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William Loots |
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WILLIAM LOOTS, grocer and proprietor of the Petroleum hotel, was born in Maryland, February 14, 1843, son of Isaac and Catharine (Eves) Loots, natives of the same state, of German extraction and the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: W. H.; Elizabeth; Susan; John; Charles, and Amanda. The father is dead and the mother resides on the old homestead in Woodsborough, Maryland, both having united with the Lutheran church at an early period in their lives. Our subject was educated in the common schools and was brought up at farming and brick making. In 1866 he began clerking in a hotel at Woodsborough for George W. Smith, remaining with him until 1866, when he came to Oil City and engaged in the restaurant business, subsequently adding to this a hotel and grocery which he still continues with excellent success. During his residence in Oil City he has developed some oil territory with his usual success. He is a member of the gas and water companies, of the Oil City school board, a director of the building and loan association, and a Democrat in politics. He was married to Mrs. Sarah Garrett nee Downing, and has three children: Libbie, married to B. R. Clickner of the Oil City Oil Exchange; Charles, and Hattie. Mrs. Loots and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father, Nelies Downing, was born in Vermont and a son of James Downing who is mentioned in connection with a sketch of J. D. Downing. Nelies owned land in Cornplanter township, where he lived for over fifty years and married Susan Winger, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Fry) Winger, who settled at an early date near Siverly and were the parents of the following children: Samuel; Solomon; Henry; Jeremiah; Josiah; William; Susan; Lucinda; Sarah J., and Mary. Of these, Henry, William, Lucinda (Mrs. Riser of Clarion county), and Mary (Mrs. McMurdy of Clarion county), are living. Jeremiah and Josiah served in the Union army in the Rebellion; the former died and was brought home and buried, while the latter never returned, and it is not known what became of him. Nelies and Susan Downing were the parents of seven children: Daniel, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness; Harriet, married to D. S. Kays; Sarah, Mrs. William Loots; Nancy, who married Amos Smith; Lucinda, married to George Shingledecker; Susan, who married L. B. Chipman; William, a driller in Russia. Susan Downing died in the faith of the Lutheran church. Nelies was again married to Mary Sleppy, and had two sons: John and Charles, both married, residing in Venango county and in Tennessee, respectively. Mr. Downing died November 29, 1879, honored and respected by all who knew him. His widow resides at Siverly. Mr. Loots is a gentleman of long experience in his line and is well and favorably known for his upright, honest methods and business enterprise and spares no pains and expense fully to merit the very large and generous patronage that his industry and fair dealing have secured.
History of Venango County, Pennsylvania
: its past and present, including its aboriginal history, the French and
British occupation of the country, its early settlement and subsequent
growth, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its rich
oil deposits and their development, sketches of its cities, boroughs,
townships, and villages, neighborhood and family history, portraits and
biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc.,
etc. .
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