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 61
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He was born at Monroe, Mich., July 27. 1845, and is a son of John and Mary (Shinaver) Venia, natives of Canada, who at an early day located upon a farm in Michigan, where the father died in 1852. The mother still resides near Monroe, that State, and is now the wife of
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John. Boimier. By her first union she had ten children, two of whom are now living-God- frey, who resides at Whiteford Center, Mich., and Frank H. The educational privileges of our subject during his youth were very limited, lie being able to attend school for only about six months; but, through reading and observation in later years, he has become a well-informed man. On leaving his native State he located in Lucas . county, Ohio, and at Sylvania, Ohio, on August 27, 1862, he enlisted in the 18th United States Regulars for three years. He became a mem- ber of the army of the Cumberland, and partici- pated in all the battles from Murfreesboro, Tenn., to Jonesboro, Ga., under Gen. Sherman. At the latter he was taken prisoner September I, 1864, and was confined in Andersonville for twenty-two days. After being exchanged lie went to Atlanta, where he was granted a fur- lough, and after a visit to Toledo, he rejoined his regiment at Lookout Mountain, where he was honorably discharged, August 27, 1865.
Returning to Toledo, Mr. Venia worked there for $20 per month at gardening, until coming to Ross township in 1867. In 1882, he again made his home in Toledo for a time, and was there en- gaged in contracting, furnishing all the heavy timbers for elevators, bridges, and other improve- ments at that place. He now devotes most of his time and attention to fruit raising, having all kinds of fruit on his farm, and has been very successful in this venture.
In Washington township, Lucas county, in 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mir. Venia and Miss Hattie E. Johnston, a native of Toledo, and a daughter of Martin R. and Harriet E. (Breed) Johnston, who were from the New Eng- land States, and located in that city in the early '40s. Her father engaged in gardening near Toledo, where his deathi occurred in 1882. His wife also died in that city, in 1890. Five chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Venia (four of whom are still living): Martin R., who died at the age of eleven years and seven months; Car- rie, wife of W. L. Alexander, of Crestline, Ohio; Frank E., who is married and resides in Ross township; and Harvey R. and Edith, at home.
Mr. Venia is quite prominently identified with the interests of the community in which he lives, and has assisted materially in the develop- ment of his portion of the county. He bears a high character for sterling integrity, is en- tirely a self-made man, and well deserves the success that has come to him. In political ques- tions he casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has
been called upon to serve as trustee, assessor and constable in his township.
JOHN A. ROGERS is one of the younger repre- sentatives of agricultural interests in Wood coun- ty, and is also numbered among the most prom- inent farmers. He was born in Henry township. September 30, 1869, and is a son of William. W. Rogers, a native of Maryland, who, during his in- fancy, was taken by his parents to Guernsey coun- ty, Ohio. About 1853 the family came to Wood county, and Lilburn Rogers, the grandfather, purchased 600 acres of wild land in Henry town- ship. In that township William Rogers married Miss Elizabeth Hough, and then located on the old family homestead, where he lived until the spring of 1891. He has since resided in North Baltimore, Ohio, and has laid aside the cares of business life. His wife died on the old home- stead in 1872. Their children were as follows: Winfield Scott, of North Baltimore: Melissa and Bart, who died in childhood; James Madison, a farmer of Hancock county, Ohio; Mrs. Ida Wil- son, of Henry township; Mrs. Ada Haines, of Henry township; John A., and Mis. Lillie Brew; ster, of Dunkirk, Ind. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Rogers married Nancy Burkhead, and they have a daughter, Eva, at home.
Mr. Rogers, of this review, attended the district schools, and spent one term in school in North Baltimore. He has always lived on the old home farm, with the exception of one year spent with his father in the town, and since old enough to handle the plow has engaged in farm work. He is now successfully engaged in the operation of eighty acres of land, and has developed upon the place nine productive oil wells. He is a wide- awake young business man, thoroughly abreast with the times, and is meeting with success in his undertakings.
In Henry township, on April 1, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rogers and Miss Edith Peters, who was born in that township. December 23, 1873, a daughter of J. C. Peters of Henry township; at first they lived on the okdl home place, but later moved from North Balti- inore to Hancock county, one mile south an 1 one-half inile west of Mt. Cory. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Vera, who was born September 26, 1894. Mr. Rogers gives his political support to the Republican party.
GEORGE RIEHM, a prominent agriculturist and manufacturer of Perrysburg township, residing near Lime City, was born February 26, 1840, 11 Haardt, Bavaria, Germany.
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His parents, George and Barbara (Naumer) Riehm, natives of Germany, came in 1850 to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, to spend their remain- ing years. Both were devout adherents of the Lutheran Church, and were highly esteemed for their excellencies of character. The father died in 1867, aged sixty-seven years; the moth- er, surviving many years, died in. 1893, at the age of eighty-three. Of their twochildren, the elder Elizabeth, is now Mrs. William Mack. The younger, the subject of our sketch. was only ten years old at the time of the removal to Cuyaho- ga county, and he received his education mainly in the public schools of that vicinity. He was married June 5, 1866, to an early acquaintance, Miss Mary Rietz, a native of Germany, born May 9, 1843, whose parents had settled in Cuyaho- ga county, in 1849. Six children were born of this union; Elizabeth married George Elder, and has two children-Henry and Mary: John G. is at home; George P. is a student in the Normal University at Ada; Katie and Annie, twins, are greatly admired for their culture and social graces, and their marvelous resemblance adds a unique in- terest to their physical and mental charms; Fred A. is a student at Normal University at Ada, with a view to preparing for the study of law.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Riehm came to Wood county, and his well-tilled farm gives pleasing evidence of his years of industry and ju- dicious management. The improvements are of a high order, and his residence, a handsome twenty- room brick house with furnace and other mod- ern conveniences, is one of the finest in the county. In 1892 Mr. Riehm and his sous opened a factory for the manufacture of brick and tile, the enter- prise meeting with success. Mr. Riehm takes an active part in local affairs, and is an influen- tial worker in the Republican party, serving as a delegate to the county conventions at various times, and being recognized as a shrewd and safe adviser.
living on the old homestead in Henry township; Mary, who resides with her brother; Sarah, wife of Percival Bishop. of Paulding county, Ohio: Martin, who died in the army after three months' service in the Civil war; Samuel; Margaret Ami and Daniel, who died in infancy,
Samuel Wikle was reared in Henry township. His educational privileges were meager, but his training at farm work was unlimited. He worked at home until 1867, after which he was employed as a farm hand for two years. He was married March 4, 1869, in Findlay, Ohio, to Martha Jane Cox, who was born January 16, 1848. in Craw- ford county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Nancy Jane (Young) Cox. For a few months they lived in Findlay, then came to Wood county, and after Mr. Wikle had worked for others for a short time, he purchased a house and lot in North Baltimore, which was his home. for four years. He afterward lived in Liberty for two years, then went to Allen county, Ind., where he purchased twenty acres of wild land. Having cultivated it for four years, he returned to Wood county, where, at the time of his death, he owned a good farm of thirty-six acres, on which are seven producing oil wells; in 1886 he erected a fine residence.
Mr. Wikle was a stalwart Republican in poli- tics. His widow is an active worker in the Metho- dist Church, and, as was also her husband, is highly esteemed. Their children are Francis Marion, who was born October 12, 1870, and died December IS, following; George H., who was born December 15, 1873, and married Rebecca Waltemver; Maud M., born February 11, 1876, wife of Albert Rose, by whom she has one child, Verner; and Ofta, born February 5, 1879. Mr. Samuel Wikle had been in poor health for about six years, and in April, 1896, was prostrated with heart trouble, from which he suffered greatly until relieved by death, June 2, 1896. Even in the hour of their affliction, the wife and children found their greatest comfort in the certainty, the faithful have, of future reunion, when, weary of the gaudy trappings of this world, the soul puts on the robes of immortality.
SAMUEL WIRLE, deceased, who owned and operated a good farm in Liberty township, had acquired a competence through his own perse- verance and unfaltering energy. His father, An- drew Wikle, was a pioneer of Wayne county, DAVID G. POTTER. Among the leading and influential farmers of Washington township. who thoroughly understand their business and pursue the vocation of their chosen calling in a method- ical and workman-like manger, is the subject of this biography. He was born in Huron county. Ohio, between Monroeville and Norwalk, on An- gust 24. 1822, and is one of the eleven children Ohio, where he located in his younger years, and was married to Elizabeth Lawrence. He then located on a farmi where our subject was born, June 13, 1846. In 1859 he brought his family to Wood county, and secured forty acres of wild land in Henry township, which he cultivated un- til his death in 1868. His wife survived until 1889. They had seven children -John, who is : of Elibu and Jerusha (Cadwell) Potter, only four
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of whom are now living, the others being: Allen, an employe in a glass factory of Anderson, Ind .; Jane, wife of Joseph Mckenzie, a farmer resid- ing near McClure, Henry Co., Ohio; and Henry, a fariner of Washington township.
Our subject received his education in the dis- trict schools of Huron county, and remained un- der the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-six years. He was married in 1 848, his wife bearing the maiden name of Mary Ann Bates. She was born in 1827. By this union they had six children: Loron C .; Emma Jane, wife of Israel Huffman, who resides in Grand Rapids, Wood county; Celia, deceased; Einora. a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Rosilla, deceased; and Alice, wife of William Bemis, of Waterville, Ohio. The mother of this family departed this life in 1882. On December 17, 1890, Mr. Pot- ter was again married, his second union being with Clara Etta (Parks) Roderick, who was born in Vermilion county, Ill., March 4, 1857. Her parents were Isaac and Mary (Fahl) Parks, the former of Quaker stock, and the latter a Cana- dian by birth. By her first husband Mrs. Potter has a son, Ransom W., born November 5, 1882. Her father was a millwright by trade, and his political views were in accordance with those of the Republican party.
In both Huron and Wood counties Mr. Pot- ter has served as school director, and in politics is identified with the Democratic party. He has won his way to the regard of the people with whom he has come in contact, having the respect and confidence of all, and is numbered among the self-made men of the locality, starting out in life entirely unaided by capital or influential friends, so that all he now possesses is due to his untiring energy and perseverance. He and his wife at- tend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she holds membership with the Helping Hand and Foreign Missionary Societies, and for two years has been a teacher in the Sunday-school. She is a most estimable lady, winning the love of all by her kindly ways and deeds of charity.
attended the district schools. For ten years he was employed as a farm hand, and for four years of that time pursued his studies during the win- ter season. He then, in February, 1882, pur- chased fifty-three acres of unimproved land, which he cleared, ditched and fenced, and erected thereon a good house, and set out a quantity of fruit. This place he disposed of in September, 1890, and bought his present property, which comprises eighty acres, on whichi he moved the following March. He now has an excellent farm, whose cultivated fields show his careful manage- ment, and attest his industrious and progressive spirit.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Alexander was, in her maidenhood, Martha Bailey, a daughter of William and Mary (Cook) Bailey, who make their home in Plain township, Wood county, near the Carr school house. She was born February 1, 1861, and her marriage with our subject was celebrated on February 25, 1886, by which union one son has been born- Harry C., whose birth occurred November II, 1 890. Mr. Alexander uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket, but has all the business he can attend to without desiring to take upon him- self the responsibilities of office. The family is one of prominence in the social world, having the esteein and friendship of all.
FREDERICK SOMMERS, a popular and enter- prising man, is by nativity an Ohioan. He was born in Medina county, August 4, 1860, a son of Frederick and Rosetta (Groh) Sommers. His father was a native of Germany, and at the age of twenty-five entered the German army, serving seven years. During that time he participated in the war with Algeria, where he witnessed great suffering among the soldiers, who were tortured by the Arabs in every conceivable manner. Soon after his return he was married, and in 1854 emi- grated to America, sailing from Havre, France. and reaching New York after a voyage of thirty- three days. For seven years they resided near Liverpool, Medina Co., Ohio, then came to Wood county. In 1862 the father enlisted at Perrys- burg, for service in the Union army, in Company I. rrith O. V. I. During a long and tedious march he was overcome by the heat, and for some time was forced to remain in different hospitals. Later he returned home on a furlough, and then started south again. On being examined by a physician in Cincinnati, he was declared unfit for further service, and so received his discharge a month before the end of the war. Returning
OLIVER C. ALEXANDER, the owner of a good farm of eighty acres in Washington township, is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of the locality. He is a native son of Wood coun- ty, born at Pemberville, New Year's Day, 1856, and his parents were Nelson and Mary (Huff) Alexander. When but six months old he lost his mother, and then went to live with his grand- father, William Huff, where he was reared to manhood, assisting in the work of the farm through the summers, while in the winters he : home, he resumed farming, and gave his forty
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acres of land and $600 for eighty acres in Liberty township. There he died September 13. 1877, aged fifty-four years. In his family were the fol- lowing children-John, born May 2, 1854, now a practicing physician of North Baltimore; Jacob, born June 2, 1857, a farmer of Henry township; Christina, who was born January 2:, 1859, mar- ried Thomas W. Knight, and died March 9, 1889; and Frederick, who completes the family.
Our subject was reared on the home farm, and has always carried on agricultural pursuits. He operates this place for his mother, who is still hiv- ing. She was born May 6, 1831, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a daughter of Jacob and Fred- ericka (Reck) Groh. She is a member of the Disciples Church, and a most estimable lady. Our subject has upon his farm eight oil wells which add materially to his income. The place comprises eighty acres, and is now well improved. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is a gentle- man of genuine worth, who has the respect of many friends.
GEORGE L. MEER, an enterprising young farmer of Washington township, is a native of ; Wood county, born on June 6. 1862, and is one of a family of ten children. that graced the union of Charles and Mary (James) Meek, the former a native of Herefordshire, England. In order of birth the children are as follows: Henry, who was drowned at the age of four years; John, who died at the age of twenty-four; Mary, wife of Henry Boice, a farmer of Monroe county, Mich. ; Annie Jane, who makes her home with our sub- ject; Charlie, who is employed in Toledo, Ohio; Jennie, deceased wife of J. Bowers, of Washing- ton township; Emeline and Edwin, twins, both of whom are now deceased; George L., of this sketch; and James Edward.
District School No. 1, of Washington town- ship, afforded George L. Meek his educational privileges, which he attend ~~ during the winter months, while through the summer season he aided in the work on the home farm. At the age of fifteen years he commenced working for others, as a farm hand. To agricultural pursuits he has ever devoted his attention, and now op- erates his fine farm of forty acres, which is highly improved. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs, and his political support is given the Republican party.
In September. 1882, Mr. Meek led to the marriage altar Rhoda May Edwards, a lady of English parentage, whose father was drowned in the Atlantic ocean, while on his way to the New World. To this worthy couple have been
born five children: Bertie E., born September 21, 1883, and died at the age of eight years an.] fourteen days; Gertrude Hannah, born Septem- ber 12, 1885; Clara Bell, born March 19. 1888: Laura Viola, born February 16, 1892; and Ed- win O., born March 15, 1894.
HENRY HERSHI, deceased, who during his life time was a pioneer agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, and a soldier in the Civil war, was born November 1, 1828, in Carroll county, Ohio, a son of John and Rebecca Hersh; his father had been for many years a leading farmer in that county. The district schools of his native coun- ty furnished Henry Hersh an elementary educa- tion, and he grew to manhood upon his father's farm with the usual training of a country youth. In 1854 he came to Wood county and purchased forty acres of land in Weston township, and cleared and improved it, planting an orchard. and putting up substantial buildings. A few years later he sold this and bought eighty acres near Grand Rapids, which he also cleared and transformed into a habitable and productive farm. He constructed the first cider-mill in the township, and made thousands of gallons of cider each year. In 1864 Mr. Hersh enlisted in Com- pany I, 144th O. V. I. (Capt. J. McKee com- manding), for the one-hundred-days' service, and served until the expiration of the term. He was disabled in the army, and died of typhoid fever. September 26, 1889. Not feeling strong enough to work his farm after his return from the army. he followed the carpenter's trade, building many of the homes of the neighborhood.
On April 14, 1853, Mr. Hersh was married in Holmes county to Miss Hannah Bell, a native of that county, born April 18, 1833, a daughter of Margaret and John Bell. They had nine chil- dren whose names with dates of birth are as fol- lows: Margaret, June 12, 1854, married Jacob Gundy; Emily A., born March 20, 1857. died April 16, 1862; John A., August 23, 1859: George E., February 7, 1862, is a farmer of Grand Rapids township; Edward G., January 20. 1865, graduated at Middle Point, Ohio, and in the Cincinnati Medical College, being now a suc- cessful physician at McComb, Ohio; William H .. October 12, 1868, received part of his education in Grand Rapids, and is a leading dentist at Piqua, Ohio, having prepared for his profession at the Chicago Dental College, and also at Cin- cinnati; Arthur B., January 13, 1872. graduated from the Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada. and is now a veterinary surgeon near Grand Rap- ids, Ohio; Delevan, June 11, 1875, farming on
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the homestead; Doctor Franklin, January 29, 187S, is at Cleveland, Ohio.
In politics our subject was a Republican, and in local affairs his well-known ability and integ- rity gave his judgment great weight. He was school director for several years, and took deep interest in educational matters. He and his wife were prominent members of the U. B. Church. Mrs. Hersh still resides at the old homestead, which she manages with rare discre- tion, adding valuable improvements from time to time. A wise and loving mother, her chief care since her husband's death has been the educa- tion and settlement of her children, who by their success are bringing her abundant honors.
JOSEPH PERKINS, who is engaged in farming in Perrysburg township, was born in 1844, and was bound out for service, until twenty-one years of age, to Cornelius Lamb, of North Carolina. When a youth of eighteen he ran away, and en- tered the Union army, as a servant to the officers, being thus engaged from July, 1862, until Feb- ruary, IS65. In the latter inonth he entered the regular service, in which he continued until Feb- ruary, 1866, valiantly defending the Union.
On May 25, 1868, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dent, a daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Grubbs) Dent, natives of Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Ky. She was the eldest of thirteen children, and was born Au- gust 22, 1850, in Good Hope, Fayette Co., Ohio. Her parents at the time were engaged in aiding the "Underground railway" at that place, and were in this service until their daughter was seven years of age. Their "station " was located on the farm of John Parrott, one mile west of Good Hope. In IS57 they went to London, Ohio, whence they went to Canada, and after a short time removed to Detroit, Mich. In 1858 they took up their abode in Lucas county, Ohio, where the father died May 10, 1891. He met his death by violence at the hands of some one who had sold him lignor until lie was drunk, and then threw him out of a second-story win- dow, the fall breaking his neck.
After his marriage, Mr. Perkins came to Wood county, and purchased forty acres of land, whereon he has since made his home. He is a respected and well-to-do citizen, enterprising and industrious, and his success has come as the re- ward of his own labors. His family numbered twelve children, seven of whom are living. namely: Joseph Milton, born May 1b. 1874; George Melvin, born March 3, 1880; Florence Evalena May, born June 28, 1882; Hettie Ale-
inida, born July 13, IS84; Frank Ellsworth K., born January 18, 1887; Harry Walter A. Wood, born July 9, 1891; and Frederick Arthur, born June 29, 1893.
The father of Joseph Perkins was born in Virginia, where he was a slave for fifty years, and went under the name of Joseph Williams, being in the service of a Mr. Williams. In 1879 he came to Ohio, to the home of his son, Joseph, in Wood county, and died January 1, 1894, in Syl- vania, Lucas Co., Ohio.
R. W. DAVIDSON, one of the native sons of Wood county, was born in Webster township. August 31, 1852, and now occupies a conspicuous place among those who are devoted to coni- mercial pursuits. His parents were James and Mary (Williamson) Davidson. The former was born in Scotland August 23, ISIS, and when six- teen years of age came to the United States with his father, Robert Davidson, who located in northwestern Ohio, where he died soon after- ward, his death being occasioned by drinking cold water when intensely heated. James David- son went to Jo Daviess county, Ill., where he operated the first enclosed threshing machine seen in that locality. During the gold excite- ment in California, he made an overland trip with oxen across the plains, and visited different parts of the West. He was married in Illinois in 1851. and came direct to Wood county, purchasing land near Scotch Ridge in Webster township, where he lived for sometime. Later he located near Bellville Ridge, near Dowling, Wood coun- ty, and about the close of the war purchased eighty acres of land in Section 20, Freedom township, to which he added from time to time, until the farm comprised 200 acres. There he lived until his death October 2, IS94. His wife passed away November 6, 1889, and both were buried in Scotch Ridge cemetery. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and both were promin- ent members of the United Presbyterian Church. in which he served as an elder, and contributed liberally to its support. He belonged that sub - stantial and worthy class of farmers who are ever faithful to their duties of citizenship, and true to their friends and families. His children were R. W .. of this sketch; Mary, who is living in New Rochester: Maggie, deceased; William, a farmer of Freedom township; Nettie, wife of W. S. Kennedy, of Mansfield, Ohio; James, a farmer of Freedom; and George, who died in infancy.
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