BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN WILSON is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, born
March 26, 1839, the second of six children of Allen and Elizabeth
(Jones) Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania, his father of
Washington County, of English descent, and his mother of
Westmoreland County, of Irish descent. They were among the
pioneers of Holmes County. The mother died in 1863, and the
father is 1883, the latter being nearly eight-four years of age.
B. F. Wilson remained with his parents until
after the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, and the 1861
enlisted in the defense of his country, being assigned to Company B,
Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and served three years and one month.
He participated in the battles at Cumberland Gap, Tazewell (Tenn.),
siege of Vicksburg and New Orleans. He then went to Texas and
helped to build a dam across the Red River; then went to
Mississippi, where he participated in numerous skirmishes and
battles. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and served his
country faithfully. After his discharge he returned to his old
home, and has since followed the more peaceful pursuit of farming.
He is one of the prosperous farmers of Prairie Township, and has
about 176 acres of valuable land, ninety-nine acres being in the
homestead farm. His homestead is well improved, and his
buildings are among the best in the township, his residence being a
model of taste and convenience, erected at a cost of $2,000.
Mr. Wilson makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, of
which he has several fine specimens, although he is also engaged in
general farming. His farm is mostly devoted to the raising of
the Burbank potato, large quantities of which he ships to other
markets. Mr. Wilson was married in 1867 to Amy Jones,
a native of Holmes County, born in 1840. She died in 1873,
leaving two children: Charles A. B. and Mary A.,
and in 1875 Mr. Wilson married Catherine Arnold, who
was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1840, daughter of Thomas and
Catherine Arnold. In politics Mr. Wilson adheres
to the principles of the Democratic party. |
JOHN D. WISE,
a prosperous merchant of Walnut Creek, was born in Germany, May 12,
1822, son of Frederick and Betriah (Bloukenhorn) Wise, latter
of whom died in Germany. The father and six children
immigrated to America in 1829, first locating in Lancaster County,
Penn., and afterward moving to Lebanon County, Penn., where the
father died in 1871. He was a baker by trade, which he
followed after coming to America.
Our subject was educated in this country in both
English and German; also learned the baker's trade, at which he
worked several years. In 1844 he was united in marriage with
Miss Harriet Schroeder, a native of Berks County, Penn., and
in 1856 they came to Holmes County, where they purchased a farm in
German Township. There the wife and mother died in 1870.
In April, 1874, Mr. Wise and his son, A. M. Wise,
purchased their present business in Walnut Creek, where they have
since been engaged in a general mercantile business; also handling
agricultural implements, sewing machines, etc. Mr. Wise is a
supporter of the Democratic party, and has filled various township
offices. He was appointed poster in 1874, serving until 1885.
He has always been a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and
for many years has been a deacon in the same. He has three
children: John F., a farmer in Nebraska; Simon P., a
physician in Millersburgh, and Almon Martin, in partnership
with his father in business.
A. W. Wise was born in Lebanon County, Penn.,
Dec. 25, 1852, and came to Holmes County when about four years of
age. He received, his education at the public schools of this
county, and since 1874 has been engaged in mercantile business with
his father. In 1881 he was united in marriage with Miss
Emma Blanch, a native of Lebanon County, Penn., but a resident
of Wooster Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, at the time of her marriage.
By this union they have three children: Nathan Henry, John
Clarence and Edward Raymond. Mr. Wise is a Democrat
in politics, and has served as township treasurer seven years.
HE is a trustee of the Lutheran Church. |
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