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 78
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H. HAIR, a representative fariner of Middle- ton township, was born in Sandusky county. Ohio, December 2, 1849. His father, Thomas Hair, was a native of Pennsylvania, whence
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when a young man he came to Ohio, settling in Sandusky county, where he operated a forty-acre farm. He married Miss Esther Fisher, and they became the parents of six children, four of whom died in childhood; the surviving members of the family are our subject and Mary, the latter being now the wife of Stephen Collin, of Clyde, San- dusky county .. The parents are both deceased. Our subject acquired his education in the district schools of his native county, and worked upon his father's farm until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, subsequently spending two and one-half years in a sawmill in Sandusky county. In 1874 he came to Wood county, locating in Middleton township, where, with the money he had acquired through his own labors, he purchased forty acres of land which he has improved until it is now under a high state of cultivation, and yields to him a good return for his labor. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Collier, of Sandusky county, and two children graced this marriage: Stella, born February 25, 1875, now the wife of John Smith, a farmer of Middleton township (they have one child), and Della, who died when two years old. In his political views Mr. Hair is a stanch Prohi- bitionist. He belongs to the Radical United Brethren Church, takes a very active part in Church work, and is now serving as trustee and class leader. He is a man of progress and enter- prise, a public-spirited citizen, giving a hearty support to everything calculated to promote the educational, social and moral welfare of the community.
MARSHAL DUCAT, a wealthy retired agricultur- ist residing in Bowling Green, was born July 8, 1843, on the boundary line between Ohio and Michigan, the State line running through his father's house. He is a descendant of an old French family, early settlers in Michigan.
His grandfather Ducat was a soldier in the war of 1812, stationed at Detroit, and our sub- ject's father, then an infant, was taken to that post at the time of Hull's surrender. Mr. Ducat's grandmother drew a pension up to the time of her death, on account of her husband's military service. Her death occurred May 5, 1862.
Our subject's father, Joseph Ducat, was born in Michigan in 1807. He married Victoria Jacob, and settled on a farm in Wood county, where, except for a residence of seven years in Ottawa county, he remained until his death in ts; He had twelve children: Joseph, a farmer in Wood county; Exea, a prominent resident of Bowling Green; Alexander, a soldier during the Civil war, |
who died in 1866; Julius and John, both farmers in Wood county; Gilbert, a retired farmer living in Bowling Green; Isadore, residing in East Toledo; Marshal, our subject; Frank, a farmer in Wood county; Victoria, who died at the age of six, and two others who died in infancy.
Marshal Ducat, our subject, grew to man- hood on his father's farm, and in 1867 married Miss Ella Mominee; two children blessed this union: Jackson, born March 10, 1868, and Elmer, born April 5, 1877. both of whom re- ceived an excellent education in the high school at Bowling Green. After his marriage Mr. Ducat settled upon a fine farm in Liberty township, where he remained until IS88, when he retired from active business, and came to Bowling Green to reside. He owns, at present, sixty acres of land, with four oil wells. In politics he is a Democrat, and, although never an active politician, he is a ready and generous supporter of all public movements which meet his approval.
A. J. CONKLIN, a progressive farmer of Middle- ton township, has spent his entire life in Ohio, hav- ing been born in Huron county, November 20, 1 846, and is a son of Jaines Conklin, a retired farm- er and prominent citizen of Weston. He enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the district schools near his home, and through the summer months he aided in the cultivation of his father's farm until twenty-four years of age. He then started out in life for himself, and secured em- ployment as a farm hand in Perrysburg township. When, through his own labors, he had acquired sufficient capital, he came to Middleton township, and purchased eighty acres of land near Roach- ton, which he cleared and otherwise improved until the whole became one of the fine farms of the locality. It is now quite complete in its ap- pointments. On the place is a pleasant residence which was erected at a cost of $2,000; also a barn, granary, the latest improved machinery and the other accessories of a model farm of the nineteenth century.
In 1871 Mr. Conklin was united in marriage, in Perrysburg township, with Miss Mary Wal- lace, daughter of D). W. Wallace, a retired farm- er of Perrysburg, and they have one son, who was born in 1871, was educated in the common schools, and now resides at home, operating the homestead. Our subject has served as school director for four years, and the cause of educa- tion finds in him a warin friend. He has been a valued citizen of the community, taking an active part in promoting all interests calculated to bene- fit his township and county. He is now nun-
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bered among the substantial citizens of the com- inunity, and owes his position solely to his own efforts.
MARK SELF. This prosperous farmer of Plain township was born in Wiltshire, England, May 9, 1832, and is a son of Isaac and Christine (Taylor) Self, both also natives of Wiltshire, where they died, the former at the age of seventy- six years, and the latter when sixty-seven years old. They were the parents of nine children : Rebecca, Liva, Lott, Jane, Ann, Mark, Abel (now living in Huron county, Ohio), Amanda, and Sarah.
Our subject, who was a laborer in England, came to America in 1870. He first located in Huron county, Ohio, removing in ISSo to Wood county, where he purchased his present farm at $50 per acre. He now owns 130 acres of well- improved and valuable land, and is looked upon as one of the leading farmers in Plain township. During the few years he has been in Wood county, he has made an independent fortune, all the result of untiring industry and excellent man- agement. He is progressive in his ideas, attends studiously to his business, and is honorable in all liis methods of dealing with his fellow men. He has been twice married, his first wife dying in England before his emigration to this country. By this union he had three children: Arthur, who is married and has one child (he resides in Bowl- ing Green); Frank, unmarried, and living with his father: and William, living in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Self's second marriage occurred in this country.
HENRY R. ROETHER, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Perrysburg, is one of the able young sons of Wood county who are achieving success in business, political and pro- fessioual life on their " native heath."
Born in Perrysburg, March 7, 1867, he is a son of Burkhardt and Catherine (Hahn) Roether, highly respected Germans who settled in Perrys- burg in the " fourties." Our subject was educated in the public schools of Perrysburg, graduating, in 1886, in the Latin, German and English courses, having declined the valedictory of his class. He then commenced teaching school, which he con- tinued in for five years, meanwhile pursuing his studies privately, and acquiring mental discipline as well as information. In the fall of 1888 he entered the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, and graduated in 1$93. Through the recommendation of the College Dean, he se- cured the position of assistant-surgeon for the Aragon mines, at Norway, Mich., under Dr. C.
D'A. Wright. For six months during the ab- sence of the latter Dr. Roether had sole charge, and later was offered a half interest, as partner, by Dr. Wright, but declined, being desirous of building up an independent practice at home. Returning to Perrysburg, he established himself among his own people, where he has made a steady advance, and is already recognized as one of the leaders in his profession. His thorough intellectual training makes him a valued member of the best society, and he is especially noted as a German scholar, speaking that language as fluently as English. His popularity is not con- fined to any particular class, however, as he is an active member of the Democratic party, and in the spring of 1895 was elected treasurer of Perrysburg township, which responsible position he is now holding.
The Doctor was married October 7, 1893, to Miss Laura Ewing, a descendant of one of the oldest families of Wood county. He is a typical self-made man, and the architect of his own po- sition in life, he having earned the means neces- sary to carry him through his medical studies by teaching school and hustling between times.
BURKHARDT MICHAEL ROETHER. Of the hon- est, hard-working alien-born citizens, who have inade Wood county their New-World home, none occupies a more prominent place than Mr. Roe- ther, who was born in Baden, Germany, August 30, 1824. His parents, Thomas and Barbara (Dorlf) Roether, spent their entire lives in tilat country, where the father, who was a cabinet maker by trade, died at the age of eighty-two years, the latter passing away at the age of sixty- five. In their family were five children: Thomas, Burkhardt M., Magdalena, Barbara and Julia. three of whom are still living: Burkhardt M .. Barbara (now Mrs. Thomas Keller), of Perrys- burg township; and Julia, who still makes her home in Germany.
Mr. Roether, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in the schools of his native land, and when twenty-two years of age he crossed the Atlantic to America. He had previously learned the trade of cabinet maker, at which he worked in Baltimore, Md .. Washington, D. C .. and Philadelphia, Penn., before coming to Wood county, where he located at Perrysburg, and has there since followed carpentering and cabinet making. In 1850 he married Miss Catherine Hahn, who was born in Germany in iser, an 1 they became the parents of eleven children, three of whom died young, and eight are yet living: Thomas, an engineer; Christ, a mechanic; Cath-
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HerBrother, MQ.
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erine, wife of F. Brown. of Toledo; Adolph, a sailor; Henry R., a prominent physician and sur- geon of Perrysburg; Anna, a teacher; George, an engineer; and Julia, also a school teacher. The mother of these children was called to her final rest March 30, 1891. A good and sincere Chris- tian, Mr. Roether is a faithful member of the Lutheran Church; in politics is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he enjoys the esteem and regard of the entire com- munity.
JAMES RANEY. Among the leading and en- terprising agriculturists of Plain township, whose names are scattered through the pages of this volume, none are more worthy of mention than the gentleman whose name introduces this brief biographical notice. He was born in Loudon township, Seneca Co., Ohio, March 19, 1848, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Piper) Raney. The former was a native of Ohio, where he was educated and followed the occupation of a farm- er, and in Seneca county he was married. In his family were ten children, as follows: John, de- ceased; Sarah; Edward, a farmer of Kansas; Isaac, also a farmer; Sylvania, deceased; Rob- ert, a farmer of Williams county, Ohio; Jackson, deceased; James, our subject; Albert, who fol- lows farming; and Eunice, wife of Henry Win- inger. The father died on the old homestead, in 1864; the mother is now making her home in Fostoria, Ohio.
Our subject was reared in his native town- ship, where he was educated in the district schools, and assisted in the labors of the fields upon the home farm until he reached man's estate. Later for two years he was employed as a farm hand, after which he rented a farm, which he operated some six years. At the expiration of that period he came to Plain township, Wood county, where he bought forty acres of land, part of which he cleared, and built a dwelling-house at a cost of $1,000; also erected barns and outhouses, plant- ed an orchard, made other general improvements, and availed himself of first-class farm machinery. and all the other improved methods employed by
On February 28, 1890, Mr. Long was united in marriage with Miss Maletha Burditt, a daugh- ter of Greenburg Burditt, Sr., and to them have been born two children, namely: Howard M., born October 4, 1890; and Flora Belle, who was born November 30, 1892, and died at the age of one year and eight months. Mr. Long and his estimable wife attend the Christian Union Church. and at their hospitable home their many friends the successful agriculturist. To-day he cultivates . always find a hearty welcome. Public-spirited to a high degree, he takes a great interest in a !! measures calculated to benefit the community, or to accrue to the good of society in general.
upward of eighty acres of land, and, in addition to general farming, he also engages in drilling wells, which adds considerably to his income. Among his neighbors and the citizens of the township ar large, lie is considered a man whose word is as good as his bond.
On October 3, 1872, in Seneca county, Mr. Raney was married to Miss Elizabeth Wininger, who was born February 12, 1847, and is a daugh-
ter of Adam Wininger, a farmer of Seneca coun- ty, and eight children bless this union, their names .and dates of birth being as follows: Nettie, March 12, 1874; Delbert, February 11, 1875; Lottie, December 10, 1877; Elmer, September 2, 1878, Elizabeth S., April 19, 1880; Roy, May 10, 1882; Josiah, August 10, 1884; and Oran, February 17, 1888. Mr. Raney always gives his support to the principles of the Republican party, for several years has been school director, and has also acted as clerk of the board. The family is one of prominence in the community, and adhere to the faith of the Congregational Church.
LAWRENCE LONG. Among the young men of Wood county who have selected agriculture as their vocation in life, and who, judging from present indications, are bound to realize their inost sanguine anticipations, is the subject of this biographical notice, and the owner of a good farm of forty acres in Washington township. He was born March 4, 1867, and in the usual man- ner of farmer lads, spent the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving his primary education in the schools of the neighborhood of his father's home in Washington township. Later, he en- tered a business college at Fostoria, and after his graduation at that school taught penmanship for some five years. He then took up farming, operating the old Burditt farm for two years, but previous to this time he had worked as a farm hand by the month for about seven years. He is now the possessor of a fine farm, which yields to him a golden tribute in return for his care and cultivation, and all the improvements found thereon testify to his industrious habits, sound judgment and good business ability.
H. L. KRAMER, a progressive and enterprising farmer of Plain township, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, September 5. 1866, and is a son of Levi and Margaret (Beatty) Kramer, mention of whom is made in the sketch of J. L. Kramer.
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Our subject pursued his studies in the schools of Bowling Green and Fostoria, Ohio, graduating at the high schools of the latter place. On completing his education he assumed the man- agement of the home farm, which he still con- tinues, having one of the best improved places of the township. There his father's death occurred in 1888, but his mother still finds a pleasant home with him, surrounded by the care and loving at-
tention of her son and his estimable wife. On April 30, 1891, Mr. Kramer was united in mar- riage with Miss Irene Ensininger, who was born January 17, 1873, a daughter of Allen Ensinin- ger, a prominent farmer of Portage township, Wood county, and by this union there are two children-Bertha, born March 4, 1892, and Rus- sell, born April 17, 1893.
In his political views, Mr. Kramer coincides with the Republican party, but has no aspira- tions for the onerous duties and vexations of political preferment. As a leading and influential citizen, he takes great interest in the success of the tickets placed in the field by that party, and not only votes himself, but strives, to the utmost of his power, to induce others to see the question in the right light. For three years, however, he has served as school director. He is highly respected and esteemed by the entire population of the township, and is looked up to as a man truly honorable and upright in all things, and as one whom they can depend upon as a friend.
R. B. CHILCOTE. Among the well-known and leading farmers of Perry township, whose names are scattered through the pages of this volume, none is more worthy of mention than the gentleman whose name introduces this brief biographical notice. Here his entire life has been passed, his birth having occurred in Section 22, Perry township, February 16, 1841, and he is a son of Samuel M. and Susanna (Hatfield) Chilcote. Like most farmer boys his education was such as the district schools afforded, and, be- ing the oldest son, his labors were required in the fields of the home farin as soon as he was large enough to handle a plow.
On October 2, 1872, at Bowling Green, Ohio, Mr. Chilcote was married to Miss Euphemia J. Mercer, who was born in Portage township, Wood county, September 18, 1846, and is a daughter of William and Margaret Ikert; Mercer, members of the well-known pioneer family of that section. Her primary education was sup- plemented by a course in the Tiffin Union School, and she later became a teacher of recognized ability. This worthy couple have no
children of their own, but have given a home to Homer M. Johnston from the time he was font years old. Mr. Chilcote lived on the home farm in Perry township, until 1880, but at that time he located upon his present farm in Section 16, of the same township. Physically, he has never been very strong, and, while a farmer, has al- ways carried on that business moderately. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he resolved to offer his services to the government during the Civil war, and enlisted in August, 1861, as a member of Company E, 49th O. V. I .; but while at Camp Nevin, Ky., he was discharged the following November on account of disability. He, however, again enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company E, 144th O. V. I., and served with the command until discharged in August, 1864. doing guard duty much of the time at Wilming- ton, Delaware.
Our subject and wife are members of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Chilcote is a trustee. . He is a good citizen and highly re- spected, being a descendant of one of Perry's oldest and leading families. At one time he was identified with the G. A. R., being a mem- ber of Yates Post at West Millgrove.
EZRA HITE, proprietor of a good farm pleas- antly located in Washington township, ranks among the self-inade men of that section, who. from modest beginnings, have worked their way upward. He has had very little time to spend in idleness, is a man of sound judgment and in- telligence, and is well worthy of representation in a work of this kind.
Mr. Hite was born April 10, 1857, to John and Phæbe (Hudson) Hite, both natives of Vir- ginia, the father born February 11, 1818, and the mother on February IS, 1822. The former was of German descent, while his wife was ci Irish lineage, and by their marriage they became the parents of ten children: Martin K. and Martha, both deceased; David, a resident of Weston; Samuel and Lewis, both deceased; Abra- ham, a carpenter of Fremont, Ohio; Jane, wh died while young; Ezra, subject of this sketch. Perry, deceased; and one that died in infancy The father died January 12, 1865, at the age of forty-six years, eleven months, and two days; h's wife passed away March 5, 1891, at the age : sixty-nine years and fifteen days.
Our subject received his educatian in the dis- trict schools of Sandusky county, Ohio, where his paternal grandfather had located with his twenty-three children, nine of whom are still living. There Ezra Hite remained until he ha !
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reached the age of twenty-two years, when, on September 24, 1879, he married Miss Ella Phoebe Lyberger, by whom he has two children: Otto Monroe, born June 24, 1885; and John Wesley, born June 12, 1891. By trade Mr. Hite is a mason, which occupation he followed for twelve years, but most of his attention has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. In April, 1882. he ar- rived in Wood county, here purchasing forty acres of land in Section 11, Washington town- ship, half of which he has since drained and tiled, transforming it into a productivetract. Although a stalwart Democrat, he has taken no very active part in political matters, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. For one year he served as school director, and at one time ran for trustee, but lost the election by seven votes, as the township was two-thirds Republic- an. He takes quite an active interest in the I. O. O. F., belonging to Tontogany Lodge No. 755, of which he is at present noble grand, and has also been trustee and vice-grand. His re- ligious connection is with the Christian Union Battle Church, in the work of which he is ear- nestly devoted.
J. B. HAZLETT is a native of Butler county. Penn., born August 30, 1862, the son of John and Mary (Sedgwick) Hazlett. His father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1817, that being also the State in which his mother's birth occurred. She died at the age of about thirty-eight years, leaving our subject, who was a small child. His father at one time was a successful farmer, and on the discovery of the oil fields in Pennsylvania, he became and was an entensive oil operator for twenty years; he then sold his interests in the oil fields, and retired to his farin, where he is still living. Our subject had four sisters, all of whom are deceased. To the union of his father's second marriage were born four sons and four daughters.
The subject of our sketch lived in Butler county until he was six years old, and was then taken to Venango county, Penn., where for two terms he attended school. At the early age of thirteen he became a pumper in the oil fields, and ever since has been in the business, thoroughly understand- ing it in all its details, having filled every pos- sible capacity. After becoming the possessor of the necessary tools, he became a contractor, and filled many orders for well drilling.
In 1888, after years of experience and vary- ing fortunes in the oil fields, he came to Wood county, and soon became known as one of the best and most competent oil men in the country.
His first venture for himself in the business was in 1892, but his first drilling was a disaster to his finances; eighty dry holes were the result of his hard labor. leaving him deeply in debt, and nothing left but his knowledge of the business and the confidence reposed in him by his friends. In his darkest hour of need he found men who proved true friends, and placed means in his hands which enabled him to recuperate and resume his business, which, since those dark days, has brought him in a fortune. He became a member of the firms of Black, Reese & Hazlett; Black, Hazlett & McClune; Hazlett, Lynch & Co .; Hazlett, McDonald & Co. ; Black & Hazlett. and Schanker, Hazlett & Co. He is at present interested in about ninety wells, and ranks amongst the few who stand at the head as successful oil producers in Wood county fields.
After he was thirteen years old he started out in the world for himself, but, with no education, by observation and determination to succeed in life, he has by honesty and perseverance become a successful man. He married Miss Lou Lynch, of Bowling Green, Ohio, by whom he has one son, Harry. Politically, he is a Republican, and, socially, a member of the K. of P. and F. and A. M.
O. P. DRAKE, a loyal defender of the Union during the Rebellion, and a prominent and repre- sentative citizen of Bloom township, of which he is a native, was born May 11, 1840, a son of William and Susan (Cupp) Drake. His paternal grandfather, John Drake, was a native of New- port, England, and when a young man came to the United States, where he married a Miss Messmore, of Maryland. In their family of eight children-seven sons and one daughter- William was the next to the youngest.
William Drake was born near Columbus, Ohio, and in that locality married Susan Cupp, who was born there. About 1838 they located in Section 25, Bloom township, Wood county, where the father died at the age of sixty-seven, the mother two years later, and they were laid to rest in Weaver cemetery. Although a strong Democrat up to the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, William Drake then became a stalwart Republican. In the family were five children, as follows: John, who was a member of the truth O. V. I., died at Hazel Green, Ky., September o. 1863; our subject is next in order of birth: Halda is the wife of Reuben Delmey, of Bloom Center; Harriet is the wife of Fly Morrow, of Henry township, Wood county; and Joseph, who was also a member of Company B, nith O. V. I. was captured November 16, 1863, near Lenoir,
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