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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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JAMES
WATERSTON.
One of the leading and representative farmers of
Bridgewater township, Williams county, is James Waterston,
who is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county, March 6, 1837.
Alexander Waterston, father of our
subject, was born in Dalkeith, Scotland, March 6, 1805, and was the
elder of the two children of Simon and Janet (Thornburg) Waterston.
Alexander was quite young when his father died, and he was then
reared by his grandfather, with whom he learned the tanner's trade.
Subsequently he learned both the butcher's and baker's trades, and for
two years previous to coming to the United States he followed the latter
occupation. In his native land he was married, in 1829, to Miss
Janet Forrest, who was born in Penicuick, Scotland.
On crossing the Atlantic in 1831, Alexander
Waterston first located near Wheeling, West Virginia, whence he, in
1834, removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming on
rented land for a number of years, later going to Richland county, where
he purchased a tract of wild land and improved a farm. In
September, 1853, he came to Williams county, locating in Bridgewater
township. Here he purchased four hundred acres of land, only two of
which had been cleared, and near the cabin already standing thereon he
built another, covering the space between, which he converted into a
wide hall, thus making a double house. To the original purchase he added
another tract of raw land, making in all over five hundred acres, and
with a will he set to work to clear and improve the place, assisted by
his sons. He always took the lead in everything, hard work never daunted
him, and he became one of the most substantial farmers and prominent
citizens of the township. A man of strict integrity and sterling worth,
his word was ever considered as good as his bond, and it is safe to say
that no man in Williams county stood higher in the esteem of his fellow
citizens. As a true and loyal citizen of his adopted
country, he took a deep interest in public affairs; was first a Whig and
later a Republican in politics; was called upon to fill various local
offices of honor and trust, and was serving as township treasurer at the
time of his death, which occurred on the old homestead March 11, 1875,
when he was seventy years of age. His wife survived him many years,
dying on the old homestead, August 27, 1891, aged ninety-one years. Thus
ended two noble lives. They were reared in the Presbyterian Church, and
always adhered to that faith. Of their eleven children, five are yet
living. In order of birth they were as follows: Simon, a
prominent citizen of Williams county, who was a member of the
Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war; Alexander,
Janet and Thomas (all three deceased); James, the
subject of this sketch; David and Benjamin (both
deceased); William, who resides on the old homestead; Wallace
(deceased); Mrs. Mary Haines; and Mrs. Elizabeth Culbertson.
James Waterston obtained his education
in the public schools of this State. At the age of sixteen he came with
the family to Williams county, and remained with his parents until he
was twenty-seven, assisting in the arduous task of clearing and
improving the home farm. In 1864, after his marriage, he located upon a
tract of land given him by his father, and after clearing away the heavy
timber, he placed the land under cultivation, making a good farm which
he sold in 1867. His present farm in Bridgewater township, comprising
two hundred acres, consists of three different tracts, which at the time
of purchase was an unbroken forest. Most of the land is now highly
cultivated, an orchard has been set out, a commodious two-story brick
residence has been built, together with good outbuildings, and the place
is now one of the most desirable farms in the county. Besides being a
thorough and skillful farmer, Mr. Waterston is a
successful stock raiser, and has upon his place a fine grade of horses,
cattle, sheep and hogs.
In 1864 Mr. Waterston was married to
Miss Emily Branderberry, who was born in Ashland
county, Ohio, August 19, 1845, a daughter of Conrad and
Jane (Malcom) Branderberry, also natives of Ohio. In
1854 her parents removed to Bridgewater township, Williams county, where
her father engaged in farming for some years, but he is now living
retired in Montpelier. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the
United Brethren Church. Their children are Emily, Jason,
Robert, Sarah, Abigail and James. To Mr.
and Mrs. Waterston have been born five children, namely:
Emma, who died at the age of thirteen years; Mary, wife of
Dr. Wirts; Gertrude, wife of W. Close; and
Theodore and James R., both at home. In the United Brethren
Church our subject and his wife hold membership, and in politics he is
identified with the Republican party. He always takes a deep and
commendable interest in public affairs and gives his support to all
enterprises calculated to advance the general welfare.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 566 |
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ALBRO
WIRICK.
Sheriff Wirick, of Williams county, one of the popular and
influential citizens of that locality, has for a number of years been
recognized as one of the leaders in the Republican organization of his
county.
Mr. Wirick comes of good old Pennsylvania-Dutch
stock, and his grandfather, Peter Wirick, who was a
native of Pennsylvania, became one of the earliest settlers of Richland
county, Ohio, his homestead being located in the southwestern part of
the county, near Hagerstown. This worthy pioneer was a substantial
farmer, and was widely known as a hunter in his day. He and his wife,
Deborah Wirick, had sixteen children, among whom was a son
Jacob, our subject's father. Jacob Wirick learned the
tailor's trade in his youth, and for some time followed that business,
at Hagerstown, having established his home there soon after his marriage
to Miss Elizabeth Garver. In 1858, having been
touched with "the gold fever" as a result of the stories in circulation
concerning the extensive discoveries in California and other parts of
the West, he went overland with a party to Pike's Peak in search of the
precious metal. The venture proved unsuccessful and he soon started
back, stopping in Missouri, where he was joined by his wife, who had
been staying with her parents.
During their brief residence at Oregon, Holt county,
Missouri, our subject was born on December 15, i860, and shortly
afterward the family returned to Richland county, Ohio. About two years
later they removed to West Jefferson, Williams county, where the father
engaged in mercantile business, and in 1864 he settled in Pioneer, Ohio,
where he carried on a merchant-tailoring establishment until his death.
On September 17, 1867, he passed to the unseen life, and his remains now
rest in the cemetery at Pioneer. He was a Republican in politics, and in
religious faith was a Universalist. His widow married a second husband,
Benjamin Dee, of Fulton county (now deceased), and she
resides at Alvordton, Ohio. By her first marriage she had five children:
Sherman, Emerson, Albro, Sonobra, and
Florous.
Mr. Wirick's boyhood was chiefly spent
upon a farm, where he became familiar with the details of agricultural
work by practical experience. At the age of sixteen he removed with his
mother to Fayette, Fulton county, where he attended school for some
time. In 1885 he went to Watertown, South Dakota, but after remaining
one season he returned to Ohio, and in the winter of 1885-86 he removed
with his mother to Alvordton. His ability and his strong interest in
political affairs soon led to an active participation in party work, and
he held from the first an enviable place in the esteem of his
fellow-workers. In September, 1895, he was nominated by the county
convention on the first ballot for the office of sheriff against four
other candidates, and later he was triumphantly elected by a majority of
over six hundred. In 1897 he was re-elected by a handsome majority. He
also served—1892-1896 —as deputy sheriff, under John C. Bailey,
sheriff. Socially he is prominent and he is an active member of various
orders, including 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 152 |
NOTES:
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