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 38
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 38
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On New Year's Day, 1871, oceurred the mar- riage of E. W. Eastell and Miss Cassie L., daugh- ter of Thomas Bates, of Maumee, Lucas County, Ohio. They have a very pleasant home at No. 1958 Warren Street, and move in the best social circles of the city. Their son and only ehild, Richard T. Eastell, is at college at the University of Michigan.
EORGE H. SPECK. Among the news- paper men of northwestern Ohio, few have a wider acquaintance than the pop- ular cditor and proprietor of the Pemberville Leader. At the time he assumed the management of the paper, the tide of its fortunes was at a very low ebb, but his energy and tact have succeeded in gaining for it a place among the most prosper- ous journals of Wood County. Possessing an in- exhaustible fund of humor, together with a wide range of information upon topics of every nature, he is fitted for the responsible position he holds.
The family to which our subject belongs origin-
ated in Germany, where his great-grandfather, Godfrey Augustus Speck, was born in 1754, and whenee he emigrated to America. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Townsend, was born in September, 1763, and passed away Decein- ber 13, 1815. His death occurred December 24, 1828. Among their eight children was Augustus, our subject's grandfather, who was born in Penn- sylvania, December 13, 1787, and died in Guernsey County, June 12, 1870. His wife, Sarah Reed, was born April 22, 1789, and died August 7, 1875. Their family consisted of eleven children.
On his mother's side, our subject traces his an- cestry to Benjamin Hiskett, a native of Virginia, who died in Belmont County, Ohio. A son of the latter, Norval Valentine Hiskett, our subject's grandfather, was born in Loudoun County, Va., February 15, 1805, and died in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1852. He married Massey Nichol, who was born December 13, 1811, and passed away April 19, 1844.
The father of our subject, Isaac G. Speck, was born near Westchester, Guernsey County, Ohio, April 11, 1832, and is a merchant by occupation. At Cardington, Ohio, June 23, 1853, he married Matilda Ann Hiskett, who was born near Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio. They became the parents of ten children, namely: John F., who was born July 17, 1854; Sarah E., February 16, 1856; Mary V., born June 14,1857, and died July 23, 1857; Eda A., born July 18, 1858; Ira E., July 4, 1860; Ocenie B., January 4, 1862; George H., June 8, 1865; Charles E., May 21, 1867; Clarence C., who was born August 27, 1875, and passed away Sep- tember 12, 1879; and Clive L., whose birth oc- curred December 5, 1880.
In the public schools of Defiance and Green Spring, Ohio, our subject received such education- al advantages as those institutions of learning af- forded. At the age of seventeen years he entered the office of a newspaper at Green Spring, the Times, and though he commenced with the hum- ble position of "devil," he soon worked his way upward, and within two years he was local editor of the paper. In 1885 he became connected with the Greenwich Enterprise, of which he was editor and business manager for a year. In 1887 he went
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to Chicago, and for a year and a-half was em- ployed in a job printing-office. In April, 1889, he came to Pemberville, and became editor of the Leader, of which he has since been in charge. The task of resurrecting the departed fortunes of this paper was not an easy one, but he applied himself to it with ardor, and soon achieved noteworthy sueccss. Besides his regular newspaper work, he has a job printing-office, and turns out a very superior quality of work.
While the Leader is independent in politics, Mr. Speck himself is a stanch advocate of Republican principles, and always casts his ballot for the ean- didates of that party. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and in religious belief is a Methodist. His marriage was solemnized at Lima, Ohio, June 12, 1888, his wife being Miss Cora Ann Smith. They have lost one child by death, and have two sons living, Clayton II. and Claire H.
H ENRY M. BARFIELD, a well known mer- chant tailor of Toledo, is a native of Prussia, Germany, but was only six years of age wlien he crossed the Atlantic with his par- ents to the United States. He has made his home in this city for some years, having started in bus- iness on his own account in 1884, his partner be- ing W. G. Atkin. The firm was known as Bar- field & Atkin up to the death of the junior mem- ber of the firm, which occurred in 1889. His place of business is at No. 314 Madison Street, where he carries a fine and large assortment of cloths, imported and domestic. Mr. Barfield is a master of his trade, and is well qualified by years of practice and experience to fit out his customers in a most satisfactory manner.
The parents of our subject, Charles F. and Han- nah (Kasdorf) Barfield, were natives of Prussia. In 1846 they became residents of Niagara County, N. Y., where the father engaged in farming, and
also worked to a certain extent at his trade of tailoring. In 1866 he brought his family to this city, and here his remaining years were passed. His wife died in 1858, and he survived her until 1876, his death taking place when he was in his sixty-fifth year. His family numbered four sons and one daughter, and all but one of the number are still living.
Henry M. Barfield, the youngest of his father's family, was born in 1846, and was educated in the neighborhood of his father's Niagara County farm. For a few years his principal attention was given to farming, after which he became salesman for the firm of Buck & Bliss, and later was given the posi- tion of cutter in the tailoring-shop of C. II. Buck. Since coming to Toledo he has made rapid strides toward prosperity, and has built up an extensive trade, which is more than local. In his various de- partments of work employment is afforded to up- ward of twenty persons.
Fraternally Mr. Barfield is a Knight Templar and a Scottish Degree Mason. He is a stock- holder and Director in the Industrial Building and Loan Company. Ilis pleasant home at No. 1708 Jefferson Street has as its presiding genius his wife, to whom lie was married in 1869, and who prior to that event bore the name of Charlotte H. Sherman. Her father, Samuel Sherman, was a leading citizen of Toledo, and was formerly a res- ident of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Barfield have had four children: Lillie B., Gertrude W., Harry S. and Carl F. The parents are members of the College Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Barfield is one of the Trustees of the congrega- tion.
OHN STOLLBERG is President and Treas- urer of the Stollberg & Clapp Company, wholesale dealers in hardware, glass, paints, oils and house-furnishing goods. The com- pany was organized in 1890, and has as its other officers Frank Harrison, Vice-President; and C. D.
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Clapp, Secretary. The commodious, well appointed store which is occupied by the concern is at Nos. 603 and 605 Cherry Street, and is 50x90 fect in dimensions. Five floors of the building are used for storage of supplies and for display rooms. The firm employs five salesmen who are kept con- tinually on the road.
John Stollberg was born in this city, January 5, 1856, and is a son of William and Anna (Haller) Stollberg, who were natives of Prussia and Wur- temberg, Germany, respectively. They were mar- ried in the United States, and soon afterward set- tled in Toledo. The father's death occurred in 1885, and that of the mother in 1866. They were the parents of five children, four sons and a daugh- ter, John being the third in order of birth.
Our subject received a public-school education and later attended the German Wallace College and Baldwin University, of Berca, Ohio. On beginning the active duties of life for himself, he obtained a clerkship with Fordyce & Wheeler, of Toledo. Afterward he was in the employ of J. C. Weeber, a hardware merchant, and during the five years spent in that gentleman's service he obtained a practical knowledge of the business. In 1879 he started in the hardware business for himself on Cherry Street, where he continued for a year. The four years following he was associated with H. E. Kuhlman in the same line of trade.
May 29, 1879, Mr. Stollberg married Miss May E., daughter of Jacob Weber, and their union has been blessed with three children, namely: Iola May, Luella Evalina and Stella Irene. The fam- ily are members of the German Methodist Epis- copal Church. Their home is a very pleasant and attractive one at No. 2254 Jerome Street. Mr. Stollberg is a member and Director of the Toledo Builders' Exchange, and President of the Toledo Tin ware Manufacturing Company. He also holds a similar position with The Stollberg Manufactur- ing Company. He is President of the Toledo Macnnerchor, which honorable post he has occu- pied for several terms. A Knight of the Macea- bees, lie belongs to Maumee Tent No. 9, and in the National Union holds membership with Nasby Conneil No. 41. He is also identified with Lodge No. 149, K. of P., Toledo Lodge No. 402, Toledo
Encampment No. 118, and Grand Canton Lucas No. 3, I. O. O. F. In his political belief he is a Republican.
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A BRAM W. COLTON is the President and General Manager of the Lake Erie Trans- portation Company of Toledo. This well known and important concern was organized in 1890, and is one of the flourishing enterprises of this eity. Mr. Colton was one of its original pro- moters, and to his good management inucli of its success is attributable.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Colton was born in Eric County, in November, 1833, his parents being Carlos and Sophia H. (Brigham) Colton. He is the youngest of three children, and passed his early years in Monroe, Mich. His first independ- ent business venture was in 1847, when he became a clerk in a store. In 1849 he came to this city, and soon afterward entered the employ of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, with which he remained for three years, in different branches of the service. He then accepted a position as clerk of a transportation company, and then for several years following was employed by the Wa- bash Railroad. In 1874 he became manager of a steamboat company which owned vessels plying between Toledo and Buffalo. The Lake Erie Transportation Company, which he helped to or- ganize, does an extensive and paying business, and affords merchants along the line direct and rapid service.
In April, 1870, Mr. Colton married Miss Cather- ine Van Horne, of Jersey City. She was born in Jersey City, and was a daughter of John I. Van Horne. Two children, daughters, have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Colton, and are named, re- spectively, Cornelia K. and Olive A. The family residence is at No. 451 West Woodruff Avenue, where a gracious hospitality is always extended to their many friends.
The father of A. W. Colton came to this city
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in 1849, and for a time was connected with a fire and fire-marine insurance business. He died in 1884, in his eighty-fourth year. One of his sons, Hamilton, was a soldier in the late war, and a member of the Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry. Another son, Alpheus F., is a resident of Toledo. Anna, the only daughter, became the wife of H. Daugliadey, now of St. Louis, Mo. In politics Carlos Colton was identified with the Republican party, as is also his son, whose name heads this sketelı.
APT. CHARLES A. ROWSEY, an old and respected citizen of Toledo, has made his home here for forty-three years. For many years he was a prominent builder and con- tractor, and many of the finest residences and public structures in Toledo stand as monuments to his skill and good taste. After having lived a very active and useful life, he is now retired from business, and is quietly passing the days in his pleasant home at No. 1016 Erie Street.
The father of the above-named gentleman, Thomas Rowsey, who was a native of eastern Vir- ginia, and had served as a soldier in the War of 1812, died at the age of sixty-five years in Cin- cinnati. His life occupation was that of farming, in which vocation he was successful. His father, William Rowsey, settled near St. Augustine, Fla., in the last century, and died in King and Queen County, near Richmond, Va., whither he had re- moved before the War of the Revolution. Thomas Rowsey's wife was a Miss Mary Rose, of Virginia, whose father, an Englishman, had emigrated to the Old Dominion at a very early period, and set- tled on a grant of land lying along the James River, in the neighborhood of Lynchburg.
The birth of Charles A. Rowsey occurred near Staunton, Angusta County, Va., August 19, 1813, and until he was twenty years of age he continued
to dwell in his native state, where he received fair educational advantages. In 1830 he went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and, having learned the carpenter's trade in Virginia, he proceeded to devote himself to the business. During 1833 and 1834 he worked as a journeyman all along the Ohio River, and in 1835 commenced taking contracts, carrying on an extensive business for seventeen years. In 1852 le came to this city, and for a number of years his time was busily employed in carrying out the many contracts which fell to his share. He was inspector of the construction of the State Insane Asylum at Toledo, and has always been interested in public affairs.
In September, 1861, Mr. Rowsey raised and en- listed in Company D, Sixty-seventh Ohio Infan- try, of which he was made Captain, serving as such until his resignation. It was commanded by Col. A. C. Vorles, of Akron, Ohio, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in many important battles and skirmislies. The most important battle in which Mr. Rowsey took part was March 19, 1862, the first battle of Winchester, between General Shields and Gen. Stonewall Jack- son. He was mustered out May 27, 1863, and in- mediately returned to his Toledo home and again engaged in business. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, and was originally an old-line Whig. Though he voted for Jackson in 1832 and Van Buren in 1840, he returned to the Whig party, and later voted for Gen. William Henry Harrison for President, with whom he was quite well acquainted. He cast his vote in favor of Lincoln, and afterward voted regularly the Re- publican ticket.
February 9, 1836, Mr. Rowsey wedded Miss Mary Tranor, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who was called from this life November 20, 1889. She was a faithful wife, a devoted mother, and a loyal member of St. Vincent de Sales Catholic Church, to which our subject also belongs. Of the nine children who were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowsey, four have passed away, namely: William, who was a physician, and died in New York, while there for treatment; John A., Marthia R. and Mary T. Those who survive are: Sarah J., who married Thomas A. Foley, now deceased; Emma L., the
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widow of George M. Pulford; Anna E., Mrs. George A. Tracy, of New York City; Helen A., Mrs. A. J. Ryan, also of New York City; and Isa- bel, who married Russell Harding, Superintendent of the Great National Railway of North Dakota.
J OHN V. NEWTON, a well known veterinary surgeon of Toledo, and owner of the Newton Horse Farm, which is located only a mile from the city limits, is a son of Richard and Mary (Van Tassell) Newton, natives of England and Canada, respectively. The father died in 1891, having been preceded to the silent land by his wife, whose death occurred in 1869. They were the parents of ninc children, four sons and five daughters.
Jolin V., the eldest of his parents' family, was born in the county of Hastings, in the province of Ontario, October 19, 1850, and was reared as a farmer's boy. His education was obtained in the common and high schools near his home and at Belleville. On completing his studies lie learned the foundry business, which he followed for five years. Then going to Toronto, he entered the medical college, where he remained one year, after which he took up the study of veterinary surgery, and in 1878 graduated from the Toronto Veterin- ary College. Immediately thereafter he came to this city and opened an office for the practice of his future profession. For many years he has taken a lively interest in the breeding of fine stock, and is connected with the Ohio Live Stock Com- mission, of which he has been surgeon for many years.
Mr. Newton's farm, which comprises about one hundred acres, is in every respect a model one. About twenty acres of the place are devoted to the raising of fine fruit. Commodious and well equipped stables are used for the shelter of the high-grade horses which are always to be found here. Dr. Newton's practice extends to adjoining
counties, and even into neighboring states, his opinion on important cases being highly esteemed and much sought after. Hc is President of the Newton Horse Remedy Company, which was or- ganized in 1882.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr. Newton and Miss Sabra Ketcheson, who was, like her hus- band, born in Canada. Two sons and two daugh- ters have come to bless their hearthstone. The eldest, Edward R., is in Chicago, and the others are in order of birth John C., Sabra and Maude.
In 1894 Mr. Newton was elected County Con- missioner of Lucas County, on the Republican ticket, for a term of three years.
R EYNOLD VOIT is first assistant to the City Clerk of Toledo, having been ap- pointed to that position in 1894. He is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Birmingham, in March, 1852. Wlien he was an iufant of six months, his parents, William and Fannie (Spindler) Voit, brought him to the United States. They settled at Cambridge, Mass., where the lad received a common-sehool education.
On embarking in the actual business of life Reynold Voit entered the glass shops at Cambridge and learned glass engraving and cutting. In June, 1872, he entered the employ of the celebrated Libby Glass Company, and remained with that firm for fifteen years. They regarded him as one of their valued and faithful workers, and retained him in their employ, steadily advancing his salary year by year. In 1887 he came to make his per- manent home in this city, and has since been one of its active and progressive business men.
In 1877 Mr. Voit married Miss Sophia Weisslin- ger, a native of Germany, but who at the time of her marriage was living in Cambridge, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Voit have become the parents of four children, two daughters and two sons: William
JAMES A. YOUNG.
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and Frederick, at home; aud Lillian and Esther, both of whom are deceased.
During the Chicago World's Fair, in the year 1893, Mr. Voit was employed by the Libby Glass Company as manager of the Chicago branch. He was also present at the Centennial Exposition in 1876, being employed by the Gittender & Son Glass Company in a similar capacity. As a public official he is faithful to the interests of his fellow- citizens, and is careful and painstaking in every detail of the duties devolving upon his shoulders. Since becoming a voter he has deposited his ballot in favor of the principles and nominees of the Republican party.
J AMES ANDERSON YOUNG has been mana- ger of the Toledo brauch of the New York Life Insurance Company since April, 1891, his territory covering one-fourth of the state of Ohio. Since his connection with the company, he has greatly increased the volume of their busi- ness in north western Ohio. The New York Life Insurance Company was organized in 1843, and embarked on its successful carcer two years later, and now has the reputation of being one of the stanchest and most reliable companies in the United States.
The birth of James A. Young occurred Decem- ber 1, 1849, in Waveland, Montgomery County, Ind., he being the fifth of eight children, six of whom are living. The parents were John Bryant and Martha Woods (Galey) Young. Jolin B. Young was born in Kentucky, and was a son of Thomas Young, who was of Scotch descent.
The boyhood of James A. Young was passed on his father's farm in Fountain County, Ind., where the family removed when he was four years of age. He received the advantages of a district- school education, and was moreover assisted in his
studies by his father, who was a man of large in- telleetual attainments and had been a teacher for a number of years. At the early age of fifteen years, our subject began teaching in country schools, and was thus occupied during the winter months for several years, at the same time con- tinuing his private studies. He made good prog- ress, and entered the Freshman class of De Pauw University at Greencastle, Ind., at the age of nine- teen.
After one year in college, Mr. Young was made Principal of the Covington (Ind.) schools, in 1871. In 1873 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools for a term of two years. During this time he graded the country schools so effectively, that he was appointed by the State Board of Education to prepare a plan for grading the country schools of the state. His system was adopted by a state convention of County Superintendents in 1875, and has since been in use throughout the state of Indiana.
In 1875 our subject removed to Indianapolis, and two years later entered Butler University as a student, where he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1879, and received the degree of A. M. by examination and thesis in 1880. He was made Tutor in Ancient History immediately after enter- ing Butler University, and held the position until he graduated. He was made Professor of History in that institution in 1880, but resigned the same in 1882, accepting a position with D. Appleton & Co. in their cyclopedia department. Early in 1887 Mr. Young resigned this position and became city agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life In- surance Company in the city of Cleveland, and remained with that company until 1889, when he transferred his allegiance to the New York Life, as superintendent of agents for northern Olno. On the 7th of April, 1891, he located in Toledo as manager for north western Ohio.
In 1892 Mr. Young started an agitation against the wasteful and harmful methods of charity work as done throughout the city of Toledo. He point- ed out the fact that Toledo was almost a paradise for the tramp and professional beggar. So much had the sentiment changed through his efforts, that in 1893 he induced the Humane Society,
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through the Hon. J. M. Brown, the President, to change its articles of incorporation and establish a Department of Associated Charities. The active work of the department did not begin until De- cember of that year; but its efficiency was not sur- passed in the United States during the winter of 1893-94.
It was through Mr. Young's activity and knowl- edge of the system, assisted by his wife, that every department of the associated charity work was organized, and achieved such signal success in one year that it was known throughout the country. The extraordinary relief given that winter to some ten thousand people was the joint work of the Humane Society and a committee of citizens, to whom all possible praise is due. But the system which goes on caring for those that have made a failure of life, lifting them up, rekindling hope and self-respect, putting them in the way of help- ing themselves and stimulating them to renewed effort, is due to our subject's sacrifice of time and personal comfort.
Mr. Young is an active member of the Ohio State Conference of Charities and Correction, and is now President of that body. He is a student of social questions, and is active in all movements that look to the progress of the race, bettering thie condition of the laboring classes, reseuing children from pauperism, clean politieal methods and re- form, and economy in civic administration. He was one of the charter members of the New Chamber of Commerce, and has enthusiastic faitlı in the future of Toledo.
In October, 1887, Mr. Young was married to Miss Marie Le Monde, of Indianapolis, a lady of superior attainments and culture. She is an en- thusiastic student of social and ethical questions, and co-operates with her husband in his studies as well as his benevolent work. They are both mem- bers of the First Congregational Church, and reg- ular attendants at clinrch services.
Mr. Young is a close student, and has done a good deal of literary work for newspapers and magazines, having been admitted to the pages of several of our best magazines, as well as those of the "Edinburgh Review." He is also a member of the Toledo Club, and helped to organize the Round
Table Club, a group of the brightest men in the city, and is active in all its deliberations. Mr. Young is a Republican in politics, and a strong politician, except in local affairs.
H ERMAN H. MOENTER has owned and conducted his homestead on section 33, Troy Township, Wood County, for the past twenty years, it having been deeded to him by his father in 1875. In 1888 he erected very good and substantial farm buildings, and other- wise increased the value of his place to a great ex- tent. In addition to this he owns property in Pemberville, which makes hiim well off. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as Constable of this township.
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