BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio,
Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897
Benj. F. James |
HON. BENJAMIN F. JAMES
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
472 |
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HIRAM JOHNSON,
an honored veteran of the Civil war, who is now living
retired in Liberty township, was born in Lisle, Broome Co.,
N. Y., July 27, 1837. His father, Stephen
Johnson, was also a native of the Empire State, and when
a young man learned the trade of wood turning, which he
followed until his marriage to Eunice Thurston,
also a native of New York. Several years later they removed
from Broome county, to Bradford county, Penn., where Mr.
Johnson took up land, and followed farming in
connection with his trade. In 1855 be located thirty
miles north west of Chicago, in Lake county, Ill., where his
death occurred about 1865, and his wife survived him only
two years. Their children were Liddy, deceased
wife of Peter Tanner, of Iowa; Girard,
who became a farmer in Minnesota, but has not been heard
from for ten years; Hiram; and Edwin, a farmer
of Wisconsin.
Mr. Johnson, of this review, was educated
in the schools of New York and Illinois, and at the age of
twenty-two began learning the mason’s trade, which he has
followed through much of his life in connection with
farming. During the Civil war he manifested his
loyalty to the government by enlisting, in 1862, in
Kankakee, Ill., as a member of Company K, 76th Ill. V. I.
He participated in the battle of Shiloh, then went down the
Mississippi river to the Gulf and to Mobile, Ala.,
participating in the battle at that place and the siege at
Fort Blakely. Being taken-ill, he was sent to the
hospital in New Orleans, where he remained until honorably
discharged in 1865, when he at once returned to his home in
Paxton, Illinois.
Mr. Johnson was married in Ford county,
that State, in 1859, to Liddy Metzger, who was
born in Ohio, in 1837, and for twelve years they lived in
Paxton. In 1871 they came to Wood county, taking
up their residence on six acres of land in Liberty township,
which he still owns. For many years he followed his
trade, and since 1892 has derived a good income from two oil
wells that he has sunk upon his place, and which are
excellent producers. This has enabled him to lay aside
active business cares. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
have three children - Corbin, of Lucas county, Ohio;
Edgar and Clarence, at home. In
politics, Mr. Johnson is a Republican.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
571 |
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JOHN T. JOHNSON,
a prominent agriculturist residing near Dowling, was born
Nov. 13, 1850, in Hanover, Germany. He was a son of
Garrett and Mary Johnson, their family consisting of
Mary, John T., Catherine,
Garrett, Margetta (wife of Fred Myers
of Hanover, Germany), Henry, Hank and
Derrick.
Mr. Johnson availed himself of the
excellent educational opportunities afforded by the schools
of his native place, and on reaching manhood determined to
come to America to make his home. Previous inquiries
had caused him to decide upon this locality as the best
field for his efforts, and in 1872 he arrived in Perrysburg.
There were but fifty-four cents in his pocket; but he
possessed a stout heart, and a willingness to accept toil
and hardships as the price of success. He secured
employment on a farm by the month, later worked in a
sawmill, and by close economy managed to save enough money
to buy forty acres of wild land. Here the proud and
happy owner proceeded to build a log house and clear a farm.
In 1874, Mr. Johnson married Miss
Engel Brinker, of Perrysburg township, and ten children
were born to the union, of whom seven are living: Mary
(the wife of Charles Shelden), Hank,
John, William, Louie, Whilomene and
Katrina. As his first little home came under
cultivation, Mr. Johnson gradually extended
its borders until he now owns one of the finest farms in the
township. He is a Democrat in politics, and a leading
member of the Lutheran Church.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1180 |
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CYRUS
JOHNSTON. This
highly respected gentleman of Wood county, is paying
especial attention to the cultivation and improvement of his
farm in Portage township. He was born July 28, 1853,
in Section 9, the same township, in the home of his parents,
James and Susanna Johnston.
He grew to man's estate upon his father's farm, and as soon
as old enough assisted in its cultivation until he was
twenty-one, gaining a good practical knowledge of the
business under the wise guidance of his father. He
acquired his education in the district schools, and for one
winter worked in a lumber camp in Michigan.
Mr. Johnston has been twice married. In
Portage township, in March, 1877, he wedded Miss Nancy L.
Miller, a native of Seneca county Ohio, by whom he had
one son - Clarence E., at home. On her death,
the wife was laid to rest in Portage cemetery. The
lady who now shares the home and fortunes of our subject,
was in her maidenhood Miss Julia Green,
a native of Fulton county, Ohio. They have become the
parents of three children - Whitney R.; Alpha,
who died in infancy; and Ethel M.
Mr. Johnston began housekeeping on the farm
where he yet resides, and by his industrious and energetic
efforts has converted his place into a highly cultivated
tract. He is a keen, practical man, well gifted with
mental and physical vigor. In politics he casts his
vote for the candidates of the Republican party, and
conscientiously per forms his duties as a good citizen.
He and his wife take an active interest in religious work,
and are members of the United Brethren Church.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1238 |
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JAMES
JOHNSTON, a resident of Haskins, was born in
Connecticut, Nov. 5, 1843. His father, John
Johnston, was a native of Damfrieshire, Scotland, born
Sept. 15, 1815. He came to America in 1834, and located
first in New York State, where he met and Mar. 5, 1841,
married Margaret Anderson, who was born in
Ireland Feb. 9, 1816. Removing to Connecticut, they
there remained until 1847, when they came to Wood County and
settled in Middleton Township upon some swamp land, out of
which they developed, in the course of time a fine farm. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and
in politics, Mr. Johnston, who took an
interest in all public questions of the day, was originally
a Whig, latter a Republican. He died Nov. 3, 1891, his
wife Apr. 17, 1889. Of their four children; two are now
living John R., who resides in Bowling Green, and
James. The others were Thomas, who was a farmer
by occupation, born Aug. 5, 1846, and died Apr. 11, 1889,
and Margaret, born Jan. 30, 1856, and died Jan.
28, 1862.
The subject proper of these lines was reared upon the
old farm, attending neighboring schools during his boyhood.
He was married Sept. 4, 1869, to Miss Henrietta
Crook, a native of Perrysburg, born Mar. 28, 1844,
and they have three children; Edith, at home;
Grace,
who married W. Garrett, and has four children -
Hazel, Helen, Henry and Bliss. After his
marriage, Mr. Johnston located in Haskins, and
engaged in the general mercantile business, later opening a
hardware store and making a success of both enterprises. In
May, 1895, he disposed of his interest, and retired from
active business. He was a soldier during the war, as member
of Company B, 111th O. V. I., serving in Tennessee and
Kentucky for about nine months, when he was discharged on
account of disability. He is an ardent supporter of the
principles of the Republican Party, and is one of the
leading men of his community. Socially he is a member of the
I. O. O. F., and of the G. A. R., Henry Carter Post No 56,
Haskins.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1077
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver
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JAMES JOHNSTON
is one of the honored pioneers of Portage township who, by
developing a good farm from the forest, has materially aided
in its growth. He has met with a well-deserved success
in his calling, and his fine, well-ordered farm (pleasantly
situated in Section 9), with its carefully cultured fields,
its neat buildings, and all their surroundings, denote the
skillful management, industry and well-directed labors of
the owner.
The birth of Mr. Johnston, our subject, occurred
Richland county, Ohio, Mar. 1, 1819, and he is a son of
John and Elizabeth (Humphrey) Johnston, the former a
native of the North of Ireland, and the latter of Irish
descent, but born in Pennsylvania three weeks after the
landing of her parents in this country. When a young
man the father came to the United States and was married in
Pennsylvania. Before the war of 1812 he came to Ohio,
and participated in that struggle under Gen. Harrison.
By occupation he was a farmer, and about 1816 removed to
Richland county, becoming one of its earliest settlers.
His family consisted of the following children: Thomas
died in Fostoria, Ohio; Jennie, who was never
married, died at the age of sixty years; Fannie
married William Underwood, and died in Portage
township; Cynthia first wedded James Scott,
and later married Edward Coyne, who died in
Libby prison; James comes next; William died
in Portage township, in September, 1895; John lives
in Toledo, Ohio; Robert died in Portage township; and
Cyrus resides in Illinois.
In the district schools of his native county James
Johnston began his education, and in April, 1837,
came with his parents to Wood county, locating in Section
10, Portage township, where his father had entered 480 acres
of land some years before. They made the trip by
wagon, driving the stock, and their first home here was made
of round logs. Here the father died at the age of
sixty-six, and the mother at the age of sixty-seven years.
Their remains were interred in Sargent cemetery. In
politics he was a Whig, and always attended religious
services, his sympathies being with the Presbyterian Church,
where he was baptized when a child, though he never joined
any denomination.
James continued his studies in the village of
Portage after coming to this county, and at the age of
twenty years left home, beginning work as a farm hand.
He also drove stock east of the mountains in Pennsylvania.
On Mar. 16, 1843, in Portage township, he was united in
marriage with Miss Susanna Durler, who
was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, Apr. 29, 1824, and
when five years old was brought to America by her parents,
John and Mary (Unkey) Durler. They embarked on
a sailing vessel at Havre, France, which, after a voyage of
seventy-five days, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York.
Their first location was in Starke county, Ohio: later they
removed to Tuscarawas county, and in 1837 settled in Portage
township, Wood county, in Section 2. The parents both
died in Fulton county, Ohio. Mrs. Johnston
was one of their family of six children, two sons and four
daughters, and is entirely self-educated, having never
attended a school a day, but taught herself to read.
On the farm which his father had entered in Section 9,
Portage township, Mr. Johnston began his
domestic life, and there has continuously resided, with the
exception of two years spent in the village of Portage.
The home was brightened by the presence of seven children:
John, born Jan. 12, 1844, is a farmer of Portage
township; James, born June 1, 1846, was killed by a
falling tree in June, 1867, in a storm, while on his way
home from Indiana; Lewis, born Dec. 11, 1849, died at
the age of five-years; Cyrus, born July 28, 1853, is
an agriculturist of Portage township; Parsida, born Mar. 4,
1856, is now Mrs. Aaron Crom, of
Portage township; William, born Nov. 16, 1858,
carries on farming in Center township, Wood county; and
Mary E., born Sept. 29, 1862, is the wife of George
Sterling, of Henry township, this county.
The parents are faithful members of the United Brethren
Church, in which he has served for over forty years as
steward. They have traveled life's journey together
for more than half a century, sharing its joys and sorrows,
successes and reverses, and throughout the county they are
widely known and highly respected. As a representative
man of the community, and an old pioneer, Mr.
Johnston stands pre-eminent, and his public-spiritedness
and charity are proverbial. His first Presidential
vote was cast for William Henry Harrison,
the Whig candidate, and on the formation of the Republican
party he joined its ranks. He has served as supervisor
and school director in District No. 2.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
689 |
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JOHN JOHNSTON
was born in Section 9, Port age township, Jan. 12, 1844,
and is the son of James and Susannah (Durler) Johnston.
Mr. Johnston spent his youth attending the district
schools and working on the farm until July 25, 1862, when he
enlisted at Portage, in Company A, 100th O. V. I., under
Capt. John A. Shannon.
The regiment was ordered to Covington, Ky., where its
first duty was performed. The first engagement was
entered into between Lexington and Fort Sterling, and the
first battle took place at Limestone, Tenn. Our
subject was with his regiment all through the war, with the
exception of ten days. He enlisted as a private, and
was made a corporal at Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 5, 1864.
He was confined ten days in the hospital at Lexington, Ky.,
with the measles, and was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C.,
June 20, 1865, and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 2,
1865. After his discharge he came to Portage township,
where he was married July 19, 1866, to Miss Mary M.
Miller, who was born in Scipio township, Seneca county,
Oct. 18, 1847, the daughter of Amos B., and Nancy (Shaflner)
Miller, her parents being from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Johnston located on forty acres of land in
Section 9, and lived there until October, 1892, when he
moved to Section 10, where he now lives and has 200 acres of
land, 160 of which are cleared. The children of this
couple are: Nancy A. is now Mrs. John Cox, of
Milton township; Grant E. is a farmer in Portage
township; Sherman M. resides at home; Mabel A.
is also at home. Our subject has always been a
Republican, being an ardent believer in "sound money and
protection," and has served seven years as trustee of the
township, and of which he has been clerk since April, 1894.
also holding the office of clerk of the township board.
He has been president of the school board, and was for
eighteen years director in District No. 2, of Portage
township. He is a member of Wiley Post No. 46, at
Bowling Green, and was formerly commander of the G. A. R.
Post at Portage. He and his wife are members of the
United Brethren Church. Mr. Johnston is a
well-known man, a respected citizen and a most successful
farmer. He has a wide acquaintance, made while
carrying out con tracts in ditching throughout his section
of the county. He has a family of which any man might
be proud, and they all live happily on the home farm.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1218 |
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JOHN C. JOHNSTON,
whose genial, pleasant manner has gained him many friends,
and made him a popular citizen, was born in Meadville,
Penn., Sept. 15, 1855. His father, James S.
Johnston, was born in the same place in 1816, and when a
young man acquired a knowledge of carpentering, which he
followed for a number of years in connection with farming.
He married Rachel C. Wingate, who is still on the old
homestead in the Keystone State. The father died in
1887. Their children were Emma, who died in
Meadville; John C.; Ella, who married Frank
Thatcher, of Meadville; William J., an oil man
of Rudolph, Wood county; and George, who is living on
the old homestead. The family was founded in America
by the grandfather of our subject, Launcelot
Johnston, who with his five brothers went from Ireland
to England in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and
after a few years crossed the Atlantic, locating first in
Canada, where several of the brothers made permanent homes
and acquired considerable property. Their descendants
still live in that country, and are very wealthy. The
grandfather of our subject and one brother came to the
United States, the latter locating in New York, where he
became a wealthy merchant. Launcelot
Johnston took up his residence in Pennsylvania.
While in Canada he had considerable property confiscated by
the British government, on account of his sympathies with
the United States.
Our subject received a good English education, and
remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age,
when he went to Clarion county, Penn. There he was
employed in various ways in the oil fields, and eventually
became a driller. He also worked in the oil fields of
Allegany county, N. Y., and while there was married, in
1882, to Miss Ella Richmond, who was born in Saginaw
county, Mich., in 1863. They began house-keeping in
the little town of Obi, N. Y., and after five years removed
to Lima, Ohio, where Mr. Johnston was connected with
the oil trade for two years. He then removed to
Decatur, Ill., but after nine months became a resident of
Liberty township, Wood Co., Ohio. In January, 1888, he
was appointed to fill the position of district
superintendent for the Ohio Oil Company, and is now acting
in that capacity. He looks after their, entire
interests in this district, and in the discharge of his
duties displays the utmost fidelity and trustworthiness.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was blessed
with three children, but Lola died at the age of four
years. The others are Earl and Forest.
Mr. Johnston takes quite an active interest in
political affairs, and is a stanch Democrat. Diligence
and perseverance have won for him a comfortable competence,
and his honorable career has secured him a place among Wood
county's most respected citizens.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1217 |
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W.
O. JOHNSTON, a representative and lead
ing farmer of Perry township, is a fair specimen of the
sturdy agriculturists, who have so largely assisted in the
development of Wood county, and who are drawing from the
soil the important elements of their future fortune.
His homestead, which embraces eighty-eight acres of rich and
fertile land, lies in Section 27, where he first saw the
light of day Jan. 18, 1849, and is a son of Thomas and
Mary (Cove) Johnston.
The father, who was of Irish parentage, was born in
Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1810, and was a member of the
large family of John Johnston. When
twenty-two years of age he went to Fostoria, Ohio, and
entered land in Hancock county, having at that time $300
which had been given him by his father. About 1833, he
bought eighty acres of land in Section 27, Perry township,
all in its primitive condition. He was a very rugged
man and a hard worker, and during pioneer days owned several
tracts of land in Hancock county, which he would clear and
then sell. At the time of his first marriage he was
employed on the farm owned by Charles W. Foster, for
whom he worked four years, and later came to Perry township.
He lived to be nearly seventy-three years of age, dying at
Fostoria, in July, 1883. For many years he was a
member of the I. O. O. F., in politics was a Republican, and
served as a trustee of Perry township. He was a man of
sound judgment and good common sense, and by his
well-directed labors secured a comfortable competence.
At Fostoria, Thomas Johnston was united
in marriage with Mary Myers, by whom he had
seven children, but five died before reaching adult age.
Elizabeth is the wife of Peter Faylor,
of Montcalm county, Mich. John, who was a
member of Company H, 49th O. V. I., was shot in the left
temple, and carried the ball for two years, when it dropped
through into his throat. His death, in October, 1880,
was occasioned by his wound. For his second wife Mr.
Johnston wedded Miss Mary Cove, a native of
Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of Benjamin and
Elizabeth Cove. After her father's death
in Stark county, her mother came to western Ohio, and
departed this life at Fostoria. Our subject is the
eldest of seven children born of the second marriage, the
others being Aiden L., who died in 1860; Charles
E., of Toledo, Ohio; Hetty A., now Mrs.
Frank Culbertson, of Fostoria; Mary E.,
who is engaged in the insurance business in that city;
Thomas L., a glass worker of Fostoria; and George E.,
a telegraph operator of that place, who died Mar. 4, 1893.
The mother of this family is still living, and makes her
home in Fostoria.
In the usual manner of farmer boys, our subject was
reared to manhood, remaining at home until his marriage,
with the exception of a few months in 1872, spent at Denver,
Col., where he witnessed many thrilling scenes. On
Jan. 10, 1875, in Perry township, R. Phillips
performed a wedding ceremony that united the destinies of
Mr. Johnston and Miss Emily Brandeberry, who was there
born July 29, 1855, and is a daughter of James and Jane
(Bates) Brandeberry. To them have been born two
children - Blanche, now Mrs. A. Baird, of
Perry township; and Blake, at home.
Mr. Johnston began his domestic life upon a
rented farm in Section 23, Perry township, and then for nine
years rented another place in the same township. About
1883 he purchased forty acres of land, which form a part of
his present valuable farm of eighty-eight acres. He uses his
right of franchise in support of the Republican party, has
been trustee of his township, and has held several school
offices. As a friend, Mr. Johnston is an ardent
and consistent one, and, as a neighbor, does all in his
power for those around him.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
591 |
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FRANK JOSETT, foreman of
the`` machine shops of the Hardy Machine Company, at North
Baltimore, Ohio.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1368 |
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CHARLES LEMART JUNKINS
has, by his well spent life, shown that success is not
always a matter of genius, or talent, but may be achieved
through persistent, earnest and honorable effort. He
was born in Weston township, Sept. 25, 1863, his parents
being Thomas and Elizabeth Nancy (Long) Junkins.
He received a common school education, and spent his boyhood
days on his father’s farm. At the age of twenty-two he
was married in Weston township, July 2, 1885, to Inez
Lucretia Wright, who was born May 19, 1864, and is a
daughter of O. H. Perry and Mary Jane (Marks) Wright,
both natives of Ohio. Their daughter, however, was
born in Jay county, Ind., and during her early girlhood was
brought by her parents to Wood county. Two children
grace this union - Thomas Perry and Ethel Lotta.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Junkins took his
bride to his parents’ home, but after a short time purchased
his present farm of eighty acres, for which he paid $1,000.
Many of the improvements on the place are the work of his
hands, and he is well known as all enterprising, progressive
agriculturist, whose well-directed efforts have brought him
success. In politics he is a Republican, but has never
sought office, giving his time and energies to his business
interests. His estimable wife is a member of the
Disciples Church at Milton Center.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 793 |
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EBER WILSON JUNKINS
is numbered among the early settlers of Wood county, dating
his residence from 1858, for it was on August 10, of that
year, that he was born in Weston township. He is one
of the six children of Thomas and Elizabeth Nancy
(Long) Junkins, highly esteemed people of this locality.
He attended the district schools, and during the summer
months aided his father in the cultivation and development
of the home farm - much of the work devolving upon him as he
was the eldest son. He remained at home until
twenty-three years of age, and then began working for his
uncle, Samuel Robert Junkins, of Weston
township, with whom he remained for two years, receiving
$220 for the second year’s service.
On Jan. 1, 1885, in Washington township, was
consummated the marriage of Mr. Junkins and Miss Annie
Eliza Bachmann, a native of Erie county, Ohio, born Nov.
24, 1859, and a daughter of Charles and Annie (Kistner)
Bachmann, natives of Germany. The father came to
America when a young man, and soon after the mother crossed
the Atlantic. Their marriage was celebrated in
Cleveland, Ohio, but later they became residents of Wood
county. Our subject and his wife began their domestic
life on his uncle's farm, renting that farm for a year, then
purchased eighty acres of land of his father, for which he
paid $1,000. Of this tract twenty acres were cleared,
but Mr. Junkins has made all of the
improvements upon the property, has cleared off an
indebtedness of $1,700, has erected a good residence, barns
and other buildings, and now has one of the model farms of
Wood county. The home has been blessed with four
children, namely: Goldie Mabel, Ila
Fern, Zardie and Ernest.
Mr. Junkins votes with the Democracy, but
has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his
entire time and attention to his business interests, in
which he has met with excellent success. He has always
been an advocate of progress and improvement, and whatever
tends to benefit the community receives his support.
Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society, the
Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Temple
of Honor, the Patrons of Industry, and the Grange.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 666 |
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RAYMOND SCOTT JUNKINS
was born July 28, 1861, the second son of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Long) Junkins, and received his early
education at the district school of Pottertown, Wood county.
On Mar. 28, 1892, Mr. Junkins located on
the farm he now occupies, which consists of 114 acres of
land, most of which is improved. Since he was twenty
years of age our subject has been engaged in stock and
poultry raising to a considerable extent, and on his farm
are to be found many fine specimens of stock and a large
variety of poultry. His orchards are also quite
extensive.
Our subject was married, Dec. 25, 1888, to Miss Mina
Smith, who was born in Weston, Wood county, Feb. 25,
1865, and was one of the eight children of Asa and Mary
(Ellsworth) Smith. Three children have come to
Mr. and Mrs. Junkins: Mary Elizabeth, born
Mar. 19, 1890; Clay Samuel, born Dec. 25,
1893, died July 6, 1895, aged eighteen months; and Hazel
Alma, born Sept. 9, 1896.
In politics Mr. Junkins is a Republican.
He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is
affiliated with the I. O. O. F. at Weston. He is a
self-made man, all he possesses being the result of his own
industry and perseverance.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 978 |
S. R. Junkins |
SAMUEL R. JUNKINS
belonged to one of the pioneer families of the Maumee
Valley, and was numbered among those to whom the present
generation is indebted for the high position Wood county has
attained among the sisterhood of counties of Ohio.
His father, Samuel Junkins, was a native
of Maine, descended from Scotch and Irish parents, and when
a young man removed to the State of Pennsylvania where he
engaged in the manufacture of brick. Here he was
married to Nancy Smith, and to them were born
children as follows: Clarissa, Thomas,
Julia Ann, and Samuel R. Later
the family removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, where at
Fairview, Mar. 30, 1829, was born the subject of this
sketch. The father dying here in 1829, the family
returned to Pennsylvania, and in Washington county, of that
State, the widow was subsequently married to John
Rice. In April, 1833, the latter with family
removed to what was then Weston township (now Grand Rapids),
this county, and settled in Section 18, where they resided
some six months when Mr. Rice died, and the
family removed to Section 21, and occupied a small house
built by John Gingery, which was owned by a
relative, John Mc Kee. Mr.
Rice had entered land from the government, but his
affairs were in such a shape that it was lost to the widow,
and so she with her children had to work out the problem of
life alone; but well they accomplished it, for all have so
lived as to become useful members of society and highly
respected citizens of the communities in which they resided,
and all have been possessed of a full share of this world's
goods. The mother died in 1851. Samuel R.,
when old enough, assisted his older brother in the support
of his widowed mother, and grew up to habits of industry and
economy. He assisted in clearing up considerable land,
and in every sense was not only the son of a pioneer, but a
pioneer himself, for in his boyhood the primeval forest was
here in all its density and wildness, and in growing up he
played a conspicuous part in converting it into the fertile
and beautiful fields of to-day. His educational
privileges were, of course, limited, and as a boy he had
only such advantages as fell to the lot of country boys of
that period and surroundings. Later he attended for a
time the common or high schools of Perrysburg, and with such
a foundation, by frequent reading and study, he became a
well-informed man, and practical in business affairs.
He ever took a deep interest in the educational affairs of
the county, and served as school director in his township.
On May 2, 1864, Mr. Junkins enlisted in
Company I, 144th Regiment, O. N. G., and served as a
corporal under Capt. John McKee until mustered out
with company, August 31, of the same year. While the
period of the regiment's service was short, yet it was an
honorable one, and bore well its part in the Shenandoah
Valley, on the Peninsula in the operations about the James
river, and about Petersburg, the trials of all of which our
subject participated in.
Mr. Junkins was in every sense a self-made man;
beginning with nothing save a determination to make for
himself a home and a name, he by strict attention to
business, and by industry and economy, became a man of means
and influence. He had so successfully managed his own
affairs that the people of the county selected him as a good
man to care for the interests of Wood county, and, in 1882,
he was elected a county commissioner. For more than a
year he was actively engaged in attending to the duties of
this office. Ill health, however, stepped in and
prevented him from serving out his term, and in the fall of
1885, after being confined to his bed for several months, he
resigned. In politics he was a Republican, though when
chosen to the office of commissioner it was by means of the
People's party. He was a Granger in the days of the
Grange movement, and a member of Milton Center Lodge of Odd
Fellows. While during life Mr. Junkins
had not identified himself with any Church, he was a moral
man and ever prided himself upon an upright life; he was
consistent in all things, and was one of the most highly
respected citizens of the county in which he had passed
upward of half a century. He died Feb. 27, 1887, fully
reconciled to the change of Worlds, and with perfect
confidence in the Lord. His death was caused by
stomach and kidney complaints after a sickness of nearly
three years, during the last two of which he was confined to
his room. His widow, who in her maidenhood was Miss
Mary Olney, is a daughter of Benjamin and Lucy
(Emerson) Olney, and to her he was married Mar. 12,
1857. She now makes her home with her brother-in-law,
George Kimberlin, Esq., of Bowling
Green. There were no children born to the marriage.
Mrs. Junkins is identified with the Baptist
Church.
The Olney family was one of the early and
conspicuous families of Colonial days. Thomas
Olney, the ancestor of the Olneys in America,
was born in the city of Hertford, Hertfordshire, England,
which city formed a part of the Parish of St. Albans, the
seat of one of the most ancient monasteries, and long
celebrated in English history as the center of spiritual
influence. He received a “permit to emigrate to New
England," Apr. 2, 1635, and came to Salem, Mass., by the
ship “Planter"." He was appointed a surveyor in
January, 1636, and granted forty acres of land at Jeffrey
Creek, now known as Manchester, near Salem. He was made a
freeman the same year, and early associated with those who
accepted the peculiar views of Roger Williams.
With a number of others he was excluded from the colony Mar.
12, 1638. Previous to this, however, in company with
Roger Williams, he visited Narraganset Bay
while seeking some place where they might live outside the
jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Colony, and had decided
upon the west side of the Seekonk river. Accordingly,
with eleven others, they formed a new settlement at the head
of the bay, which they named “Providence," in grateful
remembrance of their deliverance from their enemies.
They thus became the original thirteen proprietors of
Providence.
The father of Benjamin Olney, Stephen Olney,
was a native of Rhode Island, but removed to the State of
New York and there made his permanent home.
Benjamin Olney, the son of Stephen, and
father of widow Junkins, was born in Saratoga
county, N. Y., May 23, 1797. He was twice married,
first to a Miss Elizabeth C. Berry, whose
birth occurred in 1797, and to the marriage were born:
Mary M., July 14, 1819, died Oct. to, 1820; and
Stephen, born Oct. 13, 1821, died in 1888. The
mother of these passed from earth in 1824, and Benjamin
Olney subsequently married Lucy Emerson,
who was born in Saratoga, N. Y., Mar. 16, 1800, a daughter
of Broadstreet and Lois (Phelps) Emerson. To
the second marriage of Mr. Olney were born the
following sons and daughters who lived to be men and women:
Mary, widow of Samuel R. Junkins; Prof.
Edward Olney, a native of Saratoga county, N. Y., born
July 24, 1827; Adeliza, who became the wife of
George Kimberlin; George E., born Oct. 24,
1832, and who died in the army July 24, 1863, a member of
the 111th Regiment, O. V. 1.; Harriet, born Oct. 27,
1835, died Nov. 12, 1839; and Estella, born Feb. 28,
1845, died Feb. 4, 1873.
Benjamin Olney and family became pioneers of
Wood county, settling near Grand Rapids in 1833. He
was a useful citizen, and his name frequently appears on the
early records of that part of the county. He served
the citizens of that town ship as trustee, justice of the
peace, and in other official relations, and was associate
judge in Wood county for a number of years. His death
occurred near Grand Rapids, Apr. 1, 1854.
Prof. Edward Olney was a natural-born student,
and was especially gifted in mathematics. He was
self-made, fitting himself for a teacher in Wood county by
private study, and here taught his first term in the
district school when nineteen years of age. At the
time the schools of Perrysburg were graded he took charge of
the grammar department, and subsequently was appointed to
the chair of mathematics in the college at Kalamazoo, Mich.,
and there remained until 1863, when he was elected to fill
the chair of mathematics in the University of Michigan,
which he occupied until his death, Jan. 16, 1887. He
-published several works, among which were the Olney
series of school books on mathematics.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 660 |
Thomas Junkins
Mrs. Elizabeth Junkins |
THOMAS JUNKINS.
The subject of this sketch, who is known and revered
throughout Wood county as the oldest living pioneer of
Weston township, where he has resided for sixty-two years,
was born in Fayette county, Penn., Apr. 27, 1822.
Samuel Junkins, the father of our subject, was
born in Maine, of Scotch and Irish parentage, and when young
man went to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the
manufacture of brick. He was there married to Nancy
Smith, and four children were born to them, as follows:
Clarissa, the widow of John Pugh, of
Weston; Thomas; Julia Ann, the wife of
Henry Bernthistle, deceased, and Samuel,
deceased. The family afterward removed to Guernsey
county, Ohio, where the father died in 1829, when our
subject was but seven years old. The mother, with her
children, returned to Pennsylvania, and in Washington county
was married to John Rice. They then came
back to Ohio, in 1833, in company with John McKee
and man by the name of Storts - there being three
families in all. They settled in Weston (now Grand
Rapids) township, Wood Co., Ohio, where the father of Mr.
Rice had taken up land. Here Mr. Rice
died in the fall of 1833. His widow subsequently
removed to the farm owned by John McKee, where
she remained until 1838, in which year she moved on the
Carson farm, where she died in 1851.
Thomas Junkins had only limited
education, and after the death of his step-father, although
a mere lad, he had to go to work in order to help support
his widowed mother. His boyhood was spent in clearing
up portion of the McKee farm, and greater part of the
Carson farm. Here he spent seventeen years of
hard work, and he recalls with gratitude the kind and
encouraging words given him by Alexander Brown,
who in those days of toil and hardships acted as father, and
cheered the boy in his daily toil. In 1843 Thomas
Junkins bought 160 acres of land, being the S. E.⅟₄
of Section 29, Weston township, where he still resides.
On this he placed many improvements, and in 1877 built his
present fine residence, most of the lumber used in its
construction being obtained from his own timber. For
forty years the subject of our sketch resided on this farm,
during which long period of time, and even longer, not
single death in the household, or family occurred (although
they reared family of six children), Mrs. Junkins
being the first to pass away, her death occurring in 1895,
forty-two years from the time of her marriage. This is
remarkable record, for which Mr. Junkins
expresses his sincere gratitude.
About the year 1847 our subject bought 160 acres of
land on Hull’s Prairie, at seventy-five cents per
acre, which comprised the ground on which the railway
station now stands. This he sold for $2,000, and then
bought 320 acres from Mr. Bucklin, in Milton
township, for which he paid $2,080. Eighty acres of
this he sold, and eighty acres of this farm he exchanged for
part of the Ward farm, and the remaining 160 acres he gave
to his two sons, Eber W. and Charles L.
(eighty acres each), while to Raymond S. he gave part
of the Ward farm. Mr. Junkins has
always been great lover of fine stock, having in his younger
days been an extensive breeder of fine Shorthorn cattle, and
to him much credit is due, for, through his enterprise, his
neighbors and the citizens of Wood county, generally, have
reaped rich returns from the improved stock they were
enabled to secure, and did se cure, from him. Owing to
advanced age, and the depreciation of the cattle industry,
Mr. Junkins has abandoned the business.
When the Civil war broke out, no citizen was more ready
to assist the government in its efforts to sustain the Union
than the subject of this sketch, and in 1863 he enlisted and
was mustered in at Cleveland as member of Company F, 86th O.
V. I., under Col. Charles Lennert and Capt.
Squires. He was present at the capture of
Morgan, and at the battle of Cumberland Gap; served for
eight months, and was mustered out at Cleveland in 1864.
As result of his soldiering he has ever since been afflicted
with deafness.
Mr. Junkins was married Oct. 7, 1853, at Weston,
to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Long,
who was born Oct. 15, 1827, and who died Feb. 5, 1895.
Six children blessed this union, namely: (1) Alzina
Adelaide, born July 24, 1854, married Apr. 7, 1874,
to James Black burn; (2) Charlotte
Alma, born July 3, 1856, married to William
Walters; (3) Eber W., born Aug. 10, 1858, is
farmer in Milton township; (4) Raymond S., born July
28, 1861, is farmer of Weston; (5) Charles L., born
Sept. 25, 1863, is farmer in Milton township, and (6)
Perry C., born Aug. 31, 1866, has the management of the
homestead of 218 acres. Among the reminiscences of
early days, Mr. Junkins relates that, in 1850, he in
company with Aaron P. Treadwell, who was known as
Live Yankey," and Jim Crago, drove 150 head of
cattle from Weston township, Wood Co., Ohio, to Bridge port,
Conn., the trip occupying several months’ time.
The death of his beloved wife, which was the first one
to occur in the family, as above related, was severe blow to
Mr. Junkins. They had been companions
for nearly half century, and she had been to him faithful
helpmeet, sharing his burdens, and by her loving care making
his home blessed retreat from the cares and trials of life.
She was devoted mother, counting no sacrifice too great, if
by it she could secure the welfare and happiness of her
family. Thoughtful of their comfort, and anxious for
their future, she trained her children to become useful
citizens and an honor to the parents who did so much for
them; and now that she has gone to her reward they “rise up
and call her blessed.” In his political preferences,
Mr. Junkins is Republican, and for three terms
he held the office of supervisor. In religious faith,
he attends the Universalist Church, and is consistent
Christian. Socially, he be longs to the G. A. R. Post
at Weston, and Apr. 28, 1870, was made Master Mason in Grand
Rapids Lodge No. 289, F. &. A. M., Grand Rapids, Ohio, of
which lodge he is still member. He has resided on his
present farm since 1855, though he bought it in 1843, and is
known and beloved throughout the community, of which he may
be called “one of the old land marks." His life has
been one of useful endeavor, marked by integrity of purpose,
upright dealing and belief in the Fatherhood of God, and the
brother hood of humanity; and, now that for him the shadows
are lengthening, he can look back over the eventful years
with the consciousness of work well-done, and trust that the
future will bring him the reward promised to those who are
faithful to the end.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 620 |
NOTES:
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