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BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
A Standard History of
THE HANGING ROCK IRON REGION OF OHIO

An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with the Extended
Survey of the Industrial and Commercial Development
Vol. II
ILLUSTRATED
Publishers - The Lewis Publishing Company
1916
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

ALLEN D. WARD.     One of the most important branches of the municipal service, under modern conditions and organization, is the police department, and its management requires rare abilities of an executive character, tact in the handling of the men, courage of no small order, and a broad and comprehensive knowledge of humanity and human affairs.  It was the possession of these traits that led to the appointment of Allen D. Ward as chief of police of the City of Wellston, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1910, and it has also been because of these characteristics that he had continued to fill this office with excellent ability and to the general satisfaction of the property owners and tax payers.
     Chief Ward was born at Center Furnace, Lawrence County, Ohio, June 11, 1856, and is a son of John P. and Catherine (Stuart) Ward.  His grandfather, Jonathan Ward, was a native of Virginia, where he passed his entire career, as did also the grandmother, Mrs. Annie Ward, and they were parents of the following children: Daniel, Robert, Benjamin, Elizabeth, John, Jacob, Christopher, Peter, Anna, Betsy, Harriet, Lydia, Francis and Rebecca John P. Ward was born in Virginia, and as a young man moved to Lawrence County, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where he married Catherine Stuart, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  They became the parents of the following children: Eliza, Jonathan, Celia, Allen D., Elizabeth, Isaac, Flora, Nana, George, Alice and Grant.
     Allen D. Ward was reared in Lawrence and Scioto counties and received his education in the public schools.  He early became interested in police work, and for a number of years was a detective with various railroad companies, finally entering the detective service of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, with which he was connected at the time of his appointment, Jan. 1, 1910, as chief of police of Wellston.  This appointment came as a result of his fearlessness as an officer, his executive ability and his faculties of detection, combined with a pleasing and courteous personality, and during the term of his incumbency as chief, Wellston has been singularly free from crime.   Chief Ward belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, in both of which he has many friends, as he has also in business and professional circles.  With his family he attends the Methodist Church.
     In 1878 Chief Ward was married to Miss Senie Campbell, who was born May 12, 1863, and they have had seven children, as follows: John, William, Ivery and Carl, all of whom are deceased; and Grant, Alice and Ada, who survive
Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Page 1084

 

HENRY WEBER.     The residence of Henry Weber on the farm which he now owns and occupies in Scioto Township, Jackson County, has covered a period of seventy-one years, for here he was born Dec. 26, 1844.  His father, Henry Weber, was born in Switzerland about 1816 and the latter's father, Milton Weber, was also a native of that country, where he was reared and married.  About the year 1822 Milton Weber came to the United States, accompanied by his wife and three children, landing at New York after three weeks of stormy traveling.  They immediately came to Ohio, locating near what is now Scioto Township, Jackson County, at a time when the state was but sparsely settled and a great part of the land was owned by the United States Government and for sale at $1.25 per acre.  Milton Weber selected a tract of this land in section 17, built a log house and at once started to improve the property.  being a resident of this locality until his death.  He and Mrs. Weber reared a family of two daughters and one son.
     Henry Weber was about six years of age when brought to Scioto Township, and here he was reared amid pioneer surroundings.  He grew to sturdy and well trained manhood, and when ready to start upon his own career entered a tract of land in section 17, and there, like his father, erected a log cabin.  He made the boards with which to cover the roof by splitting logs, and built an earth and stick chimney, and it was in this humble abode that Henry Weber was born.  For many years there were no railroads or canals in this section and Henry Weber the elder was accustomed to draw all the surplus produce to Portsmouth.  He succeeded in improving a large part of his land, on which he lived until late in life, when he moved to Nevada, Livingston County, Illinois, and there passed away at the age of seventy years.  His career was a long and useful one, in which he demonstrated the value of the qualities of honesty, industry and good citizenship.  Mrs. Weber, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Shear, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Adam and Mary Christine Shear.  She died at the age of eighty-seven years, having been the mother of eight children.
     Henry Weber attended the district schools in his youth, devoting his spare time to assisting his father in the cultivation of the homestead, to the ownership of which he later succeeded.  His operations as a general farmer and breeder of livestock have been very successful, and he has added to the family estate, now having a tract of 288 acres, in a high state of cultivation and well equipped with substantial buildings and modern improvements, while his cattle, horses, sheep and hogs are of the best grade.
     Mr. Weber was married Jan. 31, 1868, to Miss Mary Carolina Lawrence, born in Scioto Township, Jackson County, Ohio, daughter of Washington Lawrence, a native of Virginia, and granddaughter of Daniel Lawrence, also born in the Old Dominion.  The latter was a pioneer of Pike County, Ohio, and married Elizabeth HollanbackWashington Lawrence located as a young man in Pike County, and here was stricken with typhoid fever and died at the early age of twenty-nine years.  He married Elizabeth Wittman, who was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Morey) Wittman, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Scioto Township.  Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence had two daughters: Catherine E. and Mary Carolina.  Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Weber, namely: Charity Elizabeth, who married Phillip Gahm and has one son, — Walter Floyd; Major Kern, who married Mary Granner; George W., who married Edith P. Hoover and has four children, - Mary Catherine, Charity Floressa, George Merritt and Woodrow Wilson and Alta M., who resides with her parents.  Mr. and Mrs. Weber were both reared in the Lutheran Church and have remained true to that faith throughout their lives.  As a citizen Mr. Weber is held in high esteem, and his name is invariably found on the list of supporters of public-spirited movements.
Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 1153

 

WILLIAM H. WEIDNER.     To the community of Porter Township in Scioto County William H. Weidner is known not only as a practical and successful farmer, but as an auctioneer, a public spirited citizen, and a man whose service on more than one occasion and in various capacities has been useful to the public.
     William H. Weidner was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, Apr. 6, 1869, a son of William H. and Rosa C. (Piehler) Weidner.  Both parents were natives of Germany, came to the United States when young, were married at Wheeling in 1868, and in 1878 moved to Scioto County, Ohio, locating on Dogwood Ridge in Porter Township.  That was their home the rest of their lives.  The mother died Feb. 26, 1913, and the father on Feb. 26, 1910.  The senior Weidner was a blacksmith by trade, and from work in that line saved enough to buy forty acres of land, and subsequently purchased forty acres more.  There were two children. Anna C., the daughter, is a graduate of the common schools and is the widow of Edward Poetker. and the mother of six children.
     William H. Weidner grew up on a farm at Dogwood Ridge, was educated in the common schools and began early in life to support himself and acquire the experience and capital needed for an independent career.  For ten or twelve years he worked for others, and finally bought land of his own and began his independent career.
     On June 6, 1900, he married Rena F. Allard, who was born in Porter Township, Scioto County, Mar. 9, 1870, and was educated in the common schools with two years in the High School.  They are the parents of seven children: Harry E., born Mar. 25, 1901; Claudius M., born Mar. 30, 1902; Dorothy A., born Mar. 25, 1904; Millard A., born Oct. 15, 1907; Pauline L., born Apr. 24, 1909; Luella M., born Feb. 28, 1911, and William Andre, born Dec. 1, 1915.
     Mr. Weidner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dogwood Ridge, and his wife belongs to the Christian Church in Sciotoville.  He is present master and is also a past master of Western Sun Lodge No. 91, Free & Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Grand Lodge of Masonry.  Mr. Weidner owns ninety-eight acres of land three miles northeast of Wheelersburg, and besides the management of his excellent farm is frequently called to perform auctioneer work.  He is the present incumbent of the office of superintendent of the County Infirmary.  In politics he is a republican, and was a director of the Infirmary four years.  He is a member of the Porter Grange No. 1671, and was its master for two years.
Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 1261

  DAVID H. WEISENBERGER

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 1056

  HARVEY WELLS

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 1060

  CHARLES W. WENDELKEN, M. D.

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 839

  JOHN M. WENDELKEN

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 837

  HENRY J. WENDELKEN

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 872

  HENRY J. WESCOAT

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 1335

  EDWIN E. WHITLACH

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 720

  CARL O. WHITLATCH

Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Pages 1124

   
 

JOHN EDWARDS WILLIAMS.     Vice president and general manager the Excelsior Shoe Company, John Edwards Williams is prominently identified with one of the more important business enterprises of Portsmouth, and as a manufacturer materially assists in advancing the industrial interests of Scioto County.  A son of Evan D. Williams, he was born, June 9, 1863, in the City of Portsmouth, of Welsh ancestry.
     His paternal grandfather, David Williams was born in 1790 in Wales, and there grew to manhood.  Following the ancestral occupation, he was there engaged in tilling the soil until 1837, when, accompanied by his family, he came to America, being six weeks crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, landing in New York the evening of July 3d.  From that city he proceeded by rail to Harrisburg, then the railway terminus, thence with teams across the mountains to Pittsburgh, and then down the Ohio to Galliopolis, Ohio.  After farming for ten years in Gallia County, he moved to Madison Township, Jackson County, where he made partial payment on a tract of land.  There were no railroads in that locality for many years, and money was scarce, all kinds of farm produce selling at a minimum price.  With the assistance of his sons he cleared the land, placing it under a good state of cultivation, and was there a resident until his death, in 1874, at the age of four score and four years.  His wife also lived to a ripe old age.  Their means were limited when they came to this country, but thrift, indoors and out, brought good results, and they acquired a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable them to spend the later years of their lives in comfort.
     The eldest son in a family of six children, Evan D. Williams was a lad of ten years when he left his native land, his birth having occurred in Wales, Feb. 12, 1827.  Landing in New York City with his parents the very night before the glorious Fourth of July, just at the commencement of the celebration of the nation's birthday, he was much impressed by the inspiring music and the fireworks, and thought America a great country, indeed.  Reared to habits of industry, he assisted in the work of the farm as a boy, remaining at home until seventeen years old.  Going then to Pittsburgh, he secured work in a rolling mill, and his earnings, though scant, helped to pay for his father's farm.  Coming from there to Portsmouth, Ohio, he was for a quarter of a century a roller in the Gaylord Rolling Mill, but was subsequently engaged in the grocery business at the corner of Third and Waller streets until his death, Feb. 27, 1890.  He married Catherine Edwards, who was born in Wales.  Her father, Rev. John Edwards, was born and reared in Wales, and as a young man was employed in the iron works, becoming a roller in a rolling mill.  Coming to America in 1835, he worked for several years in the mills at Pittsburgh, from there coming to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he found work in a rolling mill.  Converted in his youth, he united with the Calvinistic Presbyterian Church, and after coming to this country was ordained as a minister of that denomination.  He died in Portsmouth, as did his wife.  Evan D. Williams and his wife reared three children, namely: John Edwards, William Grant, and Charles.  They were both brought up in the religious faith of the Calvinistic Presbyterians, and after coming to Portsmouth he joined the Second Presbyterian Church, in which he became an active worker.
     At the age of fifteen years, having completed the course of study in the public schools, John Edwards Williams entered the employ of W. S. Pattin, with whom he remained until 1882, when he became a laster in the factory of the Drew-Selby Company.  Leaving that position in 1888, Mr. Williams, forming a partnership with twenty-five other expert shoe workers, began manufacturing baby shoes to sell to the local trade.  At the end of a year he bought out the interests of his associates, and in 1889, with his two brothers, organized the Excelsior Shoe Company, with a capital of $10,000, and started in business with twenty-five employes.  The venture proved successful from the start, the business having had a steady and healthful growth from the first, the capitalization of the company at the present writing, in 1914, being $900,000.
     Mr. Williams is likewise connected with many other enterprises of note, being a director of the First National Bank; president of the Mitchell Manufacturing Company; a director of the Standard Supply Company; and has an interest in the iron business at Ironton.  He has served as president of the Board of Education of Portsmouth, having held that position when the beautiful modern high school building was erected, and he was likewise one of the committee of the board of directors that erected the First National Bank Building.
     Mr. Williams married. May 8, 1890, Sarah M. Davies, who was born in Ironton, Ohio, a daughter of James J. and Ann Davies.  Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, namely: Evan Charles, James Davies, John Ellsworth, David Charles, and Thomas EdwardsMr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, and for fifteen years Mr. Williams has had charge of the Bible class, consisting of from seventy-five to one hundred pupils each Sunday.  Fraternally Mr. Williams is a member of Aurora Lodge No. 48, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Mount Vernon Chapter No. 23, Royal Arch Masons; of Solomon Council No. 79, Royal and Select Masters; of Cavalry Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar; and of Valley of Cincinnati Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Scottish Rite.  In 1900 Mr. Williams bought from Thomas S. Gaylord, his father's former employer, the palatial home which he and his family now occupy, it being one of the most attractive residences in Portsmouth.
Source: A Standard History of The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, Vol. II - Illustrated - Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1916 - Page 1005

NOTES:

 

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