HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 375 position. Possessors of a most valuable property, clear of indebtedness, a cash balance of two thousand eight hundred and twenty dollars and seventy-eight cents stood to their credit in the fall of 1892. How much credit for this progress, this pleasant condition of the parish, is due to the respected pastor of the congregation of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, can be told by the people of Bellevue, and particularly by the members of the congregation. DANIEL WHEATON. Among the leading business men of Norwalk none holds higher rank than this well-known gentleman, who is a son of Robert and Catherine (White) Wheaton. Robert Wheaton, who was one of four brothers—Philip, William, John and Robert—was born in 1784, in Huntingdonshire, England, near Cambridge, and was a successful butcher and farmer, keeping four teams constantly at work. He died in 1848, the mother passing away at the age of eighty years. Daniel Wheaton was born the second Monday of January, 1814, in Huntingdon, England, the second youngest of his father's family, and is the only one now living. He grew to manhood in his native land, there following the butcher business as well as agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage, March 25, 1835, with Miss Ann Mehew, who was born in 1816, also in Huntingdon, England. In November, 1851, they came to America, first locating in Monroeville, Ohio, and three months later moving to Norwalk, where they resided for three years. He followed his trade for some time after settling here, then purchased a farm, but continued the butcher business until about the year 1863, when his sons took entire charge. Since then the father has managed the farm; formerly he owned ninety- two acres, but now has eighty-eight acres. He erected the Wheaton block in the business portion of the city, and owns the Webber block, the Chronicle block (part of which he built) and seven houses in the place, besides three brick buildings in the village of Huron. He has taken two thousand and one hundred dollars worth of stock in the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, and was also an original stockholder in the Norwalk Metal Spinning and Stamping Company; he was the first man to put in plate glass in Norwalk. Mr. Wheaton is a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a member of the Baptist Church, with which his wife was also identified. Mrs. Wheaton died March 16, 1878, and since then the home has been cared for by relatives. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton have been as follows: David, born in April, 1836, in Erith, England, died in 1844; Emma A. (Mrs. Watkins), born in May, 1837; Dennis E., born June 17, 1838 (a butcher in Cleveland); Charles H., born February 5, 1840 (also a butcher in Cleveland); Susan A. (wife of Eli Hoyt), born July 17, 1841, died September 6, 1889; Hannah L., wife of John Perrin, born January 2, 1844; Robert A., born March 16, 1847, died November 25, 1868; Catherine, wife of W. H. Price, born November 30, 1849; Ada E., born March 5, 1853 (died October 14, 1853); and Leonard, born January 30, 1856. EDWARD R. SKINNER, a prosperous, intelligent agriculturist of New Haven township, is a native of the same, born July 14, 1844, son of John and Maria (Rubens) Skinner. He was reared to farming pursuits, and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth, his first teacher being William Gibbons. He resided at home until his marriage, November 10, 1871, to Ellen J. Woodworth, who was born August 14, 1847, in New Haven township, daughter 376 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. of Jonathan Woodworth. After their marriage they resided for about one year on the home farm, and on April 1, 1873, took up their residence on their present place, where they have ever since resided. The tract then contained 120 1/2 acres of arable land, for which Mr. Skinner paid $10,000, going into debt for $9,000, and here he has since given his attention exclusively to farming. He has two children, Lillian and William J., both of whom are leaders among the young people of the section. In political faith our subject is a lifelong Republican, and has held various township offices, at present serving as township treasurer. In 1890 he erected one of the finest rural residences in the township, at a cost of $3,000. He is a progressive, well-to-do farmer in every respect, and now owns over 200 acres of excellent land, his farm being one of the best, if not the best, in the township. It is to the presence of such citizens as our subject that New Haven township and village can attribute their prosperity and peaceful character. Mr. Skinner's progress has been gradual, but decided, and with the help of his excellent wife, who has watched incessantly over the house- hold affairs, he has accumulated a comfortable competence. No family stands higher in the community, and there is not a citizen who is more respected, or a farmer who more thoroughly understands his business, than Mr. Skinner. He has a practical business education, keeps himself well informed, and in all matters exercises good judgment and common sense. SHELDON J. HAWKINS, a successful merchant of Townsend town- ship, was born May 18, 1861, in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and is the eldest of four children born to John W. and Lavanche (Hillman) Hawkins. John W. Hawkins was born in 1840, the youngest of thirteen children, and was left an orphan at the age of six years, his father having been killed in the Mexican war. Thus early thrown upon his own resources, the half-orphan lad had no literary advantages, and never attended a term of school. But diligent application overcame these obstacles, and, after the day's work was ended, night after night did he devote to study, thus securing a good education. From early boyhood Ile was employed in the sawmill and lumber business, which he followed until attaining his majority, since when he has given his time to agricultural pursuits. He served with distinction in one of the Ohio regiments during the Rebellion, and fought at Harper's Ferry, also in many other engagements. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Lavanche, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Johnson) Hillman, the latter of whom is now living with her grandson, Sheldon J. Hawkins. Mrs. Hillman is descended from the earliest colonists of Connecticut, and her ancestors took an active part in the struggle for Independence, many of them serving with distinction in the Continental army. Her father, Sheldon Johnson, was a sailor in early life, and, rising rapidly from a lowly position, eventually became captain of his vessel. During the war of 1812 he transported supplies from foreign countries to the American army, and, in 1814, being captured by one of the British cruisers, vessel and cargo were confiscated. Immediately after the war he and his family removed to northern Ohio, first settling in Erie county, where they endured the hardships and dangers insepa- rable from pioneer life. He erected a log house, and began the task of clearing the farm which was surrounded by Indians, their white neighbors being few and far between. They had numerous adventures with bears, panthers and wolves, which roamed through the vast forest, often car- rying off the stock. Wolves were espe- cially troublesome, and night after night would howl about the pioneer cabins, killing the dogs or driving them into the HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 377 house. A few years later the Johnson family removed to Cuyahoga, county, Ohio, and again settled in the woods, where the father followed agriculture and droving until his death, which occurred in his eighty-fourth year, in 1866. His younger brother, David, died in 1890, in Erie county, Ohio, at the age of one hundred years. Sheldon, when a young man, was married to Martha Mason, a native of Massachusetts, whose ancestors were English Puritans, and among the first settlers of the old Bay Colony, having taken an active part in the Revolutionary war. Jane, daughter of Sheldon Johnson, was born December 19, 1820, in the old cedar house in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, and came with her parents to Erie county, then to Cuyahoga. She was married August 3, 1840, to Samuel Hillman, and she had one child, Lavanche (Mrs. John W. Hawkins). Mrs. Hillman is a firm adherent of Puritan principles, and in early life was a Presbyterian, but recently united with the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins resided on the farm in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, until the mother's death, which occurred in 1871. She had four children, namely: Sheldon J. (whose name opens this sketch), Agnes, Mildred, and a son who died when four days old. Sheldon J. Hawkins attended the subscription schools until ten years of age, remaining on the home farm in Cuyahoga county until he was eighteen years old. He then left home with but sixty-three cents in his pocket, and commenced the battle of life for himself. For the first three years he worked by the month during the summer season, attending school in winter, then became baggage master for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, at Collins, Huron Co., Ohio. During this time he had mastered telegraphy, and was first employed as night operator, then as station agent and operator. In 1884 he became a partner in the grain business of Frank Pinney & Co., and the following year left the railroad service, engaging in general merchandise in Collins. He is one of the leading merchants of Townsend township, carrying a large, well-selected stock of merchandise, amounting to seven or eight thousand dollars. He also deals very extensively in grain, hay and coal at Collins, besides in six or seven neighboring towns, and extending into three or four counties in northeastern Ohio. On August 27, 1885, Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage with Lizzie A. Love, a native of Huron county, Ohio, and daughter of Andrew and Lucy A. (Hoff) Love, natives of Ohio, of English-German descent. Four children blessed the union of Sheldon J. and Lizzie A. Hawkins, as follows: Cyril, Lucy L., Agnes, and one deceased. In 1888 Mr. Hawkins was elected township clerk on the Citizens' ticket, his opponent being one of the most popular men in Townsend township. He served two and a half years, and in the spring of 1892 was again elected to the same office. Mr. Hawkins is one of the most energetic business men of the township, and in 1890 was candidate for county sheriff on the Prohibition ticket. He is a prominent member of the K. 0. T. M., and Mrs. Hawkins is identified with the M. E. denomination. EDGAR BARNHART is a son of Steven Barnhart, who was born on a farm in New York State, and there attended the schools of the home neighborhood. In early manhood he was married to Nancy Palmer, and they afterward located near Toronto, Canada. In 1829 he removed to Ohio, and landing at Sandusky invested his limited capital in a small wood-covered tract of land on the east branch of the Huron river, in what is now Ridgefield township, Huron county. According to the kindly custom of early pioneers, the neighbors gathered and erected a log cabin for the new arrival. 378 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO Here, surrounded by the beasts of the forest, with neighbors few and far between, the rude little home was erected, and in due time gave place to a more pretentious structure. He affiliated with the Old-line Whig and Republican parties in politics, and from the time of his first vote never missed an ,election, except when confined to his bed. In religion he and his wife were members of the Old Free-Will Baptist Church. Their children were as follows: John E., born in Canada, was a member of the Third Michigan Cavalry, and died in Keota, Iowa; Melvin H., born in Ohio, was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, O. V. I., and died at Winchester, Va.; Mercilla, a native of Ohio, was married to Judson Phelps, and died near Decatur, Mich., and Edgar, whose name opens this sketch. The father died on the Ohio farm April 7, 1886, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in September, 1870. Edgar Barnhart was born June 27, 1837, on the home farm in Ridgefield township, Huron Co., Ohio, where he is yet living. He attended the winter schools three months each winter until he was sixteen years of age, and then began active labor on the farm. His youth was passed in assisting in the clearing of the farm, in addition to usual agricultural duties. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Cary, who was born in 1835, in the State of New York, and came to Ohio at the age of twenty-two years. To this union three children have been born, viz.: Rolly, a farmer of Norwalk township; Mertie, wife of Lewis Hamilton, of Decatur, Mich., and Albert, residing in Toledo, Ohio. In 1863 Mr. Barnhart enlisted at Norwalk, Ohio, in Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment, and served as guard in the vicinity of Washington. Being discharged four months later, he returned to the home farm, and has since given his attention to cultivating the sixty acres of fertile land contained in the home farm. In political opinion he votes with the Republican party, and in religious faith he is a member of the Baptist Church of Norwalk, his wife being identified with the Methodist denomination. SAMUEL MILLER, a prominent representative citizen of Richmond township, first saw the light May 17, 1839, near Goshen, in Columbiana county, Ohio. His father, also named Samuel, was born October 26, 1806, in the State of Pennsylvania, where he was married in Lancaster county, about 1830, to Miss Elizabeth Kirkwood, who was a native of same, born September 5, 1802. In about 1835 Samuel Miller came to Ohio, locating in Columbiana county, where he remained until 1849; then removed to Richland county, where he resided but a short time, and in 1850 located in the northern part of Richmond township, Huron county. He had always followed farming, and on coming to Richmond township purchased, 100 acres of land, but four of which were cleared, where he lived in a log house. He was obliged to go into debt for one- half of the thousand dollars this land cost him, but he set bravely to work and soon cleared the property. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Miller had children as follows: Joshua, born January 12, 1831, in Lancaster county, Penn., died October 4, 1843, and was buried in Goshen cemetery, Columbiana county, Ohio; Hannah, born May 5, 1832, in Lancaster county, Penn., now the widow of Seymour N. Sage, lives in Richmond township, Huron county; Thomas, born February 15, 1834, in Lancaster county, Penn., died in March,1866. The rest were born in Columbiana county, Ohio, as follows: Catherine, born May 9, 1836, now Mrs. J. W. Sage, of Richmond township; Mary, born January 25, 1838, now Mrs. Daniel Pollinger, of Richmond township; Elizabeth and Samuel (twins), born May 17, 1839, the former of whom is HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 379 the wife of Otis Sykes, of Chicago Junc- tion (her first husband was Andrew J. Sykes, a brother of Otis, who was killed in the army); Samuel is the subject of this biographical sketch; Susannah, born June 10, 1841, died September 20, 1841; John, born July 18,1842, now a farmer of Richmond township; and Jacob, born December 10, 1845, also a farmer of Richmond township. The father of this family was a Republican, but took no interest whatever in politics. He passed from earth in July, 1875, his wife in January, 1880, and they are buried side by side in the Union Bethel cemetery, in Richmond township. As a citizen he commanded the respect and esteem of the entire community. During the early days he endured many hardships; of his farm in Richmond township, only a few acres were cleared at the time he purchased it, and before his death he had transformed all of the remainder from the heavy forest to productive fields. His family all reside in Richmond township, but a short distance from the old homestead. Samuel Miller was reared to farming pursuits; he passed the first ten years of his life in Columbiana county, then came with his parents to Richland county, and one year later to Huron county. He was put to work at an early age, and remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, doing chopping and other work in the woods. On December 23, 1863, he enlisted at Plymouth, Ohio, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment O. V. I., and remained with the command at Martinsburg, W. Va., during the winter of 1863-64. They then took part in the engagements of New Market, Winchester, Piedmont, Lynchburg and Berryville, Va., where on September 3, 1864, our subject was wounded by a ball; he was first sent to the hospital at Sandy Hook, thence to Frederick, Md., and thence to Gallipolis, Ohio, where he remained until the close of the war, when he was discharged. Returning home be worked around in various capacities, and traveled over the' West through Iowa and Missouri, but not liking the country he came home. On February 23, 1871, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Aurilla Sykes, who was born November 1, 1844, in Richmond township, daughter of Daniel Sykes. To this union have come four children: Walter, Belle, William and Bertha. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled on their present farm, and here, with the exception of one year, they have ever since resided. In his political affiliations Mr. Miller is a Republican, and is actively interested in the welfare of his party. Mrs. Miller is a most kind-hearted, generous lady, and is highly esteemed in the community in which she resides. JOHN H. CRAWFORD is a native of Cass township, Richland Co., Ohio, born January 8, 1840, fourth child of David and Margaret (Miller) Crawford. John Crawford, father of David, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and when eight years of age came with his parents to a pioneer farm in Franklin county, Penn. On arriving at maturity John Crawford was married to Mary Eckels, and in 1830 they came to a farm in Richland county, Ohio. He voted with the Democratic party, and in religion was an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1860, at the age of eighty-nine years, followed by his wife in 1870. David Crawford was born December 4, 1805, on the home place in Franklin county, Penn., where he was educated, learning and following the shoemaker's trade, and in 1830 came to Richland county, Ohio. In the same year he selected a life companion in the person of Margaret Miller, a native of Maryland, and in 1848 they settled in Ripley township, Huron Co., Ohio, where he conducted a 380 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. grist and saw mill. In 1863 he settled in Peru township, Huron county, and devoted his later years to carpentering. Politically, he affiliated with the Democratic party, and he was a Universalist in religious belief. He died in 1884, followed by his wife in 1885, when in her seventy-fourth year. They were the parents of ten children— four sons and six daughters—of whom the sons and two daughters are yet living. John H. Crawford received a common-school education, and learned the shoemaker's trade. On July 28, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and First Regiment, 0. V. I., which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. He went with them through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, and took part in the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, besides several minor engagements. At the battle of Chickamauga (September 20, 1863), he was wounded and captured, being first taken to Belle Isle, then to Danville, and from there to Andersonville, where he was confined six months and ten days, enduring untold hardships. From there he was taken to Charleston, then to Florence, thence to Goldsboro, and finally to Wilmington. He was there paroled, and going to Annapolis, Md., was finally exchanged at Columbus, Ohio, February 26, 1865, after having been a prisoner for eighteen months. He was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, June 9, 1865, and returning to Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio, resumed his trade. On July 3, 1867, he was united in marriage with Frances M. Nye, and they had six children, namely: Cora L., Anice M., Alice M. (deceased in infancy), Arthur A., Verna (deceased in infancy), and Clair M. In 1880 Mr. Crawford took charge of his father-in-law's farm (consisting of sixty acres in Bronson township) which he now owns and occupies. Politically he has always voted with the Republican party, and he served seven years as constable of Peru township. He has also held a similar position in Bronson township for five years, and has served eight years as township assessor. He is a member of the Universalist Church; a member of Huron Lodge No. 37, I. 0. 0. F., and a Past Grand, and at the present time is Sen. Vice Commander of James Mann Post G. A. R., Department of Ohio; also Secretary of Peru Grange, P. of H. HOMER C. CLARY. Prominently identified with the leading agriculturists of Ridgefield township is this well-known gentleman. His early ancestors were natives of New York and New England. In the winter of 1817 Isaac and Preoxcintha Clary began the perilous journey from New York to Huron county, Ohio. Ice covered the lakes over which they passed, and finally they landed in the midst of an unbroken forest, where Huron, Erie county, now stands. Our travelers, however, pushed farther south, making a permanent location on a part of the large tract now owned by their descendants. The ring of the pioneer axe was soon heard in the wilderness, and one by one the mighty monarchs of the forest, which had for centuries withstood the fury of the elements, yielded to their conquerors. In 1818 Preoxcintha Clary was laid to rest in the Monroeville cemetery, having been the first of many whose remains are there interred. In 1822 Isaac Clary was buried beside his wife, leaving the following children to perpetuate his memory: Aurelius, two daughters (Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Ward), and Daniel, whose sketch follows. Daniel Clary was born in 1799, near Watertown, N. Y., and there received a subscription-school education. He then learned the gunsmith business, soon afterward accompanying his parents to Huron county, Ohio. He was a very energetic, industrious young man, and after the death of his father (who left no property) made a bargain for 100 acres of land owned by Maj. David Underhill, who was then the HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 381 agent for the " Firelands." This tract was to be paid for in work, and during the fol- lowing three years he lost but three days time, thus securing the property and obtaining a start in life. On February 23, 1825, he was married to Miss Mary Wilcox, who was born in August, 1809, in New York, and at the age of fifteen came with her parents to Ohio, where she afterward taught school in Crawford county. After his marriage, Mr. Clary continued to follow agriculture, adding to his possession year by year, and finally becoming one of the most prosperous citizens of the community. In politics he was an Old-line Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He died April 29, 1863, followed by his widow in 1882. She was a member of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of two sons, viz.: Homer C., whose name opens this sketch, and George W., who married Sarah Patterson, and died at the age of forty-seven years. Homer C. Clary was born December 25, 1825, on the home farm in Ridgefield township, Huron county, where he is yet living. He attended school in District No. 1, Ridgefield township, and assisted his father with the duties of the farm. On October 17, 1850, he married Laura Humphreys, who was born in 1830 in Connecticut. When a girl she came to Huron county, Ohio, with her parents, Decius and Laura (Adams) Humphreys, who were relatives of Col. Humphreys, Gen. Washington's private secretary. The representatives of this family have borne national reputations as expert homeo-pathic physicians and surgeons of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Clary have always resided on the farm which they now occupy, and where children were born to them as follows: George (deceased at the age of twelve years), Ellen (Mrs. Fisher), Atherton (in Buffalo, N. Y.), David (deceased at the age of twenty-seven), Daniel (a farmer of Ridgefield township), Edward D. (secretary and superintendent of the Burlington (Iowa) Gas Company) and Frank (a lawyer of Toledo, Ohio). Mr. Clary has inherited the progressive traits of character so prominent in the life of his father, and now owns over 300 acres of the finest, most productive land to be found in Huron county, every acre of the property being tillable. A handsome brick residence, surrounded by numerous shade trees, stands amid the fertile fields, thus completing one of the most pleasant home scenes of Ridgefield township. In politics Mr. Clary has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and has filled various township offices with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. In addition to his agricultural interests, he is a director of the Monroeville National Bank, and was one of the prime movers in establishing the Monroeville Woolen Mills, which, how- ever, were in operation but a few years. EDWARD GEYER, a well-known prominent farmer citizen and wealthy landowner of Sherman township, was born in Saxony, Germany (on the Austrian frontier), in 1834. He is a son of Christian and Eva Geyer, who, in 1840, came to America, bringing the family, and settled in Sherman town- ship, Huron county. Christian was by trade a tanner, and operated a tannery in Sherman township many years, in his later days following farming as well. He died in 1872 at the age of seventy-six years, a healthy, strong man up to within a short time of his death. His wife died in 1869, aged sixty-six years. They were the par- ents of ten children, Edward being fifth in the order of birth. The subject of these lines was, as will be seen, seven years old when brought to this country. He received but a meager English school education, as in early boy- hood he was put to work in his father's tan-yard, where he remained till he was 382 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. fourteen years old, at which time he went on the farm. After his marriage he commenced agricultural pursuits for his own account, in a small way, from which limited commencement he has, by good business sagacity and indomitable perseverance, amassed a fortune. He is now the owner of 500 acres of land, and one of the finest residences in Huron county, if not the finest, being quite palatial in its design and equipment. The house is of modern style of architecture, built of pressed brick, and fitted up to be heated with steam and lighted with gas. The outbuildings—barns, etc.—are in keeping, being comfortable and commodious. He has devoted his attention to all kinds of farming, including cereals, root crops and stock. In 1859 Mr. Geyer married Miss Eliza Sowerine, by whom he has an interesting family of ten robust children, namely: Theodore, Louis, Edward, Louisa (married to a Mr. Miller, and has one child, Levi), Jennie, Emma, Cora, Alice, Lawrence and Rosa. It may be here stated that so healthy is the entire family that Mr. Geyer has never had to pay a doctor's bill for either himself, wife or children. Our subject is a public-spirited Republican, and, though not a member of Church, contributes liberally of his means to both churches and schools, as well as to all charitable institutions. During the war of the Rebellion his duties to his parents, who needed his filial care and help, prevented him joining the Union army, and thus he was compelled to pay heavy amounts for substitutes, although under other circumstances he would rather have shouldered his rifle and gone to the front. JOHN McLANE, son of Robert and Margaret (Arthur) McLane, was born in Ireland, before the emigration of his parents to America. Robert McLane was born in 1799 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and, like boys of that time and place, passed his youth alternately at school and in farm work. His father was a farmer of that section, and the McLanes were known there for generations. About the year 1824 he married Margaret Arthur, also a native of County Tyrone, where she was born in 1799. In 1831 they set out on the journey to America with three children, James, John and William. The father worked in New York State for some time, and they then set out for Ohio, landing at Sandusky after a long, tedious and dangerous journey, and immediately proceeding south to Greenfield township, Huron county, arrived at the home of John Arthur. Robert McLane selected a tract of land in the wilderness west of Steuben, which he purchased at ten shillings per acre, and there built his cabin, where he dwelt until his death in 1890. His wife died in 1865, and both are buried in the Steuben cemetery. The only child born to them in Greenfield township was Thomas, a farmer of that township, who now resides on the home place. The father was a lifelong farmer, who succeeded in accumulating quite an amount of property by the unceasing labor of his brain and hands. Democratic in politics and Congregational in religion, he gave to each complete and loyal support. John McLane was educated in the pioneer schools of Greenfield township, giving the three winter months to study and the balance of the year to farm work. In 1856 he married Sarah A. Easter, daughter of Archibald Easter, who came from Ireland and settled in Greenfield township, where Sarah A. was born. To this union were born two children: Stanley E., a farmer in Greenfield township, and Irwin, who died December 31, 1880, at the age of sixteen years. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. McLane located on the farm where they resided until 1887, and which Mr. McLane still owns. In the last mentioned year the family moved to Steuben village, and he retired from active agricultural life; his HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 383 beautiful farm of 200 acres is, however, still managed by him and his son. Since the formation of the Republican party Mr. McLane has voted for its candidates, prior to which time he was a Free-soil Democrat, and, before the agrarian question was raised, a Democrat of the old school. For several years he served his township as trustee, and has been treasurer for eight years. Mr. and Mrs. McLane are ranked among the most popular and respected citizens of the county. S. W. BOISE, a descendant of the DuBoies of France who, after the conspiracy of Amboise in 1560, had to fly from. their native land, was born December 13, 1831, at Worthington, Massachusetts. The member or members of the family who belonged to the Eidgenossen or Huguenots fled, it is thought, before the edict of January, 1562, was proclaimed, leaving behind the Reformes, and taking with them the name "Huguenots." Finding shelter in Scotland, and afterward in Ireland, many thousand of the refugees settled in the latter country, and descendants of them may be found in that island to-day. Almost a century and a half after the Amboise affair the children of the refugee DuBoies emigrated from Ireland and found a New World home at Blandford, Mass. In a border country, as Blandford then was, there was little veneration or respect for patronymics, and the prefix of the name fell into disuse. In time the name proper was changed from Boies to Boise, the father of our subject being the first to spell it thus. The American ancestor of the family was David Boies, who died at Blandford, Mass., December 15, 1752. He was ruling elder in the church there for some years prior to his death, perhaps from 1738 to 1752. Among the documents now in possession of S. W. Boise, is one dated April 18, 1738, which is nothing less than a declaration of principles, a covenant made between himself and God. A copy of the old document is given as follows: Eternal Jehova, I desire to come unto Thee, a poor, wretched sinner, a miserable creature, who am full of sin and iniquity. Defiled in all powers and faculties of both soul and body by reason of original sin and actual transgressions, and am justly liable unto Thy wrath and displeasure, not only in this world but in the world which is to come. And that I can by no powers of mine own, no created being, either angels or men, can help me out of this miserable condition in which I am, and seeing Thou hast made known to me in Thy Blessed Word, that there is a way provided for the relief and recovery of poor sinners in and through Jesus Christ, and hath been pleased to condescend so low as to make known to me the way how to obtain pardon of my sins and be again restored unto God's favor; and the way is, if ever I expect to obtain pardon, in and through the Blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I must be denied to myself and all mine own richeousness and to Accept of Thine as He is freely offered in the Gospel and to be for Thee and never for another, and to follow Thee through good report and bad report and to Continue faithful unto my life's end. And now, O Lord, the Eternal God, the Wonderful, Condescending and Merciful God the heart-searching and "re intrieng " God, who has been pleased of Thy boundless and infinite mercy to provide such way of relief through Jesus Christ, the only Savior and Redeemer of poor lost and undone sinners, and hast made proclamation of the Gosple, that whomsoever cometh to Thee, in and through Him, thou wilt in no ways cast out, and hest invited the weary and heavy laden sinner to come unto Thee and they shall find. out wilh their souls and seeing, O Lord God, thou hest been pleased to invite such a poor wretched sinner as I am, to come and enter into covenant with Thee, who deserveth rather to be cast into hell for my sins, Thou to have such a kind offer made unto me; yet 0 Lord God, seeing Thou art pleased of Thy Infinite mercy to condescend so low as to invite me to come and enter inlo Coven- ant with Thee, which would have indeed been un- pardonable presumption in me to have attempted to doo were it not that Thou hast invited me to come, I do heartily embrace the offer, Lord God, let it be a bargain. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Lord I give myself to Thee to be for Thee, and to serve Thee for ever. Lord let Thy grace be sufficient for me: and now, 0 Lord, my request and my petition is to Thee for grace to help me perform this Covenant aright, and, 0 Lord God, let not my failing make this void this covenant. Now, 0 Lord, what I have now done on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen, and Amen. The son of Elder David Boies was born at Blandford, Mass.; at an early day he moved to the Western Reserve, and died in Lorain county, Ohio, at an advanced age. He spelled his name Boies. 384 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Otis Boise, a son of this old settler of Lorain county, was born in 1804 at Bland- ford, Mass., and died at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874. When a young man he graduated in medicine at Pittsfield, Mass., and in 1825 entered on the practice of his profession there. Shortly afterward he was united in marriage with Elvira Clark, and in the spring of 1833 the family moved to Twinsburgh, Summit Co., Ohio, where, and also at Hudson, same county, Dr. Boise conducted a mercantile business from the time of his arrival until 1842. In the latter year he moved to Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, where he commenced the practice of his profession, proving himself a skillful physician and surgeon, and he became wealthy and influential. The Clark family, into which he married, are of English ancestry. S. W. Boise came with his parents to Ohio in the spring of 1833, and received a common-school education at Twinsburgh, Summit county, subsequently removing With the family to Bellevue, Huron county. On October 8, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Celestia E. Gould, who was educated at Oberlin College, and became the assistant principal of the first graded school in Bellevue, a position she held up to the time of her marriage. This union has been blessed with three children, a brief record of whom is as follows: (1) Watson E., who graduated from Oberlin College, is now a farmer of Bellevyria, N. D.; he has four children: David, Charles, Howard and Otis. (2) Charles G. is also a farmer in North Dakota; he is married and has one child, Kate. (3) Julia E. is married to Dr. H. M. Hoyt, and resides in Bellevue, Ohio. Mrs. Celestia E. Boise, though a grandmother, does not appear to be past middle age. Her home tells of care and refinement, and she herself is like the home, contented, happy and well preserved. Mr. Boise followed farming in Lyme township for many years with marked success. He was recognized as a systematic agriculturist and a most fortunate man of business. Since his retirement, ten years ago, from the active life of a farmer, he has built a beautiful home in one of the finest residence locations in Bellevue, and devotes his time to the sale of his extensive property and the investment of his capital. Having taken a full part in the development of this section of Huron county, he now takes an important place in the finan. cial circles of Bellevue. A man of iron constitution, his appearance does not denote his age; for one who did not know the fact would never suspect that he had passed his threescore years. A Republican in politics, and a Congregationalist in religion, he takes a share in aiding all measures which promise to benefit the community. JACOB JETTER, retired farmer and tanner, residing in Weaver's Corners, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1818. In his native land he was a tanner by trade, which he followed for many years in this country, whither he had come in 1848. Landing in Philadelphia, he worked there seven years, then one year in the country, after which he came to Ohio, settling in Sherman township, Huron county. Here he bought a tannery, which he enlarged and otherwise improved, operating the same some thirty-one years, at the end of which time he turned it over to his son. He also bought land in Seneca county, which he has owned nineteen years, and twelve years ago he bought the farm in Sherman township, Huron county. Mr. Jetter did an extensive business in his tannery industry, finding a ready market for his product—consisting mainly of calf, kip and harness leather—in Cleveland, Sandusky, etc., besides local trade. In 1851 Mr. Jetter married, in Philadelphia, Penn., Miss Anna Banman, a native of Switzerland, who came to the United States in 1848, and children were HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 385 born to them, of whom the following is a brief record: Katie is the wife of Phil Heyman, and has seven children—four sons and three daughters--namely: Phillip, Edward, Arthur, Walter, Stella, Neta and Annie; Annie is married to H. C. Jacobi, and has five children: William, Henry, Charles, Albert and Clara; Lena was married, and died at the age of twenty-two years; Lizzie is married to Thomas Heyman, and has one child,. Howard ; Charley is now owner of the tannery; Emma is the wife of Adolph Lieber, and has one child, Clarence; Emma died in the fall of 1893, aged twenty-six years. Mr. Jetter in his political sympathies was first a Democrat, then a Republican, voting twice for Lincoln, and since the Civil war again a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has four brothers and two sisters, of whom three brothers reside in Philadelphia and one in Germany; the two sisters reside in Germany. ANDREW WILHELM, one of the prominent farmers of Peru township, is a son of Christopher Wilhelm, a native of Bavaria, who was born in that Kingdom in 1814. When a young man he came to the United States, and worked at the shoemaker's trade in Buffalo, N. Y., for some time, but subsequently settled in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. On coming to America he learned the value of a trade. Being a complete stranger in a new and strange land, his own hands and mind were his only friends. At Buffalo he had to labor late and early for very small pay, and even then his taskmasters did not seem satisfied with the volume of work produced by the young Bavarian. Out of his small earnings, however, he saved enough to venture farther west, and fortune led him to Peru township, Huron county, where he resided until his death. Here he worked at his trade for some years, until he had saved enough money to purchase a farm. Then buying a part of the " Redenberg Tract," of the " Firelands," he began its improve- ment, and resided thereon until Centennial Year (1876), when he retired and took up his residence at Monroeville, where he died 0Qtober B, 1881. Mr. Wilhelm was thrice married: first time to Arazula Kraback, by which union there were three children: One son—Frank, who died in 1864 during the Civil war in which he served as post-quartermaster ;--and two daughters—Margaret and Mary Ann, the former of whom died in 1876. The second wife was Catherine Hiss, a native of Baden. Germany, who bore him three children: John, who died when aged twenty-nine years; Caroline, widow of Andrew Duffnerr, of Monroeville, and Andrew, our subject. The mother of these died in 1852, and was buried in Peru cemetery; she was a member of the Catholic Church. For his third wife Mr. Wilhelm married Agatha Duffner, and two children were born to them, viz.: Elizabeth, who died in 1878, and Fred. Christopher Wilhelm was a natural scholar. He was educated at the schools of Bavaria, and after settling here was an omnivorous reader of history, current literature and newspapers. A Democrat in politics and a leader in his district, he never tried to condone the local or national errors of his party, and thus he became known as a man who estimated fair play above price. He was trusted and respected, being several times elected to township offices. He was a consistent Catholic, a man who, if he could not accomplish good, would not descend to do harm. Andrew Wilhelm was born September 14, 1860, on the homestead farm. Ile received a rudimentary education in the school of his district in Peru township, and completed a commercial course in the Dayton Business College. On October 6, 1876, he married Rosa Bower, a native of Bronson township, and a daughter of Peter Bower. To this marriage seven children 386 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. were born: Alfred P., Charles A. (deceased), Frederick A., Mary Frances A., Edward C., Conny C., and Florentine J. The same year in which Andrew was married, the father removed to Monroeville, and Andrew took charge of the farm. Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the advisers of the party in this district. He held various township offices, and is considered a man of sound judgment, honor and principle. Religiously, he is a Catholic; as a business man he devotes all his attention to agriculture and stock growing, and takes a place among the practical, successful farmers of northern Ohio. LEWIS CONGER, one of the leading agriculturists .of Greenfield township, is an example of what intelligence and industry may accomplish. Elijah Conger, father of Lewis Conger, was born October 16, 1786, at Newark, N. J., and when a youth learned the carpenter's trade in New York City. Subsequently he moved to Tompkins county, N. Y ., and in partnership with his father-in-law, Thomas Ludlow, built a mill at Ludlowville, where he also established a store. On October 24, 1809, he was married to Hannah Ludlow, daughter of the founder of Ludlowville, where she was born September 19, 1791. The children born to this marriage in New York State were as follows: Lorenzo, born July 29,1810, died in Greenfield. township; Maria, born July 6, 1812, married Samuel Boalt in New York, came to Ohio, and died in Peru township, Huron county; Delia, born January 25, 1815, married Harry Chase, and also died in Peru township; Clarissa, born June 5, 1817, now the widow of Samuel Atherton; Charles, born January 6, 1820, died in Milan, Ohio; Cornelia, born June 10, 1822, deceased; Lewis (the subject of this sketch), born September 8, 1824; Elijah, Jr., born September 23, 1827, died at Milan, Ohio; Julia, born March 31, 1830, deceased, and Henrietta, born March 7, 1832, also deceased. The father of this family carried on a farm, a mill and a store in Tompkins county, N. Y., up to 1833, when he determined to seek a home in Ohio. He traveled by the Erie Canal and Lake to Huron, Ohio, and thence proceeded to Milan, where he engaged in mercantile business, Later he started a branch store at Macksville, in Peru township, and in about 1836 sold his interests at Milan and took up his residence at Macksville. In 1840 he erected a mill in Greenfield township, sold the Macksville store, and for ten years devoted his attention to the milling industry. In 1850 he sold the mill and lands in Greenfield township, and returned to Milan, where he led a retired life until his death, April 18, 1851. His widow died October 18, 1881, at the age of ninety-three years, and was interred at Milan by the side of her husband. The life of Elijah Conger, both in New York and Ohio, was one of enterprise and activity, and his name is associated with the development of trade and industry in Tompkins county, N. Y., and in Erie and Huron counties, Ohio. Lewis Conger was born September 8, 1824, at Ludlowville, N. Y., received the rudiments of an education there, and in 1833 accompanied his parents to Milan, Ohio. From boyhood until 1850 he assisted his father in mill and store, and to him must be credited some of the success which waited on their enterprise; for to young Lewis was often left the direction of the store and mill. In fact, for a long time prior to 1850 the management of the business devolved upon him. On February 10, 1853, he married Isabel Lowther, who was born in Greenfield township, June 25, 1831, a daughter of E. H. Lowther, and to this union came the following named chil- dren: Edward L., born June 20, 1854, a farmer of Greenfield township; Halsey, born April 13, 1856, died September 27, 387 - PICTURE OF LEWIS CONGER 388 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 389 1856; Julia L., born January 8, 1858, now Mrs. Charles Palmer, of Canton, Ohio, and Lewis L., born March 28, 1869, a teacher in the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Columbus, Ohio. In the year of his marriage Mr. Conger purchased a farm in Greenfield township, where he resided until 1868, when he purchased his present farm. In 1870 he bought another tract, now conducting two farms, and by careful management he has succeeded in building up a very valuable property in real estate and live stock. In politics he was a Democrat until the Prohibition party was organized. In religion he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at Fairfield. As a citizen he encourages all enterprises which promise social, commercial or industrial benefits to the county. MRS. MARY ANN BISHOP was born January 11, 1818, in Lorain county, Ohio, and is the only living representative of her father's family. She is a daughter of Daniel and Laura (Williams) Cadwell, natives of Pittsfield, Mass., who became pioneer settlers of Lorain county, Ohio. On November 30, 1837, Mary Ann Cadwell gave her hand in marriage to William A. Bishop, a son of Joseph and Mary (Wykoff) Bishop, the latter of whom was descended from Holland ancestry. Joseph Bishop was a representative of an old English family, and died when his son was a small child, his widow surviving him fifty-eight years. William A. Bishop was born March 3, 1806, in New Jersey, where his parents were then living. He attended the district schools, and in 1832 began teaching in Northampton county, Penn., coming to Huron county, Ohio, in 1834. On April 4, that year, he married Miss Magdalene Elinger, who bore him two sons: Joseph, born January 26, 1835, deceased in infancy, and William H., born June 19, 1836, now residing in Norwalk. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop came to Ohio in the year of their marriage, journeying in the old-fashioned emigrant style, cooking their meals by the roadside and camping out at nightfall. They first located on the West Branch of the Huron River, in Ridgefield township, Huron Co., Ohio, on what was known as the "Page farm." Mrs. Bishop died on this place April 5, 1837. Mr. Bishop was afterward married to Mary Ann Cadwell, who bore him the following named children: Laura Ann (deceased), born January 18, 1839; Eliza, born August 25, 1842, deceased at the age of three years; Charles D., born January 4, 1846, now living in Norwalk, Ohio; Lina, born April 15, 1849, wife of Charles Drake, of Ridgefield township; Mary E., born January 2, 1854, deceased at the age of three years, and Martha E., born June 1, 1857, living with her widowed mother. In 1849 they moved to the "Palmer farm," situated on the east bank of the Huron river. The home farm contains nearly 170 acres of most productive land, equipped with a comfortable dwelling and commodious outbuildings. This was the home of Mr. Bishop for over thirty. two years, and during the latter part of that time he lived retired from active business.. In politics he voted first with the Whig party, afterward with the Republican, and served in various local offices. Though not a church member, he gave liberally to the support of the good work. He died January 20, 1881, and his widow has continued to reside on the home place, surrounded by many friends. C. W. HEDRICK, M. D., one of the ablest and most popular young physicians of Huron county, is a native of Licking county, Ohio, born September 23, 1853, a son of George and Julia (Speer) Hedrick, natives of New Jersey, the former born in 1826, the latter in 1828. 390 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. At the age of twenty George Hedrick came west to Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, where he has since almost continuously resided, and here he met Miss Julia Speer, to whom he was afterward married. They are the parents of six children, namely: William F. and Dennis E., both living in Columbus, Ohio; C. W., the subject of this sketch; Fred, a resident of Newark, Ohio; Winona, the wife of Areh Day, of Newark; and Inez G., who died in 1874. The father of this family learned shoe- making at an early age, and followed the trade the greater part of his life. He and his wife are both living. On the paternal side the Hedrick family are of German origin; on the maternal side they are of Scotch-Irish descent, the first ancestor of the family in America having come from the North of Ireland, where the grandfather and great-grandmother of our sub- ject were born; the great-grandfather was born across the channel, in Scotland. Dr. C. W. Hedrick received his edu- cation in the public schools of Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, and after graduation entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co., as agent at Somerset, Ohio, where he remained two years. He then accepted the situation of book- keeper for the XX Coal Mine, at Shawnee, Ohio, a position he filled acceptably for one year. In 1874 he visited Illinois, fully intending to locate there, but the same year he returned to Ohio and became a painter apprentice, learned the trade and with the money thus earned finally paid his way through medical college. He commenced the study of medicine under his uncle, Dr. A. T. Speer, in 1879, and during the four years he remained with him he obtained all the benefits to be de- rived from study under a practical man. During the winter of 1880-81 he attended Columbus Medical College; then studied for another year under his uncle, and in the winter of 1882-83 again attended lectures at Columbus Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1883. Locating in Newark, he practiced there until March 14,1885, when he received the appointment of medical examiner for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co., with office at Garrett, Ind., where he was stationed until his removal to Wheeling, W. Va., in February; 1886. On June 1, 1886, he was transferred to Chicago junction, his present home, where he owns a pleasant residence. Dr. Hedrick's marriage with Miss Saidie A., daughter of David S. Nevins, took place June 30, 1886, and to this union have been born two children a son and a daughter—Raymond Speer, who died November 24, 1892, aged four months, and Hazel Wood. Dr. Hedrick is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, of the K. O. T. M., Royal Arcanum and of the Masonic Fraternity. He is a citizen of sterling worth. CHARLES A. SAWYER, who ranks among the prominent agriculturists and stock raisers of Lyme township, is a member of an old and highly respected family. His father, John Sawyer, was born in the county of Kent, England, and came to America as early as 1819. He located first in Connecticut, and from there moved to the banks of the Ohio .river, numbering among the pioneers of that region, where he took a contract from Gen. Harrison to clear some land thickly covered with woods. At a later date he moved to Huron county, Ohio, where he engaged with his father in trading stock. Being the eldest of a family of twenty children, he had many duties to perform, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1852, owned 215 acres of land. . He married a Mrs. Edinger, of New Jersey, and by her had six children— two sons and four daughters—three of whom are now living. Charles A. Sawyer was born February 12,1845, in Lyme township, Huron county, and passed his youth in Oberlin, where HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 391 he attended the primitive schools of those days and worked on his father's farm, learning at an early age the duties and customs of agricultural pursuits. After reaching manhood he moved to Norwalk, Ohio, and since the death of his father has had entire charge of the old homestead farm, where he devotes some attention to stock raising, but is chiefly engaged in farming. On April 14, 1887, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage with Miss Clara Daley, also a resident of Huron county, but born in Michigan. No children have been born to them. They are both members of the Episcopal Church. He has served as trustee of Lyme township for sixteen years. He is a charter member of Raby Lodge, F. & A. M., Blue Lodge, Monroeville, and was senior warden and master of. Lodge; also member of Bellevue Chapter Royal Arch Masons; is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. of Bellevue, and has taken all but the last degree. He served in the Civil war from 1862 until 1864, in Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment, O. V. I.; re- enlisted in 1864, in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth O. V. I. Mr. Sawyer is a member of hillier Post, G. A. R., Monroeville. ASA G. FELTON, a successful and prosperous agriculturist, of Norwich township, is a native of the same, born in 1847. Ephraim Felton, father of our subject, was born, in 1815, in Oneida county, N. Y., a son of James Felton, who was a native of Massachusetts, a farmer by occupation. He, James, married Eunice Wheeler, of same place, and by her had eight children, viz.: James, Lyman, Hiram, Warren, Walter, Ephraim, Maria, and one whose name is not given. The father of these came to Huron county in 1833 with his son Ephraim, settling in Norwich, where he died about 1850. Ephraim Felton was reared on a farm, and attended during the winter months the subscription schools of the period. At the age of eighteen he came to Ohio, and worked at the trade of carpenter near Nor- walk, Huron county, till after his marriage, when he moved into Norwich township, locating on the farm of one hundred acres where William Stockmaster is now living. From there in 1849 he came to his farm in the same township, comprising fifty acres of good, fertile land. In 1841 he married Miss Melissa Gilson, daughter of Asa Gilson, a farmer of Norwich township. The children of this marriage were Celia (married to George Keeler, a tinner), Rhoda, Asa G. and Mary Melissa. The mother of these died in 1851, and Ephraim Felton subsequently married Mrs. Mary Ann Chandler, a daughter of Burwell Fitch, an early settler of Sherman township, Huron county. To this marriage were born Ada V., Lillian and Emma, of whom Ada V. is married to Lewis Woodruff, and they live in Fairfield township; Lillian lives in Chillicothe, Mo., married to John Schnits, an attorney; Emma married I. H. Wilson, and lives in Nebraska. Ephraim Felton made a success of life, and owned at his death, which occurred in 1864, about 300 acres of land. He was a breeder of graded stock, making a specialty of fine-wool sheep. In politics he was a strong Abolitionist, and took an active part in the freeing of the negroes; in religious faith he was a Methodist. Asa G. Felton, the subject proper of this sketch, received a liberal education at the common schools of the vicinity of his birth, and was reared a practical farmer boy. He was seventeen years old when his father died, and four years later he commenced business life as a clerk in a store, where he remained some seven years. Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he then came to Norwich township, Huron county, and settled on his present farm of 150 acres in that township. In 1872 Mr. Felton was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Kramer, of 392 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Plymouth, Ohio, daughter of Matthias Kramer, a farmer of Auburn township, Crawford county. Politically, our subject has always been a solid Republican, a counselor in the party; in matters of re- ligion he and his wife are members of the Universalist Church of Havana. JOHN STRIMPLE, one of the prominent agriculturists of Greenwich township, was born February 19, 1829, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Aaron Strimple, his father, was born in New Jersey in 1803. Some years later his father died, and Aaron was left to battle with the world alone. About the year 1828 he married Keziah Stout, who was born in New Jersey in 1804, and to their union came the following named children: John (the subject of this sketch), Judith Ann (Mrs.G.W.Van Scoy), Andrew (who died at the age of twenty-seven years), and George (a farmer of Greenwich township), all natives of New Jersey; Sarah (Mrs. Daniel Sizer, of Greenwich), Samuel (who died at an advanced age), Elizabeth (widow of Egbert N. Burgess), and William (who resides in Richland county), all natives of Ohio. In 1839 the family removed to New Haven township, Huron Co., Ohio, in company with three other families, the whole party comprising twenty-eight persons. The journey was made by wagon, over the Alleghany Mountains, and occupied twenty-nine days. On arriving here Aaron Strimple rented a house in New Haven township, but the following year removed to a point four miles east of Mansfield, in Mifflin township, Richland county, where he leased a farm for ten years. About 1850 he located near the northern line of Richland county, and bought a tract of land, part of which lay in Huron county. Later he purchased eighty acres in Greenwich town- ship, where he and his wife resided, the latter until her death in 1886, and the former until 1890, when he passed away. He was A practical farmer, and an expert stock dealer and grower, being successful in each line. In politics he voted with the Democrats until 1856, when the new Whigs or Republicans won him to their cause, though at times he voted with_the Democrats, when the nominees of his own party appeared to him to be undeserving of public office. In religious connection he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Strimple accompanied his parents to Ohio when ten years old, and during his youth helped with the work on the farm and attended school. He was quick to learn, and while still a youth taught a school for fourteen dollars per month, his salary being gradually increased until he was in receipt of thirty dollars per month. During vacation periods he worked on the farm, and lost no opportunity of earning money. In 1851 he married Elizabeth Mary Viers, who was born in Rich- land county, Ohio, where her father, L. D. Viers, resided. The children of this union are named as follows: Alice P., Mrs. G. W. King; Silas W., a grain dealer; Thomas, an attorney, all three residing at Greenwich; Theodore L., assistant prosecuting attorney of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and Keziah J., who died in youth. The mother of these children died in 1864, and Mr. Strimple married Loraine Viers, a sister of his deceased wife. To this mar- riage were born Aden L. and Aaron B., the former an agriculturist and the latter a school teacher. After his first marriage Mr. Strimple rented a farm in Richland county, and later joined his father in the purchase of land. This tract was quit-claimed by the father, who sold a portion to the son. In 1860 John Strimple purchased ninety-five and a quarter acres in Ripley township, and established his home thereon. In 1864 he purchased 110 acres in Greenwich township, known as "The Old Barrett Farm," and here he has since HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 393 resided, the tract now comprising 235 acres, all thoroughly improved. His house and barn are fine buildings, and are considered among the best in the county. Mr. Strimple has been liberal in the expenditure of money on the education of his family. In political life he votes with the Republicans, though he is not a partisan, and he has filled various township offices. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward and trustee, class- leader, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school—in fact he has taught every class in the school. His reputation is without reproach, and he may undoubtedly be classed with the best citizens of Huron county. HARVEY PIERCE, a worthy descendant of an early pioneer family of Huron county, was born January 20, 1822, in Peru township. About 1814 his grandfather, Alden Pierce, bought a part of what was then known as the "Redenberg tract," in the "Firelands" of Huron county. Late in 1815 he and his son Willard, with a number of other emigrants, came hither from their eastern home, the journey occupying forty-four days. Upon their arrival they erected a rude shelter of logs and bark, where they passed the remainder of the winter, and in the spring the Pierces erected a more substantial log cabin, and cleared the first garden spot in Greenfield township. Willard Pierce, father of subject, was born April 29, 1800, in North Leverett, Franklin Co., Mass., at the common schools of which place he received his education. In 1815 (as above related) he migrated with his father to Ohio, where, during the ensuing four years, he carved out a home for himself in the forest. In 1820 he set out for his native State, walking the entire distance from Huron county, Ohio, to Franklin county, Mass., and while in the East married Nancy Curtis, who was born in June, 1801, daughter of Ebenezer Curtis, of Franklin county, Mass., who died in 1811. Under the laws of Massachusetts the marriage bans had to be publicly announced for three Sabbaths before the ceremony could be performed, and to avoid this delay Mr. Pierce took Miss Curtis to Vermont, where Old Colony formalities were not strictly observed, and there they were married. They remained in Massachusetts just long enough to convert the property of the young wife into currency, and then set out for their future home in Ohio, the journey being made in a wagon drawn by a " Yankee team " of oxen, with a horse for a leader. To their union were born the following children: Harvey; Jason (an invalid), of Oceana county, Mich.; Jefferson, Maria (Mrs. Benjamin Hull) and Allen, all three residents of Kalamazoo county, Mich.; Nancy, Mrs. Lovell; and Susan, Mrs. Harrison. The father of this family died here June 22, 1847; his widow died April 21, 1857, in the Baptist faith, and both are buried in the Hester cemetery in Bronson township. He was a successful farmer, who, notwithstanding the extraordinary expense caused by repeated sicknesses, left a valuable property to his children. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and in manner unassuming and sedate. Harvey Pierce was reared in much the same manner as all pioneer boys of his day, attending school and working on the farm alternately. In the spring of 1843 he migrated to Wisconsin, passing through Chicago village on his way thither. Of course there were no railroads then, and travel by wagon meant walking half the distance. For nine months young Pierce worked in the lead mines of Iowa county, Wis., and early in 1844 returned to Ohio and worked on the farm of Robert Baker in Peru township at ten dollars per month. Subsequently, when his father's health began to fail, Harvey took charge of the home farm, and on the death of the pioneer continued therein, caring for his 394 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. invalid mother, and ultimately paying off the share of the other heirs in the estate. On June 16, 1859, he was married to Sephronia Woodworth, who was born in October, 1836, in New Haven township, daughter of Jonathan Woodworth, who came to this section from Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1832. To Harvey and Sephronia Pierce the following named children were born, viz.: (1) Jenett L., of New Haven township, born April 25, 1860, and was married March 18, 1884, to W. L. Smith, by whom she has two children, Harvey and Stanford; (2) Jonathan W., a farmer residing on the homestead, born January 31, 1868, and was married February 5, 1889, to Emma P. Kellogg, of Greenfield. Mr. Pierce is a man of extraordinary vitality, and is so well preserved that he looks twenty years younger than he really is. His memory is faultless, and he can speak of events connected with his youth and early manhood with remarkable accuracy. He was a Whig prior to the organization of the Republicans, when he joined the new party. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which Society he is an official. Mr. Pierce is a great reader, and consequently well posted on. men and events. No one is more respected than be, and all in all he well merits the social and agricultural suc- cess which he has won. LAWRENCE OTT was born February 14, 1831, in Baden, Germany, where his ancestors were known for generations. His father, Michael F. Ott, a native of Baden, died in 1838, leaving an encumbered property to his widow. Lawrence, though then a child, realized the condition of affairs, and with the spirit of a youth aided his mother materially. On May 14, 1838, he left home and for eight years worked as a farm laborer, receiving from ten to fifty dollars per year. His mother died in the meantime, and in 1853 he received some moneys from her estate, enough to pay the expenses of a trip to the United States. Knowing the scant opportunities for winning a competence in his native country, he set out for London, England, where he took passage for New York in the "Yawton" (his name for the ship), arriving after a voyage of thirty-five days, with a cash capital of six-teen dollars. He did not halt there long, but pushed farther westward to the German settlements in Huron county, Ohio, via the Hudson river, the Erie Canal and the lake to Sandusky, Ohio, and thence to Monroeville. From that point he walked to Macksville, and the day after his arrival began work on the farm of Martin Hester, of Bronson township. He continued with Mr. Hester for eighteen months, and then entered the employ of Alvin Brithman, for whom he worked six years. On February 5, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dehe, who was born March 3, 1839, in Norwalk, Ohio, daughter of Jacob Dehe, of Norwalk, and to this marriage were born nine children, namely: Rosa, Mrs. Leo Hohler, of Peru township; John P., a farmer of the same township; Frank, a carpenter, residing at home; Charles, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; Fred, Lawrence, Louisa and Jerome, residing at home, and Theodore, who died when three months old. After his marriage Mr. Ott purchased seventy-two acres of land, paying part of the purchase money out of his savings, and securing the balance by an ordinary real-estate mortgage. Strong heart and hands aided him, year after year he prospered, and after a struggle he could call this tract, with the improvements thereon, his absolute property. In 1873 he sold the first farm in the southern section of Peru township, and purchased 118 acres from Joseph Retnele, where he has since resided. Aside from improving his new purchase, he remodeled the residence, barns and other buildings, and literally made this part of the old wilderness to "blossom as the rose." It is HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 395 all the work of a healthy mind in a healthy body and of a citizen who would win by honest labor over every obstacle. Mr. Ott, his wife and children are members of the Catholic Congregation. In political affairs he votes with the Democratic party, but beyond this takes little interest in politics. He earns the taxes, votes for those whom he considers would make good servants of the public, and leaves the rest to men who have leisure hours for it. The family are held in the highest esteem in the community in which they reside. JOHN W. SAGE, a successful and most highly respected agriculturist of Richmond township, was born March 30, 1829, in Oswego county, N. Y., a son of Roswell Sage, who was born May 18, 1786, in Connecticut. His father was a native of Wales, and in early days immigrated to America. Roswell Sage was married January 26, 1814, to Nancy Jewett, born October 5, 1792.. Their children, who were all born in New York State, were as follows: Lyman, born September 27, 1815, died May 11, 1816; Caroline, born March 27. 1817, married William Harman, and died in Boone county, Iowa; Rhoda, born May 16, 1819, who was married to Alfred Knapp, and died in Fairfield township, Huron Co., Ohio; Sarah Marila, born May 27, 1822, married Newell Curtiss, and now resides in Newark, N. J.; Seymour N., born May 17, 1824, was a farmer and machinist, and was a leading citizen and for twelve years justice of the peace in Richmond township, Huron county, where he died; Amanda E., born August 8, 1826, now the widow of Rev. Leander Curtiss, a Congregational minister, who had preached for forty years; John Wesley, subject proper of this sketch; and Harriet E., born May 8, 1832, now Mrs. W. G. Rathborne, of Clyde, Ohio. While residing in New York State Roswell Sage followed farming, and became quite well- to-do, but lost considerable by indorsement for a friend, so that when he came to Ohio in 1835 he was a comparatively poor man. The trip from Oswego county, N. Y., was made by way of Lake Ontario, then through the Welland Canal, and thence across Lake Erie to Cleveland, where they landed. On Lake Erie they encountered a very rough sea, and the women and children were all ordered below, the captain declaring it to be "the roughest sea for nineteen years." The family traveled by wagon from Cleveland to Pittsfield township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where the father purchased one hundred acres of land, on which they resided for six years, and then moved to Auburn township, Crawford county, remaining there five years, when they took up their residence in Ripley township, Huron county, being driven out of Crawford county by the "milk sickness" so common in that section. They made their home in Ripley township till about 1845, and then moved to Wood county, Ohio, where the father died April 9,1848, at Bowling Green and was there buried. His wife, who had passed away December 26, 1843. in Ripley township, was buried in the "Old M. E. cemetery," north of Edwards Corners. Mr. Sage had met with many reverses, but was a very sympathetic man, and always did his best to help those who needed his assistance. In religion he was a member of the Methodist Church; in politics a Whig. John W. Sage accompanied the family to Ohio in 1835, and, though then but six years of age, he remembers the journey very distinctly, and the cries of the women and children who were shut down in the hold of the vessel to prevent their being washed overboard. He attended the noni- llion schools, but his educational opportunities were in the main somewhat cir- cumscribed. He remained at home until thirteen years of age, when he engaged in various kinds of labor, and served an apprenticeship at boot and shoe making in HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 396 his father's shop at Bowling Green; but not liking the trade, left it. Later, in company with John Lamb, he built a wooden scow which they ran on the Maumee river, and he was subsequently employed as a deck hand on the propeller " Globe," on Lake Erie, making, however, but two trips on that boat, which plied between Maumee City (Ohio) and Buffalo (N. Y.). When nineteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade in Ripley township, Huron county, and served an apprenticeship of three years under three different men. He continued to follow the business twenty-five years, and some of the finest residences in his section of the county were either his own individual work or erected under his supervision. On March 15, 1855, Mr. Sage married Miss Catherine Miller, who was born May 9, 1836, in Columbiana county, Ohio, daughter of Samuel Miller, who came to Richmond township, Huron county, in 1847. To this union have been born children as follows: Julia A., now Mrs. A. W. Harman, of Richmond township; William S., a U. B. minister of Sandusky Conference, who was educated at Dayton, Ohio, after which he spent about four years in Sierra Leone, West Africa, in the missionary field; Charles W., a farmer of Richmond township; and Mary A., now Mrs. John F. Dellinger, of Richmond township. After his marriage Mr. Sage located in Richmond township, on thirty acres of land which he had purchased at twelve dollars per acre, and to which he soon added another thirty acres, gradually increasing the size of his farm to 111 acres. In the summer of 1863 he joined Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth 0. V. I., National Guards, on May 2, 1864, was called into service, and was detailed on guard duty the greater part of his term of enlistment, which expired September 9, 1864. Later, from February, 1865, to May, 1865, he was in the United States Engineers service, at Arlington Heights, Va., erecting forts and fortifications. Early in the summer of 1865 he returned to his home in Huron county, and in the fall of the same year purchased his present farm, which then consisted of 171 acres, for which he paid twenty-six dollars per acre. The land was then in a comparatively rude condition, containing no improvements but a log house and barn, and here he has since made his home, excepting for three years he was engaged at his trade. Through his never-ceasing industry and care the soil is now as rich as any in the county, and all the buildings on the property are the work of his own hands. He is a Republican, and takes an interest in the welfare of his party, but is not particularly active in politics. In religions faith he and his wife are prominent members of the U. B, Church, in which he has held the offices of steward, class-leader, trustee, etc., being obliged to resign, however, on account of poor health. For some years he has been a teacher in the Sunday-school, in which he has also been superintendent. Mr. Sage is a great reader, and by observation has acquired an excellent practical education; he is a writer of no mean ability, and as a poet deserves more than local prominence. He acts as correspondent to nearly all the newspapers in his section, and to all of those published at the county seat. He is a successful farmer and a good neighbor, and Mrs. Sage, who is a most estimable, kind-hearted lady, shares fully the esteem which is felt for the entire family. The following are the titles of some of his poetical productions: The Storm King; God's Wisdom, Love and Power; Jack Frost; Little Karl; Some Sweet Day; A Poet's Imagination; The Old Year; Naming The Baby; October; Spring; May; December; After Harvest Thoughts; Decoration Day; Eighteen Hundred and Eighty-Three; Have Faith in Jesus' Name; The Cabin; Twenty Years Ago; The New Year; Oh ye Winds: Ye Wintry Winds; The Editorial Sanctum ; Thoughts on the Death of Douglas Snyder; In the Far West, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 397 on a Claim; The Old Woman Who Lived in Her Shoe; The Plymouth Advertiser; If Yes; If; Cheerfulness; The Plymouth Fair October 1887; The Farmer; Stray Thoughts; How Oft we Murmur at God's Providences; How Like Some Little Fickle Maid; Memory; Summer Time; The Best Farm Crop; Thanksgiving Day; Life; By The Sea Shore; Spring; The World; This Land of Ours; The Year Eighty-Nine; The World's Fair; Thoughts on the Past, Present and Future; Sunshine and Flowers; Praise and Adoration; The Old and the New Year; The Distant Shore; September; The 14.:quinoxial; Seasonable and Unseasonable; The Soldier's Pension; Huckleberries; At School; Groundhog Day; He Calleth Unto Thee; Our Journey; Ode to a Reporter; The Fast Age; Daily Blessings; The Kitchen Hearth; The Glorious Fourth. Of these we give the following: THE STORM KING. Terrific! rolls the thunder, Cloud cleaving cloud asunder; The forked tongues of lightning flash, The giant oak, withoheavy crash, Late monarch towering in his pride, Lies prostrate now with shattered side. Peal on peal the thunders crashing, And the forked lightnings flashing, Like fiery chariots coming o'er us, Joining the discordant chorus, Heavens artillery all a-boom, Blackness, and darkness, and gloom, Hover about With terrific shout, Most terrible, solemn and grand, Like the wail of demoniac band. On, on they come with angry motion, Shaking old earth as well as ocean. Iron-bound ships riven asunder, While onward rolls the distant thunder, Rolls low, rolls high, rolls loud, and rolls, Till earth is shaken from center to poles. Again and again the thunders roll, Waking the timid, slumbering soul ; While loud and long the storm king shouts Like maddened chieftain to his scouts.— His sword unsheathed in up-lifted hand, He musters again his chosen band. Heaven's artillery all ablaze, The world in silence all agaze,— While forked lightnings rend the sky, And deaf 'ning thunders roll on high. There he comes! the storm king comes, With neighing horses and heaven's drums; Hurling thunder-bolts left and right, Scattering javelins, piercing the night; On, on advancing Like fiery steeds dancing. Now hovers low, now rises high, Like frightened eagle cleaving the sky, While deathlike darkness over all, Enshrouds the earth like a funeral pall. With terrible shout, The storm king's route, Lies across the trackless ocean; And woe to the ship, On its homeward trip, When caught by this wild commotion. Fire, hailstones, and Jupiter's coals, Whirling, seething, and trying men's souls. Jove's black war horse onward prances, With liquid fire from eye that glances From cloud to cloud as the storm runs high And the eagles shriek as they pierce the sky. Jove's charger, as with iron hoof, Stops, paws the clouds of heaven, While trembles the blue vaulted roof, Like slivered timbers riven. Darling from nostril distended, Forked lightnings leap. Darkness and light seem blended, Deep calling unto deep. Heavens host led on, led on by Jove, Find rendezvous in Neptune's grave, While a grand parade of corps after corps, Is marshaled for battle on Hinlan's shore. The long roll reverberating Batlalions concentrating, While the order reaches through the world at large. The standard bearer advances, The troops with naked lances, Make the final victorious charge. Then galloping over the plain, With long, disheveled mane, Come the warrior with batt1ecry Reaching through the sky. The storm king's mooted power, Transferred in a single hour, While heaven's victorious fleet Wheel into line for the homeward retreat. The thunder rolls in the distance, Offering little or no resistance. Blackness and darkness give way, The clouds roll back, and we say The storm king, with his mighty host, Has returned to his native coast, And now, with united cry We join in praise to the Most High. GEORGE E. HASKELL is a son George Haskell, whose father was a physician in England. George Haskell was born in 1813, in Wiltshire, England, and was there bound out to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some time. On January 398 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. 12, 1837, he married Mary Ann Barber, who was born March 19, 1815, in Wiltshire, England, a daughter of William Barber, a cabinet maker. George and Mary Ann (Barber) Haskell first located in Brixon Deveril, England, where four children were born, namely: Hattie J., William Henry, John T. and Catherine. In 1850 the parents, accompanied by the above-named children, sailed from Liverpool, and after a voyage of ten weeks landed at New York. From there they proceeded, via the Hudson River, Erie Canal, and Lake Erie to Sandusky, Ohio. On arriving at Milan, Erie county, George Haskell had only four dollars left, but was soon earning fair wages at his trade. Some time later he moved to Norwalk, and resided on Milan street, where he conducted a gardening business. He then purchased and moved upon a small tract of land in Ridgefield township, Huron county, meanwhile following his trade at Monroeville. In 1866 he bought the home farm where he died February 22, 1885, being followed to the grave by his wife August 5, 1889, and both were buried at Norwalk. He was an energetic, industrious man, having accumulated a good property by unremitting effort. Politically, he affiliated with the Republican party, and in religion he was a member of the Episcopal Church. The children born to George and Mary Ann Haskell were as follows: Hattie J., deceased wife of R. M. Willey; William H., an orange grower in Florida; John T., of Liberal, Kans.; Catharine M., unmarried, living in Ridgefield township; George E.; Ellen S., wife of John E. Wheaton, of Seward county, Kans.; and Annie O., wife of John V. Brady, of Belleville, Kans. Of these the latter three were born in the United States. George E. Haskell was born September 9, 1851, in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, and attended the common schools. When his brothers had all left home, this son remained on the old place, and assisted in paying his father's debts. On December 28, 1887, he was united in marriage with Adelphia Saunders, who was born in 1868 in Oxford township, Erie Co., Ohio, the youngest of seven children of Leroy W. and Eliza (Skinner) Saunders. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell began wedded life on the home farm in Ridgefield township, Huron county. He well deserves the prosperity which has rewarded his years of toil, and his hospitable cheery manner, combined with sterling worth, has won him scores of warm friends. In politics he is a Republican; in religion he is a member of the Disciple Church, his wife being identified with the Presbyterian denomination. They have two sons and one daughter: Le Roy George, Clyde Vernon, and Mildred Pauline. LEROY BURTON, city marshal of Norwalk, is a native of Huron county, born November 5, 1843, son of E. S. and Laura B. Burton. The father was born in 1816, in Warren county, N. Y., near Lake George, and came west to Ohio when a young man. He selected a site for his future home, then returned East, married, and brought hither his young wife. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1883, he owned a fine farm, mainly the result of his own unceasing industry. He reared a family of seven children—four daughters and three sons— all still living. Mrs. Burton died in 1864. David Burton, the paternal grandfather of subject, was a native of New York, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years, the grandmother reaching the patriarchal age of ninety-four years. Leroy Burton was educated in the public and select schools of Norwalk, and when but a mere boy entered the army, but on account of a severe accidental injury was discharged, after which he engaged in farming. On April 3, 1865, he was married to Jane Pettis, a native of Berea, Ohio, and continued on the farm four years afterward, at the end of which time HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 399 he removed to Norwalk, and worked at the carpenter's trade with his father-in-law the next five years. Abandoning this, he opened a gun repair shop, and conducted same some seven years, or until 1885, when he was elected marshal of Norwalk, to which position he has since been continuously re-elected; and he has had the high compliment from his fellow citizens of being elected by 375 majority. He is now serving his fifth term, which will be ten years. Mr. Burton is the unquestioned head of the police force of Norwalk, the welfare of the city during the day being in his keeping, while at night there are three guards who are also under him. As an illustration of his popularity, it may be here stated that in the 1889 elections he was the only Republican elected, every- thing else going to the Democrats. MATHIAS BEAMER, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Richmond township, was born September 5, 1820, in Carroll county, Ohio. His parents, Adam and Elizabeth (Albaugh) Beamer, were both natives of Maryland, born in the vicinity of Fredericktown, the former in 1773. The grandfather of our subject came from Germany. Adam Beamer was reared to agricultural pursuits. He was married in Maryland, w here three children were born to him, viz.: Rebecca (who married Henry Dahuff, and died in Carroll county, Ohio), and Elias and Henry, both of whom died in Van Wert county, Ohio. In about 1810 the family came to Ohio, locating near the Ohio river in Harrison county, and while living here Mr. Beamer entered the war of 1812, in which he received ninety-six dollars for six months service. He assisted in the erection of Fort Meigs (now Maumee City) on the Maumee river, and after his service came to near McIntyre, Jefferson county, where his family then resided. Here all the money he had received for his services in the war was paid out for bail for a merchant, named Satskiver, who afterward failed. Subsequently the family migrated farther west to Carroll county, locating along Connotton creek, in Rose township, where our subject first saw the light. Adam Beamer was a comparatively poor man, and having no property of his own, he leased land, which he would cultivate; but as he was just about getting the land in condition to work it to advantage, he would be obliged to leave it and begin on another tract. Aside from providing for his family he accumulated very little. He died in 1840, and was buried in the Hite cemetery, in Rose township, Carroll county. Mrs. Beamer survived her husband many years, and passed from earth in 1865 in Van- Wert county, Ohio, where she was buried, in Sugar Ridge cemetery, Tully township; Mr. Beamer was a Democrat in politics, but voted for Gen. Harrison. Mathias Beamer was reared to the arduous duties of pioneer farm life, and during his youth received scarcely any school training, as his father was too poor to afford the subscription by which the schools were supported. As early as possible he was put to work clearing the land, which was then entirely in the woods, in which labor he assisted at the youthful age of seven. When the father died the mother was left poor, and our subject set to work to pay off some remaining debts. On February 24, 1846, he was married to Margaret Thompson, who was born November 15, 1824, in Monroe township, Carroll county, daughter of Frederick Thompson, who came from Maryland. After his marriage Mr. Beamer located near New Cumberland, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, where he stayed three years. He had saved a sum of money, and about 1849 re- moved to Van Wert county, Ohio, then a wild and swampy country, where he owned some land. Here he made his home for eight years, during which time he did 400 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. much hard labor, clearing and chopping; and then coming to Huron county on a visit to his father-in-law, he purchased his present farm, at that time consisting of ninety-six acres, which he has since in- creased to over 230 acres, all excellent farming land. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and has met with encouraging success in his chosen vocation. Mr. Beamer has always been a healthy, robust man, and in his prime could split 200 rails a day, from the stump, then a wonderful task, which he accomplished day after day. To Mr. and Mrs. Beamer have been born children as follows: Elizabeth, who mar- ried John Fink, and died in Seneca county, Ohio; Hannah, now Mrs. George Cole, of Richmond township; John, a farmer of Richmond township; Ann, Mrs. Jacob Rapp, of Richmond township; Lucinda, Mrs. Lewis Rapp, of Crawford county, Ohio; Rebecca, deceased in infancy; Ella, wife of Charles Clark, a farmer of Richmond township; Allen, a farmer of Richmond township; Martha, Mrs. Jacob Fink ; and Emma, Mrs. Samuel Garber, of Richmond township. Mr. Beamer was origin- ally a Democrat, but is now a member of the Republican party, though in township and county elections he votes for the best man, regardless of politics. In religious belief he is a member of the " Church of God." Mr. Beamer has five great-grandchildren. EPHRAIM W. FAST, than whom there is no better known or more highly respected citizen in Richmond township, is a native of Orange township, Ashland Co., Ohio, born March 28, 1830. Christian Fast, grandfather of Ephraim W., was a soldier in the War of 1812, during which struggle, along with four others, he was taken prisoner by the Wyandot Indians; this Christian Fast was naturally very dark, and though decidedly of German extraction resembled an Indian very much. The five prisoners were doomed to death, but the preliminary tortures to which they were subjected gave Christian a chance to display his activity, and this saved his life; the gauntlet was formed, and being the last prisoner to run it, he accomplished the painful journey by turning handsprings the entire distance, which so amused as well as astonished the savages that they permitted him to pass through unharmed. Then, after putting his four comrades to death before his eyes, they retained him as a conjurer, and he soon became a favorite with the whole tribe, being adopted by the head chief. During his captivity he witnessed the burning of Crawford at the stake by the tribe he was with. As Mr. Fast remained with the Indians, their confidence in him continued to grow, and gradually the watches over him lessened. One night, upon asking his bedfellow and guard to bring him a drink of water, he was ordered to go himself, and while the guard slept, all unconscious of his captive's acts, the latter filled a small kettle with hominy corn and made his escape. He started east, and before long reached the Maumee river, across which he had to swim; but in the meantime his escape had been dis- covered, and pursuit begun, for bullets whizzed past him while he was in the water. However, he reached the opposite shore in safety, and set out for the white settlements, then so few in eastern Ohio, traveling by night and sleeping in the day- time. He reached the settlement in time to inform the inhabitants of the approach of the Indians (whom he could hear behind him), and none too soon, for they had barely time to flee to the blockhouse before the savages arrived. He afterward proceeded on his journey, and finally got back to his home in Pennsylvania. Christian Fast had married, in Pennsylvania, Barbara Mason, who bore him ten children, and he subsequently came with his family to Ohio, settling in Ashland county, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 401 where he passed from earth about the year 1840; he and his wife, who survived him four or five years, were buried side by side in Ashland county. Jacob Fast, father of subject, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and was married in his native State to Miss Catherine Rex. He was a wheelwright by trade, and, as previously stated, came to Ohio with his father. The entire journey was made by wagon, and they endured many hardships on their trip to the western frontier, which at that time offered cheap homes. They located in Ashland county, where he purchased a tract of land, to the task of clearing which he at once set himself in order to make a home for his growing family. He followed his trade to some extent after coining to Ohio, but soon finding it unprofitable, he gave his entire attention to farming. His family were as follows: Martin, who died in Ashland county; Polly, who became the wife of John Fast, and died in Ashland county; Eli, deceased in Ashland county; Jacob, now a resident of Troy township, Ashland county; Malinda, who married Alonzo Parker, and died in Ashland county; Matilda, who married Campbell Murray, and died in Ashland county; Rebecca, widow of David Gurton, of Wood county, Ohio; Jesse, deceased when young; Ephraim W,, subject of sketch, and Elzina (Mrs. Wesley Cheney), of Ashland county. The father of this family passed away in 1877, preceded to the grave by his wife by a few years; they lie buried in Orange township cemetery, Ashland county. Mr. Fast was a hard-working, highly esteemed man, and accumulated a comfortable competence. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church. Ephraim W. Fast was reared on the home farm, and received a somewhat limited education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He resided at home until his marriage, October 14, 1850, with Hannah Roberts, who was born in 1830 in Ashland county, and they located on his father's farm, which he worked on shares. At about the same time he purchased a tract of fifty-four acres, for which he was obliged to go into debt. Mr. and Mrs. Fast resided in Ashland county until 1867, during which time he prospered and managed to save a sum of money. Selling out his property in the year above named, he came to Richmond township, Huron county, and purchased 100 acres of land at forty dollars per acre, where they have ever since made their home, and to which he has since added numerous improvements, having erected a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. They have had six children, as follows: Jennie, now the wife of Jacob Walker, of Seneca county, Ohio; Mary, wife of Scott Seawalt, of Charlotte, Mich.; Madison and Elmer, both farmers of Richmond township; Leroy, who died in 1881 at the age of nineteen years, and Ida (Mrs. Winfield P. Skidmore), of Chicago, Ohio. Mr. Fast is a systematic agriculturist, and has met with well-deserved success; he is a self-made man in every respect, and has acquired all his possessions by his own industry, business economy and good management. He has given all his sons a start in life, and still has a comfortable income from his lands. A quiet, peaceable and kind-hearted neighbor, always ready to assist the needy, he is everywhere respected and loved. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat. Mrs. Fast is a member of the Union Bethel U. B. Church. GEORGE EGGERT. Classed among the leading business men of Monroeville, where he has been in business for nearly twenty years, is the subject of this sketch. He is by birth a German, having been born April 9, 1852, in Baden, a son of Lawrence and Theresia (Schwable) Eggert, farmers by occupation, who had a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living. The parents came to this country in 402 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. 1887, taking up their residence in Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject was reared to farming in his native land, and when old enough found employment at various kinds of work, chiefly on farms. In the summer of 1873 he left the Fatherland for the United States, and September 15, same year, found him in Monroeville, Huron county, where he had relatives. For three years thereafter he was employed in farm work, and being hard-working, industrious and frugal, he made and saved some money. In 1876 he embarked in the grocery business in Monroeville, his first store being an old building where now stands his present fine one, which he erected in 1889, and which he owns. Here he has built up a leading business and safe trade. On January 27, 1880, Mr. Eggert was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Rupp, who was born in Ridgefield township, Huron county, a daughter of Nicholas Rupp, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, whose wife, Barbara (Feit), is a Prussian. They immigrated to America, and Mr. Rupp is now a farmer in Ridgefield township. To Mr. and Mrs. Eggert were born four children, namely: Mary, William, Robert and Martin, all living except the last named. Politically our subject is a stanch Democrat, and he has served as treasurer of Monroeville, the appointment to him being an unexpected honor, as his name was used entirely without his consent. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. DAVID S. BELL, who is a grandson of Robert Bell, was born near St. Clairsville, Belmont Co.. Ohio, April 25, 1816, at four o'clock in the afternoon. In 1798 Robert Bell, accompanied by his wife and children, migrated from New Jersey to Washington county, Penn., and in 1800 came farther west, settling in Belmont county, Ohio. He was a farmer and distiller in Belmont county until 1814, when he purchased lands in Richland county, same State, and moved thither with his family. Bellville, in that county, was named in honor of him, and there the remains of his wife and himself were interred. The children of Robert Bell are named as follows: John, referred to below; Zephaniah, a pioneer Methodist preacher, who died in Whitley county, Ind.; Robert, Jr., who died at Bellville, Richland county (he had suffered from fever in youth, and was left a cripple by the disease); Betsey, who married George Yaring, and died in Illinois; one daughter who married a Bap- tist preacher named Dorsey Phillips, of western Pennsylvania; Catherine, who mar- ried Thomas Piatt, and died in Richland county. John Bell, eldest son of Robert Bell, was born in November, 1781, in New Jersey. In 1803 he married Hannah Finch, who was born in Rhode Island in 1785, and came to Belmont county with her parents. To her marriage with Mr. Bell seven children were born in Belmont county, namely: Robert, who moved to Steuben county, Ind., where he died; Jesse, who moved to Missouri, and died near Hamilton; Anna, who married John Knott, and died at Angola, Steuben county, Ind.; John who died in Richland county, but lived in Ripley, Huron county, where he was a tanner; Hannah, widow of Thomas Knott, of Tipton, Iowa; Enoch, who died in Morrow county, Ohio, where he was a preacher of the United Brethren Church, and later a farmer; and David S., the subject of this sketch. In the fall of 1817 John Bell and family moved to Bellville, Richland Co., Ohio. In the spring of the following year he purchased 260 acres of land at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, in. Bloominggrove township, and on that tract established his home. He was a great hunter., and during his lifetime killed over 400 dear, and a large number of bears and wolves, thus providing himself with field sports, and his HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 403 large family and pioneer neighbors with sufficient animal food. In Blooming- grove township three children were added to the family, namely: Nathaniel, a Methodist preacher and farmer of Ripley township, Huron county, deceased; Stephen, who died in the same township when twenty-five years old; and Joseph, deceased in infancy. In 1839 the family moved into Ripley township, Huron county, where Mrs. Bell died in 1856. The father died May 2, 1867, in Greenwich township, at the house of his son, David S., where he had resided the previous six years. Both were buried in the old Salem cemetery in Richland county. David S. Bell received a primary education in the early schools of Richland county, going many miles through the woods for even the little which was taught, and when seventeen years old began to learn the tanner's trade at Fitchville, under his brother John. Two years later he moved to New Haven, and worked there and in other settlements until the fall of 1835, when he moved to Steuben county, Ind., where he erected a sawmill. Early in 1836 he returned to Ohio, and on September 8, that year, married Emeline Slocum, who was born November 26, 1817, in Onondaga county, N. Y. To this marriage four children were born, of whom Charles F. is a wagon maker of Wood county, Ohio; Stephen, a farmer, and minister of the Christian Church in Logan county, Ohio; Melvin, who enlisted in Company C, Sixty-Fifth 0. V. I., and died in 1862, at Lebanon, Ky., of disease alleged to have been caused by poisoned maple sugar served to the troops, and John A., who died when five years old. The mother of this family died in 1860. After his marriage Mr. Bell moved to Steuben, Ind.. establishing a tannery there, which he carried on until the spring of 1838, when he returned to Huron county and followed farming until the spring of 1863, at which time he located on the farm in Greenwich township, where he yet resides. In 1860 he married, for his second wife, Clarissa Stewart, who was born in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, February 28, 1830, daughter of Galbraith and Anna (Russell ) Stewart. To this marriage two children were born: Cora E., who was first married to John Luxon, and is now Mrs. C. B. Benedict, of Ripley township, and Edwin S., a farmer of Greenwich township. Mr. Bell retired from active farm work in 1871, in order to give more attention to the manufacture of cheese, in which he is now heavily interested. For thirty years no promissory note of his arrived at maturity before payment was tendered, and all other obligations have been met with equal promptness. The product of his cheese factory commands the very highest prices, for its quality is recognized as the best, and it holds the local market. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Society of Friends, and both are elders therein. Mr. Bell cast his first vote on the Democratic ticket, but he subsequently voted with the Whigs until the formation of the Republican party, since when he has remained with that party. CHARLES S. SMITH, a grandson of Joseph Smith, who settled in Huron county in 1832, was born April 23, 1844, in Peru township. His father, Frank Smith, son of Joseph, was one of two brothers who came to the United States from Baden, Germany, before his parents and the other members of the family. Charles S. Smith was educated at the "Center School," in Peru township. Like the majority of pioneer boys, his youth was passed between school, work and play, all merging into one another so completely that now it is difficult to remember where any one of these three parts in the youth's life began or ended. When school days were passed forever, the realities of farm life were presented to him, and he worked on the homestead earnestly and faithfully 404 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. for his father until 1869. On April 13, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Hipp, daughter of Andrew Hipp, and a native of Peru township. The children born to this marriage are named as follows: Edward P., Clara R. and Anna M. The members of this family are Catholics of the German School, and their attachment to their Church has ever been noticeable. Politically Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and is prominent in local party circles. He has filled several township offices with absolute profit to the people and honor to himself and the township, lending to the people in political affairs the same earnestness, honesty of purpose, and intelligence, on which is founded his personal success. As an agriculturist, he shares, with his brothers, the general esteem in which they are held, and vies with them in his efforts to elevate agricultural life to the high plane which it should occupy. His farm of 180 acres is a model farm in fact. Not only is the land fertile in itself, but the methods of cultivation, the system of rotation of crops, and the general care bestowed upon the tract have made it one of the most productive and valuable farms of its size in northern Ohio. Mr. Smith also devotes attention to stock growing, and is the owner of many fine-bred cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. JOSEPH REMELE, a highly respected citizen of Peru township, is a son of Lawrence Remele, who was a native of Baden, Germany, where he followed the glazier's trade. He was married to Josephine Ritter, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom six—one son and five daughters—grew to maturity. In 1847 the family sailed from Havre, France, and after a voyage of forty days landed in New York, whence they proceeded, by river, canal and lake, to Huron, Ohio. They pushed southward into Peru township, Huron county, where the father bought fifty acres of laud, for which he paid nine hundred dollars, which he had saved in Germany, and afterward, with no help but that of his son, cleared nearly twenty acres of same. On this tract stood a log house, 18 x 20 feet, in which the family lived. They prospered, for they belonged to that class of Germans whose industry will always bring prosperity in a fair field. Here the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1870, the mother about 1877; they were interred in the Catholic cemetery. Joseph Remele was born January 5, 1831, in Baden, Germany, and at the age of sixteen came to America with his parents. He took charge of the home farm some time prior to his father's death, paying off all claims, and making many substantial improvements; afterward bought forty-nine acres from Peter Hipp, for which he paid two thousand seven hun- dred dollars. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Gies, who was born in 1838, in Bronson township, Huron county, daughter of Joseph Gies, who was born in Alsace (then a part of France), and came to America about 1819, locating in Bronson township, Huron Co., Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Remele were born two children: Charles, who was married to Amelia, daughter of G. Killhover, but died one year after their marriage, leaving one daughter, Amelia; and Alphonse, who was married May 2, 1893, to Rasella, daughter of Philip Barman, of Peru township. In religions faith, Alphonse, as was also his brother, is a Catholic, and in politics he is identified with the Democratic party. 'They have always assisted their father faithfully in the work of the farm. After marriage Mr. Remele located on the forty-nine acres he had purchased, and in 1872 removed to his present well improved farm, where he has since resided, engaged in general farming and stock raising. His success is but the direct re- sult of his own toil and constant industry. Starting in life with but little, he has 405 - PICTURE OF JOSEPH REMMELE 406 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 407 accumulated a good property, being now the owner of 330 acres of good land, with substantial buildings thereon. The residence has been remodeled and the barns improved, and evidences of the good taste and systematic management of the owner are everywhere present. In politics Mr. Remele is a Democrat, but not an office-seeker. His whole life has been an example of what principle, square dealing and industry can accomplish, and he and his wife are held in the highest esteem in the community in which they reside. In religious belief they are members of the Catholic Church. NORMAN SNOOK, small-fruit grower, well-known in Norwalk township for his industrious and frugal habits, is a native of Columbia county, N. Y., born January 21, 1821, on the old homestead settled by his grandfather. Peter Snook, father of subject, was also a native. of New York State, born in 1796 ; and his father, born near Hudson, same State, where he followed farming, had five children—Peter, Martin, John, Tunis and George-all now deceased. Peter served in the war of 1812 a short time, and his life vocation was farming, in that respect following in the footsteps of his father. He married Miss Cornelia VanDusen, of the same place, and the young couple then moved to Yates county, same State, making their new home in Benton Center for six years. Thence they went to Allegany county, also in New York State, and for five years lived in the town of Grove, after which they came to Pennsylvania, and for one year had their residence in Girard township, Erie county. Their next and final move was to Norwalk township, Huron Co., Ohio, where Mr. Snook commenced farming and the growing of small fruits. He died in 1864, the father of seven children, to wit: Laura, Stephen, Josephus, Martin, Norman, Marvin and Abby, of whom Stephen, Josephus, and Marvin are deceased. Norman Snook, the subject of sketch, was brought up to practical farm life, which he followed for some years. In 1847 he was married to Miss Sally Cunningham, of Norwalk, Ohio, a daughter of John Cunningham, and three children were born to them, namely: Laura (deceased), Lura (wife of A. T. Ewell) and Albert (in Chicago), who served one year in the Civil war in Company C, Twenty-fifth O. V. I., and was confined to hospital four or five weeks. The mother died in 1862. After marriage our subject continued farming until 1874, and then opened a grocery in East Norwalk, conducting same eight years, at the end of which time he came to his present place of twenty acres, where he cultivates small .fruit with considerable profit. When he first arrived in Huron county the land was almost entirely covered with woods, and he has seen many hundreds of deer and turkeys enjoying the freedom of the dense forest. The Snook family have always been stanch Democrats, not caring, however, for political prefer- ment. CARNER STIMSON, one of the most successful agriculturists of Ridge- field township, is a native of that “tight little island," England, born in Cambridgeshire, January 2, 1836, a son of Joseph Stimson, and grandson of Thomas Stimson, who was a blacksmith by trade, and died in England. Joseph Stimson was born in 1806, in Sutton, Cambridgeshire, England, and received but a limited education, as he was a small boy when his father died leaving the widowed mother with but little property. In 1832 he was married to Mary Ann Barnes, who was born in 1810, in Huntingdonshire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Stimson began wedded life on a farm in Cambridgeshire, where they remained 408 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. until 1851, when in July of that year they sailed from Liverpool on the vessel " Vandalia." After landing in New York they went west via the Hudson river and canal to Buffalo, thence coming up Lake Erie to Sandusky, Ohio, and then, moving southward, located on a farm near Monroeville, Huron county. Mr. Stimson continued to follow farming the rest of his life, and had a hard struggle to support his family. In politics he was a lifelong member of the Republican party. He died in 1886, having been preceded by his wife November 19, 1851. They were the parents of the following children: Jane, wife of J. L. Smith, of Norwalk township, Huron county; Garner; Elizabeth, deceased wife of George Setchel; Joseph, living in Michigan; Charles, who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and is now living in Monroeville, Ohio; John, living in Monroeville, Huron county ; Frank, a resident of Iowa; Ruth, married to Charles Kitchen, and Arthur C., in Nebraska. Garner Stimson came with his parents to America at the age of fifteen years. After attending the common schools, he entered college at Granville, Ohio, then worked on the home farm. On September 4, 1861, he enlisted at Milan, Ohio., in the Third Ohio Cavalry, and was wounded at Shelbyville, Tenn. After a furlough of four months he rejoined his regiment, and some time later he sustained the loss of his right eye,, which was pierced by a thorn. He took part in most of the important engagements participated in by the army of the Cumberland, and returned to Huron county at the close of the war, with the rank of captain. On April 4, 1866, he was united in marriage with Susanna Surles, who was born in 1840, in Ohio, a daughter of Zibe Surles. The children of this couple have been as follows: Jessie L. (wife of Fred Rosecrans, of Idaho), Effie C., William G., Elver Z., Gertie (deceased in infancy), Susie A. and Ambrose H. Since the war Mr. Stimson has devoted his attention to agriculture, in which business he has been very successful. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition sympathies, but casts his ballot for the most capable candidate, regardless of party. He and his wife are leading members of the Monroeville Baptist Church, of which be has been a deacon for twelve years, and clerk of the church for twenty-six years. WILLIAM GALE MEADE. Among the prominent and successful citizens of Bronson township none have won a higher place in the esteem of the community than this gentleman, the eldest son of Alfred Meade. Grandfather Meade was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and for his military services received 600 acres of land in Cayuga county, N. Y. His son Alfred was born about 1786, in Cayuga county, N. Y., and grew to manhood on the home place, receiving a limited education, and learning the trade of cooper. In 1807 he was married to Betsey, daughter of Paul Barger, a prosperous farmer of Cayuga county, who lived to be almost one hundred years of age. The Barger family were remarkable for longevity, over four generations of the family name having been centenarians. Alfred Meade was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving three years. At the battle of Lundy's Lane he received a gun-shot wound, his left thigh being shattered, and from the effects of this injury he died fourteen years later. In 1834 Mrs. Meade came to Ohio, where she died at the home of her son in 1883, at the age of ninety-four years, leaving four children, namely: William Gale; Paul, of Kent, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Smith, of Bronson township, and Mrs. Mary Close, who died in 1887. The mother was a member of the Methodist Church during her later years. William Gale Meadewas born September 3, 1808, in Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and there learned the carpenter trade. In 1827 he was united in marriage with Hannah HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 409 Smith, also a native of Cayuga county, and on June 4, 1833, the young couple moved to Ohio. They proceeded to Buffalo via the Erie Canal, then by boat on Lake Erie to the mouth of Huron river, traveling thence to their destination by private conveyance. He bought 125 acres of land located between the farm of George Lawrence and the present home of our subject. On arriving in Huron county Mr. and Mrs. Meade lived with Benjamin Lyons (on the farm now owned by Josiah Lawrence) un- til their own log cabin was erected. He hired help to clear the farm, which was heavily timbered, and continued to follow the carpenter trade for twenty-one years,. and many of the oldest and most substantial buildings of Huron county are yet standing as unimpeachable evidence of his skill. The first house which he erected in the county is the one now occupied by John Gardiner. Game was plentiful in those days, and many were the hapless victims to his unerring rifle, for Mr. Meade has been a famous hunter, supplying himself and neighbors with all the game they required. Among the many interesting events of this period. he remembers having made a two-hours' hunt on nine successive occasions, each time returning with a deer. When a young man he possessed a fine physique, being capable of doing a great amount of work, and since abandoning his trade has given his attention to the farm. He has been a most methodical and successful agriculturist, as none can doubt who have had the pleasure of visiting his pleasant home. A short time before the Civil war the county commissioners appointed a committee of three practical farmers to examine the farms and award a prize to the one found in the best condition. Upon an examination of eight of the best farms, that belonging to Mr. Meade was unanimously conceded to be in the best condition, and he accordingly received the prize. He served twenty-one years as justice of the peace, during which time he performed more marriage ceremonies than any one who ever held that office in Huron county. He always discharged the onerous duties of his position with the utmost faithfulness, and is known by every person in the county as an upright genial citizen. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and in religious faith has been a zealous member of the Methodist Church for fifty years, and has served as a class-leader. Mr. and Mrs. Meade have had two chil- dren: Betsey A., who died in her twenty-first year, and Alfred N., who was born in 1841, on the home place in Bronson township, Huron county. He attended Oberlin College two years, afterward graduating from Delaware College. Just before the time appointed for their graduation, Alfred N. Meade and nearly every member of his class left the halls of the college for the battle field. He served three years, two of which were employed in attending the prisoners on Johnson's Island, and while in active service he was unanimously chosen captain of his company. On October 1, 1862, he was married to Martha Morse, who has borne him three children —two sons and one daughter. Alfred N. Meade is now a member of the firm of Bell, Cartwright & Meade, lumber merchants, of Cleveland, Ohio. -Since the above was written William G. Meade was called from earth, the date of his death being January 22, 1893. THEODORE M. REYNOLDS, well-known as one of the most successful agriculturists of Hartland township, was born July 3, 1826, in Fairfield county, Connecticut. Warren Reynolds, his father, was born February 18, 1800, in the same county, and married Sarah Scofield, also a native of Fairfield county. To them were born, in Connecticut, the following named children: William, who died in infancy; Rachel, born June 5, 1824, died in Fitchville township. Huron Co., Ohio, May 7, 1838; Theodore M., the subject of this 410 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. sketch; and Phoebe, who married Samuel Wibert (she died in Michigan). After the removal of the family to Fitchville township, Huron Co., Ohio, one son, James P., was born, November 5, 1832, served in the Civil war in the celebrated Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and was one of the six men of that regiment who captured the President of the Confederacy, the late Jefferson Davis. He died in Barry county, Mich., December 1, 1867. The mother of this family, born December 5, 1804, died March 21, 1837, in Ohio, and was buried in Fitchville township. Warren Reynolds afterward married Ruth Barnes, a native of Vermont, whose parents were early settlers of Fitchville township, and the children born to this marriage were Rufus, a citizen of Nebraska; Lorinda, Mrs. George Thatcher, of Michigan; Betsey, deceased; Henry, a citizen of Michigan; Sarah, who married John Lee, and died in Ripley township; Eliza, who married Fred West, and died in Fitchville township; John, who died in Fitchville township, and Lucinda, Mrs. Edwin Palmer, of Fitchville township. The early settlers had many adventures with wild animals, and the Reynolds family were no exception. One night, while our subject's mother and sister were on their way to a neighbor's house, a wolf came out of the woods to attack them, getting in front of them, snapping his teeth and growling. Thrice they succeeded in driving the brute back, and there is little doubt that had either been alone the wolf would have made short work of his victim. In Connecticut Warren Reynolds followed the cooper's trade. In June, 1831, the idea of settling in Ohio took shape, the fertile lands, to be had at a nominal price, having won him to this decision. Setting out from their home in Connecticut, the family traveled, via New York City (where a week was passed with relatives), by Hudson river and canal to Buffalo, and thence by lake boat to Sandusky, Ohio. The trip from Sandusky to Fitchville town ship was made in a wagon, and here he found himself in the midst of the forest, with a cash capital of forty dollars, which sum he at once invested in forty acres of land in the northeast section of the township. He undertook to support the family by working at his trade, but owing to the small demand for the product of cooper's labor the task proved impossible, and the pioneer directed his labor toward clearing his own small tract, the while earning small sums in clearing land for his neighbors. He died November 1, 1873, in Fitchville township, leaving a valuable property to his widow and children. He was one of the three citizens of Fitchville township who voted for James G. Birney, candidate for President, up to which campaign he had -been a true Democrat, but he ever after voted the Republican ticket. In religious matters he was a member of the Congregational Church for some years prior to his death. In home affairs he was a thorough lover of his family, and he was recognized as a thoroughly honest and upright business man. Theodore M. Reynolds passed the five first years of his life in Connecticut, came with the family to Ohio in 1831, and has since been a citizen of this State. His educational opportunities were so limited that, at the age of sixteen years, he could not read figures. This was partly due to the new and unsettled condition of the country, and partly to the fact that a good deal of the farm work devolved upon the eldest son. After reaching the age of twenty-one years he realized the value of education, and as he, in boyhood, obeyed Miss Catherine Towerr, his first teacher, so now, in manhood, he was ready to obey any teacher who would instill into his mind a knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic. At the age of twenty-one years he left home, and contracted to clear four acres of land at four dollars per acre. This contract completed, he worked by the month as a farm hand until twenty-three years and two months of age. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 411 On September 2, 1849, he was united in marriage with Melissa Sholes, who was born May 3, 1823, in Madison county, N. Y., daughter of Parley and Mary (Hidden) Sholes. When thirteen years old she came to Fitchville, on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Samuel Ward, and here she met Mr. Reynolds for the first time. To their mar- riage were born the following named children: Dayton W., a farmer of Rice county, Kans.; Orrin P., a merchant of Hartland Center; and Bion S., a farmer in the Black Hills country in Nebraska. After his marriage Mr. Reynolds' capital consisted of sixty dollars in currency and a yoke of oxen. Too limited to utilize with effect, he continued to work as a farm hand until 1850, when he purchased fifty acres of land in Hartland township, at six dollars per acre. To make this deal he had to encumber the land with a debt of one hun- dred dollars, an amount which was due him from an estate that failed to pay out. In December, 1862, he purchased eighty acres, upon which he built his home, and where he has since resided. The area of his farm has been gradually increased, until to-day he owns 175 acres, well improved throughout with an elegant residence and spacious farm buildings. The burning of his large barn in July, 1892, entailing a loss of three thousand dollars, and the endorsing paper for friends, have checkmated him a little; but he rose above these mis- fortunes rapidly. His industry is supplemented by executive ability and system, so that he makes the farm a paying invest- ment where less careful men fall behind. In addition to his general farming, he is a breeder of thoroughbred Short-horn cattle. In the credit for his success Mrs. Reynolds must share, for she has well and faithfully done her part. Liberal without being ostentatious, and economical without being parsimonious, she has indeed aided in making the happy home which the family enjoy. Politically Mr. Reynolds has always been a Republican, and has served his party in many township offices. He does not attach himself to the religious sects, but is a believer in the teachings of the Christian Church, an observer of the "Golden Rule ," and philanthropic to the limit of his means. During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Reynolds was one of the one hundred days men, and went to camp in Cleveland, remaining there eleven days. He then hired a substitute, paying him one hundred and twenty-five dollars, got his discharge, and returned home to be with his wife and children, measles having broken out in the family. He had not been long redomesticated, however, before a draft was ordered by the Government, and he paid seventy- five dollars to clear the township, after which there was another draft ordered, on which occasion he paid fifty dollars more to again clear the township. ANTHONY RUFFING ranks among the prosperous dry-goods merchants of Bellevue, and is a member of an old and highly respected family. His father, Joseph Huffing, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and in 1836 came to America, locating in Huron county, Ohio. He married Catherine Schwartz, and by her had seven children, namely: Anthony, Peter, Joseph, Frank, John, Michael and Elizabeth; Frank, John and Elizabeth being deceased, and Peter, Joseph and Mi- chael wealthy farmers in America. Anthony fluffing was born April 8, 1840, in Sherman township, Huron Co., Ohio. His childhood was passed on his father's farm, where he remained until sixteen years of age, at which time he moved to Bellevue, and entered the employ of J. H. Eisenbeis, dry-goods merchant, as clerk. This position he filled two years, and then for five years worked for Setzler, in the grocery business. In May, 1865, Mr. Huffing entered into partnership with J. H. Eisenbeis, the style of the firm becoming J. H. Eisenbeis & Co., and 412 - HU.RON COUNTY, OHIO. when his partner died, in 1869, he bought out the entire business, and has since been sole proprietor of one of the finest dry-goods houses in Huron county, carrying a very large and complete stock of dry- goods, carpets, wall paper, etc. On November 28, 1865, Mr. Buffing married Miss Elizabeth Eisenbeis, who was born in Germany, a sister of J. H. Eisenbeis, and daughter of Jacob and Eliza Eisenbeis. This marriage has been blessed with four children, viz.: Rose M. (Mrs. D. B. Callaghan), Charles E., Albert A. and Lucy M., the latter three living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Buffing are members of the Catholic Church, of which they are liberal supporters. They are enjoying the many comforts that surround them, and in the summer of 1892 made an extensive trip through Europe. Mr. Buffing commenced his business career with nothing except energy, ability and a determination to succeed, and has by close application and by means of his excellent judgment accumulated a fortune. WILLIAM C. VAN LIEW, prominent among the well-to-do agriculturists of Norwich township, is a son of Frederick Van Liew, of New Jersey birth, who was a son of Peter Van Liew. The last named was a native of Holland, coming to the United States when young, and settling in New Jersey. Here he married, and children as follows were born to him: Peter, Frederick, Cornelius, John, Wicoff and Dinah, all now deceased. Frederick Van Liew, father of subject, was born in New Jersey March 13, 1792, and passed his boyhood days on a farm, at the same time learning the trade of tanner and currier, at which he worked up to middle life. While a young man he moved from New Jersey to Cayuga county, N. Y., and there married, in 1814, Miss Margaret Post, born in Somerset county, N. J., January 10, 1797. After marriage the young couple moved into Genesee county, N. Y., where they lived many years, he in the meantime becoming a farmer, in which vocation he met with considerable success, although at the time of his death he was comparatively a poor man. In 1837 he removed to Allegany county, N. Y., and there farmed some ten years, at the end of which time he came to Summit county, Ohio, thence, after a residence there of two or three years, to Huron county, settling in Norwich township, where he passed the rest of his days. He died March 8, 1865, while on a visit to one of his daughters in New, York State. In politics he was originally a Whig, later, from the time of the organization of the party, a stanch Republican. He was the father of nine children, viz.: Maria, Jacob, Margaret, Jane, Willard, William C., Adeline, Frederick and Martin, all called to their leng homes save Jacob, living in Wyoming county, N. Y., William C., subject, and Martin, in Potter county, Pennsylvania. The subject proper of these lines was born May 10, 1828, in Genesee county, N. Y., received his education at the common schools of the locality, and at the age of twenty years set out for the gold fields of California. He spent his twenty-first birthday on the Isthmus of Panama, and was in the gold regions nearly four years, doing fairly well. . In 1854 he returned to Huron county, and bought his present property of one hundred acres, where he has since lived, baying cleared it of timber and underbrush, and converted it into a luxuriant farm. In 1864 he entered the ranks of the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth O. V. I., N. G., under Col. Blake, in which regiment he served three months, and at the end of that time he renewed agricultural pursuits. On March 11, 1856, Mr. Van Liew was married to Miss Charlotte Burdge, a daughter of Jacob Burdge, of Centerton, Huron county, and six children were born to them, to wit: Allen, deceased; Alberta, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 413 of Morenci, Mich.; Mary; Oscar, in Chicago, Huron county; Fred, also of Chicago, Huron county, and Ada, of New Haven. Politically our subject has been a stanch Republican, and has served as township trustee, treasurer, and in other offices of trust. He and his wife are prominent members of the M. E. Church at Centerton, and the children Are all associated with the same church. H. L. MOORE. One of the best known agriculturists of Hartland township is the gentleman here named. David Moore, his grandfather, who was a native of New Jersey, married a Miss Robinson, and afterward moved to New York State, where he followed farming and the trade of shoemaker. He died, in 1820, in Tompkins county, N. Y., the father of three sons-Jonah, David and Joseph—and three daughters—Polly, Sally and Susan. Joseph Moore, father of H. L., was born November 19, 1787, and died October 5, 1876. He received but a meager education, and learned the trade of weaver, which he followed, also for some years conducting a small distillery. In June, 1833, he came to Ohio, locating in Nor- walk township, Huron county, where he bought a farm of Judge Timothy Baker; in 1855 he moved to Hartland township. He married Miss Susanna Silcox, of New Jersey, daughter of Henry Silcox, who was born and reared in that State, and was a soldier in the Revolution; married a Miss Luce, by whom he had a family of six children, all now deceased. Children as follows were born in New York State to Joseph Moore and wife: Sallie, Maria (married to Jonathan White in 1842, now living in Kansas), H. L. and David R. (twins—David being deceased), a daughter deceased in infancy, and Lewis (in Hartland township, Huron county, an invalid). The father died in Hartland township, at the home of his son Lewis, who inherited his property; the mother was called from earth in April, 1854. They were members of the Methodist Church, and in his political predilections Mr. Moore was a stanch Whig and Republican. H. L. Moore, the subject of this sketch, was born February 2, 1821, in Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y.; thence in 1833 his parents removed with him to Tompkins county, same State, whence after a ten- years' residence they came to Ohio. In his boyhood H. L. attended the subscription schools, afterward taking a two-years' course at the academy in Norwalk, Huron county. When eighteen years old he commenced work, and for two years was employed on farms, at the end of which time he commenced to learn carpentry at Monroeville, serving an apprenticeship of two years, but finding his health impaired he returned to the farm. In 1848 he was elected constable of Norwalk township, and appointed deputy sheriff, in which incumbency he served six years; was then elected sheriff on the last Whig ticket, his majority being 231. In 1855 he was reelected sheriff, this time on the Republican ticket, with a majority of 1,200, and at the expiration of his term, in 1857, removed to his farm which he had bought out of his hard-earned stipends, never having received assistance from anyone. He has experienced many ups and downs during his lifetime, but has never lost his native energy and perseverance, though his health, now, is not what it used to be. In the Civil war he served in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth 0. V. I., N. G., one hundred days, during which time he contracted disease from which he never recovered. On September 10, 1848, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Sarah F. White, a daughter of Cephas White, a native of Vermont, who in 1844 came to Ohio and to Huron county, settling in Norwalk township, where he was a successful farmer. He served in the war of 1812, participating 414 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. in the battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, etc. He died the father of seven children, of whom ane living Mrs. Mary K. Rodgers, in Paulding county, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah F. Moore; Luther, an ex-soldier; and Mrs. Rhode R. Henn, a widow, in Norwalk; those deceased are Cephas, Jonathan and Henry. To Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Moore were born seven children, of whom the following is a brief record: Frank A. and Finetta are both deceased; Lewis A. and Lucy A. (twins), of whom Lucy A. is the wife of George Brown, of Bronson township, Huron county, and Lewis A. lives on the home farm; Edwin Jo Ceph, a railroad man, resides in Cleveland; Jennie lives at home; Henry L., Jr., a young man of great promise, is an instructor in a business college of Cleveland, where he resides. He was married May 4, 1893, to Miss Lillie Cannada, of Randolph county, Ind. Our subject is the owner of one hundred acres of prime land, which is conducted by his son Lewis A., and in addition to general farming they pay some attention to the rearing of stock. Mr. Moore is a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics he is a Republican. GEORGE W. ATHERTON is descended from an old New England j family, and is a grandson of Jonathan Atherton, who was born December 4, 1738, in New England. On December 6, 1770, Jonathan married Aniey Sabin, and to their union were born nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, of whom the youngest was named Samuel. Samuel Atherton, father of subject, was born June 29, 1790, on the home farm at Richmond, N. H. He worked on the homestead until his twenty-first year, when he moved to Attleborough, Mass., where, on January 19, 1812, he was married to Patience Tyler, who was born July 17, 1795, in New Hampshire. By this marriage there were two sons: Simon, born January 25, 1814, died December 31, 1840, in Massachusetts, and Jonathan, born April 3, 1816, died in Greenfield town. ship, Huron Co., Ohio, July 24, 1886. The mother passed away November 6, 1819, and was buried at Attleborough, Mass. For his second wife Samuel Atherton married Content Atherton, who was born May 31, 1787, in Massachusetts, and by her also had two children: Rufus S., born September 13, 1821, died March 10, 1861, in Iowa, and Nancy, born March 4, 1826, died September 2, 1826. Mrs. Content Atherton died June 10, 1835, and was buried in A ttleborough, Mass. On April 18, 1886, Mr. Atherton was again married, on this, the third occasion, to Sarah Robinson, who was born June 1, 1800, at Rehoboth, Mass., where her father, Noah Robinson, was a well-known citizen. In October, 1838, Mr. Atherton came westward to Huron county, Ohio, with his son Rufus, journeying by river to Albany, N. Y.; thence by way of Erie Canal to Buffalo, N. Y.; from there by lake to Huron, Ohio, and finally by wagon to Greenfield township, Huron county. Here he purchased land and prepared a home for his wife, who had remained in the East, whence, in the spring of 1839 (six months after her husband) she came to Huron county, accompanied by one of her step- sons. To Samuel and Sarah Atherton was here born one son, George W. In poli- tics Mr. Atherton was a Democrat up to 1856, when he joined the Republican party; in religion he was a Presbyterian. He died August 18,1871, and his remains were interred in Bronson township. His widow, though now in her ninety-second year, is active and intelligent, and for the last fifteen years has resided with her son. She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for over thirty years. George W. Atherton was born May 17, 1840, in Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio, and passed his youth in the manner common to boys of that period, attending HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 415 school in the winter and working on the farm during the rest of the year. On December 18, 1862, he married Selina Roe, who was born in 1837 in Peru township, the only child of Charles and Corinna (Carver) Roe, of Cayuga county, N. Y. The father was born in Northamptonshire, England, son of Thomas Roe, the mother December 5, 1809, in Cayuga county, N. Y. After his marriage Mr. George W. Atherton located on a farm of sixty-eight acres in Greenfield township, and continued to reside there until 1871, when he located on the Roe homestead. The children born to his marriage with Miss Roe were Blanche, who died April 3, 1885, aged twenty-one years, and Cecil G., who was born October 17, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Atherton are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he was a Republican from the formation of the party until the organization of the Prohibitionists, with whom he has since been identified. As an agriculturist he ranks high, and is an authority on modern systems of farming. As a stock grower he is well-known, not only for the study he has given this important department of farm work, but also for the success he has won in it. IRA S. TOWNSEND (deceased), who was a son of Hosea and Sophia (Case) Townsend, was born in New London township, Huron Co., Ohio, June 14, 1831, the first child born in a frame house in the township. When a mere boy our subject attended the school taught by Miss Adeline Treat, in New London township, and later completed a course at Oberlin College, after which, until 1855, he lived at home, sharing, of course, in the farm work. On September 27, 1855, he married Mary M. Ward, born February 4, 1836, in Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio, daughter of Samuel Ward, who now resides at Milan, Ohio. Mrs. Mary M. Townsend died October 14, 1881, and was buried in New London cemetery. Some time after her death he married Ellen Ward, his deceased wife's sister, who was born January 24, 1841, also in Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio. She is a member of the Congregational Church, and active in the affairs of the Society. After marriage Mr. Townsend located on his late farm, a part of the 1,000 acres which his father, Hosea Townsend, owned. The tract was without buildings when Ira S. Townsend first entered on its improvement, and it was all through his labor that the elegant residence and farm buildings were erected, and a beautiful farm developed. He gave a large share of his attention to stock growing, and he was also an extensive dealer in stock. He was one of the directors of the First National Bank of New London from the time of its incorporation, in 1872, until it was reincorporated twenty years later. He was chosen vice-president the third year, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1886, when he was elected president, serving as such six years, at the end of which time (1892) it was reorganized under the name of New London Bank, when he was again elected president, and continued to serve in that incumbency until his death. In the banking world, as well as in the agricultural world, he proved his ability to command success. System was his guiding principle. It was part and parcel of his nature, but while following it he did not permit red-tapeism to cramp his business, as he thought and acted quickly. In the midst of his business he never neglected his duties as a citizen, for he was an active member of the Republican party, and a student of the public affairs of Huron county. Mr. Townsend died September 12, 1893, and the following extract from one of the county papers in a measure illustrates the feeling of the community on learning of his unexpected taking away, and the high esteem in which he was held: "The sudden death of Mr. Ira S. Townsend came so unexpectedly to the people of Now Lon- 416 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO, don, that rarely has the community been so surprised and benumbed by the death of one of its members. Mr. Townsend made frequent visits to this village [New London], he being president of both the bank and the Fair Association. His whole business interests, aside from his farm, were in New London, where he was regarded and valued as one of its citizens, and on Tuesday he was in town in apparent good health, driving home about four o'clock. After supper, and while sitting with his family, chatting and joking in his usual good humor, he suddenly placed his hand to his side with an exclamation of pain, and expired without a word." RALPH C. JOHNSON, prominent in agricultural circles in Fitchville township, was born August 31, 1822, in Middlesex county, N. J., son of William Johnson. William Johnson, son of Ralph John- son, was born in Middlesex county, N. J., September 18, 1793. About the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to a tanner and currier and a shoemaker, and worked at these trades for five years, five months and eighteen days. In 1821 he married Lydia (a daughter of Ralph Cortleyon), a native of the same county, born April 22, 1800, and their children are as follows: Ralph C., born August 31, 1822; Gertrude A., born December 28, 1823, married J. C. Ransom, and died March 9, 1892; Mary, born July 5, 1825, married William Prosser, and died May 14, 1882; Eliza Jane, born April 8, 1827, widow of S. K. Barnes, residing in Fitchville, Ohio; Alfred S., born March 29, 1829, a resident of New London, Ohio; Catherine, born December 7,1830, who married J. M. Foote, and subsequently Ira Foote, and died February 8, 1877; and William C., born February 7, 1833, died November 13, 1833. The mother of this family died April 3, 1834, and the same year Mr. Johnson married Melinda Blodgett. To this second marriage came the following: Lewis, born September 13, 1835, now a resident of Clarksfield township; Philena, born November 16, 1837, who married George Foote, and subsequently John Bigelow; Oliver, born June 14, 1841, died August 16, 1849; and Lydia, born September 14, 1846, died August 10, 1849. Mrs. Malinda Johnson died September 14, 1849, and on January 30, 1850, Mr. Johnson married Mrs. Piepzibah (Blodgett) Eaton (widow of Jonathan Eaton), who died September 20, 1861, without issue. The father died February 24, 1867. William Johnson followed his trade in New Jersey until his removal to Ontario county, N. Y., in 1825. In 1835 he migrated to Ohio, where, in Hartland town- ship, Huron county, he had purchased some land. On November 17 of that year the family started on the journey to that township, arriving at their destination December 2, 1835. The method of transportation was a lumber wagon, and the route via Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland and Elyria. His purchase of 220 acres for two thousand dollars was half paid for in the fall of 1835, and within a few years the second one thousand dollars was paid up. On this farm Mr. Johnson led an active life until within a short time prior to his death, when he retired to the home of a daughter at New London, where he passed away, and was buried with Baptist ritual, in Hartland Ridge Cemetery. Ralph C. Johnson received an elementary education in the rude schools which were in vogue in his youth. He was reared on the farm, and worked thereon till February 5, 1849, on which day he married Eliza L. Townsend, born in Huron county December 22, 1825, a daughter of Hosea Townsend, who was a pioneer. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson located on a tract of wild land in Hartland township, and remained there for sixteen years, until the land was all cleared. In 1865 they located on the Hickock farm, one HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 417 mile south of Fitchville Center, where they have resided to the present day. One child has been born to Ralph C. and Eliza L. Johnson: Eliza J., wife of Richard L. Merrick. She graduated from Oberlin College, and is now a practicing physician at Cleveland, Ohio, of the Homeopathic School. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Baptist Church at Fitchville. R. C. Johnson was originally a Whig, became a Republican in 1856, and has since been a most stanch supporter of that party. He has held offices in each township where he has resided, and has always been an efficient and courteous official. Mr. Johnson is a successful farmer and stock grower. His estate of over 378 acres, in this rich section of Ohio, has been won, principally, by his stern, hard labor in the forest and field. The improvements have been mainly made by him, and the herds and flocks which browse upon his beautiful farm have been gathered by him. All in all he is the sole architect of his own fortune, and a man who deserves the place he holds in the estimation of his neighbors and of the people of Fitchville township. WILLIAM GRAHAM, son of John and Thomason Graham, was born January 21, 1835, in the County of Durham, England. John Graham was a tailor by trade, and generally resided in the County of Durham, but oftentimes traveled as a journeyman. Mr. and Mrs. John Graham were the parents of eight children, of whom William is the seventh in order of birth. He received a primary education and, in 1845, was apprenticed to a tailor for two years, receiving board in lieu of pay. Not proving partial to his father's trade, he was apprenticed to a carpenter for five years (his board being still the consideration for his labor), but becoming discontented he concluded to leave his native land and seek a home in America. With his mother's assistance he secured the amount necessary to pay the expense of the ocean trip, and sailed on the " Andrew Foster," Captain Swift, from Liverpool to New York, the voyage occupying seven weeks. From New York he proceeded by river to Albany, by canal to Buffalo, by lake to Sandusky and thence to Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio, where his brother Joseph had hitherto located; and from the period of his arrival until 1875 he worked at his trade in the township. On November 20, 1859, Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Sarah Lowther, who was born February 27, 1839, in Greenfield township, daughter of E. H. Lowther, a resident of that township. The young couple settled on a tract of 108 acres, which Mr. Graham improved, at the same time working at his trade. There one son and two daughters were born to them, the older daughter dying in infancy, and there he made his home until 1881, when he purchased the Terry farm, on which he made many improvements, and there took up his residence. For over a decade he has given particular attention to general farming and stock growing, and has proved that a tradesman may be a success as an agriculturist. Politically he is a Democrat. In church relation he and his wife are members of the Universalist Church of Peru. It may be truly said that in business and politics, as well as in religion, his wife and himself are coworkers, each industrious and each working for the other. Few men stand higher in the community than Mr. Graham, who is recognized as a methodical, businesslike farmer. HENRY RUGGLES. The pioneer of the Ruggles family in Ohio was Joseph Ruggles, who was a resident of Belchertown, Mass., where he was known as a farmer and teamster. In pre-railroad days, when the express service between Boston and New York 418 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. was founded, Joseph Ruggles established, himself as a teamster on the route between Belchertown and Boston, hauling merchandise from Boston to points on the route, and farm products from such points to Boston. He was married at Belchertown to Miss Hannah Tillson, and four children were there born to them: Leonard, Sumner and Benjamin (both deceased), and Henry. In 1818 the whole family set out for the West, and traveled in safety to Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio, where they located. As the father possessed but little means, he was unable to purchase a farm on coming here. Building a log cabin to shelter his family, he devoted himself to labor, and with his earnings purchased some land in Peru township, which he cleared and on which he resided until his death in June, 1846. His widow died three years later. The children born to these pioneers after their location in Huron county, Ohio, were: George (now deceased), who was a farmer in Peru township; Mary, who married Levi Ruggles (deceased); Nancy, widow of Jeff. Brown (now residing in Kansas City); Levi, who died in Arizona, while in the United States civil service, and Lyman, also deceased. Of all the children born to this pioneer couple, Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Nancy, of Kansas City, Mo., are the only survivors. Henry Ruggles was born January 6, 1816, at Belchertown, Mass., came to Ohio with his parents in 1818, and grew to manhood in Peru township, Huron county. His youth was like that of the other boys of the settlement, and when a young man he learned the carpenter's trade. On January 9, 1814, he was married in Peru township to Florinda Tillson, a native of New York, and of the children born to this union Lyman died at Sacramento, Cal.; Lewis resides in Seneca county, Ohio; Ida married George Minard, of Milan; Inez is deceased; Anna resides at St. Louis, Mo.; Harvey resides at home, and Newton is deceased. After their marriage Henry and Florinda Ruggles located in Norwich township, but two years afterward settled on their present farm in Peru township. They are members of the Universalist Church. In politics Mr. Ruggles was a Whig up to 1856, when he united with the new Republican party, of which he has ever since been a consistent member. He has held various township offices, and has filled them all with great satisfaction to the people. As a farmer and stock grower he is well known, for to these two departments of farm work he gives the closest personal attention. DAVID HENRY REED, M. D., the leading physician of North Fairfield, is a descendant of David Reed, who was a farmer of Connecticut in Colonial times. David Reed, great-grandfather of Dr. Reed, carried on a farm near Danbury, Conn., where he was a large property owner. Harry Reed, his son, was reared on the home farm near Danbury, Conn,, and when but a young man engaged in mercantile life. He was there married to Miss Mary Hoyt, who died leaving three children, namely: Shadrach H., Charles and Jane. After the death of his first wife Mr. Reed was again married, and to this union were born two children, Henry E. and Mary. Of all the children, Mary, the youngest (now Mrs. Darius Stevens, of Danbury, Conn.), is the only survivor. Shadrach H. Reed, son of Harry Reed, was born in September, 1809, in Connecticut, where, and in the State of New York, he passed his boyhood years. When sixteen years old he accompanied a Mr. Mead to the latter's purchase in the southeast part of Greenwich township, Huron Co., Ohio. and worked for him on this tract until he waS twenty-one years old, when his employer deeded to him eighty acres of wild land in consideration of five years' service. But soon afterward Mr. Reed traded the eighty acres for another tract HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 419 of 150 acres, which is still in the possession of the Reed family. In 1831 he married Sally, daughter of Josiah Roscoe, who came from Cayuga county, N. Y., and settled in Greenwich township, and to this marriage five children were born, namely: David H., a physician of Huron county; Clara J., a resident of Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio; Charles E., deceased; A. S., deceased; and IL E., who resides on part of the old farm. Mr. Reed gradually increased the area of his lands, and upon his death, which occurred in 1885, he left to his heirs a tine farm of 200 acres, all of which was cleared and improved by himself. Shadrach H. Reed was a Democrat up to 1856, when his son, the present Dr. Reed, prevailed upon him to join the Re- publican party. He was an outspoken friend, and a man whose word was as good as his bond. He held numerous township offices, and was justice of the peace. Dr. David H. Reed was born in 1832 in Greenwich township, Huron county, passed his youth on the farm, and received his primary education in the schools of the district. He taught school for a short period, and then began the study of medicine, in which he continued for two years, later attending the Homeopathic Medical School, Cleveland, for three years. Be graduated from that institution in 1854, the same year establishing his office in Fairfield, where he has practiced ever since. Dr. Reed was married, in 1855, to Miss Caroline Long, of Greenwich township, who was born in Cayuga county, N. :Y., and to this union the following named children were born,. Alto P., who died when twenty-four years old; Charles E., who died in infancy; Abraham L.; Charles S., a lawyer in Wilson county, Kans.; Fanny C.; Mary E.; and two that died in infancy. The Doctor owns 200 acres in Greenwich township, besides his western lands. It is now almost forty years since he began the practice of medicine here. A Republican by choice and education, he was an active worker for Fremont in 1856, and ever since that time his voice has been raised for the interests of his party. In religious faith he is a member of the Christian Church, in which he is an elder. The Doctor was appointed in 1863, by Gov. David Tod, to organize the militia of the Southern District of Huron county, and was commissioned captain. After the organization he was elected colonel of the Third Regiment, and continued in command until the organization was abandoned. He also served as member of the school board of the Union School of North Fairfield for fifteen years. In 1893 he was nominated and elected representative to the Seventy-first General Assembly of the State of Ohio, and at this date (February 14, 1894) is serving the State in that capacity, holding the position of chairman of the committee on Medical Colleges and Medical Societies, also a membership on the Fish Culture and Game, Common Schools, and Food and Dairy committees. EDMUND FRANKLIN, a worthy member of an early pioneer family of Huron county, and who is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Richmond township, was born May 8, 1827, in Herkimer county, New York. He is the fourth child and second son of Reuben and Rhoda (Nobles) Franklin, of Herkimer county, N. Y., the former of whom was a farmer. In 1836 the family, then consisting of father, mother and six children, migrated westward to Ohio, coming by way of canal and lake-boat to Sandusky, and thence in a smaller boat to Fremont, Ohio. Reuben Franklin resided a short time in Norwich township, Huron county, and then came to Richmond township, where he bought sixty-one acres at three dollars and fifty cents an acre, and built thereon a cabin, the fifth in the township. One child was born after the family settled in Richmond township, and 420 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. on this farm, which Edmund Franklin. now owns and makes his home upon, these worthy people passed the remainder of their busy lives. They were pioneers in the true sense of the word, for at the time of their arrival Richmond township was covered with a dense forest, excepting the southern part, which was then a vast swamp, where no human being could possibly make a living. With the exception of a few sticks cut by hunters in search of the game which abounded in this section, there was "not a stick amiss" on the farm in the northern part of Richmond township where Reuben Franklin took up his abode. He was a deserving pioneer farmer. Edmund Franklin was reared in the manner of pioneer farmer children, and during his youth received but limited lit- erary advantages, as there were no schools in Richmond township for five or six years after the family arrived. His mother died when he was but ten years old, his father two, years later, and thus he was left at an early age to begin life on his own account. He worked by the month for twelve years a various places, and for low wages. In 1849 he was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta Thomas, a native of New York State, born in 1829; her father, Henry Thomas, was drowned near Buffalo when she was but a little girl, and she came to Ohio in early womanhood. During his twelve years of hard labor Mr. Franklin had accumulated enough money to buy the home farm, most of which he had to redeem from the forest, and here he has since resided, making many valuable improvements. On September 15, 1861, our subject enlisted at Norwalk, Ohio. in Company I, Fifty-fifth O. V. I., which command was sent to West Virginia, the first battle Mr. Franklin took part in being at Moorefield, that State, and he afterward participated in the following engagements: Foot of Cheat Mountain, Cross Keys, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Big and Little Kenesaw Mountain, Big Shanty, Resaca, Ga. (where he belonged to the storming division), Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Bentonville and Averysboro. He was also with Sherman on his march to the sea, At Resaca (where he found four bullet-holes in his coat) he received a wound, and he was knocked down at Peach Tree Creek by the concussion of the wind of a ball. He participated in the Grand Review on June 24, 1865, at Washington, D. C., and was discharged in that city in July, coming home at once to Huron county, where he has ever since followed farming. He has a most comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have children as follows: Walter, a car carpenter of Norwalk, Ohio; Rufus, a railroad engineer of Chicago Junction; Ella, wife of Scott Jump, of Chicago Junction; Emma, Mrs. Alonzo Bowen, of Chicago, Ohio; Wilbur, who was killed on the railroad when thirty-four years old ; Clarence, of Fostoria, Ohio; Edmund, a railroad employe; and Carrie, Kitty and George, who still reside at home. In politics Mr. Franklin is a Re- publican. He is a highly-esteemed citizen, and the comfortable home and property which he now enjoys are the accumulation of many years of hard, un-remitting toil; the entire family stand high in the regard of the community in which they reside. Mrs. Franklin is a member of the U. B. Church. MATHIAS CAROTHERS, one of the pushing, go-ahead young farmers of Richmond township, was born October 13, 1849, in Norwich township, Huron Co., Ohio, eldest son and second child in the family of John and Susan (Mowery) Carothers. Our subject was reared to active agricultural life, received such an education as the common schools of his boyhood af- forded, and remained under the parental HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 421 roof until his marriage. On July 4, 1872, he wedded Miss Mary Bigham, who was born in Venice township, Seneca Co., Ohio, daughter of John Bigham, a pioneer of that county. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carothers resided for a short time on his father's farm, and in about 1873 took up their residence on their present place, where they have since had their home. While Mr. Carothers has not resided in Richmond township as long as some of its farmers, he has seen his acres gradually converted from heavy forests to fertile fields, and this is practically the work of his own hands, as, when he took possession of the land, but a small portion of it was cleared. The elegant residence, large and commodious barn and other necessary farm buildings which enhance the value of his place, are all the work of his own hands. So far he has made farming his life work, and has met with considerable success. Mr. Carothers is active, full of energy and progressive, and stands vary high in his community. He is a leader of the Republican party in his township, and is DOW serving as justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Carothers are members of the U. B. Church, in which he is class-leader and superintendent of Sunday-school. They have had three 'children, viz.: Daisy D., Jennie May, successful teachers in the public schools, and Chalmer J., an energetic lad of eight summers. JOSEPH RUFFING. Among the brave old pioneers of Sherman township stands prominent this worthy farmer citizen, a native of South Germany, born in Baiern (Bavaria) April 10, 1830. He is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Schwartz) Huffing, wealthy farming people in the Fatherland, who were the parents of seven children, five of whom were born in Baiern, as follows: Elizabeth, who died in Sherman township, when nineteen years old; Peter, a farmer in Sherman township, a carpenter by trade, and one of the pioneers in that business in the township; Joseph, subject; John, a farmer of Sherman township, who died in 1892; and Frank, also a farmer of Sherman township, who died in 1887. In the spring of 1836 the family set sail in a merchant ship from Havre, France, for the New World, and after a rough passage of forty-four days, during which a severe storm drove them considerably out of their course, north- ward, they landed at New York. From there they proceeded via Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Cleveland, and from that, then, village by wagon to Elyria, Lorain county, where they tarried a short time. Here, enquiring the most direct route to Sherman town- ship, they were misdirected, and by nighttime found themselves in the village of Norwalk, where the only place they could find to sleep in was a welcome barn. On the following morning the family proceeded on their journey, and on the twenty-fifth day of August, 1836, found themselves at their forest home, in that part of Sherman township lying south of the center. Here they had settled but a short time when the dense forest, and other unpleasant features connected with the new home, caused the head of the family to regret that he had not bought land in the very heart of Cleveland, which had been offered him for eighteen dollars per acre; and he was of a mind to buy even yet, but was dissuaded from doing so by an old lady whom the family had met in Elyria. In Sherman township the father had bought land (represented at the time of purchase as cleared, which turned out not to be the case) at twelve dollars per acre (about five times its value), and erected thereon a log house. He then, with the assistance of his sons, set to work to clear the land, and prepare the soil for crops; in the course of time Fortune smiled more favorably on him, and by dint of hard work and unceasing industry he prospered, so that he was able to make additions from 422 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. time to time to his original purchase, and at his death was the owner of a fine, well-stocked and fertile farm, equipped with comfortable buildings. Two children were born to Joseph and Catharine Miffing in their pioneer home, namely, Anthony, a merchant of Bellevue, Huron county, and Michael, a farmer of Sherman township. The father passed from earth in 1882, at the age of eighty-two years, the mother in June, 1865, and they lie side by side in Sherman cemetery.. They were members of the Catholic Church, and contributors to wards the first church building of that denomination erected in Sherman township. Joseph Ruffing, the second son born to these honored old pioneers. received but a limited education, the greater part of it, in fact, at his home, his father being his instructor; and under the tuition of his brother Peter, who was a mechanic of considerable ability, he learned the trade of carpenter. At the age of thirteen he was "hired" to a neighbor (Burrett Fitch) to work out the price of a colt his father had bought, and this occupied him six weeks. At twenty years of age he commenced journeyman work at his trade in the neighborhood of his home, and he and his brother Peter put up the first frame house in Sherman township. On October 21, 1856, Mr. Buffing married Miss Mary J. Geiger, who was born February 16, 1836, in Buffalo, N. Y., a daughter of Lawrence Geiger, who came to Sherman township when she was a child. To this union were born children as follows: Elizabeth, now Mrs. P. Krupp, of Seneca county, Ohio; Frank J., a farmer of Sherman township; Michael J., a farmer of Norwich township; Coraline, Mrs. John Glassner, of Seneca county; Josephine, Mrs. Lewis Kalt, of Norwalk; Annie, Mrs. John Witter, of Bucyrus, Ohio; and Victoria, at home. On July 13, 1877, the mother of these was injured in a runaway, and she lingered between life and death until July 20, 1877, when death put an end to her sufferings; she was buried in Sherman cemetery. In 1877 Mr. Huffing married Mrs. Mary Quisuo, widow of Joseph Quisno, and a native of Belgium. After his first marriage our subject settled with his bride on a portion of his present farm, and has here since devoted, himself exclusively to general agriculture. He and his brother had bought, jointly, one hundred acres, of which at his marriage each took fifty acres, and to his share Joseph has since added as circumstances offered until now he is the owner of 122 acres of as fine land as can be found in his section. He is a member of the Catholic Church; politically he is a Democrat, and has held township and other offices of trust with credit to himself and satisfaction of his constituents. THOMAS HAGAMAN is a representative of an old pioneer family that originated in Holland. His grandfather, Thomas Hagaman, native of Gettysburg, Penn., married Nellie Burnett, of New York, whose ancestors were also natives of Holland. The ancestors of this couple immigrated to America many years ago, first locating in New Jersey, and afterward crossing into Pennsylvania, where the grandfather continued to follow agricultural pursuits and weaving. Politically he was a Whig and Abolitionist; in religion he first united with the Presbyterian Church, afterward becoming a Congregationalist. He died in August, 1852, at about the age of eighty years, his wife some years later. They were the parents of three sons, John, James and George B., who came to Ohio with their parents in 1818. JOHN HAGAMAN was born July 1, 1801, in Cayuga county, N. Y., and in 1818 came with his parents to Huron county, Ohio, as above stated, where he married Tina Ammerman. He bought a farm of new heavily-timbered land in Bronson township, upon which he erected a log 423 - PICTURE OF JOHN HAGAMAN 424 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, DITTO - 425 house, and devoted the remainder of his life to clearing and cultivating the same. In politics he voted first with the Whigs, later with the Republican party, and was the first Abolitionist in the township; in religious faith he and his wife were active members of the Congregational Church, in which he served as a deacon. He died in 1870, his wife December 29, 1879, having passed her seventy-second year. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Maria B. (deceased in 1846, at the age of nineteen), Lucy A. (deceased in 1890, at the age of sixty years), Thomas (whose name opens this sketch), and Isabel (wife of J. W. Snook, of Bronson township). Thomas Hagaman was born August 20, 1831, on the farm where he is now living, in Bronson township, Huron Co., Ohio. He received a good common-school education, and also attended the Norwalk High School. On October 14, 1868, he married Mary Ellen Woodruff, a native of New Berlin, Chenango Co., N. Y., a daughter of Edwin and Lydia A. (Gilmore) Woodruff. Two children were born to them: Jessie W. and John E. The mother was called from earth January 2, 1879. Since the death of his father Thomas Hagaman has had charge of the old homestead, and, having bought out the other heirs, now owns 137 acres, where he carries on general farming. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont for President in 1856; in religions faith he is a member of the Congregational Church. WILLIAM BROWN. This well-known wide-awake and affluent agriculturist of Norwich town- ship comes of sturdy Protestant-Irish stock, noted for their longevity. Thomas Brown, his grandfather, came to America in 1805, and settling in New York State there followed weaving and farming. He was twice married, and had in all eighteen children, the eldest of whom, by name Thomas H., learned the trade of weaver in his native land of Erin, where he was born in 1787, and was eighteen years old when he came to America. He made his first home in the New World in Maryland, near Baltimore, where he followed the weaving trade six years. He there married Miss Susan Sowers, of that locality, and they then proceeded to New York State, locating in Cayuga county on a farm, on which they resided till 1825, when they came to Ohio, where, in Ash- land county, near the town of Ashland, Mr. Brown bought 160 acres of totally wild land which he cleared, and where he and his wife lived up to her death in 1866. He then moved to Hancock county, same State, and made his final home with his youngest son, James, dying there in 1884 at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, He was a very successful farmer, owning at the time of his death about 400 acres of land, which he divided among his five sons. Ile was a stanch Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His family of children numbered ten, named as follows: Hugh, Eve, Margaret, Martha, William, Sarah, Thomas, Franklin, James and Susanna, all now deceased except Thomas, William (subject), Franklin, James and Sarah. William Brown, of whom this sketch more particularly relates, was born, in 1823, in Cayuga county, N. Y., and passed his boyhood on a farm in Ashland county, Ohio, whither the family had come in 1825, as above related. When he was twenty-three years old his father gave him eighty acres of land, entirely covered with timber, but he went to work with an axe and a will, clearing it and transforming it into a fertile farm. To this from time to time he added until he had 166 acres, and he then sold and bought 200 acres in Nor- wich township, Huron county, where he now lives. He has owned as much as 480 acres, and his success has been due entirely 426 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. to untiring industry, judicious economy and a life of rectitude. After giving each of his sons fifty acres, he has 180 left. During the Civil war he served from May to September, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment 0. V. I., N. G., under Col. H. G. Blake, and was always "ready" at the call to duty. In 1846 Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Greer, of Ashland county, Ohio, daughter of James Greer, and five children, as follows, were born to them: Thomas, James, Franklin H., William L., and one that died in infancy. Our subject in his political preferences is a stanch Republican, and has held numerous township offices, notable among which was that of township treasurer, which he filled eight years. In religious faith he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is a trustee. LYMAN ASHLEY is a descendant, in the eighth generation, of a well- known pioneer family whose ancestry may be traced to Robert Ashley, who emigrated from England about 1630 and located in Massachusetts. James Ashley, the great-grandfather of Lyman, was born in 1740, in Massachusetts. His son, Luther Ashley, was born April 1, 1775, was a surveyor by profession, and later a sawmill owner. On September 1, 1800, he married Eunice Smith, who was born October 10, 1781, and was living at Shrewsbury, Mass. To this marriage the following named children were born: Gilbert, born December 27, 1801, removed to Seneca county, Ohio, where he died, leaving a family; Nancy, born January 17, 1803, widow of Hiram Spencer, lives at Sandusky, Ohio; Dexter, born October 13, 1804, deceased in Greenfield township at an advanced age; Louisa, born December 5, 1806, widow of Nathan Beers, residing with her son, Nathan, in Greenfield township; Dennis, father of Lyman, referred to below; Harriet, born March 13, 1813, widow of Martin Smith, living at Valparaiso, Ind.; Emily, born January 6, 1816, widow of Erastus Smith, living in Greenfield township; and Smith, born December 22, 1822, residing at Vacaville, Cal. The last named is the only one who was born in Huron county. In 1815 the father migrated to Canada to look up work, but becoming dissatisfied he returned to Massachusetts, and in 1817, accompanied by his son Gilbert, he came to Huron county, Ohio, and purchased some land. His brother-in-law, Alden Pierce, who had already made a settlement here, visited Massachusetts that year, and at the request of Luther Ashley, he guided Mrs. Ashley and her children to their future home in northern Ohio. In the fall of 1817 the family left Deerfield, Mass. A wagon drawn by three horses conveyed the household goods, the mother, and younger members of the family, while the adults walked the greater part of the distance. From Buffalo, N. Y., westward, the roads were reported to be bad, and to provide against delay or accident, some of the goods were unloaded and shipped by boat to the lake port nearest to Greenfield township. The party then resumed the journey, traveling via Cleveland and Norwalk, and arrived safely in Greenfield township. The father moved in later years to a point near Albion, Ind., where he resided for some years. At last, attacked by a malady common at that time and place, he set out for the home in Huron county, but died while en route, at Fremont, Ohio, November 3, 1838, and was buried at Steuben. His widow died March 30, 1856, and was buried in the same grave at Steuben. Luther Ashley was a Federalist, and a stanch supporter of that party. He and his wife were Congregationalists. Dennis Ashley, father of Lyman, was born January 30, 1810, at Deerfield, Mass. He accompanied his mother to Ohio, attended the pioneer schools of Greenfield HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 427 township, and worked on his father's farm. In August, 1830, he married Lurany Bliss, who was born at Rowe, Mass., March 17, 1812, to Jacob and Bethiah (Brown) Bliss, who settled in Greenfield township in 1822. The children born to Dennis and Lurany Ashley are named as follows: Ly- man, the subject of this sketch; Luther, a resident of Yuba county, Cal.; Noah, who died in youth; Lucy, who died in her eigh- teenth year; Erastus, residing in Chico, Cal. ; Dexter, who died in youth; Mary, who married Charles McMaster, died in Greenfield township; Ward, deceased in Greenfield township, and Charlotte, Mrs. J. A. Wheeler, of Greenfield township. From 1830 to 1854 Dennis Ashley was engaged in farming here; the ensuing two years he passed in Iowa, and from 1856 to his death, which occurred September 27, 1892, he was a farmer of Greenfield township. From 1889 to 1892 he was an invalid. His wife died August 8, 1891, and both lie nn the cemetery at Steuben. A Whig prior to 1856, he was a stanch Republican during the remainder of his active life, and held various township offices. For fifty years he was a member, and for some years a deacon, of the Baptist Church, to which denomination his wife also belonged. He did not accumulate much property, but always had a competence, and few men were better known or more respected than Deacon Ashley. Lyman Ashley was born February 20., 1832, in Greenfield township, and there secured a primary education in district school No. 6. After school days he entered a dry-goods store at Plymouth, and worked there a short time at four dollars per month, when he engaged as brakeman on the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad. Subsequently he worked in Jonas Child's gristmill at Steuben, and followed the miller's trade from Ohio to Iowa until 1863. On March 29, 1863, he married Mary L. Youngs, who was born December 3, 1846, daughter of James and Sarah (Frost) Youngs, of Greenfield township. To this union came the following named children: Cora B., Joseph B., and Lewis C. (now a machinist at Galion, Ohio). Cora B. was married December 7, 1892, to J. C. Baker, and they reside at Steuben; one son, Glendower E., was born to them September 14, 1893. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ashley located on their present farm, where the husband did his first farm work when thirty-one years old. In politics he is a lifelong Republican, and has filled several township offices with credit to himself and profit te the people. He has increased the area of his farm, has put out all the shade trees and erected all the buildings thereon, and is a practical, substantial farmer in every respect, one who has made his way to success unaided. W. P. NOBLE, a prominent stock- man of Huron county, is a grandson of James Noble, the ancestor of the family in America, who was born in Ireland, and reared to manhood in County Tyrone. In 1790 he left his native land, and after a voyage of fourteen weeks set foot on the shores of the, young Republic, and proceeding at once to Washington, Penn., located near Taylorstown. His marriage with Mary Harvey, also a native of Ireland, took place in Washington county, and to their union five children were born, namely: John, Will, Harvey, Mary and Nancy, all now deceased, and their descendants scattered. Harvey Noble, the father of subject, was born in 1806 near Taylorstown, Wash- ington Co., Penn., and was reared on his father's farm. He received a fair education in the subscription school of his native place, but his school days were alloyed with a pioneer boy's work round the home and on the farm. In 1827 he married Margaret Little, a daughter of George Little, who resided near Taylorstown, and immediately after marriage the young 428 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. couple set out for Richland county, Ohio, with the intention of making a home there, and located near the village of Shiloh The country was even then in a most primitive condition; the forest teemed with animals of the chase; bear, deer and wolves were abundant, and even the panther came to visit the district at intervals. On one occasion Mr. Noble was compelled to go as far as Plymouth, Ohio, for a doctor; the wolves appeared to be unusually disturbed, and howled the whole night, but he went on his journey unmindful of the brutes, and that night was the last one for the wolves in the country. About 1827 he located on a farm of eighty acres in Richland county, which at the time of his death was increased to 500 acres. There were born to him eight children, namely: Mary, John, James, Nancy, Elizabeth, Margaret, W. P. and Minerva. Of these, Nancy and Elizabeth are now deceased; James resides in Greenfield township, Huron county; John is a resident of Richland county; Mary is the wife of Jerrie Davidson, of Richland county; Minerva resides in Huron county. The mother of these children died July 2, 1865, the father July 11, 1885. He was the owner of the first threshing machine used in Richland county, and was in every respect a progressive farmer. W. P. Noble was born in 1839 in Richland county, Ohio, and was reared to manhood on the old homestead in that county. He received a practical education in the school of his district, and was inducted into the mysteries of agriculture under the direction of his father. In 1864 he married Eliza Jane Starkey, daughter of James Starkey, then of Ripley township, but now a citizen of Illinois, and to this marriage were born ten children, as follows: Mina A., Sherman, Elmer, Theodore (deceased), Allen, Warren, Winnie, Nellie, and two that died in infancy. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Noble settled on their present farm in Ripley township, part of which Nk as cleared and all of it improved by Mr. Noble. Politically he is a Republican, and one of the "wheel horses" of the party in Huron county. For many years he has represented his section of the county in local and Congressional con- ventions, and in every way is a trusted councilor. Prior to 1870 Mr. Noble made the foundations of his Shorthorn herds. Today he has two prize herds, every head of which may properly be classed as fine stock, and to this business he has given close attention, making it a most profitable one. He also deals in fast horses, owning, among other animals, a half-brother to Maude S., Noble Harold, No. 4722. His land now comprises 310 acres, all of which he has accumulated since 1864. JOHN R. ELLIS was born September 1, 1845, in Greenwich township. His father, John Ellis, was born August 8, 1816, in Onondaga county, N.Y, attended school there when a small boy, and at the age of twelve years hired out as a farm hand at three dollars per month. For the seven succeeding years he labored on the farm, and at the age of nineteen years began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1839, when he and his brother George migrated to Huron county, Ohio, and purchased, in partnership, a tract of fifty acres in Greenwich township. This land was bought from their uncle, Ellis, at five dollars per acre, and is now owned by John R. and Martin Ellis. In 1841 John Ellis was united in marriage with Rachel Rickard, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and to them were born the following named children: Sidney H., for forty years was a farmer of Greenwich township, and who died in 1888; Theresa, who married Charles Horr; John R., a farmer of Fitchville township; Martin, a farmer of Greenwich township; Leona, wife of Jacob Weaver, of Ripley HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 429 township; Paulina, Mrs. Benton Davis, of Ripley township; Hiram, deceased in youth; and Sarah, Mrs. Allen Ziegler, of Richland county, Ohio. The parents of this family resided on the original farm until they died, the mother in April, 1887, and the father March 4, 1890. In 1850 Mr. Ellis began to lose his health, and from 1855 to the date of his death he was unable to accomplish a day's work. Under the care and labor of his sons, however, his possessions, grew, and from a half interest in fifty acres he became the owner of 550 acres of fertile land. A one-thousand-dollar monument marks the grave in Ripley cemetery where John and Rachel Ellis lie. In early days they joined the church; but owing to want of harmony in the religious body to which they belonged, they ceased attending services, though continuing to worship God within their home. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Ellis was loyal to the party, but never was an active politician; he was often elected to township office, and each trust confided to him he observed with fidelity. John R. Ellis was reared in the manner common to his contemporaries in Greenwich township, attended the district school, and at an early age entered on practical farm work, taking a man's place on the farm. On June 6, 1866, he was married to Jane Viers, who was born in Butler township, Richland Co., Ohio, a daughter of L. D. and Jane (Parker) Viers. To this marriage were born the following named children: Hiram, Nora, and Charles, all of whom reside at home. After their union Mr. and Mrs. Ellis settled in Ripley township, and there remained three years, when they purchased a one-half interest in 218 acres in Greenwich township, Martin Ellis holding the second half interest. For nine years they resided there, and then in 1880 came to Fitchville township, where Mr. Ellis purchased the old Palmer farm of eighty acres. To this he has added forty-two acres adjoining, remodeled the dwelling-house, improved the farm buildings, and converted the whole tract into a fertile garden. For the last six years Mr. Ellis has suffered from rheumatism, and does but little active work; he gives, however, close personal attention to the farm. Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the trusted advisers and councillors of the party in Huron county, well posted on political issues. SHERMAN CULP, a well-known attorney of Plymouth, Ohio, is a native of same, born November 1, 1854. Christian Culp, the grandfather of subject, was born in the seventeenth century, in New York, where the pioneers of the family in America settled after coming from Germany. When a young man Christian Culp migrated to Ohio, in which State he married Nellie Burton, a descendant of Scotch pioneers. Shortly after his marriage he purchased 700 acres of land (embracing almost the whole site of Plymouth) in New Haven township, Huron county, and moving hither in 1835, established a gristmill and carding-mill, both of which he carried on in conjunction with his farm. At the time of this settlement Plymouth consisted of two or three log cabins. Here five sons and two daughters were born to Christian and Nellie Culp, only two of whom are yet living: Jacob, now of Mansfield, Ohio, and Mrs. Polly Sherman, of Plymouth. Henry Culp, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the second child in order of birth. At the age of twenty-five he married Hannah Baker, a daughter of pioneer settlers of Ripley township, and to their union were born four sons and three daughters. The father died February 13, 1889, at the age of sixty-two years, and his widow now resides on the home of her childhood in Ripley township. Sherman Culp, the subject proper of this memoir, was born, reared and educated at Plymouth, and is now the owner 430 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. of the home founded by his grandfather, Christian Culp. At the age of twenty- four years he entered the law office of John W. Bell, at Plymouth, read law under his direction, and in 1886 was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio. During this term of study the young lawyer was elected mayor of the town, and has filled the offices of notary public and justice of the peace. In 1888 he was the nominee of the Democratic party for prosecuting attorney of Huron county, and went within 327 votes of being elected. He has served in the council of Plymouth, and takes an active part in all public affairs. He is also popular in social circles, and is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. His marriage with Louise Strong, daughter of E. D. Strong, took place at Plymouth September 13, 1882. To them three children were born, namely: Ross S., Henry S. and Frank R., but the death of the latter occurred September 4, 1893. Mr. Culp's law practice is not confined by any means to Huron, but extends throughout the four or five adjoining counties. The business of the office is almost exclusively in civil law, of which Mr. Culp is an able exponent, and in the practice of which he is very prominent. CHESTER S. HOWE, a well-known 'resident of Peru township, was born September 9, 1818, in Fleming, Cayuga county, New York. His father, Titus Howe, was also a native of that place, born November 14, 1793, and in early life learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. On May 26, 1814, he was united in marriage with Alnnira Hicks, and they became the parents of the following children: Nelson A., born August 18, 1816; Chester S., subject of sketch; Marion P., born February 5, 1821; Edwin R., born October 5, 1823; Helen M., born February 1, 1830; Almira M., born November 14, 1833; Julia E., born May 5, 1837; Amelia V., born October 22, 1839; and Oscar S., born April 28, 1843. Titus Howe had visited the Far West prior to 1834, in which year be came westward with his wife and family (then consisting of six children), making a location where the beautiful town of Batavia, Kane Co., Ill., now stands. The journey was made in a wagon, the route being through northern Ohio, southern Michigan, northern Indiana and Cook county, Ill., to the banks of Fox river. In 1836 the family moved twenty miles southward to what is now Kendall county. On leaving Cayuga county, N. Y., Mr. Howe took with him a set of sawmill tools, which he used in a mill he erected on Fox river. Later he erected a saw and grist mill at Yorkville, Kendall county, and was the pioneer in the use of water-power there. He took an important part in the development of this rich little county of Illinois, and at his death, which occurred August 25, 1867, in Yorkville, the community mourned the decease of an honest citizen. In politic he was originally a Democrat, but after the commencement of the Rebellion he became a Republican. Mrs. Howe passed away March 5, 1873. Chester S. Howe accompanied his father to Illinois in 1834, worked with him in the sawmill on Fox river, and later in the saw and grist mill at Yorkville. In February, 1838, he decided to go east, and acting on this determination came to Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio, that month. He resided one year with his maternal grandfather, Daniel B. Hicks, and attended the school at Milan, Ohio. In the spring of 1839 he revisited Illinois, where he remained a year, then returning to Ohio he worked at the carpenter's trade, and during the winter of 1840-41 taught school in Norwich township, Huron county, having previously taught a school in Greenfield township. In 1841 he entered the employ of Alonzo Fox, as clerk in his general store. In September of that year he started on a southern journey with two HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 431 friends, but at Cincinnati he and one of the friends left the other, visited Lexington and Louisville (Ky.), and thence proceeded by river, via Cairo, St. Louis and LaSalle, to his father's western home at Yorkville. In the spring of 1842 he returned to Ohio, and entered the employ of Boalt & Gibbs, merchants. In 1846 he became Mr. Boalt's partner, and subsequently became sole owner of the stock. In 1859 he purchased a farm in Peru township, and followed agricultural life until 1878, when he moved to Macksville, where he has since made his home. On June 7, 1846, Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Barker, who was born April 11, 1822, in Cayuga county, N. Y. In 1828 she was brought by her parents to Bronson township, Huron Co., Ohio, where she received her education, and passed the remainder of her life. Two children were born to this, marriage, namely: Albert B., born March 16, 1847, and who died December 17, 1850; and Frank, born December 5, 1851, and was married February 20, 1873, to Eva, daughter of William and Emilene Akers (their children are Lela M., born January 12, 1877, and Sarah E., born February 3, 1879). Mrs. Harriet Howe died September 27, 1892. Mr. Howe, in politics, is a member of the Democratic party. RILEY GRIFFIN, grandson of Gersham Griffin, was born April 29, 1812, in the town of Hunter, Greene county, New York. Gersham Griffin was a farmer of Westchester county, N. Y., at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, and suffered repeatedly from marauding parties of the British soldiery. On one occasion he was plowing in a cornfield, when some British cavalry galloped forward and seized upon the only horse he possessed. On sundry occasions they visited the farm, destroying fences and burning what they could not carry away. It is not known why he did not enter the Continental line, but his young wife and family probably restrained him, or mayhap some political notions may have militated against his service with the patriots. Whatever the cause, he did not serve in the army, but removed with his wife and children to Greene county, N. Y., where he hoped the wilderness would not only shelter them from the wrath of war, but would also enable him to make a new property as good as that which he abandoned. Ten days before his death, in 1831, as a patient, he made his first acquaintance with a physician, but medical aid was useless, for his race was run, and he passed away at the age of eighty-eight years, one month and two days. Abijah Griffin, son of this old pioneer, was born in Westchester county, N. Y., August 28, 1773, and when eighteen years old was brought by his parents into Greene county. There he grew to manhood, and in 1795 married Abigail Bloomer, who was born in Westchester county, N. Y., June 5, 1770, and when twenty-one years old came to Greene county with her parents, who, like the Griffins, were pioneers of that section of New York. To this marriage came the following named children: Esther, born July 8, 1796, married Joseph H. Miller, and died in New York State in 1843; Ezekiel, born October 21, 1799, settled in Ohio in 1836, and died in Greenwich township, Huron county, in 1872; Phoebe, born June 4, 1803, married James Williamson, of Fitchville township, Huron county, and died in 1881 (she was the mother of J. A. Williamson, a leading attorney of the Huron county bar); Tamer, born April 15, 1806, married Jeremiah Kingsbury, in Greenwich township, and died there in 1855; Robert B., born June 11, 1809, a farmer and carpenter, died in Greenwich township, August 9, 1891, and Riley, the subject of this sketch. In May, 1833, the father of this family visited Ohio, to examine the lands of 432 - HUI?ON COUNTY, OHIO. Huron county. Selecting a tract of one hundred acres in Greenwich township, he purchased it for four hundred dollars, returned to Greene county, and in September following brought his wife and chil- dren (excepting Esther and Ezekiel) to take possession of their Ohio home. The journey was made via canal and lake to the village of Huron, and thence by wagon to Greenwich township. The weather being stormy, the boat on which they traveled from Buffalo to Huron was driven to the Canadian shores, where it lay for two days, rather than risk a trip across the lake. The land which Mr. Griffin purchased was slightly improved, a small log cabin in a small clearing indicating that some pioneer had been there before. Some short time after settling here another tract of one hundred acres, opposite the first tract, was purchased for ten dollars per acre, and to the new land the family removed their residence. A new house was erected thereon by his sons, and there the father died in May, 1856. His remains were interred in Fitchville cemetery, in or near the grave where his wife was buried, she having died November 20, 1840. Both were Methodists, and in politics Abijah Griffin voted with the Whigs. Riley Griffin was born April 29, 1812, and passed his boyhood on the farm and in attending winter school. When a youth he learned the carpenter's trade, but still continued to give his attention to books. He taught school for ten dollars per month in New York State, and after settling in Greenwich township taught one term there and two terms in Fitchville, the highest salary paid being fifteen dollars per month and "boarding round." On January 21, 1839, he was united in marriage with Philena Washburn, who was born June 8, 1817, in Ulster county, N. Y., and was brought by her parents, Henry and Mary Washburn, to Greenwich township in 1819. To this marriage came the following: Mary, born February 10, 1840, died December 5, 1882; Hialmer, born May 6, 1842, a farmer of Fitch vine township, Huron county; Ermina, born July 18, 1843, Mrs. T. W. Fancher, of Lorain county; Corwin, born June 7, 1845, a physician of Clyde, Ohio, and Stanley, born May 20, 1848, proprietor of the "Hotel Griffin," Lorain., Ohio. The mother of this family died February 20, 1863, and was interred in the family burial ground, in the northeast corner of Greenwich cemetery. On January 21, 1864, he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Jane (Carl) Baker, who was born November 22, 1813, at Salem, N. Y., whence in 1815 she was taken by her parents, William and Martha (Weed) Carl, to Greenwich, Conn. In 1830 the family moved to Greenwich township, Huron Co., Ohio, where the father purchased one hundred acres at one dollar per acre, and here Mary J. Carl married Marshall Baker, and after his death united with Mr. Griffin. They knew each other in their youthful days. In 1834 Riley Griffin located on the second tract of one hundred acres purchased by his father, while Robert B., a brother who also married about that time, located on the first tract. The highway alone separated the brothers' farms, and for twenty-two years they worked as one man. The earnings of the two farms were equally divided annually, and this division closed the year's business. Riley Griffin resided on the second tract until 1876, when he moved to the town of Greenwich, where he has since lived a semi-retired life. The trade of carpenter, which he learned in his youth, enabled him to build his own houses, fences, etc. This trade, with his natural aptitude for agriculture and proverbial industry, brought him wealth, so that now he can enjoy the reward of his early labor. In politics formerly a Whig, he became a Republican on the formation of the party, and was one of the first fourteen men in Greenwich township who voted the new ticket. He is a great reader of newspapers, and is well versed in the political history of the United HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 433 States. His memory of dates and events is phenomenal, and for a man of his age there are few who can be compared with him in physical and mental strength. He has held several township offices, but he had no political aspirations. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Griffin attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are in every way worthy of the esteem in which they are held. CALVERT A. MEAD is descended from one of three Welsh brothers who were early settlers of Huron county. His father, Edmund Mead, was born in 1788, in Putnam county, N. Y., and reared on a farm. He received a good education, and was private secretary to a captain during the war of 1812. He was married in his native State to Rachel Knapp, who was born in Delaware county, N. Y., and came to Ohio in an early day. After moving to Ohio Edmund Mead bought 15 acres of land, situated one and one half miles southeast of Norwalk. About the year 1832 he bought a tract of 150 acres in Section 2, Bronson township, a log house and a few tillable acres being the only improvement then made. To this family were born nine children—four sons and five daughters—of whom five are yet living, viz.: Mrs. Elizabeth A. Mitchell and Mrs. Almira A. Merwin, both of whom reside in California; Alfred G., a farmer, surveyor and miller, of Michigan (has a family of five sons and two daughters); Charles E., living in Oklahoma (has one son and four daughters), and Calvert A. The father was an active worker in the Whig and Republican parties. He died in 1876 at the age of eighty-eight years, and in 1878 the mother was laid beside him, having passed her eighty-eighth year. Calvert A. Mead was born June 9, 1834, on the home farm in Bronson township. He attended the common schools, and from early youth has been associated with agricultural pursuits, having had charge of the home place since his twenty-fourth year. On March 24, 1857, he was united in marriage with Ellen M., daughter of Eri Mesnard, and she has borne him the following children: Byron L., Albert S., Gertrude L., Clayton B., Henry B. and Frank L.; they also have an adopted son, Charles W. Of these children one is in Toledo, Ohio, two are living in Illinois, one in Buffalo, and Frank L., the youngest, died September 29, 1893. In 1876 Mr. Mead erected a commodious residence, situated on one of the most beautiful and picturesque spots in Huron county. He has been a very successful farmer, and has made many substantial improvements on the place. In politics he has been a Republican since the organization of that party, having cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont. PRESTON PALMER, a descendant of one of the most deserving pioneer families of Huron county, was born January 6, 1834, in Fitchville township. The first of the family in America located in New England at the close of the seventeenth century, and his descendants were still residing there when the fertile lands of Ohio were first opened to settlement. Samuel Palmer, grandfather of subject, was born in 1758 in Fairfield county, Connecticut. Samuel Palmer, son of Samuel, was born September 12, 1799, in Connecticut, received an elementary education in the school of his native place, and grew to manhood there. One of his brothers, Alvah, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and received 200 acres of the Connecticut "Firelands" in Ohio. Another brother, Randall, visited Ohio in 1817 or 1818, making his home there, and in the spring of 1819 Samuel, accompanied by Randall Palmer's wife and her four children with his sister 434 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Hannah, set out for Ohio. They traveled in a wagon drawn by an ox and a cow with a gray mare as leader of the team. Owing to wet weather, the greatest care had to be taken in fording the rivers and streams en route, and the greatest patience exercised in crossing marshy spots on the road. The party arrived safely in Huron county after being seventy-five days on the road. Often friendly Indians helped them out of the swamps during their journey, and ever after the travelers were kind to the Redman. Along the route young Samuel killed sufficient game to keep up the supply of fresh meat, while from the pioneers they bought corn or "Johnny-cake." Samuel Palmer became the first school teacher in Fitchville township. In October, 1832, he married Eliza O. Curtiss, who was born on Long Island, N. Y., October 7, 1815. Her father, William P. Curtiss, was a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church until his death from cholera in 1828, and his two daughters were brought to Ohio by their uncle, Chester Manville, who settled in Wakeman township, Huron county. To this marriage were born the following-named children: Preston, the subject of this sketch ; Marcus C., born February 19, 1839, who died leaving a family; and Samuel L., born November 17, 1841, deceased in youth. The mother of these children died May 2, 1842, and was buried in Fitchville township. On October 29. 1844, Mr. Palmer married Anna P. Lyon, who was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., where the marriage took place. The children born to this marriage are named as follows: Eliza, born September 1, 1848; Samuel E., born August 1, 1851, and Anna. The last named three children died in youth, and on September 27, 1876, their mother passed away. The father died December 5, 1882, and the remains of both lie in the Fitchville cemetery. Mr. Palmer was a farmer even during the years when he taught school in Fitchville township. As a horticulturist he was well known, for he brought fruit-tree seeds from the East, and set out the first nursery in the township, He read every book, pamphlet and newspaper which came to his hand, and was particularly devoted to Bible reading. A supporter of the Congregational Church, and in early years a trustee in that Church, the latch-string of his home was always out for preachers of that denomination. An unflinching Abolitionist, he was a "conductor on the Underground Railway," at times concealing from ten to fifteen negroes round the home, until he could forward them to Canada. In 1856 he joined the Republicans, and remained with that party the rest of his life. He was a most successful farmer, and highly esteemed in his district. Preston Palmer was reared in the manner common to pioneer boys in Ohio at his time. The common school existed when he was of school age, and in that of his district he received a rudimentary education, being a student at the time when school was held in nine distinct houses, and at irregular periods. At the age of fourteen years his labor on the farm was deemed more necessary than his education, and from the spring of 1848 to the summer of 1850 he worked steadily as a farm hand. In 1850 he began to learn the coach painter's trade under Jacob Loomis, of Cleveland, and worked as journeyman painter throughout southern Ohio in 1851-52, and part of 1853, when he returned to Fitchville township and resumed farming. On June 26, 1859, he married Elthina Crane (daughter of Chauncey Crane), a native of Fitchville township, who died August 27, 1890, without issue. On June 11, 1892, Mr. Palmer married Mrs. Johanna (Van Vechten) Smith, daughter of Dr. D. D. Van Vechten, formerly of Allegany county, N. Y. Mr. Palmer has not devoted his whole life to agriculture. In June, 1863, he was summarily summoned from industry to war, and enlisted in an artillery company at Cleveland, Ohio, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 435 which was dissolved by Gov. Tod. On July 20, 1863, he enlisted in Company M, First O. H. A., known also as the One Hundred and Seventeenth O. V. I., transformed into an artillery regiment by order of May 2, 1863. He was engaged in the construction of the works at Covington and Newport for the protection of Cincinnati, and also served at Alexandria and Fort Whittlesey until the end of January, 1864, when the command proceeded to Point Burnside, Tenn. At the close of February the order to move toward Knoxville was observed, but, on that terrible march over the mountains, Mr. Palmer's strength failed, and he was left at a farm house to be cared for. About the last of March he joined the company at Knoxville, and on April 6 was assigned to service on the engineer corps under Lieutenant Sternberger. In July, 1864, he was stricken with malarial fever, and transferred to hospital at Knoxville, where he remained until discharged, May 26, 1865. Returning from the war, he resumed farming on the old homestead, and has won success as an agriculturist. A Republican, he is one of the counsellors of the party in his county, is well posted on public matters, and being a man of sound judgment and common sense his opinion is often sought in public affairs and in many private concerns. GEORGE VAN HORN, one of the pushing, wide-awake citizens of Havana, and a prosperous merchant of the town, of which te is also postmaster, is a native of Norwich township, Huron county, born in 1857. William H. Van Horn, father of subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1827, a son of William D. Van Horn, also a native of the Keystone State, born of German ancestry. William H. was a carpenter and builder, and came to Ohio when a young man. He married a Miss Hicks, by whom there were seven children. The subject of these lines received a liberal education at the public schools of Norwich township, and was thoroughly trained to the arduous duties of farm life until the age of seventeen, at which time he commenced clerking for his uncle, F. Van Horn, in Havana, Huron county, with whom he remained eleven years. Then for six years he was a partner with his uncle, after which he bought his uncle out, and commenced business for himself. He is a thoroughly representative self-made man, having risen from very small beginnings, by his own indefatigable energy, to his present position of comparative affluence. In his political preferences Mr. Van Horn is a stanch Republican, and on February 22, 1889, he was appointed postmaster at Havana. In religious faith be is a member of the Universalist Church. ELI O. ELLIS, a worthy descendant of pioneers of Vermont and north- ern Ohio, was born November 28, 185, on the farm in Peru township, where he now resides. Andrew Ellis, grandfather of Eli O., was a farmer of Essex county, Vt., and in connection with agriculture carried on the manufacture of lampblack, in which he was assisted by his children, whose names are Mary, Andrew, Freeman, William, Apollis, Joseph Cornelius and Lyman. Lyman Ellis was born about 1795, on the home farm in Vermont. When a youth he served with the troops of his State in the war of 1812 as a substitute for his father. Before and after that conflict he worked in the lampblack factory, and then learned the cooper's trade. In 1820 he determined to see for himself what truth there was in the reports from Ohio, and made the journey thither on foot, carrying with him all his property. Locating for awhile in Lorain county, near Black River, he satisfied himself that Florence (now Berlin), Sandusky county, offered 436 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. greater advantages to him, and thither he proceeded. There he married Annie Wilson, a native of Hebron, Washington Co,, N. Y., near the Vermont line, daughter of Asa Wilson, and who came with her parents to Ohio in 1820. During the journey they encountered a very heavy snow-storm, the ground being covered to a depth of two feet, and making it necessary for the travelers to obtain the small limbs of trees to feed to the cattle. In 1820 Asa Wilson purchased 500 acres in Peru town- ship, Huron county, at five dollars per acre, and built a rude cabin thereon, where he dwelt with his wife and family. Lyman Ellis died in 1864; his widow followed him to the grave in 1883, and both are buried in the Wilson family cemetery. Mr. Ellis was one of the early Methodists, and was class-leader for a number of years, until he and his wife renounced Method- ism and embraced the Free-will Baptist doctrine. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but voting for Fremont in 1856 he remained thereafter a consistent Republican until his death. Eli O. Ellis, like other pioneer boys, passed his youth in farm work, in school or in play, there being always a surplus of work present. When a youth he was sent to a school at Norwalk; but mechanics and agriculture being more in consonance with his nature than clerical work, it is not a matter for surprise to find him again on the farm, sharing in the work of clearing and cultivating. When the Sandusky & Mansfield Railroad was surveyed young Ellis was rodman for John Webb, the surveyor. Being a natural mechanic, he worked at various trades until 1847. On May 23, that year, he married Miss Hannah Gordon, a native of New York, and to this marriage the following-named children were born: Emma, Mrs. William F. Robinson, of Norwich township, and Adelbert D., who died when eleven years old. Mrs. Hannah Ellis died in 1862, and Mr. Ellis in 1864 married Sarah L. Clement, who bore him two children, Clayton and Elbert M., both residing here. After the death of Mrs. Sarah L. Ellis, who was killed by the cars in 1881, he married Mrs. Mary Millis. After his first marriage our subject settled on the home farm, which he had aided his father in clearing, and here he has resided for over forty-five years. Some years ago he was injured by a runaway horse, and since that time has done no active farm work, although he still attends to the direction and management of all his interests. Mr. Ellis is an independent thinker, and will not be held by party bonds unless the principle and deeds of the party appear to him to be wise. He was a Republican prior to the passage of the McKinley Bill, and is now allied with the People's party. Though he has been honored with town- ship offices since twenty-three years of age, he is not a politician in the sense that an office seeker is; for he can speak fluently and intelligently on all sides of a political question regardless of sympathy with it, and indeed can ably bring out the good and bad points in the lives of local and national statesmen. L. P. SISSON, a retired farmer of Greenwich township, was born February 15, 1823, in Wayne county, N. Y., a son of Sanford Sisson, who was born in Rhode Island, but when seven years old accompanied his father, Jabez Sisson, to Rensselaer county, N.Y., where he grew to manhood. When a young man Sanford married Flaviah West, a native of Rensselaer county, and they moved to Wayne county in pioneer times, residing there until 1827, when the family came to Ohio. They located in Ripley township. Huron county, where the father purchased 114 acres of land, upon which he erected a rude log house. The old settlers of Huron can form an idea of the courage of these pio- neers in entering Ripley township at that HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 437 time. It was a veritable wilderness, the favorite haunt of deer and other large game, and Mr. Sisson, it is related, has stood in one place and killed three deer at a time. The bear and wolf were regular visitants, and wild turkey abounded. To Sanford and Flaviah Sisson fourteen children were born, of whom two are now living, namely: L. P., the subject of this sketch, and Augustus, of Ft. Payne, Ala. Arnold, the last one whose death is recorded, died in 1893 in Hastings, Mich. The father died in Ripley township in 1859, his widow in Barry county, Mich., in 1862, each being buried in the place of death. Mr. Sisson was a Whig, and took an active part in the political contests of his time. L. P. Sisson was nearly five years old when his parents moved to Huron county. He attended a winter school, taught by one of his sisters in a rude log building, and when school days were over entered on farm work. On December 15, 1844, he married Elizabeth Mills, who was born December 3, 1822, in Wayne county, N.Y., daughter of Nathaniel Mills, who settled in Ohio with his family about the year 1838. The children of this marriage were Willis N., a farmer of Greenwich township:. Frances Josephine, Mrs. D. D. Washburn; Sanford H., a farmer of Greenwich township; Emma F., who died when nineteen rears old; Lucius A., residing at home; Oscar L., living in Greenwich township; Addie L., who died young; William E., a farmer of Greenwich township, and Jennie A., Mrs. Charles McMillen, of Berea, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Sisson worked on his father's farm for three years, and then as a tenant for U. B. Thomas. In 1850 he purchased fifty acres in New London township; in 1853 he took up his residence on the old Mills homestead, where he continued to live till October 31, 1893, when he moved to the village of Greenwich. In politics originally a Whig, he has been a Republican from the organization of the new party, and has held various township offices, being always earnest and faithful in the performance of his duties. He has been a most successful farmer and stock grower, but five years ago he practically retired, and he now enjoys the ease and peace which generally follow economy and intelligent labor. E. G. E. EASTMAN, who was born April 17, 1838, in Bronson township, is a son of Seba Eastman, born July 18, 1798, near Rutland, Vt. Seba Eastman was married, November 26, 1830, to Keziah Edson, who was born December 8, 1801, near Charlestown, Massachusetts. Starting in life Seba sold a valuable team of horses for four hundred dollars, but was cheated out of three hundred and ninety-five dollars of this sum, the balance of which, five dollars, he invested in a Bible, which is now in the possession of his son. The incident is given to show the intensity of the faith, as it burned among the Green Mountains at the beginning of this century. Before leaving Vermont two children were born to Seba and Keziah Eastman—Caroline E. and Keziah A.—both of whom were brought west by their parents in 1832. The family traveled by the Erie Canal and lake to Ohio, and first located in Lykins township, Crawford county, but in the fall of 1832 made a permanent settlement in Huron county. Of their children who came with them to Ohio, Caroline, who married Alonzo Adams, died December 9, 1869, and Keziah, who became the wife of Myron D. Stevens, resides in Michigan. The following children were born after their settlement in Ohio: E. G. E.; Seba A., a farmer of Greenfield township, and James A., who enlisted when sixteen years old in Company C, Twenty-fifth O. V. I., and died in South Carolina. The father died of apoplexy July 4, 1850, his widow on May 6, 1877, and both are buried in Centre cemetery. 438 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. E. G. E. Ea4tman received a primary education in the schools of his native town- ship. On the death of his father he began work as a farm hand at six dollars per month, and with this small pay labored each summer until 1854, when he and his brother formed a partnership, and later, with their mother, purchased sixty acres of land which now forms a part of his estate. In 1859 Mr. Eastman moved to Fulton county, Ohio, where he remained one year, and then, returning, resided with his mother until her death. On January 3, 1878, he married Mary J. Kendall, who was born June 19, 1845, at Amity, Orange Co., N. Y., daughter of Amos Kendall, who brought his family to Huron county in 1846. To Mr. and Mrs. Eastman have been born the following named children: Effie G., Grace E., Gary E., Amos K., and one who died in infancy. With the exception of one year passed in Bronson township, and two years on one of the tracts in Peru township, the family have resided on the old farm, purchased about 1854. Mr. Eastman is non-partisan in politics. His idea is to place honest men in office, and this accomplished the laws will be observed strictly, improve- ments carried out economically, and taxation reduced to a minimum. He takes special pride in being known as an industrious, frugal man, who has, in fact, made a valuable property by his own intelligent labor. REV. HENRY G. SUTTER, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bellevue, was born February 12, 1857, at Sugar Grove, Fairfield county, Ohio. His parents, John J. and Eva (Hoffman) Sutter, natives of Switzerland and Wurtemberg (Germany), respectively, came to the United States when children, and to their marriage four daughters and one son were born. John J. Sutter was a German Evangelical Lutheran minister, and preached in Fairfield county the greater part of his life, but also served charges at Clyde, Marion and Bellevue, Ohio, afterward. Rev. John J. Sutter died January 4, 1884. Mrs. Eva Sutter resides with her son, Henry G., at Bellevue. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native place, and completed a liberal course of study in the Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, from which institute he graduated in 1880. Entering the German Lutheran Seminary at Columbus, he graduated thence in 1883, and was ordained at Attica, Seneca county. In April, same year, he took charge of the church at Attica, and introduced preaching in both German and English; German having been used exclusively in the pulpit up to that time. In 1884 he was called by the Bellevue congregation, and this with two congregations in the district he serves most satisfactorily. He is one of the ablest of the younger ministers of the Lutheran denomination in Ohio, Rev. Henry G. Sutter was married September 18, 1884, to Miss Minnie Ruthardt, born in New York City, October 25, 1861, whose parents were both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. To this union were born four children, namely Frederick, Gertrude, Walter and Hortense. JOSEPH F. SMITH, grandson of Joseph Smith, was born April 1, 1849, in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio, and received his primary education in the common schools. Later he attended Bryant & Felton's Business College at Cleveland, Ohio, whence he graduated. Returning to his native county, he worked on his father's farm for some time, then entered the employ of William dz A. W. Prentiss at Monroeville, where he was a clerk for eighteen months, until stricken with small-pox. Abandoning business he returned to the home farm. In 1876 he came into possession of the home place, and on May 14, 1877, was married to Miss HURON COUNTY, OHIO -439 Mary Amend, who was born in Havana, Ohio, a daughter of Frank Amend, farmer of Norwich township. The children born to this marriage are Joseph, Clarence and Amelia, all residing at home. Since his marriage he has resided on the home farm, which is part of the "Old Johnson Farm." Mr. Smith is one of the prominent agriculturists and stock growers of the county, ic very popular among the Germans of his neighborhood, and is a highly respected citizen of his community. His farm and buildings tell, at a glance, how far system in agriculture goes toward success. The ancestry of the family is recorded in the biography of Mr. Frank J. Smith, of Peru township, a brother of our subject. Mr. Smith gives the Democratic party his unflinching loyalty; but beyond the time devoted to the municipal interests of the township he does not permit politics to interfere with his business interests. The family are members of the Catholic Church. ARTHUR WILLOUGHBY, who during his lifetime was one of the most progressive citizens of Richmond township, was a native of Harrison county, Ohio, born near the present town of New Hagerstown. He was the fourth child of James and Margaret (Patterson) Willoughby, the former of whom was born in Washington county, Penn., the latter in Ireland, whence when a young girl she came with her parents to America, locating in Harrison county, Ohio, where they were pioneers. James Willoughby was a farmer in Harrison county, whither he too had come with his parents in pioneer times, and where he was married. While living in Harrison county three children were born to them, as follows: Catherine, who was married to John Bingham, and died in Seneca county, Ohio; Robert, a farmer of Richmond township, and Arthur, the subject proper of this memoir. About 1829 this family settled in the woods of Seneca county, at which time the vicinity abounded with wild animals—bear, deer, wild cats, turkeys, etc. The journey, which was made by wagon, was very difficult, and in some places they even had to cut their own roads through the country. He purchased land at one dollar 3nd twenty-five cents per acre, and made some money acting as guide for land seekers; he also speculated to some extent, with the hard-earned money he had accumulated in Harrison county, and had some success in that line. His ability as a marksman, with an old flint-lock rifle, was really remarkable, and many were the wild animals which fell before it. Two more children were born in Seneca county: Rebecca, now Mrs. Chauncy Reed, of Michigan, and Jane, widow of William Gardner, also residing in Michigan. Mr. Willoughby died June 22, 1834, and was buried at Attica, Seneca county; he was indeed a pioneer in his section. His widow was afterward married to Jacob Courtwright, to whom she bore one child, Jacob, who is now a liveryman of Attica, Seneca county. They resided in Norwich township, and she lived for a number of years afterward, dying April 17, 1865. Arthur Willoughby was born February 27, 1825, was reared to farm life, and, as his step-father did not believe in much education, received during his early youth but little school training. When seventeen years old he left home, with but few clothes and a small amount of money, and took up his abode with Major La Rue, in Venice township, Seneca county, where he worked as a farm hand. Here he also attended school. He was a good worker, and received nine dollars a month for his services, prior to which he had split rails for fifty cents a hundred, in the fall of 1852 he married Mary Jane Ringle, born in Carroll county, daughter of George and Catherine (Pottorf) Ringle, and the young couple settled in Norwich township on one hundred acres of land, which he had 440 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. purchased at eleven dollars per acre. He had previously bought some land in Wyandot county, Ohio, and selling this at a profit, he was able, with the proceeds and one hundred dollars which his wife received from her home, to pay all but one hundred dollars of the eleven hundred dollars, the price of the new land. It was then entirely in the woods, and contained a log house in which the family made their home for eighteen years. From time to time additions were made to this land, and in 1869 an elegant brick residence was erected across the road in Richmond township. The following children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Willoughby: Simon A., a former resident of Reno county, Kans., where he died April 28, 1893, leaving a widow and three children (he was a member of the Kansas State Board of Pardons, and in an obituary notice of him in a local paper we find the following: " For several years he had been a very active man in politics, and labored with an intelligence and earnestness in the new political movement that marked him as one of its leaders. He was yet a young man, and would have made a good official record had his life been spared "); Harry E., of Cincinnati, an electrician in the employ of the Electric Railroad; Willie M., a shoe merchant of Chicago, Ohio; Alice M., Mrs. Cyrus Everingim, of Attica, Ohio; Charley L., a farmer of Richmond township; Clara B., a school teacher, a highly educated lady; and Walter J., attending school. The father of this family passed from earth August 21, 1889; his death was sudden and rather unexpected, as he had always been a robust man, never ill for a day. For eight years previous to his decease he had made his home in Attica, Seneca county, in order to educate his children, and here he lived a very retired life. At the time of his death Mr. Willoughby owned an elegant home and 375 acres of excellent land. In politics he was a Democrat, and one of the leaders of the party in his section; in religious belief he was a member of the M. P. Church, in which he held the office of steward. He was in many ways an active man; even in his early youth he understood the value of knowledge, and this occasioned the discord between him and his step-father which caused him to leave home to seek an education. He continued to hold these opinions all his life, and as his family grew up he afforded each member ample opportunities for an education, of which they were not slow to take advantage. As a family and as individuals the Willoughbys stand. second to none in the county, After the death of her husband Mrs. Willoughby returned to the home in Richmond town. ship, where she has ever since resided. She is a member of the M. P. Church, and is one of the most highly respected ladies in the community in which she resides. COLE. Of the families of this name in Bronson and Norwalk townships, the earliest ancestor of whom there is authentic record was one John Cole, born in 1670, in England, whose son, also named John, was born In 1705, in " that tight little island," and came to America in old Colonial days, passing the later portion of his life in Connecticut. He was twice married, first time to a sister of Benjamin Franklin, his second wife being Mary Brown. John Cole was the father of six children—two sons and four daughters—the eldest of whom was John, the second son being named Thomas. The latter was born August 5, 1735, in Windham county, Conn., and on December 7, 1757, was united in marriage to Miriam Kinne, who bore him the following-named children: Silas, Amos, Spencer, Levi, Thomas, Jeremy, Samuel, Mary, Eunice and Marion. The descendants of this family are very numerous, and are scattered throughout the many portions of the United States. The following is quoted nearly verbatim, and with some additional 441 - PICTURE OF ASHER M. COLE 442 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 443 matter, from a history of Huron and Erie counties, giving a biographical sketch of Levi Cole: Levi Cole, the fourth son of Thomas and Miriam (Kinne) Cole, was born November 20,1766, in Windham county, Conn., married November 25, 1790, and died February 11, 1820, at Norwalk, Ohio. His wife, Hannah Kinne, was born in Windham county, Conn., July 24, 1770, and died at Norwalk, Ohio, February 27, 1840. They had seven sons and two daughters, as follows: Jeremy, boa] March 17, 1795; died July 30. 1818; came to Ohio in 1815. Asher. born Aprit 23, 1797, died November 4, 1830; came to Ohio in 1816. James, born April 25, 1799; came to Ohio in 1816; on January 15,1824, he was married to Philena Johnson, born October 4, 1802, and there were born to them five children-four sons and one daughter, viz.: Albert, born October 2, 1824, still living in Greeley, Colo.; Bryant, born March 7, 1828. died May 10, 1863; Starry H., born March 6, 1831, died October 30, 1876 (he was first lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment O. V. I., for a term of ninety days); George W., born February 22, 1835. died January 6, 1893 (he enlisted in the Third Ohio Cavalry for a term of three years); and Maria, born August 13, 1841, died January 1, 1892; the father of these died December 26, 1881, the mother on April 30, 1881. Levi, born March 23, 1801; died in Ridgefield township; came to Ohio in 1816. Miner, born July 26, 1803; died in Norwalk township; came to Ohio in 1816. Manly K., born February 11, 1807, and who came to Ohio in ism has mention farther on. Lyman, born March 10, 1810; died October 10, 1853; came to Ohio in 1816. The daughters were Hannah. born March 11, 1792, died August 24. 1795. Ardelia, born December 4, 1811, died May 8, 1812. In 1814 Mr. Cole was living in Herkimer county, N. Y., where he lost money after marriage, and, that year, in company with Major David Underhill an Trmothy Baker, came on to look at lands held by Mr. Underhill in Ridgefield township. He was pb)osed with the land, and bargained for a piece As side of the present farm of Sidney Brown, and then returned home. In 1815 the father came out again, accompanied by his son Jeremy, Horace Morse, Dr. Joseph Pierce and David Underhill, put up a house on the land, commenced a clearing, and otherwise prepared for bringing his family out the next year, In the fall, leaving Jeremy to look after the place and continue the improvements, he returned home again. During this visit, and on the 16th day of July, 1815, he, Major Underhill and Dr. Joseph Pierce, brushed out a "trail," or road, from Abijah Comstock's place to the " Sand Ridge," as it was then called (now Norwalk), and at night returned and stayed at Comstock's until the next day, and then started out and completed their work through to Underhill's place on the 17th. This was the first highway lahor ever done on Main street. They followed the old "Indian trail," which came out on the ridge somewhere between Milan and Chat- ham streets. In January, 1816, Mr. Cole and Major Underhill started with their families and such goods and supplies as they might require in their new homes, with six teams and sleighs, three to each family. The party comprised twenty persons, to wit: Mr. and Mrs. Cole and six of their boys, Mr. and Mrs. Underhill and six children, Jasper Underhill (a nephew of the Major), Daniel Warren, Marks Rosbeck, Rhoda Pierce, sister to Joseph Pierce, and a person by the name of Wilcox. After spending six weeks upon the road (five days resting at Avery, the old county seat), they reached Major Underhill's on the 22nd day of Feb- ruary, 1816. The Huron river was then so high that Mr. Cole could not cross with his fanaily and teams to his own house, so he took them to Dr. Pierce's house (the Benjamin Newcomb place), and soon after purchased that place. and remained there so long as he lived. In 1818 Mr. Cole took a prominent part in the movement which culminated in the removal of the county seat to Norwalk. On February 9, 1820, while Mr. Cole was en- gaged hauling a large saw-log, one of his limbs, owing to an accident in unloading, was caught between the logs, 8,nd so terribly crushed that he died two days afterwards. Of the children born to Levi and Hannah Cole the following is a brief record: Asher (the second son), or Col. Asher Cole, as he was called, was married January 6, 1828, to Narcissa Lawrence, who bore him one son, also named Asher. This son was born November 12, 1828, and on October 19, 1859, was united in marriage with Sarah J. Purciy. He died May 29, 1885, leaving a widow and seven children. Miner Cole (fifth son), father of Asher M. Cole, was born, as above recorded, July 26, 1803, in Herkimer county, N. Y., where he received his boyhood school training. In 1816 he came to Huron county, Ohio, with his father, making his new home on a farm of 100 acres in Norwalk township. In addition to his elementary education he attended Norwalk Academy one term, and further improved his mind by home study and close observation of men and things. On July 30, 1840, he married Miss Mary A. Allen, of Ripley township, born November 7, 1819, a daughter of Hiram Allen, a prominent farmer of near Utica, N. Y, After marriage Mr. Cole continued in his life vocation up to the time of his death, which occurred August 20, 1885. A Republican 444 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. in politics, he served his township faithfully as trustee. But one child was born to him, Asher M. Cole, a sketch of whom follows. The mother died September 20, 1861. Manly K. Cole (sixth son) was married March 27, 1844, to Sarah M. Bristol. They lived in Section 3, Bronson township, and were the parents of three sone and two daughters. Manly K. Cole died April 29, 1893, at the age of eighty-six years. Lyman (youngest child) was married February 28, 1841, to Sarah Johnson, a native of Genesee county, N. Y. About the year 1840 he bought of Judge Baker 100 acres of heavy woodland, in Section 3, Bronson township, Huron county, which is now the home farm. He was a prominent agriculturist, and took an active part in public matters. He died in 1853, his widow surviving him. till February 22, 1892, when she too passed away, in her seventy-second year. They left three children, viz.: Emma, living with her brother on the old homestead; Ella, wife of Sylvester Snyder, of Peru township, and Levi L., sketch of whom follows. ASHER M. COLE was born November 19, 1843, on his present farm in Norwalk township, and received a liberal education at the schools of the home district, at the same time learning agriculture on the homestead under the preceptorship of his father. At the age of twenty he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth O. V. I., and May 15, 1864, was mustered into the service. His first experience was on garrison duty at Arlington Heights, where he remained until September, same year, when, his term of enlistment. expiring at that date, he was discharged. Prior to his enlistment in the United States forces, he had served on home guard for some time. On March 5, 1869, Mr. Cole married Miss Louisa E. Channing, a native of Somersetshire, England, born in 1846, and who, at the age of five years, was brought to Huron county, where on a farm her youthful days were passed. One child, Miner A., born August 26, 1880, has come to brighten the cosy home of Mr. and Mrs. Cole. During the same year they adopted a little boy of six summers, named Orill Allen, a distant relative. Mr. Cole owns a fine farm in Norwalk township of 125 acres, and he is honored and respected not only as an industrious and prosperous farmer, but also as a useful and loyal citizen. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church. LEVI L. COLE was born October 19, 1850, on the ancestral acres in Bronson township, Huron Co., Ohio. He received his elementary training in the neighboring schools, then attended Milan Normal School three terms. On October 20, 1880, he was married to Elva T., daughter of Richard and Eliza (Lutts) Boyle, a native of Norwalk township, Huron Co., Ohio, They have one daughter, Anna E., who is now ten years of age. Mr. Cole has followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, is a practical, successful agriculturist, and has owned the old place (consisting of 150 acres) since the death of his father. MRS. BENJAMIN MOORE is a daughter of Jacob Weiker, a native of Pennsylvania, and a highly educated citizen of Philadelphia. He was a wealthy and prominent man, and died at Bellevue, Ohio; in politics he voted with the Democratic party. His daughter Anna was born July 10, 1818, in Union county, Penn., and in 1835 came to Bellevue, Ohio. On November 28, 1837, she was united in marriage with Benjamin Moore, a son of Henry Moore, a native born farmer of Pennsylvania, and in religion a member of the Evangelical Church. He died at the home of his son Charles, near Bellevue, January 25,1855, his age being eighty-one years. Benjamin Moore was born May 19, 1814, in Mifflinburgh, Union Co., Penn., where HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 445 he received his early education, and learned the carpenter trade. His mother, Mrs. Susannah Moore, was born in Pennsyl- vania May 11, 1779, and died in the same State December 5, 1834, at the age of fifty-five years and three months. In 1836 Benjamin Moore came on foot through the winter snow from Pennsylvania to Bellevue, Ohio. Arriving at his destination with no capital except energy and a good trade, he set bravely to work, winning for himself position, wealth and friends. After his marriage with Miss Weiker, he continued to follow his trade until 1861, and then moved to a neighbor- ing farm which he had purchased. In 1885 he and his family came to another farm adjacent to Bellevue, and finally settled in that village, where he erected a neat brick dwelling. He was actively interested in all matters relating to the progress of the community, and for forty years was a member of the Baptist Church ; in politics he was a Republican. He died June 11, 1892, honored and mourned by all who knew him. He had the following children: Sarah M., deceased August 1, 1846; William H., a druggist of Bellevue (has two children, Benjamin and George); Mary E., wife of J. U. Mayne, a prominent business man of Bellevue (she has two children, Nettie and Ernest, by her former husband); Louisa, wife of Frank Smith, a famous evangelist of the Congregational Church (they have four children. Fannie, Anna, Gertrude and Willie). Mrs. Moore has three great-grandchildren, namely: Ethel Barker, Robert Barker and Ernest Barker, and her last days are passing amid a throng of loving friends and relatives. JAMES McLANE, who was born December 23, 1825, in County Tyrone, Ireland, is the eldest son of Robert and Margaret (Arthur) McLane, who were born in the same county in 1799, where the family originated. Robert McLane married Margaret Arthur, daughter of John Arthur, a farmer of County Tyrone, and three children were born to them there, James (in 1825), John and William. The fourth son, Thomas A., was born in Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio, two years before which event the family had emigrated from Ire- land, landing, after a voyage of six weeks, at New York. The father's means were limited, so that his further progress had to depend upon his earnings. Finding work in New York State, he labored there until his savings warranted him in resuming the journey to Huron county, Ohio, where relatives of his wife had previously settled. In the fall of 1831 they set out for their destination, traveling via the Erie Canal and lake to Sandusky, Ohio, whence the father walked to Steuben, in Greenfield township, Huron county. There he hired an ox-team, and returning to Sandusky brought his family to their future home in the United States, locating on rented land. Mr. McLane entered the employ of Archibald Easter, with whom he remained two years, when he purchased some land at one dollar and fifty cents per acre, and developed the farm on which he resided until his death in 1889. His wife died October 3, 1865, and was buried in Stenben cemetery, where the remains of her husband also lie. Robert McLane cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and voted for every Democratic candidate down to 1889. Like his wife, he was a Congregationalist in religion. Of their children James, John and Thomas A. are residents of Huron county, while William is a farmer of South Dakota. The four sons assisted the father in clearing and improv- ing the home farm. James McLane attended the early schools of Greenfield township, in which the old- fashioned speller was the only text book. School days over, the youth entered on regular farm work, and remained on the home place until November 18, 1869; when he married Rebecca C. Schaeffer, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 446 who was born at Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., whence when six years of age she came with her father, Michael Schaeffer (a na- tive of Pennsylvania, who had settled at Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y.), to Milan township, Erie Co., Ohio. To her marriage with Mr. McLane the following named children were born: Schaeffer M., a stenographer, of Cleveland; Howard B., who died in infancy; Mary C. and Robert D., residing at home. In 1869 they located on the farm which they now occupy, and which they have made one of the most valuable in the township. In politics Mr. McLane votes with the Democratic party, and formerly he took an active interest in political affairs, serving his township in various offices. In Church relation he is a Congregationalist, and one of the most liberal supporters of that denomination here. As a farmer he is well known for his systematic methods, while as a stock grower he has the reputation of being experienced and successful. He is an industrious man, highly esteemed for what he has accomplished. WILLIAM H. PIERCE, postmaster at Wakeman, is a native of the town, born in 1840, and there received his education. Amile Platt Pierce, grandfather of subject, was a native of Connecticut, whence in 1815 he came to Wakeman township, Huron county, making the journey with ox-teams, crossing the Alleghany Mountains, and encountering many dangers and obstacles by the way. He located in the northwestern part of the township at a time when there were only two houses in it. His children were Lemuel Bennett, Minot, Ann, Fanny, and David S., of whom are yet living: Minot, now seventy-nine years of age, and Ann (Mrs. Dr. Johnson, of Oberlin), now aged seventy- six years; the remainder of the family all reached advanced ages. Lemuel B. Pierce, father of our subject, was born, in 1807, in Connecticut, where his early boyhood days were passed on his father's farm. He was about eight years old when his parents brought him to Wakeman township, and on the journey, small boy as he was, he drove one of the ox-teams. Here he encountered all the trials and dangers of pioneer life, attending a few brief months the subscription school of the locality, which was held in a dilapidated old log cabin, with greased paper in lieu of windows, and rough slabs for seats and desk. During his earlier youth he learned milling, a trade he fol- lowed in connection with agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Eunice Burr, daughter of John Burr, a pioneer of the county, having settled in Wakeman township in 1817. To this union were born five children, viz.: Amelia and Elbert B. (both deceased); Julia, Mrs. T. V. Bunce, of Oberlin, Ohio; Frank L., a resident of the same place, and William H. The father died in August, 1874, leaving an estate of great value, and, of still greater value, an honored name and an enviable record for honesty, and generosity even to a fault. In his political predilections he was first an Old-line Whig, afterward, from the formation of the party, a Republican. He and his wife were both devout members of the Congregational Church, thorough Christians, and earnest workers in the cause of the Master. W. H. Pierce, the subject proper of this sketch, with the exception of about six years has spent his entire life at the place of his nativity, and received thorough practical lessons in the arduous duties of farm life under the competent preceptor- ship of his father. At the breaking out of the Civil war, tired by the spirit of patriotism, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-first O. V. I., under Captain Pease, and served some three and one-half years, one and one-half as private, from which he was promoted to lieutenant. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing (where HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 447 his regiment was hotly engaged), besides many skirmishes, etc. Receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Pierce returned to Wakeman, and for about one year was engaged in his former vocation. In 1866 he embarked in mercantile pursuits in the town of Wakeman, but after a short experience in this line he found an opportunity of disposing of the business, and . returned to his old love—farming. Then followed a series of movings and removings between the years 1882 and 1888, after which he again found himself in Wakeman engaged in general mercantile pursuits. In 1890, as the result of an election held by the citizens of the town to determine by vote who might be the most popular of the many aspirants for the postmastership of Wakeman, he was installed in the office, an honor he has in every respect proved himself well worthy of. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Dosia A. Waugh, daughter of Lansing Waugh, a native of Chautauqua, N. Y., and who came to Wakeman township in 1850. Children, as follows, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pierce: Clarence H., at home; Arthur M., in Findlay, Ohio; Gilbert, who died in 1872; Ada M., at home, and Anna, deceased in 1878. Our subject and wife are members of the Second Congregational Church of Wakeman, and in politics he is a square Republican. REV. W. A. KEESY was born July 25, 1843, in Richmond township, Huron Co., Ohio. His grandfather, Henry Keesy, was born in Pennsylvania during the eighteenth century, worked on the home farm until of age, and then established his own homestead. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, removed to Huron county, Ohio, some years later, and died at the house of his son John, in Richmond township, about the year 1855. He was an unassuming, industrious man, who played his part in the development of the "Firelands." John Keesy, the father of our subject, settled in Ohio about the year 1830. His education was necessarily limited, but owing to his youth being spent in a country and time where the German language was more popular than the English, he could speak both with ease. On April 3, 1828, he married Elizabeth Gons, and to this union ten children were born, a brief record of whom is as follows: Harriet is the widow of Daniel Rogers; John H. resides in Richmond township; Margaret is the wife of Mathias Ringle, Tuscola county, Mich.; Peter B. F. resides in Richmond township; Noah Miley also resides in Richmond township; Catherine, who married David Hershiser, died in Fulton county, Ohio, in 1865; W. A. is the subject of this sketch; Mary A. is the wife of Daniel Fink, of Attica, Ohio; George W. resides in Yuba City, Cal., and Sarah E. is the wife of Archibald Riddle, of Richmond township. The father of this family died January 18, 1859, the mother in 1873. John Keesy was a farmer of sterling character. He followed an idea persistently, and thus it is not to be wondered at that he was a radical Whig and an extreme Abolitionist, but after the formation of the Republican party he gave it his unqualified support. He filled many township offices and served as justice of the peace, trustee, treasurer and in various other local positions. When lne first settled in Ohio he was a Winebrennerian, but owing to the scarcity of Winebrenner's followers here he joined the majority and, for over a quarter of a century, was a most zealous worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. A. Keesy received a primary education in the schools of his district, which was supplemented, after the war, by a term and a half at the Milan (Ohio) Normal School. In fact, agriculture rather than education claimed the attention of his early youth. After his father's death he worked as a farm laborer until October, 1861, when he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth 0. V. I., 448 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. went into camp at Norwalk on the 17th of that month, and on January 25, 1862, left for the front with his command. The severe marches from New Creek to Romney, and to Moorefield, W. Va., introduced him to war no less than diseases which fell upon the regiment at Grafton, in February, 1862. The April campaign and unsatisfactory marching and counter-marching of the spring and early summer of 1862 ended near Winchester, Va., in June, and in that month the Fifty-first was made a part of the army of Virginia. In August the affairs on the Rappahannock tested the merits of the regiment. In May, 1863, it performed splendid service at Chancellorsville; at Gettysburg, the command lost fifty-five men, and in the Knoxville campaign, carried on in winter, also suffered severely. Mr. Keesy did not participate in the work of 1863, for after the second battle of Bull Run his health began to fail, and he was sent to hospital, from which he was discharged, December 11, 1862. In October, 1861, he was a robust, well-built, wiry man of 155 pounds. On receiving his discharge from the army he weighed only ninety-seven and a half pounds, and, with this, was in a wretched state of health. On returning to Huron county Mr. Keesy rested for six months, and then went to work with his brother in a sawmill, where he was engaged until he answered the draft of 1864, in the fall of which year he was one of 400 recruits received into the Sixty-fourth O. V. I., at Chattanooga, Tenn. He took part in the pursuit of Hood's forces to Alpine, Ga., where his command was incorporated with Gen. Thomas' army, returned to Chattanooga, proceeded to Athens, Ala., thence marched to Spring Hill, Tenn., where they again suffered losses. At Franklin the regiment sustained heavy loss, but marched with spirit to Nashville, where its service was substantial and its losses great. After Hood's army was used up, the Sixty-fourth went into camp at Athens, but they sub- sequently served at Athens and Decatur, next at Huntsville, Nashville and Straw- berry Plains, and again at New Orleans, until ordered to Victoria, Tex., in Septem- ber, 1865, where they were mustered out December 3, 1865. After the total rout of Hood, Mr. Keesy received an honorable discharge in Tennessee, June 16, 1865, re- turned to Ohio, and entering the Normal School at Milan, as before related, studied for a term and a half and afterward taught school in Huron county five terms. On July 7, 1868, he married Miss Maggie Lane, daughter of Rev. S. T. Lane, of the United Brethren Church. Of their children, Minnie is the wife of William McKee; Mary is married to J . E. Wheeler, and Maggie L. died November 2, 1878, aged four years and four months. The mother died September 24, 1873, and on February 9, 1875, he married Hattie Augusta Charles, daughter of Robert Charles, of Richland county, Ohio. To this union were born six daughters and one son, namely: Flora, Osceola, Vesta, Edith and Ethel (twins), Leon Cassel and Fern. In 1865, after his return from the war, Mr. Keesy made a profession of religion for the first time. In 1868 the Quarterly Conference licensed him to preach, and recommended him to the Annual Conference. The last named body granted him license August 27, 1869, and he was ordained a preacher in 1872, being assigned to Huron Mission, in Huron county, the same year. He served at Honey Creek two years; Melmore, one year; Shelby, one year; Richland Circuit, two years; and Chicago Junction over three years. At the latter place he organized, in 1870, a United Brethren class, the first church in that place, and in 1871 was instrumental in building a house of worship there. After a year's service at Osceola, he was elected three consecutive years Presiding Elder—one year at Fostoria and Clyde, and two years at Attica, in Seneca county; he then held the position of elder in the HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 449 districts of Sandusky, Findlay, Fostoria and Bowling Green for seven consecutive years. Mr. Keesy made his home in Richmond township until he began service as an elder, when he located at Chicago Junction. He is a pioneer of the town, and one who has taken a prominent part in its upbuilding. In denominational affairs he is untiring in his zeal, and has accomplished much for the cause he represents; and few men in any trade or profession are better known throughout northern Ohio than he is. In the war he took part and was under fire in the following engagements, viz.: Moorefield, Strausburg, Cross Keys, Bull Run, Franklin (Va.), Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville (Tenn.), besides being in many raids and skirmishes. He has organized and built several churches, and proposes to continue to war against sin. He is a forcible, logical and sympathetic as well as tearless preacher, and while the "common people hear him gladly," all classes are edified by his eloquent sermons. Wherever his extensive influence reaches, the public is inestimably benefited. RUFUS S. MILES, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Fitchville township, was born January 1, 1824, in Greenwich township, Fairfield county, Connecticut. His father, Daniel Miles, was also a native of Fairfield county, Conn., and a well- known stonemason and sawmill owner of Greenwich township. When a young man he married Eliza Ann Austin, and to them were born, in Connecticut, the following named children: Rufus S., whose name opens this sketch; Emily F., Mrs. William Hickok, of Fitchville township; Peninah C., Mrs. Robert Kelsey, of Wauseon, Ohio; Mary, who died in Connecticut when four years old; Sylvester, a farmer of Hartland township, who was killed by an enraged bull in 1890; Philander C., who died of the measles at Wheeling, W. Va., while a member of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-Third O. V. I., and Marcus S., who resides in Otsego county, Mich. The family migrated to Ohio in 1839, the journey being made by canal and lake boat to Huron, Ohio, and thence by wagon to Norwalk township, where the father purchased land at seven dollars per acre. That farm he partly improved, carrying on, in connection therewith, a sawmill. In 1841 Mr. Miles purchased wild lands in Fitchville township, and removing thereto cut the first tree on the tract. After residing there for some years, he established the family on a farm in Hartland township, and was a taxpayer of that township at the time of his death. He had gone on a visit to Connecticut, his native State, and while there died. Mrs. Eliza Ann Miles died in Hartland township, Huron Co., Ohio. Both were identified closely with pioneer times and events in Huron county, and the old settlers of three townships often speak of the days when the Miles family settled in the wilderness. Rufus S. Miles came to Ohio when little more than thirteen years old. In his Connecticut home he had received an elementary education, and in Ohio he had to aid his father in clearing the land, enduring no small share of the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the pioneer. At the age of nineteen years he began to learn blacksmithing, and subsequently worked for nine years at the trade in Greenwich township. On October 13; 1852, he married Jane Crittenden, who was born in Fitchville township December 9, 1832, a daughter of C. C. Crittenden. To this marriage the following named children were born: Mary D., wife of 0. F. Walton, of Norwalk, Ohio; Charles D., a young merchant of Fitchville, and Frank R., who died at the age of twelve years. After marriage Rufus S.