DR. UPTON A. AGER, of Perrysburg, is a native of Starke County, Ohio, and was born January 24, 1839. He was the only son born to John G. and Mary (Lineroad) Ager, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, the former of German and Irish and the latter of German descent. When our subject was eight years old he accompanied his parents to Huntington County, this State, where his youth was spent working upon his father's farm. During this time he attended the public school, in which he received a good common school education. This was supplemented by a course of instruction in select schools at Roanoke and Huntington, by which he received a knowledge of some of the higher branches of learning. After quitting school he accepted a position as clerk in a hardware store in Huntington. This position he held about eighteen months, after which he had a like position in Indianapolis six months. He then returned to Huntington and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. O. A. Lewis, a graduate of both Rush and Bellevue Colleges. He remained under his instruction two years. During the winter of 1865 and '66 he attended a course of lectures in the Chicago Medical College. The summer of 1866 was spent in the office of Drs. Laymon & Shafer, of Huntington. During the winter of 1866 and '67 he attended a course of lectures in the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, from which he graduated in February, 1867. He returned to Huntington County and entered upon his professional labors at Antioch. A few months later he removed to Rochester, Fulton County. In April, 1868, he came to this county and located at Perrysburg, where he has ever since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. October 28, 1870, he was married to Cinderilla Wood, a native of Fulton County, and daughter of Christopher and Rebecca (Rannells) Woods. She was born June 20, 1852. Dr. and Mrs. Ager have had five children. They are Mary E., born March 17, 1872; L. Edgerton born January 20, 1874; Fleetwood C., born July 22, 1877; Zulu B., born September 9, 1880, and Robbie, born February 2, 1882, and died February 3, 1882. Dr. Ager is a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge and a Republican in politics. As a practitioner he is a complete success. His professional career has been a brilliant one. It was not long after his location at Perrysburg until he had built up an extensive practice. At times his practice has made such demands upon him as to imperil his own physical condition, in consequence of which his health is somewhat impaired. He began life without a dollar, and though he scarcely is past the meridian of life, he has accumulated considerable property. Besides a pleasant home in Perrysburg and a good farm in this county, he owns a farm of 158 acres in Cass County, all of which is the result of his industry, perseverance and economy.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


WILLIAM FRIEND, one of Miami County's old pioneers, and one among the early settlers of Union Township, was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 18, 1812. He was the youngest child born to Jesse and Catharine (Moist) Friend, both natives of Randolph County, North Carolina, the former of English and the latter of German descent. Our subject grew up to manhood in his native county. He was left without a mother when he was but ten months old, and before he was eight years old the hand of death had deprived him of his father also. Thus left an orphan boy at this early age, he went to live with his maternal grandfather, with whom he remained until he was a grown man. During this whole time he worked in a grist-mill, owned by his grandfather, which was situated fourteen miles north of Dayton, on a small stream called Still Water. He was thus employed until about 1840. After working in a machine shop in West Milton, Ohio, for over one year, he came in the fall of 1842 to this county, and first located in Union Township, ever since which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1845, he removed to Jefferson Township, but in 1865 he returned to Union Township, where he has ever since resided. July 28, 1831, he was married to Sophia Cress, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born March 22, 1811. She was the daughter of John and Catharine (Plummer) Cress, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent, and the latter a native of Randolph County, North Carolina, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Friend had, in all, nine children. They are: Catharine, born October 1, 1832; John, born October 25, 1834; Mary, born August 5, 1836, died July30, 1851; Jane, born November 11,1840; Andrew, born May 20, 1843; Jesse, born March 8, 1846; Ira, born November 2, 1847; Simeon, born April 20, 1850, died July 9, 1851; Mahala, born December 25, 1853, died January 24, 1854. Mr. Friend lost his wife March 11, 1885; since which he has made his home with his son John. He has never identified himself with any church, but is a firm believer in the principles of Christianity. In politics he is a Republican. When he came to the county he located in the woods; and what are now beautiful and well-tilled fields, was a vast forest, abounding in deer, wolves, wild turkeys and Indians. Amid all the hard work which the clearing up of a farm devolved upon him, he found time to shoulder his gun and take part in the hunt and chase - a thing which he frequently did. He killed, in all, upwards of three hundred deer, besides an abundance of small game, with which the forest at that time teemed. Mr. Friend is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and is enjoying moderately good health. He has resided in our county over forty-four years, and is one of our most highly respected citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


JOHN FRIEND, one of the prominent farmers of Union Township, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, October 25, 1834. He was the eldest son born to William and Sophia (Cress) Friend, natives of Miami and Montgomery Counties, Ohio, respectively. While John was yet a young child, his parents removed to Miami County, Ohio, but in October, 1842, they came to Miami County, this State, and located in the woods of Jefferson Township. Here John spent his boyhood and youth working on his father's farm. When he became of age he began farming for himself, and has ever since continued to make that a business. In the fall of 1862, he removed to a farm in Kosciusko County, but in the spring of 1869, he returned to this county, and located where he now resides, in Section I, Union Township. November 29, 1857, he was married to Elizabeth Himelick, a native of Decatur County, this State, born January 22, 1841. She was the daughter of Andrew and Sarah A. (Arnett) Himelick, the former of whom, at present, resides in Jefferson Township, this county. By his first wife, Mr. Friend had nine children: Sarah A., born July 15, 1859; Rebecca J., born March 15, 1861; William H., born November 14, 1862; James I., born October 21, 1864; Wilson C., born July 31, 1867; Luella S., born December 7, 1868; Milo R., born April 2, 1872; Meldora, born October 1, 1873, and Edwin A., born September 17, 1875, all of whom are living. Mr. Friend lost his first wife, January 14, 1878, and on the first day of November, 1878, he was married to Mary J. Utter, a native of Johnson County, this State, born January 16, 1847. She was the daughter of Edwin A. and Elizabeth (Byers) Utter, natives of Fayette and Johnson County, this State respectively. To this latter union one child has been born - Phebe E., born August 7, 1885. Mr. Friend is a member of the F & A. M. Lodge, and a Republican in politics. He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with good fences, a good barn, and a handsome brick residence, and is a very desirable location. He is an honest, upright man, an industrious and successful farmer, and a No. 1 citizen. He is now giving some attention to pisci-culture. He has a handsome little pond well stocked with German carp, and already has his table supplied with this luxury.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


EPHRAIM H. HILL, merchant of Deedsville, is a native of Union Township, this county, and was born March 26, 1843. He was the son of George and Sarah (Cool) Hill, the former a native of New York City and the latter a native of the State of New York, of German English and Irish descent. The parents of our subject came to this county and located in the woods of Union Township in the fall of 1839. Ephraim spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father's farm. During this time he attended the district school, in which he received a good common school education. At the early age of seventeen he took up the avocation of a teacher. After teaching successfully seven years, in December, 1869, he took what little capital he had and began the life of a business man in Deedsville. His attention was divided between the grain business and a small grocery store - it being the first of the kind ever in the town. He has thus continued ever since. November 5, 1873, he was married to Lida A. (Clingenpeel), a native of this State, and daughter of Jonathan and Hester (Buck) Clingenpeel. She died August 20, 1880, leaving to the care of our subject three children - Edith, Marvin and Ancil - all of whom are living. On the 15th day of September, 1881, Mr. Hill was married to Lucy Marbergar, a native of Huntington County, this State, born May 28, 1862. She was the daughter of Elias Marbergar, of Union Township. To this latter union two children have been born. They are Vernie Florence and George Otho. In politics Mr. Hill is a Democrat. He is an enterprising and successful business man and a good citizen. He began life without a dollar, but through industry, perseverance and economy he is now in comfortable circumstances. He has a neat little store and is doing a good business. At present Mr. Hill holds the position of railroad agent, express agent and postmaster at Deedsville.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


HENRY HOWES, one of the old pioneers of this county, and one among the first settlers of Jefferson Township, is a native of Vermont, and was born June 19, 1816. He was the oldest son born to Henry and Ruth (Blaisdell) Howes, both natives of New Hampshire, and of English descent. The entire life of our subject has been spent upon a farm. In 1818 his parents emigrated to Ohio and located in Warren County. In October, 1836, he accompanied them to this county, and located with them in the woods of Jefferson Township. He assisted his father in clearing up a farm, and a good deal of hard work naturally devolved upon Henry. He chopped, grubbed, burned brush, rolled logs, plowed, and, in fact, did all kinds of hard work, which the development of a new country necessitates. He resided in Jefferson Township until 1865, when he removed to Union Township. He was married November, 1840, to Susan Shadinger, who died about 1854. In October, 1859, he was married to Mary Speck, a native of Ohio, and daughter of William and Catharine Speck, the former a native of Kentucky. By his first wife Mr. Howes had four children: Cornelia, Howard, Ruth and William, all of whom are deceased. He and his present wife have had three children: Ida, Mary Louisa and Elbert, of whom, only Mary Louisa is living. Mr. and Mrs. Howes belong to the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Howes is a Republican. He held the office of Assessor in Jefferson Township two terms. He is now past seventy years of age, and is enjoying good health. He is one of our country's oldest pioneers living, and one of our most highly respected citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


EZRA JONES, one of the prominent farmers of Union Township, and one among the early settlers of that township, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and was born September 3, 1830. He was the tenth child and fifth son born to Samuel and Nancy (Skinner) Jones, both natives of North Carolina, the former of Welsh and the latter, presumably, of English descent. Ezra spent his boyhood upon his father's farm in his native county. When he was fourteen years old, or in October, 1845, he accompanied his parents to this county, and located in Union Township. The farm lay in Section 14 of that township, and is the one upon which our subject now resides. This has always been his home, excepting eleven months, which were spent in Harvey County, Kansas. That was from March 30, 1881, to February 27, 1882. His occupation during his entire life has been that of a farmer. December 29, 1852, he was married to Matilda Cox, a native of Ohio, and daughter of John and Mary (Hoover) Cox, the former a native of North Carolina. She was born February 16, 1833. That marriage resulted in the birth of seven children: Dora A., born October 16, 1853; Jerome B., born January 23, 1857; Mary O., born October 17, 1858, died February 18, 1864; Charles F., born August 22, 1864, died May 8, 1883; Fannie A., born October 22, 1866; Alfred E. and Ellen M. (twins), born November 4, 1872; Ellen M. died June 28, 1878. Mr. Jones lost his first wife February 25, 1882, and on the 20th of October, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Amanda Skinner, whose maiden name was Amanda Bell. She was the daughter of Robert Bell, and was born in Carroll County, this State, October 19, 1846. To this latter union three children have been born. They are William G., born August 19, 1884; Uby and Phebe (twins), born May 8, 1886. Mr. Jones is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Democrat in politics. He has held the office of Township Trustee in Union Township two terms. In the spring of 1886, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres, most of which is in a high state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with good fences and buildings, and is a very desirable location. Mr. Jones is a pleasant, intelligent gentleman, an industrious and successful farmer, and one of our most highly respected citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


ALONZO D. LEEDY, one of the enterprising young farmers of Union Township, is a native of the township in which he resides, and was born March 31, 1861. He was the second son born to Samuel M. and Rebecca Leedy, natives of Richland and Montgomery Counties, Ohio, respectively, both of German descent. The parents of our subject came to this county and located in Union Township in 1852. The entire life of Alonzo has been spent upon a farm. He attended the district school, in which he received a good common school education. May 24, 1884, he was married to Lydia Hatch, a native of this county, and daughter of Amos and Jennette (Baker) Hatch, of Allen Township. She was born December 28, 1864. To them have been born one child, Dessie May, born August 7, 1886. Politically, Mr. Leedy is a Republican. He is a pushing and enterprising young farmer, and a good citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


JACOB LOSHER, one of the honored citizens of Union Township, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 5, 1806. He was the son of Sebastian and Margaret (Hines) Losher, both natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject remained in his native county, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until October, 1856, when he came to this county and located in Union Township, where he has ever since resided. May 21, 1829, he was married to Hannah Justison, a native of New Castle County, Delaware, born September 11, 1802. She was the daughter of John and Rebecca (Pierce) Justison, natives of Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Losher have had six children, viz.: Sebastian, Samuel W., Margaret A., Mary A., John H. and George D., all of whom are living, except Sebastian, who died when he was two years and six months old. Mr. and Mrs. Losher belong to the M. E. Church. They have now lived together over fifty-seven years and are enjoying very good health. In politics, Mr. Losher is a Republican. He owns a farm of eighty acres and has a comfortable home.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


SAMUEL McELWEE, one of the old pioneers of Miami County, and one among the early settlers of Union Township, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1818. He was the fifth son born to John and Elizabeth (Smith) McElwee, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and English and the latter of Dutch and English descent. While Samuel was yet a young child his parents removed to Adams County, Pennsylvania, where his boyhood was spent upon a farm. When he was twelve years old his parents removed to a farm in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. In 1845 Samuel came westward to Preble County, Ohio, where he worked one summer upon a farm by the month. He then went to Salem, Miami County, Ohio, where he was employed as a teamster about eighteen months. In 1849 he came to this county, and located in Union Township. During the first year of his residence there he worked at shoemaking. He then located upon a farm in Section 1 of that township, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he removed to the town of Perrysburg, where he has ever since resided. Since locating in the village his attention has still been directed to farming, excepting five years in which he conducted a meat market in Perrysburg. In January, 1839, he was married to Peggy Rockey, a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and daughter of George Rockey. She died in July, 1843. January 22, 1846, he was married to Leah Lininger, a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Miller) Lininger. By his first wife Mr. McElwee had three children - Hannah, Rebecca and Lydia, of whom Hannah and Rebecca are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McElwee are both members of the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. McElwee is a Republican. He is now in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He is stout and hearty, enjoys good health, and by a stranger would be taken to be a score of years younger than he is. He has resided in Miami County for thirty-seven years, and is one of the most highly respected citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


GOTTLIEB STEINER, one of the prominent citizens of Union Township, was born in Switzerland, November 3, 1831. He was the youngest son born to John Steiner, with whom he came to America when he was six years old. He was left without a mother when he was but six months old. After arriving in this country they remained over one winter at Alleghany City. In the spring of 1838, they continued westward to Ohio, and located in Harden County, where our subject spent his boyhood and early youth working upon a farm. At the age of eighteen he learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker. His first work at his trade was in Kenton, Ohio. He worked there and in other towns, near Kenton, until 1859, when he went to Lima, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. Here he remained until 1868, when he came to this State and engaged in the same business in Rochester, Fulton County. Six months later he came to this county and located in Union Township, upon the present site of Deedsville. He enjoys the credit of erecting the first building in that place, and of being her first citizen. During the first nine years of his residence there, he worked at his trade. In 1879, he engaged in the tile business, which received his attention five years. In the spring of 1885, he opened up a grocery store in Deedsville, which is now under the management of his wife. Just at the present time Mr. Steiner gives his attention to his trade. He was married, March 2, 1854, to Mary M. Steiner, (no relation), a native of Bavaria, Germany, born September 27, 1836. She was the daughter of Jacob and Apalonia (Diel) Steiner. Mrs. Steiner accompanied her parents to America when she was ten years old. They located in Harden County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Steiner have had thirteen children, ten of whom are living. They are: Richard S., born August 7, 1855; Mary E., born August 30, 1858; Ida H., born September 5, 1860; Frank S., born August 23, 1862; William T., born May 20, 1864, died March 2, 1865; Calvin O., born November 12, 1865; Theofiel, born April 12, 1867, died August 27, 1867; Edwin G., born November 3, i868; Celesta, born September 18, 1870; Sevilla, born December 18; 1871; Clemens, born May 5, 1873, died August 22, 1873; Anna B., born April 18, 1875; Magdalena, born June 1, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Steiner are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Steiner is a Democrat. While a resident of Allen County, Ohio, he held the office of Trustee two terms. He is an industrious man and a good citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


JACOB W. WARNER, of Union Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born January 19, 1844. He was the second son born to David and Margaret (Hitchew) Warner, both natives of Maryland. Jacob spent his boyhood, up to the age of ten, in his native county. His parents came to this county about the year 1854, and located in Union Township. There Jacob grew up to manhood, working upon a farm. In December, 1863, he entered the service of the Union Army, in Company L, 12th Indiana Cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war. He participated in the Five Days Fight at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the battles of Nashville, Mobile, and Spanish Fort. He returned to this county at the close of the war, and engaged in farming. He removed to Fulton County in 1868, where he resided three years. In 1871 he returned to this county and located where he now resides, in Section 26, Union Township. In March, 1866, he was married to Eva Shafer, by whom he has had nine children, viz.: Alice A., Sarah M., Ordella F., William L., Rosa M., Grace, Olive P., Emma and Walter S., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Warner is a member of the G. A. R., and a Republican in politics. He owns one hundred and sixteen acres of land - sixty of which are in cultivation. He is an honest, upright man, an industrious farmer, and a good citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


SAMUEL WITTER, one of the influential citizens of Union Township, was born in Union County, this State, July 17, 1834. He was the fifth son born to George and Fannie (Kingery) Witter, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively. The birth of his father occurred in 1796, and that of his mother in 1802. Samuel spent his early life working upon his father's farm in his native county. He attended the district school, but the advantages were poor, consequently he had the benefit of no more than an ordinary common school education. At the age of twenty-four he began farming for himself. That was in Union County. In 1859, he removed to a farm in Carroll County. He resided there until 1863, when he came to this county and took up his residence in Jefferson Township. In August, 1872, he emigrated to Shawnee County, Kansas, where he was engaged in farming until in February, 1876. At that time he returned to this county and again located in Jefferson Township. In April, 1883, he removed to his present home in Section 36, Union Township. He was married on the 24th day of February, 1858, to Ellen J. Smith, also a native of Union County, born April 27, 1840. She was the daughter of Alexander and Eunice (Ringsby) Smith, the first mentioned formerly of Preble County, Ohio, and the latter a native of North Carolina. That marriage resulted in the birth of two children, viz.: William H., born September 3, 1860; died September 19, 1862, and Emerson E., born December 3, 1862, died July 19, 1867. On the 26th day of November, 1863, Mr. Witter suffered the bereavement of losing his first wife, and on the 28th day of November, 1865, he was married to Laura D. Wilson, a native of this county, born September 10, 1848. She was the daughter of Joseph R. and Lucinda (Grimes) Wilson, natives of Preble and Montgomery Counties, Ohio, respectively. To this latter union, three children have been born. Their names are Edward C., born September 23, 1866; Leonidas G., born January 10, 1868, and Charles W., born April 23, 1883, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Witter are members of the German Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Witter is a Republican. He owns a farm of eighty acres. Besides this he owns a business property in the town of Mexico. He is an honest, upright, square-dealing man and a good citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Union Township


Deb Murray