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 52
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 52
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At the time of his coming there were very few settlers in this part of the county, and only two other families in the neighborhood at the time. He immediately set about elearing and cultivating his land, and among thie first improvements was
the erection of a log cabin, the only kind of resi- dence that could well be built in those early pio- necr days. He brought a supply of seed and grain with him from his Massachusetts home, and soon had his farm under cultivation. Being a thrifty son of New England, he did not sit idly down and wait for something to turn up, but went to work with a will aud a determination to succeed, and it was uot long before this fact was demonstrated by the appearance of his farm, which showed the good management and industry of the occupaut. Hc owned the first nursery iu the Maumee Valley,. and was the proprietor of a fishery on the river, which was another source of gain, its products be- ing sold in Detroit, Mieh., at a fair profit; and the sums realized in this way, in connection with those received from his farm and nursery, produced a considerable income. He served as a private in tlic War of 1812, taking an active part in the serv- ice, and made his home on the farm which he first settled until his death, which occurred in 1869.
Martin Gunn, the grandfather of our subject, also a native of Massachusetts, came to this couu- ty with his son, the father of Warren, in 1816, and also made his home here uutil huis death. His an- eestors were originally from Scotland, and came to the United States in a very early day, settling in the New England States. The materual graud- parents were also of Scotch ancestry, and were early settlers of Massachusetts.
The subject of this sketch was reared as a farm- er, and remained at home with his parents until he was nineteen years of age. He attended school in the old log schoolhouse a few weeks of each year, or during the winter months, receiving the rudiments of an education. When he was nine- teen years old, he bought his time from his father, and began attending school at Waterville, wliere he received a fair education. In the spring of 1837 he took charge of a force of men who were building the canal, remaining in that capacity for a time, and theu for about a year before the com- pletion of the canal was in the eugineering de- partment. Soon after the canal was completed, he formed a partnership with his brother aud pur- chased a sawmill, which they conducted success- fully for a time, but finally sold out, and Warren
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then rented a part of his father's farm. Some time after this thic canal land was put on the market, and he purchased two hundred acres at $2 an acre, in what is now Monclova Township. The land was all in timber and swamps, and there was but one family living in the neighborhood when our subject and family took possession of their farm. He chopped all the logs for his little cabin himself, and did the greater part of the work in building the same. He removed his family to this farm in 1844, and for forty-eight years made his home on the same place.
Mr. Gunn has now one of the finest farms in the county, containing two hundred and fifteen acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and with all the modern improvements. In 1892, re- tiring from active life, he removed to Maumee, where lie occupies a good house, which he owns, besides a number of valuable lots. He is one of the honorable old pioneers of the county, and is held in the highest respect by all who know him. Having been very successful in his business trans- actions, he now, in the twilight of his age, enjoys the fruits of his labor, knowing that he has hion- estly earned all that he has.
January 4, 1844, Mr. Gunn was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza Jane Martin dale, a native of Ohio, who was born October 26, 1826, on a farm where the city of Maumce now stands. Mrs. Gunn's father was a native of the Bay State, where he was reared and educated. In 1818 he removed to Ohio, and settled in this county, but later re- moved to Wood County, and located near Bowl- ing Green, where he made his home for a number of years. Her mother was born in Connecticut, where she remained until after her marriage. Her death occurred in Monclova Township in 1851.
Our worthy subject is a stanch Republican in his political views, and has always taken an active part in local politics, having been one of the lead- ing politicians of his county for a number of years. He has filled nearly all the offices of the township, serving as Committeeman, and Clerk of the Town- ship for six years after its organization. He also occupied the honorable position of Justice of the Peace for six years, and has always taken a decp interest in every enterprise pertaining to the
growth or improvement of the county, township or city. Socially he is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Northern Light Lodge No. 40, at Maumec, and filled the office of Master for five years, after which he was appointed by the Grand Master of the state to organize Wakeman Lodge at Waterville, where he served as Grand Master for two years. He was President of the Pioneer Association of the county from 1886 to 1891, there being but one older settler born in the county. He is not a member of any church, but believes in, and practices, the Golden Rule.
HARLES BATEMAN SAXBY. Among the influential, enterprising and progressive young business men of Wood County may be mentioned our subject, who is the able editor of the Wood County Herald. To the newspapers of our country is due much of the credit for the ad- vancement of its civilization and the growth of its industries, and in the development of Wood County the Herald, published at Weston, has been no unimportant factor.
Our subject, who is a native of Wood County, was born at West Mill Grove, February 8, 1865. His parents were B. H. and Martha H. (Musser) Saxby, born in England and the United States, re- spectively. The father was born in the town of Normington in 1826, and emigrated to this coun- try in the year 1855. The mother's birth occurred in Deerfield, Portage County, Ohio, in 1838.
Charles B. Saxby received his elementary in- struction in the graded schools of West Mill Grove, completing his education in the high school of the same place. September 29, 1884, he moved to Weston, taking a position with the paper of which he is now editor. He remained in this capacity until January 1, 1887, when he entered the employ of the Wood County Gazette at Bowling
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Green, Ohio. March 3, 1889, he severed his con- nection with that paper, and three days later was married to Miss Nettie L. Dull, daughter of a Wes- ton merchant. After his marriage Mr. Saxby en- tered his father-in-law's store, but remained only about a month however, then returning to the newspaper business and becoming identified with the consolidated Sentinel-Gazette.
August 1, 1891, our subject, in partnership with J. D. Conklin, bought the Wood County Herald, and since that date the former has been editor and manager of the same. He has served his township in the capacity of Clerk for four years, and has ever been found faithful to the trust reposed in him. As an editor he has ever endeavored to for- ward the interests of his town and county and to develop their resources. Socially he is a member of Weston Lodge No. 681, I. O. O. F., in which he is serving as Vicc-Grand, and is also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and Anthony Wayne Lodge No. 140, K. O. T. M. In 1893 he was elected Great Sentinel of the Great Camp of the state of Olio, and in 1894 was re-elected.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Saxby has been born a family of two children: Helen Kathryn, who was born November 17, 1890; and Jolm Bate- man, whose birth occurred January 26, 1894, and who died May 27 of the same year. Mr. Saxby, his wife and daughter occupy a very pleasant res- idence on the corner of Locust and Clark Streets, which our subject owns, and here they welcome their many friends.
RRIN GILLETT, one of the sterling old pioneers of Lucas County, owns about four hundred and ten acres of valuable and very desirable farm land, and in addition to this owns three lots in Waterville. In 1883 he built a beautiful home, and here, surrounded by tlie com- forts and luxuries which his years of industry have
provided, he intends to pass his remaining days. Mr. Gillett was born in the town of Wellsfield, Conn., August 22, 1812, and his parents, Ebenezer and Roxy Ann (Squires) Gillett, were also natives of the Nutmeg State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and a man of good general education. In the spring of 1834 he removed with his family to Wood County, first buying a tract of eighty acres, and subsequently one hundred and sixty acres more. For nine years he continued to clear the timber from his farm and other wise improve the place. He then became a resident of Waterville, Ohio, where he lived for twenty years, and while there his de- voted wife and helpmate died. Her husband aft- erwards married and moved to Kenosha, Mich. His death occurred at the age of eighty years, at Rives Station, Mich. By his first union he had ten children, but three of whom are living, namely: Orrin; Jane, widow of a Mr. Dyer, and now living in Charleston, Ill .; and Rudolph. Tliose deceased are Lucy. Laura and Lory (twins), Augustus, Milo and Henry. Lovisa was the only child of the sec- ond marriage.
Orrin Gillett passed his early years engaged in farm duties, and for about sixteen years made his lome in Oswego County, N. Y., where he obtained a practical common-school education. On coming to Wood County in 1834, he worked for his father at Waterville and later bought forty acres, which he cleared entirely by himself. Ou this farm he made his home for two decades, having in the mean time bought another tract of forty-four acres, which he partially cleared. He then moved to Waterville and purchased a general store, which he conducted for nine years and then sold out. Turn- ing his attention again to farming, he bought one hundred and eighty acres, nearly all of which he cleared and later rented. He has served as School Director and as Road Supervisor. In politics he is a stanch Republiean, and is always interested in whatever tends to advance his party's welfare.
September 14, 1834, Mr. Gillett married Louisa Smith, who was his faithful companion and help- mate for fifty-three years, and was called from his side by death December 31, 1887, when in her sev- enty-fifth year. She was a daughter of Lemuel and Cynthia (Lamberson ) Smith. Three children
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were born to our subject and wife. The eldest died in infancy, unnamed; Roswell W., born Jan- uary 29, 1836, died December 27, 1869; and Jane, born December 19, 1840, married James Schioe- maker, and is now living at home.
W )ILLARD V. WAY. In reviewing the history of a city, there are always a few names that stand out pre-eminently among others, because those who bore them were men of superior ability, culture, energy and phil- an thropic spirit. Such names and such men are not born to perish, forgotten by mankind. By the lustre of their achievements and the magnitude of their philanthropies they carve for themselves mon- uments more lasting than columns of granite or statues of marble.
Such a one was Willard V. Way, whose name will be perpetuated in the history of Perrysburg by the Way Library, his splendid gift to the citi- zens of this place. The building occupies a cen- tral location, and architecturally is one of the most beautiful structures in the state. With a unique tower surmounting the main entrance, its exterior appearance delights the eye of the true artist. While the walls are of brick, there is also consid- crable brown stone used in the construction of the main entrance and in the trimmings, the effect be- ing unique and attractive.
By the conditions of the will of Mr. Way, his en- tire estate, with the exception of certain bequests amounting to $15,000 or inore, was bequeathed to the village of Perrysburg, to be used in estab- lishing a public library for the people's use, under such regulations as the Council might preseribe. The gift was subject to the condition that $15,000 of the estate should be invested in safe public in- terest-bearing securities, to remain a perpetual fund belonging to the village, the interest of which only is to be used for the purchase of books prop-
erly belonging to a public library. The remainder of the bequest was to be used as the Council deemed most advantageous, in the purchase of a lot, the erection of a building and the purchase of books.
By action of the Council, March 25, 1890, the executors of Mr. Way were requested to purchase a site and erect a suitable building thereon. Messrs. A. Cook and D. K. Hollenbeck, the resident executors, at once began the work. A suitable site was secured for $1,000 and an adjoining lot was added thereto, the $200 required for the same being donated, $150 by citizens and $50 by the Council out of the Village Treasury. In this way three-quarters of an acre were secured in a conven- ient location, near the center of the village and in close proximity to the public school.
The contract for the erection of the building was awarded to B. Kokenge, of Wyandot County, Ohio. The architects were Bacon & Huber, of To- ledo. The cost, including lot, was $11,379.91, in addition to which the village paid $1,100 for the furnace and furniture. The building covers 50x 66 feet, and consists of one story, with basement. The main entrances are on Louisiana and Indiana Avenues, and the tower rising over these entrances is thirty-six feet high. On the main floor there are a catalogue nook, hall, stack room, reference room and general reading room. A winding stair leads to the Directors' room in the tower.
The dedicatory exercises were held at the library November 23, 1892, and were attended by a large number of people. The principal address on the occasion was delivered by the surviving executor, D. K. Hollenbeck, his co-laborer, Mr. Cook, having been called from earth January 1 of the same year. In an appropriate and eloquent manner the speaker alluded to the loss of his friend, through whose ability much of the work had been accomplished. Then, passing to the consideration of the matter in hand, he gave a brief resume of the life of Mr. Way, the conditions of his will, and the carrying out of his wishes, together with a detailed account of the work done by the executors.
Briefly thus a description has been given of the Way Library. From it we pass to a review of the life of Mr. Way. He was born in Springfield, Otsego County, N. Y., August 3, 1807, and died
·ABRAM J. HAMMER, M. D.
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August 25, 1875. His father, Samuel, being in limited circumstances, he did not have many ad- vantages, but was obliged to work his way through college without any assistance from others. After taking a preparatory course in Hard wick Academy, he entered Union College, from which he was graduated some years later. He then entered the law office of Bangs & Haskell, in LeRoy, N. Y., and afterward continued his studies with Payne & Wilson, of Painesville, Ohio. He was admitted to practice in 1832, and after having traveled through the Western states in search of a suitable location, he came to Perrysburg, in 1834, and here he re- mained until his death.
Soon after settling in this place Mr. Way mar- ried Miss Sophia Hodge, of Buffalo, N. Y., who died in Mansfield, Ohio, at the age of eighty-five. In his enterprises he was judicious and energetie, and though he had severe reverses, he continued undaunted until he had retrieved his fortunes and gained wealth. In everything pertaining to the welfare of Perrysburg he maintained the deepest in- terest, which faet is evideneed by his munificent gift to the village. His name is held in loving reverenee by those of his friends who still survive, and also by the large number who, though never acquainted with him personally, have nevertheless acquired a broad and liberal culture as the result of his philanthropy.
6
A BRAM J. HAMMER, M. D. In modern times the number of men who, beginning without capital, have gained wealth and influenee is so large that such eases have eeased to be remarkable. The qualifications, however, necessary to bring about such success have never ceased to be worthy of our admiration. The gen- tleman whose name introduces this sketeh is one of the progressive, skillful physicians of Toledo, to whom sueeess has come as the result of un wear- ied application. Without money or influence, he started out in life, but through devotion to his profession he has gained both.
Born in Bedford County, Pa., June 1, 1853, the
Doetor is a son of Rev. William and Margaret (Beisle) Hammer, the former of whom devoted almost his entire active life to the ministry of the Evangelieal Church. There were nine children in the family, five sons and four daughters, of whom Abram J. was the youngest in order of birth. His boyhood years were spent in Bedford County, where he obtained a good literary education. Having resolved to euter the medical profession, he began its study under the preceptorship of Dr. J. W. Failing, of Fremont, Ohio. After continu- ing in that way for some time, he entered the Medieal College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated in 1880.
Immediately after graduation, the Doctor opened an office at Fremont, Ohio, where he eondueted an increasing general practice until 1887. He then removed to Toledo, believing that this city offered larger opportunities for sueeess in his pro- fession. Here he has since resided, and has gained a reputation as a skilled physician, who is aeeu- rate in the diagnosis of diseases and sneeessfulin their treatment. He is a follower of the homeo- pathic school of medicine, and one of the leaders of that system in the city.
The marriage of Dr. Hammer, which occurred in 1880, united him with Miss Ella L., daughter of J. A. and Abigail (Cook) Grant, of Fremont, this state. Of this union were born three children, one of whom is living, Harry Irving. She is an accomplished lady and actively co-operates with the Doctor iu all his benevolent and charitable projects. He has a fine residence and good office at No. 829 Broadway, and has gained a handsome competenee through his well directed efforts. In addition to his general practice, he is a member of the visiting staff of Toledo Hospital.
S AMUEL SOUTHARD is one of the hon- ored early settlers of Washington Town- ship, Lucas County, to which he gave its
name. From the time of his arrival here he has been an interested factor in the development of this
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region, and helped to crect the first schoolhouse in the township. The parents of Mr. Southard were James and Ann Southard, natives of England. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Ann, Thomas, William, James, Mary, Betsy, Sam- uel, Rhoda, Joseph and Priscilla. The only ones living arc: Samuel and Rhoda, the latter of whom is the wife of George Dixon.
In 1833 James Southard sailed for the United States, accompanied by his family, and after a voy- age of thirty-onc days landed in New York. Thence he went to Lucas County and took up eight hundred acres of Government land, for which he paid $1.25 an acre. This farm was covered with heavy timber for the most part, and after clearing a small portion the owner erected a cabin, 30x30 feet in dimensions. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church and was respected by all who knew him. He died in 1853, when in his eightieth year, and was interred in the home cemetery. His good wife dicd in 1849.
Samuel Southard was born in Devonshire, Eng- land, May 28, 1811, and passed his boyhood on a farm. With the other members of the family he came to the United States in 1833, and has conse- quently been an inhabitant of this township for a period of over sixty years. He carried on his fa- ther's homestead for many years, or until 1886, when he moved to the farm which he now cultivates and owns. It is within the rccollection of this worthy old pioneer when it was necessary to go to Monroe, Mich., to lay in a stock of provisions or other supplies. Toledo, as he first knew it, contained only a few log cabins, and bore little promise of the great future before it. Mr. Southard helped to build the first roads in this vicinity, and in many other practical ways assisted in putting the affairs of the infant community on a substantial basis.
December 28, 1847, occurred the marriage of Mr. Southard and Charlotte Hitchcock, who was born near Albany, N. Y. Their union has been blessed with the following children: Annie E., James H., William H., Samuel G., Phoebe C., Sarah A., Caius K., Elisha B. and George G. William is a dairy- man of this township; Samuel is a dealer in real estate in Toledo; Caius, James and Elisha arc en- terprising lawyers; and George is a practicing phy-
sician of Toledo. The mother of these children died March 14, 1892, aged sixty-nine years.
The first ballot of Mr. Southard was cast for William H. Harrison. During the existence of the Whig party he was one of its adherents, and is now a loyal Republican.
H IRAM A. HUBBARD, who is living re- tired from business cares in Sylvania, Lu- cas County, is a native of this county, and was the second white child born in the Mau- mee Valley, and the first of English descent. The other, born in 1816, was of French lineagc. Mr. Hubbard owns a well improved tract of fifty acres within the corporation limits of this place, which farm he has cultivated for a period of four years, agriculture being his main business in life.
The Hubbard family is a very old one in the United States, and has had numerous representa- tives in the councils of the nation and in the learned professions. George Hubbard, from whon our subject is the fifth generation in line of de- scent, cmigrated from England to Boston in the winter of 1633-34, with his wife, Mary, and three children. He made his home in Weathersficld, Conn., for many years prior to his death, which took place in January, 1683. His wife died some seven years previously. He was a man of ability, and distinguished himself as a member of the First General Assembly of the Hartford Colony, which convened in 1737. After the union of the two Connecticut colonies in 1665, he was also a mem- ber of the joint assembly. His children were John, Sarah, George, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, Abigail, William and Daniel. The children born to John Hubbard, son of George, were John, Jonathan, Daniel, Hannah, Isaac, Mercy, Mary and Sarah. Isaac Hubbard, son of John Hubbard, had the fol- lowing children: John, Isaac, Mary, Daniel, Hannah,
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Joseph, Jonathan and David. The children of Jon- athan, son of Isaac, were Jolin, Jonathan, Noah, Timothy, Moses and Aaron. Noah Hubbard had five children: Noalı, Eli (our subject's father), Lucy, Asher and Pamelia.
Eli Hubbard was born in Massachusetts, and on reaching mature years married Rhoda Ward, whose birth occurred in Maine. They removed to Ohio in 1814, and for three years lived in Huron County, after which they located permanently in Washing- ton Township, Lucas County. The land had not yet been surveyed in this section, and Mr. Hub- bard oceupicd a tract on which West Toledo now stands. At one time he was the owner of two hundred acres, on which he made his home until 1836, when he moved to Sylvania, remaining here uutil his deatlı, which occurred about 1850. His good wife and faithful helpmate died in 1842, and they were buried side by side in the village ceme- tery. Mr. Hubbard was a self-educated man, but possessed recognized genius and general intelli- gence. In the early days of Toledo he was a prom- inent factor in its upbuilding, and was missed by one and all of his associates when he was claimed by death. Several times he served as County Com- missioner, and as Supervisor and in other local of- fices. Hc was a good financier and a shrewd busi- ness man. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially was a Mason of high degree,
Hiram A. Hubbard is the second in a family num- bering eleven children, the others being as follows: Caroline, Henry, Noah, Asher, William, Sarah, Lucy, Maria, Elizabeth and Mary Ann. He was born November 28, 1817, near Woodlawn Ceme- tery, Washington Township, Lucas County, and remained with his parents until after reaching his majority, receiving such scanty education as the schools of that day afforded.
August 12, 1842, occurred the marriage of Hiram Hubbard and Letticc S. McMillen at the home of the bride. Her death occurred in 1854, and after remaining a widower for about two years our sub- ject was married again, January 13, 1856. The lady of his choice was Miss Jane E. Flint, with whom he lived happily for two decades. She was called to her final rest in October, 1876. By his
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