History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 108

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 108

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).

STURGES, EDWARD, SR., deceased. He was born in Fairfield, Conn., Dec. 5, 1805, and was the son of Dimon Sturges, who was a soldier of the Revolution, and Sarah Perry. His great-grandfather, Solomon Sturges, was killed by the Tories during the attack of the British on Fairfield, July 8, 1779. At the early age of 14, Mr. Sturges left the home of his ancestors for the then " Western wilderness." He traveled over the mountains on horseback, and arrived in Mansfield in April, 1820. He immediately entered the store of his brother, E. P. Sturges, then an apparently rude estab- lishment located on the corner where the Sturges Block now stands, the firm name being Sturges & Sherwood. In 1823, Edward Sturges became a partner in the place of Mr. Sherwood. The firm name then became E. P. & E. Sturges. He continued to be a leading and influential partner in this old and successful business house through all its various changes till 1863, when H. H. Sturges took his place, and the firm became Sturges & Wood. In January, 1854, he entered into the banking business in company with A. L. Grimes and S. B. Sturges, under the firm name of E. Sturges, Sr. & Co. This firm continued its business until it merged into the Richland National Bank. He was also connected with the Farmers' National Bank, and with other financial and manufacturing interests of the city. He was for a long time a large stockholder in the Mansfield Machine Works, and it was mainly due to his counsels and material assistance that this large establishment was saved from utter financial ruin on the very verge of which it was at the beginning of the

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panic in 1873. Soon after terminating his connection with the dry-goods store in 1863, he engaged in the wholesale grocery business with his son, E. P. Sturges, with whom he continued until his death, which occurred Monday, Sept. 16, 1878. Concerning his business habits, the Liberal, in its obituary notice, states :

" Mr. Sturges was, in all respects, a model business man, prudent, honorable, careful, and industrious ; he trusted to sure and steady gains rather than the specu- lative ones, and his example remains for imitation to all those who would pursue a mercantile career upon the best principles for an honorable success.

"Mr. Sturges, although he never accepted political preferment, always took a deep interest in public affairs. In the early days of agitation upon the slavery question, he was an earnest antislavery man, and always gave a zealous support to the cause. He and his brother were among the founders, and were the life-long supporters of the Congregational Church, which grew up out of the antislavery discussions of the time.

"Mr. Sturges, in all the relations of life, was an exemplary man. In business, he was thoroughly trust- worthy and just in all his dealings. As a citizen, he discharged his duties with fidelity and honor. As a neighbor and friend he was kind, obliging and chari- table. In short, he was an upright Christian gentle- man, whose life has been a benediction to his genera- tion, and whose death will be lamented by all who knew him."

Mr. Sturges was married in the summer of 1837 to Mary Mathews, the daughter of Dr. Increase and Betsey Leavens Mathews, late of Putnam, Ohio, where she was born Nov. 18, 1815. Her parents were among the early residents of the Territory of Ohio, which her father adopted as his home at the close of the last century, and where, in connection with his associates, Gen. Rufus Putnam and Levi Whipple, Esq., he founded upon the Muskingum River the town of Put- nam. She received her later education at Marietta. In the summer of 1837, she became the wife cf Edward Sturges, Sr., and removed to Mansfield, which con- tinued to be her home until her death. She possessed a strong character and many virtues. Practical and constant, though scrutinizing, in her benevolence, distress, misfortune, and worthy poverty met at her hands warm sympathy and unfailing assistance. They left a family of five sons and three daughters-Charles, Eben P., Arthur, Willis M., John, Susan, Mary, and Anna.

TAYLOR, THOMAS W., carpenter. He was born in Franklin Township Oct. 18, 1842. Married in 1866, to Lydia Small, who was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Jan. 8, 1843; they have six children-Orlando, born Sept. 22, 1866 ; Ada R., born Sept. 8, 1868; Charlie, born Dec. 23, 1870; Mary, born March 12, 1873 ; Maud, born Aug. 14, 1876 ; Thomas, born Feb. 21, 1879; Mr. Taylor resides in Mansfield, and has been engaged in the Mansfield machine works. He enlisted in the 64th Regiment, O. V. I .; a member of Co. E, and was engaged in the service three years.

TAYLOR, FRANK R., teamster. He was born in Franklin Township in 1854. He was married in 1876, to Mary J. Browneller, who was born in Madison

Township in 1859; they had one child, Fenton E , born Jan. 17, 1877 ; he died April 20, 1879.

TODD, DR. J. J. (deceased). He was born near Ashland, Ohio, Dec. 12, 1820 ; when of sufficient age, he commenced the trade of saddle and harness making in that place, which he completed, and at which he continued to work for two years after coming to Mans- field in 1842; not fully satisfied with his vocation, and ambitious to enter a wider field of usefulness, he com- menced the study of medicine with the late Dr. A. G. Miller, under whose instruction he finished his studies, and graduated at the Cleveland Medical College in 1847. For nine years thereafter, he had a large and constantly increasing practice throughout this county, and was looked upon as a careful and skillful physician. He died in Mansfield the latter part of January, 1856. Dr. J. J. Todd was married, Aug. 26, 1847, to Miss Naomi Hedges, daughter of the late Ellzey Hedges, of this city, to whom were born five children, three of whom are living and residents of this city.

TROUTMAN, ELIAS, tinner and coppersmith. IIe was born in Center Co, Penn., March 11, 1817; in 1827, he came to Ohio with his parents, who located in Orange Township, Ashland Co .; at the age of 18, he began the trade of stone-cutter and brick-laying, which he soon discontinued, as he was compelled to remain idle during the winter. He immediately came to Mansfield and entered into a contract with the widow Buckins after her husband's death to learn the tin- ner's trade, which he acquired in the usual time, when he learned the trade of coppersmith with William McNulty, where he continued until 1839 ; after that date until 1849, he was working chiefly at the tinner's trade, when in the winter of that year, he went to California, and returned in the spring of 1851 ; he has been en- gaged at his trade in all its branches since that year in this city, and is now in active life. He was married, March 26, 1840, to Elizabeth Keffer, of Washington Co., Penn .; to them were born seven children, five of whom died in infancy, and one daughter at the age of 18 years. One child living. During his residence in Mansfield, Mr. Troutman has always been identified in every movement that tended toward the improvement of the city and its inhabitants, and interested in benevolent and church enterprises. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church.

TWITCHELL, A. J., attorney ; he was born Dec. 31, 1848, in Portage Co., Ohio; graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1872; at the Harvard Law School in 1874; read law with Judge M. R. Dickey ; admitted to the bar in the fall of 1874; engaged in the practice of law, in company with A. M. Burns, in December, 1874; continued till July, 1877, when he began alone. Was married, Sept. 24, 1874, to Ella C. Downs, of Defiance, Ohio; they have two children- Ray, born in July, 1876; Lee, in September, 1878.

TYLER, W. F., traveling salesman ; was born June 7, 1824, in Newport, Herkimer Co., N. Y .; emigrated to Mansfield in 1859 ; engaged in grocery store, continued sixteen years, and then engaged as traveling agent for a Cincinnati carriage manufactory, and continues up to this date. IIe was married to Hannah Pratt August 22, 1849; they have four children-Mary Ellen, born May 29, 1850; William Dexter, Feb. 7, 1853, who is

CITY OF MANSFIELD.

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engaged as traveling salesman ; Ida Bell, Oct. 19, 1857 ; llattie Emmer, Oct. 9, 1866. Residence, No. 90 East Market street.

WAGNER, C. W., druggist and practical apothecary ; at No. 32 South Main street, in the American Hotel Building, can be found the well-stocked drug and pre- scription establishment of Mr. C. W. Wagner, who has had a practical experience in the drug business for over twenty-three years, six of which were passed in a first-class drug store in the city of New York ; Mr. Wagner is a practical apothecary, in every sense of the word, and, in the compounding of medicine, stands pre-eminent in Ohio, being the only druggist in Rich- laud Co. who is thoroughly conversant with the Ger- man language; having been educated in Germany, he naturally receives the greater portion of the German trade ; he established his store six years ago, and has ever since been doing a successful business ; his scru- pulous honesty and extreme accuracy in compounding medicines secure for him a very large share of physi- cians' and private prescriptions ; he is also manufact- uring and selling extensively the following useful rem- edies : " Wagner's Compound Balsam of Wild Cherry, Horehound and Tolu," for the certain cure of coughs, colds, etc .: "The Children's Friend," the celebrated German worm-powder, very effectual and safe ;' " Wag- ner's Croup, Liver and Cathartic Pills," for liver-com- plaint, costiveness, sick headache, etc ; " Wagner's Cholera Cordial," an excellent remedy for dysentery, diarrhoea, cramp, cholera-morbus, etc. ; "Wagner's Celebrated Asthma Remedy," which gives relief in five minutes ; also, "The Farmer's Friend," without excep- tion the best horse, cattle and general stock powder now in use ; Mr. Wagner also has constantly on hand a full assortment of pure, unadulterated drugs, chem- icals, etc., and all the standard patent medicines in the market, besides a great variety of toilet and fancy arti- cles ; he is very attentive to his business, and can be found at his store at all times. C. W. Wagner, practi- cal apothecary, No. 32 South Main street, American Hotel Building.

WALLACE & SNYDER, dentists ; they established an office in Mansfield, in November, 1879. Dr. Wal- lace located here a year or two before. They are both practical and skillful workmen; they have built up a very extensive practice ; are now taking the lead in this profession ; they have fitted up an office in very neat style, ou the west side of the park, where they can always be found to attend to all calls promptly.

WARING, GEORGE W., was born in Athens, N. Y., March 28, 1816; came to Ohio in 1838, and was engaged in the dry-goods trade six years in Plymouth previous to his removal to this city in 1844, when he actively engaged in the produce and commission business for a number of years; the building now known as the Niman Foundry was erected and used by him in that trade in 1844; he was afterward engaged in the dry-goods trade for four years, when he pur- chased the grocery store of Stiles & Coman, the first wholesale store of that kind in the city ; for many years, he was the proprietor and landlord of the Amer- ican House, while there, he purchased and brought to this city, in 1845, the first omnibus ever used here. He was married, March 28, 1844, in this city, to Miss

Eliza Roop; they are the parents of seven children, three of whom are dead.

WELDON, JAMES (deceased). The subject of this sketch, well known to all of the old residents of this county, was a direct descendant of an old and highly respectable family of Weldons living in Kent Co., Del. James Weldon was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in the year 1804, and was the second son of Rolland Weldon, who removed to Ohio and located in Mansfield, on what has since been known as the McFall corner, in the year 1811. James Weldon was married, Jan. 10, 1837, to Isabella McEllroy, daughter of Alexander Mc- Ellroy, near Mansfield, by the Rev. James Rolland. To them were born three children-the eldest, William H .. was born Jan. 8, 1839; Charles D., April 17, 1844, and the youngest, a daughter. William 1I. Weldon, a bus- iness man of great promise, died Dec. 11, 1868, having been engaged for a number of years in New York and Philadelphia, as well as Mansfield, in the banking business; Charles D. is now and has been an artist of note in the East for a number of years-now a resident of New York. Isabella (McEllroy) Weldon was born in the year 1808, the third child of A. McEllroy, living two miles east of Mansfield. James Weldon was, doubtless, at the time of his death, Feb. 20, 1872, the oldest resident merchant in Mans- field ; during his long life in Mansfield, which extended over a period of sixty years, he was engaged in many enterprises and business transactions of note; a quiet, unassuming man, respected by all for his qualities of head and heart, his death was deplored. Mrs. Weldon died Wednesday, May 12, 1880, at the old homestead, which has been occupied by the family over thirty-four years.

WELDON, WILLIAM H. (deceased). In another part of this work, a brief mention is made of Mr. Wel- don, whose parents and grandparents were among the earliest settlers of this county. At the age of 14 years, he showed a more than ordinary aptitude for mercan- tile pursuits, and was placed in the Cleveland Commer- cial College, where he soon acquired that knowledge of book-keeping that was always of great benefit to him in his after life. After his return from Cleveland, he entered the Farmers' Bank, where he was soon recog- nized as an expert accountant ; soon after, was engaged in a bank in Pittsburgh ; then in Chicago, in the bank of Purdy, Granger & Weldon ; while here, he received an appointment to a clerkship in Washington; then to the Treasurer's office at the Mint in Philadelphia, where he was appointed a Government Paymaster. Wm. H. Weldon was married to Mary Hodge Purdy in Mans- field, Dec. 2, 1862, to whom have been born two chil- dren-May Churchill, born Oct. 28, 1865, and Will- iam McEllroy, born Dec. 28. 1868. After his marriage, Mr. Weldon returned to Philadelphia, where he was employed in the U. S. Mint about five years, which position he was compelled to relinquish on account of poor health, when he returned to his native town, and soon after departed this life.

WEST, SYLVESTER, was born Nov. 13, 1880, in Jefferson Co., Ohio, near Steubenville ; came to Rich- land Co. Jan. 15, 1836, and settled near Newville; he came to Mansfield in 1842. Mr. West was married Oct. 10, 1822, in Jefferson Co., Ohio, to Sarah Shiveley,

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to whom have been born twelve children-six living and six dead ; five of the living reside in Richland Co. Mr. West has been a member of the Methodist Church fifty-five years. Mrs. Sarah West died Dec. 2, 1873, aged 68 years-an affectionate wife and loving mother, her life was that of a true Christian ; she had been a faithful member of the Methodist Church over fifty years ; she was born in Jefferson Co., in the year 1805, and after her marriage was always ready to assist her husband in making home pleasant and happy.

WHARF, FREDERICK (deceased); he was born in New York, April 20, 1809, and removed to Richland Co. with his parents, James and Jane (Graham) Wharf, in 1838. Mr. Wharf was married in New York, to Miss Laura Gault, to whom were born two children -William, who died in Mansfield, Ang. 23, 1878, and Henry, a painter, now engaged at his trade in this city. Mrs. Laura (Gault) Wharf died in Mansfield in 1851. Frederick Wharf lived at the old homestead south of Mansfield until he was appointed Deputy Sheriff. Mr. Wharf was afterward elected Sheriff of Richland Co., and served his full two terms to the en- tire satisfaction of the people who elected him. Al- though a strong party man, he possessed many qualities of head and heart that made him warm friends in both parties. He died in the fall of 1862, and was buried at Mansfield.

WHISSEMORE, A., photographer; he was born Dec. 20, 1829, in Wayne Co. Married to Martha Jane Mathews, of Richland Co. Mr. Whissemore has been engaged as an artist in Mansfield for twenty-three years, and is the oldest artist in the city ; has been keeping up to the standard of his business, and having every facility, he is prepared to execute all kinds of first-class work; his reputation as an artist is so exten- sively known that it needs but little comment. Rooms above Blymyer's stove store.

WHITE, TIRZAH McCONNELL, MRS. Among the oldest of the faithful and good Christian mothers who still linger is Mrs. Tirzah White, of East Fourth street, Mansfield, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn .; she was born on the 14th day of July, 1800, and was married to John White the 11th of August, 1825, in Lancaster City. When but 4 years of age, she was left an orphan, and passed through the sad experiences of those bereft of parents in youth. Although now aged and infirm, she looks back over her long life without regret or com- plaint, and, anxious for the future welfare of all, she kindly admonishes them when opportunity offers to put their trust in Him who has been her stay and strength. John and Tirzah White were the parents of three chil- dren, two of whom are living-Samuel S. and Cath- erine J .; the third, Mary E., died July 3, 1877, leaving two daughters and one son ; the daughters-Sarah Alice Stevens and Jessie Bowman-reside in Mt. Vernon. John Ligget Longshore, son of Catherine J., lives with his parent and grandparent at the old homestead on East Fourth street, Mansfield.

WILER, JOHN JACOB, weaver, butcher, brewer and baker retired ; he was born in Herisan, Appenzell Co., Switzerland, June 4, 1780, and was the oldest of a large family of children, only four of whom, however, lived to manhood and womanhood. When quite young, he learned the trade of weaver in his native town,

which he continued until his 16th year, when, conclud- ing to travel and ply his vocation, he went to France, where he remained two years in order to acquire some knowledge of the language; afterward, for fifteen years he traveled through the different governments of Europe as a journeyman weaver ; specimens of his workmanship are now in the possession of his daugh- ter, Mrs. J. H. Cook, which show him to have been an expert workman. During the campaign of Napoleon I in Austria, he enlisted for a time in the Swiss army on the frontier, and was assigned to the Army of the Reserve. While engaged in his occupation as a jour- neyman weaver, he passed over the battlefield of Leip- sic the morning after the engagement, while the dead were being buried ; his description of the scene he used often to relate with minuteness. Mr. Wiler sailed for America from Amsterdam on the 19th of May, 1817, in the ship " Bourbon," Capt. William Gobrell in charge. Mr. W. landed in Philadelphia, after a voy- age of ninety-nine days, on the 26th of August, 1817. Some idea may be formed of the terrible suffering and distress felt by the 500 souls on board during this long voyage, when, after being out some days, ship fever in its worst form made its appearance on the vessel, and, before reaching port, 105 of the crew and passengers succumbed to the dreadful disease, and were buried at sea. Mr. Wiler, after landing at Philadelphia, was sent to the hospital, suffering from this malady, where he remained three months, until fully recovered, when he started on foot through Pennsylvania, accompanied by his nephew, John Ulrick Tanner, who came to America with him. Being ignorant of the language, he was frequently taken advantage of by some people on the route and defrauded out of what little money he had. The treatment he there received, often by those professing Christianity, caused him to have little faith in man's professions, and he thereafter judged men by their actions alone. After coming to Ohio, he stopped at New Lancaster about one year with a Mr. Arnold, who befriended him, and to whom he has always felt grateful. He went from Lancaster to Columbus, where he remained about one year engaged as a hostler by a Mr. Heyle. At the end of the time, he came to Mans- field. Mr. Wiler was married to Miss Margaret Steyer after an acquaintance of three weeks, whose father lived in Franklin Township, ou the 25th of April, Sun- day, 1819, and the following Monday morning took possession of the tavern then owned by his father-in- law, which has since that date been known as the " Wiler House." His means were so limited, that when ordering his sign he found that he would be unable to pay if his full name was used, when, at the suggestion of his nephew, Tanner, the name Jacob was omitted, and he was able to secure the sign, and since that date he has been known only by the name of John Wiler. Mrs. Margaret Steyer Wiler died in Mansfield in her 71st year May 25, 1868. John Wiler lives on West Fourth street, and was 100 years old on the 4th of June, 1880. John Wiler had nine children, three of whom are living-Mary Ann (Cook), John Ulrick Wiler, Margaret Louesa (Barr); two sons, grown to manhood, died in California of cholera ; the others died in infancy and youth. In this year, there are living twelve grand- children and four great-grandchildren.

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WILER, JOHN U .; mechanic and jeweler. He was born in Mansfield April 20, 1824; he learned the jew- eler trade in the city ; in September, 1848, he formed a partnership with the late John A. Lee, which termi- nated in four years, when he continued the business until 1857; he was afterward connected with the saw- mill for a number of years, since which time he has been engaged constantly at his present vocation, as- sisted by his sons, John J., Hervey H. and David Ephraim, who also are expert workmen. Mr. Wiler was married Nov. 14, 1850, to Miss Anna Louisa Rob- bins ; they are the parents of three sons, named above, and one daughter, M. Eva.

WINTERS, GEORGE H .; printer and stationer : successor to E. B. Sturges & Co. He calls the atten- tion of manufacturers, corporations, professional men, merchants, societies, banks, churches, farmers and others, that he is more fully prepared than ever to do every kind of printed work, such as pamphlets, legal briefs, posters, sale-bills, horse-bills, handbills, circu- lars, dodgers, cards, bill and letter heads, statements, envelopes, programmes, labels, tickets, invitations, checks, notes, tags, and all other descriptions of job printing in superior style; every order will have special attention, with first-class workmen; he has made recent additions of late-style type, fine presses, and all necessary elements of a successful printing office, making job printing a specialty (no newspaper connected with their concern), and with a disposition to please all patrons, and execute only the best class of work at the most reasonable prices.

WISE, GEORGE C., grocer; a descendant of a Penn- sylvania family ; his grandfather, Col. John Wise, having command of a Pennsylvania militia regiment in the war of 1812. Jacob Wise, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., in the year 1802; he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Mansfield in 1825. George C. Wise, the third child, was born on the 23d of October, 1828, on the northwest corner of Third and East Diamond streets, Mansfield ; at the age of 18 years, he com- menced the trade of cabinet-making, which he con- tinued four years ; on the 8th of August, 1853, he began in the store of Mr. E. Clapp as clerk, on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, and was taken into the firm as a partner, under the name of E. Clapp & Co., in 1865 ; in the year 1866, the firm of Clapp & Wise removed to the Miller Block, where they con- tinned the business until Feb. 6, 1873, when Mr. Wise purchased the interest of E. Clapp, since which time he has carried on the business alone. George C. Wise was married in Mansfield Feb. 1, 1854, to Ellen M. Clapp, a daughter of his employer, to whom have been born six children, four of whom are living-Alice C., now Mrs. Frank D. Gadsby ; Charles E., at present in business with his father; Lillie E. and Nettie B. George C. Wise holds the position of one of the repre- sentative business men of Mansfield.

WOLFF, BARNARD, carpenter; he was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., April 17, 1827, being the sixth child of David Wolff of that place; as soon as he arrived at a sufficient age, he entered a carpenter-shop to learn that trade, which he accom- plished in the usual time ; in the year 1849, while yet

in poor circumstances, he was married to Miss Jane McCleary, a resident of Chambersburg ; in the month of June, 1850, they removed to Mansfield, Ohio, where he has since resided ; on the 9th day of October, 1875, his wife died after a long and painful illness, and on the 17th day of April, 1877, he was again married in Plymouth, to Miss McClinchey of that place ; during Mr. Wolff's residence in Mansfield, he has been closely identified in the city's growth and her improvements ; he is the owner and builder of the Sherman House, which he erected in 1870, on the northwest corner of Fourth and East Diamond streets, thereby adding much to the good appearance of that part of the city, and a benefit to the traveling public ; Mr. Wolff has also been the contractor and builder of many of the larger edifices in the city, both public and private, and also the large depot and freight house at Orrville ; during his residence in Mansfield, he has always been con- sidered one of her stanch citizens; he resides on East Fourth street.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968