HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 225 Hollow, in Clarksfield township, Huron county. He learned that his trade was of little value in northern Ohio, and resolving to become a farmer purchased 112 acres in the southern section of the township. With the exception of fifteen acres, on which stood an old and rude cabin, the tract was completely wild, but the forest was full of game, and accordingly there was no lack of animal food. He worked early and late in clearing this tract, and, at the time of his death, June 16, 1865, left a valuable property to his widow and children. The widow died December 29, 1883, and was buried in Prosser cemetery, New London township, near the grave of her husband. The children of George and Polly Gregory were as follows: One child born October 22, 1811, died in infancy; James L., born August 19, 1813, died in Clarksfield township, July 11, 1863; Mary E., born September 23, 1815, married Richard Fanning, and died July 15, 1844; Peter L., born May 11, 1818, resides at Minneapolis, Minn.; Charles W., born February 27, 1821, was a blacksmith, and followed his trade until his death in New London township; Abbey L., born August 30, 1823, the widow of J. M. Darling, of Sandusky, Ohio; Ann M., born December 3, 1826, who married L. J. Smith, died in Clarksfield township; and Matthew, the subject of this sketch. All were born in the southeastern part of Dutchess county, N. Y., except the last named. Matthew Gregory is one of the few persons in this county who can boast of living on the home farm for so long a time as from 1828 to 1893. He received a primary education in a school near his father's house, and otherwise was reared in the manner of pioneer boys. On May 11, 1854, he married Harriet C. Rogers, born October 13, 1832, in Wayne county, N. Y., a daughter of Joel and Betsy (Ells) Rogers, who came to Ohio in November, 1832. Their entire married life has been passed on the home farm, of which Matthew took charge after his father's death. Republican in politics, he is content to cast his vote for the nominees of the party, without going into the maelstrom of the campaign. In social matters he has always taken a leading part; he is one of the pillars of Grange No. 1174, and except for one year has been treasurer of the Association since its organization. He is a systematic, practical farmer, successful in all his undertakings; and he is now enjoying the rewards of years of well-directed labor. Mrs. Gregory is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Society of Barrett's Chapel. WILLIAM E. BRAMLEY, foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops at Chicago Junction, was born in 1848 at Nottingham, England. In 1849 his parents emigrated from their native country, and arriving in the United States, located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some time later the family moved to Zanesville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, where William E. was apprenticed to the machinist's trade, which he learned in the shops where he subsequently worked as a regular mechanic. His term of service was three and one-half years, and in this time he became a thorough mechanic. Removing to Dennison, Ohio, he worked in the shops there for two years, when he entered the employ of the P. C. C. & St. L. Railroad Company, as fireman. In the course of fourteen months he was promoted to engineer, in which capacity he served that company for five years. In 1874 he came to Chicago Junction, and at different times worked in shops and ran a yard engine. For several years he has been foreman of the shops here, and in that responsible position has given satisfaction to his employers as well as to his fellow employes. Sober, economical, industrious and competent, he has accumulated a competence, and is the owner of a comfortable 226 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. home just outside of the town. A strong advocate of temperance, he encourages the practice of this great virtue among the men with whom he is associated, and has seen the good results of his example and teaching. Mr. Bramley has been twice married. In 1876 he was united with Jennie C. Lewis, who died in 1884, leaving three children: Libbie, Loula, and Jennie (who died when one year old). His second marriage, which took place in 1887, was with Mrs. Amanda (Miller) Hahn, a daughter of Daniel Miller and a native of Chicago Junction. Mrs. Bramley is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Bramley is a Republican, but not a partisan. He joined the Masonic Fraternity in 1876 at Plymouth, Ohio, and since that time has become a member of the Chapter, R. A. He desires it to be here recorded that he has become a follower of Christ; that under the revival of Miss Jennie Smith he gave his heart to God, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church with his wife. He is also a useful worker in the Temperance cause, in connection with which the organization known as the " Railroad Temperance Association " was recently started. GEORGE JOINER, than whom there , is no more highly respected citizen in Norwich township, where he has his home, is a native of Huron county, horn in Greenfield township in 1839. Ralph Joiner, his father, a son of William Joiner, was born in Shelburne Falls, Mass., July 28, 1804. At the age of seven years he was bound out by his mother, till twenty-one years old, to one Smead, a tanner and currier and shoemaker, with whom he worked his full time, and then took a sea voyage from Boston to Cuba and the West India Islands, in the capacity of ship's cook. After this voyage he commenced the trade of boot and shoe making in Deerfield, Mass., continuing in same five years. He then took another trip, this time through the State of Illinois, to New Orleans, down the Ohio river, and to Sandusky City, Ohio, thence to Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio, to a brother's (Osias Joiner), where he made his home until he was married. In the fall of 1835 he took charge of the grocery store for Mackintire Beemer, at Greenfield Center, Ohio, remaining a year and a half. On August 3, 1837, Mr. Ralph Joiner was married to Miss Eliza Inscho, born August 5, 1817, a daughter of Robert Inscho, and to this union were born nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: George (subject of this sketch), May 24, 1839; Richard M., May 31, 1841 (deceased); Ralph C., June 23, 1843; Harriet, June 28, 1845 (deceased); Charles, August 1, 1847; Charlotte L., April 28,1850; Frank P., December 29, 1852; Benjamin F., August 14, 1855, and Augusta Arminda, July 29, 1862 (deceased). The father of this family died in 1877, of cancer in the hand, The mother, now in the seventy-seventh year of her age, is at the present writing visiting her three sons, who are residents of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Robert Inscho, father of Mrs. Ralph Joiner, was born in New Jersey in 1765; moved to Virginia in 1806, whence after a residence there he came to New Haven township, Huron Co., Ohio, settling on a farm that is now owned by a grandchild of his. Sonic time in the "forties" he moved to Noble county, Ind., and there died at the age of eighty-seven years. George Joiner, subject of sketch, was reared to farm work, and has ever since been successful in his agricultural labors. Before he was twenty years old he bought thirty-eight acres of land. in Greenfield township, and in 1861 he came to Norwich township, where he worked by the month for Wesley Robinson, and also hauled wood for the railroad, making good wages. He HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 227 then took up farming on his present place in Norwich township, first buying eighty acres, to which he has from time to time added until he now has 227-i acres of as fine land as can be found in the township. In 1860 Mr. Joiner was married to Miss Elizabeth Doncer, of Norwich township, Huron county, daughter of George Doncer, and, their home has been blessed with five children, namely: Wesley C., born August 8, 1861; Sarah J., born February 4, 1864; Clara E., born August 12, 1867; Alice I., born November 13, 1869, and George Henry Harrison, born August 18, 1876. A Republican since the breaking out of the Civil war, our subject has held some offices in his township with characteristic ability and fidelity—notably having served on the board of education, and as district clerk. Together with his wife he holds to the tenets of the U. B. Church of Chicago, Ohio. JOHN DRURY. Prominent among 1 the successful agriculturists of Huron ) county who till the soil and enjoy the fruits of their labor, ranks the subject of this biographical sketch, who devotes his time and attention to farming, and realizes that judgment and executive ability are needed to successfully carry on his chosen occupation. His father, Jonathan M. Drury, was born February 24, 1809, in Worthington, Mass., and inherited all of the energy and ambition characteristic of that section of the United States. His childhood and early manhood were passed in his native State, and he there learned habits of thrift that served him well through after life. In 1837 he visited Ohio, and in the following year located in this State, and in 1844 he took possession of the farm upon which he and his son now reside. He has devoted his whole life to agricultural pursuits, and owns one hundred acres of valuable land, situated a mile from Bellevue. Mr. Drury was married in March, 1836, to Miss Abi gail M. Knowlton, of Vermont, and three children blessed their union, viz.: John (our subject), and Ellen and Carrie (both of whom died at an early age). This wife died May 8, 1847. He afterward married Mrs. Clarissa B. Wrisley, of Massachusetts, who died December 20, 1887. By his second marriage he has one child, Myron M. (now located in Chicago). Mr. Drury has been a member of the Lyme Congregational Church for over fifty years, and a deacon in the same for a great length of time. John Drury was born March 7, 1847, in Lyme township. He has always resided at the place of his birth, and has taken a great interest in the religious, social and educational progress of the community. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Ida M. Cowle, of Bellevue, daughter of John Cowle, who settled in Huron county as early as 1835. Of this marriage one child was born, a daughter, who died in infancy. Mrs. Drury died in 1887. In May, 1889, Mr. Drury married Mrs. Josephine W. Nims, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wright. Mrs. Drury's mother was a daughter of Rev. James Ford, who settled on the Ridge in 1833. Mr. Drury makes his home on the farm once owned by his father, and every year makes improvements both in the way of building and in carrying out modern ideas in his farming operations. Mr. and Mrs. Drury are members of the Lyme Congregational Church, of which they are liberal supporters. He has been superintendent of the Lyme Sabbath-school since 1882. HORACE B. SILLIMAN, who is a son of Joseph and grandson of Justus Silliman, was born in 1832 in Fairfield county, Conn. Justus Silliman was a farmer of Fairfield county, Conn., a descendant of English colonists of New England. In early manhood he married Ruth Jennings, and to 228 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. this union were born nine children: Joseph, Isaac, Abijah, Daniel, Stephen, Abby, Morinda, Sally and Ruth. Justus Silliman died on the farm, where he and his wife passed the greater part of their lives. Joseph Silliman was born in 1790 in Fairfield county, Conn., was reared to manhood on the farm, received a fair education in the school of the district, and later taught school there. In 1812 he married Lucinda Banks, who was born in 1792 in Fairfield county, daughter of Joseph Banks, a farmer of that county. After marriage the young couple settled on a farm in Fairfield county, where they resided until death removed them. Of their three children, George migrated to Ohio, settled in Fairfield township, Huron county, and died on his farm; Sarah married Cornelius Benedict, of Connecticut, and died in 1845; and Horace B. is the subject of this sketch. The mother of this family died in 1887. Joseph Silliman was a stanch Democrat, and served as sheriff of Fairfield county, Conn., and in nearly all the offices of his township. Horace B. Silliman passed his boyhood on the farm in Connecticut, received his education in the schools of his native place, and in 1855 was there married to Miss Abigail hawkins, also a native of Fairfield county. The same year lie came to Ripley township, huron Co., Ohio, bringing with him a capital of three thousand dollars. How judiciously this capital was invested may be learned from the farm and home of Mr. Silliman, for his lands now comprise 225 acres of as productive a tract as exists in the " Firelands" region. While giving close personal attention to this beautiful farm, he is also interested in stock growing, and deals extensively in fine cattle. A Democrat in political faith, he has been elected to several offices, such as trustee, in his township, in the face of the fact that the Republicans are in the majority there. Twice he was nominated for county commissioner, once for county treasurer and once for Infirmary director, and polled a very large vote. He is one of the "wheel-horses" of his party in Huron county. To Mr. and Mrs. Silliman have been born the following named children: Georgiana, J. W., Francis L., Dwight, Edward, Clara, Mary, Ella; there were others, who died in infancy; Georgiana is deceased; the rest reside on the homestead. PETER HOHLER. In 1834 John Holder and his wife, accompanied by their four sons, emigrated from Baden, Germany, and landed in New York, September 14, 1834. They there met an old acquaintance who had previously settled in Huron county, Ohio, and through his representations were induced to proceed thither. The trip was made by way of Lake Erie, and on arriving in Peru, Huron county, October 3, John Holder bought ninety-six acres of heavily timbered land in that township, only a small portion of which was cleared. With the characteristic energy of their race, father and sons cleared the land, erected a comfortable log cabin to which they afterward made several additions, and finally converted the cabin into a barn, after building the present commodious dwelling. The sons, all of whom united their efforts on the old place until each one had secured a home, were as follows: Frank Joseph, who is supposed to have been killed in the Mexican war; Peter, whose sketch follows; Frederick, who died in Peru township in November, 1863, leaving seven children, two of whom are living in Huron county, three in Cleveland, one in Kansas, and one in Alaska; and Philip C., who .died in January, 1864, in Peru township. The father died in 1849, at the age of sixty-four years, and in 1804 the mother was laid beside him, after having entered her eightieth year. Both were members of the Catholic Church. Peter Hohler, the only living represent. ative of his family, was born July 12, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 229 1815, in Baden, Germany. He attended the German schools, his knowledge of English having been secured solely by practical experience. When the old estate was divided, he came into possession of the homestead, and from poverty rapidly rose to affluence, being now one of the wealthiest men of the community. In 1842 he was united in marriage with Margaret Glassnes, a native of Germany, whose parents came to America in the same year as the Hohler family. Mrs. Hohler died in 1889, since which time Peter Hohler has made his home principally with Mrs. Brown (a niece of his deceased wife), of the German settlement in Bronson township, right opposite his old farm, which after his wife's death he did not like to have anything more to do with. He deeded 1101 acres to a son of his brother Frederick, named Leo Hohler, whom they took (after his father's death) at the age of four years, and brought up. In consideration of this he has to pay to each of his brothers and sisters a certain sum after the death of Peter hohler. Our subject is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in local politics; he has served as township trustee, assessor and in other offices of trust. He is a member of the Catholic Church. A. TERRY, D. D. S., is the first dentist of Norwalk, and one of the oldest living dental practitioners in the State of Ohio. His paternal grandfather was a corporal in the war of 1812, and his son. Ira Terry, was born in Long Island, N. Y. Ira Terry was married to Fannie Skinner, whose parents were natives of New York. A. Terry, son of Ira and Fannie (Skinner) Terry, was born in 1824, in Tompkins county, N. Y., where he was educated in the common schools and commenced the study of dentistry. In the autumn of 1850 he came to Ohio, but returning to New York in 1851, he there remained a few months, and then located in Plymouth, Huron Co., Ohio. He soon afterward moved to Monroeville, same county, and the following June again returned to New York. In 1853 he made a permanent location in Norwalk, where he has since resided. During the war Dr. Terry did not serve as a soldier, but after the battle of Gettysburg left his office in charge of an assistant, and went to the field to aid in caring for the wounded, paying his own expenses. He is a charter member of the Northern Ohio Dental Association. In early manhood the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss M. I. Clapp, a native of Ohio, who bore him five children, namely: Two, Fred and Fannie, deceased when young; Ida, wife of C. L. Rue; Al. fred D. and Bessie, the latter being married to J. E. Clive. THOMAS W. LATHAM. Among the wealthy young citizens and energetic real-estate men of Monroe/ ville, this gentleman occupies the position of a popular leader. He is a son of Hiram Latham, and a grandson of Wolcott Latham, the latter of whom was a pioneer settler of Huron county, Ohio. Hiram Latham was born in Huron county, where he followed farming, and is now a resident of Lyme. He was married to Mary Evans, a native of England, who has borne him four sons and one daughter, Thomas W. being second in order of birth. Our subject was born October 17, 1864, in Huron county, Ohio, and was there reared to manhood, being educated at the Ada Normal School, after which he took a business course at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After leaving school he passed two years in Corwith, Iowa, being there connected with his cousin, Frank Latham, in the milling and grain business; and upon returning to Ohio, entered a hardwhre establishment with R. 0. Martin, selling out in 230 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. 1887. Soon after this he opened a real- estate and insurance business, meeting with signal success in this enterprise. On June 25, 1889, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of John S. Davis, at one time president of the First National Bank of Monroeville, and to this union has been born one son, Davis Wolcott. Mr. Latham owns several hundred acres of fine farming land near Monroeville, and deals extensively in all departments of real estate. In politics he is prominently identified with the Republican party, being at present a member of the county central committee, treasurer of the corporation, and a member of the school board. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and also a member of the Norwalk Commandery, Knights Templar, Norwalk, Ohio. He is secretary of the Board of Industry, an organization established for the improvement of Monroeville, and takes an active interest in all matters of public improvements. In religious faith Mr. Latham is a member of Zion Episcopal Church, of which he is, at present, vestryman and treasurer. He possesses an unusually energetic nature, and well merits his reputation as an enterprising, prosperous business man. HENRY S. ARNERT, one of the successful farmers and stock growers of northern Ohio, now a resident of Fitchville township, was born May 20,1831, in Yates county, New York. Uriah T. Arnert (son of James Arnert, who died in Hartland township, Huron Co., Ohio) was born March 12, 1806, in Yates county, N. Y. The school and farm were the tasks of his boyhood, and the farm the work of his youth. In 1827 he married Catherine Townsend, who was born January 13, 1809, in Yates county, N. Y., near the birthplace of her husband. There three children were born to them, as follows: George T., December 24,1827; Mary E., March 21,1829, and Henry S., the subject of this sketch. George and Mary, just named, died in their native county, while Henry S. was brought to Ohio early in 1832 by his parents. The journey from Buffalo to Huron, Ohio, was made on the "Sheldon Thomson," and from Huron to Hartland township, Huron county, they traveled in a wagon drawn by oxen. Arriving here, Mr. Arnert purchased eighty acres of wild land at twenty shillings per acre. The tract was clothed with heavy timber, and water submerged a large part of the land, but the pioneer went bravely to work, erected a rude cabin, and began the task of clearing. His success was assured from the beginning; a better dwelling house took the place of the cabin, and improvements were carried out until he sold the place and moved to Townsend township. About the year 1860 he located in New London township, where he died in 1863. he was buried in Hartland Ridge cemetery. The children born in Ohio to Uriah T. and Catherine Arnert are as follows: Sarah C., born April 2, 1833, is the wife of Thaddeus Sprague, of Wakeman township; Phoebe J., born October 12, 1835, is the wife of Birdsall French, of Erie county, Ohio; Doily A., born February 10, 1838, married Wilbur Jefferson, and lives in Norwalk; Catherine C., born October 4, 1840. married Edwin Burney, and died in New London; Uriah B., born April 4, 1843, enlisted at the age of nineteen years, serving with Company B, Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, until his death in Tennessee, in 1862; Cyrus D., born August 23, 1845, is now residing at Birmingham, Ohio; and Frank, born February 12, 1852, died in 1860. Mr. Arnert was a Whig prior to the organization of the Republican party, of which he then became a member. In Church connection lie was a Methodist. His success in Ohio was a decided one, so that, at his death, he HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 231 left to his family a valuable property. His widow married Henry Runyan, and now resides at New London. Henry S. Arnert was brought to Huron county in infancy, grew to manhood here, and became closely associated with its affairs. he received a primary education, his first teacher being Julia Ann Crine, but the fact that he was the eldest son militated against him ,in the matter of education, for work on the farm had to be attended to, in pioneer days, by the children as well as by the adults of the family. Ile worked on the homestead until he was twenty four years old. On February 27, 1862, he married Julia A. Barker, who was born October 31, 1829, in Fitchville township, in which township her father, Joseph Barker, was an early settler. To this marriage came one son, Frank B., born September 20, 1863, a farmer of Fitchville. After his marriage Mr. Arnert purchased a farm in Townsend township, and resided thereon until 1872, when he moved to Fitchville township, and located on the "Elias Showers Farm." He now owns 127 acres of excellent land, which tract is under a high state of cultivation. He is also a stock grower, and takes pride in the appearance of his cattle, farm and home. Prior to 1863 he was a Republican, but since that year has been a Democrat. Before his marriage he saved enough from his earnings to purchase his first farm, and his property to-day, which represents the savings of thirty years, is a monument alike to his systematic farming and to his industry. CHAUNCY WOODWORTH, a well- known, native-born citizen of New Haven, is a son of Jonathan Woodworth, a farmer, who was born in Trumansburgh, Tompkins county, New York. Jonathan P. Woodworth, grandfather of subject, was born July 15, 1775, in Connecticut, and was reared to farm life. He became a minister in the Baptist Church, and followed his profession with much success. He married, and had children as follows: Abigail, born in 1797; Anna, born in 1800; David, born in 1801; Jonathan, born September 7, 1803; Osames, born in 1805; Cynthia, born in 1807; Chauncy, born in 1809; Herman, born in 1811; Clarinda, born in 1814; Salina, born in 1817; and William C., born in 1819. Rev. Jonathan P. Woodworth served for many years as justice of the peace. He died in Trumansburgh, New York. Jonathan Woodworth attended the schools of his native place during his boyhood. He learned the shipbuilder's trade, and early in life became a sailor on the lakes, between Geneva and Buffalo. In 1835 be came west to Ohio, settling on a tract of ninety-six acres in New Haven township, Huron county, where he engaged in general agriculture, in which he met with considerable success, at one time owning as much as 250 acres of land. He was united in marriage October 27, 1828, with Miss Freelove Mott, of Shenango, Penn., daughter of Burger Mott, a farmer, who was born September 10, 1786. To this union were born fcurteen children, as follows: Herman, in 1830; E. C., July 25, 1831; J. P., October 13, 1832 (deceased); Mary A., March 19, 1835; Sophronia, November 25, 1836; Chauncy, December 8, 1838; William A., May 12, 1841; James G., August 16, 1842; Mercy J., November 25, 1844; Salina M., April 22, 1847; Ellen H., August 14, 1848; Cynthia, December 23, 1850 (deceased); Arsula, October 23, 1853; and one that died in infancy. In politics Jonathan Woodworth was an active member of the Democratic party, was a great debater, and served several terms as trustee of his township. In religious matters he was a prominent member of the Baptist Church. he passed away April 16, 1857. Ile was a man of large physique. 232 - HURON COUNTY; OHIO. Chauncy Woodworth passed his boyhood days on the home farm in New Haven township, meantime receiving his education in the common schools. He then worked by the month for his mother for twelve years. On October 6, 1869, he was married to Miss Maryetta Hartman, daughter of Peter Hartman, who was a successful farmer of Bucks county, Penn., where he was born. He had five children, viz.: Maryetta (Mrs. W oodworth),Frank,Charles, George and Arabelle. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth resided for two years on a farm in New Haven township, and he then bought a place in Richmond township, Huron county, near Chicago, where they also remained two years. In 1875 they came to their present residence, a pleasant farm of sixty-four acres in the suburbs of New Haven, on which Mr. Woodworth has made numerous improvements. In his political affiliations our subject is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the welfare of his party. He is a substantial supporter of religious institutions, giving liberally of his means to churches and church work. Mrs. and Mrs. Woodworth have had two children, one being still-born, the other, a daughter named Belle, dying at the age of three years. HON. S. E. CRAWFORD, Norwalk, is a native of Richland county, Ohio, born September 20, 1842. There are strong evidences at hand pointing to the fact that he not only came into this world, but also to Norwalk, under propitious stars. Twice in succession was he called to the office of mayor of that city by the suffrages of his old neighbors, the first time in 1889; and so favorable was his service that he was re-elected, and was yet again the unanimous choice of his party's convention for a third term, chosen over the heads of older citizens, and. it is not too much to say, above all in Norwalk, because he is and has been of the political party that is in the minority in the city. Few men ever receive such a compliment from the voters as has come unsought to him; few men are stronger than party ties, or live in an atmosphere far above the active prejudices of the American voter. Mr. Crawford is a son of David and Margaret (Miller) Crawford, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, They were pioneers to Richland county, Ohio, where they met and were married, thence removed to Huron county, when the subject of this sketch was about five years of age. The father died March 31, 1884, aged seventy-five; the mother October 1, 1885, at the same age. They were Universalists in their religious views, and were possessed of the united respect of their fellow-men. Commencing their young lives together, they were but briefly separated in death. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Ireland, and a pioneer of Beaver county, Penn., thence moving to Richland county, where he was a farmer. The paternal grandmother, Mary Eckles, was of Scotch descent, and survived to the advanced age of ninety years. Mayor Crawford's ma. ternal grandfather, Henry Miller, of Maryland, removed to Harrison county, Ohio, when Mayor Crawford's mother was but a small child, locating soon after in the forests on the dividing line between Huron and Richland counties, four miles east of where is now the town of Plymouth. Our subject's maternal grandmother died in the village of Peru, Huron county, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. S. E. Crawford is the fifth in a family of ten children. Here lie has lived his life of useful years, receiving from the common schools of his locality the fundamentals of an English education. When old enough, he was apprenticed to learn the wagon maker's trade, which he left uncompleted to enter the service of his country to aid in the suppressing of the great Rebellion. He first joined Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment, 233 - PHOTO OF HON. S. E. CRAWFORD 234 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 235 0. V. I., and served a term of four months; then enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment, 0. V. I., Company A, and served in this command eight months as first lieutenant, all the time being attached to the army of the Potomac. When peace with her blessings again came to the land, the young soldier quit the tented front and repaired to Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio, and again took up the learning of his trade, completing which he located, in 1867, in Norwalk, and commenced making wagons and carriages, having established the firm of S. E. Crawford & Co. In this he continued until 1872, when he sold his interest in the company, and at once engaged in the agricultural implement business. In a short time he organized his present industry—the manufacture of rubber buckets, chain and wood force pump supplies. In 1882 Mr. Crawford was elected a member of the city council, and was reelected until 1889, when he was chosen mayor, as already stated. He is a prominent member of the I. 0. 0. F,, Daughters of Rebekah, Knights of the Maccabees, National Union and G. A. R., in all of which he is a past officer. He is a director of the Norwalk Metal Stamping and Spinning Company, and is vice-president of the Home Savings and Loan Company. On June 20,1893, he was elected a director of the Sandusky, Milan & Norwalk Electric Railway.. On September 30, 1869, S. E. Crawford was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Harrington, daughter of Patrick and Mary Harrington, formerly of Cleveland, now deceased. F. W. SCHNEERER, M. D., Norwalk, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, born June 27, 1850,. of German descent, the son of Fredrick and Johannah (Schwartz) Schneerer, natives of Germany, who came to this country in an early day, and settled in Buffalo, N. Y., subsequently removing to Cleveland, Ohio. They had a family of ten children, and of these the subject of this notice is the fifth in the order of birth. He received a good English education in the city of his nativity, and after completing his literary education, began reading medicine under a preceptor, and became a student at the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating therefrom in 1875. In the same year he opened an office for the practice of his profession, in Norwalk, where he has since remained, commanding a large and lucrative business, originally somewhat assisted in starting the practice by his thorough familiarity with both the 'English and German languages, which, followed by eminent success with clients, soon established for him a fair and wide reputation. During the year 1892 Dr. and Mrs. Schneerer spent the season traveling in Europe, among the countries visited being England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland and Holland. The doctor is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society. On November 18, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Abbie F. Cahoon, and cf this union were born four children: Fredrick B., Carl E., Mary E., and Theodore C. H. W. HOFFMAN, a son of George and Margaret Hoffman, was born September 5, 1857, in Sandusky county, Ohio. His parents, who are natives of Germany, emigrated to the United States in youth, and grew to maturity in Ohio. George Hoffman was twice married, three children being born to each marriage, all residing in Ohio, and of whom H. W. is the eldest. H. W. Hoffman was reared in his native county, and received all his literary training before he was eleven years old, his father's circumstances not being such as to warrant his giving his son any great 236 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. educational advantages. In 1868 he was apprenticed to a harness maker, and at the age of seventeen established at Sandusky his own saddle and harness shop, which he carried on for three years. In 1875 he removed to Chicago Junction, where he continued in his trade. In 1886 he opened a grocery store, just opposite his present store, on Myrtle avenue, and in 1889 erected the two-story brick building, 30 x 60 feet, which he now occupies. Here he carries a complete stock of standard and fancy groceries; the establishment is well fitted up, and the entire concern would do credit to a much larger city than Chicago Junction. Mr. Hoffman was married, April 24, 1879, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Stahl, of New Haven township, and to them four children were born, namely: Lily, Rolson, Paul, and Herbert Henry (who died at the age of ten years). Mr. Hoffman is a member of Lodge No. 748, I. O. O. F., also of the local Lodge, K. of P. No. 442, and Golden Rule Lodge 562, P. & A. M. The facility with which be changed a trade for a mercantile business, and the success which he has won, are noticeable points in Mr. Hoffman's career. Few men could risk making the change, and all be has accomplished must be credited to himself, and to his energy, good judgment and business acumen. WILLIAM W. DRENNAN was born July 18, 1820, at Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, a grandson of David Drennan, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America prior to the Revolution, settling in Pennsylvania. David Drennan was married at Carlisle, Penn., to Jane Armstrong, a daughter of a Protestant-Irish settler in that town, and seven children were born to them—three sons and four daughters—of whom James, the father of subject, was the second in order of birth. Prior to 1781 David Drennan was a "carrier of merchandise and produce" between Carlisle and Pittsburgh. Settling in Beaver county in 1781, he aided in its establishment, and in the year 1805 was appointed associate judge of that county by Gov. McKean, vice Abner Lacock, resigned. In 1804 he was a member of the first grand jury. Two years before he and one James Drennan were tax-payers of the original Beaver township (later Ohio township), and Judge Drennan was a most influential citizen, and an intelligent judge until his death, which occurred in Ohio township, August 12, 1831. James Drennan was born at Carlisle, Penn. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker, and worked for his master until his nineteenth year, when he bought his freedom. Removing to Steubenville, Ohio, in 1802, he worked at his trade, and also as carpenter and joiner, until he had earned sufficient money to pay for his freedom, his master giving him time to do so. When twenty-one years old he married Jane Patton. a native of Pennsylvania, of Protestant-Irish descent, and to them six children were born, of whom David, the eldest son, became a Methodist preacher, and died when about twenty-three years old; Jane died unmarried; John Patton, now over seventy-eight years old, resides at Decatur, Ill., where his son publishes a daily paper; the other three died in childhood. In 1812 James Drennan was commissioned lieutenant in the recruiting service for eastern Ohio, and organized two militia companies, the second of which he commanded as captain; and going to the front at once, they served in Harrison's army. After his marriage Mr, Drennan had worked at his trade in Canton, Ohio, until called out to serve in the army. After the war he, in partnership with a wealthy German and a wealthy Frenchman, organized the first banking concern at Canton, of which he was cashier until 1821. His first wife died in 1818, and in 1819 he married Eliza Wolfe, a HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 237 native of Wilkes-Barre, Penn., then residing at Mansfield, Ohio, where she taught school and conducted the military store in the old Blockhouse. She had come to Ohio with her widowed mother in 1804, first settling at Newark, whence they soon removed to Fredericksburgh, remaining there until Hull's surrender, after which Mrs. Wolfe joined her daughter at Mansfield. In 1821 Mr. Drennan resigned the position of cashier in the Canton Bank, and moved to Mansfield, where he speculated in land, and engaged in agriculture. In 1825 he came to Plymouth, same State,. where he worked at his trade and at different times engaged in mercantile business. He was postmaster at Plymouth for four years, under William H. Harrison's administration, and during his residence in Stark county was justice of the peace. He died in December, 1859, being then over seventy-seven years old. His widow died in 1870 at the age of eighty-one years. Of the six children of this second marriage, four are living, namely: William W., the subject of this sketch; Artemisia D., now Mrs. McDonough, of Plymouth; Rachel C. Cook, formerly of Brooklyn, now of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; and Manuel J., a professor in Vassar College, who was educated at Oberlin and in the New York Presbyterian Theological Seminary. William W. Drennan received a somewhat limited education. The school at Plymouth from 1825, when his parents settled there, to 1832, when his school days ended, was truly a primitive one. At the age of twelve years he entered a general store at Plymouth as clerk, and afterward served in the same capacity in different stores at Mansfield and Zanesville, until he was twenty-four years old, when he established himself in business at Shelby, Ohio. A year later he and his father opened a store at Plymouth, which they filled with a stock of general merchandise. The father retired at various times, leaving or selling his interest in the store to others, so that while W. W. Drennan was at the head of the business until December, 1859, he had several partners. At that time he retired from mercantile pursuits, the condition of .his health requiring a rural life, and for eighteen months he was engaged in agriculture. In the spring of 1861, when the war broke out, he was acting as mayor of his town of Plymouth, and farming, but from that time to the 24th of December, 1861, he gave more time to recruiting soldiers for various regiments and companies than he did tc his office and farm, and was very successful. He did not enter the army himself because he was pronounced by mustering officer unfit for military duty. On December 24, 1861, he was chosen by the officers of the Sixty-fourth Ohio Infantry as their sutler, in which capacity he served the regiment continuously, faithfully and acceptably through the war; and at the close of the struggle he engaged in the commission business in Cincinnati, doing a very successful trade for about seven months, when he sold out and returned to Plymouth, Ohio, where he gave his attention to his farm and to speculating in land for some years. When a youth of from sixteen to nineteen years, our subject began the study of law, giving up the few leisure hours at his disposal to that profession for three years. Five years after the war was over, he resumed the study, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar at Norwalk, Ohio, and in Huron and adjacent counties he has since been engaged in practice. During the last eight or nine years he has enjoyed a large pension practice. When he was admitted to the law circle in 1872 he had 1,100 acres of land in Huron county, the greater area of which he improved. For nine years he was justice of the peace, and has filled the office of notary public since twenty-one years of age. Mr. Drennan was married, in March, 1850, in Cayuga county, N. Y., to Hannah Brinkerhoff, a sister of Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, Ohio. Of six children born to this marriage, two are living, viz.: 238 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. George B., a traveling salesman for a Philadelphia house; and Edith K., a stenographer. Mr. Drennan has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1840, and since 1846 of the Plymouth Presbyterian Society, in which he is an elder. Politically he is a Republican, having been an anti-slavery Whig prior to the organization of the Republican party. Before closing this sketch, the ancestors of Mr. Drennan on the maternal side should claim some attention. his great-grandfather was Manuel Gonzales, a Spaniard and a Protestant, who came to Wilkes-Barre, Penn., and there married an English girl named Turner. Eleanor, one of the daughters of their marriage, wedded an Austrian Protestant by the name of Wolfe, who found a home in Pennsylvania, where he was accidentally killed in his fifty-fourth year. Soon after this sad event the widow and her four daughters and three sons moved to Ohio, where the second daughter, Eliza Wolfe, married James Drennan. FRANK J. SMITH, who is a son of Frank and grandson of Joseph Smith, natives of Baden, Germany, was born in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. Frank Smith, father of subject, when a young man left his native land in 1829, accompanied by his brother Joseph, and they landed in the United States. Shortly after the brothers came to Massachusetts, and while there concluded to seek a home in the newer country beyond the Alleghany mountains. They wrote to the father in Baden, telling him of their intentions, and asking him to take his family to New York. In 1832 the entire family met in that city, and without delay traveled westward via the Hudson river and Erie Canal. Halting at Cleveland, Ohio, they found that land could be purchased there at eight dollars per acre, but learning that better land, at lower prices, could be had farther west, they set out on the journey which ended in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. The incident which urged them to locate here was a common one in the history of the settlement of the western States. Halting at a spring to drink, they found the water exceptionally cool and clear, the land in the vicinity good, and the location on the ridge, between the sources of the Huron rivers, favorable to health and industry. The physical features of the country corresponded with their correct ideas of agriculture, and they delayed not in obtaining a title to the land. They immediately erected a frame building on the west side of the road leading southwest from Monroeville, and there they resided until the death of Joseph Smith (grandfather of subject) and his widow. Frank Smith, son of Joseph Smith, purchased a tract of land from his father, paying six dollars per acre for same. He married Miss Generosa Ott, and to this union the following named children were born: Caroline, who died when thirty years old ; a son who died in infancy; Frank J., the subject of this sketch; John J., a resident of Bronson township; Charles S., of Peru township; Alvin P., of Fremont, Ohio; Joseph S., of Peru township, and Edward, who died in 1884. Frank Smith, Sr., was a hardworking, intelligent agriculturist, and a man of fine moral ideas. He died in 1872. His widow, a kind, wholesouled woman, died in 1888, in the midst of her children, who merited and won succes. Both were interred in St. Alphonsus cemetery. Mr. Smith was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, in which he served as trustee and in various other positions. In politics he was a Democrat, and from 1832 to 1872 took an active interest in national, State and local issues, and filled many township positions, Frank J. Smith, son of Frank and Generosa (Ott) Smith, was born March 3, 1840, in Peru township, and received such an education as the schools of the district HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 239 afforded. Being the eldest son of a pioneer family, no small share of work had to be done by him; but with all this he filled the double role of pupil and farm hand without complaining. He labored on the homestead farm until 1867, when he married Susannah Scharf, a native of New Washington, Crawford Co., Ohio. This marriage was blessed with the following named children: Frank W. (of California), Mary C., Louisa C., Peter, Julia (a teacher in the convent), Alfred, William, Henry, Jacob, John, Carl, Theresa and Hattie, all residing at home. The parents and their children are all members of the Catholic Congregation of St. Alphonsus, to which faith their ancestors have adhered almost since the Romans named the cradle of the family in Europe — "Civitas Aurelia Aquensis." In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat, but beyond matters relating to his township and county, is content with the constitutional right to vote. He devotes close attention to his agricultural and stock growing interests, and is considered one of the most industrious citizens and one of the most systematic and intelligent farmers of this rich pastoral district. He is prominent among the people of German descent, and his example and counsel are appreciated by all within the circle of his acquaintance. F. H. JONES, attorney at law, Norwalk. From the unanimous testimony of this community, we may well say that this gentleman is one of the leading members of the Huron county bar. He was born September 15, 1858, near Madison, Wisconsin, a son of James and Sabra (Alvord) Jones, who migrated from Massachusetts to the West, settling in Wisconsin. After a time, however, they retraced their steps, returning East and locating in Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio. The paternal ancestors of the family carne to this country about 1700, and settled on the island known as Martha's Vineyard; the maternal ancestors were from England. F. H. Jones received his early education in the common schools, and then became a student in Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where he received the degree of A. B. in the class of 1882. During the year 1882-83 he was superintendent of the public schools of Mentor, Ohio. He then entered the Cincinnati Law School, and in 1885 received his diploma, conferring the degree of LL. B. Locating first in Sandusky, Ohio, he there commenced the practice of his profession, but in a short time removed to Norwalk, entering into the law practice in partnership with G. R. Walker. This firm was subsequently dissolved, and Mr. Jones opened out his present office, where he has since been in active practice, gaining an unusual degree of success. Pleasant in address, a diligent student and graceful speaker, his onward course has been the inevitable result following strong and fixed causes. He has the entire respect and confidence of his professional brethren, and the courts have designated their confidence by appointing him referee in a number of important cases. He has given special study in the law to the subjects of equity, corporations and realty, and his researches in these lines have made him influential, if not an authority, even with the older men of the profession. Mr. Jones is yet a young man; the future with its fairest promises is all before him, and here his closest friends may in confidence anchor their fondest hopes. In politics he has always been an enthusiastic and active Republican. PHILIP SEEL was born November 24, 1843, on his father's farm in Nassau, Germany, and received his elementary instruction in the public schools of the vicinity. He afterward took a thorough course of study 240 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. at a higher institution of learning, and fitting himself for the position of civil engineer, followed that profession for some time in his native land. In 1870, having saved a good sum of money,•he left Germany for America, embarking at Hamburg, on the steamer " Harmonia." After landing in New York, he pushed westward to Ohio, and renting a place in Ridgefield township, Huron county, commenced agricultural pursuits. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Louisa, daughter of Chris Knoll, who was a native of Germany and an early settler of Ridgefield township, Huron county. After his marriage Philip Seel purchased and moved upon a portion of the farm he now occupies, to which he added year by year, and the place is now one of the most valuable in the township. It is adorned with all modern improvements, including a commodious brick residence, and other substantial buildings. Politically Mr. Seel is a Republican, and has served in various local offices, having been school director for seventeen years. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church, and enjoy the esteem of all who know them. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Seel, as follows: Otto W., Amelia, Lydia, and a daughter that died in infancy. [Since the above was written Mr. Philip 'eel died November 24, 1892, on his forty-ninth birthday. HIRAM D. DRAKE, a prosperous young farmer of Ridgefield township, is a grandson of Hiram and Sarah (Ruggles) Drake, both of whom were residents of Connecticut, descended from English ancestry. Salmon Drake, father of our subject, was born April 9, 1827, in Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Penn., and came to Ridgefield township, Huron Co., Ohio, in 1848. On June 17, 1850, he was united in marriage with Cynthia Dickey, and the following autumn they located on the Dickey homestead in Ridgefield township. He was a superior farmer, and devoted the greater part of his life to that vocation; he also had a practical knowledge of carpentry, which he followed during the earlier years of his life. In July, 1867, Mr. and Mrs. Drake and their eldest daughter united at Fairfield, Huron county, with the congregation Of the Christian people known as Disciples. In January, 1868, their membership was transferred to a sister church in Norwalk, where Mr. Drake was at once chosen elder, and continued to serve in that office the remainder of his life. He was a zealous Christian man, taking an active part in every good work tending to the advancement of the moral or religious growth of the community. While one day training a young horse he was injured in the left side, and having contracted a cold in a storm soon afterward, it resulted in a fatal attack of typhoid pneumonia. Ile died April 3, 1877, and was followed to the grave by a large number of sympathizing friends. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Drake has continued to reside on the borne place, where her children were born as follows: Eliza Jane, July 5, 1852; Hiram D., July 7, 1854; Charles W., May 9, 1856; Imogene, April 29, 1858; J. Omer, March 6, 1861; Georgiana, November 3, 1862; Sterry A., March 19, 1864; and Ira, born October 4, 1865, died January 18, 1872. Hiram D. Drake received his early education at the "Webb settlement" school, afterward attending a normal school at Milan, in Erie county. After the death of his father he began to cultivate a tract of land for himself, meanwhile boarding at the home of a neighbor. On March 23, 1887, he was married to Blanche I. Killey, a native of Marblehead, Ottawa county, Ohio, and a daughter of Robert and Mary Killey. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Drake have resided on the home place, in Ridgefield township, Huron county, on which he has made many im- HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 241 provements. He is a progressive farmer, and for the past few years has been extensively engaged in small fruit culture. He votes with the Republican party, but is not an active politican, as he gives his whole time to conducting his private business. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have two little sons, viz.: Lewis Earl, born December 29, 1888, and Robert Erie, born November 27, 1892. GEORGE BURDUE, a prominent, successful fanner of Townsend township, was born February 19, 1811, in what is now Milan township, Erie county. He is the second in a family of eleven children (four of whom died in infancy) born to William and Elizabeth (Blazer) Burdue, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, the former of French and the latter of German extraction. William Burdue, the father of subject, was born November 26,1782, and received an ordinary common-school education in his native State, where he afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here too he was married, March 28, 1809, and in the fall of the following year (1810) emi- grated with his wife and child to the 'then extreme limit of the western frontier, the almost unbroken and pathless wilderness of northern Ohio. Settling in the northern part of Lot No. 4, Townsend township, Huron county, he entered wild lands, and built a log cabin in the primitive manner of those days, with clap-board or shake roof, puncheon floor and wooden latches. During the first winter after his arrival he left his family in the country near the Indian village of Milan, while he busied himself in getting his cabin ready for their reception in the spring. Here, in the dense forest, by which they were surrounded for miles on every side, he commenced to carve out a home for himself and family,. subsequently clearing up and improving an excellent farm. On this home the family experienced all the hardships and privations incident to a frontier life, mitigated, however, by the various pleasures common to backwoods life in those early days. The vast forest around them teemed with wild game of all kinds, wild honey was abundant, and maple syrup and sugar easily obtained. Though their white neighbors were few and far between, there was a warm, hearty, neighborly feeling existing among them, and their social intercoutse at the frequent house raisings, log rollings and quilting bees was of the most friendly character. Soon after their arrival the family made the acquaintance of an old Indian in the vicinity, who subsequently, by reason of the many favors shown him, especially by Mrs. Burdue, a lady of most excellent character, became warmly attached to the family, and rendered them many services. On one occasion Mr. Burdne, having lost a span of horses and a colt, was asked by this Indian to show him their tracks; this being done, the Indian carefully measured them with his hands and went away, returning in a few days and informing Mr. Burdue that he had found tracks answering to the description. He also learned that the Indians would, in a few days, go to Huron, their usual trading point, and Mr. Burdne requested his father, Nathaniel Burdue, who was able to speak the Indian language, to go to Huron and demand the surrender of the animals. This he did, but the Indians refused to give them up without compensation, the terms being a small quantity of corn and whiskey, which were promptly furnished and the horses re turned. This same old Indian gave frequent evidences of his friendship for the family, the most important of which occurred during the war of 1812-15, soon after the surrender of Gen. Hull, when, partly by signs, he made the family understand that the savages were preparing to massacre the settlers; that at the expiration of a certain number of moons they would all probably 212 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. be scalped if they remained in the country; and at the same time he enjoined upon them the strictest secrecy as to the source of their information, assuring them that death to him would be the consequence of this friendly warning if known to other members of his tribe. After this he went away, and was never again seen in these parts. The family immediately prepared for flight, first hiding some of their household and cooking utensils under the puncheon floor of their cabin, and went back to Pennsylvania, where they remained until after the close of the war, returning to their frontier home in the spring of 1816; and they found the articles hidden under the puncheon floor undisturbed, although the cabin had been occupied by the savages. Mr. Burdue brought with him, on his return from Pennsylvania, two small buhrs or stones for a hand-mill, which he set up near one side of the cabin, and which was used by the neighbors for several miles around, and was for a time the only one in the vicinity. He afterward sold the mill to a potter in Milan, who used it for grinding clay. For many years the wolves, with which the woods were swarming, were among their greatest pests, and would carry off or destroy calves and young stock of all kinds, unless it was secured under the very eaves of the cabin; they were frequently seen prowling about the spring near the house in daytime, and on one occasion destroyed the children's playhouse near the cabin. Wild cats and panthers were also quite numerous. Game of a less dangerous and more useful character, such as deer, wild turkeys, wild hogs and squirrels, abounded. One of the greatest difficulties of the settlers in that early day was to procure fabric for clothing and other necessary household articles, everything of the kind being very scarce and very dear; prints and domestics were worth from fifty to sixty cents per yard; hence they were obliged to raise flax and manufacture linen, and to weave linsey-woolsey and jeans for domestic use; and not 'infrequently they manufactured various articles of wearing apparel from the skins of deer and other wild animals. Salt, too, was very scarce, and at one time Mr. Burdue was obliged to pay ten dollars per barrel for a very inferior quality. Soon after his second arrival he went back to Pennsylvania and returned with several head of cattle, all of which died of bloody-murrain one after another; their milch cows too died of the same disease, until they had lost their last cow seven different times. For some time after they came to the country there were no schools in the neighborhood, and when a rude log house was finally erected, the schools were of the crudest, most primitive character for several years. As to churches, there were none in the section, and, as usual in almost all new countries, the Methodist itinerant preachers, or circuit riders, were the pioneers in the religions field, holding services first at one, and then another, of the settlers' cabins. Both Mr. Burdue and his wife were lifelong, earnest members of the M. E. Church. His death occurred at his home in Townsend township, October 23, 1834, and that of his wife March 29,1868, when she was in her seventy-seventh year, her birth having occurred September 26, 1791. They reared seven children who grew to maturity, of whom George is the subject of this sketch; Nathaniel resides in Norwalk; John and Benjamin are in Linn county, Kans.; Isaac B. lives in Fulton county, Ohio; Jacob died August 5, 1874, in Michigan; and William W. died July 22, 1886, at Collins, Ohio. Nathaniel Burdue, grandfather of subject, emigrated to northern Ohio in about 1808, settling in Berlin township, now in Erie county, where lie entered a large tract of land (including the present site of Berlin Heights), erected a cabin, and the following year went back to Pennsylvania for his wife and family. Here he subsequently cleared and improved a farm, upon HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 243 which he resided until his death, which occurred when he was over ninety years old. He was born and educated in Pennsylvania, where in early life he learned the shoemaker's trade. Being left an orphan at a very early age, he was bound out till he attained his majority, soon after which he married Miss Margaret Welch, also a native of Pennsylvania. She also lived to be over ninety years of age, and her death was occasioned by an accident, her clothes having caught fire, whereby she was burned severely. She was a remarkably active, vigorous and energetic woman all her life, and was a lifelong, devout member of the Presbyterian Church. George Burdue, whose name appears at the opening of his sketch, received but a very limited English education in youth, such as could be gleaned at the primitive schools, held in rude log buildings, of the Ohio frontier in that early day. In after years, however, he succeeded, by his own exertions, in acquiring an ordinary business education. He is possessed of good judgment and a strong, active mind, and is a close observer of everything around him, thus gaining in the great school of experience a fund of useful knowledge and valuable information. He has also been a constant reader, and is well informed. Mr, Burdne owns, and has always lived upon, the cld home farm where his youth and early life were passed, and where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits with the most encouraging success. For several years he was also engaged in manufacturing charcoal for the market, of which he has burned and sold many kilns. He is classed among the pioneers and belongs to the " Firelands Historical Society," a pioneer association, being among the first white children born in the northern part of Huron (now Erie) county, Ohio. In about 1844 he went to Green Springs, Seneca county, thirty-three miles away, to mill, but there being many others ahead of him, he, was obliged to leave his grist and go back a second time, thus traveling 132 miles for one grinding. When a young man our subject was quite a successful hunter, and killed over a hundred deer, besides wild turkeys and other game without number. In 1830 he killed a very large well-known deer (but a short distance from the house), known as " Old Golden," which other hunters had frequently tried but failed to secure; his track was known by his having lost one hoof. The antlers of this deer, still in his possession, he keeps as a relic of early days. Mr. Burdue was married, November 20, 1838, to Miss Susan Hill, a native of Delaware county, N. Y., born October 5, 1821, daughter of Moses and Sally (Brooks) Hill, both natives of New York State and of English extraction. Two children--a son and a daughter—have blessed this union: Moses W., born March 13, 1841, and Sarah E., now Mrs. Thomas E. Riggs, born June 25, 1846. Mrs. Susan Burdue's death occurred March 17, 1885, when she was in her sixty-fourth year. Though a member' of no church she was nevertheless a firm believer in the Christian religion, and a practical Christian. Mr. Burdue now makes his home with his son Moses W. and family, on the old home place. He is and has been an earnest, lifelong member of the M. E. Church. In politics he was for many years a Democrat, but is now identified with the Prohibition party, and is an earnest advocate of the temperance cause. He is one of the old pioneers, prominent and representative farmers of the entire county, as well as one of its most respected citizens. Moses W. Burdue, with whom our subject now makes his home, has always resided on the old home farm, where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, the greater part of the time with good success. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has been employed to some extent and at various places. He received a good English and scientific education in youth at the common schools and at the Western Reserve Normal School, 244 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Milan, Ohio, and in his early manhood was engaged in teaching for a time. He was married, February 2, 1865, to Miss Mary P. Vanderpool, a native of Hamilton county, N. Y., born May 27, 1842, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sixbery) Vanderpool, both of whom were also natives of that State, and of Holland and English descent, respectively. Four children have blessed their union, namely: George M., Mary P., Susie E. and William Earle. Mr. and Mrs. Burdue and the entire family are active members of the M. E. Church. Socially Mr. and Mrs. Burdue are members of Townsend Grange, No. 1392. He is an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, a Prohibitionist in political faith, and one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the community. HENRY C. PINNEY, a well-known farmer of Townsend township, is a native of same, born April 11, 1842, the third in the family of four children born to Hollibert and Harriet (Fay) Pinney, both of whom were natives of New York State, and of English descent. Hollibert Pinney first saw the light December 29, 1801, and received a good common-school and academic education. He was engaged in teaching for some time, and worked on the old homestead in New York until he attained his majority. In 1822 he was married to Harriet Fay, whose parents were early settlers of western New York; then bought the home farm and followed agricultural pursuits, also working on the Erie Canal and in the salt works. He was a member of the New York State militia until 1835, when he came with his wife and one child to the far western frontier of northern Ohio, locating in Berlin township, Erie county. He bought a slightly improved place of ninety acres, and selling it about three years afterward, bought one in Townsend township, Huron Co., Ohio. Here he continued to improve and increase his possessions, finally becoming the owner of 255 acres of well-improved land. For several years the family experienced all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life, their few neighbors being widely separated. On this farm Hollibert Pinney passed his remaining days, with the exception of short intervals. He was for many years a justice of the peace in Townsend township, also serving as trustee. He belonged to no Church, but was a firm believer in the Universalist doctrine ; was one of the most honored and respected citizens of the county, and a purer, more exemplary man in life and character it would be hard to find. He died October 2, 1885. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Massachusetts. Mrs. Har net Pinney was a firm believer in the doctrines of the M. E. Church, and a consistent Christian. Her death occurred March 23, 1880, when she was in her sixty-seventh year. Henry C. Pinney, whose name opens this sketch, received only a common-school education in youth, never having attended school after his seventeenth year. He has, however, by his own exertions in later years, succeeded in acquiring a very good practical business education. He is a lnau of good judgment and strong natural sense, and is now possessed of a fund of general information, having been all his life an extensive and careful reader. He was employed on the old home farm until he was nineteen years old, soon after which, in September, 1861, he enlisted, in Company C, Fifty-fifth. O. V. I., was mustered in, and went south with his regiment January 22, 1862. They were assigned to duty with the army of the Potomac, and our subject participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Bull Pasture, Second Bull Run, and many other lesser engagements, in fact he was with his regiment in all its marches and engagements until the latter part of August, when he had a severe at- HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 245 tack of typhoid fever, and was sent to Mt. Pleasant hospital, Washington, D. C., where he remained for several months. Still being unfit for active duty at the front, he was transferred to the V. R. C., and served with same at Washington until the expiration of his term of service, being mustered out September 17, 1864. He then returned to Huron county, Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has been so employed ever since, with good success, now owning a well-improved farm of 111 acres. Mr. Pinney was married October 16, 1864, to Miss Sarah Jane Roberts, a native of Berlinville, Erie Co., Ohio, born October 12, 1843. She is a daughter of Thomas and Lucy (.Raley) Roberts, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Pinney have been born three daughters, namely : Lucy Harriet (now Mrs. Charles Schreiner), Ida Jane and Carrie Agnes. In politics Mr. Pinney has always been a Republican; in 1881 he was elected trustee of Townsend township, serving four years, and was again elected to the same office in the spring of 1891, for a term of three years. He belongs to no Church, but is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and leans toward the doctrines of the Universalists. He was a charter member of Townsend Post No. 414, G. A. R., in which he has filled the position of quartermaster ever since its organization in April, 1885. THOMAS HURST, a member cf the farming community of Townsend township, is a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada, born November 10, 1843, a son of John and Margaret (Hislop) Hurst. John Hurst was born in Lancashire, England, a son of Thomas Hurst, a weaver, who followed that trade in his native land until his death, which occurred when his son John was very young. John Hurst received a very fair education in England, and after his father's death commenced to learn the weaver's trade, in which he continued until reaching manhood. He then enlisted in the British army, in the Royal Artillery, in which he served continuously twenty-seven and a half years, including the period during which all Europe was engaged in the Napoleonic wars, being for a considerable time under the command of the " Iron Duke." He also participated in the famous Peninsular war, in Spain and Portugal, and while he was serving in that campaign his mother died. Later on —in the war of 1812-14—his regiment was sent to America (landing at Quebec), and he was with the British forces at the battle of Plattsburg, near Lake Champlain. While engaged in garrison duty at a fort located on an island in the Richelieu river, some fifteen miles north of Plattsburg, he first met and became acquainted with Miss Margaret Hislop, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, to whom he was soon afterward united in the bonds of wedlock. After his marriage he remained in the army several years, doing garrison duty at various posts in Canada, among them one near Niagara. Upon his final release from military duty he was obliged to go back to England, where he received his discharge and other documents, returning to Canada as soon as they were secured, and locating on a farm near the Richelieu river, bought by his wife during his absence. Here he continued to reside, and was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in October, 1854, when he was in his sixty-eight year. Both he and his wife were lifelong members of the Episcopal Church. James Hislop, the father of Mrs. Margaret Hurst, was twice married in his native land, Scotland, first. time to Miss Park (a cousin of the noted traveler and explorer, Mungo Park), who bore him four children, among whom was the mother of our subject. Mr. Hislop next married a 246 - HURON COUNTY; OHIO. Miss Betson, and two sons blessed this union. During the first years of the present century Mr. Hislop emigrated to America, settling in Lower Canada. He was a stone-cutter and carver by occupation, and was universally conceded to be one of the finest workmen in the country. Shortly before the war of 1812, he, with others, contracted with the English Government for the construction of extensive barracks and fortifications along the Canadian and American frontier, many of which works are still standing, monuments of their skill and energy. Mr. Hislop continued to follow his trade until his death. For many years before coming to America he was a prominent and extensive contractor in the stone-cutting business in Edinburgh, Scotland, during which time he had in his employ a man named Dixon, who, years afterward, became inspector of the reformatory prisons in Canada, one of which was built by Mr. Hislop on the same island in the Richelieu before alluded to as the site of the fort. Prior to his immigration he was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, but after his arrival in Canada he identified himself with the Episcopal Church. Thomas Hurst, the subject proper of this sketch, was the ninth in the family of eleven children of John and Margaret Hurst, and received a very fair English education at the common schools of Canada in early life. After his father's death, which occurred when he was only ten years old, he remained on the old homestead with his mother until her death, which occurred in 1857, when our subject was but fourteen years of age. Being thus left an orphan at an early age, he was thrown entirely on his own resources, and compelled to begin the battle with the stern realities of life alone. For several years he was employed by the month—generally on a farm--but was neither afraid nor ashamed to turn his hand to any honorable employment that offered an opportunity for making an honest dollar. On September 1, 1860, he set out for the United States, and on September 3 found himself at Kipton, Lorain Co., Ohio, with two dollars and a half in his pocket. Here he went to work at anything that offered, usually farm work, and in the spring of 1866 bought a partly improved farm of sixty acres in Wakeman township, Huron county, having no buildings and only five acres cleared; but during the folowing fall he built a house, moved onto the place March 13, 1867, and commenced farming on his own account. On this place he remained some fifteen years, when he sold oat and bought the farm of one hundred acres in Townsend township, Huron county, known as the Manville farm (of which he is the third owner from the original), upon which he now resides, and where he has since been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. Of Mr. Hurst it may most truthfully be said he is the architect of his own fortune, having commenced the battle of life with no friend save good health and an energy that knew no such word as fail, and with no inheritance save a stout heart and willing hands; nevertheless, by strict attention to business, industry, economy, and honest integrity, he has succeeded in acquiring a very fair share of this world's goods. He is a man of good judgment and quick perceptions, is at present one of the trustees of Townsend township. and has held various other township positions. Mr. Hurst took out his naturalization papers and became a citizen of the United States June 20, 1868, casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant in November of that year. On December 25, 1866, Mr. Hurst was married, in Elyria, to Miss Alice M. Close, a native of Henrietta township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where she was born May 9, 1847, daughter of Chauncey R. and Erne- line (Ashenhurst) Close, the former of whom was a native of Auburn, N. Y., HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 247 and of English descent, while the latter was a native of Florence township, Erie Co., Ohio, and of English-German extraction. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, viz.: Ernest C., Amy M., Perry T. and Marion A. Mrs. Hurst is a consistent member of the Disciple Church, and while Mr. Hurst belongs to no church, he is a believer in practical Christianity. In politics he is a stanch and uncompromising Republican, and is generally recognized as one of the leading spirits of his party in this part of the county. and one of its best workers and organizers. He has always taken a deep interest and an active part in the political affairs of the country, local. State and National, and is one of the prominent, representative citizens of his county. STEPHEN M. YOUNG. This prominent and successful attorney at law, who is held in the highest esteem by both his confreres at the bar of Huron county and the public at large, has the distinguished privilege of claiming descent from a variety of nationalities. Through his father he has inherited the vigorous, hardy and courageous blood of the Scot and Scotch-Irish; to his mother he is indebted for having in him much of the vivacity and polish of the French, beside the stability and conservatism of the holland-Dutch, whilst for some generations back the family have been wide-awake Americans. The Young family are (as already intimated) Scotch- Irish, and the maternal grandmother of our subject was a Brennan. His maternal great-grandmother was a cousin to Aaron Burr. Mr. Young is a son of Downing H. Young, who was born in Virginia August 6, 1816, one of a family of fifteen children. At Shelby, Ohio, Downing was married to Angelina Marvin, a highly educated lady, and from her he received his chief English education after marriage. In early life he commenced the study of law, and in due course was admitted to the bar at Mansfield, Ohio, where he commenced the practice of his chosen profession. Moving to Norwalk, he here continued to conduct his law business, his practice covering in all a period of over forty-five years. He and his faithful wife are now passing the declining years of their honored lives at the old homestead. Eleven children were born to them, Stephen being eighth in order of birth. Four of his brothers were in the Federal army during the Civil war, viz.: Andrew J., who died at Danville, Ky.; Henry, mortally wounded December 31, 1862, at Stone River, Tenn., dying January 3, 1863; Samuel, who served six years in the army, escaping wounds, and dying at his home afterward; Howard, who served his full time, and also escaped being wounded. Daniel and George Marvin, brothers of our subject's mother, were also in the war, both being wounded, the latter several times, but they escaped with their lives. Charles and John Marvin also served in the Union army, the former as surgeon. B. Howard, husband of our subject's sister, was in an Ohio regiment, and died in Andersonville prison. Stephen M. Young, the subject proper of this sketch, was born in Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, March 27, 1848. When he was about seven years of age he removed to Toledo, where he remained till 1860, and then came to New Haven, Huron Co., same State. He had received his elementary education at the common schools in Mansfield, Toledo and New Haven, after which he entered Oberlin College. On completing his studies, in 1867, lre commenced teaching school, first in Crawford county, Ohio; after which he became assistant in one of the public schools of Cincinnati, in which capacity he continued three years, and then, in consequence of impaired health, he had to abandon teaching. We next find him 248 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. acting in the capacity of agent in Shelby, Ohio, for the Merchants Insurance Company, of Chicago, before the great fire in Chicago, 1871, which among many other calamities resulted in the closing up of this company along with a host of others. Mr. Young then engaged in a similar capacity with the Underwriters Association of Philadelphia. During all this time he was industriously pursuing the study of law, and in 1873 he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio. After a brief sojourn in Plymouth, Richland Co., Ohio, he moved to Bucyrus, Crawford Co., same State, where he commenced the regular practice of law in May, 1875, continuing till October, 1878, when he came to Norwalk, and has since here remained successfully practicing his profession, and building up a reputation as a learned and shrewd jurist, in civil, criminal and corporation law. On July 29, 1877, Mr. Young was married in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Isabella Wagner, and five children were born to them, viz.: Walburga, Henry, Don John, Stephen Marvin, Jr., and Isabella Wagner. In politics Mr. Young is a Republican; socially he is a Freemason, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. GEORGE SHEFFIELD, formerly of New London, Conn., was born April 4, 1786. In the summer of 1809 he came on horseback to Ohio as far as the mouth of the Huron river, returning the same way the following autumn. He followed his trade (shipbuilding) till the beginning of the war of 1812. When the British frigate " Macedonia" was captured by Commodore Decatur, Mr. Sheffield was a member of the Home Guards. Early in the winter of 1813 he married Betsey, daughter of the late Abishai Woodward, of New London, and on November 18, 1814, a son, George Woodward, was born. In June, 1816, George Sheffield left Connecticut with his wife and son in a one-horse chaise, his brother, J. B. Sheffield, boy, Orrin Harris, and man with team following. At Dunkirk, N. Y., the family boarded a schooner, and after an uneventful voyage landed at Huron, Ohio, some time in the following August. On his land on the west bank of Old Woman creek he built a log house, where the daughter, Betsey, was born in September. Soon after, the place being very unhealthy, the family moved to Huron, where Mrs. Sheffield died on the 18th of the following November. The next spring Mr. Sheffield moved to Lyme township, where he, with his brothers-in- law, William and Gurdon Woodward, kept bachelors' hall for two years, during which time they were preparing separate homes. In 1819 Mr. Sheffield, for his second wife, married Thurza Baker, daughter of John Baker, of Strong's Ridge. In 1820 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace. In February, 1822, his house was burned, and in it his little daughter, Betsey, and the boy, Orrin Harris, together with all the household goods. His neighbors gave him all assistance within their power. About 1823 Mr. Sheffield sold his land in Eldridge township (now Berlin) to Daniel Benschooter. In 1825 or 1826 he was appointed to appraise the " Firelands" for taxation. In the autumn of 1831 he was elected treasurer of Huron county, moving to Norwalk, and he served in that capacity until his death. On August 20, 1834, Mrs. Sheffield was seized with cholera, and died that night; Mr. Sheffield was taken with the same disease, and died on the 23rd—three days later. There were five children of the second marriage, viz,: James King, who died at the age of four; Betsey; James Fredrick; Sarah T. and Edward. On June 14, 1846, George Woodward Sheffield married Lucy, daughter of Gm.- don and Mary S. Woodward, of which union there were seven children, viz.: HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 249 Mary, who married Henry G. Bramwell, formerly of Bellevue (they now live in Lincoln, Ill.); George, who died in 1884 (he married Mary Gertrude, daughter of the late Judge Joel Parker, of Cambridge, Mass.); Rachel, deceased in 1885; Julia, married to Ezra R. Oliver, of Norwalk; James, married to Fannie A., daughter of Samuel Bemiss, of Strong's Ridge; and Lucy and Gurdon, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Sheffield died in 1865. Mr. Sheffield still lives upon his farm two miles south of Bellevue, on the western boundary of the " Firelands." WILLIAM C. PENFIELD, one of the prominent and prosperous farmers of Norwalk township, is a native of Huron county, born in North Fairfield township in 1839. His father, Samuel Penfield, was born near Danbury, Conn., in 1804, where he passed his boyhood on a farm, and when a young man learned the trade of wagon maker. In 1827 he moved to North Fairfield, Ohio, with his mother and two sisters, a third sister with her husband and family accompanying them. He had previously walked from Connecticut to North Fairfield, taken possession of a tract of wild land inherited from his father, and built a log cabin upon it, and on the arrival of the family they found this primitive home awaiting them. He occupied and improved the farm for a number of years, during which time, in 1831, he was married to Miss Clara A. Woodworth, of North Fairfield, a native of Central New York, and daughter of James Woodworth. A few years after his marriage he rented the farm and moved into the village of North Fairfield, where he worked at his trade for a short time, and then engaged in mercantile business for several years. About 1846 he returned to the farm, and there passed the rest of his days, dying at the age of fifty-three years. There were six children born in the family, namely: Ephraim P., Frances E., James W. (deceased), William C., Charles (deceased) and Henry B. (deceased in infancy). Of these, Ephraim P., a physician, resides in the State of Washington; Frances E. married T. H. Kellogg, an attorney of Norwalk, Huron county; Charles enlisted in the One Hundred and First 0. V. I., attached to the army of the Cumberland (he WAS seriously wounded in the battle of Stone River, and died in 1871). The father of this family died in 1857, in politics a stanch Abolitionist, a strong temperance man, and in religious faith a member of the Baptist Church. William C. Penfield received his elementary education in the common schools of his native township, after which he attended the Normal School at Milan, Erie county, also a select school, and then became a teacher himself, pursuing the vocation three years. In 1860 lie took a trip to Pike's Peak, and for one year mined for gold, with fair success. The following year he returned home, and the Civil war having broken out he enlisted for three years in the Fifty-fifth 0. V. I. He participated in Fremont's campaign up the Shenandoah Valley in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson, ending in the battle of Cross Keys; with Sigel along the Rappahannock, the Second Battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Peach Tree Creek, and in numerous minor engagements. At Chancellorsville he had some remarkably narrow escapes, being struck by bullets no less than three times in less than a minute — one bullet drawing blood on his knuckle, another striking his elbow, while a third pierced his knapsack. At Gettysburg he was taken prisoner, conveyed by way of the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond, and confined in Belle Isle prison. After his exchange the following spring, he rejoined his regiment on the Atlanta campaign. At the close of his three years service he was mustered out at Atlanta, but early in 1865 re-enlisted, being this time attached 250 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. to Gen. Hancock's corps, and was on duty in Washington during the trial and at the execution of the conspirators who took part in the murder of President Lincoln. In 1866 he was mustered out of the service, having been in the army over four years, and during all this time of service he was never absent from his company except while a prisoner. On his return home from the army Mr. Penfield went to Michigan, and was there engaged in milling for five years, at the end of which time he once more came to Huron county and engaged in farming. He has a nice property of about ninety acres, just outside the city limits of Norwalk. In 1869 he married Miss Agnes A. Perry, of that city, a daughter of Orfus Perry, a farmer, and three children were born to this union, viz.: Clara M.; Leah, who died in infancy; and Louis P. Poplitically our subject has always been a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. CHARLES ROWLEY. In the career of Charles Rowley we find one of the 'best examples of the thrifty, enterprising descendants of that sturdy New England stock, which characterizes the Western Reserve, and has made it so justly famous as one of the great centers of intelligence, morality and prosperity. He came from an old English family, his quite remote ancestors being among the very first settlers and pioneers of Connecticut. His grandfather, Eli Smith Rowley, born about the middle of the eighteenth century, was a man of strong character and convictions, and thoroughly patriotic. When but fifteen years of age he enlisted in the Revolutionary war, and was captured by the British; but, though a mere boy, he managed to make his escape, and by traveling at night again reached the colonial ranks, where, by his valiant service, combined with his extreme youth, he acquired a distinction that was truly deserved. His military life was most appropriately referred to by Hon. Peter Dyckman in an address delivered on July 4, 1876. at Jefferson, N. Y., in which he said: " I know at least one Revolutionary hero, taking his lasting rest among the ever silent of yonder cemetery. Many are the scenes he has portrayed before my mind, in reciting deeds immortal ' like unto this. * * * Among the noble patriots who have left a record of deeds of daring and patriotism, we may upon this Centennial Anniversary day inscribe upon the banner of Liberty the name of Eli Smith Rowley." At the close of the war he engaged in the pursuit of farming, which was conducted until at a very advanced age he quietly retired from active life. Edward Rowley, his son, was born October 23, 1788. When quite young he left school to learn the cabinet maker's trade, which, though later returning to the family trait of farm life, he followed till near his death, in April, 1878. He was a most excellent workman, and manufactured the finest grades of household furniture, coffins and caskets to be found at that day, His school days were quite limited, yet being of a studious nature, and a great observer, he became well educated, possessed an excellent address, and was a fine musician. He was a prominent member and an ardent worker in the Presbyterian Church of Jefferson, N. Y., where the greater part of his life was spent, always taking an active part in the religious and better side of life. In business affairs he was successful, rearing, and educating a large family, then retiring in comfortable circumstances. Of his first marriage three sons were born: Frederick, the eldest, joined the "forty-niners" in California, and there accumulated much property; returning, he served two terms as sheriff of Schoharie county, N. Y., where he spent the remainder of his life. Of the 251 - PHOTO OF CHARLES ROWLEY 252 - BLANK 253 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. other sons, Harvey is still living in western New York, and Edward, who went South when quite young, became a wealthy planter in Georgia, enlisted in the Confederate army, and was probably killed during the war, as he has never been heard from since. His first wife having died, Edward Rowley, Sr., was again married, this time to Miss Lydia Decker, who was a member of an old family which has long been prominent in the lumber and agricultural regions of Michigan and southern Canada. She was a woman of considerable executive ability, especially in domestic and church circles, yet of a mild, loving disposition which was ever manifest. She died April 27, 1877, at the age of seventy- two years, at Stamford, N. Y., her husband following her a few months later. Of this union five children were born: Elizabeth (Mrs. Edwin Sweet), now living at Eminence, N. Y.; Sarah (Mrs. James Merchant), who died at Jefferson, N. Y., in April, 1878; Eli, the elder son, who was the first man in Schoharie county to offer his services to his country, at the beginning of the Rebellion, did noble service in the Union cause, where, by hard service and exposure, he contracted a lung trouble that ended in his death on July 24, 1867, at the age of thirty-two years; Charles; and Mary Jane (Mrs. Dr. E. W. Gallup), now living at Stamford, New York. Charles Rowley was born in Jefferson, N. Y., January 11, 1838, and died at North Fairfield, Ohio, November 28, 1891. Of his life and character perhaps no better sketch can be given than the following, which appeared in the Norwalk, Ohio, Experiment-News, shortly after his death: "On a farm, in Jefferson, N. Y., in the year 1838, Charles Rowley was born, the youngest son of Edward and Lydia Rowley. The name has since won for itself a respect and confidence so universal that only a most true and earnest man might hope to win. It is the fact that the life and death of Charles Rowley presents everywhere models of a pure life and a pure quality of heart, so much so that the Experiment-News has gathered the few simple details of a life not great in glory and tinsel of cheap fame, but rich in true nobility of heart. " What may have been the home training of Mr. Rowley on that New York farm is best attested by his after life. We do not gather figs of thistles; neither do men of the noblest, refinements of nature eolne from other than noble parents. Nor did the precepts of those God-fearing parents fall on stony soil. Almost from boyhood earnest industry, the plodding step to success, marked the progress of the youth in his studies. After several terms spent in the best school of all, the position of teacher studying the developing sturdy natures of scholars, Mr. Rowley completed his education in the Franklin Literary Institute, at Franklin, New York. " In 1860 Mr. Rowley left his home for Michigan, where be became secretary for extensive milling and lumbering interests, owned by a cousin, Charles Decker, splendidly fitting him for the successful prosecution of his own business interests in after years. In April, 1863, he. was married to, Miss Elizabeth Stevens, of Ripley, Huron county, and took his bride to Michigan with him, this time to enter the retail store of J. L. Woods, now President of the Euclid Avenue Bank, of Cleveland. In November, 1886, he came to North Fairfield and engaged in the mercantile business, which was conducted most profitably by him up to the time of his death. He was also the owner of a fine farm near the village, the management of which occupied much of his time and attention. He was a director of the Norwalk Savings Bank Company, and vice-president of the Huron County Mutual Insurance Company. In politics Mr. Rowley was always a stanch Democrat, fearless in his opinions, but not giving offense by advancing them against contrary opinions. He was always a faithful worker in the interests of his party, and though in a community noted 254 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. for its radical Republican sentiment and with an adverse majority of three to one against him, has been repeatedly elected school director, till forced to decline to serve longer because of ill health. He has also held the offices of township clerk and township treasurer, an almost impossible accomplishment for a Democrat in Fairfield. " During his early life Mr. Rowley was a member of the strict school of the Presbyterian Church. Of later years, and since his residence in Fairfield, he has been an active and devout worker in the Congregational Church. As a sincere Christian, firm in the faith, he met death without fear and in calm and hopeful resignation. His private life was without reproach. In his family he was a loving and always solicitous father, striving by example rather than precept to inspire all about him with his own earnestness of purpose. He was liberal in giving thorough educations to his children, denying them nothing that would better fit them for the struggle of life. Among his neighbors no man shared more fully the public confidence. It is related of him that in many cases large sums of money were deposited with him for safe keeping, the owners showing a confidence that they did not have in any bank or saving institution. "At the time of his death Mr. Rowley was a comparatively young man, but too faithful devotion to business laid the foundations of disease too deeply for human skill to remove. For fourteen years he has suffered in health, at times seriously. Last spring an attack of grip fastened its clutches onto him, developing complications of disease which gradually drew him down until he was forced to his bed, nearly seven weeks before his death. Nervous prostration in its worst form resulted, and he quietly breathed his last at 6 o'clock A. M. November 28." He leaves surviving him his widow; four sons, of whom the eldest, Edward F., is conducting the business he left, and is president of the North Fairfield Savings Bank; Arthur E., who after graduating in the literary department of the University of Michigan, and being admitted to the bar, is now practicing law, in partnership with Eon. G. T. Stewart, at Norwalk, Ohio; two small boys, Charles Scott and Leveret Alcott; and one daughter, Anna L., now attending college at Oberlin. In the quiet village cemetery at North Fairfield his remains are resting in the beautiful family vault erected shortly after his death. SAMUEL D. MORSE, of Norwalk township, is a native of the city of Norwalk, born in 1845. He is a grandson of Asahel Morse, who in 1818 came from Ontario county, N. Y., to Huron county, locating in Ridgefield township, at which time the country was a veritable wilderness, wild animals and Indians being still numerous. He was a carpenter, a trade he followed up to the time of coming here, after which he devoted his attention almost exclusively to agricultural pursuits. After three years residence in Ridgefield township, he moved to Norwalk township, same county, where he owned in all some 260 acres of land. He entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, and for about thirty years exhorted in the various localities he lived in. His wife was Esther Eaton, of Herkimer county, N. Y., and they had three children, viz.: Daniel, John and Elmira, the latter being deceased. The mother of these dying, for his second wife Asahel Morse married Miss Lucy Raymond, of Ontario county, N. Y., and three children were also born to this union, named respectively Esther (deceased), May and Samuel. Asahel Morse's father served in the Revolutionary war, himself in that of 1812, in which latter he was a captain stationed at Buffalo, N. Y. Daniel Morse, father of subject, was born January 3, 1810, in Gorham, Ontario HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 255 Co., N. Y., where his boyhood days were spent on a farm, and in attending the schools of the neighborhood. Having learned the trade of a tanner, he followed same for some time, but farming was his chief occupation; he owned the old homestead until 1857, in which year he came to his present farm in Norwalk township, comprising 108 acres. Mr. Morse married Miss Joanna Danforth, of Barnard, Vt., a daughter of Samuel Danforth, M. D., and they had six children, as follows: Oscar, Samuel D., Asahel, Alice, Roland and Euphemia. The father has been a Whig and Republican in his political sympathies, and he is a member of the Baptist Church.  Samuel D. Morse, the subject proper of this sketch, received a liberal education at the common and high schools of Norwalk, from which latter he graduated. He then went to Toledo to fill the position of bookkeeper, and in that city enlisted, in 1864, in the One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment 0. V. I,, serving one year, during which period he was promoted to second lieutenant. From 1865 to 1867 he attended a commercial school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduating therefrom in 1867. Returning to Toledo, he kept books there three years, and then moved to his present farm in Norwalk township, huron county, where he has since carried on agriculture. In 1867 Mr. Morse married Miss Elvira Smith, daughter of Joel Smith, and one child has blessed their union: Mary Alice, living at home. Our subject is a member of and deacon in the Baptist Church. WILLIAM B. HOYT, a leading citizen of Ridgefield township, was born March 4, 1820, in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., a son of John and Lydia (Plylnpton) Hoyt, the former of whom was a farmer of St. Lawrence county, and moved to Jefferson county, same State, in 1832. They were married February 26, 1810, and John hoyt died February 25, 1875, Lydia Hoyt on May 16, 1855. William B. Hoyt attended the common schools of St. Lawrence county, and moving with his parents to Jefferson county, remained there until 1844. He and three sisters then joined a party bound for Illinois, and following the canal to Buffalo, N. Y., there embarked for Sandusky, Ohio, on the vessel " Commodore Perry." While on Lake Erie a storm compelled, them to land at Huron, Erie Co., Ohio, and some of the party having intended to locate at Cook's Corners, in Huron county, they took a conveyance thither. They persuaded William to accompany them, and finally deciding to remain there, he purchased and settled on a small farm in the vicinity. On December 22, 1846, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of Edward and Rachel (Cook) Williard. She was a native of Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., and having lost her parents when young, came to live with relatives at Cook's Corners, Huron Co., Ohio. She then became a pioneer school teacher in Ridgefield and Lyme townships, receiving one dollar and fifty cents per week as compensation for her services, and " boarded round" among the pupils. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt began wedded life on a place near Cook's Corners, Huron Co., Ohio, where he remained until 1869. He then purchased the fertile tract of 225 acres where he is now residing, and his parents, coming from New York, passed their last days with this son. On arriving in Huron county, William B. Hoyt had no property, but by hard work and much expense accumulated his present fertile and productive farm, which is underlaid with twenty-two miles of drain tile. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. William B. Hoyt are: Judson W., a farmer living near Bellevue; W. Julius, an agriculturist of Seward county, Neb.; Charles F., a farmer of Norwalk township, Huron 256 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. county; Hubbard W., a physician of Bellevue; John C., a real estate dealer of El Dorado, Butler Co., Kans.; Fred B., a real estate dealer of Chandler, Oklahoma; Arthur and Edward W., both residing with their parents. These children have all received a college education, and are proving themselves worthy of the exceptional advantages they have enjoyed. Mr. Hoyt takes a pardonable pride in the fact that nine Republican votes were cast at one time by his family, as he is an enthusiastic member of that party, having served in numerous local offices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is a deacon. Mrs. Hoyt was a charter member of the North Monroeville congregation. THOMAS DUNMORE, a well-known inventor, and prominent citizen of Norwalk, was born in Birmingham, England, in 1841, a on of Joseph and Mary (Mason) Dunmore, both natives of England, of whose family he is the only surviving member. Thomas Dunmore emigrated to this country in 1861, and immediately after landing entered the Navy, in New York, remaining in the service four years and three months. He was in New Orleans just after its capture, and spent some time at Key West. Mr. Dunmore has traveled considerably, having crossed the ocean nine times. In his native land he learned the plumber's trade, and after the war settled in East Boston, whence in 1866 he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining there until 1881, when he came to Hurcn county for the purpose of following his trade of plumber and steam-fitter. He is the inventor of an improved system of heating and ventilating houses. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Norwalk Incandescent Light and Power Company, of which he was one of the chief organizers and builders, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of his adoptod town, His system of beating and ventilating is covered by patents, and the testimony of experts from all parts of the country is to the effect that it is of the highest merit— as often reiterated: " the best in the world." He is master of his business, and all the important contracts in Norwalk have been under his successful management. In social life Mr. Dunmore is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. T., and in politics he is a Republican. At Birmingham, England, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wright, and to them has been born one son, Walter T. Our subject's grandfather Dunmore was one of the most extensive farmers in Lincolnshire, England. Mrs. Dunmore's father (Philip Wright) was a soldier under Wellington, and was in the front ranks at the battle of Waterloo; one of his sons was in the English army in India, and died in hospital. He had been discharged, and intended upon his return to England to come to America, but he died a short time after reaching his native country. FREDERICK RICHARD was born November 18, 1818, in Saxony, Germany, and is a son of John Richard, a tanner, who in his day was a well- known tradesman in the Saxon community where he lived. Frederick Richard attended school in Germany, and became a fair scholar before he began to learn the tanner's trade under his father. In 1847 he emigrated to America, sailing from Bremen to New York. Once in this country, he waited not in the city, but pushed westward to Bellevue, Ohio, where he worked at his trade four years. In 1853 he married Anna Yeager, a native of Saxony, who came to this country alone when twenty-four years old, and to this marriage the following named children were born: John, a tanner of Monroeville; Lena, Mrs. Fred Druner, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 257 of Toledo; Lewis and Henry, at home; Tillie, Mrs. August Fahrenbach, of Monroeville; and August, residing at home. After his marriage Mr. Richard located at Monroeville, and there engaged in the tanning business for many years, continuing therein until he saw the tannery, which he labored so hard to establish, grow into an important industry. When he retired to his farm, he gave the business to his son, who now carries it on with marked success. Mr. Richard now devotes his entire attention to this tract, which contains 165 acres. In political affairs he votes with the Democratic party. In religion the entire family are members of the Lutheran Church. His industry is remarkable. His character is well exemplified by the fact that with very little capital he established a manufacturing enterprise at Monroeville, which subsequently developed into a most prosperous industry. C. C. POST, the well-known liveryman of New London, is a native of the town, born April 6, 1841, He is a son of Hizah and Roxanna (Culver) Post, both natives of Madison county, N. Y., the father born in 1808, the mother in 1826. They were married in New York State, and about the year 1840 came to • Huron county, Ohio, locating in New London township, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother died there in 1862, and the father afterward moved to Wisconsin, making his home there until about 1889, when he went to New York, and there passed from earth in 1892. Their son, C. C. Post, the subject proper of this sketch, received a liberal education at the coin mon schools of his native town, and at the early age of twelve years went on the "Big Four" Railroad as water boy, from which position he was promoted to brakeman, and ran the first sleeping car that was run from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Pittsburgh. Not long afterward he was promoted to the position of traveling agent for the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad, with headquarters at Indianapoplis, Ind., thence moving to Chicago, having been appointed city passenger agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad; then became ticket agent, with office at the corner of Clark and Randolph streets, same city. His next incumbency was a yet more responsible one—general traveling agent for the same Company, over the United States and Canada—a position he filled with characteristic ability and energy five years, after which he came to New London, locating on a farm with G. W. Bissell, father of his first wife, Sabra L. (Bissell), who died in 1883. He then bought the livery business in the town of New London, which he has since successfully conducted. Our subject by his after marriage with Miss Ella Gates had two children: Clarence and Arline. Politically Mr. Post is a Republican; he served four years on the city council of New London and four years as deputy sheriff of Huron county. J. WHITBECK FOSTER, manager of i the Norwalk Incandescent Light and Power Company, is a son of John H. Foster, who was a native of New York, and in 1834 came to Ohio. He was a school teacher, afterward a stockman and drover, then served in the Civil war as major of the Third Ohio Cavalry. On his return home from the war he conducted a commission establishment iri. Norwalk for some time. He was married to Nancy M. Boardman, also a native of New York. The father died in 1874 (his death, being hastened by his wounds and exposure'driring the war), and was followed to the grave by his wife in 1886. In their family there are, besides our subject, two sons—Frank B. and William S.—and one daughter— Maria Louise—all yet living. 258 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. J. Whitbeck Foster was born July 25, 1844, in Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio. He attended the high schools of his native place, then took a two years' commercial course in Brooklyn, N. Y., graduating in 1865. After leaving school he returned to Norwalk, and entered the sewing machine business in partnership with N. S. C. Perkins and W. A. Mack, with whom he remained until the firm dissolved; then, in company with N. S. C. Perkins, manufactured the Queen and Dauntless sewing machines, until they too went out of business. He afterward became connected with the Norwalk Light and Power Co., continuing with them until April, 1891, and in April, 1892, he accepted the management of the Norwalk Incandescent Light and Power Company. On October 22, 1888, Mr. Foster was married to Clare A. Morehouse, who has borne him one son, Vernon W. In politics our subject is a Republican, and has served four years as a member of the council, during which time he was very active in securing electric lights for the city; also served' on many important committees. He is secretary of the National Union at Norwalk, and president of the City Board of Equalization. WILLIAM HIMBERGER, one of the represeUtative, pushing, wide-awake business men of Norwalk, junior member of the firm of Smith & Himberger, proprietors of lumber yard and planing mill, was born in the Province of Nassau, Prussia, November 23, 1841. He is the eldest in the family of eight children of William and Minnie (Horn) Himberger, the former of whom was born in Prussia in 1816, and was accidentally killed in 1863, while his son William was serving in the Union army. The widowed mother, now seventy years of age, makes her home with the subject of this sketch. At the age of fourteen years William Himberger came with his parents to America, and proceeding from their place of landing on these shores to Huron county, Ohio, they here made a settlement, farming being their occupation, in which they met with well-merited success. Young William, after coining here, received about ninety days schooling in all of three successive winters, learning English; German and arithmetic, in which he was proficient, he had learned in his native land. In 1861 he enlisted in the Federal army, in Company C, Third Ohio Cavalry, in which he served sixteen months; then joined the Thirty-fourth Kentucky Infantry, serving in same till the close of the war, the last two years as sergeant. His regiment was attached to the army of the Cumberland, and the company in which he was enrolled were for the most part of the time employed in provost duty. On June 24, 1865, he was mustered out at Knoxville, E. Tennessee, and he received his pay July 12, following, at Louisville, Ky., when he returned home to the pur. suits of peace. On February 14, 1866, Mr. Himberger was married to Miss Mary Huntsdorf, a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, born in 1845, who came in 1853 to America and to Huron county, her English education being received in Norwalk. Four children have come to bless their union, viz.: Minnie, Katie, and Dora and Julia (twins). In 1868 Mr. Himberger entered the lumber business as yard man and salesman in D. E. Morehouse's planing mill and lumber yard, where he worked his way up, serving some time in the office, then as superintendent of the planing mill, filrally becoming salesman, being there some three and one half years in all; was in Brown & Goodnow's lumber yard and mill, five years; in Lawrence & Gilsons lumber yard (present location of the Smith & Himberger yard and mill), three and one half years; and August 1, 1880, commenced as a member of the present firm. They do an excellent trade, and enjoy the fullest confidence of the people, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 259 their patronage extending far and wide. The firm have twice suffered heavy loss through fire, the shop having been burned out March 8, 1881, loss about three thousand dollars ; and October 30, 1891, the lumber yard was burned with a loss of about six thousand five hundred dollars over and above what was covered by insurance. But their credit remained intact, and Phoenix-like they arose from their ashes, strengthened rather than weakened by the calamities. In politics Mr. Himberger is a Democrat, firm and loyal, and has served as a member of the town council two years, and as president of the same, one year, being elected in a Republican ward by a majority of over fifty votes. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R., U. V. U. and Knights of Pythias; in Church connection he is an Episcopalian. H. M. INGLER, general foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Ccmpany's shops at Chicago Juncton, is a son of Joseph and Eliza A. (Baldwin) Ingler; natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a brick manufacturer, and carried on that industry from youth to old age. To Joseph and Eliza A. Ingler nine children were born-five sons and four daughters--H. M. being the second in order of birth. H. M. Ingler was born December 3, 1828, in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he received his education. At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to a machinist at Steubenville, Ohio, serving a full term of four years in the McDevitt shops. In 1850 Mr. Ingler joined a party of Argonauts, and made the journey to California, where he remained four years. In 1856, some two years after his return, he found employment in the shops of the P. C. C. & St. L. Railroad, then known as the Steubenville & Indiana Railroad, at Steubenville, and in 1857 began work in the B. & O. Railroad Company's shops, at Wheeling, W. Va., since which time, with the exception of five months, he has been continuously in their employ. He worked at Wheeling (W. Va.), Bellaire and Chicago Junction (Ohio) and at Garrett (Ind.), For twenty years he was general foreman at Bellaire, and for six months master mechanic at Garrett. In July, 1885, he came to the Chicago Junction shops as general foreman. On July 20, 1854, Mr. Ingler married Mary A. Burt, daughter of Isaac Burt, at Wheeling, W. Va., and to their union the following named children were born: George Eldorado, who was killed by a locomotive at Bellaire, Ohio; Viola E., wife of W. A. Rang, a brakeman on this division of the B. & 0. R. R. (she was twice married, first time at Bellaire, Belmont Co., Ohio, to James McGraw, who was killed at Bellaire while in the service of the B. & O. R. R. Company as fireman, to which union was born one daughter; after a widowhood of eleVen years, Mrs. McGraw married W. A. Rang); Kate T., wife of G. W. Deyarmon, owner of a paint store at Bellaire, and also a contractor; Florence, who died in infancy; Martha M., wife of J. L. Milligan, a shoe merchant of Bellaire; Emma, wife of L. C. Hess, formerly of Wheeling, W. Va., now of Chicago Junction; Josephine A., wife of Sherman Williams, a farmer of Huron county; and Miriam E., Bessie M., Edna R. and Hiram K., residing with their parents. During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Ingler was a strong Unionist. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard, in 1861, for a term of five years, and in May, 1864, went into the United States army, One Hundred and Seventieth Regiment, O. V. I., for 100 days service; was in active service in the Shenandoah Valley until September 30, 1864, when he was honorably dis5harged at Columbus, from which point he returned to his duties with the B. & O. R. R. At Bellaire he was a 260 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. member of the board of Water-works trustees for three successive terms, and one of the promoters of the water system of that city. At Chicago Junction he was president of the school boafd for three years, and ever a strong advocate of fine school buildings. Politically a Republican, he has always been loyal to the party. In social affairs he belongs to the Order of Good Templars, to the I. O. O. F., to the Masonic Fraternity, and to the Ancient Order of Druids. The entire family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. H. JACOBS. This well-known citizen of Norwalk traces his ancestry through the dim vistas of many years to a Frenchman of the family name, who immigrated to Ver mont in early Colonial days. His son, John W. Jacobs, who was born in Vermont, fought under Gen. Putnam at Bunker Hill, and was present during the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. His son, Gustavus, was born in 1792, in Middlebury,Vt., and in 1818 was united in marriage with Harriet Perkins, a native of the same place. They removed to a farm in the New York colony, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of nine children—seven sons and two daughters—of which family Henry was killed in the Civil war, and six are yet living. The parents were members of the M. E. Church. Gustavus Jacobs, son of Gustavus and Harriet (Perkins) Jacobs, was born, in 1828, in Wyoming county, N. Y., where his youth was passed. He learned and followed the boat-builder's trade in connection with the lumber. business, and came to Huron county, Ohio, in 1863. He was married to Sarah A. Roth, who was born March.24,1831, in Seneca Falls, N. Y., a daughter of Jacob Roth, and 'grandchild of Casper Roth, whose parents were natives of Germany. Casper Roth served throughout the Revolution, having fought at Valley Forge, taking part also in the battle of Eutaw Springs, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. His son Jacob was born in 1798, in Pennsylvania, and was married to Catherine McBeth. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and fought at Lundy's Lane. After the war most of his life was spent in New York, where he died at the age of seventy-nine years. Gustavus and Sarah A. Jacobs have passed their wedded life in Huron county, Ohio, where he has accumulated a large fortune, and is now conducting a sawmill at Norwalk. W. H. Jacobs, a son of Gustavus and Sarah A. (Roth) Jacobs, was born in 1862, in Norwalk, Ohio. He attended the gram mar school and high school of his native place, and since his eighteenth year has followed carpentry and contracting. He and George Stewart have conducted a general business in that line under the firm name of Stewart & Jacobs, for about one year and a half. They engaged in all classes of contract work, including paving, the laying of sidewalks and water pipes, and employing about twenty-eight men. W. H. Jacobs is also interested in a sawmill. He was married to Miss Nettie Hamilton, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne him one daughter—Maude and one son—Gustavus. In political opinion Mr. Jacobs is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. FRANCIS B. CROSBY (deceased)was a son of William Crosby, who settled in Huron county, Ohio, at an early day, but subsequently moved to Kansas. William was born in Adams county, N. Y. His first wife was Eliza Stilwell, and for his second wife he married Eliza Starkey, who accompanied her husband to Huron county. Francis B. Crosby was born September 16, 1833, in Ridgefield township, Huron HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 261 Co., Ohio, where he received a primary education in the school of the district, and subsequently worked on the home farm. On December 21, 1855, he married Adeline Franklin, who was born August 22, 1836, in Onondaga county, N. Y., and their children were as follows : Alice 0., married to John Bowen, a farmer of Greenfield township; William F. and Albert W., residing at borne. The parents of Mrs. Adeline Crosby were Reuben and Rhoda (Nobles) Franklin, who settled in Richmond township, Huron county, at an early day. Mrs. Franklin died in 1839, Mr. Franklin in 1840. From the death of her parents to the time of her marriage Adeline resided with her sister, Mrs. Rufus Atherton. After marriage Francis B. and Adeline Crosby made their home on the William Crosby homestead, which they purchased, and where he resided until his sudden death, April 1, 1880. After his death the widow assumed charge of affairs, and managed the farm and other interests with consummate ability, until the legal division of the estate. From 1880 to this time Mrs. Crosby has lived in her present home. She is a member of the Baptist Church, and she and her children hold a high place in the estimation of the people. Mr. Crosby was a lifelong farmer and stock-grower, and built up a valuable estate by industry and attention to details. Politically he was a Republican, and in religion a Baptist. F. E. WILCOX, who was born December 4, 1843, in Peru township, is a grandson of Daniel Wilcox. Asahel Wilcox, father of subject, was born September 2, 1805, at Gorham, Ontario Co., N. Y., and migrated to Ohio in 1820. On March 28, 1832, lie married Emily Adams, and they located in Peru township, Huron county, where, with the exception of a short time passed in Crawford county, Ohio, he resided until his death, which occurred during the cholera epidemic of 1849. His widow lives with her son, F. E. Wilcox, on the home farm. Mrs. Emily Adams Wilcox was born September 27, 1814, at Rowe, Franklin Co., Mass.; her father, Henry Adams, was born in 1790 in Marlboro town, Windham Co., Vt., and was, while still a youth, a school teacher in that place. On October 14, 1813, he married Annis, daughter of Simeon Barr, who was also born at Rowe, Mass., and a year later set out for that portion of Ohio known as the "Firelands," leaving his young wife and infant daugter Emily at Rowe, until he could prepare a home for them in the wilderness. He took with him, on this long journey, a load of tinware, which he sold on his arrival in Cleveland, and then proceeded to what is now Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio, where he laid the foundation of his western home on a part of the farm now occupied by his grandson, F. E. Wilcox, and was the earliest pioneer of this division of Huron county. Some time later his wife and child and a party of relatives arrived. They journeyed on a wagon from Massachusetts to Buffalo, N. Y., where the team " gave out," compelling the young mother and the adults of the party to walk to the Adams settlement in Peru. The original home was constructed with poles and bark, but later a substantial log cabin was built, near the site of the present Wilcox residence. The children born to Henry and Annis (Barr) Adams were Emily, who married Asahel Wilcox; Caroline, born in Peru township February 27, 1818, married S. D. Seymour, and died in Taylor county, Tex.; Levi, born December 27, 1820, died when seven months old; Simeon F., born October 28, 1821, died in infancy; Franklin L. C., born June 5, 1823, died in 1840; Jane, born April 6, 1825, married Eliphalet Adams, and died at Norwalk, Huron county; Levi, born July 20, 1827, died in 1829; and Alonzo and Melissa (twins), born April 15, 1830, the former of whom died May 29, 1865. 262 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Adams resided here until his death from paralysis, May 24, 1881. He settled in the forest when there was only one house at Norwalk and one at Sandusky, endured all the trials and privations common to the pioneer, and yet, beyond the ordinary " chills and fever" which attacked strong and weak without distinction, he never suffered from illness until paralysis came to carry him off. He was not only a pioneer in name but also in fact. He encouraged improvements in agricultural methods, and was the first to introduce mowers, reapers and other implements of husbandry into Peru township. He set out the first seed for fruit trees, ordering the seeds from Vermont. A consignment of seeds went down in Lake Erie with the vessel on which they were shipped, but a day later the wreckers rescued the freight and everything which escaped dissolution in the waters was sent to its destination. From a bag of seeds recovered at that time, the fruit trees on the present Wilcox farm sprung. Mr. Adams was a Democrat in early years; but about 1856 he joined the Whig party, and afterward became a strong Abolitionist. He was a conductor on the "Underground Railroad," and had his own depot for concealing refugee slaves. He taught the first school in Peru township, assembling the pupils in his own log cabin. He was one of the earliest adherents of Methodism, and helped to establish and sustain the house of worship in Peru village, from 1824 until he joined the new denomination, in which he remained to the period of his death' F. E. Wilcox, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, received his primary education in the schools of Peru township. When he was six years old his father died, and the lad was reared at the home of his grandfather. On November 6, 1873, he married Dorcas A. Perry, who was born October 15, 1848, in Peru township, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Tillson) Perry. The children born to this marriage are named as follows: Frank T., born September 9, 1874; Charles N., born October 6, 1876; John N., born January 27, 1879; Perry E., born March 3, 1881 (died August 5,1882); Fred E., born February 27, 1883; Bert O., born March 14, 1885, and Fanny E., born April 17, 1887. Since 1849 Mr. Wilcox has lived on the old Adams homestead, giving close attention to agricultural affairs. Politically he is Republican, and is actively interested in the success of his party. In church connection he is a leading member and officer in the Methodist Episcopal Society, in which he is class-leader, steward and trustee. A descendant of the pioneers of Peru township, and successful in all his undertakings, he is a man of influence here, one whose good citizenship had never been questioned in any particular. He is a great reader, and is thoroughly posted on all matters relating to the United States. WILLIAM T. SMITH, one of the leading farmers of Greenwich township, and the most popular of all the old residents, was born June 17, 1823, in Cayuga ccunty, New York. Willis R. Smith, his father, was the son of Daniel Smith, of Westchester county, N. Y., and himself was a native of that county. When a young man he married Ann Underhill, also a native of Westchester, and shortly after marriage re- moved to Cayuga county, N. Y. There the following named children were born to them: Alfred, who died in his twelfth year in Huron county, Ohio; Phoebe, never married, who died when fifty years old; Daniel, a farmer of Greenwich township, died here, aged sixty-five; Amelia, residing in Greenwich township; and William T., the subject of this sketch. On May 6,1824, Mr. Smith and his family arrived in Greenwich township. He had been a school teacher in New York, where he graduated HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 263 from a college, which profession he followed after settling here, and from his small earnings saved enough to purchase one hundred acres of land. The condition of his health permitted him to do but little work on the farm, and this resulted in his giving closer attention to school interests. Satisfactory to himself, his services were most beneficial to the community, for boys who became distinguished men received their lessons in reading, arithmetic and penmanship from this pioneer teacher. In Huron county an addition of three children was made to the family: Sarah, living in Greenwich township; Mary, wife of Edward Golden, of Ripley township, and Ann, residing in her native township. The father died on the original farm in 1871, the mother in 1874. They were members of the Friends Church in which Mr, Smith was a minister, and they were buried in the Friends cemetery. He was a mathematician of some note, and was as well educated as any of his comtempoaries in the county. William T. Smith was less than eleven months old when his parents brought him to Huron county. He received an elementary education here, and at the age of twenty-two years began the carpenter's trade under Marvin Atwater. Subsequently the relation between employer and employe was reversed, and the former employer became an employe of Mr. Smith. In 1855 Wm. T. Smith married Asenath Rosco, who was born in 1831 in Greenwich township, and to them came the following named children: Charity, wife of Win. A White, of Colfax, Wash.; Celia, a recorded minister of Friends living in Dodson, Ohio, wife of Eugene P. Rollman ; Yana, who died December 3, 1890, at Colfax, Wash., where she was teaching school, and was buried in the Friends cemetery in Greenwich township; Alva R., residing in Nebraska; Willis J., a farmer of Greenwich township Huron county; Linna, residing at home, and baby Garland, who died July 2, 1874. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith located on the present farm, which was purchased with money saved from Mr. Smith's earnings. For over forty years he has followed agriculture in connection with the carpenter's trade. In 1889, he set out on a western tour, going by the Northern Pacific route, and returning by the Union Pacific Railroad, making short stays in the cities along each route, and on the Pacific slope. In 1892 he undertook an eastern trip, but the condition of his health urged him to return shortly after his arrival in New York City. His trade has proven very useful in the successful life of this pioneer, for his residence and large barn are specimens of his own work. Out of the wilderness he carved a fine farm, and placed thereon costly improvements. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, having left the Republican party. He took an earnest, active part in in the Prohibition movement, and yet devotes considerable attention toward developing the idea. The family, religiously, are all members of the Friends Church. [Since the above was written, William T. Smith, at the age of sixty-nine years ten months twenty-three days, passed from earth May 10, 1893, after a short sickness, the immediate cause of his death being dropsy of the heart. Although his sufferings were intense, yet he was always cheerful, and often spuke edifying words about heaven to the many who came to see him. he dearly loved his family; yet toward the last he had intense longing to depart and be with Christ: The morning he died, he took his wife by the hand, 'and sweetly commended her and the children into the loving care of the Heavenly Father. He was buried in the Friends cemetery. CHARLES HOMER FISH, one of the progressive agriculturists of Ridgefield township, is a son of Sydney D., whose parents were John and Lydia (Van Schoy) Fish. 264 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Sydney D. Fish was born November 28, 1819, in Licking county, Ohio, and when three years of age came with his parents to Huron county, Ohio. He there prepared fcr school teaching, following that vocation for some time, and then clerked several years for Parkins & Hollister, of Monroeville. In 1846 he married Harriet Sherman, who was born April 4, 1825, on the farm in Ridgefield township where she died; she was a daughter of Daniel and Laura (Hubbell) Sherman. Sydney D. Fish built a first-class grain elevator at Monroeville, in partnership with Mr. Sargent, the firm name being Fish & Sargent. In 1874 Fish & Sargent sold their interest to Fish & Hill, the former of whom is a brother to Sydney D. Fish, and the business has since prospered under the skillful management of Mr. Fish. In 1866 he moved to the farm, located one and one half miles north of Monroeville, and conducted the place in addition to the management of the grain elevator. During the later years of his life he retired to the farm with a comfortable competence, which had been acquired by years of self sacrificing industry. He was very popular in social life, and in politics first voted with the Whigs, afterward uniting with the Republicans. He died September 4, 1887, followed by his wife October 22, 1890, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their children were as follows: George S., a farmer of Ridgefield township; Rozene, widow of R. G. Miller; Allen, deceased at the age of fourteen years; Laura J., wife of D. H. Drake, of Kendallville, Ind., and Charles Homer, whose name opens this sketch. Charles Homer Fish was born November 9, 1859, in Monroeville, Ridgefield township, Huron Co., Ohio. He grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving a common-school education, and in 1882 went to Mapleton, N. D., where he conducted a hardware and lumber business for four years. He then returned home, and on December 21, 1886, was united in marriage with Edna J. Van Horn, a native of Monroeville and daughter of William H. Van Horn. Since their marriage Mr, and Mrs. Fish have resided on their present farm, where he follows general agriculture and stock raising, owning some very fine Jersey cattle. He is an energetic farmero whose success is but the merited reward of thrifty enterprise. In politics Mr. Fish votes with the Republican party. Three children have completed the family circle, namely: Eugene, William and an infant daughter named Clara. E. J. PEAT. Among the successful business men of Norwalk, this gentleman holds an enviable position from many points of view. Surrounded by a wealth of bud and blossom, whose sweet perfumes fill all the air with fragrance, his hands are busied with deftly arranging and caring for the fragile plants, While others wage fierce battle in the political arena or wear out their lives in dingy shops and crowded factories, he ministers to the hunger of the human soul for beauty and refinement. A pleasant task, and one which ennobles all who share its privileges. However humble a home may be, when we see a little flower treasured by the inmates, we recognize a kindred feeling which softens the hardest hearts, and so is this true of many homes. Norwalk may well be proud to know that a florist prospers within her limits, for no surer test is possible of the culture and innate refinement of her people. As the missionaries in hostile, savage lands welcomed the rising spire of the Christian church, and knew that they were among friends, so the traveler who passes from town to town welcomes the pure, sweet flowers as tokens of a kindred sympathy with nature. E. J. Peat is a son of Edwin Peat, and was born September 21, 1862, in Birmingham., England. He came with his father HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 265 to America, and they first settled in Monroeville, Huron Co., Ohio, where E. J. remained until about eight years of age. They afterward moved to Toledo, Ohio, remaining there two or three years, then passed one year in Wauseon, finally settling in Norwalk, Ohio, where he attended the public schools. He was united in marriage with Miss Katie Bepply, who has borne him one son, Roy. In 1882 E. J. Peat established his present business as a florist, on a place then located two miles from the center of the city, just outside the corporation. he deals in cut flowers, and carries on a prosperous business both in Erie and Huron counties. His father is yet living, but the mother passed away some years ago. H. P. KOHLMYER, secretary of theMetal Spinning and Stamping Company, Norwalk, is a native of that city, born November 21, 1858, near the spot where he now resides. He is the eldest son in a family of six children born to John H. and Gertrude (Klegg) Kohlmyer, the former a native of Germany, a tinner by trade, who came to America in early manhood. He married after coming to this country, reared a respectable family, and by his thrift and energy was enabled to surround his children with the comforts and advantages of the times. He and his family are residents of Norwalk. H. P. Kohlmyer attended the public schools of Norwalk, and when well grounded in the fundamentals of a business education he learned the tinner's trade under his father. After this he enterPd a hardware store as clerk, in which line he opened out on his own account in 1882. In 1890 he had succeeded in drawing the attention of others to the importance of a new process of manufacturing tin and other ware, and they organized the Norwalk Metal Spinning and Stamping Company, capital stock twenty thousand dollars, Mr. Kohlmyer taking seven thousand dollars. The works were built, were soon in running order, and had been in operation about four weeks when they accidently caught fire and burned to the ground. But by December 19, 1891, the plant was rebuilt, and the works were not only running, but ready to make a shipment of goods on that day. There are but three metal stamping concerns in the United States, and this is the only one that makes the metal spun goods in nickel; thus the products go upon the world's markets, practically without competition, the demand for them all continually outrunning the capacity of the works. Their stamp to make tea-kettles, etc., weighs over twenty thousand pounds; all their machinery is of the latest improved make, and complete in every department. The factory in Norwalk is one of the institutions in which the people take great pride, and its existence is largely due to the untiring energy and intelligent persistence of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. H. P. Kohlmyer and Emma Fox, of Toledo, Ohio, were united in the bonds of matrimony, December 22, 1880, and to them have come three children: Justice, Cornelius and Adolph. Socially our subject is a member of the K. of P.; the family worship at the Lutheran Church. E. C. MORRILL, M. D. In the practice of homeopathy, this gene tletnan is one of the oldest and best-known physicians in the city of Norwalk. He was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1842, a son of Dr. Charles and Judith (Cate) Morrill, both of whom were natives of New hampshire. Charles Morrill graduated from an allopathic college of medicine in Cleveland, and after considerable practice elsewhere located in that city, where he passed from earth in 1892, at the age of seventy-two. 266 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. He was in continuous practice until that time, having made sick calls the day before his death.. E. C. Morrill was educated at Oberlin College, and in 1862 left this school to join the Union army. He enlisted in Company C, Eighty-eighth O. V. I., and during his four months term of enlistment was at the front in Kentucky, after which he, with his command, was mustered out of the service. In 1864 he re-enlisted, in the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio State Militia, and was with the army in defense of the city of Washington during this enlistment. On leaving the service he resumed the study of medicine, which had been interrupted by his last enlistment, and after a thorough preparation under a private tutor, entered as student the Cleveland Homeopathic College, where he was graduated in the glass of 1866. He at once engaged in the tIractice of his profession at Kent, Portage county, where he remained four years, after which he located in Norwalk, where he soon became one of the leading practitioners. His life has been that of a diligent student of books and men, and his many friends testify to his genial and sunny disposition. On July 17, 1872, Dr. Morrill was married in Cincinnati to Miss Martha Moore, by which union there were four children, viz.: Alma Rebecca, born March 21, 1873; Charles, born September 27, 1877, died June 29, 1800; Dee, born January 24, 1879; and Judith Anna, born February 21,1883. WILLIAM E. GILL, M. D., a well-known homeopathic physician and surgeon of Norwalk, is a native of Huron county, Ohio, born in 1854. He is a son of Edward and Esther (Young) Gill, the latter of whom was a descendant of a family who were early settlers in Ohio. William E. Gill received his education at the public schools of Norwalk, and after finishing a course in the high school became a student at the Ohio State University. He then commenced a course of medicine, reading for a time under a private preceptor, and afterward entering the Cincinnati Homeopathic School of Medicine. He was graduated at a medical college, in the class of 1877, and immediately returned to Norwalk, where he opened an office, rapidly acquiring a lucrative practice; he is still actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He married Sarah Kline. MARVIN HIBBARD, practical farmer. in Fitchville township from September, 1854, till his death, November 4, 1879, was born on a farm in Mansfteld, Windham Co., Conn., August 25, 1797. Little is known of his father, Andrew Hibbard, save that he served honorably as a company officer during the Revolutionary war; that he was married twice, and reared seven children, two by his first wife —a son (the late Gen. Daniel F. Hibbard, of Mansfield, who died March 19, 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-five years), and a daughter (Betsey, Mrs. Park, formerly of Canterbury); The other children were John Loomis and William, who became farmers in Cortland county, N. Y.; Marvin, the leading subject of this sketch; and Burnham, who settled in Oneida county, N. Y., but owned several canal boats for years running from Cleveland to the Ohio river. The daughter married Anthony Weaver, of Tolland, where they lived and died, leaving a numerous family. One of the sons, W. A. Weaver, has had residence in Fitchville township, Huron county, now more than twenty-five years. The remembrance of the family is that Francis Hibbard, the Revolutionary soldier and patriot, died, having fallen from a load of hay, when his son Marvin was six HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 267 years old. This affliction caused the family to be dispersed, and Marvin was apprenticed to a farmer and shoemaker in Hampton, who was a relation of the family. Making shoes not agreeing with his health, he turned his attention to out-door work. He began life for himself as a hired man on the farm in this section of the country. When he was twenty-nine he had accumulated about six hundred dollars, working for five to nine dollars per month winters and summers. As the story goes, he planned to go West to ." Holland Purchase," in New York, and buy a farm, but while visiting an aunt in Randolph, Vt., he purchased a farm and made arrangements to iinprove it. Returning to Connecticut, he married, August 29, 1826, Zilpha Robbins, who was born September 2o 1802, near Westford. Purchasing a horse, a yoke of oxen and an ox-cart for conveyance, they immediately migrated to their new home, 150 miles to the north. The farm was in a bad condition, some of it being so stony and covered with briars and hedge trees that a townsman claimed it was not worth a cent an acre. Yet this land was reclaimed and became very productive. While residing here twenty- eight years, nine children were born to them, but six of them died very young, the oldest dying when about eighteen months old. The third child, Andrew Clark, born September 17, 1829, received a good academical education at the Orange County Grammar School, at Randolph. He was teacher several terms in Vermont, also in Fitchville, Ohio. In early life he was engaged, on account of impaired health, in the sale of sewing machines and musical instruments. He is now a farmer in Fitchville. He married November 12, 1862, Sarah Augusta Palmer, daughter of the late Linus Palmer. They have three children: Edith May, Clarence Worden, and Oramel Ernest. all living. The fourth child. Albert Keyes (born March 15, 1831), received an education at the before mentioned grammar school, and became a mechanic, and has excelled in the manufacture of pianos and organs, also as an inventor in his business. He has been since 1854 connected with, and a member of, the Mason & Hamlin Piano and Organ Company, Boston. He has had three children, two living at the present time. The ninth or youngest child, John Loomis (born August 25, 1842), came with the family to Ohio in September, 1854. It appears that in the spring of that year, having sold his farm in Vermont, Marvin Hibbard determined to go west. He visited Huron county, Ohio, and purchased a farm in Fitchville. The price paid was thirty-two dollars and fifty cents per acre, including personal property valued at about two hundred and fifty dollars. In this place he was engaged in agriculture until his death, November 4, 1879. His widow died March 10, 1884. They were buried in the beautiful cemetery in Fitchville, where a suitable monument is erected to their memory. They were successful in the business of farming. In politics he was a Republican. In religion they adhered in early life to the doctrines of the Christian Church, but later they were connected with the Advent Christian Church, in which faith they died. It is just to say that Marvin Hibbard was a man of strong, quick impulses, and of good integrity, while Mrs. Hibbard excelled as an economist, and she constantly taught the art of living in her family. According to the family arrangement, John L. was manager after 1862, and finally came in possession of the houne., estate. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Company C; on May 15 proceeded to Virginia with the command, and participated in the defense of Washington, as one of the hundred days men of Ohio, until September 9, 1864. On November 12, 1868, he married Sarah Jane Hartman, who was born in 268 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Carroll county, Ohio, in 1841, daughter of George W. Hartman, a native of that county, who moved to Fitchville, where he died. There are six children, as follows: George Marvin, now with his uncle Albert, in Boston; Ora V.; Milo E.; Albert K., and Alton L. and Alta J. (twins), all living. Mr. Hibbard was executor and administrator of the estates of his father and his wife's father, respectively. In political affairs he has been a Prohibitionist since 1884, having formerly been a Republican, and he has held various township offices. In church connection he is a Congregationalist, and has taken a very active part in church work. Mrs. Hibbard is a Seventh Day Adventist. As an agriculturist Mr. Hibbard takes pains to increase the fertility of the soil; he likes, too, to raise improved stock of all kinds. Although he deals sometimes in horses, he has several now on hand, direct descendants cf the " Morgan " mare bought by his father over sixty years ago. Nor has lie failed to pay considerable attention to horticulture. JAY F. LANING, the subject of this sketch, is a son of John and Caroline Laning, both early settlers of New London, Huron Co., Ohio, the former of whom was born in Middlesex county, N. J., in 1819, his ancestors having settled in that locality some time prior to the Revolution. John Laning came to New London in 1844, where he resided until his death, which occurred September 24, 1887. His wife was Caroline Wood, daughter of Gilbert and Sally Wood, who removed from Putnam county, N. Y., to New London township, in 1832. John and Caroline Liming were the parents of three children, two daughters—Sarah A. (now Mrs. William Molsher) and Adilla E. (now Mrs. C. B. Post), both residing at New London— and one son—Jay Ford Liming, now residing at Norwalk, in the same county. Jay F. Laning was born at New London, May 15, 1853. He gained such an education as could be obtained at the common schools of his birthplace, by a short course of study at an academy, and by self-culture through reading and study at home. From the age of fifteen to that of twenty-one.his time was spent in teaching school and at manual labor. Whatever spare hours he had were devoted to the study of law, and he was admitted to the bar in 1875, entering upon the practice at his native place. He followed this profession successfully for eight years. During this period, what would have otherwise been spare time was spent in developing ideas which became the foundation of the business in which our subject subsequently engaged. In 1882 he moved to Norwalk, from which time he gradually abandoned his law practice, and established the publish. ing house with which he is now connected, By energy, pluck, tact, hard work and close attention, he made the business grow with rapidity from a very humble beginning to one of widespread and extensive patronage. Important among the publications of which he is the author are a system of labor-saving books and devices for facilitating the conduct of agricultural fairs—a knowledge of which he gained while acting as the secretary of the organization at New London—and a line of school supplies embracing several educational books, the outgrowth of his experience as an educator. His knowledge of the law has enabled him to prepare, also, several useful legal books and forms which have had an extensive sale. He is an ardent Republican, and has always taken an active part in local political work, representing his ward for four years in the city council. At the election of 1893 lie was elected as Senator to represent the Thirtieth District, composed of Erie, Huron, Sandusky and Ottawa counties, in the General Assembly of the State. He has also been actively interested in all enterprises tending to the industrial 269 - PHOTO OF JAY F. LANING 270 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 271 or commercial advancement of the city. In 1875 Mr. Laning was married to Caroline E. Sheldon, youngest daughter of Rufus and Mary Sheldon, for many years residents of Greenwich township, Huron county, and the fruits of this union are five children, viz.: Ford H., Joanna P., John J., Mary G. and Sheldon. GEORGE L. CHILDS (deceased), son , of Charles Childs, was born May 18, 1826, at Templeton, Mass., where he passed his childhood. Charles Childs was a cooper at Templeton, Mass., until the reports of the development of Ohio urged him to move westward and share in the work of building up the State. About 1834 the family set out on the journey to the "Firelands," arrived in Huron county, and located at Greenfield, where he carried on his trade in connection with farming. For a number of years he operated a chair factory at Greenfield, and was successful in all his undertakings. Some years prior to leaving Massachusetts he married Roena Baker, and to this union four children were born, namely: Otis, George L., Thomas and Frank. The mother of these children died in 1832, and the same year the father married Hepsey Baird, to whom eight children were born, namely: Roena, James, Calvin, John, Mary, Della, Cynthia and Marcius. The father died in 1875. George L. Childs accompanied his father to Huron county in 1834. The change from Templeton was a radical one for the boy, for he was transferred suddenly from a town, where he had never seen a cow, to a wilderness where the bear, wolf and deer abounded. His youth was passed in the manner common to pioneer boys, attending winter school and working on the home farm. Later he learned the tinner's trade, and worked at same for two years at Plymouth, Ohio, but returning to the farm he labored there for one year. He then bcught an interest in the chair factory at Greenfield, and held that for about two years, or until he lost the amount he had invested in that industry. Purchasing three and a half acres of land and the little log cabin thereon, he engaged in farming for his own account, and two years later bought a tract of eight acres with a better house, to which he added twenty acres, and on which he resided fourteen years. Moving to New Haven township he bought a farm of 160 acres, resided thereon for two years, and next settled on a tract of a little over 100 acres in Ripley township, the boundaries of which he extended until he had a beautiful farm of 399 acres. In 1847 he was married to Miss Ann M. Miller, daughter of William Miller, who was a son of John Miller, of Chambersburg, Penn. To this marriage eight children were born, namely: Julia F. (married to J. N. Kiser), Anna B. (married to C. L. Harrington), William C., Lizzie (married to G. R. Craig), Burt, Othello, Henry and Edwin F. Of the sons, Henry married Anna Howard; William C. married Carrie Young; Edwin F. married Libby Miller; Burt married Nettie Stevens. The father of this family was a stanch Republican, and one of the local councilors of his party from 1856 to the time of his death. In religious affairs he was a member of the Fieewill Baptist Church, active in its work, and particularly so in Sunday- school matters. Out of his industry he created wealth, and left to his widow and children real and personal property valued at twenty-five thousand dollars. Mrs. Ann M. (Miller) Childs was born in April, 1830, at Chambersburg, Penn. Her father, William Miller, was born there in 1806, learned the mason's trade, and there married Elizabeth Swinard. He worked at his trade at Chambersburg until his removal to Plymouth, Ohio, and resided in that town until 1849, when he purchased about 100 acres in New Haven township, Huron Co., Ohio. To his marriage were born three children: Jacob, Ann M. and Charlotte. The mother died in 1834, and in 1839 he married Magdalena Rook, 272 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. who lived near Plymouth, Ohio. To this union came five children: Peter, John, Margaret, Eliza and William, all living. As a farmer in Huron county, the father made a success of life, leaving to his family 240 acres of fertile land and a large amount of personal property, Mrs. Ann M. Childs is the only survivor of the children by his first wife. She came to Ohio when about three years old, and attended school until her marriage in 1847. She is a lady of good executive ability, and manages the affairs of the estate with singular success. GEORGE N. ROUNDS, a promirent, progressive citizen of Hartland township, is a native of New York, born October 12, 1820. His father, Isaac Rounds, was the son of a Vermont farmer, and grew to manhood on the home farm. When a young man Isaac went to Ontario county, N. Y.; and there married Polly Waldron, who was born in that county in 1802. The Erie Canal, which was commenced July 4, 1817, was under construction when he settled in New York State, and there was little difficulty in finding work to do on any of the sections. Young Rounds went to work with a will, and proved himself a most valuable man. The foreman discovered that he could wheel more clay in a barrow than any of his fellow-workmen, and considered him a model laborer. The children born to Isaac and P01ly Rounds in New York State were: George N., the subject of this sketch; Harriet, who married Aaron Pixley, and died in Clarksfield township; Mary Ann, who died when eight years old in New York State; Benjamin, who died in Hartland township, Huron Co., Ohio, when young; Hiram, who died a few weeks after; Isaac and Jacob (twins), farmers of Hartland township, and Lydia, the widow of James Conoley, of Hartland township. After the removal of the family to Huron county, the following named children were born: Eleanor, widow of Irkskine Horr, of Barry county, Mich.; Olive, married to Joseph Briggs, died at Keokuk, Iowa; Arvilla, Mrs, Matthias McKin, of Iowa; Jane, who died just six weeks after the death of the father, at the age of eight years; and Armenthia, Mrs. George Bostwick, of Prairie City, Illinois, About 1835 Mr. Rounds and his family moved to Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where they resided until June, 1840, when they made the journey to Ohio. Traveling by wagon road to Buffalo, N. Y., they embarked for Sandusky, Ohio, but while on the lake a storm arose, and the boat was driven into harbor at Erie, Pennsylvania. Sailing again they found that a landing could not be made at Sandusky, and the captain headed the boat for Detroit. After the high winds had subsided, the return trip to Sandusky was made, and the family landed. Without delay they proceeded to Hartland township, Huron county, where Mr. Rounds rented a tract of land. Within a year or so he purchased a small farm in Clarksfield township, and later bought a second small farm in Hartland township. The care of these lands, together with other tracts which he worked on shares and laboring for others in clearing land, occupied his attention up to the time of his death, February 15, 1850, when a tree fell upon him, crushing his head to a pulp. The tragic affair cast a gloom over the entire township; for the father of a large family, and a most industrious man, was removed from the circle of pioneers. Politically he was a Whig, and one who took a lively interest in local and national affairs. His widow afterward married Simeon Chandler, and died August 31, 1878, in Illinois, where she was buried. George N. Rounds was about sixteen years of age when he accompanied the family to Ohio. Already a bread-winner, the change from New York to Ohio was HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 273 an agreeable cne to him, and in Huron county he worked vigorously to make a home for the family. On December 25, 1849, he married Mary Elizabeth Knapp (a daughter of pioneer parents), who was born in Hartland township in 1831. To this marriage came the following-named children: George F., born November 7, 1850; Angie L., Mrs. 0. T. Case, of Clarksfield township, and a son who died in infancy, unnamed. The mother of this family died October 13, 1886, and was buried in Hartland Ridge cemetery. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Rounds had practically nothing save good health and strong arms. After his father's death, in 1850, he returned to the homestead and took charge of the farm. To-day he owns 186 acres of good land; together with a good home and excellent farm buildings, distancing many of the men for whom he worked prior to 1849, in the acquisition of real estate. His success is due to incessant toil, untiring industry and economy. He now holds a place among the leading farmers of the county, and no one is held em higher respect or esteem. His life goes to prove the logic of the old proverb, where there's a will there's a way," and will stand a practical demonstration for his descendants. They may learn of the hardships and privations of the pioneers, but never can they endure them. After seventy years of work, Mr. Rounds stands like a giant tree in the forest of weather- worn pioneer oaks. Years have been given to him to witness the settlement and improvement of Ohio, from river to lake, and from Pennsylvania to Indiana, and in surveying the scene he may look round him and say: 4., I have taken a man's part in bringing about this change, and no one in Huron county has -labored for it more earnestly than I have." In April, 1893, Mr. Rounds again visited Cattaraugus county, the scenes of his childhood, and while there met an acquaintance of his youth in the person of Mrs. Sally Hopkins, a widow, whom he brought back as a wife. George F. Rounds (eldest son of George N. Rounds) has now the entire management of the farm. For some years he was a traveling salesman, and while thus employed journeyed over a large area of country; but in 1885 he returned to the homestead, which has since claimed his close personal attention. He is a musician by nature, and his ability in this direction is as well recognized throughout this section of the State as his ability as an agriculturist is in Hartland township. On April 2, 1892, he was married to Jeanette Jarvis. In politics he is a Republican. A. RUSE, manufacturer of tile and brick, New London, and a leading spirit in the manipulating of the affairs of the town, is a native of Ohio, born in Plymouth in 1852. He is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Frame) Ruse, natives of Bohemia, Aus-. tria, who came. to the United States in 1851, locating in Plymouth, Ohio. By trade Andrew Ruse is a stonemason, and he now resides in Barry county, Mich„ whither he had moved in 1868. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic Church. The mother is yet living. They were married in Bohemia, and had a family of nine children, of whom our subject is second in order of birth. A. Ruse received the elementary part of his education in Plymouth, Ohio, whence when fifteen years old he moved to Michigan, where he had his home some five years. He then returned to Ohio, and in Shiloh, Richland county, entered into partnership with F. J. Prame in a tile and brick business, remaining in that connection ten years, or until 1883, in which year he came to New London and established himself in a similar business, which he has since successfully conducted. The shed for the tile works is 238 x 22 feet, and that for the brick is 80 x 54 feet; the output has been 100,000 brick, and about 274 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. 18,000 pieces of tile to each of fifteen kilns, regular employment being given to from seven to ten men. In 1877, Mr. Ruse was married at Maple Grove, Barry Co., Mich., to Miss L. M. Dillin, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and children, as follows, have been born to them: J. H., Minnie and Bessie. Politically our subject is a Republican, and he is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. FRANK M. LUTTS. Norwalk town is noted for its prosperous farming community, prominent among which is the subject of this sketch, who is a native of Huron county, born in 1861 on his present farm in Norwalk township. Conrad Lutts, father of subject, was a son of Michael Lutts, who in an early day came from Germany to America, first locating in eastern Pennsylvania, and afterward moving to Niagara county, N. Y. Being to poor to pay his passage across the ocean, he was sold to a planter to work out his expenses. In eastern Pennsylvania he married Miss Ruth Dolph, and by her had five children, viz.: Gideon, Conrad, Jonathan, Michael and Annie. Michael Lutts served in the war of 1812, but was obliged to abandon his house on account of the "Redcoats" and Indians. The old flint-lock musket, minus part of the stock, is still in possession of the family. He had a great abhorrence for the British, always shooting them on sight, and was termed a " bushwhacker;" he is buried on the old homestead in Niagara county, New York. Conrad Lutts, father of Frank M., was born in 1799 in eastern Pennsylvania, whence he moved with his parents to Niagara county, N. Y. During the war of 1812, owing to the hostility of the Indians, he was obliged to leave the " clearing," together with his mother and the younger members of the family, to a safe retreat in another county, while his father remained behind to protect their log cabin home. After the war was over he returned to the home which is still in possession of his niece Mrs. Daniel Eaves, where the old family burial place is located, and many members of the Lutts family found their last resting place there, but the dates upon the slabs are not now legible. He became personally acquainted with Gen. W. IL Harrison during this struggle, and afterward voted for him when he ran for the Presidential chair, the only Presidential nominee Mr. Lutts ever voted for, it being a principle with him not to vote for any one with whom he was unacquainted. About the year 1818 he came to Huron county, Ohio, where in 1822 he married Miss Mary Fancher, five children being the result of this union, viz.: William, George, Michael, Julia, and Mary. The mother of these died in 1833, and for his second wife Mr. Lutts wedded, July 3, 1834, Miss Pamelia West, of Greenfield township, Huron county, who is yet living. She is a daughter of Augustus West, of Albany county, N. Y., a pioneer of Huron county, a Democrat in politics, and a very successful man in his business enterprises. Six children were born to this' marriage, of whom but two survive: Augustus, in Allegan, Mich., and Frank M. When Conrad Lutts came to Huron county, a single small log cabin stood within what are now the corporate limits of the city of Norwalk. On his arrival he had in his possession no more money than would buy a barrel of salt, and for a long time he made a living by hunting, selling or trading the furs of the animals he might kill. He met with many adventures in his pioneer experiences, and had some narrow escapes from death. His rifle is apparently as good as when used for killing the wild animals which supplied his home with necessaries and other things. Frank M. Lutts, the youngest son of this brave pioneer, received a liberal education at the common schools of his native HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 275 township, and at the early age of sixteen he took charge of the home farm, owing to his father's death, and here he has since continued to remain. In 1881 he married Miss Mary E. Soule, daughter of C. W. Soule, at that time a prominent farmer, of Bronson township, Huron county, now a resident of Norwalk. To this union were born five children, viz.: Bertha, Conrad, Nellie, Howard and Idel, all living. Mr. Lutts is owner of one hundred acres of excellent land, in a good state of cultivation, and all devoted to general crops and stock raising. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he is considered to be rather above the average farmer in reading and literature. He has a large and well-selected library, to which he is constantly adding standard works, it being his ambition to be, some day, the owner of one of the best libraries among the farmers of his county. He has now in his possession the anvil and vise which Michael Lutts used in his blacksmith shop, and which have been in use nearly one hundred years, in Huron county fifty-six years, and they yet show the hammer marks of the maker. W. E. TERWILLIGER is descended from pioneers of New England, representatives of whom migrated into New York State, where the subject of this sketch was born. William Terwilliger, the father of our subject, was an old resident of Orange county, N. Y., and there married Betsy Monroe. In 1834 they moved with their family to Cayuga county, N. Y., where Mrs. Terwilliger died in 1836. William E. Terwilliger was born December 15, 1829, in Orange county, N. Y., and in 1834 accompanied his parents to Cayuga county, where he was reared in the manner common to boys of the pioneer period. The subscription school, with its fee of three dollars per term, was then a luxury, which the circumstances of his parents would not permit our subject to enjoy. When ten or twelve years old he lived out as a farm hand at three dollars per month, and worked for several farmers at that rate. Later he found employment on the Erie Canal between Cayuga Lake and Albany, serving first as a driver, afterward as a steerer. Subsequently he was a deck hand on one of the Cayuga Lake boats, and thus was engaged until he was nineteen years old, when he bought his time from his father for one hundred dollars, and followed boating on canal and lake, until 1853, when he " caught the gold fever," and set out for California. The start was made from Auburn, N. Y., the following-named forming the party: James Sherwood, Oliver Booth, Charles Clark, George R. Van Liew, Reuben Doty, Jasper and William E. Terwilliger, all young men from the neighborhood. They sailed on the " Permetias " to Greytown on the Isthmus, thence up the river to Castalla Rapids, thence on foot to Castalla, at the head of the rapids; from there by lake boat to Virgins Bay, and thence by mules, furnished by the transportation company, to San Juan del Norte. On this trip were 500 "argonauts." The cavalcade was arranged in squads, each squad being under direction of a driver, who carried a great whip and kept the mules in line. From San Juan del Norte the party sailed to San Francisco, halting only at Acapulco to take on coal. Arriving at San Francisco, the party of which W. E. Terwilliger was a member rested for one day, and the next pushed on to Sacramento, where he found employment at four dollars a day, carrying brick up three stories, the first employment which presented itself. He followed various businesses in California, such as contracting to cut 100 acres of barley. for four dollars per acre, his partner being a man named Smith. Ultimately he bought a gold mine, which he sold out, and returned to New York in May, 1858. The journey home was interesting in many ways. Tak- 276 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. ing passage on the "Golden Gate" at San Francisco, the ship proceeded on her way, but when twenty-four hours out "broke down," and had to return to port. Mr. Terwilliger, not to be delayed, was among the men who then embarked on the old "Menetia," an unseaworthy craft, even then condemned. However, she carried the passengers in safety to the Isthmus, the trip across which was made without accident, and the returning adventurers took passage on the ship "Moses Taylor" for New York. The voyage was made in good time, and in May, 1858, he arrived among his relatives in Cayuga county, where he worked as a farm hand until November, same year. Mr. Terwilliger then resolved to leave his native State and seek a home in Ohio, where his sister, Mrs. Silas Cain, lived, and in November, 1858, he arrived in Clarks- field township, Huron county, where in the spring of 1859 he bought one hundred acres of unimproved land at twenty-one dollars. A log cabin stood on the tract, but, such as it was, it could scarcely be considered an improvement, and Mr. Terwilliger at once set himself to the clearing of the forest. On January 2, 1860, he was married to Elmira J. Ronk, who was born August 27, 1839, in Orange county, N. Y., daughter of George D. and Margaret (Vandernark) Ronk, who now reside in Brighton township, Lorain Co., Ohio. She came to Ohio in 1853, and worked out for her board and clothing, so that her education was limited to a short school term. After marriage the young couple moved into a house which was not yet plastered, so that he has, practically, accumulated his present valuable property since then. For over thirty years they have resided on their present place, engaged in farming and stock growing. For seventeen years he extensively carried on a dairy business without withdrawing his attention from his farm. His industry is proverbial, for at all times he finds something for his hands to do, and his surroundings speak of the constant care devoted to farm, stock and home. As a Whig, he voted for Winfield Scott. From 1858 to 1884 he voted with the Republicans, and since 1884 has been in the ranks of the Prohibitionists; he is not a politician, and seldom takes any interest beyond casting his vote. Formerly a Baptist, he became a Methodist, and is now steward and trustee in the East Clarksfield Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is also a, member. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Terwilliger are as follows: Anna E., Mrs. Frank McKenzie, of Brighton township, Lorain county ; Alma C., Mrs. George McDonald, of Clarksfield township, huron county ; George I., who married Miss Stella Cowie, of Brighton, Lorain county (they reside on one of the farms). Mr. Terwilliger is the owner of two farms, both of which are cultivated and improved to the highest extent. CYRUS T. KING, D. D. S., a leader in his profession, and a popular member of the Northern Ohio Dental Association, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., in 1849. Leonard King, his father, who was a native of Rhode Island, when a young man migrated to New York, whence in after years he proceeded to Huron county, Ohio. His wife, Julia (Turley) King, to whom he was married in Oswego county, N. Y., was a native of Connecticut. Of their three children, Warner A. is a dentist of Mayville, Ohio; Charles D. is a missionary of the Baptist Church in India, and Cyrus T. is the subject of this sketch. Cyrus T. King came to Ohio with the family when he was six years old. Receiving a practical education in the schools of his district in Huron county, he completed a literary course at Granville, Ohio, studied dentistry under Dr. Terry, of Nor- I walk, Ohio, and commenced the practice of that profession. Later he attended the Cincinnati Dental College, took the prize 277 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. for the best mechanical work, graduated from the Dental School in 1882, and resumed practice at New London. His patients come from. a wide district, for his work is appreciated, and his name is well and favorably known in connection with the profession. In 1873 Dr. King married Miss Addie Knowlton, and three children were born to them, namely: Harry L., Vinton and Ida. Politically our subject is a Prohibitionist, in religious faith a member of the M. E. Church, and in Society affiliation he is a Royal Arch Mason, well advanced in the work of the Chapter. As before stated, he is a member of the Northern Ohio Dental Association, and he is as much esteemed by his confreres as he is by his neighbors and patients. In municipal affairs he is a member of the board of health of New London, and his knowledge has been of inestimable value in the administration of that department of local goverment. He has made his own way through life, and may be classed among the self-made men of Ohio. SOLOMON SILLIMAN, a worthy member of the Sillirnan family of Fairfield county, Conn., is a grandson of Justus and Rebecca Silliman. Isaac Sillirnan, father of subject, was born in 1792, in Fairfield county, Conn., was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the school of the settlement at Weston, Fairfield county. On arriving at man's estate, he married Abby Barlow, also a native of that county, and to them were born three children, namely: Polly, Catherine and Solomon, of whom Solomon is the sole survivor. The mother died about 1826, and the father in 1840, leaving to his children a small but valuable farm. Solomon Silliman was born in Fairfield county, Conn., July 26, 1824, lost his mother when eighteen months old, and at the age of six years was placed in charge of Isaac Sherwood, a very extensive farmer of Herkimer county, N. Y. With him he remained until 1840, when Mr. Sherwood was killed by a falling tree. The youth was then hired by George Sherwcod as a farm hand, the money consideration being fifty dollars for seven months. Completing the contract, he attended school during the winter months, and worked for his brother-in-law during the other seasons, the wages being eight dollars per month, which in 1842 was increased to nine dollars. In the fall of 1843, he migrated to Ohio, locating in Fairfield township, Huron county, and found employment at ten dollars per month, with his cousin George Sillirnan. A short time after, he purchased a piece of wild land in Ripley township, Huron county, and with his trusty axe began the task of clearing away the forest. For three or four years he labored to create a farm out of the wilderness, and by 1850, had succeeded beyond his highest expectations. Mr. Silliman's marriage with Lucinda Peck, daughter of Isaac Peck, a prominent farmer of Danube, Herkimer Co., N. Y., took place April' 21, 1850. They began housekeeping on the new farm, where were born to them four children, namely: George B., Emma L., Hattie L., and Charles H., all of whom are now living. how these early settlers succeeded is told by the fact that Mr. Silliman became the possessor of 659 acres of land clear of incumbrance. In the purchase of this large tract of fertile Ohio land, the owner did not incur one dollar of debt, paying for each extension of his farm as it was made, besides laying by considerable money. To each of his children he gave a good farm. George B. resides near the. old home, and is married to Ada Long, cf New Haven, Ohio; Emma L. is the wife of J. Quincy Adams, of North Fairfield, Ohio; Hattie L. is the wife of Edwin C. Woodworth, of North Fairfield, Ohio; Charles H. married Emma Kurtz, of New Haven, Ohio, and resides on the old homestead. 278 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Silliman, having retired from farm life, has purchased a home in Plymouth, Huron Co., Ohio, where he now resides. The reputation of the father as a bread winner, and a man who hewed a magnificent property out of the forest, honors his children, and the history of his life encourages industry in the field. J. S. WHITE, Norwalk. The subject of this sketch disclaims the possession of any qualities that entitle him to the mention which his friends believe should be made of him; yet it is in no spirit of adulation when it is said of him that his life is illustrative of the success that attends honest, well-directed endeavor, industry, and conscientious adherence to duty. Mr. White's grandfather, Jonathan S., and father, John C. White, natives of New York State, came to Ohio in 1829, settling on a farm near Mansfield. The last- named married Nancy A. Taylor, in 1840, after which they came to Huron county, settling in Ripley township, where, on a piece of land entirely covered by the native forest, they built a log cabin, and commenced housekeeping in true pioneer fashion. Here J. S. White was born in 1844, and here followed the hard routine of farm life from the time he was old enough until grown to manhood. In the early fall of 1862 the One Hundred and First Regiment, O. V. I., was formed, Company C being for the most part made up of recruits from Ripley and Greenwich townships, Huron county, and our subject was one of the "boys" who enlisted in its ranks. In August the regiment went into camp at Monroeville, Ohio, and although Mr. White had enlisted in good faith, expecting to be a soldier and do soldier's duty, he was doomed to disappointment, for when he came before the medical examiners, he was rejected as being too slender to stand the marches and hardships incident to war. So, with a heavy heart, homeward he trod his lonely way. But conscious that he must do something for his country, he subsequently joined an independent company, and in 1864, through the call of Gov. Brough, he had the satisfaction of going South and doing duty as a soldier of the One Hundred and Sixty- sixth O. V. I. The educational advantages of Mr. White's boyhood days commenced in a log schoolhouse, the expenses of which school were defrayed by private subscription; but he was soon enabled to avail himself of the free schools, summer and winter, until such time as his services were required on the farm. He also enjoyed a few terms of select school, and, being taught by competent teachers, he so far mastered the coinmon branches that he became a teacher, in turn, and for several winters successfully taught young minds how to procure an education. In 1869 Mr. White married Marietta E. Barre, and they settled down to agricultural pursuits on a small farm adjoin. ing that of his father. Here they toiled, enjoying the fruits of their labor and respect of their neighbors until, in 1887, they moved to the city of Norwalk, where they have formed the acquaintance of many new friends to add to the list of old ones so dear to them. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. White are James Edgar, Blanche and John Gaylord, all at home. Mr. White is one of those men to whom the trite term self-made" is appropriately applied. Though lacking the advantages of a higher education in college, yet he has attained much of that most valuable education of all which comes from observation, experience and general reading of books. He has made for himself a character and reputation that place him in the highest regard of the people who know him best. The feeling of confidence in his judgment and probity is attested by the fact that lie has not only been called 279 - PHOTO OF J. S. WHITE 280 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 281 upon to serve in offices of trust in the township that was so long his home, but has been chosen to fill one of the most important offices in the county. In the year 1886 he was elected county auditor, taking his seat in September, 1887; was reelected in 1889, and now (in 1893) is serving out the last of his second term to the satisfaction of all parties; and when he retires into private life it will be with the satisfaction that he has served the people of the county in a manner that will elicit naught but favorable comment. Politically Mr. White has always been a Republican, and has been an unswerving supporter of the cause which that organization espoused. SAMUEL A. WARD, son of Samuel and Ezuba (Bailey) Ward, of Oneida county, N. Y., was born March 18, 1832, in Fitchville township. Samuel Ward was born in 1790, and was reared on his father's farm in Oneida county, N. Y. He married Ezuba Bailey, who was born in that county in 1793, and to their marriage were thirteen children— nine born in New York and four in Ohio, namely: Mary, who married Daniel Williams, died in Fitchville township; William, deceased in Michigan; Elizabeth (widow of George Curry), residing in Henderson county, Ill.; David, who died in Kentucky; Alpha, who also died at an adult age; Charlotte, who was first married to John Jenkins and subsequently to H. P. Starr, and died in Erie county, Ohio; Gurdon, who died in Michigan; James, who died in Bronson township, Huron county, and Martha, who married Benjamin Filkins, and died in Fitchville township; the children born in Ohio are Samuel A., of whom a sketch follows; Amos, member of a Michigan Cavalry Regiment, who died in the South during the war; Lucy, deceased in infancy, and Adda, wife of A. H. Fox, of Wakeman township, Huron county. About 1830 or '31 Samuel Ward and his family settled in Ohio. The journey from Oneida county, N. Y., was made by river, canal and lake boats to the lake port, and thence by wagon to Fitchville township. Here he purchased 200 acres of wild land at three dollars per acre, and entered at once on its improvement, leaving his family at his brother's house until the rude pioneer cabin would be ready to shelter them. Mr. Ward subsequently exchanged this property for another tract, on which he resided until his death, in 1864. His widow died in 1873, and their remains lie in Fitchville cemetery. Mr. Ward experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer life, conquered every difficulty and won a very high position among the pioneers of Fitchville. In politics at first a Democrat, the Free-soil principles of 1848 appealed to his ideas and claimed his support. In 1856 he became a Republican, and gave his adhesion to the new party until his death. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. Samuel A. Ward attended a school taught by Elder Hall, for a few months each year, and while yet a boy worked".:on the home place and became a valuable farm hand. During his youth he moved to Livingston county, Mich., where he earned good pay, residing there until 1853, when he returned to Ohio. On October 16, 1853, he was married to Weltha Filkins, who was born March 18, 1831, at Stockton, Chautauqua Co., New York. John S. Filkins, father of Mrs. Ward, came with his wife and seven children from Chautauqua county, N. Y., in March, 1832, the journey, part of the way, being made in a sleigh. He purchased fifty acres of wild land in North Fitchville, paying one dollar and fifty cents per acre. His family stayed with his wife's father, Zadok Weeks, until such time as he could clear a place and build a log cabin. He had much to contend against, and many difficulties to surmount in the daily struggle to provide for the family; but he bravely stood np 282 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. against all adverse circumstances. He had to journey to Wooster, a distance of fifty miles, to buy flour, and on one occasion he walked the entire-distance in order to make a purchase of fifty pounds of wool; and after getting it carded into rolls and placed in a sack, he shouldered his burden and walked home! His wife spun this wool into yarn, which in turn she wove into cloth wherewith she made garments for the family. She died of cholera in 1834, leaving a sorrowing husband with eight children on his hands, the eldest being a girl of thirteen summers, who with her father's help kept the family together two years. Of these eight children six are still living besides Mrs. Samuel A. Ward, and a brief record of them is as follows: Mrs. A. E. Vandusen resides in Milan, Ohio; A. J. Filkins and Mrs. M. C. Brown are in Wisconsin; Mrs. P. A. Whitsell resides in Centerville, Iowa; B. Filkins lives in Fitchville. Ohio; W. W. Filkins in 1852 set out for California by the overland route, enduring many hardships on the trip; be returned to his old home in 1876 for a visit, and he is now a resident of Portland, Oregon. The mother of these, as was also her husband, was a member of the Baptist Church. In 1836 Mr. Filkins married Miss Betsy Lyon, who died in 1849, leaving three children, all since deceased, to wit: Mrs. Eliza J. Prosser, who died in Hartland, Ohio, in 1864; Mrs. Ellen A. Williams, who died in St. Paul, Minn., in 1877; and Mrs. Julia E. Doane, who died in Hartland, Ohio, in 1873. By his third marriage Mr. Filkins had three children, viz.: X. M. and David A., both engineers on the "Big Four Road," and residents of Cleveland, Ohio; and Mrs. O. F. Fish, living in Florida, her husband being also a railroad engineer. In 1867 S. A. Filkins went to California, returning to Fitchville in 1872, soon after which, in the same year, he met with an accident at a barn raising which caused his death. The children born to Samuel A. and Weltha Ward are as follows: Eva B., born October 13, 1854, died October 7, 1880; Adalbert, born June 27, 1856, a farmer of Fitchville township; Carrie A., born March 15, 1858, died November 16, 1860; Albert E., born July 16, 1862, a farmer of Fitchville township; and Blanche M., born May 25, 1868, died August 13, 1881. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A. Ward took up their residence in the Ward home, and remained there until 1867, when they entered into possession of their present farm. Though now living a retired life, Mr. Ward still directs the management of the farm, which is worked by his sons, The property is a valuable one, and in its development the labor of Samuel A. Ward and the economical administration of Mrs. Ward have proved the most important factors. Politically he is a Republican, but he wastes but little time on politics, as his farm and stock interests claim his principal attention. Mrs. Ward is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. L. HELLER, a prominent farmer I citizen of Richmond township, was born March 27, 1842, in Northampton county, Penn., a son of Abraham Heller, a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Abraham Heller married Susan Ann Bower, by whom he had children as follows: Josiah, deceased in Luzerne county, Penn.; William H., of Ada, Ohio; a daughter that died when two years old; Maria, who married James Parks, and died in Ohio; Jacob L., subject of this memoir; and Benjamin F., who enlisted in 1864 in Company C, Forty-ninth Regiment O. V. I., and was killed December 16, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn:, where he was buried in the National cemetery. Abraham Heller was born and reared in a hotel, and conducted a hostelry for many years in Northampton county, Penn. He had been unfortunate in business, and the worry over his affairs hastened his death, HURON- COUNTY, OHIO - 283 which occurred in 18— in Pennsylvania. He was a much-respected citizen. In politics he was a member of the Democratic party. After the death of the father the widow kept the children together; she was subsequently married, in Pennsylvania, to David Mascho, a farmer, and in 1859 the family came westward to Ohio, locating in the village of Sulphur Springs, Crawford county, where they followed farming and resided for some years. Mr. Mascho died in 1882; his widow now makes her home at Ada, Hardin Co., Ohio. J. L. Heller received a common-school education, was reared to farm life, and when seventeen years old came to Ohio, as before stated. Here he commenced to learn harness-making with George Cox, serving as an apprentice to that trade for about six months, or until his enlistment in the Civil war. On August 15, 1861, at Sulphur Springs, Ohio, he joined Company C, Forty-ninth Regiment 0. V. I., Col. William H. Gibson, and served with his command to the close of the struggle. He was then detailed with the Fourth Army Corps, which was ordered to Texas, where he served five months, and was discharged November 30, 1865, at Victoria, Texas, though he did not reach home till January 1, 1866. His brother, William II., was a member of the same regiment, the same company as himself, serving at the same time and for the same period. On August 30, 1866, Mr. Heller was married to Uretsa Briggs, who was born February 27, 1846, in Crawford county, Ohio, daughter of Dr. G. A. and Olive (Blowers) Briggs, and to this union have come three children, viz.: Lillie M., now Mrs. Edison Wilcox, of Henry county, Ohio; Harry A., of Tiffin, Ohio, and Hattie M., at home. After marriage our subject located on his present place, where he has since continuously resided, engaged M general farming. In his political relations he is a Republican, is one of the local counselors and advisers of his party, and has served creditably as township trustee and in various other positions. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Heller are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he has been steward and a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is a prominent citizen and successful farmer, and takes an active interest in the welfare of the community in which he resides. Mr. Heller has traveled considerably, and has been all over the West. MRS. LOUISA BOGARDUS, who was born November 12, 1819, in Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Penn., is a daughter of Truman and Clarissa (Fuller) Atherton, and widow of the late Hon. Evert Bogardus. Hon. Evert Bogardus was a son of Jacob B. Bogardus, whose father (also named Jacob) was an extensive wholesale merchant and importer, of New York, being a representative of a very wealthy and aristocratic family. Jacob B. Bogardus was born.November 24, 1785, and was reared in East Haddam, Conn., where he grew to manhood and was married about 1807 to Gertrude Mosely, a native of the same place, whose father, Jonathan Mosely, served sixteen years in Congress. Mr. Bogardus followed bookkeeping for some time, then engaged in mercantile business, and spent several years in the West. He died November 24, 1868, at the home of his son in Ridgefield township, Huron Co., Ohio. Hon. Evert Bogardus was born September 15, 1813, in Lehman, Luzerne Co., Penn., and, while receiving but a Subscription-school education, inade the best possible use of every opportunity. When fifteen years old he was apprenticed to a saddler in New York, but not liking the business, he went to Philadelphia. He then determined to secure a more general education, and after spending a short time in Kalamazco, Micb., he followed bookkeeping in Williamsport, Penn. On No- 284 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. vember 17, 1840, he was united in marriage with Louisa Atherton, and resided on a farm in Huntsville, Luzerne Co., Penn., for seven years, then located at Wilkes-Barre, same State, where he followed a commission business along the canal. In 1856 he came to Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio, and in the spring of 1857 entered into partnership with a brother-in-law. he then purchased land in Ridgefield township, Huron county, and devoted his attention for a time to agricultural pursuits. In 1860 he opened a store in North Monroeville, Huron county, which he sold in 1881, and afterward lived in retirement. Evert Bogardus was a Democrat prior to the war, at which time, however, he joined the Republican party, serving in various township and county offices. He represented Huron county for four years in the State Legislature at Columbus, and served six years as county commissioner. In religious faith he and his wife were zealous members of the Congregational Church at North Monroeville, Huron county, They were the parents of two children, William P., a hardware merchant of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and Emma G., deceased wife of H. C. Read. The father died January 26, 1892, and was buried in the North Monroeville cemetery. After his death his widow moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she resides near her son, enjoying the society of many friends. ARZA. B. GILSON, SR., one of the most prominent of Huron county's representative farmer citizens, and one of the most prosperous, deserves more than a passing notice in this work. The first of the family to come to America was his great-grandfather, who arrived in New York from Ireland about the middle of the eighteenth century. He was one of two brothers, the other remaining in Ireland. The one who emigrated settled in Saratoga county, N. Y., and there reared a family of thirteen children, of whom one, named Joel, was born about 1750. The latter was a lifelong farmer in Saratoga, his native county, and in connection operated a sawmill. He was a collector, in the service of the United States Government, of Continental. money, and had, it is alleged, in his possession the sum of forty-two thousand, eight hundred and forty dollars worth of that scrip when Congress repudiated the payment of same, and he thereby lost all he had. In his political affiliations he was first a Federalist, later a Whig, and he was a man of considerable prominence in his section, straightforward in his dealings, and highly respected. He died in 1820. His wife was a Miss Adams, of Saratoga county, N. Y,, and they had a family of seven sons and three daughters, named as follows: Norman, Eli, Jonas, Joel, John, Asa, Naum, Mary, Anna and Rhoda, all of whom lived to a ripe old age, and are all now deceased. Naum Gilson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born April 27, 1793, in Saratoga county, N. Y., and received but a limited education at the subscription schools of the period, but by hard study at home he became quite a proficient scholar. In 1817 he came to Ohio, walking the entire distance to Norwich township, Huron county, and hewed out for himself a home in the dense forest. He built there the first known log house in the township to be used as a residence; put up the first pair of rafters, and made the first plow and harrow ever used in the township. At this time Indians and wild animals, including game of all kinds, were numerous. He served in the war of 1812, as did also his six brothers and father. His wife was Miss Sally Ormes, of Northumberland county, Mass., a daughter of Chauncy Ormes, a capitalist of that section, and the children born to them were Giles J., deceased; Marilla D, Spaulding and Sarah A. Halliday, both HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 285 deceased; Eugenia M., now Mrs. Abram DeGroff, of Grand Ledge, Mich.; Arza B., subject of sketch; Elon W., of Norwalk, Huron county, an ex-treasurer of the county; and Ardelia A., now Mrs. S. W. Owen, of Norwalk, Ohio. The father died in 1864, mourned by all who knew him. He was a man of ability and considerable business tact. At one time he was land-agent for John W. Allen, of Cleveland, who owned a large tract of land in Huron county; was township clerk thirteen years, and postmaster at North Norwich eighteen years, being the first postmaster in Norwich township. He entertained at his house the first minister that came to the township, and was converted by him on the occasion of his first visit, being received into the fold of the M. E. Church. Politically he was originally a Whig, afterward, on the formation of the party, a stanch Republican. A. B. Gilson, the subject proper of these lines, was born April 23, 1827, on the farm whereon he now lives in Norwich township. He received a fair education at the public schools of the locality, and, being an apt scholar and close student, soon fitted himself for the position of teacher. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school, and continued in that profession fourteen years; he also taught vocal music thirty-five years. In 1863 he raised a company of 115 men, and was elected captain of Company E, Sixty- third Regiment 0. N. G. On May 2, 1864, this regiment was called upon by the General Government for one hundred days service, and on that day he was chosen as major. On arriving at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, this regiment was joined by the Seventy-ninth Battalion O. N. G. from Medina county, Ohio, and was then known as the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth 0. V. I., the field officers of which were Harrison G. Blake, Col.; Randolph Eastman, Lt. Col.; and Arza B. Gilson, Major. He served the regiment in this capacity until the twelfth of May, 1864, when by reason of an attack of pneumonia he was relieved from duty, and returned home. He was mustered out of the regiment September 9, following, at Cleveland, Ohio. He then engaged in farming, in which he has met with well- merited success, now owning 228 acres of land, besides property in Chicago, Ohio. On February 8, 1860, Mr. Gilson married Miss Eliza A. Baker, of Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Chauncy Baker, and two children have been born to them: Aida Belle, who was a pupil of the Conservatory of Music at Cleveland, Ohio, married November 22, 1893, to John M. Elder; and Arza Baker, at home and at school. Our subject, in addition to his many other interests, is a notary public, and pension attorney, in which capacity he enjoys a large practice, covering several States. THADDEUS S. FANCHER, farmer and stock grower of Greenwich township, was born April 8, 1809, in Ulster county, N. Y., a son of Thaddeus Fancher, a native of England, where he was born in 1777, and where he learned the harness maker's trade. Emigrating to the United States, Thaddeus Fancher found his home near Stamford, Conn., followed his trade, and there married Sally Mead, a daughter of Gen. Mead, of Revolutionary fame. To that marriage twelve children were born, namely: Mary, Caroline, Daniel, Mead, Eliza, Thaddeus S., Amy, William, Sarah, Mathew, William and Varney P., of whom Sarah, Mathew and Varney P. were born in Huron county. About the year 1808 the family moved from Connecticut to Ulster county, N. Y., where the father followed his trade until the war of 1812 called all loyal men to arms. Mr. Fancher was drawn into the maelstrom, and took up arms against the troops of his native land. After the war he resumed his trade, and resided with his 286 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. family in Ulster county until 1815, when he set out on the long journey to Huron county, Ohio, to see for himself whether the glowing reports about the "Firelands" were reliable. The journey was made on foot, and satisfied Mr. Fancher that the land was all that was claimed for it, however wild the country. He returned to Ulster county, but in 1819 revisited Ohio, selected a tract in Greenwich township, Huron county, and went home to prepare for the removal of his family to a new home in a new land. In November, 1820, the family started on the journey to hio, a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen,With a horse for leader being used during the long trip, which occupied five weeks and four days. When passing thrcugh Cleveland only eight huts marked the site of that now prosperous city, and along the route via Oberlin and Fitchville Caucasian life was scarce indeed. On Christmas Eve, 1820, the family found shelter in a cabin occupied by a man named Waters. On Christmas Day they arrived in Greenwich township, and took possession of an old hut, which stood on the farm now owned by C. A. Sutton. Within a day or so they had a visit from David Briggs, their first neighbor, who lived about two miles away, and in the walk over that short distance he killed seven deer. He informed the new comers of his feat, and with Mr. Fancher's help gathered in the game and insured to his new friends enough meat to supply the table for the winter. The father died December 26, 1854, the mother May 1, 1857. He was truly one of the pioneers of northern Ohio, was a leading Whig of this section, and though not an adherent of the Democratic party the men of that faction, who knew him, admired him for his sincerity and honesty of purpose. Thaddeus S. Fancher came to Ohio with his parents when eleven years old. There were no schools in Huron county for six years after his arrival, .so that the boy was compelled to tramp three miles to and fro daily, in winter, to a school which had been recently established in Ruggles township, Ashland county. He grew to manhood on the home farm, in the improvement of which he assisted materially. On September 8, 1833, he married Annie .M. Chapman, of Richland county, who was born at Simsbury, Conn., October 8,1817, and came to Richmond county with her parents, Cyrus and Chloe (Case) Chapman, in 1819. The children born to them are named as follows: Reuben, of Lake county, Ind., engaged in farming, real estate and insurance; Louisa, Mrs. Albert Flint, of Emporia, Kans.; Lavina, widow of—Warren, of Chicago; Varney P., who served in the One Hundred and Second O. V. I., suffered the horrors of Libby Prison and lost his health, dying in Missouri, after the war; Salathiel, a real-estate man in Kansas City; Lewis, also a resident of Kansas City; George, a carpenter, residing at home; Maria, Mrs. William Dennison, of Topeka, Kans.; Stephen, deceased when six months old; Orlando, who died when three years old; Semore, an attorney at Crown Point, Ind., and Luella, Mrs. Alva Tubbs, of Osawatomie, Kans. In September, 1833, our subject settled on part of his present farm, increasing the area of his lands gradually, until his large estate was formed. In 1859 fire destroyed his buildings and much farm produce; insurance had expired five or six days before, so that he suffered total loss. He found himself one thousand seven hundred dollars in debt, but going to work with redoubled energy he reached the front again, and his progress has since been unchecked. He provided well for his children, and to-day enjoys the comforts which such a man should have. Mr. and Mrs. Fancher are the oldest married couple in Huron county. They well remember the days when the bear, wolf and deer were ordinary visitors, and when deer would come to browse on the leaves of the fallen trees in the clearing. Indians in parties of thirty-five or forty HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 287 often passed their pioneer home, en route to the hunting fields of central Ohio. Formerly a Whig, and a Republican since 1856, he has always been faithful to his party, and he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Church forty years. Both are identified with the pioneer history of northern Ohio, and are honored by all, old and young, who know them. DEWITT C. NORTON, was born December 10, 1826, in Poultney, Vt,, a grandson of Solomon Norton, who was born in Connecticut in 1757, and reared to farming, which he made a success. Grandfather Norton moved to Vermont when a young man, bought a farm and erected a saw and grist mill, all of which he carried on for some years. He was prosperous and became a very influential man. At the age of seventy-five he retired from active life, and with his wife (his third one) moved to the town of Shoreham, Vt., where he passed the remainder of his days. He was first married, in 1774, to Miss Sarah Rexford, who was born in 1757 in Vermont, and they had thirteen children—seven sons and six daughters. James R. Norton, seventh child of Solomon Norton, was born in Poultney, Vt., in 1786, and was highly educated; he attended one of the best eastern colleges, was a good classical scholar, a great reader, and was possessed of a most retentive memory. He married Miss Chloe Savage, of Granville, N. Y., a daughter of Solomon Savage, of the same place, and then embarked in mercantile business in Poultney, in which he continued until the passage of the Embargo Act, which ruined his business. He then commenced the trade of cooper, and worked at same in Ponltney till 1834, in which year he came to Huron county, Ohio, and settling in Norwalk township bought a farm of thirty acres. He still continued at his trade here, while his sons farmed the place, and became quite prosperous, owning before his death 147 acres of land. In politics he was a strong Republican, one of the counsellors and advisers of the party. Mr. and Mrs. James R. Norton were the parents of six children, viz.: Louisa, Charlotte L., Sarah, James H., DeWitt C. and Henry C. DeWitt C. Norton at the age of eight years came with his father from Ponitney, Vt., to Norwalk township. He received his education at the high school of Norwalk, after which he taught school nine winters. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Sarah Henderson, daughter of Joseph Henderson, of Connecticut. After marriage he farmed with his father until the death of the latter in 1872, when he bought his present farm, then of 147, now of 177 acres, and commenced the rearing of fine sheep, an industry he continued in some years with good success, and he had the reputation of keeping the best sheep in the county. He has now on his farm several thorough-bred cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Norton were the parents of four children, viz.: Mary and Sarah L., both of whom died young; Horace H., working on his father's farm; and James P., a veterinary surgeon in Fulton, Mo. In politics our subject is a solid Republican, but has never sought office. GEORGE M. RYERSON was born t March 10, 1821, in Sussex county, N. J. His father, Peter Ryerson, followed farming, and was also an extensive tanner and currier in that county. During the youth of George M. Ryerson, his native county was surrounded by pioneer conditions of even a more decided character than he found existing in Huron county, Ohio, in later years. He received such an education as the subscription schools of Sussex county afforded, and then 288 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked continuously until some six oreight years after coming to Ohio in 1850. On January 14, 1847; he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Edsall, a native of Sussex county, N. J., and to them the following named children were born: Elizabeth, who died in childhood; Sarah, born October 22, 1849, who married Charles H. Burg, of Paterson, N. J.; Price AT., born November 6, 1851, a farmer of Greenfield township, Huron Co,, Ohio; Edsall F., born August 12, 1853, in Huron county, also a farmer in the neighborhood; Esther P., born January 11, 1856, wife of A. G. Roe, of Peru township; George E., a farmer of Fairfield township; Dora Elzie, married to Fred Mitchell, of Bronson township; Delno P., a farmer of Peru township; Kate, married to Freeman Mitchell, of Greenfield township; and Grace, the youngest child, who was married November 15, 1893, to Henry T. Graham, of Greenfield. The mother of this large family died July 4, 1877, aged fifty-three years, and was buried in Center cemetery with the rites of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she was a member. On June 25, 1878, Mr. Ryerson married, for his second wife, Miss Hannah Harrison, who was born February 11, 1837, in Hnntingdonshire, England, and came thence to Norwalk, Ohio, in 1867. The children of this marriage are: Mabel B., born May 4, 1879, and Susie A., born August 28, 1880. In 1850 Mr. Ryerson, with his wife and two children, made the journey from New Jersey to this part of Ohio, where he rented a small tract of land. Later he purchased a larger tract in Peru township, where he now resides. A farmer and carpenter, he found work always waiting for his hands, and his industrious character did not permit a waste of time. A good farmer and a good mechanic, he filled the double role well, and accumulated a valuable property. His children were all reared at home, and when each required aid in beginning life's journey, he was always ready with will and means to assist. Up to the Buchanan regime Mr. Ryerson was a Democrat, but since that period he has been a Republican. He has held various township offices, and is thoroughly versed in the principles of government, always taking a deep interest in the success of his party, particularly in the management of township and county affairs. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held several offices, and is one of its pillars and most liberal supporters. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. The family are well and favorably known here, and Mr. Ryerson, himself, is held in the highest esteem. URI B. THOMAS, who has been a resident of Huron county since 1846, was born October 24, 1818, in Otsego county, New York. His parents, George and Adeline (Baker) Thomas, bestowed care on the training of their son, and gave him such education as the common district school afforded. At the age of eighteen years sickness compelled him to abandon study, and for the three following years little attention was given by him to school matters. Convalescent once more, he entered Clinton Institute, Clinton, N. Y., in May, 1840, the year he claims was the turning point in his life, and being a studious young man learned quickly—grammar, algebra, chemistry, surveying, philosophy and the higher branches of mathematics, French and Latin being particularly suited to him. After a stay of four months and a half at Clinton, he contracted to teach the village school at Burlington Flats, the consideration being seventeen dollars per month. There were fifteen applicants for this position, which entailed the instruction and control of one hundred and five pupils. This, his first school, began November 1, 289 - PHOTO OF URI B. THOMAS 290 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 291 1840, and ended in March, 1841. His success as teacher was pronounced, so that when he established a select school in the same village, parents gave him a liberal support. For several years after Mr. Thomas conducted school, and also found time to attend Clinton Institute. In 1840 he walked nine miles to attend the Whig convention at Utica, making the tow-path of the Chenango Canal his road to and fro; and in November of that year he cast his first vote for President of the United States. From 1840 to 1846 he was steadily engaged in school work, and in April of the last named year he set out for Huron county, traveling via the Erie Canal and lake to Huron, Ohio, whence he proceeded to his destination in Greenwich township. His father owned a piece of partly improved land in that township, half of which tract( to the value of about five hun- dred dollars he granted to his son, provided the latter would clear and improve the whole tract. Uri B. went to work earnestly, and though the condition of his health scarcely warranted such labor as the contract with his father demanded, yet his venture was attended with marked success. In the fall of 1846 he purchased 110 acres of wild land for five hundred and ten dollars, and gave his attention for three-fourths of each year to the improvement of both tracts, being engaged in teaching school here during the winter terms. On April 16, 1849, Mr. Thomas married Ellen R. McOmber, a native of Castleton, Vt., born May 21, 1829. In 1848 a sister of this lady, by name Charlotte, visited Greenwich township; she was one of a party going through the country, lecturing on mnemonics, or the science of memory, and gave an exhibition in the school, then conducted by Mr. Thomas. She organized a class there, which her sister was assigned to teach, and in this way Mr. Thomas became acquainted with her. They were married at the old " Neil House," Columbus, Ohio, by a Universalist preacher, Rev. N. Doolittle, and to this union were born the following named children: Orr U., residing at home; George T., probate judge of Huron county; Dora E., who died young; a son who died in infancy; and Luna A., who died young. Mrs. Ellen R. Thomas died March 25, 1861, and was buried in Fitchville cemetery. On February 17, 1864, his marriage with Myra B. Stowe, a native of Erie county, Ohio, took place, and to them were born: Walter S., who died in youth, and Myra A., Mrs. Lewis A. Akeley, a professor in the University of South Dakota, at Vermillion. After his first marriage our subject established his home on the old place where he had resided since 1846, and continued there until 1864, when he moved to his present residence. For a number of years he was recognized as a leading agriculturist, stock grower and wool dealer, in the latter capacity buying wool throughout northern Ohio. For over two years he has led a semi-retired life, leaving his lands and the management of the estate in the hands of his eldest son. Mr. Thomas was a Democrat until 1852. In 1848 he voted the Free-soil ticket, and in 1856 voted the Republican ticket. He was a justice of the peace for many years, but stoutly refused other offices, even withdrawing his name when presented in convention of his party for representative in the Legislature. He is thoroughly versed in the political history of the United States, and well informed on a great number of subjects. Possessing a good memory and the gift of language, he is a fluent, intelligible speaker. Some two years ago he sustained injuries from a runaway team, which came near making him a cripple for life, and to his own knowledge of anatomy, more than to any other, source, must be credited his recovery. On August 29, 1873, was organized a corporate company, under the title of "The Greenwich Land and Building Association," having purchased the farm of 292 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO 121.44 acres where Greenwich now stands, for the purpose of growing the town. The town of Greenwich had in 1873 a population of fifty within a radius of 160 rods from the center of the C. C. C. & I. B. R. tracks on Main street. In 1878 the population of Greenwich, within the same radius, was over 1,000. Mr. Thomas having taken stock in said Association, at the election of officers in September, 1873, he was elected its president; re-elected to that position annually to date, and the management has been largely under his control. ETHAN C. LOVELL, a large landowner of Greenfield township, was i born here June 17, 1819, where his parents, David and Mary Chilcott Lovell, were early pioneers. David Lovell was born in 1763, in Baltimore county, Md., which, according to Bancroft, was " the only place in the wide world where religious liberty found a home." His ancestors came from England, but whether with the Maryland or Virginia colonists is not recorded. He was reared on the home farm in his native county, received an education in the school of his district, and when yet a young man removed to Huntingdon county, Penn. There he married Mary Chilcott, also a native of Baltimore county, Md., and they resided in Trough Creek Valley until the fall of 1815, when he sold his farm and journeyed across the mountains with his wife and four children. He made a short stay at the home of a relative in Knox county, Ohio, but the reputation of the "Firelands" had penetrated to the wilderness of Knox county, and soon the family started on the journey to Huron county. Arriving here Mr. Lovell entered a large tract of land in Greenfield township, but did not build a new cabin immediately, preferring the shelter which the cabin of an earlier settler afforded until he could select a favorable site for a home. His land purchases were not confined to Greenfield township, so that he carried all he could handle. At this critical time the buyer of the farm in Huntingdon county, Penn., failed to pay for it, and ownership had to be resumed by Mr. Lovell. This circumstance compelled him to sell, not only the old farm at a sacrifice, but also some of his lands in Ohio. After this troublesome deal was con - eluded, he located on the farm where Ethan C. Lovell now resides, and gave all his attenticn to agriculture until his death, which occurred November 16, 1830. ,His widow died July 14, 1848, and both are interred in Greenfield township. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously a member of the Close Communion Baptist Church. The record of their children is as follows: Ruth, born March 8, 1804, died February 17, 1818, while her parents were visiting in Pennsylvania, and was the first person interred in Greenfield cemetery; Martha, born November 2, 1806, is the deceased wife of Edward H. Lowther, of Greenfield township; Rachel, born August 6, 1809, is the deceased wife of Phineas K. Guthrie; Mary, born September 10, 1811, died November 6, 1820; Eleanor, born August 29, 1815, is the deceased wife of Nehemiah Brooks; Ethan C. is the sub. ject of this sketch. Ethan C. Lovell was born and reared on the farm where he now resides, and his education was such as the primitive schools of that period afforded; geography was the boy's favorite study. After the death of his father his mother assumed charge of the farm, and the son worked thereon. When seventeen or eighteen years old he took charge of the home farm of fifty acres, and also of a farm of sixty acres in Peru township, and carried both on with marked success. He was married December 30, 1854, to Martha McKelvey, who was born March 31, 1831, at Plymouth, Ohio. Her grandfather, William McKelvey, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. In 1811 he came to the "Firelands" of Ohio, and settled in Greenfield township, Huron HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 293 county; but some time afterward, when the news of Hull's treachery and the capitulation of Detroit was heralded through the settlements, William McKelvey removed his family to Trumbull county, and he and his son William joined the army. When peace was declared they returned to Greenfield, Huron county. Matthew McKelvey, father of Mrs. Lovell, was born January 30, 1794, in Westmoreland county, Penn. He married Nancy Adams, who was born July 30, 1798, at Marlboro, Vt., a daughter of Bildad Adams, an early settler of Huron county, Ohio. Matthew McKelvey opened a general store near Greenfield Center; the first dry-goods stote at Plymouth, Ohio, was established by him, and for a long time he was the leading merchant in a wide district, where to-day thousands are engaged in trade. Mr. and Mrs. Lcvell located on the present farm immediately after marriage, and to-day possess one of the finest residences in the township. Having no children of their own, they adopted two, who bear the name of their foster-parents. In political life Mr. Lovell, prior to 1856, was a Democrat, of the Jacksonian school, but since then he has been a thorough Republican; he is a strong and logical advocate for protective tariffs. The valuable property which he now owns is the direct result of his own and his wife's industry and perseverance. He gives to agriculture and stock growing the care which generally warrants success, and to-day he ranks with the leading farmers of this section of Ohio. PHILIP HAUXHURST, a successful farmer and prominent citizen of Huron county, was born October 4, 1829, in Ulster county, New York. Samson Hauxhurst, his father, was born April 30, 1803, near White Plains, N. Y., and was raised on his father's farm until he was eighteen years old. In 1821 he was apprenticed to a carpenter and millwright, with whom he served five years. On January 1, 1829, he married Susan Briggs, who was born February 22, 1806, in Wawarsing township, Ulster Co., N. Y., where her father, Daniel Briggs, was a farmer. To this marriage eight children were born, of whom the three first named in the following record were natives of New York: Philip, the subject of this sketch; George, born April 10, 1832, who died September 11, 1840; Martha, born January 1, 1834, Mrs. J. W. Sprague, of Belgrade, Neb.; Elnora, born February 2, 1837, wife of J. S. Laughlin, of Golden Spring, Neb.; Mary Jane, born September 9, 1840, widow of - Carscallen, of Oakdale, Antelcpe Co., Neb.; Sarah, born September 9, 1842, who married Marcus Bacon, and died December 14, 1873, at Wells- worth, Mo.; Minerva, born August 1, 1844, Mrs. Herbert Mickey, of Fitchville township; and Charles W., born November 8, 1846, died April 13, 1847. In the fall of 1836 the parents and their three children set out from Ulster county for Ohio. From their home in the village of Ellen ville, to Kingston, thirty miles distant, they traveled in a wagon, thence, to Albany, on a Hudson-river boat;, thence to Buffalo on canal boat; thence to Huron, Ohio, on lake boat, and lastly in a wagon to Fitchville township, Huron county, where the family found a temporary home with Robert Washburn, a brother-in-law of Mr. Hauxhurst. Samson Hauxhurst was not a stranger in the new country. In 1834 he had visited the West to examine lands, and starting from Detroit traversed southeastern Michigan and the two northern tiers of counties in Ohio (east of Wood county), on horseback. In Huron county he found land to suit him, and purchased 140 acres at sixteen dollars per acre. After locating here in 1836 he built a log cabin, which soon after gave place to a log house built by himself. From that time till 294 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. October 23,1880, when death removed the pioneer, he gave all his time and attention to the farm, seldom even exercising his trade, when such would take him away from the place. Mrs. Hauxhurst died in June, 1870. Politically a Republican, he was well posted on public affairs, faithful to the party platform, and filled several township offices most satisfactorily. In religious faith ,he and his wife were members of the M. E. Church, and ardent as well as liberal supporters of same. Mr. Hauxhurst donated a house and lot to the missionary cause. He held various positions in the church, and was, altogether, one of its most zealous members. Philip Hauxhurst was reared at Ellenville, N. Y., until he was seven years of age, when,' he accompanied his parents to Ohio. In boyhood he attended the Fitchville high school, when Mr. DeWolfe, ex- State superintendent of schools, was principal of that institution. After school days had gone with the past, he returned to the farm. On May 4, 1854, he was united in marriage with Julia A. Denman, born November 26. 1830, in Ulster county, N. Y., daughter of Martin Denman, who settled in Townsend township, Huron county, in 1833. To this marriage came children as follows: Carrie D., born January 12, 1856, died April 7, 1864; Louisa, born December 7, 1857, died October 3, 1875; Annabel M., born August 10, 1859, wife of J. E. Bliss, of Fairfield township; and an infant, unnamed, born February 8, 1863, who died a few days later. The mother of these children passed away September 11, 1867, and Mr. Hauxhurst's marriage with Mrs. Mary Webster, widow of Guy Webster, of Ionia, Mich., took place June 7, 1870. She died without issue, February 13, 1889, and on June 3, 1890, our subject married Anna Filkins, a native of Attica, N. Y., born February 22, 1835. After his first marriage Mr. Hauxhurst located in his father's home. This property he purchased in 1870, and at once began the work of improving it. The residence, which was built by himself, is one of the finest in the township. Politically a Republican, he has always been true to the party. He has filled the office of township trustee for a greater number of terms than any other resident of the township, and has also served in other local offices. In religious affairs he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and steward of the M. E. Society of Fairfield. In May, 1864, our subject enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth O. V. I. (formerly of the Sixty-third Ohio National Guards), proceeded to Virginia with the command on May 15, and served in the defense of Washington, D. C., against Jubal Early's raiders. He practically escaped the sickness which attacked the regiment, and receiving hcnorable discharge, was mustered out September 9, 1864, and returning home resumed farming. His civil and military records are without stain, and to-day he stands high in the opinion of the people of Huron county and his township. R. M. WILLEY was born August 23, 1828, in the county of Durham, England. He received but a common country school education in his native land, and when yet a boy emigrated to America, locating in Gunins, Seneca Co., New York. In 1854 he came to Ohio, and being naturally adapted to mechanical work, entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company in the road's pioneer days. After leaving this company he went to Michigan, and became an engineer for a sawmill, in one of the great lumber camps. Finally returning to Ohio, he was married, July 29, 1870, to Hattie J. Haskell, who was born in 1843, in Worcestershire, England. She is the daughter of George and Mary Ann (Barber) Haskell, who came to America in HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 295 1850, locating in Erie county, Ohio. R. M. and Hattie J. Willey were the parents of one daughter, Gertie M., who now has charge of the home farm. On April 22, 1872, Mr. Willey mourned the death of his wife, and she was laid to rest in the Norwalk cemetery. He passed his remaining years on the farm in Ridgefield township, Huron county, following general agriculture and stock raising, in which he was successful. his death occurred August 4, 1890, when he was laid to rest by the side of his wife. When a young man Mr. Willey twice sustained the loss of large sums of money due him for labor, but not becoming discouraged he again set to work, and at last succeeded in acquiring a competence. He became an eager reader, and spent most of his time at home, where he could always be found. Although very unassuming in his manner, he was a very popular man, and his friends were numbered by the scores. In politics he was a Republican, taking an active interest in the success of his party. J. L. SLAGLE, one of the prominent railroad men of Chicago Junction, was born July 4, 1858, at Cassel, Hessen-Cassel, Germany. The name, in Germany, was originally von Schlagel, but after coming to the United States the father of George von Schlagel, grandfather of our subject, changed the spelling to Slagle. George von Slagle was born in Gallia county, Ohio, shortly after his parents had emigrated to the United States. He received a common English education, and by his own labor paid for his education as civil engineer and land surveyor. About 1856 he married a Miss Atkins, of southern Indiana, and while they were visiting in Germany to settle an estate, the subject of this sketch was born. They returned n September, 1858, and settled in Wapello County, Iowa. In 1861 George Slagle en-listed as a private in Company E, Thirty- sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and later was promoted to corporal. Taken prisoner, he was compelled for seven months to accept the terrible hospitality of the Confederate prisons, which, with thirty-seven months in actual service, made his full term of three years and eight months. Since receiving honorable discharge he has resided at Seymour, Ind., where he follows the profession of civil engineer, and is engaged in contracting. He has three children, namely: J. L., Frank, and Hattie C., wife of Harry Wheeler, locomotive engineer, of Seymour, Ind. The mother of this family died nineteen years ago. J. L. Slagle received a fair education in the common and graded schools of Seymour, Ind. At the age of nineteen years he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific as fireman on the Kansas City & Atchison division, in which position he served eight months, when he was promoted to yard engineer. After eight months' service he resigned, returning to Indiana, where he again found employment as fireman, but in an accident of his road he received injuries which incapacitated him for heavy railroad work for three years. He was able, however, to do clerical work, and traveled over the country in various employments. In 1881 he resumed railroad work, as fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, but later accepted a position as brakeman ; was then promoted to freight, and then to passenger conductor. On July 23, 1886, he assisted in opening the new division between Philadelphia and Baltimore, where he remained nearly one year, and in 1887 returned as freight train conductor between Chicago Junction and Chicago, making his home at Chicago Junction. Since entering the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company he has served in nearly every capacity on the train—as brakeman, fireman, baggage agent, and freight and passenger conductor. Mr. Slagle was married August 9, 1888, to Kunnegunde, eldest daughter of Capt. 296 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. F. J. Leydorf. They own a delightful home on Spring street, and enjoy many substantial friendships. Mr. Slagle is a polished, courteous gentleman, popular not only in railroad circles, but also among men in every station in Chicago Junction. In 1892 his name was presented to the Republican convention, as candidate for sheriff of Huron county, and he received a flattering support. In the great railroad system of this country promotion always waits on such a man, slow it may 'IA, but sure. JOSEPH SMITHLA, who was born February 19, 1819, in Baden, Ger- many, is a son of John and Mary (Gross) Smithla, natives of that division of what is now the German Empire. John Smithla was a miller, and died in 1826, his wife surviving him three years. After the death of her first husband she re-married, and Joseph resided with his step-father during his minority. He attended the schools of his native town, and subsequently learned the baker's trade, at which he worked until 1847. In that year he sailed for America from the port of Havre in northern France, landed at New York, worked one month at his trade there, and then proceeded to Sandusky, Ohio. He appears to have cast aside the baker's trade there in favor of an ordinary laborer's work, for he worked in the latter capacity on the Newark & Sandusky Railroad, which was then in course of construction. In 1850 he went to California, the journey occupying 103 days, and was engaged in the gold diggings until 1852, when he returned to Ohio and made his home in Huron county. On May 2, 1853, he was married to Helena Hiss, who came from Germany with her parents in 1837, and the children born to this marriage were Joseph, Edward and Taophile (all three farmers of Peru township); Helena, Rosa, Carrie and Tillie, residing with parents, and Mary and Paul (deceased). In 1853 Mr. Smithla purchased ninety acres of his present farm of 187 acres, afterward adding the remaining ninety-seven acres. This tract gives ample evidence of the care which he has bestowed upon it during the last forty years. It is highly improved and intrinsically valuable, as well as being the pioneer home of the Smithlas in America. Like the Argonauts of 1849-52, the owner is a whole-souled, able-bodied, reliable man, whose industry carved out of a forest a valuable home. The family are all members of the Catholic congregation, and, like the father, very much esteemed, Mr. Smithla votes with the Democratic party in State and National issues; and even in local politics, where the man, rather than the party, is considered, it is unusual for him to desert the nominee of his party. The elegant brick residence and farm buildings speak forcibly of Mr. Smithla's relation to the community. WILLIAM PERRIN, one of the 2 leading representative business _ men of Huron county, is a native of the Keystone State, born in Wilkes-Barre, March 31, 1835, a son of Gurdin and Polly (Church) Perrin, the former of whom was born in Connecticut in 1801, where he was reared and educated. In 1822 Gurdin Perrin moved to Pennsylvania where he followed farming till 1837, at which time he came to Huron county, Ohio, and continued his life vocation up to his death, which event occurred about the year 1867. He was a Presbyterian of the old school, in church connecticn, and an uncompromising Whig, in his political predilections. About the year 1824 he was married to Polly Church, and they had a family of eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and six are now living. The mother died October 5,1855. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 297 William Perrin, the subject proper of this sketch, was educated at the Huron Institute, at Milan, Ohio, and when old enough commenced teaching school in Huron county, in which he continued some years. Abandoning scholastic duties, Mr. Perrin next turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, stone quarrying, and dealing in real estate. He assisted in the laying out of the route, in Huron county, of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. On December 26, 1860, William Perrin was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Newson, who bore him one child that died. This wife was called from earth February 3, 1863, and April 5, 1864, Mr. Perrin married Mrs. Mary E. Jordan, sister to his first wife, by which union there are two children, Emma E. and William N. In politics our subject was originally a Democrat, his first Presidential vote having been cast for Buchanan, but in 1864 he became a Republican, and has ever since cast his suffrages for that party. In church relationship he is an earnest Episcopalian. William N. Perrin, son of William and Mary E. Perrin, was born in 1870 at Norwalk, Ohio, and received his primary education at the common schools of Norwalk, after which he attended the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland, studying both civil and electrical engineering. He made all the maps for a recent excellent atlas of Huron county, which have given universal satisfaction. JAMES McMAHON, a well-known agriculturist of Huron county, was born May 17, 1837, in County Monaghan, Ireland, where he passed his childhood and received a moderate education. As he approached manhood he determined to seek a new home where he could have broader chances for accumulating money, and more freedom in his ideas and manner of living. With this in view he emigrated from Ireland in 1853, and immediately after his arrival in America located in Ohio, where he began his business career as a farm laborer on the estate of Steven Sawyer. The country at that date was in a wild state, thoroughly undeveloped and but thinly populated, and farming was hard work; but a determination to succeed, coupled with unusual energy, enabled our subject to persevere in the work for eight years. At the end of that time he had accumulated enough money to buy two horses and rent a small tract of land, and in a few years bought seventy-two acres of land, two and one half miles southeast of Bellevue. He has continued to add to his farm until it now comprises 200 acres of highly cultivated soil, and yields him a comfortable income. On October 10, 1866, Mr. McMahon married Miss Bridget Perry, who was born in 1848 in Toronto, Canada, a daughter of James Perry, a successful farmer of Erie county, who died in 1880, at the age of sixty-four. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children, viz.: Rose (who married Bernard Brady, of Portland, Oreg.), James (who lives in Bellevue, and is married), Mary, Susie, Agnes, Eddie, Julia and Isabella, all of whom are living. Mrs. McMahon died January 17, 1882, deeply mourned by her family and friends. The subject of this biographical memoir is an example of what energy and frugality can accomplish. He commenced life in a new country without either money or friends, and to-day has an abundance of both. He devotes his attention exclusively to farming, and principally to raising wheat and corn. He is a Democrat in politics, and served as road supervisor for a number of years. He and his family are members and liberal supporters of the Catholic Church. James McMahon, father of our subject, was born in Ireland and lived there until 1861, at which time he came with his wife to America, settling in Ohio. He was a 298 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. farmer in the old country, and always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He commenced work in Ohio with no money, but succeeded in renting a farm in Lyme township, where he was highly respected by his neighbors, and where his wife died. He had six children as follows: Thomas, formerly of Deerfield, Mich., who died December 25, 1887; Mary, who died in New York in 1839; James, subject of sketch; Mrs. Owen Kelly and Pete; McMahon, of Deerfield, Mich.; and Patrick, residing three miles southeast of Bellevue. REV. CHARLES V. CHEVRAUX, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Norwalk. The organizer of the English-speaking congregation of Roman Catholics at Norwalk was Rev. Father Narcissus Ponchell, a native of France, born September 19, 1825. In July, 1850, he bade farewell to his native land, and in company with Bishop Rappe embarked for America, landing August 6 following. On January 1, 1851, he was ordained priest by Bishop Rappe. He was an able man, and soon became pastor of St. Peter's Church, at Norwalk. Seeing the necessity for an English speaking church here, he organized St. Mary's parish, and in 1853 purchased land on which to erect a church. The building was commenced in 1857, and the first mass was held in it on Easter Sunday, 1859. He also purchased the cemetery of five acres. Before the church was completed, however, Father Ponchell was called to his reward by the hand of death, September 15, 1860. He had labored zealously in the diocese for the salvation of souls, and was beloved by citizens of all denominations. He was a man of imposing appearance, amiable disposition, and a true priest. Although it is now over three decades since his remains were laid to rest, his memory is as fresh in the minds of the people as though it were but yesterday, and he is still spoken of as the perfect gentleman and true man of God. Rev. E. M. O'Callahan attended St. Mary's Church from Cleveland from September 4, 1860, till December 1, same year; from December 1 till April 2, 1864, Rev. John Quinn had charge of the parish. He did excellent work, and the congregation grew under his charge. During his pastorate a handsome parochial residence was built. It is located on the southeast corner of Milan and St. Mary streets. Rev. Thomas P. Thorpe succeeded Father Quinn as pastor of St. Mary's Church in April, 1864. He enlarged the church, and built a small parochial schoolhouse at the rear of the church. Father Thorpe was succeeded March 3, 1868, by the saintly and energetic Father Halley, whose pastorate was marked by unusual progress of the parish, both materially and spiritually. Among the first moves in material matters during his service in the parish was the purchasing of a church bell, which weighs three thousand one hundred pounds, and is still one of the finest in this part of Ohio. As the congregation grew rapidly, and most of the members settled in the western part of Norwalk, it became necessary to build a new church and school building, and expedient to remove the location of the same to a more central portion of the parish. With this end in view, March 7, 1875, Father Halley purchased a location on the northwest corner of State and League -streets, and in 1878 a fine brick schoolhouse was erected. A few years later Father Halley was incapacitated through ill-health, and lingered about three years, when death closed his earthly labors, after having served for nearly seventeen years as pastor of St. Mary's Church. Father F. Halley was born near Tralnore, County Waterford, Ireland, January 14, 1833; was educated at Mount Mellory and at All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland. In 1855 he came to America, and in 1857 he entered St. Mary's College, Cleveland, Ohio, where he was 299 - PHOTO OF REV. CHARLES V. CHEVRAUX