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BIOGRAPHIES

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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
DE LACY WALDRON, a representative and prominent citizen of Brown Township, formerly county commissioner of Delaware County, for two terms, was born in Kingston Township, Delaware County, Ohio, July 25, 1833, and is a son of William and Mary (Wheeler) Waldron.
     William Waldron, the father, was born in New York, 40 miles south of the metropolis, January 25, 1804, and he died in Kingston Township, Delaware County, Ohio, June 29, 1883.  He married Mary Wheeler, who was born April 26, 1808, and died October 19, 1871.  She was born and reared in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Thomas Wheeler, who settled in Berkshire Township,.  In 1816, the paternal grandparents of De Lacy Waldron, Cornelius and Nancy Waldron, came with their children to Kingston Township, Delaware County, and the grandfather built the log house that stood so long. It was then surrounded by forest, there being very few other settlers in the township.  The children born of the two marriages of Cornelius Waldron have all passed away.  The three children born to William and Mary Waldron were:  De Lacy; Maria, who died aged six years; and Mary, who married Benjamin F. Elliott and who resided two two miles north of Sunbury, until her death, March 18, 1905.
     De Lacy Waldron was reared on the farm on which his grandfather settled in 1816.  His father added to the original tract, making it over 300 acres, 190 of which the present Mr. Waldron owns.  He was educated in the district schools, at Olive Green, and at Westerville College.  When he married he settled on the home farm and there carried on general farming and stock raising until 1896, with the exception of three years, during which he was engaged in a hardware business at Magnetic Springs, and a short period spent at Sunbury.  Since 1896 he has been a residence of Kilbourne.  He has witnessed many changes during his long residence here and has been identified with much of the progress which ahs civilized the country and brought prosperity to it.
     Mr. Waldron was married January 1, 1863, to Angeline Stark, who is a daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth (Patrick) Stark, and a granddaughter of John Stark, who died in Luzerne Country, Pennsylvania.  Oliver Stark came from that locality on horseback, when 21 years of age.  He settled in Kingston Township and became a man of wealth and prominence, serving six years as county commissioner and for 25 years as a justice of the peace.  He died in 1880, aged 77 years.  His wife, Elizabeth, who died aged 85 years, was born in Kingston Township, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Taylor) Patrick, who came to that township from Pennsylvania, being among the very first settler there.  Joseph Patrick was one of the leading men of his day in this section.  It is related that the forest was so dense and entirely pathless, when he was so dense and entirely pathless, when he first settled here, that on one occasion he was lost within a short distance of his home and after much wandering approached it and did not recognize it until his wife called his name.  He acquired a large amount of land and each one of his children were given property. Three daughters and two sons were born to Oliver Stark and wife namely:  Septer, Sarah, Mary, Angeline and John Joseph.  Septer Stark became the largest land owner in Delaware County, at the time of death, owning 2,000 acres.  He was married (first) to Sylvia Benton, and (second) to Maria Ross.  Sarah Stark married Samuel Wilcox and died in Porter Township.  Mary married James Sherman  and died in Porter Township.  John Joseph, who resides on the old Stark homestead in Kingston Township, married Anna Robinson.
     Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have one son, Homer, who was born July 9, 1865.  He resides at Lewis Center, and they have one daughter, Christovel, a beautiful girl of 15 years.  In politics, Mr. Waldron is a stanch Republican and he has held many offices of responsibility.  In 1894 he was first elected county commissioner and assumed the duties of this office in September, 1895, and was re-elected in 1897, his official life closing in the fall of 1901.  In young manhood he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and he has been very active in forwarding its interests, serving in many official positions.  Mrs. Waldron also is active in church work.
ROBERT WALLACE, a prominent citizen and trustee of Marlborough Township, whose farm of 123 1/2 acres is credited with being one of the finest in this section, was born February 2, 1847, in Troy Township. Delaware County. Ohio, and is a son of John and Margaret (Giffin) Wallace.
     The parents of Mr. Wallace were born in Scotland and the father came to America when nineteen years of age, and the mother was brought across the Atlantic when she was a child of four years. For a number of years. John Wallace resided in Belmont County, Ohio, coming from there to Troy Township. Delaware County, where he lived until his death, when aged seventy-four years. He was a very successful farmer and was a highly respected man in every relation of life. For a long period he was one of the pillars, so to speak, of the Presbyterian Church at Radnor. He gave his political support to the Republican party. His death removed one of Delaware County's valued citizens.
     Robert Wallace was reared in Troy Township, and he obtained his education in the district schools, and remained in that section until 1878, when he settled on his present farm in Marlborough Township. His interests here have been largely of an agricultural nature. but during seventeen years, in addition to carrying on his farm, he maintained also a warehouse at Ashley. Ohio, where he engaged in buying grain, hay. seeds and other farm produce. He has also been a very successful stock raiser. While closely attending to his own affairs. Mr. Wallace has always found time, however, to give a good citizen's attention to public matters in his community, and has served both on the School Board and as township trustee.
  Mr. Wallace was married (first) to Margaret Klee, who was a native of Marlborough Township. She had two children, namely: Maud F., who married Harry Blair, residing at Ashley, Ohio; and Benjamin F., residing in Brown Township, Delaware County. Mr. Wallace was married (second) to Nettie Lewis, who was born in Oxford Township, Delaware County, and is a daughter of Jerome Lewis. Mrs. Wallace accompanied her parents when they removed from Oxford to Marlborough Township, she at that time being four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have a beautiful home, the residence being of brick construction and its surroundings exceedingly attractive. Mr. Wallace is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at West Oxford, Oxford Township, and has been a church official for a considerable period.
(pg. 625)
DR. JAMES WILLIAM WATTS was born in Rodney, Gallia County, Ohio, in 1856.  He read medicine with Dr. W. M. Watts at South Webster, Scioto County, Ohio.  He attended medical lectures in Cincinnati, at the Ohio Medical College, from which he received his diploma.  He began practice at Gallia County, Ohio, and was these for fifteen years.  He then came to Delaware, where he practiced several years before moving to Columbus, where he is now devoting his attention to diseases of the eye and ear.  He was given, in 1876, the beneficiary scholarship from the Eleventy Congressional District, represented by Hon. H. S. Bundy.  He was to prepare himself for a government medical cadet; but gave up this prospect in order to practice medicine.
DR. ELLA DENNISON WELCH was born in Peru Township, Morrow County, Ohio, in 1863.  She studied in the office of Dr. G. Foster, of Olive Green, Delaware County, Ohio, in 1889.  She entered the Toledo Medical College in 1891, and for the summer term 1892 went to the Wooster Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, and returned to the Toledo Medical College to graduate in 1894.  She came direct to Ashley after her graduation, where she has since practiced.
DR. ALBERT ERNEST WESTBROOK, who has been engaged in medical practice in Ashley for a period of forty-two years, is also the proprietor of a drug store at this place.  He was born December 17, 1840, in the hotel conducted by his parents at Woodbury, which at that time was quite a town in Peru Township, then in Delaware County, but now in Morrow County. He is a son of Solomon Westbrook, and a grandson of John Westbrook, who settled in Canandaigua County, New York. The Westbrook family originally came from Germany, two brothers, John and  Leonard, coming to this country at an early date.
     Solomon Westbrook, the Doctor's father, was born in 1798 in Canandaigua County, New York, and in 1816 moved to Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio. He married Mrs. Mathena Crawford, nee Edmunds, it being the second marriage for both. He had one son by his first marriage, and she had six children by her first marriage to William Crawford. She was a daughter of Samuel Edmunds, who also came from Canandaigua County, New York to Johnstown, Ohio. Of the children of their several unions, but one aside from Dr. Westbrook is living—the latter's full sister, Jane, who is the widow of Robert Gardner, and lives one mile north of South Woodbury.
     Solomon Westbrook followed farming until after his marriage, at Johnstown, and then conducted a hotel until 1836. He then went on horseback to New Orleans, where he practiced medicine for one year, after which he returned to his old home, and then shortly afterward journeyed in the same manner to Canada and back. In 1849 he went to Missouri, and from St. Joseph crossed the plains to San Francisco with a company from Delaware, Ohio. He drove three yoke of oxen and walked every step of the way. Many were the hardships endured by the party, and their condition upon their arrival in San Francisco was pitiable. Mr. Westbrook had nothing to eat but one cracker per day for twenty-six days and one of the party, Dr. Mann of Delaware, died of scurvy after his arrival. Mr. Westbrook remained two years in the West, working in the gold mines, and upon his return to Ohio had $500 in gold, being no richer and no poorer than when he left home.
     Dr. Albert E. Westbrook was reared in Woodbury and attended Mt. Hesper Seminary, a well known institution of learning of that day located little more than a mile south of the village. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware one year, in 1857, and afterward read medicine under the preceptor-ship of Dr. 1. H. Pennock, preparatory to entering Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. on February 22, 1863. In August of that year he entered the 106th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., as assistant surgeon, and served until the war closed. He was on detached duty at Gallatin, Tennessee, where he had charge of the Post Hospital, and was medical director on the staff of Brig. Gen. E. A. Payne. He had charge of Fts. Negley, Huston and Morton, at Nashville, and was on duty also at Stevenson, Alabama. For a time he served as surgeon in the 68th Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Inf., at Bridgeport, Alabama. He was mustered out June 29, 1865, at Nashville. The Doctor has preserved every order received while in the service and also has the bridle, saddle and spurs which he used. At present he is the only physician living in Delaware County who served as such in the army.
     On August 10, 1865, Dr. Westbrook came to Ashley and engaged in the practice of medicine, in which he has since continued—a period of forty-two years. For the past twenty-five years he has also conducted the only drug store in Ashley. He is a prominent citizen and a successful man. He is a member of the American Medical Association; the Ohio State Medical Society, and the Delaware County Medical Society, having served one term as president and also as vice-president of the latter.
In 1866 Dr. Westbrook married Amanda E. Cunard, a daughter of Judge S. T. Cunard, who was a prominent jurist of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. She died April 17, 1885, leaving three children, as follows: Edward Cunard Westbrook. who is engaged in farming in Oxford Township, and who married Britta Cline, by whom he has one son—Cline Edmunds; Blanch Alberta, wife of John T. Olds, a hardware merchant of Ashley, who has one son—Neil Albert; and Grace Sumner, who married Wesley McCurdy, a clothing merchant of Ashley, and has children—Lois, Amanda, Lawton W., Lloyd, and Rose Cunard. Dr. Westbrook was married a second time, in 1886, to Rose M. Cunard, a daughter of Captain L. M. Cunard of Mt. Gilead, Ohio.
     Dr. Westbrook is a Republican in politics and has held numerous local offices. He was instrumental in establishing a graded school here, but it was only after a determined fight on his part and that of a few other enterprising and public spirited men who stood with him. He was elected on the first Board of Education and served nine years, and was three times a member of the Town Council. Fraternally, Dr. Westbrook is a member of Ashley Lodge, No. 404, P. & A. M., and was formerly a member of the Chapter at Delaware.
(pg. 613)
EDWARD WHIPPLE, a prosperous farmer residing in Oxford Township, Ohio, comes of one of Delaware county's oldest and most prominent families.  He was born in Brown Township, Dec. 10, 1852, a son of Lewis and Almira (Brown) Whipple, and a grandson of Reuben Whipple, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
     Lewis Whipple was born Sept. 22, 1814, in Rhode Island, and was four years of age when his parents came to Delaware County, locating in what is Peru Township, Morrow County.  Here he grew to maturity, receiving a limited education in the common schools of the pioneer type.  In his early days he followed the trade of cabinet-maker.  He and his brother James purchased 100 acres of land in the northwest part of Brown Township which they afterward divided.  Lewis Whipple cleared his 50 acre tract and farmed it with success, adding thereto from time to time until he was possessed of a large estate.  He owned the 100 acres on which his son Edward now lives and the 52˝ acres owned by Wellington C. Whipple, and at his death he still owned 245 acres.  He was a man of high principle, a credit to the community in which he lived, and his death, which occurred Sept. 28, 1904, was mourned as a sad loss by his fellow men.  He married Almira Brown, who was born in Connecticut, Aug. 1821, and who was a young girl when her people came west to Marion County, Ohio.  In her latter years she resided with her son W. C. Whipple, dying Mar. 4, 1908, at the advanced age of 87.  The following children blessed this union: Harriet, wife of Albert McCreary, now deceased, lived in Oxford Township; Adelia, with of Orville Slawson; Samantha, wife of Charles Olmsted, lives in Washington, D. C.; Adelia and Smith, twins, of whom the former is the wife of Samuel Primmer and lives in Marion County, and the latter died at the age of one year; Edward, subject of this sketch; Omar H., who conducted a store at Leonardsburg, but is now deceased; Wellington C., who lives on a farm adjoining the old home place; Laura, wife of Newton Grant, of Ashley; and one died unnamed.
     Edward Whipple attended the schools of his home district and lived at home until his marriage at the age of 25 years.  He then moved to his present farm of 100 acres in the southwest of Oxford Township.  He made most of the improvements on this farm and has followed general farming and stock raising with good results.  In 1891 he erected a commodious home - one of the best in the vicinity.
     March 15, 1877, Edward Whipple was joined in marriage with Eurema Adell Lea, a sister of Thomas W. Lea.  She died in 1885, leaving three children, namely:  Ona Lester, born Oct. 2, 1878, a resident of Kingston Township, who married Blanch Riley and has three children - Norma, Dorothy and Riley; Winifred Isabel, born February 5, 1881, who married Harry Blair of Columbus and has a son - Harry Mitchell; Thomas Lea, born Dec. 3, 1883, who died Oct. 8, 1884.
     Mr. Whipple married secondly, Oct. 12, 1887, Cora Raines, a native of Brown Township and daughter of James and Lydia (Evans) Raines, who now live in Oxford Township.  This union resulted in the following issue:  Ray Arthur born Dec. 28, 1889; Claude Arnold, born Nov. 20, 1894, and Clive Bryan, born Sept. 1, 1896.  The last mentioned takes his second name from the illustrious William Jennings Bryan, who upon being apprised of the fact by a sister of Clive Bryan, who a pleasing letter, which she still treasures.  Politically, our subject is a Democrat and served three years as Township trustee.  Fraternally he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry; Knights of Pythias, and Pythian Sisters, to which Mrs. Whipple also belongs.
(pg. 740)
JAMES CLARK WHIPPLE, a successful farmer of Brown Township, was born in Peru Township, Morrow County, Ohio, January 28, 1850, and is a son of Noah and Margaret (Elliott) Whipple.|
     The paternal grandparents of Mr. Whipple were Reuben and Sarah (Cooper) Whipple and they settled in Morrow County in 1818.  The land they selected was covered with a natural growth of timber and they made the first improvement.  The second log cabin which they erected is still standing on the place.  They had five sons, namely:  Barton, Jason, Noah, Lewis and James, all of whom have passed away.  Noah Whipple was born in 1811, at Providence, Rhode Island, and he accompanied his parents to Ohio and was reared in Morrow County.  After his marriage to Margaret Elliott, he began farming on the home place.  She was born in 1813 in Virginia, and she accompanied her parents to Brown Township, Delaware County, when they made the overland trip in her childhood.  They were the first settlers on Mr. Whipple's present farm, where they made the first improvements.  Noah Whipple remained on the home farm for a time and then purchased a small place near the present home of James Clark Whipple, in Brown Township, but later returned to Morrow County, and in 1885 he retired and moved to Ashley, where he died in 1900, aged 88 years.  His wife died in 1895.  They had eight children, namely: Edwin, who died in 1906, at Ashley, married Mary Chadwick; Rachel, deceased, who married George W. White, of Kingston Township, Delaware County; Phebe, who married Charles Kohler, residing at Ashley; Mary Ellen, residing at Ashley, is the widow of John B. Wallace; Albert, who died in childhood; James Clark; Frank E., who is engaged in a banking business at Ashley, married Nettie Slack; and Josephine, who married Wilbur Benedict, residing at Massillon, Stark County, Ohio.
     James Clark Whipple secured his education in the district schools of Morrow County and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm.  In the fall of 1872, he was married to Mary Dodge, who is a daughter of George W. and Janette (Mickle) Dodge.  George W. Dodge accompanied his parents from New York to Holmes County, Ohio when quite young, where they died.  The mother of Mrs. Whipple was born in Scotland and was five years old when her father, Alexander Mickle, brought the family to America, settling for a time in Canada, but subsequently coming to Delaware County.  At this time there was but one building on the east side of the river and that was a cabin.  Mr. Mickle died in Delaware County and his widow in Nebraska.
     Mr. and Mrs. Whipple have had four children:  Ernest, Bertha, Winifred and Grace.  Ernest is a resident of Oak Park, Illinois.  He married Hattie Green, a resident of Chicago and they have two children, Francis and Grace.  He was formerly in the employ of the late Marshall Field.  Bertha married Orrin Reed and they reside in Brown Township.
     Mr. Whipple purchased his farm of 197˝ acres on which he resides, in April, 1874, renting a house until he could erect the present commodious residence.  He has made all the improvements here and engages in profitable farming and stock feeding.  He is a Republican and has occasionally consented to serve in township offices.   He is one of the representative men of his community.
(pg. 859)
ELMER A. WIGTON.  There are few residents of Delaware County, in all probability, who have passed through so many thrilling experiences and survived more dangers or encountered more adventures than Elmer A. Wigton, who spent many years on the frontier, on the outskirts of civilization, but who now is an esteemed citizen of Liberty township.  Mr. Wigton was born in Brown Township, Delaware County, Ohio, June 22, 1839, and is a son of Sylvester and Elmina (Perry) Wigton.
     The paternal grandfather, THOMAS WIGTON, was born in Pennsylvania in 1777 and came to Delaware County in 1819.  He settled on a farm in Kingston Township, near the Blue Church, where he lived until 1852, when he moved to "Berkshire.  Four years later he settled on a farm between Berkshire and Sunbury, a property that is occupied by his grandson, Charles Wigton, and his mother.  Thomas Wigton died in 1877 when almost 100 years old.  His children were respectively as follows:  David, Sylvester, Abiram, Jacob, James, Frazier, William, Mrs. Samuel Hall, Mrs. Orlin Root, Mrs. Joel Root, Mrs. Benjamin Lee, Mary Jane and Mrs. Peter Colum, all of whom are now deceased.
     The maternal grandparents of Mr. Wigton were William Perry and Electa Perry.  After the death of William Perry his widow married Benjamin McMaster.  The Perry children were:  William A., Elmina Rachel, Philemon F.; and the McMasters children were: Robert Gordon, Horace P. and William A.; and the children of the McMaster-Perry marriage were: George, Esther, Hiram and Eloisa.
     The father of Mr. Wigton was born in Pennsylvania, in 1812, and was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to Delaware County.  He died in Brown Township, in March, 1873, aged sixty-one years.  In 1837 he married Elmina Rachel Perry, who was born in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1819.  After the death of Sylvester Wigton, she married Dr. Besse, of Delaware.  The parents of Mr. Wigton settled in Brown Township, one and one half miles west of Eden, when the country was yet all covered with frost.  They had two children: William Perry and Elmer A.  The former was born June 14, 1838.  In 182, just before entering the army, he married Esther E. Holt.  He was a member of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at Arkansas Post, in February, 1863.
     ELMER A. WIGTON always had a strong instinct of direction and a faculty for woods travel.  When a mere child of only four or five years of age, he would go far out into the dense woods alone and ramble about in every direction, amusing himself by throwing sticks at wild turkeys, and when he thought he had them driven far enough away, he would strike out in the right direction for the little cabin which was his home at that time.  This latter feat he would perform as accurately as a pig would have done if it had been carried away in a sack and then turned loose.
     About 1844 or '45 Brown Township was almost an unbroken wilderness, with the exception of the small patches that had been cleared around the cabins of the few hardy pioneers that came in from the East to establish new homes for themselves.  Many times these settlers would become uneasy about their children when they had not seen or heard them for an hour or two, fearing they were lost in the woods.  In those days there was more of harmony and friendly feeling existing between neighbors than now.  They would take their families and pay their neighbors a visit and have a good time and a good dinner.  On such occasions a strong cup of coffee, with cream and maple sugar, hot biscuit with butter and maple syrup or honey, chicken and dumplings, fried ham, boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, boiled parsnips, pumpkin pie and cakes sweetened with maple sugar - all the cooking done on the fireplace - would have been considered a good dinner, and would not be very bad to take now.
     At one time a family, the children of which ranged in age from eight to twelve years, came to the cabin of SYLVESTER WIGTON, the father of the subject of this sketch, where they were cordially received.  Neighbor settler and Mr. Wigton were busily engaged in talking, when all of a sudden neighbor said, "Where are the children?  I haven't heard them for some time; I am afraid they are lost."  Mr. Wigton looked up in his good natured manner,  ...... CLICK HERE FOR FULL BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE......
Source No. 1:  20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens  -Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle - Page 643
MRS. ELMINA WIGTON, farmer; P. O. Delaware; born in Liberty Township Oct. 11, 1819, on the banks of the Whetstone; daughter of William Perry; her mother's maiden name was Electa Barber; the family are natives of Connecticut, emigrating to this county about the year 1807; when Elmina was very young, her mother was married to Benjamin McMasters; at the time she was  years of age, they moved to Brown Township, where Horace B. McMasters now resides.  Here she lived until her union with Sylvester Wigton, which event occurred June 11, 1837; he was a native of Luzerne Co., Penn.; he emigrated to this State with his parents when he was but 2 years of age; they located in Berkshire Township, near Sunbury; after Mr. Wigton's marriage they located on the farm she now owns, which they settled and cleared.  Mr. Wigton  died Mar. 23, 1873, and his remains repose in the cemetery north of Eden; he was a successful farmer, and acquired 202 acres of land, which Mrs. Wigton now owns, along with valuable property in Delaware; they had two children - Perry and Elmer; Perry was a soldier in the 96th O. V. I., and lost his life at the battle of Arkansas Post; Elmer is now in the West.  Mr. Wigton, during his life, was a very moral, upright, and conscientious man, and temperate in his habits; he was not a member of any church, but a man that always respected Christianity; Mrs. Wigton is an adherent of the Universalist doctrine.
(Source No. 2 - History of Delaware Co., Ohio - 1880: Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers; 1880 - Page 816 - Berkshire Township)
MRS. SARAH WIGTON, farmer; P. O. Berkshire; is a daughter of James and Catharine (Slack) Chadwick; her father was born in London, Eng., and emigrated to America when a young man.  Mrs. Wigton is one of ten children, and was born Aug. 2, 1832, in Oxford Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, where she remained until 1857.  She was married June 23, 1852, to William A. Wigton; he was born Mar. 4, 1828; they farmed in Oxford township until 1857, when they bought 156 acres in partnership with his father, one of the old pioneers of Delaware Co., who died Aug. 1, 1889, at the ripe old age of 99.  Mrs. Wigton's husband died Apr. 18, 1873; they had seven children, five of whom are living - Charles D., married Nov. 4, 1879, to Rose E. Loren, daughter of J. Loren; Ella E., Emma A., William Perry, Frankie A., Eugene (deceased in 1855) and Mary I. (deceased in 1861).  She is a member of the M. E. Church, at Berkshire Corners; Charles is also of the same denomination, at Sunbury.  They now own 17 acres of well-improved land in Berkshire Township.
(Source No. 2 - History of Delaware Co., Ohio - 1880: Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers; 1880 - Page 697 - Berkshire Township)
CAPT. CLIFTON W. WILES, superintendent and general manager for the Delaware Water Company, a Civil War veteran, and one of the leading citizens of Delaware County, was born at Freetown, Cortland County, New York, March 26, 1843, son of Peter and Nancy (Hall) Wiles. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany who came to this country about the year 1800, settling in Onondaga County, New York.
     Peter Wiles was born in Onondaga County, New York, May 17, 1814, and spent his industrial years in farming and dairying, giving particular attention to the latter industry. During the greater part of his life he was a resident of Cortland County, and he died June 6, 1862, at the age of 48 years. He was a man of considerable musical ability, being leader of a choir and a good performer on the piano, organ, and violin. His wife Nancy was a daughter of Caleb Hall, of Herkimer County, New York, and was born in 1817, and died April 10, 1878. They were the parents of three children, namely:  Clifton W., whose name appears at the head of this article; Emma, who married John Lennon, and is now deceased with her husband; and Ella, also deceased, who was the wife of William D. Tuttle, an attorney of Cortland County, New York. Mrs. Peter Wiles, mother of the above mentioned children, died about 1876 or 1877, aged 63 years.
     The early life of Clifton W. Wiles was that of a farmer's boy, with the Old Red School House to direct his steps in the path of knowledge. The Civil War interrupted for a time his progress in the ordinary activities of life, and he enlisted, September 20, 1862, in Company L, Tenth New York Cavalry, and was made trumpeter of his company. The first battle in which he participated was that of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 12-13, 1862, he was detailed as private orderly for General David H. Russell, who commanded a brigade in the Fifth Corps, and who was killed in the battle of Winchester; and remained with him during the battle and for some time after.
     In January, 1863, his regiment was assigned to the brigade commanded by General Kilpatrick in the division commanded by General D. McM. Gregg of the Cavalry Corps. This command was actively engaged in the Stoneman raid and the battle of Chancellorsville, followed by the cavalry battles of Brandy Station, Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville. At the battle of Gettysburg, that soon followed, his regiment was engaged on July 2d with Johnson's Confederate division on the Hanover Road, and again on the 3d with Stuart's cavalry on the Rummell farm. The men of his regiment were the first Union troops to enter the city after the battle, driving out the rear guard of the enemy.
Following was the battle of Mine Run and several minor engagements.
     In the spring of 1864 the cavalry under Sheridan accompanied and co-operated with Grant in the battles of the Wilderness and subsequent engagements, including the raid and battle of Trevillion Station, and the Richmond raid and the battle of Haws Shops, finally arriving, July 2d, with Grant's army in front of Petersburg.
     From this time to April 9, 1865, the regiment was constantly engaged in picket duty, scouting, and raids in the enemy's country.
     On the opening of the spring campaign, March 28. 1865, Mr. Wiles was assigned to duty as aide-de-camp to General Henry E. Davies, commanding the First Brigade, Second Division of the Cavalry Corps, and participated in the battles of Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Jettersville, Sailor's Creek, Farmville, and Appomattox, and at the surrender of Lee's army. He lost two horses killed under him—one at Sulphur Springs, Virginia, October 12, 1863, and one at Trevillion Station, June 11, 1864; and was injured by a shell at Middleburg, June 19, 1863. His regiment was finally discharged in August. 1865. During his entire service of nearly three years, he was never in a hospital, away from his regiment, nor absent a single day from duty, except to obtain horses. On account of services rendered he was recommended for a commission, but not mustered on account of the close of the war.
     After his discharge from the army Mr. Wiles took up and completed his school work at the New York Central College. After serving for several years iir construction and engineering work pertaining to waterworks supply. he came to Delaware, Ohio, in April, 1892, as superintendent and general manager of the Delaware Water Company, and has been constantly engaged in this work to the present time. He has for many years been a member of the American Water Works Association, and is a past president of the Central States Water Works Association. He has been called upon on several occasions to inspect and report upon the conditions and value of water works plants in other cities.
     In 1902 he was commissioned as honorary aide on the staff of Governor Aaron T. Bliss of Michigan (who was a comrade in his regiment), with the rank of Colonel. He has on several occasions served as aide-de-camp on the staff of the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, with the rank of Colonel. He is now an officer and past commander of the local Grand Army post, and colonel of Encampment No. 107, Union Veteran Legion.
     In 1894 he was commissioned by Governor McKinley as battalion adjutant in the Fourteenth Ohio National Guard, and in 1897 by Governor Bushnell as captain and inspector of rifle practice, in the same regiment, which rank he held on the opening of the Spanish-American War, and with his regiment prepared for active service at Camp Bushnell; but on account of the rank he held he was not allowed to muster into the United States service, but was appointed provost-marshal of Camp Bushnell, in which position he served until the camp was broken up.
     He was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Delaware City Library by Mayor H. H. Beecher, and is secretary of the Commercial Club of this city.
     Captain Wiles married Anna, daughter of Joseph Bates, of Cortland, New York, February 17, 1869, and he and his wife are the parents of two children—Nellie, who is residing at home, and Arthur, a mechanical and electrical engineer, who graduated in the class of '05 at the Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio.
     Colonel Wiles is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., having been demitted to this lodge from Marathon Lodge, No. 438, of Cortland County, New York, where he was made a Mason in 1866. He also belonged to the Chapter and Commandery at Cortland, New York, and to Cortland Comnmndery No. 50, joining the chapter here about the same time that he was transferred by demit. His Masonic affiliations further include membership in Alladin Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Columbus. He is a member of George B. Torrence Post, G. A. R., and is past commander of Grover Post of Cortland. New York, and past commander of the post in Delaware. He has also been colonel of the Union Veteran Legion in Delaware for five or six years. Colonel Wiles is a Republican in his political views. He takes a good citizen's interest in the progress of the community, and is esteemed and respected wherever known.
(pg. 619)
VICTOR ARNOLD WILLIAMS, in former years well known throughout Genoa Township as a prosperous farmer and stockraiser, was born on the farm of which he was afterward the proprietor, in August, 1839. His parents, William and Lucinda (Phelps) Williams, were married in Blendon, Franklin County, Ohio. William Williams, who was a native of this State, in his youth accompanied his father to Delaware County, they being among the pioneers of Genoa Township. Here the elder Williams, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, bought some hundreds of acres of land from the Government, a part of which he subsequently cleared. He spent the rest of his life on his property, engaged in agriculture, being known as a good reliable citizen.
     William Williams also became a prosperous farmer and was a much respected citizen of this township. He and his wife Lucinda were the parents of a large family of fifteen children, all of whom were born on the present homestead, which was purchased by him. This originally consisted of 140 acres, most of which he cleared, besides making the present improvements. He owned in all several hundred acres in Genoa Township. In politics he was a Republican. He died on his farm here at a ripe age.
     Victor Arnold Williams was educated in the district schools of Genoa Township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which, with stock-raising, he followed through life. He was married September 12. 1865, to Priscilla Martin, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Richard Martin, who was in his latter years a farmer of Genoa Township, but who is now deceased. Richard Martin was a native of Pennsylvania, in which State he married. His wife was in maidenhood Sarah Konkel, and was born, reared, and educated in Pennsylvania. They were of German and Welsh ancestry respectively. They were the parents of thirteen children—eight sons and five daughters—nine of whom were born in Genoa Township and four in Pennsylvania. The family came to Delaware County in 1852, Mr. Martin conducting a grocery store for a number of years in Genoa Township. In addition to his mercantile business, he conducted a small farm, and resided on it until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-five years old. He was a life long Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     Mr. and Mrs. Williams located on the present place at the time of their marriage. Though they never denied themselves any of the reasonable comforts of life, they were frugal and industrious., and attained a fair measure of prosperity. Mr. Williams died in 1903, at the age of sixty-four years. He was widely known and respected, and his death removed from the community one of its best citizens, and a worthy representative of its agricultural interests. He was a Republican politically. Mrs. Williams continues to reside on the homestead and enjoys the esteem of all who know her for her kind, neighborly characteristics. She has been the mother of five children—three sons and two daughters— namely: Lucinda, Clayton, Effie, Clifton, and Clarence, all of whom are worthy members of the community.
(pg. 626)
WILLIAM W. WILLIAMS, who was for many years one of the best known citizens and most prominent agriculturalists of Troy Township, was born in this township August 25, 1835, son of William B. and Margaret (Davis) Williams. His parents were natives of Wales, William B. Williams coming from that country when a boy with his mother and step-father. They settled in Troy Township, Delaware County, Ohio, where he spent the industrial period of his life engaged in agriculture.
     William W. Williams was reared to manhood in Troy Township and secured his education in the public schools. He then engaged in farming and soon became well and favorably known as an agriculturist and breeder of horses. In 1870, in company with Stephen Thomas, he made a trip to France, being interested in a company organized for the purchase of French draft horses, of which they brought back four head. In 1888 he returned to France in his own interest, bringing back three head. Through his efforts the quality of draft horses in this section was largely improved. So successful was he along these lines that at his death he left an ample estate, including a farm in Radnor Township and one in Troy Township, on the latter of which in a pleasantly situated brick dwelling, Mr. Williams's widow and her son, William L., now reside. Mr. Williams was always an industrious and energetic farmer. Although, as already indicated, he accumulated in time a large amount of property, he aimed less to increase the quantity than to improve the quality of that which he had. His farm in Troy Township has been described as "undoubtedly the best-equipped farm in that part of the county, in point of farm buildings, tiling, and fruit culture."  He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, which Mrs. Williams also attends. On January 6, 1871, he was elected deacon of the church and served faithfully as such until his death, which occurred February 17, 1907. A kind husband and father and an obliging neighbor, he was honored and esteemed by his fellow citizens, who knew him also as a man of much public spirit and many sterling characteristics. In politics he was a Republican, and he took much interest in the educational progress of the township.
     On June 8, 1865, Mr. Williams was married to Eliza R. Lewis, who was born October 24, 1836, in Licking County, Ohio, and who is a daughter of John and Sarah ( Hughes) Lewis, natives of Wales and early settlers in Licking County, Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Williams was blessed by the birth of two children—Lizzie A., who is the wife of John Pugh, residing in Radnor Township; and William L., residing with his mother in Troy Township.
(pg. 599)
J. PERRY WINTERMUTE, who, for a quarter of a century was a successful business man and valued citizen of Delaware, was born near Zanesville, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1832, and died at Delaware, Jan. 31, 1908.  Mr. Wintermute came to Delaware in 1882 and embarked in a hardware business and from that date until within a few years of his death was an active business man of this city.  He was a loyal and patriotic citizen and during the Civil war he served in the Federal army as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  For fourteen years he was adjutant of the George B. Torrent Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Delaware.
     In 1858, Mr. Wintermute was married at Zanesville, Ohio, to Ettie A. Buckmaster, who survives him.  They had four children, namely: Nina W., now Mrs. J. T. Skidmore, residing at Chillicothe, Missouri; Pearl W., now Mrs. Rae D. Henkle, residing at Cleveland; Dr. R. C., and Willie E., both of whom are now deceased.
     From boyhood, Mr. Wintermute had been a member of the Baptist Communion, and for a space of twenty years he was a deacon in the First Baptist Church at Delaware.  He was ever liberal with his means in behalf of charitable and benevolent purposes, both in and outside the church, and the poor and needy always found in him a friend.  Mr. Wintermute was one of the oldest Free Masons in Ohio, the date of his admission to the fraternity being 1857.  He loyally kept his pledges and was widely known in the organization and when he died he was laid to rest with Masonic honors.  He was a man of strong convictions and never feared to follow a path he deemed right, sometimes in the face of opposition.  This was particularly so when he assisted in the organization of the strong anti-saloon society known as The Sons of Temperance.
(pg. 500)
CHESLEY WORNSTAFF, a member of the firm of Sperry & Wornstaff, proprietors of the Bank of Ashley, has been a life long resident of Delaware County and is descended on both sides from old established families of this county.  He was born on a farm west of Ashley, in Oxford Township, and is a son of Lewis and Sally Ann (Bartholomew) Wornstaff.  His grandfather, Daniel Wornstaff, was the first of the family to locate in this county.  He was a native of Pennsylvania and at an early date removed to Ross County, Ohio, and came to Delaware County in 1829.  He bought a farm of about 100 acres on the west branch of the Whetstone River, and erected a log cabin.  Here he lived the life of a hardy farmer and converted his farm from a wilderness into tillable land, remaining there until his death.
     LEWIS WORNSTAFF, father of Chesley, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1822, and was seven years of age when brought by his parents to Delaware County.  He grew up on the old home place and then purchased a tract of about fifty acres of unimproved land in Oxford Township.  He first erected a cabin of poles and it was in this the subject of this sketch was born.  He subsequently built a log cabin and finally a frame house which stands on the farm now owned by his younger son.  He was remained on the farm until his death July 26, 1890, aged sixty-eight years, and at that time he owned about 300 acres of land.  He married Sally Ann Bartholomew, who was born in Liberty Township, in 1829, and at the present time resides with her son Spery, at Ashley.  Her father, Milton Bartholomew, came from the New England States to Delaware County, at about the same time the Wornstaffs came,  He moved from Liberty Township, where his death occurred.  Three children were born to Lewis Wornstaff and wife:  Chesley; a child that died in infancy, and Sperry, who owns and resides on the old home place.
     CHESLEY WORNSTAFF was raised and remained on the home farm until twenty-five years old, in the meantime attending the district schools and also the schools of Ashley.  He bought a farm of seventy-eight acres known as the Eckles farm, one and one-fourth miles southeast of Ashley, and has always been very successful, having increased his holdings until he has 260 acres in his home farm, and 110 acres in Peru Township, Morrow County.  In 1884, in partnership with his brother-in-law, C. F. Sherry, he established the Bank of Ashley, with which he has sine been identified, but did not move into town until 1888.  He still oversees the work on the farm, owns a fine brick home here and has other property.
     Mr. Wornstaff was married November 9, 1870, to Mary Ella Sperry, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, and is a sister of C. F. Sperry.  This union resulted in the birth of one son, Albertus, who was a bookkeeper in the Bank of Ashley at the time of his death, March 22, 1903, aged twenty-six years.  A mute from birth, he was of exceptional brightness and possessed educational attainments.  He was a graduate of the State Institution at Columbus, and a graduate at Gallaudet College, Washington, D. C., and his early death, amid bright prospects, was a sad loss to his devoted parents.  Albertus Wornstaff married Laverna Carr.  Mr. Wornstaff is a Republican in politics but has never taken an active part in political affairs.
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