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BIOGRAPHIES
Source
#1
County of Williams, Ohio.
Historical & Biographical
with An outline Sketch of the Northwest Territory, of the State, and
Miscellaneous Matters.
ILLUSTRATED
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor
CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO., PUBLISHERS -
1882
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
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HENRY FARLEE,
son of Caleb and Anne Farlee, was born in Northumberland County,
Penn., Apr. 26, 1824. Caleb Farlee was a pioneer of Morrow
County, but, with his wife, died in William County. Our subject
attended the common schools of the day, afterward coming to Morrow
County, Ohio, where he was married, in 1858, to Ann Eliza Mathias.
He labored on a farm for about seven years, when he came to Northwest
Township, this county, then nearly dense woodland, where he bought and
cleared a farm; this he sold, and bought forty acres of his present
improved farm. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred
and Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry, serving six months. Mr. and
Mrs. Farlee are members of the Christian Union Church. They
have five children - George W., Catherine A., Sarah J., Caleb and
Samuel.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical -
Illustrated - Publ. Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles
Blanchard, Biographical Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
- 1882 - Page 631 |
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E.
G. FAY was born in Madison County, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1824, and is
one of six surviving children of a family of fourteen, born to Perrin
and Sally (Farr) Fay. Mr. Fay's ancestors were English
people, and came to America in about 1650. They settled in Boston,
Mass., and the family have since scattered and have became prominent in
all trades, professions and business, and have been known in both
legislative affairs and in the defense and support of their country.
E. G. Fay was reared in his native State, working in a woolen
factory, his father's occupation being that of carder and cloth-dresser.
He came to what was then Williams, now Defiance County, Ohio, in
1844, and began teaching school. He came with his parents, his
father dying in Defiance County in 1852, followed by his widow in Bryan
in 1871. E. G. Fay taught school and clerked in Ohio for a
number of years, and was married in 1848 to Miss Cynthia D. Haymaker.
This lady died in 1873, leaving two children - Frederick E. and
Frank E., now Mrs. Joseph Neumann and residing in Berlin,
Germany. Mr. Fay married his first wife's sister, Miss
Frances A. Haymaker, in December, 1879. In 1848, Mr. Fay
kept hotel in Brunersburgh, and in 1853 traded his hotel for land, moved
upon it, and there remained until 1856, when he came to Williams Centre,
Williams County, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1862, he
returned to Defiance County and farmed until the spring of 1864, when he
sold out, came to Bryan and engaged in the manufacturing of woolen
goods. In 1865, he sold out this and engaged in the manufacture of
goods. In 1865, he sold out this and engaged in the manufacture of
plows, at which he has since continued. Mr. Fay began
life's battle without a cent. By hard work and economy he has
acquired a comfortable fortune. He is a seventh degree Mason, is a
Republican in politics and is a Universalist in religion; his wife is a
member of the Baptist Church.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical -
Illustrated - Publ. Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles
Blanchard, Biographical Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
- 1882 - Page 551 |
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JOHN
FAY, a native of Northern England, is the first of that name who
came to America, the descendants of whom are now living in Bryan, Ohio.
At the age of eight years (1656) he took passage on the good ship
"Speedwell" bound for the new country across the Atlantic Ocean where he
had friends living. On the arrival of the ship at Boston, he
learned of his friends' death, and at that age he began for himself.
After remaining there a short time, he drifted to different places, and
finally died in Boston.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 552 |
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DANIEL
FETTERS (Centre Township), son of Jacob and Eve Fetters,
was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 18, 1818, and came to this
county with his parents. He was married April, 1841, to
Elizabeth Miser, a native of Ohio, and born in 1817. Mr.
Fetters, shortly after his marriage, purchased the farm of eighty
acres of Section 28, in this township, on which he still resides.
At the time of his first location here, the country and one dense
forest, but by industry Mr. Fetters has succeeded in clearing off
sixty-five acres, which are now under a fine state of cultivation.
His children were seven in number, and named as follows - Eliza,
Sarah A., Frederick, Mary A., Catherine M. (deceased) and two infant
daughters deceased. Mr. F. is a Granger, is an excellent
farmer and an upright citizen.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 771 |
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GEORGE
FETTERS (Centre Township) was born in Montgomery County, Ohio,
May 10, 1829, and was the son of Jacob and Eve Fetters, who were
born in Pennsylvania June 22, 1792, and August, 1792, and in that State
married in about 1812. John Fetters was a soldier in the
war of 1812 for some time, and, shortly after his return, moved with his
young wife to Montgomery County, Ohio, and thence, in 1836, to this
county; settled with his family on Section 37, this township, on the
farm where George Fetters now resides, and there departed this
life respectively December 19, 1836, and March 18, 1874, the parents of
twelve children, viz., Catherine, Mary, Lydia, Moses, Daniel, Esther,
Jacob, Eve, John, George, Eliza and Solomon (the last
deceased). George Fetters was married, August 12, 1852, to
Hester Fetters, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 8, 1834.
Her parents, Daniel and Sarah Fetters, natives of Pennsylvania,
were born respectively in 1806, and 1809. Soon after his marriage
George bought the old homestead, and now owns 160 acres of good
land. He is the father of eleven children, viz., Eve J., Polly
A., William H., Charles L., Thomas A., Johnnie C., Frank F., Della D.,
Oliver V., Nolia B. and L. J. Mr. Fetters is one of the
leading citizens of Centre and has held the office of Assessor for nine
years.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 771 |
G. W. Finch |
Brady Twp. -
G. W. FINCH, M. D. (deceased). Something
over thirty-six years ago, Dr. George W. Finch and wife came to
West Unity, his worldly possessions consisting of a horse and $10 in
cash. The cash, with the exception of 50 cents, he expended for
medicines, and immediately began the practice of his profession.
He rapidly rose in the confidence and esteem of the people, and erelong
had an extensive and lucrative practice. The year following his
arrival, he erected an office, and soon after, on the same lot,
constructed what at that time was thought a fine residence. Dr.
Finch was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 15, 1819, and was a son
of Nathaniel Finch, a native of New Jersey, and of Scotch and
Irish descent. At the age of three, George W. was taken by
his parents to Richland County, where his youth was passed on his
father's farm. He was educated at Delaware College, and at the age
of twenty-two commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Teagarden,
of Mansfield; and, after graduating, began practice at Frederickstown,
Ohio. He was first married to Mary Morrow, a native of
Richland County, who bore him five children, two of whom only are now
living - George W. and Mary M. Mrs. Finch died at
her home in West Unity, in September, 1865, a consistent member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Jan. 1, 1877, Dr. Finch
married Mrs. Lucy E., widow of Dr. Samuel Eckis but
shortly after died at his home, July 13, 1879. He was a member of
the order of A., F. & A. M., and was a fine scholar, a superior
physician and a high-minded gentleman. His widow, Mrs. Lucy E.
Finch, was born in Ellsworth, Mahoning County, Ohio, Apr. 17, 1823,
and is a daughter of James and Mary (Smith) Byers, American born,
but of Scotch ancestry. She was educated at an Academy in Atwater,
Ohio, and at the age of twenty-three married Samuel Eckis.
They read medicine together, and graduated in the same class at
Cincinnati, in 1852, and together practiced medicine for several years
in Southern Illinois, where, in 1859, Dr. Eckis died. After
his death, Mrs. Eckis taught school for several years in Southern
Ohio and Indiana. In 1864, she came to West Unity, and was
employed as the Principal of the High School for three years - until her
marriage with Dr. Finch - after which she became the almost
constant companion of the Doctor in his office and in his practice.
At his death, she took up and has since continued the extensive practice
left by him, and has met with marked and unusual success. She is
well skilled in her profession, and is a lady of fine literary
attainments.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical &
Biographical - Illustrated - Publ. Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical
Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey
& Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 667 |
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MARTIN
FIX was born in Alsace, France (now a part of Germany), May 10,
1834. He is one of a family of eight children born to Henry and
Sarah S. (Kleiss) Fix; seven of these are now alive. His
father landed in America, at New York, in May, 1843, thence traveling
West by steamer and canal, arriving in Wayne County in July. Here
he remained until 1844, when he came to Williams County, settling in
Centre Township until 1881, when he came to Florence and made his home
with Martin. Martin Fix is engaged in farming and
stock raising. He purchased the farm he owns and manages in 1864;
it is a good one, and contains 100 acres. He was married, Feb. 20,
1863, to Mary Fetters, of William County, by whom he has a family
of seven - Sarah S., Ida R., Henry D., Zora C., Irena S.,
Ethel B. and Hiram M. Mr. Fix is a member of the
Lutheran Church and a man of average education, notwithstanding his lack
of opportunities in early life.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 747 |
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DAVID
FLIGHTNER (Centre Township) was born in Defiance County, Ohio,
January 20, 1854. Son of Adam and Catharine Flightner, and
came with his parents to Williams County, which has since been his home.
He remained with his father until nearly twenty-one years of age, when
he assumed the duties and cares of life for himself. His marriage
with Miss Clara H. Lane took place at Bryan, Ohio, March 16,
1878. She is a daughter of Jacob and Kerten Lane, and was
born in Williams County, Ohio, September 27, 1860. Mr. and Mrs.
Flightner removed to Defiance County, Ohio, shortly after their
marriage, where they remained one year, when he purchased the farm of
eighty acres in Centre Township, Williams County, which has since been
their home. Mr. Flightner is a worthy citizen of the
township, and highly respected and esteemed by all who enjoy the
pleasure of his acquaintance. A son and daughter cheer their home,
viz., Arthur H. and Alma Flightner.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 772 |
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SAMUEL
FLIGHTNER (Centre Township) is an American born citizen of German
descent. His parents and grandparents emigrated from Germany to
"the land of the free and the home of the brave" at an early day.
The marriage of his parents took place in Crawford County, Ohio in 1841,
where Samuel, the eldest of a family of eight children, was born
in March, 1842. The family removed to Williams County, Ohio, in
1860, having been located some time previously in Defiance County.
Mrs. Flightner died at her home in Williams County in May, 1874.
Mr. Flightner was remarried the year following, removed to Bryan in
1876, where the second Mrs. Flightner died shortly afterward.
Mr. Flightner entered the married state again in 1880, and one
child is the result of this union. Mr. Samuel Flightner was
married, October 15, 1864, in Edgerton, to Mrs. Lucinda H. Stevens,
a native of Crawford County, Ohio, where she was born December 18, 8144.
Their family numbers eight children - Mary L., Charlie W., Edward J.,
Elnora A., Franklin E., Jennie B., Myrta M. and an unnamed infant
daughter. Mr. Flightner's vocation has always been that of
a farmer. Their home, until 1875, was in Defiance County, on a
farm purchased of Mr. Flightner, Sr. when they disposed of this
and purchased the old family homestead in Williams County, which is
their present home. This consists of 160 acres of land, and is a
valuable piece of property.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 772 |
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WILLIAM
FORD was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1837, and is
one of a family of nine children born to Uriah and Elizabeth (Duling)
Ford; six of these children survive, but our subject is the only one
living in Williams County. Mr. Ford has a medium education,
and is a carpenter by trade, having begun the business at twenty years
of age. Previous to coming to Williams County, he was engaged in
the drug and grocery trade at Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in which he
continued about two years, afterward exchanging this stock for the farm
he now possesses, 163 acres, eighty under cultivation, in Williams
County. He was married in December, 1857, to Mary C. Hosford,
of Sandusky County, to which union six children have resulted, four of
whom survive- Isabella, Franklin, Albertie and George
U. ~ Page 747 - Florence Twp.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 747 |
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HON. EDWARD FOSTER, attorney at law,
was born October 27, 1824, in Portage County, Ohio, and was the son of
Jonathan and Elizabeth (Eggleston) Foster, natives of
Massachusetts, and of English descent. They were the parents of
seven children, four of whom are still living. The father was born
October 25, 1773, and was a farmer, an occupation which he followed
chiefly through life. At the age of twenty-one, he emigrated to
Portage County, this State, where he married, about 1807, Miss Betsey
Eggleston, who was born in 1783, and was a daughter of Benjamin
Eggleston, who settled in Portage County about 1804. The
mother died September 20, 1866, and was followed by her husband six days
later, after a married life of nearly sixty years. He enjoyed the
full confidence of his fellow townsmen, and was elected by them to
several offices, among them, Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee,
County Commissioner, etc., and was also appointed by the Legislature
Associate Judge. He was also a member of the seventeenth and
eighteenth sessions of the House, and of the nineteenth and twentieth of
the Senate of the General Assembly. Edward Foster's youth and
early manhood were passed in Portage, with the exception of the time
passed at school. He acquired a thoroughly practical education,
finishing at the Western Reserve College. In 1844, he began the
study of law under the instruction of Judge Day, of
Ravenna, afterward under Tilden & Ranney, and was admitted
to the bar in the fall of 1846. In 1848, he came to Bryan, engaged
actively in his profession, and occupied a leading position as a member
of the bar of Williams until the spring of 1867, when because of ill
health, he sold out his practice and retired to a less active life.
He has been prominent in county affairs ever since his arrival; has been
President of the Bryan Bank (now the Farmers' National Bank), for ten
years, and has filled several other responsible positions.
Previous to the war, he acted in harmony with the Democrats, and by them
was elected to represent the counties of Williams, Defiance, Paulding,
Van Wert, Mercer, Allen and Auglaize in the State Senate. He
served in the same session with Gen. Garfield, Gov. Cox, Judge Key
and other men who have risen to prominence. While in the Senate in
1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon, and Lincoln issued his call for
troops. Mr. Foster then took an active part in the support
of the Administration, and since then has affiliated with the
Republicans. He formed his present law partnership with Judge
Bowersox in December, 1879, which has since been successfully
conducted. Mrs. Serena C. Foster, wife of our subject, is
the eldest daughter of Levi and Amanda Cunningham, and was born
in Zanesville, Ohio. She has born her husband four children, three
of whom are still living - Emmett C., aged twenty-six, and a
lawyer; B. Douglas, aged twenty-four, and a student of medicine
at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, and George C., aged
twenty. Mr. Foster is a Royal Arch Mason, and one of the
oldest residents of Bryan.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 552 |
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SAMUEL E. FOUST, son of John and
Christina (Ely) Foust, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Oct. 5,
1815. His boyhood was passed in Westfield Township, where he
attended a district school until his eighteenth year, when he worked for
and lived with his father until his marriage with Miss Cynthia
Cutler, March 13, 1836, in Westfield Township. Mr. Foust
died in Montpelier in 1876, leaving eleven children - Andrew,
Edwin, Electa, Belinda, Harry A., Ronat, James, Frank, John, Harriet
and Lola. He married again, this time to Mrs. Hannah
Lewis, but without issue. Mr. Foust conducted asheries
in Cardington and Westfield Townships for many years. He then sold
and went to Michigan, locating on 160 acres in Hillsdale County, all of
which was wood. This he cleared and lived upon until 1865.
Later, he was in the dry goods trade at Montpelier for three years,
which he sold to his partner, and bought a farm of 100 acres. He
was elected Trustee in Morrow County for five years continuously.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical -
Illustrated - Publ. Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles
Blanchard, Biographical Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
- 1882 - Page 632 |
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WILLIAM P. FOUST, son of John and
Dorcas (Place) Foust, was born in Delaware, now Morrow County, Ohio,
Mar. 13, 1827. During the boyhood of our subject, he attended the
usual schools at Westfield, Ohio, and remained on the home farm until
grown to manhood. He was married, in Mount Gilead, Ohio, Nov. 14,
1850, to Miss Amy Payne. Our subject followed farming and
the huskstering business is well as carpentering for many years; he was
also enrolling officer in Westfield Township during the war, having
been, on account of ill-health, rejected for active service for which he
volunteered. He now began the practice of dentistry, having
extracted teeth with his father when but fourteen years old. After
receiving instructions in plate work, from Mr. Thomas, of Morrow
County, he exercised his art at various points until, in the spring of
1882, he came to Montpelier and began business with his son, Morgan,
in a very proper manner, and they are successful. Mr. and Mrs.
Foust have had six children - Morgan, Milton, Mary, Minnie,
Minerva (deceased) and Bird. Mrs. Foust is the daughter
of Austin and Lucinda (Lyons) Payne, natives of Vermont and now
residing in Sunbury, Delaware Co., Co., this State, the father being
about ninety-three years of age and still quite strong and active.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical -
Illustrated - Publ. Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles
Blanchard, Biographical Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
- 1882 - Page 632 |
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SIMON FRASER was born in Perry County,
Penn., March 3, 1817. He is one of the seven sons of Paul and
Jane (Kirkpatrick) Fraser, the former being a native of Scotland and
the later of Pennsylvania. Paul Fraser, at the age of about
seventeen, left his native land and came, with his parents, to the
United States. The family purchased a large tract of land in
Pennsylvania, upon which a fine home was made. Paul was
married here, but, in 1832, he moved, with his family, to Richland
County, Ohio, and here himself and wife passed the remainder of their
lives. Simon was reared on his father's farm, receiving,
meantime, a common education. He lived with his parents until the
age of twenty-five, when his marriage with Miss Rebecca Cooper
was celebrated, February 15, 1842. This lady was born in
Washington County, Ohio, May 16, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser
have had no children of their own, but they have reared four other
children, and have given them a good education, and a start in life.
In 1844, Mr. Fraser and wife came to this county, locating on a
farm of eighty-three acres, on Section 6, Brady Township, which Mr.
Fraser had bought two years before. Here he farmed until 1874,
when he moved to Bryan, in which place he has since resided. He
owns a small property in the city, besides considerable land outside.
At one time he owned an eighty acre farm in Hillsdale County, Mich.
Mr. Fraser was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican.
Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a
man who says but little regarding the good deeds he may have done in
life, but the past speaks for itself; it tells of a good citizen and an
honest man.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical
- Illustrated - Publ.
Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles Blanchard, Biographical
Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers - 1882 - Page 555 |
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F. H. FULTON
was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1839. His parents
were natives of Wittenburg, Germany, were married in Philadelphia, and
came to ColumbianVa County in 1830. Frederick H. was married
at West Jefferson, May 18, 1865, to Miss Melinda J. Moss, who was
born in Portage County, Ohio, July 12, 1847. To this marriage six
children have been born. Mr. Fulton volunteered in the army
during the late war, but was unable to pass a medical examination on
account of varicose veins. Subsequently he was drafted, but
rejected for the same cause. Mr. F. has been a successful
business man, and for several years acted as salesman and collector for
Phillips & Co., of Cincinnati. He was also engaged about six years
in the car shops at La Porte, Ind. The last nine years he has
resided on his farm. Soon after his marriage, and while yet living
in West Jefferson, his house caught fire at 2 o'clock in the morning of
Sept. 12, compelled to witness the destruction of all his household
goods. Notwithstanding this great loss, Mr. F. was
compelled to meet an obligation of $200 due on the 15th and another of
$500 due on his farm on the 18th, but he weathered through. In
connection with his farm, Mr. F. also runs a saw mill and a
threshing machine. He is a Democrat, and takes an active part in
local politics. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at La
Porte, Ind. In 1881, at the age of seventy-four, his father died,
leaving a fortune of $40,000 to his heirs. His mother is still
living on her homestead near Fostoria, Ohio.
Source: County of Williams, Ohio, Historical & Biographical -
Illustrated - Publ. Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor - Charles
Blanchard, Biographical Editor - Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
- 1882 - Page 169 - Jefferson Twp. |
NOTES:
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