PICTURE OF JOHN GARINER HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 8 HURON COUNTY, OHIO JOHN GARDINER, NORWALK, OHIO. JOHN GARDINER was born September 15, 1816, at Gardiner's Point (formerly known as "Millstone Point "), New London Co., Conn., where he spent his boyhood days. He is a descendant of Sir Thomas Gardiner, Knight, of the county of Kent, England, whose youngest son, Joseph Gardiner, came to this country with the early settlers, and took up his residence in the colony of Rhode Island. Sir Joseph was born in the county of Kent, England, A. D. 1601, and died in Kings county, Rhode Island, in 1679, aged seventy-eight years, leaving six sons and four daughters. Beroni Gardiner, the oldest son of Joseph. was born in Rhode Island, and died in 1731, aged one hundred and four years, leaving five sons, of whom William, the eldest, was born in 1671 and died at the homestead at Boston Neck, Rhode Island, December 14, 1732, aged, sixty-one years. William Gardiner had seven children, of whom John was the eldest. John was born in 1696, and for his first wife married a Miss Hill, and, for his second, a Miss Taylor. By his first wife, Mary Hill, he had two sons and one daughter. He died July 6, 1770, aged seventy-four. years. His eldest son, Col. Thomas Gardiner, was born in 1724, and married Martha Gardner (different family), who was a daughter of Henry Gardner, Esq., of Block Island. He died on Plum Island May 21, 1786, and was buried there. His wife was born July 20, 1731, and died at Millstone Point February 21, 1793, at the home of her son, Benajah Gardiner. Col. Thomas Gardiner had six sons and one daughter, of whom Benajah, the second son, was born in Rhode Island March 8, 1754. Benajah married, April 10, 1783, Miss Charlotte Raymond, of Montville, Conn., born October 14, 1762, a daughter of Joshua Raymond, and who was a great- granddaughter of Elias Hyde. Benajah Gardiner, with his father, Col. Thomas Gardiner, and his wife, moved from Rhode Island to Plum Island, in the eastern part of Long Island Sound, where he remained a few years, and, after the death of his father, removed in the year 1787, with his family, to Millstone Point. Millstone Point, which is situated five 8 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. miles west of New London, Conn., is washed by the waters of Long Island Sound on two sides and front, and steamers and sailing vessels continually pass each way to and from New York. The farm purchased by Benajah Gardiner consisted of about three hundred acres of good tillable land, under a high state of cultivation, and the point extending into the sound contained very choice granite stone, and at the time of the purchase was considered almost worthless except as a sheep pasture, but about the time of his death the quarry was opened, and has now been worked for over sixty years, and but little impression has been made in the quantity of stone, which may be said to be almost inexhaustible; the quarry affords a large annual income to Henry Gardiner, the present owner, who is a second cousin to the subject of this sketch, a gentleman of leisure, an artist by profession, and the only male descendant from the other branch of five sons and four daughters of Benajah Gardiner, the original purchaser of the Gardiner homestead in Connecticut. [The name of Millstone Point" was derived from the fact that millstones were quarried there at an early day from granite blocks, and transported to other points for grinding wheat, corn, etc., before the French Burr stones came into use, the granite being of superior quality for that purpose.] Benajah Gardiner, Esq., died at Millstone Point June 16, 1828, aged seventy-four years, and his wife died at the same place April 26, 1854, aged ninety-one years. They had five sons and four daughters, of whom Capt. Lebbeus W. Gardiner was the oldest. Capt. Lebbeus was born on Plum Island April 30, 1785, and married, March 31, 1813, Eunice Latimer, a daughter of Pickett Latimer, of New London, and who died September 21, 1819, aged twenty- seven years, leaving three children, viz.: Charlotte E., born February 20, 1814; John, the subject of this sketch; and Julia A., born July 28, 1819. Charlotte E. Gardiner married October 13, 1837, at Millstone Point, Jairus Kerman, Esq., an attorney at law of Norwalk, Ohio, making their residence in that city. Mr. Kennan died June 16, 1872, aged fifty-nine years; Charlotte E., his wife, died May 13, 1888, aged seventy-four years, and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery beside her husband, They had seven sons and two daughters, Julia A. in 1849 married Henry L. Kellogg, of Hartford, Conn., and died at Newington Junction, near Hartford, February 10, 1864, leaving one son, Henry L, Kellogg, who is still living at said place. On the death of their mother, in 1819, the children of Capt. Lebbeus W. Gardiner separated, John and Julia living with their grandparents at Millstone Point, and Charlotte E. with her grandparents, the Latimers, north of New London, the father, Capt. L. W. Gardiner, following the sea as captain of clipper schooners, which he owned at different times, sailing from New London to Baltimore, Wilmington, New Orleans and South America in the coastwise trade. He died at Norwalk, March 9, 1862, aged seventy-six years and' ten months, and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery. As soon as Mr. Gardiner was old enough, he attended a district school at Durfee Hill, which was about a mile from his home, across lots, and which was kept about six months in the year, the teacher boarding around with the families who furnished the scholars. When not attending school he worked on the farm sum. mers, going fishing occasionally with the fishermen who lived in the vicinity and made fishing their business for the support of their families. In 1831 Mr, Gardiner went to school at Bacon Academy, in Colchester, Conn., where he remained a year, making navigation his principal study, with the intention of following the sea, as New London was at that time prosperously engaged in the whale fishery and West India trade, sending a fleet of ships annually to the Pacific Ocean for whale oil, and to the North Sea HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 9 for whale and seal. At Bacon Academy Mr. Gardiner formed the acquaintance of M. R. Waite, afterward chief justice of the United States; the Hon. John T. Waite, afterward member of Congress from New London; Hon. Lyman Trumbull, who was afterward a United States senator from Illinois, and Mr. Rogers, afterward commodore in the United States navy, and who were then preparing for college. In the fall of 1832 Mr. Gardiner was persuaded by his uncle, John M. Latimer, Esq., to visit Ohio, which in the end changed his whole course of life. About three thousand acres of land near Bellevue, in Huron county, had been given by the State of Connecticut to Pickett Latimer, the grandfather, for losses sustained by fire, when New London was burned by the British during the Revolution, which grant had already brought Pickett Latimer, an uncle, to Huron county, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Norwalk. Leaving New London by steamer early in December, 1832, before the days of railroads, Mr. Gardiner journeyed west to Albany, where he took stage as far as Hamilton, N. Y., where he remained during the winter, and attended. school at Hamilton Academy. In the early spring of 1833 he left Utica by canal boat for the West. Arriving at Buffalo the last days of April, he embarked on the steamer "Uncle Sam," the first boat to leave Buffalo that spring for Detroit and intermediate ports. At that time nearly the whole south shore of Lake Erie was skirted with primeval forests, and only occasional glimpses of light were discernible in the evening from the log cabins of the settlers along the line of shore, while the city of Cleveland contained only some two thousand inhabitants, living mostly below the public square, and was without street improvements and sidewalks. Scrub oaks were then growing on the present public square, and Superior street was a sand bed. On the first of May the steamer arrived at the port of Huron, which was then quite a shipping point, and a hack driven by a man by the name of Sweat carried Mr. Gardiner to the place of his future home. Norwalk at that time contained about four hundred inhabitants, but not a person or animal was visible in the streets on his arrival, and the village was entirely surrounded by forests, except where the roads were cut through. Wild deer frequently crossed the road at each end of the village, and the county was dotted over with the log cabins of the early settlers, while the roads were almost impassable during the winter and early spring. Mr. Gardiner immediately commenced clerking in the store of P. & J. M. Latimer (who were doing a large business in general merchandise and produce, which latter found a ready sale. in Detroit to supply the early settlers of Michigan), at a salary of seventy-five dollars a year and board, which a young man of seventeen, at the present day, would think a very small compensation for his valuable services. In the spring of 1834 Mr. Gardiner was solicited to take a clerkship in the Bank of Norwalk, an institution which had commenced business in 1833 with a special charter from the State of Ohio, with the Hon. Ebenezer Lane, president, who was one of the supreme judges of the State, and Martin Bentley, cashier. During the summer of 1834 the cashier died very suddenly, leaving Mr. Gardiner, then hardly eighteen years of age, in charge of the bank for nearly two months, when George Mygatt, Esq., was appointed to the vacancy. At this early day this was the only bank in northwestern Ohio, and its business extended south to Mount Vernon, Mansfield, Marion and Bucyrus, west to Fremont, Toledo, and Perrysburgh, and north to Milan, Huron, and Sandusky, bringing Mr. Gardiner in contact and acquaintance with all the leading business men of that region of the State, who then came to Norwalk for their bank accommodations. The bank went through success- 10 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. fully the panic of 1837, and was one of the first institutions of the kind in Ohio to resume coin payments, after the failure of the Government deposit banks, and the Bank of the United States, and finally closed up, paying back nearly all its capital stock to its original shareholders, and selling its franchise to Burr Higgins and his associates. In 1835 and 1836 emigration was pushing itself west by every leading road, and long lines of emigrant wagons were daily passing westward, the occupants in pursuit of new homes, and the western land fever had seized upon nearly all classes of citizens. Mr. Gardiner, not yet of age, proceeded to the western counties of Ohio, and the eastern counties of Indiana, on horseback, over muddy roads and trails through the forest, and purchased some tracts of Government land. But as the panic came upon the country in 1837, sweeping all speculation before it, prostrating banks and business men, it took over fifteen years for Mr. Gardiner to close out his investment in land, and then without much profit, after paying taxes and interest. The whole western country after the collapse of 1837 was land-poor. Mr. Gardiner,' having finally been appointed cashier of the bank, with John R. Finn, president, and the bank, owing to adverse legislation, about closing its business, resigned the office of cashier in September, 1840, and commenced the business of merchandising at No. 1, Brick Block, keeping a general stock of merchandise, and dealing very largely in produce; so much so that his combined business in 1844 had reached over one hundred thousand dollars per annum. In the spring of 1845 Mr. Gardiner took into business with him Richard D. Joslin, his brother-in-law, and leaving him in charge of the business went to New York, with the intention of engaging in the wholesale dry-goods trade the following January. But after spending the summer in the city with a dry-goods firm, and not being satisfied with the prospects of the trade, he returned to Norwalk in November, and continued the mercantile business with his partner until the spring of 1847, when he disposed of his interest to Mr. Joslin, and with some friends established the Norwalk Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, afterward increased to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. This bank commenced business in May, 1847, with Mr. Gardiner as cashier and manager, and for eighteen years did a prosperous and successful business, and notwithstanding large losses consequent upon the panic of 1856, and failure of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company, the bank's New York agent and depository, and the general suspension of the banks in the United States, the bank closed up its business in 1865, returning its capital to its shareholders, after having paid in dividends over two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars. In March, 1865, Mr. Gardiner with some other friends organized the Norwalk National Bank, with a capital of one hun- dred thousand dollars, which succeeded to the business of the Norwalk Branch of the State Bank, and has up to this period (1893) done a successful business with Mr. Gardiner, president, and Charles W. Millen, cashier, having paid in dividends two hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars, and having over forty thousand dollars of undivided profitson hand. Mr. Gardiner, in 1847, was elected a member of the board of control of the State Bank of Ohio, that distinguished body consisting of some of the most prominent lawyers, bankers and business men in the State, and continued a member thereof until 1865, when the State Bank finally closed its business and was superseded by the national banks, While banking has been Mr. Gardiner's principal occupation, and in which he has been actively engaged for over half a century, probably longer than any other man now actively engaged in the business in the State, he has not omitted other enter- HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 11 prises connected with the improvement and development of the country. He was one of the first to move in obtaining the charter of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company, granted by the Legislature in 1850, and was one of the original incorporators of the company. After the road was constructed and in operation, it was, in 1853, consolidated with the Junction Railroad Company, forming the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad Company, of which company Mr. Gardiner was elected a director in 1856, and president in November, 1860. At this latter date the company was carrying a large floating debt, and its securities were very much depressed ; so much so that its stock was selling at twenty cents on the dollar. But under Mr. Gardiner's supervision, and consequent upon the war and the large issue of paper money by the Government, and large increase of business, the floating debt was paid off, dividends resumed, the earnings of the company more than doubled, and the stock advanced in the market to one hundred and fifty cents on the dollar. In 1865, the capital stock having changed hands, Mr. Gardiner was superseded in the presidency, though he remained a director until the road was consolidated in 1869 with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company. The Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad was one of the first roads of which construction was commenced in the State, and was intended for the transfer of passengers and freight to and from the interior towns, in connection with the lake, and struggled through financial difficulties until 1863, when Charles L. Boalt, Esq., was elected president, and Mr. Gardiner one of its directors. They proceeded to form a line for traffic from Sandusky to Baltimore and Washington by the Central Ohio and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads, which arrangement met with such success that they were enabled, in 1869, to lease the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, since which time it has done a successful business as a part of the Baltimore & Ohio line to the lake at Sandusky, and to Chicago, in connection with its Chicago division. On the death of C. L. Boalt, Esq., in 1870, Mr. .Gardiner was elected president of the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad Company, and is still its president, having served in that capacity for twenty-three years. Mr. Gardiner, in 1863, was elected a director of the Columbus & Indianapolis Railroad Company, which road, was intended, when completed, to form a line between Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapoplis, Ind., and after being completed and consolidating with various lines, finally embraced about 600 miles of road under the name of the Columbus, Chicago & Indiana Central Railway Company. In the winter of 1868 Mr. Gardiner and ex- Governor William Dennison, with the president, B. E. Smith, were appointed a committee to negotiate a lease of the road to the Pittsburg, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which lease, after much negotiating, was made on the 22d day of January, 1869, and duly ratified by the companies; though it was amended one year after, it was continued until finally a consolidation of the lines west of Pittsburgh was effected, and it is now operated as one line. In Mr. Gardiner's railroad connections he became acquainted with most of the leading railroad magnates of the day—including Commodore Vanderbilt, of the New York Central; J. Edgar Thompson and Thomas A. Scott. of the Pennsylvania Central, and John W. Garrett, of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad— for many of whom he still entertains a high appreciation for their energy and great ability in managing the large enterprises committed to their charge. In 1879 Mr. Gardiner purchased at Sheriff's sale the XX Furnace property in Perry county, Ohio, comprising about 12 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. 800 acres of coal land and a blast furnace, and organized the Shawnee & Sandusky Coal and Iron Company, associating with himself Mr. Francis Palms, of Detroit, and A. H. and J. 0. Moss, of Sandusky. Mr. Gardiner was president of the company. The Furnace commenced making pig iron in the spring of 1880, but as iron ruled low in price, and the business did not prove as profitable as was anticipated, in July, 1881, Mr. Gardiner sold the property to a Boston syndicate at a good profit, and closed up the concern. In 1886 Mr. Gardiner erected in Norwalk the "Gardiner Block," a building one hundred feet square, with a front of cut stone and pressed brick, three stories high, with four stores on the ground floor, offices in the second story and a large Music Hall in the third. The Music Hall is equipped with a stage and fine scenery, is seated with opera chairs, and is handsomely frescoed and fitted up as a place of amusement and recreation, more, as Mr. Gardiner intended, for the gratification of the people of Norwalk than for profit to himself. Mr. Gardiner's business enterprises have generally been successful, particularly when under his own personal-management and direction. By industry, integrity and perseverance he has accumulated a handsome fortune, and is one of the largest land owners in Huron county, having four farms under good cultivation and embracing about fourteen hundred acres of land. Mr. Gardiner was married at Norwalk, Ohio, on the 31st day of July, 1843, to Miss Frances Mary Joslin, who was born at Troy, N. Y., on the 13th day of August, 1817. She was the daughter of Dr. Benjamin A. and Frances C. (Davis) Joslin, the latter of whom was a daughter of Richard Davis, Jr. Mary Geer, the great-grandmother of Francis C. Davis, was one of the settlers at Wyoming, Penn., and escaped from the massacre, July 3, 1776, by secreting herself and children in the woods, while her house was burned and her husband killed by savages; and after the massacre she made her way through the woods to Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Four children were the offspring of Mr. Gardiner's marriage, viz.: Edmund G. Gardiner, born August 23, 1844; John Gardiner, Jr., born February 28, 1847; Lucy Jane Gardiner, born June 4, 1848, and died April 12, 1854, and William L. Gardiner, born June 24, 1857. Of these Edmund G. Gardiner married Miss Susie J. Barnes, at Norwalk, June 13, 1872, and has four children: Charles Barnes Gardiner, born December 26, 1874; Frances Mary Gardiner, born October 27, 1879; Annie Helene Gardiner; born May 11, 1885, and Lucy Agnes Gardiner, born September 17, 1886. John Gardiner, Jr., married Miss Louise Woodward, of Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, October 3, 1877, and has three children: Amos W. Gardiner, born at Bellevue September 12, 1879, John Joslin Gardiner, born at Norwalk, Ohio, September 12, 1881, and Douglas Latimer Gardiner, born at Norwalk, December 28, 1887. William L. Gardiner married Miss Sarah Alice Althouse in New York, February 4, 1880, and has no children living. The Gardiner mansion on West Main street, in Norwalk, was purchased by Mr. Gardiner in 1848, and was occupied by his family March 20 of that year. He has added to the buildings from time to time, and increased the quantity of land, until he now owns a farm of 160 acres, almost wholly within the corporate limits of the city. During nearly half a century that Mr. Gardiner has occupied his home, a generous hospitality has always been extended to his friends, and all made welcome by his genial wife, and during this period many distinguished statesmen have enjoyed their hospitality, amongst whom he mentions, with great pleasure, the Hon, John Sherman, senator of the United States from Ohio, and Secretary of the Treasury during Mr. Hayes' administration; Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Governor of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury during HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 13 Mr. Lincoln's administration, and Chief Justice of the United States; Hon. James G. Blaine, M. C., United States senator, and Secretary of State under President Harrison; Hon. Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio, and President of the United States; Hon. James A. Garfield, M. C., and President of the United States; Hon. M. R. Waite, Chief Justice of the United States; Hon. Charles Foster, Governor of Ohio, Member of Congress, and Secretary of the Treasury under President Harrison ; besides many other public men of the Republican party, in whose successful career and devotion to the interests of the country Mr. Gardiner has always felt a just pride. Politically, he was an original Henry Clay Whig, but when the Whig party merged into the Republican Mr. Gardiner went with his party, has always remained a Republican, and contributed with his influence and means to its success, but without ever seeking an office, or soliciting the votes of his friends or party for political preferment or position. He was elected a trustee of the City Water Works in 1870, and remained a trustee for three years, during the construction of the works, and contributed to their success by advancing the city means until it could dispose of its bonds on favorable terms. Mr. Gardiner also served on the board of education of the city some fourteen years, during which time the schools reached a high state of proficiency. For many years Mr. Gardiner has been a vestryman in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which his wife has been a lifelong member, though he has only belonged to the paying side, and this church seems better adapted to his liberal views of church matters than any other denomination. Self-reliance is one of the strong characteristics of Mr. Gardiner, and in his business enterprises he has always relied upon his own judgment for results rather than upon the opinion and advice of others; and when his opinion has been once formed, he is never afraid to express it, without waiting for the views of others. Mr. Gardiner has lived in Norwalk sixty years, during which time he has applied himself to business pursuits, without wavering or faltering in his onward course, or ever failing to discharge his pecuniary obligations, and without a blemish on his business character or integrity, and during which time great changes have taken place. The early pioneers of the county, men of sterling integrity, with nearly all of whom he was acquainted, have gone to their long homes, having -stamped their principles of industry, integrity and perseverance upon their children and successors. The business and leading men of that day are nearly all dead, but have left behind pleasant recollections of their honesty and fair dealing in their business transactions. The log cabins of the early settlers, in whose homes all received a hearty welcome, have disappeared from the country, and good farm houses have taken their places, occupied by as thrifty and intelligent a class of people as are to be found in any other section of the United States. Mr. Gardiner gratefully remembers many acts of kindness of these early settlers and friends, who occupied positions which enabled them to assist him in his early business career, and who were ever ready to lend him aid in carrying forward his business enterprises, and to whose generous support, friendship and assistance he attributes much of his ultimate success. TIMOTHY R. STRONG, a leading criminal lawyer of Norwalk, possesses a strong individuality which has proved most effective in his profession. He was born April 7, 1817, in Cayuga county, N. Y., a son of William and Lura Strong, and received his education at a seminary in Onondaga county and at Fredonia Academy, Chautauqua county, same State. After reading law for some time he was admitted to the bar in 1843, and began a 14 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. general practice at Norwalk, Ohio. He has conducted many extensive and difficult cases of a civil nature, but is especially eminent in criminal law. Possessing an inexhaustible fund of dry humor and keen sarcasm, combined with a wonderful power of moving his audience at will, to laughter or tears, he is in great request as a pleader. He is undeniably the shrewdest and most vivacious lawyer of the Norwalk bar, having won success by native acumen, indefatigable application and characteristic genius. Mr. Strong was married April 3, 1845, to Ann Eliza Smith, a native of Tompkins county, N. Y., whose parents were born and married in Albany, N. Y., and to this union four children have been born as follows: William H., a railroad man; Clara, wife of Dr. D. I. McGuire, Alice, and Charlotte. Mr. Strong in his political predilections is a stanch Republican. JUDGE FREDERICK WICKHAM, Norwalk, one of the editors and proprietors of the Norwalk Reflector, may be classed as one of the oldest newspaper men in the State in active life, and is to be found at his desk and at the case daily. He was born in New York City, March 11, 1812, a son of William and Catharine (Christian) Wickham, of English descent. In the veins of the Wickham family is mingled the blood of the Winthrops, Wantons and Saltonstalls, some of the illustrious of the New Englanders of Coplonial times. William Wickham, above named, was the son of Thomas Wickham, whose wife was Elizabeth Wanton. William was born in Newport, R. I., in 1778, and being of a race of adventurous seamen he was before the mast in 1796, at the age of eighteen. In the year 1800 he sailed from Philadelphia as master of a ship; at one time he was on board a government vessel, and late in life he received a land warrant for his services, which he located on land in Kansas. At one time he was a prosperous West India merchant, of the firm of William & Thomas Wickham, of New York, engaged in the India trade, and gathered great wealth for those days. When the embargo was laid, they had ships loaded with molasses, either in Havana or on the way home, which were seized, and ships and cargoes confiscated. His fortune wrecked, he was persuaded to go West, in the hope of retrieving a portion of it. Gathering up the remnants, with his family he went to western New York, and stopped at Great Sodus, on Lake, Ontario, now in Wayne county, and which was then the most promising point on the southern shores of the lake. Soon after he had settled there, in 1812, the war of that year having broken out, the English landed a force and burned his store and residence, with all outbuildings. Again everything he had in the world was des t royed, and becoming advanced in life he was left to his fate. To the shame of our Government, that boasts the largest pension roll the world ever saw, it has persist. ently refused to recompense this old-time patriot. William Wickham married Catharine, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hodgkinson) Christian. Her ancestors were from Scotland, the name being originally Erskine, changed to Hodgkinson, and of this family was the Earl of Mar. William and Catharine Wickham had seven children: Elizabeth (Mrs. Alden S. Baker), John, William, Thomas, Samuel Christian, Frederick (subject) and Samuel. The Wanton family are pretty well written of in Dean's “History of Scituate," published in 1831. Further particulars are gained from a manuscript book in the possession of Judge Wickham, which was examined by the writer. Edward Wanton, gentleman, as the records show, was in Boston in 1658, having come from London, where, so tradition informs us, his father died of injuries received at the great London fire. Edward Wanton be PAGE - 15 - PICTURE OF JUDGE FREDERICK WICKHAM PAGE - 16 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 17 came an officer in Massachusetts, and had to witness the execution of the Quakers in 1661, and the horrors of the persecutions made a Quaker of him. Of the sons of Edward Wanton were William and John. William Wanton married Ruth Bryant; became a distinguished soldier, and was elected governor of Rhode Island in 1732, re-elected in 1733, and died at the end of his term of office. His successor in the gubernatorial chair was his brother, John, elected in 1734, and re-elected six times. In 1769, Joseph Wanton, son of William, was elected governor; he was re-elected seven times. Governor Joseph Wanton married Mary, daughter of Gov. John Winthrop. His daughter, Anne, married Winthrop Saltonstall; his daughter Elizabeth married Thomas Wickham. Another daughter married William Browne, governor of the Bermudas. This is a record for a family furnishing governors, and their frequent elections, that is unparalleled in our history. Frederick Wickham, when a boy, pursued a variety of occupations, clerking in stores and working on a farm in Wayne county, N. Y., whither his parents moved from New York City. At the age of twenty-one he associated himself with a brother who had a stock of goods in a store in New York, and came to Ohio, locating in Norwalk, Huron county. Here they opened out a commercial business, and about a year afterward Frederick went on the lakes in the capacity of second mate from which he was soon promoted to master, the brother taking charge of the business during his absence. Meanwhile our subject was married, January 15, 1835, to Miss Lucy Bancroft Preston, a native of Nashua, N. H., born March 27, 1814. She is a daughter of Samuel Preston, one of the originators and proprietors of the Huron, Reflector, published at Norwalk; and he concluded, being so prevailed on by his young wife, to abandon his roving sort of life on the lakes, and settle down to one of comparative domesticity. About the winter of 1840-41 Mr. Wickham entered the office of the Reflector, then owned by Samuel and Charles A. Preston, his father-in-law and brother-in-law, respectively, and here he has ever since remained, rising step by step from "devil" to editor and proprietor, having on the death of his father-in-law in 1852 bought the establishment. The style of the paper has been changed to Norwalk Reflector, and in recent years a regular daily issue has been published from the office, entitled _Norwalk Daily Reflector. The judge now (as he has for years) sits at his case, and, without any previous writing or preparation, sets up from a column to a column and a half of editorial matter for his paper, a feat which but few men are capable of performing, and a most remarkable one for a person who • has reached and passed the advanced age of four score years. His brain is as active as it ever has been, and his physical condition as strong and vigorous as with most men at sixty. During all these years of his useful life in Norwalk, Judge Wickham has been universally honored and respected. All his life he has been an indefatigable worker, both in his business and in the political arena, and in all his dealings with his fellowmen he has maintained the strictest integrity, and has been the soul of honor. As a Whig and Republican the Judge has been a leader and a worker in his own party, no one having done more hard and constant labor for the success of his party principles than he. During his residence in Norwalk he has held with characteristic care and ability several public positions of trust and honor. He was first elected town constable of Norwalk and village recorder; served as deputy sheriff of the county two terms; was appointed associate judge of the common pleas court, and served to the entire satisfaction of the people. In the latter years of the Civil war he represented his District in the Ohio Senate A few years ago, after he was 18 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. seventy years of age, he was elected mayor of Norwalk, and made so good an officer that he had to peremptorily decline a renomination. Judge and Mrs. Wickham have had thirteen children, forty grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, all living but six who died in their infancy. Their twelve living children are as follows: Charles Preston Wickham, ex-judge of the common pleas court and ex-Congressman; Katherine (widow of Thomas Christian); W. S. Wickham; Frederick C. and John T., twins (the latter deceased); Mary E. (wife of Lieut.-Col. E. R. Kellogg, of U. S. A.); Sarah L.; Lucy P.(Mrs. A. J. Minard); Albert W.; Carrie (Mrs. James G. Gibbs); Emma W. Peters; Jessie (Mrs. C. L. Merry), and Frank D. Wickham. The family is the largest and one of the oldest in the city. Mrs. Frederick Wickham, beloved, honored and respected, has lived in Norwalk seventy-two years; and, from a wilderness inhabited and trodden by savages and but a few white men, has seen the place grow into a handsome and thriving city of nearly ten thousand souls. ALONZO L. SIMMONS, one of the wealthiest as well as one of the most highly respected citizens of Fairfield township, is a great-grandson of Edward Simmons, who was a miller in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., Mass. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving as captain in the Continental line of Massachusetts until the final victory at Yorktown insured both peace and liberty to the Colonists. Returning with the honors of a veteran, he found that the enemy had destroyed his mill and home; but unmindful of the financial loss, he again went bravely to work, and reared his family in comfort. Of his children, Edward settled in New Hampshire and be- came a Judge; Noble was a blacksmith and settled in New York State, where he died; Eliphalet B. is referred to below; William died in Massachusetts. Eliphalet B. Simmons was born in 1773 in Bristol county, Mass., and passed his youth and early manhood there. In 1804 he moved to Delaware county, N. Y,, where for thirteen years he carried on the lumber business with quite a degree of success. During his residence here he married Esther, daughter of Capt. Charles Brown, of New London, Conn. In 1817 he started for the 4 6 Firelands" of Ohio, making the journey to Huron county by wagon, and arriving July 12. He purchased land in the second section of Green. field township, and took up his residence on Lot No. 22, where his grandson, John N. Simmons, now resides, and became a pioneer in the wilderness. He was a man of great industry, coupled with honesty of purpose, and good practical judgment, and eventually acquired a large property. His selections of real estate made in that early day in Greenfield and Fairfield townships have stood the tests of time, and stand approved as the best individual farms to this day. He was twice married, and had a family of four children, viz.: Harlon E,, Charles B., Albert and Washington L, Eliphalet B. Simmons died at his home in Greenfield January 26, 1836, in the sixty. third year of his age. In politics he was a Democrat, and took an active interest in party matters. In religion he was a Baptist. Of his children two are still living, viz.: Charles B., at North Fairfield, Ohio, and Washington L., a resident of Kansas. Harlon E., son of Eliphalet B. Simmons, was born December 14, 1798, in Reho. both, Bristol Co., Mass. His youth was passed there, and like most boys of that period his time was divided between school and farm; for youths then were treated mostly to one-third school and two-thirds farm. At the age of twenty-one years he determined to make a borne for himself in the then far-away West, and as his father and the balance of the family had migrated to the " Firelands " in Ohio some two HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 19 years previous, that locality at once became his objective point. Thus in October, 1819, with the accumulations of eight years work by the month, one horse and an open wagon, he started from Massachusetts alone to make the journey, arriving at his father's residence in Greenfield township in December following, thus making the trip in about six weeks. He purchased land adjacent to his father's home, and located on Lot No. 21, and in time added Lots Nos, 17 and 20, and parts of Lots Nos. 16 and 28 to the home farm. In 1827 he returned to Massachusetts, and on July 17 was united in marriage with Ann Ide, daughter of Joseph Ide, of Attleboro, Bristol county, and she accompanied him to their new home in Ohio. To this union six children were born, viz.: Rufus A., Abby N., L. Curtis, Alonzo L., Emily and Ann, of whom Rufus A., Emily and Ann are deceased; Abby N., now wife of G. T. Stewart, resides at Norwalk, Ohio; L. Curtis, at Hastings, Minn.; Alonzo L., at North Fairfield, Ohio. Mr. Simmons came to the "Firelands " as a pioneer, and brought, as did many of those early settlers, sterling qualities, and with the helpfulness of wife and family a beautiful home was developed on what was in 1819 a wilderness, in which he lived about fifty- five years, and where he died March 21, 1875, aged seventy-seven years. Had his life been spared a few months he would have reached the forty-eighth mile post in wedded life. He was universally esteemed for his integrity of character, and virtues, in all the relations of life. In business he was successful, and as his children settled in life he was able to present each with a purse of four thousand five hundred dollars without encumbering the home. We are told that the first singing school, as well as choir, in the township, was organized under his leadership, and in after years the home life was full of music, containing as it did a quartet of both instrumental and vocal (members of the family), and led by him. From the discourse of Doctor H. L. Canfield at his funeral we quote the following appropriate tribute to his memory: " For more than fifty-five years he lived in this township, and you who have known him best know how much his strong arm and tireless industry have done toward the removal of the primitive forests, and the development of the material prosperity of this region. But never in his devotion to material things did be forget the -higher interests of life. Whatever tended to promote moral or intellectual culture, or social reform, found in him a warm friend and ready helper. He was always to be found on the side of whatsoever things were true and honest; whatsoever things were just and pure; whatsoever things were lovely and of good report. Well may the thread of such a lite run evenly, and hope be its constant inspiration." In politics Mr. Simmons was in early life a Jacksonian Democrat, but in 1856 swung into the Republican ranks, and kept pace with its progressive movements. The companion that had left her New England home and friends some fifty years before, and added her efforts to his in building this earthly home, survived him a little over two years, and on May 30, 1877, she, as we trust, again joined him and the multitudes that have gone before, to again add her efforts to theirs in the work beyond. As regards religious views we may as well speak in the plural, as their hopes were practically the same. They cherished the broader views, ever believing that to be a Christian was to become Christ-like. That a true religion is always a practical religion, and shows itself in all that its possessor does. Alonzo L. Simmons, youngest son of Harlon E. and Ann I. Simmons, was born in Greenfield township, December 6. 1835, and like most boys of his time, whose lives as men have been helpful in the community in which they have lived; helpful in creating higher public sentiment; helpful that they have made the community in which they have lived the 20 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. better for their having lived, his youth like theirs was passed on the farm, guided by good parental care, with plenty of work to teach the important lessons of care taking in early life, relieved in winter by a term at the district school. Thus the routine went on, varied by one term in graded school at North Fairfield, and one at the high school at Norwalk. In 1854 he changed from attendant to teacher, and the new order continued some seven winters, first in the district and later in the graded schools. In the spring of 1855 his father placed him in charge of an outlying farm of 160 acres, which position he filled until the spring of 1859, when, by request of his parents, he returned to the home farm, and bought 200 acres of the same, receiving a receipt for four thousand five hundred dollars in part payment. The house on the home farm was destroyed by fire in March, 1858, and no permanent one rebuilt until the summer of 1861, when a large double brick residence was constructed by the joint efforts of his parents and himself. On April 24, 1862, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage with Elizabeth M., daughter of John E. and Lydia F. Menges, then residents of Greenfield, and in due time the double residence had double occupants; and thus the two families dwelt peacefully side by side until the Reaper came in 1875 and called the father home. In 1871 Mr. Simmons bought an interest in the Phoenix mill, became interested in that business, and still retains his interest in it. After the father's death he bought his mother's and two brothers' interests in the old home, and at that time, without doubt, expected to pass the balance of his life there, amidst its familiar scenes. But in the spring of 1883, beginning to realize that so large a farm home must in time become burdensome to himself as well as Mrs. Simmons (they two comprising his family), and having an available opportunity to sell the home, wisely as it would seem, did so, and re purchased another equally pleasant, though smaller, near the village of North Fairfield, where they now reside. Mr. Simmons was one of the incorporators of the Norwalk Savings Bank, and is a stockholder and member of its board of directors. His life work, however, has been that of a practical farmer, one who has found pleasure in the performance of his labor, and in leading a wholesome, independent life. Ever holding to the theory that whatsoever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, he has aimed to put its principle into practical effect, and in a broad sense has carried out this principle; and as a result, success, not only in material things but in the higher walks of life as well, has crowned his efforts. Success comes to no one by the mere revolution of the wheel of fortune; to be obtained it must be coveted, striven for, and won, None may wear her laurels save those who have a strong earnest desire. But desire alone will never win; an aim that is high and honorable, a will and purpose that are unbending, an uncompromising integrity with untiring industry and economy— these with other characteristics must unite with desire to win the trophies of success, Mr. Simmons is regarded as one of the substantially worthy men of his section, kind to all, generous to those in need, and honorable in all things; a man of strong convictions of right and wrong, and fearless to speak or act his convictions when duty requires. In politics he is a Republican, coming upon the stage of action as he did when bleeding Kansas was the bone of contention between the then two leading parties, he cast his lot in the ranks of that party, and has ever been loyal to its principles. Any account of Mr. Simmons' life to those who have known him so long and heard him so oft, would be incomplete, if its musical features were omitted. Like the father, his home life has always found relief from its routine of duties in literature and music, and for upwards of forty HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 21 years his voice has been heard in song at the majority of the social, festival, church and funeral gatherings in his locality. CHARLES B. STICKNEY was born at Moira, Franklin Co., N. Y., January 20, 1810, the eldest of twelve children—six sons and six daughters —of Charles and Betsey Stickney. Capt. Charles Stickney, father of subject, was born at Cornwall, Addison Co., Vt., May 17, 1785, and his mother, whose maiden name was Pierce, at New Salem, Franklin Co., Mass., April 11, 1790. They were married in the town of Dickinson, Franklin Co., N. Y., April 11, 1809. Both are now dead. They were of English descent. His father's earliest ancestor in America was William Stickney, who came to this country in 1637 from Hull, Yorkshire, England, and settled with his family at Rowley, Mass. From him it is believed that all bearing the name of Stickney in America are descended. Mr. Stickney's early years were required by his father on his farm, where he remained until his twenty-first year, engaged in hard work, and receiving only a district-school education, when he was given his time, five dollars and fifty cents in money, and the blessing of his kind parents with which he started forth to seek his fortune. He entered the academy at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., then in charge of Rev. Asa Brainard, and here he remained nearly four years, supporting himself in the meantime by teaching school winters. His health having become impaired from close application, he reluctantly left the academy and came to Ohio. He reached Ashtabula county, where he was taken sick at the house of his maternal uncle, Jesse Pierce, in the town of Saybrook, his sickness continuing for nearly six months. Recovering his health somewhat, he adopted the teaching of penmanship as a means of livelihood, and taught in different places in western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and southern Ohio. On his arriving at Wheeling, W. Va., in 1835, Judge Stickney was by its directors elected principal of an academy there, conducted on the Pestolozian system of education, which he managed with credit to himself, and to the approval of its patrons for about two years. In 1841 he visited his brother, Hon. E. T. Stickney, at Scipio, Seneca Co., Ohio, and meeting with a former fellow-student of Potsdam Academy, the late Jairus Kennan, Esq., who was then practicing law at Norwalk, he was induced to enter his office, and commence the study of law. He arrived at Norwalk November 13, 1841, and pursued his studies with Mr. Kennan; was admitted to the bar August 1, 1844, and subsequently to practice in the Federal courts, at Cleveland, April 12, 1860. During his term of study he was associated with the late Ezra M. Stone in the preparation of a large number of cases in bankruptcy, under the then existing bankrupt law of the United States. After he commenced practice he was several times a candidate for prosecuting attorney, always running ahead of his ticket, but not being able to overcome the party odds against him. The new constitution of Ohio created the Court of Probate, and upon its going into operation, in 1851, Mr. Stickney was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the new office of judge of said court, and was elected over his competitor, Hon. F. Wickham, by thirty-one majority, having run ahead of his ticket about five hundred votes. He performed the duties of his office faithfully and satisfactorily to all for the term of three years, and was again nominated in 1854. The newly-formed Republican and Know-Nothing parties swept the field, the general majority of .the party in Huron county being about sixteen hundred, but the majority for his competitor, Hon. F. Sears, was cut down to about 22 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. eight hundred. Mr. Stickney has served several terms as a member of the common council, and in April, 1874, was elected mayor of Norwalk, in which office he served two years, being an acceptable and popular officer. He was for several years school examiner for Huron county, and a member of the board of education of the Union school for four years, during which time he was clerk of the board. He has at all times taken a deep interest in educational matters. He is also a member of the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences, of which he has been president. On April 30. 1845, he became a member, by initiation, of Huron Lodge No. 37, I. O. O. F., and has been a prominent and respected member of the Order, holding many of its important offices. On February 20, 1856, he was elected most worthy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, serving one term with distinguished ability. For his faithful and efficient services in this office he received from the Grand Lodge its beautiful and costly medal. In 1858 Judge Stickney was appointed assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of Lieutenant-colonel, on the staff of Maj.Gen. James A. Jones, Seventeenth Division Ohio Volunteer Militia, and was commissioned by Gov. Chase. He also acted as Inspector-general of Division. On coming to Norwalk he became a boarder at the "Mansion House," then kept by Obadiah Jenney, Esq., and, to the surprise of all, has remained unmarried, and a constant boarder at public hotels there now over fifty-two years. Though not a communicant, the Judge has long been an attendant at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norwalk, and has served several years as vestryman and clerk of the vestry, yet charitable and liberal in his religious views toward all church organizations. Judge Stickney has always had an extensive law practice, and been especially successful as a collection lawyer, and, in the settlement of estates and matters of guardianship, he has been, through his professional life, regarded as an upright man. He is a gentleman of taste and culture, kind and benevolent, esteemed by all who know him, and is an eminently popular member of society. He is now one of the oldest residents of Norwalk. His name is a household oracle here. He is perhaps the only living man in northern Ohio who has shaken hands with Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson. He is as already stated still a bachelor, and in spite of his age feels young. Of him the Norwalk Reflcctor of March 2, 1892, said: " What an interesting tale could be written of Judge Stickney's social life in this city. His name and face are indelibly and pleasantly connected with all our homes where sociability and good cheer abound. The genial Judge is a necessary part of all the social gatherings in our city, and he is as young and frisky as ever. Long live the Judge!" OLIVER RANSOM was born at Lyme, Conn., November 3, 1800, or near the close of the eighteenth century. He grew to manhood in his native place, and at the age of nineteen wedded Rachel Hollister, who was fifteen years of age at the time. They commenced housekeeping at Bolton, Conn., the bride's home, and here two of their children were born. In 1822 the still youthful couple pioneered westward, and fixed their wilderness home at Warrensville, Ohio, a little east of Cleveland. They made the trip in a lumber-wagon with oxen, and were forty days on the lonesome way; bivouacking after their arrival until he could build their little pole cabin. Here the last seven of their children were born. When their labors had opened a fine farm of 400 acres, the American spirit that ever has carried the star of empire westward induced them to sell, and go to Elkhart, Ind., where they HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 23 made investments that would have soon made them wealthy. Mr. Ransom's health,- however, became so seriously impaired, that they felt it imperative to sell at a sacrifice and return; and they purchased a farm near Berlin Heights, in Erie county. Except the three years in Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Ransom lived on their farm at Warrensville thirty-two years, and at Berlin Heights twenty-one years. In the year 1877, both feeling that their business affairs were such they could well afford to retire from the peaceful pursuits of agricultural life, they came to Norwalk and purchased their pleasant residence on Whittlesey avenue, which has since been the family home. They parted with the title of their fine farm of 400 acres in Berlin Heights, one of the best improved in the county. Mr. Ransom had then reached the age of seventy-seven, while Mrs. Ransom was seventy-three; neither one in the "sere and yellow leaf," but rather in the serene afternoon of their days, when was numbered fifty-eight years of their married life, both blessing and being blessed. This family brought to Norwalk the frank and sincere friendship of a host of friends; and not only found in their new place of residence a comfortable home, but drew new friends, new circles of pleasant associations, and new ties of life such as only reward the broad and generous natures of those who make this world both good and wholesome. Mr. Ransom departed this life March 3, 1891, at the unusual age of nearly ninety-one years; which year was the seventy-second mile post of their married life. Suppose the youthful couple, when they plighted their lives on the marriage altar, had been permitted a perspective view of the seventy-two years that at that moment was opening before them! A span of life so rich in the world's history, so infinitely richer in the unwritten joys of "two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one!" The venerable husband and father was followed to the grave by the love of family and friends, as well as the highest respect from all in the community. A man of long life and strong character; whose death at the ripe age of nearly a century came to all in the community much as a personal loss. The brave little girl who at fifteen had stood at the boy-husband's side and plighted her love and her life, never faltered, never in the hour of severest pioneer life knew a twinge of doubt or despair, but was the real heroine, comforting, encouraging, sustaining, with a faith and work sublime, both husband and children. The accounts of pioneer life, of the days that tried men's souls, are brightened and hallowed by the far more tragic and sublime stories of the true, brave and loyal wives and mothers, whose unfaltering courage were the shield and anchor of the physically stronger men. Rachel (Hollister) Ransom was born in Bolton, Conn., November 14, 1804; married September 13, 1819; died December 9, 1893; in faith a Methodist, and all her life an exemplary professor thereof. Hp to about the time of her death her mind was unimpaired, her memory as clear and quick as if yet below the half-century mark of life. She had a family of ten children, of whom nine grew to maturity, as follows: Lucina (Mrs. Asa Dunham) had two children, Ludd and Lloyd; Lovisa (Mrs. Hervy N. Addison), of Michigan, had six children, Rachel, William, Isola, Nina, Bertha and Mary; Cornelia (Mrs. John Perkins) has three sons, Floyd, George and Earl; Weltha first married Andrew Taylor, and by him had one child, Marion, and afterward married Erastus Ives, by whom she had one child, Maud; Philura (Mrs. William Gleason) had five children, William, Mary, Nora, Anna and Eddie; Mary (Mrs. Charles Lane) had two sons, Gerdon and Morrill; Gerdon married Anna Jenkins, and had six children, Sarah, Emma, Elgie, Ella, Lucy and Myrtle; Sylvester (deceased) married Clarissa Allen, and left no children; Miss Eunice A. is unmarried. Miss Eunice A. Ransom, the youngest 24 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. child, was compelled to take much of the burdens of financial affairs from her father's shoulders for ten years preceding his death, and in this respect she became the head of the house. She was the companion and aid to her father from her early girlhood times, and through thus growing into strong healthy business ideas she was soon able to relieve him of all cares. Her father must have detected the bent of the girl's talents, and he gave her the companionship and fatherly training which lie hoped would some day fit her to take up his work; and he lived to see his fondest hopes in this respect fully realized. HON. GIDEON TABOR STEWART. The law gives us one of the learned professions, and in many respects it is calculated to best equip the young man for distinction in social, business and public life. Lawyer Stewart may be named as "the father" of the Huron county bar. He takes this place by virtue of his age and his long and successful practice here, as well as by his intimate knowledge of the subtleties of the law. These are not the mere idle words of a panegyrist, but they are verified by the general judgment of his cotemporaries; a man holding an enviable place among the distinguished members of the bar of northern Ohio. During the last twenty five years he has been employed in more cases from the "Firelands," in the District, Circuit and Supreme courts, than any other lawyer. Some who studied law in his office have become eminent in the profession. Hon. S. W. Owen, who was judge of the Supreme court, studied law with Mr. Stew- art. To excel, even in the ordinary vocations of life, is a proud distinction, but in the abstruse mazes of the law it marks a mental equipment of rarest excellence. Thoroughly grounded in the fundamentals of the law, he tries every case before he enters the court-room, and this careful preparation is backed by a tenacity of pur. pose that will brook no hint of ultimate defeat. In many positions of life rare genius may carry all before it, but pre. eminence at the bar must add to even unusual gifts, those patient tasks of "the slave of the lamp," which bring the " pale cast of thought" to the devotee. The paternal ancestors of Mr. Stewart came from the North of Ireland, origin. ally from Scotland. On both sides his people were of the cultured classes. His paternal grandmother was a noted educator and scholar of her day, having taught the first school in Schenectady, N. Y., and founded the first academy of that place, a famed school, that was in time succeeded by Union College. His mother was a daughter of the eminent divine, Rev, Nicholas Hill, Sr., who was father of the distinguished lawyer, Nicholas Hill, Jr,, of Albany, head of the eminent law firm of Hill, Cagger & Porter, and who at his death, which occurred just before the Civil war, was pronounced by the New York World " the greatest lawyer of America." Another of his mother's brothers, John L. Hill, is a leading lawyer of New York, and was a prominent counsel in the famed Beecher-Tilton trial, His brother James F. Stewart, one of the oldest and most esteemed members of the San Francisco, Cal., bar, died on November 17, 1893. His eldest brother, Merwin Hill Stewart, graduated at Union College with the highest honors, but died when he was about entering on the legal profession, Mr. Stewart was born in Johnstown, now in Fulton county, N. Y., August 7, 1824, and was named from Gideon Tabor, a judge of the courts there. When about eleven years old, in the fall of 1835, he removed with his parents to Oberlin, Ohio, where he was a student in that college ex. cept a year in the Elyria Institute, He began the study of law at Norwalk, Ohio, in the spring of 1842, but the next year he went to live with his brother, Alexander A. Stewart, a merchant at Columbus, PAGE 25 - PICTURE OF HON. GIDEON TABOR STEWARD PAGE 26 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 27 and there entered the law office of Swayne & Bates, of which firm Hon. Noah H. Swayne afterward became a justice of the United States Supreme court. While there, when nineteen years of age, he wrote a poem on the occasion of the visit of ex- President John Quincy Adams to Ohio, in November, 1843, to lay the corner-stone of the Cincinnati Observatory, which poem was published in the Ohio State Journal, entitled " Ohio's Welcome to John Quincy Adams," and with some other poems from his pen was favorably received by the public, The next year he entered actively into politics, was chairman of the " Young Men's Henry Clay Club," and published a campaign paper at Columbus in aid of the Whig party. In the fall of 1844, being in ill health, he went to Quincy, Fla., and spent about eighteen months with his brother Nicholas Hill Stewart, who was a lawyer and an eminent teacher at the head of the Quincy Academy, the leading educational institution in the territory. In the following year, 1845, Florida was admitted into the Union, and, having become of age, he oast his first vote at the first election held in that State. He had strong inducements to remain with his brother and go into business there, but he could not consent to become a slaveholder; and, returning to Ohio in the summer of 1846, he was admitted to the bar of Ohio, on the 18th day of August, 1846, and began the practice of law at Norwalk. He was also editor of the Reflector, the Whig organ, for about three years, and in 1850 he was elected, by the Whigs, county auditor, to which office he was re-elected in 1852 and 1854, the last time on the same ticket with Hon. John Sherman, who then for the first time was elected to Congress. He purchased half of the Toledo Bladc in 1856, but remained in the law practice at Norwalk, and in about three years sold his interest in the Blade. He went to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1861, where he bought the Daily Times, the only Union Republican paper then in the north half of that State, and published it until near the close of the war. He spent a winter at Washington in law business, and then became one of the proprietors of the Toledo Daily Commercial, of which he took the business management for the greater part of the year; then selling at a profit, returned to Norwalk and resumed his law practice at that place. On January 26, 1866, he was, on motion of Hon. Caleb Cushing, admitted as an attorney and counsellor of the Supreme Court of the United States. Aside from twelve years spent in the auditor's office and on the press, Mr. Stewart has been in law practice over thirty- five years. A long time to devote to active professional work, a prolonged period of trials and triumphs, vicissitudes and victories; labors ranging from the sacred claims of home, or the exactions of a profession, to the occult problems upon whose just solution hangs the permanent weal or woe of the human race. So methodical in his mental movements was he that he found rest and recreation from the exacting duties of his profession in the editorial chair, and in discussing from the hustings the absorbing questions of civil government. In 1855 Mr. Stewart was a delegate to the State convention which organized the Republican party in Ohio, and there took an active part. While he was from early life well grounded in the principles of anti-slavery reform, yet he was broad enough in his views to see there were other evils in society appalling to contemplate, one of them the grim and hideous Gorgon of intemperance. In 1851 and 1853 he took a prominent part in the anti-license and Maine-law campaigns of those years. In 1857 a State convention met at the capital of Ohio to organize a Prohibition party, and Mr. Stewart was made president of the convention. The machinery of a new party was framed; every step was taken and work set afoot, when the Kansas anti-slavery troubles 28 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. came and Civil war became the supreme question of the hour. Salmon P. Chase was up for election as governor, and he interviewed the Prohibition State committee, before whom he urged the perilous condition of the country, pledging himself that if elected, he would in his message recommend to the Legislature a Prohibitory law against the liquor drink traffic. His promises were accepted (which he afterward fulfilled), the new party movement was postponed, and thus he was elected by a small plurality. The Kansas-Nebraska troubles were soon followed by the dread throes of war, convulsing our nation and unhinging the order of society from center to circumference; when men, like storm-tossed mariners, advantaged the first calm to take their bearings anew. The temperance cause, for the time suspended, was renewed in politics. Mr. Stewart was three times the standard bearer of the Prohibition party for governor in Ohio; eight times its candidate for supreme judge; was its representative on the National -ticket for vice-president in 1876; many times its nominee for Congress and also for circuit and common pleas judge, and often in local, county, State and National conventions he has been a representative delegate of that party. He was present and a delegate to the convention in 1869, which organized the National Prohibition party, and was made a member of the National committee, of which he was chairman four years and a leading member fifteen years, serving until 1884, when he retired, feeling it necessary to give his unrestricted time to his profession. In 1876, 1880 and 1884 the Prohibition State convention of Ohio unanimously instructed the Ohio delegates to present him in the National conventions of those years as their choice for Presidential candidate, but each time he refused to have his name offered. At the National convention of 1892 it was presented by the Ohio delegates in his absence, at which time he received next to the highest vote on the first ballot, and he would have been nominated if there had been a second ballot. Each time that lie was a candidate for governor he campaigned the State, visiting, in one season, forty counties, and addressing meetings in all of them. His voice was heard in the hustings, and his vigorous pen found a prominent place in the literature of the day. He was grand worthy chief-templar of the Order of Good Templars three terms. As long ago as 1847 he was one of the charter members of Norwalk Division, No. 227, of the Sons of Temperance, which still exists, there being now but one older division in the State. His numerous nominations by the Prohibition party were unsought, and were accepted by him only as symbols of sacrifice, not of selfish aspiration. He regards public office as a public trust, and that the man who solicits it is unworthy of it. Hence he was never an applicant to Government for office, and never asked the personal support of a delegate or a voter. He has been identified with other reforms, moral, social and political. He was several years president of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association, and drafted its first platform of resolutions, adopted at its first State convention, held at Columbus in 1870. He has long been a public advocate of civil service, industrial and educational reform, of prison reform, and the abolition of capital punishment. Many of his speeches and writings on reform topics have been published and widely disseminated. He was in 1856 one of the founders of the " Firelands Historical Society," one of the oldest historical local Societies in the Northwest; he was one of its officers at its founding, a life member, and is now its president. He was also one of the founders and first officers of "The Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences," which gave Norwalk the well-known " Whittlesey Hall," for many years the common meeting- place and foster-mother of the city's HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 29 growth in schools, the arts, science and general literature, and from this came many courses of public lectures and the present public library, with its 6,000 selected volumes. Of these enterprises Mr. Stewart has been one of the active authors and promoters, and he has been busily interested in various other public movements. He spent much of his time and over three thousand dollars of his means, without compensation, through ten years of doubtful struggle, to secure the construction of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, and was one of its early stockholders and directors. He and his wife are life members of the American Bible Society. He is a pioneer member of the Scotch-Irish Society of America, a trustee of the Western Reserve Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and president of the Huron County Law Library Association. Mr. Stewart is of a race of men and women of prominence and of intellectual and moral progress, and has so outlined his own life and reared a family that has added thereto, rather than, as we so often find, detracted therefrom. Physically he is a little below the medium in stature and weight, with a personal toilet clean and careful as has ever been the garniture of his mental operations. He looks the man of books, the student of man who communes much with his own thoughts. Just such a man whom you would readily know had sacrificed for half a century his time and toil in behalf of his fellows, and for all his services in public reform has never accepted the least financial compensation. Such, briefly, are the outlines of a life that may well be honored of men, respected abroad and beloved at home—a blessing to the one, a benefaction to all. On March 30, 1857, Gideon T. Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Abby Newell Simmons, of Greenfield township, Huron county, daughter of Harlon L. Simmons and niece of Hon. Charles B. Simmons (former State Representative), of that place, both prominent pioneers of the " Firelands," and extensive farmers. Of this happy union there were born three sons and one daughter, viz.: Charles Hill ; Harlon Lincoln, at present the youngest member of the Ohio State Senate; George Swayne, of the Norwalk bar; and Mary Stewart. In the literary and temperance work of the father, the daughter with her graceful pen has been his valuable assistant. In the polite and benevolent circles of the city she has a wide and appreciative circle of friends. The mother was born and reared on her father's farm, one of the largest and most beautiful in the county; and, notwithstanding the fact that for twelve years she has been afflicted with paralysis, depriving her of the power to walk, she has continued to own and operate her valuable farm near the city of Norwalk, though living in the city, and has educated her three sons to practical agriculture. She is very fond of reading, and well informed irk history, current literature and public affairs. She is social, sympathetic, kind and charitable, and is warmly esteemed by all who have known her from childhood to old age. She was active in the famous Woman's Temperance Crusade, and has been so in its outgrowth, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which now extends its grand organization around the world. Through many years the Norwalk Union has held its regular meetings in her parlors. GEORGE SWAYNE STEWART was born March 25, 1866, in Dubuque, Iowa, the youngest in the family of four children of Gideon T. and Abby N. (Simmons) Stewart. Our subject was reared to manhood in Norwalk, Ohio, whither, when he was but an infant, his parents had removed. He was educated in the graded schools of the city, and graduated from the high school 30 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. in 1884. Leaving the high school, he pursued a special course of studies at Oberlin College, Ohio, after which he took up the study of law in his father's office, and was admitted to the bar March 8, 1888, being then but twenty-one years of age. He then entered upon the practice of law with his father, continuing in the same for about two years, when he gave up his profession for the more active field of business life to which he seemed naturally inclined. He inherited a taste for agriculture from his mother, and on her farm near Norwalk his vacations were spent in early school life, and here his first business instincts were cultivated. From working a small area on shares, he grew to be manager of the farm, establishing a dairy and maintaining his interest in farming matters to the time of this sketch. In 1890 he became interested in the C. W. Smith Co., manufacturers of hardwood and furniture specialties, and as secretary and treasurer of this company helped to build it up into one of the successful and substantial business enterprises of the city, affording employment to nearly one hundred people. In addition to his manufacturing business, Mr. Stewart is also associated with AV. H. Price, president of the Norwalk Savings Bank, in the manufacture of building brick, under the style of The Norwalk Brick Co., and, associated with other young men, is a dealer and contractor in stone and fire-brick, and has constructed extensive street-paving improvements in Sandusky, Elyria, Bellevue, Norwalk and other cities. Mr. Stewart is also director and stockholder in the Norwalk Savings Bank, and stockholder in the Arcade Savings Bank of Cleveland. Politically Mr. Stewart has never been identified with any party, but is independent, and, aside from being interested with his friends regardless of party, he takes no active part in politics. He has abandoned the practice of law, his attention being given to the many enterprises with which he is identified. On January 10, 1893, Mr. Stewart was married to Cora Isabel Taber, of Norwalk, Ohio, daughter of B. C, Taber, of that city. They had enjoyed an extended wedding tour in Europe, and were comfortably settled in their pleasant home in Norwalk, with all the prospects of a happy married life before them, when the Angel of Death spread his somber wings over their happy home and took from it its chiefest bless. ing. Mrs. Stewart died September 28, in the year of her marriage, from the recurrence of a previous severe attack of peritonitis. She was of the purest type of Christian character, and a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Norwalk, to which Mr. Stewart was also admitted to membership shortly after her death. LEANDER L. DOUD, secretary of the A. B. Chase Co., of Norwalk, is a native of Huron county, Ohio, born May 20, 1838. He is the eldest in the family of seven children born to Samuel and Philura (Niles) Doud, only two of whom are now surviving: Maria (Mrs. Stoner, of New London, Ohio) and Leander L. The elementary educational advantage( enjoyed by the subject of this sketch were such as were common to farmer boys in the early days of this section of the country, At the age of five years he might have been seen, daily, walking a mile and a half through the woods to reach the school. house which was situated in the midst of a dense forest, with no other evidence of civlization in sight; but so faithfully did he improve these opportunities, that for the first two years he lost only altogether eight days, and at the age of seven was the champion speller of that section of the country. As the forests were cleared up, the log school. house gave place to something more pre. tentious; as the children grew up. the spelling school was superseded by the literary society, and the Nineveh school. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 31 house became the center of moral and intellectual culture for miles around. Many who received their first lessons in forensic and literary work there have occupied prominent positions in Church and State. Amist such influences did young Leander grow to manhood. At the age of seventeen he commenced teaching district school, winters, " boarding round " among the scholars, as was then the almost universal custom. His summers were spent at some institution of learning—either at Savannah Academy, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, or at Baldwin University, Berea—frequently boarding himself to save expense. This " hit or miss " kind of school life, while not specially conducive to intellectual strength in any one direction, was more of the practical order, developing in our subject an aptitude for making the best of opportunities offered, and aiding him in making life a success. A commercial course of study, completed during this time in Baldwin University, served him to good purpose, later, as secretary and treasurer of the A. B. Chase Company. Dropping educational matters for a time, Mr. Doud, in 1860, commenced his more active business life. For three years he was engaged extensively and successfully in sheep husbandry. Three years he spent in general farming in Greenwich township, and eight years in various mercantile pursuits in New London. In 1875 he moved to Norwalk, and took an active part in the organization of the A. B. Chase Co,, for the manufacture of musical instruments. He was elected secretary and treasurer, which dual position he held for over sixteen years, and is still (1893) secretary of the concern, having relinquished the treasurership January 1, this year. Mr. Doud has seen the institution grow from its inception until it has become one of the leading factories of the kind of America. He always attended to the office work, was a potent factor in the development of the 1ndustry, and not a little of its success has been due to his intelligent and unceasing efforts. In 1863 Leander L. Doud was united in marriage with Miss Harriet B. Eberly, and to them were born four children, two of whom—Louie N. and Harry L.-are still living, the others having died in infancy. At the age of fourteen Mr. Doud united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the Church and Society. At the present time he is Sunday-school superintendent, district steward, and secretary of the official board of the M. E. Church; president of the Huron County Bible Society; secretary of the Huron County Sunday-school Association, and a trustee of Baldwin University. Samuel Doud, father of subject, was one of the "Fireland" pioneers, and of him the Fireland Pioneer of June, 1892, says: Samuel Doud was born at Sempronius, N. Y., May 29, 1813, and died near New London, Ohio, December 11, 1880. In the summer of 1823, his fathero Solomon Doud, came to Ohio, cleared off a small piece of ground, and built the first house ever erected at the center of Greenwich township, and returned during the winter to the State of New York, on foot, it is said, walking the entire distance, three hundred miles, in six days. The following spring he brought his family to Ohio, and they settled rn their new home in the wilderness. Samuel was at this time ten years of age, and with the exception of a single year spent in Berea, Ohio, he never lost a residence in Huron county from that time until the day of his death. The incidents of the journey to Ohio; the nine days voyage from Buffalo to Sandusky City ; the journey from there to Greenwich with an ox-team and a wagon, across the unbroken prairie and unbroken forest; their trials, privations, hardships and dangers from hunger, fierce animals and wild Indians were the common lot of all new-comers in this county, and furnished a fund of incidents that all pioneers have to relate and enjoy listening to. The educational advantages of those early years in this new country were very meager indeed, and the subject of this memoir enjoyed but a few months of school life; but he learned to read, write a little and cipher to some extent, This, supplemented with close observation, and quiet reading through life, enabled him to pass as a man of fair education. In habits of economy, industry and expedients to make a living, he was decidedly well-educated. His schooling in this direction was not neglected nor unimproved. He could wield the axe, or scythe, could graft fruit trees, buy and 32 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. sell cattle, hogs, sheep, or turn his hand to anything else with satisfaction to others and profit to himself. With his axe he bought him a farm of over one hundred acres in the soulheast corner of Greenwich township; cut away the limber, built a house, and in 1836 married Philura Niles, and settled in his own house. Here he lived twenty- eight years, raising a family of six children. In 1864 be sold his home to move to Berea, to educate his children. But his active nature could not endure the dull life of a college town, and after a year's trial he moved back to Huron county and purchased the James Washburn farm, just south of New London, in 1866. Here be lived until death called him away. Always active in anything that pertained to the public good, he never sought official promotion, nor accepted political preferment. Eminently social in his tendencies, a good judge of human nature, a judgment clear, prompt and decided on all matters coming before it, an extended acquaintance in this section of the country, he was often importuned to accept posilions of political power, but steadily refused. His word was as sacred as his bond ; he never promised a man his money but he received it the day it was due. He carried out the apostolic injunction. "Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Soon after he was first married, recognizing the claims of the Christian religion upon his life, he gave his heart to Christ, and joined the M. E. Church with his wife, who had for years been a devoted Christian lady. Their home then became the home of the early itinerant preachers, and their house or barn frequent preaching places. He subsequently received a license as a local preacher, and continued to preach as occasion offered, with great acceptability where be was best known up to the time of his death. A great lover of children, he was always active in Sabbath-school work, and took a special interest in looking after the neglected and destitute children of the neighborhood. His religion, while partaking of the true spirit and devolional type, was eminently practical. Very few ever found a home in his family for any length of time who were not led to Christ. His obligations to his Church were as sacred to him as his duties to his family, yet they were never allowed to conflict. If money or time was needed for either it was given freely and without question. One of the hardest years of labor in his life was given toward the building of the M. E. Church at New London, and the success of the enterprise was very largely dependent upon his energy, ability and personal devotion to the work. In fact, he felt it to be the closing work of his life; he had frequently expressed a desire to live to see it completed and paid for, and beyond that had no care how soon the Master called him. He saw the Church completed and dedicated, out of debt, within one year from the time the first subscription was taken; and within three months from the time the last subscription was taken he was stricken down with heart disease. He rallied for a few days, but frequently said it was only temporary; that his work was done, and he would soon enter into rest ; all was peace—sweet peace. * * * He entered into rest the evening, of December 11, 1880. He was buried, at his re. quest, in the East Greenwich burying-ground, in the midst of his family who had gone before, in sight of the church be had helped to build years ago, and among his friends and neighbors he had lived and labored with in early life. ETHAN ALLEN PRAY, ESQUIRE, This gentleman is entitled to high rank among the many intelligent and public-spirited citizens of Norwalk, for his energy and enterprise have been of the kind that tend to enrich any section of country in which such as he is to be found. He is a native of Connecticut, born January 15, 1813, in the town of Killingly, county of Windham, a son of Jacob and Jemima (Bowen) Pray, both natives of near Providence, R. I., the former of whom was, in boyhood, a cotton-factory operative, but in later life was a farmer. They died, the mother in 1874, the father in 1881, the parents of eight children, of whom Ethan A. is the eldest, and thought to be the-only one yet living. His paternal grandfather, a native of Rhode Island, who was a miller and horse breaker and trainer by occupation, was over eighty years of age when he died; he married a Miss Carpenter, and they were the parents of fourteen children. Lowe Carpenter, father' of grandmother Pray, was a sea captain. and slave dealer. Our subject's great. grandfather was Jonathan Pray (or Preigh, the original spelling of the name in England). On the mother's side, Squire Pray comes of Welsh ancestry. When the subject of this memoir Was four years old, his father moved with his family into Cayuga county, N. Y., mak. ing a permanent settlement there, Ethan A, remaining until he was in his twenty-sixth year. He received a liberal education at common and normal schools, also at Skaneateles Academy, in Onondaga county, and on completion of his studies commenced teaching school, gradually raising by merit, until, when he was but HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 33 twenty-one years old, he was appointed inspector of the common schools of Scott township, Cortland county. While teaching there he was visited by Gov. Seward of New York, with whom he was well acquainted, and accompanying Mr. Seward was Joshua Sanders, author of the spelling book bearing his name. In 1839, Mr. Pray came to Huron county, Ohio, locating first at Fairfield, where he tarried some six months, at the end of which time he moved to Fitchville, in the same county, remaining there till the spring of 1855, when he was appointed superintendent of the Huron County Infirmary, an incumbency he filled six years, or till the spring of 1861. He was then elected justice of the peace for Norwalk township, in which capacity he served with characteristic ability twelve years, or up to April 1, 1873. During the war of the Rebellion he was captain of a company of National Guards from the time of its organization, and in the spring of 1864 they were sent to Cleveland, where they spent one month in camp. While the fratricidal struggle was going on between the North and South, Squire Pray acted as mayor of the city of Norwalk, and as justice of the peace for the township, serving in the first mentioned capacity six consecutive years, besides two years subsequently. During his mayorship, he materially assisted in laying out many of the streets in Norwalk. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1873— somewhat late in life--with no special intention of practicing law, but rather to prove his ability to his opponents. For two years he held the office of city solicitor, and he then practiced law, chiefly in the way of making collections, etc., and he built up considerable business for himself in the probate court, to which he was not restricted, for he practiced in all the courts. In 1837 Squire Pray was married to Miss Amanda C. Cheney, a native of Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., who was at one time his assistant teacher in Cayuga county. Five children were born to this union, viz.: Frank E., M. D., practicing medicine at Dayton, Ohio; Cecilia A., married to James L. Van Dusen, superintendent of Huron County Infirmary; Adelia E., wife of George W. Cole, machinist in the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad shops at Norwalk; Sarah, wife of Frani< L. Bates, of Sacramento, Cal., and Lydia M., wife of Joseph Gasper. Politically Squire Pray was originally a Whig, favoring the Free- soil party, and on the organization of the Republican party he enrolled himself under its banner, becoming what was known as an " Anti-saloon Republican." In 1836 and 1840 he cast his first Presidential votes for William H. Harrison, whom he remembers seeing, and also Henry Clay and Gen. La Fayette. At this present writing (November 30, 1893) he is a justice of the peace and township trustee of Norwalk township, Huron county, Ohio. He is actively engaged in the Masonic Orders in Norwalk, holding at present the following offices, to wit: Chaplain of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M.; Secretary of Huron Royal Arch Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M.; Recorder of Norwalk Council, No. 24, R. & S. M.; Treasurer of Norwalk Commandery, No. 18, K. T. G. M. CLEVELAND. Among all the eminent and deservedly popular business men of Huron county, there is and has been none whose name ranks above that of this gentleman, because none is more thoroughly identified and honorably connected with the business interests of the county. Mr. Cleveland was born in the State of New York January 11, 1816, a son of Benjamin and Lucretia (Bonney) Cleveland, the former of whom was a native of Litchfield, Conn., born in 1769, the latter of Danbury, Conn. They were the parents of eight children, of whom G. M. is the youngest, and the only survivor; 34 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. two died when over eighty years of age; one when seventy-nine and the fourth when sixty-eight, and all the deceased sons died in the order of their birth. The first ancestor in this country came from England in 1635 and settled in Woburn, Mass., where some of his descendants are yet living. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch lived, married and died in Litchfield, Conn., and the latter has in his possession a copy of his grandfather's will dated 1777. He was a merchant and farmer, his pioneer life being a busy one. Benjamin Cleveland, the father, practiced medicine for some years, and had the reputation of being a physician of considerable ability, but he ultimately retired from medicine to embark in the lumber business. He died August 10, 1840, in Seneca county, Ohio, whither he had moved in 1829. He was a Whig during the greater part of his life, and in Church connection he was a Presbyterian. G. M. Cleveland received a liberal elementary education in the public schools of his native place, and when thirteen years of age moved with his father to Seneca county, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. The first business we find him engaged in was the manufacturing of fanning mills, which he carried on some years in Savannah, Ohio, prior to coming to Huron county in 1844. Here he embarked in the milling business at Norwalk, buying, in 1866, the Maple City Mills, which he remodeled and improved, changing it into a a roller mill in 1881. He does a large amount of custom work, and the mill now manufactures from thirty to forty thousand bushels of wheat per annum into the very best flour to be found in any market. On April 14, 1842, Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage in what is now Ashland county, Ohio, with Miss Sarah Mefford, and three children were born to them, viz.: Helen (wife of George W. Knapp), D. Pitt and Dwight. Mr. Cleveland in politics was originally a Whig, and, on the organization of the Republican party, enrolled himself under its banner. His first presidential vote was cast for W. H, Harrison. In November, 1857, our sub. ject was elected to the office of county sheriff and re-elected in 1859, being the full time allowed under the Constitution, D. Pitt Cleveland was born, in 1844, in Clarksfield, Ohio, and received his education at the public schools. In 1874 he was married to Celia Wright, of Des. Moines, Iowa, daughter of one of the most prominent men of that State, an two children have been horn to them, Edna and George Wright. On Januar 13, 1887, D. Pitt Cleveland was call from earth. His widow is a woman rare executive ability, and transacts much of the business connected with the Maple City Mills. Before his death her husband was partner with his father, and she re. tains an interest in the business, attending to it in a masterly manner. THEODORE WILLIAMS. In after years, a history of the growth and spread of the financial interests of Norwalk could not well be written without containing considerable as count of the enterprises, as well as the public improvements, with which the name of this gentleman has for so many years been identified. Mr. Williams is a native of Norwalk, Ohio, born on the third day of January, 1820. He is a son of James and Sarah Matilda (Hunt) Williams, natives of New Jersey, where they were married, and whence in 1816 they came west, making their new home in Huron county, Ohio. His father was a lawyer of prominence, ranking in his professional standing wifh the ablest members of the bar at a time when many able jurists from all parts of the State were pitted against each other in our local courts in legal combat, and was for several years the Prosecuting Attorney of the county. Ill health compelled him PAGE - 35 - PICTURE OF THEODORE WILLIAMS PAGE - 36 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 37 to retire from the practice in the later years of his life, and he devoted much of his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He died October 4, 1869, in the home he had so long occupied. Politically he was a Henry Clay Whig, and was a delegate to the National Convention held at Baltimore in 1832, that nominated Clay for President, performing the long journey to that city at that early day on horseback. Mr. Williams' maternal grandfather, Major David Hunt, was an officer in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch, who is one of a family of seven children, four of whom are still living, was born in the early years of the existence of his native town, which then consisted of a few scattered dwellings surrounded by a dense forest, His elementary education was obtained at the district and private schools of that early day, and was completed by a thorough course of instruction in the "Norwalk Seminary," under the superintendence of Prof. Jonathan E. Chaplin, than whom few abler instructors have ever occupied a like position. In 1834 Mr. Williams commenced clerking in the store of P. & J. M. Latimer, in Norwalk, where he remained over a year, when he again resumed his school; in 1837 he again entered upon a clerkship, in the store of Milton W. Goodnow, succeeded in a short time by the firm of Goodnow & Edwards, in Norwalk, where he remained until the firm dissolved in 1842, when Mr. Edwards removed to northern New York, and Mr. Goodnow continued the business here. At this time Mr, Goodnow offered Mr. Williams an equal partnership in the business, though Mr. Williams was without capital; but knowing that the responsibilities of the business must devolve largely upon him, owing to Mr. Goodnow's declining health, he preferred remaining another year as clerk The following year, however, upon a renewal of the proposition from Mr. Goodnow, he accepted the partnership, and in September, 1843, became an equal partner, and made his first visit to New York to purchase goods. This partnership continued until January, 1851, when by the death of Mr. Goodnow it terminated, and Mr. Williams purchased Mr. Goodnow's entire interest in the business, taking it at the full appraisal, and agreeing to pay for it in four years with interest; on the day the four years expired he paid the entire sum, as the result of his business industry and energy. Mr. Williams continued in the business of merchandising until 1885, a period of forty-two years, diligently at his counter and desk, and with constantly increasing financial success. His business relations over a wide range of country had made him acquainted not only with the people of his own county, but with many in the adjoining counties; and wherever he was known his high character for integrity, and business honor and responsibility, were clearly recognized; and his ability and clear-sighted judgment in all his many business transactions have given him a prominence amongst his fellowmen of the county, at once flattering to his manhood and marking him as one of her representative men. Upon Mr, Williams retiring from merchandising, he found himself the owner of two merchant flouring mills—one located in Norwalk, the other near Toledo—and these, together with the management of his several farms, and of his other financial interests, occupied his entire time and attention. In 1882 he was elected President of the First National Bank of Norwalk, remaining in that position to the satisfaction of the stockholders for eight years, and was again unanimously elected to that position, but declined serving, as the demands upon his time in the management of his own business made it impracticable to serve longer. In September of 1861 Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Mary Isabella Goodnow, a native of Vermont, but 38 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. residing at the time in Henryville, Canada East, by which union six children—one daughter and five sons—were born, of whom the following is a brief record: Louesa died at tbe age of eight years; Edward T., the eldest son, was educated at the public schools in Norwalk and at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, and is now engaged with his father in business; James H., the second son, after attending the public schools of Norwalk for many years, entered "Riverview Military Academy" at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which school, on graduating, he entered Harvard University, where he now is; Charles G., the third son, also went from the public schools of Norwalk to " Riverview Military Academy," from which he graduated in 1891, and then entered the Massachusetts School of Technology in Boston, where lie is still a student; Theodore Williams, Jr., the fourth son, after leaving the public schools of Norwalk, also entered the " Riverview Military Academy," but has not yet completed his course; Walter R., the fifth son, is still attending the public schools of Norwalk. Mrs. Williams, the mother of this family, departed this life on November 21, 1877 at which time the youngest son, Walter R., was an infant), leaving the entire charge of rearing this family upon Mr. Williams; and how well and faithfully he has acquitted himself of this great responsibility, his neighbors and friends bear ample testimony. Mr. Williams in his political predilections is a stanch Republican, and has taken considerable interest in all public matters, but has declined political office, excepting perhaps in a few exceptional instances. In 1870 he was elected to represent his Senatorial District in the State Board of Equalization, and has for several years held the position of "Chief Deputy" of the State Board of Elections for Huron county. For seventeen years he was a member of the Board of Education of the Public Schools of Norwalk, during a large part of which time he occupied the position of President of the Board, and it was during his occupancy of this position that the beautiful High School building, in which the citizens of Norwalk take so much pride, was erected, and for the erection of which they award him a full share of the merit. For thirteen years past--from 1881 to 1894—he has been President, Secretary, Treasurer and Superintendent of the beautiful "Woodlawn Cemetery," embracing 129 acres of land admirably adapted to the purpose, and has so managed its finances as to accumulate a fund in perpetuity guaranteeing its continuous care and attention when the present and succeeding gent erations shall have passed away. In church connection Mr. Williams affiliations are with the Episcopal Church;! he is a liberal contributor to its support, and has for many years been a member of its vestry. Mr. Williams stands prominently among the able financiers of Huron county, and the several institutions and departments of business that have been under his management attest his eminent qualities in this respect, in their unbroken line of successes. JOSEPH SMITH, one of the most enterprising and prosperous of Huron county's native-born citizens, is sell for member of the widely-known extensive lumber firm in Norwalk, Smith & Himberger. John Smith, father of our subject, was one of the oldest German pioneers of Huron county. He was born November 19, 1803, in Berns, a little village in the Rhine Province of the Kingdom of Prussia, then known as the Department of the Rhine, of Napoleon I French Empire. He received a common education in the public schools of the village, and at the age of thirteen commenced his apprentice. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 39 ship as a tailor. At the age of twenty he was drafted to served his time in the Prussian army. On March 6, 1832, he was united in marriage with Maria Glasner, of the same village, born October 20, 1808. In the spring of 1833 they emigrated to the United States, their destination being Schenectady, N. Y., where they remained two years. In 1835 they moved farther west, and located in Bronson township, Huron Co,, Ohio. Mr. Smith made the acquaintance of some of the early settlers. Being a man without much means, he experienced some very severe struggles, and was forced to seek employment of his neighbors. In two years he was enabled to buy .ten acres of woodland. His time now was devoted to working for neighboring farmers, clearing his land and building a log but for himself and family; later on he bought fourteen acres more of land, and replaced the log but with a larger and better one, which was replaced in about 1846 with a frame building which stands now, and in which he died, December 9, 1893, at the remarkable age of ninety years, after enjoying a long, healthful life, which was only darkened the last five years by total blindness. His wife preceded him to the grave by a little over eleven years, her death occurring February 13, 1882; if she had lived two weeks longer, they could have celebrated their golden wedding. Their married life was blessed with ten children-five girls and five boys, viz.: Margurite (I), John, Joseph, Margurite (II), Maria, Louise Minnie, Katharine, Alphonse, Peter and Nick. Of this family of children the following is a brief record; Margurite (I) was born in Berns, Prussia, February 1, 1833, and died August 15, 1835, in Schenectady, N. Y. John, born in Schenectady, N. Y., March 22, 1835, learned blacksmithing; he served through the entire Civil war as a volunteer in the Twenty-Fourth 0. V. I., receiving an honorable discharge; he made Memphis, Tenn., his home; November 6,1865, he married Katharine Greh, in Memphis, and one child was born to them; John died July 10, 1877, after two day's illness. Joseph is the subject proper of this sketch, and special mention of him will presently be _made. Margurite (II) was born December 30, 1838, in Norwalk township, Huron Co., Ohio, and died August 18, 1844. Maria, born July 10, 1840, in Norwalk township, Huron Ohio, is the wife of George Whitmill, in Co. Michigan. Louise Minnie, born January 16, 1842, in Norwalk township, Huron Co., Ohio, is the wife of Robert Wetzstine, residing in Norwalk, Ohio. Katharine, born December 18, 1844, is the widow of Henry Brown, and is living in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. Alphonse, born August 15, 1846, in Norwalk township, Ohio, is a carpenter by trade; he served through the entire Civil war in the Fifty-Fifth 0. V. I. under Capt. Wickham; married Sarah Bechler, of Sandusky, Ohio, June 18, 1871, and is living in Norwalk, Ohio. Peter, born July 13, 1848, in Norwalk township, Huron Co., Ohio, is a farmer in Norwalk township; on November 7, 1871, he married Katharine Zippfel. Nick, born March 17, 1851, in Norwalk township, Huron Co., Ohio, is a carpenter by trade; he served in the regular army five years, and shortly after his discharge he married, August 10, 1879, Dora Nauer, of Cincinnati, Ohio; he is now residing in Norwalk. Joseph Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, was born December 4, 1837, in Bronson township, Huron Co., Ohio. He received a liberal education in the common schools of the home neighborhood, and in early life learned the trade of house carpenter, later on also that of cabinet making. On May 5, 1863, he was united in marriage with Katharine Rilual, who was born in Hildenhausen, in the then French Province of Lorraine, and had immigrated to this country with her parents at the age of five years. Six sons and one daughter were born to this union, viz.: Frank J., born March 11, 1864; Louise K., born October 19, 1865; William P., 40 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. born October 2, 1867; Otto J., born March 25, 1872; Charles T., born February 10, 1877; Edward, born February 14, 1880; Albert R., born September 6, 1884. Of these, Louise and Otto died, the former from sickness, the latter from an injury he received through a wagon running over him. In 1873 Mr. Smith started in business with P. D. Willoughby, the firm name being Willoughby & Smith, manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds and mouldings, the style being later changed to Smith & Co. In 1880 Mr. W. Himberger entered as partner, the firm name becoming Smith, Himberger & Co. In 1886 Mr. Willoughby retired, since when the style of the firm has been Smith & Himberger. In connection with the manufacturing of sash, doors, blinds and mouldings, the firm have a convenient lumber yard. HON. JOHN A. WILLIAMSON, son of the late James Williamson and Phebe Williamson, and, on the maternal side, grandson of Abizah Griffin, one of the early settlers of Greenwich township, was born September 25, 1842, in the township of New London, Huron Co., Ohio. His parents were natives of the Empire State, having been born and reared in Hunter, Greene Co., N. Y., and, removing to Ohio at a comparatively early day, were here married in the year 1839. • His father was a farmer by occupation, and the subject of this sketch was reared at the family homestead, upon which the Williamsons originally settled, and which lies in the townships of New London and Fitchville. Mr. Williamson's youth was passed in a manner of life similar to that of many farmer boys, but, possessing a more than usually vigorous constitution, together with bright and acute intellectual qualities, he began early in life to manifest those traits of mind and character which, in their mature development, have rendered him eminent, professionally and politically, His was naturally an ambitious nature, and so it happened that he could not be satisfied with the education gained in the Common schools, but, when he had passed through their course of study, chose to avail himself of further opportunities and fit himself for the occupation of higher positions in life than he could attain to without so doing. At the age of sixteen years he entered upon a course in the preparatory depart. ment of Oberlin College, and two years later he became a member of the Freshman class of that institution of learning. He remained until the completion of the Sophomore year (1862), when that one of many exciting war alarms, the news that the Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith was about to make a raid on Cincinnati, was flashed through the loyal North, and a call was made for the Minute-men of the State to rally to the protection of its chief city. Mr. Williamson, being a strong supporter of the Union sentiment, and feeling that he should do anything that lay within his means to assist the overthrow of the power which menaced our free soil, notwithstanding the reluctance of parental solicitude for the safety of an only child, went out as one of that hastily-summoned and quickly. prepared body of men, as did also many of his class. After returning from the service of that brief campaign (which by no means, however, promised to be short), he asked for and received an honorable dismissal from Oberlin, and became a member of the Junior class at Yale, from which college he graduated with honors in the year 1864, *Immediately after finishing his academic course he entered upon the study of law in the Law School of the University of New York, at Albany, from which he graduated in 1865. The time intervening between this date and 1867 was spent in a law office in Cincinnati, and in traveling and general reading. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 41 On February 9, 1867, he became deputy clerk of courts in Huron county, under A. B, Griffin, Esq., clerk, which position he held until his resignation, in 1868, for the purpose of entering into a partnership for the practice of law with Hon. S. W. Tennant, at East Saginaw, Mich. In 1869 he removed from East Saginaw to Toledo, where he resided until the spring of 1871, when he removed to Norwalk, in his native county. He engaged in the practice of his profession, and followed it assiduously and uninterruptedly until 1877, when he was elected to the Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives from Huron county. Politically Mr. Williamson is a Republican-an earnest supporter of the men and measures of that party, He has been a worker for the success of principles and of the best men in the party, rather than a seeker of political preferment for himself. He has not sought place, and in accepting it has only done so in response to the clearly expressed will of his friends, and the suffrage of the people. In 1879 he was re-elected to a second term in the Legislature; was chosen speaker pro tem. of the House of Representatives upon its organization in 1880, and served in that capacity during the Six tyfourth General Assembly. He has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, and became interested in the business, particularly banking, in Huron and adjoining counties. He is vice-president of the Huron County Banking Company of Norwalk, and is now, by appointment of Gov. McKinley, member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Institution for the education of feeble-minded youth. In 1888 he made a European tour, spending the entire summer abroad. On January 19, 1869, Mr. Williamson was married to Miss Celestia M. Tennant, of Camden, Lorain Co., Ohio, who died in 1880. In 1882 he wedded Mrs. Sallie R. Manahan, daughter of the late Jeremiah Rundell, a prominent citizen of Bronson township, Huron county. They have one child, Nellie V., now (1893) seven years of age. Mr. Williamson is a man of fine as well as forcible intellectual qualities, an extensive reader and close thinker, of a remarkably practical cast of mind, and yet, withal, alive to whatever there is of beauty in the many refinements of surroundings and of being. He is cautious but firm in his judgment, and reliable. In manner he is social and friendly, and possesses qualities that readily win admiration and respect, whether from his political coin- peers, or his private companions and acquaintances. He is now one of the active moneyed men of Norwalk, and is interested chiefly in handling his capital. [In part taken from Williams' "History of Huron and Erie Counties." ALMON B. COE. In 1634 there immigrated to America from England one Robert Coo (as the name was then spelled), whose grandfather suffered martyrdom during the reign of Queen Mary. A. piece of furniture (a sideboard) which once belonged to him is now owned by Julius Coe, who for nine years was postmaster at Norwalk, Ohio, and now resides in New York City. Robert Coe, Jr., came to America, bringing with hint his family, consisting of wife and three sons—Robert, John and Benjamin—and from these are descended the numerous family of Coe in America. Israel Coe, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born July 22, 1756, at Granville, Mass., and was reared to farming, a vocation he followed through life. He prospered, owned a large tract of land and a sawmill, and several years before his death gave to each of his children a good farm. In 1809 he came to Ohio, locating in Portage county, on land located in Rootstown. He married Miss Artemesia Wright, who bore him six children as 42 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. follows: Samuel; Harvey, who became a prominent minister of the Congregational Church; Betsey, Mrs. Hall; Fanny, Mrs. Chancy Newberry; Bela, father of subject; and Israel D., all now deceased. The father of these died in 18 21, the the mother in 1813. He was a very large man, standing six feet, two inches in height, and well proportioned, but at the age of sixty was unfortunate enough to lose one of his limbs in a sawmill. When he came over the mountains from Massachusetts to Ohio, he brought with him four oxen and four horses, with wagons. Bela Coe, father of Almon B., was born April 24, 1795, in Granville, Mass., where he was reared and educated. When the family crossed the Alleghanies into Ohio, he drove one of the ox-teams, young as he was. He was reared a farmer, and having received a very fair education for those early times, taught school. At Rootstown, Portage Co., Ohio, he married April 24, 1819, Miss Maria Hill, born March 30, 1795, in Middlebury, Conn., a daughter of Isaac Hill. She came to Ohio with her parents in 1818, and they located in Portage county, where her father, who was a blacksmith, followed his trade; the later years of his life were passed in Wakeman, Huron county, he dying there in September, 1860, at the age of eighty- eight years; his father reached the patriarchal age of ninety-nine years, six months. Bela Coe and his wife came to Wakeman, Huron county, in February, 1827, and he here bought a tract of land covered with a dense forest and thicket, which after years of labor he succeeded in clearing. Mr. and Mrs. Bela Coe had but one child, Almon B. The father died October 5, 1850, at the age of fifty-five years, the mother on October 25, 1866, aged seventy-two years, and both are buried in Wakeman cemetery. They were members of the Congregational Church, the father from the age of eighteen years. He was of Puritan stock, a man of sterling honesty and the loftiest integrity. In his political leanings he was a Whig, no office holder, however, although a very popular man, one of sound judgment; but it is said of him that a certain justice of the peace always consulted with him in difficult and complex cases that came before him. Almon B. Coe, the subject proper of these lines, was born November 6, 1820, in Portage county, Ohio, and was six years of age when his parents brought him to Wakeman township, Huron county, where he has ever since had his home, with the exception of one year he lived in Illinois, His education was as thorough as the earlier schools of Huron county would permit, but owing to failing health his studies were prematurely brought to a close; being a great reader, however, and possessed of a remarkable memory, he amply made amends for any shortcomings in school lore. In his youth he learned the trade of a cooper, at which he has worked; has also taught school a number of terms. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, but was rejected on account of physical disability, which was a great disappointment to him, as he was most anxious to serve his country. On June 1, 1843, in Edinburgh, Portage Co., Ohio, Mr. Coe married Miss Mariette M. Bostwick, born in that county August 7, 1820, a daughter of Edmund Bostwick. Children, as follows, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coe: William H., born July 3, 1844, died July 26, 1850; Edwin W., born January 31, 1849, now cashier of the Los Angeles (Cal.) National Bank; Justin B., born August 26, 1851, now a merchant of Florence, Erie Co., Ohio; Arthur B., born July 14, 1854, died February 9, 1873; Aurilla M., born September 1, 1857, now Mrs. A. R. Rice, of Wakeman; and Alice M., born July 14, 1862, died September 15, 1866. The mother of these departed this life December 15, 1865, and is buried at Wake. man; her death occurred in Illinois, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 43 whither Mr. Coe had moved his family in that year. She was a most estimable lady, one of whom it can truly be said: " To know her was to love her." On August 13, 1868, our subject married Miss Nancy A, Russell, daughter of Isaac Russell, a native of Bristol county, Mass., who moved to Ripley township, Huron county, in 1834, and in 1847 came to Wakeman, where he died May 1, 1890, at the age of eighty-three years. The children of this union were five in number, as follows: Mary A.. born August 13, 1869, now Mrs. Charles M. Kenyen, residing at Florence, Erie Co., Ohio; Frances O., born June 3, 1871, living at home; George A., born December 15, 1874, operator on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad; Harriet E., born October 24, 1875, died May 15, 1886; and Alida, born March 18. 1878, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are members of the Congregational Church, and in his political preferences he is a stanch Republican. JOHN WILSON, importer and grower of fruit, while a citizen of Norwalk is yet one whose enterprise and business intelligence is hardly circumscribed by a continent. His place of nativity is Derbyshire. England, where he was born August 27, 1832, and when aged eighteen he came to America, in the search of broader fields for his strong and active nature. He is a son of James and Lydia (Jackson) Wilson, a family of that sturdy English stock who make a splendid graft on the restless American civilization. The young man stopped about one year in New York State. Working along, but taking in a very broad view of the situation, he went to Central America, where during the next twenty-three years he was engaged on the Panama Railroad as commissary of supplies, and then was a contractor in Costa Rica, building a portion bf the railroad from Limon to San Jose, as a member of the firm of Wilson & Keith. During the progress of his railroad work, he commenced merchandising at Limon, and this branch of his business suddenly grew to great success, so much so that he soon saw that his whole attention should be given to his new line of trade, and he withdrew from the contracting concern. He' then opened a branch house, dealing in fruits at Bocas Del Toro, Republic of Colombia, and the new mercantile firm became. the "John Wilson Company," which is in prosperous existence at the present time; there is another branch house at Bluefield, Nicaragua. The other houses are mostly in the line of fruits, shipments being made to all points, but largely to New Orleans, where is another house of the firm; and this is now the headquarters of Mr. Wilson, who constantly travels between that city and Central America, besides often attending to the firm's affairs in New York. Of its kind, this is one of the largest concerns in the United States. The firm in their business charter several fast steamboats, and recently one of their steamers, named the "John Wilson," landed at New Orleans 22,000 bunches of bananas. John Wilson and Miss Virginia Lawrence were intermarried at Zanesville, Ohio, January 22, 1876; she is the eldest of ten children born to Rufus and Mary Ann (Sharpe) Lawrence, the former of whom died in 1881. The mother, who is yet living, for a time passed her widowhood in Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, where Mr. Wilson purchased an extensive and elegant stock farm, which he still operates; although in the seeking for a more congenial family home, good schools, society and all the advantages for his children, he selected, Norwalk for his place of residence. Here he purchased an elegant home on West Main street, where are domiciled his happy household. Mr. Wilson has been twice married, the children by his first wife being Nellie E. and James. The family of children by his 44 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. present wife are as follows: Minor Keith, Russell Hoadley, Frederick Wesson, Lydia J., Marion, Marguerita and Don Rufus Lawrence. There is little of the humdrum of ordinary life in the record of John Wilson. His is a mind to conceive and expand with two continents, backed by a strong physical nature that could defy the rapid changes from the temperate north to the torrid tropics. He is the architect of his own fortune, as well as the avant courier of that intercommunion and knowledge of foreign nations that is the pledge and glory of every civilization. ALBERT N. READ, M. D., the oldest and one of the most prominent physicians of Huron county, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., September 16, 1815. His parents, Ira and Mary (Smith) Read, were also born in Berkshire county. The father, Ira Read, was a typical pioneer of his day, removing from his home in Massachusetts when the subject of this sketch was a year old, with a colony of his neighbors and relatives, to Asthabula county, Ohio. Their first point of destination was Williamsfield, their route the old military road made by Gen. Harrison, and such was its condition that at one period of the long journey they were three days making the distance of nine miles. On the third night, the year-old baby being threatened with croup, it was with its mother taken forward to an old deserted log hut, for better protection than the wagons afforded. Ira Read, then a vigorous, powerfully-built young man, six feet tall, was accompanied by his parents, Nathaniel Read and wife, the former of whom was also a native of Berkshire county, Mass,, by trade a blacksmith, and widely known as an honorable and upright citizen; his wife was of the well-known Sedgwick family of New England. After more than four weeks wearisome journey, they reached Williamsfield, their destination. In this new home, amid rough pioneer surroundings, Albert spent his early years, learning practical lessons in farming in out-door association with his thoroughly practical father; and within the home from his gentle mother, those lessons which a woman of a deeply relig. ions nature, a cultivated mind and heart, will teach consciously and unconsciously to those in the intimate associations of home life. From her the boy learned not only to be thorough in acquiring a knowledge of the studies within his reach, but to love the work of acquiring for its own sake; to form those habits of thought, of studying into the relations of things, both in nature and in daily life, which tended to make him the student he continued to be in mature life; and led his professional brethren to rely upon him for thorough knowledge of his profession, and good judgment in the practice of it. That, meanwhile, his mother did not neglect th cultivation of his spiritual nature, may inferred, if we can receive one of the tra ditions of his childhood, which runs, that when he was five years old he recited, in the Sabbath-school, the entire Shorter Catechism. His early education was, of course, limited to such instruction as could be obtained by attendance during the brief term of log-house school; but his habits of thoroughness enabled him to master the foundation studies while learning to plow and plant, and harvest; he raised and handled stock at a much younger age than most boys even of that period. Among his earliest recollections of that primitive life is an incident that he refers to as the first " bear movement in pork." A huge bear visited in 'the night his father's pigpen, and carried off its one inmate, the household's anticipated pork for the co ing winter. The dismay may be par appreciated as we learn that pork that was held at thirty dollars per barrel, a that other necessary of life, wheat, w PAGE - 45 - ALBERT N. READ, M.D. PAGE - 46 - BLANK HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 47 three dollars per bushel. But while food for the body, from its scarcity, commanded fabulous prices, not so food for the intellectual powers; as we learn from another of the Doctor's reminiscences. He was sent on a horse, riding a side-saddle, to fetch to the district the teacher, a sister of the well-known Judge Caldwell, of Cleveland, which lady taught a very good school, for the princely salary of seventy-five cents a week, one half of which was to be paid in flax, a kind of silver certificate of that day. The prevalence of high prices for wheat led the father to hire a man at twelve dollars a month and board, to help clear off ten acres of land and sow it with wheat. A fair crop was raised, but could not be sold for cash. He said in after years that the payment of the wages of that hired man was the hardest job of his life. There was plenty of work to be found in the country, but no money in circulation. To receive a letter, and pay the twenty-five cents postage, was a serious family affair. But all these unpromising circumstances did not dishearten the boy, Albert—his aim was an education and a profession; and at length, after instruction in the best academy and select schools, supplemented by private tuition in a clergyman's family, he began to read medicine in the office of Dr, Peter Allen, at Kinsman, Trumbull Co,, Ohio. After four years of study he began the practice of his profession, and continued four years with more than the usual success; then feeling dissatisfied with his qualifications, he attended a course of lectures at Willoughby College, where he graduated in 1841. Taking up his abode in Andover, he there practiced other four years, after which he attended another course in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated, and then returned once more to Andover. In 1851 he looked about for a wider field—considered the plan of joining a colony to St. Paul, then only the beginning of a town— but the plan was abandoned, and by the advice of President Pierce of the Western Reserve College, he went Norwalk, where he formed a partnership with Dr. Moses C. Sanders, at that time a leading physician of the State. This co-partnership continued during the life of Dr. Sanders, and afterward with his son, Dr. John C. Sanders, until the latter removed to Cleveland, and. the present firm of Drs. Read & Ford was formed. Dr. Read has been twice married, first time to Janet Beman, of Trumbull county, Ohio, who died in Norwalk, leaving, two children—a son and daughter. The Doctor afterward married Elizabeth Cook, of New York State. During the summer of 1861, the Civil war having broken out, Dr; Read, in common with all loyal citizens, desiring to serve his country in her need, considered the question of joining the army as surgeon; but while still undecided, he was called to attend his father, in what proved his last illness, and the day after his return to his home, he was called to the service in the United States Sanitary Commission, under the management of Dr. Newberry, of Cleveland. He spent that winter mainly in Kentucky, with headquarters at Louisvlle, following with his assistance our army under Gen. Buell, ministering to the sick and wounded after the terrible battles that interrupted its march to take posses. sion of Nashville. To indicate somewhat the work he and his helpers were doing, during those dreary months of suffering to so many of the dear boys of our land, he recalls an incident that occurred at Elizabethtown. The army had moved on, leaving many sick, greatly needing care, with neither beds nor suitable food. From the stores hurried on from Louisville, they were speedily placed in comfortable beds, and fed with the delicacies sent by the home friends. One boy, delirious from fever, taken from the floor and placed upon the clean cot, soon fell into quiet sleep, from which he awakened rational, and looking about him said: " Where am I? It seems as if mother had been here." The 48 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. Doctor says that incident was an inspiration in much of his after work. After the occupation of Nashville, in the spring of 1862, Dr. Read was made inspector-in-chief of the Department of Cumberland, with a corps of assistants, and headquarters in Nashville, which position he filled until the close of the war. He regards his work for the soldiers during those four years as the greatest work of his life: establishing soldiers homes, beginning in Louisville, afterward at Nashville, then all along our army lines, fitting up hospital cars, wherein the sick and wounded might be conveyed with the least possible discomfort; giving out, through his numerous assistants, the abundant stores so freely provided by the home people of the North for their suffering dear ones. Soon after the close of the war Dr. Read returned to his professional duties. Early in his professional life the Doctor was made a member of the American Medical Association, and also of the State Medical Society of Ohio. In 1858 he was prominent in originating the Delamater Medical Association of Norwalk and vicinity, which Society had an active existence of thirty years. He has been a member of the Congregational or Presbyterian Church since his student days. LEROY HOYT, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Connecticut, is a great-grandson of Eliphalet Hoyt, who was born in Connecticut in 1773. He was the son of one of two brothers—Walter and Simeon—who came from Germany early in the seventeenth century and found a home in the " Nutmeg State." In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade. He was married to Miss Lois Starr, of Danbury, Conn., and some time later moved to Saratoga county, N. Y., where he worked at his trade for a number of years. Subsequently the family moved to Owasco township, Cayuga Co., N. Y., where a farm was purchased and improved by the father. This property he lost through signing a two-years' limit bond for a merchant. The merchant fled, and the bond becoming forfeit the young farmer had to surrender his property to satisfy it. In 1826 the family moved to Ohio and located on rented land in Fair. field township, Huron county, where the father died in 1831. His five children were Sally, Almira, Lois, Silas (who died in youth) and Walter. In politics Eliphalet Hoyt was a Democrat. Walter Hoyt was born in 1802, in Cayuga county, N. Y. Reared like other pie. neer boys of that time and place, he grew to manhood there and accompanied his parents to Ohio in 1826. He was nominally the head of the family, all the property being in his name. The same year he married Caroline M. Benson, a daughter of Abijah Benson, a tanner of Skaneateles, N. Y., who was a soldier in the war of 1812 and captain of a company in the United States service. After coming to Ohio Walter Hoyt en. gaged in agriculture and became the owner of 593 acres. His wife died here in 1838, and in 1841 he married Betsy, daughter of Dominick Cole, a millwright, To the first marriage were born three children, of whom Ichabod, Elmon and Mercy grew to maturity. To the second marriage were born three children: Brad. ley, Alma and Charles. To each of his sons he gave a farm, and when he died, in 1862. he left personal property valued at ten thousand dollars to be divided among the heirs. In political opinion he was stanch Democrat. He was a most industrious citizen, and a man who would earn and hold property in any place and under any circumstance. Elmon Hoyt, the second son of Walter and Caroline Hoyt, was born August 29, 1829, in Fairfield township, Huron Co,, Ohio. His father being a lifelong agriculturist, taught his sons by actual experience in that avocation. The lessons HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 49 taught him in boyhood and early manhood of strict obedience to duty and labor have followed him through his successful life. When about to embark in life for himself he cleared a space in the then dense forest for a place to build a home; then realizing the need of a helpmate he married October 24, 1854, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Phineas and Rachel (Terry) Guthrie. As a result of this marriage five children were born: Wilber, Harry H,, Le Roy, Ralph and Clayton, all of whom are still living. While Mr. Hoyt has always given personal attention to his business at home, he has always been ready to promote any enterprise for the good of his town or community. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt having toiled together for nearly forty years now realize together that toil and energy have their rewards. Feeling that something ought to be done to relieve the monotony and isolation of the farmer, and being ready to do anything they could to promote a social and intellectual advancement among the agricultural class, they signed an application for a charter for the organization of The Grange in 1874, and became charter members of that organization. To this Society they have always been active members, going up with the different degrees of the Order, and often being delegated to represent their Grange at the State meetings, In March, 1878, The Huron County Mutual Insurance Company was organized, Mr. Hoyt becoming one of its early members, and he was elected treasurer of the Company, to which office he has been reelected every year since, and still performs the duties of that office. To his sons he has been a great help in starting them successfully in business. For the eldest one (Wilber, who chose agriculture), he had a farm for him, upon which Wilber has succeeded well. With his second son Harry (who chose mercantile business), Mr. Hoyt became interested in business in North Fairfield, there building the large brick store room, where an extensive business was very successfully conducted. In a few years, Mr. Harry Hoyt, wishing to engage more extensively in business, he proposed to start a store in Norwalk. Mr. Elmon Hoyt saw in this two favorable features, viz.: That it would give Harry an opportunity to extend his business qualifications and also place LeRoy, his third son, in charge of the North Fairfield store, and Mr. Hoyt became interested in both stores. The two younger sons remain on the home farm. Thus Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have lived a useful and successful life. LeRoy Hoyt, the subject of this sketch, is the third son of Elmon and Elizabeth Hoyt, and was born October 6, 1862. His youth was passed on the farm with his parents, and his time divided between duties at home and attendance at the union school in the village of North Fairfield. He then devoted two years of study in Oberlin College, and during this time acquired a liberal education, after which he entered his father's store as clerk, remaining there. two years. Then he was given full management of a branch store at Peru, Ohio, which he conducted successfully for two years, when the branch was sold, as his attention was required at the North Fairfield store, which he again entered, becoming its personal manager, and, later, equal partner with his father in the mercantile business. On January 6, 1886, he was united in marriage with Anna F., daughter of Maj. William B. Sturges, of Fairfield, a sketch of whom immediately follows this, and in this union one child, Nelka, has been born. As a business man Mr. Hoyt has been most successful, and to-day carries one of the finest general stores in this section. That he merits this success, his social, moral and business standing in his native county are the best evidences. Politically he is an earnest, active Republican. In 1891 he was member of the County Executive Committee, and personally secured and presided over one of the. 50 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. largest meetings ever held in the county. He made the welcoming speech, and introduced the present governor of the State, William McKinley, to the people. So perfect was the success of this meeting that Mr. Hoyt wished to repeat it. Accordingly, the next year he visited Senator John Sherman at his home in Mansfield, and secured him to come to North Fairfield and deliver a speech to a very large audience. Mr. Hoyt was recognized as the principal promoter of his political faith, and was chosen chairman of this meeting. He has served his township as postmaster for four years well and faithfully, and secured at its close a reward of the highest grade by the United States inspector. He wields a strong political, social and commercial influence not only in Fairfield township, but throughout the county as well; and while he is yet young to furnish a history for publication, he lacks only time and opportunity to convince all that he is one of the most progressive men of his time. He is one to whom the hand of deserving charity was never presented without receiving, the recipient going away with a lighter heart and a fuller hand. In whatever tends to build up, to elevate humanity, be it in the material, social, moral or educational, in him is found a ready helper. In religious faith he is a member of the Disciple Church, and lives, in harmony with his profession, a helpful life. MAJOR WILLIAM B. STURGES was born October 12, 1828, in New York City, grandson of Josiah Sturges, who was born in Connecticut, of English descent. The latter married Rebecca Cooper, and to their union were born the following named children: Jonathan, Josiah J., Ann Eliza, Mary, Julia, Arabella, Deborah, Joseph and Henry A. C. Mr. Sturges first conducted a packet line running between Savannah (Ga.) and New York, and for some time resided in Savannah, subsequently removing to New York, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was there engaged in the mercantile business with Thomas C. Butler and a Mr. Harris, and for some years was inspector of customs at the port of New York. In religious faith he was a member of the Moravian Church, and his children were all educated at Bethlehem (Penn.) and Nazareth (the latter being the school for boys). Henry A. C. Sturges passed the days of his boyhood in New York, and was educated to business life, afterward working in his father's store. He was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of David and S. Cargill, of New York (who were of Scotch ancestry), and to this union were born children as follows: William B.; Anna F., Mrs. Lyman Spencer; David G,, who was for nearly thirty years an appraiser of customs at New York; Caroline; Harry C.; John G., and Thomas. In 1835 Mr. Sturges and his family came westward to Ohio, going by river to Albany, thence by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from the latter place by lake to Sandusky, Ohio. He came first to Norwalk, shortly afterward settling in Greenfield township, Huron county, where he became a leading farmer, and passed the remainder of his days. In political opinion he was a Whig. William B. Sturges passed his youth on the home farm, and received his education at the Seminary at Nor. walk. On June 5, 1851, he was married to Josephine, daughter of Elias Thomas, and they became the parents of children as follows: Wilson N., now a resident of St. Louis, Mo.; Flora C., Ma, K. B. Kellogg; Jay, a ranchman of Gunnison county, Colo.; Napier, of Fairfield township, Huron county; Jessie M.; Guy S., in Colorado with his brother Jay, and Anna F., Mrs. Le Roy Hoyt. Mr. Sturges HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 51 J. EDUARD ERF. The Erf family are of Dutch origin, and many years ago settled in Germany, whence the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, with his family, emigrated to America and settled in Huron county. There he took up a tract of land and lived up to the time of his death in 1889. Of his children only two sons survive, and they are now living in the western part of the county. J, Eduard Erf is the eldest son of Anthony Erf, and was born in Lyme township, Huron county, in December, 1861. His early life was spent like that of all farmers' sons, namely in going to school and working on the farm, only with this difference that while the sons of too many enlisted in the Civil war at the outbreak of the conflict, and on April 23, 1861, was commissioned second lieutenant of Company A, Twenty-Fourth O. V. I. With the exception of a three weeks' leave of absence he was in continuous service throughout the war, fighting with the army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles at Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and also in many minor engagements, and during all this time was wounded but once, in 1861, when his horse fell, severely injuring his right knee. He was on the staff of various generals, among whom may be mentioned Gen. Palmer and Gen. Stanley, and during his service was promoted to first lieutenant, then to captain (in which capacity he had command of his company for the last six months of the war), finally rising to the rank of major. In 1865 he engaged as a traveling salesman, carrying a line of tobacco, etc., in which he continued for twenty-six years. In 1883 he removed to his present residence, where he is now living a retired life. Politically he has been a lifelong Republican. spent most of their time in working on the farm, and a short time only in going to school, it was his fortune to spend most of his years in school, and only in vacations doing farm work. It is fortunate, too, that his father took a great deal of interest in educational matters, and through his efforts was not a little due the fact that the school where he attended was of a higher grade than that of many other country schools. He can well remember that, while in some districts school was taught only three or four months in the year, at the place where he attended not less than nine months was the usual limit of the school year, and the best of country teachers were employed. At an early age he entered the high school of the neighboring town of Monroeville, and a number of years later prepared himself for college, afterward attending the University of Minnesota, a western college that has received great prominence among the State institutions of higher learning. Both at the academy and at the university he won several prizes in oratory, and in the Freshman year won the first prize at the oratorical contest, also taking second rank at the State contest. As with many other young men, it was a question with him whether he should study for the ministry or for the bar. Finally deciding for the latter, he began the study of law with Russell & Rice, of Cleveland, and later in the office of Judge Blandan, of the same place. He was admitted to the bar in 1891. Where to locate he had not decided upon, although for the time being he remained in Cleveland, and launched out for himself. Finding after the first month's experience that his outlay was largely disporportioned to his income, he decided to change his location, and finally concluded to settle in Norwalk, Ohio, the seat of the county of his birth. While making preparations to locate, in a conversation with Senator Harlon Stewart the idea was suggested to him that he should assume the editorship of the Germania, 52 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. the only German paper printed in Huron county. Having had some experience as a newspaper writer and manager, and also having a practical knowledge of the German, as he had made that language one of his specialties at college, he looked favorably upon the proposition. At second thought it was suggested to him that if he was to become an editor of a paper for some one else, why not become the editor of his own paper? Immediately negotiations were entered into for the sale of the weekly, which, in partnership with his brother, he purchased in May, 1891. Working with energy and enthusiasm, the circulation of the paper was doubled within four months. In addition, also, the advertising was largely increased, bringing the paper a very good income, and placing it upon a sure financial footing. In the winter of 1892, the brothers, having resolved to take up the job printing business, purchased a considerable amount of plant, including a large cylinder press for the publication of their paper, which heretofore had been printed by the Experiment-News. When the Norwalk Press was launched, Mr. Erf was asked to assume the position of editor of that paper, and also to take an interest in the enterprise. This he did, and with Mr. James Mullin began the publication of the Norwalk Press in March, 1893. Later on a corporation was formed under the name of The Erf Bros. Publishing Co., with J. E. Erf, Gustavus Erf, James Mullin and others as stockholders, which company now publishes the Norwalk Press and the Germania, besides doing a general job and publishing business. From a small beginning, occupying in May, 1891, a small room 10 x 15, and employing one man, their business has increased so that to-day they occupy three floors of the Stewart block, employing from sixteen to eighteen persons. Mr. Errs duties as editor are of such a nature and so laborious that he has had very little time while in Norwalk to practice his profession. In fact the journalistic work seems to hold so much in store for him, that both circumstances and his own inclination for literary work incline him in that direction rather than toward the bar, In politics he is an ardent Democrat, and has always defended, both by speech and writing, the Democratic faith. He is a Democrat from principle, believing thoroughly in the fundamental principles of that party. A short time after locating in Norwalk he was placed on the Demo. cratic ticket for the office of prosecuting attorney of Huron county. He made an active canvass of the county, speaking in almost every township, and although de. feated ran ahead of his ticket by three hundred votes. Practically in active bud. ness and the professions only a few years, he is well liked, has made many friends, and is making for himself a place in the community as an honorable and public. spirited man. GUSTAVUS ERF. The subject of , this sketch, one of the junior members of The Erf Bros. Publishing Co., and a brother of J. Eduard Erf, was born in Lyme township, Huron county, in 1865, the third son of Anthony Erf. Like his brother, he spent his early life in going to school and work. ing on the farm. After having completed his studies in the district school, he at. tended the Monroeville high school, and later on went to Cleveland, where he did some work on a mechanical journal as solicitor. Coming to Norwalk, he,. in company with his brother, bought the Norwalk Germania, which they continued to publish. Later on a job office was opened. When the firm of Erf Bros. was lately consolidated and merged into The Erf Bros. Publishing Co. he became al prominent stockholder. Mr. Erf is es. pecially connected with the business management of the concern, in which he takes an active interest. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 53 In 1892 our subject was married to Miss Rosa Frenz, who presides over his pleasant home on Olive street. Though young he is active and energetic, well liked by his business associates, and he has before him a prosperous and bright career: J. F. BEELMAN, editor and proprietor of the Plymouth Advertiser, was born July 31, 1847, in Richland county, Ohio. His ancestors in America, both paternal and maternal, may be traced back to the early Colonial days of Pennsylvania. Andrew Beelman, father of subject, was a native of Franklin county, Penn., where he grew into manhood and married Christiana Cain, a native of the same county. He learned the cabinet maker's trade in Pennsylvania, and in 183—, when he removed to Plymouth, Richland Co., Ohio, he found sufficient work in this trade to occupy his attention until his death in 1867. He was a Whig until the organization of the Republicans, when he joined the new party and gave it his unqualified support. Though his convictions were firmly fixed, he was not active in public affairs, his disposition being to attend to his own trade and let others attend to their business. J, F. Beelman is the fourth in a family of four sons and one daughter born to Andrew and Christiana Beelman. He was educated in the public schools at Plymouth, and at the age of fourteen years entered a more practical school, as apprentice in the office of the Plymouth Advertiser, where he served three and a half years. After this long term in learning the "art preservative," he entered the dry- goods establishment of S. M. Robinson, where for four years he was employed as salesman. In 1869, in partnership with M. Webber, he purchased a book and notion store at Plymouth. In 1872 he dis posed of his interest in that store, and associated himself with his brother J. M. Beelman, in the office of the Plymouth Advertiser. In December, 1876, he became sole owner of the office, to which he has since given close, personal attention. The Plymouth Advertiser was founded in 1852 by a Mr. Sanford; later D. R. Locke, better known as "Petroleum V. Nasby," became proprietor, and, in its pages began to build up his reputation as a humorous political writer. This journal has always been and is now devoted to the interests of Plymouth and vicinity without regard to politics. It is well edited and printed, and enjoys a heavy advertising patronage as well as a large circulation. The office is equipped with job and cylinder presses, steam power is used, and altogether, the paper reflects the progressive spirit of the town. Mr. Beelman was married, on October 8, 1874, to Miss Frank Gipson; a daughter of H. B. Gipson, of Plymouth, Ohio, and they are One parents of one child, Grace W. Our subject ranks among the leading and influential men of this division of the State, and, in his relations to the people as a newspaper man and citizen, is recognized as one who has contributed largely to the material and social advancement of Plymouth and tributary district. For eighteen years he served as secretary of the Plymouth Agricultural Society, and has filled various local offices. In Church connection he is a Lutheran, and he is a gentleman of strong moral convictions. C. H. GOVE, of the C. H. Gove & Co. foundry, Norwalk, is a native of Washington county, N. Y., born August 24, 1828. He was reared and educated in Onondaga county, same State, after two years of age attending the public schools there, subsequently taking a course in the academy. His parents, David and Mary (Burbank) Gove, were 54 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. descendants of colonists who came to America from London in 1640, locating in Deerfield, Connecticut. David Gove was born in 1794, in Wilmot, Merrimack Co., N. H., became a farmer, and died in Onondaga county, N. Y., at the age of forty-five years. He was a man of strong character, and in politics was a Jackson Democrat. His wife, Mary (Burbank), was born in 1797 in Salisbury, N. H.; she became the mother of eleven children, eight of whom were by her last husband, David Gove; two of her sons and two daughters are yet living. David Gove's father, Nathan Gove, was born on the old farm in New Hampshire, and Nathan's father was born in Concord, Connecticut. C. H. Gove, the subject proper of this memoir, commenced taking his lessons in the foundry business in 1846 at Syracuse, N. Y. After learning the trade he came, in 1850, to Huron county, where he engaged in the molding business, and was for fifteen years in managing charge of a foundry. He had charge of the Bay City Foundries at Sandusky two years, and of the Lake Shore Foundry at Elkhart, Ind., for some time. He then returned to Norwalk, and took charge of the foundry here. In 1887, in company with his son, Ernest D. Gove, he established his present foundry, and now carries on a prosperous business, doing the exclusive casting for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. In 1876-77 he was a member of the Norwalk city council. On July 14, 1851, C. H. Gove was united in marriage with Sarah L. McGorgan, who was born May 11, 1833, in Seneca county, Ohio. Their children were as follows: Charles E., at present superintendent of the Vermillion (Ohio) schools; Emmett P., a machinist; Ernest D., with his father in the foundry; Otis G., a moulder by trade; Frederick W.; Frank; Mary B. (deceased); Ida B.; Nellie, and Sadie. The Gove family is widely respected in the city and county. [Since the above was written C. H. Gove & Co. sold their foundry business April 1, 1893, to Otis G. Gove and David Higgins, and Mr. Gove settled upon a farm at Kipton, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he expects to pass the remain. der of his days.] Mr. C. H. Gove desires to have here recorded the following: MY LAST REQUEST. When in the grave my friends have laid me, And loving lips have breathed adieu, Let no one dare to upbraid me, Or draw my frailties forth to view. But lay my faults in the grave beside me, Then let the clods upon me fall; And as they from the cold world hide me, Let them hide my faults and all. Let there be joy instead of weeping, That rest is found for heart and head; Then leave me to my Savior's keeping, For if He lives I can't be dead. Only dead to sin and strife And soon shall wake to endless life. C. H. GOVE. HON. CHARLES PRESTON WICKHAM, attorney at law, was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, September 15, 1836, the eldest of thirteen sons and daughters born to Judge Frederick and Lucy (Preston) Wickham, both descendants of New England Puritan stock, and of his paternal ancestors can be enumerated Gov. Winthrop, of Massachusetts. The family even remotely come of a strong and sturdy race, men and women of that rugged nature that was fitted to the often cruel exigencies in the transplanting of civilization ' from the Old World to the New. The pioneer into the wilderness from the New England coast was William Wickham, a native of Rhode Island, grandfather of Charles Preston Wickham. He naturally made his way to the regions of the lakes, impelled by that strong instinct for the sea that .ran through generations, and hey settled on the shores of Lake Ontario, at Sodus Point. His three sons, John, Frederick and Samuel, nurtured within sight and hearing of the blue, dashing waters of HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 57 the great lake, in their westward journeyings could not leave the sea forever behind them, and so took up their dwelling place at Huron, one of Lake Erie's natural harbors. The youngest brother, Samuel, sailed the lakes, and died while still engaged in pursuing his chosen vocation. John, the eldest, engaged in lake commerce, and at one time owned one of the largest fish-packing establishments on Lake Erie; while Frederick, though never forgetting his lakeside birthplace, located at Norwalk, his present home, and became the proprietor of the Norwalk Reflector, established as the Huron Reflector by Samuel Preston, whose daughter, Lucy, became his wife. In the great old- fashioned house in the center of the town, whose upper floor served as a printing office in the olden days, were born their thirteen children—six sons and seven daughters—twelve of whom grew to mature life. Sons and daughters alike were taught the printer's art, serving a good apprenticeship. Charles, inheriting from both father and mother a taste for books and love of learning, took advantage of all that the then meager public schools and the excellent Norwalk Academy could afford. lie longed for a college education, but the many younger brothers and sisters made the fulfillment of the desire impossible. He was permitted, however, to attend the Cincinnati law school, from which he was graduated in April, 1858, and was admitted to the bar by the district court of Hamilton county in the same month. Full of hope and enthusiasm in his chosen profession, he located in Norwalk and opened his law office. In August, 1860, he was united in the sacred bonds of wedlock with Emma J. Wildman, daughter of Frederick A. and Mariett (Patch) Wildman, both natives of Danbury, Conn., who had removed to Ohio, locating at Clarks- field, but afterward coming to Norwalk. In April following this happy marriage came the tocsin of war, thrilling the civilized world, and blasting many youthful prospects, and bringing a long and sad interruption to thousands of others. Full of patriotic courage, and upheld in his purpose by his young wife, Charles P. Wickham enlisted, in September, 1861, in the Fifty-fifth Regiment O. V. I., and a short time after bade farewell to home and the few months-old babe he was never to see again, and with his command marched to the front. During the succeeding four years the young soldier endured all the hardships and dangers of pitiless war, ever at the post of duty, and with eager intelligence heeding the commands of his superiors. As brave as he was discreet, his devotion to his country's cause could not but attract the attention of those in authority, and the dashing young private soon received the well-merited promotion to first lieutenant, then successively to captain, major, and lieutenant colonel of his regiment; the further promotion while he was major coining direct from the hands of the President, as lieutenant-colonel of volunteers by brevet, for " gallant and meritorious service in the Carolinas." The unbroken severity of his service is to some little extent manifest in the skeleton record of the marches, battles and sieges that follow the name of Charles Preston Wickham on the country's war records. Among others in which he participated were the battles of Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge, the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, including Resaca, Peach 'free Creek, Siege of Atlanta, March to the Sea, Averysboro and Bentonville. These are briefly the main battles, and only to the veteran does the enumeration convey any true idea of the four years of hardships, exposures, trials and sufferings of an active soldier's life. Of the millions who in the heyday of young life entered their country's service, but few equaled and none surpassed this one in the tented field, where are made such heavy drafts upon the moral and physical courage of those who do their duty. 58 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. In all his long service in the army he escaped the demoralization, so common to all large aggregations of men, by the upright tenor of his bearing and the rectitude of his conduct. Four years, and grim-visaged war had smoothed his wrinkled front; and when the angel of mercy and peace had spread her white wings across the land, and the army, having saved the Union, was being mustered out to return home, Col. Wickham's command was ordered to Cleveland, and July 19, 1865, the ragged, sun-burned veterans, but fire-tried heroes all, were honorably discharged from the service. And now came the crucial test of theAmerican character, namely, that of suddenly turning a great army into free inhabitants, from destroyers to builders up; from subjects of the law as thundered from the cannon's mouth, to the upholders of peace and the civil law. The storm of blood was spent, and the birds built their nests in the cannon's cold lips. And here the veteran's record is one of ever added new laurel wreaths to the trophies of war. At the close of the service Col. Wickham returned to his home in Norwalk, and resumed the practice of his profession. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Huron county in 1866; re-elected in 1868, and after the end of his term was called by the suffrage of his people to the office ofjudge of the common pleas court, of the Fourth Judicial District, in 1880; served a term and was re elected in 1885; resigned in October, 1886, to become the standard- bearer of his party as a candidate for Congress from the Fourteenth District; was triumphantly elected and served with distinguished eminence; re-elected in 1888. This is something of the record of a citizen of Huron county, distinguished in peace as hi war. A bright paragraph in history, a more precious legacy to posterity than the wealth of the whole world. Col. Wickham is in height about five feet nine inches; of fair complexion, erect carriage and fine presence. In manner, though ever dignified, reserved and undemonstrative, he is courteous, gentle and sympathetic, and possesses the most perfect control over a naturally quick and high temper. The prime impulse of his life has ever been devotion to duty and the furtherance of the kingdom of God. A member of the Presbyterian Church from early manhood, he has been an elder since about the year 1866, and no press of business or public duties, nor the impaired health which is his as a reminder of the war, have ever deterred him from regular attendance upon divine service, or checked his activity in and devotion to all branches of Christian work. The dearest wish of his life is that the six living children of the nine born to him may become well-equipped Christian men and women, Upon the integrity of his private life, his warmest political enemies have never even held a question. A devoted son and brother, he is the pride and stay of his parents and the friend and adviser of brothers and sisters—a loving and tender husband, a father whose love knows no limit in self-sacrifice. His children have never heard from his lips a harsh or unkind word, and hold him in their hearts as their ideal of a noble manhood. His tender heart can never hear unheeded a cry from the needy or unfortunate, and, though one of that profession supposed by some to be nearly pitiless, his conscience has never allowed him to exact more than his just dues in lawyer's fees. The unsatisfied longing of his boyhood days for a college education has made him unwearying in the pursuit of knowledge, and while devoting himself with untiring industry to the study and practice of the law, he has found time for wide general reading and for travel, that best of all edit- cations, in all parts of his country. He and his wife—his helpmeet, adviser and aid in every project—were the ones to suggest and plan for the public library of his native town. He is an enthusiast on the subject of education, and is the guide and HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 59 inspiration to his children in their studies. In all walks of life he has won the admiration of his fellows for his ability, industry and the conscientiousness which never allows him to neglect the least of his duties. Noted in the army for chivalrous bravery that was only equaled by his ever-tender regard for the welfare of those in his charge. His walk in the mazes of the law has been along the higher paths of the profession, where there is always room and to spare for the inspiration of genius. A large and lucrative practice has been his from the first. An ardent advocate of temperance, he has ever had the courage of his convictions on this question, and in his private walks and in his official life has never spared the destroyers of the home. Upon the bench he was the wise and just judge, eminent for his impartiality, dignity and courteousness, carrying with him the respect of the bar and confidence of the people. This is evidenced by the fact that in his second election to the bench, though opposed by his able predecessor, and that, too, in a strongly Democratic district, yet he was easily elected. Nothing can add to the strength of this statement as to the man's standing with his people. His political affiliations have been with the Republican party, to which, while never offensive to the opposition, he has been ever stanch and true. He has investigated deeply the economic questions of government, and the public weal has been the loadstar of his political life. As a speaker he is clear, earnest and logical, possessing that rare trait of holding the attention of an audience by the importance of what is being said and the forcible manner of its expression. Powerful and convincing in argument, he has made himself felt at the bar and won respect in the halls of Congress. And though for years accustomed to public speaking, he has never been able to conquer a natural diffidence and modesty, which makes him dread anew each public appearance. While pre-eminently successful in the political field, yet he has none of the equipments of the successful politician. Rather than having been honored by the offices he has filled, he has shed luster upon them, controlled by the high purpose of bequeathing to his children and posterity that richest of all legacies, a name honored and unstained. [The foregoing is, with a few immaterial additions, from the graceful pen of an affectionate daughter, Mrs. Grace W. W. Curran.—Editor. HON. F. R. LOOMIS, editor and proprietor of the Norwalk Chronicle, was born in Lodi, Ohio, September 3, 1841. The lineal descendant of the Loomis family is from one Joseph Loomis, who came from Braintree, England, to Connecticut, in the year 1632. The subject of this sketch is the sixth in the order of birth of eight children born to Milo and Lucy A. (Greenly) Loomis, both natives of Jefferson county, N. Y., people of prominence and wealth, who came to Ohio in 1832, making their home in Medina county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Our subject resided in his native place until his nineteenth year, when he entered the Union army, in which he served faithfully three and one half years at the front, his regiment being the Eighth O. V. I. He was promoted consecutively to first sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant, and was assigned to the staff of Gen. S. S. Carroll. He was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, and again at Gettysburg. On his return home at the close of the war he was appointed postmaster of his native town, Lodi, an incumbency he filled ten consecutive years, at the end of which time he resigned to accept the position of member of the State Legislature, to which the suffrages of the Republicans of his county had called him. He served his term acceptably, and declined a 60 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. renomination. In 1876 he purchased a half interest in the Medina Gazette, and was one of the editors and proprietors thereof until 1879, when he sold his interest in that paper and purchased the Norwalk Chronicle, of which he is now sole proprietor and editor. Mr. Loomis is an ardent Republican, a prominent and respected leader in that organization, and has been called frequently to the councils and posts of trust and responsibility in its interests. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, in the church of which denomination he has been an honored member for many years, and as delegate has represented it at important State meetings; he was Moderator of the North Ohio Conference for a term; was president of the Huron County Bible Society several years; was for some years president of the Huron County Sunday-school Association ; was also president of the Ohio State Sunday-school Association two years; and was secretary of the Third International Sunday-school Convention, held at Atlanta, Ga. Socially he is past commander of M. F. Wooster Post, No. 34, G. A. R., of Norwalk; he was three times elected colonel of F. H. Boalt Command No. 17, Union Veterans Union, of Norwalk; was elected department commander of Ohio Command of the Union Veterans Union, serving one year; declining a reelection as commander, he was elected chaplain of the Department. For several years he served as chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Command of the Union Veterans Union. He is a director and trustee and a prominent member of the Firelands Historical Society, and has been its biographer for several years. While Mr. Loomis is a strong, earnest and ever-active party man, he never for a moment has forgotten that correct principles are stronger and more important than party claims. On January 10, 1865, F. R. Loomis was united in marriage with Catherine C. Kilmer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and to them was given one son, whose young life brought to his fond parents' hearts the light and joy of the sunshine. Clare R Loomis was born March 16, 1871; reared in the atmosphere of a refined and loving Christian home, he developed those amiable, bright and strong qualities of soul and mind that marked him most eminently and wove the golden chain that endeared him to a wide circle of admiring friends. He had a brilliant promise of life when he left his father's home to accept a responsible position on the editorial staff of the Chicago Intcr Ocean, but the hand of disease was suddenly laid upon his bright and noble young life, and he died of typhoid fever at his home in Norwalk, February 9, 1892, leaving desolate the now childless parents, and creating a void in their hearts which can never be filled. Among the the temperance advocates of Ohio, Hon. F. R. Loomis 'stands forth prominently. Here, as elsewhere, his convictions are strong, but are always equaled by his courage in the expression of them, His paper is the reflex of the man, battling ever for the supremacy of principle, for the right though the heavens fall, and in this regard it is the reflex of its editor's life, IRVING J. BROOKS, editor and proprietor of the Greenwich Enterprise, son of Franklin and Ann Eliza (Kennedy) Brooks, natives of Huron county, was born April 15, 1857, in Bronson township. His paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont, his paternal grand. mother of New York State. The maternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, and maternal grandmother a native of Scotland, belonging to the well-known McPherson family and a cousin to Gen.  mcPherson. They were pioneers of Bronson township, where the first named resided for forty years, dying in 1872, and the last named died in 1844. HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 61 The name was originally spelled Brooke, and the family of that name in America are descended from English ancestry. The historical Say-Brooke fort, built at the mouth of the Connecticut river in 1635, was named after Lords Say and Brooke, who were the proprietors, and, in company with others, held the grant of the territory of Connecticut. Lemuel Brooke, youngest son of William and Esther Brooke, was born at Enfield, Conn., February 20, 1748. His father, William Brooke, who owned and controlled the Enfield ferry, was a great-grandson of Lord Brooke, of England. He (William) taught in different schools and colleges thirty-three years; served four years in the war of the Revolution, acting in the capacity of quartermaster. He was employed by the United States Government to survey, on the Western Reserve, a tract of land in northeastern Ohio set apart by the Government for the people whose homes were destroyed in the Revolutionary war. His surveys were made in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties. Returning to Vermont he emigrated with his family in 1817, traveling the whole distance with an ox-team, and settled in Greenfield, Huron Co., Ohio. Owing to the scarcity of steel at that time in this new country, his sword was made into butcher knives; his regimentals, etc., together with most of the family records, including the coat of arms of the Brooke family, a silver helmet, buckler, etc., were destroyed by fire at Greenfield, Ohio, in 1838. William Brooke married Keziah Haskill January 5, 1775, and seven children were horn to them, viz.: Lemuel, Melicinda, Kezia, Aurelia, Homer, Selma, Virgil. Of these, Lemuel, born August 7, 1776, was twice married, and by his second wife, Esther Sprague, whom he wedded February 13, 1806, he had eight children, to wit: Lemuel Sprague, Harrietta Esther, William, Philo, Celia, Nehemiah, Irena and Jerusha. The father of these died in Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio, in 1831. Lemuel Sprague Brooke was born in Marlboro, Windham Co., Vt., October 29, 1806. When ten years of age he rescued his brother Nehemiah from a well, and was all his grown life a man of superior muscular power. In 1833 he married Almira Adams, of North Fairfield, Ohio, and to them two children were born— Franklin (father of the subject proper of this sketch) and Esther. He died in June, 1838, from cancer in the face, and was preparing himself for the ministry at the time of his illness. Franklin Brooke was born January 13, 1834, in Greenfield township, Huron Co., Ohio; was married November 1, 1855, to Ann Eliza Kennedy, of Bronson township, Huron county, by whom there were four children, named as follows: Irving J., Gardiner A., Frank Alexander and Anna Elmira. Irving J. Brooks passed his boyhood in New Haven township, and received a primary education in the district school. Subsequently he studied in the Normal schools at Lebanon and Ada, Ohio, and after obtaining a practical literary training taught school several terms, and entered the Chronicle office at Norwalk in 1881. Subsequently he worked in the offices of the Daily _Yews, at Norwalk; was assistant foreman of the Daily Journal, at Battle Creek, Mich.; foreman of the Enterprise, at Cherokee, Iowa, and foreman of the Journal, at Mankato, Minn. Returning to Huron county in November, 1888, he purchased a half interest in the Greenwich Enterprise, and in February, 1891, became sole proprietor. This newspaper is an independent journal, presents a good typographical appearance, has a large local circulation, and is a good advertising medium. To the editorial and news columns of the Enterprise he gives close, personal attention, and by his industry has made the office profitable and the paper useful. On April 15, 1886, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage, at Cherokee, Iowa, with Miss Lydia R. Ruggles, 62 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. who was born in Waverly, Van Buren Co., Mich., August 21, 1865, a daughter of Charles D. and Henrietta C. (Hobart) Ruggles. Her father's people pride themselves in their blood, they being an old family. Her mother is of Puritan descent, tracing a direct line of ancestry to John Alden and his wife Priscilla. Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Brooks are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias and National Union Lodges of Greenwich; a Royal Arch Mason of New London Chapter; a member of the Sons of Temperance of Norwalk, and also of the International Typographicat Union of Toledo. GEN. FRANKLIN SAWYER (deceased) was born in Auburn, Crawford Co., Ohio, July 13, 1825, a son of Erastus and Sally Sawyer, natives of the State of New York. His father's ancestors emigrated to this country from Lancashire, England, and his mother's(whose maiden name was Snider) from Holland. His parents were pioneers in that then wilderness country. He had one brother, Albanus, older, and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Kellogg, younger, than himself. Upon his father's farm he remained until his seventeenth year, employed in the hard work of the new country, and attending the common school of the neighborhood when there happened to be one. In 1843 he was a student at Norwalk Seminary, and the next year at Granville College, supporting himself during this time, and while studying law, by teaching school winters. In 1845 he commenced the study of the law at Norwalk, was admitted to the bar in 1847, and soon found himself in a respectable practice. In 1850 he was elected prosecuting attorney, which office he held two years, during which time he was successful in breaking up a noted gang of horse thieves, counterfeiters and professional witnesses who infested the county. In 1854 he formed a partnership with George H. Safford, which continued until both threw up the profession to enter the army. In 1860, at the instance of Gov. Dennison, Mr. Sawyer organized a military company known as the Norwalk Light Guards, and on April 16, 1861, was ordered into service for three months, and reported with his company at Camp Denison as Company D, Eighth Ohio Volunteers, The regiment soon re-organized for three years; he was promoted to major, and soon after to lieutenant-colonel. In July the regiment went to Western Virginia, and participated in the campaign of that summer. S. S. Carroll, of the U. S. A., was appointed colonel, and took the regiment into the valley in the spring of 1861, where it fought conspicuously in the battle of Winchester. Col. Carroll was there given the command of the brigade, and from this time the regiment was in command of Col. Sawyer. It was then ordered to Harrison's Landing, and became part of the Second Corps. He commanded the regiment in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Morton's Ford, the Wilderness, and Spottsylvania, and in innumerable skirmishes. In most of these battles he was assigned to diffi. cult positions, and in every instance was complimented by his superior officers for his gallant conduct. At Gettysburg, he was ordered to drive out a rebel force posted in an important position in front of Hancock's battle-line, which was hand. somely done with the bayonet, though at a heavy loss. This position he maintained for two days unsupported, and far in ad., vance of the line, although three times at- I tacked by superior force; and finally, charging an advancing column of rebels, took a number of prisoners and three battle-flags. In this battle, and also the battle of Antietam, over one-half of his men engaged were killed or wounded, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 63 His horse was shot from under him at Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Locust Grove. He was severely wounded at Gettysburg, Morton's Ford, and Spottsylvania, at the latter place the wound disabling .him from further service and partially paralyzing the left side. During the draft-riots he was sent to the city of New York with his regiment, and occupied a position on Brooklyn Heights until the consummation of the draft. Promotion was several times tendered him, but he preferred to remain with his ',gallant old Eighth." His popularity with his men was unbounded, his ability as an officer was conceded, and his absolute bravery in battle unquestioned. The rank of brevet brigadier-general was conferred for meritorious conduct during the war. In the fall of 1864 he visited the Ohio troops on the line of the Mississippi, New Orleans, Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Georgia, on a special commission from Gov. Brough. He then acted as assistant judge advocate in the office of Judge Advocate Gen. Holt, at Washington, until the close of the war, and the triumphal return of the Union army to Washington, in June, 1865. In 1865 he was elected representative to the Legislature for Huron county on the Republican ticket, and served two sessions. Was a member of the committee on finance, schools, and the agricultural college fund. The Cleveland Leader, in a review of this Legislature, said of him: "Few men in the State achieved a brighter reputation in the recent war than Gen. Sawyer, the member for Huron. As a legislator he is chiefly distinguished for his ability in presenting his case and 'dumbfounding' his adversary, if anybody has the temerity to oppose him. For real humor, as well as solid argument, he has few superiors. Sometimes his rare blending of humor and argument would convulse with laughter the entire house, and upset the gravity of everybody within hearing." In May, 1867, he was appointed one of the registers in bankruptcy for the Northern District of Ohio, which office he held during the existence of the act, a period of over twelve years, being regarded as a careful and impartial officer. He also during this period continued successfully in his law practice. Gen. Sawyer always took a lively interest in the prosperity of Norwalk. He was a trustee of the Norwalk Institute for several years, and until it was discontinued on account of the non- popular public-school system, and was then for fifteen years a member of the board of education of the union schools. As a lawyer he occupied a prominent position at the bar, and was regarded as a man of strict integrity; he was an interesting speaker and ready debater, and a thorough student of literature and history. Gen. Sawyer was married January 30, 1848, to Lucinda M. Lathrop, who died June 12, 1854. On November 29, 1855, he was married to Elizabeth B. Bostwick, of Delaware county, N. Y., who died January 6, 1878. He has one son, Frank. The General died of paralysis in 1893, at the residence of his son in Norwalk, at the age of sixty-eight years. [Compiled from Williams' "History of Huron and Lorain Counties." JOHN A. RYNN. Among the most popular citizens of Norwalk is this genial representative of the Hibernian race. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Burns) Rynn, were both born in the Emerald Isle, where they were married, soon afterward emigrating to America. The father died when his son John A. was a little over two years of age, having been killed in a railway accident, and the mother then married John Mullen. Four children have been born to her second marriage, viz.: James, Bernard, Sarah and Owen. 64 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. John A. Rynn was born April 6, 1853, in Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio, and attended the public schools. He then took a course at the Spencerian Commercial College of Cleveland, and after finishing his education entered the employ of a wholesale grocer in Toledo, Ohio. The following autumn he returned to Huron county, and in September, 1873, established his present grocery business, which MIS grown to extensive proportions. In 1890 he became a member of the city council and in 1891 was elected president of that body. lie is county delegate of the Hibernian Society of Huron county, and in April, 1892, was sent to New Orleans as a representative of the local organization. Mr. Rynn is no less prepossessing in personal appearance than in his genial manners, and wins hosts of friends among all classes. DOCTOR AMOS WOODWARD, of Bellevue, Ohio, was born February 11, 1824, on what is known as the "Woodward farm," near Bellevue. He was the second son of Gurdon and Mary S. Woodward. His father in the spring of 1817 located his farm in Lyme township, Huron Co., Ohio, where he built a log cabin, and being a man of unusual physical strength, coupled with indomitable energy, he soon cleared off the heavy timber and opened up the farm for cultivation. He then returned to Utica, N. Y., and married Miss Mary Savage, one of the brightest and best of Utica's daughters, who came to their new home in the West to adorn it with her graceful charms of head and heart. The home was widely known as " Woodlawn," and for many years was noted for its generous hospitality. There were three brothers by the name of Woodward, who came from England at an early day, one settling in Connecticut, one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia— men of strong distinct characteristics, and prominent citizens where they lived. Abishai Woodward, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1749. He was an architect and leading contractor in New London, Conn., then one of the flourishing cities of New England. A prominent and highly esteemed citizen, he was for many years an alderman of his native village; he died in 1809. His wife was Miss Mary Spicer, a lady belong. ing to one of the best families in Connecticut, and their family consisted of five sons and six daughters. Two of the sons, Abi. shai and Eben, settled in Louisiana, and three in Ohio—Gurdon and William in 1817, and Amos in 1820—locating in Lyme township, Huron county, on what is known as the " Firelands," a tract of land which was given by the State of Connecticut to sufferers by fire at New London during the Revolution, when Benedict Arnold with the British soldiers captured and burned the city, and massacred the garrison after its surrender at Fort Griswold. When a boy, Dr. Woodward went to live with his Uncle Amos and Aunt Rachel Woodward, who having no sons of their own urged his parents to let them have the boy. As their farms joined, they consented, and there he spent his boyhood days, attending school winters, and help. ing on the farm summers, until 1841, when on the death of his uncle, he bid adieu to farm life and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Lathrop, of Bellevue, one of the leading physicians of the county, Being of an active and observant mind, he made rapid progress with his studies, and after attending lectures two winters at the Medical College in Cleveland, graduated in 1849. He immediately commenced practicing medicine with Dr. Lathrop at Bellevue, and from the commencement had a large and extensive practice in the town and adjoining counties. Possessing the qualities of tenderness and sympathy in an eminent degree, and gifted with PAGE - 65 - PICTURE OF DOCTOR AMOS WOODWARD PAGE - 66 HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 67 quick perceptions, a good judge of human nature, and prompt in diagnosis, he was called in all important cases, especially in consultation with other physicians, and had ho continued in his profession would doubtless have been at the head of the profession in northern Ohio. His love for his profession was unusual, and long after he gave up the practice, even up to the time of his death, he was ever ready to be consulted with and to give advice, and many of his old patients would come to him, having such confidence in his skill, that they thought no other physician could prescribe for their ailments. Dr. Woodward was married on June 25, 1851, to Miss Arabella Chapman, eldest daughter of Judge Frederick Chapman, of Bellevue, one of the earlier settlers and of a very prominent family, socially and other. wise. Judge Chapman, at the time, was a large landowner, extensively engaged in business pursuits in Bellevue and vicinity, and required just such a practical man as Dr, Woodward to assist him in his business, Finally, in the year 1857, he persuaded him to take an interest in . his business, which was thereafter carried on in the firm name of Chapman & Woodward, with great success and profit until the death of Judge Chapman, April 26, 1861. After that date the settling up of the estate of Judge Chapman, and closing up the business of the firm devolved upon Dr. Woodward, in which position he brought to bear his good judgment and usual energy and ability, to the satisfaction of all parties, leaving a handsome property for the heirs of Judge Chapman. Dr. Woodward, as surviving partner, succeeded to the business of the firm, and with his energy and perseverance was successful in acquiring a large and valuable property in and around Bellevue, in real and personal property. He was one of the original stockholders of the Norwalk National Bank, of Norwalk, Ohio, and a director of the same from its organization, in March, 1865, until his death, during all of which time he aided said institution with his sound advice, sterling integrity and good judgment. He was also connected with the First National Bank, of Bellevue, Ohio, from its organization in September, 1875, until his death. He was elected cashier of this bank June 22, 1883, and under his management the institution was eminently successful, doing a large and prosperous business, having the confidence and patronage of the community to a high degree, and making regular semi-annual dividends. In this position, also, his friends appreciated his extraordinary business ability. It was a prominent trait in his character that whatever he undertook to do, he did well, and was untiring in his efforts until the desired result was accomplished. He was also a close observer of things and their surroundings, and after a trip across the country, it was very interesting to hear him describe the incidents of the journey, the soil, climate and general appearance of things at every point. With a well-cultivated mind he taught for himself, and expressed his own opinions. True to his friends, true to his principles, and unyielding in his defense of right and justice, his high character and integrity were appreciated by all who knew him or had any business relations with him, and he stands prominent as one of the best examples of American citizenship. Dr. Woodward left two daughters. Louise, the elder, married John Gardiner, Jr., of Norwalk, Ohio, October 3, 1877, and has three sons, viz.: Amos Woodward Gardiner, born September 12, 1879; John Joslin Gardiner, born December 6, 1881, and Douglass Latimer Gardiner, born December 28, 1887, and is now a resident of Norwalk, Ohio. Belle Woodward, the second daughter, married, October 27, 1880, William C. Asay, a lawyer of Chicago, Ill., and has two daughters, viz.: Marguerite .Louise, born December 19, 1884, and Pauline Clemente, born December 17, 1886. As a husband and 68 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. father Dr. Woodward was always kind and indulgent, providing ample means to promote the happiness of the family circle. The residence of the family was purchased of J. B. Higbee in 1871, and mitts greatly improved, the grounds and lawns handsomely laid out and the house elegantly furnished. His widow still resides there with all the pleasant surroundings and comforts requisite to make life happy on earth, with one missing in the family circle whom nothing can replace. In politics the Doctor was a Democrat. In religious views, he was attached to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was a liberal contributor to the creation of a house of worship in Bellevue. He was always a cheerful giver to its financial support, though his giving was not confined to the Episcopal Church, but, with his liberal views on the subject, his hand was ever ready to assist other organizations; and as he disliked outward show, he gave quietly and without display or ostentation., After a lingering illness, which he bore with manly patience, continuing to attend to business up to the day of his death, he departed this life September 23, 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years, seven months and twelve days, and as the words "He is dead " passed from lip to lip, the whole community was filled with genuine grief, that one of its leading citizens—whose active life had aided in building up the village, who had spent his whole life with his townsmen, and who was one of the pioneers in the progress and improvement of the county—had gone to his final rest. "Then shall the dust return to earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." COL. JAMES H. SPRAGUE, senior member of the firm of Sprague & French, manufacturers of umbrellas, Norwalk, is a native of New York State, born in Cayuga county, February 15, 1845. He is a son of James and Catherine (Grosbeck) Sprague, the latter a native of New York State, the former of Rhode Island, and a descendant of Gen, John Sprague of the same State. Our subject was privileged by his thoughtful parents to have given him excellent educational advantages, and after receiving a solid literary substratum at the common schools of his native place, he at. tended Union Academy, Red Creek, where he graduated in 1857. He then, in 186-, entered Pulaski Academy in Oswego county, N. Y., subsequently taking a course at the Waterdown University, which he left, however, in order to respond to his country's call for loyal men to preserve the Union. According to the records in the adjutant-general's office, New York, and those in the War Department at Washing. ton, our subject entered the Sixteenth Regiment New York Infantry as drum-major, serving in the first battle of Bull Run, and all through the campaign of 1861. His regiment was then changed from infantry to light artillery, and he was appointed sergeant of Battery F. At the storming of Fort Wagner he volunteered as leader of a "forlorn hope" of twenty men, at which engagement Col. Shaw, of the Eleventh New York Battery, was killed, and Sergeant Sprague thereupon received promotion to junior second lieutenant. In that capacity he took charge of the battery, and commanded at Honey Hill, S. C,, besides in other engagements leading up to the capture of Charleston, S. C., where he also commanded a battery, and was the first man to cross the bridge into the city during the siege. The next engagements in .which he participated were those of what is known as the Georgetown raid and the battle of The Cowpens, after which his command was ordered back to Hilton Head, where he was mustered out after having done gallant service from April, 1861, to June, 1865. After the war Col. Sprague returned north to New York, and was there ap. pointed by Gen. John A. Greene, adjutant- HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 69 general of the State, to a majority in the One Hundred and Fourteenth New York National Guard, in which capacity he served seine three years, resigning in order to accept the position of general manager of McLean's circus. In 1868 he retired from the last named incumbency, and coming to Ohio accepted the position of traveling salesman for the house of Bernard Courtwright, whom he represented until 1872, and then entered the employ of F. B. Case, of Norwalk, as traveling salesman for his tobacco business until 1876. In that year he took charge of collections for D. M. Osborne, of Auburn, N. Y., manufacturers of harvesters and binders, and with this firm remained till 1882, at which time he accepted a position with the Plano Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Ill., as manager of their business in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, remaining as such till 1884, when he became interested with other citizens of Norwalk in the "Hexagon Postal Box Company." Subsequently he embarked in the manufacturing of advertising novelties in the same city, an enterprise he made a great success of. In 1886 Col. Sprague, with Mr. C. L. French, commenced the manufacture of umbrellas, the well-known "Tourist" being his specialty, in connection with which he has a series of improved patents, prominent among which is his unequalled adjustable handle and tip. In a brief period they have built up this industry from comparatively small beginnings to its present mammoth proportions. In 1887 they built the factory, and they now employ during busy times of the year over 150 hands, ten traveling salesmen being constantly kept on the road, to push their trade into every corner of the United States. Col. Sprague has also manufactured machinery for making umbrellas, and in all of his undertakings he has proven himself a representative business man and true American "hustler." Col. Sprague was married, in Norwalk, Huron county, to Eliza A. Cunningham, of that city, and they are recognized leaders in Norwalk society. Politically the Colonel is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and, though retired from the army, his usefulness in military affairs is far from gone, for after coining to Ohio he was inspector of artillery on the staff of Gov. Charles Foster four years. In social organizations he is also prominent. He belongs to Mt. Vernon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Royal Arch and Chapter, Norwalk Council, and is past eminent commander of Norwalk Commandery; is member of all the branches of the I. 0. 0. F., and of the Royal Arcanum; is deputy department commander of the if. V. U. of Ohio, and past commander of the G. A. R. Post. He is also a member of Alcoran Temple of the Ancient Arabian Order of the Mystic Shrine, at Cleveland, Ohio. GEORGE N. SIMMONS. This well- known citizen traces his genealogy to five brothers who sailed from Hamburg, Germany, to Plymouth, Mass., years ago. Among their descendants is mentioned Senator Simmons of Rhode Island, a cousin of Henry, father of George N. Henry Simmons was born May 16,1791, in Rensselaer county, New York, near Troy, where his youth was passed. He was a lifelong farmer; in politics a Democrat until Scott ran for President, when he united with the Whig party, afterward becoming a Republican. Mr. Simmons married Mary Ham, daughter of Conrad Ham, both residents, at the time, of Troy, N. Y., and the children of this union were Elizabeth, Catherine, Sarah, William H., John J., David L., George N., Mary J., Emeline, Frances A., Clara, and Julia A., all of whom lived to adult age. Mr. Simmons was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving with Gen. Eddy at the battle of Stillwater. He died February 2, 1876; his widow on March 9, 1889, both mem- 70 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. bers of the Methodist Church. They lie buried in the home cemetery. George N. Simmons was born July 12, 1825, in Grafton township, near Troy, N. Y., and was educated in the common schools. In 1853 he moved to Chicago, and was conductor on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad some seven or eight years; was also on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and the Cincinnati Southern. In 1859, accompanied by three other men, he crossed the Plains, and was the first to discover gold in Colorado, on what is known as the " Chicago Bar." He then returned east, took in two partners, and conveyed the first quartz mill, ever used in Colorado, across the Plains on wagons, there being at that time no rail- roads west of the Missouri river. The mine was the well-known —Black Hawk Co." The capital of the company being insufficient to carry on the business, Mr. Simmons again returned to secure more funds, but the war breaking out, he entered the service as scout in the Union army. Meanwhile his partners, to whom he had given power of attorney, sold the mine and disappeared with the proceeds, of which Mr. Simmons never received one cent. This mine was afterward sold to an eastern company for seven million dollars, together with other property which Mr. Simmons and his partners had located. After his return from the war George Simmons resumed work on the railroad, which he followed for several years on both northern and southern routes of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. After resigning his position on the railroad, he went into the packing business in Chicago, on Randolph street. He had goods stored in Underwood's Provision Store House, and all was destroyed by the fire of 1872. He then abandoned that business, and, deciding to begin in fresh fields, opened a real-estate office in Chicago, in " Parker's block," the firm being Carter & Simmons. Prior to the panic of 1873 his business was worth several hundred thousand dollars, but at that time he shared the common fate, and after amassing three fortunes, was again left to begin the world anew. But knowing no such word as " he found temporary employment as conductor on the railroad, and in 1879 went to Leadville, Colo., .where he was one of the locators and owners of the famous "Col. Sellers Mine" at that place. Souse of the mines are paying fair dividends, while others of equal value are closed down on account of depreciation in silver currency. Returning east in January, 1880, Mr. Simmons has since resided in Norwalk. He occasionally travels between Colorado and the East, transacting business in relation to his gold, silver and lead mines, some of which are leased and yield a good percentage. On October 12, 1850, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage, in Albany, N. Y,, with Miss Mary Barnes Chester, of Massachusetts, and children as follows have been born to them: Lucretia Josephine; Nel. lie G. (Mrs. Roe), now a resident of Milan, Ohio; George H., and Fred B. Formerly a Whig, Mr. Simmons has been a Repub. lican since the formation of that party. JOEL BLACKMAN, one of the oldest citizens of northern Ohio, is a son of Josiah Blackman, whose parents were natives of New England, in after years corning west with their children. Josiah Blackman was born in Massachusetts, and lived in New York for sometime, coming to Erie county, Ohio, just after the close of the war of 1812. He was married to Tryphena Smith, who died two or three years after they settled in Ohio, followed by her husband at the age of about seventy years. He was a farmer all his life, and in politics voted with the Whig party. They were the parents of ten children, viz.: Clarissa, Allen, Ansel, Harvey, Ira, Chester, Simeon, Joel, Hiram and Sally. Of these, eight are deceased; HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 71 one is living in La Porte county, Ind., and Joel is the subject of this sketch. Joel Blackman was born March 13, 1801, in New York State, and in 1815 came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Florence township, Erie county. After his business, that of farming, was established on a firm basis, he returned to Connecticut, and on September 12, 1830, was united in marriage to Welthy Tilden. The young couple began wedded life on the farm in Erie county, and here resided in peaceful prosperity until 1867, when they came to the present home in Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio, where she died March 19, 1879. Joel Blackman is known as a business man of integrity and good judgment. In politics he was originally a Whig,and has been a Republican since the organization of that party; in religion he is a member of the M. E. Church. Three children were born to him, of whom, in the order of their birth, the following is a brief record: Mrs. R. A. Watros was married October 15, 1869, and April 14, 1881, and is now living with and caring for her father; she has one child, Grace M, Packard. William Blackman was married June 10, 1862. Maria was the wife of William Kellogg, and died July 28, 1871, leaving four children, as follows: Charles C., who was married April 4, 1891, and died October 19, 1893; Fred B., who was married June 12, 1888, and has two children, Maria and Florence; William G., married February 15, 1891, and Florence W. [Since the above was written Mr. Joel Blackman, the subject of the sketch, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. A. Watros, the date of his death being November 20, 1893.—Ed. PETER HERMAN, senior member of the prosperous firm of Herman & Sons, in business at Norwalk and Monroeville, was born September 12, 1835, in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. He is a son of F. J. -Herman, whose parents were natives of Baden, Germany, where the grandfather followed carpentry, and was accidentally killed by falling from a building. The grandparents were members of the Catholic Church. F. J. Herman was born in 1799, in Baden, Germany, where he grew to manhood and followed the carpenter trade. He was married to Waldaburga Barhle, and in 1834 they came to America, locating in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. The mother died in 1850, aged fifty-five years, leaving seven children, of whom Peter is the only one now living. For his second wifeT. J. Herman married Anastosea Eidel, a widow lady who had two daughters by her former marriage, viz.: Mary and Elizabeth Eidel, natives of Huron county, Ohio. Mr. Herman voted with the Democratic party, and in religious faith was a member of the Catholic Church. He died in 1883, followed by his wife in the following year. Peter Herman was reared and educated in Huron county, Ohio; then learned the carpenter trade which he followed fifteen years, assisting also with the farm work. He and his step-sister resided under the same roof from 1851 to March 5, 1859, when their fraternal affection was changed by an arrow shot from Cupid's quiver, and the young couple were married. To this union have been born the following named children: Theresa, wife of L. Meyers; Frank J., in partnership with his father; Emma, married to George Meyer; Andrew, employed in the bottling works at Norwalk; Tillie, wife of J. Greenfeller; Flora J., living at home; Charles, a machinist employed in the Leipsic Machine Works; Frederick, Albert and Edward. The family are all members of the Catholic Church, and all speak the German language. The sons are business men, and with their father vote the Democratic ticket. Peter Herman first began his present business by selling agricultural imple- 72 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. ments, and in 1875 opened an establishment at Monroeville, dealing in carriages, wagons, buggies, steam engines, threshing machines and other agricultural implements. One branch of this business yet remains in Monroeville, but in 1892 another establishment was opened at Norwalk, which will be the future central point, and he also conducts his farm in Peru township. HON. O. T. MINARD. Descended on his mother's side from Revolutionary stock, while his father had been a soldier in the war of 1812, the subject of this sketch has coursing through his veins true patriotic American blood, originally, as the family name would indicate, coming from an ancestry of "La Belle France." Mr. Minard is a native of Connecticut, born May 10, 1822, a son of Lynde and Experience (Miner) Millard, also of the "Nutmeg State," the former of whom was born June 30, 1793, and died May 10, 1878, the latter born May 9, 1793, came to Ohio in 1831, locating in Erie county, and died October 8, 1862. They were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom attained their majority, and three are yet living. O. T. Minard had so few school advantages in his boyhood and early youth, that after he was old enough to vote he attended for a time the old Norwalk Academy. His first business venture was merchandising in Birmingham, Erie county, in partnership with a brother, and he was so employed seven years. At the end of that time he terminated his interests in the store, and removed to Huron township, Erie county, where he was engaged in the same line of business till 1861, in which year he came to Norwalk township and here purchased land where he has since had his home, carrying on farming operations. In 1883 he bought his elegant residence in the suburbs of the city of Norwalk, and has become one of the strong real-estate owners of Huron county. A man of strong likes, suave in manner, fearless in his advocacy of the higher and purer privileges of Democracy, Mr. Minard has drawn about him a strong cordon of friends, whose partiality in his favor is told by their electing him, in' 1880, in a Republican city, mayor, and in re-electing him in 1882. They also repeatedly made him, by their suffrages, al member of the board of education; a member of the water-works board, and at times placed him in other positions of responsibility and trust, in all of which incumbencies he snore than met the anticipations of his warmest friends. On October 31, 1850, Mr. Minard was united in marriage with Miss Emily Chandler, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Somers) Chandler. No children have been born of this union, but three little ones of others found the love and bless- ings of the good home whose kindness and hospitality are proverbial. Two of these foster children of Mr. and Mrs. Minard—A. J. and E. S. Minard (nephews) —are now prominent business men of Springfield, Missouri. This is one of the highly respected families of Norwalk, whose circle of sincere friends but widens as the fleeting years roll by. Mrs. Minard is a consistent and devout member of the Baptist Church. HARTWELL R. MOORE, superintendent of the A. B. Chase Company, Norwalk, is a son of George P. Moore, who was born in New Hampshire, December 6, 1818, and was united in marriage with Hannah Tennant, in 1843, in Clinton county, N. Y. She was the daughter of Samuel Tennant, born January 5, 1820, in Clinton county, N. Y. Their children were seven in number, five of whom are living: Hartwell R., Samuel, HURON COUNTY, OHIO - 73 Elizabeth (Mrs. Albert Mason), H. P. Moore, and Minnie. When George P. Moore was but ten years of age, he with his parents, Samuel H. and Clarissa (Morse) Moore, removed to New York, where he grew to manhood and met and married .Miss Tennant, as already related. H. R. Moore was born April 23, 1844, in the State of New York, and was reared and educated in Peru, Clinton county. In 1861 he left home, and served an apprenticeship to the piano manufacturing trade, in the case department. In the spring of 1863 he went to work at his trade in Chicago, and in 1864 entered the organ factory of Jacob Estey & Co., remaining in their eniploy until the great fire of 1871, although the property had changed hands prior to that disaster. On December 25, 1865, he was united. in marriage with Catherine Andre, daughter of the eminent music composer of that name, herself an accomplished musician. She died May 19, 1891, leaving the following children: Lillian (Mrs. Lam kin), William Andre (assisting his father), Jessie, Grace, Amee and Eva. On July 18, 1893, Mr. Moore married Lucy M. Kennedy, of Holyoke, Massachusetts. After the Chicago fire II. R. Moore went to Battle Creek, Mich., in the interests of Riley Burdett & Co., organ manufacturers, to start up the making of cases, cabinet benches, etc. This firm afterward moved their plant to Erie, Penn., and became widely known as the Burdett Organ Company. Mr. Moore was with this company until 1875, when he came to Norwalk, at the time of the first organization of the A. B. Chase Company, in order to accept his present position as superintendent. He has planned and erected all the extensive factory buildings owned by the company, also superintended the construction of all nstruments manufactured by them, besides purchasing the necessary materials. When they first opened business the firm hired but thirty or forty men, and now over two hundred hands find regular employment in their factory. Mr. Moore has been a stockholder and director since the business was first incorporated, and has invented a large number of improvements for both pianos and organs. He was a member of the council at Norwalk for four years, and has been president of that body one year. CEPHAS TAYLOR, a well-known retired citizen of Norwalk, was born December 28, 1822, in Sempronius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., son of Joseph and Sallie (Potter) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. Immediately after marriage the parents removed to New York, thence coining to the West and locating in North Fairfield, Huron Co., Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father died about 1848, aged seventy-six years; the mother died about 1855, at almost the same age as her departed husband. They had a family of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, and our subject is next to the youngest in order of birth. Cephas Taylor came west in 1839, locating in North Fairfield, where April 18, 1850, he was married to Eunice Cherry, a native of that township, who died in Norwalk, June 5, 1887. Mr. Taylor's second marriage was with Mrs. Roda E. Zeller. He first settled on a farm in North Fairfield, but after several years hard work there his health became so seriously impaired that he retired to recuperate. With renewed health he went to Wood county, Ohio, and again went to work on his farm. remaining there until the Civil war broke out, when he sold his farm in Wood county and returned to North Fairfield. In January, 1870, he went to Bledsoe county Tenn., and for nearly six years lived among the Cumberland mountains, where he entirely regained his health. While in Tennessee he engaged chiefly in stock dealing. On his return to Huron county 74 - HURON COUNTY, OHIO. in 1876, he concluded to retire from active life, and in 1879 removed to Norwalk, where he has since made his home, although spending several winters in the South. Mr. Taylor now recalls with evident pride, the fact that he was a Republican long before that party was organized or even named, never failing to vote the Free-soil ticket when opportunity offered; he is also a strong Prohibitionist. Mr. Taylor is of English descent, both his paternal grandfather and grandmother having been natives of England. In religious faith he is a Baptist. HON. LEWIS C. LAYLIN, Ex-Speaker ofthe Ohio House of Representatives. It is conceded that to the citizen of our Republic, no higher honor can be accorded than that conferred by his constituency in choosing him as a representative in State or National assemblies. This is pre-eminently true when election is the result of official fitness to hold a public trust. It is a fact gratifying to the elector that men of the highest character are exerting an extended influence in political circles, and are constantly being called from their professions to fill public offices. An illustration of this class—one possessing not the slightest taint of the proverbial word "politician "—stands the subject of this biographical sketch. Lewis C. Laylin, a son of John Laylin, a pioneer of the "Firelands," was born in Norwalk, Ohio, September 28, 1848. He attended school and worked on his father's farm, alternately, until his graduation from the Norwalk High School in 1867. Having obtained the elements of an English education, he further disciplined himself by entering the profession of teaching. He taught two years in the country schools, at the end of which time he was elected• superintendent of the public schools of Bellevue, Ohio, and was unanimously re elected to the same position by the board of education, for six consecutive years, Abandoning school work, he commenced the study of the law, under Judge C. E, Ponnewell, now of Cleveland, Ohio, was admitted to the bar March 13, 1876, and it is at this period that his career proper commences. The public seems to have recognized in him from the outset a safe man, and how well their confidence has been placed can be best judged by the number of positions which he has filled, and the length of time he was retained in places of public trust. He was elected city clerk of Norwalk, and served two years; appointed a member of the county board of school examiners, serving twelve years; and was president of the Norwalk board of city examiners three years. He was secretary of the Huron County Agricultural Society three years, and has always been actively identified with its interests. In 1879 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Huron county, and served three terms—a period of seven years. He was a member of the county Republican Executive Committee eleven years, its secretary four years, and its chairman three years. He was a member of the Republican Congressional Committee of his District eight years, during a portion of which time he served as chairman of that body; and he has served as a member of the State Central Committee. For several years he has been secretary of the Firelands Historical Society, and a member of its board of trustees. Mr. Laylin was elected to the State Legislature in 1887, and during the 68th General Assembly he was a member of the standing committee on Judiciary, was chairman of the committee on Institution for the Blind, and served on the State Centennial Committee. He was unanimously renominated for representative in 1889, Was elected a member of the 69th General Assembly, and was chosen as candidate for the speakership by the unanimous action of the Republican minority,