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 48
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Phila King
1129
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
good income. All his life he has manifested a great fondness for horses, and, from the time when his financial resources would permit, he has always owned one or more good animals. He now has in his barn, "General Macey, " one of the finest horses in the State, record 2:253. Also, a fine roadster, "St. Hontas," by " Poco- hontas Boy." Mr. and Mrs. King have one son, Sage, born in November, 1880. In politics our subject is a stalwart Republican, and is a public- spirited citizen, who gives commendable support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. His barn is neat and thrifty in appear- ance, his work conducted systematically, and his honorable dealing has won him the public con- fidence.
JOHN J. LEATHERS. Among the young and enterprising farmers of Bloom township there is probably none more energetic or thorough-going than the gentleman whose name begins this sketch. He and his brother, Benton, are now conducting the 320-acre farm owned by their fa- ther, which lies equally upon Sections 33 and 34. He is a native of Bloom township, where his birth occurred May 9, 1866, and is a son of Wesley and Minerva (Dustinan) Leathers, the former now a prominent banker, of McComb, Ohio.
In District School No. 8 John J. Leathers re- ceived the major portion of his education, which he has greatly supplemented by reading and ob- servation, and he was early inured to farm labor. On October 2, 1887, in Cass township, Hancock Co., Ohio, he wedded Miss Mary O. Barringer, who was born in Bloom township, February 5, 1867, and is a daughter of Jehu and Lonisa Bill- ingsley) Barringer. They have become the par- ents of three children, namely: Burnie, born October 13, 1888, met his death by scalding in a pan of maple syrup, March ir, 1892, and was buried in Bloom Chapel cemetery; he was an ex- ceedingly bright child, and his death caused great gloom in the household. Seba was born March 14, 1893. Bethel was born July 27, 1896.
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Mr. Leathers has made most of the improve- inents found upon his place, and has as fine a lo- cation as any in the township, while, in connec- tion with general farming, he also deals in stock, shipping to Buffalo. He has been very prosper- ous in his undertakings, and from present indica- tions there can be no doubt that a bright future awaits him. He uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republic- an party, and the spring of 1892 was elected as- sessor of his township. His excellent wife is a
Methodist in religious belief, attending Bloom Chapel.
WILLIAM H. PUGH, a pioneer farmer and stock-raiser of Weston township, where he has resided since he was four years of age, was born October 12, 1836, in Perrysburg, Ohio. The father of our subject, John Pugh. was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1808, and after his marriage to Miss May Evans he emigrated to this country, in 1830, settling first in Perrysburg. Ohio, where he carried on his trade of a carpen- ter. He often related stories of those early days, and remembered working for Commodore Perry, who made himself a name in history. In 1840 Mr. Pugh removed to Weston township, and rented a farın, which he operated for a short time, and then entered 160 acres in Henry county, on which he built a log cabin, and made it his home until he bought 160 acres in Milton town- ship, adjoining; this he also cleared and in)- proved. He was a hard-working, enterprising man, and lived to a good old age, his death tak- ing place in 1891. He voted for both the Har- risons, grandfather and grandson, for the Presi- dency. By his first wife Mr. Pugh had five chil- dren, namely: Two who died in infancy; Will- iam H .; Sarah, residing in Utica, N. Y .; and Mary, who married John Pugh, and is deceased. The mother of these children died July 4, 1842, and the father took, for his second wife, Miss Clarissa Junkins, a sister of Thomas Junkins. Five chil- dren were born of this union: Anna M. is the wife of Lenza McKee, of Fostoria, Ohio; Samuel L. resides in Henry county, Ohio: Lacrisa J. is the wife of William Martin: Celestra E. is the widow of C. L. Powell, also represented in this work: John A. died when twenty-five years of age. Mrs. Pugh makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Powell.
William H. Pugh received his early education in the district school at Beaver Creek, and assis- ted his father upon the farm until he was twenty years old, when, in 1857, he went out West. and for three years was driving team from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, N. M. He returned home in 1860, and worked for McKee on a farm. In 1863 he entered the government employ in the quartermaster's department, serving under Gen. Thomas. For three years he was in business at Buckland Lock, at the end of that time removing to Weston township and purchasing 175 acres of land, on which he played in any valuable improve .- ments, and which is Unday one of the finest and best equipped farms in the township. He has built a comfortable house, and large barn at a
. 1180
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
cost of $2, 500.00, and has a fine cider press: also manufactures wine. He has progressive ideas, and has always kept abreast of the times, while his good judgment and excellent management have brought him success in all his enterprises. He may be truly called a self-made man, for his present comfortable position is due to his own efforts.
Mr. Pugh was married, May 12, 1863, at Grand Rapids, to Miss Louisa S., daughter of Ruthmar Howard, who was born September 6, 1842. Their children were as follows: (1) New- bery H., born September 8, 1864, died in Febru- arv, 1868. (2) John Edward, born December 6, 1866, completed his education at the Toledo Business College, which he attended for two years, and is now keeping store at Mark Center, Defiance county ; he married Miss Lucy A. Ames, of Portage, Ohio, and has two children-Preston A., and William Howard. (3) Thomas J., the third son, is a merchant at Weston. The mother of these children died August 14, 1878. and Mr. Pugh was married, in ISSo, to Miss Sarah A. Jones, who was born in Crawford county, May 31. 1844. No children have been bom of this union.
Mr. Pugh, for some twenty-five years, was a member of the Greenback party; but he is now a Populist, and, in 1892, received a nomination on that ticket for county commissioner. He has served as school director for nine years, was president of the school board for three years, . and clerk of the same for twelve years. He was supervisor of the township one term, and trustee three terms. In all these positions of trust and responsibility, Mr. Pugh has fulfilled his duties with credit to himself. and satisfaction to his constituents, and has, at all times, commanded the respect and esteem of his associates. So- cially, he belongs to the K. of P., and the I. O. O. F., and Rebekah Lodge No. 681, his wife being a Daughter of Rebekah, and a member of Lodge No. 303.
ANDREW DIETER, a retired farmer of Prairie Depot, was born November 30, 1826, in Wur- temberg, Germany, and in 1841 came to the United States. His parents were Andrew and Barbara Dieter, the former of whom was a tailor in Germany. They embarked at Havre on a sailing vessel, and, after a four-weeks' voyage, landed in New York City. Their first location in Ohio was in Wayne county, twelve miles north of Wooster. The father had $200 left atter ar- riving in America, and he bought a little farm for $400, for which he went in debt. After a four-
years' stay in Wayne county he sold this farm. and moved to Homer township. Medina county. In 1849 he came to Montgomery township and bought a farm in Section 27, only a few acres of which were cleared. He died at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife when eighty-four years old. Both are buried in Montgomery town- ship. Their children were as follows: Christina. who married, and died in Iowa; Jacob, who lives in Risingsun; Andrew, our subject; George, a resi- dent of Michigan; Barbara, now Mrs. Samuel St. Clair, of Freedom township: John, who died in Montgomery township; and J. C., a farmer of Montgomery township.
Our subject went to school in Germany, and later in America. After arriving in this country he was obliged to attend school, where he was the only German boy, and, not being able to speak the English language very well, was made fun of and called " Dutchy ".by his schoolmates. The Germans were often the target for the un- principled boys, and were imposed upon iu various ways. Our subject was picked out by his schoolinates, and especially by one, a brother of the teacher, as an object to be tantalized with impunity. Though not naturally quarrelsome. he would not submit to any unjust imposition. This brother of the teacher was of about the same age, and his repeated taunts and mean tricks could no longer be endured by our subject. so one day he administered a sound thrashing. in true school-boy style, which seemed to be an in- timation of what was in store for future offenders. and, needless to say, he was respected by all from that time on. Mr. Dieter worked on v ?- rious farms in the neighborhood as a hand for $4 per month. When twenty-one years old he was able to earn $8 per month. He came to Wood county in advance of his father's family to look up a home, the parents joining him in 1849.
Mr. Dieter was married, March es, IS50, in Montgomery township, to Miss Hannah Dunkel. who was born in Center county, Penn .. a daugh- ter of Malachi Dunkel. Up to this time he had never owned land, and at his marriage he had but a few dollars. His first real estate was ten acres of land, on which stood a log cabin, with pun- cheon floor and mud and stick chimney, the furniture of the house consisting of three stools and a table, and a home-made bedstead. Mr Dieter followed farming until 1894. when In bought the fine house in Prairie Depat where I. lives in retirement. The following enddress .. born to him and his wife: John, residing Prairie Depot: Jacob, a farmer of Montgomery township; Sarah, now Mrs. John Wieder, of
11:1
WOOD COUNTY, OIIIO.
Montgomery; Lavina, who became the wife of Nelson Graliarn, a resident of Montgomery; Car- oline, who married John Smith, and died in Mich- igan; Barbara, now the wife of Jack Dicken, of Montgomery; Adaline, Mrs. Edwin Gris, of San- dusky county; George, a farmer of Montgomery township; and James, also a farmer in that town- ship. Mr. Dieter was at one time a Democrat; but became a stanch Republican. In religious connections he is a member of the Evangelical Church, and is one of its main supporters; has held various offices in the Church, and is fore- most in all matters pertaining to its work. He gave the land on which to build Mt. Zion church, in Montgomery township, and gave the church its name. He is a self-made man, has been a hard worker, and stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
JOHN O'LEARY, is a farmer of Lake township, residing in Section 32, the farm being the same on which he was born August 24, 1848. He can justly be considered a pioneer of this section, hav- ing watched the development of the township and county in which he resided from his infancy. Scarcely a farm house had been built, and the timbered land was the home of deer and other wild game. He has seen villages spring up. and small hamlets transformed into prosperous cities and thriving villages, and populous town- ships filling the places once occupied by forests. In all this wondrous growth he has lent material assistance, and all efforts put forth by him and his coadjutors in that direction have been faith- fully aided by nature, whose resources here are unbounded.
His parents, John and Ellen (McCarthy) O'Leary, were natives of County Cork, Ireland. At an early age they came to America, to seek a home in the New World. and with that tide of humanity that was then rushing westward, they cast their lot, landing, in 1837, in the Manmec Valley. In1 1842 they located on 140 acres of land in Lake township, on which the father passed the rest of his days, dying in 1883; the mother is still living at the old homestead. There are six children living: Mary, Dennis, Johanna, John. Daniel (of Mercer county), and Ellen. The fa- ther was an ardent Democrat in politics, and a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church.
WILLIAM ROBINSON, of Liberty township, be- was born March 1, 1845, in Huron county, Ohio, and was a son of William Jordan Robinson, also a native of Huron county, where he grew to "
manhood and married Miss Nancy Wheaton. He was a prominent and well-known citizen, and locating in Liberty township, Wood county, at an early day, became an honored resident of this community. His death occurred in the spring of 1867, at the age of fifty years, and his wife passed away a few years later. Their children were Mary E., widow of Pierce Mercer, of Liberty township; Williamn; George Washington, a farmer residing near Dunbridge; Nelson, deceased: Eliza Jane, now a widow; Martha, who died at the age of twenty-two; Lotishia, who died at the age of twenty; Henry, a farmer of Hoytville: Ellen, wife of Lewis C. McCrory, of Liberty township; Emma, deceased wife of Allen Curtis; and Joseph, . who died in young manhood.
When a boy our subject came to Wood county with his parents. and was educated in the district schools of Liberty township. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade which he followed in connection with farming. He was married in Liberty township, December 16. 1866, to Hannah M. McCrory, who was born in Bloom township, January 23, 1845, and is a daughter of James McCrory, a native of Penn- sylvania, who in that State married Nancy Setchler, and afterward came to Blooin town- ship. Here Mrs. McCrory died about 1848, leaving but one child, Mrs. Robinson. The father afterward married Mary Ann Mercer. and their children were William P., who died when a young man; Samuel J., of Bowling Green; Mrs. Jennie Ferguson, of Cygnet, Ohio: James A., a liveryman of Cygnet; Mary Ann, at home; Harris A., a fariner of Henry county. Ohio: and Albert O., who operates the old home- stead in Liberty township. Mr. McCrory was a very prominent citizen, and a stalwart Democrat in politics. He served as justice of the peace for many years, was also school director, and was a member of the Disciples Church. He died October 18, 1885. and was buried in Mercer cemetery. His widow now resides in Bowling Green.
For five years after his marriage our subject resided on the old Robinson homestead, and then rented a farm in Liberty township for a year, after which he purchased forty acres, later sell- ing one-half of it. He made all of the improve- ments upon the place and erected a fine residence: also had three oil wells upon the farm.
To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were born fre longed to one of the old families of Ohio. He . children: Mary A., wife of Bertsell Mercer, of Liberty township: James W., at home; Chira ( .. 1 wife of William Henton, of Liberty township: Sarah C. and William J., at home. Mr. Robin-
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1132
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
son was a highly esteemed citizen, well liked wherever he went, and his friends throughout the county were many. He died September 18, 1885, and his death was deeply mourned. His widow, with her children, still reside on the old family homestead. She is a member of the Disciples Church, and takes a deep interest in its - growth and upbuilding. Her many excellencies of character have made her highly esteemed, and the family is one of genuine worth.
JAMES A. GRAHAM is pleasantly located upon a farm of 100 acres, in Section 22, Montgomery township, and the home with its surroundings dis- plays the supervision of an intelligent fariner and capable business man, who has proved a useful member of society, and deserves the esteem and confidence of the people around him.
His father, John Graham, was a native of Ireland, born August 9, 1808, six miles from Bel- fast, and when thirteen years of age was brought by his parents, Thomas Graham and wife, to America, the family first locating at Pittsburg, Penn. They later made their home in Marion county, a mile and a half east of the county seat, where both parents died. In that county, on November 13, 1831, John Graham married Me- lita Anderson, who was born in Pickaway county. Ohio, May 12, ISII, of Irish and English par- entage. Mr. Graham continued to live in Mari- on county until the fall of 1836, when he removed to Montgomery township, Wood county, and there built his cabin upon a little knoll, the site of the present home of our subject, it being the only dry spot upon the place at that time. He purchased 200 acres of wild land, on which he made his home until his death, which occurred January 4, 1854; he was laid to rest in the Gra- ham cemetery, upon his farm. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, naturally very in- telligent, and had obtained a fair education for those days. Me became a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the founders of the Church of that denomination at Prairie Depot. Possessing excellent judginent and sound common sense, he was looked up to and consulted on various questions. His political support was first given to the Whig party, and For one year after his marriage Mr. Graham rented land in Section 16, Montgomery township. and then returned to the home farm, where he now lives. Five acres had been sokl. but he purchased this, and now has 100 acres of rich and valuable land. He has always devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and has been very successful in his chosen calling. His later he became a strong Abolitionist, always a friend of the negro. Although he died at the comparatively early age of forty-five, he left a comfortable competence, having been a good manager and shrewd dealer, and at that time had 320 acres, of which eighty belonged to his wife. After his death she resided npon the home farm, until 1872, when she removed to Prairie | first Presidential vote was cast for Lincoln when
Depot, living there until 1890, after which she made her home with her children, until called from this life, on April 14, 1894. She was an earnest Christian woman, a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is the fifth, in order of birth, in the family of seven children, who are as follows: John W., born September 28, 1832, is a resident of Prairie De- pot; William B., born February 18, 1834, died in 1856; Thomas A., born April 18, 1837, lives in Montgomery township; Mary A., born January 4. 1840, is the wife of E. Young, of Illinois; James A. was born on the farm on which he now resides, May 8, 1843; Russell N., born February 5, 1848, makes his home in Montgomery town- ship; and Melita A. C., born January 8, 1852. is the wife of G. W. Hedge, of the same township.
The early life of James A. Graham was spent upon the home farm and in attending the district schools. The first school which he attended was held in his father's house, as there was no school building in the district, his teacher being Phoebe Vosburg. He heartily endorses the improvements made in the educational institutions of to-day. and was for fourteen years an efficient member of the school board of Prairie Depot. As a farmer boy he used to ride a horse on the barn floor to thresh the grain. He remained a member of the parental household until his marriage, which im- portant event in his life was celebrated at Mau- mee, Ohio, December 31. 1867, Miss Margaret Hoffman becoming his wife. She was born near Cardington, Morrow Co., Ohio, May 25. 1847. daughter of James and Mary (Halfhill, Hoffman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the lat- ter of Wayne county, Ohio. Her parents came to Wood county in 1855, but later went to Lucas county, this State, where they died. She was the eldest daughter and second child in their famn- ily of five children, and after completing her edu- cation taught two terms of school in Montgomery township, when only seventeen years of age. To our subject and his wife have come three children -- J. Frank, who was born July 24, 1873, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in March, 1896. at the age of twenty-two; William A., born August 18. 1878; and Carrie A., born December 29, 1883.
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1133
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
that gentleman ran for his second term, and later he was a Democrat until the fall of isso, since which time he has been a stalwart Prohibitionist. Though no office seeker, he has served in minor township offices. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellow's Lodge, No. 646, at Prairie Depot; Crystal Encampment, of the same Order, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekah Lodge at Prairie Depot. Religiously they are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he serves as recording steward, and she belongs to the Woman's Foreign Mission- ary Society. The family is one of prominence in the community, its members being intelligent and well-read, and they hold an enviable position in social circles.
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SAMUEL LEVERTON. In the career of this gentleman we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the field of active life; of what may be accomplished by a man be- ginning poor, but honest, prudent and industri- ous. A native of another hemisphere, Mr. Leverton was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in October, 1848, and is a son of John Leverton. His parents were both natives of England, where their deaths occurred. In their family were ten children, namely: Mary, Naomi, John M., Eliza- beth, Fisher, Cecelia, Hannah, Samuel, Daniel and James.
As his parents were in limited circumstances, the educational advantages which our subject received were very meager, and from a very early age he has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. When sixteen years - of age, at the solicitation of his brother, who was living in Ohio, Mr. Leverton left the shores of the Old World, resolved to try his fortune in this country, where better opportunities are afforded young men. He first located in Erie county,. this State, where he worked on a farm, receiving $13 per month for his services, and there he re- inained for four years, when he came to Wood county. After working as a farin liand for three years in Plain township, he took charge of the farin of Major Lawrence in Perrysburg township, and continued its operation for four years, when he returned to Plain township, renting land which he cultivated for nine years. Through industry and careful management, he succeeded in saving a few hundred dollars, with which he purchased sixty acres of partially improved land. His place is now under a high state of cultivation, with suitable buildings, and all the appointments of the model country home.
Mr. Leverton has heen twice married, his
first union being with Hannah Huff, who died on the 11th of July, 1875. Six children blessed this union, but the youngest died white small. They are William, Henry, Mary, George, Frank. and Emma. In 1876 Mr. Leverton wedded Catherine, widow of S. Martindale, and she was called to her final rest June 11, 1895.
. Our subject upholds the principles of the Republican party, and he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He gives his encouragement to the enterprises tending to the general welfare of the people around him, and endeavors by a life of kindness and charity to set an example worthy of imitation.
L. O. BROYLES, a wide-awake and enterpris- ing farmer residing in Section 2. Montgomery township, was born April 20, 1862, in Fairfield county, Ohio, and is a son of James Broyles, also a native of the same county. In Licking county, Ohio, the father was married November 29, 1860, to Miss Rebecca Bryan, whose birth occurred in Fairfield county, May 18, 1838. She was the daughter of Enoch and Rebecca (Myers) Bryan, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Lancaster, Penn .; in the family were six chil- dren, as follows: Hannah J., now the widow of A. Hashbarger, of Montgomery township; Mary, who wedded Stewart Plummer, and died in Lick- ing county; Cornelius, of Bradner, Ohio: Jacob. of San Francisco, Cal .: George, of Bradner; and Rebecca, mother of our subject.
After their marriage the parents located in Licking county, where the father engaged in farming, and also made many thousand shingles by hand; but when our subject was quite small, the mother was left with herself and two children to support. In the fall of 1881 she came to Wood county, and has since lived in Montgomery township, on the farm where our subject now re- sides. She is a most estimable woman, a faith- ful member of the Protestant Methodist Church. The brother of our subject is Clement Broyles, of Bradner, Ohio.
The education of L. O. Broyles was obtained principally in the district schools of his native county. Coming to Wood county, his first loca- tion was upon Section 2, Montgomery township where he still owns forty acres; but he has added to his property until his landed possessions com- prise 115 acres of valuable land. Since his ar- rival here, in connection with his farming opera- tions, for two years he followed rig-building let others, and for three years worked as a section hand on the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo railroad. He is a steady-going, industrious
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