REUBEN PATTERSON.  The early settlement of Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was not so rapid as that of the eastern part of the county, because the land was more low and wet, the timber more dense, and the air more full of malaria, which caused fever and ague.  Such was the condition of the country when Reuben Patterson and his wife Eunice (Danforth) Patterson, and family, in the fall of 1816, came in wagons from the State of New York to the wilds of Ohio.  They located first at Huron, in Erie County, which was then the stopping place for many western immigrants.  The following spring they removed to the Peninsula, in Ottawa county, but here sickness so afflicted them that their new home with improvements and to be abandoned.  In the spring of 1818 they moved to Lower Sandusky, and found temporary shelter in a small log house in the old fort, which had been used during the war of 1812-13 by U. S. Military officers.  Comforts and conveniences were out of the question, and the floor of the house was made of clay.  There was but one bedstead in a corner, and during the day all the clothing was piled upon it.  At night the beds for eight persons were made mostly on the bare ground.  One gate of the fort served as a part of the floor.  Mr. Patterson and his sons during the winter cleared a piece of land on the west side of the river, and in the spring of 1819 the family moved into the log cabin they had constructed on this place, which is known as the Whitaker Reserve, in Sandusky township.  In the meantime his eldest daughter, Eveline, taught school in one of the block houses of the fort, having some Indian as well as white children under her care.
     Abut the year 1821-22 Mrs. Eunice Patterson, being well provided with purchase money, mounted her horse and, in company with Lysander C. Ball and James Whittaker, traveled through the wilderness, one hundred miles, to attend the government sales of public lands at Delaware, Ohio.  She there bought the tract which became their homestead, and it has for many years been known as the Patterson Farm, on the east side of the Sandusky river, just north of Fremont.  The incidents of this heroic trip were often related by her to her grandchildren.  She was remarkably determined and courageous in business matters, but kind and generous to a fault in her home.
     The children of Reuben and Eunice Patterson were: (1) Sear Patterson, who retained his residence in the State of New York.  (2) Alvord Patterson, who married  Miss Sarah Perry, and for a number of years lived on the Patterson Farm, where each passed away, leaving no children. (5) Harriet Patterson married to James Moore, whose sketch is given elsewhere.  (6) Julius Patterson, married to Miss Margaret Leary, by whom he had eight sons and two daughters - Robert C. Danforth, Rodolphus D., Sardis B., Sarah and Juliette.  Julius Patterson  was for many years a successful farmer, also a contractor on public works.  He led an honest and temperate life.  He was born May 17, 1808, and died at his residence in Fremont, May 23, 1887. (7) Caroline Patterson died at the age of twelve years from the effects of a fall on the ice in the river, which she crossed in attending school.  The death of Reuben Patterson occurred Jun. 1, 1840, at Lower Sandusky, and that of his wife, Eunice Patterson, Dec. 17, 1839, the latter at the age of sixty-five years.
     Mrs. Eunice Patterson was a daughter of Gen. Asa Danforth, who was born July 6, 1746, at Worcester, Mass.; he entered the military life at fourteen years of age, served in the war of the Revolution, was at the battle of Lexington, and distinguished himself by many brave and patriotic achievements.  He was one of the first to begin the manufacture of salt at Onondaga, N. Y.  He died Sept. 2, 1818, at the age of seventy-three.  The stories of his eventful life are stranger than fiction.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 650

WILLIAM PECK is numbered among the successful agriculturists who have transformed tracts of wild land into rich and productive fields.  Where once stood the forests is now seen the waving grain, giving evidence of abundant harvests.  Mr. Peck is a wide-awake and progressive man, and is a worthy reprehensive of the agricultural interests of Sandusky county.  he was born in Scott township, that county, Mar. 14, 1841, and is a son of William and Luna (Cole) Peck, who were pioneer settlers of Ohio.  The grandfather of our subject, and his parents, who were natives of Holland, emigrated from that country to America in an early day, locating in Connecticut, where the father of our subject was born Mar. 29, 1800.  He followed farming through the summer months, and in the winter engaged in teaching.  In 1840 he left his native State, and with his family came westward, taking up his resident in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he spent his remaining years.  He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-nine.  His wife was of German lineage, her parents having emigrated from the Fatherland to the New World.  She was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1810, and passed away in July, 1888.  The subject of this review is the youngest of four children, the others being Nelson, a resident of Madison township, Sandusky county; Catherine, who became the wife of George Spayde, and died, leaving two children; and Jason L., a resident farmer of Kansas.
     William Peck spent his early boyhood days on the home farm, continuing to give his father the benefit of his services until twenty-two years of age, when he began farming in his own interest.  For five years he cultivated a tract of land in Madison township, and during that time was married.  On July 4, 1869, he wedded Armena Fairbank, of Madison township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, who was born Sept. 3, 1851, a daughter of Josiah and Sovinia (Bowman) Fairbank, residents of Washington township, Sandusky county.  Her father is a carpenter by trade.
     After his marriage Mr. Peck removed with his bride to Wood county, where he remained for two years engaged in farming.  Subsequently he rented a tract of land in the northern part of Scott township, Sandusky county, which he cultivated for three years, when he again changed his residence, locating upon a farm that adjoins his present home.  There he lived for four years, and then purchased 160 acres that has since yielded a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he has bestowed upon it.  At the time of his purchase much of the land was under water and could be used for boating in the summer and for skating in the winter; but by persistent effort Mr. Peck has tiled and thoroughly drained the place, which he now has under a high state of cultivation.  He has also given considerable attention to the buying and selling of stock, being especially interested in raising sheep and cattle, and his branch of his business yields to him good returns.  Well-kept buildings add to the value and attractive appearance of the place, and today Mr. Peck is the owner of one of the finest homes in Scott township.  His sympathy is with the Democratic party, and whenever possible he aids that party, but has never sought or desired official preferment.
     Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Peck - Charles William, who was born Sept. 21, 1870, and is now engaged in the oil business; Vinnie, who was born Nov. 6, 1873, and is the wife of Frank G. Keenan, who is interested in the oil business in Scott township (she has one child, Bernice); Ida, who was born Jan. 2, 1879, and is now studying music; Mattie, born Feb. 5, 1884; and Goldie, born Dec. 8, 1887.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 788

ADOLPH PETERS is an intelligent and highly-respected citizen, now numbered among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Woodville township, Sandusky county.  He was born in Wadenschwyl, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 24, 1849, and is a son of Rudolph Peters, who was a native of the same locality.
     The father was there employed as a dyer in a cotton factory until the spring of 1854, when he crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Ballville, Ohio.  He left his family in the land of his nativity until he should succeed in obtaining employment here, when he wrote for them to join him in his new home.  Western life attracting him, he left Ballville for Michigan, securing employment on the railroad.  As he had not then secured a definite location in Michigan, he wrote to his family to postpone their coming for a short time, but before the arrival of the second letter they had boarded a sailing vessel, on which were two hundred other passengers.  After they had been some days on the ocean cholera broke out on board, causing the death of forty passengers.  Mrs. Peters was stricken with the disease, but finally recovered.  They landed at Belgium, but after a short rest again started for America, and after a long and tedious voyage reached the shores of the New World.  They soon arrived at Ballville, Ohio, but finding the husband and father had left that place, Mrs. Peters and her son secured employment as weavers in a factory, she having learned the weaving business in her native land.  As soon as the father learned of the arrival of his family in this country he joined them and found employment in Ballville among the farming population, while the other members of the family secured work as they could, all helping earn a living.  After a three years' residence at that place they removed to Madison township, Sandusky county, renting a farm which they operated for three years.  Purchasing a tract of eighty acres in Woodville township, they next removed to their new home, and began clearing away the timber, a dense growth of which covered the land.  Father and sons soon made this a tract of rich fertility, and the farm became one of the most highly cultivated in the neighborhood. 
     To Mr. and Mrs. Peters were born the following children: (1) Henry, who was born in Switzerland Jan. 20, 1841, and there acquired his education; was employed in a factory in Ballville, Ohio, on first coming to America; he now follows the occupation of farming in Woodville township; he was married Dec. 12, 1863, to Louisa Clink, a daughter of Caleb Clink, and a sister of Jacob, Reuben and A. J. Clink, all well-known residents of Sandusky county; she was born Aug. 11, 1837, and now has six children - Mary, born Sep. 30, 1864, and is the wife of Henry Hurleman a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; William H., born Jan. 26, 1866, follows farming and operates oil fields (he married Tilley, daughter of Conrad Oberst); the other children of Henry Peters are George A., born May 4, 1869, died Oct. 7, 1870; Charles W., Jan. 1, 1871, working in the oil fields; Frank C., born May 12, 1874, died Apr. 24, 1875; and Lillie D., b. Mar. 3, 1879; the mother of this family died Jul. 28, 1883, after which Henry Peters married Annie Blausey, a daughter of Henry Blausey, a farmer of Madison township, Sandusky county; they have four children - Raymond, born Jan. 22, 1887; Grace M. and Mabel M., born Aug. 6, 1890; and Annette, born Feb. 14, 1895.  (2) John Peters, the second of the family, was born in Switzerland May 24, 1844, and was a farmer and lumber manufacturer; he died Apr. 1, 1883.  (3) Adolph, subject of this sketch, is the next younger.  Two other children died in infancy.  The father of this family is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, and makes his home with his son Adolph, who tenderly cares for him in his declining years.  He is well known throughout the community, and is highly respected.
     The gentleman whose name opens this record was educated in the schools of Ballville, and after school hours worked in the mills.  When his parents removed to Madison township, Sandusky county, he labored upon the farm, giving his father the benefit of his services, and took an important part in clearing the old homestead and placing it under a high state of cultivation.  He resided thereon until 1876, when in partnership with his brother John he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, devoting his time and energies to that business some eight years, during which time he furnished employment to a number of men in cutting timber, logs, etc.  On the expiration of that period he sold his interest in the lumber business, together with one hundred acres of land, and in 1884 returned to the old home place.  He then purchased sixty-two acres of land, which he succeeded in clearing, fencing and tilling, making it a tract of rich fertility.  He now cultivates more than 140 acres of improved land, and to-day has one of the finest farms in Sandusky county, complete in all its appointments from the substantial dwelling to the outbuildings for the stock.  An air of neatness and thrift pervades the place, and waving fields of grain indicate good harvests.
     Mr. Peters was married July 27, 1874, in Seneca county, Ohio, to Lucy Parker, who was born Feb. 14, 1855.  They are the parents of six children: Edward A., born June 25, 1875, now working in the oil fields; Ephraim R., born Jan. 29, 1878; John R., born Nov. 6, 1880; Sarah E., born Dec. 20, 1876; Jessie, born Oct. 21, 1882; and Elmer E., born Sept. 27, 1888.  Mr. Peters is a member of the Freedman Lodge, No. 723, I. O. O. F., of Wood county, and in politics is independent, supporting the man and not the party.  He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, has held the office of school director for more than fifteen years, has been clerk of the school board, and is now its president.  In all possible ways he aids in the advancement of interests calculated to prove of public benefit, and is well-own and highly respected throughout the county as a man of industry, integrity and enterprising and progressive ideas.  His genial and kindly disposition has won for him the good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact, either in business or social life, and he is indeed a highly esteemed citizen.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 335

ANDREW PFEIFER, a prominent farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, was born in Hesse, Germany, Dec. 11, 1856, a grandson of Andrew Pfeifer, and son of Conrad Pfeifer and Elizabeth (Simon) Pfeifer.  Conrad Pfeifer was born in Hesse, and was by occupation a railroad man.  He was killed by accident at his employment at about the age of fifty.  Mrs. Elizabeth (Simon) Pfeifer was born in the same locality, and died in Germany at the age of sixty.  She was the mother of six children: Adam, who now lives in Germany, and is a railroad man; Henry, a farmer in Fulton county, Ohio; Catharine, who married Fred Schaffer, and now resides in Huron county, near Norwalk; Andrew, the subject proper of this sketch; and Elizabeth and Conrad (twins), the latter of whom was drowned when thirteen years of age.
     Andrew Pfeifer came to America at about fifteen years of age, landing at New York City, whence he proceeded directly to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he found employment as a laborer on a farm, at which he continued six years.  Having judiciously saved his earnings, he rented a farm, purchased the necessary equipments, and commenced doing business for himself.  He farmed in Erie county about nine years.  In 1881 he married Miss Katie Strack, who was born in Germany Jan. 6, 1853, a daughter of Philip Jacob and Marguerite (Gross) Strack, the former of whom was a laborer in Germany, and died at the age of sixty-eight; the latter, now eighty years of age, resides at Sandusky City.  Six of their children grew to maturity: Philip, who lives at Sandusky City; a daughter who married William Gross, of Bellevue; William, living in Sandusky City; Christian, of the same place; Margaret, who married a Mr. Wise, and lives in Bellevue; and Katie, wife of our subject.
     The names and dates of birth of the children born to Andrew and Katie Pfeifer are as follows:  Katie M., Oct. 21, 1883; Henry E., May 9, 1885; Frederick A., Apr. 6, 1887, George A., Dec. 15, 1888; Charles A., Apr. 14, 1891; and William J., Mar. 29, 1894.  The two eldest were born in Oxford township, Erie Co., Ohio, the others in Green Creek township, Sandusky county.
     In 1887 Mr. Pfeifer purchased 160 acres of land in Green Creek township, near Green Spring, which he has worked to good advantage up to the present time.  With a farm of more than the average in size and fertility, rendered still more productive by careful cultivation, Mr. Pfeifer bids fair to become one of the most substantial men in his community.  Mr. and Mrs. Pfeifer are members of the Lutheran Church, and for people of their years, having the greatest portion of life still before them, then have been unusually successful.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 227

WILBERT PHILLIPS, son of John and Mariam (Baker) Phillips, was born in Montgomery township, Wood Co., Ohio, June 14, 1861.  He lived at home until his marriage, Oct. 23, 1884, to Ellen Bowe, daughter of George and Mary (Bordner) Bowe.  To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have come two children - Durbin, born Apr. 25, 1885, and Floyd, born Oct. 27, 1887.  After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, they settled in Wood county, on a farm, where they lived two years.  They moved to the David Phillips' farm, in Scott township, where they have lived for the past nine years, during which time Mr. Phillips has worked his grandfather's farm of 160 acres, and done teaming for the oil companies.  On Oct. 13, 1894, he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Scott township.  This land is within the oil belt, and he expects to lease it to the oil company.
     The father of our subject was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, Mar. 18, 1834.  when he was six years old his parents came to Scott township, and purchased eighty acres of land in Section 31, for which they gave a horse, and $250 in money; later they purchased another eighty acres.  On this farm the father of our subject grew to manhood.  Wilbert Phillips our subject, is the eldest of a family of eleven children, the others being: Wilby, Zerusha, Ettie, Delbert, John, Retta Jane, David, George, Charles, and Daisy.  Mr. Phillips' mother was born in 1840, near Findlay, Ohio, died in 1878, and was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Scott township, Ohio.
     Our subject's paternal grandfather, David Phillips, was born Sept. 6, 1804, in the State of New York; his wife, Mary Ann (Bates), was born Apr. 15, 1811, in Pennsylvania.  They were married Dec. 27, 1827, in Stark county, Ohio, and reared a family of children, their names and dates of birth being as follows:  Mary Ann Oct. 26, 1828; Lucinda, Apr. 22, 1830; Henry, Dec. 23, 1831; David, Dec. 3, 1833; Sylvester, May 17, 1836; John, Mar. 18, 1838; Hiram, Jan. 15, 1841; Eliza Jane, Feb. 7, 1843; Mariar, Nov. 19, 1844; and George, Feb. 26, 1847.  Grandfather and Grandmother Phillips are now living on the farm which is being worked by our subject.
     The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, Vespasian Phillips, was born in Pennsylvania about 1756.  When about seventy-five years of age he left home, and was never heard of afterward.  The date of his wife's birth is not known; she died in 1813 the mother of ten children.  Our subject's maternal great-grandfather, Andrew Bates, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1765; he was a cooper and farmer.  His wife, Ann (Homan), was born about 1772.  His wife, Ann (Homan) was born about 1772.  They had a family of ten children, six of whom are living.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 277

WILLIAM W. POORMAN is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Sandusky county, having for many years been identified with its growth and upbuilding.  He was born in Townsend township, Sandusky county, Jan. 15, 1828, a son of John and Phoebe (Wetsel) Poorman, the former of whom was born in 1773; the latter was born about 1793, and died in Detroit, Mich., at the advanced age of eighty-three.  Their family numbered four children.  The Poormans are of German descent.
     At an early age our subject accompanied his parents to Sandusky City, Ohio, where his father was engaged in the grocery business until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty years.  When William was a youth of fifteen, he accompanied his mother and the other members of the family to Fremont, where he worked in an ashery for two years, at the end of which time his mother removed to Ballville township, Sandusky county, purchasing forty acres of wild land.  This subject and his brother cleared, making there a comfortable home.  The wild land was transformed into rich and fertile fields, and a good farm resulted from their earnest and persistent labors.  While residing on that farm Mr. Poorman was married, Jan. 6, 1850, to Miss Jemima Ann Hutson, of Ballville township, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born Dec. 4, 1829.  Her father, James Hutson, was born Feb. 13, 1807, and died June 18, 1893; her mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stultz, was born Aug. 28, 1828; they were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Poorman, John, Peter, Vincent, William M., Nathaniel W. and James S.  The mother of this family passed away Aug. 4, 1877.  The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Poorman was John Hutson, who married a Miss Needles.  The former was born in Maryland about 1784, and served in the war of 1812; the latter was born about 1787, and lived to be 104 years of age.  The maternal grandparents were Peter and Elizabeth (Cliner) Stultz, the former born in 1776, the latter in 1780.  Mr. and Mrs. Poorman have one child, Emma A., born Oct. 2, 1850, and educated in Fremont.  On Nov. 1, 1867, she became the wife of Robert A. Forgrave, of Scott township, Sandusky, and to them have been born four children, one of whom, a son, is now living.
     For a year after his marriage, Mr. Poorman lived on the farm which his mother had purchased, and then removed to the village of Ballville, where he resided some six years.  Purchasing 107 acres of land in Section 15, Scott township, Sandusky county, that farm has since been his home.  The greater part of his farm was in its primitive condition; but by patient toil he has made it one of the best places in the neighborhood, the forest trees giving way to fields of golden grain, and the log cabin to the spacious frame dwelling.  There are also good outbuildings, and all modern improvements.  In 1890 he leased the entire farm to the Sun Oil Company for an annual rental of $1,100 and one-eighth of the oil produced on the farm.  Four wells are now in operation, yielding about fifty barrels per day, and Mr. Poorman therefore secures a good income.  He has served as township treasurer, and for several terms has been township trustee, discharging his duties in a most creditable and acceptable manner.  His political support is given to the Democracy, and he is a progressive and public spirited citizen, giving his aid to and co-operation with everything pertaining to the welfare of the community.
     ROBERT A. FORGRAVE was born Nov. 27, 1842, in Perry county, Ohio, and is one of the five children born to Robert W. and Mary (Kuhn) Forgrave.  The father was born in Philadelphia in 1807, and was a pioneer of Perry county; the mother was born in 1818; her father, Adam Kuhn also a native of the Keystone State, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years.  Mr. Forgrave was educated in the common and select schools of the neighborhood, and for some years engaged in teaching in Sandusky county, at one time being principal of the high school at Oak Harbor, while his wife was teacher of the primary department.  In 1861 he joined the Union army, and for four years aided in the defense of the old flag and the cause it represented, participating in some of the most hotly contested engagement of the war, including the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Spotsylvania, and was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered to Grant.  At the close of the war he returned to Scott township, and for some years successfully carried on agricultural pursuits.  He then released his land to the oil company, and as the flow of oil is a good one he derives an excellent income therefrom.  He is a man of good business ability, and his management of his business affairs, has made him a substantial citizen.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 156

DANIEL M. POTTER, brick and tile manufacturer, located in Ballville township, Sandusky county, was born near his present residence, Apr. 19, 1860.  His parents were Henry Jervis and Zeruiah Ann (Dawley) Potter, who formerly owned and resided on a farm adjoining the one he now occupies and forming a part of it.  Here Daniel spent his childhood and youth, and attended a common school on the southeast corner of their farm, and also at Green Spring, Fremont and Clyde.  His father having perished at Andersonville prison in 1864, Daniel early learned those lessons of industry, economy and thrift form his widowed mother, in the management and care of the farm, and in the raising of live stock, which were of great service to him in after life.
     On Dec. 25, 1881, he married Miss Ettie O., daughter of Chaplain R. and Ellen (Morrison) Huss, of Green Creek township, and entered upon life for himself on the farm he now occupies.  After farming two years he decided to embark in the brick and tile business.  He began in a small way, and, as the demands for his tile increased, enlarged his facilities from year to year, until in 1893 he gave constant employment to nineteen hands, several teams, and turned off about five hundred thousand tile, of all sorts and sizes, adapted to the needs of the farmers in his vicinity.  He also did some shipping of tile abroad.  He was led to engage in the brick and tile business from having heard in his childhood a remark made by his father to the effect that if he ever built a new house on that farm it should be a brick burned by himself, as he had noticed that the clay mortar used in the construction of a log cabin on a corner of his farm by a renter had turned to a bright red color when the cabin was burned to the ground by accident.  Mr. Potter is a member of Green Spring Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Green Spring, Ohio, and in politics is a Republican.  The children of Daniel and Ettie Potter are: Mabel Ellen, born May 30, 1886; and James C., born Aug. 31, 1891.
     Mrs. Potter, the mother of our subject, was born Sep. 8, 1838, in Sandusky county, in which county she was for some time a teacher in the public schools.  To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Potter were born three children: Jervis, born in 1858, and died in infancy; Daniel, our subject, and Clara M. (Mrs. C. M. Wolf), born Aug. 2, 1861.
     Mrs. Daniel Potter, the wife of our subject, was born July 24, 1860, in Green Creek township, Sandusky Co., Ohio.  She was educated in high school at Green Spring, and was a teacher in Sandusky county for nine terms.  Her father was born Feb. 11, 1838, in Sandusky county; his wife was born Mar. 18, 1838, in Sandusky county; they were of Scotch and Irish descent.  To them were born three children, as follows: Mr. Potter; Eva Huss (Mrs. Chas. Ruth), born Apr. 21, 1863; and Barton W. Huss, born Apr. 23, 1869.  The mother died Sept. 19, 1894.  Mrs. Potter's paternal grandparents, Christian and Catharine (Rathburn) Huss, were born Feb. 21, 1815, and Mar. 3, 1818, respectively; he died Aug. 3, 1864; she died Aug. 20, 1893.  Her maternal grandparents were born in Ireland, and came to America in 1830.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 248

  HENRY JERVIS POTTER married Zeruiah Ann Dawley on September 15, 1857 in Green Creek, Ohio. Not long after their marriage, he bought a farm of 80 acres adjoining that of his father-in-law and began making improvements on it. During the winter seasons he taught school at the Dawley schoolhouse.
     In the summer of 1863 a volunteer company of Home Guards for the military defense of the State of Ohio during the Civil War was organized in Ballville in which Mr. Potter took an active part. This organization was known as Company K, under command of Capt. Jeremiah C. Mudge, later becoming a part of the 50th Regiment O. V. I. which was organized at Fremont under Col. Nathaniel E. Haynes and in September of that year attended a grand military review at Toledo in presence of Governor Brough and some military officers who feared an invasion of Ohio from Canada. A few weeks later Mr. Potter went with his company to aid in guarding Johnson's Island, in Sandusky Bay, where some Rebel officers were confined as prisoner's of war.
     The scare was soon over and the company was recalled but Mr. Potter had become so aroused in regard to his duty to country in its hour of peril that he decided to enlist in the 72nd Regiment, O. V. I. for three years or during the war. All the men of the regiment who agreed to re-enlist for three years were granted a veteran furlough, and were then on their way home from Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Potter and his friend, Henry Innis, were assured that if they enlisted they would get the benefits of this furlough, and thus have plenty of time to settle their home matters before going to the front. They enlisted at Fremont, February 27, 1864 in Co F, 72nd Regiment, under Col R. P. Buckland, whose headquarters were at Memphis and on March 1 went to Sandusky to be mustered in and receive their township bounty money. They next proceeded to Columbus to get their State bounty, supposing they could return to go with the veterans. Instead, they were sent to Tod Barracks, refused leave of absence to visit their friends, and were hurried on to the front in company with 13 other raw recruits. Their squad proceeded down through Cincinnati, Louisville, and Chattanooga to Stevenson, Ala, then back to Cairo, Ill. and down the Mississippi to Memphis. Mr. Potter wrote many letters to his wife descriptive of the scenes he passed through. At Memphis he did guard duty at the Navy Yard, saw wounded men from Fort Pillow, refused a roll of greenbacks as a bribe from a Rebel spy, and kept a full diary of every day's happenings. He went out on several raids into the enemy's country, taking part in the Sturgis raid. The last letter his wife received from him, he wrote when he was near Ripley, Mississippi in which he told her to not be uneasy about him. In the unfortunate battle at Guntown, Mr. Potter and Mr. Innis were captured by Rebel cavalry in a thicket of scrub oaks while trying to make their escape. Mr. Innis advised Mr. Potter, who was fleet of foot, to make his escape, and he tried to do so, but soon returned saying, "Hank, I hate to leave you this way!"
     They were taken to Andersonville prison, which they entered on June 13, 1864, and were stripped of all their valuables as well as some of their clothing. It rained, almost constantly during the first two weeks, and they had neither shelter from the alternate drenching down-pour and hot sun, nor comfortable covering during the chilly nights, and Mr. Potter had only pants, blouse, and cap to wear. There were 38,000 men in the enclosure. Rations of food were very scant and most of what there was had to be eaten raw. After a month's confinement Mr. Potter was taken sick with scurvy and diarrhea and had no medical treatment except what his comrades could give him. On the 21st of August gangrene set in, and, at his request, his faithful comrades, J. P. Elderkin and Henry Innis, carried him outside the stockade where he hoped for better air and treatment, but died two days later. He left in charge to an Illinois comrade, the pictures of his wife and children, with a request that they be forwarded to the dear ones at home, with his own hand directing the package. On the day of his death 108 Union soldiers were carried out and buried in one long trench, he among the rest. Their graves were marked with slabs giving their name, company and regiment. When the news of Mr. Potter's death reached his home, a funeral service was held in his memory at the Dawley schoolhouse, November 1, by Rev. James Long, who seven years previous had solemnized the deceased's marriage.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 246
(Contributed by Red Grier - redgrier@hotmail.com )

MRS. ZERUIAH A. POTTER - See Henry Jervis Potter - above here

WILLIAM PRIOR, a prominent agriculturist of Rice township, Sandusky county, and superintendent of the De Mars Club House, on Mud Creek, was born in Ballville township, Sandusky county, July 17, 1834, and is a son of John and Mary (Arh) Prior.  The father was a native of Kentucky, and in his early life fought in the battle of Fremont under Col. Crogan; the mother was a native of Pennsylvania.  In 1813, the parents of our subject came to Ohio, taking up their residence in Sandusky county, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying in 1856, at the age of seventy-six years, the mother departing this life in 1881, when seventy years of age.
     In the usual manner of farm lads of the locality, William Prior spent the days of his education in the district schools of his native town, and assisting in the labors of the home farm.  He has carried on agricultural pursuits since attaining his majority, and to-day is recognized as one of the practical and progressive farmers of Sandusky county.  He manages his business affairs with care, and is straight-forward and honorable in all his dealings, so that he has won the confidence and good will of everyone with whom he has been brought in contact.  On June 19, 1859, in the county of his birth, he was married to Miss Ellen Tegar, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and three children came to bless their union, namely: Hattie, born June 13, 1860, died in 1865; Lottie, born Jan. 13, 1862, died Dec. 16, 1879; and Elisha A., born May 16, 1879; and Elisha A., born May 16, 1864.  Of these, Lottie was married Feb. 26, 1879, to Oscar Patterson, and one child, Charlotte, was born to them Dec. 14, 1879, who is now living with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Prior at De Mars. Club House; she attends the Fremont public school, and is a very bright scholar.  E. A. Prior is one of Fremont's bright, upright young men; for the past seven years he has been a member of the Fremont Fire Department, and he holds a position in the Christian Knife Works.
     In his political views, Mr. Prior is a Democrat, and has cast his vote in support of the men and measures of the Democracy since attaining his majority, but has never sought or desired office.  His entire life has been passed in this county, and the fact that those who have know him from boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends indicates an honorable and upright career, worthy the esteem in which he is held.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 245

MICHAEL PUTMAN - See Michael Putman, Jr.

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 662

  MICHAEL PUTMAN, JR., son of MICHAEL and Elizabeth (Bates) Putman, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1851.  When he was a year old his parents moved to the farm where they now live, in Section 29, Scott Township, Sandusky county.  It was heavily timbered, no roads had been made and in fact the country was practically a wilderness.  He remained at home until he was twenty-three years old, receiving his education in the college at Tiffin, Ohio, where he made a special study of surveying.  Shortly after his return from college he was married to Miss Melissa Inman of Scott township, and moved to the home of his father, working his farm for one year.  He then bought eighty acres in Section 21, Scott township, where he now lives.  Mr. Putman has been township clerk for two years, and justice of the peace for one year.  When he came to his farm it was in a wild state,,,, but he has cleared it, erected substantial buildings and made a comfortable and pleasant home there.  The present system of ditching in Sandusky county was originated with Mr. Putman when he was county surveyor, the law providing that the county surveyor shall have charge of the ditching.  In 1880 $62,000 was expended in Sandusky county, under Surveyor's Putman's direction, in putting in suitable ditches, and so carefully had he estimated the cost of the work that when completed it was entirely free from debt, and a credit to his business ability.
     In 1892 the oil industry was begun on Mr. Putman's farm.  The first lease gave him $180 every six months, until wells were running, and he then received one-eighth of the oil.  This well was located on Sandusky Section 21, and is producing eight barrels pet day.  Other wells are being sunk on the farm, for each of which Mr. Putman receives $100 royalty and one-sixth of the oil, which is pumped through pipes to Cleveland, over one hundred miles.  Mr. Putman now has a fine farm of 160 acres, and, in addition, works his father's farm of eighty acres.
     To him and his wife have come three children: Alfred, born Feb. 11, 1876; Lewis, born Aug. 10, 1881, and Hazel Maudolin, born Oct. 26, 1882.  Alfred received his early education in the district schools, later attending the academy at Fostoria, and began teaching at the age of sixteen years, an occupation which he has followed several terms; his attention is to law or medicine.
     The father of our subject, MICHAEL PUTMAN, SR. was born Dec. 22, 1815, in Pennsylvania, and when four years old, came to Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty.  Thence he removed to Hancock county, where he remained one year, at which time he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bates, on Mar. 23, 1837.  For many years they have been residents of Scott township, and were among the pioneers of that part of the county, coming hither when all was a wilderness, and clearing a comfortable home.  Mrs. Putman was born Oct. 22, 1816, in Stark county, Ohio, and when a girl came to Hancock county, where she remained until her marriage.  To them have been born children whose names and dates of birth are as follows:  Alpheus, Nov. 10, 1837; Mary Ann, Apr. 29, 1839; Sarah Ann, Mar. 9, 1841; Eliza Jane, Aug. 16, 1842; Jacob, May 22, 1844; Andrew Oct. 20, 1848; Hannah, Sept. 8, 1850; Michael (our subject), Jan. 16, 1851; Sophronia, Mar. 6, 1854; Fanny, Aug. 15, 1857; and Amanda, July 6, 1859.
     The paternal grandfather, Jacob Putman, was born in 1783 in Pennsylvania, and was one of the early settlers on Sandusky county.  His wife was born in 1789 in Pennsylvania.  To them were born ten children, three of whom are living - one in Ohio and two in Indiana.  The maternal great-grandfather, Jacob Gross, was born about 1750.  The maternal grandfather, Andrew Bates, was born in Pennsylvania in 1787, and was a farmer.  He served in the war of 1812.  His wife, Anor Homon, was born in 1790.  To them were born ten children, of whom are living: Mrs. D. Phillips (of Scott Township), Adam and William Bates, Susan Strouse, Anor Smith, Louisa Miller and Mrs. Elizabeth Putman.  Great-grandfather Bates was a soldier in the Revolution.  Alpheus was a captain in the Civil war, and was wounded in the battle of Shiloh; Jacob served in the Rebellion, and was shot at Vicksburg, and Andrew was also in the Civil war.
     Mrs. Melissa Putman, wife of Michael Putman, Jr., is a daughter of William and Calista (Barringer) Inman, and was born on a farm in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio.  Apr. 27, 1850.  Her education was obtained at Tinney, Scott township, where she lived most of the time until her marriage.  Her father was born Feb. 14, 1816, in New Jersey, and when a boy removed with his parents to Sandusky county, the family settling on a large farm of 400 acres near Fremont.  Here he went to school, and at the age of twenty-two years was graduated from the public schools of that place.  He was then married to Miss Calista Barringer, of Fremont, and they shortly afterward, about 1844, purchased a forty-acre farm in Scott township, to which he added until at one time they owned 200 acres.  He made two trips to California in the interest of gold mining in which he was successful, making quite an amount of money.  He died in 1892, and was buried in the Metzger Cemetery.  Mr. Inman's father, Brazil C. Inman, was born about 1785; his mother was born Oct. 15, 1816, about nine miles from Columbus, Ohio, where she lived until she was fifteen years old, and where she attended school.  She then came to Sandusky county, remaining there the greater part of her life.  Her father, William Barringer, was born about 1791, and was a farmer by occupation; he was killed by a falling tree.  His wife, Sarah Cammell, was born about 1793.  To them were born four children - two sons and two daughters.  Mrs. Putman's paternal grandfather was born about 1759; her maternal grandmother, Jane Cammell, was born about 1760.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ. J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 662