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 57
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 57
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Politically Mr. Barber is a Democrat, and takes an active part in local affairs, though he is not an offiee-seeker. He has served two terms as Trustee of his township, and has occupied other loeal offices. In business and private life he has always been energetie and faithful, and has gained the confidenee of his fellow-citizens.
H ENRY T. NILES, author of the new poem "The Dawn aud the Day; or, The Buddha and the Christ," lives at his suburban home on Maumee Bay, near Toledo. He was boru Jan- uary 28, 1826, and is the ninth of ten children born to William aud Relief (Barron) Niles. His father, a native of Councetieut, removed with his -
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parents to Vermont, theu a wilderness. He was among the early graduates from Dartmouth Col- lege, and studied law with the Hon. Charles Marsh, of Woodstock, Vt. Before his death he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y.
The grandfather of our subject, Hon. Nathaniel Niles, who was a native of Braintree, Mass., was a graduate of Princeton, and was a very prominent man of his time. "Thic American Hero," written by him, was one of the most popular war songs of the Revolution. He was one of the first members of Congress from Vermont, and though a minister, was elected by the Legislature to the Supreme Bench of the state.
It is a singular fact that the eldest son of the family for five generations has been a judge, al- though but two of them were lawyers. The Niles family is of English origin, but the American branch all descended from Capt. Nathaniel Niles, who settled at Block Island, R. I., in 1640.
The brothers of Mr. Niles who lived to grow up were Hon. John Barron, who graduated at Dart- mouth College and was long one of the most prom- inent lawyers of Indiana; Nathaniel, one of its most energetie and successful pioncers; Samuel, who graduated at Dartmouth Medical College, and long practiced his profession at Niles, Mich., and who was one of the early regents of Michigan University; and Hon. William Watson, who grad- uated at Dartmouth, and has since been one of the most prominent lawyers of New York City. His sisters werc: Mary Ann, who married Horace H. Dow; and Jannette R., both of whom reside in Santa Monica, Cal.
The subject of this sketch graduated at Dart- mouth College in the Class of '47, and after some time spent in post-graduate studies at Dartmouth, Yale and Edinburg University and in European travel and in teaching in various institutions, came to Urbana in 1855, as Professor of Greek and Rhetoric in Urbana University, then a prosperous institution, and in the following year he married Gertrude James, daughter of Hon. John HI. James, one of the most cultured men who ever lived in Ohio. He afterward studied and practiccd law, but ill health compelled him to give up his chosen profession, since which time he has devoted him-
self to literature and the care of his large landed property near Toledo.
Mr. Niles has perhaps the largest private library in Toledo, and his pleasant home is surrounded by large groups of most magnificent forest trees, which he has carefully preserved. It looks out on the bay and lake and all the shipping that passes in and out of the harbor of Toledo.
Mr. and Mrs. Niles have three living children: Gertrude James, Helen James and Francis Bailey, who reside with them.
I OHN P. BRONSON, of Toledo, comes from one of the pioneer families of Lucas County. For a period covering some eighteen years he has been a Clerk in the city Police Court, and his faithfulness to his duties has been the rea- son for his long retention in the position. In the War of the Rebellion he suffered severely in behalf of his country, and since that time he has had last- ing injuries. He is now Scoretary and Treasurer of the Lime City Company.
The paternal grandparents of our subjeet were Se- lah and Nancy (Collins) Bronson, who passed their entire lives in New York State. The maternal grandparents of John P. were John and Eva (Lewis) Phillips, likewise natives of New York. The former was a patriot of the Revolutionary War and died in Indiana at a good old age. Our subject's fa- ther, Orrin W., was born in Ontario County, N. Y., February 8, 1816. He learned the gunsmith's trade, which he followed prior to his removal to this county in 1833. After settling here he engag- ed in the improvement of a homestead. Since the death of his wife, which occurred February 1, 1894, he has been making his home with his children. He is now at Richfield, N. J., with his daughter, Nancy D., wife of Maj. W. B. Pugh. O. W. C. Bronson was married February 1, 1838, to Helen
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R. Phillips, who was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1815. They became the parents of fourteen children, all hut one of whom still survive.
A native of Noble County, Ind., John P. Bron- son was born in the village of Swan, May 18, 1847. Ile remained with his parents until 1864, when, al- though he was a youth of only seventeen years, he became a member of Company I, Fourteenth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, under Capt. W. B. Pugh, a brother-in-law, the date of his enlistment being February, 1864. He went to the front with his regiment, and in the engagement of Utah Creek he was wounded in the leg and an amputation be- low the knee became necessary. The unfortunate youth was in the hospital for six months and then returned home on a furlough, when a second op- eration was performed, his limb being removed at the thigh. He was honorably discharged from the service June 21, 1865, and was soon given employ- ment by the Government at Nashville, Tenn.
April 30, 1873, Mr. Bronson married Helen Lec, who was born in Monroe, Mich., and is a daughter of James and Julia (Loranger) Lee. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bronson has been blessed with nine children, two sons and seven daughters.
Our subject has always been interested in civic societies and social organizations. He is a mem- ber of Forsyth Post No. 15, G. A. R .; he is also an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, a Forester and an Elk. Moreover he belongs to two yacht clubs and to the popular and growing West End Club. His father was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when he tranferred his allegiance to that organization. His son, John P., has always been a stalwart Republican since casting his first vote for Grant on that General's first nomination.
The pioneer experiences of Orrin W. C. Bron- son afford him themes for many an interesting con versation. He left his New York home for the Buckeye State in 1833, and when he reached Lucas County found it a wilderness. Toledo was not then in existence and few settlers had located in this section. In 1839 he started on foot loaded down with heavy packs for Indiana, where he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. In the fall of 1854 he sold out and returned to this vicinity, where he educated his children.
In 1854 he started a grocery, but was soon after- ward burnt out and lost even his insurance, as thie company became bankrupt. He then obtained a position as clerk in a railroad office and for sixteen years was Superintendent of Mt. Hope Cemetery. For sixty-three years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his wife had been for a lifetime identified.
M ILTON F. MILES, a prominent citizen of Montgomery Township, Wood Coun- ty, was a gallant soldier during the late Civil War, and served from September 14, 1861, until November 30, 1865. In times of peace and war alike, he has been a loyal and trusted defend- er of the liberties and welfare of his country, and is always to be found on the side of whatever makes for the public good. In 1887 he was elect- ed Sheriff and served efficiently for two terms, but with this exception has not held public office.
A son of Davis and Julia A. (Demman) Miles, Milton F. was born in Chesterville, Knox County (now Monroe), Ohio, December 10, 1838. His father was born in Chester County, Pa., in 1814, and died August 6, 1865. The latter's parents were born July 3, 1786, and April 3, 1790, respect- ively, and died May 18, 1840, and August 18, 1871, respectively. The early years of Davis Miles were spent on a farm, and when he arrived at maturity he was married, at Chesterville, Ohio. He had be- come a resident of this state a few years previous- ly, and from that time until his death he contin- ued to dwell in this state. He was a very promi- nent man in his community and served for two terms in the Ohio Senate.
Milton F. Miles is one of three children. He was given a good education, and at twenty years of age went to Delaware (Ohio) University for one year. The next two years he spent in study
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at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. While there he enlisted in the Students' Battalion, but their services were rejected on account of the quota of men being already full. Mr. Miles re- turned home, and in the fall of 1861 enlisted in the Forty-third Ohio Regiment under Gen. C. Smith, and went into camp at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Janu- ary 9, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Sec- ond Lieutenant, and was assigned to Company A, Forty-ninth Ohio Regiment. After camping for a short time at Green River, Ky., he was ordered to Bowling Green, February 14, 1862, and thence moved to Nasliville, going to the assistance of General Grant. On the 6th of the following March he took part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and with the other forces of his com- mand retained a position from eleven until four o'clock P. M., though under constant fire, but was then obliged to retreat. His next important en- gagement was at Corinthi, Miss. Among the bat- tles in which he participated were the following: Crab Orchard, Murfreesboro, Liberty Gap, Chick- amauga, and the Atlanta Campaign, Nashville be- ing his last engagement. In one battle in which he participated twenty-four out of fifty-six soldiers of his command were killed, and a number were also wounded. After being assigned to the West- ern Army, Mr. Miles was stationed in Texas, where lie was mustered ont in the fall of 1865.
On returning from the South, Mr. Miles embarked in the drug business in Chicago, where he re- mained for two years. In 1868 he came to this county and started in the flouring-mill trade at West Mill Grove, and conducted a lucrative busi- ness there for twelve years. Afterwards selling his interest in the mill, he moved to Montgomery Townsinp, where he has since resided.
October 11, 1866, Mr. Miles married Miss M. E. Diver, who was born June 30, 1843. Her parents were Asburn and Esther F. (Robinson ) Diver, na- tives of Portage and Medina Counties, respectivc- ly. The former was born August 23, 1809, and the latter April 2, 1818, and their marriage was celebrated in Crawford County, Ohio. Mrs. Miles is one of seven children, the eldest of whom died in infancy unnamed, and the others are Franklin, Laura, Armand A. and Harriet M. Mr. and Mrs.
Miles are members of the Church of Christ, and enjoy the friendship and esteem of a host of friends in this locality.
M URCENE HOBART, one of the leading business men of Pemberville, was born in Nelson Township, Portage County, Ohio, Angust 10, 1845. His father, John S., a native of New Hampshire, born in 1806, came to Ohio in company with his parents in 1814, settling in Fair- field County. The family has been represented in American history since the days of the "May- flower," the original members in this country hav- ing come over in that historic ship. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin F., was born in New Hamp- shire, and served as a Captain of militia during the War of 1812. His father, William Hobart, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; he par- ticipated in the battle of Lexington, and was with Washington at Valley Forge.
The father of our subject, whose life oceupation was that of an agriculturist, settled in Portage County in 1830, and died on the old homestead in 1885, aged seventy-nine years. ITis wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Moore, was born in Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio, and died at the age of thirty-six years. Her father, Thomas Moore, was a native of England, and her moth- er was born in Ireland. Our subject was one of twelve children, there being ten sons and two daughters. All but three of the family are still living. Thomas holds a responsible position with a railroad at Decatur, Ill. Elmer, who was a soldier in the Third Illinois Cavalry, now makes his home in Mattoon, Ill. Freedom is Principal of the schools at Hillsboro, Ill. Jefferson is a promi- nent physician of Ashimore, Ill. M. M. is in the real-estate business. A. D. is a successful physi- cian and surgeon of Toledo. Jolin S. is an arehi- tect at Lansing, Mich.
The subject of this notice, who was the sixth in order of birth among the children comprising the
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family, spent his early years on the home farm. In the fall of 1863, when only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in defense of his country, becoming a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. He was with General Sherman in the Atlanta Cam- paign, and in front of that eity he received in- juries that disabled him to such an extent as to render further service impossible, However, he remained in the army until the elose of the war, and was discharged August 10, 1865, upon the twentieth auniversity of his birth.
On returning to Ohio, Mr. Hobart took a course at Eastman's Commercial College, after which lie settled on a farm near Fremont. About the same time lie established domestic ties, choosing as his wife Miss Catherine M., daughter of Henry Bow- lus, a farmer of Sandusky County. After a short period spent as a bookkeeper in the office of H. Bowlus & Co., at Fremont, Ohio, he engaged in the sawmill business, and for four years was in that and the planing-mill business. In 1871 he came to Pemberville, where he at onee embarked in the grocery business, and a year later opened a hardware store. In 1876 he erected his present large briek bloek, and ten years later he bought a dry-goods stoek. Associated with him in the bus- iness is Henry F. Bowlus, a brother of his wife. Sueh has been the industry and energy with whiel they have prosecuted their trade, that they are now proprietors of the largest dry-goods, groeery and hardware store in Wood County. Their custom- ers inelude not only the people of Pemberville, but the residents of neighboring towns and the farmers of the surrounding country, among all of whom they have established a reputation for fair, honorable and reliable dealings.
In addition to the establishment with which his name is inseparably associated, Mr. Hobart is the owner of a large tile factory on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, five miles from Toledo, and has a distributing yard at Pemberville. He is also owner of the grain elevator at this place. He was one of the first to engage in the develop- ment of the Wood County oil-fields around Pem- berville, having, with a number of other gentle-
men, drilled several wells near this eity. At pres- ent he owns some four hundred acres of leases, and has several wells in operation.
In the Masonie order Mr. Hobart is active and prominent. He is a charter member and the pres- ent Master of the lodge at Pemberville, and is also eonneeted with the Chapter. Officially he has rendered efficient serviee in a number of respon- sible positions. He has been a member of the Board of Education, and is at present serv- ing his second term as Treasurer of Pemberville. Sinee assisting in the organization of the Presby- teriau Church at this place, he has been active in its various enterprises and generous in its support. For nine or more years he was Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Politieally he is a Republican, and, in common with other veterans of the Civil War, takes an active part in Grand Army affairs.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hobart consists of six children. Clayton S., the oldest, is a partuer in his father's store, and is Superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday-sehool; lie is a young man of decided business talent, and has a bright future before him. Anna S. is at present in Florida. Harrison W. is a student in Amherst College, where he is preparing for the legal profession. Raymond is in Florida. Earl is at home. Lee, the youngest of the family, is a briglit boy of eleven years, and is a student in the Pemberville schools.
APT. REED V. BOICE, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Toledo, is an early settler of this place, and is a veteran of the War of the Rebellion. He is now retired from business, but for many years was eonneeted with many local industries. In various parts of the city stand fine business bloeks, public buildings and pleasant homes, which were ereeted under his supervision. In 1861 he was one of one hundred men, drawn from all kinds of party affiliations, who organized to suppress the Rebellion.
Captain Boiee was born in Tioga County, N. Y., Mareh 21, 1832, and is a son of John P. and Roxy
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(Williams) Boice. The former was reared in Al- bion, N. Y., and about 1837 removed to Orleans County, in the same state. There Mrs. Boice was ealled to her final rest, and a year later young Reed came to Ohio with an uncle and settled near Venice, now Erie County. He was only nine years old when lie began the battle of life for self-support. His first employment was with a neighboring farmer, for whom he worked a few years. His father having come to thic Buckeye State, the son went to live with him for a short timc.
In March, 1846, Reed V. Boice started from home for Toledo, and walked the distance, some forty-five miles. From his father he learned the business of contracting and masonry, and worked with him until he had reached his majority. Hc then started out for himself as a general builder and contractor, and was thus engaged until 1854. At that time he ventured in another linc of trade, opening a grocery and general provision store in East Toledo.
In 1860 Mr. Boice sold out his business, and in the following year, when the war broke out, en- listed in the Union service. He was mustered in as Hospital Steward of the Third Ohio Cavalry, in which capacity he served until November 30, 1864. He was promoted to the rank of First Lieuten- ant, and, though first detailed as Regimental, he subsequently becamc Brigade-Commissary. Always active and faithful at his post of duty, he won the hearty approbation of his superior officers. He was mustered out August 14, 1865, but just pre- vious to that event was commissioned Captain.
October 13, 1852, Captain Boice married Miss Lois A. Smith, who was born in Groton, Erie County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Boice were born four children. John and Fred, able young busi- ness men of Toledo, are represented elsewhere in this volume.
In 1880 the Captain became President of the Toledo Mower and Reaper Company, long onc of the most extensive concerns of this place. For several years he was President of the Toledo Mold- ing Company, and in 1883 succeeded W. O. Parker as President of the Merchants' National Bank, a position which he filled creditably for a number of
years. On returning from the South after the war, the Captain resumed his former business at contracting and building, and was prospercd to an eminent degree. His articles written from the front during the Rebellion for the Toledo Blade, of which he was a regular and valued correspond- ent, excited wide and favorable comment. Polit- ically he is a stanch Republican, and in 1860 was a delegate to the convention at Chicago which nom- inated Lincoln. By all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance the worthy Captain is loved and greatly esteemed.
P HILIP COOPER, who is a very successful and progressive agriculturist of Sylvania Township, Lucas County, owns sixty acres of land on section 17 and forty acres on section 18, and has made good improvements on both places. He is one of the native sons of this town- ship, the date of his birth being October 3, 1827.
Remington Cooper, the father of Philip, was a native of Rhode Island, and a carpenter by trade. He emigrated to the Buckeye Statc about 1832, and took up a tract of eighty acres of Government land in this county. This section of the country was then a wilderness and gave little promise of what the future had in store for it. Mr. Cooper built the house in which his son is now living, the structure being completed about 1856. After a busy and useful life he was summoned to the home beyond, in July, 1862. His wife, before her mar- riage Miss Anna Fogle, was a native of Toronto, Canada, and dicd in 1880.
Philip Cooper is one of ten children, and the fifth in order of birth. His eldest brother, William, who was a resident of Sylvania, was a carpenter by trade, and died in 1848. Another brother, Horace, was killed in the battle of Murfreesboro, during the late Civil War. The sisters are as fol- lows: Elizabeth Huntley, living in Ford County, Ill .; Julia, who married Isaac Rogers, a farmer of
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Michigan, and died in 1852; Laura Kimble, who lives on a farm in Ford County, Ill .; Mrs. Phoebe Camiska, who died in the state of California; Mrs. Polly Parker, now deceased, formerly of Adrian, Mich .; Harriet, who is now living with our subject; and Almira, Mrs. Wallace Musreau, who died in 1865.
April 27, 1858, Philip Cooper married Sarah Hendrickson, who was born August 10, 1839, near Sylvania. Her parents were Jolin L. and Adeline (Cummings) Hendrickson, early settlers in this vicinity. The only son born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper was Albert, whose birth occurred January 8, 1859, and who died in infancy. Their only daugliter, Ida, born July 8, 1862, is the wife of Francis Kimble, a farmer of this township.
During the war Mr. Cooper was a member of the Sylvania Guards, and as such was ready to go to the front at any time required, but was not called into action. For about fifteen years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and polit- ically he uses his ballot in favor of the Republican party. . By his neighbors he is highly esteemed as a man of honor and strict integrity in all his dealings.
R EV. SIMON JOSEPH WIECZOREK, pas- tor of St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, lo- cated on Lagrange and Dexter Streets, Toledo, is a well known and public-spirited citizen of this place, and as a man of education and re- finement is highly respected and estcemed, not only by his congregation, but by all who know him. He has ever manifested a deep interest in the noble work in which he is engaged, and is re- garded as an able and eloquent preacher.
Father Wieczorek was born in Russian Poland, on the 19th of July, 1838. He spent his boy- hood in that country, and there received his early training in the common schools. Later, however, he attended the gymnasium at Sandomier, County Opatow, Gubernia, Radom, and on attaining his
nineteenth year began studying the classics. He later entered the theological seminary at the same place, and for some time prosecuted his studies in philosophy and theology. About this time, in 1863, he became a soldier in the Polish Insurgent army, and fought in the Polish-Russian War for a period of two years. On the expiration of that time he went to France in order to further perfect his theological studies, and after spending two years in the famous institutions of Orleans made his way to Rome, where he completed his educa- tion in this line, and was ordained on the 29th of June, 1868, in that city.
In the year last mentioned Father Wieczorek was sent by the bishop to America, and landed in the city of Detroit, Mich., October 8. From there he went to Parisville, Mich., and there took charge of St. Mary's Church. After three years spent there, and after the big fire in America in 1871, where he lost everything, and where he him- self was very much injured in saving the blessed sacraments, he returned to Detroit, in 1871, and served as pastor of St. Albert's Church in that city for a couple of years. He was afterward sent by the Milwaukee Diocese to Berlin, Wis., and dur- ing the twelve years in which he had charge of the Catholic Church of that city he built a school- house and church.
In 1886 Father Wieczorek came to Toledo, and under his supervision and guidance St. Hedwig's Church has been built. The old church was a large brick structure, and now serves as the parochial school building. The present handsome granite stone church was completed in 1891, under the superintendance of our subject, and cost $65,000. It is located upon a valuable site, which was pur- chased by Father Wieczorek and donated by him to the church, the property including twenty lots.
St. Hedwig's Church has a membership of seven hundred families, and the school has enrolled on its books over four hundred and fifty pupils. Both departments arc under the charge of our subject, assisted by five sisters and one male teacher, who are in every way fitted to care for those placed under their instruction. Fathier Wiec- zorek has now under consideration the building of a fine new parochial school edifice, which will
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