BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio,
Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897
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HARRISON NELSON.
The story of our heroic American ancestors is a source of
inspiration, interest and encouragement, and often valuable lessons
can be learned from those around us. The life of our subject
is in many respects exemplary, for his career, honorable and upright
in
all respects, is that of a self-made man who has overcome the
obstacles of limited circumstances, and by persistence, energy, and
resolute purpose worked his way steadily upward. Mr.
Nelson was born in Mercer county, Penn., Jan. 8, 1840, and is a
son of Nicholas and Catherine (Lightner)
Nelson, also natives of the Keystone State. His
great-grandfather, William Nelson, was born in the North of
Ireland, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century came to
America, establishing the family in this country. His son
Joseph, the grandfather, removed from Huntingdon to Venango
county, Penn., in 1802, but in 1810 returned to Huntingdon, where he
made his home until 1837. In that year he removed to Mercer
county, where his death occurred in 1850. His children were
John, who died in 1878; Harriet, deceased wife of John
McKim, of Pennsylvania; Daniel and James, both
deceased; Margaret, wife of Matthew McCord, of Mercer
county; Lydia, wife of Curtis Pierson, of Mercer
county. On both the paternal and maternal sides the family of
our subject is connected with men prominent in American annals,
especially the history of the Revolution. Among the number
were Thomas Nelson, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence from Virginia. The father of Robert Lee
was also descended from the same ancestry.
The father of our subject was born in 1804, was reared
as a farmer boy, and throughout his life carried on agricultural
pursuits, owning 100 acres of valuable land in Mercer county, Penn.
There his death occurred in 1882, and his wife passed away July 12,
1859. Their children were James, who is living on the
old homestead in Mercer county; Samuel, also on the homestead
farm; Adam, who has lived in California since 1860; Nancy,
who died at the age of seventeen; David, who entered the
United States army in 1861, and died in the hospital in front of
Richmond, June 9, 1862; Harrison, of this sketch; and
Catherine, who died at the age of four years.
In his youth Mr. Nelson, of this review,
acquired a good English education, and at the age of fifteen entered
upon his business career as clerk in a mercantile establishment in
his native county, being thus employed at the time of the breaking
out of the war. In October, 1861, he enlisted as a private of
Company F, 57th Penn. V. I., and served until Nov. 12, 1864,
participating in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks,
seven day's fight in front of Richmond, Bull Run, Chantilla,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, Mine
Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep
Bottom and the siege of Petersburg. In May, 1862, he was
promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, and in May, 1863, after
the battle of Chancellorsville, for gallant and meritorous
service was made first lieutenant. After the battle of
Gettysburg he was promoted to the rank of captain, but for two
months was forced to lie in a hospital in Virginia, owing to a wound
received in the left thigh during that most important engagement of
the war. In March, 1863, he had been detailed as adjutant of
the regiment, and continued in that capacity until Jan. 1, 1864,
when he assumed command of his company. When his term expired,
Capt. Nelson returned home and resumed clerking.
In 1877 he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company,
with which he has remained continuously since. On the 29th of
November, 1888, he came to Wood county, and assumed charge of the
business of the company here in the capacity of guager. He
started out in life for himself as a poor boy, but has steadily
worked his way upward, his merit and fidelity winning him continued
promotion, until he now occupies a remunerative and responsible
position.
On Mar. 29, 1866, Mr. Nelson was joined in
wedlock with Miss Kate Bell, a native of Mercer county,
Penn., born Dec. 14, 1844, and a daughter of John B. and Ann
(Scott) Bell, natives of the Keystone State. In politics
Mr. Nelson is an active Democrat, and an earnest
worker in his party. In religious faith, his views coincide
with the doctrine of the Presbyterian denomination. Socially,
he is connected with the Masonic Lodge, the Union Veteran Legion,
and the Grand Army of the Republic, and in all the relations of life
he displays the same loyalty and fidelity that marked his career
when on Southern battle fields, he followed the old flag that now
waves victoriously and proudly over the united nation.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
1181 |
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WILLIAM NELSON is
a representative farmer of Center township, where he owns a fine
farm of 250 acres. His operations have been marked with
uniform success, and in addition to being a thorough and skillful
agriculturist, he is a business man of more than ordinary capacity,
wise and judicious in his investments, and taking advantage of the
facilities afforded at this day and age by improved machinery, and
all the other appliances, required by the modern tiller of the soil.
Mahoning county, Ohio, was the earliest home of our subject, where
he was born June 30, 1820. His parents, James and Sarah
(Evenings) Nelson, were natives of Buffalo Valley, Union Co.,
Penn., where the father engaged in farming until coming to Wood
county to make his home with his son. Here his death occurred
in 1873, and his wife, who had preceded him to the world beyond,
died in 1865. In their family were ten children, named as
follows: Jane, Liddie, Jonathan, Katherine, William, James, Mary,
John D., Sarah and Jesta.
William Nelson received
his education in the district schools, while his farm training was
received on the old homestead. At the age of fourteen years he
began selling goods on the road, which occupation he continued. to
follow for sixteen years, during which time he managed by strict
economy to save enough money to purchase 160 acres of land in
Hancock county, Ohio. A portion of the farm had been placed
under cultivation, and to its improvement he devoted his time and
attention until 1865, when he disposed of that property and removed
to Missouri, remaining there a short time. Coming back to
Ohio, he located in Center township, where he bought 100 acres, half
of which had been improved. He cleared the balance, and as his
financial resources increased, added 150 acres to his farm.
Starting out in life with very little capital in fact, nothing but
his strong hands and resolute will - the present condition of Mr.
Nelson, socially and financially, reflects great credit upon
him, both as an agriculturist and a business man.
In August, 1852, Mr. Nelson was married
in Hancock county, the lady of his choice being Miss
Rebecca Bowman, who was born Mar. 20, 1830, and is a
daughter of Henry Bowman, a prominent farmer of that
county. Eight children were born of this union, all of whom
survive, and in order of birth are as follows: James L., born
July 23, 1853, is a farmer, and, by his marriage with Ellen
Shinew, has eight children; William H., born July 26,
1855, carries on agricultural pursuits in Gratiot county, Mich.;
Sarah E., born Jan. 4, 1858, is the wife of Thomas Shinew,
a farmer of Portage township; Liddie E., born Aug. 31, 1860,
is the wife of James Davis, a contractor and builder, of
Plain township, Wood county; John A., born May 24, 1864, is a
farmer living on the homestead; Louisa born Oct. 10, 1866, is
the wife of George Crom, a farmer of Michigan;
Elmert, born Aug. 7, 1868, married Della Stacy;
and Emma R., born Nov. 28, 1872, is the wife of Arthur
Vermillia, a farmer of Henry county, Ohio.
Mr. Nelson still resides upon his farm,
which is now conducted by his son John, but has laid aside
business cares, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former
toil. He has liberally aided his children in securing good
homes, and to all objects for the good of the community, he has been
a cheerful and liberal contributor. His early education was
quite limited, but his natural intelligence and habits of
observation have served to keep him well informed upon matters of
general interest. He is politically at true-blue Republican,
and there are few people held in higher esteem than William
Nelson and his excellent wife, who has been his faithful and
sympathizing companion for upwards of forty-four years.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
731
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Capt. O. P. Norris
John Norris |
CAPTAIN OMAR P. NORRIS, a
leading agriculturist of Perry township, with residence near
"Norris" Station, T. & O. C. R. R., post office Longley, was born in
Wayne County, Ohio, Nov. 18, 1838, and comes of English and Scotch
ancestry.
HON. JOHN NORRIS, father of our subject, was born Apr.
22, 1813, in Fort "Findlay," Wayne county, Ohio, and became one of
the most prominent and influential citizens of Perry township, Wood
county. Amos Norris, his father (grandfather of our
subject), was born Oct. 16, 1779, in Huntingdon county, Penn., and
was married to Mary Shaver, of the same nativity, born Feb.
16, 1788, of English descent, a daughter of Maj. John Shaver,
who served in that rank during the war of the Revolution.
Amos Norris and his wife moved from their native county to Ohio
in 1802, making their home in Wayne county until 1814, when they
removed to Ashland county, being the first white settlers in the
neighborhood, at which time the Indians were troublesome, some of
them, after Hull's surrender, murdering three families in
Wayne county, so that the pioneers had to build a fort in which they
and their families could take refuge. This fort was named
"Findlay," and in it was born Hon. John Norris. Amos
Norris and his wife both died in Orange township, Ashland
county, he at the age of sixty-five, and she, when seventy-six years
old. He assisted in the organization of that township, and was
one of the rugged old pioneers well adapted by nature for the work
of pioneer days. A brief record of their family of five sons
and three daughters is as follows: John (deceased) was
the eldest; Vachel was drowned at the age of twenty-one, near
Orange, Ohio; Nancy married Marsham Bowman, and died
in Ashland county, Ohio; Temperance wedded W. J. Rigby,
of Fostoria, Ohio; William, a farmer, died in Orange, Ohio;
Amos was a lawyer and State Senator of Minnesota sometime in
the "fifties," and afterward in the "seventies" judge of courts in
Florida, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, and died
there; Andrew, who was a Doctor, died in Farmer City, Ill.;
Sarah, the youngest of the family, was twice married, and
died in Ashland county, Ohio.
Hon. John Norris was reared in Wayne county,
Ohio, attending school "off and on" in what is now Orange township,
Ashland county, until he was fourteen years of age. Having
accidentally cut his foot, so badly that he was unable to move about
he took that opportunity to learn the trade of a shoemaker, which he
picked up so readily and was so industrious at, that he made a pair
of shoes the first day he worked. After he learned his trade
he taught several terms of school, during the winter months only,
receiving for his services eight dollars per month, meanwhile
"boarding round" at the homes of his scholars. With this
exception, he remained under the parental roof until his marriage,
Mar. 19, 1834, in Wayne county, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Cuthbertson,
who was born May 28, 1815, in Washington county, Penn., a daughter
of Thomas and Margaret (Brownlee) Cuthbertson, both natives
of Scotland, the mother born in Glasgow, the father a stocking
weaver by trade. After marriage the young couple commenced
house-keeping in Orange, Ashland county, Ohio, but soon afterward
they took charge of his mother-in-law's farm in Wayne county, and
continued thereon until 1843, in the fall of which year they came to
Wood county, settling on 160 acres of unimproved land in Perry
township, no clearing having been done until after they moved on the
place. Mr. Norris had previously visited the locality,
and built a common log cabin on the premises, which originally
comprised 240 acres. In 1845, he sold eighty acres, with the
proceeds of which he paid off some of the indebtedness he had
incurred in the purchase. In April, 1880, retiring from the
labors on the farm, and also on account of the burning of his home
in Perry township, he moved to Fostoria, and here passed his
declining years. The family born to John and Rebecca Norris
were as follows: Omar, who died in infancy, in
Wayne county, Ohio; Thomas C., who entered the service as
captain of Company B, 111th Regiment O. V. I., was promoted to major
and commissioned lieutenant-colonel, mustered out with the regiment
as a major, and died in Fostoria, Ohio, in 1867, from injuries
received in 1865, near Salisbury, N. C., in jumping from a flat-card
that was off the rails, in a train carrying the regiment of which he
was then in command; Amos was killed by the premature
discharge of a cannon while celebrating July 4, 1863, at West
Millgrove, Ohio; Omar P., the subject proper of this sketch;
Mary, married to W. H. Kiger, of Prairie Depot (P.
O.), or Freeport, Wood county; William B., who was a fine
scholar in his younger days, and died at the age of forty-two;
James H., who served in Company H, 49th O. V. I., was promoted
three times for bravery - twice in the company, and promoted to
sergeant while in the signal corps, which he voluntarily left to
please his captain - and was killed in the battle of Pickett's
Mills, or Dallas, Ga., May 27, 1864, while leading his company as
sergeant; Jane, who married Capt. Thomas H. Chance, of
Fostoria; Fanny, married to Andrew G. Yates, of Perry
township; Annie, wife of C. H. Stewart of Fostoria;
Emma, who was the wife of Dr. J. C. Lincoln, and died at
Bowling Green; J. H., a prominent physician of Fostoria; and
Frank M., a farmer of Perry township.
The mother of this family was a daughter of Scotch
parents who were born and reared in the land of Wallace, Bruce
and Burns, coming to this country at an early day.
After a wedded life of half a century she passed from earth Mar. 17,
1884, at Fostoria, Ohio, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried on
the anniversary of her wedding. She and her husband joined the
Methodist Episcopal Church, at their marriage, and remained
consistent members of the same. She died in the triumph of a
living faith in Christ, her Redeemer. She wanted and took Him
for her all-in-all, in Time and Eternity. She was a very
conscientious woman, and when her sons enlisted to go to the war,
she stood up in a large audience and exclaimed: "Boys! It
almost breaks my heart to see you go; but do your duty. Your
country demands your help; be brave, and die with your face to the
foe, and be men." She and her husband commenced in the woods
twice during their married life - once in Wayne county, where they
cleared up heavily-timbered land, some fifty-seven acres, then after
ten years moved to Wood county, and here also cleared up
heavily-timbered land, about 200 acres.
In 1885, Hon. John Norris married his second
wife, Lydia A. Crum, of Columbiana county, Ohio, who survives
him, living in a fine home he deeded her. Here he passed the
declining years of his life, dying May 23, 1896, of blood poisoning,
aged eighty-three years and one month, a useful member of society
all his life. In his political preferences he was originally a
Whig, later a Republican, and was one of the stanchest supporters of
the party in Wood county. In 1843 he was appointed township
clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U. M. Corey;
was then elected to the same office two terms, then as treasurer two
consecutive terms; then as trustee two terms; then as justice of the
peace two terms of three years each; then as assessor three terms.
In 1872, when the county was for the first time entitled to a
representative the people selected Mr. Norris to represent
the county in the Sixtieth General Assembly, as a Republican.
This was the first of the three-years' fight between Bowling Green
and Perrysburg, as to which should be the county seat, Bowling Green
in the end winning the prize. He was re-nominated for a second
term as representative, but was defeated at the polls, on account of
the county-seat fight; but he did not sour, or leave the party, or
its principles. In religious faith he was for over sixty years
a member of the M. E. Church, toward which he contributed liberally,
and held office in the same. As a farmer he was systematic and
progressive; as a public official he was straightforward and
honorable; as a man no one was better known or more highly honored.
He was hale and hearty up to the illness that caused his death, and
not long before the final summons came, he said: "I wonder why it is
that I am living, and so many former friends and acquaintances gone
forever from this world! But I bide my time.
Capt. Omar P. Norris during boyhood attended the
district schools near his home, and after studying for a term in an
academy at Republic, taught for three winter terms. He then
entered Prof. Turner's school at Fostoria; but the war breaking out
before his term was finished, he joined the army, as did every other
male student in that school. Our subject enlisted, in April,
1861, in Company H, 21st O. V. I., three-months' regiment, and was
rejected at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio. In June, same year,
he re-enlisted, this time in Company G, 25th O. V. I., soon rose to
the rank of sergeant, and was in all the marches and engagements of
that regiment up to and including the battle of Greenbrier, W. Va.,
was honorably discharged for disability Nov. 21, 1861, and returned
home. In August, 1862, he entered Company B, 111th O. V.
I., and served until the end of the war, coming out with the rank of
captain, having served in every intermediate rank except that of
corporal. He and fifty-two men of Company B, of whom he was in
command as first lieutenant, were sacrificed, while on picket duty,
to let a division get "out of a hole," on midnight of Nov. 15, 1863,
near Lenoir Station, East Tenn., when the Rebel general,
Longstreet, crossed the Tennessee river with his army, en
route for Knoxville. Lieut. Norris and his men were
surrounded and taken prisoners early on the morning of Nov. 16,
1863. They were all stripped of their hats, overcoats and
shoes, by the Rebels, and sent to Atlanta, Ga., thence to Richmond,
Va., where he and his men were separated, Lieut. Norris being
sent to Libby Prison, and his men to Belle Isle. Of those
fifty-two men, thirty-six died in Rebel prisons. [See "Ohio in
the War."] Lieut. Norris was in Libby Prison until May, 1864,
when he was sent with all other officers, confined in Libby at that
time, to Salisbury, N. C., from there to Augusta, from there to
Macon, and from there to Savannah, Ga., where he lay at the point of
death for several days, and was reported as dead in the New York
papers, by chaplains who were exchanged at Savannah, and mourned as
dead by his parents and friends at home. From Savannah he was
sent to Charleston, S. C., where, for twenty-nine days, the Federal
prisoners were under fire of the Union guns at Morris Island, and
where, too, the yellow fever was raging among the prisoners confined
in the city jail yard, among whom was Lieut. Norris.
From Charleston he was sent to Columbia, S. C., where many of the
officers died of yellow fever, among them being Capt. William
Bender, 123d O. V. I., of Fostoria, Ohio, and Lieut. Asa
Spafford, 21st O. V. I., of Perrysburg, Ohio. Leut.
Norris escaped from Columbia, traveled over a hundred miles, and
was then tracked up by blood-hounds and recaptured, taken back to
Columbia and out to Prison Camp, where he soon afterward escaped
again, at a great risk of his life. After traveling
thirty-four nights, he reached the Union lines at Sweet Water, E.
Tenn., Dec. 27, 1864, having passed through many hardships and
privations, and experiencing narrow escapes. He rejoined his
regiment at Washington, D. C., Feb. 8, 1865, and returned to the
seat of war by the old ship "Prometheus," that narrowly escaped
foundering off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. His regiment
landed near Fort Fisher, N. C., and engaged in the North Carolina
campaign. Here Lieut. Norris was promoted to captain of
Company I, to date Nov. 17, 1864. Capt. Norris was in all the
marches and engagements of the North Carolina campaign, and received
his final discharge July 12, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C. [See History
of the Regiment, by Capt. W. S. Thurstin, 11th O. V. I.,
Toledo, Ohio.]
After his return home he sold goods for ex-Gov.
Foster, of Fostoria, for two years, then traveled a year selling
a patent-right of his own invention, and then settled upon his farm
in Perry township, where he has since carried on the business of
stock raising, giving special attention to the sheep. He has
been twice married, first time, in 1869, to Miss Frona Patton
a school teacher, a daughter of Lieut. -Col. John J. Patton,
O. V. I. She was born Jan. 1, 1850, in Quincy, Logan Co.,
Ohio, and died Dec. 9, 1876, leaving three children: Ida
a school teacher, who married George E. Reed, enrolling clerk
of the 72d General Assembly, and now editor and proprietor of the
Prairie Depot Observer (they have two children - Frona
and Mary); Emma, a school teacher, who now lives at
home; and Belle a successful teacher, who now lives at home;
and Belle, a successful teacher of the county. For his
second wife Capt. Norris married Miss Libbie Yates,
daughter of John W. Yates, first sergeant Company H, 49th
Regiment, O. V. I., of Crawford county, Ohio, who was killed Dec.
16, 1864, in the engagement at Nashville. Mrs. Libbie
Norris was born Sept. 9, 1857, and was a teacher in Wood county
for some time. Three children were born of this union:
Omar, Fannie and Thomas.
A man of broad views and liberal
judgment, Capt. Norris wields great influence in the
community, and so fully does he enjoy the confidence of the public
that he has been elected to the office of chairman of the board of
education of Perry township. He has served two terms as
treasurer of Perry township, also two terms as justice of the peace
(refusing to serve longer), and was also a candidate before the
county convention for commissioner. In 1895 he was elected to
represent Wood county in the State Legislature (Seventy-second
General Assembly). He was the author of two general Bills,
which passed the House; one Bill was defeated in the Senate; the
other, the "Anti-treat Bill," was smothered in the Senate committee.
He also introduced three local Bills, all of which became laws.
Capt. Norris took an active part in the Presidential campaign
just closed. He delivered eight spee4ches in favor of the
election of McKinley, protection to American industires,
reciprocity and a 100-cent dollar, and is now happy over the
election of Major McKinley as "President of our greatest
nation on earth."
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
496 |
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WILLIAM NORTON was
born in Springfield, Ohio Jan. 29, 1853. His father, Michael
Norton, was born in Kildare, Ireland, and on coming to this country
located near Springfield, where he engaged in farming. He was
united in marriage in Clark county, Ohio, to Catherine Smith,
a native of Kings County, Ireland, born Aug. 8, 1833. They
became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters,
namely: William, Elizabeth, wife of William Snyder;
Mary, wife of Charles Young; Annie, wife of William
Snyder; Mary, wife of Charles Young; Annie, wife
of William Brunthaver, a farmer of Middleton township;
John, a cooper of Sugar Ridge; Michael G., a farmer of
Dunbridge; Elsie, at home; and James. The father
of the family removed to Wood county in 1853, and located in
Middleton township, where he purchased sixty-five acres of land.
This he improved, successfully continuing its cultivation until his
death, which occurred Apr. 1, 1873. He was a Democrat in
politics, and a member of the Catholic Church of Bowling Green.
Our subject acquired his education in the district
schools of the neighborhood, and early began work on the home farm.
After his father's death he conducted the sixty-five acres that
constituted the home place, for four years, and then went to a home
of his own. He rented a farm for two years, when, with the
capital he had acquired, he purchased his present farm of eighty
acres, one-half of which was unimproved. This he placed under
a high state of cultivation, and now, in the midst of well-tilled
fields, stands a fine residence and good barns, while his farm is
one of the best in the township.
On Dec. 23, 1876, Mr. Norton wedded Miss Mary
Entsminger, who was born in Sandusky county, Sept. 30, 1856.
They had two children - Maud, born Nov. 22, 1877; and
Frank M. (who died in infancy), Mar. 24, 1884. For six
years our subject has served as school director, was supervisor two
terms, and in both offices has discharged his duties with a
promptness and fidelity that has won him high commendation.
Socially, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity,
and, politically, with the Republican party.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
854 |
NOTES:
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