Source:
Twentieth Century History
of
Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens.
By J. A. Kemmell, M. D.
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Example"
Published by
Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co.
F. J. Richmond, Pres.        C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
Chicago, ILL
1910.

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Eliphes Wanamaker	ELIPHES WANAMAKER Source: Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio - Published by Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. - Chicago - Ill. - 1910 - Page 543
	HARVEY H. WELLS,* who, for fifty years has been a resident of Hancock County, O., owns a valuable farm of 120 acres which lies in Pleasant Township, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising.  He was born in Licking County, O., and is a son of Noah and Edith (Warner) Wells.      Noah Wells was born in Arundel County, Md., a son of Richard Wells who came to Licking County, O., at an early date and died there.  Noah Wells grew to manhood and married in Licking County and came from there to Hancock County during the War of the Rebellion and settled in Pleasant Township, on the Ridge road, one mile west of Deweyville.  He purchased and improved forty acres of land.  In later years he removed to Paulding County, O., where both he and his wife died.  Six sons and six daughters were born to Noah and Edith Wells, namely: Calvin, who served in the Civil War, enlisting at Newark, O., and died in the service from typhoid fever; Ann who married Joseph Simmons in Licking County, moved first west of Deweyville and later to Missouri, where both died: David who died of typhoid fever while serving as a soldier in the Civil War; Mary, who married Rutherford Adams, and resides at Croton, Licking County; Millie, who married Bazil Sparling, of Hancock County, survives him and resides at Toledo; James, who resides at Benton Ridge; Amanda who is the wife of Myron Moore and resides in Henry County; Nelson who resides in Putnam County; Harvey H.; Emma who lives in Putnam County, is the widow of R. C. Dillon who died in May, 1910' and two that died in infancy.      Harvey H. Wells attended the township schools as opportunity offered in his boyhood and then worked on the home farm until he married.  For sixteen years afterward he worked as a farmer for Lewis Dukes of Blanchard Township.  He had no capital to begin with and every dollar he has invested he has earned by his own persevering industry.  His first purchase of land was forty acres in Putnam County and later he bought 106 acres of Amelia Austin but sold over twenty-six of them and then continued to cultivate about eighty acres until March, 1907, when he sold this land to advantage.  He then purchased what was locally known as the Francis Hull farm, his present property.  This land was originally entered by James Ewing in the early days of the county and it later passed into the hands of a Mr. Orrick who subsequently sold it to Francis Hull.  Mr. Wells lost his house by fire in 1909 which necessitated the building of a new one.  His fine barn is one of the best structures of its kind in the township.      In the spring of 1880, Mr. Wells was married to Miss Sidney Ellen Riggle, a daughter of John and Mary (Goodwin) Riggle, and they have three sons and one daughter, namely:  Claud, who resides in Liberty Township and is a worker in the oil fields, married Pearl Smith and they have four children - Ralph, Orville, Evelyn and an infant; Lettie May, who is the wife of Roy Rader, of McComb, has two children - Dorothy and Catherine; and Clarence and Orie, both of whom give their father assistance on the farm.  Mr. Wells and family are members of the Church of Christ at McComb.  In politics he is a Republican but is no seeker after political rewards.  He is one of the representative and worthy citizens of this section of Hancock County. Source: Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio - Published by Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. - Chicago - Ill. - 1910 - Page 633
	HENRY WENTZ, who fills the responsible but very difficult position of superintendent of the Hancock County Poor Farm, is a native of Ohio and was born Feb. 21, 1862, and is one of a family of thirteen children born to his parents who were Jacob and Jane (Michaels) Wentz, the former of whom died in 1891.      Ross Wentz was reared on the father's farm and obtained his education in the public schools.  He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until he was appointed to his present office, in March, 1909.  Mr. Wentz has the superintendence of over 228 acres of land and under his methods and excellent management, this land goes far in providing for the support and maintenance of the sixty-seven public charges.  His administration of the affairs of the farm has proved very satisfactory to the county commissioners.      On July 8, 1888, Mr. Wentz was married to Miss Carrie N. Bell a daughter of James Bell, of Hancock County, and they have two children, Carl and Bertie P.  Mr. and Mrs. Wentz are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  He is identified with the Democratic party. Source: Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio - Published by Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. - Chicago - Ill. - 1910 - Page 329
	MRS. MARY WOLF, widow of the late LEVI WOLF and a daughter of William Davis, who was an early settler here, is well known all over Hancock County not only for her womanly qualities but also for her remarkable business capacity.  She has resided on her present home farm of fifty-nine acres, which is situated in Section 10, Marion Township, since her marriage.  She owns a second farm, situated in Sections 1 and 2, Marion Township, which contains 120 acres.      Mary Davis was reared among almost pioneer surroundings and she had fewer educational opportunities than had those who grew up where settlements were nearer together.  She recalls the days when she attended church at Findlay, riding to and from on horseback, the road leading entirely through the woods.  She was married Aug. 14, 1861, to Levi Wolf, who was born in Fairfield County, O., Aug. 20, 1825.  His parents were David and Lydia (Swartz) Wolf,  who came to Hancock County and settled near the Davis homestead.  Levi was then a young man and had learned the blacksmith trade and subsequently ran a shop on the farm on which Mrs. Wolf now lives.  He purchased a part of this land but before he had time or opportunity to get it cleared, he entered the army during the Civil War.  He enlisted in February, 1861, in the 57th O. Vol. Inf., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and was incarcerated in Macon Ga., where he was confined until Apr. 7 1862.  When released he was in such a condition that on his way home he was obliged to go to a hospital and his death followed on July 3, at Cincinnati, from his injuries.      Mrs. Wolf found herself with four children to rear and educate, these being: Margaret Jane, who resides with her mother; Lydia who is the wife of Dr. J. C. Tritch of Findley, and they have two children, Gail and Martha; Fannie who died at the age of three years; and John, who died when aged thirty-one years.  Mrs. Wolf's training in all things practical now stood her in fine stead enabling her to complete payments on her home farm, acquired more land and make excellent improvements of all kinds.  In the course of years she has remodeled the farm house three times and has erected four substantial barns.  On her second farm handsome buildings have been erected and eighty acres have been cleared and put under cultivation.  On that farm the first oil in Marion Township was discovered, the successful operators being her son, John Wolf, David Davis, her brother, and a Mr. Righter.  The drilling was being done for gas but oil was struck, the first well being a 250-barrel well.  She has realized $40,000 from oil and there is still some production going on.  Mrs. Wolf has always managed her business herself even when her interests have been numerous.  She keeps about seventy-five sheep and enough cows to provide for the selling of a large amount of cream.  She has always been a hard worker and her mind has been as strong as her body.  Her husband was a leading man in public affairs in his township and was elected township treasurer on the Republican ticket. Source: Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio - Published by Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. - Chicago - Ill. - 1910 - Page 491
J. N. Wyer	J. N. WYER, whose farm of 275 acres is situated in Section 15, Union Township, Hancock County, O., but who resides in Rawson, this county, was born at Lancaster, Fairfield County, O., Sept. 21, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Ann E. (Ashbaugh) Wyer.      Henry Wyer was born in New Jersey, in 1828, and died in June, 1906.  He was young when his parents moved to Fairfield County, O., where he grew to manhood and subsequently became a prominent farmer.  He married Ann E. Ashbaugh, who was born in Fairfield County, O., and still resides on the old homestead in Marion Township, Hancock County.      J. N. Wyer obtained his education in Fairfield County and in the schools near Findlay, to which place he came when thirteen years old.  His business has always been farming and stock raising and he settled on his present  place after his marriage.  This took place on Jan. 24, 1885, to Miss Laura O. Wonder, who was born and reared in Wyandot County, O.  Her parents were Matthias and Katherine Wonder, Old residents of that county.  Mr. Wyer died Aug. 15, 1909, at Rawsom, O., She was a most estimable lady in every relation of life and was a consistent member of life and was a consistent member and earnest worker in the Evangelical church.  Mr. and Mrs. Wyer who had two children born to them:  Oran O. and Mabel.  The former is an expert telegrapher and is in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad.  Mabel graduated from the Bluffton High School on May 27, 1910, having taken also a special course in Latin.  Mr. Wyer takes no very active part in politics. Source: Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio - Published by Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. - Chicago - Ill. - 1910 - Page 360
	WILLIAM W. WYER, who owns 217 acres of fine farm land all situated in Hancock County, O., resides on a tract of 100 acres of this, located in Section 27, Marion Township the other 117 acres being in Section 12, Amanda Township.  He was born in Fairfield County, O., Jan. 29, 1851, and is a son of Henry and Anna E. (Ashbaugh) Wyer.      HENRY WYER was born in New Jersey and was a son of John Wyer who brought his family to Fairfield County but three years later moved to Iowa, accompanied by the most of his descendants and all of those who moved to the West died there.  Henry Wyer and wife had seven children: Peter, John, Abraham, William, Henry, Margaret and Mary Ann.  Henry Wyer did not accompany the other members of the family to Iowa, remaining in Fairfield County, where he was married to Anna E. Ashbaugh.    She was born there and was a daughter of Fred Ashbaugh who was a well known early settler.  In 1867, accompanied by his family, Henry Wyer came to Hancock County, previously selling his farm near Wapakoneta.  With his money he bought a farm which was then situated in old Findlay Township, now Marion.  This was the old Samuel Switzer farm of 160 acres, which had been partly cleared.  Henry Wyer bought, at different times, some 1,000 acres and as he possessed excellent judgment, it was all desirable property.  He subsequently divided it among his children.  He had prospered through farming and stock raising, never speculating in his life.  He was born in 1828 and died in Marion Township in June, 1904.  His widow still survives and makes her home with her son, Sherman Wyer, in Marion Township.  Of the ten children born to Henry and Anna E. Wyer, William W. was the eldest.  The record of the others is as follows:  Emeretta, who died young; John; Alice, who is the wife of George Snyder; Anna Mary, who is the wife of John Hall; Serman; Laura, who is the wife of O. Foster; Calvin G., and two who died young.       William W. Wyer went to the country schools when young but began to help his father as soon as his strength permitted and remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age.  He has made farming and stock raising his business and has been more than usually successful in promoting these industries.  His home farm was formerly known as the old Perry Lee farm.  Mr. Wyer has done practically all of the improving here, putting up all of the substantial buildings except the residence.  It is well tiled and substantially fenced, this work also having been done by the present owner.      Mr. Wyer was married Mar. 22, 1879, to Miss Susan E. Hagerman who was born in Pennsylvania and is a daughter of Mahlan and Catherine (Wideman) Hagerman.  Four children were born to this union, namely: Jessie May who died aged two years; Stella, who is the wife of Clarence Knight, who operates Mr. Wyer's Amanda Township farm, and they have two children - Arthur Earl and Hazel Irene; Mahlan Zell, who is his father's farmer, married Lottie Loy; and Alice Catherine,  who is the wife of Roland D. Foreman, of Eagle Township, and they have one child, Evelyn Ellen.  Mr. Wyer and family are members of the United Brethren church.  In politics he is a Republican but is no office seeker. Source: Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio - Published by Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. - Chicago - Ill. - 1910 - Page 324

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