BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
History of Allen County, Ohio
Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns,
Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.; Portraits of
Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies;
History of the Northwest Territory;
History of Ohio; Statistical and
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.
- Illustrated -
Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co.
1885

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Jackson Twp. - CHARLES WAMSLEY, proprietor of restaurant and confectionery, Lafayette, was born in Ottawa Township, this county, Dec. 7, 1857, son of J. B. Wamsley, of Lima.  He finished his education in a commercial course at Duff's Commercial College in Allegheny City, Penn.  Having served an apprenticeship to the jewelry trade, he embarked in business at Ada, Ohio, in 1877.  Two years later he sold out, and for three years following was engaged in the boot and shoe business at the same place.  He then removed to Lafayette, this county, where he has since been engaged in the restaurant and confectionery line.  At the spring election of town officers he was elected mayor.  Mr. Wamsley was married, May 28, 1882, to Miss Lulu, daughter of William Watt, born Nov. 21, 1864, and to this union was born Feb. 19, 1884, one daughter - Madge.  Our subject has been a member of K. of H. about three years.  In politics he is a Republican. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 615

Jackson Twp. - ROBERT WATT, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1827, and was brought to this county by his parents in 1829.  Samuel Watt, the father of our subject, was a native of Kentucky, and in 1812 became a resident of Champaign County, Ohio.  While employed in digging a well he took cold, and became a cripple for the balance of his life, but although so conditioned he took an active part in military affairs during the Mexican war, and for years was captain of the Light Horse Guards in company with Capt. Stots, under command of Gen. Blackburn; he died in July, 1881, in Iowa, where for thirty years he had resided.  His first wife Olive Walton, died about 1841; she was a native of Canada.  they had eight children: Deborah, Harriet, Christina, Nancy, Thomas, James (deceased), Samuel (deceased) and Robert.  By his second wife, nee Mary Greer, Mr. Watt had the following children:  John, Samuel, Olive, Lydia, Sydney, Sarah Francis, all living.  The earliest recollections of our subject are of Allen County, and he has been active in keeping pace with the improvements which have taken place.  His early life was employed in hard labor, and his education was necessarily limited.  While a barefooted boy he drove a team of oxen, employed in hauling stone for the old court house.  He is an energetic, enterprising farmer, and has placed his farm under the best of cultivation; the buildings are of the best, and all the surroundings denote thrift.  He has reared a good many horses for market, in addition to raising crops, and for fifteen years he has been an extensive contractor, building pikes.  Mr. Watt was married, Mar. 29, 1848, to Miss Eve Staley, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 13, 1827, daughter of Jacob and Eunice Staley, of Virginia (former deceased), and who were parents of seven children: Elizabeth, Eve, Jemima, John, Eunice, Jacob and Hannah.  To Mr. and Mrs. Watt have been born seven children: Olive (deceased), Samuel, James, Marion, William, Jacob, and an infant deceased.  In politics our subject is a leading light in the Democratic party. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 616

Jackson Twp. - WILLIAM WATT, merchant, Lafayette, was born in Jackson Township, this county, Apr. 4, 1839, son of William and Elizabeth (Hawk) Watt, early settlers of Allen County, Ohio; the former a native of Brown County, Ohio, and at one time judge of the court, Lima, died in October, 1838, aged forty years; the latter born in Maysville Ky., died Nov. 14, 1883, aged eighty-nine years.  They were the parents of ten children: John, Susannah, Mary, Sarah, Willis, Elspy, Margaret, Samuel, Eliza J. and William.  Our subject remained upon the farm until sixteen years of age, when he entered the employ of Dr. N. Sager, with whom he remained nine years.  He was then employed by a Mr. Fisher till 1872, when he formed a partnership with J. W. Umbaugh, and the firm selling out in 1875, Mr. Watt has since conducted the business for his own account, his stock consisting of nearly everything needed by the farming community.  The better to accommodate his trade he erected in 1879, a large two-story frame building, with three store rooms.  He also erected, the year previous, a fine brick residence.  During the Rebellion he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in February, 1864, and remained in the service till the close of the war.  Our subject was married, June 17, 1860, to Miss Sarah Coore, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1838, daughter of Daniel and Thursa (Ewing) Cloore, both deceased.  By this union were born five children: Walter, Lulu (wife of Charles Wamsley), Arthur, Pert and Harry.  Mr. Watt has been a member of the Christian Church for several years.  Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.  He has served the township as clerk, and is the present treasurer.  He has also held the position of freight, ticket and express agent of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad fourteen years. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 617

Spencer Twp. - JACOB R. WELCH, physician, Spencerville, was born at Cuba, Ohio, March 16, 1859, about a month after the death of his father, Jacob Welch, who was the only practicing M. D. in Cuba at that time. Not having his father's care, our subject was early thrown upon his own resources, and while still a youth was employed by a large firm in shipping stock during the summers, and in the winter season attending school. He entered the college at Fort Wayne, in the fall of 1870, and graduated in the commercial department at the end of a four years' course. He then engaged in teaching for three years in succession. He also attended the normal Schools of Valparaiso, Ind. At the age of eighteen years he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. C. B. Stemen, of Fort Wayne, with whom he remained two years; and afterward attended Fort Wayne College of Medicine, graduating March 1, 1882. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Spencerville, in partnership with Dr. C. B. Rice, whom he bought out six months later. Although young, he has been more than ordinarily successful, and has obtained a business which usually follows years of hard labor. As an evidence of the confidence placed in his skill as a surgeon, he was appointed, November 28, 1883, as surgeon of the C. & A. R. R. Co. His education and property are the result of his own efforts: from the age of ten years he was the support of his mother, who died November 15, 1883. He was married May 7, 1885, to Miss Mollie Miller, daughter of Harvey Miller, of Warsaw, Ind. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 815

Spencer Twp. - JOHN D. WELSH, carpenter and farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 15, 1845; son of Lorenzo D. and Elizabeth A. (Shawhan) Welsh, natives of Virginia. and early settlers of Pickaway County, Ohio, whose children were as follows: Mary (deceased), Marquis (deceased), Emily, Melissa (deceased), John D., Chester, Noble, Grace, and an infant (deceased). Our subject was raised on a farm and obtained a common school education. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, which he has made the principal work of his life. He was married April 30, 1870, to Miss Mary Myers, who was born in Shelby County, Ohio, March 5, 1849, daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Brandt) Myers, natives of Germany and early settlers of Shelby County. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are the parents of six children: Irvin, Fanny, Levi. Effie, Ada (died in infancy), and Maud. In 1865 Mr. Welsh removed to Delphos, Ohio, and two years later to Spencerville, where he remained until 1884, engaged at his trade and as foreman of a planing-mill he was also in connection engaged more or less extensively in fanning. While a resident within the corporation he served in the town council for a time. He has always been a Republican in politics. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio National Guards, serving the time of his enlistment. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 815

Amanda Twp. - WILLIAM H. WEYER, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Jackson Township, Allen County, Ohio, Apr. 18, 1841; son of Andrew and Nancy (Nash) Weyer.  He received a common school education and has mostly followed the occupation of a farmer.  In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. John C. Walters, and with the company was attached to the Fourth Army Corps.  He was in the service till the close of the war, and took part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated, except about two months during which time he was in hospital suffering from a shell wound in the head received at the battle of Chickamauga.  Mr. Weyer was married, Aug. 6, 1871, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Isaac and Mary (Rumbaugh) Keller, early settlers of this county, and her by he has had seven children: Nelson, John, Adison, Elnora, Irven, Alberta, and David Oliver (deceased at the age of eleven months, twenty-four days).  For some time after his return from the war Mr. Weyer engaged in the saw-mill business.  He removed to Amanda Township in March, 1871, and located on his farm, then in the woods, but now under a high state of cultivation, and supplied with substantial buildings, which demonstrate his desire to develop the farming interests of the county.  His reputation is about reproach as a business man and farmer.  Mr. Weyer has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since Mar. 7, 1876.  He is a Republican in politics. ( Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page  568)

TILMAN WILKINS, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 7, 1837; son of Jonathan and Scattie (Wilson) Wilkins, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Licking County, Ohio. Our subject's facilities for obtaining an education were limited to the common schools, his time in early life being employed in assisting upon the homestead farm, and having been raised a farmer he has always followed agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he has worked more or less at the carpenter's trade. He was married, September 5, 1861, to Alwilda Classon, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, August 10, 1844, died August 20, 1866. She bore him two children: Carabel (deceased), and Charles M.  Mr. Wilkins then married, October 27, 1867, Sarah E. Biner, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 7, 1846, and by this union were ten children: Alva (deceased), Albert (deceased), Lora (deceased), Alice, John E., Annie, Byron, Lillie, Leroy and Elmer. Mr. Wilkins came to this county in 1864, and in November, 1877, located where he now resides. He is looked upon as one of the leading agriculturists of the township, and has placed his farm under a state of cultivation second to none in this vicinity, and its thrifty appearance denotes him to be a practical farmer as well as an energetic and enterprising man. He has lately become interested in the raisins of short horn Durham cattle and Poland-Chin a hogs. He took no part in the war other than to help clear the township in which he lived of the draft, and to assist the soldiers' families. He was formerly a member of the Christian denomination, but of late years has joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes an active part in all enterprises that tend to the development of the county, and especially those for the advancement of religion and educational privileges; has held several offices of trust. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 816

Ottawa Twp. - A. R. WILLIAMS, dyer and renovator, Lima, was born Aug. 30, 1847, in Sandusky County, Ohio; son of David and Rebecca (Stewart) Williams, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and who came to Ohio in a very early day when the Indians were numerous; they reared a family of eight children: Sarah, Angeline, James and Alexander (twins), Eliza, Stephen, Rebecca and Hannah.  Our subject was educated in the schools of his native county, and was a long time acquiring  the process of dyeing fabrics.  He was united in marriage, Jan. 8, 1879, to Ella Jacobs, of Fremont, Ohio, by whom he has two children:  Jessie and Frederick.  Mr. Williams came to Lima in September, 1873, and opened the establishment on West North Street, where he is doing a good business. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 731

Jackson Twp. - JOHN C. WINGATE, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Mar. 28, 1819.  Isaac B. Wingate, his father, was born in Delaware, and was an early settler of Carroll County, Ohio, coming to this county in 1848.  He was a carriage-maker by trade, but in later days a farmer.  He served in the war of 1812 as a private; died in 1870, aged seventy-seven years.  His wife, nee Ursela Crist, died Aug. 28, 1849, aged fifty years.  Their children were John C., Nicholas, Eliza, Susannah, Delila, Martha, Cyrus, Aaron, Samuel, Isaac B., and an infant deceased.  Our subject obtained a limited education, and when nineteen years of age commenced working as a hired hand.  In 1855 he purchased real estate in Allen County, consisting of seventy-five acres of wild land, which, by much labor and diligence, he has converted into a fine farm.  He was a private in the Ohio National Guards, during the war of the Rebellion, but was not called into active service.  Feb. 20, 1840, Mr. Wingate married Miss Lucinda Alford, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Dec. 6, 1823, daughter of George and Mary (Tope) Alford, early settlers of Jefferson County, Ohio, natives of Maryland.  To this union have been born seven children: Lemuel, born Dec. 18, 1840, died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 10, 1863; Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Bowers, born Jan. 11, 1843; Melissa, wife of J. William Clark, born Sept. 17, 1849; Mary E., widow of J. Larue, born Dec. 15, 1853, and Joseph S., born Apr. 23, 1858.  For a period of over forty years our subject has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active sabbath-school worker.  Politically he was once a Democrat, but joined the Know-Nothing party, and since its day has been a stanch Republican. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 617

Ottawa Twp. - JACOB WISE, merchant, Lima, was born June 4, 1838, in Niederhochstadt, Germany; son of Abraham and Fannie (Yoachim) Wise, who were parents of eight children: Regina, Michael, Rose, Jacob,  Yedda, Lena, Edward, and one deceased in infancy.  The father died in Germany; the mother and two sons still reside there.  Our subject was educated in his native land, and began business at Cleveland, Ohio.  He was married in 1868, to Helen, daughter of Jacob Lichtenstadter, of Cleveland, and by this union has three children; Dora, Albert and Sanford.  Mr. Wise came to Lima in 1865, bought the stock of Levi Jacobs, and opened out a clothing store, where he was the latest style of goods. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 31

Bath Twp. - ALBERT G. WOOD Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 588

Ottawa Twp. - D. A. WORLINE, baker and confectioner, Lima.  Mr. Worline succeeded Williams & Phillips in the present business in 1880, therefore he is but fairly established.  He has succeded in building up a lucrative trade, and as a business man is well and favorably known.  Mr. Worline is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, where he was born in 1833.  His parents were David and Mary A. (Tipton) Worline, former of whom was born in Berks County, Penn., and came to Ross County in 1813, then in about 1819-20, settled in Delaware County, Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his life; latter settled in Marion County, Ohio, and also died in Delaware County.  Their living children are Albert, Rebecca, wife of Fred Denler, and D. A.  Our subject enlisted in the Union Army, in 1861, serving seven months in the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He has been engaged mostly in milling and farming.  He was married in this city, in 1866, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of David Heffner, one of the early pioneers of the county, and three children were born to this union, all now living:  Arthur, Effie and Herbert. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 732

Ottawa Twp. - GARRETT WYKOFF, retired, Lima, was born July 21, 1831, in Butler County, Ohio; son of Rulef and Desire (Marshall) Wykoff, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter in Virginia.  Rulef Wykoff was born in 1796, and came to Ohio when twenty-one years  of age, entering land and settling in Butler County, where he remained the balance of  his days.  He reared a family of nine children, five of whom are living:  James, Arthur, Rulef, Mary A., married to J. Currier, and Garrett  Our subject was educated in his native county, and there learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he labored for twelve years.  He came to Lima in the fall of 1852, opened a shop where he manufactured wagons and did blacksmithing.  He also bought and sold real estate, and was a successful business man, but is now living a more retired life, attending only to his own real estate.  Mr. Wykoff was married, in 1854, to Miss Annie E., daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Strayley. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 733

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