USA > Ohio > Fulton County > The County of Fulton: A History of Fulton County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on Various Subjects, Including Each of the Different Townships; Also a Biographical Department. > Part 30
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JAMES M. BIDDLE, a retired farmer of Wauseon, O., was born in Salt Creek township, Wayne county, O., on November 20, 1838. He is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Duncan) Biddle, both natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, also named Jacob Biddle, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., and married Miss Elizabeth Todd. Peter Biddle, the great-grandfather of James M. Biddle, served as a cap- tain in the Maryland militia in the Revolutionary war. The Biddles originally came from Germany, some say from Holland, and . called themselves "Bittle." Peter was one of three brothers that came to
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America in an early day. Jacob Biddle, the father of James M. Biddle, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa. In 1855 he came to Clinton township, Fulton county, where he bought a farm of Elisha Williams, a pioneer settler of that township. His wife Sarah was born in Beaver county, Pa. The following are the children born to this marriage; Rachel, the wife of Jefferson Worley, of Wayne county ; Johanna, the wife of John Wineland of Knox county, O .; George of York township, Fulton county; Jacob of Goshen, Ind .; Andrew, deceased, who served during the Civil war in the Tenth Ohio cavalry and the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and died in Davis county, Mo .; James M., the subject of this sketch, and Daniel of Delta, Fulton county, who served through- out the Civil war in the Forty-fourth Illinois infantry, with the rank of lieutenant when mustered out of service. James M. Biddle was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of his home township. He enlistered for three years in the Third Ohio cavalry and saw very active service. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Cumberland for a time under the command of Gen. George H. Thomas, and took an active part in all the battles and campaigns from the autumn of 1861 to the fall of Atlanta, when he was discharged. In 1864 he located on a farm in Clinton town- ship, Fulton county. He then removed to Davies county, Mo., where he farmed for six years and then returned to Clinton town- ship, where he farmed until 1904. Selling his large farm he bought a smaller one and removed to Wauseon, where he is now building a fine residence in which to spend his remaining days in retirement from active life. In the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic he takes a deep interest. He married Miss Samantha Williams of Clinton township, the daughter of Jeremiah and Matilda (Biddle) Williams. Jeremiah Williams is the son of Elisha and Hannah ( Harrison) Williams, who settled in this township in 1835. The sketch of Judge Williams, a brother of the wife of the subject of this sketch, is found elsewhere in this work. James M. Biddle and wife have had one child, Anna, the widow of Benjamin F. Rupert of Clinton township.
JOHN L. BIDDLE, who was for many years actively engaged in farming and stock-growing in Fulton township, where he still owns his fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, is now living retired in the village of Delta, being one of the well known and popular citizens of the county. Mr. Biddle was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 21st of March, 1846, and is a son of George and Nancy (Lawrence) Biddle, the former of whom was born in Bedford county, Pa., March 11, 1808, and the latter of whom was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 25, 1813. Their marriage was solemnized in Wayne county, Ohio, July 3, 1832, and there the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1861, when he removed with his family to Fulton county and located on a farm one mile west of Delta in York township. Later they removed to a farm in the western part of the same township, and there George Biddle's
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death occurred on the 7th of August, 1877. His wife survived him by many years, her death occurring in the village of Delta, on the 2Ist of August, 1902. Of their children we incorporate a brief record, as follows: Henry, who was born June 4, 1833, died in Wooster, Ohio, though he was at the time a resident of Fulton county. He left a wife and three children. Nancy J., born Sep- tember 9, 1835, resides in Wayne county, being the widow of Adam Geitgey. Rachel, born December 18, 1837, is the wife of Simon Snyder and they reside in Delta. Benjamin, born April 28, 1840, is engaged in the real estate business in Toledo, Ohio. Jacob, born February 5, 1843, died in Delta, in middle life. John L., of whom this article is more specially written, was the next in order of birth. Samuel, born November 11, 1848, died at the age of two and one-half years. George W., born November 23, 1851, is a well- known farmer of Clinton township. Mary E., who was born May 23, 1854, became the wife of Alonzo Watkins and after his death married George W. Watkins, and they reside in Fulton township. All of the children were born in Wayne county, and there John L. was reared to maturity on the home farm, in the meanwhile duly availing himself of the advantages afforded in the common schools of the locality. His active career has been one of intimate identi- fication with agriculture and allied pursuits, and through his well directed efforts he has gained a competency, so that he has lived retired since 1896, having a pleasant home in Delta, where he and his wife are held in high esteem by all who know them. He accom- panied his parents on their removal to Fulton county, in 1861, and a few years later he purchased a farm in Fulton township which he still owns, and there he maintained his residence until his retirement from active labor, as noted. The farm homestead has been well improved under his supervision and personal efforts, having a beautiful resi- dence, barn and adjunct buildings, and it is regarded as being one of the model farms of Fulton township. In addition to his attractive residence property in Delta, Mr. Biddle also owns a fine brick busi- ness building, on Main street, the same having been erected by him in the summer of 1905. He is a man of liberal and progressive ideas, and is loyal and public-spirited as a citizen. He devotes his attention to the management of his various properties and takes much interest in public affairs of a local nature, and in his political allegiance he has been arrayed with the Democratic party from the time of attain- ing his majority. Both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past thirty years, earnest in the support of the same and in its work, and he is now a member of the board of trustees of the church in Delta. September 4, 1869, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Biddle to Miss Margaret J. Watkins, daughter of John and Margaret Watkins, who were honored pio- neers of Fulton county. Mrs. Biddle was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and was a child at the time of her parents removal to Fulton county. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Biddle the follow- ing data are consistently entered: Dora May was born in Fulton county, Q., December 23, 1872, and died August 31, 1878. Nora was
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born in Fulton county, O., September 15, 1878, and was married to Dr. F. D. B. Waltz, on August 22, 1904; and Gertrude, who was born in Fulton county, O., December 23, 1881, and graduated from the Delta High School in 1899, is now a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Delta,
SAMUEL A. BIDDLE is numbered among the progressive farm- ers and dairymen of York township and is one of the popular and in- fluential citizens of his community. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 9, 1853, and is a son of George D. and Julia. (Aungst) Biddle, who removed to Fulton county when he was two years of age, the father being still resident of York township and the mother being deceased. Samuel A. Biddle was reared on the home farm and duly availed himself of the advantages of the local school, and he has been identified with agricultural pursuits from his youth to the pres- ent time. At the age of twenty-one years he purchased a farm of: forty acres, the same being covered with the native timber. He cleared and otherwise improved this place, which he eventually sold, after which he purchased sixty acres, which he traded in part pay- ment for his present fine farm, comprising 120 acres, all available for cultivation and improved with excellent buildings. On the 14th of February, 1905, his large and attractive residence was destroyed by fire, and he has since completed the erection of one of: even superior type. Mr. Biddle is a stanch adherent of the Republican party and takes a loyal interest in public affairs of a local nature, being at: the present time a member of the school board of his district. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is affiliated with the Wauseon lodge of the Knights of Pythias. September. 26, 1880, Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kesler, who was born in Fulton county, November 3, 1858, being a daughter of: Elias and Sarah (Pontious) Kesler. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle have two: children, Glenn, born August 19, 1889; and Garl, born December 11, 1898.
STILLMAN BIDDLE is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of York township, where he is a leading farmer and popular citizen. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, Decem- ber 8, 1854, and is a son of George D. and Julia A. (Aungst) Bid- dle, of whom detailed mention is made in the memoir of Jacob T. Biddle, appearing within these pages. Stillman Biddle was about one year of age at the time of his parents' removal to Fulton county, and he was reared to maturity on the homestead farm, in York township, where his father still resides, and his educational advantages were those of the public schools of said township. He has made farming and stock-growing his vocation in life and has been successful in his operations, and he has at all times commanded the unqualified confi- dence and esteem of the community. He purchased his present finely improved homestead farm in 1893, and the same comprises eighty acres of fertile and exceptionally productive land. In politics Mr. Biddle exercises his franchise and influence in the furtherance of the
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cause of the Independent party, and he served three years as town- ship trustee, and five years as a member of the board of education. showing a loyal interest in all that touches the general welfare of the community. On the 3d of January, 1883, Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Almira Highshew, who was born in York town- ship, this county, on the 6th of December, 1859, being a daughter of Enoch and Verlinda (Barnes) Highshew. Her father was a native of New England and came to Fulton county in 1850, locating on a farm in York township, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred in 1861, as the result of his falling from a building. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized, and she died on the 16th of November, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle are the parents of nine children, whose names, in order of birth, are as follows: Harrison S., Zolah, Nora, Mabel, Gladys, Walter T., Ralph, Georgia, and Alfred T.
WILLIAM L. BIDDLE, who is one of the prosperous and popular farmers and stock-growers of Fulton township, was born in York township, this county, on the 12th of February, 1865, and is a son of Stillman C. and Mary (Mack) Biddle, the former of whom was born in Holmes county, Ohio, June 20, 1834, and the latter who was born in Perrysburg, Wood county, February 17, 1840; died Octo- ber 20, 1903. The father still resides on the old homestead, in York township. Of the two children William L. is the elder. His sister, Miss Addie E., remains with her father on the home farm and has had charge of the household affairs since the death of her loved mother. William L. Biddle availed himself of the advantages of the public schools at Delta and later was a student in the Business and Musical college at Fayette, Ohio. As a young man he did efficient work as a teacher in the district schools of his native county, and ever since that time he has been actively and prominently concerned with the agri- cultural industry. The present farm of Mr. Biddle comprises one hun- dred and forty-seven acres and is one of the finest rural estates in the county, having the most substantial improvements and being main- tained under a high state of cultivation. He gives special attention to the raising of road horses, in which line he has a number of fine standard-bred animals, breeding from the best grades. He is also en- gaged extensively in the dairying business, supplying milk to the cheese factory at Ai. Mr. Biddle is an appreciative member of the time-hon- ored Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Swanton Lodge, No. 555, Free and Accepted Masons, Octavius Waters Chapter, No. 154, Royal Arch Masons, at Delta, and Wauseon Council, No. 68, Royal and Select Masons. He also holds membership in Berry Grange, No. . IIII, and in the Swanton lodge of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is one of the leaders in the local ranks of the Democratic party. He is at present deputy state supervisor of elections for the county, has served two terms as township trustee and was formerly president of the school board of Fulton township. August 27, 1890, Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Merrill. daughter of Ozias and Jane (Vaughan) Merrill, and a sister of Frank C. Merrill, who is in-
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dividually mentioned elsewhere in this work, the article in question giving further data regarding the family. Her maternal grandfather, Alexander Vaughan, came to Fulton township in 1835, and here his death occurred in 1847. The present residence of Mr. and Mrs. Biddle was erected by the latter's father, in 1870, being a handsome brick structure located on a commanding eminence on the eastern edge of the village of Ai, and this farm was the birthplace of Mrs. Biddle. The place came into the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Biddle partly through inheritance and partly through purchase. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle be- came the parents of five children. Merrill died at the age of three years, having been the eldest, and the youngest, Robert, died at the age of ten months. The living children are Meredyth, Clark O. and Rachel. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
SYLVESTER PARKER BISHOP, M. D., a distinguished physi- cian and surgeon of Delta, is a native of Licking county, Ohio, where he was born December 3, 1839. He is the son of Zebina and Pluma (Myrick) Bishop, both natives of Canada, where they were married and whence they emigrated to Licking county early in married life. In 1856 they removed to Williams county and there ended their days, he dying at the age of eighty-three and she at eighty years. Zebina Bishop, who was a mechanic by occupation, and wife were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. Their names fol- low: Edwin, who died in infancy ; Ellen, the wife of B. A. Clark, of Bryan ; Julia, who married Henry Barnes and died in Granville, O .; Sylvester Parker; Estella, now Mrs. Jonas McCoy, of Pulaski, O .; Caroline, now Mrs. Amos Lorah, of Hicksville, and Edwin P., a farmer, of Bryan. Sylvester Parker Bishop received his elementary education in the public schools of Bryan, began his professional studies at the medical department of the University of Michigan, and took his degree at Bellevue Hospital college in New York City, graduating in 1865. He located at Delta in the spring of 1864, and here has been in continuous practice since that time. He is an active member of the Fulton County Medical Society, of the State, Tri-State, Northwestern and American Medical Associations, being prominent in each. In 1881 he served as delegate to the International Congress of Physicians and Surgeons in London and again at Washington in 1887. For seven years he served in the capacity of Surgeon of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company. In the affairs of the Masonic fraternity Dr. Bishop takes a very active part, holding membership in the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Toledo Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar, having taken all of these degrees in 1881 ; is a mem- ber of the A. A. Scottish Rites at Toledo, Valley of Cleveland, and Lake Erie Consistory, and is now a charter member of Toledo Con- sistory S. P. R. S., Thirty-second degree. In politics he is identified with the Republican party and in religious matters with the Methodist Episcopal church. On February 1, 1866, at Bryan, the Doctor was married to Miss Florence Dobbs, a daughter of Judge Joshua Dobbs. Four children have been born to these parents, three of whom are still
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living. They are: Eudora, supervising principal of Drawing and Art in the Fostoria, O., city schools; Opal, the wife of C. P. Geer, of Delta; Parker Selwyn, a graduate of the Detroit College of Medicine of the class of 1901, and now associated in the practice of medicine with his father.
FRANK G. BLACKMAN, a photographer of Wauseon, was born in Adrian, Lenawee county, Mich. He is the son of Demon and Jane (Shepard) Blackman, the former of Michigan and the latter of Con- necticut. Demon Blackman was born in Adrian, where he was reared and educated. He was for years engaged in the mercantile business in his home city. His father came from Connecticut to Ohio in an early day. The subject of this sketch was only a babe when his father died. Demon Blackman and wife had a family of six children, three boys and three girls. They are: L. M. Blackman of Knoxville, Tenn.,. who was colonel of the Fourth Tennessee cavalry during the Civil war, having been promoted to that rank for his bravery in escaping the Confederates at the risk of his life, and who at the breaking out of the war was a state legislator ; W. D. Blackman of Napoleon, O., gauger in the United States internal revenue service, who prior to coming to Na- poleon had served in the same capacity for twenty-five years at To- ledo; Frank G. Blackman, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary E. Murray of Wisconsin; Mrs. Electa Shaw, and Mrs. Emma Cass, a widow, of Adrian. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of his native city and learned the business of photog- rapher of his brother, W. D. Blackman of Napoleon, who from 1862 to 1865 conducted a gallery in Wauseon. After having thoroughly learned the business he came to Wauseon and started a gallery there, where he now enjoys an extensive as well as a lucrative business. From an humble beginning his business has spread out over Fulton county, as well as the adjoining counties. Mr. Blackman has the repu- tation of doing strictly first-class work, and his numerous patrons throughout that part of the State recognize in him a first-class artist. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs in both organizations. Mr. Blackman has devoted much of his time to field work, instituting lodges all over the State, a work in which he has met with remarkable success. Few men have made a stronger record in lodge work than he. . It seems that everything that he has undertaken has prospered. It is needless to state that he never permitted his lodge work to interfere with his professional work. With the enthusiasm, energy and push that he possesses, one must succeed. The subject of this sketch married Miss Mary Woodward, daughter of Jason Woodward of Henry county, O., where the father followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman are members of the Methodist Church, North, and take an active part in all branches of church work. They have three children, one son and two daughters. The children are Dr. Wave Blackman, June and Ruth, the latter two being still at home.
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FRANK T. BLAIR, a farmer and gravel contractor of Wauseon, was born near Rileysville, Wayne county. l'a. He is the son of James and Sarah (Smith) Blair, the former a native of Scotland and the lat- ter of Ireland. His grandparents were Brice and Margaret Blair, the former of whom died in Scotland in 1816. James Blair was born in Scotland in 1810. Immigrating to America he first landed at New York, where he found employment as superintendent of Section No. 92, of the Croton aqueduct, then in process of construction. While engaged in this work he was so unfortunate as to lose a leg. In 1846 he married Miss Sarah Smith, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Thomp- son) Smith, who was born in Philadelphia in 1821. In 1870 he came to Wauseon, O., and bought a farm in Clinton township, Fulton county, which he cultivated until seven years previous to his death, in 1898. His wife lost two brothers, Samuel and James Smith, while serving in the Union army, the former having lost his life at the battle of Fair Oaks and the latter having died of wounds received in battle. To this marriage the following children were born : Robert S., of Dover town- ship, Fulton county ; Frank T., the subject of this sketch; Crawford, the proprietor of the Blair House, Wauseon; Sarah J., the widow of Luther Orndorm ; Samuel T., of Rose City, Mich .; Margaret A. ; Wells C., of Emporium, Pa .; Col. Ellsworth (deceased) ; Jessie F .; Mary E .; and Lizzie R. Frank T. Blair was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of his home township. He came to Wauseon from Sheffield, now Barnes, Warren county, Pa., in 1871, where he had been engaged in the lumber business for seven years. While living at Barnes he married Miss Rose Barnes, a descendant of one of whom the town derived its name. In the same year he bought a farm of two hundred acres in York township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Upon this land he at once erected a substantial dwell- ing, a large barn and other necessary buildings. In 1883 he was elect- ed sheriff of Fulton county, and conducted the office so successfully that two years later he was re-elected by an increased majority. Dur- ing his two administrations the affairs of the county were carefully looked after, and the result was that law and order prevailed through- out the county. Mr. Blair certainly has just cause to be proud of his official record. At the expiration of his second term the Fulton county bar and friends presented him with a gold-headed cane, on the head of which was inscribed, "Presented to Frank T. Blair as a token of his fidelity and efficiency in office." His wife was the daughter of Erastus Barnes, a native of Yates county, N. Y., who was a pioneer settler of Warren county, Pa. He was quite prominent in county and township affairs, having held the office of county commissioner several terms, also that of justice of the peace and other township offices. In the lumber and general merchandise business he was quite successful and was the owner of the largest saw and grist mill in the county. He died in 1804. aged eighty-four years. Timothy Barnes, his father, was born in Yates county, and his son. Timothy Barnes, was treasurer of Warren county. Pa., two terms. He died in 1881. The ancestors of this family came from Connecticut, and took an active part in the Revo- lutionary war. The mother-in-law of the subject of this sketch is
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Eliza (Eddy) Barnes, a native of Warren county, Pa., and the daugh- ter of Zachariah and Rose (Stewart) Eddy, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ireland. Henry H. Ham, a prominent attorney of Fulton county, married a sister of Mrs. F. T. Blair. The children of Frank T. Blair and wife are: Eddy, of Wauseon, and Er- nest Frank, a commission merchant of New York City.
EUGENE BLAKE, a retired merchant of Wauseon, has been iden- tified with the public affairs of Fulton county for nearly a half-century. He came to Fulton county with his father in 1856, when Wauseon was the terminus of the Lake Shore railway and when the present site of the city was still nearly all in the woods. His grandfather, Richard Blake, was one of the pioneers of Swan Creek township, Fulton county, hav- ing come to Ohio from New York in a very early day. Lawrence Blake, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Alleghany county, New York, in 1811, where he grew to manhood. When he came to Ohio he settled in Erie county and from there he removed to Fulton county, locating on a farm in Fulton township, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife was the daughter of James Man- ning, a pioneer of Swan Creek township, who afterwards removed to a point farther west. Lawrence Blake and wife lived a happy married life of more than sixty years. He died in 1901 at the ripe age of ninety years. Eugene Blake was reared on a farm and received a rudimen- tary education in the public schools of his county. At the age of twenty- three he came to Wauseon and began his remarkably successful busi- ness career. For some time he clerked in the general store of Brigham & Springer. As a salesman he displayed such marked ability that his employers gave him an interest in the business, the name of the new firm being Brigham, Springer & Co. That no mistake was made in his elevation to a partnership in the concern is evidenced by the fact that the business grew in volume as long as he was connected with it. For sixteen consecutive years he filled with great credit to himself and profit to the city the office of mayor of Wauseon. He was equally interested in township affairs, and served as trustee for nine years. He is one of the oldest Masons in the county, having filled the chair of senior war- den on the occasion of the institution of the first lodge. He married Miss Sarah Scott of Wauseon, a member of one of the most prominent families of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have one child, Scott Blake, who graduated from the Cincinnati School of Dental Surgery with the class of 1905, and is now located in his profession at Wauseon. The subject of this sketch certainly has the right to rest from the burdens of active life after having worked so long and so hard, not only to build up a fortune for himself but also to assist in the development of Wau- seon and Fulton county.
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