Wayne County OH

Biographical Sketch of William Elgin

William Elgin, born in Wayne County, Ohio, on May 28, 1827, moved with his family to Montgomery County, where he attended school and learned cabinet-making. After working in Ohio and Indiana, he returned to farming. In 1861, Elgin enlisted in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry but later served as a captain for home protection. He settled in Daviess County, Indiana, in 1865, purchasing and improving a farm. Elgin married Rhoda M. Crosley in 1847, and they had four children together.

Slave Narrative of Julia Williams

Julia Williams, born in Winepark, Virginia, recalls her life as an enslaved maid before the Civil War. At approximately 100 years old, her memories are fading but reveal she worked in the house, well cared for by her mistress. She remembers the harsh realities of slavery, including the threat of whippings for those who tried to escape. After the war, she moved to Ohio, where her husband joined her. An active member of the Wadsworth Colored Baptist Church, she reflects on her past, expressing gratitude for the freedom she now enjoys.

Biography of David O. Orr

David O. Orr, born in Wayne County, Ohio, on March 26, 1853, is renowned in Kansas as a prominent stock farmer. After moving westward in 1875, he gained experience on a cattle ranch before settling in Riley Center, Kansas, with his wife Nancy and their child in 1879. The family later moved to Topeka for educational opportunities for their children. Orr specialized in breeding standard-bred horses and Holstein cattle, and he played a vital role in combating livestock theft as president of the Anti-Horse Thief Association.

Biography of Emery M. Cockrell

Emery M. Cockrell, a prominent figure in the Kaw River Valley, settled in Shawnee County’s Mission Township in 1873. Born in Ohio in 1850, he pursued education while working on his family’s farm. After marrying Mary C. Eckert, they moved to Kansas, where he established a successful farming career and held various public offices, including trustee and clerk of the District Court. His civic engagement continued throughout his life, marked by his commitment to the Methodist Episcopal Church and local community initiatives. He married Frances G. Eckert after his first wife’s death, and they had two children together.

Biography of J. W. Garman

J. W. Garman, born on June 30, 1858, in Akron, Ohio, is an accomplished businessman serving as the cashier of the Citizens Bank of Willow Springs, Missouri. After early ventures in the drug business and medical studies, he became the bank’s cashier in 1892, overseeing significant growth. Garman is active in local organizations and has held various political offices, showcasing his commitment to public service. He is a self-made man with various business interests and a family, including two daughters with his wife, Rose E. Coughlin.

Biography of Dr. Hiempsal S. Dodd

Dr. Hiempsal S. Dodd, born in 1828 in Wooster, Ohio, exemplifies success through dedication to his calling. A medical scholar, he served in the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, later becoming a hospital steward, which advanced his medical knowledge. After moving to Iowa, he established a prosperous lumber and grist business in Marion County, Arkansas, where he also became a community leader by creating Dodd City and serving as postmaster. Throughout his life, Dr. Dodd actively contributed to local development and remained politically engaged as a Republican.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Henry A. Smith

Dr. Henry A. Smith, born in Wooster, Ohio, in 1830, was the youngest of twelve children raised by his widow mother after his father’s death. At sixteen, he moved to Iowa before studying medicine at Alleghany College. In 1852, he traveled westward to Seattle, Washington Territory, where he claimed land. He served as a surgeon during the Indian War, became King County’s first school superintendent, and represented various counties in the legislature. He operated a hospital in Snohomish for eight years and had eight children.

Biography of Mark H. Williams

Mark H. Williams, born on July 29, 1842, in Center County, Pennsylvania, is a Civil War veteran who has resided in Barnes, Kansas, since 1885. He hails from a Scottish family of millwrights and worked various jobs from a young age. Williams served in the Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry and the Eighteenth United States Infantry, participating in major battles like Stone River and the Atlanta campaign. After the war, he became a farmer and founded the Barnes Enterprise newspaper. He remained active in real estate and community organizations until his retirement.

Biography of John Henry Prescott

John Henry Prescott, born October 14, 1840, in New Hampshire, was a distinguished Union captain during the Civil War, later establishing his significance in Kansas. After the war, he became a prominent lawyer, judge, and businessman in Salina. Prescott served as the first judge of a newly created district, holding the position for thirteen years. His contributions included promoting education and community welfare, alongside a successful farming career. Married to Mary Emily Lee, they had six children, leaving a lasting legacy in the region until his death in 1891.

Biography of Willard Volney Church

Willard Volney Church, born February 16, 1853, in Fort Ann, New York, was a notable figure in Marion County, Kansas, where he lived for over forty years. As a lawyer, public official, and businessman, he contributed significantly to the community. His lineage included a Revolutionary War soldier, and his father served as both a physician and a Baptist minister. Church began his legal career in Detroit before becoming a pioneer member of Marion County’s bar. He was later appointed state superintendent of insurance and eventually shifted focus to real estate.

Biography of Joseph Shoemaker

Joseph Shoemaker, born on March 31, 1834, in Wayne County, Ohio, was a dedicated blacksmith and farmer who significantly contributed to his community after moving to Oregon in 1870. A Civil War veteran, he was highly respected for his moral integrity and industrious nature. He settled near Cove, where he farmed and ran a shop until his death on March 25, 1878. He and his wife, Cinderella, had eight children, with only four daughters and one son surviving him, including William Shoemaker, who continues to operate the family farm.

Biography of Joseph C. Straughan

Joseph C. Straughan, born on June 15, 1849, in Wooster, Ohio, significantly impacted railroad construction and civil engineering. His work primarily in the Mississippi Valley and as United States surveyor-general for Idaho helped advance the northwest’s development. Educated in Indiana and Ohio, Straughan was involved in building thirteen railroads and contributed valuable reports on irrigation to the U.S. Senate. A committed Democrat, he also engaged in local political and social endeavors while residing in Boise, Idaho, where he and his second wife, Alice, are well-regarded members of the community.

Biography of Simon P. Kramer

Simon P. Kramer, born in 1858 in Wooster, Ohio, became a prominent figure in Kansas’ milling industry after relocating there in 1880. With a foundation forged in his father’s mill and early roles in Texas and various Kansas towns, he accumulated significant experience and success. In 1915, he purchased and revitalized the Topeka Flour Mills Company, implementing advanced machinery to enhance operations. Under his leadership, the mill aspired to be a leading facility in the Middle West. His entrepreneurial journey reflects a blend of hard work, adaptability, and a commitment to progress.

Biographical Sketch of George E. Bishop

George E. Bishop was born on March 24, 1870, in Smithville, Ohio, to A. B. Bishop and Mandilla E. Hartman. He received his education in local public and high schools before attending the Homeopathic College of Physicians and Surgeons in Cleveland. Bishop began his dental practice in Cleveland in 1893 and was married to Byrdie May King on October 21, 1906. They had three children: George King, Hudson Charles, and Virginia Bishop. He was also a member of Woodward Lodge, F. A. M., and the Colonial Club.

Biographical Sketch of Olin Witmer Broadwell

Olin Witmer Broadwell, born on February 14, 1855, in Dalton, Ohio, was an accomplished attorney. He graduated from Baldwin University in 1877 and was admitted to the Bar in 1879. Broadwell moved to Cleveland in 1881, later becoming associated with the Forest City Fire Insurance Co. He served as a special assistant prosecuting attorney and gained recognition as a trial lawyer. Broadwell was active in various fraternal organizations and hailed from a distinguished family with roots in New England and Huguenot ancestry.

Biographical Sketch of Frederick L. Baker

Frederick L. Baker, born on August 5, 1876, in Wooster, Ohio, served as a diet agent for the Empire Line for fifteen years, including seven years as district agent. He received his public and high school education before marrying Irene Carr in Chicago on June 10, 1911, with whom he had one child. Baker was also active in community organizations, being a member of the Traffic and Country clubs and spending three years with Troop A, as well as being a Mason.

Biographical Sketch of William Thomas Corlett

William Thomas Corlett, born on April 15, 1854, in Orange, Ohio, was a prominent physician and dermatologist. He studied at Oberlin College and earned his M.D. from Wooster University in 1877. His extensive training included stints at the London Hospital and hospitals in Paris and various European cities. Married in Germany in 1895, he served as a professor at Wooster University and Western Reserve University. Corlett was a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and authored several significant works on dermatology throughout his career.

Biographical Sketch of Harley Stephen Cook

Harley Stephen Cook was born on December 4, 1882, in Columbus Grove, Ohio. The son of William Mitchell and Mary Trumbo Cook, he attended high school and briefly enrolled at Ohio State University. Cook served in the Ohio National Guard, where he rose to corporal. His career included roles as a claim agent for various railroads, notably the New York Central Lines. He married Blanche Irene Brady in Chicago on March 9, 1912, and was active in Masonic organizations and enjoyed playing tennis.

Biographical Sketch of William F. Finley

William F. Finley, born on October 16, 1879, in Millersburg, Ohio, was the son of Calim and Laura Gray Finley. He attended Millersburg High School and Mt. Union College. Finley married Grace Morgan in Fredericksburg, Ohio, on November 25, 1907, and they had two children. He served as assistant treasurer at Garfield Savings Bank and was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and Woodward Lodge, F.A. 31, as well as Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.