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History of
Huron County, Ohio
Abraham J. Baughman, S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
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HURON CO.
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HISTORY
OF
HURON COUNTY
r-'1' OHIO
ITS PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT
By A. J. BAUGHMAN
With Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens
of the County
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO.
1909
T- \
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BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. CALEB HATHAWAY GALLUP.
On reviewing the life record of any individual it is interesting to note some-
thing of the ancestry from which he sprang and their characteristics, and thus
to find the root of his own well developed traits. A contemporary historian has
given the following: "J0*111 Gallup (i) born 1590, the ancestor of most of our
families of that name, came to America from the parish of Mosterne, county Dor-
set, England, in 1630. Just before leaving the old for New England, with
solemn fasting and prayer, one hundred and forty persons at the new hospital
at Plymouth, organized a Congregational church and chose Rev. John Warham
and Rev. John Maverick to be their pastor and teacher, and sailed from Plymouth,
England, March 20, 1630, in the Mary and John, a ship of four hundred tons,
which arrived at Nantasket (now Hull), Massachusetts, May 30. "They were a
very godly and religious people and many of them persons of note and figures,
being dignified with the title of Mr., which few in those days were. Some of
the principal men were Mr. Rosseter, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Glover, Mr. Wolcott, Mr.
Gallup and others."
"His wife was Christobel (full name now unknown), and children were John
(2), born in England, Joan, Samuel and Nathan. He became the owner and
gave his name to Gallup's island off Boston harbor, by grant from Governor
Winthrop, whose wife was a sister of Gallup's wife. A skillful mariner, he became
memorable as commander of the first naval action off Block island, fought in
North American waters, to avenge the murder of his friend Captain John Old-
ham by Indians in the famous Pequot war of 1637. His son John (2) participated
in the naval engagement off Block island and in King Philip's war as a captain,
led a company of soldiers into the 'fearful swamp fight* at Narragansett, De-
cember 19, 1675 (within the limits of the present town of South Kingston, Rhode
Island), where he was killed. His wife was Hannah Lake and children: Hannah,
John, Esther, Benadttm (3), William, Samuel, Christobel, Elizabeth, Mary and
Margaret.
"In the colonial records at Hartford may be found the following: 'February
9, 1652-3, John Gallup in consideration and with respect unto the services his
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6 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
father hath done for the country, hath given him up the river of Mistick, which
side he will 300 acres of upland/
" 'February 6, 1653-4, John Gallup, hath given him a further addition to his
land at Mistick, 150 acres, which he accepts of and acknowledgeth himself satis-
fyde for what lands he formerly laide claim unto upon the general neck as a
gift of his father's, which as he saith was given to his father by General Stoughton,
after the Pequott war/
"Benadum of the third generation, born in 1655, married Esther Prentice,
and their children were Hannah, Esther, Mercy, Benadum (4), Joseph, Margaret
and Lucy.
"Lieutenant Benadum (4), born 1693, married Eunice Cobb. Their children
were Benadum, Esther, Eunice, Lois, William (5), Henry, Nathan, Ebenezer,
Thomas P., Hannah and Sarah.
"William of the fifth generation was living at Kingston, Pennsylvania, with
seven children, in 1778, at the time of 'the Wyoming massacre/ His son Hallet,
twenty-two years old, escaped death by floating down the Susquehanna river
patrolled by hostile Indians, his body under water and face between two rails
grasped in his hands. Twin daughters, five years of age, were carried off by the
Indians as pretty prizes, but soon recovered by ransom. He was born July 4,
1723, married Judith Reed, their children were Lydia, Hallet, Mary, William (6),
Hannah, Sarah and Lucy.
"William of the sixth, born at Groton, Connecticut, married Freelove Hatha-
way, a Philadelphia Quakeress, and had William, Hallet (7), James Devine, and
Caleb Hathaway.
"Hallet of the seventh generation was an artillery gunner in Captain Thomas'
company of Pennsylvania volunteers and served under General William Henry
Harrison in the war of 181 2. He was born 1796, married Clarissa Benedict,
daughter of Piatt and Salley DeForest Benedict, first settlers of Norwalk. Their
children were Catherine, Mariah, Lydia, Carroll, Sarah, Eliza, Caleb Hathaway
(8), and Elizabeth F."
Caleb Hathaway Gallup is a representative of the eighth generation of
Gallups in America and was born in Norwalk, Ohio, May 10, 1834. He was
reared to hard work on a farm and his first school experience was in the Nor-
walk Union schools, which he attended during the winters of 1850, 1851 and
1852. In 1853, he filled a position in the office of the Huron county clerk and
then, resuming his interrupted education, matriculated at Denison University,
Granville, Ohio, in 1854, entering for the scientific course. In the fall of that
year, he was transferred to the same class and course at Madison University,
now Colgate, at Hamilton, New York, where he promoted the founding of Mu
chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. On the completion of his course,
he was graduated in 1856 with the degree of Bachelor of Science and followed
this by preparations for the bar as a student in the office of Worcester & Pen-
newell in Norwalk, Ohio. There he remained until the fall of 1857, when he
entered the law school of the Cincinnati College and was graduated therefrom
with the Bachelor of Law degree on the 15th of April, 1858.
Mr. Gallup was admitted to practice before the bar of Michigan, July 19, 1859,
and in i860 was elected prosecuting attorney of Huron county, Michigan, which
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 7
office he held by re-election for ten consecutive years. During that same period,
in 1866-7, he represented his district in the state legislature and left the impress
of his individuality and clear insight into public affairs upon the legislative en-
actments of that section. Among other laws and resolutions enacted on his initia-
tion, was a law for the relief of a stranded colony of educated Germans, an off-
shoot or protege of the "Economites" of Harmony, Pennsylvania, giving the
head of each family a forty-acre homestead of state lands. He also introduced
a law appropriating ten sections of state land for the navigable improvement of
the outlet of the River Du Fill in Huron county, Michigan, and a joint resolu-
tion calling for the construction by the general government of a harbor of refuge
on Lake Huron at or near Point Au Barques.
Mr. Gallup's labors and efforts throughout his entire life have largely been of
service to the general public. In 1868 he procured by personal solicitation of
resident citizens along the route the donation and erection of seventy miles of
telegraph poles, from Lexington to Port Austin, Michigan, and through his in-
fluence, with Anson G. Stager, of the Western Union Telegraph Company, the
completion of the first telegraph line of the west coast of Lake Huron — a work
that has been of immeasurable benefit to the citizens of that locality.
In the meantime, Mr. Gallup had done military service as deputy United
States marshal, from 1863 to 1865 inclusive, in which connection, he was active
in enforcing the draft during the war. He was himself drafted, but was ordered
back to the service of the marshal. Again he was identified with military af-
fairs, when in 1877 he became a member of the Ohio National Guard and so con-
tinued for five years, or until 1882.
Mr. Gallup has been married twice. He first wedded Kate V. Vredenburgh,
a representative of an old New York Dutch family, the wedding being celebrated
June 20, i860. They had one son, Richard Carroll, who was nineteen months
old at the time of the mother's death, on the 25th of May, 1863. On the 3d of
November, 1869, Mr. Gallup wedded Helen Alphena Glover, a niece of the Hon.
Joel Parker, "war governor,, of New Jersey. The death of his second wife, April
8, 1872, leaving him with a daughter, Mabel Parker, eighteen months old, and a
son, Herbert Alpheus, four days old, caused his return to his old home in Nor-
walk, Ohio.
Since again taking up his abode in Norwalk, Mr. Gallup has been prominently
and actively interested in business affairs and in other interests relating to the
welfare and progress of the community. From 1873 until 1883, ne was connected
with the promotion and construction of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, and
for three years, beginning in 1877, served on its board of directors. In 1888,
he was associated with other substantial business men in founding the financially
successful Home Savings & Loan Company of Norwalk. at which time he was
chosen president and one of the directors, his official connection therewith con-
tinuing to the present. He has also extended his efforts to other fields of activity,
becoming one of the directors and a member of the executive committee of the
Toledo, Fremont & Norwalk Electric Railway at the time of its construction in
1899. He thus served until its sale in 1901 to the Lake Shore Electric Company.
Few men have taken so active a part in the work of general progress and
improvement as Mr. Gallup. All matters of general concern elicit his interest
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8 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and whenever his judgment sanctions, he gives to a measure his hearty support
and co-operation. In 1877, he became a life member of the Whittlesey Academy
of Arts and Sciences, and since 1878, has served as a member of its board of
trustees, acting as chairman of the board throughout the entire time and as treas-
urer of the institution, since 1901. In 1879, he wrote a history of Norwalk for
W. W. Williams' "History of Huron and Erie Counties/' and because of his
deep research into the annals of the county, no man is more competent to write
upon historical subjects in this locality, than he. Mr. Gallup has also been a
life member of the Firelands Historical Society since 1876 and a member of its
board of trustees, librarian, curator of its museum and editor of its publications,
since 1888. In 1889, he became a member of the board of trustees of the Huron
county Children's Home Association and has been its treasurer since 1902. He
is likewise a member of the Young Men's Library and Reading Room Association,
of Norwalk, controlling the Free Public Library, and has been a member of its
board of trustees and chairman of its executive committee, since 1903. He is a
member of the Norwalk Board of Commerce and of the National Geographical
Society, and is a life member of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society,
of which he was elected a member of its board of trustees and executive com-
mittee on the 2d of March, 1909. Hon. E. O. Randall, secretary and editor of
that society, in comment on his selection as a trustee said : "Mr. Gallup is known
throughout the country for his historical scholarship and for the active and ex-
tensive work he has done in connection with the Firelands Historical Society, of
which he has been an influential and official member for a number of years. He
has always been an enthusiastic student of Ohio and western history and has
written much that is interesting and accurate concerning the early settlement of
the Buckeye state."
CHARLES P. WICKHAM.
Charles P. Wickham, who by the consensus of public opinion is regarded as a
high type of American manhood and citizenship, has for many years been en-
gaged in the practice of law in Norwalk and throughout the entire period has
been numbered among the representative members of the Huron county bar.
His birth occurred in this city, September 15, 1836. He is the oldest of the
thirteen children of Judge Frederick and Lucy (Preston) Wickham, both of
whom were descended from Puritan ancestry. In the paternal line was Governor
Winthrop, an early colonial governor of Massachusetts, The first representative
of the Wickham family in the middle west was William Wickham, a native of
Rhode Island, who with an instinctive love of the sea, settled on the shores of
Lake Ontario at Sodus Point. His four sons, John, Thomas, Frederick and Sam-
uel Wickham, were there reared and when they had attained their majority, all
except Thomas removed to Huron, situated on one of Lake Erie's natural harbors.
Samuel Wickham sailed on the lakes, being thus engaged up to the time of his
death. John Wickham engaged in lake commerce and was also the owner of
one of the largest fish packing establishments on the lake. Frederick Wickham
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 11
removed to Norwalk and later became proprietor of the Norwalk Reflector, a
paper which had been established as the Huron Reflector by Samuel Preston,
whose daughter Lucy he had married. In the roomy, old-fashioned house in the
center of the town, the upper floor of which was used as a printing office, were
born the six sons and seven daughters of this marriage.
This number included Charles P. Wickham who, after acquiring his early edu-
cation in the public schools, attended the Norwalk Academy. He longed for a
college education, but the expense attending, the support of a large family, pre-
vented the father from enabling the son to carry out his wishes in this direction.
He prepared for a professional career by attending the Cincinnati Law School,
from which he was graduated in April, 1858. He then entered upon the active
practice of his profession in his native state and, with the exception of the period
spent at the front during the Civil war, 'has been a continuous representative of
the Huron county bar to the present time. He is widely recognized as one of the
most important, best known and highly respected lawyers in this part of the
state, confining his attention to the active practice of his profession. He is the
president and director of the A. B. Chase Company, of Norwalk, manufacturers
of pianos.
In August, i860, Mr. Wickham was united in marriage to Miss Emma J.
Wildman, a daughter of Frederick A. and Mariette (Patch) Wildman, natives
of Danbury, Connecticut. By this union there are six living children, four sons and
two daughters, namely : Charles P., Jr., who is a general life insurance agent at
Norwalk ; Grace W., the wife of C. C. Curran, a well known artist of New York
city ; Louis W., an attorney at law and late prosecuting attorney of Huron county .
Winthrop H., a mining engineer and merchandise broker, now residing in Denver,
Colorado ; Romeyn D., a practicing attorney, who is now in partnership with his
father ; and Mary G., at home.
In September, 1861, Mr. Wickham bade adieu to his young wife and with pa-
triotic ardor, offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of the
Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four years. He
rose from private through the ranks of first lieutenant, captain and major to that
of lieutenant colonel, receiving in addition thereto a brevet commission direct from
the president, "for gallant and meritorious services in Georgia and the Caro-
linas." He participated in a number of important engagements, including the
second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge, Resaca,
Peach Tree Creek and all of the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, includ-
ing the siege and surrender of the latter place, followed by the march to the sea,
which exposed the weakness of the southern Confederacy. He inspired the sol-
diers under him with much of his own valor and bravery and made a most credi-
table record throughout his long military experience. He is a valued member of
the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion.
At the close of the war Colonel Wickham returned to Norwalk and entered
upon the private practice of his profession. In 1866, he was elected prosecuting
attorney of the county and two years later was re-elected, so that his incumbency
continued until 1871. In 1880, he was elected judge of the common pleas court
of the fourth judicial district, was re-elected in 1885, and sat upon the bench
until 1886, when he resigned to become a candidate for congress from the four-
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12 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
teenth district. He was elected in that year and re-elected in 1888, proving an
active working member in the national halls of legislation. It is a notable fact
that to each office to which he has been called, he has also been re-elected — proof
positive of his ability and fidelity in the discharge of his duties. His entire offi-
cial service has been in the direct path of his profession and the record is an un-
tarnished one. Since his retirement from office, he has continuously and success-
fully practiced in Norwalk and has ever maintained a foremost place in the ranks
of her leading attorneys. He is a man of broad scholarly attainments, an able
speaker at the bar, in congress and on public occasions on which he has been
called to address the people at large. He stands as a splendid representative of
American manhood and citizenship, a high type of the Christian gentleman who is
actuated in all that he does by lofty purposes and principles.
HAMILTON A. LOWTHER.
Hamilton A. Lowther, a farmer of Greenfield township and the owner of ninety
acres of land on which he lives, was born in this township about half a mile from his
present place of residence in a southerly direction, February 4, 1861, was the day
of his birth and Jackson and Susan (Tower) Lowther were his parents. His pa-
ternal great-grandfather was a resident of New York city and was a prize fighter
by profession. He achieved quite a reputation in his day for physical strength and
prowess, and his name was frequently that of the victor in boxing contests. He
was also a man of considerable wealth, which he one time put to the service of a
friend, only to find that his trust was misplaced, for the latter jumped his bond and
Mr. Lowther had to forfeit the sum of money he had guaranteed. His son Edward
came to this part of Ohio from New York at an early day. He secured a grant of
land from the government and immediately set about clearing it and making it
ready for habitation. For lack of a better home he lived for many years in a log
cabin which he had himself erected. His son, Jackson Lowther, the father of our
subject, was born here and has passed all his life in this county. His wife was
also of Ohio nativity, Sandusky having been her birthplace. Her cares as a faith-
ful wife and mother were brought to an end in 1904, and a husband and three chil-
dren have since mourned her loss. The latter are Hamilton A. ; Hermie, the wife
of Elvin McCord, of Sherwood, Ohio; and Nora, the wife of Henry White of this
county. Mr. Lowther still follows farming despite his seventy years and is a
member of the Universalist church.
This township has always been the home of Hamilton A. Lowther, and to the
schools here does he owe the education he was able to acquire in the intervals be-
tween the busy seasons on the farm, for he was reared at home and early was
given his tasks to perform about the house and in the fields. He follows diversi-
fied farming, which has brought him more than a mere living. Of late years the
hard work has been lightened by the assistance of his sons, who are promising
young men and display an aptitude for farming.
On the 17th of December, 1889, was performed the ceremony that made Ham-
ilton A. Lowther and Miss Nellie Fewson man and wife. Mrs. Lowther is a
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 13
daughter of Michael and Sarah (Daly) Fewson, well known citizens of Green-
field township. Three children have been born of this union : James, Harry and
Jay, all of whom live at home. A hard worker, a careful manager and thrifty
farmer, Mr. Lowther is one of those that raise the standard of Greenfield town-
ship as a great farming community.
MRS. AMANDA J. SKILTON.
Mrs. Amanda J. Skilton, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Ridge-
field township, making her home on her farm of sixty-five acres, was born at Gal-
ion, Crawford county, Ohio, her parents being John S. and Catharine (Ncflf) Da-
vis. The family is an old one in this country, several representatives of the name
having participated in the Revolutionary war. The place on which Mrs. Skilton
lives is a portion of the original farm belonging to her great-grandfather, John
Sowers, who owned seven hundred acres of land. The grandfather, John Sow-
ers, was an early settler of Huron county, coming here in 1814. John S. Davis,
the father of Mrs. Skilton, was born in Maryland in 1808 and passed away in the
year 1888. His wife, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in
1822, was called to her final rest in 1890. Their family numbered four children,
namely: John S. Jr., who is now deceased ; Amanda J., of this review ; Kittfe Belle,
who has also passed away; and Mary E., who gave her hand in marriage to
Thomas Latham and now resides in Monroeville, Ohio.
In 1865, at Galion, Ohio, Amanda J. Davis was united in marriage to Alva S.
Skilton, a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Wilson) Skilton, of Ravenna, Ohio. At
the time of the Civil war Alva S. Skilton enlisted for service in the Union army,
returning home at the end of his three months' term. A short time afterward he
reenlisted and was soon made captain of Company I, Fifty-seventh Ohio Volun-
teer Infantry. He underwent all of the hardships, privations and dangers incident
to the life of a soldier, participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and
was also a prisoner for a time. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing he received a
wound and was sent home to recuperate, again joining the army when his health
had been restored. He was captured at Atlanta and was on his way to be ex-
changed as a prisoner of war when the news of Lincoln's assassination was re-
ceived. When hostilities had ceased and the supremacy of the Union had been es-
tablished he returned to Galion and in 1866 came to Monroeville, Ohio, where he
became engaged in the grain business and conducted an elevator. For a number
of years he was also an engineer on the Big Four Railroad and was widely recog-
nized as a most substantial, progressive and respected citizen of his community.
His political allegiance was given to the republican party, while his religious faith
was indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, in which he served as
junior warden. He attained the Knight Templar degree in Masonry and organized
the G. A. R. post at Monroeville, of which he was the first commander. His death
occurred July 27, 1887.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Skilton were born four children. John D , living in Che-
shire, Connecticut, wedded Miss Ida Beistle, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had three
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14 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
children : Henry A. ; Jane D., who is deceased ; and John D. He is a graduate of
the public schools of Monroeville, the Kenyon College and also of Divinity School
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for a number of years was assistant rector to
Dr. Bates of St. Paul's church at Cleveland. Later he was assistant rector at the
American church at Nice, France, but is now headmaster of the schools of Che-
shire, Connecticut. Elizabeth, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Skilton, at-
tended Oberlin College and now makes her home with her mother. Mary Grace,
who obtained her education in the schools of Gambier, gave her hand in marriage
to Clarence L. Powley and resides at Monroeville. Catharine, the youngest mem-
ber of the family, who likewise acquired her education at Gambier, lives with her
mother.
The different members of the family belong to the Episcopal church, in the.
work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested. Mrs. Skilton and two of
her daughters live in a commodious and attractive brick residence on her farm
of sixty-five acres in Ridgefield township and the place is lacking in none of the
equipments and accessories of a model farming property of the twentieth century.
She has an extensive circle of friends throughout the community where she has now
long resided, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all
with whom she has come in contact.
C. A. SCHEID.
A well improved and highly developed farm of one hundred and forty acres,
situated hi Sherman township, is the home of C. A. Scheid. His birth occurred
in February, 1867, am! he has remained a resident of Sherman township through-
out his entire life. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Beilstein) Scheid, who were
natives of Germany, became early settlers of Huron county, Ohio. Their family
numbered ten children, namely: William and Elizabeth, both of whom are now
deceased ; Emma ; C. A., of this review ; Henry ; Minnie ; George ; John ; Fred ; and
Albert.
C. A. Scheid attended the district schools until twelve years of age and then
became identified with general agricultural pursuits, in which he has been success-
fully engaged to the present time. In 1906 he bought his present farm of one hun-
dred and forty acres from his father and has since been busily engaged in its opera-
tion, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests of grain. Everything
al out the place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress
which is manifest in agricultural lines.
On the 21st of October, 1897. Mr. Scheid was united in marriage to Miss
I cuisa Boehler, a daughter of William and Mary Hoehler, residents of Monroe-
ville, Ohio. She was the eldest in a family of eight children, her brothers and sis-
ters being as follows: Anna, who has passed away; August; Minnie, who is like-
wise deceased ; Amanda ; Edith ; Karl, and Elmer. Mr. and Mrs. Scheid now have
four children: Mabel, who was born in 1897; Ada, whose birth occurred in 1800;
Marion, born in 1904 rnd Olive, in 1905.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 15
Mr. Scheid gives his political support to the men and measures of the republi-
can party and has served as road supervisor, in which position he proved a most
capable and faithful incumbent. He and his family are all members of the Luth-
eran church. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been ac-
corded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial
citizens of his community. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of
Huron county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any
movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful
development.
ED. L. YOUNG.
Ed. L. Young, editor of The Bee Hive national organ of the Knights of the
Maccabees of the World, was born in New Haven, Huron county, Ohio, Jan-
uary 19, r864, his parents being Morgan and Amelia (House) Young. The
father was born March 9, 1819, and the mother's birth occurred April 20, 1823.
The father, Morgan Young, for a time attended the old Norwalk Academy, in
which school his future wife was at the same time a student. They were mar-
ried on the 29th of November, 1846, and established their home at North Mon-
roeville, Ohio, where Mr. Young engaged in general farming ; they moved to New
Haven, Huron county, some years after. Unto him and his wife were born
eight children, namely: Lucy, who was born October 5, 1847; Louisa, October
22, 1848; Mehetta, December 15, 1852; Julius N., November 7, 1854; Albert,
March 10, 1857; Clara, who was born June 5, 1861, and died September 6, 1863;
and Ed. L. and Edna, twins, whose birth occurred January 19, 1864. The death
of the husband and father occurred September 24, 1884 in Ripley township;
the mother is still living.
In the common schools, Ed. L. Young mastered the early branches of Eng-
lish learning and subsequently engaged in teaching. He has always been of a stu-
dious nature and his reading and research have covered a wide range. Leav-
ing the teacher's profession, he entered the field of journalism in Norwalk and
was with The Chronicle for eight years, four of these as editor. He became
state manager for the Knights of the Maccabees of the World in 1832, and in
1901, became the national editor of the order, retaining position as manager for
Ohio also. When he assumed the office of manager the order numbered four
thousand in Ohio and thirteen thousand in the United States. Now there is a
membership of thirty-seven thousand in Ohio, with three hundred thousand in
the country, representing three hundred and fifty million dollars in insurance,
protection of members in five thousand tents. Mr. Young's advocacy of the
order through the columns of the paper has done not a little to further its inter-
ests and he is widely and favorably known among the representatives of the
fraternity in this country.
On the 20th of March, 1884, Mr. Young was married to Miss Carrie M.
Houfstetter, a native of Ripley township, Huron county, and a daughter of
Jacob M. and Rowena (Carpenter) Houfstetter, who were pioneer residents of
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16 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
this county. Her grandfather, Rev. Orson Carpenter, was one of the early Bap-
tist preachers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Young have become par-
ents of two children: Ethel M., who was born March 10, 1885, and died April
2, 1 89 1 ; and Arthur F., who was born July 31, 1889, and is now a law' student!
in Western Reserve University.
Mr. Young is identified with several other organizations in addition to the
Maccabees, being now affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the
Knight Templar degree. He is a man of good business ability, who is now
bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control as manager
of the paper which has the support of and is the expression of the best interests
of the Knights of the Maccabees.
D. W. RUMBAUGH, M. D.
Dr. D. W. Rumbaugh, president of the Huron County Medical Association,
who has successfully practiced in Huron county since 1878, opening his office
in Chicago Junction in 1891, was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, August
24, 1846. His father, Isaac Rumbaugh, was a native of Northampton county,
Pennsylvania, born December 23, 181 5, and in 1819, he accompanied his parents
on their removal to Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio. The mother of the
Doctor was Mrs. Mary Rumbaugh, who was born in Westmoreland county, Penn-
sylvania, and arrived in Green township, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1835. On the
8th of March, 1838, she gave her hand in marriage to Isaac Rumbaugh and they
have become the parents of five children. The father lived and died in Wayne
county, passing away in 1888. He had long survived his wife who died in 1851.
Tracing back the ancestral history of the family, we learn that the first Rumbaughs
in America, were located here in 1764, in which year three brothers sailed from
Germany and settled in Connecticut. Of these Henry and Solomon Rumbaugh
served as loyal soldiers of the American army in the Revolutionary war, while
the other brother, David Rumbaugh, went to Canada and was never heard from
again. In 1797, Henry Rumbaugh settled in Northampton county, Pennsyl-
vania, and was the father of twenty-five children, all of whom married and reared
families.
Dr. Rumbaugh, a decendant of that family, was educated in the public schools,
continuing his studies until he was graduated from the Smithville (Ohio) high
school. Eventually, he pursued a course in the university at Canton, Missouri,
and then, taking up the study of medicine, attended lectures and studied at Cin-
cinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He was graduated from the medical
department of the University of Wooster at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1873, ancl com-
menced practice in Polk, Ashland county, where he remained for five years.
On the expiration of that period, he opened an office at Greenwich, Huron
county, where he remained from 1878 until 1891. In that year, he came to Chi-
cago Junction and has in the intervening years, sustained an enviable reputation
as one of the leading practitioners of the county. His patronage is continually
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 19
increasing, for he has given proof of his ability to successfully cope with the in-
tricate problems that continually confront the physician. In the diagnosis of his
cases, he is very careful and his professional brethren entertain high respect for
his judgment. Moreover, he closely conforms to a high standard of professional
ethics. In addition to his private practice, he is acting as surgeon for the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad Company and he belongs to the Association of Baltimore &
Ohio Railway Surgeons, to the International Association of Railway Surgeons, to
the American Medical Association, to the Ohio State Medical Association and to
the Huron County Medical Society, being president of the last named.
On the 23d of March, 1871, Dr. Rumbaugh was married to Miss Sarah A.
Jones, who died in 1883 and in 1888, he was again married, his second union being
with Jennie Graham, a native of Greenfield township, Huron county, and a
daughter of Alexander Graham, one of the earliest settlers of this part of the
state. There were three children of the first marriage : Hattie O., now the wife
of Thomas McMahon ; Samuel C. ; and Bertha M., now Mrs. Keith Van Horn, of
Chicago, Ohio.
Dr. Rumbaugh has always been an active democrat and has ever taken a help-
ful interest in party work, doing everything in his power to promote the growth
and insure the success of the party. While living at Polk, he served as a member
of the board of education and also of the town council. He rendered similar
service at Greenwich and at Chicago Junction and has likewise served as a member
of the board of public affairs in this place. His work has at all times been of a
beneficial nature, being actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good.
Fraternally Dr. Rumbaugh is connected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and is a Mason of high rank, belonging to Golden Rule Lodge, No. 562,
F. & A. M. ; Golden Rule Chapter, No. 167, R. A. M. ; Norwalk Commandery,
No. 18, K. T. ; and Lake Erie Consistory and is also a director in the Chicago,
Ohio Temple Company. He is in thorough sympathy with the beneficent spirit
of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness and
in practice, he utilizes the opportunities to bring its principles into active play.
ASHER M. COLE.
Asher M. Cole is the sole owner of the beautiful homestead property of one
hundred and twenty-five acres just outside of the city limits of Norwalk whereon
the Cole family has lived for many years. He is one of the best known citizens of
Huron county, respected and honored wherever known and most of all where best
known. In tracing the ancestry of the family we find thai the first authentic rec-
ord is of one John Cole, who was born in England in 1670. His son and namesake,
born in the same country in 1705, came to America in colonial days and spent the
latter portion of his life in Connecticut. He was twice married, his first wife be-
ing a sister of Benjamin Franklin, while his second wife, bore the maiden name of
Mary Brown. John Cole was the father of six children, two sons and four daugh-
ters, the eldest of whom was John, while the second was named Thomas. The lat-
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20 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ter was born in Windham county, Connecticut, August 25, 1735, and on the 7th of
December, 1757, he married Miss Miriam Kinne, by whom he had the following
children: Silas, Amos, Spencer, Levi, Thomas, Jeremiah, Samuel, Mary, Eunice
and Marion. The descendants of this family are very numerous and are scattered
throughout many portions of the United States.
Levi Cole, the fourth son of Thomas and Miriam (Kinne) Cole, was born No-
vember 30, 1766, in Windham county, Connecticut, was married November 25,
1790, and died in Norwalk, Ohio, February 11, 1820. His wife, Hannah Kinne,
was born in Windham county, Connecticut, July 24, 1770, and died at Norwalk,
Ohio, February 27, 1840. They had seven sons and two daughters, namely: Jere-
miah, born March 7, 1795, came to Ohio in 1815 and died July 30, 1818; Asher,
born April 23, 1797, came to Ohio in 1816 and died November 4, 1830; James,
who was born April 25, 1799, and came to Ohio in 1816, was married January 15,
1824, to Miss Philena Johnson, who was born October 4, 1802, and they had four
sons and one daughter: Albert, born October 2, 1824; Bryan, who was born March
7, 1828, and died May 10, 1863 ; Starry H., who was born March 6, 1831, and died
October 30, 1876, after having served for ninety days as a soldier of Company B,
One Hundred Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of
second lieutenant ; George W., who was born February 22, 1835 and died January
6, 1893, after having served for three years in the Third Ohio Cavalry ; and Maria,
who was born August 13, 1841, and died January 1, 1892. The father of these
children died December 26, 1881, and the mother passed away on the 30th of April
of the same year. Levi Cole, Jr., son of Levi Cole, Sr., was born March 23, 1801,
came to Ohio in 1816, and died in Richfield township, Huron county. Miner, born
July 26, 1803, came to Ohio in 1816 and died in Norwalk. Manley K., born Feb-
ruary 11, 1807, came to Ohio in 1816. Lyman, born March 10, 1810, arrived in
this state in r8i6 and died October 10, 1853. The daughters were Hannah, who
was born March 11, 1792, and died August 24, 1795; and Ardelia, who was born
December 4, 181 1, and died May 8, 1812.
In 1813 Levi Cole, Sr., was living in Herkimer county, New York, where he met
with financial reverses after his marriage and in that year, in company with Ma-
jor David Underhill and Timothy Baker, he came to Ohio to look at lands owned
by Mr. Underhill in Richfield township, Huron county. The land and prospect
suited him and he arranged for the purchase of a tract adjoining the farm of Sid-
ney Brown, after which he returned home. In 181 5 he again came to Ohio ac-
companied by his son Jeremy, by Horace Morse, Dr. Joseph Pierce and David Un-
derhill. He at once erected a house on his land, began clearing away the timber
and otherwise prepared for bringing his family the next year. In the fall, leaving
his son Jeremy to look after the place and continue the improvements, he returned
home. During this visit, on the 16th of July, 181 5, Levi Cole, with Major Under-
hill and Dr. Joseph Pierce, brushed out a trail, or road, from Abijah Comstock's
place to the Sand Ridge, now Norwalk. At night they returned to Mr. Corn-
stock's home and the next day started out and completed their work through the
Underhill place on the 17th. This was the first highway labor done on Main street.
They followed the old Indian trail, which came out on the Ridge road somewhere
between Main and Chatham streets. In January, 1816, Mr. Cole and Major Un-
derhill started with their families and such goods and supplies as they might re-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 21
quire in their new hemes, with six teams and sleighs, three to each family. The
party contained twenty people. After spending six weeks on the road, including a
five days rest at Avery, the old county seat, they reached Major Underbill's place
on the 22d of February, 1816. The Huron river was then so high that Mr. Cole
could not cross with his family and teams to his own house, so he took them to the
home of Dr. Pierce and soon afterward purchased the place and remained there as
long as he lived. In 1818 Mr. Cole took a prominent part in the movement which
culminated in the removal of the county seat to Norwalk. On February 9, 1820,
Mr. Cole was engaged in hauling a large saw log and one of his legs, owing to an
accident in unloading, was caught between the logs and so terribly crushed that
he died two days afterward.
Levi and Hannah Cole had several children, of whom the following is a brief
record: Colonel Asher Cole, the second son, was married January 6, 1828, to Nar-
cissa Lawrence and they had a son, Asher, who was born November 12, 1828, and
on October 19, 1859, married Miss Sarah J. Purdy. He died May 29, 1885, leav-
ing a widow and seven children.
Miner Cole, the fifth son, was born July 26, 1803, in Herkimer county, New
York, where he received his school training. In 1816 he came to Huron county,
Ohio, with his father, making his home on a farm of one hundred acres in Norwalk
township. In addition to his elementary education he attended Norwalk Academy
for one term and further improved his mind by home study and close observation
of men and events. On July 30, 1840, he married Miss Mary A. Allen, of Rip-
ley township, born November 7, 1819, a daughter of Hiram Allen, of near Utica,
New York. After his marriage Miner Cole continued to engage in general agri-
cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred August 20, 1885. He was a re-
publican in politics and served his township faithfully as a trustee.
Asher M. Cole, the only son of Miner Cole, was born November 19, 1843, on
the farm in Norwalk township which he now owns and occupies. He attended the
public schools of the neighborhood and at the same time was trained to the work
of the farm under his father's direction. He was twenty years of age when in re-
sponse to the country's call for troops he offered his services to the government
and was mustered in on the 15th of May, 1864, as a member of Company B, One
Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was first engaged on gar-
rison duty at Arlington Heights, where he remained until September of the same
year when his term of enlistment expired and he was honorably discharged. Prior
to joining the United States Volunteer army he served for some time with the
Home Guards.
On the 5th of March, 1869, Asher M. Cole was married to Miss Louisa E.
Channing, who was born in Somersetshire, England, November 21, 1846, and at
the age of five years was brought to Huron county, Ohio, where her youthful days
were spent upon a farm. They had one child, Miner A. Cole, born August 26,
1880. During the same year they adopted a bright little boy of six years, named
Orill Allen, a distant relative. Miner A. Cole, the son, was married May 11, 1902,
to Miss Elizabeth M. Fisher, whose birth occurred May 2, 1886. They have a
charming little daughter, Verna Louise K. Cole. Orill A. Cole, the legally adopted
son, married Miss Carrie Cassady, who was educated at Akron, Ohio. She is a
daughter of Frank and Sarah Cassady, and has two children, Winfred Elizabeth
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22 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and Allen Cassady. Orill A. Cole occupies a fine position in Toronto, Canada, and
is making steady progress in the business world.
With the exception of the time which he spent as a soldier in the Civil war,
Asher M. Cole remained upon the home farm with his parents until he reached
his majority, at which time his father gave him a team and some farming tools,
and he then began operating the old homestead. He was there busily employed in
carrying on general agricultural pursuits until 1881, when he rented a farm, pay-
ing five hundred dollars per year, for a term of five years, and also taking care of
his father in his declining days, or until the father's demise. After the expiration
of his lease Asher M. Cole became sole owner of the beautiful homestead prop-
erty of one hundred and twenty-five acres, lying just outside the corporation limits
of Norwalk. His son is now operating the farm and living at home with his
parents.
Mr. Cole has always been interested in the cause of education and for several
terms has acceptably served as a member of the school board. He has been a suc-
cessful farmer and a most useful and well known representative of Huron county's
broad minded citizens. Both he and his wife are members of the Universalist
church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His life has at
all times been an upright one and he is justly accounted among the most honored
and respected citizens of Norwalk towinship.
HARRY H. AND WILLARD E. MARSH.
Harry H. and Willard E. Marsh are successfully engaged in the conduct of
a dry goods establishment in Norwalk under the firm style of The Marsh Com-
pany. Their paternal grandparents were Abram Reynolds and Sarah L. Marsh,
the former born at Rahway, New Jersey, on the 8th of July, 1800, while the
latter's birth occurred in Orange, New Jersey, March 8, 1802. After coming
to this state Abram R. Marsh made his home for many years on a farm in Ridge-
field township, Huron county, and was more than ninety years of age when called
to his final rest. For a long period he acted as an elder in the Presbyterian
church, the teachings of which he exemplified in his daily life, his upright and
honorable career winning him the regard and admiration of all with whom he was
associated.
The maternal grandfather of H. H. and W. E. Marsh was Jonas Hinkley,
who was born in Elizabethtown, Essex county, New York, September 21, 1816,
and accompanied his parents on their removal to Huron, Ohio, in 1841. He and
his brother, Philander Hinkley, were awarded the contract for the construction
of the first railroad through Huron and he was also engaged in mercantile pur-
suits there for several years. The year of 1859 witnessed his arrived in Nor-
walk and during the period of his residence here he devoted his time and energies
to perfecting a number of practical and useful inventions which had long occu-
pied his attention and which he eventually succeeded in patenting. He was a
man of considerable inventive genius and one of the most expert mechanics in
the country and was the originator of a sewing machine which was afterward
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 25
manufactured in Norwalk by the firm of Hinkley & Wildman. He realized quite
a fortune through his invention of the first knitting machine for the knitting of
hosiery — a machine that was manufactured at Biddeford, Maine. Many other
useful, valuable and original devices were the outcome of his mechanical skill
and ingenuity, including a carpet sweeper. He was a great reader of books and
papers bearing upon mechanics and sciences and his wonderful mind was wholly
absorbed in study and investigation along these lines. Though quiet and retiring
in disposition, he was very entertaining in manner and speech and his genial,
kindly nature made him popular with a large circle of friends. His demise oc-
curred when he had reached the ripe old age of seventy-five years.
'Charles E. Marsh, the father of the gentlemen whose names initiate this
review, was born in Coshocton, Ohio, on the 28th of August, 1840, and was one
of a large family of children. In i860 he made his way to Norwalk, securing
a clerkship in the dry goods house of Beardsley & Brother, with whom he con-
tinued until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member
of the One Hundred and First Ohio Infantry. His health failing, however, he
was eventually honorably discharged on account of physical disability. Return-
ing to Norwalk, he again entered the employ of Beardsley & Brother and sub-
sequently worked in a clerical capacity for Watson & Lovrien and Wooster & Pat-
rick. In 1872, feeling that his training and experience in mercantile lines justi-
fied him in starting out in business life on his own account, he established a dry
goods store in association with Mrs. S. B. Pease. In 1880 the style of the firm
was changed to Marsh & Jackson and in 1887 became known as Marsh & Blox-
ham, thus continuing until the death of the partners, Mr. Marsh passing away on
the 21st of June, 1906, while A. T. Bloxham died in the following November.
Mr. Marsh was probably one of the best salesmen and judges of dry goods in
the country. He established his mercantile enterprise on borrowed capital but
as the years went by won a most gratifying measure of prosperity as the result
of his well directed and untiring energy, guided by sound judgment and keen
discrimination. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort could overcome, he
steadily worked his way upward until he gained a place among the leading mer-
chants of the county. His personal characteristics, too, were such as commanded
the admiration and respect of all with whom he came in contact and in Norwalk,
where he made his home for almost a half century, he was well known and highly
esteemed as one of its most honored residents.
On the 7th of February, 1866, Charles E. Marsh was united in marriage to
Miss Ellen A. Hinkley, a daughter of Jonas Hinkley, who was of Scotch de-
scent. The birth of Mrs. Marsh occurred in 1844, and by her marriage she
became the mother of four children, all of whom obtained their preliminary edu-
cation in Norwalk. Harry H. is the eldest son of the family. Charles R., who
attended business college at Poughkeepsie, New York, and also a military school
at Roslyn, Long Island, is now a manufacturer of wire specialties in Cleve-
land. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Alice
Widlar. Willard E. is the next in order of birth. Lewis C, the youngest son of
Charles E. and Ellen A. (Hinkley) Marsh, was called to his final rest in 1898.
Harry H. Marsh completed his education in a private school at Buffalo and
is now at the head of the extensive dry goods enterprise established by his father,
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26 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
the business being at present conducted under the name of The Marsh Com-
pany. The house enjoys an extensive and profitable patronage, owing to its
straightforward and reliable business policy. In 1891 was celebrated the mar-
riage of H. H. Marsh and Miss Clara C. Poor, a daughter of Richard D. Poor,
of old New England stock. By this union there are two children, Richard C.
and Irene C.
When a lad of sixteen years Willard E. Marsh took up the study of photog-
raphy and for thirteen years remained a successful representative of that art.
Since the death of his father, however, he has been associated with his brother
in the conduct and management of the Marsh dry goods establishment and,
like his brother, is recognized throughout the community as a most substantial,
enterprising and progressive business man and citizen. On the 26th of October,
1906, he wedded Miss Bessie M. Watts, a daughter of Joseph Watts, of Oak-
harbor, Ohio. They have a little daughter, Asenath R., born June 24, 1908.
AMOS K. EASTMAN.
Amos K. Eastman, who is well known in agricultural circles, owning and culti-
vating eighty-eight acres of good land in Peru township, is numbered among the
native sons of the county, his biith having occurred March 9, 1884, in the house
in which he now resides. He is a son of Elbridge G. E. Eastman, who was born
in Bronson township, Huron county, April 17, 1838. He has always remained a
resident of Ohio and is now living in Richland county. He is a son of Seba A.
Eastman, who came from Vermont and settled in Crawford county, Ohio. About
1835 he removed to Greenfield township, Huron county, and was identified with
farming interests in this locality until his death, which occurred in Peru township
in 1850. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Ken-
dall and came from New York to Ohio with her parents, Amos and Mary J.
(Richy) Kendall, the family settling in Peru township about 1848. Mrs. Eastman
is still living at the age of sixty-three years, her birth having occurred June 9,
1846. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Eastman were born four children, namely:
Effie G., who married J. W. Billiard, of Seneca county, Ohio; Grace, who mar-
ried Henry Sulser, of Marion county, Ohio, and had four children, Cleo, Kasia,
Garry, and Bernice, who has passed away. Garry E., residing with his parents,
who married Ida Bocse, by Whom he has the following children : Wayne. Gladys,
Alice and Bernice and Amos K., of this review.
Amos K. Eastman has always resided upon the farm which is now his home,
his father having purchased the property from Laurence Ott. Since the son came
into possession of the place he has made a number of substantial improvements
tRereon and his farm is regarded as one of the desirable properties of the county.
He is diligent, persistent and practical in all that he undertakes and has been quite
successful in cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Throughout
his entire life he has engaged in farming and his broad practical experience and
undaunted energy make him a leading agriculturist of the community.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 27
Amos K. Eastman was united in marriage to Elnora M. Smith, a daughter of
Ambrose and Libby (Shild) Smith, of Peru township, the wedding being cele-
brated on the 4th of June, 1908. They now have a little daughter, Elizabeth Jane
Lola, born on the 6th of July, 1909. Mr. Eastman is a member of the Knights of
the Maccabees, belonging to the tent at Ncrwalk. Both he and his wile have a wide
circle of warm friends in the community and are popular among those who know
them.
THOMAS J. BROWN.
Thomas J. Brown, a prosperous farmer and stock man of Clarksfield town-
ship, was born March 16, 1848, in Sherman township, Huron county, and is the
son of William and Elizabeth (Greer) Brown, the former of whom was born in
Geneva, Seneca county, New York, but came as a small child with his parents to
Ohio. Thomas H. Brown, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was
of Irish birth and came to this country at the age of seventeen. He was the eld-
est of a family of twenty-three children, his father having been twice married,
and having by his first wife six, and by his second seventeen children, all of whom
lived to young manhood and young womanhood. On coming to this country,
the family settled first in Baltimore, Maryland, which they forsook after a few
years for Seneca, New York. Later John and Thomas H. Brown came to Ohio,
locating in Ashland county, near Jeromesville, where the latter lived until he was
nearly eighty years of age. He engaged in farming and stock raising and feed-
ing, and became a large landowner, many of his tracts being situated in other
townships. During the war of 1812, he served as a soldier, and at one time made
the journey from Cleveland to Old Portland, now Sandusky, in a row boat. He
died at McComb, from the results of an accidental injury, at the advanced age
of ninety-nine years. He had been a man of means, interested and prominent
in all public affairs.
His son, William, the father of Thomas J. Brown, was born in Seneca county,
New York, and came to Huron county, Ohio, prior to his marriage. Here he
engaged in general farming and stock raising and became an influential man in
his community. For a number of years, he was treasurer of Norwich township,
his home at the time, and he also served as township trustee and as a member of
the school board for a long period He and his family belonged to the United
Brethren church, the Union chapel congregation or class of which denomination
Mr. and Mrs. Brown has helped to establish. In fact when Mrs. Brown died,
April 10, 1908, the last of the original charter members had passed away. Mr.
Brown had died eight years previously, at about the age of seventy-seven, six
years younger than his wife when she responded to the call of death. Both hus-
band and wife are buried in Norwich cemetery. In the affairs of Union chapel,
Mr. Brown ever took an active part and was one of its trustees from its organi-
zation until his death. He was an upright man, whose influence was strongly
felt in the community in which he lived. He was a soldier of the Civil war, en-
listing in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
He had a family of five sons: Thomas J., James E., Franklin H., William L., and
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28 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
one who died in infancy. Those living are all farmers and prominent in their re-
spective localities.
Thomas J. Brown spent his boyhood and young manhood on his father's farm,
receiving his education in the district schools of the county and in Milan Acad-
emy and the schools at Clyde and Geneva, Ohio. His own schooling completed,
he engaged in teaching during the winter months in the schools of Seneca and
Huron counties. During the summer, he worked on the farm. At the age of
twenty-three, he engaged in mercantile business at Havana, Norwich township,
to which he devoted his time for about two and a half years, after which he re-
turned to farming in Norwich township, which was his home until March 10,
1904, when he removed to Clarksfield township. During these years, he has pur-
sued a general line of agriculture and has also engaged in the breeding of short
horn cattle. In the latter work, he has attained quite a reputation beyond the
township borders, for his animals are shipped to distant markets, where they are
recognized as being of fine, pure breed, and many stockmen have bred cattle
from his stock. He also raises silver Wyandotte poultry, of a high order. His
farm, one hundred acres in extent, is under a fine state of cultivation and gives
rich returns for the labor expended upon it.
On the 23d of October, 1873, Mr. Brown was married to Mrs. Jennie Knoles,
the widow of Smith Knoles and the daughter of Dennis Downing, of Penn Yan,
New York, but who at the time of her marriage was living in Seneca county,
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had no children of their own but have taken
three children of other families into their home, and have given them all the edu-
cational opportunities and advantages that they would give to their own offspring.
In politics, Mr. Brown has been rather independent. For twenty years he
voted the prohibition ticket, but of late years has voted for whatever men and
measures appealed to his idea of right. He has always shown a great interest
in public matters, and never fails to exercise his right of franchise, but he has
never sought an office at the disposition of the people. He keeps well posted on
all matters of general concern and is well able to defend his position, taken after
he has convinced himself of its justness, against all opposition. In religious mat-
ters, he gives his allegiance to the Congregational church, in which he holds the
position of deacon. In the Sunday school, he is a teacher and assistant superin-
tendent, for he has ever shown a deep concern for the progress of the work of
the church and the school.
LOUIE SCHICK.
Louie Schick, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ridgefield town-
ship, Huron county, was born in Germany on the 19th of May, 1870, and is a
son of Peter and Wilhelmina Schick. The parents, who were also natives of the
fatherland, came to the United States in 1883 and settled in Milan, Ohio, where
they resided for about six months. On the 1st of March of the following year,
they removed to Ridgefield township, Huron county, where the father purchased
thirty-eight acres of land, which is still in his possession. He and his wife be-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 29
came the parents of four children, namely: William; Jacob; Wilhelmina, the
wife of Henry Klein ; and Louie, of this review. Both parents still survive while
the father who devoted his life to farming pursuits now lives retired, enjoying in
well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
Louie Schick spent the years of his boyhood and youth under the parental
roof, acquiring his education in the district schools, while the periods of vaca-
tion were devoted to the work ot the fields. After laying aside his text-books,
however, he became identified with railroading, being employed upon the work
train for four years, and he also spent some time in the boiler shop. Later he
severed his connection with the railroad business and resumed agricultural pur-
suits, renting a farm of fifty-two acres, which he continues to operate and upon
which he makes his home. He owns thirteen acres of land which, in connection
with his father's farm, he also cultivates. He is up-to-date and progressive in
his methods, carrying on his business along strictly modern lines, while his various
interests, carefully managed and directed, are bringing to him gratifying returns.
Mr. Schick has been twice married. In 1899, he wedded Miss Bertha Bower,
a daughter of William Bower, of this county, who was a native of Germany. Unto
this union was born one daughter, Louisa. The wife and mother was called away
to her final rest in 1905, while two years later, in 1907, Mr. Schick married Miss
Louisa Bower, a sister of his former wife. He is a member of the German Luth-
eran church and is public-spirited in his citizenship, lending his aid to all measures
and movements which have for their object the substantial and permanent develop-
ment and upbuilding of the community. Honorable and upright in all of his deal-
ings, he has won the respect and confidence of those with whom he is associated,
and he is held in high regard by a large circle of warm friends.
O. C. LITZKEY.
O. C. Litzkey, as superintendent of the Bellevue water works, is well known
here and the record which he has made in all official business relations, has won
him the unqualified respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen. He is
numbered among Ohio's native sons for his birth occurred in Fremont on the
16th of July, 1864, his parents being John and Minnie (Nash) Litzkey, both of
whom were natives of Germany, who,. coming to America, spent their last days
in this country, the father dying at the age of sixty-five years, while the mother
passed away at the age of sixty-seven. They were the parents of ten children:
Tillie, deceased; Lizzie, the wife of Dan McGrady; Lena, John and Mary, all of
whom have passed away ; and four who died in infancy.
The other member of the family is O. C. Litzkey, whose name introduces this
record. He was reared in the place of his nativity and, spending his boyhood
days under the parental roof, was afforded the opportunities for the acquirement
of an education in the public schools. In the periods of vacation, he worked
upon the farm and after putting aside his text-books, he gave his time and ener-
gies to farm work and also was employed at the Ohio Cultivator Plant at Fre-
mont, where he filled the responsible position of foreman of the shipping depart-
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30 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ment. After the removal of the plant to Bellevue, he came to this city and re-
tained his position in connection with that corporation a quarter of a century.
No higher testimonial of his faithfulness, capability and of the confidence reposed
in him could be given than the fact that he was associated with the business in
the responsible position of foreman for twenty-five years. He resigned on his
appointment as superintendent of the water works, January 6, 1909, and he is
now serving in that capacity.
At Fremont on the 29th of June, 1886, Mr. Litzkey was united in marriage
to Miss Mary Hilt, a daughter of Peter Hik, of that place. They became the
parents of two children, but lost the first born, Anna, at the age of two years.
The surviving daughter, Lula, is at home. The parents are members of the Luth-
eran church and Mr. Litzkey is widely and prominently known in fraternal cir-
cles. He is now acting as treasurer of the Forester lodge, is treasurer and one
of the trustees of the Eagle lodge and is a member of the German Beneficial
Union and the German Aid Society. These latter indicate the broad humanitar-
ian spirit which actuates him in all his relations with his fellowmen. His politi-
cal allegiance is given to the democracy and for ten years, he served as a member
of the city council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many meas-
ures for the public good. He has ever advocated retrenchment in public expen-
diture yet never to the extent of blocking progress or excluding needed public
improvements. In his present office, he is giving an administration that is char-
acterized by system so that there is no loss of time, labor or material. His course
is receiving uniform commendation and he well deserves classification with the
public officials of whom Bellevue has had reason to be proud.
CALEB F. JACKSON.
Without invidious distinction, Caleb F. Jackson may be termed the foremost
business man of Norwalk from the fact that his interests are most varied as well
as extensive. Starting out in life on a humble financial plane, he has steadily
worked his way upward and his careful management, coupled with unfaltering in-
dustry and keen discernment, have brought him to the position which he now
occupies. Honored and respected by all there is no resident of Norwalk who
fills a more enviable place in the commercial and financial circles of the city. He
was born June 25, 1854, upon the old Jackson farm a mile and a half south of
Norwalk, upon the old state road. His parents were Charles and Alberta (Fitch)
Jackson and he is a great-grandson of Colonel Giles Jackson of Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, who won fame as a colonel of infantry in the Revolutionary war
and as chief of staff to Major General Gates he penned the article of surrender
at Yorktown and Saratoga. The original articles of convention for the sur-
render of Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 16, 1877, signed by J. Burgoyne and
Horatio Gates, are now in possession of C. F. Jackson at Norwalk, having been
inherited by the "second son" for three generations. Numerous other histori-
cal Revolutionary papers of great value are preserved to be handed down to
the second son, Thayer Elden Jackson. Charles Jackson, the father of our sub-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 33
ject, was a prominent farmer of Norwalk township, who spent six years of his
•early manhood in the employ of Shepherd Patrick as a salesman in his general
store at Norwalk. Subsequently, he bought the Jackson farm homestead, which
remained in the family for sixty years and his capable management of his busi-
ness interests, placed him with the substantial agriculturists of Huron county.
Caleb F. Jackson attended the country school in Norwalk, district Np. 3, until
he prepared to enter high school in 1868. He was graduated therefrom in 1871
on the completion of a complete scientific and classical course of study. He had
expected to study medicine, but the death of both parents left him the care of two
sisters and a younger brother, a financial burden which made further study in
school or college impossible. At the age of seventeen years, he began work
in the dry-goods, grocery and drug store of Wooster & Patrick as "boy of all
work," entering their employ on the 13th of November, 1871. Within three
months, he was made a salesman and promotions followed rapidly. In 1873, ne
was head salesman in the drygoods department on a salary of a thousand dollars
per year, which at that date was the largest salary paid any salesman in Nor-
walk— and he was not yet twenty years of age. In January, 1874, at the age of
nineteen and a half years, he formed a copartnership with L. C. Prescott and pur-
chased a drug and grocery store at Flint, Michigan. The firm of Prescott &
Jackson possessed but twelve hundred dollars, but they had energy, determination
and perseverance. They assumed a, debt of five thousand dollars and after two
years, with all the indebtedness discharged, C. F. Jackson sold his interests to his
partner and returned to Norwalk to enter the employ of C. E. Marsh & Company,
as salesman and manager of the interests of Mrs. S. P. Pease in the firm. His
next advanced step was made in 1881, when he joined C. E. Marsh in organizing
the firm of Marsh & Jackson for the purpose of opening a dry-goods and carpet
store at No. 11 West Main street. Great financial success followed this venture
for five years and in 1886 Mr. Jackson sold his interests to his partner and went
to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In that growing city, he established the "Jackson
Black Goods Store" which became known throughout the northwest as special-
izing in every known article of dry goods, black or white. Mr. Jackson was sole
owner of the Minneapolis business and in seven years, had sufficient capital to
warrant the stocking of a department store, which he could foresee at that early
date, was the coming mercantile establishment of this country.
In the winter of 1892-3 Mr. Jackson, in partnership with H. H. Hoyt of Nor-
walk, purchased from the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city, their
church property at the corner of Main street and Benedict avenue. In May,
1893, tne °ld church was demolished to make room for the beautiful five-story
brick and brown stone building known as The Glass Block. The building when
complete, was leased to the Hoyt & Jackson Company, a corporation of which
C. F. Jackson was the president, for a department store and was opened to the
public November 29, 1893. This marked the beginning of a new era in mercantile
affairs in Norwalk. In that day the department store was untried, except in the
large cities and in Norwalk it was looked upon as a venturesome undertaking,
which would probably result in failure. Mr. Jackson's perceptions of the busi-
ness future, were much keener than the old-school merchants and instead of
failure, the business was a great success and for sixteen years has paid its stock-
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34 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
holders splendid dividends every year. In October, 1895, Mr. Jackson purchased
his partner's interest in the Glass Block real estate and became sole owner of thiy
valuable property. He also secured Mr. Hoyt's interest in the mercantile company
and immediately changed the corporate name to The C. F. Jackson Company,
which is so well known in the business world today.
Even after acquiring this valuable property, Mr. Jackson's ambition was not
satisfied, for in 1902, he secured the first Glass Block Annex by a lease of a
three-story brick block adjoining on the west, thereby increasing the floor space
and obtaining better facilities to handle the vast growing trade. The business
has been conducted on a cash basis with a fixed price and to these rules and the
straightforward principles which have governed his commercial affairs, the suc-
cess of Mr. Jackson is due. In 1904, in order to utilize surplus earnings, Mr. Jack-
son bought for the company a business block at Findlay, Ohio, for one hundred
and thirty thousand dollars and established at that point a second Glass Block
department store larger and more beautiful than the original store at Norwalk.
His eldest son, Edward E. Jackson, was made vice-president of the company and
general manager at Findlay. The success of the store at that place has been be-
yond the expectations of even its projector. In December, 1908, a second annex
was added at Norwalk, comprising three floors with a frontage of sixty feet on
Benedict avenue, giving the Norwalk store a total of ninety thousand square
feet of sales room or nearly two and a half acres — a monument to the business
foresight and executive ability of its founder. In addition to the general man-
agement of these great mercantile establishments, Mr. Jackson is interested in
numerous manufacturing and business enterprises to which he devotes a por-
tion of his time. He is president of the Norwalk Vault Company, vice-president
of the Auto Buggy Company, treasurer of the Miller Anchor Company, a direc-
tor of the Local Telephone Company, of the Interstate Ice Company and the
Tinker Concrete Company, while in numerous other concerns, he is a stockholder,
giving him diversified interests probably not exceeded by those of any other busi-
ness man in Norwalk. For two years he has been the president of the Norwalk
Chamber of Commerce, a strong organization of business men, looking after the
welfare and prosperity of Norwalk's business interests.
On the nth of November, 1874, Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Mary L.
Stevens, of Norwalk and unto them have been born four children: Edward
Everett, who was born January 2, 1876, and was married at Findlay, Ohio, Sep-
tember 1, 1905, to Miss Glenna Weil; Thayer Elden, born June 19. 1884; Ken-
neth Seymour, born July 9, 1886; and Hortense lone, born March 16, 1891.
Mr. Jackson is not only well known because of the extent and importance of
his business affairs, but also by reason of his co-operation in many interests and
measures which relate to the individual or public welfare. He belongs to the
Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, to the
Knights of Pythias lodge, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of the Maccabees and
the National Union. He is a member of the Ohio Sons of the American Revo-
lution and was for many years a member of the Shakespeare Club, Norwalk's
leading literary and social club. He is likewise a liberal supporter of the Pres-
byterian church and for many years has served on its board of trustees. He has
never become actively connected with politics or aspired to public office. He is
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 35
rather retiring in disposition, but most public-spirited and in a quiet and un-
ostentatious way, has devoted much time and money to the public good. He
finds his pleasure in his elegant home and his close, enduring friends and he de-
serves in the largest degree the respect and confidence as well as the success,
which have been accorded him.
MILO F. JOHNSON.
Milo F. Johnson, a progressive and prosperous farmer of Norwalk town-
ship, was born in Peru township, July 21, 1859. His birth occurred on the old
homestead farm taken up by his grandfather, Marcus Johnson, in the early part
of the eighteenth century, which property is yet owned by one of his daughters,
Mrs. Delia M. Linder. He is a son of Luther B. Johnson, who was born on the
1st of November, 1822, in Elba, Genesee county, New York. He came west to
Ohio with his parents, when eighteen months of age, settling on the old home-
stead farm in 1824. This continued to be his place of residence until 1888/ when
he retired from active life and came to Norwalk, where he passed away in April,
1905, at a ripe old age. The wife preceded him to the great beyond in May,
1895. He belonged to the Universalist church and was a stanch republican in
politics. A successful and substantial farmer, he devoted his entire efforts to that
line of activity, and, though quiet and unassuming in manner, was well known
and honored for his strict integrity and his loyalty to the general good, doing
all in his power to further the growth and upbuilding of the community in which
he lived. His family consisted of three children, namely: Milo F., of this re-
view; Delia M., who passed away in August, 1909; and Mrs. Alma E. Call, of
Williams county, Ohio.
Reared on the old homestead farm, Milo F. Johnson pursued his education
in the district schools of Peru township and spent the years of his boyhood and
youth under the parental roof. Upon attaining his majority, he decided to adopt
as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared and has since been
engaged in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of three years, when con-
nected with the Ohio Metal Company. He has a finely improved place, equipped
with good barns and outbuildings and all latest devices and equipments for fa-
cilitating the work of the farm. He is progressive and up-to-date in his methods
and has attained a creditable degree of prosperity in his agricultural pursuits.
On the 24th of October, 1888, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss
Sadie E. Nicholson, and they have become the parents of one daughter, Helen
B., born February 24, 1897. Mrs. Johnson is the daughter of William Nicholson,
of Mansfield, Ohio, and is one of a family of six children. The father was born
in England and came to Mansfield when twenty-three years of age. He had
been a grocer in his native land and continued to engage in that line in th'is
country. He passed away in 1887. His wife, who was also born in England, was
brought by her parents to America when six weeks old. Her father, Charles
Hutchinson, on his arrival in the United States, came direct to Huron county
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36 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
where he settled on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Perry township,
which is still in the family.
Mr. Johnson's church affiliations are with the Presbyterians, and he has
given stalwart support to the republican party since age conferred upon him the
right of franchise. He has served as township trustee for seven years and is
still the incumbent in that office. Mr. Johnson has not only been industrious, but
has evidenced in his transactions those qualities which make friends, and, being
upright in all of his dealings and interested in the moral as well as the financial
welfare of the community, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who
know him.
LEANDER L. DOUD.
Leander L. Doud, secretary of the A. B. Chase Company and thus con-
nected with the manufacturing interests of Norwalk, is well known by reason
of his activities in behalf of the best interests of the community, his influence
always being on the side of right, justice, progress and improvement.
He is a descendent of Henry Doud, who came from Surrey county, England,
in 1639, with a colony under the Rev. Henry Whitfield and settled in Guilford,
Connecticut. His ancestry also traces back to the Tallmans, prominently identi-
fied with the history of Connecticut, Governor Tallman being one of the early
governors of that state.
Mr. Doud was born in Huron county, Ohio, May 20, 1838, a son of Samuel
and Philura (Niles) Doud, who were natives of New York and Vermont re-
spectively. The paternal grandfather, Solomon Doud, was born in Connecticut
and in 1823, after living some time in the Empire state, came to Huron county,
settling in Greenwich township, where he made the first clearing and built him a
house at the center of the township. The journey westward was made by way
of the lakes to Sandusky, and thence with ox-teams through the woods to their
destination. Samuel Doud was at that time a lad of ten years and through the
period of his boyhood and youth he assisted as best he could in the arduous task
of developing the new country, frequently clearing land on his own account. He
boasted of the fact that he bought his farm of one hundred and six acres in the
southeast corner of Greenwich township with his ax. Here, having cleared off
a few acres of the timber and building a log cabin, he married Miss Philura
Niles, a young school teacher from Vermont. A few years later he built one of the
first colonial homes in that section of the county and here reared his family, Lean-
der L. Doud, the subject of this sketch, being the eldest of six children. In 1868
the father removed to New London, Huron county, adjoining the corporation on
the south. He was one of the influential and enterprising men of the commun-
ity where he lived, took a prominent place in the business circles, acting for
some time as director and vice-president of the New London National Bank,
while in other connections his labors constituted an important element in the
business activity of the district. He was a highly respected man, whose integrity
was one of the salient points in his career. He was a leading and valued mem-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 39
ber ot, and local preacher in the Methodist church. The last year of his life
was devoted to the building of the present brick Methodist Episcopal church in
New London, which he lived to see completed and paid for, taking up the last
note a few days before his death, which occurred December 20, 1880.
Leander L. Doud acquired his early education in the country schools of this
state, taught five seasons, and received his later education in the Norwalk Semin-
ary, Savannah Academy, Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, and the Ohio
Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. At the latter college it was his good
fortune to come under the direct influence of the late Bishop McCabe as a fel-
low student, and of Bishop Thompson, then president of the institution. In his
early twenties, Mr. Doud was engaged with his father in extensive stock-raising
and wool-growing business, selling their products in the eastern markets of
Boston and New York.
On September 10, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bloom
Eberly, a teacher in the public schools of Wood county, Ohio, and established his
home on a farm in Greenwich township. Of their four children, two — Philura
Semeramis and Ida Winifred — died in early childhood. A daughter, Louie
Naomi, and a son, Harry Lea, are living, the latter an attorney of Cincinnati,
Ohio.
In 1866 Mr. Doud removed to New London, Ohio, where together with Al-
bert White, he built the town hall block and engaged in merchandising for eight
years, acting also as postmaster for several years. It was here that he formed
the acquaintance of Captain A. B. Chase, who later became the founder and
president of the company that bears his name. In 1875 ne removed to Norwalk,
Ohio, and joined with A. B. Chase and others in organizing the A. B. Chase Com-
pany for the manufacture of musical instruments. Being a charter member,
Mr. Doud became its first secretary and treasurer and has continued as secretary
and general manager to the present time. He has seen the business grow and
prosper until it is one of the most important in Huron county, second to none of
its kind in the state, with the highest reputation for organs, pianos and player-
pianos that is world wide. His keen discrimination, his capable management and
his undaunted enterprise have been salient features in its success. He has been
watchful of all the details pointing to the growth and perfection of the business
and has ever maintained a high standard in the character of the output, in the
personnel of the house and in the nature of the service rendered to the public.
In 1880 Mr. Doud built the Doud block, now the Maccabee Temple, at Nor-
walk, Ohio, and in 1882 erected his brick residence on West Main street.
Mr. Doud is an active Methodist and an enthusiastic Sunday-school worker.
At the age of fifteen, soon after uniting with the church, he was elected secre-
tary of the local Sunday school, and has held official relations with the church and
Sunday school ever since. He was Sunday-school superintendent for over twenty-
five years, frequently in the early days, superintending his home school in the
morning and one in the country in the afternoon. He was for many years sec-
retary or president of the Huron County Sunday School Association, president
of the Huron county branch of the American Bible Society, and has for many
years conducted a large adult Bible class in the Norwalk Methodist Sunday
school.
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40 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mr. Doud has acted as trustee of Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, and of
the Lakeside Association. He is a steward and trustee of the Norwaik Methodist
Episcopal church, and was secretary of the building committee when their new
stone edifice was erected.
In 1904 he was a delegate to the' World's Fourth International Sunday school
convention, which met at Jerusalem, and while abroad visited many points of
ancient and modern historic interest. Being a keen observer, he profited by the
knowledge which he gained concerning the social and religious work of the old
world. Mr. Doud was a delegate also to the International Sunday School con-
vention at Toronto, Canada, in 1907. He has been an extensive traveler, his
business relations having taken him into nearly every state in the Union, and his
vacation trips including Canada, Cuba, Mexico and countries of Europe, Asia
and Africa. He is a well read man, a good writer on the subjects which he dis-
cusses and an original and strong thinker, and a man of high moral character.
Realizing that the purposes of life are manifold and that the interests of the in-
dividual should touch many lines, he has not confined his attention to business
affairs alone, but has been an interested and liberal supporter of education, of
temperance, of church work, and in fact all movements for the general good.
GEORGE A. NICOLLS.
George A. Nicolls, residing on his well improved and valuable farm of one
hundred and seventy acres in Bronson township, has been successfully identi-
fied with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career.
His birth occurred in Cayuga county, New York, on the 30th of October, 1829,
his parents being John and Sarah (Peck) Nicolls, the latter a native of Mas-
sachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our subject was William Nicolls, who
served all thrcugh the Revolutionary war of 1776, and the maternal grandfather,
Abijah Peck, served in the war of 1812 with the rank of major. John Nicolls,
the father of Gecrge A. Nicolls, likewise did duty as a soldier in the war of 1812,
serving throughout the entire conflict. In the year 1837, he brought his wife
and children to Huron county, Ohio, the family home being established in Bron-
son township. This part of the state was still largely wild and undeveloped and
he found it necessary to clear the land of the timber before it could be utilized
for farming purposes. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, namely :
Seymour, who died in infancy ; William ; Ray ; Levina ; Samantha ; John ; Abijah
and George A.
George A. Nicolls, who was but a little lad of eight years when he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to this county, early became familiar with the
duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance
which he rendered his father in the opening up and development of the latter's
farm. Throughout his entire business career, he has devoted his time and ener-
gies to the work of general farming, in which he has won a substantial meas-
ure of success, being most practical and progressive in his methods. He is the
owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and seventv acres in Bronson town-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 41
ship, where he resides and is well entitled to be classed with the substantial and
representative citizens of the community. He is one of the stockholders in the
Sandusky, Norwalk and Mansfield Railroad.
On the ioth of March, 1870, Mr. Nicolls was united in marriage to Miss Cla-
rissa Burnap, a daughter of Job and Olive Burnap. Sarah and Mary, the two
daughters born of this union, are now deceased.
Mr. Nicolls is a firm believer in the principles of the republican party and al-
ways casts his ballot in support of its men and measures. He has now been a
resident of this county for seventy-two years and is therefore thoroughly familiar
with its annuals from a pioneer period down to the present time, having not only
been an interested witness but also an active participant in the work of upbuilding
and improvement. He has now reached the eightieth milestone on the journey of
life and can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future with-
out fear, for his life has been characterized by honor and integrity in all relations.
LANNES LAMAR ANTRIM.
A history of Greenwich township would hardly be complete without mention
of Lannes Lamar Antrim, one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens
of the community. He was born in West Middleburg, Logan county, Ohio, Jan-
uary 10, 1841, a son of Joshua and Mary (Grubb) Antrim. His grandfather,
Thomas Antrim, who came from Culpeper county, Virginia, was a Quaker and
was the first minister of any denomination to arrive in Logan county, while his son,
Daniel Antrim, was the first white child born in that county.
Joshua Antrim, the father of our subject, was identified with the tailoring busi-
ness and was also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church for some time,
while later he became an adherent of the Swedenborgian faith. He was a man of
great literary ability and a historian of broad information. He was also greatly in-
terested at all times in the pioneer organizations of Logan and Champaign coun-
ties and at the solicitation of the Logan County Pioneer Society, in 1874, he pre-
pared and published a history of that county. His death occurred in November,
1874. He had wedded Miss Mary Grubb and unto them were born twelve chil-
dren, namely: Avar ilia, the wife of Eli Cowgill; Lannes Lamar, of this review;
Hester, the wife of William Stoop, of Ottumwa, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of
Moses Euans ; Matilda, deceased ; Joseph, also deceased ; Sarah, who wedded Wil-
liam Glasgow, of Muncie, Indiana ; Ida and Anna, who have passed away ; Thomas,
residing in Columbus ; Mary, deceased ; and one who died in infancy. Joseph An-
trim was a prominent minister of the Episcopal church and preached the funeral ser-
mon over the remains of General Gordon, the well known and eloquent lecturer.
He passed away several years ago in New Orleans.
Ifi a home of culture and refinement, Lannes Lamar Antrim passed the days
of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the public schools of West
Middleburg, and at the age of sixteen years took up the blacksmith's trade, in
which line of work he has continuously engaged to the present time. He remained
in his native town until 1896, when he came to Greenwich and has since made
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42 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
his home in this city. Here he has devoted his time and energies to the conduct of
his business affairs, in which he has met with most gratifying success.
On the 1 8th of January, 1862, Mr. Antrim was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Prall. a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Hutchins) Prall, natives of Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio about the year 1844. Her father was a
prominent horse dealer and bought horses for the government during the period of
the Mexican war, being considered an expert in this line of business. He passed
away many years ago in Logan county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Antrim was
blessed with six children, as follows: Catherine, the wife of Scott Norvall, of
Arizona; Jessie, engaged in teaching in the public schools of Cleveland; Homer,
deceased; Ltuise, also teaching in the Cleveland public schools; Carl, of Green-
wich; and Crystal, the wife of Fred Hines, the cashier of the Farmers Bank of
Greenwich.
The family were for years members of the Methodist Protestant church, while
Mr. Antrim acted as superintendent of the Sunday school most of the time for
twenty-five years and was always active in the work of the church and Sunday
school. Since ccming to Greenwich, however, the family have attended the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, there being no Methodist Protestant organization in this
city. Mr. Antrim now gives his allegiance to the republican party, although for
some years he was affiliated with the prohibition party, being deeply interested in
and active in the support of the cause of temperance. He is a splendid type of the
American citizen who at all times stands for that which is highest and best in the
world, supporting many measures of reform and improvement that uplift human-
ity and work for the common weal.
WASHINGTON IRVING ADAMS.
Washington Irving Adams is one of the active and progressive agriculturists
of Huron county, making his heme on his farm of one hundred acres in Fairfield
township. He is a native of that township, his birth having there occurred on the
7th of November, 1842. His parents were Sherwood and Delecta (Foote) Adamt>,
the former a son of David and Betsy (Lyon) Adams and the latter a daughter of
Ebenezer and Lydia (Ga^e) Foote. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Adams were
born two children, Linden and Washington Irving.
The last named has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout
his entire business career and has resided on his present farm of one hundred acres
for the past twenty-five years. As the result of his unremitting industry and cap-
able management he has gained a gratifying measure of prosperity in his under-
takings and has long been numbered among the substantial and enterprising citi-
zens of the community.
In 1864 Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Lovisa Carbine, a daugh-
ter of Horace and Clarissa Carbine, by whom he has one child, Lena, who was born
in 1870. She was educated in a college at Hillsdale, Michigan, and afterward
taught in a hi^h school of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, but is now in Logansport,.
Indiana.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 43
In his political views Mr. Adams is a stanch republican, while his religious faith
is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, with which his wife is also
identified. Having spent his entire life in this locality, he is well known and rhe
fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his
boyhcod is an indication that his career is worthy of respect and confidence.
anna j. Mcpherson.
Mrs. Anna J. McPherson, who is of Scotch-Irish descent, owns one hundred
and twenty-three acres of land in Greenfield township, where she has lived for
more than sixty years, being born in this township, January 17, 1824. Her parents,
John and Martha (Easter) Arthur, were of Irish birth but came to this county
in the d;«ys of the pioneers. They settled in Greenfield township, cleared their own
farm and became substantial citizens of the land of their adoption. A more ex-
tended mention of them and of their descendants is given in the sketch of Robert
Arthur, a farmer of Greenfield township.
Mrs. McPherson has spent all her life in this township. Her education was ac-
quired in the public schools of Steuben and the practical experience that fitted her
to be the wife of a farmer was obtained at home with her parents. In her young-
womanhood she was married August 12, 1841, to James McPherson, the son of
William and Mary McPherson, natives of Ireland but numbered among the early
settlers of Bronson township. James McPherscn was also of Irish birth and was
the first of his family to come to this country. He was a young man and came
alone, but, after finding that the chances of making his way in the world were so
much better here than in Ireland sent for his parents. He had learned the carpen-
ter's trade, which he followed on coming to Ohio, and it is said that he helped to
build some of the first houses in Norwalk. After obtaining employment in several
other places, he went to Steuben, where he assisted in building the Congregational
church. Shortly after that he abandoned his trade for the pursuit of farming, for
in 1846, he had purchased a good-sized tract of land, that on which his widow lives
today. It was at the time virgin soil, well covered with timber, and the work of
clearing the forest was no small undertaking. The greater part of this he did
himself as well as building his fine house. Many improvements have since been
made, and were, in fact, instituted before Mr. McPherson's life was closed on the
22i\ of June, 1858, at the age of forty- four years and four months to the day. A
hard-working man, his integrity of deed and purpose was recognized by his fel-
lows, who as whigs elected him to fill the office of treasurer of the township. His
religious affiliation was with the Congregational church.
Of the marriage that was solemnized in the Arthur home on the 12th of August,
1841, there were born three children: William Hamilton, living in Bronson town-
ship, was twice married, the first time to Miss Lucy A. Wheeler, who left three
children. Arthur, William H. and Scott, and the second time to Miss Margaret
Much, and they have two sons, Clyde and Glenn. George A., the second son, is a
resident of Greenfield township. He married Miss Emma Willoughby, by whom
he has had two children: Robert, deceased; and Jennie, who is the wife of Ered
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44 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Flyn and has a daughter Helen. They live in Ashland county, Ohio. John F., the
youngest son, lives at home and manages his mother's farm. He attended the pub-
lic school at Steuben, from which he went to the National Normal College at Le-
banon, Ohio, where he took a teacher's course. For a few years after completing
his education he devoted himself to instructing others in the rudiments of the Eng-
lish language and other school subjects and then engaged in farming. He has
been successful in agriculture and has won for himself a respected position among
the citizens of Greenfield township, whom he has served to their satisfaction as jus-
tice of the peace and as town clerk and in other capacities, having held the first
mentioned office through a period of twenty-three years, and the second for twenty-
one years. He is a democrat in pclitics and a member of the Presbyterian church,
in which he has held several offices. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights
of the Maccabees and has held almost all the offices of the tent.
During the more than half-century that Mrs. McPherson has lived upon her
farm she has witnessed and participated in the many changes that have trans-
formed the country from a sparsely inhabited tract of undeveloped field and forest,
into one of the best improved portions of the state. The progress is gratifying and
especially is the knowledge that her farm has kept up with the march of time and
is as improved and well cultivated a tract as is included in the township of
Greenfield.
MRS. ANNIE M. STENTZ.
Analyzation of character is perhaps the ipost difficult task that ever confronts
the historian, so complex are the interests that enter in and so diversified are the
forces which have influence upon the individual. It would seem almost impos-
sible to point out the salient factors in the life of Mrs. Annie M. Stentz, for hers
is a well rounded life in which notable business ability, broad humanitarianism,
kindly spirit and liberal culture are well balanced forces. She is probably with-
out excf p tion the most prominent and best known woman in Huron county and
has had the notable distinction of being the only woman national bank president in
the United States.
A native of Ashland county, Ohio, her birth occurred in Mifflin township,
March 31, 1846, her parents being Benjamin and Annie (Albert) Newcomer,
both of whom were natives of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has been a resident
of Monroeville, Huron county, since 1863, and on the 4th of October, 1872. she
gave her hand in marriage to Orren W. Head, a native of Paris, Oneida county,
New York, born in May, 1808. His parents were Jonathan and Hepzibah (Liver-
more) Head, natives of Rhode Island and New Hampshire, respectively. Orren
W. Head was reared to farm life and was educated in the subscription schools of
the neighborhood. In 1836 he wedded Julia Crane of Marshall, Oneida county,
New York, and unto them were born three sons and two daughters, but the lat-
ter are now deceased. In 1842 Mr. Head and his family became residents of
Ridgefield township, Huron county, where he purchased four hundred and
twenty acres of land, the greater part of which was formerly the Sours farm.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 49
As the years passed he kept his land well improved and cultivated, bringing the
fields under a high state of development so that rich crops were annually har-
vested. In 1857 he erected what is now known as the Davis block in Monroe-
ville, where he conducted a banking business for a number of years, the enter-
prise being first conducted as the Perkins & Head Exchange Bank. Following
the death of the senior partner it became known as the O. W. Head Exchange
Bank and was so maintained until 1863, when Mr. Head sold out to S. V. Hark-
ness. He always conducted a private banking business and through his careful
and wise management accumulated a goodly fortune, while the integrity of his
business methods won him the high regard of all. One of the founders of the
Monroeville National Bank, he served as its president from the time of its incep-
tion until his death, which occurred October 2, 1882. Mr. Head was honored
for his loyalty to his friends, for his public-spirited devotion to the general good
and his support of all projects for the intellectual and moral uplift of the com-
munity. He assisted more men in their hour of need to secure homes than any
other one citizen in the county, and the spirit of friendless thus manifested won
for him an almost limitless circle of friends.
It was upon the death of Mr. Head that his widow, now Mrs. Stentz, gave
evidence of her superior business qualifications. Assuming the management of
the estate she soon brought order out of chaos in a manner that at once stamped
her as one of the most capable of modern business women. She received a goodly
inheritance from her husband and, possessing a fondness for business manage-
ment, controlled her affairs with rare skill and discrimination. One of her fav-
orite investments was the stock of the First National Bank of Monroeville, and
in the course of time she and Henry P. Stentz became the largest stockholders.
Their marriage, which occurred April 15, 1901, brought about a transfusion of
interests which gave them control of the corporation.
Henry P. Stentz, up to the time of his death the president of the First Na-
tional Bank, was prominent in the array of leading financiers and capitalists of
Monroeville and Ohio. He was always a builder and not a wrecker of for-
tunes, his work being along constructive lines and of a character that con-
tributed to general success as well as to individual prosperity. There was no
name more honored or respected throughout Huron county than that of Henry
P. Stentz, who was richly endowed with all those qualities which constituted good
citizenship and honorable manhood. He was born in Middletown, Pennsylvania,
February 26, 1838, and was descended from German ancestry, from whom he
inherited his characteristic energy, good judgment and other business qualities
that made him the successful financier he proved himself to be. His parents were
Peter and Catherine (Keller) Stentz, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to
Huron county, Ohio, in 1840. After a brief period they established their home
in Plymouth, Richmond county, but much of the residue of their days was passed
at Galion, Crawford county, to which place they removed in 1853.
Henry P. Stentz acquired his education in the Union schools of Plymouth
and crossed the threshold of business life as an employe of A. Atwood, a mer-
chant and banker of that place. He gave unfaltering loyalty to his employer
and manifested unremitting diligence in the discharge of the duties that de-
volved upon him. His remuneration at the outset was only eight dollars per month,
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50 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
but he gradually worked his way upward, winning the confidence and good will
of his employer by his diligence, enterprise and trustworthiness. He remained
with Mr. Atwood until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he launched out
upon an independent business venture, speculating in several articles of merchan-
dise, including cotton, hemp, sugar and molasses. This caused him to travel largely
in the south and while he did not meet with very substantial success in the under-
taking, owing doubtless to the condition of the markets in those feverish times,
he yet gained broad experience that proved an excellent stock in trade for future
business development.
Following the close of the war Mr. Stentz retired from the field of specula-
tion and in 1866 accepted a cashiership in the Exchange Bank of Monroeville as
successor to S. V. Harkness. In 1879 tms bank was organized as the First
National Bank of Monroeville, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, Mr.
Stentz continuing as cashier until 1889, when he was promoted to the presi-
dency. He also organized the First National Bank of Galion, Ohio, one of the
first institutions of the kind established under the new regime and he was sub-
sequently one of the promoters and organizers of the National Bank of Plymouth.
He manifested the keenest discernment in the solution of intricate financial prob-
lems and in connection with his banking interests he developed a safe and conserva-
tive business policy which made his among the strongest financial enterprises of
this part of the state. Realizing that realty is one of the safest of all invest-
ments, he made judicious purchases of property, particularly fine farming land
in the vicinity of Monroeville, and ultimately became the owner of one thousand
and five acres.
Mr. Stentz never selfishly hoarded his wealth but was a generous contributor
to many institutions and movements which were based upon humanitarian prin-
ciples. Although he did not hold membership with any religious denomination,
he attended and generously supported the Presbyterian church at Monroeville.
His record furnishes a notable example of what may be accomplished by a con-
servative, enterprising business man. Assuming the responsibilities of a bank
cashiership when twenty-eight years of age, through his close application to
every duty and his thorough understanding of the business in principle and de-
tail he widely promoted its growth and extended its business connections. Fol-
lowing methods which neither sought nor required disguise, he furnished an
example of honorable endeavor that is indeed well worthy of emulation. Mr.
Stentz not only succeeded in elevating the Monroeville Exchange Bank to the
highest point of excellence attained by any institution of the kind in Huron county,
but in order that its interests might be extended he succeeded in having it reor-
ganized as a national bank and under his capable control it was made to rank with
the soundest and best managed banks of northern Ohio.
The Monroeville Weekly Spectator, during the wild financial panic that
occurred in the summer of 1893, said: "During a commercial crisis like that
through which we are now passing, when doubt and distrust are apparent on
every hand, there is sweet consolation in the thought that the solvency of our own
home bank is unquestioned. While hundreds of similar institutions throughout
the length and breadth of the land are forced into suspension or failure, because
of the existing lack of confidence, the First National Bank of Monroeville stands
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 53
and will stand a monument of integrity, judgment and fidelity to the efficient
management it has ever enjoyed and which today is identical with that under
which it began its career over twenty-seven years ago. The present crisis finds
it in better condition than ever before to cope with panical problems and it will
speedily and satisfactorily solve all that are presented provided they legitimately
come within the sphere of its action. Mr. Stentz has been the moving spirit,
the power behind the throne, the manager from the organization to the present
time, and to his efforts are chiefly attributable the long continued prosperity and
substantial growth that have characterized the bank's career and the enviable repu-
tation, standing and confidence which it now enjoys."
The death of Mr. Stentz occurred in Monroeville, June 9, 1903, after an illness
of six weeks. He had been called one of nature's noblemen and was a man
honored by young and old, rich and poor. One of the local papers said of him :
"Mr. Stentz never aspired to official honors, but when in 1901 Governor Nash
honored him with the appointment of trustee of the State Hospital at Toledo
he accepted. As an officer he was painstaking, prompt and accurate in duty,
accommodating to those for whom he transacted business, and urbane to all with
whom he had to deal. His business judgment was sought and relied upon. He
was always cautious in advancing an opinion, all the consequences of which he
could not forecast with reasonable certainty. There were traits of character in
H. P. Stentz that should be mentioned not only to his individual credit but to
the honor of mankind. He was always courteous and full of genial qualities
which attracted others to him, and which will make his loss sorely felt." With-
out making professions of exalted goodness, he was just to his enemies, chari-
table to his associates and full of sympathy and devotion to his friends. His
funeral was one of the largest ever held in Monroeville, many coming from dis-
tant points to pay the last tribute of honor and respect to one whom they had
long known and honored, while the entire town regretted his loss as a personal
bereavement, so closely was he associated with the life and interests of the com-
munity.
Following the death of her husband Mrs. Stentz took up the burden of the
business affairs. The control of the bank stock passed to her and she was im-
mediately made president of the institution. This was a rare distinction, as
she was the only lady president of a national bank in the United States. Her
advent was heralded by all financial and daily papers over the country. She
insisted on conducting the business in a thorough, businesslike manner and
soon found favor with patrons and stockholders of the bank alike. The first
National under her control became recognized as a safe, sound and prosperous
concern. Not contented with her interests in that direction, Mrs. Stentz soon
turned her attention to traction interests and now owns and controls the San-
dusky, Norwalk & Mansfield electric line between Norwalk and Shelby, Ohio.
This is one of her best investments and she is the vice president and a director of
the company. She also has many other important business interests which en-
gage her wise sagacity and untiring enterprise. She is the vice president of the
Hull-Stentz Realty Company, of Toledo, and numerous other concerns and
corporations. She is entirely fearless in all of her business operations, entering
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54 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
upon large deals with intrepidity and confidence. Her insight is most keen, her
judgment seldom if ever at fault.
Notwithstanding all this Mrs. Stentz is essentially feminine and domestic in
her taste, spending a great deal of her time in her beautiful country home on
the Monroeville road between Norwalk and Monroeville. Her charities are many
and she contributes to churches and benevolent organizations most generously,
yet she never gives with ostentation or display. She has undoubtedly given
as much for such causes as any other person in the county. One of her gifts,
for which she will never cease to be remembered, was that of a handsome monu-
ment erected in honor of the soldiers and sailors of Ridgefield. In 1901 Rev.
Charles S. Aves started a movement for raising a fund for the purpose, his
plans being to take up a collection each Memorial day until a sufficient amount
was secured, but in two years only eighty-seven dollars had been received. Mrs.
Annie M. Stentz afterward announced her determination to erect the monument
to perpetuate the memory of the brave boys in blue. The contract was awarded,
the work was executed and on the 29th of September, 1904, she unveiled the
monument and presented it as a gift to the city. It was made a gala day in the
history of Monroeville. On that occasion there was witnessed the largest pro-
cession ever known in the town and with appropriate music and addresses the
occasion was made one never to be forgotten by any who were present. Mrs.
Stentz is ever ready to extend a helping hand to the poor and needy and yet she
does not believe in that indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy or idleness.
Her charities are broad and practical, and her influence on the business life of the
community has been essentially along constructive lines. Recognized as the equal
in ability of the men who are most prominent in the commercial and financial
circles of Huron county, she is at the same time lacking in none of those social
graces which make her a most charming hostess and valued companion in so-
cial functions.
FRANCIS J. ELMLINGER.
Francis J. Elmlinger, now deceased, was for many years numbered among the
prominent and successful agriculturists of Sherman township, there owning a well
improved and valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres at the time of
his demise. He was born in Baden, Germany, his parents being Conrad and Mary
Elmlinger, by whom he was brought to the United States when a little lad of seven
years. They first took up their abode in Huron county, Ohio, but subsequently re-
moved to Paulding county, this state, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
On attaining man's estate Francis J. Elmlinger was united in marriage to
Miss Catherine Weidinger, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Weidinger, who
was a little maiden of eight years when she accompanied her parents on their emi-
gration to the new world. The children born of this union are as follows : Joseph
J., who resides on the home farm with his mother and sisters ; John F., who wed-
ded Miss Monica Brobst and makes his home in Sherman township ; Peter C, liv-
ing at Norwalk, Ohio, who married Miss Catherine Schell ; Mary C, who is at
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 55
home ; Rosa E., the wife of Aloys Miller, of Sherman township ; and Anna D., who
is likewise at home.
Francis J. Elmlinger devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pur-
suits throughout his active business career and was widely recognized as a most
substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen of Sherman township. His poli-
tical allegiance was unfalteringly given to the democratic party and he capably
served in the position of road supervisor for several years. He was a Catholic
in religious belief and acted as a councilman in St. Sebastian's church. Honorable
in business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every
trust confided to his care, his life was the highest type of Christian manhood.
Since the death of their father Joseph J. and John F. Elmlinger have oper-
ated the old homestead farm in partnership, conducting their interests under the
name of Elmlinger Brothers. The place comprises one hundred and seventy-two
acres of rich and arable land in Sherman township and in its cultivation the broth-
ers are meeting with well merited and gratifying success, being men of energy, en-
terprise and good business ability. Joseph J. Elmlinger is a stockholder in the
Sherman Oil & Gas Company, which is drilling for oil in Sherman township at
the present time. The officers of the company are as follows: J. R. Bischoff,
president ; Daniel Heyman, vice president ; J. P. Heyman, treasurer ; and Joseph
J. Elmlinger, secretary. Henry Scheid, L. P. Heyman and A. F. Heyman are the
directors of the concern. Joseph J. Elmlinger exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the democracy and has acted as road su-
pervisor, while at the present time he is serving as clerk of Sherman township.
He is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and fraternally is identified
with the Knights of Columbus at Monroeville.
John F. Elmlinger lives just across the road from the old homestead farm but
is making preparations to erect a new residence on the ground adjoining the home
of his mother, brother and sisters. The members of the family are well known
and highly esteemed throughout the community and are numbered among the rep-
resentative, respected and leading residents of Sherman township.
ELZIE G. PALMER.
A well improved farm of eighty-five acres, situated in Fairfield township, is the
home of Elzie G. Palmer, who has followed agriculture as a life work. His birth
occurred in New Haven township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 20th of June, 1867,
his parents being Milton and Isadore (Burlingham) Palmer, who were also na-
tives of this county, the father having been born in New Haven township in 1842,
while the mother's birth occurred in Norwich township. The Palmer family is of
English extraction. The paternal grandparents of Elzie G. Palmer were Meigs
and Betsy (Curtis) Palmer, while his maternal grandparents were Earl and Ro-
setta (Carpenter) Burlingham.
Elzie G. Palmer obtained his education in the district schools and was reared in
the usual manner of farm lads, assisting his father from the time of early spring
planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. As stated above, he
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56 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
has given his attention to the work of general farming throughout his entire busi-
ness career, and for the past four years he has resided on his farm of eighty-five
acres in Fairfield township. He annually harvests rich crops as a reward for the
care and labor which he bestows upon the fields, cultivating the land according to
the modern methods of farming.
On the 23d of July, 1890, Mr. Palmer was joined in wedlock to Miss Emma
Russell, a daughter of John and Mary (Lewis) Russell, of Ripley township, this
county. Their union has been blessed with seven children, namely: Florence;
Ross ; Elva ; Carl ; Esther and Isadore, twins ; and Clarence. Mr. Palmer gives his
political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, being con-
vinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. His entire life
has been passed in this county and his fellow townsmen know him as a straight-
forward, reliable and progressive citizen, who well merits the esteem that is uni-
formly accorded him.
FRANK J. GIES.
Not all who take up the work of the farm meet with success. There are cer-
tain indispensable elements, including industry, perseverance and good judgment,
to tell the individual when is the best time of planting and what are the best meth-
ods of caring for the crops. Mr. Gies seems to possess all the essential elements of
success in agricultural lines, for he is now one of the substantial and prosperous
farmer of Peru township. A glance at his place at once indicates to the passerby
that his methods are practical and progressive. His farm, comprising one hundred
and thirty acres, presents a most attractive appearance, for the land is under a high
state of cultivation and gives promise of golden harvests in the autumn.
He was born in Bronson township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 25th of Octo-
ber, 1872, his parents being Michael and Blondina (Remley) Gies. The paternal
grandfather, who was a native of Germany, made the voyage to this country about
1822 and became one of the early settlers of Bronson township, this county. The
log house which he here erected was the birthplace of his son Michael, who re-
mained a resident of Huron county throughout his entire life. The latter was an
agriculturist by occupation, in which line of activity he won success by reason of
his untiring industry and capable management. He was a valued and prominent
member of the Catholic church, to which he contributed liberally of his time and
means and in the faith of which he passed away in 1905. His wife, whose birth
occurred in Germany in 1840, accompanied her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
Remley, on their emigration to the United States in 1848, the family home being
established in Bronson township, this county. She still survives and is well known
and highly esteemed throughout the entire community. By her marriage she be-
came the mother of seven children, namely: August, who is now a resident of
Crawford county, Ohio ; Ferdinand, living in Bronson township ; Amelia, who is
the wife of Emil Schnurr and makes her home in Bronson township ; Lawrence, at
home ; Frank J., of this review ; William, likewise a resident of Bronson township ;
and Leo, who is at home.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 57
Frank J. Gies attended the district and German schools in the acquirement of
an education and continued a resident of Bronson township until 1891. He
worked for Mr. Remley for about three years, on the expiration of which period
he went to Norwalk and was there in the employ of John Gardner for about nine
years. Subsequently he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty
acres in Peru township from Ed Lawrence and has here since carried on his agri-
cultural interests with excellent results. He has remodeled the house and barn,
also erected a number of outbuildings and altogether has a well improved and
model farming property.
On the 15th of February, 1900, Mr. Gies was united in marriage to Miss Rose
Reichert, a native of Germany and a daughter of Conrad and Helen Reichert
When a maiden of sixteen years she crossed the Atlantic to the United States in
company with some friends but her parents never left the fatherland. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Gies have been born three children : Oscar, whose birth occurred Feb-
ruary 20, 1903; Walter, whose natal day was September 6, 1905; and Leander,
who was born on the 6th of April, 1909.
Mr. Gies is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church. In 1908, in com-
pany with his wife, he made a trip to Europe and visited Germany, Switzerland
and Italy, spending about nine weeks abroad. Having lived in Huron county
throughout his entire life, he is well known within its borders and the many ex-
cellent traits of his character have brought to him the warm friendship of those
with whom he has been associated.
REV. P. J. QUINN.
Rev. P. J. Quinn, who since the 4th of October, 1903, has been in charge of the
parish of St. Mary's church in Norwalk, was born in Niles, Ohio, on the 16th of
February, 1874. His father, Charles Quinn, was a native of County Tyrone, Ire-
land, and came to the United States in the late '60s, at which time he settled in Ohio,
remaining a resident here until his death on the 14th of December, 1907. His
widow, who bore the name of Bridget Gallagher, is also a native of Ireland and is
still living, being now a resident of Niles, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Quinn be-
came the parents of fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters.
In the schools of his native town P. J. Quinn acquired his early education
and afterward had the benefit of instruction at Notre Dame University for three
and a half years. He also spent a year and a half at St. Charles College in Mary-
land and pursued a theological course at St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland. He
was then ordained to the priesthood on the 9th of June, 1900, in Cleveland and
his first two years of pastoral work were spent as assistant at St. Agnes' church
in that city. Later, he was given charge of the Catholic church in Van Wert,
Ohio, where he remained for one year and three months as guardian over the
spiritual interests of St. Mary's church and on the 4th of October, 1903, he came
to Norwalk to take charge of St. Mary's church at this place. He has been lo-
cated here for about six years and is doing excellent work for the cause of Catho-
licism. The interests of the church are well organized and he has the hearty co-
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58 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
operation of its members. He is very zealous in the work and is, moreover, a
man of scholarly attainments, capable of holding the interest of his auditors when
he addresses them upon religious themes. Father Quinn has three sisters who
are members of religious bodies, Sadie and Ellen being connected with the Sis-
ters of the Humility of Mary in the diocese of Cleveland, while Catherine is as-
sociated with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM H. PIERCE.
William H. Pierce, a well known and successful merchant of Wakeman, was
born at that place en the 19th of August, 1840, a son of Lemuel B. and Eunice
(Burr) Pierce. In 1815, Lemuel B. Pierce accompanied his parents Mr. and
Mrs. Amile P. Pierce, on their removal from Connecticut to Huron county, Ohio.
They made the journey by wagon, bringing all their earthly possessions with them.
The log cabin which they erected was the third one built in Wakeman township
and as this part of the state was still covered with timber, they had to clear the
land before it could be utilized for farming purposes. As the years passed, Lem-
uel B. Pierce won success in his agricultural interests, owing to his untiring and
well directed labor, and eventually became an extensive landowner. He also built
and operated one of the first sawmills in Wakeman and was highly esteemed
throughout the. community as one of its worthy pioneer settlers whose efforts
proved an important factor in the work of early development. He was a man of
powerful physique and when in his prime could stand with his feet in a half bushel
measure and shoulder five bushels of wheat, weighing three hundred pounds.
Public-spirited and progressive, his aid and co-operation could always be counted
upon to further any movement or measure instituted to promote the general wel-
fare and at the polls, he gave his support to the candidates whom he believed
would best conserve the public weal, but never sought office as a reward for his
party fealty. His demise occurred in September, 1875, while his wife was called
to her final rest in 1866, their remains being interred in the Wakeman cemetery.
Their family numbered five children, namely : Amelia, who died when about seven
years of age ; Elbert B., who is now deceased ; William H., of this review ; Julia
J., the widow of Theodore V. Bunce ; and Frank L., who has also passed away.
William H. Pierce was reared under the parental roof and early in life aided
his father in the arduous labor incident to the development of a frontier farm.
He obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Wakeman and
afterward attended Oberlin University for several terms. During the winter
of 1860-61, he taught school in Wakeman township and in September, 1861,
enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company H, Forty-first
Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1862, he was promoted to the rank of
lieutenant and transferred to Company B of the same regiment, commanding the
company for two years. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumber-
land and saw much arduous service, participating in many hotly contested engage-
ments. In the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, Mr. Pierce was under fire
for one hundred days, but in spite of this and many other hazardous experiences,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 59
he escaped injury and imprisonment and had been in the service for more than
three years before suffering from even a day's illness. He was mustered out on
the 31st of January, 1865, about six months after the expiration of his three
years' term of enlistment, and returned home with a military record of which he
had every reason to be proud. Soon afterward, he became identified with the
mercantile interests of Wakeman as a member of the firm of Harris, Pierce &#
Baldwin, handling a general line of merchandise and farm implements. In 1880,
he sold his interest to his partners and purchased a farm in Richland county, being
there engaged in agricultural pursuits for about six years. Returning to Wake-
man on the expiration of that period, he once more became connected with mer-
cantile pursuits and had been continuously connected with that line of activity
to the present time, conducting his enterprise under the firm name of W. H. Pierce
& Sons. In addition to carrying a fine line of groceries, boots and shoes and school
supplies, they make a specialty of handling and shipping eggs and are generally
conceded to be the most extensive dealers in eggs in the entire county. Mr. Pierce
is a man of resourceful business ability, whose capably directed labors and keen
discernment constitute the basis of the splendid success which has attended his
effort. The neat and tasteful arrangement of his store, combined with the rea-
sonable prices and earnest desire to please his patrons have secured for him a
large and very gratifying trade.
On the 1 8th of April, 1864, while at home on a recruiting mission, Mr. Pierce
was united in marriage to Miss Docia A. Waugh, a daughter of Lansing and Docia
(Minor) Waugh, of Wakeman township. Unto them were born five children, the
record of whom is as follows: Clarence H., who is associated with his father in
business, was married on the 9th of February, 1886, to Miss Eva Brandt, a daugh-
ter of W. Shannon and Elizabeth (Cassell) Brandt, of Richland county. They
now have four daughters : Flora A., Bessie B., Mabel B. and Docia E. Arthur
M. Pierce, who is associated in business with his father and brother, celebrated
his marriage on the 25th of December, 1890, the lady of his choice being Miss
Flora Marshall, a daughter of William H. and Rebecca (Will) Marshall, of
Richland county. By this union there are three children: Lester, Florence and
William, Gilbert Pierce, son of William H. Pierce, passed away when but two
years of age. Ada M. was called to her final rest at the age of twenty-five years,
and Anna died in infancy. In 1909, Mr. Pierce was called upon to mourn the loss
of his wife, who passed away on the 14th of January of that year, her demise
being the occasion of deep and sincere regret to all who knew her.
Though his business interests make extensive demands upon his time and en-
ergies, Mr. Pierce still finds opportunity for active co-operation in matters per-
taining to the public welfare and is an influential factor in the local ranks of the
republican party. He is a member of the republican county committee and al-
most every year attends the county, district and state conventions as a delegate.
He polled Wakeman township for twelve consecutive years, his service in this
connection being remarkable for its accuracy. He was recognized as the most
expert poller of voters in Huron county, for in most instances it was found that
his polls were absolutely correct and in perfect accord with the results shown on
election day. For a number of years prior to 1880, which year witnessed his re-
moval to Richland county, he served as postmaster at Wakeman and after re-
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60 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
turning to this town, he was again appointed postmaster in 1890, capably dis-
charging the duties of the office for four years. He has also acted as constable
of Wakeman township and was likewise township trustee and township clerk for
a number of years. From the time that he returned from the army until within
the past few years, his fellow townsmen kept him almost continuously in public
office — a fact which speaks in unmistakable terms of his personal popularity and
the confidence and trust reposed in him. His sons, emulating the splendid rec-
ord of their father in private and public life, have become widely recognized as
substantial and progressive citizens and take a helpful interest in matters of
public concern. Clarence H. Pierce now serving as treasurer of Wakeman town-
ship. A valued representative of the Masonic fraternity here, William H. Pierce
belongs to Gibson Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M., in which he has filled most of
the offices. He is also a member of Wilson Todd Post, No. 559, G. A. R., in
which he has filled all of the offices and for the past twelve years, has been quar-
ter-master of the post. He has frequently been a delegate to the state encamp-
ments, often attends the national encampments and for the past forty years, has
been a regular attendant at the annual reunions of the Forty-first Regiment of
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He and his family are prominent members of the Con-
gregational church and are active workers in both church and Sunday school.
Mr. Pierce having frequently served as an officer on the different church boards.
Such in brief is the life history of one of Huron county's most widely known and
highly respected citizens. In whatever relation of life we find him — in the govern-
ment service, in political circles, in business or in social relations — he is always
the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high
regard which is uniformly given him.
WILLIAM A. KNAPP.
One of the influential business men of Greenwich township, Huron county,
is William A. Knapp, a farmer, stockman and banker. He was born in Maranac,
Connecticut, January 10, 1841, and is the son of William A. and Harriet (Mar-
shall) Knapp, both of whom were natives of Westchester county, New York.
They grew up and were married there. The second year after their union they
removed to Connecticut, where Mr. Knapp assumed the management of the farm
of Judge I. Roosevelt, the grandfather of ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, who
though a resident of New York had large farming interests in the adjoining
state. In 1846 Mr. Knapp decided to bring his family to Ohio, and made the
trip by the circuitious route of the Erie canal to Buffalo and by lake vessel
from Buffalo to Huron, Ohio, which they reached October 3, 1846. The family
located in Fitchville township, where Mr. Knapp purchased fifty acres of good
land from his father Sylvanus Knapp, who had secured the land in 1836 as a
part of the Firelands reservation, but had never become a resident of Ohio.
The entire fifty acres were heavily covered with timber, and the winter of 1846-
47 was spent in clearing two acres and in building a frame house for his family,
which was one of the first frame buildings erected in that township. In the spring
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 63
of 1847 tne two acres he had cleared Mr. Knapp planted in corn, employing a
method of doing this that was crude in the extreme. With his ax he would
first make a hole in the ground, drop in the grains of corn, and then with his
foot brush back the dirt to cover the hole. The work of clearing went on rapidly,
and as he saw opportunity Mr. Knapp bought large tracts of land until he owned
two hundred and forty acres. He pursued general farming and also engaged
in stock buying and shipping, finding a market for his stock in Buffalo. In
1881 he sold his farm and removed to Greenwich, where he became active in
the organization of the Greenwich Banking Company, the first bank in the
village. He was elected its first president and held the position until his death,
July 17, 1888. He was a man of means, who took a deep interest in public mat-
ters, although he never participated in politics with a view to self -advance-
ment. Originally he was a whig, but of later years espoused the republican cause
and was always to be seen at the polls at election time. He had for a number of
years been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and when he
died was mourned as a man of sterling traits of character. His wife, who pos-
sessed many virtues and was beloved by all who knew her, survived him a little
over a year, her death occurring on the 10th of September, 1889, and she was
buried by his side in the cemetery at Fitchville.
William A. Knapp, the subject of this sketch, was reared under the parental
roof and received his education in the district schools of the county, but because
of the need of his services on the farm did not continue the period of his train-
ing beyond his sixteenth year. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company C,
One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for four
months with the Army of the Potomac. At the end of his term of enlistment
he entered the government telegraph service under Dennis Doren, superinten-
dent of construction with the Army of the Potomac. During the two years he
was engaged in this work he was rapidly promoted and was given the position
of foreman for meritorious service. In the fall of 1867, when the telegraph lines
south of the Mason and Dixon's line were returned to the control of the original
owners, Mr. Knapp left the employ of the government, entering that of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. He remained with this corporation for one
year, in that time assisting in the building of the cable connection between
Pirate's Cove, on the northern line of Nova Scotia, to the northern line of New
Brunswick. Returning home at the expiration of a year, he engaged with his
father in farming and stock shipping, a partnership that continued until the
older man removed to Greenwich village, after which Mr. Knapp continued
the business alone. In 1895 he removed to Greenwich, where in addition to his
farming and stock business he has identified himself with the village life and
work. He was made president of the Farmers' Banking Company and is a
stockholder in the First National Bank of New London and in the Capital Trust
Company of Columbus. In 1900 he served as land appraiser for Fitchville town-
ship and has in other ways evinced his interest in public matters. In politics he
is a republican and is frequently a representative of his party in county, district
and state conventions.
On the 27th of March, 1879, Mr- Knapp was married to Miss Philena Kirk-
patrick, a daughter of William and Charlotte (Coden), the former a farmer of
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64 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Fitchville township. To Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have been born two sons, Jay D.,
who was formerly assistant cashier of the Greenwich Banking Company, but on
account of ill health has removed to California ; and Harley B., who is assistant
cashier of the Farmers Banking Company, of which his father is president. Mrs.
Knapp died July 31, 1892, mourned by those who knew her and had been the re-
cipients of her many acts of thought fulness and kindness.
Mr. Knapp and his family affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and
support all Christian and charitable work. He belongs to Floral Lodge, No.
260, F. & A. M., in which he takes an active part. A man of means, his land-
holdings amount to three hundred and ten acres besides his fine home in Green-
wich. He is distinguished for his public spirit and is a strong advocate of good
government and improvements, being of the opinion that by such things may the
progress of a community be gauged.
BYRON EMORY JENNINGS.
Byron Emory Jennings, who is now living practically retired in North Fair-
field, where he owns a tract of ten acres of land, was formerly actively and suc-
cessfully identified with the agricultural interests of this county. His birth oc-
curred in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 26th of October, 1853,
his parents being Ezra S. and Harriet (Godden) Jennings, who were natives of
Connecticut and New York respectively. The father was born on the 6th of
August, 1828, while the mother's birth occurred October 13, 1829.
Byron Emory Jennings has always devoted his time and energies to agricul-
tural pursuits, in which he has met with excellent success, annually harvesting
good crops as the result of his practical and progressive methods in the cultiva-
tion of the soil. He has now disposed of his farm, however, and is living practi-
cally retired on a tract of ten acres in North Fairfield.
On the 24th of January, 1877, Mr. Jennings was united in marriage to Miss
Jennie Cowpe, whose birth occurred in England on the 15th of June, 1858, her
parents being John and Ellen (Frith) Cowpe, also natives of that country. The
latter, who was born March 24, 1827, gave her hand in marriage to John Cowpe
on the 23d of March, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Cowpe made the ocean voyage to the
United States when their daughter Jennie was but nine months old and in 1859,
took up their abode at Olena, Huron county, Ohio. The father was a brickmaker
by trade and followed that pursuit until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he
enlisted in defense of the Union as a member of Company E, Fifty-fifth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. He was killed at the battle of Peach Tree Creek on the 20th
of July, 1864, thus laying down his life on the altar of his adopted country. Unto
him and his wife were born the following children: John Sherman, Jennie and
Mary Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings had four children, namely: Otto, born Octo-
ber 3, 1878, who wedded Miss Grace Kinger on the 30th of June, 1906, and resides
in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Clair Elbert, whose birth occurred March 13, 1886,
and who is now pursuing a course in mechanical engineering at the Ohio State
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 65
University; Lee, born May 19, 1891, who is at home; and Harold, born October
5, 1897, who passed away on the 3d of January, 1898.
Mr. Jennings is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, in the work
of which he takes an active and helpful interest. He is well known and highly
esteemed throughout the county in which he has made his home from his birth
to the present time, his upright and honorable life commanding the respect and
admiration of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in
contact.
ELIAS BEACH MITCHELL.
Elias Beach Mitchell, a retired agriculturist residing in North Farifield, was
born in Greenfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 30th of December, 1839.
The paternal grandfather, James Mitchell, who was of Scotch Irish descent, was
born in New Jersey, about 1745. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lorena
Sutton, was of Holland Dutch lineage. Their children were seven in number,
namely: William N., Betsy, Sarah, Polly, Hezekiah, Moses and James. William
N. Mitchell, the father of our subject, whose birth occurred in Montgomery
county, New York, on the 1st of January, 1799, came to Greenwich township,
Huron county, Ohio, in 182 1, making the journey with his father. As a compan-
and helpmate on the journey of life, he chose Miss Charisy Beach, who was born
in Montgomery county, New York, in October, 1812, a daughter of Elias and
Amanda (Herrick) Beach. Her parents were natives of Massachussetts and
Connecticut respectively, and the father served as a soldier in the War of 181 2.
Mrs. Mitchell was the eldest in a family of eleven children, her brothers and sisters
being as follows: Miles, T., Milton, Erastus, Marshall, Thomas, Jane, Sarah,
Emily, Flora and Henrietta. About 1824, the Beach family established their
home in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and about 1830, they came to Huron county, this
state. Unto William N. and Charisy (Beach) Mitchell, were born two children:
Philander ; and Elias Beach, of this review.
The last named obtained his education in the common schools of his home
neighborhood and after putting aside his text-books, became identified with gen-
eral agricultural pursuits, in which he was successfully engaged throughout his
active business career. At the present time, however, he is living retired in the
enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, having left the farm and removed to
North Fairfield in the spring of 1909. He still retains possession of his farm,
which is a rich and productive tract of land of sixty-four acres in Fairfield town-
ship. He is now a member of the board of directors of the Huron County Farm-
ers' Mutual Insurance Company, of which he formerly served as vice-president.
On the 4th of November, 1862, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss
Cornelia Place, whose birth occurred in New York city on the 26th of Nevember,
1843, her parents being Thomas and Dora (Barker) Place, whom she accom-
panied on their removal to Huron county, Ohio, in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Place had
a family of five children, namely: George, Lorenzo, Walter, Sarah and Cornelia.
Unto Elias B. and Cornelia (Place) Mitchell, were born the following children:
Fremon P., whose birth occurred November 5, 1866, and who wedded Miss Kate
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66 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Ryerson, of Greenfield township, Huron county ; Donald W. ; Philip ; and Cornelia.
Subsequent to the death of his first wife Mr. Mitchell was again married, in 1886,
his second union being with Mrs. Martha J. Sherman, a widow, who was born
in February, 1843. Her parents were Jonathan and Eliza (Munsel) Collin-
vood.
Mr. Mitchell is a prominent and valued member of the Baptist church, in
which he has served as trustee for about nineteen years. He has always made
his home in this county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those
who have known him from his boyhood to the present time, is an indication that
his life has at all times been honorable and upright — worthy of the high esteem
in which he is uniformly held.
DOOR TWADDLE.
Door Twaddle, a well-to-do farmer of Clarksfield township, Huron county,
Ohio, was born in this township, March 28, 1852, the son of John J. and Julia
A. (Palmer) Twaddle. The father was a son of Alexander Twaddle, and was
born in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania, where the family lived from 1823
to 1836, and engaged in farming. John J. Twaddle, and his brother Alexander
came to Clarksfield township in 1835, where the former was married to Miss
Julia A. Palmer, who had come to Ohio with her parents from Westchester county,
New York. After their marriage the young couple lived near Norwalk, Ohio,
where John J. Twaddle worked for Isaac Underbill, a pioneer resident of that
section. During the twelve years in his employ, Mr. Twaddle saved up sufficient
money to purchase a farm in Clarksfield township, which was his home
until his death, which occurred December 28, 1885. His widow survived him
until November 8, 1889, when she was buried by his side in Clarksfield cemetery.
Of the children that were born to Mr. and Mrs. Twaddle, Frank died in infancy;
Ella married J. T. King, and is now a widow living in Wakeman village ; Door is
the subject of this sketch ; Charlotte married Eugene Fox and lives on the old
homestead in Clarksfield township ; Leroy and Lilly A., were twins. The former
of the two died December 14, 1897, but the other married J. L. Judd and lives in
Marshall county, Kansas.
Door Twaddle was educated in the schools of Clarksfield and spent his youth
on his father's farm, assisting in every way he could with the work that went on
there. At the age of sixteen, he went to Michigan to purchase some land and
while there worked at various pursuits. At the age of nineteen, he returned home
and began learning the cheese manufacturing business, entering the factory of
Parker, Morgan & Hovey. He worked for them for four years and then was
appointed night superintendent of the factory, subsequently, being put in full
charge of the establishment. Some years later, he became a partner in another
cheese factory, located in Clarksfield, which business he conducted for seven years.
He next entered the firm of J. C. Ransom & Company, where he gained a repu-
tation as a successful cheese separator. In 1882, Mr. Twaddle gave up his in-
terests in the cheese factory and took up farming, to which he has devoted all
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 67
his attention since. He has a tract of two hundred and six acres, all fine land and
under a fine state of cultivation.
Mr. Twaddle married Miss Celia Rowland, the daughter of Daniel and Har-
riet (Chaffee) Rowland, a pioneer family of this county. They came here from
New York state in 1818 and became very prominent in the development of the
resources of the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Twaddle have been born three child-
ren. Wanda, the only daughter, married Elmer P. Finch, of Wilmington. Will-
iam E. was married on the 17th of June, 1903, to Miss Edna Spurrier, the daugh-
ter of Royal and Rheta (Stiles) Spurrier. Jay C, the youngest, was married May
9, 1903, to Miss Bertha Pearsall, the daughter of James and Julia (Scott) Pear-
sail. Both sons are excellent young men, well educated and thoroughly equipped
for the affairs of life. They assist their father in the management of his large
acreage and are up-to-date in the best manner of cultivating the soil.
Mr. Twaddle is a democrat and is deeply interested in public affairs, though
not active in his party. He has, however, on many occasions served the people
well as township trustee, as road supervisor and as a member of the school board.
He is a member of the Gibson lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M., of Wakeman and
also of the chapter. The New London lodge of the Independant Order of Odd
Fellows as well numbers him upon it roll call. In the meetings of his lodges and
in the general affairs of life, he has proved to be a man of sound principles and
strong personality. He is progressive and well informed and is accounted one
of the prosperous farmers of Oarksfield township.
F. P. STONE.
F. P. Stone, a well known and enterprising agriculturist residing on his farm
of thirty acres in Fitchville township, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, on the
9th of October, 1849, his parents being Ezra and Isabelle (Baldwin) Stone, the
former a native or Vermont and the latter of Jefferson county, New York. In
his boyhood days, Ezra Stone was brought to Lorain county, this state, by his
father, Jcsiah Stone, who there purchased a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres.
Ezra Stone successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his
active business career and subsequent to the death of his father, he came into pos-
session of the latter's farm, thereon spending his remaining days. Eighty-five
acres of the original farm of one hundred and fifteen acres is still in possession
of the family, now belonging to Mrs. Olivia Mull and Joseph P. Stone, a sister
and brother of our subject. The father gave his political allegiance to the men
and measures of the democracy. In the year 1846, he wedded Miss Isabell Bald-
win and their union was blessed with six children, two of whom died in infancy.
F. P.. of this review ; Orlando G., whose birth occurred in 1853 ; Mrs. Olivia Mull ;
and Joseph P. With the exception of the first named, all are residents of Lorain
county. The father, who was born June 7, 1824, died February 15, 1880, and the
mother, whose birth occurred April 11, 1825, passed away May 19, 1902.
F. P. Stone remained under the parental roof until after he had attained his
majority, working out by the month as a farm hand. When twenty-three years
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68 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of age, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia L. Clark, a daughter of Jewett
and Adeline Clark, of Lorain county. For fourteen years after his marriage, he
followed his trade as a carpenter and joiner and then turned his attention to the
work of farming, which has since claimed his time and energies. In 1898, he
bought his present place of thirty acres in Fitchville township, Huron county, and
annually gathers good harvests as a reward of the intelligence which he displays
in the planting and cultivation of his crops.
Mr. and Mrs. Stone have three children : Roy E., who was born in 1874 and
completed a course in the Oberlin high school and Moody Institute of Chicago,
Illinois; Ona M., who is married to Frank Russell of Clarksfield, this county
and Leon B., who is a teacher in the schools of Fitchville. Both were educated in
the Fitchville high school.
In his political views Mr. Stone is a stanch republican, being a firm believer
in the principles of that party. Both he and his wife are esteemed in their home
community as people of genuine personal worth, the hospitality of the best homes
being freely accorded them.
HARLOW CASE STAHL.
Among the names of those who stand as the most prominent representatives
of industrial Ohio, is that of Harlow Case Stahl. Not by leaps or bounds but
by steady progress that ultimately reaches the objective point has he gained
his present position, yet his rise has been rapid, owing to his ready recognition
and intelligent appreciation of opportunities. He early learned to place the cor-
rect value upon life's contacts and experiences and this, combined with his study
of trade conditions, has placed him in a position to quickly utilize every oppor-
tunity and make each moment count to the best advantage. He is today widely
known as the president and treasurer of the Ohio Cultivator Company and since
its inception, has been the leading spirit in the enterprise.
Mr. Stahl was born in a log house on a farm south of Fremont, Ohio, Feb-
ruary 12, 1849, and as the name indicates is of German descent. His grand-
father, John Stahl, was born in 1773, and came to the United States at an early
day. His son, Jacob B. Stahl, the father of our subject, was also born in Ger-
many and came to Ohio in 1832 at the age of eighteen years. He devoted his life
to farming and spent his latter years near Fremont, Ohio. On the 21st of De-
cember, 1 84 1, in Fremont, Ohio, he was married to Rachel E. Camp, who died
September 5, 1877, while his death occurred January 27, 1883. He was born
February 10, 1814, and he was, therefore, in the sixty-ninth year of his age at the
time of his demise.
After acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of Fremont,
Harlow C. Stahl pursued a special business course at Oberlin, Ohio. His youth-
ful days were largely devoted to the work of the home farm, whereon he remained
until he attained the age of thirty, at which time he became identified with manu-
facturing interests in Fremont. The Ohio Cultivator Company, which stands
today as Bellevue's largest industry, was established on a very small s *le at
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 71
Fremont in 1878. Mr. Stahl's mechanical ingenuity and his recognition of needs
in the agricultural world that might be met through invention and manufacture,
led him to take up the work of building cultivators, and his first year's output
amounted to eighty-one machines, which were practically manufactured and
marketed by him with the assistance of a local blacksmith. Up to that time, no
successful riding cultivator had ever been placed upon the market and the first
year's output was disposed of to farmers in the immediate vicinity of Fremont.
The machines met with such unbounded success that their popularity was soon
heralded in the neighboring counties so that it was possible for Mr. Stahl to
find ready sale for two hundred cultivators in the second year. They were manu-
factured throughout the winter months in the blacksmith shop and when the
spring trade cpened were trailed behind a wagon and retailed to the farmers
personally by Mr. Stahl. His keen prescience enabled him to recognize the pos-
sibilities of this piece of farm machinery and the necessity for increased capital
prompted him to form a partnership under the name of Stahl & Peck. Origin-
ally, they conducted a feed store in connection with their manufacturing busi-
ness, but the rapid increase of the trade led to the concentration of their energies
upon manufacturing lines and this step toward expansion was rapidly followed
by the organization of a stock company known as the Fremont Cultivator Com-
pany. From the beginning the growth of the business has been rapid and sub-
stantial, so much so that in 1886, enlarged quarters had to be secured. At that
time negotiations were opened with the citizens at Bellevue for a location which
terminated in the Fremont Cultivator Company's leaving its cramped quarters and
removing to Bellevue. Soon afterward the business was reorganized under the
name of the Ohio Cultivator Company, and although the new location gave them
at the time much needed manufacturing facilities, this condition lasted for only a
short time, as the increasing popularity of the famous Ohio cultivator was ex-
tending into the corn belts of the west. The growing trade demanded additions
to the factory and the main building was converted into a three-story structure,
ifter which a foundry was built, for up to that time both grey iron and malleable
ivas purchased under contract from foundries in Cleveland.
While increasing the factory facilities, it was also found advisable to increase
the line of machines and as a result the disc harrow business of the Dayton Farm
Implement Company was purchased and removed to this place and made a part
of the famous Ohio line. From that time, the growth of the business was very
rapid and nearly every year has been marked by new additions being built to the
factory and modern machinery being installed throughout all departments of the
plant. The next important addition to the line of implements as well as to the
plant of the cultivator company was the purchase of the buildings and equipment
of the Bellevue Plow Company, whose property adjoined that of the cultivator
company, lying on the opposite side of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railroad tracks. This gave to the cultivator company, one of the largest and
strongest lines of small tools manufactures in the country and, with the increased
and available capital at their command, this plant immediately entered upon a
new and even more successful era. A few years later followed the purchase of
the patents, good will, etc., of the Ohio Hay Press Company, whose product
was at the time limited to but one style of press — a steam or belt power hay
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72 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
press. To this has been added a full and complete line of one and two horse
presses that have rapidly sprung into favor with the progressive hay balers
throughout the United States. This branch of the business within a few years
has developed to mammoth proportions until a large two-story building, one hun-
dred and thirty by eighty feet, is now utilized for its conduct. Later came the
purchase of the Bissell chilled plows, manufactured by the Bissell Plow Com-
pany of South Bend, Indiana. With the removal of this business to Bellevue
the old foundry capacity soon reached its limit and a new foundry was placed
in course of construction, ranking today as one of the largest and most modern
foundries in Ohio. An entirely new power plant was put in operation in the
summer of 1909, being driven by electricity and furnishing the power for every
department cf the works. With the purchase of the Bissell plow came a largely
increased foreign trade for the output had been successfully introduced into
European markets. No other agricultural implement factory in this country has
enjoyed so rapid and substantial a growth as the Ohio Cultivator Company and
throughout the entire period at its head, controlling and directing its interests, has
stood H. C. Stahl. Branch houses have been established throughout the country,
the company maintaining transfer stocks at Philadelphia ; Rochester, New York ;
Richmond, Virginia ; Columbus, Ohio ; Lexington, Kentucky ; Indianapolis, In-
diana; Peoria, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cedar
Rapids, Iowa ; Des Moines, Iowa ; Wichita, Kansas ; and Kansas City, Missouri.
The company owns its own building in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where the business
has outgrown the facilities of the average transfer or distributing house of agri-
cultural implements and the business is conducted under a branch house man-
agement. At Kansas City, another large implement center, the company main-
tains a branch house manager together with an efficient corps of traveling men,
as is done at Council Bluffs. At Dallas, Texas, the business reached such propor-
tions that it was deemed advisable to purchase a warehouse, which was secured
several years ago. Throughout these years of expansion and advancement, H.
C. Stahl has always been at the head, managing and directing the affairs of the
company to its present successful proportions. The capital stock has from time
to time been increased until it is recorded today at one million dollars. More-
over, the enterprise has been one of. immense value to Bellevue where, through-
out the busy season in normal years, the factory has as high as three hundred men
upon its pay roll, approximately one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars
being paid to the employes. As his associate officers, Mr. Stahl, who is presi-
dent and treasurer, has A. C. Stahl as vice-president; E. A. King, secretary; C.
V. Brown, assistant secretary ; J. E. Marvin, auditor ; A. C. Dann, superintend-
ent ; and Dan Seltzer, assistant superintendent.
Mr. Stahl's hand is also the guiding factor in other enterprises, although the
interests of the Ohio Cultivator Company claim the greater portion of his time,
attention and energies. He is the president of the Bellevue Savings Bank, is
president of the Harrah State Bank, of Harrah, Oklahoma, and is interested in
various other organizations. He is likewise the owner of several farms in the
immediate vicinity of Bellevue and has considerable land in other sections of the
country.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 73
On the 2 1 st of October, 1874, in Southbury, New Haven county, Connecti-
cut, Mr. Stahl was married to Miss Annie C. Mitchell of that place, a daughter
of Nelson Warren and Edna Eliza (Piatt) Mitchell, who were also natives of
Connecticut. Her father married and took his bride to his father's home, there
living for fifty years. The old home is still in possession of the Mitchell family.
The great-grandfather of Mrs. Stahl was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have been born four children : Edna Rachel, now the
wife of Joseph E. Marvin, of Bellevue, Ohio; Alice Emeline, the wife of Dan-
iel Seltzer of Bellevue ; Marion Belle, the wife of Henry N. Schofield of Dallas,
Texas ; and Harlow Mitchell, who was born June 22, 1893, and is now attending
the Culver Military College at Culver, Indiana.
Mr. Stahl is a member of the Masonic fraternity, while his political allegiance
is given to the republican party. A public spirit and marked philanthropy are
strong characteristics of his nature and are manifest in his active aid and co-
operation with every movement tending toward the development and improvement
of Bellevue. His life work is notable by reason of the fact that without any es-
pecially favoring advantages at the outset of his career, he has worked his way
steadily upward, meriting the prosperity that he has enjoyed and which has led
him into the most important industrial relations. He is honored and respected for
what he has accomplished and none the less so for the means which he has em-
ployed for the attainment of his success.
GEORGE H. GATES.
George H. Gates, who is serving efficiently as court bailiff of Huron county,
is a native son of the Buckeye state, born in Newark, Ohio, May 26, 1858, his
parents being Jacob and Rose (Chamberlin) Gates. The father was an engineer
on the Pan Handle Railroad and was killed at Coshocton the morning prior to
Thanksgiving day of 1872.
George H. Gates, the subject of this review, pursued his early education in
the common schools and attended the Newark high school one year. Upon the
death of his father, it was necessary that he provide for his own support, and ac-
cordingly he secured employment with S. A. Parr, a grocer of Newark, driving
a delivery wagon and clerking in the store. At the age of nineteen years, he en-
tered the employ of Cherry & Woolson, proprietors of the eating house of the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Chicago Junction and Garrett, Indiana,
remaining in their employ fifteen years.
Entering public life, Mr. Gates then served as deputy under Sheriff N. O.
Allen, four years, while for a similar period, he acted in the same capacity under
Sheriff Seneca Rouk. He was then, in 1900, elected sheriff of Huron county on the
republican ticket and was re-elected to that office in 1902, which indicated that his
services were entirely satisfactory to the public at large. After the expiration of
his second term, he was appointed court bailiff and is the present incumbent in
that office. He is well qualified to fill the office to the satisfaction of his people
and with credit to himself, as he has demonstrated in the past.
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74 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mr. Gates wedded Miss Lizzie A. Wilcox, of Centerton, Ohio, and their union
has been blessed with a son and a daughter, Louis W., and Helen M. The family
are prominent in the social circles of Nor walk, and all who know them entertain for
them high regard, while as a public official, Mr. Gates has won the confidence of
all with whom his business relations bring him in contact.
CALVERT A. MEAD.
A well developed and highly improved farm of ninety-three acres, situated
within two miles and a half of the courthouse in Norwalk, is not only the present
home of Calvert A. Mead, but was the place of his birth and here his entire life
has been spent. He was born in a log house on this farm, June 9, 1834, and is
the youngest in a family of ten children born of the marriage of Edmund W.
Mead and Rachel Knapp. The former was born April 4, 1788, while the birth of
the latter occurred February 14, 1790. They were married October 2, 1813, and
it was in 1828, that Edmund W. Mead, with his family, then consisting of wife
and six children, left their home in Putnam county, New York, and located in
Huron county. Four years later, in 1832, the father took up his abode upon the
farm which is now the home of his son Calvert A. He followed farming through-
out his entire life, was industrious and prudent in his manner of living, and thus
acquired a good farm. He eventually retired to private life, spending his last
days in Norwalk, where his death occurred April 5, 1876, when he had reached
the extreme old age of eighty-eight years. He was a republican in politics and
was highly respected in the community in which he so long made his home. The
family of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund W. Mead numbered nine children, as follows:
Jane E., who was born April 28, 1814; Elizabeth A., born February 26, 1816;
Susan, bom May 11, 1818; Silas K., November 19, 1820; Almira, born February
13, 1823; Alfred G., July 12, 1825; Rachel, born April 5, 1829; Charles E., Jan-
uary 14, 1832; and Calvert A., born June 9, 1834. The last three named were
born after the removal of the family to Huron county.
Calvert A. Mead, as above stated, was born on the farm which is still his home.
As as boy, he was reared *to agricultural pursuits and has made farming his life
work. He has improved his place with good substantial buildings, having a com-
fortable residence and ample outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. The
place, comprising ninety-three acres, is conveniently located within two and a
half miles of the courthouse in Norwalk. Near the house is a natural spring of
water, supplying a small lake, which has been dug by Mr. Mead. He has stocked
this with fish and it also affords a place for rowing, which adds greatly to the
pleasure of the family and their friends, during the heated season. He formerly
gave much of his attention to dairying, supplying a large number of patrons with
milk, but he has abandoned this branch of his business and now gives his entire
time to the cultivation of crops.
Mr. Mead chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss
Ellen Mesnard, who was born April 30, 1836, their marriage being celebrated in
1857. Her father, Eri Mesnard, was of French descent and served as standard
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 75
county surveyor of Huron county for fourteen years. He surveyed the first rail-
road in the state of New York and in early life, engaged in teaching school in
Ithaca, that state. His death occurred in 1879, an<i his wife survived for two
years, passing away in 1881.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mead has been blessed with six sons and one
daughter, namely: Charles W., Byron L., Albert S., Gertrude Louella, Clayton
B., Henry B. and Frank L., but the last named died in 1893. The surviving mem-
bers-of the family are all married. Mr. and Mrs. Mead celebrated their fiftieth
wedding anniversary in 1907, the date being the 24th of March. One peculiar
feature on that occasion was the fact that out of a party of twenty-three, who
sat together at the table, there was one guest present at the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Mead.
Mr. Mead has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party. A man
of high ideals and manly principles, he is greatly respected in the community in
which he has always resided, and through the companionship of his estimable
wife and the pleasant surroundings of his rural home, he is enabled to live a con-
tended and happy life.
HENRY T. GRAHAM.
Enterprise, industry, thrift and economy are the characteristic elements in the
life of Henry T. Graham, who is numbered among the substantial agriculturists
of Fairfield township, where he owns and operates a well improved farm of one
hundred and two acres. His birth occurred in Greenfield township, Huron county,
on the 22d of July, 1862, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Myers) Gra-
ham, the former born in Durham county, England, on the 31st of May, 1836, while
the latter's birth occurred in England in August, 1836. They were married ere
their ^migration to the United States in 1859 and on landing in this country at
once made their way to Huron county, Ohio, settling in Greenfield township.
There the father continued to make his home until called to his final rest. The
mother still survives, however, and now resides in Norwalk, Ohio. Unto this
worthy couple were born four children, namely: Henry T., Anna, Elizabeth and
George.
General agricultural pursuits have claimed the attention of Henry T. Graham
throughout his entire business career and in this field of labor, he has met with
well merited and commendable prosperity. He remained a resident of his native
township until 1900, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and two acres in
Fairfield township and took up his abode thereon. He raises the cereals best
adapted to soil and climate and each year gathers abundant harvests a^s a reward
for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life, Mr. Graham chose Miss
Grace Ryerson, who was born in February, 1871, her parents being George and
Catherine (Edsall) Ryerson. She was one of a family of nine children, her
brothers and sisters being as follows : Price, Edsall, George, Delno, Esther, Sarah,
Dora and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson were natives of New Jersey, but be-
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76 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
came residents of Huron county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have one child,
Edsall, who first opened his eyes to the light of the day on the 4th of January,
1896.
Mr. Graham's study of the political questions and issues of the day, has led
him to give stalwart support to the men and measures of the republican party.
He is now serving as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever
finding in him a stanch champion. He likewise holds membership relations with
the Fairfield Grange. Mis entire life has been passed in this community, and the
fact that those who have known him longest, entertain for him the warmest re-
gard is an indication that his life has ever been honorable and upright.
CHARLES A. McCULLOW.
The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial
activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore among the
builders of a town are those who stand at the head of the business enterprises.
Prominent among those who are closely identified with the business activity of
Greenwich, is Charles A. McCullow, a native of Huron county, Ohio, born
in Greenwich township on the 20th of September, 1857, a son of Joseph E.
and Agnes (Bartlett) McCullow. The father, who was but four years of age
when he accompanied his parents on their removal from New Jersey to Ohio, de-
voted his entire life to farming pursuits and passed away on the 1st of April, 1900.
His wife, whose parents were also natives of New Jersey, was born in Huron
county, Ohio, and her death occurred in i860. But one child came to bless this*
union, the subject of this review.
Charles A. McCullow acquired his education in the public schools of Green-
wich and his boyhood and youthful days were passed on his father's farm, in
the performance of the tasks that commonly fall to the lot of the country lad. He
remained at home assisting his father until eighteen years of age, when he became
a clerk in the general store of Healey & Travis, continuing this relation for two
years. At the expiration of that period, he went to Cleveland, where he clerked
in the store of Louis Leon for one year.
On the 23d of November, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Lovezilla
L. Riblet, a daughter of David and Caroline (Mathias) Riblet, of Galion, Ohio,
and unto this union has been born one daughter, Mabel, now Mrs. D. L. Webb, of
Greenwich. Mr. and Mrs. McCullow began their domestic life in Greenwich,
where he became identified with the clothing business, in which he has contin-
uously engaged to the present time. He carries a very complete and high grade line
of mens' clothing and furnishings and the amount of business transacted over the
counters of his store has already reached gratifying proportions and is constantly
increasing in volume and importance. His place of business is one of the finest
in the town and would be a credit to a city many times the size of Greenwich, while
he is recognized as one of the substantial and prosperous citizens of the com-
munity.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 77
Not only because of his success in the business world, however, is Mr. Mc-
Cullow deserving of mention in this volume, for he is equally well known through
his deep interest in public affairs and occupies a prominent position in political
circles of his township. He gives his political support to the republican party and
although neither desiring nor seeking office as a reward for party fealty, he has,
nevertheless, been called by his fellowmen to fill positions of trust and respon-
sibility in the township, which he has represented in the republican county com-
mittee for many years and has frequently acted as a delegate to district, county
and state conventions. He served as township treasurer for two terms and as
village clerk for several years, was a member of the board of trustees of the water
works for several terms and served for some time as a member of the board of
public service, in which capacity he is still acting. He has also been a member
of the village board of education for several years, the cause of education finding
in him a stalwart champion.
Fraternally, Mr. McCullow is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. &
A. M., and has filled most of the chairs of that lodge, while he also holds member-
ship in O. K. Lodge, No. 616, K. P., and is a charter member and treasurer of the
lodge. He belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and is a charter
member of the Eagle Lodge, No. 22, National Union. His devotion to the public
welfare is unquestioned, arising as it does from a sincere desire for the general
good. He lends his influence to all movements calculated to advance the public
interests and is particularly strong in his advocacy of improvements of the town
streets, public buildings and water works. He is very fond of fishing and hunt-
ing and as a recreation and relaxation from his work he takes annual trips into
the woods and along the streams in the pursuit of his favorite pastimes. How-
ever, he is eminently a man of business, never permitting any interruption to dis-
tract his attention from his duties, and his close application and good management
are potent factors in the prosperity which he now enjoys. Mrs. McCullow is a
lady of superior traits of character and presides over her home, which is one of
the handsomest in the town of Greenwich, in a charming manner, imparting
thereto an atmosphere of refinement and culture which makes it an important
factor in the social life of the community.
JAMES P. LIMBIRD.
A farm of seventy-eight acres in Ridgefield township, Huron county, pays,
tribute to the care and attention bestowed upon it by its owner, James P. Limbird.
He was born near Kimball, Erie county, Ohio, on the 1st of February, 1861, and
is a son of David and Mary P. (Adams) Limbird. His father, who was born
in Lincolnshire, England, in 1834, came to the United States, landing at New
York on July 6, 1852. Continuing his way westward, he located in Erie county,
Ohio, where he worked for one year, hoeing corn, at first receiving but fifty cents
per day in return for his labor. At the expiration of that period, he went to Van
Wert county, Ohio, but in the spring of 1856, returned to Erie county and later
went to California, where he was engaged in mining and ranching for some time.
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78 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
In June, 1859, during the great frost, he returned to the middle west and located
in Illinois, where he resided for a short time, and then purchased a farm of eighty
acres near Kimball, Erie county, Ohio. On the 19th of January, i860, he married
Miss Mary P. Adams, a daughter of John and Anna Adams, and in their family
were three children: George, deceased; Olive, who has also passed away; and
James P., of this review. Mrs. Limbird, also a native of Lincolnshire, England,
was born December 5, 1835. She and her husband still survive and make their
home near the subject of this record. David Limbird, had four brothers who
served in the Civil war : Anthony, Mark, Richard and James.
Reared under the parental roof, James P. Limbird is indebted to the common-
school system for the education which he acquired. He also early learned the
best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting through assisting his father,
and upon attaining his majority, he wisely decided to make the occupation to which
he had been reared, his life wok. He continued to engage in farming in Erie
county, until 1907, in which year he purchased his present place from the Bogardus
estate. His farm consists of seventy-eight acres of finely improved land with
substantial buildings' upon it and the excellent appearance which the place pre-'
sents is indicative of the care and labor expended upon it by its owner. His en-
tire time and attention are devoted to the farm and his business interests are
bringing him a gratifying financial return.
Mr. Limbird was united in marriage November 24, 1895, to Miss Anna Moos,
a daughter of Edward and Mary Moos, of Erie county, Ohio, and unto this union
have been born seven children, of whom Ruth*, Grace, James, Helen and Arthur
still survive, the others passing away in infancy. Mr. Limbird holds membership
in the Congregational church, of which he was a trustee for a number of years and
to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. He is a man highly esteemed
in the community, his good qualities of heart and mind gaining the warm friend-
ship of many with whom he has come in contact.
SEELEY BURDETT PALMER.
Seeley Burdett Palmer, a retired agriculturist residing in Norwalk, was
born in Fitchville, Huron county, Ohio, on the 29th of May, 1848. Being reared
on the old homestead farm, he early became familiar with the duties and labors
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and continued to assist his father in the
cultivation of the fields until nineteen years of age. He then became connected
with the building department of the Western Union Telegraph Company, putting
up wires and working in the eastern part of the United States and Novia Scotia.
He was also employed on the construction of the line from St. Louis to Toledo
and subsequently worked for Jay Gould in the same capacity for a year and a
half. He has a very fine gold watch, chain and charm which were presented to
his brother-in-law, D. Doran, by Jay Gould and given to Mr. Palmer by his sis-
ter at the time of her husband's death. After leaving the employ of Mr. Gould,
our subject resumed the work of general farming, with which line of activity
he was successfully identified until the time of his retirement from active busi-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 81
ness life in 1907. He retains possession of the old family homestead of three
hundred and fifty acres, which is still under his management and is also the
owner of some real estate in Cleveland. On putting aside the active work of the
fields, he purchased a lot in Norwalk and erected thereon a handsome brick resi-
dence, in which he has since made his home, enjoying in well earned ease, the
fruits of his former toil. His energy, economy and perseverance constituted the
basis of the prosperity which has crowned his labors and he has long been num-
bered among the most substantial, enterprising and respected citizens of his native
county.
Mr. Palmer has been married twice, the first union being with Miss Iola
Martin, whose birth occurred in the year 1859. She passed away in January,
1876, leaving a daughter, Dora, who is now the wife of Hal Amsden. For his
second wife, Mr. Palmer chose Miss Elizabeth Chase, whom he wedded on the
1st of May, 1878. Unto them were born the following children. S. Burdett, Jr.,
who was born November 13, 1879, married Miss Lena May Jennings and now
follows merchandising at Fitchville, where he is also serving as postmaster.
Benjamin Chase, who was born April 7, 1881, and married' Miss Catherine Kron-
enbitter, is now manager of the Antiseptic Telephone Company of Los Angeles,
California. D. Doran, who was born August 27, 1884, married Miss Evalina
White. He was formerly a bookkeeper in the Huron County Bank for three
years, but is now engaged in general farming. Lucy Thelma, whose birth oc-
curred on the 25th of October, 1886, gave her hand in marriage to Edwin Mar-
tin Thoma. All of these children obtained their education in Fitchville and the
sons are graduates of the Sandusky Business College.
Politically Mr. Palmer is a stalwart republican and has capably served his
fellow townsmen in the capacity of trustee for several years. He likewise acted
as a member of the school board for a long period and has ever been a helpful
friend of the cause of public instruction. Fraternally, he is identified with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is likewise a valued member of the
Congregational church, conforming his life to its teachings. At all times his life
has been active, useful and honorable and it is his genuine personal worth that
has gained for him the favorable position which he occupies in the regard of
those who know him.
William Chase, the father of Mrs. Palmer, was born in Hunter, Green county,
New York, in June, 1809, and was a brother of the man who is at the head of the
Chase Piano Company. It was in 1835 that he came to Ohio and settled in Fitch-
ville township, Huron county, making that his permanent home. He always took
a great interest in public affairs, holding many responsible positions in the com-
munity where he resided, and in the administration of the different offices of trust
that he was called upon to fill, he made a fine reputation, and as a business man
was imbued with high principles and sterling integrity. He was twice married,
his first union being with Pemelia Wolcott, whom he wedded in 1836 and by
whom he had three children, namely : Alvin B. ; Mary F. ; and Watson D. Both
sons enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war, Alvin B. serving for four
years with General Sherman, being with that general on his famous march to
the sea. Watson D. enlisted in 1864 and served until hostilities ceased, both con-
tracting diseases caused by continuous exposure to all kinds of weather and the
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82 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
hardships incidental to the life of the soldiers, which hastened their deaths in
future years. The mother of these children died in 1849 an(l *n ^o, at Norwalk,
Ohio, Mr. Chase was united in marriage to Miss Betsy A. Jump, who had come
to this city in 1836. After finishing her education in a seminary under the in-
struction of the Rev. E. and Mrs. Thompson, she engaged in teaching school in
Norwalk until her marriage to Mr. Chase, then going with him to Fitchville,
where they toiled together, making for themselves a pleasant and happy home.
At that time sewing machines were not in vogue and she spun, cut and made the
fabrics into garments for her family. She was not only the seamstress and maid
of all work in her own home, but her duties as a wife and mother were always
performed with untiring zeal and energy. She was one of the many ladies that
helped to prepare boxes of clothing and food for the soldiers who were fighting
for their country in the south. By his second marriage Mr. Chase had two
children, but Ella E., who was born in 1856, died in 1883, the only survivor being
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Palmer, who was born in 1859. The parents were both
earnest and consistent members of the Second Congregational church of Fitch-
ville, taking an active interest in religious work, Mr. Chase serving as deacon
up to the time of his death and his wife acting as teacher in the Sunday school.
He passed away June 17, 1888, on the seventy-ninth anniversay of his birth.
After his death, Mrs. Chase remained on the old homestead for about three
years and then went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Palmer, dying at her home
on the 28th of July, 1893.
GEORGE GATES.
George Gates, one of Greenfield township's native sons and the owner of one
hundred and thirty-three acres of land, was born on the nth of June, 1859. His
parents, George and Catherine (Ronk) Gates, were both born in Germany, the
father March 14, 1825, the mother March 3, 1824, and there they grew to maturity
and were married. Shortly after their union, they came to the United States and
about 1850, went to Zanesville, Ohio, where they lived for a short time and then
located in Greenfield township, Huron county. The father was a stonemason by
trade, and for a few years after his arrival in this country worked in the quarry at
the old Lodi Mill, which was not far from the place he had selected for a home. In
1868, he bought a small tract of land in Peru township, which he sold three years
later to buy one hundred and eighty acres adjoining it in the northern part of
Greenfield township. This second farm remained his home until his death, which
occurred on the 3d of October, 1875. He was a consistent member of the Catholic
church of the German settlement in Peru township, living up as best he could to
its teachings. Mrs. Gates still survives her husband and makes her home with her
daughter, Mrs. John Schaffer, of Bronson township, Huron county. Mr. and
Mrs. Gates had eight children: Nicholas A., born December 18, 1850, and Frank
J., born November 2, 1852, both of whom are residents of this township ; Mary,
born September 8, 1864, the wife of Philip Barman, of Peru township ; William,
born May 20, 1857, a resident of Greenfield township; George, of this sketch;
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 83
Julia, born June 21, 1862, now deceased, who was the wife of Delmar C. Burdge;
Rose, born July 17, 1864, the wife of John Shaffer, of Bronson township; and
Henry, who was born October 19, 1868, and died August 11, 1895.
Greenfield township, the place of his nativity, has been George Gates's heme
through the greater part of his life. From the public schools of the district he ob-
tained a knowledge of the fundamental branches of an English education and at
home received the much more practical schooling for the life of a farmer to which
he was to devote himself. At the age of twenty-nine he married and made a home
for himself, but it was not until 1905, that he bought his present farm, having in
the intervening years tilled the soil and reaped the harvests of land that he rented.
He procured his farm from Ernest Chambers, a well improved tract that is ex-
cellently adapted to the general farming that Mr. Gates conducts there. He is a
public spirited citizen as well as a good farmer, taking especial interest in the
cause of education, which he has served in his district as a member of the school
board.
On the 17th of January, 1888, at the Bismarck Catholic church Father Titter-
ist pronounced the words that made Mr. Gates and Miss Catherine Hosman man
and wife in the eyes of the church and of the law. Mrs. Gates was born in Norwich
township, Huron county, February 26, 1864, and is a daughter of Henry and Anna
(Weisler) Hosman, both natives of Germany, who shortly after their marriage
in that land came to Huron county, Ohio. They settled first in Peru township, and
then in Norwich township, which remained their home until their death. The
father, who was born July 14, 1828, died November 7, 1904, and the mother, whose
birth occurred July 26, 1826, died on the nth of October, 1898. They were the
parents of six children: Mary A., born April 15, i860; Henry J., born January 20,
1862; Catherine, now Mrs. Gates; William J., born March 10, 1866; Joseph E.,
born November 26, 1868; and Albert J., born March n, 1870.
Of Mr. and Mrs. Gates's union there have been born three children: Rose
Bell, born June 25, 1889; Charles B., born January 25, 1893; anc* Grace, born
August 14, 1895. All live at home. Mr. Gates and his family are members of the
Catholic church, but in political matters he is not guided by any party, preferring
to regard questions of importance from all sides and cast his influence or vote
as seems to him right.
GEORGE BARGUS.
George Bargus, whose life history constitutes a fair record of responsibilities
wisely carried, great opportunities turned to the best account, patriotism inspired
by a heart loyal to his country in her time of need, is one of Huron county's most
prominent citizens and a director in the Huron County Bank, at Norwalk, al-
though he is now living retired in Townsend township. He was born in Newark.
New Jersey, April 29, 1839, his parents being William and Charlotte (Argyle)
Bargus, the father a native of New Jersey and of German Extraction, and the
mother a native of Scotland. Left an orphan in infancy, George Bargus was
at an early age thrown upon his own resources. His education, which was ac-
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84 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
quired in the district schools of New Jersey, was superficial and inadequate, al-
though later, he succeeded in acquiring a good, practical English education and
this, coupled with his natural ability to cope with intricate business problems, un-
tiring energy and keen sagacity, enabled him to win success in every undertaking.
He is largely self-educated, acquiring a remarkably wide range of information
from his reading and study. From earliest youth, he maintained an unbounded
faith in humanity, finding much to interest him in the newspapers, magazines and
his own well supplied library.
When thirteen years of age, Mr. Bargus went to Rochester, New York, where
he learned the baker's and confectioner's trade, there serving an apprenticeship of
four years. He then journeyed westward but, finding no opening for his trade, he
was glad to work at anything that would provide a means of subsistence. During
the winter of 1859-60, he traveled through the states of Tennessee, Arkansas and
Louisiana, but at the opening of the Civil war he returned to the north, enlisting
in Company E, First Battalion of Yates, Sharpshooters in 1861, which battalion in
1864 became the Sixty- fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was
mustered in as sergeant, but owing to distinguished service and gallantry at the
battle of Corinth and in other engagements, he was rapidly promoted through the
different ranks to first lieutenant. For more than a year, he commanded his com-
pany and was with his regiment in all its marches and campaigns, participating in
the battles of New Madrid ; Island No. 10 ; the siege of Corinth ; Resaca, Georgia ;
Big Shanty; Kenesaw Mountain; Atlanta, July 22 and also on July 28, 1864;
Ezra's church and numerous minor engagements. He was with General Sher-
man on his famous march to the sea, and during his service sustained several
slight wounds. He was mustered out in January, 1865.
When the war was over, Lieutenant Bargus took a commercial course in Ober-
lin College, after which he went west for one year, when, on returning to Huron
county, he settled on a farm in Townsend township, near Collins, where he subse-
quently engaged in farming and fruit raising. He became a large landowner, his
farms at one time containing more than four hundred acres, and he yet owns about
three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, well improved and under a high
state of cultivation. For some years, he also owned and operated a sawmill, doing
a large business in lumber and timber until April, 1890, when his mills were en-
tirely destroyed by a cyclone.
On the 1 2th of April, 1866, Mr. Bargus was united in marriage to Miss S.
Alice Humphrey, a daughter of William and Sarah Ann (Bierce) Humphrey,
natives of Litchfield county, Connecticut. To this union were born four children :
George, deceased; Alvin Dudley; May, deceased; and Edwin Humphrey. The
wife and mother died in March, 1805, and Mr. Bargus was again married on the
29th of April, 1896, his second union being with Miss Josie May Ulmer, a daugh-
ter of Peter and Mary Ulmer. She passed away in April, 1901.
In his political views, Mr. Bargus is an uncompromising republican and while
still a youth, became very much interested in the slavery question, his sympathies
being with the slave. All his life he has been an active party worker, at all times
being able to defend his position with regard to republican principles. Mr. Bar-
gus cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and was a close personal
friend of the late President McKinley and materially assisted in campaign work
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 85
in Ohio in 1896 and 1900. He is also a great admirer of Ex-President Roosevelt
as he is of President Taft. He belongs to no church but he is a firm believer in
Christianity of the practical kind. He is a member of Townsend Post, No. 414,
G. A. R., of which he was the first commander and served in that position for
many years. He also served as general commander of the Fourteenth District
Brigade and as assistant inspector and aide-de-camp on the department staff,
G. A. R. of Ohio. He likewise acted as colonel, commanding F. H. Boalt Com-
mand, No. 17, U. V. U., of Nor walk, Ohio, and as deputy commander of Ohio.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and for several years was worshipful
master of East Townsend Lodge, No. 322, A. F. & A. M., to which lodge he has
belonged for over forty years. He is a member of Huron Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M.,
and of Norwalk Commandery, No. 18, K. T.
Successful and honorable in business, respected and beloved by his fellow
citizen* and army comrades, Mr. Bargus is now enjoying rest from his former
business activity, and while he yet maintains a personal supervision over his large
estate, he spends most of his time in his beautiful country home near Collins. Es-
pecially interested in literature, he finds his chief recreation in the hours spent in
his library, which contains many volumes of ancient and modern history, biogra-
phy and the sciences. A most companionable and kindly man, Mr. Bargus enter-
tains broad, optimistic views of life, has a genuine faith in mankind and is never
happier than when giving assistance to those in need who are worthy of that which
he can give them. To do right for the love of right has ever been his rule of ac-
tion, and his industry, combined with practical common sense, has brought suc-
cess to all his efforts. Always cheerful and contented, he has gathered around
him a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
JOSEPH H. GROFF.
Joseph H. Groff, who now gives his attention to the cultivation of a fine farm
of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Peru township, is a native of Germany, his
birth having occurred in Baden on the 6th of February, 1841. His parents, Joseph
and Grazenaca (Borer) Groff, were likewise natives of the fatherland, the former
born on the 20th of January, 1812, and the latter on the 4th of February, 1818.
In 1847, ^ey set sail for the new world and after an ocean voyage of about forty
days* landed on the shores of this country. They established their home at San-
dusky, Ohio, and there continued to reside until 1872, when they removed to Cleve-
land, where they spent their remaining days. The father was called to his final
rest in 1891 and the mother passed away in February of the previous year. Unto
this worthy couple were born eight children, namely : Joseph H., of this review ;
Anna, who is deceased, as is also her husband, Fred Berkley ; Vincent W., a resi-
dent of Cleveland, Ohio ; Henry, likewise living in Cleveland ; John, whose demise
occurred when he had attained the age of thirty-seven years ; Louisa, who wedded
William Gregory, both she and her husband being now deceased; and two who
died in infancy.
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86 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Joseph H. Groff, who was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his
parents on their emigration to the United States, obtained his education in the
schools of Sandusky. In the evenings and during the periods t>f vacation nc
learned the trade of a baker and confectioner under the direction of Adam Miller.
in whose employ he remained after completing his schooling, eventually being
made foreman of the bakery. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside
all business and personal considerations and on the 14th of August, 1862, at San-
dusky, enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company G, One
Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at
Monroeville, Ohio. . The regiment was sent to Virginia and participated in a
number of hotly contested engagements as well as various skirmishes. At the
battle of Winchester, from June 13th to 15th inclusive, Mr. Groff was captured
with four thousand other men and sent to Libby prison, where he was incarcerated
for about a week and then taken to Belle Isle, there being imprisoned for about
two months. Later, he was paroled. He saw active service in the battles of Ap-
picon, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Hatchie's Run, Petersburg, High Bridge rnd
Appomattox, and when hostilities had ceased, he was mustered out at Camp Chase
on the 12th of June, 1865.
Mr. Groff returned home with a most creditable military record and once more
became identified with the bakery business at Sandusky, which he followed for a
few years. During his arduous experience as a soldier, he had contracted rheu-
matism and this at length made it necessary for him to abandon" the bakery busi-
ness, after which he secured employment with the Sandusky Tool Company, re-
maining with that concern for several years. From 1873 unt^ 1891, he capably
discharged the duties devolving upon him as a member of the police force and
subsequently wns employed as a conducter and motorman by the Sandusky &
Norwalk Street Railway Company. He remained with the street car company un-
til 1899, when he came to Peru township, Huron county, and purchased a farm
of one hundred and fifty-five acres from John Giger, in the cultivation of which
he has since been actively and successfully engaged. He has placed a number of
substantial improvements on the property and now has one of the finest farms in
this section, the well tilled fields annually returning golden harvests as a reward
for the care and labor which is bestowed upon them.
On the 6th of August, 1863, at Sandusky, Ohio, Mr. Groff, was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary Fritz, the wedding ceremony being performed by Father
N. Mose. Mrs. Groff was born at Alsace, Lorriane, Germany, on the 20th of
June, 1836. her parents being Mr. and Mrs. John M. Fritz, who took up their abode
at Frank in Thompson township, Seneca county, Ohio, after coming to this coun-
try. She was a little maiden of eight years when she left her native land. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Groff were born seven children, as follows: Mary, who died
in infancy ; Joseph, who wedded Miss Carrie Sherer and lives at Sandusky,
Ohio; Mary, also a resident of Sandusky, who is the wife of H. S. Arnold, by
whom she has four children: Mary, Louisa, Walter and Joseph; Catherine and
Lawrence, who are at home ; Anna, the wife of George Smith, of Sandusky, Ohio;
and John, who is likewise at home. The wife and mother passed away on the 29th
of March, 1909, her remains being interred in St. Mary's cemetery at Sandusky,
where her father also lies buried.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 87
Mr. Groff still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through
his membership in the Grand Army post at Norwalk, Ohio. His religious faith is
indicated by his membership in the Catholic church of Sherman township. His
life has been an active, useful and honorable one and he well merits the respect
and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.
SPILLER M. SLY.
Spiller M. Sly, a farmer of Fitchville township, who has filled several of the
local offices of government, was born in Milan, Erie county, Ohio, September 15,
1845, and is tne s°n of Willard and Martha J. (Laughlin) Sly.
The mother was born in Gallia county, Ohio, but the father's birthplace was New
York state. He was but a young man, however, when in 1843, ne came to Ohio
and commenced farming. In 1845, ne came to Fitchville, township, Huron county,
where he lived until the excitement consequent to the discovery of gold in Cali-
fornia aroused a spirit of unrest in his breast. In the spring of 1852, he joined
the vast army of gold seekers on the overland trail, from which he was destined
never to return. For four years his family heard from him regularly, and then no
word at all. It was known that he had engaged extensively in the horse business
and had bought a large drove of animals which he intended bringing to the eastern
markets to dispose of, and it is supposed that in crossing the plains, he was at-
tacked by Indians and murdered. He left a widow and a son, Spiller M., to mourn
his loss. Mrs. Sly died in September, 1893.
Spiller M. Sly was reared as a farmer's boy, largely under his mother's guid-
ance. He attended the county schools during the winter months and made the best
use of the small opportunities they afforded for obtaining an education. At the
age of twenty-five, he undertook the responsibilities of a home of his own and pur-
chased a farm in Fitchville township on which he has lived for the past twenty-
seven years. It is a splendid tract of land lying just beyond the village of Fitch-
ville, is well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. On it he pursues
general farming and raises a large amount of stock. Mr. Sly was one of the
organizers of the Clinton Air Line Telephone Company in 1903, was one of the
charter members of the concern and one of its first board of directors. At pres-
ent, he is vice-president of the company, which has for the past three years had
the telephone exchange in his house. He has also rendered other valuable serv-
ice to the people of this township. For twelve years, he filled the position of town-
ship clerk, an able official, was trustee for three years, and is now and has been
for many years, a member of the school board.
On the 15th of March, 1870, was celebrated Mr. Sly's marriage to Miss Josie
Pierce, the daughter of Philo and Elizabeth (White) Pierce, of Fitchville town-
ship, where Mr. Pierce engaged in farming. The mother was born here, the
father in New York state, but both the White and Pierce families were among the
early settlers in this county and were influential in its affairs and in promoting its
growth and advancement. Mr. Pierce died June 20, 1901, his wife having pre-
ceded him to the grave some years, her death having occurred November 29, 1895.
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88 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
To Mr. and Mrs. Sly have been born four children : John W., who is married and
is a farmer of Fitchville township ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Buck, of Cleveland,
Ohio ; Dorothy, now Mrs. William E. Glossup of Louisville, Kentucky ; and Mar-
guerite, a teacher in the schools of Fitchville. The family are members of the
Baptist church and are identified closely with its work.
Mr. Sly is a republican, though he does not take a very active part in political
affairs. However, he never fails to cast his vote on election day and has on several
occasions been a delegate to county, district and state conventions. He is a char-
ter member of Tent No. 125, Knights of the Maccabees, has filled every office of
the order, and has been otherwise very active in the affairs of the local lodge. In
the Baptist church, he has for a number of years filled the position of trustee, for
ne is a man who inspires the confidence of his fellows, and time has proved that
this reliance is not misplaced. His record as the incumbent of every office has
been clean, and the public spirit that rules his acts has led him to promote eagerly
the welfare and advancement of the township.
ALONZO L. SIMMONS.
Alonzo L. Simmons, whose demise occurred on the 8th of July, 1908, was long
numbered among the substantial and leading citizens of Huron county. He was
born in Greenfield township, this county, on the 6th of December, 1835, and comes
of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather, Edward Simmons,
having served as captain in the Continental line of Massachusetts until the surren-
der of Yorktown. He was a miller by trade and made his home in Rehoboth, Bris-
tol county, Massachusetts. In his family were four children: Edward, who set-
tled in New Hampshire and became a prominent judge ; Noble, a blacksmith, who
made his home in New York state ; William, who died in Massachusetts ; and Eli-
phalet B., the grandfather of our subject. The last named was born in Bristol coun-
ty, Massachusetts, in 1773, and was there reared to manhood, removing to Dela-
ware county, New York, in 1804. In the latter place he was engaged in the lum-
ber business for thirteen years' and while a resident there he was married to Miss
Esther Brown, a daughter of Captain Charles Brown, of New London, Connecticut.
In 181 7 he started for the Firelands of Ohio, making the trip by wagon, arriving
here on the 12th of July of that year. He purchased land in Greenfield township,
Huron county, where as a pioneer he engaged in the improvement and cultivation
of the land and in the midst of the wilderness developed a fine farm. As time
passed he prospered in his undertakings and eventually acquired a large property.
After a useful and well spent life he died at his home in Greenfield township, Jan-
uary 26, 1836, when in his sixty-third year. He was a democrat in politics and al-
ways took an active interest in public affairs. He was twice married and had a
family of four children, namely : Harlon E., Charles B., Albert and Washington L.
Of this family Harlon E. Simmons was the father of our subject. He was born
in Rehoboth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, December 14, 1798, and was twenty-
one years of age when he started for the Firelands, where his father had located two
years previously. With one Horse and an open wagon he journeyed from Massa-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 91
chusetts to Ohio, starting in October and arriving in his father's home in Huron
county in December, 1819, after about six weeks spent on the road. He purchased
land near his father's home and at once commenced its cultivation and improve-
ment. In 1827, however, he returned to Massachusetts, where on the 17th of July
of that year he was married to Miss Ann Ide, a daughter of Joseph Ide, of Attle-
boro, Bristol county, and accompanied by his bride he then returned to his Ohio
home. They became the parents of six children, namely: Rufus A., Abby N., L.
Curtiss, Alonzo L., Emily and Ann. The father passed away March 21, 1875, at
the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother departed this life on the 30th of
May, 1877. He took quite an active part in public affairs. The first singing school
as well as the first choir in Greenfield township was organized under his leadership.
In politics he was originally a Jacksonian democrat but in 1856, on the organiza-
tion of the republican party, he joined its ranks.
Alonzo L. Simmons was reared under the parental roof and obtained his early
education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. He also attended the
high school at Norwalk and North Fairfield, and for seven years he engaged in
teaching during the winter months, while the summers were devoted to the work
of the farm. He eventually became the owner of several hundred acres of rich and
productive land, which returned to him a gratifying annual income. In 1871 he
purchased an interest in the Phoenix gristmill, to the operation and management of
which he devoted much time and attention throughout the remainder of his active
business career. He likewise served as the vice-president of the North Fairfield
Savings Bank until the time of his death and was well known and highly esteemed
as a most prosperous, progressive and representative citizen of his native county.
The success which attended his undertakings was entirely the result of his untiring
industry and capable management and he justly earned the proud American title of
a self-made man.
On the 24th of April, 1862, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Mar-
garet Elizabeth Minges, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on the 28th of Feb-
ruary, 1842. Her father, John E. Minges, was born in September, 1813, in Fayette
township, Seneca county, New York, and during his boyhood developed rare me-
chanical genius, being able to work at several trades. In 1833 he came to Ohio, fol-
lowing his father, John Minges, who was drowned while crossing Lake Erie, and
the son came on to Huron county to settle up the estate and take charge of the prop-
erty. After working for some time on a farm in Greenefild township he removed
to Seneca county, Ohio, where he purchased land and turned his attention to its de-
velopment and cultivation. On the 12th of June, 1836, Mr. Minges was united in
marriage to Miss Margaret Seed, who was born in New York. May 25, 1819, and
came west with her parents, locating in Venice township, Seneca county. She died
May 12, 1839, leaving no children, and was buried at Attica, Ohio. Mr. Minges
was again married April 27, 1841, his second union being with Miss Lydia F. Wil-
bur, who was born in Cayuga county, New York, January 30, 1820, a daughter of
Nathan and Esther (LaBarre) Wilbur. In 1826 her parents settled in Sherman
township, Huron county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their
children were : Caroline E. ; Sarah Jane ; Esther Cornelia ; John ; and Emeline E.
The children born to John E. and Lydia F. Minges were : Margaret E., the widow of
Alonzo L. Simmons, of this review ; Flora M., the wife of Frank Marriott, a law-
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92 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
yer of Delaware, Ohio ; and Dessie M., the wife of George A. Waggaman, a broker
of New York city. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Marriott are : John Minges ; Wil-
bur McClellan; Florence Dale; Francis Marion; and Merrick Joy. In 1855 Mf-
Minges returned to Huron county and located in North Fairfield village. He had
previously engaged in merchandising at Attica and in this county he continued to
carry on the same business for some time before establishing himself on a farm in
Greenfield in 1858. Ten years later he removed to Peru township, where he was
variously employed until his death, which occurred on the 26th of January, 1885.
He was widely known as an active and enterprising citizen and had the respect and
confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His political support was given
to the republican party and prior to the Civil war he was a stanch abolitionist, carry-
ing his principles into practice by harboring fugitive slaves. In religious faith
he was a Wesleyan Methodist.
In his political views Mr. Simmons was a stanch republican and for a num-
ber of years served as trustee in both Greenfield and Fairfield townships. He was
a great lover of music and, being a vocalist of considerable ability, his services as a
singer were much in demand at social gatherings. His death, which occurred on
the 8th of July, 1908, when he had attained the age of seventy-two years, was the
occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had an extensive circle of friends
throughout this county, where his entire life was spent. His widow still survives
and is now very comfortably situated financially. She is a gentle, kindly wo-
man, charitable in her estimate of every one and her many excellent traits of heart
and mind have won fcr her the esteem and admiration of a host of warm friends.
AUGUST BORES.
August Bores has found in the rich, fertile soil of Huron county ample scope
for his activities, and in the years that have come and gone has accumulated a val-
uable property, comprising one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Sherman
township, on which he resides, while he also owns another farm of one hundred
and eighty-six acres in the same township. His birth occurred in Pontiac, Huron
county, Ohio, on the 1st of March, 1862, his parents being David and Anna Marie
(Fauchinger) Bores. His paternal grandparents, John and Catherine (Klepel)
Bores, spent their entire lives in Germany. The grandfather was a soldier in the
German army and participated in the war with France, fighting against Napoleon.
Unto him and his wife were born fiwe children, namely: John; Louis; Elizabeth;
David ; and Minnie, who is now the wife of Philip Thoma, an agriculturist of
Peru township, this county. The two last named are the only members of the
family who crossed the Atlantic and established their home in the United States.
David Bores, the father of August Bores, was born in Germany on the 22d
of January, 1833, and made the voyage to this country in the year 1853, *n con>
pany with his sister Minnie. After landing in New York, he at once made his way
to Ridgefield township, Huron county, Ohio, where for three years he worked by
the month as a farm hand. About 1856, he rented a tract of land and was success-
fully and energetically engaged in its operation for a period of six years. By
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 93
dint of close economy and careful expenditure, he at length accumulated capital
sufficient with which to purchase a farm of his own and eventually became recog-
nized as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists as well as represen-
tative citizens of the community. He now owns a well improved farm of two
hundred and forty acres in Sherman township, which annually returns to him a
gratifying income. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has
served as road supervisor and also as trustee of Sherman township, holding the
latter position for twelve years. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage to
Miss Anna Marie Fauchinger, a native of Germany, who came to the United
States in company with her brother Joseph. They became the parents of six child-
ren, as follows : Joseph, who is now deceased ; Elizabeth, the wife of C. Wilhelm ;
Henry ; August, of this review ; John ; and Emma, who is the wife of William
Ringlein.
August Bores, whose name introduces this record, obtained his education in
the district schools and early in life became familiar with the duties and labors
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered
his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He has always given his atten-
tion to the work of the fields and that his efforts in this direction have met with
success is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of two well improved
and valuable farms in Sherman township, comprising one hundred and twenty-
six and one hundred and eighty-six acres of land respectively.
On the 1st of June, 1886, Mr. Bores was joined in wedlock to Miss Helen
Bauman, a daughter of John and Barbara Bauman, whose family numbered
three children, as follows : Emma, the wife of Anthony Hammersmith ; Mary, who
gave her hand in marriage to Henry Bores, a brother of our subject ; and Helen,
now Mrs. August Bores. The mother of these children has passed away. Mr.
and Mrs. Bores now have five children : Otto, who was born in 1887 » Alpha, whose
birth occurred in 1889 ; Rosa, born in 1891 ; August, in 1893 J ar|d Arthur, in 1900.
Like his father, Mr. Bores is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the demo-
cratic party and has served as a member of the school board and also in the posi-
tion of road supervisor. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Colum-
bus at Monroeville, Ohio, in which organization his sons, Otto and Alpha, also hold
membership. The different members of the family all belong to the Catholic
church. Throughout the county in which his entire life has been spent, Mr. Bore*
is well and favorably known, having wion the kindly esteem and regard of all
with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
PRICE VENOSTRAN RYERSON.
Price Venostran Ryerson, who for the past five years has been living retired
in North Fairfield, was formerly actively and successfully identified with the
agricultural interests of Huron county, owning a farm in Peru township. His
birth occurred in this county on the 6th of November, 1851, his parents being
George M. and Sarah Catherine (Edsall) Ryerson. The paternal grandfather,
Peter Ryerson, had a family of eleven children, namely : Paul, Nicholas, John,
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94 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Martin, Dolly, Jane, Libby, Eliza, Sarah, William and George M. The maternal
grandparents of our subject were David and Hannah (Perry) Edsall, the latter
being an aunt of O. H. Perry, of Lake Erie fame. Their family numbered nine
children, as follows: Joseph, Benjamin, John, Brice, William, Thomas, Margaret,
Hannah and Sarah Catherine. George M. Ryerson, the father of Price V. Ryer-
son, who was born on the boundary line between New Jersey and New York about
1824, passed away in the year 1902. The birth of his wife occurred in Vernon,
New Jersey, in 1830. Unto this worthy couple were born the following children:
Price V., Edsall Farber, George E., Deleno P., Sarah, Esther, Dora, Catherine
and Grace.
Throughout his active business career Price V. Ryerson was engaged in gen-
eral agricultural pursuits in Peru township and, though he has now been living
retired for five years, still owns his farm there. The success which attended his
labors as an agriculturist, was entirely the result of his untiring industry and cap-
able mangement, and he has long been numbered among the substantial, enter-
prising and respected citizens of his native county. As stated above, he now
makes his home In North Fairfield.
On the 1st of January, 1879, Mr. Ryerson was joined in wedlock to Miss
Mary Hinkley, whose birth occurred in Bronson township, Huron county, on the
16th of June, 1857, ner parents being William S. and Lucy (Snyder) Hinkley.
Her paternal grandparents, Benjamin and Maria (Paine) Hinkley, were both
natives of Tompkins county, New York, born in the years 1809 and 181 1 respect-
ively. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Ryerson were John and Harriett
(Watros) Snyder, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, the former
Dorn in 1804 and the latter in 1818. Their children were eight in number, as fol-
lows: Henry, Vincent, Sylvester, John, Maria, Lucy, Caroline and one who died
in infancy. The great grandparents of Mrs. Ryerson on the maternal side were
Peter and Hannah (Wells) Snyder, the former being a native of Holland. Will-
iam S. Hinkley, the father of Mrs. Ryerson, was born near Syracuse, New York,
on the 17th of October, 1832, while the birth of his wife occurred near Catskill,
Greene county, New York, on the 26th of April, 1837. Unto Price V. and Mary
(Hinkley) Ryerson has been born one child, Roxy, whose natal day was January
23, 1898.
Mr. Ryerson is now serving as trustee and treasurer in the Methodist church,
of which he is a most consistent and faithful member. Having spent their entire
lives in this county, both he and his wife are widely and favorably known within
its borders, their many excellent traits of character having gained them the warm
regard and esteem of all with whom they have been associated.
WILLIAM H. DARLING.
No history of Huron county would be complete without special mention of
William H. Darling, who for a long period has been closely identified with the
public interests of this, his native county. Born in Hartland township on the 25th
of April, 1867, he is a son of John B. and Mary E. (Noble) Darling, the former a
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 95
native of Northumberland county, England. He came alone to the United States
when twenty-seven years of age and settled in New York, where he followed the
machinist's trade which he had learned in his native country. Later he went to Sus-
quehanna, Pennsylvania, where he engaged as foreman or master mechanic in
the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad shops, while the year i860 wit-
nessed his arrival in Ohio, locating in Norwalk, where for a time he was employed
in the railroad shops. Subsequently, he was compelled to give up this line of ac-
tivity on account of failing health, and he purchased a farm in Hartland town-
ship, where he resided until his death, which occurred in August, 1903. His
widow and three children still survive him, the children being: Jennie, now the
wife of F. H. Rumsey of North Fairfield ; Sate B., a teacher in the Shelbyville,
Illinois, schools ; and William H., of this review. One daughter, Annie, passed
away when five years of age.
Spending the years of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, William
H. Darling attended the district schools in the acquirement of his early education
and later supplemented this training by a course at the Western Reserve Nor-
mal School at Milan, while he also pursued a course at the Northwestern Univer-
sity at Ada, Ohio. Thus well equipped, he took up the occupation of teaching and
for several years was engaged in that capacity in the schools of Huron county,
proving a most capable instructor who imparted readily and clearly to others the
knowledge he had acquired. Giving up that profession, he took a course of study
in the Euclid Avenue Commercial College, at Cleveland, with the idea of entering
the business world. The failure of his father's health, however, caused his re-
turn to the home farm, where he decided to remain and take charge of his father's
interests. He has since continued to make the old homestead his place of resi-
dence and has directed his efforts to the further cultivation and improvement of
the place, his activity along general agricultural lines meeting with most grati-
fying and substantial success.
On the 25th of January, 1904, Mr. Darling was united in marriage to Miss
Jane Chaffee, a daughter of George W. and Anna (Phillip) Chaffee, of Hartland
township, where both parents were born and have always resided. The home
of Mr. and Mrs. Darling has been blessed with one daughter, Dorothy B., who
is the life and light of the household. Fraternally Mr. Darling is connected with
East Townsend Lodge, No 322, F. & A. M., and also with Olena Tent, No. 58,
K. O. T. M., in the affairs of which he is deeply and helpfully interested.
Although Mr. Darling has become well known throughout the locality by rea-
son of the success that he has achieved in his business activities, it is, however, the
active part which he has taken in the public affairs of Huron county that has brought
him prominently before his fellow citizens and has made him one of the valued
representatives of the community. Republican in politics, he has always done all
in his power to further the influence of that party in the district and has been a
prominent and influential figure in the party councils. For several years, he
served as county central committeeman and is constantly being sent as a dele-
gate to the district, county and state conventions. His fellow citizens, recogniz-
ing his ability and worth, have frequently called him to office, and for a number
of years he served as township clerk and also clerk of the board of education for
the township, which positions he still holds. He is also acting as justice of the
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96 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
peace and was census enumerater for Hartland township in 1890. In 1908, he was
the candidate on the republican ticket for county recorder, but with the rest of the
ticket was defeated. He had been nominated by acclamation, a very rare occur-
rence in Huron county politics. He is now serving as notary public and carries
on considerable business in that connection. A man of splendid attainments, he
performed the duties of each office in such a capable and satisfactory manner, that
his efforts reflected honor not only upon himself but also upon his constituents.
Progressive in his citizenship, he is an advocate of advancement and improvement
in all forms, but he is especially zealous in the matter of good roads and advanced
schools, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. His various
interests have made his a well rounded nature and he stands today as a splendid
type of the high-minded American gentleman, with whom contact means expan-
sion and elevation. Huron county is proud to number him among her native sons.
GEORGE W. SHERMAN.
George W. Sherman owns and operates a good farm of sixty-one acres of
land in Lyme township, and his business qualifications and his genuine personal
worth entitle him to mention with the representative citizens of Huron county.
A native of this township, he was born a half mile south of Hunts Corners on
the 22d of April, 1861, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Carpenter) Sherman,
old settlers of this district. The parents were natives of England, the father's
birth occurring March 9, 1838, while the mother's natal day was March 20,
1843. Samuel Sherman was but fourteen years of age when he left England with
his father, William H. Sherman, and his brother, Joseph, and came to Ohio,
locating in this county. The father, however, did not remain in this country, but
returned to England, leaving his son Samuel with Alonzo Husted, to whom he
was bound out as a farm hand to work until twenty-one years of age, when he
was to receive one hundred dollars and two suits of clothes. He worked so
diligently and faithfully, however, that at the age of twenty years Mr. Husted
released him and offered him the money and clothing. He accepted the latter
but left the money with his former employer on interest. He then worked for
Luther Avery for eleven dollars per month, until, by earnest toil and careful
expenditure, he had saved another one hundred dollars. He then drew his original
one hundred dollars from Mr. Husted, with the interest which had accumulated
in the meantime, and embarked in business on his own account, renting a farm
of Mr. Husted on shares. About this time he married Miss Mary Ann Car-
penter and afterward purchased thirty acres of land which now forms a part of
the farm owned by his son George W. As the years came and went he was suc-
cessful in his undertaking and by judicious investments extended his possessions
until his home farm consisted of sixty-one acres and he had accumulated other
property throughout the county, his holdings today amounting to three hun-
dred acres of land, aside from the tract now owned by the subject of this review.
He is a prominent member of the Episcopal church, regulating his life at all
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 99
times by its teachings. He now resides, at the age of seventy-one years, in
Monroeville, Ohio, but his wife passed away December 25, 1908.
George W. Sherman came to his present home when four years of age and
has since lived in this county, spending his boyhood days in the acquirement of
an education as a pupil of the district schools. When not busy with his text-books
he devoted his time to the tasks that usually fall to the lot of the farm lad and
at an early period became familiar with the work of the fields, assisting more fully
as his age and strength permitted, so that he was well equipped to take up the
work on his own account when, after attaining his majority, he secured the
farm upon which he now resides. It consists of sixty-one acres. It is a finely
improved property that yields abundant harvests in return for the care and labor
expended upon it. He is a progressive, up-to-date farmer, capably managing
his business interests, and the success which he has attained ranks him among
the representative agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Sherman was married on the 26th of January, 1887,* to Miss Florence
Sarah Fry, a native of England and a daughter of David and Martha (Button)
Fry, also natives of that country, the former born in 1847 and the latter in
1848. Leaving their native land at an early date, they became early settlers
in this county, where they still make their home. Mrs. Sherman is the eldest of
a family of six children, the family remaining unbroken by the hand of death.
The others are Byron W., Daisy S., Roland G., Elizabeth M. and Alice. As
the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman has been blessed
with six children, namely, David H., Mildred P., Frank T., Clements G., Blanche
G., and Joseph B., all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Sherman holds membership in the Lyme Trinity church, while his fra-
ternal relations are with the Woodmen of the World, Camp No. 40. He also is
a member of the Protective Horse Association of Lyme township. He is a mem-
ber of the school board and has served thereon for several terms. His political
allegiance is given to the republican party, but he does not seek public office as a
reward for party fealty, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his
personal affairs. He is, however, public spirited, taking a helpful interest in all
matters pertaining to the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the com-
munity, while his personal traits of character have gained him the esteem and
good will of his fellowmen.
WAKEMAN O. MAYNARD.
Wakeman O. Maynard* of Greenwich township, was born September 21, 1849,
in Peru, Huron county, his parents being John G. and Angeline (Osborne)
Maynard. Both the Maynard and Osborne families were originally from Tomp-
kins county, New York, and came to Huron county when John G. and Angeline
were young people, the latter becoming a teacher in the county schools and follow-
ing that occupation until marriage. They were farming people, and became promi-
nent and influential in their chosen occupation.
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100 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
The family of John G. Maynard consisted of five children: Charlotte A., Wake-
man O., John T., Oman A. and Louis, two of whom, Charlotte A. and Louis, are
deceased and lie buried in the Edwards Grove cemetery in Ripley township. Here
also the mother was laid to rest in the summer of 1885, and the father in the fall of
1887.
Wakeman O. Maynard had no educational privileges or opportunities outside of
the district schools of Ripley township, except one term in a select school in Green-
wich. He grew to manhood on the home farm, assisting in the usual work and
manifold cares of the business, unconsciously adding to a meager school educa-
tion the experience and handicraft of manual labor.
On September 6, 1886, Mr. Maynard married Miss Almeda Burge, one of the
successful and popular teachers of the county, who was a daughter of Benjamin
and Catherine Burge. Her death occurred in 1895, and left a vacant place in the
wide circle in which she moved, for, during the years she taught, she made many
true friends who held her in high esteem. On September 21, 1897, occurred the
second marriage of Mr. Maynard, his wife being Miss Isabella Lowrie, a daughter
of David and Agnes (Smith) Lowrie, of Cleveland, Ohio. Before her marriage
Mrs. Maynard was a teacher of ability and a great favorite of patrons and pupils.
To meet her is to meet a cultivated and superior mind, an intelligent and hospitable
woman, and to know her is to know a friend and companion.
Mr. Maynard has lived on the farm where he now resides since 1886. It is lo-
cated one mile northeast of the village of Greenwich, and consists of one hundred
and thirty-two acres of well improved land under a high state of cultivation — a
farm to be proud of.
A republican in politics, he takes active interest in all public affairs. As a mem-
ber of the township board of trustees, he has served six years and has shown him-
self a capable and thorough officer, while his service to the cause of education has
been through his membership in the township school board. As a promoter of all
public improvements, Mr. Maynard stands well to the front in his township. Yet
with the cares of a farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres and his public service,
he still finds time to engage in his favorite recreation of hunting and fishing, enjoy-
ing them most thoroughly. Both Mr. and Mrs. Maynard are members and active
workers in the Methodist church. But their home tells us best, perhaps, of the per-
sonality of the occupants — genuinely hospitable, cheerful, pleasant and refined, all
blended by that harmonizing influence denominated Christianity.
THEODORE D. SHEPHERD.
Theodore D. Shepherd became widely and prominently known throughout the
city of Norwalk as the efficient postmaster during almost two terms, and thus his
death, which occurred on November 21, 1904, was the occasion of deep and wide-
spread regret. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, October 13, 1843, and in
June, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss Ella S. Newman, who was born in Nor-
walk township, October 23, 1844.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 101
After reaching manhood and fitting himself for the responsible duties of a
business career, Mr. Shepherd engaged in bookkeeping and the accounting busi-
ness, following that profession for several years. He was later appointed post-
master of Norwalk and gave such efficient and capable service during his first term
that he was reappointed but his death occurred prior to the expiration of his second
term. In this connection he became well known because of his courteous treatment
of the patrons of the office and his capability in discharging his official duties.
His political allegiance was given to the republican party, to which he gave
stanch support. A highly respected citizen, his death caused deep regret not only
to the members of his own immediate household, but also among his many friends
and acquaintances.
As above stated, Mrs. Shepherd was born in Huron county, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles E. Newman. Mr. Newman was engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness throughout his active business career, handling dry goods, books, stationery,
etc. He was a communicant of the Episcopal church, to which he gave loyal sup-
port, while for thirty-five years he acted as superintendent of the Sunday school.
His death occurred when he was sixty-seven years of age, and thus passed away
one of the highly respected and well known citizens of Norwalk, for he had taken a
deep interest in many public movements, having served throughout a long period as
a member of the board of education. He was also active in the establishment of
the Children's Home at this place and did all in his power toward the advancement
and promotion of all worthy measures, giving freely of his time and means. His
political support was given to the republican party.
Mrs. Shepherd spent her girlhood under the parental roof and acquired her
education in the schools of her native city. It was in June, 1869, that she gave
her hand in marriage to Theodore D. Shepherd, and she became the mother of a
son and daughter ; Charles V., who was born June 15, 1871 ; and Cornie May, who
was born December 6, 1872, and on the 15th of November, 1894, gave her hand in
marriage to I. W. Goodell. Mrs. Shepherd takes great pride in the fact that she is
a Daughter of the Revolution, while her religious faith is indicated by her member-
ship in the Episcopal church. Having spent her entire life in the city of Norwalk,
she has a large circle of friends, who esteem her for her many excellent traits of
character and for the hearty welcome which they receive in her hospitable home.
ANDREW JACKSON BLACKMAN.
Andrew Jackson Blackman, the proprietor of Melrose Farm and one of the
most prominent and influential men of Clarksfield township, was born December 10,
1830, in New London township, Huron county, the son of Simeon and Wealthy
(Barret) Blackman. Both parents were natives of New York, but the father
came to this state in 1815, with his brother Joel, his family following later. On
the journey, he and his brother learned when they reached Buffalo that peace had
been declared ending the war of 1812 and that the city of Buffalo itself was to a
large extent wrecked by fire, incurred through the war. Continuing their journey
they came direct to Florence township, Huron county, and the next year Simeon lo-
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102 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
cated in New London township, where he bought one hundred and ten acres of
land, all timber, but with a log cabin upon it put up by the previous owner. Mr.
Blackman immediately set to work to clear the land and to put up a more sub-
stantial and permanent habitation. He also set out an orchard. The Barrett fam-
ily subsequently became residents of Ohio, and the daughter, on one of her visits
to her relatives here, met Mr. Blackman and was married to him on the 21st of
April, 1821. In the course of the many years of hardships that followed she proved
a most indispensable helpmeet. Mr. Blackman was a man who won success in all
of his undertakings, and in addition to his farming engaged in the manufacture of
potash, becoming a large producer of this substance and in the production of pearl
ash also. New London township was his home until 1833, when he removed to
Russia township, Lorain county, living there for two years. He removed to a
farm in the vicinity of Huron village, but the country there was new and unhealth-
ful, and seemed to offer but few chances of advancement, and after two years Mr.
Blackman removed to Vermilion township, Erie county, where he bought a farm.
After two years he traded this, in .1839, to Isaac Van Houton, for the farm in
Clarksfield township that was his home until his death, which occurred May 7,
1864. His wife survived him more than a quarter of a century and when death
called her, December 15, 1891, she was buried by her husband in Butterfield ceme-
tery, New London township. The couple were blessed with a family of eight chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were Orinda,
Elvira A., Wealthy A., Andrew J., Mary A. £nd George W.
Andrew J. Blackman is the only member of this family now living in Huron
county. He grew up on his father's farm, which was his home until his twenty-
first year. His education was derived from the district schools of the county, sup-
plemented by a term at Oberlin College. All his life he has been devoted to farm-
ing and two years after his marriage, in 1857, he purchased a small farm, which
has since been incorporated in his present acres. On this he has prosecuted a gen-
eral line of farming and has also engaged in stock raising and feeding. In both
of these pursuits he has been very successful. He owns at present something over
two hundred and sixty acres and at one time owned considerably more. He is also
a man who has given a great deal of time to the service of the people and has been
singularly active in political affairs. For a long period he filled the offices of town-
ship trustee, of justice of the peace and road supervisor, and it is only recently that
he has not held office of some kind. He cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor in
1852 and was later a consistent republican until recent years, when he has inclined
somewhat to independence in politics. He has always kept well informed on poli-
tical issues and is able to discuss questions intelligently. He investigates for him-
self and, as the right appears to him, so directs his course. For a number of years
he was a most active member of the Grange, but lately he has not been able to give
it so much time.
On the 1st of September, 1855, Mr. Blackman was united in marriage to Miss
Emeline Smith, a daughter of Sherman and Caroline (Knapp) Smith, of Huron
county. Her step-father, Simeon Hoyt, Mrs. Smith's second husband came from
Connecticut to Huron county in 1817 as a surveyor assisting his brother, Com-
fort Hoyt, of the Firelands, and with him was the first settler in Clarksfield town-
ship, where he became very prominent as years passed on. Two children were
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 103
born to Mr. and Mrs. Blackman, Sherman F. and Emma Dell. The latter mar-
ried Charles H. Burrows, a prosperous farmer of this township. The son has lost
his wife and now lives with his father at the old homestead. Mrs. Blackman died
June 14, 1909, and is buried in the Methodist Episcopal cemetery of Clarksfield
township.
Mr. Blackman has never been a church member, but good morals have ever
distinguished his career and the years of his life have borne witness to strong prin-
ciples and have had a noble influence upon the community in whose midst he lived.
The Blackman home is perhaps the most pretentious in Clarksfield township, is a
large brick building that in appointments and conveniences compares well with the
best homes anywhere. A large library discriminatingly supplied with the best cur-
rent and standard literature, is the pride of its owner. It is a home in the truest
sense of the word and most gracious hospitality is ever extended to the many,
friends who visit there.
JAMES HENRY HAKES.
James Henry Hakes, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eleven acres
in Bronson and Fairfield townships, has recently put aside the active work of the
fields and is now living retired in North Fairfield. His birth occurred in Bronson .
township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 1st of December, 1844, his parents being
Norman S. and Adlia M. (Fox) Hakes, both of whom were natives of New York.
In 1840 they made their way to this county, taking up their abode in Bronson town-
ship. They reared a family of five children, namely: James Henry, of this review ;
Norman William ; Samuel Albert ; Mrs. Annette Mycrantz ; and Mrs. Martha L.
Kellogg, a resident of Chicago, Illinois.
James Henry Hakes acquired his education in the common schools of his home
neighborhood and remained under the parental roof until four years after his mar-
riage. He then took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and eleven acres in
Bronson and Fairfield townships, which is still in his possession and to the cultiva-
tion and improvement of which he devoted his attention until 1909 In his farming
operations he followed practical and progressive methods and annually gathered
rich harvests which found a ready sale on the market. He likewise has a credit-
able military record, having enlisted as a soldier of the Union army in Septem-
ber, 1863, as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Vol-
unteer Infantry. He was mustered out on the 9th of September, 1864, and dur-
ing his entire term of service did garrison duty in Virginia, guarding the fortifica-
tions between Washington and Alexandria. He now makes his home in North
Fairfield and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a
most substantial and representative citizen.
In 1868 Mr. Hakes was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Holmes, a daughter
of William and Isabelle Holmes, of Fairfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes had
a family of seven children, as follows: Richard, Jane, Catherine, Mary, William,
Isabelle and James. Mrs. Isabelle Hakes passed away on the 28th of May, 1889,
leaving two children, Harry H. and Loftus N. For his second wife Mr. Hakes
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104 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
chose Mrs. Ellen M. (Muir) White, to whom he was joined in wedlock in June,
1898.
Mr. Hakes holds membership relations with the Grand Army of the Republic.
He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county in which
his entire life has been spent, his upright character and sterling worth having
gained him an enviable place in the regard of many friends.
WILLIAM BARBER.
William Barber, who for many years has been successfully identified with
general agricultural and stock-raising interests in Wakeman township, was born
in Wiltshire, England, on the 16th of January, 1828, his parents being Edward
and Jane Barber. In the year 1850 they crossed tha Atlantic to the United
States, coming direct to Wakeman township, Huron county, Ohio, where they
joined their son William, who had made the voyage to the new world in 1848.
Edward Barber, the father of our subject, was a cabinet-maker by trade but after
coming to this country turned his attention to farming. Unto him and his
wife were born six children, namely : Mary Ann, Sarah, Matilda, Elizabeth, Wil-
liam and Edward. All are now deceased with the exception of William, whose
name initiates this review.
William Barber obtained his education in the parish schools of his native land
and early in life learned the cabinet-maker's trade, working at that occupation
in England until he set sail for the United States in 1848. After landing in
this country he first went to Summit county, Ohio, where he remained for a
year, being employed at his trade. On the expiration of that period he came
to Wakeman township, this county, and bought twenty acres of timber land,
which he eventually developed into a good farming property. He has given his
attention to general agricultural pursuits almost exclusively throughout his
entire business career, though for a few years he also worked at the carpen-
ter's trade to some extent. As time passed by and his financial resources in-
creased he added to his holdings by additional purchase until at one time he
owned two hundred acres of rich and arable land, having cleared the timber
from one hundred acres. He cut down and burned enough good timber to have
made a fortune at present prices. In addition to cultivating the various cereals
best adapted to soil and climate he has also been engaged in the raising of stock,
both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. The
neat and thrifty appearance of his farm bespeaks his industry and systematic
methods. His crops are of the best, his stock is comfortably housed and in
fact everything about the place indicates the supervision of a practical and
progressive owner.
On the 6th of May, 1853, Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Hannah
E. Stiles, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Stiles, of Clarksfield township. The
Stiles family were among the early settlers of Huron county and took a prom-
inent part in community affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are the parents of eight
children, as follows : Anna E. ; Frank M., a resident of Chicago ; Ella, the wife
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 107
of Charles Peck, of Viola, Illinois ; Edward, living in Delaware ; Jane, at home ;
Henry, who follows farming in Wakeman township ; Ida, also at home ; and Wil-
liam C, who makes his home at Lorain, Ohio. On the 6th of May, 1909, Mr.
and Mrs. Barber celebrated their fifty-sixth wedding anniversary, on which
happy occasion all of their children, as well as a large number of friends and
acquaintances, were with them.
Politically Mr. Barber has always given his allegiance to the republican
party, casting his first presidential vote for Fremont in 1856. Though not active
in politics as an office seeker, he has always kept well informed on the ques-
tions and issues of the day and served in the position of township trustee and
also as a school director for many years. His religious faith is indicated by
his membership in the Congregational church, with which his wife and children
are also identified. He has always been active in church and Sunday-school
work and was instrumental in organizing a Sunday school in the local school-
house of which he was superintendent for many years. He is public-spirited to
a marked degree and well merits the esteem and respect which are uniformly
accorded him, being a high-minded gentleman of the old school whose entire
life has been characterized by industry and integrity. He has endeavored to
exemplify the teaching of the Golden Rule in his daily life and his influence
is always found on the side of right and progress. The worthy poor find in him
a sympathetic and helpful friend. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone
on life's journey and for sixty years of this time has been a resident of Huron
county, within the borders of which he is most widely and favorably known.
Coming to the new world in early manhood, he has felt that the country fully
justified his expectations and in this land, where labor is unhampered by caste
or class, he steadily advanced and as a result of his persistent energy and una-
bating industry gained a place among the substantial and representative citizens
of his community.
J. ANDREW M1SSLER.
J. Andrew Missler is the owner of one hundred and thirty-three acres of rich
and productive land in Sherman township, eighty acres of which is comprised in
one tract and the remaining fifty-three acres in another. He has been a resident of
Sherman township from his birth to the present time, his natal day being February
11, 1872. His parents, Andrew and Caroline (Meyers) Missler, were natives of
Germany but became acquainted in the United States and were married in this
country. It was in 1854 that the paternal grandfather, Francis Missler, brought
his wife and children to the new world, the family home being established in Hu-
ron county, Ohio, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest on the
19th of March, 1871. The demise of his wife occurred six weeks later. Unto
Andrew and Caroline (Meyers) Missler were born the following children: J. An-
drew, of this review; Catherine; Mary; Joseph; John; Jacob, deceased; Fred;
Otto ; and Clara, who has passed away.
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108 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
J. Andrew Missler attended school in Sherman township until he had attained
the age of fifteen years and then gave his entire attention to the work of the hom£
farm, assisting his father in its cultivation until twenty-eight years of age. He
then bought eighty acres of land from his father and subsequently purchased an-
other tract of fifty-three acres from him, so that his holdings now embrace one hun-
dred and thirty-three acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devotes
his time and energies with excellent results. He annually garners good crops and
has gained favorable recognition as one of the representatives and progressive
agriculturists of his native county.
On the 7th of June, 1898, Mr. Missler was united in marriage to Miss Caroline
Diehm, a daughter of Phillip and Barbara Diehm, of Sherman township. The
father, who followed farming throughout his active business career, is now de-
ceased. His children were seven in number, namely : Mary, John, Barbara, Frank,
Elizabeth, Caroline and Anna. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Missler have been born five
children : Lenus, Clem, Celia, Romie and Phillip Peter.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Missler has cast his
ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy. He and his wife
are communicants of the Catholic church and are people of the highest respecta-
bility, enjoying in almost unqualified measure the high esteem and kindly consid-
eration of all with whom they have come in contact.
JOHN PARROTT.
Industry, honesty, frugality — the three golden keys which unlock the door to
success — used by John Parrott, of Ripley township, he finds himself hale and
hearty at the age of eighty-eight years, with broad, rich acres and with the good-
will and respect of a host of friends. He is of English birth, born April 7, 1821,
and the son of William and Hannah (Lee) Parrott, of Somersetshire. His parents
with their nine children, came to Ripley township, July 28, 1841, and opened up a
farm. The mother passed away six years later in September, 1847, and the father
in January, 1856. The children in order of birth were: Mary, John, Charlotte,
Frederick, William, Hannah, Angeline, Eliza and George. Of these, John, Char-
lotte, Hannah and Eliza still survive.
John Parrott, now one of the wealthiest landowners of Greenwich, said that he
landed in Huron county with "one cent in my pocket, with which I bought a
cracker." So with the cracker in his stomach and a large and enthusiastic faith in
his heart, he went out and conquered the dragon of adversity. Hiring to a farmer
for eight dollars per month, he began the battle of life. He married at the age
of twenty-six, and in 1850 left home and friends to seek fortune in the California
gold fields. The overland journey of six months, with all its attendant thrilling ex-
periences, brought him to the scene of action. But, like many others, the steady
employment at large wages appealed to him more than the uncertainty of mining.
For a year he drove a three-yoke team of oxen at two hundred dollars per month.
Then family and civilization drew him back to the Buckeye state, returning by the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 109
isthmus route to find more gold in the soil of Greenwich township than he ever saw
in California.
The secret of Mr. Parrott's success is "work persistently and consistently per-
formed." Saving a little at eight dollars per month, a little more at two hundred
dollars, but always a portion of what he earned and investing as opportunity of-
fered. That is the story. The six hundred broad acres of rich Ripley soil came to
Mr. Parrott through that channel. General farming and stock raising have been
his life-time occupations.
Voting the democratic ticket consistently each recurring election day, and at-
tending and liberally supporting the Presbyterian church, to which his family be-
longs, has constituted the extent of his political and religious life. He is a citizen
whose influence gives strength to the community, because of the fine example of
his life.
John Parrott was married June 18, 1847, to Miss Jane Harkness, whose mother
had the distinction of being the first white woman settling in Fairfield township.
She was the daughter of Amos and Martha (Samples) Harkness, who came to
Fairfield township from Pennsylvania, in 1816. The mother died in February,
i860, and the father in July, 1869. To Mr. and Mrs. Parrott were born: Char-
lotte A. ; James P., now deceased ; William H., also deceased ; and Frank, a farmer
of Huron county.
JAMES F. MAYNE, M. D.
Dr. James F. Mayne, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of medi-
cine in Olena since 1897, was born in Pennsylvania, April 21, i860, a son of John
and Susan (Heggee) Mayrie, the former born in the Keystone state in 1829, while
the birth of the latter occurred February 22, 1831. John Mayne engaged in farm-
ing as a life work and took a very active interest in politics. He was called by his
fellow citizens to fill a number of township offices. He was a republican in poli-
tics. His death occurred in September, 1901, but he is still survived by his wife,
who has reached the advanced age of seventy-eight.
James F. Mayne, born on the home farm near New Castle, in Lawrence county,
Pennsylvania, was reared to agricultural pursuits. He acquired his education in
the State Normal at Edinboro, and after completing his studies, engaged in teach-
ing for seven years. In the meantime, having decided upon the practice of medi-
cine as a life work and having saved a sum of money sufficient to prepare himself
for this end, he then entered the medical department of the University of Woos-
ter, Ohio, where he was a student for two terms. He spent a year in Pittsburg,
in the meantime, graduating from the medical department of the University of
Wooster July 24, 1889. Having thus carefully prepared for the practice of medi-
cine he located in Edinburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year, and from
that place he went to Lottsville, that state, where he practiced seven years. Be-
lieving, however, that Olena offered a better field for his labors, he came to this
place in 1897, and in the intervening years has built up an extensive practice, which
extends over a radius of several miles, his services being in demand in many of the
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110 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
best homes in this district. He keeps two horses and an automobile to make his
trips ancfis thus able to answer all calls promptly.
On the nth of September, 1896, Dr. Mayne was united in marriage to Miss
L. Adelaide Wynn, who was born in New York state, May 18, 1865, a daughter
of J. I. Wynn, of Limestone, New York. Their marriage has been blessed with an
interesting little daughter, Helen Marie, who was born March 4, 1899. The Doc-
tor holds membership in the Huron County Medical Society and thus keeps in
touch with the advance made by the profession. He is also a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Presbyterian church. A republican in
politics, he finds little opportunity to devote to public measures as his time is fully
occupied with the demands of his practice. He is highly esteemed in Olena and
vicinity, not only as a professional man but also as a citizen and friend of humanity
who lives for the good he can do to his fellowman.
FRED SEEL.
Fred Seel is a prosperous and energetic agriculturist, residing on and owning
a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres in Lyme township, while he also has an-
other tract of one hundred and eighty-eight acres in the vicinity, lying partly in
Sherman township. His birth occurred in Germany on the 1st of October, 1855,
his parents being John P. and Dorothy (Gap) Seel, whom he accompanied on their
emigration to the new world about 1870. Coming direct to this county, they took
up their abode in Lyme township with their son William, who had crossed the At-
lantic about a year before. Both Mr. and Mrs. Seel continued worthy and re-
spected residents of this community until called to their final rest, passing away at
the ages of seventy and ninety years respectively. Their family numbered seven
children, namely : William ; Henrietta ; Philipena and Philip, all of whom are de-
ceased ; Pauline ; Peter, and Fred, of this review.
The last named has made his home in Lyme township since his arrival in the
United States when a lad of fourteen years. His education had been begun in his
native land and he further continued his studies in the schools of Lyme township
through two winter terms. On putting aside his text-books he gave his undivided
attention to the work of general farming and has been successfully connected with
that line of activity throughout his entire business career. In 1892 he purchased
the farm whereon he now resides from Asa Haywood and as the years have gone
by has brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement.
He erected a commodious and attractive residence and the labor he has bestowed
upon his place has made it a wel! improved and valuable farm, which in its neat
and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision. He has led an active, use-
ful and honorable life and now owns three hundred and thirty-four acres of val-
uable land in Huron county as the result of his business ability and judicious
investments.
On the 29th of February, 1888, Mr. Seel was united in marriage to Miss Dora
M. Bolenbacher, who was born in Sherman township, Huron county, December 13,
1857, a daughter of John P. Bolenbacher, of Lyme township. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 111
Seel have been born three children: Rosa, Edna and Philip, all at home. Mr. Seel
is a prominent and valued member of the Lutheran church of Lyme township, for
the erection of which he contributed liberally and in which he has served as trustee,
while for fifteen years he has been secretary. In the community where they re-
side both he and his wife are much esteemed as people of genuine worth, manifest-
ing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken con-
fidence and regard.
JOHN A. STRUTTON.
John A. Strutton, closely identified with the banking business in Norwalk since
1889, is now secretary of the Home Savings & Loan Association. In a logical
course of events he has risen to his present position of responsibility, his succes-
sive promotions having followed as the direct result of persistent energy and ac-
tivity and thoroughness in fully acquainting himself with the field of labor which
he cho$e as his life work. A native son of Norwalk, he was born September 19,
1866.
His father, Louis de Hayes Strutton, was born in London, England, January
16, 1821, and came to the United States in 1849, settling at Milan, Ohio. He was
first employed on the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad and as an expert ac-
countant opened their books. In 1850 he came to Norwalk and studied law, being
admitted to the bar in 1855. He then continuously engaged in practice up to the
time of his death which occurred in April, 1901. He held various offices pertaining
to the city's welfare and progress, being for some time a member of the city coun-
cil and also of the school board. His political allegiance was given to the democ-
racy and few men of the laity were better qualified to speak authoritatively upon the
political problems of the day. He regarded the profession of law, however, as his
chief life work and his devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial. He gave
to those whom he represented in a legal capacity the services of great talent, un-
wearied industry and comprehensive learning but he never forgot there were cer-
tain things due to the court, to his own self respect and above all to justice and a
righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the
pleasure of success would permit him to disregard. He wedded Eliza Wiles, who
was born in Ramsgate, England, in which country they were married in 1846.
Their family numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters including
William Strutton, who now resides in Bellevue, Ohio ; Sarah, now Mrs. Taber ;
and Miss Lucy Strutton, who is librarian of the public library at Norwalk. These
three together with our subject are the representatives of the family in Huron
county.
John A. Strutton acquired his early education in the public schools of Norwalk
and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College. Having studied
law he was admitted to the bar in 1889 but has never practiced. He has always
given his attention to banking interests, with which he became identified in 1889 as
teller in the First National Bank, thus continuing for twelve years. He then
helped to organize the City Banking Company and became its assistant cashier while
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112 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
at the same time he was treasurer of the Home Savings & Loan Company. On the
death of O. W. Williams, secretary of the latter institution, Mr. Strutton was
elected secretary and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time.
He has bent his energies to the careful and correct solution of financial problems
and in the management of affairs of the Home Savings & Loan Association, which
come in his department, he has contributed in substantial measure to the success
of the enterprise.
On the 15th of June, 1897, Mr. Strutton was united in marriage to Miss Caro-
line Wooster Boalt, a daughter of Captain Frederick H. Boalt, a native of Huron
county, who was a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Strutton lost one child
in infancy and they have two children living, Charlotte Frederica, born October 16,
1906, and Louis de Hayes, born July 29, 1909. The parents hold membership in
St. Paul's Episcopal church, of which he is a vestryman and treasurer. He is also
one of the trustees and members of Whittlesy Academy, of which his father was a
charter member. He is also the treasurer of the Young Men's Reading Room As-
sociation and belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity. In all mat-
ters relative to the public welfare he stands in the foremost rank of those who
seek improvement and progress for he has carefully studied the purposes and prob-
lems of life and realizes that above all money considerations is that of character
building and of doing for others.
THOMAS CONE.
Thomas Cone, who is the oldest resident of Monroeville, has long been num-
bered among the most prominent citizens of this county. His birth occurred
in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 10th of February, 1819, his parents being Les-
ter and Stella A. Cone. In the year 1830 they came to Ridgefield township,
Huron county, locating on the farm which has since remained the home of our
subject. The father was greatly interested in race horses and owned a number
of fine specimens of the noble steed, while his son later owned the famous Joe
Hoker. In 1835 he was shot and killed at Sandusky, Ohio, by Bob Hutchinson,
of Kentucky, during an argument about the money which the latter owed Mr.
Cone.
Throughout his active business career Thomas Cone has given his time and
energies to general agricultural pursuits, meeting with a gratifying and well
deserved measure of prosperity in that line of activity. He has a highly im-
proved and valuable farm of two hundred and thirty-two acres in Ridgefield
township, lying partly in Monroeville, and the substantial and commodious brick
residence thereon was erected by him in 1866. He also made the brick used in
its construction. Like his father, he has always been interested in race horses
and is widely recognized as one of the leading and representative citizens of
Huron county.
Mr. Cone has been married twice. In 1842 he wedded Miss Henrietta Smith,
who passed away in 1857? leaving two children, Lester and Charles E. Lester,
who served as a soldier of the Union army during the Civil war, died at the
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THOMAS OONE
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 115
Soldiers' Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Charles E. is married and makes
his home at Orange, New Jersey. On the 13th of October, 1858, Thomas Cone
was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Hathaway, whose
demise occurred on the 15th of April, 1908. Unto them were born two children,
namely : Thomas H., who is deceased ; and Henrietta, a resident of Kansas City,
Missouri.
In his political views Mr. Cone has always been a strong and inflexible re-
publican and for two terms capably served his fellow townsmen in the position
of assessor. Though not affiliated with any church, he has always endeavored
to do unto others as he would have them do unto him and has been a worthy
exemplar of the Golden Rule. He is most widely and favorably known through-
out the community where he has now made his home for almost eight decades
and receives the respect and veneration which should always be accorded one
who has traveled thus far on life's journey and whose career has ever been up-
right and honorable.
ALBERT SAMUEL PRENTISS.
Albert Samuel Prentiss enjoys the well earned distinction of being what the
public calls a self-made man. With limited opportunities in youth, thrown upon his
own resources from an early age, he has made continuous progress and upon the
foundation of physical and mental activity has built his success. He was born in
Monroeville, Ohio, April 2, 1861, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer
families of this part of the state. His grandfather, Jonathan Prentiss, arrived in
this county when the work of civilization and progress seemed scarcely begun and
established his home in Lyme township, where he followed the occupation of farm-
ing for a long period but eventually retired from active life. He died in Monroe-
ville at a very advanced age. His son, Samuel Prentiss, was a native of this county
and died in 1861. His wife bore the maiden name of Lois J. Brown and was a
daughter of Albert Brown, one of the old pioneers of Monroeville. He was born
May 6, 1801, came to this county about 1820 and for more than the Psalmist's
allotted span of three score years and ten continued his residence here, passing away
on the 27th of May, 1894. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Jane
Bloomer, was born May 18, 1808, and died October 9, 1888. She was a representa-
tive of one of the families that took up the work of development and improvement
here in pioneer times.
Albert S. Prentiss, an only child, is indebted to the schools of Monroeville for
his early educational privileges. His father died before the birth of the son and at
an early age the boy faced the necessity of providing for his own support, but it is
a well known fact that it is under the stimulus of need and in the face of opposition
that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed, and Albert S.
Prentiss soon became self-reliant as well as self-supporting, and learned many
lessons of value concerning life, its possibilities and its purposes. He first turned
his attention to the printing business in Monroeville and after learning the trade
removed to Norwalk in 1879 and became connected with the Norwalk Chronicle,
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116 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
which he represented in various capacities for five years. In 1885 he became asso-
ciated with Mr. Laning in the printing business and for many years has been treas-
urer of the Laning Printing Company, thus being well known as a representative
of the business life of Norwalk.
Mr. Prentiss has always taken an active part in public affairs, realizing the ob-
ligations and duties as well as the privileges of citizenship. To this end he has
stood for good government, for substantial progress and practical reform. For
two terms, or four years, he was a member of the city council. He was also a mem-
ber of the board of water works for two terms and while acting as a member of
the board was made a member of the building committee, having charge of the
construction of the new water works of Norwalk. He was also a member of the
board of public service for three years and for ten years has been secretary of the
public library. His labors have been far-reaching in their scope and influence and
in the position of leadership he has don., not a little to promote the best interests of
the city.
On the 14th of October, 1884, Mr. Prentiss was united in marriage to Miss Ida
D. Gilson who died in 1890. Later he wedded Florence N. Ruggles, a daughter
of A. J. and Theckla A. (Lewis) Ruggles, who were of an old pioneer family of the
county. Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss have one daughter, Corinne Florence, born in
Norwalk, September 28, 1898. He and his family occupy a handsome new resi-
dence on West Main street.
His fraternal relations are with the Masons and in the craft he has attained the
Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the National
Union and is a member of the Episcopal church. He is likewise a member of the
Whittlesy Academy, and a director of the Firelands Historical Society while his
political allegiance is stanchly given to the republican party. What he has accom-
plished represents the wise use of time, talents and opportunities and indicates the
chances which are open to the young man in this country where usefulness con-
stitutes the path to public honor and prominence.
ABEL C. MILLER.
Abel C. Miller, one of the well known, industrious and enterprising farmers of
Hartland township who is meeting with success in his agricultural pursuits, has also
figured prominently in the public affairs of the community in which he has resided
for a number of years, and his efforts have been potent elements in the progress
and improvement of the township. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Jef-
ferson township, Knox county, on the 21st of September, 1840, his parents being
Hiram and Priscilla (Clark) Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the
latter of Ohio. Representatives of the Miller family have been identified with the
interests of the state from early pioneer days, the grandfather of our subject, Jona-
than Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, having come to
Knox county, Ohio, in 18 12. The Clarks also came from the Keystone state, and
both families were very active in the early work of improvement and transforma-
tion carried on in the pioneer days of Ohio, coming in 1818 They were adherents
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 117
of the Quaker belief and were citizens of the highest type. Hiram Miller, the
father of our subject, acquired a good education in spite of the limited opportunities
then offered and was considered a fine grammarian and mathematician. He taught
school for some years in Knox county and later became a landowner, also engaging
to some extent in farming. He was a stalwart republican, deeply interested in
all matters of public moment, and passed away in 1856, at the age of forty-five
years, after casting his vote for John C. Fremont.
Abel C. Miller, who was reared upon his father's farm, attended the district
schools in the acquirement of his education, and when not engaged with his text-
books he assisted his father in the work of the fields, early learning lessons of great
value in the school of experience.
After completing his studies he engaged in teaching for several years, being
thus occupied during the winter months, while during the summer seasons he car-
ried on general agricultural pursuits. An interruption in his business came, how-
ever, in the spring of 1864, when he enlisted as a member of Company F, One
Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for one hun-
dred days he served with the Army of the Potomac, experiencing all of the hard-
ships and privation which that army, under General Grant, was compelled to en-
dure. When mustered out he returned home with an excellent military record.
After his return home Mr. Miller again took up his former occupations of
teaching and farming and was thus engaged until his marriage, which occurred
on the 19th of November, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha J. Norick,
a daughter of Hezekiah and Mary (Sell) Norick. Mrs. Miller was one of eleven
children born unto her parents, who originally came from Pennsylvania and, ar-
riving in Harrison county, Ohio, at a very early date, were numbered among the
pioneers of this state. Subsequently they removed to Knox county and still later
to Richland county, where both passed away. After his marriage Mr. Miller re-
moved to Richland county, where he resided for four years, and in 1874 he came to
Hartland township, Huron county, purchasing the farm upon which he has since
lived. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and is progressive and up-to-
date in his methods, and his untiring industry and well directed energy have proven
the salient characteristics in the prosperity which he now enjoys.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with six children, five of
whom still survive, namely : William E., who is married and resides in Massillon ;
Hiram C, who is also married and follows farming in Townsend township ; Mary,
the wife of Charles Robbins, of Hartland township ; Emma F., who wedded Fred-
erick Bedford and resides in Townsend township ; and Harriet, still under the pa-
rental roof.
Although he has gained a creditable degree of success in his business activities,
it is as a prominent figure in public affairs that Mr. Miller has become well known
throughout the community. In politics a life-long republican, he has been active
and influential in the local party ranks and for many years he was a member of the
township republican executive committee, serving at various times as a delegate to
district and county conventions. He has also been called to offices of trust and re-
sponsibility, the duties of which he performed at all times in a manner which re-
flected honor upon himself and credit upon his constituents. In the fall of 1900
he was elected county commissioner of Huron county and served six years, being
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118 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
reelected in 1903. He served as justice of the peace of Hartland township for fif-
teen years and was also township trustee and member of the board of education for
many years. He is a splendid type of the true American citizen whose influence
is always upon the side of progress, reform and improvement, and he has ever done
all in his power to bring about better conditions. While a member of the board of
county commissioners he was very active and helpful in the matter of road build-
ing and accomplished a great amount of good along this line.
He is a member of Townsend Pest, No. 414, G. A. R., and is an active factor
in its affairs. Although he does not hold membership in any special denomination,
he is, nevertheless, a firm believer in the church and its influence for good in the
community, and he never withholds his support from any matter which has for its
object the material, political, intellectual and moral development and growth.
WILLIAM BARNES.
William Barnes is numbered among the enterprising and progressive farmers
of Townsend township, where he owns a fine tract of land of seventy acres. He
was born near London, England, November 24, 1848, a son of George and Sararj
(Eath) Barnes, who emigrated with their family to the United States in 1852 and
established their home in Cleveland, Ohio. There the father sought employment,
working at anything that would bring to him an honest living for himself and
family. Prior to coming to the new world he had engaged in farming on a small
scale. On leaving Cleveland he removed to Camden, where he spent two years and
on the expiration of that period he located on a farm in Clarksfield township, where
he remained two years. He then took up his abode upon a farm in Wakeman town-
ship and continued agricultural pursuits there until his demise in July, 1895. Unto
him and his wife were born eight children, seven sons and one daughter : William,
Charles, Thomas, King A., Elizabeth, Edward, George and Frederick, and these
with the mother still survive.
William Barnes, the eldest of the family, did not enjoy very liberal educational
advantages, as, the family being in somewhat straitened circumstances, his ser-
vices were needed on the home farm, so that he was permitted to attend school only
a few weeks during the winter months and it was not until he had reached the age.
of eighteen years that he attended the Wakeman school for a full year. Since
reaching mature years, however, he has added to his knowledge by reading and in-
vestigation. During the summer months he assisted in the labor of the home farm,
doing a man's work in the fields at an age when most boys are acquiring their edu-
cation or enjoying the pleasures of life. In the winter months he worked in the
woods, preparing the fuel to supply the household needs and comforts.
Mr. Barnes eventually started out in life on his own account and from his earn-
ings saved the money that enabled him to purchase his present tract of seventy
acres, located in Townsend township. He established a home of his own by his
marriage on the 26th of February, 1876, to Miss Emily Westfall and on the 9th
of March following they began their domestic life in the house that Mr. Barnes
had prepared for his bride. He then began work in earnest and has continued to
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 119-
follow farming to the present time, his place being now one of the rich and highly
cultivated properties of his section of Huron county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes has been blessed with five children : Anna
R.; Cora, now the wife of William Sheffield, of Toledo, Ohio; Mary, Walter R,
who is married and makes his home in Wakeman township ; and William C, who is
also married and resides in Townsend township. Fully realizing his own lack of
advantages he resolved that his children should receive an education suited to the
demands of the time, that they might start out in life well equipped for the eager,
strenuous service of this exacting age, and therefore all have graduated from either
the Collins or Wakeman high schools, while subsequently the daughters were given
the advantages of Oberlin College.
Mr. Barnes is a republican in politics and is well informed on all public ques-
tions. Although he has frequently been urged by his fellow townsmen to accept
public office he would never consent to do so, with the exception of filling the po-
sition of road supervisor. He has also been a member of the township school
board for several years and takes a deep and active interest in the schools, that his
own and other children might be benefited. He and his family are members of the
Wakeman Congregational church, Mr. Barnes having joined the society forty years
ago. He has always been active in church and Sunday school work. Public spir-
ited in an eminent degree, he favors all legitimate public movements and is num-
bered among the enterprising and substantial farmers of Townsend township and
Huron county.
JOSEPH MISSLER.
Joseph Missler is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Sherman town-
ship, owning and operating ninety acres of land. He is numbered among the wor-
thy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Sherman township on
the 20th of August, 1876. His parents, Andrew and Caroline (Meyers) Missler,
were both born in Germany. The father was but a small boy when he accompanied
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Missler, on their emigration to the United
States in 1854, the family home being first established in Adams county, Ohio. At
the end of a year, however, they took up their abode in Huron county, where the
family has since been represented. Francis Missler, the grandfather of our subject,
was called to his final rest on the 19th of March, 1871, and six weeks later his wife
also passed away. Unto Andrew and Caroline (Meyers) Missler were born the
following children : J. Andrew ; Catherine ; Mary ; Joseph, of this review ; John ;
Jacob, deceased ; Fred ; Otto ; and Clara, who is deceased.
In his youthful days Joseph Missler attended the schools of his native town-
ship and on putting aside his text-books, at the age of seventeen years, turned his
attention to general agricultural pursuits, working by the month as a farm hand.
The work of the fields has always claimed his time and energies and in this line
of activity he has met with well deserved and commendable success, being now the
owner of a rich and productive tract of land of ninety acres in Sherman township.
On the 7th of June, 1904, Mr. Missler was united in marriage to Miss Nora
Miller, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Seisley) Miller, who were farming peo-
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120 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
pic of Seneca county, Ohio. The father was a native of Germany but the mother
was born in this country. Mrs. Missler was one of a family of eleven children,
her brothers and sisters being as follows : Rosa, George, Mary, Charles, Caroline,
Fred, Anna, Joseph, Ottilia and Otto.
Mr. Missler gives his political support to the democratic party and while he
keeps well informed on the political progress of the country, he has never been ac-
tive as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his
private interests. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of
the Catholic church. He has always made his home in this county and his upright
and honorable life commands the respect of a large circle of friends and
acquaintances.
WILLIAM CLEMENTS.
The agricultural interests of Huron county find a worthy and successful
representative in William Clements, who is the owner of a valuable farm of
one hundred and thirty-four acres in Ridgefield township. His birth occurred
in Bathford, Somersetshire, England, on the 9th of August, 1854, his parents
being Henry and Mary Clements, who spent their entire lives in that country.
On the 5th of January, 1878, while still residing in his native land, Mr.
Qements was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hughes, a daughter of John
and Anna (Shore) Hughes, of Wiltshire, England, by whom he had four chil-
dren. Ada L., the eldest, who was born November 26, 1878, was drowned on
the 29th of July, 1898, while boat riding at Cedar Point in company with Howard
Fish and another young couple. The boat was overturned and she and Mr.
Fish lost their lives, the other two young people being saved. George, whose
birth occurred September, 20, 1880, and who makes his home in Ridgefield town-
ship, wedded Miss Ethel Daunter, by whom he, has one child, Ada L. Rose,
whose natal day was March 8, 1882, gave her hand in marriage to Harry An-
drews and they reside in Groton township, Erie county. They now have two chil-
dren, Ada M. and Everett W. William J., born August 15, 1884, makes his home
in Monroeville. He wedded Miss Emma Dirilbliss and has two children, Eunice
M. and William.
In March, 1889, Mr. Clements crossed the Atlantic to the United States with
his wife and four children, the family home being established in Ridgefield town-
ship, Huron county. Securing employment as a farm hand, he was thus busily
engaged for four years, and then engaged in farming on shares until 1905, when
he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres from Mrs.
Anna M. Stentz. As the years have gone by he has made many substantial im-
provements on the property and in the conduct of his farming interests has met
with a most gratifying measure of prosperity by reason of his untiring industry,
indefatigable energy and excellent management.
Mr. Clement is a trustee of the Baptist church, of which the other members
of his familv are likewise devoted and faithful members. He is also identified with
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 123
the Foresters and the Protective Legion, acting as chaplain of those organiza-
tions. He is well known throughout the community as one of its substantial
citizens and progressive farmers who owes his advancement in life entirely to his
own perseverance and well directed labor, and is well worthy the regard which
is uniformly accorded him.
CHARLES HEYMAN.
The agricultural interests of Huron county find a worthy and successful repre-*
sentative in Charles Heyman, who owns a well improved farm of one hundred and
seventy-two acres in Peru township. He was born in Sherman township, this
county, on the 16th of November, 1858, a son of William A. and Janetta (Moore)
Heyman, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, whose birth oc-
curred in August, 1830, was a young man of eighteen years when he crossed the
Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode in Huron county, Ohio. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad W. Heyman, who emigrated to this country two
years later, established their home at Hunts Corners, whil^ subsequently they re-
moved to Weavers Corners, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
On arriving in this county William A. Heyman, the father of our subject,
worked as a farm hand for different agriculturists of the community but> carefully
saving his earnings, was at length enabled to purchase one hundred acres of land
in Sherman township and began farming on his own account. As the years passed
by and his financial resources increased he added to his landed holdings by addi-
tional purchase, buying a tract of two hundred and fifty acres in Sherman town-
ship and another of one hundred and twelve acres in Lyme township. He became
widely recognized as a most substantial, progressive and representative citizen of
the county and at one time owned about six hundred acres of rich and productive
land. His political allegiance was given to the men and measures of the democracy
and he acted as justice of peace in Sherman township for more than twenty years,
did valuable service as a member of the school board and also proved a capable in-
cumbent in other positions of public trust. He assisted in the erection of the Ger-
man Reformed church at Hunts Corners and the Lutheran church at Pontiac, in
both of which he held membership and also served in an official capacity. His
demise, which occurred on the 12th of May, 1903, was the occasion of deep and
widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of friends by reason of his
honor, integrity and uprightness in every relation of life.
His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Janetta Moore, was about eight-
een years of age when she accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new
world, the family home being established in Sherman township, Huron county.
She was called to her final rest in 1873, when forty-three years of age. By her
marriage she had become the mother of fifteen children, as follows : Mary, who is
now the wife of William Boehler ; Emma, who wedded Henry Bishop, of Nebraska ;
Louisa, who is deceased ; Charles, of this review ; Sarah and David, who have like-
wise passed away ; Adam, a resident of Michigan ; Isaac and Henry, who make
their home in Lyme township ; William ; Jacob, likewise living in Lyme township ;
Clara, who is the wife of H. Hacker and resides in Michigan ; Ben, of Kansas ; and
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124 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Henry and Isaac, who are deceased. Subsequent to the death of hs first wife Wil-
liam A. Heyman was again married, his second union being with a Mrs. Weirmas-
ter, a widow, by whom he had two children : Hugo, who has passed away ; and
Otto, a resident of Bellevue.
With the exception of ten months spent at Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, Charles
Heyman has always resided in Huron county. He obtained his education in the
district schools of Sherman township, where he made his home until twenty-three
years of age, when he took up his abode in Lyme township, there remaining for two
years. On the expiration of that period he came to Peru township and has here
since resided. He owns a valuable and finely improved farm of one hundred and
seventy-two acres and in the conduct of his agricultural interests has met with a
measure of prosperity that entitles him to recognition among the successful and
progressive citizens of his native county.
On the 9th of March, 1882, Mr. Heyman was joined in wedlock to Miss Louisa
Boehler, a native of Peru township and a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Seibel)
Boehler, of that township. By this union there are two children: Gotthold W.,
whose birth occurred April 13, 1883 ; and Anna L., now the wife of J. C. Linder,
of Peru township.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Heyman has given his
political allegiance to the democratic party and is now serving as township* school
director. He acted as constable of his township for two years and was also elected
justice of the peace but declined the honor. He is an officer in the German Luth-
eran church at Pontiac, in the work of which he is most actively and helpfully inter-
ested. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and
his fidelity to honorable, manly principles has won for him the good will and friend-
ship of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
SAMUEL L. HARVEY.
Samuel L. Harvey, the well known proprietor of the Fairfield Plow Works, was
born in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 26th of January, 1852, his
parents being John and Susanna (Ash) Harvey, both of whom were natives of
Leicestershire, England. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States about
1846 and came direct to Fairfield township, this county, locating on a farm which
the father purchased within a year after taking up his abode thereon. On that
place he successfully and energetically carried on his agricultural interests until the
time of his retirement from active business life. Unto him and his wife were born
the following children, namely : Frances, the widow of Merrett Tuttle ; Mrs. Diana
St. Johns ; Richard, who was killed by a tree falling upon him ; David, who wedded
Miss Anna McCrary ; Samuel L., of this review; and John LeGrande, who married
Miss Fanny Johnson, of Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Samuel L. Harvey obtained a good practical education in the common schools
and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage. He then took
up his abode on his father's farm, where he continued to reside until 1881, when he
came to North Fairfield and worked at painting and carpentering for about two
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 125
years. In 1884 he became engaged in the boot and shoe business, with which he
was connected until 1887, when he formed a partnership with Homer Lamoureaux
and Olen O. Olney for the manufacture of plows, the enterprise being known as the
Fairfield Plow Works. At the end of a few months, however, Mr. Olney and Mr.
Harvey purchased the interest of Mr. Lamoureaux and the concern was then con-
ducted under the name of Olney & Harvey until 1893. In that year Mr. Harvey
bought the interest of his partner and has since remained as the sole owner of the
business, which is now known as the Fairfield Plow Works. The concern manu-
factures both steel and chilled plows and Mr. Harvey has gradually built up the
trade until it is now one of large proportions, shipments being made throughout
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and other states. The factory turns out
what is known as the Fairfield Burch plow, of which Nicholas Burch, a resident of
North Fairfield was the patentee. On February 24, 1906, the entire plant was de-
stroyed by fire but it was immediately replaced by a new one on the same site. Mr.
Harvey himself sells most of the output, spending about six months of each year on
the road. He possesses in a remarkable degree the qualities desirable in the execu-
tive officer of a large manufacturing business — energy, industry, tact, a retentive
memory, quick assimilation and mastery of details and a wide knowledge of the
needs of the trade.
On the 23d of April, 1874, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Cinde
L. Godden, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Butler) Godden, of Fairfield
township, Huron county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Godden reared a family of eight
children, as follows : Harriett, Elizabeth, Mary, Jennie, Sarah, Cinde, Emory and
John. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born two sons. Fay Hendrickson,
whose birth occurred June 22, 1875, wedded Miss Edith Baumgardner, a daughter
of Israel and Mary Baumgardner, of Ridgefield township. They now have two
children, Vera Fay and Barbara. Fay H. Harvey is in the employ of his father.
Charles Durward, the younger son, who was born on the 2d of July, 1877, is en-
gaged in the undertaking business. He married Miss Laura Bishop, a daughter
of David A. and Sarah Elizabeth Bishop, by whom he has one child, Elizabeth
Shirley.
Mr. Harvey is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian church,
associations which are a clear indication of the principles which govern his life and
guide his conduct in his relations with his fellowmen. He is now serving as one of
the elders in the church. In the county where his entire life has been spent he has
an extensive and favorable acquaintance and is widely recognized as a prominent
and successful representative of its manufacturing interests.
FRED H. SMITH.
Fred H. Smith is at the head of The Smith Monumental Works, one of the
largest establishments of its kind in the country, the business being located in
Norwalk, the annual sales amounting to between thirty and sixty thousand dol-
lars. Mr. Smith is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Sandusky,
Erie county, February 27, i860. He acquired his education in the public schools
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126 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of his native city and when a youth of fifteen years, began learning the marble
cutter's trade, being bound out by his father for a term of three years. His term
of indenture being completed, in 1878, when eighteen years of age, he learned
that A. T. Davis, then conducting a marble shop in Norwalk was in need of help
and Mr. Smith accordingly applied for the position, which he secured, receiving
as compensation a dollar and a half per day. He continued with Mr. Davis a
year and a half, his wages being advanced to two dollars and a half per day.
Severing his connection with that firm, he then engaged with R. R. King, with
whom he worked at intervals for two years, while later he entered the employ
of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, cutting stone for their bridge work and
receiving a salary of three dollars per day. Still later, he was employed for a
time by the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Company, doing marble cutting
for bridge piers and receiving a good salary for the same.
In December, 1883, having saved a small amount of money from his earnings,
Mr. Smith formed a partnership with W. V. McKnight, a former fellow work-
man, and on the 1st of January, 1884, they began operations in the marble busi-
ness. Their joint capital amounted to but two hundred dollars but they were
young men of determination and energy and during the ten years in which they
did business together, they built up a large and lucrative trade. After a decade
Mr. McKnight died and Mr. Smith purchased his interest in the business from
the heirs and continued in the same line, the firm name, however, being changed
from McKnight & Smith to The Smith Monumental Works, which continues
to the present time. The business was first located at the corner of Seminary
street and Linwood avenue. During this period the business had grown to
such proportions that it became necessary to seek larger quarters. Accordingly,
in June, 1900, Mr. Smith purchased the builders' supply business at the corner of
Prospect and Monroe streets, which was formerly used as a supply yard by the
Norwalk Brick and Stone Company. On this ground he erected a plant, thirty-
six feet wide, one hundred and eighty feet deep and twenty feet high. Here he is
now conducting business and in addition to monumental work, also handles all
kinds of builders' supplies, with the exception of hardware and lumber. He
has secured a large patronage in all branches of his business and especially in
the monumental trade, specimens of his work being found in the various ceme-
teries over a radius of thirty miles. He employs twenty skilled workmen, and
being himself well versed in the monumental business in its various phases, he
is thus able to give the utmost satisfaction to his patrons. Perhaps the most
notable work which he has done is to be found in the Milan cemetery — the Fries
Mausoleum, which was erected for the late Valentine Fries, one of Ohio's great-
est shipbuilders, at a cost of seventeen thousand, five hundred dollars, it being one
of the most expensive individual mausoleums to be found in all northern Ohio. The
annual sales now amount to between thirty and sixty thousand dollars and are
still increasing. Mr. Smith has connected with him in business his two step-sons,
James J. and Harry G. McKnight, both bright young men, who will undoubtedly
become experts in their particular line. Both are graduates of a business college.
Mr. Smith was married in 1895, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Katharine
(McKnight) Burger, who was born in Norwalk, April 17, 1863. Her father,
Joseph Burger, was bom in Peru township, Huron county, in 1832. When young,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 127
he learned the carpenter's trade and has spent his entire life in this city, being one
of the worthy pioneer citizens of this section of the state.
Mr. Smith is a republican in his political views, while in religious faith, he is a
Congregationalism He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to both the subordinate lodge
and the encampment. He may truly be called a self-made man, for, starting out
with comparatively nothing, he has through the inherent force of his nature and
the utilization of opportunities, passed from the unknown into prominence, ad-
vancing from a humble place in the business world to a position of distinction as
head of The Smith Monumental Works, an establishment of wide reputation
throughout northern Ohio.
SAMUEL C SHERMAN.
George Washington said that "agriculture is the most useful as well as the most
honorable occupation of man;" and it is to this line of activity that Samuel C.
Sherman devotes his time and energies, owning a well improved and productive
farm of ninety-eight acres in Lyme township. His birth occurred in that town-
ship on the 5th of March, 1865, his parents being Samuel and Mary Ann (Car-
penter) Sherman, both of whom were natives of England and became early set-
tlers of Huron county, Ohio. The former, whose natal day was March 9, 1838,
was a lad of fourteen years when he accompanied his father, William H. Sher-
man, and his brother, Joseph Sherman, on their emigration to the new world, a
settlement being made in this county. Subsequently William H. Sherman re-
turned to England, leaving his son Samuel with Alonzo Husted to whom he was
bound out. It was agreed that the lad should work for Mr. Husted until he had
attained the age of twenty-one years, when he would receive one hundred dollars
and two suits of clothes. He proved so faithful, energetic and industrious that
Mr. Husted gave him the money and clothing a year before his apprenticeship
had expired. Leaving the money with Mr. Husted, who agreed to pay interest
thereon, Mr. Sherman went to work for Luther Avery at a wage of eleven dol-
lars per month. He remained in that employ until, by close economy, he had
saved another hundred dollars and then Mr. Husted gave him the money which
he had earned during his term of indenture, together with the interest that had
accrued thereon. Mr. Sherman was at this time about twenty-three years of age
and started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting a tract of land on
shares from Mr. Husted. He also made further preparations for establishing
a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Ann Carpenter, who was born
in England on the 20th of March, 1843. When his well directed labor and careful
expenditure had brought him sufficient capital, Mr. Sherman purchased thirty
acres of land in Lyme township and afterward extended the boundaries of the
place by additional purchase until it comprised sixty-one acres, which farm is now
in possession of his son, George W., whose sketch appears on another page of this
volume. As the years went by and his financial resources increased, Mr. Sherman
gradually added to his holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred acres
of rich, productive and arable land in (his county and is widely recognized as
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128 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
a most substantial, enterprising and respected citizen. Beginning with absolutely
nothing but his own willing hands and indomitable courage, he has made his way
to success and prosperity and well merits the confidence and esteem which are
uniformly accorded him. He now makes his home in Monroeville and is a valued
member of the Episcopal church, in which he has served as deacon. His wife was
called to her final rest on the 25th of December, 1908.
Samuel C. Sherman was reared to agricultural pursuits and acquired his
education in the district schools. He has always made his home in Lyme town-
ship and has followed farming throughout his active business career, purchasing
his present place of ninety-eight acres in 1895. For six years prior, however,
he had operated the farm as a renter and has made many improvements on the
property, remodeling the dwelling, erecting barns, etc. In fact, the place is
lacking in none of the accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twen-
tieth century and the fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care
and labor that is bestowed upon them.
In November, 1887, Mr. Sherman was joined in wedlock to Miss Carolina
Peadon, a native of Lyme township and a daughter of George and Anna Peadon,
who were born in New Jersey and became residents of Lyme township, this
county. By this union, there are seven children, namely: Bertha M. ; Henry G. ;
Mabel Ann ; Charles C, who is deceased ; Carl L. ; Samuel L. ; and Laura E. The
surviving children are all at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Sherman has cast
his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has
served as road supervisor for several terms. Like the other members of his
family, he is affiliated with the Episcopal church of Lyme township, of which
he is acting as deacon and sexton and in the work of which he is deeply and help-
fully interested. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have always resided in this com-
munity and have an extensive circle of friends who esteem them for their gen-
uine personal worth and upright, honorable lives.
CHARLES A. SUTTON.
Charles A. Sutton, a wealthy farmer of Greenwich township, Huron county,
and well known for the active and influential part he has played in this locality,
owns three hundred and ninety-six acres of excellent land, upon which he lives.
It was also the place of his birth, which occurred July 4, 1844, and the modern
brick house which is his home stands not very far from the little log cabin which
was his father and mother's first home when they came to this county still in the
state of a wilderness. He is the son of J. Aranson and Emiline (Brady) Sutton,
both of whom were parties to experiences in the pioneer days that rival any that are
told of persons who have by virtue of circumstances attained to historic prom-
inence. Aranson Sutton, who was born April 1, 1802, and two companions, his
twin brother Alanson and James Carver, formed a trio who came from New
York state to Ohio in 1824. They were all single men and spent the first night
in Greenwich township, Huron county, with the family of Willis Smith, who
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 131
then lived about one mile east of Greenwich village. The three young men first
took up a tract of land in Ruggles township in what is now known as Ashland
county, and began the work of clearing. Aranson, however, after a time, sold
his interest in the land to Mr. Carver, who remained there. For a few years he
worked at whatever there was to do, until in 1828 he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of land and built his cabin home. About this time he married, and his
wife who had to share the rude cabin and the few conveniences, did her share
toward relieving the hardships of the men. Even the simplest domestic duties
were performed with difficulty, for when Mr. Sutton and the men who helped
him were out in the woods clearing land for the crops, his wife would be cook-
ing their meals over a log fire in the open air. He had come to this county with
three hundred dollars in money, a log chain, an ax, and a few other belongings,
but he went to work with the determination to win. His acres grew to the num-
ber of six hundred, and when an accident in the woods brought about his death,
November 17, 1870, a train bearing down upon his wagon, which passed over his
body, he held good securities to the value of twenty thousand dollars, besides a
large amount of personal property. Not only had he been a man who was active
in advancing his own private interests, but he was also deeply interested in public
matters. For a period of twenty years he served as justice of the peace, and it
is said that during that time almost all the marriages of this locality were solemn-
ized by "Squire Sutton." He was an active worker in the Methodist church,
being known as an exhorter, and he contributed liberally to all church and charit-
able work. In his family were five children : Charity, Mary J., Sarah, Louisa
and Charles A. Louisa, who is now Mrs. J. A. Fancher, and the son, Charles A.,
are the only members of the family now living. Mrs. Sutton died January 28,
1873, and with her husband lies buried in Ninevah, Greenwich township.
The son grew to young manhood on his father's farm and acquired his early
education in the county district schools, which he supplemented by a few years at
Berea College and at Oberlin. At the age of twenty-six he married and with his
wife settled on the home farm, upon which they have lived ever since. It is a
fine tract of land of three hundred and ninety-six acres, and its fields bear wit-
ness to the thorough methods of culture prosecuted by its owner. But though
as a farmer he is successful in the highest interpretation of the word, that is
not his only concern in life, for he has large financial interests in the Home Sav-
ings & Banking Company of Chicago Junction and in the First National Bank of
Greenwich. In several other enterprises, large and small, he is interested as well.
In politics he and his sons are stanch republicans and factors in the counsels of
the party, frequently being members of county committees and delegates to party
conventions. Aside from such positions, however, he has never been persuaded
to accept any office within the gift of the people, though for a long term he did
serve the community well as a member of the township school board.
On the 21st of April, 1870, Mr. Sutton married Miss Ann E. Ellis, a daugh-
ter of William B. and Esther (Rickard) Ellis. Mrs. Ellis was a native of Trum-
bull, Ohio, but her husband came to this state from Onondaigua county, New
York. He attained to a fair prominence among the farmers here, possessing
four hundred acres of land at the time, he passed away, May 28, 1884. His wife
survived a little less than four years. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have three sons:
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132 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Edward A., William B. and Charles D. The eldest is a cashier in the Home
Savings & Banking Company of Chicago Junction ; the second has assumed all
the responsibilities of the home farm ; and Charles D. is a coal dealer of Cleve-
land, being the head of the C. D. Sutton Coal Company.
Mr. Sutton and his sons, who appear to be following in his footsteps, are all
Christians and give their support to churches, their influence being ever exerted
for the good of the community. He is a man whose life may well bear inspec-
tion, for. he is one of this county's finest citizens.
WILLIAM HENRY TREMBLEY.
William Henry Trembley, a retired agriculturist residing in North Fairfield,
was born in Ripley township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 30th of December,
1837, his parents being William and Sarah Ann (Hoffmier) Trembley, natives
of New Jersey and New York respectively. The father spent his early life in
Tompkins county, New York, and about 1828 came to Huron county, this state,
taking up his abode on a farm which he had purchased in Ripley township. Sub-
sequently he sold that property and bought a farm in Fairfield township, in the
cultivation and improvement of which he was successfully engaged until the time
of his demise. He was twice married and by his first wife had five children,
namely : Jerome, Minor, Sarah Ann, David and Mary Ann. By his second wife,
he also had five children, as follows: William Henry, Marion, Oliver, Evalina
and Mary Ann.
William Henry Trembley was married when a young man of about twenty-
seven years and continued to reside on his father's farm until 1869, when he
removed to Michigan, in which state he followed general agricultural pursuits for
eleven years. On the expiration of that period, he returned to the old home farm
— a rich and productive tract of land comprising one hundred and ten and a
half acres — which he purchased in 1893. Here he energetically and successfully
carried on his farming interests until 1909, winning prosperity as the result of his
untiring, persistent and well directed labor. He has now put aside the active
work of the fields and is living retired in North Fairfield, enjoying in well earned
ease the fruits of his former toil. At the time of the Civil war, he did active
duty as a soldier in the Union army, enlisting in August, 1862, as a* private of
Company D, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated
in the battles of Perryville, Stone River and Nolansville and was honorably dis-
charged in March, 1863, his term of enlistment having expired.
On the 12th of October, 1864, Mr. Trembley was united in marriage to Miss
Harriett Bell, who was born on the 16th of March, 1843, her parents being Na-
thaniel and Nancy Ann (Reynolds) Bell, both of whom were natives of Richland
county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bell reared a family of six children, namely: Jesse
W., William W., John W., Sarah Jane, Hannah and Harriett. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Trembley were born three children, two sons and one daughter. William
M., the eldest, who was born in 1866 and resides in Fairfield township, wedded
Miss Delia Miller, by whom he has three children : Ivan, Sarabelle and Leon. Jay
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 133
W., whose birth occurred in 1871, lives on the old homestead in Fairfield township.
He married Miss Maud Parker and they now have one son, Carl O., born in 1906.
Eva, born in 1879, also makes her home in Fairfield township and is the wife of
Adelbert Ewing, by whom she has two children : Alva and Charles Henry.
Mr. Trembley belongs to the Baptist church and has served as a member of
its finance committee. He likewise belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic
at Norwalk and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades.
Today, at the age of seventy-one years, he is in possession of a comfortable com-
petence and pleasant home and his well spent life merits the confidence and re-
spect of his fellowmen.
FRANK H. RUSSELL.
Frank H. Russell, who for the past five years has been the principal of the
Clarksfield schools and enjoys a reputation more than state wide among the
breeders of sheep and poultry, was born in Greenwich township, Huron county,
May 5, 1878, and is the son of George and Louisa (Reynolds) Russell, both of
whom were natives of this county. The father served in the Civil war as a mem-
ber of the Twelfth Ohio Independent Battery and is still living, but the mother
died February 16. 1893. He has always been a farmer and since 1884 has been
a resident of Clarksfield township, though really all his life, with the exception
of about five years, has been spent here. Three children were born to him and
his wife : Frank H., Doren G. and Jennie L., all of whom are living.
Frank H. Russell spent his youth on his father's farm and received his edu-
cation in the district schools of Clarksfield township. Later he was graduated,
in 1899, from the Fitchville high school, through which he worked his own way,
having taught school during his senior year, keeping up with his class at the
same time. Since graduation, he has devoted himself to teaching and for the
past five years has been principal of the Clarksfield Hollow schools and now, in
1909, is still filling that position. In his profession, he has been very successful,
is a progressive teacher and popular with his patrons and pupils alike, and the
work accomplished in the school is very gratifying to the citizens of the village.
In addition to his interest in education, Mr. Russell takes a great interest
in sheep, poultry and dog breeding. Of the first, he breeds American, Delaine and
Merino, and his flocks contain some of the finest animals in the state. As the
breeder of thoroughbreds he has made a reputation which has brought his animals
into such demand, that he is not able to supply all the orders for them that come
from all parts of the United States. He is an ambitious and aspiring young
breeder and spares no care to ensure the best stock to be had. In poultry, he
raises pure bred Single Comb Brown and White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds,
Barred Plymouth Rocks, White Wyandottes, and Black Minorcas. Pedigreed
Scotch collies are his choice of dogs. He exhibits frequently throughout the
state, where his animals have not only brought him fame, awards in large num-
bers, but also an income of no small proportions. Since 1901, he has made his
home in Clarksfield Hollow, and his farm, embracing sixty-five acres, borders
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134 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
the village. It is well adapted to his breeding interests, and his barns, yards and
kennels excite the admiration of all who are concerned with such. Agriculture as
well receives some share of his time, so that with all his interests, he is a very
busy man.
On the 14th of December, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rus-
sell to Miss Onie Stone, the daughter of Fernando and Julia (Clarke) Stone, of
Fitchville township. Of this union, there have been born three daughters: Ber-
nice L., Grace J. and Ruth L. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and is intimately identified with all church and Sunday school
work.
In politics, Mr. Russell is a republican, but though he is active in all public
matters and interested in the proper administration of affairs, he has never sought
for office. He is a man of progressive spirit along all lines, in his vocation and
his avocation, and the home of which he is the head is one of the factors here
for the advancement of good work and intelligent interest in affairs.
JEROME L. MEAD.
Jerome L. Mead, the senior partner of the well known firm of Mead & Wood-
ward, was born on the old homestead farm just outside the corporation limits of
the city of Norwalk, his natal day being November 7, 1850. His parents were
Joel E. and Betsy Ann (Lewis) Mead, the former born in Putnam county, New
York, in 181 7, while the latter's birth occurred in Huron county, Ohio, in 1820.
The father, who was identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his
entire business career, was called to his final rest in 1870. Of his family of seven
children, three still survive.
Jerome L. Mead acquired his education in the country schools and was reared
on the home farm, the management and care of which devolved upon him when
his father passed away in 1870, he being the eldest son of the family. Subse-
quently, he bought the interest of the other heirs in the property and thus became
the sole owner of the old homestead farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres,
in the cultivation and improvement of which he was actively and successfully en-
gaged for about twelve years. At the end of that time, he disposed of the prop-
erty and purchased a tract of land of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Fair-
field township, where he remained for seven years, conducting an extensive busi-
ness as a buyer and shipper of all kinds of live stock.
In 1896, he came to Norwalk, where he has since been engaged in the produce
business as a member of the firm of Mead & Woodward, the junior partner being
D. O. Woodward. They buy and ship grain, wool, hay, etc., and also deal in
coal and seeds of all varieties, their business having amounted to more than two
hundred thousand dollars annually for the past few years. They have three
elevators and also own considerable real estate, which they rent. The firm en-
joys an unassailable reputation for the honesty of its business methods, the part-
ners being widely recognized as men of unfaltering integrity and unquestioned
reliability. Mr. Mead is well known as one of the substantial, enterprising and
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 135
progressive citizens and business men of his native county and the success which
has attended his efforts is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it is
entirely the result of his own well directed labor, capable management and excel-
lent executive ability.
On the 2d of May, 1877, Mr. Mead was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda
L. Woodward, whose birth occurred in Clyde, Ohio, on the 8th of April, 1848,
her parents being O. P. and Clara D. Woodward. The two sons born of this
union are as follows : Ralph W., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on
the 27th of January, 1878; and Fred J., whose birth occurred December 15, 1880.
Both children obtained their education in schools of Norwalk and Cleveland.
Ralph W., the elder son, is now serving in the capacity of bookkeeper with the
firm of Mead & Woodward. He is a graduate of Adelbert college of Cleveland,
a member of the class of 1902, and is a fine example of the modern American
young business man. Fred J. Mead is engaged in the manufacture of burial vaults
at Orange, New Jersey, conducting an extensive business of that character. He
has built up the enterprise through his own efforts and, though still a young man,
has gained recognition among the leading and representative citizens of his com-
munity.
In his political views, Mr. Mead is a stanch republican and has capably served
as the incumbent in the office of township treasurer for two terms. He is a
devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, the teachings of
which he exemplifies in his daily life. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance
throughout the county where he has always resided and fully merits the high
regard which is uniformly given him.
JOHN K. HESTER.
John K. Hester owns and operates the old homestead farm, consisting of one
hundred and four acres, situated in Bronson township, and here he gives his at-
tention to raising the various grains adapted to the soil and climate. He was
born on this farm, September 10, 1850, the third in a family of four sons, whose
parents were Matthias and Louisa L. (Kiser) Hester, the former born in Ash-
land county, Ohio, December 24, 1815, and the latter September 22, 1822. The
other members of the family are Wallace W. and George M., both now deceased,
and Jay M., who makes his home in Clyde, this state. Matthias Hester was a stone
mason and engraver by trade and worked at the same until after his marriage.
He then engaged in farming in Huron county, and owing to his own labors and
the wise counsel and assistance of his wife, he became quite successful in this
venture. She died in 1878, and thus the members of her household suffered a
severe loss. The death of the father occurred October 18th, 1903.
John K. Hester was reared to farm life and acquired a common school educa-
tion. He is now the owner of the farm which his father purchased in 1848 and
which has been in possession of the family since that time. Mr. Hester is en-
gaged in general farming on one hundred and four acres and in addition to his
work he also handles machinery and real estate. At the present time, he is dealing
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136 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
in real estate in northwestern Texas and is very enthusiastic over the prospects of
that district.
Mr. Hester was married in 1877 to Mrs. Cecelia J. Atwater, who was born in
Huron county in 1852, and by her former marriage had one daughter, Anna
A., who was born July 30, 1873. She is now the wife of Edward F. Swimmer,
by whom she has three children : Raymond H., born April 7, 1900 ; Helen Adelaide,
born October 22* 1^03; and Cecelia I., who was born December 3, 1907.
Mr. Hester is a republican in his political views but is not active in the work
of the party, preferring to give his time to his farming interests, in which he is
meeting with success. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he is devoted to the
welfare of his wife and in the community in which he has always made his home
is highly respected by all with whom he is associated.
DANIEL HEYMAN.
Daniel Heyman, one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Lyme
township, where he owns and operates a finely improved farm of one hundred and
ninety-two acres, is a man of excellent executive ability and superior judgment
whose services have been sought in the management and control of important
business concerns of the county. He was born in Sherman township, Huron
county, February 26, 1859, a son of John G. W. and Elizabeth (Longscheid) Hey-
man, both of whom were natives of Germany and became early settlers of this
county. The former was born on January 8, 1826, and was but a young lad when
he accompanied his father, John Heyman, on the voyage to the new world in 1848,
the family home being established at Hunts Corners, in this county, on the site
now occupied by the Reformed church. John G. W. Heyman continued to reside
there until the time of his marriage, when he took up his abode in Sherman town-
ship, there purchasing one hundred and thirty acres of land which was covered
with timber. There was an old sawmill on the place, where he procured the
necessary lumber to build a home and then with characteristic energy set himself
to the task of clearing his land. Soon it was transformed into a rich and pro-
ductive farming property and he there successfully carried on his agricultural
interests until within a few months of his death, spending his remaining days,
however, in the home of his son Daniel. He was one of the most prosperous and
energetic farmers of the community and as his financial resources increased he
gradually added to his landed holdings by additional purchase until at the time
of his demise he was the owner of about seven hundred acres. A public-spirited
citizen, he took a deep and helpful interest in matters pertaining to the general
welfare and capably served his fellow townsmen in the positions of trustee and
school director. He assisted in the organization of the Reformed church at Hunts
Comers, contributed liberally to its support and was acting as elder when he
passed away, November 21, 1903. His death was the occasion of deep regret to
all who knew him and the county mourned the loss of a citizen whose labors had
proven an important factor in its early development and upbuilding along material,
intellectual, political and moral lines. He had long survived his wife, her demise
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DANIEL HEYMAN
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 139
having occurred December 2, 1887. Their family numbered ten children, namely:
George, who is now deceased ; Amelia, who became the wife of August Scheid ;
Daniel, of this review ; Thomas ; Jacob ; William ; Albert ; Phillip, who is deceased ;
Mary, who is also deceased ; and Mary, the second of the name, who has passed
away.
Daniel Heyman obtained his education in the district schools and remained a
resident of his native township until 1881. In the fall of the following year he
purchased his present place of one hundred and ninety-two acres in Lyme town-
ship from Isaac Banta and has improved the property until there is now no finer
farm to be found in the entire community. He has an attractive and substantial
residence, good barns and outbuildings and in addition to his home place also
owns another tract of one hundred and seventy acres in Sherman township. Year
by year he has labored diligently and persistently and the success which has
crowned his efforts as an agriculturist is but the merited reward of untiring in-
dustry, indefatigable energy and capable management. Resourceful and enter-
prising, he has also extended his efforts into other lines of activity and is a stock-
holder of the Farmers & Citizens Bank of Monroeville, Ohio, likewise serving as
a member of its board of directors and finance board. He is the president of the
Heyman Milling Company of Monroeville and one of the directors and vice-pres-
ident of the Sherman Oil & Gas Company of this county. The latter concern was
organized in June, 1908, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars and
has about sixty stockholders*
On the 8th of November, 1881, Mr. Heyman was united in marriage to Miss
Amelia Scheid, whose birth occurred in Erie county, March 25, 1858, her parents
being William and Caroline Scheid, of Erie county, Ohio. Unto them have been
born eight children : Luella, Laura, Daniel, Jr., Leli, Oliva, Merritt, Harold and
Gladys, all at home.
Mr. Heyman gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the
democracy and is now serving his third term as township trustee, while for eight-
een years he has been a member of the school board, ever discharging his official
duties in a prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he is identified with the
Eagles lodge, No. 490, of Bellevue, while his religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the Reformed church at Hunts Corners, of which he is acting as
trustee. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is well and favorably
known within its borders and has long been numbered among its most substantial,
representative and respected citizens.
HENRY G. WATTS.
The name of Watts has been a familiar one in Greenwich township for a
number of years, the head of the family at present being Henry G. Watts, of the
Watts Elevator Company of Greenwich village. He was born August 5, i860,
and is the eldest son of Robert and Mary Louisa (Pike) Watts, who, in March
of 1865, settled on a farm in Ripley township, Huron county, which is still owned
by the family, the father operating it until 1899, when he retired and moved to
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140 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Greenwich, where he died in April, 1906. The mother still survives him. Robert
Watts was an active, prosperous, public-spirited citizen and won the respect atttd
esteem of all by his integrity.
Henry G. Watts was reared on the home farm, receiving a district-school edu-
cation, and that culture and moral strength which emanate from a well kept coun-
try home. For some fifteen years after attaining his majority, he remained on the
home farm and then removed with his family to Greenwich, in the spring of 1896.
For ten years, he engaged successfully in the general mercantile business, but
since 1906, he and his brother, Edgar S. Watts, have conducted an elevator, buying
and selling farm products of all kinds extensively. The firm also operates an ele-
vator at Greencamp, Marion county, where they also deal in wool, tile and build-
ing supplies. The Watts Elevator Company is a successfully conducted business
concern and takes rank with the best of its kind in the state.
Mr. Watts is a married man, his union with Miss Anna G. Strimple, of Green-
wich, having been celebrated in October, 1892. She is the daughter of George
and Elmira (Mead) Strimple, respected and influential farmers of the township.
The cares of a very active business life give little time for public service, yet
Mr. Watts has many times laid aside personal interests for those of his fellow
citizens. He is now, and has been for years, a member of the village council, in
which capacity he has favored good roads and civic improvements of all kinds.
He has also been a member of the township board of education for years and the
splendid schools of the different districts attest the intelligent interest he has dis-
played. He is also a member of the board of infirmary directors.
In the matter of politics, Mr. Watts is a republican, and as a delegate and ad-
viser in the frequently called meetings of his party, is a tower of strength, because
of his clear business judgment. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic and
Odd Fellows fraternities, Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., and No. 640,
I. O. O. F. The family attend the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Watts is a
working member.
FRED MULLER.
Fred Muller, a prosperous farmer of Sherman township and the owner of
seventy-five acres of excellent land upon which he lives, was born in Germany,
December 19, 1862, and is the son of Christian and Christina Muller. The par-
ents both lived and died in Germany, and their union was blessed with five chil-
dren. Of these the three oldest died in their youth, while Christina still lives in
Germany, and Fred, the youngest, is the subject of this sketch.
Fred Muller came to this country in 1887 and settled first in Baltimore. After
five months there, he came to Bellevue, Ohio, where he remained about five
years, working on the railroad and in a grocery store. In 1892, he purchased his
present farm from his father-in-law, Adam Sotfred, and in the seven years it has
been his home, he has considerably improved it, increasing its value many times.
Before coming to this country, he had completed his education in the land of his
birth, and had served the three years in the Germany army, which is exacted of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 141
every native born male, but in the years that he has been a citizen of this republic
he has exerted himself in the interests of the country of his adoption and has taken
an active part in local affairs, at one time serving as road supervisor.
Mr. Muller has been married twice. The bride of the first marriage was
Miss Carolina Sot f red, who was born in August, 1857, in Thompson township,
Seneca county, a daughter of Adam Sotfred, and died October 22, 1892. Three
children were born of that union : Victor, Cora and Henry. When he married the
second time, Miss Anna Linder was the lady of his choice, a native of Sherman
township and the daughter of Lawrence Linder, who with his wife still lives in
that township. Of this union, which was effected on the 4th of May, 1901, there
have been five children born : Nora, Adolph, Fred, Walter and Elsie. The family
are members of the Lutheran church on the Columbus pike and are regular in their
attendance at its services.
Mr. Muller is counted among the prosperous farmers of this region. Though
German born, he has identified himself with the interests of the country of his
adoption and in the years that he acted as a public servant proved the quality of
his allegiance. The German Aid Society, connected with his church, is the only
organization to which he belongs, but he is a man who has nevertheless made strong
friends in his locality, for he is known to be of a strong and reliable character.
JOHN D. SMITH.
One of the prosperous farmers of Fitchville township, Huron county, Ohio, is
John D. Smith, who was born in New London, July 2, 1866, and is the son of
Thomas and Johanna (Van Vecten) Smith. Both parents were natives of New
York state, the father's birthplace having been Cross Rivers, and both came as
young people to Huron county. The Smith family settled in Norwalk, but Thomas
Smith pursued his calling as a farmer and butcher in New London for a number
of years. In 1876 he removed to Michigan, where he died some years ago. His
widow has since become the wife of Preston Palmer, a prominent citizen of Fitch-
ville township.
In the village of Fitchville John D. Smith was reared under his uncle's care,
receiving his education in the schools of that place. At the age of seventeen he en-
gaged in teaching for a time, and then entered the Northwestern University at
Ada, Ohio. After three years' study he received from this institution the degree
of B. S. and resumed his teaching. He taught school at West Milldrove, Wood
county, for five years. But two other schools enjoyed his services during the six-
teen yeais he followed that profession. He was very successful, obtaining the love
of his pupils and the approval of his school boards, who recognized him as a pro-
gressive man and fine teacher. In 1898 he commenced farming on the land he now
occupies, a tract of two hundred and sixty acres, which makes good returns for
the hard work he puts into it and the advanced and scientific agriculture he carries
on. Of recent years, he has devoted a great deal of time to the raising of sheep,
which are of the finest, and he constantly improves his breed.
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142 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
On the 26th of May, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss
Belle Norris, a daughter of Omar P. and Frona (Patton) Norris. Her mother
died when she was a small girl, but her father is a prominent farmer of Fostoria,
Seneca county. He was a captain in the Civil war, has served several terms in the
Ohio legislature, and is still active in the public affairs of his county. Mrs. Smith
before her marriage taught in the schools of Wood county, where she was known
as a progressive teacher beloved of her pupils, and she still continues to have a deep
interest in the educational life of the community. Two children, Ralph E. and
Pauline, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Though he has never accepted any public office, not from lack of urging, Mr.
Smith has ever exhibited a deep interest in the affairs that concern his fellow citi-
zens and takes part in the life of the township. He affiliates with the republican
party and casts his influence on the side of progress, the betterment of conditions
generally, the improvement of public buildings, the advancement of educational
institutions and the increase of good roads. Successful in his work and a man of
high principles, he is respected and admired in the community where he lives.
ALEXANDER SINCLAIR.
Alexander Sinclair, a prosperous and prominent farmer of Clarksfield town-
ship, Huron county, was born November 25, 1837, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland,
and is the son of Alexander and Agnes (Copeland) Sinclair. The family, con-
sisting of the father and mother and nine children, one married daughter re-
mained in the land of her birth, came to this country in June, 1852. When they
arrived in New London, Huron county, their capital amounted to twenty dollars
in gold and a few personal effects. They remained in that place but a short time
when they removed to Savannah, Ashland county, going from there to Ruggles.
In 1855, they came to Clarksfield township, Huron county, where they purchased
a small farm, which was the home of the parents as long as they lived. The father
followed the trade of a stone-mason and contractor up to his sixty-fourth year,
when he took up farming, which was his occupation for the remainder of his days.
His death occurred in the fall of 1893, and his wife preceded him to his last rest-
ing place by but a few years. They were buried in Clarksfield cemetery. There
were eleven children born to this couple, nine of whom came with them to this
country and one born after their arrival. Of these Elizabeth, Jane, Isabel, Mary,
Alexander and John are still living; Agnes, Ellen, David, William and Charles
have died. Those living have all attained prosperity in their walks of life.
When Alexander Sinclair was a lad in Scotland, he herded sheep for a mere
pittance, but upon coming to America, he took up the mason's trade which he
learned from his father. This he followed for a number of years, at length be-
coming a contractor and winning a reputation for skilled and honest work. He
was married at the age of thirty-one, and four years later, during which time he
pursued his trade, took up farming one and one-quarter miles east of Clarks-
field Hollow, but in 1884, he removed to his present farm, which he had previously
purchased. It was an unimproved tract, containing one hundred and forty acres,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 143
with no buildings at all, but in the years it has been in Mr. Sinclair's possession,
it has been greatly improved. The land, which is of a fine quality, is all under
excellent cultivation, and buildings thoroughly modern and up-to-date have been
erected. He practices diversified farming and raises a considerable amount of
stock, in both of which he has been more than ordinarily successful and has
risen to a position of prominence in the community.
On the 22d of December, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sinclair
and Miss Clara Gridley, the daughter of Royal and Susan (Twaddle) Gridley.
The family were among the pioneers of this locality and were prominent in its af-
fairs. After their marriage the young couple lived for four years with Mrs. Sin-
clair's family at the end of which time they removed to their farm one and one-
fourth miles east of Clarksfield. One daughter, Grace, has been born to them.
In politics Mr. Sinclair is a republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln in i860 and every time since then having given his support to that party.
He has shown considerable interest in public matters, and at one time served as
township trustee and also as a member of the school board. Foreign born, he
has proven his right to citizenship in this republic, and the record of his life and
the annals of his public service, demonstrate that upon no one mere creditable to
the country could the right of franchise have been conferred.
EDGAR BURRAS.
Edgar Burras, who has been a resident of Fairfield township throughout his
entire life, has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits with
gratifying success. His birth occurred in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio,
on the 7th of November, 1842, his parents being Reuben and Sally (Standish)
Burras. The father's birth occurred in Cayuga county, New York, in 181 2, while
the mother, a descendant of Miles Standish, was born near Plymouth Rock. The
paternal grandfather was the first representative of the name in this country, com-
ing from Amsterdam, Holland. In early manhood he carried on business as a
wholesale crockery merchant, the enterprise having been turned over to him at the
age of nineteen by his uncle at his death. The year 1828 witnessed the arrival
of Reuben Burras in Fairfield township, this county, where he continued to make
his home until called to his final rest. A few years after locating here he pur-
chased a farm and was actively and successfully identified with agricultural in-
terests throughout the remainder of his life, becoming widely recognized as a most
successful farmer and enterprising citizen.
In his youthful days Edgar Burras attended the district schools and also early
became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist,
giving his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the old home farm.
The work of plowing, planting and harvesting has claimed his attention through-
out his entire business career and as the years have passed by he has gained a credi-
table measure of prosperity in his agricultural interests, the fields yielding their an-
nual tribute of golden grain as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows
upon them.
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144 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
On the 31st of December, 1863, Mr. Burras was united in marriage to Miss
Eudolphia Jennings, who was born April 15, 1843, a daughter of G. S. and Polly
Ann (Wheeler) Jennings. The parents were natives of Connecticut and on coming
to this county took up their abode in Fairfield township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bur-
ras were born three children : Edwin, Minnie and Elmer, all of whom are now mar-
ried. Both Mr. Burras and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the
Baptist church at North Fairfield and are highly esteemed in the community as
people of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character, having gained
the confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Bur-
ras has lived in this county all his life, covering a period of two-thirds of a century,
and is therefore largely familiar with its annals from pioneer times down to the
present.
JAMES A. FANCHER.
One of the most influential farmers of Greenwich township is the gentleman
whose name heads this review. He is an ex-commissioner of the county and has
'held many offices of public trust during a long and useful life. Mr. Fancher is
a native of Greenwich township, born near the place where he now resides, No-
vember 1, 1839, his parents being Daniel and Polly (Mitchell) Fancher. His
father's people were natives of Connecticut, his grandfather, Thaddeus Fancher,
removing from the Nutmeg state to Dutchess county, New York, and thence in
1820 to Greenwich township, Huron county, Ohio. He was a harnessmaker by
trade, but farmed during the latter portion of his life. Daniel Fancher reared
a family of five children: Lorana, Moses, Belinda, Emily and James A. The
father was a respected and highly successful farmer, owning some three hundred
acres of choice land, which he had cleared of the heavy forest. His wife died in
July, 1840, when the youngest son was but one year old, but the husband, surviv-
ing her many years, passed away April 16, 1885. Daniel Fancher was a man
of quiet tastes, revered by all classes for his many splendid traits of character.
Originally a whig in politics, he became one of the founders of the republican
party and throughout life consistently supported its policies.
James A. Fancher thus grew up under the master hand of a skilled agricultur-
ist, and on attaining his majority found himself splendidly equipped for the fur-
ther development, along scientific lines, of the farm which came into his pos-
session, his education being such as could be secured in the rather rudimentary
country schools of the day. He has been twice married, his first wife, Barintha
Brown, having died a year after their union, which occurred in October, 1861.
Her father, Luther Brown, was a prominent citizen of Greenwich township. On
February 9, 1864, Mr. Fancher married Miss Louisa M. Sutton, a daughter of
Aranson and Emeline (Brady) Sutton, this family also being one of the pioneers
in Greenwich township. The children born to this union are: Jennie B., Charles
D. and Fred S., only the youngest of whom is living. Fred S. was educated for
the ministry of the Methodist church, his scholastic training being obtained at
the Ohio Weslcyan college, and his professional training at the Boston Theolog-
ical school. He married Miss Lena Strimple, of Richland county, by whom he
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 147
has two interesting children, and he is now a successful minister of the gospel at
Bloomville, Seneca county, Ohio.
James A. Fancher settled down to farming after marriage, and has tilled the
ground consistently and persistently to the present day, prospering in his life
work. A successful grower of other stock, he interests himself especially in
sheep, of which particular animal he is a splendid judge. In its every appoint-
ment his farm shows how nature responds to the mind that understands her.
The life of James A. Fancher has been marked by fine public-spirit and an
alertness to every movement which has looked to the betterment of society. Serv-
ing faithfully in the minor offices of trustee and member of the board of educa-
tion of his township, he has always given his support to that which would ele-
vate the standard in each department Faithful to these minor trusts, he was
selected by his party in 1887, as one of the commissioners of the county and again
in 1890, serving six years. It is of record that at his second election he carried
the county by more than sixteen hundred plurality. He points with pride to the
work accomplished during his period of service, the present substantial sheriff's
residence and county jail being completed during his first term, also the enlarge-
ment of the county infirmary, and a system of county pike building being inaugu-
rated, which will give to Huron county one of the best systems of roads of the
state. All of these public matters were attended to with the same careful and
considerate attention to detail which characterizes Mr. Fancher's private busi-
ness.
It will be understood that Mr. Fancher is a power in republican politics, his
face being a familiar one at county and state conventions. He and his family
are members of the Methodist church, in which they are active, both in church
and Sunday-school, Mr. Fancher being superintendent and teacher of the latter
for some thirty years. Judged by the standards of efficiency obtaining in Hu-
ron county, and which are of a high order, James A. Fancher's life has been
an unqualified success.
JOHN JACOB SCHEID.
John Jacob Scheid, a retired agriculturist of Sherman township, residing on his
fine farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres, is now enjoying in well earned ease
the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Germany on the 19th of January,
1831, his parents being William and Lucetta Scheid. In 1849 the father deter-
mined to establish his home in the United States and after an ocean voyage of for-
ty-five days landed at New York city. He then went to Albany, New York, by
boat, thence by train to Buffalo and by boat to Sandusky, Ohio. From that city
he came to Huron county via the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which had been com-
pleted just a year previous. On arriving in this county he first took up his abode
at Hunts Corners and subsequently located in Peru township, where he purchased
a farm of one hundred and fifty acres. He was not long permitted to enjoy his
new home, however, being called to his final rest in 1853, when fifty-eight years of
age. His wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away when she had
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148 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
attained the age of sixty-four. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children,
as follows : Jane, who is deceased, as is likewise her husband, Christopher Lantz ;
William, who has also passed away; Elizabeth, whose demise occurred in Ger-
many ; Kathryn E., deceased ; Kathryn, the second of the name, who is the widow
of Henry Rowe ; John Jacob, of this review ; and Minnie and Christopher, both
of whom have passed away.
John Jacob Scheid was a young man of eighteen years when he came with his
parents to Peru township and here he has since continued to make his home. He
had attended school in the fatherland but after coming to this country his time
was entirely taken up with the arduous labor incident to the development of a new
farm. General agriculural pursuits have claimed his attention throughout his en-
tire business career and he is now the owner of a highly improved and valuable
farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres in Sherman township, which is at
present being operated by his sons, as he has put aside the active work of the fields
and is living retired. The commodious brick residence standing on the property
was erected by him in 1865.
In February, 1857. Mr. Scheid was joined in wedlock to Miss Barbara Bilstein,
a native of Germany. Their union was blessed with eleven children, namely:
Elizabeth, who is deceased ; Emma, who lives at home with her parents ; Charles,
who wedded Miss Louisa Boehler, by whom he has four children, Mabel, Ada,
Olive and Marion ; Henry, living in Sherman township, who married Miss Rose
Korndorfer and has three children, Helen, Dora and Clara ; George and Minnie,
both of whom are at home ; John, residing near Havana, Ohio, who wedded Ger-
trude Scheid, by whom he has two children, Harold and Catherine; Fred and Al-
bert, who are also under the parental rcof ; and two who passed away in infancy.
In politics Mr. Scheid is a stanch republican and has served in the position of
road supervisor and also as a member of the election board. He is a prominent
and valued member of the Lutheran church, which he assisted in erecting and in
which he has held various official positions, acting as treasurer for thirteen years.
He is most widely and favorably known throughout the community in which he
has now resided for six decades and to his many friends is known as "Uncle
Jacob." His life has always been a busy and useful one and in this country, where
labor is unhampered by caste or class, he has won a measure of prosperity that
now enables him to spend his remaining days amid all of the comforts and many
of the luxuries which go to make life worth living.
EDGAR GRANT SILL1MAN.
Edgar Grant Silliman is cultivating a farm of one hundred and forty-nine acres
in Fairfield township and is an agriculturist whose well directed energy and keen
foresight are bringing to him a creditable measure of prosperity. He was born
in Fairfield township. Huron county, Ohio, on the 1st of September, 1865, his pa-
rents being George and Mary (Keeler) Silliman, both of whom were natives of
Connecticut. The father's birth occurred in Bridgeport, that state, on the 20th of
August, 181 5, and the mother was born in the year 1830. Their marriage was eel-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 149
ebrated on the 8th of January, 1855. The maternal grandparents of Edgar G.
Silliman were Burr and Mary E. (Nash) Keeler, likewise natives of Connecticut.
George and Mary (Keeler) Silftman reared a family of two daughters and one son,
namely: Flora, Bertha and Edgar Grant.
The last named pursued his education in the district schools and remained un^
der the parental roof until the time of his marriage. He then made his home west
of North Fairfield until 1892 in which year he purchased his present farm of one
hundred and forty-nine acres and has since devoted his time and energies to its cul-
tivation and improvement. He has made it a model farm and everything about the
place indicates his thrifty spirit and enterprising efforts. His labors in the fields
are annually rewarded by rich and abundant harvests and he is widely recognized
as one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of the community.
On the 19th of June 1889 Mr. Silliman was united in marriage to Miss Elfie A.
Smith whose birth occurred on the 30th of July, 1867, her parents being Watson
Frederick and Mary (Joiner) Smith, of Greenfield township, Huron county,
Ohio. Her paternal grandparents, Abel and Jerusha (Brooks) Smith, who were
natives of Rome, New York, took up their abode in Greenfield township, this coun-
ty, about 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Silliman are now the parents of three children, as fol-
lows: Alma M., who was born June 15, 1890; Burr George, who first opened his
eyes to the light of day on the 17th of August, 1892; and Arthur L., born De-
cember 27, 1894.
Fraternally Mr. Silliman is identified with the Maccabees, while his religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, in which he is
serving as clerk and trustee. Both he and his wife have always resided in this
county and are most widely and favorably known within its borders, the circle of
their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
COLONEL JAMES H. SPRAGUE.
This name at once suggests a power in manufacturing circles in Huron county,
for Colonel James H. Sprague is at the head of the Sprague Umbrella Company,
which he organized in 1892, with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars and a
surplus of two hundred thousand dollars. Colonel Sprague was born in New York
city, February 15, 1846, a son of Judge James Sprague, of Auburn, New York,
who was a captain in the Mexican war. The great-great-great-grandfather of our
subject was Major Josiah Sprague, who was a leader of the Sons of Liberty, who,
opposed to the importation of tea into the colonies, in 1773 threw overboard a large
amount of tea at the Boston harbor. He was also a member of the Society of the
Cincinnatis. The great-great-grandfather was a colonel in the war of 1812, while
his son, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a major in the same war.
Colonel James H. Sprague, reared in the place of his nativity, acquired his edu-
cation in Red Creek Union Academy, from which he was graduated, after which
he entered Pulaski Academy of New York, graduating from that institution. He
also attended school in Watertown, New York. In 1861, when but a youth of four-
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150 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
teen years, he entered the volunteer service in the Nineteenth New York Volunteer
Infantry, becoming a sergeant of Company A, Captain Charles Stewart command-
ing. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, after which he was detailed for guard
duty at the White House in Washington, District of Columbia. After six months
thus spent he was detailed in the secret service under Secretary Staunton, filling
the latter position until 1864. At that time the regiment being changed from in-
fantry to light artillery, Colonel Sprague joined his company, being promoted to
second lieutenant of the same. Following the battle of Fort Wagner, for brave
and meritorious service at the front, he was promoted to first lieutenant, later be-
coming captain and having command of Battery F, Coast Division, under General
Foster. He took part in many notable engagements, always discharging his duties
in a most creditable manner. He was taken prisoner at Pocatalego, South Caro-
lina, and was taken to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was held for three
weeks, when he made his escape and returned to his battery. He was mustered out
of service at Charlestown, South Carolina, in June, 1865.
Returning to his home, Colonel Sprague became manager of McLean's circus,
remaining in that position until 1869, when he came to Norwalk, Ohio. He se-
cured a position with B. Courtright, as traveling salesman, selling fanning mills,
but after a time thus spent he traveled for the Norwalk Tobacco Company, selling
their goods. From 1876 until 1882 he was attorney for D. M. Osborne & Com-
pany, who handled harvesting machines and binders. Eventually Colonel Sprague
became general manager of the Piano Harvester & Binder Manufacturing Com-
pany, of Chicago, Illinois, his territory covering Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky
and Tennessee. He continued with this company until 1886 and then feeling justi-
fied in entering business on his own account, he organized the firm of Sprague &
French, manufacturers of advertising novelties. He was quite successful in this
venture, securing the capital which in 1892 enabled him to organize the Sprague
Umbrella Company of Norwalk. From the beginning he has been the president
and general manager and also owns the greater share of the capital stock, amount-
ing to forty thousand dollars, with a surplus of two hundred and fifty thousand dol-
lars. They manufacture auto tops, wind shields, wagon umbrellas, carriage and
lawn canopies, etc., and employ over two hundred people in the manufacture of
these various articles. They also have their own plant and real estate. Their an-
nual sales now amount to from two hundred and fifty to three hundred thousand
dollars. In addition to their Norwalk office they have a branch office in New York
city and also one in San Francisco, their sales extending to all parts of the world.
The success of the firm is due largely to the efforts of Colonel Sprague, who has
spared no energy in bringing it to its present mammoth proportions, for the
Sprague Umbrella Company has won a world-wide reputation.
It was on the 30th of May, 1869, that Colonel Sprague was united in marriage
to Miss Eliza A. Cunningham, who was born in Ohio, in August, 1848. A great
lover of music the Colonel has given much attention to composition. He set to
band music the words of the popular song, Dixie, written by Daniel D. Emmet, at
Mr. Emmet's request, and he likewise composed both words and music for My
Dear Ohio Home and the Great White Throne, and many others of equal popu-
larity. In this regard he has received complimentary letters from such men as the
lamented President McKinley, General Corbin, General Miles and others.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 151
Prominent in fraternal circles, Colonel Sprague is a valued member of the So-
ciety of the Ohio Commandery of Military Order of Foreign Wars, member of the
Ohio Association Ex-prisoners of War and is senior vice commander of the depart-
ment of Ohio, G. A. R. He is a Mason in high standing, belonging to Al Koran
Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is past eminent commander of Nor-
waik Commandery, No. 18, K. T., and past exalted ruler of Norwalk Lodge, No.
730, B. P. O. E., while he also holds membership relations with the Grand Army
of the Republic, Loyal Legion, Odd Fellows, United Commercial Travelers, Red
Men, Royal Arcanum, National Union, Ohio Society of New York and the Auto As-
sociation of America. His political allegiance is evidenced by the stanch support
which he gives to the republican party and his religious faith is indicated by his
frendliness to the Presbyterian church.
A man of domestic tastes, Mr. Sprague finds his chief pleasure in ministering
to the welfare of his wife, to whom he is most devoted. While his success in the
business world is very marked, yet it has been won through strict adherence to
honorable methods. In business, as well as in social and fraternal circles, he has
shown a talent for leading, and although crowned with wealth, he today stands in
the sjtme relation to his fellowmen as he did in early years when struggling for a
livelihood, recognizing and appreciating honest purpose and genuine worth and
rating the individual by his merits and not by his possessions.
THOMAS HAGAMAN.
The Hagaman family is an old and prominent one in Bronson township and
Huron county, representatives of the name having settled here in the days of its
early pioneer development. Thomas Hagaman, the subject of this review, fully
sustained the reputation that had always been borne by his ancestors and thus the
community lost one of its most valued citizens, when, on the 28th of September,
1905, he passed to his final reward.
Mr. Hagaman was born August 20, 1834, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Haga-
man, residents of Bronson township. He was of Holland descent, his ancestors
in both the paternal and maternal lines having come from that country to the
United States in an early day. The paternal grandparents were Thomas and Nel-
lie (Burnett) Hagaman, the former born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was
their son John who became the father of our subject Coming to Huron county in
early times, John Hagaman settled on a tract of land in Bronson township and this
property has been in possession of the family to the present time. He died in 1870.
The only surviving sister of our subject is Mrs. Isabel Snook, a resident of Huron
county.
Thomas Hagaman was reared on the old home farm, which later became his
property. He was early trained to the work of the fields, assisting his father during
the season of plowing, planting and harvesting, while in the winter months he pur-
sued his studies in the district schools. He always followed the occupation to
which he had been reared and in the operation of the old home place carried on
the work of development and improvement that had been begun by his father. He
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152 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
became not only a successful man but was one of the highly esteemed citizens of
his community. The Hagemans have ever been known for their probity and up-
rightness and Thomas Hagaman fully sustained that reputation.
Mr. Hagaman was twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of
Mary E. Woodruff and her death occurred January 2, 1879. She left two chil-
dren, a <on, John E. Hageman, of Cleveland ; and daughter, Mrs. Jessie Kennedy,
of Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Hagaman was again married in 1895, his second union
being with Mrs. Melissa (Severns) Henry, who was born October 13, 1853. By
her former marriage she has three children who survive, namely : Frederick Se-
verns Henry ; Nellie G. Henry ; and Elizabeth Henry, now the wife of C. M.
Crawford. All completed the high-school course in Norwalk and the son spent
one year in Kenyon College.
Loyal to the best interests of his country, Mr. Hagaman enlisted in the Civil
war as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, in which he did valiant service. His religious faith was manifest by his
membership in the Congregational church, in which he served as a deacon. He
was a true friend, and thus a deep feeling of sadness spread throughout the com-
munity when on the 28th of September, 1905, it was announced that he had
passed from this life, but while those who knew him remain, his memory will be
cherished, not so much on account of the success which he achieved in business
but because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy, and his
deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellowmen. His life span covered
seventy-one years — years of helpfulness to his community, of loyalty to his coun-
try, and of devotion to his family and friends.
SAMUEL SHERMAN.
Samuel Sherman, who since April, 1901, has lived retired in Monroeville,
was formerly actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests and
is still the owner of three hundred acres of land in Huron county. His birth oc-
curred in Huntingtonshire, England, on the 9th of March, 1838, his parents be-
ing William A. and Sarah (Lane) Sherman. In 1852 he crossed the Atlantic
in company with his father and settled in Huron county, Ohio. At the end of
a year, however, the father returned to England, leaving his son Samuel with
Mr. Husted, for whom the lad was to work until he had attained his majority.
He proved so capable and diligent an apprentice, however, that when he was
twenty years of age Mr. Husted gave him one hundred dollars and told him that
his term of indenture would be considered ended. He then operated the Husted
farm for a couple of years and subsequently was engaged in the cultivation of
rented land for a time.
By dint of untiring labor and close economy he at length accumulated suffi-
cient capital with which to purchase a farm of his own and in 1865 bought thirty-
five acres of land from George Sawyer, which has since remained in his posses-
sion and is known as the old Sherman homestead. As time passed and his finan-
cial resources increased he added to his acreage until he became the owner of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 155
considerable land in this county, winning wide and favorable recognition as a
most successful and energetic agriculturist. In April, 1901, he put aside the
active work of the fields and has since lived retired in Monroeville, enjoying in
well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. He still owns three hundred acres
of rich and productive land in this county and has justly won the proud Ameri-
can title of a self-made man, for the prosperity which has crowned his labors has
come entirely as the result of earnest, persistent and well directed effort, keen
discrimination and capable management.
On the 28th of May, i860, Mr. Sherman was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary
Ann Carpenter, who was born in England on the 20th of March, 1843, her
father being William Carpenter, likewise a native of that country. In 1858 she
accompanied her uncle and aunt on their emigration to the new world and took
up her abode in Huron county, Ohio. By her marriage she became the mother
of seven children, as follows : George, who is mentioned on another page of this
work ; John D. ; Samuel, a sketch of whom also appears in this volume ; Edward
A., who married Miss Minnie Rape and makes his home in Lyme township;
Joseph H., deceased, who wedded Miss Minnie Seible; Luella, residing in Lyme
township, who gave her hand in marriage to John Koch, by whom she has two
sons, Melvin T. and Forest William; and Alice, at home. The wife and mother
was called to her final rest on Christmas day of 1908 and her demise was the oc-
casion of deep and widespread regret, for her many good traits of heart and
mind had won her an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Sherman is a ves-
tryman in the Episcopal church, the teachings of which permeate his life. He has
now made his home within the borders of this county for fifty-seven years and
that his career has ever been above reproach is indicated by the fact that he is
best liked where best known.
ELMER SAMUEL BURRAS.
An excellent farm of eighty acres in Fairfield township pays tribute to the care
and labor of Elmer Samuel Burras, who has been in possession of the property
since 1900. His birth occurred in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the
3d of August, 1876, his parents being Edgar and Eudolpha (Jennings) Burras,
who were likewise natives of Fairfield township, this county. Their children were
three in number : Minnie, Edwin and Elmer, all of whom are now married.
With the exception of two years spent at the carpenter's trade, Elmer Samuel
Burras has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits through-
out his entire business career. In the year 1900 he purchased his present farm of
eighty acres, and the crops which he annually harvests bring to him a gratifying
income.
On the 18th of November, 1900, Mr. Burras was united in marriage to Miss
Lena Lamoureaux, who was born in Fairfield township, this county, on the 5th
of December, 1879. Her parents, Homer and Emma Lamoureuax, reared a family
of six children, namely: Harry, William, George, Verna, Ruth and Lena. Mr.
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156 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and Mrs. Burras are now the parents of three daughters and two sons, as follows :
Dorothy, Mar jorie, Merle, Myles and Leslie.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Burras has given his
political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a member of the
school board. He belongs to the Grange and is also a devoted member of the
Methodist church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. In the
community where they have always resided both he and his wife are well known
and highly esteemed, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which
in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.
GEORGE BOWEN.
George Bowen, who is well known in Clarksfield township as a prosperous
farmer, a miller and a man of affairs, was born May 29, 1847, in Norwich town-
ship, Huron county, Ohio, and is the son of John and Christine (Robinson)
Bowen. The mother was a native of Coshocton county, but the father's place of
biith was New Jersey. He was a farmer and an extensive landowner, was pros-
perous in his affairs, and took an active part in the public administration of local
government. In addition to his large farming interests, he was an extensive manu-
facturer of bricks and a mason and contractor for brick work construction, and
when he died, in August, 1880, he was mourned as a man whose efforts had not
only brought him success, but whose influence had been good in the community
where he lived. When he married he was living in Coshocton county, moving to
Norwich township, Huron county, in 1836. A family of four sons and four
daughters was born to him and his wife : Martha J., Agnes, John M., William K.,
Henry C, Elizabeth C, George and Malinda C. Of these Martha J. and Henry
C. have passed away. Mrs. Bowen survived her husband twenty years to the very
month, dying in August, 1900.
George Bowen spent his youth on his father's farm and was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Norwich. He married at the age of twenty-three and engaged in
farming in Norwich township, which remained his home until 1907, when he
moved to Clarksfield and purchased the Clarksfield Gristmill and entered upon mill-
ing as a business. The mill he bought was the oldest in point of service in Huron
county, for it was built seventy-three years ago and has been in general use since.
Now, however, the old stone burrs and water power have given way to the roller
process and to steam power, and equipped with the best of modern improvements
it is well able to take care of the large exchange business that is carried on between
the farmers, the latter receiving for their grain, feed and flour. In the two years
that Mr. Bowen and his son have had the management of it, it is estimated that it
does a larger business than any other mill in the county. Aside from these private
interests of his, Mr. Bowen has always evinced a deep concern for the public weal.
For a number of years he served his community well as road supervisor and as a
member of the board of education, in both of which capacities he allied himself ac-
tively with those working for progress and improvement. When called upon to
vote, the republican candidate receives his support.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 157
In December, 1870, Mr. Bowen married Miss Alice P. Burdge, the daughter of
William and Mary (Miller) Burdge. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war,
and up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, was a farmer of Norwich
township. Mrs. Burdge is still living. Two sons, Edison E. and Roscoe, were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen. Both are residents of Clarksfield township and are
mainly concerned with agriculture. The elder was born June 16, 1876, and grow-
ing up under his father's care entered upon farming, which he pursued until 1907,
when he engaged with the latter in the grain and milling business. On the 16th of
June, 1901, he was married to Miss Grace E. Brown, the daughter of Franklin H.
and Ella (Wood) Brown, of Norwich township, and is now the father of three
children, Joy, Bertha and Herbert. He is a fine business man, a republican in poli-
tics, and very active in all that concerns the welfare of the community. Roscoe
Bowen was born on the 1st of November, 1880, and has followed the life of a
farmer. He was united in marriage to Miss Cora Sees, the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Benjamin C. Sees, September 4, 1902, and the couple have been blessed with
two daughters, Gladys and Mary. Like his brother and father, Roscoe Bowen has
always been a republican, and like them also he is a good citizen, closely identified
with the best interests of the township.
Mr. Bowen is a loyal Mason and a member of Attica Lodge, No. 367. In
past years he also belonged to several other organizations, to Norwich Grange, to
the Patrons of Husbandry and to the Good Templars, and has ever been a strong
temperance advocate. He and his family affiliate with the United Brethren church,
and have always been supporters of all measures calculated to uplift humanity and
better conditions morally, socially and commercially. Hence he and his two sons
are among the best citizens that Clarksfield township can claim and by their lives
give an example to others.
WILLIAM HAMILTON McPHERSON, JR.
William Hamilton McPherson, Jr., a well known and successful agriculturist
and stock breeder of Fairfield township, is the owner of an excellent farm of one
hundred and one and a fourth acres. His birth occurred in Greenfield township,
Huron county, Ohio, on the 1st of January, 1875, his parents being W. H. and
Lucy (Wheeler) McPherson, who were also natives of Greenfield township. The
paternal grandfather, James McPherson, came to the United States from Ireland,
taking up his abode in Greenfield township, this county. Unto him and his wife,
who bore the maiden name of Ann Jane Arthur, were born three children : John,
George and William Hamilton. The maternal grandfather of our subject was
John Henry Wheeler. W. H. McPherson, Sr., the father of the gentleman whose
name initiates this review, was twice married and by his first wife had three chil-
dren, namely : Arthur, Scott and William Hamilton. Subsequent to the death of
his first wife he wedded Miss Maggie Much, residing near Bellevue, and their
union was blessed with two children, Clyde and Glenn.
In his youthful days William H. McPherson, Jr., attended the district schools
and also assisted in the work of the home farm, so that he early became familiar
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158 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
with all the varied duties that claim the attention of the agriculturist. In the
year 1904 he came from Greenfield township to Fairfield township, where he pur-
chased a farm of one hundred and one and a fourth acres, to the cultivation of
which he has since devoted his time and energies. In addition to raising the cereals
best adapted to soil and climate he is also engaged in the breeding of Delaine sheep,
Duroc hogs and Jersey cattle, both branches of his business returning to him a
gratifying annual income. He is the groom for "Fancher," the imported Per-
cheron stallion owned by the North Fairfield Percheron Horse Company.
On the 8th of April, 1896, Mr. McPherson was united in marriage to Miss
Cora Lucile Fitch, a native of Genesee county, Michigan, and a daughter of Edgar
and Letta (Ward) Fitch. Her father still survives and lives in Michigan. Mr.
and Mrs. Fitch reared a family of five daughters and one son, as follows : Nina,
Lena, Bessie, Lucy, Letta and Archie. One child is deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
McPherson have been born the following children : Carl, Everett, Nina Pearl, Les-
ter and Edith Margaret. Mr. McPherson, who has made his home in Huron
county throughout his entire life, is well entitled to mention in this volume as one
of its prosperous and enterprising farmers and stockmen and also as a worthy rep-
resentative of a family that has figured in the annals of the county from pioneer
times down to the present.
GEORGE BARMAN.
George Barman, who owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and
thirty-three acres in Peru township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of
Huron county, his birth having occurred in a little log cabin in Peru township on
the 15th of June, 1856. His parents, Philip and Mary (Fisher) Barman, were both
natives of Germany. When seventeen years of age the father accompanied his pa-
rents, Mr. and Mrs. Bradous Barman, on their emigration to the United States,
the family home being established in the German settlement in Peru township, Hu-
ron county, Ohio. The grandfather erected a log cabin and set himself to the
task of clearing the timber from a tract of sixty acres which he had purchased, for
at that time this entire region was still largely wild and undeveloped. Both he
and his wife continued to reside here until called to their final rest.
As before stated, Philip Barman, the father of our subject, was a young man
of seventeen years on his arrival in Peru township and here he made his home until
the time of his demise, which occurred in June, 1887, when he had attained the age
of seventy-four years. He devoted his time and energies to general agricultural
pursuits throughout his active business career and owned a farm of fifty acres in
the southern portion of Peru township. His wife, who had made the voyage to
this country in early life in company with her brother, passed away in 1892 at the
age of seventy-four years. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children,
namely : John, who is a resident of Peru township ; Philip, whose demise occurred
when he was fifty-six years of age; Mary Ann, the deceased wife of Thomas
Bishop ; George, of this review ; Frank, living in Peru township ; Kathryn, who is
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 159
the widow of Peter Hipp and makes her home in Peru township ; Louisa, who is
deceased ; and Rose, the wife of Alf Remelly, of Peru township.
George Barman obtained his education in the district and Catholic schools and
when not busy with his text-books gave his father the benefit of his services in the
cultivation of the old home farm, thus early gaining practical knowledge of the best
methods of tilling the soil. General agricultural pursuits have always claimed his
attention and that his choice of a life work was a wise one is proven by the gratify-
ing measure of prosperity which has rewarded his efforts along this line. In
1902 he bought the farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres on which he now
resides from Alfonzo Smith and has made a number of substantial improvements
on the property. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the super-
vision of a practical and progressive owner, whose well directed labors are annually
rewarded by rich harvests.
On the 19th of June, 1883, Mr. Barman was united in marriage to Miss Louisa
Hipp, a native of Peru township and a daughter of Andrew and Regina Hipp,
both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Barman now have a family
of six children, as follows: Andrew, living in Ridgefield township, who wedded
Katie Wise, by whom he has one child, Clarence ; and Benjamin, Charles, Elmer,
Roman and Clatus, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Barman has given his
political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy and has capably
served his fellow townsmen in the positions of road supervisor and school direc-
tor. In religious faith he is a Catholic. Both he and his wife are widely and fa-
vorably known throughout the community in which their entire lives have been
passed and well merit the regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded them.
ALBERT G. BEDFORD.
The name of Bedford has been known in Huron county from pioneer times, and
he whose name introduces this record is a worthy representative of the family. He
is a native of the county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Townsend town-
ship, December 23, 1865, and is a son of Robert and Phoebe (Stacy) Bedford.
The father followed farming throughout his entire life, and was a well known pio-
neer of his section of the county. His death occurred many years ago.
Albert G. Bedford, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education
in the district schools of Townsend township and remained under the parental roof
until he had attained the age of twenty years, during which time he had been
thoroughly trained to habits of industry, assisting in the care and operation of the
home farm up to that time. Feeling that he might be more independent if he ven-
tured out in the business world, he accordingly started out for himself but his fa-
ther's death occurring shortly afterward, he was needed by his widowed mother to
care for the farm and, returning home, he took up the responsible duties of operat-
ing his mother's land. After about two years thus engaged he once more started
out for himself, being employed at farm labor until the time of his marriage, after
which he worked for his father-in-law by the month for a time. Then, feeling jus-
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160 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
tified in engaging in farming on his own account, he rented a tract of land, which
lie operated until 1902. He had in the meantime saved a sum sufficient to invest
in land and thus became the owner of ninety-four acres in Hartford Ridge, which
he occupied until March, 1909.
It was in March, 1509, that he was appointed by the infirmary directors as su-
perintendent of the Huron county infirmary, and his popularity is evidenced by the
fact that he received not only the support of his own party but the support of many
republicans as well, he being the first democrat ever appointed to this office in Hu-
ron county. This farm comprises two hundred and four acres, situated about a
mile and a half south-east of Norwalk. The home contains from sixty-five to sev-
enty inmates, most of whom are very feeble. Mr. Bedford has already far out-
reached the expectations of his fellow citizens in the care and management of this
infirmary, and it being an instance of where the position sought the man, rather
than the man seeking the position, the public has every reason to feel that their
choice has been a wise one and they have placed the right man in the right place.
In his short term of service Mr. Bedford has made some changes which are prov-
ing very beneficial and will also be a saving to tax-payers. By his courteous treat-
ment and kindly manner he has won the good will of each and every inmate, while
his estimable wife, a woman of most kindly disposition, cares for the household in
a most able manner, an air of neatness and cleanliness pervading the various de-
partments over which she has charge.
It was in 1870 that Mr. Bedford wedded Miss Dora E. Minor, a daughter of
Oliver Minor, of Hartland township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bedford has
been blessed with two children : Give A., who was born in 1896; and May C, born
in 1905. Mr. Bedford deserves much praise for what he has accomplished in a busi-
ness sense, for he started out in the humble capacity of a farm hanc and today is
the owner of a good tract of land and is also supervising interests which none but
those possessing only the most charitable nature and excellent managerial quali-
ties could so capably control.
F. G. LAIBLE.
F. G. Laible, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Norwalk, was
born in Michigan on the 29th of March, 1875. His father, George F. Laible,
was likewise a native of that state, born on the 22d of February, 1845. He de-
voted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and died in 1893. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Josephine Russell, was a native of Lorain county,
Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel Wright Russell, one of the pioneers of that
county who came to this state from New York. Mrs. Laible still survives her
husband and is now living in Norwalk.
In the country schools F. G. Laible acquainted himself with the common
branches of English learning and afterward continued his studies at Owosso,
Michigan. On putting aside his text-books he learned the bicycle business,
worked in a bicycle factory for a time and afterward embarked in the same line
of business on his own account in Owosso, Michigan. In 1897 he went to
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F. G. LATBLE
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 163
Grand Rapids, where he learned the undertaking business and in 1901 he came
to Norwalk where he joined his uncle, Addison Sigourney, in the conduct of
an undertaking establishment on Benedict avenue. After a brief period A. C.
Holiday purchased Mr. Sigourney's interest and became a partner. This rela-
tion was maintained until 1907, when Mr. Holiday withdrew from the business
and Mr. Laible became sole proprietor. He has since continued in this field of
labor and has a well appointed undertaking establishment, which is liberally
patronized by those who need his services. He also conducts a retail flower
store, making his own floral designs in conjunction with his undertaking busi-
ness. This has proven to be a profitable venture and a clever idea.
In October, 1904, Mr. Laible married Miss Dorothy E. Zuick, a daughter
of John Daniel Zuick, who came to Huron county during the early girlhood of
Mrs. Laible. Unto them have been born two sons, George Forest, whose birth
occurred July 19, 1905 ; and John Brandt, born June 20, 1909.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Laible is a Mason, holding membership in
Mount Vernon Lodge and in the Knight Templar Commandery. He also be-
longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Maccabees,
while his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Baptist church.
He started out in life with nothing to aid him at the outset of his career, but by
persistent and earnest purpose he has made steady progress and is now conduct-
ing a profitable business.
JOHN TERRY WALSWORTH.
John Terry Walsworth is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer, owning and
operating a tract of land of one hundred acres in Fairfield township. He was born
in Peru township, Huron county, on the 23d of October, 1854, his parents beingr
Philander and Lucy (Reeves) Walsworth, the former a native of New York. Sub-
sequent to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Philander Walsworth came to Ohio and
here established their home and reared their family, numbering four sons and one
•daughter, namely: Elijah C, Joel P., Daniel F.? John T. and Mary Elizabeth.
John Terry Walsworth left the parental roof at the age of eleven years and
went to live with Harvey Pierce, of Peru township, with whom he remained until
Tie had attained his majority, receiving his schooling and two hundred dollars in
•cash as remuneration for his services to this gentleman. A man of strong purpose
and unfaltering energy, he then resolutely set to work in the hope of one day own-
ing a farm of his own and that his efforts have met with a just reward is indicated
"by the fact that he is now in possession of a well improved and valuable tract of
land of one hundred acres in Fairfield township and is comfortably situated finan-
cially. He purchased this property about nine years ago and has been successfully
and energetically engaged in its cultivation and improvement to the present time,
annually harvesting good crops which find a ready sale on the market. From an
early age he has depended upon his own resources and has won the proud Ameri-
can title of a self-made man.
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164 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
On the 29th of November, 1880, Mr. Walsworth was united in marriage to
Miss Alice E. Collingwood, whose birth occurred on the 7th of February, 1852,
her parents being Jonathan and Eliza (Munsel) Collingwood, of Hartland town-
ship, Huron county. Her father was born in York county, Pennsylvania, but her
mother came from Gaylon, Wayne county, New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Col-
lingwood were born eight children, as follows: James, Amos, Elmer, Harvey,
Martha, Alice E., Rebecca, and one who died in infancy, Betsey Ann.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Walsworth belong to the Baptist church at North Fairfield
and the former has sung in the choir during the entire period of his membership
in the church, being the only tenor in the chorus. He has also served as a member
of the finance committee at different times and takes an active and helpful interest
in the various departments of the church work. He has an "extensive circle of warm
friends throughout the county in which he has made his home from his birth to the
present time, for in all life's relations he has been true to high and honorable "prin-
ciples and has never faltered in a choice between right and wrong but has always
endeavored to follow a course that his judgment and his conscience have sanctioned.
MARTIN BEEBE, M. D.
Dr. Martin Beebe, whose demise occurred on the 28th of March, 1890, was suc-
cessfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Huron county for more than two
decades and at the same time also superintended his farming interests in Clarks-
field township. His birth occurred at Dover, Lenawee county, Michigan, on the
1st of September, 1836, his parents being George and Vesta (Porter) Beebe. They
made their way from Massachusetts to Michigan at an early day, becoming pioneer
settlers of the Peninsular state. About the year 1840 they came to this state, tak-
ing up their abode in Norwich township, Huron county.
Brought to this county by his parents in childhood days, Martin Beebe obtained
his primary education in the district schools of Norwich township and later at-
tended a select school at Norwalk. In 1863 he entered the Western Reserve Med-
ical College at Cleveland and was graduated from that institution with the degree
of M. D. in 1866. On the 27th of December, 1865, he had wedded Miss Mary L.
Barrett, who was born October 29, 1843, a daughter of Augustus and Clarissa
(Cochran) Barrett, of Clarksfield township. Mr. Barrett was a native of Mon-
roe county, New York, and his wife of Vermont. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Beebe were
born two sons, namely: Augustus C, whose birth occurred January 12, 1867, and
who now resides in Cleveland, where he is engaged in business ; and George P.,
born October 11, 1871, who resides on the old family homestead in Clarksfield
township.
Subsequent to his marriage Dr. Beebe lived in Wakeman for a year and also
spent a similar period in Oberlin but did not engage in the practice of his profes-
sion. He then returned to the college for a year's review, afterward took up his
abode on his farm in Clarksfield township, this county, and began the practice of
medicine. He continued as a successful and able representative of his chosen call-
ing until the time of his death and became the loved family physician in many a
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 165
household. In addition to his labors as a medical practitioner he also superintended
his farm and in both his professional and agricultural interests met with a gratify-
ing measure of prosperity.
Dr. Beebe gave his political allegiance to the men and measures of the demo-
cracy and was active in public affairs. His fraternal relations were with the Ma-
sons, while religiously he was identified with the Disciple church, being a valued
and exemplary member of both organizations. He was a man of decided literary
tastes and attainments and stood high in the estimation of men in all walks of life.
He was called to his final rest on the 28th of March, 1890, when fifty-four years of
age, and his remains were interred at New London, Ohio. Uniformly loved and
respected, his loss came as a deep blow to his large circle of friends as well as to
his immediate family.
Subsequent to her husband's demise Mrs. Beebe managed the estate for some
years with singular ability but in later years the care and responsibility incident to
its supervision has largely devolved upon her younger son, George P. Beebe. The
latter is also engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred draft and coach horses, hav-
ing a wide and enviable reputation in this connection. The buildings on the old
home farm are all modern and well adapted for their several uses and in fact every-
thing about the place presents a neat and thrifty appearance. The residence, mod-
ern in its construction and furnishings, is one of the most attractive country homes
in the entire county.
On the 24th of November, 1892, George P. Beebe was united in marriage to
Miss Winifred Rowland, a daughter of William and Rosetta (Peck) Rowland.
Both the Rowland and Peck families were early pioneer settlers of this county and
became prominent and influential residents here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beebe have
been born two children, Charles A. and Mary R. Politically Mr. Beebe is a stal-
wart advocate of the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the
Eagles.
Mrs. Beebe, the widow of Dr. Martin Beebe, is a devoted and faithful member
of the Disciples church, taking an active and helpful interest in its work. She lives
on the old homestead farm in Clarksfield township with her son and his family, and
enjoys in unqualified measure the kindly regard and friendship of all who know
her.
JOHN FEICHTNER.
John Feichtner, owning and operating a rich and productive farm of sixty-
nine acres in Fairfield township, was born in New Haven township, Huron county,
Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1878, his parents being George and Eliza (Layer)
Feichtner. The father, who was a native of Crawford county, Ohio, took up his
abode in New Haven township, this county, about 1876. Unto him and his wife
were born four children : John, Albert, Mary and Charles, all of whom still survive.
John Feichtner attended the district schools in pursuit of an education and
when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the cultivation of the home
farm, thus early gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of .tiling the soil
and caring for the crops. For the past four years he has devoted his time and en-
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166 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ergies to the cultivation of his farm of sixty-nine acres in Fairfield township, front
which he annually derives a good income, the well tilled fields responding to his
care and labor in golden harvests.
In 1905 was celebrated the marriage *of Mr. Feichtner and Miss Blanche New-
man, whose birth occurred in New Haven township, this county, in 1885. By this
union there are two children, Ray and Dale. The parents are well known through-
out the community in which they have always resided and are young people of the
highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them
the confidence and friendly regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
BENJAMIN BOWERSOX.
Benjamin Bowersox, who is actively and successfully engaged in the cultiva-
tion of his farm of thirty-eight acres in Fairfield township, was born in Pennsyl-
vania on the 4th of July, 1842, his pstrents being Jacob and Sophia (Walter) Bow-
ersox, who spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. Benjamin Bowersox,
who has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits throughout
his entire business career, came to Ohio in the year 1861. He now owns a well im-
proved and productive farm oi thirty-eight acres in Fairfield township and an-
nually harvests good crops which return to him a gratifying income.
In 1865 Mr. Bowersox was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Walter, a
native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of George and Kate (Weaver) Walter, who
were likewise born in that state. Unto our subject and his wife have been born
seven children, namely: Mahala, Delia, Alice, Sophia, Hattie, Mandy and Katy.
They have also reared an adopted son, Walter Bear.
Politically Mr. Bowiersox is a stalwart advocate of the republican party and is
now capably discharging the duties devolving upon him in the position of town-
ship supervisor. As he has lived fcr many years in Huron county, he has a wide
acquaintance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a
man of genuine worth.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PALM.
General agricultural pursuits command the attention of Benjamin Franklin
Palm, who owns and cultivates a farm of seventy-five acres in Fairfield township.
He was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of October, 1854, his pa-
rents being David Logan and Ann (Delancy) Palm, the former a native of Juniata
county and the latter of Perry county, Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents,
Benjamin and Betsy (Nicholson) Palm, were of German descent. George and
Hannah (Rice) Delancy, the maternal grandparents of our subject, were natives
of Perry county, Pennsylvania. L^nto David L. and Ann (Delancy) Palm were
bom the following children : George, Benjamin Franklin, Tames, Elmer, Mary,
Rebecca, Clara, Sadie and Joanna.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 167
Benjamin Franklin Palm acquired his education in the schools of his native
county and there continued to make his home until the year 1881, when he came to
Huron county, Ohio, taking up his abode in Greenwich township. Subsequently
he resided in Ripley township for a time and then came to Fairfield township, where
he has since remained. During the first year of his residence in this county he fol-
lowed the carpenter's trade but has since given his attention to general farming, in
which line of activity he has won a creditable measure of prosperity. He pur-
chased his present farm of seventy-five acres in October, 1899, and has brought the
fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement.
On the 30th of October, 1879, Mr. Palm was united in marriage to Miss Mag-
gie A. Noss, whose birth occurred on the 13th of December, 1856, her parents be-
ing John G. and Maggie (Millikin) Noss, natives of Pennsylvania. Her paternal
grandparents were Jacob and Sarah Jane Noss, while the maternal grandparents
were William and Nancy (Beal) Millikin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Palm have been
born two children. Mary Bertha, whose birth occurred in 1880, is the wife of
George Parrott, of Fairfield township. Ira Grover, who was born on the 2d of
February, 1883, learned the upholstering trade in early manhood but now devotes
his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Palm are devoted
and consistent members of the Methodist church at North Fairfield and have gained
an extensive circle of friends throughout the county in which they have now re-
sided for almost three decades.
E. A. SUTTON.
E. A. Sutton, cashier of the Home Savings & Banking Company at Chicago
Junction, was born in Greenwich township, Huron county, April 2, 1872. He is a
son of Charles A. Sutton, who was born in the same township, July 4, 1844, and is
still living on the farm where his birth occurred, being one of the representatives
and respected agriculturists of the community. The grandparents were Aranson
and Emeline (Brady) Sutton. The former was born April 1, 1802, and with two
companions — his twin brother Alanson and James Carver — he made his way west-
ward from New York state to Ohio about 1824. They spent the first night in
Greenwich township, Huron county, with the family of Willis Smith, who then
lived about a mile east of the village of Greenwich. The three young men took up
a tract of land in Ruggles township, now included within Ashland county, and be-
gan clearing the place. Throughout his remaining days the grandfather carried on
general farming in this county.
His son, Charles A. Sutton, was reared to general agricultural pursuits and de-
termined to engage in farming as a life work. He still resides upon the old home-
stead and the splendid appearance of the fields indicates his careful supervision and
his progressive methods. Although he is not a politician in the sense of office seekr
ing, he has been given several local positions, the duties of which he has discharged
with promptness and fidelity. In early manhood he wedded Annie E. Ellis, also a
native of Greenwich township, Huron county, the Ellis family being numbered
among the respected and prominent old families of that section.
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168 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for
E. A. Sutton in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields during the sum-
mer months and in the winter seasons attended school. He continued his educa-
tion in the Greenwich high school and a!so in Oberlin University and throughout
his business career he has been identified with banking. He was first associated
with the Oberlin Banking Company, there remaining for a year and a half, when
he removed to Berlin Heights and became assistant cashier for the Berlin
Heights Banking Company, filling that position for eight years or until
December, 1899. He then came to Chicago Junction and was one of the
organizers of the Home Savings & Banking Company. He was also elected
a director and cashier, which office he still fills, and has thus been active in execu-
tive control of the institution, which has come to be regarded as one of the safe and
reliable moneyed enterprises of the county. Mr. Sutton is conservative in his busi-
ness methods and widely recognized as an able and popular official, serving well
the patrons of the bank, while at all times he is uniform in his courtesy and pleasant
in manner. Por the past sixteen years he has represented the Equitable Life As-
surance Society of the United States in New York city, which is one of the largest
financial institutions of the world. Mr. Sutton has upwards of one million dollars
in force, which is an indication of his success for this company.
In November, 1896, Mr. Sutton was married to Miss Elizabeth Romell, a na-
tive of Berlin Heights, Ohio, and they now have two children, Howard Ellis and
Harry Romell. The parents are well known socially in Chicago Junction and have
a circle of friends here almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
Mr. Sutton is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is prominent in
Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a
member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 562, A. F. & A. M. ; Golden Rule Chapter.
No. 167, R. A. M. ; and Toledo Consistory. He is an exemplary representative of
the craft, is a public-spirited citizen and a most reliable business man.
EDWIN C. WOODWORTH.
Edwin C. Woodworth, who owns and operates a well improved farm of one
hundred and sixteen acres in Fairfield township, is numbered among the pro-
gressive and representative agriculturists of the community. His birth oc-
curred in North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio, on the 19th of May, 1858. His
paternal grandfather, Jonathan Woodworth, was one of the early pioneer set-
tlers of this county, taking up his abode within its borders in 1834. He entered
a tract of timber land in New Haven township and, being a man of untiring per-
severance and resolute spirit, gradually transformed it into a rich and produc-
tive farming property. It has since been known as the Woodworth homestead
and comprises ninety-three acres of valuable land.
Herman Woodworth, the father of our subject, was born in Trumansburg,
Tompkins county, New York, on the 18th of April, 1830, and was but four years
of age when brought by his parents to this state. In early life he learned the
trade of a blacksmith, with which line of activity he was successfully identified
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 171
until 1907, when he was obliged to abandon his work because of failing eyesight.
The period of his residence in this county now covers three-fourths of a cen-
tury and he is therefore largely familiar with its annals from a pioneer epoch
down to the present time. He is a most highly respected and esteemed citizen
of his community, his upright and honorable life having won him the regard
and friendship of all with whom he has been associated.
Edwin C. Woodworth obtained his preliminary education at Fairfield and
afterward entered the university at Berea, Ohio, but was obliged to return home
before completing the course. For several years he was identified with educa-
tional interests as a school teacher but in 1882 purchased the farm of one hun-
dred and sixteen acres in Fairfield township on which he now resides. He has
won a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity as a tiller of the soil,
for the methods which he follows are practical and at the same time are in
keeping with ideas of progressive agriculture.
On the 21st of March, 1882, Mr. Woodworth was united in marriage to Miss
Hattie L. Sillman, who was born in Ripley township, Huron county, on the 29th
of August, 1861, a daughter of Solomon Sillman. Unto them have been born
eight children, namely: Iva B., Grace L., Ross S., Myrtle L., Adin M., George
B., H. Corlette and Alton E. The children have been educated at the district
and Union schools and the eldest daughter completed her studies in Tiffin.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Woodworth has
given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party,
being convinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. In
religious faith his wife is a Methodist, while fraternally he is identified with
Fairfield Lodge, No. 261, F. & A. M. Both have an extensive circle of warm
friends throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives and
well merit the regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded them.
CORNELIUS W. ANDERSON.
Cornelius W. Anderson, one of the most prominent and respected citizens of
Norwalk, has served as vice-president of the Citizens Banking Company since its
organization. He is a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, his birth having there
occurred on the 1st of September, 1869. His maternal grandfather, Cornelius
Wortendyke, was the originator and founder of the Knickerbocker Ice Company
of New York city and became a heavy stockholder in the concern. James Ander-
son, the father of our subject, did active duty in the Civil war as quartermaster
sergeant of the Forty-seventh Regiment of New York Volunteer Infantry, being
honorably discharged at the end of his three years* term of enlistment. His name
is inscribed on the soldiers' monument at Hackensack, New Jersey. He was for
many years engaged in the general commission business as a member of the firm
of W. H. B. Totten & Company, of New York city.
Cornelius W. Anderson received his preliminary education in the schools of
Norwalk, coming here when a lad of ten years. Here he has since made his home,
being widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen
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172 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of the community. Throughout his entire business career he has been engaged
in the buying and selling of real estate, improving the property before disposing
of it. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Citizens Banking Company of
Norwalk and has acted as vice-president thereof from the beginning. The institu-
tion opened its doors for business on the 12th of June, 1902, and paid a dividend
of four per cent the first year, setting aside two thousand dollars. The company
has since paid an annual dividend of eight per cent and now has a surplus of
thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Anderson has always been one of the bank's heav-
iest stockholders, while his keen discrimination, sound judgment and excellent
executive ability have constituted important elements in its successful conduct.
His home place comprises fifty acres within the city limits of Norwalk and the
fine buildings thereon are thoroughly equipped with all modern improvements.
The spacious residence is surrounded by an immense, well kept lawn, while a beau-
tiful flower garden also greatly enhances the attractiveness of the place. Mr. An-
derson is likewise the owner of a farm of one hundred and ten acres within a
mile of Norwalk and at one time was quite an extensive breeder of high grade
trotting horses, owning one with a mark of 2. 11 %.
In 1893 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Katherine
Lawrence, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, on the 14th of December, 1872, a
daughter of J. P. Lawrence. By this union there are two children : Lawrence W.,-
whose birth occurred July 31, 1897; and Margaret, whose natal day was Septem-
ber 4, 1900.
Mr. Anderson is a stalwart adherent of the republican party and when a young
man of thirty-four years was elected to the office of mayor of Norwalk, capably
and satisfactorily discharging the important duties devolving upon him in that
connection for a period of four years and eight months. He was the youngest man
who had ever been at the head of municipal affairs in Norwalk and previous to his
accession to the mayoralty had served for several years as a member of the coun-
cil. In November, 1909, he was elected a member of the board of education.
His religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the Episcopal church. In
whatever relation of life we find him — in political circles, in business or jn social
relations — he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth
well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him.
LYMAN ASHLEY.
Lyman Ashley, a resident of Chicago, Ohio, who is now living retired from the-
labors of the farm, is still the owner of valuable farming property, having one
hundred and eight acres of land in Greenfield township. He belongs to the native
sons of Huron county, having been born here, February 20, 1832, and during a
long and useful life has borne his part in the upbuilding of his locality. He is a
son of Dennis and Lurany (Bliss) Ashley, and grandson of Luther and Eunice
Ashley, and Jacob and Bertha (Brown) Bliss. These grandparents were all na-
tives of Massachusetts. Dennis Ashley was a farmer all his life, and at the time
of his death owned sixty-six acres of land in Greenfield township. Lyman Ashley
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 173
was the eldest of the children born to him and his wife, the others being : Luther,
who lives in California; Lucy and Norah, both of whom are deceased; E. S. ;
Mary, the deceased wife of Charles McMasters ; Deptor and Ward, also deceased ;
and Charlotte, who married J. A. Wheeler and lives in Huron county. Luther
and E. S. served in the Civil war.
Lyman Ashley attended the district schools until he was sixteen, at which time
he was forced to leave school and go to work in the mills, learning to be a sta-
tionary engineer, which occupation he followed for twelve years. Then, in 1853,
he went to Iowa, where he purchased eighty acres of government land for one
hundred dollars, and during the two years he owned it, the property increased
so- in value that he sold it for eleven hundred and seventy-five dollars. Following
this sale he returned to Huron county, which has been his home ever since. The
farm he owns in Greenfield township has been in his possession since 1856 and
for thirty-eight years, he successfully operated it.
On March 29, 1863. Mr. Ashley married Mary L. Young, who was a daughter
of the late James and Sarah (Frost) Young, farmers of Huron county. Mrs.
Ashley is the older of the two children born to her parents, her brother being
Curtis Young, who resides in Miami, Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley are the par-
ents of the following named children: Cora B., who married James Baker, of
North Fairfield, and has two children Glen and Nina; Joseph B., who married
Lucy Reed and has five children, Eunice, Leo, Lois, Carl and Ralph ; and Lewis
C, who married Hattie M. Lindley and has two children: Helen M. and Mary
Louisa.
Mr. Ashley has served very acceptably as township trustee, school director
and road supervisor, and upon six separate occasions has served as juryman at
Norwalk. While a republican in national matters, having cast his first presidential
vote for Abraham Lincoln, in local affairs, he uses discrimination, preferring to
select the man he deems best fitted for the office, rather than confine himself
strictly to party lines. Neither he nor any member of his family are connected
with a church organization. They are possessed of many good qualities which
have won for them the friendship of the people whose opinion counts, and while
enjoying the comforts of life their hard work has gained them, Mr. and Mrs.
Ashley are tenderly remembered by their old friends in Greenfield township, where
they lived for so many years.
GEORGE S. CATLIN.
After an experience of almost four decades as a successful teacher and school
superintendent George S. Catlin has returned to agricultural pursuits, to which he
was reared and on the land he owns in Boughtonville, Ripley township, devotes
himself to farming and the breeding of brown Leghorn chickens. He was born
in Huron county, July 21, 1857, and is a son of Hudson and Theresa (Scobey)
Catlin. Of remotely Irish ancestry on both his father's and mother's side, Mr.
Catlin is the scion of families which have from the earliest years of the nation
participated in its struggles and history. The Scobeys date back to colonial days,
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174 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
when some of that name were familiar with the Indian wars that involved two
European powers in mortal conflict. Theresa Scobey, who became the wife of
Hudson Catlin and the mother of George S. Catlin, was born in 1835, in Schuy-
ler county, New York. Her father, Archibald Scobey, who was the son of James
Scobey, was born on Long Island in 1800. In his young manhood, he married
Miss Sarah Ann Van Valor, a native of Buffalo, New York, and ten years his
junior. Of this union, there were born eight children: Andrew, Augustus, Cath-
erine, Jane, Cornelia, Isabel, Margaret and Sarah Ann.
Hudson Catlin, the father of George S. Catlin, comes from a family that was
identified with the history of the country on this side of the Alleghenies in the
early decades of the last century. He was a son of Burge Catlin, a native of
Medina county, Ohio, who entered upon this life in the year 1812. By his wife,
who in her maidenhood was Miss Eliza Reed (Burge) Catlin, became the father
of nine children: Mason, Victor, Allen, Seymour, Cynthia, Anna, Lorene, EJiza
and Celia. Hudson Catlin grew to manhood in this state and after the inaugura-
tion of the Civil war, responded to the nation's call for troops, enlisting in the
One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Although his period
of services comprised only two years and nine months it was crowded with
memorable experiences and numerous engagements. The latter included about
twenty battles, while the forty days spent in Libby prison made pictures upon his
mind which years did not efface. To Hudson Catlin and wife were born seven
children: George, Archibald, Burge, Wayne, Maud, Cora and Mae.
George S. Catlin began his school life in Shiloh, and after completing the pre-
scribed course of study there went to the Mansfield Normal School for further
training in the profession which was for many years to be his vocation. Though
not a man in years when he undertook to teach his first class, he possessed that
insight in human nature and the ability to impart knowledge which is considered
the peculiar property of older and more experienced men and from the first was
successful in his direction of a school and his control of its pupils. For twenty-
five years, in common and graded institutions of popular instruction, Mr. Catlin
taught the elementary branches of English education and then, having proved his
efficiency as a teacher, he was made a superintendent of schools, in this capacity
serving in different cities through a period of eleven years. But the responsibili-
ties were heavy and exhausting, and when an opportunity presented itself, Mr.
Catlin retired from his profession and sought rest and recreation on his farm.
Always a chicken fancier, he has turned to the breeding of fine brown Leghorns,
contemplating engaging in the poultry and tgg business on a large scale in the
near future.
On the 3d of June, 1882, Mr. Catlin was married to Miss Lovina Truxell.
She was born on the farm on which her husband now lives, August 27, 1865,
and is a daughter of David and Sarah (Howard) Truxell, both natives of
Huron county, for Milan, Ohio, was, at the time of the father's birth in 1819,
included within the boundaries of this county. Mrs. Truxell was born in Green-
field township in 1839. David Truxell was of remotely German descent, his
grandfather, Christopher Truxell, having been of German birth, although he
came to this country, where he died only five months before he reached the hun-
dredth milestone on life's journey. His son William, the father of David Trux-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 175
ell, was born in Pennsylvania about 1792. He married Miss Mary Brubaker,
who was born in Virginia in the first year of the nineteenth century. She was
the daughter of Christopher Brubaker, a native of Germany, and by her marriage
became the mother of eight children: Andrew, Addison, William, James, David,
Mary Jane, Elizabeth and Maria. When William Truxell came to Ohio he
stopped first at Florence. From there he and five companions walked to Nor-
walk, where they assisted in erecting the first two buildings of that city. Thence
they went to Greenfield township, entirely covered with timber at the time, pur-
chased their farms, cleared their land and put up rude houses for themselves.
David Truxell, too, experienced the hardships of pioneer days, for he bought
his farm in 1844 and had to remove the timber before it was habitable. He had
worked for his father until he was twenty-one, and then, dressed in homespun, set
out from home literally to cut his own fortune. He began by chopping trees
for the small sum of four dollars and a half an acre and used the money thus
gained for the purchase of other clothes. After working for Miner Lawrence
for about eight years, he was able to buy his farm. Alone and unaided, he cleared
the fields and built his first home, and now though a man well advanced in years
is still of strong physique and able to work like many a younger man. The strength
of his constitution he attributes to the fact that he has never smoked, chewed, nor
drank and tells with pride that he has never been inside a saloon. He has always
been a liberal supporter of the churches, has been a professed member since he was
eighteen, and in politics is a republican. His first presidential vote was cast for
William Henry Harrison, the whig candidate, and when he marked his ballot in
the fall of 1908, he had signified his choice of a national executive for the eight-
eenth time. To Mr. Truxell and wife have been born five children: Lafayette;
Nettie ; Lovina ; one who died in infancy ; and Perry.
Mr. and Mrs. Catlin's family consists of three children : Lela, the eldest, who
was born January 5, 1884, married W. J. Wilkinson, the North Fairfield agent for
the S. N. & M. railroad. Millicent, born March 2, 1885, married F. W. Devoe,
and they have two children : Robb and Donna. Clarke, the youngest, born Octo-
ber 27, 1887, ls a school teacher.
Mr. Catlin is a member of the Methodist church and is very prominent as a
church worker, having been for years the leading spirit in the congregation, a class
leader and chorister. Politically, he affiliates with thfe republican party, and
though his own duties have always been heavy, he has found time for the past
nine years to render his fellow citizens invaluable service as justice of the peace.
A man of undeniable ability, he is also possessed of indefatigable energy and has
won the esteem of all who know him.
HARVEY NEWTON MILLER.
Harvey Newton Miller a retired farmer of Ripley township, Huron county,
now living in Plymouth, was born in Cass township, Richland county, August 1,
1854, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Noble) Miller. Jacob Miller, a son of
John Miller, was born in November, 1827, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania.
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176 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
His parents having died in his infancy, he was taken by his grandparents who
brought him to Ohio in 1832, when he was less than five years old. In his early
manhood, he married Miss Mary Noble, who was born in Crawford county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1827, and was only two years of age when, in 1829, her parents, Har-
vey and Maria (Little) Noble, came to Ohio. She was one of a family of six chil-
dren, John, James, William, Elizabeth and Minerva, being the others.
Reared on a farm and working in the fields during the summer vacations, it
was but natural that Harvey Newton Miller should devote himself to agriculture.
The farm of eighty acres in Ripley township, which he turned over to the care of
his son in the spring of 1909, was for twenty-two years his home and the scene of
his daily toil. Nine years ago, he purchased the land, for he felt that it was as rich
and fertile a tract as could be obtained in that neighborhood, and auo the fact that
he had worked on it for so many years and knew all the peculiarities of the soil
urged him to the step.
On the 1st of August, 1877, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ella
Bowlby, who was born July 8, 1858, in Ripley township and is a daughter of
Emanuel and Lucretia (Park) Bowlby. Her parents had five children: David,
William, Martha, Addie and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children:
Park, was born September 15, 1883. On the 20th of March, 1906, he married
Miss Florence Waddington, a daughter of Chory and Elizabeth (Nothacker)
Waddington. Oliver, was born January 24, 1890, and is now employed in Lof-
land's grocery at Plymouth. Frey, the eldest son, was born March 11, 1878, and
died May 26, 1883.
Mr. Miller and the members of his family belong to the English Lutheran
church and are regular in attendance on its services, and consistent in their prac-
tice of its teachings. In politics, he espouses the republican party and invariably
casts his vote for its candiate. He is not a politician nor an office seeker, however,
though he has rendered valuable service to his fellow citizens as a member of the
school board. A man of high principles, whose life has been devoted to con-
scientious labor, he is well deserving of the rest which he is now enjoying in
Plymouth.
• SEBASTIAN SCHNURR.
Sebastian Schnurr, who throughout his entire life has been numbered among
the worthy and respected residents of Huron county, is the owner of a fine farm
of one hundred and seventy acres in Ridgefield township, on which he has now
made his home for fifty years. He is today one of the oldest native born citizens
of the county. His birth occurred in Peru township, on the 4th of November,
1835, his parents being Plasey and Teckla (Barman) Schnurr, both of whom
were natives of Baden, Germany. In the year 1829 the father crossed the
Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode in Peru township, this county,
where he worked for others for a time and then purchased a farm of thirty acres.
He was identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active busi-
ness career and had attained the age of sixty-five years when he was called to
his final rest, the community thus losing one of its most esteemed and well
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 179
known early settlers. His wife was fifty-five years of age when she passed
away. Unto this worthy couple were born twelve children, six of whom died
in infancy. The others were as follows : Cornelius and Rosie, who are now de-
ceased ; Sebastian, of this review ; Philip ; Katie ; and Frances.
As stated above, Sebastian Schnurr has remained a resident of this county
throughout his entire life and has always devoted his time and energies to the
work of general farming. For the past half century he has made his home on
his present farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Ridgefield township and
as the years have gone by has won a gratifying measure of prosperity in the
cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. The place is well im-
proved and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a prac-
tical and progressive owner.
On the 22d of June, 1863, Mr. Schnurr was joined in wedlock to Miss Emma
Friend, a native of Germany, who in early life was brought to this country by
her aunt. By this union there are five children, namely : Ida, who is at home ;
Emile, living in Pern township, who married Miss Amelia Gise and has two
children, Josie and Paul; Flora, who makes her home in this county and mar-
ried Jacob Russman, by whom she has ten children ; Bertha, living in Ridgefield
township, who gave her hand in marriage to John Bachman, by whom she has
two children, Ciralus and Frances ; and Otto, a resident of Ridgefield township,
who wedded Miss Mary Dernwald and has two children, Emery and Ellis.
Mr. Schnurr is a communicant of the Catholic church and his life has been
honorable and upright, so that in the evening of his days he receives the re-
spect and veneration which should ever be accorded to one of advanced years.
He has been an interested witness of the county's growth and development as
it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all the evidences of our
modern civilization and well deserves mention in this volume as one of its most
worthy and well known citizens.
ALFRED BARNARD.
Alfred Barnard, carrying on agricultural pursuits in Lyme township, Huron
county, is the owner of eighty-six acres of land, to the cultivation of which he is
devoting his time and energies. He was born in Shelburn, Massachusetts, Aug-
ust 9, 1824, a son of Anson and Lucinda (Nims) Barnard, also natives of that
place. The father was born February 22, 1792, and the mother March 27, 1795,
while they both passed away in April, 1859, tne father's demise occurring on the
nth and the mother's on the 30th of that month. Their marriage was celebrated
December 2, 1819, and in their family were eight children, namely: Anson A., who
was born October 14, 1820, and died April n, 1859 ; Frederick A., who was born
September 8, 1822, and died in 1854 ; Alfred of this review ; Charles, who was born
August 22, 1829, and died in 1908; Helen A., who was born September n, 1828,
and passed away December 24, 1861 ; William, born October 12, 1830; Lucinda,
who was born June 30, 1833, and died January 3, 1864; and Asa W., born Octo-
ber 21, 1836.
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180 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Alfred Barnard spent the early years of his life under the parental roof and
acquired his education in the common schools. He remained at home until twen-
ty-two years of age, when he came to Huron county, this state, where he re-
sided with his uncle, Samuel Nims, for about seven years. On March i, 1855,
he was married to Ruth A. Bemiss, who was born March 10, 1827, and is a daugh-
ter of Elijah and Sophronia Bemiss, pioneer settlers of this district. After his
marriage, he removed to the farm which is now his residence and which was
given to him by his wife's father. When the land came into his possession, it
was entirely covered with timber and brush, but with characteristic energy and
industry, he set about its improvement, erecting a house, clearing the land and
cultivating the soil until, in due course of time, the fields began to yield substan-
tial harvests in return for his time and labor. Mr. Barnard is practical in his
methods, studying the best ways of plowing, planting and harvesting, while to-
day his place is a well improved property, containing all the equipment and ac-
cessories of a model farm of the twentieth century.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Barnard were six children : Helen, at home, who
is a graduate of the Painsville College, and has been a district school teacher for
many years; William E., who married Lillian Haynes, by whom he has two
children, Rachel and Alfred, and who resides with his father, assisting in the
operation of the home farm ; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-three years ;
Mary, who passed away at the age of two years ; Lyman, living at Toledo, Ohio,
who married Bertha Kessler and has two children, Dorothy and Kenneth; and
Clara, who married Frank Seymour, a resident of this township, by whom she
has four children, George B., Ruth H., Ethelyn and Alberta Y. In 1892, the wife
and mother was called to her final rest, leaving husband and children to mourn
her loss. She was a lady of excellent traits of character and enjoyed the high
regard of a large circle of friends.
Mr. Barnard's political affiliations are in accord with the principles of the re-
publican party and for six years, he served as trustee of his township. He is a
prominent member of the Lyme Congregational church, in which he served for
many years as deacon. Honorable and upright in all his dealings, the salient char-
acteristics of his life have ever been such as command the respect, confidence and
good will of his fellowmen.
JONATHAN S. WHITE.
Jonathan S. White, one of the most prominent citizens of the progressive vil-
lage of Greenwich and cashier of the First National Bank there, was born in
Ripley township, Huron county, Ohio, February 24, 1844, and is a son of John C.
and Nancy A. (Taylor) White. The latter was born in Pennsylvania, but the
father's birthplace was Orange county, New York, though he was but fourteen
years of age when brought by his parents to this state. The family settled in
Richland county, near Mansfield, and engaged in farming, though the father for
many years taught in the district schools during the winter. John C. White
moved to Huron county in 1840 and bought a large tract of land which he set
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 181
about clearing, a task that was not entirely completed when his son Jonathan
became old enough to assist him. His wife, who shared with him the toils of those
early days, bore him four children: Mary E., Jonathan S., Jennie and Margaret
A., the last named being the only member of the family beside the subject of this
sketch now surviving. She married Joseph H. Lombard and has now been a
widow for some years, living in Jamestown, New York. Both Mr. and Mrs.
John C. White have passed away, the former in August, 1883, the latter eleven
years later in the month of April, and both are buried in Edwards Grove ceme-
tery, Ripley township. Mr. White was always a farmer, sincerely interested in
the public weal, though he was never a participant in the political life of the
community. He was devoted to his family and in every way a most exemplary
citizen.
Jonathan S. White was educated in the district schools, spending his youth
on the farm and engaging in the general work there under his father's supervision.
During the Civil war, he served as a private in Company C, One Hundred and
Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was assigned to the Army
of the Potomac, and was chiefly engaged in post duty in and about Washington
and on the Potomac river. When he was discharged at the close of the war, he
taught school for a number of winter terms, and in the summer devoted his ener-
gies to farming. For about one and a half years, he clerked in a general store in
New London, and then returned to farming in Ripley township. After his mar-
riage, Mr. White, not only pursued a general line of agriculture, but also en-
gaged in stock raising and feeding, in both of which he prospered.
In politics, he is a republican and has ever taken an active and creditable
part in public matters. For one year, he served as township trustee and then
was elected town clerk, in which capacity he rendered efficient and faithful serv-
ice during a period of thirteen years. In 1886, he was nominated and elected audi-
tor of Huron county and filled the position to the entire satisfaction of his con-
stituents and with credit to himself for the space of six years. It was during this
period, that Mr. White moved his family to Norwalk. When he retired from the
office of auditor, carrying with him the best wishes of the community, he had
served, he entered the First National Bank of Norwalk as cashier. From Jan-
uary, 1894, to October, 1902, he filled that position, leaving it to become cashier
of the First National Bank of Greenwich, in December, 1903, where he has re-
mained to the present. At that time, he took up his residence in Greenwich and has
since identified himself with every movement that has had in view the advance-
ment of the village and the increase of its prosperity.
On the 25th of February, 1869. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. White
and Miss Marietta Barre, a daughter of John and Amy (Stout) Barre, of
Ripley township. The Barres came to Ohio from Niagara county, New York,
as a newly married couple, and here took up the life of farmers. Fifteen children
were born to them, all but two being still alive: Cornelia E., deceased; David E. ;
Herman B., deceased ; Eliza J. ; Jonathan S. ; Theodore W. ; William H. ; Mar-
rietta E. ; Ira E. ; Lyman S. ; James K. ; Corbis M. ; Dwight M. ; Josephine E. ;
and Jessie F. The mother of these children died in May 1882. Mr. Barre was
prospered in his private affairs. When death overtook him, in 1883, ne was
mourned as a public spirited citizen, whose life's record was one of integrity and
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182 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of good works. To Mr. and Mrs. White there have been born three children:
James E., deceased ; Blanche M., at home ; and John G., who married Myrtle Bev-
eridge of Greenwich and is now cashier of the Wakeman Bank Company of Wake-
man, Ohio. He is an alert, efficient and popular young business man, that gives
promise of a successful career.
Mr. White is, and has been for many years, a stanch Mason, belonging to
Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, and to the Chapter at Norwalk. In religious mat-
ters, he and his family give their support to the Congregational church, of which
Mr. White is trustee, and in whose Sunday school he has been superintendent, and
otherwise prominent in all that concerns the work of the church. Mrs. White
and her daughter, Blanche M., are well known for the conspicuous part they play
in the social and literary life of the village. In short, they are active coadjutors
to Mr. White in maintaining his reputation as the best citizen, in point of effi-
cient activity, toward bettering the conditions of the village. His influence is
always thrown on the side of progress, for the improvement of the educational
opportunities here, better streets and roads, and better government.
ALBERT L. GINSTE.
Albert L. Ginste owns a well improved and valuable farm of eighty acres in
Wakeman township which annually pays tribute to his care and labor in bounteous
harvests. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Huron county, his
birth having occurred in Wakeman township on the 26th of July, 1879. ^e was a
son of John and Wilhelmina (Burke) Ginste, who in early manhood and woman-
hood sailed from Germany to the United States with their respective parents and
settled near Henrietta, Lorain county, Ohio. At the time of the Civil war John
Ginste, the father of our subject, enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a
member of Company H, Forty-third Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with
which he served for more than three years. After the close of the war he became
an active member of Harrison Douglass Post, G. A. R., at Kipton, Lorain county,
Ohio, acted as its commander for a number of years and always bore a helpful part
in Grand Army matters, being deeply interested in the welfare of the "boys in
blue."
At his death the following resolutions were adopted by this post :
"We pause, we falter at this portal of fate where the gates stand forever ajar.
At this open grave of a comrade we tarry to review the grand record of a glorious
life. The meteor has traversed the arc of trajection but the sheen of its glory il-
lumines the sky with its splendor, and that sheen will fade only as the memory
of man will fade. We are standing at the bier of John Ginste, a man who was
of high moral worth and unfaltering integrity. He was the embodiment of all that
was true and noble in man. In his death we recognize that a brilliant star has been
erased from the earth's galaxy of noble manhood. When in the full rigor of man-
hood, at the call of duty he enlisted in Company H, Forty-third Regiment of Ohio
Infantry at Oberlin, October 15, 1861. On account of his superior qualities and
proficiency he was early promoted through the various noncommissioned grades
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 183
to that of first sergeant of his company. On October 28, 1863, he was commis-
sioned by the governor as a second lieutenant. During 1861-62 and 63 he served
in the army of the Mississippi and the army of the Tennessee, in the states of Ken-
tucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. In 1864 he served in the Sixteenth Army Corps
until that organization ceased to exist. The command to which he belonged was
transferred to the Seventeenth Army Corps. He rendered honorable service on
Sherman's bloody trail down through Georgia, where the crash of infantry firing
and the thunder of artillery never ceased neither day or night from the morning
of the 4th day of May to the night of the 5th day of September, 1864. He was with
Sherman's retrograde march from Atlanta to Northern Alabama against the Con-
federate army of General Hood. He was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, De-
cember 22, 1864, having served two months and eight days beyond a three year en-
listment. During his services he traversed the entire Confederacy from the west
to east. His military service is a grand record of patriotic manhood ; he has to his
credit a grand array of brilliant stars which adorn the nation's baldrick of glory.
He was engaged with his command at Cripple Creek ; Resaca ; New Madrid ; sec-
ond battle of Corinth; Rome; Island No. 10; Oxford; Adairsville; Tiptonville;
Decatur, Alabama ; Dallas ; Fort Pillow ; Snake Creek Gap ; Big Shanty ; first bat-
tle of Corinth; Nickajack; Kennesaw ; Iuka; Decatur, Georgia; Atlanta; Ezra
Church; Jonesboro; Love joy Station; and Savannah.
After leaving the army John Ginste turned his attention to general agricul-
tural pursuits, successfully carrying on farming in Wakeman township, Huron
county, until 1882, when he took up his abode in Lorain county and there made his
home until called to his final rest. His political allegiance was given to the re-
publican party and he never failed to cast his ballot in support of its men and meas-
ures on election day. For some years he served as a trustee of Camden township,
Lorain county, capably discharging the duties devolving upon him in this connec-
tion. Interested and active in matters of public moment, his aid and cooperation
could always be counted upon to further any movement instituted to promote the
general welfare. He kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and
was always able to support his position by intelligent argument. He was highly re-
spected and honored throughout the community in which he made his home and his
death, which occurred in Elyria, Lorain county, in the fall of 1906, was the occa-
sion of deep and widespread regret. His wife had passed away in October, 1904.
They reared a family of seven children, namely: Ida, now the wife of Alfred
Squires, of Eaton township, Lorain county ; John, a resident of Cleveland ; Cath-
erine, who is deceased ; Albert L., of this review ; Mary, who has also passed away ;
Charles, of Wakeman ; and Minnie, the wife of Meade Buckley, of Camden town-
ship. John Ginste had a full realization of the value of good mental training as a
preparation for life's practical and responsible duties and provided his children
with all the educational advantages which his means would permit.
Albert L. Ginste obtained his education in the public schools of Lorain county
and grew to manhood on his father's farm, in the work of which he assisted when
his time was not occupied with his text-books. Subsequent to his marriage he
took up his abode on his present farm of eighty acres in Wakeman township and
has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. His property is
the visible evidence of his life of well directed thrift and industry, for he started
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^84 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
out on his own account empty handed and has steadily worked his way upward
until he is now the owner of a valuable and productive farm. The buildings on
the place are all of a substantial and modern character. During the winter seasons
Mr. Ginste engages in the feeding of sheep and in all of his undertakings is meet-
ing with that measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and un-
tiring labor.
On the 2d of December, 1807, Mr. Ginste was united in marriage to Miss Cor-
delia Barnes, a daughter of Charles and Helen (Hall) Barnes. The Halls were
a prominent pioneer family of Wakeman township, contributing in substantial
measure to its early development and upbuilding. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ginste has
been born a daughter, Helen.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Ginste has given his
political allegiance to the republican party and for three years has filled the office
of assessor in Wakeman township. At the present time he is acting as a mem-
ber of the township board of education, doing effective service for the cause of
public instruction. All matters pertaining to the advancement of the community
along material, intellectual and moral lines receive his hearty support and coop-
eration and he is widely recognized as a most progressive and public-spirited citi-
zen. For about twelve years he has been a member of Wakeman Tent, No. 92,
K. O. T. M., of which he has served as commander and also as lieutenant com-
mander. Both he and his wife are prominent and valued members of the Congre-
gational church, taking a deep and helpful interest in both church and Sunday-
school work. He is a member of the board of trustees and his wife was organist
in the church for a number of years. The young couple hold a high place in public
esteem and their own hospitable and attractive home is a favorite resort with their
many friends.
CHARLES S. CLARK.
Charles S. Clark needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he
has gained a world-wide reputation as the most extensive producer and propaga-
tor of seed corn rot cnly in this country but in foreign countries as well. He
was born March 22, i860, in a house which stood upon the site of his present
residence, his parents being David S. and Esther (Boyd) Cterk. The father,
who followed farming throughout his active life, passed away on the 7th of
February, 1885. In the frmily were three sons and two dmghters: Ella, Walter
and Rollie B., all nowr deceased; Charles S. ; end Hattie, the wife of Professor
W. Andrews of Oberlin College. The father was a man of strong character,
prominent in public affairs and given to good works, and he lived and died with
the full confidence ?.nd respect of all who knew him. His widow still survives
at the age of seventy-sevL-n years and enjoys remarkable health.
Charles S. Clark spent his youth on the home farm and was educated in the
public schools of Wakeman. At the age of eighteen years he began raising seed
corn on one acre of ground, cultivating two varieties of select corn. Some-
thing of the growth and extent of his business is indicated in the fret that on the
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CHARLES S. CLARK
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 187
1st of May, 1909, he shipped ninety-four varieties of seed corn to one man in
Rockford, Illinois. His success has been phenomenal in this line of business and
for the past twenty years he has been the largest grower of seed corn in the
world, shipping to every corn-growing country on the face of the globe. During
the winter of 1908-9 three shipments were sent to Paris and beginning in the
month of October, 1909, his shipments averaged one thousand bushels per day
during the entire season up to the middle of May. Among other very large con-
tracts made for next winter's delivery he has one for a carload to be sent to
San Francisco, California, and a full carload to Knowlton, Quebec, Canada. His
business has developed from the small beginning of one acre, which was taken
up as an experimental work, the excellence of his product being his best adver-
tisement. He has been the originator and introducer of a great many of the
different varieties of field corn and sweet corn now in use, including the finest
varieties which are in cultivation today. There is a large amount of seed corn
and many varieties raised by the farmers of Huron, Erie and Sandusky counties,
from seed furnished by Mr. Clark and under contract with him for the purchase
of their crop. He applies the same business rules to other sections which are
well adapted for the development of seed corn. In addition to the enormous
trade which he has built up in this connection he is also extensively engaged
in the production of seed oats, of which he ships large quantities. These are
also produced in many varieties and go into every oat-growing district. Mr.
Clark has a fine farm of his own on which he produces a great deal of seed
corn and oats, especially in an experimental way in the development of new
varieties. His home is a commodious and attractive residence and altogether is
a model farm in the nature of its improvements and the care which is bestowed
upon it.
On the 12th of June, 1888, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
T. Smith, of Milford, Connecticut, a daughter of E. Stiles and Maria Theresa
(Platte) Smith, who had one son and two daughters: Frank W., Sarah T. and
Susan Isabelle. The last named is now Mrs. Elbert N. Clark. The son married
Miss Carrie W. Beard, of New Haven, Connecticut. The Smith family, to
which Mrs. Clark belongs, never became residents of Ohio but were prom-
inent in their locality, the ancestry extending back to twelve generations since
the first of the name came to America from England. Mr. and Mrs. Clark
have three children : Hazel Theresa, Hattie Marie, and Charles Harold Stiles.
They are refined and highly intelligent people and their home bears every
evidence of these characteristics. They expect to give to their children every ad-
vantage in educational lines, intending to send all to college. Mrs. Clark is
devoted to her home and gives to it her best efforts but also finds time for diver-
sion and development in club work. The family are members of the Congrega-
tional church and active in church and Sunday-school work. Mr. Clark has
done much valuable public service aside from what he has accomplished in a busi-
ness way. He was a member and president of the board of education for six years,
has been vice-president of the Wakeman Banking Company for ten years and is
now a member of the township board of trustees. He is independent in politics,
giving his support to the men and measures that his judgment endorses. As a
young man he was much interested in baseball and won considerable note as a
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188 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
member of the famous Wakeman Club. He still retains a keen interest in the
national game but finds his special diversion in a summer outing with his family
enjoyed at their handsome summer cottage at Ruggles Beach on the shores of
Lake Erie.
FRED BROWN.
Among the native sons of Sherman township, Huron county, who are en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits and are ranked among the progressive and repre-
sentative farmers of the community, is Fred Brown, who owns and operates a
farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres in this township. He was born on the
ioth of November, 1855, and is a son of Fred and Margaret (Pirrung) Brown,
both natives of Germany. They came to America about 1841 or 1842 and set-
tled in Columbus, Ohio, where they remained for two years, after which they
came to Sherman township, Huron county. While in Germany, the father was a
wagonmaker by occupation and followed that trade during his residence in Col-
umbus, but after his arrival in Sherman township, he devoted himself to farm-
ing. He purchased one hundred acres of land but later sold a part of it, owning
at the time of his death eighty-eight acres. He and his wife were both buried
in Sherman township. In their family were the following children : Jacob ; Eliza-
beth, the wife of Charles Westrick, of Norwalk; Peter, who lives in Michigan;
Margaret, the wife of Sebastian Purcell, residing in Peru township ; John, who
lives in Michigan; Frank, also of that state; Fred, of this review; Anna, the de-
ceased wife of Henry Schendorf ; and Anthony, who resides on and operates the
old homestead in Sherman township. Of this family the three eldest were born
in Germany.
Reared amid the scenes and environment of rural life, Fred Brown attended
the district schools of his native township in the acquirement of an education. At
the age of sixteen, he put aside his textbooks and engaged in farming for his
father until twenty-seven years of age, when he started out for himself, rent-
ing a farm for four years. At the expiration of that period, he removed to In-
diana, where he purchased a farm of ninety-five acres in Pulaski county and
continued to make that his residence for thirteen years. He then sold his farm
in Indiana and returned to Sherman township in 1900, buying his present place
from George Diehr. He is now engaged in general farming and through his in-
dustry, well directed labors and careful management, is meeting with a creditable
measure of success.
On the 14th of February, 1882, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Ot-
tilia Geiger, a daughter of Rudolph and Ernestina (Ott) Geiger, both natives of
Germany. They were farming people and both passed away in Sandusky, to which
place they had removed just prior to their demise. In their family were the
following children : Louisa, the deceased wife of John Smith ; John ; Adolph ; Mrs.
Fred Brown ; Mary, the wife of John Weidinger ; and Anna, who wedded Joseph
Ringlein. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of five children, as follows :
William A., born June 1, 1883; A,bin p-» b°m May 24, 1888; Frank M., bom
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 189
July 25, 1890; Fred R., born August 16, 1893; ^ Ernestina M., bom December
6, 1896.
The family are members of the Catholic church at Bismarck, Sherman town-
ship, and are held in high esteem throughout the community. Mr. Brown gives
substantial support to the democratic party and is serving at present as township
trustee. He has also been constable, road supervisor and school director, and is a
loyal citizen, supporting every measure calculated to benefit the community in
its rapid and substantial development.
ALFRED W. PEIRCE.
For half a century Alfred W. Peirce has lived in Huron county and needs no
introduction to the readers of this volume for his creditable life record has made
him widely and favorably known. In all business affairs, he has been thoroughly
reliable as well as progressive and in his relations to public interests he has been
found a man of progressive spirit whose desire for the public welfare has been
manifest in active work for its behalf. He was born April 29, 1833, *n Charlotte,
Vermont, a son of Chauncey and Mahala (Conger) Peirce.
The father was a native of Rhode Island and removed to Vermont, but never
became a resident of Ohio. The son spent his youth on his father's farm and was
educated in the district schools, the schoolhouse of the neighborhood being upon
land in possession of the family. After he had mastered the elementary branches
of learning, he spent one term in an academy to which he walked a distance of five
miles each morning, returning in the same way each evening. He would also
assist with the chores about the farm and though every moment was busily oc-
cupied and he had to walk so far to school, he never entered the schoolroom too
late for the opening exercises. At seventeen years of age, he began teaching
school, following that profession through the winter months while the summer
seasons were devoted to the work of the fields, his father thus receiving the bene-
fit of his services until after he had attained his majority. In 1856, when twenty-
three years of age, he left Vermont and made his way to Chicago. In the mean-
time, he had picked up a knowledge of the carpenter's trade during his leisure
hours. His education, too, was largely obtained by studying when the work
of the farm was over for the day, and in this manner he became a man of broad
education with wide knowledge concerning literature, mathematics and the
sciences. On going to Chicago, in 1856, he found employment in the shops of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company. At that time there was
not a foot of paving in Chicago, which was a city of comparatively small propor-
tions. Mr. Peirce remained there from March until June, when he was called
to his home in Vermont by the death of his father. He then continued in the
Green Mountain state until the spring of 1857, when he made his way to Lake
City, Minnesota. There he again worked at the carpenter's trade until the
succeeding fall, when the country became involved in a financial panic render-
ing it very difficult to secure employment for building operations were practically
suspended.
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190 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
About that time Mr. Peirce came to Townsend, Huron county, Ohio, through
the influence of some acquaintances he had made during his residence in Min-
nesota. He and his brother-in-law, M. M. Perkins, who came with him, purchased
a hotel in Townsend and in addition to conducting the hostelry Mr. Peirce also
worked in the agricultural implement factory owned by the firm of Hyde &
Allen, the partners being W. S. Hyde and Pruden Allen. Mr. Peirce was em-
ployed in the shops until the spring of 1858, when the company suspended be-
cause of the stringency of the times. He then turned his attention to contracting
and building and became a large operator along this line, erecting many of the
schoolhouses of the county and many of the best dwellings. He was thus con-
nected with building operations in addition to conducting his small farm until
1869, when he became associated with a company of railroad bridge contractors
and was in Des Moines, Iowa, for a period.
On his return to Huron county, Ohio, he located in Townsend and accepted
the superintendency of a sash and door factory. Three years later, he became
engaged in the black walnut business in Indiana. When he again returned to
Townsend, he built a residence for himself and this was about the last of his
building operations. In 1875, he engaged with the Collins Pump Company as
bookkeeper and thus represented them for two years, after which he became in-
terested in the business of manufacturing pumps and also in the operation of a
sawmill, in company with John C. Shaw. In this, he continued until 1890, wlhen
the mill and factory were destroyed by a cyclone, terminating his business inter-
ests of that character. He next purchased the Union Bending Works, at Col-
lins, and has since operated this plant in connection with his son, Frank Peirce.
He has ever been a man of resolute purpose, carrying forward to successful
completion whatever he has undertaken unless his path was barred by some obsta-
cle or difficulty that could not be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.
In 1884, he established a mercantile enterprise in Collins which he has since con-
ducted in connection with other business affairs. He has ever been watchful of
opportunities and his utilization of the advantages which have come to him have
brought him to a prominent position in the business circles of the community.
Mr. Peirce has been married three times. On the 22A of August, 1854, he
wedded Miss Lutheria M. Brown, a daughter of Smyrna and Almeda (Morse)
Brown. Mrs. Peirce was of the same township in Vermont in which her husband's
birth occurred. There were two children of this union : Lynda and Charles The
daughter is now the wife of the Rev. William Fisher, Congregational minis-
ter of Kansas, while the son, Charles, is a successful farmer in Hartman town-
ship. The wife and mother died November 24, 1864, and on the 9th of Decem-
ber, 1869, Mr. Peirce wedded Miss Julia A. Dean, a daughter of Royal C. and
Mary (Smith) Dean. The father was a traveling saleman for a Zanesville (Ohio)
firm for many years and also the owner of a farm in Townsend township. By
the second marriage there were born three children : Royal C, who was killed at
Akron, Ohio, while in the line of duty with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ;
Carl W., who after graduating from Oberlin College in 1900, went to Pittsburg
and is now identified with the steel interests of that city ; and Frank H., who was
formerly an Oberlin student and is now associated in business with his father.
The death of Mrs. Julia Peirce occurred March 9, 1894, and on the 24th of Octo-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 191
ber, 1895, Mr. Peirce was joined in wedlock to Miss Lena E. Fitch, a daughter
of Edgar and Letta (Ward) Fitch, of Townsend township, who came to this
state from Michigan in 1891. Mr. Fitch is a farmer by occupation and has re-
turned to Michigan. By the third marriage there is but one child, a daughter,
Pauline.
Politically, Mr. Peirce is a republican having been identified with the party for
years as one of its well informed representatives and active workers thoroughly
qualified to defend his position by intelligent argument. He has served as jus-
tice of the peace for one term, was township trustee for several terms, and town-
ship clerk for several years. He was a member of the school board for many years
and has always been a friend of education, advocating advanced ideas in con-
nection with the work of public instruction. To his children, he gave superior col-
lege advantages and all made excellent records in their studies, especially in mathe-
matical lines. Mr. Peirce is a member of the Masonic fraternity and for years was
active in the affairs of the order. He has always been an advocate of temper-
ance and of things which work for honorable manhood and progressive citizenship.
His wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are
active in church and Sunday school work, while Mr. Peirce gives liberally to the
support thereof. He is in every way a splendid type of citizen and his coopera-
tion can be counted upon to further any movement for the general good.
FRANK W. ADELMAN.
Frank W. Adelman, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred acres
of land, situated in Norwalk township, Huron county, Ohio, was born upon this
farm on the 27th of February, 1861, a son of John J. and Margaret (Klunding)
Adelman, both natives of Germany. In 1830, the father accompanied his parents,
J. P. and Tracy Adelman, to the United States, and they located in Buffalo, New
York, remaining in that city for a short time, after which a removal was made to
Ohio, the family home being established in Ridgefield township, Huron county.
There the grandfather of our subject purchased one hundred acres of land and
in that township, John P. Adelman spent almost his entire life. He bought the
farm upon which our subject now resides and placed many improvements thereon,
devoting his energies entirely to agricultural pursuits. He became well known in
the community in which he resides and served for some time as road supervisor.
He passed away in 1870 in the faith of the Catholic church. He had married
Margaret Klunding, who was born in Germany in 183 1 and left the fatherland
when thirteen years of age, accompanying her parents to the United States, where
they settled in Sherman township, Huron county, Ohio. Her death occurred on
the 17th of November, 1898. In the family of this worthy couple, were seven
children, namely: Francis, deceased; Charles, who has also passed away; Rose,
the wife of Anthony Harr, residing in Norwalk, Ohio ; Frank W.. of this review ;
Clara M.. also residing in Norwalk; Joseph, deceased; and Benjamin, of Nor-
walk.
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192 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life, Frank W. Adelman
acquired his education in the district and German schools, while the periods of
vacation were devoted to the work of the farm. Upon attaining his majority, he
decided to make the occupation to which he had been reared his life work and he
has since directed his energies and time to general agricultural pursuits. He has
always resided upon the farm where he was born and has continued in the work
of improvement and development until he has brought his fields under a fine state
of cultivation, the excellent condition of the entire place today attesting the care
and labor expended upon it. He possesses good business ability and his energy
and close application to work have been the means of bringing to him the pros-
perity which he now enjoys.
On the 9th of October, 1888, Mr. Adelman was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Shaeffer, a daughter of George and Angeline (Dehe) Shaeffer. She was
born in Peru township, this county, February 26, 1867, and on the 10th of October,
1907, was called to her final rest, leaving besides her husband, six children to mourn
her loss, namely : George, Loretti, Emma, Elmie, Herbert and Clarence, all resid-
ing at home.
Mr. Adelman holds membership with the Modern Woodman of Norwalk and
is also a member of the Catholic church. His long residence in this locality has
brought him a wide acquaintance, and he is held in high esteem by his many f riends»
The fact that he is best liked where best known is an indication of his personal
worth. Successful in his agricultural pursuits, he is ranked among the representa-
tive members of the German-American element of this county.
BLASIUS SIMON.
Blasius Simon who has made his home continuously in Peru township since
1834, covering a period of three-fourths of a century, is the owner of a well
improved and productive farm of fifty-eight acres in that township, on which
he resides. His birth occurred in Baden, Germany, on the 15th of March, 1833.
his parents being Conrad and Mary Ann (Krieveler) Simon. The year 1834
witnessed their emigration to the new world, the family home being established
in Peru township, Huron county, Ohio, where the father purchased a small tract
of land and built a log cabin. After clearing the land he gave his attention to
its cultivation and improvement and there carried on his agricultural interests
throughout the remainder of his life, winning a goodly measure of prosperity in
his undertakings. His wife also passed away on this farm, and thus the com-
munity lost two of its most respected and worthy pioneer settlers. Their chil-
dren were as follows : Seraphine, George and Mary, all of whom are deceased ;
Blasius, of their review ; Christian ; Anthony ; Andrew, who has also passed away ;
and several who died in infancy.
Blasius Simon was but a year old when brought by his parents to the United
States and, as before stated, has since continued to reside in Peru township.
In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade and for a number of years
was actively and successfully identified with the building interests of the county,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 195
erecting a large number of houses and barns. In 1862 he purchased his present
farm of fifty-eight acres from George Sowers and turned his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits, in which field of activity he has likewise met with success. As'
the years have gone by he has brought the property under a high state of culti-
vation and has made many substantial improvements thereon, remodeling the
residence, etc. In recent years, however, he has largely put aside the active
work of the fields and his farm is now being operated by his son Edward.
On the 4th of June, 1861, Mr. Simon was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn
Hills, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Biddle) Hills, both of whom are
now deceased. Mrs. Simon was a little maiden of seven years when she came
with her parents to Norwalk township, this county. She was one of ten chil-
dren, the record of whom is as follows : Helen, Frances, Mary and Jennie, all of
whom have passed away ; Kathryn ; Tracy, who is likewise deceased ; Fred ;
Joseph; and two who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simon have been
born six children. Amelia, living in Ridgefield township, is the wife of Law-
rence Smith and has three children: Edward, Anna and Otto. Albert, a resi-
dent of Norwalk, wedded Miss Rose Meyer, by whom he has four children:
Walter, Henry, Mildred and Fred. Rose is still under the parental roof. George,
who makes his home at Monroeville, married Miss Rosella Frey and had five
children: Alfred; Reuben; Helen; Hilda, who is deceased; and Norman. Ed-
ward, who wedded Miss Emma Frey, lives at home and manages his father's
farm. Andrew was called to his final rest at the age of eighteen years.
The different members of the family are all faithful communicants of the
Catholic church. Mr. Simon has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's
journey and that his career has been at all times above reproach and worthy of
commendation is indicated by the high esteem and regard in which he is held by
those among whom practically his entire life has been spent. His memory forms
a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and he
has been an interested witness of the wonderful transformation that has been
wrought as pioneer conditions have gradually given way before the onward
march of civilization.
WILLIAM HENRY SNYDER.
William Henry Snyder, now living retired in North Fairfield, is numbered
among the honored veterans of the Civil war and is also classed with those men
who in positions of public service have demonstrated their loyalty to the general
good by the prompt, efficient and faithful performance of duty. His record is
altogether a most creditable one and because of his wide acquaintance in Huron
county, cannot fail to prove of interest to many of the readers of this volume.
Mr. Snyder was born in Greene county, New York, on the nth of January,
1835, his parents being John and Harriet (Watrous) Snyder. His paternal
grandparents were Feter A. and Hannah (Wells) Snyder, whose family numbered
seven children, namely: John, Henry, Maria, Abram, Peter, James and Jane. Of
this number, John Snyder, the father of our subject, was reared, educated and
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196 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
married in the east and unto him and his wife were born five sons and three
daughters as follows: William Henry, Hiram, Henry, Maria, Lucy, Vincent,
Sylvester and Caroline.
William Henry Snyder spent his youthful days under the parental roof. It
was in 1854, that the family came to Ohio, settling at Snyder's Corners at which
time William H. Snyder was a young man of nineteen years. He was prepared
for life's practical and responsible duties by the educational privileges offered
by the public schools and by the thorough business training which he received,
under the direction of his father. In early manhood, he took up general farm-
ing as a life work and carefully tilled the soil for many years, but at length with-
drew from that field of labor and later was busily engaged with official service and
also with the duties of the secretaryship of the Huron County Insurance Company,
which position he filled for a number of years. He is still the owner of sixty
acres of land in Ashland county and that farm returns to him a gratifying an-
nual income.
It was on the 5th of December, 1856, that Mr. Snyder was united in marriage
to Miss Hannah Hinkley, a daughter of Benjamin and Maria (Paine) Hinkley,
in whose family were the following named : Hannah, Joshua, Mary, Phoebe and
William. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have become the parents of four children: Ida,
Lucia, Harry and Benjamin.
Mr. Snyder is entitled to wear the Grand Army button from the fact that he
served as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in August, 1862, as a member of
Company D, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He remained with
that command until honorably discharged in 1863, when he returned to the north.
He has always been as loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the
old flag on southern battlefields. His political allegience is given to the democ-
racy and he has served as justice of the peace for a number of terms and as post-
master at North Fairfield for four years. His official service has been character-
ized by the prompt and capable discharge of his duties, his fidelity to any trust
being recognized as one of his strong traits. He belongs to the Masonic fra-
ternity and both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star, exempli-
fying in their lives the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual help-
fulness and the recognition of the brotherhood of mankind.
CHARLES A. EASTER.
One of the old farms of Greenfield township, Huron county, Ohio, is that
on which Charles A. Easter lives. He was born on this place as was his father be-
fore him, and the house which is his home was built by his grandfather in 1834.
The latter, Archibald Easter, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1777, and
was the son of John Easter, a well-to-do farmer and cloth manufacturer of Ber-
ragh, near Londonderry, Ireland. Archibald Easter received a good education
and as a young man, was sent to the United States to look after some real estate
interests of his father. He could not return immediately upon the accomplish-
ment of his business on account of the War of 181 2, and so sought employment
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 197
in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as a weaver, a trade he had learned in Ireland.
After three years, he was made foreman, but in 1815, he returned to Ireland.
In 1817, however, he came a second time to the United States, landing at New
York. He came west by canal and lake to Sandusky, Ohio, and then to the center
of the state, locating on a farm near Columbus, which has since been incorporated
within the limits of that city. He lived on that place for a few years and then
moved to Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, where he bought a farm, having pre-
viously traversed on horseback nine states of the Union in search of a homestead.
He was compelled to leave Fremont on account of the ague, and in 1819, came to
this county, settling first on a farm in the center of Greenfield township, where Rob-
ert Arthur now lives, and in 1830, located on the farm now occupied by his grand-
son. On this land, he farmed until i860, when he retired from active life. In
1824, he married Miss Rebecca Easter, who was born in 1801 in County Tryone,
Ireland, and was the daughter of James Easter. They were united by Elder John
Wheeler and became the parents of six children : two who died in infancy ; Elias ;
Sarah, the wife of James McLane ; Keziah, who married Samuel Arthur ; and
John, who was drowned in his youth. Archibald Easter died May 1, 1867, and his
wife passed away June 6, 1883, both being buried in the Steuben cemetery. He
had helped to organize the whigs of his township and later became a republican.
He was a successful farmer and with his wife was a member of the Congregational
church.
Elias Easter, his son and the father of Charles A. Easter, was born Septem-
ber 19, 1834, was reared on the farm and attended the public schools of Green-
field township. Shortly before his father's death, he assumed charge of the home
place, on which he continued the successful farming. On the 7th of June, 1871,
he was married to Miss Jennie E. McMorris, a daughter of John and Nancy Mc-
Morris, of Greenfield township, who had come originally from Ireland. Mrs.
Easter died November 5, 1876, after having borne two children: Nancy, who
died in.intancy ; and Charles A., the subject of this review. On June 14, 1888, Mr.
Easter married a second time, his bride being Mrs. Marjory Aiken, the widow
of James A. Aiken. She was born March 30, 1846, in Huntingdon county, Penn-
sylvania, and was the daughter of Richard Chilcott. Mr. Easter remained on the
farm now belonging to our subject until 1892, when he removed to Norwalk,
where he died May 5, 1907. He was a stanch republican and held the offices of
justice of the peace, trustee, and others in his township. He was a member of
the Greenfield Congregational church, in which he held office of some kind nearly
all his life.
Charles A. Easter lived on the farm on which he was born until 1892. He
received his early training for life in the district schools of the county and upon
leaving them spent three terms at Oberlin College, and then attended the busi-
ness colleges at Sandusky and Norwalk. In the latter town, he worked for five
years as clerk and stenographer and then obtained employment in Canton, Massi-
lon and Cleveland. In the fall of 1907, he returned to Huron county to assume
the charge of the farm in Greenfield township. It embraces one hundred and
eighty-three acres of fine land, which Mr. Easter has brought to a high degree of
productiveness. He follows a general line of agriculture and has been more suc-
cessful than the average.
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198 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
On the 22d of September, 1901, Mr. Easter was married to Miss Florence E.
Bowsers, a daughter of Henry F. and Marana (Evans) Bowers, of Norwalk.
Both parents were born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and there were married, but
have lived in Norwalk for thirty years. The father, a stone mason by trade, was
a soldier of the Civil war and is a member of the local post of the G. A. R. His
religious affiliations are with the Methodist church. In his family were nine chil-
dren: Nellie, who married James A. Whitney, deceased; Fred W., of St Louis,
Missouri ; Bertha E., the wife of George Snyder, of Toledo, Ohio ; Raymond E.,
of that city ; Charles E., of Norwalk ; Grace L., the wife of C. H. Baker, of Toledo ;
Josephine, deceased, who married Ralph Husted; Florence E., now Mrs. Eas-
ter; and Eva I., the wife of Harry Thorley, of Norwalk, Ohio. Florence E. was
born in Norwalk, and has borne her husband two children: Charles E., born
March 5, 1904; and Elizabeth J., born May 8, 1907.
Though so recently a farmer on his own responsibility, Mr. Easter has made
the two years tell in his bountiful harvests. The old farm, producing under one
family for three generations, has attained a cultivation it never reached before
and is a fine tract of land. Mr. Easter is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Nor-
walk, No, 64, and of the Congregational church, and is a citizen respected in the
community, among his fraternal brothers and in his church.
SAMUEL W. ROWLAND.
Samuel W. Rowland, a well known and respected resident of the village of
Wakeman, was born in Clarksfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 12th
of June, 1839, his parents being Ezra and Ann (Stiles) Rowland. He traces
his ancestry back to Thomas and Daniel Rowland, who came to this country from
Scotland in the latter part of the seventeenth century, settling in Connecticut
Several of their descendants participated in the Revolutionary war. Ezra Row-
land, the father of our subject, was a son of Aaron and Deborah (Dean) Row-
land, who came from Putnam county, New York, to Huron county, this state,
in 1818. They left the Empire state on the 10th of October of that year, making
the journey in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen and one horse, and on the
1 8th of November, arrived in Clarksfield township, this county. This district was
a dense forest, but they found shelter in the log cabin of Captain Husted, an
earlier settler, in whose gristmill Mr. Rowland was employed for a time. The in-
mates of the little structure numbered twenty persons and as soon as possible,
Mr. Rowland erected a cabin home of his own in the vicinity, assisting in the con-
duct of the gristmill and in the work of the farm. In 1822, he left the mill and
took up his abode on a farm which he had previously purchased. In the family
of Ezra and Ann (Stiles) Rowland were seven children, namely: Rebecca and
Benjamin, who are deceased; Aaron G., an agriculturist of Clarksfield township;
Lucy and Jairus, who have also passed away ; Samuel W., of this review ; and
Joseph, who is likewise deceased.
Samuel W. Rowland was reared on his father's farm and continued under the
parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-one years. He obtained his
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 199
preliminary education in the district schools of his native township and when
twenty years of age, began teaching school. At the end of a year, however, he
entered Oberlin College and after leaving that institution once more became con-
nected with educational interests as an instructor in the schools of Montgomery
county, where he remained until the time of his enlistment for service in the
Union army. It was in August, 1862, that he became a member of Company A,
Ninety-third Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting for a term of three
years or during the war. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumber-
land and was with General Rosecrans at the battle of Stone River, where Mr.
Rowland was wounded on the 29th of December, 1862, a shot passing through
his right ankle and splintering the bone. The wound was so serious that he was
compelled to remain in the hospital for sometime and was afterward sent home on
a furlough, a year passing before he again joined his regiment. After returning
to the army, he took part with General Sherman in all the hotly contested en-
gagements of that campaign and on the 17th of December, 1864, was again
wounded, at Nashville, in the battle between Generals Thomas and Hood, being
shot in the upper right arm by a minie ball when within sixteen feet of the Con-
federate breastworks. This also shattered the bones of the arm and after leav-
ing the hospital, he was sent to a Louisville institution to convalesce, but
while there was honorably discharged from the army, the war having come to an
end. He had proven a most brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the per-
formance of any task assigned him and returned home with a splendid military
record. On again taking up the pursuits of civil life, Mr. Rowland was engaged
in farming in Clarksfield township and during the winter months taught in the
district schools. He also taught vocal music classes for a number of years dur-
ing the winter season, being a musician of considerable skill and ability. In 1867,
he removed to North Lawrence, Kansas, where he remained for a year and then
spent three years in Medina, Ohio, being engaged in teaching during two years of
that period. Subsequently, he went to Peabody, Kansas, where he taught for
five years in the graded schools, which he had organized. His success as an
educator was marked, for he had the ability to impart clearly and concisely to
others the knowledge that he had acquired and was moreover an excellent dis-
ciplinarian. Returning to Huron county in 1875, he established the family home
in Wakeman and has here since continued to reside. He purchased a farm ot
one hundred and seventy-five acres, one hundred acres of which was timber
land, which he immediately began clearing, cutting seven hundred thousand feet
of lumber in two years. The proceeds from the sale of the lumber were sufficient
to pay for the entire property. Industrious and energetic, he resolutely set to
work to develop a good farm and as the years went by gradually transformed the
place into one of the finest and most productive farms in the county. In Nov-
ember, 1895, he took up his abode in the village of Wakeman, where he has since
lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 4th of July, 1863, Mr. Rowland was united in marriage to Miss Betsy
E. Waugh, a daughter of Lansing and Docia (Minor) Waugh. The father was
a Baptist minister of Wakeman township, where the family resided for a great
many years, both Mr. and Mrs. Waugh passing away and being buried there.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have been born seven children, as follows: Justin
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200 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
E., a practicing physician of South Euclid, Ohio ; Bertha D., who is the wife of
Charles Russell of Wakeman township ; Dennis D., a resident of Cleveland, Ohio;
Guy O., who is practicing medicine at East Palestine, Ohio; Park O., likewise
living in Cleveland; Lansing E., of Denver, Colorado; and Lewis U., who is a
musician of note and makes his home at Grand Forks, North Dakota. All of the
children are prosperous and prominent residents of their respective communities.
Mr. Rowland has always given his support to the men and measures of the
republican party with the exception of one year, when he voted for St. John, the
presidential candidate of the prohibition party. He is a strong advocate of the
cause of temperance and an ardent worker in its behalf, believing that the intem-
perate use of intoxicating liquors is the greatest curse with which our country has to
contend. In the spring of 1896, he was elected justice of the peace and with the
exception of one term has since served continuously in that office, being the in-
cumbent at the present time. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial and he
is widely recognized as a most able and just judge. He has been a member of the
school board for two terms and all public improvements, such as the establishment
of good schools, roads, etc., receive his hearty support and co-operation. . He and
his family are earnest and faithful members of the Congregational church, in
which he has acted as a deacon for many years. For many years, he was also
chorister in the church and, although he has now reached the Psalmist's allotted
span of three score years and ten, still sings in the choir and acts as assistant chor-
ister. He is interested and active in church and Sunday school work and in fact in
all religious societies organized to promote moral advancement. He still main-
tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in
Wilson Todd Post, No. 559, G. A. R/, and has served as an officer of the post ever
since becoming identified therewith, acting as chaplain at the present time. He
has been a delegate to both state and national encampments and is a most en-
thusiastic and valued member of the organization. In spite of his hazardous and
severe experiences as a soldier, Mr. Rowland is still in excellent health, which he
attributes in large measure to the fact that he has never used tobacco or stimu-
lants in any form and it is only in recent years that he has indulged even in tea.
Although now past the seventieth milestone on life's journey, in spirit and inter-
ests, he seems yet in his prime, for he has always associated to a great extent
with young people and thus has ever maintained the enthusiasm of his earlier
years in all the varied activities and pleasures of life.
WILLIAM T. ASHTON.
William T. Ashton, who is now living retired on his fine farm of one hun-
dred and ninety-two acres in Peru township, was born in this township on the
10th of January, 1850. His parents, William and Sallie (Burch) Ashton, were
natives of Lincolnshire, England, and New York state respectively, the father's
birth having occurred on the 9th of March, 1819. The paternal grandparents
of our subject were among the first settlers of Peru township, having made the
journey to this part of the state by wagon in 1831. The grandfather erected a
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 203
log house and resolutely set himself to the task of clearing a tract of one hun-
dred and thirty acres of land which he had purchased, but died within a year
of his arrival in this county. His family numbered seven children, all of whom
are now deceased, namely : James, Thomas, William, John, Edward, Mary, and
one who passed away in infancy.
William Ashton, the father of William T. Ashton, was a lad of twelve years
when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Peru township, Huron
county, and there he continued to make his home until called to his final rest on
the 17th of March, 1890. In 1866 he purchased the farm which is now in pos-
session of his son, William T., erected a commodious residence and barns and
also placed many other substantial improvements on the property. As the years
passed by he won a goodly measure of prosperity in the conduct of his agri-
cultural interests and became widely recognized as a substantial and representa-
tive citizen of the community. His wife, who had accompanied her parents on
their removal from the Empire state to Huron county, passed away in 1872 when
forty-eight years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, as
follows : Mary, who is now deceased ; Anna, who is the wife of C. A. Howe and
resides at Monroeville, Ohio ; William T., of this review ; and Lewis J. and Eva,
who are likewise deceased.
At the usual age William T. Ashton began his education by becoming a
student in the district schools of this county. His training at farm labor was
not meager, for at an early age he began work in the fields and soon became
familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He
was successfully and energetically identified with general agricultural pursuits
throughout his entire business career but has recently retired from the active
work of the fields and now rents his farm. It is a well improved and valuable
tract of land comprising one hundred and ninety-two acres and he still makes
his home on the farm, having here a commodious and modern residence. His
well directed and untiring industry in former years brought him the compe-
tence that now enables him to live practically retired, and throughout the com-
munity in which his entire life has been spent he is well known and highly es-
teemed as a most worthy and prosperous citizen.
On the 3d of February, 1872, Mr. Ashton was united in marriage to Miss
Emma P. Knoll, whose birth occurred in Ridgefield township, Huron county,
in 1856, her parents being Christian and Elizabeth Knoll, of Ridgefield town-
ship. The three children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ashton are as follows : Clara,
a graduate of the Zenaium Art School at Columbus, is now the wife of P. W.
Clark, who conducts a business college at Louisville, Kentucky. Their union
has been blessed with one son, William A. Alice, a graduate of the Monroeville
high school, gave her hand in marriage to Professor Oscar Erf, who is profes-
sor of the dairy department at the Ohio State University. They reside at
Columbus and have one son, Lowell. Myrtle, likewise a graduate of the Monroe-
ville high school, lives at home with her father. The wife and mother was
called to her final rest on the 7th of September, 1907, her loss being deeply
mourned by an extensive circle of friends as well as her immediate family.
In his political views Mr. Ashton was formerly a democrat and on that ticket
was elected to the office of township trustee, in which he served for a number of
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204 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
years. At the present time, however, he gives his allegiance to the men and
measures of the republican party, believing its principles to be most conducive
to good government. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the
Presbyterian church at Monroeville. A man of sterling character, he has always
merited and received the confidence and respect of all with whom business or
social relations have brought him in contact.
ISAAC McKESSON.
The life history of Isaac McKesson constitutes an important chapter in the
annals of Huron county. He figured prominently in industrial and political circles
for many years, but is now living retired from active business save for the interest
which he feels in the world's progress. He represents a family whose name has
long been interwoven with the early history of Ohio, the family arriving in this
state in 1827, settlement being made in Venice in what is now Erie county. On
the paternal side, Mr. McKesson comes of Scotch lineage, his grandfather, John
McKesson, a Presbyterian minister, having come from Scotland to America in
1 761 and locating m York count}, Pennsylvania. He was a typical Scotch Pres-
byterian, who proved a power for good in the community in which he resided dur-
ing the early days of the "new world" as America was then commonly designated.
He wielded a wide influence by reason of his strict integrity and honorable man-
hood, while his life at all times measured up to a high moral standard.
His son, Isaac McKesson, Sr., the father of our subject, was also educated
for the ministry but his natural taste for mechanics led him to abandon that call-
ing before he had completed his theological course and he later learned the trade
of a millwright and civil engineer. Attracted by the favorable location for mills
in Venice, Erie county, Ohio, he removed to that place in 1827, where for a num-
ber of years he followed his trade of millwright and also did considerable sur-
veying and civil engineering. Later he resided in Bellevue for some years and
subsequently purchased a farm near Venice, where he engaged in farming up to
the time of his death, which occurred in 1854. He had been a prominent figure
in the development of the locality in which he resided, aiding very materially
in the improvement of milling property, and was recognized as one of the leading
and valued citizens of his part of the county. Ere coming to Ohio, he had married
Miss Elizabeth Caldwell, and in their family were the following children: Jane;
James ; John ; Oliver ; William, who passed away in infancy ; William ; Elizabeth
and Isaac, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of the last named.
Isaac McKesson, whose name introduces this review, was born in Pennsyl-
vania on the 1 2th of January, 1821, and was therefore a little lad of six years when
he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. Spending the period of
his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, he is indebted to the district
school system for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. Early in life,
after giving careful thought concerning the work for which he was best adapted
and which in his estimation would prove the most profitable, he decided to follow
in the footsteps of his father, and under his direction and guidance learned the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 205
trade of a millwright and carpenter. This he followed for a few years, at the same
time giving considerable time to the management of his father's farming prop-
erty. He was married on the 28th of October, 1841, to Miss Zorada J. Hunt,
a daughter of John and Nancy (Lord) Hunt, natives of New Hampshire, who
came to Ohio about 181 6, locating in Norwalk, where Mr. Hunt engaged in the
cooperage business.
After his marriage, Mr. McKesson located at Enterprise, Erie county, Ohio,
where he operated a sawmill for about a year, and then for two years he was
engaged in carpentering and was also identified with agricultural pursuits.
Later, he rented a farm near Sandusky, which he cultivated for about two years,
and at the same time worked at his trade as carpenter, erecting many houses
throughout the community, most of which were constructed of hewn logs. Sub-
sequently, he purchased a farm in York township, Sandusky county, and there he
engaged in general farming for six years, when he bought a farm in Grotoa
township, Erie county, upon which he resided until 1866, when he purchased
property in Collins, Huron county, to which he removed in 1869 and which he has
since continued to make his place of residence. After his arrival in Huron county,
he became the proprietor of a sawmill and bending works, his plant being the first
steam bending works to be established in that section of the county. He also
engaged in the manufacture of force pumps, which were a new feaure at that time,
and the fact that Mr. McKesson added to his pump the double action caused his
product to be a vast improvement upon that which had hitherto been placed upon
the market. The Growth of the business, therefore, was very rapid and soon
reached extensive proportions, the enterprise becoming one of the leading and
important industries of Huron county. In 1880, however, he sold his interests
and practically retired from active life. A man of keen business acumen, dur-
ing his connection with industrial interests, he so capably controlled his various
enterprises that he became recognized as one of the prominent business men of
Townsend township. He also possessed considerable real estate, for as the years
went by and he prospered, he invested in land, becoming the owner of property
interests in Collins and also in Towtnsend township. For some years, he also
operated a sawmill and turning plant upon land which he owned in Michigan, not
far from Jackson, but since retirement from business, he has unfortunately lost
most of this property.
Not merely because of the success which he won in the business world is Mr.
McKesson entitled to special mention in this volume, but also by reason of his
deep and helpful interest in the public affairs of the community and the promi-
nent position which he held in local political circles. He is a stalwart republican,
and has been very active in the affairs of the party for many years, having been
called to various positions of trust by his fellow citizens. He served as trustee of
Groton township for eight years, was justice of the peace for three years, town-
ship treasurer for two years, served for two terms as county commissioner of
Erie county and was offered the nomination for a third term by the unamimous
vote of the convention, but declined the honor. He. was also elected trustee of
Townsend township, serving for two terms, and in both Erie and Huron counties,
he was a member of the school board for many years. He has been a prominent
figure in county, district and state conventions, having been a delegate to the
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206 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
first republican county convention held in Erie county. He called the first
republican caucus in Groton township, Erie county, and was a delegate to the
convention that first nominated John Sherman for congress, held in Shelby, Ohio.
He assisted in organizing the first county fair association in Erie county and was
a member of the board of directors, while after his arrival in Huron county, he
became a director of the Huron County Agricultural Society, which position he
filled for some time. He was likewise active in the movement which resulted in
the establishment of a children's home in Huron county and for twenty-two years
served as a trustee of the home, eventually resigning his position on account of
ill health. Mr. McKesson was also very active in the affairs of Erie county and
those of Ohio, during the period of the Civil war. He was commissioned by Gov-
ernor Tod, lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and
was active in securing Erie county's quota of troops. He also made it his duty to
see that the families of the soldiers were properly cared for and gave not only
freely of his time, but also liberally of his means to provide whatever was neces-
sary for their welfare, thereby manifesting to some extent the spirit of philan-
thropy that underlies his nature.
As the years passed the home of Mr. and Mrs. McKesson was blessed with
two children : Lester and Nancy E. The daughter is now Mrs. George Liles, of Col-
lins. The son, when only eighteen years of age, at the first call for troops enlisted
on the 8th of April, 1861 as a member of the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, and served for a term of three months. After his discharge, he imme-
diately re-enlisted for three years, and throughout that period, he served with
distinction, participating in more than seventy battles and skirmishes. He was
thrice wounded, at Fredericksburg, later at Gettysburg and again at the battle of
the Wilderness. The last wound was at first thought to be mortal but he re-
covered. He was promoted from a private to the rank of lieutenant and the rec-
ords show that he was a brave and courageous officer, remaining at all times
loyal to the old flag and the cause which it represented. After the close of the
war, he returned home and entered business life, being now engaged in the real
estate business in Toledo, Ohio. He is a man of high character, who stands well
in his community and is a worthy son of an honored father.
Mr. McKesson was called upon, in the fall of 1878, to mourn the loss of his
wife, and in March, 1880, he was again married, his second union being with
Mrs. Harriet (Reese) Emmerson, the widow of Henry Emmerson. She, too,
passed away on the 1st of July, 1886, and for his third wife, Mr. McKesson chose
Mrs. Rebecca (Balliet) Van Buskirk, whom he married on the 1st of November,
1887. She is the widow of Samuel Van Buskirk and a daughter of Henry and
Catherine (Montz) Balliet, of Richland county, who originally came from Penn-
sylvania and were prominent farming people.
Mr. McKesson and his family have held membership in the Methodist Epis-
copal church for many years, he having been a member of that denomination for
more than seventy years. During his connection therewith, he has been very
active in church work and has held every office in the church below the clergy. He
has been especially active and helpful in the direction of Sunday school work, hav-
ing organized and assisted in maintaining various Sabbath schools where none
had previously existed. Mr. McKesson is a great humanitarian at heart and has
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 207
ever been a stalwart supporter of those measures which serve to promote general
progress along material, political, intellectual and moral lines, and also to uplift
and maintain a high standard of citizenship. He is a splendid type of the high-
minded American gentleman and an excellent example of the power and force
of honorable manhood, of earnest effort and of high principles. He has now
reached the eighty-eighth mile stone on life's journey and he can look back upon
the past without regret and upon the future without fear.
AUGUST SCHEID.
August Scheid, who has long been numbered among the most enterprising,
energetic and successful agriculturists of Peru township, is the owner of a rich
and arable tract of land of one hundred and forty-four acres. He is a native son
of Huron county, his birth having occurred in Peru township on the 26th of
October, 1858. His parents, John William and Catherine (Beilstein) Scheid,
were both natives of Germany, the former born on the 9th of January, 1818, and
the latter in 1826. In 1849 the father accompanied his parents on their emigration
to the new world, the family home being established in Peru township, Huron coun-
ty, Ohio, where both the grandfather and grandmother of our subject passed away.
John William Scheid, the father of August Scheid, continued to make his home in
Peru township until called to his final rest on the 30th of November, 1903, being
successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active busi-
ness career. He assisted in the organization and erection of the Lutheran church
in Peru township and served as one of its elders for a number of years. His wife,
who had made the journey to the new world in company with her sisters and
brothers, was called to her final rest in 1885. Unto this worthy couple were born
six children, namely : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles J. Heyman and resides
in Lyme township ; August, of this review ; Henrietta, who makes her home with
her sister, Mrs. Hass, in Sherman township ; William C, living in Peru township ;
Catherine B., residing in Sherman township, who is the wife of George C. Hass ;
and L. H, of California.
In the district and German schools of his home neighborhood August Scheid
obtained his education and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work
of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the line of activity which he
later chose as a life occupation. He is now devoting his time and energies to the
cultivation and improvement of a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres in Peru
township, ninety-five acres of which he received from his father, while the remain-
ing forty-nine acres were purchased by him from the Lewis Hoffman estate. As
the years have gone by he has placed many substantial improvements on the prop-
erty and annually reaps bountiful harvests which find a ready sale on the market.
He likewise has charge of the Heyman Milling Company's interests at Pontiac, buy-
ing grain, etc.
On the 21 st of February, 1882, Mr. Scheid was united in marriage to Miss
Amelia Heyman, a native of Sherman township and a daughter of George W. and
Elizabeth (Longscheid) Heyman, of Sherman township. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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208 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Scheid have been born ten children, as follows : George W., who is a teacher in the
Ohio Normal University at Ada ; Estella, who is the wife of Fred Linder, of Town-
send township; and Walter, Dora, Arthur, Herbert, Edwin, Ralph, Alfred and
Harvey, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Politically Mr. Scheid is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his
worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. He has
served as township trustee for seven years, was justice of the peace for three years
and in 1890 acted as real-estate appraiser of Peru township. He has likewise been
a member of the school board, the cause of public education ever finding in him a
stalwart champion. The Lutheran church of Pontiac numbers him among its most
active and helpful members and he has served in various official capacities therein.
In the community where they have spent their entire lives both he and his wife are
most widely and favorably known, the circle of their friends being almost coexten-
sive with the circle of their acquaintances.
LOUIS ERF.
Louis Erf, who is extensively and successfully engaged in farming and dairy-
ing, is the owner of the Hickory Dairy Farm, comprising a tract of two hun-
dred and thirty acres of rich and productive land in Peru township. It was on
this place that his birth occurred, his natal day being July 28, 1866. His parents,
Philip and Dorothy (Heyman) Erf, were both natives of Germany, the former
born in 1832. When a young man of twenty-one years Philip Erf came alone
to the new world and, securing employment as a farm hand, was busily engaged
in the work of the fields for several years. Believing that the United States
afforded broader opportunities than could be obtained in his native land, he then
sent for his parents, Jacob and Kathryn Erf, and his two brothers, Anthony and
Jacob, all of whom took up their abode in Huron county, Ohio. When he had
accumulated sufficient capital, Philip Erf, the father of our subject, bought a
small tract of land in Peru township and as his financial resources increased
added to his holdings by additional purchase until at the time of his death he
owned more than five hundred acres. The prosperity which he enjoyed w.as the
direct result of his untiring and well directed labor and he was recognized
throughout the community as a most successful, enterprising and representative
citizen. He served as school director and township trustee in Peru township
and also held other positions of public trust, ever discharging his official duties
in a prompt and capable manner. His demise, which occurred in January, 1894,
was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his upright and honorable
life had gained him the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom he was
associated. His wife was but a little maiden of twelve years when she crossed
the Atlantic to the United States in company with her parents, William and Jo-
hanetta Heyman. She still survives at the age of sixty-nine years and now
makes her home with her son, Louis. Her other children are as follows : Wil-
liam, who is a resident of Lyme township; Lydia, the deceased wife of A. P.
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LOUIS ERF
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 211
Horn, of Lyme township ; and Oscar, who is professor of the dairy department
in the Ohio State University at Columbus.
Louis Erf obtained his education in the schools of Monroeville, Ohio, and
after his father died took charge of the old homestead farm, which has since
been in his possession and which has remained his place of residence from his
birth to the present time. It is one of the finest farming properties in the en-
tire county and the commodious and substantial residence thereon was erected
by his father in 1867, but he has since made many improvements in the way of
modern conveniences. His place is known as the Hickory Dairy Farm and in
the conduct of both his agricultural and dairying interests he has met with a
highly gratifying and commendable measure of success, being a man of sound
business judgment and unfaltering energy. He was one of the promoters of the
Star Creamery Company at Monroeville and is now a member of its board of
directors as well as one of its stockholders. He is likewise the president of the
Farmers & Citizens Bank of Monroeville, one of the promoters and stockholders
of the Hess Hardware Company of that place and a director and stockholder
in the Perfect Silo & Cement Company of Sunbury, Ohio. Possessing excel-
lent executive ability and keen discrimination, his cooperation has been sought
in the management and control of various other concerns and he has gained wide
and favorable recognition as a leading and respected resident of his native county.
On the 10th of February, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Erf and
Elizabeth Henninger, a daughter of Jacob and Kathryn (Spatz) Henninger,
of Monroeville. By this union there are three children: Philip, Clifford and
Dorothy.
In his political views Mr. Erf is a stalwart democrat and has served as school
director in Ridgefield township, while at the present time he is treasurer of Peru
township. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic lodge at Monroeville,
while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church.
His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests
which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity by his own high moral worth.
What he undertakes he accomplishes, for he possesses resolution, perseverance
and reliability, and these qualities have caused him to be enrolled among the
best citizens of this part of the state.
EDWARD MUSHETT.
Edward Mushett, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ridgefield township, Hu-
ron county, Ohio, was born upon the farm on which he now resides April 18, 1871,
a son of Alexander and Jane (Harpster) Mushett. The former, who was born in
New York in 1825, came to Ohio when a young man in company with his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mushett. The family home was established in Ridgefield
township, where Alexander Mushett spent the rest of his life, devoting his time and
attention to the occupation of farming. He was a democrat in politics and gave
stanch support to that party. His wife was a native of Ridgefield township and a
daughter of Philip Harpster and she passed away at an early age, leaving three chil-
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212 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
dren to mourn her loss, of which number Edward, of this review, was the youngest
Frank, the eldest, resides at Monroeville, Ohio, and Nellie, who married Fred Hoh-
ler, lives on a part of the farm operated by Edward Mushett. Her husband is at
present mining in the gold fields of Alaska. After the death of his first wife Alex-
ander Mushett wedded Jemima Simmons and both are now, deceased, the former
passing away January 12, 1907.
On the farm upon which he was born Edward Mushett was reared to manhood,
acquiring his education in the district schools and assisting in the work of the fields.
He has never followed any other occupation than that of farming nor has he had any
desire to engage in any other line of business inasmuch as he has been most success-
ful in his agricultural pursuits. He now owns a third interest in the home farm
upon which he resides. It consists of one hundred and forty-four acres of land,
which was originally cleared by his father, who also placed all of the improvements
upon the place.
On the 24th of October, 1900, Mr. Mushett was united in marriage to Miss
Anna Enderle, a daughter of Charles and Louisa ( Kerris) Enderle, of Groton town-
ship, Erie county, Ohio, and unto them have been born three children, Leona, Clif-
ford and Ellen, all at home.
Mr. Mushett belongs to the Lutheran church and he also holds membership in
the National Protective Legion. He is highly esteemed throughout the community
by reason of his genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character. He is
public-spirited in citizenship ai)d always lends his aid on the side of reform, prog-
ress and improvement, while he stands inflexibly for truth and justice on all occa-
sions.
AMBROSE FRAYE1R.
The man to whom above all others the village of Greenwich owes its progress
and the excellence of its municipal improvements and also its financial prosperity,
is Ambrose Frayer. This public-spirited citizen was born in Greene county, New
York, in the Catskill mountains, July 7, 1820, and is a son of Isaac and Charity
(Leming) Frayer, who came with their family to Huron county, Ohio, in 1832,
and engaged in farming. They had seven children : Ambrose, Loren, Philea Ann,
Elliott, Earl, Amanda and Evaline, all of whom grew to maturity, though Ambrose
and Evaline are the only ones who have survived to the present. The father died
in 1889, at the age of eighty-three, outliving his wife by twenty years, she having
died at the comparatively early age of forty. They were a highly respected couple,
for they possessed many sterling traits of character.
Ambrose Frayer grew up at home and remained under the guidance of his pa-
rents until he was twenty-one years of age. He received his education at the little
log country school and by reading at home in the chimney corner, with a hickory
torch for a light. These were not large opportunities for winning a knowledge of
books and men, but even as a boy he was a great reader, and through his associa-
tion in later years with persons of high education has become a man singularly well
informed upon matters of general interest and competent to render discriminating
and good judgment. When he attained his majority he left the parental roof and
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 213
engaged in farm work for others by the month. He soon was able to buy a tract of
wild land, which he cleared, and to this kept adding until he had a farm of two hun-
dred acres. He was successful from the start, and this place was but the nucleus
of the six hundred and forty acres which he afterward possessed, all excellent land.
For a number of years, in addition to his farming he raised fine thoroughbred
horses and was about the first to introduce full blood merino sheep into Huron
county. In these lines, as in agriculture, he prospered well, and he became known
throughout the state and elsewhere as the breeder of roadsters of the finest quality.
Upon both sheep and horses his judgment was often eagerly sought. Always alert
to see the possibilities for improvement, he patented a fanning mill and a gate, the
rights to manufacture which he sold in other states, thereby reaping a considerable
amount. He established a factory for the making of the fanning mills at Plymouth,
which was successfully conducted for a number of years. At the same time he en-
gaged in general farming and the success of one seemed never to be gained at the
expense of the other.
His interests in the welfare and advancement of Greenwich are just as nu-
merous and have borne just as profitable returns. The size of the village and busi-
ness conducted there demanded a local bank and Mr. Frayer was foremost in the
organization of the Greenwich Banking Company — the first bank established there.
It was incorporated under the banking laws of the ^tate of Ohio, with a capital of
twenty-five thousand dollars, Mr. Frayer being vice-president at the time of its or-
ganization, and at one time president. Later he severed his connection with that
bank and assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Greenwich, with
a capital of fifty thousand dollars, becoming vice-president, which position he has
held to the present time, in this way having a guiding hand upon its affairs. It has
been a very successful institution and has always been conducted along conservative
lines. His other important commercial interest is that of the Greenwich Creamery
Company.
As both township trustee and treasurer he served the people for a number of
years, and *for a long period was a member of the village council. While filling the
latter office he proposed and carried to completion many municipal improvements of
which the residents are now very proud, though in the beginning they opposed such
progress. It owes its splendid water system and electric lighting plant to his agita-
tion and also the brick paved streets. In short he has always stood for advance-
ment and better conditions.
Mr. Frayer has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Adeline Lee, a
daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Smith) Lee, of Huron county. Of this union
there were born five children : David O. ; Luella, deceased, the wife of Samuel Kelso
of Mussell Fork, Missouri ; Eugene ; Mary, now Mrs. Arthur T. Burnell ; and Lina,
who married Dr. Harry Fulstow, of Norwalk. Of these Eugene is a lawyer in New
York city, and Mr. and Mrs. Burnell are prominent educators. Mrs. Frayer died
September 19, 1874, and Mr. Frayer married Mrs. Lucy A. Mickey, the widow of
Thomas Mickey. She passed away March 26, 1901. Appreciating from his own
lack of it the value of a fine education Mr. Frayer has given his children the best
that could be obtained, and they have all made excellent use of the advantages thus
put within their reach. They are well established in life, and all are progressing
in their various vocations.
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214 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mr. Frayer has always been a very active man and at the age of eighty-
nine, he retains his interest in public affairs and looks after his business concerns
as he has for many years past. He still owns a fine farm of four hundred acres,
although Mr. Nelson Van Aken, who has been in his employ for twenty-six years,
superintends it. In the fraternal organization to which he belongs he is also ac-
tive. He was one of the charter members of the Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. &
A. M., and has held all offices in the blue lodge. He is also a Royal Arch Mason
and has been connected with the order for fifty-three years. In religious mat-
ters he gives his support to the Congregational church and has always been inti-
mately identified with the affairs of that body. In short, to sum up the results of
his many years, no man has wielded a broader influence for good and progress than
has Mr. Fra>er. If the good health of the past is vouchsafed him in the future —
an idea of which may be gained from the fact that he has never found the need of
glasses for even the finest print — there is every reason to look for the extension of
this influence.
WILLIAM E. JOINER.
William E. Joiner, who has the distinction of being the oldest assessor in
Greenfield township and in fact in Huron county, was born in the house in which
he now lives, September 8, 1839, and is the son of Azias and Philura (Newberry)
Joiner. The father was born July 20, 1797, in Colerain township, Hampshire
county, Massachusetts, where his father, William Joiner, was a school teacher. In
the spring of 1818 he came to this county from Cayuga county, New York, having
made the greater part of the journey on foot. He bought a tract of two hundred
and fifty acres in Greenfield township and in 1825 returned to Connecticut to ob-
tain the deed to his land. He came back immediately and made this farm his home
until his death. In 183 1 he married Miss Philura Newberry, who for almost half
a century was his companion on the highroad of life, enduring the hardship of liv-
ing in an uncleared forest, for Mr. Joiner had much work to do before he could cul-
tivate his land. Unto them were born three children: William E., of this review;
Wallace O., born March 22, 1842, a resident of Hillsdale, Michigan ; and Mary,,
who was born January 5, 1844, and died October 10, 1871. She was the wife of
Watson T. Smith, also deceased. Mrs. Joiner was called to her final rest December
29, 1887, and her husband followed in a little more than a year, his death occurring
May 16, 1889. He was a man of fine education and a great reader, who had ever
evinced a fondness for mathematics. He was a public-spirited man as well and had
held the office of township trustee. In the affairs of life he had prospered, through
hard work, careful attention to details, and good management.
William E. Joiner has lived on his present farm all his life. He was permitted
a longer school period than many youths of the country can enjoy, for he was twen-
ty-three before he discontinued his lessons. He took a course in double and single
entry bookkeeping tor he had looked forward to entering the commercial world and
winning success and a reputation as an accountant. It was his father's wish, how-
ever, that he return to the farm and conduct its affairs — a wish in which the son
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 215
acquiesced. He has been fortunate in his agricultural experiments, his fields are
models of careful cultivation and his crops reveal what hard work may do. He has
also entered into the life of the township. He is known as the oldest assessor of
Huron county having been first elected thirty years ago on the republican ticket.
He has since served sixteen years, and on the occasion of one election received all
but one of the votes cast in his township.
On the 14th of September, 1865, Elder Hahurst pronounced the words that
made William E. Joiner and Miss Emma L. May man and wife. The ceremony
was performed at North Fairfield, Ohio, and the union has been blessed with two
children: Erminnie L., born March 17, 1867, became the wife of Charles H. Swi-
gard, a civil engineer, who has charge of the irrigation improvements in the state of
Washington, but she died June 26, 1891. They have one child, Minnie L.,
who lives with her grandfather, William E. Joiner. Hattie, the second daughter,
married E, H. Bottten and lives at North Fairfield, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Joiner have
also reared a niece, Dessie, the daughter of Watson F. Smith, who is now mar-
ried to George Trimmer and lives at Peru, Ohio.
Mr. Joiner is a member of the Congregational church and takes a prominent
part in its work. A man of ability and unquestioned integrity, he has won a place
in the hearts of the residents of his township, as was attested by the fact that there
was but one dissenting vote at his election to the position he has held so long, and in
fulfilling the duties of which he takes such a pride.
WILLIAM HAMILTON McPHERSON, SR.
William Hamilton McPherson, Sr., a prosperous and progressive agriculturist
of Bronson township, where he owns a farm comprising one hundred and sixty-one
acres of land, was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 14th
of June, 1842, his parents being James and Jane (Arthur) McPherson. The father
was born in Scotland in 1814 and in early life accompanied his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. William McPherson, on their removal to Londonderry, Ireland, but a few
years later the family came to this country, locating on the farm in Bronson town-
ship, Huron county, Ohio, where our subject now makes his home and where his
grandfather died. His father, James McPherson, became a resident of Greenfield
township and lived there until his death. In his family were three sons : George,
John and William H. Our subject's maternal grandparents were John and Mat-
tie (Easterly) Arthur.
William H. McPherson, of this review, remained a resident of his native town-
ship until he came into possession of his grandfather's old homestead in Bronson
township in 1888, living here continuously since. He is now the owner of one
hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, to the cultivation and im-
provement of which he devotes his time and energies. In the operation of his farm
he displays practical and effective methods which produce good results, as seen in
the abundant harvests which he annually gathers.
Mr. McPherson has been married twice, his first union being with Miss Lucy
Wheeler, a daughter of John Wheeler, by whom he had three children : Arthur,
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216 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
William H. and Scott. Following the death of his first wife he was again mar-
ried, on the 29th of June, 1881, his second union being with Miss Margaret Mutch,
whose birth occurred April 28, 1861. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (David-
son) Mutch, were natives of Scotland and, emigrating to America about 1858, first
located in Canada but subsequently crossed the border into the United States. By
his second wife Mr. McPherson has two children, namely: Clyde, born in 1883;
and Glenn, who was born in 1890.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. McPherson has given
his support to the men and measures of the republican party and is at present serv-
ing as a trustee of Bronson township. Fraternally he is identified with the Macca-
bees, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian
church at Olena, Ohio. In the county where he spent his entire life, now cov-
ering a period of more than two-thirds of a century, he has gained an extensive cir-
cle of warm friends by reason of his upright and honorable manhood.
PHILIP HERNER.
Philip Herner, numbered among the successful and enterprising agriculturists
of Peru township, owns a half interest in the farm of one hundred and eighty-
seven acres on which he resides with his brother Fred. He was born in Sherman
township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 12th of December, 1862, his parents being
Phedius and Lena (Hilderbrand) Herner, both of whom were natives of Germany.
In early manhood the father crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took
up his abode in Sherman township, this county, where he made his home through-
out practically the remainder of his life, devoting his attention to the cultivation
of a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased. His demise occurred in Peru
township in 1905, when he had attained the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife
was called to her final rest in 1904 at the age of sixty-seven years.
Their union was blessed with thirteen children, the record of whom is as fol-
lows : Mary, who is the wife of Christ Bauman and resides in Indiana ; Margaret,
who gave her hand in marriage to Lawrence Linder, of Peru township ; Phedius,
living in Peru township ; Emma, who is deceased ; Philip, of this review ; Eliza-
beth, who is the wife of George Schild and makes her home in Peru township;
Kathryn, the wife of Charles Schild, who likewise resides in Peru township;
William, of Monroeville, Ohio ; Jacob, who has passed away ; Minnie, who is the
wife of Albert Heyman, of Sherman township; Charles, living in Greenfield
township; Fred, who wedded Miss Minnie Herbin, by whom he has two children,
Gilbert R. and Arthur F. ; and Lottie, who is also deceased.
Philip Herner spent the first ten years of his life in Sherman township and
obtained his education in the district and German schools at Pontiac. Since the
age of ten years he has made his hofne in Peru township and has always followed
agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. The farm of one hundred and
eighty-seven acres which he owns in partnership with his brother Fred was pur-
chased by them from- their father and they have brought the property under a
high state of cultivation and improvement. Alert, enterprising and progressive.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 219
they have met with a well merited measure of prosperity in their farming opera-
tions and have gained favorable recognition as representative and substantial citi-
zens of the community. The brothers belong to the Lutheran church at Pontiac
and their honorable and upright lives have made them well worthy the regard
which is uniformly accorded them.
M. C. PRICE.
M. C. Price needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he is at
the head of the Norwalk Piano Company, one of the leading commercial insti-
tutions of the city of Norwalk. Moreover he is a worthy and honored represen-
tative of one of the oldest and best known families of this part of Ohio. He
comes of a family of English-Welsh descent and the sterling qualities of the
founder have been reproduced in the descendants. The Prices and Hatfields
are supposed to have laid out the city of Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1664, Chris-
topher Price leased Price's Commons, now an important part of the city, for
ninety-nine years. He afterward exchanged his lease of land for a horse which
he mounted and rode over the mountains to Lexington, Kentucky, where he
reared his large family. His descendants have never sought to figure promi-
nently in public life, but have been of the solid and substantial men and women of
their various communities where they have acquired good homes and won honor-
able names. Of this family, Governor Price, the founder of Leesville, Ohio, is a
representative. When on a visit to Pennsylvania, he met Miss Sarah Rippeth,
who afterward became his wife. They returned to Lexington, Kentucky, and to
them were born the following named: Kit, William, James, John, Joseph, Basil,
Joshua, Benjamin, Linda, the wife of John N. Adair, a merchant and hatter;
Anna, the wife of Dr. Lawthers; Mrs. Sarah Smith; Elizabeth, who became the
wife of Dr. Watkins ; and Mrs. Rebecca Brisbin. In about 1812, Governor Price
rode on horseback from Lexington, Kentucky, and spent the night in a log cabin
where the cemetery is now located. He bought a tract of land and returned to
Lexington and when he again came to Ohio made his way up the river to Steuben-
ville, a sparsely settled town. He was accustomed to hard work and immediately
commenced the task of felling the trees and building a log cabin but the primitive
home was soon afterward replaced by a brick dwelling. The family made their
linen from the flax which they grew and their sugar from the maples in their
camp. Governor Price was a farmer, but much of his time was spent in clearing
land. He laid out the town of Leesville and at a public dinner the lots were sold at
auction. In early manhood, he became a member of the Baptist church, but after-
ward united with the Universalist church and always took an active part in its meet-
ings. He lived a life of usefulness and died honored by all. His sons settled
principally near Leesville, although a few of the family went west.
James Price of this family was born at Lexington, Kentucky, November 17,
1799. He came up the river with is father, Governor Price, in a rowboat when
about two years old and when they stopped for dinner, he was left on the bank
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220 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and was not missed until they were several miles up the stream when the family
returned for him. As a boy, he assisted in clearing up the land and afterward,
learned the cabinetmaker's trade, becoming an expert workman. On the 14th
of June, 1821, he married Miss Mary Holmes, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth
Holmes. She died October 2, 1865, and James Price afterward wedded Mrs.
Gartrell. Mr. Price lived to see cities established where forests stood and the few
friendly Indians disappear before the advancing modern civilization. He was born
when Ohio was still a territory and lived to see many states added to the Union.
His life was spent in honest industry and was fraught with many good deeds and
characterized by kindly assistance to others. He embodied in his life the truth of
Christianity without its forms and won the respect and good will of all who knew
him. His children were : Clun, Sarah, Elizabeth, John, Susan, Samuel E., Bazaleel,
Isaac T., Rezin, James C, and Meredith C.
Of this family, Clun Price was born April 2, 1822, acquired a common school
education and took up the study of medicine with Dr. Smith, of Moorefield, Ohio.
He was afterward graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College and success-
fully practiced his profession. He married Linda Hines and located at Birming-
ham, Ohio. Their children were: Meredith C, Galen, John, Will, Tude and Lin-
nie. The sons all became connected with the drygoods trade. In politics, Mr.
Price was a republican and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Sarah Price, the eldest daughter of James Price, was born November 3, 1823,
and was a lady of many excellent traits of character. On the 20th of April, 1843,
she became the wife of Amos Carr, a teacher, surveyor and merchant, who was a
natural leader among men and had influence, because of his personal worth and
ability. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carr were born the following named : Lorin, Ermina,
Annie, Ada V., Lish and Lou. Of this family, Lorin was born in 1851, and he
displays many of the sterling traits exhibited by his worthy father. After ac-
quiring his education, he turned his attention to merchandising and later com-
pleted the study of law and was admitted to the bar, but abandoned his profes-
sion to accept a clerkship in the Ohio house of representatives. Later he became
connected with the railway mail service. In November, 1875, he married Lil-
lian Hunt and they had a family of two sons and a daughter. Ermina Carr,
the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Carr, was born February 2, 1856, was ac-
corded good educational advantages, and in 1871, became the wife of Alfred
Canaga, of the United States navy, who was formerly professor of naval tactics
at Cornell University, Utica, New York, but is now deceased. They have
one son, Bruce. Annie Carr, born October 25, 1858, married C. M. Rippeth,
a successful and popular merchant, and has one child, Mina. Ada V., born De-
cember 24., 1859, was educated at the public schools of Baltimore, Maryland, at
Scio College, and the Valparaiso (Indiana) Normal, from which institution, she
was graduated. She was no less esteemed for her educational attainments than
for her splendid womanly qualities, and has made an excellent record as a teacher.
Lish Carr, born May 15, T865, attended the Leesville schools and later was grad-
uated from Campbell University at Holton, Kansas. She married W. F. Holmes,
a farmer near Leesville. Lou Carr, born April 24, 1867, was graduated from the
public schools of Clinton, Missouri, winning honors in scholarship, and on the 22d
of October, 1888, she married A. D. Walker, an attorney of Holton, Kansas.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 221
Susan Price, a daughter of James Price, was born August 20, 1825, and died
October 16, 1855. Her life was characterized by many noble qualities and kindly
acts which endeared her to all who knew her.
Elizabeth Price, the next member of the family, was born January 17, 1827,
and became the wife of Ecton Roby, but both are now deceased. Their children
were Maud, the wife of Webster Heron, a prominent business man of Columbus ;
Eva, the wife of Charles Wheaton, of South Bend, Indiana ; and Merritt.
John Price, another son of James Price, was born October 12, 1829, and be-
came a millwright. When a young man, he went west, secured employment at
Taylorville, Illinois, and soon formed a partnership in the milling business. He
has developed an extensive enterprise, his trade extending over several states.
His wife bore the maiden name of Hattie Cogle.
Samuel E. Price, the next member of the family, born October 31, 1831, was
educated in Hopedale College and afterward engaged in teaching school for a
time and then read law with Judge Hance, of New Philadelphia. He married
Miss Carrie Smith, principal of the New Philadelphia schools, and removed
to Clinton, Missouri, to practice law. In his profession, he has shown marked
ability, attaining high rank among the lawyers of that locality, while he and his
wife have been active in educational work. He has been chosen and served as
president of the board of education of Clinton.
Bazalcel Price, born October 8, 1833, was educated in the common schools and
began clerking for his brother-in-law, Amos Carr, at Leesville, while later, he
became proprietor of the store, being regarded for many years as the leading mer-
chant of Harrison and Carroll counties. In business matters, he was a man of
strict integrity, never weighing any act in the scale of public opinion, and his
career was at all times useful and honorable. He was a strong abolitionist, who
did valuable service in the anti-slavery cause and became an enthusiastic republi-
can, but supported Horace Greeley in 1872, and afterward voted the democratic
ticket. On August 7, 1856, he married Jennie Burr, a daughter of the late Dr.
Joseph S. Burr, and they had three children, Orrin, Wendell and William. Of
these Orrin was born February 24, 1859, and was married October 30, 1879, to
Clara Finney. For years, he was in charge of one of- the departments of the Jos-
eph Horner Dry Goods Store, of Pittsburg. His brother William, born April 3,
1866, occupied a similar position with Giddings Brothers & Bent, of Colorado
Springs. Wendell, born April 15, i860, was graduated from the Northern Ohio
University, August 28, 1883, and in 1889, married Florence Head, an accomplished
musician and graduate of the same school. Wendell Price became well known in
educational circles as principal of the Leesville schools.
James C. Price, son of James Price, Sr., was born November 15, 1835, and
when eighteen years of age learned the mason's trade and as a contractor, builf
various churches, schools and public buildings. In 1859, during the Pikes Peak
gold excitement, he with three others from Leesville, started for the gold fields and
at Kansas City, bought an outfit for the trip. There they connected themselves
with a wagon train of fourteen teams and seventy men and after a journey of
seven weeks reached Denver, which at that time contained little but a government
postoffice. Proceeding on their way to Colorado Springs, they met thousands of
prospectors, who were devising all kinds of means whereby they might return to
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222 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
the states. Of the party of seventy, only four remained. Mr. Price with a young
man from Vermont, opened up a claim in what was then called Russell's Gulch,
where they worked five men at two dollars and a half per day and board. Mr.
Price spent his time prospecting between Mountain City and Pikes Peak and to
the head of the Arkansas river. In the fall they returned to the states for winter
quarters, again returning to the mines as before. In 1861, James C. Price re-
turned to Ohio and in 1862, enlisted in the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
At the close of the war, he did contract work in Cadiz, Uhrichsville and New
Philadelphia. He married Miss Martha English, of Mastersville, and afterward
became proprietor of the United States Hotel at Leesville, Ohio. His children
are: Burdell, Neva, De Forest and Fay.
Judge Isaac T. Price, a brother of James C. Price just mentioned above, was
born November 27, 1837, and after acquiring a good literary education took up
the study of law, was admitted to the Ohio bar, and afterward removed to Holton,
Kansas, where he soon found clients and friends. His ability being of a high order,
he easily won election three times to the office of probate judge. He has a family
of four daughters: Effie, Ella, Myrile and Floy.
Rezin Price, born February 26, 1840, learned the woodworkers trade and for
a number of years engaged in the furniture business and undertaking, but later
entered the employ of the Edna Piano & Organ Factory, at Monroeville. He
enlisted in the Union army and met all the hardships and privations of military life.
He married Miss Jennie Kail and they became parents of three daughters and two
sons : Effie, Pearl, Merritt, Orlo and Marie.
Merideth C. Price, born May 25, 1846, another son of Clun Price and the im-
mediate subject of this review, was two years old when adopted by his grand-
father, James Price, Sr. Under his care, he was reared to manhood. He was
still pursuing his education when, constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he put
aside his text-books and offered his aid to the government in February, 1864, en- "
listing when a boy of seventeen years as a member of Company A, Eightieth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was made a drummer boy and what he lacked in
years he made up in valor and loyalty, sharing with the other soldiers in the many
hardships of war, particularly the famous march to the sea. At the close of the
war, July 8, 1865, he received his discharge and when he returned home resumed
his education as a student in Mount Union College, where he remained until
1867, when he assumed the management of the drygoods store, owned by his uncle,
B. W. Price. He remained with his uncle until 1874, and then established busi-
ness on his own account as proprietor of a jewelry and music store. A year later,
he bought out a stock of general merchandise and carried on business in the old
Millisack corner until the fall of 1878, when he purchased the Crawford corner
and thereon erected a model business block at a cost of nearly ten thousand dol-
lars. Seeing the advantage of a newspaper, he established the Times and later
on also published the Plaindealer from the Times office. On the 5th of Decem-
ber, 1890, he sold his stock to A. F. Kail and became the largest stockholder and
also the manger of the Edna Piano & Organ Company, of Monroeville. He fig-
ures as one of the best known men of Leesville and contributes in large measure
to the enterprise and upbuilding of the town, as well as to his individual success.
He became the most extensive real-estate owner of the town, making investments
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 223
from time to time in property, and paying more than double the taxes of any other
citizen. For twelve years, he remained in active connection with the Edna Piano
& Organ Company and then established business in Norwalk, opening a piano
and organ store in the Williams block on West Main street, under the name of the
Norwalk Piano Company. He brought to the development of this enterprise the
same spirit of determination, industry and keen discernment that had promoted
his success in former years, and was soon at the head of one of the most important
undertakings of this character in his section of Ohio. His store was fitted up as
a handsomely furnished parlor, containing easy chairs, divans and tables, large
mirrors and many beautiful pictures. The rooms contained also a large stock
of pianos of many makes, including the Chickering, Kimball, Ivers & Pond, Corl,
Wisner, Boston, Nelson, Haddorff, Weaver, Krell, Winter, National, Lagonda,
Foster, Royal and Ropelt. He also carries a line of the best known makes of piano
players, together with all kinds of string and wind instruments, and a large line
of music and musical sundries. The establishment is altogether attractive in its
appointments and the kind of goods carried and the business has reached extensive
and profitable proportions. His trade now amounts to about seventy-five thousand
dollars annually and the business not only covers the state of Ohio, but extends into
almost every state in the Union. It has been developed along modern lines of
trade and commerce and is permeated at all times by a spirit of undaunted enter-
prise and of unfaltering perseverance, which are essential factors to success.
Mr. Price has always figured quite largely in the public life of the community.
Many times, he has been elected to offices of trust and sometimes the contest has
been spirited, yet he has never been defeated. He is not only a favorite with the
voters, but with all who know him, including his associates in business and his
friends in social life. He is a good conversationalist with marked persuasive
powers, to which his success as a salesman has been largely due. His business
career shows him to be a man of undaunted energy, capable of despatching an
astonishing amount of business and inspiring his employes with the same en-
thusiasm which he manifests. While not all days have been equally bright, he pos-
sesses the adaptability that has enabled him to use each situation to the utmost in
his efforts to attain honorable success, and frequently, he has thus been enabled
to turn threatened failures into victories. It is characteristic of him that he has al-
ways been warmhearted, generous and liberal, often accommodating others at a
sacrifice of his own interests, and it has been truthfully said of him that no man
was ever refused a favor when it was within his power to grant it. These quali-
ties have won for him the admiration of all and his life record also displays many
acts of kindness and benevolence. His nature is by no means self centered for he
looks at life from the standpoint of a broad-minded man, who recognizes and
utilizes his opportunities, not only for promoting his own interests, but of doing
good to others. It has been truthfully said of him that he never tried to crush
a rival, but only to obtain legitimate leadership, and he has extended a helping hand
on many occasions to those who were traveling the same road as himself. For
many years, he was regarded as a central figure in business circles of Leesville,
becoming equally prominent in Monroe ville, and has now won for himself a place
of similar honor and importance in Norwalk.
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Mr. Price is pleasantly situated in his home life. He was married November
14, 1901, to Miss Florence C. Canby, and unto them have been born three children:
Meredith Canby, whose birth occurred February 20, 1903 ; and Charles Kenneth
and Florence Emma, twins, born on the 1st of October, 1905. Mr. Price took deep
interest in the Norwalk Centennial celebration, which was made a homecoming
week, on which occasion, the men and women from all parts of the country re-
turned to Huron county to again visit the scenes among which they had formerly
lived. On the day which was set aside especially for Monroeville, the band
from that town gathered in front of the store of the Norwalk Piano Company,
playing several selections in honor of Mr. Price, who with his characteristic hos-
pitality, then invited the entire number to a dinner at the Avalon. This was an
expression of his warm heart and the open handed qualities which have endeared
him to his fellowmen in strong ties of friendship.
JOSEPH HOHLER.
Joseph Hohler, well known in Huron county by reason of his former con-
nection with mercantile interests and his present connection with agricultural
affairs, lives in Peru township, where he owns ninety-nine acres of land. He
was born in Pontiac, Peru township, on the 14th of March, 1856, his parents
being Frederick G. and Catherine (Zipfel) Hohler, both of whom were natives
of Germany. When fourteen years of age Frederick G. Hohler accompanied
his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being
(established in Peru township, Huron county, Ohio. Here they purchased a
tract of one hundred and twenty acres of timber land and for the first few years
after their arrival in this county lived in a barn. This part of the state was
still largely wild and undeveloped but they resolutely faced the hardships and
privations of pioneer life and their labors proved an important element in the
work of early development and upbuilding.
Frederick G. Hohler, the father of Joseph Hohler, passed away in 1866
at the age of forty-six years. His wife was also called to her final rest in the
same year, having attained the age of forty-two. She had likewise made the voy-
age to this country in company with her parents, who located at Monroeville,
Huron county. Peter Hohler, a brother of Frederick G. Hohler, passed away
in Peru township at the venerable age of ninety-five years. He was a stalwart
adherent of the democracy and on that ticket was elected to the offices of as-
sessor and township trustee, the duties of which he capably discharged for a
number of years. Unto Frederick G. and Catherine (Zipfel) Hohler were
born seven children, namely: August, a resident of Monroeville; Peter, who
is deceased; Agnes, the wife of Mathew Gable, of Berea, Ohio; Frances, who
died at the Cleveland Sisters' Home, was a sister of charity, 'known as Sister
Martin ; Joseph, of this review ; Leo, who lives in the old homestead in Peru
township; and Fred, who is in Alaska.
In the acquirement of an education Joseph Hohler attended the district
and German schools of Peru township, where he has resided from his birth to
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 227
the present time. During his early life the family lived in a log house and on
many occasions he would wake up in the morning to find several inches of
snow on his bed. In early manhood he was engaged in the meat and liquor
business at Monroeville for a number of years but throughout the greater part
of his business career has been actively and successfully identified with gen-
eral agricultural pursuits. About 1876 he bought his present farm of ninety-
nine acres from Mr. Fitz and has since been engaged in its cultivation and im-
provement. At the time it came into his possession the only buildings on the
place were an old house and barn, but as the years have gone by Mr. Hohler
has made a number of substantial improvements which stand as monuments to
his thrift and enterprise.
On the 15th of February, 1878, Mr. Hohler was united in marriage to Miss
Frances Meyer, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel and Agetta
(Hipp) Meyer, both of whom are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hohler
have been born eleven children, as follows : Lucy, living at Monroeville, who is
the wife of John C. Wilhelm, by whom she has three children — Milton, Ver-
non and Charles; Mamie, who is at home; Henry, a resident of Hunts Cor-
ners, who wedded Miss Mary Heater and has one child, Agnes ; Lena, who is
the wife of Rover Derringer, and lives in Ridgefield township ; Edward, resid-
ing in Michigan, who married Miss Carrie Cook, by whom he has one child.
Opal; Tillie, Peter and Clarence, all of whom are still under the parental roof;
Josiah, who passed away at the age of five years ; and Demons and Celia, who
are also at home.
In his political views Mr. Hohler is a stanch democrat and has served in
the position of township school director, the cause of education ever finding in him
a stalwart champion. He is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and
fraternally is identified with the Knights of Columbus at Monroeville. He
is now in the prime of life and enjoys to the fullest measure the many advan-
tages afforded by the present day and, being progressive, and a man whose life
has always been in keeping with high standards, he justly deserves the confidence
and respect which are uniformly accorded him.
IRVING J. BROOKS.
Irving J. Brooks, the editor and owner of The Greenwich Enterprise, was born
April 15, 1857, in Bronson township, Huron county, Ohio, and is the son of Frank-
lin and Ann Eliza (Kennedy) Brooks, both of whom were natives of this county.
The mother's ancestors came from the north of Ireland, but the father traced his to
England, and counted among them several men who had played an important part
in the history of this country from the earliest days. William Brooks, the great-
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a direct descendant of Lord Brooks
of England, some of whose progeny came to America and held grants of land near
the mouth of the Connecticut river, where the Say-Brooke fort of history, built to
protect against the encroachments of the Dutch traders who claimed the territory,
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228 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
was situated. William Brooks was graduated from Yale College with honors and
entered upon the profession of teaching, which he followed for thirty-three years.
During the Revolutionary war he served as quartermaster and took part in the bat-
tles of Bunker Hill and Stillwater and was a member of that sturdy band who
brought about Burgoyne's surrender. After the establishment of the Union he
was commissioned by the government to survey on the Western Reserve, and Hu-
ron county, Ohio, lay within his field of operation. On completing his work here,
he returned to Vermont to bring his family to the new country. They arrived in
1817 and settled in Greenfield township, Huron county, after having made a trying
journey of many days with an ox-team. The entire land was at that time cov-
ered with forests, in the midst of which the family settled, and which they imme-
diately began to clear for the purpose of making a home. William Brooks was mar-
ried, January 5, 1775, to Miss Keziah Haskell, who bore to him seven children.
Lemuel Sprague Brooks, the grandfather of Irving J. Brooks, was born in
Windsor county, Vermont, October 29, 1806, and was ten years of age when his pa-
rents came to Ohio. He was a man of exceptional muscular power and carried off
the honors wherever athletic sports were in favor. He married, at the age of twen-
ty-seven, Miss Almira Adams, of North Fairfield, Ohio, who bore him two children,
Franklin and Esther. Five years after this union he passed away, in 1838.
Franklin Brooks was born in Greenfield Huron county, Ohio, January 13,
1834. He grew up to be a man of fine mind, a farmer, and one who wielded no in-
considerable influence in his community. On the 1st of November, 1855, ^e was
united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza Kennedy, of Bronson, Huron county, by
whom he had four children : Irving J., Gardiner A., Frank A. and Anna E. Frank-
lin Brooks died December 11, 1897, but his wife still lives.
Irving J. Brooks was reared on the father's farm, was educated in the country
schools, going thence to the Lebanon National Normal School, and to the normal
school at Ada. For several years after completing his education he pursued the pro-
fession of teaching during the winter months and was both progressive and popular
in this vocation. In the office of the Norwalk Chronicle he learned the printer's
trade, with which trade he ever since has been closely connected. He left the Chron-
icle office to go to Cherokee, Iowa, as foreman of the Journal where he worked un-
til 1885, when he went to Mankato, Minnesota, to fill the position of foreman on the
Mankato Journal. Three years later he came to Greenwich, Huron county, Ohio,
where he assumed the editorship and proprietorship of the Greenwich Enterprise
holding it to the present. It is a weekly publication of influence in the homes and in
affairs generally of the village and township. It professes an independent republican
attitude in matters of political concern, but is an organ that makes for the good and
progress of the community that supports it, and during the twenty years that Mr.
Brooks has guided is destinies, has won for its owner and publisher the good will of
his constituents. Not only does he own the paper and the printing plant and build-
ing, but he also conducts an up-to-date printing business. Yet these things do not
consume all his time, for he has been able to devote a good deal of it to the ser-
vice of the public. For a space of fifteen years he served as clerk of the township
and of the township board of education for an equal period. He has also been a
member of the school board of the village and also clerk for a number of years. In
politics he is a republican and has been the Greenwich member of the Huron coun-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 229
ty republican central committee and has frequently been sent to county conventions
and been otherwise active in the party.
On April 15, 1886, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage, at Cherokee, Iowa, with
Miss Lydia R. Ruggles, who was born in Waverly, Van Buren county, Michigan,
August 21, 1865, a daughter of Charles P. and Henrietta C. (Hobart) Ruggles.
Her father's people pride themselves on their blood, being an old family. Her
mother was of Puritan descent, tracing a direct line of ancestry to John Alden
and his wife Priscilla. Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles never became residents of Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are members of the Episcopal church, but as there is no place
of worship of this denomination in Greenwich they attend the services of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, in whose work and interests they have taken large part,
Mr. Brooks having been for a number of years a member of the board of trustees,
at present filling the office of president of this body, and having been superintendent
of the Sunday school for a number of years, and his wife taking equally efficient
interest.
Mr. Brooks belongs to a large number of organizations, fraternal, social, and
such as are connected with his profession as journalist and printer. He was a char-
ter member of the Forest Lodge, No. 145, Knights of Pythias, of Norwalk ; is a
member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., in which he has filled many
offices ; also of the New London Chapter, No. no, R. A. M. ; and of the National
Union. He is on the roll of members of the Audubon Society of Cincinnati ; of the
International Typographical Union of Toledo ; of the Buckeye Press Association ;
and of the Sons of Temperance, of Norwalk. He was formerly a member of Com-
pany G, Sixteenth Ohio National Guard, from which he holds an honorable dis-
charge from service. In his private life, in his public activities, and as the editor
of a paper that is a factor in the village, Mr. Brooks wields an influence that is re-
fining, elevating and educational, one too that is widely felt in the community.
Mrs. Brooks is well known in the social gatherings of the village, and the home over
which she presides is one of the most attractive and modern of those here.
ARTHUR UNDERBILL.
Arthur Underbill, a resident of Norwalk, is a railway mail clerk in the employ
of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. He was born in Ridgefield
township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 6th of March, 1867, a son of Isaac and Lydia
(Gregory) Underhill. The father, a native of Herkimer county, New York, ac-
companied his parents, David and Mary (Osborne) Underhill, on their removal to
this county in the year 1817 David Underhill, the grandfather of our subject, be-
came the owner of considerable land in this vicinity and operated the first sawmill in
the county. He had first visited this section of the state in 1810 in order to locate
land and subsequently made several more trips to Huron county, doing quite a lit-
tle trading with the Indians. In the construction of his sawmill, which was built in
181 5, he employed the services of nearly all the men in the county at that time.
He also assisted in laying out the town of Norwalk and was a charter member of
the Masonic lodge at that place, which held some of its first meetings in his home.
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230 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
One of his daughters, Harriett, who was the first white woman to be married in
Ridgefield township, became the wife of Major Strong, in whose honor Strong's
Ridge was named. When David Underhill was called to his final rest in 1844 the
community mourned the loss of one of its most worthy and respected pioneer set-
tlers, whose labors proved an important factor in the work of early development
and upbuilding.
Subsequent to the demise of his father, Isaac Underhill continued to operate
the sawmill until 1879 and remained a resident of Ridgefield township from the
time of nib arrival in this county until he passed away on the 15th of March, 1885,
in the faith of the Baptist church. His wife, who was a devoted and faithful mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church, was called to the home beyond on the 1st of Octo-
ber, 1907. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, as follows : Isaac M.,
who is deceased; Isabelle F., likewise deceased, who was the wife of Arthur
Sprague, by whom she had one child, Kathryn B. ; Edwin, who wedded Miss Myrtle
Husted and has a son, Roy ; Arthur, of this review ; and a daughter who died in
infancy.
Arthur Underhill obtained his education in the schools of Norwalk and after
putting aside his text-books took up his abode on the home farm, where he con-
tinued to reside until 1893. In that year he entered the railway mail service as a
clerk on ihe Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad but at the end of six
months was transferred to the Big Four Railroad, his run being from Cleveland
to Cincinnati. Subsequently he was transferred to the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railroad, in which position he has remained to the present time, his run
being between Cleveland and Utica, New York. He is the owner of a well im-
proved and productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Ridgefield township,
also owns some property in Norwalk and is altogether a most prosperous, enter-
prising and progressive citizen of his native county.
In December, 1884, Mr. Underhill was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Mah-
ler, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Mahler, of Ridgefield township. The three
children born of this union are as follows : Clarence, who married Miss Gertrude
La Reau, of Monroe, Michigan, lives on his father's farm. He has one son, James
A. Clara, twin sister of Clarence, is a graduate of St. Luke's Hospital and is now
a trained nurse of Cleveland, Ohio. Jennie is still under the parental roof. Mr. Un-
derhill is well and favorably known throughout the county in which his entire life
has been spent and in the development and progress of which both his father and
grandfather bore an important part.
WILLIAM BOEHLER.
William Boehler, who is now living retired in an attractive and comfortable
home in Monroeville, Ridgefield township, was for many years identified with agri-
cultural interests of Huron county. He was born in Lyme township, this county,
on the 29th of December, 1852, a son of John Philip and Margaret (Seible) Boeh-
ler, both natives of Germany. The father, whose birth occurred on the 7th of No-
vember, 1823, came to the United States when twenty-six years of age, coming di-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 231
rect to Ohio, where he located in Huron county. Upon his arrival here he was en-
tirely without funds and was compelled to work by the month in various places
throughout the county. His was a determined and energetic spirit, however, and
by hard labor and careful saving he had accumulated, after three years, sufficient
means to purchase a farm of eighty acres located in Lyme township. After a year
he sold this property and purchased one hundred acres in Sherman township.
Three years later he also sold this farm and removed to Peru township, where he
bought land from George Turner, one of the oldest farmers in this county. He re-
sided upon this farm for about forty-one years, actively engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and then retired from business life, removing to Bellevue. He remained in
the latter place, however, only about two months, and then took up his abode in
Monroeville, where his remaining days were spent, his death occurring May 3,
1897. He had been most successful in his undertakings and became recognized as
one of the extensive land owners of this county, his property holdings at the time
of his demise amounting to eight hundred acres. He was also well known among
local democratic ranks, serving as township trustee, school director and road su-
pervisor of Peru township. He was also an active worker in church circles and as-
sisted in erecting the Lutheran church at Pontiac and during his connection with
that church was almost continuously in office. He wedded Margaret Seible, who
was born in 1830 and came to Huron county with her parents when twenty-one
years of age. Here she passed away on the 22A of June, 1883. In the family of
this worthy couple were six children, namely: William, of this review; Henry;
Minnie, the wife of John P. Meyers, of Ridgefield township ; Louise, the wife of
Charles Heyman, residing in Peru township ; Philip, a farmer of Peru township,
residing on the old homestead ; and Otto, whose sketch, in connection with that of
his brother Henry, will be found elsewhere in this volume.
William Boehler, whose name introduces this review, was reared on his father's
farm and has continued to make his residence in this county. He acquired his edu-
cation in the district and summer schools. He remained at home, assisting his fa-
ther in the cultivation of the fields, until he attained manhood, when he started out
in business on his own account, operating a farm which he had received from his
father. He had early become familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting
and harvesting and, energetic and persevering by nature, he at once bent his ener-
gies toward the development of his property. He made a large number of im-
provements on the place, which consisted of one hundred and thirty-two acres of
land in Peru township, erected substantial outbuildings and installed all the modern
equipment and accessories necessary to facilitate the work of the farm. It is now
one of the finely improved farms of the township. He operated this place for about
thirty-two years and his close application to business and his excellent management
at last brought to him a substantial competence which enabled him to retire from ac-
tive work, and, renting his farm to his son, he removed to Monroeville, where he
purchased some property and where he now makes his home.
On the 4th of January, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Boehler and
Miss Mary Heyman, a daughter of William A. and Janette (Mohr) Heyman, who
were both old settlers of Huron county. The birth of Mrs. Boehler occurred June
25, 1854, in Lyme township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Boehler has been blessed
with eight children. The eldest, Louisa, is the wife of Charles Scheid and resides
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232 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
in Sherman township. By her marriage she has become the mother of four chil-
dren, Mable, Ada, Marian and Olive. August L., who was born August 6, 1879,
married Anna Meyer and lives on the old homestead farm, which he operates for
his father. He is serving as school director of Peru township and is also a trustee
of the Lutheran church. Anna, who wedded Alvin Groff , died on the 6th of Sep-
tember, 1908, at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving besides her husband one
son, Morris, who resides with our subject. Minnie, the fourth in order of birth,
passed away on the 8th of May, 1904, at the age of twenty-one years. Amanda,
who married Henry Meyer, resides in Ridgefield township. Edith and Carl are
still at home, while Elmer, the youngest of the family, passed away at the age of
four months.
Mr. Boehler is one of the prominent members of the Lutheran church at Pon-
tiac, of which he is serving as elder and in the work of which he is deeply and help-
fully interested. He is a stalwart democrat in political allegiance and on that ticket
was elected township trustee, in which capacity he served for ten years. He was
also school director for some time, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart
champion, and he has also been elected to fill various other minor offices. Public-
spirited in his citizenship, he readily lends his influence to all matters which have
for their object the material, political, intellectual and moral advancement and up-
building of the community. His life has been one of continuous activity in which
lias been accorded due recognition of honest labor, and he stands today as one of
the substantial and prosperous representatives of his native county, while his gen-
uine personal worth and sterling traits of character have gained for him a high
place in the esteem and regard of his fellowmen.
. T. F. HILDRETH, A. M., D. D.
Rev. T. F. Hildreth is numbered among those to whom the spirit of youthful
energy and enthusiasm clings while time passes by and may, therefore, be
termed "eighty-two years young/' for while he has covered more than eight
decades since starting upon the journey of life, in his interests he seems a man yet
in his prime, his cheerful word, ready smile and encouraging sympathy making
him popular alike among young and old, rich and poor, in his home town. He
has resided continually in Norwalk since 1885. He was born in Tompkins county,
New York, November 29, 1826, and was the third son of Benjamin and Susan
(Colegrove) Hildreth, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. In
1833 the family home was established in Huron county, Ohio, where the father
died September 20, 1852, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife survived him
until March 15, 1855, and passed away at the age of sixty years. They had a
family of nine children, four daughters and five sons.
The Rev. T. F. Hildreth was but seven years of age when they came to Huron
county and in the district schools of the early day he pursued his preliminary
education. He also assisted in clearing and cultivating, the old home farm until
•nineteen years of age, being busily employed at the task of cutting down the
trees, grubbing up stumps and preparing the fields for cultivation. He after-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 235
ward studied for two terms in the old Norwalk Academy and throughout his
entire life he has remained a student and a broad reader, thus gaining wide gen-
eral information as well as thorough and accurate knowledge of the teachings
of the church. Rev. Hildreth was but eleven years of age when he was converted
and when a youth of sixteen he united with the church of his father, thus be-
coming identified with Methodism. He felt called to the ministry but before he
had fully decided to enter upon a career of that character he took up the study
of law under the direction of the Hon. Samuel T. Wooster of Norwalk. He had
not completed his law studies, however, when he was licensed to preach as a
local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and was received on trial in
the north Ohio conference at Belief ontaine on the 22d of August, 1851. He
occupied several important charges prior to 1864 when he was transferred to
the New York conference and assigned to the pastorate of the Trinity Methodist
Episcopal church on Thirty-fourth street. There his health failed and he re-
signed in 1867, in which year he returned to the northern Ohio conference. Here
his health improved and he was given charge of the Methodist Episcopal church
in Norwalk, remaining as its pastor for three years when by the special request
of the church at Ionia, Michigan, he was transferred to that place. He held
three appointments of three years each but his health again gave way and he
returned to Norwalk. Later he again entered into active relations with the
northern Ohio conference and was again appointed minister of the Norwalk
church, in which capacity he served for three years. He next had charge of the
Lorain Street Methodist Episcopal church in Cleveland but after one year he
severed his connection with the conference and took charge of the People's
Tabernacle church at Music HpII, an undenominational organism composed
chiefly of those who desire to do gospel temperance work. There he remained
for two years when upon the death of its founder and patron, Hon. W. H. Doan,
he retired to his quiet home in Norwalk where he has since remained.
In 1863 the Ohio Wesleyan University conferred upon the Rev. Hildreth the
degree of Master of Arts and in 1887 the degree of Doctor of Divinity. His
ability as an orator made him greatly sought for at church dedications and on
other special occasions. He had few equals in the pulpit or on the public plat-
form and was purely an extemporaneous speaker. While well versed in all
branches of learning, his style is simple and concise. He learned to think along
classical lines but to speak in the language of the common people and it has
been the power of the truth of his utterances clearly, forcefully and cogently
presented that has made strong appeal to his hearers. He is a fluent writer and a
poet of no mean ability. He has written many poems of merit which he has
published in two volumes, bringing forth his Poems of the Heart in 1903 and
Poems of the Home in 1907. These collections contain many gems and have
been very warmly received by the press and the people. His views of life have
ever been sane and rational, presenting a clear understanding of the conditions
of the present time as well as the ideals presented in the Christian religion.
In 1849 Dr. Hildreth was married to Mrs. Eudolphia C. Cherry, who was to
him a genial and loving companion and helpmate until she was called from his
side by death on the 30th of August, 1900, leaving the Doctor to finish his jour-
ney alone. He is a remarkably well preserved man despite his eighty-three
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236 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
years, bright, genial and cheerful, of noble character, active in mind and body.
He is a splendid example to the rising generation of what a clean, temperate and
Godly life will do. Among his fellow townsmen he is very popular and his
words and work are yet a matter of strong influence among those with whom he
is daily brought in contact. His work has been far-reaching in its effects and
like the echoes which "roll from soul to soul" will "live forever and forever,"
for the seeds of truth and righteousness never die but bring forth fruit throughout
all the ensuing years.
E. L. BEELMAN.
E. L. Beelman, who is well known in the business circles of Huron county as the
secretary and treasurer of the Beelman Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Ohio,
has been active in its affairs since its inception and by his excellent business ability
and keen sagacity has been a potent factor in its continuous and rapid progress.
He was born in Richmond township, Huron county, on the 4th of May, 1867, a son
of Joseph and Eliza Ann (Moore) Beelman, farmers of that township. The father,
who originally came from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where his birth oc-
curred, settled in Richmond township, Huron county, where he purchased two hun-
dred acres of land, which he continued to operate up to the time of his demise. He
became a prominent figure in the public affairs of that township, having during his
residence therein filled all of the township offices, while he was county commissioner
for two terms, and served as justice of the peace for several years. He also taught
school fcr some time in Huron county, and in politics was a stalwart republican.
He passed away May 4, 1883, at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife sur-
vived until 1887. In their family were nine children, namely : George, of Colum-
bus, Ohio ; W. S. and H. M., both of Chicago, Ohio ; Jennie, the wife of Ed. Tan-
ner, residing in Fairfield township ; J. L., in partnership with his brother ; E. L.,
of this review; Charles, who is engineer on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad;
Sarah, who passed away at the age of eighteen years ; and Anna, who also passed
away when fourteen years old.
Reared upon the home farm, E. L. Beelman acquired his education in the district
schools and until seventeen years of age remained under the parental roof, assisting
his father in the operation of his farm. Then thinking to find other pursuits more
congenial and profitable than agriculture, he learned the carpenter's trade, which
he followed for a number of years. In 1902 he and his brother, J. L. Beelman, or-
ganized the present Beelman Manufacturing Company, with five stockholders and
a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. The other members of the board were
C. B. Tudor, J. W. Sheidley and Glenn Tudor, while the officers were J. L. Beel-
man, president, J. W. Sheidley, vice-president, and E. L. Beelman, secretary and
treasurer. In 1907 the firm increased its capital to fifty thousand dollars, with
twelve stockholders, while the present officers are J. L. Beelman, president. William
Glick, vice-president and E. L. Beelman, secretary and treasurer. The board of di-
rectors consists of J. L. and E. L. Beelman, Ed. Weaver, J. W. Sheidley and Wil-
liam Glick. The company does a general lumber business, manufacturing all kinds
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 237
of house furnishings and patent step-ladders, and from its inception has been sig-
nally successful, enjoying a rapid and continuous growth. The efforts of E. L»
Beelman have been influential elements in its successful control and he has gained
a high place among the progressive and prosperous business men of this district
It was on Christmas day of 1889 that Mr. Beelman was united in marriage to
Miss Estella Keesy, a daughter of John H. and Margaret (Johnson) Keesy, pio-
neer settlers of Richmond township where Mrs. Beelman was born and reared.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beelman were born three children, Letha, Fay and Laura, the
eldest daughter, Letha, having graduated from the Chicago (Ohio) high school
with the class of 1909 and now attending Athens Normal school. Mr. Beelman
is trustee of the Chicago Lodge, No. 748, 1. O. O. F., while in his politics he gives
his allegiance to the republican party, although the honors and emoluments of pub-
lic office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to direct his entire energies to the
conduct of his personal affairs. He is preeminently a business man who has worked
his way up by indefatigable energy and untiring perseverance, while, aside from the
success which he has won in business, his personal characteristics are such as have
gained him the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen.
HON. C. P. VENUS.
Hon. C. P. Venus is the chief executive of Norwalk, whose mayoralty record
has been characterized by public-spirited devotion to the general good and by re-
trenchment in useless expenditure and the advocacy of progressive measures of
improvement. At a crisis in the city's history, he proved himself equal to the
emergency and with keen insight into the situation, met the conditions and in-
stituted measures which were the salvation of Norwalk.
His birth occurred in this city, March 6, 1853, and he comes of German an-
cestry. His father, Sebastian Venus, was a native of Germany and while living
in that country, learned the trade of a silversmith and jeweler. After coming
to the new world, he established his home in Norwalk and here engaged in the
jewelry business. From the Black Forests of Germany he imported the first clocks
sold in Huron county and was a leading factor in the early commercial develop-
ment of this part of the state. He married Elizabeth Amend, a native of Germany,
who came to America with her parents during her early girlhood days. Mr. and
Mrs. Sebastian Venus had a family of seven children, five of whom died in 1854
between the 4th and 7th of August, being carried away during the cholera epi-
demic of that year, the dread disease largely devastating Huron county. The
surviving sister of our subject is Mrs. Rosie Fischer, a resident of Toledo, Ohio.
C. P. Venus was reared in this city and at the usual age became a pupil in the
Norwalk public schools. He afterward attended St. Mary's Academy at Dayton,
Ohio, and, making his initial step in the business world, he became a clerk in a
shoe store, where he was employed for a few years. He then joined his mother
in the grocery business, in which they continued for a number of years, and then
sold out, Mr. Venus at that time becoming connected with the Taber Dry Goods
Company. He was thus associated until elected city clerk, in which position he was
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238 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
continued by a re-election for four years. He was next made deputy postmaster,
serving in that capacity for four years, and for a similar period he was in the rail-
way mail service during President Cleveland's first administration. At the close
of his term as deputy postmaster, he took up the life insurance business, represent-
ing the New York Life Insurance Company, and has since continued in this field
of activity with gratifying success, securing many patrons for the company and
writing up a large amount of business each year.
In November, 1907, he was again called to public office, being elected mayor
of Norwalk on the democratic ticket. He has given to the city a businesslike ad-
ministration, has sought to secure restrictive and constructive legislation where-
ever needed and has done much practical work for the city's benefit. Shortly after
taking the office several bank failures occurred in Norwalk, bringing about a crisis
in the city's affairs. It was evident that something must be done to restore con-
fidence. Mayor Venus calmly faced the situation, gave to it his earnest study,
viewed the question from every possible standpoint and as a result, associated with
him every prominent man in organizing the Chamber of Commerce which has
since flourished and has done much for the city's upbuilding and the restoration of
its financial status. He has acted as secretary of the chamber since its organi-
zation and his work in this connection has been most far-reaching and beneficial.
In 1875, Mr. Venus was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Kunzelman, who
died in 1904, and unto them were born three sons and two daughters: Carl H.,
Louise M. and Robert E., surviving. The family is prominent in the social circles
of the city and the hospitality of the Venus home is greatly enjoyed by their many
friends.
Mr. Venus belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights
of Columbus and several other organizations. He is the originator and organizer
of The Smile Club, which is one of the most charitable organizations ever started
in Norwalk. With the assistance of several charitably inclined ladies and gentle-
men of this city, this club was organized for the purpose of giving every needy
child in Norwalk a bountiful Christmas and that its object has been carefully car-
ried out may be ascertained by asking any waif in Norwalk. The club is still in
existence and is a monument to the fertile brain and progressive and charitable
spirit of Mr. Venus. He is an alert, energetic and enterprising man, who seems
to realize the possibilities of every situation and in both his public and private
affairs, has so co-ordinated forces and managed interests as to bring about the
best possible conditions under the situation. His mayoralty record will ever remain
a most creditable chapter in his life history.
LAMBERT M. CHAPIN.
Huron county numbers among its intelligent, enterprising and successful citi-
zens Lambert M. Chapin, who for many years has been a prominent figure in
agricultural circles and has also taken an active part in the public affairs of the
community. Born in Hartland township, Huron county, upon the farm where he
now resides, October 21, 1842, his birth occurred in a little log cabin which stood
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 239
but a few feet away from the site of the present modern dwelling. He is a son
of Morris G. and Garissa (Granger) Chapin, the former a native of Genesee
county, New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Cleveland, Ohio. In
1825, the father accompanied his parents to Ohio when but a young lad and in this
state the remainder of his life was spent. He was engaged to some extent in farm-
ing and became a large landowner, being one of the successful and influential resi-
dents of the community in which he resided. He was an ardent democrat, taking
a very active part in all public affairs and he was a gentleman of wide information
and intelligence, his name being a synonym for honesty and fair dealing. He
passed away February 7, 1887, and his remains were interred in Woodland ceme-
tery at Norwalk, to which city he had removed in 1880, after retiring from active
business life. His wife was called to her final rest April 14, 1891, and was laid to
rest beside her husband in Woodland. In their family were four children, all of
whom are now living with exception of one daughter.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Lambert M. Chapin spent the days of his boy-
hood and youth upon the old homestead whereon he was born and upon which he
has since continued to make his residence. He attended the district schools of
Hartland township and when not engaged with his textbooks, his time was de-
voted to assisting his father in the work of the fields. He early became familiar
with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting and under the direction
of his father learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and
perseverance. In 1878, he purchased the farm across the road from the old home-
stead and upon this place he has been busily engaged in general farming and stock
raising, both branches of his business proving a source of gratifying remuneration
to him. His property now consists of about three hundred and fifty acres of fine
farm land, all under a high state of cultivation, so that he is ranked among the
prosperous and substantial agriculturists of his part of the county.
On February 22, 187 1, Mr. Chapin was united in marriage to Miss Martha J.
Shipley, a daughter of Samuel P. and Harriet (Morrison) Shipley, both of whom
were natives of Pennsylvania. The parents came to Ohio with their respective
parents when young people, settlement being made in Olena, Huron county,
where Mr. Shipley was engaged in the carriage business. He passed away July
30, 1885, but his widow still survives at the advanced age of eighty-two years.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Chapin has been blessed with three sons, namely:
Elmer L., who is married and resides in Cleveland ; Fred M., who is also married
and operates a farm adjoining the old homestead ; and Samuel S., likewise married,
carrying on general farming in Bronson township. All of the sons are success-
ful business men and are well known and prominent citizens in the communities
in which they reside.
In his political relations, Mr. Chapin has always been a supporter of the republi-
can party and has been very active in the public affairs of the community, having
filled almost every office in the township. His public life has at all times been
characterized with the same adherence to truth, right and justice as has been mani-
fest in his private relations, and the consensus of public opinion accords him a
foremost place among the valued citizens of Huron county. Fraternally, he
holds membership in the Olena Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, of which
his son Fred M. was a charter member, and in the affairs of which . both
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240 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
father and son have been extremely active. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin hold mem-
bership in the Presbyterian church, to which they are liberal contributors and
deeply interested in the various phases of the church work, while Mr. Chapin is
now serving in the capacity of church trustee. He has passed his entire life on
the old homestead where he was born with the exception of a few years, when
his sons were attending school. During that period the family lived in Norwalk
but after they had completed their education, the family returned to the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Chapin have traveled extensively and have acquired a very wide gen-
eral knowledge. They are readers of all the best current literature, and thus they are
able to speak authoritatively upon all of the live topics of the day. The family
residence is one of the most comfortable and attractive homes of Hartland town-
ship and is pervaded by an atmosphere of refinement and culture, which is both
pleasing and uplifting. It is also the seat of a genuine and cordial hospitality,
which makes it a favorite resort with a large circle of warm friends.
DANIEL S. WASHBURN.
Daniel S. Washburn, well known as a prominent and worthy representative
of the agricultural interests of the county, and having large holdings in Green-
wich and Ripley townships, was born April 8, 1843, near where he now resides
and where he has always lived. He is the son of Henry G. and Ann Maria (Van
Benschoten) Washburn, the father coming as a young man from Ulster county,
New York, in 1830, followed later by his parents. The mother was a native of
Berlin, Erie county, Ohio. Both the Washburns and the Van Benschotens were
from colonial families and had many representatives in the war for independ-
ence and later were leaders in the formation of the republic. The latter were
particularly active and were honored personal friends of General Washington.
Henry G. Washburn and wife were married in 1842 and settled in Green-
wich township, where they continued residence through life. Here they reared
their family of four children : Daniel S., Susanna M., Alice E. and Jay. Susanna
died at the age of eighteen. Henry G. Washburn was a pushing, energetic man,
who came to Ohio with a pittance and increased it to a competency, at the same
time taking an intelligent interest in the life of the community. His business
was farming but he also became widely known as a breeder of fine cattle and
sheep. After a long and useful life, he passed away in September, 1886. Mrs.
Washburn still survives, a kindly, vivacious lady who retains her faculties and,
at the age eighty-six, goes about with the apparent vigor of middle life.
Daniel S. Washburn received somewhat more than the usual amount of edu-
cation for his time, having attended the normal school at Milan, Ohio. Having been
reared under the tutelage of a skillful and prosperous farmer, he decided to
continue the work as a life occupation and has consistently followed it. After
his marriage he and his wife located where they now reside, their life being
passed without a single change. They have a splendid farm of four hundred
acres, all in a high state of cultivation, and especially well tiled — a large drain
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY • 243
through the center and eight laterals — and with ample buildings. The house is
one of the most complete farm homes in the county. Mr. Washburn is one of
the directors of the First National Bank of Greenwich, Ohio.
Although a republican in politics and an interested participant in public mat-
ters, Mr. Washburn confines his attention to the needs of his own community,
acting as township trustee and member of the board of education on occasion,
and always being active in movements looking toward the advancement of his
community in social and religious affairs. Being primarily a farmer, he has
always taken an active interest in that which promised a bettering of the farm-
er's condition. For that reason he has been an influential worker in the Grange
and is firm in his conviction that said organization has brought about improved
conditions. He is a charter member of Ripleyville Grange, No. 707, the first
organized in that township, and is now a member of North Fairfield Grange,
No. 806, Patrons of Husbandry, which he and his wife joined on its organiz-
ation. He has held all of the local offices and is a member and overseer of the
county grange.
Daniel S. Washburn was married January 23, 1867, to Sarah Jane Mac-
Omber, daughter of Egbert and Anna (Benedict) MacOmber. Her family
came from Cayuga county, New York, in 1833, and were prominent in the de-
velopment of this section. They, late in life, moved to Erie county, Ohio, where
the father died in 1888, the mother surviving him some five years. Five chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Washburn: Anna Maude, wife of Lacey W.
Robinson, a farmer of Ripley township; Ernest Linton, who is married and is
operating the old farm; Inez, wife of Warren O. Smith, a farmer of Richland
county; Wayne, now in the far west; and Leo, who, with Wayne, was in part-
nership with his father on the farm. He is a graduate veterinary surgeon and
for some time served as government meat inspector but resigned that position in
the spring of 1909 and is now at home.
F. P. MITCHELL.
One of the prominent members of the farming community \>f Greenfield town-
ship is F. P. Mitchell, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and forty-
two acres, on which he has made his home throughout life, his birth occurring here
November 5, 1866. His father, Elias Mitchell, was born on the same farm Decem-
ber 30, 1839, and is stM hving, making his home in North Fairfield, Ohio. Our
subject's paternal grandfather was William Mitchell, who was born January 1,
1799, and came to this state from Canandaigua, New York, in 1820, locating in
Greenwich township, Huron county. Here in the midst of the unbroken forest he
cleared land and laid out the town of Greenwich, where he and his brother lived for
about six years. They bought land there which they later gave to their father,
James Mitchell, the great-grandfather of our subject, who continued to make his
home in Greenwich until called to his final rest. He was a son of James Mitchell,
Sr. A soldier of the Revolutionary war, he took part in the battle of Trenton and
died when his son James was but nine years of age. After seeing that his parent?
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244 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
were comfortably located in their new home in Greenwich, William Mitchell, our
subject's grandfather, removed to Macksville, where he worked in the mill and dis-
tillery of Ezra Smith, being a miller by trade. He spent seven years in that lo-
cality and then came to Greenfield township, where he purchased a farm which at
that time was covered with timber with the exception of two acres that had been
cleared and a log house erected thereupon. He made that dwelling his home until a
more substantial log house could be erected. He continued to reside upon this
farm until i860, devoting his time to clear ing the land and cultivating the fields,
and then returned to Macksville where he lived retired for some time. He died in
Fairfield township in September, 1890, honored and respected by all who knew him.
For several years he filled the office of township trustee and was a deacon of the
Baptist church, both in Peru and Fairfield township, assisting in removing the
church from the former township and donating the land upon which it was located.
His son, Elias Mitchell, the father of F. P. Mitchell, has lived in Greenfield and
Fairfield townships all his life, carrying on agriculture. He was born on the home
farm December 30, 1839, and received his education in the district schools. He
became one of the prominent citizens of this locality, served for eighteen years as
a trustee of Fairfield township, held several offices in Greenfield township and was
one of the directors of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Huron county.
He is at present living in North Fairfield, in comparative rest from toil. His wife,
who in her maidenhood was Miss Cornelia Place, was born October 26, 1842, in
New York city, but was very young when she came here with her mother and her
step-father, in 1855. Her own father had died in 1847, and her mother married
James L. Coit, Sr. To Mr. and Mrs. Elias Mitchell, have been born three children :
Grant, who died at the age of one; F. P., the subject of this sketch; and Bertha,
who died at the age of twenty-six, leaving a husband, Robert Reeder, of North
Fairfield, and three children : Ray, Dana, deceased, and Nelson.
F. P. Mitchell has always lived on his present farm, and in his youth, he at-
tended the district schools, from which he gleaned such an education as they were
able to impart during the few months they were in session and to lads who were
compelled to give their first thought to the farm and its work. However, they
would seem to have afforded a good training for life, for Mr. Mitchell has been
very successful in the farming he has practiced and in the live stock business*
he has carried on. He is also interested in the wool market. He has had other in-
terests outside his farm, perhaps the principal one being in the schools. For a
period of fifteen years, he served as a member of the board of education, is at
present president of that body, and has held other offices within the gift of the
people of his township. He is the secretary of the Farmers Mutual Insurance
Company, a stockholder and one of the directors of the North Fairfield Savings
Bank and of the North Fairfield Telephone Company, of which latter concern
he is also treasurer.
On the 21st of November, 1888, Mr. Mitchell wedded Miss Catherine Ryerson,
a daughter of George M. and Catherine (Edsel) Ryerson, of Peru township. Mrs.
Mitchell was born there, whither her parents had come from New York state in
the early days. She was one of a family of nine children, the others being : Sarah,
the wife of Charles H. Burg, of Patterson, New Jersey; Price V. and Edsel, of
North Fairfield, Ohio; Esther, the wife of Adelbert S. Roe, of Peru township;
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 245
George E., of Fairfield township; Catherine, the wife of our subject; Delno P.,
of Norwalk, Ohio ; Dora, the widow of F, M. Mitchell, and a resident of Columbus,
Ohio ; and Grace, the wife of Henry T. Graham, of Fairfield township. Mr. and
Mrs. Mitchell have had three children : Donald, born January 2, 1894 ; C. Philip,
born October 2, 1896; and Cornelia, born January 27, 1900.
By hard and diligent labor, Mr. Mitchell has won success in his business opera-
tions, and because of the strong qualities of his character, he has won the respect
and confidence of his fellow citizens. He is one of the men who make for the pros-
perity and stability of Greenfield township.
WARREN SEVERANCE.
A man versed in the laws of the country, as distinguished from the business
man or politician, has been a recognized power for many years. He is depended
upon to conserve the best and permanent interests of the whole people, and with-
out him and his practical judgment, the efforts of the statesman and the industry
of the business man and mechanic would prove futile. The reason is not far to
seek, for the professional lawyer is never a creature of circumstances. The pro-
fession is open to talent, and no definite prestige or success can be attained save
by indomitable energy, perseverance, patience and strong mentality. One of the
leading representatives of the bar of Huron county is Warren Severance, of Chi-
cago, Ohio, who is a man of long and varied experience and deep learning. He
was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, October 9, 1836, being a son of Elisha and
Phebe B. (Tracy) Severance.
Elisha Severance was born in Shelburn, Massachusetts, while his wife was born
in Bridgewater, Vermont. He came to Ohio in 1819, locating at Milan, Erie
county, where he lived for a number of years, later removing to Sandusky county,
Ohio, and thence to Huron county, where he died October 13th, 1892. He first
worked at his trade of coopering exclusively, but later, he began farming in the
summer, confining his work at his trade to the winter. His first wife was Mar-
tha Bangs, a daughter of Captain Bangs, who commanded a lake boat. She bore
him one son, that lived to maturity, Samuel M. The second wife was Phebe B.
Tracy and by this marriage, there were the following children : William M., War-
ren, Byron, and one son that died in infancy.
Warren Severance attended the Maxville school in Peru township, Samuel
%F. Newman being one of his teachers. When he was twenty years old, he left
school and like so many young men of his days who cherished ambitions, he began
teaching. For nine years he continued as an educator in the schools of Huron
county, but never relinquished his determination to enter the legal profession,
and in J876 he was able to begin his law studies. In 1878, he was admitted to
the bar and immediately thereafter located in Chicago, Ohio, which has been his
home ever since, having firmly established himself in the confidence of the peo-
ple. On March 16, 1896, Mr. Severance was admitted to the supreme court in
Washington, D. C.
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246 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mr. Severance was married February 9, i860, to Philinda Shepard, a daughter
of Israel and Nancy (Brown) Shepard, who were the parents of the following
named children : Hannah, who married D. B. Kroh ; Mary, deceased, who mar-
ried James McDuell ; Israel, also deceased ; Mrs. Severance ; Lucinda, who mar-
ried J. Z. Woodworth ; and Eva, who married W. B. Keefer. Mr. and Mrs. Sev-
erance became the parents of two children: E. W. ; and Clara M., who is the
widow of C. A. Weatherford. Mr. Severance mourns the loss of his wife, who
passed away May 10, 1904.
He has been very prominent fraternally, and belongs to Chicago Lodge No.
748, I. O. O. F., at Chicago, Ohio. He is local counsel for the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Company, having held this position since 1891. While a republican, Mr.
Severance has not sought public office. A consistent member of the Presbyterian
church, he is much interested in its good work, and has been one of its elders since
the establishment of the church in Chicago, also acting as one of the church trus-
tees. For many years, he has practiced in all of the courts and has been con-
nected with much of the legal business of his locality, his sound and ripe judg-
ment, conservative views and thorough knowledge of his profession making him
one of the best attorneys Huron county has ever possessed.
R. M. CHERRY.
One of the prosperous young farmers of Greenfield township is R. M. Cherry,
who owns the one hundred and forty-five acres of land on which he makes his
home. He was born in this township, September 29, 1873, and is a son of Eu-
gene and Augusta (Turney) Cherry. The paternal grandfather, Reuben Cherry,
was one of the old settlers of this county. He was reared and married in New
York state, but in 1823 came to Ohio alone, settling at Hanvil's Corners, Fairfield
township. After working here for a time, he returned home to get his wife, com-
ing back to this state which he made his home until 1857, when typhoid fever
caused his death. His widow, who before her marriage was Miss Brilla Snow,
lived to be eighty-eight, and until 1893, the year of her death, made her home
with her son Eugene, the youngest of her family of nine. Among the others were
Eunice, who married M. Taylor, both now deceased; Eudolphia, the deceased
wife of T. F. Hildreth ; and Lucinda, the widow of Philander Mitchell.
Eugene Cherry, the father of R. M. Cherry, has spent all his life in this county.
He was born March 20, 1846, in Fairfield township, and began his education in
the old log school house there. He was not privileged however, to receive
much of an education, for his father's early death compelled him to give all his
time to the management of the farm. To the cultivation of the soil he devoted
himself assiduously until 1905, when he removed to Norwalk to live in retirement
and enjoy the fruits of his labor. His wife was born in Connecticut, but came at
the age of thirteen to this state to live with an aunt. Later, Mrs. Cherry re-
turned to her native home for a while as her father, Cyrus Turney, never became
a resident of Ohio. Her mother had died when she was but a young girl. To Mr.
and Mrs. Cherry were born three children: Jessie, at home; R. M., of this review;
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 247
and Floyd, who married Miss Rose Sisinger and lives in Arizona, the father of
one child, Carlton E.
R. M. Cherry has always lived in this locality, and has worked on the farm
from his boyhood. He attended the district school of the township, but could never
be said to have received an education for wihen his father's health failed, as the re-
sult of a sunstroke, he was compelled to give up his lessons and devote himself,
mind and body, to the conduct of the farm. The hard work he has put into the
field tell ; his crops are bountiful ; and the condition of the buildings shows that
their owner is thrifty and a good manager. He has found by experience that his
soil is best adapted to general farming and the progressive methods he employs
bid fair to make him one of the most prosperous men of his township in a few
years.
On the 19th of April, 1905, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cherry and
Miss May Hartman, the daughter of William and Alice (Crebs) Hartman, of
New London, Ohio. Mr. Hartman was born in Ashland county, Ohio, July 14,
185 1, and his wife in Huntington county, Indiana, July 25, 1854. Both are still
living. They had a family of five children : Ira ; Charles ; Nina, deceased ; May and
Sylvia.
Mr. Cherry is a member of the Methodist church of North Fairfield, is in regu-
lar attendance at its services and contributes generously to its support. He is a
member of the younger generation of farmers, to whom the township will look
for her future prosperity and advancement, and her best expectations will not be
disappointed, if we are to judge by the past years of Mr. Cherry's life.
WILLIAM ERF.
William Erf, devoting his time and energies to farming and dairy pursuits in
Lyme township, is meeting with a substantial measure of success which entitle
him to rank among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of his town-
ship. He was born in Peru township. Huron county, May 7, 1857, a son of Philip
and Dorothea (Heymen) Erf, both natives of Germany. The father was born
in Freien Dietz in 1821, where he was reared to the age of twenty years. Rumors
had come to him concerning the superior opportunities for advancement offered
in the new world and he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic.
Consequently, he sailed for the United States and made his way direct to Huron
county, Ohip, settling in Peru township, where he worked by the month for sev-
eral years. When, by hard labor and careful saving, he had accumulated sufficient
money, he purchased a few acres of land in that township and directed his ener-
gies toward cultivating and expanding this property. As he prospered, he added
td his holdings until at the time of his death, he had become the owner of two
hundred and fifty acres in the home farm and about two hundred and fifty acres
in other parts of the county. He was well known and esteemed in the community
in which he lived and served for several years as trustee of Huron county. His
death occurred in 1894, but his wife still survives him at the age of seventy years.
In their family were four children : William, of this review ; Lydia, the deceased
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248 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
wife of A. P. Horn ; Lewis ; and Oscar, the professor of agriculture at the Ohio
State University at Columbus.
William Erf has always made his home in Huron county, residing in Peru
township until twenty-six years of age, while in the meantime, he attended the
district schools of that township and also studied for a short time at Monroe-
ville, Ridgefield township. Having been reared to agricultural pursuits, he wisely
chose this as his life work and is now numbered among the prosperous and repre-
sentative farmers of his county. The year 1883 witnessed his arrival in Lyme
township, where he purchased his present farm of one hundred and fifty-three
acres from his father in 1893. He has made many improvements upon the place,
erecting a fine large residence and commodious and substantial barns and out-
buildings. Aside from his farming interests, he is also proprietor of the Chestnut
Ridge Dairy and this branch of his business is proving an important factor in
his present success. He is president and director of the Star Creamery Company
of Monroeville and is also a director of the Hess Hardware Company of that
place. His business is conducted with keen discernment and is most carefully
managed, so that he receives therefrom most gratifying returns.
Mr. Erf was united in marriage March 8, 1883, to Miss Minnie A. Scheld, a
daughter of Philip and Wilhelmina Scheld, natives of Germany. Her birth oc-
curred in Peru township and she was the fifth in a family of six children, the
others being: Bertha, Lewis, August, Amelia and Lydia. The union of Mr.
and Mrs. Erf has been blessed with four children: Norma, Cora, Elzy and W. P.,
all at home.
Mr. Erf is a member of the Evangelical church and his life at all times has
been in keeping with its teachings. He has served as a member of the school
board for some time and is at present clerk of the board, while at all times he is
deeply and helpfully interested in all matters pertaining to the material, intellectual
and moral welfare of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Erf are among the most
highly respected and prosperous citizens in the community.
F. WILLIAM BISHOP.
F. William Bishop, who carries on general farming in Peru township, is
one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community. He
owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich farm land, and it was upon this
place that he was born May 26, 1859. His parents were Arsineus and Tracy
(Schaefer) Bishop. The father was born in Baden, Germany, and when a young
man came to the United States, settling in Huron, Ohio, where he worked at
the shoemaker's trade, which he had learned in Germany. He lived there until
about 1845, when he bought the farm upon which our subject now makes his
home. The improvements upon the place were of a very primitive character,
consisting of a log house and log barn, and the land was nearly all covered
with timber. With resolute spirit, such as was shown by the pioneers who
faced the hardships and privations of frontier life, Mr. Bishop began clearing
the place, cutting away the trees, grubbing up the stumps and clearing away
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MR. AND MRS. F. WILLIAM BISHOP
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 251
the brush until he transformed the land into productive fields. From time to
time he made substantial improvements and his property became one of the
excellent farms of the locality. At all times he was progressive in his citizen-
ship and cooperated in many movements for the general good. He died in
1884 at the age of seventy- two years and the community mourned the loss of
one of its highly respected and worthy citizens. His wife in her girlhood days
had come to Huron county with her parents, F. W. and Elizabeth Schaefer,
and had settled at Monroeville about 1840. Subsequently they removed to
Seneca county. Mrs. Bishop died in 1902 at the age of seventy-four years.
By her marriage she has become the mother of six children: Frank J., now
deceased; Elizabeth C, a resident of Crawford county, Ohio; F. William;
J. R., who is also living in Crawford county; Maggie, deceased; and Alfred P.,
likewise a resident of Crawford county. The father had been married twice
and by his former marriage had two children : Joseph, who died in the army ;
and Thomas, who is living in Fairfield township.
F. William Bishop spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads
of the period and locality. He remained on the home place until twenty-six
years of age and was then married, after which he removed to Auburn, In-
diana, being employed in the shops at that place. He also worked along in-
dustrial lines at Garrett, Indiana, securing a situation in the railroad shops at
that point, and later he went to Fostoria, Ohio, where he was employed in the
glass works. Subsequently he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and worked in the Stove
foundry for about eleven years. During that period his wife died and he re-
turned to Huron county to take care of the farm and of his mother, remaining
with her until her demise.
Mr. Bishop had wedded Miss Helen Hipp, a daughter of Henry and Eliza-
beth (Koppler) Hipp, of Seneca county, Ohio. The marriage was celebrated
April 29, 1884, and they became the parents of four children: Fred V., Martin
J., Isabelle F. and Linus D. Mrs. Bishop, who was born in Seneca county,
Ohio, in June, 1858, died in Tiffin, Ohio, September 27, 1899, her remains
being interred in St. Joseph cemetery at that place. Mr. Bishop is now living
alone with his two sons and carries on general farming, working diligently and
persistently to secure the success which is the merited reward of all honorable
labor. He belongs to the Catholic church of Peru township, and is well known
as a representative citizen of the community.
ROBERT H. AND BUSHNELL R. REYNOLDS, M. D.
Two of the highly esteemed physicians of Greenwich township are Drs. Rob-
ert H. and Bushnell R. Reynolds, father and son. Not only are they able prac-
titioners, but they are also public-spirited men, who have contributed their share
to the advancement and progress of the community. Robert H. Reynolds was
born April 25, 1846, in Greenwich township, in a house constructed for the greater
part of walnut timber, that is still used for a dwelling, though it has been moved
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252 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
to the village. He is the son of Dr. Henry and Harriet (Marble) Reynolds, both
of whom were born and reared in the state of New York, the latter in Oswego
county. Dr. Henry Reynolds was married in Cooperstown, New York. In 1839,
he went to Tennessee, where he remained a year, and then came to Huron county,
Ohio, taking up the practice of his profession, for which he had prepared him-
self before leaving the state of his nativity. He was the father of nine children :
Angeline, Russell N., Esther, Lavilla, Hannah, William B., Harriet E., Cornelia
A. and Robert H., all of whom with the exception of Harriet E., who died in in-
fancy, grew to maturity before he was called to his last resting place, at the age of
seventy-eight. His wife had died six years before, in May, 1874, and but three
of the large family now survives, Russell N., of Chicago Junction ; Cornelia, the
widow of Julius H. Hulburt, of Plymouth, Huron county; and Dr. Robert H.
Dr. Henry Reynolds was a man interested and active in public affairs. He was a
republican in politics, was an ordained elder in the Methodist Episcopal church,
and in the course of his long and busy life, was widely known and highly re-
spected.
Robert H. Reynolds was educated in the public schools of Greenwich town-
ship, later attending the Maumee City Academy. He received his medical train-
ing in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated
in 1872, and he entered upon the practice of his profession almost immediately,
coming to Greenwich township, which has been the scene of his labors continu-
ously since, save for the year 1883, spent in Taylor county, Texas. He went there
with the intention of establishing himself in profession, but the climatic condi-
tions were so unfavorable, that he was compelled to return to Ohio. While his
duties as a physician have kept Dr. Reynolds very busy, he has taken an active
interest in public affairs and has found some time to give to the service of the
public. At three distinct times, he acted as coroner for the county, was twelve
years justice of the peace, and for the space of four years, was a member of the
school board, of which he was president for a time. In politics, he is an ardent
republican, and in 1900 was given the nomination for state senator from Huron,
Erie, Ottawa and Sandusky counties. This is a strong democratic locality, but
Dr. Reynolds reduced the majority of his opponent to something less than two
hundred, which is a slight evidence of his strength before the people.
On the 8th of July, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Reynolds to
Miss Helen M. Washburn, the daughter of Charles A. and Mary E. (Griffin)
Washburn. The families of both parents came to Ohio from New York, and the
father had the distinction of having been the second white child born in Green-
wich township. The mother, however, was seventeen years of age when her par-
ents came here, and for two years before her marriage taught in the schools of the
township. Both parents have now been dead for a number of years, but in the days
of his activity, Mr. Washburn was a successful farmer and stock raiser. Dr. and
Mrs. Reynolds have been blessed with a family of five children : James C, who
died in infancy ; Bushnell R., a practicing physician of Greenwich ; Rhena H., de-
ceased ; Glide A., a student at the Ohio State University ; and D. Chauncey, still
in school and living at home.
Dr. Reynolds belongs to several fraternal organizations, and others that are
connected with his profession. He is a member of Greenwich Lodge, F. & A.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 253
M. ; a charter member of the O. K. Lodge, Knights of Pythias ; Greenwich Lodge,
No. 640, I. O. O. F. ; and with his wife belongs to the Eastern Star and the
Daughters of Rebekah. In all of these societies he takes an active interest, and
has frequently represented the different lodges at the grand meetings of organi-
zations. He belongs to the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association ; is president of
the special board of pension examiners located at Chicago Junction. He is very
active also on the county pension board, which aims to take care of the needy blind.
In the councils of the republican party, he has played some part, having been a
member of the republican county central committee and frequently a delegate to
district county and state conventions. In matters of religion, he and his wife
give their support to the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose work they are both
sincerely interested. In short, Dr. Reynolds is a man of great public spirit, who
favors public improvements, such as contribute to the credit and material prog-
ress and comfort of the community, and has not been averse to doing his share to-
ward bringing these things to pass.
Bushnell Ray Reynolds, the son of Dr. Robert H. Reynolds, was born De-
cember 1, 1875, in Greenwich village. He was graduated from the Greenwich
high school in 1894 and from there went to the Ohio Wesleyan University in
Delaware, remaining there two years. He then went to the Eclectic Medical In-
stitute of Cincinnati and was graduated from that institution with the class of
1899, entering the same year upon the practice of his profession in Greenwich.
In the ten years that he has ministered to the physical wants of the people here,
he has attained for himself a notable success and a high reputation; for not only
is he endowed with the qualities of an able practitioner, but he also makes every
effort to keep abreast of the advances made in his profession. He is a constant
student by predilection, and in the winter of 1907-8, took a postgraduate course in
the school from which he received training. Like his father, he is a republican and
interested in public matters, though he has never sought an office at the disposal
of the people.
On the 28th of October, 1900, Dr. B. R. Reynolds married Miss Elleva F.
Stewart, a daughter of Francis W. and Phoebe (Mann) Stewart, of Fairfield
township. Her father was of Scotch descent, her grandfather, Daniel Stewart,
having come from Scotland with his parents at the age of eight years. The lat-
ter became famous as a lake captain and followed the lakes for a long period of
years. He was a man of singularly powerful frame and robust constitution and
was ninety-six years of age when he died, on the 6th of March, 1908. Francis W.
Stewart was a farmer of Huron county and was well and widely known. He
died December 29, 1898, and his wife two years later, dying on the 14th of Octo-
ber, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had two daughters : Julia R., the wife of J. W.
Muckley, a traveling salesman, who resides in the state of Washington ; and El-
leva F., the wife of Dr. Reynolds. Mrs. Reynolds was for years one of the popu-
lar teachers of the Greenwich schools and still retains her interest in the subject
of public education. She has the distinction of having received her county cer-
tificate at the age of fifteen and of having entered upon her vocation before she
became sixteen. She is a woman of refinement and intellectual attainments, and
under her leadership the Reynolds home has become a factor in the social and lit-
erary life of the village.
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254 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Dr. Bushnell R. Reynolds, like his father, belongs to several organizations
He is a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, and the Green-
wich Lodge, No. 640, I. O. O. F., and the O. K. Lodge, K. P., of Greenwich
include him in their membership roll. He also belongs to the Uniform Rank of
Knights of Pythias, of Shelby, Ohio and with his wife is a member of the Daugh-
ters of Rebekah. Another means of recreation in which Dr. Reynolds indulges,
are fine horses and a day's hunting or fishing. He is a man of progressive spirit,
deeply interested in the welfare of the community in which he lives, and is one
who views matters from an optimistic standpoint, and the good will of the people
toward him promises well for his future success.
CHARLES W. MANAHAN.
Few attain the ripe old age of Charles W. Manahan, who has now passed the
ninety-sixth milestone on the journey of life. His former years of industry and
activity have supplied him with a handsome competence, so that now in the even-
ing of life, he can enjoy all the comforts to be obtained, while at the same time
he commands the full respect and veneration of one of his years. Born in the
Empire state, May 16, 1813, his parents were Thomas and Violetta (Silcox)
Manahan, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of New York.
Charles W. Manahan, when but twenty years of age, came to Ohio in the
spring of 1833, this being then a frontier district. He addressed himself to the
tasks which western life presented and with steadiness and courage met the prob-
lems which confronted him. He first engaged in carpentering, but after a short
time gave his attention to the manufacture of wagons and carriages on his own ac-
count, when all such labor was then performed by hand. After about three
years thus engaged, he sold out, taking wagons as payment, and these he traded
for horses, which he took to his native county, Cayuga county, New York, where
he disposed of them for cash. He then returned to the Buckeye state and dis-
charged his indebtedness on farm land which he had contracted for and also made
additional purchases, buying in all one hundred acres. While serving his appren-
ticeship at Auburn, New York, he assisted in making the first threshing ma-
chine ever made in the United States, and later he and his brother constructed
three machines in Norwalk, two of which they sold, but abandoned the work on
account of the labor required in its perfection.
It was in 1849, that Mr. Manahan established a home of his own by his marriage
to Miss Delana Wheeler, who was born in Massachusetts. Bringing his bride
to Huron county, they began their domestic life in true pioneer style in a log
shanty on his father's farm, his own newly acquired farm having as yet no build-
ings thereon. His wife, though born of wealthy parents and leaving a comfor-
table home in the east, proved herself a worthy helpmate to her husband and at
once submitted to the privations necessary to assist him in establishing a good
home on the frontier. Having previously worked for a year and a half at the
carpenter's trade, he found this knowledge of the trade of material value in build-
ing his own home, performing all the work from digging the cellar to plaster-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 25?
ing and painting the house. After about three years, he disposed of his one hun-
dred acre tract and purchased an improved farm. For three years, he there en-
gaged in general agricultural pursuits and then, believing money could be made
in the sheep industry, he began buying of his neighbors, selecting only the largest
and best grades of animals, and in the fall of 1849, he had a flock of two hundred
head, which he fed during the winter. In the following spring — 1850 — he shipped
his sheep to New York city, where he disposed of them for eight hundred dollars
and with this capital, he purchased a stock of goods and opened a general store
in Olena. For twelve years, he was thus engaged, building up an extensive busi-
ness in Olena and the surrounding country. He took in payment for his merchan-
dise, butter, eggs, wool and various commodities, which he shipped to the city
markets, where he secured cash for them. In the meantime he bought wool for
a Boston manufacturer, his annual purchases amounting to between forty and
fifty thousand pounds. He also built an ashery on his farm. He secured a team
and a man, who visited the farmers and bought their ashes, trading for the same
goods from the store. Mr. Manahan then converted the ashes into potash, which
he shipped to the New York market. He also bought colts for from thirty to
thirty-five dollars each and, putting them on his farm, kept them until they were
about three years old, when he would sell them at a good profit and use the
money to buy more land. In this way, he accumulated two hundred and thirty-
three acres in one body, which cost him at an average of twenty dollars per acre
and which he disposed of in 1865 at fifty dollars per acre. It was by these various
methods that Mr. Manahan gained a good start in life and his success continued
throughout his active connection with business interests.
It was while busily engaged with his mercantile enterprise that Mr. Mana-
han was appointed by the government as inspector of horses, with which to equip
the First Ohio Cavalry, their headquarters being at Monroeville. During his
four year's service, he bought and shipped more than one thousand head. At
the expiration of that period, he turned his attention to buying and improving
city property. His first purchase consisted of ten acres on West Main street in
Norwalk, for which he paid two thousand dollars, while he spent an additional
five hundred dollars in improving the same. He eventually disposed of a por-
tion of this — the portion which had a frontage on Main street — for seven thous-
and, five hundred dollars. Two years later, he sold one lot to Mr. Jackson, of
Norwalk. In the meantime, Mr. Manahan took teams and went into the woods,
digging up maple trees, which he transplanted in the streets of Norwalk, this being
now one of the most beautiful residence district of the city. He also planted ever-
green trees and other shrubbery on a lot, which he contemplated making a build-
ing spot for his own home, but later abandoned the idea and disposed of the lot to
W. W. Graham, which is his present place of abode.
Eventually Mr. Manahan again engaged in business in Norwalk, becoming
a member of the firm which conducted business under the name of Parker, Mana-
han & Talier. His time was thus occupied for twelve years, when being then a
man of seventy, Mr. Manahan decided to dispose of his interests and retire to
private life. However, he could not content himself in idleness and purchased a
tract of land in Norwalk, opened up a street, now known as Manahan avenue,
and here he built eight houses and beautified the street by planting trees on each
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256 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
side of the highway, which he himself had dug in the woods. He further im-
proved his property by putting in gas and water, independent of the city sys-
tem. He still owns this residence property, deriving therefrom a good rental.
He likewise carries four thousand dollars in stock in the Chase piano factory, hav-
ing been a director in the A. B. Chase Company for thirty-five years.
Although he is now more than ninety-six years of age, he is still hale and
hearty and manages his own business affairs, takes care of his garden, attends to
all repairs made in his houses, and makes frequent trips on foot to the cemetery,
a mile and a quarter distant, where his wife and two sons lie buried. In his family
were three children, but Charles W., Jr., and William Kendall are both deceased.
His daughter, Mrs. David W. Peckham, is now a widow and resides with him.
A republican in politics, he still takes a deep interest in public affairs, and from
1862 until 1866, he served as treasurer of Huron county. His religious faith is
indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. He is also a member
of the Firelands Historic Society.
Mr. Manahan arrived in Huron county during its pioneer epoch and when he
located here in 1833, he purchased fifty acres of land within six miles of where the
enterprising and progressive city of Norwalk now stands for three dollars per
acre, while his father, Thomas Manahan, bought two hundred acres in the same
district at the same figure. Although he could not see in advance the full im-
portance of the work which he was accomplishing, the result is today seen in the
various sections of Norwalk which have been improved and beautified by his own
hand, while the income which he now derives from his invested interests, supplies
him with every needed comfort. Although he is now necessarily on the declining
side of life, he bears his years well and no man in Norwalk and Huron county is
held in higher esteem and regard than is Charles W. Manahan.
EDWARD DENMAN.
There is within the borders of Huron county hardly a man who has re-
mained here as long as Mr. Denman, who for eighty-nine years has resided in
this portion of the state. He has lived to see the pioneer log cabins replaced by
commodious and substantial homes, the forests converted into rich fields, the
wild animals supplanted by high grades of live stock, while churches, schools,
libraries and other evidences of intellectual and moral culture are found on every
hand.
Edward Denman was born September 4, 1820, in Huron county, his parents
being John and Miranda (Blackman) Denman. The father, a native of Eng-
land, was born in the county of Kent, March 25, 1791, and when six years of
age came to America with his parents, the family home being established in Sul-
livan county, New York. He came to Ohio in 1816 as a young man with noth-
ing but his ax as his capital. He possessed firm and determined purpose, how-
ever,—qualities which enabled him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles of
business life — and he met with undaunted courage the hardships and privations
that come to those who locate on the frontier. The Blackman family had been
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EDWARD DENMAN
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 259
established in Ohio four years before. Traveling westward by wagon, they had
settled in the midst of the green forest, where they had to clear a spot large
enough on which to build a cabin. Thus they began life in the west, facing
all the difficulties and dangers of pioneer life. John Denman used his ax to
good advantage, cutting away the forest trees and working for different pioneers
in the locality until he gradually accumulated enough money to enable him to
enter a claim from the government. After a few years he married Miranda
Blackman, who was a native of Niagara county, New York. They became the
parents of nine sons and five daughters, Edward, William, John, Henry, Charles,
Roxanna, Ann, Laura, Miranda, Mary P., Amos, Ambrose B. C, Martin and
Leverett B. Of these seven are yet living, Edward, Henry, Martin, Leverett
B., Amos, Laura and Mary. Edward is the only one who has retained his res-
idence in this state. The father prospered in his undertaking as the years
passed by and became a large landowner, his farms comprising about seven
hundred acres. He was very active in the development of the county, contrib-
uting in substantial measure to its growth and improvement and he was, more-
over, a positive and leading spirit in matters pertaining to the public welfare.
To his family he gave the best advantages that frontier life afforded and made
liberal provision for his children. He was also a charitable man along the lines
of practical giving to the worthy poor. He died at his home in Florence, Erie
county, Ohio, March 23, 1878, and his wife passed away March 24, 1887, the
remains of both being interred in the Birmingham cemetery.
Edward Denman, whose name introduces this record, remained with his
father upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age, and profited by such
educational advantages as were at that time afforded in the neighborhood. The
district school convened in a little log building for a few weeks each year and
during that period Mr. Denman was instructed in the common branches of learn-
ing. At the age of thirteen years he was capable of driving a two yoke ox-team
in the logging camp and as his capacity for farm work increased it lessened his
opportunity of attending school, his last term being when he was seventeen
years of age.
At the age of twenty-two he left the old home farm and began earning his
living in the employ of others at thirty-seven and a half cents per day, or ten
dollars per month. At the en<i of two years he determined to engaged in busi-
ness for himself and rented a farm from his father on a cash basis. That year
he harvested an immense hay crop, all cut in stumpy meadows with sickles and
scythes, but he found that there was no market for the hay after he had had it
stacked. He consequently bought several hundred sheep on credit — for he had
little capital — that he might feed to them this hay through the winter, and by
diligence, perseverance and hard work he met success in this undertaking and
prospered from the start. The idea of paying rent, however, annoyed him and
he determined to purchase a farm. Carrying out this resolution, he bought one
hundred acres of timber land and contracted with some young men to clear
thirty acres of this to be ready for fall wheat sowing. This was accomplished
and from the thirty acres he threshed over six hundred bushels of wheat the
following summer. The product was sold at a good price and with his wool
clips and his increase in flocks he began to see success ahead. The second year
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260 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
another thirty acres was cleared and put under cultivation and very soon more
land was purchased and his acres broadened and his wealth increased. Those
were the days in which ox-teams were exclusively used and part of a teamster's
equipment was always an ax with which to cut away obstructions that might
block the rude roads through the forests. Many discouragements beset the way
of the early settler but Mr. Denman possessed a courageous spirit and firm pur-
pose and, undaunted by the hardships and obstacles which he met, he persevered
on his way until success attended his labors.
When he had secured a farm of his own he felt that he was justified in tak-
ing another important step in life and was married on the 13th of October, 1847,
to Miss Jane Archer, a daughter of Joseph and Adeline (Kelley) Archer, both
of whom were natives of New York city. In 1837 they arrived in Florence,
in what was then Huron county, where the father engaged in farming, but he
only lived a short time after coming to Ohio. His wife lived to the age of
eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Denman became the parents of six children : Joseph
A., Adeline, John E., Jennie A., Annabelle and Louise, all living with the excep-
tion of the last named. The mother, who was devoted to the welfare of her
household and possessed many excellent traits of heart and mind, passed away
June 15, 1895.
The farm which Mr. Denman originally purchased was located on what is
known as Butler road in Wakeman township. It was to that place that he
brought his bride and they began housekeeping in a log cabin which he had
already prepared. The dwelling, however, was rather pretentious for those
times, with its plastered walls, good board floors, brick chimneys and a second
story which was divided into bedrooms. The young couple started out happily
and as the years passed Mr. Denman labored earnestly and perseveringly, add-
ing to his acres from time to time. He engaged successfully in general farm-
ing and took up sheepraising on an extensive scale, at times having a clip of
wool that brought him as high as eighteen hundred dollars. His sheep were of
the Delaine variety and of pure breed, some of his animals selling for high
prices. He also bred and raised fine thoroughbred horses, which sold for a high
figure, and was likewise a successful fruit grower, his orchards producing fine
specimens of fruit that brought top prices on the market. On his farm the work
of improvement was steadily carried on until it was all under a high state of
cultivation and was probably the best improved property in the locality, his
fields being most extensive and equal, if not superior, to all others in the quality
of crops raised. In the fall of 1903 advancing age decided Mr. Denman to
leave the farm and remove to a desirable location near the village of Wakeman,
where he has erected a comfortable modern home and all conveniences and there
he and his daughter Jennie reside, enjoying the comforts which a well spent and
prosperous business life provides them.
While always a busy man, Mr. Denman has yet found time to participate in
public matters and though not an office seeker, he has been interested in the elec-
tion of good men — those who will serve efficiently and well the interests of the
community at large. In national and state politics he supports the republican
party but at local elections he has voted for the men whom he regards best qual-
ified for the office, without considering their party affiliations. He and his
family have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 261
and his entire life has been upright and honorable, in consistent harmony with
his profession. He is a man of humane spirit, charitable, kindly and reliable,
his many sterling traits of character winning for him the trust and honor of his
fellowmen and enabling him also to wield a wide and beneficial influence in the
community. Few men now living have a clear conception of what this county
was seventy-five years ago nor of the self-denial, industry and undaunted dili-
gence which was required to bring it to his present high standard of excellence
and progressive development. Mr. Denman, however, has been familiar with
the history of the county for eighty-nine years and relates in an interesting man-
ner many of the incidents which shaped its history during its formative period.
GREGORY JENNINGS.
On the roll of Huron county's honored dead appears the name of Gregory
Jennings, a man who in his life displayed many sterling traits of character and
won many warm friendships. He was among the worthy citizens that New Eng-
land furnished to Ohio, his birth having occurred* in Fairfield county, Connecti-
cut, in 1832. His parents were Walter and Rhoda Jennings, who had a family of
five children, namely: Gregory, Mary, Sarah, Ezra and Nelson. In 1835, when
their son Gregory was a little lad of three years, they left their New England
home and in the primitive methods of travel at that period made their way to
Huron county, Ohio. Comparatively few settlements had been made within the
borders of the county at that time and where are now seen richly cultivated fields
at that time uncut forest stood, furnishing shelter for wild game and various kinds
of wild animals. There were also seen evidences of Indian occupancy here al-
though the red men had gone to hunting grounds farther west. With the work
of development and improvement the Jennings family became closely associated as
the years went by and Gregory Jennings, who was reared amid the wild scenes
and environments of the frontier, shared with the family in all the hardships of
pioneer life and also aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm.
It was in the year 1860, that Gregory Jennings was united in marriage to Miss
Amanda E. Keeler, who was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, in 1839, her
parents being Burr and Mary (Nash) Keeler. Her grandfather was Jonah Keeler
and her great-grandfather, Matthew Keeler. Jonah Keeler was united in mar-
riage to Rebecca Raymond and their children were: Burr, George, Raymond,
Smith, Rufus, William, Charles, Zalmon and David. Of this family, Burr Keeler,
the father of Mrs. Jennings, spent his youthful days in the Charter Oak state
and having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Mary Nash, a daughter of
George and Esther Nash and a sister of Henry and Maria Nash. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Burr Keeler were born nine children : Rebecca, Amanda, Mary, Burr, George,
Sylvester, Harriett, Louise and Julia. The Keeler family remained in Connecticut
until 1857, when they came to Ohio and were associated with the early develop-
ment of the county.
Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jennings took up their abode upon the
farm in Huron county and throughout his remaining days, Mr. Jennings diligently
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262 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
tilled the soil in the production of crops which proved a generous reward for his
labor. In all of his business dealings, he was reliable as well as enterprising and
thus made for himself an untarnished name. His political allegiance was given
to the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Congregational
church. He was ever loyal in the cause which he espoused and in community af-
fairs manifested a public-spirited citizenship that made his cooperation much
sought. He passed away in 1893, leaving to his family the priceless heritage
of an untarnished name as well as a valuable farming property. Mrs. Jennings
is also a member of the Congregational church and her life has been guided by
its teachings. She is well known in Fairfield township and the hospitality of its
best homes is freely accorded her.
MRS. REBECCA PARK.
Mrs. Rebecca Park, well known in Huron county, is the owner of a valuable
farm property of two hundred and eighty-nine acres in Bronson township. She
is the widow of Robert Park and was born in County Donegal, Ireland, near Lon-
donderry, on the nth of April, 1838. She has, therefore, passed the seventy-first
milestone on life's journey. Her parents were James and Martha (Calhoun) Park,
both of whom were natives of Ireland and came to this country in 1847, settling
at Savannah, Ashland county, where James Park followed the occupation of
farming. The Parks were reared in Protestant Ireland and James Park was the
son of Joseph and Rebecca (Torrence) Park, while his wife, Mrs. Martha Park,
was a daughter of William and Ellen Calhoun.
Mrs. Rebecca Park spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and was
trained to the work of the household so that she was capable of managing a home
of her own at the time of her marriage, on the 2d of March, 1859, to Robert
Park, who died March 27, 1896. He was born November 26, 1829, and was a
son of Joseph and Sarah (McAddo) Park, who were also natives of Ireland and
on coming to the new world in 1847, located in Bronson township, Huron county,
Ohio. Joseph Park was a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Torrence) Park. Two
children were born unto Robert and Rebecca Park. Carrie, whose birth occurred
in i860, is the wife of William Hall and resides in Huntington, West Virginia.
They have two children: Percy and Park. Milton Park, born in 1863, is now a
practicing physician located in Cleveland. He married Mrs. Catherine (Smead)
Henry.
From the time of his marriage until his death, Robert Park followed the occu-
pation of farming and to the work of the fields devoted his energies with good suc-
cess. He held membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder
for many years. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but
though he never sought nor desired office, he was always loyal to the best interests
of the community in which he lived and was a public spirited and valued citi-
zen. His life in all of its relations was honorable and upright and his example
may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. Mrs.
Park is also a member of the Presbyterian church and a most earnest and con-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 263
sistent Christian woman. She has now lived on her present farm for twenty-
three years and the place contains two hundred and eighty-nine acres of rich
and valuable land which has been brought under a high state of cultivation and dis-
plays all of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth
century.
CHARLES ZEHNER.
Charles Zehner, as vice-president and treasurer of the Zehner Brothers Pack-
ing Company of Bellevue and Toledo, is manifesting in his business career the
keen discernment and undaunted enterprise which result in the successful solu-
tion of intricate and involved business problems. In his present connection, he is
promoting one of the leading productive industries of his part of the state and the
policy which he follows is one which makes his example worthy of emulation.
One of the native sons of Bellevue, he was born August 26, 1859, of the mar-
riage of Adam and Louisa (Heusner) Zehner, who were among the early settlers
of this city. As the name indicates the family is of German origin. The father,
who was born in Germany in 1814, there spent the first thirty years of his life and
in 1844 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling first at Sandusky, where
he conducted a tannery for about a year. At the end of that time, his plant was
destroyed by fire and he removed to Bellevue, where he purchased the building in
which his son Charles Zehner now carries on business. There he established a
tannery, which he conducted until about 1872, when he retired from active busi-
ness life to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His
death occurred in 1888 and his wife died December 20, 1879. Unto him and his
wife were born the following children : Christian, the eldest, died in 1882 at the age
of thirty-two years. John, president of the Zehner Brothers Packing Company
and living in Toledo, Ohio, was formerly one of the directors of the First National
Bank of Bellevue and also served as a member of the town council while living
here. He married Matilda Hepp and unto them have been born seven children :
Adam, Theodore, deceased ; Huldah, Ernest, Albert and Edna and Edgar, twins ;
Charles is the next member of the family. The other two died in infancy.
Charles Zehner has always made his home in Bellevue and at the usual age,
entered the public schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning that
qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He made his initial step
in the business world as an employe in his brother's meat market, being thus en-
gaged from 1879 unt^ 1881. In ^e latter year, he was admitted to a partnership
and they continued as retail merchants until 1890, when they began the packing
business. They had established the new enterprise on a paying basis when, in
*893, their plant was destroyed by fire. Not discouraged with this catastrophe,
they at once rebuilt and in 1894, organized a stock company with about twenty
stockholders, the business being capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. The
original officers were: John Zehner, president; Charles Zehner, vice-president
and treasurer ; and I. R. Felker, secretary ; with J. H. Weber, Willis Vickery and
Max Endle, as directors. The present officials are; John Zehner, president;
Charles Zehner, vice-president and treasurer; L. P. Oehm, secretary; and I. N.
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264 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Humphrey, assistant secretary and treasurer. These gentlemen are all members
of the board of directors together with J. P. Ruffing, Martin Gross, J. W. Closs,
I. A. Biehl, George Slessman, J. H. Becker, B. A. Becker, Julius Waldo, W. J.
Kinker, Robert Villwalk, William Steiflol and Joseph Kest. The firm has had to
increase its capitalization from time to time to take care of its rapidly growing
business until now it is capitalized at seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
From the beginning the business has proven a profitable venture for it was carefully
organized and the work has been thoroughly systematized and the company gives
to the purchasing public a just equivalent for money invested. The constantly
extending reputation of the house has brought to them a growing trade and ren-
ders this one of the important productive industries of Bellevue. Mr. Zehner
also figures in business circles of Bellevue as one of the directors of the First
National Bank. He purchased his brother John's shares in the institution and has
since had voice in the managemnt of this sound financial concern.
Mr. Zehner was married on the 28th of March, 1883, to Miss Flora Keller,
a daughter of August and Ernestine (Wise) Keller, of Bellevue. They have two
children: Carl C. and Louisa A. The former married Jennie Gazley and resides
on the old family homestead. He is now associated with his father in business.
The daughter is the wife of Walter Raish and also resides in Bellevue.
Charles Zehner and his sons are members of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks and since February 10, 1882, he has been connected with the Royal
Arcanum. He is likewise a member of the German Aid Society, has been chairman
of the finance committee of that organization for fifteen years and is in hearty
sympathy with its purposes and its work. He also belongs to the Fraternal Order
of Eagles and to the Lutheran church. His many substantial qualities have won
him the favorable regard of those with whom business and social relations have
brought him in contact. Having always resided in Bellevue, he is well known here,
and his record is as an open book which all may read. The principles of sterling
manhood are numbered among his chief characteristics, and his life history proves
that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN BAUER.
One of the successful agriculturists of New Haven township, Huron county,
is John Bauer, who owns the one hundred acres of fine land on which he
lives. He was born in Germany, September 27, 1858, and is the son of Henry
and Margaret Bauer, who never left their native land, which was also the place
of their death. Of their five children, however three came to this country and
settled in Ohio. They are William, a resident of Milan, Ohio; Anthony, who
lives in Ashland county, Ohio ; and John, of this review. Catherine is deceased "
and one died in infancy.
John Bauer was twenty-eight years of age when he came to the United States.
He had received his education in the land of his birth and there had learned
the trade of a furniture maker. When in 1887 he came to this country he
made his way almost directly to Ohio, locating first at Norwalk, where he ob-
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN BAUER
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 267
tained employment on the railroad. After a year he took up farming, working
for the different landholders of the neighborhood. He was a hard worker and
an excellent manager, so that in a couple of years he had saved seventy-five
dollars, which was sufficient, with his wife's help to buy forty acres of land in
Ashland county. There he made his home for about eight years, reaping large
harvests from his fields and practicing that sturdy economy that has been one
reason for his prosperity. On selling the farm in Ashland county, he moved to
New Haven township, Huron county, where in 1903, he purchased his present
tract of land from William Childs. In the years it has been his home he has
made a number of improvements, greatly increasing its value. The land is
best adapted to general agricultural and yields generous returns for the hard
work Mr. Bauer puts upon it.
On the 4th of February, 1890, Mr. Bauer married Miss Augusta Kimball,
who is a daughter of Philip and Caroline Kimball of New Haven township, and
came here with her parents in February, 1886. Two sons have blessed Mr. and
Mrs. Bauer's union: Carl, born January 11, 1891 ; and William, born Novem-
ber 30, 1892. Both live at home and assist their father on the farm. Mr. and
Mrs. Bauer are adherents of the Lutheran faith and attend the services of the
church of that denomination at Chicago, Ohio, taking an active part in its work,
social as well as religious. Though foreign born, Mr. Bauer has participated
in the life of the township, and, being recognized as a good citizen and able man,
was elected to the office of road supervisor. Lack of familiarity with the Eng-
lish language, however, prevented his serving in this capacity, but he has the
satisfaction of having received a palpable proof of the attitude of his neighbors
toward him.
SEBASTIAN B. LIEDORFF.
No resident of Huron county is more deserving of the proud American title
of a self-made man than is Sebastian B. Liedorff, who from the age of twelve years
has been dependent entirely upon his own resources and through industry, energy
and perseverance, has gained a foremost place among the substantial farmers of
this county. He is, moreover, entitled to special mention in this volume from
the fact that throughout the pericd of the Civil war, he served his country valiantly
and bravely, the story of his military record reading like a romance, with its thrill-
ing adventures and deeds of heroism.
As the name indicates, Mr. Liedorff is of German origin, his birth having oc-
curred in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, on the 6th of October, 1840. He is a son of
Henry and Elizabeth Liedorff, also natives of the fatherland, where the mother's
death occurred in the early 40s. In 1847, the father brought his family, which
consisted of two sons and four daughters, our subject being the third in order of
birth to America, settling first in Sandusky, Ohio. The father had followed the oc-
cupation of a potter in his native country, but upon his arrival in the United States,
he was variously employed at any honest labor which he found to do. He was a
sturdy and honest German, whose force of character and excellent traits of man-
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268 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
hood won for him the respect and esteem of his fellowmen and made him a valued
citizen in any community. He passed away at his home in Erie county at the vener-
able age of eighty-four years.
Sebastian B. Liedorff was a little lad of seven years when he came with his
father to America and he resided under the parental roof until twelve years old, at
which early age, he left home to make his own way in the world and since that
time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He commenced his
business career in the employ of N. C. Dildine, of Huron township, Erie county,
a broom manufacturer, and in his home, Mr. Liedorff learned the broom-making
trade. In return for his labor, he received six dollars per month and the oppor-
tunity of attending school during the winter seasons, while he performed various
tasks about the place in payment of his board. He resided with Mr. Dildine's
family for three years, each year his wages being increased a dollar per month.
When fifteen years of age, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
hiring as a farmhand to Thomas Hughes, a farmer of Huron township, Erie
county, who paid him ten dollars per month. In the meantime, he had gained an
excellent reputation throughout the community for he was energetic, industrious,
willing and eager to do whatever was assigned him, while he was at all times
actuated by a desire to succeed in the business world, and these characteristics
made his services in constant demand. In the spring of 1861, he accepted a
position with Mrs. Elizabeth Dale, a widow of Huron township, Erie county, as
superintendent of her farm, receiving for his services thirteen dollars per month.
The fact that he was called to responsible positions when not yet twenty years of
age, is an indication that he not only proved capable and efficient in his work, but
also perfectly reliable and trustworthy, enjoying the confidence of his em-
ployers.
In 1861, when the Civil war broke out Mr. Liedorff sought to enlist at the first
call for troops, but was dissuaded, much against his will. When the second call
came, however, he laid aside all personal and business considerations and on Sep-
tember 4, 1861, enlisted as a member of Company A, Third Regiment, Ohio Vol-
unteer Cavalry, serving until his term of enlistment expired. He then re-enlisted
in the same company and regiment, serving until August 4, 1865, or until the close
of hostilities. He entered the service as a private soldier, but his bravery and
loyalty to duty won him promotion and he was mustered out with the rank of first
duty sergeant. His regiment became a part of the Army of the Cumberland and en-
gaged in all of the battles of that campaign. Mr. Liedorff participated in every
battle where his regiment fought with the exception of the engagement at Perry-
ville, when he was ill in the hospital at Nashville, having contracted typhoid fever.
He won an excellent record for bravery and heroism and participated in many
thrilling adventures. He was taken prisoner three different times, the first occa-
sion being at the battle of Winchester, Tennessee, in August, 1863. He escaped
however, and returned safely to his regiment. He was again taken prisoner at
Pulaski, Tennessee, in September, 1863, and after about ten hours, together with
some comrades, he again made his escape. His third capture occurred just after
the battle of Stone River, while making a cavalry charge. He was wounded in
the face and knocked from his horse, and then was taken prisoner by the enemy
but was fortunate in again effecting an escape.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 269
When his country no longer needed his services, Mr. Liedorff returned to
Huron township, Erie county, on the 6th of August, 1865, and two days later again
entered the employ of Mrs. Dale at a salary of one dollar per day. He was thus
engaged for about a year, at the expiration of which period, he was employed by
various people for about two years. Being desirous, however, that his efforts
should more directly benefit himself, in 1867, he entered business on his own ac-
count as a manufacturer of brooms at West Huron and was thus actively iden-
tified with the industrial interests of that place for three years, or until his mar-
riage, when, in connection with his broom-making, he also engaged in farming
in West Huron. He continued to make that his place of residence for eleven
years, and then, in 1883, he purchased a farm in Hartland township, Huron county,
where he has since continued to reside. The farm consists of ninety-five acres of
finely improved land, which is all under an excellent state of cultivation, to the
operation of which Mr. Liedorff is directing his entire time and attention.
Throughout his connection with agricultural interests, he has been very success-
ful and now enjoys an abundance of this world's gciods. He has accumulated a
handsome competency, but every dollar he has earned at the cost of indefatigable
energy, frugality and economy. A man of unusual business ability, he has com-
bined the sturdy qualities of the Teutonic race with the progressive and enter-
prising traits of the American, with the result that he is today recognized as one
of the foremost farmers and business men of his section of the county. In the
midst of his farm, he has erected a fine residence, which is one of the best in the
county.
It was on the 14th of February, 1872 that Mr. Liedorff was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary A. Coles, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah Coles, residents
of Sandusky, Ohio. Unto this union, have been born five children, namely : George
S., a farmer of Hartland township; Henry J., following farming in the same
township ; Burt L, a thresher of Hartland township ; Gus W., who is married and
operates the home farm ; and Lillie, who passed away in infancy. There are also
four grandsons and three granddaughters in the family. The sons are all pros^
perous farmers and are men highly esteemed throughout the community.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Liedorff has been
republican in politics, giving stanch allegiance to that party which was the sup-
port of the nation in her darkest hour, and in his citizenship, he has ever been as
loyal to her interests as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. He
cast his first vote for John Brough for governor of Ohio in 1863, when in line of
battle, and his first presidential ballot was cast in favor of Abraham Lincoln in
1864 while a member of the Army of the Cumberland, stationed at Chattanooga,
Tennessee. Since his first vote, he has supported every candidate for president
and also for governor of Ohio on the republican ticket and although he has been
deeply interested in the progress of the party, he has never been a politician in
the sense of office seeking. He is a member of Townsend Post, No. 414, G. A. R.,
and has ever been active in the affairs of that body, having frequently served
as delegate to various state and national encampments. With his old army com-
rades, he delights in recalling the experiences and adventures which occurred dur-
ing the Civil war, and he also has many interesting experiences to relate concern-
ing his boyhood days. He often tells of how, before he left home, his first em-
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270 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ployer paid him six cents a day for his labor, which consisted of dropping corn
in the corn planting season, and in addition, he received his dinners and suppers.
His has been a remarkable career, the salient characteristics of which have been in-
domitable energy, unfaltering perseverance and strict integrity, and he stands
today as a splendid example of the power and force of earnest effort, intelligently
applied labor and honorable manhood. He has now reached the sixty-ninth mile-
stone on life's journey, and he can look back over his past without regret and
forward into the future without fear.
ALMON B. WOOD.
Almon B. Wood, a farmer of Greenfield township, Huron county, owns eighty-
four acres of land on which he lives and two hundred and ten acres in another farm
in the same township. He was born in this township, September 29, 1845, an(l IS
the son of Lewis and Martha (Owen) Wood. The father was a son of Jonah
Wood, a farmer of New York state, who had served in the American Revolu-
tion. He was born in New York December 25th, 1800, and came to Ohio about
the year 1833, tne days of the pioneers, bringing his wife and four young children
with him. The little party made the journey to Huron, Ohio, by boat, and then
with a team of horses crossed the country to Greenfield township. What few
household effects they had were brought with them to this new land, where they
were much needed though they had greatly impeded their progress through the
wilderness. Arriving in Greenfield township, Mr. Wood purchased the two hun-
dred and ten acres of land which his son now owns from Jeremiah Cole, paying
ten dollars per acre, but as Mr. Wood did not have the full amount and labor
would be accepted as part payment, he agreed to thresh four hundred bushels of
wheat for Mr. Cole. This was not done in the simple manner of today, but by
driving three-year-old colts back and forth over it, thus stamping out the grain
from the husks. Having purchased his land, Mr. Wood began building a log
house and barn, which were to be their buildings until better ones could be pro-
vided, and it was not until 1838, that the frame house was completed which re-
mained his home until his death. He also bought the smaller farm on which his
son now lives from a Mr. Patterson. On the 1st of June, 1823, Mr. Wood mar-
ried Miss Martha Owen, a native of New York state, who was born April 24,
1802, and lived to see eighty-five years of activity pass over her head, her death
occurring January 21, 1887, a little less than a year after the demise of her help-
meet. In their family were nine children : Jane, deceased, who was born Novem-
ber 24, 1823, and became the wife of Hiram Tooker; Samantha and Luantha,
twins, who were born January 11, 1825, while the former passed away July 23,
1892, and the latter became the wife of Ransom Mather, who died April 18, 1855 ;
Halsy, who was born November 30, 1828, and died May 14, 1831 ; Mary, born
May 23, 1832. who became the wife of George Dean, and died February 10, 1859;
Jeremiah C, deceased, born January 10, 1834 ; Hannah S., who was born January
18, 1838, married Joseph Randall, and died September 2, 1907; Halsy, who was
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 271
born November 18, 1840, and died October 12, 1843; ^d Almon B., of this
review.
Almon B. Wood has spent all his life in Greenfield township, having been
reared on the farm and receiving his early education of the district schools, while
for one winter he attended Oberlin College. In 1865, at a call for troops he en-
listed in Company D of the One Hundred and Ninety-first Regiment of the Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. The company was mustered in at Sandusky and sent to
Camp Chase, Columbus, where Mr. Wood contracted the measles. Thus the time
he might have spent in active service was of necessity passed in the hospi-
tal, and when he had sufficiently recovered to be returned home he was mustered
out of the army. After this brief experience, he took up farming and identified
himself with the affairs of the township, becoming in the subsequent years not
only very prosperous, but also well known and highly respected by all with whom
he has come in contact. He is commonly called "Bud Wood" and the familiarity
of this cognomen bears evidence to the good will of his neighbors.
On the 6th of October, 1887, Mr. Wood married Miss Frances B. Graham,
a daughter of Alexander and Mary (McCammon) Graham, of Greenfield town-
ship. Mr. Graham was born in Ireland in 1810 and at the age of eighteen came to
this country with his parents. They settled in% Huron county which remained Mr.
Graham's home until his death. His wife, whom he married October 25, 1832,
was born in Pennsylvania, April 22, 1813, and lived until February 11, 1899, hav-
ing reared the following children : Alex, who passed away June 2, 1887 ; John, de-
ceased; Samuel, deceased; Eliza; Martha; Mollie; Robinson; Jennie; George;
William ; Frances B. ; Ida ; and Charles. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been born
five children: Glenn A., born June 12, 1890; Hazel B., born October 5, 1891 ; Ber-
nice M., born September 14, 1893 5 Martha G., born June 9, 1895 ; and one who
died in infancy. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Congregational church of Steu-
ben, Ohio, and is active in its work.
Mr. Wood affiliates politically with the democratic party and served as con-
stable for one term. He is a man of education and of wide interests, blessed with
the capacity of making and retaining a large number of friends. Those who
know him are unanimous in their admiration of him and do not begrudge him the
success which has made possible his retirement from the active pursuit of farming.
CHARLES E. PARMELEE.
Charles E. Parmelee, a well known and successful farmer and dairyman
of Ridgefield township, where he owns an excellent farm of eighty-six acres, was
born at Kent, Portage county, Ohio, on the 4th of April, 1850, his parents being
John F. and Mary E. (Tilton) Parmelee. The father passed away at Kent in
the year 1855, leaving a family of three children, namely: Charles E., of this re-
view; Frank, who is now deceased; and George. When our subject was about
eleven years of age the mother was again married, her second union being with
Allen B. Lindsley, of Huron county, who brought the family to his farm in Ridge-
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272 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
field township. The demise of Mr. Lindsley occurred in June, 1877, but his
widow still survives, making her home with her son, Charles E.
The gentleman whose name initiates this review obtained his education in the
district schools and since putting aside his text-books has given his attention to the
pursuits of farming and dairying. With the exception of thirteen years, he has
made his home on the farm where he resides from the age of eleven years and the
property is now in his possession. It is a rich and productive tract of land compris-
ing eighty-six acres and in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil
and climate, he also conducts the Forest Grove Dairy, owning a large number of
fine cattle. In all of his business affairs, he is alert and enterprising, meeting with
the measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and well di-
rected labor. His wife is the owner of a farm of one hundred and thirteen and a
half acres in Hartland township. In March, 1877, he removed to that township,
where he made his home until 1885, and then on account of ill health, he gave
up farming for a time and resided in New London, but in 1890, he returned to
the farm which is his home at the present time.
On the 1st of January, 1877, Mr. Parmelee was united in marriage to Miss
Harriett E. Brightman, a daughter of Pardon B. and Lucretia (Jones) Bright-
man, of Sherman township, this county. Unto them have been born two children,
as follows: Nellie, who gave her hand in marriage to James W. Candler; and
Mildred P., who is attending school. Mr. Parmelee is a valued member of the
Congregational church and his many sterling traits of character have won him
an extensive circle of friends throughout the community where he has now resided
for almost a half century.
EPHRAIM ALFORD SMEDLEY, M. D.
Dr. Ephraim Alford Smedley, a successful and well known representative of the
medical fraternity in Huron county, has continuously practiced his profession
in North Fairfield since the fall of 1883. He is a native of Brewerton, New
York, his birth having there occurred on the 12th of October, 1857. His pa-
ternal grandparents, Dr. Chester and Ann (Landon) Smedley, were both na-
tives of Connecticut. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Daniel
Light. Lindorf Smedley, the father of Dr. E. A. Smedley, was born in Litch-
field, Connecticut, on the 12th of September, 1823, and when three years of
age was taken by his parents to Brewerton, New York. On the 29th of Oc-
tober, 1856, in Madison county, that state, he was united in marriage to Miss
Catherine Light. In 1867 he came to Huron county, Ohio, taking up his
abode at Townsend on the 20th of March of that year. Here he was success-
fully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days,
being widely recognized throughout the community as a most substantial and
respected citizen. It was on the 12th of February, 1903, that he was called to
his final rest. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Eph-
raim Alford, Chester D., Abbey C and James, all natives of Brewerton, New
York.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 275
Dr. E. A. Smedley obtained his preliminary education in the common schools
of this county and subsequently entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada,
pursuing his studies there during the years 1875, ^76 and 1877. Having
determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the
Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he received
his degree of M. D. in 1883. In the fall of the same year he located for prac-
tice at North Fairfield, where he has since remained as an active and successful
representative of his chosen calling, enjoying a lucrative and constantly growing
patronage.
On the nth of August, 1885, Dr. Smedley was united in marriage to Miss
Idalia Whitney, whose birth occurred in East Townsend, Huron county, Ohio,
on the 5th of May, 1856. Her parents, Charles and Roxanna (Palmer) Whit-
ney, were natives of Wilton, Connecticut, and China, New York, respectively,
the former born on the 23d of September, 1812, and the latter on November
12, 1816. Their children were six in number, as follows: Idalia, now Mrs.
Smedley ; Palmer ; Ann ; Calvin ; John L. ; and Richard B. The paternal grand-
parents of Mrs. Smedley were Henry and Lucy (Grummond) Whitney, na-
tives of Connecticut. Their children were as follows: Henry Fitch, Charles,
William, Sally Ann, Esther, Hannah, Jeremiah, John, Lucretia and George.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Smedley were Lory and Elizabeth (La
Mott) Palmer, natives of the Empire state, who reared the following children:
John, Mary Ann, Sarah and Roxanna. Dr. and Mrs. Smedley have two chil-
dren, namely: Roxanna Palmer, whose birth occurred November 15, 1886, and
who is now in the Lakeside Training School for Nurses at Cleveland, Ohio;
and Karl Lindorf, whose natal day was February 23, 1895.
Dr. Smedley is now serving as health officer of Fairfield township. His
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. His
life has been actuated at all times by high and honorable principles, manifested
in his professional labors and in his private life. Anything which tends to
bring to man the key to that complex mystery which we call life is of interest
to him, and he has been a close and discriminating student of the science of
medicine, realizing fully the obligations that devolve upon him in the practice
of his chosen calling.
BENJAMIN BARNES.
Benjamin Barnes, who has been connected with railroad business for more
than thirty years, has, during that time, gained a most creditable record for him-
self and is numbered among the well known and prominent citizens of this com-
munity. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born on the 8th of July, 1855, a son
of Robert and Elizabeth (Fields) Barnes. The family has long been represented
in this country, members of the name having come from England, in the early part
of the seventeenth century.
The father of our subject, who was born in 1796, was a native of Virginia and
came to Ohio from the District of Columbia in 1828. He was a painter and glazier
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276 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
by trade and served as a soldier in the War of 1812, assisting in the defense of the
capitol and, after its destruction, aided in its reconstruction along the line of his
trade. After his removal to Columbus, Ohio, however, he was identified with the
butchering business, being thus engaged until 1856, in which year he removed with
his family to Wakeman, where he operated a mill for a short time. He again
entered the butchering business and was thus connected until his death, which
occurred in August, 1874. A man of strong convictions, he based his opinions upon
his own judgment rather than upon what others thought and, while he possessed
a most positive disposition, he nevertheless was quick to forgive when proper
apology was offered. He was married twice, Miss Elizabeth Fields becoming his
second wife. She passed away July 3, 1905, and they were both laid to rest in
the Wakeman cemetery. In their family were seven children, namely: Nimia,
Morris P., Benjamin, Robert, Alice, Albert and Anna, the last two passing away
in infancy while the other five still survive.
Benjamin Barnes, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared under the
parental roof and attended the schools of Wakeman in the acquirement of an
education. He remained at home until twenty years of age, in the meantime
assisting his father in the butchering business. In 1876, he entered the railroad
service and has been engaged in this line of work to the present time. He en-
tered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad in 1879, an^
has been connected with that company for thirty years, operating on the Cleve-
land & Toledo division. He has been eminently successful in his relations with
railroad business, being promoted from one position to another until he is today
serving as passenger conductor, having acted in that capacity since 1890. Through-
out his entire connection with the railroad, he has been most careful and has never
had a wreck, has never been seriously injured and none of his crews has ever been
injured, a record which is indeed most unusual.
Mr. Barnes was united in marriage on the 29th of November, 1874, to Miss
Sarah M. Flower, a daughter of Isaac and Ann (Stratton) Flower, natives of
England. Upon coming to America in 1851, her parents settled in Oswego, New
York, where they remained for one year, and then, continuing their westward
journey, located at Cooks Corners, in Huron county, in 1852. In 1856, they re>-
moved to Clarksfield, four years later to East Townsend and in 1865 came to
Wakeman. They resided here until 1870, when they removed to Missouri, where
they remained two years, returning to Wakeman in 1872. Throughout these years
Mr. Flower had been engaged in the harness business, being a manufacturer and
dealer, but in 1874, he became identified with the hotel business in this city, being
thus connected until 1894. In the latter year, he retired from active life while
his demise occurred on the 13th of January, 1903, when he had reached the ven-
erable age of ninety-three years. His wife had passed away December 8, 1896.
In their family were five children, Emma, Alfred, Anna, Sarah and Frederick,
all of whom survive with the exception of Anna, who died in infancy.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes has been blessed with one son and one
daughter, William O. and Lulu May. The latter is now the wife of James I. Sey-
bert, of this city, and they have one son, Howard Benjamin. William O. Barnes
is also married and lives in Toledo. He has followed in his father's footsteps and
is a conductor on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 277
Mr. Barnes is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Gibson
Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M., and belongs to Webb Chapter, R. A. M., of Cleve-
land, Ohio, while he has taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in
Masonry. He likewise is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors. He is
a stalwart champion of the democracy and in former years has been very active
and influential in local politics, having frequently represented his party as a dele-
gate at various district, county and state conventions. He is intensely loyal and
public spirited in his citizenship, aiding in all movements and measures which have
for their object the substantial and permanent upbuilding and improvement of the
community. He is a great athlete, enthusiastic in the matter of outdoor sports and
takes especial delight in fishing and hunting, frequently enjoying, in the company
of other kindred spirits, a ten-days' trip into the woods and along the streams in
the pursuit of his favorite pastimes. As a young man, he was particu-
larly fond of baseball and yet maintains a keen interest in this national game,
possessing considerable skill himself in this line and often joining in games with
local teams. The Barnes home is modern and attractive in its architecture and
surroundings and is a favorite resort with a host of friends to whom its cordial
hospitality is freely extended. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are genial, companionable
people, who not only understand how to enjoy life themselves, but possess the happy
faculty of making others enjoy it also, the influence and good fellowship of their
home being a potent factor in the social circles of the community.
WILLIAM H. KIEFER.
William H. Kiefer is well known not only in Norwalk, but in the surround-
ing country as well, having been engaged in the undertaking business here since
1897. He is a native son of this city, his birth having here occurred May 2, 1874.
His father, Robert Kiefer, was born in Germany and when a young man emi-
grated to the United States in 1869. He at once made his way to Norwalk and
engaged in the undertaking and furniture business, continuing in the same until
his death, which occurred in 1889. His wife, Mrs. Mary Kiefer, then succeeded
to the business, the fitm name being M. Kiefer, and thus continuing until 1896,
when the establishment was destroyed by fire.
After leaving school, William H. Kiefer was employed in the undertaking de-
partment of his mother's business, becoming thoroughly trained in that line of
work, and was ready to take charge of the business on his own account after the
fire in 1896. He then opened an undertaking establishment and has thus been iden-
tified with the business interests cf the city to the present time. He is a graduate
in embalming of four different colleges and was the first to advocate the law re-
quiring an examination for embalmers. He is a charter member of the National
Association of Embalmers, which was organized in 1896, and it was through the
efforts of this society, that a state board was appointed for examination of em-
balmers. Interested in everything that tends to promote his knowledge of the
business to which he is devoting his attention, Mr. Kiefer today stands among
the foremost undertakers, not only in his home city but throughout the state of
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278 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Ohio, and he has secured a very large and lucrative patronage, his services being
in demand throughout a vast section.
Mr. Kiefer is also a prominent figure in the public affairs, being an ardent
supporter of the democratic party. He served on the city council four years, being
the youngest member of that body. He has also for the past six years been chief
deputy of the Huron county board of supervisors of election, while for several
years he has served on both county, central and city committees. He is regarded
as a leader in democratic circles and his opinions carry weight and influence among
his fellow citizens.
Equally prominent in fraternal circles, Mr. Kiefer was one of the organizers
of the Knights of Columbus in Norwalk, of which he is a member, and he also
holds membership with the Catholic Order of Foresters, of which he has been chief
for the past eight years. He is also identified with the Elks, the Catholic Mutual
Benefit Association, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Concordia Society.
Courteous and affable, he is popular among a wide circle of friends, while as a
funeral director, he has won a wide reputation.
WILLIAM B. McCULLOW.
William B. McCullow, the mayor of Greenwich village who has engineered
many of the noticeable municipal improvements here, was born February 22,
1870, in Fairfield township, and is the son of Joseph Edward and Lucena (Baker)
McCullow. The mother was born in Huron county, Ohio, but the father's birth-
place was Tuckerton, New Jersey, though he was only four years old when
brought by his parents to Ohio, in 1830. His father was a farmer and became
prominent and influential in the community in which he lived. Joseph Edward
McCullow also followed the life of a farmer and besides owning the old home-
stead, acquired considerable property in Greenwich village. He was a man active
in local affairs and filled many of the offices of township and village with distinc-
tion, winning for himself a reputation for sterling integrity. The had a family
of two sons, Charles and William B., both of whom are living, the former being
a merchant in Greenwich. On the 1st of April, 1901, he completed his earthly
course, and his widow, who resides in Greenwich, still survives him.
As the family became residents of Greenwich village in 1877, William B. Mc-
Cullow received his education in the schools there, though he was prevented
from graduation by ill health. Upon leaving school, he clerked for his brother
Charles in a clothing store for a period of seven years, at the end of which time
he took up the trade of watch and clock repairing and investigated the jewelry
business. In 1898, he engaged in the latter for himself, succeeding W. B. Burt,
of Greenwich, and also offered his services as a graduate optician, for he had
completed the requisite course at the South Bend College of Optics. His stock
of jewelry is both large and in good taste, comparing very favorably with that
of the best firms in larger towns, and in his business dealings has been found
both honorable and desirous of satisfying his customers. Besides being a good
man of affairs, he is also a public-spirited citizen, and has, among other things,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 279*
been instrumental in establishing several of the flourishing industries of the
community.
In politics, Mr. McCullow is a republican and is an active representative of the
party. For a period of seven years, he served as clerk of the village, and the record
of his work was so satisfactory, that in 1907, he was the people's choice for mayor,
an office he holds to the present. His administration has been active in promoting
public improvements of a substantial kind, in establishing a sewerage system and
in inaugurating street paving, which, by the close of 1909, will extend through
a full mile of the village streets, and in advancing other matters that make for
the material prosperity of the village.
On the 29th of March, 1896, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McCullow
and Miss Felicia Mary Kraft, a daughter of John and Barbara Mary (Bauer)
Kraft, of Galion, Ohio. Mr. Kraft was a retired business man of that city and never
became a resident of Huron county. To Mr. and Mrs. McCullow was born one
child, who did not survive the period of infancy.
In the O. K. Lodge, No. 616, of the Knights of Pythias, Mr. McCullow is an
ardent worker, and in it has filled most of the chairs. He is a popular man who
makes friends easily and is present at most of the lodge meetings. His principal
relaxation from the cares of business and administration, however, is obtained in
the enjoyment of a day's hunting and fishing, when opportunity affords, but he is
not a faddist ; on the contrary an enterprising business man and an able executive,
fully imbued with the spirit of public progress, which he does all in his power
to promote, realizing that a community must keep abreast of the time, or else slip
to one side and be wholly engulfed in the world struggle. Under the wise guid-
ance of Mrs. McCullow, who by the way is a member of the German Reformed
church, devoted to the performance of good works, and a member of the Twen-
tieth Century Reading Club, the McCullow home occupies a prominent place in the
social and intellectual life of the village. A woman of culture and refinement,
she is an able assistant to her husband and is fully in sympathy with his plans for
the advancement of the community.
OLIVER O. UNDERWOOD.
Oliver O. Underwood, numbered among the active and prosperous farmers
of Fairfield township, owns and cultivates one hundred acres of rich and produc-
tive land, which is now highly improved in accordance with the most modern
methods of farming. His entire life has been passed in Huron county, for he is
one of the native sons, his birth having occurred in Greenwich township, January
14, 1862. He represents one of the old families of this part of the state, his
parents being Levi and Catherine (McCullough) Underwood, the former a native
of Pennsylvania. Their family numbered three sons and two daughters : Oliver,
James, Charles, Ola and Eva.
In the usual manner of farm lads Oliver O. Underwood spent his youthful days.
As soon as old enough to handle the plow, he took his place in the fields and was
there busily employed from early spring planting until crops were harvested in
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280 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
the late autumn. He was thus carefully trained in the occupation which he has
made his life work. In early manhood, he also learned the carpenter's trade and
engaged in that pursuit for a time but gives his entire attention to farming at
present. His educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools
and reading and observation have also largely broadened his knowledge.
On the 24th of December, 1887, Mr. Underwood was united in marriage to
Miss Anna Gibson, who was born in Greenwich township, June 13, 1866, and is a
daughter of Jerome and Hulda (Healy) Gibson. The father was born in 1840
and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gibson, whose other children were : Mary,
Edward, Lena and Isaac. Having arrived at years of maturity, Jerome Gibson
wedded Hulda Healy, whose birth occurred in 1843. She was one of the children
of Jacob and Anna (Brooks) Healy, and her sisters are Edith, Elizabeth and Sarah.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Gibson there were born three daughters and two sons :
Anna, Samuel, Carrie, Fletcher and Jennie. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Under-
wood has been blessed with nine children: Clinton, Harry, Arlie, Ruth, Hulda,
Eva, Blanche, Charlie and Ralph. The family home is on a farm of one hundred
acres in Fairfield township, which is the property of Mr. Underwood. There are
good buildings upon the place, furnishing ample shelter to grain and stock and
these are surrounded by well tilled fields. The latest improved machinery is used
in carrying on the work of the farm and the entire property presents a neat and
attractive appearance. Mr. Underwood gives his political allegiance to the demo-
cratic party and keeps well informed concerning the leading questions and issues
of the day, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as
he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. In their capable
management, he is meeting with success and providing his family with many of
the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
RUNDELL BEECHER PALMER.
Rundell Beecher Palmer, well known as one of the progressive, prosperous
and representative agriculturists of Huron county, owning five hundred acres of
valuable land, was born August 28, 1832, in Fitchville, Ohio. He represents one
of the oldest New England families. The Fortune which sailed for America soon
after the arrival of the Mayflower numbered among its passengers the first Pal-
mer in this country, and the family became connected by marriage with the Pil-
grims who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. It was in 1621 that (1) William Pal-
mer left Noddinghamshire, and on the Fortune crossed the Atlantic to Salem, Mas*
sachusetts. He afterward lived at Plymouth and Duxbury, Massachusetts. (2)
Walter Palmer, who also came from England, landed at Salem in 1629. He went
to Charlestown, afterward to Rehobeth, Massachusetts, and finally to Pawcatuck,
now Stonington, Connecticut. His descendants are largely found in Connecticut
and New York. (3) Abraham Palmer sailed from England in 1628 and landed at
Salem, Massachusetts, but afterward removed to Barbadoes. (4) Thomas Palmer,
in the vessel Expectation from Ipswich, England, landed on American shores in
1635. He resided at Boston and at Bowby, Massachusetts, and one branch of his
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 283
descent are found at Norwich, New London county, Connecticut. (5) William
Palmer, of Newburg, was made a freeman in 1638. He settled at Hampton, New
Hampshire, and his descendants are found throughout New England and New
York. (6) John Palmer sailed as a passenger on the Elizabeth in 1634 and settled
at Hingham, Massachusetts. (7) Lieutenant William Palmer, who was made a
freeman at Varmouth, Massachusetts, July 7, 1636, settled at Long Island. (8)
William Palmer went to Virginia and his descendants are scattered throughout the
south. The Palmers of the present day are principally descended from Walter
Palmer (2), Thomas Palmer (4), and William Palmer (5). Walter Palmer, born
in 1598, married Rebecca Short and their children were: John, Grace, Jonas, Wil-
liam, Hannah, Elihu, Nehemiah, Moses, Benjamin, Gresham, Rebecca and Eliza-
beth. Of this family Nehemiah Palmer married Hannah Stanton and their children
were : Lieutenant Joseph, Elihu, Jonathan, Daniel, Nehemiah and Hannah. Of these
Lieutenant Joseph Palmer married Frances Prentice and their children were : Dea-
con Joseph, Hannah, Benjamin, Sarah and Jonathan. The first named, Deacon
Joseph Palmer, wedded Mary Palmer and their children were : Sarah, Mary, Jo-
seph, Francis, Amos, Moses^, Hannah and Phoebe. The eldest son, Joseph Palmer,
married Catharine Coats and to them were born : Joseph, William, Phoebe, Cap-
tain Amos, Elijah, Elisha, Jonathan, Hannah, Benjamin, David and Thomas. Of
these Elijah Palmer married Lucretia Palmer and for his second wife a Miss
Powell. His children were: Gresham, Doley, Rebecca, Phoebe, Joseph, Elisha,
Lydia, Benjamin, Jesse and Hulda. Hulda Palmer married Stephen Palmer and
their children were: Charles H., Lucretia, Sylvanus B., William L., Noves G.,
Henrietta, Marietta, Andrew, Priscilla, Martin, George W. and John Jay.
At present it is impossible to trace the ancestry down from Hulda Palmer to
Seeley Palmer, the father of our subject. He was born in Greenwich, Connecticut,
November 24, 1797, and grew to manhood in that state, there learning the car-
penter's trade under Levi Palmer. About 18 19 in company with his five broth-
ers he came to Huron county, Ohio, where they took up land from the govern-
ment, and, in following his trade, Seeley Palmer built the first courthouse here and
also many of the first buildings in Norwalk and also in Fitchville. In addition to
this he also cleared and improved his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and
erected and operated the first sawmill in this part of the state. On the 14th of
June, 1826, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Abigail Post, and unto them
were born the following children who are still living : Rundell Beecher ; Hubbard
Dennison ; Lucy ; Eliza Ann ; Nannie ; and Seeley Burdette. Those of the family
now deceased are : Delia ; William ; Hannah A. ; and Julia Blanch. The wife and
mother was a daughter of Ashabel Post, whose ancestors came from Holland to
America, settling at New York city, then known as New Amsterdam. Ashabel Post
was a sea captain in early life and later built a large wharf at Middletown, Connec-
ticut, becoming extensively engaged in the shipping business at that place. He was
twice married and by his first union had two children, Ashabel, Jr., and Betsey.
There were also two children by the second marriage, William and Nancy A. Mr.
Palmer's parents both lived to an advanced age and at their death were laid to
rest in Fitchville cemetery.
During his youth Rundell Beecher Palmer was engaged in agricultural pursuits.
After he had attained his majority he made arrangements for having a home of
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284 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
his own through his marriage to Miss Julia Bliss, and they have one daughter,
Minnie Palmer, who is now married.
Throughout his entire life R. B. Palmer has carried on general farming with
the exception of three years spent in the service of his country in the Civil war.
He enlisted in the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the
First Brigade of the Second Division of the Twelfth and Twentieth Army Corps.
He joined the regiment as a private and saw much hard service. His first engage-
ment was at Cross Lane and he was also at Blue Gap. He likewise participated in
the battle of Winchester and in others of equal importance, and he was in the tele-
graph department before and after the war closed. He received many close calls
while in the service but never sustained any severe wounds. With the exception
of the time spent at the front he has always carried on general farming and he now
occupies and owns the old homestead, comprising about four hundred acres of rich
and arable land. The place is under a high state of cultivation, responding readily
to the care and labor which Mr. Palmer bestows upon it. He follows the most
modern methods in his farm work and still gives active supervision to his place
although he leaves the actual work of the fields to others, for he has now reached
the seventy-seventh milestone on life's jonrney. His .sister, Miss Eliza Ann Pal-
mer, resides with him.
In his religious faith Mr. Palmer is a Congregationalist. His political belief ac-
cords with the principles of the republican party and he is an active worker in its
ranks but has continuously declined to become a candidate for office although
often solicited to do so. His long residence in the county has made him widely
known and his many substantial qualities have gained for him the high regard in
which he is uniformlv held.
LEONARD A. VAIL.
Leonard A. Vail, who is engaged in general farming in Bronson township,
lives on the old Vail homestead, comprising one hundred and fifty-two acres of
well improved and valuable land. He was born on this farm, January 25, 1850,
his father, David Vail having located on this land in 1835, lt being then wild and
unimproved. He was born in Newfield, Tompkins county, New York, October
8, 1811, and in pioneer times, he made his way to the Buckeye state, locating first
in Elyria. Later he came to Huron county and located on a farm, erecting the
buildings thereon himself, as he had previously learned and followed the carpenter's
trade. He was married December 7, 1845, in Fairfield, Huron county, to Miss
Almira Adams, who was born at Symphronia, Cayuga county, New York, and
by this union, there were born four sons and one daughter, namely: David W.,
Leonard A., John J., Alice and Charles \V. The wife and mother departed this
life January 5, 1887, and on the 10th of April, 1888, Mr. Vail wedded Ellen Jean-
ette Sweet, by whom he had one son, Adelbert S., who is mentioned elsewhere
in this work, and in which connection a more complete record of the father is given.
David Vail passed away at his home in Olena, in 1907, when more than ninety-five
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 287
years of age. He was a highly respected citizen and had made his home in Huron
county throughout a long period.
Leonard A. Vail was reared to farm life, assisting in the operation of the
home farm during the period of his boyhood and youth. He began his educa-
tion in the district schools near his father's heme and later spent one term in the
schools at Milan. With the exception of four years spent in the mercantile busi-
ness in Olena, Mr. Vail has always followed farming and is today the owner of
the old Vail homestead, comprising one hundred and fifty-two acres. He is very
methodical in carrying on his work and each year harvests good crops, for which
he finds ready sale on the market. He has always taken an active interest in public
improvement.
In 1873 Mr- Vail was united in marriage to Miss Adelia Robinson, by whom
he had one son, William D., and after her death, which occurred May 6, 1878, he
was again married, his second union being with Miss Elvira Taintor, who was
born in Huron county, March 27, 1850. Her parents were Chauncey and Cordelia
R. (Phillips) Taintor, the former born in Brighton, Monroe county, New York,
June 21, 1817, while the birth of the latter occurred in Bristol, Ontario county,
New York, May 29, 1819. Mr. and Mrs. Taintor were married June 24, 1841,
and reared a family of four daughters, of whom Mrs. Vail is the youngest. Mr.
Taintor came of Scotch ancestry, while his wife was of English descent.. He fol-
lowed farming in Huron county and died August 14, 1849, while Mrs. Taintor de-
parted this life November 24, 1861.
Mr. Vail is independent in politics, supporting only the men whom he deems
best fitted to fill official positions, regardless of party ties. He has ever taken
a lively interest in all public affairs, lending his aid and influence in the cause of
every good movement and heartily promoting the progress and advancement of
his community.
DANIEL C. CLARY.
Daniel C. Clary, operating a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Ridge-
field township, where he has continued to reside from his birth to the present time,
was born on the 9th of January, 1858, a son of Homer C. and Laura A. (Hum-
phreys) Clary. Colonel Humphreys, the maternal great-grandfather of our sub-
ject, served on the staff of General George Washington, and Daniel C. Clary
now has in his possession a watch which was presented to the Colonel
by Washington. Daniel Clary, the grandfather of the gentleman whose
name initiates this review, made his way from the state of New York to Huron
county, Ohio, about 1820, being the first man to clear land in this section. His
death here occurred when he had attained the age of sixty-six years, the com-
munity thus losing one of its most respected and honored pioneer settlers. He had
two sons : Homer C the father of Daniel C. Clary ; and George W., who is
deceased.
The birth of Homer C. Clary occurred on Christmas day of 1825, in an old log
house on the farm where our subject now resides. He continued to make his home
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288 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
on this place throughout his entire life and followed agricultural pursuits as a
means of livelihood. He was well known and highly esteemed as a worthy na-
tive son of this county and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread
regret. It was in April, 1900, that he was called to his final rest. His wife, who
bore the maiden name of Laura A. Humphreys and is a native of Guilford, Con-
necticut, came to this state with her parents in early life, the journey being made
by canal boat. They settled in Huron, Erie county, where the marriage of Miss
Humphreys and Homer C. Clary was subsequently celebrated. Their union was
blessed with six children, as follows : George, who has passed away ; Ella, who is
the wife of F. C. Atherton ; David : Daniel C, of this review ; and Edward and
Frank, both of whom are graduates of the state university at Ann Arbor, Mich-
igan. Edward is now a civil engineer of Iowa and Frank is practicing law in
New York city. The mother of these children still survives at the age of eighty
years and resides on her farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Ridgefield town-
ship, which is being operated by her son, Daniel C.
In the acquirement of an education Daniel C. Clary attended the district schools
and also the public schools at Monroeville. He took up the study of telegraphy in
early life but throughout practically his entire business career has given his atten-
tion to the work of general farming with excellent success. On the 25th of Janu-
ary, 1884, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary F. Hill, a daughter of John
R. and Mathilde (Stephley) Hill, of New York. By this union there is one son,
Fred H., at home. Mr. Clary has a very wide and favorable acquaintance through-
out the community in which his entire life has been spent and well deserves men-
tion in this volume as a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family that
has been identified with the agricultural interests of this county from the period
of its earliest settlement to the present time.
AUGUST P. HORN.
August P. Horn, living on one of the finest farms in Lyme township, Huron
county, was born in Peru township, this county, February 6, 1856, a son of Wil-
liam and Margaret (Boehler) Horn, natives of Germany. They crossed the At-
lantic in 1849, locating in Huron county, Ohio, where they became identified with
the early settlers of this district. At first they rented land and then, in 1856, pur-
chased one hundred and five acres in Peru township. When the land came into
their possession it was still wild but with untiring energy and determination Mr.
Horn set about to clear the land and erected a house for his family. Here, the
remaining days of Mr. and Mrs. William Horn were spent, his death occurring in
1883, when sixty-four years of age, while the latter survived until ,1903, passing
away at the age of eighty-three years. Their family consisted of nine children,
namely: Louise and August, both of whom were born and died in Germany ; Wil-
liam, who lives in Topeka, Kansas ; Henry, who died in childhood ; Emma, the
widow of Carl Ohlamacher, now residing in Columbus ; Lcuise, the widow of
Charles Foust, residing in Monroeville; August P., of this review; Henry, who
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 289
lives on the old homestead ; and Hermina. Both parents were consistent members
of the Lutheran church and passed away in the faith of that denomination.
August P. Horn, who has always resided in this county, attended the district
schools of his native township in the acquirement of an education, while the pe-
riods of vacation were spent in the work of the fields, learning lessons concerning
the value of industry and perseverance. He chose as a life work the occupation to
which he had been reared and in 1881 he came to this township and located upon
the farm which is now his home but was then the property of his father. He oper-
ated this place as a renter for some time and subsequently purchased it, directing
his energies toward the cultivation of the fields. In the meantime he has made
most extensive improvements upon the land, erecting in 1887 a fine, large residence
and commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings, the place being equipped
with all the accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. He has carried
on his agricultural. pursuits along strictly business lines, has ever been most pro-
gressive and up-to-date in his methods, and his farm today is one of the finest
to be found in the county.
On February 10, 1881, Mr. Horn was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Erf,
a daughter of Phillip and Dorothy (Heyman) Erf and a native of Peru town-
ship, Huron county, her birth having occurred November 15, 1858:' Unto this
union were born four children: Dorothy, now a practicing physician of Bcllevue,
who was graduated from the Homeopathic College of Cleveland and is also a post-
graduate of the Philadelphia Hospital ; Lewis, attending the Chicago Veterinary
College; Ella, who is studying at the Providence Hospital at Sandusky, Ohio,
for the profession of a trained nurse ; and Mabel, who is at home. All are grad-
uates of Monroeville high school. On May 3, 1906, the wife and mother was called
to her final rest, and on the 1st of September, 1509, Mr. Horn was again married,
his second union being with Mrs. Louisa C. Winslow, of Ridgefield township,
Huron county.
Mr. Horn holds membership with the Knights of the Maccabees and his po-
litical allegiance is given to the democratic party, although the honor< and emolu-
ments of office have no attraction for him, preferring as he does to concentrate his
energies and attention upon his private business interests. He is not remiss, how-
ever, in the duties of citizenship, but takes a deep interest in all things which are
matters of civic virtue and civic pride. He has spent his entire life in this county,
where he has gained a wide acquaintance, and the fact that he is most respected
where he is best known indicates that his salient characteristics are in accord with
the principles of honorable and upright manhood.
THOMAS LEAK.
Thomas Leak is numbered among Huron county's retired farmers, his success
in former years enabling him now to enjoy a rest which he has truly earned and
richly deserves. He is still the owner of a valuable farm property of one hun-
dred and fourteen acres in Ripley township but he leaves the care and cultivation
of this to others and makes his home in North Fairfield. He has passed the seven-
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290 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ty-first milestone on life's journey, for his birth occurred in Lincolnshire, England,
May 8, 1838. He is a son of John and Mary Ann (Westerdale) Leak, in whose
family were six sons, the others being John, William, Henry, Edward and George.
Thomas Leak spent the first twelve years of his life in the land of his nativity
and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. They
were attracted by the favorable reports which they heard concerning the business
opportunities and advantages in the United States and after living for a time in the
state of New York they removed to Ohio. Here in the year 1862 Thomas Leak
was united in marriage to Miss Ann Atyeo, a daughter of Isaac and Ann (Barring-
ton) Atyeo. The parents had eight children, Ann, John, William, George, James,
Charlotte, Isaac and Mary. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leak has been blessed
with two daughters and three sons, Mary Ann, Charles, Edward, William and
Alice.
Following his marriage Thomas Leak took up the occupation of farming as a
life work and through that avenue of business has provided a comfortable living for
those depending upon him. He has manifested a spirit of unfaltering diligence
and perseverance «n the development and improvement of his land and year after
year through the careful cultivation of his fields he won that success which fol-
lows persistent, earnest effort. Prospering in his undertakings he became the
owner of a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Ripley township, which he
still owns and which returns him a gratifying annual income. He is well known
as a man of financial responsibility, his name ever being an honored one on com-
mercial paper.
In his political views Mr. Leak has always been a republican since age con-
ferred upcn him the nght of franchise and although he has never been an office
seeker he has always been loyal in his allegiance to the principles which he es-
pouses. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, in which he is
serving as deacon and their support of the church is generous and their cooperation
in its various activities is a valuable element in its growth.
WILLIAM B. CLAUS.
William B. Claus is the owner of one hundred acres, constituting one of the
best farms of Peru township. He is diligent and determined in the prosecution
of his business affairs and his close application and energy are bringing to him
success which he justly merits. He is a young man but already has made for him-
self a creditable name in agricultural circles. He was born in Sherman township,
Huron county, November 15, 1880, and in both the paternal and maternal lines
comes of German ancestry. His parents were Mathias and Josephine (Schank)
Claus, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was born Octo-
ber 20, 1834, was a son of Mathias and Mary Claus, who in the year 1852, crossed
the Atlantic to America and made their way to Huron county, Ohio, settling in
Sherman township, where they purchased forty acres of land. On this place was
an old log house, which the father occupied for about five years, when the property
was sold and another farm was purchased. On the second place, also in Slier-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 291
man township, the grandparents spent their remaining days. The grandmother
was only about forty years of age at the time of her demise, but the grandfather
reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. Their family numbered a daughter
and three sons : Mrs. Helen Fisher, who is now a widow and resides in Belle
vue, Ohio ; Martin, a resident farmer of Sherman township ; Mathias ; and George,
who is also living in Sherman township.
Mathias Claus, the father of our subject, was a young lad in his teens when
he accompanied his parents on their removal from Germany to the new world.
He had attended school in his native land and for a brief period continued his
studies in this country, but his time and attention were largely given to farm
work after he reached the United States. He has always carried on general
agricultural pursuits and his labors have been attended with gratifying success.
He married Miss Josephine Schank, a daughter of Frank and Helen Schank, of
Sherman township, the wedding being celebrated January 7, 1867. Mrs. Claus
was born in Germany, February 14, 1846, and came to Huron country with her
parents when eighteen years of age, the family home being established in Nor
walk township, where her father purchased land and developed a farm. He died
there at the age of seventy-five years, but the mother passed away in Germany
when forty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Claus are still residents of
Sherman township and have lived upon one farm for about forty years. He has
always been loyal and progressive in his citizenship and in 1864, he espoused the
cause of his adopted country, enlisting as a member of Company C, Sixty-fourth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He joined the regiment at Sandusky and then went to
Camp Chase and afterward participated in a number of battles and skirmishes.
He was in the engagement at Nashville, Franklin and other places and was
mustered out at Nashville in 1865. After the close of the war, he returned home
and has since carried on general farming. He has worked diligently and persis-
tently to attain the success which he now enjoys and his honest and upright life
have won for him a firm hold on the regard and affections of his fellow towns-
men. He has been active in community affairs as a member of the school board
and as road supervisor and was called to this office as a candidate of the republican
party. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Unto him and his wife
were born nine children : Frank, who is living at home ; Carrie, the wife of Frank
A. Heddle, a resident of Monroeville, Ohio, by whom she has four children : Oar-
ice, Loretta, Irene and Walter ; Mary, who is the wife of John Rossman, of Mon-
roeville and has two children : Olive and Lucile ; Josephine, who is the wife of
Ed S. Bick, of Peru township, and has one child, Beatrice ; William, of this review;
Louise, at home; Joe, who is in Pennsylvania; and Emma and Fred, both at
home.
William B. Claus was reared on the old homestead farm in Sherman town-
ship, where he remained until twenty-two years of age, since which time he has
lived in Peru township. In his youthful days, he enjoyed such sports as engross
the attention of the children of the neighborhood and improved the opportunities
for acquiring an education in the public schools. He also received ample train-
ing at farm work and determined to make the occupation to which he was reared his
life work. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey, he chose Miss Flor-
ence Holliday, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
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292 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
William Holliday, who are now residents of Norwalk, Ohio. In their family were
six children, the eldest of whom is Mrs. Claus, the others being: William, Carl,
Edward, Esther and Wanda. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clause occurred
April 15, 1902, and unto them have been born three children: Calla, Donald and
Josephine.
It was in 1905 that Mr. Claus purchased his present farm, on which he has
since made a number ofsubstantial improvements. He has here one hundred acres
of rich land which is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences.
He studies the demands of the soil, knows what is most needed for the produc-
tion of various cereals and by the rotation of crops keeps his land in good condi-
tion. He has made a number of improvements upon his place, utilizes modern
machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and is now successfully engaged in
general farming. He belongs to the Catholic church of Peru township and is
known as a man of business reliability as well as of enterprise.
CHARLES J. BRANT.
One of the prosperous farmers of Greenfield township, who has taken an
active part in local affairs, is Charles J. Brant, who owns the one hundred and
thirteen acres on which he lives. He was born in this township. May 16, 1848,
and is the son of John K. and Catherine (Glasford) Brant. The former was
of eastern birth but was only a young boy when his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Jabe Brant, came to Ohio and settled near Readtown. John K. Brant lived
in Greenfield township the greater part of his life and became one of its well
known and highly respected citizens. He devoted himself to farming, acquired
two hundred and eleven acres of land and served as township trustee and as a
member of the school board for a number of years. He was a man who advo-
cated progress and the road on which his son's farm lies was cut as the result
of his efforts. His wife was born in New York state and was only a child when
her parents, John and Cynthia Glasford, removed to Ohio, casting in their lot
with the early settlers of Greenfield township. Four children were born to
John K. and Catherine Brant : Cynthia, who married Edwin Wiles, both now de-
ceased ; Charles J. ; Francis, who lives in Kansas ; and George, of Norwalk. The
life of the wife and mother was brought to a close in 1899, when she was in her •
seventy-sixth year, and her husband survived her until December 6, 1906, when
he was called to his final rest.
Greenfield township has been the home of Charles J. Brant through all his.
life. At the old log school house of the district he received his training in the
fundamentals of English education. It was meager enough equipment for life,
even though it was supplemented with good home training in the way of farm-
ing. For many years Mr. Brant operated on rented land, but in the fall of
1893 purchased of George Strimple the farm he now occupies. . This he has
since greatly improved, both as to buildings and as regards the condition of
the land itself. He has studied his soil with the intention of obtaining from it
the best results, has practiced a scientific rotation of crops, employs the most
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MR. AND MRS. C. J. BRANT
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 295
up-to-date machinery, and in other ways has kept abreast of the progress that
has been made in the methods of agriculture as in other branches of business.
On the 2d of July, 1873, Mr. Brant was united in. marriage to Miss Sarah
Boice, a daughter of John and Eleanor (Barlow) Boice. The former was a
native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was sixty-five years of age when he died
in 1879. In his family were four children: Drusilla, deceased; Elisha, de-
ceased; Sarah and William, of this township. Mrs. Brant's mother died when
she was but five years old and she went to live with her uncle, George Stet-
son, of New London, returning in later life to live with her father. She has
become the mother of six children: Mary, born May 8, 1874, died March 26,
1886; Ella is the wife of William Gamble, of Chicago, Ohio, and the mother of
three children, Lawrence, Dale and Wilma, deceased; Fannie married George
Lindsey, of Toledo, and they have four children, Florence, Gladys, Eulalie and
Thelma; Ethel is the wife of G. Gamble, of Norwalk, Ohio; Pearl is the wife
of Frank Wolfe, of Richmond township; and Catherine married Ross Keesey,
also of Richmond township.
A successful farmer and well known, Mr. Brant has on many occasions
been the citizens' choice for the several offices at their disposal in the township.
Among those he has filled may be mentioned that of road supervisor and of
school director, and his administration was distinguished by thought for the
public welfare and a commendable spirit of progress.
EDWARD L. CONGER.
Edward L. Conger, a prosperous farmer of Greenfield township, Huron coun-
ty, and the owner of ninety acres of land on which he lives, was born in this town-
ship and is the son of Lewis L. and Isabelle (Lowther) Conger. The father was
born September 8, 1824, at Ludlow ville, New York, and in 1833 came with his
parents to Milan, Ohio, where his father started a mill, there working until 1850,
when the family removed to Greenfield township, and twenty years later purchased
the farm which was his home until his death and has since been the home of his
widow. On his mother's side Mr. Conger is descended from a line of pioneers.
His great-grandfather, Henry Lowther, was of Irish birth and came to this coun-
try at the time of the rebellion in his home land. He settled in New York state,
where he followed the vocation of farming and attained to a prosperity and posi-
tion among his associates that was above the average. On one occasion, how-
ever, he lost a large sum, which was the result of years of toil, when a friend,
who had appealed to him for aid, jumped his bond. His son, Edward H. Lowther,
was born in New York city in 1800 and was seventeen years of age when he came
to Greenfield township, to make it his home. He attained considerable local promi-
nence, was known as Captain Lowther from his being a captain of the militia, and
held several offices in the township. His wife, who survived him but a year, was
born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio when the fields were
covered with forests and Indians were seen almost daily. She died in 1887, after
having brought into the world a family of seven children: Thomas, deceased;
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296 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mariette, the widow of Ira Watterman ; Isabelle, the mother of our subject ; Sarah,
the widow of William Graham ; Helen, the deceased wife of Barnett Rowe ; and
James. To Mr. arid Mrs. Conger were born four children : Edward L. ; Halsv, who
died at the age of five months ; Julia, the deceased wife of Charles Palmer and the
mother of two children, Florence and Charles; and Lewis, who married Miss Ada
Daly, of this township, and has one child, Frances J. Mr. Conger died November
ii, 1899, but his widow still lives and conducts the farm he had bought.
Greenfield township has been the home of Edward L. Conger during all his life.
He was born a deaf and dumb mute and attended the school for mutes at Colum-
bus. While there he learned the trade of a shoemaker but has never worked at that
occupation, having followed agriculture instead. Along this line he has been very
successful, his fields producing as abundantly and the buildings being in as good
repair as if he were not handicapped in the battle of life, and rightly so, for it is in-
dustry and hard work that counts, thus being able to surmount obstacles that might
otherwise overwhelm one.
In 1871, while in school in Columbus, Mr. Conger met Miss Nellie Hall, also a
pupil at the mutes' institution and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Hall, of
South Lebanon, Pennsylvania. On the 8th of May, 1879, at ner home, was read
the service that made the two young people man and wife in the eyes of the law.
Their union has been blessed with two children: Mary Bell, born May 13, 1883,
and Ray, born August 30, 1887.
Mr. Conger is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and all his life and ac-
tions are ordered by what he believes to be the right and in accord with the teach-
ings of his religion. He is a fine man, imbued with many noble traits of character,
and those who know him hold him in high regard.
CALVIN C. BROOKS.
Calvin C. Brooks, successful because of his unfaltering determination and in-
<leTatigable industry, now lives on a farm of eighty-eight acres in Peru township,
from which property he derives his substantial annual income. He is one of the
native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Greenfield township on the
20th of April, i860. His parents were William and Sophronia (Parsons) Brooks.
The father, who was born in Vermont in 1809, came to Ohio with his parents when
a young man and settled about three miles north of Chicago Junction. There he
developed a good farm property, owning at one time about three hundred acres of
land. His wife was a native of the state of New York and she, too, came with her
parents to Huron county, the family home being established in Greenfield town-
ship. The death of William Brooks occurred in 1869, when he was sixty years
of age, and his widow, surviving him for about thirty-five years, died in the fall of
1004. They were the parents of nine children: Francis L., who is now living in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania ; Mortimer, a resident of Oklahoma ; Darwin, living
at Steuben, Ohio; Mrs. Lucy France, who is a widow now located at Oklahoma;
Parsons, deceased ; Augustine, residing in Peru township ; Calvin C. ; Kate, the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 297
wife of Samuel Hall, whose home is in North Fairfield, Ohio ; and one who died in
infancy.
Calvin C. Brooks was reared in Greenfield township to the age of twenty-nine
years and in his youthful days attended the district schools, his time being divided
between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the
work of the home farm. Since putting aside his text-books his entire time has been
devoted to general farming. He went to Wisconsin a number of years ago and
took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he lived for five years,
when he sold that property. He also worked at Spokane Falls, Washington, and
after a brief sojcurn on the Pacific coast he returned to Ohio and purchased his
present farm from George Barman. He has since made a number of improve-
ments en the property and is busily engaged in the work of general farming, trans-
forming the place into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers
gc od harvests.
Mr. Brooks married Miss Kathryn Sysel, a daughter of James and Kathryn
(Extine) Sysel, natives of Bohemia. This marriage was celebrated February 20,
1895, and unt0 tnem nave been born seven children: Blanch, William, Ralph, May,
Gladys, Elsie and Grace. Of this family all are yet living with the exception of
Elsie and Blanch. Mrs. Brooks was born in Bohemia and when fourteen years of
age came to this country with some relatives, her parents always remaining in their
native land. Her father is still living there at the age of eighty years, but the
mother died June 28, 1895. They were the parents of seven children : James, who
is now in Minnesota ; Mary, a resident of Bohemia ; Anna, who is also in Minnesota ;
Jacob, deceased ; Kathryn, now Mrs. Brooks ; and George and Joseph, both of
whom are in Bohemia. By a former marriage Mr. Brooks had a daughter, Eliza-
beth Bell, who is now the wife of Fred Porter and lives in Waseon, Ohio. They
have two children, Sylvester and Daniel. By her former marriage Mrs. Brooks
had two daughters, Jennie and Agnes, who are now living with our subject.
Mr. Brooks is interested in the cause of education and has served as school di-
rector for a number of years, doing all in his power to advance the cause of public
instruction. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, which finds in him
a stalwart champion, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concen-
trate his energies upon his business affairs.
MARTIN ELLIS.
One of the men who has made a success of general farming in Greenwich
township, is Martin Ellis, a member of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. He
is the son of John and Rachel (Rickard) Ellis, whose parents were originally res-
idents of Onondaga county, New York, and came to Mansfield, Ohio, in the early
pioneer days, where the father followed the carpenter's trade for some years.
At length, having accumulated the necessary funds, he bought one hundred acres
in Greenwich township, Huron county, and took up the active life of the general
farmer of that day. Game was very plentiful in the earlier years of his residence
here and John Ellis secured many a deer with his ever present rifle. Although he
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298 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
had but twenty-five cents in cash and a small chest of carpenter's tools when he
arrived in Ohio, before his death he became the owner of fully six hundred acres
of Huron county land, well stocked and improved. Seven of the eight children of
this pioneer family grew to maturity: Sidney, Thirsa, John R., Martin, Leona,
Pauline, Hiram and Sarah, but the only ones now living are Martin, Pauline and
Sarah. In March, 1890, at the age of seventy-three, the father, noted for his great
moral and physical courage, and a respected participator in public affairs, was laid
away by the side of the mother, who had died in 1887 and was buried in Ripley
cemetery.
Martin Ellis was born on the old homestead in Greenwich township, May 13,
1847, and secured his education in the district schools of that township. He served
the usual apprenticeship of the farmer lad until he was twenty, when he started
out in life for himself. On December 28, 1871, was celebrated his marriage to
Mary E. Stotts, who was the daughter of James and Eliza (Titus) Stotts, of Rip-
ley township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have been born two sons: James H., de-
ceased, and Ray.
Mr. Ellis settled on his own land soon after marriage and at present holds the
title to one hundred and twenty acres of well tilled, well improved and well stocked
farm land. He does not need to specialize, as all of the varied interests of the gen-
eral farmer have succeeded under his hand. He has been amply aided by his son,
Ray, who bids fair to make as good a farmer as his parent. He was married Sep-
tember 1, 1909, to Miss Lotha McCarty, a daughter of George and Mary (Swope)
McCarty of Greenwich township. He is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543,
F. & A. M., and also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
The democratic party claims Mr. Ellis' allegiance, and he has been consistently
active in public affairs, serving as road overseer and member of the board of educa-
tion. While not a member of any church, he yet supports the cause of religion, and
is always interested in all matters which are for the benefit of the race. He is re-
ferred to as one of the best farmers of the county and is universally respected for
his progressiveness.
OTTO BOEHLER.
An excellent farm of one hundred and forty-two acres in Lyme township, this
county, pays tribute to the care and labor of Otto Boehler, who in his business in-
terests is meeting with well merited success. He was born in Peru township, Hu-
ron county, September 5, 1869, a son of Phillip and Marguerita (Seibel) Boeh-
ler, natives of Germany. The former, who was born November 7, 1824, arrived in
the United States in 1848 and settled in Huron county, Ohio, being employed in
Peru township for about three years. He subsequently owned property in Lyme
township, which he sold, and later purchased a farm in Sherman township, which
in turn he disposed of and secured a farm in Peru township. At the time of his
death, which occurred May 3, 1897, in Monroeville, Ridgefield township, he was
recognized as an extensive landowner. He was first married to Miss Mary Sei-
bel, a native of Germany, who was born April 1, 1831, and after her death he was
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 299
united in marriage to Miss Jeanetta Knoble. The children of the first union were
William, Henry, Phillip, Otto, Minnie and Louise, all of whom still survive.
To the district schools of Peru township and also of Monroeville, Ridgefield
township, Otto Boehler is indebted for his education, and he also learned many
practical and valuable lessons while assisting in the work of the farm during the
periods of vacation. He remained at home until 1890, when he began working for
G. G. Horn, with whom he was connected for two years. He then began busi-
ness on his own account, taking charge of the farm upon which he now resides.
It was given to him by his father who had, in 1871, purchased the tract from a Mr.
Smith. It is an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-two acres, upon which
Mr. Boehler has placed many improvements. He is industrious, enterprising and
persevering, and his good management of his business interests is bringing him
substantial success.
On the 7th of January, 1892, Mr. Boehler was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Horn, a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Seel) Horn, old German set-
tlers of this county. She is a native of Lyme township, born March 18, 1871, and
by her marriage became the mother of three children: Clarence, born October
25, 1892; Alma, born June 11, 1896; and Adolph, born November 20, 1898. The
family is still unbroken by the hand of death, and all are yet at home.
The religious faith of Mr. Boehler is indicated in his membership in the
Lutheran church, while fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the
World Camp, No. 40. He has never sought to figure in a public light, yet his de-
votion to the public welfare is unquestioned, arising as it does from a sincere desire
for the substantial and permanent growth of the community. Honest and up-
right in all of his business dealings, he has won the respect and good will of his
fellowmen, while his sterling qualities have gained for him a wide circle of warm
friends.
BENJAMIN F. BECK.
The rich farming land of Huron county yields ready response to the care
and labors of the agriculturist and if the farmer is wise and prudent he may in
the course of years gain a substantial competence as the direct result of his labors.
Such has been the history of Benjamin F. Beck, who is now living in North
Fairfield but in former years was closely associated with general farming. He
started upon the journey of life in 1851, his birth having occurred in New Haven
township, Huron county. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Berlin) Beck, who
were numbered among the pioneer residents of the county, settling here when the
work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun. The Becks have al-
ways been thrifty people and Benjamin Beck was reared to habits of perseverance,
industry and economy. His education was acquired in the district schools of the
neighborhood and through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields as he
assisted in the operations of the home farm. He was thus well qualified to
take charge of a farm of his own when he started out in life for himself.
As companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Beck chose Miss Hulda
Sothern, a daughter of James P. and Mary Elizabeth (Stiles) Sothern. Her peo-
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300 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
pie, too, arrived in Huron county in pioneer times and her father was active in the
early development of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Beck began their do-
mestic life upon a farm and as the years passed Mr. Beck diligently and persis-
tently carried on his work. He studied the matter of rotating crops, came to
know the properties of the soil and what was needed for the production of different
cereals. His farm work was thus intelligently directed and brought to him the
prosperity which now enables him to live retired.
WILLIAM S. RUGGLES.
William S. Ruggles, who is the owner of a sawmill and one hundred and
thirty-two acres of land in Peru township, on which he lives, was born on this
farm, March 31, 1853. He is a son of George W. and Mary Elizabeth (Sny-
der) Ruggles. His grandparents, Joseph and Mary Ruggles, came to Huron
county from the state of New York, traveling overland with a yoke of oxen in
181 5, bringing with them the several children who had been born unto them
in the east. They resided about a half mile east of the place on which William
S. Ruggles now makes his home, and for a few years they lived in a little barn
on the Henry Adams farm, which they converted into a rude dwelling, occupy-
ing it until Joseph Ruggles purchased the place which is now the home of our
subject. It was a tract of timberland when it came into his possession but he at
once began to clear away the trees and the brush and, in the midst of the for-
est, built a log house. It was abount 181 7 that he established his home there
and as time passed he vigorously prosecuted the work of the farm, transform-
ing the tract of forest land into richly cultivated fields. Subsequently he built
and operated the first cidermill in the county and was closely associated with
the work of early development and improvement. He died in 1849 at the age
of sixty-nine years, while his wife passed away in 1850.
George W. Ruggles, the father, also lived in Peru township and for many
years made his home above the old cidermill. In the early days he pursued his
studies in one of the log schools of the township wherein but a few branches of
learning were taught. Although his educational opportunities were limited his
training in farm work was not meager and throughout his entire life he con-
tinued to actively till the soil. His lack of early educational advantages was
obviated by the fact that he remained throughout his entire life a great reader
and thus added continuously to his knowledge. His wife was born in Milan,
Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary (Norris) Snyder, who were early set-
tlers of Huron country, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. The death of Mrs
Ruggles occurred July 1, 1905. She was the mother of five children, namely:
Mary B., the wife of James Clifford of Findlay, Ohio; William S., of this re-
view; Walter and Charles, both deceased; and Loretta E., the wife of Frank
Schlagater, of Bronson township.
William S. Ruggles has always lived upon the home place, the district being
known as Ruggles Corners. He attended the schools of the neighborhood in his
early days and throughout his entire life has carried on general farming and
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 303
has also operated a sawmill for about twenty years. He married Miss Alice
J. Owen, a daughter of Lafayette and Mary J. (Clark) Owen, of Greenfield
township, the wedding being celebrated on the 30th of August, 1876. Mrs.
Ruggles was born in Greenfield township, where her parents lived until they
were called to their final rest. Unto our subject and his wife have been born
two children : J. C, whose birth occurred February 2, 1885, and who married
Ethel Baxter, their home being now in Peru township ; and Harry, who was born
February 19, 1889, an<i 1S stiU under the parental roof.
As he prospered in his undertakings William S. Ruggles purchased the old
homestead from his father and has since made many substantial improvements
upon the place. He has built a fine barn, has remodeled the house and has
added all of the accessories and conveniences known to the model farm of the
twentieth century. In 1892 the sawmill which he owned near his home was
destroyed by fire and he then built a steam sawmill on his farm, which he oper-
ated until 1902. In that year he sold out and two years later installed a gaso-
line engine and again entered the business of sawing lumber, which proves a
profitable source of revenue to him. His fields, too, are carefully cultivated and
return rich crops, which find a ready sale on the market.
Mr. Ruggles has been somewhat prominent in community affairs. He served
as township trustee for five years, having been elected on the republican ticket
by a majority of twenty-nine in a township which usually gives over one hun-
dred democratic majority, his election, therefore, plainly indicating his per-
sonal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. He has also
served as school director and as road supervisor, and he withholds his coopera-
tion from no measure or movement which he deems essential to the public
good. He is a trustee of the Universalist church of Peru township and for
twenty years has been a member of the Royal Arcanum of Norwalk. He repre-
sents one of the oldest families of the county, the name of Ruggles having ever
stood in this community for progressive citizenship and for enterprise in busi-
ness. The record of William S. Ruggles is in harmony with that of the others
of the name and he is now numbered among the representative and valued citi-
zens of Huron county.
LOUIS P. HEYMAN.
Louis P. Heyman, who has but recently retired from the active cultivation of
the hundred and forty-five acres he owns in Lyme township, Huron county, was
born on this farm, March 10, 1857, a son of John P. and Jeanette (Scheide)
Heyman. Both parents were born in Germany, the father July 9, 1833, the
mother April 19, 1837, but both came to this country so early in life that they are
numbered among the pioneers of this county. The mother was but fifteen when
she came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scheide, to Peru township.
John P. Heyman came to America in 1848, with his father, settling at Hunts
Corners, Ohio, where his brother Philip had located the year previous and had
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304 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
bought about fifty-five acres of land. There the old people died, the grandfather
in 1881, though not until after he had made a name for himself in the community,
for he and his two sons, John and Philip, together owned about three hundred
acres and were among those who contributed largely, both in gifts of land and
money, to the establishment of the Reformed church. In fact the edifice was
erected on part of the fifty-five acres which Philip had bought on coming to this
county.
John P. Heyman was a prominent fanner in his locality. He was also interested
in the Heyman Milling Company, of Monroeville, and as a school director and
road superintendent served the people well for a long term of years. Likewise he
was prominent in the Reformed church he had helped to build, having been an
elder for a number of years and a deacon at the time of his death. When his
earthly course was done, on the 19th of October, 1899, he was accounted one of
the most prosperous farmers in his locality, being possessed of about four hundred
acres. In April, 1856, he married Miss Jeanette Scheide, who bore him nine chil-
dren : Lewis P. ; Frank, deceased ; F. D. ; William O. ; Jennie, deceased ; Julia,
the wife of William Kern ; Flora, the wife of Calvin Heyman ; Lillian, who mar-
ried James Clinton; and one who died in infancy.
Louis P. Heyman has always lived in Lyme township. He attended the district
schools in the acquirement of an education and worked on the farm with his
father during his youth. In 1898 he bought the place from his father, making it
his own home to the present time. Since his acquisition of the property he has
made many extensive improvements, one of them being the erection of a large and
handsome residence. Although he has devoted himself with such diligence to the
demands of his farm and is accounted one of the most successful agriculturists of
this township, he has yet found time to serve the people as justice of the peace
for a period of ten years, as constable, besides filling some other minor offices.
He is vice-president and a director of the Heyman Milling Company, of Monroe-
ville, and also a director of the Sherman Gas & Oil Company. Being very fond
of good horses, one of his chief delights is in driving.
On the 18th of November, 1885, Mr. Heyman was married to Miss Elizabeth
Hartman, a daughter of George and Cornelia (Mook) Hartman, of Bellevue,
Ohio. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1828,
the mother in 1831, and they were among the early settlers here, arriving
long before anything approaching the present conveniences of travel came into
vogue the journey being made from their old home to Black Swamp, Sandusky
county, in an ox cart. Mr. Hartman died in 1900, and his wife survived him but
two years. In their family were three children, Isabelle, Frank and Elizabeth.
The last named, who is now Mrs. Heyman, was graduated from the Bellevue high
school and for several years successfully engaged in teaching. She and her hus-
band still take an active interest in educational affairs and are giving their chil-
dren the best possible advantages along that line, while Mr. Heyman is also doing
effective service as a member of the board of education. They have two daugh-
ters. Mabel and Ruth, and the former is a graduate of the Bellevue high school
and also of Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio, of the class of 1908, receiving
the degree of L. B. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heyman were also born two sons, but
Floyd, who was born April 25, 1891, died on the 21st of the following August;
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 305
and Gordon, born November n, 1898, died March 27, 1899. They now have an
adopted son.
Mr. Heyman is prominent in all the work of the Reformed church, of which
he has been an elder and trustee for a number of years and his wife is also an ac-
tive church worker, serving as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school
and devoting some time every week to instructing a class in Bible study. In
short, Mr. Heyman and his family are well and favorably known. He has now
laid aside the active duties of life, but the record* of his past, both as a private
citizen and as a servant of the people, is an enviable one.
CHARLES H. WHEATON.
A history of Norwalk township would not be complete without mention of
Charles H. Wheaton, who for many years has been known as one of the best judges
and successful buyers of stock in Huron county. He was born in England on the
5th of February, 1840, and is a son of Daniel Wheaton, who came to America in
the early '50s and first took up his residence in Monroeville, while a few months
later he removed to Norwalk. He was a butcher by occupation, and after his ar-
rival in Norwalk he rented a building of Lester Clark, where he started in the meat
business, continuing in this line of activity for many years, when the business was
taken charge of by his two sons, Charles and Dennis. He was known as one of the
best judges of stock, not only in England, but also in this country. Ere coming
to America he had conducted a market in Cambridge College Place, where he en-
gaged principally in supplying the colleges. He was eminently a business man,
possessing keen sagacity and good management, and he became identified with va-
rious enterprises, all of which became factors in his subsequent success. About
a year after his arrival in Norwalk he purchased the farm of ninety-six acres upon
which our subject now resides, this property having been in the family since 1852.
Later he purchased the De Walt property, where Harkness and surrounding
buildings now stand, including the row of brick cottages extending to Seminary
street. He bought from Mr. Underhill the old American Hotel property, which
site is now covered by the three stores commencing at Frazier's and extending
east. This property is now owned by the estate. He also invested in three stores
in Huron, which are now in the possession of his son Dennis E. Wheaton. He
was a member of the Baptist church and affiliated with the democratic party, and
was considered one of the alert and progressive citizens of his community. He
passed away in 1898, leaving a very handsome estate.
Charles H. Wheaton, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of eleven
years when he accompanied his father to the United States, and his education,
which was begun in England, was completed in this country. He continued under
the parental roof until the year 1861, when, in response to President Lincoln's call
for troops, he enlisted for three months' service as a member of Captain Saw-
yer's independent company organized under the laws of the state of Ohio. At the
expiration of his term of enlistment he returned home and, in connection with his
brother, Dennis E. Wheaton, took charge of his father's meat business, which
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306 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
they carried on for many years, or until the block was destroyed by fire. The
brothers then went to Cleveland, where they were engaged in a similar enterprise
for seventeen years, and at the end of that time our subject returned to the old
homestead to take care of his father and his father's estate. The fine brick house
which the latter erected still stands upon the place and is in excellent condition.
Mr. Wheaton is engaged in the stock business and, like his father, is one of the
best judges and one of the most successful buyers of stock in Huron county.
He has purchased cattle since he was a boy of fourteen years and has the reputa-
tion of having bought more stock than any other buyer in this county. His
life has been one of continuous activity, in which his industry and energy, have
been salient characteristics. While engaged in the meat business he was recognized
as one of the leading men in that line, and that he prospered and won a goodly
amount cf success is indicated by the handsome competence which he has acquired
as the result of well directed energy.
In November, i860, Mr. Wheaton was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ly-
dia Hoyt, who was born in March, 1834, a daughter of Acrebeach Hoyt. Unto this
union have been born the following children : Minnie, who wedded George Crumm
and later married Fred Smies : Dora, the wife of Edgar Lee ; and Mary, the wife
of Walter E. Bateles, by whom she has two children, Elmer Darwin and Mary
Mehn. In politics Mr. Wheaton is independent, reserving the right to vote for the
men and measures which, in his estimation, are best adapted to conserve the public
good. Although born across the water, Mr. Wheaton is as loyal to the interests
of his adopted country as any American-born citizen, and he has gained high rank
among the representative men of Norwalk township, not only by reason of the
gratifying degree of success which he has attained but also because of his hon-
orable manhood and true personal worth.
HYATT TRAVIS.
Hyatt Travis, now living retired from the duties of business life, has for many
years been actively and helpfully interested in the public affairs of Greenwich
township and is, moreover, a well known and prominent figure in the political cir-
cles of his community. He was born on the 10th of August, 1839, in New York
city, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Hyatt) Travis, and remained in his native city
until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied the family on their removal to
New Rochelle, New York. They remained there for one year, when the father took
the family to Yorktown, New York, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for
eight years.
The education of Hyatt Travis had been commenced in the public schools of
New York city and after the removal of the family from that city he pursued a
course of study for several terms in the district schools, remaining with his pa-
rents until i860. In December of that year he came to Greenwich, where his
brother Oscar had arrived six years previously, while the parents and the remain-
ing members of the family followed him in 1862. On reaching this city he as-
sociated with his brother in the operation of a farm until the following September
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 307
when, in response to his country's call for troops, he enlisted as a member of
Company I, Third Regiment of Ohio Cavalry for three years. He served two
years, however, when he veteranized and continued with the same company and
regiment until the close of the war, his entire service covering a period of three
years and nine months, being mustered out in August, 1865. During this time
he saw much hard service under General Thomas, General Wood and later under
General Wilson. He participated in many of the hotly contested battles of the
war, in the meantime having two horses shot from under him. The first occa-
sion was just after the battle of Stone- River while engaged with his company in
a slight skirmish. His horse was killed and he was taken prisoner and sent to
Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia. After three weeks spent in that place he
was paroled and sent home, where he remained until exchanged about four
months later, when he returned to his regiment. He again had a horse shot from
under him during the battle of Chickamauga but on this occasion escaped capture.
Throughout his entire service, during which time he was often in the thickest of
the fight, he was never wounded although he returned home very much broken
in health.
After the close of the war he entered the service of the Cleveland, Cincinnati,
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company as brakeman but severed his connection
therewith after eleven months, owing to the state of his health. He was then
married in 1868, after which he engaged in farming in Greenwich township for
eight years. At the expiration of this period, however, he was compelled to give
up agricultural pursuits, as his health would no longer permit of the strenuous
duties that devolved upon him in that connection. He then came to Greenwich and
became identified with general mercantile interests, being thus engaged for nearly
four years. Again he attempted farming but found that the state of his health
had not improved and was once more compelled to give up that pursuit. Con-
sequently he sold his farm and returned to Greenwich, where he has since lived
practically retired.
He has, however, been very active in public affairs, becoming well known in
the political circles of the community, while since his retirement from business life
he has been almost continuously before the public in an official capacity. He votes
with the republican party and for several terms served as village and township
treasurer. Something of his personal popularity was shown in the fact that he
was elected mayor of his town and served as chief executive for two terms. He
is now acting as justice of the peace, which position he has filled for several years,
while from 1889 until 1893 he was postmaster of Greenwich. He has been clerk
and also president of the school board, the cause of education at all times finding
in him a stalwart champion. Active in the interests of his party, he has several
times acted as a delegate to various conventions and has frequently been a mem-
ber of the county central committee, being a prominent figure in the party coun-
cils. His career as a public official has ever been an exemplary one, performing his
duties in every instance in a manner that gained for him the favorable commenda-
tion and the endorsement of his constituents. His position has never been an
equivocal one for he has ever stood on the side of truth and right in all things.
On the 1st of September, 1868, Mr. Travis was united in marriage to Miss
Hattie Hoag, a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Watson) Hoag, the former a prom-
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308 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
inent agriculturist of Greenwich township. Unto this union have been born
seven children, nameiy: Ella, the wife of Frederick Miller; George, deceased;
William; Charles, who has also passed away; Ira J.; Elmer, residing in Youngs-
town; and Hazel.
The family, although not members, attend the Methodist Episcopal church,
while Mr. Travis maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through
his membership in Greenwich Post, No. 279, G. A. R., in which he has filled all of
the offices. He has also been a delegate several times to the state encampments of
this organization. He has ever been an advocate of public improvement and ex-
erts his influence toward the adoption of all those measures which have for their
object the welfare and upbuilding of the community. He has now completed the
Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten and in the evening of life
he enjoys the full respect and confidence of all who know him.
W. B. KEEFER.
W. B. Keefer is numbered among the men to whom Chicago Junction owes
its growth, its development and its prosperity. His efforts have been of a prac-
tical nature, far-reaching and beneficial. He acted as the first postmaster of
the new town and since that time has been most closely associated with its prog-
ress and improvement, figuring prominently now in its business circles as a rep-
resentative of its banking interests. His birth occurred in Greenfield town-
ship, Huron county, September 9, 1848. His father, Walter Keefer, was a na-
tive of New York and in 1834 removed westward to Sandusky county, Ohio, re-
siding in the vicinity of Bellevue, for a number of years. He afterward came to
Huron county, but in a short time returned to Erie county, taking up his abode
there in 1849. Five years later — in 1854 — he again came to Huron county and
settled on a farm one-half mile from Chicago Junction, where he made his home
until his death which occurred in 1896, when he was eighty-six years of age. In
politics, he was a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the
party and he was a splendid type of the pioneer citizen who recognizes and util-
izes the opportunities for the county's development as well as for the attainment
of his own success. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Wiles and was a
representative of a family that was established in Sandusky county, at an early
epoch in its development. Later, her father, Storey Wiles, removed with his
wife and children to Huron county, taking up his abode north of Chicago Junc-
tion, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring. Unto the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Keefer, there were born four sons and one
daughter, who are yet living — all residents of Huron county — and three sons
who died in infancy.
At the usual age, W. B. Keefer began his education as a pupil in the com-
mon schools and later, he continued his studies in Norwalk, being thus well
qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After putting aside his text-
books, he learned telegraphy and was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road Company for two and a half years. In 1875, when the subject of estab-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 311
lishing a postoffice was under discussion he wrote to the postmaster general,
urging the claims of this village and suggesting the name of Chicago for the
new office. His suggestion was acted upon and he was appointed the first post-
moster of the new town, entering upon his duties in 1875. He continued to fill
the office until 1888 and during that time he opened and carried on a jewelry
store. In the latter year, realizing the possibilities for business development
here, he opened a private bank which he conducted successfully until 1905. It
was then reorganized as a state bank under the name of the Commercial Bank
Company, of which Mr. Keefer was elected president, with E. W. Severnance
as vice-president ; W. K. Southard, cashier and W. M. Griffin, assistant cashier.
Mr. Keefer now devotes his entire time to the bank. A general banking busi-
ness is conducted and he has familiarized himself with every department of the
work and makes the enterprise one of success. It has enjoyed a continuous
growth from the beginning and well merits the liberal patronage which is ac-
corded it.
In 1883, Mr. Keefer completed his arrangements for having a home of his
own in his marriage to Miss Eva L. Shepard, a native of Seneca county, Ohio,
who in her girlhood days accompanied her parents, Israel and Nancy Shepard,
on their removal to Hillsdale, Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keefer was born
a son, W. Dale, whose birth occurred July 9, 1890, and who died June 6, 1894.
Mr. Keefer is well known in Masonic circles, taking the degrees of the lodge,
chapter and commandery. His life record may well constitute an example and a
source of inspiration to his fellowmen. He has made for himself a splendid name
by reason of his industry and integrity, which have brought him success and the
respect of his fellow citizens. The town of Chicago Junction is largely a monu-
ment to his business ability and enterprising spirit for, with several associates,
he has been closely identified with its upbuilding and progress from the outset
to the present time.
JACOB SCHREINER.
Jacob Schreiner, a general farmer and stockman of Greenfield township, Hu-
ron county, owns the one hundred acres of land on which he lives and fifty-six
acres in another part of the township. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Octo-
ber 19, 1862, and is the son of Michael and Mary (Koby) Schreiner, both of whom
are of German birth. Michael Schreiner was fourteen when he went to Sen-
eca county to fight the battle of life for himself. In the company of a few friends
he worked around for different farmers in Seneca county for some time and then
sent for his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schreiner, to come to the new world
and make their home. This they did and passed the remainder of their days in
the county to which their son had become attached. Michael Schreiner, Jr., always
followed farming in Center township, in Seneca county, where he owns one hun-
dred and twenty acres of land. Of late years he has retired from the active pur-
suits and at the age of seventy-seven enjoys the comforts and rest he so well de-
serves at the home of his daughter in Norwalk. He was prominent in local af-
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312 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
fairs, held several township offices and has ever been a devoted adherent of the
Catholic religion. His wife was one year old when her parents removed to Sen-
eca county, where she continued to live all her life, dying there in 1906 at the
age of sixty-two. She was a dutiful wife and a mother of the following children :
Joseph, who lives at Chicago Junction, Ohio; Mary, who married Anthony
Scheibley of Seneca county ; Jacob, of this review ; Peter, a resident of Fostoria,
Ohio; Addie, deceased; Rose, the wife of Tony Hasselbauch, of Bellevue, Ohio;
Philomina, the wife of Louis Schwartz, a prominent business man of Chicago,
Ohio; Elizabeth, the widow of Andrew Nejedly; Martin, who lives at Akron,
Ohio; Catherine, the wife of Lewis Steinmetz, of Fostoria, Ohio; Thresia, who
married Andrew Adelman, of Norwalk, Ohio ; Louisa, the wife of William Huff-
man, of Tiffin, Ohio ; and Aggie, who married a Mr. Smith of Iowa. Two children
died in infancy.
Jacob Schreiner lived in Seneca county until 1884, and received his education
in the schools there. He early devoted himself to farming and until he was twenty-
two years of age continued in that occupation, after which he was engaged in the
hotel business at Bellevue, Fostoria, Zanesville and Chicago Junction. His oper-
ations met with success but in the spring of 1907 he sold his interests in the hotel
and cafe at Chicago Junction and came to Greenfield township, Huron county,
where he purchased from Jennie Wheeler his present farm. Since he has assumed
possession of this land he has greatly improved it, adding many modern con-
veniences to his fine house, making the barns more up-to-date and instituting
many changes in the methods of farming which will increase the productiveness
of the soil. His farm is well stocked with all things necessary for the prosecu-
tion of a successful business, and his animals are of the finest.
Mr. Schreiner has been married twice, his first union being with Miss Josephine
Ball, and they had three children: Mary, Peter, deceased; and William. Mrs.
Josephine Schreiner was divorced, and Mr. Schreiner afterward married Mrs.
Flora Huntington, who by her former marriage had one daughter, Sadie, now
the wife of William G. Ramsey, by whom she has a son, Russell Jacob. Mrs.
Schreiner is a daughter of Emanuel F. and Sarah (Thompson) Grames, of Chi-
cago Junction, who were old settlers of this county but are now deceased. They
had five children who lived to maturity : Frank, William, Flora, Henry and Minnie,
and others who did not survive the period of infancy. In politics Mr. Schreiner
gives his support to the democratic party and in religious matters to the Catholic
church of Chicago Junction. Though so recently a citizen of Greenfield township,
he bids fair to be one of her prosperous farmers and one of her most public-spir-
ited men.
ADOLF P. ERF.
Adolf P. Erf, successfully engaged in agriculture in Lyme township, Huron
county, comes from an old and prominent family of this county. He was born
upon the farm which is now his home June 22, 1867, a son of Anthony and Marie
(Maurer) Erf. He comes of German and Swiss lineage, his father having been
born in Freien Dietz, Germany, June 20, 1843, while his mother was a native of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 313
Switzerland. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Jacob and Katherine Erf,
sailed for the new world from Germany about 1859, and> coming direct to Ohio,
settled in this county, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of this district
and aiding in reclaiming the wild land for agricultural purposes. Mr. Erf at once
started to clear the land, built a dwelling for his family, and here he and his wife
resided until they were called to their final rest.
Their son Anthony Erf, the father of our subject, was sixteen years of age
when he accompanied his parents on their journey to the United States and was
thus early identified with the work of improvement and cultivation which was go-
ing on at that time in the section of Ohio where they settled. He assisted his father
in establishing a home here, where the remaining years of his life were spent, for
after his father's demise he took charge of the home farm and continued the work
of improvement. He became a well known and respected citizen of this county,
having served for several terms as trustee of Lyme township. He was a faithful
and consistent member of the Evangelical church of Monroeville, honorable and
upright in his relations with his fellowmen. He met his death by drowning in a
creek near his place while returning home after attending to a little matter of
business. When he failed to appear at his home a search was made for him and
his body found several days later. He had fallen into the water and it was thought
that, owing to an injury to one of his arms, which he had sustained shortly before,
he was unable to rescue himself, after having vainly attempted to do so — a fact
which was manifest by certain marks left on the bank where he had endeavored to
pull himself out of the water. He had gone to pay a threshing bill and still had ten
dollars in his pocket after paying the bill. His wife had previously passed away
in 1871, leaving, besides her husband, five children, Edward, William, Gustave,
Adolf and Albert, the last named having since passed away. After the death of his
first wife Mr. Erf was again married, his second union being with Miss Minnie
Frenz, who, by her marriage, became the mother of five children, Hiram, Otto,
George, Amelia and Louise.
On the old homestead which had been the property of his grandfather, Adolf
P. Erf was reared amid the scenes and environment of rural life, devoting the
days of his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of an education as a pupil of the
district schools of Lyme township and of Monroeville. He early became familiar
with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad and as the years passed and his
strength increased he aided more and more fully in the work of the fields, becom-
ing familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He re-
mained at home until twenty-six years of age when, on the 28th of December,
1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Beiler, a daughter of Henry and
Philibina Beiler.
Mr. and Mrs. Erf began their domestic life in Richfield township, this county,
where they resided for five years on a farm of sixty acres near Bellevue, which Mr.
Erf purchased and operated. He then sold this property and in 1906 bought from
the estate his present farm, which was a part of the original homestead. He later
acquired forty additional acres from Robert Truman, his holdings now aggregat-
ing one hundred and sixty-five acres, fourteen acres of which are located in Sher-
man township. He has directed his energies to the improvement of this place and
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314 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
his good management and modern methods have combined to make of it an excel-
lent farm, returning to him abundant crops.
As the years came and went three children were added to the household of Mr.
and Mrs. Erf, but the first two died in infancy. The third and only surviving mem-
ber is Olga, born November 20, 1901, who is the light and life of the home. Mr.
Erf is connected with the Lutheran church of Pontiac and at all times holds to high
and manly principles. He has been most successful in his agricultural pursuits,
this success being but the visible evidence of well directed energies and good judg-
ment combined with strict business integrity. Having passed his entire life in this
district, he has become widely known throughout the county, and that he is most
respected and honored where he is best known is indicative of the fact that at all
times his salient characteristics are such as win esteem, trust and good will from all
classes.
WILLIAM GRAHAM.
Through the years of an active and useful life William Graham was identified
with carpentering and farming, being recognized in Huron county as one of its
worthy and respected citizens, arriving here in the period of early manhood. He
was born in England, in January, 1835, and was a son of John Graham of that
country. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in the land of his birth and
during that period acquired his early education in the public schools. The favor-
able reports which he heard concerning America and the business opportunities
here afforded led him to the determination to seek his fortune on the western side
of the Atlantic, and acting on this resolution he came to the United States mak-
ing his way at once to Huron county, Ohio. In early life he learned and followed
the carpenter's trade, being identified with building operations here until soon after
his marriage, when he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
In November, 1859, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E.
Lowther, who was born in Huron county in February, 1839, and is a daughter of
Edward and Martha (Lovell) Lowther. Her paternal grandparents were Henry
and Sarah Lowther, in whose family were three children, Edward, Thomas and
William. The Lovvthers were among the early settlers of Huron county, establish-
ing their home here in pioneer times when much of the land was still undeveloped,
being covered with the native forest growth. Edward Lowther assisted in the
arduous task of transforming the wild timber region into cultivated fields and for a
long period was closely identified with agricultural interests. Having arrived at
years of maturity he married Miss Martha Lovell, a daughter of David and Mary
(Chilcott) Lovell, in whose family were three daughters and a son, Martha, Ra-
chel, Eleanor and Ethan. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lowther was
blessed with nine children, namely: Sarah, Mariette, Isabella, Jackson, David,
Helen. Martha, James and Thomas. Of this family Sarah gave her hand in mar-
riage to Mr. Graham in 1859. and as the years passed they became the parents of
a son and daughter. Lewis, the elder, born in 1865, married Jessie Watts, and
they have two sons, William and Bruce. Martha, born in 1869, is the wife of Mor-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 315
ris Tilson, and the mother of five children, Maud, Irving, Graham, Gardner and
Murray.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Graham ceased to engage in carpentering and
turned his attention to the task of tilling the soil, becoming owner of a tract of
one hundred and sixty acres in Fairfield township. Year after year he diligently
carried on the work of the fields, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and cli-
mate. That his methods were practical and progressive is indicated in the large
crops which he gathered and also in the well kept appearance of his farm. In all of
his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable and his integrity stood as an unques-
tioned fact in his career. He was a member of the Universalist church and gave
his political allegiance to the democracy but did not seek nor desire office, prefer-
ring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He died May, 1907, and
is still survived by his widow, Mrs. Sarah E. Graham, who yet makes her home
in Fairfield township. She has always lived in this county and has a very wide ac-
quaintance, while the warm friendship of many with whom she has come in con-
tact is freely accorded her.
JOHN LAWLER.
John Lawler, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improve-
ment of his farm of one hundred acres in Lyme township, is a worthy native son
of this county, his birth having occurred in Lyme township on the 25th of Decem-
ber, 1857. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Lawler) Lawler, were both natives
of Ireland, born in the years 1825 and 1834 respectively. It was about 1850 that
Thomas Lawler crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in
Huron county, working as a farm hand in Lyme township for a time. Subse-
quently he purchased a tract of ninety-one acres of land in the same township, in
the cultivation and improvement of which he was successfully engaged until the time
of his demise in 1882. In religious faith he was a Catholic and his honorable, up-
right life won him the warm regard and esteem of many with whom he came in
contact. His widow still survives and is well known throughout the community
as a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. Unto this worthy couple
were born nine children, namely: John, of this review; and Edward, Thomas,
Patrick, Michael, Joseph, Mary, Margaret and Sarah, all of whom are deceased,
with exception of Mary.
John Lawler obtained a good practical education in the district schools of
his native township and has always continued to reside here, following the occupa-
tion of farming as a life work. In 1905 he bought his present place of one han-
dred acres from his father-in-law and has met with a gratifying and well merited
measure of prosperity in his agricultural interests, the fields annually yielding
golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 7th of April, 1891, Mr. Lawler was united in marriage to Miss Cath-
arine Winzerl, who was born in Lyme township in April, 1864. Her parents, John
and Eliza (Kehoe) Winzerl, were natives of Germany and Ireland respectively,
the former having come to America in 1848, while the latter crossed the Atlantic
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316 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
in 1851. Both were employed on farms for some time, but after their marriage,
in 1861, Mr. Winzerl purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Lyme township,
where they continued to make their home until called from this life. They were
Catholics in religious faith and were the parents of three children, namely : John ;
Catharine, wife of our subject ; and Julia, deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lawler
have been born five children: Joseph, John, Sadie, Wilfred and Loretta, all at
home. The parents are devoted and faithful members of the Catholic church and
are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county in which they spent
their entire lives.
FRANK B. GANNETT.
Frank B. Gannett, a well known, successful and enterprising agriculturist of
Fairfield township, was born in the state of New York on the 15th of February,
1869. When a little lad of six years he was adopted by Thomas Gannett, who
had no children of his own and whose farm he inherited at the time of Mr. Gan-
nett's death in 1901. Thomas Gannett, whose birth occurred in England in Sep-
tember, 1845, devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits
throughout his active business career. It was in 1866 that he took up his abode
on a farm in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, having purchased the
pioperty from James Buck, of Norwalk. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Emma Sweet, was born in England in 1834. They were well known and
highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth
and upright, honorable lives.
Frank B. Gannett attended the schools of North Fairfield in the acquirement
of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of
life. Since putting aside his text-books he has given his attention to the work
of general farming, in which line of activity he has won a gratifying and well
merited degree of prosperity, being the owner of one hundred and forty acres
of rich and productive land in Fairfield township. This is the oldest farm in the
township and on it was erected the first frame house in Fairfield. The place
is now equipped with a number of substantial buildings, which are kept in a state
of excellent repair, and in addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and
climate Mr. Gannett also feeds sheep, hogs and cattle on quite an extensive scale.
He likewise engages in the sale of machine oils and all lubricating oils, which he
supplies through three townships, disposing of about one hundred and fifty bar-
rels annually. In all of his business affairs he is alert and enterprising, meeting
with the measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and well
directed labor.
In September, 1898, Mr. Gannett was united in marriage to Miss Georgina
Duncan, whose birth occurred in Ontario, Canada, on the 4th of April, 1862.
Her father, Robert Duncan, who was born on the 10th of May, 1828, passed
away June 10, 1903. He was of Scotch descent and made his home at Bluevale,
Ontario, of which town his father was one of the first settlers. The mother of
Mrs. Gannett was born in 1829 and was a second cousin of Sir John A. Mc-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 319
Donald, the premier of Canada. Her demise occurred on the 7th of April, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Gannett now have two children, namely: Norman Thomas, born
February 28, 1902; and Robert Duncan, who first opened his eyes to the light
of day on the 18th of March, 1904. A resident of this county for more than a
third of a century, Mr. Gannett is widely known within its borders and the sub-
stantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business re-
lations have gained him a high place in the regard and good will of his fellow
townsmen.
C. E. WARD.
Success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the outcome of clear
judgment, experience and indefatigable energy. This truth is manifest in an
analyzation of the life record of all those men who are pushing their way to the
front and seeking their advancement in the legitimate lines of trade. It is proven
again in the history of C. E. Ward, a prominent regalia manufacturer of New Lon-
don, where he has developed a business of large and profitable proportions, utiliz-
ing every advantage that has come to hand and carefully watchful of all details
pointing to success.
Ohio numbers Mr. Ward among her native sons, his birth having occurred
in Sullivan, Ashland county, on the 9th of January, 1873. His parents were Jacob
and Ellen (Hubler) Ward, who were also natives of this state, the Hubler family
coming from Pennsylvania at an early day. C. E. Ward was one of three children
and an only son. He lost his mother when five years of age and in early life was
thrown upon his own resources. His educational opportunities were those afforded
by the public schools of New London but the necessity of providing for his own
support prevented him from obtaining a higher education. He is essentially a
self-made man, one who has risen from the humble position of a clerkship in a
grocery store to the head of an extensive, prosperous and growing manufacturing
concern at the age of thirty-six years, an accomplishment which speaks for itself.
He made his initial step in the business world as a grocery clerk, being thus em-
ployed for a few years when as a result of his industry, integrity and foresight,
he was enabled to engage in business on his own account as a dealer in furniture.
The Regalia Manufacturing business which "has made New London famous"
was established in a very modest way by W. S. Bellville and R. B. Powers in 1889
and after a short time, they sold out to W. E. Clemmons and S. O. Curtis. On
the 13th of July, 1895, Mr. Ward purchased the interest of Mr. Curtis and car-
ried on a business in partnership with Mr. Clemmons. The manufacturing depart-
ment was conducted upstairs in connection with the furniture business below. In
January, 1904, Mr. Clemmons was about to sell his interest to Mr. Powers, but
before the deal was consummated, Mr. Ward induced him to sell to E. R. Stillson
and in connection with the latter carried on the business as Ward & Stillson, until
September 19, 1905, when Mr. Stillson bought out Mr. Ward's interest and organ-
ized an incorporated company under the title of the Ward Stillson Company.
Mr. Ward then erected his present manufactory and organized the C. E. Ward
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320 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Company, of which he is president while his father is vice-president. He com-
menced business under this style October i, 1905, in the manufacture of regalia
and the enterprise has grown enormously, the rapid development of the trade
being indicated in the fact that this year's business will reach over a quarter of a
million dollars. They employ a superior class of help, both male and female, and
the firm is represented on the road by seven traveling salesmen while the business
extends throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Ward is a bright, genial
man, energetic, far-sighted and progressive and while his success is notable it is
equally well deserved.
In 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ward and Miss Daisy E. White, a
daughter of Daniel White, an old resident of New London and a Civil war vet-
eran. Mr. Ward's father was also a Union soldier, serving with the Twenty-
fifth Independent Battery of the Light Artillery. Two children, Sterling and
Virginia, have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ward and with the parents constitute
the members of the household. Mr. Ward is a valued representative of the
Masonic fraternity in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot-
tish Rite. He is also connected with other orders and while he is no office seeker,
his business interests preclude the possibility of active participation in public
affairs as an office holder. He is an ardent republican, stands for clean govern-
ment and is opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs. He concen-
trates his energies upon his business, which demands his entire time and in its
control, he displays marked executive ability, keen discernment and a power of
wisely co-ordinating forces so as to produce an unified and harmonious whole. His
business has been notably successful for within a brief period he has built up an
enterprise second to no productive industry in New London or this part of the
county.
S. J. RUMMELL.
S. J. Rummell, carrying on general agricultural pursuits, his time and energies
being devoted to the further development, cultivation and improvement of a farm
of sixty-three acres of land, is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth
having occurred in Ottawa county on the 1st of March, 1856, a son of Sebastian
and Applelona (Diehl) Rummell. As a boy he was reared amid the wholesome
influence and environment of rural life and later his time was largely divided be-
tween the work of the schoolroom and the duties of the fields. Arriving at years
of maturity, he wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been
reared and has largely devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He has, how-
ever, in the past given some attention to painting and butchering but is now en-
gaged in general farming. His place of sixty-three acres has a well kept appear-
ance and the fields, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, annually
bring forth rich harvests. He practices rotation of crops, while the work of
plowing, planting and harvesting is systematically done, due attention being given
to the condition and quality of the soil.
In 1880 Mr. Rummell was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Vogus, a daughter
of Fred Vogus, and unto this union have been born the following children : Mandy,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 321
Fred, Anna, Nettie, Ida, Laura, Albert and Albertina. In politics Mr. Rummell is
a stanch democrat, giving loyal support to the principles of that party and doing
all in his power to extend its influence in the community. Both he and his wife
are members of the Catholic church and are highly respected for their many good
traits of character. Mr. Rummell has never sought to figure prominently in a pub-
lic way, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs
which, carefully conducted, are bringing to him gratifying returns. Although he
has lived in this locality only nine years, he nevertheless has gained a wide circle of
friends who entertain for him warm regard.
CHARLES W. ABBEY.
Charles W. Abbey is cultivating a farm of ninety-three acres in Norwalk town-
ship and is a farmer whose well directed energy and keen foresight are bringing
to him a creditable measure of prosperity. He was born in the northern peninsula
of Michigan on the 24th of August, 1849, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Todd)
Abbey. On the paternal side he comes of Welsh lineage, the line of descent ex-
tending down from John Abbey, through his son Shuble, who married Sarah San-
ford and in turn became the father of Aaron Abbey, who was born September 10,
1825, in Ashtabula county, Ohio. The mother of our subject was born in Bui-
falo, New York, November 14, 1829, and is a daughter of Augustus and Arna
(Cole) Todd. On both the paternal and maternal sides the men have been long-
lived, Shuble Abbey, the grandfather of our subject, having lived to the venerable
age of ninety-six years. He was extremely active during his entire life and when
eighty-five years old climbed a chestnut tree and shook down the nuts. Henry
Francisco, the great-great-grandfather, lived to the remarkable age of one hun-
dred and thirty-four years. He was of French descent and resided in New York.
When one hundred years old he plowed with a yoke of oxen, and at the age of four-
teen years he played the bugle at the coronation of Queen Anne. In the family
of Aaron Abbey and his wife were five children : Henry A., Albert A., Charles W.,
Edward A. and Walter S.
As a farm boy Charles W. Abbey spent the days of boyhood and youth and in
the public schools he acquired a fair education that qualified him to take up the
more responsible duties of life when he put aside the tasks of the schoolroom.
He remained at home until about eighteen years of age, when he purchased the
farm upon which he now resides and started out in business on his own account.
He has made this farm his home for forty-two years and in the meantime has
brought it under a fine state of cultivation. He is up-to-date and progressive in his
methods and his well directed energy and close application to business have been
the means of bringing to him a most gratifying degree of success.
Mr. Abbey was united in marriage on the 1st of May, 1872, to Miss Matilda
Florence Lockwood, a daughter of Eli and Anna (Howarth) Lockwood, of Hu-
ron county. Their home has been blessed with one son, Bernard, who was born
February 3, 1875, and married Miss Orpha Allman. Fraternally Mr. Abbey is a
Mason and holds membership in a Michigan lodge, while his son, Bernard, belongs
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322 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
to the Elks and the Maccabees of Norwalk. He is independent in politics and is
governed by the character of the candidates rather than by any feeling of par-
tisanship. He is not neglectful of the responsibilities as well as the privileges of
citizenship, but at all times lends his aid to further any measure which has for its
object the substantial and permanent upbuilding and welfare of the community.
As he has made his home for many years in Huron county, he has a wide acquain-
tance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a man of
genuine personal worth.
E. W. SMITH.
E. W. Smith, a well known and prominent farmer and horse dealer of Ripley
township, may well claim the proud American title of a self-made man, inasmuch
as the prosperity which he now enjoys has been won entirely through his own ef-
forts and has come as the result of indefatigable industry and well directed energy.
Born on the 16th of February, 1865, in this township, he is a son of Otis and Mary
Jane (Welsh) Smith, the former born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1832,
while the latter's birth occurred in Ripley township, Huron county, in 1838. The
paternal grandfather, Henry Smith, was born in New York in 1800 and came to
Ohio at an early date, purchasing the farm upon which our subject now resides in
1840. He married Caroline Redfield, and in their family were the following chil-
dren : Otis, Henry, Jane and two who passed away in infancy. The mother of our
subject was the daughter of Nicholas V. and Susan (Styles) Welsh, and was the
eldest in a family of four children, the others being Peter, John and Rachel. Nich-
olas Welsh was born in 1819 in Maryland and is a son of John Welsh. His
grandfather, John Welsh, Sr., was the founder of the family in America, com-
ing from Wales when nineteen years of age and locating in Maryland. The family
was numbered among the slave traders of that state at one time, but upon their
removal to Ohio they freed all of their slaves. Mr. Welsh, like many other south-
erners, was raised by an old black mammy. The family of Otis Smith and his wife
consisted of five children, namely, Warren, Charles, Ralph, E. W. and Verna.
Amid the scenes and environments of agricultural life E. W. Smith was reared
to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools, and when not engaged
with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the fields, his training in
general farming being most thorough and comprehensive. He remained at home
until he attained his majority and then started out in business for himself. Most of
his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he now owns a fine farm
of one hundred and ninety-eight acres of land which, in its well improved and at-
tractive appearance, indicates the thrift and progressiveness of its owner. For ten
years, however, he operated a livery and sale stable in Plymouth, and he now deals
in horses, making a specialty of breeding trotters. He has been very successful in
his various undertakings and is now ranked among the substantial and representa-
tive agriculturists of Huron county.
It was on the 19th of August, 1885, that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to
Miss Ella Watts, who was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, in January, 1866, a daugh-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 323
ter of Frank and Elizabeth (Lester) Watts. She was the sister of Hattie, Sarah,
Grace and Alberta Watts, and by her marriage to Mr. Smith became the mother of
two sons: Forest, born in December, 1888; and Charles, born in May, 1897. The
eldest son, who is a graduate of the Plymouth high school, taught school for several
years and in the fall of 1909 entered the Ohio State University. The family are
members of the Methodist church of Plymouth, and are people of high repute in
the community in which they reside.
Mr. Smith holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
in politics is a stalwart republican, giving his unwavering support to that party
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Although he has confined
his attention closely to business, yet he has found time to interest himself in those
affairs which should always claim the attention of every good citizen, and his in-
fluence is ever on the side of progress, improvement, reform and advancement.
His has been a life of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recogni-
tion of honest labor, and in this community, where he has resided throughout his
entire lifetime, he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends, who entertain
for him high regard, while the fact that he is most liked where best known indicates
that his salient characteristics are in accord with the principles of honorable and
upright manhood.
HORACE B. SILLIMAN.
One of the prosperous farmers of Ripley township and one of the extensive
landholders, is Horace B. Silliman. Although not one of Ohio's native sons he
early saw the great agricultural possibilities of the state and for more than half
a century, has made it his home. He wias born in Fairfield county, Connecti-
cut, September 13, 1832, and is the son of Joseph and Lucinda (Banks) Silliman.
The Silliman family is of Dutch and English descent, but has for several genera-
tions been connected with the life of this country. The father, Joseph Silliman,
was born in 1790 in the county that was later the birthplace of his son and was the
eldest of the family of nine that were born of the union of Justice Silliman and
Miss Ruth Jennings. The other children were : Abijah, Darnel, Stephen, Sarah,
Ruth, Abigail, Marinda and Isaac. Mrs. Lucinda Silliman was also born in
Fairfield county, Connecticut, but was two years younger than her husband,
her birth having occurred in the year 1792. She was the daughter of Thomas
Banks and his wife and the sister of Jane, Amelia, Sarah, Esther and Rachel.
Through her marriage with Joseph Silliman she became the mother of three
children: Horace B., George and Sarah Eliza.
Horace B. Silliman first came to Ohio in 1849, when he was but seventeen years
of age and remained but ten months staying with his brother George who was a
resident of Fairfield. The impressions formed on this visit, however, were so
favorable, that he returned to his home with the intention of disposing of his
property as quickly as possible and coming again to this state, which though not
as well developed as at present, seemed to offer great opportunities, especially to
the man who was willing to work. In 1855, he sold his property in Connecti-
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324 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
cut and came to Ripley township, where he purchased the one hundred and
eighty-four acres on which he now lives. The years have proved the wisdom
of his decision. He has been more successful than he had even dared to hope;
the land brought him rich harvests, and when he engaged in the stock business,
it too prospered, so that he has been able from time to time to add to his origi-
nal land holdings until he now has three hundred and forty acres in Ripley town-
ship.
In the April of the year preceding his advent to Ohio, that of 1854, Mr. Silli-
man married Miss Abigail Hawkins, who was born August 20, 1833, in Fairfield
county, Connecticut, and is a dru^hter of Eben and Clara (Wakeman) Hawkins.
The parents had a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Silliman is the youngest
The others were Burr, William, Elihu, Arella, Sarah, Mary and Adaline. To
Mr. and Mrs. Silliman have been born eleven children : Georgiana, William, Frank,
Dwight, Edward, Clara, Mary, Ella and three who died in infancy.
In politics, Mr. Silliman affiliates with the democratic party and has taken
a vital interest in the affairs of the township, having served for a number of
years as trustee and at several different times as assessor. He is also respon-
sible to some degree for the financial stability of the county, for he was one of
the founders of the Peopled Bank at Plymouth and the Farmers Bank at Green-
wich, and since their establishment has been upon their boards of directors. Yet
the position of esteem which he holds in the community is due entirely to his own
efforts, because he seized opportunities when they presented themselves and made
others whenever he saw the slightest possibility of gaining and advancing by
them. Fraternally, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows and with the Royal Arcanum.
ISABELLA CONGER.
Isabella Conger, of Greenfield township, who is conducting the farm on the one
hundred and fifty-one acres of land left by her husband, was born in this township,
June 25, 1 83 1, and is a daughter of Edward and Martha (Lovell) Lowther. Her
paternal grandfather, Henry Lowther, was born in Ireland and came to the United
States at the time of the rebellion in his home land. He settled in New York state,
became a farmer and acquired considerable property, which he lost by going bond
for a friend. His son Edward Lowther, the father of Mrs. Conger, was born in
New York city in 1800. At the age of seventeen he came west to Ohio, locating
in Greenfield township, Huron county, where he purchased land and lived the re-
mainder of his days. Captain Lowther he was generally called, for he was at one
time captain of the militia and was otherwise prominent in his section of the coun-
ty, for he held many township offices during the period of his residence here and
was a conspicuous figure in the Universalist church. His life was brought to a
close in 1886. His wife was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and came
with her parents to Ohio when it was a dense forest and when Indians were fre-
quent visitors to the homes of the white settlers. Quite a different county did she
leave in 1887, when her eighty-one years of activity were ended by death. She
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 327
became the mother of the following children: Thomas, deceased; Mariette, the
widow of Ira Watterman; Isabella, of this sketch; Jackson, of Sherwood, Ohio;
Sarah, the widow of William Graham; Helen, the deceased wife of Dexter Mason ;
Martha, the wife of Barnett Rowe ; and James.
Greenfield township has always been Mrs. Conger's home. She was born here
in a little log house and in the district schools received such an education as they
were able to give. She took part in the work that was carried on at the home
farm, such work as a girl could do, and was about twenty years of age when she
was sought in marriage by Lewis Conger, the son of Elijah and Hannah (Lud-
low) Conger. Mr. Conger was born September 8, 1824, at Ludlowville, New
York, and in 1833, came with his parents to Milan, Ohio, where he worked with his
father in a mill until 1850, when the family moved to Greenfield township. In
1870 Mr. Conger bought the farm on which his widow now lives from Jacob Nog-
gle, and as it was in an almost rude state, the many improvements that it now
possesses are to be laid to Mr. Conger's credit.
On the 10th of February, 1853, Mr. Conger and Miss Lowther were united in
the holy bonds of matrimony, and the forty-four years during which they were
permitted to travese life's pathway together were blessed with four children. Ed-
ward L., who lives in Greenfield township, married Miss Nellie Hall and has
two children, May and Ray. Halsey died at the age of five months. Julia, now
deceased, was the wife of Charles Palmer and the mother of two children, Florence
and Charles. Lewis, who lives on the farm with his mother, was married to Miss
Ada Daly, of Greenfield township and is the father of a daughter Isabelle. Mr.
Conger was called to his final rest November 11, 1899, and during the subsequent
years the son Lewis has taken full charge of the farm, has conducted its work and
managed its finances.
DANIEL JAY MORSE.
Daniel Jay Morse is now living retired in North Fairfield but for many years
was closely associated with farming interests in Huron county. Prospering as the
years went by he acquired a handsome competence and when relieved of the neces-
sity of further labor to provide a means of living, he took up his abode in town,
there to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. He is not actively engaged in any busi-
ness at the present time, save in loaning money. Few men have longer resided
within the borders of the county than Mr. Morse, who is one of the native sons,
his birth having occurred in Bronson township, on the 23d of March, 1836. There
were still many evidences of pioneer life here at that time, for the railroads had
not been built, much of the land was still uncultivated and through the dense
forests roamed wild animals, while various kinds of wild game were to be seen.
Great changes have since occurred and with the work of general progress and im-
provement Mr. Morse has been identified. He comes of a family of English lin-
eage. The first of the name of whom we have authentic record was John Morse,
who was commissioned a captain in the Colonial army before the Revolutionary
war by King George III, and the commission is still in possession of his descend-
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328 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ents. At the time the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppres-
sion he became allied with American interests and participated in the war for inde-
pendence holding the rank of captain in the Continental army. His grandfather,
Ezekiel Morse, was born in Massachusetts and went from New England to Roch-
ester, New York, during the war of 1812. He fought with the American troops
throughout the war and took up his abode in Rochester when it was a mere hamlet,
he and his brother Enoch laying out the main street of the city. He was also one
of the first aldermen of Rochester and was closely and prominently connected with
the work of development and upbuilding during the formative period. At his
death he was taken back to Rochester, where he was accorded a public burial by
the city.
Daniel S. Morse, the father of Daniel J. Morse, was born in Washington, Mas-
sachusetts, and came to Huron county, Ohio, about 1820 or 1822, making the jour-
ney by way of the lake to the town of Huron, where he hired an ox team and in that
manner proceeded to Greenwich. He remained there for only a year, however,
after which he settled upon a farm in Bronson township, where he remained until
called to his final rest. This is the only farm in Bronson township that has never
passed out of possession of the family nor never had a mortgage upon it. He dili-
gently pursued his work in developing and improving his property and became rec-
ognized as one of the leading agriculturists of the community. Moreover, he was
a prominent and influential citizen and filled various positions of public trust in his
township. He acted for at time as justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly
fair and impartial and for twenty-six years prior to his death he was the trusted
and reliable treasurer of the township. Both he and his wife were consistent mem-
bers of the Congregational church, in the work of which he took an active and
helpful part, serving for many years as one of the deacons and doing everything in
his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the society. In early
manhood he had married Lucy Jeffords, also a native of Washington, Massa-
chusetts, and they became the parents of nine children, Lois, Mary L., Edward,
Daniel Jay, Laura, Theodore, Martha, Jacob and Ellen. Of this family Edward,
Daniel and Jane are the only ones now living. The homestead of one hundred and
twenty acres, which the father long owned and which he left at the time of his
death, still remains undivided.
Daniel Jay Morse was reared on the old home farm, early becoming familiar
with all the duties and labors that fall to the lost of the agriculturist in his efforts
to profitably till the soil. When but a boy he took his place in the fields as soon
as old enough to handle the plow and continued to engage actively in general farm-
ing until he retired from business life. His education was acquired in the public
schools and in the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons.
That his methods of farm work were practical and brought substantial results is
indicated in the position to which he has attained among the men of affluence in
the county.
In 1859 Mr. Morse was united in marriage to Miss Orpha Watrous, a daugh-
ter of Cyrus and Emily (Barber) Watrous, of Erie county, Ohio. Three children
were born of that marriage: Charles Watrous, who was born in 1861 and is a rail-
road man ; William S., born in 1865 ; and Emma, who was born in 1874 and is now
deceased. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Morse was again married on the 22d of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 329
September, 1907, to Eva Belle Tremley, a daughter of William and Sarah Ann
(Hoffmire) Tremley. Mr. and Mrs. Morse are now living in North Fairfield,
he having sold his farm and taken up his abode in town, there to enjoy well earned
rest. His money is now loaned out and he derives from his investments a good in-
come. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist church. His
life has always been honorable and upright and has ever been in conformity to a
high standard of business principles. Neither has he been indifferent to good citi-
zenship but has sought the good of the community through his cooperation in many
public measures. He has lived to witness remarkable changes in the county, in-
cluding the building of railroads, the introduction of the telegraph and the tele-
phone, the adoption of all modern farm machinery and the employment of all mod-
ern means for intellectual, aesthetic and moral progress as well. He rejoices in
what has been accomplished and has given stalwart support to many movements
which have been directly beneficial to this section of the state.
FRANKLIN C. WOOD.
Among the men of Greenwich village, distinguished for exceptional bravery
is Franklin C. Wood, the town marshall, who was born November 1, 1877, in
Cass township, Richland county, Ohio, and is a son of John W. and Mary E.
(Darling) Wood. Both parents were also natives of that township, to which
the paternal grandfather, James C. Wood, had come from New York state. He
was among the early settlers there and cleared the land of the heavy timber with
which it was covered. As the township grew he became prominent in its affairs,
and was one of the four that organized the republican party in Cass township.
He himself did not serve in the Civil war, but he sent four sons to fight for
their country, two of whom died in the service. Kellum succumbed to disease
while with his regiment; William died from the effects of a wound received in
the battle of Bull Run ; Charles served four years and after tl^e war went to Kan-
sas, where he died ; and Andrew was in the one hundred days' service, and still
lives in Shiloh, Ohio.
John W. Wood, the father of Franklin C. Wood, was too young to enlist.
For many years, he was a farmer of Richland county and later of Huron county,
and in the year 1906, removed to Greenwich village, where he has since resided
with his family, pursuing the carpenter's trade. His wife's father. William E.
Wood, was also an early settler in Cass township, Richland county, and was one
of the four men who organized the republican party there. He was accidentally
killed many years ago, by having his clothing caught in the tumbling rod of the
old horse-p:)wer thresher. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wad, became the parents of
two children : Florence, who died in infancy ; and Franklin C, the subject of this
sketch.
As a young lad and into the period of his young manhood, Franklin C. Wood
lived and worked on his father's farm, receiving his education at the district
schools of the county. He later entered upon the life and work of farming, which
he pursued for several years after his marriage, until 1906, when he came to
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330 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Greenwich village. In August of the following year, he was appointed marshall
to fill an unexpired term and in November was duly elected by popular vote to
the same office for a term of two years. On more than one occasion, the people
have had reason to congratulate themselves on the wisdom of their choice, for
Mr. Wood has proved a most valuable officer, but perhaps never more than upon
the morning of December 16, 1908, a day that has gone into the annals of the
village, when Mr. Wood proved himself a man of stupendous courage and iron
nerve. Even as he with all modesty recounts the occurrence, it is one that excites
our admiration and wonder. In the early morning of December 16, 1908, while
going upon his rounds, Mr. Wood encountered four men in the street, evidently
intent upon robbing the banks of the village. Upon accosting them, he was led
into a trap between some box cars standing on a side track, and then suddenly
found that he was facing a brace of revolvers. He wtas ordered to throw up his
hands, which he did, but his own revolver came up with them and one of the men
fell dead from the shot which he pulled. This of course brought the remaining
men upon him with renewed force ; they fired on him and then engaged in a hand
to hand struggle, in the course of which he was overpowered and left for uncon-
scious, the men retiring to some distance to look after their fallen comrade. He
was not so much used up as appeared, however, but managed to get his guns into
working order again, and doubtless would have ended the life of another man,
had they not discovered his activity and pounced upon him with increased vin-
dictiveness, jumping on him, kicking him and literally trampling him into the
ground, where they left him to make their own escape. Unconscious he was in-
deed this time, but with the passage of the hours soon gained sufficient power
to drag himself to a pool of water from which he revived himself sufficiently to
call for assistance. There was immediately great commotion, the wounded mar-
shal was put aboard a fast Big Four train, flagged for the purpose, and hurried
to the hospital at Galion, where for many days his life hung by a slender thread.
After six weeks, he was pronounced to be able to leave the physician's care and to
go to his home in Greenwich, but even there the period of his confinement to his
bed was prolonged for three months longer. He is now able to be about town,
though he is still very weak from the many thrilling experiences through which
he has passed the last being the fourth that almost resulted in death to him,
though the three preceding ones were merely accidental. On the occasion of the
first, he was kicked severely by a horse, the second time a tree fell on him, and on
the third, he was caught in some machinery. In each case, he wtas so badly in-
jured, that his life was despaired of, but on each occasion, as on this most recent,
he has pulled through. It is needless to say that the three assailants on the night
of December 16, escaped, but he who was killed was identified by the Pinkerton
Detective Agency, as Edward Quinn, a criminal with a long record, who was
sought for in many cities. It is believed that it was the intention of the men to
rob at least one of the banks of Greenwich, and in recognition of the marshal's
bravery and opportune frustration of the robbers' operations, a purse of substan-
tial size was presented to him. The Casualty and Security Company, which
carried burglar insurance on the banks, and the Ohio Bankers' Association each
* contributed one hundred dollars, and the subscriptions of the other banks and
from the citzens of the village brought the sum up to twelve hundred and fifty-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 331
four dollars, which was paid him as a slight appreciation of the value of his
services.
On the 12th of December, 1902, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Myrtle G.
Martin, a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Weygant) Martin, of New London,
where the father is living in retirement after an active life as a farmer. One child,
Thelma G., has been born of this union. Mr. Wood and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is also a member of the Ladies of the
Maccabees. To the Knights of the Maccabees, Mr. Wood belongs and to the
Greenwich Lodge, No. 640, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In poli-
tics, he is a republican and is an effective party worker. After the incident nar-
rated above, it is but repetition to say that he is a man of unflinching nerve, of
fixed determination, and one who believes in doing right, because it is right, and
while these qualities are inestimable they are fully appreciated by Mr. Wood's
fellow citizens, a knowledge and satisfaction that is afforded to but comparatively
few persons.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN DARLING.
A well impoved farm of ninety acres pays tribute to the labor and care be-
stowed upon it by William Franklin Darling, one of Ohio's native sons, whose
birth occurred in Richland county, January 2, 1856. He is a son of William and
Lydia (Shoup) Darling, both natives of Richland county, Ohio, the former born
in 181 1. The father, who was the second white child born in that county, spent
his entire life within its borders, passing away in 1874. He was twice married,
his first union being with Miss Lydia Shoup, while for his second wife he chose
Miss Leah Wagner, a native of Crawford county. Two children were born unto
the first union, Mary and William F.
No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for William
Franklin Darling during the period of his boyhood and youth, which were spent
on his father's farm amid the scenes and environments of rural life. He attended
the district schools in the acquirement of his education, and under the capable di-
rection of his father received thorough business training which well equipped him
for the practical and responsible duties of life. He remained at home until his
marriage and in the year following that event, he purchased the farm upon which
he now resides and which has been in his possession for the past thirty-two years.
He has directed his entire energies toward its further improvement, has brought
his fields under a high state of cultivation and has erected substantial, modern
buildings, while upon the place are found all of the conveniences and accessories
that go to make up a model farm. In the management of his affairs, he manifests
excellent business ability, and his close application and untiring industry are the
salient elements in the prosperity which he now enjoys.
Mr. Darling was united in marriage on the 30th of December, 1876, to Miss
Catherine Wentz, who was born November 27, 1854, in Richland county, Ohio,
her parents being Solomon and Catherine (Firewood) Wentz. She had three
sisters and two brothers all younger than herself, namely: Mary, George, Anna,
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332 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Clara and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Darling became the parents of three children, as
follows : Effie, who was born in 1877, and married Joseph Hodge, by whom she has
three children: Adon, Alice and Martha; Pearl, whose birth occurred in 1884;
and Mary, born in 1890. The family are members of the Lutheran church at
Shiloh, Ohio, in the work of which they are interested and to the support of which
they are generous contributors. Mr. Darling gives his political allegiance to the
republican party, but has no desire for office, preferring to concentrate his time
and energies upon his business interests in which he is meeting with signal suc-
cess, being now ranked among the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of
Ripley township.
CALVIN WHITNEY.
The life record of Calvin Whitney was beautiful in its symmetry, in its pur-
poses and its accomplishments. In him keen discernment and powers of manage-
ment were well balanced with a charitable spirit and broad humanitarianism. Be-
cause of this his work was of the utmost value in the public life of Norwalk and
his history constitutes an important chapter in the annals of the city. He was
born in Townsend, Huron county. Ohio, September 25, 1846, and was one of the
six children of Charles and Roxanna (Palmer) Whitney. The father's birth oc-
curred in Shelby, Richland county. Ohio, on the 23d of September, 1812, and his
father was Henry Whitney, who was born in 1791 in Norwalk, Connecticut.
There he married Miss Lucy Grumman ?.nd in 1819 they made their way to the
western border of civilization — for so it then seemed — and settled in Shelby, Rich-
land county. The family is of English origin and was founded in this country by
Henry Whitney, who emigrated irom England, where he was born, about 1620
He became one of the early residents of New England where his family was rep-
resented for successive generations in the vicinity of Norwalk, Connecticut, until
the removal to the west was made by Henry Whitney, who was the first of the
name in Ohio.
Calvin Whitney in his boyhood days worked on the home farm and attended
the country schools. He was apt and diligent in his studies, manifesting special
fondness for mathematics and, encouraged by a loving mother, he mastered the
elements of an English education and at the age of fifteen was much better equipped
by mental training for the duties of life than most boys of his age. Lessons
of industry, perseverance and integrity were also impressed upon his mind and
in the course of years bore rich fruit. He was but eighteen years of age when he
started out in life on his own account, undertaking the task of operating a small
farm on the shares, but a hail storm ruined his crops and he concluded that Prov-
idence did not intend him to follow farming. Therefore, in 1865 with his capital
amounting to about four hundred dollars, he embarked in the hardwood lumber
business, in which he soon established a credit and by which he won success from
the start. His patronage grew rapidly until his sales aggregated about two hun-
dred thousand doliars annually. He possessed superior ability for judging and
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 335
buying lumber and because of this was enabled to make judicious investments
and profitable sales.
In the fall of 1875 tne A. B. Chase Company was organized in Norwalk and
on account of Mr. Whitney's superior knowledge of the lumber business, his rec-
ord as an executive and the fact that he was a rising young business man of keen
discrimination, his cooperation was sought as one of the incorporators of the
company, which was organized for the manufacture of reed organs with a capital
stock of fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Whitney became one of its first directors and
so continued until April, 1877, when on the death of A. B. Chase, he was elected
the president of the A. B. Chase Company and continuously occupied that posi-
tion until his demise. He saw the business grow from a comparatively small be-
ginning to one of extensive proportions and in foreign lands as well as in America
its product has a large sale. In what manner Mr. Whitney filled the presidency
and caused a newly organized business company to be recognized as among the
responsible, respected and prominent industries of the United States, is history
with which nearly every one in Norwalk and every piano man in the country is
familiar. A man of great versatility he readily adapted himself to changed con-
ditions and to widely different lines of business — and always with success. The
word fail had no place in his vocabulary. He knew that when one avenue of
advancement seemed closed there were other paths which might be sought out
and followed and he never relinquished an honorable purpose.
On the 5th of November, 1868, occurred the marriage of Calvin Whitney and
Miss Marian Dean, a daughter of Royal Cady and Marian (Smith) Dean, of
Townsend, Huron county, Ohio. They became the parents of four children : Ma-
rian Daisy, the wife of E. B. Dillon, of Columbus; Ruby L., of this city; Ida C,
now the wife of Amos W. Gardiner, of Houston, Texas ; and Warren Calvin, who
is a prominent representative of the A. B. Chase Company. He was born in
Norwalk, October 9, 1882, was educated in the schools of this city, in Ohio Uni-
versity and in Princeton University, in which he was graduated with the class of
1906. He then entered into active relations with the A. B. Chase Company and
now spends much of his time on the road in looking after the interests of the firm.
He is a bright young man, fitted by education and training to follow in the foot-
steps of his father. The wife and mother died November 4, 1901, and on the
25th of August, 1904, Mr. Whitney was married to Mrs. Urania A. Todd, who
with the four children survives the husband and father.
Some time prior to his demise Mr. Whitney underwent a severe operation,
from which he never fully recovered and after an illness lasting more than a year
he passed away on the sixth day of June, 1909. His parents were members of the
Baptist church for fifty years and he was reared in a religious atmosphere and
became thoroughly in sympathy with woik along moral lines. For many years he
held membership in the Methodist church and his religion was always of the
cheery kind, his life and his example being its exponent. It is not likely that the
amount that he has given for charities and the cause of religion will ever be known
because of his desire to give of himself and his money without the plaudits of
men. However, his contributions to all branches of church work were most gen-
erous and he donated ten thousand dollars to the extension fund of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church for the building of houses of worship in the far west and,
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336 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
giving this in honor of his wife, it is known as the Marian Whitney fund. No
tale of sorrow or distress made appeal to him in vain and not only his substan-
tial assistance but also his words of encouragement brought hope into the lives
of many who fared forward the better for it. He possessed a marvelous memory
and superior intellect which were undimmed during his long illness and though he
retired from the active management of the Norwalk business he kept in touch
with the piano trade of the country and to within a month of his death continued
his correspondence with his contemporaries in that field of labor. The community
at his death felt that a priceless possession had been taken, for he was a dominat-
ing factor in commercial and manufacturing circles and was equally prominent
and honored in all of his relations to the public life and its intellectual and moral
progress. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon the community
in such a way that will cause his memory to be enshrined in the hearts of those
who knew him for years to come.
MADISON M. FAST.
Madison M. Fast belongs to one of the old and substantial families of Huron
county, Ohio, and during his busy life has proven himself worthy of his fore-
bears who were brave, self-reliant men. He was born March 26, 1857, on
the farm adjoining his present one in Richmond township, and is a son
of E. W. and Hannah (Roberts) Fast; a grandson of Jacob and Catherine
(Rex) Fast and Jacob and Lucinda Roberts, and great-grandson of the redoubt-
able Christian Fast, Revolutionary soldier and Indian fighter. Christian Fast had
many remarkable adventures among the Indians, being one of five white
men captured by the savages. They camped on the banks of the Maumee
river, and shot three of their prisoners, and burned one of them, Colonel
Crawford at the stake. Fortunately Christian Fast was able to arouse their super-
stitious fears and so they spared his life, staining his skin to resemble their own
and putting rings in his nose and ears. They tried to induce him to marry a
squaw and become one of them, but the valiant white man watched his opportunity
and after six months' captivity, managed to escape one night, swimming across
the Maumee river. His captors missed him and tried to stop his escape by
firing at him, but although the shots fell all about him in the water, he reached
the opposite bank unhurt and was able to reach a white settlement three miles
distant, although closely pursued by the Indians.
E. W. Fast, father of Madison M. Fast, is now living on the homestead south
of that of Madison M. Fast, who operates it for him, the father having retired
from active life after many years, spent in farming. While not enrolled as a
member of the United Brethren church, he has always been much interested in
its work and a liberal contributor to it, and he donated the land on which stands
the present church of the denomination in Richmond township. The church
edifice adjoins his house. lie and his wife became the parents of the following
children: Jane, who married Jacob Walker; Mary, who married Scott Sewalt ;
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 337
Madison M., who is mentioned below; Elmer; Leroy, who is deceased; and Ida,
who married Weadel Skidmore.
Madison M. Fast was married October 10, 1882, to Susan Resh, a daughter
of Henry and Catherine (Thomas) Resh, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they
were married, but later removed to Richland county, Ohio, and later to Huron
county. Their children were: Henry; Catherine, who married Wesley Sparks;
Jacob, who went west and was never heard of afterward ; Joseph, who is decease 1 ;
Samuel; Mary Anne, who married George W. Ritz ; Sarah, who died, married
Isaac Snavley ; William ; and Mrs. Fast. Mr. and Mrs. Fast had six children :
Oilie M., who married Joseph Mann; Orin; Leroy; Russell; Effie, who is de-
ceased, and Daisy.
Mr. Fast owns ninety-six acres of fine farming land in Richmond township,
which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and he operates it in con-
junction with the farm of his father. He has been road supervisor and school
director, and in in his political views, he is a democrat and is earnest in the support
of his party. His family belong to the United Brethren church. The standing
of Mr. Fast in his community both as a farmer and citizen is high, and he has
attained it through honorable methods and close attention to his work.
HUBBARD D. PALMER.
Hubbard D. Palmer occupies one of the most beautiful country homes of
Huron county, situated in the midst of two hundred acres of valuable land in
Fitchville township. He has other desirable property elsewhere and as the result
of his well directed business affairs in former years, is now numbered among the
men of affluence in his community. He was born in Fitchville township, this
county. His father, Seeley Palmer, was one of the earliest settlers of the county
and aided in building the first frame house in Norwalk.
Spending his youthful days in the place of his nativity, Hubbard D. Palmer
pursued his education in the public schools, continuing his studies in the Fitch-
ville high school of which Colonel De Wolff was then the superintendent. He en-
tered business life in connection with the construction of the Western Union
Telegraph lines at the age of sixteen years, gaining practical experience that was
of the greatest benefit to the government when he became connected with the
Union army in the Civil war. He was nineteen years of age when he started
for California by way of the isthmus. They were about ten days in making the
trip across Panama and it required more than forty days to complete the journey
to San Francisco. On reaching the Golden state, Mr. Palmer turned his attention
to mining and located and bought several claims. He followed hydraulic mining
in the mountains and met with fair success, the largest pure nugget which he
took out weighing sixteen and a half ounces. He wears a solid plain gold ring
made from gold which he took out of the mines himself and cherishes it with
much pride. Altogether, he was quite successful while in California and, well
pleased with his trip, he returned to Huron county, Ohio, after a sojourn of
three years in the far west. He spent three weeks in visiting with his parents and
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338 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
relatives and then went south to visit his brother-in-law, Dennis Doren, who
was located at the general headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, holding the
position of general superintendent of construction of heavy and field telegraph
wires for the army. At that time, General Thomas T. Eckert was the general
superintendent of the telegraph department and of the quartermaster's office in
the general war department, and immediately after Mr. Palmer's arrival in the
south, learning that he had been trained in the business of constructing tele-
graph lines, General Eckert influenced him to become the assistant of Mr. Doren.
He consented and remained at such work until the close of the war. When the
war was over, General Eckert was made president of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, remaining as its chief executive until about two years ago, when
he was elected president of the board of directors, which position he still holds.
Mr. Doren became superintendent of construction of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company in the United States and Canada, and was also made
president of the Cable Construction Company, continuing in that capacity
until his death. Mr. Palmer's duty while in the army included the laying of lines
from the corps to the general headquarters. The heavy wires were laid on poles
and the field wires were strung on light socket poles and could be taken down
and removed almost instantly. The manner in which they were put up enabled
one to construct from twenty-five to thirty-five miles per day. They were strung
from a reel fastened to the back of mules and were taken in by a similar method.
The corps wires were all connected in a wagon expressly constructed for that
purpose containing a battery and if necessary the message could then be repeated
from the wagon, over the heavy wire to Washington. Mr. Palmer was a wit-
ness of every important battle in the east fought from the time that General
Burnsides took charge of the Army of the Potomac until the surrender at Ap-
pomattox Courthouse. Mr. Palmer was always at general headquarters except for
the time he was out building lines to the general headquarters. A large number
of their corps were captured and several died at Andersonville prison.
After the war, Mr. Palmer remained with the Western Union Telegraph
Company for about two years, repairing its lines which had been destroyed during
the period of hostilities. He afterward had full charge, under Mr. Doren, of the
construction of overland cable lines from Bangor, Maine, to St. Johns, New Bruns-
wick, through Halifax and Nova Scotia to Plastacove, Great Britian, connecting
there with the cable. Thus he was busily engaged for several years, but at length
his health failed him and since then he has spent most of his time in Missouri and
Ohio. For a period he was engaged in the grocery business and was also busy
in looking after his landed interests. He is the owner of more than three hundred
acres of rich and productive land. His home place is a farm of two hundred
acres in Fitchville township, supplied with all modern improvements, including
a beautiful residence which he erected and which is one of the fine country homes
of Huron county. He is also a director of the Huron County Bank and his in-
vestments have at all times been judiciously placed, so that he is deriving there-
from a substantial income.
Mr. Palmer has been twice married. In 1865, he wedded Miss Euphronia
Knapp, who passed away about the year 1878. In November, 1906, he was again
married, his second union being with Miss Mina Waterhouse, a daughter of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 339
[srael L. Waterhousc, who was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1819.
His mother bore the maiden name of Miss Hannah Davis and was a daughter of
Aaron Davis, one of the heroes of Bunker Hill and a cousin of Commodore
Perry. She had a great-uncle who preached a sermon in a Quaker church in
Pennsylvania at the remarkable old age of one hundred and four years. She
lived to the very advanced age of ninety- four years. The Davis family was of
English lineage.
Israel L. Waterhouse, the father of Mrs. Palmer, came to Ohio in 1848. He
w!as a well educated man and in his younger years taught school. Later he took
up the occupation of farming which he continued to follow until his retirement
from active business life in the *8os. He then removed to New London, Ohio,
where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, save for
the active participation which he took in the public life of the community. After
his removal to New London, he was elected mayor of the town, also served as a
member of the city council and in other offices, the duties of which he discharged
with promptness and fidelity. His political allegiance was given to the republi-
can party. He assisted in building the numerous churches in New London and,
although not a member of any, was always a strong supporter of and a liberal
contributor to all. His death occurred October 16, 1897, when he had reached
the age of seventy-eight years. On the 4th of November, 1849, ^e had married
Hannah M. Stowe, who was born in Skaneateles, New York, September 7, 1828.
They had a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom
are yet living. Among this number is Mrs. Palmer.
In his political faith, Mr. Palmer is also a republican and has always kept
well informed on the questions and issues of the day although not a politician in
the sense of office seeking. His religious belief accords with the teachings of the
Congregational church. His has been an interesting and eventful life and if
written in detail this history would contain many thrilling chapters covering
his California experiences in the early mining days, his duty on the frontier in the
Civil war and his connection with the construction of telegraph lines in the United
States. While in later years he has lived more quietly he has manifested the
same sterling qualities which have always been characteristic of him and which
have gained him the high position which he occupies in the regard of his fellow-
men.
MRS. EMALINE McFARLAND.
Mrs. Emaline McFarland is numbered among Huron county's residents who
have long lived in this section of the state, and she has a very wide and favorable
acquaintance, many who know her entertaining for her warm regard. She was
born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1836, and is a daughter of Jacob
and Rebecca (Brubaker) Truxell. They, too, were natives of the Keystone state,
where they lived until after their marriage and, on removing westward, they took
up their abode in Ripley township, Huron county, Ohio, and became identified
with the farming interests of the locality in which they settled.
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340 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Their daughter, Emaline Truxell, was reared under the parental roof and was
educated in the public schools and was early trained to the duties of the household
so that she was well qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of
her marriage. In early womanhood, she gave her hand and heart to Archibald Mc-
Farland, who was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 31st
of October, 1822, and was a son of Archibald and Anna (Easter) McFarland.
Following their marriage the ycung couple began their domestic life upon a farm
in this county and throughout his remaining days Mr. McFarland carried on gen-
eral agricultural pursuits. He was a man of industry and his diligence and deter-
mination, which \icre among his salient characteristics, brought him a comfortable
living and enabled him to leave his family in pleasant circumstances.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McFarland were born two sens and a daughter, but the
eldest, Frank Easter, who was born in 1858, is now deceased. The others are:
Julia A., born in 1861 ; and Archibald Kent, born in 1863. At his death Mr. Mc-
Farland left to his family seventy acres of rich and productive land and through the
careful management of their property and wise conduct of their business affairs
they have increased their holdings until the farm now comprises one hundred and
eight acres of rich land together with a let of two and a half acres at North Fair-
field, whereon Mrs. McFarland now makes her home. She has passed the seventy-
third milestone on life's journey and as she has spent the greater part of her time
in Huron county she has a very wide acquaintance here, while her many good
traits of heart and mind have endeared her to those with whom she has been
brought in contact.
CI AUDE L. LATHAM.
Claude L. Latham, an energetic, enterprising and progressive agriculturist of
Ridgefield township, is devcting his time ai:d energies to the cultivation of his
farm o; sixty-cne acres. He was torn in that township on the 13th of October,
1881, his parents being Hardica L. and Ida (Fish) Latham. William Latham,
the paternal grandfather of cur subject, made his way westward at an early day,
becoming a pioneer settler of Lyme township, Huron county, Ohio. His family
numbered eight children, those still living being Ortive, Clayton, Bretna and
Ionia, while the deceased are Zahm, Hardica L., Delilah and Hilda.
Hardica L. Latham, the father of Claude L., was born in Lyme township,
this county, in 1849, was educated in the public schools of Monroeville and when
a youth of eighteen years went west, traveling quite extensively over that sec-
tion of the country beyond the Mississippi. Finally he arrived in California where
he remained for two years. He was also at sea for a period, sailing between Cali-
fornia and South American ports. Returning to Ohio he went upon the farm
where his son, Claude L , now lives, in Ridgefield township, Huron county, and
was successfully identified with agriculture throughout the remainder of his active
business career. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was quite prominent
politically, being recognized as one of the leading local representatives of the de-
mocracy. He capably served in the position of township trustee for several years
and was well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. He was a
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HARDICA L. LATHAM
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 343
lover of fine horses and owned a number of them. In manner he was genial,
courteous and sociable, and these qualities made him very popular so that his death
was greatly deplored by many friends when in 1904 he was called to the home
beyond. His wife, who was born in Ridgefield township in 1852, was a daugh-
ter of Major John Fish, who won his title by service in the war of 1812. He was
born March 6, 1786, in New York, and served all through the second war with
England. In 1815 he removed to Licking county, Ohio, and ten years later came
to Huron county, where he made his home until called to his final rest on the 13th
of September, 1866. Mrs. Latham still survives her husband and is yet a resident
of this county. Their union was blessed with two children, Claude L. and Goldie
C. The latter now makes her home with her mother.
Claude L. Latham attended the district schools in pursuit of an education and
was also a student in Monroeville for a time. He was trained to farm work, early
becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul-
turist, and this line of activity has since claimed his attention. He now owns an
excellent farm of sixty-one acres in Ridgefield township, on which he has placed
many substantial improvements. It is a well developed tract of land which is nat-
urally rich and productive and the alluvial soil brings forth bounteous harvests
in reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 3rd of January, 1905, Mr. Latham was united in marriage to Miss Ada
Lockwccd, a daughter of James C. and Sarah Lockwood, who were early settlers
of this county. The Lockwood family, originally from England, settled at Nor-
walk, Connecticut, while this country was still numbered among the colonial
possessions of Great Britain, and several members of the family participated in
the Revolutionary war which brought independence to the nation. Mrs. Latham's
great-grandfather, George Lockwood, built what is known today as the Lockwood
road, extending from Norwalk to Milan, Ohio. Her grandfather, Stephen Lock-
wood, was a native of Allen's Corners, Huron county. He was the first white male
child born in Huron county, his natal year being 1821. He served as a soldier
of the Civil war, defending the interests of the Union. He became a prominent
farmer and stock dealer of this part of the state and was engaged in general mer-
chandising in Milan at the time of the disastrous fire there, which caused him
losses amounting to thirty-three thousand dollars. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Lock-
wood, was a native of Norwalk, Connecticut, born in 1827 and came to Huron
county with her parents. James C. Lockwood, the father of Mrs. Latham, was
tern in Huron county in September, 1854. Having arrived at years of maturity
he wedded Miss Sarah Beekley, who was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1853. Her *a~
ther, Anthony Beekley, was a native of Baden, Germany, and came to America
when sixteen years of age. He devoted his life to carpentering and to school
teaching and was also a musician of considerable note. For eight years he en-
gaged in teaching in itie Catholic school at Milan. He, too, was a veteran of the
Civil war and died in 1906. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Kel-
lar, was a native of Switzerland and unto them were born six children.
LTnto Mr. and Mrs. Claude L. Latham have been born two children, Ida L.
and Howard L. Fraternally Mr. Latham is identified with the Masonic lodge at
Norwalk and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He has always made his home in
Ridgefield township and, though still a young man, has also attained a creditable
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344 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
measure of success in the conduct of his farming interests. The name of Lath-
am has figured prominently in the annals of this county from pioneer times down
to the present and the subject of this review has ever fully sustained the hon-
orable reputation borne by his father and grandfather.
LOUIS W. WICKHAM.
The name of Wickham is well in Norwalk in connection with the practice
of law, to which profession Louis W. Wickham gives his attention. He was
born in this city, November 30, 1866, and is a son of Judge C. P. Wickham, of
whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. His grandfather
was Judge Frederick Wickham, a representative of an old New England family
of Puritan ancestry. The first of the name to come to the west was William
Wickham, a native of Rhode Island, and the grandfather of Frederick Wick-
ham.
In the public schools of this city Louis W. Wickham pursued his early educa-
tion and afterward attended the preparatory school of the Western Reserve Uni-
versity, while later he became a student in Princeton University. He then studied
law with his father and was admitted to the bar in 1889, after which he be^an
practice in Norwalk. He has served for five years as prosecuting attorney of
Huron county, being elected in 1903 and again in 1906. He was in partnership
with his father until September, 1908, since which time he has practiced alone.
In 1892, Mr. Wickham was married to Miss Ellen E. Benedict, a daughter of
David D. Benedict, of an old Huron county family. They have four children:
Susan, Cora, Fred and Annabelle. Mr. Wickham is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, belonging to Mount Vennon Lodge, F. & A. M. ; Huron Chapter, R.
A. M. ; and Norwalk Commandery, K. T., of which he is at present eminent com-
mander.
FRED D. PIERCE.
Fred D. Pierce, a native of Wakeman township, his birth having occurred
April 22, 1859, is a representative of a family long and prominently connected
with the annals of this township. His grandfather, Amile P. Pierce, brought his
family from South Britain, Connecticut, in 1817, arriving in this locality about the
same time that C. C. Canfield and Samuel Bristol, accompanied by their families,
settled here. These three families constituted the first while settlers in Wake-
man township. The district was then wild, its lands unclaimed and its resources
undeveloped and Mr. Pierce was obliged to clear the land, then covered by a
dense forest, in order to build a cabin for the shelter of his family. Men of the
present period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the
pioneer settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders
of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. Mr. Pierce, with
characteristic energy, participated in the slow, persistent work of development
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 345
which was necessary to reclaim this land for the purposes of civilization and, per-
mitting no obstacles to overcome his determination and undaunted courage, event-
ually gained a gratifying measure of success in his agricultural enterprise, becom-
ing a prosperous farmer and extensive land owner. He was a man of strong,
sterling character, his help and counsel being sought by many of the early set-
tlers. He married Miss Electa Blackman ere his removal west and in their family
were six children, all ot whom attained maturity, but have now passed away. This
number included : Minott ; Lemuel ; David S. ; Bennett, who was drowned in the
Defiance river, leaving a family to mourn his loss ; Fanny, who became the wife
of Horace J. Beecher of Wakeman and both are now deceased: and Ann, who
became the wife of Dr. Johnson, of Oberlin.
Of this family David S. Pierce became the father of our subject. He was
reared upon the old homestead farm, which he later continued to operate, and
was also very successful in his business affairs. A fine specimen of American
manhood, he became actively and helpfully identified with the public affairs of the
locality, also championing any causes that tended to better the conditions or fur-
ther the development of the community. He was frequently called to fill various
township offices and was always faithful and loyal to the trust imposed in him.
He married Miss Julia A. Bunce and their family consisted of two children : Fred
D., of this review, and Jennie I., now Mrs. Edward P. Canfield. The father passed
away October 22, 1870, his remains being interred at Wakeman, while his wife
is still surviving and in her eighty- fourth year is in good health and vigor.
Fred D. Pierce, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared upon the old
homestead, his time being passed in the pursuits common to the country lad. He
attended the schools of Wakeman in the acquirement of his education and re-
mained upon the home farm for a number of years, cultivating the fields and
making a specialty of raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle. In 1895, however,
he sold the place and removed to Wakeman, where he engaged in the hay and
grain business and became a very extensive dealer in those products. He is a
man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and his close application to busi-
ness and his excellent management have brought to him a gratifying degree of
prosperity.
Throughout the years of his residence in Wakeman, Mr. Pierce has taken
a deep interest in public matters. He is a stalwart republican in politics and served
several terms as township trustee, while in 1897, he was appointed postmaster of
Wakeman under President McKinley, and is still incumbent in that office, now
serving in his third term and performing his duties therein in a way that has
gained the approbation and approval of his fellowmen. At the time of his ap-
pointment the postoffice at Wakeman was a fourth-class office, but during his
terms of service, the business has greatly increased, causing the office to be ad-
vanced to the third-class, the incumbent becoming a presidential appointee. Four
rural routes have been established, thus supplying free mail delivery to .every
point in the township.
Mr. Pierce was united in marriage on the 18th of October, 1880, to Miss Ida
E. Barnes, a daughter of George A. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Barnes. Both the
Barnes and Sherman families are old residents of Wakeman county, engaged
in agricultural pursuits and prominent in the affairs of the community. Mr. Barnes
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346 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
passed away in February, 1888, and is still survived by his wife. The home of
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce has been blessed with two sons, David E. and Idane B. The
former is in business in Elyria, while the latter is associated with his father in his
hay and grain enterprise. After nine years of happy wedded life, Mr. Pierce
was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 16th of
April, 1889. Mr. Pierce is public-spirited in his citizenship, advocating all meas-
ures which tend toward the general welfare of the community, while the matter
of public improvements is a cause dear to his heart. Honest and loyal in all rela-
tions of life, he has gained the high regard and esteem of all with whom he has
come in contact and the consensus of public opinion accords him a high place among
the representative and prominent citizens of Wakeman.
SHERMAN O. NOBLE.
Sherman O. Noble, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Ripley
township, owning and operating an excellent farm of three hundred and ten
acres, was born October 8, 1867, m tms township, his parents being W. P. and
Eliza (Starkey) Noble. The former, who was born in Richland county in 1839,
was a son of Harvey Noble and a brother of William, James, John, Margaret, Min-
erva and Mary Noble. Throughout his active career, he followed the occupation of
farming but is now living retired in Greenwich, in the enjoyment of well earned
rest. In early life, he was a prominent figure in community affairs, serving as
county commissioner for six years while he likewise filled the office of township
trustee and also of land appraiser. He married Eliza Starkey, a daughter of
James Starkey of Virginia and the eldest in a family of seven children born
unto her parents, the others being Wesley, Reuben, Abraham, Anderson, Jane
and Levina. Unto W. P. Noble and his wife were born eleven children, three
of whom died in infancy. Those who survived were : Theodore, Sherman, Mina,
Elmer C, Allen, Hayes, Winnie and Nellie.
Sherman O. Noble spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon his father's
farm and is indebted to the district school system for the educational privileges
which he enjoyed. When not engaged with his text-books, he assisted his father
in the work of the fields and early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the
lot of the country lad. He remained under the parental roof until he attained
his majority, when, entering business life on his own account, he wisely chose as
his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He has since that
time directed his energies toward agricultural pursuits, being the owner of an
excellent farm of three hundred and ten acres, situated in Ripley township, which,
under the care and labor bestowed upon it, has become one of the valuable and
desirable properties of the township. In addition to his general farming, he de-
votes much time to stock interests, being an extensive buyer and shipper of
general stock, while ha makes a fpecialty of breeding heavy draft horses and also
thoroughbred short-horned cattle. He is a stockholder in the Clinton Air Line'
Telephone Company, and his various business interests, which are capably con-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 347
ducted along modern and progressive lines, are proving a source of gratifying
and substantial income.
It was in July, 1893, that Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Alice
Cherry, the youngest daughter of William and Emma (Hester) Cherry, her
sisters being Lina and Rose. As the years have come and gone the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Noble has been blessed with three children, namely: Paul, who
was born in 1895; Nona, whose birth occurred in 1897; and Thelma, born in
1898. At the polls Mr. Noble gives his allegiance to the republican party, which
organization he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of fran-
chise. He is now serving his fourth term as township trustee, which office he is
filling with entire credit to himself. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, lend-
ing his aid to all measures which have for their object the growth and welfare of
the community. He is a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment,
and the success which he today enjoys has come to him as the result of his own
labor, economy and indomitable energy.
MATHIAS CLAUS.
Mathias Claus, a retired farmer of Sherman township, Huron county, and
the owner of one hundred and thirty-three acres of fine land, was born in Ger-
many, October 20, 1834, and is the son of Mathias and Mary Claus. The par-
ents came to this country with their family in 1852, and settled in Sherman town-
ship, where they bought forty acres of land, on which was a log cabin. In this,
they made their home for about five years, and then sold that land, buying a lar-
ger tract in the same township, which was their home until they were called to
their final rest. The father attained the advanced age of eighty-two, but the
mother was granted only forty years. By their union, were born five children:
Helen, the widow of a Mr. Fisher, and a resident of Bellevue, Ohio; Martin, a
resident of Sherman township ; Mathias ; and George, of Sherman township.
Mathias Claus was but fifteen years of age when his parents came to this
county and here he has made his home ever since. He received the greater
part of his education in the land of his birth, but after locating here attended night
school for a time to become proficient in the English language. He began to
learn agricultural pursuits in his early youth and has devoted his life to that
calling. On his present farm, he has lived for a period of thirty-seven years
and during this time has greatly improved its condition and increased its value
beyond what it was when he purchased it from John Strupe. For a short period,
however, he left the quiet life on the farm for the noise and danger of the bat-
tlefield, for hi 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Sixty- fourth Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry. He joined his regiment at Sandusky, Ohio, and went to Camp Chase,
from there going to Nashville, Tennessee. He was in a number of battles and
skirmishes in and about Nashville, and at the battle of Franklin, was severely
injured by jumping over a breastwork. In 1865, he was mustered out at Nash-
ville, after which he returned to his home and has engaged in farming ever since
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348 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
though at present he has resigned the active duties of life and has consigned the
management of the place to his able sons.
On the 2d of January, 1867, Mr. Claus married Miss Josephine Shank, a
daughter of Frank and Helen Shank, of Sherman township. Mrs. Claus was
born in Germany, February 14, 1846, and came to this country with her father
at the age of eighteen. They settled in Norwich township, where the father died
at the age of seventy-five. The mother had passed away many years before in
Germany, being only forty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Shank were the par-
ents of six children, four of whom are living, the two oldest sons, Frank and Ben-
jamin, having passed away. Of the others, Elias lives in Norwich township ; Jose-
phine is the wife of our subject ; Carrie is living in Fremont and Agnes in Tiffin,
Ohio.
Mr and Mrs. Claus have been blessed with nine children: Frank, living at
home; Carrie, the wife of Frank A. Heddle, of Monroeville and the mother of
four children: Clarence, Loretta, Irene and Walter; Mary, the wife of John
Rossman, of Monroeville and the mother of two children: Oliva and Lucien;
Josephine, who is the wife of Ed. G. Bick, of Peru township and has one daughter,
Beatrice ; William, who married Miss Florence Holliday, lives in Peru township,
and has three children : Colletta, Donald and Josephine ; Louisa, living at home ;
Joseph, who lives in Peru township; and two youngest, Emma and Fred, both
at home. The family are all members of the Catholic church at Bismarck.
Mr. Claus has taken an active part in local affairs as a strong republican and
has served as road superintendent as the choice of his party. He has also for
several terms been a member of the school board, giving his aid to any progres-
sive movements in the cause of local education. After having put aside the more
onerous of his life's duties and responsibilities, lie lives in the enjoyment of the
fruits of his former toil and in the good will of those who know him, for he is
a man who has made and retains many stanch friends.
WILLIAM T. SILSBY.
One of the notable places of Greenwich township is the Fairmount Stock Farm,
not only because of its old rural beauty and completeness but for the public-spirited
character of its proprietor, William T. Silsby. He was born on the 15th of April,
1868, in East Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and is the son of Sylvester arid
Beulah (Brockway) Silsby. The mother was a native of Utica, New York, but
the father was born in Ackworth, Connecticut, and was a direct descendant of one
of the pilgrims who came to this country in the historic Mayflower. During their
childhood Mr. and Mrs. Silsby were brought to Ohio by their respective parents,
the families locating in East Cleveland, the father becoming the owner and
operator of stone quarries but later in life turned his attention to agricultural pur-
suits. He died in August, 1894, honored and respected by all who knew him, and
his wife passed away in December, 1898.
William T. Silsby was liberally educated in the public schools of Cleveland and
was reared among the busy activities of a farm near that growing city. Here he
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 351
laid the foundation stone of all successful life — the power and spirit of work. Af-
ter his marriage he located in Dawson, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where for
one year he was employed as foreman of the works of the W. J. Raney Coal
& Coke Company but at the end of that time he returned to Cleveland and the
following six years were devoted to farming and to the dairy business. Selling
his interests in that city in 1899, he came to Huron county and purchased the old
Cyrus Mead farm of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Green-
wich township. This is a well improved place and to its further development and
cultivation he has since devoted his energies, being successfully engaged in both
general farming and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of breeding fine draft
horses and short horned cattle and the products of the Fairmount Stock Farm
have become widely known for their excellence. One of his sons. Charles W., is
devoting considerable attention to the raising of rose comb white Leghorn
chickens. In the midst of the farm stands a fine country home equipped with all
of the modern appliances, the house and barns being lighted by a private electric
plant and supplied with water by their own system of waterworks. Here hos-
pitality is dispensed and friends served unstintedly, the Silsbys being noted for
much graciousness the countryside over.
It was on the 31st of March, 1891, that Mr. Silsby was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Stoltzenberg, a daughter of Christian and Fredrika (Yurand)
Stoltzenberg, of Cleveland. Her father, who was a well known farmer and hotel-
keeper, and was highly respected, died some years ago, but her mother is still
living. Mr. and Mrs. Silsby have become the parents of seven children, all sons,
namely : Ralph H., deceased ; Christopher C. ; Charles W. ; Oliver P. ; Harry Z. ;
Valentine T. ; and Lincoln W. All have been provided with excellent educational
privileges, Mr. and Mrs. Silsby taking an active interest in educational affairs and
realizing the value of good school privileges. Christopher C. is attending the
Greenwich high school and is an enthusiastic ball player and all around athlete.
In addition to his other business Mr. Silsby was one of the promoters of the
Clinton Airline Telephone Company, of which he is now president and which
makes a specialty of rural service. This company has only been in existence for
the past four years but already has about five hundred patrons and is connected
with other rural lines, giving free service to more than one thousand patrons. At
this rate of rapid growth the Clinton Airline bids fair to become one of the leading
telephone companies of the state.
A man who attends successfully to hib own private interests is generally will-
ing to lend his talents to the prosecution of public interests. With fine public
spirit Mr. Silsby has always entered actively into the public life 0/ the community
in which he has happened to reside. The late movement for good roads has found
in him an especially active friend, and he was sincere and successful in his ad-
vocacy of the forty thousand dollar bond issue to improve Greenwich township
roads. Having reared a family of bright children, he naturally has always been a
great friend of education and the idea of the centralized school has appealed
strongly to him. But it is useless to further enumerate the public improvements
which have at different times secured his support, for Mr. Silsby has always been
in the forefront in the battle for the uplift of society. A democrat in politics, Mr.
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352 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Silsby is active in the interests of his party. He is a member of the county board
of elections and while ? party man, he has the name of being fair to the opposition.
Socially he is a member of O. K. Lodge, No. 616, K. P., and is also identified
with the Greenwich Lodge, No. 640, I. O. O. F. In the former he is a past chan-
cellor and is at present a member of the board of trustees of the lodge. He is a
great worker while he works, but he believes in the maxim "All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy." In season therefore he indulges in hunting and fishing
and is known as one of the best sportsmen in the township.
LEWIS WOODRUFF.
Lewis Woodruff is an acti>e factor in business circles in Fairfield township,
where he owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and thirty acres. His at-
tention, however, is not all given to the tilling of the soil for he also devotes some
time to carpentering and is leading a very busy and useful life. He is numbered
among the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Peru township
on the 7th of Arpil, 1852. His parents were Chancey and Juliet (Sanders) Wood-
ruff, the former born in Huron county in 1820 and the latter in Peru township
in 1827. The paternal grandfather of our subject was George Woodruff, while
the maternal grandparents were John and Maria (Cleary) Sanders. Unto
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Chancey Woodruff were born two sons and a
daughter: Lewis, Stanley and Nellie.
The youthful days of Lewis Woodruff were quietly passed in the pursuits of
the home farm. He obtained his education in the public schools and through
the periods of vacation worked in the fields, assisting his father in their develop-
ment. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy and learned val-
uable lessons concerning persistency of purpose and unfaltering diligence.
On the 19th of January, 1876, Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Addie
Felton, who was born in Norwich township, Huron county, February 13, 1855.
Her father, Ephraim Felton, was a son of James and Eunice (Wheeler) Felton,
and, having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Mary Gilson, by whom he
had three children: Asa, Celia and Melissa. For his second wife he married
Mary Ann Fitch, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1810 and was a daugh-
ter ox Berlin and Susanna (Hawks) Fitch. The children of the second union
were: Addie, Mary, Lillian and Emma. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wood-
ruff has been blessed with five children: Marion, who was born in 1877; Stanley,
in 1878; Anna, in 1880: Myrtle, in 1886; and Harry, in 1889.
Since attaining his majority Lewis has resided upon a farm and is the owner
of one hundred and thirty acres of productive land which is well improved and
returns to him a gratifying income because of the care and labor which he be-
stows upon the fields. He is now working at the carpenter's trade and in that
department of business displays skill and ability, possessing much natural me-
chanical ability and ingenuity. In community affairs, he is interested, co-operating
in many measures for the general good. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party and for six years, he served as a trustee of Fairfield township.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 353
Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees and the Grange. Having spent
his entire life in this locality, he has a wide acquaintance and his record as a
business man and citizen entitles him to the friendly regard in which he is uni-
formly held.
ALBION D. MAYNARD.
Albion D. Maynard, who for a number of years combined the occupation of
tanning with his trade as a blacksmith, is now conducting a blacksmith and re-
pair shop in Boughtonville. He was born in Ripley township, January 12, 1848,
and is a son of Deranzil and Annis (Ingersoll) Maynard. The father was born
in the state of New York in 1812 and was a son of David and Nancy Maynard,
who were the parents of nine children: David, John, Deranzil, George, Ira, Mary,
Laura, Lucy and Thomas. The mother was born January 19, 1816, and was a
daughter of Ralph Ingersoll and his wife. To them were born seven children:
Luther, Lewis, Darius, Harriet, Amanda, Annis and Polly. To Mr. and Mrs.
Deranzil Maynard have been born six children: Nancy F., David A., Albion D.,
Robert A., Lucy L. and Mortimer I. The father followed the life of a farmer and
was active in the public affairs of his township, not shunning the duties of office
when the people wished so to honor him. He has been a stanch republican since
that party was organized to supplant the old line whigs, and to support the nation
in its hour of need.
The son of a farmer, it was but natural that Albion D. Maynard should fol-
low the same kind of Work. In his youth, however, he learned the trade of a
blacksmith and finding it profitable has from time to time engaged exclusively
in practicing it. For twenty years, he lived in Michigan, farming and working
at his trade. Ohio proved to be the state with the stronger attractions and Mr.
Maynard returned to his home where he has remained since. His reputation as
a skilled workman having been made, the Rinehart & Dennis Construction Com-
pany engaged him several years ago to act as foreman over those engaged in
their carpenter and trestle work. He was employed by that firm for four years
but since the expiration of that time he has not sought other positions as he finds
he has all he can do with the work that is brought into his shop.
Mr. Maynard was still in the first years of his young manhood when, on the
28th of August, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Downey. She
was born in Lorain county, Ohio February 4, 1852, and is a daughter of D?.vid
L. and Ann (Wilkinson) Downey, the former a native of New York, the latter
a Canadian. They were the parents of Orilla, Elizabeth, Priscilh, Elizabeth,
Doris, Catherine, Sarah, Flora and Lorenzo. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard's union
has been blessed with three children, all of whom have married and established
homes of their own. Clifford, born September 23, 1873, married Miss Bertie
Cleverly and they have one child, Donald. Iva, born in 1875, married Frank
Gleason. Annis, born September 20, 1878, married Cortland Miller, who is a
minister and is located at Walton, Indiana.
The family were reared in the Christian church and still live up to its teach-
ings in so far as they are able. Though not a politician nor active in public affairs,
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354 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mr. Maynard never misses an opportunity to cast his vote for the republican
candidates, feeling that it is the duty of every citizen to exercise his right to
ballot and believing that that party makes for the stability and progress of the
nation's government. A hard working man and conscientious, he has made firm
friends among his fellow members of the Tribe of Ben Hur.
DOWNING H. YOUNG, M. D.
Dr. Downing H. Young, whose ability is manifest in the large practice which
is accorded him in Wakeman and throughout the surrounding country, was born
October 7, 1842, in Mansfield, Ohio, his parents being Downing H. and Ange-
line (Marvin) Young. The grandfather Lemuel Young was a Virginian and
came to Ohio at a very early date, settling in Holmes county, near Millersburg.
He devoted his entires life to the occupation of farming. His son Downing H.
Young was born in Virginia, August 6, 1816, and left home when sixteen years
of age. He then went to Shelby, Ohio, where he remained for two years, after
which he went to Peru, Ohio, and learned the trade of blacksmithing. He fol-
lowed that for only a brief period, however. Subsequent to his marriage, which
occurred on the 6th of September, 1836, he engaged in merchandising and while
devoting his attention to the conduct of his store he also took up the study of law
and was admitted to the bar. He practiced both in Shelby and Mansfield, becom-
ing a resident of the latter city and as the years passed he attained eminence in
his profession. He was very active in the days of the Civil war, doing much to-
ward raising troops and giving four sons to the service. Throughout his entire
life his citizenship was of a most loyal and progressive character, his cooperation
being always counted upon to further any movement for the public good. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Angeline Marvin, was the eldest of fourteen
children and the first white child born in Sharon township, Richland county, Ohio,
on the site of what is now the city of Shelby. Her parents were Stephen and
Sarah (Moyer) Marvin, Connecticut people, who came to Ohio about 1814. Her
maternal grandmother in her maidenhood bore the family naime of Burr and was
a close relative of Aaron Burr. Her family had from the government some of the
"Fireland Land Script'* for property destroyed by the British. This brought the
Moyer family to Ohio and they located land on Blackfork at Shelby, developing
there a homestead property which is still in possession of their descendants.
Downing H. and Angeline (Marvin) Young had a family of eleven children:
Hercelia J. ; Mary A. ; Elmira A. ; Samuel Hinkley ; Henry St. John ; Andrew
Jackson ; Downing Howard ; Stephen Marvin ; Daniel Sherwood ; Sarah Ange-
line ; and Grace. Of these Hercelia J., Elmira, Downing, Stephen and Sarah are
still living. One son, Samuel H. Young, was a member of Company C, First
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain John McLaughlin, en-
listing in response to the first call for three months' troops. He participated in
the first battle of Bull Run and on the expiration of his term of enlistment he
rejoined the army as a member of Company C, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, which was attached to Sherman's brigade. He participated in a number
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 355
of contests with the enemy and was injured at the battle of Pittsburg Landing.
He bore a lieutenant's commission, but his injury necessitated his resignation from
the service. Later when he had sufficiently recovered he joined Company H,
of the One Hundred and Twenty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was as-
signed to garrison duty on Johnsons Island. He was also a lieutenant in this
organization and at the close of the war received a lieutenants commission in
the regular army. He was relieved from duty in 1866 and, returning home, took
up newspaper work as editor and publisher of the Shelby Chronicle, continuing
in active connection with that paper until his death in 1869. Another son, Henry
St. John, was a member of Company C, Sixty-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. He was a sergeant and was killed at the battle of Stone River. A
third son, Andrew Jackson, was a member of Company C, Sixty-fifth Regiment of
Ohio Infantry and died in Danville, Kentucky, from pneumonia contracted while
on the line of duty. Downing H. Young, of this review, was also a soldier, en-
listing in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infan-
try, with which he served until the close of the war, doing post duty at Johnsons
Island. A son-in-law, Jerome B. Howard, who was the husband of Elmira Young,
was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Regiment and while
on his way from Columbus, where he had been on detailed duty, to join his com-
mand, he was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, where he died. He
was a man of fine education and high attainments. After her husband's death his
widow studied medicine, winning her degree in the Womans' College in New
York in 1868. She then located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she practiced for
many years and was eminently successful. She chaperoned a company of young
ladies from Cincinnati to the Vienna exposition and during that time took a
post-graduate course at the Vienna Hospital. She has now retired from active
practice, however, and resides with her son Hiram M., who is an electrical ex-
pert, at Palmyra, Illinois. Another son, Jerome B., an editor of the Phonographic
Magazine of Cincinnati, is also proprietor of the Pitman shorthand system and
likewise a musician of much renown. The military record of this family is cer-
tainly a remarkably one and their history in other directions is that of successful
achievement.
With his family Downing H. Young, Sr., removed to Toledo, Ohio, in 1857,
and there engaged in the practice of law until June, i860, when he established
his home at New Haven, Huron county, where he resided until his death and
where the family home it yet maintained. For many years, they have been valued
and respected citizens of that district.
Downing H. Young, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the
schools of Mansfield, Toledo and New Haven, Ohio. His time was largely spent
in school up to the outbreak of the Civil war and following the close of hostili-
ties he entered the medical department of the University of Wooster at Cleve-
land in 1865* He was graduated in May, 1871, and in the intervening years has
since given his time, energies and attention to his profession and duties.
On the 31st of December, 1868, Dr. Young was married to Miss Elizabeth
Merrihew, a daughter of Jesse and Charlotte (Lyon) Merrihew, of Knox county,
Ohio. They became the parents of two children: Andy Jason and Charlotte M.,
both of whom still survive, but the mother died in April, 1898. The son is mar-
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356 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ried and resides in Winfield, Kansas, while the daughter is now the wife of Wal-
lace Wyandt, of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Young was married a second
time December 5, 1900, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Anna Bunelle, of Wake-
man.
Dr. Young began the practice of his profession in Steuben, Huron county,
where he remained for three years and then went to Delaware county, Ohio, where
he spent three and one-half years. He was afterward located at Chicago Junc-
tion until 1901, when he came to Wakeman, where he has since practiced. He
has always been a close student of everything bearing upon his chosen line of
work and reading and investigation have ke.pt him in close touch with the ad-
vance of the profession. For four years, he was the coroner of Huron county and
was emergency surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from 1887 until
1901. At the present writing, he is the president of the Huron county board of
pension examiners, of which he has been a member for twelve years. He has
also been a member of the Chicago Junction school board for a number of years
and health officer for four years. Always active in public affairs, he believes
money invested in public improvements is for the general good and does much
for the betterment and uplift of the people. Citizenship is to him no mere idle
term. He feels that every true American citizen should keep well informed
on the political questions and issues of the day and support the principles which
he deems most beneficial to the nation at large. He believes also that an intelli-
gent discussion of public issues cannot result but in public benefits and he is ever
ready to give a clear and comprehensive exposition of his views and the reasons
therefor. The republican party finds in him a stalwart champion because of his
firm belief in its platform.
Fraternally he is connected with Wilson Todd Post, No. 359, G. A. R., and in
specifically profession rl lines he is associated with the Huron County Medical
Association and also with the Ohio State Medical Association. The Young home
is one of the most attractive in the village. Mrs. Young is a refined and cultured
lady and both Dr. and Mrs. Young are prominent in the social and intellectual life
of the community. Their library is well supplied with current literature and the
works of the best authors, while the Doctor's volumes treating of professional
subjects, are very numerous, giving him light upon the intricate and involved
questions that continually arise in daily practice.
JOSIAH LAWREXCE.
Prominent amcng the pioneers and substantial citizens of Bronson town-
ship and Huron county, we present the name of Josiah Lawrence, whose pa-
rents, Timothy and Calista (Todd) Lawrence, came to Huron county in early
pioneer times and entered the tract of land which is now the home of the subject
of this review. Timothy Lawrence was born in Stanford, Connecticut, in 1800,
and in 1832 made a permanent location in Huron county. He was a carpenter and
joiner by trade, and, coming here as he did when the work of development, im-
provement and building was at its height, he found ample opportunity to put
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 359
into practice his knowledge of the builder's art. This proved of great advantage
to him, as he was thus able to earn a good living ere he could realize a profit from
his farming operations. For several years he also did auctioneering, being en-
gaged in the sale of farm property. In early times he was a whig, later an aboli-
tionist and eventually gave his support to the republican platform. He was a
man of much influence in his community, ever ready to assist in any movement
or measure calculated to benefit his locality or prove of help to his fellowmen.
He was an expert with the sword and in 1830 commanded a company of light
artillery at Auburn, New York. His children were : Josiah, of this review ; and
Delia. Mr. Lawrence departed this life January 30, 1882, when he had reached
the advanced age of eighty-two years, and thus the community lost one of its
most highly respected pioneer men. His wife survived for a number of years,
her death occurring in February, 1899, when she, too, had reached a very ad-
vanced age, being eighty-six years old.
Josiah Lawrence received his education through the medium of the common
schools and was reared to the duties of the home farm, assisting his father from
the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn.
He has always lived on the farm which is still his home, it being the
place of his birth. The tract consists of one hundred and thirty acres, located in
Bronson township. It is improved with substantial buildings and everything
about the place is kept in good repair. The only interruption to his farm work
was at the time of the Civil war, when Mr. Lawrence served cne hundred and
thirty days as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment,
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel Blake of Medina county and
Captain Martin. The company was engaged during this time principally in guard
duty. After returning from the war Mr. Lawrence resumed his farm labors and
r s time passed and his financial resources permitted he increased his holdings un-
til he now owns altcgether three hundred and ten acres of as good land as can be
found in Huron county. He has always been a noted wood chopper and yet chops
several cords of wood each winter.
In October, 1867, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Miss Alice New-
men, and the children born to them were : Even, who was born in 1868 and married
Charlotte Hinely ; and Mary, who was born in December, 1869, and is now en-
gaged in teaching in the Benedict school of Norwalk. The mother of these chil-
dren died in June, 1870, and in March, 1871, Mr. Lawrence was again married, his
second union being with Miss Maggie Baird, by whom he had one child, Levinia,
now the wife of Daniel Stone. Her mother passed away in June, 1878, and in De-
cember, 1879, Mr. Lawrence married Miss Nancy Rowland, who died on the 12th
of May, 1909.
Mr. Lawrence has always given his political support to the republican party
and for the past twelve years has served as township trustee. He is also a member
of the board of health and was real-estate assessor in the year 1900. His religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church and he belongs to
the Grand Army post. Fond of travel, he has visited twenty different states of the
Union and contemplates a visit to California in the winter of 1910-11. Having
spent his entire life in Huron county, in the years which have passed, Mr. Lawrence
has seen wonderful changes as the county has taken on the evidences of an ad-
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360 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
vanced civilization, and he has not only been a witness of this transformation but
has largely aided in the labors which have transformed the wild tract into a splen-
did agricultural district, while thriving and enterprising cities and villages have
grown from mere hamlets. Now at the age of seventy-five years he is surrounded
by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life and can look back over his long
and honorable business career without regret. He has ever lived at peace with his
fellowmen and all who know him esteem him for his genuine personal worth.
SEBASTIAN PURCELL.
That the farms of Ohio are valuable investments, furnishing a substantial
means of subsistence to those who have thereon settled, has been proven again and
again in the fact that Ohio's native sons remain within her borders. To this
class belongs Sebastian Purcel^ who was born December 17, 1847, on the farm
where he has spent his life and which is his present place of residence.
His parents, John and Margaret Purcell, were both born in Germany and
on coming to America in 1846, settled in Huron county, Ohio, having purchased
the farm, then containing one hundred and seventeen acres, which has since been
in possession of the family. It is situated in Peru township, and to the original
purchase has been added some twenty-three acres. In the family of John and Mar-
garet Purcell, there were four children : John, now deceased ; Kathryn, who mar-
ried Peter Wallrath and resides «t Logansport, Indiana ; Anna, who married Mat
Grimmer and resides in Peru township ; and Sebastian, the subject of this review
The father of this family passed away in 1861, when only forty-two years of age,
while the mother, long surviving, died in 1881, when seventy-three years old.
John Purcell was greatly interested in the work of general improvement in his
own county and in addition to his farming operations, built a number of bridges
and for some time held the position of road supervisor of Peru township, giving
his time and service in the building of good roads in this locality.
Sebastian Purcell was reared under the parental roof, assisting his father in
the fields during the summer seasons, each fall looking forward to an abundant
harvest as the reward of the summer's toil. In the winter months, he sought
an education in the district and Catholic schools and in this way spent the day
of his youth. In early manhood took upon himself the responsibilities of the agri-
culturist, following this occupation as a life work. Carefully saving his earnings
each year, at length he was enabled to make the old homestead his own, having
purchased the farm from his father and, taking great interest in the place, from
time to time he has added needed improvements and in the fall of 1909, he ex-
pects to erect a modern residence on his property.
On the 17th of February, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Purcell
and Miss Margaret Brown, who was born in Sherman township in 1850, her
parents being Fred and Margaret (Pirring) Brown. Unto this union have been
born seven children, namely : Albert and Edward, who are yet at home with their
parents ; Tracy, who married Martin Habenmeier and is living at Norwalk ;
Theodore, of Chicago Junction. Ohio, who married Anna Bishop and has one
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 361
child, Anna ; Olive, living at home ; Tiliie, of Norwalk, Ohio, who married Mat
Zurcher and had two children, Edward and Robert, who died when five months
old, August 8, 1909, and Alfonse, who is living at home.
Mr. Puroell has followed general agricultural pursuits all his life and is now
ably assisted in this field of activity by his sons, Albert, Edward and Alfonse.
In religious faith, he is a Catholic and he gives his political allegiance to the
democratic party, firmly believing in the principles of its platform as conducive
to the best forms of government. His son Alfonse is a member of the Knights
of Columbus of Norwalk, but Mr. Purceil devotes his time and energies exclu-
sively to his business, and success has been the reward of his labors.
DWIGHT M. BARRE.
Industry, energy and thrift have characterized the labors of D wight M. Bar re,
who is today the owner of eighty acres of well improved and valuable land sit-
uated in Ripley township, Huron county, in which township he was born on the
20th of July, 1848. His parents were John and Amy (Stout) Barre, natives of
Pennsylvania and New York respectively, the former born in 1805, while the lat-
ter's birth occurred in 1809. Jonn Barre was the son of John Barre, Sr., whose
family consisted of the following children: Dwight, David, Herman, Jonathan,
Wellington, Henry, Ora, Lyman, James, Corvis, Cornelia, Jane, Marietta, Jose-
phine and Jessie. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Jonathan and
Lydia (Mitchell) Stout, whose family of six children included: Amy, Jonathan,
David, Eliza, Emily and Hannah.
Dwight M. Barre was reared on the old home farm, his youthful days being
passed in a manner similar to that of most farm boys who assisted in the work
of the fields and at the same time had the opportunity of acquiring a fair English
education in the district schools. After laying aside his text-books, he continued
to devote his attention to agricultural interests and has made this occupation his
life work. His well kept farm of eighty acres is one of the valuable farming
proper-ties of the township and in its neat and attractive appearance indicates the
thrift and industry of its owner. Close application, systematic methods and in-
telligently directed energy have been the salient characteristics in the success
which he now enjoys and he occupies a foremost place among the progressive
and influential agriculturists of the community. He is also known in the financial
circles of Greenwich as a stockholder in the First National Bank of that city.
Mr. Barre laid the foundations for a happy home life in his marriage on the
22d of December, 1876, to Miss Ella Wolcott, a native of Massachusetts, her birth
occurring in that state in 1855. Mrs. Barre is a daughter of Renseller and
Augusta (Miller) Wolcott, both natives of the old Bay state, the former's birth
occurring in 1830 while the latter was born in 1837. She was a sister of George
and Esther Wolcott and her grandparents on the paternal side were Thomas and
Sally (Williams) Wolcott. Her mother was the daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza-
beth (Olds) Miller, in whose family were the following: Augusta, Alfred, George,
Frank, Emma, Susan and Hattie. On the paternal side, Mrs. Barre comes from
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362 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
a family which was founded in America in 1620, representatives of the name hav-
ing been active in the affairs of this country in early colonial days. Several mem-
bers of the Wolcott family were governors of Connecticut, one was secretary of
the treasury under Washington's administration while still another was numbered
among the signers of the Declaration of Independence. To the union of Mr. and
Mrs. Barre have been born two children, Walter and DeWitt.
The family are members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Barre
is serving as treasurer, and he and his wife occupy a high place socially in the
community in which they reside. Fraternally, Mr. Barre is a Mason, while in
politics he gives stalwart support to the republican party, being in hearty sym-
pathy with its principles and purposes. Having passed his entire life in this
township, his life record is well known to his fellow citizens, whose respect, con-
fidence and gcod will he enjoys in no limited degree.
FRANK O. BRIGGS.
A representative of the worthier agricultural class of Huron county, Frank
O. Briggs cultivates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres in Green-
wich township. He was born December 7, 1857, on this property, though his has
not been a continuous residence there and he is a son of George W. and Joanna
(Kniffin) Briggs and grandson of David Briggs. The grandfather was one of
the very early pioneers of the county, a justice of the peace for many years, and a
great hunter and trapper, following this business all over northern Ohio and
Michigan. He dealt largely with the Indians and secured their friendship by
his kind and honorable dealing. George W. Briggs was the first white child born
in Greenwich township. He accompanied his father on his long hunting trips and
experienced the fidelity and medical skill of the Indians. On one of the trips,
the boy tcok a severe case of the measles and the father, not knowing what to do,
finally tcok him to an Indian camp where he left him. When he returned the boy
had completely recovered. David Briggs finally settled down in Huron county,
where he died in 1864. George W. married, as stated, and lived for a time in
Huron, but the inherited spirit of adventure caused him to listen to the siren of the
gold fields in the great west, and in 1864 he crossed the plains to Idaho City, the
many thrilling experiences being to him like the smoke of battle to the war horse.
Mr. Briggs remained in the west until 1876, his wife and children staying in
Huron county. The whole family then spent three years in Idaho, at the end of
which time the mother returned. In 1882, Frank and his father also came back,
giving up frontier life permanently and settling on a farm in Greenwich township.
George W. Briggs died here in 1901, aged eighty-one years, the wife having pre-
ceded him the year before at the age of eighty. The daughter, Jennie, is now Mrs.
T. A. Jenney, residing in California.
Frank O. Briggs, of this review, was reared in Greenwich township and re-
ceived a good district school education before going west. Just before returning,
he married Miss Eliza Stierman, of Idaho City, June 22, 1882, a daughter of
William and Anna (Otten) Stierman. Mr. Stierman was one of the California
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 363
"49ers," and there his children were born. Two children form Mr. Briggs* family :
William and Gladys, both still at home.
The later life of Mr. Briggs is briefly told. He engaged in farming for a
few years, after his return from the west, then handled agricultural implements
at Greenwich village in company with W. J. Richards, under the firm name of
Richards & Briggs. Again the call of the west was heeded, and in 1886, the
family went back to Idaho, engaging in the dairy business at Rocky Bar. After
five years there, they returned to their Greenwich farm, where they have since
held continuous residence. However, the spirit of the grandsire is strong, and
in 1906 Mr. Briggs returned to Idaho, taking his family, where they spent some
eighteen months in hunting and tramping, his son showing his prowess by killing
three of the five bears secured, together with numerous other large game.
Frank O. Briggs is alert and active in the life of his home community, serving
the public at times in the different offices of township trustee, assessor and member
of the school board. As the present trustee of the township, he is pushing the
good roads idea and with much success. He is an active standpatter in republican
politics and as a delegate in the conventions of his party is forceful and judicious
in outlining party policies.
CALVIN A. HEYMAN.
Calvin A. Heyman, a prosperous young farmer of Sherman township, and
the owner of one hundred and ninety-two acres of fine land, in two different farms,
was born at Weavers Corners, this township, January 11, 1871, and is a son of
Jacob and Clara (Longscheid) Heyman. Both parents were born in Germany,
but came to this country at an early age with their respective parents. Jacob
Heyman, who is still living on two hundred and fifty acres of land at Weavers
Corners, was bom December 26, 1836, and was sixteen years of age when his
parents William C. and Margaret (Upperman) Heyman came to this country.
The latter settled at Hunts Corners, where they lived for about one year, moving
then to Sherman township, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres
of land. This was only partly cleared and the house on it was an old frame
building. Here they lived until 1862, when they bought land in this locality of Mr.
Weaver, which was their home until death called them, the grandfather at the
age of eighty-six, the grandmother at seventy-six. They had ten children : Will-
iam, deceased ; John, killed by a barn door falling on him during a storm ; Charles,
who lives in Huron, Ohio ; Jacob, the father of the subject of this sketch ; Jean-
ette, who married Philip Stutz, of Three Rivers, Michigan; Philip, deceased;
George, of Sherman township; Henry, of Paulding county, Ohio; Fred, of the
same place; and Elizabeth, the wife of William Horn, of Topeka, Kansas.
Jacob Heyman, the father of Calvin A., has lived in this county since he was
sixteen years old. He had attended school in Germany, but after coming here
was in the employ of various farmers by the year. On the 20th of October, 1861,
he was married to Miss Catherine Longscheid, who had come to this county with
her parents when fourteen years of age. Her family settled in Sherman town-
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364 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ship, where the parents both died. They had six children: Elizabeth, deceased;
Margaret; William, deceased; Anthony; Clara, the mother of our subject, and
one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Heyman had a family of thirteen
children, nine of whom died before they were seven years old. Those living are :
Calvin A., of this review ; Clara, the wife of George Setchel, and the mother of
one son, Russell; Edward, who was killed in a street car accident at the age of
thirty- four; and Amelia, who lives at home. Jacob Heyman is a man who has
been prominent in local affairs. He has been a farmer all his life and has filled
several offices within the gift of the people, having served as township trustee, jus-
tice of the peace, real estate assessor, treasurer, road supervisor and school direc-
tor. He has always voted the democratic ticket and these offices have been be-
stowed by the voters of that party. He has been a member of the Reformed
church at Hunts Corners and has held office in the congregation the greater part
of his life, being the only member now living who helped organize and establish
the church in 1865. In short, he is a man, who, possessed of strong qualities,
has riot hesitated to exert them for the good of the community and the fair name
of himself.
Calvin A. Heyman. his son, received his early education in the district schools,
after which he attended the Ohio Normal College at Ada. Upon finishing his
schooling, he entered upon a period of teaching of perhaps seven years, but he
has followed farming the greater part of his life, having been reared under the
guidance of a successful farmer and in a farming community, and when he
thought of making a home for himself, it was this vocation that he chose. In
1895 he bought his present place from Jacob Hass and immediately set about
improving it and increasing its productiveness. Among the other buildings which
he has erected is a fine, large barn.
On the 1 8th of November, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Heyman
and Miss Flora Heyman, a daughter of John Paul and Jeanette (Scheid) Heyman,
who were among the early settlers of Lyme township. She is the sister of L.
P. Heyman, of whom mention is made in another part of this volume. One
child, a daughter, Ethel, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heyman.
Mr. Heyman and his family are members of the Reformed church of Hunts
Corners, in which he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for about
eleven years. He is a young man of industry and ability, whose efforts have
so far been crowned with well deserved success and for whom the future seems
to hold much in store.
FRANK E. WEEKS, M. D.
Among the notable citizens of Clarksfield township, who have not onty
achieved distinction in the particular work which they mapped out for them-
selves but have entered other fields and have devoted themselves to promoting
the interests of the community in which they live, is Dr. Frank E. Weeks, a
physician. He was born in a log cabin in Henrietta township, Lorain county,
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DR. F. E. WEEKS
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 367
Ohio, and is the son of Henry H. and Cora L. (Van Camp) Weeks. He is of
remotely Dutch descent, for one of his ancestors, Jacobus Kipp, was born in
Holland in 1632, and on the 8th of March, 1654, married Miss Maria de ta
Montaine, in the old Dutch fort in New Netherlands that is now New York.
His wife was born near the Maderia islands, January 26, 1637, while her parents
were on their way to the new country. Sarah Kipp, daughter of Benjamin
and Dorothy (Davenport) Kipp, the latter a grandson of Jacobus Kipp, was
married to James Weeks in Newcastle, Westchester county, New York, in 1766.
The son of this union, Benjamin Kipp Weeks, was born March' 22, 1773, and mar-
ried Sarah Thorn, the daughter of Thomas, Jr., and Hannah (Sutton) Thorn.
Thomas T. Weeks, a son of Benjamin, came with his family to Ohio in 1837
and settled in Florence township, Erie county, where he engaged in farming.
The first piece of land he purchased was heavily covered with timber, and later
he bought another tract on which the work of clearing had already been begun
and which boasted a double log house. In this the family lived for eight years,
while their frame house was building. He had followed the life of a farmer,
and his son Henry H. took up the same line of work in Florence township, Erie
county. In 1883, Henry H. Weeks removed to Kipton, Lorain county, where he
has since resided, living in retirement upon his farm. One son only was born
to him and his wife, Dr. Frank E. Weeks.
In the district schools of the county Frank E. Weeks received the fundamentals
of a broad education. On leaving these he spent three terms in study at Oberlin
University, after which he taught for three winters, working on the farm dur-
ing the summer months. In 1880 he took up the study of medicine, entering the
medical department of the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1883. Dr. Edwin E. Beeman, who was at
that time practicing in Wakeman, was his preceptor. After receiving his physi-
cian's license, Dr. Weeks began the practice of his profession in Kipton, Lorain
county. In 1885 he removed to Vermilion, Erie county, and the next year came
to Clarksfield, where he has remained ever since and enjoys a large and remuner-
ative practice. An able physician, Dr. Weeks is also an exemplary citizen,
whose public spirit is an inspiration to many. In politics he is a republican and
has ever been active in the affairs of the party, having been for years the Clarks-
field member of. the republican county committee, and almost invariably the
township delegate to the county, district and state conventions. During one
term he served the county as coroner, was township clerk for eighteen years and
clerk of the school board for twenty years, and is at present a member of the lat-
ter body. His literary and historical interests are also extensive, biography and
genealogies receiving much of his attention. The Firelands Historical Society
appointed him biographer for Huron county, a position he holds to the present.
In 1908 he compiled The Pioneer History of Clarksfield, a very complete work,
comprising both historical and biographical data, and is now engaged on similar
work, which he hopes to publish soon. Perhaps, however, the measure of his
public spirit can be estimated in no better way than by the fact that it was through
his efforts that the Clarksfield Telephone Company was organized and incor-
porated, a concern which has now one hundred and fifty subscribers with long
distance connection.
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368 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
On the 5th of June, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Weeks to Miss
Cynthia A. Judson, the daughter of Albert W. and Mary Ann (Fish) Judson,
of Berlin Heights, Erie county, where for a number of years Mr. Judson was
civil engineer and surveyor. He died April 22, 1904, but his wife, who survives,
lives in Sandusky, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Weeks are the parents of three chil-
dren: Charles J., who is married and is a resident of Oberlin, Ohio; Lucy M., a
teacher in the Clarksfield schools, who entered Oberlin College in the fall of
1909 ; and Paul T., also a student at Oberlin.
In all that he has undertaken Dr. Weeks has achieved success and a fair fame,
and the results of his labors have been far-reaching. As a physician he enjoys
an extensive practice and the confidence of those to whose wants he administers.
In the councils of the republican party his opinion is ever regarded highly. In
Clarksfield the interest he has evinced in public matters, especially in educa-
tional affairs, has met with unswerving good will and loyalty. His literary efforts,
too, have been successful, for he is a graceful and fluent writer, endowed with
the power of expressing what he has to say in an interesting and attractive
manner. Before the meetings of the Huron County Medical Society he often
reads papers on important subjects, for he stands high in this organization,
and his opinions on matters in dispute is eagerly sought. In short he is a man
who has improved upon the many opportunities afforded him, has used them for
his own advancement and the welfare of his fellows.
.C. A. PAUL.
C. A. Paul needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he is a lead-
ing and representative business man the story of whose life is that of orderly pro-
gression under the steady hand of one who is a consistent master of himself and
who possesses a well balanced organism. Capable of mature judgment of his own
capacities and of the people and circumstances that make up his life's contacts and
experiences he is eminently a man of business sense and easily avoids the mistakes
and disasters that come to those who are liable to erratic movements resulting in
unwarranted risk and failure. He has been identified with manufacturing in-
terests, but for a long period his investments have been represented by banking
and agricultural interests and he is now vice-president of the Citizens Banking
Company of Norwalk.
A native of Erie county, Ohio, C. A. Paul was born December 12, i860, and
represents a pioneer family of that county. His grandfather, Loren Paul, set-
tled in Erie county at a very early day, having driven westward to Ohio from the
state of New York with a yoke of oxen. In the midst of the wild forest he es-
tablished his home, securing a large tract of land which he converted into rich and
productive fields as the years passed by. His son, James L. Paul, was also a na-
tive of Erie county and having arrived at year§ of maturity he married Miss Eliza
A. Delamater, a native of New York. He also devoted his entire life to general
agricultural pursuits, being still identified with farming interests. His wife
passed away on the nth of April, 1908.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 369
C. A. Paul acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward
attended the Normal high school and also the Ohio State University. He was a
youth of thirteen years when in 1874 his father removed with the family from
Erie to Huron county and established his home upon a farm in Bronson town-
ship, where he is still living. He is numbered among the extensive and success-
ful farmers and stock-raisers, making a specialty of the raising of fine cattle. His
son, C. A. Paul, is an only child. His youthful days were passed under the pa-
rental roof but, not desiring to follow agricultural pursuits as a life work he turned
his attention to manufacturing interests, with which he was connected for two
years after leaving school. He then took up the banking business in which he
has since continued and is now vice-president of the Citizens Banking Company.
He also owns two farms in Huron county and from this property derives a sub-
stantial annual income.
In 1893 Mr. Paul was united in marriage to Miss Clara Cannon, a native of
Cleveland and a daughter of Captain Thomas Wilson, an extensive ship owner.
Mr. Paul is identified with the Congregational church. He is preeminently a man
of affairs with large and varied interests and wields a wide influence. As a busi-
ness man and financier he ranks prominent among the men of force in the com-
munity because of his ready recognition and utilization of opportunities. He has
made no backward steps in his life, his course being characterized by continuous
progress toward the goal of prosperity. His business affairs, although extensive,
have not hurt his active participation in movements relative to the public good and
throughout the community he is known as a public-spirited citizen whose interest
in the general welfare has been manifest in many tangible ways.
JOSEPH H. POST.
Joseph H. Post, whose name is known throughout Ohio and other states in
the Union in connection with thoroughbred Delaine merino sheep, now owns a
farm of eighty-three acres in New London township, in the operation of which he
is meeting with most gratifying success. He is numbered among the native sons
of Huron county, his birth having occurred in Hartland township on the 18th
of January, 1859.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, he attended the public schools of his native
township in the acquirement of his education, and during the periods of vacation
he assisted in the work of the home farm. He continued to devote his time to
his text-books until eighteen years of age, when his father's feeble health made
it necessary for him to take charge of his business affairs. The father passed away
when Mr. Post was twenty-one years of age, and he continued to reside upon
the homestead, directing his efforts to its management, until 1903, when the prop-
erty was divided. He then purchased eighty-three acres of fine farm land in New
London township, upon which he has since made his home. Here he has en-
gaged in general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cul-
tivation, while for many years he was identified with sheep-raising interests, mak-
ing a specialty of thoroughbred Delaine merino sheep. He was eminently suc-
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370 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
cessful in this branch of his business, gaining the reputation of having one of the
best breeding flocks of sheep in Ohio. On account of ill health, however, he was
obliged to give up his stock interests, since which time he has confined himself
to general farming. The Post sheep, however, are still well known and are a
very popular breed throughout Ohio and adjoining states, while their reputation
has even extended as far west as the state of Washington, where they are handled
by the Baldwin Sheep & Ranch Company. Mr. Post has enjoyed a substantial
income from the fact that both branches of his business — the raising of grain and
the breeding of sheep — have proved profitable, while his indefatigable industry,
his intelligently directed labors, his close application and his good business ability
have been salient characteristics in his success.
It was in 1885 that Mr. Post was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Mil-
ler, a native of Hartland township, born on the 1st of November, 1868, and a
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Miller, residents of Hartland township. Mr.
Post gives loyal support to the republican party and is now serving as township
trustee, while he has also been township appraiser, at all times performing the
duties of these offices in a prompt, efficient and highly satisfactory manner. Hav-
ing spent his entire life in Huron county, he has gained an extensive circle of
friends within its borders, and the fact that he is most liked and respected where
best known is an indication that the principles which actuate him in his relations
with his fellowmen are in harmony with those which govern honorable and upright
manhood.
JOSEPH H. COUTANT.
The Coutant family of Greenwich township is known as one of the early pio-
neers of the county Several of its members still reside here at advanced age, and
all are respected for their integrity and uprightness. Four of the original family
of eleven children born to Jasper and Phobe (Burdsell) Coutant are still liv-
ing: Gideon, Joseph H. and Benjamin, of Greenwich township, respectively aged
ninety, eighty-eight and eighty-five years and Burdsell, aged eighty, residing in
Wood county, Ohio. The parents of these children lived in Monroe county,
Pennsylvania, the father dying there at a comparatively early age. The
grandfather Burdsell and family moved to Ohio in 1833, together with other
relatives. After the death of Mr. Coutant, the widow, in 1856, followed her sons
and relatives and passed the remainder of her life in the Buckeye state, dying in
1896, at the extreme old age of one hundred years and one hundred days.
Joseph H. Coutant, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in what is
now Monroe county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1820. Ten years after the emi-
gration of the Burdsells, Gideon and Joseph H. Coutant decided to come to what
was then referred to as the "Great West." They made the journey in the usual
manner of the times — overland by horses and wagon. Upon arriving they settled
in the forest and carved out of nature's bounty a log-cabin home. Four years
passed before Joseph was ready to take upon himself the responsibilities of mar-
ried life, but on October 18, 1847, ne brought to his cabin home a wife, formerly
Miss Mary Jane Hoyt. She was a member of a pioneer family also, who had
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 371
emigrated to Ohio from New York, being originally from Connecticut. Three
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coutant: Ella Gertrude, Edward H. and
Charles, the last dying in infancy. Ella and Edward are unmarried and reside
with their father on the old home farm, the mother having died in November,
1883.
After marriage, Joseph H. Coutant settled on his present farm and has con-
tinued his residence thereon to the present time. As prosperity came he invested
in land and has for many years been known as one of the largest real-estate hold-
ers in the county ; his present holdings comprising three hundred acres of highly
improved land.
Mr. Coutant has been a model citizen, taking up such duties as came to him
and performing them in an intelligent and efficient manner. He served many years
on the school board of his township, as township trustee, and in other public mat-
ters his voice has always been raised in support of that which would elevate the
moral tone of the community. A whig in his early manhood, voting first for "Tip-
pecanoe and Tyler too," he took part in the evolution of affairs which produced
the republican party. His vote is now cast in that party's favor and he is proud
to claim a charter membership therein. His religious life has been passed in the
Society of Friends, having had a birthright membership. He has been active in
the work of the church and still loves "the precincts of the sanctuary." Although
of advanced age, Mr. Coutant is vigorous and active and is passing his closing
years in the cheerful habits of industry formed in his youth, surrounded by
friends who esteem him for his unquestionable worth.
ANDREW MISSLER.
Andrew Missler, carrying on agricultural pursuits in Sherman township, is
one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of this section of the county, who
has, moreover, been an extensive landowner in the past, but has given away con-
siderable property to his sons. He still owns a farm of one hundred and eighty-
five acres upon which he resides and which he continues to operate. A native
of Germany, he was born June 27, 1848, a son of Andrew and Frances Missler.
The parents, who were reared and married in the fatherland, brought their family
to the United States in 1854, settling first in Adams county, Ohio, where they
remained for one year. A removal was then made to Huron county, and here their
remaining days were passed, the father passing away March 19, 1871, while
the mother's demise occurred six weeks later. In their family were the follow-
ing children: Anna, deceased; Joseph; Margaret, Elizabeth and Caroline, who
have all passed away ; Catherine; Anthony, a soldier of the Civil war who is now
deceased ; Peter, who is also dead ; and Andrew, of this review.
In the district schools of Huron county Andrew Missler acquired his educa-
tion, and remained a student up to his fifteenth year, when, setting aside his text-
books, he shouldered his ax and went into the woods to assist in clearing the
land. At that time much of the district was covered with native timber and the
trees had to be removed ere the work of improvement could be begun. From
an early age he assisted in the work of developing a new farm, and he has since
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372 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
continued to make agriculture his life work. Upon attaining manhood ho em-
barked in business on his own account and purchased ninety acres from his father,
for which he paid four thousand dollars. He later acquired fifty-three and a half
acres from Worthington Imps, which cost thirty-five hundred dollars, another
tract of fifty-five and a half acres from Anthony Gerhardstein, for which he paid
twenty-five hundred dollars, and he paid thirty-five hundred dollars for eighty-
one acres purchased from Frank Ruffing. The farm upon which he now resides
includes one hundred and twenty-three acres bought from. Joseph Ruffing for nine
thousand dollars. He became known as one of the extensive land owners of Sher-
man township, but he has since given three different farms to his sons and con-
templates giving another one next year. This continuous and steady accumular
tion of property is but the visible evidence of the prosperity that came to him as the
years went by, for he is a practical, progressive and successful farmer, who pos-
sesses also the ability of keen judgment and good business management.
On the 13th of September, 1870, Mr. Missler was united in marriage to Miss
Caroline Meyers, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Meyers, farming people of
Seneca county, Ohio. She is one of a family of six children, the other members
of the family being Benjamin, Mary, John, Jacob and Catherine. The home of
Mr. and Mrs. Missler has been blessed with nine children, as follows: J. Andrew;
Catherine; Mary; Joseph; John; Jacob, deceased; Fred; Otto; and Clara, who
died December 14, 1907.
The family attend the Catholic church and Mr. Missler gives his support to the
democracy where national issues are concerned. However he reserves the right
to vote independently in local matters, casting his ballot for the men and meas-
ures which in his judgment will best conserve the public good. He has served
as road supervisor and is always interested in all matters pertaining to the upbuild-
ing and growth of the community. He has attained success in his chosen field of
labor, but his prosperity has come to him as the direct result of industry, energy,
perseverance and well directed efforts. He stands high in the honor and esteem
of his fellowmen and is recognized as one of the valuable and representative citi-
zens of Sherman township.
GEORGE W. BAKER.
George W. Baker, one of the younger farmers of Greenfield township, who
with his brother August manages the one hundred and sixty-five acres of land
owned by their mother, was born in Peru township, Huron county, August
27, 1874. His parents, George P. and Elizabeth (Miller) Baker, were both of
German birth, but spent the greater part of their lives in this country. The
father was twenty-eight when he started life in the United States. He came
direct to Ohio and settled in Sandusky, where he found employment during the
winter months in the boiler shops, and during the summer on the lakes. About
1870 he came to Huron county, locating in Peru township, where he first worked
for Philip Erf for a number of years, and then bought one hundred acres of
land, on which he lived and farmed until 1902, when he sold it and removed to
Greenfield township. The Peru township farm was largely covered with tim-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 375
ber when he first settled there, an entirely different piece of property from that
which his successor found, for Mr. Baker had not only brought the fields to
a high state of cultivation, but had also erected some fine buildings. In 1902 he
bought from Mrs. Shields the farm that is known as the old Simmons place.
On it he made his home until his death, and on it his widow and sons still live.
It, also, has profited by the Bakers' residence, for the buildings have been
remodeled, and a more scientific and up-to-date system of agriculture has been
carried on that has increased its productiveness and enabled it to produce a bet-
ter quality of crops. Mr. Baker was released from the cares of this world
September 19, 1907, but his wife still survives at the age of fifty-six. She was
eighteen when she came to this country with her brother, William Miller, and
in the years of her married life became the mother of six children : George, of
this review is the eldest. August was born January 17, 1876. Lena died at
one year of age. John died at the age of six months. Albert married Lena
Lovell, an adopted daughter of Mrs. Martha Lovell of this township, and they
have three children: Jeannette, Elizabeth and Raymond, and live in Greenfield
township. Bertha, the youngest of the family, married Peter Zieher and lives
at Sandusky, Ohio. They have one son, Bernhart George.
George W. Baker has always lived in this county, receiving his training to
meet the problems of life at home and in the district schools. For a few terms
he was a pupil in the German school of Peru township, so that his education is
better than that which falls to the lot of many boys reared on a farm and com-
pelled to get their lesson at odd moments when work did not claim their time
and in the few months during which the school held session. He has been suc-
cessful in the farming he has conducted on his land, but has not specialized in
any particular branch.
On the 26th of October, 1901, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss
Merrill Perry, a daughter of Fred and Mary (Gates) Perry, of Penn town-
ship, who were among the early settlers of that locality, and have many stories
to tell of the changes that have taken place since they first took up their resi-
dence there. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have an adopted daughter, Loretia Meyers, a
little girl of six years of age. August Baker, who assists his brother in the
conduct of the farm, was married in 1904 to Miss Anna Christ, of Erie county.
They have a son George, a stalwart little child in whom many hopes are placed.
The Baker family are members of the Lutheran church of Pontiac, which
George P. Baker helped to build and in which he always held office. The sons
are still active in its affairs and in the general tenor of their lives give evidence
of its teachings.
JOHN DRURY.
John Drury, a farmer of Lyme township, Huron county, owning seventy-five
acres of land near Bellevue, upon which he lives, was born on this farm, March
7, 1847. The Drury family originally came from England in 1632, settling in
one of the New England states. Our subject's great-grandfather bore the name
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376 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of Jonathan Drury, while his grandfather was John Drury, who was born in Mas-
sachusetts and became the father of ten children, two sons and eight daughters.
Our subject's father, Jonathan Maynard Drury, was born in Worthington, Mas-
sachusetts, February 24, 1809. In the course of time he married Miss Abigail
Maynard Knowlton, a daughter of Benjamin Knowlton, of New Fane, Vermont,
where Miss Abigail was born June 29, 181 2. In 1837, tne vear subsequent to his
marriage, Jonathan Drury came to Huron county, Ohio, on a prospecting tour.
The following season he moved his family to Lyme township, this county, set-
tling upon a small rented farm. For several years he worked for the diffierent
farmers until, in 1842, he was able to buy a tract of sixty- four acres of land, to
which he added until he had a tract of one hundred and ten acres, upon a part of
which his son lives at the present day. A log cabin was his first habitation and
served him until 1857, when he put up a fine brick residence, only one of the many
extensive improvements he made on the place. Jonathan Drury was a life-long
member of the Lyme Congregational church, of which he was a deacon for over
fifty years, and when death called him, August 13, 1897, the community felt they
had lost an esteemed member. By his first marriage there were three children
born : Ellen M., who died at the age of seventeen ; Caroline T., who was but six
at the time of her death ; and John, the subject of this sketch. After the death of
his first wife which occurred May 8, 1847, Mr. Drury married Mrs. Clarissa
Barnard Wrisley, by whom he had one son Miron Maynard, who was born on
the home farm, June 19, 1853. He married Miss Ida Osborn and is a prominent
business man of Chicago, Illinois, making his home in Evanston. Four children
have been born to him: Walter M., Louise, Burton E. and Allen B. By her
former marriage Mrs. Clarissa Drury had two sons: George A., now deceased,
and Allen B., both prominent soap manufacturers of Chicago, where they started
in business in 1861.
John Drury has lived all the years of his life on the old home farm, which
he inherited from his father. His education was acquired at the public and high
schools of Bellevue. Upon completing his own schooling he taught for two win-
ters in York township, Sandusky county, while during the summer seasons he
followed the life of a farmer, as he had from the days of his childhood. In the
quiet pursuit of his vocation his days have been passed. He fell heir to his father's
property, as he had followed in his footsteps and not only in the matter of busi-
ness but also as regards functions bestowed by the good will of his fellows, for
upon his father's death he was made deacon of the church. Of its Sunday school
he has been superintendent for fifteen years and for a period of over thirty years
has been clerk of the congregation.
Mr. Drury was twice married, the first time to Miss Ida Mary Cowle, a
d? lighter of John and Anna (Ford) Cowle, of Bellevue, whom he married Feb-
ruary 8, 1 871. There was one daughter, Edith Ellen, born to this union, but she
died in infancy, being born May 27, 1873, and dying the 16th of August following.
Mrs. Drury, who was born September 12, 1846, died February 4, 1887, and on the
8th of May, 1889, Mr. Drury married Mrs. Josephine (Wright) Nims, a daugh-
ter of John and Betsy (Ford) Wright. John Wright was the founder of the
Wright Banking Company, of Bellevue, and its president until his death, and at
one time he owned three thousand acres of land in this section of the state. Mrs.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 377
Josephine (Wright) Drury was born April 16, 1848, in Groton township, Erie
county, Ohio, and by her former marriage had one child, Walter Worthington
Nims, who lives at Strongs Ridge, Lyme township. He married Miss Mamie
L. Newton and has one child, born January 1, 1909.
His long residence and connection with affairs in this county has made Mr.
Drury well known in this locality. Looking back over his past life, which has
been filled with earnest endeavor, no greater praise can be given than by saying
he is a worthy son of an esteemed father.
ROBERT ARTHUR.
Robert Arthur, who has the distinction of being the largest landowner of Hu-
ron county, Ohio, resides upon a farm of thirteen hundred acres in Greenfield
township, to the cultivation of which he is directing his entire energies. He was
born in this township on the 4th of March, 1829, in an old log house situated about
three-quarters of a mile from his present home, and is a son of John and Martha
(Easter) Arthur. The father was born near Londonderry, Ireland, in 1797, and
in 1822 he brought his wife and one child to the United States, purchasing a small
' farm in Greenfield township, Huron county. Upon the land stood a log house in
which they began their housekeeping, while Mr. Arthur at once commenced clear-
ing the land for the purpose of cultivation. Soon he had improved the entire tract
and was so prosperous in his undertaking that as the years went by he was able
to add to his original holdings and at the time of his death he was the owner of
an excellent farm of three hundred acres. He was a member of the Congrega-
tional church of Steuben and assisted in building that church, in which he was an
office-holder up to the time of his death. He was a man of fine principles who
was respected and esteemed throughout the community in which he resided. He
passed away in 1890, while his wife, who was also born in Ireland, was eighty-
four years of age at the time of her death. In their family were six children,
namely: Margaret, who was born in Ireland and is the deceased wife of Alex-
ander Lewis, who has also passed away ; Anna J., who married James McPher-
son and resides at Steuben, Ohio, being the oldest resident of that town, a sketch
of whom is found elsewhere in this volume; Mary, who married Thomas Irv-
ing, both of whom are now deceased; William, who passed away at the age of
seventy years ; Robert, of this review ; and Kathryn, also deceased. All were born
in this township with the exception of the eldest, whose birth occurred before the
parents left Ireland.
Amid the wholesome scenes and environments of agricultural life Robert Ar-
thur was reared to manhood, and during the intervening years he attended the
district schools in the acquirement of a good education that fitted him for the re-
sponsible and practical duties of life. Under the direction of his father he also
learned valuable lessons concerning the best methods of cultivating the fields, and
in the broader school of experience received thorough and comprehensive train-
ing. He has devoted his entire life to general farming, in which he has been
eminently successful, and by indefatigable energy, untiring diligence and intelli-
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378 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
gently applied labor he has been able to add, from time to time, to his property
holdings until today he is the most extensive landowner in Huron county, having
in his possession about thirteen hundred acres of fine farming land.
On the 27th of February, 1867, Mr. Arthur was united in marriage to Miss
Julia Cook, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wyet Cook, residents of Peru township.
In that township she was born in 1843 and On the 20th of April, 1901, was called
to her final rest, her death being the cause of deep regret to a large number of
warm friends. Beside her husband she left to mourn her loss fivt children,
namely : Mattie, who still resides at home ; Clarence, who married Inez Hill, by
whom he has two children, Margaret and Francis, and who resides upon and ope-
rates the home farm ; J. V., who married Irene Otes and with his wife and three
children, Aubrey, John M. and Annetta, resides near Steuben, Ohio; Laura, the
wife of James Trimmer of Fairfield township, by whom she has six children,
Helen, Arthur, Marian, Julia, Jeanette and Charles, the family residence being
at North Fairfield, Ohio; and Fred, residing at Steuben, who married Alice Barre
and has two children, Robert and Malcolm.
Mr. Arthur's religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Congre-
gational church of Steuben, in which he has been a trustee for a great number of
years. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has served
in several township offices on that ticket, being trustee of the township for four
terms and a school director for a long period. He has already passed the Psalm-
ist's allotted span of three score years and ten, having reached the eightieth mile-
stone on life's journey, while his entire career has been passed within the borders
of Huron county, where his fellow citizens know him as a straightforward and re-
liable man and an enterprising farmer, who well deserves the esteem and high re-
gard that is uniformly accorded him.
WILLIAM GAMBLE.
William Gamble, who is now living retired in a comfortable home in Steuben,
Huron county, was for many years closely identified with the agricultural in-
terests of Greenfield township, where he owned farming property. Mr. Gamble
was born in Lincolnshire, England, October 15, 1842, and was but six months
old when brought by his parents, Thomas and Mary' (Rick) Gamble, to the United
States. The father was born December 21, 1806, and at an early day came to
the new world, establishing his home in New York, where he remained about fif-
teen months. He then continued his journey westward, and with his family set-
tled in Monroeville, Huron county, where for a time he was in the employ of the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. Believing, however, that farm life would
prove more congenial, he began in a small way by purchasing ten acres of land in
Fairfield township. He then took up his abode on this place and made it his home
until his wife died, when he disposed of his farming interests and removed to Illi-
nois, making his home with a daughter during the succeeding eight years. He
once more returned to Huron county and entered the employ of Barnett Roe in
a mill. Later he in partnership with his son purchased sixty-six acres of land in
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 379
Greenfield township and for thirty-one years was actively identified with agricul-
tural pursuits, his death occurring April 8, 1895, when he had reached the ex-
treme old age of eighty-eight years, and his remains lie buried in the cemetery
at Steuben. As above stated, his wife bore the maiden name of Mary Rick, and
they became the parents of two sons and a daughter: William, of this review;
Joseph, who left home about forty-five years ago, since which time he has not
been heard from ; and Mary Ann, who makes her home in Minnesota. The wife
and mother lived but a few years after coming to the United States, her death oc-
curring in 1849, her remains being interred at Olena, in Bronson township, Hu-
ron county. *
William Gamble accompanied his parents on their various removals after com-
ing to this country but he was mainly reared in Huron county, where he also ac-
quired his education, which, however, was somewhat limited, owing to the primi-
tive condition of the newly settled district. After reaching mature years he and his
father purchased sixty-six acres of land in Greenfield township, which they culti-
vated for thirty-one years. Eventually Mr. Gamble added a tract of sixty-six
acres to the original purchase and made all the improvements upon the place. He
erected a house arid barn but the latter was destroyed by fire but was soon re-
placed by another. Throughout a long period he was closely identified with farm-
ing interests but in 1903 he disposed of his farm property to Mrs. Samuel Wag-
ner and purchased a nice home in Steuben, where he has since made his home. He
has here four and a half acres of ground, which is kept in good condition and
today he is numbered among the worthy retired citizens of this village.
Mr. Gamble was united in niarriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennett, a daughter
of Allen and Harriett (Youngs) Bennett, the ceremony being performed on the
9th of February, 1864. Mrs. Gamble was born in New Haven township, Hu-
ron county, her paternal grandfather, James Youngs, having been a pioneer settler
of that district. Her father was born in the Empire state in 1823 and departed this
life in 1859, when but thirty-six years of age. The mother was born in Auburn
township, Richland county, Ohio, in 1827, and was married in Greenfield town-
ship to Mr. Youngs. Her death occurred in 1857, when she was but thirty years
old. Their family numbered two sons and two daughters, namely : Elizabeth, now
Mrs. Gamble ; James, a resident of Illinois ; Charles, of Indiana ; and Mary, who
died at the age of nine years. Mrs. Gamble was but nine years of age at the time
of her parents' death, and she was then taken into the home of her grandfather,
James Youngs, by whom she was carefully reared and educated. She made her
home with her grandfather until the time of her marriage. She has become the
mother of five children, as follows : Lillian, the wife of Charles Earl, of Fairfield
township, by whom she has one child, Fannie; Helen, who is the wife of Fred
Sparks, of Peru township, and the mother of three children, Maud, Walter and
Stamford ; William Thomas, who wedded Ella Brant, of Chicago, Ohio, by whom
he has had three children, Lawrence, Dale and Wilma, but the latter is now de-
ceased ; Jay, who wedded Ethel Brant, their home being in Norwalk, Ohio ; and
Mary, who died at the age of eleven months.
Mr. Gamble is independent in his political views and affiliations and for the
past ten years has served as township trustee. He has also held other public offices,
having been elected on both the republican and democratic tickets. He has now
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380 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
passed the sixty-seventh milestone on life's journey and the greater part of this
period has been passed in Huron county, so that few men have more intimate
knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its an-
nals. He has spent a busy, active and useful life and he and his estimable wife
are now enjoying in retirement the accumulations of profitable, successful and
honorable careers.
CLARENCE E. STOTTS.
One of the native sons of Ripley township, successful in his agricultural pur-
suits and prominent in local business circles is Clarence E. Stotts, who lives upon
the old homestead and enjoys the home which for so many years was the resi-
dence of his father. He was born November 3, 1863, and is a son of Abram and
Mariette (Boughton) Stotts. The father, born December 5, 1822, in Belmont
county, Ohio, was the son of John and Eva (Winter) Stotts, the latter a native
of Virginia, and was the eldest of nine children: Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Mar-
tin K., Catherine, George, Daniel and Elizabeth. He was the first born and he
was the last to die. The eighty-six years of his life, his death occurring July 21,
1909, were crowded with activities of the highest order and of profit to others.
A man whose advantages in his youth had been limited, the success of his life in
farming and in the business world was due entirely to his own efforts. The Hu-
ron County Insurance Company was organized in his house, that in which Clar-
ence E. Stotts lives today, and he was elected its first president. He was also
a director of the First National Bank at Greenwich for a period of two years.
The people of Ripley township frequently called upon him to fill the various offices
which were at their disposal and twice, in 1875 and in 1878, he was elected on
the republican ticket to fill the post of commissioner for Huron county. In the
Baptist church at North Fairfield he was also prominent, and he administered the
duties of trustee and deacon with wisdom and decorum. In short he was a man
who made a place for himself in the fore ranks despite the fact that he was handi-
capped in the struggle for life by limited early training. His wife, who before her
marriage was Miss Mariette Boughton, was born in Allegany county, New York,
June 12, 1 83 1, and was the daughter of John and Susan (Benedict) Boughton,
who came to Ohio in 1835 and took up the work of the early pioneers. She
was one of ten children, the others being Solon, Orlando, Cordier, Lucius, Elon,
Theodore, Oscar, Sanford and Silicia. Mr. and Mrs. Abram Stotts were the pa-
rents of four children. Flora A. married John W. Hopkins, and they have one
son, Fred A. Eunice Adell married T. A. Hilton, and they have two children,
Flora E. and Alfred W. Clarence E.. the third of the family, is the subject of
this sketch. Elmer A. married Miss Mildred Kaylor and they have one daughter,
Blanche. Mrs. Stotts preceded her husband to the grave by some nine years, her
death having occurred May 31, 1901.
Clarence E. Stotts has followed farming as his vocation through nearly all
of his life and is accounted a successful agriculturist. He has found wide play for
the exercise of his large business ability as well, for he has been one of the direc-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 381
tors of the First National Bank at Greenwich ever since its organization and has
assisted in maintaining that institution upon its sound financial basis. In politics
he has ever espoused the cause of the republican party, though he has never been
active in its ranks nor a seeker of official recognition. He has, nevertheless, served
the people of this township very efficiently as a justice of the peace and for seven
years as a member of the school board and was ever found to administer his
duties in accordance with what he believed to be right.
On the 19th of September, 1889, Mr. Stotts was married to Miss Mabel Love-
land, who was born June 4, 1870, in New Haven township, this county, and is
the only daughter of Rockwell and Roxana (Knight) Loveland. The father,
who was born in New Haven township, June 9, 1838, was the son of John Love-
land, who was one of the pioneers of Huron county, having come here in 1822,
when he was twenty-four years of age, settling in New Haven township. His
wife was Miss Calista Curtiss before her marriage. Rockwell Loveland, besides
participating in the work of the pioneers, which was not completed when he be-
came old enough to assist, fought valiantly for three years for the preservation
of the Union during the Civil war. He was in the navy on the Mississippi flag-
ship Black Hawk and was in the Red River expedition, serving under General
Farragut. Mrs. Stotts' mother, who was Miss Roxana Knight before her mar-
riage, was the daughter of William and Jane (Johnson) Knight, the former a
native of Boston, Massachusetts, the latter of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs.
Stotts three children have been born: Harold, born August 18, 1891 ; Alta B.,
born April 19, 1894; and Hazel Mae, born October 25, 1908. The children are
all at home, and in the Baptist faith, which the father and mother have pro-
fessed, they have been reared. A man who has been fortunate in his own affairs
and has been found trustworthy in his relations to others, Mr. Stotts enjoys the re-
spect of all who know him and the strong friendship of his Masonic brothers in
particular.
SAN FORD H. KING.
Sanford H. King is a retired farmer who, having passed the seventy-second
milestone on life's journey, is now living retired in the enjoyment of rest which
he has truly earned and richly deserves. He is living in North Fairfield and has
spent almost his entire life in Huron county. He is a native of New York, his
birth having occurred in the Empire state on the 13th of May, 1837. His pa-
rents were Elias and Catherine (Mott) King, whose family numbered but three
children, the others being Barzilla and Mary. It was in the year 1838 that the
parents left the east and came with their family to Ohio, establishing their home
in Huron county.
Sanford H. King was only about a year old at the time and, therefore, for
even more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten he has
lived in this part of the state, witnessing its growth and development as the years
have gone by. He has lived to see notable changes for the native forests have
been cut away, the land cultivated and now the pioneer district is a region of val-
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382 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
uable farms in the midst of which are found flourishing towns and cities with
their industrial and commercial interests. In his youthful days Mr. King assisted
in the labors of the home farm and experience taught him the value of industry
and perseverance. His educational training was received in the public schools
which he attended through the winter seasons. As he attained his majority he re-
solved to follow as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared and
took up the task of farming on his own account. Year by year he carefully
and diligently cultivated the crops best adapted to the soil and climate and as time
passed won success in his labors. He is still the owner of one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Fairfield township, from which he derives a substantial income,
although he is now living retired, leaving the work of the farm to others.
On the ist of March, i860, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Julia Mc-
Kelvey, who was born in Ohio May 4, 1835, and is a daughter of Robert and
Mary (Prosser) McKelvey. They have a large family of children: Julia, Cath-
erine, Betsy, Almira, Harriet, Lyman, Perry, George, Angeline, Roena, Mack and
Lily.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. King was blessed with four children; Eu-
gene, born in i860; Jennie, born in 1865; Fred, born in 1869; and Ernest, who
was born in 1876 and was killed by the cars in December, 1897. Fred married
Delia Barre and they have one child, Lloyd. The parents are members of the
Baptist church, to the support of which they make liberal contribution. Mr.
King is a republican in politics and is thoroughly conversant with the leading*
questions and issues of the day. He has served as a trustee but has not been ac-
tive as a political worker or an office seeker. His fraternal relations are with the
Masons and in his life he exemplifies the benevolent spirit of the craft which is
based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His long residence in
the county has made him well known here and his memory forms a connecting
link between the primitive past and progressive present. Upon his memory are
impressed many scenes and events of the early day which marked the progress
of the community and indicated what was the condition that existed through the
days of his boyhood in this part of the state.
MARTHA M. LOVELL.
One of the persons, who despite her many years, still retains a deep interest
in the affairs of Greenfield township, is Mrs. Martha A. Lovell, who owns two
hundred and seventeen acres of land, on which she lives, part of it being the farm
on which her husband was born. Her birth occurred in Paris, now Plymouth,
Ohio, on the 31st of March, 1831, her parents being Matthew and Nancy (Adams)
McKelvey. The former came to Huron county with his father and an older
brother and settled in Greenfield township on the farm where Robert Arthur now
lives. The land was then heavily timbered, which three men had to clear before
they could put up the log house which was their home while they lived there.
After some years, they removed to Plymouth, where the elder McKelvey died,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 387
closing a career that had experienced many hardships and privations, for he had
been a soldier of the Revolutionary war and had lost one of his limbs in battle.
Matthew McKelvey was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Jan-
uary 30, 1794, and was but little more than twenty years of age when on the 27th
of March, 1818, he was united in wedlock to Miss Nancy Adams. She was two
and a half years his junior and was born in Marlboro, Vermont. Mr. McKelvey
passed the greater part of his life in this county and was one of the pioneer dry-
good merchants of Plymouth. Later he removed to Harding county, Ohio,
where his wife and three of his daughters died, and then returned to Plymouth.
There he passed away on the 18th of March, 1853, ten years and three months
after his helpmate had gone to her final resting-place. Mr. and Mrs. McKelvey
were the parents of ten children: Elizabeth, who was born February 12, 1819,
and died 1834; Marion and Mary, twins, born January 9, 1821, the former dying
June 25, 1823, the latter July 23, 1842; Sarah, who was born May 5, 1823, and
died July 23, 1841 ; Nancy, who was born November 8, 1824, and died July 19,
1841 ; George, who was born June 28, 1826, and died September 18, 1827; Jane,
who was born June 9, and died July 21, 1841 ; Martha M., now Mrs. Lovell;
Matho, born February 25, 1832, now a resident of Tiffin, Ohio ; and John, born
February 8, 1835, wno nves at Sandusky, Ohio, and is a member of the Firelands
Historical Society.
Mrs. Lovell attended the public schools of Plymouth until she was 17 and
for one year continued her studies at Fairfield. She then entered upon
the career of a teacher, which she followed until she was married, on the
30th of December, 1854, to Ethan C. Lovell, a son of David and Mary
(Chilcoot) Lovell. His father came here in the early days of the county and
took up fifty acres of land which is included in the farm Mrs. Lovell now owns.
At the time of his arrival the land was covered with heavy timber which he had
to clear away before he could build the little log house, which was the first home
of his family. Later he was able to build a fine brick residence, for he prospered
in his affairs. Ethan C. Lovell was born June 17, 1819, grew up at home on the
farm, and in turn, became a prominent farmer and stock raiser. He was noted
for his honesty and carefulness, and it is recorded of him that he kept a regular
set of books, in which were entered the transactions of each day. In 1858, he
built the large frame house in which his widow still lives and which he was per-
mitted to enjoy for forty years. A hard worker and thrifty, he made a secure posi-
tion for himself in the hearts of the people of the township, who mourned his
loss deeply when death called him on the 27th of April, 1898.
Not blessed with any children of her owti, Mrs. Lovell has given the privil-
eges of a home and maternal care to two girls, one of whom remained with
her from the time she was six years of age until she married George Mannard,
when she went to live in Virginia. Lena Clark, the other girl, was twelve years
of age when she came to live with Mrs. Lovell, with whom she made her home
until she married Albert Baker, of this township.
Mrs. Lovell is a very well preserved woman, who is old only in years and not
in spirit, looks or actions. Her life has always been one of activity and when
her husband was living she would cook all the meals for the farm hands. She
also tells with a touch of pardonable pride that she did some of the painting on
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388 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
the frame house in which she now lives. From her mother, who was the first
teacher in Peru township, she inherits her love of books and reading, and in the
years that have passed since she presided over a roomful of pupils, she has not
forgotten her interest in education or in the affairs of the world generally.
PHILANDER J. RIDDLE.
Philander J. Riddle, one of the representative farmers of Richmond township
and a man who has made his influence felt in both political and church circles, is
the owner of one hundred and ten acres of fertile farm land in this township.
He was born in Richland county, Ohio, January i, 1854, his parents being John
and Amanda (Thornton) Riddle. The father was engaged all his life in agri-
cultural pursuits and at the same time during earlier years he taught school, for
eighteen years in the district schools and two years in the graded school at Bell-
ville, Ohio, gaining an enviable reputation as a local educator. During the sum-
mer, when released from his school duties, he carried on farming, thus combin-
ing the two occupations very profitably. In 1865 the family came to Huron
county, and this continued to be the home of the parents for the remainder of their
lives, the father passing away in 1890, and his widow in 1893. They were the
parents of the following children: Lydia, who married John Miller, of Chicago
Junction ; Archibald, who is deceased ; Sybal, who married W. F. Miller ; Phil-
ander J., who is mentioned below : John Jr. ; Lunetta, who married George Hatch ;
and William, the youngest.
Philander J. Riddle spent his boyhood as do so many sons of farmers, except
that he had the advantage of belonging to a family where educational matters
were considered of great importance, and he therefore secured an excellent school
training, first in the district schools of Knox county until he was twelve years old,
and after that in Huron county, thus continuing until he attained his majority, and
at the same time he assisted his father on the farm in the summer. The first land
owned by Mr. Riddle was located in Richland county and consisted of a hundred-
acre farm he and his brother John bought and operated in partnership for five
years. Following this venture, Mr. Riddle rented his present farm from his fa-
ther-in-law and when the latter died he bought it. The Richland county farm
was traded for Chicago, Ohio, property. During the time he has been the owner
of his Richmond township farm, Mr. Riddle has devoted himself to improving it,
and has brought it into a state that makes good crops almost a certainty, so that
he can depend upon an excellent income from his investment of money, time and
labor.
On September 1, 1881, Mr. Riddle married Elmyra Snyder, a daughter of
Hiram and Amelia Snyder, who came from the eastern part of Ohio to Huron
county, being early settlers of this locality. They were the parents of the follow-
ing children: Simon; Mvria who married William Cheseman ; Jennie; Douglas;
Elmyra, who became Mrs. Riddle; Ira; and Amanda, who married John Bager.
Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have had but one child of their own, Walter, but they have
adopted Ray White from an orphan asylum and propose to give him the same ad-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 391
vantages enjoyed by their son. This one act sheds a light upon the truly Christian
characters of these two and demonstrates that they believe in living out in their
lives the teachings of their church. Walter Riddle married Cora Harmon, and
their children are: May, Vernice, Harold, Lois and Dalton.
Both Mr. Riddle and his wife are consistent members of the United Brethren
church and are highly esteemed by their fellow members. When the present
church was built he served on the building committee, while he is now church
treasurer and a member of the board of parsonage trustees. For a number of
years Mr. Riddle has been prominent in the republican party in this locality and
is now serving as township treasurer with that same fidelity to obligations placed
upon him that has resulted in his material advancement, and his winning and re-
taining the friendship of his neighbors and church associates.
EMMONS W. ROSS.
Emmons W. Ross is descended from men who braved the terrors, dangers
and hardships of the unknown forests and hewed out not only a home for them-
selves but cleared land and prepared fields from which those generations that
came after them would reap the gain. He is a farmer in the vicinity of Bough-
tonville, Ripley township, and owns the one hundred and forty-two acres on which
he lives. He was born in Auburn, Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, Sep-
tember 13, 1 861, and is the son of Royal R. and Mary (Aumend) Ross. The
father, who was the son of Abel and Amelia (Emmons) Ross, was born in 1832
in New York, while the mother, who was a daughter of Adam Aumend, was born
in Crawford county in 1840, for her parents were among the pioneers there.
Through their marriage Royal R. Ross and his wife became the parents of five
children : Fred, William, one who died in infancy, Howard and Emmons.
Emmons W. Ross has always been a farmer since his childhood's days, for as
soon as he was able he did his share in the work that was carried on at home, and
as he became older participated in the heavier labor of the fields. He experienced
the same difficulty in obtaining an education that confronts the farmer's boys even
today, but which were as nothing in comparison with the hardships of the pre-
ceding generations, just as his life with its comforts affords a striking contrast
to that of his uncle Resolved White, who it is said built the first frame house in
Norwalk, as he was the first settler who was an adept in the carpenter's trade.
But whatever the conditions under which he labored, they bred in him the desire
and the determination to win success. This has come to him with the passage of
the years and is due to his own exertions alone.
On the 31st of March, 1893, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Daisy
C. Daugherty, a daughter of D. W. and Alzina (Snyder) Daugherty. She was
born in 1877 in Hardin county and was the elder of the two daughters born to
her parents, Julia being the other. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have eight children : Vic-
tor, born February 5, 1894; Russell R., July 6, 1896; Virgil, November 15, 1897;
Ruth, May 12, 1899; Amy, January 30, 1901 ; Cecil, April 5, 1903; Milo, August
3, 1906; and Glenn, May 5, 1908.
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392 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
The family attend the Episcopal church at Plymouth, Ohio, and are con-
scientious in their practice of its teachings. When called to exercise his franchise,
Mr. Ross casts his ballot for the candidate and measures of the republican party,
but aside from always being present at the polls at election, which he believes to
be the duty of every citizen, he takes little active part in public affairs. He is a
man highly regarded, nevertheless, for the strong qualities that mark his character.
J. C. BOARDMAN.
Among the many men who have witnessed the vast changes that have trans-
pired since the opening of the early decades of the last century is J. C. Boardman,
a farmer of Boughtonville, Ripley township. More than a witness, in fact, for he
felled trees where are now teeming fields and built rough roads of logs where now
stretch miles of macadam or gravel. The blood of men and women who had
been pioneers flowed in his veins and the quickening impulse of the new life was
in the very air he breathed from birth, for his father, Benaja Boardman, was said
to have been the first white child born between Seneca and Cayuga lake. His
birth occurred in 1794, and as he grew to manhood the desire possessed him to be-
come a minister of the gospel and bring the word of light to those hardy people
beyond the mountains. He was ordained in the Methodist church and came west
to Ohio almost immediately, where by word and deed he urged the men and wo-
men not to forget the needs of the soul and organized the congregation that they
might worship in common. The field of his labors lay in this part of the state,
but the influence oi his life and the message he brought were not confined by any
boundaries. His wife, Miss Loura Ann Hurd in her maidenhood, was a sympa-
thetic and encouraging helpmeet. She was born in 1799 in Connecticut and like
her husband came from a family that had its genesis in England. She urged him
to come to this Ohio wilderness in 1827, although she well knew that it meant
the rearing of her children amid hardship and poverty. There were seven born to
inherit this courage from mother and father: Caleb, Joshua, Samuel, Mary, Mar-
tha, William and Benaja.
J. C. Boardman was born in Richland county, this state, March 5, 1828. In
the difficult life in which the parents struggled it was early necessary that he do
his share of hard, strength-requiring work, such as is not known today, for he
tells with pardcnable pride that at the age of fourteen he cleared an acre of timber
that he might buy a pair of boots. He continued to fell trees for years, that the
land might be converted into fruitful fields. Large numbers of the hewn logs
were used in the construction of the historic plank roads, called corduroy roads
in those days, and Mr. Boardman, still a young man, drove the ox-teams that
dragged the massive tree trunks across the swamps to the place they were to be
laid. With the advance in the times he has progressed ; a substantial income and
comforts have replaced hardships and privations ; and in the growing community
of Ripley township he filled a larger and larger place, a man highly respected and
honored for his courage and the strength of his character. He now owns two
hundred acres in Ripley township, is a stockholder in the Farmers' Bank at Green-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 393
wich, and as trustee and school director has assisted in the promotion of the in-
terests and welfare of his fellow citizens.
More than half a century ago Mr. Boardman was united in marriage to Miss
Helen Ames. She was born in Ithaca, New York, in 1831, and was a daughter
of Benjamin and Lydia (Ellis) Ames, who were of English exti action and came
to Ohio in comparatively early days. On the 15th of September, 1903, the couple
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding and for five more years they
were permitted to traverse life's highway together, until, on the 30th of June,
1908, Mrs. Boardman was released from the cares of this world. She was a noble
wife and a good mother to the four children born of her. These are Eva, Carrie,
Benjamin and Frank.
To the Methodist faith in which he was reared, Mr. Boardman has always
given his adherence and in the little church of his township has taken a vital in-
terest, having served the congregation as steward, trustee and class leader. In
politics he has always given his support to the republican party, but he inclines
more and more to some of the principles advocated by the prohibitionists. One of
the oldest men of Ripley township, he is also one of its finest citizens, his life
constantly being an example of industry, frugality and the guidance of sound
principles.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL MEAD.
Jonathan Trumbull Mead, well known as a representative of agricultural life
in Huron county, was born in Fitchville township, April 25, 1835. His birth
occurred on the farm where he now resides, his father, Peter Mead, having taken
up this tract of one hundred and sixty-three acres as a claim from the government
in 1814. Peter Mead removed from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Fairfield, New
York, in 1812. His father, Peter Mead, Sr., had been a soldier of the Revolu-
tionary war, serving for seven years in defense of colonial interests and holding
the rank of sergeant. When the country again became engaged in war with Eng-
land his son, Peter Mead, Jr., responded to the call to arms, taking part in the war
of 1812. He was afterward a pensioner of the government, receiving eight dol-
lars per month in recognition of the aid which he had rendered on the field of
battle.
Coming to Ohio at an early day Peter Mead, Jr., was one of the pioneers of
Huron county and the first to establish a home in Fitchville township, taking up
his abode here when much of the land was still in possession of the government.
A greater part of it was covered with the native growth of timber and it required
much arduous labor to transform it into productive fields. Peter Mead, Jr., how-
ever, secured his claim and took up the difficult work of preparing the land for the
plow. In clue course of time he made his place a productive tract, its fields yield-
ing generous harvests. For several terms he filled the office of justice of the peace
and J. T. Mead now has in his possession the law book which his father used and
which was printed in 184 1. He also has a dress-coat which was worn by his
grandfather over eighty years ago. Peter Mead kept the first real-estate records
of Huron county and was closely connected with many other labors and events
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394 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
which marked the train of progress. As the work of improvement was carried
on in his section of the state Peter Mead, Jr., took an active part in the transfor-
mation which was being wrought. On one occasion he gave to Amos Reynolds
fifty acres of land and while assisting him in the woods, chopping down trees, both
of them being barefooted at the time, Mr. Mead noticed some scars upon his com-
panion's feet and asked how he came by them. Mr. Reynolds replied that when he
was a boy fishing he, one day, fell into the water and cut his feet on some oyster
shells and that he would have been drowned had it not been for the help of another
boy who rescued him. Further questioning and response led to the conclusion
that it was Peter Mead, who had performed the rescue, although each had lost
knowledge of the other's whereabouts during the years which had elapsed after
the incident had occurred.
Reared upon the frontier, Jonathan Trumbull Mead was educated in one of
the old time log schoolhouses in which the district schools of that day convened.
He always remained upon the home farm, for his father died v,hen the son was
but nineteen years of age and he afterward lived with his widowed mother who
survived for many years, passing away July 3, 1884. In his farm work Mr. Mead
was progressive and in the course of years erected new buildings upon the place
and added many modern improvements which make the farm one of comfort and
convenience. He is also ^n auctioneer, well known in connection with that work
which he has followed coniinuously since 1855. He has conducted sales in a great
many states in the Union, handling both merchandise and farm property and he
still follows the same business. As the years have passed he has prospered in his
undertakings, and has had extended landed possessions. Although he has re-
cently sold one hundred acres he is still the owner of three hundred and eighty
acres of choice Ohio land.
On the 26th of June, i860, Mr. Mead was united in marriage to Miss Pamelia
Jane Daniels, who was born in Ruggles township, Ashland county, Ohio, August
20, 1839. Her father was William Daniels, who settled in Ashland county in
pioneer times and died in 1870 at the age of sixty-two years. The mother passed
away in 1906 when eighty-seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Mead have become
the parents of four children: Rowena Jane, born July 7, 1861, and Charles New-
berry, born June 19, 1873, who are still living, while Arilie Amorit and Kitty
Belle have passed away.
Mr. Mead is entitled to wear the Grand Army button from the fact that he
enlisted in September, 1864, in the Twelfth Ohio Independent Battery under
Captain Frank Jackson. He was a representative in the third generation in the
family which has done splendid military service, his grandfather having been a
soldier of the Revolution, his father of the war of 181 2, while his son Charles
enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war with Troop A, of the First Ohio
Cavalry. He supplemented his early education by study in Oberlin College.
Mr. and Mrs. Mead have spent the last six winters in Florida, thus avoiding
the rigors of the northern climate. His political allegiance has always been given
to the republican party. Mrs. Mead attends the Congregational church, with
which she has long held membership. Mr. Mead is among the oldest of the native
sons of Huron county, having for seventy-four years resided within its borders
so that his memory compasses the period of almost its entire growth, forming a
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 395
connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He has
seen the forests cuts down and the fields cultivated until the district has been made
to bloom and blossom as the rose and in the work of general improvement he has
been deeply interested, bearing his full share as a public-spirited citizen.
CHARLES A. COOLEY.
Charles A. Cooley is a substantial and representative agriculturist of Wake-
man township, Huron county, and comes from a family well known and prominent
in the early history of this state. He was born in Brownhelm, Lorain county, on
the 26th of February, 1866, a son of Charles E. and Anna A. (Bacon) Cooley,
both natives of Lorain county. George Bacon, the maternal grandfather of our
subject, in company with two brothers, came with his family to Ohio from Mas-
sachusetts in. 1 81 8, the family being the second to locate in Brownhelm. The
district was still covered with virgin forest and the three brothers had to clear a
space large enough to build their cabins. They entered large tracts of land and
concentrated their efforts upon the improvement and cultivation of the same.
George Bacon became very prosperous in his agricultural undertaking and was
also recognized as a prominent figure in public affairs. He was a civil engineer
and in this capacity assisted in a large degree in the early work of laying out and
developing the community. He served as county commissioner for a number of
years and was also called to other offices, being recognized as a capable and wor-
thy citizen. Moses B. Cooley, the paternal grandfather, brought his family to
Ohio from Connecticut soon after the arrival of the Bacons and likewise cast in
his lot with the early settlers in this section of the country, aiding in the work of
reclaiming the wild district for purposes of civilization. He, too, met with marked
success in his farming pursuits and became a great worker in church circles of the
community. Both grandfathers lived to a ripe old age and were well known and
influential men in their different spheres.
Charles E. Cooley, the son of Moses B. Cooley, followed the occupation to
which he was reared and became a prosperous farmer and one of the most ex-
tensive landowners in Brownhelm. He was also active in public affairs and served
for several years as the superintendent of the Lorain county infirmary. He mar-
ried Miss Anna A. Bacon and in their family were two children, George E. and
Charles A. The father's death occurred in Roodhouse, Illinois, August 28, 1898,
while his first wife passed away in March, 1866. In 1872 he married Miss Addie
Appleby, by whom he had one daughter, Addie, now the wife of Robert Crehore.
His second wife died at Bay City, Michigan, December 20, 1907.
Spending the years of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, Charles
A. Cooley acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Brownhelm and
later supplemented this training by a commercial course at Oberlin College. He
remained at home, assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields until twenty-
one years of age, when he went to South Dakota and engaged in agricultural pur-
suits on his own account. He was thus connected for eighteen months and then
returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where he was identified with hotel interests in connec-
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396 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
tion with his uncle, B. W. Lock, for a similar period. At the expiration of that
time he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, and was there engaged in the dairy business
for one year.
Returning to Ohio in 1891, Mr. Cooley was united in marriage on the 16th of
March of that year to Miss Jennie E. Morse, a daughter of George and Eliza
(Ball) Mcrse, the former a prominent farmer of West Brownhelm and an ex-
tensive landowner, who was also interested in all movements for the public good.
He passed away August 24, 1886, his wife still making her home in West Brown-
helm. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley began their domestic life on a farm in Wakeman
township, Huron county, but the latter was permitted to enjoy her home for only
two years, her death occurring on the 19th of March, 1893. On the 4th of Sep-
tember, 1895, Mr. Cooley was again married, his second union being with Miss
Ollie M. Whitney, a daughter of Theodore and Elizabeth (Parker) Whitney, of
Elba, Nebraska, the father a former agriculturist of Huron county. Since his
marriage Mr. Cooley has resided in Wakeman township and has devoted his time
and attention to general farming and sheep raising, being a large wool and mutton
dealer. He has concentrated all his energies upon his agricultural pursuits and
has met with eminent success therein, being classed among the substantial farm-
ers of his district. As he has prospered he has acquired considerable valuable
property, his holdings now ranking him among the extensive landowners in his
township.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cooley has been blessed with four children : Lock
C, George W., Anna E. and Leota M. The parents are members of the Congre-
gational church and are interested to a great extent in the church and Sunday
school work, Mrs. Cooley acting as superintendent of the primary department
of the Sunday school. She is a woman of domestic tastes, greatly devoted to her
home and family, and she is highly esteemed by all who know her for her many
sterling traits of character. Mr. Cooley gives loyal support to the republican
party and is most active in its interests, but he has never sought nor desired pub-
lic office as a reward for party fealty. He and his wife occupy an enviable place
in the social circles of the community, while their residence is a favorite resort
with a host of warm friends. It is well supplied with the best standard and cur-
rent literature and their home is at all times dominated by a spirit of culture and
refinement.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM S. FOSTER.
Among the many sons of Huron county, Ohio, who responded readily to their
country's call for men to fight in her defense is notably Captain William S. Foster,
who is a resident of Steuben, Greenfield township, and now lives in retirement
upon a small tract of land which he owns, engaging in farming to a limited extent
as a recreation rather thaii a means of livelihood, for the days of business are
passed for him. Besides the property here Mr. Foster has some landholdings in
Canada. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Norwalk on the 6th of No-
vember, 1838, his parents being John H. and Nancy N. (Boardman) Foster.
The former was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1812, and in 1830 came with his
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 397
parents, Stephen and Mary Foster, to Ohio. The family settled in Norwalk,
where the old people died, the son identifying himself with the life and interests
here. He first taught school for a number of years and then was employed as
clerk in the auditor's office. On going into business for himself he opened a
wholesale and retail grocery, which was successfully conducted, and some years
later he built the warehouse at Norwalk, which he gave into the charge of his son
William S. Foster. But he did more than this for the city. After his arrival there
he had acquired considerable property which he opened up for residential pur-
poses, building several nice houses for others. One of the streets of this section
has since been named Foster avenue after him. As the choice of the whig voters
of the city he served as mayor before the war, although it was not the first office
he had held at the request of the citizens. A good and noble man he was a con-
sistent member of the Presbyterian church and died in that faith in 1878. His
wife was born in New York state and was about fifteen years of age when her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Boardman, came to Norwalk, which was their
home until their death. She likewise died there, in 1880, at the age of sixty-one,
having reared a family of four children, namely: Frank, deceased; William S. ;
John W., deceased ; and Louisa, who married Ralph King, of Toledo, Ohio.
William S. Foster attended the public schools of Norwalk and then continued
his education in a college in the Catskill mountains from which he was graduated
in 1853, having taken a general course. His school days over, he returned to Nor-
walk, where he had charge of the warehouse his father had built until the outbreak
of the Civil war. Mr. Foster enjoys the distinction of having been the first man
to enlist from Huron county. When the call for troops was sent through the coun-
try he was in Cleveland, but on hearing that Captain Sawyer was in Norwalk try-
ing to muster a company, he took the first train for home and there found no one
of the Norwalk Light Swords, to which he belonged and which Captain Sawyer
was trying to get to enlist, had had the initiative to be the first to enroll. They
needed a leader, but within an hour after Captain Foster had put down his name
there were one hundred and thirty young men ready and willing to fight for the
Union. They were mustered in as Company D, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
at Norwalk, Ohio, April 5, 1861, and proceeded to Cincinnati, where they joined
the regiment and where their term of service was lengthened to three years. They
then went to Camp Dennison and later to West Virginia, where their active par-
ticipation in the war began. Captain Foster took part in the battles of Winchester
and Stone River, being wounded in the neck in the latter. On this account he
was sent to the hospital at Nashville but after six weeks was transferred to the
hospital at Cincinnati and while there was recommended for promotion. On leav-
ing the hospital he was given the rank of captain and was commissioned quar-
termaster of all the western territory, with headquarters at Fort Laramie. At
the close of the war he still remained in the service in the western states for three
years, helping to fight the Indians and rendering the country safe for travelers, and
as he was the first from Huron county to enlist, so he was the last to leave, when
on the 6th of September, 1868, he was mustered out of the service, having been
in seven years and four months. When his country no longer needed his aid he
came back to Norwalk and after a short time engaged in building trestles for
railroads. This business took him over the greater part of the United States and
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398 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Canada, being in Charleston, South Carolina, at the time of the earthquake there.
In fact he was a guest at one of the city hotels that was completely destroyed,
and remained in the city fcr some time afterward to assist in repairing the destruc-
tion. In all he worked about thirty years at trestle building but is now living
retired on his little farm, raising chickens and succulent green things.
Captain Foster has never married. He finds abundant society and companion-
ship, however, with his fellow members of the Grand Army post at Akron, Ohio.
There the reminiscences of the days of fighting are retold and the past is con-
trasted with the peacefulness of the present.
CHARLES C. OWEN.
Charles C. Owen, a progressive agriculturist of Greenfield township, is the
owner and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and forty-five acres. It
was on this farm on the 4th of February, 1858, that he was born and here he has
followed agricultural pursuits for almost half a century, the neat appearance
of his property and excellent condition of everything about the place being
indicative of the prosperity which he has achieved. His parents were Lafayette
S. and Mary J. (Clark) Owen, the former having been born in Herkimer
county, New York, the son of John Owen, who came to this county about 1836
and settled in Ripley township, where he bought the farm on which he spent
the remainder of his life, passing away when he was about seventy years of
age.
Lafayette S. Owen was a lad of eleven years when he came with his parents
to Huron county and throughout his boyhood he pursued his studies in an old
log school house, where he mastered the elementary branches of learning therein
taught, during the winter months when his assistance was not needed in the
fields. After reaching man's estate he was enabled to purchase the present
farm of our subject from the heirs of his mother-in-law. After a life of use-
fulness, honesty of purpose and unfaltering industry, he here passed away in
1904. He had married Mary J. Clark, who was born April 7, 1828, and died
May 30, 1902. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clark, who
came from Ireland, settling in this district about the year 1820, when the entire
region was covered with timber and underbrush. He bought land to a con-
siderable extent in this locality, which he cleared and cultivated. Like most of
the early settlers he built for his home a small log house and lived in this
county for about thirty years, his death having occurred about 1850. Mr. and
Mrs. Lafayette S. Owen became the parents of four children: Alice J., who
married William Ruggles, of Peru township ; Charles C, of this review ; Carrie
E., who makes her home with her brother on the home farm; and Fannie E.,
who married Charles Snyder, of Peru township.
Charles C. Owen attended the district schools during the winter months,
and in the summer, assisting his father with the farm labor, learned through
the school of experience valuable lessons in agriculture that served him well
when, upon the death of his father, he was given full charge of the farm.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 401
His sister, Carrie E., who yet remains at home, is his able assistant, managing
the affairs of the household, while he carries on general farming. Devoting
his entire time and attention to the further development of the fields, he takes
no active part in politics and does not belong to any fraternal organizations.
He is a man of social, genial nature, who readily wins friends, and in his busi-
ness affairs his straightforward and reliable methods have won him classification
with the representative agriculturists of the community.
JOSEPH H. GLEASON.
Joseph H. Glecscn is one of the successful farmers of Ripley township, but
he is also one of that valiant number of Ohio's sons who forscok their homes and
their com torts ror the sufferings of the battlefield when their country needed the
support cf their arms. He owns one hundred and sixteen acres of land in the
vicinity cf the village of Boughtonville, the farm on which he was born March
I5> l&43- The Gleascn family is of Scotch-Irish descent and the name Joseph
has been borne by one of the sons for many generations, a great-great-grandfather
of Joseph H. Gleason having been known by that cognomen and having transmit-
ted it to his son Joseph, who in turn bestowed it upon his son who became the
father of Caleb Gleason, the father of the subject of this sketch. On coming to
this country the Gleason family settled in New York state, and there in Cayuga
county was Caleb Gleason born. Shortly after his marriage, however, he removed
to Ohio and settled on the farm which became the birthplace and has since been
the home of his son Joseph H. Gleason. The woman who became his wife and the
mother of his children was in her maidenhood Miss Melinda Hackett, a native
of Maine, though her parents, Joseph and Sarah (Cross) Hackett, belonged to
the state of New York. They were of Irish descent. Seven children were born
to Caleb Gleason and his wife: Worthington, Loeta, Emily, Sarah, Charlotte,
Martha and Joseph.
Joseph H. Gleason was reared at home on the farm and received what edu-
cation he could from the district schools. He was not of age when the Civil
war was inaugurated, but the fact of his minority did not deter him from enlisting
among the first of those ready to incur the hazards of the deadly struggle. On the
9th of October, 1861, he was mustered into Company C, Sixty-fifth Ohio Vol-
unteer Infantry, and after more than four years of service was honorably dis-
charged December 28, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. In recognition of his bravery
he was made a non-commissioned officer, serving as corporal and sergeant, for in
the many engagements in which he participated several acts distinguished him
from the rank and file of those about him. He fought at Shiloh, Stone River,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, in the Atlanta campaign, at Franklin and at
Nashville, and then, after the close of the war, was sent to Texas, where he re-'
mnined until brought to Columbus to be discharged. In one of the skirmishes at
Buzzards Roost he was severely wounded and carries the bullet today. When
his country no longer required his services Mr. Gleason returned to his Ohio
home and took up the life of the farmer to which he had been reared. The years
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402 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
have smiled upon his efforts, his toil has been richly remunerated, and his farm is
one of the best cultivated as well as cne of the most fertile of Ripley township.
On the conclusion of his career as a soldier, in 1865, Mr. Gleason was married
to Miss Emeline Croxton, who was born March 23, 1843, and is a daughter of
William and Susan (Gibson) Croxton, in whose family were eight children:
Angeline, Emeline, Louisa, Antoinette, Samuel, Caroline, Florence and Milton.
Of Mr. and Mrs. Gleason's union there have been born four children : Sherwood,
Frank, Wilbur and Meda.
Politically Mr. Gleason's sympathies are with the republican party which
supported the nation in her hours of trial. He is not active in its ranks, however,
nor a seeker for public preferment, though he has served the township as trustee
and as assessor for a number of terms. In the meetings of the Grand Army post
of Ripley he revives the memories of those days when a canteen or blanket shared
made men closer than brothers.
WALLACE W. KETCH UM.
Wallace W. Ketchum, who owns and operates a fine farm of three hundred
acres, is recognized as one of the prominent and progressive agriculturists of
New London township and in his efforts is meeting with most gratifying success.
A native of New London township, Ohio, he was born October 6, 1849, and is a
son of Ambrose S. and Katharine (Gates) Ketchum, both natives of Schenectady
county, New York, the former's birth occurring on the 14th of March, 1817, while
the latter was born on the 20th of September, 1820.
The father came to New London in 1839 and the first few years he spent in the
employ of John Miller, receiving twelve dollars per month in return for his ser-
vices. Upon his errival in Ohio he had but twenty-five cents and a jack knife in
his possession, but with characteristic energy and determination he set about earn-
ing a livelihood, with the ultimate ambition of sometime owning a farm of his own.
He continued in the employ of Mr. Miller for two years and during that time, by
industry and careful economy, he had accumulated sufficient means with which to
purchase fifty acres adjoining the corporation limits of the village of Rochester,
in Lorain county. Within a year, however, he traded that property for fifty acres
located in New London township on the Butler road, and there he continued to
reside during the remainder of his life. His entire time was devoted to the work
of the farm and he became signally successful along that line, during his life-
time accumulating a property consisting of one thousand acres of rich Ohio land,
almost all of which lay in one body. This property was divided among his four
children at the time of his death, which occurred August 3, 1896. Together
with general farming he had engaged in raising large quantities of stock and this
branch of his business was a source of gratifying additional profit. He was a
man of fine judgment and keen mind, and possessed certain qualities which, had
he enjoyed proper educational advantages, would have made him an excellent
jurist. His advice and counsel were frequently sought by his fellowmen and be-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 403
cause of the reputation which he had gained for his wisdom and veracity, his word
was always taken as authority, its correctness never being doubted.
In 1842 he had wedded Miss Katharine Gates, with whom he happily traveled
life's journey until his death. He was a stalwart supporter of the republican party
and passed away in the faith of the Free Will church. The mother was a woman
of excellent characteristics, of a motherly, domestic nature, whose every thought
was for her family while she was untiring in her efforts to make the home attrac-
tive for those she loved. She survived her husband for more than a decade, pass-
ing away in December, 1908. In their family were four children, namely: Emma
H., who was born in 1845; Wallace W., of this review; Alonzo S., born on the
14th of March, 1852; and Earl M., born in the year 1863. Prior to the father's
death the three sons all remained upon the homestead, assisting in the operation
of the farm and conducting the work in unison, up to the time of the father's de-
mise, when the property was divided.
Wallace W. Ketch um, whose name introduces this review, together with the
other members of his family, enjoyed the advantages of good common school
education, and as stated the early period of his life was passed under the parental
roof. He was united in marriage on the 26th day of December, 1871, to Miss
Helen. M. Thomas, and they began their domestic life upon the farm which is
now his place of residence. His farm consists of three hundred acres of fine farm-
ing property, to the further development and cultivation of which he has since
directed his time and attention. He has put about two thousand five hundred
dollars worth of improvements upon the farm since it came into his possession,
has equipped it with all of the modern conveniences and accessories, and it stands
today a model farm in all of its appointments. He has devoted his time and at-
tention to general farming, and in the conduct of his business affairs has used up-
to-date and progressive methods, and he ranks among the substantial, enterpris-
ing and successful agriculturists of New London township.
With the passing of the year:; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum has been
blessed with three children. The eldest son, Clarence W. Ketchum, was born
on the 6th of September, 1872, and on the 2d of Tune, 1903, he met his death in a
collision on a street car line a few miles east of Norwalk, Huron county. Lee H.
Ketchum, the second in order of birth, was born June 15, 1874, and is now re-
siding upon the home farm with his parents. He was married, on Christmas day,
1895, to Miss May McAfee, and unto this union have been born four children,
namely: Wilber W., born August 23, 1898; Lester H„ October 25, 1899; Morris
G., December 18, 1902; and Lawrence G., June 9, 1908. The youngest son,
Verne V. Ketchum, who was born on the 17th of May, 1879, was married on the
25th of December, 1906, to Miss Ethel Weston. Well known and highly re-
spected throughout the community, he is a young man of unusual ability along
financial lines. He is now the cashier of the Farmers & Citizens Banking Com-
pany at Monroeville, Ohio, which position he has held for the past four years.
It was through his ability and enterprise that the Monroeville Organ Company
was saved from ruin and placed upon a firm, paying basis, while other enterprises
have been organized and carried to a successful point through his good judgment
and industry. Lie is a worthy son of an honored father, and one of whom any par-
ents might well be proud.
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404 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
In his political allegiance Mr. Ketchum is a stalwart republican, giving loyal
support to the party at the polls, but the honors and emoluments of office have
no attraction for him, desiring, as he does, to devote his entire time and energies
to the conduct of his private business affairs. He holds membership with the
Free Will Baptist church, and his life is at all times in harmony with its pro-
fessions. Throughout his entire career he has been guided by the most honorable
principles and his self-reliance ^nd unfaltering industry, combined with his in-
tegrity, constitute the salient features in his success.
WILLIAM H. LUTZ.
William H. Lutz, whose industry and enterprise are meeting with creditable
success, owns and operates a farm of seventy acres located in Ripley township,
where he is well known as a progressive and prosperous agriculturist. He was
born January 29, 1854, in Ashland county, a son of Samuel and Susan (Kimmel)
Lutz. The former, who was born on the 10th of September, 1825, in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, was the eldest child born unto John and Sarah (Beamer)
Lutz, the others being John, Manuel, Elias, Catherine and Sarah. The mother was
born in Stark county, Ohio, April 25, 1828, a daughter of David and Susan
( Welker) Kimmel, and a sister of Joseph, Michael, Henry, Lydia and Nancy Kim-
mel. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lutz were born the following children: Aaron,
Samuel, Frank, Charles, Sadie and William H.
Reared under the parental roof, William H. Lutz acquired his education in
the district schools of his native county, where he gained a good knowledge of the
various branches of English learning. After laying aside his text-books he taught
school for six years, proving himself an efficient instructor, clearly and readily
imparting to others the knowledge which he had himself acquired. Later, how-
ever, thinking that the occupation to which he had been reared would prove more
profitable, he took up agricultural pursuits and in that line of activity has since
been actively engaged. He now owns a farm of seventy acres in Ripley township,
upon which he has resided for seventeen years, and during that time he has
brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He practices rotation of
crops, gives close study to the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the
proper care of same, and in the conduct of his business is progressive and up-to-
date, his close application and good management of his affairs gaining him a high
rank among the representative agriculturists of the township.
William H. Lutz was united in marriage on the 25th of September, 1879, to
Miss Mary A. McQuate, whose birth occurred in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania,
March 30, 1856. She was the daughter of Henry and Mary A. (Garman) Mc-
Quate, whose family consisted of the following children, John, Henry, Amanda,
Susanna, Emma, Caroline and Mary. As the years passed the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Lutz was blessed with two children, namely, Ray and Melvin. The latter
was married in 1904 to Miss Emma Watman, by whom he has one child, Vera.
Mr. Lutz and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, otherwise
known as the Church of the Brethren, the teachings thereof constituting the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 405
guiding influence of their lives. In politics Mr. Lutz is a republican, giving stal-
wart support to that party at the polls, although the honors and emoluments of
public office have held no attraction for him. He served as a member of the board
of education for a number of years, and the cause of education found in him a
warm champion. Throughout the long years of his residence in Ripley township
he has gained an extensive circle of friends who hold him in high regard, and his
salient characteristics are such as constitute him a desirable and valuable citizen in
any community in which he resides.
THADDEUS W. HACKETT.
Thaddeus W. Hackett is well known in Huron county, where he still owns an
excellent farm. However, he is now engaged in business in Mount Dora, Florida,
where he is conducting an undertaking establishment, while in that state he also
owns and controls an orange grove. One of Huron county's native sons, he was
born in Ripley township on the 9th of December, 1843, and is a son of Wheeler and
Lydia (Bowlby) Hackett. His paternal grandparents were Joseph and Sally
(Frost) Hackett and they reared a family of eight children, namely: Wheeler,
Alinda, Lovena, Charlotte, Elon, Curtis, Eron and Lewis This number included
the father of our subject who, having arrived at years of maturity, wedded Lydia
Bowlby. a daughter of Samuel and Martha Bowlby. Their children were: Sarah,
Matilda, Lydia, George, Nelson, William, Alfred, Eliza, Manuel, Edward, Eliza-
beth and Samuel. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler Hackett was blessed
witli but three children: Thaddeus, Samuel and Edward.
The first named spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads, his
time being divided between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and
the pleasures of the playground. When he had reached man's estate he was mar-
ried, Miss Lora Malvina Thomas becoming his wife on the 3d of September. 1865.
She was born on the 9th of June, 1847, and was a daughter of Levi and Laura
(Hoag^ Thomas, whose family numbered but three children, her sister and
brother being Alice and Floyd Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Hackett have no children
of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Blanch L., who was born in
1 88 1 and became a member of their household when twenty-two months old. She
is now the wife of Frank Daniel and has four children : Harold, Ray, Edith and
Frank.
Mr. Hackett was well known in the business circles of Huron county for a
considerable period. For twelve years he conducted an undertaking establish-
ment in North Fairfield and then removed south to Mount Dora, Florida, where
for seven years he has continued in the same business. During the dark days of
the Civil war he offered his services to the government, enlisting when only
eighteen years of age, on the 9th of August, 1862, as a member of Company D,
One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was made bugler of his
regiment and saw considerable active service, taking part in many of the most
important battles of the war. He received honorable discharge on the 25th of
March. 1864, in Tennessee, and now holds membership in the Grand Army of the
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406 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Republic. Fraternally he is also connected with the Masonic lodge at Fairfieldr
with the Eastern Star, to which his wife also belongs, and is a member of the Odd
Fellows lodge at Nor walk. Politically he is a republican, while his religious faith
is indicated in his membership in the Universalist church. Throughout Huron
county he has many friends who have known him from boyhood, and the high re-
gard in which he is uniformly held shows that his has been a well spent and up-
right life.
CHARLES L. MILLER.
Charles L. Miller, although one of the more recent additions to the bar of
Greenwich, has already gained recognition as a member of the legal fraternity
worthy of a liberal public clientage, his years seeming no bar to his advancement
in his chosen field of labor. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Greenfield
township, Huron county, on the 24th of August, 1883, his parents being Charles
and Sophronia (Noble) Miller, both of whom were natives of this county. The
paternal grandfather, John Miller, came from England and settled in Huron
county, Ohio, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, the maternal
grandfather also being engaged in that occupation. The father, Charles Miller,
died in Michigan, where he was then residing, in July, 1883, a month before the
birth of his son and only child.
After the death of the father the mother returned to Huron county, Ohio, and
in the schools of Greenfield township Charles L. Miller acquired hi? early educa-
tion. This training was later supplemented by study at the Fairfield high school,
the Wharton high school and the Shiloh high school, the latter in Richland county,
from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. The following two years
were devoted to teaching, after which he took up the study of law under the direc-
tion of S. L. Americus, an attorney of Greenwich. He continued thus for two
years, becoming thoroughly versed in the fundamental principles of the profes-
sion, and then pursued a one year's course in the Detroit College of Law, after
which he was matriculated in the law department of the Ohio Northern Univer-
sity. He was awarded his Bachelor of Law degree by that institution in June,
1908, and a short time afterward opened up an office in Greenwich, becoming the
successor of his former preceptor, S. L. Americus. Although it is well known that
success at the bar is proverbially slow, nevertheless Mr. Miller has been most suc-
cessful from the start and has already been accorded a gratifying and growing
clientage. He is an intelligent young man, with the laudable ambition to succeed
in his profession, and the fact that he has brought to the starting point of his legal
career those qualities ;ndispensab!e to the lawyer — a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus
the business sense— and more than all a ready capacity for hard work, combined
with a thorough grasp of the law and the ability accurately to apply its principles,
argues well for future prominence and success in his chosen calling.
In politics Mr. Miller is independent, preferring to give his support to the men
and measures in his mind best adapted to subserve general welfare. He is not,
however, remiss in matters of citizenship but on the contrary is public spirited to
a marked degree, taking an active part in various affairs of public moment. He
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 407
is a strong advocate of public improvements and drew up the fiisi petition for
paved streets in Greenwich. He persevered in the agitation of the matter until
he succeeded in having at least one mile of paved streets laid in the city. Frater-
nally he is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., and attends the
services of the Methodist Episcopal church, although not holding membership
therein. A great student, he possesses a fine miscellaneous and law library, and
he is well equipped by training and natural endowment to make a most successful
practitioner at the bar.
DON J. YOUNG.
Don J. Young, who has the honor of being the youngest prosecuting attorney
ever elected in the state of Ohio, was born in Norwalk, on the 8th of May, 1884.
He is a son of S. M. and Isabelle (Wagner) Young, the former an attorney of
Norwalk, of whom extensive mention is made in another part of this volume.
Don J. Young received his early education in the common schools and later
pursued a course in law at Western Reserve College, in Cleveland, Ohio. He en-
gaged in the practice of law for a short time but is now serving his first year as
prosecuting attorney of Norwalk county, having been elected to this office in
1908. Something of his personal popularity in the community is indicated in the
fact that he was elected to his present office on the democratic ticket in a strong
republican county, being the youngest prosecuting attorney ever elected in Ohio,
as he was but twenty-four years of age at the time of his election. He has already
given promise of a bright future, for along with those qualities indispensable to
the lawyer — a keen, rapid, logical mind plus the business sense and a ready capac-
ity for hard work — he has also brought to this, the starting point of his legal career,
eloquence of language and a strong personality.
On the 29th of July, 1908, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Elaine
M. Dennis, who was born August 7, 1883, and is a daughter of Llovde B. and
Eliza Celestina (Yale) Dennis. Mrs. Young on the maternal side comes of Welsh
lineage, her great-grandfather, Benjamin Yale, tracing his ancestry back to the
little rock-ribbed country, while he is a direct descendant of David Yale. The
Yale family early settled in America, representatives of the name having come
from Wales to this country in 1637, settlement being made in New Haven. Moses
Yale, the son of Benjamin Yale, was born October 5, 1808, in Rhinebeck, Dutch-
ess county, New York. Early in life he came alcne to Norwalk, Ohio, and here
began work in the Reflector printing office as a typesetter, remaining in that po-
sition until after he was married, when he became identified with the grocery bus-
iness, in which connection he remained until he retired from active business life,
after he had passed the sixtieth milestone on life's journey. During his residence
here he purchased the old jail building and moved it across the corner where
the Taber store now stands, after which he sold it. realizing what was considered
in those days a handsome profit. On September 22, 1832, he had married Miss
Ann Rowland, a native of Putnam county. New York, who was born on the 1st of
August, 1812. The marriage occurred in Huron county, Ohio, and of the children
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408 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
born unto that union three are yet living, Mrs. H. S. Mitchell, Mrs. L. B. Dennis
and Charles Yale. Mr. Yale passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-two years,
after a long and severe illness.
Lloyde B. Dennis, who married Miss Eliza Celestina Yale, a daughter of Moses
Yale, was born August 12, 1837, in Oswego county, New York, while the date of
his wife's birth was February 22, 1843. He took his first step in the business
world as a telegraph operator, but on the 19th of April, 1861, he laid aside all per-
sonal matters and enlisted as a member of Company H, Fifteenth New York
Volunteer Engineers, under Captain Ketchum, in Colonel Murphy's division. In
December of that year he was transferred to the Telegraph Corps and was sent
to.Virginia and Kentucky, where he served for a long time with General Fremont
as his private telegrapher. He was thus engaged until August 13, 1863, when he
was discharged at Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Later he was attached to the commis-
sary department and remained in the service until the close of the war. After his
return home he directed his attention to the lumber business, handling the lumber
from the time that, as a log, it was cut from the stump until it was made into fur-
niture. He was identified with other interests also, at one time acting in the ca-
pacity of engineer with the Standard Oil Company. lie has now, however, retired
from active business and is enjoying a well earned rest after many years of hard
labor. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis was blessed with four children,
namely: Washington Yale, born January 10, 1868; Edith, who died in infancy;
Paul, born December 12, 1879, who passed away March 25, 1908; and Elaine M.,
the wife of Don J. Young, the subject of this review. The children were all edu-
cated at Norwalk high school and the son is a very prominent real-estate dealer
in Minneapolis.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Don J. Young has been blessed with one little
daughter, Celestina Elaine, who is the light and life of the household The young
couple are very popular in the social circles of Norwalk, where they have a wide
circle of warm friends, and Mr. Young, not only by reason of the gratifying posi-
tion he has attained in professional circles of this city but also because of his up-
right manhood and his many sterling traits of character, has won the respect, con-
fidence and good will of his fellow citizens, the concensus of public opinion accord-
ing him high rank among the prominent, representative and influential citizens of
the community.
AUGUST A. RUFFING.
August A. Ruffing, the president and superintendent of the Gallup-RufHng
Handle Company of Norwalk, is numbered among the worthy native sons of
Huron county, his birth having here occurred on the 23d of February, 1871. He
obtained a good practical education in the common schools of this county and
assisted his father in the cultivation cf the home farm until he had attained the
age of twenty-one years. He then secured employment in the factory of C. \Y.
Smith, where he remained for three years and subsequently removed to Chicago,
working in a factory there for about eight months. At the end of that time, he
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A. A. RUFFING
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 411
returned to Norwalk, where he remained for a short time and then went back
to the home farm. Later he made his way to Miami county, Ohio, where he ac-
cepted a position with a firm that was extensively engaged in the manufacture
of wooden handles, remaining in that employ for five years. On the expiration
of that period, he once more returned to Norwalk and in August, 1902, organized
the Gallup-Ruffing Handle Company, of which he was made president and has con-
tinued as the chief executive officer of the company to the present time. The
concern was organized for twenty thousand dollars under the laws of the state
of Delaware and has since been incorporated under the laws of the state
of Ohio. In the first year, the business of the company amounted to about twenty-
five thousand dollars and during the seven years of its existence, has increased
to sixty thousand dollars — a fact that would seem to augur well for its con-
tinued success and prosperity. The shipments of the house extend throughout the
United States, Canada and many foreign countries and the volume of their trade
is constantly increasing. The plant is equip'ped with all of the latest machinery,
some of which is the original design of the proprietors and fifty-five workmen
are employed in the conduct of the business. H. A. Gallup is the secretary, treas-
urer and financial manager of the concern, while Mr. Ruffing acts in the capacity
of president and superintendent and the success which has attended the enter-
prise is attributable in large measure to his excellent management, sound judg-
ment and keen discrimination. He is now widely recognized as a prominent
representative of the industrial interests of his native county and his life record
stands as a splendid example of what can be accomplished through force of char-
acter and unfaltering diligence.
On the 1st of August, 1899, Mr. Ruffing was united in marriage to Miss
Anna M. Marsh, who was born in Huron county, March 6, 1874, her father
being Thaddeus Marsh, an agriculturist of this county. They now have three
children : Clare A., Clement H. and Veronica. In his political views, Mr. Ruff-
ing is a stalwart republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his member-
ship in the German Catholic church. His good qualities, and they are many,
have strongly endeared him to those with whom he has been associated and wher-
ever he is known he is popular with a large circle of friends.
GEORGE H. DAWSON.
George H. Dawson, who is one of the progressive farmers of Richmond
township, Huron county, Ohio, has had a long and valuable experience as an
agriculturist and shows the result of it in his work on his fine farm of one hundred
and thirty-four acres. In addition to this property, he also owns one hundred and
forty-nine and three-quarter acres in Richland county. Mr. Dawson was born in
Richmond township, Huron county, May 26, 1864, his parents being James B. and
Mary (Dickison) Dawson. When he was twenty-one years old, his father left
England, his native land, hoping to find a broader field of operation in the new
world. By occupation he was a farmer and was so successful that he was able to
live retired during the last quarter of a century of his life. His death occurred
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412 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
November n, 1908, and he was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife in
1870. She had borne him the following- children: J. W. ; A. H. ; Eliza J., who
married W. G. Channey ; George H. ; and J. E. Later he married Julia Sweet-
land and their children were as follows: H. S., D. F., C. A., R. A. and Mary,
who married D. W. Hillis.
Until he was nineteen, George H. Dawson attended the district school and
made the most of his opportunities, although a year before he completed his course
he was called upon to assume the management of his father's farm, and for the
following twenty-five years he cultivated the property. In the meanwhile he
invested in his two farms, and in 1909 he moved upon the Richmond township
one and has since devoted his attention to improving and developing it.
In February, 1883, Mr. Dawson married Minerva Post, a daughter of Wil-
liam B. and Rebecca Post, who were early settlers in Huron county, where both
are still residing*. Mrs. Dawson belongs to a family that is as follows : Rosetta,
who married J. H. Hord ; Luella, who married S. N. Duffy ; Minerva, who is Mrs.
Dawson; Ida, who married M. L. Williams; W. C. Emmery; Anna, who married
J. W. Stevens ; and Ethel, who married Bert Steel. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson are the
parents of the following children : I. L., Edna, Addie, Bertha, Adelbert, Altie and
Laura. In politics he is a republican. The family belong to the United Brethren
church and give that body their hearty support both in contributions and work.
They are well liked in the neighborhood, and Mr. Dawson is recognized as a good
farmer and excellent business man.
D. H.. CLARK.
D. H. Clark, a resident farmer of Peru township, numbered among the men of
unfaltering enterprise and progressive spirit, is successfully cultivating one hun-
dred and seventeen acres of highly improved land. Although now seventy-six
years of age, he yet gives personal supervision to the further development of his
farm and his life record of unfaltering and intelligently directed activity should
put to shame many a man of much younger years but of less resolute spirit who
would relegate to others the burdens he himself should bear.
Mr. Clark is a native of New England, his birth having occurred in Vermont,
Jiih- 21, 1833. His parents were Daniel and Diana (Warner) Clark. The father,
who was born May 3, 1806, died in 1862, while his wife, whose birth occurred
Aug. 9, 1806, passed away on the 30th of October, 1881. They came to Huron
county, Ohio, in 1834, when it was still a frontier district, the work of improve-
ment and development seeming scarcely begun. Many changes have occurred
during that time and D. H. Clark has been a witness of the entire transformation.
On reaching Huron county, the family settled in Peru township, and the father,
who was a carpenter and joiner by trade, assisted in building a number of the log
houses and barns in the locality in that early day. He also erected a log cabin for
himself, and he and his family occupied that little home for a long time. H«
worked diligently upon his farm but never allowed his business affairs to exclude
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 413
his interest in religious matters. He was a prominent man in the church and as-
sisted in building the house of worship for the Universalists at Peru in 1840.
He belonged to that church throughout his entire life, held a number of offices
therein and was very active in the church work. In his family were eight children,
Mariette, who was born September 22, 183 1, married Lyman Johnson and both
are now deceased. D. H. is the second in the family. Dean, who was born De-
cember 6, 1834, died August 10, 1863. Henry, born July 19, 1836, died April 20,
1888. Warner, born May 24, 1838, died February 2, 1849. Cornelia, who was
born February 1, 1842, died January 28, 1849. Francis M., born October 8, 1844,
died March 5, 1849. Mary I., born January 22, 1848, died February 5, 1849.
Thus four of the children died within a few days of each other in the year 1849.
D. H. Clark of this review has spent nearly his entire life in this part of Ohio,
save for a few years which he passed in Kansas when a young man. He learned
the carpenter's trade in his youthful days and followed that pursuit until about
forty-five years of age, during which time he built a large number of houses and
barns in his vicinity. In 1883 he erected the commodious residence which he now
occupies and which stands as a monument to his thrift, skill and industry. His
life has been a busy and useful one, and his success is the merited reward of
earnest and persistent labor. Since his retirement from industrial lines he has
given his attention to agricultural pursuits and is now cultivating an excellent
tract of land of one hundred and seventeen acres, constituting one of the finely im-
proved farms of the county.
Mr. Clark has always been interested in everything relating to the public wel-
fare and has cooperated in many movements for the general good. He has served
as school director for a number of years and the cause of education finds in him a
stalwart champion. He has always belonged to the Universalist church and at
the present time is the treasurer and one of the trustees of the church at Peru.
His political allegiance is given to the republican Darty and he keeps well informed
on the questions and issues of the day, although he has never been a politician in
the sense of office seeking.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Clark was married March 1, 1865, to
Miss Melvina Barker, a daughter of Robert and Lucy (Standish) Barker, who
were early settlers of Peru township. Mrs. Clark was born upon the farm which
\* now her home in a little log cabin, in which her parents were living. They had
come to Ohio from the state of New York when still single and were married in
this county in 1837. Her father was born August 10, 1809, and her mother's birth
occurred in March of the same year. Both are now deceased, Mr. Baker having
passed away July 6, 1877, while his wife died on the 25th of October, following.
They were, therefore, separated in death for but a brief period. They became the
parents of three children : Liddie, who married Austin Patterson and is now a
widow living in California ; Mrs. Clark ; and John, deceased. Mrs. Clark is one
of the direct descendants of Miles Standish. By her marriage she became the
mother of one son, Dean B., who was born October 18, 1878, and married Altah
Baker, a daughter of Wilson E. and Mary Pauline (Barnum) Baker, of Licking
county, Ohio. They were married March 1, 1900, and have two children: Walter
B. and Mary Louise. They reside upon the old homestead with his father and
Dean B. Clark now operates the farm.
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414 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Few citizens of the county can boast a longer residence here than D. H. Clark,
who for seventy-five years has lived in Huron county and has been an interested
witness of its growth and development. He has lived to see the forests cut away,
the land reclaimed and converted into rich fields. He can remember the time when
the harvesting was done with the scythe and the cradle, for it was not until he had
become a factor in agricultural life that the modern reaper, mower and steam
thresher were introduced nor was the riding plow known in the period of his boy-
hood. The labor of the farm was much more arduous than at the present time.
The homes of the settlers, too, were in many cases log cabins, and they were
heated by fireplaces and lighted by candles and later by kerosene lamps. Mr.
Clark has lived to see remarkable changes, carrying the county forward to its
present state of progress when the agriculturist enjoys the advantages of the tele-
phone and the rural mail delivery as well as the benefits of all the modern farm
machinery which has so completely revolutionized the work of the fields.
GILBERT M. WOOD.
Gilbert M. Wood, one of the hard-working and quiet farmers of Fitchville
township, Huron county, was born in New London township, February i, 1862,
a son of Willis and Hilda (Springstead) Wood. The mother was a native of
this county, but the father was born in Putnam county, New York, and was only
six years of age when his parents came to Ohio, settling in New London town-
ship, Huron county. He followed the life of a farmer, was a man of fine character
and intelligence, but of a retiring disposition, so that he was not well known be-
yond his immediate circle of friends and acquaintances. He was quite a sports-
man, however, and enjoyed nothing more than a seat on a fine horse, behind a
leash of hounds, in pursuit of a fox. A good shot and a successful trapper, he yet
derived more pleasure from the spirit of the chase than from the value of the pelts
he secured. He died in October, 1886, leaving a widow and two sons, William
J. and Gilbert M., who still survive.
Gilbert M. Wood was reared at home on his father's farm, and received his
education in the district schools of New London and Fitchville townships. All
his life he has been a farmer, even in the period of his childhood and youth as-
sisting with the work on the home place and assuming responsibility as his age
and strength increased. In 1886 he began life on his own account, engaging in
farming in the neigh borhood in which he had been reared. In 1892 he removed
to Fulton county, Ohio, where for three years he devoted himself to agriculture,
returning to his farm in Fitchville in 1805. On this he has since made his home,
practicing a general line of farming, for which his land is excellently adapted.
In October, 1886, Mr. Wood was married to the woman of his choice, Miss
Minnie Post, ah orphan girl of German descent. To this union have been born
two children: a son, Willis W., a bookkeeper employed by the Honing Electric
Company, of Cleveland, Ohio; and a daughter, Lillian, who remains at home.
Mr. Wood is deeply interested at all times in the matters that concern the
public and the welfare of the citizens of this land, but he has never actively en-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 415
gaged in politics nor has he sought or filled any office within the gift of the people.
He believes, strongly, however, that every man should exercise his right of fran-
chise, and so is unfailingly at the polls on election day, when his vote is cast for
the democratic candidate and for democratic measures. But for all his reluctance
to enter the public arena, he is a public-spirited man, an advocate of good govern-
ment and progress, who gives his influence to the promotion of better conditions.
He is particularly interested in the advancement of education in the township
and in the improvement of the roads.
JESSE E. WHEELER.
The enterprising village of Chicago Junction has various citizens who contin-
ually conserve its interests by their activity in business lines as well as through
their relation to public affairs. In this class Jesse E. Wheeler was numbered,
having for twenty years been engaged in the dry-goods business here. As a mer-
chant he was very successful and was looked upon by everyone as one of the most
agreeable and accommodating business men of the city. He passed away Octo-
ber 2, 1909, and the fact that one thousand people gathered to pay their last trib-
ute of respect to him was indicative of his high standing in the community. One
of the native sons of the county, his birth occurred in Greenfield township, Jan-
uary 22, 1854. His father, Calvin Wheeler, was born in the state of New York
and when a boy came to Huron county with his father, John Wheeler, who settled
in Greenfield township, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents who were ac-
tively engaged in the arduous task of reclaiming wild land for the purposes of
civilization. He cleared away the timber, turned the first furrows and in course
of time gathered good harvests as a reward for his labors. Upon the farm which
he developed and tilled he reared his family and lived to a ripe old age, honored
and respected by all who knew him. He was a man of strong character and re-
ligious nature and for many years was a local preacher in the Baptist church, so
that he was uniformly styled Elder Wheeler throughout the entire community.
He reached the venerable age of ninety-two years.
Calvin Wheelei , reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life,
engaged in merchandising in Greenfield after attaining his majority. Meeting
with success in business he continued as an active representative of commercial in-
terests there for many years and by reason of his straightforward dealing enjoyed
the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. He died in Chi-
cago Junction, May 22, 1896, having for forty years survived his wife, who passed
away on the 5th of March, 1866. She bore the maiden name of Mary Richards
and was a native of New York. In her girlhood days she came with her parents
to Huron county, the family settling on the present site of Chicago Junction. In
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Wheeler were twelve children, seven sons and
five daughters, namely: Janette, who is deceased; Agnes; David, who has de-
parted this life; Ben; Judson, also deceased; Chauncey; J. E. and J. A., twins;
Alice and Alfred, twins ; Lillis. and Linda.
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416 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
J. E. Wheeler was indebted to the country schools for the educational oppor-
tunities which he enjoyed. He pursued his studies through the winter months and
in the summer seasons worked on his father's farm, toiling in the fields from the
time of early spring planting until corps were harvested in the late autumn. In
1875, when twenty-one years of age, he went to California, where he remained
for ten years, giving his time to various pursuits. In 1885 he returned to Ohio
and joined his brother, J. A. Wheeler, in the mercantile business in Steuben, Ohio,
until 1889, when he came to Chicago Junction and opened a dry-goods store in an
old frame building. Upon the completion of the opera house block the business
was removed to its present location and there he conducted a well appointed store,
supplied with all modern conveniences to facilitate the conduct of the trade. In
the years which came and went prior to his death he built up a very extensive
business. His sister Alice, now Mrs. Barber, was his partner in the enterprise
from the time that he opened the store in Chicago. He was a man of progressive
methods and the business was well managed, the stock thoroughly up-to-date in
every particular and the trade of the house constantly grew. He made a study of
the wishes of the people and his reasonable prices and honorable dealings con-
stituted salient features in his success. His methods were always of a construc-
tive character and never was he known to take advantage of the necessities of
another in business transactions.
In 1890 Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Keesy, a native of
Huron county and a representative of an old pioneer family. Her father, the
Rev. W. A. Keesy, was a minister in the United Brethren church and his life was
an influencing factor in the moral development of the community. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Wheeler was born one son, Raymond. The parents held membership in the
United Brethren church and Mr. W'heeler was also identified with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. In his life work he was actuated by laudable ambition
and his record at all times was characterized by intelligent and well directed effort
and by unswerving integrity and progressive methods.
For some months prior to his demise he complained of not feeling well and
friends urged him to rest from business for a time, but he felt that he must con-
tinue his attention to the store and did so until stricken with typhoid fever. He
never recovered and on the 2d of October, 1909, passed away, his death coming as
a distinct loss to the entire community. He always sought to do untc others as he
would have them do unto him and was, therefore, a close follower of the golden
rule. A lover of justice, his treatment of others was fair and his word was as
good as a written promise. He never neglected his obligations nor his duties, was
recognized as a man of determined character and one who maintained an unequiv-
ocal position upon any vital question. He was a friend and wise counsellor in
time of trouble and he gave liberally to charity. He was one of the first men to
become a member of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association and had
continuously served as its treasurer since its organization. His funeral was one
never to be forgotten by those who were in attendance. The services were of a
most impressing character and all business houses of the city were closed from
one thirty until four o'clock, and it is said that every firm was represented at the
funeral.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 417
Steadfastness of purpose, an unselfish life and purity of heart were manifest
in the career of Jesse E. Wheeler and will long be remembered by those who knew
him, and constituted an example well worthy of emulation. He stood for all that
is highest and best in manhood and in citizenship and was at all times loyal to the
public welfare and faithful in his friendships, but his best traits of character were
reserved for his own home and fireside, where he was known as a most devoted
and worthy husband and father, neglecting no opportunity to promote the happi-
ness and welfare of his wife and son, whose interests he ever counted above his
own. He left the impress of a noble soul upon the community with which he was
identified through two decades,
JACOB KOTZ.
One of the older generation of farmers of Ripley township, whose persistent
efforts in the cultivation of crops have been rewarded with pronounced success is
Jacob Kotz. Although not a native of this state, for the past twenty-eight years
he has been one of its citizens and has taken a deep interest in the welfare of his
township, welcoming and advancing any movements that make for its improve-
ment. He was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania April 3, 1838. His
parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Schuman) Kotz, were also natives of the Key-
stone state and reared a family of twelve children: John, Sarah, Edward, Isaac,
Mary, Charity. Jacob, Rebecca, Christina, Catherine, Daniel and Charles. The
paternal grandparents of Jacob Kotz were Henry and Charity (Snyder) Kotz.
Jacob Kotz was reared to agricultural pursuits. The educational facilities of
his native state, though better than those in the territory farther west at the same
period, were none too good as affording a preparation to meet the problems of
life. Such as they were Jacob Kotz partook of them, working on the farm with
his father in the spring, summer and early fall months, preparing his lessons and
attending school when the inclemency of the season made outdoor labor impossible.
The training was effective, though perhaps hard, for Mr. Kotz has been success-
ful in his operations when he embarked on farming as his own vocation, by means
of which he made a home for himself and family. In 1881 he came to Ripley town-
ship and settled upon the land on which he lives today. Since his arrival here he
has entered into the spirit of this locality, raised his voice, as one of the school
board, for the betterment of the schools, and when the Boughtonville Telephone
Company was organized, bought stock in the concern, became one of its promoters
and is still interested in its financial stability.
On the 3d of November, i860, Mr. Kotz and Miss Mary Ann Bitts were
united in marriage. Mrs. Kotz was born January 5, 1840, in Northampton
county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rasley) Bitts,
and the grandaughter of Henry Bitts. She was the youngest of the four children
born to her parents, the others being Reuben, Sarah and Elizabeth. To Mr. and
Mrs. Jacob Kotz have been born six children: Elizabeth, who was born July 20,
1861, married Jacob Snyder, and they have two sons, Franklin and Charlie. I'riah,
who was born February 7, 1863. passed away at the age of two. Emma Frances,
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418 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
born March 15, 1865, married Fred Beelman and they have a son, Chester. Cath-
erine, born January 5, 1871, became the wife of William Bender and the mother
of seven children: Essel; Bessie; Mildred; Mabel, who died at the age of two
years; and triplets who died at birth. Ida, who was born July 19, 1877, married
Charles Wentz. Frank, the youngest of the family, born February 7, 1880, mar-
ried Miss Bertha McCormick and they have one daughter, Gertrude Irene.
The family were reared in the tenets of the Lutheran faith and still adhere to
its doctrines. Politically Mr. Kotz is a firm democrat, though he is not prominent
in party affairs. He enjoys pleasant fraternal relations with the Masons and with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed the third degree in the for-
mer and being past grand in the latter.
E. BIGLOW.
E. Biglow, a pioneer in the utilization of the rich clay deposits in the vicinity
of New London and the founder and promoter of an important industrial enter-
prise, is now extensively and successfully engaged in the manufacture of brick
and tile. He was born upen a farm in Lorain county, Ohio, June 28, 1845, and is
a son of Daniel and Martha (Stranahan) Biglow, natives of Ohio and Connecti-
cut respectively. The parents were identified with the farming interests of Lor-
ain county, where E. Biglow was reared to agricultural pursuits. Acquiring his
early education in the ccuntry schools at the same time he received thorough
and ample training in farm work as through the summer months, he assisted in
the labors of the fields. He continued to engage in farming until the age of
twenty-eight >ears, when he opened a general store in Westview, which he con-
ducted ior nineteen years. That enterprise proved a profitable and growing
one, but at the end of six years his health failed, owing to the close confinement
of the store and he partially withdrew from mercantile pursuits to give his time
and energies to brick and tile making, taking up that line of manufacture in
Columbia, Lorain county. He started the business on a very modest scale, but
by close attention, unremitting energy and earnest study of processes of manu-
facture and the adoption of practical methods, he prospered as the years went
by, continuing at that location until 1807. I-ty keeping in tcuch with everything
concerning his line of business, he came to know o: the wonderful clay deposits
at New London and foresaw great possibilities there. Removing to this place in
1897, ne established his business in a small way, paying thirty-five hundred dol-
lars for the land and taking up the manufacture with five empbyees operating
one kiln. At that time his son. E. O. Biglow, was old enough to join him aind
together they have built up from this humble beginning a business which is one of
the important industries of the county and of which New London has every rea-
son to be pn w\. They row employ fifty men, operate eight kilns and have made
many improvements in their plant. They have erected a fine plant equipped with
the most modern irrchmery and there is a constant ard grr wing demand for their
products, inciudin.r tile and brick Their output is sent to many states, being
shipped to the eastern seaboard, to Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 421
They also have a very extensive trade in northern Ohio and the indications are
that the business will constantly increase for it is founded upon a safe, substantial
basis and because of its owner's broad experience and keen discernment.
E. O. Biglow, the junior partner, is an only child. He acquired a good pre-
liminary education and then attended Baldwin College at Berea, Ohio, after
which he joined his father in business. He is energetic, wide-a-wake, alert and
enterprising and both he and his father, are popular with their employes, of whom
their treatment is ever just and fair.
E. O. Biglow was married in 1899, to Miss Ida King, a daughter of Dr.
King, of New London. They have three children, Irena, Ernestine and James
Otis.
E. O. Biglow is a thirty-second degree Mason, having thus attained high
rank in the Scottish Rite. While devoting their energies largely to their busi-
ness interests, which are continually growing in volume and importance, the
Biglows, father and son, take an active part in public affairs and have always
given earnest support to those independent office seekers whose course seems to
promise loyal and valuable service rather than strict party allegiance. They are
men of high ideals in relation to public life and also in their business connections.
They have never regarded their employes as a part of a system of machinery or
business, but have looked upon them as individuals whose co-operations, assist-
ance and good will can be won and maintained through just treatment and ap-
preciation of reliable service. All who know of their business prophesy for it a
successful future and prosperity is well deserved by them for both, father and
son are genial, unassuming men of true worth and with good business ability.
THE W. H. GARDNER GRAIN & MILL COMPANY.
The W. H. Gardner Grain & Mill Company, of Bellevue, Ohio, is an enter-
prising concern that has put three brands of flour upon the market : Roller King,
patented ; Electric Light, a straight flour ; and White Rose, which is a first clear.
W. H. Houle is the president of this concern ; W. H. Gardner the vice-president
and general manager ; and E. F. Lienhard, the secretary and treasurer. These
men, with the addition of George Busch and D. Calhoun, also constitute the board
of directors. The mill which they started and maintain has a capacity of three
hundred barrels daily and employs a force of twenty-five hands. Since its organi-
zation the company has made good its claim to existence, and gives promise of
continuing success in the future.
W. H. Gardner, the general manager, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, No-
vember 22) 1850, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Slanker) Gardner. His father was
born in 1826 and died in 1854. He was a carpenter by trade and was the father
of three children: one who died in infancy; C. D., of Canton, Ohio; and W. H.
The mother, who was born three years after her husband, is still living at the
advanced age of eighty. W. H. Gardner lived in Wayne county until 1869, at-
tending the public schools there and learning the milling business. At the age of
seventeen he had his first experience as a miller, when he was put in charge of
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422 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
a small mill at Burton City, Wayne county. From there he went, m 1869, to
Olney, Illinois, where he was connected with the mill business. A year sufficed to
prove to him that Wayne county, Ohio, was more to his liking, so he returned to
Wooster, where he worked in the Brick Mill. In the spring of 1875 ne went to
Pittsburg, where he continued at his trade. After two years, he came to Bellevue,
where he was in the employ of Higby & Company, until his marriage in 1889,
when he located on his father-in-law's farm in Seneca county, Ohio. For four
years he lived there, following farming, after which he returned to Bellevue and
bought a fourth interest in the mill with which he is still connected, paying thirty-
five hundred dollars for his share. This was on the 7th of January, 1890, and
his partners were William McLaughlin, W. H. Kern and W. P, Collins. The
undertaking did not win its expected success, and Mr. Gardner, realizing that he
had lost five thousand dollars in one year severed his connection with the com-
pany, in November, 1891. Thereupon he entered in the grain business with W. H.
Kern on the Wheeling railroad, under the firm name of Kern & Gardner, con-
ducting their operations from the cars. Later on they built an elevator on the
railroad and leased another at Parkertown. As the business prospered they built
one at Flat Rock and another at Omar, south of Bellevue. In 1897 Mr. Gardner
purchased Mr. Kern's interest and sold a quarter interest in the business to Mrs.
Addie S. Heimbach and another quarter to E. F. Lienhard. The firm then be-
came known as W. H. Gardner & Company. In March, 1904, a stock company
was formed and incorporated under the laws of Ohio as the W. H. Gardner Grain
Company, with a capital stock of seventy-five thousand dollars. In June, 1904,
the corporation bought out the Bellevue Grain Company which owned elevators at
Bellevue and Colby. In April, 1905, the company obtained possession of the
McLaughlin & Biebuiher elevator at Franks, at the same time increasing their
capital stock to one hundred thousand dollars and changing the style of the cor-
poration to The W. H. Gardner Grain & Mill Company. In June, 1909, they
leased the mills at Norwalk, known as the Globe Mills, which they are rebuilding
and installing with the latest and best machinery, the demand for Roller King
flour being so great that it was necessary to increase the facilities to take care of
the demand. Mr. Gardner is a man of pronounced business ability and the suc-
cess of the firm is due in no small measure to his efforts. On the 24th of Feb-
ruary, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Alice Currln, a daughter of
George and Harriet Currin, and they have become the parents of one daughter,
E. Gertrude, who was born December 26, 1883.
Emil F. Lienhard, the secretary and treasurer of the company, was born in
Zurich, Switzerland, January 16, 1862, a son of Heinrich and Rosina Lienhard.
The father was born in 1832 and died in his forty-first year but the mother, on the
other hand, is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight. There were five
children born to this couple : Rosina ; Louisa, deceased ; Heinrich ; Emil F. ; and
Carl, who died in T873 — tne vear °* his father's death. Emil F. Lienhard attended
the schools of Switzerland and after completing his education traveled throughout
the principal countries of Europe. At the age of twenty he came to the United
States, desiring to enter the regular army, but as he was unable at that time to
speak English he was refused. His purpose was not changed, however, and after
spending a year in working in Philadelphia, he acquired the requisite knowledge
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 423
of the language and in 1882 was enlisted as a soldier. At a large number of west-
ern posts he served with honor, and on August 21, 1893, was discharged. During
the World's Fair at Chicago, he was employed as correspondent and in the secret
service with the Columbian Guards. When the Fair closed he came to Wayne
county, Ohio, where he lived with his wife's parents. On the 16th of October,
1894, he cjit e to Bellevue, entering the employ of Kern & Gardner. His services
proved of such worth that when the present company was organized he was asked
to assume the duties of secretary and treasurer. On the 1st of September, 1893,
Mr. Lienhard was united in marriage to Miss Alta A. Smith, a daughter of Na-
than W. and Rebecca Smith, of Wayne county. One child, Grace R., has been
born to them. Fraternally Mr. Lienhard has relations with the Masons. He is
also a member of the German Aid Society and belongs to the Association of
Cleveland Commercial Travelers. In religious matters he gives his adherence to
the Lutheran church and is both a good churchman and a Christian. In the com-
pany of which he is secretary and treasurer he is also a stockholder, and his coun-
sel, that of a responsible man of business, is always asked in matters of import-
ance affecting the welfare of the company.
STEPHEN M. YOUNG.
Stephen M. Young, a representative of the Nor walk bar since 1878, has dis-
played in his practice in the courts an ability which has gained him a large client-
age and connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts
of the district. With a keenly analytical mind and laudable ambition to attain suc-
cess, he has worked diligently and persistently for the enviable position which he
now occupies.
A native of Mansfield, Ohio, he was born March 27, 1848, and is a son of
Downing H. and Angeline (Marvin) Young. On the paternal side he comes of
Scotch-Irish ancestry, while in the maternal line he is of French and Holland
Dutch ancestry. His mother was a lady of notable refinement and liberal educa-
tion. The father, Downing H. Young, was a native of- Virginia, and removing
westward to Richland county, Ohio, there met and married his wife. He studied
law and was admitted to the bar in Mansfield, practiced there until 1857, when he
removed to Toledo, where he continued successfully in the practice of law for
about four years. He next came to Huron county and for forty-five years was
one of the honored representatives of the bar of Norwalk and county. In his
family were eleven children, of whom Stephen M. was the eighth in order of
birth. Four sons of the family were soldiers in the Federal army in the Civil war
and A. J. Young died at Danville, Kentucky, while defending the interests of the
Union. Another brother, Henry, was mortally wounded at Stone River, Tenn-
essee, December 31, 1862, and died on the 3d of January, 1863. Samuel Young
served throughout the entire war uninjured but died in 1868, from disease con-
tracted in the service and Howard Young was also at the front through the period
of hostilities and was never wounded. Daniel and George Marvin, uncles of our
subject, in the maternal line, were also enlisted soldiers of the Union army and
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424 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
were wounded, while J. B. Howard, the husband of his sister, died in Ander-
sonville prison.
When a mere boy Stephen M. Young went to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained
until i860 and then became a resident of New Haven, Huron county. His educa-
tion was acquired in the schools of Mansfield, Toledo and New Haven prior to
entering Oberlin College, where he obtained his more specificially literary educa-
tion. In 1867 he engaged in teaching school in Crawford county, Ohio, and sub-
sequently became assistant in the public schools of Cincinnati, but on account of
his health he abandoned that profession and turned his attention to insurance,
representing the Merchants Insurance Company of Chicago at Shelby, Ohio.
Later he was with the Underwriters Association of Philadelphia. All this time
he devoted every possible moment to the study of law and after mastering many
of the principles of jurisprudence was admitted to the bar at Columbus in 1873.
He first located for practice in Plymouth, Richland county, but after a brief pe-
riod there passed removed to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he commenced practice in
May, 1875. In October, 1878, he came to Norwalk and has since been numbered
among the leading representatives of the Huron county bar. His practice is ex-
tensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the
wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time
has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It
has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and his legal learning, analy-
tical mind, and the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument,
all combine to make him one of the leading lawyers of the Huron county bar.
On the 29th of July, 1877, Mr. Young was married to Miss Isabella Wag-
ner, and unto them have been born five children, Walburga, Henry, Don John,
Stephen Marvin, Jr., and Isabella Wagner.
In his political views Mr. Young is independent formerly affiliated with the
republicans but now with the democratic party. He is conversant with the lead-
ing questions and issues of the day but without political aspiration . for himself.
His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Without
invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost men of Norwalk,
standing for all that is progressive in citizenship and commendable in public and
private life. A man of forceful character, he has left and is leaving the impress of
his individuality upon the community.
FRANK CAMPBELL.
Frank Campbell is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of
Huron county, where he has spent his entire life, so that he has witnessed much
of the growth and development of this section of the state. His memory goes
back to the time when all of the evidences of frontier life were here found ; when
the prairies were wild and uncultivated ; when the forests were uncut ; the streams
unbridged; and when deer and other wild animals roamed over the country-
wide.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 425
He is now the owner of a highly improved and valuable tract of land of two
hundred and seventy-six acres in Greenfield township, where he has made his
home from his birth to the present time. He was born in one of the log cabins
characteristic of those early times, his natal day being February 6, 1835. His
parents were Lorenzo Q. and Betsy (Mather) Campbell, the former a native of
Genoa, Cayuga county, New York, while the latter's birth occurred in Green-
field township, this county. About the year 1826, Hugh Argyle and Margaret
(Mather) Campbell, the paternal grandparents, took up their abode in a log
house on the farm where our subject now resides. The grandfather was named
in honor of the Duke of Argyle of Scotland. On his arrival in this county, he
purchased a farm of two hundred acres and, as only a half acre of the entire tract
had been cleared, he set himself resolutely to the task of cutting down the trees
and preparing the land for cultivation. He underwent many of the hardships and
privations incident to the life of the early settler. There were no roads and he
often went through the woods on horseback to Monroeville, following the blazed
trail. After a time, his little cabin home was replaced by a substantial frame resi-
dence, which he erected. He served as deacon in the Presbyterian church at
Steuben, Ohio, which he had assisted in erecting and of which he was a valued
and prominent member. His demise occurred in 1854 and the county thus lost
one of its most respected and worthy pioneer .settlers, whose labors had con-
tributed in substantial measure to the early development and upbuilding of this
section of the state.
Lorenzo Q. Campbell, the father of Frank Campbell, w*as born in 1817 and
was therefore a little lad of nine years, when he came to Huron county with his
parents. The remainder of his life was spent in Greenfield township, this county,
and he devcted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, in which
he met with a most gratifying and creditable measure of success. He extended
the boundaries of the home farm by additional purchase until it embraced two
hundred and seventy-six acres of land and in 1861, built the commodious and at-
tractive brick residence in which his son Frank now resides. He was highly es-
teemed throughout the community and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his
worth and ability, called him to various positions of public trust. He was a
republican in his political views and held all of the township offices, including
those of constable and justice of the peace. His death, which occurred in 1894,
was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive
circle of warm friends in this county during the long years of his residence here.
His wife, who passed away when her son Frank was but two years of age, was
a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Mather, likewise early settlers of this county.
Both lie buried in the cemetery at Steuben. Mr. Campbell of this review had but
one sister, Sitire, who is now deceased. She was twice married and both her
husbands, John H. Easter and Jesse Snyder, have also passed away.
Frank Campbell began his education in a little log schoolhouse, later attended
the district school, afterward further supplemented his education by a course in
the Normal school at Milan and then for two terms pursued his studies in Hills-
dale College at HiJIsdale, Michigan. On putting aside his text-books, he turned
his attention to general agricultural pursuits, with which line of activity he has
been identified to the present time. He owns the old homestead farm which his
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426 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
grandfather purchased on his arrival in this county and which has now been in
possession of the family for eighty-three years, and as the years have gone by
he has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvements, an-
nually gathering golden harvests which find a ready sale on the market.
On the 26th of September, i860, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss
Martha J. Shourds, a daughter of Daniel and Mehitabel (Sears) Shourds, who
made their way from the state of New York to Greenfield township, this county,
when Mrs. Campbell was a little maiden of seven years. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Shourds passed away in Greenfield township. They reared a family of eight
children, namely : E. H. and Chester, both of whom are now deceased ; Charlotte ;
John G., Ruth and Joseph, who have likewise been called to their final rest; Jes-
sie; and Mrs. Campbell. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, was born a daughter,
Dell, who is now the wife of R. B. Fisher, an attorney of Sandusky, Ohio.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Campbell has
given his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving for the
second term as justice of the peace in Greenfield township, while for four years,
he acted as constable and has also been a member of the school board. He is
a prominent member of the Congregational church at Steuben and has served
in various official capacities therein. Throughout his entire life, or for almost
three-fourths of a century, he has made his home in Huron county and therefore
few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have
left their impress upon its annals. He is one of the best known and most highly
respected citizens in the community and, by reason of his upright and honorable
life, well merits the kindly regard and esteem which are uniformly accorded
him.
HUSTED EUGENE REED.
Husted Eugene Reed is engaged in the poultry business on a farm of seventeen
acres, located in Fairfield township, Huron county, and in this connection has be-
come well known in this section of the state. He is a native son of this township,
born September 2, 1846, of the marriage of Shadrock Hoyt and Sally (Roscoe)
Reed, the former born in Connecticut, November 19, 1809, and the latter in White
Plains, New York, October 10, 181 1. Their family numbered four sons and one
daughter, namely : David H., Clarissa, Charles E., Aranson S. and Husted E.
The last named was reared under the parental roof until he attained mature
years and at the age of twenty-four years established a home of his own by his
marriage in 1870 to Miss Ella Holloway, who was born January 29, 1849, a
daughter of F. M. and Sibyl (Bassett) Holloway, natives of New York, but later
they became residents of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Mr. Holloway became a
very prominent man in political circles and for many years filled positions of trust
and responsibility, while in 1880 he was candidate for governor on the demo-
cratic ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Holloway had four children, George A., Leroy F.,
Cyrus C. and Mrs. Reed.
Following his marriage Mr. Reed settled in Hillsdale, Michigan, where he
engaged in farming and in teaching, following the latter profession for about
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 427
ten years, part of the time being spent in Ohio. In 1877 he returned to Huron,
his native county,, and with the exception of two years spent in the city of Cleve-
land, has resided in the county to the present time, while since 1897 he has made
his home in Fairfield township. For the past five years he has been engaged in
the poultry business, owning a farm of seventeen acres, which he devotes to those
interests. He makes a specialty of Barred Rock chickens and finds a ready sale
on the market, where he demands good prices for the products of his farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born three sons and three daughters:
Jennie H. ; Clara, the wife of George Page ; Sibyl, the wife of Paul R. Lehmann ;
Ralph, who wedded Mabel Rice ; Fred, who is in the service of the navy ; and
Kent, who has departed this life.
Mr. Reed has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board
and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Disciples church.
He is a public-spirited citizen whom the people of Huron county look upon as an
exemplary man and they are proud to call him their own.
GEORGE W. RITZ.
George W. Ritz is the owner of one hundred acres of very valuable farming)
land in Richmond township and his wife owns fifty acres more in the same town-
ship, where they make their home. Mr. Ritz was born in Erie county, Ohio, Sep-
tember 29, 1847, being a son of Fred William and Anna Catherine (Friermuth)
Ritz, who belong to that class of worthy citzens that Germany has furnished the
United States that are welcomed everywhere on account of their sterling traits
of character. They were born in Germany, and Fred William Ritz was twenty-
one when he came to the new world, while his wife was but six years old. The
father escaped service in the army in his native land, not drawing a fatal number,
and so he emigrated. Upon coming here, he located in Huron county, Ohio, and
for the remainder of his life was a farmer, although he was a weaver by trade.
The children born to him and his wife were as follows: George W., the eldest;
Catherine, who married George Litts and lives in Norwich township ; Mary, the
widow of William Resh and a resident of Chicago, Ohio; Caroline, who married
Morgan Clark and lives at Attica, Ohio ; John and Elizabeth, who were twins.
Elizabeth married George Wolfe, and they live in Richmond township.
Until he was seventeen years old, George W. Ritz attended the district schools
of his neighborhood, and then began farming and has been engaged in that work
ever since. He has lived in Huron county from the age of three years old, and
remembers distinctly when the farm was all timber land, and he helped his father
clear it off. Mr. Ritz was married December 31, 1871, to Mary Ann Resh, a
daughter of Henry and Mary Resh. She had a brother Henry, and a sister
Catherine, who married Wesley Sparks. By this marriage, Mr. Ritz had the fol-
lowing children: William H., who is the present township clerk of Richmond
township: Carrie E., who married Perl Wurtz and lives in Norwich township;
George Edward ; John ; Albert ; and Gustavus. The wife and mother died in 1882.
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428 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
On July 6, 1884, Mr. Ritz married Johannah Kleinknecht, a daughter of Jacob
and Mary Kleinknecht, natives of Peru township, who had a family as follows:
Carrie, who married Abraham Stahl and lives in New Haven township; Louise
Barbara, who is deceased ; Elmer ; Greves ; John ; Frank ; Wilhelmina ; William,
who is deceased; and Amelia. The children born of the second marriage of
George W. Ritz are: Charles, Jacob, Louise, Amelia, Walter and Fred.
Mr. Ritz has served as road supervisor and as school director, being elected
on the democratic ticket. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran church and
are interested in its good work. He is a man of considerable energy and has in-
herited from his German parents those habits of industry, thrift and economy
which make for success.
JAY WASHBURN.
Jay Washburn, one of the leading farmers of Greenwich township, was born
April 14, 1852, on the old homestead where he now resides, being a son of Henry
G. and Ann Maria (Van Benschoten) Washburn, of whom extended mention is
made in the sketch of his brother, Daniel S. Washburn. Our subject acquired his
early education in the district schools of Greenwich township and later attended
the normal at Milan, Ohio. He grew to manhood upon his father's farm, early
becoming familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, assist-
ing in the general farm work and also in the care of the extensive stock which
his father raised.
On the 21st of June, 1873, Mr. Washburn was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Brady, a daughter of David and Pamelia (Franklin) Brady, who were
formerly from New York and came to Ohio in 1849. Although Mr. Brady fol-
lowed farming in this state he had studied dentistry in his younger years and
for many years practiced that profession to some extent in his own neighborhood.
He was also an ingenius mechanic along many lines. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wash-
burn were born five children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being:
Howard, Myrtle and Etta. The daughters are still at home but the son was mar-
ried September 9, 1905, to Miss Bertha Sutliff, of Greenwich township, by whom
he has two children, Walter J. H. and Grace. Howard Washburn is now engaged
in farming on the heme place and is a natural mechanic of considerable ability.
After his marriage Mr. Washburn located in Fitchville township, where he en-
gaged in general farming and in the raising of fine stock. But in 1885 he removed
to the old Washburn homestead in Greenwich township, where he has since re-
sided, devoting special attention to the raising of thoroughbred cattle, both of the
Hereford and Durham breeds, which command the highest price. The farm is one
of the finest in the county, being well improved, fenced and tile drained, and sup-
plied with good, substantial buildings. The land is under a high state of cultiva-
tion and produces excellent crops. For two years Mr. Washburn devoted con-
siderable attention to the buying of wool, and being a good judge of that article,
met with success in the undertaking.
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JAY WASHBURN AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 431
In his political views Mr. Washburn is a republican and a most ardent sup-
porter of the principles of that party. In the early days of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry he became a charter member of that organization and was an active worker
in the first grange ever established in Fitchville township, where he then made his
home. At all times deeply interested in public affairs, his influence is exerted for
good and he is recognized as one of the valued citizens of his community. For
the past few years he has been living practically retired, while his son Howard
carries on the work of the farm and is proving an excellent and worthy successor
of his father. Method is apparent in the conduct of this farm, all fields being
platted and arranged so that the best results may be obtained from the labor ex-
pended. Closely adhering to a systematic rule of crop rotation, a close study is
made of the adaptability of certain crops to certain soils. The stables and barns
are all arranged with ?. view to convenience and are supplied with water. On this
model, well kept farm there is a place for everything and everything is in its place,
and a view of it is in itself a lesson in thrift, perseverance and industry.
HARMON VON SEGGERN.
Harmon Von Seggern, an up-to-date and progressive farmer and stock-raiser
of Ripley township, Hurcn county, is a native of Germany, his birth there occurr-
ing on the 19th of January, 1861. He is a son of Dedrick and Mattie (Gold)
Von Seggern, and a brother of Henry, Fred, Dedrick and Riche Von Seggern.
He belongs to a family that, like many another that has come from across the
water, sought the opportunities of the new world that advancement might be
made in business lines and better advantages given to the members of the house-
hold.
Harmon Vcn Seggern was a little lad of seven years when his parents made
the voyage across the Atlantic and settled in Ohio, so that to the district school
system of this state he is indebted for the educational advantages which he en-
joyed. The time not devoted to his text-books was given to assisting in the work
of the fields, and under the direction of his father, he early became familiar with
the best methods of tilling the soil. He has always carried on general agricultural
pursuits and his labors have been practical and therefore productive of good re-
sults. He is the owner of one hundred acres of farm land, the soil of which is
very rich and fertile, responding to cultivation in abundant harvests. He also
devotes considerable time to stock-raising interests, making a specialty of breed-
ing horses, and both branches of his business are sources of gratifying remunera-
tion.
It was on the 14th of December, 1883, that Mr. Von Seggern was united in
marriage to Miss Anna Shepard, who was born in Henry county in 1858. A
daughter of D. L. and Maria (Hockman) Shepard, she is one of a family of nine
children, the others being Jacob, Freeman, Marion, Austin, Edward, Elizabeth,
Flora and Hulda. The grandfather of Mrs. Von Seggern on the paternal side
was Martin Shepard, while her mother was a daughter of Joseph Hockman. As
the years have gone by, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Von Seggern has been blessed
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432 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
with eight children, namely: William, Hulda, Jacob, Austin, Bessie, May, Dan-
iel and Grace. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Von
Seggern has given his allegiance to the democracy, and although 'born across the
waters, he has always been loyal to the interests of his adopted country, doing
all in his power to further the growth and development of the community in which
he resides. Although he has occupied his present farm for only six years, he has
nevertheless acquired many warm friends who entertain for him high regard and
esteem.
LAWRENCE ZIMERMAN.
Lawrence Zimerman is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has fur-
nished to Huron county. He owns and operates fifty-three acres of land in Sher-
man township and although he was formerly engaged in carpentering in 1903
he purchased this farm on which he located and is now leading the quiet life
of a farmer. Mr. Zimerman as above stated, was born in Germany, his natal day
being March 2, and the year 1853. His parents, Christopher and Elizabeth Zimer-
man both died in Germany, when our subject was a little lad of nine years. They
had a family of ten children : Elizabeth, who is in Australia ; Rosina and Barbara,
who still make their home in the fatherland ; Christopher, who lives in Iowa ;
Magdelina, who resides in Germany ; George, who died in New York ; Lorenz,
of this review ; and three who died in infancy.
Lorenz Zimerman, following the demise of his parents, made his home with
friends in his native land. He acquired his education in the schools of that country
and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number
of years. He also did service in the German army. It was while still a resident of
Germany that he was married in Monheim, June 24, 1878, the lady of his choice
being Elizabeth Goelz a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Goelz.
It was in the year 1881, that, foreseeing no future in the old world, and hav-
ing heard and read a great deal about the freedom and opportunity for advance-
ment in this country, Mr. Zimerman decided to emigrate with his wife to the
United States. He had a sister, Mrs. George Hoener, living in Sherman town-
ship, Huron county, and he at once made his way to her home. He here resumed
work at his trade and was connected with building operations until 1903. In
the meantime, he had carefully saved his earnings, so that he was justified in that
year in making a purchase of land and accordingly became the owner of the tract
of fifty-three acres on which he now makes his home. There were no improve-
ments on the place when it came into his possession, but he erected a comfortable
residence, a good barn and made other substantial improvements and now has
a neat and well kept farm. He has now settled down to a quiet life on the farm,
having abandoned his work at the carpenter's trade, and is meeting with suc-
cess in his farming operations.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Zimerman have been born seven children, four sons and
three daughters, namely: Henry, who wedded Nora Hammersmith, their home
being near Bellevue and their family numbering one son, Carl ; Anna, the wife of
Ed Hammersmith, who lives in Monroeville and who is the mother of three
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 433
children: Alfred, Magdeline and Marian; Peter, who wedded Miss Elizabeth
Linder, by whom he has one daughter, Helen, and makes his home near Norwalk ;
and John, Martin, Philomena and Celia, still under the parental roof.
Mr. Zimerman gives his political support to the democratic party and has
served as a member of the school board, but otherwise has filled no public office.
He is a communicant of the Catholic church at Bismarck. Mr. Zimerman is well
pleased with the progress he has made since coming to the new world and fully
realizes the superior business opportunities here as compared with those in the
old country. He possesses the German characteristics of honesty, industry and
perseverance and today stand among the substantial German- American citizens
of Huron county and Sherman township.
COLONEL E. TEMPLER.
One of the farmers of Huron county who has made a success of life is Colonel
E. Templer of Greenwich township. He is a native of Michigan, his parents,
Jonathan and Ann (Darrow) Templer, having come to Huron county in 1848,
and after a short stay removed to Ingham county, Michigan, where they spent
the remainder of their lives. Jonathan Templer was a carpenter by trade and
a man of fine public spirit, judged by the fact that four of his sons enlisted in the
Union army for the defense of Old Glory. He died in 1865, and his widow sur-
viving many years, died in March, 1888. Their family of ten children were as
follows: James, William, Mary, Nicholas, Diadama, Edgar, Fremont, Charles,
Frank and Colonel E. Of these four did valiant service for the flag: Nicholas,
who was wounded in battle and now resides at Mason, Michigan; William and
Edgar, who died of illness contracted in service; James, who survived the
war and died at his home in Bay City, Michigan, in February, 1909, agea
seventy years. The living members of the family are: Mary, wife of Solon D.
Neely, of Mason, Michigan, who also was a soldier and wounded; Nicholas, also
a resident of Mason, Michigan ; Diadama, now Mrs. N. W. Odell, of Olena, Ohio ;
Fremont, of South Dakota; and Charles, of Fitzville, Ohio.
Colonel E. Templer was born in Ingham county, Michigan, March 23, 1862.
Well educated in the public schools of Norwalk, he completed his scholastic
training at the Mason high school. He then took up the profession of teaching
and for twenty years was know as one of the leading educators of Huron county,
being for seven consecutive years at Olena. Later he took up farming and has
for years been one of the prominent agriculturists of the county. His farm of
one hundred acres is devoted to general farming and stock raising.
Colonel E. Templer was joined in marriage January 1, 1884, to Miss Lura
Burgess, a daughter of Egbert and Elizabeth (Strimple) Burgess, another of the
worthy families of Huron county. The father was also a soldier of the Civil war
and gave his life for the cause he loved. Mrs. Templer was the only child, and
the mother still survives, living with her daughter. Four children constitute
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Templer, all of whom bid fair to make a success in
life. Merle C. was given a good education and is now superintendent of the
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434 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Central high school of Ruggles, Ashknd county, Ohio. Charles is a student at
Savannah Academy, while Kenneth and Mildred are still under the home roof.
Colonel Templer is a n:an of standing and influence in his home community
and takes an active interests in its affairs. Township trustee for ten years, a
number of years on the local schcolboard, and now a member of the board of edu-
cation, he has strengthened the schools cf the township by his experimental knowl-
edge of the work to be done therein. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Green-
wich Lodge, No. 640, and a member of the Maccabees. He and his family are
working Methodists, being a trustee cf the church and a teacher in the Sunday
school, of which he was superintendent for many years. Politics interest him only
so far as casting an intelligent vote for republican candidates. The head of a
refined home emanating a beneficent influence throughout the community, and a
citizen whose ideals are z\\ on an elevated plane, Colonel Templer is making a
thorough success in life.
FRANK M. ARNOLD.
One of the many fanners of Ohio who have studied their acres and applied
their own theories to agriculture and stock raising in general and have made a
success is Frank M. Arnold, of Wakeman township. On May 20, 1853, he was
born in Bristol township, Trumbull county, Ohio, a son of Samuel D. and Cath-
erine (Kinnaman) Arnold, who came to Huron county in 1857, settling on a farm
in Clarksfield township. After a long and busy life, the father passed away in
1903, but the mother is still living.
Frank M. Arnold received his education in the district schools of Clarksfield
township and learned the practical work of the farm under his father's efficient
guidance. He married, March 15, 1876, Miss Mary C. Hand, the daughter of
John G. and Clarissa (Fletcher) Hand. Her father was a farmer in Wakeman
township, owning the farm where the Arnolds now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold
have two children : Ethel M., and Frank Merwil, both single and at home.
After marriage, Mr. Arnold turned his attention to farming, locating in Clarks-
field township, where he remained twenty-two years. In 1898, he came to Wake-
man township, and, as above stated, located on the J. G. Hand place. Mr. Ar-
nold studies his land and crop rotation, in a manner which never fails to bring
forth fruit under his careful tilling, and he also engages in the breeding of fine
"general purpose" horses and thoroughbred Chester White hogs, selling only for
breeding purposes. His stock has come to such a high standard that he has
quite a large custom.
That our subject is well known as a public spirited, honest citizen is shown by
his election to the offices of road supervisor and school director, both needing skill
and tact in their handling. He always votes to keep the republicans uppermost
and has never missed an election day, at the same time keeping up an active in-
terest in local issues and stands for continued and substantial advancement in the
community's affairs. He and his family are members of the Methodist church
and unfailing in Oeir attendance.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 435
Mrs. Arnold believes in centering her first energies on the home, as her great
interest in domestic and educational matters shows. She finds some time, how-
ever, to look about in a social way, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of close
friends for her intelligence and refinement. The house, in which she is the mov-
ing power, is one of the few brick farm residences in Wakeman township. Its
modern external architecture and convenient interior is in sharp contrast to her
nearby girlhood home, built of logs in the usual old style way by her father when
he came to this district. The present home, situated in the midst of grounds,
which, like many other Wakeman township yards, knows as much of the lawn-
mower's ravages as the average suburban lawn, radiates hospitality and cheerful-
ness throughout the county.
WILLIAM A. ROSE.
There are few men who occupy a higher rank among the citizens of Hart-
land township or who merit in greater degree the respect, esteem and confidence
of their fellowmen, than does William A. Rose, whose high standing as a citi-
zen has led to his appointment to various positions of responsibility and trust.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Muskingum county on the 27th of February,
1857, a son of Alfred and Martha (Blaine) Rose, natives of New Jersey? and
Muskingum county, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Rose, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war. while the maternal grandfather, Joseph Blaine,
fought in the War of 1812. Both families were numbered among the early
pioneer settlers of Ohio and were active in the affairs of the communities in which
they resided. The father, Alfred Rose, was a carpenter by trade but took up the
occupation of farming after his marriage. He passed away February 5, 1873,
while his wife survived until July 18, 1904, their remains being laid to rest in
Woodland cemetery at Norwalk. In their family were three children, as follows :
William A., of this review ; Mary A., the wife of Charles Dipple of Townsend
township ; and John J., also residing in Townsend township.
Amid the scenes and environments of rural life, William A. Rose spent the
years of his boyhood and youth, and attended the public schools and later the
Lebanon Normal College in the pursuit of his education. When not busy with
his text-books, he assisted his father about the farm, early becoming familiar
with the various tasks that fall to the lot of the farmer. He remained at home
antil after his marriage, when he purchased his present place which consists of
one hundred and seventy acres of splendid farming land in Hartland township.
He carries on general farming pursuits and has brought his fields under a high
state of cultivation, annually reaping rich harvests therefrom, while he also de-
votes considerable time to his stock interests, making a specialty of breeding
thoroughbred Oxford Down sheep. He is a large breeder of this animal and
exhibits extensively at various state and county fairs. Upon his farm stand sub-
stantial and commodious buildings and he has introduced all of the modern equip-
ments and accessories which go to make up a model farm. He is a man who
thoroughly understands his business, is intelligent, progressive and up-to-date
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436 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
in the methods which he pursues, and by the exercise of his salient characteristics —
industry, energy and perseverance — he is meeting with substantial success, rank-
ing foremost among the prosperous and affluent farmers of the township.
On the 16th of October, 1889, Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Miss Luella
Miles, a daughter of Sylvester and Almira (Sherman) Miles, both of whom are
representatives of old and well known pioneer families. Mr. and Mrs. Rose
both attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they have at all times been
liberal supporters.
Fraternally, Mr. Rcse is a Mason, holding membership in East Townsend
Lodge, No. 322, F. & A. M., and he is now master of the lodge and has filled all
of the offices. He likewise belongs to Townsend Grange, No. 1392, Patrons of
Husbandry, and has always been an active member of the grange, now serving
as steward of the lodge. He has been a very prominent figure in local political
circles, having at all times given stalwart support to the democracy, and he has
ever kept well informed upon all current matters and his high standing in the
community as a citizen led to his appointment by the county court as a member
of the Huron county jury commission. Mr. Rose has likewise served on the
democratic county committee for years and almost invariably ii sent as a dele-
gate to the county conventions. He has also been elected to various offices in the
township, having been chosen in 1890 real estate appraiser for Townsend town-
ship. He is a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him
a warm champion. He is pre-eminently a man of affairs who is ever ready to lend
his assistance to all matters which have for their object the material, political,
intellectual and moral upbuilding and progress of the community, while his many
excellent personal traits have gained for him a high place in the front ranks of
Huron county's representative and valued citizens. He is an extensive reader,
keeping in close touch with all of the topics of the day, while his wife is a lady
of fine attainments who, having received her educational training in the Milan
private school, was for some years prior to her marriage a very successful and
progressive teacher. Both are people of true worth of character, prominent
and influential in the community in which they reside, where they are well known
for their charity and many good deeds.
JOHN J. McMANN.
John J. McMann needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume for
he is well known in business and political circles of this community, his activity
in the latter leading to his selection for positions of public trusts. A native of
New York, he was born in Dutchess county, that state, October 13, 1855, a son
of Jerre and Julia (Lown) McMann. The father, a native of Ireland, left his
home at the age of twelve years and from that time was dependent upon his own
resources for a livelihood. He experienced many hardships and privations during
the early period of his career, but never permitted himself to be overcome by any
obstacles. By untiring perseverance and unfaltering industry, he learned the coop-
ers trade and gradually worked his way upward until he became a large opera-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 437
tor in his line of activity. In 1864, he arrived in Chicago, where he engaged
in his trade until 1871, when he came to Wakeman, where he spent the remain-
ing days of his life. He operated a large cooperage in this city and became very
prosperous in his business enterprise. A man of great force of character, he
possessed a strong personality, and was known throughout the community for his
charitable and humanitarian traits. A man who acquired money easily, he gave
liberally of his means to the poor and needy and no worthy person in distress
ever sought his aid in vain, so that when he passed away on the 30th of Septem-
ber, 1898, his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was
laid to rest in the Wakeman cemetery, while his wife still survives him. Their
family consisted of five children, namely: John J., Jerre H., Richard, Margaret
and William.
A worthy successor of an honored father, John J. McMann acquired his edu-
cation in the schools of New York, Chicago and Wakeman, and early became as-
sociated with his father in the mill business, taking complete charge of the mill
after the demise of the latter. Ir is true that he became interested in a business
already established, but in the controlling and enlarging of this enterprise, he has
demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, but
the outcome of a clear judgment and experience. Some years prior to the death
of his father, the supply of available timber for cooperage purposes became de-
pleted and the mill was converted into a bent wood and general sawmill, which
John J. McMann has since continued to operate. He has extended his interests
to include the lumber and contracting business and his capable control of his
combined enterprises is bringing to him a marked degree of success. He pos-
sesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is de-
termined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent
mannagement have brought to him the substantial prosperity which is today
his.
Not only in business circles, however, has Mr, McMann figured prominently
in the affairs of Wakeman, but he is equally well known in political circles and is
deeply and helpfully interested in all public matters. He is a stalwart democrat
and during the two terms of President Cleveland, served as postmaster of Wake-
man. His election to this office came to him through no solicitation on his part,
but as the expression of the appreciation of his sterling qualities and high stand-
ing in the community on the part of his fellowmen. He also served as township
clerk for several terms and proved an excellent official in both capacities. Some-
thing of his personal popularity and his high standing among all classes in this
community is indicated in the fact that in 1908 he was nominated for county
treasurer in a county that was strongly republican and in spite of that fact that the
republican majority ran from eight to eighteen hundred, Mr. McMann was elected
by a majority of four hundred and eighteen votes over his opponent.
Mr. McMann was united in marriage on the 17th of October, 1878, to Miss
Ella J. Harris, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (Harrison) Harris. The
father was engaged in the mercantile business in this city for many years and
still survives at the venerable age of eighty-four years, his mind remaining as
clear and his interests in public affairs as keen as in former years. His wife,
however, passed away January 10, 1899. The home of Mr. and Mrs. McMann
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438 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
has been blessed with one son, Clifford H., who is associated with his father in
business, while they also lost a child who died in infancy.
Mr. McMann is a member of Gibson Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M., and also
holds membership with the Royal Arch Masons, and has filled all of the offices
of the organization. He likewise belongs to the Lumbermen's Association of
the Hoo-Hoos. Public- spirited to a marked degree, he is a stalwart advocate of
public improvements alcn& all lines, believing that therein lies the secret of the
future growth and development of the community. He is fond of outdoor sports
and seeks recreation and relaxation from business cares in occasional hunting and
fishing trips. Giving due attention to the varied interests which develop a well
rounded character, he belongs to that useful and helpful type of men whose ambi-
tions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow
the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number.
FRANK C. HERSHTSER.
Industry, thrift and perseverance when combined will result in success in
almost every line of business, and especially is this true in farming, for the soil
responds to work put upon it in good crops that insure a steady income. Many
of the most sensible and substantial men of Huron county, Ohio, are engaged in
agricultural pursuits, and among them is Frank C. Hershiser, who resides upon
his fertile farm of one hundred and four acres, while his son and he own another
tract of one hundred and four acres adjoining the homestead on the west.
Mr. Hershiser was born in Caroline City, Seneca county, Ohio, December
iq, 1854. and is a son of Peter M. and Catherine (Person) Hershiser. Peter
M. Hershiser came to Seneca county from Pennsylvania in 1836, while his wife
who was born in Keystcr.e state was brought to Ohio by her parents when a
little girl. Both a miller and carpenter, he worked at those trades, but for the last
thirty years of his life he was engaged in farming, and in 1864 he bought fifty
acres of land which is a portion of the present farm of Frank C. Hershiser.
When his country had need of his services, he responded by enlisting in Com-
pany H, Sixty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under General Thomas and
served during the last year of the conflict. His only injury during this time was
the loss of the end of one finger. In May, 1907, this most excellent man was
called to his last reward, when he was in his eighty-second year, to join the wife
who had died thirty years before, in 1877. Four children were born to them,
but none survived childhood but Frank C.
While securing an excellent district-schcol education, Frank C. Hershiser
learned the carpenter's trade from his father, and worked at it during the sum-
mer months until he was married. When he became the head of a family, he began
farming and has continued to follow that occupation ever since with considerable
profit. In November, 1877, Mr. Hershiser married Mary B. Miller, a daughter
of Thomas and Eliza (Stone) Miller, farmers of Richmond township. Mr. Miller
served in the same company during the Civil war as did Peter M. Hershiser, and
he too proved himself a loyal soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had three children.
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PETER M. HERSHISER
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 441
of whom Mrs. Hershiser was the eldest, the others being: Samuel F., and
Amanda, who became the wife of D. A. Frye and now lives in Richmond town-
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Hershiser have a family which is as follows: Edna, who
married William H. Crabaugh, a young man who served in the Philippines;
William T., who married Pearl Frost ; Chester P. ; Ralph C. and Sam P.
For four years Mr. Hershiser was township treasurer, and he has also served
as road supervisor and school director, being elected on the republican ticket.
In each case he discharged the duties pertaining to the office efficiently and ac-
ceptably. Fraternally he belongs to Attica Lodge, No. 197, I. O. O. F. The
family are important factors in the United Brethren church, of which they are
members, and in it and throughout the neighborhood generally they have many
friends who esteem them and appreciate their true worth.
WILLIAM R. BELL.
Among the residents of Ripley township, who are seeking their fortunes along
the line of agricultural pursuits, is William R. Bell, one of Ohio's native sons,
his birth occurring in Richland county on the 24th of January, 1841. His parents
were Nathaniel and Nancy A. (Reynolds) Bell, of whom the former was a min-
ister of the Methodist church and a son of John and Hannah (Finch) Bell, who
were also the parents of Robert, Jesse, John, Enoch, David, Joseph &nd Stephen.
The mother was a daughter of W'illiam Reynolds and a sister of Rachel, Sarah,
Benjamin, William, John, Shadrick and George. In the family of Nathaniel
Bell and his wife were: Jesse, William, John, Harriet, Hannah and Jane.
William R. Bell was reared in Huron county and at the usual age was sent
as a pupil to the district schools. He early became familiar with the tasks that
tall to the lost of the country lad, for the periods of vacation were devoted to the
*vork of the fields. After laying aside his text-books, he remained under the
parental roof for a number of years, continuing to give his father the benefit
of his assistance in the operation of the home farm. He had scarcely attained his
majority when Civil war was declared and, responding to his country's call for
troops, joined the Union army as a member of Company D, One Hundred and
First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With this command he went to the front and
saw much active service, participating in several hotly contested battles, among
which were the engagements at Perryville and Lancaster. He received honor-
able discharge on the 13th of March, 1863.
After returning home, Mr. Bell took up the occupation of farming on his
own account and has continued to direct his energies along that line to the pres-
ent time. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, owning a farm of ninety-
three acres in Ripley township, and every thing about his place indicates that he
is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural
lines. His close application and good management have gained for him a credit-
able degree of success, and he ranks among the representative farmers of the
community.
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442 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
It was on the nth of January, 1904, that Mr. Bell was united in marriage
to Miss Cloe Jeney, a daughter of Abram and Sally (Griffin) Jeney and a sister
of James, George, Warren, Charles, Cornelia and Mary Jeney. They are mem-
bers of the Methodist church, in the work of which they are deeply and help-
fully interested, while fraternally, Mr. Bell is connected with the Masonic body.
He gives stalwart allegiance to the principles of the republican party which in
his opinion are best adapted to conserve the public welfare. For a time, he served
as first lieutenant in the state militia, and is a loyal, public-spirited citizen, at all
times upholding those things which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride.
GEORGE E. PROSSER.
George E. Prosser, alert, energetic and enterprising, has won his success by
persevering effort directed by sound and intelligent judgment. He now figures
in the business circles of New London as one of the organizers and the cashier
of the Savings and Loan Banking Company. He represents one ot the old families
of the county, his birth having occurred in New London township, January 7,
1859. His father, William S. Prosser, was a native of Yates county, New York,
and in his boyhood days, removed westward to Ohio with his father, Abraham
Prosser, who brought his family to the Western Reserve and purchased a large
tract of land from the government at the usual price of one dollar and a quarter
per acre. It was covered with a native forest growth, the trees standing in their
primeval strength, but with characteristic energy he reclaimed the land from
the wilderness, developed the fields, made a home and spent his remaining days
there. His son, William S. Prosser, succeeded him in the ownership and in the
cultivation of the farm which he continued to operate for many years, but in the
evening of his life retired from active business cares and spent his remaining
days in New London. A splendid citizen, ever loyal to the best interests of the
community and equally faithful in friendship and all the relations of private
life, he enjoyed in unqualified measures the confidence and good will of his fel-
lowmen. He was no office seeker but a stanch republican and ever maintained
a stalwart position in support of his honest convictions. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Mary Johnson, was a native of the state of New York and dur-
ing her girlhood days accompanied her parents on their removal to Hartland
township, this county, when that district was still regarded as a frontier region.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Prosser numbered three children, the
daughter, Mary Amanda, who married Hastings H. Hart, being now deceased,
while the brother of our subject is Spencer Prosser, a resident of Norwalk.
In restrospect one can see George E. Prosser as a school boy, pursuing his
early education in the country schools and when he had mastered the branches
of learning therein taught, be continued his studies in the normal school at Milan
and in Oberlin College. He was identified with educational interests for three
years as a teacher, after which he became superintendent of schools at Milan
but, withdrawing from that field of labor, he concentrated his energies upon
general agricultural pursuits, purchasing the J. R. Sutton farm in New London
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 443
township. This he carefully cultivated for seventeen years and still owns the
property. He was systematic in its management, practiced the rotation of
crops, closely studied the conditions of the soil and brought forth rich harvests
of those cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here.
Mr. Prosser was called from private life to public office in 1891, when he was
elected county commissioner and the trust reposed in him was well merited, his
record in office being a most creditable one. In 1896, he was appointed by Gov-
ernor Bushnell as a delegate to the Farmers National Congress, which met in
Indianapolis, being chosen as one of the representative agriculturists of the state.
He continued in the office of county commissioner until 1901, and retired from the
position as he had entered it — with the confidence and good will of all concerned.
He helped to organize the Savings & Loan Banking Company in 1900, at which
time he was elected cashier and has since continued in the position, his asso-
ciate officers being: Charles McClare, president, and S. F. Blackman, vice-presi-
dent. While carefully controlling his affairs, he has at the same time been more
or less active in political circles and in official connections. In 1894, he was
elected secretary of the state board of county commissioners and served until
1898. He has been an active republican since age conferred upon him the right
of franchise and his advice and counsel have frequently been sought by his party.
For many years, he served as treasurer of New London township.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Prosser was married on the 31st
of January, 1883, to Miss Anna Truxell, a native of Peru, Ohio, and a daughter
of S. S. and Catherine (McFarland) Truxell. Their three children are: Minnie
Louise, the wife of A. I. Adamson ; Dean T. ; and Georgiana.
Mr. Prosser is an exemplary Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter at
New London and to Norwalk Commandery, K. T. He also belongs to the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Methodist Episcopal church, and these
associations are indicative of the rules which govern his conduct and the prin-
ciples whereby his actions are directed. Public opinion accords him a place of
prominence not only by reason of the success he has achieved, but owing also to
the straightforward business methods he has followed and the public-spirited and
patriotic citizenship which he has displayed in connection with all affairs of gen-
eral moment.
J. A. WHEELER.
J. A. Wheeler, a retired farmer and business man of Greenfield township^
makes his home in Steuben, Ohio, which was his place of birth. His paternal
grandfather, Rev. John Wheeler, was one of the historical characters of Green-
field township. He was born in New York state, was ordained a minister of the
Baptist church, and came to Ohio in 1819, settling in the northwest corner of
Greenfield township. Those were primitive days and parishes and parishioners
were few and scattered, so that the minister was often compelled to make long
journeys, covering as much as three weeks on horseback, to hold religious meet-
ings and to preach the gospel. He was very strict, especially in his observance
of Sunday, and it is told that during one of his absences a large bear stole one of
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444 HISTORY OF HUROX COUNTY
his hogs, but as the day was Sunday, the sons of the family refrained from an
attempt to kill the intruder, knowing that their father would care less for the
loss of one of his hogs than that a gun shot had desecrated the sanctity of the
Sabbath. Rev. John Wheeler was the first preacher in the Baptist church at
Steuben and was all his life connected with the congregation of faithful there.
He had in fact helped to build the churchly edifice in 1842, and his grandson has
in his possession the record book of all the meetings and all the members from
that early time to the present. Rev. John Wheeler was twice married. By his
first wife he had eight children: Sylvester, John H., Benona, Aaron, Calvin,
Elmira, C. B., and Bradley. All were members of the Baptist church of Steuben
and all have departed this life. C. B. Wheeler served in the war of the rebellion
and was quartermaster of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Calvin Wheeler, the father of J. A. Wheeler, was born in New York state,
January 19, 1818, and was one year old when his father came to Greenfield
township. Here he lived, pursuing his education in an old log school house, and
engaging in farming in his early youth. He filled many of the township offices,
was for a time trustee, and was a strong republican. To the Baptist denomination
he gave his religious allegiance and was ever accounted one of the pillars of the
church at Steuben. In February, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary Richards,
who bore him twelve children: Nancy J., born January 15, 1843, d'ed March 18,
1868, the wife of E. T. Trimner; Agnes, born March 9, 1844, married M. M.
Parsons, of Shiloh, Ohio; D. M., born December 29, 1845, died March 2J, 1901;
B. R., was born November 20, 1847; C. J., born July 31, 1850, died February 2,
1908; C. B., was born January 3, 1852; Jesse and J. A., twins, were born Jan-
uary 22, 1854. The former was a prominent business man of Chicago, Ohio,
and died October 2, 1909. Alice and Alfred, also twins were born January 18,
1857. Alice has been married twice, first to Henry Bronson and second to C. J.
Barber, of Chicago, Ohio. By her first marriage, she had one son, Charles Rich-
ard Bronson, wrho was born January 8, 1886, and died January 1, 1896. Lillis,
born November 14, 1861, married Dayton Green, now deceased. Linda Bell, born
October 3, 1863, married E. K. McMorris. Mrs. Wheeler was born in New
York state, January 27, 1821, and died March 22, 1868, leaving her husband
to survive her for twenty-eight years, his death occurring May 27, 1896.
J. A. Wheeler was born in Greenfield township, January 22, 1854, and has
always been a resident of this county. He attended the district schools of Green-
field and then the business colleges in Sandusky and Republic, Ohio. At first
he worked for his brother D. M., in a general store at Steuben, and in 1875, went
into business for himself in the same town, where he conducted a large general
store and was successful in his operations until 1887, when, on Decoration Day,
his whole stock was consumed by fire. He lost a large sum of money as well,
but was able to open a store in Chicago, Ohio. This he conducted until 1889,
when he sold his interest to his brother and sister and returned to the farm. In
1886, he bought from Levi Piatt, the farm on which his son now lives. The
deed which Mr. Wheeler holds is only the third that has been given for that
farm.
On the 15th of October, 1873, Elder Root pronounced the words that united
Mr. Wheeler and Miss Charlotte Ashley in marriage. She is a daughter of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 445
Dennis and Lurna (Bliss) Ashley, of Greenfield township, and has become the
mother of five children. Charles N., born July 28, 1874, married Miss Mary
Lowery, of Chicago, Illinois, which is his home and they have four children:
Marshall, Calvin, John A., and Robert P. Charles N., is a graduate of Oberlin
college and is at present political editor on the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and during
the past presidential campaign, traveled through the country with Taft and Bryan
in their private cars. George M., the second son, born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler,
was born November 11, 1875, and now lives at Chicago Junction, Ohio. Mary
L., born November 8, 1877, married Robert E. Campbell. They live at Chicago
Junction, Ohio, and have one child, Winona. J. A., Jr., born May 9, 1885, lives
on his father's farm. He married Miss Maud Robinson and they have one son,
Van. Ruth, born July 5, 1892, lives at home.
In 1908. Mr. Wheeler bought a home in Steuben, where he now lives in re-
tirement. He has been a man prominent in township affairs, was elected county
commissioner in 1891, holding the office six years, and has filled nearly every
other office within the gift of the people of Greenfield. He is a stockholder and
one of the board of directors of the Home Savings Banks, of Chicago, and of the
local telephone company. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar, Mason, and has
been a conspicuous figure in Masonic circles, belonging to Norwalk lodge, No.
18. In the Baptist church his grandfather established he is active also, attending
its services and contributing to its maintenance. In short, Mr. Wheeler is a
man, who with many years still before him, can look back on the past with grati-
fication, assured that he holds the good wishes of his friends and neighbors.
JAY E. SMITH.
Among the men who enjoy the support and respect of the citizens of Huron
county, is Jay E. Smith, who entered upon his duties as auditor of this county, in
October, 1909. Fitchville, which was the place of his birth, has of recent years
been his home, and here he has made a reputation as a fine business man, im-
bued with high principles and of sterling integrity. His parents, Thomas J. and
Johanna (Van Vecten) Smith, come from families who were among the early
pioneers of Fitchville township, the Smiths, perhaps, being slightly the older
settlers. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Dr. Van Vecten, who for a number of
years practiced his profession in this township, and also carried on a substantial
mercantile business at the time when Fitchville was a prominent and prosperous
trade center. He later removed to New London, which was the scene of his
labor, until his death, which occurred a few years ago. Thomas J. Smith also
became a resident of New London, where he was engaged in the butcher business
for a number of years, and then removed to Michigan, where he died in June,
1899, at his home in Grand Rapids. His widow has since married Preston Palmer,
of Fitchville township.
Jay E. Smith was born in Fiichville township, January 2, 1861. He received
his training for life at home and in the schools of this county, working on the
home farm when his time was not given to his lessons, and as he grew up finding
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446 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
employment on the farms of neighbors. He was able after a few years to attend
the Cleveland Commercial College, and at the age of twenty-six began his career
as a teacher. To this woik he devoted himself for seventeen years, the schools
of Fitchville township profiting by his services for fifteen years, the other two
years of his professional activity being spent in the state of Michigan. He was
a popular and progressive instructor and his withdrawal from the teacher's pro-
fession was regarded with sincere regret. In 1904, Mr. Smith came to Fitch-
ville and engaged in the farm implement business, which he gave up in the sum-
mer of 1909, preparatory to assuming his new duties as aduitor of Huron
county.
In politics, he has always been a democrat and has for years taken an active
part in party and public matters. Although living in a strong republican township,
he has served three years as justice of the peace and for two years as a member
of the school board. In 1899, he was the democratic candidate for member
of the Ohio legislature from Huron county, and the following year was the
county's choice for state senator, but was defeated for the nomination in the
district convention. In 1902, he was again the democratic candidate for county
recorder, but as in 1899, when he sought election as a representative, he was de-
feated because of the strength of the republicans in Huron county. He was not
destined to defeat, however, in 1908, when he was nominated for what is probably
the most important office at the disposal of the people of this county, that of audi-
tor. The republicans still boasted of a twelve hundred majority over the demo-
crats, yet in the election of November, 1908, Mr. Smith received two Hundred
more votes than his opponent and entered upon his duties the 1st of October,
1909.
On the 10th of June, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ruth
A. Lazell, a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Burras) Lazell, of Fitchville town-
ship, and seven children have been born to them, four now living, namely : Ruby,
Donald, Annabel and Ruth, while John D., Rhoda and L. D. have passed away.
The incident of Mr. Smith's election to an important office is an indication of
the attitude of the people, not only of his township, but of the county as well, to-
ward him. He is recognized as a splendid citizen, whose business methods are
unquestioned and whose high principles can be relied upon. That he will ad-
minister his affairs to the best of his ability there can be no doubt. He is a
member of Floral Lodge, F. & A. M., of New London, and is active in Masonic
circles, and those that have opportunity to see him at closer range, his fraternal
brothers, hold him in even higher esteem than those who are compelled to know
him onl\ from a distance.
FRANK CARPENTER.
While Frank Carpenter is one of the recent arrivals in this county, he is a
native son of Ohio and during the period of his residence in Chicago Junction,
has made for himself many friends and gained a prominent place in public regard.
He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, January 16. 1882. His father, William
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 447
Carpenter, was also born there. The Carpenters are of an old New York family,
but representatives of the name removed westward and settled in Seneca county,
when it was a pioneer district. There William Carpenter was born and reared
and having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Mary Cory, a native of
Ohio.
Frank Carpenter was educated in the schools of Seneca county and is a
graduate of Heidelberg University of the class of 1904. He studied law in the
office of his brother, Ray Carpenter, a prominent lawyer of Seneca county, and
after passing the required examinations, was admitted to the bar in 1906. In
January of the following year, he located for practice in Chicago Junction and
in May of the same year, was appointed city solicitor. He is building up a good
practice for he has demonstrated his ability in successfully handling intricate
legal problems and is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. A young
man of high character, respected and esteemed by all who know him and display-
ing marked ability in professional lines it seems that a bright future is before
him and that his further success is only a matter of time.
MARSDELL E. REEVES.
Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Ripley township who are
meeting with success in their agricultural pursuits, is Marsdell E. Reeves, the
owner of one hundred acres of fine land upon which he has resided for eleven
years. Born on the 12th of April, 1850, in Fitchville township, Huron county,
he is a son of Elias and Mabel (Mclntire) Reeves, and the .youngest in a family
of ten children, the others being; Herman, Munscn, Cordon, Mary, Mehitabel,
Charlotte, Rosette, Marsden and one who died in infancy.
Marsdell E. Reeves spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the usual
manner of the country lad, acquiring his education in the district schools and
during the periods of vacation assisting his father in the work of the home farm.
He early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the agriculturists and upon
attaining his majority wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he
had been reared. He began business life on his own account as a farm hand,
working by the month, and was thus engaged for many years. Being desirous,
however, of some day owning property of his own, during the intervening years,
he labored with unceasing industry and untiring perseverance, carefully saving
the money which he received in return for his services, until eventually he had
accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase one hundred acres of land
in Ripley township, upon which he has since made his home. The farm has now
been in his possession for eleven years, and during this period he has directed his
energies toward its further improvement, having brought his fields under excellent
cultivation. He has equipped the place with all modern conveniences and ac-
cessories for facilitating labor, while his business methods are progressive and
up-to-date, characteristics which have been salient elements in his prosperity.
It was on the 29th of March, 1898, that Mr. Reeves was united in marriage
to Miss Anna Howard, who was born on the 1st of March, i860. Her parents
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448 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
were William Howard, born March 12, 1823, and Eliza (Case) Howard, whose
birth occurred in 1829. The father, who served as a soldier in the Union army
at the time of the Civil war was a prominent figure in the community in which
he resided and was familiarly known to many close friends as "Uncle Billy." He
and his wife were the parents of the following children: Adeline, Wesley, Frank-
lin, Edward, Anna, Wrillard, Marvin, Melvin, Sherman, Burton and Sarah.
Fraternally Mr. Reeves is a master Mason and holds membership in the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which bodies he is an active and
prominent worker. He gives stalwart support to the republican party and
although he neither desires nor seeks office for himself, is deeply interested in the
affairs of the party and does all in his power to further its influence in the com-
munity and elect its men to the various offices. He is not only well known in
agricultural circles of Ripley township, but is also a member of the Greenwich
Telephone Company, better known as the Clinton Air Line. His life has been one
of continuous activity, in which he has attained gratifying success that has come
to him as the logical result of indefatigable energy and well directed effort.
WILLIAM C. SCHEID.
William C. Scheid, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and im-
provement of his farm of ninety-five acres in Peru township and seventy-five
acres in Sherman township, was born on this place on the 8th of December,
1861. His parents, John William and Catherine (Beilstein) Scheid, were both
natives of Germany, the former born on the 9th of January, 1818, and the latter
in 1826. In 1849, tne father accompanied his parents on their emigration to the
new world, the family home being established in Peru township, Huron county,
Ohio, where both the grandfather and the grandmother of our subject passed
away. John William Scheid, the father of William C. Scheid, continued to make
his home in Peru township, until called to his final rest on the 30th of November,
1903, being successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout
his active business career. He assisted in the organization and erection of the
Lutheran church in Peru township and served as one of its elders for a number
of years. His wife, who had made the journey to the new world in company with
her sisters and brothers, was called to her final rest in 1885. Unto this worthy
couple were born six children, namely: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles
J. Heyman and resides in Lyme township ; August, living in Peru township ;
Henrietta, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Hass, in Sherman town-
ship; William C, of this review; Catherine B., residing in Sherman township,
who is the wife of George C. Hass ; and L. H.. of California.
In pursuit of an education William C. Scheid attended both the district and
German schools and early in life became familiar with the duties and labors
which fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered
his* father in the cultivation of the old homestead farm. It it a highly improved
and valuable tract of land comprising ninety-five acres and here Mr. Scheid has
lived from his birth to the present time, his agricultural interests proving a good
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MR. AND MRS. W. C. SCFIEID
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 451
source of revenue. Many of the substantial improvements on the property stand
as monuments to his thrift and enterprise and the well tilled fields annually yield
golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. His
landed holdings also include a farm of seventy-five acres in Sherman township
and he is widely recognized as a prosperous, enterprising and progressive citi-
zen of his native county. For nine years, he acted as agent for the Huron County
Mutual Insurance Company.
On the 24th of February, 1898, Mr. Scheid was joined in wedlock to Miss
Mary Elizabeth Longscheid, of Sherman township, a daughter of William and
Wilhelmina (Gerhard) Longscheid, both natives of Germany. The father was
born February 10, 1835, and came to America in July, 1854, being about four
months in crossing the ocean on account of severe storms. He died on the 1st of
February, 1868, and his wife, who was born January 11, 1835, passed away on the
9th of May, 1872. She came to this country in the spring of 1855 with her pa-
rents, but her mother took cold on the ship and died shortly after her arrival in
America. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scheid have been born four children, namely:
William A., Freda M., and Arnold N., all at home ; and Edwin J., who died in
infancy. Mr. Scheid has held various official positions in the Lutheran church,
of which he is a valued and prominent member. In the community where they
reside- both he and his wife are much esteemed as people of genuine worth, mani-
festing those sterling traits. of character which in every land and clime awaken
confidence and regard.
WILLIAM J. BEELMAN.
William J. Beelman, whose activity in the United Brethren church has made
him well known throughout Huron county, is farming his eighty-four acres of rich
land in Richmond township and is one of the excellent representatives of the
agricultural class. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, June 13,
1867, being a sen of Adam and Frances Elmyra (Coover) Beelman. The father
was born March 3, 1843, m Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and came to
Huron county, Ohio, when twenty-seven years of age. He now resides at Chi-
cago, Ohio, but he lost his wife in 1876. They had a family as follows: William
J., who is the eldest; Geary J.; Mary, who married William Helter; and Frances
Elmyra, who married Elmer L. Bare and lives at Grand Junction, Colorado.
After the death of his first wife, Adam Beelman was married in October, 1878,
to Jennie Daughtery, and they have one daughter, Mabel V., who lives with her
parents. The paternal grandparents of William J. Beelman were George and
Elizabeth (Brant) Beelman, natives of Pennsylvania, while the maternal
grandparents were Jacob and Margaret Coover, who were also born in
Pennsylvania.
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452 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
William J. Beelman went to the district school for about four months every
winter until he attained his majority, and in the summer he worked very hard
upon the farm. His first employment after leaving home was working on neigh-
boring farms by the month and at the same time he learned the carpenter's trade.
After working at this trade tor fifteen years, he engaged with the Beelman Lum-
ber Company at Chicago, and continued with them for twenty-two months. Then
in 1908, he bought his present farm from the heirs of his father-in-law's estate
and since then this has been his home.
On September 7, 1893, Mr. Beelman married Mary M. Keesy, a daughter of
John H. and Margaret (Johnston) Keesy, who were natives of Pennsylvania,
but came to Ohio at an early day. Mrs. Beelman belongs to a family which was as
follows: Addie, who married William Riddle; Olive O., who married Chris Kil-
per ; Edith Estella, who married Elmer Beelman ; Mary M., the wife of William
J. Beelman. Mr. and Mrs. Beelman have two children: Ross E., born November
13, 1894; and Effie Elmyra, born April 16, 1898.
Mr. Beelman is school director and served as township clerk for one term,
being elected both times on the republican ticket. During the time he has been
in office, he has proven himself efficient and public-spirited. He and his wife
belong to the United Brethren church, in which they are very active and he is
class leader. He is a man of considerable force of character and one who is
able to influence his associates and fortunate for them it is always exerted for
their good to lead them into the higher walks of life.
ARTHUR E. STEVENS.
Arthur E. Stevens was for many years actively identified with the agricul-
tural interests of Huron county, but is now practically living retired in a com-
fortable home in North Fairfield, although he still retains the management of
his farm of one hundred acres in Ripley township. Throughout his career of
continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the
greatest care and his business interests have been so managed as to win him the
confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honor-
able effort.
Mr. Stevens was born in New York on the 1 8th of April, 1843, an^ ls a son
of Timothy and Janet (Rose) Stevens, the former a son of Ezra and Lucy
(Foote) Stevens. He was the eldest in a family of five children born unto Tim-
othy Stevens and his wife, the others being Clarence, Elizabeth, Lucy and
Minerva.
Arthur E. Stevens was reared to agricultural pursuits, giving his father the
benefit of his services on the home farm until he had reached years of maturity,
when he started out in life on his own account and has since been identified
with farming pursuits in Fairfield township. He purchased a farm of one hun-
dred acres, to the improvement and development of which he directed his entire
energies, practicing the rotation of crops and studying the cereals best adapted
to soil and climate and the best methods of cultivating same. He toiled earn-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY . 453
estly from early spring planting" until late autumn harvest, and that he was suc-
cessful in his undertaking is indicated in the fact that his enterprise and industry
were crowned with a gratifying measure of success that now makes it possible
for him to live in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. Although
he retains the management of his farm, he has, nevertheless, withdrawn from
active business life, and resides in a comfortable home in North Fairfield.
It was in 1866 that Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Burton,
who was born in Bronson township, Huron county, in 1845 and is a daughter
of Edward and Laura (Heath) Burton. She was the eldest of a family of seven
children born unto her parents, the others being LeRoy, Dealton. Adolphus,
Mary, Ida and Emma. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens has been blessed
with the following children, Jeanette, Clara, Burton, Thornton, Pearl and Ed-
ward. The family are members of the Christian church, the teachings of which
form the guiding influences of their lives. Mr. Stevens is democratic in politics,
and although he neither seeks nor desires office for himself, he is nevertheless
loyal in his support of his party and is public-spirited in his citizenship, at all
times advocating the measures which tend to promote the growth and upbuilding
of the community. During the period of his residence in Huron county he has
gained a wide circle of friends who hold him in high respect and regard because
of his many sterling qualities.
GEORGE A. HOENER.
George A. Hoener owns and operates a good tract of land, comprising one
hundred and thirty-three acres, situated in Sherman township and here he gives
his entire time and attention to general farming. He is a native of Germany,
born December 1, 1848, a son of George A. and Conneherd (Seibert) Hoener,
who reared a family of six children and both the parents passed away in the old
country. The members of the family are: Cunahunda, George A., Magdelina,
Michael, George, deceased; and Leonard.
George A. Hoener pursued his studies in the schools of his native land and
there remained until he had reached the age of twenty-eight years. Believing
that he might more quickly gain a start in the business world in the United States
than he would in Germany, he then sailed for this country. He made his way to
Huron county and for three years subsequent to his arrival worked on various
farms in Sherman township. He then purchased fifteen acres of land, but un-
fortunately lost this. He took new courage, however, and worked on earnestly
and energetically until he was eventually able to invest in another small tract,
to which he added from time to time until his place now embraces one hundred
and thirty-three acres in Sherman township. He has made his home on this
place for the past two decades and during this time has been busily engaged in
its cultivation. His fields are well tilled and annually produce good crops as a
reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
It was prior to his emigration to the new world that Mr. Hoener was mar-
ried, September 26, 1869, Miss Barbara Zimmerman becoming his wife. She
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454 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
was born in Germany, June 21, 1841, and is a sister of Lawrence Zimmerman,
who is a farmer of Sherman township and is mentioned on another page of this
work. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hoener has been blessed with five children :
Pheadus, who wedded Anna Heyman, by whom he has three children, Florence,
Edna and Laura ; Charles, who wedded Emma Heyman and they also have three
children. Alma, Harold and Gladys; John, who wedded Kathryn Brinker, of
Cleveland, and their family also numbers three children, Mildred, Julia and
Ralph; Maggie, the wife of Charles Herner, of Greenfield township, their family
numbering three sons, Clarence, Earl and Raymond; and Anna, the wife of
Daniel Grine, by whom she has three sons, Carl, Walter and Arthur John.
Mr. Hoener is a democrat in his political views and affiliations but aside from
serving on the school board has never held public office. He is a member of the
Lutheran church at Pontiac. He has fully realized and availed himself of the
opportunities and advantages in this country, and although he has met with some
reverses, he has worked on undeterred by obstacles until today he possesses a
fine farming property and is classed among the substantial farmers of Sherman
township.
WILLIAM MILLER.
William Miller, a prominent and well known citizen of Huron county, is ex-
tensively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising on his farm of
two hundred and ten acres in Lyme township. He is a native son of this county,
his birth having occurred in Lyme township on the 18th of November, 1857, while
his parents, William and Bena (Ohlenmacher) Miller, were natives of Germany.
The father, who was born in 1834, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in
1845 and three years later, was married to Miss Bena Ohlenmacher. whose birth
had occurred in the year 1836. She passed away in i860, leaving three children:
William, Henry and Charles, all of whom still survive. For his second wife
William Miller, Sr., chose Miss Jane Gross, a daughter of Phillip Gross, who
was one of the first settlers of this county and in the early days conducted a
tavern near Bellevue. By this union there were nine children, namely : Clara,
Anna, Rudolph, Rosa, Flora, Lydia, Lawrence, Emma and Chauncey. William
Miller, the father of our subject, was a prominent agriculturist by occupation
and invented the then famous corn-husk mattresses and seats, such as used in
the railway coaches, making a fortune through the careful control of his in-
terests in this connection. He capably served in the positions of township
trustee and township treasurer for a number of years and was a valued member
of the Reformed church at Monroeville, acting as trustee, treasurer and in
other official positions. When he was called to his final rest in 1905 the county
mourned the loss of one of its most substantial, representative and respected
citizens and one whose life in all of its phases had been straightforward and
honorable.
William Miller continued to reside in his native township until eight, years
of age and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Erie county,
where he made his home until he had attained the age of twenty-three years.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 455
He then returned to Huron county but in the meantime had followed the ad-
vice of his father and gone to Michigan, where he took up a tract of land of
one hundred and sixty acres, disposing of the property, however, three years
later. He purchased his present farm of two hundred and ten acres in Lyme
township from Henry Bollenbacher and as the years have gone by has made
/aried and extensive improvements on the property, which is lacking in none of
the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He
has an attractive and modern brick residence, equipped with carbon lights,
water works, etc. In addition to the home farm he also owns forty acres of
land near Norwalk and has a tract of eighty acres in Texas and another of
forty acres in Oklahoma. On the home place he not only cultivates the cereals
best adapted to soil and climate but also makes a specialty of raising fine sheep
and cattle, meeting with a most gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity
in his undertakings. He is likewise acting as general manager of the Flat
Rock Creamery Company of Seneca county, of which he is a stockholder and
director and is a stockholder in the local telephone company of Bellevue and the
Gardner Milling Company of that place. It will thus be seen that his interests
are extensive and varied and that he is a man of excellent executive ability, keen
discrimination and sound judgment is indicated by the success which has at-
tended his efforts.
On the 17th of February, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Bollenbacher, who was born in Lyme township, December 20, 1853,
a daughter of Philip Bollenbacher, who was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of
this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children, Dora
and Anna, both at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Miller has given
his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democratic party and his
fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various
positions of public trust. He is now serving his twelfth year as constable of
Lyme township and has been township trustee and road supervisor, while for
seven years he was a member of the school board. A devoted and faithful
member of the Lutheran church of Lyme township, he does all in his power
to promote its growth and extend its influence and is at present acting as
clerk and trustee thereof.
Such, in brief, is the life history of William Miller. In whatever relation
of life we find him — in political circles, in business or in social relations — he
is always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits
the high regard which is uniformly given him.
CHARLES SUHR.
Charles Suhr, a strong and able lawyer of the Norwalk bar, possesses all of the
requisite qualities of the successful attorney, including an excellent presence and
earnest dignified manner, marked stretch of character, a thorough grasp of the
law and the ability to accurately apply its principles. He needs no introduction
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456 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
to the readers of this volume for he is numbered among Norwalk's native sons,
his birth having here occurred October 16, i860.
His father, William Suhr, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 7th of March,
1829, and after spending the first fifteen years of his life in the land of his nativity
came with his parents to the United States, when fifteen years of age. His
father, Charles W. Suhr, first settled in Cleveland and William Suhr there re-
sided until the death of his father and mother. In early life, he became familiar
with the tailoring and clothing trade and was in business there along that line
until the disastrous fire of 1851, when his stock was destroyed and he removed to
Norwalk. Here he embarked in the same line of business in 1853 and continued
successfully in that department of trade for forty-five years or until 1898, when
he retired. Throughout this period, he had enjoyed a very liberal and extended
patronage, his success being the result of the fine line of goods which he carried
and the excellent workmanship which he turned out. His last years were spent
in well earned and honorable rest from labor and in January, TQ07, he was called
to the home beyond. He was a most highly respected man by reason of the
progressive citizenship which he displayed and his enterprise and reliability in
commercial circles. He was a very active and earnest supporter of the republican
party and was called to several offices, serving as a member of the city council,
also as city treasurer for several terms and again as township treasurer. No trust
reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and in all of his official
duties, he displayed the same spirit of enterprise and advancement which char-
acterized his efforts in business lines. He had a marked influence among the
German-American people of this part of the state and he was also prominent in
Masonry, being a splendid representative of the craft. He filled all of the chairs
in the blue lodge, the chapter, the council and the commandery, and his life was
in close conformity to the teachings of the order concerning brotherly kindness
and mutual helpfulness. In early manhood, he married Mary Cashbaugh, a na-
tive of Pennsylvania, who was living in Cleveland, however, at the time of their
marriage. She passed away several years prior to the death of her husband, be-
ing called to the home beyond March 20, 1903, when seventy years of age.
Charles Suhr was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children, namely:
Amelia, who was born in Cleveland and was accidentally killed at the age of twelve
years; George W., who was born in Norwalk in 1855 ; Mary and William A., also
natives of this city ; Charles of this review ; and Laura E., who died in July,
1908.
Charles Suhr was educated in the Norwalk schools and at Kenyon, Ohio, where
he pursued a three years' college course. He afterward took up the study of law
with the intention of making its practice his life work, pursuing his reading in
the office and under the direction of Stephen M. Young. In 1885, he was ad-
mitted to the bar and opened an office in Norwalk. Here he has since been iden-
tified with the legal profession and in 1902, he was elected probate judge, which
positions he filled continuously, capably and acceptably until 1909, when he re-
tired from the bench and resumed private practice. He has a keen, rapid, logical
mind plus business sense and a ready capacity for hard work qualities, which are
indispensable in the successful lawyer.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 457
In 1891, Mr. Suhr was married to Miss Millie A. Howe, a native of Peru,
Huron county, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Hannah L. (Hatfield) Howe,
representatives of old pioneer families of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs
Suhr have become the parents of four children : Carl W., J. Vernon, Marian M.,
and Charles Dudley. Mr. Suhr is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has
taken the degrees of the chapter and commandery. He also belongs to the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the
Maccabees. In politics, he is very active. He is much interested in the welfare
of the town and county, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and does all
in his power to advance trie best interests of the community, co-operating in every
movement which he deems essential in promoting its growth and prosperity. He
has a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance,
for geniality, deference for the opinions of others and kindliness have gained him
a firm hold on the aflfection of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
JAMES P. WASHBURN.
James P. Washburn, a progressive and prosperous agriculturist, owning three
hundred acres of fine farm land in New London township, is one of the self-
made men of Huron county for, starting out in life empty-handed, he has acquired
the success which he now enjoys entirely through his own indefatigable energy
and well directed efforts. He was born in Illinois on the 26th of August, 1862.
and when but two years of age he came with his parents to Ohio, where the
family home was established in New London township. His mother's death
occurred when he was a little lad of five years, while at the age of fifteen yeara
he was left an orphan by the death of his father. He then went to live with an
uncle, Oliver Washburn, in whose home he remained until his marriage. At this
time he purchased a farm to which he removed and which he continued to
operate for ten years, at the expiration of which period he sold the property and
purchased another farm, while later he bought the old Golden homestead, upon
which his wife and her father were both born, and which had been in the Golden
family for more than sixty-five years. He has since directed his energies toward
its further cultivation and improvement, erecting a new and comfortable dwell-
ing in its midst, while he has also built substantial and commodious barns and
outbuildings which stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift. He has
brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and made of the place one of
the valuable farming properties of New London township, upon which he intends
to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. His property holdings
consist of three hundred acres of land and he is ranked among the substantial
and representative farmers of the township. He was identified with financial
interests for about five years, being a director of the Savings Bank of New
London for that period of time.
Mr. Washburn was united in marriage on the 6th of October, 1885, to Miss
Frances Golden, who was born December 23, 1864. Unto this union have been
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458 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
born two children : Margaret, born November 4, 1895 5 and Marion, born on the
13th of November, 1904.
Politically Mr. Washburn it a republican, doing all in his power to further
tne influence of that party throughout the community and he is loyal and public-
spirited in his citizenship. His has been a life of continuous activity in which
has been accorded due recognition of honest labor, and few men in Huron
county can more justly claim nor more richly deserve the proud American title
of a self-made man.
JACOB P. HEYMAN.
Jacob P. Heyman is numbered among the large landowners and substantial
citizens of Sherman township, where he owns a valuable farm of two hundred
and twenty-one acres, which, with the assistance of his sons he is now operating.
Mr. Heyman is a native son of this township, his birth having occurred on the
farm which is still his home, January 6, 1864, his parents being John George
William and Elizabeth (Longscheid) Heyman, both of whom were natives of
Germany. The father came when a young man with his parents to the new
world, the family home being established at Hunt's Corners in Lyme township,
Huron county. There the father spent the most of his remaining days and died
at the home of his son Daniel in 1903. He was at that time seventy-seven years
of age, for his birth occurred in 1826. He was a very influential man in the
community in which he made his home and took a helpful part in the upbuilding
and improvement of the locality in which he lived. He assisted materially in the
erection of the Reformed church at Hunt's Corners, in which he served as an
official for many years. A democrat in politics, he served as township trustee,
as road supervisor and as a member of the school board and in many other ways
gave support to public interests. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza-
beth Longscheid, accompanied her parents, Christian and Katharine Longscheid
on their emigration from Germany to the new world, their home being estab-
lished in Sherman township. She died in 1887, at the age of fifty-nine years.
She became the mother of ten children : George, deceased ; Emeline, the wife of
August Scheid, of Peru township ; Daniel, who makes his home in Lyme town-
ship, this county; Thomas, also of Lyme township; Mary, who has passed away;
Jacob P., of this review ; Philip and Mary, both of whom are deceased ; William,
who lives in Lyme township ; and Albert, who makes his home in Sherman town-
ship. There is also one son, Charles, of Sherman township, who was born of the
father's former marriage.
Jacob P. Heyman has spent his entire life in Huron county and acquired his
education in the district schools. He has made farming his' life work and that
his labors have been attended with success is evidenced by the valuable farm of
which he is today the owner, his place comprising two hundred and twenty-one
acres, located in Sherman township. He has made many improvements on the
place in the way of a good residence, substantial barn and outbuildings, has
fenced the fields and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 459
That the soil is rich and arable is indicated by the fine crops which he annually
gathers and altogether he is one of the substantial farmers of Huron county.
In addition to this property Mr. Heyman is a stockholder, treasurer and one of
the directors of the Sherman Oil & Gas Company and is likewise a stockholder
of the Herman Hess Clothing & Shoe Company at Monroeville.
Mr. Heyman was married December 23, 1888, to Miss Katharine Williams, a
daughter of Alton and Clara (Longscheid) Williams, residents of Norwich
township. Mrs. Heyman was born in Germany, and was brought by her parents
to the United States in 1872, their home being established in Norwich town-
ship. Both the parents are now deceased, the father passing away May 4, 1896,
at the age of seventy-one years, while the mother preceded him to the home
beyond, her death occurring April 10, 1889, when she was sixty-two years of
age. Their family numbered six children, as follows: Minnie, the wife of Wil-
liam Miller, a resident of Minnesota; John, who makes his home near Center-
ton, in Huron county ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Popp but is
now deceased; Charles W., residing in Seneca county, Ohio; Mrs. Heyman, and
August, of Sherman township.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heyman has been blessed with eight children:
Claud, who was born October 21, 1889; Carl, whose birth occurred December
11, 1 891 ; Earl, February 19, 1894; Orlan, who was born November 25, 1896:
Ivan, October 18, 1898; Guy, born December 13, 1900; Myron,* July 28, 1903;
and Sylvan, whose birth occurred May 28, 1906.
Mr. Heyman gives his political support to the democratic party and on that
ticket has been elected to a number of township offices, including that of trustee
and road supervisor, while he has likewise served on the school board. He is a
member of the Reformed church at Hunt's Corners and has been an official in
the church. His success has come to him through energy, labor and persever-
ance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles.
In manner he is quiet and straightforward, and his word has become a synonym
for business integrity.
WILLIAM RIDDLE.
Scientific farming today is very different from that which was done half a
century ago, for modern methods and machinery have revolutionized agricul-
tural life and made of the farmer an extremely important factor Nin the life of
the country. William Riddle, who resides upon his fine farm of two hundred and
forty-seven acres of land in Richmond township, is an example of the best class
of progressive and thoroughly modern farmers. He was born in Knox county,
Ohio, September 12, 1863, and is a son of John and Amanda (Thornton) Riddle:
They came to the farm of Mr. Riddle in 1865, when he was a mere infant, and
spent the remainder of their lives upon it, the father dying here in 1890. and his
widow in 1893. ^n early manhood the father taught during the winter months,
while in the summer he operated his farm. He continued to teach in the district
schools for eighteen years and was well known throughout the county as a good
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460 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and conscientious educator. He also taught two years in the graded school at
Bellville, Ohio. John Riddle and wife were the parents of the following family:
Lydia, who married John W. Miller; Archibald, who is deceased; Sybal. who
married W. F. Miller; Philander J., John J.; Lunetta, who married George
Hatch ; and William, who was the youngest.
William Riddle attended the district school during the winter until he reached
manhood's estate, and helped his father in the summer. After the latter's death
he bought the farm and ever since has been devoting himself to its further im-
provement until he has one of the best farms in Huron county. Among other
improvements, he built a new barn, remodeled the house, which is a beautiful
one, and put in about five hundred dollars worth of tile. Prior to his father's
death, five hundred dollars more were expended in the same manner, so that the
swamp land has been thoroughly redeemed.
On January 18, 1886, Mr. Riddle married Addie A. Keesy, a daughter of
John and Margaret (Johnston) Keesy, who were farmers of Richmond town-
ship. The mother died in December, 1901, and the father in September, 1907.
They were the parents of the following children: Addie A., who was the
eldest; Orline, who married Chris Kelper; Estella, who married E. L. Bech-
man ; and Miranda, who married William Beelman. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have
had two children, namely : Leroy, born in November, 1890 ; and Margaret, born
in June, 1901.
Like his father, Mr. Riddle is a republican, and his devotion to his party
has been rewarded by election to the office of township trustee for two terms, to
that of school director for two terms, and that of road supervisor for one term.
Both he and his wife belong to the United Brethren church. Mr. Riddle is a
man who has the welfare of the community at heart, and is ever ready to lend
assistance in advancing public improvements he believes will prove beneficial,
but his common sense and excellent judgment keep him from rushing blindly
into anything before he has thoroughly tested its advisability.
ALBERT T. GAMBER.
Albert T. Gamber, of Wakeman township, the son of William F. and Eliza-
beth (Reynolds) Gamber, was born in Fayette, Fulton county, Ohio, October
29, 1865. His father was a pioneer of Fulton county, removing there from New
York in 1845. The town of Fayette was founded by his father, Henrv Gamber,
and named for his native village in New York. A well educated man and a
teacher, he took special interest in matters educational, and was progressive and
active in all public matters. As a democrat he stood for the principles of his
chosen party, always keeping thoroughly informed in regard to things political.
In 1878, he removed to Huron county and four years later located in Townsend
township, where he became one of the substantial farmers of the county, strong
in his many good qualities and excellent citizenship. His death occurring April
15, 190Q, at the age of seventy-six, he was laid to rest in the cemetery of Fayette,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 463
which town his father had founded many years before. His wife preceded him
several years, having died in 1871. Of the family of four sons, Fordyce D., Clem-
ent, Edward L., and Albert T., the last named is the only survivor.
Albert T. Gamber grew to manhood on the farm of his father with only the
privilege of a district-school education. At an early age engaging in farm work
by the month, he acquired the experience he needed for the success of his later
years. On July 10, 1886, he married Miss Nettie Sly, a daughter of Robert and
Jane (Draper) Sly, both families being pioneers of the county. The father
came from New York. Mr. and Mrs. Sly still residents of Townsend township,
are people of eminently high character and are held in great esteem. To Mr.
and Mrs. Gamber six children have been born, three of whom are living: Fordyce
A., a student at Oberlin college ; Robert F., a student at Wakeman high school ;
and Clara E. Two children died in infancy and Clare L., died at the age of two
and a half years.
After his marriage, Mr. Gamber accomplished the feat of boarding himself
and keeping his family, for one year on the two hundred dollars wages received for
farm work. The following year, he rented a farm on Hartland Ridge, where he re-
mained for two years and then removed to Townsend township, where he con-
tinued renting for nine years. Concluding he could do better in another state, he
removed to Michigan, expecting to invest in a farm, but he rented for two years
instead, that he might become better acquainted with the soil. However, Huron
county, Ohio, seemed to hold attractions not to be found in Michigan and back
to Townsend township the family moved, where the farm of one hundred and
fifty acres on which they now live was purchased. From a stock farm very much
run down, Mr. Gamber has built up the place until it is now one of the finest
farms in the county.
Always interested in sheep, in 1893 he began the breeding of the Delaine
Merino variety, and from a small exhibitor at the county fairs, the business has
grown until he has become one of the foremost breeders of the world. Exhibit-
ing at the Omaha exposition, he gained all first prizes, not including any of the
special prizes, of which he captured a large number. The same year he entered at
five state fairs for a possible fifty-seven first prizes and secured fifty-two of them.
Mr. Gamber 's flocks consist of only thoroughbred animals and are shipped all
over the world, some going as far as South Africa. They command the high-
est prices, occasionally bringing five hundred dollars for stud rams and for car-
load lots twenty-five to thirty dollars per head. Mr. Gamber is a recognized au-
thority on his particular breed of sheep and has made a wonderful success of the
business. It is of record that Ring Leader, a ram, is one of the greatest sires in
the United States, many of his sons and daughters going to South Africa at
fancy prices.
Though sheep breeding demands the entire attention of the owner, the nec-
essary general farming is carried on in a very methodical manner. The sheep
barns are arranged for the proper care of the sheep in all kinds of weather, and
each animal is as carefully looked after as a fine horse. Mr. Gamber estimates
that his success is due to his genuine love for sheep, his careful study of grades
and the great care taken of them, during the entire year. His flock run up into
the hundreds. Aside from his business and personal affairs, he still has time to
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464 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
be interested in public matters and is an advocate of progress in all things, es-
pecially good roads, educational advantages and beautifying the county.
A standing monument to a man is his home and its surroundings, and this
home of the Gamber family is no exception, for it is beautiful, with its sub-
stantial and well lighted buildings, well kept lawns, and furnace heated house.
The members of the family are Congregationalists, and active in both church
and Sunday school, Mrs. Gamber being especially interested in education and
Christian work. She is also a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, and of the Ladies' Aid Society of the church. Her home, to which she is
devoted, is well supplied with good literature, and she adds to this a refined and
healthful influence.
Mr. Gamber, though not an active worker in politics, is an intelligent sup-
porter cf republican principles. Of other organizations, he is a member of
Lodge 301, F. & A. M., and Wakeman Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He is
also a member of the American Detaine — Merino Record Association, being one
of the pedigree committee, and of the National Wool Growers Association, of
the United States.
FRANCIS E. SCOTT.
Francis E. Scott, a traveling nurseryman of Fairfield, Ohio, was born in
Union county, Ohio, in 1862, and is a son of Charles and Helen (Southwick)
Scott. He was the eldest in a family of six children, the other members being*
Ida, Cash, Nathan, George and Charles. Francis E. Scott acquired his education
in the common schools of Ohio and remained under the parental roof until he
had attained years of manhood, when he entered business life on his own account-
He is now identified with the nursery business as journeyman, making his head-
quarters at Fairfield, Ohio, purchasing various kinds of trees which he in turn
sells throughout Huron and adjoining counties. He is alert, enterprising and
industrious, these elements forming the salient characteristics in the success which
he is enjoying in his chosen work.
In 1897 Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Hoyt, who was
born in 1866 in North Fairfield, and is the only child of Icabod and Elizabeth
(Godfrey) Hoyt. The former was the eldest child in a family of three children
born unto Walter and Caroline (Benson) Hoyt, the others being Elmon and
Mercy, while his wife was the second child in the family of Andrew and Rachel
(Wing) Godfrey, their family consisting of Elizabeth, Zerah, and Michael.
The Hoyts were among the earliest pioneer settlers of Fairfield township and
were well known and prominent in the community in which they resided. The
home of Mr. and Mrs. Scott has been blessed with one son, Hoyt Southwick,
who was born on the 6th of September, 1898, and is the light and life of the
household.
Mr. Scott has given his allegiance to the republican party since age con-
ferred upon him the right of franchise, and he is most loyal in his citizenship,
at all times being deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the general wel-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 465
fare of the community. He is highly esteemed in the vicinity where he has made
his home for some time, and as an enterprising, energetic and prosperous busi-
ness* man well deserves mention in this volume.
SILAS E. CRAWFORD.
The life record of Silas E. Crawford is that of a successful manufacturer
and business man yet the range of his activities and the scope of his influence
have reached far beyond this special field. He belongs to that public-spirited,
useful and helpful type of men, whose ambitions and desires are centered and
directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most perm:neni
good to the greatest number. As a business man his activities were such as to
promote general prosperity as well as individual success, and he remained for
many years a well known manufacturer of this city, but he is now living retired,
his activity being confined to the supervision of his invested interests.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Crawford was born in Richland county, September 20,
1842, a son of David and Margaret (Miller) Crawford. The father was born
in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1810, while the mother's birth oc-
curred at Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. The father came to Ohio with his parents,
John and Mary Crawford, and settled in Richland county, becoming identified
with agricultural interests there. In that locality David Crawfcrd was reared
and on attaining his majority he engaged in teaching school for many years.
He also learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed to some extent. In
the late '40s he removed to Huron county, Ohio, where he worked at this trade
until his death. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were
ten children, of whom three were born in Huron county.
In the public schools Silas E. Crawford pursued his education, but his
parents were in limited financial circumstances and at an early age he had to
start out in life on his own account as it was necessary that he provide for his
own maintenance. Having learned the trade of carriagemaking, he came to
Norwalk in 1877 and began business for himself in company with others. He
afterward sold out and took up the manufacture of pumps in 1876; continuing
in that field of activity until 1900, when he retired from active business. In the
twenty-lour years in which he devoted his energies to manufacturing lines he
became widely recognized as a man of keen business discernment, careful in
formulating his plans and determined in their execution. He learned to utilize
every force to the best advantage and as year by year passed he so used his op-
portunities that success resulted. Moreover, in all that he did his course con-
formed to a high standard of commercial ethics. In 1888 the Home Savings &
Loan Company was organized and he became the vice-president, with Mr.
Gallup as president, and he is still officially connected with the company in that
capacity.
In the midst of arduous business cares demanding close application and un-
faltering perseverance, Mr. Crawford has yet found time to aid in the promotion
of public affairs which have had for their object the betterment of the corn-
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466 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
munity. His interest therein has been manifest in various substantial and tangi-
ble methods, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his devotion to the public
good, twice elected him a member of the city council, of which he served for one
term as president. He was also for fcur years mayor of the city, and his adminis-
tration was businesslike and progressive, resulting in the introduction of various
needed reforms and improvements. In 1908 he was elected to represent Huron
county in the seventy-eighth general assembly, being the first democrat ever
chosen to the office from his county. His position on any important public
question is never an equivocal one. He does not hesitate to announce his opinion
or to support his honest convictions and his course has ever commanded the
confidence and admiration of his fellowmen.
In 1869 Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Harrington,
with whom he traveled life's journey for more than thirty-five years. They
were separated in death in 1903 and in 1905 Mr. Crawford was again married,
his second union being with Martha W. Wightman, a native of Hastings,
Michigan.
Fraternally Mr. Crawford is connected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and other societies. He has long occupied a position of leadership in
this county, his native talents, his acquired ability, his patriotic citizenship and his
devotion to the public welfare winning him a place of prominence and securing
for him the unqualified confidence and respect of the public at iarge. His rare
aptitude and ability in achieving results have made him constantly sought and
have often brought him into a prominence from which he would naturally shrink
were less desirable ends in view. He has, however, always felt a hearty concern
for the public welfare and has been helpful in bringing about those purifying
and wholesome reforms which have been gradually growing in the political,
municipal and social life of the city. During the dark days of the Civil war
he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in Company C, One Hundred and
Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four months, and
later became a member of the One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment of
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as first lieutenant for eight months.
ROBERT C. PARKER.
Robert C. Parker, a progressive young farmer of Fitchville township. Huron
county, was born on the 21st of April, 1877, near Monroeville, Ohio, and is a son
of John and Ann (Clark) Parker, both of whom are natives of Lincolnshire,
England, and are still living. The mother was but a young girl when she came
with her parents to this country, and the father was only fifteen when his family
emigrated. Both the Parkers and the Clarks came direct to Monroeville, Ohio,
and there John obtained work, at first as a laborer. He later engaged in farming
in Fitchville township and became a prosperous man.
Robert C. Parker was reared at home, spending his youth on the farm. He
received his early education in the district schools of the county and then entered
the Fitchville high school, from which he was graduated in 1895, a member of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 467
the first class issuing from that institution. For several years he continued farm-
ing with his father, but after his marriage, in 1908, he purchased the place which
has since been his home and the scene of his endeavors. It is a tract of one
hundred and fifty acres, all excellent land, which Mr. Parker has brought to a high
degree of productiveness, for he is an intelligent farmer who goes about his work
on a scientific basis, giving especial consideration to the subject of rotation of
crops and the composition of the soil, that he may receive the best products of his
labor. He pursues a diversified farming and raises a good deal of stock, and is
accounted a successful man.
On the 9th of April, 1898, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Daisy
Simmons, a daughter of Elbridge G. and Mary (Weed) Simmons, of Lorain
county. One son, Claude R., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker.
Mr. Parker is an up-to-date young man who takes an active interest in public
affairs and keeps himself well informed upon the questions that are before the
people. He affiliates with no party, however, preferring to vote for men and
measures as seems best to him. Nor has he filled any office in the township, though
many times urged to accept one by men who discern in him great ability and the
strength of purpose that would not let him be swerved from what he believed
to be right. Successful in his business and progressive in his ideas, it is hoped
that he may soon overcome his reluctance to public life, that others may profit by
his life and work.
CHARLES McCLAVE.
Charles McClave needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he
is known throughout the entire country as the owner of the Linwood Poultry
yards at New London, Ohio, and as a breeder and raiser of some of the finest
poultry that has been produced in the United States. His birth occurred June
21, 1859, in the town where he still makes his home. The father, Chester McClave,
came with his parents from the state of New York to Ohio when a boy of less
than five years, arriving in 1832 and spent the remainder of his life upon
the farm where his son Charles now resides, his death occurring Decem-
ber 12, 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Matilda White, was born
in Ruggles, Ashland county, Ohio, and is still living. Chester McClave was a
farmer throughout his entire life and dealt quite extensively in cattle.
The district schools afforded Charles McClave his educational privileges. In
1874 he made his initial venture in the poultry business, raising and breeding
thoroughbred poultry and in the intervening years he has continued in this field
of labor with excellent success. He has developed the Linwood poultry yards,
now widely known throughout America, and is extensively engaged in the rais-
ing of twenty different varieties of fine poultry, giving particular attention, how-
ever, to Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. He raises the Barred Plymouth
Rocks, White, Golden and Silver Wyandottes, Partridge, Black and Columbian
Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, White and Brown Leghorns, Rose Comb White
Leghorns, Black Minorcas, Light Brahmas, Dark Brahmas, Partridge Cochins,
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468 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Buff Orpingtons, Black Orpingtons, Black Javas, Blue Adalusians and English
Red Caps and Bantams.
For the past twenty years Mr. McClave has been prominent as a poultry
judge. He holds a judge's certificate issued by the American Poultry Association,
certifying that he is an official judge for all varieties, and he is considered one
of the best in the United States. In this capacity he travels from New York to
San Francisco to make his engagements, covering about ten thousand miles an-
nually. He has twenty-five hundred prize ribbons, representing the different
prizes he has won with his poultry at various poultry shows as well as many
medals which are only given for sweepstake prizes. He has one medal presented
by the president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in token of good will and
service rendered at the occasion of the St. Louis Fair of 1904. He was a large
exhibitor at that exposition, winning seventy-six ribbons and he also acted as
judge of different classes of birds in which he was making no exhibits. He also
has a very fine badge which was presented to him at the St. Louis Exposition.
At the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago he was appointed superintend-
ent of water fowls for ornamenting the lakes and waterways, embracing over
six hundred rare specimens, both foreign and domestic. He spent over seven
months at the World's Fair in full charge of this department. He was also
an exhibitor at the poultry show there, winning over sixty prizes and also the
cup for the best display from Ohio. He has made altogether over one hundred
and seventy public exhibitions of poultry, winning in round numbers over eight
thousand prizes, including such shows as are held in Boston, Syracuse, Buffalo,
Pittsburg, Baltimore, Cleveland, St. Louis, Chicago and other places. Mr.
McClave stands at the head of the poultry business as a breeder, exhibitor and
judge. He makes daily shipments of fancy thoroughbred poultry to all parts
of the United States and foreign ccuntries, breeding about two thousand birds
annually and also shipping large quantities of eggs for hatching purposes. He
also handles a large and choice variety of water fowls. He has made poultry
his study through life and has been one of the most successful in the business in
the entire country.
The Linwood Poultry yards are situated on a choice farm of one hundred
and sixty-four acres which adjoin the corporation limits of the village of New
London. This farm is not only supplied with all conveniences for the conduct
of his business, but is furnished with all modern improvements and is most at-
tractive in its appearance. It was upon this farm that Mr. McClave was born
and reared and he now owns and occupies the property. Here he began business
in a small way but by careful study, close application and experience he has
attained to prominence in his chosen field of labor. He also has a fine apiary
of Italian bees and thoroughly understands the work of the apiarist, while in
general farming he is also equally successful. He was formerly president of the
American Poultry Association and holds a life membership therein, and is presi-
dent of the Ohio branch of the American Poultry Association. This organiza-
tion draws its members from the United States, Canada and the insular posses-
sions of this country.
On the 15th of October, 1895, Mr. McClave was married to Miss Lucy
Copland, who was born in Butler, Richland county, Ohio, August 28, 1869, a
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 469
daughter of Samuel and Mary Copland. They have two children, C. Howard,
born January 12, 1901 ; and Eugene W., born September 9, 1904. In community
affairs Mr. McClave is interested and has served as township trustee for nine
years. He was also one of the organizers of the Savings & Lonn Banking Com-
pany, of New London, and was its first vice-president until 1909. In January,
1909, he was elected to the presidency and is also one of its directors. His name
is an honored one in financial circles of the county. His political allegiance is
given to the- republican party and for the past five years he has given tingible
evidence of his .devotion to the cause of public education as an earnest and
effective member of the school board. His life has at all times been honorable
and upright and his fidelity to manly principles which never seek nor require
disguise have made him one of Huron county's valued citizens.
PETER BREIT.
Peter Breit, whose well improved farm of eighty-two acres in Sherman town-
ship gives evidence of the life of industry and enterprise led by the owner, has
for many years been closely identified with the agricultural interests of Huron
county. He is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the
United States, his birth having occurred in that country on the 16th of May,
1848. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Clemans) Breit, spent their entire
lives in the fatherland. Their children were six in number, namely: John.
Joseph, Mary, Peter, Anna and Elizabeth.
Feter Breit obtained his education in the schools of his native land and was
a young man of twenty-five years when in 1873 he set sail for the United States,
having heard many favorable reports of the opportunities and advantages to be
enjoyed in this country. After landing in New York he made his way at once
to this state, taking up his abode in Sherman township, Huron county, where
he has continued to reside to the present time. General agricultural pursuits
have occupied his attention throughout his entire business career and he is now
the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-two acres, which pays annual tribute
to his care and labor in bounteous harvests. He is widely recognized as a pros-
perous and enterprising citizen of the community and as one whose success is
entirely the result of his own well directed labor and capable management.
Mr. Breit has been married twice. Two weeks after landing in the United
States he wedded Miss Catherine Ranker, a native of Germany, who made the
voyage to this country on the same boat with her future husband. She was
called to her final rest in December, 1903, leaving a family of five children, as
follows : Matilda, Nora, Peter, Ceno and Dulla. In 1907 Mr. Breit was again
married, his second union being with Mrs. Minnie (Weinstein) Burghardt, the
widow of Jacob Burghardt and a daughter of Valentine and Minnie Weinstein,
both of whom were natives of Germany. Mrs. Breit has a daughter, Freda, by
her first husband.
In his political views Mr. Breit is a democrat, to the men and measures of
which party he gives stalwart support. In religious belief he is a Catholic, while
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470 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. The hope that led him to leave
his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He
found the opportunities he sought and in their wise utilization has gained a
measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the substantia! and
representative citizens of the community in which he has now made his home
for more than a third of a century.
JACOB F. SMITH.
One of the prosperous fanners of Huron county, Ohio, is Jacob F. Smith, who
not only owns the one hundred and forty-eight and a half acres in Richmond
township on which he lives, but owns in addition sixty-five acres in Sullivan
township, Ashland county, and two hundred and forty-three acres in Alberta,
Canada. A native of Ohio, he was born in Stark county, near Alliance, Septem-
ber 10, 1848, and is a son of John and Rebecca Smith. Of German stock, he had
as grandparents on his father's side, Frederick and Elisabeth Smith, both of
German birth, and on his mother's, Jacob and Margaret Fetterhoff, who were
born in Pennsylvania, but were of German descent. His mother was born in
Dauphine county, Pennsylvania, while his father was a native of Columbiana
county, Ohio. In his early life, John Smith had learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed for some years, but with advancing age he devoted himself to
the cultivation of the soil and became a very prosperous farmer. Ten children
were born to him and his wife: Elisabeth, whose first husband was Michael Mer-
kel, and her second, William Singer; Jacob F., the subject of this sketch; James;
Hannah, who married Orange Chapman; Mary, the wife of John Eschenbach;
William; Loretta, who has passed away; Phoebe, who married Elzie Smith;
Lydia, the wife of Irvin Smith ; and Emma, the wife of Warren Klinker.
Jacob F. Smith was reared at home and received the rudiments of an English
education in the district schools of Ashland county. During the years that he pur-
sued his lessons, he also worked for his father on the farm, especially during
the summer months, but after he had completed his education he learned the
carpenter's trade. This occupation he followed for a number of years, and then
he returned to farming, to which he has devoted all his energies since and which
has in fact been his calling through the greater part of his life. The land in
Richmond township is a fine tract, well improved with a good frame house, a com-
modious and well built barn and suitable cattle sheds. By hard work and care,
he has brought the fields to a high degree of fertility and reaps from them yearly
an abundant harvest as rich returns for his labor.
Mr. Smith was married to Miss Sophrona Fast on the 21st of January, 1871.
Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Jacob and Margaret Fast, who were members of
the farming community of Ashland county, Ohio, but are now deceased, the
father being in his ninety-second year when in 1909 death called him, the mother
being eighty-four when a year before her husband's death, her life's work was
finished. Mr. and Mrs. Fast were blessed with a large family, of whom Ephraim
was the eldest; Elmyra, married Louis J. McCraig; Sophrona, became the wifc
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 471
of Jacob F. Smith, of this review ; Martha married John Thudium ; Ruth, de-
ceased, was the wife of George Curry ; Mary, wedded Mentor Johnston; Jacob
H., Jessie and George are the next in order of birth ; and Sarah Isabel, became
the wife of Fred Thudium. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children have been born:
Charles, who married Alta Willoughby and has one daughter, Thelma Mae ; Will-
iam A., who has remained single ; Jesse F., who married Emma Carrick and is
the father of two children, Arnold LeRoy and Wayland Edmond ; and Clarence
and Mary, who unmarried, live at home.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in politics and while he has always evinced a healthy
interest in public matters and in the welfare of his community, he has not sought
office, but rather has declined several positions that have been offered him. He
has however, rendered efficient services cs justice of the peace, an office he filled
through six terms, as assessor, as road supervisor and as a member of the school
board. He was urged to accept the nomination for township treasurer, and al-
though he could not be persuaded to accept the office, the mere fact that he was
the expressed choice of the democratic voters of his locality, attests the high
respect and esteem in which he is held as a man and as a public servant.
W. F. REYNOLDS.
W. F. Reynolds, whose life of unremitting activity along agricultural lines
has been crowned with a gratifying degree of prosperity, was born on the 14th
of September, 1856. in Richland county, Ohio, a son of William and Elizabeth
(Snyder) Reynolds, both natives of New York. He is the second in order of
birth in a family of three children born unto his parents, his sisters being
Josephine and Emma Reynolds.
The period of the boyhood and youth of W. F. Reynolds was spent in the
usual manner of the country lad, his education being acquired in the district
schools, while during the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work of
the farm, being early trained to habits of industry and economy which have
formed the basis of the success which he now enjoys. He has made farming his
life work and today he is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of land located
in Ripley township, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and
which annually yield rich harvests. He has made a close study of agriculture and
is methodical, systematic and progressive, so that he is numbered among the
substantial and successful farmers in his section of the township.
In 1883 Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Feighner,
who was born in 1857 and was the eldest in a family of six children born unto
Solomon and Sarah Matilda (Weisner) Feighner, the others being John, Emma,
Cinderella, Harriett and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have become the parents
of ten children, namely, Myrtle, George, Howard, Grace, Fred, Martha, Veribell,
Willie, Elva and Carl. Mr. Reynolds and his wife hold membership in the
Lutheran church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their
lives, while Mr. Reynolds is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America
and also the Sons of Veterans. In politics he gives his allegiance to the repub-
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472 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
lican party, and although he has never cared to figure in public life, he is a
strong advocate of every movement or measure calculated to advance the public
good. He holds friendship inviolable and has a circle of friends almost coex-
tensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
NAPOLEON ROBINSON.
Among the honored veterans of the Civil war who still survives is Napoleon
Robinson, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Huron county, operating a
tract of land of two hundred and twenty-three acres in Greenfield township. His
birth occurred on the ist of January, 1844, in an old log house on this farm, his
parents being Stephen and Emaline (Hanes) Robinson. The father, a native of
Onondaga county, New York, was born in 1795 and came to Ohio alone when a
small boy and settled upon a farm, the land still being largely covered with dense
timber. He cleared a space and erected a log house, and something of the wild-
ness of the district is indicated by the fact that he could stand in the door of his
cabin and shoot deer. He immediately began to remove the timber and improve
the land, and it was not long before, by indefatigable industry and untiring per-
severance, he had brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He con-
tinued to make this farm his place of residence throughout his remaining years,
and in the year 1875, he passed away in the faith of the Baptist church. His wife,
who was born near Rutland, Vermont, in 1801, came to Ohio with her parents,
Nathaniel and Mary Hanes, when quite young, the family home being estab-
lished in Greenfield township. She was called to her final lest in 1888. In their
family, were twelve children, namely : Maria, the deceased wife of Vernon VVest-
cott, of California ; H. K., deceased ; Homer, who has also passed away ; Jerome,
who was killed at the battle of ChancellorsviHe, being a member of Company 1,
Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Nancy Ann, who was killed by a bolt of
lightning striking a tree, a piece of which flew through the window and struck
her; Caroline, the wife of Hiram R. Wright, of Kansas; Geneva, who married
Charles Paul, of Kansas ; Hannah, deceased ; Napoleon, of this review ; Fidelia,
who became the wife of Charles Miller, of California; and Mary F. and Anna
T. E., twins, the former deceased and the latter the wife of John Warner, of
Illinois.
Reared upon the old homestead where he was born, Napoleon Robinson has
continued to make this place his home throughout his entire life. He attended the
district schools in the acquirement cf an education and also assisted in the work
of the farm, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the coun-
try lad. After laying aside his text-books he was actively engaged in agricult-
ural pursuits until the year 1862, when, putting aside all personal considera-
tions, he enlisted on the 15th of August as a soldier of Company C, One Hundred
and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He first went to the camp of in-
struction at Monroeville, Ohio, and then went to Virginia, there participating
in several battles and skirmishes, being in the battles of the Shenandoah valley,
under Sheridan and also takirg part in the capture of Richmond. He was taken
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 475
prisoner at High Bridge, Virginia, but in a few days was paroled, and later, he
was taken prisoner the second time when in the hospital at Petersburg with
measles and was again paroled. During his term of enlistment, he saw much
active service and was mustered out at Camp Chase on the 15th of June, 1865,
with a very creditable record for bravery and loyalty.
When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Robinson returned
home and has since devoted his attention to the further improvement and culti-
vation of his farm, which, under his careful supervision, has become one of the
valuable and attractive farming properties in the township. He practices rota-
tion of crops, makes a close study of the cereals best adapted to climate and soil
and the proper cultivation of the same, and in his business is meeting with sub-
stantial success.
It was on the 28th of May, 1867, that Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to
Miss Anna White, a daughter of Oscar and Maria (Lotton) White, of Greenfield
township, and unto this union have been born three children, as follows: Henry
Grant, residing in Peru township, who married Bertha Smith and has ten chil-
dren, Mildred, Eva, Isabel, Stephen, Francis, Gladys, Naomi, Sylvia, Dorothy and
Homer N., and one who passed away in infancy ; and May E., who died at the
age of seventeen months. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise,
Mr. Robinson has been a stalwart supporter of the republican party and has served
in various minor offices. He has filled the office of school director and is deeply
and helpfully interested in the cause of education. A man of intense public spirit,
he has at all times remained as faithful to his country in times of peace as when
he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. He keeps up pleasant rela-
tions with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army
of the Republic and is one of the valued and representative citizens of Huron
county.
FRANK BURRAS.
Among the native sons of Huron county who are meeting with success along
agricultural lines is Frank Burras, who was born in Fairfield township, on the
22d of April, 1845, anc* is a son of Reuben and Sallie (Standish) Burras. The
father originally came from the east, settling in Ohio, where he continued to
make his residence until his death. In his family were the following children:
Frank, Oscar, Edgar, Reuben S., Charles Peleg, and Dorr.
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth amid the scenes and environ-
ments of rural life, Frank Burras attended the district schools in the acquirement
of his education, and remained upon his father's farm, assisting in the work of the
fields, until he attained his majority. He had early become familiar with the
duties that fall to the lot of the country lad, and his decision was therefore a wise
one when, entering upon business life for himself, he chose as his life work the
occupation to which he had been reared. He has since been continuously en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits and now carries on general farming upon a farm of
two hundred acres located in Fairfield township. He devotes much of his time
to the raising of sheep, having on hand at the present time about two hundred
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476 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
head, which he keeps mainly for the purpose of selling the wool. His farm, with
the exception of eighty acres, which is now one of the well improved properties
of the community, was bought and paid for almost entirely from the proceeds of
his sheep raising. He is progressive and up-to-date in his business methods and
his well directed energy and enterprise are meeting with most gratifying success.
The life history of Mr. Burras is well known to the residents of Fairfield town-
ship, where his entire life has been spent and where he has gained an extensive
circle of acquaintances and many warm friends.
WILLIAM H. CHAPIN.
William H. Chaipin, a substantial farmer of New London township, Ohio,
was born July 13, 1848, on the farm where he now lives, and in a home but a few
feet removed from the place now occupied by his present residence. He is the
son of Daniel L. and Pamela (Mclntire) Chapin. The father was born in Fair-
field county, Connecticut, June 17, 1798, and shortly after his marriage came to
Ohio. At Dover, where he settled, his wife died, and he married. Miss Pamela
Mclntire, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. In 1845, Mr. and Mrs.
Chapin removed to New London township, locating on the farm their son now
occupies. The homestead originally contained only fifty acres, but Mr. Chapin
was soon able to add twenty to it, making it an excellent property. He was a
man of good education and many attainments and before coming1 to Ohio, had
taught school for a number of years in the east. He was the father of three sons.
Samuel, the youngest, died at the age of nineteen, but Eliphalet and William H.
are still living. Mr. Chapin died in September, 1885, and his widow on the 22d
of February following. Both are buried in the cemetery at New London.
William H. Chapin spent his youth, and in fact his whole life, on his present
farm. In the district schools of the township he received his education. In 188 1,
he brought his wife to the home place, continuing to make it his residence and
engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has been a hard and thrifty
worker and has added to the inherited land until it has now an extent of one
hundred and twenty-nine and one half acres, under the best cultivation and pro-
ducing richly. In his stock business also he has been very successful. When called
upon to exercise his right of franchise, Mr. Chapin gives his support to the republi-
can party, and though he is not averse to giving his services to the people, he has
not taken an active part in political affairs. For a few years, he held the position
of road supervisor and has also served on the school board, in both of which
capacities he gave satisfaction to his constituents.
On the 16th of March, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Chapin and
Miss Samantha Ward, a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Stone) Ward.
About 1855, Mr. Ward, with his family, came from New York state to New Lon-
don township, where he engaged in farming until his death a few years ago. His
two sons, Jonathan and Hiram, served in the war of the Rebellion, the latter
dying at Beverly, Virginia, from the effects of a wound received in the battle of
Allegheny, Virginia. Jonathan Ward served in the Twelfth Ohio Battery to the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 477
close of the war and is still living". Mr. and Mrs. Chapin became the parents of two
children : Homer, who died in infancy ; and Clara M., a young girl of eighteen
years, who graduated from the New London high school in iqo8. She is an
accomplished young woman and makes her home with her father. Mrs. Chapin
passed away April 24, 1898.
Mr. Chapin professes allegiance to no religious denomination, but is a believer
in churches and the good they render to the community. His own life, upright
and Christian in the broader sense, he guides by the golden rule, putting this pre-
cept into practice daily. A man of wide culture, he has traveled through sixteen
of the states of the Union and has visited most of the large cities of this realm,
save those on the Pacific slope. He is able to form an intelligent idea of public
affairs and conditions and takes an acute interest in the things that concern
the welfare of the township and county, is an advocate of progress and the judic-
ous expenditure of the public funds, and is a man who makes his influence felt
by those around him.
LEVANT W. GRIFFIN.
Levant W. Griffin, a farmer of New London township, Huron county, Ohio,
was torn in Greenwich township, this county, May 15, 1861, a son of Orin S
and Lucinda (Redfield) Griffin. The grandparents, Robert and Mariah (St.
John) Griffin, came with their respective parents from New York state and were
married in Huron county, where Orin S. Griffin was born and reared. He fol-
lowed farming for some time, but was a man of liberal education, who for a
period of thirty years was a popular and successful teacher in the schools of this
county. For many years he lived in Greenwich township, but in 1885, having been
elected county treasurer, he moved to Norwalk, where he resided until his death.
He served in that county office for two terms, or four years, and then engaged
in various enterprises, until he decided to retire from the active pursuit of busi-
ness and enjoy the comforts to which his long and active life had entitled him.
In May, 1506, he passed away and was mourned by all classes of people as a man
of fine character and sterling integrity. His wife, who had come to Huron county
an orphan of fifteen years, from Jackson, Michigan, had died in January, 1902.
Husband and wife were buried in Woodland cemetery, Norwalk.
Levant W. Griffin grew to manhood on the home farm under the guidance
of his parents and attended the public schools of Greenwich village, working
around home while he pursued his studies. For one year after completing his
education, Mr. Griffin taught school, and then, after his marriage, engaged in
farming on the old home place, to which he had brought his bride. In 1892, he
removed to Norwalk, where he was employed as book-keeper with Sprague &
French. The following year he was engaged in the same capacity by Price &
Stewart, a real estate and insurance firm, with whom he remained until 1895, when
failing health compelled him to forsake the confining work of an office. He then
removed to New London township and engaged in farming. His land consists
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478 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of fifty acres, and while it is suited for general farming, he makes a specialty
of potatoes and wheat.
On the 29th of November, 1884, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to Miss
Carrie Miller, a daughter of John and Sarah (Jones) Miller, of Fairfield town-
ship. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were English born, and after their marriage came
with their respective families to America about 1850. Mr. Miller settled first
in Norwalk, where he remained for three years, and then bought a farm in Fair-
field township, on which he lived the remainder of his life. He died in October
1895, and his widow now lives upon the home place. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffin
were born seven children, two daughters and five sons, all of whom are living.
They are Claire, Vernon, Robert, Bernice, Kenneth, Christine and Howard. The
family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active
part in church and Sunday school work.
In politics Mr. Griffin votes with the republican party and is interested and
well informed on all matters concerning the people. As road supervisor and a
member of the school board, he has rendered the citizens of the township valuable
service through a considerable number of years, for he is a public-spirited man,
of high principles and progressive in his ideas. His home life is elevating, and his
house abounds in good literature, both standard and current. In the one organi-
zation to which he belongs, the National Union, Mr. Griffin holds the position of
deputy.
CHESTER B. BROOKS.
Chester B. Brooks, one of the extensive land-owners of Fairfield township,
where he is successfully engaged in general farming, is one of Huron county's
native sons, his birth occurring in Peru township on the 6th of January, 1856.
He is a son of Philo and Catherine (Noggle) Brooks, natives of Vermont and
Ohio, respectively. The father, who was born in Windsor in 181 1, came with his
parents to Ohio in 1817, while the mother was born in Greenfield township,
Huron county, in 1823. In their family were the following children: Helen,
Homer, Virgil, Melvin and Chester.
The early life of Chester B. Brooks was passed under the parental roof, and
he assisted his father in operating the home farm, early becoming familiar with
the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He later took up fanning
on his own account, and that his early training was thorough and comprehensive
is indicated in the fact that he has since become very successful in his under-
taking. As the years have passed his property holdings have increased until
today he owns four hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land in four separate
farms, each of which is under a high state of cultivation. He also engages to some
extent in stock raising and his two branches of business are proving most grati-
fying sources of remuneration to him.
Mr. Brooks was married, on the 12th of October. 1876, to Miss Ida Jennings,
a native of Fairfield, Connecticut, and a daughter of Gresham and Polly (Wheeler)
Jennings. She was born in 1858, and by her marriage has become the mother
of two children: Anna M. Lee and Stanley Virgil. The parents are members of
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 479
the Congregational church, and their lives are at all times in harmony with the
teachings thereof. They are highly respected in the community in which they
reside, while Mr. Brooks has gained many friends in Huron county, wherein his
entire life has been passed, and the success which he has attained along business
lines together with his honorable and upright manhood rank him among the
prominent and representative citizens of Fairfield township.
WILBER G. FERVER, M. D.
Dr. Wilber G. Ferver has gained recognition as one of the able and success-
ful physicians of Huron county and by his labors, his high professional attain-
ments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence
in which he is held by medical fraternity and the local public. A native of Penn-
sylvania, he was born on the 22d of February, 1859, *n New Castle, that state, a
son of William and Eliza (Greer) Ferver, both of whom spent their last days in
the Keystone state, the father passing away July 7, 1892, while the mother's death
occurred July 8, 1898. In their family were six children, namely; Nancy Y.,
Samuel C, Elizabeth, William W., Wilber G. and Charles H., all of whom have
passed away with the exception of Nancy and Wilber G. The father was a pros-
perous and successful farmer and an extensive land-owner and it was his wish
that his sons should follow the occupation to which they had been reared, start-
ing out in their business career on a farm which he himself should finish.
Wilber G. Ferver, whose name introduces this review, however, was prompted
to a professional rather than an agricultural life. His boyhood and youth were
passed on his father's farm, his early education being acquired in country district
schools, pursuing his studies in the "old brick schoolhouse on the hill." He later
supplemented this training by a course in the Edinburg State Normal school of
Pennsylvania and Alleghney College at Meadville, that state, and with his train-
ing as a substantial foundation upon which to base his professional studies, he
pursued a course at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating
therefrom in 1884. He first located for practice in Greenfield, Pennsylvania, where
he remained for two and a half years, and then, in 1887, he opened an office in
Wakeman, Ohio, where he has continued to engage in the practice of his profes-
sion ever since. He is progressive in his methods, keeping abreast at all times
with the advancement that is being made in the profession, while his excellent
training and superior skill have brought to him not only success in his calling,
but have gained for him high rank in the medical circles of this county, among
the people and the profession alike. Aside from an extensive private practice, Dr.
Ferver is examining physician for twelve or more of the best old line life in-
surance companies, which fact testifies to the high place he occupies 'in the com-
munity. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association and of the
Huron County Medical Association, and frequently reads papers before the
meetings of the latter society, his opinions being received at all times with in-
terests by the members of the medical fraternity. Aside from his professional
duties, he is also interested in the oil business, being now the president of the
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480 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Wakeman Oil Company, incorporated under the laws of West Virginia and oper-
ating in the oil fields of Indiana.
On the 15th of June, 1885, Dr. Ferver was united in marriage to Miss Emma
V. Goodge, a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Coover) Goodge, of Poland, Ohio.
Mr. Goodge was a carpenter and builder by trade and occupied a very high place
in the community. He and his wife still survive and make their home in Youngs-
town, Ohio.
Aside from the success which he has attained in professional circles, Dr.
Ferver has become widely known in the political ranks of this county, being a
stanch republican and most actively and helpfully interested in the public affairs
of Wakeman. He is a memjber of the republican central committee and has fre-
quently served as a delegate to the district and county conventions. He has been
for several years and is now clerk of Wakeman township and is an excellent
official. Loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship to a marked degree, he is
a firm believer in public improvements of all kinds, being especially strong in his
advocacy of good reads, good public buildings and good schools, while every
movement calculated to advance the best interests of the community at large, re-
ceives his hearty endorsement. He is also well known in fraternal circles, holding
membership in Gibson Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M. of Wakeman in which he is a
past master and senior warden, and is a Royal Arch Mason, while he also occupies
the office of king in the chapter. He likewise is a member of the Woodmen
of the World and of the Maccabees and is examining physician for both of these
orders. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are in-
terested in all of the various phases of church work, the Doctor being treasurer
of the church for twelve years. He is very fond of a good horse and has bred
some very fine specimens, while he is considered an excellent judge of an animal
and knows a good horse as far as he can see one. This is his chief pastime
and forms his principal source of recreation and relaxation from the strenuous
duties of his profession. He has at all times recognized the obligations that rest
upon him in his chosen calling and has, in the course of a successful business
and professional career, given evidence of the possession of those sterling traits of
character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. A gen-
tleman of learning and culture, he recognizes the truth of the universal brother-
hood of mankind.
JOHN RINGLEIN.
Among the German-American citizens of Huron county who are meeting
with success along agricultural lines is John Ringlein, who owns and operates
a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres of land in Sherman township. He was
born in Bavaria, Germany, October 17, 1826, a son of Andrew and Eva (Snyder)
Ringlein. The father's death occurred in the fatherland and in 1845, when nine-
teen years of age, John Ringlein, accompanied by his mother, came to the new
world, seeking the broader business opportunities here offered. He landed in
Baltimore and immediately came west, locating first in Peru township, Huron
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 481
county. There he worked on a farm as a farm hand for two years and then went
to Norwalk, where he resided for twenty-three years, being engaged in various
pursuits during that period. That he was faithful, industrious and capable is
indicated by the fact that during twenty-one years of that time he was employed by
one man, Milton Goodnor, on his farm. Later, he came to Sherman township,
where he had previously purchased seventy-five acres of land from a Mr. Mc-
Kenzie, and began farming on his own account. He at once directed his ener-
gies toward the further cultivation and development of his farm, and it was not
long before his fields were returning excellent crops. As he gathered his har-
vests, for which he found a ready sale on the market, and his financial resources
were thus increased, he added to his property from time to time, first purchasing
forty-one acres of land from Eli Horner and later thirty acres more from Miller
Brothers, so that today his property consists of one hundred and forty-five acres,
all well improved and cultivated. He carries on his agricultural pursuits along
practical and progressive lines and is meeting with most gratifying success.
In 1852 Mr. Ringlein was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Waaheit, a
daughter of John and Barbara Waaheit, both natives of Germany, where their
entire lives were spent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ringlein were born the following
children : Barbara, the wife of Daniel Miller ; William ; Andrew ; Joseph ; Frank ;
Aloise; Mary, who married John Wester, deceased; and Rosa, the wife of Wil-
liam Hafner. The family are all members of the Catholic church and are well
known and highly respected throughout the community.
In politics Mr. Ringlein is a stanch democrat and has served as road super-
visor and school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart cham-
pion. He has never found occasion to regret his determination to come to Amer-
ica, for in this country of broad opportunity, where success comes as the sure re-
ward of earnest labor and industry, he has won a gratifying degree of prosperity
and is now comfortablv situated in life.
HENRY W. CARPENTER.
Henry W. Carpenter, who follows the occupation of a carpenter and joiner
and at the same time operates a farm of forty-one and one-half acres in New Lon-
don township, was born on the 22d of May, 1847, a son °f Henry F. and Esther M.
(Sprague) Carpenter, the former a native of Neversink, New York, born in 181 1,
while the latter's birth occurred in Troy, New York. The paternal grandfather,
Robert Carpenter, when in his twenties, came from England to New York in
company with two brothers, Timothy and Seth. Timothy Carpenter purchased
a farm on Long Island and later participated in the Revolutionary war, during
which time he is supposed to have been killed as nothing was ever heard of him
thereafter. Seth Carpenter located at Kingston, New York, while Robert came
to Ohio in 1822, locating upon a farm cf seven hundred acres, which he purchased
at five shillings per acre. He was a carpenter and wagon maker by trade and
continued to engage in that occupation, while at the same time he cleared his land
and devoted some time also to farming, being thus engaged at the time of his death,
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482 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
which occurred in 1862. Upon his father's farm Henry ,F. Carpenter, the father
of our subject, was reared, and he also took up general fanning as an occupa-
tion. In 1834, he purchased the farm of which the property of our subject was
then a part and continued to make it his home until his death in June, 1885.
In his family were seven children, those still living being: Louisa M. Ketchum,
J. R. Carpenter and Henry W. Carpenter. The deceased are : W. W., W. J., O.
E., and Mary A.
Henry W. Carpenter, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the
parental roof and acquired his education in the district schools of New London
township, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated in due
course of time. He then learned the occupation of a carpenter and joiner and
continued to follow his trade, while at the same time he carried on general farm-
ing, being thus connected at the present time. Upon the death of his father the
old homestead was divided and he came into the possession of over forty acres
of land, upon which he now makes his home. He is active, alert and capable in
the transaction of his business and his various enterprises, which, being well
managed, are proving to him sources of substantial and gratifying income. His
fields are under a high state of cultivation, yielding good harvests in the autumn,
while many structures throughout the community stand as monuments to his
skill and ability as a carpenter.
The year 1875 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Carpenter to Miss Alice Searles,
and unto this union have been born three children, Walter S., Arthur B. and Alice
L. Walter S., the eldest son, is well known in New London township and has
served for four terms as township assessor, during which time he has given a
uniform satisfaction that augurs well for re-election.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter both attend the Methodist church although the grand-
parents were originally adherents of the Quaker faith. He is a stalwart republican
in politics, and although he is deeply interested in the progress of the party and
does all in his power to extend its influence, nevertheless he neither desires nor
seeks office for himself, preferring to direct his entire energies to the conduct of
his private affairs, which, carefully conducted, are proving a source of grati-
fying income to him. Having passed his entire life in New London township,
he has become well known throughout this locality, and the fact that his circle
of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances indicate that
his salient qualities are those which tend to inspire the confidence, respect and
the good will of his fellowmen.
GEORGE A. BARBER.
The farming interests of Huron county find in George A. Barber a worthy
representative and one who is meeting with success in his business enterprise.
He was born in Sherman township, this county, January 30, 1856. and is a son
of Samuel G. and Matilda (Maltby) Barber, the former a native of Schenectady
county, New York, and the latter of Fremont, Ohio. The grandparents of our
subject on the paternal side were Edward and Desire (Kenyon) Barber, while
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 483
his maternal grandfather was David Maltby. Both the Barber and Maltby fami-
lies are of Scotch lineage, while the Barbers rank among the old pioneer settlers
of Huron county. The family was founded in this portion of the state by
Samuel G. Barber, the father of our subject, who came here when but seven
years of age, and grew up with the county, being a witness of the work of trans-
formation and improvement that has changed the forests of Ohio into richly
cultivated fields.
Our subject has in his possession many interesting relics of the old pioneer
days, one of especial interest being an Italian violin which is over two hundred
years old. He also has the old gun that his grandfather brought with him from
the east, and also a letter received by the Barbers in the early days, directed to
this state and dated February n, 1834. The mother of our subject, who bore
the maiden name of Matilda Maltby, had three brothers who went to Texas,
where they were residing at the time of the Civil war. At the outbreak of
hostilities the youngest brother espoused the cause of the Confederacy and be-
came captain in the Louisiana Light Artillery. The eldest brother was a soldier
in the Mexican war and under General Scott went from Vera Cruz to the City
of Mexico, participating in all of the battles of that campaign. After the war
he went to Galena, Illinois, and later became a friend and associate of General
Grant. During the Civil war he was a brevet brigadier general and assisted in
capturing his own brother at the surrender of Vicksburg. Later he sought
parole for his brother and sent him back to the south. -He sustained a wound at
the battle of Fort Donelson which, however, was not fatal. In the family of Mr.
and Mrs. Samuel Barber were the following children: Dora, George, Bayard,
Jasper and Grace.
George A. Barber, of this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth
upon his father's farm, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to
the lot of the agriculturist. When not busy with the work in the fields he attended
the district schools and thus acquired a good knowledge of the common English
branches. Later he pursued a course of study during the years 1877- 1880, in
the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and after leaving that institution he
was engaged in teaching for about eighteen years. During that period his
identification with educational interests was a source of benefit to the communi-
ties in which he labored for he proved himself a most competent and able in-
structor, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had
acquired. Subsequently, however, he withdrew from that profession and be-
came identified with agricultural interests, purchasing a farm in Fairfield town-
ship. He has resided upon this farm for about fourteen years, and it is now
one of the well improved and valuable properties in the township. He has
brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, has introduced upon the
place all the accessories and equipment necessary to facilitate farm labor, and his
well directed industry and energy, which are the salient elements in his career,
are winning for him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
It was on the 7th of April, 1885, that Mr. Barber was united in marriage to
Miss Maud Pratt, who was born in October, 1864, and is a daughter of Edwin
D. and Elizabeth (Slyer) Pratt, natives of Huron county, Ohio, and East Liver-
pool, Medina county, this state, respectively. Her father, who was a son of
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484 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Nelson and Finette (Delano) Pratt, traces his ancestry back to the Mayflower.
The Pratts were originally members of the Baptist church, but members of the
family later joined the Mormon church and became stanch supporters of that
creed. Hugh F. Barber, who was born on the 18th of May, 1891, is the only
child born unto Mr. and Mrs. George Barber. The parents are both members
of the Universalist church, while fraternally Mr. Barber is connected with the
Masons at North Fairfield, Ohio. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, doing
all in his power to promote the general welfare, while his influence and activity
are always upon the side of progress, reform, improvement and advancement.
These qualities constitute him a citizen of worth in the community where he has
resided throughout his lifetime and where he has acquired an extensive circle of
warm friends.
CHARLES W. HOPKINS.
Charles W. Hopkins, one of the pioneer residents of Huron county, where
he has resided for more than sixty years, is one of the successful and influential
agriculturists of the district in which he lives, his farm of eighty acres, situated
in Ripley township, being one of the finest and best improved properties of the
county. He was born in New Jersey on the 14th of March, 1838, and on the
paternal side traces his ancestry back to a Mr. Hopkins who came to America
in the Mayflower, founding the family in Massachusetts. His parents were John
and Levica (Mott) Hopkins, the former a native of Massachusetts, where his
birth occurred in 1807, while the latter was born in New Jersey in 1815. The
father was the eldest in a family of eight children born unto Joshua Hopkins,
the others being Orpha, Willard, Juliana, Sarah Hane, Amanda, Joshua and
Samuel. The mother was a daughter of Henry Mott and the eldest of six chil-
dren, the others being as follows, Allen, Job, Henry, Elizabeth and Marietta.
John Hopkins, who came to Ohio at an early date, was among the pioneer set-
tlers of Huron county and for many years his efforts were potent factors in the
work of improvement and development which was carried on within its borders.
He passed away in 1904 at the very remarkable age of ninety-seven years. His
family consisted of the following: Charles W., Elizabeth, James Henry, John
Norris and Levica, while another child, whose name was also James Henry,
was burned to death in infancy.
Charles W. Hopkins was a little lad of five years when he came with his
parents to Ohio, and here on his father's farm he was reared to manhood,
spending the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm
lads of that time. He shared with the other members of the household the priva-
tions and experiences of life in a frontier district and was early trained to habits
of industry and economy. He has devoted his entire life to farming and kindred
pursuits, and throughout his business career his efforts have been actuated by a
spirit of industry, perseverance and close application that has won its just reward
in a substantial and gratifying success which is today his. He owns eighty acres
of excellent land which constitutes one of the finest farming properties in Huron
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 485
county, and everything about his place indicates that he is in touch with the
modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. In connection
with his farming he engages to some extent in stock-raising, making a specialty
of breeding horses, and both branches of his business — the raising of grain and
the raising of stock — are proving profitable sources of revenue to him.
It was on the 28th of September, 1862, that Mr. Hopkins was united in mar-
riage to Miss Ann Mitchell, a native of Michigan, born March 10, 1842. She
was a daughter of Moses M. and Hulda (Hale) Mitchell and a sister of Matilda,
Lorana, Ada and James Mitchell. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins was
blessed with nine children, namely: Ada, Rosella, Jennie, Artie, Maud, Lizzie,
James, Fred and Roy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hopkins was again
married, his second union being with Miss Emma Reeves Lincoln, a daughter
of James Lincoln, and unto them were born four sons : Frank, Carl, Lincoln and
Leland. The parents are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr.
Hopkins is a deacon, and they are greatly interested in the various phases of
church work.
In politics Mr. Hopkins gives his allegiance to the republican party and on
that ticket served as postmaster at Carson, Ohio, for fourteen years. He can
well remember the time when dense forests covered much of the district and
wild animals were seen in abundance. During the intervening years he has
watched the steady growth and advancement of the community, has seen much
of the land cleared and converted into productive fields and has witnessed the
log cabin giving place to the modern and substantial residence, while in this work
of improvement he has taken a willing part, at all times rejoicing in the progress
which has been made and doing all in his power to advance the best interests of
the community. Although he has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of
three score years and ten, he nevertheless remains an active factor in life's work
and is recognized as one of the substantial, influential and valuable citizens of
Huron county.
EDWIN F. CHILDS.
Edwin F. Childs, a successful and enterprising farmer and stockman of
Ripley township, owning and operating seventy-one acres of fine land, was born
on the 1st of October, 1862, in Greenfield township, Huron county, his parents
being George L. and Ann (Miller) Childs. The father, who was a native of
Massachusetts, was born in Worcester in 1826, a son of Charles Childs, and was
the second eldest in a family of four sons, his brothers being Otis, Frank and
Thomas. The mother, who was a daughter of William Miller, was born in
Pennsylvania in 1829 and was a sister of Jacob and Charlotte Miller. George
T. Childs and his wife became the parents of seven children: Edwin F., Henry .
William C, Bert, Julia, Anna and Lizzie.
Under the parental roof Edwin F. Childs was reared to manhood and at the
usual age was sent as a pupil to the district schools, wherein he gained a good
knowledge of the English language. During the periods of vacation he assisted
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486 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall
to the lot of the agriculturalist, and he remained at home, giving his father the
benefit of his aid, until he attained his majority, when he started out in the
business world for himself. Wisely choosing the occupation to which he had
been reared as a life work, he has since directed his energies toward agricul-
tural and kindred pursuits, and is today one of the substantial and progressive
farmers of his section of the county. He and his brother William own a tract
of land in Ripley township consisting of seventy-one acres of fine farming land,
which constitutes one of the desirable and valuable properties of the township,
and altogether they own nearly twelve hundred acres. In connection with
farming interests they give considerable attention to general stock-dealing and in
both branches of their business are meeting with signal success, enjoying a sub-
stantial income therefrom:
Mr. Childs has been Wice married. On the 24th of March, 1886, he was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born on the 16th of
December, 1863, and was the eldest daughter of William and Charlotte (Atyeo)
Miller, in whose family were three children, the others being Oliver and Jennie.
Unto this union was born one child, Charlotte, her birth occurring on the 29th
of November, 1899. After the death of his first wife Mr. Childs wedded Miss
Mary Meacham, the ceremony being celebrated on the 31st of May, 1908. Mrs.
Childs was born July 3, 1875, in Townsend township, and is a daughter of
Lafayette Meachsfti.
The religious ^views of Mr. Childs are indicated in his membership in the
Christian church, of which he is serving as trustee, while in politics he gives
stanch allegiance to the republican party, although he does not seek nor desire
public office, desiring to concentrate his time and attention upon the duties of his
business affairs, which, capably conducted, are proving a source of most gratify-
ing success. Mr. Childs has spent his entire life within the borders of Huron
county, where he has made many warm friends, who entertain for him high
regard and esteem because of his many sterling traits of character.
JOSEPH I. HINKLEY.
Joseph I. Hinkley, who passed away on the 29th of May, 1908, was for many
years actively and successfully identified with the building interests of Huron
county as a carpenter and contractor. His birth occurred in Tompkins county,
New York, on the 18th of November, 1828, and when four years of age he was
brought by his parents to Huron county, Ohio, the family home being established in
Ripley township, where he resided for a number of years. He obtained his edu-
cation in the district schools and when he had attained his majority started out in
life on his own account, working by the month as a carpenter and joiner. He con-
ducted a most extensive business as a builder of houses and also erected several
churches, many important contracts being awarded him in recognition of his excel-
lent executive ability and reliable methods. His capable management and keen dis-
crimination were valuable factors in the success which attended his undertakings
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 489
and he was one of the county's most highly respected citizens, being honored by all
who knew him because of his unfaltering integrity and honorable, upright prin-
ciples. On leaving Ripley township he made his home in Fitchville for a time and
in 1864 bought a farm of sixty-four acres, to which he subsequently added by addi-
tional purchases until it embraced three hundred acres of rich and productive land.
He was well known and highly esteemed throughout Huron county as one of its
most prominent and worthy residents and his loss was deeply felt when he was
called to his final rest in May, 1908.
In 1856 Mr. Hinkley was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Tanner, who was
born in Norwich township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 10th of July, 1838. Her
father, Elisha D. Tanner, who was a native of Herkimer county, New York, passed
away on the 13th of January, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley became the parents of
eleven children. Luzerne H. and Laverne H., twins, were born on the 18th of
October, 1857. The former is now a practicing physician of Greenspring, Ohio,
but the latter, who gave her hand in marriage to Zuriel Curtis, died on the 4th of
May, 1887. The record of the other children is as follows: Horace C, who was
born April 17, 1859, and passed away December 22, 1887 ; Elisha D., born July 15,
i860, who is practicing dentistry at Denver, Colorado; Burdette C, born Feb-
ruary 2, 1862, who is likewise a dentist by profession and is dean of the college at
Keokuk, Iowa ; Laura E., whose birth occurred on the 28th of April, 1863 ; Benja-
min H., born November 29, 1867, who was called to his final rest on the 16th of
May, 1908; Junia J., who was born on the 15th of August, 1871 ; Lillian L., born
August 10, 1872, who passed away March 4, 1875 ; Mrs. Adeline A. Boardman,
whose birth occurred June 16, 1876; and French F., born April 2, 1879, wn0 died
on the 27th of September, 1881.
Mr. Hinkley fully realized the value of good mental training as a preparation
for life's practical and responsible duties and all of his children enjoyed excellent
educational advantages. The period of his residence in this county covered more
than three-fourths of a century and that his ife in its varied relations was at all
times worthy of emulation and commendation is indicated by the fact that he was
best loved where test known. He was a most devoted and loving husband and
father and a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist church. Kind
hearted and liberal, the poor and needy found in him a friend whose sympathy
manifested itself in material assistance.
DANIEL WHITE.
Daniel White, a successful farmer and apiarist of New London township,
and one of the township's prominent and influential citizens, was born June 3,
1841, in Yates county, New York, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Sutfin) White.
The paternal grandfather's name was also Daniel, and this cognomen has been
borne by a son of the family for as many generations of which there is any
record. This branch of the White family came to Ohio in 1846, locating in
Huron. Subsequently they made the journey from there to New London by
wagon, and here took up their residence, this being their home ever since. At
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490 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
the time of their advent the country in the neighborhood of New London was
covered with dense forests, and the work of clearing had to be accomplished
before any farming could be attempted. In this work both our subject and his
sister Sarah, Mr. White's only children, assisted, and both are living to tell of
the many hardships encountered and overcome. Mr. White's first wife died in
1863, and on the 6th of September of the following year he married Mrs. Sarah
S. Gilbert, the widow of Titus Gilbert and the daughter of Joel and Polly
(Benham) Parker. The Parkers came from Connecticut to Ohio at a very early
day and were very active in promoting the development of this new land. Mr.
White died January 18, 1877, a man highly respected by all who knew him, for
he was industrious and frugal and of high character. His daughter, Sarah,
married Llewellyn Gilbert, and is now a widow residing in Galion, Ohio.
Daniel White of this review, grew up at home, assisting in the work of clear-
ing the soil and then in cultivating it. When the call for troops came at the be-
ginning of the Civil war, he enlisted, August 1, 1861, in Battery B, First Ohio
Light Artillery, for a period of three years, which was then thought to cover
the whole length of the war. On January 4, 1864, he was mustered out at Nash-
ville, Tennessee, and then, without leaving the line, was mustered in again, so
that there was no break in the period of his service to his country until the close
of the war. Although he was offered several promotions he preferred to remain
a private, taking a certain pride in fighting valiantly in the ranks. His battery
was attached to the Armies of the Tennessee and the Cumberland arid partici-
pated in the hard fighting that fell to the share of those armies. The battery's
first encounter was at Wild Cat Run, called a battle then, but in the light of
subsequent events amounting to little more than a skirmish. Later it took part
in the engagements at. Stone River, Pellville, Kentucky, Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge, Lookout Mountain and the subsequent encounters of the army. Although
under fire so many times, Mr. White escaped without a wound and without see-
ing the inside of a prison, a hospital or a guardhouse. On the 22d of July, 1865,
he was mustered out of the service at Cleveland, Ohio, and returned to the life
of a private citizen. He came to New London, which has since been his home,
and for the first five years was employed as a stationary engineer. In 1871, after
his marriage, he took up farming, settling upon thirty acres of land belonging to
his father-in-law. After a few years he engaged in bee culture, and for the past
thirty-five years has been known in the county as one of the most successful men
in this line of work. He went about it in a most thorough manner, studying
the habits of the bees, their manner of work, the question of their food, just as
a farmer makes a study of his soil and the rotation of crops so that he can obtain
the best results from the land at his command. Mr. White is able, as a result of
this scientific and intelligent culture, to get from his bees a generous gift, and
in the years that have come and gone they have produced tons of honey. About
thirty years ago Mr. White undertook the cultivation of strawberries and at
present his crop averages probably one thousand bushels. He makes a specialty
of late varieties and in consequence his berries command the highest prices in
the markets after the regular supply has been exhausted.
On the 3d of March, 1871, Mr. White was married to Miss Julia E. Gilbert,
a daughter of Titus and Sarah (Parker) Gilbert. The Gilberts came to Ohio
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 491
in 1852, from Oneida county, New York, and settled in New London township,
Huron county, on the farm on which Mr. and Mrs. White now live. Mr. Gilbert
was a miller by trade and on coming here intended starting a mill but lived only
a year and a half after his arrival, leaving a widow and eight children. Of these
Mrs. White is the youngest; Caroline, Llewellyn and Sarah have died; and
Martha, Frank, Andrus and Byron are living. The sons followed in their
father's footsteps, became millers and attained success and prosperity in their
line of work. Mrs. Gilbert died January 25, 1881, a woman well beloved by all
who knew her. To Mr. and Mrs. White there have been born four children:
Bertha, the wife of Blake Andrews; Daisy, who married Clyde E. Ward, of
New London; Daniel F., a resident of Detroit, Michigan, and Gilbert, of New
London, Ohio.
In politics Mr. White is a republican and takes an active part in all party
matters, frequently having served on the county republican committee, and almost
regularly a delegate to county, district and state conventions. In the public
affairs of the township he has also taken part, having served as town assessor
for seven years, and now trustee of New London township, a position he has held
for many years. During the years his children were in school he served as a
member of the school board. He belongs to Carnation Lodge, Knights of
Pythias, and is one of its charter members. In Runyon Post, No. 47, G. A. R.,
he has been active and has frequently been its delegate to state and national
encampments. A high degree of public spirit has ever distinguished his actions.
He is a hard worker, progressive in his ideas and enjoys the satisfaction of seeing
his family well settled in life. At his home, ever filled with good cheer, he dis-
penses a genial hospitality that is generally appreciated in the community.
DANIEL MAHL.
The agricultural pursuits of Sherman township find a worthy representative
in Daniel Mahl, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and eight acres.
A native son of Huron county, he was born on the 21st of March, 1862, a son of
John D. and Catherine (Shook) Mahl, natives of Germany who early came to
America and were married in this country. The father was a soldier in the
German army, but after coming to the United States he took up the occupation
of farming at first working for others by the month, but later on his own account.
He purchased a tract of land which now comprises a part of the farm owned by
the subject of this review. He and his wife became the parents of the following
children: John; Jacob; Adam; Daniel; Catherine, the wife of Joseph Miller;
Frank; Michael; Henry; Louisa; and Mary, deceased.
Daniel Mahl spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm,
his time being divided between acquiring an education in the district schools and
assisting in the work of the fields. At the age of sixteen, however, he laid aside
his text-books and took up the occupation to which he was reared, and has since
been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sherman township. He
can remember when Huron county was mostly covered by timber and the trees
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492 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
had to be cut down and the native growth removed before the work of improve-
ment could be commenced. And then, after the land had been cleared, the work
of cultivation was not easy, for he has seen the time when, during" planting
season, the soil was so scarce that he was obliged to carry dirt in his hat with
which to cover the kernels of corn being planted. Undaunted, however, by any
obstacles that blocked his path, Mr. Mahl persevered during the intervening
years, until today as the result of untiring industry and indefatigable energy and
perseverance he has a finely improved property, the fields annually yielding rich
harvests.
On the 2d of July, 1896, Mr. Mahl was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Didion, a daughter of John J. and Rosella Didion, mention of whom is made on
another page of this volume. This union was blessed with eight children,
namely: Herman, born June 16, 1897; Ralph, born September 26, 1898; Carl,
born March 4, 1900; Arnold, born October 24, 1901 ; Mary, born April 13, 1904;
Irene, born March 12, 1906; Emma, born May 23, 1908; and Linus August, Oc-
tober 7, 1909. The family are members of the Catholic church, while politically
Mr. Mahl is affiliated with the democratic party. He has never sought nor de-
sired public office as the reward for party fealty, desiring rather to direct his en-
tire energies and attention to his personal interests, which, capably managed, are
proving a source of gratifying income to him. Having passed his entire life in
Huron county he has gained an extensive circle of friends, and the fact that he
is most liked where best known is an indication that his salient characteristics are
such as to inspire the confidence and respect of his fellow men.
ADELBERT EUGENE HANVILLE.
Adelbert Eugene Hanville, who has been engaged in the operation of a saw-
mill in Huron county for almost forty years, is also a dealer in hardwood lumber
and is recognized as one of the successful and progressive business men of the
locality where he resides. A native of Corning, New York, he was born on the
17th of April, 1851, and is a son of C. W. and Mary Ann (Fowler) Hanville.
The former, was born in Geneva, Cayuga county, New York, in 1826, while the
latter was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1831. After their marriage
the parents resided for a time in Ulysses, Potter county, Pennsylvania, and later
came to Ohio, where the father became identified with the lumber and sawmill-
ing business at Ripley, Huron county. Subsequently he purchased a sawmill north
of North Fairfield, which is now owned and operated by the subject of this re-
view. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hanville were the following chil-
dren: Adelbert Eugene, George W., Charles P., Delphene, Eva and Ella.
Adelbert Eugene Hanville, whose name introduces this record, spent the pe-
riod of his boyhood and early youth in the east, attending the common schools
in the acquirement of his education. He was fifteen years of age when, in 1866,
he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and here he has since con-
tinued to make his home. He remained at home assisting his parents until 1870,
when he purchased the mill from his father and has since continued to operate it.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 493
The mill, which has been in existence for nearly seventy years, was burned down
in 1899 but was rebuilt in the same year, and has been in continuous operation
since. Mr. Hanville owns about twenty-two acres of land upon which the mill is
situated. He has been very successful in his various enterprises inasmuch as they
are proving a source of gratifying remuneration to him. He possesses good
business ability and his close application and good management are the salient
characteristics in the creditable measure of success which he now enjoys.
On the 1st of September, 1872, Mr. Hanville was united in marriage to Miss
Ida E. Taylor, a daughter of Alexander and Eliza Ann (McCord) Taylor, of North
Fairfield, Ohio. She was called to her final rest, however, on the 12th of October,
1875, and on the 31st of March, 1876, Mr. Hanville was again married, his sec-
ond union being with Miss Mary Ardella Ayers, a daughter of James and Eliza
Ann Lamm Ayers, the former a native of Rome, Ashtabula county, Ohio, while
the latter was born in Montgomery county, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers, who
were southern people, came to the north during the Civil war as refugees, and in
their family were six children, namely : Ella, John, Mary, Ada, Charles and Min-
nie. The second union of Mr. Hanville has been blessed with the following chil-
dren: Earl, born on the 5th of February, 1880; Harry, born June 3, 1882; Iva,
whose birth occurred on the 21st of September, 1884; Nellie, born September 5,
1887: Hattie, born on the 21st of November, 1889; and Geneva, on the nth of
July, 1893. All yet survive with the exception of Iva, who passed away on the
16th of August, 1907.
In politics Mr. Hanville is independent. He has been a member of the Fair-
field township school board, the cause of education finding in him a stanch cham-
pion. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons at Fairfield and also holds
membership with the Redmen. He is highly respected in the community in which
he has resided for so many years, for he has ever led an upright, honest and hon-
orable life, while in business affairs he has depended upon no fortunate combi-
nation of circumstances to aid him in his career, but has worked for the success
which is now his, knowing that fortune favors those who labor persistently and
guide their efforts by sound judgment.
ALFRED A. GATES.
No history of Huron county would be complete without mention of Alfred
A. Gates, who was born in this county more than seventy years ago and has
therefore been a witness to the changes which have been carried on within its
borders during the last half century. He is, moreover, entitled to special mention
in this volume from the fact that at the time of the Civil war, when the country
was plunged into the darkest hour of her history, he was among the first to re-
spond to her cry for aid, and throughout the four years of hostility served with
a courage and loyalty that won for him a most creditable military record. Born
on the 7th of May, 1836, in Huron county, he is a son of Gross and Abigail
(Ames) Gates, the former born February 4, 1789, while the latter's birth occur-
red in New York on the 22d of September, 1784. In their family were the fol-
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494 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
lowing children: Nora, born in 1816; Jane, born in 1818; Helen, in 1820; Charles,
in 1824; Humphrey, in 1826; Abigail, in 1827; Thomas, in 1829; Cordilia, in
1832; William, in 1833; and Alfred, of this review.
Alfred A. Gates, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education
in the district schools near his father's home and was reared on the old home-
stead farm, assisting his father in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting,
so that when he started out to farm on his own account he was well equipped with
a thorough knowledge of the best methods of agriculture. He has devoted his
entire life to farming and as the years have gone by has prospered in his under-
takings, being now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of valuable land.
This is all under a high state of cultivation and returns excellent crops each
year as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. He has made
a close study of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, is methodical, sys-
tematic and progressive in his business, and is numbered among the substantial
and successful farmers of his section of the county. Moreover his dealings with
his fellowmen have ever been straightforward and honorable, so that his success
is well merited.
The only interruption that came in his life of intense activity was at the time
of the Civil war, when, in response to the call for troops, on the 1st of July, 1861,
he enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and
fought valiantly and bravely in defense of his country. He saw much active
service and was compelled to endure many dangers and hardships, for through-
out the four years of his enlistment he was almost continuously at the front.
Not once, however, did he waver in his allegiance to his country and at all times,
whether on the lonely picket line or in the midst of battle, he remained loyal to
the old flag and the cause which it represented. He participated in the following
battles : Sugar Creek ; Pea Ridge ; Chickasaw Mountain ; Arkansas Post : Black
Bayou ; Jackson ; Champion Hills ; Siege of Vicksburg ; Clinton ; Brandon ; Look-
out Mountain ; Missionary Ridge ; Ringgold ; Resaca ; New Hope Church ; Kene-
saw Mountain; Peach Tree Creek; Atlanta; and Bentonville. On the 25th of
July, 1865, he was honorably discharged and with a creditable military record
he returned home, again taking up his agricultural pursuits.
On the 8th of November, 1865, Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss
Frances Paine, born July 1, 1840, a daughter of Ira and Lydia (Knowlton)
Paine. Unto them were born three children : Gusta, Gross and Frank. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Gates was again married, his second union being with
Miss Beile Stewart, the wedding occurring on the 4th of June, 1873. Mrs. Gates
was born April 25, 1851, and was a daughter of David C. and Mary (LaForce)
Stewart, the former born in Ohio on January 1, 1825, while the latter's birth oc-
curred on the 30th of January, 1832. She had one sister, Mary. Her grand-
father on the paternal side was Galbraith Stewart, who was a prominent and
well known judge of Ottawa county during its pioneer days. Mr. Gates is a
member of the Congregational church, while his wife belongs to the Friends
Society, of which she was pastor for over twenty years. They are people of the
highest worth, whose excellent traits of character have gained them the esteem
and regard of their many friends throughout the community. Mr. Gates gives
loyal support to the republican party and for six years has been treasurer of the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 495
township. He is preeminently a public-spirited man and in all matters of citizen-
ship has remained as loyal to his country in times of peace as when fighting on
southern battlefields.
JOEL E. SNYDER.
Joel E. Snyder, a prosperous farmer of New London township, Huron county,
was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1850, and is a son
of Andrew and Harriet (Eister) Snyder. He is of remotely Dutch descent and
for several centuries members of the Snyder family have taken part in making
the history of this land. In 1700 six brothers of the name came to America from
Holland, three of whom settled in New York and three in Pennsylvania, one of
the latter being Nicholas Snyder, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of
this sketch. Several of the brothers participated in the American Revolution,
some of their descendants served in the war of 1812, and those of the family who
are living today play a not inconspicuous part in the affairs of their respective
localities. Jacob Snyder, the grandfather of Joel E. Snyder, was a resident of
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, a prosperous farmer and a large land-
owner. He had a family of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters, all
of whom lived to the age of seventy-six and several nearly reached the hun-
dredth milestone, although Henry, who still lives in Northumberland county at
the age of eighty-three, is the only survivor at present.
Andrew Snyder, the father of Joel E. Snyder, was the third from the
youngest in the family of thirteen. He was a farmer and a county bridge con-
structor, and several of the substantial bridges and viaducts of Northumberland
county were built by him or under his supervision. In April, 1866, he came to
Ohio, settling in New London township, Huron county, where he pursued his
farming with great success. He had a family of nineteen children by his first
wife and three by a second ; only eight of the nineteen, however, are
alive today. They are Louisa, now Mrs. John Tonkinson, of Waverly, Nebraska ;
Emma, the wife of Samuel Kauffman, of Pratt, Kansas; Joel E.; Nathan and
Adam, of New London township; Charles H., of Pratt, Kansas; Mary Jane,
now Mrs. Edward Osborn, of Council Bluffs, Iowa ; and Sarah Ann, the wife of
Cleabert Lilly, of Pratt, Kansas. All the children have prospered in the business
they have undertaken. Mr. Snyder's first wife died September, 1877, and when
he himself died, January 17, 1908, he was buried by her side in the cemetery at
East Ruggles. A good man and a strong man of high principles, the citizens of
the county mourned his loss.
Joel E. Snyder grew up at home on his father's farm and received his educa-
tion in the district schools of the county of his birth, and, after the family moved
to Ohio, in the schools of New London township. In 1876 he entered upon his
business career as a traveling salesman for harvesting machinery and other farm
implements, his territory being the northern counties of Ohio. Three years
later he engaged in farming, first, for a year upon his father's land. In the
spring of 1881 he removed to New London, where he worked at the trade of
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496 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
cabinetmaker, which he had learned in his youth, and for twelve years made a
reputation for himself as a clever carpenter and skilful mechanic. In 1893 he
again engaged in farming in New London township, and two years later pur-
chased the farm which has since been his home. Here he carries on diversified
agriculture, though he makes a specialty of potatoes and has given considerable
attention to stock raising. The buildings on the land, including his own resi-
dence, are all modern and excellently constructed from his own designs and
largely by his unassisted efforts. Mr. Snyder calls his place "Sand Creek," from
the little creek that runs through his grounds and the quantities of sand of su-
perior grade found there. He hauls hundreds of loads of this every year and
from it derives a considerable revenue.
On the 2d of November, 1879, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss
Carrie May Jewell, a daughter of James and Mary Jane (Ensign) Jewell. The
parents are of English birth and are residents of Lorain county, Ohio. To Mr.
and Mrs. Snyder have been born two sons : Alton Carroll and Kenneth R. The
elder married Miss Tessa Tynder and they have two children, Lillian and H-
dred Martin. They live in New London. Kenneth R. lives at home and man-
ages the farm, a responsibility for which he gave up his profession of teaching.
Mr. Snyder has always taken an active interest in public matters and is well
informed on all questions before the people. His political sympathies are with the
republican party, on whose ticket in New London township he has been elected
to the office of real estate appraiser for 1910, a testimony of the high regard in
which he is held by the substantial men of this locality. He belongs to no socie-
ties but his son Alton Carroll is a member of the New London Lodge, I. O. O. F.,
and Kenneth R. belongs to the Masonic lodge of the township. Both are fine
young men. Mr. Snyder, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and has been for many years a class leader in the congregation and other-
wise active in church and Sunday school work. He is, indeed, a fine citizen,
public spirited, contributing to the progress and advancement of the community
in which he lives.
AUGUSTUS L. COIT.
Augustus L. Coit, owning and operating an excellent farm of one hundred
and twelve acres located in Fairfield township, Huron county, was born August
26, 1848, in New York city, a son of James L. and Elizabeth (Rodgers) Coit.
The father was born in Connecticut on the 29th of July, 181 5, while the mother,
who was also born in the east, passed away when the subject of this sketch was
very young. She was the mother of five children, namely : Eureka, William H.,
Augustus L., Eudora, and Mandora. The father was the second eldest in a fam-
ily of four children born unto Elias L. and Phoebe (Brown) Coit, the others
being Augustus T., Andrew Jackson and William E., two of whom were sailors.
Augustus L. Coit accompanied his parents to Ohio when very small and there-
fore almost his entire life has been passed within the borders of this state. He
acquired his education in the district schools and remained at home, giving his
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 497
father the benefit of his assistance, until he reached manhood. When he entered
business upon his own account he was first identified with the stone interests in
Greenfield, operating a quarry at that place for nearly twenty years, and during
this period he gained a creditable degree of success, his industry, enterprise and
perseverance being salient elements in his prosperity. He later became connected
with agricultural pursuits, purchasing the farm upon which he now resides, which
has been in his possession for about six years. It consists of one hundred and
twelve acres located in Fairfield township and is one of the desirable properties
of the locality. He carries on general farming, practices rotation of crops, and
makes a close study of the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and
his efforts are proving most successful, returning to him a gratifying annual in-
come.
The year 1877 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Coit and Miss Anna T. Gra-
ham, who is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Meyers) Graham, and one of
four children born unto that couple, the other •members of the family being
Henry, George and Elizabeth. Four children have come to bless the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Coit, namely: Lena M., born in 1881 ; Morris E., born in 1883;
Alma B., whose birth occurred in 1886; and Elizabeth R., born in 1893, all of
whom are still under the parental roof.
In his political allegiance Mr. Coit is a stalwart republican, doing all in his
power to further the influence of that party in the community, although he does
not seek public preferment as a reward for party fealty. He is at present serv-
ing as a member of the board of education, and does all in his power to promote
and uphold a high standard of education throughout the township. Public-spir-
ited to a large degree, Mr. Coit's influence is always upon the side of progress,
reform, improvement and advancement, and these qualities constitute him a citi-
zen of worth in the community in which he resides.
FRANK G. FENTON.
An excellent farming property of ninety-seven acres in Ripley township, Hu-
ron county, pays tribute to the care and labor of Frank G. Fenton. A native of
New York, he was born on the 13th of March, 1867, a son of George and Emma
(Loomis) Fenton, both natives of the Empire state, who were also the parents
of the following : Charles, Arthello and Aouda. The father was a son of Stephen
and Philena (Cutler) Fenton, whose family consisted of Charles, Joel, Gilbert,
George, Miles and Betsy.
Frank G. Fenton acquired his education in the district schools of his native
state, where he was reared to manhood," and in 1892 he came to Ohio. He was
thoroughly trained to the various duties of the home farm and has been identified
with farming throughout the greater part of his active business career. For a few
years, however, he was engaged in a creamery, but eventually resumed farming
pursuits and now is the owner of ninety-seven acres of fine land upon which he
has resided since his arrival in this state. He has brought his fields under a high
state of cultivation, and the soil, which is naturally rich and productive, responds
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498 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
readily to the care and attention bestowed upon it, yielding- annually rich golden
harvests. Possessing excellent business ability, Mr. Fenton has so wisely and
carefully conducted his farming interests that he has won substantial success and is
ranked among the progressive and representative agriculturists of his section of
the county.
Mr. Fenton was united in marriage on November 2, 1892, to Miss Bertha
Thomas, a native of Ripley township, born on the 16th of February, 1861. She is
a daughter of Sylvanus W. and Sarah Ann (Marcy) Thomas, the other mem-
bers of whose family were Ida, George, Carrie and Charles Thomas. The father,
who was born January 20, 1824, in New York, is a son of George and Adeline
(Baker) Thomas, and a brother of Levi, George, Uriah, Fayette, Andrew, Al-
vira, Isabender and Walter Thomas. He followed the occupation of farming and
was considered one of the best sheep breeders in the state of Ohio. He was also
very well known in local political affairs and served as township treasurer for sev-
eral years. His wife, who was the daughter of Abram and Sarah (Fisher) Marcy,
was born in Connecticut on the 9th of November, 1822, and by her marriage to
Mr. Thomas became the mother of three daughters: Maria, Sarah and Esther.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fenton has been born one child, Florence, whose birth oc-
curred June 17, 1895.
They are members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Fenton is
serving as deacon and also as superintendent of the Sunday school, and are people
of excellent traits of character, occupying a high place in the regard of their
friends and neighbors. He is stalwart in his support of republican principles which,
in his opinion, are most conducive to good government, but he has never desired
nor sought office for himself. He has, however, served a number of times as a
member of the township school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm
champion. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, at all times lending his influence
to those measures which have few their object the material, political, intellectual and
moral welfare of the community. His salient characteristics have ever been in ac-
cord with the principles of honorable and upright manhood, and he ranks foremost
among the valued citizens of the community.
FRANK T. GUESS.
Among those who can justly claim the proud title of self-made man is Frank
T. Guess, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fairfield township, Hu-
ron county. A native of England, he was born in Boughton, Chelsea, County of
Kent, on the 16th of May, 1865, a son of John and Mary Ann (Manser) Guess,
both natives of England, the former born in 1826 and the latter in 1836. They were
farming people in their native country, where they were married, and continued to
engage in that occupation after their arrival in the United States. In their family
were four sons and two daughters, as follows: George, John Henry, Frank
Thomas, Frederick Alfred, Elizabeth Alice and Clara Isabel.
In 1884, when a young man of nineteen years, Frank T. Guess left England,
and came with his parents to the United States, settlement being made in Ohio.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 499
He had acquired his education in the schools of his native country and after ar-
riving in this state remained upon his father's farm, assisting in the work of the
fields, until he had attained his majority, when he entered business on his own ac-
count as a farmer and has been connected with agricultural pursuits continuously
since. He now resides upon a farm of fifty acres, which he has now owned for
six years, and to the improvement of which he directs his entire time and attention.
He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, has carried on his
farming along progressive and up-to-date methods, and through his industry, en-
terprise and perseverance is meeting with gratifying success. Outside of his agri-
cultural interests he is a stockholder in the Boughtonville Telephone Company, of
which company he was one of the organizers.
In 1891 Mr. Guess returned to England, where he was united in marriage to
Miss Keturah Clinch, who was born in South Green, Stockbury, in Kent. She
is a daughter of John and Keturah Clinch, also natives of England. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Guess are members of the Methodist church, while politically Mr. Guess
gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has crossed the Atlantic six times
and the North Sea twice while he has traveled considerably throughout the west,
and he relates many interesting incidents in connection with his various trips.
He is truly a self-made man, for although he started out in life without any spe-
cial advantages at the outset, by earnest, persistent and unfaltering effort he has
made progress in the business world and is now ranked among the progressive
and enterprising farmers of Fairfield county.
HENRY UNDER.
Henry Linder, who has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and is now
operating a farm of eighty acres in Sherman township, is a native son of Huron
county, born November 20, 1852. He is a son of Lawrence and Catherine
(Hurtz) Linder, both now deceased. The parents were born in Germany and
came to America at an early date with their respective parents. The father fol-
lowed the occupation of farming throughout his residence in this country. Of their
family Henry Linder was the eldest, the remaining members being: Conrad;
John ; Elizabeth, the wife of George Krause ; Catherine, who married Philip Con-
radi; Barbara, deceased; George; Lawrence ; and Lena, the wife of Charles P.
Eichenlaub.
The district schools of Peru township afforded Henry Linder his educational
advantages, and he remained a student therein until seventeen years of age, when
he put aside his text-books and began earning his own livelihood as a farm hand,
working by the month He was thus engaged for six years and then he purchased
the farm upon which he now resides. He directs his energies toward general
husbandry and the attention which he has given to his farm has made it one of
the neat and well improved properties of the township. He practices rotation of
crops, has made a thorough study of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate
and the best methods of cultivating each, and is a progressive and practical farmer
who is winning a creditable degree of success.
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500 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
In 1884 he married Miss Minnie Linder, a daughter of George and Eliza-
beth (Swan) Linder, who were prominent farmers and early settlers of Huron
county, Ohio. Although the name is the same, the families are not related in any
way. Mrs. Henry Linder is the youngest in a family of five children, the other
members being George, Lena, Catherine and Lawrence. By her marriage she has
become the mother of three children, namely : Elizabeth, born in August, 1885 ;
Louis, whose birth occurred in October, 1888; and Karl, born in January, 1892.
The two eldest attended the district schools, and are now at home, assisting their
parents with the farm work, while the youngest, Karl, is a student at the Lutheran
University of Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Linder are members of the Lutheran church and are interested
in the various phases of church work. Mr. Linder is a democrat in politics where
national questions are at issue, but is independent where local matters are con-
cerned, voting for the best men, regardless of their party affiliation. His life has
been a busy and useful one and the qualities of honorable manhood and good citi-
zenship have been his. He is held in high regard wherever known and has a circle
of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
ISAAC H. ROBINSON.
Isaac H. Robinson is a typical farmer of the up-to-date class who utilizes
modern machinery and methods to cultivate his soil and conduct the business of
his farm. He owns one hundred and thirty-five acres in Norwich township and
is of the third generation to own the property which was purchased by his pater-
nal grandfather for three dollars per acre. He sold it to his son Wesley Robin-
son, and from him Isaac H. Robinson bought it. This farm is one of the best in
the township, is well tiled and has on it a commodious brick house and good
barns. The tiling was done during Wesley Robinson's life.
Isaac H. Robinson was born on the farm where he now resides, February 8,
1849, being a son of Wesley and Mary (Bennett) Robinson, and grandson of
William and Letitia Robinson, who passed most of their lives in Ohio, and of
Isaac H. and Sally Bennett, natives of New York state. His father followed
farming throughout his life, operating the place he bought from his father. He
was a man of consequence in his locality, serving as justice of the peace in Nor-
wich township for many years, and was a democrat in political faith. Isaac H.
Robinson was his second son, the other children being William, who lives irf
Grass Lake, Michigan; George, who lives in Huron county; and Daniel, who
died in March, 1909.
On October 30, 1872, Isaac H. Robinson married Isadora Bramble, a daugh-
ter of John and Laura (Hossford) Bramble. Her father was born near £incin-
nati, Ohio, and her mother in Huron county. They were the parents of the
following children : Virginia, who is deceased ; Izora, who married Nelson Wil-
son; and Isadora, who became Mrs. Robinson, and Rowland, who is deceased.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are: Laura, the wife of Chester
Dooley, living in Peru township by whom she has one daughter Helen; and
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 503
Mary, who married Edward Cushman and has one son, Chester. They live in
Norwich township.
Isaac H. Robinson was educated in the district school of Norwich township
and since reaching manhood, has served very acceptably as school director and
road supervisor. He is one of the prominent democrats of his locality and fra-
ternally he belongs to the Masonic order at Attica, Ohio, and to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, at Centerton, Ohio. The family belong to the Methodist
church. Having lived in Norwich township all his life, Mr. Robinson has watched
its development with great interest and has never failed to respond when there
was need of his help in furthering public improvements that he believed would
conserve the best interests of the people.
W. F. HUFFMAN.
The industry, energy and thrift of W. F. Huffman is at once manifest in the
excellent appearance of his farm of one hundred and twenty acres which is lo-
cated in Ripley township, Huron county, and constitutes one of the valuable
farming properties of that section of the county. A native of Ripley township,
he was born on the 12th of February, 1864, and he and his brother Marshall are
the only children of Artemus and Agnes (Allen) Huffman, natives of New
York, the former born on the nth of March, 1837, and the latter in Ithaca on the
16th of January, 1842. The father was the son of Solomon and Sarah Huffman,
both natives of the Empire state, whose family consisted of William, Artemus,
Leonard, Henry, Sarah, Martha, Mary, Margaret and Christina. James and
Jane (Crosby) Allen were the parents of Agnes Allen, who was a sister of James,
Andrew, Leonard, William, Joseph, Henry, Thomas, Mary Ann, Jennie and
Esther Allen.
No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for W. F.
Huffman during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was passed upon
the home farm, his time being divided between acquiring an education in the dis-
trict schools and assisting his father in the work of the fields. Under the care-
ful direction of the latter he early learned lessons concerning the value of in-
dustry, energy and perseverance, and these elements continued to be salient
qualities in his later business career. His farm of one hundred and twenty
acres is under a high state of cultivation, and in its midst are found commodious
barns and outbuildings, while Mr. Huffman has introduced all of the modern
accessories and conveniences for facilitating labor, the place being equipped with
everything that goes to make up a model farm of the nineteenth century.
Mr. Huffman was united in marriage on the 9th of December, 1885, to Miss
Eva Barre, who was born on the 10th of April, 1864, and is a daughter of Well-
ington and Deborah (Gifford) Barre. Her parents were both natives of Ripley
township, the father having been born in 1837 while the mother's birth occurred
on the 4th of July, 1842. In their family were the following children: Eva, Delia,
Henry, Lee, Wade and Vernon. In the family of her paternal grandparents v/ere
fifteen children, namely: Wellington, David, Lyman, Jonathan, Herman, Ira,
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604 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Dwight, Corvis, James, Henry, Cornelia, Jane, Jessie, Marietta and Josephine.
Her maternal grandparents were Edward and Almira (Salisbury) Gifford, resi-
dents of New York, whose family consisted of Deborah, Frank, Horace and
Bursha. Corvis Huffman, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman, was born
on Christmas day of 1894.
Mr. Huffman and his wife hold membership in the Disciples church, their
lives ever being in harmony with the teachings thereof. Since age conferred
upon him the right of franchise Mr. Huffman has given stalwart support to the
republican party and he is now acting as township trustee, having filled that
office for seven years. Having resided in this county throughout his entire life
he is well and favorably known here and his straightforward and honorable deal-
ings have won for him the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has
been associated.
THAYER K. PERRY.
Investigation into the history of Ohio indicates that the Perrys came to the
state during pioneer times and were active in clearing away the wilderness and
utilizing the rich soil for farming purposes. The great-grandparents of him
whose name introduces this review were Joseph and Sarah (Seward) Perry, the
latter a relative of Secretary Seward of President Lincoln's cabinet. Among
their children was Daniel Perry, who on arriving at years of maturity wedded
Elizabeth Dow Tillson, a daughter of Thomas and Azubah (Noyes) Tillson.
Unto Daniel and Elizabeth (Dow) Perry were born seven children: Edwin
Louis, Charles Higgins, Dorcas Azubah, Seward Noyes, Anna Lucinda, Eliza-
beth and Willie Daniel.
Edwin Louis Perry, the father of Thayer K. Perry, was born in Peru town-
ship, Huron county, Ohio, November 13, 1841, and was reared in the usual man-
ner of farm lads of the period, his education being acquired in the public schools,
the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, and Western Reserve Normal School, of
Milan, Ohio, while under the direction of his father he received his training in
the work of the fields. In the year 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily
Tamar Ruggles, who was born July 20, 1843, in Ridgefield township, this county.
The Ruggles family is also numbered among those that formulated the pioneer
development of this part of the state. Her paternal grandparents were Eden and
Artemisia (Jackson) Ruggles, of Connecticut, and the family is an old one of
New England. Their son, Martin Luther Ruggles, the father of Mrs. Emily
Perry, was born in Connecticut, November 13, 1803. He spent the days of his
boyhood and youth in his native state and about 1824, when twenty-one years
of age, sought a home in what was then the far west. In the primitive manner
of the times he journeyed to Huron county, Ohio, and took up his abode in
Ridgefield township, amid the wild scenes and environments of frontier life.
Here he followed his vocation as a skilled mechanic. He was married to Miss
Fidelia Webb, who was born in New York, September 25, 1808, and their chil-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 505
dren were Edward Harvey, Lester, Chester, Moses, Carrollton, Comfort Heber,
Emily Tamar and Isabella.
Of this family Emily became the wife of Edwin L. Perry in 1866, and they
have since traveled life's journey happily together. Mr. Perry is a man of liberal
education, who supplemented his early advantages by study in Berea, Ohio, and
in the Milan Normal School. He engaged in teaching for one term and with the
exception of that period has devoted his entire life to general farming since at-
taining man's estate. He has been a busy man, actively engaged in the tilling of
his fields, and the excellent appearance of his place is indicative of his careful
supervision and progressive methods. In politics he is independent, voting for
principle rather than for party. His wife is a lady of broad culture, who supple-
mented her public school privileges by further study in the Western Reserve Nor-
mal School at Milan, Ohio. It was while they were students there that Mr. and
Mrs. Perry became acquainted and their friendship ripened into love and was
consummated in marriage. Mrs. Perry engaged in teaching school for five years
and has always been a warm advocate of the cause of education. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Perry are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take
an active and helpful part, doing all in their power to promote the growth of the
church and extend its influence. Mr. Perry has served as deacon in the church
and as Sunday school superintendent and teacher of the Bible class.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perry have been born ten children : Ralph, Edith, Irene,
Floyd, Daisy, Beth, Gladys, Branch, Thayer and one who died in infancy. Of
this family Thayer K. Perry, whose name introduces this review, was born
May 20, 1889. He has become an active assistant in the work of the home farm
and is numbered among the enterprising young agriculturists of the community.
In his business affairs he displays keen discrimination and sound judgment and
he is proving himself a worthy representative of one of the leading families of
the county. He is now teaching school in his second year.
GEORGE W. HANVILLE.
The business interests of Boughtonville find a worthy representative in
George W. Hanville, a well known and prominent lumber merchant who also
engages in the operation of a sawmill and at the same time cultivates a farm of
sixty-five acres of fine land in Ripley township. A native of Pennsylvania, his
birth occurred on the 18th of October, 1852, his parents being C. W. and Mary
Ann (Fowler) Hanville, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively.
The former, who was born in 1826, was for some time connected with the saw-
mill and lumber business at Lodi, Ohio, and later was the proprietor of a saw-
mill near North Fairfield, which is now operated by his son Adelbert Eugene.
His wife was born in 1831 and by her marriage became the mother of the fol-
lowing children: Adelbert Eugene, George W., Charles P., Delphene, Eva and
Ella.
George W. Hanville attended the schools of his native state in the acquire-
ment of an education, and when about fourteen years of age accompanied his
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506 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
parents on their removal to Ohio, where he has since continued to reside. He
remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, and during- the
meantime, under the direction of his father, he gained a thorough and intimate
knowledge of the lumber business, so that later, when entering upon an inde-
pendent business career, he was fully qualified to carry on an enterprise of that
nature on his own account. For the past thirty-five years he has conducted an
extensive lumber business, buying and shipping hard and soft lumber, while he
also operates a sawmill, in which connection he planes and matches lumber and
does considerable custom work. He is likewise the owner of sixty-five acres of
excellent farm land situated in Ripley township, upon which he carries on general
agricultural pursuits. He is preeminently a man of affairs and is conducting his
various enterprises in a systematic, progressive and business-like manner that
is winning for him a high place among the leading business men of the com-
munity.
It was on the 25th of October, 1875, that Mr. Hanville was united in marriage
to Miss Lucy Ann Maynard, who was born November 8, 1852, a daughter of D.
Z. Maynard, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of A. D. Maynard,
found on another page of this volume. Unto this union has been born four chil-
dren namely : Arthur E., William D., George J. and Lena B. Mr. Hanville and
his wife are members of the Disciples church, while Mr. Hanville gives his po-
litical allegiance to the republican party. He is interested in all that pertains to
the welfare and progress of the community and gives loyal support to many
measures for the general good. His worth as a business man is widely ac-
knowledged, for he has made good use of his opportunities and has forged his
way to the front, proving that energy and diligence constitute a safe basis upon
which to build success. Honorable and straightforward in his business dealings,
he may be termed a sound, substantial citizen, who keeps his promises, meets his
obligations and is loyal to every trust.
FREDERICK HEARSON.
Frederick Hearson, who carries on general farming on his tract of land of
ninety acres in Fairfield township, was born in Erie county, Ohio, December 17,
1852, his parents being Thomas and Sarah Ann (Temple) Hearson, both of whom
were natives of England, in which country they were married. The year 1850
witnessed their emigration to the United States. In their family were the follow-
ing children: John, George, Richard, Frederick, Frank, Elizann and Sarah.
Frederick Hearson has followed general agricultural pursuits as a life work
and by reason of his industry, energy and capable management has won a goodly
measure of success in his undertakings. He now owns a well improved and pro-
ductive farm of ninety acres in Fairfield township, which he purchased in 1908,
having previously disposed of his farm of one hundred and seven acres in Hart-
land township, Huron county. For a period of nineteen years he had been a resi-
dent of Lyme township. For the past year, however, he has been numbered among
the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of Fairfield township. Through
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 507
modern methods of farming he keeps his land in good condition and everything
about the place indicates his careful supervision and practical methods.
In 1877 Mr. Hearson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Parsons, a daughter
of John and Emma (Stafford) Parsons. She was one of a family of six children,
her brothers and sisters being as follows : George, Thomas, Susie, Mary and Izzie.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hearson have been born three children, namely: Charles Ed-
ward, who wedded Miss Mary Walker and lives in Toledo, where he is employed
as a motorman; Edith May, the wife of Joseph Brandal, of Bellevue, Ohio; and
Olive.
In his political views Mr. Hearson is a republican and keeps well informed on
the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. He
belongs to the Methodist church and his life is in harmony with his professions:
The circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances
and all who know him entertain for him the warmest esteem and regard.
NELSON VAN AKEN.
Nelson Van Aken, a general farmer and stock-raiser of Ripley township, ope-
rating a fine farm of two hundred and eleven acres, was born in New York on the
22d of September, 1859, a son of Elijah and Sarah (Brooks) Van Aken. He
was one of a family of seven children born unto that worthy couple, the others be-
ing Lewis, Minerva, Marinda, Walter, Marshall and Millard.
In the state of his nativity Nelson Van Aken was reared to manhood, attend-
ing the district schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1882, when a
young man of twenty-three years, he came to Ohio, settling in Ripley township,
where he purchased his present farm upon which he has continued to make his
home throughout the twenty-seven years of his residence in this state. The period
of his youth had been passed amid the scenes and environments of rural life, so
that at an early age he had become familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the
country lad, and under the direction of his father had learned lessons concerning
the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. That his early training was
thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that since taking up agricul-
tural pursuits on his own account he has been very prosperous. His home farm
comprises two hundred and eleven acres of finely improved land, in the midst of
which stand commodious and substantial buildings, while everything about the
place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is
manifest in agricultural lines. Along with his general farming he engages in
stock-raising, and in both branches of his business is meeting with gratifying
success.
It was in the year 1883 that Mr. Van Aken was united in marriage with Miss
Belle McClain, a daughter of J. K. and Angeline (Jonstein) McClain and a sister
of John C, Albert, Carrie and Cora McClain. Unto this union was born one
child, May. Mr. Van Aken holds membership with the Maccabees and also be-
longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in politics he gives his sup-
port to the republican party. He neither desires nor seeks office, however, prefer-
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508 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
ring to devote his time and attention entirely to the conduct of his business affairs
which, under his careful control, are proving a source of most gratifying pros-
perity. During his residence in this community he has gained a circle of warm
friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
GEORGE W. HOLTZ.
George W. Holtz, one of Richmond township's prosperous native farmers,
owns fifty-two and a half acres of well improved land, on which he pursues a
general line of agriculture. He was born March 6, 185 1, arid is a son of Jacob
and Elizabeth (Musser) Holtz. The father, who was a son of Jacob Holtz, was
like the latter a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania. At the age of seven he
came with his parents to Ohio, settled in Richland county, which remained his
home for some years after his marriage, when he removed to Richmond town-
ship, Huron county, where he had bought about fifty acres of land. At the
time of the purchase the farm was virgin soil, and Mr. Holtz had to clear away
the timber before he could plant his crops. They proved to be fertile fields, how-
ever, and remained his home until his .death, although by that time he had added
one hundred and eight acres to his real-estate holdings. Mr. Holtz was married
twice. His first wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Musser in her maidenhood, died
in 1863, when her son George W. was about twelve years old. She had borne a
family of five children: William, deceased; George W. and John W., who were
twins; Sarah, now deceased, who married George Elston and lived in Brecken-
ridge, Colorado; and Jennie, deceased, who was the wife of Elijah Limes and
lived in Van Wert county, Ohio. Miss Sarah Thompson was the bride of Mr.
Holtz's second marriage. She lived, however, only three years after their union,
having become the mother of one daughter, Laura, who has been married twice,
John Trotter having been her first husband, and Casius Gump her second. Mr.
Holtz, who died May 2, 1898, and the deceased members of his family are buried
in Union Bethel cemetery in Richmond township.
George W. Holtz attended the district schools of Richmond township, though
the education he received was comparatively meager, for he was compelled to
leave school when he was seventeen and during his earlier years could only
spend two or three months at school each winter, for his assistance was needed
on the farm as early and as late as the weather would permit. To, agriculture he
has devoted his time throughout life, for it was but in the course of the farm
work that he became a skillful manager of a threshing machine and hay baler.
Richmond township has always been his home, save for the three years he lived
in Chicago, Ohio. However, he has made three trips west, for pleasure and to
view the grandeurs of the western scenery. * After his marriage the first land
Mr. Holtz bought was a tract in Richmond township consisting of forty acres,
which he purchased from Joseph Rush, but he later traded that for a farm of
eighty-five acres, making up the difference in price with cash. He was soon able
to add thirty acres to the tract, thus bringing his holdings to one hundred and
fifteen acres, to which fifty-two and a half acres were added about the same
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 509
time through an inheritance. Subsequently he bought the farm on which he now
lives and has sold the rest of his land, though he still retains some property in
Chicago, Ohio.
Mr. Holtz has been married twice. Miss Susan Pickens, his first wife, to
whom he was united November 29, 1872, was a daughter of Chris Pickens. By
her marriage she became the mother of five children : James W., who lives in
Utah ; Irvin W., a resident of Attica, Ohio ; Jacob, of Huron county ; Vernon C.f
who died in his twenty-first year; and Jennie B., who lives in Toledo, Ohio.
After his first wife's death, Mr. Holtz married Miss Esther Mathilda Waltz, a
daughter of John G. and Myra (Casey) Waltz. Her father was born in Ger-
many, but her mother was a native of Virginia and is still living, in Chicago,
Ohio, celebrating the eighty- third anniversary of her birth, October 4, 1909, and
enjoying good health. Mrs. Holtz was the eldest of four children, the others
being Margaret Elizabeth, the wife of T. W. Bussard; Jacob D., who lives in
California; and Amanda Catherine, the wife of W. A. Miller, of Wood county,
Ohio. By Mr. Holtz's second marriage there was born one daughter, Anna Ma-
rion, who died in her ninth year.
A democrat in his political views, Mr. Holtz takes a vital interest in matters
that concern the welfare of his fellow citizens, though he could never be called
either a politician or an office-seeker. He has, however, served the community
in the capacity of road supervisor and has been a member of the school board,
and his influence is ever given to what he believes to be right. His religious af-
filiations are with the United Brethren. A hard working man, a generous com-
petence has rewarded his labors, and he has been able to add improvements to his
farm, has remodeled the house, built new sheds and put a new roof on the barn,
all things bespeaking his industry and good management.
GEORGE A. HASSINGER.
One of the farmers of Ripley township, whose earnest efforts have been crowned
with success is George A. Hassinger, who owns a farm of fifty-seven acres in
the vicinity of the little village of Boughtonville. Though not one of Ohio's native
sons, for more than a quarter of a century he has made this state his home and
the scene of his toils. He was born March 29, 1866, in Blaine, Perry county, Penn-
sylvania. His parents, Samuel and Margaret (Trostle) Hassinger, were also na-
tives of the Keystone state and were respectively the son and daughter of William
Hassinger, and Henry and Elizabeth Trostle. Mr. and Mrs. Hassinger became
the parents of seven children: William H., George A., Sadie, Ida, David, Laura
and Alfred.
George A. Hassinger, the second son in this family, was reared in his Penn-
sylvania home until he was sixteen, receiving such education as a farmer's boy
might acquire in the district schools when the time of year made it impossible for
him to work in the fields. In 1882 he came to Ohio, finding employment on dif-
ferent farms and following the painter's trade which he had learned. About five
years ago he bought the place on which he now lives and has devoted himself more
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510 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and more exclusively to the work of cultivating his fields. He still, now and then,
however, does a day's or week's work at his trade and is accounted a skillful
artisan.
George A. Hassinger was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Dick, December
14, 1888. She was born in Richland county, on a farm near Shelby, in the year
1862 and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Buskey) Dick, who were likewise
of Ohio birth and were blessed with six children : Franklin, Alice, Minnie, Olivia,
Jennie and Margaret. In Mr. and Mrs. Hassinger's family there are three chil-
dren : Alverda, who was born January 25, 1892 ; Foster, who was born January
7, 1894 ; and Edna, born August 7, 1897.
The family are members of tiie Methodist church at Delphi and are not only
punctilious in their attendance at its services but are also zealous in their practical
application of its teachings. Politically Mr. Hassinger is a stanch democrat and is
ever loyal in his support of the candidates of that party. He does not identify him-
self intimately with the public life of the township, however, although he has
filled the position of school director, acquitting himself of his duties honorably. He
has been active in promoting measures advantageous to his fellows, one having been
the organization of the Boughtonville Telephone Company, of which he is a mem-
ber. A man who has been dependent upon his own exertions for what he would
possess in this world, he cannot but be gratified by the success with which they have
been attended.
REV. MICHAEL J. COAN.
The Rev. Michael J. Coan, pastor of St. Francis Xaviers Catholic church at
Chicago, Ohio, has been in charge here for four years, during which time he has
firmly established himself in the hearts of his people and gained the full confidence
of the citizens of this place. He is a native of Ireland, where he was born August
12, 1875, and *s a son °f Michael and Bridget (Muldoon) Coan, who were also
natives of that country. They never left the Emerald Isle, but both died there.
The grandfather on the paternal side, Patrick Coan, also died in Ireland. There
were the following children in the family of Michael Coan and his wife: Myria,
who married M. P. Hagarty and lives in Massachusetts; Anna; Catherine; Mar-
garet, who is known as Sister Mary Peter, and Elizabeth, who is known as Sis-
ter Mary Clementine, Ixrth in a convent at Springfield, Massachusetts ; Sarah, who
lives in Massachusetts : Bridget, residing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts ; John, who
never left Ireland; and Michael j.
Father Coan first attended the national schools of Ireland, but when only sev-
enteen he came to the United States and for one year worked in a dry-goods store
in Boston, Massachusetts. He then began studying for the priesthood at the Holy
Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, and after finishing there, he entered
St. Bernard College at Rochester, New York, where he was ordained in 1904 by
Bishop McQuaid. He was then sent to Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as as-
sistant priest for one vear in St. Philomena's church. On July 19, 1905, he was
given charge of the church at Chicago, Ohio, and since he has assumed control
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 511
of affairs, the present church edifice was completed in 1906. He is a member of
the Knights of Columbus, of Chicago, Ohio.
Father Coan is a scholarly man, learned in the lore of his church and possessed
of a deeply sympathetic nature that enables him to touch the hearts of his people.
He is also an excellent business man, and the affairs of his parish are in a very
flourishing condition under his capable management.
EZRA S. JENNINGS.
During the period of pioneer development in Huron county Ezra S. Jennings
became a resident of this part of the state and remained here until his demise,
continuing throughout the entire period as one of the respected and highly esteemed
agriculturists and citizens of this section of Ohio. He was born in Fairfield, Con-
necticut, on the 21 st of August, 1827, and was a son of Walter Jennings and a
grandson of Daniel Jennings. The last named was born in Connecticut, October
14,. 1770, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 14th of March,
1840, when he passed away at the age of sixty-nine. His wife, Phoebe Jennings,
was born in Connecticut on the 14th of February, 1773. Their children were as
follows: Walter, born in 1798; Rhoda; Eunice; Gregory, born in 1805; Ezra, in
1806; Abigail, in 1809; Daniel, in 181 1 ; Gershem, in 1813; Sarah, ini8i5; Esther,
in 1817; and Alva, in 1819.
Of this family Walter Jennings became the father of Ezra S. Jennings. He
was born near Bridgeport, Connecticut, on the 31st of May, 1798, and resided in
that state until 1835. In the meantimche married, his wife, Mrs. Rhoda Jen-
nings, having been born near Bridgeport on Christmas day of -1802. Their chil-
dren were: Ezra S., Gregory, Nelson, Mary Ann, Sarah, and twins, who died in
infancy.
Ezra S. Jennings spent the first eight years of his life .in the state of his na-
tivity and in 1835 accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Ohio.
The journey was made by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo and thence by way of
Lake Erie to Huron. From that point they traveled by wagon to Fairfield town-
ship. Upon reaching their destination the father purchased nine acres of land
on which was an old log cabin. There were only two frame houses within ten
miles and there were still many evidences of pioneer life to be seen. Deer were
often seen in the forests and turkeys and other kinds of wild game were very
numerous. The native timber was uncut and only here and there had a clearing
been made to show that civilization was begun. As the years passed, however, the
Jennings family became active factors in the work of general progress and im-
provement here.
Ezra S. Jennings was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pio-
neer life and shared with the family in all of the hardships and trials incident to
establishing a home on the frontier. He assisted in the arduous task of develop-
ing new land and throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming.
He made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 28th
of November, 1850, to Miss Harriet R. Godden, who was born in Utica, New
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512 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
York, on the 23d of October, 1829. In the year 1834 she was brought to Fair-
field township, Huron county, by her parents, William H. and Lucina (Butler)
Godden. The father was a native of Albany, New York, born August, 6, 1804.
and on the 8th of January, 1826, he married Lucina Butler, whose birth occurred
at Lee, Oneida county. New York, June 19, 1809. Their children were: Elizabeth,
John, Emory, Mary, Jennie, Sarah, Lucinda, Julia and Harriet. The paternal
grandfather of Mrs. Jennings was John Godden, a native of Westmoreland, New
Jersey, whose family included: John, David, Elizabeth, Nancy, Charlotte, Sarah,
and William H. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Jennings was Jonathan But-
ler, who was born in the state of New York, August 1, 1781. He married Lucina
Wright, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, December 26, 1779. Their children
were : Ezra, Adin, Harriet, Edward and Lucinda.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ezra S. Jennings began their domestic
life upon a farm in Huron county and as the years passed eight children were
added to the household, namely : Desseline E., Byron E., Edwin K., Mary Louisa,
Edson Grant, Herbert Floyd, Hattie May and Lena Rivers.
Mr. Jennings worked persistently and earnestly to develop his fields and bring
his farm under a high state of cultivation. He lived to witness many changes in
the methods of farm work. In his youthful days there was little of the modern
machinery now used. He saw the introduction of the thresher, cultivator, riding
plow and the self-binder, and at all times he kept abreast with the trend of advance-
ment in agricultural lines. He continued to successfully carry on his farming
operations until 1899, when, having reached the age of seventy-two years, he re-
tired to private life and with a comfortable competency removed to North Fairfield,
where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his death
occurring in 1907. Mrs. Jennings was always a faithful helpmate to her hus-
band and her wise counsel as well as her labors was of much assistance to him as
the years passed by. She has now reached the advanced age of eighty years and
is held in the highest regard by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the
part of Huron county in which she makes her home.
JOHN ROBERT COX.
John Robert Cox, a substantial farmer of Richmond township, Huron county,
and the owner of the fifty-two acres on which he lives, was born in this township,
February 12, 1857, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Pollinger) Cox.
The parents were also natives of this state, the father having been born in Carlton,
the mother in Huron county, and both were early habituated to the hardships of
farm life, for their parents were among the early settlers who had to make ready
the land before they could put in their crops. The mother and father died in 1859,
leaving two children, the eldest, John Robert, of this review, being but two years
old. William, the other child, is now a resident of Richmond township.
Upon the death of his parents John Robert Cox was taken by his maternal
grandfather, Abraham Pollinger, with whom he lived until he died. He attended
the district schools, from which his education was derived, until he became twen-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 513
ty-one. though all his vacations and the early spring and fall months were de-
voted to the work that was carried on on his grandfather's farm. Upon the
death of Mr. Pollinger, Mr. Cox bought the land from the other heirs. He has
found it to be arable soil, that had been kept in good condition during his grand-
father's lifetime. Indeed the latter had cleared it himself, with the help of Daniel
Pollinger, in the early days of Richmond township. From his childhood trained
in the practical cultivation of a farm, Mr. Cox has known how to obtain the very
best returns possible from the land at his disposal. He has not shirked hard work
and feels that he reaps an abundant harvest for his many hours of toil.
In November, 1884, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Elma Kirk-
wood, a daughter of Lewis and Anna Kirkwood. The parents were numbered
among those stalwart settlers who prepared the way for the conditions of the
present. They are survived by six children : Thomas, the eldest of the family ;
Myria, who married John Couch and lives in Chicago, Ohio ; Charles, unmarried ;
Elma, who became Mrs. Cox ; Amos, also unmarried ; and Jessie, who became the
wife of Willis Harmon and lives in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have! one
daughter, Mabel Fern, who married James Dawson, a farmer of Seneca county,
Ohio.
Following in the footsteps of his father who joined the republican party when
it was first being organized, Mr. Cox has always cast his vote for its candidates,
not through a blind acceptance of his father's principles alone but because he be-
lieves that in its platform are included some of the best principles for the govern-
ment of a nation. Although he has not taken a very active part in public mat-
ters, Mr. Cox served one term as road supervisor. He belongs to the Church of
God in Richmond township and is zealous in fulfilling his religious duties and
generous in his contributions to the support of the church.
HOWARD LOFLAND.
Howard Lofland, who for more than two score years has lived upon the farm
in Ripley township which is now his home, was born near Plymouth, in Rich-
land qounty, Ohio, October 9, 1848, and is a son of Solomon and Eleanor (Ty-
son) Lofland. The father, who was born near Mansfield, Ohio, in 1810, was a
son of Thomas Lofland and a brother of Dorman and Comfort. The mother
was born in England in 181 2 and was about twelve years of age when her par-
ents, William and Ann Tyson, came to America. They settled in Richland
county, Ohio, near Plymouth, and contributed their share toward making the
county a farming section, for they had to hew their fields out of the forests.
Mrs. Lofland was the youngest of four children, William, John and George being
her elder brothers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Lofland was born eleven chil-
dren: William, Henry, Smith, Howard, Charles, Ned, Thomas, one deceased,
Jane, Frances and Emma.
Howard Lofland grew up under the careful guidance of his parents, from
whom he received that instruction in the principles which should guide his life
and which have proved of inestimable value to him as the years have passed. His
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514 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
early education, however, the training in the rudiments of English learning, was
received in the little district school, and had it not been supplemented by prac-
tical experience would scarcely have sufficed for the business of life. Upon the
completion of the course of study prescribed by his teachers, Mr. Lofland turned
to the serious work of the farm, assisting his father in whatever way he could,
and then assuming full charge of affairs as the older man's advancing age made
it increasingly difficult for him to do the heavier labor. About twenty years ago
his father was released from the cares of this world and Mr. Lofland bought the
farm from his heirs and has since had possession of it. A fine tract of ninety-
nine acres, it well repays the earnest work he puts upon it.
In 1878 Mr. Lofland was married to Miss Lucy Mutler, of Plymouth, and a
daughter, Ida, was born to them in 1879. After the death of his first wife Mr.
Lofland married, October 9, 1888, Miss Catherine Monteith, who was born in
Ireland in January, 1861, and was but four years old when brought by her par-
ents, John and Catherine (Baird) Monteith, to this country. The family settled
in Plymouth, Ohio, and there the children — John, Andrew, Mary and Catherine —
grew to maturity. Of Mr. Lofland's second marriage there has been but one
child born, Carl Monteith, whose birth occurred April 16, 1890. He is a promis-
ing young man who is now in the employ of the People's Bank at Plymouth.
Mr. Lofland and the members of his family belong to the Presbyterian
church and are loyal in their support of its doctrines. Politically he adheres
stanchly to the republican party, believing that in its platform are embodied the
best principles for the government of a nation. A hard working man, he has won
success from a difficult life through his own efforts and not through the misfor-
tunes of others less able to withstand the struggles of life. ,
JACOB M. FINK.
Jacob M. Fink, a prosperous member of the farming community of Rich-
mond township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, October 6, 1854,
and is a son of John R. Fink and his wife, who before her marriage was Miss
Matilda Miller. On the paternal side he is of remotely French descent, and on
the maternal of German, though for several generations both families have been
of American birth and have participated in the affairs of this country. John R.
Fink was born February 22, 1826, and like his father, John S. Fink, was a native
of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where also was born, January 11, 1828, the
woman who became his wife. In 1854 John R. Fink came with his family to
Richmond township, Huron county, settling on the farm where his son now lives.
Two years later, however, he removed to the farm adjoining it on the east, on
which he passed the remainder of his days. The Fink family are thus widely
interested in the farming conditions of the township.
Jacob M. Fink was reared on the home farm, devoting himself to the nec-
essary work during his vacation periods and even during the few months when
the schools were in session, for with the majority of farmer's boys lessons find
what place they can in the midst of sterner duties. He married Miss Martha
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 515
Beamer, December 23, 1883. She is a daughter of Mathias and Afargaret
(Thompson) Beamer, both natives of Ohio, the father having been born in Tus-
carawas county, the mother in Carroll county. They were married in the former
county, then removed to Van Wert county, whence they came to Huron county,
where they resided the remainder of their lives and where they were buried when
they were released from the cares of this world, the father September 10, 1898,
the mother less than six months later, February 23, 1899. They were the parents
of nine children, of whom Elizabeth, who is deceased, was the wife of John
Faint ; Hannah married George Cole ; John F. was the fourth child ; Anna mar-
ried Jacob Rapp ; Lucinda first married Louis Rapp and after his death married
Lewis Livenspiker; Ellen became the wife of Charles H. Clark; Allen was the
seventh in the family; and Martha is the wife of Jacob M. Fink, of this review;
and Emma is the wife of Sam Garber.
On the farm which has ever been his home and from the field whose char-
acter he knows so well, Mr. Fink obtains more than the necessities of life, being
the owner of one hundred and thirty-six acres of well improved land. By skiil
and industry he has been able to reap bountiful harvests and by thrift and good
management he has been able to save something from each year's yield. He has
not taken part in the public life of the township, for the cares .of his farm have
left him little time for other matters.
WILLIAM W. HOPKINS.
William W. Hopkins, a farmer of Greenwich township and also a contracting
builder, is a well known citizen of the county, being especially active in Grand
Army matters, having been a worthy wearer of the blue during the trying days
from 1861 to 1865. He was born September 27, 1844, and is a native to the town-
ship where he resides. His parents were Willard K. and and Jane U. (Easterly)
Hopkins, the father a native of Barnstable, Massachusetts, the mother of Glov-
ersville, New York. Her uncle was the pioneer glovemaker of that village.
Willard K. Hopkins came to Greenwich township in 1838 with his first wife,
Lucy Reed, of a New York family, who died shortly after coming to Ohio, leav-
ing two children, Mary A. and Lucy M. In 1843 occurred the second marriage
of Mr. Hopkins and eight children were born of this union, namely: William
W., Albert J., Francis T., Elizabeth J., Julia E., Isadora A., Arman B., and
George H., all living but Elizabeth. The father was one of the pioneers who
hewed their farms out of the forest and lived to see them cultivated and im-
proved tracts. He was a man of strong character, quiet and of homelike tastes,
and greatly respected by those who knew him. He and his wife lie together in
Greenwich cemetery, the father passing first in May, 1879, the mother in 1882.
William W. Hopkins was reared to pioneer life and received but the rudi-
ments of an education in the crude schools of his time. Being of an observant
turn of mind, he has made up for many delinquencies in the school of life a?
time has passed. A lad yet in his teens when Old Glory felt the traitor's blow,
he soon found himself beneath her folds, as a private in Company D, of the One
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516 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Hundred and First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served two years
and ten months, to the close of the struggle, for the greater part of the term in
the middle west with the Army of the Cumberland, doing faithful service in the
memorable Atlanta campaign.
Soon after returning home, Mr. Hopkins was joined in marriage to Phoebe
J. Beers, a daughter of Lewis and Dorothy A. (Percy) Beers. Her father was
from Connecticut, and lived his life at Clarksfield, his wife having been a native
of that town. He was a millwright and carpenter of great industry and of force-
ful character. His wife died in 1853, while he lived to an advanced age, dying
in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are the parents of six children: Lewis W., a
resident of Akron, Ohio; Clarence R., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Maude E.,
deceased ; Clayton J., a farmer of Richland county, Ohio ; Nellie C, the wife of
Charles Daty, a jeweler, of Canton, Ohio; and Willard K., of Akron.
From 1869 until 1872, Mr. Hopkins and his family resided in Norwalk
township and then removed to Greenwich township, where he followed farming
until 1879. Since then he has made his home in the village of Greenwich and
has engaged in business as a brick-mason and builder.
He is a republican in politics and has always been a wise counsellor in the
deliberations of the party in his community. As township trustee, constable,
member of Greenwich council and waterworks trustee, he performed the duties
of the various positions with the greatest efficiency and to the best interests of the
public. t .
In his social life Mr. Hopkins gets most of his pleasure in serving the Grand
Army. He is a past commander, has served in all of the minor offices and is a
familiar figure at the different reunions of that grand organization. He and his
family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as a member
of the board of trustees and as financial and recording secretary has done good
service in the church. His wife is an intelligent and refined woman, active and
forceful in the church and its various interests, and a worker in all charities of the
community. The Hopkins home radiates an influence which is a great factor for
good, and both parents and children receive, as they should, the esteem of the
whole countryside.
JOHN S. BERRY,
John S. Berry, who has been prominent in Greenwich township, Huron county,
as a stockman, and in the mercantile world for almost half a century, was born
January 12, 1831, in Onondaga county, New York, a son of Clark and Elmira
(Pettis) Berry. The family came to Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, in
ithe fall of 1832, having made the journey from their old home by wagon, ex-
periencing many hardships on the way. The father bought a farm in the woods
and built a log cabin which was to serve for their home and immediately started
to clear the land. In his family were six children, who all had a taste of these
primitive conditions. They were : John S., Isaac J., Danford W., Wheaton, Chaun-
cey, and Celia, now Mrs. Nathan Carpenter, of Reading, Michigan. She and
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 517
John S. are now the only survivors, the others having come to their deaths in rather
unusual manner. Wheaton was teaching and lecturing in Texas before the war
and because of something said publicly that was displeasing to the people there he
was one evening shot upon the street. Isaac J. and Danforth and his wife were
drowned with several others in Clear Lake, Michigan, on the Fourth of July some
forty years ago. Chauncey died on Christmas day, 1908, from the effects of a
paralytic stroke received six years before. The parents were people of sterling
character and highly respected in the community in which they lived. The father
died in the spring of 1885 and was buried in the cemetery at Fairfield beside his
wife, who had preceded him to her last resting-place some twelve years, her death
having occurred in October, 1873.
John S. Berry lived with his parents until he was twenty-one. He received his
early education in the common schools of the county, later attending the high school
at Fairfield. When he attained his majority he entered the mercantile world in that
town with Hiram Barnum, and that partnership continued for about four years,
when Mr. Berry commenced farming, which he followed for two years. He then
opened a grocery in Greenwich, and during the years that have since passed he
had also been engaged in buying and selling stock and shipping it to the eastern
markets. For a number of years he also engaged in buying and selling wool and
during the period of the Civil war he handled large quantities of this commodity
and stock, from which he derived a considerable profit. He continued in mercan-
tile business in Greenwich for about twenty years, but has been engaged in the
stock and wool industry for forty-one years, during which time he has had deal-
ings with every farmer and wool grower for miles around. The result of these
transactions has gained for him the reputation, well earned indeed, for fair and
honorable dealing. At one time he was also the owner of considerable land, four
hundred acres being the extent of his possessions, and he still owns two hundred
and fifty acres and a commodious house in Greenwich. He worked hard and for-
tune looked favorably upon him.
On the 21st of November, 1852, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Lucy
M. Gifford, a daughter of Abraham and Marietta (Blockmore) Gifford. The par-
ents came to Ohio in 1832 from Erie county, New York, and settled in Greenwich
township, where the father began farming and became a large landowner and a
highly esteemed citizen. When he died, August 24, 1878, he was buried by his wife,
who had died January 4, 1864, in Ripley. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are the parents of
two children : Charles A. and Eva Eldora, both of whom died within a week of one
another in September, 1865. Shortly after this loss they adopted a niece who came
to the family when a mere child, and to whom they gave the name of their deceased
daughter, Eva Eldora. She is now married to George E. Richey, of Columbus,
Ohio. On the 21st of November, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Berry celebrated the fiftieth
anniversary of their marriage, at which many friends proffered their good wishes
and their hopes that for many more years they might traverse life's pathway
together.
Mr. Berry has all his life been a very busy man and has had little time to give to
public affairs. He has always been a republican and when a younger man was very
active in the interests of his party though he never sought office. His influence has
ever been exerted for the good of the community and for a number of years he
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518 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
filled the office of township assessor. He is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No.
543, F. & A. M., and with Mrs. Berry belongs to the Eastern Star. He is also a
member of the chapter at New London, and both he and his wife have been mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than half a century, for forty
years of which Mr. Berry has been its treasurer and in other ways active in the af-
fairs of the church. In short he is a man, who looking back over the many years
that have been granted him, can feel satisfied with the use he has made of them and
the good will of his friends.
HENRY BORES.
Henry Bores, a prominent farmer of Sherman township, Huron county, and
the owner of the one hundred and twenty-two acres of land on which he lives,
was born in that township, about one mile east of his present home, on the 25th
of July, i860. He is a son of David and Anna M. (Fachinger) Bores, both of
whom were born in Germany but have for many years been citizens of this
county and are at present living upon two hundred and forty acres of land in
Sherman township. David Bores was born January 22, 1833, and was but
twenty years of age when he embarked upon the journey to this country, alone,
for his parents, John and Catherine (Klepel) Bores, had too many ties in their
native land to relinquish them and make a new home amid new surroundings.
There were other ties just as strong as home that held them to Germany, ties
of patriotism and loyalty, for John Bores had been a soldier and in serving his
country fought against Napoleon in 181 5. David Bores landed in New York on
coming to the United States and proceeded to Ridgefield township, Huron
county, Ohio, where he worked by the month for different farmers for about
three years, and then rented a tract of land for perhaps six years. Two years
after coming here, he married Miss Anna M. Fachinger, who had come to the
United States with her brother Joseph from Germany, and to them were born
six children: Joseph, deceased; Elizabeth, who married C. Wilhelm: Henry;
August ; John ; and Emma, the wife of William Ringland. David Bores was a
member of a family of five children, having two brothers and two sisters: John,
Louis, Elizabeth and Minnie. He was a young man when he came to this county
and soon identified himself with local affairs, taking a prominent part in po-
litical and governmental matters. For a number of years he served as township
trustee and as road superintendent, to which office he was elected on the democratic
ticket. He and his family were all members of the Catholic church and from its
foundation were active in promoting its welfare.
In Sherman township Henry Bores has spent the greater part of his life. He
was reared at home and acquired his education at the district schools, early en-
tering upon the occupation which his father followed and in addition to farming
engaging to quite an extent in threshing. In 1897 he bought his present farm
from Joe Long, on which during the past twelve years he has made a number of
important improvements. A successful farmer, Mr. Bores follows in the steps
of his father in other respects as well, taking an efficient interest in public affairs
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 51.9
and being- selected by the people to serve them in two capacities. As a trustee of
this township he has had a guiding hand upon its government and as a member of
the school board he has done much to advance the cause of education here. He
is not much given to fraternal organizations and societies, but is a member of
the National Protective Legion and is interested in its work.
On the 3d of February, 1885, Mr. Bores was united in wedlock to Miss Mary
Bauman, the daughter of John and Barbara (Barbrick) Bauman, of Sherman
township. The former is still living, in Monroeville, but the mother has passed
away, after having reared a family of three children : Emma, who married
Anthony Hammersmith, of Erie county, Ohio; Mary; and Allie, who married
August Bcres, a brother of our subject. Mrs. Henry Bores was bcrn in Sherman
township and is the mother of six children : Anna, the eldest of the family and
now the wife of Lawrence Myers, of Sherman township. Louisa, who married
Stephen Lash, and also lives in Sherman township, being the mother of three
children, Walter, Clarence and Marian. The four youngest of the Bores family,
Benjamin, Walter, Carl and Ramon live at home. The whole family are members
of the Catholic church at Bismarck, which the elder Mr. Bores helped to build.
Henry Bores is one of the prominent farmers of Sherman township and well
he might be, not only for the skill he has evinced as a tiller of the soil, but also for
the concern he has shown in public affairs and for the service he has rendered the
people. His assistance has ever been that of an honest and upright man, and he
is held in high regard by those who know him.
ADAM BIUERLE.
Adam Biuerle, who is one of the three heirs to the father's estate of one hun-
dred and twenty-eight acres lying in Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio,
owns in his own right thirty-seven acres adjoining the home place on the east. He
was torn in Cincinnati, August 23, 1853, and is a son of Leonard J. and Catherine
(Leitenberger) Biuerle. His paternal grandparents were Adam and Christina
Biuerle, while his maternal grandparents were George Adam and Mary Susan Lei-
tenberger, who were born in Germany and never left their native land. Leonard
Biuerle and the woman who afterward became his wife came to the United States
as young people about the year 1847. In the city of Cincinnati they were married
and a couple of years later, about 1854, came to Huron county, where they lived
until their death. The mother passed away September 4, 1884, while the father sur-
vived until April 11, 1891. They were buried in Richmond township. In their
family were five children: Catherine, Adam, Caroline, Christina and Mary. Of
these the two eldest were born in Cincinnati, the others in Huron county. Caroline,
now deceased, was the wife of Christ Aichholz ; Mary wedded John Marshall, but
Catherine, Adam and Christina have never left the home place.
Christina Biuerle received her early education in the public schools of Huron
county, and later for two terms was a student at Ada, Ohio. Upon the completion
of her own training she engaged in teaching, first for a number of years in the
schools of Huron county, then for two terms in Seneca county, and lastly, for two
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520 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
years in the Chicago high school. She was successful in her profession, but gave
it up that she might be at heme and assist in the conduct of the farm. Catherine
Biuerle attended the district schools until twelve years of age and then devoted her
time to assisting her mother, who was in ill health and needed her help in carrying
on ihe work of the home.
Adam Biuerle obtained all his education in the district schools, and though he
remained at his lessons until he was twenty-one, it was for but a few months a year,
and even then his summers and spare time was spent in work on the farm. He be-
came a skilled agriculturist, however, with the passing of the years, able to take
charge of affairs and competent to conduct the farm upon a paying basis. He has
also taken part in the public life of the community to a slight extent, following in his
father's footsteps in the various offices he has held, for like the older man he has
been road supervisor and one of the directors of the educational interests of the
township. He too has espoused the cause of the democratic party, finding that its
platform is more in accord with his own views. The brother and two sisters con-
duct the affairs of the farm that was left to them by their father and unite their ef-
forts in making it one of the most fertile and productive tracts in Richmond town-
ship. They are members of the Lutheran church, stanch in their support of its doc-
trines, which find practical application daily in their lives.
HENRY LUTMAN.
Henry Lutman, one of the prosperous farmers of Ripley township, who owns
one hundred and ten acres of land in the vicinity of Boughtonville, was born in
France, May 15, 1853. He is the only son of Philip and Christina fNoacher)
Lutman, who came to America when he was but eighteen months old, for they
were anxious to make a start in life where conditions seemed more favorable than
in the turbulent land of their birth, and they were desirous that their son should
have the many advantages that need only be grasped by the young men of this
country.
Reared to the life of a farmer, Mr. Lutman has devoted himself unremittingly
to the culture of fields since he attained his majority. He never shunned hard
work, but with the determination to succeed, which is characteristic of his race, he
pushed straight ahead, exchanging one piece of land for another wherever he saw
an opportunity to better himself. About nine years ago he bought his present
farm in Ripley township. To this, too, he has given his attention with practical
enthusiasm and has felt fully repaid for the privations which he endured and the
hard work which he had spent, when at harvest time each year he was better off
than he had been the year before. His labors have not, however, been all selfishly
directed ; he has for thirteen years found time to devote to the educational inter-
ests of the township, serving the people faithfully as a member of the school
board.
In 1877 Mr. Lutman was married to Miss Sarah Grover, who is a daughter of
Solomon and Catherine Grover and the sister of George, Isaac, John, Susan and
Mary, the other children of her parents. To Mr. Lutman and his wife have been
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 521
born three children: Anna, who married Arthur Watts; Dora, who became the
wife of Clifford Knight; and Lewis, who married Miss Nettie Palm.
When called upon to exercise his right of franchise Mr. Lutman invariably
casts his ballot for the candidate of the democratic party, for he is a firm be-
liever in its principles as defined in its platform. An American in all but birth, by
his industry, his frugality, which constitute his example to his neighbors and
friends, he is deserving of the success which has rewarded his hard work, and it
is without the bitterness that taints the good fortune of those who have built their
little world on the ruins of the hopes and aspirations of others.
WILLIAM G. CHANNING.
One of the native sons of Huron county who have continued in the life to which
they were reared, that of a farmer, is William G. Channing, who owns ninety-one
acres of land in Richmond township. He was born, however, in Greenfield town-
ship, December n, 1852. His parents, Joseph and Charlotte (Fox) Channing,
were born, reared and married in England. In 1848 they came to America and
joined their forces with those of the other early settlers of Huron county who were
doing their share toward the great development which the last half of the preced-
ing century witnessed. Six children were born to them : Ellen, who became the
wife of William H. Callin; Joseph R. ; Susan, who married Thomas A. McClain;
Lcuisa, who became the wife of A. M. Cole ; Lydia, who married S. S. Lloyd ; and
William G., who is the subject of this sketch.
William G. Channing received the fundamentals of his education in the district
schools of Huron county. The meager instruction which they were able to afford
during the few months they were in session he has greatly supplemented, however,
both through practical experience and by extensive reading and study. One of his
largest assets being a capacity for hard, unremitting toil, he has secured from his
farm a substantial income due also to the scientific study he has made of agricul-
tural methods and the nature of his soil. Reared to the life of a farmer, he has fol-
lowed that calling but at the same time has found exercise for the business ability
which is his on the stock and grain market and in the buying and selling of hay and
fertilizer.
Mr. Channing has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Alice Leply, a
daughter cf Harrison and Elizabeth Leply. The one son, Elmer, who was born of
this union, is an electrician at Niagara Falls. When Mr. Channing married again
Miss Eliza J. Dawson became his wife. She was a daughter of James B. Dawson
by his first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Dickinson. The others
of this family were J. W., A. H., G. H. and J. E. By his second wife, who before
her marriage was Miss Julia Sweetland, Mr. Dawson had five children : H. S., D.
F., C. A., R. A. and Mary. The daughter is now the wife of D. W. Hillis. Of Mr.
Channing's second union there have been two children born: Charlotte, who is
the wife of John W. Mowery and Finace J., who lives at home.
Mr. Channing gives his support in political matters to the republican party, with
whose platform he is most in sympathy. He is not a man who aspires to public
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522 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
office, however, though he has on occasion served the citizens of his township 'well
and takes an interest in local affairs. For several years he acted as justice of the
peace and as a member of the school board advanced the cause of education in the
township. In 1900 he was appointed to take the census in Richmond township.,
The family are members of the United Brethren church, to which they have given
unfailing and substantial support for a number of years.
JULIUS HAGMAN.
Julius Hagman, one of the most prominent German-American residents of
Chicago. Ohio, is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his
extensive property interests. He was born in Germany on the 2d of September.
1858, his parents being John B. and Frances (Leis) Hagman, both of whom
passed away in that country. The father's death occurred on the 26th of No-
vember, 1 87 1, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1903, when seventy-
six years of age. Their family numbered nine children, as follows : Monica, who
is a Sister of Charity in Germany ; Catherine, who is the widow of Joseph Kim-
mer and lives in Wittenberg, Germany; Julius, of this review; Joseph, a resident
of the fatherland ; Otto, who is deceased ; Krezenz, living in Switzerland ; Paul,
of Germany; Richard, who also makes his home in that country; and Bridget, the
wife of a Mr. Habercan, of Germany.
Julius Hagman attended the schools of his native land and in early manhood
served as a soldier of the German army for six months. The year 1881 witnessed
his emigration to the United States and after landing on the shores of this coun-
try he made his way at once to Sandusky, Ohio, where for two years he worked
as a day laborer. Subsequently he took up his abode in Chicago, Huron county,
Ohio, securing employment in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops and, by dint
of untiring industry and close economy, at length accumulated sufficient capital
to enable him to engage in business on his own account. It was in 189 1 that he
started out for himself, becoming the proprietor of a restaurant, which he success-
fully conducted until the 5th of September, 1905, when he sold the establishment
to Lewis Schwartz. Since that time he has lived practically retired from active
business cares save for the supervision which he gives to his invested interests,
being the owner of considerable town property. The prosperity which has
crowned his efforts has come as the direct result of his own well directed and in-
defatigable labor, and he is now widely recognized as one of the most substantial,
respected and representative citizens of the county.
On the 9th of September, 1901, Mr. Hagman was united in marriage to Mrs.
Gracens Schandorfer, a daughter of John N. and Mary Batch and the widow7 of
Valentine Schandorfer, of Port Clinton, Ohio. She was born in Germany and
when a maiden of sixteen years accompanied her parents on their emigration to
the new world, the family first locating at Sandusky, Ohio, while later they took
up their abode in Port Clinton, this state. John N. Batch, a carpenter by trade,
still survives at the age of eighty-nine years and makes his home with his daughter,
Mrs. Hagman. His wife is deceased, however, having passed away in IQ08, when
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 523
eighty-seven years of age. They reared a family of seven children, namely: Jo-
seph ; Edward, who is the present mayor of Port Clinton ; William ; Mrs. Hag-
man; Matilda; Hubbard; and Henry. By her former husband Mrs. Hagman
had six children, the record of whom is as follows : John, who died in 1907, when
thirty-eight years of age, wedded Miss Anna Weisbaker, by whom he had three
children: Vernice, Beulah and Ruth. Edward first wedded Miss Sallie Henry,
and after her death was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Rae Townsend. They make
their home at Painesville, Ohio. Frank, who married Miss Bessie Ashley, is
foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio shops at Zanesville, Ohio. Tillie, living at Gar-
rett, Indiana, is the wife of Leo Mager, by whom she has two children, Leroy and
Lucile. Lewis is a resident of Painesville, Ohio. Cornelius, a twin brother of
Lewis, is deceased.
Politically Mr. Hagman is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and on that
ticket was elected a member of the city council, the duties of which office he is now
discharging in a most capable and faithful manner. Religiously he is a faithful
communicant of the Catholic church and is now serving as one of the trustees.
His fraternal relations are with the Eagles and the Knights of Columbus at
Steuben. Although born across the water, he is thoroughly loyal to the stars and
stripes and to the interests of his adopted land. As the years have passed he has
so directed his business affairs that he is now enabled to enjoy all of the comforts
and many of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor. He has never
had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, but on the
contrary has found here the business opportunities he has sought and in theit
utilization has won a goodly measure of success.
WILLIAM O. VAN LIEW.
William O. Van Liew, who has had a varied experience as a business man, is
now operating his excellent farm of sixty-four acres in Richmond township, where
he has become thoroughly identified with the best interests of his locality, and
prominent in the republican party. He was born in Norwich township, June 22,
1862, a son of William C. and Charlotte (Burdge) Van Liew, both of whom were
natives of New York state, and were brought to Ohio in childhood. The father
was a farmer of Norwich township until within three years of his demise, when
he retired to Centerton, and there he died, September 6, 1903. aged seventy-five
years, as he was born in 1828. His wife had died March 7, 1896, in Norwich town-
ship. During the Civil war he served as a ninety-day man in Company H, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. The following children were born to him and his wife:
Allen, who is deceased ; Alberta, who married B. F. Denson ; Mary, who married
Joseph Robinson ; William O. ; Fred ; and Ada, who married Edward Silter.
William O. Van Liew was given more than ordinary opportunities for secur-
ing an education for after he finished his course in the public schools of Norwich,
he entered Ada College at Ada, Harding county, Ohio, and after a term there he
entered the Attica high school. He then learned the trade of painter and paper
hanger by working in Chicago, Ohio, and pursued this occupation for thirteen
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524 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
years. At this time his services were required by his father and for the following
three years he operated the homestead. Having by this time decided that he pre-
ferred an agricultural life, he purchased his present farm from John Dellinger
and has been devoting himself ever since to improving and cultivating it.
On March 17, 1885, Mr. Van Liew married Emma Shanks, a daughter of
James and Sarah Jane (Tanner) Shanks, farmers of Richmond township. They
had the following family : Lucy, who married Dr. H. G. Blaine ; Mrs. Van Liew ;
Odella, who married Clayton C. Sanford ; Anna, who married F. A. Richards :
Estella, who married V. E. Cole ; Arthur and Lilly. Mr. and Mrs. Van Liew have
three children: Leo, born January 28, 1887; Cora, born January 21, 1889; and
Ruth, born March 29, 1895.
Mr. Van Liew has served as school director of Norwich township one term,
and one term as road supervisor in Richmond township, being elected both times
on the republican ticket. The family are Methodists in religious faith. Mr. Van
Liew has always been a hard working man, earnest in his endeavors to produce the
best results and to live up to a high standard of right living, and that he has suc-
ceeded, his popularity with his neighbors and friends amply testifies.
GEORGE WILLIAM BRINSON.
George William Brinson, a farmer and successful stock breeder and raiser of
Ripley township, was born on the farm on which he now lives September 6, 1868.
He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Mervin) Brinson, who were of English birth
and education. James Brinson, the son of Thomas Brinson, was born in Somerset-
shire, England, June 2, 1822, and at the age of twenty-six he emigrated to this
country, where for about seventeen years he worked at the trade of stone-cutter.
In 1865 he married, forsook his former means of livelihood and started to farm,
purchasing the land upon which his son now lives. His wife, who before her mar-
riage was Miss Elizabeth Mervin, was born in 1836 in Leicestershire, England, and
is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Mervin. She came to Ohio in 1855, and
through her marriage became the mother of a daughter Altha and a son George
William, the subject of this sketch.
Reared on the home farm, Mr. Brinson received such an education in the dis-
trict schools as the average country boy obtained in the few winter months that were
devoted to schooling because it would be impossible to spend them in the fields.
With the first sign of spring the school doors were closed and George William
Brinson, like the other boys of his neighborhood, returned to the farm to assist his
father till the fields and tempt them to give a greater and greater harvest each year.
Difficult though the work may have been at times the success of his later years has
fully repaid him for the outlay of exertion, for not only did he learn the methods of
cultivating the soil but the equally important lessons of industry, thrift and good
management which have enabled him to maintain his farm in such an excellent con-
dition that it is frequently the cause for comment. A number of years ago he added
stock raising and feeding to his purely agricultural interests, and in this branch
also has been very successful.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 525
On the 12th of April, 1905, Mr. Brinson was married to Miss Mary Hannan, a
daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Brennstuhl) Hannan. She was born December 30,
1884. and was the eldest child in a family of six, the others being James, Edward,
Agnes, Cassie and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Brinson have three children, two sons and
a daughter: Mildred E., born July 28, 1906; James E., born May 16, 1908; and
Glen R. born September 8, 1909. When called upon to exercise his right to vote,
Mr. Brinson invariably supports the candidates of the republican party, as he is
most in sympathy with its principles. He devotes little time to politics and public
matters, however, for the care of his one hundred and seventy-three acres and his
business interests leave him but little desire for anything but the enjoyment of a
few quiet hours in the bosom of his family.
CHARLES L. WILLOUGHBY.
Charles L. Willoughby is one of the well known men of Richmond township.
A prosperous farmer, owning and operating one hundred and seventy-three acres
of land, he has also taken an active part in the local public affairs and at the ex-
pressed desire of his fellow citizens has held important positions. He was born in
Norwich township, January 2, 1867, and is a son of Arthur and Mary J. (Ringle)
Willoughby. The father, who was the son of James and Margaret (Patterson)
Willoughby, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1827, and was a farmer
throughout his life. As a boy he worked on the home place and then sought em-
ployment on the farms of the neighborhood, receiving a small compensation for
the services he rendered. When he became desirous of establishing his own home,
he came to this county, locating in Norwich township, which was then entirely cov-
ered with timber. He was not discouraged, however, but bought his first farm of
one hundred acres in the midst of the woods. He built a log cabin, cleared his land,
and as the years brought good returns for the labor he expended in the fields he
was able to add to the original farm, until at his death he owned three hundred and
seventy-five acres in Norwich and Richmond townships. He passed away in
August, 1889, but his wife, who was born in 1833, lived until May 21, 1908, when
she was buried beside her husband in the cemetery at Attica, Ohio. They were the
parents of seven children: Simon A., who departed this life in 1893; Harry E., a
resident of Melton, Wisconsin ; William M., of Richmond township ; Alice May,
who died in 1897 ; Charles L., the subject of this sketch ; Clara B., who became the
wife of Jasper Barber and lives in Lorain county, near Oberlin ; and Walter J.,
who conducts a physical culture school in Cleveland, Ohio.
Charles L. Willoughby received his first lessons in the fundamental branches
of English education in the district schools of his native township. Later he at-
tended the public school in Attica, and after three years continued his training in
the high school of that city, remaining there two years. His formal education com-
pleted, he went west to Kansas to farm with a brother but stayed only one year,
after which he removed to Wisconsin, where for three years he followed the car-
penter's trade. Upon the death of his father he returned to his home and assumed
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526 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
charge of the farm, which has been his care ever since and on which he has prose-
cuted a line of diversified agriculture which has been very profitable.
Though of necessity the greater part of Mr. Willoughby's time is consumed by
the cares of his farm, he has evinced a commendable interest in the public affairs of
his township. He is at present one of the directors of the county infirmary, and
though his duties are sometimes onerous and his responsibilities trying he is fully
able to take charge of them. For three years as trustee he assisted in the adminis-
tration of the affairs of the township and for a term of one year acted as assessor.
The local school board benefited by his counsels during three years, for he has ever
been deeply interested in the problem of education. In political matters he allies
himself with the democratic party, but he gives allegiance to no religious
denomination.
ELMER A. STOTTS.
Elmer A. Stotts, one of the successful farmers and prominent business men of
Ripley township, whose farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres lies near the lit-
tle village of Boughtonville, was born in this township, June i, 1867. He is a son
of Abram and Mariette (Boughton) Stotts. The parents were of Ohioan nativity,
the mother's birth having occurred in Fitchville township, this county, in the year
1834. Abram Stotts, who was born December 5, 1822, was the son of John Stotts
and became one of the prominent men of this locality. Successful in his farming
and business operations, he was also a man in whom the people put their con-
fidence, for besides filling many minor offices in his township he was a Huron
county commissioner for six years. During a period of more than twice this length
of time he was president of the Huron County Insurance Company, guiding its
finances with a wise hand. He passed away July 21, 1909, in the eighty-seventh
year of his age. Four children were born to Abram Stotts and his wife: Flora,
Delia, Clarence and Elmer A.
Elmer A. Stotts, the youngest of this family, has followed largely in his father's
footsteps. Reared and educated to life on the farm, of his own volition he has con-
tinued in that calling, finding exercise for his many other capabilities in the world
of finance or in the service of his fellow citizens. His farm is one of the model places
in the vicinity of Boughtonville. On it are seen fine, substantial buildings, strictly
conforming to the most advanced ideas as regards construction and maintained in
first class repair. His fields, in their excellent condition of tillage, bespeak the in-
dustry and good management of their owner. As for his business operations, he
is a stockholder in the Boughtonville Telephone Company and for the past eight
years has sold farm implements in the village. This business he is closing now,
however, for he contemplates moving to Plymouth in the fall of 1909, having al-
ready purchased a home in that city.
On the 7th of June, 1888, Mr. Stotts was married to Miss Mildred Kaylor, who
was born September 7, 1868, and is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Yarnell)
Kaylor, of Plymouth, Ohio. This union has been blessed with one child, Blanche,
who was born November 9, 1896. Mrs. Stotts is a devoted member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church at Delphi, while her husband gives his religious adherence
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 527
to the Baptist denomination. Politically he affiliates with the republican party
though he is not active in its ranks. He has, however, served the people of the
township efficiently for several terms as a member of the school board and for more
than ten years has been a trustee of Ripley. Though still a young man, Mr. Stotts
has been successful and is highly respected. Accordingly, the best years of his life
which lie still before him, should be a golden guerdon of his earnest endeavors
in the past
JOHN H. DONALDSON.
John H. Donaldson is a respected and honored citizen of Greenwich township,
and has passed most of his life within the bounds of Huron county. He was born
near Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, February 24, 1834, a son of Joseph and
Sarah G. (Matthews) Donaldson. The father was a West Virginian by birth, and
the mother was a native of Ohio. Joseph Donaldson came to this state and took up
the time-honored occupation of his ancestors, that of farming; which he followed
for the remainder of his life. The year 1819 marked his location in Richland
county, but in 1863 ne S°W out there and settled in Allen county, Indiana, where he
died July 27, 1891, his wife following him in November, 1897. In their family
were three sons and four daughters : Francina, John H., Mary, William S., Jemi-
ma, Levi J. and Emily, all living except Francina and Jemima.
John H. Donaldson was quite liberally educated for his times in the district
schools and at Oberlin College. He taught successfully for a number of years in
Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, this at a time when it was the custom to "board
round." He finally purchased land, farming in summer and teaching in winter,
after his marriage, which event occurred March 27, i860. His wife, Miss Lura
P. Barker, was of a prominent pioneer family, her parents being Daniel G. and
Eliza (Baker) Barker, of Huron county. The father was originally from New
York and the mother from Connecticut. They came to Ohio in 1829, shortly after
marriage, and were thrifty and hardworking people. With a debt of one hundred
dollars, an ox-team and an ax, they began life in the virgin forest and amassed a
competency. Mr. Barker was prominent in public affairs. In 1856 he was com-
missioned by Governor Robert Lucas of Ohio as brigadier general of the First
Regiment, Second Brigade, Eleventh Division of the State Militia, and was also
connected with other public affairs during life.
There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, all of whom are oc-
cupying honorable and useful positions in society : Clara R. was well educated and
is now in the Philippines serving her second three-year period as a teacher; Joseph
D. is a traveling salesman ; Frank D., a farmer, is serving as clerk of Ripley town-
ship; May D. is the wife of Dr. Austin S. McKitrick, a physician of Kenton,
Ohio; Grace A. is the wife of Dr. A. C. Matthews, physician of Poughkeepsie,
New York. The mother of these children passed away in April, 1897. She was a
woman of great strength of character and beloved by all for her wide charity and
gracious kindliness.
Mr. Donaldson continues to reside on the old homestead, a well tilled farm of
one hundred and sixty acres. He is a republican in politics and because of his con-
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528 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
servative and wise counsel is prominent at all the gatherings of his party. He in-
terests himself in the affairs of his local community and has served as trustee, presi-
dent of the board of education, etc. A successful farmer, he is prominent in all
that pertains to agricultural interests, having been for years secretary of the local
branch, No. 707, of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is an active, working member
of the Congregational church, is chairman of the board of trustees, and teaches a
large adult Bible class in the Sunday school. A broad-minded, public-spirited citi-
zen, always alert and active in every good movement, Mr. Donaldson has won a
large place for himself in the affairs of Huron county.
PHILLIP HAWN.
Among the farms of Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio, which have
remained in the families of the hardy pioneers that cut them out of the wilderness,
is that of one hundred acres on which Phillip Hawn lives today. It was the
place of his birth, where on the 17th day of May, 1850, he was born, a son of Ben-
jamin and Hannah (Coder) Hawn. His grandparents on both his father's and his
mother's side were natives of Pennsylvania. Phillip Coder, the maternal grand-
father, lived to be ninety-four years of age and witnessed the many changes that
separated the nineteenth century from the eighteenth as by a gulf. His wife was
Elizabeth Coder. Benjamin and Margaret Hawn, the father's parents, came to
Ohio in the days of the pioneers and did their share toward preparing the virgin
country for the farms which are now its pride.
Benjamin Hawn, the father of Phillip, was reared in Medina county. Ohio,
but came to Huron county in 1849, purchasing from Sally Busch and from the
government the farm on which his son now lives. It was his home for the re-
mainder of his life, and he was associated with conditions which at the time of his
death, in 1898, had entirely passed away and were but memories in the minds of
the older settlers, who had been pioneers. When he bought the farm his first
concern was to build a log cabin, which should serve him as shelter while he
cleared the land of its timber and made the fields ready to receive the seed. As the
community of Richmond township grew he became active in its affairs, was made
supervisor and was elected to the school board, using his influence to make it pos-
sible for the farmers' boys to obtain something more than the meager education
they received in early days. In politics he was a democrat and in his religious
faith an adherent of the United Brethren church. Mr. Hawn was twice married.
Miss Cassie Showalter, who became his first wife, bore him six children: George,
John, Thomas, Margaret, Henry and Lavinia. The three eldest sons were soldiers
in the Civil war ; Margaret became the wife of Jackson Schilts ; and Lavinia mar-
ried Jacob Kissinger. On the occasion of his second marriage Miss Hannah
Coder became his wife. Of this union there were four children : Caroline, who
married Darwin Brooks ; Phillip, the subject of this sketch ; Lucy, who became the
wife of John Patten; and Benjamin A., who was the youngest of the family.
Phillip Hawn received his preparation for life from the district schools of
Richmond township, though it was supplemented in a practical way by work on
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 529
the farm which occupied the summer months and the hours that were not devoted
to his lessons. Upon leaving school he seriously took up the work of the farm,
to which he has given all his time and energy since. Under his father's instruc-
tion he learned the first principles of soil culture, but this knowledge has been
vastly supplemented by his own practical experience and by the advancement that
has been made in farming methods as in other lines of work in the hst half
century.
On the 13th of April, 1880, Mr. Hawn was united in marriage to Miss Jennie
Foster, a daughter of John and Sarah Foster. The father was a shoemaker by
trade and came from Pennsylvania, though he was for a number of years a resi-
dent of Attica. Mrs. Hawn was the youngest of four children, the others being
Addie, Thomas and Charles. The last has passed away. To our subject and his
wife were born five children: I. Estella, Alta Florence, Charles H., Frederick F.
and Jessie T. The eldest is now the wife of Harry Jocelyn. Mrs. Hawn passed
away August 19, 1908, and was buried in Bethel cemetery, Richmond township.
Mr. Hawn does not give his political allegiance to any party but votes for
men and measures as he thinks right, and he is not an office seeker, though he is
always interested in the welfare of the citizens of the township and gives his in-
fluence toward the betterment of the conditions that surround them. He is par-
ticularly concerned for the educational advancement of the township and toward
that end served as a school director and at present exercises his influence as a
member of the school board. He has also acted as superintendent of road con-
struction. He is a collector of rare coins and has in his possession some that were
coined in the early days of this republic, a half-dozen that were made in Philadel-
phia, and others that were struck off at Harrisburg in 1786.
GEORGE G. SEIBEL.
George G. Seibel, a well known and successful agriculturist of Ridgefield town-
ship, is the owner of a rich and productive farm of seventy acres. It was on this
place that his birth occurred, his natal day being June 20, 1857. His parents, Wil-
liam and Kathryn (Sheth) Seibel, were both natives of Germany. The father
crossed the ocean to America in 1848 and when a year had passed he returned to
Germany for his parents, Casper and Margaret Seibel, whom he brought to Hu-
ron county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. William Seibel
first secured employment as a farm hand and, carefully saving his earnings, was
at length enabled to purchase the farm which is now the property of his son.
George G. It was nearly all covered with timber but with characteristic en-
ergy he set to work and gradually transformed the place into a good farming
property. The first home of the family was an old log house and they experienced
many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. William Seibel
was called to his final rest on the 20th of September, 1861, his demise being the
occasion of deep regret to all who knew him. His wife was about twenty
years of age when she came to this county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wil-
liam Sheth. She long survived her husband, passing away on the 20th of May,
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530 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
1907. Their family numbered four children, as follows: Minnie, who is de-
ceased ; George G., of this review ; Lettie, the deceased wife of Charles Leiber ;
and William.
George G. Seibel obtained his education in the district schools and has always
continued to reside on the farm where his birth occurred. Through the assistance
which he rendered his father he early became familiar with the duties and labors
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and this occupation has claimed his time and
energies throughout his entire business career. As before stated, his place com-
prises seventy acres of valuable and well improved land in Ridgefield township
and the success which has attended his labors as an agriculturist is the outcome
of clear judgment, close application and excellent business ability.
On the nth of October, 1888, Mr. Seibel was united in marriage to Miss Ber-
tha Loey, who was born in Gerrriany, December 4, 1 861, her parents being Philip
and Mollie Loey, of Lyme township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seibel have been born
five children, namely: Rosie; Elmer; Walter; and Edna and Carl, who are de-
ceased.
Mr. Seibel has served as a member of the school board for about twenty
years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His re-
ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church, of which
he is serving as a trustee. Well known in the county where he has always resided,
he has a wide acquaintance here and has won uniform trust and good will by
reason of a life which in all of its phases has been straightforward and honorable.
FRED JARRETT.
Fred Jarrett, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits on his farm of
one hundred and four acres in Bronson township, was born in Fitchville, Huron
county, Ohio, on the nth of April, 1876, his parents being George and Emma
(Jenkins) Jarrett. The father, whose birth occurred in 1838, is a son of John
Jarrett, who was of English descent. The maternal grandfather of our subject,
Thomas Jenkins, who was likewise of English lineage, lived to attain the re-
markable age of one hundred and one and a half years.
As above stated, Fred Jarrett is the owner of a well improved farm of one hun-
dred and four acres in Bronson township, to the cultivation of which he devotes
his time and energies, annually gathering rich harvests which find a ready sale
on the market.
On the 25th of December, 1901, Mr. Jarrett was united in marriage to Miss
Clara Isabella Park, whose birth occurred October 7, 1876, her parents being
James and Mary Ann (McPherson) Park. Her paternal grandfather was Joseph
Park. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett have been born two children : one whose birth
occurred April 6, 1903, and who passed away in infancy ; and James McPherson,
who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 19th of March, IQ05.
Mr. Jarrett gives his political allegiance to the republican party and at one time
was elected justice of the peace but declined the office, as he has always preferred
to confine his attention to his private affairs. He has, however, done effective ser-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 531
vice as a member of the school board. A valued and helpful member of the Pres-
byterian church, he has acted as president of the church society and also as super-
intendent of the Sunday school. He has passed through all the chairs in the Junior
Order of United American Mechanics and is recognized throughout the community
as a most enterprising, progressive and prosperous citizen. In this county, where
he has always resided, he is most widely and favorably known, the circle of his
friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JOSEPH B. STOCKMASTER.
Some men seem able to succeed in the battle of life without the advantages
given by a thorough educational training, for they make the most of every oppor-
tunity and never neglect any duty that devolves upon them. That this is true is
proven in the careers of Joseph B. Stockmaster. of Norwich township, Huron
county, and his father the late Frank Stockmaster, Jr., both of whom received
but few educational advantages but were able to make a comfortable living not-
withstanding. Joseph B. Stockmaster was born on the farm he now occupies,
which lies in both Norwich and Sherman townships and was the homestead of his
parents, Frank and Catherine (Hill) Stockmaster. His grandfather, Frank
Stockmaster, Sr., was one of the very early settlers of Huron county. His son,
Frank Stockmaster, Jr., was born in America, but his wife was a native of Ger-
many, and Joseph B. Stockmaster without doubt inherits from her side of the
family some of the excellent German characteristics which make sons of the
fatherland such desirable citizens. Frank Stockmaster, Jr., was a farmer in Nor-
wich township all his life. At the age of ten years he was forced to leave school
for the couple of months during the winter, which constituted his opportunity for
securing an education, and to take up the burden of a struggle for existence. In
his family were three children : Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Peter DeMeyer ;
Emma, who married Jacob Fritz ; and Joseph B.
When he was only sixteen years of age, Joseph B. Stockmaster left school in
order to give all his time to his father's interests. A year later the father died
and the young man assumed the management of the farm and continued to oper-
ate it for his mother until her demise, when he bought the interests of his sisters
and now owns one hundred and ten acres, fifty of which are in Norwich township
and sixty in Sherman township. He has been improving this property until he
now has one of the best farms in the locality.
On November 23, 1897, Mr. Stockmaster married Miss Amelia Bauman, a
daughter of Anson and Rosa (Meyers) Bauman, natives of Germany and Amer-
ica, respectively. Although for years residents of Huron county, where they were
engaged in farming, Mr. and Mrs. Bauman died in Havana. Their children were :
Joseph; Louis; Odella, the deceased wife of Jacob Hay; and Mrs. Stockmaster.
The latter has borne her husband two children : Celia, born October 12, 1898 ; and
Ralph, born May 5, 1904.
Mr. Stockmaster is now serving as road supervisor, having been elected to that
office on the republican ticket. He belongs to the Chicago Lodge, K. O. T. M.,
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532 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
and in religious faith the family are Catholics. He is one of the best and most
thoroughly modern farmers of his locality and his methods are followed by many
who realize the worth of his example.
SETH H. TODD.
Seth H. Todd, respected and esteemed as one of the leading farmers and
stock raisers of Huron county and as a representative of one of its pioneer families,
was born in Wakeman township, November 22, 1833, his parents being Isaac and
Fannie (Booth) Tcdd. The father came to Ohio from Connecticut with his
brother, Woodward Todd, and made arrangements for the family to come later
or about 1828. The grandfather of our subject was Moses Todd, who originally
located in Wakeman township, since which time the Todds have been prominent
here, their labors contributing in substantial measure to the growth and develop-
ment of the community. Isaac Todd was a farmer and the tract of land which he
owned was originally all covered with timber, not even a road being cut through.
The cabin home was built of logs cut from the ground whereon the house was
later built. As the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings, Mr. Todd
acquired adjoining land until he had over two hundred acres and he was num-
bered among the self-made men of the county, for he started out in life empty-
handed and won his property through his own diligence and perseverance. In
these early days ready cash was very hard to obtain and when Mr. Todd desired
to be married he did not have a sum of money sufficient to enable him to purchase
a license so according to the customs of the times the anticipated marriage was
publicly announced from the pulpit on services held in the log house for two
Sundays preceding the event — and thus the cost of a license was avoided. The
wedding took place in due time and happiness and prosperity followed, notwith-
standing the fact that during the first eighteen months after his marriage, he only
had fifty cents in money. The labor at that time brought only about twenty-
five cents per day and wages were payable in such products as the employer hap-
pened to have.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Todd were born three sons and two daughters:
Sarah B., deceased; Seth H. ; Mary A.; Charles M., who has also passed away;
and Millard I. Charles was a soldier of the Civil war and died in a hospital at
Columbus, Tennessee. The father died at the advanced age of eighty-four years
and was laid to rest in Wakeman cemetery. His wife was also interred by his side
when she had reached the age of eighty-four years. She was a most hospitable
lady, kind and charitable to all and is yet lovingly remembered by many who
knew her. Mr. Todd was an ardent abolitionist in antebellum days and was in-
strumental in assisting many a poor slave on his way to freedom in the north.
Seth H. Todd spent his boyhood upon the home farm and assisted in the
usual work necessitated by the care of the stock and the cultivation of the fields.
His early education was acquired in the public schools of Wakeman township
and he spent three terms at Oberlin College. Subsequently he engaged in teach-
ing school for five terms and was regarded as a very successful instructor. In
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY f>;W
1857, he went to Kansas and assisted in the suppression of the border ruffians,
experiencing some exciting times when the contest between the advocates of
freedom and slavery were at their height. He remained in Kansas for eighteen
months and pre-empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, after which he
returned to Ohio and has remained continuously in this state. His land in Kan-
sas was located near Topeka and after a time he sold the property. Two years
ago, he visited the state and land that comprised his former claim is now worth
one hundred dollars per acre.
On the 20th of March, i860, Mr. Todd was married to Miss Martha E. Strong,
a daughter of Cyrus and Susan (Curtis) Strong, who came from Woodbury,
Connecticut, to Ohio about the time of the arrival of the Todd family in this
state. The father was a farmer by occupation and a man of influence in the
community, highly regarded for his sterling qualities. Both he and his wife died
a number of years ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Todd have been born seven children :
Alva, now the wife of James Burhands ; Jennie, who became the wife of the Rev.
George Laird and died in July, 1895 ; Charles A., of Wakeman ; Albert S., also
of Wakeman ; Sarah A., now the wife of Charles Bartholomew, of Chicago ; Mabel
E. : and Sarah Grace, now Mrs. Bruce Spears, who is in the government employ
in Alaska.
Mr. Todd has always been a farmer, conducting his labors along progressive
and scientific lines. He has made a careful study of soils and the rotation of crops
so that he annually gathers good harvests and he has also been a successful
breeder of hogs, "Todd's Chester White hogs" becoming famous throughout the
United States. Those which he exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893,
carried away champion prizes, amounting to twenty-three hundred and seventy
dollars, received on twenty-three head of hogs. He became recognized through-
out the entire country as a foremost breeder of Chester Whites. He was also
a breeder of Shropshire graded sheep and at the International Fat Stcck Exhibit
held in Chicago in 1907, he won the grand champion prize for the best car of fifty
lambs, establishing his record as the champion sheep man of America. His idea
has always been to have the best of anything he handles and his success proclaims
the wisdom of this course. The total amount of his cash premiums taken at dif-
ferent stock exhibits amounts to over twenty-six thousand dollars. For fifteen
years Mr. Todd was active in farmers' institute work and was a popular lecturer.
He has lectured in every county in Ohio at least twice and in some of them eight
times and he has also done institute work in Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan
and spent one entire winter in that way in the state of Maryland. His services
were in demand everywhere, and his lectures were only limited by his inability
to be in two places at one time. It is said that at one time Mr. Todd was the most
widely known man in the United States, this being due to his stock exhibits at
all of the best state fairs in the country, to his institute work and his stock sales
which were held in every state in the Union. He is a charter member of Wake-
man Grange, No. 1399, Patrons of Industry, has been very active in this work
and for a year was a lecturer for the organization. He has done everything in
his power to promote agricultural and live stock interests and his efforts have given
nim prominence among the live stock men of the entire country. Mr. Todd was
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534 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
also active in the organization of the Wakeman Banking Company, in 1897
became its first president and has served in that capacity continuously since. This
is a reliable banking enterprise managed along safe and conservative lines and
capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. It has proven of great benefit to the
business community of Wakeman.
Mr. Todd and his family are members of the Congregational church, with
which he united when fourteen years of age, since which time he has been active
in church and Sunday school work and most generous in support thereof. He
was superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty-two years and for forty-
eight years, has been a trustee of the church. In his political views, he was an
abolitionist in the early days and then joined the republican party on its organi-
zation to prevent the further extension of slavery. For a few years he joined the
prohibition ranks, being an intense temperance advocate but is now again giving
his support to the republican party. He has been active in public matters and has
frequently done some campaign speaking and usually represents his township
in the different party conventions. He is also in favor of public improvements
and gives his voice and his influence to the betterment of -general conditions. In
1897, he and his wife left the farm and removed to the village of Wakeman,
where they have since resided. At that time Mr. Todd was the owner of over four
hundred acres of fine farming land, all well improved and under a high state
of cultivation. Since then he has sold to his sons a part of the land, yet holds a
goodly share himself. His acres are all well tiled and no farm of this section of
the state is more productive, his crops being always the best and largest in the
neighborhood. In all of his undertakings, he has been very successful and has
acquired much more than a competency. His sons too, are prosperous and are
well known for their sheep raising interests, feeding for the New York markets
to which they send choice dressed lambs.
WILLIAM B. McCLAFLIN.
William B. McClaflin, a well-to-do farmer of New London township. Huron
county, Ohio, and prominent in local affairs, was born on the 25th of March, 1847,
in Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, a son of Timothy P. and Miranda
(Briggs) McClaflin. As children both father and mother came with their respec-
tive parents from Vermont when Royalton township was a dense forest and as-
sisted in clearing the land and making it one of the most fertile section of the state
of Ohio. Timothy McClaflin followed the life of a farmer in Royalton township
for a time and then in Branch county, Michigan, to which he took his family in
1861. After several years of successful farming there he brought them back
to Clarksfield township, Huron county, where he lived and worked for about ten
years, later returning to Eaton county, Michigan, which was his home until his
death, in March, 1890. His widow survived until December, 1907, when she died
at the age of eighty-seven years.
William B. McClaflin was reared at home on the farm and received his edu-
cation in the public schools of the district. He contemplated continuing his train-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 535
ing for life at higher institutions of learning, when the Civil war broke out and
interfered with his plans. In April, 1863, he enlisted at Coldwater, Michigan, as
a member of Company B, Forty-fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
which regiment was to have been recruited for sharp-shooter service but at the
time of equipment it was found to be impossible to fit them out for this field of
work and they were mustered into the regular infantry. Attached to the Army of
the Cumberland, the regiment took part in all the battles that fell to the share of
that active army and during the Atlanta campaign was practically under fire for
one hundred days. Mr. McClaflin said that at any hour of the day or night might
be heard the crack of musketry or the boom of cannon, and yet he escaped all in-
jury, was never taken prisoner, though he but narrowly escaped capture on
several occasions and saw but little of the hospital. He served as a private and
was mustered out at Camp Irwin, Texas, in December, 1865. Upon leaving the
army, Mr. McClaflin returned to Brighton, Lorain county, Ohio, whither his fam-
ily had moved during the war and there he engaged in farming with his father.
In the fall of 1866 he entered Oberlin College and the following year went to
Wisconsin to teach school. The school house which he occupied wa& one of the
old log buildings of that state and its pupils were mostly large boys and girls of
unruly disposition. Indeed they had acquired the reputation of being able to put
every teacher who came to them out of the school. All unknowing of this state
of affairs, Mr. McClaflin entered upon his work and experienced no difficulty,
much to the surprise of the neighborhood and to the gratification of the school
board, who tried to persuade him to remain another year. He declined the ap-
pointment, however, and returned to Ohio to assist his father on the farm. After
his marriage, in 1868, he removed to Brighton, where he engaged in agriculture
and ten years later went to Clarksfield township, Huron county, which was his
home until the fall of 1893, when he removed to Oberlin that he might educate his
children at the college there. In 1902, he went to Spencer, Ohio, Mrs. McClaflin
having died during their residence in Oberlin, and he farmed his own land for five
years. In 1907 he sold his farm and went to California on a pleasure trip, travel-
ing through the greater part of the country in the west and southwest. The
winter of 1907-8 he spent in Florida and on his return to Ohio bought the land
in New London on which he and his two sons, Hugh M. and Elmer P., now live.
The farm embraces one hundred and thirteen acres, on which Mr. McClaflin con-
ducts general farming. He has also engaged in stock raising and in dairying,
sometimes milking as many as thirty cows. In all branches of his business he has
been very successful.
On the 5th of July, 1868, Mr. McClaflin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
Mosher, a daughter of Hugh and Hester (Smith) Mosher, of Brighton, Lorain
county. During the Civil war Mr. Mosher was a fifer in the Forty-third Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, was known as the "Yankee Fifer," and was a celebrated
character, immortalized in war songs and traditions. He pursued farming and
was a man of strong character, who exercised a wide influence. He died in
August, 1891, his widow surviving him four years. Mr. and Mrs. McClaflin are
the parents of nine children : Orin is married and lives in Medina county, Ohio ;
Benjamin W. is also married and lives in Clarksfield township; Ernest E. resides
in Huntington, Ohio; Lillian is now Mrs. Charles Cook, of New London: Lottie
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536 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
married Winfield McConnell, of Wellington, Lorain county ; Hugh M. and Elmer
P. ?re at home with their father; and two others, Walter and Maggie, died in in-
fancy. Mrs. McClaflin died in Oberlin, May 29. 1894.
Mr. McClaflin affiliates with the republican party and has always been promi-
nent in local politics, frequently being a delegate to various conventions. For a
lorg period he served the people as trustee of the towuship and for fourteen
years filled the position of road supervisor. On the township board of education
he took an active interest in promoting the welfare of the schools. He is a char-
ter member of J. C. Ronk Post, No. 298, G. A. R., of which he was post com-
mander for a number of years and has frequently been a delegate to state and
national encampments. In religious matters he gives his support to the Methodist
Episcopal church and has always played an important part in the work of this
denomination, having been for a considerable period a class leader and the super-
intendent of the Sunday school. In short he is a man possessed of a great deal
of public spirit, who stands high in his community because of his principles and
the integrity of his life. His sons, too, are fine young men who give fair promise
of active and useful lives.
JOHN M. VAUGHN.
John M. Vaughn has well earned the proud American title of a self-made man.
Necessity forced him to start out in life for himself at a very early age and he has
since been dependent upon his own resources. For about forty years he has been
connected with the building interests of Norwalk and in this connection has gained
the reputation of being one of the best contractors in the locality, many of the im-
portant buildings of this city and the surrounding towns standing as monuments
to his ability.
Mr. Vaughn was born on the 8th of January, 1848, in Steuben county, Indiana,
at a time when much of that district was still wild and uncultivated. He is the
youngest in a family of six sons and three daughters born to Lewis B. and Kath-
arine (Smith) Vaughn. The parents came from Genesee county, New York, to
Steuben county, Indiana, about the year 1846, where the father engaged in the
occupation of farming. The five brothers of our subject all enlisted in the Civil
war and practically all remained in active service throughout the period of hostili-
ties. Also six cousin^, the sons of Loran Vaughn, entered for service and con-
tinued until the close of the war, most of them receiving serious wounds although
none met death on the battlefield. One died, however, soon after returning home.
John M. Vaughn was left motherless at the age of five years and from that
time on he was practically without a home until his marriage. He drifted about
from one place to another, living with different people, until sixteen years of age,
when he crossed the threshold of the business world in the capacity of farm hand.
He was thus engaged for three years, when he came to Norwalk and learned the
carpenter's and joiner's trade. He worked as a journeymen for two years and
then, when twenty-two years old, engaged in businesss on his own account. Al-
though little more than a boy in years, he nevertheless gained almost immediate
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 537
success and is today one of the most prosperous and well known contractors of the
community. Many of the most prominent and expensive structures in and around
Norwalk were constructed by Mr. Vaughn and are the visible evidence of his su-
perior ability and skill. The first large contract which came to him was the erec-
tion of the large Presbyterian church at McMinnville, Tennessee, which he con-
structed when only twenty-four years of age. He was awarded the contract for
the Norwalk Opera House at a cost of five thousand dollars, and within ninety
days it was completed and had offered its first performance. He erected many of
the beautiful homes in this city, among them being the residence of Drs. Simmons,
Dr. Merritt, Ex-Mayor Anderson, Dr. Billmyer, Dr. Goodsel, George Cline, Charles
Bostwick, Frank Roth, Mrs. Roth, the Altaffar residence, the Pearl home, the Dowd
residence, St. Mary's parsonage, The Prentice, the Keiser, the Nichols, Aldeman,
Snyder and Cook residences, remodeled the Harley home and also Dr. Hawley's
residence, and a great number of homes throughout the surrounding country. He
built the Huron County Infirmary Hospital and remodeled the Huron County court
house and the old St. Charles — now the Avalon — the leading hotel of Norwalk.
His own home is situated a mile and a half south of the court-house on Norwood
avenue and, although outside of the corporation limits, has all of the conveniences
and accessories of the up-to-date city home and is one of the most comfortable
and conveniently arranged houses of Norwalk. It is located on the old Rogers
homestead, which property has been in his wife's family for nearly fifty years.
In 1872 Mr. Vaughn laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage
to Emma J. Rogers, who was born in Huron county in April, 1855. Their home
has been blessed with two daughters, Edna L. and Eva L., twins, born in 1873, the
latter being now the wife of Elbin Vaughn of Toledo. The children received their
education in the Norwalk schools and also pursued a very thorough course in mu-
sic there, having been extremely well trained in this art. They have each taught
music and are proficient on the piano, the violin and many other instruments. Mrs.
Vaughn is the daughter of S. J. and Fanny M. (Wilson) Rogers, who were num-
bered among the early pioneer settlers of Huron county. She is a descendant of
Martin Kellogg, who passed away at the age of one hundred and five years. She
and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally
Mr. Vaughn holds membership with the Tribe of Ben Hur.
The Vaughn family have all been republicans, a fact of which Mr. Vaughn is
very proud, inasmuch as he is himself a very stanch and loyal supporter of that
party. He is entitled to wear the G. A. R. button inasmuch as he enlisted three
different times in the union army at the time of the Civil war, although he was but a
mere lad at the outbreak of hostilities. Although Mr. Vaughn had to depend upon
his own efforts entirely for the educational training which he enjoyed, nevertheless
he has always remained a close student and wide reader. A close observer, quick
to recognize and appreciate the lesson which comes with each new experience in
life, he gained in the school of experience a thorough practical knowledge that has
been of the utmost value to him in his business career. A man who looks well into
the future before laying his plans, he possesses a resolute and determined spirit
that carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His life has
been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of hon-
est labor, while his honorable business methods and his true personal worth have
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538 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of the entire community. He
is one of the finest mechanics in the state of Ohio and his efforts along contracting
lines have not only brought to himself gratifying success but have been of great
assistance in the substantial growth and upbuilding of Huron county.
JAMES S. EVANS.
The farming interests of Ridgefield township, Huron county, find a worthy
representative in James S. Evans, whose birth occurred in London, England, on
the 14th of December, 1848. He is a son of Thojnas and Sophia (Smith) Evans,
also natives of England, who came to the United States in 1849, landing at San-
dusky on the 1 2th of August. For a period of one year, they resided at Hunts
Corners, Ohio, and then the father went to California, where he conducted a
general store at Eldorado and also engaged in mining for some time. He re-
turned home in 1865 and in 1870 removed to Wood county, Ohio. His death oc-
curred in 1879, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-five years, while
his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of eighty years. In their family were
six children, namely : Thomas, residing at Danville, Illinois ; Mary Ann, the wife
of Hiram Latham, a resident of Bellevue; Elizabeth, the wife of Philip Schuyler,
residing in this county; Sarah, the deceased wife of Joseph Setterly; William,
who lives at Hunts Corners ; and James S., of this review.
Coming to Ohio when but one year of age, James S. Evans has therefore
passed almost his entire life in this state. He acquired his education in the com-
mon schools of the district and the period of his boyhood and youth was divided
between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the
tasks assigned him by parental authority. Upon attaining his majority, he was
married in Wood county, Ohio, to Miss Nancy L. Neiblong and resided in that
county for about six years, during which period he worked for his mother-in-
law. In 1877, he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in the teaming
business for about one year, after which considerable time was spent in moving
about from one place to another. Subsequently he located upon his present farm
and has since continued to devote his time and attention to its further improvement.
He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and year by year has
carried on the work of the farm until it has become a very desirable property,
from which he annually gathers rich crops that bring to him a good financial
return.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans was born one child, Lillian, now the wife of Will-
iam Heyman, of Hunts Corners. By her marriage she has become the mother of
five children: Clifford, Clarence, Willard, Eva and Mary. On the 21st of March,
1889, Mr. Evans was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah
James, the widow of Edward James. Mrs. Evans is an old settler of Ridgefield
township, having resided in her present home since 1853. She is a daughter of
Robert and Sarah (Mann) White, both natives of England, who spent their en-
tire lives in that country. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 539
Robert, Mary Ann, Thomas, Mrs. Evans and William John grew to maturity, the
others passing away in infancy.
Politically Mr. Evans gives his allegiance to the democratic party and served
for two years as township constable and likewise as road supervisor. He is
recognized as a violinist of considerably ability and for the past thirty-five years
his services as such ha\ e been in great demand for parties and various social gath-
erings. He is known extensively throughout the county and is held in high regard
and esteem by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN WESLEY HOLTZ.
John Wesley Holtz, one of the well-to-do and enterprising farmers of Rich-
mond township, Huron county, Ohio, was born in that township, March 5, 185 1,
and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Holtz. The father was born in Pennsylvania,
but the mother was a native of Richland county, Ohio, though of German des-
cent, her grandfather having come from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania.
Jacob Holtz was a farmer during the whole of his life. The first land he bought
consisted of fifty acres and was purchased for seven dollars per acres, for it was
heavily timbered and had to be cleared before it was cultivable. After building
a log house and barn Mr. Holtz began to cut down the trees and with the rude
farm implements of those days, make the soil fit to receive the seed. It repaid
well the labor that was put upon it and made possible the purchase of more land,
which from time to time, Mr. Holtz procured until at his death he was possessed
of one hundred and fifty-eight acres. Six children were born to him and his wife :
William, deceased : George Washington and John Wesley, who were twins ; Sarah,
deceased, who was. the wife of George Elston ; Simon, deceased; and Jennie, who
married Elmer Lyons.
John Wesley Holtz has always followed farming from his youngest days,
for even during the period when he attended the little district schools his vacations
and such time as was not required for the preparation of lessons, were devoted to
performing the chores about the house or participating in the heavier work out-
doors. For about ten years he worked for different farmers by the month and then
purchased a farm in Richmond township. Here has always been his home though
he has occupied several farms at different times, buying, selling or trading where-
ever he thought it was to his advantage to do so. The place on which he is living
today was known as the old Henry Dunston farm and was well improved when
he located thereon. It is rich and arable and well supports the general farming
which he pursues.
On the 4th of November, 1880, Mr. Holtz was united in marriage to Miss
Mary E. Frederick, a daughter of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Frederick. The
mother died in July, 1909, in her eighty-first year, and was buried on the fifty-
ninth anniversary of her wedding. She had four children : James ; Frank Aug-
ust ; Mary E., now Mrs. Holtz ; and Ella, who is the wife of Frank Hough. Mr.
and Mrs. Holtz have five children : Nellie, Fred, Bessie, Erma, Irene and Eulalie.
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540 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Nellie has married Charles Keesey and they have two children: Marion and
Harold.
Mr. Holtz and his family are members of the United Brethren church and
in their daily life try to uphold its teachings. Politically his sympathies are with
the democratic party, though he is not active either in its ranks or in the public
life of his township. He has, however, served for one term as road supervisor
and conducted his administration creditably. A good farmer, hard working pros-
perous, he is also a good business man, making the most of the opportunities that
are put within his grasp.
ED. A. EVANS.
Ed A. Evans, the present editor of the Chicago Times, is a native of Ohio, born
in Licking county, and is a son of William D. and Amanda (Bell) Evans. His
grandfather, Joseph Evans, was a native of Wales and was the first of the family
to come to America, locating in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and later
removing to Licking county, Ohio. William D. Evans, the father of our subject,
has engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout life and is still residing upon his
farm in Licking county. In his family are the following children: Ed. A., of
this review; Cora, the wife of Albert Slater, who is postmaster and also con-
ducts a general store at St. Louisville, Ohio, and by whom she has one son, Ed-
ward F. ; and Charles, express messenger at Newark, Ohio, who married Jen-
nie Holmes and has two children, Holmes and Elizabeth.
Eld A. Evans began his education in the district schools of Licking county and
later attended the Hanover high school, after which he was a student at Patas-
kala, Ohio, for a time. He next entered a private normal school and on finish-
ing his course there began teaching. After four years' experience as a teacher,
he entered the University of Michigan and for some time pursued a special course
at that institution, although he did not graduate. In 1887, he became identified
with the district schools of Licking county as teacher and, his ability soon being
generally recognized, he was called to St. Louisville four years later to organize
a high school at that place of which he became superintendent. He had the honor
of graduating the first class from that institution, which, under him, developed
into a high grade school. Later he was principal of the high school at Pataskala
for two years and afterward continued as superintendant for four years, resigning
at the end of that time to accept the offer made him by the board of directors of
Chicago, Ohio. The educator of today must of necessity be a man of scholarly
attainments who has been carefully trained for his work. In addition to this,
in order to succeed, he must be a man of sympathetic manner, possessing in-
finite tact and patience and being a good judge of nature. Such a man is Mr.
Evans, who for the past eight years has filled the responsible position of super-
intendent of the schools of Chicago, and during that time has brought the stand-
ard of excellence in them to its present high grade. He is a member of the Ceu
tral and Eastern Ohio Teachers Association, holds membership in the Ohio
Teachers Reading Circle, is secretary of the Ohio State Teachers Association
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 541
and is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Teachers Association. He has been
county examiner for three years, served as a member of the executive committee
and was president of the county teachers institute. Perhaps no man has done
more in his locality to bring about efficiency and thoroughness in school work.
His methods are practical and have been adapted by many of his fellow teachers.
In 1900, Mr. Evans was granted a life certificate by the board of examiners of
Ohio, but will resign from his present position as soon as he can be replaced,
for on the 16th of October, 1909, he purchased the Chicago Times from L. E.
Simmons, and will now devote his time and attention to the conduct of that news-
paper. It is with considerable regret that the board of education gave up the
services of Mr. Evans, who has been a most important factor in the school de-
velopment of this section of the state.
On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Locke, a daughter of Albert and Isabel Locke. Her mother died in May,
LS97, and her father, who is a native of Ohio, now makes .his home with Mr. and
Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Locke was born in Licking county, her parents having come to
this state from New York. She was the mother of two children, namely: Mary,
the wife of Walter Drake, who is an undertaker and furniture dealer of Monroe-
ville, Ohio, by whom she has one son, John F. ; and Sarah, now the wife of our
subject. Mr. and Mrs Evans are the parents of the following named: Isabel, born
in November, 1896; Ruppert P., in January, 1898; Edward A., in 1899; Ellen
M., in October, 1901 ; Samuel S., in July, 1903; and Sarah Louise, in August,
1907.
Fraternally, Mr. Evans is a member of Chicago Lodge, K. P., and of the
Pataskala Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M. In politics, he is a democrat but has
never had time to devote to public affairs outside of his profession. ' He and his
wife belong to the Methodist church and stand very high in the estimation of
their associates there, as they do in the community at large where they have
countless friends.
OTTO A. BETSCHMANN.
Otto A. Betschmann, residing upon a farm of forty acres in Norwalk town-
ship, Huron county, is successfully engaged, in connection with his general agri-
cultural pursuits, in the conduct of a profitable dairy business. He was born on this
farm, November 27, 1874, a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Zimmerman) Betsch-
mann, the former a native of Switzerland, his birth there occurring in 1822.
When about twenty-five years of age, he came to the United States and located
in the German settlement in Peru township, where he operated a blacksmith
shop in connection with general farming. He later engaged in the blacksmith
trade on the farm upon which our subject now resides, where he continued to
live until his demise in 1886. He was twice married, his first union being with
Miss Reinick, and in their family were five children, namely : Frank ; John ; Rob-
ert; Rose, deceased; and Francis. He was later united in marriage to Miss
Margaret Zimmerman, and unto this union were born four children, as follows:
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542 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Otto A., of this review; Julius, born May 24, 1877; George, born May 25, 1880;
and Theodore, born February 12, 1882. Julius Betschmann resides at Fremont,
Ohio, while the two last named make their home with our subject. Mrs. Nicholas
Betschmann was born May 16, 1835, m East Liverpool, Ohio, and still survives,
making her home with her son, Otto, having resided upon this farm for over
fifty years. She also was twice married, her first union being with Roman Indel-
kafer, who was the original owner of the farm which is now in the possession of
Otto A. Betschmann, of this review. Unto this union were born five children:
Mary, Lucy, Julia, Roman and Joseph.
Otto A. Betschmann was reared upon his present farm and acquired his edu-
cation in the schools of Norwalk township. When not busy with his text books,,
he assisted in the work of cultivating the fields and early became familiar with
the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad. The practical experience thus gained
proved of the utmost importance to him when, after attaining his majority, he
engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He has always followed
general farming, bringing his fields under a fine state of cultivation. About
twelve years ago, he instituted the East End Dairy, which he has since continued
to operate, and his close application to business and his excellent management
have brought to him a high degree of prosperity and success in this under-
taking.
Mr. Betschmann and his two brothers, Julius and Theodore, are members of
the Eagles Lodge of Norwalk and hold membership in the Catholic church
He has passed his entire life in this community and has become recognized as a
public-spirited citizen, while he has gained a wide circle of friends. In his busi-
ness life, he made good use of his opportunities, has utilized his possibilities to the
best advantage, and as the years have passed by, he has gained a place among the
substantial representatives of this county.
MICHAEL GIES.
Michael Gies, deceased, possessed many strong and salient characteristics
which won him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact and thus his
death, which occurred in 1904, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends.
He was born August 15, 1830, and reared under the parental roof. After attain-
ing man's estate he started out in the business world as an agriculturist and
eventually became the owner of the farm which is still in possession of his family,
a tract comprising one hundred and seven acres, conveniently located within three
miles of Norwalk. He also owned an additional tract of ninety-nine acres, which
he sold prior to his demise and divided the proceeds among his children. For
many years Mr. Gies was engaged in farming and each year, owing to the care
and labor which he gave to his fields, he gathered good harvests. He also im-
proved his place with good buildings, which were always kept in an excellent
state of repair, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, he left his
family in possession of a valuable farm, which today supplies them with all the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 543
necessaries of life and which had been the home of Mr. Gies since 1863, or for
a period of forty-six years.
It was in 1861. that Mr. Gies established a home of his own by his marriage
to Miss Blandina Remelee. who was born on the 7th of May, 1840. They be-
came the parents of si'x sons and one daughter: August, Ferdinand, Lawrence,
Frank, William, Leo and Mrs. Amelia Shnord. All acquired a good education
in the district schools and are now married and have homes of their own.
Mr. Gies srave his political support to the men and measures of democracy,
while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Catholic church.
A man of domestic taste, outside of his business duties, he spent his leisure time
within the family circle. Of a genial and kindly disposition, he was a friend to
all, and thus his death was mourned by many friends but most of all by the im-
mediate members of his household.
RICHARD T. SLATER.
Richard T. Slater is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer, owning and operat-
ing a tract of land of fifty acres in Haitland township. His birth occurred in
North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio, on the 17th of August, 1857, his parents
being John and Isabelle (Crow) Slater, the former a native of Connecticut and
the latter of Quebec, Canada. The Slaters are of English lineage but have been
represented in this country ever since the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, one of
the ancestors coming over on the Mayflower. John Slater, the father of our
subject, was a blacksmith by trade and for many years worked at that occupa-
tion in North Fairfield. He was fifty-two years of age when he enlisted as a
soldier of the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and
Twenty-Third Regiment of Ohic Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for
three years. He was twice captured by the enemy and was incarcerated in An-
dersonville prison and also at Belle Isle, being eventually exchanged in both
cases. His demise occurred in 1887, when he had attained the ripe old age of
seventy-seven years, and his remains were interred in the North Fairfield ceme-
tery. His wife, surviving him for more than two decades, was called to her final
rest on the 28th of September, 1908, and lies buried at New Buffalo, Michigan.
Richard T. Slater obtained his education in the schools of his native town and
was employed at farm work as soon as his age and strength permitted. He was
married when about twenty-three years of age and then carried on general agri-
cultural pursuits in Fairfield township for a number of years, while later he spent
seven years in Greenwich township, devoting his time and energies to the work of
the fields. In 1898, he came to Hartland township, taking up his abode on the
farm of fifty acres which has since remained his place of residence. It is a well
improved and valuable property and the rich and fertile soil responds to cultiva-
tion in bountiful harvests.
On the 30th of May, 1880, Mr. Slater was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
A. Odell, a daughter of William and Rachel ( Phillip) Odell, both of whom are
natives of this county and now make their home in North Fairfield. Unto Mr. and
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544 HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Mrs. Slater have been born two children: Burt A., who is married and resides
in Laport county, Indiana; and Blanche B., the wife of Horace Davis, who
follows farming in Hartland township.
Mr. Slater has always supported the men and measures of the democracy
and is now serving for the fourth year as township trustee, while he has also
been a member of the school board, maintaining a deep interests in the progress
of public education. His cooperation and aid can always be counted upon to
further any movement instituted to advance the general welfare and he is widely
recognized as a most progressive, loyal and public-spirited citizen. Both he and
his wife are highly esteemed throughout the county in which they have spent their
entire lives, having won the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom they
have been associated.
GEORGE W. PARKER.
George W. Parker, who as proprietor of the Parker Greenhouse is conduct-
ing a profitable and successful retail and wholesale business, was born on the 31st
of October, 1834, in Bronson township, a son of Rial and Achsah (Snow) Par-
ker, both natives of Cayuga county, New York. The father, who comes of Eng-
lish lineage, was born in 1800, a son of George and Plhoebe (Russell) Parker,
while the mother, whose birth occurred in 1802, was a daughter of Asher Snow.
In their family were three children : Phoebe, Asher and George.
The boyhood and youthful days of George W. Parker were spent under the
parental roof and he is indebted to the common school system for the educational
privileges which he enjoyed. After laying aside his text books and starting out
in life on his own account, he was identified with various lines of business, being
engaged at different times as a druggist, grocer, brick and tile manufacturer and
a farmer. For a number of years, however, he has conducted a growing and
successful florist's business, his greenhouse, which has been in existence for six-
teen years, having been one of the first to be established in Huron county. He
has met with most gratifying success in both his retail and wholesale depart-
ments and enjoys- a constantly increasing patronage which has already reached
gratifying proportions. The size, color and variety of his product are such as
to insure a ready sale and good prices on the market and his flowers are in de-
mand not only in Norwalk, but throughout the adjoining territory. He owns
about twenty-five acres of land in the city of Norwalk upon which stands his
greenhouse, while he also has an attractive and comfortable residence upon this
property.
Mr. Walker was united in marriage in 1862 to Miss Harriet M. Beard, who
was born in Seneca county in 1840, a daughter of John Beard. Unto this union
have been born three children. Achsah, who was born in 1865, is now teaching
in the normal school at Greeley, Colorado. Phoebe, who was born in 1872, is
the superintendent of a library in Bay City, Michigan. Willard, the youngest of
the family, was born in 1875 and ls his father's partner in business. He took part
in the Spanish-American war and spent two years in the Philippine Islands.
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 545
Mr. Parker has figured actively in local political circles, being recognized as
a stalwart supporter of the democracy, to the principles of which party he gives
loyal support. He was for some time a member of the school board and did all
in his power to further the interests of education. His life has been one of con-
tinuous activity, each forward step in his business career bringing to him a wider
outlook and broader opportunities. He possesses keen business ability and good
judgment, and his careful management of his affairs, together with his honorable
and upright methods, have been the salient elements in the success which he now
enjoys.
JOHN V. BARKER.
John V. Barker, the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one
hundred and twenty-five acres in Bronson township, is numbered among the worthy
native sons of Huron county, his birth having occurred in that township on the
14th of February, 1877. His parents, John and Phoebe (Morse) Barker, are
likewise natives of this county and were born in the years 1844 and 1848 re-
spectively. The father, an honored veteran of the Civil war, served for four
years as a member of the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His family numbers
five children, namely : Myrtle, Edgar, John V., Jay and Lucy.
John V. Barker has always made his home on a farm and early became familiar
with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As
above stated, he now owns and cultivates a tract of one hundred and twenty-live
acres of land in Bronson township and in the conduct of his farming interests has
won a commendable measure of success, owing to his untiring and well directed
energy and good management. He also operates a cider press which his father
built in 1886 and which has been in operation ever since. It was one of the first
steam presses in the county.
In 1901, Mr. Barker was joined in wedlock to Miss Frances Coyt, who was
born in 1883, a daughter of James and Nellie (Hall) Coyt. Mrs. Barker has two
sisters, Grace and Marguerite. The political faith of Mr. Barker accords with the
principles and policy of the republican party. His fraternal relations are with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Norwalk, and he is a worthy exemplar
of the craft. As he has lived in this county throughout his entire life, he has
a wide acquaintance here and his many friends know him as a young man of
enterprise and worth.
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Abbey, C. W 321
Adams, W. 1 42
Adelman, F. W 191
Anderson, C. W . . 171
Antrim, L. L 41
Arnold, F. M : 434
Arthur, Robert 377
Ashley, Lyman 172
Ashton, W. T 200
Baker, G. W 372
Barber, G. A 482
Barber, William 104
Bargus, George 83
Barker, J. V 545
Barman, George 158'
Barnard, Alfred 179
Barnes, Benjamin v 275
Barnes, William 118
Barre, D. M. . . 361
Bauer. John . . 264
Beck, B. F 299
Bedford, AG 159
Beebe, Martin 164
Beelman, E. L 236
Beelman, W. J 451
Bell, W. R 441
Berry, J. S 516
Betsehmann, O. A 541
Biglow, E. & Son 418
Bishop, F. W 248
Biuerle, Adam 519
Blackman, A. J 101
Boardman. J. C 3925
Boehler, Otto 298
Boehler, William 230
Bores, August 92
Bores, Henry 518
Bowen, George 156
Bowersox, Benjamin 166
Brant, C. J 292
tireit, Peter 469
Briggs, F. 0 362
Brinson, G. W 524
Brooks, C. B 478
Brooks, C. C 296
Brooks, I. J 227
Brown. Fred 188
Brown, T. J 27
Burras,E. S 155
Burras, Edgar 143
Burras. Frank 475
Campbell, Frank 424
Carpenter, Frank 446
Carpenter, H. W 481
Catlin, G. S 173
Channing, W. G 521
Chapin, L. M 238
Chapin,W. H 476
Cherry, R. M 246
Childs, E. F 485
Clark, C. S 184
Clark.D. H 412
Clary, D. C 287
Clans. Mathias 34*<
Claus,W. B 290
Clements, William 120
Coan, M. J 510
Coit, A. L 496
Cole, A. M 19
Cone, Thomas 112
Conger, E. L 295
Conger, Isabella 324
Cooley, C. A 395
Coutant, J. H 370
Cox, J. R 512
Crawford, S. E 465
Darling, W. F 331
Darling, W. H 94
Dawson, G. H 411
Denman, Edward 256
Donaldson, J. H 527
Doud, L. L 36
Drury, John 375
Easter. C. A 196
Eastman, A. K 26
Ellis, Martin 297
Elmlinger, F. J 54
Erf, A. P 312
Erf, Louis 208
Erf, William 247
Evans, E. A 540
Evans. J. S 538
Fancher, J. A 144
Fast, M. M 336
Feichtner, John 165
Fenton, F. G 497
Ferver, W. G 479
Fink, J. M 514
Foster, W. S 396
Frayer, Ambrose 212
Gallup, C. H 5
Gamber, A. T 460
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Gamble, William 378
Gannett, F. B 316
Gardner, W. L., Grain & Mill Co !421
Gates, A. A 493
Gates, G. H 73
Gates, George 82
Gies,F. J WW.'.'.'.'. 56
Gies, Michael 542
Ginste, A. L .. \.\l82
Gleason, J. H 401
Graham, H. T 75
Graham, William 314
Griffin, L. W '477
Groff, J. H '.]][] 85
Guess, F. T 498
Hackett, T. W. 405
Hagaman, Thomas 151
Hagman, Julius 522
Hakes, J. H 103
Hanville, A. E \ . . 492
Hanville, G. W. 505
Harvey, S. L 124
Hassinger, G. A 509
Hawn, Phillip 528
Hearson, Frederick .'. .506
Herner, Philip 216
Hershiser, F. C. 438
Hester, J. K !1 135
Heyman,C. A ...!!.!363
Heyman, Charles 123
Heyman, Daniel * 136
Heyman, J. P 458
Heyman,L. P 303
Hildreth, T. F. 232
Hinkley, J. I. [ [4$$
Hoener, G. A 452,
Hohler, Joseph 224
Holtz,G. W [...'.SOS
Holtz, J. W 539
Hopkins, C. W. 484
Hopkins, W. W 515
Horn, A. P " 288
Huffman, W. F 503
Jackson, C. F 30
Jarrett, Fred 530
Jennings, B. E 64
Jennings, E. S .511
Jennings, Gregory 261
Johnson,M. F ][[ 35
Joiner, W. E ........ 214
Keefer, W. B 308
Ketchum, W. W 402
Kiefer, W. H .277
King, S. H " .381
Knapp, W. A 60
Kotz, Jacob 417
Laible, F. G 160
Latham, C. L " " 340
Lawler, John 315
Lawrence, Josiah ] 356
Leak, Thomas 289
LiedorfT, S. B 267
Limbird, J. P 77
Linder, Henry 499
Litzkey, 0. C '...][ 29
Lofland, Howard 513
Lowther, H. A 12
Lovell, Martha M 382
Lutman, Henry 520
Lutz. W. H 404
McClaflin, W. B 534
McClave, Charles 4fl7
McCullow, C. A Si
McCullow, W. B ............ .278
McFarland, Emaline .................. . 339
McKesson, Isaac 204
McMann, J. J 436
McPherson, Anna J 43
McPherson, W. H., Jr .....! ... 157
McPherson, W. H., Sr 215
Mahl, Daniel 491
Manahan, C. W 254
Marsh, H. H 22
Marsh, W. E 22
Maynard, A. D 353
Maynard, W. 0 99
Mayne, J. F 109
Mead, C. A 74
Mead, J. L .,[.., 134
Mead, J. T ......" 393
Miller, A. C lie
Miller, C. L 4n«
Miller,H. N 17*
Miller, William 1 1!'.!!!!!".!!!!!'. 454
Missler, Andrew .] . . 371
Missler, J. A. .*..!!!!!!! 107
Missler, Joseph " hq
Mitchell,E. B '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'." 65
Mitchell, F. P .243
Morse, D. J .!!!!!. .327
Muller, Fred 140
Mushett, Edward 211
Nicolls, G. A. 40
Noble, S. 0 .'./.'.'.'.'.'. *346
Owen, C. C 39a
Palm, B. F 16&
Palmer, E. G 55
Palmer, H. D 337
Palmer, R. B 280
Palmer, S. B 78
Park, Rebecca " 262
Parker, G. W '544
Parker, R. C. ..'. ^466
Parmelee, C. E 271
Parrott, John 108
Paul, C. A 368
Peirce, A. W 189
Perry, T. K *. '. ! .504
Pierce, F. D 344
Pierce, W. H 58
Post, J. H 369
Prentiss, A. S 115
Price, M. C. 219
Prosser, G. E 442
Purcell, Sebastian 360
Quinn, P. J 57
Reed, H. E 426
Reeves, M. E 447
Reynolds, R. H. & B. R ^51
Reynolds, W. F 471
Riddle, P. J 388
Riddle, William 459
Ringlein, John 480
Ritz, G. W 427
Robinson, I. H 500
Robinson, Napoleon 472
Ross,E. W 391
Rose. W. A 435
Rowland, S. W. 198
Ruffing, A. A 408
Ruggles, W. S 300
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Rumbaugh, D. W. 16
Rummell, S. J 320
Russell, F. H 133
Ryerson, P. V. 93
Scheid, August 207
Scheid, C. A 14
Scheid, J. J 147
Scheid, W. C. 448
Schick, Louie 28
Schnurr, Sebastian 176
Schreiner, Jacob 311
Scott, F. E 464
Seel, Fred 110
Seibel, G. G 529
Severance, Warren 245
Shepherd, T. D 100
Sherman, G. W 96
Sherman, S. C 127
Sherman, Samuel 152
Silliman, E. G 148
Silliman, H. B 323
Silsby, W. T 348
Simmons, A. L 88
Simon, Blasius 192
Sinclair, Alexander 142
Skilton. Amanda J 13
Slater, R. T 543
Sly, S. M 87
Smedlev, E. A 272
Smith, E. W 322
Smith. F. H 125
Smith, J. D 141
Smith, J. E 445
Smith, J. F 470
Snyder, J. E 495
Snyder, W. H 195
Sprague, J. H 149
Stahl, H. C 68
Stentz, Annie M. 44
Stevens, A. E 452
Stockmaster, J. B 531
Stone, F. P 67
Stotts, C. E 380
Stotts,E. A 52b
Strutton, J. A m
Suhr, Charles 455
Sutton, C. A. ! ... 128
Sutton, E. A 167
Templer, C. E 433
Todd,S.H 532
Travis, Hyatt 306
Trembley, W. H. 132
Twaddle, Dorr 66
Underhill, Arthur 229
Underwood, O. 0 ][ 279
Vail, L. A ! . ! ! ! .284
Van Aken, Nelson 507
Van Liew, W. O 523
Vaughn, J. M 536
Venus, C. P 237
Von Seggern, Harmon 431
Walsworth, J. T 163
Ward, C. E '.'.'/.'.'.'.'.'.'. 319
Washburn, D. S 240
Washburn, J. P 457
Washburn, Jay 428
Watts, H. G !!!."." 139
Weeks. F. E ^364
Wheaton, C. H " * 305
Wheeler, J. A 443
Wheeler, J. E 415
White, Daniel 489
White, J. S !.!!!l80
Whitney Calvin 332
Wickham, C. P 8
Wickham, L. W 344
Willoughby, C. L 525
Wood, A. B 270
Wood, F. C .329
Wood.G. M 414
Woodruff, Lewis 352
Woodworth, E. C. 168
Young, D. H. 354
Young, D. J 407
Young, E. L 15
Young, S. M 423
Zehner, Charles 263
Zimerman, Lawrence 432
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