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 15
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 15
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ledo, for which he paid twenty shillings an acre, and set about clearing and cultivating the same.
At that early day most of the land in Lucas County was covered with a dense growth of brush and timber, and the land which Mr. Keeler bought was in the same state. He remained on the farm six years, and then sold out and removed to Am- boy, Fulton County, where he purchased one thousand acres of Government land. He im- proved a part of the purchase, but left the greater part in its natural state. The family were among the first white settlers of that part of Ohio, and underwent all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. The father spent several years in this place, but finally sold the greater part of his land and removed to Cass County, Mich., and soon after retired from the active duties of life, spending the remainder of his days in peace and happiness. He organized the Congregational Church of Toledo, and for six years chinrch serv- ices were held in his house. In 1867, at the age of eighty-five years, he passed away. He was an officer in the War of 1812, and his father, the grandfather of our subject, was a Major in the Revolutionary War. The Keeler family was of Jewisli and English extraction, but for several generations back its members were natives of America. The mother of our subject, who was a native of Georgia, died in Amboy, in the fifty- sixth year of her age. Her parents were natives of the United States, and two of her brothers, Salmon and George Hall, were prominent inen and brave soldiers in the War of 1812.
Our worthy subject was but three years old when he came with his parents to Toledo. The journey was made by boat from Buffalo to Toledo, and they arrived safely at their destination, with- out having encountered any serious trouble, al- though the journey took a much longer time than at the present day. The Indians were still numer- ous in this part of the country, and Mr. Keeler re- members many incidents concerning them, and of those early pioneer days. He was but twelve years of age when he began buying furs for the North- western Fur Company, his elder brother being a partner of the firm. The headquarters of this company were situated at Niles, Mich., and our
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subject made the journey there and back all alone on horseback, at the same time leading two pack- horses. He continued in this occupation during the winter months for about five years, being en- gaged as second mate and wheelman on a boat during the summer. After this he was employed as mate on a boat on Lake Superior, but at the ex- piration of five years he gave up the life of a sailor, and became traveling salesman for a whole- sale house in Toledo, making his trips mostly on horseback. He remained with this firm for three years, and then engaged with Landman & Heins- hammer, traveling in their employ for about a year.
Becoming tired of traveling, Mr. Keeler decided to try agricultural pursuits, and removed to Mich- igan, where he purchased three hundred acres of land near Porter, paying $5 an acre. He imme- diately set about cultivating and improving the same, and continued to follow this occupation for ten years, when he sold out and returned to To- ledo. After his return to this city, lie embarked in the wholesale dry-goods business, but after two years of the ups and downs of mercantile life he had the misfortune to be burned out, losing almost everything. He was not a man to give up in de- spair, however, but determined to try something else, and accordingly started immediately for Mexico, where he engaged in mining operations. In this undertaking he was very successful, and continued to follow it for fifteen years. By this time he had accumulated quite a fortune, or at least enough to live comfortably upon. He then sold out his interest in the business, and returned to Ohio, locating in Maumee.
In July, 1849, Mr. Keeler was united in mar- riage with Miss Adeline Pratt, of Michigan, and to this union two children were born: Elliott P., a prominent business man of Painesville, Ohio; and Edith, who is the wife of Henry N. Perrin, of this city. Mrs. Keeler was called to the land beyond in July, 1880. She was an estimable lady, and her death was mourned not alone by her family, but by a large circle of sincere friends. In 1884 our subject was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Edith Clark, of Detroit, Mich. This marriage was blessed by the birth of one son,
Coleman, Jr., born in December, 1887. Mr. Keeler was called upon the second time to give up his companion, Mrs. Edith Keeler passing away in 1891. She was laid to rest in the Maumee Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch is, and has always been, a stanch Democrat, taking an active interest in local politics, and in every enterprise pertain- ing to the welfare and growth of the city and community in which he lives. He has filled almost every city office, and has acceptably served the people of Maumee as Mayor of the city for two terms.
R EUBEN B. MITCHELL, one of the rep- resentative citizens and leading business men of Maumee, Lucas County, and pro- prietor of the Union Deposit Bank of that city, is a native of Maine, and was born February 25, 1830. He is a son of Edward and Mary (Chand- ler) Mitchell, who were also natives of Maine. His father was reared and educated in his native state, and engaged in the mercantile business there until 1843, when he came to Ohio, locating in Maumee, and engaging in the manufacturing business. He successfully carried on this industry for several years, and during that time held several offices of honor and trust, among others that of Mayor of the city. After a long and useful life he retired from active business cares, spending his declining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor, and among a host of friends. He passed peace- fully away at the age of seventy-nine years. The wife and mother was called to the land beyond in 1857, at the age of fifty-two years.
The subject of this sketeli spent his early life in the home of his childhood, where he received a fair education in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen became engaged in the manufactur- ing business with his father. They successfully carried on the enterprise for a number of years,
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and then our subject became the proprietor of the Union Deposit Bank, and for over a quarter of a century has been a faithful friend of the people in this part of Lucas County. It is the only bank in the city of Maumee, and Mr. Mitchell has the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He is one of the influential men of the city, and is widely known and respected for his business abil- ity and affable, genial manners.
Mr. Mitchell chose as a companion and help- mate on life's journey Miss Ellen A. Frost, of Mau- mee, and they were united in marriage in 1861. Seven children have blessed this union, the three eldest of whom died in infancy. Those now liv- ing are as follows: Ama F., who is at present occu- pying the position of paying teller in the North- ern National Bank at Toledo, Ohio; Thurman H., who is interested in business with his father in the bank at Maumee; and Abbie C. and Edward, both at home with their parents.
Politically Mr. Mitchell is a stanch Republican, and one of the leading politicians of the place, taking an active interest in all the councils of his party, and aiding the candidates with his influence and ballot. He is a public-spirited gentleman, and ever ready to aid in every enterprise pertaining to the welfare and growth of. the city. He, with his excellent family, attends the Presbyterian Church, of which they are valued members.
H IRAM PARKER is one of the hardy old pioneers of Sylvania Township, Lucas County, who has been identified with the upbuilding and development of this region from very early days. He has been a successful busi- ness man, has improved his farm on section 8, and is self-made and self-educated. Though now well along in years, as he was born October 26, 1806, he is still active in body and mind, and bids fair to enjoy life for several years to come.
The father of our subject, Simeon Parker, emi-
grated from Massachusetts to New York State, where he remained with his family four or five years, and came to Lucas County, Ohio, in 1831. He was born September 22, 1780, and died July 19. 1846. His wife, who was a Miss Lucy Glea- son, was born August 9, 1789, and died October 13, 1862. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom our subject is the eldest. Mrs. Louisa Comstock, the next of the family, born January 25, 1809, is represented elsewhere in this volume. Ellis G. was born January 25, 1812. Alonzo, born December 20, 1817, died July 3, 1854, with the cholera. Henry W. was born May 7, 1819, and is still living. Mary, widow of Will- iam Comstock, was born September 21, 1821, and lives in this township. John B., born July 27, 1825, is now at Adrian, Mich. Ambrose, born July 23, 1826, died in childhood.
The first twenty-five years in the life of Hiram Parker were passed in New England, his birth hav- ing occurred in Worcester County, Mass. In 1831 he emigrated westward to Toledo, making the voy- age from Buffalo on the schooner "Antelope," com- manded by Captain Pratt. They landed at Pt. Miami, two miles below Maumee, Ohio, and from there Mr. Parker proceeded to Toledo, which then comprised only two buildings, one of these owned by Captain Baldwin, who was a merchant, and the other by a Mr. Crane. For several years our sub- ject worked at whatever he could find to do, help- ing to survey Toledo, and afterward keeping a boarding-house there. At the end of five years he bought eighty acres in the wilderness and for the next eight or nine years devoted himself to clearing and improving his farm. He then sold his eighty-acre tract and bought one hundred acres of his present farm. His father left an estate of eighty acres, the proceeds of which were divided evenly among his children.
January 23, 1828, Hiram Parker and Roxie Comstock were united in marriage. She was about nine months older than her husband, and her death occurred June 30, 1888. She became the mother of six children: Mrs. Julia A. Kennedy, born August 3, 1829; Mrs. Irene Cooper, who was born June 3, 1831, and died May 1, 1889; Andrew J., born October 10, 1833, a farmer near Salem, Ind .;
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Franklin J., born March 30, 1837, a leading con- tractor and builder of Columbus, Ohio; Hiram, Jr., born April 19, 1843, an enterprising farmer of this township; and George S., born June 1, 1845, a practicing physician of Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject has ten grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
For many years Mr. Parker was a member of the Odd Fellows' society, and is a charter member of Sylvania Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a Democrat, and has served his friends and neighbors in the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor.
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DWIN HARROUN may truly be said to be oue of the pioneers of Lucas County, as he has lived for sixty-one years ou lis homestead situated on section 10, Sylvania Town- ship. His residence, a very commodious and pleas- ant home, was erected by him in 1858, and the farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of as good land as can be found in this portion of the state. In 1852 our subject became interested in the gold mines on the Pacific Slope, and went out West, staying there about five years. He was fairly successful, but had no desire to remain there permanently, as one of his brothers did.
A son of David and Clarissa (Dodge) Harroun, our subject was born January 9, 1825, in Genesee County, N. Y. His parents came to Ohio in June, 1834, and settled on the farm now owned by him. The father, a native of Massachusetts and a life- long agriculturist, died May 19, 1869. His wife, whose birth occurred in the Empire State in 1802, was called to the silent land in 1886. They reared a family of four children, of whom Edwin is the eldest. Lozette is deccased; Chester is a dentist in Toledo; Josiah is the one who is living in the Golden State; and Harriet is the wife of Robert Smith, a farmer aud stock-raiser of Whiteford, Mich.
The first few years in the life of Edwin Har- roun passed uneventfully in his native state. In June, 1834, his father purchased the old homestead
and settled upon it the following year, 1835, and Edwin helped to clear the farm and build a cabin. In February. 1858, his marriage with Margaret Israel was celebrated. The young wife lived only a year, and dying left an infant child, named Mar- garet, who is still at home with her father. Three ycars after the death of his first wife, our subject married Lucy Breckenridge, by whom he has two sons, Earl and Hall. The children have all been given good educations, and arc a great credit to their parents.
About 1860 Mr. Harroun and his brother Josiah bought the old farm, and a few years later our subject purchased the others' interest in the place, which he has since carried on with good ability. On various occasions lic has served as Councilman and in local offices. He uses his right of franchise in favor of Republican nominees and principles, and always does his share in the support of all public enterprises. In former years he was a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' and Masonic fraternities.
ADOLPH TANNER, who is Treasurer and business manager of the News Pub- lishing Company of Toledo, is an able and successful young journalist, and one of this city's native-born sons. The Evening News is one of the leading papers of Toledo and is devoted to the welfare of the public. It presents both for- eign and domestic items of interest in a bright, concise manner, which especially commends itscif to the large laboring class and to those who have not time in their busy lives to read lengthy and diffuse articles. The News Company was incor- porated in 1878, and lias since gradually risen into public favor. The weekly Industrial News is also published by Mr. Tanner, and this also finds many friends and patrons, among the people of the rural districts especially.
G. A. Tanner was born March 29, 1860, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Bolli) Tanner, natives of Switzerland. The former cmigrated to this city in 1848, and for many years was engaged in contracting and building. His death occurred
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on the 4th of July, 1893. He was the father of eight children, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth.
Like most American youthis, G. A. Tanner re- ceived a public-school education, with which to meet the practical duties of life. At the age of fourteen years he entered a printing-office, and there learned everything pertaining to the busi- ness. His first independent venture as a journalist was undertaken in 1880, when he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and published the Ann Arbor Daily News for some twelve months.
Returning to Toledo in the fall of 1881, Mr. Tanner, in company with his brother-in-law, pur- chased the Saturday American, with which he was identified for the two years succeeding. In 1887 the present News Publishing Company was organ- ized, and in January, 1889, Mr. Tanner became business manager of the firm. The Evening News is an eight-column paper, of from four to eight pages. In addition to this he recently purchased the Rochester (N. Y.) Times, which is run on the same basis as the News.
Fraternally Mr. Tanner is a member of Toledo Lodge No. 144, F. & A. M. On questions relating to political affairs he is strictly independent.
H ORACE S. WALBRIDGE, deceased. It may with justice be said that few citizens of Toledo have accomplished more for the development of the resources of the city and county than did Mr. Walbridge. Intimately asso- ciated with the history of the place from the time of its incorporation under its present name until the day of his death, he made an enviable reputa- tion as a business man and citizen, and left to pos- terity as a precious bequest the memory of loyalty and self-sacrificing devotion to principle and the uplifting of humanity. He is remembered as one of the pioneers of the city, a man who by his in- dustry, enterprise and public spirit contributed
more largely to its progress than any one citizen. Surviving to witness its wonderful prosperity, be could in the last years of his life congratulate him- self upon the fruition of his early hopes and rejoice in the part he had taken to secure such fortunate results.
The son of Chester and Mary ( Walbridge) Wal- bridge, the subject of this memoir was born in Syr- acuse, N. Y., July 21, 1828. At the age of three ycars he was taken by his parents to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1834 brought by them to Port Law- rence, which soon afterward was incorporated un- der the name of Toledo. The family being poor, he was obliged when only twelve years old to be- come self-supporting, but this fact, instead of prov- ing detrimental to him, was the secret of his future success, for it enabled him to develop, in youth, the qualities of industry, perseverance and deter- mination that were so helpful to him in later years.
After having been engaged in various mercan- tile capacities, Mr. Walbridge superintended the construction of a sawmill at Ottawa Lake, Mich., in the winter of 1845-46, and in the spring took a cargo of straw hats by canal to Cincinnati. On his return to Toledo, he entered the employ of Thomas Watkins in the grain commission business, and about 1854 took charge of the house of P. Buck- ingham & Co., of this city. At the expiration of a year he was admitted as a member of the latter firm, continuing thus until February 1, 1857. Sub- sequently the title was changed to Brown, Wal- bridge & King, afterward to Brown, Walbridge & Co., and still later to H. S. Walbridge & Co. (the "Co." being Ebenezer Walbridge), under which title it was conducted until the retirement of the firm in 1868. In 1865 the house of Walbridge, Watkins & Co. was established in Chicago, and was there continued until Mr. Walbridge withdrew from the commission business.
For many years Mr. Walbridge was closely con- nected with the real-estate interests of Toledo, and was extensively engaged in buying and selling valuable property. In July, 1877, the firm of H. S. Walbridge & Co. was organized by the ad- mission of his son Thomas H. Through their en- ergy and judicious management large tracts of land previously not available were placed upon the mar-
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ket, including many sub-divisions, also Walbridge's First, Second and Third Additions, Englewood, Stickney Avenne, Parkland, Baker and Braun's Additions. For some years he was President of the Real Estate Board of Toledo. In 1876 he pro- inoted Woodlawn Cemetery, and in 1877, at its organization, he was chosen President, and held the office until his death.
The city of Toledo in 1869 appointed Mr. Wal- bridge Trustee for the construction of the Toledo & Woodville Railroad, and during the building of the line lie filled the position of President of the board for five years. Among the other roads which received his active assistance were the Co- lumbus & Toledo and the Detroit & Toledo branch of the Canada Southern. His connection with the banking interests of the eity extended over a quar- ter of a century, and he was regarded as one of the shrewdest finaneiers of the country. In 1868 he owned and operated a private bank, known as the People's Bank, at the same time holding the posi- tion of President of the North western Savings Bank, and in addition to these was Vice-President of the Toledo National Bank and a Director of the Second National and Northern National Banks.
Scarcely any measure was ever proposed for the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the eity that did not receive the hearty sympathy and active co- operation of Mr. Walbridge, and to his efforts in many instances was duc the adoption of plans that proved of the greatest benefit to the place. In the organization of the Toledo Gas Light and Coke Company he largely aided, and of it he was elected Vice- President. He was also inter- ested financially in many of the manufacturing industries of Toledo. In 1868 lic assisted Mat- thew Shoemaker in establishing the Union Manu- facturing Company. He was one of the prime fac- tors in the establishment of the Maumee Rolling Mill, and was manager and President of that im- portant enterprise. For more than thirty years he was an officer in Trinity Episcopal Church and a generous contributor to the good works of that denomination. His benefactions to other worthy causes were equally liberal, and among the institu- tions that were the recipients of liis generous con- tributions were the Protestant Orphans' Home, the
Home for Friendless Women and the Protestant Hospital. For several years he was President of the Toledo Society for the Suppression of Vice.
In 1854 Mr. Walbridge married Isabella D., daughter of Thomas and Mary (Davis) Watkins, and of their children three are now living, Thomas H .; Narcissa Grace, wife of Arthur J. Secor; and Mary Davis, wife of E. W. Newton.
Politically Mr. Walbridge was a firm adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He was the originator, owner and builder of the splen- did office building known as "The Nasby." For many years he was President of the Toledo Board of Trade, and being a man of indefatigable indus- try, he bore a leading part in many other of the important enterprises calculated to foster and en- courage the growth of the city. In his death, Jan- uary 31, 1893, Toledo lost one of its truest friends and most progressive citizens.
A SA A. BIGELOW, D. D. S. The profes- sional interests of Toledo have a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, who for a number of years has conducted a remun- erative practice in dentistry in this city. His en- tire life lias been passed in Ohio, and, believing it to be the best state in the Union, he has had no desire to seek a home elsewhere. In his boyhood it was liis ambition to gain knowledge, and possess- ing great energy and determination of purpose, he has succeeded in acquiring a wide fund of infor- mation upon gencral subjects. These qualifications, together with a thorough knowledge of every part of dental work, have brought to him the confidence of the people and the csteem of his professional brethren.
Upon a farm in Van Wert County, Ohio, the subject of this biographical notice was born Octo- ber 5, 1852. He is the son of Elihu and Abigail (Boardman) Bigelow, both of whom were born in Connecticut, but after marrying they removed to
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Ohio, where the father engaged in farm pursuits. They continue to reside in Van Wert County. They are a worthy couple, kind-hearted and gen- crous, benevolent in their gifts to the necdy, and helpful in their ministration to all.
In a family of two sons and four daugliters, all of whom are living, the subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth. He passed fiis school days in Van Wert County, where he received such educational advantages as were common to that day. Being a diligent pupil, he succeeded in gain- ing a thorough knowledge of the commnon branches, although his opportunities were not equal to those of the present day. At the age of nineteen he started for himself, and since that time he has been dependent upon his own labors for a livelihood. Thus carly in life he learned the lessons of self-re- liance and energy that have contributed in no small measure to his present position. For eighteen months he was employed by the O. A. Browning Publishing Company, of Toledo, after which he entered the ministry of the Seventh-day Advent Church, the six ensuing years being devoted to that profession. He then united with the Christian Church, in which for three years he preached thc Gospel.
Taking up the study of dentistry, our subject became a student in the Delavan Den tal College, in which he remained until graduating, in August, 1884. Afterward he commenced the practice of his profession in Henry, and later was similarly cn- gaged in Wood, County, Ohio. In 1888 he came to Toledo, where lie opened an office, and has since occupicd a suite of rooms at No. 115 Summit Street. A man of broad and liberal views, he is interested not only in matters pertaining to the profession, but also in everything pertaining to the happiness and benefit of his fellow-citizens. Hc is a promoter of enterprise, ever ready to do his full share in all matters of mutual welfare.
The marriage of Dr. Bigelow took place July 17, 1872, at which time Miss Alcinda J. Griffith be- came his wife. This estimable lady was born in Van Wert, Ohio, and is a daughter of Benjamin Griffith, of that city. By their union they became the parents of six children, of whom all are living, namely: Bertram A., who is a promising young
man and his father's assistant in the dental office; Charles E., who is also employed in the office; Orin; Arthur; William; and Lilly B., now the wife of Dr. J. W. Flynn, of Toledo. The family residence is pleasantly situated at No. 814 Indiana Avenue. The Doctor is a member of the Republican party. He is also a Master Mason, and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans.
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