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 47
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 47
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ONAS M. STANBERY, one of the heroes of the late Civil War, is a well known citizen of West Toledo. He is a leader in Republi- can circles, and is at present Chairman of the County Central Committee, and Third Vice-Pres- ident of the Toledo Republican Club. He has al- ways taken commendable interest in politics or in whatever effects the good of the public. Though he is not an office-seeker, he has served as Town- ship Clerk, and for several years has been President of the School Board. For a number of years he has been engaged in operating a dairy farmn, and has met with success in the venture.
The birth of Mr. Stanbery occurred in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio, May 13, 1841. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Beard) Stanbery, whose family numbered fourteen children, of whom our subject was the eleventh in order of birth. He was reared in the city of his birth, and there received his ele- mentary education. He is, however, mainly self- educated, having practical knowledge of men and affairs which lias come to him in the real experience of life.
It was in the year 1855 that Mr. Stanbery came to Toledo. In his eighteenth year he shipped on the schooner " John Weedon, " and sailed before the mast on the Great Lakes for about eight years. His next employment was with the American & Union Express Company, for whom he worked
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during a period of eleven years, after which he removed to the farm where he still resides, and which is devoted to dairy purposes, the products of the same finding ready sale in the neigliboring city.
In 1861 Mr. Stanbery cnlisted as a private sol- dier in Company G, Seventy-second Ohio Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Fremont, Ohio. The first engagement in which he took part was the important battle of Shiloh, after which followed Corinth, Tupelo and Jackson. the siege of Vicksburg, Guntown, Nasliville and Spanish Fort. In the latter battle he was wounded, April 7, 1865, by a minie-ball, which struck him in the right thigh. He was sent to the hospital at New Orleans, where he remained for six weeks, and after he had recovered a degree of his former health and activ- ity lie joined his regiment at Meridian, Miss., and was finally discharged, September 21, 1865, with the rank of First Lieutenant. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having always felt a peculiar tenderness for his old comrades and companions of the war.
In 1866 Mr. Stanbery married Ann B. Bailey, who was born in Akron, Ohio, and who by her inarriage has become the mother of four childrens William, Sanford, Clara C. and Alfred, who are all living.
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D ANIEL F. COOK, one of the honored old pioneers and representative citizens of Maumee, Lucas County, was born Sep- tember 5, 1814, in Waterville, Me., and was the seeond in a family of six children born to Dr. Daniel and Clarissa ( Watson) Cook. The father, who was born in Plymouth County, Mass., was reared in the home of his childhood, and received his carly education in the public schools of the same place. After leaving the publie schools he attended Brown University at Providence, R. I., from which he was graduated, and later he went to Boston, where lie attended a medical college
for some time, from which he was also graduated. After having received his diploma, he practiced his profession in the city of Boston for a short time, and was then appointed Assistant Surgeon in the army during the War of 1812, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He then settled in Waterford, Me., where he opened an office and practiced his profession for a number of years. It was here that he met and married Miss Watson, who afterward became the mother of our subject. She was a native of New Hampshire, and a lady of high accomplishments and many virtues.
After leading the life of a family physician for a number of years, Dr. Cook gave up his practice and engaged in the mercantile business. He con- tinued successfully in this vocation for a time, and then decided to seek a home in the West on ac- count of his health, which was very poor at that time, he having contracted a severe cold, which settled on his lungs, and threatened him with that dreadful disease, consumption. In 1833 he came to Ohio, and located in Maumee, his family fol- lowing the next year. His health was greatly im- proved by the change, and he made his home in this city until his death, which occurred March 22, 1863, at the age of seventy-eight years. Maumee was only a small Indian trading-point at the time of his arrival, and the Doctor was an important factor in making it what it is to-day. He filled various offices of honor and trust, and served as Mayor of the city when Maumee was the princi- pal city of this section. His ancestors date back to the landing of the "Mayflower," and his father was a Quartermaster in the Revolutionary War.
The mother of our subject was of English ex- traetion, but licr ancestors for several generations back had been born in the United States. She was called to the land beyond when about seven- ty-seven years of age, and is buried in Maumee Cemetery. Of the children who clustered around the family hearth, our subject only survives. Clara Ann, the eldest, married W. B. S. Moor, aft- erward United States Senator from Maine. She passed away in 1853. Our subject is the next in order of birth. Charles died when twenty-five years of age, and the other three died in youth.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Water-
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ville, and received his early education in the pub- lic schools of that place. He later entered Wa- terville College (now Colby University), from which institution he was graduated at the age of seventeen years. Afterward he entered the law department of Cambridge College, and made a study of the legal profession for two years. After leaving college, he came West and located in Mau- mee, reading law with S. M. Young, a prominent lawyer of this city, for some time, after which he was admitted to the Bar, and practiced his profes- sion here until the county seat was changed to Toledo. When that change was made lie moved his headquarters to Toledo, but practiced all over the country until some time in 1874. when he vir- tually gave up the practice of law, spending the twilight of his days in peace and prosperity.
Mr. Cook is extensively engaged in the real-es- tate business at the present time. His father left him quite a large estate at his death, and he has added to his possessions until he now owns seven thousand acres of land in Lucas County, and con- siderable property both in Maumce and Toledo. He is also the possessor of about two thousand acres in Iowa, Missouri and Indiana, and is one of the weathiest inen in this part of the state, as well as one of the oldest settlers of the county. Though a man of eighty years, he still looks after his busi- ness interests. having the oversight and manage- ment of his vast lands and innumerable farms in his own hands. He is remarkably bright and well preserved for a man of his years, and is well post- ed on all the topics of the day.
Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Mrs. Abbie (Bosworth) Frost in 1857. Only one child came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cook, Clarissa, a beautiful and accomplished young lady, who, when just budding into womanhood, at the age of twenty years, was called away to the better world. Mrs. Cook is also deceased, having passed away in 1888. Mr. Cook is a Vestryman in the Episcopal Church, and a liberal giver to the sup- port of the same.
Politically our subject is a stanch Demoerat, and in his younger days was a leading politician in Lu- cas County. He lias held various offices of honor and trust in the county, having served as County
Commissioner and Councilman, and he is at the present time one of the Trustees of the Lucas County Children's Home. It is with pleasure that we present this brief notice of this old pioneer and influential citizen, one who is honored and esteemed by his innumerable friends and all who have the honor of his acquaintance.
M RS. ELIZABETH PETERSON, a well known and highly respected lady, whose home has been for many years in Wash- ington Township, Lueas County, was one of the early settlers in Sandusky County, within the boundaries of which she became a resident as early as 1836. She well remembers when Indians were numerous in that region, and the trials and vicis- situdes which are the common lot of the pioneer were hers in her girlhood. The first school which she attended was three miles distant from her home, and the journey back and forth through the thick woods she made on foot daily. The schoolhouse, which was built of logs, was furnished with wooden benches and other primitive ap- pliances, and the instruction given was of the most elementary description.
The birth of Mrs. Peterson occurred August 22, 1830, in Cumberland County, Pa., her parents be- ing William and Ann (Hess) Blank. The former was of German descent, while the latter was of English extraction. William Blank was three times married, and became the father of fifteen children. Mrs. Peterson is one of four daughters born to the marriage of her father and Ann Hess.
The early years of our subject were quietly passed on her father's farm, and with him she came to the Buckeye State when she was only six years of age. From that time until arriving at woman- hood she was a resident of Sandusky County. February 22, 1850, she became the wife of Horace
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Marsh, and their only child, Lavega A., is now a prosperous farmer of this township. The husband was called to his final rest March 22, 1875, and on the 8th of March, 1877, his widow became the wife of Benjamin Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson owns eleven acres of land, which are devoted to market gardening. The place is very fertile, and abundant crops are raised each year, from which a good ineome accrues to the proprietor. Religiously she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with whose teachings she endeavors to keep her life in harmony. She possesses the confidence and friendship of a large cirele of acquaintances and neighbors, and is a woman of sterling worth.
T HOMAS PRAY is one of the native sons of Waterville Township, Lucas County, hav- ing been born here April 9, 1828, and lic has passed his entire life within its boundaries. His paternal grandfather, Jolin Pray, was a native of England, who in the last century settled near Providence, R. I., where he engaged in farmning, but afterward went to New York, and died at Mt. Morris. He was quite a preacher in his day, and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability.
The parents of Thomas Pray were John and Luey (Dunham) Pray, the former of whom was born October 6, 1783, in Rhode Island, in a house which was situated partly in that state and partly in Connecticut, as it was just on the line. The mother was born October 28, 1789, in Ft. Edward, N. Y. When John Pray was ten years of age he removed to the Empire State, and in 1800 left home to make his own living. He was employed to haul wood for a large glass factory at Peter- borough, and also engaged in making potash. Aft- er his marriage, March 25, 1809, he purchased a
farm, which he operated until 1817. Then, in company with a few companions, he came to Ohio to look up a suitable location for a home. By way of the Lakes they proceeded to Michigan, and thence to Toledo, and up the Maumee River to Defiance, Ohio. From there to Dayton, and after- ward to Cleveland, they made the journey on foot. John Pray and his brother James were delegated by the others to prospect in Lucas County, and if they were favorably impressed a colony was to be started here. After looking around they settled on Waterville as a good place to locate for mill privileges, and returning to New York reported to that effect, but when spring eame the others all baeked out. So John Pray and family started alone in a wagon to Buffalo, and there shipped on a schooner for Maumec. In company with Cap- tain Charter, they loaded the boat, and with their houschold linen made sails for the vessel. They were two weeks in making the trip.
On reaching Waterville, Mr. Pray bought a tract of three hundred acres of timber-land. He built a log cabin, which had no doors or windows, and put up a saw and grist mill. These were the first buildings constructed either on the site of Water- ville or on the Mauinee River. Before the mill was built the people were obliged to go to Monroe, but the mill there, which was run by a windmill, ground nothing but corn, and this was fed by hand. On one occasion a neighbor of Mr. Pray took eight bushels of corn to be ground and set forth with two yoke of oxen. He was gone for sixteen days, and then paid $8 for having the eight bushels ground, a rather expensive proceeding. In time Mr. Pray became the owner of about two thousand acres of land. He and his five brothers and sisters lived to ripe old ages, and all but two, who died in New York, departed this life in Ohio. Mr. Pray was called to his final rest October 18, 1872, at the age of eighty-nine, and his wife died August 11, 1874, when in her eighty-fifth year. For twelve years the former was Justice of the Peace, and he also held the offices of County Commissioner, Road Supervisor and School Director.
John and Lucy Pray had a large family of chil- dren, as follows: Harriet, born October 9, 1810; John L., January 25, 1812; Mary, January 19,
SAMUEL S. THORN, M. D.
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1814; James R., February 24, 1817; Paris H., May 5, 1819; William K., November 26, 1821; Oswald D., March 4, 1824; Thomas, April 9, 1828; Lucy, October 13, 1831; Caroline, Marchi 18, 1835; and twins who died in infancy.
Thomas Pray spent his early years uneventfully on his father's farm, attending school during the winter scasons. In 1848 he and his father built the house which has sheltered him ever since. He is the owner of a well improved farm of one hun- dred and forty-five acres, and is a practical and enterprising agriculturist. Like his father, he is a Republican, and interested in the cause of educa- tion. At the age of twenty-nine years he married Miss Arminta Sutton, the ceremony being per- formed April 20, 1857. Her parents were John B. and Matilda (Figgals) Sutton. Her grandfather, Benjamin Sutton, was a native of England, and an early settler of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Pray are the parents of one child. Religiously the family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
AMUEL S. THORN, M. D., a well known surgeon of Toledo, has been located in this city for upwards of thirty-five years, and is a leading member of the American Medical As- sociation, of the Mississippi Valley Association, and of the Ohio State and Northwestern Medical Soci- eties. He is now serving as Vice-President of the Mississippi Valley Association, is President of the National Association of Railway Surgeons, and a member of the Toledo Medical Society as well. During the existence of the Northwestern Medical College he was Professor of Surgery, and since St. Vincent's Hospital was founded he has had the honor of being attending surgeon in that institu- tion.
A native of Oneida County, N. Y., Dr. Thorn
was born September 22, 1831, and is a son of Stephen Thorn, who was born at Mattsfield, in the county of Kent, England, and came to the United States in 1816. He married Ann Bennett, a native of the Empire State, and to them were born nine children.
The early school days of Dr. Thorn were passed at Utica, N. Y., and after completing his element- ary education he was enrolled as a pupil in the Home Academy and the French Academy, the latter of which was then one of the noted places of learning in that portion of the state. On tak- ing up the study of medicine the young man en. tered the office of Dr. P. B. Peckham, who was his preceptor. In 1854 he graduated from the medi- cal department of the University of the city of New York, and then devoted some time to hos- pital practice in the old New York Hospital, after which, in order to become still further familiar with his future profession, he was for a time con- nected with Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
On entering his professional life Dr. Thorn went first to Milwaukee, Wis., and remained in that city for three years. Then, returning to his native state, he was located in Lockport for a similar length of time. In 1860 he came to Toledo, where he lias since conducted a general practice. He has met with enviable success, numbering among has pa- tients many of the prominent families and people of this city, and his surgical practice extends over the state.
During the war Dr. Thorn was appointed Sur- geon of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio In- fantry, Army of the Potomac, and was with the forces along the James River under the command of General Grant. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, and, like a truc patriot, is vitally in- tercsted in whatever concerns the national and public good.
In 1856 Dr. Thorn married Miss Fannie Peck- ham, of Utica, N. Y., and a daughter of P. B. Peckliam, formerly a respected citizeu of that place. To the Doctor and his wife seven children have been born, but only three survive. George L. died in 1893. He was a graduate of and liad attained his degree from the North western Ohio Medical College. Three of the family died in early
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childhood, and the others are Anna L., Laura and Alice M.
In addition to the large private practice the Doctor at present is chicf surgeon of the Wabash & Lake Erie Railway, the Toledo, St. Louis & Kan- sas City Railway, and the Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw Railway, besides being Division Sur- gcon for the Pennsylvania, Michigan Central, the Toledo & Ohio Central, the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo, and the Toledo, Columbus & Southern Railway Company. He is also Consult- ing Surgeon for the Wabash, and held the position of United States Pension Examiner for twenty- two years.
J OHN B. DRAGO, Vice-President of the M. I. Wilcox Cordage and Supply Company, To- ledo, has been associated with Wilcox Bros. for over twenty-five years, seventeen years of which time he was clerk and traveling salesman, and for nine years a partner and traveler for the concern. The present firm was incorporated March 8, 1886, with a capital stock of $125,000. Their sales are very extensive and constantly increasing, as their trade is not confined to this locality, but extends to all parts of the United States, and even to points in Europe.
John B. Drago was born on a farm in Lucas County, Ohio, August 17, 1846. His father, An- thony Drago, was a native of France, but crossed the Atlantic about 1834, and settled in the wilder- ness in Lucas County, where he thoroughly in- proved a farm. Here he continued to reside un- til his demisc in 1849. By his marriage with Miss Jane Druyor he had four sons and five daughters. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Drago made her home with her son, J. B., and her death oc- curred in 1885 in Toledo, at the age of eighty-four.
Of the children comprising the parental family, Anthony, the eldest, left in an early day for Cali-
fornia, and his subsequent history is unknown. Julia married Anthony Momany, and they and their two children died of the cholera in 1857. Fanny and Agnes died of the same disease, at the same time. Joseph, who married Elizabeth La- Fayette, was drowned in 1857; his wife survived him many years, dying in 1886. Their only son, Samucl J., is a resident of Toledo, and the head of the firm of Samuel J. Drago & Co., manufacturers of oils.
Henry, the next member of the family circle, was born in Lucas County about 1843, and worked on a farm in boyhood. When about twelve years old he began sailing on the Lakes, which occupa- tion he followed until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he entered the service for three months, as a member of the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, un- der General Steadman. Three months later he re- cnlisted as Sergeant of Company K, Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry, under Gen. Paul Edwards. In that capacity lie served until the charge on Ft. Wagner, when a severe wound necessitated his return home, and there lie was invalided for nine months. On regaining his health he enlisted in Company K, Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and served uutil the close of the Rebellion. After peace was proclaimed he at once enlisted in the Seventh United States Cavalry, under General Custer, and was with Reno's detachment at the time of the massacre of the brave Custer and his fellow-soldiers. In the retreat of Reno across the Little Big Horn thirty-eight men were killed and some fourteen or fifteen wounded. Among the latter was Henry Drago, who was shot twice, his wounds being of such a serious nature that he was compelled to return home. After four years of suffering, he died from the effects of his wounds.
The remaining members of the family were John B., who was seventhi in order of birth; Mary, Mrs. Charles Mabley, who died in East Saginaw, Mich., in 1872, leaving two children; and Eliza, who died about a year later in Detroit. Jolin B. remained on the old homestead until he was seven years of age, up to which time he received suchi advantages as the schools of that day offcred. There were many mouths to feed, and as the father left the family in moderate circumstances, it became nec-
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essary for the children, as soon as old enough, to provide, at least partly, for their own sustenance.
In 1852 our subjeet left the farm of a bad man, the latter's brother kindly taking the friendless child to Toledo, where he hoped to find a home with good people. Failing in this, and believing the next best thing would be to try to "hoe his own row," he secured a position as mule-driver on the canal, working on the boat "Paris," of Dayton, Ohio, Captain Hewitt commanding. Our subject was then only seven years of age, and as he knew nothing whatever about canals or canal boats, the mistakes that he very naturally made brought upon him the wrath of captain and crew, and between Toledo and Dayton he was whipped fifteen or twenty times. On reaching the latter place he was discharged, and with $3 in his pocket he started to walk back to Toledo. By the time he reached Texas, Ohio, forty miles from Toledo, his strength and cash were both exhausted, but fortunately he found a friend in the captain of a boat, Brown, of Delphos, Ohio, who carried him in his arms to his boat and cared for him until he had recovered, when he employed him as canal-boat driver. The following three or four years were thus employed, when he concluded to try his luck in sailing on the Lakes. He shipped in the employ of Stevens & Chase, Toledo, and was a common sailor until 1862, when he accepted a position in a ship-chandler's store, owned by Stevens & Chase, the place having been secured for him through the kindness of Walter Chase, son of the senior mem- ber of the firm. The store was managed by T. S. Dunning, an exceedingly kind gentleman, who, in leisure hours, "coached" his employe upon business methods, giving him much valuable information.
The firm of Stevens & Chase sold out to Reed & Sprague, and they in turn sold out to A. F. Ruth- erford & Co., with whom Mr. Drago remained un- til 1869, when he entered the employ of Wilcox Bros. In 1870 he became traveling salesman for the firm. This connection was continued until the concern was incorporated with M. I. Wilcox, Pres- ident; John B. Drago, Vice-President; C. H. Eddy, Secretary and Treasurer; and H. E. Rouse, General Manager. The association of our subject with Mr. Wilcox, extending through many years, has been
most cordial, and the regard which he feels for him is the deepest-a regard, indeed, that is felt by all with whom Mr. Wileox is brought in con- tact. Generous, warm-hearted and discriminating, no worthy person or charity ever appeals to him in vain, and no sacrifice of comfort or money is too great when the object is a good one.
As a salesman Mr. Drago has few equals, and his travels have extended to mnost of the states and territories. He possesses good business judg- ment, is popular with his customers, and is a thor- oughly reliable and upright man in his dealings with all. Fraternally he is a member of Maumee Valley Lodge No. 515, I. O. O. F., and Charles Sumner Lodge No. 137, K. of P. In polities he is a Republican. His marriage, October 16, 1869, united him with Miss Martha C. Pearson, of Ypsi- lanti, Mich. She was born in Ypsilanti, that state, February 22, 1850, and is the daughter of Ezekiel and Caroline E. (Fullington) Pearson, natives, re- speetively, of Glasgow, Scotland, and New York State. Two daughters came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Drago, namely: Lilhan Mabel, who was born April 11, 1871; and Maude Pearson, born August 17, 1874, and now the wife of C. Mc- Kecknie, of Toledo, Ohio.
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