OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS - Defiance Co., Ohio

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DEFIANCE COUNTY
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BIOGRAPHIES

These biographies have been extracted from
Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

NOTE: If you are interested in any of the names listed below, please contact me
and I will put it on her sooner. Thanks, Sharon Wick

* McCAULEY, William H., Hon.
* MANGUS, Peter
* MARSHALL, John
* MAXWELL, Frank
* MEEK, David C.
* METZ, John H..

* MILLER, David
* MILLER, Emanuel
* MILLER, Horace P.
* MILLER, John J..
* MILLER, Vincent V.
* MILLER, Zeno H.
* MOATS, Virgil H., Major

PETER MANGAS.
     Among the worthy men whose histories are recorded in this volume none stand higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than does this well-known resident of Defiance, who after many years of successful business life has retired to that village to pass his declining years.
     Born September 25, 1825, in Prussia, he is a son of Caspar and Elizabeth (Battar) Mangas, who came to America with their family in 1837, settling in Pleasant township, Henry county, Ohio, where their remaining days were passed. Our subject, who was the eldest of four children, remained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-five. During boyhood he gave evidence of decided business ability, and after working for nine years as a driver on the Wabash and Erie canal he was promoted to the position of captain. Through his industry and enterprise he became the owner of two boats which previous to his marriage he traded for a tract of land in Henry county. This place, a fine estate of three hundred and twenty acres, he occupied as a homestead until the fall of 1895 when he removed to Defiance, and while he still retains the ownership he has given the management into other hands. As a citizen he has always taken much interest in the political issues of the time, and he is a firm believer in the principles and policy of the Republican party. While residing in Henry county he held numerous local offices, including that of justice of the peace. which he resigned after three years of able service. He and his wife are leading members of the Catholic Church of Defiance, and sympathize with all efforts toward local improvement.
     On September 23, 1850, Mr. Mangas was married in Seneca county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Jackman, who was born in France, May 20, 1835, They have had nine children, of whom all are living except Thomas, who died in Henry county April 5, 1894. The others are Henry, Frank, Peter, Jr., Albert, George, Joseph, Andrew, and Frederick. The family is popular socially and they occupy a pleasant home in Francis street, Defiance.

DAVID C. MEEK. This worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Hicksville township, Defiance county, owns a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Section 12, which has been transformed by him into a highly-cultivated tract. He is one of Ohio's native sons, having been born in Columbiana county, January 1, 1824. His parents were James and Ann (Cooper) Meek, the former probably a native of Ohio, born in 1801, the latter of Pennsylvania, born in 1798. Both died in Columbiana county, this State, the father in 1845, the mother in 1873 or 1874.
David C. Meek and his twin brother, Samuel Meek, of Hicksville township, were the eldest in a family of fourteen children, and were three years of age when the family removed from Columbiana county to Beaver county, Pennsylvania. After seven years spent in that State, however, they returned to Columbiana county, where our subject grew to manhood, remaining upon the home farm until he had attained his twenty-second year. Two years later he went to California, where he successfully engaged in mining for four years, and soon after his return to Ohio he purchased his present farm in Section 12, Hicksville township, Defiance county. He did not remain long in the East, however, returning to California at the end of a year. This time he spent twelve years on the Pacific slope, and met with fair success in his mining operations. Since then he has made his home uninterruptedly upon his present farm, and to its development and improvement he has devoted his energies, erecting thereon good and substantial buildings.
In Hicksville township, on June 22, 1871, Mr. Meek was married to Miss Nancy Jane Beltz, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, December 15, 1852, and is the second in order of birth in a family of five children. Her parents, William W. and Mary A. (Good) Beltz, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence in the early "sixties" they came to Defiance county, Ohio, locating in Hicksville township, where they both died, the father in 1874 at the age of forty-seven years, the mother in 1894, when sixty-five years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Meek have been born three children: Eva A., who died at the age of six months; Clement O., born July 23, 1873; and David C., born December 22, 1884. Of these Clement was married August 31, 1897, to Lillie Barrows, and they have one child, Laura Beatrice Meek, born June 8, 1898. Clement and his father are both Republicans in politics.
Samuel Meek, the great-grandfather of our subject, was of Irish descent; his wife reached the patriarchal age of ninety-nine years. Samuel Meek, son of the above, and grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1765, and married Elizabeth Nichols. Mrs. Meek's grandfather, Christopher Beltz, and his wife, Catherine (Beck), were both born in Pennsylvania; he died in about i860, but she survived him several years.

JOHN H. METZ.
     The present township clerk of Adams township, Defiance county, J. H. Metz, is one of the leading and influential citizens who have taken active part in promoting the substantial improvement and material development of this section of the county. He is one of the county's native sons, and is a representative of one of her highly respected families.
     David and Sarah Ann (Schwartzel) Metz, parents of our subject, and natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, were married in Defiance county and located in Adams township, where they still continue to reside. In their family are eight children- four sons and four daughters - our subject being fourth in order of birth.
     In Adams township, John H. Metz was born May 11, 1858, and was there reared acquiring his education in the common schools of the locality. He remained under the parental roof until after he attained his majority, aiding his father in the labors of the farm. In Henry county, Ohio, August 19, 1880, Mr. Metz was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Tittle, a native of Adams township, Defiance county, and a daughter of the late James and Sarah Tittle. After his marriage Mr. Metz lived in Napoleon, Ohio, for several months, being engaged in running an engine, and while there his wife died July 7, 1881. Soon after this sad event he returned to Adams township, and later removed to Stryker, Ohio, where he operated an engine in a sawmill for one year. He was next employed on a stock farm in Lake county, Indiana, for seven months, and then returned to his old home in Adams township, since which time he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, with most gratifying results.
      In Henry county, October 18, 1885, Mr. Metz was again married, his second union being with Miss Charlotte Hurford, who was born in Ohio, August 21, 1867, a daughter of the late William and Mehitable Hurford. Four children have been born to them, namely: Vera L., Carl B., Sarah A. M., and Nora L. Mr. Metz has always taken a leading and prominent part in local political affairs, and has most creditably and satisfactorily filled the offices of township clerk of Adams township, and school director. He believes in the doctrines of Christianity and cheerfully gives his support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his community. His genial, pleasant manner had made him quite popular, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man he is recognized as a valued citizen of Adams township.

DAVID MILLER.
     One of the most prominent and reliable citizens of Tiffin township, Defiance county, is David Miller, who is a native of Ohio, born April 18, 1825, a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Weaver) Miller. The father died in Nov. 1847, in Richland Township, soon after coming to Defiance county, and the mother passed away in Tiffin township.
     Our subject was the eldest in their family of nine children - six sons and three daughters. In his native county he was reared and educated, coming to Defiance county with the family in the fall of 1847. Soon after his father's death he settled in Tiffin township, entering a tract of land in Section 35. By industry and perseverance he soon converted the wild, uncultivated tract into rich and productive fields, and now has one of the best and most desirable farms in the community. It comprises two hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he has erected a comfortable residence and good barns and outbuildings. At one time he owned four hundred acres, but has since disposed of a portion of this.
     In Tiffin township, Feb. 13, 1851, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Polly Partee, who was born in that township, Aug. 22, 1828, and they became the parents of eight children, as follows: Lewis, Franklin; Orlando, who died in childhood; John; Allen; Sophia, now the wife of Clinton Whitney; Malinda, wife of Edward Wisler; and Charlotte, wife of A. L. Parker. The family receive the merit the high regard of the entire community.
     Politically Mr. Miller has always cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and has ever taken an active interest in political affairs. For two terms he most creditably served as county commissioner, and has also capably filled the offices of township trustee and school director for many years. His public and private life are above reproach, for his career has ever been one characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. The part which he has taken in the development of the county has impressed his name indelibly upon its records, and he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers.

EMANUEL MILLER - This representative and public spirited citizen of Sherwood. Defiance county, is a native of Harrison county, this State, born Dec. 4, 1843.
     Elias Miller married Rebecca Foos, and they had a family of five children, the second of these being Emanuel, the subject of this sketch. Z. H. and Vincent V. are also members of this family. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Miller resided in Harrison county for a number of years prior to the fall of 1855, when they removed to Defiance county, making it their permanent home. The father is still living, but the mother is deceased.
     Emanuel Miller, accompanying his parents to Defiance county when a lad of nearly twelve years, remained with them in their new home until he was about twenty years of age, when he went into the forests of Michigan and worked at lumbering about eight months. With the exception of this time and several months spent in Illinois and Iowa, he has been a resident of Sherwood ever since his removal here with his parents. Although agriculture has been the chief business of his life, he has devoted some time to other pursuits, was associated with his brother Vincent for about five years in the operation of a sawmill, and has engaged in the work of a carpenter to some extent.
     Mr. Miller married Miss Martha E. Taylor, of Sherwood, a daughter of the late William Taylor, a Pennsylvanian by birth. Mrs. Miller is a native of Crawford county, Ohio. Her father lived but a few years after locating in Sherwood. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had six children, as follows: Nellie G., Emerson, Maggie J., Cora B., Elba M. and Clara. All of them are living except the eldest, with whom they were called to part when she was twelve year old.
     Mr. Miller owns more than one hundred acres of land in the corporation of Sherwood, and he is an active and interested participant in all local affairs. He was honored with the office of trustee of Delaware township, and his fellow townsmen in Sherwood evinced their appreciation of his worth by making him one of their first councilmen. Socially, he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

VINCENT V. MILLER. In the front ranks of prosperous agriculturists and enterprising citizens of Delaware township, Defiance county, we find the name of this gentleman. He is a son of Elias and Rebecca (Foos) Miller, and is a native of this State, born in Harrison county, December 18, 1845. After a resident for a number of years in Harrison county, the family, in the fall if 1855, removed to Defiance county, making it thenceforth their home. The mother is deceased. [ A fuller history of the parents is given in the sketch of their son, Z. H. Miller.]
     Vincent V. Miller, the third of their family of five children, came with his parents to Defiance county when nearly ten years of age, and here, in Delaware township, his early education was completed. At the age of seventeen years he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed regularly for twenty years. He then continued it in connection with farming four or five years, and with his brother Emanuel was interested in the sawmill business about five years.
     In early manhood he married Miss Caroline E. Gordon, who was born in Paulding county, Ohio, April 1, 1848, a daughter of the late George Gordon, of the same place; and there they were married, Oct. 29, 1871. Of the two children born to them, one, Arthur E., is living, their little daughter Grace having died in infancy.
     In politics Mr. Miller votes with the Prohibition party. He takes an active interest in the public affairs of the township, and is a warm advocate of measures tending to the advancement of educational interests. He has served as a member of the school board three years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller located in their present home in the fall of 1871; and Mr. Miller's valuable farm of two hundred acres, together with its good farm buildings, stands a witness to the thrift and prosperity of the owner.

MAJOR VIRGIL H. MOATS.
     Among our country's heroes, who for gallant services in the Federal cause in the Civil war were justly honored by promotion to a higher rank and title, we find the name of the patriot (now deceased) who is the subject of this memoir.
     Virgil H. Moats was a native of Licking county, Ohio, born May 5, 1827, in Utica township, where he was reared. He received an education that fitted him for teaching, which vocation he followed to some extent in early manhood. In 1849 he gave up the duties of the schoolroom and turned his attention to farming, locating on a farm in Delaware township, Defiance county, where he resided until his enlistment in the Union army, thus adding another name to the list of intelligent and educated agriculturists.
     In early life he was married at Newark, Ohio, to Miss Sarah McKinney, and they had two children, only one of whom is living - Frank, a farmer in Michigan. Mrs. Moats died June 4, 1854, at Brunersburg, Defiance county, Ohio, and May 13, 1855, Mr. Moats was married in Farmer township, Defiance county, to Miss Eliza Richardson, born in St. Lawrence county, New York. February 26, 1833. To this union were born the following children: William F., Hattie I., Douglas and Charles V. Their only daughter died at the age of three years. The parents of Mrs. Moats, John L. Richardson and Delia (nee McCulloch), his wife, were originally from Vermont.
     About the time of the breaking out of the Mexican war, our subject in 1847, enlisted as a cavalryman in the company recruited in Newark, Ohio, Served as corporal and was mustered out in 1848. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Moats, with undiminished patriotic zeal, enlisted in the Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and receiving a commission as captain of Company F, served in this command until the 21st of the following February. when he was promoted to the rank of major. His regiment had been assigned to the army of the West, and after participating in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and Memphis, it moved forward to join the Union forces advancing upon the enemy in their stronghold of Vicksburg. During an assault on that city May 22, 1863, Major Moats received a wound, from the effects of which he died in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 13, 1863, and thus the family were called to mourn an irreparable loss and the community an honored and influential citizen, Major Moats having been identified with its interests and prominent in matters pertaining to local progress for a number of years. During his residence in Delaware township he served several years as justice of the peace, and four years as sheriff of Defiance county. Mrs. Ella Moats resides in Delaware township. Her religious connection is with the Baptist Church, of which she is a member.
     William F. Moats, the eldest son, and who is a farmer in Delaware township, married Annie Welche of New York City, and they have three sons: LeRoy, Guy, and Forest H. Douglas, the second son, married Adella Garver, of Washington township, Defiance county, and they have two sons living; Wright and Burton H. (they lost one son named Glen). Charles V., the third son of Major and Mrs. Moats, married Cora McCarty of Pioneer, Williams county, Ohio (who died August 19, 1891) and one child, Flora Floy, was born into them.

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