Williams County Archives — Page 2 of 11

Biography of Orlie H. Bowen

A Standard History of Williams County Ohio, Vol 2, Title Page

Orlie H. Bowen stood as a prominent business figure and respected citizen in Williams County, Ohio. Born on April 24, 1884, in New London, he later became the esteemed cashier of Montpelier National Bank, contributing significantly to his community’s prosperity. Orlie’s parents, Robert and Rebecca Bowen, hailed from Richland County and eventually settled in Williams County after farming. A graduate of Montpelier High School and Davis Business College, Orlie advanced from assistant to elected cashier at First National Bank of Montpelier, serving steadfastly even after a bank merger. Married to Lucy Opdycke and father to Mary and Alice, he actively participated in the United Brethren Church and various Masonic bodies, also supporting the Republican Party.

Biography of Ed Piper

Ed Piper was a prominent business owner in Stryker, Williams County, specializing in heating and plumbing. Born on February 3, 1877, in New Holstein, Wisconsin to Henry and Mary (Greve) Piper, he grew up on a farm before apprenticing in tinning. After working in different towns, Piper settled in Stryker in 1898, joining the Beucler Manufacturing Company and eventually acquiring the business. He expanded the company to include heating and plumbing, creating a successful venture that drew customers from a wide area. Married to Anna Strong, the couple had five children. Piper, a Republican and Odd Fellows member, was recognized for his integrity, community spirit, and business acumen.

Biography of A. Earl Newcomer

A. Earl Newcomer, born on June 16, 1882, is a thriving agriculturist and dairy farmer operating on his birthplace farm near Bryan, his home county’s judicial center. Educated at district schools, Bryan High School, and a business college in Toledo, Newcomer began by renting and then buying an 80-acre farm from his father. Focused on dairy farming with Holstein cattle and breeding Spotted Poland China hogs, he is recognized as an energetic and successful young farmer in Pulaski Township. Politically a republican, he and his wife, Virga E. Wise, are active in the Church of the Brethren and parents to two daughters, Pauline and Katherine.

Biography of Daniel P. Koch

Elder Daniel P. Koch, born on August 23, 1858, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, was the son of Moses and Sarah Koch from Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. His father had settled in Williams County after several relocations. Daniel grew up there, received a common school education, and worked on the family farm until adulthood. After marrying Cora Keiser in 1878, he rented and later bought land, ultimately settling on a 190-acre farm. Daniel and Cora had two children, Pearl and Homer Dale. As the head of the local Church of the Brethren, Elder Koch was respected for his character and positive community influence.

Biography of Frank N. Watson

Frank N. Watson was a pivotal figure in Williams County’s agricultural realm, epitomizing hard work, integrity, and innovation. Born in 1876, this son of W.C. and Jennie Watson transitioned from teaching to farming, eventually becoming president of the Farmers’ Grain Elevator at Pulaski. He married Pearl Koch and had eight children. Watson ascended from humble beginnings to leadership within the farming community, earning respect for his unwavering industry and ethical approach. Owning a prosperous 78-acre farm, he employed progressive methods in cultivation and stock raising. His standing as a reputable citizen extended beyond farming; he also possessed strong familial and community ties, holding membership with the Church of the Brethren and supporting the Republican Party. Watson’s life was a testament to success built on determination and community service.

Biography of Charles A. Roode

Charles A. Roode’s ascent within Williams County’s banking sector is a compelling narrative of ambition and expertise. Born in 1887 near West Unity, Ohio, Roode has journeyed from a farm boy to the esteemed position of cashier at the Farmers and Merchants State Savings Bank in Montpelier. His career, marked by a keen analytical mind and a natural inclination towards finance, showcases his significant impact on the bank’s success and his community’s economic development. Marrying Grace Roberta Tressler in 1911 and a father to Mary Alice, Roode balances his professional achievements with active participation in local and religious activities, embodying the ethos of dedication and community service.

Biography of Elias S. Myers

Elias S. Myers, a lifelong resident of Williams County, Ohio, except for a brief western sojourn, embodies the enduring spirit of agricultural dedication and pioneer resilience. Born in 1846 on a pioneer farm in Jefferson Township, Myers is the last survivor among the five children of George W. and Emily (Lewis) Myers, early settlers from Pennsylvania and New York. His journey from a boyhood on his father’s farm to a respected farmer and stockraiser in Pulaski Township reflects a lifetime of agricultural innovation and community involvement. Married to Caroline Reeves in 1876, their legacy includes two children and seven grandchildren, symbolizing the familial and agricultural continuity that has characterized their quiet, esteemed lives.

Biography of John Wilson Sloan

John W. Sloan’s narrative is a beacon of the values cherished in Williams County’s rich agricultural heritage. Born in 1850, Sloan has evolved from a diligent son on his family’s farm to a prominent figure in Springfield Township, known for his progressive farming and stock raising on a 160-acre estate. Sloan, a testament to resilience and forward-thinking, has not only upheld the farming legacy passed down by his parents, John and Rachael Sloan, early settlers of 1849, but also expanded it with innovation and integrity. Married to Alice E. Clark in 1880, his life is a blend of personal triumphs and communal contributions, marking him as a stalwart in both the farming and local communities.

Biography of Jesse G. Snyder

Jesse G. Snyder, born in 1869 in Defiance County, Ohio, is a testament to determination and hard work, rising from modest beginnings to a well-respected farmer in Jefferson Township, Williams County. With his life marked by industriousness and a dedication to community prosperity, Jesse and his wife Emma Stuckman, whom he married in 1890, raised six children. His journey from assisting on his family farm to owning a successful farm and contributing to local enterprises, such as the farmers’ elevator at Pulaski, highlights his commitment to both family and community, embodying the values of perseverance and civic responsibility.

Biography of Dayton M. Blue

Dayton M. Blue’s life, rooted in Superior Township since his birth on November 8, 1859, embodies the enduring spirit of familial legacy and agricultural dedication. Son to Dennis H. and Adaline C. (Purdy) Blue, Dayton’s narrative is woven into the fabric of Williams County, where his parents settled and contributed to the community. Despite losing his mother at a young age and taking on the world at seventeen, Dayton successfully managed to cultivate a 100-acre farm, symbolizing resilience and self-reliance. His marriage to Amanda J. Custer in 1881 and their descendants further enrich his story, marking the continuation of a family deeply intertwined with the land and its history.