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 27
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 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
H ON. GEORGE LASKEY, a prominent cit- izen and retired capitalist of Toledo, and an ex-Senator of Ohio, is of English ori- gin, having been born in Devonshire, near the town of Bristol, August 23, 1824. His parents, George and Ann (Southard) Laskey, who were also natives of England, emigrated to America in 1833, landing in New York, where they remained but a short time, however. Leaving New York, they came direct to Ohio, and settled in Lucas County, where they purchased some land, at that time in a wild, uncultivated state, and proceeded to make a home among the early pioneers of Ohio. The fa- ther was a mechanic in his native land, but fol- lowed farming pursuits after coming to America. He departed this life in his home on the old farm near Toledo in 1843. His wife, the mother of our subject, passed away in Toledo, aged eighty-six years.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his fa- ther's farm, and educated in the public schools. In 1837, at the early age of thirteen years, he started out in the world for himself, and going to Grand Rapids, Ohio, accepted a clerkship in the store of Francis Hinsdale, which position he held until April 14, 1846. At this time he became a partner in the firm, and the style was changed to Hinsdale & Co. They were very successful in business, and the partnership continued until the death of Mr. Hinsdale, which occurred in 1851. Mr. Laskey continued to carry on the business, having charge of Mrs. Hinsdale's interest in the store in con-
260
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
nection with his own. Later he and his brother bought out Mrs. Hinsdale, and the firm name was again changed, this time to Laskey Bros. Being energetic, wide-awake young men, possessed of inore than ordinary business ability, they became the most popular merchants of Grand Rapids, and by their courteous manner and strict attention to bus- iness, won many friends, and had the entire confi- dence of the community. In 1866 they sold out and retired from the mercantile trade, and became interested in real estate.
After retiring from his mercantile career, Mr. Laskey became interested in agricultural pursuits, having previously purchased several large tracts of land in Wood, Henry, Putnam and Lucas Coun- ties. He has now several thousand acres in these counties, most of which is laid out in fine farms, and under a high state of cultivation. This venture proved a very successful undertaking, and lie con- tinned in the occupation until September 1, 1877. Ile then removed to Toledo, where he has since re- sided. Since coming to this city his time has been completely occupied in looking after his real-es- tate interests, and besides his numerous farms he owns a large amount of city property, which is very valuable.
In 1859 Mr. Laskey was elected to the Ohio State Senate, to represent the six counties of Lucas, Wood, Hancock, Henry, Fulton and Putnam, serv- ing a term of two years. While in the Senate lie was one of the Committee on Railroads, and Chair- man of the Committee on Ditches and Roads, do- ing more than any other man in Ohio toward in- augurating the drainage system that has reclaimed so many thousands of acres of wet land. He has always taken an active part in the drainage system and in all public affairs, being an impor- tant factor in the growth and improvement of the community in which he has made his home. He served as Commissioner of Wood County for six years.
Hon. George Laskey and Miss Antoinette How- ard were united in marriage January 1, 1848. She is a daughter of Edward Howard, a native of Sen- eca Lake, N. Y., who came to Ohio in 1821, locat- ing in Grand Rapids, Wood County, where the wife of our subject was born. Mr. and Mrs. Laskey
are the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: Edward G., who resides in Grand Rapids, Ohio; Howard Lincoln, a resident of Sterling, Kan .; Sherman, who makes his home in Coleman, Mich .; Henry S., a graduate of Ann Arbor University; Marian H., who is the wife of Henry P. Shanks, of Wood County; and Ella G., now Mrs. Lacy Y. Williams. The family occupies a high position in the social world. Mr. and Mrs. Laskey attend the Congregational Church in To- ledo, of which they are active members. Politi- cally the former' is a stanchi Republican, and his party finds in him a warm advocate and ardent supporter. The beautiful and attractive residence of our subject is located at No. 2413 Collingwood Avenue.
A DAM MARTIN, until recently a well-to- do business man of Millbury, was a mem- ber of the Village Council for eleven years. He was a native of Bavaria, having been born in Gros Steinhauser, December 22, 1822. His father, Henry Martin, a native of the same village, was born in 1788. He and his youngest son, Jacob, were lost at sca in 1852, while on their way to America. . The wife and mother, Louisa, daughter of John Sofel, both natives of Gros Steinliauser, died about 1850.
Adam Martin was the fourth in a family of nine sons, four of whom died before reaching ma- turity. Those remaining in the Old Country are John and Henry. Fred, the second son, came to the United States about 1845, and lived for a year or so with his brother Adam in Buffalo, after which he started for Ohio, and was never after heard from by our subject. The latter attended the pub- lic schools of his native village from the time he 'was six until he was fourteen years of age, when lie was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Work- ing on a farm until the Christmas following, he was then apprenticed to the miller's trade, and served for three years, after which he received wages for
GEORGE S. BRAILEY.
263
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a year from the same man. The next two years he was employed at Dahlheim, ten miles west of his old home. For a similar length of time he worked in a mill in his native village. Sailing from Havre de Grace on the "Queen Victoria," after a voyage of forty-two days he landed in New York, September 15, 1846, and after spend- ing a couple of weeks in the metropolis went to Buffalo, by way of the Hudson River to Albany, and thence by railroad. He had friends in Buf- falo, but finding no work there he went to a vil- lage thirty miles east and worked for a farmer at twenty-five cents a day. Some time later, return- ing to the city, he sawed wood throughout the winter, and continued to labor at various pursuits for five years. In the spring of 1852 he rented a farm eigliteen miles east of Buffalo, and cultivated the place for nineteen years. In 1861 he bought a farm of eleven acres five miles from Buffalo, and when not employed on his own land worked for neighbors.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Martin sold his New York farm and went to Toledo, where he remained for four weeks and then came to Millbury. He bought nineteen acres near the village, and after living on the place for a year traded it for a fifty- acre tract a mile and a-half north of Millbury. Later he sold this and bought a house adjacent to the town, and worked in a stavemill. In 1873 he opened a saloon in Millbury, and operated this for thirteen years, at the end of which time, in 1886, it was destroyed by fire.
In October of the latter year, Mr. Martin bought the building which he owned at his decease, and opened a store, which he was conducting at the time of his death. Up to 1864 he was a Repub- lican, but after that time was a Democrat. In May, 1844, he was married in his native village to Miss Anna Maria Sommers, who was born in Klein, Steinhauser, October 30, 1819. Her father, John Sommers, was a stonemason by trade. The fol- lowing children were born to our subject and his wife: Margueretta, wife of George Kalmback, & merchant of this place; Adam, a carpenter at Wil- liston, Ohio; one who died in infancy; Fred, who was killed in Buffalo at the age of twenty-two years; Jacob, who died at the age of eleven months;
Henry, who died at Millbury about 1880, leaving a family; Kate, wife of Harry Williams, a locomo- tive engineer of Allegheny City, Pa .; Jacob, a street-car conductor in Toledo; Christian, who is in the railroad employ at Millbury; Charlie, a brakeman on the Lake Shore Railroad; Caroline, wife of Lee Davis, a stave-cutter at Williston, Ohio; and Peter, formerly a fireman on a locomo- tive, and now with his mother in Millbury.
Mr. Martin died March 13, 1895, deeply re- gretted by his family, to whom he was most de- voted, and-by his fellow-citizens, whose esteem be had won by his honor and integrity as a business man and his kindliness of disposition. Together with his wife, he held membership in the Luth- eran Church of this place.
EORGE S. BRAILEY. Prominent among the capable and efficient business men of Toledo stands Mr. Brailey, who is exten- sively engaged in the real-estate business in this city, and resides at No. 2613 Cherry Street. A na- tive of New York, he was born in Buffalo in 1838, being the son of Gideon and Ann (Green) Brailey, who were also natives of the Empire State, the mother having been born in Genesee County. They came to Ohio and located in Erie County, and afterward removed to Huron County, where they lived until 1860. From Huron County they removed to Fulton County, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father departed this life at the age of seventy-eight, and the mother passed away at the venerable age of seventy-nine years.
The Brailey ancestors were originally from Scot- land, and the grandfather was a hero of the Revo- lution, fighting bravely for the liberty which the present generation now enjoys in peace and pros- perity. Gideon, the father of George, was another brave and true soldier, and during the War of 1812, with the brave and valiant men of that day, took up arms in defense of his country.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in Huron County, where he received the ru-
264
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
diments of an education in the public schools. Later he entered the Milan Union School, and com- pleted his studies in the Western Reserve Normal School, where he remained two years. After fin- ishing his education he joined the noble army of teachers, and for seven years followed that worthy profession, teaching in various places with the best of success, and becoming widely known. He was very popular among his fellow-teachers and highly respected by his pupils. At the age of twenty-six years he retired from the schoolroom and went to Columbus, Ohio, where he accepted the position of Chief Clerk in the office of the State Comptroller, which latter office was at that time held by bis brother, Gen. M. R. Brailey. For six years and a-half he honorably filled this position, and then resigned and went to Kansas City, Mo., and be- came proprictor of the Galt House in that place, where he remained four years. In 1878 he came to Toledo and embarked in the real-estate business, negotiating in mortgages, bonds, loans, real estate, etc., and this he has conducted successfully to the present time, doing a large and extensive business.
On the 22d of March, 1862, Mr. Brailey was united in marriage with Miss Libbie D. Geer, a na- tive of Ingham County, Mich., and to this union two children were born: Anna, who is the wife of Hugh Hall; and M. R. Brailey, an attorney-at-law, residing in Toledo. Mrs. Brailey was called to the land beyond December 25, 1891. She was an estimable lady, and her death was mourned not alone by her family, but also by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Socially Mr. Brailey is identified with the Masonic order, and is a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum of this city. In his political views lie is a stanch Republican, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party. Heand his family are members of the Episcopal Church.
A LEXANDER WIGHT, whose home is in Center Township, Wood County, has a war record of which he may be justly proud, as he took part in many of the leading battles and engagements of the Civil War, in the states of
Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia, during the campaigns of 1861 and 1862, and was always faithful at his post of duty. In 1865 he put up a sawmill on his farm, and continued to operate it until 1893, when he sold out to Messrs. Sawyer & Covert. In addition to running his mill, he has been actively engaged in farming dur- ing his mature years, and is the proprietor of a valuable place, comprising fifty-five acres on sec- tion 24.
The parents of our subject bore the respective names of Alexander and Mary (Harvey) Wight. They were both born in Scotland, and were married in their native land. Eight children graced their union, namely: Jane, who married Gordon Dun- can; John; Mary, who became the wife of James Archibald; one who died in infancy; Alexander; George and Bessie, deceased; and William. In 1832 the father came to the United States on a sailing-vessel, and at the end of a six-weeks voy- age landed in Quebec. He soon made a permanent settlement in Ashland County, Ohio, where all his children were born.
Our subject's birth occurred September 15, 1838, near Savannah, Ashland County, this state. He was early inured to the duties of farm life, and when scarcely a dozen years old he hired out to a neighboring farmer for two years at fifty cents a day, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for several years. June 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, and was mustered in at Columbus. He was sent to Wheel- ing, W. Va., and ere long took part in the battle of Lookout Mountain, Va., after which followed those of Bold Mountain, Cotton Mountain, Peck's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Red Clay Mountain, Blue Stone, Princeton, New River Gap, Bull Run, Frederick City, South Mountain, Middletown, Antietam, Clarksburg and a great many lesser engagements. During his service he was twice wounded, and still carries two bullet marks. He was honorably dis- charged October 28, 1862, and returned home.
-
During the summer of 1863 Mr. Wighit worked at his trade of carpentering, and in 1865 came to this locality, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 24, Center Township. For a few years he lived in a log cabin and worked very
265
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
hard at clearing away the thick timber with which his place was ineumbered. Snecess was ultimately his, for he was not one to be easily discouraged, and was undaunted by ordinary difficulties.
April 14, 1870, Mr. Wight wedded .Jessie Thom, by whom he has had four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: Stanley E .; Mary, who is the wife of David Loomis; John C .; and Edward. The sons are enterprising and energetie young business men, highly respected by all who know tliem. They and their father are affiliated with the Prohibition party in politics.
ORNELIUS S. CURTIS, an attorney-at-law of Toledo, is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., the date of his birth being August 17, 1833. He is a son of Sylvester Curtis, a native of Massachusetts, who settled on the Hol- land Purchase in New York in an early day, and later removed to Boone County, Ill., where he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer until his death, whiel occurred in 1893, at the venerable age of ninety-three years. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sarah Park, is a native of Vermont, and a daughter of John Park. She still resides in Illinois, and at the age of ninety- four years enjoys the best of health. The Curtis family was originally from England, but inembers of it emigrated to America in a very early day and settled in Massachusetts. Harvey Curtis, the grand. father of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and took an active part in that great struggle for liberty.
Cornelius S. Curtis, the subject of this sketeh, was reared and received his early educational training in Chautauqua .County, N. Y. At the age of fourteen years he accompanied his parents to Illinois, and remained with them until he had reached his twenty-first year. Previous to that time he had decided on a professional career, and for some years had spent all his evenings and
spare time in studying to fit himself for a profes- sional life. On bidding farewell to farm life he went to the great metropolis of the West, Chicago, and entered the law office of Judge Walker. He remained there as a student about two years, hav- ing every advantage for the study of law, and as he was an apt and diligent pupil, at the end of the two years had made rapid progress in his studies.
During his sojourn in Chicago Mr. Curtis met and married Miss Louise Spalding, of Waukegan, Ill. Miss Spalding was a native of New York, but eame with her parents, Allen and Hannah Spald- ing, to Illinois when quite young. After their marriage they removed to Decatur, Ill., and there Mr. Curtis entered into partnership with his brother in the Osage orange hedge business, at the same time pursuing his studies with Bower Bunn, a noted attorney of Decatur. He continued in the hedge business with his brother until the breaking out of the Civil War. About that time he accepted a position as assistant general agent under Louis A. Cass, in the Illinois Central Insurance Com- pany, and traveled in the interest of that company for one year, his route being through Illinois, In- diana and parts of Kentucky.
Soon after this Mr. Curtis was elected Vice- President of the Farmers and Merchants' Insurance Company of Indianapolis, Ind., and occupied that position until some time in 1868, when thie com- pany disorganized. While thus engaged he was admitted to the Bar, and commeneed the practice of his chosen profession April 1, 1865, in Evans- ville, Ind. At the expiration of one year he re- moved to Hamilton, Ohio, and accepted the position of agent for the National Insurance and Invest- ment Company, remaining with that eoneern un- til 1858. He then opened an office in that eity, where he conducted a general practice in the county courts. In 1872 he came to Toledo, and continued the practice of his profession in the courts of this city for six years, after which he was admitted to the United States Courts, sinee whiel time he has devoted his whole time and attention to his profession.
In polities Mr. Curtis is a stanchi Republican, and has taken a deep interest in political affairs sinec 1856, but has never sought publie office for
266
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
himself. He has often acted as a delegate to the various con ventions of his party, and is always ready with his influence and ballot to aid in the election of its chosen candidates. He is what may be styled a self-made man, as the distinction to which he has attained is mainly due to lis indi- vidual efforts.
Mr. Curtis had the misfortune to lose his first wife, who was called to the spirit land in 1865, leaving one child, Ida Jane, who is uow the wife of Henry Ward, of Monticello, Ill. She is an ac- complished lady and a graduate of the Toledo High School. In 1866 Mr. Curtis was again married. The lady who became his second wife was Miss Eliza Janc Brown, and as a result of this union three children have been born, Jenuie, Charles L., and an infant, deceased. Mrs. Curtis is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Her husband is not connected with any denomina- tion, but is broad and liberal miuded in his relig- ious views. Their residence is at No. 922 Huron Street, aud there their many friends find a warm and cordial welcome at all times.
M ARION LAWRANCE. From a perusal of the life records of successful men may be gleaned much that is interesting and profitable to readers of mature years, as well as mauy lessons worthy of emulation by tlie young. Mr. Lawrance is a man who may justly be called self-made. He has proved what it is in the power of an industrious, energetic and con- scien tious man to accomplish, though unaided by the prestige of wealth or by auy fortuitous cir- eumstances. The position which he now occupies is one of great responsibility, and the able manner in which he has discharged its duties proves his superior intellectual ability and earnest religious spirit. Having made his home in Toledo for more than twenty years, lie is well known throughout the city, aud has a large circle of warm personal
friends whom his noble character has drawn to him.
The parents of Marion Lawrance were Elonson and Amanda Malvina (Irvin) Lawrance, the former born in Dutchess County, N. Y., April 24, 1803, and the latter a native of Kentucky, born March 3, 1810. They were united in marriage October 2, 1828, and by their union became the parents of twelve children, one of whom died unnamed in infancy. The others were named as follows: Stephen, Loraiu, Eliza Jane, John, Amanda, Jo- seph, Annie, Deluna Chauncey, Milo E., Marion and William Irvin. At the present time five of the sons and one daugliter survive. The father followed throughout his active years the dual oc- cupation of farmer and merchant, and while he never accumulated wealtlı and was unable to give his children other than the common-school ad- van tages, lie accumulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods to provide his old age against want or care. In politics lie was a Whig, but did not take an active part in public affairs. He passed away at Yellow Springs, Ohio, at the age of seventy-five years.
The subject of this sketch was born in Gratis, Preble County, Ohio, October 2, 1850. He was two and one-half years old when his parents moved to Yellow Springs, this state, and there he remained uutil he attained his majority. After completing the studies of the commou schools, he entered An- tioch College, wliere lie remained three and oue- half years, but did not complete the course of instruction. In 1871 he went to Syracuse, N. Y., where the two ensuing years were spent, and theuce, in September, 1873, lic came to Toledo. At different times he has been variously engaged as merchant, traveling salesman and insurance agent.
In 1889 Mr. Lawrance was offered the position of General Secretary of the Ohio Sunday-school Association, which he accepted and still holds. His eutire attention is devoted to the duties of this place, and the able manner in which his work is performed proves liis fitness for the position. In connection with his other duties, he publislies a full line of Sunday-school supplies, which have an extensive sale throughout this and adjoining states.
267
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1889 he was a delegate to the World's Sunday- school Convention in London, England. His membership is in the Congregational Church, and both personally and through his press articles, lie is well known to the membership of that denomi- nation throughout the country. He writes the ex- positions of the Sunday-sehool lessons for the Advance, of Chicago, and the International Evangel, of St. Louis, and is a frequent contributor to other religious papers.
At Toledo, Ohio, October 15, 1874, Mr. Law- rance was united iu marriage with Miss Flora Gaines, whose parents, Joseph and Margaret (Keifer) Gaines, were residents of Clark County, this state. Her father died thirty years ago; her mother, who still survives, is a sister of Gen. J. Warren Keifer, of Springfield, Ohio. Three chil- dren have blessed this union, of whom two arc living, Lois and Harold, at present students in the Toledo public schools.
To the great questions of the age Mr. Lawrance devotes the attention which every patriotic citizen should give, and having carefully studied the prin- ciples of both great political organizations, he gives his influence and ballot to the Republican party. His family is highly estcemed in social circles, and its members are honored wherever known.
A LBERT G. BLAIR. So far from merely presenting a compilation of statistics and condensed facts showing the resources and business status of Toledo and the surrounding country, it is considered compatible with the na- ture of this work to note the enterprises which exert especial influence upon the commercial stand- ing of the community, and also to review the lives of the men most intimately connected therewith. It is a faet so patent as to require no special com- ment, that Toledo is not deficient in that distinct-
ive spirit of enterprise which has done so much toward the development of this country. The suc- cess with which its industries have met, the pros- perity enjoyed by its citizens, the magnitude of its commercial projects, and the increasing value of its realty, are due principally to its railroads. Of these, it has a larger number than any other city of Ohio, and it is largely through them that it has become widely known as a commercial center.
No citizen of Toledo is more intimately con- nected with its railroad interests than the gentle- man with whose name this brief biography is introduced, and who is at present filling the re- sponsible position of General Manager of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company. Mr. Blair is a native of New York, and was born in the city of Syracuse in January, 1844. He passed the years of boyhood and youth in a somewhat uneventful manner, attending the public schools near his father's home. At an early age he learned the habits of industry, perseverance and patience which aided him in his business eareer.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.