The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 97

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072

USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 97

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MICHAEL STINER, son of Charles and Dorothea (Weaver) Stiner, was born September 27, 1845. His parents were natives of Germany, and emigrated in 1845, coming direct to this county. They purchased land in Salem Township, and there brought up their children-Catharine M., Louisa, Elizabeth, Anna, John and Magdalene, all living but Eliza- beth. The mother died in February, 1884. Michael Stiner was married, July 2, 1871, to Mary E. Ritchie, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Har- ris) Ritchie, natives of this State Her parents moved to this county in an early day. Her mother died in August, 1881, her father's death occurring several years previous. Mr. Stiner rented land for several years, and in 1874 purchased thirty acres, adding thirty acres more in 1878. On this farm he now resides, valuing the same at $75 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Stiner are the parents of three children-Olive M., Fred H. and Frank, all living but the latter. In politics, Mr. Stiner is a Republican. Mrs. Stiner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP.

JACOB F. STOLL is a native of Apstadt, Wittenberg, Germany, and was born May 13, 1844. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Long) Stoll, who were born and married in the locality above mentioned. Her parents emigrated to America in 1847, and settled in Upper Sandu ly, where they resided a few years, and then entered land in Crawford Township. Their children were Jacob F., Fredericka, Catharine, John, Adam and Charles. The mother and father both died here, and were interred in the Lutheran Cemetery. Our subject was married, June 6, 1880, to Elizabeth A. Wentz, who was born in Ridge Township, November 25, 1860, daughter of Jacob and Jane L. (Michaels) Wentz, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respect- ively. Her parents were married in this county, and had thirteen children -Myron, Elizabeth A., Ross, Clem V., Emanuel, Frank, Wheeler, Uriah; George, Rhoda, Pert, Lee and an infant, all living but Pert, who died an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Stoll have three children-Adam, born March 8, 1881; George, March 24, 1882; John, May 8, 1883. About 1869 or 1870, Mr. Stoll purchased eighty acres in Mifflin Township, retaining the same about ten years. He then sold out, obtaining in 1879 the homestead farm of sixty-nine acres, on which he now lives. He is an energetic farmer, and values his land at $75 per acre. His early years were spent at the carpen- ter's trade. He is a Democrat in politics, and member of the Lutheran Church.

LUDWIG STOLL was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, January 12, 1852. He is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Swick) Stoll, natives of Ger- many, and who emigrated to America in 1849. They located first in Upper Sandusky, and thence moved to Crawford Township, where they still re- side. Their children were John, Ludwig, Henry and Caroline. Ludwig Stoll was married, April 27, 1877, to Elizabeth Burke, a resident of this township and native of Indiana, born January 16, 1856. She is a daugh- ter of William and Lydia (Bullas) Burke, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. They resided chiefly in this county, where they reared four children, namely: Martha, Elizabeth, Charles and Ella. The mother died in April, 1863, the father in January, 1870. In the year 1874, Mr. Stoll purchased thirty-two acres in this township, adding thirteen acres in 1879, and eighty acres in 1881. He now values his farm at $75 per acre. In 1882, he built a neat frame residence, in which he now enjoys the comforts and quietude of farm life. Mr. Stoll is a Democrat, and a well-respected member of his community. He has four children-Nellie, Edna, Howard and Catharine.

DAVID STRAW, one of the wealthiest and most prominent business men of this county, was born in what is now Pitt Township March 28, 1826. Samuel C. Straw, his father, was a native of Vermont, and came to Ohio about 1820. He was a school teacher for several years, and married Christina, daughter of John Staley, a native of Pennsylvania, who came first to Pickaway County, Ohio, thence to Pitt Township, this county in 1815. He reared six children, and prospered in agricultural pursuits, owu- ing at one time upward of 400 acres. In 1844 and 1845, he lost his entire possessions by subscribing as security for others, and in 1858 died near Upper Sandusky, his wife surviving till 1874. Being the eldest of the family, and arriving at manhood during the financial embarrassment of his father, David Straw was obliged to start in life unaided. not even possessed of a common school education, being scarcely able to write his own name when nineteen years of age. In the fall of 1844, he began to work at odd jobs, as opportunity presented itself; the following spring found him employed

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

in Huron County, Ohio, where he remained several months, at $13 per month. In November, 1845, he returned to this county, and with a cash capital of about $50, the net earnings of his few previous months' labor, he opened a grocery store on a small scale at Carey. His business increased rapidly and steadily, until in 1851 it had attained such proportions that he was enter- ing upon an extensive wholesale trade. "There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Equipped with a ro- bust constitution, energy and pluck, Mr. Straw was prepared to improve every opportunity. Through the advice of a grocery salesman of New York, a party in that city engaged Mr. Straw, in 1847, to purchase and deliver to him a number of horses, which was done with entire satisfaction to his em- ployer. Five men were employed to assist Mr. Straw in taking the drove of forty-two head, the trip from here to New York being made in thirty-two days. This transaction having given him considerable prestige as a success- ful horse-buyer, Mr. Straw was recommended by a friend, I. W. Hollister, of the American Fur Company, to the famous railroad contractor, De Graff, as the man best qualified to furnish the latter with horses for railroad work. Mr. Straw was consulted, and delivered a few animals at Springfield, Ohio, after which Mr. Hollister vouching for his integrity, he was furnished by De Graff with $5,000 to make other purchases from time to time as directed, his aggregate investment for that gentleman amounting to $36,000. Because of his. business tact, Mr. Straw was introduced by Mr. De Graff to a member of an extensive wool-dealing firm, of Providence, R. I., their agent having decamped with a large amount of their funds. Mr. Straw was put in possession of their contracts, with instructions to operate for them in Ohio, and with this firm he was engaged till it disbanded in 1860, his pur- chases amounting to $500,000 per year. From 1860 to 1873, he was en- gaged with a firm in Philadelphia. Mr. Straw was also one of the most ex- tensive grain shippers in this State. Through his friend, I. W. Hollister, he secured the co-operation of a firm of grain dealers in Oswego, N. Y., doing an immense business, his shipmemts amounting to four and five thousand bushels of grain daily, enabling him to load two boats at San- dusky City each week. Mr. Straw's mercantile trade was also extensive, his annual business, for a period of eighteen years, amounting to $80,000 per year, besides his commission business. In 1870, he withdrew personally from the mercantile field, but retained an interest two years later. He may be said to be one of the pioneer merchants of Carey, now being the only representative of the town's original business men. He was one of the founders of the People's Bank at Carey in 1868, which institution began business with a cash capital of $40,000, and in 1872 purchased its entire interests. The bank is now under the sole supervision of Mr. Straw, with his son Harry, as cashier, and with a capital of $70,000. D. Straw & Son are also extensively engaged, aside from their banking interests, in han- dling grain, seeds and wool. He owns about forty-one hundred acres of land in this county, stocked with 4,000 head of sheep, short-horn-cattle and fine horses. In 1883, at a cost of about $21,000, he completed one of the finest residences in this section of Ohio. March 25, 1852, he married Lucy Ann, daughter of Samuel and Laura (Day) Turner, and seven children were born to them, namely, Emma, Harry, Anna, Willie, Minnie, Grace and Robert. Willie and Minnie are deceased. Mrs. Straw departed this life in 1870, and two years later Mr. Straw married Margie V. Kirtland, of Huron County, Ohio. By this union three children have been born-Nellie, George and Lawrence. There is perhaps no better example of what may be

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accomplished by duty fully done, or what business obstacles may be sur- mounted through tact and energy, than that afforded by the history and life of Mr. Straw. Although a keen observer and a shrewd financier, he is likewise possessed of a broad and generous nature. Through business re- verses his old friend, I. W. Hollister, became reduced in circumstances, and the closing hours of his life found him penniless. With much gratitude for assistance rendered in less prosperous days Mr. Straw and another party kindly defrayed all expenses for his care in sickness, and at his death accorded him a respectable burial. As a representative citizen of the county, we present a steel-plate portrait of Mr. Straw in this work.

D. H. STRAW, Cashier People's Bank, son of David Straw, was born January 29, 1855. He received a good education in the public schools of Carey, and was married, in June, 1877, to Mary A., daughter of Joseph De Witt. They have one child-Clara. Mr. Straw is one of the most ener- getic and enterprising young men of this county. March 4, 1874, he became a partner in the People's Bank, and now owns a half-interest in the same. He also owns a farm of 400 acres, which he himself oversees. He is also co-operating with his father in the grain, seed and wool business, this being, perhaps, the strongest firm in the county. Mr. Straw is a prom- inent member of the Masonic Order, having passed the Scottish Rite degree and held many prominent positions in each.

WILLIAM A. WALBORN was born in Millersburg, Berks Co., Penn., December 28, 1842. He is a son of Daniel D. and Lydia (Zerbe) Walborn, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His parents were married in Berks County, resided there till 1846; moved to Dauphin County and staid till 1854; moved from there to Crawford County, Ohio, and remained one year, and then located in this township. Here their children were reared, their names being as follows: Jonathan Z., Henry, Salesa, William A., Daniel, Emiline E. and Franklin L. The mother died May 13, 1872. The father married again and now resides near Coffeyville, Kan. Our sub- ject remained upon the home farm until twenty-eight years of age. He was married, March 2, 1880, to Mary E. Smith, who was born in Salem Town- ship December 11, 1859, daughter of Marks Smith. Her parents married in this county, and reared a family of four children, Mrs. S. being the only one surviving. Her mother died in 1861; her father now resides with his second wife in Upper Sandusky, and has three children. Mr. Walborn be- gan operating a saw mill in 1869 at Lovell, this county, where he erected a saw and grist mill, which he still owns. From 1880 to 1882, he was farm- ing in Tymochtee Township and then moved to the old homestead farm, a part of which he now owns, and where he still lives. He has two children- Valladora and Fannie Irene. He is a Democrat in politics, and, with Mrs. Walborn, a member of the Lutheran Church.

SAXTON C. WILLIAMS was born February 23, 1831, in New Scot- land, Albany Co., N. Y., and is a son of Richard and Mercy (Chesebrough) Williams, who were respectively natives of Connecticut and New York State, and of Welsh and French ancestry. They were married in Albany County, N. Y., and in 1844 removed to Schoharie County, N. Y., thence to Chemung County, in the same State, in 1848, where they resided till the year 1862, when they came to Ohio, settling in Wyandot County. Their union was blessed with three sons and five daughters-Sarah L., Saxton C., Samuel Y., Mary E., Huldah, William, Harriet and Lucy. Sarah L., the eldest, is deceased. The father died in November, 1873; the mother resides in Crawford Township. Saxton C. Williams removed to this county in

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

1857 and settled in Crawford Township. He was married, May 9, 1860, to Miss Emily J. Wisner, born in Orange County, N. Y., June 18, 1838, and a daughter of Asa and Susan (Kinner) Wisner, natives of Orange County and of English descent. Their marriage took place in Chemung County, N. Y., in November, 1824, and in 1853 they removed to Ohio, locating in this township. Of thirteen children born to their union two sons and three daughters survive-Frances, Emily J., Charles K., Abigail and James F. Two of their sons sacrificed their lives upon their country's altar. The father of these children died February 11, 1842; the mother now resides in Carey, with Saxton C., the subject of this sketch. He served in the late war as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was honorably discharged September 2, 1864. He has served the village of Carey as Mayor three terms, and is a citizen of honorable character. He is a Republican politically, and is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and Knights of Honor, Good Templars and G. A. R. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their only son, Corwin A., was born May 27, 1866.

ANDREW J. WONDER was born May 20, 1830. He is a son of Dan- iel and Catharine (Harpster) Wonder, and native of Wayne County, Ohio. His parents were natives of York and Union Counties, Penn., respectively, the father born in 1791, the mother in 1792. They were married in Mifflin County, Penn., and moved to Ohio in 1823, locating in Wayne County. In 1830, they moved to Seneca County. They had seven sons and two daughters. The mother died July 25, 1863, aged seventy-two years; the father, now in his ninety-fourth year, resides with his son, Andrew J. The latter was married, March 9, 1851, to Catharine Lautz, who was born in this township June 18, 1830. She was a resident of Seneca County, Ohio, and daughter of Peter and Mary (Long) Lautz, natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. Her parents came to this county in 1829, and later moved to Seneca County. Her mother died May 30, 1847; her father in his eightieth year, May 11, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Wonder have four chil- dren-Peter E., Alvin M., Lorenzo M. and Iva M. In 1857, Mr. Wonder purchased 150 acres, on which he now resides, and where he has since en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1864, Mr. Wonder enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully four months in the defense of his country. He is a Prohibition- Republican, and served his township one term as Trustee. He and Mrs. Wonder are members of the Evangelical Association.

DAVID H. WONDER, son of John and Mary (Harpster) Wonder, was born in this township January 29, 1846. His parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, of German descent, and married in Seneca County, where they re- sided several years, then moving to Wyandot County and purchasing land in this township. Their children were Daniel H., Susan, Frederick, Sarah, David H., Catharine, John W. and Benjamin F., all living but Susan. The parents have resided in Kansas since 1874. David Wonder was married, October 12, 1869, to Lavina Higgins, a resident of Seneca County, a native of Licking County, and daughter of John and Jane (Klinker) Higgins, now residents of this township. In 1867, Mr. Wonder purchased 160 acres in Kansas, selling the same and returning to Ohio in 1869. He rented land about three years, and then (1874) purchased eighty acres in this township, where he now resides. In 1877, he purchased eighty acres more, now own- ing 160 acres, valued at $100 per acre. In 1881, he built a fine barn, cost- ing $1,000. Mr. Wonder enlisted in the late war in May, 1863, and

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served in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards until discharged. He was called out in May, 1864, and served until October of the same year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Evangelical Church, and a Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Won- der are parents of four children-Sophronia E., born September 5, 1871; Orpha, April 12, 1874; Orville, May 11, 1876; Homer, August 31, 1879. All these are living but Orville, who died August 20, 1877.

FRED H. WONDER is a native of Sandusky, Ohio, and was born No- vember 11, 1840. He is a son of John and Mary (Harpster) Wonder, who were natives of Pennsylvania; married in Bellevue; migrated to this county in 1842; purchased land in Crawford Township, continuing to add to his first purchase till he owned 800 acres. The children of the family are Daniel H., Fred H., David H., John W., Benjamin F., Susan, Sarah and Catharine-all living but Susan. ' The parents and some of the chil- dren moved to Kansas in 1875, and located in Brown County. Fred H., our subject, was married, April 10, 1862, to Miss Lorinda Ogg, who was born in Crawford Township January 13, 1842, daughter of Kinsey and Marga- ret (Johnson) Ogg, natives of Jackson County, Ohio, where they were mar- ried in 1822. Her parents came to this county in 1830, and settled in Tymochtee Township, moving later to this township and purchasing land in Section 17, a part of which is now included in the corporation of Carey. They had eleven children-Eliza J., William, Mary A., John, Martha, Sam- uel, James, Jerome, Merinda, Clarissa and Lavonia. The only now living are Samuel, Jerome, Lorinda and Clarissa. The father died April 26,

1865, the mother September 13, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Wonder have had five children-Leroy, born March 20, 1863; Elnora, August 11, 1865; Miles R., February 3, 1870; Harvey, May 20, 1875; Clara M., May 6, 1879. In 1864, Mr. Wonder purchased 189 acres of land in this township, where he still lives. In 1875, he added 120 acres, and in 1883 80 acres more, now owning 389 acres, valued at $75 to $80 per acre. He is one of the suc- cessful agriculturists of the township, a Republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the Evangelical Association.

MATHIAS WONDER was born in Mifflin County, Penn., December 9, 1816. He is a son of Daniel and Mary C. (Harpster) Wonder, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Mifflin County, and migrated to Ohio in 1823, settled first in Wayne County, then moved to Sandusky, and in 1846 to this county. They reared a family of nine children. Mrs. Wonder died and Mr. Wonder was married, December 4, 1841, to Catharine Fowl, a native of Germany, resident of Lorain County, Ohio, and daughter of Godfrey and Sarah (Gardner) Fowl. She was born Octo- ber 9, 1820. Her parents were born in Germany, and married there; emigrated to America in 1827, and settled in Cleveland; moved to Lorain County later, purchased land there and reared a family of. ten children, six now living. The parents are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wonder have ten children -- Joseph, born November 10, 1842; George, December 29, 1843; Sarah C., November 12, 1845; Harry, May 3, 1848; Mary E., April 27, 1851; Margaret R., January 5, 1854; Jacob, February 15, 1856; Eva R., October 27, 1858; Laura O., June 19, 1861; Louis, January 6, 1864. All these children are living and married but Louis. Mr. Wonder rented land about two years, and in 1845 purchased eighty acres in Seneca Coun- ty. In 1849, he sold this farm and purchased 169 acres in Section 13, Crawford Township, this county, adding eighty acres in 1855, and eighty in 1858. His farm of 336 acres is valued at $90 to $100 per acre. He is

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

a Republican in politics, and, with Mrs. Wonder, a member of the Evangel - ical Association.

FRANCIS J. WORALLO was born in Lake County, Ohio, December 28, 1823. He is a son of Amasa and Nancy (Hite) Worallo, both natives of this State, and parents of eight children. When twenty-one years of age, our subject began work as an overseer on railroad, in which occupa- tion he continued ten years. He moved to Carey in 1846, gave up railroad- ing and engaged in livery and horse trading, taking contract for supplying the Government during the war, furnishing in all about 4,000 head. He has made horse buying a specialty, and has shipped large numbers to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and the lumber regions. I December 2, 1844, he married Phelina Chandler, daughter of Joseph Chandler, of Crawford County, and three children were born to them -- Annie, Emma and Myron A. The former died at the age of fifteen years; Emma became the wife of B. R. Brown, and died leaving one child-Grace. Mrs. Worallo is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charles Worallo, grandfather of our subject, emigrated from England with his wife and one son in 1799, and located in New York, where his wife died, and he married Lucy Fer- guson and moved to Lake County, Ohio, about 1801. He was a farmer and school teacher. His children were Amasa, William, Lucy, Patti, Almeda, Marcena and Charles. Their father was the first school teacher of Wil- loughby Township, Lake County, and died at the advanced age of ninety years. His son, Francis J., came from England, removed to New Orleans, and died there. Amasa's children were Amy, Almira, J. F., Nancy, Mary A., Charles, Lucy A. and Marcena.

JOHN F. ZIMMERMAN was born in Green Springs, Sandusky Co., Ohio, June 5, 1851. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Brownell) Zim- merman, were respectively natives of Pennsylvania and New York State, and of German and English descent. They were married in Sandusky County, where they reared five children, four sons and one daughter -Charles W., John F., Electa A., James A. and Elijah H., all living. At the age of twenty, our subject began learning the art of photography at Green Springs, Ohio, and continued under instructions at that place two years. He then removed to Carey, and two years later to Crestline, but returned to Carey in 1877. The following year he built a small gallery, occupying the same un- til 1881, when he sold and erected a larger and more suitable building. In 1880, he provided himself with a two-story frame residence, which he has since occupied. February 3, 1874, Mr. Zimmerman was married to Miss Nancy A., daughter of Henderson and Mary (Lowry) Lytle, early settlers of this county and the parents of twelve children. Mrs. Zimmerman, a native of Carey, Ohio, was born August 26, 1855. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman has been crowned with three children-Marey E., Will- iam H. and Carel A. Mrs. Zimmerman departed this life May 28, 1881, being at the time of her death a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Zimmerman celebrated his second marriage in November, 1882, with Miss Martha E. Lytle, a sister to his former wife. She was born November 22, 1858. Mr. Zimmerman is Democratic in political sentiment, a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 416, of Good Templars, and of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Zimmerman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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EDEN TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER IV.

EDEN TOWNSHIP.

THE TOWNSHIP AS ORIGINALLY SETTLED-EARLY SETTLERS-REAL AND PER- SONAL PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE TOWNSHIP IN 1845-EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS SINCE 1845-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THIS township when originally erected was a part of Leith, a township of Crawford County, and was created by the Commissioners of that county in March, 1838. It lies east of Crane Township, and between Sycamore on the north and Antrim in the south; the east being bounded by Crawford County. On the 2d day of June, 1845, the first Commissioners of this county, Stephen Fowler, William Griffith and Ethan Terry, ordered " That Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 of the original surveyed township, of Range 14 east, No. 2 south, be attached to Township No. 2 south of Range 15 east, and the same be designated as Eden Township." These boundaries continue to the present time. The township derived its name from the heavy growth of excellent timber, poplar, walnut and other vari- eties, and the fertility of its soil, which qualified it for the operations of husbandmen, and not, perhaps from the " fig leaf attire " of its original in- habitants, the red men. It contains thirty sections, about three-fourths of which are drained by Peter Run, Negro Run, and its tributary, Kisor Run, and a few others, all of which empty into the Sandusky River. The south- east quarter is drained by Indian Spring Run and its tributaries, which in Antrim Township take the name of Broken Sword Creek.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first white man who established himself in this township was, per- haps, Isaac Miller, a native of Rockingham County, Va., who, with his fam- ily of five to seven children, located on Section 29, near the present town of Nevada, in 1836. He was familiarly known as Congress Miller, and for seven years leased land of Jacob Young, a Wyandot Indian. In 1837, Mr. Miller was joined by George W. Leith, better known as Judge Leith, who settled on a quarter section of Section No. 10, and John Horick on Quarter-section 27. Judge Leith was a man of considerable prominence in the early history of the county, having served as Justice of the Peace in Crawford County, and as Associate Judge of Wyandot County for a period of eight years. In 1839, John Welsh, Morgan Carter, Zaccheus Lea, Mr. Hill, Charles Caldwell, Samuel Snyder and a Mr. Cook were added to the list on Sections 34, 10, 10, 3, 34, 28 and 27 respectively. In 1840, 1841 and 1842 these were re-enforced by others who followed in rapid succession till quite a settlement was formed.

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The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 97

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway Number of Pages: 1072

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072