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 94
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
1359
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
county, Ohio, daughter of Albert and Rebecca Ford. On his return from the war he and his young wife lived with her parents, while a home was being prepared on an eighty-acre tract of wild land Mr. Whitman had bought, in Section 12, Perry township. In 1867 he went to Ot- tawa county, Ohio, and in the village of Martin was employed in a sawmill. Returning to Perry township, he re-commenced farming, and work- ing at whatever he could find to do. In 1870 he traded his farm for an interest in a sawmill at West Millgrove, Wood county, but in June, 1871, the mill was burned down; in the winter of 1871-72 it was rebuilt by Whitman, Ketcham & Swope, Mr. Whitman later becoming sole owner, as he is at the present time.
Our subject's first wife died June 20, 1878, and was buried at West Millgrove. She was the mother of four children: William A., who died at the age of eighteen years; and Charles A., Chester O., and Roland M., all three deceased in infancy. In 1879 Mr. Whitman married Miss Sarah E. Buckingham, of Perry township, daughter of James and Elizabeth Buckingham; she passed away May 13, 1892, the mother of three chil- dren: Milton M., Willis A., and Norman L., all yet at home. In 1893 our subject was married at Granville, Licking Co., Ohio, to Elizabeth Thomas, and one child-Sarah E., has blessed this union.
In addition to his sawmill, Mr. Whitman owns eighty acres of land in Bloom township, a flouring-mill in West Millgrove, as well other town property. Socially, he is a charter member of Yates Post No. 50, G. A. R., and at the pres- ent time is a member of Conley Post No. 476, at Millgrove. In his political preferences he is a straight Republican, and between the years 1880 and 1895 he served as a justice of the peace. He is in all respects a thorough business man, shrewd, cautious and conservative, self-made in every re- spect, one who by his own individual efforts has climbed the ladder of success, rung by rung, until he has reached the goal of a well-earned prosperity.
HORACE A. ELDER, who now devotes his en- ergies to farming, in Center township, was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, March 1, 1855, a son of Asa and Eliza (Cessna) Elder. The father was a native of Bedford county, Penn .. and. re- moving to Ohio about 1853, located in Mahoning county, where he died in 1855. The mother re- moved with his family to Seneca county, in 1860. and in 1871 came to Wood county, now making her home in Bloomdale. She is a member of 1
the German Reformed Church, and has been to her children a most faithful and devoted mother. In the family were seven children-Sarah, a res- ident of Bloomdale, and the widow of J. Dickins. who died in Seneca county; Emma, who became the wife of E. Ash, and died in Seneca county; Curtis, a farmer of Defiance county, Ohio; Will- iam, a resident of Fostoria, Ohio; Jonathan, who is living in Henry county, Ohio; Mary, who died in childhood; and Horace A.
Our subject remained in Seneca county until sixteen years of age, and then came to Wood county, where he attended the district schools, and aided -in the labors of the home farm. At the age of twenty-four he married Viola Ferl, who was born in Wood county, April 10, 1855. They have seven children-Floyd, Wanda, Cash. Ward, Helen and Merl, all living, and Clinton, the second child, who died at the age of six years.
In 1871, Mr. Elder purchased a farm in Bloom township. where for twenty-three years he suc- cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits. System in his methods of work, close application to busi- ness, energy and determined effort, have brought to him success, and in 1894 he sold his farm in Bloom township, and purchased a valuable tract of land adjoining the city limits of the county seat, where he is now living in a pleasant home.
B. SOULE, who, since November, 1892, has made his home in Fostoria, Seneca Co., Ohio. but whose life has almost entirely been passed in Wood county, was born near Buffalo, N. Y .. August 1, 1835. When a small child he was taken to Erie county, Ohio, by his parents, Lo- renzo and Anna C. (Fink) Soule, both natives of Germany, who but a short time remained in Erie county, and then located in Bloom township, this county. Our subject was nearly eleven years of age before he was able to attend school. and as his aid was needed in operating the home farm, his education was necessarily quite meager. At the age of twenty he began learning the car- penter's trade, which he followed for a few years.
On July 4. 1858, Mr. Soule was married in Portage township, Wood county, to Miss Mary Graham. Her birth occurred in Ashland county. Ohio, on May 8, 1832, and she was quite young when she was brought to Wood county by her parents, William and Elizabeth (Lefler Graham. pioneers of Montgomery township. At the time of his marriage our subject had only enough money to start to house-keeping with on his father-in-law's farm in Portage township. The first land he owned was in Bloom township, but previously he had an interest in a sawmill in the
1360
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
southwest corner of Montgomery township. be- ing in partnership with Henry Tyson. With the profits made in that business, Mir. Soule pur- chased eighty acres of timber land in Section 2. Bloom township, at once beginning its im- provement and cultivation, and there made his home for about eighteen years, when he re- moved to his father-in-law's place, in Portage township, as that gentleman was getting old and required some care. After residing there for two years, he next operated the John Baird farm, in Bloom township, for the same length of time. The following three years were spent in West Millgrove, where he was ill most of the time. He then removed to his farm of 100 acres in Section 10, Perry township, residing there until going to Fostoria, where he owns a pleasant home, and expects to spend the remainder of his days in ease and retirement, enjoying a well- earned rest. In religious belief he and his wife are Methodist Episcopals, and, while in West Millgrove, he served as trustee of the Church there. His political support is given the Repub- lican party, and he is an estimable citizen, and an honorable, upright man.
REV. RICHARD M. CULVER, a minister of the M. E. Church; post office, Bowling Green, Ohio.
ISADORE FASTNACHT, an industrious and suc- cessful agriculturist of Middleton township, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, August 22, 1846, and is a son of Joseph (a carpenter and joiner) and Mary Fastnacht, who had a family of three children, Isadore being the only survivor. The parents have both passed away.
In the common schools near his home our sub- ject acquired his education, and afterward worked at the trade of carpenter and joiner with his father for five years; but advancement was slow in his native land, and wages meagre. This led him to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, and in 1869 he bade adieu to the friends and scenes of his boyhood, and set sail for New York. On reach- ing this country, he made his way to Erie county, Ohio, where he remained three months, and then removed to Sandusky county, and there resided some six years, working as a farm hand and car- penter. On the expiration of that period he came to Wood county, and took up his residence in Middleton township, where he purchased a farm of forty acres, partly improved; the remainder he cleared, transforming it into richly cultivated fields, and built thereon a good residence and commodious barns. Such is the home he has made for himself entirely through his own efforts,
and his life in its enterprising progressiveness is well worthy of emulation.
In 1873 Mr. Fastnacht was married in San- dusky county to Miss Aggie Demphly, a native of Baden, Germany, and six children were born to them, one of whom died in infancy, William and John dying in early childhood; the others are Emma, of Bowling Green; Mary, wife of John Pfeifer, a harness-maker, of Bowling Green; and Joseph, at present attending school. In re- ligious faith, our subject is a Roman Catholic; in his political views, he is a Democrat, and has served as supervisor one term.
GEORGE M. GROVER (deceased), who was for many years previous to his death a prominent and successful agriculturist of Center township, was born in Green Spring, Ohio, January 15. 1839. He was a son of Aaron and Mary A. (Davis) Grover, both of whom were natives of New York State.
He received his early education in the district schools of Delaware county, Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed there for some time. Later he moved to Illinois. and remained until 1865, when he came to Wood county and located in Plain township, continuing his business of blacksmithing, and engaging also in farmning. In the following year he sold out and moved to Center township, purchasing forty acres of unimproved land near Sugar Ridge. This he cleared and inade into a fine farm with a good orchard, substantial farm buildings, and the handsomest dwelling house in that neighborhood. He was married in Illinois, in 1860, to Miss Sarah A. Williams, who was born in Rush, October 14, 1841. Ten children were born of this union, of whom, two. Laura and Charles. died in childhood, and two (twins) died in infancy.
The names of the six surviving children, with dates of birth, are as follows: William, January 21, 1863, a farmer in Center township, married Ellen Stoller, and has two children; John S .. March 20, 1865, now conducts the homestead. Clara, July 17, 1869, married Louis Bowers, a farmer; Hilda, August 11, 1871, married Henry Layman; Florence, January 5. 1874. married Frank Meaker: and Albert. September 13, 1870. is at home.
Mr. Grover was kind and loving in the domes- tic circle, and was a generous supporter of every movement which promised to benefit the public His death shortened a life which seemed desuned to accomplish much for the advancement of th commumty. He was one of the most active workers in the Grange, while it was in existence.
1
1361
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
and was an influential member of the Republican ranks, serving as school director for several terms, and for a number of years as township supervisor, giving to his public duties the same energy and care which distinguished the manage- ment of his private affairs.
WILLIAM WITZLER, farmer, Perrysburg town- ship; post office, Perrysburg, Ohio.
JOHN STACY, deceased, was one of the most popular citizens of Center township, his genial, kindly manner winning him many friends, while his well-spent life enabled him to retain their high regard. Prosperity attended his efforts, and the community recognized him as one of its valued residents. He was born in Mahoning county. Ohio, November 5, 1813, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Bonner) Stacy, both natives of Vir- ginia. The district schools afforded him his edu- cational privileges, and in his native county he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he followed for a period of several years. He afterward engaged, with good success, in con- tracting and building on his own account.
In December, 1840, Mr. Stacy married Ma- linda Underwood, daughter of William Under- wood, and a sister of Gideon Underwood, the wedding being celebrated in Pennsylvania, just across the Ohio line. Thirteen children blessed this union -- Laura J., who was born January 26, 1842, now the wife of John Shanks, a farmer of Center township, by whom she has five children; John N., born March 9, 1843, a resident of Bowl- ing Green; Mary A., born May 10, 1844, the de- ceased wife of Wright Stacy, who has also passed away; William S., born February 9, 1845, a me- chanic of Bowling Green; Charlotte A., who was born November 23, 1847, and died in 1857; Charles S., who was born October 9, 1849, and is engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Cen- ter township; Thomas W., who was born Sep- tember 29, 1851, and died in 1856; Sylvia, who was born November 23, 1853, and died in 1872; Martha E., who was born October 7, 1855, and died in 1857: Albert L., born February 23, 1857. farms the old homestead; Elsie M., who was born August 11, 1859, is the wife of George Bufford, a farmer of Michigan: Carrie L., who was born December 6, 1861, is the wife of John Sullivan. of Center township; Sherman G., born Decem- ber 5, 1865, is a resident of Frankton, Indiana.
In 1861, Mr. Stacy came with his family to Wood county, and purchased eighty acres of par- tially-clcared land in Center township, which was operated by his, sons, while he carried on con-
tracting and building at Bowling Green. He erected a fine residence, and good barns and out- buildings upon his farm, tiled and ditched the place, planted an orchard, and made there an ex- cellent home, where his wife still resides. For a number of years he served as school director, and always took a deep interest in the cause of edu- cation and other movements calculated to benefit the community. In politics he was a Republican. His was an upright, noble Christian life, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. Mrs. Stacy, now at the age of seventy- two years, is still living on the old homestead in the midst of her children and grand-children, who do all in their power to make her declining years happy.
ISAAC GROFF, one of the most prominent of the wealthy agriculturists of Grand Rapids town- ship, Wood county, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., November 27, 1818. Hc was one of the nine children of Michael and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Groff, and he is now the only survivor of the family. He worked upon his father's farm during boyhood, and attended the neighbor- ing district schools. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the milling business, which he fol- lowed for twenty-two years. In 1865 he sold his interests there and came to Wood county, and located in Grand Rapids, renting and operat- ing the flourinill in Henry county on the Mau- mee, owned by Mr. Purdy, which he conducted for twelve years. In 1868 he bought 100 acres of farming land in Grand Rapids township, a por- tion of which was cleared. He soon brought the entire tract under cultivation, ditching and tiling, and building a frame dwelling house and barns. While this is quite satisfactory as a farm. it was too far from Grand Rapids to be a congenial residence, hence Mr. Groff bought ten acrcs more, near the town, and built a handsome brick dwelling house at a cost of $2.700, where he now resides. His other improvements on the sinaller tract are of a high class, and his home is one of the finest in the neighborhood.
Mr. Groff has been twice married, first in 1840, at Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Campbell, by whom he had six children: Mary, who lives at home; Edward, deceased: Michael, a fariner in Henry county: Margaret, deceased. formerly the wife of William Rhoades; Martha, deceased, formerly the wife of William Shoe- maker: and Isaac, who is in the employ of the Columbus Bridge Co. Mrs. Groff died in 1856 at Columbus. In 1865 our subject married, for his second wife, Miss Eliza Mains, a native of
86
1362
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Pennsylvania. No children were born to this union. Mr. Groff is a Republican in politics and has always been a leader in local affairs. He is well-known and highly esteemed in the town of Grand Rapids, as well as in the rural districts, and was at one time a member of the city council.
HENRY LUCAS is a well-known resident of Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio.
JOHN A. STEVENS, a highly respected agricult - urist of Grand Rapids township, was born in Huron county, Ohio, in Bloom (now Erie) town- ship, May 3, 1822. William K. Stevens, a na- tive of New York State, married Miss Catherine Saddler, and had seven children, of whom our subject was the first.
John A. Stevens had an adventurous life in his youth. He began when only seven years old to make his own way in the world. and at an early age went west and became a cowboy, his schooling being limited to a few years' attendance at the district schools near his birth place. How- ever his native abilities have served him well, and he has gathered a wide range of practical infor- mation on all the topics of the day. When eiglit- een years of age he began working as a farm hand, and in 1853 he came to Wood county and entered forty acres of land, which he improved and sold two years later at an advance. He afterward bought and sold land several times in the same way, sixteen acres near Weston, and forty-one in Plain township; but finally he settled upon his present farm of forty acres near Weston, which he keeps in a fine state of cultivation, and has beautified with commodious and well-planned buildings. He was married, in 1849, in Sherman township, Huron county, to Miss Ether Linda Heath, and has had nine children, as recorded in the sketch of Zahn Stevens, elsewhere
Mr. Stevens holds an influential position in his community, won by his sterling qualities of character. He was school director in Weston township for two years, and in Plain township for the same length of time, and has been super- visor of Weston township. He is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Repub- lican.
S. L. IRWIN, the junior member of the well- known firm of W. B. Ladd & Co., of Tontogany, was born September 27, 1843, in West Toronto, York Co., Canada, where his paternal ancestors had lived for several generations. His parents were both born there, his father, E. G. Irwin, in ISto, and his mother, Mary (Crown). two years
later. Her father was born in New Jersey, and served in the war of 1812. Mr. Irwin was the third of six children: (1) John C. is a traveling salesman for a flour manufacturer, and lives in Chicago; (2) Henry L. died in Texas; (3) S. L., is our subject; (4) William W. is an engineer at Erie, Penn; (5) Hattie P. married R. J. Conader, of Toronto; (6) M. R. lives at Fort Scott, Kansas. Mr. Irwin's parents were con- sistent followers of the Christian faith. On March 4, 1863, liis mother died, and on May 6, of the same year, his father passed away, and the family, unbroken up to that time, was soon widely scattered.
In 1864 our subject came to Maumee City, Lucas county, and after working for a few months at the tinner's trade, he enlisted in Com- pany K, 185th O. V. I., at the last call for one- year men, serving in Kentucky until discharged in October, 1865. Returning to Maumee he re- sumed his business there, and in 1870 moved to Weston, and followed the same line of work at intervals until 1883. He visited Florida on a prospecting tour, but, quickly recognizing the su- perior advantages of Wood county, he came back, and in 1883 entered into partnership with W. B. Ladd, forming the firm of W. B. Ladd & Co., in their present business of general hardware in Tontogany. Its management devolves upon Mr. Irwin at present, and it is to his good judg- ment and energy that its success is mainly due.
He was married at Maumee City, in 1866, to Miss Ida M. Clark, who was born there, August 15, 1848. They have three children: Lulu B., Hattie and F. W. Mr. Irwin is one of the prom- inent and progressive citizens of the community, and is a member of the G. A. R., Walter Wood Post No. 14, and of the F. & A. M., Crystal Chapter No. 157 Bowling Green, Blue Lodge No. 451 of Tontogany, and the Commandery of Toledo.
F. M. CARTER is a farmer in Middleton town- ship; post office, Hull Prairie, Ohio.
DAVID ADAMS (deceased) was the father of a large family that claim Montgomery township as their pioneer home, being founded here in the early "thirties," so that for over sixty years it has been prominently identified with the history of the locality. Previous to David's location here, his brother Asa had become a resident of Montgomery township.
David Adams was born in Beaver county, Penn., in 1784, and was the son of David Adams. Sr., who was descended from New England stock.
1363
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
From Pennsylvania, the son served in the war of 1812, and there he married Sarah Mckibben, by whom he had the following children. all born in the Keystone State with the exception of the youngest: Julia A., who was married in Pennsyl- vania to Henry Rhodes, died in Portage county, Ohio; Agnes is the widow of William Miller, and makes her home in Mercer county, Penn. ; Aman- da became the wife of Frederick Klitz, and died in Montgomery township, Wood county; Mar- garet was married in this State to William Henry. now of Mahoning county, Ohio; David died near Jerry City, Ohio; Harvey also died near that city; Joseph died in Montgomery township in 1849; James died in Jerry City; Hugh Mc. died in Montgomery township; Sarah J., who became the wife of Benjamin Burket, died in Kansas; John M. and Asa are twins, the former a resident of Montgomery township, and the latter of Freeport, Ohio; Mary wedded Andrew Wanders, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh during the Rebei- lion, after which she married Abel Manchester, and died in Missouri; and Susan is now Mrs. Will- iam Cowden, living near Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
In his native State Mr. Adams was a farmer and distiller, the latter business being then quite popular, and in 1833 he came to Wood county. where he purchased 160 acres of land in Mont- gomery township, from a man at Bucyrus, Ohio. The following spring, with sons-David, Harvey and Joseph-he came by team to this county, where he left the boys and returned to Penn- sylvania. They were to put in such crops as they could with a team of oxen. In November, 1834, he brought the remainder of the family to Montgomery township, locating on the southwest quarter of Section 20, their first home being a log house. In 1837 he built the old gristmill in Section 20, Portage township, on the Portage river, which, the following year, was put in oper- ation, and people would come from miles around to have their grist ground. He was a inan of comfortable means in Pennsylvania, and entered much land in Wood county, giving to each of his sons eighty acres or its equivalent.
Though not large in stature, Mr. Adams was a muscular man, and very robust. His educa- tional privileges were only ordinary, but he was a man of natural intellectual ability and became well-informed by reading and observation. He had begun the study of law, and often tried cases for the justice of the peace, his counsel often be- ing sought by the early settlers of Wood county. In politics, Mr. Adams usually supported the Democracy, but was not bound by party ties; varions official positions in the township and
county were offered him, but he always declined. as he cared nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. Being an excellent conversa- tionalist, he could easily entertain a crowd of people, and he was wide and favorably known throughout the county. His death occurred up- on the old homestead farm in Section 20, Mont- gomery township, in June, 1859, and his body was laid to rest by the side of his wife, who had died a few years previous, in West Millgrove cemetery. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.
R. H. RALSTON, furniture dealer and under- taker, in Milton Center, Wood Co., Ohio.
S. J. MCCRORY, a retired farmer, and a highly respected resident of Bowling Green, was born in Liberty township, January 17, 1851, and is the son of James and Mary Ann (Mercer) Mc- Crory.
James McCrory was born in Wayne county. Ohio, in 1821, and when a boy came with his parents to Wood county. He followed farming the greater part of his life, although he was en- gaged for a short period in merchandising in Portage. He was a Democrat and a niember of the Christian Church. He died October 19. 1885. Mr. McCrory was first married to Miss Nancy Sechelor, who died after the birth of one child, Hannah, now the wife of William Robin- son, of Liberty township.
The mother of our subject was born in Co- lumbiana county, Ohio, the daughter of George and Jane ( Montgomery) Mercer, and is still living at her old home in Liberty township. By her mar- riage with Mr. McCrory she became the mother of thirteen children, of whom seven grew to matu- rity; William Paul, deceased; S. J., the subject of this sketch; Jennie, wife of J. Ferguson, living in Wood county; James A., living at Cygnet. this county; Mary Ann, residing with her mother: Horace, living in Milton township; and Albert, who makes his home with his mother.
S. J. McCrory was reared upon a farm in his native township, and is a model type of the man who, with limited advantages in the way of schooling or of money, has, by persistent appli- cation, acquired a knowledge of books as well as of men, and who to-day is well-posted on cur- rent literature and matters of general interest After his marriage, Mr. McCrory settled upon a farm in Liberty township, and devoted himself to the cultivation and improvement of his land with an energy which soon produced the desired effect He has become recognized as a farmer of mon
1364
WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
than ordinary intelligence and progressive ideas. In 1890, Mr. McCrory retired from active busi- ness, and, since that time, has made his home in Bowling Green, where he is looked upon as one of its most valued citizens.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.