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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
1903
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ALFRED
H. BALSLEY Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 522 |
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TOBIA
G. BARNHILL Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 549 |
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JOHN M.
BARR Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 420 |
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JOSEPH
T. BARTOON Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 459 |
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CHARLES
BEAMER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 576 |
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JOHN
BEARD. It takes a strong
sould, a courageous nature to leave the comforts of
a civilized home for the privations and hardships of
the frontier. When Joel Beard came to
Hancock county, in 1827, he brought with him a
family of three generations. The region was
still a vast wilderness and though the Indians were
still numerous but friendly, these early pioneers
suffered many and severe hardships. Came was
fortunately plentiful, for they were often compelled
to go without the foods of civilization. Once
they had neither bread nor salt for a period of six
months. Deer and turkey roamed through
the forest, and the skill of the Kentucky marksman
many a time saved these brave frontiersmen from
starvation. Clothing, too, was scarce; the
skins of the roebuck replaced the cottons and
woolens of ordinary usage. John, the
younger, wore a buckskin suit for seven years.
But industry and perseverance can make even the
wilderness habitable. The father planted flax
and the mother spun the fibre and wove it into
cloth; the coat of skin was laid aside. When
further development permitted attention to animal
husbandry a flock of sheep cropped the herbage in
the clearing and John was clad in woolens.
Upon coming to Hancock county the two elder members of
the Beard family, John and
Joel, each entered eighty acres of land in
Marion township from the government, cleared it and
built a log hut in which Joel lived until his
death. Joel later added forty acres to
his holding and brought the whole under cultivation.
Both were natives of Kentucky. They were men
of sterling equalities, able to cope with the
difficulties that beset the path of the
frontiersman. Both have passed away, but both
will go down in the hitsory of this community
as thoroughly good men.
John had fought in the war of 1812 against Great
Britain, and many were the nights that he held his
neighbors spellbound, listening to the tales of wild
adventure as they sat about the open fire. He
was a member of the United Brethren church.
Neither his wife Rebecca nor any of their ten
children are now living. Joel was born
in 1799. He married Mrs. Catherine Potter,
a widow, by whom he had six children. Five of
these are living, namely: John, Mary,
Emma E., Clarissa and Alexander.
His wife Catherine died in 1852. The
following year he married Solona Hartman,
who bore him five children, of whom four survive.
None of them reside in this county. Joel
lived until 1885, and Solona, his second
wife, died in 1897.
John Beard, the grandson, was born in
Fairfield county in 1825. He worked on his
father's farm until the time of his marriage at the
age of twenty-four. In 1852 he made his first
purchase of land. It comprised eighty acres in
Hancock county. After working it a few years,
however, he disposed of this and bought his present
farm of eighty acres, which is without doubt one of
the finest farms on Blanchard road. Besides
being a practical and progressive farmer, Mr.
Beard is well up in current events. He
has a keen insight into political affairs, and sides
with the Republican party. He holds the
confidence of the community whom he has served as
supervisor on the county board. Mr.
Beard did not see active military service during
the Civil war. He was enrolled as member of
Company H of the Fifty-seventh Ohio Volunteer
Infantry Regiment, but supplied a substitute.
In marrying Hannah A. George on Feb. 17, 1853,
Mr. Beard allied himself with one of
the oldest families of Hancock county. She was
born Mar. 11, 1832, as the daughter of Peter
and Mary Ann George.
The father, long and widely known as the "Land
Hunter," was a native of Pennsylvania, born there on
Oct. 13, 1799. He had moved to Pickaway
county, this state, and as early as 1823 visited
this county, though it was not until 1826 that he
settled here permanently. He entered land in
Liberty and Amanda townships, and at the time of his
death owned three hundred and seven acres in the
heart of Amanda township. He acted as guide to
those who had come west for new lands, and helped
them decide on locations and settlements. He
was known to be strictly honorable and upright in
his dealings with all, and has been well termed one
of nature's noble men. He raised a family of
nine children; two of these lost their lives in the
cause of national union and all but a few have
passed away.
The Beard and George families are
probably the oldest and best known in Hancock
county.
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 406 |
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HERBERT
V. BEARDSLEY
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 591 |
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DAVID
BECK Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 402 |
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MARION
BELL Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 501 |
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B. F.
BIBLER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 475 |
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FREDERICK J.
BICKELHAUPT. It is a fact to which due
recognition is not always accorded that the German
element of our national commonwealth has been a very
important one in advancing the material interests of
the nation, but on investigation it will be found
that a large percentage of the successful business
men are of German birth or lineage.
Mr.Bickelhaupt is a representative of the
fatherland and was long one of the leading and
enterprising merchants of Findlay, but now after a
useful and beneficent career he is living retired at
his pleasant home in this city, surrounded by the
comforts that earnest labor has brought to him.
Frederick J. Bickelhaupt was born near the river
Rhine, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1843, his
father being
JohnBickehaupt, who was born in the fatherland
in 1821, and the latter died in Findlay, Ohio, in
1896. In 1861 the family bade adieu to their
old home in Germany and crossed the Atlantic to the
United States, locating first in New York city, and
a year later came to Findlay, where the son,
Frederick J., has ever since made his home.
During his youth he received but limited educational
advantages, but by reading and observation he has
continually broadened his mind and he is now a well
informed man. During the period of the Civil
war ne nobly responded to the call of his adopted
country, and in October, 1862, at Findlay, he
enlisted as a private in Company G, Fifty-seventh
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he
served for four months, while for the following
three months he was confined in a hospital, and on
the expiration of that period he received an
honorable discharge. Returning to his home in
Findlay, he embarked in the grocery and produce
business in this city in partnership with his
father, which relationship was continued until 1881,
when the latter retired from the firm. The
business, however, was continued by our subject
until 1896, when he, too, put aside the active cares
of a business life and has since lived quietly,
enjoying the fruits of former toil. His
business career was one of activity and industry,
and his methods have always been in keeping with the
highest principles of fair dealing and with
conscientious regard for the rights of others.
Mr. Bickelhaupt has been twice married, his
first union occurring in 1870, and in 1894 he was
united in marriage to Addie D. Folk whose
father, George Folk, is a resident of
Findlay. Her ancestors have resided in the
Buckeye state for many years, and in this
commonwealth her maternal grandfather, Isaac
Pence, was born, and he served as a soldier
during the war of 1812. By his ballot,
Mr. Bickelhaupt supports the men and measures of the
Republican party, and in its progress he takes an
active an commendable interest. In his
fraternal relations he is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the city
in which he has so long made his home he stands high
in public esteem, and is recognized as one of its
most loyal and prominent citizens.
Source: Centennial Biographical
History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 -
Page 213 |
Mr. & Mrs.
J. S. Bishop |
HON. HENRY
BISHOP.
Hon. Henry Bishop, deceased, was prominently
identified with public affairs in early days and was
a recognized leader in local politics. A
native of Ohio, he was born in Franklin county, Nov.
23, 1820, and in early manhood joined his brother,
John D., in Hancock county. Learning
the printer's trade in the office of the Courier at
Findlay, he later purchased that paper and engaged
in its publication from the 24th of January, 1839,
until the 1st of July, 1845, but it did not prove a
very profitable investment. He was a forcible
though rather an illogical writer. Prior to
disposing of the paper Mr. Bishop
settled on a farm in Eagle township and devoted the
remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits.
In early life he engaged in teaching school for a
few terms.
On the 5th of November, 1840, he was united in marriage
to Miss Eve Smith, who was also born in
Franklin county, May 21, 1821, a daughter of
William Smith, and they became the
parents of six sons, namely: George S., born
July 1, 1842, died in Seneca county, Ohio, Sept. 12,
1896; William is now living near Mt.
Blanchard; John S. is mentioned below;
Isaac lives on a part of the old homestead;
Smith resides in Seneca county, two and a half
miles northeast of Tiffin; and Henry
Dixson is now serving as justice of the peace in
Eagle township, Hancock county. The late
John D. Bishop, our subject's brother, made his
home in this county for many years. A sister,
Polly, married Isaac Smith, a
brother of our subject's wife and they were the
parents of Henry Smith, who is still
living in Eagle township.
During his residence in Hancock county Mr.
Bishop took quite an active and influential part
in public affairs, and was elected to the state
legislature at the same time Reuben Wood
was made governor. Being somewhat eccentric he
attended the sessions of that august body clad in a
hunting shirt and leggins, but he was nevertheless a
valued member of the house and was unwavering in his
support of those measures which he believed would
advance the general welfare. He died within
sight of his home, June 18, 1855, being drowned in
Eagle creek during high water while attempting to
loosen driftwood. He got a cramp while
swimming and went down. He left a widow and
six sons, the oldest of whom was only thirteen years
of age and the youngest one year old. Mrs.
Bishop carefully reared her children, and as
soon as they were old enough to be of any assistance
to her they began to aid in the operation of the
home farm. In 1871 she was again married, her
second union being with Conrad Line, a
farmer, who died in 1876. Two years after his
death she returned to the old Bishop
homestead, keeping her own part of the house and
living independently until her death, which occurred
Oct. 24, 1896. She retained her faculties up
to the last, being quite well preserved for one of
her years. She was a faithful and consistent
member of the old school Baptist church, was a
strict Sabbartarian, and an active church worker.
The sick and needy in her neighborhood always found
in her a friend, and she was highly respected and
esteemed by all who knew her. In 1863, she
erected a brick house upon her place, the brick
being made upon the farm, but it was destroyed by
fire in 1883. In addition to the old
homestead, comprising two hundred and forty acres,
she owned another farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Seneca county and in the management of the
estate displayed excellent business and executive
ability.
John S. Bishop, one of the leading
agriculturalists and representative citizens of
Eagle township, was born on the site of his present
home, Dec. 13, 1847, and his whole life has been
spent upon that farm. He remained with his
mother until her second marriage, when in
partnership with his brother Isaac he bought
the interests of the other heirs in the property,
becoming owner of one hundred and twenty acres.
Nineteen years ago he erected his present residence,
which is located on the banks of Eagle creek five
and a half miles south of Findlay. He is a
progressive and practical farmer who thoroughly
understands the vocation which he follows and is
meeting with well deserved success in his
operations. Besides his part of the old
homestead he owns another farm in Jackson township
and has city property in Findlay.
On the 4th of April, 1872, was celebrated the marriage
of John S. Bishop and Miss Angeline A.
Woodruff, a daughter of Elijah and Sarah
(Walters) Woodruff, our subject's nearest
neighbors. She was born on an adjoining farm,
Aug. 14, 1850, and was there reared, she and her
husband being schoolmates. Unto them were born
three children: Charley Cloyce, who
died at the age of two years, one month and fifteen
days; Sadie Blanche, now the wife of
Henry Hartman, of Jackson township, by
whom she has two children, John Durell
and Clarence Harold; and Carrie
Audra, who was educated in the Findlay high
school and is still with her parents. Both
daughters have studied music and the younger is
quite an accomplished pianist and also a vocalist of
more than ordinary ability. In the family of
Mr. and Mrs. Bishop is a little boy, Earl
Bishop Newman, now nine years of age,
who has made his home with them since the death of
his mother during his infancy.
In his political views Mr. Bishop is a
stanch Democrat, and though he takes an active
interest in public affairs he has never been an
aspirant for political honors, preferring to devote
his undivided attention to his business interests.
His estimable wife is a member of the Pleasant Grove
United Brethren church, but he still adheres to his
mother's teachings and in religious faith is a
Baptist, although he is not connected with any
church organization. That his life has been an
upright and honorable one is shown by the fact that
those who have known him from boyhood are numbered
among his warmest friends.
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 48 |
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WILLIAM
BOLANDER. It is with
pleasure that the subject of this sketch is
introduced into this work as a true son of Hancock
county. Mr. Bolander is a man who
believes that his native heath is good enough for
him, and that there is no need of seeking
opportunities in distant lands when so many lie at
hand. He was born on the farm in Big Lick
township, this county, in 1844, when this section of
Ohio was very sparsely settled. He passed his
earlier years in the country, acquiring his
education in the country schools, and assisting on
his father's farm. When the war broke out
Mr. Bolander waited his opportunity and when the
call came for volunteers in Hancock county,
immediately enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served
three years and saw his country vindicated before he
was mustered out. Some of the conflicts in
which his company was engaged was Stone River, and
those occurring during the campaign from Dalton to
Atlanta and from there to Jonesboro, where he was
severely wounded in the left thigh. He was
sent to Atlanta for care, and soon after that to
Chattanooga, where he was mustered out, in 1865.
He immediately returned to Hancock county, where he
has since resided.
In 1866 he was married to Sarah Crosley, and
they have seven children. The same year he was
married he moved to Findlay, the county seat.
In 1892 he went into the meat business, in which he
has been very successful.
Mr. Bolander is among the best known of
the business men of the town and is a loyal citizen.
He keeps his war service in mind and heart by
membership in Stoker Post, No. 54, G. A. R., which
includes so many of Findlay's prominent men.
He has always been identified with the Republican
party, in which his faith waxes stronger as the
years go by. He is a member of the
Evangelical church of Findlay.
Source: Centennial Biographical History of Hancock
Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis
Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 301 |
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ELMER C. BOLTON. The
above named gentleman, at present holding the responsible
position of engineer of Hancock County, deserves especial notice
among the young men who have achieved exceptional success in
difficult lines of employment through scarcely thirty years of
age. Mr. Bolton has been connected with the
engineering department of the county or city ever since leaving
school,, and has exhibited an aptitude for the work that
bespeaks the born mechanic. In fact, Mr. Bolton is
regarded as one of the brightest and most promising of the
county's young men, his friends predicting for him higher and
better things than any so far achieved. Though not a
native, all his adult life ahs been spent in Hancock County, and
he is so thoroughly identified with its interests as to deserve
rank among her most loyal sons.
Elmer C. Bolton was born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, Oct. 19, 1873, and when nine years of age was
brought to Ohio by his parents. They located in Hancock
County, and here Elmer received his education in Findlay
College, supplemented by a course in the Ohio Normal University
at Ada. He left the last mentioned institution in 1894 and
shortly thereafter obtained employment as a helper in the office
of the engineer of Hancock county. Two years later he
became a candidate for the office of engineer, and at the fall
election in 1896 was defeated by only fourteen votes. In
Jan. 1897, the legislature extended the term of several county
officers, among the number being that of engineer, and Mr.
Bolton was appointed by the county commissioners to fill out
a term of eight months in that office expiring in September,
1897. At the expiration of that time he was appointed
engineer of Findlay by the city council, and served in that
office from September 1, 1897, until June 1, 1900. In the
fall of 1899 he had been elected county engineer for a term of
three years, and took charge of his office shortly after
finishing his service with the city.
Mr. Bolton finds relief from business cares by
social communion with his fellows in various fraternities,
including the Masons, Elks and Knights of Pythias.
Benjamin F. Bolton, father of this popular young official,
who was born in Hancock County in 1848, is at present engaged in
the insurance business at Findlay, and in one of the respected
citizens of the place.
September 25, 1901, Mr. Bolton was united in
marriage to Miss Dena Singleton, of Findlay, daughter of
M. C. and Jennie Singleton. In politics Mr.
Bolton is a Republican and was nominated September 6, 1902,
for re-election to the position he was then holding.
Source: Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 -
Page 332 |
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CHARLES
H. BIGELOW Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 211 |
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SAMUEL
M. BIGGS Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 338 |
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ANDREW
BISH Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 500 |
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WILLIAM
S. BISH Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 500 |
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HENRY
BISHOP Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 48 |
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JOHN S.
BISHOP Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 50 |
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WILLIAM
P. BLACK Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 411 |
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HENRY
J. BLYMYER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 302 |
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JACOB
H. BOGER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 89 |
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JACOB
BOHN Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 227 |
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WILLIAM
BOLANDER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 301 |
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CHARLES
A. BOND Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 401 |
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JACOB
BOWERS Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 556 |
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SALAMIS
BOWLBY Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 305 |
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RICHARD
W. BOYD Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 27 |
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T. C.
BOYD Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 282 |
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JOHN
BRENNER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 545 |
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WILLIAM
BRENNER Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 590 |
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H. A.
BRICKMAN Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 114 |
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WILLIAM
F. BRICKMAN Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 255 |
Chas. Bright |
HON. CHARLES BRIGHT.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man
whose success has been worthily achieved, and who
has acquired a high reputation in his chosen
calling, and whose prominence is not the less the
result of an irreproachable life than of recognized
natural gifts. It is a pleasing duty to write
the biography of a man of this character, such as
the Hon. Charles Bright is known to be.
This gentleman is a well known and influential
farmer of Marion township, Hancock county, Ohio,
residing on a farm of three hundred and fifty-three
acres, containing both gas and oil. Mr.
Bright is not only an extensive farmer, but is a
well informed and successful business man. He
was born near the town of Lancaster, in Fairfield
county, Ohio on the 28th of December, 1835, and is
the son of David and Leahr (Arnold) Bright.
David Bright, the paternal grandfather was born
in Berks county Pennsylvania, and came in 1800 to
what is now the state of Ohio, settling near
Lancaster, where he died. Charles Bright
received a common school education, which was
greatly enlarged by subsequent study. Being of
an observant and inquiring disposition and a great
lover of books, he has added to his stock of
knowledge until he is now looked upon as a very well
read man. His life has been an active and
eventful one. In the dark days of the
Rebellion, in the full power of his manhood, he gave
himself a willing sacrifice on the altar of his
country. He enrolled as a private soldier in
Company F, of the Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the First
Brigade, Second Division, Fourteeenth Army
Corps. Immediately after his enlistment he was
made corporal of his company, and the following year
was promoted to sergeant for meritorious service on
the field. He participated in the following
battles: Wild Cat Mountain (Kentucky),
Corinth, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge,
Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, the siege of Atlanta, Peach
Tree Creek, Burnt Hickory and Jonesboro, besides
other battles of minor importance. During the
three years of his army life he had shown himself
worthy of the great nation of which he was a citizen
and the great cause he represented and helped to
carry through to a successful issue. He had
during this time many narrow escapes. The
exposures he endured brought on rheumatism, but he
is now receiving a recompense for this, which is
richly deserved. He was honorably discharged
with the rank of sergeant at Atlanta, Georgia, on
the 22d of October, 1864. Returning to his
home, he on the 24th of September, 1866, was happily
married to Miss Katherine A., the daughter of
John and Eliza Carnes, of Fairfield county,
Ohio. The union has been blessed with two sons
and a daughter, whose names are John C. born
June 12, 1869; David R., born Aug. 3, 1873,
and Effie E. E., born Aug. 2, 1876, now
Mrs. Curtis M. Wiseley.
In 1867 Mr. Bright removed to Hancock county,
Ohio, where he located on his present farm,
containing one hundred and fifty-seven acres at that
time, to which he has added at various times two
other farms, making in all three hundred and
fifty-three acres. In public life Mr.
Bright has always been willing to do his share
of the work of his immediate community. He has
served as supervisor for several years at various
periods. He has also served as trustee of the
township, and at other periods has held the offices
of treasurer and land appraiser, which he has filled
with exceptional ability and to the entire
satisfaction of his fellow citizens.
In 1893 he was elected a member of the seventy-first
general assembly of the state of Ohio from Hancock
county. This was in recognition of effective
service rendered his party during his long residence
in the county, he having always been ready to do
anything that would advance the principles which he
values so much. His majority over his
competitor, who was a very popular gentleman by the
name of Moses McAnnelly and a Democrat of the
strongest type, was for hundred and eighty-six the
highest majority ever given a Republican for the
office of representative in Hancock county up to
that date. Mr. Bright has connected
himself with Stoker Post, Grand Army of the Republic
at Findlay, and takes delight in furthering the
interest of the old soldiers, of whom he is a worthy
and honored representative.
It is a pleasure to show our appreciation of such a man
as Mr. Bright, who in every relation of life
has been faithful to every trust, a statesman
diligent in the service of his country and keeping
before him only the public good.
Source: Centennial Biographical
History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The
Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 28 |
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LEVI BRIGHT.
In the great and prosperous agricultural district of
Hancock county, Ohio, one of the well known farmers
is Levi Bright, who owns and resides on one
hundred and two acres in Amanda township and also
has three hundred and thirteen in Big Lick township.
The Bright family has been intimately
associated with the development and progress of this
county for many years, and both the grandfather,
Major, and the father, Nimrod Bright,
were old settlers of the county. Further
information concerning the family will be found in
the history of Major Bright, on another page
of his book.
Levi had his birth on his father's farm in Big
Lick township, May 22, 1844. He was reared in
the atmosphere of farm life, was early inured to its
labors, and after enjoying the advantages of
the common schools of his neighborhood he entered
upon agricultural pursuits as his life work.
But while still a boy he was called away from the
peaceful existence of the farm to the stirring
scenes of the Civil war. In 1862 he was
enrolled as a member of Company H, Fifty-seventh
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the
battles of Arkansas Post, Allen's Hill and the siege
of Vicksburg. Disease incapacitated him for
further service and he was honorably discharged in
1863. After his return from the war he began
as a farmer on his own account and about 1870 made
his first purchase of real estate, amounting to
forty acres, to which he has added by purchase and
by his father's gifts until he now owns his present
acreage. It is needless to say that he has
been very successful in all that he has undertaken
and is now rated as one of the foremost farmers of
the county. He removed to Amanda township in
1895 and is now trustee of the township. With
his brother, John, he developed the first oil
well in the township, in 1901, and at the present
time they own and operate thirteen wells.
Mr. Bright is a member of the United Brethren
church and serves as one of its trustees. His
political beliefs are those of the Republican party.
On Mar. 27, 1867, Mr. Bright married Miss
Mary F. Dotts, the daughter of Andrew and
Matilda Dotts, who was born in Hancock county in
February, 1845, and passed away on Christmas day of
1889. Of this marriage there were born eight
children, of whom four are living: Anna B., Cora
D., Etha L. and Bertha M. Apr. 20,
1890, Mr. Bright was married to Mrs.
Frances M., the widow of Newton Roberts,
a native of Pennsylvania, born Mar. 19, 1861.
Mrs. Bright is a daughter of Abraham and
Adaline Williams, who were born in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, who came to Hancock county
from West Virginia twenty-six years ago, and now
reside in Big Lick township. Mr. and Mrs.
Bright have four children, Sylvia M., Hazel
A., Thornton I. and Weldon L. Mr.
Bright and his family enjoy the high regard of a
large number of friends and acquaintances and are
good and worthy citizens of the county.
Source: Centennial Biographical
History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The
Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 254 |
Major Bright &
Wife |
MAJOR BRIGHT.
One of the large landowners and successful
agriculturists of Hancock county is Major Bright,
who is descended from old pioneers of the county,
prominent in business and public affairs. Our
subject's grandparents were Major and Deborah
(Moore) Bright, both natives of Maryland, who
came to Hancock county in 1829, when there was
little evidence of its becoming the great county in
1829, when there was little evidence of its becoming
the great country it now is. The family first
made their home in Fairfield county but later
removed to this county Mr. Bright was a
hard-working man and when he came to this state he
had little personal property and no real estate; but
he entered a thousand acres of government land and
by his industry soon possessed valuable interests,
which were subsequently divided among his children.
He was a man of some influence and held one of the
important public offices of the county. He
died about 1845, and his wife in 1879 at
ninety-three years of age. Of the ten children
of the family some became prominent citizens in the
county.
One of the sons of the above family was Nimrod,
who was born in Fairfield county in 1813, but came
with his father to this county. He inherited
four hundred acres from his father and to this added
fourteen hundred acres more, at the time of his
death his property being worth thirty thousand
dollars. He was a man of strong convictions
and not easily changed from his ideas of right, and
that he was a good business man is shown by his
large property. He was one of the influential
members of the United Brethren church, and in
his early years he was a Democrat in political
belief, but about the time of the formation of the
Republican party he joined its ranks. His
death occurred Dec. 27, 1893. He had been
married three times, in June, 1833, to Harriet
Wisely, who died in 1860, the mother of nine
children, of whom seven are living. His second
wife was Margaret Flack, who bore him
two children, one living. For his third wife
he took the sister of his second wife, Julia A.,
who is now (1902) living; by this marriage were
four born, of whom two
are living.
Major Bright, the subject of this sketch, is a
son of the first marriage, being born on July 23,
1833, in Big Lick township, Hancock county. He
was reared and educated in his native township, also
at Westerville, in Franklin county. He
inherited his share of his father's estate, to the
amount of three hundred and twenty acres and to this
he later added two hundred and forty acres more.
He now owns and operates three hundred and twenty
acres of valuable land in Amanda township and is
recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of
the county.
In 1856 Mr. Bright was married to Sarah S.
Firman, the daughter of Erastus and Kesiah W.
Firman of Delaware county; she was born in
Licking county, Dec. 11, 1834. Of the four
children born to them three are now living:
Elizabeth A., now Mrs. Ewing; Emma Lois,
the wife of Edgar Wilcox; and
Nimrod W., a prominent man of the county and a
candidate for probate judge. The Bright
family are members of the United Brethren
church, in which Mr. Bright has served
as class leader, steward, superintendent and teacher
of the Sunday-school. In politics the members
of the family hold the views of the Republican
party.
Source: Centennial Biographical
History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The
Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 104 |
|
|
JESSE L. BRINKER
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 197 |
|
|
LUKE H. BROADWATER
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 266 |
|
|
C. W. BROOKS
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 424 |
|
|
HARRISON BROOKS
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 318 |
Abraham Brown Family |
ABRAHAM
BROWN. This honored and prominent
representative of the farming and stock-raising
interests of Hancock county is one of the successful
men in that line of business. His pleasant and
commodious home is situated in Washington township,
where he conducts a farm of one hundred and forty
acres, where he is possessed of all that a
prosperous farmer needs to satisfy every wish.
He is the son of Martin and Catherine (Leady)
Brown, the father having located in Washington
township in about 1835, on his farm of about one
hundred and sixty acres. Both Martin Brown
and his wife were natives of the Keystone state,
where they married, and soon removed to Knox county,
Ohio, locating in Hancock county, Ohio, in the year
above stated. He was a hard working and
industrious man, clearing all his land, as did many
other pioneers in that early day, and combining good
sound business judgment with fine physical health
and a will to labor, he became a very successful
representative of the farming interests. He
was an honest and up right man in all of his
dealings with his neighbors, was a member of the
German Baptist church, and in politics favored the
policies of the Republican party. The family
that was born to him consisted of ten children, nine
of whom are living at this writing and three of this
number reside in Hancock county, as follows:
Mrs. Elizabeth Meyers, Mrs. Sarah Jacobs, and
Abraham Brown, the immediate subject of this
sketch.
Mr. Brown passed his early boyhood in the
exacting labor of farm life in that early day, and
received his primary education in the district
school of his native township. As a lad he
performed the duties required of a boy of his size
on his father's farm, and developed that sturdiness
of character which generally attaches to the
ordinary country youth. When that dreadful
calamity which cast a dark cloud over the face of
our country, occurred, the firing on Fort Sumter,
Abraham Brown was not old enough to do duty in
the field, but his young mind was in close sympathy
with the cause of Old Glory. As the months
sped on and the cloud darkened, Mr. Brown
became matured by sheer patriotism and in September,
1862, willingly gave himself a sacrifice to his
country, serving the remaining three years of the
war. He enlisted as a private in Company A,
Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and which
regiment became a part of the Army of the
Cumberland. He followed the flag through
twenty-three general engagements, besides
participating in a large number of lesser battles
and skirmishes. Following is a brief mention
of the principal actions in which he was engaged:
Stone River, Chickamauga (where he lost the second
finger of his left hand), Resaca, Bald Knob, Kenesaw
Mountain and Atlanta. He participated in that
thrilling and victorious march of the man who
denominated war as "hell," and returning north on
the victorious march of that chieftain, he was
mustered out at Louisville and returned to his home
with the consciousness of having performed his whole
duty to his beloved country. During the
services he was promoted from the private ranks for
meritorious services on the field to duty sergeant.
He received an honorable discharge and was paid off
at Columbus, Ohio, in July, 1865. Mr. Brown
took up the thread of life just where it had been
broken when he went to the army. Returning to
his school and to his books, he fitted himself for a
future life of usefulness. Upon leaving school
the first business in which he became interested was
in the line of dry goods at West Independence.
It was here that Mr. Brown chose as a
companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss
Rebecca A. Newhouse, the marriage occurring in
the year 1868. Three children came to brighten
their home: John C., born in 1869;
Abbie A., 1871; and Charles M., in 1879.
This latter boy inherited the patriotism of his
father and offered himself to his country in its
late unpleasantness with Spain. He enlisted
for two years in Company H, Second Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. He was a faithful soldier and was
honorably discharged at Macon, Georgia. The
mother of this family, Miss Rebecca Brown,
was born in Washington township, Hancock county, in
1851. She has proved to her husband a faithful
companion and helpmate in life's journey, and her
sound advice and assistance were important factors
in his prosperity.
Mr. Brown takes an active part in politics, and
while he is a stanch Republican, he will not
tolerate what he thinks is an act of duplicity, on
the part of his colleagues. About 1875, when
he own party leaders displeased him, he formed a new
party in his own township, known as the Farmers'
Alliance. This was subsequently merged into
the People's Party, a convention of this party
having been held under the leadership of Mr.
Brown in 1896, in Arcadia. Owing to his
masterful direction, this movement was successful
until 1896, when it was absorbed by the Democratic
party, at which time and date our subject returned
to his old love, the Republican party, and of which
he is now a stanch supporter.
Mr. Brown is a man much above the average
intelligence, and a promoter and supporter of many
progressive and commendable enterprises. He
has paid a marked tribute to the rural mail free
delivery in the erection of two beautiful and
conspicuous pillars, one on either side of his
gateway. On each of these pillars is painted a
figure, one representing "Uncle Sam,"
and the other "Abe" Brown.
Mr. Brown enjoys the full confidence and esteem
of his fellow citizens, and well deserves
representation in this volume.
Source: Centennial Biographical History of
Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The
Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 72 |
|
|
HENRY
W. BROWN
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio
- Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing
Company - 1903 - Page 553 |
|
|
D. P.
BROWNELLER
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio
- Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing
Company - 1903 - Page 310 |
|
|
FREDERICK BROWNELLER
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio
- Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing
Company - 1903 - Page 309 |
|
|
HARLEN
F. BURKET
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio
- Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing
Company - 1903 - Page 520 |
Jacob F. Burket
Mrs. Jacob F. Burket |
JACOB
F. BURKET
Source: Centennial Biographical History of Hancock
Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis
Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 9
|
|
|
ABSALOM P. BYAL.
This gentleman, now a retired business man of
Findlay, is one of those interesting characters who
act as connecting links between the pioneer past and
the progressive present. He has been a
resident of Hancock county since 1833, a period of
nearly seventy years, and during that time has
witnessed practically the whole development of both
county and city. His career covers a period of
momentous events in the history of state and nation,
including three of the national wars, and that
maravelous settlement and organization of the great
chain of states which stretch from the Mississippi
to the distant shores of the Pacific. Nor was
Mr. Byal by any means an idle spectator of
this vast national panorama of moving pictures.
He did his full share in helping along the
industrial growth of this section, and, as will be
seen later, figured conspicuously both in the public
and private business affairs of his county.
The name of Byal is of French origin, and the
founder of the family in this country emigrated from
France with an English wife and settled in Maryland
about the middle of the eighteenth century.
This emigrant left one son, named Peter, who
served in the Revolutionary war, and another named
William Byal, who was born near Baltimore,
Maryland, in 1765, and came to Stark county, Ohio,
in March, 1810. He engaged in farming there,
and so continued until September, 1833, when he
removed to Hancock county, resumed his old
occupation of tilling the soil and was thus employed
until death terminated his labors in 1840. He
was married twice, his second wife being
Catherine Shilling, who died Apr. 14, 1865,
leaving five children, four of whom are living.
Absalom P. Byal, eldest of the children last
mentioned, was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 19,
1821, and was consequently twelve years old when
brought by his parents to Hancock county. He
grew up on the farm in Findlay township and made his
first independent business venture in his eighteenth
year, by purchasing and driving a team, which
occupation was later varied by farming, trading and
other pursuits. It was his custom in those
youthful days to eke out his income by teaching
during the winters and shipping a little grain in
season. So things went along until 1842, when
he secured appointment as deputy sheriff of Hancock
county, and was employed in that capacity during the
following two years. In 1846 he was elected
sheriff for a term of two years, but after serving
half that time resigned to accept appointment as
clerk of the court, in which office he served for
six and one-half years. He then began farming
a tract of land which he had purchased in Findlay
township and on which he lived during the next six
years. In 1861 he removed to Findlay, lived
there until 1867, and then moved to another farm
within the corporation limits, which became his
permanent residence.
Mr. Byal is a member of the Democratic
party, and in the past has been prominent as one of
its leaders. In 1883 he was elected to
represent Hancock county in the legislature, and
made so satisfactory a record that he was rewarded
by re-election in 1885. Still higher honor was
conferred upon him when, in 1873, he was chosen as
the representative of his party and county in the
constitutional convention of that year. In
addition to this he was at one time elected justice
of the peace, but resigned from that office before
his term had expired. Mr. Byal is a
communicant of the Presbyterian church and long
conspicuous in Masonry, being the oldest member of
that order in Hancock county, who was created a
Mason here.
In September, 1845, Mr. Byal was married,
at Findlay, to Sarah A., daughter of A.
Youngkin, and by this union there were five
children, of whom four grew to maturity: Clara E.,
wife of P. W. Ball, of Springfield, Ohio;
Sarah C., wife of Dr. Cass R. Carlin,
deceased; William A., of Findlay; and Ida
H., wife of J. J. Bradner, of Marion,
Indiana. The mother died in May, 1865, and
Mr. Byal contracted his second
matrimonial alliance with Sally Mavety,
to whom he was married at Findlay, in October, 1867.
Of the two children resulting from this union,
Nellie was drowned at the age of three years,
and George F. makes his home with his father.
Mrs. Byal died Feb. 16, 1897.
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio -
Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company
- 1903 - Page 162 |
Henry Byal
L. J. (Eaton) Byal |
HENRY BYAL.
To have attained to the extreme fulness of Years and
to have one's view broadened to a comprehension of
all that has been accomplished within the flight of
many days, is of itself a sufficient cause for a
consideration of such a life, but in the case at
hand the tribute is all the more merited from the
fact that it concerns a career of usefulness, of
exalted honor, of charity, and one never darkened by
wrong or injustice. It must ever be regarded
as a matter of regret that when an aged man of
historical importance has been gathered to his
father's later generations have not been given a
more intimate knowledge of his personality and his
actions; that the lips have been silenced which
might have told of incidents that had marked bearing
on the thought and action of scenes of the past; and
that there is denied a familiarity with the
ambitions and struggles of his youth and the more
crucial trials of his later years. It is thus
gratifying to enter a tribute to this venerable and
honored citizen of Hancock county and to note the
salient points in his long and useful life, whose
declining days are crowned with well earned
prosperity.
Grandfather William Byal was a native of
Maryland and died in 1840 when at the age of
sixty-seven years; his son, John Byal, was
also born in that state in 1791 and died in 1853.
These are the forebears of Henry Byal, and it
is evident that the family were established in this
country during the colonial epoch. The birth
of Henry Byal occurred in Stark county, Ohio,
Mar. 23, 1817, thus being a representative of one of
the pioneer families of the Buckeye state. He
remained in his native county at an early day began
to contribute his share to the work of the farm, and
attended the country school as opportunity offered,
although his educational training was very meagre
after he was fifteen years old. In March,
1832, his father brought him to Hancock county,
locating in Findlay township about three miles west
of the city of the same name; he erected a saw mill
there and two years later built a grist mill.
There young Byal lived and labored for about
seven years; he then secured employment in
connection with the construction of the Wabash canal
and during the ensuing winter worked on the St.
Mary's reservoir in Mercer county. Until he
was twenty-five years old he was engaged in various
occupations. At that age he was married and
after that he was employed on a farm in this county
for four years. He was continually forging
ahead in the world and his next venture was in the
merchandising business in Ottawa, Putnam county
where he remained for eighteen months and also
served as postmaster. He next engaged in
business at Pendleton, Putnam county, where he
continued for three years, and in 1853 came to
Findlay. From this time up to the present he
has been actively concerned in farming, has
accumulated much valuable real estate in the county
and has now retired from active affairs and enjoys
the repose and freedom from care which are the
rewards of toil.
Mr. Byal was elected to office of justice of the
peace in 1854; he was the candidate for the
Democratic party and his personal popularity is
shown in the fact that he overcame the usual
Republican majority of about six hundred. He
held this office for nine years and was one of the
excellent public officials of the county during that
period. For many years Mr. Byal
has been a devoted member of the Presbyterian
church, and has always been generous in aiding its
work. Mr. Byal's first marriage
occurred in March, 1842, to Dorothy Comer,
who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio. Her
parents were Isaac and Hannah (Culp)
Gomer. Her father was born in the
Shenandoah valley in Virginia in 1793, and died
Sept. 3, 1852, on the farm three miles west of
Findlay, while her mother was born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, as far back as 1803, and died on the
old Comer farm in 1830. Isaac Comer
married for his second wife Hannah Burton,
with whom he came to Hancock county from Lancaster,
Fairfield county, in 1832. Four children were
born to Mrs. Dorothy (Comer) Byal, but she
died in 1860, and all of their children have also
passed away. As a memorial to his family
Mr. Byal bequeathed the munificent sum of twenty
thousand dollars, with which the Byal Memorial
Chapel was completed in 1901, a beautiful
tribute to those whom he loved so well. In
1861 Mr. Byal took as his second wife Mary
Lamb, who was his faithful companion for thirty
years, and passed away in 1900, leaving no children.
On Feb. 7, 1901, Mr. Byal became the
husband of Lydia J. Eaton, who is his devoted
partner for the remainder of life's journey.
She has been engaged for forty years at Findlay in
the mercantile and millinery trade.
Source: Centennial Biographical History of Hancock
Co., Ohio - Pub: New York & Chicago by The Lewis
Publishing Company - 1903 - Pages 64 - 66
NOTE:
History of Hancock County, Ohio - Publ: Chicago -
Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page 731 |
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