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 44
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son, of Port Clinton; Margaret D., deceased wife of Absalom Shook, of Illinois; Robert M., who married Lucy Dickens, by whom he had seven children, and after her death wedded Louisa Goda; Statira, wife of Wesley Belknap, of Iowa; Jo- sephine, deceased wife of Clouse Harmes, of Fre- mont, Ohio; and Samuel, who was a member of the home guards from Ottawa county, and died in the South during the Civil war. During his father's service in the war of 1812, he saw the great battle between Perry and the English troops, and assisted the soldiers in removing stores from Put-in Bay to Toledo. From the latter place he walked to Port Clinton, having nothing to eat upon the entire trip. He was also on the lakes for four days without food, so that he experi- enced all the privations and hardships of war in those early days. By trade he was a gunsmith, but in later life gave his entire attention to farm- ing. He served as justice of the peace during the early days, and although without a knowl- edge of law, his own judgment and wisdom guided him to almost unerring decisions; he also served as commissioner of Sandusky county for eighteen years; was associate judge and treasurer of Otta- wa county, and lastly, was representative of that District. In politics he was an earnest Demo- crat, and both he and his estimable wife were members of the United Brethren Church.
GEORGE W. BLACK, a prominent and well-to- do agriculturist of Bloom township, was born Au- gust 8, 1854, in Wyandot county, Ohio.
John Black, his father, was a native of Mary- land, but, when a boy, came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Wyandot county. He married Miss Mary Jacoby, a native of Pennsyl- vania, whose parents had moved to Wyandot county during her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Black are still living on a farm two miles east of a place which he and two of his brothers bought and cleared a few years after his marriage. John Black is a leading citizen of his locality, a stanch Republican, and, while he is not an office seeker, he has always taken an influential part in any movements for the public welfare. He is a inem- ber of the Church of Christ, and his wife belongs to the U. B. Church. They had six children, of whom, our subject, George W., is the eldest; La- fayette died July to, 1880, in Wyandot county; Leander lives in Tiffin, Ohio; John A. is a resi- dent of Wyandot county: Noah is a farmer in the same county: Elnora is the wife of Edward Bear, of Wyandot county.
George W. Black received his first instruction in the district schools of Wyandot county. He
was very ambitious and possessed unusual mental ability, and later he attended the schools of Re- public and Fostoria. At the age of twenty he began teaching in District No. 8, Bloom township, having been selected for the position by the prin- cipal of the Fostoria schools, who had been re- quested to recommend a teacher. He also taught one term at Bloom Center, giving entire satisfac- tion. On September 21, 1875, he was married, in Bloom township, to Miss Charlotte E. Fast, who was born there July 3, 1849, a daughter of John and Sarah (Hess) Fast. She is a lady of fine mental gifts and culture, had been a student at Hiram College, and later had taught successfully for thirteen terms in Wood and Henry counties. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Black settled upon a farm of thirty-four acres in Tymochtee township, Wyandot county, for which he paid $2, 550. Mr. Black's health began to fail, and, as he was threatened with consumption, he sold his farm, and on May 26, 1883, moved to Bloom township, where they rented rooms for the sum- mer. In October of that year he bought fifty acres of what was known as the "John Baird farm," and for several years, on account of poor health, he did little more than look after the work of the farm. He now has a comfortable home, and although he is unable to do much active work, he has, by shrewd management, become a very successful farmer. He and his estimable wife are leading members of the Church of Christ at Eagle- ville, in which he is an elder. They have one son, Frank F., born December 30. 1877, in Tymoch- tee township. Wyandot county, who was gradu- ated from the High School of Bloomdale May 22. 1896. In politics Mr. Black is a Republican, one of the inost earnest supporters of the principles of his party, but he has never aspired to office. He was elected justice of the peace in 1890, and served one term, declining a renomination.
ABRAHAM STILWELL, one of Perry township's best citizens and well-to-do farmers, is a native of Knox township, Jefferson Co., Ohio, born October 8, 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Elliott) Stilwell. When only six years of age his parents removed to Hancock county, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood in Washington township as a pioneer farmer boy, and attended the district schools of his time. rude as they were. He remained under the parental roof during the lifetime of his parents.
In Washington township, Hancock county, on November 25, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stilwell and Miss Mary J. Stahl, whose birth occurred in Washington township. Carroll Co.,
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Ohio, November 15, 1846. When about six years of age she was taken to Hancock county by her parents, George and Mary (Fishel) Stahl, who died when well advanced in life, and were buried at Arcadia, Ohio. By trade the father was a blacksmith, and also followed farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell were born five children, namely: Sarah A., now Mrs. Alvin Loucks, of Bloomdale, Ohio; Joseph M., who follows farm- ing: James A., an oil pumper, of Bloomdale; William E., who died in infancy; and Minnie B., at home.
After leaving the old homestead, Mr. Stil- well rented land for a time in Washington town- ship, Hancock county; but March IS, 1886, witnessed his arrival in Perry township, Wood county, where he purchased the forty-acre-farm which he yet owns in Section 30. He is an in- telligent, keen-sighted man, of good business ability, and merits the confidence of his many friends. He and his wife hold membership with the Lutheran Church of Bloomdale, and polit- ically he has always been a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN, deceased, a pioneer of this county, was a native of Connecticut, born August 11, 1820, in Groton township, New Lon- don county, one of the ten children of William and Fannie (Bailey) Chapman.
Our subject received his early education at the public schools of his native place, and when eighteen years old shipped before the inast, and followed a seafaring life some ten years. He then came to Ohio, and located in Huron coun- ty, where, in October, IS48, he married Miss Sylvia Ann Avery, who was born August 31, 1830, a daughter of Dudley and Prudence Avery, and a sister of Joshua O. Avery, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Some eighteen months after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chapman came to Wood county, settling in Weston township, where he bought eighty acres of land, all of which was heavily timbered. He cleared a portion of it, and sold it; then bought 120 acres on Keeler's Prairie, eighty of which he improved, erecting thereon a fine residence, commodious barns and out-houses. To him and his wife were born ten children, as follows: Oliver W .. November IS, 1849, in Huron county, is a farmer in Milton township, Wood county; Zachary Taylor, Au- gust II, I851, in Wood county, is deceased; Lucy A., October 17, 1853, is the wife of Charles Lewis, and resides in Milton township; Avery O., June 25, 1855, is a farmer in Liberty township; Isranda, November 24, 1856, is the wife of Clar- ence Palmer, and resides in Weston township;
Frances P., April 13, 1860, married J. H. La- throp, M. D., of Deshler; Charles F., August 20, 1862, resides in Weston; Eulalia C., January 3. 1868, married James Hutchison, a farmer of Liberty township; Fred T., June 25, 1870; Amasa E., December 27, 1873, is married, and lives in Liberty township; of these Fred is farming the old homestead for his mother, who lives with him. William H. Chapman passed from earth July 19, 1890. He was a well-known man of high principles and moral character, and was a much respected citizen of Weston. In politics he was a Republican, and held the office of trus- tee, supervisor, and director of schools. He was a member of the Grange. His family are identi- fied with the Presbyterian Church, in the support of which they give substantial aid. as did Mr. Chapman, who, though not a member of any de- nomination, gave liberally of his means for Church work.
ALBERT BRANDEBERRY is one of the enter- prising, energetic and industrious citizens of Bloom township, where he owns and operates the farm on which his birth occurred on August 2. 1852, and in that township he has spent his en- tire life, being educated in the old Brandeberry school, District No. 8. One of his early teachers was W. S. Richard, and he completed his stud- ies at the age of eighteen years.
On December 15, 1877, Mr. Brandeberry was united in marriage with Amanda Blair, who was born in Maryland, but has made her home in Wood county since the early age of eight years. This worthy couple have become the par- ents of four children, three sons and one daugh- ter-Irvin, born October 2, 1879; Ira, born May 27, 1888; Clinton, who died December 8, 1894. at the age of three and one half years: and Ger- tie Ethel, born April 21, 1894. Mr. Brande- berry has a comfortable and commodious resi- dence upon his fine farin, and his labors have been repaid by the fine crops produced in his rich and fertile fields. Like his father, Thomas C. Brandeberry, he is an unswerving Republican. and he has been called upon by his fellow citizens to serve in several township offices. In religious belief he is a Methodist, and for fifteen years has held membership with the congregation of Bloom Chapel.
JOHN G. WEBB, an enterprising and prosper- ous agriculturist of Bloom township. residing near Bairdstown, was born December 17. 18 ;" in Sullivan township. Ashland county, Ohio.
He is of an old English family and his father.
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George Webb, was born in the County of Kent, near North. Lane, in ISir, and married Miss Jane Hastings, also a native of England, who was born in 1809. Soon after their marriage they came to America, arriving on March 28, 1837. They settled first in Ashland county, Ohio, where they remained until 1853, when they moved to Bloom township and bought eighty acres of land in Section 27, which our subject still owns. It cost $800, although it was at that time a swamp, and in the spring was entirely covered with water. The roads over which the settlers came to their new abode were for con- siderable distances hidden by a foot or more of water. "Johnny-cake" formed their staple arti- cle of food in those days. Our subject's parents were earnest, hardworking people, highly re- spected among their neighbors. His father had but a few cents in his pocket when he landed at New York, and owed a debt of $50, and the suc- cess to which they attained was due to unceasing industry and close economy. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and a regular voter, but never sought office. He died March 20, 1880, and his wife on September 17, of the same year, and both were buried in Bloom Chapel cemetery. Their eighteen children were born in America. and all but two died before reaching the age of three years. Margaret, the only surviving daughter, is now the wife of Washington Laney, of Brice, Michigan.
As the only son and eldest living child of his parents, Mr. Webb was early trained to indus- trious habits. He attended the district schools near by, and made the most of their somewhat limited opportunities, and he is now one of the heartiest supporters of any measure for increas- ing the efficiency of our modern public schools. He was married, January 22, 1874, in Newton Falls, Ohio, to Miss Mary Kistler, a native of Newton township, Trumbull county, born Sep- tember 16, 1848. She is a dangliter of Samuel and Catherine (Fiester) Kistler, the former of whom was born October 22, 1825, the latter June 22, 1827; she died December 24. 1891, and is buried at Newton ' Falls. As the eldest of a family of five daughters and three sons, Mrs. Webb had taken an active share in all the labors of her father's farm during her youth, and she has been a true helpmate to her husband, cheer- ful and willing to bear her full share of their mutual burdens, and he delights in acknowledg. ing her helpful influence. Mr. Webb brought his bride to the homestead, where they have ever since resided. After the death of his parents he In Pennsylvania, February 14, 1850, Mr Low became the owner of the farm; but previous to | was united in marriage with Laura Phillips, of
that he and his wife had relieved the old people from all care and work, the father having been an invalid for many years. Five children were born of their union: Wilber M. and Edward, who are both at home; Ashie, who died when eight years of age of membranous croup; Eva, who died when three years old, and Frank, who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Webb is a Republican; but. while taking a deep and intelligent interest in all the questions of the time, he is 110 office-seeker, although he has held the office of supervisor for a number of years. An honest and upright citi- zen, a good neighbor, and a generous helper ac- cording to his ability in every case of need, there are but few who will fill better the sphere of life in which they have been placed than does John G. Webb.
JOSEPH A. Low. Among the well-to-do and successful farmers of Wood county, who have ac- cumulated a competency through their own exer- tions and economy, and who are carrying on the business of farming and fruit growing in a man- ner which draws forth praise from every one, is the subject of this biographical sketch, who re- sides in Plain township. His birth occurred in Springfield, Erie Co., Penn., April 6, 1826, and he is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Battles) Low. The father was a native of England, and was drowned before our subject was born. The mother later became house-keeper for a gentle- man who adopted Joseph, giving him fair educa- tional advantages; but when he was fourteen years of age his foster-father died, leaving no will. and our subject had to start out in the world without friends or means of support. His first employment was as a farm laborer, for which he received $7 per month, and he would work at al- inost anything by which he could earn an honest living. Later he rented a farm for a time, after which he purchased land in Pennsylvania, and on selling out came to Ohio, locating in Plain town- ship, Wood county, where he purchased forty acres, the nucleus of his present farm. To this he has added from time to time, as his resources have permitted, until now he has a fine tract of 220 acres, cleared and developed with the help of his sons and hired hands. Besides general farm- ing, he has given considerable attention to fruit raising, having one of the largest orchards in the township, in which he planted 5,000 peach trees. 3,000 apple trees, and 1,000 trees of other varie- ties of fruits.
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Trumbull county, Ohio, and nine children blessed this union, namely: Nelson, an artist of Bowl- ing Green, born in Pennsylvania, December 5, 1850; Joseph N., deceased, born January 3, 1852; Daniel Albert, deceased, born May 5, 1854; Charles H., deceased, born July 25, 1856; San- ford P., a farmer of Plain township, born June 10, 1858; Lucy C., who was born October 14, 1860, is the wife of D. B. Smith, a farmer of Huron county, Ohio; Laura R., who was born November 7, 1862, is the wife of Mark Chapman, of Connecticut; Ezekiel L., deceased, born April II, 1864; Abraham L., a farmer of Wood county, born September 13. 1867; and George E., at home, born January 22, 1870. The mother of these children died October 1, 1887, at the age of fifty-five years.
At Haskins, Wood county, February 17, 1889, Mr. Low was again married, his second union be- ing with Eliza Miller, widow of Albert H. Perry, a fariner of Middleton township. She was born in the Empire State, August 12, 1827, and is a daughter of George G. Miller, to whom four chil- dren were born, named as follows: Almira, wife of A. B. Johnson, a merchant; Eliza, wife of our subject; Roxanna, wife of Arthur B. Perry; and George C., a farmer of Nebraska. By her first husband, Mrs. Low became the mother of three children-Emma, wife of Joseph Watts, of Oak Harbor, Ottawa Co., Ohio; Mary Etta, who was born in 1851, and died in 1871; and Lester F., a cigar maker of Bowling Green.
Socially Mr. Low is a member of the Sons of Temperance, and, on account of his views on the liquor traffic, casts his ballot with the Prohibition party. He served his township as supervisor for five years, and for several years has been school director. His sterling integrity, inflexible hon- esty, and general high principles, have won him the respect of every community in which he has resided, and he is to-day one of the most es- teemed and valued citizens of this portion of the county.
HENRY C. UHLMAN,, the president of the Citi- zens Banking Company. of Weston, and a leading merchant of that town, was born June 3, 1842, in Hanover, Germany, which has been for many generations the home of his family.
His parents, Casper H. and Catherine M. (Hacke) Uhlman, were both born there, his fa- ther in 1810, and his mother in 1812. They were married in 1833, and ten years later came to Oliio, locating near Woodville. Sandusky county. They had American neighbors, and their children spoke English from childhood.
They were members of the German Lutheran Church, and the father adhered to the principles of the Democratic party. Seven children were born to them: Mary, the wife of John Schu- maker; Louise, who married C. Habbeler: Caro- line, who married William Bruns, of Woodville: Charles, who died in Germany; Henry C., our subject; Annie, who died in childhood; and one child, unnamed, who died in infancy.
Mr. Uhlman remained upon the farm until he was fifteen years of age, and then began clerking in the general store of Ira B. Banks, at Pember- ville. After three years there he went to Toledo. and worked in the same capacity in a dry-goods store until the spring of 1867, when he went into partnership with Mr. Banks, his former em - ployer, who had transferred his stock to Weston some time previous. They continued in business under the firm name of Banks & Uhlman until 1878, when Mr. Uhlman bought his partner's interest. Under his able management the enter- prise has prospered, and in 1885 he built a fine brick block in which his handsome store 40 x 90 feet, is located. He has also been a leading grain buyer since he came to Weston, and was one of the chief organizers of the Citizens Bank- ing Co. there, and its first president, which position he still holds.
He was married in 1870 to Miss Lizzie Hill. who was born August 20, 1844, in New York State. They have three children: Fannie A .. Grace M., and Fred W., all of whom are at home. Mr. Uhlman and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, and sym- pathize with every movement which concerns the public welfare. In politics Mr. Uhlman is quietly influential, as in other lines of activity. and gives support to the Republican party; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F.
W. H. FILE, deceased, was for a third of a century prominently identified with the agricult- ural interest of Bloom township, Wood county. where he made his home from the age of two years np to his death, which occurred September 26. 1889. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cecil township, Washington county, June 2. 1852, and was a son of Nathaniel and Letitia (Harsha) Fife, honored pioneers of this com- munity.
Mr. Fife was reared on his father's farm. which adjoined the one where he spent his last days, receiving the advantages and privileges that were afforded the boys of the neighborhood. At Hammansburg, Wood county, on November s. 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Line
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Wilson, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, and when about eight years old was brought by her parents, Samuel and Anna Wilson, to Henry township, Wood county. The father's birth oc- curred August 1, 1828, in Belmont county, Ohio, the mother's on January 23, 1825, in Harrison county, this State. In their family were nine children-seven sons and two daughters. Mrs. Wilson died September 23, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Fife had no children of their own, but adopted Frank Fisher, when he was seven years old, and he still finds a pleasant home with. Mrs. Fife, as does also her aged father.
The entire married life of our subject was passed on the farm where his widow still resides, and which she now manages in a business-like manner, being a woman of good executive ability. In 1890 a substantial barn was built upon the place, and three years later the fine residence was erected. In politics Mr. Fife was an ardent Re- publican, though no politician in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he was quite successful. In addition to his agricultural interests he was for a time engaged in the furni- ture business in McComb, Hancock county. He passed away after a lingering illness, from a com- plication of diseases, and his early death was widely mourned. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Van Buren, Hancock county.
HENRY C. STROW is the owner of a fine farm in Milton township, comprising 310 acres of val- uable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, and yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. He is recognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising agricultur- ists of the community, and, in the history of Wood county, well deserves mention.
Mr. Strow was born in Bloomn township, Seneca county, February 12, 1827. His father, John Strow, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., October 24, 1790, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Margaret McMuller, who was born in Dauphin county, April 2, 1801, and sub- sequently removed to Seneca county, Ohio, where the father died in 1866. He was de- scended from German ancestry, and his wife is of Irish lineage. Her death occurred at the home of our subject, October 9, 1878. She was a sec- ond time married, becoming the wife of Chris PERRY HEETER, a well-known resident of Grand Rapids township, and one of the most pro- gressive farmers of that vicinity, was born No- vember 9, 1844, in Seneca county, Ohio. His McClung. Mr. Strow, of this sketch, was one of a family of eight children-Daniel, who was born in 1816, and is now deceased; John A., who was born June 16, r818, and died July 3, | family is of English and German origin, and the
1863; Mary, born December 24, 1824, deceased wife of Mr. McMillan; Henry C., of this review: Phoebe, born October 13, 1830, wife of Adam Carpenter, of Seneca county; Hannah, born August 28, 1832, wife of Albert Stanard; Sarah and Nancy, twins, born June 6, 1836, both de- ceased, the former dying in July, 1854, the lat- ter, who became the wife of Morrison McMillan, dying in December, 1853.
Our subject attended the district schools of Bloom township, and was a student in the Dela- ware Wesleyan University during its first year. At the age of sixteen he came with his mother to Wood county, and began teaching school, which profession he followed through the winter season for nineteen years. His summers have always been spent at farin work, which has been his chief occupation.
Mr. Strow was married in Washington town- ship, Wood county, November 19, 1852, to Celia Amanda, daughter of Edmund and Priscilla (Feagles) Buttles. She was born in Washington township, November 11, 1832, and was one of five children: Mortimer, Henry A., John, Celia, Amanda and Edmund Miner (who, in 1867, was killed by the Indians on the present site of Den- ver, Colo.). The children of Mr. and Mrs. Strow are: Le Grand, who was born July 19, 1853, died January 29, 1859; Helen Melissa, born August 17, 1854, was thrown from a horse and killed, September 27, 1867; Fannie Lillian, born September IS, 1858, died July 27, 1867; Flor- ence O., born March 28, 1861, is the wife of George Bradshaw, of Milton township, by whom she has three daughters; Alice May, born June 12, 1865, is the wife of Henry Dubbs; Henry Lee, born June 6, 1869, married Florence Starr, and lives in Milton; and Raymond, born Febru- ary 22, 1876, is at home.
On coming to Wood county, Mr. Strow secured eighty acres of land, constituting the nucleus of his present extensive farm, and in ISto their log cabin home was replaced with a commodious and pleasant residence. He gives the greater part of his attention to his business interests, but has found time to serve his fellow townsmen in the capacity of treasurer and town clerk for a number of years. His political sup- port is given to the Democratic party and in- terests.
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