BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio,
Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897
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J. I. Hankey |
I. L. HANKEY
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 464 |
John R. Hankey |
JOHN R. HANKEY
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 436 |
|
SAMUEL
J. HARPER is a native of Holmes county, Ohio, where
he was born Sept. 22, 1829. His parents were Thomas
and Mary (White) Harper, the former of whom was born in
Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1816, and the latter in
Washington county, Penn. They were married in
Jefferson county, and moved to DeKalb county, Ind., in 1852,
and Mrs. Harper died there in 1855. Mr.
Harper returned to Ohio in 1858 and settled in Wood
county, where he married Mrs. Nancy (Barton) Jamison.
He died at the home of our subject in 1880. He was the
father of the following children: William is a
farmer in Weston; Jane married George McKeg,
and died in Cincinnati; Samuel J., is our subject;
George P. resides in DeKalb county, Ind., on a farm;
Elizabeth died unmarried; James H. is a railroad
man of Bellevue.
William Harper, grandfather of our subject, was
born in Ireland, where he married a Miss Johnston, a
native of the same country. He was a soldier in the
war of 1812, and was accidentally drowned in the Ohio river.
Our subject remained in Holmes county, Ohio, until he
was sixteen years of age, at which time he went to DeKalb
county, Ind., where he stayed until 1856, when he came to
Wood county. He was married in Perrysburg, Oct. 23,
1856, to Miss Mary J. Barton, who was born in Holmes
county, Apr. 11, 1835. They have one child, Thomas,
a railroad conductor residing at Leipsic Junction, Putnam
Co., Ohio. He was born Feb. 27, 1858, and married
Miss Addie Boggs, who was born in Weston township.
Three children have been born to them: Harry, Harvey
and Bessie. After his marriage our subject
lived in DeKalb county for a year, then came to Wood county,
and from here went to Tontogany, where he accepted an
appointment on the C. H. & D. railroad as brakeman, and in
two years was promoted to the position of conductor.
From 1860 t 1865 he ran an accommodation train from Toledo
to Lima, after which time he entered the mercantile business
at Milton Center. In 1871 he sold out and entered the
railway mail service, running between Toledo and Cincinnati
for two years, when he was transferred to the fast mail on
the L. S. & M. S. R. R., and ran from Cleveland to Syracuse
for fifteen and a half years. He then quit the mail
service to enter the egg and poultry business in Weston,
where he remained for three and a half years. Becoming
tired of that, he moved to the farm on which he now lives.
He is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the
Presbyterian Church. He cast his first vote for
Winfield Scott. Mrs. Harper was in the
millinery and dress-making business in Weston for nine
years, while he was engaged in the mail service.
Mrs. Harper is the daughter of James and
Charlotte (Johnson) Barton, the former of whom was born
in Mifflin county, Penn., Feb. 27, 1807, and the latter in
Jefferson county, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1811. They were
married Dec. 18, 1826. She died Apr. 23, 1896, but
Mr. Harper is still in the enjoyment of good health.
The following children blessed their union: Ann, the
wife of George Bell, of Holmes county, Ohio, died in
Wood county in 1855; John died at the age of two and
a half years; Mary Jane is wife of our subject;
Henry J. died Dec. 7, 1894; Samuel J. lives in
Weston township; Harriet E. married Ellis Williams;
Stephen Taylor lives in Weston township; one other
died in infancy. Mrs. Harper grew to womanhood
in Holmes county, and came with her parents to Wood county
in 1852, and they later settled in Grand Rapids township,
from where they went to Weston township. Mr. and
Mrs. Barton were both members of the Disciples Church,
and he is a Democrat in politics.
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1102 |
W. S. Haskell |
WILLIAM S. HASKELL
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of
Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 456 |
|
COLLISTER HASKINS.
Among that dauntless set of Eastern men who, ambitious to carve out
for themselves homes from the then wilds of the West, and who left
peaceful firesides and braved the dangers and privations incident to
a frontier life is the whose name introduces this memoir. Born
of good parentage at North Prescott, Mass., Aug. 25, 1799, young
Haskins was early educated to habits of virtue, morality,
order industry and economy and was therefore well prepared for the
task before him. He removed to Maumee river, settling at
Waterville in 1817, and, June 16, 1818, was married to Miss Fanny,
daughter of Martin Gunn, of that place, the ceremony being
performed by Seneca Allen, a justice of the peace. The
mother of Collister Haskins, a woman of many virtues, was an
own cousin to President Franklin Pierce. The parents of
Mrs. Haskins - Martin and Sarah (Winslow) Gunn - were from
Massachusetts, becoming early settlers in the Maumee Valley; the
Guns were of Scotch descent.
To the marriage of our subject and wife were born
children, as follows: Two (a boy and a girl) who died in
infancy; Delia, who died unmarried in Portage; Wealthy,
the wife of John De Witt, a farmer of Wood county; Sarah,
the wife of Joseph Clark, a resident of Missouri; Henry
a resident of Butler, Ind., whose first wife was Hannah Ferside,
and whose present wife was a Miss Hutchinson; Chrissa, who
married Isaac Van Gordner, and resides in Portage, Wood
county; Cynthia, the wife of Jesse Lane Roller a
prominent druggist and business man of Toledo.
Pioneer Haskins, it will be observed, was only a
boy of eighteen years at the time of his marriage; but, possessed of
a good constitution, and being of a resolute and determined will, he
at once set out to make for himself and family a home. During
his stay on the Maumee river, he passed some three years on what is
known as Granger's Island. In July, 1824, he entered, from the
government, land in Section 12, Liberty township, this county, and
in September following removed to the east half of the northeast
quarter of the same section. When his cabin was ready to be
raised, his friends came from Waterville, twelve miles distant, to
assist him. This cabin was built of logs, and stood near the
bank of a creek, not far from the old stockade made by Gen. Hull
in 1812, and which was occupied by a few soldiers during the war, as
an advance post on the "middle route" to the Foot of the Rapids.
Here Mr. Haskins began trading with the Indians. He
kept a variety store, being supplied with such goods as were then in
demand, and purchasing his goods from Gen. John E. Hunt, of
Maumee City. During the first four years of his residence in
Wood county, Mr. Haskins' nearest neighbor was at
Miltonville, twelve miles north, and his next, twenty-two miles
south. Through his efforts a post office was established at
"Haskins Place" in Jan. 1829. He laid out the village of
Portage in 1836, and was an honored citizen of that place and
vicinity throughout his life. For some years after Mr.
Haskins settled on the site of Portage, the Indians still
lingered in their old homes, retaining almost undisputed possession
of their sugar camps and hunting-grounds, although the whites were
rapidly appropriating the sites of their villages and their favorite
fishing-grounds. A description of the Indians of this vicinty
was they were from 1825 to 1840, which is of great interest, was
given to history by our subject. The death of Mr. Haskins
occurred at his residence in Portage, May 7, 1872, after a life of
great usefulness to the pioneer people among whom he passed the
vigor of his manhood. He had lived a pious life, and when
death came it had no terrors for him, his last words being: "It is
all right; glory to God."
With other early pioneers, Mr. Haskins passed
through the hardships and privations incident to such a life, and
performed the labors, which fell to his lot, with patience and
cheerfulness, never murmuring at his misfortunes or losses, but ever
laboring to make others happy, sacrificing his own means, ease and
quiet for others without reserve. His enemies, if he had any,
were few, and his friendship was constant and sincere.
He was a member of the Baptist Church. He was careful in his
words and acts, calm in his demeanor, intelligent in his
conclusions, and outspoken in his sentiments, when he deemed it duty
to speak thus yet always mindful lest he might needlessly give pain
or offense. Such a character was not formed hastily,
resembling rather the oak which in the growth of centuries. In
the death of an old man, whose memory is retentive and pure, much
that is valuable to society dies with him.
Source: The Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County - By: M. A. Leeson - Published: 1897 -
Page 439 |
|
C. B. HEDGE, is one of the steady going young men
and prosperous farmers of Montgomery Township, where he was
born Oct. 11, 1866, in Section 17, at the home of his
parents, George B. and Kate (Crawfoot) Hedge. His
education was such as the district schools of the
neighborhood afforded, his first teacher being Miss Mollie
Smith, and he completed his literary studies at the age of
nineteen years.
The boyhood days of Mr. Hedge were spent upon
his father's farm, and when not in the schoolroom he
assisted in its cultivation, and was also employed in his
father's mill; but farming and teaming were his principal
pursuits. He remained a member of the parental household
until his marriage, which important event in his life was
celebrated Oct. 4, 1888, in Bowling Green, Ohio, Miss
Elsie Gobble, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Echelberger)
Gobble, becoming his wife. Her mother is now the wife of
George Amos, a prominent resident of this county.
Three children have come to the union of our subject and his
wife: Nora M., born Sept. 21, 1891; Elva,
born July 9, 1893; and Harry, born Apr. 28, 1895. After his marriage Mr. Hedge located upon a portion
of his father's farm, where he yet owns a house and an acre
of ground. In March, 1892, he removed to his present
residence, and is now engaged in operating his father's
place, also devoting considerable time to teaming. He is a
wide awake, progressive young business man, public spirited
and enterprising, and no doubt a successful future awaits
him. He is an excellent farmer, and just such a citizen as
the name Hedge in Montgomery Township suggests.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1225
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver |
|
F. T. HEDGE,
the senior member of the well known firm of F. T. Hedge
& Co., is at the head of the largest tile factory in Wood
county, and is one of its most successful and enterprising
business men. He is a native of Ohio, born in York
township, Medina county, May 5, 1853, and is the second son
and third child in the family of George B. and Kate (Crawfoot)
Hedge. He was quite small when brought to Wood
county, where he acquired his education in the district
schools, and previous to his seventeenth year worked upon
the home farm and in his father's mill. At that time
Mr. Hedge began learning the saddler's trade
with Andrew Emerine, at Fostoria, Ohio, where
he worked for two years, when failing health caused him to
abandon that trade for a time, though he later followed it
for several years, in fact, until 1885. In the early
‘'eighties’’ he began brick and tile making in Montgomery
township with his brother G. W., buying an interest
in the business of Russel Morgan. His
father afterward became a partner in the enterprise, but
later sold his share to another brother, H. W., and
the firm assumed the present title, that of F. T.
Hedge & Co. They are now extensively engaged in the
manufacture of tile, having a large plant erected in 1892,
the main building being 40 x98 feet, four stories in height,
with a wing 36x82 feet. Our subject thoroughly
understands the business in all its departments, the
arrangement for drying being originated by him, and very
economical.
At the home of Harlow Hill, in Montgomery
township, on Feb. 13, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Hedge and Miss Martha Caskie, who was born near
Carey, Ohio, May 3, 1858, and is the daughter of James
and Matilda (Smith) Caskie. They began
housekeeping in Montgomery township, on Section 18, and in
1892 remodeled their residence, and now have a comfortable
and pleasant dwelling. The home has been brightened by
the birth of two children - Jay C., born Jan. 19,
1889; and George B., born Oct. 9, 1892. Mr.
Hedge uses his right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Democratic party, but takes no active
part in political affairs; socially he is a worthy member of
Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., of Prairie Depot; of
Prairie Depot Lodge No. 646, I. O. O. F.; and Crystal
Encampment No. 271. Like all of the members of the
well-known Hedge family, of Montgomery
township, he is prosperous and well-to-do, his success being
mainly due to his own ability, enterprise and industry, and
as the result of his efforts he has secured a comfortable
competence, which is justly merited.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 502 |
|
GEORGE B. HEDGE.
Among the venerable citizens of Montgomery township, none is
better known or more highly respected than he whose name
opens this sketch, and whose family of children are
also worthy members of the community. He was born
Sept. 28, 1819, in Concord, N. H., and is the son of
George T. Hedge.
The grandfather of our subject was a native of
England, and his calling was that of a whaler.
He was the first of this family to come to the United
States, and settled in Portland, Me., from which port he
sailed on his whaling expeditions. He was lost at sea
while on one of these voyages. He left two
children, George T., and a daughter, Mary.
His widow never re-married, and died in Boston, where she
lived with relatives. Mary married a man by the
name of Nobles, and resided in Boston until her
death. George T. married Miss Nancy Bradley,
a native of New Hampshire, and of Irish extraction.
Their two children were George B., our subject, and
Mary Noble. The father was a shoemaker
by trade, and at one time was overseer of the shoe shop of
the State prison of New Hampshire. After the death of
his first wife he married Dorcas Pettengill,
who bore him two children. He was commonly known as “Captain"
Hedge, having at one time commanded the Portland
artillery. He was a man of fine character, and was
very popular among his acquaintances. He died Jan. 10,
1865, at the age of seventy years.
Our subject was only seven years old when he was put
out to work with a farmer named Asa Bradley,
who soon after moved to northern New Hampshire, afterward
going to Medina county, Ohio. When seventeen years old
Mr. Hedge left this family, and began working
for himself as a farm hand. The death of his mother,
which occurred when he was a mere child, having broken up
the family, he had lost all trace of his father. About
the time last mentioned, in reading a newspaper, he noticed
that a man named Hedge had been appointed keeper of
the State arsenal, at Portland, Me., and writing to him, the
man proved to be his father. The son took what money
he had saved, and went to New England, visiting his father
and other relatives. During this visit Mr.
Hedge was for one summer employed in the State arsenal
at Portland, Me., where his father was overseer. He
soon after returned to Medina county, and again went to work
on the farm. His only possessions at this time were
the clothes he had on, and a very little money. When
he left the Bradley family he had only the commonest of
apparel, a palm leaf hat and cotton pantaloons. His
most cherished piece of property was a very small knife,
which was made for him by a prisoner in the New Hampshire
penitentiary, and which he still has in his possession.
After working on the farm for a time Mr. Hedge
was employed in a sawmill where he gained a good knowledge
of the business. He rented a sawmill in Medina county,
and afterward bought a half interest in one which was
located at Center, York township, Medina county. His
first purchase of land was fifty acres in Guilford township,
that county, which he sold on becoming owner of the sawmill.
Subsequently Mr. Hedge went into the
hotel business in Medina county, where he remained three
years, coming from there to Montgomery township, Wood
county, in September, 1855. He had purchased land in
this township from parties in Pennsylvania, which comprised
240 acres, in Section 5, for which he went in debt.
The family drove from their former home to their new
location, and lived in a rough-log house without windows
until a better one could be built. Mr Hedge
was married in Medina county, Sept, 10, 1845, to
Catherine M. Crawfoot, who was born in the town of
Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Apr. 8, 1829. Her parents
were Ambrose and Annie (Snyder) Crawfoot, who came to
Medina county when their daughter was seven years old, and
settled in the woods in Mountville township. Her
father's family comprised fourteen children, Mrs.
Hedge being the eldest of the five children born to the
second wife. Her parents came to Wood county in 1855,
and settled in Montgomery township, where they died.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hedge are as
follows: George W., Feb. 22, 1848, lives in
Montgomery township; Ophelia A., Aug. 7, 1849, is now
Mrs. J. H. Lusk; Frank T., May 5, 1853;
Albert, Apr. 13, 1859, died May 2, of the same year;
Harland W., Feb. 23, 1862; Calvin B., Oct. 11,
1866. These children all live in Montgomery township,
and have given evidence of their excellent home training by
becoming most estimable and influential citizens. Soon
after coming to Wood county Mr. Hedge sold off
forty acres of his land. Later he bought, in Section
17, a sawmill with four acres of land, and on the latter
built a house, where he has resided ever since. He was
engaged in the sawmill business until 1889, when he sold out
to his son, George W., who is carrying on an
extensive trade. At various times Mr. Hedge
has bought small amounts of land, and is now the owner of
139 acres. He was appointed postmaster, under
President Buchanan, at Montgomery Cross Roads,
which was the first post office in the township, and served
until the office was removed to Prairie Depot. He has
always been a Democrat, and cast his first vote in 1840 in
Defiance, Ohio, where he was at that time at work on the
Wabash canal. He has served in various township
offices, and as justice of the peace. He was in his
early days a member of the Odd Fellows, but on his removal
to Wood county was so far distant from any lodge that he
dropped his membership. Mr. Hedge is a
self-made man, and had but very little schooling, but has
acquired a practical education by observation and reading,
he has traveled over the United States from Portland, Me.,
to San Francisco, Cal., and has made good use of his
experiences and opportunities. He began life with
nothing he could call his own, and by industry and economy
has acquired a comfortable fortune. He has reared a
large family of children. all of whom live in his immediate
neighborhood, are prosperous and highly esteemed; and he is
now passing the evening of his life, surrounded by his loved
ones, and with the consciousness of having done his whole
duty, as far as he can see it, in every relation of life. He
has to-day the good will and kindly regard of every one who
knows him.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 974 |
|
GEORGE W. HEDGE, an
extensive lumber dealer residing at Prairie Depot, is one of
the best-known and most popular citizens of Montgomery
township, and was born in the town of Abbeyville, Medina
Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1848. He is the eldest child of
his parents, George B. and Catherine M. (Crawford) Hedge.
When our subject was seven years old the family moved
to Wood county, and he entered District School No. 3, in
Montgomery township, which was taught by Mrs. S. C.
Guernsey. He had already attended school in Medina
county, entering at the early age of four years. He
was very apt at learning, and after spending some time in
the district school was sent to private institution at
Prairie Depot, taught by Mr. McPeck. His father
was at this time in the saw mill business, and the lad early
acquired knowledge of its details, so that when seventeen
years of age he took entire charge of the mill, early
displaying the ability which has manifested itself in the
more extensive operations of his later days.
Mr. Hedge remained at home until his marriage,
Dec 28, 1873, in Prairie Depot, to Miss Melita Graham,
daughter of John and Melita (Anderson) Graham.
She was born Jan. 8, 1852, in Montgomery township, and was
educated in the district schools of that locality. The
young couple located on twenty acres in Section 20,
Montgomery township, which, with the exception of clearing
of three acres, was in its primitive condition, covered with
trees and brush, which had to be cleared away before house
could be erected. On this place Mr. Hedge
lived, cultivating his land, and at the same time working in
the mill with his father, who had made him partner in the
business when he was only twenty-two years old. They
had in operation at this time self acting shingle machine,
which was the first one of the kind in this part of Wood
county. This partnership continued until February,
1888, when it was dissolved, and in June, 1889, our subject
started the mill which he is now operating. On Jan. 5,
1874, Mr. Hedge was the victim of terrible
accident, from the effects of which he will never recover.
He was caught in belt, and dragged under the shaft and
thrown some distance, his right arm being torn into pieces,
the hand being thrown in one direction, and other portions
in different places, while the bone at the shoulder was
entirely stripped of flesh for some nine inches. It
was horrible sight, but Mr. Hedge walked
unassisted to his house, distance of thirty rods. Many
man would have succumbed to such shock, but his great
vitality aided his rapid recovery, and in four weeks he was
again ready to attend to business. Although the loss
of his arm has been great hardship, he has mastered every
detail of his business, and has been remarkably successful
in all his undertakings. His saw, planing and feed
mill is an extensive plant, built in modern style, equipped
with the latest machinery, and from ten to twelve men are
employed the year round. In connection with this he
has large lumber business, and handles all kinds of woods,
both native and foreign. He has erected the dwelling
in which the family lives, his home place has been
transformed into fertile fields and fruitful or chards, and
comfortable buildings, with all modern conveniences, have
taken the place of the primitive structure in which he at
first made his home. Mr. Hedge now owns
284 acres of land in Montgomery township. He is
stockholder in the Wood County Fair Association, and is one
of Montgomery township's leading men and representative
citizens. His grand success in business, wherein
majority fail, can be attributed to his thorough knowledge
of its requirements, and to his fair and honest methods of
dealing. There is no detail in his establishment, no
matter how intricate, that he is not perfectly familiar
with. While suffering under the disadvantage of having
but one arm, he can skillfully operate machinery that many
men with both arms would not be able to manipulate.
While he had no capital in the way of money with which to
start in life, his association with his father, as member of
the firm of George B. Hedge & Son, gave him great
prestige and credit, which in later years he has never
abused, and as an individual he stands as high as that firm
ever did. Mr. Hedge has delightful home,
in which he takes great pleasure, and there are few men in
Wood county in private life who have so extensive and so
valuable circle of acquaintances. One child, only, has
blessed the union of our subject and his wife, daughter,
named Carrie. For many years she was great
sufferer from inflammatory rheumatism, but through the best
medical skill that money could procure, and the tender
nursing of her devoted parents, she has finally recovered.
In his political views Mr. Hedge is in
sympathy with the Democratic party, but supports good men
for office, even if they happen to be of some other
political faith. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. at
Prairie Depot, and both he and his wife are members of the
Rebekah Lodge.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 703 |
|
HARLAND W. HEDGE,
a representative farmer and well-known business man of
Montgomery township, was-born in Section 17, that township,
Feb. 23, 1862, the fifth child and fourth son of George
B. and Catherine (Crawfoot) Hedge, who have taken a
prominent part in the upbuilding and welfare of the
community.
The education of our subject was acquired in the
district schools, and, when not busy with his text books he
aided in the work of the home farm, and in hauling logs to
his father's mill. He much preferred agricultural
pursuits, however, and as a result became more skillful
along that line that at the other occupation. He
remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which
was celebrated at Bowling Green, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1883,
Miss Annie E. Carr becoming his wife. Her birth
occurred in Eden township, Wyandot Co., Ohio, Jan. 25, 1861,
and she is a daughter of Richard and Mary (Alexander)
Carr, farming people. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedge
have come two interesting children - Foil D. born
Feb. 15, 1888; and Earl S., born Mar. 14, 1893.
The young couple began their domestic life upon a good farm
of forty acres in Section 18, Montgomery township, where
they still continue to live. In August, 1892, Mr.
Hedge
purchased his father's interest in the extensive tile
manufacturing plant of F. T. Hedge & Co., the members
of the firm being himself and brother F. T.
This is the largest factory of the kind in Wood county, and
the product turned out is first-class in every particular.
Our subject gives much of his attention to the business, but
also operates his farm, on which he erected an excellent
barn in 1894. Though a faithful Democrat, Mr.
Hedge manifests but a voting interest in politics; he
strongly sympathizes with his party, but is not radical, and
cares nothing for political preferment. He is a
genial, large-hearted, jolly good fellow, honest and upright
in all his dealings, and is one of the most highly respected
citizens of the township, in which he has made many warm
friends.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1135 |
|
JOSEPH
G. HELTMAN, a well known and greatly respected
citizen of Prairie Depot, was born in Center County,
Pennsylvania, Nov. 24, 1831. When he was six years old
his parents, Joseph [Sr.] and Catherine (Goldman) Heltman,
moved to Richland (now: Ashland) County, the journey being
made in wagons. In the latter county the father bought 160
acres of land, part of which was improved, on which he built
a double hewed log house, which was pretty comfortable for
those days, and there reared a family of eight children. In
his earlier days he was a millwright and a thorough
mechanic, being an expert in that line. He was also a
cabinet maker, and when his older daughters were married he
made them each a set of furniture. All the children grew to
maturity, and four sons and one daughter are still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Heltman were members of the Evangelical
Church. They both died in Ashland County, he at the age of
eighty four years, and she when ninety five.
Joseph G. Heltman [Jr.], our subject received
his early education in the district schools of Ashland
County, where his father built, on his farm, the first
school house our subject ever attended. He worked on the
farm and hauled wheat for his father when he was too small
to set up a sack in the wagon. At home he remained until he
was twenty one years old, and was married, in Ashland
County, to Miss Elizabeth W. Wheeler, who was born in
Rochester Township, Lorain County, Ohio, a daughter of
Thomas and Matilda (Link) Wheeler. The mother of
Mrs. Heltman died when the latter was a child,
and left her and a younger sister, who were reared by their
maternal grandfather, Adam Link, a farmer in Ashland
County. Mrs. Elizabeth W. Heltman was educated in the
Union School in Ashland, and there learned dress making with
an aunt, which business she followed, more or less, for
thirty five years.
After his marriage, our subject and his wife located on
the paternal homestead, where he followed farming until the
spring of 1858, when he moved to Osceola, Crawford County,
where he bought land and began to work for a home of his
own. On that place he lived over three years, and then moved
to a farm near Annapolis, Crawford County, where he intended
going into the hardware business, but changed his mind, and
farmed for two years. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in
Capt. Keller's Company, 49th O. V. I. [Ohio Volunteer
Infantry], and went to Galion for examination, but was
rejected. Not satisfied, however, he again made application
before the examining board at Toledo, but was again
rejected. In the spring of 1863 he came to Section 29,
Montgomery Township, and bought 80 acres of land, 15 of
which were cleared. His home was part frame and part
hewed-logs, and there he lived for 3 1/2 years; at the end
of which time, as his health was poor, he went to West
Independence, Hancock County, and engaged in a general
merchandise business. In that he remained for three years;
but indoor work did not agree with him, so he returned to
his farm in Wood County which he had rented during his
absence. His health was completely broken down, and for a
year or more he was unable to work. Subsequently he bought
60 acres of land in the same section, and built a home,
where he lived until Jan. 2, 1891, when he moved to
Prairie Depot, at which place, in 1890, he had built the
finest house to be seen there. At one time he was engaged in
the stock business and raised many fine horses and cattle.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Heltman are as
follows: Leander, who died when 13 years old; Ora B.,
deceased at the age of three years; Elmer W., Who
lives in Toledo, where he is a well-known specialist and
physician, and a lecturer in the Toledo Medical College;
Arthur A., now of Prairie Depot, where he is engaged in
the general merchandise and the oil business. At present
Joseph has 120 acres of land, all of which is cleared except
10 acres. He has one of the best farms in the Township,
besides a fine horse-barn and other buildings, all of which
are in excellent condition, and which he has put up by his
own means. Mr. Heltman is a Republican, and has
served as Township Assessor; for many years was President of
the Board of Education, of which he has been a member some
20 years. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist
Church, in which he has been an Elder, Trustee, and for 16
years Superintendent of the Sunday School. He has always
been liberal and his support of all church work, and was
active in building the one at Prairie Depot. He is a charter
member of Prairie Depot Lodge No. 646, I. O. O. F.
[Independent Order of Odd Fellows], and was one of the
committee selected to erect a monument to the soldiers of
Montgomery Township, at Prairie Depot, the design being the
one selected by him.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 920
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver
Research Note:
Catherine Goldman & Joseph Heltman are buried in: Ashland
Cemetery, Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio |
|
HENRY
HERSH, deceased, who during his life time was a
pioneer agriculturist of Grand Rapids Township, and a
soldier in the Civil War, was born Nov. 1, 1828, in
Carroll County, Ohio, a son of John and Rebecca Hersh; his
father had been for many years a leading farmer in that
county. The district schools of his native county furnished
Henry Hersh an elementary education, and he grew to manhood
upon his father's farm with the usual training of a country
youth. In 1854 he came to Wood County and purchased forty
acres of land in Weston Township, and cleared and improved
it, planting an orchard, and putting up substantial
buildings. A few years later he sold this and bought eighty
acres near Grand Rapids, which he also cleared and
transformed into a habitable and productive farm. He
constructed the first cider mill in the township, and made
thousands of gallons of cider each year. In 1864 Mr.
Hersh
enlisted in Company I, 144th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Capt.
J. McKee commanding), for the one hundred days service, and
served until the expiration of the term. He was disabled in
the Army, and died of typhoid fever, Sept. 26, 1889. Not
feeling strong enough to work his farm after his return from
the Army, he followed the carpenter's trade, building many
of the homes of the neighborhood.
On Apr. 14 1853, Mr. Hersh was married in
Holmes County to Miss Hannah Bell, a native of that
county, born Apr. 18 1833, a daughter of Margaret and
John Bell. They had nine children whose names
with dates of birth are as follows: Margaret, June
12, 1854, married Jacob Gundy; Emily A., born Mar.
20, 1857, died Apr. 16, 1862; John A., Aug. 23,
1859; George E., Feb. 7, 1862, is a farmer of
Grand Rapids Township; Edward G., Jan. 29, 1865,
graduated a Middle Point, Ohio, and in the Cincinnati
Medical College, being now a successful physician at McComb,
Ohio; William H., Oct. 12, 1868, received part of
his education in Grand Rapids, and is a leading dentist at
Piqua, Ohio, having prepared for his profession at the
Chicago Dental College, and also at Cincinnati; Arthur B.,
Jan. 13, 1872, graduated from the Veterinary College at
Toronto, Canada, and is now a veterinary surgeon near Grand
Rapids, Ohio; Delevan, June 11, 1875, farming on the
homestead; Doctor Franklin, Jan. 29, 1878,
is at Cleveland, Ohio.
In politics our subject was a Republican, and in local
affairs his well known ability and integrity gave his
judgment great weight. He was School Director for several
years, and took deep interest in educational matters. He and
his wife were prominent members of the United Brethren
Church. Mrs. Hersh still resides at the old
homestead, which she manages with rare discretion, adding
valuable improvements from time to time. A wise and loving
mother, her chief care since her husband's death has been
the education and settlement of her children, who by their
success are bringing her abundant honors.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1197
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver |
INSERT PORTRAIT
William W. Hill, M.D. |
WILLIAM W. HILL, M. D.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 516 |
|
CHRIS A. HOFFMANN,
one of the young, active and enterprising merchants of
Perrysburg, where he enjoys the esteem and confidence of the
community, is a native of Wood county, born in Perrysburg,
Aug. 27, 1861. He is a son of
George Hoffmann, of whom a
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Hoffman was married in Perrysburg to
Miss Louisa Armbruster, whose birth occurred in Troy
township, Aug. 12, 1865, and to the marriage were born
Anna who died at the age of eight yeas, and Elmer H.
Our subject is a member of the K. of P. society at
Perrysburg, and is identified with the Order of Elks of
Toledo. As intimated in the beginning Mr. Hoffmann
is one of the wide awake and public spirited men of
Perrysburg.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1268 |
|
GEORGE HOFFMANN,
the well-known proprietor of the oldest meat market in
Perrysburg, was born Feb. 4, 1836, in Bavaria. His
parents, George Frederick and Margaret (Scheets) Hoffmann,
were also born there, the father in 1811, and the mother in
1810. They came to this country in 1852, with their
family of eight children, locating in Perrysburg township,
where they both died of cholera (as did also two of the
children John and Elizabeth) two years later.
Mr. Hoffmann, the eldest son, then a boy of
eighteen, buried them all without assistance, the neighbors
fearing contagion. This sad duty per formed, he took
up the task of supporting the younger children, hiring out
to work on a farm by the month, and under his kindly care
the remainder of the family grew to maturity. John
George married Catherine Cornelius, of
Perrysburg, and is a prominent business man of the same
place; Barbara married Adam Hazel, of
Perrysburg; Christina married Alex. Christ, of
Toledo; Margaret is the wife of George
Huber, of Toledo; and Mary married William
Nopper, of the same city.
After working nearly five years for his first employer,
our subject entered the employ of an other, of whom he
purchased a small piece of land. In 1858 he was
married to Miss Elizabeth F. Cornelius, a native of
Perrysburg, born Jan. 3, 1841. Fifteen children were
born of this union: George W. married Victoria
Schellinger, of Perrysburg; Christopher A.
married Louisa Armbruster, of the same place;
Elizabeth M. married Casper Brandhuber, of the
same place; Ella A. married William L. Stebel,
of Liverpool; Henry married Mary C.
Armbruster, of Perrysburg; Godfred, Valentine,
Victoria, John and Joe are at home.
John, Michael, Daniel, Mary and
Anna died in childhood.
Mr. Hoffmann and his bride of sixteen endured
many privations during the first years of their married
life, but their mutual affections sustained them. He
continued to work as a farm laborer until 1861, when he came
to Perrysburg, and opened the meat market which he has ever
since conducted. His sterling qualities of character
have won him the respect and esteem of a wide circle of
acquaintances, and he is a notable example among the
self-made men of the community. He is a Democrat
politically, and is a devout adherent of the Roman Catholic
Church.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1276 |
John G. Hoffman
Catherine Hoffman |
JOHN G. HOFFMANN,
leading grocer of Perrysburg, and one of the most successful
of the self made men of his vicinity, was born in Bavaria,
Germany, Sept. 18, 1840.
In 1852, he came to America with his parents, George
Frederick and Margaret (Shutz) Hoffmann, who died two
years later of cholera, the mother on July 21, and the
father on the 24th of the following month. Six
children were left to fight the battle of life alone, and
the subject of this sketch at once began to learn the
butcher's trade. Five years later he started in
business for himself, and continued the same until the out
break of the Rebellion, when he responded to his country's
call to arms. At the expiration of his term of
enlistment, he was honorably discharged, and then returned
to the butcher business, in which he continued till 1882.
He then sold out and opened a grocery and saloon, which he
still conducts; he also owns a farm and vineyard, and is one
of the most extensive wine dealers in Wood county.
Mr. Hoffmann was married Nov. 25, 1863, to
Miss Catherine Cornelius, a native of Perrysburg, born
Apr. 3, 1848. Twelve children were born of this union,
of whom nine are living: George Frederick, born Apr.
18, 1867, who married Lulu Witzler, and has
two children - Ernest and Edgar; Katie,
married to Lawrence Harbauer, of Pemberville;
Mamie, at home; Charles H., born Dec. 4, 1874,
who is his father’s assistant in business (he married
Miss Mamie Schlecht, of Perrysburg, and
has one child -Leonidas Charles); and
Regina, Alexander, William, Eva and
Lillian, all five-at home.
Mr. Hoffmann’s success in all his
undertakings is the more remarkable because he had but a
limited English education. He received a good German
education in his native land, and in this country attended a
private English school for a short time. He possesses
fine native abilities, as well as great energy, and has made
good use of such facilities as have come in his way during
his busy life. He is a Democrat in politics, and in
religious faith is a Roman Catholic.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
952 |
|
IRA B. HORNER, a
farmer in Weston township; post office, Weston, Ohio.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1348 |
|
ABRAHAM
HUFF, (deceased) was one of the
straightforward and honorable citizens of Wood county.
He was a native of the Buckeye State, born on Jan. 20, 1825,
in Sandusky county, near the city of that name, and was the
fourth of six children, the others being Nancy,
Mary, Snowden, George and Benjamin.
He received his early education in Missouri, and followed
farming as a means of livelihood.
Mr. Huff was married Feb. 11, 1847, in
Washington township, the lady of his choice being Lucy
Ward, daughter of J. M. and Maria (Cowen) Ward,
prominent farming people of that township. In
religious belief her father was a Drunkard, while her mother
held membership with the Lutheran Church. They are
both now deceased, the latter passing away Mar. 21,
1884. They had four children: (I) Elizabeth,
born June 4, 1825, has departed this life. (2) Mrs.
Huff is the second in the order of birth. (3) Ira,
born Aug. 16, 1831, became a member of Company H, 2Ist O. V.
I., during the Civil war, and died in Rebel prison at
Andersonville, Ga. He had married Charlotte
Jeffers, by whom he had two children - Elizabeth
Maria, wife of Charlie Thompkins, a
resident of Missouri; and Alice Ann, wife of James
Madison, also of Missouri. (4) Eliza died at
the age of fifteen years.
Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Huff, namely: (1) Sarah Maria, born July
27, 1850, is the wife of David McCombs, a
contractor of Toledo, Ohio, by whom she had five children -
Clinton, who died in infancy; Vernie Minnie,
born Aug. 20, 1871; Effie Myrtle, born Sept.
20, 1873; Orlando Lester, born Mar. 20,
1876; and Lucy Pearl, born Dec. 15, 1879.
(2) Ann Eliza, born Dec. 15, 1851, died at the
age of three years. (3) Eugene B., born in
Weston township, Jan. 16, 1854, married Della
Clark, and resides on his own farm.
Mr. Huff, for the last twenty-five years
of his life, traveled the greater part of the time.
His death occurred in California, Sept. 7, 1876. In
politics, he was a Republican, and by his fellow citizens
was chosen to fill several offices of honor and trust,
including that of supervisor, which he held for two terms,
while for several terms he was constable, and his duties
were always faithfully discharged. He and his estimable
wife were ever faithful and devoted members of the United
Brethren Church, and the family is one of prominence in the
community.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
655 |
|
WILLIAM HUFF.
Quite a number of the leading and prominent citizens of Wood
county are of alien birth, and have transported to this land
of fertility and plenty the thrifty habits of their native
country. Among these there is no one better known or
more widely respected than the gentleman whose name here
appears. In England, beneath the roof of his parents,
William and Ann (Hardy) Huff, who were natives of
Lincolnshire, our subject was born, in 1833, one of a family
of six children, namely: Mrs. Mary Alexander, who
died at Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1853; Stephen, now a
resident of Van Wert county, Ohio, who, during the Civil
war, en listed in Allen county, Ohio, in the First Ohio
Squadron, and served three years in the Union army; Jane,
a resident of Missouri; Mrs. Ann Mills,
of Perrysburg; William, subject of this review; and
Mrs. Hannah Liverton, of Bowling Green,
Ohio. In 1837 the family came to America, first
locating in Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1840,
when they removed to Plain township, Wood county.
There the mother died in 1866, after which the father
married a Mrs. Clark. He was born in
1829, and died in 1877.
Our subject was about six years of age when he arrived
in Wood county, and in Plain town ship he was reared and
educated. In 1862 he first located upon a farm in Lake
township, which he continued to cultivate and improve until
in August, 1862, he enlisted at Millbury, Ohio, in Company
K, 111th O. V. I. At Toledo he was mustered in and
assigned to the Western army, with which he participated in
the following engagements: Huff's Ferry, Campbell's Station,
siege of Knoxville, Dalton, Smoke Creek Gap, Resaca, Burnt
Hickory, Pumpkin Vine Creek, and Kenesaw Mountain. On
becoming ill, he was sent to the hospital at Knoxville,
Tenn., and, later, was placed on the Invalid Corps at
Washington, D. C., where he received an honorable discharge,
June 26, 1865, after three years of arduous and faithful
service. Returning to Wood county, he engaged in
farming in Perrysburg township until 1880, when he removed
to the farm in Lake township, which he now carries on.
In 1859, in Perrysburg township, he married Miss Isabel
Simons, a native of that township, and a daughter of
Pearl and Cassina (McCarty) Simons. Her father was
born in Connecticut, but at a very early day became a
resident of Perrysburg township, where he was married, in
1833, to Miss McCarty, a native of New York, and to
them were born children as follows: Mrs. Delia
Cook, of Perrysburg; Arabel and Oscar, who
both died in childhood; Mrs. Huff; Byron,
who died while young; Lewis, who died at the age of
thirty-five years; Celia, who died in childhood; and
Frank, a resident of Lake township. By trade
the father was a cooper, which occupation he followed in
Perrysburg, where his death occurred in 1884, and his wife
died three months later. He had served as county
recorder one term.
To Mr. and Mrs. William Huff
were born eleven children, three of whom are now deceased,
viz.: Delia, who became the wife of Charles
Pinniger, and died Dec. 17, 1889; Ella, who was
the wife of William Taylor, and died Dec. 29,
I892; and Jennie, who died Jan. 3, 1864. Those
living are: Maggie and Mary (twins), the
former being now the wife of Oscar Nicodemus,
and the latter Mrs. Richard Fralic, of Perrysburg;
Ernest, a resident of Cummings, Ohio; and Carrie,
Charles, Grace, Mabel and Robert,
all at home. Mr. Huff is a prominent
member of George Douglas Post No. 183, G. A.
R., of Millbury, in which he has served as officer of the
day, and his wife belongs to the Woman’s Relief Corps.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
He is one of the representative men of the county, and a
credit to the land that gave him birth.
Source: Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past
& Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1097 |
|
DANIEL W. HUFFMAN,
farmer and fruit grower, Washington township, was born Sept.
12, 1841, in Dauphin county, Penn., the third son of John
and Nancy Huffman.
Our subject's boyhood was passed on his father's farm,
which he assisted in clearing up, while in the winter months
he also attended the district school. He was seven
years old when he accompanied his parents from Pennsylvania
to Weston township, Wood county, and when be attained his
majority, he began to work for his father on wages. In
1867 he bought his first land, forty acres, and, when he had
improved it to a considerable extent, sold it and bought
sixty acres. On disposing of this last property, he
bought eighty acres in Washington township, and has
transformed it into a valuable farm, highly improved.
In 1872, he bought eighty acres ad joining, and now has a
quarter section, all under a high state of cultivation.
Thereon be erected a comfortable country residence, at a
cost of $2,000.00, and has built commodious barns and other
necessary out-buildings. In addition to the
cultivation of grain he raises some fine varieties of
fruits, which find a ready sale on the market. For the
past ten years he has also engaged in stock raising.
On May 2, 1864, Mr. Huffman enlisted at
Tontogany, in Company B, 144th O. V. I., under Capt.
Black and Col. Miller. The regiment went to
Columbus, Ohio, thence to Baltimore, Md., participated in
the battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, and Aug. 13
following, our subject was taken prisoner, by Col. Mosby,
while he was guarding a wagon team en route from
Harper’s Ferry to Winchester. It was the more
aggravating to Mr. Huffman, as on that very
day his term of enlistment had expired, and he fully
expected he would be sent home as soon as the wagon train
should arrive in Winchester. After capture, he and
three fellow prisoners (two of whom were John
Phillips, of Tontogany, and Hugh Stewart,
also of Wood county) were placed on mules and started off,
under guard, to join the Rebel army at Culpeper, Va.
At the end of some forty-eight hours’ ride, however, Mr.
Huffman succeeded in effecting his escape by hiding
in the bush, his guard being not over ten feet from him when
he made his dash for liberty. This was on a Monday
morning, and the following Saturday night he found himself
within the Union lines, near Alexandria. During the
nights he tramped along with great caution, in daytime
keeping close or resting himself, never once stop ping at
any house for fear of capture, but living on green apples
and anything else he could find in the woods. He
suffered much from hunger and exposure, which resulted in an
attack of rheumatism. On Sept. 14, 1864, he was
honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio.
In 1866, Mr. Huffman was married to
Carrie Phillips, who was born Apr. 27, 1844, a
daughter of John Phillips, of Washington
township. They had four children: Arthur, who
died in infancy; Alice, wife of Charles
Bassett, of Weston town ship, by whom she has three sons
- Wayne, Clyde and Cecil; and Eva
and Howard, both at home. The family is one of
considerable prominence in the community, and the home is
noted for its hospitality. Mr. Huffman
has been school director for a number of years, and clerk of
the board. He was also supervisor for some years, and
is now serving his fourth term as trustee. He belongs
to Walter A. Wood Post, G. A. R., of Tontogany, and
in politics is a Republican. His possessions have been
acquired entirely through his own efforts, and his career
demonstrates what can be accomplished through earnest labor.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 486 |
|
FLOYD D. HUFFMAN,
the popular young editor and proprietor of the Grand Rapids
Triumph, was born in Grand Rapids, Wood Co., Ohio,
July 8, 1873, and is a son of John and Emma (Mins)
Huffman, both natives of Pennsylvania, but now residing
near Grand Rapids.
Here our subject passed his boyhood and youth,
attending the common schools, and at the early age of
fourteen years began learning the printer's trade, at which
he has since worked, with the exception of one winter, when
he at tended school. He experienced all the
vicissitudes incident to the life of a printer's “devil,"
and soon became an expert type-setter, as well as becoming
versed in the all-round duties of a newspaper office.
Being possessed of an energetic spirit, good executive
ability, and an excellent judgment. he determined to
establish himself permanently in some literary work, and
accordingly in December; 1890, purchased his present paper,
of which he is sole proprietor. The Grand Rapids
Triumph is a five-column quarto sheet, independent in
politics, and does a large amount of advertising, while, as
a literary production, it is numbered among the foremost
papers of the county.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 749 |
|
HENRY HUFFMAN,
a leading agriculturist of Grand Rapids Township, was born
near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Nov. 4 1831. His family
is of German origin; but his father, John Huffman,
was born in Pennsylvania, where he followed, for many years,
the occupation of tailoring. He married Miss Nancy
_____, and reared a family of twelve children, of whom our
subject is the eldest. Catherine is the widow of
Jacob Walters; Mary is the widow of
John Walters; Jacob and Daniel are
farmers in Washington Township; Harriet married Francis
Franklin of Tontogany; John is a farmer in
Grand Rapids Township; Jeremiah is a grocer in Grand Rapids;
Israel is a butcher in the same town; Anna married
R. D. Hannah; Joseph is a farmer in Washington Township;
and Sarah is the wife of Byron Phillips, of
Otsego. Our subject's father came to Wood County in 1850,
and bought a large tract of land in Grand Rapids Township,
which he cultivated until his death, which occurred Mar.
15, 1864. His wife survived him many years, passing away
Aug. 12 1880, having seen her large family, whom she and
her husband had early trained in the Christian faith, all
well settled in life.
Henry Huffman, the subject of this
sketch, attended school in his native State during his
boyhood, and afterward learned the tailor's trade, which he
followed for some years. At the age of twenty one he took a
farm on shares, and kept it for seven years, when he bought
eighty acres in Washington Township, where he constructed a
dwelling and farm buildings our to logs. In 1868 he bought
forty acres more, and built a handsome brick residence, with
barns of modern style, and a few years later, he bought
forty acres near Grand Rapids, building a fine residence, in
which he now lives, and making first class improvements. He
has since purchased thirty acres more, now owning 190 acres
of land; but for the last ten years he has left the active
work of his estate in the hands of his sons and sons-in-law. He has been twice married - first, in 1859, to Miss
Christiana Seitz, who was born in Lancaster, New
York, Oct. 31 1836. Eight children were born of this
union, whose names, with dates of birth, are as follows:
Lucy E., November 1860, is the wife of C. A. Eager,
of Pleasant Bend, Ohio; Clark F., Apr. 25 1864;
Samuel H., Aug. 10 1862; Fannie E., July 17
1865, married Charles Riggs, of Grand Rapids, Ohio;
Sarah A., Apr. 9 1867, married George Kylean;
John W., Nov. 13 1868, is in the windmill business
at Boston, Mass; Cristie Maria, Oct. 9
1872, married George Mason; and Meno M.,
Feb. 15 1874, is a manufacturer of windmills, at San
Francisco, California. The mother of this family died: May
21 1876.
On Mar. 3 1878, he married, for his second wife:
Miss Mary Roth, who was born Feb. 27
1844, a daughter of Nicholas Roth, a well known
farmer of Lucas County. Cheered by her companionship, Mr.
Huffman is passing his declining years in retirement,
taking no part in worldly affairs, and already looking
forward to the joys of another and higher life. He is a
devoted student of the Bible, and a member of the New
Mennonite Church.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1177
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver |
Jacob Huffman |
JACOB HUFFMAN.
Among the representative citizens of Washington township,
none stands higher than the subject of this review, who is
now engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile. He
is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Dauphin county, August,
I834, a son of John and Nancy Huffman, both born in
Pennsylvania, the father in 1808, the mother in 1813.
Our subject received his education at the public
schools of Pennsylvania, and then commenced to learn the
trade of a tailor, which he followed some four years.
In 1850, when six teen years old, he came with his parents
to Ohio, locating in Weston township, on a partially
improved farm, which he assisted in clearing and improving.
After his marriage, which event will be spoken of presently,
he bought eighty acres of wild land, and at once set to work
to improve it. In 1862 he built a log house, into
which he and his wife moved, and he has since added to his
property until his farm now consists of 190 acres, all
well-improved, besides land in Lucas county and in the West.
In 1882 be erected his tile and brick factory, the second in
Washington township, which he has since successfully
managed, finding a ready sale for his products in Wood and
adjoining counties. In this enterprise he employs from
six to twelve hands. He is enterprising and
industrious, and his honest dealing and straightforward
business methods have won him a liberal patronage. He
is also engaged in stock dealing, selling in Buffalo and
Eastern markets.
In 1858 Mr. Huffman was married in New
York to Miss Elizabeth Kraus, a native of that State,
born in 1839, daughter of Melchior and Elizabeth (Letwyler)
Kraus. Her father, who was a farmer, was born in
Wurttemberg, Germany, whence, when eighteen years old, he
came to America. Her mother was born in Switzer land,
and was fourteen years old when she came to this country;
both her parents died on the voyage, leaving four children
on the ship without any means; but when they landed in
Philadelphia, they found homes. The mother of Mrs.
Huffman died Nov. 10, 1884, the father, a farmer by
occupation, on Aug, 18, 1885, in Erie county, N. Y.
They had a family of five children: Anna (Mrs.
Shiffley), living in Ohio; John, a farmer in
Erie county, N. Y., a member of the Legislature, and holding
other prominent positions; Fannie (Mrs.
Stutzman), also of Erie county; Susan (Mrs.
Rupp), of Lucas county; and Elizabeth (Mrs.
Huflman). Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have no
children of their own, but have an adopted son, who is
nineteen years of age, and was four years old when adopted.
During the Civil war, Mr. Huffman served as a
member of Company B, 144th O. V. I., under Capt.
Black and Col. Miller. Politically he is a
Republican, and for several
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 928 |
Christena Hummel
J. E. Hummel |
JAMES E. HUMMEL,
proprietor of a general mercantile establishment at
Wingston, has a well-equipped store, containing a large and
carefully selected stock, and the public accords him a
liberal patronage. His earnest endeavor to please his
patrons, and his honorable dealing, have enabled him to
build up a good business, and he occupies an enviable
position in social circles.
Mr. Hummel was born in Sandusky county, Ohio,
Aug. 30, 1846, and is a son of John and Mary A.
(Ellsworth) Hummel, the latter of whom was born in
Painesville, N. Y., in 1823. The father was born in
Germany, in 1820, and came to the United States with his
parents when seven years of age. They located first in
Columbiana county, Ohio, subsequently removing to Jackson
township, Sandusky county, where the grandfather died.
John Hummel was there reared and educated, and after
his marriage located in Scott township where his death
occurred in 1886. His widow is still living.
Their children were James E.; George W., a farmer of
Arkansas; Lorenzo D., of Sandusky county; Matilda,
wife of Wesley Smith, of Seneca county; Margaret
M., widow of John Michaels; Albert F., of Seneca
county; Mary E., of Fostoria, Ohio; and
Alonzo, of Seneca county.
Mr. Hummel, the subject proper of this
review, was early inured to the arduous labor of developing
a new farm, and at the age of seventeen he started out in
life for himself, working as a farm hand until he had
attained his majority, after which he operated the old
homestead for three years. Subsequently he rented a
farm for a year, and then removed to Michigan, where he
aided in laying out the town of Freeport. A year later
he returned to Sandusky, county, Ohio, where he bought
twenty acres of land, making his home thereon four years,
and on Apr. 12, 1876, he came to Liberty township, trading
his farm for thirty acres here. In April, 1877, he
went to Milton township, and two years later to Portage
township, where he lived three years. In the spring of
1882, he embarked in merchandising in Wingston, and in the
spring of 1891, he erected his present store. He build
his home in the spring of 1882, and in addition to this
property he owns a forty-acres farm in Henry township, and
112 acres of land in Sandusky county. He has an
eighty-acre oil farm in Section 33, Liberty township,
containing seven oil wells, and twenty-two acres of land in
section 29, Liberty township, whereon stands his fine home.
Mr. Hummel was married Sept. 12, 1869, in
Sandusky county, to Christena Riegler who was born
Dec. 25, 1851, a daughter of John G. and Mary (Stohl)
Riegler natives of Germany who were married in Holmes
county, Ohio, and died in Sandusky county. Mr. and
Mrs. Hummel have three children: Laura,
wife of George Brink of Liberty township; Mary E.,
wife of John Gilger, of Liberty township; and
Dolly M., at home. In politics Mr. Hummel
is a Republican, and he served as justice of the peace for
one term. He is a man of excellent business and
executive ability, and has been the architect of his own
fortunes. In manner he is genial and courteous, traits
which make him very popular. Socially, he is a member
of Subordinate Lodge No. 598, I. O. O. F., at Milton Center,
with which he united in 1892, and also of the Encampment;
and he is a most valuable and active member of Wingston
Lodge No. 533, K. of P., which was instituted Mar. 25, 1892,
mainly through his instrumentality. He secured the
first sixteen names to the charter list, which comprises
thirty-five names, was first chancellor commander, and has
filled nearly all offices in the lodge, which now has more
than seventy members in good standing.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of
Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1056 |
NOTES:
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