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 43
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Once in a while one of the "wearers of the gray " would undertake to make a speech; one of them gave in substance, much to the chagrin of his comrades, the following: " We enlisted be- cause we were told it was the best thing to do; that it would be only a little . breakfast job to fight the Northerners. A Yankee might go out and kill a squirrel in cold blood, but when it came to fighting men, they would be sure to run. Then we of the Sunny South can go up in Ohio, take 160 acres of land, and it will be the best pay we ever had for so little work. Now we are marching toward the North, but I don't believe we will get the land. Boys, the only thing that seems clear to me now, is that our cause is un- just, and that we have rebelled against the best government on earth. We are treated as we ought to be, whipped and chased from every nook and corner; even when we have fought against equal numbers, we have been whipped. It is the height of folly to hold out longer, and the sooner the whole army surrenders and stops the shedding of blood, the better." It is not to be supposed that a man could utter such senti- ments in the presence of his Rebel comrades with- out being frequently interrupted : but the applause that greeted him from the loyal Union soldiers was sufficient compensation. Although our sub- ject suffered all the hardships incident to the life of a soldier in active service, he heartily enjoyed the excitement, and served as long as there was any fighting to be done, receiving his discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, on July 15, 1865.
At the close of his term of service, he returned home, and on October 3, 1865, was married to Miss Maggie J. Ross, who was born November 12, 1843, a daughter of Joseph and Polly Ross, well-known and respected residents of Weston, now Grand Rapids, township. She had been a prominent school teacher for a number of years, having begun that work at the age of sixteen, and her entire life was spent in labor tending to the upbuilding of humanity, and in caring for the welfare of others. She was one of the very pa- triotic ladies of this county during the Rebellion, counting no sacrifice too great, no toil too severe for endurance, if aid could thereby be given to the Union cause, or comfort to the " Boys in Blue." On many occasions she denounced those who were disloyal to the Federal government. She was a devoted Christian, a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and tireless in her work for the Church; nothing but sickn .s . pre- vented her attendance both at Sabbath-school and Church services. She died April 8, 1886, after nearly a quarter of a century of happy wed-
ded life. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brown- was born one son, Orlo, C., July 17, 1866. now a farmer of Grand Rapids township (on March 15, 1889, he was married to Miss Nellie Bortle, of Henry county, who was born December I. 1870, and they have two children-Merl A., born June 18, 1891, and Kyle L., born May 19, 1893).
In the fall of 1889 our subject went to Oregon for rest and recreation, and remained three years. Since his return he has given his attention to the breeding of Jersey cattle, and fine horses. He has a handsome brick residence, one of the finest in the township. He is interested in the many- facture of briek and tile. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church; in politics, a Re- publican, and has served the community in vari- ous official positions, having been supervisor and clerk of the board of education, and school di- rector for a number of years. A man of kindly nature and progressive mind, he is at the front in any movement which tends to benefit the com- munity.
GEORGE W. SMITH, a leading and prosperous farmer residing in Section 28, Troy township, has witnessed almost the entire development of this region, as he was born in that township in 1837, and has always made his home there. His fa. ther, Daniel Smith, was a native of the eastern part of Pennsylvania, where he was reared to manhood, and, on going to the western part of the State, there wedded Mary Mixter, by whom he had seven children, who in order of birth were as follows: Eliza died in Troy township. in 1891; John makes his home there, now at the age of seventy-four years; Aaron is married, and lives in Webster township. Wood county: and Mrs. Sarah Chamberlain, Mrs. Catherine Cham- berlain, Mrs. Amanda Dennis and George W .. are all of Troy township. In Pennsylvania the father owned a small farm of twenty acres, which he operated in connection with work at the black- smith's trade; but in 1834 he came to Ohio and located in Troy township, Wood county, on a tract of government land. To clearing and im- proving his place he then devoted his time and attention, until his death, in 1848. His wife. who survived him several years, also died in Troy township, on the old homestead, in 1863.
George W. Smith obtained such an education as the district schools of Troy township affer led at that early date, and was reared on the hatte farm. Agriculture has been his life work, mille now owns a highly cultivated tract of 100 acres. which yield to him a ready return for the calle
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George W. Smith
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and labor expended upon it. He is entirely in- dependent of party lines in politics, his only cri- terion in such matters being whether any meas- ure is for the benefit of the county in which he lives, or calculated to elevate society at large.
JOSIAH STOUFFER, one of the representative, substantial, self-made men of Bloomdale, affords in his career an example of the success which may be attained by industry and good manage- ment, combined with fair dealing.
Joseph Stouffer, his father, was born June 9, 1812, in Northampton county, Penn. He fol- lowed the trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker for many years, and most of his tools are now in the possession of our subject. He was at one time engaged in making coffins, and he also built many houses, among these being a handsome residence on the Monongahela river, in Fayette county, for Abraham Overholt, the pioneer dis- tiller. In those days great quantities of timber were rafted down the Monongahela, and he found employment at that for a time. On September 12, 1839, he was married to Miss Nancy Dobler, who was born in the same State April 9, 1817. J. C. Dobler, her father, was a native of Shon- dorf, Wurtemberg, Germany, born August I, 1776, and was a teacher by occupation. On July 27, 1802, he married Ann Moria Erbse, who was born February 14, 1780, and by whom he had thirteen children. They came to America March 6, 1805.
In 1855 Mr. Stouffer decided to move to Ohio, where land was cheaper, and his growing family could have a better chance in life. He came by the old "strap railroad " to Findlay. and pur- chased eighty acres of land in Washington town- ship, Hancock county, paying for it in part from the proceeds of his property in Pennsylvania. After this he devoted his attention to farming, giving but little time to his trade, even hiring help on his own buildings. He had attended school only six months in all, but had acquired a good practical education. His judginent was excellent, and by industry he gained a com- petence, his 120-acre farm being one of the best in that locality. On September 12, 1889, he and his good wife, to whom he always attributes a large share of his success, celebrated their "golden wedding," with many friends and rela- tives present. Just two years later, on Septem- ber 11, 1891, he departed this life, his wife sur- viving until January 29, 1895. The remains of both now lie in the cemetery at Fostoria. They were members of the U. B. Church, to which they contributed liberally. They had ten chit-
dren, whose names and dates of birth are as fol- lows: Mary A., February 21, 1841 (she mar- ried Cyrus Eckels, and died in Hancock county. September 11, 1866); Levi, April 14, 1842 died October 4, 1842); Henry D., July 26, 1843 the married Mary J. Linhart, and is a merchant of North Baltimore); Samuel, March 9, 1846 ;he married Sarah J. Stoner, and is a farmer in Han- cock county); Sarah, June 12, IS48 (married James H. Slosser, of Hancock county); Susanna. October 14, 1850 (married John Stoner, of Tarr Station, Penn. ); Josiah. November 2, 1852 /our subject); Catherine E., January 2, 1854 (living on the old farm in Hancock county); Magdalena, July 19, 1855 (died August 22, of the same year : and Jacob W., February 28, 1858 (a farmer in Hancock county; he married Miss Carrie McCon- nell).
Josiah Stouffer was born November 2, 1852, near Mt. Pleasant, Fayette county, and was three years old at the time of the family's re- moval from Pennsylvania. His education was obtained in the district schools of Hancock county. He remained at home, helping upon the farm, until the age of nineteen. when he began to learn the tinner's trade with F. R. Stewart, of Fostoria. After a three-years' ap- prenticeship he and his brother Henry opened a store (the pioneer tin store of North Baltimore . dealing in tinware, stoves, hardware and imple- ments, under the firm name of H. D. Stouffer & Bro., which was later changed to Stouffer Bros. In 1878 our subject withdrew as a partner. but remained in the store as an employe.
On August 4, 1878, Mr. Stouffer was married in Findlay to Miss Almeda Osborn, a native of Sandusky county, born August 17. 1856, daugh- ter of Rev. L. J. and Susan (Short) Osborn. Her father was born July 9, 1826, in Cayuga county. N. Y., and died August 13, 1895, in Wood coun- ty; he had been a member of the U. B. Church forty-two years, and a minister in the Sandusky Conference. Her mother was born December 24, 1828, in Richland county, Ohio, and died August 17, 1894, in Wood county. Seven chil- dren lived to maturity out of the family of cleven born to them, viz. : Tryphena. Harriet. Sarah. John R., Lizetta. Mrs. Stouffer, Lurory. Anna, Ida, Oren and George. Mrs. Stouffer received a good common-school education, and taught for three terms before her marriage. She is now a member of the school board of Bloomdale. the first lady in Bloom township elected to that p )- sition. Their home shows the influence of her refinement and culture and their four children enjoy good educational advantages, and are lov -
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ers of books and music. They are as follows: Jennie Grace, born March 22, ISSS; Zoe Dott, born October 17, 1882; Karl J., born June 19, 1884, and Myrth M .. born October 6, 1886.
In October, ISS9, Mr. Stouffer bought a hardware and grocery store in Bloomdale from E. P. Emerson, added tinware and stoves, and also opened a tin shop, the first in the town. Later he laid in a stock of boots, shoes, cloth- ing and agricultural implements, and his expand- ing business compelled him to build an additional store room in 1894. His trade in the various departments is now the largest in Bloomdale, his reputation for integrity is of the highest, and to judge the future by the past we may hope to see him win still further triumphs in his chosen line. He owns a residence in North Baltimore, in addi- tion to his business property, and has an interest in the homestead in Hancock county. His read- ing has been extended, and he has improved upon his somewhat limited advantages in early life, taking an intelligent interest in all the ques- tions of the time. In politics he is a Republican, as was his father in the later years of his life; but he does no active party work, his business re- quiring bis attention. He and his wife are lead- ing members of the Liberal U. B. Church, at Bloomdale, to which he is one of the most gen- erous contributors.
GEORGE COOPER, a prominent resident of Bloomdale, well-known throughout that vicinity as a business man of great ability and absolute integrity, was born in Warwickshire, England, October 4, 1824.
William Cooper, his father, was a blacksmith and veterinary surgeon there. He married Sarah Shirley, who was one of the children of William Shirley, all of whom lived to an advanced age- William dying at eighty-eight, Parson at sixty- four, Thomas at eighty, John at eighty, Richard at eighty, Ann (Mrs. Walker) at ninety, Hannah at eighty, James at eighty, and Sarah (Mrs. Cooper) at eighty-four. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born eleven children. He died in 1829, leaving the four youngest children unpro- vided for, the others being already settled in life. Mrs. Cooper for some time after her husband's death supported her little ones by nursing, giving them a good education for the time. Her chil- dren have all done well in life. One son is a general manufacturer of leather furnishings for military service, foreman of a large plant at Birmingham, England, with which he has been connected for at least fifty years.
Our subject at the age of eleven years went
to reside with his mother's brothers, who were farmers, and from them learned that business. In 1849 he came to America, spending four weeks on the voyage on the sailing vessel " Elizabeth," and landed in New York May 1, 1849. He had only $15 left, but he soon secured employment at Palmyra, N. Y., at $S. per month. After two months he became the driver of a team for a large flour-mill there, and the next year began to learn the miller's trade, but, not liking it, gave it up shortly. On November 21, 1851, he was married at Palmyra, to Miss Einma Jaques, who was born September 29, 1832, three miles from his own early home. Her father, William Jaques, was of French descent and followed farming as an occupation. He married Miss Dina French, and reared a family of nine children, some of whom came to America early in life. In 1836 the fa- ther, who was feeble in health, sold his farm, intending to bring his family to this country, and a son, William, was on his way home from America to accompany them on the voyage, when Mr. Jaques died. The widow with six children came in 1837, on the vessel " Splendid " (Capt. Leonard), landing in New York after one month at sea. She remained at Syracuse with two married daughters for some time, and then bought a farm near Palmyra, later moving into the village. When Mrs. Cooper was eight years old her mother returned to England, where she was married to John Greenhill, coming back to Palmyra in the spring of 1846. She was a lady of great intelligence, the author of poems and other writings of a high order. Her family in- herited much of her ability, and one son. Rev. Jabez R. Jaques, was a distinguished instructor of languages in some of the best colleges in this country and Canada. She died in Bedford, Mich., December 27, 1865.
In 1835 Mr. Cooper brought his wife and baby to Hancock county, and with $400 of his savings, and $300 belonging to his wife, he bought a farm of forty-nine acres, upon which there was a log house of two rooms. Two years later he sold it, doubling his money, and coming to Wood county he bought 120 acres in Perry township, afterward selling forty acres for half the cost of the whole. He then bought eighty acres more and made of it a fine farm, and in 1866 he traded for zos acres in Perry township, well improved, by paying $4. 800 bonus. Here he lived until 1881, when he retired to Fostoria for over three years, returning they to the farm. In May, 1892, he moved to Bloomdale, leaving the active work of his estate to other hands. He owns two dwelling houses in Bloomdale, and one
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in Fostoria. In his younger days he possessed great strength, and his prosperity is based upon industry joined to judicious management, his es- timable wife being a true helpmeet in his efforts. Seven children were born to them: Ruth A .. November 12, 1852, died April 29, 1867; Flor- ence, January 1, 1865 (married H. M. Marvin, and died May 10, 1880, in Augusta, Mich. ); Alice, Au- gust 31, 1857 (married Wellington Welch, of Bloom township); George M., September 19, 1859, lives in Perry township: Fannic, October 9, 1861, mar- ried Dr. E. H. Chilcote, of Bloomdale: Louella, October 9, 1870, is at home, and Robert S. No- vember 11, 1874, died August 18, IS75.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are leading members of the M. E. Church, with which Mrs. Cooper united in 1848, Mr. Cooper in 1851. He has been a class-leader for many years, and was superintendent of the Sunday-school for a long time. His contributions to all philanthropic movements are liberal, and he has helped to build churches for several denominations. In politics he was a Republican until 1881, when he be- came a Prohibitionist, but he has never allowed his name to be presented as a candidate for official position.
DAVID L. LESLIE is a citizen of worth; and one of the most progressive agriculturists of Bloom township, which is the place of his nativ- ity. He was born January 22, 1851, a son of David and Mary (Brandeberry Leslic.
The father of our subject was born August 30. 1813, in Columbiana county, Ohio, where the grandfather, Joseph Leslie, followed farming for many years. David was married in Carroll county, Ohio, August 29, 1833, to Miss Brande- berry, who was born in Carroll county, April 13. 1814, a daughter of Conrad Brandeberry. They lived in Carroll county until the fall of IS48, when they took up their residence upon the farm which is now the home of our subject. A cabin of logs and bark was built in the midst of the woods, and wild game could be secured only a short distance from their home, such was the primitive condition of the country. The father died in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1875, and the mother died in Gratiot county, Mich., about 1883. Their children were Joseph, who was born May 26, 1834. and died at the age of three years; Conrad, born October 31, 1836, who died March 19, 1864. while going from Libby to Malersonville prison, having been made a pris- uner while serving in the frith O. V. I. ; Susan, born December 30, 1838, now Mrs. John Alex- under, of Bloomdale: William, who was born
April 13, 1841, and died in Pekin, Ohio, in June, 1892; Elizabeth, born August 10, 1844, BOW Mrs. James Valanc, of Ithaca, Mich. ; Mary, born November 10, 1846, wife of Levi Fowler, of Berrien county, Mich .: John, born March 10, 1848, of Gratiot county, Mich .; David L., sub- ject of this sketch; Stephen, born September 30, 1853, of Jackson, Mich .; and Matilda, born March 9, 1857, wife of Frank Dell, of Ashland county, Ohio.
Mr. Leslie received but limited educational privileges, for from the age of thirteen years he has not only provided for his own maintenance. but also aided in the support of the family. At the age of twenty-one, he went with his father to Calhoun county, Mich., and there earned the first money which he was allowed to retain, his other carnings having been given to his parents. He was married January 21, 1875, in Eagleville, Ohio, to Alice Leathers, the ceremony being performed by W. S. Richard. Mrs. Leslie was born in Bloom township, June 9, 1855. a daugh- ter of William and Catherine (Ziegler) Leathers. Her father was the first native white child of Bloom township, born March 6, 1834, and was killed in a gristmill in Eagleville. Our subject and his bride began housekeeping on the old home farm, living in a log cabin. He operated forty acres of land for his mother, and subse- quently he bought the home farm at sheriff's sale, his father having in the meantime sold it to Pat- rick McManus, who could not pay forit. It be- came Mr. Leslie's property in August, ISSO. He now has forty acres cleared and under cultiva- tion, drained by five and a half miles of tiling. and it is one of the neatest and most thrifty looking farms in the county. In IS93 he built a large barn, and the community recognizes in him one of its most progressive agriculturists.
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie have had five children- Nettie L., who died at the age of one year and nine months: Dessie F. : Frank B. ; Charles W .. and Don H. The parents are members of the Liberal United Brethren Church, of Pleasant Grove, of which he has served as trustee. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but he is now identified with the Prohibition party. He is a self-made man in the best sense of the term.
CHARLES J. NIEMAN, a member of the well- known firm of Nieman Bros .. of Pemberville. undertakers and dealers in furniture, is one of the most popular men of his age in that locality his ability in business and public affairs winnias for him the confidence and regard of the entire com-
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munity. He was born September 29, 1869, in Sandusky county, where his grandfather, John Nieman, a native of Germany, located, and died near Woodville, Ohio. Louis Nieman, our sub- ject's father, was born in Sandusky county, and lived there until about two years ago, when he moved to Woodville. He married Louisa Mey- ers, a daughter of the late Garrett Meyers, who spent his last years near Woodville. To their union two children were born: Henry, born 1867, is a partner in the business at Pemberville: and Charles J., our subject.
Charles J. Nieman received his early educa- tion principally in the district schools at Wood- ville, where he grew to manhood. His first em- ployment was as agent for the Woodville Cream- ery Company, and, after spending four years "on the road " for them, he becaine a traveling sales- man for Waldcutter, Stein & Co., chair manu- facturers at Toledo, Ohio. In 1892 he resigned this position, and, in partnership with his brother Henry, bought the furniture and undertaking business at Pemberville, which they have since conducted with great success.
Mr. Nieman is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which his ancestors have been adher- ents for many generations. Politically he is a Democrat, and his influence and activity in local affairs promise to make him a prominent figure in wider circles in the near future. In the spring of 1894, he was elected clerk of Freedom town- ship, leading the ticket, and his faithful and ju- dicious discharge of his duties has gained him hearty commendation from all classes, as is shown by his re-election to the same office in the spring of 1896. Mr. Nieman is a stockholder in the Curtis Oil Co., operating at Curtis, Ohio; the company was recently organized, and has one well completed, which proves a good one.
DANIEL STREETER. The name of this gentle- man is well and favorably known throught Wash- ington township, where he is prosperously en- gaged in general farming. He is a native of the Empire State, born in the town of Alabama, Genesee county, June 6, 1830, and is a son of Solomon and Sallie (Arnold) Streeter, both nat- ives of Vermont, in which State they were married. They later removed to New York, and the year 1838 witnessed their arrival in Ohio, coming by steamboat to Sandusky City, then by the Huron river to Huron county, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits for two years. In 1840 he located in Ottawa county, where he bought a farm and there spent his remaining days, dying in 1856. The mother died in that county the year
of their arrival there. In their family were ten children-Maria, Fannie, Helen, Maranda, Filah. Caroline, Julia Ann, David, Benjamin and Daniel.
The last named attended the district schools of Ottawa county, pursuing his studies in an old log school house, with primitive furniture, and at the age of sixteen years laid aside his text books to take up the sterner duties of life, as he then started out to make his own livelihood, working by the month as a farm hand until his marriage. In 1865 we find him in Wood county, where he bought ninety-five acres of good land, but has since disposed of forty acres of that amount. The remainder he still cultivates, converting it into one of the best farms of the locality, whereon are seen all modern improvements which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
Mr. Streeter gives his cordial support to the Democratic party, served as trustee in Ottawa county for a couple of years, and has also been a school director. For a time he was a member of the Grange, and his religious connection is with the United Brethren Church. He is a man in whom his neighbors have entire confidence and. who will hold his name in kindly remembrance long after he has departed hence.
In 1854 was performed the marriage cere- mony which united the destinies of Mr. Streeter and Miss Mary Jane Hollingshead, of Bay town- ship, Ottawa Co., Ohio. Her birth occurred on the 20th of Angust, 1827. By her marriage she has become the mother of nine children. only four of whom now survive: Samuel George. a butcher of Tontogany; Mary Irene; Robert B .: and Eva Estella.
Samuel Hollingshead, the father of Mrs. Streeter, was born in Huntingdon county, Penn .. January 19, 1789, and was a son of John Hol- lingshead, of Irish and German descent. For nine months he served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and later re-enlisted, aiding the States un- til the close of that struggle. It was in 1812 that he first came to Ohio, where he ever afterward made his home. On June 25, 1822, at Fremont. this State, he wedded Mary Whitinger, who was born here, though of Pennsylvania parentage. her ancestors had lived where the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought. She died at Port Clinton, Ohio, June 23, 1862, and her husband. who survived her, passed away at the same place in March, 1875. In their family were ten chil- dre: John, who died in infancy: Elizabeth. . widow of James H. McGruder, of Port Clinton. Mary Jane, wife of our subject: William C .. wh . resides on the old homestead in Ottawa county James, deceased, who wedded Elizabeth Atku.
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