USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 31
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JAMES WAREHAM.
The name of Wareham has long been a prominent one in the agricultural circles of Richland county, and the gentleman whose name introduces this review is a worthy representative of the family to which it belongs. He is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred on a farm near Caroline in Seneca county, January 16, 1847. The following spring he was brought by his parents, William and Sarah (Fulton) Wareham, to Richland county, the family home being established on a farm on section 16, Jackson township. The father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1816, while the mother was a native of New York, her birth having occurred July 5, 1817.
William Wareham lost his mother when he was but six years of age and was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years. He then went to Seneca county, Ohio, with a family by the name of Kohler, the year 1830 witnessing his arrival in this state. After a short time he went to Marion county and worked on a farm for two years. He was then married to Miss Sarah Fulton and they began their domestic life on a farm in Marion county, where they lived for two or three years. At the end of that time they returned to Seneca county, where the father purchased forty acres of land, which he operated for a short period. He then disposed of his property there and came to Richland county, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring February 5, 1888. The mother preceded him to the home beyond, passing away December 27, 1867.
James Wareham is one of a family of three children, and now the only surviving member, his elder brother, George, having died at the age of five
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years, while the sister, Martha A., has also departed this life. As above stated, Mr. Wareham came to Richland county with his parents in 1848, the family home being established on a farm on section 16, Jackson township. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when he learned the carpenter's trade, working at the same for four years. He was then married, in 1873, to Mrs. Elizabeth Gillespie, a widow. She was born in Jackson township, October 30, 1840, a daughter of John and Susannah (Henry) Drake, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Richland county at an early day. Mrs. Wareham had one daughter by her former mar- riage, Carrie E., now the wife of Oscar Hart, of Plymouth township, and the mother of five children.
Following his marriage Mr. Wareham located on a tract of rented land, which he operated for thirteen years. At the time of his father's death he inherited the old homestead property and on this place he then took up his abode, living there during the succeeding twenty years. He then bought his present farm, comprising eighty acres, situated on section 15, Jackson town- ship. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and is also engaged to some extent in raising stock. He is methodical and systematic in carrying on his work and is meeting with success in his undertakings.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wareham was blessed with four children: Anna May; Sarah Roberta, the wife of R. T. Stevens, of Jackson township, and the mother of two daughters, Elsie and Amy; William Drake, who wedded Edna Strock, by whom he has two children, Richard T. and Martha, and is now making his home with his father; and Lena Esther, the wife of Frank Auspach, of Shelby, by whom she has two daughters, Thelma E. and Mary. After a happy married life of thirty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Wareham were separated by the death of the wife, who passed away July 29, 1905.
Mr. Wareham was reared in the faith of the republican party but now casts an independent ballot, voting for men and measures rather than adhering to party ties. He is a member of Union Grange. His life has been one of unremitting and tireless toil and a glance at his well improved farm is the best evidence of what he has accomplished. He is highly esteemed in the community in which he makes his home for he has ever lived in accord with the principles of the Golden Rule.
LOUIS L. ROGERS.
Louis L. Rogers first opened his eyes to the light of day March 19, 1864, on the farm on which his grandfather, Almanzar Rogers, settled in 1839 and which is now the home of another grandson, A. J. Rogers, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. The parents of our subject were Philander and Sarah Amanda (Gamble) Rogers, and in the maternal as well as in the paternal line the subject of this review is a representative of an old and prominent pioneer family.
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The father was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1831, and was eight years of age when he came to Richland county with his father, Almanzar Rogers. His mother, Mrs. Malinda Rogers, died in Pennsylvania when the son was four years of age and the father afterward married again, his second union being with Sarah Parker. By the first marriage he had ten children but there were no children of the second marriage. Philander Rogers was the ninth in order of birth and for fifty years he lived upon the farm which is now the home of his son Louis. He had one hundred acres of land on section 20, Sharon township, and as the years passed he brought his farm under a high state of cultivation. For eleven years after his marriage he resided with his father and then removed to the town of Shelby, but after a brief period returned to this place, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring here April 23, 1898. His political views were in harmony with the principles of the democratic party, while his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is still survived by his wife, who is a lady of remarkable memory. She can well remember when Mansfield had but thirty or forty houses and in those early days she frequently accom- panied her father to the county seat, for he was county judge and filled the position for five years. She can remember, too, the time when wild hogs, wolves and other wild animals were quite numerous here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Philander Rogers were born five children: Rhoda, who died at the age of twenty years; Malinda, also deceased; Lucy Matilda, the wife of Frank Darby ; Burton, of Toledo; and Louis L., of this review.
Louis L. Rogers was reared at the place of his birth to the age of six years, after which the family lived for two years in Shelby and then took up their abode upon the farm which has now been his home since 1872. It comprises one hundred and five acres of rich and arable land, situated on section 20, Sharon township, and belongs to Louis L. Rogers and his mother. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools and also spent two years as a student in Oberlin College. He worked in Cleveland, Ohio, for one winter and during the remainder of his life has lived on the farm, giving his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He is a man of energy and determination, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and is now numbered among the prosperous farmers of the community.
Mr. Rogers has been married twice. On the 13th of December, 1893, he wedded Phoebe Molder, a native of Sharon township and a daughter of Jacob and Maria Molder. She died leaving one son, Leroy Burton, born November 8, 1894, after which Mr. Rogers was married, June 1, 1897, to Elnora Molder, a sister of his first wife. They have three children : George L., born June 20, 1898; Hazel D., born June 19, 1901; and Leona G., born June 9, 1903.
Mr. Rogers has served as a member of the board of education in Sharon township for the past three years. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has no desire for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. He has a large Rock on his farm that was brought from Shelby to this place,
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it having been used in the first gristmill of Shelby by John Gamble. The name of Rogers has been associated with the history of Richland county for almost three score years and ten and the work which was begun by his grand- father and continued by his father is still being carried on by Louis L. Rogers, who is one of the well known practical and progressive agriculturists of Sharon township.
C. E. HEATH.
In the field of commercial and industrial activity C. E. Heath has won distinction and today is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Plymouth, being the vice president and general manager of the Root Brothers. Company, manufacturers of hardware specialties, while he is also one of the organizers and present owners of the People's Mercantile Com- pany, operating one of the largest retail stores in Richland county.
Mr. Heath is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred on a farm in Grafton township, Lorain county, June 8, 1872. He is a son of James and Rosalia (Deles Dernier) Heath, the former a native of Medina, Ohio, while the latter was born in Lagrange, Lorain county, this state. The father was killed when his son C. E. was a little lad of four years. The mother was married a second time and still survives, now making her home in Plymouth.
C. E. Heath is the eldest child in his father's family, his sister being Daisy, the deceased wife of Leonard Sweet; while his brother bears the name of Jay Heath, and now resides in Kansas City. C. E. Heath acquired his edu- cation in the common schools and was reared to farm life, remaining on the homestead property until he had reached the age of nineteen years, when he began clerking in a music store and bakery at Medina. After four years spent in that way he took up his abode in Galva, Illinois, where in connec- tion with a cousin he purchased a bakery, which he conducted for two months, when he sold his interest to his partner and returned to Medina, purchasing the interest of G. U. Root in the firm of the Root Brothers Company, manu- facturers of hardware specialties. About twelve years ago they removed the plant to Plymouth, having at that time about five hundred dollars' worth of stock. Seven years ago the company was incorporated with C. F. Root as president; C. E. Heath, vice president and general manager; P. H. Root, superintendent; J. A. Root, treasurer; and H. F. Root, secretary; and they are so acting at the present time. Upon opening business in Plymouth they issued a catalogue, sending it to the retail trade all over the country and in this way they have built up a mammoth trade, extending to all parts of the United States and Canada, Australia, England and many other foreign lands. They employ about sixty-five men in the operation of their plant, sending out over a carload of goods per day. In addition to managing the enterprise above referred to, Mr. Heath is also financially interested in the People's Mercantile Company of Plymouth, operating one of the largest retail stores in the county, of which he was one of the organizers.
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It was in October, 1893, that Mr. Heath was married to Miss Mabel E. Root, a native of Medina, Ohio, and a daughter of Clayton F. Root, president of Root Brothers Company. He was born in Sharon township, Medina county, in January, 1853. He was one of the originators of the business which is now conducted under the name of the Root Brothers Company, manufacturers of hardware specialties, and in this connection is meeting with unbounded success in his undertakings. The firm are also stockholders of the Motor Truck Company of Plymouth, and of the Sandusky, Norwalk & Mansfield Electric Railroad Company.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heath has been blessed with a daughter and son: Marion and William Earl. Both are natives of Plymouth. Mr. Heath is a member of the school board, in which he is deeply interested, and is also identified with the village board.
WILLIAM ROY SWISHER.
William Roy Swisher, who is actively connected with the mercantile interests of Mansfield as senior member of the grocery firm of Swisher & Charles, was born south of this city, on the 14th of May, 1883. His father, Samuel Burr Swisher, was a graduate of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and taught school for several years or until he had accumulated enough capital to purchase a small farm. Here he successfully carried on dairying and farming interests until he died of typhoid fever at the age of thirty- nine years.
William Roy Swisher attended the Woodville country school at the age of fourteen years and subsequently entered the Mansfield high school, where he devoted three years to the Latin course. In the fall of 1901 he became a clerk at a very moderate salary, in the grocery store of S. B. Neal, located at No. 3 North Main street in Mansfield. He remained in this employ until the firm changed hands in 1902, when he began clerking for Leitz & Needles at No. 18 P avenue West, and in February, 1902, when but nineteen years of age, purchased the interest of Mr. Needles in the business. The present firm of Swisher & Charles was established in September, 1902, and though at first patronage was limited and profits were small, the business has steadily grown and developed until it is second to perhaps only one grocery firm in this city. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. Though still a young man he has already won for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and is well known and highly esteemed as a worthy representative of the mercantile interests of Mansfield.
On the 28th of June, 1905, Mr. Swisher was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Clyde Schaeffer, a daughter of Justice George A. Schaeffer, of Mans- field. They have one son, William Roy, whose. birth occurred June 19, 1907.
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Even before age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Swisher took an active part in republican politics, being appointed registrar of election in his precinct in his twenty-first year. In 1907 he announced himself as the republican candidate for the position of treasurer of Madison township. Though this township has a democratic majority of four hundred and his opponent was Edward Lemon, who for years had been an important factor in democratic politics, Mr. Swisher won the election by twenty-seven votes, the total number of ballots being fifty-five hundred. Thus at the age of twenty-four years he became treasurer of Madison township, his election being incontrovertible proof of his popularity and the trust reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- men of America and the Improved Order of Red Men, being now sachem of Metamora Tribe of the last named organization. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Christian church of Mansfield, and he is a public-spirited citizen, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his native county.
GEORGE ATYEO.
George Atyeo, who since 1903 has been engaged in the grain, coal and feed business in Plymouth, is classed among the representative business men of this village. He is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Ripley township, Huron county, September 10, 1879, a son of Isaac and Emily (Enderby) Atyeo. The former was born in England in January, 1838, and came with his parents to the United States when twelve years of age, at which time the family located in Huron county. He is a marble worker by trade and also owns a farm. The mother was born in Rich- land county and both still survive, and are making their home in Huron county. Their family numbered eleven children, of whom ten are now living.
George Atyeo, whose name introduces this review, is the youngest of his father's family and was reared under the parental roof until he reached years of maturity. His education was acquired in the public schools and upon starting out in life on his own account he engaged in farming in his native county. He followed that occupation for several years, or until 1903. when he came to Plymouth and with an older brother, Ruey A., engaged in the grain, coal and feed business. They purchased the elevator of R. F. Guthrie, this having a capacity of fifteen thousand bushels. He buys and sells large quantities of grain each year and in his undertakings is meeting with excellent success. He also handles good grades of coal for which he finds a ready sale in Plymouth and surrounding country.
Mr. Atyeo was married, August 3, 1904, to Miss Gertrude Frost, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of John and Alice Frost. Mr. Atyco gives his political support to the republican party, while his fraternal relations
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are with the Knights of Pythias. He is highly respected in business circles, for he ever follows the most straightforward and honorable methods in all his dealings and is numbered among the wide-awake and progressive young business men of this section of the state. He and his wife occupy a beautiful home, situated on Railroad and Mills avenue, which is the scene of many social functions.
CHARLES TAYLOR.
Charles Taylor was for a long period identified with the agricultural interests of Richland county but is now living retired in a pleasant home in Plymouth, deriving his income from a good farm property. He is a native of Lincolnshire, England, born February 13, 1838, a son of Robert and Mary (Carrot) Taylor, who were natives of Nottinghamshire, England. Their family numbered six sons and four daughters, the mother dying when our subject was a little lad of seven years.
The father then removed with his family to the United States about 1853, and spent his remaining days in the Buckeye state, passing away in Auburn township, Crawford county, when he had reached the age of more than ninety years, his birth having occurrerd in 1796. The record of his family is as follows: Joseph, who died in February, 1908, when more than eighty years of age; Robert, who passed away in Washington township, this county; Wil- liam, who died in Ontario, Richland county; Phoebe, who is deceased, her death occurring in England when she was twenty-four years of age; Ann, the deceased wife of C. J. Smith, of Galion, Ohio; Mary, the wife of C. J. Smith, of Plymouth; Caroline, the deceased wife of Peter Dillon, of Springfield town- ship; John, also a resident of that township; George, who resides on the old homestead in Washington township; and Charles, of this review.
Charles Taylor was a youth of sixteen years at the time of the father's emigration with his family from England to the United States, this being about 1853 or- 1854. The family home was established on a farm in Wash- ington township, which is now the property of George Taylor, the brother of our subject. After two years spent on the home farm Charles Taylor went to live with A. L. Grimes, by whom he was employed at farm labor, receiving for his services one hundred and thirty dollars the first year. He was economi- cal and energetic and finally managed to save a sum of money that enabled him to purchase land of his own, when he became the possessor of eighty acres of land near Council Bluffs, Iowa. This was entered from the government at the usual price and owing to the improvements he placed upon it he was enabled in course of time to dispose of his farm at one hundred dollars per acre.
He then went to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he farmed for four and a half years, after which he returned to Ohio, locating in Crestline, where he made his home for one winter. He then rented a farm in Springfield town- ship, Richland county, which he operated for a time but eventually pur-
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MR. AND MRS. CHARLES TAYLOR.
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chased eighty acres in Crawford county, where he made his home during the succeeding eleven years. At the end of that period he sold and purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres in Plymouth township, on which he made his home for twenty-one years. Owing to poor health he then put aside business cares, sold his farm and removed to Toledo, where he spent a short time, after which he took up his abode in Plymouth, where he is now living retired, deriving his income from his good farm properties. For a long period he led a busy, active and useful life, so that the rest which he is now enjoying is well earned.
Mr. Taylor was married March 25, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Wagoner, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 25, 1839, a daughter of Emanuel and Mary (Baughie) Wagoner, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in. Wooster, Ohio. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade. His death occurred in Knox county, Ohio, when the daughter was but five years of age. The mother was afterward married again, her second union being with Henry Armentrout.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been blessed with six children, as follows: Mary L., who is at home; Mrs. Hulda Ann Thrush, of Plymouth township; William Elmer, a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Robert M., who oper- ates his father's farm in Springfield township; Mrs. Phoebe Caroline Tatter- shaw, who has passed away; and Lucy Eleanor, who is also deceased.
Mr. Taylor gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and has served as a member of the school board and also as a road officer. He is a member of the Baptist church at Auburn Center, of which he has served as deacon the past three years. He is everywhere known as an honorable, upright citizen and in his treatment of his neighbor he has never lost sight of the principle of the Golden Rule. He has now passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey and in his pleasant home in Plymouth is living a contented and happy life, enjoying the rest which he so well deserves.
JACOB HAWK.
Jacob Hawk is now living retired in Shelby, deriving his income from valuable farming property. He owns four farms in this part of the state and the rich Ohio soil is returning to him a gratifying financial reward. He is numbered among the self-made men and as the architect of his own for- tunes has builded wisely and well. His life record began at St. Thomas, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1837, his parents being William and Susan (Miller) Hawk, the former a native of Lebanon county, Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Franklin county. The father was born January 8, 1813, while the mother's birth occurred on the 15th of September, 1812. Throughout his entire life he resided upon farms and for many years made his home on a farm just south of Shelby, where he located in 1851. His death there occurred November 16, 1873, while his wife passed away August 9, 1866. In early life he learned the saddler's trade, which he followed until
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his marriage, and then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, which afterward claimed his time and energies. He was a member of the Reformed church, and his life was ever upright and honorable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Hawk were born nine children, of whom Jacob is the eldest. The others are : Mrs. Katharine Leppo, now deceased ; Mrs. Elizabeth Lemamaker, who has also passed away; Rebecca, who died at the age of nine years; Mrs. Nancy Fletcher, deceased; Miss Mary Walworth, who is living in Newark, Ohio; John, who resides on the old homestead; William, who died in Jackson township, June 2, 1908; and Miss Hattie Holdron, whose home is in Michigan.
Jacob Hawk spent the first fourteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and in October, 1851, accompanied his parents when they removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled on a farm two miles south of Shelby. Mr. Hawk remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 31st of May, 1864, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Will, who was born in Sharon township, Richland county, on the 21st of January, 1846, and has always lived here. Her parents were Valentine and Elizabeth (Cook) Will, natives of Baden, Germany, the former born in 1803 and the latter in 1805. They were reared, educated and married in their native country and in 1833 sailed for the new world with their two children, who had been born in the fatherland. They spent the remainder of their lives in Rich- land county, where Mr. Will pursued the occupation of farming. Their family numbered twelve children, including Mrs. Hawk.
Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hawk began farming in the spring of 1855 on a place adjoining the old homestead and for many years thereafter Mr. Hawk was numbered among the most active, energetic and progressive agriculturists of the community. He continued to live upon his original farm until 1898, when he removed to Shelby, where he now makes his home. He still retains the ownership of the homestead, however, and in fact owns altogether four farms in this county. He started in life with nothing but a team and a few household goods, which his father gave him, but he possessed energy sufficient to enable him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and as the years have gone by he has so utilized his advantages that he is now one of the prosperous residents of the community, with a competence amply sufficient to enable him to enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. The home place comprises one hundred and eighty-five acres and on the same section he owns another tract of ninety-six acres. He also has a farm of eighty acres in Jackson township and another one of one hundred acres, so that his possessions aggregate four hundred and sixty-one acres. He is, in fact, one of the largest landowners in this section of the county and he still continues to oversee his farming interests, although he leaves the active work of the fields to others. He purchased his present home in the spring of 1898 and is now pleasantly located at No. 62 South Gamble street in Shelby.
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