BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio,
Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897
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GEORGE K. DAILY
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 799 |
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LEONARD DANIELS
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 471 |
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RUDOLPH DANZ
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 650 |
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JACOB C. DAUER, a
representative pioneer of the county, was born in Nassau,
Germany, Dec. 10, 1831, and is a son of George and Dora
Dauer, the former a farmer by occupation. In their
family were six children: Catherine, deceased;
Christine, widow of Joe Hofner, Wilhelmina,
wife of Christ Asmas; Theodore, a farmer, of
Middleton township; William, deceased; and Jacob
C. The mother died in her native land; but the
father came to the New World in 1864, and spent his
remaining days in Huron county, Ohio.
In 1853 Jacob C. Dauer left the shores of
Germany on a vessel which was nine weeks in reaching
America, and on landing he remained some four months in New
York. For the nine years following he made his home in
Erie county, Ohio, where he rented a farm of seventy acres.
He then bought an unimproved tract of land in Wood county,
which he has since ditched and tiled, and has one of the
best farms in the vicinity. He erected a fine
residence and barns, and has upon his place nine productive
oil wells, one operated by Alexander McDonald, and
the others by the Standard Oil Company, and John Watts.
In 1859, in Erie county, Ohio, Mr. Dauer married
Miss Anna Brand, a sister of F. J. Brand, of
Middleton township, this county, and eleven children were
born to them, four of whom have now passed away: John,
born June 2, 1861, died in 1880; Julius, born July
22, 1862, died in 1874; William, born Sept. 30, 1873,
died in 1880; and August, born Apr. 11, 1874, died in
1875. Those living are: Chris, born Jan.
18, 1864, who wedded Mary Opperman a daughter of
Anton Opperman, a farmer of Washington township, Wood
county (they have four children); Mary born May
15,1865, married to Henry Weihl (they have two
children); Charley, born Sept. 14, 1866, married to
Louisa Moore (they have three children);
Frederick, born Oct. 17, 1869, married to Lizzie Beil,
a daughter of ADam Beil (they have one child);
Emma, born June 29, 1871; Adam, born Dec. 16,
1875, at present taking a classical course in a school at
Tiffin, Ohio; and Anna E., born Sept. 7, 1877.
Mrs. Dauer was born Nov. 26, 1835, in Hessen,
Germany, a daughter of Adam, a shoemaker, and
Catherine (Hof) Brand, who, in 1867, came to America and
to Wood county, where they both died. They had ten
children, four of whom died in Germany, the others being:
Julius J., John, Fred, Mary (Mrs. Meyer, now deceased),
Catherine, and Eckert, the last named
living in Lucas county. Mrs. Dauer came
to this country when twenty-three years old, in company with
three other young people.
Mr. Dauer is a Democrat, has served as
school director, and for one term was a member of the city
council as Haskins. In religious faith he is
identified with the German Reformed Church, in which for
four years he has served as trustee, and is now a deacon.
The entire life of Mr. Dauer has been one of
unusual activity and industry, and he is a self-made man in
the fullest sense of the word. On his arrival in the
country all his worldly possessions were tied up in his
handkerchief, and his capital, of nothing save willing hands
and a strong determination to succeed.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J.
H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 830 |
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G. C. DAUTERMAN
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1068 |
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R. W.
DAVIDSON, one of the native sons of Wood County, was
born in Webster Township, Aug. 31, 1852, and now occupies
a conspicuous place among those who are devoted to
commercial pursuits. His parents were James and Mary
(Williamson) Davidson. The former was born in Scotland
Aug. 23, 1818, and when sixteen years of age came to the
United States with his father, Robert Davidson, who
located in northwestern Ohio, where he died soon afterward,
his death being occasioned by drinking cold water when
intensely heated. James Davidson went to Jo Daviess
County, Illinois, where he operated the first enclosed
threshing machine seen in that locality. During the gold
excitement in California, he made an overland trip with oxen
across the plains, and visited different parts of the West. He was married in Illinois in 1851, and came direct to Wood
County, purchasing land near Scotch Ridge in Webster
Township, where he lived for sometime. Later he located near
Bellville Ridge, near Dowling, Wood County, and about the
close of the war, purchased eighty acres of land in Section
20, Freedom Township, to which he added from time to time,
until the farm comprised 200 acres. There he lived until his
death Oct. 2, 1894. His wife passed away Nov. 6,
1889, and both were buried in Scotch Ridge Cemetery. In
politics he was a stanch Republican, and both were prominent
members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he
served as an elder, and contributed liberally to its
support. He belonged to that substantial and worthy class of
farmers who are ever faithful to their duties of
citizenship, and true to their friends and families. His
children were: R. W., of this sketch; Mary,
who is living in New Rochester; Maggie, deceased;
William, a farmer of Freedom Township; Nettie,
wife of W. S. Kennedy, of Mansfield, Ohio; James,
a farmer of Freedom Township; and George, who died in
infancy.
R. W. Davidson, whose name is found at the
beginning of this review, was reared on a farm near his
present home, and received the educational advantages
afforded by the common schools. At the age of twenty two he
began life foe himself as a farm hand. His father afterward
purchased eighty acres of land in Center Township, on which
he made a payment of $1000, and gave the property to our
subject on the condition that he was to pay off the
indebtedness. At the time he left home, Mr. Davidson
was married, and then began farming in Center Township,
where he lived until the fall of 1882. He did not, however,
engage in farming, but hired this work done while he devoted
his energies to carpentry, enjoying a liberal patronage
along that line. In the fall of 1883, he began merchandising
in New Rochester, and though not experienced in this
undertaking, his practical common sense, steady application
and perseverance soon enabled him to conduct his operations
with the ease of an old time merchant. For the first year
and a half he was associated with a partner, but since that
time has been the sole owner of his store, which is now one
of the most extensive and profitable country stores in Wood
County. As a merchant he is thoroughly reliable, and has the
confidence of all his patrons, which he values highly, and
which has never been abused in the least degree. He erected
his store building in New Rochester, also his residence, and
in addition to these owns two others in New Rochester, and
one in Bradner.
Mr. Davidson was married in Center Township,
Oct. 22, 1873, when twenty two years of age, to Miss
Jessie Bandeen, daughter of William and Jane (Clark)
Bandeen. Mr. Bandeen was born in Alford,
Scotland, Aug. 24, 1824, and died in Wood County, Mar. 8,
1889; he was a stone mason by trade. His wife was born July
1, 1832, in Ireland, and they were married Sept. 29,
1850, and were the parents of eight children - five boys and
three girls.
Mr. and Mrs. Davidson hold membership in the
Presbyterian Church, taking an active part in its progress
and upbuilding, while Mr. Davidson is serving as
treasurer of the Church, and as teacher in the Sunday
School. By his ballot he supports the Republican party; but
his attention is largely given to his business interests,
and his life demonstrates that success is not a matter of
genius, but the legitimate outcome of resolute purpose,
industry, and good management.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J.
H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 1198
Contributed by
Bob Weaver |
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ROBERT STEWART DAVIDSON.
The Davidson family is of Scotch origin, and
the subject of this sketch, a prominent business man of
Scotch Ridge, Webster township, traces his genealogy back to
Robert Davidson, who was a farmer, born in
Linlithgow, Scotland.
His son, Robert Davidson (2), grandfather of our
subject, was also born in that country, and was one of seven
children. He came to America in 1834, and settled at
Perrysburg, Ohio. A few months later, going to
Pennsylvania and buying a large tract of land. While
on his journey homeward he died, when four miles from
Fremont, on the Maumee and Western Reserve Pike. His
wife was a Miss Margaret Murdock, also
a native of Scotland. Nine children were born to them:
Robert, who is now a retired farmer, living at Scotch
Ridge; William; Jeannette; James;
Walter, father of our subject; Anna; Andrew;
Thomas and Margaret.
Walter Davidson married Jane
Stewart; both were natives of Scotland, born in 1822.
They came to America in 1832, when children. For a
time they lived in Perrysburg, Ohio, afterward removing to
Webster township. Their family consisted of the
following children: Robert Stewart; subject of
this sketch; Maggie, born in 1845, married Thomas
Shanks, and lives in Webster township; Mary,
born in 1847; Sarah, born in 1849, married Frank
Stevens, of Webster township; Andrew died when
about two years old; Thomas, living in Webster
township; Mattie is the wife of Charles
Muir, of the same town ship. The father was county
commissioner for six or seven years. He died Apr. 14,
1891, aged sixty-nine years; his wife died some four years
previous.
Robert Stewart Davidson was born
in Scotch Ridge, Webster township, this county, Apr. 1,
1843. He attended the district school, which in those
primitive days was held in a log school house with rough
slabs for benches, a puncheon floor, and a slit in the side
of the walls, covered with greased paper, doing duty as a
window. When eighteen years old his patriotic impulses
were stirred by the call to arms, and he offered his
services to assist in putting down the Rebellion, enlisting
on Oct. 22, 1861, in Company H, 67th O. V. I., his regiment
being assigned to the Eastern Division of the army.
His term of service expiring, he re-enlisted in February,
1864, and remained until the close of the war, being
mustered out Dec. 7, 1865. Mr. Davidson
took part in some of the most noted engagements of the war,
among them being the battles of Winchester, Va.; two battles
at Fort Wagner, Chester Station, Va.; Bermuda Hundred, two
battles at Wier Bottom Church, Va.; Petersburg and
Appomattox. He was wounded at Fort Wagner and Chester
Station, and has the record of a brave and faithful soldier,
of which he may well be proud.
Mr. Davidson was married Aug. 14, 1872,
to Miss Alice Stevens, who was born
Jan. 28, 1850, in Monroeville, Huron Co., Ohio. Eight
children have blessed this union, namely: Jennie
May died when eighteen months old; Walter is in business
with his father; Maggie; Daisy; Bruce,
died when two years old; Frank, Arthur and
Laura. Mr. Davidson established a
general merchandise business in Scotch Ridge, in 1872, being
at the outset in partnership with his father, under the firm
name of Davidson & Son, and which style is
still used, although the senior partner died some years ago.
Mr. Davidson erected the large building
which he now occupies, in 1883, and has built up an
extensive trade by his strict attention to the details of
his business, his well known integrity, and genial
personality also attracting to him many warm personal
friends. He has been greatly prospered during the
twenty-three years of his active business life, and is one
of the highly esteemed residents of the township. Mr.
Davidson has always taken an active part in politics,
in which he affiliates with the Republican party. He
has been treasurer of Webster township for twenty-four
years, first being elected in 1869, and serving for twelve
years; after an interval of two years he was again
re-elected, and has held the position ever since. He
is the treasurer and a stockholder in the Pemberville
Creamery, and is the treasurer of the United Presbyterian
Church, of which he is a member, and is now treasurer of the
Wood County Farmers’ Mutual Fire Association, which has an
assessable stock of $1,000,000.00, and is steadily
increasing. He is also a member of Wiley Post, G. A. R., at
Bowling Green, and is prominent in all public enterprises.
He owns a farm of sixty-two acres near Scotch Ridge, on
which he resides, where he has a delightful home.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 483 |
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B. F. DAVIS, M. D.,
a prominent physician and druggist, of Tontogany, was born
at Painted Post, Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 11, 1836, of old
New England stock - is great-grandfather Davis, and
grandfather, Arthur Davis, having both been born in
Rhode Island.
J. P. Davis, father of our subject, was a native
of Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., born in 1810. There
he married Miss Mary Darby, who was born in December,
1809, near New Berlin, N. Y., a daughter of Rufus Darby,
a farmer who was of English and Scotch ancestry, although
her family had long been residents of New England. For
some years after their marriage, our subject's parents lived
on a farm at Painted Post, and in 1837 they came to Ohio,
settling on an eighty-acre farm near South Bloomfield,
Morrow county. Here Mrs. Davis died in 1859,
leaving seven children, namely: B. F., our subject;
Harriet E., since deceased, who married N.
H. Patton, of Bryan, Ohio; William R., living in
retirement at Traer, Iowa; Arnold, who was a soldier
during the Civil war in the 20th Regiment, O. V. I., was
killed at Atlanta, and buried there in the National
Cemetery; Albert L., deceased, who graduated in the
Medical Department at Ann Arbor in 1871, and was in practice
with our subject until his death, in January, 1877, when he
was aged thirty years; Morgan, residing at Mount
Liberty, Ohio; and Malon R., a traveling salesman and
resident of Toledo. By Mr. Davis’ second
marriage with Miss Joanna Bishop, three children were
born: Minnie, the wife of N. D. Huddleston;
Cora Converse; and Ella. In 1864, J. P.
Davis moved to Mount Liberty, where he died three years
later. Politically he was a Democrat until the Slavery
question became a party issue, when he joined the Republican
ranks.
Our subject attended the district schools until he was
sixteen, and then a select school at Centerburg. At
the age of nineteen he began to teach, and afterward studied
one term in college at Iberia, Ohio, and one term in
Delaware. In the spring of 1859 he entered the office
of Drs. Russell & Thompson, of Mount Vernon,
Ohio, where he studied medicine, and then in the winter of
1861-62 attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and the
winter of 1862-63, at Starling Medical College, Columbus,
graduating in February, 1863. In 1861 he enlisted in
the three months‘ service, in Company B, 4th O. V. I.,
Capt. H. B. Banning (afterward a general) commanding,
and in the fall of 1862, when Cincinnati was threatened by
Kirby Smith, he was one of the “Squirrel
Hunters." On Mar. 11, 1863, he was commissioned
assistant surgeon of the 44th Regiment, O. V. I., which
served in the 23d Army Corps, under Gen. Scofield,
Gen. Burnside commanding the department. In
February, 1864, the regiment veteranized, and was made the
8th O. V. C., after which it served in the Lynchburg raid
under Gen. Averill, and took part in the campaign in
the Shenandoah Valley, under Sheridan. The
Doctor was at the battle of Winchester, and was an
eye-witness of the historic ride which turned at Cedar Creek
the fortunes of the day. Part of his regiment was
captured at Beverly, W. Va., in January, 1865, taken to
Richmond, and released on parole. On being mustered
out in 1865 Dr. Davis located in Tontogany, and has
since followed hiprofession with marked success. In
1872 he and his brother opened a drug store in Tontogany,
conducting the same jointly until the death of the latter in
1877, after which our subject carried it on alone till the
fall of that year when R. Collin became associated
with him in business, under the firm name of Davis &
Collin.
Dr. Davis has been twice married, first in 1865
to Miss Elizabeth White, who was born in Delaware
county, in 1846. She died in 1878 leaving three
children, the first born having died in in fancy. The
names and dates of birth of the younger three are: Hattie
E., born Aug. 11, 1870; Frederick W., Mar. 7,
1873; and Bernard Francis, July 22, 1875.
Dr. Davis married, second, Mrs. Sarah A.
(Carpenter) Ross, who was born in Maumee in 1845.
In politics the Doctor is a Republican, and he is an
influential worker in all measures for local improvements.
He is a member of the G. A. R., of the F. & A. M., No. 451,
Tontogany, and of the Wood County Medical Association.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 549 |
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EDWARD DAVIS,
a highly respected agriculturist residing near Grand Rapids,
was born in England, Aug.t 24, 1824, a son of David and
Sarah (Newell) Davis. It is seldom that one finds,
even in this country, which boasts of its self-made men, one
who has made his way to wealth through such depressing
circumstances as those which surrounded our subject in early
life. Edward Davis never attended
school, and at - the age of eleven years was sent to work
upon a farm, receiving for his first six months’ labor the
sum of twenty shillings, and he continued in the same
employment until he was twenty-six years old, with a small
increase in wages each year. In 1850 he came to the
United States, landing with forty dollars in his pocket, and
came to Erie county, where he worked on a farm for thirteen
years, remaining the entire time with one employer, and
saving $1,300. With this amount he bought eighty acres
of land in Weston township, the greater part of which was
unimproved; to this he later added fifteen acres more, and
cleared and improved almost the entire tract; in 1875 he
sold this farm, and bought eighty acres of land in Grand
Rapids township, where he still resides. He has made
many valuable improvements, and by his steady industry he
has brought the whole to a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Davis was twice married. In 1863 he was
united to his first wife, Jane Martin,
daughter of James Martin, a well-known citizen
of Weston township. To them were born two
children: James Waldo, a farmer in Grand
Rapids township, born Aug. 7, 1866, married, May 21, 1896,
Ivy Reaker, who was born May 21, 1874; and Seth, who
died in infancy. Mrs. Davis died in 1866, and
on December 27, 1868, Mr. Davis married Mrs. Julia
A. Bassett, who was born March 26, 1838, in Jackson
county, Ohio. To them have been born five children:
Edward, a farmer in Grand Rapids township, Nov.15, 1870,
was married Dec. 25, 1895, to Ada L. Barton, who was
born Sept. 16, 1877, and they have - one child;
Mary Estella, Dec. 13, 1872; Howard M.,
May 21,1875; Bert C., Mar. 8, 1879, died Mar. 3,
1881; and Arthur C., born Mar. 17, 1883. Mr.
Davis is a Republican, and although he never seeks
political office he gives hearty support to every beneficial
public movement. He takes special interest in
educational affairs. He is a member of the
Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Grange, and in his
native country was one of the fraternity of Odd Fellows.
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1002 |
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MRS
JANE DAVIS conducts a general mercantile
establishment in Dunbridge, and well deserves mention in the
history of the county. She was born in Webster Township,
Mar. 6, 1848, and is a daughter of Hugh and Jennie
(Davidson) Stewart, both of whom were natives of
Scotland. She attended school in Webster Township, and
remained at home until 1872, when she became the wife of
William Davis. Of their marriage were born six children:
Anna M., who was born July 11, 1874, was educated in
Dunbridge and in Ada, Ohio, and was for two terms a school
teacher, but now occupies the position of stenographer with
the firm of Royce & Coon, of Bowling Green;
Margaret J., born Aug. 16, 1876, is at home;
Frederick W., born Aug. 19, 1878, and Maurice,
born Oct. 19, 1880, operate the home farm; Mary E.,
born Oct. 13, 1882, and Daisy Viola, born Dec. 9, 1884, complete the family.
Mrs. Davis remained on the farm until 1884, when
she removed to Dunbridge and established the store which she
still conducts, being on e of the first citizens of the
place. In addition to the care of the store she manages a
farm of ninety six acres in Webster Township, which she
owns, and which she has placed under a high state of
cultivation. She possesses excellent business and executive
ability, is enterprising and progressive in her business
methods, and by her true womanliness and helpful spirit has
won the respect of all with whom she has been brought in
contact. She is certainly a most estimable lady, and is now
a valued member of the Woman's Relief Corps and the
Daughters of Rebekah.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J.
H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 617
Contributed by
Bob Weaver
Research Notes by Bob Weaver:
Jean "Jane" (Stewart) Davis
Birth: Mar. 6, 1848, Wood County, Ohio
Death: May 10, 1917, Wood County, Ohio
Burial: Webster Township Cemetery, Scotch Ridge, Wood
County, Ohio
Parents:
Hugh Stewart (1815 - 1852)
Jeanette Davidson Stewart (1816 - 1883)
Children:
Anna M. (1874 - _____ )
Margaret Davis Warring (1876 - 1974)
Fredrick W Davis (1878 - 1919)
Maurice Davis (1880 - 1913)
Mary E. Davis Grover (1882 - 1918)
Daisy Viola Davis Brandvoid Byrne (1884 - 1949) |
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JOHN DAVIS.
The essential qualities of success are not fortunate
circumstances and influential friends, but indefatigable
energy, industry that stops not at difficulties, a resolute
purpose and perseverance. These qualities Mr. Davis
possesses, and he is known as one of the leading farmers of
Middleton township. He was born in Monroe county,
Ohio, Jan. 20, 1842. His father, Michael Davis, was
born in Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of
farming, and married Catherine Basinger, a native of
Germany. Of their union the following children were
born: John, Christian, Fannie and Rebecca.
The father died in Monroe county, Ohio, and the mother
afterward married Jacob Hiphire.
Mr. Davis, of this review, spent his boyhood in
the usual manner of farmer lads, attending school in the
winter and working on the farm during the summer months, in
Putnam county, Ohio. When only eight years of age, he
was thrown upon his own resources, and worked on a farm for
his board until fourteen years of age, when he began
receiving wages. He was employed at farm work and on
the canals until thirty-three years of age, when he came to
Wood county, locating in Middleton township, where he
purchased seventy acres of unimproved land. This be
cleared and transformed into finely cultivated fields, and
to-day he owns and operates a valuable farm of ninety acres,
improved with good buildings.
In 1875, in Putnam county, was celebrated the marriage
of Mr. Davis and Magdalena Mosier,
a native of Allen township, and a daughter of John Mosier.
One child graces their marriage Edward, who was born
Aug. 10, 1878, was educated in the common schools, and now
aids in the work of the farm. For six years our
subject has served as school director, and is a warm friend
of the cause of education. In politics he is a
Democrat, and with his family attends the Lutheran Church in
Waterville. Dependent on his own resources from the
early age of eight years, he certainly deserves great credit
for him self, and to-day he has the consciousness of knowing
that he has not a dollar that he has not him self honestly
earned. He is a popular citizen, well liked, and is
deserving of honorable mention in the history of his adopted
county.
Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 673 |
|
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THOMAS DAVIS
has witnessed much of the development and
upbuilding of Jackson township, has seen its wild and
unimproved lands transformed into good farms and homes, and
takes just pride in the progress and advancement that have
here been achieved. The community recognized in him a
valued citizen, one who has always borne his part in the
work of improvement. He is also a self-made man, who
well merits the success he has achieved, as it is a re ward
of his earnest and persistent labor.
Mr. Davis was born in Wales, Nov. 10, 1827, and
is a son of John and Mary (Morgan) Davis, also
natives of that land. There were eight children in the
family - Elizabeth, who died in Wales; Thomas;
William, who came to America when a young man,
locating in Medina county, Ohio, and after his marriage
removing to Highhill, Mo., where his death occurred;
James, who came to this country with his brother
William, and in 1861 entered the army, since which time
no news has been received of him; Nancy, who was
married, and died in Wales; Joseph, who came to
America, served as a soldier in the Civil war, and died in
Kansas; Charles, who came to this country with his
brother Joseph, and located in Medina county, where
he is now a prosperous farmer; George, who was
married, and died in Wales.
Our subject began his education in his native land. and
after coming to America attended night school.
He worked on a farm in Wales for $50 per year until
1846, when, at the age of nineteen years, he came to
America, believing that he could thereby better his
financial condition. On the 18th of April, the
vessel “Leodes" sailed from Newport with Mr. Davis on
board. After a voyage of seven weeks he landed in
Boston, and by way of the lakes went to Milwaukee, Wis., and
on to Janesville, that State. There he spent his
last quarter for breakfast, after buying a ticket to
Cleveland. Near the latter city he secured employment
at sheep-shearing, and afterward worked as a farm hand in
Cuyahoga county for more than a year.
Mr. Davis was married Aug. 27, 1851, to Miss
Adelia Atherton, who was born on a farm near Burlington,
Vt. When she was three years old her parents,
Marvin and Sarah (Hill) Atherton, removed with their
family to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and afterward went to
Medina county, where the parents spent their last days.
On his marriage, Mr. Davis purchased sixty
acres of land in Lorain county, Ohio, which he operated for
six years, and then engaged in teaming for three years.
In the fall of 1864 he came to Wood county and bought forty
acres of land, to which he afterward added another forty
acres. His farm is situated in Section 2, Jackson
township, and he has now a highly improved place. The
comfortable frame residence which replaced the log cabin is
typical of all the improvements upon the farm, and the owner
is accounted one of the progressive agriculturists of the
community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born these children -
Matilda, wife of David Hemminger, of
Jackson township; Mary Ann, wife of Finley
Oberdorf, of Bowling Green; Charles, at home;
Mrs. Dora Pyatt, of Sioux City, Iowa;
Marcia, wife of Henry Blythe, of
Jackson township; Louisa, who was married, and died
in Jackson township; and Lizzie, who died at the age
of nine years.
In his political views, Mr. Davis was
formerly a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for
General Scott, but now gives his political
support to the Republican party. He has been clerk of
the school, director and township supervisor, discharging
his duties in a capable manner. He belongs to the
United Brethren Church, and his life may be termed a
successful one, not only when viewed from the standpoint of
finance. but when judged from the standard of all that is
honorable and straightforward.
Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1263 |
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E. F. DAY Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 566 |
Edward DeVerna |
EDWARD DeVERNA Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 632 |
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HERMAN W. DEAN Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 746 |
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W. H. DENNIS Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1352 |
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ISAAC J. DENT Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1169 |
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SAMUEL J. DERN Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 838 |
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DAVID DESHETLER Source: Commemorative Historical
& Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1230 |
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JOHN J. DEUBLE Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 670 |
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MELVIN L. DEVORE Source: Commemorative Historical
& Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 462 |
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AMOS DEWESE,
a well known resident of Weston Township, was born Aug. 18,
1823, in Paris Township, Stark County, Ohio. The first
ancestor of the family of whom a record is given was Carl,
the great grandfather of our subject, who lived in Berks
County, Pennsylvania, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War. He had 7 children: John, William,
Elizabeth, Samuel, Powell, Thomas
and David. His son Samuel became a Captain in
the Revolutionary Army, and also served in the War of 1812,
a biography of his life being published previous to his
death.
Thomas Dewese, who was the grandfather of
our subject, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 4,
1770. He was a school teacher in early life, and later
became a farmer. He was married to Miss Catherine
Bessey, who was born May 18, 1767, and they emigrated
to Stark County, Ohio, in 1808, where they both died at
advanced ages. Their children were as follows: (1) Lutice,
was married July 7 1808, to Jasper Daniels,
who was a preacher in the Disciples Church. They emigrated
to the West, and he died in Illinois; (2) Samuel, the
father of our subject; (3) Elizabeth was married July
18,
1815, to John Wickerd (he died in Hancock
County, Ohio and she in Michigan); (4) Catherine
became the wife of Thomas Ebe Sept. 7,
1817, and both died in Wayne County, Ohio; (5) Sarah
was married Mar. 19, 1820, to Andrew Livingstone, and
both died in Wayne County; (6) Martha W.
married Christian Shiveley Oct. 30, 1821, and both
died in Wayne County; (7) Uriah married Mary Snyder
Feb. 22 1824, and died in
Stark County; (8) Rebecca married Isaac
Kelley Aug. 23, 1827, and she was accidentally burned
to death (her husband removed to the West); (9) Thomas
was married Oct. 6, 1830, to Sarah Watkins.
Thomas Dewese and two other families were the
first pioneers who settled in Paris Township, Stark County,
Ohio.
Samuel Dewese, father or our subject, was
born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Mar. 5 1793, and
emigrated with his father’s family in 1808 to Stark County,
Ohio. On May 13, 1814, at the age of 20, Mr. Dewese
enlisted
at the Village of Canton, under Capt James
Drennan, for the War of 1812, and served under General
Harrison until the expiration of his term of service.
He was discharged at Detroit, Michigan, May 14 1814. When
first enlisted he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and from there to
Fort Stephenson, now Fremont, arriving there the day after
the battle, when the fort was so gallantly and successfully
defended by Major Croghan. From this place his
regiment was sent to Fort Ball, and from there to the mouth
of the Portage River, there the command took flat boats and
crossed over the lake to Detroit. While at
Detroit in the winter of 1814, Mr. Dewese was
sent by order of General Harrison as a scout
to the Thames River. The mission was a difficult and
dangerous one, but the young man accomplished his object. After his discharge Mr. Dewese returned home
and labored on a farm. On May 16, 1815, he married Miss
Sarah Boyer, who was born in Stark County
Feb. 19, 1798, and died Aug. 6, 1824. They had 6
children, as follows: Margaret, born Feb. 20
1817, married Asa Hutchinson, and was the
mother of 13 children, and died in Wood County; Thomas,
July 26, 1818, died in Canton, Ohio; July 20, 1892;
Caroline, May 10, 1820, was Post Mistress in Fork Top,
Mecosta County, Michigan, and was the oldest incumbent of
that office in the State, when she lost the position in
1894; Amy, Dec. 26, 1821, married James
Hutchinson, and died in Bowling Green Mar. 14, 1891;
Amos, the subject of this sketch; the 6th child died in
infancy. Mr. Dewese was married, a second
time, Nov. 16, 1828, taking for his wife Miss
Annie Switzer, of Stark County, who died after
the birth of 12 children, and was buried at Weston, Ohio.
The children of the second marriage are as follows: Jesse
died in Wood County, and left a family; Dennis died
when a boy; Franklin died in childhood; Mary
Ann married John Wade, and died in Wood
County; Noah died in childhood; Samuel was a
soldier in the Civil War, and resides in Michigan; Uriah,
a farmer of Weston Township., was also a soldier in the
Civil War; Parmilla married W. Wade, and lives
in Iowa; Gurselda is the wife of Charles
Bassett, and lives in Weston; Chauncey died while
a prisoner at Danville, Virginia, Nov. 6, 1864, during
the Civil War. The other 2 children died in infancy.
Amos Dewese, the
subject of this sketch, received but meager school
advantages before coming to Wood County, and of his first
experiences in this wilderness let the following article,
written by him, for the Weston Herald, and published in
1883, speak for itself:
Dewese Corners, Feb. 17 1883 ---
Editor Herald: As this day is my fortieth
anniversary in Wood County, I will, with your permission,
give your many readers a brief sketch of my first year of
pioneer life in the county. I came here Feb. 17,
1843. The snow was 18inches deep when I started for Hancock
County without 1 cent of money, but a few clothes, and a dry
chunk of bread constituting my pack; my shoes out at the
toes; and carrying a few books. In the evening I crossed the
line and saw a hunter riding an old horse, to the tail of
which was tied a large deer. I followed a trail and came to
Mr. Robbins’, of Bloom Township, where I
stayed all night. Early next morning I started for Mr.
Frankfanter’s at Bloom Centre, found my old friend
Joseph Shelia, and made my home with him, and
went to chopping to get me a pair of boots. Mr.
Shelia and I rode through the woods to Risden and Rome
(now Fostoria), for an axe. We found a few, but as they
wouldn’t trust either of us, we had to return without it.
Then I went back to Hancock County, got my axe, and was
rich. I took a job of a Mr. Buisey to chop 7
acres, for which he gave me a rifle and some second hand
clothing. I finished the job on Mar. 24, when the mercury
was 20 degrees below zero, that winter being still known as
the ‘hard winter’.
"I began work for Mr. Solether April 1;
snow and ice on the ground, and sleighing. He gave me a
watch. While working there a Mr. Jonathan Stull came
into the clearing. He had a bag on his shoulder with a peck
of ears of corn that he had got from a Mr. Daniel
Milbourn. Mr. Stull was much
depressed and discouraged on account of the terrible hard
winter. We talked of Adventism, as the Millerites
said the end of the world was at hand. Mr. Stull
said he prayed for it every day, as he had seen all the
trouble he had wanted to see. He said he had 8 head of
horses, and all had died; 28 head of
cattle and 260 head of hogs, and all were dead. I had to
pass Mr. Stull’s cabin often. He told me that
he had been married 2 years, and they had 10 children, all
of whom were almost nude. Not one had a full suit of
clothes. They hadn’t a bed nor a window in the house. He was
the owner of a 3/4 section of good land. ‘There’ said Mr.
Stull, ‘I have 1 peck of ears of corn in this sack,
and when I take it home and grind it in the hand mill, and
mix it with water, bake and eat it with my wife and 10
children, God knows where the next will come from. They must
starve.’ He wept like a child. Mr. Stull
was the founder of Jerry City.
During my stay with Mr. Buissey I had to
go to and from Mr. Sheila’s. I had to pass a
number of cabins, forsaken and uninhabited. They looked
gloomy enough, surrounded by ice and water and the dismal
swamp. A number of wild hogs had taken possession of a new
one, which had belonged to a Mr. John Ford.
They had piled in on top of each other, and there perished
from cold and hunger. When out hunting for coons and minks,
whenever we found hogs they were invariably dead. I next
worked for Mr. Whitaker 2 weeks, and received
$3.25 in June. Then I went to Milton Center, and cleared 5
acres for James Hutchinson for a pair of 2 year old
steers. In July I went to James Bloom’s worked
for Bloom and Henderson Carothers,
helped cut 45 acres of wheat, and cut and hauled a hundred
tons of tame prairie hay, for which I received 1 pair of
boots and 0.50 cents in money – a sum total in money for the
year, $3.75. In the beginning of the winter of the
year 1843 I went to Ralph Keeler’s to work for
my board and go to school in the old Log School House in
Weston. Mr. Keeler took sick, and as I
had to take care of him and his stock, I lost the benefit of
the school. I worked for him 3 months for $25, to take my
pay out of the store.
I will attempt to describe the old Taylor School House.
It was located in the back part of the lot now owned by
Mr. Henry, on Main Street. It was true pioneer in
style, with puncheon floor, benches and desks made of the
same. Round logs cut off, with ribs and weigh poles to hold
down the clapboards; windows, 1 row of glass, each 8x10;
writing desk, puncheon laid on pins driven in the wall. The
teacher, Mr. Jesse Osborne, of New York
State, received 0.25 cents a day, of $5 a month. The
scholars were Miss Mary Taylor, George, Lewis, Thomas
and William Taylor; Samuel McAtee,
who lived with Andrew Moorhouse; Olmsted,
Amelia and Melicent Keeler. The teacher
was paid by the parents, there being no school fund at the
time. Mr. Taylor lost about 45 head of
cattle; Mr. Keeler 75 head, while the
Sargents, Elsworth, Saulsbury and Green
lost about the same proportion during that terrible winter,
never to be forgotten by the old settlers. Many had
to move out of the Black Swamp before spring. So ended my
first year as a Pioneer.
The vicissitudes of Mr. Dewese’s early
life were relieved by the sports of the hour, and he often
engaged in the hunt and the chase when heavy game was
abundant in the Black Swamp. He was not content, however,
and yearned to cast his fate with the possibilities of the
‘Far West’. He had all the preparations made to take a
Western Trip, when his father came to Wood County, entered
land, and prevailed upon our subject to do the same and
remain with him. True to a strong impulse of family unity
that has been handed down to the latest generation of the
Dewese family, he allowed the parents’ advice to
prevail, and on Mar. 1 1851, he entered the land, which
forms a portion of his present magnificent estate. On this
he built a log house and commenced to make general
improvements, and for 2 years kept “bachelor’s hall”. On
Nov. 3, 1853, Mr. Dewese was united in
marriage to Miss Sarah Green, who was born Aug. 17,
1829 in Liverpool, England, and came to this country with
her parents in 1834.
Of this marriage 3 sons were born, of whom the
following record is given: (1) William, born
Mar. 21 1856, was married Jan. 25 1887, to Miss
Caroline Elizabeth Sautter, who was born
in Huron County, Aug. 17 1866. They have 2 children,
Donald R., born Sept. 17, 1891; and Floyd M.,
born May 4, 1893. (2) George J., born Apr.
30, 1858 was married Nov. 29, 1881, to Miss
Lucy Lee, whose birth took place Jan. 7 1864.
They have 1 child, Sarah E., born Jan. 20, 1887.
When 23 years of age George J. entered the mercantile
business in Weston under the name of: Oswald and
Dewese, they being the successors of: A. J. Munn.
2 years later he sold out his interest and went to farming,
which he carried on until June 1885, when he was appointed
Postal Clerk, his run being between Toledo and Cincinnati.
He held this position for about 15 months when he returned
to agricultural pursuits, in which he finds his most
congenial occupation, and now resides in a pleasant home on
a portion of the Dewese Estate, close to the
suburbs of Weston. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at the latter place. (3) Amos R, the youngest
son of our subject, was born Aug. 24, 1865. He is
unmarried, and assists his father in the management of his
estate.
Of the many pioneer couples whose names link the
present advanced state of affairs in Wood County with its
most primitive conditions, none have taken a more active
part in the progress made than Mr. and Mrs.
Dewese, and but few have been spared to such a ripe
and healthful old age as this worthy pair, who still retain
all thief faculties and evince that eager interest in
passing events which they manifested in the vigor of life.
The following account of their Silver Wedding is taken from
a Toledo paper:
At an early hour last evening, Nov. 7, 1878, the
many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Dewese
began to gather at their elegant residence, about 2 miles
north of Weston, until about from 70 to 90 guests had
assembled to participate in the festivities of the occasion,
and to congratulate the happy couple upon the joyful return
of the 25th anniversary of their wedding day. We must
say that a more pleasant company it was never our good
fortune to witness. Every one seemed to catch and imbibe
some of the happiness of the bride and groom. As we wandered
through the elegant home of our hosts, and noted the
gentlemanly deportment and manly bearing of their sons, and
the marks of comfort and luxury on every hand, and thought
that 25 years ago the then young bride and groom, in what
was then almost wilderness, with no other fortune than
brave, honest and willing hands, with no other wealth but
industry, integrity and economy, had grappled as pioneers
with poverty and nature’s unbroken soil, we could not
refrain from admiring the work of a quarter century, and
almost envied the wedded pair their joy as they looked back
over the 25 years of their happy union. After an hour and a
half spent in social greeting, friendly congratulations and
kindly expressed wishes of future happiness for the bride
and groom, the company assembled in the parlors, and the
Rev. M. L. Donahey invoked upon the happy couple the
blessing of God, and in a neat and appropriate speech, in
behalf of the donors, presented to them the many beautiful
gifts of their friends, to which Mr. Dewese,
with his wife leaning upon his arm (with as much happiness
and less of doubt than 25 years before), responded with a
grateful acknowledgement. After some good music and singing,
the company gathered around the bountifully spread tables
and partook of a repast, which they all seemed to enjoy.
Then, after a little more chatting, a little more visiting,
a little more singing, and (alas in some instances, we are
informed) a little more flirting, the guests scattered to
their respective homes, each one saying, “What a pleasant
time we have had”; “How nicely everything passed off”.
Honorable citizenship with financial independence has
been the ambition of Mr. Dewese, and that this
has been more than satisfied is easily learned in Wood
County. There is no name in the County better known than
his, nor is there a home more abundantly filled with the
choicest products of the earth. The hospitality of the
Dewese family is known far and near, and as
agriculturalists they are accepted authorities for miles
around. 2 of the sons live with their parents on the old
homestead, which is a palatial residence erected in 1877.
The harmony that exists in the family is remarkable; the
interest of one is the interest of all, and although each of
the sons has an individual property of his own, the main
estate is held in common. The sons of Mr. Dewese
received only a common school education, as did their
father, but the breadth and scope of their reading, and
their original manner of thinking, make them among the best
informed people of Wood County. As samples of physical
manhood, these men have certainly no equal in any one family
in the county, the father having the frame of a giant, and
the smallest of the 3 sons weighing 190 pounds.
Mr. Dewese was formerly a Republican, but he
says he watched the evils of protection as they gradually
gained a hold, upon the country to the detriment of the
agricultural masses, he asserted his right to think for
himself, disavowed allegiance to the Republican party, and
became a Democrat. Party organizations have tried to
whip him back into the Republican ranks, but in vain, as he
is firm in his beliefs that he is on the right side of the
question.
Source: Commemorative
Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers
and
Co. 1897 - Page 533
Contributed by
Bob Weaver |
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SPENCER W. DEWITT. The
subject of this sketch is a well-known farmer residing in
Weston Township, one and one-half miles northeast of Weston
village. His birth occurred Feb. 3, 1859, in Weston
township, on the farm where he now lives. Isaac Dewitt,
father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 20,
1801. He was married three times, his third wife being Miss
Theodosia Haughawout, the mother of Spencer W. They were
married at. her home in Erie county, Ohio, but in 1855, they
removed to Weston township, Wood county, where they remained
about six years, or until the death of Mr. Dewitt, July 7,
1861. Three children were born of this marriage, one of whom
died in infancy; the others being Harriet, who married John
Gingery, Jr., and died Jan. 17, 1875; and Spencer W., our
subject.
Spencer W. Dewitt, the subject proper of this
sketch, was but two years of age when his father died, and
was then taken by his mother to her former home in Erie
county, where he found a home with an uncle. Here he
attended the district schools; but when he was eleven years
old, accompanied his mother on her return to the old
homestead in Wood county. In 1873, Mrs. Dewitt was married
to Abram Leonard, and our subject made his home with them,
and worked upon the farm. Mr. Leonard died Mar. 25,1884.
On Sept. 29, 1884, Spencer W. Dewitt was married to
Miss Amanda J. McCrory, who was born in Wood county,
Sept. 7, 1865. They made their home with Mrs. Leonard on
the old farm until the following spring (1885), when Mr.
Dewitt built the house, in which he now resides, on the east
half of the old homestead, making all improvements necessary
to establish a comfortable home for his family. The
marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with
the following children. Charles Jesse, born
Sept. 18,
1885; George Spencer, born Oct. 6, 1887; Harriet
Elizabeth, born July 24, 1890; Alta Rosetta, born
Feb. 23, 1893; Vernie Wilson, born Feb. 18, 1895, and died
Apr. 19, 1896.
Mr. Dewitt has never taken much interest in politics,
but has always sought to vote, regardless of party, for the
best man for the office to be filled. He is a member of the
Disciples Church. Since his mother's death, Oct. 8, 1890,
the homestead farm has been divided between Mr. Dewitt and
his niece, Mrs. Addie Heckerman, who was the only daughter
of his sister, Harriet Gingery. Mr. Dewitt retaining the
east half, on which he had built his house. Mr. Dewitt is
much respected by all his friends and neighbors for his
integrity, and good, honest citizenship.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J.
H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 805
(This biography was submitted by
Bob Weaver, Columbus,
OH)
Research Notes by Bob Weaver:
– After this writing there were
more children born. 8 in total were born to
Spencer and Amanda. 1) Charles Jessie; 2) George
Spencer; 3) Harriett Elizabeth; 4) Alta Rosetta; 5) Vernie
Wilson; 5) Mary M. (b. Jan. 1897); 7) Arthur R. (b. Sept.
1898); 8) William Isic (b. Feb. 8, 1901)
- John Gingery is/was not a "Jr.". This is totally incorrect.
John E. Gingery was the son of Samuel Gingery, Sr. and Mary
Jane Chance, Weston, Ohio - John died Oct. 30, 1919. |
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W. S.
DEWITT, who is a successful farmer & a
very popular citizen of Perry Twp, was born in Carey,
Wyandot County, Ohio, Aug. 15, 1846, son of Charles
& Alvira (Robinson) DeWitt. His father was born in
Delaware, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1816, & his mother Mar. 29,
1815, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The grandparents of our subject settled in Wyandot
County at a very early day. They were a hard working couple,
& passed away at a good old age, the grandfather being
buried in Delaware County, the grandmother at Millgrove,
Wood County. He was a Mason by trade, & built the first
brick house erected in Wyandot County, the completion of
which he celebrated in a unique manner, by standing on his
head on top of the chimney. Charles DeWitt was
reared in Wyandot County, the family living in true pioneer
style during his boyhood. The paternal home was a double log
building, of which a portion
was used as a school house in the early days. He learned the
Mason’s trade of his father, & built many chimneys for the
partially civilized Wyandot Indians, whose language he
learned to speak. On Sept. 17, 1840, he was married in
Wyandot County, & on Jan. 02, 1855, removed with his
family from Findlay, where he had been living for a year, to
Perry Twp, where he had bought 160 acres lying in Section 4,
paying cash for it. The journey was made in wagons, & Mr.
DeWitt began at once improving his land & making of it a
fine farm. He employed his time principally at this,
although he did occasional work at his trade, & was very
successful financially. He was a public spirited man, & did
much for the growth & development of the Section in general.
At the time of his death he was the owner of 304 acres,
which he had acquired by his own exertions. Mr. DeWitt
had a good common school education, & taught school 18
terms. He was a great reader, especially of the newspapers,
& was better posted on current events than the average
farmer, & a very entertaining companion. In his political
affiliations he was first a Whig & later a Republican, & a
stanch supporter of his Party, although never an office
seeker. He was a stout, robust man, & his death was sudden,
taking place Jan. 25, 1865. His wife survived him until
Aug. 26, 1893, & they lie side by side in the Cemetery at
West Millgrove. Both were members of & liberal
contributors to the Presbyterian Church at West Millgrove,
with which united in 1855. The children of this worthy
couple were as follows: Oliver P., born Jan. 19,
1842, died Oct. 3, 1844; Henry C., born Feb. 25, 1844, lives in Ottawa, Kansas; W. S., is our
subject; Alvin C., born Nov. 10, 1848, died Sept. 4, 1850; Emma J., born
Jan. 06, 1852,
died Aug. 18, 1853.
W. S. DeWitt, whose name opens this sketch,
obtained his first schooling at Carey & Findlay, & after his
parents’ removal from the latter place, at West Millgrove,
where his first teacher was Miss Cornelia
Holcomb. He was a
student for one term at Oberlin College; but his father’s
sudden death put an end to his school days, as he was needed
at home to look after the estate. He went to work on the
home farm, & in 1871 bought out the interests of the other
heirs, & became its sole owner, his mother living there with
him during the remainder of her life. He now has 220 acres
of land under fine cultivation, & one of the best farms in
the vicinity.
On Feb. 1, 1872, Mr. DeWitt was married, at
West Millgrove, to Miss Alma, the daughter of
Seneca & Sarah (Foote) Leonard, who was born in Osceola,
Ohio, Oct. 25, 1851. To this union the following children
have come: Charles Howard, who is teaching in
Perry Twp; Frank, born June 11, 1875, who is also
teaching in Perry Twp; Althea, born Oct. 8, 1877;
Herbert, born Nov. 1, 1880; Fred, born
Nov. 14, 1883; & Doretha, born Nov. 15, 1892.
Mr. DeWitt has always been a stanch supporter of the
Republican Party, but
has never cared to hold office. He has been a member of the
School Board
in his District, & takes a deep interest in the cause of
education. His
wife is a member of the Congregational Church, & is a
liberal contributor to
religious & benevolent enterprises. Mr. DeWitt is an
intelligent man, whose
opinions are highly valued by his neighbors, & he is looked
upon as a
representative citizen of Perry Twp. He is a successful
farmer, & has
hosts of friends, who appreciate his many good qualities.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of
Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 959
(This biography was submitted by
Bob Weaver, Columbus,
OH) |
| |
ADAM DICKEN Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1134 |
| |
JOSHUA H. DICKEN Source: Commemorative Historical
& Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1098 |
| |
WILLIAM E. DIEBLEY
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1122 |
| |
ANTON DIEFENTHALER
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1366 |
| PHOTOS |
LEWIS DIENST Source: Commemorative Historical &
Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present -
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 736 |
| |
ANDREW DIETER, a retired
farmer of Prairie Depot, was born Nov. 30, 1826, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and in 1841 came to the United
States. His parents were Andrew and Barbara Dieter,
the former of whom was a tailor in Germany. They
embarked at Havre on a sailing vessel, and, after a
four-weeks' voyage, landed in New York City. Their
first location in Ohio was in Wayne county, twelve miles
north of Wooster. The father had $200 left after
arriving in America, and he bought a little farm for $400,
for which he went in debt. After a four-years' stay in
Wayne county he sold his farm, and moved to Homer township,
Medina county. In 1849 he came to Montgomery township
and bought a farm in Section 27, only a few acres of which
were cleared. He died at the age of sixty-two years,
and his wife when eighty-four years years old. Both
are buried in Montgomery township. Their children were
as follows: Christina, who married, and died in
Iowa; Jacob, who lives in Risingsun; Andrew,
our subject; George, a resident of Michigan;
Barbara, now Mrs. Samuel St. Clair, of Freedom
township; John, who died in Montgomery township; and
J. C., a farmer of Montgomery township.
Our subject went to school in Germany, and later in
America. After arriving in this country he was obliged
to attend school, where he was the only German boy, and, not
being able to speak the English language very well, was made
fun of and called "Dutchy" by his schoolmates.
The Germans were often the target for the unprinciples boys,
and were imposed upon in various ways. Our subject was
picked out by his schoolmates, and especially by one, a
brother of the teacher, as an object to be tantalized with
impunity. Though not naturally quarrelsome, he would
not submit to any unjust imposition. This brother of
the teacher was of about the same age, and his repeated
taunts and mean tricks could no longer be endured by our
subject, so one day he administered a sound thrashing, in
true school-boy style, which seemed to be an intimation of
what was in store for future offenders, and, needless to
say, he was respected by all from that time on. Mr.
Dieter worked on various farms in the neighborhood as a
hand for $4 per month. When twenty-one years old he
was able to earn $8 per month. He came to Wood county
in advance of his father's family to look up a home, the
parents joining him in 1849.
Mr. Dieter was married Mar. 28, 1850, in
Montgomery township, to Miss Hannah Dunkel, who was
born in Center county, Penn., a daughter of Malachi
Dunkel Up to this time he had never owned land and
at his marriage he had but a few dollars. He first
real estate was ten acres of land, on which stood a log
cabin, with puncheon floor and mud and stick chimney, the
furniture of the house consisting of three stools and a
table, and a home-made bedstead. Mr. Dieter
followed farming until 1894, when he bought the fine house
in Prairie Depot where he lives in retirement. The
following children were born to him and his wife:
John, residing in Prairie Depot; Jacob, a farmer
of Montgomery township; Sarah, now Mrs. John
Wisner of Montgomery; Lavina, who became the wife
of Nelson Graham a resident of Montgomery;
Caroline who married John Smith, and died in
Michigan; Barbara, now the wife of Jack Dicken
of Montgomery; Adaline, Mrs. Edwin Gris, of
Sandusky county; George, a farmer of Montgomery
township; and James, also a farmer in that township.
Mr. Dieter was at one time a Democrat, but became a
stanch Republican. In religious connections he is a
member of the Evangelical Church, and is one of its main
supporters; has held various offices in the Church, and is
foremost in all matters pertaining to its work. He
gave the land on which to build Mt. Zion church, in
Montgomery township, and gave the church its name. He
is a self-made man, has been a hard worker, and stands high
in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
Source:
Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers
and Co. 1897 - Page 1130 |
Altha Dieter
Jacob F. Dieter |
JACOB DIETER. Of the
many German-boarn citizens who have assisted in the work of
opening up the varied activities of this seciton, and
establishing its prosperity, the hardy pioneer whose name
introduces this sketch is among the oldest now living.
He is a native of Wittenberg, Germany, born Sept. 25,
1824, the eldest son and second child of Andrew and
Barbara (Keller) Dieter. He attended such schools
in the Fatherland as his father could afford, and, at the
age of sixteen, he spent one term in school, familiarizing
himself with the English language; but, being the eldest
son, he was the first to be of use to his parents, and his
help was given at the expense of his education. Though
not large, he was strong and robust, and could perform much
work. He assisted at home until his marriage in Wayne
county, Ohio, to Miss Altha Geer, a native of
Westfield township, Medina Co., Ohio, who was born Dec. 28,
1827, the only daughter of Amasa Geer, a Yankee by
birth, and his wife, Cynthia Hays, who was born in
Maryland, of Scotch parentage. Their children were as
follows: Warren went to Utah, and has not been
heard from for many years; Joseph, a soldier, lost
his life during the Civil war; Amasa died in
childhood; Edward and Thomas died in youth;
Alexander was killed while in the army; John,
a peddler, mysteriously disappeared in Illinois, being
probably murdered; Altha married our subject, and
Wesley died in Indiana. Mr. Geer died at
the age of eighty-four years in Vermilion county, Ind.; but
Mrs. Geer departed this life when her daughter
was only seven years old, and this caused the young girl to
be placed among strangers to make her own way. She was
a large, well-built girl, and possessed more than ordinary
strength, being able to do the work of any boy of her age,
and more than some could do. Fortunately she found a
good home, with the family of Calvin Putnam, a
farmer, of Medina county, where she lived for some time.
Her opportunities for schooling were poor, one winter term
being the most that she had.
The young couple had but few household goods and fewer
dollars, but each was healthy, strong and industrious, with
the energy of youth to sustain them, and such an entrance on
life's pathway did not discourage them. Mr. Dieter
rented land in Medina county, and began farming, remaining
in that locality until early in the spring of 1850, when
with his wife and baby he moved to Wood county and settled
in Montgomery township. They drove through from their
hold home, and one wagon was sufficient to carry their
entire belongings. It was necessary to rent land
again, and not until 1853 did they have a home which they
could call their own. Previous to this purchase they
spent one year in Vermilion county, Ind., but on their
return they bought twenty acres in Section 22, Montgomery
township, a part of the "home farm" of the Dieter
family. Mr. Dieter built a hewed-log
house with his own hands, and here he and his wife spent
many happy days. It was sparsely furnished, but it was
their very own, and Mrs. Dieter took quite as much
pride in keeping it neat and clean as she does in the
appearance of their present modern residence. She was
a powerful woman, and often helped her husband in the
fields, doing a remarkable amount of work. Mr.
Dieter enlarged his income by working for others,
chopping in winter and farming in summer. Money was
scarce and wages low, and he walked seven miles to split
rails at fifty cents per day. Thus they toiled, each
year seeing their condition improved, and soon more land was
bought, and a better home built.
Nine children were born to them, whose names, with
dates of birth are given here: Barbara M., July
16, 1849, married Thomas Laflure, of
Bettsville, Ohio, and has three children - Clara,
Alla, and Maggie. (2) Alexander P.,
Feb. 19, 1851, a farmer in Portage township, has three
children - Bert, Charles, and Jacob.
(3) Mary J., Mar. 30, 1853, died Oct. 15, 1856.
(4) Julia A., Dec. 25, 1855, married John
Richards, of Idaho, and has two children - Ella
and Frederick. (5) John H., Aug. 31,
1857, a farmer in Montgomery township, has three children -
Carrie, Allen, and Frederick. (6)
Christena C., born Sept. 10, 1859, married Reuben
Gardner, of Helena, Ohio, and has one child -
Charles. (7) Mary E., Feb. 10, 1862, married
Charles Lawhead, of Montgomery township, and has
three children - Wilbur, Harvey, and Mahlon.
(8) Clara J., Mar. 25, 1864, married Charles
Cook, of Georgia, and has two children - Maud
and Claude. (9) Charles F., born in
1872, died in infancy.
In 1870 Mr. Dieter moved to a farm in
Section 28, Montgomery township, near Prairie Depot, and he
now owns about 100 acres of valuable land there, as well as
one of the most desirable residences in Risingsun, where he
lived from April, 1894 to April, 1896. He now resides
upon his farm. He has a goodly competence won by the
efforts of the past years, and his estimable wife receives
from him a large share of the credit for its accumulation.
They have given each of their children a liberal start in
life, and are generous contributors to any worthy cause.
Mr. Dieter is a man whose integrity no person would
question, and his thrift and economy have not caused him to
forget all aims except the securing of property. He
and his wife have been consistent members of the Evangelical
Church, for more than forty years, and he has held various
offices and is one of the pillars. To this and other
churches he has given freely, helping to erect many new
buildings, and his place will be hard to fill when he passes
to his eternal reward.
Mrs. Dieter is held in affectionate regard among
a wide circle of acquaintances for the kindly deeds which
her strong but gentle hands have done in many sick rooms.
Day after day she has spent in tender care for others, and
her wholesome presence is of itself a help to recovery.
Her vitality is wonderful, and, indeed, except for
that fact, she could scarcely have lived through such a life
as hers, and still be as active and well-preserved as she
is. Few women will be more missed; a kinder-hearted
neighbor or better mother could not be found.
In public affairs Mr. Dieter has always taken an
intelligent interest. Until Lincolns candidacy
he was a Democrat, but since that time he has been a
Republican, and while he has not been an office seeker, he
takes keen interest in the success of his party, and attends
elections regularly. In local politics he is
independent supporting the best man, whatever ticket his
name may appear upon.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 888 |
| |
ROBERT DIGBY, JR.
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1331 |
| ** |
MRS. SARAH A. DIGBY
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1036 |
| |
WILLIAM DIGBY
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1088 |
INSERT PORTRAIT
Squire S. Dilley,
M. D.
|
S. S. DILLEY, M. D.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 1208 |
| |
A. K. DILLINGER
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1037 |
| |
SAMUEL C. DIMICK
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1356 |
| |
JAMES DINDORE
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1278 |
| |
M. E. DIRK
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1134 |
| |
O. W. DIVER
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1071 |
| |
OSMAN A. DIVER
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 720 |
| |
HENRY H. DODGE
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 454 |
| ** |
GEORGE DOIL
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1168 |
| |
EBENEZER DONALDSON
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 842 |
| |
HENRY DOTY
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 506 |
| |
CLARENCE E. DOWLING
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1286 |
| |
W. E. DOWLING
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1277 |
| |
W. H. DOWNING
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1042 |
| |
O. P. DRAKE
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1283 |
| |
JOSEPH DREPS, SR.
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 807 |
| |
EXEA DUCAT
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 529 |
| |
GILBERT DUCAT
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 532 |
| |
JULIUS DUCAT
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1330 |
| |
MARSHAL DUCAT
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1279 |
| |
WILLIAM S. DUESLER
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1055 |
|
|
JONATHAN DUHAMEL,
a prosperous agriculturist of Perrysburg Township, was born
in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1832, a son of Henry
and Margaret (Johnson) Duhamel, who were born and reared
in Maryland, and where they were married. In 1820 they
came to Ohio, and made their home in Guernsey county.
In May, 1851, Mr. Duhamel removed to Perrysburg
township, Wood county, where he purchased land and improved
it. Six children were born to them, as follows:
Amos was a soldier in the Civil war, and died in
Wisconsin; Benamin is yet living; James who
was also a soldier, died in Indiana in 1882; Jonathan
is our subject; the other children died in Guernsey county,
Ohio, in 1836, and the father, for his second wife, wedded
Miss May Arnold. She died in Wood county in
1886, leaving seven children, all of whom except one are
living, but we have record of only three: Maria
lives in Perrysburg; William in Cygnet; Daniel
is deceased; Fred lives in Dunbridge. The
father of Henry Duhamel was born in 1765, and died in
Wood county in 1862.
Our subject was educated in the district schools of his
native county, also at Belmont Academy, Tuscarawas county,
and was nearly twenty years old when the family came to Wood
county. Some two years later he purchased unimproved
land in Perrysburg township, which he cleared and
cultivated. In 1861 he was married, in Middleton
township, to Miss Eunice M. Connor, who was born in
Genesee county, N. Y., and of this union six children were
born, namely: Adella (now Mrs. Henline), who
resides in Freeport, Ohio; Elizabeth (Mrs. McPherson),
of Dunbridge; and James, Grant, George and Grace,
all at home. In 1862 Mr. Duhamel enlisted in
Company D, 111th O. V. I. for three years, or during the
war. They were assigned to the Department of Ohio and
Tennessee, and he served the most of the time on
detached duty. In July, 1865, he was honorably
discharged at Indianapolis, and returned home to engage in
the peaceful pursuits of farm life. Since that time
Mr. Duhamel has given his attention to the cultivation
of his land, and has prospered in the business. He is
a Republican, but has never taken any active interest in
politics beyond using his influence in the selection of good
men for office. He is public spirited, ever ready to
assist in any enterprise looking to the welfare of the
community, and was the first man to petition for a ditch law
in Perrysburg township. Mr. Duhamel is a member
of Wolford Post No. 51, G. A. R., at Perrysburg, in which he
has held office at various times. He is highly
respected by all who know him.
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1262 |
|
|
DAVID L. DULL,
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1126 |
|
|
JOHN DULL
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1116 |
|
|
WILLIAM DUNIPACE
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 1166 |
|
|
WILLIAM W. DUNIPACE
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 547 |
Frank W. Dunn |
FRANK W. DUNN, a well-known
resident of Bowling Green, was born on the east coast of
England Dec. 18, 1841, and is the eldest in the family of
four children born to John F. and Miriam (Wright) Dunn.
The mother and two of the
daughters died in 1847, and a few years subsequently the
father emigrated to Canada, bringing with him his two
remaining children - the subject of this sketch and his
brother Robert. Members of the family on the
paternal and mental sides had previously emigrated from the
mother country, some of them having settled in Canada,
others in the United States. For a time, Frank
lived with his uncle on a farm near Toronto, and afterward
with an old friend of his father. After a residence of
about two and a half years in Canada, the father and
his two sons came to Ohio, settling in Bloom township, this
county, on a tract of land adjoining the village of
Eagleville, where some of his father's relative were then
living. The large purchased was covered with heavy
timber; the surrounding country was new; money was a scarce
commodity, and a good deal of hard work was necessary to
make a comfortable home.
With a view of earning money to assist his father in
paying for and improving his land, our subject went to
Lorain county, in the spring of each year, for several
seasons, and worked on a farm, during the summer months,
returning to Wood county in the fall. In September,
1862, while employed on a farm in Lorain county, he
enlisted, for three years, in the Hoffman Battalion,
afterward merged into the 128th Regiment, O. V. I. He
remained in the service until June, 1865, and was honorably
discharged, by reason of the termination of the war.
In September, 1865, he went to Alpena, Mich., then a very
small village, and spent the winter in the pineries north of
that place. Returning to Ohio in the spring of 1866,
he followed the pursuits of a farmer for several years, in
Perry township, Wood county, and was twice elected assessor
of the township, at the second election receiving every vote
cast in the township. In the winter months, he usually
taught a term of district school, in either bloom or Perry
township. In 1873, he came to Bowling Green, and has
resided here ever since, excepting two years spent in
western Kansas.
For several years Mr. Dunn was deputy sheriff of
Wood county, and at intervals has been employed in all the
various offices of the county. In 1880, he was one of
the United States census enumerators, and was clerk of
Center township, for two years. While living in Kansas
he was elected and served as county recorder.
In the spring of 1888, our subject was married to
Miss Emma J. Loomis the eldest daughter of Daniel
Loomis, of Bowling Green. She was deputy clerk
of courts, in Wood county, for several years, and has the
distinction of being the first lady legally appointed to an
office in the county, the late Judge Pillars making
the appointment. Subsequently she filled the office of
deputy recorder of the county. Mr. Dunn is a
member of the firm of Robert & Frank W. Dunn,
abstracters of land titles, who have made a specialty of
this work for more than twenty years.
Source:
Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers
and Co. 1897 - Page 484 |
|
|
JOSEPH X. DURLIAT
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 927 |
NOTES:
|
