USA > Ohio > Williams County > County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical > Part 80
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
SIDNEY S. HILL was born in Royalton, Niagara Co., N. Y., Feb- ruary 7, 1826, and is one of the nine children of Heury and Mary (Avery) Hill, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ver-
Digitized by Google
791
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.
mont, who were married in Royalton, a few miles from the grand cataract. Sidney lived with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he mar- ried Mary L. Graves, a native of New York, and brought her to this township, where he settled on a farm of fifty acres, which he has since increased to 160, and on which he still resides. His first log cabin is still standing, and is at present used for sheltering stock, but in its day was considered to be an extra fine dwelling for the backwoods. Mrs. Hill, who was a highly educated lady, and is said to have been one of the most beautiful and intelligent of whom any pioneer could boast as a wife, died January 26, 1873, leaving behind three of the seven children she had borne her husband-Henry M., Charles S. and Rachel M., the last a promising music teacher. Four years after Sidney had settled here, his father and eldest brother also came, but soon went to Noble County, Ind., where the father died in 1869, and where the brother still lives. The mother also survives, and, at the age of ninety-two, retains the use of her faculties to a remarkable degree. In October, 1873, Sidney S. Hill married his second wife, Mary O. Mack, a native of Ohio, who has borne her husband two children-Mary A. and Grace. Mr. Hill is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and since Lincoln's time has been a Republican. He has held the office of Township Treasurer for the unusual period of seventeen years, and in 1880 was Real Estate Assessor of the township. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and was initiated in 1861.
GEORGE HODSON was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 7, 1842, and is the eldest of the seven children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Hodson, natives respectively of Lincolnshire, England, and Pennsylvania. (Further information relating to the parents will be found in the biographical history of Madison Township.) Besides the ordinary common-school education, George Hodson had the advantage of instruc- tion at the Normal School of Pioneer. He then began teaching in the district, and was thus engaged for seven terms. In 1863, he entered the Union army as a private and served under Hancock, Burnside and others ; rose to a Lieutenancy and was brevetted Captain for his gallantry. In 1866, he bought his present farm, which now consists of 200 acres, well improved with good buildings, wind pump, etc. At the age of twenty- seven, he married Emeline Back, a native of this township, who has borne him five children-Albert C., Dora Bell, Loretta, Alice and Libbie. In politics, he is independent, voting rather for the proper man and principle than for a party. He has been a Granger, and is altogether an intelli- gent and enterprising citizen.
JOBE HODSON was born July 17, 1845, in Richland County, near Mansfield, Ohio, and is one of the six living children of Thomas and Eliz-
Digitized by Google
792
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
abeth (Stephenson) Hodson, natives respectively of Lincolnshire, England, and the Keystone State. He came to this township, with his parents, in 1854, and in 1855 they located on the present homestead. His father is now a prominent citizen of Pioneer, whither he went in 1870, and further information regarding him will be found in the biographical history of Madison Township, this volume. Jobe Hodson received his education partly in Bridgewater and partly in Bryan. He has taught school about ten terms, and his well-selected library and tasteful. surroundings gener- ally indicate him as a man of refinement and studious habits. He was married, December 11, 1873, to Sarah E. Hill, who was born in Penn- sylvania February 28, 1855. Her parents, Edwin R. and Henrietta (Thorp) Hill, are natives of New York, and at present are residents of Bridgewater Township. The year of his marriage, Jobe and his wife were installed in the old homestead, where there has been born to them three children-Thomas E., John and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Hodson, for a time, belonged to the Pioneer Grange, and he has acted as agent for sev- eral agricultural implement manufacturing companies. He has dealt con- siderably in live stock, and has always taken great interest in educational matters.
ROBERT V. HODSON was born in Richland County, Ohio. June 8, 1845, the elder of two sons born to John and Susan (Jump) Hodson, the former a native of England and the latter of Maryland. This couple died when Robert V. was quite young, and the latter was reared by his grandmother and step-grandfather, both of English birth. His early opportunities for an education were quite limited, and at the age of twenty-one he withdrew from his home at his grandmother's and went to work for a short time in Huron County and then came to Superior Town- ship, this county, and settled on the land left him by his father. In 1870, he married Miss Mary Neal, of this county, but a separation was had, and, in 1874, he married Susan R. Burns, a native of Maryland. In October, 1876, he came to this township and purchased eighty. acres of excellent land, on which he has ever since resided. In politics, he is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. He is the father of three children-Theodore S., John G. and Thomas R., and has ever been regarded as an upright man and worthy citizen.
RICHARD F. LAMSON, M. D., was born in Utica, Licking Co., Ohio, February 20, 1838, and was the eldest of three children of Andrew and Clarinda (Hughes) Lamson. The father was born near Burlington, Vt., and came to Licking County when about six years of age. At the age of seventeen he began his trade of saddle and harness maker, and lived at Utica and Etna until about 1855, when he went to Norristown, Butler County, and bought a farm. The mother was a native of Licking
Digitized by Google
-
1
1
793
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.
County, and her grandfather, Elias Hughes, was a noted scout during the Revolutionary war. Richard F. lived with his parents till his fifteenth year, when he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, but was compelled by ill-health to retire without graduating within six months of commencement. About 1851, his health having been partially restored, he went to Butler, Ind., where he alternately taught school and studied medicine under Dr. Madden. In 1859, he attended one course of lectures at Cleveland Medical College, and, in 1861, went to Bryan and commenced practice in partnership with Dr. Jump, and three years later entered Cincinnati Medical College. In 1866, he began practice in Bridgewater, and, in 1867, returned to Cincinnati and there graduated ; he now ranks as one of the best physicians in the county. May 7, 1861, he married Elizabeth W. Wonzor, a native of Erie County, Ohio, and daughter of Ramsforde and Elizabeth Wonzor, the former a native of New York and the latter of South Carolina. Mrs. Lamson is a graduate of Ann Arbor (Mich.) University, and is a lady of unusual attainments. She has borne her husband one daughter-Maud.
JACOB LANTZ, a wealthy farmer, was born October 11, 1839, in Crawford County, Ohio, the son of John and Catharine Lantz, both natives of France. The elder Lantz was a farmer, and both parents belonged to the Lutheran Church. Somewhere about 1833, they came to the United States and settled in Crawford County, where the father died in Septem- ber, 1842. The family began to separate as each of the children became of age, and, about 1864, Jacob came to this township with his mother ; here he bought 210 acres of land, about half of which was improved, and on this they lived for five years, when he was married to Emma E. Backus, who was born in Bridgewater Township. Her parents, Clark and Susan- nah (Heritage) Backus, were natives respectively of Connecticut and of England, and her father was among the first settlers of Bridgewater. She has borne her husband three children-Fred, Maud and Frank. Mr. Lantz has bought an additional farm of 118 acres, on which he now resides, and of his original 210 acres has disposed of 160 to F. W. Sham- mel. In 1881, Mr. L. commenced the erection of one of the most expen- sive and tasteful mansions in the township. It is to be heated with fur- naces, and will have all the other modern improvements, and will be, when completed, quite an ornament to the section.
WHALON LINDSAY was born in Jay, Essex Co., N. Y., August 15, 1822, and is the eldest of five children born to Francis W. and Polly (Adams) Lindsay, the former born in East Canada of Scotch descent, and the latter in Vermont. The elder Lindsay farmed in Essex County, N. Y., until October 1, 1836, when he moved to Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he remained till June 7, 1837. He then took the steamer
Digitized by Google
794
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
William Penn, at Dunkirk, for Chicago, but at Detroit the vessel was con- demned, and thence he and family went to Eckford, Calhoun Co., Mich. December 12, 1839, Whalon came to this township, and, February 2, 1840, the rest of the family followed. They bought eighty acres of land on Section 23, at $5 per acre, built a log cabin without nails or boards, and paid for the farm in work. Mr. Lindsay was married, November 1, 1854, to Julia E. Sumner, born in Essex County, N. Y., October 21, 1828, but then a resident of Thompson, Geauga Co., Ohio. Her parents, Ira and Lydia (Walker) Sumner, were natives of Vermont and Rhode Island respectively, and her grandfather, Capt. Sumner, served in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay resided on the homestead until 1858, when they moved to their present farm of 184 acres, then improved with about the best house in the township. In 1859, the elder Mr. Lindsay died, and Whalon then cared for the whole family as his own. He is a member of the Church of God, and his wife has always inclined toward Presbyterianism. When about twenty-three years of age, he was elected Township Assessor, and has held several other township offices. His only child is now dead.
MISS JANE LINDSAY was born in Bridgeport Township June 24, 1844, the youngest daughter of four children born to Francis W. and Polly (Adams) Lindsay, the former a native of Canada and the latter of the State of New York. These worthy people, who had been among the earliest settlers of the township, died respectively in 1859 and 1871, sin- cerely mourned by our subject and other surviving relatives, and an ex- tended circle of friends. Since their death Miss Lindsay, who had re- ceived a very fair education, has been leading a quiet and refined retired life in her present home, universally esteemed for her gentle, amiable and benevolent disposition.
ABRAHAM MARTIN was born January 16, 1820, in Lancaster County, Penn., and was one of the ten children of David and Barbara Martin, also natives of the Keystone State. Abraham Martin lived with his parents till twenty-six years of age, and then went out to work on his own account. August 2, 1846, he married Nancy J. Henaman, of Penn- sylvania, where her parents, John and Catharine Henaman, were also born. In the spring of 1851, Mr. Martin came to Ohio, stopping awhile in Stark County, and then removing to Crawford County, where he re- mained for nine years. He then came to this township and settled on his present farm of 120 acres, and this is considered to be one of the best stock and general farms in the township, being improved with good build- ings and a wind pump, and possessing a rich soil. Mr. M. also owns a good forty-acre lot some two miles west of his homestead. He has held several township offices, and is one of Bridgewater's best citizens. He
Digitized by Google
795
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.
and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and have a family of five children living-John, Samuel, Barbara, Mary and Abraham, Jr.
BENJAMIN F. MORRIS, a native of Pennsylvania, was born August 10, 1830, and was one of the eleven children of William and Hannah (Smith) Morris, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respect. ively. The parents moved to Stark County, this State, about 1835, and when about twenty-three years of age Benjamin F. left his home and came to Bryan, this county, where he remained a short time, and then bought his present home in Bridgewater of 120 acres, and subsequently purchased ninety acres more in the northern part of the township. June 1, 1855, Mr. Morris married Mary J. Crowl, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio. This lady died in 1863, leaving four children-Elizabeth H., William H., Sarah A. and George E. In 1865, Mr. Morris married Harriet Umbenhaur, a native of Williams County, and to this marriage have been born four children-Mary C., Thomas L., Theodosia H. and Ford B. The Morris family is a very ancient one, for this country, and can be traced back to the Jamestown settlers of Virginia, and its respect- ability is well sustained by its present representative. In politics, Mr. Morris is strongly Republican, and he has been intrusted by that party with the administration of several township offices; in religion, he leans toward Universalism.
ELI F. PARKER is one of the eight children born to Celius E. and Melinda (Fast) Parker, and had his birth in Ashland County, Ohio, May 19, 1850. The father still lives in Ashland, and with him Eli made his home till he was nineteen years of age, when he came to Bridgewater Township, and resided with his brother for a time, and then with his sis- ter. In 1873, he married Miss Julia P. Brandebery, a native also of Ashland, but a resident of this township. He brought his bride to his present home, then owned by his father, from whom he purchased it in 1875. It includes seventy-four acres of as good land as there is in the township, and the present owner is keeping it up to its full yielding capaci- ty. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are members of the United Brethren Church, and in politics Mr. Parker has always been on the side of the Repub- licans. He takes rank among the most intelligent and enterprising young farmers in the township.
JOEL PRIEST, the eldest of six children of Levi and Ellen (Smith) Priest, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio, was born in Holmes County, in the last-named State, December 12, 1832. Having received a good common-school education, Joel left his parents when about eight- een years old, and came to Bryan, this county, where he was employed for twenty years running stationary engines, at which he was an expert. September 27, 1860, he married Catherine Swartz, a native of Ohio, and
Digitized by Google
796
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
to their union have been born eight children-Mary A., Alice, Frank, John, Emma, Cora, Leo and James V. About 1870, he came to this township and located on his present farm, comprising eighty acres of ex- cellent land, on which he has ever since resided, with the exception of one year passed at milling. He is a Democrat in national politics, and has filled the local position of Township Trustee. He is a member of Fountain City Lodge, No. 314, I. O. O. F., and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an intelligent man and public-spirited citizen.
ALFRED RILEY, County Commissioner, was born in Stark Coun- ty, Ohio, February 11, 1832, and was one of the five children born to John and Drusilla (Carr) Riley, also natives of Stark. Alfred's mother died when he was about six years of age, and he then went to reside with a sister, also a resident of Stark, who, with her husband, removed to Will- iams County in 1845, Alfred accompanying her. He received a good common-school education, and at the age of eighteen began to work out by the month on his own account, until, when about twenty-three, he married Eliza Kollar, a native of Wayne County. He then bought fifty acres of land in Superior Township, on which he lived for about seven years, when he sold it and bought his present farm of 100 acres, and forty acres east of it, in this township, all of which is rich in soil, nearly all under cultivation, and improved with excellent buildings, wind pump, etc. In politics, Mr. Riley has always been a Republican; he has served as Trustee of his township, and in 1880 was elected County Commissioner, of which office he is now the incumbent. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were the parents of six children, viz. : Leonora, Emma (deceased), Mary E., Lida, William and Cora Belle. The eldest daughter is married, and her husband is assisting in the cultivation of the home farm.
FREDERICK W. SHAMMEL was born in Tiffin, Ohio, May 21, 1852, and was the only child of Frederick and Margaret (Lantz) Sham- mel, natives of Germany. The elder Shammel, who was a livery stable keeper in Tiffin, went to California when Fred W. was about a year old, and, as nothing has been heard of him since, the supposition is that he is dead. The mother continued to live at Tiffin till 1869, when she was again married. Soon after the departure of the elder Shammel, Fred was taken charge of by Jacob Lantz, a wealthy farmer of this township. He received a good common-school education, and when about twenty years old settled on his present farm of 110 acres, over ninety of which are under cultivation. March 7, 1875, he married Miss Elizabeth Morris, a native of this township, and to their union have been born two children- Frank and Fred. With the exception of one vote cast for the Greenback ticket, Mr. Shammel has always given his suffrage to the Democrats.
Digitized by Google
797
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.
TIMOTHY W. STOCKING was born in Madison County, N. Y., January 1, 1818, and is one of eight children born to John A. and Polly (Train) Stocking, the former a native of New York and the latter born near Boston. The elder Mr. Stocking was a minister of the denomina- tion known as Christians, and was one of the pioneers of that society. About 1821, he moved with his family to Tioga County, Penn .; remained there two or three years, then returned to Steuben County, N. Y., where he died in 1836. Two years later, Timothy, then twenty years old, mar- ried Sarah Adams, a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and daughter of Joseph and Fanny Adams. The newly wedded pair emigrated to Wash- tenaw County, Mich., where he worked as carpenter at Ann Arbor and other points till about 1853, when he came to this township and bought his present farm and several other lots, which he sold about fifteen years ago. About 1866, Mr. Stocking went to Bryan, and remained there about three years, serving as Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue. He has also served three terms as County Commissioner, and has held the offices of Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, Township Clerk and Township Trustee. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., was a Granger and is a Republican. To his marriage with Miss Adams were born four children, viz., Joseph E., Frances L. (deceased), Julia A. (deceased) and Adelaide.
GEORGE W. STRONG was born February 24, 1820, in Allegany County, N. Y., and was the youngest of nineteen children born to Luther and Abigail (Woodruff) Strong, both natives of Connecticut. When George W. was eight years of age, his parents removed to Potter County, Penn., where his father died. In 1842. George married Jane Vanin- wegen, a native of the Genesee Valley, N. Y., and a year later he bought a farm in Potter County, which he cultivated for two years; then engaged at milling, and then at cabinet-making until thirty-four years of age, when he moved to Ovid, Mich., and worked as millwright and carpenter for two years, when he lost his wife. In 1857, he married Mrs. Susannah Fuller, a native of Ohio. In 1861, he entered the army and took part in the famous battle of Shiloh, afterward performing hospital duties. In August, 1863, he came to Williams County, and resumed his old occupa- tion of milling, for which he has quite a talent, and ranks among the best in the business. His present mill (lath and shingle) was moved to this township in 1879, and with it he is doing a thriving business. He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and in politics is a Repub- lican. He has five children living-Iva and Walter H., who are at home ; Eli, a millwright; Orno, editor of the Nashville (Mich.) News, and George, a business man. Mr. Strong stands very high in the esteem of his neigh- bors, and is regarded as an enterprising business man and valuable citizen.
II
Digitized by Google
798
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MRS. ELIZABETH UMBINHAUR was born in May, 1818, in Canandaigua County, N. Y., and was one of the fifteen children of James and Abigail (Holce) Dean, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of New York. Mrs. Unbinhaur was married in 1837 to James Young, near Toledo, Ohio, and soon after moved to this township, and settled on a farm of eighty acres, her present home, being one of the early comers. Mr. Young died in 1840, leaving two children-Kercilda (living) and James E. (now deceased). About three years later, the widow was married to John Sherwin, a resident of Michigan, but subsequently of this township, who died of consumption about 1849, the father of two children, both deceased. In 1854, she married Mr. Umbinhaur, a native of Virginia, but then residing near Montpelier, this county. This gen- tleman died in 1871, leaving Mrs. Umbinhaur again a widow and mother' of his two children-George (deceased) and Brice H., who now manages the farm. The latter was born October 26, 1856, received a good com- mon school education, and is an intelligent and enterprising agriculturist. Mr. Sherwin was Postmaster at the time of his death, when he was suc- ceeded by J. W. Back, and the then Widow Sherwin was appointed assist- ant, and kept the office in her present residence.
ALEXANDER WATERSTON (deceased), was a baker and farmer, was born March 6, 1805, in Dalkeith, Scotland, and was the elder of the two children born to Simon, Sr., and Janet (Thorburn) Waterston, both na- tives of Scotland. He received a plain education, and was taught the baking business, and the greater part of his early manhood was passed at his grandfather's house. September 15, 1829, he married Janet Forrest, a native of Pennycuct, Scotland. For two years after, he worked at his trade, and then came to America, settled in Belmont County, Ohio, where he farmed ten years, then bought land in Richland County, farming there eleven years, and then came to this township and purchased 580 acres, which he cultivated till his death, March 11, 1875. His widow is still living on the homestead with her son William, and on her seventy-seventh birthday, August 20, 1882, was in the enjoyment of good health, and possessed her faculties well preserved. Alexander was an honorable man and a good citizen, and died a Republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in religious faith. Of this faith his widow is likewise a firm adherent. The surviving children of eleven born to this couple are six in number, viz., Simon, Thomas, James, William, Mary Haines and Elizabeth Cul- bertson.
WILLIAM T. WATERSTON, son of Alexander Waterston, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 25, 1841, and came to this town- ship with his parents. He received a good common school education, and when twenty-four years old enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-fifth
Digitized by Google
799
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP.
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in Virginia ten months, on guard duty, when the war closed, and received his discharge December, 1865. October 5, 1876, he married Lucretia K. Haines, a native of Columbi- ana County, this State, born January 5, 1851, and daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Lowe) Haines, natives respectively of Ohio and Maryland. The young couple took up their residence on the home farm, of which William has had charge ever since his father's death in 1875, and which up to the present time he has prosperously conducted. Mr. Waterston is one of Bridgewater's most reliable citizens, and in the " blackleg " days was a member of the " Regulators." In politics, he has ever been a stanch Republican. His well-stored library shows a cultivated taste, and the old homestead and its surroundings indicate that they are under the control of a discreet and intelligent master. He is the father of two children-Ursula L. and Augusta.
SIMON WATERSTON, the eldest of the eleven children of Alex- ander and Janet (Forrest) Waterston, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 20, 1830. The father was a baker by trade, and emigrated to the United States in 1831. He was followed by his family, who arrived at the port of New York July 4, 1832. He then went to what is now the State of West Virginia, remained one year, and moved thence to Bel- mont County, this State, where he remained eight years, engaged in farming. Thence he removed to Richland County, in 1842, bought eighty acres of land, and resided on it twelve years, and thence, in Sep- tember, 1853, removed to this township and purchased one-half section of land, Simon, then twenty-three years old, taking the middle eighty acres, and, in 1869, adding the west eighty to his possession, which he has rescued from the primitive forest and improved with excellent build- ings, wind mills, stock, and everything necessary to make it one of the model farms of the county. April 13, 1854, he married Cyrena Lind- say, a native of Essex County, N. Y., and daughter of Francis W. and Polly (Adams) Lindsay. Her parents moved from New York to Michigan about 1832, remained there eight years, and, in 1840, came to this township, where the daughter was married. Mr. Waterston has been a Freemason since 1861, and an Odd Fellow since 1879. He has served as Township Trustee several terms, has been a Notary Public and Township Treasurer for several years. In 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was under Gen. Thomas in Kentucky, with Gen. Buell in his famous march to Shiloh and his retreat north ; then with Rosecrans and Thomas respectively until the fall of Atlanta, when, as Lieutenant, he was ordered to take the surplus bag- gage of the Fourteenth Corps back to Bridgeport, Ala., where he remained until Sherman's army reached Washington, when he joined the
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.