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 30
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 30
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Ellis Parker is a native of Weston, Woreester County, Mass., born January 25, 1812. In 1830 lie emigrated to this eonnty, settling first in To- ledo, theu known as Port Lawrenee, and afterward Vistula. At the time of his arrival there was but one log warehouse and store in the place. It was
owned by John Baldwin, whose family lived under the same roof. Mr. Parker made a lake trip from Buffalo, N. Y., on the schooner "Eagle," owned by Capt. David Wilkinson. When he was nine- teen years of age he went to make his home with Ira Smith, afterward his father-in-law, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this eounty. About this time (1832) Mr. Parker assisted in prospeet- ing for rock in the neighborhood of Turkey-foot Rock, eighteen miles up the Maumee River. The rock was for building the first eellar constructed in Toledo, in the building of which Mr. Parker assisted. He and his father also built the first brick chimney ereeted in the city. There were at this time but three families living within two miles of where Toledo now stands.
November 19, 1835, Mr. Parker wedded Aliee, daugliter of Ira and Jane (Chapin) Smith, of New York. Mrs. Parker, who was the third of seven children, was born January 18, 1818, and was ealled to her final rest Deecmber 14, 1865. As his health was very poor, Mr. Parker continued to reside for nearly a year after his marriage witli his wife's people. His next venture was to en- gage in farming on a place north of Toledo, but at the end of a year he moved to Vienna, Ohio, and for a time teamed to some extent and also kept boarders, men who were employed by Ira Smith. His health improving, he built a three- story brick hotel, and operated the same for three years. He managed to do pretty well finaneially, and then bought eighty aeres of land, on whichi he made his home for three years. Returning to Toledo, he leased the Eagle Taveru, on the corner of Summit and Elm Streets, for some three or four years, when it became necessary for him to lead an outdoor life once more, ou account of his health, and for two years he rented a farm two miles east of Sylvania. Succeeding this, he was interested in running the hotel to whiel allusion is made in the first of this article. When a good opportunity offered he traded the hotel for a farm, which he sold at the end of twenty years, in 1880. For nearly ten years he has been a great sufferer, and has beeu uuable to engage in active business.
November 14, 1866, our subjeet wedded for his
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second wife Elida M., daughter of Henry J. and Polly (Sperling) Hare. They were natives of Syracuse, N. Y., and in 1835 settled near Toledo, on what is now known as the Marsh Farm. Later they moved to Amboy, Fulton County, Ohio, and there bought a tract of land. Mrs. Parker is the only survivor of five children. The eldest was Maria, who died in New York; Jane and Lucy F. also died in childhood; and Charles S., born Sep- tember 9, 1835, died while in the Union serv- ice, November 4, 1864. He was a member of Com- pany C, Twelfth Regiment Michigan Volunteers. Mrs. Parker was born February 11, 1831, and in 1841, at the time of her father's death, inherited a portion of his estate.
In his political affiliations Mr. Parker is a Dem- ocrat. For many years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Lodge No. 237, F. & A. M., of Sylvania.
N OAH C. SCOTT, now residing on section 5, Sylvania Township, Lucas County, is one of the well-to-do agriculturists of this sec- tion. He is a native of this state, and was born in Wayne County, November 5, 1828, to Robert and Lottie (Cunningham) Scott, also natives of the Buckeye State, the former's birth having occurred November 15, 1802. The father was a life-long farmer, and although he started out in life poor in this world's goods, he left at his death a valu- able estate.
The parental family numbered eight children, of whom four are now living. Of these children, William, the eldest, was born January 23, 1825, and is now deceased; James, born August 26, 1826, is engaged in farming near Wauseon, in Fulton County, this state; Noah C. was the next-born; John, whose birth occurred August 22, 1830, is a resident of Wayne County, this state; Cunning-
ham, born October 22, 1832, is residing in Omaha Neb., where he is District Judge; Elizabeth, born October 3, 1835, married Milton Emberson, and is residing in South Whitley, Ind .; Mary, born May 19, 1838, married Daniel Bailes, and departed this life in Wayne County, in 1894; and Oliver, born July 19, 1842, died in infancy. The parents of this family were devoted members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In politics the father was a stanch Republican. He possessed fine business qualities, which he made good use of, both in his own interest and that of the community.
Our subject remained with his father until twenty-one years old, when he left home, and, go- ing to sea, was engaged in the whaling service for five years, cruising in the Indian Ocean. On again becoming a permanent resident of terra firma, he was married, March 4, 1857, to Helen M. Britton, who was born . January 27, 1839, and was the daughter of Madison and Lucinda Britton, natives of Wayne County, this state. Her father, who was a carpenter and builder, reared a family of six children: John, Amos, Milford, Rosetta, Helen and Lucinda.
To Mr. and Mrs. Scott there have been born five children, of whom the eldest, Lottie, was born July 1, 1858, and is now the wife of Hiram Palen, a resident of Fountain County, Ind .; Leander, born September 8, 1860, is now located at Detroit, being agent for the Lake Shore Road at that place; Mary Inezy was born April 16, 1863, and married Harry Johanning, a resident of Toledo; Charles B. was born February 18, 1874, and is at home with his parents.
While on the sea Mr. Scott was enabled to save quite a sum of money, and thus was able to make a good start when ready to invest his earnings. After locating in this county he began running a sawmill, which he operated for two years, then traded it for a farm in Williams County. In 1872 he became a resident of Lucas County, where he purchased eighty acres of land, on which he has resided ever since. Although our subject's ad- vantages for obtaining a good education were very limited, he is to-day one of the best financiers in this section; and, realizing the value which a good knowledge of books brings, has seen to it
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that his children have attended school, and for one year he hired a tutor for them.
Mr. Scott has been both School Director of his district and Supervisor of his township. Socially he is a Mason of high standing, and takes great interest in the workings of that order. In politics he never fails to cast a vote in favor of Republi- can candidates, and when first given the right to vote east a ballot for John C. Fremont. He is Government Weather Reporter for his township, making monthly reports to the Bureau at Wash- ington.
J OHN SHULL, now deceased, who cast in his fortunes with the inhabitants of Lucas Coun- ty in 1843, lived within its boundaries for over half a century. He was called from the shores of time January 19, 1895, and his loss was felt not only by his family and friends, but by the public at large. He was a good financier, and accumulated a large estate in the legitimate channels of business, at the same time winning the confidence of his fellow-citizens, who often called upon him to serve them in public capacities of honor and trust. In 1860 he was appointed Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, a posi- tion which he retained for ten years. Then, after an interval of perhaps a year, he was again chosen to fill the place, and did so for five years more. He also served as Trustee of Sylvania Township for three years. In politics he was an unswerving Republican.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Shull was born in Perry County, October 15, 1818. His father died when John was a mere lad, and upon his shoulders the care of his mother and his younger brothers and sisters devolved at an early age, but he met the responsibility bravely. On coming to this county in 1843, he settled in Richfield Township, where he engaged in farming and in
carpentering. For a time he was employed by a Mr. Wolfinger, whose daughter, Matilda, he sub- sequently married. The wedding ceremony was performed August 22, 1844, and for eighteen years Mrs. Shull proved a faithful and devoted helpmate. She departed this life in May, 1862, leaving two children, one of whoin has sinee been summoned to the silent land.
November 24, 1864, John Shull married Jeanette Washburn, who was born February 23, 1839, and who survives him. Their twin sons, born Febru- ary 15, 1875, and who bear the names of Deo D. and Leo W., are now the mainstay and sup- port of their mother. They are promising and enterprising young men, and are justly respected and liked by all who know them.
About 1865 our subjeet purchased the farm on section 4, Sylvania Township, where his widow still resides. He erected a handsome two-story house, and made many other improvements which increased the value of the homestead. For several years he was a member of the Masonic order, be- longing to Northern Light Lodge of Maumee. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but his wife adheres to the Baptist denomination. Mrs. Shull is a lady of lovely Christian character, and has the rare gift of making and retaining friends.
B EEBE COMSTOCK, who was one of the sturdy old pioneers of Lucas County, was born November 5, 1799, and died August 17, 1869. His widow is still living, and is active in body and mind, though she is now in her eigh- ty-seventh year, her birth having occurred Janu- ary 25, 1809.
The parents of Beebe Comstock were Solomon and Abigail Comstock, natives of Connecticut, the former born May 10, 1760, and the latter July 19, 1770. They became the parents of sixteen
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children, who are all dead, with the exception of Giles, who was born August 5, 1817. Beebe Com- stock was married, December 20, 1828, to Louisa Parker, who was born in Massachusetts, and who remained at home with lier parents until her marriage. For six years after their marriage thic young couple continued to live next-door neigli- bors to Mrs. Comstock's parents. In 1834 they made the trip to Toledo in the boat known as "Old Perry," which was afterwards burned on the lake. At the time of their arrival Toledo consisted of an old log warehouse and a log-cabin store. After a year's stay in the village Mr. Comstock purchased eighty acres of land in Sylvania Township, on sec- tion 4, and continued to add to this place, until at his death it comprised two hundred and sixty acres. During his stay in this county, in 1834-35, he car- ried the chain in assisting to survey and lay out the city of Toledo. He cleared more land than any other man in this section, and was very suc- cessful as a general farmer.
The union of Beebe Comstock and wife was blessed with four children. Elizabeth, born Octo- ber 11, 1829, died in childhood. Ambrose B., born October 23, 1830, is now living on the old homestead with his mother, his wife, formerly Ca- delia Keeler, having died in 1892. Levi S., born August 27, 1832, is a farmer of this township; and Sarah, born January 11, 1834, is the wife of W. D. Moore, now of Kelly, N. M., and owner of several rich mines in that territory. Ambrose Comstock en- listed in the one-hundred-days service during the late war, in Company G, One Hundred and Thir- tietli Ohio Volunteers, being under the coinmand of General Grant. He took part in numerous skirmishes along the Shenandoah Valley, the James River, around Petersburg and Richmond, Monoc- acy and in the intrenchment of Washington.
The advantages for obtaining an cdueation were extremely meager in the days of Mr. and Mrs. Comstock's youth, and they were mainly self-edu- cated. In politics Mr. Comstock was a strong Re- publican and a true patriot on all occasions. Thursday, January 25, 1894, Mrs. Louisa Comstock and her brother, Ellis G. Parker, celebrated their birthday anniversaries in a very happy and social way. There are six brothers and sisters of the
Parker family living, their names and the dates of their births being as follows: Hiram, born October 26, 1806; Lousia, January 25, 1809; Ellis G., Jan- nary 25, 1812; Henry W., May 7, 1819; Mary, Sep- tember 21, 1821; and John B., July 27, 1825. The sum of their ages January 25, 1895, was four hun- dred and seventy years and one day, or an aver- age of seventy-eight years and four months.
OHIN M. HOPKINS was a well known citizen of Sylvania, and a Justice of the Peace, hav- ing served as such for six years, and in 1894 he was re-elected to the place. He was a member of the City Council, was Clerk of the vil- lage for thirteen years, and Treasurer and Presi- dent of the Board of Education. After a very brief illness he was called away to the better land, on the 17th of March, 1895.
The birth of our subject occurred in Sherburne, Clienango County, N. Y., September 17, 1815, his parents being Moses and Diantha ( Pixley ) Hopkins. The former was born in Massachusetts, January 22, 1775, and the latter June 29, 1776, in Con- necticut. By occupation Moses Hopkins was a carpenter, and he also taught school successfully. For some years he conducted a wagon-shop, and after coming to Ohio, in 1833, devoted himself to farming. He owned a homestead in Erie County, and gave a good education and start in life to each of his children.
Moses and Diantha Hopkins rearcd a family of nine children. Henry, who was born August 6, 1797, died in 1847, in Tennessee. Maria, who married Gideon King, was born June 10, 1790, and died May 10, 1887, in Erie County, leaving three children. Amanda A., the wife of Marcus Lathrop, was born July 13, 1801, and died Janu- ary 11, 1874, in Clinton, N. Y. She left only two
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children, one of her sons, Col. William H., having been killed in the late war. George W., born June 27, 1803, died in 1864, in Henry County, Ohio, leaving a wife and five children. Abbie, born Oc- tober 1, 1805, married Alvin Newton, and at the time of her death, which occurred September 14, 1828, in Bethlehem, Pa., she left one child, who died soon afterwards. Charles L., born July 20, 1807, died May 17, 1845, in Berlinville, Ohio, leaving his wife and a son, who have since died. Norman N., born August 22, 1810, died October 28, 1875, in Calhoun County, Mich., leaving four children and a second wife. His only surviving child is the wife of Bert Crandall, of Homer, Mich. Our subject was the next in order of birth. William H., born September 27, 1819, was living in Cincinnati at the time of his death, October 2, 1851. One daughter survived him, but she has since passed away.
When a lad of twelve and a-half years J. M. Hopkins left home, living with a brother-in-law on a farm until reaching his majority. At that time he was given a horse and saddle and enough money to make the amount equal to $100. He taught school for two terms, and gave his earnings to his brother-in-law, to whom he felt indebted for his support. In 1836 the young man came to Ohio, visiting his parents, who had removed hither a few years before. Then, going to Michigan, he entered a tract of land, bought a yoke of oxen and began life in earnest. He remained in that state but a year, when he sold out and settled in Erie County. For a few years lie worked for farmers by the month, and during this time managed to save a large share of his earnings.
November 5, 1839, Mr. Hopkins married Rachel Henrietta Hill, who died September 23, 1866, leav- ing three children. The eldest, Marcus S., born November 15, 1840, a wealthy retired capitalist of Washington, D. C., is president of a company, and in former years was a patent lawyer. Mary, who was born July 5, 1842, became the wife of Henry E. Burnham, and died April 8, 1894. Ella A. is the widow of Benjamin Ittner, a very successful busi- ness man of Omaha, Neb. She was born Novein- ber 8, 1848, and is the mother of four children. Nearly three years after the death of his first wife,
Mr. Hopkins married Ariadne, daughter of Luman Andrews, of New York.
Mr. Hopkins, soon after his first marriage, en- gaged in farming on his father's old homestead in Erie County, and remained there a few years, when he sold the place to its former owner. After work- ing a year he bought sixty-five acres of improved land, running into debt to a certain extent, but at the end of six years had it all paid for. An op- portunity offering, he sold thic farm, but re-invest- ed the sum realized in another tract of seventy- five acres, receiving some help from the proceeds of his father's estate. For twelve years he made his home in Michigan, two miles from this city, and for the past thirteen years resided in Sylvania. During his life be filled the important. offices of Treasurer and Clerk of the Board of Health, and for seven years acted as Justice of the Peace. In his early days he was associated with the Odd Fel- lows' society. Politically he was indentified with the Republican party.
RANCIS T. BOWER, former President of the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, is one of the prominent and popular men of his profession in this state. In business circles of To- ledo he commands the esteem of all those with whom he is brought in contaet, and is regarded as an intelligent and enterprising citizen, whom to know is to honor.
The subject of this sketchi was born in Hamilton, Ohio, January 23, 1853, and is the son of Joseph A. and Julia A. (Hopper) Bower, natives of Germany and Virginia, respectively. The father, who was born in Bavaria, during his boyhood accompanied liis parents to this country. Landing in New York City, they proceeded westward to Cincinnati, Ohio, but remained there only a short time, however, thence removing to Hamilton, where they located,
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and where Joseph A. learned tbe saddler and har- ness-maker's trade. His marriage oceurred in Ham- ilton, and here he remained until 1877, at which time he removed to Toledo, and later to West- moreland County, Pa., where he and his wife are spending the remainder of their days.
Franeis T. Bower passed his boyhood in the states of Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, and re- ceived such an education as could be obtained in the district schools. He later attended a school at Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Pa., and in 1873 entered the pharmaceutical department of the State University of Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in 1876. Immediately upon concluding his univer- sity course, lie came to Toledo, and embarked in the drug business in August of that year, stocking an establishment on the corner of Cherry and Michi- gan Streets. His present store is in the new Lib- erty Hall brick block, recently erected at the corner of Cherry and Ontario Streets, and here he has one of the neatest and best-arranged stores in the city of Toledo.
September 1, 1881, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Martha J. Harris, formerly of Detroit, Mich., and a daughter of John Harris. To Mr. and Mrs. Bower have been born five chil- dren, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Bower has filled many offices of public trust. Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Association until 1883, he was appointed thic following year by Governor Hoadley, of Ohio, as a member of the Board of Pharmacy; ir, 1885 was re-appointed by the same Governor, and in 1890 received another re-appointment, this time by Governor Campbell, for the term expiring April 1, 1895. During this time he served as Vice-President, and during three years as Presi- dent, of the board.
Since the year 1883 Mr. Bower has been a mem- ber of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association, and for the past four years lias been the Lueas County correspondent for the association. Hc was at one time an instructor in the chemical labora- tory of Toledo Medical College, and is on the medical staff of St. Vincent's Hospital of Toledo. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Retail Druggists' Fire Insurance Association of Ohio, the main office of which is located at Cin-
cinnati, and a Director of the Universal Trade Association, with home office at Detroit. He leads a very busy and useful life, but his duties are al- ways discharged with that carefulness and fidel- ity which have ever characterized the man.
ILLIAM ACERS is a well-to-do farmer of Sylvania Township, Lucas County. He owns a place comprising forty-seven acres on section 11, and this he has improved by crecting good buildings and a pleasant and com- modious residence. He has been the owner of this property since 1866, and is therefore numbered among the old settlers of Sylvania Township. For several years he served as School Director, and in many other ways has manifested his interest in public affairs.
The birth of William Acers occurred Angust 31, 1834, in the state of New York. He received a good education for those days, and remained at home until about 1858, when he started for Cali- fornia in search of a fortune. For eight years he worked industriously on the Pacific Slope, and managed to clear a fair amount. On returning to Ohio in 1866, he bought the land which he still cultivates.
In December, 1866, Mr. Acers and Lucilla Cor- bett Green were united in marriage. Her parents were Dr. Horace and Catherine (Tucker) Green, natives of Massachusetts. They emigrated to the Buckeye State at a very early day, but after stay- ing here for two years removed to Buffalo, N. Y. . Of their five children, only three are yet living, namely: Mrs. Acers; Charles, born February 22, 1845, and now a member of the Toledo Produce Exchange; and Estella, born October 25, 1847, the wife of Dallas Randall. Horace, the twin brother of Mrs. Acers, born March 28, 1843, in Sylvania, died at the age of three ycars. The eldest-born of
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our subject and wife died in infancy; Elliott, their only surviving child, born July 1, 1869, lives at home; Arehie, born September 6, 1871, died Oeto- ber 6, 1881. The next died in infaney unnamed; and Stella, born July 25, 1883, died when six weeks old.
The parents of William Aeers were Elliott and Rosanna (House) Aeers. The former was born May 1, 1809, and died May 11, 1885, his remains being placed in the Sylvania Cemetery. His wid- ow, who is still living, was born December 5, 1807, in New York State, and is a daughter of Isaae and Katie (Aekley) House, natives of Germany. The father was killed by the caving-in of a gravel bank, when Mrs. Aeers was a mere child, and afterward his widow married again. He was the father of six children, namely: Mrs. Katie Wright, who died leaving three children; Mrs. Margaret Muckey, also deceased; Mrs. Betsy Cassady, of New York State; James and Benjamin, twins, and also resi- dents of the Empire State; and Mrs. Acers. The latter was first married to John Randolph, who died a short time subsequently. leaving two chil- dren: Catherine, who married David Stout, and died in August, 1880; and Henry, born February 16, 1832. He lives with his mother, as he has never married, and has traveled extensively dur- ing his life. To the union of Elliott Acers and wife four children were born: William, whose his- tory is here given; Margaret, born January 26, 1837; Electa, who was born July 15, 1839, and married Washington Leonardson, of Britton, Mich .; and Mary J., born January 7, 1844, the wife of Werter Shaffer, of North Baltimore. Margaret married Howard Shaffer, who died March 5, 1894, and she is now living on the old homestead with her mother.
In August, 1844, Elliott Acers moved to Ohio, locating on the traet of land now managed by his widow. There were no buildings on the farm, and but little of it had been eleared. Heindustriously set to work and brought it into its present condi- tion of fertility and thrift. For five years he was absent in California, during the craze for gold, but after paying his expenses had little left with whiel to return home. Like his son William, he was a good Republican, and served as School Di-
rector. He was a great worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and fraternally was a member of the Sons of Temperance. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Rosanna Acers, Henry Ackley, was a Captain in the War of the Revolution. At one time his wife, with her three children, was hidden by a friendly Indian in the woods for three days, during a massacre of the white settlers, but two of the children, notwithstanding, were scalped by the redmen. A son, Jacob, was stolen by the Indians at the age of five years, and was kept a captive for eight years. When the boy was found by his fa- ther he was as wild and uncivilized as any of the savages. He had been marked by his eaptors, who eut the tops of his ears, letting them hang down. Mrs. Rosanna Aeers is one of the pioneer women of this county, and well remembers when the In- dians were very numerous here. Among her tro- phies of old days slie has some blankets which she wove herself, and which are seventy-two years old. She has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker in the same, as was also her late husband from early hoy- hood to the time of his death.
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