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 62
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R. W. Davidson, whose name is found at the beginning of this review, was reared on a farm near lus present home, and received the educa-
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tional advantages afforded by the common schools. At the age of twenty-two he began life for him- self as a farm hand. His father afterward pur- chased eighty acres of land in Center township, on which he made a payment of $1,000, and gave the property to our subject on the condition that he was to pay off the indebtedness. At the time he left home, Mr. Davidson was married, and then began farming in Center township, where he lived until the fall of 1882. He did not, however, engage in farming, but hired this work done while he devoted his energies to carpentering, enjoying a liberal patronage along
that line. In the fall of 1883, he began merchandising in New Rochester, and, though not experienced in this undertaking, his practical common sense, steady application and persever- ance soon enabled him to conduct his operations with the ease of an old-time merchant. For the first year and a half he was associated with a partner, but since that time has been the sole owner of his store, which is now one of the most extensive and profitable country stores in Wood county. As a merchant he is thoroughly reliable, and has the confidence of all his patrons, which he values highly, and which has never been abused in the least degree. He erected his store building in New Rochester, also his residence, and in addition to these owns two others in New Rochester, and one in Bradner.
Mr. Davidson was married in Center town- ship, October 22, 1873, when twenty-one years of age, to Miss Jessie Bandeen, daughter of Will- iam and Jane (Clark) Bandeen. Mr. Bandeen was born in Alford, Scotland, August 24, 1824, and died in Wood county, March 8, 1889; he was a stone mason by trade. His wife was born July 1, 1832, in Ireland, and they were married September 29, 1850, and were the parents of eight children-five boys and three girls.
Mr. and Mrs. Davidson hold membership in the Presbyterian Church, taking an active part in its progress and upbuilding, while Mr. David- son is serving as treasurer of the Church, and as teacher in the Sunday-school. By his ballot he supports the Republican party; but his attention is largely given to his business interests, and his life demonstrates that success is not a matter of genius, but the legitimate outcome of resolute purpose, industry, and good management.
SAMUEL SHROYER, one of the worthy pioneers of Wood county, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, July 5, 1838, and is a son of Philip and Salinda (Fiddler) Shroyer, the former a native of Pike township, Stark Co., Ohio, and the latter
of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather. Leonard Shroyer, was also born in the Keystone State. After their marriage in Stark county, the parents removed to Crawford county, Ohio, but later returned to the former county. It was in 1848 that they arrived in Wood county, where the father purchased 100 acres of cheap land in Montgomery township; but, after two years' resi- dence, learned of an $800 mortgage against the place, which caused him to sell, thus losing two years' labor. His next property consisted of eighty acres in Portage township, and, on dispos- ing of that tract. he bought forty acres in Section 3 of the same township, where he lived for many years. . His last days, however, were spent in the village of Portage, where he died December 23, 1892, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow still resides at that place. In religious belief they were both Dunkards, and he was a supporter of the Republican party.
Our subject is the oldest in their family of eleven children, the others being: Martha. now Mrs. Frank Bordner, of Portage; Eliza, who married Resin Mercer, and died in Bowling Green. Ohio; Mary, wife of William Philo, of Portage, Levi, a grocery merchant of Columbia, S. C .: Sarah, now Mrs. Caleb Mercer, of Portage town - ship; Joseph, of Center township, Wood county: Lavina, who became the wife of Gustavus Cox, and died in Bowling Green; Salinda, now Mrs. Willard Finlay, of Bowling Green: Riley. of Portage; and Della, of Bowling Green, forinerly Mrs. Stacy.
Being the eldest son, Samuel Shroyer was called upon to assist in the support of the family. so that he had a poor chance for securing an education in his youth. He endured all the hard- ships and privations of frontier life, their bread being mostly of corn, and their meat wild game. the father often killing a deer before breakfast. On account of the rude machinery of those days. farming was not an easy task, especially in an undeveloped country. Mr. Shroyer remained upon the home farm until his marriage, in 1861, which was celebrated in Portage township, Miss Cath- erine Scott becoming his wife. She was born in that township November 2, 1842, and is a daugh- ter of James and Cynthia (Johnson) Scott, the former a native of Ashland county, and a farmer by occupation.
While peacefully pursuing the vocation of an agriculturist, the dark cloud of war, which had for sometime lowered over our beloved country. broke upon our people. Patriotic men from all the walks of life thronged to the front in response to the call of the general government to defend
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our national life. Fired by a spirit of patriotismn, Mr. Shroyer enlisted August 6, 1862, at Portage, in Company A, 100th O. V. I., under Capt. John A. Shannon. From their camp at Toledo, Ohio, the troops went to Covington, Ky. In their first engagement at Limestone Station, Tenn., our subject was captured by Stonewall Jackson's men, taken to Riclimond, and confined in prison for eight months, after which he was sent to the parole camp at Columbus, Ohio. For five weeks he visited home, and then rejoined his regiment near Kenesaw Mountain, which he found in line of battle. Remaining with his command until mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., he was dis- charged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 1, 1865, with an honorable war record. On his return home, with the savings from his soldier's pay, and with the few dollars his wife had, Mr. Shroyer pur- chased ten acres of land in Section 3, Portage township, where he erected a house. To that tract he later added twelve acres, all of which he cleared, ditched and improved. In 1882 he sold out at a good price, and purchased seventy acres in Section 10, where he now lives. His good barn was built in ISS9, and in 1893 he erected his pleasant dwelling.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer have been born eleven children, namely: Della. now Mrs. John Underwood, of Center township, Wood county; Ida, wife of Thomas Eggleston, of Portage town- ship; Amanda, wife of Henry Lein, of Portage; Olen, a farmer of Portage township; Alva, who resides in the village of Portage; Burley, at home; John, of Portage township; Earl, who died in infancy; and Arthur, Jessie and Oliver, all at home. Mr. Shroyer takes a great interest in the success of the Republican party, with which he casts his ballot, and is a member of Wiley Post, G. A. R., of Bowling Green. Pioneers like Mr. Shroyer endured many trials in those early days. Privations, hardships, lack of old friends and conveniences, could only be tolerated by faith in the "good time coming.'
GEORGE E. MERCER, one of the most enter- prising and successful business men of Bowling Green, and who has acquired a reputation for good judgment, skill and "push." which many older inen might envy, is a native of Wood county, born March 18. 1862, on a farm in Lib- erty township.
was also of Pennsylvania birth, and twelve chil- dren were born to them-six sons: George William, Jolin, Daniel, Caleb, Abraham and Charles-and six daughters: Martha, Mary Ann, Beula, Charity, Lucretia and Elizann. The father of these, who was by occupation a stone- mason and farmer, in 1834 moved to Wood county, and entered land in Liberty township, where he passed the rest of his days, dying in 1838; his wife departed this life some years later in Columbiana county, while on a visit. In relig- ious faith they were Quakers, and in his polit- ical associations Mr. Mercer was an Old-line Whig.
Caleb Mercer, son of William, assisted his father on the farm till he was twenty-one years old, and then worked out for one year at one hundred dollars per annum, with which sum, to- gether with a similar amount given him by his father, he entered 160 acres of wild land in Port- age township. . Here he lived a couple of years. at the end of which time he sold this land and bought a 240-acre farm in Liberty township. which was also wild land, a road having to be cut through the woods in order to reach it. This property he improved and made a fine farm of. and twenty-one years later he moved to Dela- ware county, where, in Delaware township, he for three years conducted a grocery business, which he sold out at a profit. Proceeding now to Iowa, he, in that State, bought 320 acres of partly-improved land, where he made his home some twelve years, or until the death of his wife. in January, 1882, when he returned to Wood county, remarried, and settled in Bowling Green, where he has since resided.
His first marriage was in 1836, with Eliza Groves, who was born in 1816, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and by her he had seven children. as follows: Henry G., of Bowling Green; Will- iam H., of Nebraska; Matilda, deceased; Thomas and Enis F., both of South Dakota; and Charles and Louis, both deceased. For his second wife. Caleb Mercer married, on June 27. 1882, Mrs. Elvira Newton, who was born in 1832, in Knox county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Sarah (Sellers) Clutter, the father a native of Pennsyl- vania, the mother of Ohio. In religious faith Caleb Mercer is a member of the Disciples Church, in politics he is a Republican, and in his younger days he held prominent township offices.
Henry G. Mercer, eldest son of Caleb and Eliza Groves) Mercer, was born in Liberty township. Wood county, Ohio, December 20, 1835, and remained at home. assisting in the farm work.
Caleb Mercer, grandfather of our subject, was born March 14, 1814, in Columbiana county, Ohio, a son of William Mercer, a native of West- moreland county, Penn. The latter was mar- ried, in Columbiana county, to Charity Petit, who | until he was about twenty-one years old, when his
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father presented him with a horse, and he hired out as a farm hand, so continuing up to his mar- riage. At that time his father gave him forty acres of wild land (a part of the home farm), which was all in the woods, and there Henry built a log house, wherein he and his young wife commenced the battle of life together. Tliis 40- acre tract he improved, then, in course of time, he bought land adjoining, which he also culti- vated. In 1888 he came to Bowling Green and rented the "American House," which he con- ducted some nine months, when he commenced contracting, in association with his son George E., for two years constructing stone roads. Im- paired health, however, compelled him to abandon tliis line of business, and, selling his farm (some eighteen months after coming to Bowling Green), he, in October, 1895, embarked in his present prosperous grocery business in that city.
In August, 1861, Henry G. Mercer enlisted in Company G, Ist Ohio Light Artillery, attached to the army of the Cumberland, wherein he served three years, during which service he partic- ipated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamau- ga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Frank- lin and Nashville, besides many skirmishes. He proved a, faithful and valiant soldier, and was never absent from his command a single day, although at one time he suffered severely from the sting of a scorpion, which came near proving fatal to him.
On January 16, 1861, Henry G. Mercer was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Murphy, of Indiana, born in March, 1843, in Hamilton coun- ty, Ohio, daughter of George G. and Sarah (Jones) Murphy, natives of Virginia. To this union were born two children: One son, George E., the subject proper of this review; and one daughter, Amber F., who died at the age of fif- teen years. Like his father, in politics and Church relationship. Henry G. is a Republican, and member of the Disciples Church.
George E. Mercer, whose name introduces this sketch, for several years attended the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood of his birth- płace, later studying at the Weston High School, at the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., two terms, and at the Wesleyan College of Delaware, Ohio, three years. In the district schools of Wood county he taught three terins, then went west, and spent a year in Denver, Colo., and vicinity. He traveled extensively in the mount- ains, and one hunting expedition, which was especially memorable, lasted for thirty days. Re- turning to the old homestead, he was engaged in farming two years, and then opened a butcher
shop in Weston; but this proving uncongenial, he came to Bowling Green, and went into partner- ship in the contracting business with his father. Henry G. Mercer, and uncle, a wealthy contract- or, under the firm name of Murphy & Mercer. Among their first enterprises were the paving of Main street, the construction of five miles of stone road at Toledo, Ohio, in the direction of Genoa. and four miles of stone road from Bowling Green northward. Mr. Mercer owns a fine limestone quarry just north of the city, and a few years ago he opened a stone-cutting establishment, to which he has given much time and attention. learning the business himself in all its, details. This has proved to be a lucrative venture. He has lately added dealing in ice and coal to his various interests, and enjoys a good trade.
On February 28, 1885, Mr. Mercer was mar- ried to Miss Carrie L. Powers, who is also a native of Wood county, born March 28, 1859, and they have one child, George Graham, born February 17, 1886. Mr. Mercer is a Republic- an, takes an active and influential part in politic- al work, and in the spring of 1895, was elected a member of the city council. The family of Mer- cers are widely and favorably known throughout the county, and enjoy the unqualified esteem and regard of all. Mrs. Mercer is a daughter of James and Mary (Downing) Powers, the former of whom, a native of Ireland, came to America about the year IS11, he being then some eleven years old. In 1834 he married, in New York, Mary Down- ing, a native of Yates county, N. Y., born Feb- ruary 8, 1816, and in 1854 they came to Ohio. settling in Milton township, Wood county. Here Mr. Powers bought a farm on which he and his wife passed the rest of their days, the father dy- ing August 30, 1878, the mother on January 16. 1896. They were the parents of eight children. as follows: Mary J., of Denver, Colo., who married Col. John McDesmo, now deceased: Helen M. (Mrs. C. W. McDonald), now de- ceased; Andrew, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and died at Bowling Green, Ky,, in 1863: James F., living in Toledo, Ohio; George A., a resident of Montana; Carrie L., Mrs. George E. Mercer: and John and Leslie, who both died young. Mr. and Mrs. Powers were consistent members of the Baptist Church, in politics he always supported the Democratic party, and by occupation he was a life-long and successful agriculturist.
F. H. PEINERT, one of the native sons of Wood county, who is now engaged in general farming in Washington township, is one of the
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popular and enterprising young men of the com- munity. His birth occurred in Middleton town- ship on November 19, 1861, and he is a son of Frederick and Zilpha (Robinson) Peinert, the latter the daughter of Nelson Robinson. The father was born in Germany, but the mother is a native of New York.
The primary education of our subject was re- ceived in the common schools of Middleton and Washington townships, but this was later sup- plemented by two terms' attendance at the schools of Bowling Green and Weston. Farming has ever been his occupation, he having assisted his father in the operation of his land from an early age, and on attaining his majority worked for him for wages until twenty-five. In con- nection with his brother, he then rented 107 acres for one year. For the past nine years, however, he has been engaged in the cultivation of eighty acres of the old homestead, which he has greatly improved, making it one of the valua- ble farms of the neighborhood.
On February 20, IS89, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Peinert and Miss Mina F. Will- iams, a daughter of Daniel and Nettie (Long- more) Williams, and they have become the par- ents of one son-Floyd H., born September 12, 1891. Mrs. Peinert's mother was born in Seneca county, Ohio; her father, also, was born in this country. He is at present a bookkeeper in Mer- rill's seed house, in Toledo, Ohio, and in politics is an ardent Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Williams also have a son, Chester B., born October S, 1866, who is engaged in farming in Middleton township, this county. He married Libbie Barnes, and they have three children-Merle, born March 27, ISS9; Montis Myrtle, born May 10, 1890; and Olive Marie, born May 9, 1895. Mrs. Peinert's birth occurred on April 29. 1868.
Our subject and his wife attend the Baptist Church, while socially he is connected with the K. O. T. M., and she is a member of the L. O. T. M., at Haskins. His political support is un- swervingly given the Republican party, of whose principles lie is an earnest advocate, doing all in his power for the advancement of the party. The family hold a high position in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens, and make friends of all with whom they come in contact.
FRED SAMSON, a prominent business man of Luckey, and senior member of the firm of Sam- son & Holter, general merchants, has, since the fall of 1895, conducted his present store in a new building which he erected that year. It is a two- story brick, 22 x So feet, and there he carries a
full and complete assortment of general merchan- dise, for which he finds a ready sale.
The early home of our subject was in Troy township, where he was born on the farm of his parents, Edward and Mary (Whitker) Saison, in 1851. They were both natives of Hanover, Ger- many, and came to Troy township, where their marriage was celebrated. About 1838, Edward Samson accompanied his father, John F. Samson, to this locality, where the latter opened up a farm in the midst of the woods, and there died in 1852. The father of our subject also made farming his life occupation, and on his farm in Troy township, departed this life in 1893. His widow still survives him. Their family con- sisted of six children, who, in order of birth, are as follows: Fred, of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Rolf, of Pemberville; Mrs. Anna Hartman; Will- lam, of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Sophia Reste- meyer, of Freedom township; and Mrs. Lena Swan, of the same township.
Fred Samson was reared like most farmer boys in a frontier region, receiving his education in the common schools of Troy township, and continued a member of his father's household until I887, when he began the saloon business in Luckey, which he conducted for eight years, and then opened his present store. In Troy township, in 1878, Mr. Samson was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Laurmann, who was born there. Her parents, Fred and Eliza Laurmann, were natives of Gerniany, and at an early day located in Troy township, where their deaths occurred. To our subject and his estimable wife have been born five children: Mary, who clerks in her father's store; Lizzie; Eddie; Willian and Her- man. The family is one of prominence in the community, and are faithful members of the Lu- theran Church. In politics, Mr. Samson is an ardent Democrat, and has served as supervisor of Troy township. He belongs to one of the hon- ored pioneer families of the county, and has watched with interest the marvelous changes that have taken place in this section during the past forty years.
JOHN SHOUP. The subject of this sketch was born in Section 1. Portage township, March 2 ;. 1846, and is the son of Matthew and Catherine (Shinewy Shoup. Our subject first went to school in Sandusky county, and later in District No. 1. Portage township, his first teacher there being a Miss Lamson. He has since seen much improve- ment in these schools, and heartily endorses it. He worked on the farm, and his schooling was obtained during the winter months. He remained
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at home until February, 1864, when he enlisted, at Toledo, in Co. E, 25th O. V. I., as a recruit, the regiment being home on veteran furlough. He joined it at Camp Chase, and went with it to Hilton Head, S. C., where it did guard duty un- til fall, at tines making short foraging expedi- tions. In the latter part of October, Mr. Shoup was wounded, at Honey Hill, and was confined in the hospital at Hilton Head until the spring of 1865, when he went to Fort Schuyler, N. Y .. and then to Camp Dennison Ohio, where he was discharged in the fall of 1865.
Returning home, he worked there until his. marriage, in November, 1873, to Miss Martha Van Voorhis, a native of. Crawford county, and the daughter of William Van Voorhis. He had bought eighty acres of timber land, in Section 12, at a cost of $Soo, part of which he paid down. After his marriage, he located in an old log cabin, on his father's farm, where he remained four years, and then removed to his own farm, and built a substantial brick house, where he brought and cared for his father, who was at that time quite old. In the fall of 1882 he moved to his present home. where he has since resided: To him and his wife have been born two chil- dren, Jesse A. and Verna, both of whom are at home. He now has 160 acres of good land, and is looked upon as one of the substantial farmers, and progressive, public-spirited citizens, of Port- age township, besides being a shrewd business man. In politics he is a Republican, and an ad- visor and counsellor in his section. He is a member of Randall Post, G. A. R., at Freeport, and, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Church.
Matthew Shoup, father of our subject, was born in Germany, and came to America when fifteen years old, being the first of his family to make the trip to the United States. He came to Wood county, and worked for Adam Phillips, then living on what is known as the "infirmary farm." He was married, in Wood county, to Catherine Shinew, and went to farming. Later he went to Montgomery township, thence to Scott township, Sandusky county, where he owned forty acres of land. Then he came to Section 1, Port- age township, where he afterward lived. To Mr. and Mrs. Shoup were born four children: Will- iam, a member of Company D, ILIth O. V. I., was wounded at Resaca, and died two weeks later; Mary married Jacob Showman, of Seneca county; John is our subject: Kate became the wife of Otis Wilcox, and died in Montgomery township. 1
Politically, Mr. Shoup was independent, but voted the Republican ticket most of the time, .
and was elected trustee of Portage township sev- eral times. He died at the age of seventy-three, and his wife when fifty-seven years old. Both are buried in Portage township.
J. W. SMITH. Prominent among the repre- sentative citizens, and the respected and infinen- tial men, of Bloom township is found this gentle- man. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, Oc- tober 22, 1855, and is the eldest child of William and Margaret (Clanachan) Smith. He spent his boyhood and youth after the marmer of farmers' sons, learning to plow, sow and reap, and in the winter season attended the public schools of the neighborhood. When quite small he was brought by his parents to Wood county, and he remained upon the home farm until the age of eighteen, when he went to Fostoria, Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade with Israel Cramer, after which he worked as a journeyman for sev- eral years. Later he became a partner af Thom- as G. Campbell in contract work, being associa- ted with that gentleman for about two years, when he became connected with R. A. McKee for the same length of time. For a year after his marriage he made his home with his father- in-law, during which time he was preparing a home of his own on the forty-acre tract, where he still lives, and which is now a well-improved farm.
In Bloom township, on December 23, ISSO, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Cotant, who was born there September 20, 1861, the fourth child in the family of Charles Cotant. They have become the parents of two daughters and one son -- Mabel A., born November 2, 1882; Ethel M., born September 20, 1889, and Jaines F., born November 16, 1895.
On May 7, 1885, Mr. Smith joined Com- pany H, 2d O. N. G., and seven days later was made corporal; on January 2, ISS8, he was pro- moted to sergeant, and June 10, 1893, was com- missioned sergeant-major. On January 12, 1894, he re-enlisted for five years as sergeant-majer. He is well versed in military matters, and his command has often received liigh mention for its excellent training. He has won both a gold and a silver medal for good marksinanship. His first Presidential vote was cast for Rutherford B. Hayes, and since that time he has supported the Republican party, taking an active interest in its success and attending the county conventions as a delegate. He has efficiently served as trus- tee of his township, and in his Church relations he, his wife and his elder daughter are members
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