HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 675 (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) twice married and is survived by one daughter and one son of the first and three sons of the second marriage. He whose name initiates this review is popular in both business and social circles in hisnative county, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with Marks Lodge No. 359, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Huron ; with Milan Chapter No. 135, Royal Arch Masons; and with Sandusky Council No. 26, Royal and Select Masters, in the City of Sandusky. He attends and supports the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member. In Huron Township was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rhinemiller to Miss Bertha Jarratt, who was here born and reared, and who is the daughter of the late Isaac Jarratt, a well-known and highly honored citizen of Erie County. Mrs. Jarratt, whose maiden name was Martha Harris, still resides in the City of Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Rhinemiller have one son, Edward George, who was bolrn in 1909, and whose juvenile alertness and judgment are shown in the fact that he shows exceptional facility in the personal operation of automobiles, though he is but six years of age. EDMUND W. AVERY. A lifelong resident of the State of Ohio, and of Groton Township since 1872, no man is better known in this community, nor more genuinely esteemed, than Edmund W. Avery, successful farmer and a member of the local board of education. Mr. Avery was born in Lyme Township, Huron County, on September 13, 1857, and is a son of Luther and Susanna (Ford) Avery, well-known Huron County people. Luther Avery was born in Connecticut, and his wife was of English birth. He came as a boy with his parents from Connecticut to Ohio, and the family settled in Lyme Township, being among the pioneers to that community. They came in the early thirties, when primitive conditions were at their height. Luther Avery's parents were of English birth and ancestry, and he inherited from them the strain of sturdy independence that made them successful pioneers in a new land. He gained prominence and success in his farming activities as a citizen of Lyme, in Huron County, and served his community in various official capacities, as well as serving as a director from Huron County on the board of the Ohio Infirmary. In 1872 he moved from Huron County to Erie County, locating in Groton Township, and the farm he settled on is the one now owned by Edmund Avery and brother, J. 0. He died there in 1895, and his wife in 1870. A self-made man in the best sense of the term, he won. and deserved the high regard of his fellow-citizens, and he was sincerely mourned in Groton Township when he died. Edmund W. Avery accompanied the family to Erie County in 1872 and settled with them in Groton Township. He was then a youth of fifteen years. Under his father's direction he grew to manhood well instructed in agricultural matters, and he has proved himself to be a practical farmer. He stayed on the home farm and when his father passed away continued there in its operation. Success has followed efforts, and this farm is one of the productive and prosperous places in the township. Like his father, Mr. Avery has been a leader in service to his townspeople. He was a trustee of Groton for some years, and is now, and has been for the past few years, a member of the board of education. His schooling was secured in the public schools' of Groton, followed by two years in the Western Reserve College, then located at Hudson, Ohio. He is a republican, hnd a member of the Congregational Church. In 1897 Mr. Avery married Nettie C. Nims, who was born in Groton 676 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Township; and is a daughter of Samuel Nims, well known in that community, and now past his eightieth birthday. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Avery—Helen R., Leland F. and Myron The first born is deceased. The Avery family is highly regarded in the town and county, and have a host of friends hereabouts. ALFRED FORD. One of the men who had an important share in the life and activities of Groton Township, and a veteran of the Civil war, was the late Alfred Ford, whose death occurred at his home in Groton Township December 25, Christmas Day, of 1908. Mr. Ford, had spent many years in other states, but was a native of Erie County, and both as a citizen and business man his record deserves to be read by the people who knew him in his youth and in his later years. A native of Groton Township of Erie County, he was a son Of Edward and Sarah L. (Sprague) Ford, and a brother of Andrew Ford, a prominent citizen of Groton Township, under Whose name will be found more extended information concerning the family.: The youth of Alfred Ford was spent on his father's farm in Groton Township and he depended upon the local schools for his early training. He was a reader from youth up and always aimed to keep-himself well informed on general topics and was a practical and intelligent business man and citizen. His record as a soldier in the Civil war began with his enlistment in 1862 in Company G of the One Hundred- and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he remained a soldier of the Union nearly three years. He was in many of the arduous campaigns of the, western armies, fighting in Tennessee, Georgia and other states, and among other battles in which he participated was that of Chickamauga. He was twice wounded during his service and spent about eighteen months in a hospital in Tennessee. After his honorable discharge at the close of the war he returned to Erie County and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Ramsdell. She died less than a year after their marriage. From Erie County Mr. Ford went west, spending several- years in Colorado, was also a resident of Dakota Territory and for a short time lived in the Territory of Washington, and finally went to Humboldt County, California, which was his home for sixteen years. "While there he was engaged in the live-stock industry, and was one of the leading stockmen of that western state. In 1900 Mr. Ford returned to Erie County and lived quietly retired at his home in Groton Township until his death, which occurred about eight years later. For a brief time he had also lived in Mahaska County, Iowa, and while there he was married November 24, 1883; to Mrs. Martha E. Bailey, widow of William Bailey of Mahaska County. Mrs. Ford is now living at the old home in Groton Township: By her marriage to Mr. Ford she became the mother of three children: Edward N., of Castalia ; Lois E., wife of Wilson Shannon, of Fremont, Ohio; and Fred A., of Groton Township. Mrs. Ford has two daughters by her first marriage, namely: Cora E., widow of Albert Harmon, a late resident of Groton Township ; and Beulah E., who is a trained nurse, now living at Fremont, Ohio. In his political actions Alfred Ford was also identified with the republican party. Public spirit was a prominent characteristic, and he showed himself a friend of all public improvements, and particularly of public schools. The Ford home in. Groton Township is an attractive farm of seventy-six acres, and Mrs. Ford lives there in comfort and surrounded by the many friends of herself and her late husband. She was reared in Iowa, where she attended the public schools at Bacon and was also a student in Penn College at Oskaloosa. During HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 677 her early womanhood she taught school for several months before her first marriage. Both her daughters by her marriage to William Bailey have also been school teachers in Groton Township. ANDREW FORD. Under the rapidly changing conditions of American life it seldom happens that a man spends practically an entire lifetime in the same locality where he was born. Such has been the case of Andrew Ford, an honored resident of Groton Township, who now occupies the homestead which was his birthplace and the scene of all his early associations. Mr. Ford is now practically retired, enjoying the fruits of well-spent earlier years, and has always stood as a progressive, energetic and thoroughly competent agriculturist, while his record in all the varied relations of his busy life has been such as to reflect credit upon him and all connected with him. Born December 16, 1839, he represents some of the earliest settlers in this section of Northern Ohio. His parents were Edward and Sarah, L. (Sprague) Ford, the former a native of Conneaut, Ohio, and the latter of Sandusky County. Edward Ford was a son of Christopher Ford, who came out and made settlement at Conneaut, Ohio, early in the sineteenth century. Edward Ford grew to manhood in the vicinity of Conneaut and then removed to Erie County, settling in Groton Township, where with his brother Andrew he took up a tract of raw land and developed it into a good farm, his brother Andrew remaining in the township only a short time and then returning to the vicinity of Conneaut. Edward Ford died on the old farm when his son Andrew was five Years old. The latter spent his early life in Groton Township, gained his education in the schools such as existed in the '40s and '50s, and agriculture has been his mainstay as a vocation for more than half a century. In that time he has witnessed many changes in methods of planting, tending and harvesting crops, and the changes on his home farm are only echoes of the remarkable transformation made in practically every department of life during the last century. Mr. Ford also has a military record, having enlisted in April, 1864, in Company G of the Statedlome Guard, and was sent to Arlington Heights, Virginia, where he performed guard duty around the City of Washington. He remained, in the service nearly four months, and then received his honorable discharge and returned home. The Ford estate in Groton Township comprises 176 acres, all of it well improved and devoted to general agriculture, and Mr. Ford's homestead, a part of the place on which he was born, comprises eighty acres. He is a republican politically and has always shown a commendable public spirit in helping forward every enterprise for the local benefit. Mr. Ford is a bachelor, and has a great host of friends in the community where he has been known since childhood. HORACE VALENTINE RAMSDELL. A life that was significant of sturdy character, upright manhood, long-continued industry, patriotic service during the period which insured the integrity of the Union, and lasting esteem from family, friends and neighbors, was that lived by the late Horace Valentine Ramsdell in Oxford Township. Born at the pioneer Ramsdell home at Bloomingville, June 23, 1842, he lived in that one community nearly all his life, except when away during the war,' and died in the fullness of years January 17, 1914, aged seventy-one years, six months and twenty-five days. He was one of the twelve children of Horace and Sarah Ramsdell. The Ramsdells came originally from England, lived through a generation or more in New England, while Horace Ramsdell was a native of New York 678 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY State and in the early days of Erie County came into Oxford Township and cleared off the woods from the land which he and his son Horace and his grandson George have successfully cultivated. Of the children of Horace and Sarah Ramsdell, only seven reached years of maturity, and Horace V. was the last but two, being survived by a brother, James H., of Newton Falls, Ohio, and a sister, Mrs. Lydia J. Paxton, of Eugene, Oregon. The late Horace V. Ramsdell grew up in a community where his school advantages were confined to those afforded by a select school taught in the family home at brief intervals. At the outbreak of the war, though but nineteen, he offered his services to the Union army entering Company G of the One Hundred and First Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted at Castalia, and his company was-mustered into service at Monroeville August 1, 1861, under Captain Meer and Lieut. John Fleming This company and regiment went into the Army of the Cumberland, and from Monroeville the company was sent to Covington, Kentucky, where that division of the Union troops were severely pressing General Bragg and slowly forcing his retreat southward across Kentucky and Tennessee. In this campaign Mr. Ramsdell participated in the battles of Perryville, Crab Orchard and the, engagements around Nashville. He was shot twice in the battle of Stone River, otherwise known as Murfreesboro, December 31, 1861, during the first day of that bloody engagement. The remainder of that day, the night following, all during New Year's Day and through the next night he lay upon the field with a hole entirely through his body big enough for a good-sized handkerchief to be drawn through it, and with the bullet from the other shot lodged in his hip. The fight raged over the bodies of the dead and wounded, the artillery passing and repassing over these bodies just as they lay on the field of carnage. When the ambulance department gathered him up and turned him over to the army surgeons at the hospital at Nashville it was believed that his wounds were mortal, and he was sent on to Louisville to be taken to Covington. When presented to the steamboat officials for transportation up the Ohio, they refused to receive him unless a coffin also be provided and placed aboard, so near was he to death's door. On the way another man died and the coffin intended for him was used as a receptacle for that man's body. To Covington his mother and his brother went to bring him home, but it was only after two months of patient nursing by his mother that he was sufficiently restored to strength to stand the homeward trip. His discharge from the army bears the date of March 17, 1862. After having thus nearly sacrificed his life for his country he spent a year in recovering his health and strength. His next experience came when he and his brother James were called upon to go to Portland, Oregon, to bring home their older brother, John, who had gone west sixteen years before as a '49er and who was critically ill. There being no transcontinental railway lines; they went to New York and took a steamship for Nicaragua, crossing Central America via the old proposed. Nicarauguan Canal route, thence up the Pacific Coast. They brou-ght their - sick brother home nearly over the same route, except that they returned by the Isthmus of Panama. Following this, Horace V. Ramsdell took charge of the old homestead in Oxford Township, and from that day he was the head and 'mainstay of the family. He was engaged in farming from that time until his death, with two brief interruptions. For a short time he was engaged in the fishing business on the lakes. In this he was successful, but soon gave it up and returned to the farm. During the early '70s he went out to the Black Hills district following the mining excitement- in that HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 679 section of the Northwest, but did not remain long. Throughout his life the center of his interests was the old homestead, where he and his good wife dispensed that hospitality for which they were so well known throughout their large circle of friends. At his death he left an estate of 187 acres, comprising an excellent home and farm lands that had been brought to the highest state of intensive cultivation. In politics he was a republican, and the only organization with which he affiliated was the Sam Edwards Post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Sand Hill, which he served at one time as commander, though circumstances prevented his regular attendance at its meetings in later years. His funeral was conducted under the auspices of this post. To the man and his character a happy tribute was paid editorially by the Sandusky Register: "He was a man of warm-hearted impulses and of splendid generosity. In this community he was ever_ to be depended upon as one of the first to respond where his services were needed during illness, accident or at death. Mr. Ramsdell was pre-eminently a home man, devoted to his family and his grandchildren and affectionately fond of the scenes and places hereabouts where he spent his life. It was here on this farm that for almost fifty years he devoted the.. best energies of his life, in season and out, sowing and reaping and garnering until the great 'Reaper whose name is Death' issued the final summons to cease his labors and rest forevermore." Mr. Ramsdell was survived by his widow, one son, two daughtersis, and seven grandchildren. On December 24, 1876, he married Alma Louise Bardwell. She was born in Groton Township of Erie County September 4, 1847, a daughter of Seth and Louise (White) Bardwell. Her parents were natives of Hatfield, Massachusetts, and the Bardwell family is widely known in Erie County, and further information concerning its members can be found on other pages of this work. .Mrs. Ramsdell was reared in Groton Township and lived there until her marriage to Mr. Ramsdell. She is a worker in the Universalist Church. She and Mr. Ramsdell became the parents of four children: S. Louise, who is now the wife of H. M. Linn, of Cleveland, Tennessee ; George B., at Bloomingville ; Gertrude, wife of Ralph T. Wolfram, of Bellevue, Ohio ; and Wade Owen, who died at the age of three years. George B. Ramsdell, the only son of Horace V. Ramsdell, is a young and progressive farmer and now looking after the active management of the old Ramsdell farm at Bloomingville. He was born there April 14, 1880, and was educated in the public schools of Bloomingville arid high school at Milan, took a course in the Sandusky Business College, and for a time was a student in Buchtel College at Akron, Ohio. He married Miss Elsie Prout, who was born at Bloomingville, a daughter of Albert H. Prout, who is now living in Cleveland. Albert Prout was a son of Andrew Prout, who came as an early settler into Oxford Township and settled in the locality which subsequently was named in his honor as Prout Station, and for a number of years was postmaster of that "village. Mr. George B. Ramsdell and wife have two children : Maurice and Helen. He is an active republican and for five years served as clerk of Oxford Township. ANTON KOB. A little more than thirty years ago a young German came to this country, poor, almost friendless, and with only the willing labor of his hands to recommend him for future advancement. That he has made most excellent use of his opportunities finds illustration of the fact that Anton Kob is now one of the leading citizens of Perkins township and is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, all of it valuable land, and, under his management producing abundantly 680 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of the general crops. He has lived there since 1900 and has all the circumstances and conditions of a successful citizen. Born in Wuertemberg, Germany, January 9, 1862, Anton Kob is a son of Fidel and Theresa (Sonnermoser) Kob. His parents were natives of Germany, and both are now deceased. Mr. Kob was reared in his native kingdom and lived there until his twentieth year. He then crossed the channel to England, and at London took passage ou a steamer which about fourteen days later landed him in New York City:, For many years he combined industry with thrift, and finally realized euough capital to make his start as an individual farmer, and from farnaing has gained his chief success in the business world. On January 16, 1886, Mr. Kob married Mary Feiden, who was born in Perkins township of Erie County, a daughter of John and Angeline (Neuman) Feiden. Her parents were natives of Getmany, came to America and lived in Perkins township a time, subsequently in Huron township, and spent their last years in the latter locality. Mr. and Mrs. Kob have two sons : John A. and Anton P. Mr. Kob and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Sandusky, and in politics he is democrat with independent proclivities. His neighbors speak highly of him both as a citizen and as a man who has prospered not from good fortune or inheritance but by depending upon his own powers and faculties. WILLIAM D. TAYLOR. With the lengthening perspective of years, more and more honor is paid to the old soldiers who fought for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the '60s. One of these veterans still surviving and honored for that service, and his long local activity as a citizen in Erie County is William D: Taylor, who now lives retired on his comfortable homestead in Perkins Township, on Rural Delivery Route No. 1 out of Sandusky. William D. Taylor is a native of Perkins township, and his family has been identified with Erie County for about a century. He was born September 19, 1839, a son of Elory and Mary A. (Hunt) Taylor. Both parents were natives of Connecticut. Elory Taylor was brought tO Erie County when seven years of age by his father, Jesse Taylor", and wife Julia Taylor, who were also natives of Connecticut. Jesse Taylor was one of the vigorous pioneers in Erie County, and made himself a home in the woods when the population was sprinkled about among a few settlements chiefly along the lake shore. Elory Taylor grew up amid pioneer surroundings, and was a nonagenarian when he died. In politics he was identified with the republican party. William D. Taylor spent his early life on the farm, acquired an education in the common schools, and was beginning to perform his independent responsibilities as a man when the war broke out. On August 23, 1862, he enlisted in Company B of the 101st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service for three years, beginning as a private and coming out of the war as a sergeant. He was in the forces commanded successively by Rosecrans, Thomas and Sherman, and fought in many battles, including among the more notable those at Perryville, Stone River; in the Atlanta campaign and siege, and was then sent back with the troops who pursued General Hood through Tennessee and participated at Franklin and Nashville in the fall of 1864. After his honorable discharge as a Union soldier Mr. Taylor returned home to Perkins township, and has lived in that community ever since. He owns a well kept farm of forty-eight acres, located at the Perkins Church. On August 23, 1863, Mr. Taylor married Sarah E. Rogers, who was born in New York state. Of their three children two are living. Alice A., lives at home with her parents in Perkins township Gertrude PICTURE OF FRANK A. HALEY HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 681 E., was formerly engaged in teaching and is now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, her work as teacher having been done in Sandusky. The daughter Hattie P., is now deceased. Mr. Taylor is a republican in politics, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and has been as public spirited in home affairs as he was in his duty as a soldier during the war. He is a member and an elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Perkins. FRANK A. HALEY. Nearly all his life Frank A. Haley has been a resident of Erie County. His has been an active and prosperous career, whether as a farmer, business man or public official, and his name is known and esteemed not only in his home Village of Huron but over the county at large. He began life dependent upon his own resources, and had to swim against the current of circumstances for a good many years. He is now well established so far as business and material circumstances are concerned, has an honorable record in all his relations, and still takes a public-spirited share in the social and civic life of his community. Mr. Haley comes of Swiss ancestry. His Grandfather Haley was born in Canton Basel, Switzerland, grew up there, married, and while living in the Swiss country the first child was born, George J., on December 14, 1815. When this boy was fourteen months of age the family left their native canton in 1817 and came across the ocean on one of the old- fashioned sailing vessels that then provided the only means of transportation. After a voyage of six weeks they landed in New York, and by the slow and tedious means of that period gradually worked their way west as far as Fairfield County, Ohio. Thus the family became identified with this state almost a century ago. The grandfather located in the midst of the woods, cut out a place for his rude log cabin, which had no door, a blanket being hung over the opening. Several times wolves peeked their heads through this improvised door and frightened the children of the household, a terror that did not lapse as long as these animals kept up their howling in the woods near by. Time and hard labor brought about many changes. The land was gradually cleared and planted in corn and garden crops, and according to the standards of that time the family were in a fair way to prosperity. This original home was not far from North Baltimore, Ohio. Subsequently they removed to another section in the black swamp region in Hardin County, and in that locality the grandparents died, the grandfather when about sixty and the grandmother a number of years later. They were members of the Reformed Church, and the grandfather was a republican and a man of sterling citizenship and true worth. Among their children may be mentioned the following : George John, Jacob, Sebastian, Margaret and Elizabeth, all except the first born in Ohio, where they all grew up and had families of their own. George J. Haley was still a boy when the family removed to Hardin County, and he came of age on a farm. He married at Kenton' Ohio, Rachel Gary, who was probably born in Hardin County and was of Irish stock. After marriage George J. Haley and wife took up the responsibilities of married life as farmers, and some of their children were born while they lived in the country district around Kenton. Subsequently they removed to Marion, Ohio, and while there the three youngest of their ten children were born, including Frank A. All these children grew up and married, and three sons and two daughters are still living. In 1864 the family came to Huron Township in Erie County, and bought a farm which for thirty years was the home of these worthy parents. They then removed to Huron Village. When quite a young man George J. Haley became much interested in the German Evangelical Church, in Vol. II-14 682 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY which he worked as a member, and somewhat later was ordained as a minister. It was his duties as a minister that brought him to Erie County in order to preach the gospel on the lake circuit. He was kept active in his church work as a preacher and presiding elder in this circuit for many years, and at some time or other had charge of all the churches in the circuit, including that at Huron. His last appointment was at Birmingham in Erie County. His death occurred at Huron, February 27, 1888. While never active in politics, he was a strong republican, and was especially loved in church circles, and though providing for his,family through the business of farming, gave all that he could to his responsibilities as a minister. His wife survived him, subsequently pas9ing some years in the home of her son, Frank A., at Huron, and died, there November 26, 1897. She was born in 1817. Frank A. Haley was born at Marion, Ohio, January 10, 1861, was reared on a farm, and had the advantages of local schools. At eighteen he was offered his choice of a three-year course in higher school or the sum of $200 when he should come of age. He wisely accepted the schooling, and entered the Northwestern College at Naperville, Illinois, at which his father had purchased a scholarship. He continued his studies for two years in that school and then took up work as a teacher, a vocation he followed several years. Later he returned to the home farm in Erie County, managed its agricultural activities for several years, and finally bought part of the homestead, and as its independent owner entered with much vigor and characteristic energy upon its improvement. He erected good buildings, and still owns the farm of fifty-six acres, which is one of the best small farms in Huron Township. In January, 1913, Mr. Haley purchases the insurance business of the late W. R. Tyler. He now has the agency of sixteen general insurance companies, and offers the services of these companies to a large patronage. He also has the local agency for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In March, 1913, he was appointed notary public and on October 8, 1914, was appointed justice of the peace. He is thus busied with his work in the insurance office and also in the handling of the affairs connected with these offices. He has also served as township trustee and as a member of both the school and village boards at Huron, and in 1910 was census enumerator in his township. Politically Mr. Haley is a strong republican, and fraternally has been especially interested in the Knights of the Maccabees. He has filled all the chairs in Lake View Tent No. 44 at Huron, and has been record keeper since 1900. He and his family are active in the Evangelical Church, and he is one of its trustees. Mr. Haley married Anna H. Kuhl, who was born in Huron Township fifty-one years ago and was reared and educated in this vicinity. Her parents were Peter and Philipina (Meyers) Kuhl, both natives of,Germany, but coming to America when young and marrying in Erie County. Her father became a substantial farmer and spent his life on a farm in Huron Township, where he died when past sixty, survived by his wife to the age of seventy-five. Both were members of the German Reformed Church and in politics he was a republican. The children of Mr, and Mrs. Haley are mentioned as follows : Lottie, who was graduated from the Huron High School in 1904, is now the wife of Frank Toomey, of Erie County, and they have a son, Robert Stanley; William G., graduated from the high school in 1904, is now assistant ticket agent for the Monon Railway at Hammond, Indiana, and by his marriage to Flossie McCormick of Erie County has one son, Donald William ; Ella, who has completed the high school course, is living at home ; Dorothy Rachel is now in the seventh grade of the public schools. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 683 JOHN C. STEINEN. The model farm home of Mr. Steinen is most eligibly situated in Perkins township and on the continuation of Columbus avenue in the City of Sandusky, the farm being practically in the direct suburban district of the county metropolis and judicial center. A house of modern architectural design and appointments of the most approved order is the abiding place of Mr. Steinen and his family, and the well kept grounds about the residence, with fine trees, shrubbery and flowers, make the place one of the most attractive of the many beautiful homes of Erie County, even as the home is widely known for its hospitality. Mr. Steinen is a representative of a highly honored pioneer family of Erie County, has maintained his home in this county from the time of his birth and his entire active career has been one of close and successful identification with the great basic industry of agriculture, and his well improved farm, devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of fruits, comprises seventy-five acres of as fine land as is to be found in this favored section of the state. In all things Mr. Steinen may well feel that his "lines are cast in pleasant places," and he enjoys the generous prosperity that is the just reward for years of earnest toil and endeavor. John C. Steinen was born in Huron( Township, this county, on the 31st of January, 1868, and is a son of Joseph and Gertrude (Hacker) Steinen, both of whom are now deceased. Joseph Steinen was born in the Rhine Province of Germany, where he was reared and educated, and as a young man he came to the United States, where he felt assured of better opportunities of achieving independence and success through individual effort. Soon after his arrival in America he came to Ohio and settled in Erie County. He finally purchased a tract of heavily timbered land in Huron Township, where his original domicile was a log cabin of the type common to the pioneer days, and as one of the early settlers and industrious and ambitious farmers of Huron Township he contributed his quota to the development and progress of that section of the county. After living many years on his old homestead, which he had developed into one of the fine farms of the county, he removed to the village of Bogart, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1912. He was one of the honored pioneer citizens of Erie County at the time of his death and survived his devoted wire by a number of years. Of their children five are now living. Christina is the wife of Charles Dildine, of Huron Township ; John C., of this review, was the next in respective order of birth ; Annie is the wife of William Lundy, and they reside in the City of Sandusky ; Barbara is the wife of Daniel Simmons, of Huron Township ; and David A. is ,a prosperous farmer of Huron Township. On the old homestead farm in Huron Township John C. Steinen was reared to years of maturity and he early began to assist in the, work of the farm, the while he was afforded the advantages of the public schools of the locality and availed himself of the same until he •had laid a firm foundation for the broader education which he has since acquired in connection with the practical affairs of life and in association with men and business. He has resided upon his present fine farm since 1904, is known as an agriculturist of the progressive type, and his thrift and prosperity have been in constant companionship during the entire period of his independent career. He is appreciative of the opportunities that have been his in Erie County and marks this by his liberality in the support of measures and enterprises advanced for the general good of the county and its people, his political allegiance being given to the democratic party and both he and his wife being communicants of St. Peter and Paul's Church, Roman Catholic, in the City of Sandusky. 684 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY On the 10th of May, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Steinen to Miss Johanna C. Mainzer, who has been a resident of Perkins Township from the time of her birth and who is a representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of Erie County. She is a daughter of Peter and Christena (Smith) Mainzer, the former of whom was born in the Rhine Province of Germany and the latter in Perkins Township, Erie County, her parents having been numbered among the very early, settlers of this county, where they established their home shortly after their immigration from their German Fatherland. Upon coming to Erie County, Peter Mainzer, settled in the midst of the virtually villein forest in the southern part of Perkins Township, where he eventually became the owner of a valuable farm, the major part of the land halting been reclaimed and improved under his personal supervision. There his death occurred in 1897, and the entire community realized the loss of a worthy citizen whose life had been one of productiveness and kindliness. In addition to carrying forward the work of his large farm he found requisition for many years for his services as a skilled carpenter and builder, and he assisted in the erection of many houses and- other buildings in his part of the county. His venerable widow, whose entire life has been passed in Perkins Township, is now more than eighty years of age. This pioneer couple became the parents of ten children, of whom nine are living : Mary, is the wife of William Esch and they reside in the Village of Huron, this county ; Rosa, is the wife of Albert Kromer, a farmer in Margaretta township ; Frank resides in the City of Sandusky ; Barbara is the wife of Frederick Kromer, a farmer of Perkins Township ; Johanna C. is the wife of the subject of this review ; and John, William, Anthony, and Sarah all still remain residents of their native township. FRANK N. HILLS. One of the still active citizens of Perkins Township who'ln the course of a long career has witnessed many remarkable changes in the development and progress of this section of Northern Ohio`Frank N. Hills has had a career of varied activities, but has been chiefly identified with farming and stock raising in Perkins Township, of which locality he is a native. For a number of years he was identified with lake marine, and his business success and the honors which have been given him as a citizen indicate his high standing in that locality. , - Frank N. Hills was born in Perkins Township, August-2, 1842, a son of Norman and Electa Elizabeth (Hale) Hills. Both parents were natives of Connecticut. Norman Hills brought his family from that state to Erie County in the early '30s, and was one of the pioneers in Perkins Township, securing a tract of land a part of which is now in the farm of his son Frank. The land was then wild and uncultivated, and Norman Hills was one of the men who bore the brunt of the toils and hardships of the early settlers. His death occurred in 1854. The family is an old and prominent one of New England, and one of the daughters of Frank Hills has membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, a membership which indicates the lineage of the family through Revolutionary times. The grandfather was Jared Hills, a native of Connecticut, and of English descent. Of the children born to Norman Hillsand wife the three now living are : Frank N.; Wilber, whose home is in Connecticut ; and Henry E., of Perkins Township. Frank N. Hills grew up in the same locality where-he was born, attended the public schools, and his early education hag been greatly developed and supplemented by practical experience in later life. The first fourteen years he spent on his father's farm, and then for about nine seasons was a sailor on the Great Lakes. For nearly half a century, however, Mr. Hills has made farming his regular vocation. His home HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 683 place, located on Rural Free Delivery No. 1 out of Sandusky, comprises 245 acres of rich and fertile land, and he employs it both for general farming and stock raising. Mr. Hills married Miss Isabel Cowan, who was born in Huron Township of Erie County, a daughter of Hugh Cowan, one of the early settlers in that locality. To their marriage have been born five children : Lillie, who was formerly a successful school teacher ; Elma, now connected with the public schools at Akron, Ohio, Elsie, wife of John Wichel of Sandusky ; Edna, wife of Daniel Wichel of Sandusky ; and Leroy F., still living in Perkins Township. Mr Hills served several years as trustee of Perkins Township, and is an active republican. He is a charter member of Perkins Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. In the course of many years he has varied experiences with all branches of farming and has paid much attention to the sheep industry. ROSS D. L. RANSOM. It is substantial tribute to a family when it can be said that what one generation has secured and won from the dominion of the wilderness the next following has continued-to improve and has increased in value many fold. That is real progress and without its manifestation a community must stand still. Progress has been the dominant factor in the Ransom family in Erie County through three successive generations. Ross Ransom is now an enterprising young farmer who lives upon and operates the same farm which his grandfather redeemed from the wilderness in the early days. Perkins Township has had no better elements of citizenship than those supplied by the Ransom family. Ross D. L. Ransom was born on the farm where he now lives in Perkins Township, January 23, 1884. His parents were George A. and Mary J, (Ross) Ransom. The former a native of Perkins Township and the latter of Ontario, Canada. The grandfather and the founder of the family in Erie County was Isaac Ransom, who was a New Englander, and one of the early settlers in Perkins Township. He located the land, which is now being cultivated by his grandson Ross. He came when the country was largely covered with woods, and took a leading part in early- affairs. The substantial brick house which he erected about seventy years ago is still seeing service and is one of the notable landmarks in Perkins township. In the early days' Isaac Ransom served as a trustee of his home township, and that community was bereaved of a substantial citizen in his death in 1888. George A. Ransom, father of Ross D. L., died in , 1896. He spent all his life on the farm first secured by his father, and was a man of many sterling straits of character. For a number of terms he held the office of assessor in Perkins Township, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as deacon, and was active in the Perkins Grange, and favored every movement which had for its dominating purpose the elevation of community life. The two children of George A. Ransom were Ross and Webster H., the latter now a resident of Libby, Montana. The mother of these children died in 1893. Ross D. L. Ransom has spent all his life in Perkins Township, and was given a liberal education. While growing up on the farm he attended the common schools, and in 1903 graduated from the Sandusky High School and for two years was a student at tlae Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland. From a business standpoint he has devoted himself to agricultural matters, and now has a fine place of 135 acres, with many standard improvements and with all the necessary facilities for the growing of field crops and the raising of high grade stock. On August 2, 1905, Mr. Ransom married Miss Rosalie Badgley, who 686 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY was born in Belleville, Ontario, daughter of Ira Badgley. To this union have been born two children, Bessie L. and Mary J. Mr. Ransom is a republican in politics, is a member of the Perkins Grange and of the Perkins Methodist Episcopal Church. HENRY E. HILLS. One of the well kept and profitably managed farms along Rural Free Delivery Route No. 1 out of Sandusky is that owned by Henry E. Hills. This farm has been in the possession of the Hills family for about eighty years, and was part of the land settled upon by the father of Henry E Hills and redeemed from wilderness conditions under his energetic labors. Mr. Henry E. Hills is a native of Perkins Township, and was born on the farm .he now owns May 7, 1850. His parents were Norman and Electa Elizabeth, (Hale) Hills, both of whom were natives of Connecticut and came out to Erie County when most of its land was in the ;heavy woods. Norman Hills was a widely and favorably known citizen and from early life until his death was a useful worker in the sphere of his special activities. Henry E. Hills grew up on the old homestead, attended the public schools in Perkins Township, and practical experience has had much to do with training and giving definite direction to his later life. As a boy he had the discipline of a farm, and has always made that his regular vocation. Mr. Hills married Miss Rosa Hopf, who was born in Germany, and both her parents are now deceased. They have four children : Cora E., wife of Louis Meffort of Toledo, Ohio ; Clayton W., of Los Angeles, California ; Morris E. and Lloyd A., both of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Hills has a farm of 150 acres, and devotes his land to general farming purposes. He is an active member of the Perkins Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics acts with the republican party. He has shown himself a friend of public schools and other local institutions and with his family worships in the Perkins Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN L. MOATS. Within a few miles radius of the village of Berlin Heights can be found some of the best examples of progressive farming in Erie County. One of these places that attract attention by reason of their general appearance of thrift and good management and by the well known success which the proprietor has gained is the fruit and,general farm of John L. Moats, a short distance east of the village. Mr. Moats has grown up and lived most .of his life in Erie County, and.he afid his wife are people of most excellent social qualities and enjoy a high standing in that community. John L. Moats was born at a place now included in the city limits of Cleveland, Ohio, September 10,1872, and fifteen months later his parents removed to Erie County and located in Berlin Township, where he grew to manhood. His ancestry is English. His grandfather William Moats and his father Henry and other members of the family came. across the ocean about 1850 and located at Rochester, New York.. The grandmother had died in the old country. From Rochester they removed to Niagara, New York, later spent a year or two in Canada, and finally settled at Cleland. At Cleveland Henry Moats began learning the trade of machinist while still green in his apprenticeship the Civil war broke out an e enlisted at the first call for troops. He went out with the Cleveland Light Artillery for a term of three months. At the expiration of that term he enlisted in the regular United States service as a member of Battery B, and became sergeant in his company. He was HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 687 one of the few soldiers who fought literally from the very beginning to the end of the great struggle between the states. On the expiration of the three years he veteranized and continued with the same artillery command until the close of the war, at which time he had given four years and three months to the cause of preserving the Union. He was in every engagement in which his battery participated, and saw much of the hardship of army life, but was able to report for duty every day, was never captured and was never in hospital, and with many narrow escapes to his credit was never wounded, though once a bullet passed through his coat and shirt sleeve. With the close of the war Henry Moats returned to Cleveland and there met and married Jennie Proffit, who was also born in England. They began life as market gardeners. In the meantime grandfather William Moats had married for his second wife, in Rochester, Miss Martha Grail, who was also of English birth and parentage. As already stated Henry Moats and wife came to Erie county in 1873, and. a little later grandfather William and wife came to the county and lived in a little home on the farm of their son Henry until they passed away. William Moats died in 1903 and his wife about six months later. William Moats while living in Cleveland was employed by a firm of candle manufacturers, and it is an item of interest that John D. Rockefeller was bookkfter for the same firm. When Henry Moats and wife came to Erie County they bought a farm on the Berlin Heights and Norwalk Road, and there spent the rest of their days in quiet industry and with a reasonable degree of prosperity. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he was a republican. John L. Moats grew up on the old farm in Berlin Township, attended. the public schools at Berlin Heights, and with a thorough training ,for his chosen calling he has made himself a successful farmer. In 1909 he bought his place of 145 acres a mile east of Berlin Heights, and has subsequently done a great deal to develop its resources. He has an orchard of twenty-eight acres principally apples and pears, and he has done most of the development of this orchard, and the trees have quite recently come into full bearing. He has constructed a barn about 30x48 feet, and he and his family have the comforts and conveniences of a modern eight room house. In addition to fruit growing Mr. Moats has a large acreage used for general crops. At Milan he married Miss Loubertha N. Williams, who was borri in 1872. Her parents were Charles R. and Helen H. (Hughes) Williams. Her father was born in Batavia, Illinois, and her mother in Huron, Ohio, and they were married in Sandusky. The Williams. family, genealogy has been prepared and published by Rev. R. I. Williams, and from this it is learned that the original American of the-name was Abraham, who lived at Marlboro, Massachusetts, as early as 1629. ;Charles R. Williams, the father of Mrs. Moats, was a graduate of Oberlin College and began his career as an educator, having served as principal of the Nermal -School at Milan. Failing health compelled him to abandon this vocation and in the vicinity of Milan he engaged in the raising of horses. At the age of twenty-eight years, while training a valuable race horse, he was kicked and died from the injury three days later. His widow subsequently married Capt. L. B. Chapin, who was captain of a cavalry company in the Civil war and who died in lin township sixteen years ago. By this marriage Captain Chapin left sons: Dr. E. H. Chapin of Columbus, Ohio, and Dr. L. B. Chapin, a de ist at Milan. Mrs. Chapin, the widow of Captain Chapin, now lives with her son Dr. Chapin at Milan, and is sixty years of age. Mrs. Moats has one brother, Judge Roy H. Williams of Sandusky, who was recently elected judge of Erie County in the fall of 1914, having twice previously served as prosecuting attorney. Judge 688 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Williams was graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor at the age of twenty-one and married Verna L. Lochwood of Milan, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Moats have two children. Helen LOcile, born September 4, 1894, completed her education in the Berlin Heights High School and is a cultured and promising member of the social community. Ronald Williams, the only son, was born in May, 1908. Mr. Moats is a republican, and takes an active interest in local affairs. He and his wife are members of the Berlin Heights Methodist Episcopal Church, in wiyich he is a steward and trustee. JOHN EBERT. One of the progressive young citizens of Perkins Township, John Ebert is a member of the board of education of that township and has built up an extensive business as a wholesale butcher and owns a well improved small farm at Bogart. Born in Sandusky, Ohio, September 29, 1878, John Ebert is a son of Lewis and Catherine (Herbel) Ebert. His father was .torn in New York state, a son of John Ebert, who was a native of Germany, while Catherine Herbel was born in Germany. Lewis Ebert came to Erie County with his parents when a boy, grew up in Sandusky, was educated in the local schools, and now for many years has lived in Oxford Township, and is likewise a butcher and farmer. He is a democrat in politics. Mr. John Ebert spent his early life in Oxford township; attended the public schools of that locality, but before reaching manhood had already fitted himself for the practical duties of life by experience. For a number of years he has been in business for himself as a wholesale butcher, and . in 1909 located at his present home at Bogart. He owns a farm of fifteen acres, and cultivates it to general crops in connection with, his business as a butcher. On April 2, 1902, he married Cora E. Biehl, who was .born in Sandusky, a daughter of Jacob A. Biehl of Sandusky. There are three children : Margaret C., Willard F. and Charles L. Mr. Ebert is a member of the board of education of Perkins township, and was previously a candidate for township treasurer. He is a democrat and ,carries his public spirit into all his relations with the community. He has shown himself a progressive friend of schools and public education, qnd is well entitled to the confidence he enjoys. Fraternally he is affiliated with the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Milan. JEROME H. NORTON. Of the residents of the agricultural community of Perkins Township who are carrying forward the work commenced by their fathers many years ago, mention is due Jerome Hr Norton, who is now operating the Norton homestead, one of the valuable.larming tracts of this locality. While not a native son of Erie County,. Mr. Norton has resided here since his fifth year and has watched and participated in its development, adding his contribution to the, movements which have made it nne of the richest sections of the Buckeye state. Mr. Norton was born in Huron County, Ohio, October 1, 1865, and is a son of Henry C. and Charlotte (Henderson) Norton. His grandfather, James Norton, was born in New York, and several years after the birth of his son, Henry C., left his native community and turned his face toward the West, seeking his fortune in the new country of Ohio. He finally arrived in Huron County, where he took up his residence in the woods, established his little family in a small home and at once set about about the great task of clearing and developing a farm from which to gain a livelihood. Years of industrious labor followed and were finally rewarded with success, and when he died Mr. Norton was one of the substantial men of his community. PICTURE H. C. NORTON HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 689 Henry C. Norton was born in New York, and when the family started. from the Empire State on their western journey was three years of age. He grew up in the vicinity of Norwalk, in Norwalk Township, Huron County, Ohio, and there received a good education and began farming Later on he came to Erie County, and after moving about for a short time finally settled on the farm in Perkins Township on which his widow and son still survive. As a farmer and stock raiser he accumulated a good property and became one of the substantial men of his community, the interests of which he always had at heart. He was a valued and enthusiastic member of Perkins Grange, and in political matters was a republican, but was not particularly active in the affairs of his party, preferring the peace and quiet of his pastoral duties to the strife and doubtful honors of the political arena. His death occurred September 26, 1912. Mr. Norton married Miss Charlotte Henderson, who was born in the State of Connecticut, in 1835, daughter of Joseph Henderson. She was five years of age when the family made the trip overland to Ohio, settling in Perkins Township, Erie County, where the father was engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Norton still survives her husband and resides on the home farm, and while she is in her eightieth year is still active in body and alert in mind During her long residence in Perkins Township she has formed a large acquaintance, in which she numbers a wide circle of friends. Jerome H. Norton was five years of age when he was brought by his parents to Erie County, and in the public schools of Perkins Township he secured his education. He was brought up as a farmer, and agricultural work has always occupied his attention and activities. The Norton homestead, of which he is manager, is a tract of seventy-five acres, under an excellent state of development and devoted to all departments of farming and stock raising. Its buildings are commodious and modern in character and its improvements of the best, so that it is accounted one of the valuable properties of the locality. Mr. Norton keeps fully abreast of the advancements being made in agricultural science, and is an interested member of the Perkins Grange, to which Mrs. Norton alio belongs. He has had no time for activities in public life, but has given his support to those movements which his judgment has told him will benefit the community. FRANK E. LINDSLEY. It is to the efforts of such energetic and progressive agriculturists as Frank E. Lindsley that the great advance in agriculture and stock raising during the past decade in Erie County is due, and it is to such as he that Perkins Township looks for a continuation of its present prosperity. His active life has spanned an important farming era and his labors have gained him independence and success, while at the same time he has been able to contribute, to his community's advancement. Mr. Lindsley belongs to one of the old and esteemed families of Erie County, and was born on the farm which he now occupies in Perkins Township, July 12, 1878, being a son of Dell D. and Helen (Covell) Lindsley. His grandfather, Hon. William D. Lindsley, was born in Kentucky and as a young man became an early settler and the founder of the family in Erie County, Ohio. On his arrival here, he settled in the woods of Perkins Township, on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his grandson, He here built a small house, commenced the work of clearing and development, and after many years of hard work succeeded in the development of a good farm and the establishing of a comfortable home for his family. Although he was not in the Civil war he was made general by the state militia. In his later years he became one of the most prominent and influential men of the county, was sent to 690 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY numerous public offices by his appreciative fellow-citizens, and finally was elected congressman to represent the district in which he resided and served as such two terms. As a soldier he was brave and courageous, winning the confidence and admiration of his men, as a public official he was conscientious in the performance of the duties of his office and possessed of great executive ability, and as a farmer was able to gain success through well directed management and good judgment. He died when seventy-five years old, rich in a material way as in the respect anti regard of those among whom he had spent so many years. Mrs. Lindsley; who was a native of Connecticut, was also an early settler of Perkins Township, and was well advanced in years when she died. Dell D. Lindsley was born in Perkins Township, was educated in the district schools, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he wasp engaged for several years. At about this time, however, farming machinery was beginning to reach its present high perfection, this offeriifg a prolific field for men of foresight who were possessed of the qualities which made the good salesman. Accordingly, Mr. Lindsley turned his attention to this vocation, met with immediate success therein, and for many years traveled all over the Union, selling farming machinery, appliances and implements. Throughout his life, however, his home continued to be in Perkins township, and here he died in 1890. Mrs. Lindsley, who was also born in Perkins Township, still survives and continues to make her home here, being seventy-six years of age. She has been the mother of the following children : Alice, who is the wife of D. D. Rogers, and lives near Castalia, Ohio ; Dell D., who is a resident of Perkins Township ; William H., also of this township ; Carrie, who is the wife of Myron Caswell, of Sandusky, Ohio ; John M., of Perkins Township ; Frank E. of this notice ; Mae, who is the wife of Harry Hayes, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio ; and Minnie, who is deceased. Frank E. Lindsley was reared to man's estate on the farm on which he now lives and on which he has passed his entire life. His education was gained from the district schools of Perkins township and the Milan (Ohio) High School, where he passed over three years, and he then took up his life work as manager of the homestead place. He has been successful in its operation, has added to its improvements and general worth, and may be classed among the thoroughly progressive and energetic agriculturists of this part of the state. He is a valued member of Perkins Grange. While he generally votes the democratic ticket he has independent political proclivities and at all.times endeavors to give his support to the best men and the most beneficial movements. He is not an office seeker, but at times has been active where the public welfare has been at stake. With his family, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lindsley married Miss Elizabeth Horn, of Perkins Township, daughter of Henry Horn, now a resident of Sandusky. To this union there have been born four children : Grace M., who is deceased ; Florence M., Clifford E., and Wayne Solon. JOHN A. STRONG. The farming interests of the community of Oxford Township are ably represented by John A. Strong, who is wicidliMown in his field of operations and directs a valuable estate in that, vicinity, also operating as a dairyman. As a citizen he has rendered his community excellent services of a public character and though not an office seeker or politician is a supporter of all worthy and beneficial movements. The Strong family in America was planted about the time of the Mayflower pilgrimage, and John A. Strong is descended from some of those early colonists in New England. He was born in Lime Township of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 691 Huron County, Ohio, December 4, 1847, a son of Pelatiah and Iantha (Boalt) Strong, the former a native of Courtland County, New York, and the latter of Norwalk, Connecticut. Pelatiah Strong was only a boy when he came with his father Abner Strong from New York state to Huron. County. Abner Strong was one of the early settlers there, and he and three of his brothers at one time owned all the land on Strong's Ridge, a little village and social community in Huron County which permanently testifies to the activities of this early family. Pelatiah Strong grew up in Huron County, lived for a number of years at Strong's Ridge, and for a time was a country merchant there. Later he brought his family to Henry County, Ohio, and after several years moved with his family from Henry County, Ohio to Fayette County, Iowa, in February, 1854, with a team of horses and covered wagon. They were three weeks on the road, and, strange as it may seem, they were not hindered by any bad storms on the journey. They crossed the Mississippi on the ice at Clayton, and the mother would not ride nor permit her son John to do so, as she thought it dangerous, though the ice was probably two feet thick. She took her son by the hand and they walked all the way across. The family lived in Iowa for eleven years and then returned East in 1865 and settled in Erie County. John A. Strong at that time was in his eighteenth year. Pelatiah Strong then became a farmer in Oxford Township and located on the place now owned by his son John, living there until his death which occurred February 25, 1881. He was a successful farmer, and frequently employed his judgment and energy for the benefit of the community. He was a republican, always public spirited, and took a great interest in the public schools and the general uplift of his home locality. In character he was noted for his strict integrity and his honorable dealings with his fellow men. John A. Strong secured his early education in the schools of Henry County, Ohio, Fayette County, Iowa, and Erie County, Ohio, and since the age of eighteen has continuously been a resident of Oxford Township. He has learned a great deal by experience and practice as a farmer and has always kept himself apace with the best methods of handling the soil and its resources. At the present time he is the owner of a fine place of one hundred sixteen acres in Oxford township and uses it for general crops and stock and operates a first class dairy. He married for his first wife Samantha E. Beare, who was born in Perkins Township of Erie County, a daughter of Hiram Beare, for many years a farmer both in Perkins and. Oxford Townships. By this union there were three sons : Earl G. of Milan, Ohio ; and Charles R. and Howard C., both living at Avery, Ohio. The wife of Hiram Beare and consequently the mother of Mrs. Strong was Abigail Kelley. Mr. Strong married, for his present wife Emma Idella Fox, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, a daughter of Allen and Catherine Fox. Her father for a number of years was a farmer in Perkins Township of Erie County. There are also three sons by this second marriage : John B., Dean A., and Arthur W. In a public way Mr. Strong has proved himself a loyal and stanch friend of schools, churches, and every moral institution. Politically he is a prohibitionist, and does what he can to advance the cause of temperance in his county and state. MATTHEW 0. PUCKRIN. In Perkins Township, along the Rural Delivery Route No. 1 out of Sandusky, is the highly cultivated and valuable farm homestead of Matthew 0. Puckrin and family. Mr. Puckrin has been a farmer in Erie County since coming to manhood, and altogether has spent nearly seventy years in this section of Northern Ohio. During 692 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY his lifetime he has gained the things most worthy of tffort, a good home, ample provision for his children, and the esteem of his 'fellow men. He is one of Erie County's valuable citizens. Matthew 0. Puckrin was born in Erie County, DeCember 10, 1847. He was one of the children of Thomas and Martha 1uairin, who were natives of England and came to America nearly a century ago. Their first home was in Sandusky, and from that city, then a pioneer village, they removed to Perkins Township, where the father aid his part as an early settler. He. cleared up and cultivated a large tract of land, And was frequently honored by his fellow citizens with township offices. Of the children born to Thomas Puckrin and wife the four now living Are : George W., of Sandusky ; Mary, widow of J. C. Parker, formerly residents of Erie County, while she now makes her home in Columbus, Ohio Matthew 0.; and Edward, also a resident of Perkins Township. The/ late Hon. Joseph Puckrin was also one of the children. He represented Erie County in the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature, and was one 'of the very prominent citizens. Matthew 0. Puckrin grew up on his father's homestead, attended the' public schools of Perkins Township, and for a time was a student in Oberlin College. Early in life he made choice of farming as his vocation, and to that calling has directed his efforts with more than oi-dinary success. On March 18, 1870, Mr. Puckrin married Mary A. Hills, who was born near Hartford, Connecticut, a daughter of W. M. and Eleanor, (Jacobs) Hills. When she was three years of age her parents, also natives of Connecticut, moved from that state to Erie County, Ohio; and became substantial citizens in the rural community of Perkins Township. Both parents died there many years ago. Mrs. Puckrin has one sister, Martha C., wife of H. F. Byington of Perkins Township. Mrs. Puckrin grew up. in Perkins Township and received her education in the local schools. To this union have been born five children: Bertha A., wife of Adelbert Parker, of Blissville, Michigan; William M., of Perkins Township ;4\flartha C., wife of George J. Rogers of Oxford Township ; Dora C., wife of Ernest Moyer of Clyde, Ohio; and Carrie M., wife of Walter Otto of Sandusky. Mr. Puckrin is .a republican in politics and has regularly voted for the candidates of that party for more than forty years. In all, his relations with the community he is public spirted and stands for local improvement and progress. He and his wife are both members. of the Maccabees Order at Bloomingville in the County. JOHN H. BARNES. It is not only as a prosperous- agricul-tutist, but also as a business man and citizen, that John H. Barnes is known to the community of North Monroeville, Oxford Township, where he has spent practically all his life. The Barnes family has been identified with that community nearly seventy years, and all the various member's have been noted for hardworking ability and shrewd business judgment. Born at North Monroeville November 18, 1855, John H. Barnes is a son of Walter S. and Alma (Hoyt) Barnes. His father was born at Gouverneur, New York, and the mother was also a native of -that Atate, her father, John Hoyt, having served as a soldier in the War of 1812." The Barnes family is of English origin. Walter S. Barnes came out to Erie County about 1846 with a brother, Norman, and both settled at North Monroeville, where Walter conducted one of the old-time taverns or hotels for a short time, but later-engaged in farming, a,business which was his primary vocation throughout his life. His brother Norman: was for a few years a harnessmaker at North Monroeville, 'but later became well known as a buyer and shipper of live stock at Bellevue, Ohio, where HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 693 he is still living, at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Walter S. Barnes died May 12, 1897. While his activitiesps a farmer brought him considerable success, he is also known in a public way, and served a number of years as trustee of Oxford Township and at one time held the position of justice of the peace. He was a republican in politics and was one of the best citizens Oxford Township ever claimed. John H. Barnes, who is the only one now living of the six children of his parents, was reared to man's estate in North Monroeville and his education in the public schools there was supplemented by one year of attendance at Oberlin College. Since the age of twenty he has been on his own responsibilities and has been able to provide liberally for the needs of his family and acquire an enviable position in the community.- On September 18, 1878, Mr. Barnes married Miss Ella Fisher, who was born in Huron County, Ohio, a daughter of Moses Fisher, long identified with the farming interests of that county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, two of whom died in infancy. Alma is the wife of George Strecker, of Bellevue, Ohio ; Issa May is the wife of Harry Bounds, also of Bellevue ; while Eunice and Lois are both at home in North Monroeville. As an agriculturist Mr. Barnes owns and directs the operations over 100 acres of land in Oxford Township, and also has sixty-one acres in Huron County. Among other interests, he is connected with the Strecker Implement Company, Incorporated, at Bellevue. This company handles farm implements, Studebaker automobiles, and all machinery used in the agricultural community surrounding Bellevue. Politically, Mr. Barnes has always supported the republican party. His own service includes an' active participation in local school affairs, and for a number of years he has been a member of the North Monroeville School District Board, and a portion of the time was president of the board. He is a member of the Congregational Church at North Monroeville, and has always stood for the best things in community life. ./ JOHN A. CRYSINGER. Most eligibly situated in Perkins Township, on Rural Mail Route No. 3 from the City of Sandusky, is the well-improved farm of Mr. Crysinger, who is a native of Erie County and a reprektentative of one of its honored pioneer families. He has here found aFnple scope for productive enterprise and the achieving of definite success and prosperity through his identification with'the great basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing, has never faltered is loyalty to and appreciation of his native county, and is a cit. whose worthy character and accomplishment have given him high place in popular esteem, his being the prestige that attaches to the pioneer citizen of the community, for within his life he has witnessed a wonderful transformation in conditions and influences in Erie County and has himself contributed his due quota to civic and industrial development and progress. Mr. Crysinger was born at Sandusky on the 1st of September, 1848, and is a son of Christian and Catherine (Rohrbacker) Crysinger, both of whom were bona in the Grandduchy of Baden, Germany. Christian Crysinger was about twelve years of age at the time of the family immigration from the German Fatherland to America, and his father, who likewise bore the personal name of Christian, became one of the pioneer settlers in Erie County, Ohio, where he secured a tract of wild land and instituted the reclamation and development of a farm, this old homestead, in Perkins Township, having continued the abiding place of himself and his wife until they were summoned from the stage of life's mortal endeavors—folk of industrious habits and sterling integrity, well merit- 694 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ing the popular confidence in which they were uniformly held in the community. On the pioneer farm Christian Crysinger, Jr., was reared to maturity and he finally initiated his career as an independent farmer by purchasing and establishing his residence on the fine homestead now owned and occupied by his son, John A., of this review. He was long known as,one of the substantial agriculturists and stock-growers of Erie County, achieved success through earnest and well-directed industry, was signally steadfast and true in all of the relations of life and commanded inviolable place in popular confidence and esteem. He passed to the life eternal in 1908, at the patriarchal age of ninety years, and he was at the time of his death the most venerable of all pioneer citizens of Erie County,.iiiS wife having preceded him to eternal rest by a number of years, and both having been zealous communicants of the Lutheran Church. Of the surviving children, John A., subject of this sketch, is the eldetst ; Catharine is the wife of William Simpson, and they reside in the State of Michigan; Margaret is the widow of George Simson and still maintains her hoine in Michigan ; Sarah is the wife of Henry Wright, of Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Elizabeth is the wife of Frederick Rohrbacker, a prospirous farmer in Oxford Township, Erie County ; and Miss, Fredericka resides in the City of Toledo. John A. Crysinger was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm which he now owns, received his early education in the schools of Perkins Township, and during his entire career has never deviated from a line of close allegiance to the industry of agriculture. He is the owner of about forty-six acres of excellent land, his homestead place containing twenty-five acres, and he gives his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of good grades of live stock. He is always ready td do his part in aiding in the support of measures and undertakings projectedfor the general good of the community, and though he has never manifested any desire for political preferment, he is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the republican party. He is well known throughout his native county and here his circle of friends is, limited only by that of his acquaintances. AUGUSTUS LEICESTER MOSS. Among the famili vhose activities and lives have been distinctive contributions to th rogress of Sandusky, probably none deserves more credit than that of Moss. More than three- quarters of a century ago the then head of the family came to the flourishing lake port town of Sandusky and established one- of the early mercantile stores of the place. From that time to the present the name has been associated with the merChandising, banking, the promotion and building of railways and other public movements, and members of three generations have contributed their abilities and resources to the financial and civic life of this community. Augustus Leicester Moss, active representative of the present generation, was born at Norwalk, in Huron County. His anZestr goes back to the old country. In the direct line his earliest American ancestor was John Moss, who lived in Connecticut, as early as 1639, and subsequently removed to Wallingford; Connecticut. In the next generation was Joseph Moss, who married Mary Ailing. Their soil was Nathaniel Moss, who married Keziah Royse. In the next generation is found Jared Moss, who married Patience B. Hitchcock. Of thege parents, Augustus Hitchcock Moss was born at New Berlin, New York, in 1810. The last named was the founder of the Moss family in Sandusky. He was a graduate of Yale College, and afterwards taught school- at New Berlin, New York. Business life made a stronger appeal to him than a profes- PICTURE OF JAY I. O. MOSS HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 695 sion, and in 1837 he came west and located at Sandusky, which was then a very small but flourishing town. He opened a general store at the western limits of the then city, and in a short time was prospering. He dealt extensively in general merchandise and produce, and a feature of the business was the buying of wool from the farmers in this territory. He subsequently sold a portion of the business to his brother, Samuel Moss, retaining the hardware store until 1850. In that year he engaged in the banking business. The old letterheads he used at the time read, "A. H. Moss, Banker," and subsequently the institution was known as Moss Bros., Bankers. Soon after the National Banking Act was passed in 1863, A. H. Moss was one of the very first to apply for a charter, and the First National Bank of Sandusky was in reality the third bank chartered under that act, though its official number was sixteen. Mr. Moss became president of the First National Bank, and his personality was one of the chief assets of the institution until the expiration of its charter at the end of twenty years. Then in 1883 he organ- - ized the Moss National Bank of Sandusky, and was its president until his death. Augustus H. Moss married Mary Esther Moss, a daughter of Rev. Joseph and Mary Moss, of the same family, Reverend Joseph having been a son of Joseph and Mary (Ailing) Moss, already mentioned in the Moss genealogy. Augustus H. Moss was one of the strong characters in the early life of Sandusky. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but because of the fact that he wore straps over his boots he was expelled from that church, which at that time insisted strongl. upon simplicity, and joined Grace Episcopal. Church, in which he was a vestryman and senior warden for many years. In politics he acted and worked with the whig party until its dissolution, and became a republican in the '50w, and continued with that party the rest of his life. Of his political career it should be recalled that he was a member of the convention which nominated William Henry Harrison for the presidency in 1840, the noble old whig who sat in the President's chair only a few months. He was one of the trustees of Kenyon College, and occupied a similar position in the blind asylum at Columbus. Jay I. 0. Moss, father of Augustus L., was born in Sandusky Novem- ber 10, 1838, and finished his education at Kenyon College. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted, but was rejected by the examining surgeon, though he was none the less of great service to the Union cause, sending two substitutes into the army and also serving as paymaster at Johnson's Island until the close of the war. For this service he would accept no remuneration. After the war he was in the banking business with his father, subsequently becoming president of the Moss National Bank, and ,continuing with it until the business was liquidated. He is also remembered af, one of the promoters and vice, presidents lof the S. M. N. Railway. T. 0. Moss continued a resident of Sandusky' until his death, June 27, 1911. He was a member of the Union League Club, the Metropolitan Club and the Lawyers' Club of New York City, and had an extensive business and personal relationship with promimnt men in various part; of the country. Jay 0. Moss married Frances Lane Griswold Boalt. She was born in Norwalk, Ohio, October 9, 1838. Her father was Hon. Charles Leicester Boalt, who was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, of early colonial ancestry. He was well educated, took up the profession of law, and coming west, located at Norwalk, Ohio, as an early settler. He was a prominent member of the early bar, and after being elected circuit judge followed the custom of early judges, traveling about the country attend- 696 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY ing court in the different county seats, and in these trips, usually made on horseback, was accompanied by the members of the bar who likewise practiced in all portions of the district. Judge Boalt was also 6ne of the promoters of the S. M. N. Railroad, and was its president until his death. Judge Boalt dealt extensively in lands, bought land warrants from old soldiers, and was in many ways one of the leading characters in Northern Ohio. Judge Boalt married Eliza Woodbridge Griswold, born in Black Hall, Connecticut, who likewise represented a prominent family. She was the daughter of Governor Roger and Fannie (Rogers) Griswold, and the granddaughter of Governor Mathew and Ursula ( Wolcott) Griswold. Mrs. Jay 0. Moss died at New York, N. Y., March 24, 1907. She was a leader in social circles in Sandusky, and president:of the Sandusky Library Association, and through her personal acquaintance with Mr. Carnegie, made an appeal to that financier for the donation of fifty thousand dollars, which Mr. Carnegie gave to Sandusky on unusually favorable terms. Mrs. Moss reared two children. The only daughter, Cornelia Emily, married G. Hunter Brown, and their one danghterikis named Ursula Wolcott Brown. Augustus L. Moss had the advantages of being reared in a home of culture and wealth. As a boy he attended school at Gratz, Austria, two and one-half years and also St. Paul's Preparatory ,School at Concord, New Hampshire. He was a student in Yale University until ill health compelled him to abandon his studies. After a year of rest and recuperation abroad, he went into the bank with his father, and was assistant cashier of the Moss National Bank. At the present time yr. Moss lives retired, looking after his private interests. He was married January 27, 1891, to Caroline Babcock Curtis: She was born at Westerly, Rhode Island, a daughter of Myron Bradley Curtis. Mr. and Mrs. Moss had one son, named Wolcott Griswold Moss, who died at Lyme, Connecticut, August 3, 1915.-. Mr. Moss is affiliated with Science Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M.; Sandusky Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; Sandusky City Council No. 36, R. & S. M.; Erie Commandery No. 23, K. T.; the Ohio Consistory of Scottish Rite at Cincinnati and Al Koran Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of the Metropolitan Club of New York City. He and his family worship in the Episcopal Church, andhre residents of old Lyme, Connecticut. WILLIAM HAMILTON JEFFERSON, who died on the ancestral farmstead which was the place of his nativity, was a scion of one of the staunchest pioneer families of Erie County, within whose gracious borders he passed the major portion of his long and useful life-a man of fine intellectuality, of inviolable rectitude and integrity and of the faith andexalted ideals that make for faithfulness and usefulness in tile varied relations of life. Both the Jefferson and Hamilton families, of which-he was a scion, have been long established in America, both have, stood exponent of superior mentality and sterling integrity as one generatisn has followed another on to the stage of life, and three generations of the Jefferson family have been prominent and honored factors in connection with the social and industrial affairs of Erie County; Ohio, and:the name has been one of much prominence in connection with civic and material development and progress in this favored section of the l3hckeye State. In the pioneer log cabin home of his parents, on the old homestead farm that had been purchased by his father in 1834, in the southeast PICTURE OF W. J. JEFFERSON HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 697 corner of Berlin Township, Erie County, Ohio, William Hamilton Jefferson was born on the 10th of August, 1836, and his death occurred on the 17th of November; -1910, on the same estate. David C. Jefferson, one of the first owners of this farm, was born in Rochester, Windsor County, Vermont, on the 26th of June, 1905, and died at Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio, on the 26th of May, 1890. David C. Jefferson was a son of Jacob Jefferson, who was born in Vermont, between the years 1770 and 1775, and who passed his entire life in the old Green Mountain State, his vocation having been that of farming and his death having occurred when he was in the prime of life. He and his wife became the parents of a large family of children, and David C. was not yet of adult age at the time of his parents' death. A comparatively well authenticated family tradition is that two Jefferson brothers came from England to America in the early colonial period' of our national history, one of them settling in New England and the other in the South. From this New England progenitor the subject of this memoir is descended, and tradition goes farther to put forth the statement that from the brother who settled in the South was descended Thomas Jefferson, the distinguished Virginian who was the second President of the United States. In the schools of his native state David C. Jefferson acquired his early education, and as a youth he was bound out or indentured to learn the trade of blacksmith. His dislike for this vocation or for his instructor and virtual master was such that he ran away from his native town and proceeded to Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont, where he not only found employment but also an opportunity to attend a well ordered select school. He made good use of the educational advantages thus afforded him, as is shown by the fact that he later became specially successful as a teacher. At Middlebury he met and wedded Miss Mary Hamilton, who was born at that place in 1812, a member of a family whose name had been one of prominence in that locality for generations, as shown today by many duly marked graves in which repose the mortal remains of her ancestors. Her father was a local magistrate and prominent and influential citizen, and her mother, whose maiden or family name was Walker, was a representative of another old and honored family of that section of the Green Mountain State. In 1834 David C. Jefferson set out to establish a home in the semi-wilderness of Ohio, the current of immigration to the West being then at full tide. Proceeding to Buffalo, New York, he thence came by stage and other conveyances to the home of Mrs. Jefferson's uncle, Harry Walker, who had established his residence in Erie County, Ohid, at a point east of the present Berlin Heights and west of Florence, in Berlin Township. Immediately impressed with the advantages and Ossibilities of this section, Mr. Jefferson decided to establish his permanent home, and after an interval of about six months he sent for:his wife and infant son George, who joined him. His original purchase of land was a tract of somewhat more than ninety acres, in the southeast earner of Berlin Township, but little improvement .having been- made on the place other than the erection of the diminptive log house in which he and his wife established their modest home. Later he erected' on the place a more commodious and pretentious farm dwelling, and in 1852 he built a substantial stone and mortar house which was one of the largest and most imposing homesteads of the locality and which still stands in a state of admirable preservation, time's disintegrating effects having left it practically untouched. The house has ten large rooms, it has been kept up to advancing standards in modern improvements and still remains one of the model and attractive rural homes of Erie County, this place, endeared to him by many hallowed memories and associations Vol. II-15 698 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of the past, having been that in which the honored subject of this Memoir passed the closing years of his life. David C. Jefferson, putting forth admirable energy and mature judgment, ultimately improved and developed one of the fine farms of this sections of the states and he became specially well known as a successful stock-grower. He introduced the Merino sheep in Erie County and had become one of the leading breeders of the same in Northern Ohio prior to the Civil war. He was essentially a man of energy and progressiveness and his sterling trajts of character, as combined with his strong mentality and civic liberality, well equipped him for leadership in popular thought and action the while he commanded the unqualified esteem of all who knew him.. For several years after he had established his home on his pioneer farm he devoted his attention to teaching in local schools during fife winter months, and among his pupils his loyal friends in later years-were such distinguished officers of the Union in the Civil war as Col. Seth Barber and Col. Nathan G. Sherman, both of whom were from Huron County. Mr. Jefferson was a staunch supporter of the activities of the Sons of Temperance, was an ardent abolitionist during the climacteric period leading up to the Civil war, and his home was a "station" on the historic "Underground Railroad," through the medium of which so many slaves were assisted in gaining their freedom. In politics he was originally a whig, but he united with the republican party at tilt time of its organization and ever afterward continued a staunch suppOrter of its cause. His devoted wife passed to the life eternal in November, and he died in the City of Norwalk, Huron County, not far distant from his old homestead, on the 26th of May, 1890, as noVd in a preceding paragraph. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but eventually they became members of the Adventist Church, with which they continued to be actively identified during the residue of their lives. Concerning their children-brief record is given in the following paragraph: George, the only one of the number born prior to the immigration to Ohio, was an infant at the time of the removal from Vermont to Erie County, and here he died in childhood. William Hamilton, to whom this memoir is dedicated, was the next in order of birth: Wilbur Fiske was born and reared on the old homestead farm in Berlin Township, was afforded good educational advantages and became a successful teacher in the public schools, and he was an honored citizen of Norwalk, Huron County, at the time of his death, in 1905. He married Miss Ann Arnet, who survived him about three years. One son and one daughter survive. David Everton, who is now living retired in the City of Toledo was a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war, in which he served as a member of Company C, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many important engagements, including the first Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Chancellorsville, in which latter engagement he received a severe wound. After recuperation he took part in the ever memorable Battle of Gettysburg and at the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted as a veteran, his, service in the ranks thus continuing until the close of the great conflict through which the integrity of the nation was preserved. He and his wife have no children except an adopted daughter. George, the second, of the name, likewise enlisted as a soldier of the Union and died of illness while with his regiment at Grafton, Virginia, in 1862, when abdut twenty fears of age, Ida, who was never married, maintains her home in the City of Norwalk. Huron County. William Hamilton Jefferson early began to aid in the work of the home farm which was the place of his birth, and under this sturdy discipline he learned the lessons of practical industry; the while he waxed HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 699 strong in mind and physique, his preliminary education having been acquired in the pioneer schools of the locality and this having been supplemented by an effective course of study in Oberlin College. He was engaged in teaching in the public schools of the State of Missouri at the inception of the Civil war, and both he and his brother Wilber, who was likewise teaching there, became unwelcome residents of Missouri when the animosities of sectional order heightened in that State, so that they were compelled to make their escape to Ohio. , For several years after his return to Ohio, William H. Jefferson continued his services as a successful and popular teacher in the public schools, and he then purchased a tract of land near the City of Toledo, where he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits about two years, He then sold his farm, and purchased another, in Townsend Township, Huron County, where he remained five years and was successful in his endeavors. At the expiration of this period he sold his property in Huron County and purchased the old homestead farm on which he was born, this fine place having continued his abiding place during the major part of his life thereafter, though he was for eight years a resident of Norwalk, Ohio, where he was engaged in the lumber business. Upon his return to the old homestead he directed his attention to its supervision, and here he continued to reside, secure in the confidence and high regard of all who knew him, until his death, at the venerable age of seventy-six years. Mr. Jefferson made his life count for good in its every relation, was a progressive and successful business man, a, progressive agriculturist and stock-grower and a liberal and public-spirited citizen. Though he was a stalwart, and effective advocate of the cause of the republican , party he had no desire for political office, though his civic loyalty any continued interest in educational affairs caused him to consent to serve as a member of the school board of his district, a position in which he did much to further the advancing of local standards of school work. At the home of the bride's parents, in Berlin Township, this county, on the 6th of November, 1861, was solemnized the marriage of William H. Jefferson to Miss Adelia Spore, who was born in Albany County, New York, on the 8th of January, 1837, and who was fifteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Berlin Township, Erie County, Ohio, she having been afforded the advantages of Oberlin College ani having been a successful teacher prior to her marriage, several of her sisters also having been popular representatives of the pedagogic profession in this section of the Buckeye State. Mrs. Jefferson is a daughter of David and Lucy (Pratt) Spore, both of whom were born on the Hudson River Valley of New York, William Spore, father of David, having been a native of Holland and having been a resident of Albany County, New York, at the time of his death. David Spore was born in Albany County, about the year 1800, and there was solemnized his marriage to Miss Lucy Pratt, their removal to Erie County, Ohio, having occurred in 1852, in which year they settled in Berlin Township. Mr. Spore was a stone cutter by trade and aided in the construction of the fine, old Jefferson homestead which has already been described in this context. He cried about the close of the Civil war, and his noble wife survived him by many years, she having been summoned to eternal rest about the year 1897. Mrs. Spore was a devout Christian worker, especially the Sunday School and in behalf of the cause of temperance, and at the, time of the Civil war she did effective service as one of the devoted women who aided the soldiers and their families in every possible way. She was revered by all who came within the sphere of her gentle and gracious influence, and in the later years of her life was widely and familiarly known as "Aunt Lucy." William H. and Adelia (Spore) Jefferson became the parents of the 700 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY children concerning whom brief mention is made in the following paragraph, the devoted mother, who receives from all of the children the deepest filial solicitude, still remaining on the old homestead place in Berlin Township. Miss Mary L. Jefferson, who maintains her residence at Norwalk, Huron County, has well maintained the ancestral prestige of the name through her effective services as an able and popular representative of the pedagogic profession. She was born and reared on the old, homestead and after her graduation in the Norwalk High School she amplified her education, as she became a student in the great University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and later was a student in the equally, celebrated University of Chicago. For the past twenty years she has been one of the honored and valued teachers in the public schools of Norwalk, where she has served as principal of the grade schools and where she is now a successful teacher in the high school. She is an enthusiast in her work, is actively identified with the Northwestern Ohio Teachers' Association, and is a popular figure in educational and social circf4 in her home city. George Jefferson is president of the Jefferson Hardware Company, at Norwalk, and is one of the representative business men and influential citizens of this city. He wedded Miss Isabel Bonar and they have two children—Grace E., who is a student (1915) in Dennison University, and Howard, who is attending the Norwalk High School. David Spore Jefferson, who is a bachelor, is secretary of the Jefferson Hardware Company, at Norwalk. William L. who remains with his widowed mother on the old homestead farm, is upholding the honors of the family in the domain of successful agriculture and stock-growing, and his name is still enrolled on the list of eligible bachelors in his native county. Ethel Jefferson was graduated in the Norwalk High School and in Bechtel College, an institution now known as the University of Akron, and she was a popular teacher in the public schools for some time prior 'to her marriage to Harry Rowell, their home being now in the City of Toronto, Canada, and their two children being Marian Lois and William. CHARLES H. ROCKWELL. The late Charles H. Rockwell i passed the major part of his long and useful life in Erie County, his parents having here established their residence when he was a lad of about seven years, and here he was summoned to the, life eternal on the 25th of January,, 1915—a man whose career had been one of large and worthy achievement along normal lines of industrial and business enterprise, whose "strength was as the number of his days," whose character was the positive expression of a strong, loyal and noble nature, and who left the world better for his having lived, though his was not a life of self-exploitation or marked by ambition for prominence or fame, he having pursued the even tenor of his way, working for success that was Worthy of its name, generous and considerate in his association with his fellow-men, loyal and liberal as a citizen, and true and steadfast in all 'the relations and associations of life. Such a man ever merits and receives public confidence and approbation, and Erie County lost an honored and valued citizen when Charles H. Rockwell was summoned from the stage of life's mortal endeavors, after having passed the psalmist allotted span of threescore years and ten. Mr. Rockwell was born in Chautauqua County, New :York, on the 15th of June, 1842, and was a son of John and Sarah (Wilcox) Rockwell, the former a native of the State of New York and the latter of Connecticut. As previously stated, the subject of this memoir was a boy at the time of the family immigration from the old Empire State to Erie County, Ohio, where settlement was made in Milan Township, about the year 1849, when this section' of the state was still definitely HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 701 marked by the pioneer conditions and influences. After several years had elapsed the family removed to Swanton, Henry County, but within a short time they returned to Erie County and settled on a farm in Oxford Township, where the father was identified with agricultural pursuits for a long term of years and where the devoted wife and mother passed the closing period of her life. After the death of his wife, John Rockwell removed to Milan Township, where he continued to reside until his death. The greater part of the early youth of Charles H. Rockwell was passed on the old homestead farm in Oxford Township, and there he was reared to years of maturity, in the meanwhile having contributed materially to the work of the farm and having availed himself of the advantages of the local schools, his self-discipline and varied experiences in later years having made him a man of broad information and mature judgment. The major part of his active career was one of close and successful identification with the basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing, and he developed also a specially extensive and prosperous business as a buyer and shipper of live stock, in which connection he became well and favorably known throughout Erie and adjoining counties. When the Civil war was precipitated on the nation Mr. Rockwell subordinated all other interests and tendered his aid in the defense of the Union, his service having covered a period of about three-years. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he received promotion from the position of private to that of sergeant. During the greater part of his service he was assigned or detailed to special duty, principally in connection With the affairs of the federal war prison on Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie, where hia ability as a penman and accountant made his services specially valuable at the official headquarters. Mr. Rockwell always gave allegiance to the republican party; and he manifested his abiding interest in his old comrades of the Civil war by his affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he was a popular member of the post in the City of Sandusky. For twenty years prior to their removal to the home where he died, in Perkins Township, Mr. Rockwell and his wife had resided on a farm in Oxford Township, and for more than a quarter of a century he maintained his residence on his finely improved farm in Perkins Township appear the City of Sandusky, where his widow still resides. The domestic, life of Mr. Rockwell was one of ideal order, and he found his chief pleasure and satisfaction in the associations of his home, with the companionship of his cultured wife. There can be no wish to lift the veil that guards the sanctuary of ,such a home but it is but consistent that Mils memorial tribute give certain data concerning the marriage of Mr. Rockwell and concerning the devoted wife who finds her chief consolation dnd compensation in the memories of their long and happy companionship, now that he has passed onward to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." . On the 2d of September, 1868, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rockwell to Miss Ellen R. Bartow, who was born in Milan Township, this county, and who is a daughter of Allen and Ellen E. (Bronson) Bartow, the former of whom likewise was born and reared in this county and the latter of whom was born in Onondaga County, New York. Allen Bartow was a son of Jonah Bartow, who was a valiant soldier in the War of 1812 and whose father was a patriot soldier in the Continental Line in the War of the Revolution, so that Mrs. Rockwell is eligible for membership in the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Hannah (Allen) Bartow, wife of Jonah Bartow, was 702 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY a grand-niece of that historic revolutionary patriot, Ethan Allen. After his marriage, Allen Bartow continued his residence in Milan Township until the close of his life—a prosperous farmer, a liberal and public- spirited citizen, and an honored and influential representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Erie County. Prior to his marriage he had resided for several years in Wood County. He was influential in public affairs of a local order and served for a number of terms in the office of township trustee. His political support was given to the republican party and his wife was a zealous member of the Universalist Church. He was sixty-eight years of age at the time of his demise, and his wife passed to eternal rest at the age of eighty years. Concerning their surviving children, the following brief record is given : Mrs. Rockwell is the eldest of the number ; Allen A. is now a resident of the City of Seattle, Washington ; Alice B. is the widow of John VonEmon and maintains her home in the beautiful City of Pasadena, California ; and Winfield B. is a resident of Milan. The mother of Mrs. Rockwell was a woman of gentle personality and of fine intellectuality. She had much literary ability, and through her admirable poetical writings achieved local fame, besides which her ability in this line gained to her further recognition, in that her name was consistently incorporated, with incidental biographical data, in a published volume entitled "The Poets of America." She received excellent educational advantages in her youth and continued throughout her beautiful life a deep and appreciative student of the best in literature, so that her influence was a veritable benediction resting upon all who came within its compass. Her father, James Bronson, was a local clergyman of the Universalist Church, and was one of its revered pioneer ministers in Wood County, this state, where he organized the Universalist Society and effected the erection of a modest church edifice in the Village of Eagleville. Mrs. Rockwell has inherited much of the literary appreciation and ability of her revered mother, and is a woman of most distinctive culture. She acquired her early education in the schools of her native township, including the high school at Milan, where also she was a student in the normal school that was there maintained during her girlhood. She put her scholastic attainments to practical test when she was a young woman, by entering the pedagogic profession, as a representative of which she taught two terms in the schools of Milan Township. She is now president of the Ensign Union, a branch of the Erie County Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and is a member of the Twentieth Century Club, a representative literary and social organization in the City of Sandusky. She is a close student of the principles and precepts of Christian Science and is prominent in and attends the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the City of Sandusky. AUGUST HEMINGER. This publication exercises one of its most important functions in according specific recognition to so large a percentage of the representative agriculturists who are ably upholding the prestige of the noble art of husbandry in Erie County, and to such consideration Mr. Heminger is well entitled, for he is one of the substantial and progressive farmers and stock-growers of Perkins Township and is a loyal and Public-spirited citizen who has secure place in popular confidence and good will. He has owned and operated his present well-improved farm in Perkins Township since 1895, and the place is eligibly situated in the vicinity of the Village of Bogart. Of the staunchest of German lineage, Mr. Heminger claims the old Buckeye State as the place of his nativity, as he was born in Ottawa County, Ohio, on the 14th of October, 1855, a son of Frederick and HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 703 Catherine (Holt) Heminger. The parents were born and reared in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, where their marriage was solemnized and where their first two children were born. In 1850 they immigrated to America, the voyage having been made on one of the sailing vessels of the type common to that day, and soon after their arrival in the United States they came to Ohio and established their home on a pioneer farm near Oak Harbor, Ottawa County, where they passed the residue of their lives and where prosperity and independence crowned their earnest and industrious efforts, the father having passed away in 1888 and the mother having survived him by several years. August Heminger, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the old home farm, and there gained in his youth an abiding appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor, the experience being such as to fortify him admirably for the duties and responsibilities that have devolved upon him in later years. His educational advantages were those afforded in the schools of his native county, where he continued his identification with agricultural pursuits until 1875, when, at .the age of twenty years, he made his first sojourn in Erie County. Here he remained only a few months and then returned to Ottawa County, but the spring of the following year, 1876, found him again in Erie County, where he established his residence in the Village of Bogart. He had previously served a thorough apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith, and after locating at Bogart he became a member of the firm of Siegel & Heminger, which there built up a prosperous blacksmithing business. With this line of enterprise he continued to be actively identified for a period of about twelve years after coming to Erie county, and he finally turned his attention once more to the great basic industry of agriculture, of which he has become one of the prominent and successful representatives in this county. In Perkins Township he is now the owner of a valuable and well-improved landed estate of 238 acres, his homestead place comprising fifty acres. He has achieved prosperity and commendable advancement entirely through his own ability and well-directed endeavors, and as a farmer and stock-grower he exemplifies the utmost progressiveness, the while he is signally loyal and public spirited in his civic attitude and his vital interest in the general welfare of the community shows that he fully appreciates the responsibilities which personal success imposes. He is a democrat, but in local affairs gives his support to the men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment, irrespective of strict partisan lines. He and his wife are zealous communicants of the Lutheran Church, and in their home community their circle of friends is limited only by that of their acquaintances. At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Heminger took unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Mary Boos, who was born and reared in Huron Township, this county, and whose father, the late George Boos, was one of the early settlers and honored citizens of that township, where he and his wife continued to reside until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Heminger have six children, namely : August, Jr., Amy, George, Carl, William and Elsie. HENRY E. BROWN. Castalia has been the home of Mr. Brown and family since 1908. Though a native of Germany, the greater part of his active career has been spent in Northern Ohio, and he has exemplified many of those fine qualities which are commonly associated with the German people. He has been able to realize many of the substantial ambitions of his youth, and aside from what he has accumulated in a material way, it is a matter of satisfaction that his friends and neighbors have been always able to rely implicitly upon his absolute integrity and 704 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY his public-spirited co-operation with movements directed toward the public welfare. A native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Henry E. Brown was born February 12, 1849, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Brown. His parents were respected and hard-working people of Hesse-Cassel. Up to his seventeenth year he lived in the old country, and then set out for America. A sailing vessel brought him to these shores from Bremen, and he was seven weeks on the voyage to New York City. He came on direct to Erie County, and for a number of years identified himself actively with farming, at first in the employ of others, and later for himself. For three years he operated a sawmill. Most of his farming enterprise was carried on in Sandusky County, in Townsend Township, and from there he moved to Castalia about eight years ago. While a boy in Germany he attended the public schools, and acquired some English education after coming to Erie County by attending the local schools as opportunity offered, for four winters. On December 4, 1878, Mr. Brown married Eva L. German, a native of Erie County, born in Margaretta Township, December 10, 1856. Mrs. Brown is a member of a well-known family of Northern Ohio, a daughter of Henry and Lydia A. (Howe) German, the former a native of Steuben County and the latter of Otsego County, New York. The father of Henry German was a Massachusetts Yankee, and the original ancestors were Scotch and French. Henry German came to Margaretta Township when about eighteen years of age, from New York State, being in company with his widowed mother and with other members of the family who comprised in all thirteen individuals. They made settlement in Margaretta Township, where Henry German became one of the substantial farmers, and in his younger years was a sawmill man. He died in 1906. He was a republican in politics, and a man of more than ordinary judgment and knowledge. He had always been a great reader, and profited not only from books, but by his observation and dealing with men. Margaretta Township lost one of its most highly respected and substantial citizens in the death of Henry German. He was quiet and unassuming in disposition, had an even temper, but was always ready to work for anything that would help the homes and institutions of his locality. His wife died in 1898, in Townsend Township of Sandusky County. Henry German had a special reputation in Erie and Sandusky counties as an expert in fruit growing. For eleven years he served as superintendent for the Ed Marsh & Company at the gypsum plant at Plaster Bed, in Ottawa County, and not only had the supervision of the gypsum works, but also over the fruit farm conducted in connection therewith. This experience gave him his valuable and expert knowledge of fruit growing. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are both attendants at the Congregational Church in Castalia, and take an active part in social affairs in that community. Mr. Brown is a republican in polities, and whenever mentioned his name suggests the qualities of honest worth and ability. JOHN J. NEILL. The Neill farm out in Margaretta Township has for a number of years been known as one of the principal sources of the fine sheep that are produced by Erie County. While a practical farmer and stockman, John J. Neill has also identified himself closely with community life, has done a great deal to promote the interests of the local schools in his home township, and has been almost equally active in church affairs. He belongs to the third generation of the Neill family in Erie County. The people of this name have always been extensive owners of land, and at different times their names have appeared in connection with impor- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 705 tant local offices and always as friends and supporters of local institutions and general improvement and uplift. John J. Neill was born on the farm where he still lives in Margaretta Township, December 28, 1863, a son of William H. and Catherine (Sheldon) Neill. Thomas Neill, the grandfather, was a pioneer settler in Erie County, lived for a short time in Sandusky, but subsequently settled in Margaretta Township, where at one tittle he was the owner of more than 1,300 acres of land, one of the most extensive tracts under one ownership in the county. He spent his life actively and usefully in that township and died there. The, Neill family is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The late William H. Neill, who was born in Maryland during the '20s, was brought to Erie County when a child, and was married hereto Miss Sheldon, who was, a native of Sandusky, her father having been one of the early commission merchants of that city and at one time the owner of Johnson's Island in Lake Erie. William H. Neill died in 1910, when in his eighty- fourth year. He grew up in Erie County, and gained a reputation for successful farming enterprise. He had served as trustee of Margaretta Township and was an active member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Sandusky. It was William H. Neill who laid the foundation for the sheep business which has long been associated with the name in Erie County. For many years he kept a flock of about 250 fine Merinos, and combined this with the management of a large farming estate. He was in politics a republican. His widow is still living, being now in her seventy-fifth year, and a woman whose life has been spent almost entirely in Erie. County and with many interesting recollections of early days. The late William H. Neill was a man of good education,and long enjoyed the dignity and influence which go with successful accomplishment. He and his wife were the parents of four children : William S., of Margaretta Township ; Sallie 0., wife of A. H. Ransom, of Townsend Township, in Sandusky County ; John J., of Margaretta Township ; and Thomas, now deceased. John J. Neill grew up on his father's farm, and when only a boy learned many of the details of agriculture and sheep husbandry. For his education he attended the public schools of his home township and at Castalia and also the Sandusky High School, and for one year was a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus. For a number of years he has spent time, money and exhaustive study on the problems connected with sheep husbandry. He is now regarded as one of the most successful breeders in Ohio of the Dickerson Delaine Merino sheep. His fine farm comprises 125 acres, and it has all the facilities for the successful handling of live stock. On March 1, 1888, Mr. Neill married Harriet J. White, who was born in Groton Township of Erie County, a daughter of Ebenezer White, who in his time was a leading citizen of Groton Township. To their marriage were born a fine family of ten children : Ruth, who is a teacher of vocal music at Sandusky ; Mildred ; Thomas, who graduated from Oberlin College with the class of 1915 ; Catherine ; Sallie, now deceased ; Marion ; Ellen, deceased ; Sheldon W.; Harriet ; and Owen C. This sketch would not be complete without some reference to Mr. Neill's public services. For twenty years he was a member of the Board of Education of Margaretta Township and a portion of that time was president of the board. For five years he served as a director of the Erie County Infirmary. He is a republican in politics, though often voting and acting independently of party ties, and has always worked to promote the best ideals of local government and well-considered plans for community improvement. For many years he and his family have been members of the Congregational Church at Castalia, 706 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY and for six years he served as superintendent of the Sunday School` of the church. or JOHN SCHONHARDT. Lying on the Venice Road, in Margaretta Township, is found the thirty-two-acre fruit farm belonging to John Schonhardt, one of the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Erie County. Here are grown some of the finest grapes, apples and, peaches in the state, for which Mr. Schonhardt always finds a ready market, for his years of honorable dealing and fidelity to engagements have won him an enviable reputation in business circles. He is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born at Tiffin, the county seat of Seneca County, December 8, 1856, and is a son of Anthony and Josephine Schonhardt, natives of Alsace-Lorraine. Anthony Schonhardt was a young unmarried man at the time he came to the United States, making the voyage in a sailing vessel which required three months to cross the ocean. He came almost at once to Ohio, and among other places lived at Tiffin for a number of' years, but in 1864 came to Erie County and located at Sandusky. This city continued to be his home during the remainder of his life, his death occurring during the '90s, when he was seventy-eight years of age. When he came to the United States Mr. Schonhardt was possessed of neither capital nor influential friends, but had a full share of energy, ambition and native ability and thrift, with which he labored so well that he was able to pass his declining years in the midst of most comfortable circumstances. In his political views a democrat, he was not a politician, but was a good and public-spirited citizen, nevertheless, and a friend of progress, education and morality. John Schonhardt continued to be a resident of Tiffin, his native place, until reaching the age of eight years, at which time he accompanied his parents to Sandusky, and which city has continued to, be his home practically ever since. For several years in his young manhood he followed the trade of brickmaker, and also for a short time was employed at boilermaking, but eventually turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has continued to be engaged to the present time. He has all of his land under a high state of cultivation, and as before noted has specialized in the field of fruit-growing, having twenty acres in grapes, five acres in peaches and apples, and the balance of the land in general truck. He has made a success of every department of his operations, and is justly accounted one of the skilled farmers of his township. He is independent in his political views, endeavoring to support those men and measures which he believes will most greatly benefit his ,community and county, but all else being equal is inclined to favor democracy. Every progressive movement has his earnest and unselfish support, and it has been his fortune to have been associated with other progressive men in securing civic betterment. On November 9, 1880, Mr. Schonhardt was married to Miss Sarah M. Mantey, of Margaretta Township, and of their children one survives. Eva D., who is the wife of George L. Curth, of Sandusky, bookkeeper for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of this city. FOSTER F. NEILL. A long life and the enjoyment of the passing years Which have been filled with honorable activities, a sense of patriotic duty performed during the most critical period in the nation's history, and a courageous performance of the everyday duties and responsibilities of life—such have been the salient characteristics in the career of this old and well known citizen of Margaretta Township. Foster F. Neill has lived in that community nearly all his life More HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 707 than three score years and ten, and his name is significant of all that is honest and of good report. With Margaretta Township as his birthplace, he was born July 10, 1844, a son of Thomas and Rebecca Neill, the former a native of Philadelphia and the latter of Hagerstown, Maryland. For more than eighty years the Neill family have been identified with Erie County. It was established here about 1832 by Lewis Neill, grandfather of Foster Neill. Lewis Neill was a merchant in Philadelphia, and his ancestors were Scotch-Irish and were early settlers in America. The family on coming to Erie County made the journey in a covered wagon, and located in Sandusky for a short time, from which city 'Thomas Neill moved out to Margaretta Township and bought a large tract of land, containing several thousand acres, and situated partly' h1 Erie and partly in Sandusky County. He was in many ways a typical pioneer, hardy, industrious, and well able to meet and solve the problems of existence in a sparsely settled district. He possessed an education better than most men of his times, and by his intensive operations as a farmer became well known in two counties. Of his children only two now survive : Foster F. and Ann, wife of Henry McCartney of Sandusky. Foster F. Neill grew up on his father's homestead in Margaretta Township. The experience of his boyhood well fitted him for the career of a farmer, and he also secured a good training in the local schools. He leas always had an interest in the farming activities of Margaretta Township, and his homestead comprises 195 acres of fertile and produc¬tive soil devoted to general farming purposes. He was about seventeen years of age when he enlisted on July 14, 1861, in Company G of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His army experience brought him into some of the most important campaigns during the first three years of the great conflict between the North and the South. His regiment was a part of the Eighth Corps of the army of Western Virginia. He fought at Winchester, Newmarket, Cedar Creek, second battle of Winchester, Piedmont and Berryville, Virginia. He was also present in numerous skirmishes and minor engagements, and was with the army two years ten months, at the end of which time he received an honorable discharge. At the battle of Berryville, Virginia, he lost two fingers from his right hand, and spent three months in a hospital. He was also captured and held in Confederate prisons, being thirty days confined in Belle Island in the James River and thirty-four days in the notorious Libby Prison at Richmond. Following the war he returned to Erie County and has now continuously resided in Margaretta Township for fully half a century. On December 10, 1866, the< young soldier and farmer was united in marriage bonds that have now endured for almost half a century with Martha Martin. Mrs. Neill was born in Margaretta Township, October 29, 1845, a daughter of Richard and Sallie (Tuller) Martin. Her parents were among the early settlers of Margaretta Township, and for several years had their home in one of the typical log cabins of that time. Mrs. Neill is one of the three children of her parents still living, the other two being: Rachel L., who lives in Paulding County, the widow of James Copeland ; and Jacob, a farmer in Margaretta Township. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Neill were born six children : Grace, wife of R. Ransom of Margaretta Township ; Foster F., Jr., now deceased ; Mattie, wife of William J. Hire of Castalia ; Maggie, deceased; Nelson P., of Margaretta Township ; and Mabel, wife of Walter Hart-. n ess of Margaretta Township. Mr. and Mrs. Neill are members of the 708 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a republican who has several times been called upon to assume the duties of public office. For several years he has served as township trustee and while not caring for the honors of politics has not avoided those obligations which rest upon good citizenship. Mrs. Neill has been his devoted companion and capable helpmate for nearly half of a century, and while in their retrospect they are able to consider many things for which they may be grateful they have gathered the best of the world's joys faun their long continued association as man and wife. JOHN J. LOUCKS. Throughout Erie County the name of Loucks signifies exceptional success and prosperity, in the agricultural and fruit raising fields. The family is of old New York Dutch stock, but planted in Northern Ohio a great many years ago, and one of the present representatives, John J. Loucks, is a native of Erie County and has employed his well trained judgment and industry in developing a fine farming property and has likewise attended to the duties of citizenship as they have come to him. His home farm, noted equally for its general crops and its fruit, comprises eighty acres situated on the Ridge Road near the east line of Berlin Township. It is high grade land, and its improvements show the enterprise of the owner. He and his family reside in a: substantial house of nine rooms, while another improvement that calls for notice is a new hip-roof and basement barn on a ground foundation of 34x60 feet. As a fruit grower Mr. Loucks has 1,300 peach trees, with an apple orchard of two acres. He is not an experimenter in fruit growing, and long experience has brought him success in this typical Erie County industry. Mr. Loucks also owns 100 acres in Florence Township, nearly all of it under cultivation, except a- wood lot of ten acres of native timber. On these two farms he grows all kinds of grain, and one of his sons is the practical manager the Florence Township place. He bought his home farm eighteen years ago, and only recently acquired the land in Florence Township. John J. Loucks was born in Vermilion Township of this county March 19, 1861, a son of Horace and Julia A. (Miller) Loucks, both of whom were natives of Erie County. The paternal grandparents were John and Betsey Loucks, natives of New York State and, both of old Dutch stock. After their marriage they 'came to Ohio in the early days, and made settlement in the wilderness of Vermilion ,Township, and there their industry resulted in the improvement of. a considerable tract of land. Grandmother Loucks died there, and John Loucks later married again and he and his second wife vent their last years in Michigan. After his marriage Horace Loucks continued as an Erie County farmer until 1875, then went out to Missouri, but in the following. year returned east as far as Allen County, Indiana, and there the wife and mother died in 1893 when past sixty years of age. Horace Loucks afterwards returned to Ohio and spent his last years in the State Soldiers’ Home, where his death occurred on October 14, 1912, when Past eighty-two years of age. He had enlisted as a soldier during the; ;Civil war, being enrolled in Company F of the One Hundredth and Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Mead. He was assigned to duty as a guard for the rebel soldiers on Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, in Lake Erie, this island having been early secured by tile Government as headquarters for Confederate prisoners. He was in the service until the close of the war, being mustered out at Camp Cleveland by Captain Douglas, the United States mustering officer, on July 13, 1865. The third in a family of nine children, all of whom are still living PICTURE OF JOHN J. AND CARRIE E. LOUCKS HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 709 and all married and with families, John J. Loucks grew up in his native township and while there attended the public schools. He lived in Vermilion until moving to Berlin Township and purchasing his present farm. On April 9, 1885, a little more than thirty years ago, he was married in Vermilion Township to Miss Carrie Brundage. She was born- in Binghamton, New York, January 16, 1865. Her father, Giles Brundage, was born in 1840, probably at Joppa in Vermilion Township of Erie County. He was married at Berlin Heights December 18, 1861, to Miss Ellen Mason, who was born in Massachusetts December 24, 1841. When Ellen Mason was fifteen years of age she came to Berlin Town ship with her parents, Asa W. and Sallie (Rhoads) Mason, who were natives of Massachusetts and of New England ancestry. It was in the year 1856 that the Mason family removed to Ohio. During the Civil War period they and Mr. and Mrs. Brundage returned to New York, locating at Binghamton. While there Giles Brundage enlisted in, the Civil war from Broome County, and served as a private until taken ill, and was then discharged on account of disability. Later he and his wife and her family moved out to Indiana, locating at Auburn, and while there Giles Brundage died in 1867, when in the prime of life, onlyl twenty-seven years of age, his death following the illness contracted while a soldier. Soon after his death his widow and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mason, returned to Ohio and located in Vermilion Township, where Asa W. Mahon and his wife both died February 11, 1885. They had been stricken with their final illness on the same day, and they were laid to rest in the same grave in Maple Grove Cemetery near Vermilion. Asa W. Mason was seventy-four and his wife seventy-five years of age. They were members of the Christian Church, and in politics he -was a democrat. The widow of Giles Brundage was subsequently twice married, her second husband being Wilson Phelps, who lived only a few years; and she afterwards married John H. Baker, who died April 1, 1910. Mrs. Brundage died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Loucks, October 21, 1912, when seventy-two years of age. She had children by all three husbands. Mrs. Loucks is the second of a family of two children. Her brother, Hiram E. Brundage, is a farmer and fruit grower in Vermilion Township, and has a son, Elwin, who is married and has one daughter. Her sister • Mattie married William Heslet of Sandusky and died in September, 1908, being survived by her husband and one son, Leon Arnold, who is a child by her first husband, Andrew Arnold. Mrs. Heslet was a half-sister of Mrs. Loucks, being the daughter of Wilson Phelps. Mrs. Loucks has a half-brother and half-sister by the marriage of her mother to John H. Baker. Henry S. Baker is married and lives at Ogontz in Berlin Township ; and Anna married for her second husband Ray Gibson, now lives in Toledo, and has two children. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks are the parents of three sons. Decourcy, twenty- eight years• of age, is a farmer at home. Hiram, aged twenty-two, was educated in the township schools, and in May, 1915, married, Alice Harris, and they now manage his father's farm in Florence Township. Karl, the youngest, is now sixteen, and is still attending school. Mr. Loucks and his two oldest sons are republicans in politics. JAMES NOLAN. Probably no one citizen has had a more influential part in local affairs in Margaretta Township than James Nolan, a former trustee of the township and the proprietor of a fine fruit farm and rural home at Main and Lowell streets near Castalia. This has been his place of residence since 1910, but he has spent most of his life, in Margaretta Township Born in that township, November 19, 1852, James Nolan is a son of John and Mary (Barrigan) Nolan, both of whom were natives of 710 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Ireland, and came to Erie County and located in the vicinity of Castalia at a date early enough to permit them to be mentioned among the pioneers. John Nolan settled in Margaretta Township about 1847, and followed farming with a great deal of success. His first home in. that community was a log house, and a number of years, .later he built a better and more modern frame residence. He died there-in 1878. He and his family were members of the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sandusky. Of the children born to him and wife three not, survive. James, Mary, of Clyde, Ohio, and Michael J., of Castalia. James Nolan spent all his early life in Margaretta Township, attended the public schools, and much of his education came from practical experience. From early youth to the present time he has beat engaged in agriculture, and his efforts have more and more been directed to fruit growing, of which branch of business he is a past master. On October 15, 1878, Mr. Nolan married Lottie S. Chamberlin, who was born at Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, February 25, 1851. She was a daughter of Levi and Melissa (Button) Chamberlin. Her father was a native of New Jersey and her mother was born near Mentor, Ohio, but spent most of her early years at Castalia. Mrs. Nolan's mother was of Scotch ancestry, while the Chamberlins were an old New Jersey family. Her father on leaving New Jersey first located at TiTfin, Ohio, and later moved to Townsend Township in Sandusky. County, where for many years he operated the well known Rockwell Springs Mill, a pioneer grist mill in that section of Ohio.. He subsequently brought his family to Castalia, Ohio, and died there in 1876. Levi Chamberlin was three times married, and his surviving children are : Levi E., of Piqua, Ohio ; Lottie S., wife of James Nolan; and Carrie J., widow of the late Charles Bardshar of Sedgwick County,, Kansas, where his widow now resides. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nolan'were born two children: Flossie C., of Castalia ; and Myrtle C., deceased. Mr. Nolan has given a large share of his time and attention to public affairs in Margaretta Township. Fcrr six years he was township trustee, and part of that time was president of the board of trustees of Margaretta. Township. For ten years he served as treasurer of the township and held the office of clerk for eight years. For a number of years he was a member of the board of education of Margaretta township, and through these offices as well as through his influence as a private- citizen has done everything in his power to promote progress and social and civic uplift in his community. In a business way he is now giving his attention to fruit growing and particularly to the raising of peaches, though he has several other varieties of fruit on his farm. Mr. Nolan is a director in the Castalia Banking Company of Castalia, and his achievements and his personal character have entitled him to The full confidence of his fellow townsmen and a substantial position in the LAWRENCE T. MILLER. Among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Erie County who have spent their entire lives, in tilis section of the state, Lawrence T. Miller is worthy of more than, passing mention. He was born on the farm where he now resides Groton Township and from early youth has been an exceedingly, busy man, with increasing interests as a farmer and is particularly well known to the community through his activities as a thresherman and in the operation of hay baling outfit. It was on the farm that he now owns that he first saw the light of day, June 16, 1875, a son of William and Jane (Grpss) Millen. His community HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 711 father was born in Baden, Germany, and his mother in Pennsylvania, and both are now deceased. William Miller, who died in 1902 came from Germany in early youth, spent a great many years in Erie County, and though poor at the start gained a commendable place in the rank of local citizenship and in addition to his material prosperity was honored by. such offices as trustee and treasurer of Groton Township. He was a democrat in politics. His first trade was that of carpenter, and after coming to Erie County he was employed in that occupation at Sandusky, where in order to supplement his early advantages he attended night school for a number of months. He finally removed to Groton Township, and settled on the farm where his son now resides. He was twice married, and his eight surviving children by his second marriage are: Mrs. Jacob Stricker, Mrs. Christian Stricker, Lawrence T., Clara, Flora, Lydia, Frank and Chancy. The three children by his first marriage are : William, Jr., Henry and Charles. William Miller's home in Groton Township was a frame house, in which he spent his last years, and it has since been remodeled in 1913 and extensively improved and refurnished by Lawrence T. Miller, who has made of it one of the fine country homes of the township. Surrounding it is a fine farm of 194 acres, situated partly in Groton and partly in Oxford Township. Lawrence Miller has shown a great deal of enterprise since leaving school, and for a number of years has operated a threshing outfit and also performs an important service as a hay baler. His father likewise supplemented his farming activities by outside business, and not only was a thresherman in this community but also for a number of years carried on a considerable industry in preparing corn husks for use in the making of mattresses. Lawrence T. Miller received the ordinary advantages of the public schools and also attended for a time the Sandusky Business College. In September, 1911, he married Miss Amanda Russell who was born in Groton Township, daughter of Philip Russell of that locality. To their ,marriage have been born two children : Lauretta A. J. and Delbert W. Mr. Miller is a member of the Evangelical Association with which faith his father was also identified. Lawrence T. Miller stands high among the young men of enterprise in Erie County and has earned the complete confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen. ALVIN T. COWELL. Eighty or ninety years ago Erie County was still largely wilderness. The settlers during the '20s and '30s found a few village communities, numerous clearings and tilled fields and some roads, but still had to confront the vast difficulties involved in clearing the forests, uprooting the stumps and brush, and starting cultivation where never before had been the civilized activities of white men. Such was the portion of the Cowell family when it first became identified with this county, and while the earlier generations performed their share of pioneer toil, so the later members of the family, including Alvin T. Cowell, have carried forward the same thrift and independence which have always characterized the name. Alvin T. Cowell has for many years lived in the Castalia community, is an honored veteran of the Civil war, and now that he has passed the age of three score and ten is in a position to take life somewhat at ease and enjoy the fruits of earlier years. He was born at Castalia, Ohio, March 21, 1844, a son of Philip S. and Annie M. (Duncan) Cowell. His father was a native of Bradfordl County, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Burlington, Vermont. The Cowells are of Scotch origin, and one or more of the ancestral lines extend back in America to the time of the Mayflower. Annie Duncan 712 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Cowell was about six years of age when she came to Ohio with the family of Burdette Wood, who subsequently became a hanker at Bellevue, Ohio, where he died. She grew to womanhood in the home of an uncle at Bloomingville in Erie County, and was here at a time when the Indians were still numerous and occasionally hostile, and with other settlers she several times had to take refuge in a local fort as a matter of protection from the roving bands of red men. When she was about seventeen years of age she married Derastus P. Snow, who had lost his wife and child as a result of Indian attack at Castalia. After the death of Mr. Snow she was married in 1826 to Philip S. Cowell, who died in 1869. After that she lived in widowhood until her death in 1890, when in her ninety-fifth year At that time she was probably the oldest of the pioneer women of Erie County, and was the last survivor of that group of early settlers who had to experience all the dangers and difficulties of the frontier. Philip S. Cowell, who was born, in 1800, came from Pennsylvania to Castalia in 1818, when little more than a boy. He grew up a farmer, and spent many years in the arduous labor of clearing up a portion of the wilderness. He was a fine type of the early settler in Margaretta Township and was a man of more than ordinary influence in the life of that community. Alvin T. Cowell was reared in Castalia, attended the public schools there, and was about seventeen years of age when the country was thrown into the confusion resulting from the outbreak of the Civil war. A few years later he responded to the call of his patriotism and enlisted on May 2, 1864, in Company I of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Volunteer Infantry of Ohio. He was out about four months, and spent most of the time with his regiment in guard duty at Arlington Heights, just across the Potomac River from Washington. On receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Erie County, and subsequentiy .had the advantage of a brief attendance at the Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. With this preparation for practical life he became a farmer, and for many years conducted a large farm of more. than 200 acres in the vicinity of Castalia. While a man who has been known for his strict attention to his business, he has at different times consented to serve in the public interest and for six years was a trustee of Margaretta Township. At the present time he is living in Castalia, and has all the conveniences and comforts he needs for the evening of life. On February 28, 1910, Mr. Cowell was called upon to mourn tine loss of his faithful companion who had shared with him in the joys and sorrows of existence for nearly forty years. On December 26, 1871, he married Catherine Cooper, who was born in Mount Vernon,. Ohio, a daughter of Cyrus and Sarah (Mitchell) Cooper. Her father was for many years a resident of Knox County, Ohio, and came from there to Margaretta Township where he was a prosperous farmer, but finally sold his land and spent his declining years at Clyde, Ohio, but his body now rests in the cemetery at Castalia. Mr. and Mrs. Cowell became the parents of two children. Fannie A. is the wife of Rev. Charles J. Dole, who is pastor of the Congregational Church at Chelsea, Michigan. The only son, Philip C., is now deceased. Rev. Mr. Dole and wife have five children named Marie L. Catherine Irene, Alberta A., Edward C. and Charles R. Mr. Cowell is an active member of Thomas Neill Post No. 423, G. R. at Castalia, has served as post commander several years and is now officer of the' day. He is a charter member of Lodge No. 669 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Sandusky. His Wife was a member of the Congregational Church at Castalia, while his own church membership is with the Methodist denomination at Castalia. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 713 JOHN H. PARKER. A successful business man and public spirited citizen, Mr. Parker has been identified by residence with Erie County most of his life. He began his career as a worker, and there has been no abatement in his industry and well directed efforts since he reached manhood. The foundation of his property was laid as a farmer in Margaretta Township, and in this way he reached that enviable position where he is practically master of his circumstances. At the present time Mr. Parker is performing a valued service to the business community of Castalia as a dealer in grain, coal, flour, feed, lime, salt and farm fertilizers, and also has a mill for the manufacturing of chopped feed and cracked corn. By the accident of birth Mr. Parker is a native of Sandusky County, where he was born October 14, 1859, a son of Jackson and Catherine (Schoch) Parker. His father was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, and the mother was a native of the same state. The Parker family is of English ancestry, and Grandfather Isaac Parker, who was born in Pennsylvania, was the son of a native Englishman. Isaac Parker came from Pennsylvania to Sandusky County, Ohio, when his son Jackson was fifteen years of age. They made the journey with wagons, and as they proceeded along the route they camped out by the roadside wherever night overtook them. Isaac Parker acquired a farm in Sandusky County and lived there until within a short time of his death. He died near Holt, Michigan. Jackson Parker, who died in Erie County in 1913, grew to manhood in Sandusky County, married there, and subsequently removed in March, 1860, when his son, John H., was six months old, to Margaretta Township. Of his children three are still Living: John H.; George F., in Margaretta Township ; and Ellen C., wife of William Neuman, of Sandusky. While John H. Parker was growing up to manhood in Margaretta Township he attended the public schools and also the high school at Castalia. He chose for his first occupation the calling to which he had been trained from boyhood and continued to be active as a farmer until 1913. In that year he came to Castalia and engaged in the business above mentioned. On March 23, 1887, he married Etta L. Graves, who was born in Margaretta Township, a daughter of the late Lucius Graves. To their marriage were born five children : Emily C., wife of Franz ,Arend, living in Toledo, Ohio ; Clinton J., of Groton Township ; Lucius G., Norma and John L., all of whom reside in Castalia. Mr. Parker has never neglected his responsibilities as a citizen of the community, and for seven years served as trustee of Margaretta Township, part ofthe time being president of the board. A few years ago he was candidate for county commissioner. He is now member of the school board of the township and serving as its president, and was chairman of the Soldiers' Monument Commission which erected the monument to the memory of the soldiers who enlisted from Margaretta Township in the Union army. This memorial shaft stands in the Castalia Cemetery, Mr. Parker is a republican in politics, and his activities and influence have made him well known. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, is affiliated with Lodge No. 285 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Sandusky and is a charter member of the tent at Castalia 'of the. of the :Maccabees: His material accumulations are measured by the possession of a well improved farm of 160 acres in Margaretta Township and for several years he has been a director in the Castalia Banking Company. That he enjoys the good will and confidence of his fellow townsmen goes without saying. Vol. II-16 714 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY EDDIE M. COBB. It is a fine testimonial to the steadfast qualities of a family which for generation after generation continue to own and occupy one homestead and to live in one community. The Cobb family in Berlin Township have for almost a century owned one tract of land close to Berlin Heights and the history of that community would not be complete without some extended reference to the members Of the different generations. Eddie M. Cobb, who belongs to the third generation in Erie County, is a general farmer and fruit grower, has an interest in the old homestead and also owns and occupies land within the corporate limits of Berlin Heights. His grandparents were Ralph and Hannah Cobb, both natives, of Connecticut, in which state they grew up. About 1818 or 1819 they. came to Ohio, traveling by the usual method of that day, ox teams and wagons. For a considerable portion of the distance they had to be guided by blazed trails through the woods. They finally reached Eldridge Township, as Berlin Township was then known, and at the end of a long and wearisome journey finally 'became established on a tract of seventy or ninety acres covered by the densest and heaviest of timber. There Ralph Cobb put up a log cabin, and cut out his first plat for farming purposes. In that clearing he set out some fruit trees which he had brought along, and one of those old apple trees is, still standing. There he and his wife gradually surrounded themselves with increased comforts, and the old log cabin gave way to a frame house. They lived there and reared their family, and the farm is now just outside the Village of Berlin Heights. In 1850, while making a trip to a mill, the nearest institution of that kind then being nine Miles distant at Wakeman, and while driving through the Wakeman Woods, his team became frightened and ran away and Ralph Cobb was thrown out and killed. He was found lying against a log. He was born before the close of the eighteenth century, and was already past middle age at the time of his death. His widow survived him and attained the remarkable age of nearly a century,' having been about ninety-eight when she passed away. They were members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he supported the whig party during the greater part of, his life. Of their large family nearly all grew up and married and had families of their own, but all the children are now deceased. The old homestead has been kept in the family name, and is now owned by Ralph Cobb's grandchildren, Eddie M. ̊obi) and his two sisters. Henry Sanford Cobb, one of the children of Ralph Cobb, and the youngest in order of birth, was born in the original log house on the old farm, and that was also the birthplace of the other children. After the death of his father in 1850 he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the farm, and continued to care for his widowed mother until a few years before her death, after which she lived in the home or a daughter, Mrs. Phillips, at Berlin Heights. Henry S. Cobb made his home on the old farm, at that time containing seventy-two acres, until dais death in January, 1914. He was then eighty years of 'age. 'He had constructed the first frame house on the old place, and when that was burned about fifty years ago, he replaced it with another substantial dwelling of nine rooms, and that is still standing and occupied by—his grandson, a son of Eddie M. Cobb. Henry S. Cobb, was .a republican in politics; during the war, owing to his responsibilities as the father o several young children, he hired a substitute for the army. He was al member of the Baptist Church, and for a number of years before his death was regarded as the chief supporter of this church in this community. He is buried at the old Baptist Church Cemetery,. and at the same locality are buried his wife and two of the children, Edwin, who HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 715 died in infancy, and La Von, who died at the age of twenty. Henry S. Cobb was married in Berlin Township to Isabel Wiggins, who was born either in Connecticut or Long Island, New York. She came to Ohio when a young woman with her parents and was married a few years later. She died about twelve years ago when sixty-five years of age. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. Surviving her were four children. All these were born on the old homestead. The oldest, Ralph, now lives in California and has one daughter. Eddie M. has two sisters, Lenora and Josephine, both of whom are unmarried and lived at home and cared for their father until his death, and have since been members of the Missionary Society at Findlay, Ohio, both being devout Methodists. Eddie M. Cobb was born on the old homestead Jupe 12, 1865, and grew up there and in addition to his education in the Berlin High School attended a business college at Champaign, Illinois. Subsequently he took charge of his father's farm, and he and his two sisters still own that place. In addition he has 24 3/4 acres in the corporation limits of Berlin Heights, and has developed that largely as a fruit farm. It was also improved with a substantial home and barns and other buildings. Mr. Cobb was married in Berlin Township to Miss Minnie Daniels, a native of Michigan, but reared and educated in Berlin Township, to which locality she came with her parents, Titus and Jennie Daniels Some years later the Daniels family removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where Mrs. Cobb's mother died, but where her father is still in active business and is the owner of considerable property. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cobb were born the following children : Ralph C., who occupies the old homestead already described, married Lydia Hast, and they have a son, Edwin ; Anna May is the wife of Earl McNeil, who is assistant cashier of the Gas. Company at Lorain, Ohio, and they have a daughter, Dorothy ; Edith C., who is a graduate of the Berlin Heights High School and of the Oberlin Business College, is a stenographer in Oberlin, Ohio ; Edwin S., now a student of agriculture in the state university at Columbus ; Esther G., a graduate of the Berlin Heights High School in 1915 and now engaged in teaching; Helen, who is a member of the class of 1917 of the Berlin Heights High School. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal, Church. He has for several years given considerable attention to his duties as a member of the school board, and in politics is a republican. SETH E. BARDWELL. There is, perhaps, no class of workers whose labor is more important to the general community than that of the farmer, for upon him we depend for our daily bread; the first of life's necessities. There was a 'time when the farmer was regarded by many people as a rude, illiterate sort of person, whose work consisted mainly of hard manual labor, and who had little or no opportunity for acquiring anything but the barest rudiments of an education, or for cultivating the higher part of his nature. But all that has, passed away. The advent of the railroad, telegraph and telephone, with the introduction of improved farm machinery, the development of the public school system, and the establishment of colleges and other educational institutions all over our land have effected a wonderful change, so that today, almost wherever we go, we find the farmer a thoroughly up-to date individual, with a good public school, often college, education, a subscriber to one or more daily or weekly journals, conversant with the news of the day and able to express an intelligent opinion on many topics aside from 716 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY those connected with his daily avocation. In probably no state of the Union has the agricultural class attained a higher standard than in Ohio, and to this Erie County is no exception. A typical example of the class to which he belongs is Seth E. Bardwell, of Margaretta Township, this county, a progressive agriculturist who has attained prosperity through his own efforts and who holds a high place in the estimation, of his fellow citizens. Mr. Bardwell is a native of this county, having been born in Groton Township, December 6, 1844. His parents were Seth and Louise (White) Bardwell, both natives of Massachusetts. The Bardwell family is of French origin and its genealogy can be traced back in that country some 900 years, the records showing that the ancient form of the name was "De Berdewell." Some of its members seem to have taken up their residence in England, perhaps at the time of the Norman conquest in 1066, for in the line of descent leading to the subject of this sketch we find living there, generations ago, a Sir William Bardwell, who possessed a coat of arms and was a person of some distinction. The first of the family to come to this country settled in New England, probably in Massachusetts, from which state, in 1833, came Seth Bardwell, father of Seth E. He was accompanied by his family and settled first in Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio. After a short residence in this township, however, he removed to Groton Township, taking up a location in the woods, the country at that time being thickly timbered. Here he built a log house and set to work to clear a farm. An industrious man, he worked hard to improve his surroundings, and in due time his labors bore fruit. The log house was replaced by a neat frame structure, which was among the first of that kind to be built in the township,, which fact alone shows his progressive spirit. He was a leader among the early settlers, serving as township trustee, and was a prominent member of the Universalist Church. His death took place in March, 1863, after he had been a resident of the township for about thirty years. Of his large family of children the following now survive : Sophia, wife of James McClarra,, residing in Illinois; Mary, who is the widow of B. H. Rogers, formerly of Margaretta Township, and now resides in Akron, Ohio ; Seth E., whose name appears at the head of this article ; Alma L., widow of Horace V. Ramsdell, late. of Bloomingville, Ohio, where she is now living ; and Charles F., also a resident of Bloomingville. Seth E. Bardwell was reared on his parents' farm in Groton Township, this county, acquiring his education in its public schools and in a school at Bellevue, Ohio, which he attended for a short time. In May, 1864, being then under twenty years of age, he enlisted in the service of the United States for 100 days, during which time, or a little longer, he did guard duty at Arlington Heights, Washington, District of Columbia. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home to Groton Township, where he engaged in agriculture, remaining there until 1891: He then removed to Margaretta Township and has here continued his farming operations up to the present time, owning a good farm of 200 acres, with substantial and convenient buildings, located on Maple Avenue. A progressive and public spirited citizen, he has served the board of education, and enjoys the confidence-and good will of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. He is a member of the Grand Army Post at Castalia, in which he now holds the office of quartermaster, having formerly served as commander. Mr. Bardwell first married Celesta M. Thompson of Groton Township, a daughter of William and Hannah Thompson, who came to that locality from Pennsylvania. Of this first union three children were born, all of whom are now living, namely : Ethel B., wife of O. S. Alcott, •of PICTURE OF REV. LAMUEL MARKS HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 717 Sandusky, Ohio; Seth A., a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and Alvah E., also residing in Cleveland. Mr. Bardwell married, secondly, Rebecca Neill, who is his present wife. She was born in Margaretta Township, this county, the daughter of Lewis and Gennesaret (Gaw) Neill, her father being a native of Maryland and her mother of Sandusky, Ohio. Although born in Maryland, Lewis Neill was reared in Margaretta Township, where he died a few years ago. His wife ,survived him and is still living, being now in her seventy-seventh year--an interesting old lady whose recollections extend back to pioneer days in this locality. Their children are as follows : Isabel, wife of H. AA Winters, of Sandusky, Ohio; Rebecca, wife of Seth E. Bardwell ; Anna, who married F. W. DeYo and resides with her husband in Margaretta Township ; and Lewis, Charles and Scott B., who all reside in Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. Bardwell is one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of Margaretta Township, where he has now resided for twenty-four years. His industry, perseverance and integrity have brought their reward, and now, in the sunset of life, he finds himself in comfortable circumstances, honored by his fellow men, and with children who are a blessing to his declining years. REV. SAMUEL MARKS, D. D. Impotent are mere words and appreciative phraseology of sentiment to pay just tribute to the theory of such a man as the late and revered citizen and pioneer whose name initiates this paragraph and who served for more than forty years as rector of Christ Church, Protestant Episcopal, at Huron, one of the attractive little cities of Erie County. He was a man of the highest intellectuality and broadest mental ken, his life was one of signal consecration to the work of the Divine Master and to the aiding and uplifting of his fellow men. His character was the positive expression of a strong, loyal and noble nature ; charity, tolerance and deep human sympathy remained with him as constant guests; he was ever mindful of those "in any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body or estate" ; he remembered those who were forgotten ; he fought the good fight and kept the faith ; his gentleness of spirit blossomed through in kindly words and kindly deeds— in short, his life was an inspiration' and an incarnate beatitude. Of all those who have lived and labored in Erie County, there has been none whose achievement has been more fruitful and benignant, none whose memory shall be held in higher or more enduring affection and honor than this gentle shepherd, this faithful friend, this great and noble soul. Doctor Marks was one of the pioneer clergymen of the Episcopal Church in Northern Ohio, and now that he has passed forward to his reward and entered into the life eternal, his influence continues in ever widening angle of beneficence in the community in which he long lived and labored, while to the older generation, with whom he came in personal contact, there remains consolation and compensation in the memory of his beautiful life and of the privilege which was theirs to know and touch the same. Doctor Marks entered into eternal rest on the 28th of February, 1882, and well it may be 'said that "his works do follow him." He was a valiant soldier in the War of 1812, and was afterwards a pensioner. On the Sunday after the death of Rev. Samuel Marks there was delivered in the church of which he had so long been the revered rector, a sermon that drew inspiring lessons from his life, the same having been given by a younger and valued friend of the deceased, the Rev. Marcus Alden Tolman, rector of St. Mark's Church; Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. The necessarily prescribed limitations of a sketch of this, order do not permit more than the briefest of quotations from this sermon of tribute, but the following words therefrom may properly be perpetuated in this connection: "The memory of the Rev. Samuel Marks is intertwined 718 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY with all of the interests and with all of the history of this community. I need not even mention his many virtues, nor speak of those remarkable traits of character which combined to make him so tenderly loved while living and so widely and sincerely mourned at death; for they were known to you all, and for many years you were permitted to see .them shine through the outward acts of a noble Christian life * * * Oh, the blessedness of having such a man for a pastor! What rich and abundant fruit should follow these forty years of such careful and such prayerful culture! What a grand harvest of souls should be gathered from this ground first broken by such saintly hands! Weep not that he is gone, but rather rejoice that he was permitted to remain so long! Long will the loving memory of such a spiritual father be cherished in this parish, and long, being dead, he will continue to speak." It is known that Doctor Marks was a scion of an old and patrician family of Irish lineage and of Protestant faith, one that in Ireland was prominently identified with the Established Church of England, but no definite data concerning the family record are available. Dr. Marks was born at Marktown, Ireland, on the 19th of November, 1797, and thus was nearly eighty-five years of age at the time of his death. From a memoir published in the year 1901 are taken, with slight elimination and paraphrase, the following extracts: "It is now eighteen years since the village of Huron said farewell to the grandest character that has ever made this town a, permanent abiding place. And these long years have only added Buster to the name of Samuel Marks, who came to this place away back in the early days of its history and to whose genius and eloquence Huron owes lasting homage. Mr. Marks came of that class of highly cultured Irish stock that has made the Irish people famous. His early education was plain but correct; his early teachings were calculated to develop strength of character and self-reliance. At an early age he turned his eyes and hopes toward America, and at the first good opportunity he crossed the great ocean and landed in New York. Here he found a wide field for his genius and took up the ministry of God. In Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, he received the orders of the deaconate of the Protestant Episcopal Church on the 14th of May, 1824, at the hands of Bishop White, and on the 11th of May of the following year Bishop White conferred upon him ordination to the priesthood, in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. He began his missionary work in Northern Pennsylvania, then a remote and sparsely settled portion of the Keystone State, and there he continued his labors for a number of years. He continued his zealous services in Pennsylvania until he was called to the Diocese of Michigan, of which the Rt. Rev. Samuel McCoskry was bishop. There he worked faithfully and cheerfully, as one of the pioneer clergymen of his church in Michigan Territory until he accepted the call extended by the parish at Huron, Ohio, his official assumption of the position Of rector of Christ Church having taken place in 1839, though the records of the parish show that he had here conducted the first services for the little congregation in the spring of 1837, this service having been conducted in a house at the corner of South and Ohio streets. The ` formal call for him to assume the pastoral charge of the parish was given April 11, 1839, and the present seemly and dignified church edifice was completed in the following year. In 1846 Dr. Marks became rector of a church at Racine, Wisconsin, but in 1849 he returned to Huron, where he continued his faithful services until the close of his long and useful life, his pastorate having thus covered a period of forty years. He was not only the spiritual guide and devoted friend of his own flock but was also the wise and valued counselor of all the people of this place and the surrounding country. He was noted for his wit and humor, his HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 719 high scholarship, his splendid oratorical powers, his unfailing sympathy and kindliness and his abiding love for "all sorts and conditions of men." Dr. Marks vitalized both the spiritual and temporal activities of his parish and was al loved and commanding figure in the communal life in general. He was beloved by all the people and when he died his- church considered his loss almost irreparable. On the 2d of March, 1882, his funeral services were held at Christ Church, amidst the greatest outpouring of mourners that ever attended a funeral in Huron. Eight clergymen of the Episcopal Church assisted in the impressive obsequies, as did also Erie Commandery of Knights Templars, of Sandusky ; Science Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, of the same city ; and Marks Lodge, of Huron, which Masonic body was. named in honor of Dr. Marks, who had served as its chaplain from the time of its organization until his death. No man ever knew him that did not respect this man, the most illustrious character, the highest, noblest and most beloved of all citizens ever claimed by Huron." The Masonic order has erected a monument to his memory. The subject of this memoir received the degree of Doctor of Divinity,' in recognition of his long and fruitful service and his high intellectual attainments. He continued a close and appreciative student till the close of his life and his reading covered the broadest field of standard literature, the while he always kept in close touch with the questions and issues of the day and was known for his civic loyalty and liberality. The doctor accumulated a specially large and valuable private library, both ecclesiastical and general, and prior to his death he had divided the same among a number of Episcopal parishes in Ohio, the larger and more select portion having been given to the church at Gambier, where is situtated the venerable and historic church institution known as Kenyon College. In making this splendid bequest to various parishes Doctor Marks was greatly assisted by Bishop McElvaney, of the Diocese of Cleveland, in which the Huron parish is included. Doctor Marks was twice wedded. In Pennsylvania, as a young man, he married Miss Anna Bostwick, who died within a comparatively short time after their home had been established at Huron and who was in middle life at the time of her demise. She was survived by three children, William, Eliza and Charles, but the two last mentioned died when young, William passed the closing years of his life in the City of Toledo, where he had married a widow with one child, no children of his own having survived him. At Milan, this county, on the 28th of March, 1842, was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Marks to Miss Emmeline Minuse, who was born in New York City, on the 3d of March, 1802, and who was a representative of fine old Holland Dutch stock in the Empire State, she having been a young woman when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Erie County, Ohio, where the family home was established at Milan. She was graduated in a female seminary at Jamaica, Long Island, when eighteen years of age, and she was a woman of high ideals, admirable mental powers,, deepest Christian devotion and zeal and unvarying sympathy and kindliness. She proved to her distinguished husband a true helpmeet, and in the community that was long her home her memory is held in reverent affection by those who came within the sphere of her gracious and gentle influence. She did not long survive the shock and bereavement of her husband's death, and was summoned to eternal rest on the 4th of July, 1884, at the old homestead on Williams Street in Huron. Doctor and Mrs. Marks had no children, but all children were the objects of their tender affection and solicitude. Mrs. Marks was a daughter of George and Mary (Craig) Minuse, the former of whom were born in New York City and the latter in the 720 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY City of Philadelphia, their respective dates of nativity having been June 20; 1771, and February 15, 1780. Their marriage was solemnized in New York City, and concerning their children the following brief data are entered: George, Jr., who was born October 3, 1800, died young; Emmeline, Mrs. Marks, was the next in order of birth; Alfred was born December 10, 1804, married and was survived by a number of children ; Horatio, who was born June 26, 1807, is more specifically mentioned in a following paragraph ; Mary B., who was born January 8, 1810, became the wife of Alexander McClure and after his death she resided in Huron for thirty-eight years, her death having occurred when she was eighty- five years of age, in the old Marks homestead on Williams street ; .she had no children; Elizabeth, who was born February 17, 1812, died when a young woman; and Stephen, who was born August 27, 1814, died at. the age of twenty-eight years. Horatio Minuse was a youth at the time of the family immigration to Erie County, and his father became one of the early pioneer settlers in what is now Milan Township, where a farm was reclaimed by him from the forest wilds. Horatio was reared to maturity under the conditions and influences of the pioneer epoch and as a young man he went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, as a pioneer in a section that was then wild' and very sparsely settled. In that state, on the 2d of March, 1834, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Lucy A. Conroe, who was born in Vermont, on the 26th of September, 1811, her parents having been pioneers first. in Ohio and later in Wisconsin, the closing years of their lives having been passed at Green Bay. Horatio Minuse and his wife finally returned to Ohio and after living a few years on a farm near Groton, Erie County, they settled in Milan Township, Mr. Minuse having become hot only one of the substantial farmers of the county but also having early become interested in the enterprise of boat-building, with which he continued to be identified several years. He died at his home in the Village of Milan, on the 25th, of December, 1872, and his widow passed away December 20, 1874, both having been devout communicants of the Protestant Episcopal Church and Mr. Minuse having been a stalwart in the camp of the republican party. They were persons of strong and upright character and commanded the unqualified esteem of all who knew them. In the following paragraph is given succinct record concerning, their children : George, who was born at Green Bay, Wisconsin, December 11, 1834, married but had no children, his death having occurred May 12, 1876; Mary R., born at Green Bay, July 1, 1836, is the widow of LeGrand Saunders and she now resides in the home of her daughter in Marion County, Oregon, Horatio, Jr., who was born at Groton, Erie County, Ohio, June 3, 1838, was formerly engaged in the livery business, at Milan, this county, where he is now living retired, his only child being a daughter ; Emmeline was born at Groton, April 11, 1840, is the widow of George A. Budd, who died at Huron, where she and her daughter, Emmeline Margaretta, and her sister Lucy continue their residence., her son Jay being a resident of the City of Cleveland and her daughter Mary Craig being the wife of Charles Skinner of Cincinnati, a younger daughter, Lucy L., being the wife of Edwin J. Howard, an attorney of that city-; the next is Dr. G. A. Budd of Frankfort, Kentucky, and the youngest child was Sallie. Packer, who died aged six years. Miss Lucy Minuse was born in Groton, this county, on the 5th of December, 1843, and is a resident of Huron, as already noted; Eliza Marks, the next in order of birth, was born November 16, 1845, at Groton, and her death, occurred September 26, 1858 ; John C., who was born in the City of Sandusky, in November, 1847, died unmarried when a young man ; Jennie Lind, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 721 the youngest of the children, was born April 24, 1853, is the wife of Edward E. Gaudern, of Elyria, this state, and they have three daughters. It is most pleasing to record that the fine old homestead that was for ' so many years the abiding place of Rev. Samuel Marks passed to the ownership of his niece, Miss Lucy Minuse, who cherishes his memory and that of his devoted wife with a truly filial sentiment and who carefully safeguards the gracious memories and hallowed associations of the old home place. Like her sisters and brothers, Miss Minuse received excellent educational advantages in her youth, and all have held to the faith of the Episcopal Church, in which she is a devout communicant of Christ Church and an active worker in the parish of which her uncle was long the rector. After the death of her parents Miss Minuse resided` for some time in the home of her sister Emmeline, Mrs. Budd, at Elyria-, and thereafter she was with her aunt, Mrs. Marks, at Huron until 1886; after which she was in the home of another aunt, Mrs. Mary B. McClure, in this place. Through inheritance and devisement by wills Miss Minuse has come into the possession of a comfortable fortune, and in 1906 she purchased her present fine home, which is one of the most beautiful and modern in the city of Huron, the same being eligibly situated on Center Street. Her sister, Mrs. Budd, has resided with her many years, and both are gracious gentlewomen who are prominent in the social activities of the community and whose circle of friends is limited only by that of their acquaintances. HARRY J. SCHWINN. In this era of "big business," when nearly all successful manufacturing concerns are, and have to be, operated on a large scale, he who can hold a responsible position with such a concern must be a man of intelligence, industry and thoroughly reliable character. Such a man is Harry J. Schwinn, foreman of the blacksmithing department, and caretaker of the locomotives of the boiler department of the Castalia Portland Cement Company, at Castalia, Ohio, who has been connected with this flourishing concern for the past sixteen years. Mr. Schwinn was 'born in the busy manufacturing city of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1868, a. son of Adam J. and Catherine (Foley) Schwinn. The father was a native of Allegheny of German extraction and the mother was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Harry J. Schwinn resided in Allegheny until he was ten years old, at which time he accompanied his parents to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where they subsequently died. After a two years' residence there, he came, in 1880, to Erie County, Ohio, settling in Sandusky, where he learned the trade of boiler-maker and blacksmith, which he followed in Sandusky for a number of years. In 1899 he came to Castalia and entered the employ of the Castalia Portland Cement Company as a blacksmith. The concern was then in its infancy, but the business gradually increased, the plant was enlarged from time to time, and Mr. Schwinn's faithful service received merited recognition. A thorough master of his trade, he has justified the confidence of his employers and his department is conducted with the highest degree of efficiency. In politics Mr. Schwinn is a republican and, as a good citizen, he takes a commendable interest in local affairs, supporting the cause of good government and doing whatever he can to advance the moral and material welfare of the community. He is fraternally affiliated with Spring Tent, K. O. T. M., at Castalia, the Loyal Order of Moose, at Sandusky, and the Knights of Pythias, at Sandusky. Harry J. Schwinn was united in marriage with Effa Smiley, of Franklin, Pennsylvania, of which place she is a native. Her parents , were Joseph M. and Adaline (McFate) Smiley, her father, now deceased, being a native of Franklin, where the Smiley family settled at 722 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY an early date. Mrs. Schwinn's mother was born in Sunnville, Pennsylvania, and comes of Revolutionary ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Schwinn are members-of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have six children— Morris H., Catherine A., Reed E., Ruth Irene, Allen H. and Marian G. CAPT. JONATHAN F. HARRINGTON. The career of a dutiful, honorable and upright man, a gallant soldier, a thorough and diligent agriculturist and a useful, intelligent and patriotic citizen, is illustrated in the enviable life record of Captain Harrington, one of the old and honored residents of Groton Township. He has not only performed his own part in life well, but belongs to a family which in many intimate and useful ways has been identified with Erie County since the beginning of settlement in this section of Northern Ohio. In fact, the Harringtons are among the very oldest families of the county, having been represented in local citizenship for considerably more than a century. Its early members braved the hardships and privations of the wild unbroken district in the early years of the nineteenth century, and in all the generations those of the name have been looked upon as men and women of industry and honorable dealings who have contributed in large degree to the development and growth of their communities. The birth of Capt. Jonathan F. Harrington occurred on a farm in Groton Township January 3, 1835. His parents were Ralph and Anna (Paxton) Harrington, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. Ralph Harrington was a son of Seth Harrington, who was born in Rhode Island, and owing to his service as a captain of militia in early days of Ohio was long familiarly known as Capt. Seth Harrington. Captain Seth brought his family in 1812 to wfitut is now Erie County, Ohio. His settlement was on the banks of Pipe Creek in Groton Township. His simple home was in the midst of the wilderness and one of the .chief sources of livelihood came• from the wild game found in abundance all over the country. The life of the family in the early days was similar to that of other pioneers. Only the barest of necessities were obtainable, and the comforts and conveniences were not to be thought of. The Harringtons were typical of the sturdy, Tugged and cheerful pioneers, who continued their labors forward to better circumstances, so that succeeding generations have profited from their sacrifices and hardships. Capt. Seth Harrington died in Groton Township when he was past eighty years of age. Ralph Harrington was only about five years of age when brought with other members of the family from Rhode Island to Erie County. They made that long and tedious journey by wagon and team and camped out along the roadside as night overtook them. A century ago Indians were almost as numerous in Northern Ohio as white settlers, and not infrequently they caused considerable trouble and anxiety to the pioneers, who, when threatened by an Indian - incursion would gather together under the protection of an improvised fort or blockhouse. Ralph Harrington, like his father, was a man of industry and high standing in the community. His death was a serious loss to the township and was the more lamentable owing to the fact that he was killed accidentally. One day while ,the Civil war was being fought he rode a young colt to the. Seven Mile House postoffice, called for his mail, and in attempting to,niount his horse was unable to overcome its resistance and temper and; was kicked to death. He was familiarly known as Squire Harringtion, having served as a justice of the peace in Groton Township, and had -also filled the office of trustee. During the battle fought by Commodore Perry with the English, he was asleep on a large stone, which still lies along the highway about a mile south of the Harrington home and when he awoke is said to have remarked : I heard someone singing. He was but HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 723 a child then, and he slumbered on the stone while other members of the family were gathering hay. Capt. Jonathan F. Harrington grew up in a time when Erie County was still partly in a pioneer condition. He was reared on the home farm, and secured his educational training in some of the early , schoolhouses familiarly known only to the oldest residents now living. After getting the advantages offered by the schools in Groton Township he also spent one year attending school at Detroit, Michigan. Since early youth he has been studious, and few citizens of Groton Township have read more widely and have kept themselves better informed on all subjects of current interest. His vocation since early manhood has been that of farming, and soon after getting started in that vocation he went away to fight the battles of the Union. Captain Harrington enlisted in May, 1861, in Company A, of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his first duty was in recruiting the company for that regiment, and after getting its quota mustered in he took his place' in the ranks as a private soldier. A year later he was made second lieutenant, and later promoted to first lieutenant, and during the last two years of his service was captain of the company. He continued in the war four years until his honorable discharge in September, 1865. Captain Harrington saw much of the arduous service in the Western armies, fought in the great battle of Shiloh, participated in the siege of Corinth and also in the campaign ending in the fall of Vicksburg. At the close of the war his regiment was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, and after getting his honorable discharge he returned home to Groton Township and was soon applying himself with characteristic vigor to his business as a farmer. On January 1, 1868, Captain Harrington married Miss Sarah E. McKesson, who also represents some of the pioneer stock of Erie County. Ars. Harrington was born in Margaretta Township of Erie County, a laughter of James C. and Marietta (Prout) McKesson. Her father was born in, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and her mother was a native of Oneida County, New York. Mrs. Harrington's great-great-grandfather, Rev. John McKesson, was one of the pioneer clergymen oInd missionaries of the Presbyterian Church in America, and had received his education in the University of Edinburg, Scotland. The McKessons were among the very early settlers of Margaretta Township, and Mrs. Harrington's maternal ancestors, the Prouts, were equally early in their settlement in Oxford Township. Through her mother Mrs. Harrington is a great-granddaughter of two Revolutionary soldiers, whose names were Prout and Holt. Captain Harrington and wife became the parents of one daughter, Anna Marietta, now the widow of Joseph Goebes, who during his life followed farming in Groton Township. Mrs. Goebes has a daughter, Florence M., who was born June 23, 1909. In a public capacity Captain Harrington has served his home cornmunity several times as township trustee, also as clerk of the township, and has been a stanch republican since the beginning of that party, having come of age just about the time the first republican campaign was being waged in 1856. As a farmer he owns a highly improved and valuable place of 155 acres, devoted to general agricultural lines, and he has for many years represented the best ideals of country life. He is now vice president of the Erie County Agricultural Society, an office he has filled for a number of years, and has likewise held the post of , director in that organization. The family are well known socially throughout the township and county. Captain Harrington is also. sia member of the Union Veterans Corps, which formerly had its headquarters at Clyde, Ohio. 724 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY DANIEL D. WHITE. There are in every communrty men of great force of character who by reason of their capacity for leadership become recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most important part in public affairs. Such has been the creditable position in the. Castalia community of Daniel D. White, who for many years was a progressive farmer in Groton Township, has frequently been honored with those positions which denote community esteem and for the past ten years has been cashier of the Castalia Banking Company. He was one of the principals on the organization of that solid financial institution in September, 1905, and has since been a director and cashier. Mr. White is one of the citizens of Erie County who represent the old colonial stock of New England. He is a direct descendant of Elder John White, who came from England in 1632 and in September of that year arrived in Massachusetts, where his name can be found identified with church and other activities so as to stamp him a leader in the early history of that colony. Daniel D. White was born in Groton Township of Erie County, May 17, 1861. His parents were Ebenezer and Ellen (Jones) White. His father was born in Massachusetts and his mother in New York State. The White family was established in Erie County by Grandfather Capt. John White, who gained his title by service in the state militia. He was one of the pioneer settlers in Groton Township and for several years the family lived in one of the typical log, cabin homes of that period. Ebenezer White was about thirteen years of age when he accompanied the family from Massachusetts to Erie County and in this new country he grew up to useful and honorable' manhood. For six years he served as a commissioner, and held that office at the time the present Erie County courthouse was constructed. He was a republican in politics, and spent all his active career as a , farmer in Groton Township. He also served as a trustee of that township and justice of the peace, and was well known throughout the county. His death occurred in 1885. Of his children three are still living: Lizzie S. widow of W. 0. Zabst, late of Bellevue, Ohio, where she now resides, S., J., wife of J. J. Neill, of Margaretta Township ; and Daniel D. The only surviving son, Daniel D. White grew up in Groton Town-, ship and his education came partly from the district schools and partly from the schools of Castalia. More than thirty years ago he began his active and independent career as a farmer in his native township, and that was his chief enterprise up to 1905, since which time he has been identified with the affairs of the Castalia Banking Company, as one .of the officers and directors. At various times Mr. White has performed his share of public duties. For six years he was a member of the Board of Control of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station at Wooster, having been appointed by Gov. George K. Nash and reappointed by Gov. Myron T. Herrick. He is affiliated with Perseverance Lodge,, F. & A. M., at Sandusky, with Spring. Tent No. 80 of the Knights of the 'Maccabees at Castalia, and has been particularly prominent in the Patrons of Husbandry, having membership in Margaretta Grange No. 488, which he served as master three years, and for two years was, master of Erie County Pomona Grange. At Sacramento, California, in 1888, he was given the seventh degree in the National Grange. 31r. White still owns a valuable and well improved farm of 140 acres in Groton township. His part has always been that of a progressii;e and substantial citizen and his reputation rests upon solid achievement. On October 28, 1885, he married Dora Chase, daughter of the late Henry Chase, a former resident of Margaretta Township, and of New England stock. Mr, and Mrs. White have one of the attractive homes of Castalia, and both are popular Members of social circles.