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 73
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Christian Risser was a generous easy-going. benevolent man; anybody conld obtain help from him by relating a story of misfortune, and he was
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frequently imposed upon by people who knew of this trait of his character. After his death over $2,000 were found on his books which had never been collected from his debtors. He never sued any one, and was never sued himself. He began life a poor boy, but by constant industry and economy became quite well-to-do. He died from general failure of his powers. He was a Demo- crat in his political belief, but was not a parti- san, and took no active part in public affairs. He was very fond of his home, and was always to be found there when not at work. Quiet in his manners, he was yet decided in his opinions, and of high principles, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. Both he and his wife were members of the Mennonite Church.
E. R. Risser, the subject proper of this sketch, received a limited education in the district schools of West Millgrove, which were much inferior to those of the present day. When a lad he worked around the country for different farmers, his first employer being John Jelison, who paid him one cent a day and his dinner. As soon as he was old enough his father gave him twenty acres of land, which he worked for himself. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, Oc- tober 23, 1866, to Miss Matilda Kelso, who was born in Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio, August 8, 1846. Her parents were Samuel and Anna (Miller) Kelso, the former born in Cumberland county, Penn., December 23, 1823. He was married in Richland county, November 4, 1845. and had a family of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Risser was the eldest. Mr. Kelso was a Lutheran minister, but was preaching in the Congregational Church at West Millgrove at the time of his daughter's marriage.
For a short time after his marriage Mr. Risser lived at West Millgrove, and, in the spring of 1867, removed to a farm of twenty acres belong- ing to his father, in Section 8, Perry township. Here he remained one year, and in February, 1868, settled on his farm, which is in Section 10, in the same township. This place he rented from his father until January, 1885, when he pur- chased it, and has spent much hard labor on the property, greatly improving it in many ways. He met with success financially, and became one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the township. On January 4, 1896, Mr. Risser purchased a property in the village of Millgrove, remodeled the residence into a very comfortable and attractive home, and moved into it, leaving the farm in the hands of his son, Albert C.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Risser are as follows: Wilbur H. (died September 6, 1886);
Clara M., the wife of Harry Vosburg, of Bloom township, to whom has been born one child --- Claud H .; Flora E. (died February (1, 1884); Charles E., a carpenter by trade; Albert C., a farmer in Perry township; Mary A. (died April 29, 1890); Howard H. (died March 17, 1882); and Bertha A.
Mr. Risser is a Republican in his political views, but looks more to the fitness of a man who is a candidate for public office than to his party affiliation. He has served eight years as trustee of Perry township, and is regarded as a good man in every respect. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at West Millgrove, in which he has been a deacon for many years.
J. M. LAWRENCE, the leading blacksmith and iron-worker of Prairie Depot, has the oldest es- tablished institution of the kind in the place, where he is recognized as one of the most enter- prising and progressive business men. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born at Terre Hill, Lan- caster county, February 18, 1853, and was the oldest child of George and Mary (Newpher) Law- rence, the former of Spanish extraction, and the latter of German lineage. He was reared by his maternal grandmother, who, though kind to him, had not the means at her disposal to give him an education. He attended the com- mon schools for a short time, but only before the age when he was old enough to learn well and rapidly.
As he was not under the strict discipline of parents, Mr. Lawrence. became well posted in worldly knowledge at an early age, and when six- teen years old he concluded he would see more of the world than what was visible from that portion of his native State. He left home against the will of those to whom he owed allegiance, and with- out money or clothes, save those he wore, he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was fortunate enough to find a friend in Capt. Brigham. of the steambarge " Esterbrook," who gave the boy a position on that vessel, which plied between Cleveland and Bay City, Mich., in the lumber trade. For four seasons he was thus engaged. and later was for some time wheelnan on the " Birkland," of Toledo. Like many sailors h made money, but spent it with equal rapidity On leaving the lakes, Mr. Lawrence went to West Millgrove, Wood county, where his stepfather. Amos Wean, and mother were then living, an 1 there began to learn his trade under the direction of R. L. Knapp, of whom he later became a partner. After six years spent at that place. he
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in 1878 came to Prairie Depot, which at that time had no blacksmith, and took the shop vacated by the death of Charles Brooke, where he has since continued. He enjoys to-day one of the best businesses of the kind in the county, and is. a skilled and thorough workman. Like many young men, who have developed into our best citizens, he has sown his wild oats, and is now one of the most straightfoward and reliable busi- ness men of the community.
At West Millgrove was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Lawrence and Miss Nettie Phillips, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of J. R. Phillips. and to them have been born two children: Avis M., and Frank N. In his political views, our subject affiliates with the Republican party, in the success of which he takes quite an interest, and has served as a member of the Prairie Depot council. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society, of that place, and his wife is a member of the Disciples Church. They now oc- cupy a pleasant home which he erected in 1890, and he has also built a substantial blacksmith shop.
JAMES R. REDFERN, of Bloomdale, a leading business man and agriculturist of Bloom town- ship, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer families. He is a son of Joseph and Ann (Phillips) Redfern, and was born Octo- ber 7, 1847, in the township where he now re- sides. He attended the Hopewell school during boyhood, that being his only opportunity for an education, and his limitations in this respect make him an earnest advocate of better schools at the present time. Machinery was but little used in his early days, and a farmer's boy found plenty to do. His four elder brothers went to the army in the first years of the Civil war, and his father was taken ill with typhoid fever, leav- ing him, a lad of fifteen, to conduct the farm, a task which he accomplished with rare discretion. the overwork, however, affecting his health permanently. He made several efforts to enter the army himself, but was rejected on account of his youth. After the war closed he learned the carpenter's trade with Thomas Campbell, and followed it for seven years, when he bought 120 acres of land in Bloom township, going in debt for $4,000. He evidently solved the prob- lem of making farming pay, as the returns soon cleared his obligations, his profits in one year amounting to $1, 100 net.
On December 13, 1877, Mr. Redfern was married in New Hampton, lowa, to Miss Jennic I Schoonover, a native of Dubuque county, Iowa,
and the daughter of R. B. Schoonover. The two families had been on terms of friendship for many years. The young couple began house- keeping on the farm February 7, 1878, remain- ing there until December 2, 1891, when Mr. Redfern moved to Bloomdale, his failing health making a change of occupation necessary. He had bought a lot on the corner of Main and Mulberry streets, and, in the spring of 1891, be- gan dealing in agricultural implements. In 1895 James Rosendale became associated with the business, which is now carried on under the name of Rosendale & Redfern. Mr. Redfern still re- tains the ownership of his farm and fine country residence, in addition to his town-property. He is also a stockholder in the Bloomdale Creamery. In politics he is a Republican, and his shrewd judgment has often been devoted to the service of the community in various official positions. He was township trustee for nine years, personal property assessor for two terms, and real-estate assessor in 1890, serving under appointment by the county officials. Since coming to Bloomdale he has decided to take an active part in public life, lending his influence in quieter ways for the success of beneficial movements. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 406, and a charter member of the K. of P., No. 24, both of Bloomdalc.
J. T. BEVER, of the firm of Marshall & Bever, grocers, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Octo- ber 8, 1851. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Knouse) Bever, the former of whom was born in Virginia, near New Market. in 1814, and is still living at his home in Fostoria, Ohio. He was reared in Seneca county, and entered thic ministry of the United Brethren Church, remain- ing in active service for over half a century. His wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1814, and lived to be eighty-one years of age, dying in Seneca county. To this couple were born eight children, as follows: Henry is a carpenter in Tiffin, and was a captain in the 55th O. V. I .; Jerome died when young; Alson lives in Marion, Ohio; Loretta died when two years old; Delanzo is a contractor in Tiffin; Lucins is a farmer at Kenton; J. T., subject of this sketch; and Milton, attorney at law in Fostoria.
Jacob Bever, grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer settler in Seneca county, where his death occurred. He and his wife were the par- ents of the following children: Solomon, a farmer in Seneca county, is eighty-four years old; Jonas lived in Iowa, and died at the age of eighty years; Susan married P. Michael; and Joseph.
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Our subject's boyhood was spent in Seneca county, and when nineteen years old he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked first in Tiffin, then in Fostoria, and finally came to Bowling Green in 1885, and occupied himself as a contractor and builder. He then went into the undertaking business, which he left to become a member of the present grocery firm. In 1875 he was married to Miss Katie Rigby, who was born in Wood county, January 27, 1857. They had five children-Myrtle, Tempy, Mina, Ruth and Remington. The first born died when three years old. Mr. Bever is a member of the United Brethren Church, and of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM BROWN, one of the oldest pioneers of Weston township, and a prominent stock-rais- er and veterinary surgeon, was born in Weston, September 23, 1833. He received his early ed- ucation in the district school of Beaver Creek. later taking a course in the Cleveland Veterinary School, from which he was graduated in 1851. He settled on 120 acres of land in Weston town- ship, improved it, and began farming and prac- ticing veterinary surgery. He erected one of the finest dwelling houses in the township at a cost of $5,000, together with barns, outhouses, etc. About 18So Mr. Brown began the raising of fine blooded stock, his first venture being the pur- chase of a stallion in Kentucky, since which time he has bred and raised a splendid lot of trotting, running, and draft horses. In order to give his stock proper training, he built a half-mile track on the place, where he does his speeding.
On September 23, 1859, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Julia Ann Bassett, a daughter of Smith Bassett, a prominent farmer of Washing- ton township, where she was born May 23, 1839. Seven children have been born to them: Eli- wood, a farmer, living in Waterville; Lucy, the wife of Samuel Oswald, a lumber merchant of Weston; Elmer, a farmer; Lawrence P., an oper- ator in a lumber-mill; Holly, residing in Weston; and Frank and Earl, who died young. In pol- itics Mr. Brown is a Republican, and in religious faith is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is of a genial, affable nature, and has a host of friends.
Alexander Brown, his father, was born in Perry county, Ohio, and followed the occupation of a farmer and veterinary surgeon. In Perry county he was married to Miss Anna North, and twelve children were born to them, those living being: Sarah, the wife of S. Condit, a farmer in Oregon; William, the subject of this sketch; Newton, a farmer in Henry county; Samuel, a
farmer in Washington county; Maggie, who married Elliot Warner, and they live in East To- ledo. The deceased are: Caroline, who was the wife of John McKee; James; Morgan, who died in the army; Jane, who was the wife of John Mc- Clain; Anna, who was the wife of Leroy Rowland; and Joseph and Polly, who died in infancy.
J. M. GRAU, M. D. In the life of this gen- tleman, a leading physician of Jerry City, is found one of the most notable instances of well- deserved success. Starting in life with no capi- ital but his worthy ambitions, and the pluck, en- ergy and mental ability to fulfill them, he has steadily made his way forward upon his merits, and already takes a high rank in his chosen pro- fession.
He is a native of Ohio, born September 19, 1864, in Mayfield township, Cuyahoga county, one of the four children of Frederick and Rosena (Reiter) Grau, of Germany. They removed to Geauga county when our subject was ten years old, and still reside there. Up to the age of fif- teen Dr. Grau attended the district schools near his home, and he then went to work upon neigh- boring farms, saving his earnings for the educa- tion which he desired. At nineteen he entered Geauga Seminary, at Chester, and studied there as he could for three years, teaching in the mean- time. He began reading medicine with Dr. W. I. Lyman, of Chester Cross Roads, Geauga county, and in September, 1889, entered West- ern Reserve College, Cleveland, and later studied at the University of Vermont. His professional studies were completed in Starling Medical Col- lege, Columbus, where he was graduated March 3, 1892. In July of that year he came to Jerry City and " hung out his shingle," and, although he was among strangers, with no influence to smooth his path before him, his fine abilities, through training, and high personal character won him friends from the outset, and he has estab- lished a good practice. His success in the past. won, as it has been, by his own efforts, forms the best promise for the future.
The Doctor was married, October 16, 1895. to Miss Irene B. Covert, of Chester, Geauga county, who was educated in Geauga Seminary. In politics he is independent, voting according to his own judgment.
JACKSON SWEEBE, a well-known agriculturist of Liberty township, was born in Huntingdon- shire, England, in 1832, a son of Joseph and Ann (Paine) Swcebe. His father, who was a groom, had charge of the hunting horses of a
John In Grow.
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wealthy man in England, for a number of years. He afterward worked as a laborer. and passed his entire life in his native land. The children of the family are Charlotte and Samuel, both de- ceased; Jackson, subject of this sketch; and Jo- seph, Sarah and Samuel, all, three living in Eng- land.
Our subject attended the common schools and aided his father during his boyhood. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of a Lincoln- shire farmer, with whom he remained for one year and seven months, receiving eleven pounds per year, until his marriage, when his wages were raised to fifteen pounds. He was married at Dummitton, in Lincolnshire, England, in 1856, to Miss Sarah Andrews, and the following year they sailed from Liverpool on the trading vessel "Rachel." landing, after a voyage of thirty-five days, at New York. On July 4, they started for Albany, where Mr. Sweebe worked by the month as a farm hand, and then went to Canada, loca- ting fourteen miles from Toronto, where he re- inained until the fall of 1865. He then visited Huron county, Ohio, ona prospecting tour, and, having decided on a location, sent for his family. Here, for some four years, he worked as a farm hand, after which he rented a farin four years, and, in the fall of 1873, he came to Wood county, living in various places before purchasing his present home, which comprises forty acres of land in Liberty township.
In Huron county, in 1869, Mrs. Sweebe died, the mother of the following family: (1) Jackson E., born in Canada, November 27. 1858, was reared on a farm. and was married in Monroe- ville, Ohio, January 13, ISSI, to Mary Young, who was born in Huron county, July 5, 1862. daughter of Philip and Julia Young, natives of Germany; children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson E. Sweebe-Amos, Clar- ence, Samnel and Louise. (2) Harriet, born in Canada, was married, in 1876, to William Car- penter, of Huron 'county, and they live in Okla- homa, Kans. : their children are nained as follows: Samuel, Joseph, Mabel, Grace, and one unnamed. (3) Joseph, born in Canada, was married in 1885 to Sarah Hock, of Liberty township, where they now have their home; the children born to them are named respectively: William. Clayton, Em ma, Louise, Verne and Herman. (4) Herbert L., born in Canada, has a sketch elsewhere in this volume. (5) Elizabeth, born in Huron county, Ohio, was married, in 1890, to George Limbert, of Erie county, Ohio, where they now live, and have two sons. (6) William, born in Huron county, Ohio, was married to Bertha Poland,
and they now live in Liberty township; they have one son. named Lloyd. The father of this in- teresting family is a progressive, wide-awake citizen, devoted to the welfare of the community, and, during his long residence in Wood county, has made many warm friends.
PAUL J. BROWN, one of the leading oil pro- ducers of Wood county, and the owner of a fine farm in Plain township, was born in Otsego coun- ty, N. Y., June 5, 1837. [The family history is given in the sketch of George M. Brown else- where].
Our subject remained in his native place until the age of fifteen, when he set out by the over- land route for California, helping to drive thither 300 head of cattle. He crossed the Missouri river where Omaha now stands, and could have bought the entire tract "for a song." From Omaha he walked to Sacramento City, a distance of 2, 360 miles, and, after his arrival. he worked for some time in the gold mines, after which he kept books in a lumber yard, later again engag- ing in the search of gold, digging in the middle fork of the American river. After three years spent on the coast, he came home by the Nicara- gua route, reaching the old homestead in the fall before the removal of the family to Wood coun- ty. Hither he accompanied his parents, and soon after his arrival found employment on the North Western railroad, in the engineering corps, where he worked nearly a year. Returning to this county, he bought land in Plain township. and settled down to farming. In the course of time he became interested in . the oil industry. and he is one of the founders of the Brown Oil Company.
On August 28, 1862, Mr. Brown enlisted in Company D, ILIth O. V. I., Col. John R. Bond commanding the regiment, and Capt. John E. McGowan, the company, which regiment was at- tached to the army of the Tennessee. Our sub- ject participated in several battles and skirmishes. among the most important being those of Perry- ville, Knoxville and Loudon. At Perryville one of his eyes was injured by the concussion of a shell; and, while in the mountains of east Tennes- see, he was taken prisoner, but succeeded in effecting his escape, after being in the enemy's hands some fifteen minutes. He was promoted to sergeant, and was honorably discharged in 1864. On March 4. 1865. he was married to Miss Martha Brown, a native of Perry county. Ohio, born July 8, 1839, a daughter of Isine and Cassandra (Rhinehart) Brown, the former of whom was a son of Mathew Brown, who was
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born in Ireland, and, coming to this country, first settled in Virginia. Mrs. Cassandra (Rhinehart) Brown was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Simon Rhinehart, a very early set- tler in Perry county, Ohio, coming there with the army in 1812, and participating in the battle of Fort Meigs. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Brown had a family of nine children: Six sons-Simon R., Tood, Robert, Ethan. Jesse and Oliver-and three daughters, Martha (Mrs. Paul J. Brown), Ida and Lucia: To our subject and wife have comc four children: (1) Cora, born July 23, 1867. married John McMillen, and has two chil- dren-Esther and Mary; (2) Laura is at home with her parents; (3) Fannie married Charles Diehl; and (4) Jay B., is a student at Dennison College. Mr. Brown is one of the substantial men of Wood county, holding in an unusual de- gree the esteem and confidence of the community. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M., Blue Lodge, while in politics he is a Democrat
J. D. HATHAWAY, a wide-awake and promi- nent citizen of Montgomery township, is one of the most successful general farmers and horse breeders of Wood county, where almost his en- tire life has been passed. Philip Hathaway, his paternal grandfather, was born September II, 1789, in Massachusetts, and in that State he was married May 22, ISIS, to Diadamia Hathaway, whose birth also occurred there, on September 24. 1797. Learning carpentering, he later worked at that trade in New Orleans, but in the spring of 1835 brought his family to Rollersville, Ohio, near which place he owned a farm of 160 acres, covered with a heavy growth of timber, and there carried on farming uutil his death, which oc- curred September 9, 1844. His wife survived him four years, dying September 16, 1848, and both were laid to rest in the Bradner cemetery.
In their family were the following children: Philip, Jr., born July 12, 1820, was drowned July 22, 1830. Philo W., born May 9, 1822, died while on a visit to Portland, Ore., and was buried at Fostoria, Ohio. G. D., the father of our subject, was next in order of birth. Eunice W., born March 24, 1831, is the widow of John Eaton, of Philadelphia, Penn. Philip D., born July 30, 1833, died in Massachusetts while studying law, in December, 1851. Ann E., born June 22, 1838, is now Mrs. Marshall Rice, of Erie county, Ohio.
G. D. Hathaway was born at Freetown, Mass., March 27, 1827, but when quite young was brought to Ohio, where his boyhood was passed amidst pioneer scenes on a farm, and
he secured his education in the primitive district schools. In Freedom township, Wood county. March 21, 1852, he led to the marriage altar Miss Harriet Kelly, who was born February 22. 1832, in Salem township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of John C. and Caroline (Smith) Kelly, the former a native of New Jer- sey, and the latter of Pennsylvania, born near Wilkesbarre. From Columbiana county she was taken by her parents to Sandusky county, Ohio. locating near Rollersville; but about 1836 re- moved to Section 36, Freedom township, Wood county, where her father died at the age of sev- enty-six years, and her mother at the age of seventy-four. In their family of twelve children. seven sons and five daughters, Mrs. Hathaway was the eldest daughter and second child. After his marriage the father of our subject rented a farm in Scott township, Sandusky county, for a short time, and there later owned seventy-two and a half acres which had belonged to his father. Disposing of that place he purchased forty acres in the same township, to which he added until at the time of his death he had 100 acres. In June, 1890, he removed to Bradner, where he built an excellent home, in which his last days were spent. He died January 7, 1895, and was buried in Bradner cemetery. He was always a Demo- crat in politics, served as trustee of Scott town- ship, and was a faithful member of the Disciples Church. His wife, who still survives him, is also a member of the same church, and at her pleasant home in Bradner is surrounded by many warm friends. Her husband left a valuable property, and she is now in comfortable circum- stances.
Mr. Hathaway, whose name introduces this sketch, is the only child of G. D. and Harriet (Kelly) Hathaway, and was born October 14. 1.853, in. Section 1, Montgomery township. Wood county, where his parents lived for a short time. On reaching a sufficient age he entered the ". Fractional school." his first teacher being Ce- lestia Smith, and he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits.
On December 27, 1872, Mr. Hathaway was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Hartman, who was born May 16, 1854, and is the daughter o: William and Esther (Buchtel) Hartman, the wedding ceremony being performed in Section te. Montgomery township. They have become the parents of the following chidren, all still living Lee, William, Glenn, Maggie, Alfred, Johu, Chi- ton, Orville, Jay and Goldie.
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