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 75
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Our subject began his education in his native land, and after coming to America attended night school. He worked on a farin in Wales for $50
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per year until 1846, when, at the age of nineteen years, he came to America, believing that he could thereby better his financial condition. On the 18th of April, the vessel " Lcodes" sailed from Newport with Mr. Davis on board. After a voy- age of seven weeks he landed in Boston, and by way of the lakes went to Milwaukee. Wis .. and on to Janesville, that State. There he spent his. last quarter for breakfast. after buying a ticket to Cleveland. Near the latter city he secured em- ployment at sheep-shearing, and afterward worked as a farm hand in Cuyahoga county for more than a year.
Mr. Davis was married August 27, 1851, to Miss Adelia Atherton, who was born-on a farm near Burlington, Vt. When she was three years old her parents, Marvin and Sarah (Hill) Atherton, removed with their family to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and afterward went to Medina county, where the parents spent their last days. On his marriage, Mr. Davis purchased sixty acres of land in Lorain county, Ohio, which he operated for six years, and then engaged in teaming for three years. In the fall of 1864 he came to Wood county and bought forty acres of land, to which he afterward added another forty acres. His farm is situated in Section 2, Jackson town- ship, and he has now a highly improved place. The comfortable frame residence which replaced the log cabin is typical of all the improvements upon the farm, and the owner is accounted one of the progressive agriculturists of the community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born these chil- dren -- Matilda, wife of David Hemminger, of Jackson township; Mary Ann, wife of Finley Oberdorf, of Bowling Green; Charles, at home; Mrs. Dora Pyatt. of Sioux City, Iowa; Marcia, wife of Henry Blythe, of Jackson township; Louisa, who was married, and died in Jackson township; and Lizzie, who died at the age of nine years.
In his political views, Mr. Davis was formerly a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for General Scott, but now gives his political sup- port to the Republican party. He has been clerk of the school, director and township super- visor, discharging his duties in a capable manner. He belongs to the United Brethren Church, and his life may be termed a successful one. not only when viewed from the standpoint of finance. but when judged from the standard of all that is honorable and straightforward.
ADAM GROSS, a well-known young agriculture ist of Webster township, Wood county, residing near Dunbridge, is a native of Baden, Germany,
born February 21, 1865, a son of John A. and Elizabeth Gross. He was one of a family of four children: Catherine. Armenia, Adam four subject) and Jacob. Both parents died in Ger- many, the mother in 1884, the father eight years later. Mr. Gross received his early education in the excellent schools of his native place, and lived at home until the age of twenty-three, when he came to this country, locating first near Mau- mee, Ohio, where he worked as a laborer for two years. In ISgo he came to Webster township, and bought eighty acres of land, which his indus- try has made a fine property. He was married in Maumee, February 18, 1888, to Miss Elizabeth Coller, a daughter of Jacob and Margerite (Gon- seller) Coller. She was born November 30, 1860. one of a family of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have had four children: Jacob, born January 11, 1892; Albert, born September 10, 1894; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Gross takes an intelligent and active interest in all the questions which affect the wel- fare of his adopted country. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church.
F. C. ROSENDALE, one of the pushing, wide- awake, prosperous young men of Wood county. was born in West Millgrove, this county, May 6. 1867, son of Dr. Charles and Rebecca (Wade, Rosendale.
Our subject attended the district schools of his native town, and this training was supple- mented by two terms of study at the more ad- vanced school at Fostoria, Ohio. He was reared in the little village where he was born, and, as his parents were well-to-do, lie had but few cares as a boy. Being somewhat given to adventure, he spent some time in the West, where he took up various pursuits. Returning to Ohio, he was married, at Bowling Green, on March 27. ISSO. to Clara Brubaker, a native of Bloom township. who was born February 1, 1866. She is the danghter of Philip and Sarah A. Lee, Brubaker. who occupy a farm in Bloom township. To Mi and Mrs. Rosendale have been born four chi- dren, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Charity A., January 6, 1890; Charhs P., June 19, 1891; Grace, February 26. ISO :. Sadie M., February 17, 1896. In the spring 1889, Mr. Rosendale located on his present farm in Section 17. Portage township, where he in- 307 acres of land. In the same year ho parl visit to England and its principal sties, and the went to the Paris Exposition. In 1802 he beg all to operate in oil in Portage township, seeming
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Fred. 6. Rosendale
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some good wells, and has been quite fortunate in his ventures, being at present one of the best known operators in the above mentioned town- ship. Although a young man, he has a plentiful supply of this world's goods. He is an admirer of fine horses, and owns some fast animals. In politics he is a Democrat, but he only takes a voting interest in the elections. He is of a genial disposition, and has a host of friends.
N. S. HATFIELD, M. D. This leading citizen and popular physician was born in Perry town- ship, January 5, 1855, the second son of John S. and Johanna (Bonnell) Hatfield.
The father, John S., was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 5, 1820, and was the son of William Hatfield, whose wife died when John S. was a mere child. The latter in his boyhood was put to learn cabinet making in Will- iainsburg, Ohio, which trade he succeeded in mastering in a comparatively short time, and in a few years was able to purchase his employer's business, which he carried on successfully for some years. He was married in March, 1840, in Hamilton county, to Miss Caroline McMillen, who bore him three children: Sarah J. (now Mrs. Joseph French), of St. Joseph, Mo .; Lo- renzo D., who died in Bloomdale, Ohio; and Eliza- beth, who died at the age of twenty-one years.
John S. Hatfield was an honest, industrious man, but was overtaken by misfortune; his wife became very ill, and the trouble and expense caused by this affliction, with other reverses of fortune, greatly reduced his finances, and he was compelled to give up his furniture factory. Later he carried on a grocery store at Williamsburg, Ohio. About 1846 or 1847 he came to Wood county, and had to practically begin life over again, all his property having been swept away. For three years thereafter he was associated with his brother, Nathan Hatfield, in farming and in a chair factory, at the end of which time he bought land in Section 28. Perry township, and began farming on his own account, continuing in that occupation until his death, December 23. 1893. For his second wife he married. in Perry township, February, 1848, Johanna Bonnell, who was born May 17, 1826, in Greene county, Penn., a daughter of John and Deborah (Alexander) Bonnell, who came to Ashland county, Ohio, in an early day. Her father at one time resided in Perry township, but returned to Ashland coun- ty, where he died. Of this union there were eleven children, namely: Job, born in Decem- ber, 1848, died in infancy; Theodore J., born in May, 1850, is a farmer in Perry township; Mary
C., born October 12, 1851, lives on the home farm; Eunice E., born in January, 1853, is now Mrs. C. M. Hollopeter, of Fostoria; Nathan S. is our subject; Louisa V., born October 16, 1857. died when six years old; Clark A., born in Feb- ruary, 1860, lives in Fostoria; Charles B., born December 2, 1861, is a physician in Millgrove; William, born January 6, 1864, died when eight years old; Vierna, born in October, 1865, mar- ried C. C. Adams, of Montgomery township. Wood county; and Susannah, born in November, 1867, is the wife of F. E. England, of Fostoria. The mother of these children died October 1, 1886, and-is interred in the cemetery at Center. Perry township. She was a member of the Meth- odist Church, and was a most estimable woman. John Hatfield was a well-built man, and in his younger days was a famous wrestler, never find- ing his superior in this art. He received only a limited education, but was a good business man, and in his later years again found himself in easy circumstances, owning at the time of his death 140 acres of good land, on which he had erected excellent buildings and made other improvements. Politically he was a Democrat, and held various township offices.
N. S. Hatfield, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm. Before he was five years old, which was the minimum age at which pupils could enter the schools, he entered District School No. 6, in Perry township, his teacher being James Chilcote. 1 But little atten- tlon was paid to the sinall lad at first: yet when he attained to the dignity of five years he spoke to his teacher and demanded that he should re- ceive more care from him. He learned easily and rapidly, his only trouble being that his schooling was so often interrupted by the neces- sity of attending. to his duties on the farm. As early as the age of fifteen he fostered the idea of becoming a medical student, and used every op- portunity to lay the foundation of a good educa- tion. When he was seventeen years old he en- tered the Union Schools at Fostoria, under the tuition of Prof. Hartley, and later attended the Normal School at Fostoria, at that time taught by Prof. J. Fraise Richard. At the age of twenty-one he began reading medicine under Dr. C. R. Rosendale, of West Millgrove, and, in 1876, he entered the medical department of Wooster University, at Cleveland, Ohio. His second course of lectures there was interrupted by illness which compelled him to go to Texas. where he spent the greater part of a voir te- cuperating, in the meanwhile reading medicme. | He completed his course in the University above
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mentioned, and was graduated therefrom Febru- ary 21, 1879, and began the practice of his pro- fession the following April at West Millgrove.
In October, 1879, Dr. Hatfield was married to Miss Ora, daughter of Abraham and Lydia Foster, of Montgomery township. She bore him one child, Charles $., born June 29, 1882, who is at home with his father. On February 15, 1885, the mother died, her remains being in- terred in Millgrove cemetery. On May 5, 1887, Dr. Hatfield was united in marriage, in Bloom township, with Mrs. Albert Loe, who was the mother of one child by her first husband. This son, Wade D., was born April 20. 1882, and is at home with his mother. Mrs. Hatfield, whose maiden name was Louzila Shanabarger, was born in Bloom township, Deceniber 28, 1859, a daugh- ter of Jefferson and Lydia (McCrory) Shana- barger. The mother died when the daughter was only three years old, the father passing away two years later, and the child was taken by her aunt, Mrs. Reason Whitacre, who lived near Cygnet, in Bloom township, and in her family was reared to womanhood. She had one brother, Reason L., who died when ten years of age. Mr. Shanabarger was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1842. About the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, he joined Company D, 111th O. V. I., and was appointed corporal, and then became sergeant. While home on a furlough in 1863, he was kicked by a horse, from the effects of which he died the samne night, leaving the two children above mentioned.
Dr. Hatfield has practiced medicine continu- ously since 1879, and has been very successful both professionally and financially. He and his wife own 310 acres of land in Perry town- ship. They now reside in Bowling Green. He is a very pleasant, agreeable gentleman, exceed- ingly popular in the community, and enjoys the respect of a large circle of friends. Politically he is a Democrat, but no partisan, in local elections casting his vote for the best man. He has served as councilman. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Prairie Depot, and is a charter member of the K. of P. at West Mill- grove. Mrs. Hatfield is a member of the Disciples Church, and shares with her husband in the es- teem of their fellow citizens.
LEE N. BARNES, a popular citizen of Jackson township, having many friends in the community, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Rochester, May 25, 1866, and is a son of Orrin W. and Mahala (Anderson) Barnes. At the time of their marriage they located in Rochester, and several
years later removed to Toledo, where for a lous period the father served as lumber inspector for the firm of Skidmore & Co. His death occurin ! about 1880, and his wife passed away in Toledo. in 1872. They had several children, namely Edna, wife of E. Merles, of New London, Ohio. May; Lee N .; and George and Wade, both of whom died in childhood.
Lee N. Barnes attended school in Toledo, and acquired a fair education. At the age of eleven he began work in the pump factory of Skidmore & Co .. in Toledo, where he remained about two years. He then secured work in a box factory in that city, and subsequently spent two years as a farm hand near Rochester, Ohio. His next place of residence was Wood county, where he cleared and improved eighty acres of wild land that had been purchased by himself and father.
In 1889, in Jackson township, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Stimmel. and then located on his land, erecting there a good frame residence, and making other extensive improvements. In January, 1891, he came to Hoytville and purchased a restaurant and bakery. He conducted this business for a year, and then began dealing in liquors, carrying on a retail trade. He is a genial, social gentleman, and has many friends. He traded forty acres of his land for his town property, but still owns the remaining forty acres. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and is now serving his second term as councilman. All that he possesses, he has made through his own efforts.
W. R. SWERLEIN is the owner of one of the richly improved farms of Milton township. His home, a commodious and substantial brick resi- dence, stands in the midst of forty acres of rich land, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of progress- ive methods.
Mr. Swerlein was born in Wyandot county. Ohio, September 20, 1848. His father, John Swerlein, was a shoemaker by trade, and came from Germany to Baltimore, Md., in 1839. Aft- er nine weeks he went to Mexico, Ohio, near Tiffin, and in the latter place was married in 1841 to Theresa Klitch. Purchasing a farm of 155 acres near Mexico, he there carried on agricult- ural pursuits until his death in August, 1893. His widow is still living on the old homestead.
Our subject attended the district schools un- til eigliteen years of age, and through the summer inonthis worked on his father's farm. He after- ward bought twenty-five acres of land which he operated five years, when he sold out and cante
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to Wood county. Here he purchased eighty acres which he later sold, and bought another tract of forty acres. Subsequently he became owner of his present farm of forty acres. He carries on farming on scientific principles, and is also a progressive, enterprising stock-raiser.
On February 11, 1875, Mr. Swerlein was married to Esther J. Bare, who was born Decem- ber 7, 1856, a daughter of Ephraim and Ann (Goodman) Bare, natives of New York. She was one of three children, the others being Ed- ward, who resides on the old homestead; and Emma, wife of Thomas Faust, of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Swerlein have been born five children-Ella M., November 1, 1876; William M., July 17, 1880; Ethel B., February 3, 1889; Delpha Etta, October 17, 1890; and John C., October 13, 1894. The parents are members of the Evangelical Church. In politics, Mr. Swer- lein is a Democrat. In personal appearance he is a fine looking man, while in manner he is genial and courteous, and all who know him have for him high regard.
LOUIS J. BOWERS. Of those who devote their energies to agricultural pursuits in Middleton township, none are more worthy of representa- tion in this volume than our subject, who is ever found true to all relations of life, and is a popu- ular and highly-esteemed citizen. He was born March 7, 1863, in the township which is still his home. His father, Peter Bowers, was a native of Lorraine, France (now in Germany), and when fourteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Maryland. Some time afterward he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and en- gaged in stage driving for several years. Subse- quently he went to Indiana, where he devoted his energies to farming, and next came to Wood county, Ohio, locating in Middleton township, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land. He has not only cleared and improved this, but has added to it 100 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, and in the midst of the well- tilled fields stands a good residence, and barns. He was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Annie Rhy- man, and they had fifteen children: Charles, George, Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Wright). Henry and Jacob (both deceased), Mary, Caro- line (deceased), Catherine (wife of C. Stewart, of New York City), Margaret, Rosie (deceased). John (who operates the homestead farin), Louis J .; and three who died in infancy. The father died in 1886, and the mother in 1891. They were members of the Catholic Church, and he was a Democrat in politics.
Our subject was educated in the district schools, and attended college for one year. He worked on the old homestead until he had reached his majority, and then purchased twenty acres of land, to which he has since added sixty acres. His farm is now all under cultivation, and waving fields of grain, good buildings, and well-kept fences indicate the careful supervision and enter- prise of the owner.
Mr. Bowers was married in November, 1887, to Clara Grover, daughter of the late George Grover, of Center township, and six children graced their union, but the two youngest (twins) died in infancy; the others are William, born in 1888; Clyde in 1890; Edward in 1892; and George in 1894. Politically, Mr. Bowers is a Democrat; socially, he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a popular citizen, having many friends, and all who know him esteem him highly.
MRS. MARY FITZGERALD GUIDER, of Bowl- ing Green, Wood county, is a descendant of a family which has long been famous in the history of Ireland. Lord Edward Fitzgerald, whose name is familiar to every student, was one of her an- cestors, and the genealogical record contains the names of other eminent men, including bishops and other ecclesiastics noted for learning and piety.
Her father, James Fitzgerald, was a free- holder in County Tipperary, Ireland, where our subject was born. He had ten children: Thomas died in Dunkirk, N. Y. ; John was for many years a resident of Wood county, and died in Perrys- burg; James died in Bowling Green, in June, 1894, at the age of ninety-six; Patrick died in Perrysburg: Anastasia, who was greatly beloved for her saintly character, died at Waterville. aged sixty; William died in Ireland; Pierce wasa devoted student, and was remarkable for his men- tal attainments; Michael is deceased: Peter is a freeholder in Ireland; and Mary, Mrs. Guider. The Fitzgerald brothers were highly respected residents of Wood county, with which they were identified for many years.
The subject of this sketch, formerly Miss Mary Fitzgerald. was married in Ireland to John Guider, and lived there upon a freehold until after liis death. About ten years ago she came to Wood county, bringing her three children, in order to be with her brothers, for whom she cared during the remainder of their lives. Pos- sessing abundant means, she has acquired a large tract of land in the " Oil Belt," upon which oper- ations are being conducted, and she also owns a
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pleasant home on Wallace strcet, Bowling Green, where a refined circle of friends and acquaint- ances enjoys a charming hospitality. Two of Mrs. Gnider's children are at home with her: James, who is noted as an athlete, and Percy, a young man of twenty-four, of fine culture and in- telligence. Mary, a charming young lady, was married April 21, 1896, to Patrick Hubbard, and has a fine home in Toledo. Mrs. Guider pos- sesses an unusual range of information, and in her cheery home one may well forget for a time the prosaic side of life.
SIDNEY MCMASTER is a representative of one of Ohio's pioneer families, and was born in Green- field township, Huron county, August 10, 1839, his parents being Levi and Charity (Newberry) McMaster. His education was acquired in the district schools near his home, and on the old · home farm he was reared to manhood, early be- coming familiar with the labors of field and meadow. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and then began farming on his own account on rented land in Huron county. He enlisted at Mansfield, Ohio, February 2, 1865, in Company G, 19Ist O. V. I., and served until the war closed.
Mr. McMaster was married in his native town- ship, December 25, 1866, to Miss Roena McKel- vey, who was born in Huron county, April 9, 1846. They began their domestic life in that locality, and there remained until December, 1874, when they came to Wood county, where Mr. McMaster purchased forty acres of partially- improved land-his present farm. This is under a high state of cultivation, and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision. The home is blessed by the presence of two children: Jay, born July 8, 1871; and Della, born March 22, 1883.
Our subject is a stanch Republican, and for many years has efficiently served as supervisor. He and his wife are highly-estcemed people, and their hospitable home is a favorite resort with a large circle of friends.
MYRON LE GALLEY, a prosperous farmer and well-known educator, of Wood county, residing in Plain township, was born in Huron county, Ohio, January 23, 1837, and is a son of William and Abigail (Terry) Le Galley.
The father of our subject was born in Massa- chusetts in 1812, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Huron county, whither he came at an early day. He there learned the trade of a tan- ner and currier, which he followed in the village
of Peru, in that county, until 1856, when he re- moved to Wood county, where he is still living, active and vigorous in spite of his advanced age. His wife was born in 1819, and grew to woman- hood in Huron county, Ohio. The children of this worthy couple were six in number, of whom one died in infancy. The others are the subject of this sketch; John H .; William T., who lives in Plain township; Silia, living at home; Charles residing in Wood county; and Fannie, deceased.
Myron Le Galley was nineteen years old when his parents removed to Wood county. He had finished his education at Norwalk, Ohio, and in 1858 was married to Miss Margaret Jewell, who was born in Pennsylvania April 21, 1839. The young couple settled on the farm on which they still reside, and for ten years Mr. Le Galley taught in the district schools of the county, and for one term at Haskins. In this vocation he was very successful, being a man of fine mental ability. well informed in all branches of literature, and of genial, kindly manners. His family are all read- ers and students, and progressive. in their views. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Le Galley: (1) John W .. born August 1, 1860, finished his schooling in Toledo, and also taught school for one term; he married Miss Eva Smith. born June 24, 1866, and they have two children: Harry B. and Marguerite. (2) Frank, born September 25. 1871, is single, and has a farm of sixty-three acres, on which are three oil wells. Mr. Le Galley has five oil wells on his farm, from which he derives a good income. For thirty years he has been a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Tontogany Lodge No. 451.
CHRIS. A. HOFFMANN, one of the young. act- ive and enterprising merchants of Perrysburg. where he enjoys the esteem and confidence of the community, is a native of Wood county, born in Perrysburg, August 27, 1861. He is a son of George Hoffmann, of whom a sketch appears else- where in this volume.
Our subject, at the age of eighteen years, be- gan traveling for J. C. Sharp, of Delavan, Wis .. selling agricultural implements, and for some ten years traveled through the States of Wisconsin. Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and Missouri. After this experience he returned to Wood county, where for two years he was em- ployed in farming, then moved to Perrysburg. and became engaged in his present business.
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