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.

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* WEBSTER, Nelson R.
* WEBSTER, Ralph D.
* WEIGERDING, Peter
* WHELLER, Henry H.
* WICKERSHAM, Taylor G.

* WILDER, Levi W.
*WILHELM, Adam
* WILSON, William D.
*WINN, John W.
* WISSLER, John

NELSON R. WEBSTER

RALPH D. WEBSTER. Mr. Webster, who is one of the publishers of "The Democrat" and "The Evening News," of Defiance, is a worthy representative of a family which has long been noted for mental ability, its members having won distinction for the name in political, literary, and professional fields.
     The first ancestor of whom we have record was John Webster, a native of England, who came to America between 1630 and 1633 with his wife and son, Robert. In 1634 he was made a voter in Massachusetts Bay colony, and in 1636 he removed to Hartford, Connecticut, with Rev. Mr. Hooker's colony, becoming one of the earliest settlers of Connecticut. From 1639 to 1655 he held the office of magistrate and in the latter year he was elected lieutenant governor of Connecticut. In 1656 he became governor of the colony, and after returning from this office he removed, in 1659, to Hadley, Massachusetts, where is death occurred in 1661. He had several children, Noah Webster, the distinguished lexicographer, was a grandson.
     II. Robert Webster, the eldest son of John, was in military service with the rank of lieutenant. He was married in 1652 to Susanna Treat, and settled in Middletown, Connecticut, but in 1659 returned to Hartford.
     III. Jonathan Webster, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, Jan. 9, 1657. By his second wife, Mary Judd, he had a son, also named Jonathan.
     IV. Jonathan Webster, son of Jonathan III, was born at Hartford, March 18, 1682, and was married Dec. 14, 1704, to Esther Judd, by whom he had several children, his eldest son being named Jonathan.
     V. Jonathan Webster, son of Jonathan IV., was born at East Hartford, Connecticut, Dec. 25, 1709, and was married in Feb, 1730 to Mabel Risley.
     VI. Ashbel Webster, eldest son of Jonathan V., was born Mar. 12, 1733, at Glastonbury, Connecticut, and served as a soldier in the French of corporal in the Second Regiment of Connecticut troops, commanded by Captain Elizur Goodrich, of His Magesty's service, and was credited with

PETER WEIGERDING. The able and popular postmaster at Defiance, Peter Weigerding, our subject, is a man whose history furnishes a striking example of self help, and shows what may be accomplished by a youth who, having a high aim, pursues it in spite of poverty or any other discouragement, to final success.
     He was born August 8, 1855, in Oberkirchen, Prussia, on the Bavarian line in the Province of the Rhine, the son of Peter and Mary Weigerding, who both died in Germany, the mother passing away when our subject was but eight days old. He was reared by his maternal grandmother and an uncle, attending school until the age of thirteen, and later learning the stone mason's trade. At seventeen he crossed the ocean to find if possible wider opportunities in this country, and then it came about that in 1873 he located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and being obliged to turn his hand to whatever work he could find he was engaged for three months as a harvester. He then worked for a few months in a stone quarry but finally found employment at his trade in Huntington county, Indiana, still, however, working in the harvest field during that season; and while there he spent the winter seasons in studying in the local schools. Later he went to Columbia City, Indiana, and completed a course in the high school, graduating in the spring of 1875.
     Thus equipped, he at once began teaching, and at the end of his first term attended the county normal school for the summer. For the next three years he taught during the winter and spent each summer in study at the normal school, Columbia City. In 1878 he went to Valparaiso, Indiana, and took a commercial course in the college there. On graduating he secured a position as bookkeeper in Fort Wayne; but finding his health affected by the confinement, he resigned at the end of a year, and in 1880 moved to Defiance, where he established a business as dealer in lime, cement, sewer pipe, lath, marble dust, white sand, fire brick, hair, calcine plaster, fire clay and general building materials. Later, in connection with the above, he opened a general feed barn at the corner of Second and Wayne streets, and the enterprise prospering from the start he soon became a prominent factor in the business life of the place. Industry, sound judgment, integrity and careful attention to details have characterized his management, and to these qualities his success may be attributed.
     Mr. Weigerding has found time, however, to take an interest in public affairs, and he is a leading worker in the Democratic party in his locality, In the spring of 1893 he was elected to the board of education, and served a year as treasurer of that body, and May 1, 1894, he was appointed, by President Cleveland, to the office of postmaster at Defiance. In this position he has shown the same ability which brought him success in other lines, and his fidelity to duty is recognized and appreciated by all classes.
     In August, 1886, Mr. Weigerding was married to Miss Ida May Ayers, of Defiance, daughter of Joseph P. Ayers, a pioneer of Defiance county, and four children have blessed the union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Carl Edward, May 4, 1887; Eda Antoinette, August 22, 1888; Arthur Cornelius, December 30, 1889; and Mary Irene, December 30, 1891. Mr. Weigerding has a substantial and tasteful residence at No. 409 Jefferson street—one of the pleasantest sites in the city—and no pains have been spared to secure for it the latest and most desirable conveniences.
     Fraternally our subject is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters, the Knights of the Maccabees, the National Union, the Red Cross, and the German Aid Society. He is collecting agent for the Empire Life Insurance Co., of New York.

HENRY H. WHELLER. Among the enterprising agriculturists who have assisted in the clearing and improvement of this section, this well-known resident of Adams township, Defiance county, has won a worthy place. Like many of our successful men he is of English birth, but as he came to Ohio when only five years old his life has been mainly spent here.
Born May 8, 1843, Dorsetshire, England, Mr. Wheller is the youngest in a family of three sons and four daughters born to Joseph and Jane (Hammond) Wheller. In 1848 his parents emigrated to this State, and after spending one year in Cleveland located in Columbia township, Lorain county, where the father was killed February 10, 1857, at the age of fifty-six, by a limb from a falling tree. The mother continued to reside in Lorain county until the spring of 1863, when she moved with the subject of this sketch to Defiance county, Ohio, living there with him until the spring of 1868, at which time she returned to her eldest son's, in Lorain county, and there died in the fall of 1868, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Mr. Wheller's boyhood was passed in the wholesome activities of farm life, and in 1863 he left the old home in Lorain county to secure a farm of his own in this newer section. His present homestead was then covered with forest, but he has cleared the greater portion of it and erected substantial farm buildings. The place contains one hundred and thirty-five acres, and under his judicious management ranks among the best farms of the locality. His attention has been devoted almost exclusively to agricultural work, but for four years, during the sixties, he carried the mail between Wauseon and Defiance. As a citizen he is public-spirited, taking much interest in local affairs, and he is especially active in religious work as a member of the M. E. Church. On October 11, 1881, he was married at Neapolis, Henry county, Ohio, to Miss Harriet Hobbs, and they have had four children: Delia Edith, Laura Alice, Bertha Mabel, and Dora Celia. Mrs. Wheller was born August 25, 1849, in Madison county, Ohio, and was the eldest in a family of three sons and three daughters. Her father, Winthrop S. Hobbs, who died in Henry county, Ohio, April 2, 1872, was a native of New Hampshire, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Mann, was born in Ohio.

TAYLOR G. WICKERSHAM. This enterprising farmer and well-known citizen of Delaware township, Defiance county, was born at Mount Union, Stark county, Ohio, September 15, 1842.
     His parents were Pennsylvanians by birth, born at Marlboro, Chester county, the father, John Wickersham, on February 7, 1800, the mother, Deborah (Nichols) Wickersham, on December 14, 1811. They had a family of three children—one son (the subject of this sketch) and two daughters. In 1854 they moved from their home in Stark county to Wood county, Ohio, and settled on a farm at Pemberville, Freedom township, where the remainder of their lives was passed. The father died January 18, 1865, and the mother was called to follow him in January, 1876. Taylor G. Wickersham, accompanying his parents to Pemberville when about twelve years of age, became an active helper on the home farm, and as he grew to manhood gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits there with his father until the death of the latter, with the exception of the time he was in the army, which was in 1864. In the spring of that year he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served one hundred days. On the death of his father he became proprietor of the home farm by purchase, and conducted it until July, 1875, when he bought the farm in Delaware township, of which he is the present owner.
     On October 21, 1875, he was married at Fremont, Ohio, to Miss Lodie Townsend, who was born in Lorain county, this State, February 23, 1854. She is a daughter of Luther A. and Olive (Roberts) Townsend, natives of New York. They were the parents of six children—one son and five daughters. Mrs. Townsend's death occurred in Delaware township March 5, 1885. Her husband survived until March 23, 1895, when he passed from earth, at Holgate, Ohio.
     Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham have been residents of Delaware township since March, 1876, when they settled on the farm which has since been their home. It contains eighty acres. Mr. Wickersham is an advocate of the principles embodied in the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Cage, Castle No. 52, and of Hancock Post, G. A. R., No. 579, of which he has been adjutant for several years. Mrs. Wickersham is a member of Hancock Relief Corps, No. 282, of Sherwood.

ADAM WILHELM. This well-known business man of Defiance, although now past the allotted limit of three-score and ten years, is still vigorous and alert, and is active in the management of his large estate, and also in public affairs, in which he wields wide influence.
     Like many of our leading citizens, he is of German birth, having been born June 23, 1823, at the village of Oberkerchan (Upper Church), near St. Wendel and Kuzell, in northern Prussia. His father, Jacob Wilhelm, a farmer, came to the United States in 1835, with his wife, Atilla Smith, and their family of children. They first located at Bethlehem, Stark county, Ohio, where the father and the older sons where employed in mines for two years. The family then spent one year at Bolivar, Stark county, and three years in Tuscarawas county, near Canal Dover. At the latter place all suffered extremely from fever and ague, even the dogs being afflicted, one falling away to "skin and bone" from the effects of the disease. The bills for medical attendance amounted to fifteen hundred dollars, and one one visit the doctor told our subject, then a lad of twelve, to tell his parents to move to another climate, as there were not enough drugs in his drug store to cure them. About this time an Indian woman came to see his mother, who was then sick in bed as a result of her protracted sufferings, and told her to take pure pepper, grind it, and take a spoonful in vinegar or whisky. This simple remedy was tried and proved effective, two or three doses all around banishing the ague forever fro the household.
     In 1840 the family moved to Brunersburg, Defiance county, and in the same year our subject bought a farm in Marion township, Henry county, where both his parents breathed their last, the mother in 1844, and the father in 1876. When the family first settled there their only neighbors were Indians, who were most amiable and friendly, doing them many favors, even bringing occasionally a pail of wild honey or a saddle of venison. The father was an old fashioned Democrat, and in religious faith was a devout Catholic, his remains being laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at New Bavaria.
     As Adam Wilhelm was about twelve years old when he came to this country, he had already had some education in the schools of his native land. He attended school in Tuscarawas county while living there, and for two years he and a little girl from a neighboring family, named Hughes, rode three miles to school on a mule. In the fall of 1840 he took a position as clerk for Sidney & Sprague at Defiance, and six months later he was asked to take charge of a toll bridge which had just been built by Mr. Sprague and others. The offer was made by the other members of the company, but Mr. Sprague objected strongly, saying that Mr. Wilhelm was the best clerk he had and he could not spare him. However, his partners overcame his unwillingness and Mr. Wilhelm took charge of the bridge, remaining there eighteen months, and fully justifying the confidence of his employers in his ability and integrity. His life there was not without its amusing side. One day John and William Price and Elisha Thorpe came to the bridge, and John asked what the toll was. Mr. Wilhelm said that it was not much, only three cents apiece. "Do you charge extra for baggage?" inquired Mr. Price. "No," said Mr. Wilhelm, "you can carry all you want to." At this Mr. Price stooped over, and, his two companions climbing upon his back, he carried them across, Mr. Wilhelm walking by his side to see that he "toted fair."
     In the fall of 1844 he became a clerk in the dry-goods store of C. L. Noble & Co., with the privilege of attending school in winter. This arrangement lasted one year, but for two years following he was paid forty dollars per month. As he could talk both English and German, he controlled the German trade from a wide circuit, and he thought himself entitled to higher wages. The firm refused to give him more, so Mr. Wilhelm entered the employ of Cyrus Lyman at North Defiance for fifty dollars a month, and remained until the store was sold. In 1847 Mr. Wilhelm opened a grocery on his own account in a building belonging to Mr. Lyman, at the north end of the bridge, Mr. Lyman endorsing for him at Toledo for his stock. After four months a that location Mr. Wilhelm moved to the south end of the bridge, locating on the west side of the road. He prospered, and in 1853 he removed to the present site of the Wilhelm block, forming a partnership with G. M. Weisenberger in a general mercantile business. They continued four years, during which time Mr. Wilhelm became an invalid through drinking too much ice water. For a time his case seemed desperate, and he spent six thousand dollars in cash traveling about in search of a remedy, but finally he was cured by three weeks' treatment from Dr. Brooks, a young physician at Gilboa, Ohio, at a cost of one dollar and a half!
     In 1857 Mr. Wilhelm went to Independence and bought a grocery, which he carried on for four years. He also purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land on credit from George Philips, a wholesale grocer of Dayton, Ohio, who supplied him also with twenty-two hundred dollars' worth of goods on time. The entire indebtedness amounted to six thousand dollars, which Mr. Wilhelm paid off in six years. In 1861 he returned to Defiance and formed a partnership with a brother-in-law; but nine months later he purchased his partner's interest. He continued the business successfully for fifteen years, buying his groceries by the car-load, and also engaged extensively in the lumber trade. He virtually conducted a banking business during part of this time, as he cashed lumbermen's drafts to a large amount, Real-estate speculation also occupied his attention, and at one time he owned three thousand acres of land, much of it being heavily wooded. He disposed of the timber to lumbermen at a handsome profit, and sold part of the land, but still has about two thousand acres. His wealth is largely invested in Defiance. He owns two houses and lots, two hundred vacant lots, the Wilhelm block, containing three stores, the Defiance mills, purchased in 1876; the Erie mills, and the Cement mill, two miles south of the city. The first two mills are now operated by a stock company, known as the Maumee Valley Milling Co., of which Mr. Wilhelm is president; William Ryan, treasurer, and J. R. Wilhelm, our subject's son, general manager. Mr. Wilhelm is one of the promoters of the village of Holgate, and contributed his share to the building of schools and railroads. He is still actively engaged in buying and selling real estate.
     In politics he is a Democrat, and his abilities have have given him prominence in this line also. He was county commissioner for two terms, city councilman three terms, and city treasurer two terms. He is a leading member of the Catholic Church, and was one of the chief workers in the erection of the first church of that faith in Defiance, a frame building on the site of St. John's. He also assisted in building the first M. E. church ever erected in Defiance.
     Mr. Wilhelm was married April 5, 1847, to Miss Mary Rickert, who died in 1875, leaving six children: John R.; Frank; Catherine, now Mrs. William Jackson; Amelia; Clara; and Adam, who was killed, in 1891, at the age of nineteen, by the kick of a horse. In 1841-42 Mr. Wilhelm assisted in the constructing of the Miami and Erie canal, and in the construction of the dam across the Maumee river at Independence, the foundation timbers were bolted to the rock of the river bed, and Mr. Wilhelm carried the bolts for this purpose to the workmen who were putting in the foundation. He safely passed through the cholera epidemic which raged for a time at Independence. He was one of a committee of three - Mr. Ables, Mr. Metts, and our subject - for the burying of the dead from the disease. So fast were the people carried away by the plague that the members of this committee were obliged to work day and night at their task, which so overcame some of them that they had to give up the work for recuperation; others then had to be secured to relieve them of their arduous duty. One assistant, Isaac Hively, agreed to assist in the burying for five dollars each. He buried three, and the next notice to the committee was that Mr. Hively had died of the same dreadful disease. During the cholera siege our subject would talk with a man on business, and within four hours thereafter would be called upon to bury the same party!

HON. JOHN WASHINGTON WINN. The man who achieves success in the legal profession is even more strictly in "architect of his own fortune" than is the average self-made business man, there being in the keen competitions of the lawyer's life, with its constantly recurring mental duel between eager and determined antagonists, no chance for the operation of the influences which may be called to the aid of the merchant, the manufacturer or the financier.
     Among the men of this section who have demonstrated their abilities in that difficult field, the Hon. J. W. Winn, of Defiance, holds a leading place, and his history affords an interesting example of ambition rightly directed and pursued with a zeal which overcame all obstacles. He was born March 4, 1855, near Norwich, Muskingum county, Ohio, but since the age of nine he has had his home in Defiance county, and his interests have always been identified with this locality even when he has been called to duty in a wider sphere. His father, Elisha Winn, was also a native of Muskingum county, and followed agricultural pursuits there for some years in early manhood, but in 1857 he and his wife, Huldah E. (Chapman), removed with their family to Vinton county, Ohio, and from there came to Defiance county, arriving on New Year's day, 1865. They located first in Milford township, and in 1871 moved to Washington township; but since 1891 the father has lived at Hicksville, Ohio, having retired from active business.
     Mr. Winn's elementary education was acquired in the schools near his father's home, and when sufficiently advanced in his studies he entered the academy at Williams Center, Williams county, Ohio. On leaving this institution he taught school for several years, and while thus engaged began the study of law, in 1878, with Hardy & Johnston, of Defiance. After two years of preparatory work he took the senior course in the Cincinnati Law School, and was admitted to the Bar April 5, 1881, but for a year continued to teach at Farmers Center and Brunersburg. His professional career was begun in April, 1882, when he established himself at Defiance, and, in partnership with K. V. Haymaker, speedily secured a fine practice. As an advocate he has won some notable victories, and he is regarded as one of the best trial lawyers in this part of the State.
     In 1881 Mr. Winn became an active worker in the Democratic party in his locality, and since that time he has been a potent influence in shaping its policy, both as a member of the county central and executive committees and as delegate to numerous State and district conventions. In 1884 he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, and so ably did he discharge its duties that he was again elected in 1887, receiving the regular nomination of his own party and an endorsement by the People's party. His term expired in January, 1891, and in June of that year he was nominated by the Democratic convention as a candidate for the State Legislature. He was elected, served two years, and was re-elected in 1893, his talents winning for him recognition as a leader there as in the local work. During his last term he received the complimentary vote of the Democratic members, then in the minority, for speaker of the House of Representatives, which was a formal acknowledgment of his leadership.
     Since his retirement from the Legislature, Mr. Winn has devoted his attention to his practice, but men of his character and ability are not soon forgotten by the public when once known. He has been prominently mentioned as a candidate for Congress, and in 1897 was discussed in all the papers of the State as an available man for governor; but he declined to be considered as in the race for either position.
     A few years ago Mr. Winn became the owner of what is known as the "Gorman Homestead," one of the most beautiful and pleasant suburban homes in Defiance, at No. 1005 Jefferson street, where he now resides, surrounded by everything necessary to make life pleasant. He was married in Defiance, September 4, 1881, to Miss Lotta M. Yeagley, daughter of William Yeagley, a well-known resident of Farmers Center. They have four children, viz.: Mabel M., born December 13, 1883; Claude R., born April 2, 1885; Lotta B. born March 6, 1889; and John W. Winn, junior, born July 24, 1898.
     As a citizen, Mr. Winn enjoys the esteem of all classes. Socially he is active and prominent, and in 1885 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken great interest. In 1886 he united with the Knights of Pythias, and has held every office in the grand lodge, serving as grand chancellor from May, 1897, to May, 1898.

DAVID WISSLER. This progressive and prosperous agriculturist, residing in Tiffin township, Defiance county, is proud to claim Ohio as his native State, his birth having occurred in Pickaway county, August 27, 1827. His parents, John and Catherine (Welty) Wissler, were both natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Pickaway county, Ohio, later coming to Defiance county, where their last years were spent, their home being in Tiffin township.
In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, our subject being fifth in the order of birth. He was about six years old when the family removed to Tiffin township, Defiance county, where he grew to manhood and has since continued to live. After his marriage he began housekeeping upon his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty-five acres, which have been transformed by him into highly cultivated fields. He has a good residence, flanked by a substantial barn, and the various other outbuildings required by the progressive farmer. As a tiller of the soil he is thorough and skillful, and has been uniformly fortunate in his investments. At one time he owned two hundred and forty acres, but has since disposed of a portion thereof.
In Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, Mr. Wissler was united in marriage with Miss Martha E. Carr, who was born in Montgomery county, this State, September 1, 1833, a daughter of Robert and Hannah (Creely) Carr, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Vincennes, Indiana, where they were married. Subsequently they removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, and in 1835 located on a farm in Williams county, where the father died. The mother, who was of French-Huguenot descent, passed away at the home of her son in Knox county, Illinois. Mrs. Wissler is the seventh child in their family of eight children, six of whom reached years of maturity. She is a highly intelligent and cultured lady, and prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wissler, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are: John F., Florence M. (now the wife of John Herriman, of Bryan, Ohio), Willis W., Edward G., Nora, and Freeman W. In religious faith the parents are both earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; politically, Mr. Wissler is a Populist.

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