MOSES B. WALTERS has demonstrated in his life the fact that success is not the result of fortunate circumstances or the aid of influential friends, but may be achieved through earnest and persistent purpose, enterprise, and honorable dealing.  The record of such a man is well worthy of perpetuation, and we gladly give it a place in this volume.  Mr. Walters was born in Montgomery township, Aug. 25, 1848, and is a son of Joseph Walters, who was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, and afterward accompanied his parents to Wood county, locating in Montgomery township.  The grandfather, Michael Walters, there entered from the government a tract of land which be improved and afterward sold.  He then removed to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days in the home of his daughter.  The father of our subject removed from Wood to Sandusky county, Ohio; but after two years returned to the old homestead in Montgomery township, where he continued for a similar period.  Subsequently he spent two years in Wyandot county, and then took up his residence in Freeport, Wood county, where he made his home until his death in July, 1865.  His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Arnold, is now living in Fostoria, Seneca Co., Ohio, and is the widow of Hiram Pember.  The family of Mr. and Mrs. Walters numbered the following named children - Michael, a carpenter of Fostoria, Ohio; Moses B., also a carpenter; Mary, who became the wife of Anthony Brockley, and died in Illinois; William, of Hatton, Ohio; Josiah, an express agent of Chicago, Ill.; Melita, wife of Dennis McCarthy, of Fostoria, Ohio.
     Mr. Walters, of this review, began his education under the instruction of Charles Young in a district school, near Perrysburg, Ohio.  He was about fifteen years of age when his parents removed to Freeport, where he completed his education by a three-terms’ attendance at the public schools.  Upon his father's death he went to live with Rev. Dowling, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself, working as a farm hand for $20 per month and his board.  Throughout his life he has carried on agricultural pursuits.  After his marriage he lived on a farm near Jerry City for a year, then rented a forty-acre tract of land in Henry township. In 1884 he located on his present farm, having here purchased forty acres on Mar. 17, 1873.  The place has all been cleared of timber, and has many excellent improvements upon it, including a comfortable two-story frame residence, while the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute.
     At West Millgrove, Wood county, in 1875, Mr. Walters married Sophia Henry, who was born near Jerry City, Nov. 23, 1853.  Their union has been blessed with five children, namely: Hattie, Orin, Irving, Jennie and Mary, all under the parental roof.  The parents are active members of the Disciples Church at Mungen, Ohio, and socially Mr. Walters is connected with the Odd Fellows society there.  In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has served as supervisor, school director, and for three years as truant officer of Henry township.
Source:  Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1062

ELLIOT M. WARNER, who is engaged in fruit culture in Ross township, belongs to a family that was early established in Connecticut.  Near New Milford, that State, his grandfather, Martin Warner, was born Apr. 27, 1781, and was the third of five sons born to Martin Warner, Sr., the others being, Orange; Solomon, who was married and had one son, Asa; Ruggles, who had two sons, Ashbel and Hiram, both of whom graduated at Yale College; and Lemuel, who also had two sons, Luzon and Elmer.  There were also two sisters in the family, one of whom married a son of Rev. Brooks, a Congregational minister, for whom Brookfield, Connecticut, was named.
     On Nov. 20, 1803. the grandfather led to the marriage altar Miss Nancy Hart, daughter of Lewis and Anne Hart, and they became the parents of the following children - Elliot, Henry, Martin, John H., George L., Mary, Eliza, Harriet, Margaret, and Sarah, who were born in Brookfield, Derby, and Huntington, Conn.  In 1806 the grandfather began farming on a thirty three-acre tract, two miles northeast of Brookfield, in Fairfield county, Conn., and twenty three miles from Bridgeport.  In 1811, in company with his father-in-law, he built a schooner of 170 tons burden, which was sailed by Lewis Hart, and in the war of 1812 was shot and fired by the British, off Bridgeport, Conn., but, after being run down, the fire was extinguished and the vessel saved.  It was named the “Nancy,” and was partly wrecked off the coast of Nantucket Island, but was repaired at a cost of $500.00.  Martin Warner removed to Derby, Conn., in April, 1815, where he engaged in distilling rum and whisky, which at that time was thought to be consistent in a Christian and deacon in the Church.  Reverses of fortune followed, and in November, 1823, he went to Rochester, N. Y., making the journey partially by canal, which became frozen.  On Jan. 1, 1824, he proceeded to Black Rock; but on May 1, removed to Buffalo, locating on Pearl street, one and a half squares northwest of the junction of Main and Niagara streets.  His wife and three children had joined him at Black Rock. and the same year they removed to Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he engaged in carpentering . In 1824, his son Elliot sailed as cabin boy on the "Red Jacket" and the "Eric," the former of which was sent over the Falls with a black bear on board.  In 1827, the grandfather purchased 119 acres in Rose township, Wayne county, for $6.00 per acre; but in September, 1833, with his son, Elliot, and his son-in-law, James Barber, he came, by way of Buffalo and Lake Erie, to Perrysburg, Wood Co., Ohio.  However, in the latter part of October of the same year, he returned to New York, and the family came by way of Detroit to Perrysburg on Capt. Asa Hart's schooner.  The grandfather built the first frame dwelling in Washington township, Wood county, in which religious services were held in 1835 and 1836, by Rev. Benjamin Woodbury, who organized a class of Presbyterians in Plain township, Martin Warner and Jacob Minton be coming deacons.  In 1838 a house of worship was erected in Section 12, Plain township. In Washington township the grandfather departed this life Nov. 14, 1854.
     Henry Warner, the father of our subject, learned the hatter's trade, of Van Vorhes, at Lyons, N. Y., in 1827, and came with the family to Wood county in 1835.  He was born Mar. 11, 1811, and died Apr. 24, 1894.  On Jan. 19, 1841, he was united in marriage with Jane Elizabeth Wright, whose birth occurred in Hardin county, Ky., in June, 1820, and to them were born five children - Liberty P., born May 11, 1842, became a member of the 21st O. V. I., during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; Elliot M. is the next in order of birth; Eliza J., born Nov. 23, 1845, is now the wife of Charles E. Allen; Mary W., born Sept. 15, 1847, is now Mrs. William Rhymers, living at 895 Bancroft street; and Hattie, who was born Nov. 20, 1851, died at the age of ten years.  For twenty-two years the father engaged in the work of the Methodist ministry, preaching at the following places in this state - Findlay, Bucyrus, Congress, Copley, Doylestown, Fostoria, Mt. Blanchard, Mellmore, Port Clinton, Bryan, Sylvania and Waterville.  In September, 1859, be located in Washington township, Wood county, where he made his home for fourteen years, when he retired to Perrysburg, where he resided for twenty years.  He was a conscientious Christian gentleman, be loved by all who knew him.
     Elliot M. Warner, whose name introduces this sketch, was born Jan. 23, 1844, in Waynesburg, Wayne Co., Ohio.  On attaining to man's estate, he married Miss Margaret E. Brown, who was born on Beaver creek, in Weston township, Wood county, in November: 1843, and is a daughter of Alexander Brown, of Grand Rapids township, this county.  They now have three children - Howard N., a fruit grower, born Dec. 25, 1872; Otis Arthur, also a fruit grower, born Mar. 26, 1874; and Jennie E., all at home.  Until 1874, Mr. Warner devoted his attention to general farming, but since that time has engaged in fruit culture, at first having twenty-five acres, to which he has since added fifty-seven acres, which he has thoroughly cleared, drained, and erected thereon good buildings, in cluding a fine residence.  The following is the average production of his fruit farm - 500 bushels of peaches, 400 of pears, 125 of plums, 100 of apples, 60 of cherries, 25 of currants, 10 of quinces, 8 of gooseberries, and 4 tons of grapes, all of the best varieties.  He rents the remainder of his farm, for which he receives-one-third of the crop raised, and his corn generally yields 100 bushels to the acre.
     Mr. Warner is a member of the Clark street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Toledo, Ohio, in which he has served as trustee and class leader; has always been a Republican in politics, to which party his ancestors also belonged, after the dissolution of the Whig party, which they had for merly supported.  For sixteen years he capably served as trustee of his township, and for several years was also school director.
     On May 2, 1864, Mr. Warner enlisted at Perrysburg in Company B, 144th O. V. I., under Lieut. Miller, Capt. Luther Black and Col. Hunt, and participated in the engagements at Monocacy, Md., and Berryville, Va.  Out of seventeen, twelve were captured by the Rebels, our subject being among the five who escaped, and in September, 1864, he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio.  He now holds membership in Ford Post No. 14, G. A. R., at East Toledo.  His brother Liberty, who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, was buried in the National Cemetery, at Chattanooga, among the thousands marked “Unknown."
Source:  Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 789

Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 1296

JOHN D. WEAVER, an industrious and thrifty farmer resides in section 321, Lake Township., where he has a good farm.  His birth occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and he is a son of George W. and Eliza (Davis) Weaver, also an industrious and thrifty farmer resides in Section 31, Lake Township, where he has a good farm.  His birth occurred in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and he is a son of George W. and Eliza (Davis) Weaver, also natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and whence in 1849 they took their family to Seneca County, Ohio.  The journey was made with a 2 horse team, and occupied 6 weeks.  There the family remained until coming to Lake Township, Wood County, in 1860 where the father purchased a tract of timber land, on which he erected a log house the same fall.  His death occurred upon the farm in July 1888, and the mother also closed her earthly  career in the same township, in 1886 leaving behind them an honorable record of industry and honesty.
     The parental household included 14 children, 9 of whom are still living.  Our subject (John D.), who is the eldest, was followed by Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Wagoner, of Like Township; Mrs. Sarah Richards, of Gibsonburg, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Kurfess, of Lake Township; Eliza, who became the wife of Barnabus Wagoner, and died in Lake Township, Dec. 25, 1879; George; Martha, who died in Seneca County; Martin, a resident of Lucas County, Ohio; Maria, who died in Lake Township, in 1860; Jessie D., who lives in that township; Mrs. Urilla Joseph of Plain Township, Wood County; and Harry E., who died in Lake Township in 1886.
     John D. Weaver was about 8 years of age when he arrived in Seneca county, where he attended the primitive schools of that day, and at the age of eighteen came with his parents to Lake township.  Here he aided in clearing and cultivating the home farm, and has ever devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits - besides general farming, being engaged in threshing for many years.  He was one of the first to own a threshing machine in the county, which was run by six horses; but for the past fourteen years he has operated a steam thresher.  Twenty-five acres of the old homestead are now in his possession, and he also owns fifteen acres additional, located in Section 341, Lake township.
     In that township, Mr. Weaver was married in 1870, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Susan Baker, is a daughter of Levi and Leah (Sherrick) Baker, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of that county; from which they removed to Crawford county, Ohio, and, in 1862, to Lake township, this county, where the father died in December 1886.  The mother, however, is still living, and resides upon the old homestead here.  Seven of her ten children yet survive; they were as follows:  Matilda, wife of George Wagoner, of Lake township; Susan, honored wife of our subject; Mrs. Mary Harr, of East Toledo, Ohio; Adaline, wife of Isaac Hufford, of Lake township; Elias, who died in that township at the age of nine years; Samuel, who resides on the home farm; Elmira, who died in 1879; Mrs. Cora Keller, of Lake township; Henry, who is married, and also lives on the old homestead; and Harvey, who is married, and resides at Stony Ridge, Ohio.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born ten children, namely: Charley, who is married, and resides in Troy township, Wood county; Sydney, who is married, and lives in Lake township; Ezra, Cyrus, Eroy, Ida, and Laura, all at home; Cora, who died in 1886, at the age of one year; Parm. E., who died in March, 1892; and Clinton, who also died in the same month.
     Mr. Weaver has witnessed much of the development and progress of Wood county, and has always taken an active interest in everything that will promote its welfare.  His ballot is generally cast for the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he has acceptably served as a member of the school board.
Source 2: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page  1207
Contributed By: Bob Weaver

GEORGE W. WILKINSON, one of the self-made men of Ohio, a prominent editor of Wood county, and a worthy representative citizen of North Baltimore, is a native of the State, having been born Mar. 15, 1859, in Logan county.
     At an early age he was left an orphan, his father having died when he was an infant, succumbing to exposure experienced at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in 1862; after which, until he was eighteen years old, young George made his home with his grandfather, John G. Wilkinson, during which period he acquired a common-school education.  Fully realizing he was not yet properly equipped in an educational point of view, for suitable life work, our subject, on leaving the home of his grandfather, went to Sidney, Ohio, where for three years he attended the public schools, at the end of which time he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed several years.  For one year he had charge of the grammar department of public-school work at Deshler, and for two years he served as superintendent of schools of that place.  During the year 1885-86 he leased and conducted the Deshler Flag, and then purchased the Beacon, of North Baltimore, which, under his able management, has become one of the leading journals of Wood county.
     Politically, Mr. Wilkinson is a Republican, and a representative in his party.  For several years he has been a member of the County Central Committee, of which he has been chairman and secretary.  He has also been several times a member of the executive committee, serving now in that capacity; is also serving as member of the County Election Board, by appointment from the Secretary of State, and is chairman of that board.  Mr. Wilkinson has served four terms as trustee of the North Baltimore Gas Co., during which time he was its secretary.  At this writing he is president of the board of examiners of teachers, for the city of North Baltimore.  He is also serving his second term as secretary of the Buckeye Press Association, of Ohio, an organization of printers and editors, consisting of about two hundred members, he being one of the originators of the association.  He is a practical, artistic printer, and has one of the finest and best equipped offices in the State.
     In 1885, Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage with Miss Ella M. Thomas, daughter of Rev. A. C. Thomas, of North Baltimore, born Apr. 21, 1868, and educated in the common schools of Ohio.  Mrs. Wilkinson is a valuable assistant to her husband, being in perfect sympathy with his work, and taking editorial charge during his temporary absence.  To their union have come two children, namely: Gerald T., born in 1889, and Claire W., born in 1892.  Mrs. Wilkinson is a member of the M. E. Church, at North Baltimore, and she and her husband enjoy the highest regard of the best citizens of the community in which they live.
Source:  Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 532

DAVID WILKISON (deceased), of Perrysburg, was born at or near Buffalo, in February, 1800, and at an early age went on the Lake as a sailor.  In 1815 he sailed up the Maumee river on the schooner “Blacksnake," commanded by his uncle, Jacob Wilkison.  This was a small craft to venture upon the lake, being but twenty five ton burden.  At that time nothing but a wild forest was to be seen where Perrysburg now stands.  The “Blacksnake" brought up as passengers the family of Mulhollen, who later kept the noted tavern, “Vienna;" also a Mr. Hunter and family, Scott Robb, and a Mr. Hopkins, who settled on land above the present village of Perrysburg.  At that time, Fort Meigs contained about forty soldiers, who were taken to Detroit by the schooner on her return trip.
     In 1817, the "Blacksnake" was in command of Capt. David Wilkison, and made several trips to the Maumee, bringing new settlers, goods, etc., and carrying back fish.  In l818, Capt. Daniel Hubbell bought a controlling interest in the schooner “Pilot," and Capt. Wilkison was placed in command, running between Buffalo and the Maumee Rapids.  By that time the Valley of the Maumee began to produce a surplus of corn, and the "Pilot" was well loaded on her return trips with corn and fish.  Capt. Wilkison continued upon the lakes, running in connection with the Maumee trade until 1828, at which time he removed his family to Perrysburg.  Up to this time he had been in command, successively, of the schooners "Blacksnake," “Pilot," "MaryJane," “President," "Superior," “Guerriere" and "Eagle," the latter being a schooner of sixty tons, built at Port Lawrence, now Toledo, in 1828, at a cost of $3,000.  The "Eagle ” continued under the command of Capt. Wilkison until 1835, doing a profitable business, as was the case with all lake vessels at that period. ‘Capt. Wilkison left the "Eagle" to take command of the new steamer, "Commodore Perry," continuing in charge of her until 1845, when he took command of the steamer " Superior," running between Perrysburg and Buffalo.  He continued to run this steamer until the close of navigation in 1852, when he retired after having spent thirty-seven years upon the lakes, in all of which time he never lost a vessel or steamer, nor did he ever meet with any serious accident.  His remarkable success as a navigator was owing to his superior judgment, his coolness under most trying circum stances, and his perfect knowledge of the lake.
     After retiring from the lakes Capt. Wilkison devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm adjoining Perrysburg, until he lost his sight.  Subsequently his sight was partially restored, and, some years prior to 1873, he was placed in charge of the lighthouse just below Manhattan, the duties of which be discharged until about the year 1872, when he returned to Perrysburg very much broken in health.  In the prime of his life he possessed qualities of mind and heart which commanded the respect and secured the friendship of all who knew him, and no man sailed on the lakes who was better known.  The Captain was an ardent Whig up to the time of the disruption of that party, and he then became a Republican.  At the time of the great celebration at Fort Meigs in 1840, the Captain brought Gen. Harrison to the fort in his steamer Commodore Perry, and entertained a large number of visitors who came to take part there.  Although somewhat bluff and a little austere in manner, Capt. Wilkison had the kindest of hearts, and no one ever appealed to him in vain for sympathy or aid in misfortune.  His death occurred Sept. 8, 1873.
     The widow of Capt. Wilkison, Caroline M. (formerly Forbes), survived him, dying in 1877.  He left five children, all but one of whom are still living. William D. Wilkison, the eldest son, was an invalid for many years prior to his death.  John E. Wilkison was a partner of Charles Foster and the general manager of the bank of Foster & Co., of Fostoria, until the disastrous failure of  Mr. Foster carried the bank down with him.  The failure was not in any manner owing to any mismanagement of the bank affairs, as the books showed that the bank was prosperous, and had been making money up to the date of the failure of Mr. Foster.  Mr. Wilkison is now engaged in the Insurance business at Cleveland.  Capt. Wilkison’s eldest daughter is the wife of Isaac P. Thompson, and now resides in Perrysburg.  Mr. Thompson was a part owner, and his partner, C. C. Roby, was the master of the steamer "Griffith,” which was lost on Lake Erie in 1850, accompanied by a loss of life that spread, mourning over the land.  Sarah, the second daughter, is the wife of Judge Henry H. Dodge, and now resides at Bowling Green, Ohio.  Caroline, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Earl W. Merry, the well-known banker of Bowling Green.
Source:  Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 454

Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 1324

Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 944

Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 1355

J. WININGER, who for many years has been the postmaster at Hatton, and is also a prosperous merchant of that village, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1839, the son of Adam and Mary (Sheller) Wininger.  The father of our subject was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but was a pioneer settler of Seneca county, and, at the time of our subject's birth, was living one mile from what is now Fostoria, on land which is now included in the limits of that city.  When he was a child his parents removed to near Berwick, Ohio, where they owned eighty acres of unimproved land.  He attended the district schools in the intervals of hard work, and was often prevented from even this scanty amount of schooling on account of high water, which covered the wet, swampy land in this section, near Fostoria.  The young people of to-day have but little idea of the trials and privations the youth of those pioneer times had to undergo in order to procure even the limited schooling which they received, and it is to their credit that they grew up to be, in most cases, intelligent, well-in formed men who laid the foundations for one of the most prosperous commonwealths among the States.
     Mr. Wininger remained on his father's farm until reaching his majority, when he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked at intervals for a number of years.  On Oct. 6, 1856, he was married, in Fostoria, to Miss Sarah Stevens, who was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Stevens.  Two children were born of this union: Laura E., who resides with her father, and Adelia, now Mrs. Earl Dillon, of Seneca county, Ohio.
     Mr. Wininger began his active life without any assistance, at first renting land near Fostoria, which he farmed until his removal, in the spring of 1873, to a tract of eighty acres of wild land in Section 3, Perry township, for which he paid $1,000, a legacy which was left to his wife, about this time aiding him materially in its purchase.  No improvements whatever were on this place; but the young man was a worker, and the effects of many days of hard labor were soon noticeable.  Each year saw the land increasing in value, but by the time it had reached a high state of cultivation, the incessant work had begun to tell on its owner, and he was compelled to seek some less laborious employment.  He,  concluded to start in the grocery business at Hatton, but so cautious was he about investing in an enterprise entirely unfamiliar, that he bought at first only about $75 worth of goods, and not until 1885 did he remove his family to Hatton.  It was soon necessary, however, to seek other quarters for the transaction of his rapidly-growing business, which has proved successful beyond his highest expectations.  He now owns his store, the greater part of which he has built, and carries a stock of general merchandise, his trade being an extensive one, both in the immediate vicinity and throughout the township.  He also owns and resides in the finest house in Hatton, and in addition to his farm of eighty acres, which he still carries on, is the owner of other valuable property.
     On Oct. 1, 1861, Mr. Wininger enlisted in Company D, 72nd Regiment, O. V. I., under Capt. Neufer, and participated in all the battles in which his company took part until the latter part of June, 1863, when he was taken seriously ill at Vicksburg, Miss., and was sent to the hospital at Memphis.  Later he was transferred to the Invalid Corps at St. Louis, where he remained two months; then was sent to Rock Island, Ill., and from there to Washington, D. C., where he was discharged in November, 1864.  During the administration of President Arthur, Mr. Wininger was appointed postmaster at Hatton, and has retained that office ever since in spite of the changes in political leaders.  He is a popular man, and has been successful in pleasing all classes by his excellent management of the duties of this responsible position.  He is a stanch Republican, and has held a number of minor offices, though in no sense an office-seeker.  He is deserving of much credit for the active share he has had in the growth and development of his section, and it is to such men as he that Wood county owes her position as one of the foremost among the best counties of Ohio.  His worth is appreciated by his fellow citizens, who hold him in high esteem.  Mr. Wininger has had the sorrow of losing his estimable wife, who departed this life Aug. 4, 1892, at Hatton, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Fostoria.
Source:  Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 697