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 65

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1140

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 65

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SAMUEL STILWELL, who is now living retired in Bloomdale, was born in Ross township, Jeff- erson Co., Ohio, May 4, 1836, is a son of Sam- uel and Nancy (Elliott; Stilwell. The father was a native of Maryland, and on going to Jeffer-

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son county, Ohio, when a young man, there mar- ried Miss Elliott, a daughter of Richard Elliott. In 1851, with his family of seven children, he removed to Hancock county, Ohio, driving the entire distance in a covered wagon. It was a long and tedious journey, requiring several days, and the family would cook their meals along the roadside. The father bought 120 acres of new land in what was known as "Wild Cat Thicket," Washington township, and which was thickly covered with timber and brush, and water cov- , ered almost a third of the area. It was an ar- duous task to clear and develop such land, and the members of the family were compelled to secure other work in order to earn enough to live on. The father died on this farm at the age of eighty-two, and his wife survived him only about six months, dying at the home of our subject in Wood county. She was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and they were buried at Arcadia, Hancock county. Mr. Stilwell cast his ballot with the Democratic party. The children of the family -were Esther, now Mrs. - Addison Beamer, of Paulding county, Ohio; Lewis, of the same county; Samuel; Abraham, of Perry town- ship, Wood county; Harriet, who died in Han- cock county; Nancy J., who also died in that county, while young; and Margaret, who became the wife of David Moore, and passed away in Hancock county.

The education of our subject was obtained in the common district schools of his day; but farm training was considered more essential than lit- erary studies, so that his educational advantages were limited. He remained at home until his marriage, which happy event occurred Novem- ber 4, 1858, in Findlay, Ohio, Miss Angeline Wiseman becoming his wife, and the ceremony being performed by 'Squire Byal. She was born in Washington township, Hancock county, November 4, 1841, and is a daughter of James G. and Elizabeth (Sommers) Wiseman, who re- moved from Augusta county, Va., to Washington township, being the third family to locate there.

For two years after his marriage, Mr. Stil- well remained upon his father's farm, and for the next fifteen years rented land, moving four- teen times during that period. He first became the owner of forty acres of land in Washington township, Hancock county, on which he resided for three years, and in 1877 bought seventy-two and a half acres in Section 30, Perry township, Wood county; although the place was mostly un- improved, he converted it into a good farm, and there made his home until December, 1891, when ewing to failing health he was compelled to

give up agricultural pursuits. He now has a pleasant home' on Garfield street, Bloomdale, where he expects to pass his remaining days in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. In January, 1894, he became a member of the firm of Miller & Stilwell, grocers, but disposed of his interest at the end of a year.

Two children were born to our subject and his wife: Edward R., of Bloomdale; and Albert F., a farmer of Perry township. They have an adopted son, Jesse M., whom they took at the age of three months. In July, 1877, Mr. Stil- well's right eye was injured, which resulted in the loss of it. He and his wife take an active part in the work of the Liberal United Brethren Church, of which he has been a trustee and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In poli- tics he is a Democrat.

RICHARD HOPPER. This worthy citizen of Plain township, who departed this life November 15, 1889, was a native of England, his birth taking place in King's Lynn, County of Norfolk, August 12, 1814. His wife, who survives him, and whose maiden name was Jane Pruden, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, December 19, 1822, and their marriage took place in that country October 29, 1844. The young couple were very poor in this world's goods, their com- bined capital at the time of their marriage con- sisting of seventy-five cents. But they had youth, health, love and hope, and began their married life without fears of the future. They had worked for a living before that event, and both continued in service until they had saved enough to carry them to America-that land of promise to the youth of foreign countries. They came direct to Monroeville, Ohio, where Mr. Hopper secured a position in a distillery, and be- fore long was able to buy a house and lot in that place. He subsequently became the owner of thirteen acres of land, which he sold for $1, 300, and in 1863 removed to Wood county. His first purchase here was forty acres of land in Pine township, for which he paid $40 per acre, it be- ing the first land sold at that price in this section of the county. It was excellent land. with good improvements, and proved to be a valuable piece of property. The present homestead was bought in 1870, and Mrs. Hopper now owns property to the extent of 128 acres of fine land on which are three oil wells.

Mr. Hopper was an industrious, thrifty and enterprising man, a Democrat in his political views, and, with his wife, a consistent member of the Congregational Church. His death was deeply

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felt, not only by his friends and associates, but by the entire community, who appreciated his many good qualities. The children born to this worthy couple are as follows: Mary J., born May 26, 1848, in England, is the wife of Will- iam Wakefield, of Bowling Green; by a former marriage to William E. Wilson, she has two sons, Charles W. and Wilber E. William R., born May 3, 1851, married Rachel Coen, and has three children, George O., Perry C. and Jennie V. Lydia A., born August 2, 1861, is the wife of G. J. Thomas, and they reside with her mother on the home farm.

Mrs. Hopper's parents were Thomas and Mary (Carter) Pruden. Her father died when she was eight years old, and her mother when she was twenty-one. She has two brothers, Robert, living in England, and Samuel, a farmer in Wood county. Mrs. Hopper is a most esti- mable woman, and highly esteemned by all her acquaintances.

JOSEPH HAMPTON, who during his life was a resident of Plain township, was born in Ross county, Ohio, November 25, 1825, and died March 26, 1805. He was married November 16, 1847, to Miss Eliza J. Wilson, who was born in Mercer county, Penn., December 18, 1829, and after their marriage settled (in the fall of 1848) on the farm his widow now owns and occupies. Mr. Hampton was a carpenter by trade, and du- ring the earlier years of his life followed that oc- cupation. Ill health, however, compelled him to give up steady work, and he removed to the farm, where he carried on contracting until the infirmi- ties of increasing age forced him to abandon all labor. He was a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and a loyal citizen. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a Christian, and a firm believer in the Bible.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hampton seven children were born, as follows: Warren W. . born May 29, 1850, is postmaster at Dunbridge, Wood county; he married Miss Malinda Jackson, and they had five children --- Maude, Bernice, James and Pearl, and Cora Viola, born July 23, 1890, died Sep- tember 11, 1891. Cynthia, born November 5, 1851, is the wife of Adelbert Segar, and lives in Dunbridge, Ohio; they have seven children, namely: Electa the wife of Joseph Kelly, and has two children-May and Everett), Joseph, Frank, Edna, Arthur, Lenora and Alva. Cassins A., born May 20, 1853, married Ella Perrin, and lias three sons: Edgar, Percy and Donald; he is a merchant at Perrysburg, Ohio. John C., born June 26, 1856, is an engineer on the Baltimore

& Ohio railroad, and resides at Garrett, Ind. ; he married Ada Budd, and they have two children. Wade and Mildred. Emma, born October 7, 1858. is the wife of J. D. Killyen, and they reside with her mother on the home farm. Adele, born June 15, 1860, married Ralph Shay, and died April 20, 1885. Manley B., born April 14, 1864, died July 10, 1875.

Mrs. E. J. Hampton, the widow of our sub- ject, is a woman of superior intelligence and ex- cellent business capacity. For several years she carried on a country store for the Grange, finally purchasing the stock, and is now operating it for herself on her farm. She has been very success- ful in her enterprises, and deserves the high es- teem in which she is held by all who know her. Mrs. Hampton is the daughter of William and Re- becca (McDowell) Wilson. Her father was born May 3, 1802, near Mount Vernon, Ohio, but when a child his parents removed to Pennsyl- vania. He was then married, his wife being a native of Westmoreland county, that State, born May 30, 1812. Soon after their marriage they removed to Ohio in 1835. afterward returning to Pennsylvania to educate their children. They again came to Ohio and settled in Plain town- ship, when there were only three houses where the city of Bowling Green now stands. The moth- er of Mrs. Hampton died August 26, 1851, and the father married a second time, and moved to Defiance county, Ohio, where he died near Hicks- ville, August 26, 1887. He was a carpenter by trade, and a member of Church. His parents were John and Mary (Cox) Wilson, the former of whom died in Iowa, and the latter in Wood county.

NOAH HAMILTON. Faithfulness to duty in all the relations of life has secured to this gentle- man the high regard of those who know him, and has made him worthy of representation in the his- tory of his adopted county. A son of Andrew and Christina (Bickle) Hamilton, he was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 14. 1851. His father was born in Hocking county, this State, July 10, 1823, and was there married, March 20. 1849, to Miss Bickle, whose birth occurred Sep- tember 20, 1829. He was a gentleman of fine education. and considerable prominence. When a young man he learned the carpenter's tra le during vacations. His parents, John and Hettie (Spears) Hamilton, were pioneers of Hocking connty, and natives of Virginia. The parents of our subject located in Fairfield county, and for twenty years the father followed teaching. He was a prominent worker in the United Brethren

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Church, and one of nature's noblemen. He died in Fairfield county, April 21, 1867, and his wife died August 8, 1864. They had nine children ----- Joseph, born December 17, 1849, living with Noah, who is the second in order of birth; Simon, born September 30, 1853, a carpenter of Liberty; Abram, born July 14, 1855, who died at the age of six years and three months; John, who was born October 6, 1856, and died at the age of four years and eleven months; Mary, born May 17, 1858, wife of Edward Calderwood, of Idaho; Phobe, born April 30, 1860, now in Flor- ida; James Monroe, who was born September 10, 1862, and died at the age of ten years; Ezra, born March 26, 1864, now in a factory in In- diana.

Noah Hamilton remained on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when his father died, and he started out to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand for twelve years, and receiving from $18 to $28 per month. He was married in Clear Creek, Fairfield Co., Ohio, October 16, 1873, to Ann M. Vandemark, who was there born October 11, 1856, a daughter of Charles and Maria (Woodring) Vandemark, natives of Fairfield county. Our subject and his wife located at Clear Creek, where he farmed on shares, until coming to Wood county in the spring of 1882. Here he rented land until the fall of 1889, when he located on his present farm, which he had purchased in 1887. He erected his residence two years later, and now has a good start in life, all owing to his own industry and perseverance. Besides his own farm of seven- teen acres, he cultivates 250 acres of rented land.

Three children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton-Rosa Rebecca, born March 14, 1878; Frank Russell, born October 26, 1880; and Lillie May, born December 1, 1884. Their eldest child, Elda, born July 17, 1874, died in infancy. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat, and has served as supervisor.

JOHN W. STERLING is a self-made man of Wood county, whose success in life may be at- tributed alone to his enterprise and good man- agement. These qualities have overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and have brought to him a well-merited prosperity.

Mr. Sterling was born in St. Joseph county, Mich., December 12, 1855, and is'a son of John A. Sterling. The family was founded in America by Jacob Sterling, the great-grandfather of our subject, a native of Ireland, who, on en igrating to America, located in Hancock county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. The grand-

father, George Sterling, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The father of our subject was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, March 2, 1832, and was a defender of the Union during the Civil war, enlisting August 5, 1861, in Company D, 92d O. V. I. He served until the close of the struggle, and was wounded at Chickamauga by a minie ball in the right knee; was at the siege of At- lanta, also in the celebrated march to the sea, and was a faithful defender of the old flag. By occu- pation he is a farmer. In Noble county, Ohio, in 1850, he married Miss Elizabeth Dolison, and then located on a rented farm in Noble county; but afterward removed with his family to Michi- gan, where he rented land until he had saved enough to purchase property. In the winter of 1866 he came to Wood county, and rented 160 acres of land in Henry township belonging to his brother. . He afterward bought forty acres in Section 21, same township, built a log cabin, and there made his home until 1875. when he removed to Hammansburg, where he and his wife are still living. The members of their fain- ily were as follows: Rachel J., who died in Michigan; John W .; Sarah Elizabeth, deceased wife of Charles Johnson, of Henry township, Wood county; Nancy Ellen, who died in child- hood; George F., of Hammansburg; James, of Woodville, Ohio; Sylvester, who died at the age of two; Charles, who is also living in Henry township; and Ernest True, at home.

In the district schools Mr. Sterling acquired his education, but the greater part of his training was that of farm labor. At the age of sixteen, he left home to earn his own living by work as a farm hand, and received for his services $15 per month. He was thus employed until his mar- riage, which was celebrated in Hammansburg, October 7, 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss Amelia Elizabeth Ackerman, who was born in Henry township, on April 1, 1858. For two years they lived in Hammansburg, and then re- moved to their present home, which Mr. Sterling rented for three years, and then purchased. The place at first comprised eighty acres. To this he has added forty acres, and he also owns a valu- able tract of eighty acres in Hancock county, Olio. The entire place is fenced, he has a good bearing orchard of two and one-half acres, and. in 1888, he erected a commodions and comfort- able dwelling, while all the other improvements of a model farm are found upon his place.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, their names and dates of birth being Jennie Etta, November 27, 1876; Birtus E .. . Au- gust 29, ISSO; Pearl, September is, 1883:

MRS. AMELIA STERLING.

JOHN W. STERLING.

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Frank, March 23, 1886; Joseph, March 19, 1888; and Merl, December 21, 1893. Mr. Sterling gives his political support to the Democracy, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business dealings, in which he has met with signal success.

JOHN C. JOHNSTON, whose genial, pleasant manner has gained him many friends, and made him a popular citizen, was born in Meadville, Penn., September 15, 1855. His father, James S. Johnston, was born in the same place in 1816, and when a young man acquired a knowledge of carpentering, which he followed for a number of years in connection with farming. He married Rachel C. Wingate, who is still on the old home- stead in the Keystone State. The father died in 1887. Their children were Emma, who died in Meadville; John C .; Ella, who married Frank Thatcher, of Meadville; William J., an oil man of Rudolph, Wood county; and George, who is living on the old homestead. The family was founded in America by the grandfather of our Subject, Launcelot Johnston, who with his five brothers went from Ireland to England in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and after a few years crossed the Atlantic, locating first in Canada, where several of the brothers made per- manent homes and acquired considerable prop- erty. Their descendants still live in that coun- try, and are very wealthy. The grandfather of our subject and one brother came to the United States, the latter locating in New York, where he became a wealthy merchant. Launcelot Johnston took up his residence in Pennsylvania. While in Canada he had considerable property confiscated by the British government, on account of his sympathies with the United States.

Oil Company, and is now acting in that capa .- ity. He looks after their entire interests in this district, and in the discharge of his duties dis- plays the utmost fidelity and trustworthiness.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was blessed with three children, but Lola died at the age of four years. The others are Earl and For- est. Mr. Johnston takes quite an active interest in political affairs, and is a stanch Democrat. Diligence and perseverance have won for him a comfortable competence, and his honorable ca- reer has secured him a place among Wood coun- ty's most respected citizens.

AARON P. TREADWELL, deceased, was one of the valued and leading citizens of Middleton township. . He was born in Connecticut Febru- ary 4, 1816, acquired his education in that State. and afterward followed the profession of school teaching. In 1850 he removed to Wood county. locating in Grand Rapids, where he taught school for five years, and in 1855 he removed to Hull Prairie, where he and T. Junkins entered 160 acres of land from the government, for which they paid seventy-five cents per acre. He won success in his business ventures, acquiring a comfortable competence. He traveled through- out the country, and wherever he went made friends, for he possessed a genial, kindly disposi- tion that gained him the warm regard of all.

In 1855 Mr. Treadwell was united in mar- riage at Tontogany. Ohio, to Elizabeth Black, a sister of Capt. Black, of Bowling Green. The following named children were born to them- Thomas W., born June 5, 1856. died in June. 1857; Phoebe E., born August 10, 1858, dicd May 23, 1864: Mina B., born February 19. 1864, died January 16, 1892, the wife of George Mundis, of Kansas; Libbie T., born September 7, 1867; Arona P., born November 4, 1869. the wife of Forest McClung, of Plain township, mar- ried March 15. 1892, and on October 3. 1894. they became the parents of a daughter -- Jessie.

Our subject received a good English educa- tion, and remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he went to Clarion county, Penn. There lie was employed in vari- ous ways in the oil fields, and eventually became Mr. Treadwell was a member of the Episco- pal Church, in which he was confirmed in youth. He devoted many hours to the study of the Bible, and was interested in all that would bene- fit his fellowmen, being numbered among the valned members of the community. He died April 14, 1888, leaving a family and many freuds to mourn his death. Mrs. Treadwell still resides on the old homestead, and is a most estimb). lady. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and her daughter of the Baptist Church. a driller. He also worked in the oil fields of Allegany county, N. Y., and while there was married, in 1882, to Miss Ella Richmond, who was born in Saginaw county, Mich., in 1863. They began house-keeping in the little town of Obi, N. Y., and after five years removed to Lima, Ohio, where Mr. Johnston was connected with the oil trade for two years. He then removed to Decatur, Ill., but after nine months became a resident of Liberty township, Wood Co., Ohio. In January, 1888, he was appointed to fill the , and belongs to the Christian Endeavor Societ! position of district superintendent for the Ohio ! Mrs. Treadwell has long been a resident of the 77

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county, and is a representative of one of the first families, her father having located in Washing- ton township in 1832, when Wood county was a vast unbroken wilderness. She can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life, when settle- ments were widely scattered, and the work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun.

WILLIAM A. FRIES is now carrying on agri- cultural pursuits in Bloom township, where al- most his entire life has been passed. His birth occurred in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, February 11, 1859, and he is the second child and eldest son of Solomon and Louisa (Steckel) Fries. When still an infant he was brought by his par- ents to Bloom township; where he was reared to manhood in much the same manner as most farmer boys, though his educational privileges were better than the average. After attending District School No. 8, in the neighborhood, he entered the Fostoria Academy, where he pur- sued his studies for several terms. For fifteen winters he was then engaged in teaching, two in Perry township, but the remainder in Bloom township, where he also taught two summer terms. He lived upon the old homestead, where his first lessons in farming and business methods were secured, until 1884, since which time he has lived upon some of his father's lands.

On October 28, ISS3, Mr. Fries led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah V. Blair, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born near Bloomville, and a daughter of Jackson Blair. They have an in- teresting, intelligent family of four children- Harry A., Clyde C., Ruby M., and Maud O. For eight years Mr. Fries resided at Bloom Center; but. on April 3, 1894, he located upon part of the old Russell homestead, to the cultivation of which he now devotes his time. He is a wide- awake, progressive farmer, a close observer, and has benefited by his father's instruction and the example set by him. He has ever been a thor- ough student, and is one of the most intelligent and esteemed citizens of the locality. His polit- ical support is given to the Republican party, and he has served as assessor for one term. His wife, a inost estimable lady, is a consistent member of the Christian Church.

PETER JUNK, who is numbered among the worthy German citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to Wood county, was born in Rhine- land, government of Trier, Prussia, March 28, 1834. and is a son of Philip and Maria Katrina (Ilolstein) Junk. The father was a farmer and linen weaver, who served as a soldier in the war

in Luxemburg, and died in 1867, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife passed away in 1855. at the age of fifty-five years. Their children are Joseph, Barbara, Emma and Katrina, all in Germany; Peter, of this sketch; Casper, of Germany; Margaret, who died at the age of twelve years; and Philip, who died at the age of seven.

Our subject attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, and at the age of fifteen learned the trade of linen weaving with his fa- ther, earning one mark per day. He followed that pursuit until twenty-eight years or age. when he turned his attention to farm work; but believing that he would have better opportunities in the New World. he determined to try his fortune here. On April 17, 1862, he sailed from Ant- werp on the vessel, "Germany," which after a voyage of forty-seven days, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. He came direct to Lorain county, where he spent two weeks with friends, and then went to Michigan, working in the copper mines of Houghton for a year.

Returning to Lorain county, Mr. Junk wa: then joined by the lady to whom he had become engaged in his native land, and they were mar- ried August 22, 1866. She bore the maiden name of Margaret Mahanen, and was born Au- gust 21, 1842. They removed to Wood coun- ty, where Mr. Junk purchased twenty-eight acres of wild land, building thereon a plank house. He afterward added twelve acres to this, and subsequently bought the twelve-acre tract on which his residence is now located. He sold the lumber, which he cut, to the railroad com- pany, and in those early days had a hard time to make a start; but as time passed. he has pros- pered, and is now the possessor of a comfortable home.

In IS92 Mr. Junk was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of April, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Custar. Five children survive her: John, a farmer of Milton township; Joseph, at home; Mary, wite of Peter Berres, of Milton township: Annie and Katie, at home. The family are communicants of St. Louis' Catholic Church of Custar; and, in politics, Mr. Junk is a Democrat.

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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 65

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1140