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 91
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N. G. BERKLEY, a leading agriculturist of Liberty township, was born in Lyman, N. H .. December 9, 1825. His father, Robert Berkley. was a native of Scotland, and during his boy- hood was brought to America. The grandfather. Robert Berkley, Sr., was born in Scotland, April 15. 1756. He married Rhoda Way, who was
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born in Sharon, Conn., August 21, 1759. Their children were as follows: Rhoda, born March 17, 1780; William, born January 5, 1783; Anna, January 8, 1785; Elizabeth, October 10, 1788; Ircna, July 10, 1790; Cyrus, July 5, 1792; Han- nah, November 1, 1795; Robert, September I, 1798, and Sarah, September 19, 1801.
The parents of our subject were married in New Hampshire, September 17, 1820, and their children were seven in number, the names and dates of birth being as follows: Britain W., August 9, 1821, Arthur, January 25, 1823; La- dora, February 28, 1824; Nelson G., December 9, 1825; Oscar F., January 28, 1830; Ladora (2) A., January 24, 1836, and Thirzah J., Sep- tember 24, 1839.
When a young man the father learned the shoemaker's trade, and later operated a large tannery at Lisbon, N. H. About 1836 he sold his business and removed with his family to Red- fern, N. Y., where he operated a glass-factory, sawmill and gristmill for five years. He then erected a large sawmill four miles from Redfern, on the river, purchased timber land and floated the trees down the river to the mill. He there carried on business until his death, which occurred October 18, 1853. He was then living with his second wife, his first wife having died many years previous.
In his boyhood Nelson G. Berkley began making boxes to be used in his father's glass factory, and became quite proficient also in work in the saw and grist mill. He continued in his father's employ until coming to Ohio, in August, 1850. On November 21, 1849, he was married, in New York, to Mary Ann Bigelow, Rev. R. Westcott officiating. He brought his wife to Ohio, traveling the entire distance of one thousand miles with two horses, a light wagon and a buggy. He settled in Medina county, and for about three years had charge of different sawmills. He also traded horses, and engaged in breaking colts, and in teaming. In the spring of 1853 he came to Wood county, living in Webster township, and again for three years engaged in the sawmill bus- iness. He afterward returned with his wife and family to New York, living in Clinton county, his health demanding the change. There he ran on the river and worked in sawmills, but after two years he went to Neenah, Wis., where he was first employed at the carpenter's trade, then went with twenty-two men up the Little Yellow river for the winter. They traveled through the snow in unbroken forests and across trackless prairies, and experienced many hardships and difficulties incident to life in an undeveloped region. During
the summer, Mr. Berkley was employed in a sawmill, rafting the lumber down the river.
The following fall, he returned to New York, and then came with his family to Wood county, where for three years he rented a farm. Hc then purchased his present home of 106 acres in Liberty township, on which he has made many excellent improvements, transforming it into a fine farm. Here he again experienced many difficulties and hardships; but resolute purpose and unfaltering energy at length triumphed over these. In politics he is a Republican. On May 15, 1883, our subject's wife died, and two and a half years later he wedded Mary A. Landes. The children of the first marriage were Van Rensselaer, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, Septem- ber 7, 1850, and died February 23, 1851; Helen Virginia, who was born in Medina county, March 25, 1852, and is now the wife of George Sykes, of Michigan; Ledora Imogene, born in Wood county, April 5, 1855 (deceased), formerly the wife of Samuel Wood; Mary Frances, born in Saranac, N. Y., May 20, 1857, wife of John Wolf, of Ohio; Robert Nelson, born in Clinton county, N. Y., March 9, 1860, and died June 18, 1864; Susan Ellen, born in Wood county, Octo- ber 10, 1862, wife of Jacob Hawk; Ernest Elmer, who was born in Wood county, February 9, 1865, and is now in Henry township; and Elizabeth Alta, born in Liberty township, October 19, 1867, now the wife of Samuel Smith.
CONRAD BEIL, a farmer in Washington town- ship; post office, Haskins, Ohio.
J. C. FREEMAN, a prominent and highly re . spected citizen of Tontogany, was born at Wes- ton, Ohio, to May 17, 1865, to J. H. and Caro- line (Hollis) Freeman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and a farm- er by occupation, the latter of Vermont, born of English parentage. Our subject is the second in a family of three children, the eldest being Laura, wife of George W. Harmon. foreman of the Artificial Gas Works, of Toledo, Ohio, where they reside; to them have been born six children. Aloh, Leona, Guy, Adon, one whose name is not given, and one who died in infancy. The young- est in the family is William B., who is agent for the C. H. & D. railroad, at Bowling Green; he wedded Ettie Ellsworth, of Weston.
J. C. Freeman remained on the home farm. in Washington township, until he reached the age of eighteen years, aiding his father in the cul tivation of the fields, and attending the district school of Maple Grove. He later pursued his
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studics in a school at Burton, Ohio, working in the store of Dr. F. A. Krill on Saturdays and in the evenings. It was his intention to take up the study of medicine with that gentleman, and finally go in partnership with him. The Doctor had made his home with our sub- ject's father from infancy, and, feeling a deep interest in John, wished to show his gratitude by paying his expenses in securing a medical education. In the meantime, however, a school of telegraphy was opened at Burton, and Mr. Freeman was appointed assistant super- intendent. There he remained for about three months, when he returned home, and later came to Tontogany, with the firm determination of making railroading his occupation. During the year and a half of his stay there, he was obliged to work at cutting corn, or at anything which he could find to do, in order to obtain money to meet his necessary expenses. At length, Mr. Freeman was appointed night operator at John- son, six miles north of Dayton, Ohio, by the C., H. & D. Railroad Company, where he remained for a little over a month. It seemed to our sub- ject that it was the loneliest place on earth, and great was his delight, one night, when the dis- patcher called him up, and asked him if he would accept the agency at Tontogany, and if he thought he could hold the position. It was such a surprise that Mr. Freeman could hardly answer, but at last he managed to accept, and since Sep- tember 5, 1887, he has been located there. He now has charge of the United States Express. Company's business at that place, is ticket and freight agent, and also has the account of all freight passing over the T. B. G. & U. B. divis- ion of the road. Formerly he had charge of all the telegraphing, but has since been given a night and day assistant. His long retention in this service indicates his faithful performance of duty, and the strict attention he gives to his employers' interests.
On December 23, 1888, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage with Miss Frances L. Wright, who was born August 18, 1869, a daughter of David Wright, who was formerly a leading citi- zen of Tontogany, and a veteran of the Civil war. Two children have been born to this union -Howard M .. January 30, 1890; and Nadine H .. November 30, 1893.
Almost the entire life of Mr. Freeman has been passed in Wood county, and those who have known him longest are numbered among his stanchest friends. In politics he is an ardent Republican: but, aside from using his right of franchise, he has no time to devote to political £5
measures. Socially, he is a third-degree Master Mason, belonging to Tontogany Lodge No. 451. F. & A. M., while in religious faith he and his wife are worthy meinbers of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
HENRY FREYMAN was born near Zanesville. Muskingum Co., Ohio. in 1853, and is a son of John E. and Mary Jane (McLain) Freyman. The father was born in Germany in 1818, and when a young man learned the miller's trade. Comning to America, he located in Muskingum county. where he was married, and then took up his resi- dence on a farm. In 1856 he removed with his family to Wood county, and purchased 160 acres of prairie land in Liberty township, to which he afterward added twenty-five acres which was in Portage township, and made his home on the farm until his death, which occurred in 1878. The mother of our subject had died many years pre- vious, and the father afterward married Mrs. Nancy Walters. The children by the first mar- riage were: Catherine, who died in infancy; Sarah Jane, wife of G. W. Simons; Peter, who was killed at the battle of Bentonville, during the Civil war; John, who died at the age of thirty- five; Caroline, wife of William Kenny, of Bowling Green; George W., of Portage township; Clarissa. wife of Matthew Munn, of Plain township; Henry: William, of Portage; and Perry, deceased.
Our subject attended the district schools of Liberty township, and spent two winters in school in Coles county, Ill. He remained at home un- til going west in 1870, at the age of seventeen years. He was ambitious and had a great desire to see the country, and. though he had little inoney, he resolutely started out and made his way to the home of his uncle in Coles county. In the spring he sought employment as a farm hand, and received $20 per month and his board. He rented a farm in 1876, which he operated until De- cember, of that year. when he returned home. accompanied by his brother William, who had joined him in Coles county in 1874, with a team of mules and a covered wagon. Our subject wis very successful while in the West, and after his return he aided in the cultivation of the old home- stead until his father's death, when the property was equally divided among the heirs, he receiving twenty-five acres which he afterward traded with his brother for land in Section 12, on which the old homestead now stands. He has thirty-seven and a half acres all cleared and highly cultivate :
Mr. Freyman was married in Plain township in 1870, to Miss Minnie Braber, and to the mar- riage were born three sons-Carl, George w !!
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Howard Henry. In politics our subject is a Re- publican. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.
GABRIEL AsH is one of the substantial agri- culturists of Milton township, and the success he has achieved has come as the result of his own industry, capable management, and resolute pur- pose. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Oc- tober 14, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Putnam) Ash. In the family were the following children: Gabriel, Elizabeth, Susan, Franklin, David (deceased), Josiah, Mary, Monroe (de- ceased), Harriet and Henry. By a second mar- riage the father also has one child, Jesse.
The school privileges which our subject re- ceived, were quite limited, for his services were needed in the development and cultivation of the home farm. He gave his father the benefit of his services until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself, working as a farm hand for $10 per month. It was thus that he got his start, for with his large family of children, the father could give them little assist- ance. Our subject was employed for eight months in Seneca county, and then came to Wood county. He was married in Hancock county, December 6, 1860, to . Miss Hannah Miller, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, in March, 1839. They then located on a forty- acre farm in Milton township, which Mr. Ash had previously purchased, and for twenty-six years he made his home upon that farm, trans- forming it into richly cultivated fields, and mak- ing many excellent improvements upon the place. On the expiration of that period he returned to Hancock county, and for two years operated a farm belonging to his brother-in-law. In the spring of 1891 he removed to his present home, having exchanged the 120 acres of land which he formerly owned, for this property. He now has one of the fine farms of Milton township, where- on are good barns and a comfortable residence, that are surrounded by waving fields of grain.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ash have been born two children: Sarah, who is engaged in the millinery business in Weston: and Mary, wife of Daniel Baumgartner, of Henry county, Ohio. The mother of these died in 1881. and. for his second wife, Mr. Ash wedded Eleanor Niebel, who was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, October 16, 1850.
On questions of national importance, Mr. Ash is a supporter of the Republican party, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he · votes for the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, without regard to party affiliations.
He has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and energies exclusively to hi. business interests. He is an active member of the Evangelical Church, and Mrs. Ash also takes quite a prominent part in Church work. In con- nection with general farming, Mr. Ash has for the past twenty-six years, been interested in the breeding of fine horses, and at the present time is the owner of two first-class animals, both in- ported from Belgium-"Sultan, " a splendid draft horse, and "Weddell," a fine road horse. Since a mere lad our subject has been a fancier and ... lover of fine stock, and much credit is due him for the interest he has shown in this direction.
JOHN P. BATTLES, a farmer and justice of the peace of Plain township; post office, Bowl- ing Green, Ohio.
J. A. BOWERS, a wide-awake and progressive young farmer of Middleton township, was born in this county November 21, 1860. He is a son of Peter Bowers, who was a well-known citizen of Wood county, and of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Our subject attended school in Haskins, and is a well-informed man who keeps posted on political questions and al! current events. He now operates 120 acres of the old homestead, which farin is under a high state of cultivation, indicating his thorough care. Energetic and industrious, he has well-tilled fields which yield to him a golden tribute. His home is presided over by his sister. His entire time and attention are given to his business inter- ests, and he has never taken any active part in public affairs. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party, and socially is connected with Roche-de-boeuf Lodge No. 532, I. O. O. F.
J. M. FORD was born in Erie county, Ohio. May 5, 1859.
The Ford family is of English origin. His father, William Ford, was born in Devonshire .. England, in 1834, the son of William Ford, wh> came to America with his family in 18449. and made his home in Erie county, during the re. mainder of his life. William Ford, Jr., our she ject's father, grew to manhood in Erie county. and was there married to Miss Rebecca Gillespi. who was born in 1840 in Pennsylvania, and ca'n. with lier parents to Wood county; Her tatl t was a Scotchman by birth. In 1872 our - ject's father moved to Bowling Green, where # died January 17, 1892; his widow still survive
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him. Five of their children lived to adult age: J. M., Mary M., Benjamin, Nettie, and Cora.
J. M. Ford having come to Bowling Green during his boyhood, his education was mainly ac- quired in the public schools there. For a few years after completing his studies he experi- mented in various employinents, doing whatever he found remunerative; but he was faithful and industrious in all bis undertakings, and for such young men there is always a chance to rise. In the course of time he managed to become the owner of a meat market, which became one of the best in Bowling Green, and commanded an ex- tensive trade. He has also purchased real es- tate in the city at different times, which proved to be a good investment. He married Miss Ida E. Yonker, one of Bowling Green's attractive daughters, born in 1863, and has two children: William M. and J. M., Jr. . In politics Mr. Ford is a Republican; socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
BENNETT J. GERDES, a prominent young agri- culturist of Webster township, residing near Dowling, was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan- uary 13, 1860.
His father, Robert J. Gerdes, was also a na- tive of Hanover, and was there married to Miss Hannah Seigler, by whom he had ten children: John; Bennett J., our subject; Garrett; Joe; Em- mett; Lizzie; Annie; Henry; and two who died in early infancy. The mother of these is now de- ceased. The father came to Wood county with his family, in 1871, and settled upon land in Perrysburg township. Here, at the age of six- teen, Bennett J. Gerdes undertook the task of making his own way. For three and a half years he worked on a farm at $16 a month, and by close economy managed to buy a small farm, which he has enlarged until he now possesses one hundred acres of the best farming land in the county.
Mr. Gerdes was married in 1886, to Miss Katie Warns, who was born in 1867, a daughter of John Warns, a well-known citizen of Perrysburg. One child was born to this union, but died in in- fancy. Intelligent and genial, Mr. Gerdes takes an influential and active part in all local move- ments, and he is a member of the F. & A. M., Phoenix Lodge, No. 123, of Perrysburg, and of the I. O. O. F., Freedom Lodge, of Pemberville.
GILIEN HEMINGER. The subject of this nar- rative was one of the carly pioneers of Mont- gomery township, where he still resides, and has contributed his full quota toward its development
and progress, having cleared about 300 acres. A farmer by occupation, he still operates a fine tract of land, comprising 119 acres, in Section 5, where he has made his home for over twenty years, and is now ranked, socially and financial- Jy, among the leading men of the township. He was born March 27, 1825. in Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Yunk- man) Heminger, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. At the beginning of the war of 1812 they located in Stark county, near Bol- ivar, and when our subject was about six years of age removed to Suffield township, Portage Co., Ohio, where the father died at the age of fifty- eight years. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith both were members of the Presbyterian Church. The mother died at the home of our subject in Montgomery township, at the age of seventy-four years.
In the family were eleven children: Ali, who died when young, in Pennsylvania: Frederick, who died in Montgomery township; Daniel, who died in Henry township; Henry, who died in Montgomery township; Elizabeth, who married Michael Smith, and died in the same township: Rosan, who married Andrew Heminger, and died at White Pigeon Prairie, Ind .; Rebecca, who died at the age of fourteen years; Susan, who married Daniel Phillips, and died in Portage township, Wood county; Gilien, subject of this review; Mary, who married Chris Dutler, and died in Williams county, Ohio; and Adam, who died in Portage township.
The education of our subject was such as the district schools of the time afforded, and he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits. When a boy of about fifteen years his widowed mother, with her four children yet at home- Gilien, Susan, Mary and Adam -- came to Section 7, Montgomery township, where she had pur- chased a forty-acre timbered tract. Selling the sinall house which she owned in Portage county, with two ox-teams she had the household effects hauled to this county, and after the expenses were paid was left with but little capital. Oar subject became the main support of his mother. working as a hired hand upon farms in the neigh- borhood. On December 12. 1847, in Montgomery township, Mr. Hemninger was married to Miss Sarah Willard, who was born in Stark county. February 17, 1820, and is the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Kiser) Willard. Her father, who was a native of Germany, came to America when ten years old, but her mother was born in Stirs county, Ohio, and was the daughter of one of. the earliest settlers of that county -Jacob Kiser.
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who there located several years prior to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mrs. Heminger is the sixth child in a family of seven -- two sons and five daughters- and as her mother died when she was quite young, she came with her sister Maria (wife of Frederick Hem- inger) to Wood county, in 1840, with whom she made her home until her marriage.
Mr. Heminger began his domestic life upon the farm which his mother had purchased, and later bought out the interest of the other heirs. He owned several different tracts before buying his present farm, in Section 5. Five sons were born to himself and wife, four of whom are engaged in agricultural pursuits: Frank M., of Sandusky county; Emanuel and Daniel, of Mont- gomery township; and Oliver P., at home; Joshua, the youngest of the family, is a postal telegraph operator. Since casting his first vote, Mr. Heminger has always been a stalwart Demo- crat, and in religious belief his wife is a member of the German Baptist Church. As early set- tlers, they well deserve an honored place among those noble old pioneers, the greater part of whose lives has been spent in Wood county, and no couple throughout the entire community are held in higher regard or are more universally loved and respected.
THOMAS M. CARR, a retired farmer of Lib- erty township; post office, Portage, Ohio.
FRANCIS MAGINNIS (deceased) was a native of West Virginia, born November 3, 1819, and a son of Daniel Maginnis, a native of the Emerald Isle. When a child of thirteen he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, the family locating in Plain township, where he worked on his father's farm until his marriage, and early became familiar with the duties of farm life.
In Plain township, April 15, 1847, Mr. Ma- ginnis was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Meeker, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 12, 1828. They became the parents of eleven children: (1) James W., the eldest, born June 30, 1851, is a railroad contractor; he mar- ried Arvilla Mingus, who was born December 25, 1872, in Huron county, and they have three chil- dren. (2) Fannie, born October 27, 1854, be- came the wife of John Muldowney, a railroad conductor, and died in May, 1881. (3) Sarah C., born September 29, 1856, is the wife of Charles Persto, of Toledo. (4) Mahlon M. was born October 11, 1857. 15: Mary A .. born No- vember 20, 1859, is the wife of W. H. Smith, of Toledo, Ohio. (6) Margaret A., born May S.
1862, is the wife of John Manly. (7) Annie M .. born May 24, 1864, died in childhood. (8) Francis, born September 28, 1866, is a railroad engineer. (9) Charles, born August 8, 1868, died in 1870. (10) Harry O., boin October 29, 1871, operates the homestead farm. (11) Sela, born January 26, 1875, is the wife of A. B. Chalender.
Having carried on farming for a number of years in Plain township, Mr. Maginnis, in 1881. removed to Middleton township, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land that he afterward greatly improved by erecting thereon barns and other buildings. He was numbered among the early settlers of Plain township, and had to con- tend with the trials and hardships of pioneer life; but he was industrious and energetic, and over- came these by continued application and effort. By energy and enterprise he worked his way up- ward from humble surroundings to a position of affluence, and, by his honorable and straightfor- ward dealings, won the confidence and respect of all. His life was one well worthy of emula- tion, and those who knew him had for him sin- cere regard. After a painful illness he passed away March 30, 1887, surrounded by a loving wife and family, and mourned by many friends. He had served as assessor of his township for a number of years, and was also trustec, dischary -. ing his duties in a very creditable and satisfactory manner. In politics he was a supporter of Dem- ocratic principles, and was a consistent and faith ful member of the Presbyterian Church.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Maginnis has conducted the farm, with the aid of her sons. She is one of the pioneer ladies of the community. was to her husband a faithful companion and helpineet. and in this volume the family is well: deserving of representation.
IRA B. HORNER, a farmer in Weston towg. ship; post office, Weston, Oliio.
GEORCE WHITMILL, deceased, who during his lifetime was a leading and influential farmi residing in . Section 31, Ross township, located!" upon his farm December 31, 1863. It then com -. prised a tract of eighty acres of wooded lan,! upon which he built a story-and-a-half hon 16 x 26 feet, with two Ls, one 18 X 20 feet. .. the other 12 x 20. In September, 188;, this hot was destroyed by fire. Our subject was a native of England, born in Oxfordshire, in 1sts. ! son of George and Mary Savory) Whiteel. tives of the same county, the former both ! April, 1813. the latter on April 3. 1814. The !!
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