USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 42
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throughout the county where he lived. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, eight of them now living. The father of these children was an extensive horse and stock dealer. In connection with farming he always did a large business buying and selling horses. His death occurred in 1881 and that of his wife in 1888.
Davis Dempsey Woodward was educated in the common schools of Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, and reared on the home farm. He began farming early in life on a part of his father's estate, continuing thus for twenty-eight or twenty-nine years. In 1902 he moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Chester township, which was already improved and on which he has carried on general farming and stock raising, being still actively engaged in these lines.
Mr. Dempsey was married on February 22, 1872, to Eliza Leighty, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Stephen and Eliza Leighty, an old Pennsylvania family. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodward eleven children have been born, namely: Mary (deceased), Stephen L., Da- vid, Lydia Melvina, Phoebe, Leslie, Eastman, Jesse (deceased), Guy, Eliza and Samuel.
In politics Mr. Woodward is a Democrat and his wife is a member of the German Reformed church.
DAVID BOWMAN.
In examining into the life records of most of the citizens of Wayne county, Ohio, the biographer finds that over two-thirds of the families living here today are descendants of Pennsylvania stock, and, without invidious com- parison, it may be added that no more progressive and honorable citizenship has ever been produced by any section of this great union of states. In this number David Bowman must be included, for his birth occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, but most of his life has been spent in Wayne county, Ohio. He is the son of David and Mary (Gelbricks) Bowman, both natives of the Keystone state, where they lived and died, David Bowman hav- ing devoted his life to blacksmithing. He was a member of the Reformed church and his wife was a Lutheran, while politically, Mr. Bowman was a Republican. They were the parents of fourteen children, five of whom are living at this writing.
David Bowman was educated in the common schools and reared on the farm, where he learned those lessons of fortitude and self-reliance that have
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stood him so well in hand during his later life. In 1866 he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and located at Lattasburg, working here and at West Salem and getting a good start. In about 1879 he bought a farm of about sixty acres near Lattasburg, which he still owns and on which he has erected at- tractive and substantial buildings and in many ways improved the place. He has been very successful in his farming operations, and at present he lives practically retired, enjoying the fruits of his former years of labor.
Mr. Bowman was married in May, 1867, to Elizabeth Martin, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and the daughter of Christopher and Nancy ( Worst) Martin, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Wayne county, Ohio. Mr. Martin came here when eighteen years of age. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. David Bowman were Henry and Barbara Worst, na- tives of the state of Pennsylvania and very early settlers in Wayne county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of the subject's wife were Daniel and Elizabeth (Brakefield) Martin, also very early settlers here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman six children have been born, namely : Ida H., Edwin D., Ellen C., Alice L., Carrie and James C., the last named being deceased. Mrs. Bowman's death occurred on March 6, 1910.
An interesting and important chapter in the life of Mr. Bowman is that bearing on his military career, for when the dark clouds of rebellion hovered over the land he left all and offered his services in behalf of his country, en- listing in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, and he made a valiant soldier in many campaigns, taking part in many of the important and bloodiest battles of the war, including the Wilder- ness, Atlanta, Chickamauga, Richmond and Petersburg.
In politics Mr. Bowman is a Republican and he belongs to the Dunkard church.
WILLIAM PIPER.
William Piper was born October 22, 1827, near Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, the son of John and Mary (Weishaupt ) Piper. His paternal grandfather was John Piper, a soldier of the Revolutionary war for seven years, having taken part in the famous battle of Brandywine. He was a native of Philadelphia and died in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. William Piper's maternal grandfather was of German descent, commonly called Pennsylvania Dutch. All of the family, on both sides of the house, were born in that state. The father of the subject was born November 6, 1786, and died February 18.
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David Hohenshil was educated in the common schools of Chester town- ship, and during the summer months he worked on the home farm. He and his father bought the place, and the son inherited it at his father's death. In 1880 the son erected a fine dwelling, and in 1905 an excellent new "bank" barn. He has made a success of general farming, but merely manages his place at present, his son doing most of the work. It is generally conceded that the residence and barns are among the most modern in Wayne county, reflecting considerable credit on the owner.
Mr. Hohenshil was married on December 26, 1871, to Mary Ellen Funallman, a native of this county, and the daughter of Samuel and Regna (Emrick) Funallman, old settlers here, and this union has resulted in the birth of five children, namely : Bertha Mae, A. A., Edith Floy (living at home) ; Erin Clare, who died in infancy ; Guy Ray, who is married and living at home. A. A. Hohenshil is married and on December 7, 1909, became the father of a boy, Carl.
This family has done remarkably well since grandfather Hohenshil first came here. for he had nothing but what he could carry on his back. He went to work in the dense forest, cleared out a small place for his cabin and in time had a good farm. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he worked at during the evenings, clearing his farm during the day. From such a hardy de- scendant has come the present generation of this name, who in every respect seem worthy of their sterling progenitor.
Politically, David Hohenshil is nominally a Democrat ; however, he has of late turned his attention to the Prohibition workers. He has been a mem- ber of the United Brethren church since 1866; his wife is also a member of this denomination.
HON. FRANCIS MARION VANOVER.
A prominent business man and progressive citizen, of Wooster and a leading representative of Wayne county is Francis Marion Vanover, for he is always to be found associated with every movement which seems to prom- ise an addition to the general welfare of this community, its wealth, re- sources and enterprise. He is always on the alert and always ready when called upon to serve his fellow men, thereby meriting the high esteem in which he is held by all classes. He was born in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, February 27, 1858, the son of David Vanover, a native of the same community, and who, at the age of seventy-two ( 1909), is still living in Con-
J. M. Van
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gress township, having retired to his farm, after a successful and active life as a carpenter and builder. He has long taken a great deal of interest in local political affairs and he served as trustee and school director of Con- gress township. William Vanover, grandfather of the subject, was born in Holland, having come to America in an early day and settled in Pennsyl- vania, later, while still a young man, emigrating to Ohio. The maiden name of the mother of the subject was Margaret Ellen Crawford, who was born in Congress township and who died about ten years ago. The Crawford fam- ily descended from Revolutionary stock, all physically large, and the several members reared numerous children. To Mr. and Mrs. David Vanover twelve children were born, three of whom died in infancy. William, who moved to Kansas, married in that state and died there; his wife is also deceased. David Austin died in young manhood. Those living besides the subject are Jacob E. V., of Creston, Ohio; Charles Sherman, living near Burbank, Ohio: Julia is single and living at home with her father; Effie Jane is the wife of George Hagan, living at Barberton, Ohio, where Mr. Hagan is em- ployed as machinist ; Myrtle is the wife of James Mermill, of Canal Dover, who also is a machinist ; Dora is the wife of Mr. Ebberly, living at East Pal- estine, Ohio.
Francis M. Vanover was born on the parental farm, where he lived until he was nineteen years of age, assisting with the work about the place and developing a strong, virile manhood. He then began working with his father at the carpenter's trade, later obtaining employment on the railroad as a bridge carpenter, working on both wooden and iron bridges. He received a fairly good education in the common schools, for he always applied himself very studiously to his text books. He also spent one year in the Wooster high school and one year at the academy at Burbank. After one and one- half years in railroad bridge work, he returned home and settled down on the farm which he purchased in Congress township, and for ten years he carried on agricultural pursuits in a very successful manner. Leaving the farm, he moved to Lodi, Ohio, and engaged in buying and shipping hay, straw and potatoes, living there for a period of four years; then he bought property in Wooster, moving soon afterwards, and began in the same line of business he had so successfully conducted at Lodi. He has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative business here which is constantly increasing under his judicious management and close application to his affairs. He has two large storage barns, one in Wooster, the other in Cedar Valley.
Mr. Vanover's domestic life began in 1883 when he formed a matri- monial alliance with Malinda J., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Sum-
(82)
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mers, of Canaan township, Wayne county, where Mrs. Vanover and her parents were born. Six children have been born to the subject and wife, as follows: Vida M., widow of Charles Kester, is living at home, and she is secretary of the Gerstenslager Buggy Company; Jennie is a teacher in the Yocums-Bixler Business College in Wooster; Gertrude is a long-distance op- erator for the telephone company at Wooster; Harry is a graduate of the local high school; Jesse is a high school student at this writing and will graduate with the class this year; Elmer is in school.
For many years Mr. Vanover has taken considerable interest in political matters and, being public spirited and evincing those qualities that stamp him as a leader of men, he was soon singled out by his fellow citizens for offices of public trust, and, useless to add, he has never betrayed the con- fidence thus reposed in him, making a very faithful and conservative repre- sentative of the people and performing his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself. He was first elected to office in Congress town- ship as school director and became chairman of the township board of education, which built several school houses. He was elected councilman from the fourth ward of Wooster; during his incumbency he was chairman of the street department, one of the most important committees. A cri- terion of his excellent standing among his fellow men is found in the fact that he has never sought office, but it seems that many positions of public trust have sought him, and he has always been elected when he has con- sented to run for office. In 1905 his Democratic friends selected him as their candidate for state senator before the voters' primary, and he carried thirteen out of the sixteen townships and was triumphantly elected at the gen- eral election. During his term in the Senate he was a member of several large and important committees, including the finance committee, and he always made his influence felt in that important body, being an able repre- sentative of his constituents, and his voice was often heard championing the people's rights in an able and conscientious manner. He served as senator up to 1909. He was a member of every committee appointed to purchase state property ; however, he never solicited a single place. He was a mem- ber of the committee that inspected the city of Cleveland. He enjoyed the confidence of his colleagues to a remarkable degree.
Judging from his eminently worthy record of the past and the fact that he is only in the prime of life, the future for him will evidently be replete with honor and greater success than he has yet achieved. The Senator is especially interested in the welfare of the farmers, and during his career in the Senate he had the support of every farm paper in the state. He de-
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clined the support for lieutenant-governor in 1908 when it was repeatedly offered to him.
Senator Vanover is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled every chair in the local lodge: he belongs to the Kilbuck En- campment and is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mrs. Vanover belongs to the German Reformed church, which the Senator attends and liberally supports.
GEORGE PFEIFFER.
No man who has lived in Chester township. Wayne county, in recent years left behind him a more honorable record than the late George Pfeiffer, who was a man whom everybody liked owing to his genuine kindness, gener- osity and unswerving honesty. He was a good neighbor, husband and father and left his family well provided for. As his name implies, he was an American by adoption only, having been born in Germany, January 29, 1839, the son of Philip and Mary Pfeiffer. In a very early day the family came to America and located in Cedar Valley, Wayne county, Ohio, and there the parents lived the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living at this writing. Philip Pfeiffer became an extensive landowner and an influential citizen here. His son, Philip, now lives on the place, and, like his father, is a good manager and is doing well. The elder Pfeiffer was a pronounced Democrat in his political views, but he never aspired for public office, preferring to devote his time exclusively to his individual affairs.
George Pfeiffer was educated in the common schools of Chester town- ship, having been a mere boy when his parents brought him here. He was reared on the home farm, which he assisted in developing during the time he was not in school, and he accordingly took up farming and first worked for wages by the month. About 1880 he bought a farm of one hundred and twelve acres in Chester township, having prospered from the first and saved his money, so that he became well fixed in reference to this world's affairs. On this place he erected a large and substantial barn in 1881, and the follow- ing year built a fine residence, which is still the home of his widow. He en- gaged in the various lines of farming and stock raising and was regarded as one of the leading farmers of the township. Politically he was a Democrat. but not a partisan, having taken little interest in local matters, though he was always ready to do his share of the work in promoting the interest of his
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community. He was a member of the Reformed church, of which his widow is also a member.
Mr. Pfeiffer was married in 1862 to Martha Mowery, who was born and reared in Wayne county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Jane Mowery, an excellent old family, having been among the first settlers here. They came from Germany with their parents in a very early day and helped clear up this country. Mr. Mowery was a stanch Republican and he engaged in farming on a very extensive scale. Both he and his faithful wife are sleeping the sleep of the just. To Mr. and Mrs. Pfeiffer four children were born, namely : Mary Jane, wife of Frank Fair and the mother of three children ; Sarah Ellen and Charles Allen ( twins), the former deceased, and the latter is managing the home farm; Harvey died in infancy. Mrs. Pfeiffer is a woman of pleasing characteristics and she and her children have hosts of friends in this township.
The death of George Pfeiffer occurred on July 4, 1896. All who knew him are unstinted in their praise of his many sterling qualities as a man and citizen, and he will long be missed in this community.
JOHN H. WILEY.
John H. Wiley is one of the prominent business men of Wayne county, his home being in West Salem, Congress township. He has met with cred- itable success and has commanded uniform confidence and respect by his business methods, so that the record of his career is full of interest. In all his trade transactions he has been honorable; at all times he has been ener- getic; he forms his plans readily, carries them forward to successful com- pletion, and is now enjoying well-merited prosperity.
John H. Wiley is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Ashland county on the 21st of July, 1859. He is the son of William H. and Mary S. (Mason) Wiley. His paternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary (Vanica) Wiley, were natives of Pennsylvania, but in 1837 they came to Ohio, settling in Ashland county, where they took up land from the gov- ernment. They were successful farmers and stood high in the community. The subject's maternal grandparents, Andrew and Elizabeth ( Heffner ) Mason, were also natives of the Keystone state, and they too came and set- tled in Ashland county, where they spent the remainder of their days. Thomas Wiley and a brother were veterans of the war of 1812. The subject's father.
J. H. WILEY
MRS. J. H. WILEY
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William H. Wiley, was reared on the parental homestead in Ashland county and received his education in the common schools. On attaining mature years he took up the vocation of farming, which he followed throughout his active years. He died on December 31, 1888, and his widow is still living at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are living. They were prominent members of the Evangelical church, in which they took a prominent part.
The subject of this sketch was reared in the Ashland county home and secured a good education in the common schools. He then entered Ashland College, being a student there during the first year of its existence. He then attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada and later the Mansfield Business College, from which he graduated with the class of 1889. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching school and was so employed about twelve years, embracing a period before and after his attendance at business college. Mr. Wiley then went into the hardware business at West Salem, to which place he had moved in 1894, and was so occupied about a year and a half, when he discontinued it. Since that time he has been to some extent engaged in farming, but has made a specialty of buying and shipping all kinds of poultry, in which enterprise he has been successful to a gratifying degree. He is energetic and progressive and has been successful in all his enterprises.
Mr. Wiley has also, in company with F. L. Berry, started the Farmers' Bank at West Salem, which is meeting with splendid success.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Wiley was elected mayor of West Salem, serving from 1898 to 1900, he being compelled to decline re-election because of moving to his farm. Returning to reside in West Salem, he was elected councilman, and then was again elected mayor to fill out an unexpired term, and has been re-elected twice to the office, thus having served in this respon- sible position during the past six consecutive years. He has given the office his careful attention and has given the town a practical, business adminis- tration, reflecting honor upon himself and benefiting the community at large.
Socially he is a member of West Salem Lodge, No. 442, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and Lodge 'No. 85, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Ashland. His religious membership is in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, and to this society they give an earnest and generous support.
On the 29th of April, 1900, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage to Har- riet M. Berry, a native of Wayne county and a daughter of Richard and
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Ann M. Berry, early settlers at West Salem, where they are now living. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Wiley is recognized as a man of executive ability and enterprise and is numbered among the leading citi- zens of his community.
JONATHAN FETZER.
Among the representative citizens of Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, who, while advancing their own interests, have not been unmindful of their duties to their neighbors and to the state as well, is Jonathan Fetzer, a native of Canaan township, this county, his birth occurring January 7, 1846, the son of Frederick and Alutia Ann (Hoff) Fetzer. His paternal grandpar- ents were Barnhart and Magdalena Fetzer, natives of Bern, Switzerland, who, in 1832, came to America and located in Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, where they entered government land. At that time the nearest post- office was Cleveland. When Barnhart Fetzer came here he walked from Cleveland, to which place he returned after viewing the land which he desired to enter, and from there he wrote to his family, who were left at Buffalo, to join him here. He entered one hundred and sixty acres and lived the remain- der of his days here. The maternal grandparents of Jonathan Fetzer were Jacob and Elizabeth Hoff, natives of and reared to maturity in Penn- sylvania, from which state they came to Wayne county, Ohio, in wagons in 1830, a few years before Barnhart Fetzer and his family came here. The Hoffs settled in Milton township and there spent the remainder of their days. The father of the subject was born in France in 1822, having come to America with his parents. His wife, Alutia Ann Hoff, was born in Wayne county, Ohio. Soon after their marriage they began farming, but Mr. Fetzer became an invalid from rheumatism and could do but little work, so, later in life, he depended entirely upon his children for support. He lived a temperate, quiet, retired life. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity and are living at this writing. During the Civil war the father, Frederick Fetzer, was a loyal Union man, but not a soldier, though he did all he could at home for the Federal government. He was a member of a committee in Canaan township whose duty it was to collect whatever they could that would be of aid and comfort to the soldiers at the front. While engaged in this work he rode on horseback from house to house.
Jonathan Fetzer, of this sketch, was educated in the common schools in Canaan township and the Canaan Academy. He learned the carpenter's
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trade which he followed for a few years when a young man and finally went to farming. Later he took up threshing, which he followed for a period of seventeen years, becoming known as one of the leading threshing-machine operators in this locality, and this, in connection with his farming, made him a very comfortable living. He was slightly disabled and gave up the threshing business, devoting his attention exclusively to farming, which he has continued ever since. In 1873 he purchased the place on which he now resides, consisting of one hundred and twenty-four acres in Chester township. He has put all the improvements on the place, cleared half of the land and in many ways rendered it attractive and valuable. He has been an extensive breeder of Shorthorn and Jersey cattle, always dealing in registered stock of a very fine quality. He has never kept many hogs or sheep, but his cattle have attracted a great deal of attention.
Mr. Fetzer was married in 1867 to Rebecca Brinkerhoff, the daughter of James Brinkerhoff, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and this union has resulted in the birth of eight children, namely : Charles, Blanche, Ellen, Martha, Mary, Bessie, Riley and James; the last named is engaged in the real estate business in Wooster, Ohio.
Mr. Fetzer is a Democrat and he has taken much interest in local affairs. He very ably served on the local school board for thirteen years consecutively. and he has long been a school director. He was a township trustee for seven years. Such long service would indicate the high standing of Mr. Fetzer in his community and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
L. LYMAN SOLIDAY.
Among the well-known agriculturists of Plain township, Wayne county, who have made a success in life because they have worked for it and spent their lives in looking after their individual affairs instead of making every- body's business their own, is L. L. Soliday, who was born on the old Soliday homestead in Plain township, November 20, 1865. His father, John Soliday. was born in Plain township, and his mother, Susan Spar, was born in Wayne county. John Soliday, who was a farmer, died in September, 1893: his widow survives and lives with her daughter. Mrs. A. S. Alexander. They had children as follows: Ida May married A. S. Alexander and lives in Plain township: William .A. ; Sidney Grat ; L. L., the subject of this sketch.
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