few months old. Two daughters com- prised the rest of the family: Mary, who is mar- ried and lives in Baltimore, and Adele, a young lady, still at home. The father is yardmaster for the B. & O. railroad at Baltimore.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native city, where he attended the public schools and business college, and obtained a good
education. His start in life was as a messenger boy in the freight office of the B. & O. railroad. from which position, by the faithful performance of his duties, he worked his way up until he be- 1 came private secretary to the general manager of the road. When the latter took charge of the Louisville & Nashville road, Mr. Conley went with him, subsequently on the change of manage- ment returning to the B. & O. Another change taking place in this company, he left its employ. and in 1887 went to Bowling Green on a visit. While there he did some reporting for the court, which finally resulted in his appointment as offi- cial stenographer for the Common Pleas Court, in 1890. In the meantime he studied law for two years with Cook & Troup, afterward attending the Law School of the Cincinnati College, took a full course and graduated with the degree of LL. B. He has a good practice, is popular with all classes of people, and has a brilliant future before him.
Mr. Conley was married January 12, 1892, to Miss Minnie Belle Bentley, who was born in Newark, Ohio, October 13, 1868. Mrs. Conley is a woman of great personal attractions, and of refined culture, and is a great favorite in social circles. Their pleasant home is the resort of the best people of the city, and their hospitality is well-known. Socially, Mr. Conley is a Royal Arch Mason, and is secretary of the Chapter at Bowling Green; also a member of Toledo Com- mandery, Knights Templar.
JEREMIAH CARTER. The eighty acres of land owned by our subject have been transformed into one of the most comfortable homesteads of Center township, the land of which has been brought to a fine state of cultivation, and is em- bellished by a handsome and substantial set of farming buildings, including a fine residence. A flourishing orchard, and a choice assortment of the smaller fruit trees, serve to add to the com- fortable appearance of the premises, and supply the household with the luxuries of the season.
Mr. Carter is a man of good education, well- informed and intelligent, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of Center township. where he first opened his eyes to the light of day, on October 26, 1845. He is a son of John and Charity Severe: Carter; but his father died when he was about four years old, and his mother de- parte.l this life two years later. He then went to live with his ellest sister, where he remained until he had reached the age of eleven, during which time he received his elementary education in the district schools, and for the following -
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years worked as a farm hand for his board and clothes. On the expiration of that time he start- ed out to work for himself, being employed by the day, week, or month, but receiving very meager wages.
On the inauguration of the Civil war, Mr. Carter resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union, and, when not yet eighteen years of age, enlisted on June 30, 1863, in Company D. 86th O. V. I., under Col. Lemert and Capt. J. H. Reid, of Bowling Green. With his company he marched to Cleveland, Ohio, thence to Camp Chase, and from that place went South, where he was mostly engaged in guard duty. He was with his company at the capture of John Morgan, and remained with that command until his dis- charge February 18, 1864.
Mr. Carter then returned to Wood county, and for one year attended the district schools, at the end of which time he entered Baldwin Uni- versity, there continuing his studies for two years. For the same length of time he was then engaged in teaching school, and later became part owner in a lumber mill, the firm being Wright & Carter. He continued the manufacture of lum- ber for ten years, when he disposed of that busi- ness and purchased the eighty-acre farm on which he now resides. It was then all wild land, heav- ily timbered, but through his earnest, untiring labors, he has transformed the place until it is now one of the best farms in this section, and, among the many improvements there seen, is his pleasant and comfortable home, which was erect- ed at a cost of $1, Soo.
On October 25, 1877, Mr. Carter was united in marriage with Lillie Young, of Weston town- ship, by whom he has three children-Everett, born November 9, 1878; Irving, born December 31, 1880, and Goldie May, born September 28, 1884. In political faith Mr. Carter is an uncoin- promising Republican, and has served his fellow- townsmen as school director for eight years, hav- ing always taken a deep interest in the promotion of education. In disposition he is social and genial, and his honest, industrious and upright life has gained him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN Y. HERRINGSHAW is the owner of one of the finely developed farms of Liberty town- ship, and the success of his business career is the reward of carnest and persistent labor, sup- plemented by sound judgment and executive ability. A native of England, he was born in Lincolnshire, June 9. 1849, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Lyon) Herringshaw, natives of
the same country. After their marriage they re- solved to seek a home in America, boarded a sailing vessel at Liverpool, and after twenty- eight days landed at New York, whence they went direct to Niagara Falls. For a year they lived within seven miles of that phenomenon of nature, and then removed to Sandusky county, Ohio, locating on a rented farm. Shortly after- ward they settled in Huron county, and in the spring of 1860 came to Wood county, where the father purchased eighty acres of land in Section 31, Liberty township. He built a log cabin, and in course of time transformed the swampy tract into richly cultivated fields. His death occurred in 1861, and he was laid to rest in Mercer cem- etery. His wife is still living on the old home- stead, in her eightieth year. The members of the Herringshaw family are Ann, wife of Thomas Harrison, of Portage township; Joseph, a farmer of Hoytville; Rebecca, who makes her home with her mother; John, who died in infancy; John Y., of this review; Samuel, a merchant of Hoytville; Frederick, a farmer of Liberty town- ship; and William, who is farming in Jackson township.
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