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 43
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 43
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The birth of Dr. Becker oceurred in Frankenau, Germany, in the year 1857. He is the fifth in a family numbering three sons and three daughters born to the Rev. D. and Fredericka (Bingell) Becker. The father was a minister in the Lutheran Church, and devoted the greater part of his life to his sacred calling.
Dr. Beeker received fine educational advantages in the excellent schools of his native land, and took the degree of Master of Arts at Fulda. He then took up the study of medicine, attending colleges in Marburg, Germany, and Zurich, Switzer-
land, finally graduating in 1882 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For four years he was engaged in practice in Switzerland, and then, in 1886, set sail for the United States, and by way of New York City eame direet to Toledo, where lie at onee embarked in general practice, and now has a large and growing clientage.
The home of Dr. Becker is at No. 603 Oakwood Avenue. The lady who presides over its hospitable board with womanly grace was formerly Miss Mary Kroeger, late of Hamburg, Germany. She is a daughter of the late Imperial Austrian Consul, Charles Kroeger-Ebole, at that eity. The marriage of the Doetor and wife took place in December, 1885, in Germany. They have one son, who bears the name of Curt H. C.
Since becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States, Dr. Beeker has given his allegianee to the Demoeratie party, and never fails in the diselarge of his duties as a eitizen, being interested in whatever promises to advanee the prosperity of this eity and country.
F RWIN P. RAYMOND, who is an attorney- at-law in Toledo, and a well known mem- ber of the profession, has served in several public eapaeities, having been a member of the City Council, a member of the Police Board, and for two years City Solicitor. For the past twelve years he has been one of the Trustees of the Pub- lic Library. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.
The parents of the above-named gentleman are Paul and Harriet (Southworthi) Raymond. (See the former's history, which appears elsewhere in this work.) Paul Raymond, who is a native of New Hampshire, has been for many years a sue- cessful merchant, and is also a prominent real-es- tate dealer of this eity. His wife was born in eastern New York, and by her marriage has be-
JACOB FOLGER.
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come the mother of five children, of whom our subjeet is the eldest.
Erwin P. Raymond was born in Adrian, Lena- wee County, Mich., March 9, 1845, and with his parents eame to this eity in 1866. His first steps in the direction of obtaining an education were taken in the public schools of Toledo. Later he entered the high school, where he took a special course. Having determined to enter the legal profession, he next attended the State University of Michigan, and was graduated from the law de- partment in 1871. He passed the required exami- nations before the Supreme Court of Ohio, and was admitted to the Lucas County Bar. On com- mencing his active practice he associated with himself Charles Dodge, the firm being known as Dodge & Raymond. After a long and successful business connection the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, at the end of twelve years, and since that time Mr. Raymond has conducted his general law practice alone.
In October, 1875, a marriage ceremony was per- formed by which Miss Margaret L. Johnson, of Toledo, became the wife of Erwin P. Raymond. The lady, who is a daughter of Ferdinand John- son, is a native of Toledo. Three children have been born to her and her husband, a son and two daughters, Harriet B., Horton J. and Clara P.
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J ACOB FOLGER. The annals of poor boys who have become wealthy men are to be found everywhere in America, and nowhere more than in the thriving cities of Ohio. It is not alone to the native-born that this good for- tune has come, but many who have emigrated from the older countries of Europe (where generations of hardship and poverty have disheartened the people) have found in the New World the pros- perity which they could not have attained at home.
It is the life record of such a one that we now present. Mr. Folger, who is a wholesale dealer in
fresh and salt meats, and is the principal pork- packer of Toledo, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 6, 1844, and is the son of Jolin and Cather- ine Folger, being the youngest of their seven chil- dren who lived to years of maturity. At the age of six years he entered the public schools of his native land, where he continued until thirteen years of age, meantime gaining a practical educa- tion in his native language.
When in his thirteenth year Mr. Folger sailed for the United States, and after a voyage of seven weeks he landed in New York City, where he spent three years with a brother, the proprietor of a meat-market in that eity. In 1860 he came to Toledo, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Gotleib Stahal, the proprietor of a meat-market, re- maining with that gentleman for three years. In 1864 he embarked in business for himself, forming a partnership with Benjamin Emch, under the firm name of Folger & Emch. He has since conducted an increasing business, and is now recognized as the principal packer of the city. His slaughter houses are located near Toledo, while his whole- sale and retail house is on St. Clair Street. The former is well equipped with steam power and with all the latest appliances for the business. Owing to the strong competition in the sale of dressed beef, he gives his attention now principally to the slaughtering and packing of pork, and also manu- factures sausage and lard upon an extensive scale.
The salting and smoking of the meats are done at the business house, Nos. 9 and 11 St. Clair Street, a building especially fitted up for the business. For some years Mr. Folger has been the sole pro- prietor of the concern, and his remarkable success has won for him a foremost place among the busi- ness men of Toledo. In addition to a large local trade, he sells to jobbers of meats at different points in Ohio and other states.
Turning our attention from the business to the domestie history of Mr. Folger, we find that he occupies a pleasant residence on Cherry Street, in one of the best neighborhoods in the city. His attractive home is presided over with grace and an unfailing hospitality by his accomplished wife, with whom he was united in marriage in 1864. She bore the maiden name of Mary Emeh and is a
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daughter of Benjamin Emch, the former partner of Mr. Folger. She was horn in Wood County, Ohio, and there grew to womanhood, receiving such advantages as the schools of that county af- forded. Her family consists of three sons and four daughters, to whom have been given the best educational advantages, and who are fitted for po- sitions of influence in society and the business world.
Mr. Folger is loyal to the interests of his adopt- ed country, and believing that protection will best promote the success of home industries, he favors the Republican platform and principles. He has held the office of President of Forest Cemetery, and also served one term as a member of the City Couneil. He began in business with lunited means, but by energy, taet and close attention to details, he has accumulated valuable property.
BENEZER DONALDSON, one of the hon- ored and respected pioneer residents of Grand Rapids, Wood County, is a native of this state, and was born September 8, 1826, in Perry County. He was the second child in the family of four born to James and Anna (Peugh) Donaldson. The former was born May 6, 1803, in Washington County, Pa., and was reared on a farm. He attended the common schools of his home loeality until 1818, when he removed with his parents to Perry County, Ohio, remaining there until 1830. The family then came to Wood County, and located on Government land on Bea- ver Creek, about two miles from Grand Rapids. The only other family living near this place at the time was that of Alexander Brown, who settled there in 1828.
'The Indians were numerous when the family first took up their quarters in this part of Ohio,
and, as may be supposed, the country was in a very uncultivated state, but by unceasing industry and perseverance Mr. Donaldson cleared and cultivated a portion of the land he had taken up, and re- mained upon it until some time in 1837. Having disposed of his property about this time, he pur- chased another farm in the same township, and re- moved his family there. He made his home on this latter farm until 1872, when he came to Grand Rapids. Here he followed the occupation of a teamster and mail-carrier until his death, which occurred in March, 1886, of Bright's disease. He was a strong Republican in politics, and served his township as Trustee for a number of years.
The grandfather of our subjeet was born in 1775, and when a mere boy served in Shays' Re- bellion. The family dates back in America to Jacob Donaldson, who was born in Seotland and came to America in 1730. He settled in eastern Pennsylvania, but was killed by the Indians be- fore the Revolutionary War, probably in the French and Indian War. He had three daughters and one son. The latter, Isaac Donaldson, mar- ried Martha Reynolds in 1769, and in a few years removed with his growing family to Indiana County, Pa., took up a tract of Government land, and entered vigorously upon its improvement. While living there, in company with a Mr. Barn- hill, he was returning from a visit to a neighbor, when they were pursued by Indians, and Mr. Barnhill was captured. Mr. Donaldson outran the Indians, but was shot by an Indian lying under the fence not far from the house, and was sealped and tomahawked.
The inother of our subject was born June 11, 1804. She was a native of Virginia, and in 1805 came with her parents to Perry County, Ohio, where they were among the first white settlers. Both of her grandfathers participated in the In- dian Wars. She was of Welsh-Irish ancestry, but her parents were natives of America.
Ebenezer Donaldson, or "Squire" Donaldson, as he is familiarly called, was but four years of age when he came with his parents to this county. He remained at home until of age, spending his boy- hood days assisting his father on the farm, and attending the common sehools in the old log school-
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house. He remembers many incidents of those early pioneer days, and relates them to the great interest of the young people of his acquaintance. When about twenty-three years of age he moved to a farm given to him by his father, in Weston Township, where he set up housekeeping soon after liis marriage. In 1854 he sold out and bought another place in Washington Township, and im- mediately took possession of liis new home, re- maining there until 1873.
During the late Civil War Mr. Donaldson served his country faithfully for three years. On the 18th of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteers, en- listing as a private. He was soon promoted, how- ever, to the office of Sergeant, and saw a great deal of hard service in those three years, partici- pating in a number of engagements. He was cap- tured by Morgan in Tennessee in 1862, but was paroled and kept at Camp Wallace, at Columbus, until March, 1863, when he rejoined his regiment at Murfreesboro. He marehed with it from Chiat- tanooga to Atlanta. He was in Hospitals No. 8 and 19 in Nashville for about one year, and at the expiration of his service, or September 18, 1864, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his old home, taking up his work where he had laid it down at the eall of his country.
After returning from the war Mr. Donaldson continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 1873, when he sold out his farm and removed to Grand Rapids, where he lias sinee made his home. Since coming to this city he has filled various of- fices of honor and trust. He has held the respon- sible position of Postmaster of the eity for a num- ber of years, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace. He is also engaged in the insurance busi- ness in this city in the interest of the Phoenix In- surance Company.
September 20, 1849, Mr. Donaldson married Miss Ann C. Dubbs, of Wood County, and six children have been born to the worthy couple: Mary E., who is the wife of William A. Watson, a farmer of this township; Stella, now Mrs. Paul B. Palmer, of Toledo; Florence, who married David Richards, of this eounty; Olive, a very prominent teacher of Latin in the Smead Private School at
Toledo; Carrie, the wife of W. W. Edwards, a banker, of Leipsic, Ohio; and Alexander J., a farmer in Henry County, this state. Florence has quite a reputation as a temperanee lecturer, hav- ing delivered lectures all over the country, and at one time she spent two months in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, where she lectured every evening to crowded houses on that all-important theme.
Politically our worthy subject is a staneh Re- publiean, who lias always taken a deep interest in local politics. He is a man of good moral eharae- ter, is highly respected and has the confidenee of the entire community. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Church.
J OHN C. JONES was born near Loek, Knox County, Ohio, April 9, 1857, and was a son of Basil and Isabel (Evans) Jones. When he was a year and a-half old his mother died, and he went to live with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Evans, of Lieking County, Ohio, where he remained until five years of age, wlien, his father having remarried, he went to live with him.
At the age of seventeen Mr. Jones began teacli- ing school in the winter and attending school in the spring and fall, until June 3, 1881, when he graduated from the normal school at Utica, Ohio. He continued to teach in Lieking County until the fall of 1886, when he took charge of the publie schools of Sylvania, Lucas County, this state, where he remained for five years. Then, becoming tired of teaelling, lie turned liis attention to the study of law, registering with Hon. J. K. Hamilton and the late J. D. Ford at Toledo, Ohio. October 5, 1892, he passed a successful examination before the Supreme Court of Ohio, and was admitted to the practice of law. He at once took an office with
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L. W. Morris, and after the latter was clected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas he became associated with George B. Boone. He takes quite an active interest in matters of education, and is a inember of the County Board of School Examiners. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, and is the present Commander of Enterprise Tent No. 138, at Sylvania, Ohio.
December 24, 1885, Mr. Jones was married to Addie M., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Harris, of St. Louisville, Ohio. Four children have been the result of this union, namely: Waite D., born Oc- tober 19, 1886; Bernice, born September 20, 1889, and who died December 9, 1891; Bessie, born Oc- tober 21, 1891; and Lucile, born December 14, 1893. Mrs. Jones is a lady of good education and social attaininents, and is a member of the Con- gregational Church.
In politics Mr. Jones is identified with the Re- publican party. He and his wife took a four- years course of reading and study as members of the Chautauqua Circle, belonging to the Class of '89. Mr. Jones' present address is Sylvania, Ohio.
APT. JOHN H. FISHER, another of the old pioneer settlers and prominent farmers of Wood County, resides on section 8, Weston Township. He was born December 17, 1818, in Orleans County, N. Y., being the fourth child in the family of nine born unto Peter and Lydia (Oakley) Fisher. The father, who was also a native of the Empire State, was born in 1777. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that calling all his life, the greater part of the time in New York. Late in life, however, he removed to Michigan, and settled in Oakland County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was called to the land beyond April 7, 1866, in the eighty- eighth year of his age. The mother of our sub-
ject was born in 1798, and passed away June 6, 1880. Her parents were Virginians by birth, and her father was an officer in the Revolutionary War.
John H. Fisher, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and remained at home with his parents until he was fifteen years old. He was first employed as a teamster on the Erie Canal, and followed that calling for about two years, after which he engaged in the canal business between Cleveland and Portsmouth, and remained there for about three years. In the spring of 1843 he gave up his position, and, going to Toledo, worked on the canal at that place for three years. After this he became captain of a boat on the canal, and held that position for twelve years, and by his pleasant, genial disposition gained many friends during that time. Becoming tired, however, of the life of a sailor, he gave up the vocation and came to Wood County, where he purchased some land and settled down to the life of a farmer. He now owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of land in this and Henry County (a portion of which adjoins the city of Grand Rapids) and has a beautiful home on the banks of the Maumee River, where he is sur- rounded by all the comforts and many of the lux- uries of life. For a number of ycars he owned and operated a sawmill, and was very successful in all his business transactions, but what he has he lias earned by his own industrious habits and his energy. He is known all over the county as "Captain" Fisher, and is honored and respected as an honest, upright gentleman and worthy old pioneer.
January 27, 1848, Captain Fisher and Miss Char- lotta, daugliter of William and Bridget (Boyle) Groober, were united in marriage. Her father was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., where the family had lived for some generations, and where he was reared and learned the tanner's trade. After having come to the years of maturity, he came to Ohio and located near Wooster, where he remained two years, after which he removed to this county and settled on a farm where the city of Grand Rapids now stands. Here he engaged in farming, and continued to follow that occupa- tion until his death, which occurred at the age of
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JASPER P. COLLINS.
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seventy-two years. Mrs. Fisher's maternal grand- · parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, but her mother was born in Pennsylvania, April 20, 1809, and her death occurred here June 30, 1888.
Two children have blessed the union of Captain and Mrs. Fisher. William, born August 20, 1849, died in infancy. Frances Lillian, who was born August 15, 1850, married Alexander Williamson, and resides in Bowling Green, Ohio. They are the parents of four children: Grace Lillian, who married, December 25, 1894, William Hutchinson, of Waterville; Alma Gertrude, who married, June 28, 1893, George F. Hosbury, of Toledo; and Mabel Charlotte and Jolin, who are at home.
Mr. Fisher is a stanch Republican in his politi- cal views, but has never aspired to political hon- ors, although taking a deep interest in local affairs and every enterprise pertaining to the growth and welfare of the community in which he lives. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Grand Rapids.
ASPER P. COLLINS. In compiling a vol- ume dedicated to the successful business men of Toledo, conspicuous mention belongs to the subject of this notice, who is now en- gaged in the real-estate and loan business, being . the owner of extensive real-estate interests in the western part of the city. The nobility of charac- ter he has ever displayed, and the wisdom govern- ing his conduet, have inspired unbounded confi- denee in his disposition and honor on the part of his friends, and his acquaintances eoneede to lim abilities of the highest order, unimpeachable in- tegrity and inflexible firmness of purpose.
A native of New York, Mr. Collins was born in Brownsville, Jefferson County, October 1, 1834, being the son of John W. and Sarah (Peck) Col-
lins, also natives of the Empire State. His father came to Toledo in 1834, and here continued to re- side until his death in 1884, at the age of eiglity- three years. In connection with his brother, San- ford L., he embarked in the hotel business at Tremainsville (now within the city limits of To- ledo), which they continued for a short time, at the same time carrying on a general store aeross the street from the hotel. They dealt largely with the Indians and early settlers.
After completing a thorough education, Mr. Collins at first embarked in farming, but later made a specialty of dairying. For years he was thus engaged, during which time he furnished sev- eral of the leading hotels of Toledo with milk. He originated a process of cooling the milk so that the animal heat was taken out of it, thus render- ing it possible to make a delivery only onee a day, instead of twice, as before. In 1892, having gained a handsome competence through his energetic ef- forts, he retired from the dairy business, and now devotes his attention to the oversight of his real- estate and money-loaning interests. He was in- strumental in the donation of twenty aeres of ground upon which the Jewel Sewing Machine Company located, the plant being now enlarged and occupied by the Lozier Bicycle Company.
In the fall of 1857 Mr. Collins was united in marriage with Miss Miriam Aekley, of Cleveland, Ohio, who died in 1868, leaving two daughters. Jennie S., the elder of the two, is the wife of F. I. King, of Toledo; and Julia A., the younger, is the wife of Peter C. Storr, of St. Paul, Minn. The pres- ent wife of Mr. Collins, whom he married in 1871, was Miss Mary F. Blinn, a native of Perrysburg, Ohio. Her parents, Judge Nathaniel D. and Maria (Parker) Blinn, were natives, respectively, of Dover Corners, Ohio, and Massachusetts. Her paternal grandfather was a pioneer of Cleveland, and as- sisted in building the macadamized road between Sandusky and Perrysburg, this state. Mrs. Collins is a refined and eultured lady, and stands high in the best society of Toledo. Her home at No. 3403 Detroit Avenue is a pleasant one, and it is her particular enjoyment to throw wide open its doors for the entertainment of her many friends. By her marriage with Mr. Collins she has become the
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mother of a son, Ralph B., a promising young man, and at present a student in the Toledo schools.
Socially Mr. Collins is a member of the Masonic order, having attained the degree of Knight Tem- plar. In politics he has always been a stanchi Re- publiean.
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D ANIEL A. BROWN, a retired business man and well known citizen of Toledo, is a native of New England, having been born in Orleans County, Vt., on the 7th of May, 1828. His parents were Ammi and Sara (Miltimore) Brown, the father a native of Winchendon, Mass., and the mother of New Hampshire. They came to Ohio and located in Toledo, where they remained until the time of their death, the father passing away in that city at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother at the age of eighty-five years.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketeli re- mained in the home of his birth until he was eight- een years of age. Ile attended the public schools and received a fair education, which he has made good use of in his business career. In 1846 he started out in life for himself,: first going to Brights, now included in Boston, Mass., where he engaged in the stock business, buying and ship- ping stock. This venture proved a success, and he continued to carry on the business until 1851, when he decided to go West and "grow up with the country." He made his way to Cleveland, Ohio, and again embarked in the same vocation. He remained in that city about three years, and then removed to Toledo, where he formed a part- nership will Stillman Brown, a cousin, and con- ducted the same business which he had followed in Boston and Cleveland. In 1859 this firm took charge of the Toledo Stock Yards, doing an in- mense business, slaughtering one thousand hogs a day, and at the same time carrying on an extensive packing trade. In ten years' time the partners had
accumulated a comfortable fortune and retired from that business, our subject at present being engaged in looking after his real-estate interests.
Mr. Brown was married, in 1862, to Miss Amnelia Fisher, a native of Wooster, Ohio, and an estima- ble lady, who is highly esteemed for her many lady-like qualities and her generosity. She has become the mother of five children, one son and four daughters, as follows: Alma C., the wife of C. E. Russell; Belle, now Mrs. A. M. Chesbrough, who resides in Toledo; Daniel A., Jr .; Mary A. and Henrietta W. The family occupy a high posi- tion in the social circles of Toledo, and their beau- tiful residence, No. 651 Miami Strect, is a large brick dwelling, which, with its pretty surround- ings, presents an attractive appearance.
Politically Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and has always supported the nominees of that party with his influence and ballot. . Fraternally lie is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons, and is iden- tified with Rubicon Lodge.
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