BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899.

* TERMAN, B. Franklin * THIEL, Mathias * THOMPSON, Charles J. * TOMLINSON, Walter S. * TRACHT, George   B. FRANKLIN TERMAN.  This prominent resident of Farmer township. Defiance county, has been identified with the agricultural interests of that locality for a number of years, during which he has won in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.       Mr. Terman is a native of Ohio, having been born in Richland county, March 8, 1850.  His father, the late John Terman, was a farmer by occupation, and owned a homestead near Mansfield, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1888; the mother, whose maiden name was Priscilla Plank is still living.  This worthy couple had seven children - three sons and four daughters - our subject being second in the order of birth.      The youth of our subject was spent in his native county, where he received a common-school education, and although he occasionally worked by the month as a farm hand, his time was mainly devoted to the management of the homestead until his marriage to Miss Mary J. Crawford, which occurred in Richland county, November 9, 1871.  He then settled upon a farm in the same county, and remained two years, but in 1873 he removed to Defiance county, locating first in Delaware township, where he spent twelve years.  Since that time he has been a resident of Section 36, Farmer township, and he now owns a homestead of eighty acres, which he has improved judiciously, his buildings being both substantial and attractive.  As a citizen he has shown much public spirit, participating actively in all movements that promised to benefit the community, and while he is not an office seeker he served for three years as trustee of Delaware township during his residence there.  In politics he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he has always taken deep interest in religious work in his locality, although he does not belong to any Church.      Mrs. Terman is also a native of Richmond county, and was born May 9, 1846.  Her father, John Crawford, is now a well-known resident of Williams county; her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Stevenson, died in Richland county in 1860.  Mrs. Terman was the third in a family of six children- three sons and three daughters, three of whom are now dead, the eldest being Robert, who was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion.  He died June 17, 1895, and was buried by the Masonic Fraternity, of which he was a member, the G. A. R. also participating. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton. - Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 449   MATHIAS THIEL.     The well-appointed farm of this gentleman is pleasantly located in Section 7, Mark township, Defiance county, where he has made his home for over a quarter of a century.  He has given his close attention to the cultivation and improvement of his place with results which can hardly fail to be satisfactory to himself.  The farm comprises eighty-six acres of fine land, improved with good and substantial buildings.      Mr. Thiel was born in New York, May 16, 1847, and when a child removed to Seneca county, Ohio, with his parents, Michael and Margaret (Welter) Thiel.  There he made his home until eighteen years of age, when the family went to Williams county, this State, where both the father and mother died.  Of their seven children our subject is fourth in the order of birth.  He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, aiding in the operation of the home farm.      On June 13, 1871, Mr. Thiel was married to Miss Eliza Huber, daughter of Anthony Huber, of Defiance county, and to them have been born five children, namely: Anthony J.; Michael L.; Arvilla F.; and Agatha H., who are all living; and Clara E., who died at the age of ten years.  Soon after his marriage, Mr. Thiel located permanently upon his present farm.  He is a wide-awake, progressive business man, and his career has been such as to win for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton. - Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 445 C. J. Thompson C. J. THOMPSON.     This gentleman, who is proprietor of the “Defiance Daily and Weekly Express,” Defiance, is also postmaster.      The Thompson family, of which he is a prominent member, trace their paternal ancestry back several generations, through a long residence in the North of Ireland, to a period far remote, when their ancestral homes were in England.      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      Charles J. Thompson, son of Thomas J. and Emily (Sallada) Thompson, was born Jan. 24, 1862, at Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, and there received his first literary training.  On leaving the high school of that place, he attended school a year at Knox, Indiana, then, in 1876, returned to his native town, and entered the printing office of the “Wapakoneta Bee,” where he remained three years and learned the art of printing.  He subsequently worked as a journeyman printer at various points in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the year 1880 found him foreman of the Defiance Express job room, Defiance, Ohio.   In 1882 he again took up work in his native place, founding the Auglaize Republican, the first number of which was issued in the spring- of that year; but yielding to a strong inclination to resume study, he became a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, in the fall, and remained there until June, 1884.  In the following August, he was elected general and political editor of the “Herald,” a journal published at Anderson, Indiana, by unanimous vote of the directors of the paper, and accepting the position he conducted the paper with spirit and ability during the Blaine campaign, making a strong and aggressive organ of the Republican party.  An engagement of five years, beginning with the spring of 1885, as cashier and bookkeeper of the Wapakoneta Wheel Works at Wapakoneta, followed, soon after which he located in Defiance, and resumed editorial work, having purchased, Aug. 26, 1890, the plant of the “Defiance County Republican and Express,” a weekly publication of that city, Republican in politics.  It was then in a dilapidated condition, having a circulation of only a few hundred in a county that was solidly Democratic.  Under the able management of its new editor it soon manifested a renewed life, and proved so successful a venture that in the face of the business depression of 1893-1896 Mr. Thompson was enabled to make a complete revolution of the old methods, by the introduction of new and modern presses, together with appliances of the most approved type.  The year 1894 was signalized by the establishment of the “Daily Express," which, meeting with favor, has reached a circulation of several hundred copies.  The "Weekly Express” has a circulation of one thousand seven hundred.  Mr. Thompson is a stanch and able supporter of the Republican party, and his publications are recognized exponents of Republican principles.  He has also been prominently before the public as an active organizer in county and State politics; was a member of the State Central Republican Committee in 1893 and 1894, and has been a worker in State conventions for many years.  He has the honor of numbering among his friends Senators Foraker and Hanna, leading men in State and National politics, and also the present head of the nation, President McKinley.      On Nov. 16, 1886, Mr. Thompson wedded Miss Cora Craig, a daughter of Samuel Craig, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, Ohio. Three children have come to brighten the pleasant home of our subject and his amiable wife, viz.: Louis B., born Feb. 21, 1888; Frederic S., born June 4, 1890; and Craig S., born Apr. 10, 1894.  Mr. Thompson is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Sons of Veterans, and other fraternal societies.      On June 1, 1898, C. J. Thompson assumed the duties of postmaster for the city of Defiance.  He was appointed by President McKinley, and confirmed by the United States Senate May 10, 1898. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton. - Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 102   WALTER S. TOMLINSON.  This section furnished many brave soldiers for the defense of the government during the Civil war, and the subject of this biography, though only a boy of eighteen at the beginning of the struggle, did gallant service from 1861 to 1865.  He is descended in both paternal and maternal lines from New England ancestry, and is a representative of the highest type of American citizenship.  For many years he has been a leading resident of Farmer township, Defiance county, and his homestead of three hundred and sixty-five acres is one of the best farms in that locality.      Mr. Tomlinson's ancestry can be traced back eleven generations commencing with Walter D. Bender (grandson of Walter S.) through his mother, Mrs. Eva (Tomlinson) Bender, and her father, Walter S. (our subject), as follows, commencing with the first generation on record: (1) George Tomlinson married Maria Hyde in January, 1600, at St. Peter's Church, ___, England.  (2) Henry Tomlinson was born in Derby, England, came to America in 1852, and died at Stratford, Connecticut, in 1681.  (3) Jonas Tomlinson married Alice Hannak, lived on Grant Hill, Derby, Connecticut, and died in 1693.  (4) Isaac Tomlinson was born in 1687, married Patience Taylor in March, 1712, and died in 1854.  (5) Noah Tomlinson, born March 6, 1727, married Abigail Beers July 2, 1747 and lived and died at Derby, Connecticut.  (6) Daniel Tomlinson, born in 1749, married Susanna Hotchkiss, June 3, 1774, and died near Marbledale, Connecticut.  (7) Abijah Tomlinson was born in 1780, married Betsey, daughter of David and Ruth (Hawkins) Tomlinson, April 29, 1805, and died at Marbledale, Connecticut, in 1862.  Their children were Ruth, George, Giles H., Daniel, Charles, Eliza, Agnes, etc.  (8) Giles H. (father of Walter S.) was born at Marbledale, Connecticut, September 22, 1809. In 1842 he married Eunice Ensign, daughter of Oren and Nancy (Pepoon) Ensign, who came from near Painesville to Farmer township in 1837.  Besides Eunice their children were: Oscar, Dwight P., Henry A. (deceased), and Frank and Elbridge (still living).  Three children were born to this marriage of Giles H. and Eunice (Ensign) Tomlinson, as follows;  (1) Walter S., our subject; (2) Dwight O., who served as a soldier in Company C., One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Rebellion, and never recovered from the effects of the hardships of army life, his death, which occurred in 1890, being doubtless hastened thereby.  His wife died in 1874.  They had no children.  (3) Frank A. resides near Des Moines, Iowa, and is engaged in farming.  He has two children - Alta, married to J. G. Black, and L. G., married to Stella Morrison, all living near Des Moines.  Mrs. Eunice Tomlinson died at Williams Center in September, 1854, at the age of thirty-three, and for his second wife Giles H. Tomlinson married Electa Hemenway, who is still living, as is also Mr. Tomlinson.      Walter S. Tomlinson, whose name introduces this sketch, was born June 16, 1854, in Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, and was reared to farm work at the old home in Williams county, where he remained until his enlistment in August, 1861, in Company A, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He continued with this regiment throughout the war, taking part in numerous engagements, including the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, and the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sherman in the march to the sea.  When there was no longer any fighting to be done he returned to Williams county and engaged in farming and teaching, later purchasing his present farm in Section 1 and 2, Farmer township, Defiance county.  He is a man of intelligence and public spirit, and has always taken an active part in local affairs, being one of the most prominent workers in the Republican organization in his county.  For several years he has held the office of justice of the peace, and since 1895 he has been a notary public.  In 1892 he received the nomination of his party as county commissioner, and was defeated by only ninety votes by the Democratic nominee, F. J. Clemmen, although the county gives the Democrats 1,350 majority.  Two years later he was a candidate for the Legislature, and although defeated by Hon. J. W. Winn, of Defiance, his popularity was shown in the contest.  He is a member and present commander of Lew Bowker Post, No. 725, G. A. R., of Farmer township, and is also active in religious work, he and his wife being leading members of the Christian Church at Farmer Center.      On January 3, 1867, Mr. Tomlinson was married in Farmer township, Defiance county, to Miss Emily Lane, by whom he as had two children, Orlo L., who resides in Farmer township; and Eva T., wife of Prof. W. H. Bender, of the Iowa State Normal School (they have two children - Walter D. and Miriam E.).  Mrs. Tomlinson was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 16, 1848, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Allabaugh) Lane.  Her father was a native of Fayette, Pennsylvania, born March 2, 1822, and her mother was born July 11, 1828, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where her ancestors were early settlers.  This worthy couple were married in Tuscarawas county in 1847, and two years later removed to Milford township, Defiance county, where they spent one year.  For the next thirteen years they resided in Williams county, but they afterward made their home in Section 10, Farmer township, Defiance county, where their last days were passed, Mr. Lane dying Jan. 23, 1881, and Mrs. Lane on July 31, 1892.  They had six children, viz.:  Emily (Mrs. Tomlinson); William H., an agriculturist residing in Farmer township; Jennie (deceased); Ellen E., wife of M. V. Garner, of Bryan, Ohio; Laura M., wife of R. W. Scott, of Farmer township; and Rhoda E., wife of E. T. Binns, of Bryan, Ohio.      Mr. Tomlinson, our subject, had three great-grandfathers in the Revolutionary war, one being a captain, while the other two were ensigns. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton. - Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 416 Matilda Tracht Geo. Tracht GEORGE TRACHT.  This gentleman owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres, which is pleasantly located in Section 23, Hicksville township, Defiance county.  The well-tilled fields and excellent buildings, including a handsome residence, testify to the industrious habits and progressive spirit of the proprietor.  He is a man of sound judgment and intelligence, and is well worthy of representation in a work of this kind.      Mr. Tracht is a native of Ohio, born in Crawford county, Sept. 18,1847.  His father, Peter Tracht, was born Mar. 8, 1802, in Germany, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth Heist, who was born in the same country July 2, 1808.  In 1832 they emigrated to the New World, the voyage occupying eighty-two days.  The vessel struck on a rock, and the passenger and crew had to be landed by means of lifeboats.  For the first two years after their arrival they lived in Maryland, at the end of which time they removed to Crawford county, Ohio, where they made their home until November, 1864, and they came to Defiance county, locating in Hicksville township, where the father died Feb. 28, 1898, an honored and highly respected citizen.  The mother departed this life in 1883.      Of their children, Elizabeth married Peter Tracht, and died in Crawford county; Anna is the wife of William Beck, of Morrow county, Ohio; Margaret wedded George Rozman, and died in Hicksville township, Defiance county; Michael and John are the next of the family; Eli died in Hicksville township at the age of thirty-seven years; Catherine is the wife of Albert Farnsworth, of Hicksville; Agnes lives at the homestead; Caroline is the wife of Peter Huffman, of Milford township, Defiance county; George is the subject of this sketch; and Mary  is the wife of Frank Maxwell, of Hicksville township.      The first seventeen years of his life George Tracht spent in his native county, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county, remaining under the parental roof until 1870, when he went to Tazewell county, Illinois.  After working upon a farm there for five months he went to Brown county, Kansas, where he was similarly employed some fifteen months, returning to his father's home in Hicksville township, at the end of that time, and remaining there until his marriage.      In Hicksville township, Sept. 17,, 1874, Mr. Tracht wedded Miss Matilda Hofmeister, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1854.  Her father, Jacob Hofmeister was a native of Germany, born July 12, 1814, and in that country married Miss Fredericka Schwarz, who was born there Aug. 30, 1822.  In 1852 they crossed the Atlantic and took up their residence in Mahoning county, Ohio, where they continued to live until coming to Defiance  county in 1861.  Here they made their home in Hicksville township, where the mother died Feb. 8, 1886.  Their children were Margaret, now the wife of M. Collins; Fredericka, wife of A. Dierstein; John who died in Hicksville township when nearly twenty years of age; Jacob; Paulina, wife of Edward Tracht; Matilda wife of our subject; Marietta, wife of A. Weber, of Hicksville township; and William.  To Mr. and Mrs. Tracht have been born ten children, namely: Lillie M., Elmer R., Oscar J., Charley W., Olke P., Harold H., Claren E., Alice E., Floyd A. and George E.  All months; and George E., who died when eighteen months old.      For three years after his marriage, Mr. Tracht continued to live on his father's old homestead, and then removed to a farm in Section 13, Hicksville township, residing there until he located upon his present place in 1893.  For one term he served as township trustee, and for twelve years he has been a capable and prominent member of the school board.  Politically he has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and religiously has been a member of the Lutheran Church since the age of seventeen years.  His wife belongs to the same Church, and in the social circles of the community they and their family occupy an enviable position.  As a public-spirited , enterprising man, Mr. Tracht is recognized as a valued citizen of Hicksville township.  In 1893 he erected his elegant and comfortable residence, and in 1896 built his barn, which is one of the finest and most commodious in the county. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton. - Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 510

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