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 44
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 44
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EORGE ZELLER, a prominent stone eon- tractor and builder of Maumee, is a na- tive of Ohio. He was born January 24, 1855, in Manmee, and is the eldest in a family of six children born to Leo and Mary (Stewart) Zeller. His parents were both natives of Germany, the former born March 14, 1826, and the latter in 1830. Leo Zeller was reared and educated in his native land, and in his youth learned the tanner's trade. After coming to this country he engaged in the same oceupation, and continued in the busi- ness until his death, which occurred March 14, 1877. The mother passed away June 1, 1889, at the age of fifty-nine years. Both were exemplary members of the Catholic Church, and were highly esteemed by their many friends and neighbors.
The subject of this sketch remained at home
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with his parents, and attended the public schools of Maumee. After leaving school at an early age he learned the tanner's trade. He worked at ditching about two summers, but spent the winter months at his trade in Maumee. He also specu- lated in wood and timber for a time, and was suc- cessful. Determined to try something else whereby he might still further better his financial condi- tion, in 1877 he purchased a canal-boat, with which he went into business for himself. He also became interested in a stone quarry at Water- ville, Ohio, and was soon enjoying a large and lu- crative trade in that line. He started out on a small scale, but increased his facilities for business as his trade increased, and at the present time is doing an extensive business in crushed stone for building roads. He is a first-class business man, and has the respect and confidence of the entire community.
On the 24th of June, 1888, Mr. Zeller was mar- ried to Miss Minnie Kesler, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a lovely little daughter, Mary, born June 9, 1891. Mr. Zeller is a stanch Democrat in his political views, and takes a great interest in local politics. He is an active worker in his party, but has never as- pired to public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being identified with Perrysburg Lodge No. 554.
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J OHN R. HIGHT is the owner of a good home- stead of thirty acres, which is situated on section 12, Swan Creek Township, Fulton County, Ohio. Here he has made his home for the past twenty-two years, prior to which time he lived for thirty-one years in Providence Town- ship, Lucas County. Both he and his father were pioneers in Ohio, their first home in the Buckeye
State having been in Wayne County, where they lived for a period of nine years. In 1842 Mr. Hight came to this portion of the state, with whose upbuilding he has ever since been actively con- cerned.
The parents of John R. were George and Eve (Rickel) Hight, natives of Bedford County, Pa., and Maryland, respectively. The former was a distiller for some sixteen years, but was obliged to give up the business on account of his health. He was a man of temperate habits, and was never known to touch liquor in any form. In 1835 he emigrated to Olio and leased land in Wayne County. In 1842 he sold his lease and, going to Lucas County, located on a forty-acre tract of timber-land in Providence Township. He cleared thirty acres of the tract, which he sold in 1853. The proceeds he invested in an eighty-acre farm in Pulaski County, Ind., where he continued to re- side until his death.
The family of George and Eve Hight numbered six children, of whom Jolin R. is the eldest. The next younger, Sophia M., married Henry Byers, of Lucas County, and has four children. William is a carpenter by trade. Ellen is a resident of In- diana. Jesse died in the army, while at Memphis, Tenn .; and George, who married Kate Capis, was also a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, and was wounded five times while defending the Old Flag.
Jolın R. Hight was born October 24, 1820, in Bedford County, Pa., and continued to dwell un- der the parental roof until he reached his majority, when he started out to make his own living inde- pendently, and worked at various occupations for two years. He then came to the Maumee Valley and, obtaining a school, engaged in teaching at Monclova for two terms. Later he taught several terms in Providence Township, After his mar- riage he turned his attention to agricultural affairs, conducting a rented farm for some time. He then learned the carpeuter's trade, which he followed more or less until October, 1861, at which time he enlisted in the Civil War in Company H, Sixty- eighth Ohio Infantry. Going to Camp Chiase, he was drilled for three weeks, and then was sent by boat to Kentucky, and from there to Ft. Heury. He was in the battle of Shiloh, and at Pittsburg
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Landing was wounded by a tree falling upon him. Ile was taken to the hospital at Camp Dennison, where he remained for two weeks, being then granted a furlough, after which he reported at Camp Chase, and was given an honorable discharge from the service. Returning home, he spent the next fifteen years in Providenee Township, and on selling out his interests there, came to this county and bought eighty acres of land, on which there were no improvements. The place now bears little resemblance to its former condition, every- thing being kept up in a thrifty manner.
Mr. Hight is a strong Republican, and fraternally is a member of Philip IIendricks Post No. 201, G. A. R., of Colton, Ohio. He belongs to Lodge No. 409, I. O. O. F., of Texas, Ohio, and is eon- nected with several other lodges. He has assisted in laying out and keeping in good order the high- ways in the vicinity of his home, and is always actively interested in whatever tends to the publie weal.
On the 4th of July, 1851, John R. Hight married Eliza J., widow of George Harris, and daughter of James and Catherine (King) Donahue. The for- mer died in 1850, but the latter lived until 1893. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Hight is the eldest. James is a resident of Henry County, Ohio. Catherine, who inarried Al Hancock, February 10, 1892, has three children and is a resident of Lueas County. William mar- ried Harriet Morgan, by whom he has five chil- dren. Mary wedded T. B. Pinkerton, a teacher of Waterville. David, a resident of Columbus, mar- ried Sarah Murray. Thomas died in the battle of the Wilderness, at the age of twenty-one years. Theopholis, of Indiana, married Louise Tavey; and Barbara married James Murray, a carpenter.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hight was blessed with five children, all sons. James T., born April 7, 1853, is an engineer in Illinois. He married Emily Warren, by whom he has seven eliildren. William G., whose birth occurred August 7, 1855, is a earpenter by trade, and is now in Toledo. He married Amelia Smith, who has borne him two children. John Charles, who lives in this eounty, and is engaged in a successful business enterprise, was born November 11, 1859. He married Emma
Britton, and has one child. Ulysses S., born June 1, 1862, married Cora Miller, and is an agrieultur- ist of Fulton County, Ohio. Thomas J., born April 8. 1870, is unmarried and lives at home.
R EV. FELIX S. MOTULEWSKI, pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church of Toledo, is a native of Russian Poland, and was born on the 2d of January, 1868. He spent the first twenty years of his life in his native land, and until nineteen years of age was a pupil in the publie sehools, after which he entered the gymnasium at Suvalki, a town of Poland, and on leaving there entered the theological seminary at Sejny, which is also in Poland. The follow- ing year, after leaving the latter institution, he emigrated to America, landing in the eity of New York July 4, 1890. Thenee he made his way to Cleveland, and entering St. Mary's Theologieal Seminary, was a student there one year.
Joseph Motulewski, the father of our subject, was a dealer in lime and eement in Poland, and still makes that country his home. He was mar- ried to Mary Dombroski, who was also born in Po- land, and who became the mother of eight children.
The original of this sketeh was ordained a priest at Cleveland in 1891, and for one year acted as assistant pastor of St. Stanislaus Church of that eity. At the expiration of that time he was sent to Berca, Ohio, where he was given charge of St. Albert's Church, and remained until 1893, the year of his coming to Toledo. Since locating here he has finished the fine brick and stone edifiee which was begun some time before, and which is now one of the finest churches in the city. It is centrally located, on one of the most desirable sites in Toledo, and eost when completed $100,000. It is of a modern style of architecture, handsomely finished and furnished, and has a seating capacity
F. S. MOTULEWSKI.
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ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, TOLEDO, OHIO.
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of seventeen linndred. The congregation num- bers eight hundred families, making a membership of almost five thousand.
Father Motulewski also has charge of the large parochial seliool, numbering four hundred and sixty pupils, and which is presided over by six sis- ters and one lay teaelier, who are thoroughly qualified for the work which is before tliein in ed- ueating the children. Although young in years, Father Motulewski's fine edueation has in every way qualified him to assume the duties of the important position which he holds, and the rapid increase in the membership of the chureli shows with what success his efforts have been crowned. He is loved and looked up to by all his families, and is a de- vout worker in the Church of Rome, conseien- tiously living up to what he believes to he right.
J OHN WILSON, an influential resident of Providenee Township, Lucas County, is a native of Scotland, but has made his home in the United States for a quarter of a een- tury. He is an active Republican in polities, and sinee 1878 has been Township Treasurer. His farm is situated on section 22, and is improved with commodious and substantial buildings. In 1893 he ereeted a new brick house at a cost of $2,500, and some five years previous put up a fine large barn. He carries on general farming, and as a stock-raiser has been particularly successful. He keeps a good grade of horses, and raises many sheep and Poland-China hogs.
A son of David and Agnes (Pierson) Wilson, our subject was born November 22, 1845, in Scot- Jand. His father died in Scotland, the land of his birth, at the age of seventy-two years, and the motlier also spent her entire life in that coun- try. David Wilson was one of seven children,
who have all passed to the home beyond. To himself and wife were born nine children: Thomas, who died in childhood; Jane; John, whose name heads this sketell; Archibald, who married a Miss Wilson and has four children; David; Robert, formerly of Minnesota, but who died in 1888; Agnes, who married Robert Kelly, an engineer in Seotland, and has two children; James; and Helen, who became the wife of William Harvey, who died in 1883. Mrs. Harvey is now living in Toronto, Canada.
The first- thirty years of the life of John Wilson were spent in his native land, where he received good educational advantages. In 1870 he emi- grated to America, and after fourteen days on the ocean landed in New York City, July 20. He was without means, but was willing to accept whatever business offered whereby he might gain an honest livelihood. For five years he worked on a farm in New York State, and during this time managed to save from his earnings $1,184. While engaged in hauling logs in 1872 he met with an accident, one of his legs being broken, and he was eonfined to his bed for some time. In 1875 lie went to Saginaw, Mich., and worked in the pine woods for one season, and the next spring he came to the Buckeye State. Obtaining work at the infirmary at Napoleon, he remained there for a year, and in 1876 he bought forty aeres of land, four years later purchasing forty aeres more.
The marriage of John Wilson took place in Henry County, this state, February 27, 1877, Miss Emma B. Strayer becoming his wife. She was born September 1, 1850, and is one of the eight chil- dren of Henry and Barbara (Ness) Strayer, the former of whom died February 11, 1878. Her brothers and sisters are as follows: Susan, who married Ben Cole, by whom she had one ehild; Catherine, Mrs. Henry Keeler, of this township; Jacob; John, who married Sophia Benson, and has six children; Mary E. and Daniel N., who are de- eeased; and Abraham L., of Henry County, whose wife was formerly Sarah Jaybird. Mrs. Susan Cole died in 1861, and her husband's death oe- eurred while he was in the Union serviee during the late war. To Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson has been born one son, John D., the date of his birth
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being April 29, 1883. The family have many sin- cere friends among their neighbors and acquaint- ances and are justly esteemed for their sterling worth.
EWIS E. WEBB, the efficient Principal of the graded schools at Grand Rapids, but who resides in Maumce, was born March 4, 1860, in Perrysburg, this state, and is the young- est child born to the union of John and Mary (Jones) Webb. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, upon the banks of the Susquehanna River, and resided with his parents near Wyoming at the time of the terrible massacre by the Indians at that place. Immedi- ately after that horrible tragedy his parents re- moved to Berks County, Pa., and shortly after their arrival in that county the grandfather went to Reading, which was the county seat, and learned the hatter's trade. In February, 1794, he was married, and with his young wife went to New York City, where he engaged in the manufacture of hats. The family occupied a small house on Madison Lane, and he used one room for his fac- tory, doing the work lumself and selling his prod- ucts at retail.
In this same little building, on the 27th of Au- gust, 1795, John Webb, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was born, and six months afterward the fam- ily removed to Hagerstown, Md. For two years Mr. Webb engaged in the occupation of a latter in that city, and then returned to his native state aud located in Lewistown. He remained in this place only one year, however, and then journeyed to Mifflinburg, and again engaged at his old trade. John, Jr., having by this time attained the age of sixteen years, decided to follow the occupation of his father, and consequently learned the hatter's trade with that worthy gentleman. In 1814 the family again made a change in their place of resi-
dence, this time going farther west, and settling in Canton, Ohio, where the father and son worked together at their trade, without, however, any un- derstanding between them as to the division of the proceeds of their labor.
In 1820 John Webh, Jr., took a trip east to Union, Pa., and on the 8th of March of the fol- lowing year married Miss Elizabeth Charles. Im- mediately after the ceremony, he returned with his young wife to Canton, Ohio, and entered into a formal partnership with his father. They con- tinued to carry on the manufacture of hats until the 1st of November, 1822, when the partnership was dissolved, and our subject's father, with his wife and son Charles, then an infant, started for Perrysburg, Ohio, arriving at their destination on the 6th of the same month, after passing through many difficulties en route. They first went with the household goods by wagon to Portland (now Sandusky City), expecting to take a boat there for the Maumee River, but, finding none, they were compelled to take passage on a horse-boat (or mud-scow) to Lower Sandusky, leaving their goods to be shipped at the first opportunity. Ar- riving in Lower Sandusky, or Fremont, as it is now called, by previous arrangement they met Thomas Webb, a brother, and Thomas R. Mc- Knight, a brother-in-law of Mr. Webb, with two horses and a side-saddle. Mr. McKnight and Mrs. Webb, with the baby, rode the horses, while Mr. Webb, his little brother, and a man by the name of Hawley, who had been waiting for company through the swamps, followed on foot. They fol- lowed the Sandusky River for about two miles, and then took a well beaten trail for the West, ar- riving on the night of the first day at the crossing of the Portage River, now called Elmore, the only place where the river had a rock bottom and could be forded. The next day they came throughi to Perrysburg, striking the river about one and one- half miles below the town. At that time no wagon had ever traveled through the swamps, and Per- rysburg was uninhabited except by beasts and birds of the forest.
After leaving Lower Sandusky, the solitary trav- elers discovered no habitation until they reached the crossing at what is now Elmore, where they
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found one lone log cabin, in which the wayfarer might find food and shelter for the night, it being impossible to travel from Lower Sandusky to the Maumee River in one day. The next dwelling was at the end of their journey, and was owned and occupied by Victor Jenison and his family. It was situated on the south bank of the Maumec River, just below the present site of Perrysburg. Mr. Jenison made a little clearing about his cabin, and cultivated a small tract of bottom land, which had probably been formed by the alluvium of the river, and had never been grown over with tim- ber. At that time he was supposed to be a "squat- ter," and was soon after compelled to buy of a non-resident in order to secure a title. The town of Perrysburg had been surveyed and platted by the Government in 1817, five years prior to Mr. Webb's arrival, but at that time there was no one living on it, and no portion was cleared excepting lot No. 144, now occupied by the residence of the late Francis Hollenbeck, who was one of the first settlers of the town and a warm friend of Mr. Webb. The logs made from this timber were used by Mr. MeKnight in erecting a dwelling for himself and family.
Mr. Webb and his family took up their head- quarters. in a frame building at the head of the bayou, near the extension of West Boundary Street (then called Givens' Lanc), thus becoming the first settlers of Perrysburg. Messrs. MeKnight, Aurora and Samuel Spofford, Jacob and James Wilkison, Mrs. Owens, and one other person, with their families, resided at Orleans, a village located on the flats at the foot of Ft. Meigs Hill. Mr. Webb assisted his brother-in-law in erecting liis log house on lot No. 144, carrying up one corner, and "chinking and daubing" the structure. The latter took possession of hus new home in the fol- lowing spring, or in 1823. Perrysburg was the county seat at the time, and Mr. Mcknight was chosen Clerk, but the first few terms of eourt were held in Maumee, there being no house in Perrys- burg in which it could be held. Subsequently three or four terms were held at Orleans, in a warehouse belonging to a Mr. Hollister. This gentleman was a resident of Mauice at the time, but owned the building and occupied the ground-
floor as a storeroom. Soon after his arrival Mr. Webb fitted up a shop in the basement of his dwelling for the manufacture of hats, but did not commence working at his trade until the year 1824, being unable to procure the nceessary tools. He manufactured the first hats which were ever made in thic Maumee Valley, the only other es- tablishment of the kind in the West at that time being situated at Detroit, Mich. He bought some land on the north side of what is now known as Front Street, extending to the river, and at once erccted a log building to be used as a factory, the basement of which is still plainly diseernible upon the river bank. He commenced business in this building in 1824, and by hard work, industry and frugality was enabled to save enough from the proceeds of his labor to pay for the land which he had previously purchased, and the lot on which he built the residence in which he passed his last days.
Mr. Webb was elected Sheriff of Wood County in 1826, and was re-elected in 1828. In May, 1831, he was appointed County Clerk, and con- tinued in office eleven years. He was then suc- ceeded by Joseph Utley, who immediately ap- pointed him Deputy, and he served under that worthy gentleman until the expiration of the term. He was again unanimously elected to the office of Sheriff, and the following year was re-elected. George W. Porter was executed November 5, 1830, and Mr. Webb, who was at that time Sheriff, per- formed the details of the execution. Porter had murdered a man by the name of Richardson, and was tried and sentenced to death. When Mr. Webb realized that he would be obliged to exe- cute a fellow-being, hie recoiled in horror from the act, but before the time came for the final scene he had become resigned to the performance of his unpleasant task. This was brought about largely by Porter himself, who was under Mr. Webb's care for six months before the day set apart for the execution. He talked frequently with the Sheriff about his crime, and expressed a willing- ness and desire to die, and, in fact, he would not hear of any effort being made to secure a pardon. He regretted the deed, but did not want to live with such a load upon his mind. The execution
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took place at the foot of Ft. Meigs, in order that the spectators might occupy the hill-side and wit- ness the performance. Among the large crowd present were many from New York and Michigan, who came expressly for the occasion. This was the first execution that ever took place in the his- tory of Maumee Valley.
In 1848 Mr. Webb was again elected County Clerk, and faithfully performed the duties of that office until 1860, when he retired to private life. His declining years were spent in reading, and his mind was a storehouse of information, both re- garding the early history of the county and the current events of the day. He always took an active part in politics, and was an carnest Repub- lican from the time of the organization of the party. He was married three times, and became the father of eighteen children, of whom our sub- ject is the youngest. His first wife was Miss Eliz- abeth Charles, their wedding taking place on the 8th of March, 1821. Some time after her death lic was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dean, the date of the event being July 18, 1834. February 23, 1851, Miss Mary A. Jones became his wife. She was an able and prominent teacher in the pub- lic schools of Perrysburg, and still makes her home in that city. There was probably no citizen in the valley who had more warm and true friends than John Webb, Jr., or, as he was called by al- most everyone in the county, "Uncle John." It is doubtful if he had an enemy in the world, and his name is inscribed among the most worthy of the old pioneers of the Maumee Valley. By his industry and good management lie gained a com- petence for himself and family, and never did a dishonest or dishonorable act in his life. He passed away on the ninetieth anniversary of his birth, August 27, 1885.
Our subject remained at home with his parents and attended the public schools of Perrysburg un- til nineteen years of age, when lic began teaching in the district schools of Wood County. After five years spent in teaching in the different schools of the county, he was engaged to teach in the graded schools of Weston, Ohio, remaining there three years. He then removed to Maumec, and became Principal of the schools of that city, hold-
ing this important position for six years, after which he was offered and accepted the position of Principal of the graded schools of Grand Rapids, and this position he has efficiently and acceptably filled to the present timc.
July 7, 1884, Lewis E. Webb and Miss Minnie, daughter of George and Catherine (Hufford) Getz, were united in marriage, and to this union two children have been born: John K., September 18, 1886; and Bessie May, March 22, 1890. Our sub- ject, like his father, is a good Republican, and takes an active part in local politics. Fraternally he is a incinber of the Independent Order of ()dd Fellows, and is identified with Lodge No. 682. He is also a member of the National Union, Ft. Mcigs Lodge No. 74, of Maumee. In his profession hc has gained a splendid reputation as a school teacher, and numbers his friends by the score. Though not a member of any church, he believes in doing right because it is right. He is public- spirited and liberal, giving of his means and in- fluence to the support of any enterprise that is for the good of humanity or the welfare of the community.
HARLES W. WILKINSON was born and grew to manhood on the homestead which he now owns and opcrates, and which is situated on section 1, Washington Township, Lu- cas County. In addition to general farming he has been quite successful in running a dairy busi- ness, for which purpose his farm is well adapted.
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