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 25
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 25
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A LLEN K. HOFF, manager of the Colton Manufacturing Company's retail store, No. 326 Summit Street, Toledo, is a gentle- man of well known business ability, and is rapidly building up a fine trade for the concern witlı which he is connected. Socially he is a member of the Toledo Traveling Men's Association, and was its second Vice-President until he handed in his resignation in 1894. He is a stanch Repub- lican, and a man who takes correet views of his duties as a citizen, and fulfills them to the extent of his ability.
A native of New York State, our subjeet was born in Union Springs, Cayuga County, Noven- ber 14, 1853, his parents being John and Melissa (Howell) Hoff. The father was born in Nassau, Rensselaer County, N. Y., and during the late War of the Rebellion was a faithful and valiant soldier in Company K, One Hundred and Eleventh New York Infantry.
Allen K. Hoff was reared to farm duties, and during the regular terms of school pursued his studies in the district adjacent to his home until he was fifteen years of age. Later he entered Oak- wood Seminary, and after leaving that institution started out to make his own livelihood, his first employment being as clerk in a general store at Union Springs.
About this time Mr. Hoff married Miss Fannie M. Horton, who was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., her father, George Horton, being a resident of Poestenkill, Rensselaer County, in the same state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hoff has been blessed by the birth of one son, Seymour H.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Hoff removed with his bride to this city and obtained a clerkship in a
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furniture store. For some time thereafter lie was employed by the American Express Company, and we then find him with the wholesale grocery firm of Ketcham, Bond & Co., afterward with Cray & Rood, dealers in saddlery and hardware, and later with Whitaker & Co. For the next five years he was a traveling salesman for the wholesale hard- ware firm of McIntosh, Huntington & Co., of Cleve- land, Ohio. In April, 1894, he was made manager of the Gurney Market Company, of which he was also the President, and later he accepted his pres- ent position. He and his wife occupy a comfort- able home at No. 32 West Woodruff Avenue.
EROY M. LUDWIG, who for years has been one of the most extensive and suc- cessful oil operators of the Central States, and is now a resident of Toledo, was born in Wy- andot County, Ohio, March 8, 1848. His father, Jeremiah B., was born in Reading, Pa., and when a sinall child accompanied his parents to Ohio in the '20s, locating with them in Wyandot (then a part of Crawford) County. The years of boy- hood and youth were passed upon his father's farm, and in 1832 he established domestic ties, be- ing united in marriage, at Mccutchen ville, Ohio, with Nancy A., daughter of John Freet, a black- smith, who had come to Wyandot County from Hagerstown, Md., about 1820.
There were born unto Jeremiah B. and Nancy A. Ludwig seven sons and two daughters, all of whom died in childhood except the following: Theodore II., a farmer residing at Napoleon, Ohio; George C., who lives upon a farm in Hardin County, this state; and Leroy M., of this sketch. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, the father enlisted in Company C, Eighty-second Ohio In- fantry, in which he served for a year, being honorably discharged at Murfreesboro in 1863. Po- litically he advocated the platform of the Demo- cratic party, and held a number of public offices,
including those of Justice of the Peace and School Trustee.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Wyandot County. At tlie age of eighteen he entered the railroad service, and after a short time thus spent he was employed as clerk in the store of O. W. Johnson, at Kirby, Ohio, remaining with that gentleman until he was twenty-one. ' He then accepted a position with the lumber firm of James Woolworth & Co., in San- dusky, where he spent one year or more. Later he held a similar position with A. M. Jones & Co., of Bucyrus, Ohio, but in 1871 resigned his connection with that firm and associated himself with P. H. Hyman & Co., of Versailles, Ohio, with whom he continued until 1875. From that time until 1883 he was in Putnam County, where he was inter- estcd in the Eagle Stave Works.
In 1883 Mr. Ludwig was elected on the Demo- cratic ticket to the office of County Recorder of Putnam County, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected, serving for six years. He then be- eame interested in the oil business in Putnam and Wood Counties, where he drilled thirteen dry wells. Transferring his field of operation to West Virginia, lie put down fifty-six productive wells. He continued in the business until 1894, when he sold out, realizing a large fortune therefrom. While operating in West Virginia, claimants to the lands he had leased put in an appearance and com- menced suit for the possession of the property. For some time the contest was stubbornly fought in the courts, becoming one of the most celebrated law cases that had ever bcen before the courts of the state. It was finally compromised by paying the claimants the large sum of $143,000.
During the year 1893 Mr. Ludwig came to To- ledo, and in March of 1894 he purchased the pala- tial residence of Charles L. Reynolds, on Colling- wood Avenue, where he and his wife now live, surrounded by all the luxurics that enhance the happiness of life. He was united in marriage, October 19, 1868, with Miss Samantha A., daughter of Royal and Maria (Curtis) Sherman. She was one of the six children born to her parents, who are still living at Kirby, Wyandot County, the father seventy-eight and the mother seventy-six
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years of age. Two children, a son and daughter, bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig. Nancy J., who was born in May, 1871, is the wife of Mott Ewing, a bookkeeper and accountant of Toledo; Theodore L., whose birth occurred in 1872, is an enterprising and intelligent young man, and is a member of the McAfee-Ludwig Loan Company, with offices in the Chamber of Commerce Build- ing, Toledo.
There are comparatively few who, beginning in life without capital, attain a success so marked as that which Mr. Ludwig has realized. His pros- perity is undoubtedly due to the possession of su- perior business qualifications, combined with tireless energy and determination. Though he has resided in Toledo for a short time only, he is already well known among the representative citizens of the place, and with his family moves in the best social circles of the community.
H. STEPHENS. The village of Bradner Owes an incalculable debt to those of her business men who have been sufficiently broad and far-sighted to plan improvements tending to the prosperity of the town. Among these conspicuous mention should be made of J. H. and David Stephens, who jointly own and con- duct one of the most flourishing general stores of Wood County. Through the exercise of judicious management, indefatigable industry and discrimi- nation in investments, they have accumulated a fortune, and are known throughout the surround- ing country as one of the most reliable and suc- cessful firms of the county.
The father of the brothers, John Stephens, was born in Pennsylvania in 1794, and was a teacher by profession. In 1833 lie came to Oliio and set- tled in Richland County, but two years later came to Wood County, locating on the place where our subject was born, and where he himself spent his closing years. His death occurred January 28,
1873. Among the early settlers of Montgomery Township he was a leader, being a man of more than ordinary ability and education. In religious faith he was a Lutheran. But little is known con- cerning the early history of the family, with the exception of the fact that they are of German cx- traction.
The mother of our subject was Catherine Hen- linc, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of David Henline, who was of German descent. He came to Ohio in 1833 and settled on section 11, Montgomery Township, Wood County, and later removed to Indiana, settling near Ft. Wayne, where the balance of his life was passed. He had four sons, David, Samuel, Tobias and Michael, of whom the first-named became very wealthy. Sam- uel went to the vicinity of Freeport, Ohio, where he remained until death. Tobias and Michael set- tled near Ft. Wayne, Ind., where they became prominent and well-to-do farmers.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of five children. His eldest sister is the wife of C. H. Lightner, who served four years as a member of the Seventy-second Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, and is now a resident of Eaton County, Mich. David, our subjeet's partner, was born on the old homestead January 3, 1842, and spent his carly life on the farm, receiving a good education in the common schools. In 1877, with his two brothers, he embarked in business at Bradner, their con- bined capital being only about $300. March 13, 1862, he married Miss Elizabeth Bonam, of San- dusky County, Ohio, and they are the parents of five living children, namely: Jesse, a graduate of the Ohio Normal University of Ada, and a promi- ment attorney of Fostoria; John, who is in the store with his father and uncle; Maggie, who was educated in the Normal School of Valparaiso, and has been a teacher since she was fifteen years of age; Walter W., who is a law student at Fostoria under his brother; and Jennie, who is attending school. The father of these children is the present Post- master at Bradner.
The next brotlier of our subject was Ezra, who married, but dicd when only twenty-two years of age. Martin L. was for many years in business with his brothers, J. H. and David, but is now a
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resident of Toledo. Our subject, who is the eld- est of the brothers, was born in Montgomery Township, Wood County, April 19, 1839, and spent the years of boyhood on the liome farm. About 1877, in partnership with his brothers David and Martin L., he opened a store at Bradner, and he and his brother David have since conducted a large and profitable trade, the other brother having re- tired from the firm some years ago. They have been very successful, and are now the proprietors of one of the best equipped general stores in Wood County.
Under the first administration of President Cleveland, our subject served as Postmaster at Bradner, which office is now held by his brother David. He has filled other local positions, having been Councilman of the Village Corporation, Treasurer of the Board of Education, and has occupied other places of trust and honor. Soci- ally he is a Mason, actively interested in the order. In his political belief he advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and is well informed concerning the great questions that affect tlic wel- fare of our country. He has never married, but makes his home with his brother David. As a citizen he is interested in everything pertaining to the prosperity of the village and county.
EVAN J. BERKEYBILE lives in a hand- some home which he constructed in 1894, on the place known as the J. Farner Farm, of which he became the owner after the death of his father-in-law, and which is situated on section 31, Spencer Township, Lucas County. From the spring of 1866 until 1894 our subject was engaged in farming on the same section, and on a farm which nearly adjoined his present home, where lie owned forty-five acres of land. His first Presiden- tial ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and from that time on he has always been a stanch Repub-
lican. He is not an office-seeker, and the only pub- lic position which he has held was that of Trustee of Spencer Township, in which capacity he acted for nine years.
The paternal grandfather of the above-named gentleman moved to Springfield, Richland Coun- ty, Ohio, where he continued to reside until his death. His son George, our subject's father, was born in 1802, and on arriving at maturity married Susan Kuster, who was born in 1804, in Cambria County, Pa. They settled on, and became owners of, one hundred acres in the latter county, and were well known members of what was then known as the Dunkard Chi irel, but is now better known as the Brethren's. To them were born twelve chil- dren, as follows: Isabella, Mrs. Samuel Sone, of Johnstown, Pa .; Catherine, wife of Jacob Stein- man, now deceased, formerly engaged in farming near Johnstown; Jonathan, who married Catherine Stutzman, and owns a farm near Delta, this coun- ty; Joseph, who married Julia Arthur, and is Super- intendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pitts- burg; Richard, who is deceased, as is also his wife, formerly Elizabeth Harner; Aaron, who first mar- ried a Miss Horne, and afterwards Miss Maggie Fulmer; Levan J., of this sketch; Mary, who mar- ried James Steinman, and after his demise became the wife of Williamn Sweeney, and is now living in Kansas; Julia Ann, who married Jolin Lehunan, a farmer living near Johnstown, Pa .; David, who married Sarah Stutzman, and is a farmer of Ful- ton County; Susan, the wife of Jacob Fike and a resident of Johnstown, Pa .; and George, an en- gineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad.
L. J. Berkeybile was born in Richfield Town- ship, Cambria County, Pa., September 27, 1836, and received a common-school education. Wlien nineteen years of age he began to learn the car- penter's trade of his brother Jonathan, for whom he worked two years. November 24, 1857, he ar- rived in Fulton County, and after a short stay proceeded to Lucas County. In 1862 he went to Pittsburg, Pa., but at the end of a year returned to Ohio. Though lie has followed his trade to a certain extent, he has devoted himself principally to farming and has been very successful.
March 14, 1862, Mr. Berkeybile married Miss
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Mary, daughter of John Farner, who was born in Somerset County, Pa., Marchi 19, 1811. His wife, who was a Miss Catherine Rhoades, was born in the same county, May 26, 1807, and became the mother of ten childreu, all of whom are living. Harmon and Samuel are farmers of Spencer Town- ship; Minerva, the wife of Henry Manchley, lives iu Kansas; Wilson is a farmer in Nebraska; John owns a farm in Monclova Township, Lucas Coun- ty; Harrison is a resident of Toledo; Franklin lives in Richfield Township; Ella became the wife of Henry Blucbergh, a farmer of this eounty; Joseph makes his home in Wayne County, Ohio; and Mary completes the family. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and was married in his native county before coming to Ohio. For several years he lived in Wayne County, and then removed to Spencer Township, where he passed the remainder of his life.
Of the eleven children who came to bless the union of our subjeet and his wife all but one are living. They are as follows: Elmer E., a farmer of this township, and whose wife is Mary, daugh- ter of Andrew Reganald; Minerva E., wife of Ab- ner Baker, who owns a machine-shop near the vil- lage of Swanton; Elsie D., wife of John Rliorbach, a farmer of Fulton County; Joseph, who married Charlotte, daughter of Andrew Reganald, and lives at home; Chauncey, who married Laura Salisbury, and lives in Swanton; Aaron A., who died in 1874, aged one year; and Alonzo, Albert, Chiarles, Frank- lin and Oma W., the younger children, who arc unmarried and at home. For many years our sub- ject and his wife have been members of the Ger- man Baptist Brethren Church of Delta.
EORGE S. DANA makes his home on sec- tion 11, Sylvania Township, Lucas Coun- ty. In addition to this place, which he owns, lic has other good property in Toledo, and lias become well-to-do through his own unassisted efforts. From May, 1873, until 1887 he was en-
gaged in the real-estate and loan business in Tole- do, and cxpeets to resume his previous occupation in the spring of 1895. At present he is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace, and in politics he is a worker in the ranks of the Repub- lican party.
Born June 1, 1836, in Woodstock, Vt., our sub- ject is the son of George W. and Abba S. (Snow) Dana. Hereceived a good educatiou in the Green Mountain State, and remained at home until he was past his majority. In 1859 he removed to Athens, Ill., and practiced law in that vicinity for two years, after which he was situated in Peters- burg, and later in Lincoln. For some ten or twelve years he was attorney for the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and was considered one of the best lawyers in that part of the state. He is a gradu- ate of the law college of Pouglikcepsie, N. Y., hav- ing been a member of the Class of '58, and but for failing health would have continued in the profession. However, lie considers his residence here as only a temporary one, as in his numerous real-estate transactions he bought a tract of twen- ty-four acres, his present home, and decided to try an outdoor life iu the hope of being bene- fitcd.
December 15, 1864, Mr. Dana was married, in St. Louis, Mo., to Ilettie F., daughter of I. G. and Jane (Clingen) Israel, natives of Delaware and Chester County, Pa., respectively. About 1833 they settled in Jacksonville, Ill., where the father, who was formerly a miller, turned huis attention to merchandising. He reared seven children, four of whom are living. Susan J., born September 30, 1824, married Clingen Scott, since deceased, and is now living in St. Louis. William C., born in 1826,
is married and is living in Tacoma, Washı. Mrs. Mary L. McDonald, born October 9, 1827, died November 26, 1885, in Jacksonville, Ill. Gran- thaus, born December 31, 1830, dicd February 18, 1890, in San Francisco. Martha M., Mrs. Clark J. Morton, was boru September 18, 1833, and is now hving in Salt Lake City, Utah. George L., born November 19, 1837, died February 17, 1871, in San Francisco. Mrs. Dana was born August 2, 1839.
The only sister of George S. Dana, Maria C.,
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died at the age of seventeen years. His only brother, Henry W., of Lincoln, Ill., a retired law- yer, owns an abstract of the county in which he re- sides, and loans money on real-estate security. Both our subject and his wife have many friends in this locality, and have hosts of acquaintances and well-wishers in Toledo. They are both mein- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
R OMAIN A. TAYLOR has been engaged in farming for many years on the old home- stead where his birth oceurred, and which is situated on seetion 7, Spencer Township, Lueas County. He comes from an old and honored pioneer family of this section, and inherited the industrious and energetic qualities which belonged to his ancestors.
The father of our subject, William Taylor, was born January 9, 1810, pear Williamsport, Lycom- ing County, Pa. He married a lady of the same county, Mary Coarson by name, and to them were born six daughters and two sons, those beside Romain A. being: Robert W., who was a farmer of Fulton County, and died in 1881; Eliza, Mrs. William R. Cole, whose death occurred in June 1873; Harriet, who died in 1877, being then the wife of James C. Vaughn; Mary J., wife of M. T. Cole, a farmer of Palmyra, Mich .; Theresa, Mrs. Harrison Farner, of Toledo; Lucretia, wife of P. O. Van Fleet, of Palmyra, Mich .; and Ada, who mar- ried Edward Wall, and lives on part of the old homestead.
In 1834 William Taylor removed with his fam- ily to Lucas County, and took up one hundred and sixty acres on section 6, Spencer Township. He subsequently bought forty acres on the north- east quarter of the same section, and about 1845 bought a farm of two hundred and sixty aeres on section 7, one hundred acres of the latter being afterward purchased by Jonas Matzinger. Mr
Taylor erccted two sawmills and engaged in lum- hering extensively. For many years he was Count- ty Commissioner of this county, having been elected on the Republican ticket, and from 1860 to 1872 was Township Treasurer.
The subject of this sketch was born August 10, 1855, in Speneer Township, and received a com- mon-school education. Going to Toledo in his early manhood, he was interested in railroading for about four years, his father at that time owning a large share of the stock of the Narrow Gauge (now Clover Leaf) Railroad.
February 3, 1883, Romain A. Taylor and Aman- da, daughter of Anthony and Mary (Lord) Van Akin. of Richfield, were united in marriage, and to them were born three children, the eldest of whom, Clyde, died at the age of four years and five months; Flossie, born in January, 1888; and Hazel, born October 21, 1891, are bright and promising children. Mr. Taylor is affiliated with the Republican party, and socially is a member of Swanton Lodge No. 555, F. & A. M.
H ON. LOUIS H. PIKE, ex-Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, is a gentleman who is well known in Toledo, where he is now practicing law. He was born in a country far from this, and no doubt he still retains fond memories of the Fatherland. Born in Prussia, June 12, 1826, he was twenty-three years of age when he landed on American shores, leaving the home of his youth and the kindly faces of friends behind him.
Our subject is the son of Joseph Pike, also born in Prussia, which was also the home of his mother, whose maiden name was Agnes Karplus. He at- tended the common schools of his native land nn- til a lad of ten years, when his parents, wishing him to be well educated, sent him to the gyinnasi- um at Neisse, where he carried on his studies for the following six years. Then a lad of sixteen, he was offered and accepted a position as clerk in
JOSEPH T. WOODS, M. D.
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a store in the city of Berlin, and for three years remained with his employers, during this time learning business methods. At the expiration of that time he went to Austria and clerked in a gen- eral merchandise store there for three years, at the end of which time, in 1848, arose the great politi- cal strife in Germany, and young Pike, on account of the views which he held, was, in the year 1849, compelled to leave his native land and set sail for America, the land of the free.
Landing in New York City in October, 1849, Mr. Pike remained there until December, 1851, when he made his way west to Monrocville, Ohio, and embarked in the manufacture of cigars, which he carried on successfully for a period. During these years he found time to carry on his legal studies, as he had already made up his mind to fol- low the profession of law. After passing the re- quired examination, he was admitted to the Bar at Cleveland in 1854, and soon thereafter located for practice at Tiffin, Seneca County. There he con- ducted a general practice for three years, and in 1857 came to Toledo and, opening an office, soon built up a large and lucrative clientage.
Mr. Pike was elected, in October, 1883, Judge of the Common Pleas Court on the Democratic ticket, just twenty-nine years from the day he was admit- ted to the Bar, and he was admitted to the Bar just five years from the day he landed in America. By mistake in counting the votes, his opponent was notified of his election, but our subject, con- testing the election, was awarded his just rights by . the Senate, and in 1884 took his seat on the Bench. He served with distinguished honor and ability for a term of five years, ineluding the period of the contest, and retired in 1888. He again resumed the practice of law, and is conceded by all to be one among the ablest pleaders in the state, his re- markable success in trying many noted cases being due to his extreme intelligence and eloquence. He has always taken a great interest in politieal mat- ters, and is a pronounced Democrat.
In 1858 Judge Pike and Miss Kate Fiefield, a native of New York, were united in marriage. In 1879 he chose as his second companion Miss Lydia Miller, who was born in Iowa.
In social affairs Mr. Pike is a member of Sanford
L. Collins Lodge No. 396, F. & A. M., of which he was one of the organizers, and of which lodge he is also the oldest Past Master. He was High Priest of Ft. Meigs Chapter, R. A. M., has been twice Il- lustrious Grand Master of Toledo Council, R. & S. M., and has held office for many years in Toledo Commandery No. 7, K. T., having represented these various bodies in the grand bodies. The Judge was actively identified with war matters during the late Rebellion, being a stanch war Democrat and a great admirer of President Lincoln, although he was so situated that he was prevented from go- ing to the front.
Judge Pike is a charter member of the Ohio State Bar Association, which was organized in 1879, and of which he has been Treasurer for eight years past. He also belongs to the American Bar Asso- ciation, and is very prominent in the Brotherhood of Lawyers. In 1856 he became a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Tiffin, Ohio, his wife being also a member of that church. He is at present occupying a comfortable residence at No. 1216 Huron Street, and has the friendship of the best people of the city.
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