Thompson Township (part 16 of 16)

J. W. WALKER, fm-niture dealer and undertaker, Attica, was born in Cadiz, Han-ison Co. , Ohio, February 27, 1849, son of John and Fanny (Hoffman) Walker, the former a native of Virginia of Irish descent, the latter of New Jersey and of Welsh lineage. His father, who was a plasterer and stonemason, came to Attica. Ohio, in 185'J. He is now residing on a farm in Huron County, Ohio. Oiu- subject is the third of eight children born to his parents, and is the oldest of the four that lived to grow up. His education was obtained in the common school. Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, and at the Northwestern Normal College at Republic, Ohio. He learned the trade of a stone-mason and plasterer, which he followed for twelve years during the summer months, teaching school in the winters, commencing at the age of nineteen years. He was mairied, April 12, 1874, in Hiu'on County, Ohio, to Miss Jennie Fast, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and of Dutch origin. To this union were born Winfred J., Royall B. (who died in infancy) and RoUo E. Soon after his marriage IVIr. Walker purchased a small farm in Richmond Township. Huron Co. , Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1880, when he sold the farm and bought property in Attica, this county. In 1881 he entered into partnership in the furniture and undertaking business, which he still follows, having since purchased the entire stock. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Free-Will Baptist Chm-ch. IVIr. Walker usually votes the Democratic Ticket. He is a member of Venice Lodge No. 197, I. O. O. F.

E. WEAVER, Attica, one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of this county, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1856, son of Samuel Weaver, a native of CaiToll County, Md., born in 1822, a farmer by occupation, and who came among the early settlers to this county. Samuel Weaver was united in marriage with SarahBisler, who was born in 1824, and to this union were born eight" children, of whom six are living. They were of German descent. The father died in 1868, and the mother died in 1866. Samuel Weaver owned 320 acres of land, and since his death the sons have paid all out-standing debts, bought more land, and at present the farm comprises 420 acres of well-improved land, which is well stocked. E. Weaver, our subject, received his education in Freeport, 111. In politics he is a Democrat.

MARTIN S. WEAVER, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Washington County, Penn., April 17, 1811, son of John, a farmer, and Catherine (Spoon) Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Our subject, the eio-hth in a familv of twelve childi-en, was reared on the farm, receiving a com- mon school education, and lias followed agricnltural pursuits through life. He now owns a farm of 117 acres of land in Venice Township, where he has lived since 1833. He was married, in 1831, to Narcissus, daughter of Valentine Cooper, a farmer, and of English descent. She died in 1860 and subsequently Mr. Weaver married Mrs. Abigail (Bennington) Thompson, widow of Adam Thompson. Mr. Weaver is the father of eleven children, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, viz. : Washington, Joseph, John V. , Mary, Elizabeth, Clarcy C. and Sarah, by his first wife, and Julianu, Jane, and John W. (deceased), by his last marriage. Two sons served in the Union Army during the civil war, one dying in his country's defense. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. In politics he is a Kepublican.

J. B. WILHELM, farmer, P. O. St. Stephen, was born in France October 6, 1844, son of John and Catherine (Swailer) Wilhelm, also natives of France. His father, w^ho was a farmer, came to America in 1857, remaining two years in the State of New York, and thence came to and settled on a farm in Bloom Township, this county. Our subject, the eldest of four children, was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the county schools at Republic Academy and Baldwin University, a Methodist institute at Berea, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he commenced to teach school, chiefly in Stark County. He taught ten months each year for two years, and then for eight winters, working in the summers. He is an extensive reader. Mr. Wilhelm was man-ied, in 1871, to Marcella, daughter of Matthew and Annie (Melio) Delaney, natives of Ireland, her father being an early settler of Venice Township, this county, and to this union were born the following children: Francis X. , Catherine and Clara. They are members of the Catholic Chui'ch. Mr. Wilhelm is one of the trustees of Venice Township. In politics he is a Democrat. He is owner of 126f acres of well-improved land.

E. D. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, January 6, 1853, son of O. H. and Agnes (Shepherd) Williams, natives of Ohio and of English and French descent, the former a carpenter in early life, but later a successful farmer, still residing on a farm. Their family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom now survive. Our subject, the fourth in the family, was reared on the farm. His education was obtained in the normal school, Lebanon, Ohio, and at Fostoria, this county, where he attained his majority. He first taught school for six years, and then for three years farmed in the siimmers and taught in the winters. He has three sisters and one brother who have followed the same profession, and his brother E. E. is now a successful lawyer in West Jefferson, Madison Co. , Ohio. Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss A. J. McKibben, of Scotch-Irish descent and daughter of James B. McKibben, a pioneer farmer of Venice Township, this county, but now a resident of Reed Township, this county. To this union were born two children: Bessie and Ivan. Mrs. AVilliams is a member of the 'Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican.

Ringgold, Ohio, September 14, 188-1. Dear Brother : I received your letter yesterday. Many thauks for your kindness. Ttiree weeks ago I visited the old home. I walked out from Malta. When I arrived at the brow of the hill above the old sciioolhouse, being tired, I lay down on the grass beneath the shady beech trees that line the hillside, and while lying there I lived over again our whole past life My mind went back to our boyhood days when we used to play in the bright sunny meadows of southern Ohio. I could see every little mill and flutter-wheel we had ever made. I remembered our removal from Ringgold on to the old farm. I remembered our struggle with poverty, and I could see two little white-headed boys as they started out across the fields to their work, either talking over the hardness of their lot, or singing some old war song that made the hills ring with gladness. I could see their white heads bobbing up and down iu the hot sun among the long corn rows, or after hoeing to the top of the hill, the giant strides we made to reach the bottom of the hill to liegin anew another row. I remembered of lying behind the fence over behind the vineyard (which had not then been planted), waiting for the horn to blow for dinuer and talking over their wrongs, which were more imaginary than real. I remembered some of the things we were going to do when we became men. Yes ; we would travel and see the world. I remembered our school davs, the burning of the old schoolhouse on the hill, our fun and fights for our rights. I looked at the old schoolhouse near home and could see a great change; the storms had washed the dirt away from the foundation, and it looked as if in a few more years it would topple to the ground. There is a little crove of locust trees above the schoolhouse that I helped to plant, and I guess you did, too. I remembered our struggle to obtain an education. I can see two boys starting away from home, their arrival at Newark, thenattendance at school at Fostoria and the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, their success at school, and their success as teachers. Will the world ever be anv better for our having lived in it ? Certainly, if we do our duty, for that is all the most noted men ever accomplish Memories of my brother who has ever been so true will last until this life is no more. Many, many things were brought to my memory which, though they may never be recorded on paper, in writing or print, vet thev are printed on the pages of memory which will never be erased until reason is dethroned. Again, the scene is changed, and the wedding bells are ringing out thenglad notes of jov. One has now the hand and heart of one of Seneca's fairest and best, whose love and womani y Irace is a more' precious heritage than palaces made of gold; they are living the same life of happiness lived by to manv since the world was voung. E. D. Williams is now living the grand old life of a farmer, the most useful occupation among men. Slay happiness, health and prosperity be his throiigh a long and useful life and a grand entrance into that rest that was planted for the children of men. The other (EE. Williams) is still fighting the battle of life where he is carrving off a few laurels in the practice of law. AV hat will the future be? Time will tell. From your affectionate brother, E. t.

JACOB WISE, retired farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Cumberland County. Penn., January 16, 1819. His parents, John and Sophia (Wise) Wise, though of same name, were not related. His father was a native of Germany, and when quite young came to America, settling in Pennsylvania; his mother was a native of ' Pennsylvania, where they were maiTied. The^father of our subject, who was a blacksmith, came to this county in 1827. He obtained a State contract to build one mile and a half of turnpike in Reed Township, this county, for which he was to receive 413 acres of land in that township and $300 in cash. He completed the contract and commenced to improve his land, but died in 1834, having cleared but twenty acres. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat. He was a member and trustee of the Lutheran Church. Of his family of thu'teen children ten attained maturity. Our subject, the seventh born, was educated in the log schoolhouse, the first built in Venice Township, and which was located on the site of his present residence in Attica. He grew up on the farm, learned the mason' s trade, and at the age of twenty-one leased the homestead farm, proved himself to be a successful agriculturist, and later bought the interest of the other heirs in the estate for which he now holds the deed given to his father by the State. He has been twice married, the first time, in 1840, to Eliza Armsby, of English - Irish descent, and who bore him six children, three of whom are now living: Alfred, a farmer, married; Josephine, wife of Benjamin Van Fleet, and Frank at home. This wife dving in 1870, ]Mr. Wise, in 1871, married IVIrs. Mary (Sutton) Hall, widow of Thomas Hall. IVIi-s. Hall had two children: Lester and Albert. INIr. and Mrs. Wise are members of the Eegular Baptist Church, of which he has been deacon for the past twenty-five years. He has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity for twenty-five years; also is a member of Venice Lodge No. 197. I. O. O. F. During the late ci\dl war he was a member of the Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Home Guards, which was called into active service for 100 days near the close of that struggle. He is a member of the G. A. R. He has served his township as trustee. Politicallv he is a Republican.

JOHN C. WORM, farmer. P. O. Carrothers, was born in Venice Township, this county, April 13, 1848, son of Christian and Hannah (Lehman) AVorm, who were among the pioneers of this county; coming here fi-om Germany in 1833. Oui- subject, the eldest of a family of six children,^ was reared on the farm in Venice Township, attending the district school. When he was twenty years old he commenced to learn the carpenter' s trade, and has since continued to work at same; in partnership with his brother Matthias, he carried on the farm which is well -improved, consisting of nearly 200 acres of good land. Our subject was married, May 4. 1875. to Philomena, daughter of John B.

and Margaret (Steinmetz) Falter, and sister of Mrs. Matthias Worm. To this iinion were born following children: Mary J., Martha Celia, Clement A., Joseph Lawrence and Maggie J. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Worm is a Democrat.

MOREIS WURTS, hardware merchant, Attica, was born in Canada, March 9, 1833, son of Abraham and Ehoda (Willow) Wnrts, the former a native of New Jersey, of German descent, the latter a native of Canada, of English lineage. His father, a cooper by trade, also a farmer, was thrice married, and had twenty-one childi-en, Mon-is being the third born of the fourteen childi-en by last wife. Our subject received his education in Huron County, Ohio, where his parents resided in an early day. He was reared on the farm, and followed agricultvu-al piu'suits until 1878, when he removed to Attica. In 1884 he bought a half interest in the hardware store of Armatage & Wui'ts. He has been remarkably successful in business, owns town property at Bellevue, a fine residence in Attica, and a well-improved farm comprising 193 acres in Huron County, Ohio. He was maiTied in 1860, to Caroline, daughter of Peter Burket, who was born in Ohio, of German descent.' Their children are Harriet Edith, Loa Almetta and Merle Ethel. IVIi". and Mrs. Wurts are members of the Protestant Methodist Chm-ch, of which he has been trustee. In politics he is a Democrat.

Appendix

THE value of such a list, as is presented in the following pages, cannot be overestimated, particularly when the original purchasers of the land formed a majority of the pioneers of the county, as in this case. In the general history, as well as in the township histories, a complete record of grants, made by the United States to Indian captives, half-breeds, and others, appears. For this reason mention of such grants is not made in this division. Again, the names of purchasers of canal and pike-road lands are not given, the record of entry simply crediting to the canal or road company. School lands are treated in the history of the township schools, except in some special cases, to which reference is made herein.

Acknowledgments are due to Gen. Sparks, United States Land Commissioner; to Assistant Commissioner Stockleger, and Chief Clerk Parke for official coiu'tesies, and to Maj. Laurence for material aid rendered in the research.

John Myer, e. li n. Jacob Haser, w. '.; Robert Browu, e. Valentiae Brosame Michael Shurr, s. w Joseph Martin, n. a Wm. Frees, e. ^ n. John Waltermire, i John Waltermire, i Peter Watcher, e

to James Robison and Edward Avery Jan. 4, 1»33. tAssigned to John Myers. Dec 18(3. |.\ssigned to John J Stiener Dec , 1832 j; Assigned to Hugh Culbertson, same date.

Note. - Thes. e. Vi selected for schools under Act of May 20, 1826, and taken in lieu i>f a quarter section in Township 2 north. Range 18, there not being an entire quarter section unsold in the fractional township for which it is selected.