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 54
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 54
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In Detroit, Mich., August 18, 1857, Commodore Purney was united in marriage with Miss Jessie
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Lloyd, a native of England, who accompanied her parents to America at the age of seven years. By her union five children were born, of whom four arc now living, all married, namely: Thomas C., Jr., who is Superintendent of a brewing company in Toledo; Kate; Jessie; and Frank W., a book- keeper by occupation. The sons and daughters are well cdueated and are honored members of so- ciety.
The title by which our subject is familiarly known comes from his connection with the Toledo Yacht Club, of which he is a charter member, and in which he fills the position of Commodore. So- cially he is identified with Lincoln Lodge No. 8, A. O. U. W. He is an attendant at the Baptist Church, and, while not actively identified with any denomination, is a generous contributor to re- ligious and charitable institutions, and lias en- deavored to live an honest, upright and conscien- tious life.
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P ETER F. WHALEN, who is President of the Buckeye Paint and Varnish Company, is a Democrat politically, and is now serving as Alderman from the Fourth Ward. The extensive business concern with which he is asso- ciated has M. J. Malone as Vice-President; W. F. Malone as Treasurer; and Lewis Rubel Secre- tary. In 1874 paint works were started by Mar- shall Benedict & Co., and four years later Mr. Whalen embarked in the business of manufactur- ing varnish. The two companies were consoli- dated in 1881 under the present title, and the move proved to be very beneficial, for their trade has rapidly increased, and they find the resources of their factory taxed to the utmost in order to supply the demand.
Peter F. Whalen was born in Normandy, Gray County, Canada, in 1854, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Doran) Whalen. The former died
when our subject was only two years of age. On reaching a suitable age young Peter attended school, and when in his twelfth year went to De- troit, Mich., where for a time he continued his studies. Later he worked in a lumber-yard until he was sixteen years old, when he began learning the trade of a moulder in the Detroit Steel Works. He continued to be an employe in the foundry until 1877.
In 1880 Mr. Whalen came to Toledo and started in the varnish business on a very small scale in a framc building. Afterward he took in Alfred Collier as a partner and the firm continued to do business under the style of Whalen & Collier for the following year. The present concern man- ufacture all kinds of white and colored paints, um- bers in oil, putty, etc. There are two large brick buildings, with numerous warehouses and storage rooms, used for oil and inflam mable materials, every precaution being taken against fire losses. In the varnish department reliable kinds of japan, dry- ing varnish, etc., are manufactured. The most improved modern machinery is in use, and em- ployment is given to some forty hands. A num- ber of traveling men represent the firm on the road and make sales in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, Illinois, Wis- consin, Kansas and New Mexico.
June 15, 1880, Mr. Whalen married Miss Mary F., daughter of John Riley, of Toledo.
FRANK WOLLAM, of Montgomery Town- ship, Wood County, is one of her native sons and old residents. His life work has been that of farining, and he has long been es- teemed one of the most practical and enterpris- ing agriculturists of this neighborhood. After his marriage his father gave him forty acres, and witlı
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this as a nucleus he commenced extending liis do- mains, until his farm now comprises one hundred and thirty-two acres. This was formerly cov- ered thickly with timber, but he has cleared it all away, building barns, fences and a good home. His farm is now one of the best in the township and is always kept in a thrifty condition.
Joseph Wollam, the father of our subject, was born February 8, 1824, in Columbiana County, Ohio. His father, Henry, a native of Virginia, had settled in that county in its early history. Joseph Wollam grew to manhood on his father's farnı, and at the age of twenty years was united in marriage with Mary Ann Sloan. After that event he removed to Wood County, entered one hundred and sixty acres of Government land and built a log cabin. He cleared his land and de- voted himself to its improvement until his death, which occurred November 19, 1892, at the age of sixty-nine years, nine months and eleven days. He had learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that vocation for about six years. He reared a family of six children: Robert H., born June 24, 1845; William C., September 2, 1847; C. Frank; Mary E., September 8, 1853; Martha and Joseph Harold. Robert and William C. are residents of this township. Mary E. died at the age of twen- ty-four years, February 6, 1878, and Marthia is the wife of David Meyers, of Fostoria, Ohio.
C. Frank, of this sketch, was born May 15, 1851, on the old homestead in this township. His boy- hood was passed in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the district schools during the winter. In 1873 he married Miss Mary Ella, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Stalıl) Duke, who at an early day removed from Perry County, Olio, to Livingston Township, Seneca County, and in 1871 became residents of Wood County.
Mr. Wollam and his estimable wife industriously set forth after their marriage to make a home and fortune, and succeeded in their efforts. Little by little their possessions were increased by their in- dustry and good management. Three children came to bless their home, a son and two daugli- ters. The eldest, Martin A., born July 14, 1874, is of great assistance to his father in the manage- ment of the farm; Marion J., born April 10, 1879;
and Emma E., born February 12, 1882, are still at home.
Politically Mr. Wollam has given his support to the Republican party since becoming a voter. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 329, of Rising Sun.
ICHAEL J. COONEY is senior member of the firm of M. J. Cooney & Co., man- ufacturers of fine carriages and light ve-
hicles. He has been established in business in To- ledo for the past thirty years, during which time his trade has gradually increased, until he is now ranked among the largest manufacturers in his line in the city. In politics he is a Democrat, and is quite an in- fluential man in his party. For two terins he served as Alderman from the Second Ward, and was Pres- ident of the City Council for three terms. In 1878 he was appointed County Auditor to fill a vacancy, and occupied that position for ten months.
The father of our subject, John Cooney, had three children, two sons and one daughter. He was a farmer in Monroe County, Mich., and there occurred the birth of our subject January 27, 1842. He remained on the old homestead until he was nineteen years of age, receiving a district-school education.
In 1865 Michael J. Cooney came to Toledo and formed a partnership with M. Donovan, under the firm name of Donovan & Cooney. The latter pur- chased his partner's interest at the end of two years, and subsequently, in 1868, took into the business James D. Reed, under the style of M. J. Cooney & Co. Whether in business, public or so- cial life, he has always had the interest of others in view rather than his own, and he is justly es- teemed for his sterling qualities.
In 1865 a marriage ceremony was celebrated by which Johana McCarthy became the wife of our
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subject. They have had born to them seven chil- dren, five daughters and two sons. Religiously Mr. Cooney is a prominent member of the Catho- lic Church. His place of residence is at No. 712 Ontario Street.
LARK WAGGONER. Among the oldest and most prominent of Ohio journalists is Clark Waggoner, of Toledo. He was born in Milan Township, now in Erie County, September 6, 1820. His father, Israel Waggoner, was among the very earliest of the settlers of that section, having arrived there in 1811. He was a native of New Jersey, where he was born in 1789, being a son of George Waggoner, a soldier of Washington's army throughout the Revolutionary War. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Lucretia Buck, of Vermont, who came to Ohio in 1815, the trip occupying six weeks. The son's childhood was spent amid pioneer scenes and ex- periences, the nearest neighbors being Indians, and his first playmate was an Indian boy. His school facilities were those common to the period, the schoolhouse first attended by him being without glass for windows, greased paper serving such pur- pose. His chief educational privileges were found in Dr. Franklin's "poor boy's college" (the print- ing-office), which he entered as an apprentice at the age of thirteen years.
Completing his preparatory course when nearly eighteen, our subject went to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), Ohio. There as a journeyman printer he worked for several months, and in May, 1839, started the Lower Sandusky Whig, which was continued until 1843. He then removed to Milan, where he commenced the Milan Tribune, which he published until May, 1851, when that paper was removed to Sandusky, and merged with the Clarion in the Sandusky Register. His asso- ciates were Earl Bill and Henry D. Cooke. In
1866 Mr. Waggoner went to Toledo, and with Gideon T. Stewart, of Norwalk, Ohio, purchased the Toledo Blade, of which, ere long, he became the editor, continuing as such until August, 1865. He conducted that paper during the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865, throughout approving and defend- ing the war policy of the Government as against opposition from different sources, and contributing toward the popular sentiment so exceptionally cf- fective in support of the Union army in north- western Ohio. As a result of difference in views as to the policy for the conduct of the war, Mr. Wag- goner was brought into conflict with a large por- tion of his Republican associates in the Congres- sional District. He was sustained in his views by the more conservative members of the party, who in 1862 selected Morrison R. Waite as their can- didate for Congress. The position of this portion of the party was that of President Lincoln, that the war, on the part of the Government, should be conducted primarily to "save the Union," leaving slavery, with other special interests, to take its chances in the result. To tlus, among Republi- cans, were opposed advocates of the extreme or "radical" policy, making the abolition of slavery a condition precedent in any terms for peace. Though Mr. Waite then failed of election, the can- vass gave him standing as a sound and able con- servative, which opened the way to the exalted position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, far more consistent with his taste and professional ambition, which for four- teen years he filled with eminent distinction for ability, honor and success. From the first, he rec- ognized his appointment as mainly due to Mr. Waggoner.
In connection with his eldest son, Ralph H., Mr. Waggoner purchased the Toledo Commercial in 1866, which he edited until 1876. In the conduct of the Commercial, as of the Blade, he was influen- tial in controlling political and other public re- sults. Notable among such was the part taken by him in the selection of the Republican candidate for Governor in 1875, which proved to have so much bearing upon more important events. In April of that year, most of the Republican daily journals of the state, as by concert, brought out
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Hon. Alphonso Taft, of Cincinnati, for that office, he being a gentleman of Ingh standing. Indica- tions were specially favorable to his nomination without opposition. In consideration of Judge Taft's previous public advocacy of a division of the state school funds with the Roman Catholic Church (he naming $200,000, being one-third, as the portion thus to be paid), and apprehending certain disaster to the party from the choice of such standard-bearer, Mr. Waggoner, through the Commercial, opposed the movement, and urged in- stead the nomination of Rutherford B. Hayes, who twice had been Goveruor and had retired to pri- vate life, expecting and choosing to remain there. In a published letter, that gentleman had positive- ly refused the use of his name for re-nomination for Governor before Judge Taft was suggested, and still protested against being considered a candi- date. Notwithstanding such protest and the al- most unanimous support of Judge Taft by the leading Republican journals of the state, Mr. Wag- goner insisted that ex-Governor Hayes, regardless of lis wish in the casc, should be nominated, as the only ground for hope of the success in Ohio in 1875 on which could rest hope of success in the Presidential campaign of 1876. An active can- vass followed, and closed with complete endorsc- ment of Mr. Waggoner's action in the unanimous nomination of ex-Governor Hayes, to be followed by his election over Governor Allen (Democrat), chosen in 1873; and, as direct consequeuce, his nomination and clection as President in 1876, re- sults, by common assent, as by that gentleman, attributed to the action of Mr. Waggoner in 1875. It becomes pertinent here to state that Governor Allen was specially prominent in 1875 as candidate for Democratic nomination for President in 1876, and no doubt would have been elected to that office in case of his re-election as Governor, an event, as the facts seem to show, depending on the choice of the Republican candidate for Goveruor in 1875.
Among the incidents of Mr. Waggoner's life most satisfactory to him is the part which he took in removing the bars of prejudice by which the colored children of Toledo had been excluded from the educational facilities furnished their white neighbors. Such an end was accomplished
in 1871, after a contest of two years, in which the Commercial led the cause of justice against the op- position of the Board of Education. The result was finally reached through a public sentiment, aroused and made effective by Mr. Waggoner's persistent support of the right.
The part borne by Mr. Waggoner in the estab- lishment of the present system of water supply for Toledo may properly be mentioned. The City Council, by nearly unauimous vote, had adopted, and the citizens as generally accepted, the Holly system of water works. Becoming satisfied that such was not desirable and that the stand-pipe plan was preferable, Mr. Waggoner advocated a change accordingly. The discussion lasted some three months, and closed with the nearly unanimous adoption by the Council of a resolution surrender- ing the Holly and accepting the stand-pipe sys- tem, which was fonnd to be far superior to the other and equal in efficiency, economy and dura- bility to that of any other city in the country.
Mr. Waggoner preserved aud now holds as a proud monument to hiis life work fifty bound volumes of newspapers, of which he was publisher and editor. They cover the period of thirty-five years, including twelve years of weekly and twenty-three years of daily journals. Throughout this period, whether in social, moral, business or political affairs, his pen was ever ready in defense of the right, regardless of what, in a selfish view, might seem to be disadvantage to himself. As far as his action was concerned it mattered little whether he was thus brought in conflict with per- sonal or political friends or others; with men of high or low standing; with the many or the few. His course showed the same consistent, in flexible adherence to convictions of his own mind. It has been justly stated, that no person has done more to clevate the character of the public press in northern Ohio than did Mr. Waggoner through- out the time covered by his labors as a journalist.
The political opinions of Mr. Waggoner were largely formed during President Jackson's second administration, when he accepted the views and the policy of the Whigs, then under the lead of Clay, Webster and other giants in statesmanship of those days. He continued with the Whig party
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until the body of the same was merged in its Re- publican successor, in 1855, with which latter lie has sinee been actively identified. As a eonduetor of the Sandusky Register, he bore effective part in placing the Republican party on the sound basis which, from the start, gave to it sueh remarkable strength and suceess.
Very soon after the close of War of the Rebell- ion, Mr. Waggouer, as editor of the Commercial, favored the adoption of early measures for restora- tion of a sound monetary condition. This he did against very powerful local sentiment, as shown in the fact that definite effort, well nigh to sueeess, was made in a party convention to deelare him for sueh action unfit to represent a Republican constitueney. He bore especially aetive part in support of resumption of speeie payment, as in- augurated in 1879; and it is deemed safe to here state that but for direet and indirect results of his aetion while editor of the Commercial, such an im- portant end would probably not have been attained at the date named. His relations as conduetor of the press elosed in 1876, but his active interest in matters of public coneern did not then cease, his pen throughout the subsequent period having ever been ready in discussion of whatever questions pertained to the moral, intellectual, political or material welfare of his fellow-citizens, such service being mainly voluntary, and rarely without mani- fest publie benefit. The aggregate of sueli contri- bution is equal to more than one thousand ordi- nary book pages. The most of it is upon sharply defined questions involving more or less of antag- onism in itself by no means desirable. As a result of sueh diseussion, however, it was rare that de- finite expression made by his fellow-citizens was not in agreement with his views, a faet far more compensating than eould have been mere peeuniary return.
Regarding the holding of publie offiee as ineom- patible with the independence due from eondue- tors of politieal journals, Mr. Waggoner, on sev- eral oeeasions and uniformly, deelined appoint- ments in themselves specially desirable, and this faet contributed largely to the personal and edito- rial influenee which he exereised. The only posi- tion of the kind ever held by him was that of
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Toledo Distriet, to which he was appointed by Pres- ident Hayes in July, 1877, without his seeking, and while he was supporting another for the place. Under his management, the office, for the first time in its history, attained the grade of "first class, according to the scale of mer- it." Many letters from the Treasury Department during his five years of service bore uniform tes- timony to the unsurpassed success of his adminis- tration, and extending to him the "thanks and congratulations" of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, who wrote: "Nothing could be more complete than the manner in which every detail of the service is eondueted in your distriet." The official subordinates justly sharing sueh exceptional honor, were: Chief Deputy Clayton R. Heath, and Deputies Leroy E. Clarke, James W. Ross, Lewis E. Brewster and Vincent J. Emmick, at To- ledo; J. W. Baker, at Norwalk; and George O. Sel- kirk and Mrs. Eva G. Center, at Sandusky. In this connection may properly be recognized Colleetor Waggoner's further exceptional record in his seru- pulous and uniform abstinence, and that of his subordinates, from participation in management of politieal affairs beyond the ballot and the ex- pression of opinion, thereby conforming to the order of President Hayes of March, 1877.
Upon the elose of Mr. Waggoner's service as Collector, his attention became mainly directed to obtaining historial material for use in various forms, of which the history of Toledo and Lucas County, prepared by him and published in 1888, is one. In such pursuit he earefully examined three hundred bound volumes of newspapers, in dates extending as far back as 1814, and made sev- en thousand notations of facts of more or less permanent interest, which will be of increasing value, as will be a large quantity of elippings from newspapers and other sources meantime gathered by him.
On the 29th of December, 1841, Mr. Waggoner was married, at Fremont, Ohio, to Miss Sylvia B. Roberts, youngest daughter of Chauncy Roberts. They have had five children, of whom four now survive: Ralph H., in New York; J. Frederick, in Chieago, Ill .; Mrs. Carrie W. Seward, of Lansing,
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Mich .; and Miss Mary Ella, of Toledo. Miss Fanny died at Toledo, June 7, 1888.
In early manhood Mr. Waggoner made a pro- fession of religion, and since that time lias been connected with the Presbyterian Church. With Mrs. Waggoner he was one of the original mem- bers of Westminster Church at Toledo. They are still connected with that church, as are most of their children.
ILLIAM DAVIDSON owns and eulti- vates a nicely improved farm on sec- tion 26, Center Township, Wood Coun- ty. Here he has had his dwelling-place for the past thirty years, and all the improvements on the farm stand as monuments to his industry and good business ability.
Our subject was born December 31, 1838, in Perrysburg, Wood County. Here he grew to man- hood, receiving meager school advantages. On account of the distance of the school from his home, a walk of a mile and a-half, he did not attend until he was nine years of age, and his schooling from that time onward was limited to a short time during the winter. He continued to dwell under the parental roof until reaching his major- ity, learning in the mean time lessons of thrift and perseverance, which served him in good stead when he began fighting the battles of life for himself.
December 30, 1864, William Davidson wedded Isabella Nickle, who was born in Scotland, Feb- rnary 8, 1833. Of their three children, Robert A., the eldest, died in childhood; John W., born Nov- ember 9, 1868, is unmarried and still at home; and Thomas H., born November 6, 1871, married Bes- sie A. Lance, June 12, 1893. The young couple have a little daughter, Ethel Clara.
Prior to his marriage, William Davidson had purchased sixty acres of land on section 26, this being a portion of his present homestead. The land was in a wild state and necessitated a great
deal of labor before it could be brought under proper cultivation. A log cabin of one room was supplanted in later years by a substantial farm house, and other necessary buildings have also been erected. The owner has cleared about eighty acres of his farm, and formerly used ox-teams in hauling away the logs.
Our subject enlisted in the one hundred days' service as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and was sent to Columbus, thence to Ft. McHenry, and later to Annapolis, where he did post duty until- he was discharged, September 2, 1864. In politics he is a true-blue Republiean, and takes great interest in whatever pertains to the public welfare.
H ON. CHARLES P. GRIFFIN. Whatever the natural resources of a country or its business facilities, still its history must de- pend chiefly upon the men who reside there, and who by their ability and energy have added to its wealth and commercial importance. Among this class, and as one of its prominent representatives, we present the name of the Hon. C. P. Griffin, of Toledo, who has been a resident of Toledo during the principal part of the past quarter of a cent- ury. As a business man he has been very success- ful, while in public affairs he has gained promi- nence throughout the state.
The parents of our subjeet, Robert W. and Har- riet (Beach) Griffin, resided for many years in Kipton, Lorain County, Ohio, where he was born September 3, 1842. The rudiments of his educa- tion were obtained in the common schools of Kip- ton, and afterward, ambitious to increase his fund of learning, he entered Oberlin College, where he conducted his studies with diligence and success. In order to pay the necessary expenses of tuition and board, he taught school during the winter
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months for several years. At the age of twenty- two years he secured a position as a teacher in a business college in Oberlin, of which, less than a year later, lie became Principal.
In connection with another gentleman, Mr. Grif- fin, in 1865, opened a business college at Hillsdale, Mich., which he superintended and conducted in addition to continuing the management of the col- lege at Oberlin. For three years he was thus en- gaged, after which, in 1868, he came to Toledo, and embarked in the real-estate and insurance business. From 1879 until 1883 he served as Gen- eral Manager of the National Life Insurance Com- pany of the United States, but during the latter year he returned to Toledo, where his large and increasing interests required his personal atten- tion.
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