Nathaniel B. Stubbs

NATHANIEL B. STUBBS, M. D., who stands at the head of the drugfirm of N. B. Stubbs & Son, of Stryker, was actively engaged in the practice of medicine in this community for a long term of years, being widely known as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the county, even as is he recognized as a worthy schon of one of the old and distinguished pioneer families of this favored section of the Buckeye State, where practically his entire life has been passed. Dr. Stubbs was born in Brady township, Williams county, O., on the istli of May, 1838, and is a son of William M. Stubbs, who was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., June 22, 1810, the eldest of the seven children of John and Phoebe (Miller) Stubbs, both of whom were likewise natives of the old Empire State, where the respective families were early founded, both being of English extraction. William M. Stubbs was reared and educated in New York State and remained at the parental home until the time of his marriage. In 1836 he came to Williams county, O., and purchased two hundred and twenty acres of heavily timbered land in Brady township. No roads had been constructed, neighbors were few and widely separated and the county was but little more than an unbroken wilderness. He made a clearing on his land and there erected a log cabin of the type common to the pioneer days in this section, and there then devolved upon him the herculean task of reclaiming his land to cultivation. He effected the development of a fine farm, making the best of improvements on the same and becoming one of the most substantial agriculturists of the county. He continued to reside on his homestead until 1878, when he removed to Stryker and became a partner with his son, Dr. Nathaniel B., in the drug business, this association obtaining about two years, after which he lived retired until his death, which occurred November 21, 1900, and his' cherished and devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal in 1893. Her maiden name was Margaret A. Collins, and she was born in the State of New York, being a daughter of David and Sabra (Blanchard) Collins. Six children were born of this union, and it is german that a brief record concerning them be here incorporated: Martha, who became the wife of William Sheridan, died in 1875: Chauncey C., who married Miss Ella Grant, of West Unity, this county, is now an extensive stock-grower in Montana; Roxana L. is the wife of John G. Rumsey, of Stryker, mentioned individually in this work; Dr. Nathaniel B. was the next in order of birth; Phoebe A. became the wife of Samuel A. Smith and both now are deceased; and Sabra A. resides in Stryker, being the widow of Dr. Danforth P. Aldrich, who was one of the representative physicians of this county. William M. Stubbs was a man of strong intellectuality and forceful individuality, while his attributes of character were such that he ever commanded unqualified confidence and esteem in the county of which he was a sterling pioneer. He served as associate judge of the county and also as justice of the peace in Brady township, having been a stanch Democrat in his political adherency. Dr. Nathaniel

B. Stubbs passed his boyhood days on the old home farm and was accorded the advantages of the common schools of thelocality. He initiated his independent career by becoming a salesman in a dry-goods establishment in Stryker, while later he was successfully engaged in teaching in the district schools of the county. In 1861 he engaged in the grocery business in Stryker, and in 1864 he was appointed clerk in the quartermaster’s department of the Union army at Wheeling, West Va., serving until the close of the war. Upon his return to Williams county he became associated with his brother-in-law, Dr. Danforth P. Aldrich, in the drug business in Stryker, and here he has ever since been prominently identified with this line of enterprise. Dr. Aldrich withdrew from the firm in 1877 and thereafter the father of Dr. Stubbs was associated in the enterprise for two years, as has already been noted in this contest. Then the Doctor individually continued the business until August 3, 1889, when he admitted his only son. W. S. Stubbs, to partnership, under the present firm name. In the meanwhile, aside from the valuable discipline gained through his active connection with the pharmaceutical business, Dr. Stubbs had taken up the technical study of medicine in a careful way, and in 1871 he was matriculated in the Cleveland Medical College, where he was graduated in February of the following year, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwith began the practice of his profession, in connection with his drug business, and he continues his active and able labors as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Stubbs has ever taken a deep and helpful interest in local affairs of a public nature, and his attitude has been that of a generous and public-spirited citizen. He is a stalwart Democrat and has served as trustee, clerk and treasurer of Springfield township, as a member of the city council of Stryker, and as a valued member of the board of education, having been incumbent of the office of school director for the long period of thirty-six years. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1862 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Stubbs to Miss Eliza S. Stone, who was born in Essex county, N. Y., being a daughter of Granville and Maria (Butler) Stone, and two children represent the offspring of this union: Walter L., who was born in Stryker, October 17, 1867, is associated with his father in business, as has already been stated, and is one of the progressive business men and popular citizens of his native town. He is a Democrat in politics, served two years as a member of the city council and two years as a member of the board of education, and in a fraternal way lie is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Cora L. is the wife of John H. Carpenter, of Laporte, Ind., and they have two children, Helen E. and Mildred.

As printed in The county of Williams : a history of Williams County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on various subjects, including each of the different townships ; also a biographical departme (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.