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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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WILLIAM G. WAGGONER Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 278 |
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DANIEL WALTER Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 288 |
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ELIPHES WANAMAKER Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 344 |
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GEORGE W. WATKINS.
Thomas Watkins, a native a Wayne county, Ohio, was
the first member of this well known family to take up his
residence in Hancock county. About 1825, when the
country was still in that raw and unsettled state which
precedes the full bloom of civilization, he located in what
is now Union township. His wife, whose Christian name
was Susan, bore him twelve children, and of this
number ten grew to maturity. An example of his
kindness in providing for his children has come down, that
to each of these children as they successively reached
maturity, he gave eighty acres of land, a good team and a
plough, with which outfit they were well prepared to fight
the battles of life. And not only did Thomas
Watkins bear the reputation of being kind to his own
family, but he was known everywhere as an upright and
self-sacrificing man, devoted to the best interests of him
community and his fellow citizens. He was a farmer of
the old pioneer stripe, making the very best of all
circumstances and never complaining at adverse fate.
The period of his life extended over seventy-two years, from
1786 to Aug. 19, 1858, and his wife, Susannah, was
born in 1792, and died Mar. 17, 1872, aged eighty years.
Only one of their large family is now living.
Isaac Watkins was one of the sons of the above
parents and was born in Union township, Hancock county, in
1826. Being reared and educated on his father's farm
and inheriting has father's generous equipment, he naturally
took to farming on his eighty acres situated north of Mount
Cory. In 1864 he felt it his duty to go to the defense
of the Union and as a member of Company H, One Hundred and
Ninety-second Ohio Volunteers, he was with General
Sheridan on his famous raid through the Shenandoah
valley, at the close of the war receiving his honorable
discharge. He was married in 1845 to Esther Corwin,
who became the mother of his nine children, seven of whom
are living and two are residents of Hancock county.
Later in life Mr. Watkins removed to the state of
Michigan, where in 1893 he died at the age of sixty-seven
years, but his widow is still living in that state.
G. W. Watkins is the son of the last name
parents, and his birth occurred in Union township in 1853,
there being reared and educated. He has always
followed agricultural pursuits and has met with marked
success, such as one would expect from a man of his native
energy and ability. His first farm consisted of one
hundred acres and in 1894 he sold it and bought his present
place of one hundred sixty acres, which he devotes to
general farming and stock raising.
In 1877 Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Lydia
A. Shoemaker, the daughter of Jacob and Judith
Shoemaker, who was born on the farm upon which she now
resides in 1859. Of the seven children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Watkins, the five now living are Forest W.,
Charles M., Etta J., Jessie A. and Everett.
While Mr. Watkins takes a true American's interest in
political affairs in general he has never aspired to office.
He is devoted to his family and the practical business of
his beautiful farm, which is located to the south of the
peaceful village of Mount Cary.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 275 |
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CHARLES EDWARD
WATSON. The gentleman above mentioned,
ex-mayor of Findlay, achieved this distinction after a twelve years’ residence,
the preferment having been preceded by membership in the city council for two
terms. Aside from his official
tenures his business connections have been with the mercantile interests, but in
both lines he has exhibited those qualities which usually attract attention and
insure success. His family is of
English origin and was founded in America by his grandfather,
Joshua Watson, who came to the United
States in the early part of the nineteenth century and died while a resident of
Michigan. The latter’s son,
Samuel G. Watson, was born in New
York state, in 1830, came to Huron county, Ohio, in 1850, and was married four
years later to Abigail Bugess, by
whom he had six children, the five survivors being:
Alice A., wife of
Wesley Griffith, Charles E.,
Egbert N., C. Albert and
Wilbur L. G.
Charles
Edward Watson, second of the surviving children, was born on his father’s
farm in Huron county, Ohio, July 12, 1858, and remained at home obtaining his
education until he reached manhood.
Leaving school after the completion of his twenty-first year he went to
Lincoln,
Kansas, and secured employment in a drug store as clerk, which position
he held a year, after which he opened a drug store at Dansburg, Michigan. His establishment being shortly after
destroyed by fire, he returned to his
Ohio
home and spent a short time on the farm.
In February, 1888, he came to
Findlay
and was engaged as clerk in various grocery stores for several years. In 1897 he was elected to the city
council as representative of the Eighth ward and was re-elected to the same
position two years later. His
resignation from the council was necessitated by his acceptance of the
mayoralty, to which office he had been elected in 1900 on the Republican ticket. This closes his political career up
to date, but the friends and admirers of ex-Mayor Watson predict that still further
honors await him at the hands of his constituents.
In 1880
Mr. Watson was married, at Greenwich,
Ohio, to Miss Minnie J., daughter of John Crouse, and has
two children:
Veva and
Kenneth. The religious affiliations of the
family are with the Presbyterian church, and
Mr. Watson’s fraternal connections
are with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the
Mr. Watson’s fraternal connections are with the
Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he
is now district deputy of the territory embraced in the Fourth and Eighth
Congressional districts.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 -
Page 207
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CHARLES R. WATSON.
The attractions of the life of a farmer are many; he is free and
independent, monarch of all he surveys, so to speak, and he is
the owner of the most stable and satisfying property in the
world, little subject to the fluctuations of the market; while
the sowing of the grain and the patient toil and waiting for the
harvest add a touch of color to the occupation and afford
something of the fever of the speculators on the stock market,
uncertain what time may bring forth. And in the modern
conditions of agriculture with all the late improvements there
is a vast field for the progressive man who desires to make the
most out of his land.
One of the young and promising farmers of Union
township, Hancock county, whose future outlook is clear and
bright is Charles R. Watson. This hardy tiller of
the soil is the son of William and Susan (Heck) Watson,
of Liberty township, who are well and favorably known citizens
of the county. Charles made his advent into the
world in Liberty township in 1867, and with the usual lot of a
farmer boy he spent his youthful days in learning: the duties of
the farm, in attending the country school in the winter season,
and enjoying, as only a farmer boy can enjoy, the sports and
recreations of the country. He was an unusually bright and
studious lad in school and he has found in after life abundant
opportunity to apply the lesions which he learned in the
familiar old school. He early made farming the choice of
vocations and has since devoted his best efforts to the work.
He came into the possession of his present farm in 1899; it
consists of two hundred and four acres of fertile and highly
cultivated soil, which he devotes to the raising of general farm
produce and stock. Mr. Watson also has an
interest in his father's farm in Liberty township. This
farm is a valuable one from the fact that there are twenty-eight
producing oil wells in operation, and thus he has a share in the
production of one of the most important of the world's
commodities, one, by the way, which has been available for
commercial purposes only a little more than forty years.
In 1900 Mr. Watson celebrated his marriage to
Miss Myrtie Oman the daughter of Jacob and Nellie Oman,
of Eagle township, Hancock county; she was born in this township
on Dec. 20, 1876, and her parents are also natives of the same
place and are members of an old pioneer family. Mr. and
Mrs. Watson are numbered among the county's highly respected
citizens and enjoy a well deserved prosperity. He is a
Democrat in political view^s, well known throughout the county.
He engaged in the oil business in 1902 on the home farm in
Liberty township.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 -
Page 269 |
R. M. Watson
Mary D. Watson |
RICHARD M. WATSON.
This gentleman is a
representative of one of the pioneer families of Hancock county,
Ohio. Richard Watson, who is now deceased, was the original
pioneer. He was a native of Maryland, but prior to 1831 he
removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, in which county he remained
up to that period when he settled. in Liberty township, Hancock
county. Here he purchased one hundred acres of land, and
lived out a long life of usefulness, proving himself a practical
farmer, and a good and loyal citizen. During the war of
1812 he entered the army and fought for his country with zeal
and enthusiasm which only such a cause could call forth.
His wife was Lucinda Waters, and to them were born nine
children, the only surviving child being the subject of this
sketch, R. M. Watson. Richard Watson was
what is frequently denominated a self-made man, having begun
life at the very bottom round of the ladder. He succeeded
before his death in accumulating quite a competence, all of
which was secured by honest and sincere toil. He died in
1852, his wife surviving him until 1870.
Richard M. Watson was born in Liberty township
in 1837. He picked up what education was possible in the country
school at that early day, and passed his entire early life on
the home farm. At the time of the breaking out of the
Civil war he showed his loyalty to his country, taking part in
the fearful struggle of the nation for the maintenance of its
flag. He became a member of Company G, One Hundred and
Eighteenth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and
participated in the battles of Mossy Creek, Strawberry Plains,
and various engagements of the noted and bloody Georgia
campaign, which in reality ended the war in that section of the
south. For meritorious service he was promoted to the
sergeancy of his company and in July, 1865, received an
honorable discharge, having made a record as a gallant defender
of his country. On his return to civil life, he bought
fifty-five acres of land in Liberty township, to which he has
since added at various times three hundred and forty-five more.
On this farm he has both oil and gas wells. Mr. Watson
has held the office of director of the Hancock County Infirmary
for three terms. He is a man of exceedingly, clean
character, and has led an upright life among his associates in
the county, being known particularly for his square dealing
among his host of friends. In December, 1867, he was
married to Miss Mary, daughter of Andrew and Emily
Harner, by whom he had four children: John W.;
Lucy, deceased; Grace; and Carl, who is now a
practicing physician in Cleveland, Ohio. The other son,
John, is an oil operator, in this county. Mrs. Mary
Watson was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1845. Her
father was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and died in
Wayne county, Ohio, in 1849. Her mother was born in Wayne
county, Ohio, and died in Stark county, in 1855. In
politics Mr. Watson is a Democrat and his
fraternal connections are with Stoker Post of the Grand Army of
the Republic at Findlay.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 -
Page 360 |
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W. C. WEBSTER Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 543 |
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PHILIP WEIROUGH Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 566 |
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GEORGE W. WHITMAN Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 515 |
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EDGAR WILCOX Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 455 |
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JAMES WILLIAMSON Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 81 |
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WILLIAM A. WILLIAMSON Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 277 |
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JAMES WILSON Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 165 |
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HENRY E. WINDES Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 551 |
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B. F. WINELAND Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 387 |
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BENJAMIN J. WISE Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 364 |
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FRANKLIN WISE Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 126 |
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W. A. WISE Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 490 |
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MARTIN L. WISELEY Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 224 |
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ANDREW WISEMAN Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 528 |
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JOSEPH WISEMAN Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 530 |
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WILLIAM P. WISELY Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 136 |
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HENRY E. WITMORE Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 183 |
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ADAM WOLF.
The Teutronic race has been an important element in framing our
national commonwealth; its qualities and characteristics have
been infused with those of other races in the development of a
strictly American type and the United States willingly
acknowledges its indebtedness to the German people for certain
admirable qualities which are found among the representatives of
the fatherland and their descendants.
The above worthy representative of the Teutronic race
is a wealthy and practical farmer of Washington township, where
he resides on a beautiful two hundred acre tract, which is well
tilled and well kept. As stated he is a native of Germany,
where he was born Apr. 17, 1836. When he arrived at
maturity he left home, and in 1858 arrived in America, coming
immediately to Seneca county, Ohio. Here he remained until
1865, when he removed to Wood county, where he was one of the
leading agriculturists for a period of three years, cultivating
an eighty acre tract. In 1868 he sold this farm and coming
to Hancock county located on his present place. It is
noted that this property was once owned by Abraham Deel
whose large log house remains to-day as a trophy of the early
pioneer life in Hancock county. Mr. Wolf has since
coming into possession of the property added many modern
improvements, having built his present large and commodious
residence in 1872. In the year 1865 he was joined in
marriage to Mary Dippelhoper, a lady also of German
descent and lineage, she having been born in Germany in 1844.
To this marriage there have been born in family of eight
children, five of whom are living: John, born in 1867;
Jessie, 1871; Lottie, 1873; Emma, 1878;
Andrew, 1881.
Information concerning the family history of the
Wolfs is rather scant. It is known that they were
prominent members of society in the German empire for a long
period of years. Adam Wolf's father was Peter
Wolf, his mother's maiden name having been Maria Gilbrick.
Both of his parents lived out their lives in Germany, where the
father died in 1884 and the mother in 1863.
In the respect that is accorded the men who have fought
their way to success through unfavorable environments, we find
an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character
which cannot only endure so rough a test, but can also gain new
strength through the discipline. It can be said of Adam
Wolf that he is a self-made man in all which that hackneyed
phrase means. He has always been an exceedingly hard
worker, and the effort which he has put forth, coupled with a
good head for business, has made him one of the leading men of
his section.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 429 |
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SIMON WOLF,
a well-known and respected farmer of Hancock county, Ohio,
residing upon his farm in Marion township, is a practical
agriculturist, having devoted the most part of his life to the
tilling of the soil.
The birth of Mr. Wolf was in 1834, in Stark
county, Ohio, and he is a son of Solomon and Elizabeth
(Hopple) Wolf, who removed to Findlay, Ohio, when their son
was about sixteen years of age.
Simon attended school both in Stark and in
Hancock counties, Ohio and has always been identified with
farming interests since completing his education. His
productive farm is located in Marion township. He is a
leading member of the Methodist church in Findlay, has
acceptably held the position of school director and served his
township as supervisor.
In 1855, Mr. Wolf was married to Miss
Elizabeth Folk, who died Oct. 21, 1885. The second
marriage of Mr. Wolf was to Mrs. Maria are:
Irwin, John, Nelson, Sophronia, Sarah, Lemuel, Solomon
and Clifford. The family is much esteemed in the
community and they have a wide circle of friends.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 524 |
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MARY
A. WOLFE. We are now privileged to touch upon the life
history of one of Hancock county's most estimable families, the
immediate representative of which is the above lady, who is the
widow of the late Levi Wolfe, of Marion
township. She was born at Hagerstown, Washington county,
Maryland, Sept. 22, 1833, and is the daughter of William
and Margaret Davis, of the same state. Her
parents left that portion of the country in the fall of 1833,
and during the overland journey to Ohio they lost a son as the
result of an attack of sickness. This misfortune caused
them to remain for the winter at the place where it occurred, so
that it was in the spring of 1834 before they finally reached
Marion township, of this county. Here the father entered a
claim of forty acres, which he subsequently sold but soon bought
another forty, which was increased at various times until his
holdings amounted to six hundred acres of the most valuable land
in the county. William Davis was a man of
influence and character in his township, where for a number of
years he held the office of justice of the peace, and was also
county commissioner for a long period. He was kind to the
poor, hospital to all, and a man whose friends were myriad.
He was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and proved his
usefulness in that denomination by an active and consistent
religious life. He was joined in marriage to
Margaret Lafferty in 1830, and to this union there were
born eleven children, nine of whom are now living.
Mrs. Margaret Davis died in October of 1882, her
husband having passed away a number of years before, in 1863.
His death was caused by anxiety for a favorite son John, who was
a soldier in the active service during the Civil war. He
had been wounded at the battle of Picket Mills, where his father
in searching for him contracted a cold, and which caused his
death in the year above stated. He was a man of sterling
qualities of character, and was missed by his host of friends.
His life was one of usefulness, and he assisted in the events
which helped to inaugurate the period of prosperity which his
descendants now enjoy. The son John recovered from the
wound, and returning to the army was unfortunate enough to be
captured at the battle of Stone River. He was kept a
prisoner in the lines of the enemy for a considerable period,
but was finally exchanged and returned home. Mary
A. Wolfe was joined in marriage to Levi Wolfe
on the 14th of August, 1851. The marriage resulted in the
birth of four children: Margaret J., Lydia A., Fannie D.
and John W., the last two deceased.
Levi Wolf, the father of the family, was born
in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 20th of August, 1825. He
there received an excellent common school education which fitted
him for his life of usefulness. In 1843 he, together with
his parents, Rev. David and Lydia Wolfe,
removed to Hancock county. They first located upon eighty
acres in Marion township, to which they added afterwards fifty
more. Their family numbered eleven children, but two
of whom are now living, viz: John and
Christian Wolfe. Rev. David Wolfe was a minister
in the Evangelical church, and during his active career did much
to build up that organization in that part of the state.
By trade Levi Wolfe was a blacksmith in his
younger life, but when the Civil war broke out he offered
himself a willing sacrifice on the altar of his country, by
enlisting in 1862 in Company E, Fifty-seventh Regiment, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. In the bloody battle of Shiloh, while
trying to bind up a comrade's wound, he was taken prisoner and
confined for a period at Macon, Georgia. He was finally
exchanged, but was in such an emaciated condition as to cause
his death before he reached home. He died in the city of
Cincinnati on July 30, 1862. During his life he held some
of the responsible township offices, was a man of influence in
his neighborhood and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Previous to his army life he made provision for
his family by laying the foundation for their present home.
His kindness of heart and noble traits of character erected in
the memories of the members of his family a lasting monument.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 -
Page
266 |
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LOUIS A. WOLFF,
though not a native born American, is one of the representative
business men of Findlay, and a loyal citizen of the state of
Ohio, having emigrated to this country and settled within her
borders being before attaining his majority. He is a
native of Germany, and was born in Bavaria in the year 1852.
He left the fatherland in 1870, for American, coming direct to
London, Ohio, and has ever since made his home within the state
of Ohio. From 1870 to 1882 he was clerking in London,
Ohio, and then, having been frugal and industrious, he had saved
sufficient money to start in business for himself, and opened a
clothing house there, which he successfully conducted until the
year 1891. In 1891 he closed out his business in London,
and came to Findlay, and a year later opened a grocery store
which he still continues to manage, and in which business he has
been highly succesful.
Mr. Wolff was married at Bellefontaine, Ohio, in
1881, to Leonora Morgenroth, and they have one daughter,
Sarah Wolff.
Mr. Wolff is a stanch Republican in politics, and
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 510 |
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SHELDON WOODRUFF Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 284 |
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L. S. WOODS Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 376 |
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ALVIN L. WORDEN Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 312 |
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ROBERT B. WORDEN Source: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 312 |
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