USA > Ohio > Williams County > County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical > Part 74
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WILLIAM M. STUBBS, one of the pioneers of Williams County, was born June 22, 1810, in Tompkins County, N. Y. He is the eldest of seven children born to John and Phebe (Miller) Stubbs, both natives of New York. William M. received the benefits of a common school education, and assisted on the home farm until he became of age, when he married, bought a farm in his native county, where he remained until 1836, when he disposed of his property and emigrated with his family to this State. He purchased 220 acres of unimproved land in Brady Township, Will- iams County, built a cabin and begun the work of making a new home, in what was then considered the wilderness of the West. Pioneers need no rehearsal of their labors and privations to keep them in memory, and all descriptions give to later settlers but a faint picture of the reality. Mr. Stubbs keeps the old homestead, but to lighten his labors, rented his farm and moved to Stryker in 1873, where he has since resided, asso- ciated in the drug business with his son, Dr. N. B. Stubbs. Mr. Stubbs has always been an active politician and was for several years one of the Associate Judges of Williams County, under the old constitution, and Justice of the Peace both in Brady and Springfield Townships. He was candidate for Legislative honors on the Democratic ticket in 1880, and has been for many years a prominent and active member of the A., F. & A. M. Mrs. Stubbs was Miss Margaret A. Collins, a daughter of David and Sabra (Blanchard) Collins, all natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs are parents of six children, four surviving, viz., Chauncy C., now a stock-dealer in Montana, Mrs. John G. Rumsey, Dr. N. B. Stubbs and Mrs. Dr. D. P. Aldrich. The deceased were Mrs. William Sheri- dan, Jr., who died in 1875, and Mrs. Samuel Smith, who died at Eau Claire, Wis., in March, 1882.
JOHN H. STUBBS came to Williams County in 1833, and has been identified with its growth since that early period. His parents settled here on a farm where he remained at work and which he acquired by gift of deed from his father in 1845. He was married the same year to Miss Mary M. Miller, & daughter of Louis and Rachel (Hogan) Miller, both natives of New York, where Mary M. was born in Tompkins County in 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs have but one remaining child-Wallace W. Stubbs, now in business in Stryker. John H. Stubbs, in company with his two brothers-in-law, built the first saw-mill in Springfield Township, on Tifin River, which he had charge of for several years. Mr. S. was peculiarly fitted for pioneer life ; being a sure marksman, the wild turkeys and deer with which the country abounded, suffered at his hands; he was of an eminently social nature, and, with his violin, was an indispensable figure at all the primitive gatherings of that day ; he served to cheer and en- liven the hearts of these widely-separated neighbors and inspire courage
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for renewed efforts. Mr. Stubbs is a charter member of Stryker Lodge, No. 611, I. O. O. F., and a Republican. He was born November 26, 1820, in Springfield, Tompkins Co., N. Y. His parents, John and Phebe (Miller) Stubbs, were also natives of New York. For more than forty years Mr. Stubbs has been an extensive, close and careful reader and investigator, especially of metaphysical subjects. He does his own thinking and will not allow creed-makers to forge fetters for his mind. He believes that all material things were formed in obedience to certain immutable laws; that both law and matter are eternal and indestructi- ble ; that the word " create " is a misnomer and should be stricken from every language. He believes that there is a certain something, called "energy," also eternal and indestructible, which overcomes resistance and does work ; that this energy is always the same, no matter under what circumstances it may be manifested. He firmly believes that what men call " mind," "intelligence," or "soul," is only a manifestation of energy. He believes in the entity of the individual mind ; that all men- tal improvement is but accumulated thought or energy, and that it must go on forever. To him, the only evidence of a future existence is in the manifestations of spirits. While he repudiates creeds, one and all, as the inventions of men, he is yet no materialist. He will not bow the knee in superstitious reverence of the Past, simply because it is the Past, but worships toward the Dawn. He believes in a religion of love rather than in a religion of duty ; that the whole of religion, pure and undefiled, is to deal justly, love mercy, and to endeavor to make fellow-creatures happy.
NOTE .- Since the above sketch was written and put in type, Mr. Stubbs departed this life at his home near Stryker, September 10, 1882.
NATHANIEL B. STUBBS, M. D., one of the most extensive prac- titioners of Stryker and vicinity, is a native of Williams County. He was born in Brady Township May 18, 1838 ; his parents, William and Margaret (Collins) Stubbs, are natives of New York. Nathaniel B. re- ceived fair educational advantages in youth, and assisted his father on the farm until he was eighteen years of age; his first business venture was that of dry goods clerk in Stryker, afterward that of teacher, and in 1861 he opened a grocery house at Stryker, where he remained until he received the appointment of clerk in the Quartermaster's Department in Wheeling, W. Va., in 1864. In 1865, he formed a partnership with Dr. D. P. Aldrich in the drug business, under firm name of N. B. Stubbs & Co. Mr. William Stubbs afterward purchased Dr. Aldrich's interest, but the firm name is still retained ; here Mr. Stubbs began the study of medicine, afterward graduating from the Cleveland Medical College with the class of 1871-72. Dr. Stubbs was united in marriage in 1862 to
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Miss Eliza S. Stone, a New Yorker, and daughter of Granville and Maria (Butler) Stone, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. Mrs. Stubbs is of the Universalist faith, and the mother of two children, viz., Walter L. and Cora L. Dr. Stubbs has officiated as Trustee, Clerk and Treas- urer of Springfield Township, and as Treasurer, Councilman and School Director of Stryker. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and of the I. O. O. F., one of the leading citizens of the place, and a Democrat.
WALLACE W. STUBBS was born in Springfield Township, Will- iams Co., Ohio, January 26, 1850, and is the only remaining child of John H. and Mary M. (Miller) Stubbs, both natives of Tompkins County, N. Y. Mr. Stubbs got his education and worked on his father's farm until of age, after which he was variously employed at grafting, clerking, and in the post office department until 1873, when he went to Chase County, Kan., and engaged in stock business for one year ; he then re- turned to Ohio, and was employed at farming and hotel business for four years, when he came to Stryker, which has since been his home, where he is engaged in the grocery and provision trade. He is one of Stryker's most active and enterprising business men, a member of the City Coun- cil and of Lodge No. 611, I. O. O. F. Mr. Stubbs was united in mar- riage November 22, 1874, to Miss Lucinda Fay, & native of Wood County, Ohio.
FRANKLIN H. SULLINGER was born February 13, 1845, in Defiance County, Ohio, and is the eldest son of five living children of Andrew and Martha (Collins) Sullinger. When young, Andrew Sullin- ger came to Tiffin Township, Defiance County, and bought eighty acres of unimproved land, which he cleared. In 1855, he sold out and removed to Springfield Township, purchased land. then selling out and removing to Evansport, where he now resides. Mrs. Sullinger died in 1881. Franklin H. Sullinger labored on the farm until Aug. 15, 1862, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Regiment, serving until 1865. On November 7, 1867, he was married to Anna Umstead, a native of Spring- field Township. They are parents to four children-Florence L., Theoda B., Harrison L. and Frederick E. In 1869, he moved to Wolcottville, Ind., engaging in saw-milling and planing. In 1771, he came to Farmer Centre, Defiance Co., Ohio. He is now with Von Behren & Shafer in Stryker, as foreman of. their saw-mill and oar factory. Mr. Sullinger is an Odd Fellow, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAQUES VERNIER was born November 16, 1818, in France. He is one of the six children of John J. and Susan (Pecler) Vernier, also natives of France. Jaques Vernier, at the age of sixteen, began to ac- quire the trade of a weaver with his brother, with whom he remained one
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year. In 1837, he came to America, and applied himself to learn candy- making in New York, remaining but three months. He then came to Stark County, Ohio, but soon returned to New York, and worked in Del- monico's restaurant for three months. He then went to New Orleans, thence to New Albany, and thence again to New Orleans. In 1845, he came to Springfield Township, buying seventy-four acres of unimproved land ; this he sold, and purchased again in German Township, Fulton County ; he sold this farm in 1874 and removed to Stryker. Mr. Ver- nier was first married, in 1846, to Margaret Pecler, to which union issued one daughter-Eugenie, now Mrs. Barber. Mrs. Vernier died in Spring- field Township in September, 1852 ; she was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Vernier then married, in 1854, Mary C. Charpiot. To this second union issued one son-Charles J., who is in the hardware trade at Stryker. Mr. and Mrs. Vernier are members of the Presbyte- rian Church, and early settlers of Springfield Township.
CHARLES VERNIER was born in France August 19, 1844, being one of thirteen children born to George and Catharine (Certier) Vernier. also natives of France. In 1847, George Vernier emigrated to America and settled in German Township, Fulton Co., Ohio, where he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, and began carving out a home from the wilderness. In 1854, he sold this and bought 160 acres in the same township, also unimproved. In 1874, he moved to his present residence. Archibald, Fulton Co., Ohio. He and Mrs. V. are members of the Lu- theran Church. Charles Vernier, at the age of eighteen years, com- menced to learn the trade of a wagon-maker. In 1868, he removed to Stryker, where he opened a wagon and blacksmith shop, continuing until 1872, when he engaged in the grocery and provision business, and selling agricultural implements. In 1881, he was burned out, and in 1882 he bought an interest in a hardware store, the firm being C. Vernier & Co. Mr. Vernier was married, October 26, 1867, to Julia Bourquin, daughter of Peter and Suzette (Mettetall) Bourquin. Mr. and Mrs. Vernier have had five children-Julius C., Charles P., Harmon G., Alford W. and Alcide G. Mr. V. is a member of A., F. & A. M., and one of the enter- prising citizens of Stryker.
JOHN A. VON BEHREN was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 7, 1838, and is the eldest of nine children of Frederick and Margaret (Seifort) Von Behren, the former a native of Hartoum, Prussia, born May 3, 1814, the latter of Shakendorf, Alsace, born September 9, 1818. Frederick Von Behren emigrated to America in 1833; settled in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where, after serving a three years' ap- prenticeship at the tanner's trade, he was married, and in 1841 removed to Evansport, Defiance Co., Ohio, where Mrs. Von Behren died in 1848.
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In August, 1849, he married Caroline Rein, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and to this union were born eight children, of whom five sons and one daughter are still living. Four of these boys are engaged in the lumber business in and about Logansport, Ind. On his arrival at Evans- port, Frederick Von Behren established a tannery, following this business until 1865, when he removed his family to Burlington, Iowa, doing busi- ness himself at Fort Howard, Wis .; his death occurred at his latter home, January 15, 1881. John A. Von Behren learned his father's trade, working with him until 1861, and the year following, in company with George Shoner, purchased the tannery at Stryker, which they ope- rated for several years ; some firm changes have been made, and the firm is now Von Behren & Shafer; in 1866, they added a saw-mill, and the year following an oar manufactory, now the second largest establishment of the kind in Ohio. Their shipments of oars to all parts of the United States and Europe have been large for several years. Mr. Von Behren and Miss Elizabeth Gares were married November 6, 1881. She is a native of Ohio, of Bavarian descent, and mother of five children, four liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Von Behren are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Von Behren has filled the offices of Township Trustee and Treasurer for several years ; is an ex Mayor of Stryker, and has served on the School Board for eleven years, and is one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Stryker and vicinity.
CHARLES C. WAGNER was born in Bavaria June 17, 1838, the son of John and Catharine (Renner) Wagner, natives of the same country. At the early age of twelve, John Wagner became a soldier in the Bava- rian Army, and served until twenty-four. During this period, Bavaria was in alliance with France, and, under the Great Napoleon, John took part in the campaign against Russia. In 1886, he was transferred to the revenue service, and did duty at sixteen different custom houses on the Bavarian frontiers, dying in the service July 20, 1864, in his sixty-fifth year, at Munich, in the Catholic faith. His wife was a member of the Lutheran Church. Charles C. Wagner learned the barber's trade in his native land, and worked in various cities in Bavaria, Austria, Prussia, and Saxony until 1860, when he entered the Bavarian Army and served two years. He then followed his trade at Munich until August, 1865, when he came to this country, worked a year and then opened shop in New York, and in 1870 sold out and went to Scottsboro, Ala .; thence, in a few months, to Atlanta, Ga., and thence, a year later, to Memphis, Tenn., from which point the yellow fever drove him to Water Valley, Miss., where he opened a shop and remained four years. In 1876, he came to Stryker, where he is now conducting his business with great suc- cess. October 19, 1865, Mr. Wagner married Dina Kruse, a native of
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Hanover, and to their union seven children have been born, of whom four are yet living-Charles J., Benjamin J., Anna D. and Gertrude D. Mr. Wagner is a member of Stryker Lodge, No. 611, I. O. O. F., and is an enterprising citizen.
JOSEPH WIBIRT, JR., born May 23, 1840, in Waterloo County, N. Y., is the youngest of eight children born to Joseph and Polly A. (Reynolds) Wibirt. In 1842, the elder Mr. Wibirt moved with his family to Springfield Township, and settled on eighty acres entered the previous year, built a cabin, and began the work of clearing, residing thereon until his death, April 19, 1876; Mrs. Wibirt died April 27, 1880 ; both were Quakers. Joseph Wibirt, Jr., has always lived on the old homestead, which he now owns. He was married, August 14, 1862, to Lucinda C. Colgan, of Springfield Township, and daughter of Daniel Colgan. Mr. and Mrs. Wibirt have two children-Alice A. and Mary J. He is a member of Springfield Grange, No. 499, and also of A., F. & A. M. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is in politics a Republican, also an enterprising farmer. Joseph Wibirt, Sr., was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., and his wife in New Hampshire ; both were of English-German extraction. The parents of Mrs. Joseph Wibirt, Jr., Daniel and Christina A. (Haller) Colgan, were both natives of Connecticut.
FLORENCE TOWNSHIP.
JOHN BOMAN, son of George and Christine (Hachenbarg) Boman, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 28, 1839. His father was a shoemaker, but occasionally worked at farming; he came to Williams County in 1858, settling on the place now owned by our subject. John Boman's early life was passed on a farm, yet he acquired a fair education. In September, 1861, he became enrolled in Company H, Third Ohio Cavalry, continuing in the military service for three years and three months, and taking part in the battles of Perrysburg, Stone River, Chick- amauga, Snow Hill, Woodsonville, Bardstown and others. He was under Gen. Thomas during his Georgia campaign, and was discharged at Nash- ville December 30, 1864, since which time he has been employed in farming. It was largely due to Mr. Boman's influence that the town of Blakeslee can trace its origin, he having donated about four and one-half acres to the Wabash & St. Louis Railroad Company, for depot and grounds ; he also caused a survey and platting of the town, which was done November 15, 1880. At that time the only improvements were one log house and a grocery, built for the railroad company. Since then,
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Blakeslee has grown rapidly, Mr. Boman having erected a building now used as a hardware store, as well as disposing of about twenty-nine acres of land in town lots and for depot grounds. He still has, however, a snug farm of fifty-seven acres. He is a Free and Accepted Mason.
J. A. BOWSER was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 25, 1826, being one of a family of three born to John J. and Barbara (Opt) Bow- ser. Mr. Bowser left Fairfield County for Seneca County when about twenty-one years old, learning while there the trade of a shoemaker. At this place he married Nancy A. Bordnet; on January 13, 1852, remaining four years, when he returned to Fairfield County, coming to Williams County in 1857, and settling on the place he now owns, a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres; this farm is now nearly all cleared, and has good buildings, but was only partly cleared when Mr. Bowser took pos- session. His family comprises four children-Laura E., John J., Ida J. and Alta L., the two eldest being married and residing in this township. Mrs. Bowser died January 1, 1873. Mr. Bowser is a communicant of the German Reformed Church.
STEPHEN E. BURKE was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 27, 1839, one of a family of four children born to Thomas and Theodosia (Morris) Burke ; but two are now living. His parents came to Williams County, Ohio, in 1841, when Mrs. Burke's failing health de- cided their return, but ere they reached their old home, death claimed his victim, and the children were motherless. Mr. Burke returned to Will- iams County in 1843, after his second marriage, where he resided until his death, in 1866. Previous to 1872, Stephen E. was engaged in farm- ing, at which time he purchased an interest in a saw-mill, of which, in connection with other mills, he had charge for nearly eight years. In 1880, he formed a partnership with Mr. Johnson in the agricultural im- plement business in Edon, Ohio, and in the autumn of 1881 he purchased a hardware store, of which, in connection with the trade in agricultural implements, he is now sole proprietor, keeping a large general stock and doing a good business. Mr. Burke was married, in 1858, to Miss Sarah Lee, and their family consists of five children, viz., Solon. Susetta, Ed- mund, James and Flora. The two eldest are married and living in Will- iams County.
J. G. CAMERON, M. D., has been a successful practitioner of medicine in Edon and vicinity for the past fifteen years, and is necessarily identified with the earlier business interests of this place. He is a grad- uate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, of the class of 1868 and 1869. He was married February 5, 1869, to Hannah Webb, of Williams County, Ohio, and they have a family of three children, viz., Edna, Blaine and Beulah. Dr. Cameron was born in Steuben County, Ind., January 22,
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1844, and is one of a family of eight children of John and Mary (Carlin) Cameron. His father was a farmer by occupation and held the office of County Commissioner of Steuben County at the time of his death, which occurred in 1878. Dr. Cameron owns a good farm of sixty acres and one of the finest residences in Edon.
T. S. CARVIN, the present Postmaster and prominent druggist of Edon, Ohio, was born in Allen County, Ind., May 10, 1850, one of a family of five children born to Abram and Amanda (May) Carvin. When thirteen years of age, his parents died, and he remained with his guardian until he was sixteen, attending school and assisting in the store, when he began life for himself, soon after, accepting a clerkship for himself in a drug store at Bryan, where he remained until 1877, when he came to Edon and purchased the drug house of J. Aller, where he is still engaged in business, carrying a full stock of drugs, books, stationery, wall paper and all merchandise usually found in his line. He has been Postmaster here since 1877, and is identified with the benevolent as well as the busi- ness interests of this place, being Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge and Noble Grand of the I. O. O. F.
J. N. CHILCOTE was born in Crawford County, Ohio, September 19, 1846. He is one of twelve children born to Heathcote and Hannah (McClaire) Chilcote. Of this family, five are living in Williams County. His father is a miller, at present owning a grist-mill in Hillsdale County, Mich., where he resides. Our subject is also a miller, having worked for his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to work in Orangeville, De Kalb Co., Ind., continuing in this and other mills until 1875. In 1876, in partnership with Thomas Seeley, he secured a patent for a handle lathe. He then turned his attention to store-keeping and saw-milling, and opened the first store in the village of Blakeslee, be- sides erecting the first two buildings ; he is now running a circular-saw mill in that place, also furnishes ties and railroad supplies to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and getting out different varieties of lumber for the general trade. He was married September 20, 1868, to Eliza B. Gillis, of Edgerton, Ohio. His family numbers five-Anna A., William F., George E., Daisy J. and Frances E. Mrs. Chilcote is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Edgerton. Mr. Chilcote served during the recent war from February, 1864, until the close, in Company K, Forty- Fourth Indiana Volunteers ; he was stationed in Tennessee, and under Gen. Steedman.
NATHAN DISBROW was born in Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., February 24, 1813, and is one of six children born to Jacob and Anna (Jolley) Disbrow. The early portion of Nathan's life was passed on the farm, consequently he received but a meager education. His parents moved to
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Allegany County, N. Y., and thence to Canada, where our subject re- mained until 1838, when he went to Huron County, N. Y., then came to Williams County, where he purchased land and removed to Superior Township in 1839. In 1840, he disposed of this farm and removed to that which he now occupies. There were then no improvements, and he was obliged to clear a space to build a cabin 16x16, in which he lived a number of years. The forest was filled with wild beasts, whose howlings could be heard nearly all night ; these animals preyed upon their sheep. It took two days to reach the mill, and their nearest post office was Pulas- ki. He was married, May 7, 1840, to Mary Leech, who came to this county in 1839. Their family has numbered seven, three of whom sur- vive-Jacob, William and Minerva. Mr. and Mrs. Disbrow have been members of the Baptist Church for more than forty years. Mrs. Disbrow tells how she crossed the St. Joseph River, the only gangway being a fallen tree, by watching the movements of a coon. Many early settlers will appreciate this.
S. S. EYSTER is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Stark County June 26, 1842. His parents, William H. and Mary (Saeger) Eyster, had a family of seven children ; but four now living. William H. Eyster was a carpenter by trade, but after he came to Will- iams County in 1854, engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1855. S. S. Eyster learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1878, when he engaged in manufacturing and selling the Fulton Washing Machine, and the Boss Churn; of the former he has sold nearly 800 in Williams County alone, during the last four years, besides his sales in other portions of the State ; also in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Mr. Eyster saw active service in the late war. He enlisted in 1861. in Company C, Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Gen. Buell ; was taken prisoner at Decatur, Ala., by a Confederate Troop of Cavalry, under Maj. Roddy ; shortly after paroled, and afterward exchanged. He was then taken sick, and sent to the hospital at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and afterward made Ward Master; here he remained until his time of enlistment (three years) had expired. Mr. Eyster was married March 6, 1867, to Elizabeth Lechleidner, of Steuben County, Ind .. and they are parents of six children, five living, viz. : Alice, Charlie, Harvey, Hollie and Jessie E. Mr. Eyster is a member of the I. O. O. F., and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Edon.
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