BIOGRAPHIES

*Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of
City of Toledo & Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company -
1895
 

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ISAAC WARD, one of the sterling gold pioneers of Wood County, came here as early as 1843, and since that time has been identified with its upbuilding and development.  In 1853 he purchased the farm where he now lives, comprising eighty acres on section 25, Center Township.  He is a good Republican, and has filled a number of local offices of responsibility and trust.  His original eighty acres have been increased by subsequent purchase to one hundred and sixty acres, on which may be found substantial improvements.      Mr. Ward was born in Perry County, Ohio, Mar. 7, 1827, and is one of seven children, whose parents were Amos and Polly (Shoop) Ward.  The other living children are John, Eliza, Lewis and Sarah; and those who have passed from this life are Harriet and Hiram.  Mr. and Mrs. Ward, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, removed to Perry County, Ohio, at a very early day; later, in 1834, going to Sandusky County.  Locating in what is now Washington Township, on a one hundred and sixty acre tract of Government land, Mr. Ward erected a log cabin, and for two years industriously worked at clearing away the timber.  At the end of that period he went to Ottawa County and took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, eight miles north of where Port Clinton now stands.  His death occurred on this farm, some two or three years subsequently.      At the time of his father's demise Isaac Ward was only seven years of age, and when he was ten years old his mother and family returned to the old homestead in Sandusky County, about ten acres of which his father had cleared before going to Ottawa County.  When he was sixteen years of age, Isaac Ward left home to make hi own livelihood, and, coming to this county, worked for farmers at $8 per month.  In the winter of 1843, in company with his brother Hiram, he started on horseback for Iowa and there rented a farm a mile and a-half distant from Iowa City for one year.  He raised a crop of corn, which he sold for ten cents a bushel.  While living in Iowa, which he did for two years, it was admitted to the sisterhood of states.  In the spring of 1845 he started for Wisconsin alone and on foot, and when he reached Plattsville obtained work on a farm at $110 per month.  An idea of the then thinly settled condition of Iowa my be formed, when we state that in the entire distance between Iowa City and Dubuque the youth passed only one house.  On terminating his engagement near Plattsville, he worked for a year at Mineral Point, Wis., after which he rented a farm, which he operated for the following year.  His next business was that of hauling lead ore and doing general teaming.  He then started for the pineries of Wisconsin on foot from Mineral Point, and after proceeding a distance of about one hundred miles, found work in a sawmill at Big Bull Falls.  After a time he put up a shanty and engaged in logging, taking his pay for his winter's work in logs, which he rafted down the river and sold.  He then proceeded on foot to Mineral Point, and thence took the state to Milwaukee.  From that city he proceeded by the Lakes to Sandusky county, and not long afterward came to this county.  Settling in Freedom Township, he engaged in farming for about three years, and then settled on the homestead where he now lives, and which he has since been engaged in cultivating.      Aug. 10, 1850, Mr. Ward married Rosanna Lance, who was born in Turbot Township, Northumberland County, Pa., Oct. 5, 1834.  The following children have been born of this union: Hiram, Isaac, Lemuel, Julia, Emma, John E., Lewis A., Elsie E., Celesta, Anna S., Sarah M., Laura L., William L., Nellie O., and one who died unnamed.  Annie B. and William are also deceased.      The first school that Mr. Ward attended was held in a small log cabin, three miles distant from his father's home.  It was run on the subscription system, and the benches, desks and other appointments were of the most primitive kind, being rudely carved from slabs.  When Mr. Ward first came to live on his farm, it was thickly covered with forests, and he was obliged to cut down several trees in order to clear a space in which to erect a cabin.  His farm now bears little resemblance to the one of former years, for he was cleared the main portion of it and has erected commodious and substantial buildings.  The logs, after being cut, were hauled away by ox-team.  For ten years he was Trustee of this township, and has helped in many practical ways to advance the interests of this community.  In politics he is a Republican, and in former years was a Whig.  He appreciates the advantages of a good education, and is always on the side of movements which have for their object the advancement of the school system.  For several years he served as School Director. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 324 )

C. W. WEGMAN is the owner of a valuable farm on section 2, Freedom Township, Wood County.  He is one of the old settlers of this locality, as he has made his home here for over forty years.  He began his business career in an humble way, but by industry and persistent effort has increased his possessions year by year; and , being a practical farmer, he has usually met with success in his various undertakings.      The birth of our subject occurred Dec. 29, 1814, in Germany, his parents being Daniel and Catherine (Mennert) Wegman, whose family numbered four children, two of whom never came to America.  The boyhood of our subject was passed quietly on his father's farm, where he remained until he was thirty years of age.  In 1851 he took passage on a sailing-vessel, the destination of which was New York City.  The trip was a pleasant one and took twenty-eight days. On reaching the eastern metropolis, young Wegman remained there a week, while making plans for the future.      In October, 1851, our subject arrived in Toledo, where he lived for two weeks, and then obtained employment in Lucas County, where he remained the following winter.  The next year he moved to this township, buying forty acres of land, and from that time until the present his own welfare has been intimately associated with the progress of this section.  As his means afforded, he has invested in different tracts of land, and is now the owner of three hundred and six acres, most of which are under cultivation and well improved with good barns and fences.      Oct. 31, 1844, Mr. Wegman was married, in his native land, to Catherine M. Vobbe, who was born June 2, 1824, in Germany.  Eleven children came to bless this union, but only six of the number survive, namely: Angeline C., born Feb. 2, 1848, and now the wife of Louis Deasink, a farmer near Pemberville; John W., born July 21, 1854, and now engaged in business in Toledo; Harmon, born July 11, 1857; Carl F., born Feb. 14, 1854, and a resident of Freedom Township; Mary Julia, born Nov. 27, 1867; and Ludwig, Oct. 28, 1870.  John F., born Sept. 12, 1851, died at the age of twenty-four years; Catherine L., born July 19, 1861, is also deceased; and Adam, born May 19, 1860, died in infancy, as did also the youngest of the family.  John W. married Emma Hoffman by whom he has one child.  Harmon chose for his wife Anna Linke; and Carl F. married Lizzie Walker, and has two children.      Mr. Wegman is an active worker in the German Lutheran Church of Pemberville, and has contributed liberally of his means to its support.  In politics he is affiliated with the Democratic party.  He is popular in his neighborhood on account of his business or social relations bring him in contact, and is greatly esteemed by his neighbors and acquaintances. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 ~ Page 318)

JONATHAN D. WHITTAKER, M. D. , came to Wood County in 1843, and after practicing for a year at Rochester, settled on a tract of land comprising four acres in Webster Township.  This tract, just enough for a home, he has made many improvements upon, and here has his pleasant and commodious residence.  He has been very successful in the practice of his profession, and is the pioneer physician of the county.  In former years his visits were all made on horseback, and he well remembers when there were only a few houses in Bowling Green, and when Indians were numerous in this locality.      The Doctor was born in Butler County, Ohio near Hamilton, October 20, 1823, and is one of seven sons, whose parents were James and Mary (Corwin) Whittaker, both natives of the Buckeye State the former born in Hamilton County.  John, their eldest son, is a resident of Hamilton, Ohio; Stephen makes his home in Clermont County, that state; Joseph is an Indiana farmer; Albert, a physician, is now in Colorado; Ichabod died in the army in 1862; and James, a veteran of the late warm died in 1892.  For the following year he was assistant Professor in the departments of ophthalmology and otology.  Subsequently he was for two years Demonstrator before the classes pursuing special studies of the eye, ear, nose and throat.  While yet a student, he was an assistant in the department of bacteriology, and devoted considerable attention to that now well recognized science.     In July, 1894, Dr. Suker married Miss Bertram C., daughter of the late Dr. Dunster.  This well known physician was formerly Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Michigan State University.  The residence of the young couple is a pleasant and comfortable one, situated at No. 322 Eighteenth street.      Politically Dr. Suker is an ally of the Republican party.  He is a young man who has a more than ordinarily bright future in store, and who will undoubtedly soon be numbered among the foremost physicians of this city and county.  He brings to bear upon his chosen work much research and private study, in addition to the excellent training he has had under the best of teachers.    Source: Portrait and Biological Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 208)

ALEXANDER WIGHT, whose home is in Center Township, Wood County, has a war record of which he may be justly proud, as he took part in many of the leading battles and engagements of the Civil War, in the states of Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia, during the campaigns of 1861 and 1862, and was always faithful at his post of duty.  In 1865 he put up a sawmill on his farm, and continued to operate it until 1893, when he sold out to Messrs. Sawyer & Covert.  In addition to running his mill, he has been actively engaged in farming during his mature years, and is the proprietor of a valuable place, comprising fifty-five acres on second 24.      The parents of our subject bore the respective names of Alexander and Mary (Harvey) Wight.  They were both born in Scotland, and were married in their native land.  Eight children graced their union, namely: Jane, who married Gordon Duncan; John; Mary, who became the wife of James Archibald; one who died in infancy; Alexander; George and Bessie, deceased; and William.  In 1832 the father came to the United States on a sailing-vessel, and at the end of a six weeks voyage landed in Quebec.  He soon made a permanent settlement in Ashland County, Ohio, where all his children were born.      Our subject's birth occurred Sept. 15, 1838, near Savannah, Ashland County, this state.  He was early inured to the duties of farm life, and when scarcely a dozen years old he hired out to a neighboring farmer for two years at fifty cents a day, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for several years.  June 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, and was mustered in at Columbus.  He was sent to Wheeling, W. Va., and ere long took part in the battle of Lookout Mountain, Va., after which followed those of Bold Mountain, Cotton Mountain, Peck's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Red Clay Mountain, Blue Stone, Princeton, New River Gap, Bull Run, Frederick City, South Mountain, Middletown, Antietam, Clarksburg and a great many lesser engagements.  During his service he was twice wounded, and still carries two bullet marks.  He was honorably discharged Oct. 28, 1862, and returned home.      During the summer of 1863 Mr. Wight worked at his trade of carpentering, and in 1865 came to this locality, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 24, Center Township.  For a few years he lived in a log cabin and worked very hard at clearing away the thick timber with which his place was incumbered.  Success was ultimately his, for he was not one to be easily discouraged, and was undaunted by ordinary difficulties.      Apr. 14, 1870,  Mr. Wight wedded Jessie Thom, by whom he has had four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: Stanley E.; Mary, who is the wife of David Loomis; John C.; and Edward.  The sons are enterprising and energetic young business men, highly respected by all who know them.  They and their father are affiliated with the Prohibition party in politics. ( Source: Portrait and Biological Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 264)

THEODORE ELIJAH WIGHT, who died at Millbury, Aug. 14, 1892, was one of its most highly esteemed citizens.  By industry and diligence in business he accumulated a good fortune, and at the time of his death owned a well improved farm, comprising ninety-six acres, in the vicinity of this village.  At various times he owned lands in Ohio and Iowa to the extent of about one thousand acres.  He was a charter member of the Knights of Honor lodge of this place, was the first to sign his name to the roll, and was the first to be claimed by death.  For a quarter of a century he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Genoa Lodge No. 433, F. and A. M.  Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his widow also belongs.      Born March 15, 1832, in Saratoga County, N. Y., T. E. Wight was still an infant when his parents removed to Rochester.  There the father ran a mill ad speculated in city real estate, but by trade he was  a mason, and in Saratoga County operated a farm.  He bore the Christian name of Jacob Theodore, and his wife bore the maiden name of Amy Mallory.  The former and his twin sister, Theodosia, were born Aug. 2, 1786, probably in Vermont.  Their parents were Jacob and Sarah (Youngglove) Wight, the former of whom was born July 20, 1755, and died Dec. 22, 1813.  Their other children were Thaddeus, Mehitable, Sarah, Eunice, Abigail, Jacob, Polly B. and Orson.  The parents of our subject were married at Smithville, N. Y., April 4, 1822, and became the parents of five children, namely: Birdsall, Wiley, Augusta, Theodore E. and Willard.  The father died January 29, 1856, in Lorain County, Ohio, whither he had removed in July, 1842.      Theodore E. Wight was a boy of ten years when he came to the Buckeye State, and much of his education was obtained in Columbia, Lorain County.  He was married in Kent County, Mich., when in his twenty-fifth year, and settled on a tract of timber-land in Clinton County, that state.  He built a house and began clearing a farm and during the three years which followed had removed the timber from about forty acres.  On account of poor health he removed to Byron, Kent County, Mich., where he lived for about a year, after which, in 1862, he came to Millbury, bought a house and lot, and prepared to become a permanent resident of the place.  For several years he was interested in various kinds of speculation - purchased a farm, which he carried on, operated in sawmill in company with his brother, got out heavy timber for the first bridge across the Maumee, conducted a factory, and was a salesman for a firm manufacturing binders and mowers, and later for a windmill concern.  From 1872 and 1877 he was an agent for several insurance companies.      Nov. 8, 1857, Theodore E. Wight married Miss Mary E. Nichols, who was born in what was then Tioga County, N. Y., Dec. 26, 1832, and whose parents, James S. and Abigail (Sherwood) Nichols, were married in that county in 1827.  Mrs. Wight's eldest brother, Minor S., died in April 1863, from exposure, soon after the battle of Murfreesboro, in which he took part.  Henry L., a retired engineer of Northville, Wayne County, Mich., was also a soldier in the Union army, as was likewise Morris S. a retired business man in Northville, who draws a pension for severe wounds received at Bull Run, he being crushed by a large timer while building a bridge. Sylvia M. is the wife of Amos Smith, of Rocky Ridge, Ohio; and James W. died inn childhood.      Lemuel and Sallie (Wakely) Nichols, parents of James S. Nichols, were both natives of Connecticut.  The latter was born in the same state, Feb. 22, 1801, and his wife, Abigail,  was born Jan. 2, 1802, in Fairfield, Conn. Mr. Wight was only two years old when her parents removed to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and her girlhood days were passed at Dover, where she attended school until nineteen years of age, finishing her education at a private seminary.  In the fall of 1853 she engaged in teaching in Kent County, Mich., and was thus employed until her marriage.  She has become the mother of eight children, as follows: Willard E., of Delaware County, Ohio; Ladora E., who died at the age of twenty-nine years; Abbie E.; Augusta E., Mary E., who died when in her sixth year; Henry E., Fernie, whose death occurred at the age of one year; and Florence Eva.  Abbie was married, in 1886 to George H. C. Farmer, an agriculturist of Ottawa County, and they have three children, John E., Bernice M. and Dora Elizabeth.  Willard was married, in 1886 to Miss Fannie Chamberlain, and they have had three children, Allen C., Mary Olive, and Theodore E., who is deceased.  Henry E. was married, in 1893, to Anna Pinniger, and they have one son, Archie E.  Ladora married Isaac McCrary, of Sandusky County, and became the mother of three children: Bernice M., deceased; Theodore D. and Vincent R.  Her death occurred at Millbury, August 19, 1889.  Mrs. Wight is a devoted member of the Methodist Church, to which her daughter Ladora formerly belonged, and of which her son Willard is also a member.   ( Source: Portrait and Biological Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895)

FRANK WOLLAM, of Montgomery Township, Wood County, is one of her native sons and old residents.  His life work has been that of farming, and he has long been esteemed one of the most practical and enterprising agriculturists of this neighborhood.  After his marriage his father gave him forty acres, and with this as a nucleus he commenced extending his domains, until his farm now comprises one hundred and thirty-two acres.  This was formerly covered thickly with timber, but he has cleared it all away, building barns, fences and a good home.  His farm is now one of the best in the township and is always kept in a thrifty condition.      Joseph Wollam, the father of our subject, was born February 8, 1824, in Columbiana County, Ohio  His father, Henry, a native of Virginia, had settled in that county in its early history.  Joseph Wollam grew to manhood on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty years was united in marriage with Mary Ann Sloan.  After that event he removed to Wood County, entered one hundred and sixty acres of Government land and built a log cabin.  He cleared his land and devoted himself to its improvement until his death, which occurred November 19, 1892, at the age of sixty-nine years, nine months and eleven days.  He had learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that vocation for about six years.  He reared a family of six children:  Robert H., born June 24, 1845; William C. September 2, 1847; C. Frank; Mary E., September 8, 1853; Martha and Joseph Harold.  Robert and William C. are residents of this township.  Mary E. died at the age of twenty-four years, February 6, 1878, and Martha is the wife of David Meyers, of Fostoria, Ohio.      C. Frank, of this sketch, was born May 15, 1851, on the old homestead in this township.  His boyhood was passed in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the district schools during the winter.  In 1873 he married Miss Mary Ella, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Stahl) Duke, who at an early day removed from Perry County, Ohio, to Livingston Township, Seneca County, and in 1871 became residents of Wood County.      Mr. Woolam and his estimable wife industriously set forth after their marriage to make a home and fortune, and succeeded in their efforts.  Little by little their possessions were increased by their industry and good management.  Three children came to bless their home, a son and two daughters.  The eldest, Martin A., born July 14, 1874, is of great assistance to his father in the management of the farm; Marion J., born April 10, 1879; and Emma E., born February 12, 1882, are still at home.      Politically Mr. Wollam has given his support to the Republican party since becoming a voter.  Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 329, of Rising Sun. ( Source: Portrait and Biological Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895)

WILLIAM M. WOLLAM has been a life-long resident of Montgomery Township, Wood County, for he was an infant of only a few weeks old when brought to this vicinity by his parents.  Ever since attaining man's estate he has been engaged in cultivating his father's old homestead on section 36, and is now the owner of the place.  A man who is well and favorably known in the community where he dwells, he has frequently been called upon to serve in a public capacity, and has been Road Supervisor, School Director, Town Councilor, juror, etc.     The paternal great-great-grandfather of our subject, Jacob Wollam, a native of Virginia, who was here in the early part of the eighteenth century, about 1715, leased a tract of land in Berkeley County, Va., for a term of ninety-nine years.  The family history prior to the time of his birth is quite vague, what is known of it having been handed down from father to son.  The family originally came from near the Rhine, in Germany, but owing to religious persecutions sought a refuge in America, where the men distinguished themselves as Indian fighters and adventurers.  Jacob's son, Baltzer, born in 1745, the next in the line of descent, and his wife, Mary M., who before her marriage was a Miss Weaver, where both born in Old Dominion.  They removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1803, and there reared to maturity their six sons and five daughters, all of whom married, had families, and, with the exception of one who died in his seventeenth year, reached a ripe old age.  Great-grandfather Baltzer Wollam served in the War of the Revolution, and his son Henry, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the War of 1812.  On the maternal side our subject's great-great-grandparents were natives of Berkeley County, Va., and there his great-grandfather lived and died.      Henry, one of the sons of Baltzer and Mary M. (Weaver) Wollam, was born in 1777, and died in 1844.  Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Bough, were natives of Berkeley County, Va.  They were the parents of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, who all married and had families.  Their son Benjamin, father of our subject, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Mar. 11, 1807, and continued to reside in that locality until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 25, 1832.  His wife was Miss Susannah Smith, of Columbiana County, a daughter of Lewis Smith, a native of Lancaster County, Pa.  They came to Wood County in the spring of 1834, but returned to Columbiana County the same fall, remaining there until the spring of 1838, when they came to this county, where the father took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land on section 36, built a log cabin, and in a few years had cleared away the timber and made many improvements.  Of the four children born in him and his wife, three grew to mature years, Mary having died when in her eighth year, Leah, born Jan., 5, 1835, married August Crowell.  William is the next in order of birth; and Henry, born Nov. 14, 1844, died on the 19th of August, in the year 1874, and was buried in the township cemetery.  He left a wife, Leah, formerly a Miss Stover, but no children.   Henry Wollam served in the late war in the Twenty-first Ohio Infantry until discharged.  He also served in Wheeler's Battery, from which he was transferred to the Fifty-seventh Ohio Infantry, where he remained until discharged on account of wounds received at the battle of Resaca.  Henry B. Wollam, an uncle of William M., also served in the late Civil War, as a Captain, and died in 1862, from disease contracted in the army.      William Wollam was born April 18, 1838, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and with his parents made the journey to Wood County by ox-team, the trip consuming two weeks.  He received the best schooling the times afforded, during the winter, and worked on a farm during the summer. At the age of eighteen years he left school, and for two years gave his time exclusively to farming.  The winter he was twenty, and also the following winter, he attended school again. In 1869 he went to Kansas with the intention of remaining there, and took up one hundred and sixty acres.  At the end of two years, however, he returned to Ohio, as the drought which prevailed so extensively in Kansas discouraged him from making any further attempt at farming there.  He settled on eighty acres of his father's old farm, and after the latter's death, which occurred April 8, 1887, at the age of eighty years, he became the owner of and has since managed the estate.  In 1886 he leased a tract of land to the Rising Sun Oil Company, who sunk six wells on the same.  His mother died May 14, 1883.       March 22, 1863, William Wollam and Julia Bierly were united in marriage, and three children have come to bless their union, namely: Dora H., born June 30, 1864, and still living at home; Lorain M., born May 27, 1865; and Laura, July 22, 1867.  The second daughter married Albert Yambert, and has two children, Fern and Dale.  Laura became the wife of Frank Fry and she and her husband are living with her parents.  Mrs. Wollam is a member of the United Brethren Church.  In politics Mr. Wollam is a Republican, and a member of Disciples Church. ( Source: Portrait and Biological Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 274)