USA > Ohio > Williams County > County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical > Part 57
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M. B. PLUMMER, son of Jacob and Lucy (Berkshire) Plummer, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, where his birth occurred January 2, 1818. He was reared in Ross County to manhood, where he acquired a fair district school education. By trade he is a woolen manufacturer, but his life has been diversified with a number of different employments. At the age of twenty-two he began his career as a school teacher, at which he engaged both in his native county and in Williams. In November, 1841, he came to Williams County, Ohio, stopping first in Springfield Township, where he began teaching, and Williams County has ever since been his home. He was married, October 13, 1844, to Miss Emily Moudy, and the spring of that year moved to West Unity, and embarked in mer- chandising. In 1848, he was elected County Recorder by the Demo- cratic party and moved to Bryan. The spring of 1851, he was appointed County Auditor to fill the unexpired term of Jacob Bowman, resigned. He continued as such until his term expired, afterward acting as Deputy County Auditor three years. In 1856, he engaged in merchandising in Bryan, at which he continued until 1860. He was one of the Census Enumerators for that year, and in 1862 he was appointed route agent on the Toledo & Wabash Railroad. The fall of 1863, he resigned this position to fill the position of Clerk of Courts of Williams County, to which he had been elected by the Union party, and in 1868 was ap- pointed postal clerk on the same railroad on which he had been route agent. In 1870, he engaged in business in Bryan, at the same time em- barking in a manufacturing enterprise at Pioneer. In 1874, he was elected Mayor and Justice of the Peace of Bryan, and in 1877 was re- elected Justice of the Peace. In 1870, he engaged in a general insur- ance business at which he is yet engaged. Mr. P. is a Democrat in poli- tics, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church and the parents of nine children-John M., Charles W .. Edward E., Lizzie Z., Leroy D. and Alice, living; and Eliza J., Udora and Frank W., deceased.
JOHN W. POLLOCK was born December 28, 1825, in Richland County, Ohio, and is one of a family of thirteen children, ten of whom are yet living, born to Samuel and Frances (Wilkin) Pollock, who were natives respectively of Ireland and Pennsylvania. Samuel Pollock came with his parents to America when six years old ; was reared in Pennsyl- vania and Harrison County, Ohio, at the latter-named place marrying in 1818. He served in the war of 1812; was a farmer by occupation ; moved to Richland County in about 1820, where he died in 1876. His widow still survives him at the age of eighty-two years, residing in Mans- field. John W. Pollock was reared in Richland County, receiving in youth only such education as limited means in the common schools of that early day afforded. In August, 1848, he came to Williams County for
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the first time, purchased a piece of land directly across the county line and then returned to Richland County, remaining there until the winter of 1849, when he returned to Williams County, where he remained one year, working at his trade of carpenter and joiner. The winter of 1850. he returned to Richland County, when, on the 19th of June, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Finny. He remained in his native county until August, 1851, during which time he erected two barns. He then moved to Williams Centre, Williams County, and recommenced work- ing at his trade, which was that of barn building chiefly, until the breaking- out of the war. September 1, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company E. Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained with them until November, 1863, participating in all the movements of his regiment until it was veteranized. He was sent home for recruiting services in Novem- ber, 1863, and in April, 1864, was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company C, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They went into active service, but soon after starting out, Lieut. Pollock was placed in the Quar- termaster's Department, remaining therein until June, 1865, when he participated in the grand review of Sherman's army. In December, 1864, he was promoted First Lieutenant, mustered into Company D. of the Thirty-eighth, and in about June, 1865, was advanced to Captain of Company F. After the war, Mr. P. returned to Bryan, on the place he had purchased in 1852, and to which he had moved a year or two later. He has remained here ever since, first engaging in saw-milling, subse- quently at his trade and farming. He owns twenty-four acres where he now resides, and 160 acres in Pulaski Township. His wife died January 15, 1877. To her marriage with Mr. Pollock there were born three chil- dren-James F. (deceased), Clayton E., and Ella B. (deceased). April 21, 1878, Mr. Pollock married his present wife, Mrs. Hattie (Newman) Eaton. To their marriage has been born one daughter, Fanny F. Mr. Pollock is a Republican in politics, and is one of the present Trustees of Pulaski Township. He is a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.
A. M. PRATT, lawyer, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., De- cember 26, 1825. His father, Michael Pratt, was a native of Taunton, Mass., a direct descendant of the Puritans, and dated the advent of his forefathers in America as far back as 1623, and it is said that one of them surveyed and laid out the town of Plymouth. John, the father of Michael, served in the Revolution as a Massachusetts minuteman. Michael mar- ried Lydia Douglas, of New London, Conn., a distant relative of Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. This lady died, leaving no children. His second wife, Sophia Humphreville, of Fair Haven, Conn., became the mother of eight children, five of whom survive their parents, the father dying Janu-
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ary 6, 1862, and the mother in September, 1867. Our subject was the sixth child born to this union, and was reared on his father's farm in his native county. In 1846, he entered Williams College, and graduated in 1850. In December of that year, he came to Ravenna, this State, and under the instruction of John L. Ramsey, there began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Medina in 1853. The same fall, he came to Bryan, then a town of about 450 inhabitants, and began practice in partnership with Edward Foster, and here he has carried on his profession with gratifying success ever since. January 17, 1855, he married Eliza- beth C. Atwood, of Portage County, who died July 20. 1870, leaving two daughters, Mabel E. and Cornelia A. His second and present wife was Mary W. Northrop, whom he married October 26, 1871. Mr. Pratt is a Republican, has served as Mayor of Bryan, and was a delegate to the last State Constitutional Convention.
OLIVER J. ROTSEL, M. D., is a native of Bucks County, Penn., and is a son of Matthias J. and Margaret A. (Hendricks) Rotsel, who were parents of four children, three of whom continue to live. Fred- erick Rotsel, great-grandfather of Dr. Rotsel, was a native of Germany, and the progenitor of that name in America. As a people, they have generally been agriculturlists with but few exceptions. The parents of Dr. Rotsel were farmers, although his father was a weaver by trade. They moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1832, and after living there until about 1850, moved to Ashland County, Ohio. The spring of 1853, Mr. Rotsel took the gold fever, sailed around South America to California, and engaged in mining and farming until the fall of 1855, when he re- turned to Ashland County. From this place he moved to Dallas County, Iowa, in 1856, where he died in 1877, followed by his widow in Febru- ary, 1881. Between the ages of ten and twenty-two years, Dr. Rotsel remained in Columbiana County, Ohio, during which time he received a good common school education. In 1840, he began the study of medi- cine under Dr. N. S. Sampsel, of Columbiana, now of Delaware, and the winter of 1852-53 attended and graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati. Dr. Rotsel practiced his profession in Richland County, Ohio, for a number of years, and in 1865 moved to Pulaski Township, Williams County, where he recommenced practicing. In 1876, he moved to Bryan, where he now lives. He was married, May 17, 1845, to Elizabeth Purdy, who died two years later, leaving one daughter, Mary, since deceased. May 1, 1849, he married his present wife, Re- becca Backensto, who has borne him eight children-Amanda, Josephine, Oliver C., Q. C., James H., William C., Sarah A. and Ella M. Dr. Rotsel is one of the most successful practitioners of medicine in Williams County, and is, besides, popular in his township. He is a member of the
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I. O. O. F., the O. F. Encampment, of the O. F. Temple, and also of the Universalist Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He is owner of some good town property, besides 272 acres of good land in Pulaski Township.
ROBERT A. SCOTT, attorney at law, was born in Fulton County, Ohio, August 7, 1854, and is the son of William C. and Elizabeth (Mill- house) Scott. When Robert A. was about one year old, his parents came to Bryan, where the father engaged in the grocery trade for a time, and afterward with a brother engaged in saw-milling. About 1857, he moved to Centre Township and bought a farm, on which he and wife are now liv- ing. They are the parents of six children, viz., Margaret S., now Mrs. A. C. Bates, Robert A., Charles E., H. Winfield, J. Ellsworth and Matus R. Robert A. was reared on the farm in Centre Township, and there educated. During the winter of 1871-72-73, he taught school in this county, and in 1874 began the study of law in the office of Pratt & Bently ; during the sessions of 1874-75 and 1875-76, he also attended the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and received his degree of LL. D. in the spring of 1876. He remained in the office of Pratt & Bently that fall, and in November of the same year formed a partnership with Judge Leidigh, which has been harmoniously and successfully conducted ever since. In 1878, he was elected by the Democracy to the office of Prosecuting Attorney, his competitor being C. S. Bently, his former preceptor. He served two years to the entire sat- isfaction of his constituents, and was again nominated for the office, but was defeated, although running ahead of his ticket, by a Republican county majority. He is a member of I. O. O. F., the O. F. Encamp- ment, and the Patriarchal Circle, and has passed all the chairs in both lodge and encampment. He was married May 1, 1879, to Miss Minnie Meeks, of Wauseon, Fulton County, who has borne him two children- Herma and Bertha. Mrs. Scott was born in Wauseon, December 3, 1856, of a highly respectable family.
J. W. SMITH, merchant, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 26, 1833, and is one of seven children, six sons and one daughter, born to Andrew and Christina (Shaffer) Smith, who were respectively descended from Irish and Dutch ancestors, and natives of Ohio and Penn- sylvania. Andrew Smith was reared a farmer, married in Coshocton County, and in 1834, emigrated to Seneca County, Ohio, and in May, 1835, removed to Williams County, Ohio, then an almost impenetrable forest, locating in Jefferson Township. They were among the first set- tlers in the county, and through years of continuous residence, have be- come a part of its history. They engaged in clearing and farming, con- tinuing the same until within the past few years, when they removed to
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Bryan where both are yet living, aged respectively seventy-one and sev- enty-two years. J. W. Smith was reared in Williams County, which has always been his home. He received only the education of a pioneer boy in youth, but in latter years attended and took a thorough commercial course in Folson's Commercial College, at Cleveland. In December, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Marium G. Richardson, and from that time until 1862, was engaged in threshing, farming, and teach- ing school. In 1862, he removed to Bryan, where he has ever since resided, engaged in buying stock, grain, soliciting insurance, and hand- ling agricultural implements, the latter being his present employment. For two years-1865 and 1866-he was partner in the Bryan Woolen Mills, which were burned while he was a stock-owner. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, a member of the Royel Arch Masons, and a non-affiliative member of the I. O. O. F. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and are the parents of five children-Eliza J. (now Mrs .. C. W. Wertz), Willard A. (who married Sarah Folwell), Emma (deceased), Elmer E. (deceased), and John A. Mr. Smith began life a poor boy com- paratively, and by his own exertions has placed himself and family in comfortable circumstances.
PHILETUS SMITH, son of Elijah T. and Caroline (Fisher) Smith, is a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, his birth occurring December 25, 1842. The Smith family are of English descent, and their genealogy is traced back to 1685, when they, with the religious sect known as Quakers, emigrated with William Penn to America. They have in this country been leading citizens, and ex-United States Senator Oliver H. Smith, of Indiana, was a brother of our subject's father. Elijah and Caroline (Fisher) Smith were the parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter. Of these sons, three are lawyers, and two are doctors. The father was a farmer, and died in Michigan in 1869. His widow yet re- sides in that State. Philetus Smith was reared, until thirteen years old, in Cuyahoga County, afterward moving to Michigan with his parents. He received a common school education, and for six years taught public school. He began the study of law in 1863, but did not make it a spe- cialty until three years later. He came to Bryan in 1868, and in 1869 was admitted to the bar, being sworn in by Judge William White, of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He has ever since remained in active practice, and at different times has had associated with him as partners Capt. B. H. Fisher, O. C. Beechler, L. B. Peaslee and his present partner, George Strayer. Mr. Smith was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Williams County, by the Republican party, and served two years, beginning in 1872. He has also filled the position of Mayor of Bryan for some time. He was married, in 1870, to Cordelia Bissell, of Cuyahoga County, Ohio,
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where she was born December 19, 1847, and is one of eleven children born to Enos and Corinthia (Phelps) Bissell, who were among the early pioneers of the county named.
GEORGE F. SOLIER, Auditor of Williams County, is the second son and third child born to Francis and Catharine (Barber) Solier, both of whom were natives of France. The father was born in 1817, and resided in his native land until he became a young man, when he came to the United States, locating first in New York City, but afterward coming West, where for some time he worked as steamboatman on the Mississippi River. He then returned to New York, and in about 1854 came to Williams County, Ohio, locating at Lockport, Brady Township. where he purchased the grist-mill, and operated the same until about 1866, when he sold the property and moved to Stryker, engaging in the dry goods business, and continuing there until his death in 1867. His wife was Miss Catharine Barber, to whom he was married while in New York City. The children of these parents were Alfred, Amelia, George, Charles and Celia. The mother is yet living, well advanced in years. In October, 1880, Alfred was elected Auditor of Williams County by the Republicans, but, unfort- unately, his death occurred April 18, 1881, while he was serving in that capacity. Soon after his death, his brother George was appointed by the County Commissioners to fill the unexpired term. This he did to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of the county. He became a candidate for the same position in the autumn of 1881, and was elected by a hand- some majority, notwithstanding the fact that other Republicans on the same ticket were defeated and some slipped in by a hair's breadth. He is universally respected by his associates in, office and by all his acquaint- ances. All the sons, like their father before them, are stanch Repub- licans. George received a good education, having attended Oberlin Col- lege some four years. He is a young man of good habits and principles. J. D. STARN was born in Melton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, October 7, 1851, and is the son of Alexander and Melinda (Schartzer) Starn, both natives of the Buckeye State. Alexander Starn for a num- ber of years was a school teacher, and was favorably known as an edu- cator. In 1856, he came to this county, and here died in the spring of 1861. His widow is a resident of Bryan. J. D. Starn attended school in Bryan until twelve years old; then for five years attended the Wayne County schools. He then returned to Bryan, and while still young be- gan teaching, which he followed for several years with success, always receiving the highest salaries. In 1872, he began the insurance business, representing only one company. His business increased rapidly, and he is now the representative of thirty-one companies and is considered to be the best posted man in the business in Northwestern Ohio. He began as
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a poor boy, but by fair dealing, strict business habits and a good share of native ability and energy, he has built up the most lucrative insurance agency in the county. He is district agent for a number of leading com - panies, who do all their business through him. In politics, he has always been a Republican.
BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM STOUGH. Some time dur- ing the last century, Nicholas Stough, a native of Germany, crossed the At- lantic Ocean with two brothers, and established himself in Cumberland County, Penn., where he married, secured himself a comfortable home, reared a large family and founded the town of Stoughstown. One of his sons was William Stough, Sr., a man of more than ordinary ability, who, like many others of his day, was compelled to face the world with a com- paratively slight education. He became a husbandman, and, in about 1815, married Miss Barbara Whitmore, who bore him three children, two of whom are yet living, one being Gen. William Stough, of Bryan. The mother died in 1821, and the father married Elizabeth Terman, who likewise died about twelve years later, leaving five children. The father again married, his third wife being a widow lady, by name Mrs. Susanna Browneller, who died, leaving her husband five children. Mr. Stough's fourth wife was Eliza Patterson, who died of a fever, without issue, about a year after her marriage. His fifth and last wife was Mary A. McMann, who died in 1877, without children, her husband surviving her about a year. William Stough, Sr., lived in Pennsylvania until about 1833, at which time he moved to Richland County, Ohio; but, in 1850, moved to Whitley County, Ind., where he resided until his death. His third child by his first wife was Gen. William Stough, whose name heads this sketch. This gentleman was born in Cumberland County, Penn., Janu- ary 22, 1821, and was about twelve years old when his father moved to Richland Oounty, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, serving, in the mean- time, at Mansfield, an apprenticeship at the cabinet-maker's trade. In the autumn of 1840, his marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Reding was cel- ebrated, and two years later he moved to the village of Pulaski (then called Lafayette), Williams Co., Ohio, and engaged in cabinet-making, carpentry and undertaking. Such occupations were followed until 1852. when he began merchandising in the same village; but at the end of three years moved the stock to Bryan, where for another year he conducted the mercantile pursuit. For nine years preceding his removal to Bryan, he served as Justice of the Peace, and also nine years after coming here. About a year after moving to Bryan, he engaged in lumbering and farm- ing. and continued these pursuits until the fall of Sumter, when he was ordered by the Governor to raise a company of infantry, at the same time receiving his commission of Captaincy. Gen. Stough was not un-
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known to the military officials of the State, as he had been commissioned Colonel of home militia a number of years before, at which time he had become thoroughly familiar with military tactics. He immediately en- tererd upon his task, and soon had a company of one hundred and twen- ty fine men, who became Company H, Thirty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. "Captain" Stoughton took his company to the field, leading it in all engagements until the fall of 1862, when, owing to in- creasing ill-health, he was compelled to resign and come home. But he was not permitted to rest long. In July, 1863, he received orders to en- list a company of cavalry, which he did, the same, under his command, going to the field as a part of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry. He engaged in active service in Kentucky and Tennessee; but, his health again failing, he was compelled to sojourn at Nashville to recuperate. At this time, he was called home by the illness and death of his wife. While at home, he received the news of his promotion to the Majority of his regiment over five ranking Captains. He rejoined his command, and, a few days later (October 1, 1864), was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel over two rank- ing officers. He joined Gen. Sherman on the march to the sea; but at Savannah his regiment with others was organized into a " dismounted command," owing to the fact that suitable horses could not be obtained, and formed a part of the Second Brigade of the Second Division of Kil- patrick's dismounted cavalry. On the 10th of March, 1865, the rebels under Gen. Wade Hampton swept down upon the dismounted cavalry, killing and capturing men and officers, and destroying property. The Ninth was thrown back about six hundred yards ; but was then rallied by the gallantry of " Col." Stough, who wheeled his men about, charging the enemy with great spirit and pluck, forcing them back in full retreat and retaking his camp. For this splendid act, he was brevetted Colonel and Brigadier General, his commissions to rank from March 13, 1865, " for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Fayetteville, N. C."* At the close of the war he was mustered out with his regiment. He re- turned to Williams County, where he has since resided. For six years he was Mayor of Bryan. He now represents several standard insurance companies. In 1876, he engaged in the boot and shoe trade with his son, but the latter now conducts the business alone. Mrs. Sarah A. (Reding) Stough bore her husband ten children, five of whom are yet living-Will- iam E., E. Amelia, Mary A., Alpheus L. and Ida M. This lady died, and Gen. Stough married Ellen M. Mickey, by whom he had one child, since deceased. His present wife was Mrs. Ellen (Wilson) Yates, widow of James B. Wyatt, a native of Marion County, Ohio. Mr. Wyatt's parents came to the county in 1838. Their son, the former husband of *Ohio in the War ;- Reid. Vol. I, page 984.
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Mrs. Stough, became a prominent lawyer at Bryan, and also served as County Recorder. His death occurred in 1855. His wife bore him two children, both of whom are dead. Gen. Stough is eminently a self-made man. He has made his own name and fame, and can look back with pride over a trying but successful life. He is a Republican, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Reformed Church. His present wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bryan.
WILLIAM E. STOUGH, son of Gen. William Stough, whose por- trait and biography appear in this work, was born in Pulaski Township, Williams Co., Ohio, September 18, 1848, and Williams County has ever been his home. He received a common school education in youth, and August 9, 1862, enlisted as musician in Company C, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Its first service was in Kentucky, and finally it formed a part of the Twenty-third Army Corps. It remained in Ken- tucky about a year, and, in 1868, it crossed over with Gen. Burnside into Knoxville. A detachment of the One Hundredth Regiment, comprising Company C and a few other companies, were, in 1863, ordered to Bristol under command of Col. Hayes to intercept the rebels, who were attempt- ing to re-enforce Longstreet, who was at that time contemplating the capt- ure of Knoxville. While on their way, our troops were met at Tilford Station, and, after the engagement there, fell back to Limestone Station, where the rebels succeeded in capturing the Union forces, Mr. Stough among the rest. He was sent to Richmond, and after remaining two days in Libby Prison was transferred to Belle Island, where he suffered all the horrors of rebel prison life for six months. March 7, 1864, he was paroled and came to Columbus, where he received a furlough to visit home. At the end of one month, he rejoined his regiment in the field, and remained in active service until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Greensboro June 20, 1865. Mr. Stough took part in some of the most hotly contested battles of the war, and was ever at his post of duty. Since its close, he has resided in Williams County, and for the past seven years has been a leading merchant of Bryan, carrying a full line of boots, shoes, etc. He was married, October 3, 1867, to Miss Frances J. Newman, and to their union have been born two children-Henry W. and Ray W. Mr. Stough is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.
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