BIOGRAPHIES

*Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of
City of Toledo & Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company -
1895

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JAMES FACER, a retired farmer now living at Millbury, is a hero of the late civil conflict, and was one of the unfortunate prisoners at Andersonville, where he was confined for fourteen months and seven days.  from the effects of the hardships and exposure which he endured there he ahs since been a cripple; for five or six months while in captivity he could not stand erect, but had to crawl on his hands and knees.      Born in West Haden Northamptonshire, England, July 2, 1830, James Facer is a son of George and Mary (Hall) Facer. The former, who was born in the same part of England in 1810, died Jan. 31, 1885, in his native land.  He was a son of George Face, who died in England in the '30s, when nearly one hundred years of age.  Mary (Hall) Facer was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Gilbert) Hall, who both died in England at an advanced age. George Facer and his wife, Mary were the parents of six children, of whom James is the eldest.  Mary married William Foster, a shoe dealer in Dunchurch, Warwickshire; Betsey became the wife of William Shaw, a dyer in the woolen factory at Dunchurch; Sarah's husband, Joseph Gurney, is a farm overseer for a nobleman at Buckley Lodge; William, who came to the United States about 1859, is the next; and Emma married William Harris, of England.  William, the youngest son, resided with our subject until the war broke out, when he entered the service and, being captured, was taken to Andersonville, where he died Apr. 20, 1864, from exposure and starvation.      It was in the spring of 1847 that James Facer left Liverpool in the sailing vessel "Weston," and after a voyage of thirty-nine days landed in New York City.  He at once went to Ridgeville, Lorain County, and that summer worked for Samuel Burk, with whom he remained for many years during the winter seasons, the remainder of his time being spent as an engineer on lake steamers.  August 16, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Infantry, and among others took part in the battles of Campbell Station, Crab Orchard, Strawberry Plains and Hough's Ferry.  At the siege of Knoxville he was under Burnside, who was pinned by Longstreet.  Provisions grew very scarce, and the garrison had a hard time to hold out, but Sherman finally came to their relief.  At Strawberry Plains James Facer, and his brother and two Meeks brothers were captured, and spent one night at Castle Thunder, Richmond.  Thence they were transferred to Belle Isle, where they remained for two weeks, finally arriving at Andersonville, where our subject remained until the close of the war.  He was paroled at Vicksburg, then went to Camp Dennison, where he remained for a few weeks, and was discharged June 27, 1865, having been in the service three years all but two months.  He had been reported dead, and had to identify himself before receiving his pay.      In August, 1865, Mr. Facer bought a wooded tract in this county.  This he cleared and brought under good cultivation, but has since sold the farm to his son.  Dec. 25, 1851, he remained Lydia M. Davenport, who was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1830.  Her father, Thompson Tabor Davenport, was born in New York, May 9, 1803, and died Mar. 12, 1837.  His wife, Hannah, formerly a Miss Peters, born Sept. 26, 1807, died Mar. 9, 1850.   Mrs. Facer was the fourth in a family of eight children, and was brought to Ohio when two years of age.  By her marriage she has become the mother of seven children, as follows: George, who is engaged in milling near Latchie; Dora who died at the age of six years; Eva, who died when in her fourth year; Walter, who owns his father's old homestead; Wallace, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; a distant cousin and a resident of Millbury; and Effie, who lives with her parents.  Mrs. Facer and her youngest daughter are members of the Millbury Evangelical Church.  The former's brother, Thompson Davenport, was killed on the third day's battle of the Wilderness, and her brother Francis M. was wounded at Franklin, Tenn.        Fraternally Mr. Facer is a member of George Douglas Post No. 183, G. A. R., of Millbury, and his wife belongs to the Woman's Relief Corp No. 309.  He has held nearly all of the official positions in the local post, and has had the honor of having a Grand Army post at Lansing, Mich., where he enlisted, named for him.  In politics he is an stanch Republican, has been Councilman for two terms, and has served as School Director.  He comes from a  military family, one of his uncles having been an officer on the field of Waterloo.  His life has frequently been endangered, and, in addition to his Andersonville experience, he has had several thrilling escapes from death.  He was once on a vessel that was wrecked; at another time was on a ship that burned to the water's edge; and on still another occasion fell overboard in the night into an icy sea, but managed to keep afloat until a small boat was sent to his rescue.  In the summer of 1884 he and his good wife visited the land of their birth and passed three months very pleasantly with old friends and relatives, Mr. Facer seeing his father, who was then in his eighty-fifty year, the last time. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 ~ Page 294)

WALLACE H. FACER erected a substantial store building in the fall of 1891 at Millbury, Wood County, and has since conducted in it a grocery and meat-market.  He is an enterprising business man and is very popular among his customers and fellow-citizens.  In politics he is an ardent Republican, and was elected to the position of City Marshal, serving as such for two years to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.      The gentleman above mentioned is a son of James and Lydia M. (Davenport) Facer, who were married Dec. 25, 1851.  James Facer was a son of George and Mary (Hall) Facer, of Northamptonshire, England.  Lydia M. Facer was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1830, being a daughter of Thompson T. and Hannah (Peters) Davenport, also natives of the Empire State.  James and Lydia Facer became the parents of seven children, as follows:  George, who is engaged in farming near Latchie; Dora, who died at the age of six years; Eva, who died in her fourth year; Walter, who bought and operates the old farm on section23, Lake Township; Wallace, our subject; Cora, who married Charles Facer, a very distant cousin; and Effie.      Wallace H. Facer was born near Liverpool, in Lorain County, Ohio, Nov. 12, 1861, and was about three years old when his parents removed to Lake Township, Wood County.  Until he was sixteen years old when his parents removed to Lake Township, Wood County.  Until he was sixteen years old he attended school at Millbury, working during the summers on the home farm, and he remained with his parents until reaching his majority.  His first independent venture was driving a team for C. F. Chapman on his farm near Millbury.  He was employed the year round, though others were laid off during the dull season, and he frequently received an increase of wages.  One winter he was given $24 a month and board, a third more than his employer ever paid to any other man.  At the end of two years he began hauling logs, bowl blocks, headings, etc., for Giddings & Cumming, and also continued with that firm for about two years.      In the fall of 1887 Mr. Facer opened a meat-market in Millbury, having as a partner Nick Young.  At the end of five months he purchased his partner's interest alone.  Afterward he engaged in general merchandising in the same village, but turned the management of his store over to his father when he became owner of a Toledo mill, which he operated successfully for two years and a-half.  He was, however, eventually defrauded in this venture, and lost all he had put into the concern.  He then resumed the charge of his Millbury store, but in 1889 he met with another misfortune, the building being burned, though most of the stock was saved.  In the fall of 1891 he put up his present store building, and has since given his attention to the management of his grocery and meat-market.      Mar. 28, 1889, Mr. Facer married L. Stella Pittmann, who was born in Ashland, Ohio, May 3, 1873.  Her parents were Benjamin and Lethie (O'Neal) Pittmann, natives of Pennsylvania and Mansfield, Ohio, respectively, and who were married in the Keystone State.  Their eldest child, Martha Ann, married William Bensman who is employed by the Smith Bridge Company; the eldest son, Charles S. is a resident of Delphos; William Franklin is employed in a paper-mill at Grand Rapids, Ohio; and Eddie, the youngest, died in infancy.  In the spring of 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Facer adopted a girl baby, who died Oct. 2, 1894, aged about six months, and on the 8th of November they took a little girl, Emma, three years of age to bring up, and have become very much attached to the little one. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 ~ Page 316)

SOLOMON FAYLOR is one of the old and respected residents of Wood County, within the limits of which he moved to the farm where he now lives, this being located on section 26, Center Township.  After a very active and energetic life, he is now, in a measure, retired, and has given up much of the responsibility of the farm management to his son, who is a practical and worthy young man.      The parents of Solomon Faylor were George and Esther (Brothers) Faylor, both natives of  Pennsylvania.  Solomon Faylor was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 1, 1820, and was reared to agricultural pursuits.  When he was a lad of twelve years he removed with his parents to Portage County, where he remained until 1845.  On reaching his majority, he began the active battle of life for himself in earnest, and from that time up to the present has relied entirely upon his own efforts.  Some fifty years ago he located near Pemberville, Wood County, and purchased sixty acres of land, only about one acre of which had been cleared.  It was first necessary for him to build a log cabin, and this humble structure of one room was his home for seen years.  He cleared abut fifteen acres of the thick forest with which the land was encumbered, but finally sold the farm six years later, and after that until 1882 was engaged in running a sawmill, etc.  His school advantages were very poor, but were as good as those early times afforded.  He has added to his knowledge by observation in the outside world, by reading and by experience, until he is to-day well informed on questions of general interest.      January 16, 1843, Solomon Faylor married Rebecca Walter, who born him three children:  Eliza Ann, and William and Eveline (twins).  After the death of his first wife, Mr. Faylor married Harriet Finley, and they became the parents of three children: Jennie, Robert and Mary.  Mrs. Harriet Faylor died March 9, 1895.      In politics Mr. Faylor was in early manhood a Whig, but when the Republican organization was effected he transferred his allegiance to it, and has ever since been faithful in the discharge of his duties as a citizen voting for its nominees and supporting its principles. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895)(Page 137-8)

DANIEL FISH, who is a well-to-do and respected farmer of Freedom Township, Wood County, owns a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres on section 28, which he literally hewed out of the virgin forest with his axe.  For a quarter of century or more he had lived on this homestead, and has been industriously engaged in its development.  Dec. 30, 1886, he leased his land to the Buffalo Gas and Oil Company for five years, and in December, 1892, again leased his farm, since which time several oil wells have been located on the place.  He is largely self educated, as his opportunities in youth were very limited and his services were required on his father's farm.  Politically he is a good Republican, and has served capably in a number of township offices.      Daniel Fish was born Sept. 3, 1830, in Columbiana County, Ohio.  He is a son of John and Sarah (Conser) Fish, and is the brother of John and William Fish, whose histories appear elsewhere in this volume.  Our subject remained at home until 1856, when he started out to make his own living.  It was in 1833 that, with his parents, he came to Wood County, and for three years he helped to make them a home and also worked at whatever he could find to do.  Mar. 18, 1864, he enlisted at Toledo in Company G, First Ohio Volunteers, as a Corporal under Capt. Alexander Marshall.  Sent to Nashville, he was there placed in the First Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, and took part in eleven more or less important battles or engagements.  He was honorably discharged Sept. 1, 1865, and returned home.  On the day after his arrival there he shouldered his axe and started in earnest to clear his land.  He had previously bought one hundred and twenty-nine acres of farm land, heavily covered with forest, and this tract he retains up to the present time, having made his abode thereon ever since.      The lady whom Daniel Fish chose for his helpmate in early manhood was Jane Youse, who was born in 1833.  They were married Oct. 9, 1851, and but eight years had passed ere the wife was summoned to her final rest.  She left two children: James E., born July 30, 1852; and John B., born Aug. 30, 1854.  The former married Sarah Neurenberger, and has one child; and the latter, who lives in Pennsylvania, married Miss Artesia Bowers, by whom he has three children.  Dec. 15, 1860, Mr. Fish married Harriet A. Pember, who was one of eight children, the others being Ellen, Emeline, Byron, Sarah, James, Scott and Caroline.  Of the children born of Mr. Fish's second marriage, Cora, who married James T. Anderson and has four children, was born Sept. 12, 1862; Minnie, wife of Samuel Hooper, of Putnam County, Ohio, was born Nov. 2, 1864; George A. an engineer of Michigan, was born Oct. 17, 1866; Frank L., born Oct. 21, 1871, lives in Fostoria, Ohio; Louis C. was born Feb. 18, 1873; Jessie E., who married Clark Canfield and has one child, was born May 4, 1875; and Raymond was born Feb. 26, 1878.  The mother of these children died May 21, 1883.  The present wife of our subject is Hannah Jane, a daughter of Ezekiel and Jane (Rose) Wilson, the former born July 21, 1807, and the latter Apr. 22, 1823.  Mrs. Fish is one of eight children, and was born Mar. 7, 1844.  They were married May 11, 1884, and have one daughter, Maggie, born Feb. 21, 1887. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 132)

JOHN FISH, one of the native sons of the Buckeye State, has lived for over forty years in Freedom Township, Wood County.       His first purchase of land was a tract of eighty acres, on which he erected a log cabin, which was his only place of shelter for several years.  In time he purchased more land, and now owns two hundred and forty acres of fertile and desirable farm land.  In 1892 he leased his property to George W. Barnes, of Toledo, who put down eight oil wells, all but one of which are paying good dividends.  Mr. Fish has frequently been called upon to serve in the township offices and is a loyal Republican.      The father of our subject was October, 23, 1803, and died in March, 1869.  On arriving at a suitable age he married Sarah Conser, who was born October 18, 1805, and departed this life in April, 1861.  Their marriage was celebrated August 5, 1823, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and the following children were born of their union: David, whose birth occurred December 230, 1824, and who died August 1, 1830; Nancy born April 24, 1826,; John, of this sketch; Daniel, born September 320, 1030; William, May 11, 1832; Hester, September 13, 1834; Mary, April 15, 1838; George, April 22, 1841; Elizabeth, April 5, 1844; James, February 14, 1846; and Henry, March 12, 1848.  Nancy married Isaac Brandyberry, a farmer of Perry Township, Wood County, and has eight children: Daniel has been thrice married, his first union being with Jane Youse, by whom he had two children.  His second wife was a Miss Harriet Pember, and seven children graced their marriage.  His present wife was Mrs. Hannah Forrester, by whom he had one child.  William married Miss Euphemia Housholder and has three children.  Hester, who was the wife of Samuel McCrury and the mother of one child, was called to her final rest January 28 1855.  Mary, wife of Samuel Kyes and the mother of four children, died September 8, 1864.  George was accidently killed by a tree falling on him in the woods, May 6, 1863.  Elizabeth, who married George Markel, a carpenter of Ashland, Ohio, and had three children, is now deceased.  James married Caroline Smith, by whom he has two children; and Henry wedded Maria Adams and is the father of two children.      John Y. Fish, the father of our subject, settled in Ohio in a very early day, and to some extent worked at his trade as a blacksmith.  On his arrival in Wood County in 1833 he bought a tract of heavy timberland, on which he built a log cabin.   In 1837 he sold out and purchased eighty acres in the same township.  By 1848, when he disposed of this property, he had cleared over fifty acres.  Moving to this township, he settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of forest land, and here he continued to dwell until his death.      The birth of John Fish, whose name heads this narrative, occurred March 16, 1828, in Columbiana County, Ohio.  He lived at home until his marriage, but three years prior to that event had invested in eighty acres of land, a portion of his present homestead.  His humble home was for years a log cabin, and to this he brought his bride.  Their marriage was celebrated October 14, 1855, the lady being Margaret, daughter of William and Jane (Baird) Tefft.  The father was born January 18, 1819, and the mother October19, 1818.  Mrs. Fish's birth occurred August 12, 1839, and by her marriage she became the mother of five children.  Jennie, born September 25, 1857, married Michael Long, a farmer of Sandusky County, in September, 1875, and has three children.  Ella, born July 21, 1860, married Alexander Bandine, a farmer of Center Township, Wood County, December 24, 1879, and is the mother of three children.  Laura, born November 16, 1863, died June 20, 1865.  William born Mach 23, 1868, married Miss Mattie Wight, February 14, 1895, and now makes his home in Webster Township.  Orrin, born July 3, 1870, married Eight Wight, March 24, 1892, and has two children.  He is a resident of Center Township, this county.      Mr. and Mrs. Fish are members of the United Brethren Church and enjoy the good-will and friendship of all who know them.  The father has started each of his children in life by presenting to them a farm of one hundred acres each. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895)~ Page 138

WILLIAM FISH has lived retired from business cares for the past five years, though he is still making his home on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 20, Freedom Township, Wood County.  As a veteran of the late war and one who suffered while defending the Old Flag, he is especially entitled to credit, and it is with pleasure that we give him a place in this record with the worthy old settlers and representative men of the county.  He comes from a line of patriots and men devoted to the cause of freedom.  His grandfather participated in the War of 1812, and for some time was stationed at Ft. Meigs.      John Fish, the father of our subject, was a native of Maryland and was one of the pioneers of Ohio.  In 1818 he came to this state alone, and for several years followed his trade of blacksmithing.  Later he bought land in Wood County, which he continued to cultivate until shortly before his death, which occurred in 1869.  The lady whom John Fish chose for his companion and helpmate on life's journey was a Miss Sarah Conser, and of their union eleven children were born.       The birth of William Fish occurred May 11, 1832, in Columbiana County, Ohio.  His early years were spent in working on the home farm and in obtaining an elementary education in the neighborhood schools.  When twenty-three years old he started out to make his own way, and about six years later enlisted for the Civil  War in Company K, Twenty-first Regiment of Ohio Infantry, under Capt. S. S. Canfield.  He was at once sent to eastern Kentucky, and took part in the battle of  Ida Mountain, after which he went to Louisville, and was subsequently sent to Baking Creek, where he was stationed until the following spring.  After Ft. Donelson, he fought in the battle of Shiloh and in that of Stone River.  He was also in many lesser engagements and skirmishes, but was finally taken sick at Stephenson and confined in the hospital for a month.  On his release from there he started for the front, but was captured by General Wheeler in his raid through Eastern Tennessee, after which he was paroled and returned to the Union army.  He then took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Vining Station, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro.  His final discharge from the service occurred at Atlanta, Ga., September 18, 1864, since which time he has been a member of Benedict Post No. 26, G. A. R., of Pemberville.      June 29, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fish and Euphemia Housholder, the ceremony being performed in this township at the home of the bride's parents.  Mrs. Fish was born July 12, 1845, and is a daughter of Daniel Housholder, a respected early settler of this county.  Three children, a son and two daughters, came to gladden the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Fish.  Nellie, the eldest, died at the age of five years; but Harry, born November 7, 1875, and Gertrude, born July 27, 1878, are still living at home and attending school.  The family are members of the United Brethren Church and are always active in religious and benevolent work.  Politically Mr. Fish is a Republican, but prefers to look after his business rather than accept any official position. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895)~ Page 136

CAPT. JOHN H. FISHER, another of the old pioneer settlers and prominent farmers of Wood County, resides on section 8, Weston Township.  He was born Dec. 17, 1818, in Orleans County, N. Y., being the fourth child in the family of nine born unto Peter and Lydia (Oakley) Fisher.  The father, who was also a native of the Empire State, was born in 1777.  He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that calling all his life, the greater part of the time in  New York.  Late in Life, however, he removed to Michigan, and settled in Oakland County, where he spent the remainder of his days.  He was called to the land beyond Apr. 7, 1866, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.  The mother of our subject was born in 1798, and passed away Jne 6, 1880.  Her parents were Virginians by birth, and her father was an officer in the Revolutionary War.      John H. Fisher, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and remained at home with his parents until he was fifteen years old.  He was first employed as a teamster on the Erie Canal, and followed that calling for about two years, after which he engaged in the canal business between Cleveland and Portsmouth, and remained there for about three years.  In the spring of 1843 he gave up his position, and, going to Toledo, worked on the canal at that place for three years.  After this he became captain of a boat on the canal, and held that position for twelve years, and by his pleasant, genial disposition gained many friends during that time.  Becoming tired, however, of the life of a sailor, he gave up the vocation and came to Wood County, where he purchased some land and settled down to the life of a farmer.  He now owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of land in this and Henry County (a portion of which adjoins the city of Grand Rapids) and has a beautiful home on the banks of the Maumee River, where he is surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.  For a number of  years he owned and operated a sawmill, and was very successful in all his business transactions, but what he has he has earned by his own industrious habits and his energy.  He is known all over the county as "Captain" Fisher, and is honored and respected as an honest, upright gentleman and worthy old pioneer.      Jan. 27, 1848, Capt. Fisher and Miss Charlotta, daughter of William and Bridget (Boyle) Groober, were united in marriage.  Her father was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., where the family had lived for some generations, and where he was reared and learned the tanner's trade.  After having come to the years of maturity, he came to Ohio and located near Wooster, where he remained two years, after which he removed to this county and settled on a farm where the city of Grand Rapids now stands.  Here he engaged in farming, and continued to follow that occupation until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-two years.  Mrs. Fisher's maternal grandparents were of Scotch-Irish descent, but her mother was born in Pennsylvania, Apr. 20, 1809, and her death occurred here June 30, 1888.      Two children have blessed the union of Captain and Mrs. Fisher.  William, born Aug. 20, 1849, died in infancy.  Frances Lillian, who was born Aug. 15, 1850, married Alexander Williamson, and resides in Bowling Green, Ohio.  They are the parents of four children:  Grace Lillian, who married, Dec. 25, 1894, William Hutchinson, of Waterville; Alma Gertrude, who married, June 28, 1893, George F. Hosbury, of Toledo; and Mabel Charlotte and John, who are at home.      Mr. Fisher is a stanch Republican in his political views, but has never aspired to political honors, although taking a deep interest in local affairs and every enterprise pertaining to the growth and welfare of ht community in which he lives.  He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Grand Rapids. ( Source: Portrait & Biological Record of City of Toledo & Lucas & Wood Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 398)