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 14
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 14
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During the late war Mr. Mereereau served for one year as a member of Company B, One Hun- dred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and on the close of the war was mustered out and honor- ably diselarged. In politics he is a Republican. IIe has given his children the best advantages in an educational way, although the opportunities given hiim were very meager. At the present time he is a prosperous and highly respected man, and we take great pleasure in placing his biography among those of the best residents of Lucas County.
OHN T. GREER is recognized as one of the able attorneys and successful business men of northwestern Ohio. In addition to the man- agenient of a large professional practice, he holds the position of President of the Heavy Hard- ware Company, one of the solid financial concerns of Toledo. He is also interested in and a Director of the IIepburn Boat and Oar Company. For two
years he was President of the Gendron Iron Wheel Company, of which he was one of the original promoters and founders. In 1868 he was chosen Secretary of the Board of City Improvements, which position he held for four years, and at all times he has manifested his interest in whatever pertained to the general welfare and advancement of Toledo.
The Greer family is of Scoteli descent. The fa- ther of our subject, Alexander, was born in Penn- sylvania, and in an early day accompanied Grand- father John Greer to Ohio, settling in Knox Coun- ty. He was one of the early settlers and successful farmers of that section of the state, and was a man of upright, energetic character. For his wife he chose Miss Margaret Robinson, a native of Ohio, whose father, William Robinson, was born in Seot- land, emigrated to the United States, and settled in Knox County, Ohio, where he engaged in farm pursuits.
The youngest of the parental family of seven children, John T. Greer was born in Knox Coun- ty, Ohio, July 26, 1840. His boyhood years were passed on his father's farm, and his education was acquired in the public schools of Knox County and from private tutors. Resolving to make the law his profession, he commenced to study under Walter II. Smith, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio (now of Washington, D. C.). After a course of training in the Ohio State and Union Law College at Cleve- land, he was graduated, in June, 1864, and the Same year was admitted to the Bar in Cleveland.
In Mareli, 1865, Mr. Greer beeanie a permanent resident of Toledo. Opening a law office, he at onee entered upon professional work, and has sinee practiced in the local, state and federal courts. He has met with success in his profession, and is in comfortable circumstances financially. From time to time he has invested in real estate, and has been interested in other enterprises. In July, 1866, he married Miss Ursula A. Sanborn, who was born in New Hampshire, and is a daughter of Isaae and Merey Sanborn, who were late of Claremont, N. H., but are now deceased. Their only child, Herbert T., is in his father's office, and is en- gaged in the insurance and real-estate business. The family residence is situated at No. 1437 Hu-
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ron Street, where they have a pleasant home and refined surroundings.
Politically Mr. Greer is identified with the Re- publican party, with which he has affiliated since casting his first Presidential ballot in 1861. His success is due to bis energy, integrity and perse- verance, rather than to any assistance be bas re- ceived from others. He has worked his way up to a position of prominence and influence in the community, and is numbered among the able law- yers and leading business men of Toledo.
Fo UGENE C. EDSON. This influential citi- zen of Sylvania is a native of New York, and was born in Penn Yan, Yates County, March 21, 1852. His life, however, has been passed principally in the village where he now re- sides, and to which he was brought by his parents when about one year old. He and his younger brother, Job A., who was born in Lyons, Fulton County, Ohio, February 14, 1854, are the only children of Charles and Mary E. (Smith) Edson, the former a native of New York State, born Sep- tember 20, 1821, and the latter born November 9, 1832, in or near Yates County. The maternal grandparents, Benjamin L. and Mary Smith, were for many years residents of Yates County, where both died, the grandfather June 6, 1847, and his wife August 27, 1844.
The parents of our subject were united in mar- riage September 1, 1850, and for a time thereafter continued to make their bome in Yates County. Believing, however, that better opportunities would be afforded them in Ohio, they came hither, and in 1853 settled in Sylvania, Lucas County. The father taught in the public schools for six or seven years, and for about ten years was agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. They were an upright, hospitable and worthy couple,
and had a large circle of warm friends in the vi- cinity of their home. They remained in Sylvania until death closed their earthly careers. The father passed away December 8, 1876, and the mother on the 20th of July following. Their younger son, J. A., is a resident of Tyler, Tex., and our subject is therefore the only representative of the family in Sylvania.
The boyhood years of the subject of this sketch were somewhat uneventfully passed beneath the parental roof. In the common schools he laid the foundation of the excellent education to which he has since added by observation and self-culture, and he is now a well informed man, intelligently posted concerning the great issues of the age. In this village, December 4, 1878, occurred his mar- riage to Miss Flora L. Moore. Two sons and two daughters bless their union, namely: Lulu M., who was born October 3, 1884; Charlie M., De- cember 8, 1885; Welcome E., November 23, 1887; and May M., May 16, 1894.
The father of Mrs. Edson is Warren D. Moore, whose birth occurred in Butler, Wayne County, N. Y., November 30, 1829. From the Empire State he came to Ohio and settled at Sylvania, where, April 21, 1858, he was united in marriage withi Miss Sarah Comstock, a native of Hartwick, Otsego County, N. Y., born January 11, 1831. There were born unto them a daughter, Mrs. Edson, and three sons, D. O., A. I. and B. B., all of whom are living but D. O., who died at Kelly, N. M., November 1, 1894. Mr. Moore and his family are at present residing in Socorro County, N. M.
Tracing the lineage of Mrs. Edson further, we find that her paternal grandfather, Orren Moore, was one of the pioneers of Michigan, where he died in Whiteford, Monroe County, August 15, 1842. His wife, whose maiden name was Clarissa Moore, passed from carth July 13, 1888, at Syl- vania. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Edson, B. B. Comstock, died on the 17th of August, 1869. His widow, who still survives, has attained the ad- vanced age of eighty-six (1895).
In everything pertaining to the welfare of the people and the progress of the village, Mr. Edson maintains a commendable interest, and his co-opera- tion may always be relied upon in the support of
MRS. S. L. COLLINS.
SANFORD L. COLLINS.
£
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progressive enterprises of every kind. Politically he advocates the principles of the Republican party, but is not aggressive in his opinions. His course in life has been such as to win the confi- dence of the people with whom he is associated, and he is justly numbered among the progressive citizens of Sylvania.
For the past twenty-six years he has represented the Lake Shore Railroad at different points, and is now their representative agent at Sylvania.
S ANFORD L. COLLINS, deceased, was act- ively identified with nearly every public enterprise in the early history of Toledo, and was one of the most prominent and influential men of north western Ohio. He possessed unusual financial ability, and made a success of every en- terprise in which he engaged. The year 1831 wit- nesscd his arrival in this city, and from that time until his death, which occurred February 2, 1889, lie was intimately connected with all movements tending to benefit his fellow-citizens and the com- munity in which he dwelt. A prominent Knight Templar, he was for twelve years Commander of the Toledo Commandery, and in his honor was named one of the largest and most influential Ma- sonic lodges of this city.
The family of which Mr. Collins was a member originated in England, and its first representatives in America came here at an early period in the history of the country. His parents, John W. and Mercy (Langworthy) Collins, were natives of Con- necticut, and were married at Stonington in 1793. A year later, with her parents and family, they moved to Oneida County, N. Y., and settled in the town of Bridgewater. In 1802 they went to Jef- ferson County, N. Y., where Mr. Collins was one of the organizers of the town of Brownville, and
was chosen its second Supervisor, as stated in the history of Jefferson County. He died in Dccem- ber, 1810. His wife died in Toledo, when in her seventy-fifth year.
The birth of Sanford L. Collins occurred in Jef- ferson County, N. Y., April 4, 1805. In 1812, at the age of seven years, he went to reside with his mother's brother at Bridgewater, where he re- mained until he was fifteen. His opportunities for an education, meantime, were limited to a few terms at the district school during the winter months. Possessing a vigorous intellect and re- tentive memory, these qualities, combined with studious habits, enabled him to acquire knowledge rapidly in the school of observation and expe- rience.
On leaving Bridgewater, Mr. Collins engaged with his brother-in-law in keeping a hotel in the village of Gaines, Orleans County, where he re- mained until he was twenty-one. Subsequently he followed the same occupation for two years at Lockport. In 1829 he embarked in the mercantile business, connected with the lumber and stave trade, at Pendleton, a small fort on the Erie Canal at its junction with Tonawanda Creek. This en- terprise he carried on successfully for two years.
The attention of the people being directed to Michigan about this tinie, Mr. Collins decided to make a prospecting tour in that territory. Accord- ingly he sold out his business, and with his young- est brother, Morgan L., left Lockport in July, 1831, for Detroit. Arriving there, they sought the advice of an old friend, Lewis Godard, a for- mer merchant of Lockport, who had come to De- troit in the spring previous, and had embarked in the mercantile business. His advice was that their tour of observation should extend through the southern tier of counties, which, beyond Ann Ar- bor, were almost entirely unsettled.
Procuring a couple of ponies and an outfit, the brothers set off upon their journey, following the traveled road and trail to Ann Arbor, from there by the Washtenaw Trail to Jackson, thence to Marshall, Kalamazoo and White Pigeon. At the last-named place the western land office was situ- ated. Mr. Collins located land at the present site of the city of Jackson, but never settled on it.
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While still a single man, lie clerked for a time for Lewis Godard in Detroit. On the 1st of July, 1833, he came to Toledo and built a store, and in the fall of the same year he returned to this city. For a time he carried on a store for the firm of Godard & Briggs, at the corner of Summit and La- grange Streets, and on that lot he built the first frame building crected in the city of Toledo. He put up a store at the intersection of Detroit Ave- nue and Cherry Street, and there carried on a gen- eral business for himself. In September, 1833, he went to Pittsburg, Philadelphia and New York for goods, and the stock was shipped to Buffalo by the Erie Canal, and thence by lake on the schooner "Eagle," Capt. David Wilkinson in command. The sale of goods commenced in November, 1833.
In 1834 his brothers, John W. and Morgan L., became associated with Mr. Collins under the firm name of S. L. Collins & Co., and the business was thus continued until 1837, when it was disposed of to Horace Thatchier and Michael T. Whitney. During all this time he carried on farming exten- sively in connection with his brother John W. From 1834 to 1842 lie was Postmaster at Tre- mainsville, which is now a part of the city. He was among the most active and energetie of the pioneers in promoting the development, not only of the city in which he resided, but of the sur- rounding country. When Lucas County was or- ganized lie was chosen its first Treasurer, and was subsequently re-elected to the office. In 1840 he assisted in the organization of Washington Town- ship, and at various times filled thie offices of Clerk, Trustee and Justice of the Peace, holding the last-named office for nine years in succession.
In his political views Mr. Collins was a Republi- can of no uncertain stamp. His example and in- fluence were always on the side of the moral wel- fare of the community, and he especially looked upon Freemasonry as a valuable aid in that di- rection. He was one of the early members of Ft. Meigs Chapter and Toledo Commandery, and was Eminent Commander of the latter from 1857 to 1869, only relinquishing the active duties of the order on account of the misfortune of impaired hearing.
January 19, 1834, Mr. Collins and Harriet Whit-
ney were united in marriage in this city. Mrs. Collins was born in Oswego Falls, N. Y., Marchi 9, 1814, being the daughter of Noalı A. and Olive (Dorwin) Whitney, natives, respectively. of Con- necticut and Salisbury, Mass. The Whitneys were descendants of a highly respected English family who were numbered among thie early inhabitants of Connecticut. In 1822 Miss Harriet removed with her parents to Detroit, Mich., journeying thither through Canada, and remaining in that city for one month, after which they reinoved to Mon- roe, Mich. In 1824 they came to Port Lawrence (now Toledo), and it was amid the primeval scenes of this locality that her girlhood years were passed. Her father entered a tract of eighty acres lying on what is now Collingwood Avenue, between Dela- ware Avenue and Bancroft Street, at present the finest residence portion of the city.
Mrs. Collins received her education principally at Painesville, Ohio, and by careful study and reading became a well informed woman, thorough- ly fitted to cope with the trials and hardships of pioneer life. She was the first to teach a school in the present city of Toledo, and many of hier pupils canie across the river in canocs. The log school- house was situated on the present site of the high- school building, and was crected by Sencca Allen.
The experience of Mrs. Collins in pioneer times were many and thrilling. The hardships endured by the wife and mother in fronticr settlements are unknown to her sisters of the present day, whose lives are made easy as the result of the energy of those brave men and women who laid the founda- tion of our prosperity and greatness as a nation. In many respects is gonc, too, the old-fashioned hospitality that was known to the mothers of a former generation. Mrs. Collins is a noble exam- ple of the brave-hearted and self-sacrificing pio- neer women, few of whom still linger among us. In religious belief she is a member of the Congre- gational Church, to which her husband belonged.
In a beautiful residence on Detroit Avenue Mrs. Collins is spending the twilight of her life, surrounded with the comforts and many of the luxuries of existence, which were made possible by former years of struggle and effort on the part herself and husband. Notwithstanding her ad-
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vanced years-more than fourscore-she retains the keenness of intellect and physical activity that marked hier earlier years. The nobility of charac- ter which has been hers throughout a long and useful life lias won the esteem of all who know her, and her circle of friends is a large one. Four children blessed her marriage, but only two are living: Harriet C., widow of E. N. Perry; and Daniel A., a well known business man of this city.
RANK O. HUNT, M. D. The noble pro- fession of medicine affords to the student of that science a never-ending source for investigation and experiments. New remedies are constantly being discovered, steady progress is be- ing made in surgery, and new diseases are present- ing themselves under varying forms of civiliza- tion. Whatever may be said of the discoveries in other fields of knowledge (and certainly they are astonishing), it can truthfully be said of this science that not one can equal it in the great strides it is making toward a comprehensive grasp of the whole subject of man in relation to health and disease-the prevention and cure of the ills that the flesh is heir to. In the noble army of workers in this great field, Dr. Hunt takes a pront- inent place. He is a native of Iowa, and was born in Sidney in 1869. His parents, Horace W. and Fannie (Owen) Hunt, are natives of the Buckeye State, and reside in Toledo at the present time.
Dr. Hunt came to Toledo with his parents when quite young, and received his early training in the public schools of this city. At the age of fifteen years he commenced the study of medieine under Dr. C. H. Reed, a prominent physician of Toledo. Dr. Reed was a gentleman and a scholar, onc well qualified to give instruction in the science of med-
icine, and after a few years spent in the office of this worthy physician our subject was prepared to enter the Northwestern Ohio Medical College, where he attended lectures for a period of three years. He was graduated from that institution in 1891, and immediately after commenced the prac- tiee of medicine in the home of his youth.
The Doctor has met with flattering success in his chosen calling, and gives abundant evidence of the ability which qualifies him for a high place in the medical profession. The important position of Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Toledo Medical College he has held since 1894. He is also one of the examiners of the Prudential Insurance Com- pany, a member of the Lucas County Medical So- ciety, and is also identified with the society of Foresters of Toledo.
In 1892 Dr. Hunt was united in marriage with Miss Mary, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lehman, prominent citizens of Toledo. Two children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Hunt, Sheldon and Roy. Their residence is located at No. 911 Cherry Street, where their many friends receive a warin and hearty welcome.
The Doctor is a genial, affable gentleman, a phy- sician who has applied himself conscientiously to his profession, and the distinction he enjoys is richly deserved. He is popular both in and out of his profession, and, being young in years, has every prospect of becoming a leading light in the medical world.
ILLIAM C. FLETCHER is one of the old citizens of Sylvania, Lucas Coun- ty. Always a very loyal and true pa- triot, he fought under the Stars and Stripes during the late War of the Rebellion, participating in many of the important battles and engagements; and he was always relied upon by his superiors to faithfully carry out their orders in every respect. For years since he has been identified with the
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Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics is a true-blue Republican. His first ballot was cast for William Henry Harrison, and he continued to be a worker in the ranks of the Whig party until 1856.
Born May 2, 1819, William C. Fletcher is a son of William and Rebecca (Vandooser) Fletcher. The former was a carpenter aud bnilder, and after coming to Toledo, in 1832, worked at that voca- tion. He was a hero of the War of 1812, and took part in all its main engagements, holding the rank of Captain. A man of good education, he also studied medicine and practiced it to some extent. He reared a family of seven children to good and useful lives, and died in 1846, at peace with all mankiud. William C. is the eldest of his chil- dren; John W. is deceased; James L. is now living in Michigan; Hial A. also resides in Michigan; Mrs. Elizabeth Howard, formerly of Blissfield, in the same state, is now deceased; Sarah A. and Abel died while still young; and Jessie is a resi- dent of Sylvania.
The first few years of William C. Fletcher's life were spent in Hamilton, Ontario, where he was born, after which he came with his parents to Lucas County, and here grew to manhood. He left home to make his own way in the world soon after reaching his majority, and assisted in the construction of all the bridges on the old Peru & Indianapolis Railroad. This occupied his time for several years, and he managed to lay aside a considerable sum of money. In July, 1862, he en- listed in Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Regiment, going from Camp Williams under John R. Bond, with John Smith as Captain. A few of the many battles in which he took an act- ive part are the following: Campbell Station, Blaine's Crossroads, Danbridge, Buzzard's Gap, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Columbia, Frank- lin, Nashville, Goldsboro and Durham Station. He was frequently detailed to repair bridges, and while at work with a squad of twenty men near Murfreesboro was surrounded by the enemy and had a very narrow escape from being captured, as eight of his comrades fell into their hands. In
the battle of Nashville a piece of shell struck Mr. Fletcher on the side of the head, and total deaf- ness in one ear resulted. He is now receiving a pension of $22 per month for this disability. He was honorably discharged from the service June 22, 1865. Returning to this point, he resumed carpenter work, but now, on account of his age, is not actively engaged in business.
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher live in a pleasant home, aud, though they have never had any children, are very happy and contented. Mr. Fletcher has never used tobacco in any form, and has never taken a drink of any kind of liquor. He has long been one of the pillars of the Congregational Church, and takes a great interest in religious and benevolent euterpriscs.
S YLVESTER K. COOPER is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising on section 7, Sylvania Township, Lucas County. The homestead is fertile and well cultivated, being kept up in a thrifty and progressive manner by the owner. He is a son of Gardner Cooper, who was born December 1, 1800, in the Empire State, and in 1832 moved to Ohio, settling on land in this township. There were then no roads in this vicinity, and the pioneers lived in a primitive fashion, enduring many hardships.
Before leaving his native state Mr. Cooper, Sr., married Sallie Blainc, who was born March 18, 1801, and who bore him seven children. Sallie F., the eldest, born September 21, 1823, married Al- exander Fox, and dicd April 11, 1848, leaving two children. Nathaniel, born August 8, 1825, is now a resident of Sylvania. Eliza A., born December 27, 1827, died January 21, 1847. Sylvester K. is the next in the family. Mary and Martha, twins, were born August 3, 1833, aud the former died September 13, 1855. Gardner W., the youngest, born January 25, 1835, is now managing the old home farm. The father of these children departed
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this life October 29, 1859, and his wife survived him little more than a year, dying November 9, 1860.
The birth of Sylvester K. Cooper occurred April 22, 1830, in Syracuse, N. Y. He was brought to the Buckeye State by his parents while he was very young, and was reared to manhood in this town- ship. His educational advantages were extremely limited, for the schools of that day were few and poorly conducted. On New Year's Day, 1863, Mr. Cooper married Fannie, daughter of Thomas and Grace Brimacombe, who were natives of England, and had come to the United States about 1844, settling on a farm in Sylvania Township. The father was called to liis final rest February 14, 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born two children: Gardner R., September 25, 1863; and John K., March 4, 1865. These young men are now well-to-do and enterprising citizens of Cabery, Ill. In politics Mr. Cooper is a supporter of the Repub- lican party.
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OLEMAN KEELER, the efficient Mayor of Maumee, and a prominent real-estate deal- er of the same place, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in February, 1827. He is the youngest in a family of eight children born unto the union of Samuel I. and Lucy ( Hall) Keeler. The father of our subject was a native of Vermont, and was reared and educated in the home of his childhood. He studied law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1817. After arriving at man's estate he removed to New York, and was soon after elected Sheriff of Onondaga County. At the expiration of his term of office he began the practice of his profession, becoming one of the leading attorneys of the place. In 1829 he came to Ohio, and, locat- ing in Lucas County, purchased a farm near To-
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