1875 Personal Histories
"Thanks to Kay Peters Oliver for her time in transcribing these Biographies".
Kay Peters Oliver e-mail at kayoliver@juno.com
E. B. CLARK was born in Orleans County, New York, January 16, 1826 and married in Adrian, Michigan, April 5, 1856 to Evaline, daughter of Cornelius and Lois Romans, the former of New York, the latter of Connecticut, who was born in Otsego County, New York, November 18, 1818. They have two children: George C., born August 23, 1859; and Victorene, born January 20, 1861. George and Elizabeth Clark, parents of E. B., were born in Rhode Island. They settled in Fulton County in 1834, afterward removed to Michigan, where the former died September 13, 1872; the latter resides with her son, and is seventy-eight years of age. Mr. Clark has filled several offices of trust in the township and is much respected by his neighbors. He is a man of character and influence; he has the finest brick buildings in Chesterfield Township; he was an early pioneer. The farm which he bought had an incumbrance on it of which he did not know, and which we was obliged to pay in order to keep the land. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer and dairyman.
HENRY RUSSELL was born in Lockport, New York, January 9, 1838. He ws married in Fulton County, Ohio, December 23, 1869 to Mary U. Powers, who was born in Fulton County August 13, 1853. They have one son, Edwin S., born June 7, 1874. The parents of Mr. Russell were John and Catharine (Fogleman) Russell, the former born in New York in 1802, the latter in Pennsylvania in 1799. The settled in Fulton County in 1853. Mrs. R.?s father was P. Powers, whose history is found on another page. Mr. Russell had five brothers and three sisters; three brothers are living and the rest all deceased. Rowland T. Russell enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment and died in Louisville, Kentucky. Ranson A. enlisted in a Michigan regiment, was wounded and received an honorable discharge. He was a chaplain. Jeremiah enlisted in the 4th Michigan V.I., was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness in the seventh day of the fight. Post-office, Gorham, Ohio. Business, farmer, section 19.
BYRON BRINK, son of Jacob and Phoeba Brink, the former of Ohio, the latter of Long Island, was born in Fulton County, December 6, 1847 the same year his parents settled in the county. His father died in 1853. Mr. Brink was married in Williams County, Ohio, February 16, 1873 to Barbara E. Rutledge, daughter of William and Sarah Lippe Rutledge of Ohio born in Williams County, December 6, 1847. This was his second marriage. They had two children: Sarah J., born November 11, 1873; and Phoeba Ann, born August 28, 1875. Mr. B.?s first wife was Sarah Powers, by whom he had one child, George E., born March 1, 1871. Mr. Brink has five brothers and one sister: Bartley, Banebridge, Jacob, John D., and Emma Masten. Mrs. Brink has three brothers and six sisters: Jacob, John, and William D; Leah, Catharine, Sarah D., Mary J., Diana E. and Margaret L. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer, section 20.
LAFAYETTE SHERMAN, son of Merrit and Emily Sherman, the former of New York, the latter of Connecticut, was born in Wayne County, New York, August 16, 1824. He was married in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, December 26, 1850 to Sarah Root, daughter of Jessie and Sally Root, of Connecticut, who was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, June 28, 1829. Their children are: Merrit, born October 5, 1851; Edgar, born July 9, 1854; Herbert, born January 26, 1856; Lela, born March 7, 1861; Denard, born October 16, 1866; Vernia, born September 28, 1871, died March 18, 1872. Mrs. Sherman was a pensioner of the war of 1812. Mr. S. settled in Fulton County in 1851. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer.
Swan Creek Township-page 9 (page 29 of the original 1875 Atlas)
JOHN TEMPLETON, son of John and Jane (Stewart) Templeton of Washington County, Pennsylvania, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1807. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, April 26, 1827 to Susan Watkins, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, November 9, 1805. Their children are: Benjamin, deceased, January 2, 1873; James, deceased, May 29, 1865; John S., William B., Nathaniel B., Elizabeth C., Sarah T., Martha A., Rachel M., Mary M, Ellen R., deceased, September, 1856; Susan C., and an infant, deceased. James and Sarah Watkins, born, the former in Delaware, the latter in Pennsylvania, were the parents of Mrs. Templeton. They settled in Wayne County in 1822. Nathaniel Templeton, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, lived near where Simon Girty led the Indians across the Ohio into Pennsylvania, and was with Crawford in the battle with the Indians on the Sandusky Plains. He was wounded in the first day?s fight, and overcome by loss of blood, was captured on the third day and tomahawked and scalped by the Indians. His comrades obtained and buried his body, and carried his gun home to his wife. The gun is now in the Templeton family, over one hundred years old. This family descended from the Highland Scotch and Irish. They are very stout and robust. Our subject, in his best days, weighed 446 pounds; could take an iron bar seven inches square with his hands and lay it out of his road. He could lift 1,008 pounds. Mr. T. settled in Fulton County in 1853. Business, farmer, section 10.
WILLIAM SMITH, son of John C. and Jane (Barber) Smith, of New York, was born in Erie County, Ohio. He was married December 12, 1865, to Phoeba H., daughter of John and Phoeba (Rogers) Paxton of New York who was also born in Erie County, Ohio. They have one son, Willie C. Mr. Smith belonged to the 12th Ohio Cavalry, Company I in the war of the rebellion. He was in a number of battles and was taken prisoner twice during the war. Mr. S. settled in Delta in 1866. Post-office, Delta. Business, butcher, section 10.
JASPER N. MICHAELS was born in Seneca County, Ohio, November 7, 1839, and married October 5, 1861 to S. A. Brailey, who was born in Huron County, May 28, 1844. Their children are: Moses T., Sarah E., Lewis J., and Albert E. and Elbert E., twins. Lewis and Elizabeth Michaels, parents of the subject of this sketch were born in Virginia. Moses and Sarah J. Brailey, parents of Mrs. M. were born, the former in Black Rock, New York, the latter in Buffalo. They settled in Fulton County in 1856. Mr. M. had three cousins killed in the war of the rebellion, and one uncle who died in Texas and one starved to death in Libby Prison. He settled in Fulton County in 1861. Post-office, Delta. Business, lumberman and machinist, section 10.
JOHN S. TEMPLETON, son of John and Susan Templeton was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 22, 1833. He was married in Fulton County, September 24, 1854 to Lydia A. Fesler, born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1834. They have four sons: Frank P., James B., David D., deceased February 10, 1864 and John W. Joseph and Catharine (Fox) Fesler, parents of Mrs. T. were born in Pennsylvania, and settled in Fulton County in 1841. Mr. Templeton enlisted in Company I, 38th Regiment, O.V.I., August 21, 1861. He was elected first corporal, and was promoted through all the intermediate offices to a first lieutenancy. He took part in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and others. He was mustered out of service January 4, 1864 on account of deafness. Mr. T. has a bass drum that has been in use forty years, also a pair of silver sleeve buttons worn by his grandfather one hundred years ago. Mr. Templeton settled in Fulton County in 1853. Post-office, Swanton. Business, railroad conductor.
LYMAN AUGUSTUS BASSETT, son of Smith and Hulda (Lee) Bassett of New York, was born in Huron County, Ohio, October 15, 1825. He was married to his first wife, Cornelia Elizabeth Farrand, January 1, 1850. They had a family of three children: Hulda E., born July 10, 1853, died July 10, 1855; Ella L., born March 4, 1855; Hollis S., born March 9, 1859. Mr. Bassett was married to his second wife, Laura A. Grover, born in Michigan, December 9, 1870. Her parents were Gurden and Polly Grover. Mr. Bassett had two brothers in the Union army, one died of lung fever, the other was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Bassett settled in Fulton County in 1857. Post-office, Swanton. Business, physician and druggist, section 1.
ORRA BLAKE was born in Alleghany County, New York, August 25, 1821. He was married at Milan, Huron County, September 10, 1845 to Catharine E. Osterhout, born in Sullivan County, New York, November 13, 1829. Their children are: Aphalia D., Mary L, Legrand D., Presia I., Flora Augusta, Leroy A., and Sidney L. The parents of Orra Blake, Richard and Camilla (Eddy) Blake, were born, the former in Renselaer County, New York, February 15, 1781, the latter in Massachusetts, October 24, 1782. John and Hester Osterhout, parents of Mrs. Blake, were born in Duchess County, New York, and settled in Fulton County in 1851. Mr. Blake settled in Fulton County in 1852. Post-office, Delta. Business, carpenter and farmer, section 15.
JOHN R. BLOOMER, son of George and Sally Bloomer of Vermont was born in Huron County, Ohio, November 17, 1837. He was married in Clyde, Ohio in 1870 to Esther A. Newman, daughter of John and Anna Newman of Pennsylvania who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, January 29, 1848. They have two children: Ross B., and John A. Mr. Bloomer enlisted in Company G., 24th Regiment O.V.I., in May 1861, was in the service three years, took part in the battles of Cheat Mountain, Shiloh, Chickamauga and others. He settled in Fulton County in 1871. Post-office, Swanton. Business, railroad engineer, section 10.
MOSES R. BRAILEY and his wife Sarah J. (Maxon) Brailey, were born in New York, the former in Canandaigua, Ontario County, the latter in Buffalo, Erie County. They were married in Edon, Erie County, New York, April 21, 1837. Their children are: Melissa, Susan D., Laura L., Sevilla A., Lester C., James S., Charles E., Elva F., Sarah M., Eleanor A., and Ellen E. Gideon and Ann Brailey, the former of Massachusetts, the latter of New York, were the parents of the subject of this sketch. Clark and Charity Maxon of Erie County, New York were the parents of Mrs. Brailey. Mr. Brailey settled in Fulton County in 1857. He has filled the several offices of justice of the peace, prosecuting attorney, and comptroller state treasury. He enlisted in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion, and served as lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, brigadier general, and pay agent for Ohio. Post-office, Swanton. Business, attorney at law, section 22.
CHARLES E. BRAILEY, son of Moses R. and Sarah Brailey, was born in Huron County, Ohio in 1851. He was married in Fulton County, Ohio, February 21, 1875 to Carrie B. Dixon, who was born in Fulton County in 1857. Mr. Brailey settled in Fulton County in 1851. Business, druggist. Post-office, Swanton, section 12.
JOHN ARTHUR GRANDY, son of M. B. and Ann (Leggett) Grandy, the former born in New York, the latter in New Hampshire, was born in Swan Creek Township, January 31, 1838. He was married in Fulton township, Fulton County, January 1, 1863, to Amelia L., daughter of Calvin and Louisa (Brewer) Quiggle, the former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Massachusetts. Mrs. Grandy was born in Geauga County, Ohio, December 8, 1840. Their children are: Frank, Jessie, and Mary. Mr. Grandy settled in Fulton County in 1837. He has been township treasurer eight years and is a member of the board of county school examiners. He enlisted in Company H, 138th Regiment O.V.I. in the war of the Rebellion. His brother, Moses D. Grandy, was killed in the battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina. He ws a member of the 25th Regiment O.V.I. Post-office, Swanton. Business, livery stable, section 12.
ALBERT PIKE, son of Alanson and Hannah Pike of New York, was born in Fulton County, April 30, 1848. He was married in Wauseon, Ohio, January 1, 1873 to Sarah Adaline Call, born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, August 12, 1854. They have one son, Alanson B., born January 19, 1874. Luther and Lydia (Moody) Call, parents of Mrs. Pike were born in Ashtabula County, Ohio; the former entered the Union army in 1862 when his daughter Lydia was eight years old; the latter having died when she was two years old, the little girl was left an orphan in care of a friend who sent her to school. Mr. Pike had two brothers in the war of the Rebellion. He settled in Fulton County in 1848. Post-office, Swanton. Business, farmer, section 12.
JOSEPH A. SIMONS was born in Alleghany County, New York, April 14, 1828. He was married in Union City, Michigan to Hattie E., daughter of Isaac and Roxy Osborn, the former of Connecticut, the latter of Vermont, who was born December 23, 1833. Their children are: Jay A., Franklin E., Mary H., Roy E., Asenath A., and Luella F. James and Asenath (Newman) Simons, parents of Joseph A., were born, the former in Monroe, and the latter in Henrietta County, New York. He settled in Fulton County in 1875. Post-office, Swanton. Business, machinist and farmer, section 12.
WELLS WATKINS, son of James H. and Sarh (Fisher) Watkins, of Maryland was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, April 7, 1818. He was married July 5, 1838, to Sarah, daughter of Robert and Mary (Newhouse) Watkins who was born in Wayne County, Ohio June 27, 1821. their family consists of nine children: Martin, deceased August 26, 1841; Rachel, deceased March 21, 1841; Mary M., resides in Fulton County; Vernon C., resides in Iona County, Michigan; Jasper N., resides in Fulton County; Sara A., resides in Toledo; Eliza J., died in 1850; Riley R., resides in Fulton County; and Christena C. Mr. Watkins left Wayne County, August 6, 1838 and journeyed nine days to reach Fulton County where he settled and endured the hardships of pioneer life. The first winter he carried his grist three miles on his back to a horse mill; walked to Perrysburg to market, starting on Monday morning and returning on Saturday evening, paid fifteen dollars per barrel for flour, fifteen cents a pound for pork, one dollar and fifty cents per bushel for potatoes, etc. At that time he had to chop two and a half cords of green hickory wood for a day?s work for which he would receive fifty cents. Indians were numerous; the nearest village was Maumee. This state of things continued but a year or two. Mr. Watkins was in Company H, 130th Regiment O.V.I. in the 100-day service during the war of 1861-5. Vernon C., his son, belonged to Company E, 138th Regiment O.V.I. Post-office, Swanton. Business, farmer, section 10.
ORVILLE C. FASSETT, son of Joshua and Ophelia (Bryant) Fassett, of Ontario County, New York, who settled in Fulton County in 1834 was born June 17, 1839 and married in Fulton County, Ohio, July 11, 1863 to Mary S. Fauble daughter of John and Margaret (Timms) Fauble, the former of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 10, 1840. Their children are: Eugene A., born July 3, 1864; and Ralph O., born June 7, 1868. Mr. Fassett had one brother in the Union army in the war of 1861-5. O. C. Fassett enlisted and was exempted. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer and railroad agent, section 8.
ECCLES NAY was born in Bristol, Vermont, September 11, 1807. He is a son of Jeremiah and Mary (Dunshe) Nay, of New Hampshire. He was married in Franklin, Jefferson County, Ohio, January 8, 1831 to Elizabeth Mills, born in Sussex County, New Jersey, March 5, 1812. Her parents were Michael and Hannah (Garnes) Mills, the former born in New York, in 1782, the latter in Germany in 1782. Mr. Nay settled in Fulton County in 1834. After paying for his land, he had no money left. The others settlers in the township were: David Williams, William Meeker, and Sidney Hawley. They had to go with ox teams to Maumee for provisions, a journey of three days. Wolves were abundant, and the early settlers used to build fires to scare them away from their cabins at night. Mr. Nay was at 27 loghouse raisings the first summer. James Nay, grandfather of Eccles Nay, was one of the ?Tea Party? at Boston and carried away some of the tea in his shoes which was in the possession of his friends at his death. He was also in the Revolutionary war and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer, section 9.
RUDOLPH WITMER, son of John and Maria (Radt) Witmer, of Switzerland, was born in Upperburg, Switzerland, October 12, 1815. His wife, Maria Kaiser, ws born in Berne, Switzerland, March 11, 1827. They were married in Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio, January 6, 1856. They have three children: Sophia W. Savage, Mary A., and John Witmer. Elizabeth A. deceased March 1, 1867. Mr. Witmer settled with his parents in Fulton County in 1834. They first lived in a bark shanty in the woods and on the 21st of June, 1834 a terrible storm of wind and rain blew down the trees of the forest in a frightful manner, not one limb striking the pioneer?s cabin. Mr. Whitmer had two brothers in the Union army in the war of 1861-5, one was killed in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Mrs. Witmer was the widow of Peter Rider when she married Mr. Witmer, by whom she had one child, Sophia, who married Bruce Savage. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer, section 17.
GEORGE W. JACOBY was born in Seneca County, New York, May 29, 1825. He was married in Ashland County, Ohio in 1851 to Martha Monroe, born in Portage County, May 18, 1826. Their children are: Marsena, Theodore, Edward B., and Emma. John and Sarah (Shankwater) Jacoby, parents of George W., were born in Pennsylvania, the former came to Fulton County in 1850; and died in 1855. Samuel and Elizabeth (Blair) Monroe, parents of Mrs. Jacoby, were born, the former in Virginia, the latter in Pennsylvania. G. W. Jacoby settled in Fulton County in 1865. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer, section 20.
HERMAN C. ADAMS was born in Erie County, Ohio, March 13, 1840. He was married in Granch County, Michigan, September 5, 1868 to Margaret McVean who was born in Amsterdam, New York May 10, 1841. Their children are: Freddie H., Gracie, and Mattie. Alotson and Sarah M. Adams, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of New York and settled in Steuben County, Ohio in 1869. Duncan and Grace (McDonald) McVean were also born in New York. They were the parents of Mrs. Adams. Mr. Adams enlisted, November 23, 1861 in Company B, 11th Michigan Infantry. He was transferred into the veteran corps; was wounded in the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1861 and honorably discharged, November 23, 1864. He settled in Fulton County, Ohio in 1868. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer, section 21.
ARCHA G. HEWETT, son of Henry and Anna (Walker) Hewett of New York was born in Washington County, New York. He removed to Lucas County in 1850 and to Fulton in 1872. His children are: George, resides in White House, Ohio; Nathan, and Esther A., resides in Swanton, Ohio. George belonged to Company K, 3rd Regiment O.V.I. He served three months and re-enlisted for the war and was discharged in 1865. Nathan was a member of Company K, 9th Regiment O.V.I. and served eighteen months. Post-office, White House, Lucas County. Business, farmer, section 36.
JOHN WAGONER settled in Fulton County in 1854. He is a son of John and Catharine (Kessler) Wagoner of Pennsylvania. He was married in Henry County, Ohio October 19, 1870 to Abigail S. Hobbs who was born in Madison County, Ohio August 30, 1851. Their children are: Mary A., Arthur and John E. Mr. Wagoner was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, June 2, 1848. He had one brother in the Union army in Company G, 60th Regiment O.V.I. He was in several battles and was wounded at Spottsylvania and was discharged July 6, 1865. Post-office, Colton, Henry Co. Business, physician, section 8.
SYLVESTOR SOLES, son of Nelson and Jane (Johnson) Soles of New York was born in Erie County, Ohio, February 6, 1847. He was married October 22, 1867 to Elnora J. Webster born in Seneca County, Ohio April 1, 1850. Her parents, Samuel and Eliza (Rhodes) Webster were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Soles, with his father?s family, settled in Fulton County in 1862. He enlisted in the Union army, 9th Company, 60th Regiment O.V.I. in 1863, was in two battles and served eighteen months. He had one brother in the same regiment who died July 22, 1864. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer, section 5.
WILLIAM J. LUTZ and his wife, Diana J. Raymond, were born, the former in Pennsylvania, November 16, 1834, the latter November 22, 1835. They were married November 24, 1859. They have one daughter, Mary Lucinda, born in Swan Creek, Township, Fulton County. The parents of this couple, George W., and Mary A. (Marsh) Lutz, were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Seneca County, Ohio, and William and Lucina (Lee) Raymond, the former of New Hampshire, the latter of Connecticut; the latter resides in Fulton County, the former is dead. Mr. Lutz had six brothers in the Union army; one was wounded at the battle of Stone River, went into the hospital and died of measles. Mr. Lutz settled in Fulton County in 1865. Post-office, Swanton. Business, farmer, section 34.
THOMAS J. HELTZEL, born in Noble County, Indiana, is a son of Christian and Catharine Vance, born, the former in Virginia, the latter in Ohio. He settled in Fulton County in 1874. Post-office, Delta. Business, farmer, section 9.
WILLIAM BECKWITH, son of Leamon and Frances Scott, the former born at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, New York, and the latter born in New York, was born in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio May 2, 1854. He settled in Fulton County in 1862. Post-office, Swanton. Business, farmer, section 12.
LESTER CLARK BRAILEY, son of Moses and Sarah Brailey, was born in Huron County, Ohio, May 3, 1847; married in Fulton County, Ohio, August 18, 1867 to Angie J., daughter of Solon and Elenor (Osterhouse) Keith of Pennsylvania who was born in Erie County, Ohio, September 22, 1849. They have two children: James E., born August 24, 1870 and Elvie E., born June 13, 1875. Caleb Keith, brother of Mrs. Brailey was one of the first to volunteer in the war of the Rebellion. He belonged to Company K, 38th Regiment. He was killed in the battle of Atlanta. Mr. Brailey settled with his parents in Fulton County in 1857. Post-office, Swanton. Business, farmer, section 24.
York Township - page 9 (page 29 of the original 1875 Atlas)
A. Y. MONTGOMERY, son of J. R. and M. A. Montgomery, the former of Scotland, the latter of Germany, was born in Ohio in 1835; married in Trumbull County in 1866 to M.A., daughter of John and Elizabeth McConkle, of Pennsylvania, who was born in Ohio in 1845. They have two children, Lena and J. R. Mr. Montgomery belonged to the 12th U.S. Infantry in the war of 186105. He participated in 21 heavy battles. He served two years on foot and balance in cavalry. Post-office, Delta. Business, grocery and provision merchant.
JOHN S. TROWBRIDGE was born November 18, 1816, in Saratoga County, New York. He was married in Fulton County, February 2, 1840 to Hannah Hampton who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 18, 1821. Their children are: Martin Henry, born July 12, 1841, resides in Bates County, Missouri; Amy Jane, born December 24, 1842, resides in Cloud County, Kansas; Mary O., born January 11, 1845, died October 3, 1845; Willard O., born October 15, 1846, resides in Nevada; Hinton I., born March 16, 1849, resides in Delta; Adaline A., born May 30, 1851, resides in Fulton County; Eleanor E., born November 15, 1853, resides in Fulton County; Charles Sumner, born November 15, 1857, resides in Fulton County; Julia Mertle, born April 6, 1862, resides in Fulton County. Willard and Amy (Sprague) Trowbridge, parents of the subject of this sketch were born, the former in Connecticut, February 1, 1796, the latter in Rhode Island, June 4, 1795; she died in New York in 1831. Mr. Trowbridge, Sr. settled with his family in Fulton County in 1834. Jonathan and Abigail (Harrison) Hampton were born, the former in Berks County, Pennsylvania March 4, 1793, the latter in Rockingham County, Virginia, August 12, 1800. The former settled in Ohio in 1816 and died at his residence in Fulton County, July 15, 1857; the latter with her parents removed to Fairfield County, Ohio in 1803 and thence to Fulton in 1835 where she died March 17, 1869. Willard O. and Martin H. Trowbridge enlisted in the Union army upon the first call for volunteers, and served until peace was declared without accident. Mr. Trowbridge has filled a number of township and district offices with honor to himself. Post-office, Delta. Business, merchant, lot 65.
"Thanks to Kay Peters Oliver for her time in transcribing these Biographies".
Kay Peters Oliver e-mail at kayoliver@juno.com
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