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 66
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JOHN JOHNSTON was born in Section g, Port- age township, January 12, 1844, and is the son of Jaines and Susannah (Durler Johustou. Mr. Johnston spent his youth attending the dis- trict schools and working on the farm until july 25, 1862, when he enlisted at Portage, in Company A, rooth O. V. I., under Capt. John A. Sharaon.
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The regiment was ordered to Covington, Ky .. where its first duty was performed. The first en- gagement was entered into between Lexington and Fort Sterling, and the first battle took place at Limestone, Tenn. Our subject was with his regiment all through the war, with the exception of ten days. He enlisted as a private, and was made a corporal at Knoxville, Tenn .. September 5, 1864. He was confined ten days in the hos- pital at Lexington, Ky., with the measles, and was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., June 20, 1865, and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 2, 1865. After his discharge he came to Portage township, where he was married July 19, 1866, to Miss Mary M. Miller, who was born in Scipio township, Seneca county, October 18, 1847, the daughter of Amos B., and Nancy (Shaffner) Mil- ler, her parents being from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Johnston located on forty acres of land in Section 9, and lived there until October. 1892, when he moved to Section Io, where he now lives and has 200 acres of land, 160 of which are cleared. The children of this couple are: Nancy A. is now Mrs. John Cox, of Milton township; Ciant E. is a farmer in Portage township; Sher- Man M. resides at home; Mabel A. is also at home. Our subject has always been a Republic- an, being an ardent believer in "sound money and protection," and has served seven years as trustee of the township, and of which he has been clerk since April. 1894, also holding the of- fice of clerk of the township board. He has been president of the school board, and was for eight- een years director in District No. 2. of Portage township. He is a member of Wiley Post No. 46, at Bowling Green, and was formerly commander of the G. A. R. Post at Portage. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Johnston is a well-known man, a respected citizen and a most successful farmer. He has a wide acquaintance, made while carrying out con- tracts in ditching throughout his section of the county. He has a family of which any man might be proud, and they all live happily on the home farm.
C. WILSON SOLETHER, of Jerry City, one of the ablest and most successful young business men of Wood county, was born January 14, 1857, in Section 5, Bloom township, the son of Charles and Sarah (Miller) Solether. The family name is a synonym in this region for all that goes to make up good citizenship, and his own career does credit to their record.
Mr. Solether was reared upon a farm, and re- ceived thorough instruction in the ancient and
honorable occupation of agriculture, his attend- ance at the district school being often interupted thereby. As he grew older his active and aspir- ing mind demanded a better opportunity for de- velopment, and he studied for some time in ad- vanced schools in other places, spending three years in Oberlin. He began teaching in Bloom township for $1. 50 per day, and boarded at home, going five miles to his school, sweeping his school room and building his own fires. His work as a teacher in Bloom and Portage townships ex- tended over seven years. In 1879 he spent his summer vacation in Kansas, working on farms. On December 22, 1882, he was married in Zanes- ville, to Miss Lizzie Weaver, daughter of Philip Weaver, a prominent farmer of Muskingum county. Mr. Solether expended all his savings in fitting up a home in Portage township, and for two years he conducted his father's farm there. He then bought eighty acres of timber land in that township, going heavily in debt for it. This he cleared, working in the woods in winter and farming his fields in summer. He also got out timber for others, and the opening of the oil busi- ness furnished him plenty of work in teaming, for some time. But the discovery of oil, upon his own land, soon gave him more profitable em- ployment, and as his means increased he has en- larged his farm and now owns 324 acres in Bloom and Portage townships, not to be surpassed for agricultural purposes. He is progressive and far- sighted, putting into effect, successfully, the ap- proved scientific methods of the day. He also owns six acres within the corporation limits of Jerry City, and since July, 1884, he has made his home there, adding many first-class improve- ments. Always a great reader, his range of in- formation is unusually wide. Notwithstanding his success, he is very unassuming in manner. not suffering apparently from the "cerebral en- largement," which often follows so radical a change in circumstances. His home is a center of culture and refinement, and his five children, Earl K., Ralph B., Glenn E., Alta F. and Clyde, are enjoying excellent educational advantages. Mr. Solether has been a Republican from the time he cast his first vote for Garfield, to the present time. He is one of the leaders of the party in his locality, has been trustee of both Bloom and Portage townships, and a member of the board of education of Jerry City for nine years. serving the entire time as clerk. He is also, at present, the corporation treasurer of the town. and has been a delegate to several county con- ventions. He belongs to Lodge No. 002, 1. (). O. F., at Jerry City.
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SOLOMON SMITH, a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Bloom township, is a native of Ohio, born September 13, 1829, son of john H. and Elizabeth (Keefer) Smith. His early life was uneventful, passed in the usual manner of farmer boys; but, in 1852, he left home, going overland to California in the spring of that year, and remained in the Golden State until the fall of 1855, when he returned by the Panama route.
On the first day of the year 1856, in Mifflin township, Richland Co., Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary Zody, who was born in Bedford county, Penn., January 5, 1831, and was six years old when brought by her parents, Jacob and Catherine (Ebersole) Zody, to Richland county. Although his father was in comfortable circumstances he was unable to give our subject any assistance at that time. He operated the home farm until the spring of 1860, when he removed to Section 8, Bloom township, Wood county, locating upon the 160-acre tract which he and his brother Henry had bought the fall previous. He came by wagon, and, besides his own family, which consisted of his wife and three children, he was accompanied by his brother- in-law, David H. Wirick. Twenty-five acres of the land had been cleared, and a log house, 18 x20 feet, erected, but he went earnestly to work to improve his place, and year after year saw more land under cultivation. He had gone in debt several hundred dollars, but as he was young, strong and active, it did not discourage him, and it was soon paid off.
To the marriage of our subject were born four children, as follows: Abraham Franklin, a physi- cian, of Wawpecong, Ind. ; George G. and Dora E., twins, the former of whom died in Oregon, and the latter of whom is now at home; and Iola E., wife of Isaac Loe, of Portage township, Wood county. Mr. Smith now owns 120 acres of fertile and productive land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time until meeting with a very unfortunate accident on September 8, 1894, when, at Perrysburg, Ohio, he was run over by the cars, losing his left leg just below the knee, and a part of his right foot. In the fall of 1892, he had removed to that city, but he returned to his farm in the spring of 1895. The improve- ments upon the place all stand as monuments to his thrift and industry, and it has been trans- formed into one of the most valuable farms of the township. In 1887, Mr. Smith leased his farm to the Standard Oil Co., and there are now four wells in operation, producing about nineteen tanks of IS0 barrels each per month; he receives | daughter, born August 6, 1896. Mr. Stiger toon
one-eighth of the oil. One gas well is also in operation. Politically our subject votes the straight Democratic ticket, but he is no office seeker, as his time has been wholly occupied by his business affairs. The family is one of prom- inence in the community, standing high in social circles, and Mrs. Smith is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
JOSEPH W. STIGER. Like many other resi- dents of Wood county who have succeeded through their own diligence, energy and economy. the gentleman whose name stands at the begin- ning of this sketch started out in life with naught but an abundance of determination and indefati- gable industry, and a strong and healthy consti- tution. In the spring of 1894 he entered into a partnership with C. H. Hoiles, forming the firm of Stiger & Hoiles, who are now successfully engaged in general carpenter work, also running a lumber yard and planing-mill.
Mr. Stiger was born near Bettsville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, January 1, 1863, son of Isaac and Phæbe (Goucher) Stiger, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Toledo, Ohio, of German descent. By trade the father was a carpenter. He was employed at that occupation at Fremont, Ohio. and Fort Wayne, Ind., and then returned to Bettswyle. where he and his wife now make their home. While his parents were living at those places our subject attended the common schools, and thus acquired a fair education. As early as 1876 he began working at the carpenter's trade with his father, and became competent to perform almost any labor along that line. In the spring of 1881 he began work at his trade for the Nickel Plate railroad, building depots, and was soon promoted to foreman of a gang, holding that position until June of the same year. He was later with the C. J. & M. railroad, in Michigan. The following winter, however, was spent in Ohio, and in the spring of 1883 he went to Eaton Rapids, Mich .. where he worked at his trade.
On March 31, 1884, Mr. Stiger was married, at Maple Grove, Ohio, the lady of his choice: being Miss Ida B. Riley, who was born in Mort- gomery township, Wood county, March 25, 186 ;. and was educated in the district schools. She is the daughter of John and Sophrona Ensminger Riley, who now make their home in Prairie Depot ; by occupation her father is a farmer. By her marriage she has become the mother ! three children- Arlington A., born January : 1886; Vernie V., born November 9, 1801, and .
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his bride to Eaton Rapids, working there for others until the spring of 1885, when he began contracting there. In ISSS he moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he was employed by the large real-estate firm of John B. White & Co., superintending the erection of their residences. On September 19, 1889, however, he returned to Prairie Depot, and worked for a short time in the factory of G. W. Hedge. He was then engaged in business alone until forming his present connection. He is one of the most skillful inechanics in the county, and an excellent work- man, as many of the best homes and business blocks, of Prairie Depot testify, and was engaged by the school board to superintend the erection of the elegant school building of that place, having charge of all the carpenter work. He stands high in the confidence of the people as a straightforward business man, and a most thorough and efficient mechanic.
In politics Mr. Stiger is a silver Democrat, and manifests considerable interest in the success of his party, though he has always refused to become a candidate for office. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Eaton Rapids, Mich., and was one of the founders of Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., of Prairie Depot. He now has a pleasant home at that place,- which he built in the fall of 1893, and there he and his estimable wife delight to enter- tain their many friends.
MARTIN LEMBRICH. Among the sturdy and stalwart citizens of Portagetownship, whose place of birth was the far-away German Fatherland, and who, with the industry and thrift so natural to the people of their native land, are rapidly progressing toward that financial condition so much coveted by all, is the subject of this per- sonal history. He was born in Bavaria, June 6, 1824, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Daut- erman) Lembrich, who were the parents of five children: Valentine, Martin, Catherine, Henry and Jacob. Both parents died in Germany, the father at the age of sixty, and the mother at fifty-five years.
According to the laws of his native land, our subject was provided with a good education, and had never left home even for a single night until he came to America in September, IS51. From London, England, he sailed on the vessel " Queen Victoria," which made the passage in thirty days. and, after landing at New York came at once to Wood county, where he arrived in October. At Cleveland, Ohio, his money gave out, and he had to borrow $5 to bring him to his destination. He
was here employed at ditching, clearing and gen- eral farm work at fifty cents per day, and thus secured a start in the New World. Before his marriage, however, he was able to purchase forty acres of wild land in Section 8, Portage town- ship.
In that township, in July, 1854, Mr. Lem- brich wedded Miss Margaret Amos, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Michael Amos, who brought her to the United States when an infant. They became the parents of five children: Lewis, who lives in Portage township; George, who died in Liberty township, Wood county, at the age of thirty-one years; Caroline, who married James Taylor, and died in Bowling Green, Ohio; Frederick, at home; and Catherine, now Mrs. Nicholas Wisebaugh, of Portage township. The mother of this family died in September, 1868, and was laid to rest in Portage cemetery In the following spring, Mr. Lembrich was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Durler, who was born in Portage township, October 5, 1844, and is a daughter of Jacob and Magdalene (Schruntz) Durler. By this marriage he has one daughter -- Celesta M.
Mr. Lembrich has converted his timbered tract into one of the best farms of Portage town- ship, making all of the improvements found thereon, and extending the boundaries of his place until it now comprises eighty acres of ara- ble land. For the past five years, however, he has laid aside business cares, enjoying a well- earned rest. In his political views he coincides with the Democratic party, and in the discharge of his elective franchise votes for the candidates offered by that organization. Mrs. Lembrich is a consistent and sincere member of the Christian Union, belonging to Cloverdale Class.
DAVID B. COTANT. Among the leading and influential farmers of Bloom township, who thoroughly understand their business and pursue their chosen calling in a methodical and work- manlike manner, is the subject of this biography. He was born in Bloom township, April 13. 1852, and is a son of Charles and Rebecca (Taylor) Cotant. He was reared to rural life, receiving tlie usual education of such by attending .. Hope- well school." District No. 7. and his first teacher was John K. Lasher.
Mr. Cotant was married in Hancock county, Ohio, on August 7, 1873. the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Wineland, whose birth oc- curred in Fayette county, Penn., June 2;, 1852. Her parents, David and Catherine (Barnhart) Wineland, removed when she was about seven
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years of age to Hancock county and there she had a very poor chance of attending school. By her marriage with our subject she has become the mother of three children-Clara A., wife of J. M. Stilwell, of Perry township, Wood county; Clinton J., who died in infancy; and Edna O., at home. In Perry township Mr. Cotant rented a farm for a few months, but in 1873, he located upon his present valuable farm, and in August of the following year began the construction of his comfortable dwelling. At the time of his arrival there were only three acres cleared, but year after year saw more land placed under the plow, and he has converted the tract into a highly-cul- tivated farm. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party; is a stock- holder in the Northwestern Fair Association of Fostoria, Ohio, and he and his wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is at present one of the trustees.
W. C. SMITH, though young in years, is one of the most energetic and enterprising agricultur- ists of Perry township. A native of the Buckeye State, he was born in Logan county, April IS, 1860, a son of William E. Smith, a prominent farmer of Wood county. He was but a child when brought by his parents to this county, where he was reared as most farmer boys and obtained his education in the district schools near his home. A month before he reached his majority he started out in life for himself, and for two summers before his marriage worked as a farm hand.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Smith, was in her maidenhood Miss Ada Loucks. a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Fretts) Loucks. who caine to Wood county in 1878, locating in Section 31, Perry township, where they still re- side. The daughter was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., March 20, 1866, and in Perry township, on the 15th of June, 1882, became the wife of our subject. One daughter graces their union-Sylvia M., born April 1, 1890.
For two years after his marriage, Mr. Smith cultivated his father's farm in Perry township; but in the spring of 1884 he removed to Page county, Iowa, where he rented land until October, 1885. when he returned to Wood county and leased a house near the old homestead, which he again operated. That same fall, however, he purchased twenty-five acres of land in Bloom township, Wood county, on which he resided for three years, but now makes his home on his father's farm. He owns forty acres of excellent land in Perry township. For some time he engaged in ditch- ing, by which business he gained a start in life.
Mr. Smith in giving close attention to his farm- ing interests, has but little time to devote to political matters, but has studied politics suffi- ciently to determine that the principles of the Prohibition party more nearly coincide with his views than those of any other, especially on the liquor question, and accordingly gives it hisuniform support, though he was formerly a Republican. He and his wife are earnest members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has served as a class leader, and has for several years taught in the Sunday-school.
A. W. NAFUS, a progressive and successful agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, was born September 24, 1842, in Wyandot county, Ohio. William Nafus, his father, was a native of Eng- land, born in 1774, came to America in 1781. and died about 1852. He settled upon a farm in Wyandot county, Ohio. He was twice mar- ried: for his first wife, he wedded Miss Salome Carpenter, who was born November 22, 1775, and died April 20, 1837. To this union were born five children. On July 24, 1838, he mar- ried for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Clabaugh, widow of Joseph Clabaugh, of Mccutchenville, Ohio. Her maiden name was Mary Krause. To this union were born three children, all of whom are yet living: Nancy, born October 10, 1840. married Simon P. Starkey, of Green Springs, Ohio; A. W., our subject; Clarissa, born May I, 1845, married A. C. Vine, of Wentworth, S. D. The mother of this family died in February, 1869. at Mccutchenville, Ohio, at the age of sixty-three years. She was a kind and loving mother, and her death was deeply mourned by her children.
A. W. Nafus attended the district schools near his home and worked upon the farm until 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, 4th O. V. I., Col. Mason and Capt. George Weaver. commanding. From Camp Dennison, his regi- ment was sent to the front and took part in thirty-one battles, among them the engagements at Fair Oaks and Winchester. Mr. Nafus lost two toes, was wounded in the right groin, and for several months was confined to the hospital; but he returned to his regiment, and remained until he received an honorable discharge June 21, 1St. having been in the service three years, fow months and twenty-one days. A year and a half at home enabled him to recover somewhat hin- former health, and at the end of that time he went to Iowa and found employment is there- man, remaining two years On his retin hơn. he worked twenty years as a carpenter and joner. but in 1889 he bought a farm of forty acres n.
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Grand Rapids, upon which he built a fine dwell- ing house and barns, and made other improve- ments. To this place he devoted the greater part of his time, working at his trade as oppor- tunity offered.
On April 21, 1865, he was married to Miss Catherine Everhart, of Wyandot county, who was born May 17, 1847. To them have been born eight children: Manda L., June 6, 1866, inarried John Whitmore, in 1882, and has three children; Byron S., February 23, 1868; Alice and Albert (twins) March S, 1871, the former married to Frank Philips, October 4, 1892, and has one child, and the latter works at the carpenter trade; George F., October 4, 1873, a mason at Custar, Ohio, married Mary E. Stocke, June 11, 1895 (she was born May 28, 1870), and has one child; Charles, born February 12, 1875; Howard, Jan- uary 4, 1880; and Mabel May, October 12, 1887. After our subject was married he went to work at the carpenter's trade, and served an apprentice- ship of seven years. He then started out to work for himself, as a contractor and builder, with a large force of men. He worked in, Tiffin, and Kenton until the time of the " boom," when he went to Findlay. His industry supported the above mentioned family of eight children, and he is now well-fixed, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Nafus is a genial, industrious, honest citizen, and not the least amiable trait of his character is his uncomplaining of impaired health. a result of his devotion to the Union cause. He is highly esteemed wherever he is known, and takes an active part in all local affairs, serving at one time as township supervisor. In politics he is a Republican, and socially is a member of the G. A. R., Bond Post No. 24, and of the I. O. O. F., No. 494, of Adrian, Ohio. He and his wife are prominent members of the United Pres- byterian Church of Grand Rapids township, and their interest in any progressive measure is ready and sincere. Mr. Nafus has been a member of the township school board for two terms, and is at the present time president of the board. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and ever stands ready to aid his fellow- men in times of need, frequently discommoding himself to accommodate a friend.
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and four daughters, born to Hezekiah and Eliza- beth (Weed) Simons. The father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was a farmer by oecu- pation, and died in Genesee county, N. Y., being killed by a falling limb while chopping down a tree.
The educational advantages of our subject were very limited. and at the age of eleven years he left home, starting to make his own way in the world as a farm hand. When not yet twenty years of age he was married in his native county to Mary Bair, and with his wife came to Ohio in the early part of the " 30s," locating in Jackson township, Seneca county. He had been cheated out of $1 30 due him for labor by an unprincipled man, and on coming to this State had little more than the horse and wagon with which he made the trip. They left all their household goods, with the exception of a feather bed, in New York, and later he sent for them, but they were lost en route. With a capital of twelve shillings our subject began life in the Buckeye State. For a short time he made a temporary honie with his brother-in-law, Samuel Bair, who had preceded him to this State, and later went in debt for forty acres of timber land, on which he built a cabin of round logs, which was his first home since he left the parental roof when only eleven years old. On account of the water. it was difficult to raise anything, and their first crops were corn and potatoes. Our subject struggled along, each year bettering his condition until he had paid for his land. Later he traded this for a better tract, and bought eighty acres in addition, for which he went in debt. On selling out after some years, he removed to Washington township, Hancock county, where he bought 100 acres. He met with an accident, however. breaking his shoulder by falling out of a wagon, which disabled him, and, as he had gone into debt for his land, he was afraid he could not pay for it, and so disposed of the property. He then came to Perry township, Wood county, where, in 1849, he purchased the fine farm of 166 acres owned by him at the time of his death.
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