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BIOGRAPHIES

Source #3
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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  ELMER E. FIRESTONE.  Mr. Firestone, who is editor of the "Stryker Advance," of Stryker, Williams county, was born in Waterford, Indiana, November 16, 1865, but was reared in Wakarusa, that State, until thirteen years of age, when he went to Syracuse, Indiana, to learn the printer's trade, remaining there but three months, however.
     Going to South Bend, he completed his apprenticeship, and for six years worked on the "St. Joseph Register," which was established by the Hon. Schuyler Colfax.  On leaving there he was employed in different places until 1888, at which time he was made foreman of the "Butler Record," of Butler, Indiana, holding that position for two years.  Later he was similarly employed in the office of the "Bryan Press," at Bryan, Ohio, for three years, and from there went to Sherwood, Michigan, where he established the "Sherwood News," but after conducting it for six months sold out and removed to Wauseon, Ohio.  There he served in the capacity of foreman of the "Wauseon Republican"  for over two years, or until coming to Stryker in November, 1896.  Purchasing the "Stryker Advance" he has made the paper one of the best journals of Williams county, and it now has a circulation of over seven hundred.  It is independent in politics, and is a bright, newsy sheet.
     In 1889, at Hillsdale, Michigan, Mr. Firestone married Miss Helen M. Blaker, a native of Williams county, Ohio, daughter of John Blaker, of Butler, Indiana, who died in 1895.  By this union there are four children: Lois M., Maym C., Charles V. and Helen R.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.  Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899  - Page 546
  CHARLES A. FREELAND.  This leading representative of the business interests of Montpelier, is senior member of the firm of Freeland & Zimmerman, proprietors of the Montpelier City Mill. Of excellent business ability, he has attained a prominent place among the enterprising and substantial citizens of this part of Williams county, and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well-directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.
     Mr. Freeland was born March 7, 1861, in Jonesville, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he continued to live until fifteen years of age, working in a woolen mill at that place during the last two years. He then went to Hillsdale, Michigan, where, with the exception of two years, he made his home until 1890, and in that place, at the age of sixteen, began learning the milling business, which he has made his life work. For two years he operated a gristmill at North Adrian, Michigan, and was in the employ of F. W. Stock, a miller of Hillsdale, for six years before coming to Montpelier, Ohio, in January, 1890. In company with J. R. Zimmerman he leased the City Mill until 1894, and in February of that year he and his partner purchased the plant, successfully carrying on a general custom and flouring business since taking possession. The product of their mill is of a superior grade, and from the public they receive a liberal patronage. The firm is also conducting the ice business of the city, having sole contract in that line.
     In Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1884, Mr. Freeland wedded Miss Mary Blood, who died at that place in 1887, leaving two children, namely: Mabel and Cassius. Mr. Freeland was again married in 1888, his second union be­ing with Miss Cornelia Blood (sister of his first wife), by whom he has three children: Charles A., Jr., Donald and Russell A.
     Being a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, Mr. Freeland has ever taken quite an active and prominent part in public affairs, and is now serving his third term as a member of the city council. He is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare of the town, and withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. Socially he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.  Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899  - Page 539
  WILLIAM D. FRIED.  This gentleman, who is numbered among the most enterprising, energetic and successful agriculturists of Bridgewater township, Williams county, was born Aug. 18, 1842, in Stark county, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Anna (Davis) Fried.
     His paternal grandfather, Henry Fried, a native of Germany, came to America in boyhood with his parents and located in Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside until he attained his majority, removing then to Stark county, Ohio.  Having obtained a good education, he successfully engaged in teaching for some time, but never settled down to one line of occupation.  His last years were spent at the home of his son Joseph, in Williams county, where he died about 1859.  He served as a soldier in the Mexican war, and was a strong Whig in politics.  His last wife died at Osnaburg, Ohio, in 1858, and six of their twelve children died before reaching maturity.  The others are Henry, George, Joseph, Polly and Nancy.
    
During his boyhood Joseph Fried (our subject's father) attended the common schools to a limited extent in Columbiana county, where he was reared.  Starting out in life for himself at an early age, he labored by the day and month until after his marriage, when he and his brother William bought a sawmill in Stark county, borrowing the money to pay for the same.  In their efforts to secure a home and competence they were ably assisted by their wives, and meeting with success in the operation of the mill they wee at length able to purchase eighty acres of land, which they improved.  Subsequently Joseph Fried purchased his brother's interest in the business, and later devoted his entire time to farming.  In 1858 he sold his property in Stark county, and came to Williams county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of heavily-timbered land, on which he built a log house and made some improvement; but after a short residence here he was called to the home beyond in 1863, leaving a widow and six children.  Of the thirteen children born to them, six died in childhood, the others being Eliza J., wife of J. Cogswell; William D. the subject of this sketch; Catherine, wife of J. Kale; Ellazan; George,  who died in Marietta, Georgia, while in the service of his country during the Civil war; Amy, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Cora, wife of P. Hornish.  Four of these children were living at the time of the mother's death, which occurred in 1886.  After the death of her first husband she married Henry Layman, of defiance county, Ohio.  Both parents of our subject were faithful members of the German Baptist Church, of which the father was a minister, and politically he was identified with the Republican party.
     William D. Fried pursued his studies in the common schools near his boyhood home, and after coming to Williams county at the age of sixteen, he continued to assist his father in the cultivation and improvement of the farm until 1863, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He first did guard duty on Johnson's Island, Ohio, and later was a nurse in a hospital until the war ended, being mustered out at Columbus and honorably discharged July 3, 1865.  As his father had died during his service, he assumed the management of the farm on his return home; on July 4, 1879, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place, and also bought his mother's life interest.  At that time only eighty acres had been cleared, and the buildings were all in a dilapidated condition, but with characteristic energy he has devoted his time and attention to its improvement, and now one hundred and twenty-five acres are under a high state of cultivation, and improved with a comfortable two-story frame residence, a large barn, good outbuildings and a fine orchard.  He raises a variety of cereals adapted to this climate, and is also interested in stock raising.
     In 1868 Mr. Fried was married to Miss Lydia Brown, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, July 11, 1847, a daughter of Rev. John Brown and Lucinda (Briggs) Brown, natives of Stark county, Ohio, where they were married.  Daniel Brown (Mrs. Fried's grandfather) was a native of Germany, whence with the family he started for the New World, but his father died on the voyage and was buried at sea.  The remainder of the family located in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Stark county, Ohio.  Rev. John Brown, a minister of the German Baptist Church, and also a farmer, came to Williams county, in 1848, at which time this region was very sparsely settled.  He purchased land in Center township, and improved a farm, on which he is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-five years.  Since reaching manhood he has engaged in farming, and in preaching the Gospel, and is to-day one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of Williams county.  His wife was called to her final rest in 1881, at the age of sixty-five years.  Of the eleven children born to them, six died in childhood, the others being Malon, who died in 1862, while a soldier in the Union army; Lydia wife of our subject; Sanford, a plasterer living in San Diego, California; r. Harriette Kunkle; and Manuel a physician of Salina, Kansas.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Fried were born nine children, namely:  Della, who died at the age of twelve years; Delbert, who operates the old homestead; Effa, wife of Charles Martin, a prominent farmer of Bridgewater township; Dessie, who died at the age of one year; Ora and Cora (twins), who are successful school teachers;  Vallie, who has received a good education, and is now at home; and John J. and Carmie B., also at home.  Socially, Mr. Fried affiliates with London Post, G. A. R., and politically is identified with the Republican party.  Not caring for official honors, he has generally refused office, but has been elected trustee of his township, in which capacity he is now serving in a most creditable manner.  His election plainly shows that his friends and neighbors justly appreciate his ability and worth, as the township usually supports the Populist or Democratics.  Mr. Fried has also efficiently served in school offices, takes a deep interest in the cause of education, and has provided his children with excellent advantages along that line.  Mr. Fried is a consistent member of the German Baptist Church.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.  Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899  - Page 414

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