USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 13
USA > Ohio > Wood County > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 13
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Dr. Garner, the youngest child of his parents, was the only one of the family born in the United
MATTHEW SHOEMAKER.
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States. He received a country-school education, and is entitled to credit on account of his ambi- tion and earnest purpose to make the most of his advantages. Though he worked hard during the day lie studied until late at night, and at last fitted himself to enter the Columbus Medical College, where lie took one term of lectures. Later lic studied for two terms in the Cincinnati Medical College, paying his own tuition and expenses by selling books and by working at any honest em- ployment whereby he might gain the necessary funds. He is popular with all classes in this sec- tion, and is rising rapidly to a front rank among his professional brethren.
February 11, 1880, Dr. Garner married Amanda Lieser, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to this state in childhood. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and two daughters, all bright and interesting children. They are as follows: Quentin L., born Junc 8, 1881; Artlınr S., October 31, 1882; Mabel R., January 24, 1884; and Nora A., July 4, 1888. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church and are liberal contributors to religions and benevolent objects. The Doctor holds membership with the Knights of Pythias.
M ATTHEW SHOEMAKER. Among thie prominent men of Toledo no man is more justly entitled to an honorable place in its history than the one whose name heads this sketch, a gentleman who has been usefully and worthily identified with the prosperity of the city in every progressive movement, but especially in the promotion of its banking interests. If it be trne, as is often asserted, that the history of any community is made up of the events and trans- actions in the lives of its citizens, then from the pages of this volume the reader may learn much concerning the history of the prosperous city lying at the head of Lake Erie.
The birth of Matthew Shoemaker occurred in Herkimer County, N. Y., November 16, 1813,
liis ancestors being Colonial settlers. His father, Robert Shoemaker, a native of New York, was a prominent farmer and was twice a member of the State Legislature. His mother, Catherine, who was born in Herkimer County, was a daughter of Judge Michael Myers, a native of New Jersey, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, whose wife was a Miss Harter, of Herkimer Connty. The paternal grandfather of Matthew Shoemaker was John Jacob Shoemaker (Major of the Fourth Battalion of Tryon County troops in 1775), whose father, Rudolph Shoemaker, emigrated to America in 1710, and settled in the Mohawk Valley in New York State.
Matthew Shoemaker, the eldest of seven chil- dren who attained mature years (of whom three sons and one daughter are still living), spent his youthful years in Herkimer County, where he rc- ceived common-school advantages until his thir- tcenth year. Hc then became a clerk in a country storc, where he acquired a fair knowledge of bnsi- ness and of men, and subsequently went to New York City, where he remained until nineteen years of age. During the cholera epidemic in the metrop- olis, he left the city and returned to his old homc. Four years afterward he began contracting for por- tions of the Utica & Schenectady Railroad, now a part of the New York Central system.
In 1836 occurred the marriage of Mr. Shoe- maker and Miss Catherine Bellinger, daughter of Frederick Bellinger, of Herkimer County, N. Y. Mrs. Shoemaker was a devont member of the Epis- copal Church, and a lady whose many noble at- tributes of character won the friendship of all her acquaintances. Her deatlı, in 1890, was mourned by all who knew her. Seven children were born of her marriage, but only one survives, Frederick B., an influential business man of this city, and Vice-President of the Northern National Bank.
In the fall of 1836 Mr. Shoemaker went to Illi- nois, and for a time was engaged in the construc- tion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but when tlie state failed to pay the contractors he removed to Jackson County, Mich. In 1842, associated with his brother Michael, he purchased a mill in Jackson County, which they conducted for two years, when Matthew disposed of his interest to
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his brother. Then, returning to New York, he was engaged in the general produce business until 1853, and was also largely interested in the ship- chandler business, which was conducted by his partner. His next venture was as a miller and dealer in grain in Tiffin, Ohio.
In 1854, when the Dayton & Michigan Railroad was in process of construction from Dayton to To- ledo, Mr. Shoemaker was made its General Super- intendent, and held that position, and for a time that of Vice-President, until 1862, when the road was leased to the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad and became a part of that system. In 1859 Mr. Shocmaker removed his family from Dayton, Ohio, to Toledo, where he has since re- sided. From 1862 until 1868 lie was interested in a foundry and machine-shop in which car wheels and railroad supplies were manufactured. For many years he was a member of the Toledo Board of Trade. In 1862, in connection with R. B. Hub- bard & Co., of Sandusky, he built the first grain elevator of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad in Toledo, now known as the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Elevator "A." In the spring of 1864, he organized, and was made President of, the North- ern National Bank of Toledo, and in this respon- sible position he continued until 1872, when he re- signed on account of impaired health, continuing, however, as Vice-President, and giving much of his time and attention to the bank, for ten years thereafter. He is still a stockholder and Director in the institution. For the past thirty years he has been largely interested in the various banks of this eity, and for fifteen years was President of the Merchants & Clerks' Savings Bank, in which he still owns an interest. He is also a stockholder and Director in the Union Savings Bank. At all times he has been a man of public spirit, ready to promote local enterprises by his influence and means.
Politically Mr. Shoemaker has always been a consistent Democrat. For many years he was act- ively interested in the public schools of the city as a member of the Board of Education. His life has been marked by integrity and uprightness of pur- pose, and he most truly deserves the confidence which is freely accorded him by his associates. An
ardent sportsman with rod and gun, he and a few friends in 1874 organized the Middle-Bass Island Club, one of the most successful organizations of its kind in the state. For eighteen consecutive years he was annually elccted its President, but finally resigned on account of ill-health. On this beautiful island of Lake Eric, immediately after the organization of the elub, he built a cottage, and has since spent his summers therc. The elub is composed of two hundred members, including many of the most prominent men, politically, socially and commercially, in the state, all of whom look upon Mr. Shoemaker as the founder of the club and as a personal friend.
H IRAM HAWLEY, of Sylvania, Lucas County, is one of its old and respected residents, and has lived here at intervals during sixty-one years. For a number of years he has been engaged in merchandising, but met with a great misfortune about 1875, when his building and entirc stoek were destroyed by fire. Beginning again, he built a storeroom, and since that time has been engaged in farming, running a cider-mill and removing buildings. At one time lie served as Constable, having been elected on the Republican ticket, to which party he gives his support.
Mr. Hawley was born September 6, 1821, near Presque Isle, Lucas County, on thic banks of the Maumee River. His parents, David W. and Nancy Hawley, werc natives of Connecticut. The father was a hero of the War of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Ft. Meigs, his death ultimately re- sulting from the effects of the injury which he thien received. He was a stonemason by trade, but in later life became a very wealthy farmer, and was the proprietor of extensive tracts of land near
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Buffalo, N. Y. At a very early day lie came to this place, and was one of the founders of Sylva- nia. His death occurred in 1842, at the age of about seventy-seven years. He roared two chil- dren, Mrs. Julia Wilson and our subject.
The early years of Hiram Hawley were passed in this locality, on his father's farm. About 1855 he went to Michigan and bought land, which he cultivated for several years, and in a financial sense was quite successful. Returning to Sylvania, he has since been engaged in business, and for a time was express agent at this place.
March 9, 1852, Mr. Hawley married, in Buffalo, N. Y., Sylvia Lewis, who was born March 7, 1831, being the daughter of Lyman and Phoebe (Hurd) Lewis. Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hawley, namely: Munson, born May 12, 1853, and now a resident of this place; Lettie, wife of Walter Wilson, a farmer; and Jennie, who was born September 7, 1865, and is now living at home with her parents.
J AMES ANDREWS is a prominent and suc- cessful farmer of Sylvania Township, Lucas County, his home being on section 11. He has served this community as School Director for twenty years, and has hield the office of Road Commissioner for several terms. A native of Dev- onshire, England, he was born May 10, 1830, and was only five years of age when he came to make a permanent home in America. The voyage across the Atlantic was made in the packet-ship "Cosmopolite," about six weeks being spent on the water.
The parents of our subject were William and Elizabeth (Cory) Andrews, both natives of Eng- land. The father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, brought a certain sum of money with him to
the New World, and invested this in the home- stead now owned by our subject. He rearcd a family of twelve children, the eldest of whom, Samuel, died in England. William died in 1885, in Canada; John, who was married and had a fam- ily, was drowned in Raisin River, near Palmyra, Mich., in 1848; Mrs. Jane Farrel, a widow, is now a resident of Hudson, Mich .; Mrs. Susan Palmer died about 1848; Thomas, a resident of this coun- ty, was summoned to the home beyond about 1845; Elizabeth married Addison Brainard, a farmer, now of Monroe County, Mich .; Lucy married Michael Moran, and died in 1889, in Hudson, Mich , leaving a family to mourn her loss; Samuel is married and is a printer in Toledo; Matthew, also of Toledo, is an employe of the Michigan Central Railroad; and James completes the family, as one died in infancy.
The father of James Andrews died in May, 1852, and after surviving him for six years, his wife was also called to her final rest. The homestead of forty-seven acres was left by will to our subject, and it yet remains in his possession. June 20, 1853, he was united in marriage with Angeline, daughter of William and Emily (Beckwith) Beaclı, natives of Connecticut and New York, respective- ly. The former, a cooper by trade, came to Syl- vania in 1852, and continued to work at liis voca- tion for several years. Mrs. Andrews was born May 5, 1833. Her brothers and sisters are as fol- lows: Edward, who died about 1847; Elizabeth, wife of David Baker, of New York State; Mrs. Hulda Lewis, of Michigan; Malcolm, a cooper by trade, and a resident of Toledo; Marshall, who is a member of the same craft, and is now living in Memphis, Tenn .; and Estella, wife of Harvey Cas- sady, of Kansas.
Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, only six are now living. Josephine, the eldest, born June 16, 1854, is the wife of Joseph Disatell, of Ohio; Frances E., Mrs. Litsey, born March 16, 1856, is now living in Hudson, Mich .; Mrs. Florence E. Frost, of Sylvania, was born March 6, 1858; Hattie L., Mrs. Cooper, also of this place, was born March 21, 1860; William E., born March 15, 1862, died September 8, 1870; Marshall H., born March 10, 1865, lives at home; Lorin D.,
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born March 31, 1867, died September 23, 1868; Samuel E., born September 25, 1869, died May 5, 1871; Mabel B., born May 9, 1872, died October 7, 1878; Godfrey J., born July 16, 1874, is now at home; and Maggie L., born May 30, 1876, was ac- cidentally killed September 22, 1887.
Fraternally Mr. Andrews is identified with the Masonie lodge of Sylvania. For years he has been a stanch Republican, and interested in the welfare of his party. He is temperate in all his habits, and takes just pride in the fact that he has never used any stimulants. He received a fair education, and is well informed on general and practical topics of the day.
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APT. JOHN W. GREENE, one of the most prominent business inen of Toledo, is a dealer in musical instruments. He won his title in the late War of the Rebellion, where he did brave and valiant service. He has made his home in this city for a number of years and has been identified with its growth and progress.
J. W. Greene was born April 11, 1836, and is a son of Chartes G. and Abigail (Bacon) Greene. The former was a son of Daniel C. Greene, who after the War of 1812 settled in New York State, and in the early '30s emigrated to a point near Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequently he became a resi- dent of Sandusky County, and there died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lyons, was a native of the Empire State, and died in Sandusky, Ohio, when in her seventy-third year. Charles G. Greene was also born in New York State, and was married in Ohio. In his early manhood he held a position as foreman on the Erie Canal. Having learned the carpenter's trade in Cleveland, he followed that calling for many years in connection with farm- ing. In 1832 he removed to Sandusky County, where he engaged in operating a farm up to the
time of his death. He was very active and enter- `prising in his methods, and altogether cleared and improved four farms. In 1856 he voted for Fre- mont, and from that time forward was a loyal Republican. He was frequently honored by his neighbors with positions of trust and honor in the locality, and for years during the winter season he taught one of the old-fashioned subscription schools. At the time when he and his wife settled in Sandusky County the land was mainly a swamp, and bore little promise of what it would eventu- ally become. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Greene, and of the number four sons and three daughters are still living. One of their sons, Levi H., was a member of Company A, Twenty- ninth Ohio Infantry, during the late war, and went with Sherman on his march to the sea, but died in Savannah.
John W. Greene was educated in a log school- house, assisting in the management of the home farm until he reached his majority. With only a few dollars he then started out to seek a place for himself in the business world, and landed at Lone Rock, Wis., with about $2 in his pockets. He had a cousin living there, with whom he remained for a short time, until he could look about and decide what he should do. Obtaining a school at Spring Green, he taught for one term during the winter, after which he organized a stock company and started with two farmers for Pike's Peak. Mr. Greene contributed a certain amount of money and the others furnished horses and supplies. The former drove some cattle as far as Dubuque, and the remainder of their journey took the little com- pany from March until the 1st of June. With varying fortunes our subject remained in the West until the fall of 1858, when he started for the East, and on arriving in Indiana worked for a time in a gristmill by the month.
May 25, 1861, Mr. Greene became no longer content to remain inactive, and he volunteered his services in Company E, Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Infantry, as a private soldier to aid in defending the Old Flag. He was in all but one of the battles and engagements in which his regiment took part. Sorely against his will, he was placed on detached service at New Orleans after he had
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received the captainey of his company, having been commissioned to that post a year after his enlistment. At Ft. Lexington he was taken ill with typhoid fever and eame very near dying with the disease. A lodge room served as a temporary hospital, and the patients were placed on the floor. After thirty days of this kind of experience, Mr. Greene was taken to the Captain's tent, and as soon as possible for him to get around he obtained a thirty-days furlough. On its expiration he re- turned to the front at Sedalia, Mo., and for the next year his time was passed in Arkansas. Re- turning thenee to Missouri, he was ordered to eut off the rebels on the Iron Mountain Road. Among other points at which he was stationed were Pilot Knob, Poplar Bluff and St. Genevieve. He was also present at the siege of Vieksburg, bis com- manding officer being Gen. Frank Herron. The Captain was honorably mustered out of the service and returned home.
In 1866 Mr. Greene went to Illinois and bought a large tract of land in Livingston County. For a year and a-half he gave his whole attention to breaking prairie and improving his land. This he afterwards sold at a profit of $1,200. Returning home, he started a boot and shoe store at Fremont, Ohio, which he carried on for two years, and then sold out his interest in the concern. Coming to this city, Mr. Greene then took a general sewing- machine agency, representing about twenty-six companies. For years he commanded a very ex- tensive trade, dealing in machines both at whole- sale and retail. Later he added musical instru- ments, and still earries on both branches of the business. Until recently he has been the sole pro- prietor of the business, but has his brother now as a partner in the firm.
In September, 1874, Mr. Greene married Miss Hattie B. Howe, who was born in Milan, Ohio, and who was educated in the schools of that place and in Toledo. Her parents were for years respected early settlers of Milan and afterwards of this city.
Captain Greene is a member of Volunteer Post No. 715, G. A. R., also belongs to Forsyth Post, and has filled all thic chairs in the former. He be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Royal Areanum and to the Knights of
Pythias. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, and be- longs to the First Church. In polities he uses his ballot in favor of the Republican party. In the West End Club he is one of the most popular members, and is now its President. Although this club is one of the youngest in Toledo, its growth has been phenomenal. Its original quar- ters were very soon found inadequate and it took possession of the commodious building at the cor- ner of Adams and Sixteenth Streets.
EVI S. COMSTOCK came to Lucas County, Ohio, in 1834 with his parents, and sinee that time has looked upon Sylvania as his home. He was a pioneer engineer on what is now known as the Lake Shore Railroad, and when there was any difficult or hazardous undertaking on hand was always called upon, and never failed to respond promptly. At the end of nearly three decades of faithful work he retired from active life, and has since lived quietly at home in Syl- vania.
Mr. Comstock is a son of Beebe and Louisa (Parker) Comstock, who are represented elsewhere in this work, and was born in Cooperstown, N. Y., August 27, 1830, and there spent the first four years of his life. He received very little educa- tion, as he left home while quite young. Before he was twenty years old he was offered a position on the railroad, and was placed in charge of the engine "Adria," after which he ran the old "Te- cumseb" and the "Hillsdale," the latter of which had no bell and no whistle. Mr. Comstock has many interesting relics of the days when railroad- ing was in its infancy, and, among others, a pieture of the first engine and coach that were run over the Lake Shore Line, about 1836. At first, when lie was a fireman, he was under the direction of
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Superintendent James Moore, later under Samuel Brown, John D. Campbell, P. P. Wright and others.
As the result of his years of industrious toil, Mr. Comistock is now the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of good land, with forty acres of timber, all in Lueas County. Politically he uses his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party, and is always on hand at elections to do liis duty as a citizen. He has been a Mason sinee 1850.
In 1880 Mr. Comstoek was married, but the union proving uneongenial, a separation was deemed best. In 1893 our subjeet married Mrs. L. C. Gambel, of Coldwater, Mich., who makes her husband a happy home and shares his joys and sorrows. They are both very genial and hospitable, and take pleasure in entertaining their many friends.
HARLES W. MERCEREAU. This pleas- ant gentleman, who is the owner of a fine estate on seetion 8, Sylvania Township, Lucas County, is a native of the county, having been born four miles west of Toledo, January 16, 1836. His parents, Cornelius and Sallie ( Phillips) Mereereau, were natives of New York, and emi- grated to this state in 1831, locating at once in Sylvania Township, where they became the posses- sors of a good farm. They made this seetion their home but a few years, however, when they re- turned to the Empire State and there remained for seven years. At the end of that time they again beeame residents of Sylvania Township, where the elder Mr. Mercereau purchased eighty aeres of land, which he cultivated in a very thorough man- ner. He subsequently disposed of this land, and died at the residence of his son Charles in 1888. His wife preceded him to the better land by many
years, having passed away in September, 1869. The father's birth occurred May 13, 1802, and the mother's December 4, 1809.
The children of the parental family were seven in number. Of these Peter, the eldest, was born November 17, 1833, and died November 26, 1884; Charles was the next-born; then followed Ann, born April 22, 1838, who married John Adams and makes her home in Forrest, Ill .; Wallace was born October 26, 1840, and is at present resid- ing in Montevideo, Minn .; Celesta, born Mareli 20, 1843, married John Vanpelt, and they live in Riga, Mich .; Henry was born August 21, 1845, and is now a citizen of East Richmond, Va .; and Emily, who was born January 2, 1852, is now Mrs. Wilber Shawler, of Church, Mich.
Charles W. Mercereau was married, March 30, 1862, to Sophia Robinson, who was born in Orange, Cuyahoga County, this state, June 17, 1842, and was the daughter of Nathan and Laura (Chase) Robinson. Her father was born in Hoosae, Vt., whenee he removed to this state many years ago, settling in Cuyahoga County, where he car- ried on the combined occupation of a farmer and miller. He was the father of three children. George, born September 15, 1837, is now a well-to- do farmer of Sylvania Township, this county; Cal- vin, whose birth occurred June 7, 1839, is also an agriculturist, owning an estate in Crawford Coun- ty, Pa .; and Sophia is Mrs. Mercereau.
The seven children born to our subject and his wife are: Wallace, born July 26, 1863, and now living in Toledo, being employed on the Lake Shore Railroad; Etta, born November 28, 1864, at home with her parents; Elmer, born January 23, 1867, and who died August 22, 1877; Burt, born October 21, 1868, residing at home and engaged in farming; Dora E., born December 4, 1870, also with her parents; Ida Bell, whose birth took place July 28, 1872, and who is a teacher in the schools of Mitelaw, this township; and Fred H., born February 4, 1874, a farmer in this county, his es- tate being located near the home farm.
Charles W., of this sketehi, remained with his par- ents until two years after attaining his majority, when he started out to work for other people. During the three years in which he was employed
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as a farm hand he saved a niee little sum of money, which enabled him to make a purchase of sixty aeres of unimproved land. On this he moved shortly after his marriage and began the work of its cultivation, remaining there for four years, when he traded his traet for another, located on section 13, and which was then the property of his father. There he also made his home for four years, and then became the owner of liis present farm, which comprises eighty acres. On this he erected good buildings of every description, but in 1882 suffered a severe loss by their being burnt down. He replaced them as soon as possible with even more substantial structures, thus adding greatly to the value of his estate, which is regarded as one of the best improved in the township. In addition to raising the usual amount of grain, he breeds fine stoek, for which he finds a ready market when desiring to sell.
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