HENRY WING [father of the titular Henry Wing] was of English descent, and was a native of Vermont, his birth occurring in the year 1797. After attaining manhood he took as a life partner Miss Elinor Frazee, who was born in Pennsylvania. They first settled on a farm near Defiance, Ohio. Later, about 1825, they moved to Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and entered a small tract of land consisting of twenty-one acres. Two years later they purchased 200 acres additional, and proceeded with the difficult task of converting it into a farm home which would yield them a sustenance. The senior Wing was possessed of only an ordinary education, but he had been reared upon a farm, and was not afraid of hard work. At that time Putnam county was largely a primitive wilderness, full of Indians, and the wild forests were thick with bears, wolves, deer and other game. The highways had not then been traced, and neighbors were few and far between. Into this uninviting country did the young couple come, with stout hearts and eager hands, determined to make for themselves a home. Gradually the transformation was effected, and the worthy couple become known as substantial and respected citizens. Both were believers in Christianity, and by their daily life set an example worthy of emulation. Mr. Wing was in politics a whig, and as such he was called upon to fill various township offices, a duty which he performed with satisfaction. He died Sep' tember 18, 1844, and his beloved wife joined him in August, 1848. They were the parents Of eleven children, given in order below, all but the youngest of whom are still living: Jarvis, Rhoda, Oliver, Henry, Elnora, Jane, Pauline, Austin, Cleopatra, Francis M., and Nathan.
Henry Wing, our subject, was born in Defiance county, Ohio, September 8, 1831. He was reared upon his father's farm, and, in fact, has been concerned. with agriculture all of his life. His educational discipline was that received in a log school-house of the pioneer days, but his was an observant mind, and in addition he absorbed an excellent knowledge of general affairs. March 17, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gilbert, who was born in Summit county, Ohio, August 9, 1847. She is the daughter of Jacob and Martha (Butler) Gilbert. Her father was born in the Champlain region of Vermont, while her mother was a native of Connecticut. They were married at Cayuga Falls, Ohio, where Jacob Gilbert engaged for several years in the mercantile business. They lived in Cleveland, Ohio, for three years, and then removed to Putnam county, and made their home in Monroe township. Here they purchased a tract of school land and became substantial citizens of that section. Mr. Gilbert was one of the pioneer school-teachers of this portion of Ohio, and he followed the vocation up to the time of his death, in December, 1863. He was an old-line whig politically, and was several times honored with political preferment at the hands of his fellow-citizens. His religious views led him to a membership in the Methodist church, while Mrs. Gilbert has been a Bible Christian— a lady beloved for her many sterling qualities, and a mother whose life has been devoted to her family. She still resides upon the old homestead. Eight children were born to them, viz: Lucien, Lucius, Rufus E., Martha, Sarah A., Ida M., Prosper L. and Mrs. Wing. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wing settled upon the farm now owned by them when they were first married, and they have become closely identified with the interests of this portion of the county. Their present fine homestead could hardly be recognized as the howling wilderness of which they took possession nearly thirty years ago. It consists of 180 acres of fertile land, with good buildings, and its present stage of cultivation has been reached only by hard labor and indomitable perseverance.
At the breaking out of the Civil war our subject enlisted in company E, Thirty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in the campaigns through Kentucky and Virginia. He saw active camp and guard duty, and received honorable discharge in Angust, 1861. In politics he is a republican, and he has filled various township offices with eminent satisfiaction. Although not identified with any religious denomination, nevertheless Mr. and Mrs' Wing are in sympathy therewith, and aid the good work in a financial way. The have had eight children born to their marriage, viz: Martha, Albert John, Frederick, Florence, Rufus (deceased), Frank H.,Annie (deceased) and Philip (deceased.)
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