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 68
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From its primitive condition Mr. Sonle has developed his farm of forty acres until it is now a valuable tract, supplied with good buildings which he himself erected. His first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, from which time he was a stanch Republican until 1890, but he now supports the Prohibition party, as it embodies his principles on the liquor question. For the long period of fifteen years he held the position of school director of District No. 1, for three years was justice of the peace, and for one year
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assessor, always discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He and his estimable wi' are active members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school, and he is at present secretary of the Quarterly Conference of his circuit.
J. B. BLAIR, a prosperous agriculturists of Bloom township, residing near Jerry City, is one of those fariners, who, by energetic work and business like management, refute the complaint that, " farming does not pay." He is systematic, prompt, and always willing to put his shoulder to the wheel, and has succeeded in gaining a competency in spite of a most discouraging be- ginning.
Mr. Blair was born August 10, 1854, in Blair's Valley, Washington Co., Md., which had been for several generations the home of his family, and took its name from them. Tradition has it that three brothers of this name came from Eng- land in the latter part of the eighteenth century: One settled near Dayton, Ohio, one was lost sight of, and the, other settled in Blair's Valley. His son Andrew, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer there, and the father of twelve children --- five. boys and seven girls. Andrew J. Blair, our subject's father, born January 8, 1825, was the third youngest of this family, a brother and sister being younger than he, and as his father had only forty acres of land, he had but limited advantages in early life; he attended a subscription school only a few weeks, the public schools not being organized until he was too old to avail himself of the advantages offered by them. On October 30, 1848, he was married in Franklin county, Penn., to Miss Mary Sword, who was born March 17, 1827, in that locality, where her ancestors were pioneer settlers. Her father, Jacob Sword. owned a farm of fifty acres, and carried on the trade of wagon making. He married Catherine Tanner, and both lived to the age of sixty-seven years. They were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and were highly respected by all who knew them.
At the time of his marriage, our subject's father was conducting the old homestead for his mother, the father having died some years be- fore. He was a natural mechanic, and could work at almost any trade. During the war he bought land in Maryland, but times became hard and in April, 1864, he moved with his family to Ohio. Seneca county was their destination, but he found it difficult to make a living there, and came to Bloom township, where his wife's uncle, 1
Adam Baker, lived. He rented a farm and made a new start in life, engaging after a time in stone quarrying. In the spring of 1871 he bought eighty acres of land, with a log house and ten acres of clearing, going in debt for it. Had he lived he would in all probability have owned the farm in time, but on August 1, 1876, he was thrown by a half-broken colt, while returning home from Fostoria. The accident occurred at 2 P. M., and he lived only five hours. His re- inains were brought home the following day, and later interred in Weaver cemetery. He had been all his life an upright and honorable inan, and while living in Seneca county he and his wife had made open profession of their faith, and united with the U. B. Church. The sad event made it necessary to dispose of the home, and his widow removed to Eagleville, where she has since re- sided. Ten children were born to this worthy couple: Joseph L., a resident of Eagleville: Emma J., who married Emmanuel Ziegler, of Bloom township; Catherine, Mrs. Frank Russell, of Hancock county; J. B., our subject; Jackson, a farmer near Monmouth, Ill. ; Amanda, Mrs. Al- bert Brandeberry, of Bloom township; John, with the B. & O. R. R., at Syracuse, Ind. ; David. who resides at Eagleville; Hannah, the wife of WV. A. Friese, of Bloom township; and Flora, now Mrs. W. H. Mohr, of Bloom township.
J. B. Blair was but ten years old when his parents moved to Seneca county. He had at- tended school for a short time in his native State, and after the removal to Wood county he studied in Prof. Richard's select school at Republic. At the age of thirteen he began to work for farmers near by for wages during the summer, and to do chores in the winter for his board while attending school, and by the time he was twenty-one he had given to his parents $500 in cash. He con- sinued this work until 1874, when he went to Maryland and worked for a cousin in a drug store, intending to study medicine; but the cousin failed. leaving $200 of his wages unpaid, and that plan was frustrated. He passed the teacher's examin- ation in his native county ( Washington county. Md.), but did not teach. On his way home he visited the Centennial. He returned to Wood county shortly after his father's death, and for some time worked at any labor which would bring him an honest penny. Ou February 9, 1879. he was married to Miss Almina Adams, a native of Bloom township, born November 4, 1857, a daughter of David and Lucinda Henry Adams Mr. Blair had saved $175 from his earnings, and his wife owned the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 4, in Bloom township.
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with some incumbrance. They went to house- keeping on this farm, remaining there until IS83, wh i they disposed of it, and after a year spent oil a rented farm, bought their present property of sixty-seven acres near Jerry City. This was in a very unsatisfactory condition at the time of the purchase, but is now one of the best farms in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have one child, Maude, born September 23, ISSI, still at home.
In politics Mr. Blair is a Democrat, as was his father before him, but he reserves the privilege of voting for the best candidate in local affairs, and he never seeks office for himself. A jovial, good- hearted man, he has many friends, and the quali- ties of character which have enabled him to coin success from untoward circumstances command the respect of all who know him. He is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 602, I. O. O. F., of Jerry City.
DAVID DESHETLER is a native of Michigan. He was born in Monroe county, November 9, 1845, and is a son of Peter Deshetler, who was born in the vicinity of Detroit, Mich. The grand- father, Joseph Deshetler, came to the United States froin Canada during the war of 1812, and took up arms against the British government. He afterward settled near Detroit, where he fol- lowed farming. He had married in Canada, and the following named were included among his children : John, Mary, Rorgele, Xavier, and Peter.
The last named was reared near Detroit, and afterward removed to Monroe county, Mich., where he wedded Mary Rabidne, a native of Michigan. About 1852 they came to Wood county, locating on a 160-acre tract of wild land in Liberty township. In 1869 the father sold that property and removed to East Toledo, Ohio, where the mother died. The father afterward married Mrs. Viola (Barber) Stone, and soon re- turned to Monroe county, Mich., where he bought a home and lived for a time. He later took up his residence in Blisstield, Mich., where he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife: He then made his home with our subject until called to his final rest, January 7, 1888. To the par- ents of our subject were born the following named: Jane, who died in childhood; Mary Ann, wife of John Ducat, of Toledo, Ohio; Louis, who died in childhood; David; Christ, of East Toledo, Ohio; Peter, a farmer of Dundee, Mich. ; Albert, who was drowned in 1872, at the age of twenty-eight; and Joseph, who has never been heard from since he left home, in 1575, and went to the West.
Mr. Deshetler, of this sketch, pursued his
education in the district schools of Liberty town- ship, and through his boyhood days aided his father in the cultivation of the home farm. On starting out in life for himself, he located on five acres of land in Liberty township, to which he afterward added thirty acres. His first home was built of logs, into which he moved before the windows were put in; but, as time has passed, he has made excellent improvements upon his land, and, in 1891, erected a very pleasant and comfortable dwelling. He also has five oil wells, whereby his income is materially increased.
Mr. Deshetler was married in Liberty town- ship, September 20, 1863, to Mary Roe, who was born in Monroe county, Mich., April 9, 1847. Their eldest son, Charles, born August 5, 1864, and now living in Liberty township, married An- nie Gouger, and they have two children-Edith Elizabeth and Ralph A. Lenora Adelaide, born December 24, 1867, died at the age of sixteen years. Daniel Henry, born August 20, 1870, married Millie Ducat, and had one child, Alma Alvira; he was employed in a boiler house, which was destroyed by fire in January, 1894, at which time he was burned to death. Josephine Alma, born November 16, 1872; Louis Abra- ham, born October 13, 1875; and Clarence Sam- uel, born March 8, 1882, are at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Deshetler is a Democrat, and served as supervisor for two years, while for three years he was school director. He belongs to St. Aloysius Catholic Church of Bowl- ing Green, and is a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, whose public life and private ca- reer are alike above reproach.
MRS. AMELIA WILKINSON PERRIN, of Perrys- burg, is one of the honored pioneers of Wood county, and one of the few survivors of that little band of settlers who made their home in the early days at the Foot of the Rapids. In spite of her eighty-six years, she retains all her mental faculties, and many and interesting are the reminiscences of the old times, which her memory preserves.
Jacob Wilkinson, her father, was born March 30. 1777, in Morristown, N. J., her mother, Sallie Wightman, on April 14. 1784, in Con. necticut. They were married, in 1803. in Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and five years later, in the winter of 1808-9. moved to Cleveland, Ohio, traveling in sleighs over the snow. In iSit they came to the Foot of the Rapids, on the Mati- mee fiver, and saw Huli's army cross that rivet on its way to Detriot. When news of his sur- render to the British reached the settlers, they
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for the most part fled in fear of the Indians; but as Mr. Wilkinson was away from home at the time, bis family remained until his return. The only means of transportation left was an old row- boat, into which the little family was crowded, and Mr. Wilkinson started by way of the lake to Cleveland. He was well-known there, and when the news came that he and his family were on Lake Erie, in an open row-boat, at the mercy of the waves, the entire city was aroused. As the tine drew near when they might be expected, crowds of people gathered upon the bluffs watching with glasses for the first sign of them, and when they were seen at last, boats were sent out to meet them, carrying wine and food. So overcome was Mr Wilkinson with fatigue and anxiety, that he fainted in the first joy of his deliverance. He remained in Cleveland until the fall of 1815, engaged in ship building. Hav- ing constructed a stanch little craft of his own, the "Black Snake," he and several of his friends brought their families, making their land- ing in a bayou near Fort Meigs. Peace being restored, he made a permanent home here, and for many years was engaged in business, building bridges and wharves. In political affairs he took great interest, and was a Democrat in early life, later a Henry Clay Whig. He died March I. 1834, his wife surviving him but a few years, dying November 26, 1839. They had ten chil- dren, a brief record of whom is as follows: Free- inan, a ship builder, died in San Jacinto, Texas; Harvey, educated in Fredonia, was a merchant in New Albany, Ind., and died in New Orleans of yellow fever; James Merrill, was for some years a druggist at Grand Rapids, but later bought a farm in Fulton county, where he spent the remainder of his life; Amelia, born November 15, ISTO, is the subject of this sketch; Samuel. born November 16, 1812, was a ship builder, and died in Brownsville, Texas, during the cholera epidemic; Emily D., born February 9, 1814, married Sylvester Johnson, of Perrysburg; Will- iam W., born April 29, 1816, was a sailor, and died at Antwerp, Ohio: Nancy L., born May 29, 1819, and died at the age of six months; Clara A., born january 28, 1820, was married October 11, 1850. to G. B. Warner, an architect, a native of Brownsville, N. Y. he died in 1860 in La Salle, Ills., leaving three children: (1) George, a painter in Cass county, Mich., married to Susan Swinchart, of Elkhart, Ind., and had five children -- Clara, Roval M .. Lillian, George and Helen. (2) Ida, who mar- ried Edward Fisher, of Cass county, Mich., and has three children-Herbert, Merlin and Leland;
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(5) Fred E., a resident of Michigan, married to Catherine Avery, of Goshen, Ind., and has four children-Grace, Hazel. Maude and Frederick. Mrs. Warner was married, the second time, in 1862, to Moses McKissick, of Toledo, who after- ward removed to a farm in Cass county, Mich .. where he died in 1894. One daughter was born of this marriage, Grace, now the wife of C. Rinehart, of Cass county, Michigan.
The subject of this sketch was married April 28, 1830, to Jonathan Perrin, who was born in Bedford, Penn., in 1804. He was a house- builder and contractor in Perrysburg, and a lead- ing citizen of that place. He died May IS. 1876. Of -their children six grew to maturity: (1) Theresa married Fred R. Miller, and had three children-William P., who died at Wichita. Kans., leaving one son, Willie; Ernest, a resident of Denver, Col., who married Mary Dodge, a daughter of Judge Dodge, of Bowling Green, and has two children-Hobart and Mary Dodge; and Shelley, of St. Joseph. Mo., superintendent of insurance in that State. (2) Helen P. is the widow of Hon. E. F. Bull, of Ottawa, Illinois. and has had three children-Lillian, the wife of S. W. Ruger (she has one child, Edward); Ed- ward Bull, a law student, who was accidentally shot while hunting in Minnesota; and Follett W. Bull, an attorney at Chicago, Ill., who has one child, Helen Perkins. (3) William Henry, born September 4, 1835, was a merchant in the south, and a captain in the Confederate army; he died in New Orleans, leaving one daughter, Edna. 4. Mary, born June 17, 1838, married Samnei Price, a journalist and lawyer: both are now dead, leaving one child, Ethel. (5) Eugenia, born February 22, 1840. married Dr. J. W. Long, of Bryan, Ohio, and has one son, James W. (6; Wilkinson D., born May 17, 1842, enlisted in the Ist Ohio Artillery, and was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor.
Mrs. Perrin has for many years been a leader in the most exclusive circles of social life in Per- rysburg, and although now less fond of society than of yore, she takes a generous and intelligent interest in all the movements of the day. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHARLES WILLIAM MILBOURN is a native of Wood county, born in Jerry City, July 11, 1855. He is a son of [ .. D. and Julia Ann Rollins Mil- bourn, who had four children, namely: David A., a boiler-maker of Barrington, Chio; Rachel A., wife of Jack McCrory, of Bowling Green; Charles W. ; and Sylvester, at home. Our sub- ject began his education in the district schools of
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Bloom township, but his privileges in that direc- tion were meager, for his services were needed on the home farm: He assisted in its cultivation until he was eighteen years of age. His mother then died, and he started out in life for himself, working at any employment he could secure which would yield him an honest living. He was employed in a sawmill for three years, and when he had acquired a sufficient capital he purchased ten acres of land. He afterward bought forty acres near Bowling Green, and on this tract of land now has a nice home.
Mr. Milbourn was married in Bowling Green, January 14, 1883, to Miss Clara E. Baird, who was born in Wood county. In 1886 they located on the ten-acre tract of land in Liberty town- ship. Mrs. Milbourn has proved to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet. She was born in Eagleville, October 26, 1863, and was the seventh in order of birth in the family of eight children, whose parents were Sherman and Casia (Lacy) Baird. While Mr. Milbourn was attending to his business interests, his wife ad- ded largely to the family income by keeping boarders, having as high as thirty at one time. She continued this work until 1894. Mr. Mil- bourn cleared his land, and made many excellent improvements upon it, including the erection of a fine residence. He now has three oil wells upon the place, which are very productive and profit- able. His honorable business career and straight- forward dealing have won for him a handsome competence, and gained him the respect and good will of all, at the same time demonstrating that success can be achieved by determination and unfaltering industry. He belongs to the Disciples Church, and in politics is a stalwart Re- publican.
D. W. REDDIN, M. D., who for the past ten years has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at North Baltimore, is, though yet a young man, one of the best and most fa- vorably known physicians of Wood county, and he has probably no equal of his age in northern Ohio.
A native of Ohio, he was born January 24, 1860, near Findlay, Hancock county. His fa- ther, Thomas Reddin, was born, in ISos, in Dart- mouth, England, was a man of fine intellectual qualities, and also possessed artistic ability; he was employed to do the decorative painting on Girard College. However, he was a captain by occupation, and followed the high sta- many years, visiting all the principal ports of the globe. His life was an adventurous one. Under Gen.
Sam. Houston he served with Texas in her struggle for independence, being in Col. Fanning's com- mand, which surrendered to Santa Anna after the memorable battle of Goliad. The men were all marched out in line to be shot by the Mexicans, but Mr. Reddin and several others broke from the line and ran, and amid a shower of bullets made good their escape. The others were shot down by Santa Anna's orders. Mr. Reddin also also served throughout the Mexican war. Dur- ing the war of the Rebellion he was in the navy, taking up arms in the Union cause. In 1846 he was married, at Harrisburg, Penn., to Catherine Braucht, who was born April 16, 1828, in Hali. fax, Dauphin Co., Penn., and is still living, re- siding about six miles west of Findlay, Ohio. They subsequently went to New Orleans. where he enlisted in the Mexican war, and she then re- turned north, living at Gilboa, Ohio, during his absence. Immediately after his return he lo- cated on a farm in Hancock county, this State, where he died September 10, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Reddin were the parents of seven children. namely: Thomas, who lives near McComb, Hancock county ; Catherine (Mrs. W. A. Dorsey). deceased; Mary, who married Charles Guear, of Hancock county ; Sophia, who married Rev. Tilinan Jenkins, of Mosca, Colo .; D. W., our subject; Dr. Francis O., living at Hamler, Henry Co., Ohio; and John, who is a traveling sales- man for a Chicago house. Mrs. Reddin's father. David Braucht, was a native of Pennsylvania, and married a Miss McCalister, of Scotch ances- try, who was a native of the same State. He served in the war of 1812, and his father in the Revolutionary war.
Our subject remained on his father's farm in Hancock county, attending the district school. until he was thirteen years old. Since that time he has been self-supporting, and the record of his life is one of steady perseverance and indomitable energy. For two years he attended the high school at Findlay, and at the age of fifteen he went to Iowa, where he worked during the sum- mer monthis, and for two years attended Simp- son College. For a time he was a student at the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School, thence gomis to the National Normal University at Lebanon. Ohio, where he remained one term. He now commenced reading medicine, pursuing his stud. ies for a year and a half in the office of Dr. T C. Ballard, of Findlay, and then entering the Medical Department of the University of Mich igan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduat at the age of twenty-one years, in 18St. In order to further prepare himself for practice he
D. W. REDDIN, M. D.
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spent the following year in the hospitals of New York and Philadelphia. By continued applica- tion to study his health had been somewhat im- paired, and he now devoted a year to travel in the Western States, visiting many cities and points of interest, and returning to Findlay fully recuperated. After engaging in practice here for two years, the Doctor, in 1886, came to North Baltimore, in which city he has ever since made his home. He has built up a most extensive practice as a skillful physician and surgeon, and as a self-made and self-educated man he well de- serves the success which has come to him, for, in his calling, success is attained only by years of arduous study and thorough preparation. The early obstacles in his path were overcome by steady application to his chosen line of work, and he has won the esteem of all who know him by his unfaltering devotion to duty, and many ad- mirable personal characteristics. Socially he affiliates with two fraternal organizations, the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias.
The Doctor was united in marriage, Decen- ber 28, 1886, with Miss Ella Lochhead, of Keo- kuk, Iowa, who died January 7, 1888, her death bring occasioned by the shock received at the time of the fire in North Baltimore. She was laid to rest in the Findlay cemetery, widely mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances. In this fire the Doctor's household goods, his valuable library and surgical instruments were completely destroyed. On June 14, 1893, he married Miss Eugenia Bachman, of Tiffin, Ohio, who was born March 21, 1870. Her parents, George W. and Eugenia (Beilharz) Bachman, were both born in Ohio, the father October IS, 1842, in Summit county, the mother May 18, 1845, in Tiffin. They were married in 1866, and spent their wedded life in Tiffin, where Mr. Bachman died in 1879. He was one of the most prominent men of the city in his day. In 1866 he graduated from Heidelberg College, Tiffin, was admitted to the bar in 1867, and engaged in the practice of law until his death. He was prosecuting attorney of Seneca county for two terins, held the office of mayor of Tiffin for the same length of time, and was president of the city board of education a number of years. Mrs. Bachman now makes her home with her daugh -. ter, Mrs. Reddin. Her other daughter, Mary L .. is also a resident of North Baltimore. Her only son, George W., is a traveling salesman. Mrs. Reddin inherited the literary tastes of her parents. In 1888 she completed a course of study in the Tiffin High School, afterward attending Heidel- berg College for a time. She then accepted the
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position of principal of the High School at Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, which she ably tilled for one year and a half, next entering the Fostoria High School as assistant principal, a much better position than the former, from a financial stand- point. She held this incumbency three years, or until her marriage to the Doctor. One son, boru September 19, 1896, has blessed this union. They reside in a very fine home on Broadway, North Baltimore. Mrs. Reddin's maternal grand- father, Dr. C. C. Beilharz, was an early physi- cian and dentist of Tiffin. His father, John J. Beilharz, was the first pastor of the German Lu- theran Church of that city.
JOHN FARLEY (deceased) was a leading and influential citizen of Wood county, and a man of sterling worth, one who depended upon his own resources to secure him a competence. By his well-directed efforts and honorable dealing he not only gained a good property, but also won the high regard of those with whom he was brought in contact.
Mr. Farley was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, April 10, 1814, and completed his edu- cation by a college course. At the age of twenty- one years he bade adieu to his parents, friends and the scenes of his boyhood, and sailed, in 1835, for America. He first located in Cleveland, where he secured a sitnation as bookkeeper with the firm of Smith & Clarey, general merchants. Later he engaged in sailing on the lakes for four years, in the capacity of purser, after which he returned to Ireland to visit his aged parents. Again coming to America, he spent another year in Cleveland, Ohio, in the employ of others, and then embarked in the grocery business in that city, which he carried on for ten years with good success. He also made judicious and profitable investments in real estate, erecting several houses and store buildings. He also served as chief of police in 1857. In 1861. in Cleveland, Ohio, he became connected with the tobacco trade, and in 1864 came to Wood county, locating in Middle- ton township, where he purchased 210 acres of land. He began the development of that prop- erty with characteristic energy, drained it with ditches and tiling, and erected thereon good buildings, which added to the value and attractive appearance of the place.
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