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 6
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
The family hold membership with the United Brethren Church, attending services at Washing- ton Chapel, and all take a deep interest in relig- ious work, while the son is at present a teacher in the Sunday-school. Socially, Mr. Baker be- longs to Walter A. Wood Post No. 48, G. A. R., at Tontogany, while politically he is connected with the Republican party, and was trustee of Washington township three years, and supervisor for several years. His uprightness, integrity and public- spiritedness have won him the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and he is classed among the most respected representative citizens of Wood county.
R. B. ANDRUS. No man in Wood county is more worthy of representation in a work of this kind, than he whose name stands at the begin- ning of this sketch. He has been identified with the agricultural interests of the county since 1874, and is the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres on Sections 13 and 24, Ross township. A fine set of farm buildings, in close proximity to the flourishing apple orchard and smaller fruit trees, forms a beautiful picture of the ideal country home. The estate is one of the most valuable in this section of the county, and indi- cates in all its appointments the supervision of a man of intelligence and sound judgment, and one who has been remarkably judicious in his in- vestments.
Mr. Andrus was born at Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in 1845, and is a son of Howard Bennett and Experience (Worden) Andrus. The father, whose birth occurred February 16, 1808, in Connecticut, was brought by his father, Howard Andrus, to Ohio, as early as 1824, mak- ing his first location in Portage county, and in 1832 removed to Lucas county, where he en- tered land in Perrysburg township. There in 1833 he wedded Miss Experience Worden, a na- tive of Oswego county, N. Y., and a daughter of Dr. Sylvester Worden, who were also born in the Empire State. In 1828 her father erected the first residence in East Toledo, and was one of the pioneer physicians of that city. At the time of his death he was alinost ninety-eight years of age, and for three years had been blind.
After his marriage the father of our subject took his bride to his farm in Lucas county, on which he resided until 1834, when he removed to Cleveland, and later for some years conducted a hotel at Newburg, Ohio, but in 1848 he re- turned to Lucas county. He there engaged in farming until 1873, when he came to Wood county, and on May 11, of the following year,
died at the home of our Subject, where his wife also departed this life September 26, 1886. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party The parental household included two children. the brother of our subject being Cornell Eli, who engaged in farming in Lucas county, until 1873. when he removed to Kansas, but died on January 5, 1882, at the home of our subject, and was re- moved to Kansas for burial.
In Washington township, Lucas county, Mr. Andrus, of this review, was reared and educated, and has always turned his attention to agricult- ural pursuits. Since locating upon his present farm, in 1874, he has erected a good brick resi- dence, and made many useful and valuable im- provements. On September 18, 1866, in Wash- ington township, Lucas county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Andrus and Miss Maria Han- nah Mooney, a native of that county, and a daughter of Morris and Deborah (Cook) Mooney. Her parents, who were born in New York, be- came residents of Toledo, Ohio, May 19, IS45. where he worked as a mechanic, but now finds a pleasant home with our subject. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Andres, name- ly: Ida Lucinda, wife of Charles Hicks, in the mail service of East Toledo, Ohio; Cora P .. wife of Charles Hickox, train dispatcher for the Pennsylvania railroad at Toledo; Charles B .: Irving Morris; Lynn, who died at the age of nine- teen months; Howard Rollin; Lillie Marie, who died at the age of nine months; Clifford, who died at the age of one year; and Justin Grover.
During the Civil war, Mr. Andrus enlisted, but was not accepted. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party, and has served as treas- urer and assessor of his township for four years each. Socially, he is connected with Yondora Lodge No. 572. F. & A. M. ; and Toledo Tent No. 8, K. O. T. M. He is public spirited and liberal, and there are few men more popular in the com- inunity than he. He takes a commendable inter- est in educational affairs, and is now serving as president of the school board.
WILLIAM B. POTTER, a pioneer farmer of Weston township, was born in the city of Notting- ham, County of Nottingham, England. June 28. 1819, and is a son of Thomas and Esther Rad- ford) Potter, both also natives of that county, the former born in 1779, the latter in 1782.
Thomas Potter was a lace manufacturer in England, and inventor of pearl edging; but on coming to this country, in 1832, he took up farm- ing pursuits in Mercer county, Ohio. His death occurred in that county May 2, 1848. He was
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twice married, and by his first wife, Elizabeth, he had seven children: Mary, Ann, Samnel, Lucy, Maria, John and Thomas. By his second wife, Esther (Radford), five children were born, as follows: Dr. Henry Radford, a physician, who resided near Weston; William, who died in infancy; William B., the subject of this sketch; Hannah B .; and Joseph, who died in infancy.
William B. Potter obtained a part of his edu- cation in England, and, after coming to this country with his parents, worked in a printing office in Piqua, Ohio, for two years. He then worked on his father's farm until he was twenty- four years old, at the end of which time he went to Clark county, where he was employed some three years. He then returned home, and buy- ing out the other heirs took the management of the home place, and the care of his widowed mother, who died in 1854. In 1864 he came to Wood county, and bought eighty acres of land in Weston township, on which he still resides. This place has been well improved with a hand- some residence, capacious barns, granaries, etc., and here Mr. Potter carries on general farming. He is a man of broad and liberal ideas, progress- ive in his methods, and has been successful in his undertakings. Well and favorably known throughout the county, he has a large circle of warm friends, who throughly appreciate his many good qualities.
Mr. Potter was married in Mercer county, Ohio, in 1852, to Miss Clarissa Shipman, who was born January 29, 1829, and ten children have blessed their union, as follows: Thomas, born October 28, 1853, is a farmer in Bellevue, Ohio; Sarah Jane, born February II, 1855, died January, 1885; Henry S., born September II, 1856, is a farmer in Bellevue; Lydia, born June 17, 1858, is the wife of J. Barton, a farmer in Plain township, Wood county; Esther S., born May 5, 1859; George W., born October 12, 1861, is farming on the old homestead (he married Miss Nettie Revenaugh, a lady of French descent, and they have one child); Harriet L., born Sep- tember 32, 1863, now the widow of Henry Abbott, who died February 17, 1889; Mary E., born December 6, 1866, died April 6, 1884; Harmon, born April 6, 1868, is a fireman on the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad; and Cora B., born September 6, 1871. The mother of these children died November 8, 1887. She was a most estimable woman, one who reared her large family carefully, and devoted her life to the in- terests of her household. Mr. Potter is a Repub- lican in his political views, has held the office of trustee of Franklin township, Mercer county, and
has served as school director. He is a consistent member of the Disciples Church.
J. G. HELTMAN, a well-known and greatly respected citizen of Prairie Depot, was born in Center county, Penn., November 24, 1831. When he was six years old his parents, Joseph and Catherine (Goldman) Heltman, moved to Richland (now Ashland) county, the journey be- ing made in wagons. In the latter county the father bought 160 acres of land, part of which was improved, on which he built a double hewed- log house, which was pretty comfortable for those days, and there reared a family of eight children. In his earlier days he was a mill- wright and a thorough mechanic, being an ex- pert in that line. He was also a cabinet maker, and when his older daughters were married he made them each a set of furniture. All the chil- dren grew to maturity, and four sons and one daughter are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Helt- man were members of the Evangelical Church. They both died in Ashland county, he at the age of eighty-four years, and she when ninety-five.
J. G. Heltman, our subject, received his early education in the district schools of Ashland county, where his father built, on his farm, the first school house our subject ever attended. He worked on the farm and hauled wheat for his fa- ther when he was too small to set up a sack in the wagon. At home he remained until he was twenty-one years old, and was married, in Ash- land county, to Miss Elizabeth W. Wheeler, who was born in Rochester township, Lorain Co .. Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Matilda (Link) Wheeler. The mother of Mrs. Heltman died when the latter was a child, and left her and a younger sister, who were reared by their mater- nal grandfather, Adam Link, a farmer in Ash- land county. Mrs. Elizabeth W. Heltman was educated in the Union school in Ashland, and there learned dress-making with an aunt, which business she followed, more or less, for thirty-five years.
After his marriage, our subject and his wife located on the paternal homestead, where he fol- lowed farming until the spring of 1858, when he moved to Osceola, Crawford county, where he bought land and began to work for a home of his own. On that place he lived for over three years, and then moved to a farm near Annapolis. Crawford county, where he intended going into the hardware business, but changed his mind, and farmed for two years. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Keller's company, 49th O. V. I., and went to Galion for examination,
J. G Heltman
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
but was rejected. Not satisfied, however, he again made application before the examining board at Toledo, but was again rejected. In the spring of 1863 he came to Section 29, Montgom- ery township, and bought eighty acres of land, fifteen of which were cleared. His house was part frame and part hewed logs, and there he lived for three and a half years; at the end of which time, as his health was poor, he went to West Independence, Hancock county, and en- gaged in a general merchandise business. In that he remained for three years; but indoor work did not agree with him, so he returned to his farm in Wood county, which he had rented during his absence. His health was completely broken down, and for a year or more he was un- able to work. Subsequently he bought sixty acres of land in the same section, and built a home, where he lived until January 2, 1891, when he moved to Prairie Depot, at which place, in 1890, he had built the finest house to be seen there. At one time he was engaged in the stock business, and raised many fine horses and cattle.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Heltman are as follows: Leander, who died when thirteen years old; Ora B., deceased at the age of three years; Elmer W., who lives in Toledo, where he is a well-known specialist and physician, and a lec- turer in the Toledo Medical College; Arthur A., now of Prairie Depot, where he is engaged in the general merchandise and oil business. At present our subject has 120 acres of land, all of which is cleared except ten acres. He has one of the best barns in the township, besides a fine horse-barn and other buildings, all of which are in excellent condition, and which he has put up by his own means. Mr. Heltman is a Republican, and has served as township assessor; for many years was president of the board of education, of which he has been a member some twenty years. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist Church, in which he has been an elder, trustee and for sixteen years superintendent of the Sunday- school. He has always been liberal in his sup- port of all Church work, and was active in build- ing the one at Prairie Depot. He is a charter member of Prairie Depot Lodge No. 646, I. O. O. F., and was one of the committee selected to erect a monument to the soldiers of Montgomery township, at Prairie Depot. the design chosen be- ing the one selected by him. He is a warm friend of better education, and has spent a great deal in the education of his sons. Withal he is an honest man of unquestionable integrity, and one of the most prominent citizens of his vicinity.
A. L. HEMINGER, an esteemed citizen and honored veteran of the Civil war, is now practi- cally living retired upon his good farm of fifty acres in Montgomery township. He was born on Jan- uary 24, 1843, in Loudon township, Seneca Co .. Ohio, and is the son of Henry and Catherine (Kiser) Heminger. He acquired his education in the district schools, which then were not as pro- ficient as at the present day, and he heartily en- dorses the great improvements that have been made in educational institutions. Like most farmer boys, as soon as large enough, he began to assist in the labors of the fields ...
While calmly employed in the peaceful voca- tion of a farmer's life, the storm of war, which had been gathering for so many years over our beloved country, broke, and bidding adieu to home and its influences, Mr. Heminger enlisted in September, 1861, in Company B. 55th O. V. I., under Capt. Bement, and first took part in the engagements in the Shenandoah Valley. He was with his regiment on duty continuously until after his re-enlistment in 1864, when, in August of that year, he was taken ill. He refused to go to the hospital, and instead rode in the wagon of a friendly teamster. After a few weeks absence he rejoined his regiment, and, aside from detail duty on several different occasions, he remained with the command until the close of the war, being discharged in July, 1865, with an honorable war record.
Resuming his duties as a civilian, Mr. Hem- inger has since made his home in Montgomery township, with the exception of two years spent near Green Springs, in Sandusky county. At his marriage he had twenty-five acres of land in Sec- tion 21, but rented another farm in Montgomery township for one year, and it was the following two years that he passed upon a rented farm in Sandusky county, while in the winter seasons he engaged in teaming. Returning to Montgomery township, he lived on different places until the spring of 1882, when he purchased twenty-seven acres of land in Section 22, where he yet resides. and now has fifty acres under a high state of cultivation.
On December 26, 1867, Mr. Heminger was married in Montgomery township to Miss Anna Peebles, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio. in April, 1845, and is the daughter of Andrew Peebles, of Perry township, Wood county. To this worthy couple were born seven children -- Lewis, of Bloomdale, Ohio; Albert, at home: Clara, now Mrs. Samuel Pierce, of Montgomery township: Leroy, at home; May, wife of William Brown, of Perry township, Wood comity; and
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Charles and Ralph, both at home. Mr. Hem- inger has been called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful wife, who died April 1, 1890, and was laid to rest at Prairie Depot.
Physically, Mr. Heminger has been nearly a wreck since the war ended, and is compelled to leave the operation of his farm to his sons. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics, but never an office seeker, and, socially, is a prom- inent member of Petroleum Lodge No. 329, K. of P., and Randall Post, G. A. R., at Prairie Depot, in which he has served as junior vice-com- mander. He is a well-known and highly respected citizen, and has the confidence of the community.
HENRY STERNAMAN, a leading and progressive farmer of Middleton township, is a native of Portage county, Ohio, born October 17, 1843, and is a son of Jonas and Maria Sternaman. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and when nine years of age removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he learned the carpenter's trade. He afterward took up his residence in Portage county, Ohio, where he followed contracting and build- ing, and there married Maria Gearhart, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Gearhart. They became the parents of five chil- dren: Henry; Cordelia, widow of Daniel Myers; Ellen, wife of Enoch Kramer; Ettie, wife of Herbert Cobb; and Addie, who died in childhood. In 1846 the father removed with his family to Troy township, Wood county, where he pur- chased a small farm, and where he continues to reside. His wife passed away in 1894.
Our subject was only three years old when the family came to Wood county. He received a very limited education in a log school house, but his training at farm work was far from meagre. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he gave his services to the government during the Civil war, and at Woodville, Ohio, enlisted in the 68th O. V. I., under command of Capt. H. H. Poe, and Col. R. K. Scott. He participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River, and Vicksburg, also in the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He afterward went to Washington, where he received an hon- orable discharge at the close of the war. On his return he purchased forty acres of land in Middleton township, which he cultivated until 1870, when he purchased a farm in Michigan, making his home thereon for a year. Returning to Wood county, he bought a farm of eighty acres in Troy township, which he afterward sold, and became the owner of forty acres in Middle-
ton township-his present home. This he has cleared and improved, having erected a good resi- dence and barn, and he now has one of the well- equipped country homes of the locality.
Mr. Sternaman was married in Troy town- ship, in 1865, to Jane Goodell, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, in October, 1846, a daugh- ter of Cyrus and Lucretia (Studley) Goodell. They have two children, Mary E., born Febru- ary 12, 1866, wife of Lew Ward; and Fred, born September 23, 1870, who, in 1892, married Katie Munson, who was born at Point Pleasant, W. Va., in 1874, daughter of Henry and Caro- line (Rouch) Munson. Our subject has served as township trustee for four years; as school director seven years; and has been a member of the township board of education He belongs to Middleton Lodge No. 786, I. O. O. F .. and Robert Stewart Post No. 690, G. A. R., of Dunbridge. His diligence and good management may be said to have been the essential factors in his success.
JOHN P. TUNISON is one of the most prominent business men of Hull Prairie, where he is en- gaged in general merchandising and grain deal- ing, and is also agent for the C. H. & D. Rail- road Company. He was born in Seneca county, N. Y., July 1, 1836, a son of Thomas Tunison. who was born in New Jersey, and was a shoemaker by trade. He married Annie Cole, of Seneca county, N. Y., and they became the parents of six children: Sarah C., wife of William Conk- ling, of Rochester, N. Y .; Daniel C., a farmer of Michigan; Susan S., wife of W. H. Williams, a retired farmer of Nebraska; John P .; Elizabeth, wife of C. Crissey; and Ezra C., deceased. In
1848 the father removed with his family to Lucas county, Ohio, where he carried on farming until 1863, in which year he went to Michigan, and there carried on agricultural pursuits until 1886, in which year both he and his wife died. he at the age of eighty-nine years, and she at eighty- three years, having lived together sixty-seven years.
Our subject was about thirteen years of age when the family emigrated to Lucas county, and he was there educated, completing his course in the high school at Maumee. He then taught school for one year. After the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted, August 25. 1861. in the 14th O. V. I., under Gen. Steedman. Capt. Chase commanding the company. He partici- pated in the battles of Stone River. Mill Springs. Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Nashville. Mission Ridge and Atlanta, and in all his service
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WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
he escaped wounds, but had a couple of very narrow escapes at Chickamauga, one bullet pass- ing through his hat and another through his pants. He served as a private, being some ten months on detached service, at Gen. Thomas' headquarters, the rest of the time with his regi- ment. He secured an honorable discharge Sep- tember 11, 1864, with the record of a faithful and brave soldier.
Returning to his father's farm in Michigan, Mr. Tunison continued his residence in that State until 1883, when he came to Wood county, and has since engaged in general merchandising and grain dealing. He is straightforward and hon- orable in all his business transactions, is enter- prising and far-sighted, and has steadily worked his way upward to a position among the sub- stantial citizens of the community. For several terms he has served as school director, was a member of the township board of education for two terms, and postmaster two terms, discharg- ing his duties with a promptness and fidelity that won him high commendation. His political sup- port is given the Republican party, and both lie and his wife are prominent members of the Baptist Church. He takes an active interest in its work, is serving as deacon and trustee, and has been both teacher and superintendent in the Sunday-school.
In July, 1865, Mr. Tunison was united in marriage with Miss Helen Ten Brook, a native of Michigan, and their children are Gertrude, wife of L. I. Brown, a contractor of Kansas City, Mo. ; Lottie, at home; and Della, wife of David Parker, of Bowling Green. The mother of this family died in 1881, and Mr. Tunison, in 1383, wedded Mrs. Elvina C. (Carpenter) Brown, widow of H. S. Brown.
WILLIAM R. WALKER, a representative of the mercantile interests of Dowling, carrying on a general store at that point, was born in Webster township, May 14, 1859, and is a son of William and Lydia (Bowen) Walker. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood. also pursued his studies at Bowling Green and Fostoria, work- ing on the farm at intervals. He afterward en- gaged in teaching school for fourteen years, and was a successful educator, giving general satis- faction.
In 1891 Mr. Walker removed to Dowling, where he purchased the store of E. S. Townsend, a general merchant of the place. He now car- ries a large and complete stock of general mer- ehandise, and is a successful, energetic business man, who has succeeded in building up a large
trade, his earnest desire to please his patrons, and his honorable dealing, winning him a liberal patronage. He is also the popular postmaster of Dowling, and formerly, during President Cleve- land's first administration, held the same position at Scotch Ridge for four years. His political support is given the Democracy, and socially he is connected with Middleton Lodge No. 786, I. O. O. F., of Dunbridge. In religious belief he is a Methodist, and contributes liberally to the support of the Church, and to all enterprises cal- culated to prove of public benefit.
On March 21, ISS8, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Walker and Miss Amy Grim, daughter. of Jacob.Grim, the ceremony being performed at the "Russell House," in Bowling Green. They have three children-Goldie, born September 14, 1889; Eulilee, born February 25, 1891; and Gerald E., born August 12, 1894.
JOHN H. CALLIN, a prominent and leading farmer of Middleton township, was born in Ash- land county, Ohio, August 10, 1840. His father, William H. Callin, was born at Callinsburg, Clarion Co., Penn.,- September 10, 1813, and was the fourth son in a family of nine children. He was an industrious, hardy, persevering man, possessing great physical strength, but had only a limited knowledge of books. He had a mind of keen perception and sound judgment, and was well fitted for pioneer life. In 1831 he accom- panied his parents to Ashland county, Ohio. where his father entered a tract of land from the government, becoming one of the first settlers of that locality. William Callin aided in clearing and improving this property, and finally, on the death of the father, in paying it out of the land office and receiving title (the land having been entered on what was termed the ninety-nine-year lease). In 1335, he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Barlin, of Ashland, and of their union were born eight children, the eldest and youngest dying in infancy. The surviving members of the family are Harriet, widow of William Sly, of Bowling Green; John H. ; James M., and George WV., both of Bowling Green; Hugh H. and Zimri L., of Pioneer, Ohio.
In 1849 William Callin removed from Asii- land county to Peru, Huron Co., Ohio, locating on a farin of eighty acres which he sold in 1860. preparatory to his removal to Wood county. Here he settled on 160 acres of land in Plain township, and, on his retirement from farming. took up his residence in Bowling Green. He was an exemplary man, of high Christian char- acter, and a consistent and faithful member of the
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