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BIOGRAPHIES
Source #3
Commemorative Biographical Records
of
Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of
Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co.
1899
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ELMER E.
FIRESTONE. Mr. Firestone, who is editor of the "Stryker
Advance," of Stryker, Williams county, was born in Waterford, Indiana,
November 16, 1865, but was reared in Wakarusa, that State, until
thirteen years of age, when he went to Syracuse, Indiana, to learn the
printer's trade, remaining there but three months, however.
Going to South Bend, he completed his apprenticeship,
and for six years worked on the "St. Joseph Register," which was
established by the Hon. Schuyler Colfax. On leaving there he was
employed in different places until 1888, at which time he was made
foreman of the "Butler Record," of Butler, Indiana, holding that
position for two years. Later he was similarly employed in the
office of the "Bryan Press," at Bryan, Ohio, for three years, and from
there went to Sherwood, Michigan, where he established the "Sherwood
News," but after conducting it for six months sold out and removed to
Wauseon, Ohio. There he served in the capacity of foreman of the
"Wauseon Republican" for over two years, or until coming to
Stryker in November, 1896. Purchasing the "Stryker Advance" he has
made the paper one of the best journals of Williams county, and it now
has a circulation of over seven hundred. It is independent in
politics, and is a bright, newsy sheet.
In 1889, at Hillsdale, Michigan, Mr. Firestone married
Miss Helen M. Blaker, a native of Williams county, Ohio, daughter of
John Blaker, of Butler, Indiana, who died in 1895. By this union
there are four children: Lois M., Maym C., Charles V. and Helen R.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 546 |
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CHARLES A. FREELAND.
This leading representative of the business interests of Montpelier, is
senior member of the firm of Freeland & Zimmerman, proprietors of the
Montpelier City Mill. Of excellent business ability, he has attained a
prominent place among the enterprising and substantial citizens of this
part of Williams county, and is a recognized leader in public affairs.
He has won success by his well-directed, energetic efforts, and the
prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.
Mr. Freeland was born March 7, 1861, in Jonesville,
Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he continued to live until fifteen
years of age, working in a woolen mill at that place during the last two
years. He then went to Hillsdale, Michigan, where, with the exception of
two years, he made his home until 1890, and in that place, at the age of
sixteen, began learning the milling business, which he has made his life
work. For two years he operated a gristmill at North Adrian, Michigan,
and was in the employ of F. W. Stock, a miller of Hillsdale, for six
years before coming to Montpelier, Ohio, in January, 1890. In company
with J. R. Zimmerman he leased the City Mill until 1894, and in February
of that year he and his partner purchased the plant, successfully
carrying on a general custom and flouring business since taking
possession. The product of their mill is of a superior grade, and from
the public they receive a liberal patronage. The firm is also conducting
the ice business of the city, having sole contract in that line.
In Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1884, Mr. Freeland wedded
Miss Mary Blood, who died at that place in 1887, leaving two children,
namely: Mabel and Cassius. Mr. Freeland was again married in 1888, his
second union being with Miss Cornelia Blood (sister of his first wife),
by whom he has three children: Charles A., Jr., Donald and Russell A.
Being a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, Mr.
Freeland has ever taken quite an active and prominent part in public
affairs, and is now serving his third term as a member of the city
council. He is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the public
welfare of the town, and withholds his support from no enterprise
calculated to prove of public benefit. Socially he affiliates with the
Knights of Pythias.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 539 |
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WILLIAM D. FRIED. This
gentleman, who is numbered among the most enterprising,
energetic and successful agriculturists of Bridgewater township,
Williams county, was born Aug. 18, 1842, in Stark county, Ohio,
a son of Joseph and Anna (Davis) Fried.
His paternal grandfather, Henry
Fried, a native of Germany, came to America in boyhood with
his parents and located in Pennsylvania, where he continued to
reside until he attained his majority, removing then to Stark
county, Ohio. Having obtained a good education, he
successfully engaged in teaching for some time, but never
settled down to one line of occupation. His last years
were spent at the home of his son Joseph, in Williams
county, where he died about 1859. He served as a soldier
in the Mexican war, and was a strong Whig in politics. His
last wife died at Osnaburg, Ohio, in 1858, and six of their
twelve children died before reaching maturity. The others
are Henry, George, Joseph, Polly and Nancy.
During his boyhood Joseph Fried (our
subject's father) attended the common schools to a limited
extent in Columbiana county, where he was reared. Starting
out in life for himself at an early age, he labored by the day
and month until after his marriage, when he and his brother
William bought a sawmill in Stark county, borrowing the
money to pay for the same. In their efforts to secure a
home and competence they were ably assisted by their wives, and
meeting with success in the operation of the mill they wee at
length able to purchase eighty acres of land, which they
improved. Subsequently Joseph Fried purchased his
brother's interest in the business, and later devoted his entire
time to farming. In 1858 he sold his property in Stark
county, and came to Williams county, where he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of heavily-timbered land, on which he
built a log house and made some improvement; but after a short
residence here he was called to the home beyond in 1863, leaving
a widow and six children. Of the thirteen children born to
them, six died in childhood, the others being Eliza J.,
wife of J. Cogswell; William D. the subject of this
sketch; Catherine, wife of J. Kale; Ellazan;
George, who died in Marietta, Georgia, while in the
service of his country during the Civil war; Amy, who
died at the age of thirteen years; and Cora, wife of
P. Hornish. Four of these children were living at the
time of the mother's death, which occurred in 1886. After
the death of her first husband she married Henry
Layman, of defiance county, Ohio. Both parents of our
subject were faithful members of the German Baptist Church, of
which the father was a minister, and politically he was
identified with the Republican party.
William D. Fried pursued his studies in the
common schools near his boyhood home, and after coming to
Williams county at the age of sixteen, he continued to assist
his father in the cultivation and improvement of the farm until
1863, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. He first did guard duty on Johnson's
Island, Ohio, and later was a nurse in a hospital until the war
ended, being mustered out at Columbus and honorably discharged
July 3, 1865. As his father had died during his service,
he assumed the management of the farm on his return home; on
July 4, 1879, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the
place, and also bought his mother's life interest. At that
time only eighty acres had been cleared, and the buildings were
all in a dilapidated condition, but with characteristic energy
he has devoted his time and attention to its improvement, and
now one hundred and twenty-five acres are under a high state of
cultivation, and improved with a comfortable two-story frame
residence, a large barn, good outbuildings and a fine orchard.
He raises a variety of cereals adapted to this climate, and is
also interested in stock raising.
In 1868 Mr. Fried was married to Miss Lydia
Brown, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, July 11, 1847,
a daughter of Rev. John Brown and Lucinda (Briggs) Brown,
natives of Stark county, Ohio, where they were married.
Daniel Brown (Mrs. Fried's grandfather)
was a native of Germany, whence with the family he started for
the New World, but his father died on the voyage and was buried
at sea. The remainder of the family located in
Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Stark county, Ohio.
Rev. John Brown, a minister of the German Baptist Church,
and also a farmer, came to Williams county, in 1848, at which
time this region was very sparsely settled. He purchased
land in Center township, and improved a farm, on which he is
still living at the ripe old age of eighty-five years.
Since reaching manhood he has engaged in farming, and in
preaching the Gospel, and is to-day one of the most honored and
highly esteemed citizens of Williams county. His wife was
called to her final rest in 1881, at the age of sixty-five
years. Of the eleven children born to them, six died in
childhood, the others being Malon, who died in 1862,
while a soldier in the Union army; Lydia wife of our
subject; Sanford, a plasterer living in San Diego,
California; r. Harriette Kunkle; and Manuel a
physician of Salina, Kansas.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fried were born nine children,
namely: Della, who died at the age of twelve years;
Delbert, who operates the old homestead; Effa,
wife of Charles Martin, a prominent farmer of Bridgewater
township; Dessie, who died at the age of one year; Ora
and Cora (twins), who are successful school teachers;
Vallie, who has received a good education, and is now at
home; and John J. and Carmie B., also at home.
Socially, Mr. Fried affiliates with London Post, G. A.
R., and politically is identified with the Republican party.
Not caring for official honors, he has generally refused office,
but has been elected trustee of his township, in which capacity
he is now serving in a most creditable manner. His
election plainly shows that his friends and neighbors justly
appreciate his ability and worth, as the township usually
supports the Populist or Democratics. Mr. Fried has
also efficiently served in school offices, takes a deep interest
in the cause of education, and has provided his children with
excellent advantages along that line. Mr. Fried is
a consistent member of the German Baptist Church.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern
Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams &
Fulton. Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899
- Page 414 |
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