BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Historical Atlas
Paulding County, Ohio
ILLUSTRATED
Containing Maps of Paulding County, Townships, Towns and Villages,
Compiled by O. Morrow and F. W. Bashore
ALSO
Maps of the United States and State of Ohio.
Together with a Statement of the Settlement, Growth and Prosperity of the County,
Including a Personal and Family History of Many of its Prominent Citizens.
Illustrated
Madison, Wis.:
The Western Publishing Co.
1892

	Emerald Twp. - SAMUEL PARKS - In the front rank of agriculturists and school teachers of Emerald township stands the subject of this sketch, Samuel Parks.  His parents, who were Samuel and Elizabeth (Barnett) Parks, were natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to this country and were married in Philadelphia, in 1843.  They then located in Massillon, Ohio, where they reared these children: John, James, Sarah, the wife of H. Bohenan; Samuel (deceased), Samuel, Joseph, Mary, Adeline, Charlotte and David.  Mr. Parks, Sr., died in July, 1865.  Our subject, who is engaged in raising fine sheep in connection with his farming and teaching, was married at the age of twenty-three years.  Miss Eliza Alexandria, the daughter of Noble and Anna Alexandria, became his wife in March, 1870, and their children are Lillian (deceased), Alice, Noble, who died in August, 1875, and Charlotte.  Samuel Parks began his profession as a teacher, at the age of eighteen, and continued it through the winters while he worked at home on the farm during the summers.  For two years he made Benton county, Ind., his home, then removed to Starke county, Ohio, where he farmed and taught for five years, at last locating in the county of Paulding, where he now resides, engaged in teaching and farming.  The family are members of the Lutheran church, in which society Mr. Parks holds several prominent positions. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 59
	Paulding Twp. - C. H. PARRISH was born near Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio, June 11, 1848.  His parents are Joseph B. and Keziah (Moneysmith) Parrish natives of Licking and Medina counties, Ohio, of German lineage.  The paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and an officer in the war of 1812, under General Hull.  Joseph B. Parrish located in Putnam county, in boyhood, and there followed tilling of the soil.  He reared a family of five sons and five daughters, and became a well-to-do man.  He died in 1867, and his wife, who is a member of the Presbyterian church, now resides in Kansas.  C. H. Parrish received a common education, and was raised on the farm.  At the call for troops, at the outbreak of the late war, he, when but fifteen years of age, joined company A, Fifty seventh regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and served faithfully.  His first engagement was at Resaca, Ga., at the beginning of the Atlanta campaign.  After reaching Goldsboro, he had an accident, in which he broke his right leg, just above the ankle.  At Lorkinsville he was taken with smallpox, and while at Atlanta, in July, 1864, he was struck by a shell.  Mr. Parrish was discharged at Little Rock, Ark., and on his return home, began farming.  He purchased sixty acres of land, upon which he made many improvements, and while living here, his wife, who was Miss Lucy Tracy, and whom he married Oct. 1, 1867, died, leaving him one son, named Charles.  Mr. Parrish sold his farm and went to jobbing for some time.  He next married, Feb. 21, 1878, Miss Mary M. Well of Allen county, who was born in 1855.  Edna, Ora, Mary, Sarah and Joseph, were the offspring of this union.  Mr. Prrish removed to Jackson township, this county, and, in 1885, made this township his home.  He is the possessor of sixty acres of good land, upon which substantial buildings are built.  He and his good land, upon which substantial buildings are built.  He and his estimable wife are members of the M. E. church. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 79
	Blue Creek Twp. - JOHN H. PARROTT, who located in this county in 1882, was born in Mercer county, Nov. 10, 1840, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Coil) Parrott.  He is the youngest of seven children, his brother Andrew being the first white child born in Mercer county.  Mr. Parrott attained the years of maturity in his native county and there married, in April, 1861, Miss Charlotte, the daughter of Levi and Maria (Comickle) Randbaugh.  Mr. Parrott is the father of Ella, the wife of Henry Leisor; Emma, Oscar, Alfred and Etta, now Mrs. Allen Wynans.  During the late war Mr. Parrot was a private in the militia of Mercer county for five years.  He was discharged Sept. 2, 1864, after months of faithful service.  He has always been a farmer and in his calling has met with success.  He is a republican in his political belief, and has acted as justice of the peace for three years, and trustee for one year.  He is a member of the Grange and a prominent and influential citizen in his community. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 43
	Harrison Twp. - FRANK A. PIO is a native New York, having been born in Oswego county, Jan. 7, 1846, the son of J. B. and Mary (Rusay) Pio, of French extraction.  The parents came from France in 1828, and located in New York, where they remained for some years.  They then went to Allen county, Ind., and lived there until their respective deaths.  Frank Pio, our subject, was the fourth child in order of birth born to these French immigrants.  He received a common school education and was reared to manhood in Allen county.  In 1888, Mr. Pio in partnership with Mr. Silas Brattain erected a tile factory on the former's land, and are at present doing a prosperous business.  Mar. 12, 1866, Miss Mary, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Dupray) Barbier, became the wife of Frank Pio, and ten children were born to them, named William J., Joseph J., Norah J., wife of A. F. Hughes; Mary E., Frank A., Jr., Charles E., John W., Henry A., Fred J. and Emma H. Pio. The father, who is independent in his politics, has been trustee of his township for four terms, and assessor for five terms.  He and his family enjoy the esteem of the community in which they reside. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 61
	Blue Creek Twp. - THOMAS W. POORMAN, merchant, postmaster and agriculturist, of Blue Creek township, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, apr. 4, 1854, the son of A. J. and Sarah (Daily) Poorman natives, respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio.  Christopher Poorman the paternal grandfather, became a resident of Paulding county in early life and here he passed his remaining years.  Andrew J. Poorman, the father of our subject, located in Morrow county, where he married in 1850 and lived for six years.  He then settled in Blue Creek township, this county, and was prominent among the pioneer settlers.  He reared a family of ten children to years of maturity.  Mr. Poorman now resides on a farm near Bourbon, Marshall county, Ind.  His wife died in 1888, a devoted member of the United Brethren church, of which organization he is also a member.  Thomas W. Poorman was but two years of age when brought to this county.  He received a good education and taught for eight consecutive winters.  In 1882 he embarked in merchandising and handles a general stock of goods.  He is in the enjoyment of a lucrative trade and is one of the energetic and self-made men of the county.  He also owns 189 acres of land, which is fairly well improved.  Mr. Poorman is a republican in his political belief and in 1882 was appointed postmaster, which position he now occupies, and the duties of which he is discharging to the satisfaction of all concerned.  On Jan. 15, 1882, Miss Marilla Mahin of Auglaize county, became the wife of Mr. Poorman  She is the daughter of Henry and Annie Mahin, and by her marriage is the mother of two bright children, Guy and Clifford. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 43
	Paulding Village - GEORGE W. POTTER (deceased) - Among the men who have passed away and who stood out prominently in the early improvement of Paulding, is the subject of this sketch, George W. Potter, who was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1826, and was a son of William and Fanny (Squires) Potter.  His father was a native of England, and his mother a native of Wayne county, N. Y.  At the age of three years Mr. Potter lost his mother, and upon her death his father returned to his native land, binding out our subject to a man by the name of Morris, until he became of age.  At the age of thirteen Mr. Potter ran away and went to sea, which he followed until 1847, when he joined the American army and served through the Mexican war, receiving a gunshot wound in the bowels, while guarding an army train with his company.  At the close of the war Mr. Potter settled in Jay county, Ind., and engaged in farming and mercantile business.  He subsequently concluded to change locations and selected Morrow county, Ohio, and engaged in the same business.  While a resident of that county he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he filled for nine years, and while still in that county he commenced reading law under H. S. Profeth, in connection with his other business ventures, and was admitted to the bar in 1867.  In 1868 he again changed his location, at this time coming to Paulding.  Here is established a mercantile business, and commenced the practice of law.  Six years later Mr. Potter established the first bank in Paulding county, and it is still in a flourishing condition and is known as the Potter bank.  He is one of the promoters and builders of the Cecil & Paulding railroad, by which he suffered heavy financial loss.  In 1874, in connection with his son, W. B. Potter, he established the Paulding Democrat.  In 1862 he joined company F, Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and served one year.  Mr. Potter was married, in 1850, to Miss Rachel, a daughter of Isaac Youngs, of Jay county, Ind., and by this union they were the parents of five children: Elizabeth, wife of Edwin S. Dix; William B., banker, Phœbe F., wife of A. McDonald; Emma, wife of W. G. Brumbaugh; and Mary A., wife of D. D. McDonald.  In his political views Mr. Potter was a stanch democrat, in which party he exercised no little influence and power.  He was twice elected mayor of Paulding, filled the office of justice twice, and city treasurer two terms.  He was a member of Paulding lodge, I. O. O. F.  In his religious views he was liberal.  His death occurred May 15, 1887, but his wife survived him, and resides in Paulding.       W. B. Potter, the only son of George W. Potter, was born Feb. 18, 1854, in Jay county, Ind., and was reared in Morrow and Jay counties.  He received a common school education and then learned the printer's trade in the office of the Plaindealer, and worked four years at the business.  After serving his time in 1874 he and his father established the Paulding Democrat, which our subject conducted for two years.  In 1876 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business under the firm name of Parr & Potter.  Mr. Parr subsequently retired and the firm became Potter & Durfey.  Mr. Potter subsequently purchased Mr. Durfey's interest and conducted the business until 1881.  He then entered his father's bank as bookkeeper, which position he filled until 1887, when he became its cashier, which position he has since filled.  Our subject is also extensively engaged in farming.  He was married in 1881 to Miss Alma R., daughter of Solomon Miller, of Paulding, and by this marriage they are the parents of five children: George W., Kenneth B., Wesley N., Glenn S., and Muriel R.  Mr. Potter's political affiliations are with the democratic party, and while he never sought or would accept public office, he takes great interest in the success of his party; and he is one of the energetic and enterprising business men of Paulding, and commands the respect of the people of his county. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 72
	Blue Creek Twp. - JOSEPH PRESTON is a thriving agriculturist of Blue Creek township and a worthy citizen of Paulding county.  He was born Jan. 27, 1858, in the state of Illinois and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Atchison) Preston, natives of New Jersey.  Mr. Preston was reared in Shelby county, Ohio, and was educated at the common schools.  He was taught the lessons of industry and economy in his youth, which have been the characteristics of his subsequent life, and at his majority began the pursuit of farming with limited means.  Jan. 4, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Enola F., daughter of Daniel J. and Lydia Leapley, natives of Ohio.  Mr. Preston removed to Paulding county in August,  1882, and located in Blue Creek township, where he has since resided upon a profitable farm.  He is industrious and upright in his mode of living, and has many friends who wish him well.  Mr. and Mrs. Preston are the parents of John F., Clayton E., Nellie A., Bertha E. and Don A.  Mr. Preston affiliates with the democrats and is interested in the welfare of his party. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 43
	Jackson Twp. - JAMES M. PRICE, a prominent farmer and stockgrower, of Paulding county, was born in Middleburg, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on the 24th of March, 1858.  He is the son of William and Jane (Hodson) Price, and was raised on the farm.  After receiving his schooling, he learned the trade of meat-cutting, and, in 1882, settled in Cleveland, where he conducted a grocery and meat business for two years.  In the year 1885 he came to Paulding, and in April of 1889 he located upon his present place of 160 acres, and is employed in general farming and stockraising.  He selected as his life companion Miss Hattie A. Conley, of Cleveland, Ohio, and their marriage took place in 1882.  One child, a son, named Gussie J., was born to them.  They are communicants of the Christian church, and Mr. Price is in political belief a republican. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 64
	Jackson Twp. THOMAS PRICE, farmer, was born in Licking county, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1823, and is the son of Jared and Annie (Hutchins) Price, both natives of Maryland, and who were among the early settlers of Licking county, Ohio.  Thomas Price was reared in his native county, having the advantage of the common schools of that day.  He started in life a poor boy, and by hard work and industry has made a good home.  He removed to Paulding county in 1859, locating in Jackson township, where he has since resided, and now owns a good home, the results of a well spent life.  He has assisted in making many of the roads of his township, and is a progressive and benevolent man.  Mr. Price is a stanch democrat, and is also a member of the grange.  He was married May 3, 1846, to Miss Catherine Holzberry, daughter of James and Fannie (Harter) Holzberry, both of German parentage.  By this union ten children were born, viz.:  John M., Richard, James, Albert, Annie, Solomon, Sarah, Jemima, Rilla and Belle.  Mr. and Mrs. Price are worthy citizens, and respected wherever known. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 64

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