HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 451 source of revenue. Many of the substantial improvements on the property stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. His landed holdings also include a farm of seventy-five. acres in Sherman township and he is widely recognized as a prosperous, enterprising and progressive citizen of his native county. For nine years, he acted as agent for the Huron County Mutual Insurance Company. On the 24th of February, 1898, Mr. Scheid was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Elizabeth Longscheid, of Sherman township, a daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Gerhard) Longscheid, both natives of Germany. The father was born February 10, 1835, and came to America in July, 1854, being about four months in crossing the ocean on account of severe storms. He died on the 1st of February 1868, and his wife, who was born January 11, 1835, passed away on the 9th of May, 1872. She came to this country in the spring of 1855 with her parents, but her- mother took cold on the ship and died shortly after her arrival in America. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scheid have been born four children, namely: William A., Freda M., and Arnold N., all at home ; and Edwin J., who died in infancy. Mr. Scheid has held various official positions in the Lutheran church, of which he is a valued and prominent member. In the community where they reside both he and his wife are much esteemed as people of genuine worth, manifesting those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. WILLIAM J. BEELMAN. William J. Beelman, whose activity in the United Brethren church has made him well known throughout Huron county, is farming his eighty-four acres of rich land in Richmond township and is one of the excellent representatives of the agricultural class. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1867, being a scn of Adam and Frances Elmyra (Coover) Beelman. The father was born March 3, 1843, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and came to Huron county, Ohio, when twenty-seven years of age. He now resides at Chicago, Ohio, but he lost his wife in 1876. They had a family as follows : William J., who is the eldest ; Geary J.; Mary, who married William Helter ; and Frances Elmyra, who married Elmer L. Bare and lives at Grand Junction, Colorado. After the death of his first wife, Adam Beelman was married in October, 1878, to Jennie Daughtery, and they have one daughter, Mabel V., who lives with her parents. The paternal grandparents of William J. Beelman were George and Elizabeth (Brant) Beelman, natives of Pennsylvania, while the maternal grandparents were Jacob and Margaret Coover, who were also born in Pennsylvania. 452 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY William J. Beelman went to the district school for about four months every winter until he attained his majority, and in the summer he worked very hard upon the farm. His first employment after leaving home was working on neighboring farms by the month and at the same time he learned the carpenter's trade, After working at this trade for fifteen years, he engaged with the Beelman Lumber Company at Chicago, and continued with them for twenty-two months. Then in 1908, he bought his present farm from the heirs of his father-in-law's estate and since then this has been his home. On September 7, 1893, Mr. Beelman married Mary M. Keesy, a daughter of John H. and Margaret ( Johnston) Keesy, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio at an early day. Mrs. Beelman belongs to a family which was as follows : Addie, who married William Riddle ; Olive 0., who married Chris Kilper ; Edith Estella, who married Elmer Beelman ; Mary M., the wife of William J. Beelman. Mr. and Mrs. Beelman have two children: Ross E., born November 13, 1894 ; and Effie Elmyra, born April 16, 1898. Mr. Beelman is school director and served as township clerk for one term, being elected both times on the republican ticket. During the time he has been in office, he has proven himself efficient and public-spirited. He and his wife belong to the United Brethren church, in which they are very active and he is class leader. He is a man of considerable force of character and one who is able to influence his associates and fortunate for them it is always exerted for their good to lead them into the higher walks of life. ARTHUR E. STEVENS. Arthur E. Stevens was for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of Huron county, but is now practically living retired in a comfortable home in North Fairfield, although he still retains the management of his farm of one hundred acres in Ripley township. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the greatest care and his business interests have been so managed as to win him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort. Mr. Stevens was born in New York on the 18th of April, 1843, and is a son of Timothy and Janet (Rose) Stevens, the former a son of Ezra and Lucy (Foote) Stevens. He was the eldest in a family of five children born unto Timothy Stevens and his wife, the others being Clarence, Elizabeth, Lucy and Minerva. Arthur E. Stevens was reared to agricultural pursuits, giving his father the benefit of his services on the home farm until he had reached years of maturity, when he started out in life on his 'own account and has since been identified with farming pursuits in Fairfield township. He purchased a farm of one hundred acres, to the improvement and development of which het directed his entire energies, practicing the rotation of crops and studying the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the best methods of cultivating same. He toiled earn- HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 453 estly from early spring planting until late autumn harvest, and that he was successful in his undertaking is indicated in the fact that his enterprise and industry were crowned with a gratifying measure of success that now makes it possible for him to live in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. Although he retains the management of his farm, he has, nevertheless, withdrawn from active business life, and resides in a comfortable home in North Fairfield. It was in 1866 that Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Burton, who was born in Bronson township, Hur0n county, in 1845 and is a daughter of Edward and Laura (Heath) Burton. She was the eldest of a family of seven children born unto her parents, the others being LeRoy, Dealton, Adolphus, Mary, Ida and mma. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens has been blessed with the following children, Jeanette, Clara, Burton, Thornton, Pearl and Edward. The family are members of the Christian church, the teachings of which form the guiding influences of their lives. Mr. Stevens is democratic in politics, and although he- neither seeks nor desires office for himself, he is nevertheless loyal in his support of his party and is public-spirited in his citizenship, at all times advocating the measures which tend to promote the growth and upbuilding of the community. During the period of his residence in Huron county he has gained a wide circle of friends who hold him in high respect and regard because of his many sterling qualities. GEORGE A. HOENER. George A. Hoener owns and operates a good tract of land, comprising one hundred wad thirty-three acres, situated in Sherman township and here he gives his entire time and attention to general farming. He is a native of Germany, born December 1, 1848, a son of George A. and C0nneherd (Seibert) Hoener, who reared a family of six children and both the parents passed away in the old country. The members of the family are: Cunahunda, George A., Magdelina, Michael, George, deceased; and Leonard. George A. Hoener pursued his studies in the schools of his native land and there remained until he had reached the age of twenty-eight years. Believing that he might more quickly gain a start in the business world in the United States than he would in Germany, he then sailed for this country. He made his way to Huron county and for three years subsequent to his arrival worked on various farms in Sherman township. He then purchased fifteen acres of land, but unfortunately lost this. He took new courage, however, and worked on earnestly and energetically until he was eventually able to invest in another small tract, to which he added from time to time until his place now embraces one hundred and thirty-three acres in Sherman township. He has made his home on this place for the past two decades and during this time has been busily engaged in its cultivation. His fields are well tilled and annually produce good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. It was prior to his emigration to the new world that Mr. Hoener was married, September 26, 1869, Miss Barbara Zimmerman becoming his wife. She 454 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY was born in Germany, June 21, 1841, and is a sister of Lawrence Zimmerman, who is a farmer of Sherman township and is mentioned on another page of this work. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hoener has been blessed with five children: Pheadus, who wedded Anna Heyman, by whom he has three children, Florence, Edna and Laura ; Charles, who wedded Emma Heyman and they also have three children, Alma, Harold and Gladys ; John, who wedded Kathryn Brinker, of Cleveland, and their family also numbers three children, Mildred, Julia and Ralph ; Maggie, the wife of Charles Herner, of Greenfield township; their family numbering three sons, Clarence, Earl and Raymond ; and Anna, the wife of Daniel Grine, by whom she has three sons, Carl, Walter and Arthur John. Mr. Hoener is a democrat in his political views and affiliations but aside from serving on the school board has never held public office. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Pontiac. He has fully realized and availed himself of the opportunities and advantages in this country, and although he has met with some reverses, he has worked on undeterred by obstacles until today he possesses a fine farming property and is classed among the substantial farmers of Sherman township. WILLIAM MILLER. William Miller, a prominent and well known citizen of Huron county, is extensively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising on his farm of two hundred and ten acres in Lyme township. He is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred in Lyme township on the 18th of November, 1857, while his parents, William and Bena (Ohlenmacher) Miller, were natives of Germany. The father, who was born in 1834, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1845 and three years later, was married to Miss Bena Ohlenmacher. whose birth had 0ccurred in the year 1836. She passed away in 1860, leaving three children: William, Henry and Charles, all of whom still survive. For his second wife William Miller, Sr., chose Miss Jane Gross, a daughter of Phillip Gross, who was one of the first settlers of this county and in the early days conducted a tavern near Bellevue. By this union there were nine children, namely: Clara, Anna, Rudolph, Rosa, Flora, Lydia, Lawrence, Emma and Chauncey. William Miller, the father of our subject, was a prominent agriculturist by occupation and invented the then famous corn-husk mattresses and seats, such as used in the railway coaches, making a fortune through the careful control of his interests in this connection. He capably served in the positions of township trustee and township treasurer for a number of years and was a valued member of the Reformed church at Monroeville, acting as trustee, treasurer and in other official positions. When he was called to his final rest in 1905 the county mourned the loss of one of its most substantial, representative and respected citizens and one whose life in all of its phases had been straightforward and honorable. William Miller continued to reside in his native township until eight years of age and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Erie county, where he made his home until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 455 He then returned to Huron county but in the meantime had followed the advice of his father and gone to Michigan, where he took up a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, disposing of the property, however, three years later. He purchased his present farm of two hundred and ten acres in Lyme township from Henry Bollenbacher and as the years have gone by has made varied and erosive improvements on the property, which is lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century, He has an attractive and modern brick residence, equipped with carbon lights, water works, etc. In addition to the home farm he also owns forty acres of land near Norwalk and has a tract of eighty acres in Texas and another of forty acres in, Oklahoma. On the home place he not only cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate but also makes a specialty of raising fine sheep and cattle, meeting with a most gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity in his undertakings. He is likewise acting as general manager of the Flat Rock Creamery Company of Seneca county, of which he is a stockholder and director and is a stockholder in the local telephone company of Bellevue and the Gardner Milling Company of that place. It will thus be seen that his interests are extensive and varied and that he is a man of excellent executive ability, keen discrimination and sound judgment is indicated by the success which has attended his efforts. On the 17th of February, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bollenbacher, who was born in Lyme township, December 20, 1853, a daughter of Philip Bollenbacher, who was one of the pioneer blacksmiths of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children, Dora and Anna, both at home. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Miller has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democratic party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. He is now serving his twelfth year as constable of Lyme township and has been township trustee and road supervis0r, while for seven years he was a member of the school board. A devoted and faithful member of the Lutheran church of Lyme township, he does all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence and is at present acting as clerk and trustee thereof. Such, in brief, is the life history of William Miller. In whatever relation of life we find him—in political circles, in business or in social relations—he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him. CHARLES SUHR. Charles Suhr, a strong and able lawyer of the Norwalk bar, possesses all of the requisite qualities of the successful attorney, including an excellent presence and earnest dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles. He needs no introduction 456 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY to the readers of this volume for he is numbered among Norwalk's native sons, his birth having here occurred October 16, 1860. His father, William Suhr, was born in Sax0ny, Germany, on the 7th of March, 1829, and after spending the first fifteen years of his life in the land of his nativity came with his parents to the United States, when fifteen years of age. His father, Charles W. Suhr, first settled in Cleveland and William Suhr there resided until the death of his father and mother. In early life, he became familiar with the tailoring and clothing trade and was in business there along that line until the disastrous fire of 1851, when his stock was destroyed and he removed to Norwalk. Here he embarked in the same line of business in 1853 and continued successfully in that department of trade for forty-five years or until 1898, when he retired. Throughout this period, he had enjoyed a very liberal and extended patronage, his success being the result of the fine line of goods which he carried and the excellent workmanship which he turned out. His last years were spent in well earned and honorable rest from labor and in January, 1907, he was called to the home beyond. He was a most highly respected man by reason of the progressive citizenship which he displayed and his enterprise and reliability in commercial circles. He was a very active and earnest supporter of the republican party and was called to several offices, serving as a member of the city council, also as city treasurer for several terms and again as township treasurer. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and in all of his official duties, he displayed the same spirit of enterprise and advancement which characterized his efforts in business lines. He had a marked influence among the German-American people of this part of the state and he was also prominent in Masonry, being a splendid representative of the craft. He filled all of the chairs in the blue lodge, the chapter, the council and the commandery, ,and his life was in close conformity to the teachings of the order concerning brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness. In early manhood, he married Mary Cashbaugh, a native of Pennsylvania, who was living in Cleveland, however, at the time of their marriage. She passed away several years prior to the death of her husband, being called to the home beyond March 20, 1903, when seventy years of age. Charles Suhr was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children, namely: Amelia, who was born in Cleveland and was accidentally killed at the age of twelve. years ; George W., who was born in Norwalk in 1855 ; Mary and William A., also natives of this city ; Charles of this review ; and Laura E., who died in July, 1908. Charles Suhr was educated in the Norwalk schools and at Kenyon, Ohio, where he pursued a three years' college course. He afterward took up the study of law with the intention of snaking its practice his life work, pursuing his reading in the office and under the direction of Stephen M. Young. In 1885, he was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Norwalk. Here he has since been identified with the legal profession and in 1902, he was elected probate judge, which positions he filled continuously, capably and acceptably until 1909, when he retired from the bench and resumed private practice. He has a keen, rapid, logical mind plus business sense and a ready capacity for hard work qualities, which are indispensable in the successful lawyer. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 457 In 1891, Mr. Suhr was married to Miss Millie A. Howe, a native of Peru, Huron county, Ohio, and a daughter of- James and Hannah L. (Hatfield) Howe, representatives of old pioneer families of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs Suhr have become the parents of four children : Carl W., J. Vernon, Marian M., and Charles Dudley. Mr. Suhr is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has taken the degrees of the chapter and commandery. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. In politics, he is very active. He is much interested in the welfare of the town and county, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and does all in his power to advance the best interests of the community, co-operating in every movement which he deems essential in promoting its growth and prosperity. He has a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance, for geniality, deference for the opinions of others and kindliness have gained him a firm hold on the affection of those with whom he has been brought in contact. JAMES P. WASHBURN. James P. Washburn, a progressive and prosperous agriculturist, owning three hundred acres of fine farm land in New London township, is one of the self made men of Huron county for, starting out in life empty-handed, he has acquired the success which he now enjoys entirely through his own indefatigable energy and well directed efforts. He was born in Illinois on the 26th of August, 1862, and when but two years of age he came with his parents to Ohio, where the family home was established in New London township. His mother's death occurred when he was a little lad of five years, while at the age of fifteen years he was left an orphan by the death of his father. He then went to live with an uncle, Oliver Washburn, in whose home he remained until his marriage. At this time he purchased a farm to which he removed and which he continued to operate for ten years, at the expiration of which period he sold the property and purchased another farm, while later he bought the old Golden homestead, upon which his wife and her father were both born, and which had been in the Golden family for more than sixty-five years. He has since directed his energies toward its further cultivation and improvement, erecting a new and comfortable dwelling in its midst, while he has also built substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings which stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift. He has brought his fields under a high state 0f cultivation and made of the place one of the valuable farming properties of New London township, upon which he intends to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. His property holdings consist of three hundred acres of land and he is ranked among the substantial and representative farmers of the township. He was identified with financial interests for about five years, being a director of the Savings Bank of New London for that period of time. Mr. Washburn was united in marriage on the 6th of October, 1885, to Miss Prances Golden, who was born December 23, 1864. Unto this union have been 458 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY born two children: Margaret, born November 4, 1895 ; and Marion, born on the 13th of November, 1904. Politically Mr. Washburn a republican, doing all in his power to further the influence of that party throughout the community and he is loyal and public spirited in his citizenship. His has been a life of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor, and few men in Huron county can more justly claim nor more richly deserve the proud American title of a self-made man. JACOB P. HEYMAN. Jacob P. Heyman is numbered among the large landowners and substantial citizens of Sherman township, where he owns a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty-one acres, which, with the assistance of his sons he is now operating. Mr. Heyman is a native son of this township, his birth having occurred on the farm which is still his home, January 6, 1864, his parents being John George William and Elizabeth (Longscheid) Heyman, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came when a young man with his parents to the new world, the family home being established at Hunt's Corners in Lyme township, Huron county. There the father spent the most of his remaining days and died at the home of his son Daniel in 1903. He was at that time seventy-seven years of age, for his birth occurred in 1826. He was a very influential man in the community in which he made his home and took a helpful part in the upbuilding and improvement of the locality in which he lived. He assisted materially in the erection of the Reformed church at Hunt's Corners, in which he served as an official for many years. A democrat in politics, he served as township trustee, as road supervisor and as a member of the school board and in many other ways gave support to public interests. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Longscheid, accompanied her parents, Christian and Katharine Longscheid on their emigration from Germany to the new world, their home being established in Sherman township. She died in 1887, at the age of fifty-nine years. She became the mother of ten children : George, deceased; Emeline, the wife of , August Scheid, of Peru township ; Daniel, who makes his home in Lyme township, this county ; Thomas, also of Lyme township ; Mary, who has passed away; Jacob P., of this review ; Philip and Mary, both of whom are deceased; William who lives in Lyme township; and Albert, who makes his home in Sherman township. There is also one son, Charles, of Sherman township, who was born of the father's f0rmer marriage. Jacob P. Heyman has spent his entire life in Huron county and acquired his education in the district schools. He has made farming his life work and that his labors have been attended with success is evidenced by the valuable farm of which he is today the owner, his place comprising two hundred and twenty-one acres, located in Sherman township. He has made many improvements on the place in the way of a good, residence, substantial barn and outbuildings, has fenced the fields and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 459 That the soil is rich and arable is indicated by the fine crops which he annually gathers and altogether he is one of the substantial farmers of Huron county. In addition to this property Mr. Heyman is a stockholder, treasurer and one of the directors of the Sherman Oil & Gas Company and is likewise a stockholder of the Herman Hess Clothing & Shoe Company at Monroeville. Mr. Heyman was married December 23, 1888, to Miss Katharine Williams, a daughter of Alton and Clara (Longscheid) Williams, residents of Norwich township. Mrs. Heyman was born in Germany, and was brought by her parents to the United States in 1872, their home being established in Norwich township. Both the parents are now deceased, the father passing away May 4, 1896, at the age of seventy-one years, while the mother preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring April t0, 1889, when she was sixty-two years of age. Their family numbered six children, as follows: Minnie, the wife 0f William Miller, a, resident of Minnesota ; John, who makes his home near Center- ton, in Huron county ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Popp but is now deceased; Charles W., residing in Seneca county, Ohio; Mrs. Heyman, and August, of Sherman township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heyman has been blessed with eight children: Claud, who was born October 21, 1889 ; Carl, whose birth occurred December t, 1891 ; Earl, February 19, 1894 ; Orlan, wh0 was born November 25, 1896 : Ivan, October 18, 1898; Guy, born December 13, tw0; Myron, July 28, 1903; and Sylvan, whose birth occurred May 28, 1906. Mr. Heyman gives his political support to the democratic party and on that ticket has been elected to a number of township offices, including that of trustee and road supervisor, while he has likewise served on the school board. He is a member of the Reformed church at Hunt's Corners and has been an official in the church. His success has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. In manner he is quiet and straightforward, and his w0rd has become a synonym for business integrity. WILLIAM RIDDLE. Scientific farming today is very different from that which was done half a century ago, for modern methods and machinery have revolutionized agricultural life and made of the farmer an extremely important factor in the life of the country. William Riddle, who resides upon his fine farm of two hundred and forty-seven acres of land in Richmond township, is an example of the best class of progressive and thoroughly modern farmers. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, September 12, 1863, and is a son of John and Amanda (Thornt0n) Riddle. They came to the farm of Mr. Riddle in 1865, when he was a mere infant, and spent the remainder of their lives upon it, the father dying here in 1890, and his widow in 189-3. In early manhood the father taught during the winter months, while in the summer he operated his farm. He continued to teach in the district schools for eighteen years and was well known throughout the county as a good 460 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY and conscientious educator. He also taught two years in the graded school at Bellville, Ohio. John Riddle and wife were the parents of the following family Lydia, who married John W. Miller ; Archibald, who is deceased; Sybal. who married. W. F. Miller; Philander J., John J.; Lunetta, who married George Hatch; and William, who was the youngest. William Riddle attended the district school during the winter until he reached manhood's estate, and helped his father in the summer. After the latter's death he bought the farm and ever since has been devoting himself to its further improvement until he has one of the best farms in Huron county. Among other improvements, he built a new barn, remodeled the house, which is a beautiful one, and put in about five hundred dollars worth of tile. Prior to his father's death, five hundred dollars more were expended in the same manner, so that the swamp land has been thoroughly redeemed. On January 18, 1886, Mr. Riddle married Addie A. Keesy, a daughter of John and Margaret (J0hnston) Keesy, who were farmers of Richmond township. The mother died in December, 1901, and the father in September, 1907. They were the parents of the following children : Addie A., who was the eldest ; Orline, who married Chris Kelper ; Estella, who married E. L. Beckman ; and Miranda, who married William Beelman. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have had two children, namely : Leroy, born in November, 1890; and Margaret, born in June, 1901. Like his father, Mr. Riddle is a republican, and his devotion to his party has been rewarded by election to the office of township trustee for two terms, to that of school director for two terms, and that of road supervisor for one term. Both he and his wife belong to the United Brethren church. Mr. Riddle is a man who has the welfare of the community at heart, and is ever ready to lend assistance in advancing public improvements he believes will prove beneficial, but his common sense and excellent judgment keep him from rushing blindly into anything before he has thoroughly tested its advisability. ALBERT T. GAMBER. Albert T. Gamber, of Wakeman township, the son of William F. and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Gamber, was born in Fayette, Fulton county, Ohio, October 29, 1865. His father was a pioneer of Fulton county, removing there from New York in 1845. The town of Fayette was founded by his father, Henry Gamber, and named for his native village in New York. A well educated man and a teacher, he took special interest in matters educational, and was progressive and active in all public matters. As a democrat he stood for the principles of his chosen party, always keeping thoroughly informed in regard to things political. In 1878, he removed to Huron county and four years later located in Townsend township, where he became one of the substantial farmers of the county, strong in his many good qualities and excellent citizenship. His death occurring April 15, 1909, at the age of seventy-six, he was laid to rest in the cemetery of Fayette, 461 - PHOTO OF MR. AND MRS. ALBERT T. GAMBER 462 - BLANK HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 463 which town his father had founded many years before. His wife preceded him several years, having died in 1871. Of the family of four sons, Fordyce D., Clement, Edward L., and Albert T., the last named is the only survivor. Albert T. Gamber grew to manhood on the farm of his father with only the privilege of a district-school education. At an early age engaging in farm work by the month, he acquired the experience he needed for the success of his later years. On July t0, 1886, he married Miss Nettie Sly, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Draper) Sly, both families being pioneers of the county. The father came from New York. Mr. and Mrs. Sly still residents of Townsend township, are people of eminently high character and are held in great esteem. To Mr. and Mrs. Gamber six children have been born, three of whom are living: Fordyce A., a student at Oberlin college ; Robert F., a student at Wakeman high school ; and Clara E. Two children died in infancy and Clare L., died at the age of two and a half years. After his marriage, Mr. Gamber accomplished the feat of boarding himself and keeping his family, for one year on the two hundred dollars wages received for farm work. The following year, he rented a farm on Hartland Ridge, where he remained fair two years and then removed to Townsend township, where he continued renting. for nine years. Concluding he could do better in another state, he removed to Michigan, expecting to invest in a farm, but he rented for two years instead, that he might become better acquainted with the soil. However, Huron county, Ohio, seemed to hold attractions not to be found in Michigan and back to Townsend township the family moved, where the farm of one hundred and fifty acres on which they now live was purchased. From a stock farm very much run down, Mr. Gamber has built up the place until it is now one of the finest farms in the county. Always interested in sheep, in 1893 he began the breeding of the Delaine Merino variety, and from a small exhibitor at the county fairs, the business has grown until he has become one of the foremost breeders of the world. Exhibiting at the Omaha exposition, he gained all first prizes, not including any of the special prizes, of which he captured a large number. The same Year he entered at five state fairs for a possible fifty-seven first prizes and secured fifty-two of them. Mr. Gamber's flocks consist of only thoroughbred animals and are shipped all over the world, some going as far as South Africa. They command the highest prices, occasionally bringing five hundred dollars for stud rams and for carload lots twenty-five to thirty dollars per head. Mr. Gamber is a recognized authority on his particular breed of sheep and has made a wonderful success of the business. It is 0f record that Ring Leader, a ram, is one of the greatest sires in the United States, many of his sons and daughters going to South Africa at fancy prices. Though sheep breeding demands the entire attention of the owner, the necessary general farming is carried on in a very methodical manner. The sheep barns are arranged for the proper care of the sheep in all kinds of weather, and each animal is as carefully looked after as a, fine horse. Mr. Gamber estimates that his success is due t0 his genuine love for sheep, his careful study of grades and the great care taken of them, during the entire year. His flock run up into the hundreds. Aside from his business and personal affairs, he still has time to 464 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY be interested in public matters and is an advocate of progress in all things, especially good roads, educational advantages and beautifying the county. A standing monument to a man is his home and its surroundings, and this home of the Camber family is no exception, for it is beautiful, with its substantial and well lighted buildings, well kept lawns, and furnace heated house. The members of the family are Congregationalists, and active in both church and Sunday school, Mrs. Gamber being especially interested in education and Christian work. She is also a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. and of the Ladies' Aid Society of the church. Her home, to which she is devoted, is well supplied with good literature, and she adds to this a refined and healthful influence. Mr. Gamber, though not an active worker in politics, is an intelligent supporter of 'republican principle's. Of other organizations, he is a member of Lodge 301, F. & A. M., and Wakeman Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He is also a member of the American Delaine—Meririo Record Association, being one of the pedigree committee, and of the National Wool Growers Association, of the United States. FRANCIS E. SCOTT. Francis E. Scott, a traveling nurseryman of Fairfield, Ohio, was horn in Union county, Ohio, in 1862, and is a son of Charles and Helen (Southwick) Scott. He was the eldest in a family of six children, the other members being Ida, Cash, Nathan, George and Charles. Francis E. Scott acquired his education in the common schools of Ohio and remained under the parental roof until he had attained years of manhood, when he entered business life on his own account. He is now identified with the nursery business as journeyman, making his headquarters at Fairfield, Ohio, purchasing various kinds of trees which he in turn sells throughout Huron and adjoining counties. He is alert, enterprising and industrious, these elements forming the salient characteristics in the success winch he is enjoying in his chosen work. In 1897 Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Hoyt, who was born in 1866 in North Fairfield, and is the only child of Icabod and Elizabeth (Godfrey) Hoyt. The former was the eldest child m a family of three children born unto Walter and Caroline (Benson) Hoyt, the others being Elmon and Mercy, while his wife was the second child in the family of Andrew and Rachel (Wing) Godfrey, their family consisting of Elizabeth, Zerah, and Michael. The Hoyts were among the earliest pioneer settlers of Fairfield township and were well known and prominent in the community in which they resided. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Scott has been blessed with one son, Hoyt Southwick, who was born on the 6th of September, 1898, and is the light and life of the household. Mr. Scott has given his allegiance to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he is most loyal in his citizenship, t all times being deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the general wel- HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 465 fare of the community. He is highly esteemed in the vicinity where he has made his home for some time, and as an enterprising, energetic and prosperous business man well deserves mention in this volume. SILAS E. CRAWFORD. The life record of Silas E. Crawford is that of a successful manufacturer and business man yet the range of his activities and the scope of his influence have reached far beyond this special field. He belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of men, whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number. As a business man his activities were such as to promote general prosperity as well as individual success, and he remained for many years a well known manufacturer of this city, but he is now living retired, his activity being confined to the supervision of his invested interests. A native of Ohio, Mr. Crawford was born in Richland county, September 20, 1842, a son of David and Margaret (Miller) Crawford. The father was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1810, while the mother's birth occurred at Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. The father came to Ohio with his parents, John and Mary Crawford, and settled in Richland county, becoming identified with agricultural interests there. In that locality David Craw fcrd was reared and on attaining his majority he engaged in teaching school for many years. He also learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed to some extent. In the late '40s he removed to Huron county, Ohio, where he worked at this trade until his death. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were ten children, of whom three were born in Huron county. In the public schools Silas E. Crawford pursued his education, but his parents were in limited financial circumstances and at an early age he had to start out in life on his own account as it was necessary that he provide for his own maintenance. Having learned the trade of carriagemaking, he came to Norwalk in 1877 and began business for himself in company with others. He afterward sold out and took up the manufacture of pumps in 1876, continuing in that field of activity until 1900, when he retired from active business. In the twenty-four years in which he devoted his energies to manufacturing lines he became widely recognized as a man of keen business discernment, careful in formulating his plans and determined in their execution. He learned to utilize every force to the best advantage and as year by year passed he so used his opportunities that success resulted. Moreover, in all that he did his course conformed-to a high standard of commercial ethics. In 1888 the Home Savings & Loan Company was organized and he became the vice-president, with Mr. Gallup as president, and he is still officially connected with the company in that capacity. In the midst of arduous business cares demanding close application and unfaltering perseverance, Mr. Crawford has yet found time to aid in the promotion of public affairs which have had for their object the betterment of the com- 466 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY munity. His interest therein has been manifest in various substantial and tangible methods, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his devotion to the public good, twice elected him a member of the city council, of which he served for one term as president. He was also for four years mayor of the city, and his administration was businesslike and progressive, resulting in the introduction of various needed reforms and improvements. In 1908 he was elected to represent Huron county in the seventy-eighth general assembly, being the first democrat ever chosen to the office from his county. His position on any important public question is never an equivocal one. He does not hesitate to announce his opinion or to support his honest convictions and his course has ever commanded the confidence and admiration of his fellowmen. In 1869 Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Harrington, with whom he traveled life's journey for more than thirty-five years. They were separated in death in 1903 and in 1905 Mr. Crawford was again married, his second union being with Martha W. Wightman, a native of Hastings, Michigan. Fraternally Mr. Crawford is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and other societies. He has long occupied a position of leadership in this county, his native talents, his acquired ability, his patriotic citizenship and his devotion to the public welfare winning him a place of prominence and securing for him the unqualified confidence and respect of the public at iarge. His rare aptitude and ability in achieving results have made him constantly sought and have often brought him into a prominence from which he would naturally shrink were less desirable ends in view. He has, however, always felt a hearty concern for the public welfare and has been helpful in bringing about those purifying and wholesome reforms which have been gradually growing in the political, municipal and social life of the city. During the dark days of the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four months, and later became a member of the One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as first lieutenant for eight months. ROBERT C. PARKER. Robert C. Parker, a progressive young farmer of Fitchville township. Huron county, was horn on the 21 st of April, 1877, near Monroeville, Ohio, and is a son of John and Ann (Clark) Parker, both of whom, are natives of Lincolnshire, England, and are still living. The mother was but a young girl when she came with her parents to this country, and the father was only fifteen when his family emigrated. Both the Parkers and the Clarks came direct to Monroeville, Ohio. and there John obtained work, at first as a laborer. He later engaged in farming in Fitchville township and became a prosperous man. Robert C. Parker was reared at home, spending his youth on the farm. He received his early education in the district schools of the county and then entered the Fitchville high school, from which he was graduated in 1895, a member of HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 467 the first class issuing from that institution. For several years he continued farming with his father, but after his marriage, in 1908, he purchased the place which has since been his home and the scene of his endeavors. It is a tract of one hundred and fifty acres, all excellent land, which Mr. Parker has brought to a high degree of productiveness, for he is an intelligent farmer who goes about his work on a scientific basis, giving especial consideration to the subject of rotation of crops and the composition of the soil, that he may receive the best products of his labor. He pursues a diversified farming and raises a good deal of stock, and is accounted a successful man. On the 9th of April, 1898, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Simmons, a daughter of Elbridge G. and Mary (Weed) Simmons, of Lorain county. One son, Claude R., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Mr. Parker is an up-to-date young man who takes an active interest in public affairs and keeps himself well informed upon the questions that are before the people. He affiliates with no party, however, preferring to vote for men and measures as seems best to him. Nor has he filled any office in the township, though many times urged to accept one by men who discern in him great ability and the strength of purpose that would not let him be swerved from what he believed to be right. Successful in his business and progressive in his ideas, it is hoped that he may soon overcome his reluctance to public life, that others may profit by his life and work. CHARLES McCLAVE. Charles McClave needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he is known throughout the entire country as the owner of the Linwood Poultry yards at New London, Ohio, and as a breeder and raiser of some of the finest poultry that has been produced in the United States. His birth occurred June 21, 1859, in the town where he still makes his home. The father, Chester McClave, came with his parents from the state of New York to Ohio when a boy of less than five years, arriving in 1832 and spent the remainder of his life upon the farm where his son Charles now resides, his death occurring December 12, 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Matilda White, was born in Ruggles, Ashland county, Ohio, and is still living. Chester McClave was a farmer throughout his entire life and dealt quite extensively in cattle. The district schools afforded Charles McClave his educational privileges. In 1874 he made his initial venture in the poultry business, raising and breeding thoroughbred poultry and in the intervening years he has continued in this field of labor with excellent success. He has developed the Linwood poultry yards, now widely known throughout America, and is extensively engaged in the raising of twenty different varieties of fine poultry, giving particular attention, however, to Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. He raises the Barred Plymouth Rocks, White, Golden and Silver Wyandottes, Partridge, Black and Columbian Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, White and Brown Leghorns, Rose Comb White Leghorns, Black Minorcas, Light Brahmas, Dark Brahmas, Partridge Cochins, 468 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Buff Orpingtons, Black Orpingtons, Black Javas, Blue Adalusians and English Red Caps and Bantams. For the past twenty years Mr. McClave has been prominent as a poultry judge. He holds a judge's certificate issued by the American Poultry Association, certifying that he is an official judge for all varieties, and he is considered one of the best in the United States. In this capacity he travels from New York to San Francisco to make his engagements, covering about ten thousand miles annually. He has twenty-five hundred prize ribbons, representing the different prizes he has won with his poultry at various poultry shows as well as many medals which are only given for sweepstake prizes. He has one medal presented by the president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in token of good will aril service rendered at the occasion of the St. Louis Fair of 1904. He was a large exhibitor at that exposition, winning seventy-six ribbons and he also acted as judge of different classes of birds in which he was making no exhibits. He also has a very fine badge which was presented to him at the St. Louis Exposition. At the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago he was appointed superintendent of water fowls for ornamenting the lakes and waterways, embracing over six hundred rare specimens, both foreign and domestic. He spent over seven months at the World's Fair in full charge of this department. He was also an exhibitor at the poultry show there, winning over sixty prizes and also the cup for the best display from Ohio. He has made altogether over one hundred and seventy public exhibitions of poultry, winning in round numbers over eight thousand prizes, including such shows as are held in Boston, Syracuse, Buffalo, Pittsburg, Baltimore, Cleveland, St. Louis, Chicago, and other places. Mr. McClave stands at the head of the poultry business as -a breeder, exhibitor and judge. He makes daily shipments of fancy thoroughbred poultry to all parts of the United States and foreign countries, breeding about two thousand birds annually and also shipping large quantities of eggs for hatching purposes. He also handles a large and choice variety of water fowls. He has made poultry his study through life and has been one of the most successful in the business in , the entire country. The Linwood Poultry yards are situated on a choice farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres which adjoin the corporation limits of the village of New London. This farm is not only supplied with all conveniences for the conduct of his business, but is furnished with all modern improvements and is most attractive in its appearance. It was upon this farm that Mr. McClave was born and reared and he now owns and occupies the property. Here he began business in a small way but by careful study, close application and experience he has attained to prominence in his chosen field of labor. He also has a fine apiary of Italian bees and thoroughly understands the work of the apiarist, while in general farming he is also equally successful. He was formerly president of the American Poultry Association and holds a life membership therein, and is president of the Ohio branch of the American Poultry Association. This organization draws its members from the United States, Canada and the insular possessions of this country. On the 15th of October, 1895, Mr. McClave was married to Miss Lucy Copland, who was born in Butler, Richland county, Ohio, August 28, 1869, a HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 469 daughter of Samuel and Mary Copland. They have two children, C. Howard, born January 12, 1901 ; and Eugene W., born September 9, 1904. In community affairs Mr. McClave is interested and has served as township trustee for nine years. He was also one of the organizers of the Savings & Loan Banking Company, of New London, and was its first vice-president until 1909. In January, 1909, he was elected to the presidency and is also one of its directors. His name is an honored one in financial circles of the county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for the past five years he has given tangible evidence of his devotion to the cause of public education as an earnest and effective member of the school board. His life has at all times been honorable and upright and his fidelity to manly principled which never seek nor require disguise have made him one of Huron county's valued citizens. PETER BREIT. Per Breit, whose well improved farm of eighty-two acres in Sherman township gives evidence of the life of industry and enterprise led by the owner, has for many years been closely identified with the agricultural interests of Huron county. He is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the United States, his birth having occurred in that country on the 16th of May, 1848. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Clemans) Breit, spent their entire lives in the fatherland. Their children were six in number, namely : John. Joseph, Mary, Peter, Anna and Elizabeth. Peter Breit obtained his education in the schools of his native land and was a young man of twenty-five years when in 1873 he set sail for the United States, having heard many favorable reports of the opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in this country. After landing in New York he made his way at once to this state, taking up his abode in Sherman township, Huron county, where he has continued to reside to the present time. General agricultural pursuits have occupied his attention throughout his entire business career and he is now the owner of an excellent ,farm of eighty-two acres, which pays annual tribute to his care and labor in bounteous harvests. He is widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising citizen of the community and as one whose success is entirely the result of his own well directed labor and capable management. Mr. Breit has been married twice. Two weeks after landing in the United States he wedded Miss Catherine Ranker, a native of Germany, who made the voyage to this country on the same boat with her future husband. She was called to her final rest in December, 1903, leaving a family of five children, as follows: Matilda, Nora, Peter, Ceno and Dulla. In 1907 Mr. Breit was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Minnie (Weinstein) Burghardt, the widow of Jacob Burghardt and a daughter of Valentine and Minnie Weinstein, both of whom were natives- of Germany. Mrs. Breit has a daughter, Freda, by her first husband. In his political views Mr. Breit is a democrat, to the men and measures of which party he gives stalwart support. In religious belief he is a Catholic, while 470 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought and in their wise utilization has gained a measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of the community in which he has now made his home for more than a third of a century. JACOB F. SMITH. One of the prosperous farmers of Huron county, Ohio, is Jacob F. Smith, who not only owns the le hundred and forty-eight and a half acres in Richmond township on which he lives, but owns in addition sixty-five acres in Sullivan township, Ashland county, and two hundred and forty-three acres in Alberta, Canada. A native of Ohio, he was born in Stark county, near Alliance, September 10, 1848, and is a son of John and. Rebecca Smith. Of German stock, he had as grandparents on his father's side, Frederick and Elisabeth Smith, both of German birth, and on his mother's, Jacob and Margaret Fetterhoff, who were born in Pennsylvania, but were of German descent. His mother was born in Dauphine county, Pennsylvania, while his father was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. In his early life, John Smith had learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some years, but with advancing age he devoted himself to the cultivation of the soil and became a very prosperous farmer. Ten children were born to him and his wife : Elisabeth, whose first husband was Michael Merkel, and her second, William Singer ; Jacob F., the subject of this sketch; James; Hannah, who married Orange Chapman ; Mary, the wife of John Eschenbach; William; Loretta, who has passed away; Phoebe, who married Elzie Smith; Lydia, the wife of Irvin Smith; and Emma, the wife of Warren Klinker. Jacob F. Smith was reared at home and received the rudiments of an English education in the district schools of Ashland county. During the years that he pursued his lessons, he also worked for his father on the farm, especially during the summer months, but after he had completed his education he learned the carpenter's trade. This occupation he followed for a number of years, and then he returned to farming, to which he has devoted all his energies since and which has in fact been his calling through the greater part of his life. The land in Richmond township is a fine tract, well improved with a good frame house, a commodious and well built barn and suitable cattle sheds. By hard work and care, he has brought the fields to a high degree of fertility and reaps from them yearly an abundant harvest as rich returns for his labor. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Sophrona Fast on the 2ist of January, 1871. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Jacob and Margaret Fast, who were members of the farming community of Ashland county, Ohio, but are now deceased, the father being in his ninety-second year when in 1909 death called him, the mother being eighty-four when a year before her husband's death, her life's work was finished. Mr. and Mrs. Fast were blessed with a large family, of whom Ephraim was the eldest ; Elmyra, married Louis J. McCraig; Sophrona, became the wife HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 471 of Jacob F. Smith, of this review ; Martha married John Thudium ; Ruth, deceased, was the wife of George Curry ; Mary, wedded Mentor Johnston ; Jacob H., Jessie and George are the next in order of birth; and Sarah Isabel, became the wife of Fred Thudium. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children have been born : Charles, will) married Alta Willoughby and has one daughter, Thelma Mae; William A., who has remained single ; Jesse F., who married Emma Carrick and is the father of two children, Arnold LeRoy and Wayland Edmond ; and Clarence and Mary, who unmarried, live at home. Mr. Smith is a democrat in politics and while he has always evinced a healthy interest in public matters and in the welfare of his community, he has not sought office, but rather has declined several positions that have been offered him. He has however, rendered efficient services as justice of the peace, an office he filled through six terms, as assessor, as road supervisor and as a member of the school board. He was urged to accept the nomination for township treasurer, and although he could not be persuaded to accept the office, the mere fact that he was the 'expressed choice of the democratic voters of his locality, attests the high respect and esteem in which he is held as a man and as a public servant. W. F. REYNOLDS. W. F. Reynolds, whose life of unremitting activity along agricultural lines has been crowned with a gratifying degree of prosperity, was born on the 14th of September, 1856, in Richland county, Ohio, a son of William and Elizabeth (Snyder) Reynolds, both natives of New York. He is the second in order of birth in a family of three children born unto his parents, his sisters being Josephine and Emma Reynolds. The period of the boyhood and youth of W. F. Reynolds was spent in the usual manner of the country lad, his education being acquired in the district schools, while during the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work of the farm, being early trained to habits of industry and economy which have formed the basis of the success which he now enjoys. He has made farming his life work and today he is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of land located in Ripley township, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and which annually yield rich harvests. He has made a close study of agriculture and is methodical, systematic and progressive, so that he is numbered among the substantial and successful farmers in his section of the township. In 1883 Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Feighner, who was born in 1857 and was the eldest in a family of six children born unto Solomon and Sarah Matilda (Weisner) Feighner, the others being John, Emma, Cinderella, Harriett and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have become the parents of ten children, namely, Myrtle, George, Howard, Grace, Fred, Martha, Veribell, Willie, Elva and Carl. Mr. Reynolds and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives, while Mr. Reynolds is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and also the Sons of Veterans. In politics he gives his allegiance to the repub- 472 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY lican party, and although he has never cared to figure in public life, he is a strong advocate of every movement or measure calculated to advance the public good. He holds friendship inviolable and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. NAPOLEON ROBINSON. Among the honored veterans of the Civil war who still survives is Napoleon Robinson, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Huron county, operating a tract of land of two hundred and twenty-three acres in Greenfield township. His' birth occurred on the 1st of January, 1844, in an old log house on this farm, his parents being Stephen and Emaline (Hanes) Robinson. The father, a native of Onondaga county, New York, was born in 1795 and came to Ohio alone when a small boy and settled upon a farm, the land still being largely covered with dense timber. He cleared a space and erected a log house, and something of the wildness of the district is indicated by the fact that he could stand in the door of his cabin and shoot deer. He immediately began to remove the timber and improve the land, and it was not long before, by indefatigable industry and untiring perseverance, he had brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He continued to make this farm his place of residence throughout his remaining years, and in the year 1875, he passed away in the faith of the Baptist church. His wife, who was born near Rutland, Vermont, in 1801, came to Ohio with her parents, Nathaniel and Mary Hanes, when quite young, the family home being estab- ' lished in Greenfield township. She was called to her final lest in in their family, were twelve children, namely : Maria, the deceased wife of Vernon Westcott, of California ; H. K., deceased ; Homer, who has also passed away; Jerome, who was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, being a member of Company 1, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; Nancy Ann, who was killed by a bolt of lightning striking a tree, a piece of which flew through the window and struck her ; Caroline, the wife of Hiram R. Wright, of Kansas ; Geneva, who married Charles Paul, of Kansas ; Hannah, deceased; Napoleon, of this review; Fidelia, who became the wife of Charles Miller, of California ; and Mary F. and Anna T. E., twins, the former deceased and the latter the wife of John Warner, of Illinois. Reared upon the old homestead where he was born, Napoleon Robinson has continued to make this place his home throughout his entire Hie. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and also assisted in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. After laying aside his text-books he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until the year 1862, when, putting aside all personal considerations, he enlisted on the 15th of August as a soldier of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He first went to the camp of instruction at Monroeville, Ohio, and then went to Virginia, there participating in several battles and skirmishes, being in the battles of the Shenandoah valley, under Sheridan and also taking part in the capture of Richmond. He was taken 473 - PHOTO OF MR. AND MRS. NAPOLEON ROBINSON 474 - BLANK HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 475 prisoner at High Bridge, Virginia, but in a few days was paroled, and later, he was taken prisoner the second time when in the hospital at Petersburg with measles and was again paroled, During his term of enlistment, he saw much active service and was mustered out at Camp Chase on the 15th of June, 1865, with a very creditable record for bravery and loyalty. When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Robinson returned home and has since devoted his attention to the further improvement and cultivation of his farm, which, under his careful supervision, has become one of the valuable and attractive farming properties in the township. He practices rotation of crops, makes a close study of the cereals best adapted to climate and soil. and the proper cultivation of the same, and in his business is meeting with substantial success. It was on the 28th of May, 1867, that Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Anna White, a daughter of Oscar and Maria (Lotton) White, of Greenfield township, and unto this union have been born three children, as follows : Henry Grant, residing in Peru township, who married Bertha Smith and has ten children, Mildred, Eva, Isabel, Stephen, Francis, Gladys, Naomi, Sylvia, Dorothy and Homer N., and one who passed away in infancy ; and May E., who died at the age of seventeen months. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Robinson has been a stalwart supporter of the republican party and has served in various minor offices. He has filled the office of school director and is deeply and helpfully interested in the cause of education. A man of intense public spirit, he has at all times remained as faithful to his country in times of peace as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. He keeps up pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and is one of the valued and representative citizens of Huron county. FRANK BURRAS. Among the native sons of Huron county who are meeting with success along agricultural lines is Frank Burras, who was born in Fairfield township, on the 22d of April, 1845, and is a son of Reuben and Sallie (Standish) Burras. The father originally came from the east, settling in Ohio, where he continued to make his residence until his death. In his family were the following children: Frank, Oscar, Edgar, Reuben S., Charles Peleg, and Dorr. Spending the period of his boyhood and youth amid the scenes and environments of rural life, Frank Burras attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education, and remained upon his father's farm, assisting in the work of the fields, until he attained his majority. He had early become familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the country lad, and his decision was therefore a wise one when, entering upon business life for himself, he chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He has since been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits and now carries on general farming upon a farm of two hundred acres located in Fairfield township. He devotes much of his time to the raising of sheep, having on hand at the present time about two hundred 476 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY head, which he keeps mainly for the purpose of selling the wool. His farm, with the exception of eighty acres, which is now one of the well improved properties of the community, was bought and paid for almost entirely from the proceeds of his sheep raising. He is progressive and up-to-date in his business methods and his well directed energy and enterprise are Meeting with most gratifying success. The life history of Mr. Burras is well known to the residents of Fairfield township, where his entire life has been sent and where he has gained an extensive circle of acquaintances and many warm friends. WILLIAM H. CHAPIN. William H. Chapin, a substantial farmer of New London township, Ohio, was born July 13, 1848, on the farm where he now lives, and in a home but a few feet removed from the place now occupied by his present residence. He is the son of Daniel L. and Pamela (McIntire) Chapin. The father was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, June 17, 1798, and shortly after his marriage came to Ohio. At Dover, where he settled, his wife died, and he married Miss Pamela McIntire, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. In 1845, Mr. and Mrs, Chapin removed to New London township, locating on the farm their son now occupies. The homestead originally contained only fifty acres, but Mr. Chapin was soon able to add twenty to it, making it an excellent property. He was a man of good education and many attainments and before coming to Ohio, had taught school for a number of years in the east. He was the father of three sons. Samuel, the youngest, died at the age of nineteen, but Eliphalet and William H. are still living. Mr. Chapin died in September, 1885, and his widow on the 22d of February following. Both are buried in the cemetery at New London. William H. Chapin spent his youth, and in fact his whole life, on his present farm. In the district schools of the township he received his education. In 1881, he brought his wife to the home place, continuing to make it his residence and engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has been a hard and thrifty worker and has added to the inherited land until it has now an extent of one hundred and twenty-nine and one half acres, under the best cultivation and producing richly. In his stock business also he has been very successful. When called upon to exercise his right of franchise, Mr. Chapin gives his support to the republican party, and though he is not averse to giving his services to the people, he has not taken an active part in political affairs. For a few years, he held the position of road supervisor and has also served on the school board, in both of which capacities he gave satisfaction to his constituents. On the 16th of March, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Chapin and Miss Samantha Ward, a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Stone) Ward. About 1855, Mr. Ward, with his family, came from New York state to New London township, where he engaged in farming until his death a few years ago. His two sons, Jonathan and Hiram, served in the war of the Rebellion, the latter dying at Beverly, Virginia, from the effects of a wound received in the battle of Allegheny, Virginia. Jonathan Ward served in the Twelfth Ohio Battery to the HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 477 close of the war and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin became the parents of two children :, Homer, who died in infancy ; and Clara M., a young girl of eighteen years, who graduated from the New London high school in 1908. She is an accomplished young woman and makes her home with her father. Mrs. Chapin passed away April 24, 1898. Mr. Chapin professes allegiance to no religious denomination, but is a believer in churches and the good they render to the community. His own life, upright and Christian in the broader sense, he guides by the golden rule, putting this precept into practice daily. A man of wide culture, he has traveled through sixteen of the states of the Union and has visited most of the large cities of this realm, save those on the Pacific slope. He is able to form an intelligent idea of public affairs and conditions and takes an acute interest in the things that concern the welfare of the township and county, is an advocate of progress and the judicous expenditure of the public funds, and is a man who makes his influence felt by those around him. LEVANT W. GRIFFIN. Levant W. Griffin, a farmer of New London township, Huron county, Ohio, was born in Greenwich township, this county, May 15, 1861, a son of Orin S and Lucinda (Redfield) Griffin. The grandparents, Robert and Mariah (St. John) Griffin, came with their respective parents from New York state and were married in Huron county, where Orin S. Griffin was born and reared. He followed farming for some time, but was a man of liberal education, who for a period of thirty years was a popular and successful teacher in the schools of this county. For many years he lived in Greenwich township, but in 1885, having been elected county treasurer, he moved to Norwalk, where he resided until his death. He served in that county office for two terms, or four years, and then engaged in various enterprises, until he decided to retire from the active pursuit of business and enjoy the comforts to which his long and active life had entitled him. In May, 1906, he passed away and was mourned by all classes of people as a man of fine character and sterling integrity. His wife, who had come to Huron county an orphan of fifteen years, from Jackson, Michigan, had died in January, 1902. Husband and wife were buried in Woodland cemetery, Norwalk. Levant W. Griffin grew to manhood on the home farm under the guidance of his parents and attended the public schools of Greenwich village, working around home while he pursued his studies. For one year after completing his education, Mr. Griffin taught school, and then, after his marriage, engaged in farming on the old home place, to which he had brought his bride. In 1892, he removed to Norwalk, where he was employed as book-keeper with Sprague & French. The following year he was engaged in the same capacity by Price & Stewart, a real estate and insurance firm, with whom he remained until 1895, when failing health compelled him to forsake the confining work of an office. He then removed to New London township and engaged in farming. His land consists 478 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY of fifty acres, and while it is suited for general farming, he makes a specialty of potatoes and wheat. On the 29th of November, 1884, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Miller, a daughter of John and Sarah (Jones) Miller, of Fairfield township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were English born, and after their marriage came with their respective families to America about 1850. Mr. Miller settled first in Norwalk, where he remained for three years, and then bought a farm in Fairfield township, on which he lived the remainder of his life. He died in October 1895, and his widow now lives upon the home place. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were born seven children, two daughters and five sons, all of whom are living. They are Claire, Vernon, Robert, Bernice, Kenneth, Christine and Howard. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in church and Sunday school work. In politics Mr. Griffin votes with the republican party and is interested and well informed on all matters concerning the people. As road supervisor and a member of the school board, he has rendered the citizens of the township valuable service through a considerable number of years, for he is a public-spirited man, of high principles and progressive in his ideas. His home life is elevating, and his house abounds in good literature, both standard and current. In the one organization to which he belongs, the National Union, Mr. Griffin holds the position of deputy. CHESTER B. BROOKS. Chester B. Brooks, one of the extensive land-owners of Fairfield township, where he is successfully engaged in general farming, is one of Huron county's native sons, his birth occurring in Peru township on the 6th of January, 1856. He is a son of Philo and Catherine (Noggle) Brooks, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respectively. The father, who was born in Windsor in 1811. came with his parents to Ohio m 1817, while the mother was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, in 1823. In their family were the following children: Helen, Homer, Virgil, Melvin and Chester. The early life of Chester B. Brooks was passed under the parental roof, and he assisted his father in operating the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He later took up farming on his own account, and that his early training was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that he has since become very successful in his undertaking. As the years have passed his property holdings have increased until today he owns four hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land in four separate farms, each of which is under a high state of cultivation. He also engages to some extent in stock raising and his two branches of business are proving most gratifying sources of remuneration to him. Mr. Brooks was married, on the 12th of October. 1876, to Miss Ida Jennings, a native of Fairfield, Connecticut, and a daughter of Gresham and Polly (Wheeler) Jennings. She was born in 1858, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children : Anna M. Lee and Stanley Virgil. The parents are members of HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 479 the congregational church, and their lives are at all times in harmony with the teachings thereof. They are highly respected in the community in which they reside, while Mr. Brooks has gained many friends in Huron county, wherein his entire life has been passed, and the success which he has attained along business lines together with his honorable and upright manhood rank him among the prominent and representative citizens of Fairfield township. WILBER G. FERVER, M. D. Dr. Wilber G. Ferver has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of Huron county and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by medical fraternity and the local public. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born on the 22d of February, 1859, in New Castle, that state, a son of William and Eliza (Greer) Ferver, both of whom spent their last days in the Keystone state, the father passing away July 7, 1892, while the mother's death occurred July 8, 1898. In their family were six children, namely ; Nancy Y., Samuel C., Elizabeth, William W., Wilber G. and Charles H., all of whom have passed away with the exception of Nancy and Wilber G. The father was a prosperous and successful farmer and an extensive land-owner and it was his wish that his sons should follow the occupation to which they had been reared, starting out in their business career on a farm which he himself should finish. Wilber G. Ferver, whose name introduces this review, however, was prompted to a professional rather than an agricultural life. His boyhood and youth were passed on his father's farm, his early education being acquired in country district schools, pursuing his studies in the "old brick schoolhouse on the hill." He later supplemented this training by a course in the Edinburg State Normal school of Pennsylvania and Alleghney College at Meadville, that state, and with his trainmg as a substantial foundation upon which to base his professional studies, he pursued a course at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1884. He first located for practice in Greenfield, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two and a half years, and then, in 1887, he opened an office in Wakeman, Ohio, where he has continued to engage in the practice of his profession ever since. He is progressive in his methods, keeping abreast at all times with the advancement that is being made in the profession, while his excellent training and superior skill have brought to him not only success in his calling, but have gained for him high rank in the medical circles of this county, among the people and the profession alike. Aside from an extensive private practice, Dr. Ferver is examining physician for twelve or more of the best old line life insurance companies, which fact testifies to the high place he occupies in the community. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association and of the Huron County Medical Association, and frequently reads papers before the meetings of the latter society, his opinions being received at all times with interests by the members of the medical fraternity. Aside from his professional duties, he is also interested in the oil business, being now the president of the 480 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Wakeman Oil Company, incorporated under the laws of West Virginia and operating in the oil fields of Indiana. On the 15th of June, 1885, Dr. Ferver was united in marriage to Miss Emma V. Goodge, a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Coover) Goodge, of Poland, Ohio. Mr. Goodge was a carpenter and builder by trade and occupied a very high place in the community. He and his wi fe still survive and make their home in Youngstown, Ohio. Aside from the success which he has attained in professional circles, Dr. Ferver has become widely known in the political ranks of this county, being a stanch republican and most actively and helpfully interested in the public affairs of Wakeman. He is a member of the republican central committee and has frequently served as a delegate to the district and county conventions. He has been for several years and is now clerk of Wakeman township and is an excellent official. Loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship to a marked degree, he is a firm believer in public improvements of all kinds, being especially strong in his advocacy of good roads, good public buildings and good schools, while every movement calculated to advance the best interests of the community at large, receives his hearty endorsement. He is also well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Gibson Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M. of Wakeman in which he is a past master and senior warden, and is a Royal Arch Mason, while he also occupies the office of king in the chapter. He likewise is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Maccabees and is examining physician for both of these orders. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are interested in all of the various phases of church work, the Doctor being treasurer of the church for twelve years. He is very fond of a good horse and has bred some very fine specimens, while he is considered an excellent judge of an animal and knows a good horse as far as he can see one. This is his chief pastime and forms his principal source of recreation and relaxation from the strenuous duties of his profession. He has at all times recognized the obligations that rest upon him in his chosen calling and has, in the course of a successful business and professional career, given evidence of the possession of those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. A gentleman of learning and culture, he recognizes the truth of the universal brotherhood of mankind. JOHN RINGLEIN. Among the German-American citizens of Huron county who are meeting with success along agricultural lines is John Ringlein, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres of land in Sherman township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 17, 1826, a son of Andrew and Eva (Snyder) Ringlein. The father's death occurred in the fatherland and in 1845, when nineteen years of age, John Ringlein, accompanied by his mother, came to the new world, seeking the broader business opportunities here offered. He landed in Baltimore and immediately came west, locating first in Peru township, Huron HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 481 county. There he worked on a farm as a farm hand for two years and then went to Norwalk, where he resided for twenty-three years, being engaged in various pursuits during that period. That he was faithful, industrious and capable is indicated by the fact that during twenty-one years of that time he was employed by one man, Milton Goodnor, on his farm. Later, he came to Sherman township, where he had previously purchased seventy-five acres of land from a Mr. McKenzie, and began farming on his own account. He at once directed his energies toward the further cultivation and development of his farm, and it was not long before his fields were returning excellent crops. As he gathered his harvests, for which he found a ready sale on the market, and his financial resources were thus increased, he added to his property from time to time, first purchasing forty-one acres of land from Eli Homer and later thirty acres more from Miller Brothers, so that today his property consists of one hundred and forty-five acres, all well improved and cultivated. He carries on his agricultural pursuits along practical and progressive lines and is meeting with most gratifying success. In 1852 Mr. Ringlein was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Waaheit, a daughter of John and Barbara Waaheit, both natives of Germany, where their entire lives were spent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ringlein were born the following children : Barbara, the wife of Daniel Miller ; William ; Andrew ; Joseph ; Frank ; Aloise ; Mary, who married John Wester, deceased ; and Rosa, the wife of William Hafner. The family are all members of the Catholic church and are well known and highly respected throughout the community. In politics Mr. Ringlein is a stanch democrat and has served as road supervisor and school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He has never found occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for in this country of broad opportunity, where success comes as the sure reward of earnest labor and industry, he has won a gratifying degree of prosperity and is now comfortably situated in life. HENRY W. CARPENTER. Henry W. Carpenter, who follows the occupation of a carpenter and joiner and at the same time operates a farm of forty-one and one-half acres in New London township, was born on the 22d of May, 1847, a son of Henry F. and Esther M. (Sprague) Carpenter, the former a native of Neversink, New York, born in 181 while the latter's birth occurred in Troy, New York. The paternal grandfather, Robert Carpenter, when in his twenties, came from England to New York in company with two brothers, Timothy and Seth. Timothy Carpenter purchased a farm on Long Island and later participated in the Revolutionary war, during which time he is supposed to have been killed as nothing was ever heard of him thereafter. Seth Carpenter located at Kingston, New York, while Robert came to Ohio in 1822, locating upon a farm c f seven hundred acres, which he purchased at five shillings per acre. He was a carpenter and wagon maker by trade and continued to engage in that occupation, while at the same time he cleared his land and devoted some time also to farming, being thus engaged at the time of his death, 482 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY which occurred in 1862. Upon his father's farm Henry F. Carpenter, the father of our subject, was reared, and he also took up general farming as an occupation. In 1834, he purchased the farm of which the property of our subject was then a part and continued to make it his home until his death in June, 1885. In his family were seven children, those still living being: Louisa M. Ketchum, J. R. Carpenter and Henry W. Carpenter. The deceased are : W. W., W. J., O. E., and Mary A. Henry W. Carpenter, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district schools of New London township, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated in due course of time. He then learned the occupation of a carpenter and joiner and continued to follow his trade, while at the same time he carried on general farming, being thus connected at the present time. Upon the death of his father the old homestead was divided and he came into the possession of over forty acres of land, upon which he now makes his home. He is active, alert and capable in the transaction of his business and his various enterprises, which, being well managed, are proving to him sources of substantial and gratifying income. His fields are under a high state of cultivation, yielding good harvests in the autumn, while many structures throughout the community stand as monuments to his skill and ability as a carpenter. The year 1875 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Carpenter to Miss Alice Searles, and unto this union have been born three children, Walter S., Arthur B. and Alice L. Walter S., the eldest son, is well known in New London township and has served for four terms as township assessor, during which time he has given a uniform satisfaction that augurs well for re-election. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter both attend the Methodist church although the grandparents were originally adherents of the Quaker faith. He is a stalwart republican in politics, and although he is deeply interested in the progress of the party and does all in his power to extend its influence, nevertheless he neither desires nor seeks office for himself, preferring to direct his entire energies to the conduct of his private affairs, which, carefully conducted, are proving a source of gratifying income to him. Having passed his entire life in New London township, he has become well known throughout this locality, and the fact that his circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances indicate that his salient qualities are those which tend to inspire the confidence, respect and the good will of his fellowmen. GEORGE A. BARBER. The farming interests 0f Huron county find in George A. Barber a worthy representative and one who is meeting with success in his business enterprise. He was born in Sherman township, this county, January 30, 1856, and is a son of Samuel G. and Matilda (Maltby) Barber, the former a native of Schenectady county, New York, and the latter of Fremont, Ohio. The grandparents of our subject on the paternal side were Edward and Desire (Kenyon) Barber. while HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 483 his maternal grandfather was David Maltby. Both the Barber and Maltby families are of Scotch lineage, while the Barbers rank among the old pioneer settlers of Huron county. The family was founded in this portion of the state by Samuel G. Barber, the father of our subject, who came here when but seven years of age, and grew up with the county, being a witness of the work of transformation and improvement that has changed the forests of Ohio into richly cultivated fields. Our subject has in his possession many interesting relics of the old pioneer days, one of especial interest being an Italian violin which is over two hundred years old. He also has the old gun that his grandfather brought with him from the east, and also a letter received by the Barbers in the early days, directed to this state and dated February 11, 1834. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Maltby, had three brothers who went to Texas, where they were residing at the time of the Civil war. At the outbreak of hostilities the youngest brother espoused the cause of the Confederacy and became captain in the Louisiana Light Artillery. The eldest brother was a soldier in the Mexican war and under General Scott went from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, participating in all of the battles of that campaign. After the war he went to Galena, Illinois, and later became a friend and associate of General Grant. During the Civil war he was a brevet brigadier general and assisted in capturing his own brother at the surrender of Vicksburg. Later he sought parole for his brother and sent him back to the south. He sustained a wound at the battle of Fort Donelson which, however, was not fatal. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Barber were the following children : Dora, George, Bayard, Jasper and Grace. George A. Barber, of this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When not busy with the work in the fields he attended the district schools and thus acquired a good knowledge of the common English branches. Later he pursued a course of study during the years 1877-1880, in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and after leaving that institution he was engaged in teaching for about eighteen years. During that period his identification with educational interests was a source of benefit to the communities in which he labored for he proved himself a most competent and able instructor, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Subsequently, however, he withdrew from that profession and became identified with agricultural interests, purchasing a farm in Fairfield township. He has resided upon this farm for about fourteen years, and it is now one of the well improved and valuable properties in the township. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, has introduced upon the place all the accessories and equipment necessary to facilitate farm labor, and his well directed industry and energy, which are the salient elements in his career, are winning for him a gratifying measure of prosperity. It was on the 7th of April, 1885, that Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Maud Pratt, who was born in October, 1864, and is a daughter of Edwin D. and Elizabeth (Slyer) Pratt, natives of Huron county, Ohio, and East Liverpool, Medina county, this state, respectively. Her father, who was a son of 484 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Nelson and Finette (Delano) Pratt, traces his ancestry back to the Mayflower, The Pratts were originally members of the Baptist church, but members of the family later joined the Mormon church and became stanch supporters of that creed. Hugh F. Barber, who was born on the 18th of May, 1891, is the only child born unto Mr. and Mrs. George Barber. The parents are both members of the. Universalist church, while fraternally Mr. Barber is connected with the Masons at North Fairfield, Ohio. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, doing all in his power to promote the general welfare, while his influence and activity are always upon the side of progress, reform, improvement and advancement. These qualities constitute him a citizen of worth in the community where he has resided throughout his lifetime and where he has acquired an extensive circle of warm friends. CHARLES W. HOPKINS. Charles W. Hopkins, one of the pioneer residents of Huron county, where he has resided for more than sixty years, is one of the successful and influential agriculturists of the district in which he lives, his farm of eighty acres, situated in Ripley township, being one of the finest and best improved properties of the county. He was born in New Jersey on the 14th of March, 1838, and on the paternal side traces his ancestry back to a Mr. Hopkins who came to America in the Mayflower, founding the family in Massachusetts. His parents were John and Levica (Mott) Hopkins, the former a native of Massachusetts, where his birth occurred in 1807, while the latter was born in New Jersey in 1815. The father was the eldest in a family of eight children born unto Joshua Hopkins, the others being Orpha, Willard, Juliana, Sarah Hane, Amanda, Joshua and Samuel. The mother was a daughter of Henry Mott and the eldest of six children, the others being as follows, Allen, Job, Henry, Elizabeth and Marietta. John Hopkins, who came to Ohio at an early date, was among the pioneer settlers of Huron county and for many years his efforts were potent factors in the work of improvement and development which was carried on within its borders. He passed away in 1904 at the very remarkable age of ninety-seven years. His family consisted of the following: Charles W., Elizabeth, James Henry, John Norris and Levica, while another child, whose name was also James Henry, was burned to death in infancy. Charles W. Hopkins was a little lad of five years when he came with his parents to Ohio, and here on his father's farm he was reared to manhood, spending the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads of that time. He shared with the other members of the household the privations and experiences of life in a frontier district and was early trained to habits of industry and economy. He has devoted his entire life to farming and kindred pursuits, and throughout his business career his efforts have been actuated by a spirit of industry, perseverance and close application that has won its just reward in a substantial and gratifying success which is today his. He owns eighty acres of excellent land which constitutes one of the finest farming properties in Huron HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 485 county, and everything about his place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. In connection with his farming he engages to some extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding horses, and both branches of his business—the raising of grain and the raising of stock—are proving profitable sources of revenue to him. It was on the 28th of September, 1862, that Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage to Miss Ann Mitchell, a native of Michigan, born March 10, 1842. She was a daughter of Moses M. and Hulda (Hale) Mitchell and a sister of Matilda, Lorana, Ada and James Mitchell. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins was blessed with nine children, namely : Ada, Rosella, Jennie, Artie, Maud, Lizzie, James, Fred and Roy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hopkins was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Reeves Lincoln, a daughter of James Lincoln, and unto them were born four sons : Frank, Carl, Lincoln and Leland. The parents are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Hopkins is a deacon, and they are greatly interested in the various phases of church work. In politics Mr. Hopkins gives his allegiance to the republican party and on that ticket served as postmaster at Carson, Ohio, for fourteen years. He can well remember the time when dense forests covered much of the district and wild animals were seen in abundance. During the intervening years he has watched the steady growth and advancement of the community, has seen much of the land cleared and converted into productive fields and has witnessed the log cabin giving place to the modern and substantial residence, while in this work of improvement he has taken a willing part, at all times rejoicing in the progress which has been made and doing all in his power to advance the best interests of the community. Although he has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he nevertheless remains an active factor in life's work and is recognized as one of the substantial, influential and valuable citizens of Huron county. EDWIN F. CHILDS. Edwin F. Childs, a successful and enterprising farmer and stockman of Ripley township, owning and operating seventy-one acres of fine land, was born on the 1st of October, 1862, in Greenfield township, Huron county, his parents being George L. and Ann (Miller) Childs. The father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was born in Worcester in 1826, a son of Charles Childs, and was the second eldest in a family of four sons, his brothers being Otis, Frank and Thomas. The mother, who was a daughter of William Miller, was born in Pennsylvania in 1829 and was a sister of Jacob and Charlotte Miller. George T. Childs and his wife became the parents of seven children : Edwin F., Henry, William C., Bert, Julia, Anna and Lizzie. Under the parental roof Edwin F. Childs was reared to manhood and at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the district schools, wherein he gained a good knowledge of the English language. During the periods of vacation he assisted 486 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturalist, and he remained at home, giving his father the benefit of his aid, until he attained his majority, when he started out in the business world for himself. Wisely choosing the occupation to which he had been reared as a life work, he has since directed his energies toward agricultural and kindred pursuits, and is today one of the substantial and progressive farmers of his section of the county. He and his brother William own a tract of land in Ripley township consisting of seventy-one acres of fine farming land, which constitutes one of the desirable and valuable properties of the township, and altogether they own nearly twelve hundred acres. In connection with farming interests they give considerable attention to general stock-dealing and in both branches of their business are meeting with signal success, enjoying a substantial income therefrom. Mr. Childs has been twice married. On the 24th of March, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born on the 16th of December, 1863, and was the eldest daughter of William and Charlotte (Atyeo) Miller, in whose family were three children, the others being Oliver and Jennie. Unto this union was born one child, Charlotte, her birth occurring on the 29th of November, 1899. After the death of his first wife Mr. Childs wedded Miss Mary Meacham, the ceremony being celebrated on the 31 st of May, 1908. Mrs. Childs was born July 3, 1875, in Townsend township, and is a daughter of Lafayette Meacham. The religious views of Mr. Childs are indicated in his membership in the Christian church, of which he is serving as trustee, while in politics he gives stanch allegiance to the republican party, although he does not seek nor desire public office, desiring to concentrate his time and attention upon the duties of his business affairs, which, capably conducted, are proving a source of most gratifying success. Mr. Childs has spent his entire life within the borders of Huron county, where he has made many warm friends, who entertain for him high regard and esteem because of his many sterling traits of character. JOSEPH I. HINKLEY. Joseph I. Hinkley, who passed away on the 29th of May, 1908, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the building interests of Huron county as a carpenter and contractor. His birth occurred in Tompkins county, New York, on the 18th of November, 1828, and when four years of age he was brought by his parents to Huron county, Ohio, the family home being established in Ripley township, where he resided for a number of years. He obtained his education in the district schools and when he had attained his majority started out in life on his own account, working by the month as a carpenter and joiner. He conducted a most extensive business as a builder of houses and also erected several churches, many important contra is being awarded him in recognition of his excellent executive ability and reliable methods. His capable management and keen discrimination were valuable factors the success which attended his undertakings 487 - PHOTO OF MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH L. HINKLEY 488 - BLANK HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 489 and he was one of the county's most highly respected citizens, being honored by all who knew him because of his unfaltering integrity and honorable, upright principles. On leaving Ripley township he made his home in Fitchville for a time and in 1864 bought a farm of sixty-four acres, to which he subsequently added by additional purchases until it embraced three hundred acres of rich and productive land. He was well known and highly esteemed throughout Huron county as one of its most prominent and worthy residents and his loss was deeply felt when he was called to his final rest in May, 1908. In 1856 Mr. Hinkley was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Tanner, who was born in Norwich township, Huron county, Ohio, on the Toth of July, 1838. Her father, Elisha D. Tanner, who was a native of Herkimer county, New York, passed away on the 13th of January, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley became the parents of eleven children. Luzerne H. and Laverne H., twins, were born on the 18th of October, 1857. The former is now a practicing physician of Greenspring, Ohio, but the latter, who gave her hand in marriage to Zuriel Curtis, died on the 4th of May, 1887. The record of the other children is as follows : Horace C., who was born April 17, 1859, and passed away December 22, 1887 ; Elisha. D., born July 15, 1860, who is practicing dentistry at Denver, Colorado; Burdette C., born February 2, 1862, who is likewise a dentist by profession and is dean of the college at Keokuk, Iowa ; Laura E., whose birth occurred on the 28th of April, 1863; Benjamin H., born November 29, 1867, who was called to his final rest on the 16th of May, 1908 ; Junia J., who was born on the 15th of August, 1871 ; Lillian L., born August l0, 1872, who passed away March 4, 1875 ; Mrs. Adeline A. Boardman, whose birth occurred June 16, 1876 ; and French F., born April 2, 1879, who died on the 27th of September, 1881. Mr. Hinkley fully realized the value of good mental training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties and all of his children enjoyed excellent educational advantages. The period of his residence in this county covered more than three-fourths of a century and that his if e in its varied relations was at all times worthy of emulation and commendation is indicated by the fact that he was best loved where best known. He was a most devoted and loving husband and father and a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist church. Kind hearted and liberal, the poor and needy found in him a friend whose sympathy manifested itself in material assistance. DANIEL WHITE. Daniel White, a successful farmer and apiarist of New I ndon township, and one of the township's prominent and influential citizens, was born June 3, 1841, in Yates county, New York, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Sutfin) White. The paternal grandfather's name was also Daniel, and this cognomen has been borne by a son of the family for as many generations of which there is any record. This branch of the White family came to Ohio in 1846, locating in Huron. Subsequently they made the journey from there to New London by wagon, and here took up their residence, this being their' home ever since. At 490 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY the time of their advent the country in the neighborhood of New London was covered with dense forests, and the work of clearing had to be accomplished before any farming could be attempted. In this work both our subject and his sister Sarah, Mr. White's only children, assisted, and both are living to tell of a the many hardships encountered and overcome. Mr. White's first wife died in 1863, and on the 6th of September of the following year he married Mrs. Sarah S. Gilbert, the widow of Titus Gilbert and the daughter of Joel and Polly (Benham) Parker. The Parker; came from Connecticut to Ohio at a very early day and were very active in promoting the development of this new land. Mr. White died January 18, 1877, a man highly respected by all who knew him, for he was industrious and frugal and of high character. His daughter, Sarah, married Llewellyn Gilbert, and is now a widow residing in Galion, Ohio. Daniel White of this review, grew up at home, assisting in the work of clearing the soil and then in cultivating it. When the call for troops came at the beginnmg of the Civil war, he enlisted, August 1, 1861, in Battery B, First Ohio Light Artillery, for a period of three years, which was then thought to cover a the whole length of the war. On January 4, 1864, he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and then, without leaving the line, was mustered in again, so that there was no break in the period of his service to his country until the close of the war. Although he was offered several promotions he preferred to remain a private, taking a certain pride in fighting valiantly in the ranks. His battery was attached to the Armies of the Tennessee and the Cumberland and participated in the hard fighting that fell to the share of those armies. The battery's first encounter was at Wild Cat Run, called a battle then, but in the light of subsequent events amounting to little more than a skirmish. Later it took part in the engagements at Stone River, Pellville, Kentucky, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and the subsequent encounters of the army. Although under fire so many times, Mr. White escaped without a wound and without seeing the inside of a prison, a hospital or a guardhouse. On the 22d of July, 1865, he was mustered out of the service at Cleveland, Ohio, and returned to the life of a private citizen. He came to New London, which has since been his home, and for the first five years was employed as a stationary engineer. In 1871, after his marriage, he took up farming, settling upon thirty acres of land belonging to his father-in-law. After a few years he engaged in bee culture, and for the past thirty-five years has been known in e county as one of the most successful men in this line of work. He went abo it in a most thorough manner, studying the habits of the bees, their manner of work, the question of their food, just as a farmer makes a study of his soil and the rotation of crops so that he can obtain the best results from the land at his command. Mr. White is able, as a result of this scientific and intelligent culture, to get from his bees a generous gift, and in the years that have come and gone they have produced tons of honey. About thirty years ago Mr. White undertook the cultivation of strawberries and at present his crop averages probably one thousand bushels. He makes a specialty of late varieties and in consequence his berries command the highest prices in the markets after the regular supply has been exhausted. On the 3d of March, 1871, Mr. White was married to Miss Julia E. Gilbert, a daughter of Titus and Sarah (Parker) Gilbert. The Gilberts came to Ohio HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 491 in 1852, from Oneida county, New York, and settled in New London township, Huron county, on the farm on which Mr. and Mrs. White now live. Mr. Gilbert was a miller by trade and on coming here intended starting a mill but lived only a year and a half after his arrival, leaving a widow and eight children. Of these Mrs. White is the youngest ; Caroline, Llewellyn and Sarah have died; and Martha, Frank, Andrus and Byron are living. The sons followed in their father's footsteps, became millers and attained success and prosperity in their line of work. Mrs. Gilbert died January 25, 1881, a woman well beloved by all who knew her. To Mr. and Mrs. White there have been born four children: Bertha, the wife of Blake Andrews ; Daisy, who married Clyde E. Ward, of New London ; Daniel F., a resident of Detroit, Michigan, and Gilbert, of New London, Ohio. In politics Mr. White is a republican and takes an active part in all party matters, frequently having served on the county republican committee, and almost regularly a delegate to county, district and state conventions. In the public affairs of the township he has also taken part, having served as town assessor for seven years, and now trustee of New London township, a position he has held for many years. During the years his children were in school he served as a member of the school board. He belongs to Carnation Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and is one of its charter members. In Runyon Post, No. 47, G. A. R., he has been active and has frequently been its delegate to state and national encampments. A high degree of public spirit has ever distinguished his actions, He is a hard worker, progressive in his ideas and enjoys the satisfaction of seeing his family well settled in life. At his home, ever filled with good cheer, he dispenses a genial hospitality that is generally appreciated in the community. DANIEL MAHL. The agricultural pursuits of Sherman township find a worthy representative in Daniel Mahl, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and eight acres. A native son of Huron county, he was born on the 21st of March, 1862, a son of John D. and Catherine (Shook) Mahl, natives of Germany who early came to America and were married in this country. The father was a soldier in the German army, but after coming to the United States he took up the occupation of farming at first working for others by the month, but later on his own account. He purchased a tract of land which now comprises a part of the farm owned by the subject of this review. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: John; Jacob; Adam ; Daniel ; Catherine, the wife of Joseph Miller ; Frank ; Michael ; Henry ; Louisa ; and Mary, deceased. Daniel Mahl spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, his time being divided between acquiring an education in the district schools and assisting in the work of the fields. At the age of sixteen, however, he laid aside his text-books and took up the occupation to which he was reared, and has since been co tinuonsly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sherman township. He can remember tuber when Huron county was mostly covered by timber and the trees 492 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY had to be cut down and the native growth removed before the work of improvement could be commenced. And then, after the land had been cleared, the work of cultivation was not easy, for he has seen the time when, during planting season, the soil was so scarce that he was obhged to carry dirt in his hat with which to cover the kernels of corn being planted. Undaunted, however, by any obstacles that blocked his path, Mr. Mahl persevered during the intervening years, until today as the result of untiring industry and indefatigable energy and perseverance he has a finely improved property, the fields annually yielding rich harvests. On the 2d of July, 1896, Mr. Mahl was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Didion, a daughter of John J. and Rosella Didion, mention of whom is made on another page of this volume. This union was blessed with eight children, namely : Herman, born June 16, 1897 ; Ralph, born September 26, 1898 ; Carl, born March 4, 1900; Arnold, born October 24, 1901 ; Mary, born April 13, 1904; Irene, born March 12, 1906 ; Emma, born May 23, 1908 ; and Linus August, October 7, 1909. The family are members of the Catholic church, while politically Mr. Mahl is affiliated with the democratic party. He has never sought nor desired public office as the reward for party fealty, desiring rather to direct his entire energies and attention to his personal interests, which, capably managed, are proving a source of gratifying income to him. Having passed his entire life in Huron county he has gained an extensive circle of friends, and the fact that he is most liked where best known is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as to inspire the confidence and respect of his fellow men. ADELBERT EUGENE HANVILLE. Adelbert Eugene Hanville, who has been engaged in the operation of a sawmill in Huron county for almost forty years, is also a dealer in hardwood lumber and is recognized as one of the successful and progressive business men of the locality where he resides. A native of Corning, New York, he was born on the 17th of April, 1851, and is a son of C. W. and Mary Ann (Fowler) Hanville. The former, was born in Geneva, Cayuga county, New York, in 1826, while the latter was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the year 1831. After their marriage the parents resided for a time in Ulysses, Potter county, Pennsylvania, and later came to Ohio, where the father became identified with the lumber and sawmilling business at Ripley, Huron county. Subsequently he purchased a sawmill north of North Fairfield, which is now owned and operated by the subject of this review. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hanville were the following children: Adelbert Eugene, George W., Charles P., Delphene, Eva and Ella. Adelbert Eugene Hanville, whose name introduces this record, spent the period of his boyhood and early youth in the east, attending the common schools in the acquirement of his education. He was fifteen years of age when, in 1866, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and here he has since continued to make his home. He remained at home assisting his parents until 187o, when he purchased the mill from his father and has since continued to operate it. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 493 The mill, which has been in existence for nearly seventy years, was burned down in 1899 but was rebuilt in the same year, and has been in continuous operation since. Mr. Hanville owns about twenty-two acres of land upon which the mill is situated. He has been very successful in his various enterprises inasmuch as they are proving a source of gratifying remuneration to him. He possesses good business ability and his close application and good management are the salient characteristics in the creditable measure of success which he now enjoys. On the 1st of September, 1872, Mr. Hanville was united in marriage to Miss Ida E. Taylor, a daughter of Alexander and Eliza Ann (McCord) Taylor, of North Fairfield, Ohio. She was called to her final rest, however, on the 12th of October, 1875, and on the 31st of March, 1876, Mr. Hanville was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Ardella Ayers, a daughter of James and Eliza Ann Lamm Ayers, the former a native of Rome, Ashtabula county, Ohio, while the latter was born in Montgomery county, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers, who were southern people, came to the north during the Civil war as refugees, and in their family were six children, namely : Ella, John, Mary, Ada, Charles and Minnie. The second union of Mr. Hanville has been blessed with the following children : Earl, born on the 5th of February, 1880; Harry, born June 3, 1882 ; Iva, whose birth occurred on the 21st of September, 1884; Nellie, born September 5, 1887; Hattie, born on the 21st of November, 1889; and Geneva, on the 11th of July, 1893. All yet survive with the exception of Iva, who passed away on the 16th of August, 1907. In politics Mr. Hanville is independent. He has been a member of the Fairfield township school board, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons at Fairfield and also holds membership with the Redmen. He is highly respected in the community in which he has resided for so many years, for he has ever led an upright, honest and honorable life, while in business affairs he has depended upon no fortunate combination of circumstances to aid him in his career, but has worked for the success which is now his, knowing that fortune favors those who labor persistently and guide their efforts by sound judgment. ALFRED A. GATES. No history of Huron county would be complete without mention of Alfred A. Gates, who was born in this county more than seventy years ago and has therefore been a witness to the changes which have been carried on within its borders during the last half century. He is, moreover, entitled to special mention in this volume from the fact that at the time of the Civil war, when the country was plunged into the darkest hour of her history, he was among the first to respond to her cry for aid, and throughout the four years of hostility served with a courage and loyalty that won for him a most creditable military record. Born on the 7th of May, 1836, in Huron county, he is a son of Gross and Abigail (Ames) Gates, the former born February 4, 1789, while the latter's birth occurred in New York on the 22d of September, 1784. In their family were the fol- 494 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY lowing children: Nora, born in 1816 ; Jane, born in 1818 ; Helen, in 1820; Charles, in 1824 ; Humphrey, in 1826 ; Abigail, in 1827 ; Thomas, in 1829 ; Cordilia, in 1832 ; William, in 1833 ; and Alfred, of this review. Alfred A. Gates, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home and was reared on the old homestead farm, assisting his father in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting, so that when he started out to farm on his own account he was well equipped with a thorough knowledge of the best methods of agriculture. He has devoted his entire life to farming and as the years have gone by has prospered in his undertakings, being now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. This is all under a high state of cultivation and returns excellent crops each year as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. He has made a close study of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, is methodical. systematic and progressive in his business, and is numbered among the substantial and successful farmers of his section of the county. Moreover his dealings with his fellow men have ever been straightforward and honorable, so that his success is well merited. The only interruption that came in his life of intense activity was at the time of the Civil war, when, in response to the call for troops, on the 1st of July, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and fought valiantly and bravely in defense of his country. He saw much active service and was compelled to endure many dangers and hardships, for throughout the four years of his enlistment he was almost continuously at the front, Not once, however, did he waver in his allegiance to his country and at all times. whether on the lonely picket line or in the midst of battle, he remained loyal to the old flag and the cause which it represented. He participated in the following battles: Sugar Creek ; Pea Ridge ; Chickasaw Mountain ; Arkansas Post ; Black Bayou ; Jackson ; Champion Hills ; Siege of Vicksburg; Clinton ; Brandon ; Lookout Mountain ; Missionary Ridge ; Ringgold ; Resaca ; New Hope Church; Kenesaw Mountain ; Peach Tree Creek ; Atlanta ; and Bentonville. On the 25th of July, 1865, he was honorably discharged and with a creditable military record he returned home, again taking up his agricultural pursuits. On the 8th of November, 1865, Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Frances Paine, born July 1, 1840, a daughter of Ira and Lydia (Knowlton) Paine. Unto them were born three children: Gusta, Gross and Frank. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gates was again married, his second union being with Miss Belle Stewart, the wedding occurring on the 4th of June, 1873. Mrs. Gates was born April 25, 1851, and was a daughter of David C. and Mary (LaForce) Stewart, the former born in Ohio on January 1, 1825, while the latter's birth occurred on the 30th of January, 1832. She had one sister, Mary. Her grandfather on the paternal side was Galbraith Stewart, wh0 was a prominent and well known judge of Ottawa county during its pioneer days. Mr. Gates is a member of the Congregational church, while his wife belongs to the Friends Society, of which she was pastor for over twenty years. They are people of the highest worth, whose excellent traits of character have gained them the esteem and regard of their many friends throughout the community. Mr. Gates gives loyal support to the republican party and for six years has been treasurer of the HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 495 township. He is preeminently a public-spirited man and in all matters of citizenship has remained as loyal to his country in times of peace as when fighting on southern battlefields. JOEL E. SNYDER. Joel E. Snyder, a prosperous farmer of New London township, Huron county, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1850, and is a son of Andrew and Harriet (Eister) Snyder. He is of remotely Dutch descent and for several centuries members of the Snyder family have taken part in making the history of this land. In 1700 six brothers of the name came to America from Holland, three of whom settled in New York and three in Pennsylvania, one of the latter being Nicholas Snyder, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Several of the brothers participated in the American Revolution, some of their descendants served in the war of 1812, and those of the family who are living today play a not inconspicuous part in the affairs of their respective localities. Jacob Snyder, the grandfather of Joel E. Snyder, was a resident of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, a prosperous farmer and a large landowner. He had a family of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to the age of seventy-six and several nearly reached the hundredth milestone, although Henry, who still lives in Northumberland county at the age of eighty-three, is the only survivor at present. Andrew Snyder, the father of Joel E. Snyder, was the third from the youngest in the family of thirteen. He was a farmer and a county bridge constructor, and several of the substantial bridges and viaducts of Northumberland county were built by him or under his supervision. In April, 1866, he came to Ohio, settling in New London township, Huron county, where he pursued his farming with great success. He had a family of nineteen children by his first wife and three by a second ; only eight of the nineteen, however, are alive today. They are Louisa, now Mrs. John Tonkinson, of Waverly, Nebraska; Emma, the wife of Samuel Kauffman, of Pratt, Kansas ; Joel E. ; Nathan and Adam, of New London township; Charles H., of Pratt, Kansas ; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Edward Osborn, of Council Bluffs, Iowa ; and Sarah Ann, the wife of Cleabert Lilly, of Pratt, Kansas. All the children have prospered in the business they have undertaken. Mr. Snyder's first wife died September, 1877, and when he himself died, January 17, 1908, he was buried by her side in the cemetery at East Ruggles. A good man and a strong man of high principles, the citizens of the county mourned his loss. Joel E. Snyder grew up at home on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of the county of his birth, and, after the family moved to Ohio, in the schools of New London township. In 1876 he entered upon his .business career as a traveling salesman for harvesting machinery and other farm implements, his territory being the northern counties of Ohio. Three years later he engaged in farming, first, for a year upon his father's land. In the spring of 1881 he removed to New London, where he worked at the trade of 496 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY cabinetmaker, which he had learned in his youth, and for twelve years made a reputation for himself as a clever carpenter and skilful mechanic. In 1893 he again engaged in farming in New London township, and two years later purchased the farm which has since been his home. Here he carries on diversified agriculture, though he makes a specialty of potatoes and has given considerable attention to stock raising. The buildings on the land, including his own residence, are all modern and excellently constructed from his own designs and largely by his unassisted efforts. Mr. Snyder calls his place "Sand Creek," from the little creek that runs through his grounds and the quantities of sand of superior grade found there. He hauls hundreds of loads of this every year and from it derives a considerable revenue. On the 2d of November, 1879, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Carrie May Jewell, a daughter of James and Mary Jane (Ensign) Jewell. The parents are of English birth and are residents of Lorain county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been born two sons : Alton Carroll and Kenneth R. The elder married Miss Tessa Tynder and they have two children, Lillian and Eldred Martin. They live in New London. Kenneth R. lives at home and manages the farm, a responsibility for which he gave up his profession of teaching. Mr. Snyder has always taken an active interest in public matters and is well informed on all questions before the people. His political sympathies are with the republican party, on whose ticket in New London township he has been elected to the office of real estate appraiser for 1910, a testimony of the high regard in which he is held by the substantial men of this locality. He belongs to no societies but his son Alton Carroll is a member of the New London Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and Kenneth R. belongs to the Masonic lodge of the township. Both are fine young men. Mr. Snyder, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has been for many years a class leader in the congregation and otherwise active in church and Sunday school work. He is, indeed, a fine citizen, public spirited, contributmg to the progress and advancement of the community in which he lives. AUGUSTUS L. COIT. Augustus L. Coit, owning and operating an excellent farm of one hundred and twelve acres located in Fairfield township, Huron county, was born August 26, 1848, in New York city, a son of James L. and Elizabeth (Rodgers) Coit. The father was born in Connecticut on the 29th of July, 1815, while the mother, who was also born in the east, passed away when the subject of this sketch was very young. She was the mother of five children, namely : Eureka, William H., Augustus L., Eudora, and Mandora. The father was the second eldest in a family of four children born unto Elias L. and Phoebe (Brown) Coit, the others being Augustus T., Andrew Jackson and William E., two of whom were sailors, Augustus L. Coit accompanied his parents to Ohio when very small and therefore almost his entire life has been passed within the borders of this state. He acquired his education in the district schools and remained at home, giving his HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 497 father the benefit of his assistance, until he reached manhood. When he entered business upon his own account he was first identified with the stone interests in Greenfield, 0perating a quarry at that place for nearly twenty years. and during this period he gained a creditable degree of success, his industry, enterprise and perseverance being salient elements in his prosperity. He later became connected with agricultural pursuits, purchasing the farm upon which he now resides, which has been in his possession for about six years. It consists of one hundred and twelve acres located in Fairfield township and is one of the desirable properties of the locality. He carries on general farming, practices rotation of crops, and makes a close study of the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and his efforts are proving most successful, returning to him a gratifying annual income. The year 1877 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Coit and Miss Anna T. Graham, who is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Meyers) Graham, and one of four children born unto that couple, the other members of the family being Henry, George and Elizabeth. Four children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Coit, namely : Lena M., born in 1881 ; Morris E., born in 1883 ; Alma B., whose birth occurred in 1886; and Elizabeth R., born in 1893. all of whom are still under the parental roof. In his political allegiance Mr. Coit is a stalwart republican, doing all in his power to further the influence of that party in the community, although he does not seek public preferment as a reward for party fealty. He is at present serving as a member of the board of education, and does all in his power to promote and uphold a high standard of education throughout the township. Public-spirited to a large degree, Mr. Coit's influence is always upon the side of progress, reform, improvement and advancement, and these qualities constitute him a citizen of worth in the community in which he resides. FRANK G. FENTON. An excellent farming property of ninety-seven acres in Ripley township, Huron county, pays tribute to the care and labor of Frank G. Fenton. A native of New York, he was born on the 13th of March, 1867, a son of George and Emma (Loomis) Fenton, both natives of the Empire state, who were also the parents of the following: Charles, Arthello and Aouda. The father was a son of Stephen and Philena (Cutler) Fenton, whose family consisted of Charles, Joel, Gilbert, George, Miles and Betsy. Frank G. Fenton acquired his education in the district schools of his native state, where he was reared to manhood, and in 1892 he came to Ohio. He was thoroughly trained to the various duties of the home farm and has been identified with farming throughout the greater part of his active business career. For a few years, however, he was engaged in a creamery, but eventually resumed farming pursuits and now is the owner of ninety-seven acres of fine land upon which he has resided since his arrival in this state. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, and the soil, which is naturally rich and productive, responds 498 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY readily to the care and attention bestowed upon it, yielding annually rich golden harvests. Possessing excellent business ability, Mr. Fenton has so wisely and carefully conducted his farming interests that he has won substantial success and is ranked among the progressive and representative agriculturists of his section of the county. Mr. Fenton was united in marriage on November 2, 1892, to Miss Bertha Thomas, a native of Ripley township, born on the 16th of February, 1861. She is a daughter of Sylvanus W. and Sarah Ann (Marcy) Thomas, the other members of whose family were Ida, George, Carrie and Charles Thomas. The father, who was born January 20, 1824, m New York, is a son of George and Adeline (Baker) Thomas, and a brother of Levi, George, Uriah, Fayette, Andrew, Alvira, Isabender and Walter Thomas. He followed the occupation of farming and was considered one of the best sheep breeders in the state of Ohio. He was also very well known in local political affairs and served as township treasurer for several years. His wife, who was the daughter of Abram and Sarah ( Fisher) Marcy, was born in Connecticut on the 9th of November, 1822, and by her marriage to Mr. Thomas became the mother of three daughters : Maria, Sarah and Esther. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fenton has been born one child, Florence, whose birth occurred June 17, 1895. They are members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Fenton is serving as deacon and also as superintendent of the Sunday school, and are people of excellent traits of character, occupying a high place in the regard of their friends and neighbors. He is stalwart in his support of republican principles which, in his opinion, are most conducive to good government, but he has never desired nor sought office for himself. He has, however, served a number of times as a member of the township school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, at all times lending his influence to those measures which have for their object the material, political, intellectual and moral welfare of the community. His salient characteristics have ever been in accord with the principles of honorable and upright manhood, and he ranks foremost among the valued citizens of the community. FRANK T. GUESS. Among those who can justly claim the proud title of self-made man is Frank T. Guess, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fairfield township, Huron county. A native of England, he was born in Boughton, Chelsea, County of Kent, on the 16th of May, 1865, a son of John and Mary Ann (Manser) Guess, both natives of England, the former born in 1826 and the latter in 1836. They were farming people in their native country, where they were married, and continued to engage in that occupation after their arrival in the United States. In their family were four sons and two daughters, as follows : George, John Henry, Frank Thomas, Frederick Alfred, Elizabeth Alice and Clara Isabel. In 1884, when a young man of nineteen years, Frank T. Guess left England, and came with his parents to the United States, settlement being made in Ohio. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 499 He had acquired his education in the schools of his native country and after ar- riving riving in this state remained upon his father's farm, assisting in the work of the fields, until he had attained his majority, when he entered business on his own account as a farmer and has been connected with agricultural pursuits continuously since. He now resides upon a farm of fifty acres, which he has now owned for six years, and to the improvement of which he directs his entire time and attention. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, has carried on his farming along progressive and up-to-date methods, and through his industry, enterprise and perseverance is meeting with gratifymg success. Outside of his agricultural interests he is a stockholder in the Boughtonville Telephone Company, of which company he was one of the organizers. In 1891 Mr. Guess returned to England, where he was united m marriage to Miss Keturah Clinch, who was born in South Green, Stockbury, in Kent. She is a daughter of John and Keturah Clinch, also natives of England. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guess are members of the Methodist church, while politically Mr. Guess gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has crossed the Atlantic six times and the North Sea twice while he has traveled considerably throughout the west, and he relates many interesting incidents in connection with his various trips. He is truly a self-made man, for although he started out in life without any special advantages at the outset, by earnest, persistent and unfaltering effort he has made progress in the business world and is now ranked among the progressive and enterprising farmers of Fairfield county. HENRY LINDER. Henry Linder, who has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and is now operating a farm of eighty acres in Sherman township, is a native son of Huron county, born November 20, 1852. He is a son of Lawrence and Catherine (Hurtz) Linder, both now deceased. The parents were born in Germany and' came to America at an early date with their respective parents. The father followed the occupation of farming throughout his residence in this country. Of their family Henry Linder was the eldest, the remaining members being: Conrad; John; Elizabeth, the wife of George Krause ; Catherine, who married Philip Conradi ; Barbara, deceased; George ; Lawrence ; and Lena, the wife of Charles P. Eichenlaub. The district schools of Peru township afforded Henry Linder his educational advantages, and he remained a student therein until seventeen years of age, when he put aside his text-books and began earning his own livelihood as a farm hand, working by the month He was thus engaged for six years and then he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He directs his energies toward general husbandry and the attention which he has given to his farm has made it one of the neat and well improved properties of the township. He practices rotation of crops, has made a thorough study of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the best methods of cultivating each, and is a progressive and practical farmer who is winning a creditable degree of success. 500 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY In 1884 he married Miss Minnie Linder, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Swan) Linder, who were prominent farmers and early settlers of Huron county, Ohio. Although the name is the same, the families are not related in any way. Mrs. Henry Linder is the youngest in a family of five children, the other members being George, Lena, Catherine and Lawrence. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, namely : Elizabeth, born in August, 1885; Louis, whose birth occurred in October, 1888 ; and Karl, born in January, 1892, The two eldest attended the district schools, and are now at home, assisting their parents with the farm work, while the youngest, Karl, is a student at the Lutheran University of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Linder are members of the Lutheran church and are interested in the various phases of church work. Mr. Linder is a democrat in politics where national questions are at issue, but is independent where local matters are concerned, voting for the best men, regardless of their party affiliation. His life has been a busy and useful one and the qualities of honorable manhood and good citizenship have been his. He is held in high regard wherever known and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. ISAAC H. ROBINSON. Isaac H. Robinson is a typical farmer of the up-to-date class who utilizes modern machinery and methods to cultivate his soil and conduct the business of his farm. He owns 0ne hundred and thirty-five acres in Norwich township and is of the third generation to own the property which was purchased by his paternal grandfather for three dollars per acre. He sold it to his son Wesley Robinson, and from him Isaac H. Robinson bought it. This farm is one of the best in the township, is well tiled and has on it a commodious brick house and good barns. The tiling was done during Wesley Robinson's life. Isaac H. Robinson was born on the farm where he now resides, February 8, 1849, being a son of Wesley and Mary (Bennett) Robinson, and grandson of William and Letitia Robinson, who passed most of their lives in Ohio, and of Isaac H. and Sally Bennett, natives of New York state. His father followed farming throughout his life, operating the place he bought from his father. He was a man of consequence in his locality, serving as justice of the peace in Norwich township for many years, and was a democrat in political faith. Isaac H. Robinson was his second son, the other children being William, who lives in Grass Lake, Michigan ; George, who lives in Huron county ; and Daniel, who died in March, 1909. On October 30, 1872, Isaac H. Robinson married Isadora Bramble, a daughter of John and Laura (Hossford) Bramble. Her father was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and her mother in Huron county. They were the parents of the following children : Virginia, who is deceased ; Izora, who married Nelson Wilson; and Isadora, who became Mrs. Robinson, and Rowland, who is deceased. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are: Laura, the wife of Chester Dooley, living in Peru township by whom she has 0ne daughter Helen; and 501 - PHOTO OF MR. AND MRS. ISAAC H. ROBINSON 502 - BLANK HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 503 Mary, who married Edward Cushman and has one son, Chester. They live in Norwich township. Isaac H. Robinson was educated in the district school of Norwich township and since reaching manhood, has served very acceptably as school director and road supervisor. He is one ,of the prominent democrats ,of his locality and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order at Attica, Ohio, and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Centerton, Ohio. The family belong to the Methodist church. Having lived in Norwich township all his life, Mr. Robinson has watched its development with great interest and has never failed to respond when there was need of his help in furthering public improvements that he believed would conserve the best interests of the people. W. F. HUFFMAN. The industry, energy and thrift of W. F. Huffman is at once manifest in the excellent appearance of his farm of one hundred and twenty acres which is located in Ripley township, Huron county, and constitutes o,ne of the valuable farming properties of that section of the county. A native of Ripley township, he was born on the 12th of February, 1864, and he and his brother Marshall are the only children of Artemus and Agnes (Allen) Huffman, natives of New York, the former born on the 11th of March, 1837, and the latter in Ithaca on the 16th of January, 1842. The father was the son of Solomon and Sarah Huffman, both natives of the Empire state, whose family consisted of William, Artemus, Leonard, Henry, Sarah, Martha, Mary, Margaret and Christina. James and Jane (Crosby) Allen were the parents of Agnes Allen, who was a sister of James, Andrew, Leonard, William, Joseph, Henry, Thomas, Mary Ann, Jennie and Esther Allen. No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for W. F. Huffman during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was passed upon the home farm, his time being divided between acquiring an education in the district schools and assisting his father in the work of the fields. Under the careful direction of the latter he early learned lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance, and these elements continued to be salient qualities in his later business career. His farm of one hundred and twenty acres is under a high state of cultivation, and in its midst are found commodious barns and outbuildings, while Mr. Huffman has introduced all of the modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating labor, the place being equipped with everything that goes to make up a model farm of the nineteenth century. Mr. Huffman was united in marriage on the 9th of December, 1885, to Miss Eva Barre, who was born on the loth of April, 1864, and is a daughter of Wellington and Deborah (Gifford) Barre. Her parents were both natives of Ripley township, the father having been born in 1837 while the mother's birth occurred on the 4th of July, 1842. In their family were the following children: Eva, Della, Henry, Lee, Wade and Vernon. In the family of her paternal grandparents were fifteen children, namely : Wellington, David, Lyman, Jonathan, Herman, Ira, 504 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Dwight, Corvis, James, Henry, Cornelia, Jane, Jessie, Marietta and Josephine, Her maternal grandparents were Edward and Almira (Salisbury) Gifford. residents of New York, whose family consisted of Deborah, Frank, Horace and Bursha. Corvis Huffman, the only child or Mr. and Mrs. Huffman, was born on Christmas day of 1894. Mr. Huffman and his wife hold membership in the Disciples church, their lives ever being in harmony with the teachings thereof. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Huffman has given stalwart support to the republican party and he is now acting as township trustee, having filled that office for seven years. Having resided in this county throughout his entire life 7e is well and favorably known here and his straightforward and honorable dealings have won for him the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated. THAYER K. PERRY. Investigation into the history of Ohio indicates that the Perrys came to the state during pioneer times and were active in clearing away the wilderness and utilizing the rich soil for farming purposes. The great-grandparents of him whose name introduces this review were Joseph and Sarah (Seward) Perry, the latter a relative of Secretary Seward of President Lincoln's cabinet. Among their children was Daniel Perry, who on arriving at years of maturity wedded Elizabeth Dow Tillson, a daughter of Thomas and Azubah (Noyes) Tillson. Unto Daniel and Elizabeth (Dow) Perry were born seven children : Edwin Louis, Charles Higgins, Dorcas Azubah, Seward Noyes, Anna Lucinda, Elizabeth and Willie Daniel. Edwin Louis Perry, the father of Thayer K. Perry, was born in Peru township, Huron county, Ohio, November 13, 1841, and was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, his education being acquired in the public schools. the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, and Western Reserve Normal School, of Milan, Ohio, while under the direction of his father he received his training in the work of the fields. In the year 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Tamar Ruggles, who was born July 20, 1843, in Ridgefield township, this county. The Ruggles family is also numbered among those that formulated the pioneer development of this part of the state. Her paternal grandparents were Eden and Artemisia (Jackson) Ruggles, of Connecticut, and the family is an old one of New England. Their son, Martin Luther Ruggles, the father of Mrs. Emily Perry, was born in Connecticut, November 13, 1803. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and about 1824, when twenty-one years of age, sought a home in what was then the far west. In the primitive manner of the times he journeyed to Huron county, Ohio, and took up his abode in Ridgefield township, amid the wild scenes and environments of frontier life. Here he followed his vocation as a skilled mechanic. He was married to Miss Fidelia Webb, who was born in New York, September 25, 1808, and their chil- HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 505 dren were Edward Harvey, Lester, Chester, Moses, Carrollton, Comfort Heber, Emily Tamar and Isabella. Of this family Emily became the wife of Edwin L. Perry in 1866, and they have since traveled life's journey happily together. Mr. Perry is a man of liberal education, who supplemented his early advantages by study in Berea, Ohio, and in the Milan Normal School. He engaged in teaching for one term and with the exception of that period has devoted his entire life to general farming since attaining man's estate. He has been a busy man, actively engaged in the tilling of his fields, and the excellent appearance of his place is indicative of his careful supervision and progressive methods. In politics he is independent, voting for principle rather than for party. His wife is a lady of broad culture, who supplemented her public school privileges by further study in the Western Reserve Normal School at Milan, Ohio. It was while they were students there that Mr. and Mrs. Perry became acquainted and their friendship ripened mto love and was consummated in marriage. Mrs. Perry engaged in teaching school for five years and has always been a warm advocate of the cause of education. Both Mr. and Mrs. Perry are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part, doing all in their power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. Mr. Perry has served as deacon in the church and as Sunday school superintendent and teacher of the Bible class. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perry have been born ten children: Ralph, Edith, Irene, Floyd, Daisy, Beth, Gladys, Branch, Thayer and one who died in infancy. Of this family Thayer K. Perry, whose name introduces this review, was born May 20, 1889. He has become an active assistant in the work of the home farm and is numbered among the enterprising young agriculturists of the community. In his business affairs he displays keen discrimination and sound judgment and he is proving himself a worthy representative of one of the leading families of the county. He is now teaching school in his second year. GEORGE W. HANVILLE. The business interests of Boughtonville find a worthy representative in George W. Hanville, a well known and prominent lumber merchant who also engages in the operation of a sawmill and at the same time cultivates a farm of sixty-five acres of fine land in Ripley township. A native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurred on the 18th of October, 1852, his parents being C. W. and Mary Ann (Fowler) Hanville, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. The former, who was born in 1826, was for some time connected with the sawmill and lumber business at Lodi, Ohio, and later was the proprietor of a sawmill near North Fairfield, which is now operated by his son Adelbert Eugene. His wife was born in 1831 and by her marriage became the mother of the following children : Adelbert Eugene, George W., Charles P., Delphene, Eva and Ella. George W. Hanville attended the schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education, and when about fourteen years of age accompanied his 506 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY parents on their removal to Ohio, where he has since continued to reside. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, and during the meantime, under the direction of his father, he gained a thorough and intimate knowledge of the lumber business, so that later, when entering upon an independent business career, he was fully qualified to carry on an enterprise of that nature on his own account. For the past thirty-five years he has conducted an extensive lumber business, buying and shipping hard and soft lumber, while he also operates a sawmill, in which connection he planes and matches lumber and does considerable custom work. He is likewise the owner of sixty-five acres of excellent farm land situated in Ripley township, upon which he carries on general agricultural pursuits. He is preeminently a man of affairs and is conducting his various enterprises in a systematic, progressive and business-like manner that is winning for him a high place among the leading business men of the community. It was on the 25th of October, 1875, that Mr. Hanville was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Maynard, who was born November 8, 1852, a daughter of D. Z. Maynard, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of A. D. Maynard, found on another page of this volume. Unto this union has been born four children namely : Arthur E., William D., George J. and Lena B. Mr. Hanville and his wife are members of the Disciples church, while Mr. Hanville gives his poplitical allegiance to the republican party. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community and gives loyal support to many measures for the general good. His worth as a business man is widely acknowledged, for he has made good use of his opportunities and has forged his way to the front, proving that energy and diligence constitute a safe basis upon which to build success. Honorable and straightforward in his business dealings, he may be termed a sound, substantial citizen, who keeps his promises, meets his obligations and is loyal to every trust. FREDERICK HEARSON. Frederick Hearson, who carries on general farming on his tract of land of ninety acres in Fairfield township, was born in Erie county, Ohio, December 17, 1852, his parents being Thomas and Sarah Ann (Temple) Hearson, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were married. The year 1850 witnessed their emigration to the United States. In their family were the following children: John, George, Richard, Frederick, Frank, Elizann and Sarah. Frederick Hearson has followed general agricultural pursuits as a life work and by reason of his industry, energy and capable management has won a goodly measure of success in his undertakings. He now owns a well improved and productive farm of ninety acres in Fairfield township, which he purchased in 1908, having previously disposed of his farm of one hundred and seven acres in Hartland township, Huron county. For a period of nineteen years he had been a resident of Lyme township. For the past year, however, he has been numbered among the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of Fairfield township. Through HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 507 modern methods of farming he keeps his land in good condition and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and practical methods. In 1877 Mr. Hearson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Parsons, a daughter of John and Emma (Stafford) Parsons. She was one of a family of six children, her brothers and sisters being as follows: George, Thomas, Susie, Mary and Izzie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hearson have been born three children, namely : Charles Edward, who wedded Miss Mary Walker and lives in Toledo, where he is employed as a motorman ; Edith May, the wife of Joseph Brandal, of Bellevue, Ohio ; and Olive. In his political views Mr. Hearson is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. He belongs to the Methodist church and his life is in harmony with his professions. The circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances and all who know him entertain for him the warmest esteem and regard. NELSON VAN AKEN. Nelson Van Aken, a general farmer and stock-raiser of Ripley township, operating a fine farm of two hundred and eleven acres, was born in New York on the 22d of September, 1859, a son of Elijah and Sarah (Brooks) Van Aken. He was one of a family of seven children born unto that worthy couple, the others being Lewis, Minerva, Marinda, Walter, Marshall and Millard. In the state of his nativity Nelson Van Aken was reared to manhood, attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1882, when a young man of twenty-three years, he came to Ohio, settling in Ripley township, where he purchased his present farm upon which he has continued to make his home throughout the twenty-seven years of his residence in this state. The period of his youth had been passed amid the scenes and environments of rural life, so that at an early age he had become familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad, and under the direction of his father had learned lessons concerning the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. That his early training was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that since taking up agricultural pursuits on his own account he has been very prosperous. His home farm comprises two hundred and eleven acres of finely improved land, in the midst of which stand commodious and substantial buildings, while everything about the place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. Along with his general fanning he engages in stock-raising, and in both branches of his business is meeting with gratifying success. It was m the year 1883 that Mr. Van Aken was united in marriage with Miss Belle McClain, a daughter of J. K. and Angeline ( Jonstein) McClain and a sister of John C., Albert, Carrie and Cora McClain. Unto this union was born one child, May. Mr. Van Aken holds membership with the Maccabees and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in politics he gives his support to the republican party. He neither desires nor seeks office, however, prefer- 508 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY ring to devote his time and attention entirely to the conduct of his business affairs which, under his careful control, are proving a source of most gratifying prosperity. During his residence in this community he has gained a circle of warm friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. GEORGE W. HOLTZ. George W. Holtz, one of Richmond township's prosperous native farmers, owns fifty-two and a half acres of well improved land, on which he pursues a general line of agriculture. He was born March 6, 1851, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Musser) Holtz. The father, who was a son of Jacob Holtz, was like the latter a natiye of Perry county, Pennsylvania. At the age of seven he came with his parents to Ohio, settled in Richland county, which remained his home for some years after his marriage, when he removed to Richmond township, Huron county, where he had bought about fifty acres of land. At the time of the purchase the farm was virgin soil, and Mr: Holtz had to clear away the timber before he could plant his crops. They proved to be fertile fields, however, and remained his home until his death, although by that time he had added one hundred and eight acres to his real-estate holdings. Mr. Holtz was married twice. His first wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Musser in her maidenhood, died in 1863, when her son George W. was about twelve years old. She had borne a family of five children : William, deceased ; George W. and John W., who were twins ; Sarah, now deceased, who married George Elston and lived in Breckenridge, Colorado ; and Jennie, deceased, who was the wife of Elijah Limes and lived in Van Wert county, Ohio. Miss Sarah Thompson was the bride of Mr. Holtz's second marriage. She lived, however, only three years after their union, having become the mother of one daughter, Laura, who has been married twice, John Trotter having been her first husband, and Casius Gump her second. Mr. Holtz, who died May 2, 1898, and the deceased members of his family are buried in Union Bethel cemetery in Richmond township. George W. Holtz attended the district schools of Richmond township, though the education he received was comparatively meager, for he was compelled to leave school when he was seventeen and during his earlier years could only spend two or three months at school each winter, for his assistance was needed on the farm as early and as late as the weather would permit. To agriculture he has devoted his time throughout life, for it was but in the course of the farm work that he became a skillful manager of a threshing machine and hay baler. Richmond township has always been his home, save for the three years he lived in Chicago, Ohio. However, he has made three trips west, for pleasure and to view the grandeurs of the western scenery. After his marriage the first land Mr. Holtz bought was a tract in Richmond township consisting 0f forty acres, which he purchased from Joseph Rush, but he later traded that for a farm of eighty-five acres, making up the difference in price with cash. He was soon able to add thirty acres to the tract, thus bringing his holdings to one hundred and fifteen acres, to which fifty-two and a half acres were added about the same HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 509 time through an inheritance. Subsequently he bought the farm on which he now lives and has sold the rest of his land, though he still retains some property in Chicago, Ohio. Mr. Holtz has been married twice. Miss Susan Pickens, his first wife, to whom he was united November 29, 1872, was a daughter of Chris Pickens. By her marriage she became the mother of five children : James W., who lives in Utah ; Irvin W., a resident of Attica, Ohio ; Jacob, of Huron county ; Vernon C., who died in his twenty-first year ; and Jennie B., who lives in Toledo, Ohio. After his first wife's death, Mr. Holtz married Miss Esther Mathilda Waltz, a daughter of John G. and Myra (Casey) Waltz. Her father was born in Germany, but her mother was a native of Virginia and is still living, in Chicago, Ohio, celebrating the eighty-third anniversary of her birth, October 4, 1909, and enjoying good health. Mrs. Holtz was the eldest of four •children, the others being Margaret Ehzabeth, the wife of T. W. Bussard ; Jacob D., who lives in California ; and Amanda Catherine, the wife of W. A. Miller, of Wood county, Ohio. By Mr. Holtz's second marriage there was born one daughter, Anna Marion, who died in her ninth year. A democrat in his political views, Mr. Holtz takes a vital interest in matters that concern the welfare of his fellow citizens, though he could never be called either a politician or an office-seeker. He has, however, served the community in the capacity of road supervisor and has been a member of the school board, and his influence is ever given to what he believes to be right. His religious affiliations are with the United Brethren. A hard working man, a generous competence has rewarded his labors, and he has been able to add improvements to his farm, has remodeled the house, built new sheds and put a new roof on tbe barn, all things bespeaking his industry and good management. GEORGE A. HASSINGER. One of the farmers of Ripley township, whose earnest efforts have been crowned with success is George A. Hassinger, who owns a farm of fifty-seven acres in the vicinity of the little village of Boughtonville. Though not one of Ohio's native sons, for more than a quarter of a century he has made this state his home and the scene of his toils. He was born March 29, 1866, in Blame, Perry county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Samuel and Margaret (Trostle) Hassinger, were also natives of the Keystone state and were respectively the son and daughter of William Hassinger, and Henry and Elizabeth Trostle. Mr. and Mrs. Hassinger became the parents of seven children : William H., George A., Sadie, Ida, David, Laura and Alfred. George A. Hassinger, the second son in this family, was reared in his Pennsylvania home until he was sixteen, receiving such education as a farmer's boy might acquire in the district schools when the time of year made it impossible for him to work in the fields. In 1882 he came to Ohio, finding employment on different farms and following the painter's trade which he had learned. About five years ago he bought the place on which he now lives and has devoted himself more 510 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY and more exclusively to the work of cultivating his fields. He still, now and then, however, does a day's or week's work at his trade and is accounted a skillful artisan. George A. Hassinger was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Dick, December 14, 1888. She was born in Richland county, on a farm near Shelby, in the year 1862 and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Buskey) Dick, who were likewise of Ohio birth and were blessed with six children : Franklin, Alice, Minnie, Olivia, Jennie and Margaret. In Mr. and Mrs. Hassinger's family there are three children : Alverda, who was born January 25, 1892 ; Foster, who was born January 7, 1894 ; and Edna, born August 7, 1897. The family are members of tile Methodist church at Delphi and are not only punctilious in their attendance at its services but are also zealous in their practical application of its teachings. Politically Mr. Hassinger is a stanch democrat and is ever loyal in his support of the candidates of that party. He does not identify himself intimately with the public life of the township, however,, although he has filled the position of school director, acquitting himself of his duties honorably. He has been active in promoting measures advantageous to his fellows, one having been the organization of the Boughtonville Telephone Company, of which he is a member. A man who has been dependent upon his own exertions for what he would possess in this world, he cannot but be gratified by the success with which they have been attended. REV. MICHAEL J. COAN. The Rev. Michael J. Coan, pastor of St. Francis Xaviers Catholic church at Chicago, Ohio, has been in charge here for four years, during which time he has firmly established himself in the hearts of his people and gained the full confidence of the citizens of this place. He is a native of Ireland, where he was born August 12, 1875, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (Muldo0n) Coan, who were also natives of that country. They never left the Emerald Isle. but both died there. The grandfather on the paternal side, Patrick Coan, also died in Ireland. There were the following children in the family of Michael Coan and his wife : Myria, who married M. P. Hagarty and lives in Massachusetts ; Anna ; Catherine ; Margaret, who is known as Sister Mary Peter, and Elizabeth, who is known as Sister Mary Clementine, both in a convent at Springfield, Massachusetts ; Sarah, who lives in Massachusetts ; Bridget, residing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts ; John, who never left Ireland ; and Michael j. Father Coan first attended the national schools of Ireland, but when only seventeen he came to the United States and for one year worked in a dry-goods store in Boston, Massachusetts. He then began studying for the priesthood at the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, and after finishing there, he entered St. Bernard College at Rochester, New York, where he was ordained in 1904. by Bishop McQuaid. He was then sent to Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as assistant priest for one year in St. Philomena's church. On July 19, 1905, he was given charge of the church at Chicago, Ohio, and since he has assumed control HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 511 of affairs, the present church edifice was completed in 1906. He is a member 0f the Knights of Columbus, of Chicago, Ohio. Father Coan is a scholarly man, learned in the lore of his church' and possessed of a deeply sympathetic nature that enables him to touch the hearts of his people. He is also an excellent business man, and the affairs of his parish are in a very flourishing condition under his capable management. EZRA S. JENNINGS. During the period of pioneer development in Huron county Ezra S. Jennings became a resident of this part of the state and remained here until his demise, continuing throughout the entire period as one of the respected and highly esteemed agriculturists and citizens of this section of Ohio. He was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, on the list of August, 1827, and was a son of Walter Jennings and a grandson of Daniel Jennings. The last named was born in Connecticut, October 14. 1770, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 14th of March, 1840, when he passed away at the age of sixty-nine. His wife, Phoebe Jennings, was born in Connecticut on the 14th of February, 1773. Their children were as follows : Walter, born in 1798 ; Rhoda ; Eunice ; Gregory, born in 1805 ; Ezra, in 1806 ; Abigail, in 1809 ; Daniel, in 1811 ; Gershem, in 1813 ; Sarah, in 1815 ; Esther, in 1817 ; and Alva, in 1819. Of this family Walter Jennings became the father of Ezra S. Jennings. He was born near Bridgeport, Connecticut, on the 31st of May, 1798, and resided in that state until 1835. In the meantime he married, his wife, Mrs. Rhoda Jenmngs, having been born near Bridgeport on Christmas day of 1802. Their children were: Ezra S., Gregory, Nelson, Mary Ann, Sarah, and twins, who died in infancy. Ezra S. Jennings spent the first eight years of his life in the state of his nativity and in 1835 accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Ohio. The journey was made by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo and thence by way of Lake Erie to Huron. From that point they traveled by wagon to Fairfield township. Upon reaching their destination the father purchased nine acres of land on which was an old log cabin. There were only two frame houses within ten miles and there were still many evidences of pioneer life to be seen. Deer were often seen in the forests and turkeys and other kinds of wild game were very numerous. The native timber was uncut and only here and there had a clearing been made to show that civilization was begun. As the years passed, however, the Jennings family became active factors in the work of general progress and improvement here. Ezra S. Jennings was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life and shared with the family in all of the hardships and trials incident to establishing a home on the frontier. He assisted in the arduous task of developing new land and throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming. He made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 28th of November, 1850, to Miss Harriet R. Godden, who was born in Utica, New 512 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY York, on the 23d of October, 1829. In the year 1834. she was brought to Fairfield township, Huron county, by her parents, William H. and Lucina (Butler) Godden. The father was a native of Albany, New York, born August, 6, 1804; and on the 8th of January, 1826, he married Lucina Butler, whose birth occurred at Lee, Oneida county. New York, June 19, 1809. Their children were : Elizabeth, John, Emory, Mary, Jennie, Sarah, Lucinda, Julia and Harriet. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Jennings was John Godden, a native of Westmoreland, New Jersey, whose family included: John, David, Elizabeth, Nancy, Charlotte, Sarah, and William H. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Jennings was Jonathan Butler, who was born in the state of New York, August 1, 1781. He married Lucina Wright, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, December 26, 1779. Their children were : Ezra, Adin, Harriet, Edward and Lucinda. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ezra S. Jennings began their domestic life upon a farm in Huron county and as the years passed eight children were added to the household, namely : Desseline E., Byron E., Edwin K., Mary Louisa, Edson Grant, Herbert Floyd, Hattie May and Lena Rivers. Mr. Jennings worked persistently and earnestly to develop his fields and bring his farm under a high state of cultivation. He lived to witness many changes in the methods of farm work. In his youthful days there was little of the modern machinery now used. He saw the introduction of the thresher, cultivator, riding plow and the self-binder, and at all times he kept abreast with the trend of advancement in agricultural lines. He continued to successfully carry on his farming operations until 1899, when, having reached the age of seventy-two years, he rementired to private life and with a comfortable competency removed to North Fairfield, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his death occurring in 1907. Mrs. Jennings was always a faithful helpmate to her husband and her wise counsel as well as her labors was of much assistance to him as the years passed by. She has now reached the advanced age of eighty years and is held in the highest regard by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the part of Huron county in which she makes her home. JOHN ROBERT COX. John Robert Cox, a substantial farmer of Richmond township, Huron county, to, and the owner of the fifty-two acres on which he lives, was born in this township, February 12, 1857, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Pollinger) Cox. The parents were also natives of this state, the father having been born in Carlton, the mother in Huron county, and both were early habituated to the hardships of farm life, for their parents were among the early settlers who had to make ready the land before they could put in their crops. The mother and father died in 1859, leaving two children, the eldest, John Robert, of this review, being but two years old. William, the other child, is now a resident of Richmond township. Upon the death of his parents John Robert Cox was taken by his maternal grandfather, Abraham Pollinger, with whom he lived until he died. He attended the district schools, from which his education was derived, until he became twen- HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 513 ty-one, though all his vacations and the early spring and fall months were devoted to the work that was carried on on his grandfather's farm, Upon the death of Mr. Pollinger, Mr. Cox bought the land from the other heirs. He has found it to be arable soil, that had been kept in good condition during his grand- father's lifetime. Indeed the latter had cleared it himself, with the help of Daniel Pollinger, in the early days of Richmond township. From his childhood trained in the practical cultivation of a farm, Mr, Cox has known how to obtain the very best returns possible from the land at his disposal, He has not shirked hard work and feels that he reaps an abundant harvest for his many hours of toil, In November, 1884, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Elma Kirkwood, a daughter of Lewis and Anna Kirkwood. The parents were numbered among those stalwart settlers who prepared the way for the conditions of the present. They are survived by six children : Thomas, the eldest of the family ; Myria, who married John Couch and lives in Chicago, Ohio; Charles, unmarried ; Elma, who became Mrs. Cox ; Amos, also unmarried ; and Jessie, who became the wife of Willis Harmon and lives in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have one daughter, Mabel Fern, who married James Dawson, a farmer of Seneca county, Ohio. Following in the footsteps of his father who joined the republican party when it was first being organized, Mr. Cox has always cast his vote for its candidates, not through a blind acceptance of his father's principles alone but because he believes that in its platform are included some of the best principles for the government of a nation. Although he has not taken a very active part in public matters, Mr. Cox served one term as road supervisor. He belongs to the Church of God in Richmond township and is zealous in fulfilling his religious duties and generous in his contributions to the support of the church, HOWARD LOFLAND. Howard Lofland, who for more than two score years has lived upon the farm in Ripley township which is now his home, was born near Plymouth, in Richland county, Ohio, October 9, 1848, and is a son of Solomon and Eleanor (Tyson) Lofland. The father, who was born near Mansfield, Ohio, in 1810, was a son of Thomas Lofland and a brother of Dorman and Comfort. The mother was born in England in 1812 and was about twelve years of age when her parents, William and Ann Tyson, came to America. They settled in Richland county, Ohio, near Plymouth, and contributed their share toward making the county a farming section, for they had to hew their fields out of the forests. Mrs, Lofland was the youngest of four children, William, John and George being her elder brothers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Lofland was born eleven children : William, Henry, Smith, Howard, Charles, Ned, Thomas, one deceased, Jane, Frances and Emma. Howard Lofland grew up under the careful guidance of his parents, from whom he received that instruction in the principles which should guide his life and which have proved of inestimable value to him as the years have passed. His 514 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY early education, however, the training in the rudiments of English learning, was received in the little district school, and had it not been supplemented by practical experience would scarcely have sufficed for the business of life. Upon the completion of the course of study prescribed by his teachers, Mr. Lofland turned to the serious work of the farm, assisting his father in whatever way he could, and then assuming full charge of affairs as the older man's advancing age made it increasingly difficult for him to do the heavier labor. About twenty years ago his father was released from the cares of this world and Mr. Lofland bought the farm from his heirs and has since had possession of it. A fine tract of ninety- nine acres, it well repays the earnest work he puts upon it. In 1878 Mr. Lofland was married to Miss Lucy Mutler, of Plymouth, and a daughter, Ida, was born to them in 1879. After the death of his first wife Mr. Lofland married, October 9, 1888, Miss Catherine Monteith, who was born in Ireland in January, 1861, and was but four years old when brought by her parents, John and Catherine (Baird) Monteith, to this country. The family settled in Plymouth, Ohio, and there the children—John, Andrew, Mary and Catherine- grew to maturity. Of Mr. Lofland's second marriage there has been but one child born, Carl Monteith, whose birth occurred April 16, 1890. He is a promising young man who is now in the employ of the People's Bank at Plymouth. Mr. Lofland and the members of his family belong to the Presbyterian church and are loyal in their support of its doctrines. Politically he adheres stanchly to the republican party, believing that in its platform are embodied the best principles for the government of a nation. A hard working man, he has won success from .a difficult life through his own efforts and not through the misfortunes of others less able to withstand the struggles of life. JACOB M. FINK. Jacob M. Fink, a prosperous member of the farming community of Richmond township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, October 6, 1854, and is a son of John R. Fink and his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Matilda Miller. On the paternal side he is of remotely French descent, and on the maternal of German, though for several generations both families have been of American birth and have participated in the affairs of this country. John R. Fink was born February 22, 1826, and like his father, John S. Fink, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where also was born, January 11, 1828, the woman who became his wife. In 1854 John R. Fink came with his family to Richmond township, Huron county, settling on the farm where his son now lives. Two years later, however, he removed to the farm adjoining it on the east, on which he passed the remainder of his days. The Fink family are thus widely interested in the farming conditions of the township. Jacob M. Fink was reared on the home farm, devoting himself to the necessary work during his vacation periods and even during the few months when the schools were in session, for with the majority of farmer's boys lessons find what place they can in the midst of sterner duties. He married Miss Martha HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 515 Beamer, December 23, 1883, She is a daughter of Mathias and Margaret (Thompson) Beamer, both natives of Ohio, the father having been born in Tuscarawas county, the mother in Carroll county, They were married in the former county, then removed to Van Wert county, whence they came to Huron county, where they resided the remainder of their lives and where they were buried when they were released from the cares of this world, the father September i0, 1898, the mother less than six months later, February 23, 1899. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Elizabeth, who is deceased, was the wife of John Faint ; Hannah married George Cole ; John F, was the fourth child ; Anna married Jacob Rapp ; Lucinda first married Louis Rapp and after his death married Lewis Livenspiker ; Ellen became the wife of Charles H. Clark ; Allen was the seventh in the family ; and Martha is the wife of Jacob M. Fink, of this review ; and Emma is the wife of Sam Garber. On the farm which has ever been his home and from the field whose character he knows so well, Mr. Fink obtains more than the necessities of life, being the owner of one hundred and thirty-six acres of well improved land, By skill and industry he has been able to reap bountiful harvests and by thrift and good management he has been able to save something from each year's yield. He has not taken part in the public life of the township, for the cares of his farm have left him little time for other matters, WILLIAM W. HOPKINS. William W. Hopkins, a farmer of Greenwich township and also a contracting builder, is a well known citizen of the county, being especially active in Grand Army matters, having been a worthy wearer of the blue during the trying days from 1861 to 1865. He was born September 27, 1844, and is a native to the township where he resides. His parents were Willard K. and and Jane U. (Easterly) Hopkins, the father a native of Barnstable, Massachusetts, the mother of Gloversville, New York. Her uncle was the pioneer glovemaker of that village. Willard K. Hopkins came to Greenwich township in 1838 with his first wife, Lucy Reed, of a New York family, who died shortly after coming to Ohio. leaving two children, Mary A. and Lucy M. In 1843 occurred the second marriage of Mr. Hopkins and eight children were born of this union, namely: William W., Albert J., Francis T., Elizabeth J,, Julia E., Isadora A., Arman B., and George H., all living but Elizabeth. The father was one of the pioneers who hewed their farms out of the forest and lived to see them cultivated and improved tracts. He was a man of strong character, quiet and 0f homelike tastes, and greatly respected by those who knew him, He and his wife lie together in Greenwich cemetery, the father passing first in May, 1879, the mother in 1882. William W. Hopkins was reared to pioneer life and received but the rudiments of an education in the crude schools of his time. Being of an observant turn of mind, he has made up for many delinquencies in the school of life as time has passed. A lad yet in his teens when Old Glory felt the traitor's blow, he soon found himself beneath her folds, as a private in Company D, of the One 516 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Hundred and First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served two years and ten months, to the close of the struggle, for the greater part of the term in the middle west with the Army of the Cumberland, doing faithful service in the memorable Atlanta campaign. Soon after returning home, Mr. Hopkins was joined m marriage to Phoebe J. Beers, a daughter of Lewis and Dor0thy A. (Percy) Beers. Her father was from Connecticut, and lived his life at Clarksfield, his wife having been a native of that town. He was a millwright and carpenter of great industry and of forceful character. His wife died in 1853, while he lived to an advanced age, dying in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are the parents of six children: Lewis W., a resident of Akron, Ohio ; Clarence R., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Maude E., deceased ; Clayton J., a farmer of Richland county, Ohio ; Nellie C., the wife of Charles Daty, a jeweler, of Canton, Ohio ; and Willard K., of Akron. From 1869 until 1872, Mr. Hopkins and his family resided in Norwalk township and then removed to Greenwich township, where he followed farming until 1879. Since then he has made his home in the village of Greenwich and has engaged in business as a brick-mason and builder. He is a republican in politics and has always been a wise counsellor in the deliberations of the party in his community. As township trustee, constable, member of Greenwich council and waterworks trustee, he performed the duties of the various positions with the greatest efficiency and to the best interests of the public. In his social life Mr. Hopkins gets most of his pleasure in serving the Grand Army. He is a past commander, has served in all 0f the minor offices and is a familiar figure at the different reunions of that grand organization. He and his family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as a member of the board of trustees and as financial and recording secretary has clone good service in the church. His wife is an intelligent and refined woman, active and forceful in the church and its various interests, and a worker in all charities of the community. The Hopkins home radiates an influence which is a great factor for good, and both parents and children receive, as they should, the esteem of the whole countryside. JOHN S. BERRY, John S. Berry, who has been prominent in Greenwich township, Huron county, as a stockman, and in the mercantile world for almost half a century, was born January 12, 1831, in Onondaga county, New York, a son of Clark and Elmira (Pettis) Berry. The family came to Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, in the fall of 1832, having made the journey from their old home by wagon, experiencing many hardships on the way. The father bought a farm in the w0ods and built a log cabin which was to serve for their home and immediately started to clear the land. In his family were six children, who all had a taste of these primitive conditions. They were : John S., Isaac J., Danford W., Wheaton, Chauncey, and Celia, now Mrs. Nathan Carpenter, of Reading, Michigan. She and HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 517 John S. are now the only survivors, the others having come to their deaths in rather unusual manner. Wheaton was teaching and lecturing in Texas before the war and because of something said publicly that was displeasing to the people there he was one evening shot upon the street. Isaac J. and Danforth and his wife were drowned with several others in Clear Lake, Michigan, on the Fourth of July some forty years ago. Chauncey died on Christmas day, 1908, from the effects of a paralytic stroke received six years before. The parents were people of sterling character and highly respected in the community in which they lived. The father died in the spring of 1885 and was buried in the cemetery at Fairfield beside his wife, who had preceded him to her last resting-place some twelve years, her death having occurred in October, 1873. John S. Berry lived with his parents until he was twenty-one. He received his early education in the common schools of the county, later attending the high school at Fairfield. When he attained his majority he entered the mercantile world in that town with Hiram Barnum, and that partnership continued for about four years, when Mr. Berry commenced farming, which he followed for two years. He then opened a grocery in Greenwich, and during the years that have since passed he had also been engaged in buying and selling stock and shipping it to the eastern markets. For a number of years he also engaged in buying and selling wool and during the period of the Civil war he handled large quantities of this commodity anti stock, from which he derived a considerable profit. He continued in mercantile business in Greenwich for about twenty years, but has been engaged in the stock and wool industry for forty-one years, during which time he has had dealings with every farmer and wool grower for miles around. The result of these transactions has gained for him the reputation, well earned indeed, for fair and honorable dealing. At one time he was also the owner of considerable land, four hundred acres being the extent of his possessions, and he still owns two hundred and fifty acres and a commodious house in Greenwich. He worked hard and fortune looked favorably upon him. On the 21st of November, 1852, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Gifford, a daughter of Abraham and Marietta (Blockmore) Gifford. The parents came to Ohio in 1832 from Erie county, New York, and settled in Greenwich township, where the father began farming and became a large landowner and a highly esteemed citizen. When he died, August 24, 1878, he was buried by his wife, who had died January 4, 1864, in Ripley. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are the parents of two children : Charles A. and Eva Eldora, both of whom died within a week of one another in September, 1865. Shortly after this loss they adopted a niece who came to the family when a mere child, and to whom they gave the name of their deceased daughter, Eva Eldora. She is now married to George E. Richey, of Columbus, Ohio. On the 21st of November, 1907, Mr. and Mrs.. Berry celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, at which many friends proffered their good wishes and their hopes that for many more years they might traverse life's pathway together. Mr. Berry has all his life been a very busy man and has had little time to give to public affairs. He has always been a republican and when a younger man was very active in the interests of his party though he never sought office. His influence has ever been exerted for the good of the community and for a number of years he 518 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY filled the office of township assessor. He is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., and with Mrs. Berry belongs to the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the chapter at New London, and both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than half a century, for forty years of which Mr. Berry has been its treasurer and in other ways active in the affairs of the church. In short he is a man, who looking back over the many years that have been granted him, can feel satisfied with the use he has made of them and the good will of his friends. HENRY BORES. Henry Bores, a prominent farmer of Sherman township, Huron county, and the owner of the one hundred and twenty-two acres of land on which he lives, was born in that township, about one mile east of his present home, on the 25th of July, 1860. He is a son of David and Anna M. (Fachinger) Bores, both of whom were born in Germany but have for many years been citizens of this county and are at present living upon two hundred and forty acres of land in Sherman township. David Bores was born January 22, 1833, and was but twenty years of age when he embarked upon the journey to, this country, alone, for his parents, John and Catherine (Klepel) Bores, had too many ties in their native land to relinquish them and make a new home amid new surroundings. There were other ties just as strong as home that held them to Germany, ties of patriotism and loyalty, for John Bores had been a soldier and in serving his country fought against Napoleon in 1815. David Bores landed in New York on coming to the United States and proceeded to Ridgefield township, Huron county, Ohio, where he worked by the month for different farmers for about three years, and then rented a tract of land for perhaps six years. Two years after coming here, he married Miss Anna M. Fachinger, who had come to the United States with her brother Joseph from Germany, and to them were born six children : Joseph, deceased ; Elizabeth, who married C. Wilhelm ; Henry ; August ; John ; and Emma, the wife of William Ringland. David Bores was a member of a family of five children, having two brothers and two sisters : John, Louis, Elizabeth and Minnie. He was a young man when he came to this county and soon identified himself with local affairs, taking a prominent part in political and governmental matters. For a number of years he served as township trustee and as road superintendent, to which office he was elected on the democratic ticket. He and his family were all members of the Catholic church and from its foundation were active in promoting its welfare. In Sherman township Henry Bores has spent the greater part of his life. He was reared at home and acquired his education at the district schools, early entering upon the occupation which his father followed and in addition to farming engaging to quite an extent in threshing. In 1897 he bought his present farm from Joe Long, on which during the past twelve years he has made a number of important improvements. A successful farmer, Mr. Bores follows in the steps of his father in other respects as well, taking an efficient interest in public affairs HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 519 and being selected by the people to serve them in two capacities. As a trustee of this township he has had a guiding hand upon its government and as a member of the school board he has done much to advance the cause of education here. He is not much given to fraternal organizations and societies, but is a member of the National Protective Legion and is interested in its work. On the 3d of February, 1885, Mr. Bores was united in wedlock to Miss Mary Bauman, the daughter of John and Barbara (Barbrick) Bauman, of Sherman township. The former is still living, in Monroeville, but the mother has passed away, after having reared a family of three children : Emma, who married Anthony Hammersmith, of Erie county, Ohio ; Mary ; and Allie, who married August Bores, a brother of our subject. Mrs. Henry Bores was bcrn in Sherman township and is the mother of six children : Anna, the eldest of the family and now the wife of Lawrence Myers. of Sherman township. Louisa, who married Stephen Lash, and also lives in Sherman township, being the mother of three children, Walter, Clarence and Marian. The four youngest of the Bores family, Benjamin, Walter, Carl and Ramon live at home. The whole family are members of the Catholic church at Bismarck, which the elder Mr. Bores helped to build. Henry Bores is one of the prominent farmers of Sherman township and well he might be, not only for the skill he has evinced as a tiller of the soil, but also for the concern he has shown in public affairs and for the service he has rendered the people. His assistance has ever been that of an honest and upright man, and he is held in high regard by those who know him. ADAM BIUERLE. Adam Biuerle, who is one of the three heirs to the father's estate of one hundred and twenty-eight acres lying in Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio, owns in his own right thirty-seven acres adjoining the home place on the east. He was born in Cincinnati, August 23, 1853, and is a son of Leonard j. and Catherine (Leitenberger) Biuerle. His paternal grandparents were Adam and Christina Biuerle, while his maternal grandparents were George Adam and Mary Susan Leitenberger, who were born in Germany and never left their native land. Leonard Biuerle and the woman who afterward became his wife came to the United States as young people about the year 1847. In the city of Cincinnati they were married and a couple of years later, about 1854, came to Huron county, where they lived until their death. The mother passed away September 4, 1884, while the father survived until April 11, 1891. They were buried in Richmond township. In their family were five children : Catherine, Adam, Caroline, Christina and Mary. Of these the two eldest were born in Cincinnati, the others in Huron county. Caroline, now deceased, was the wife of Christ Aichholz ; Mary wedded John Marshall, but Catherine, Adam and Christina have never left the home place. Christina Biuerle received her early education in the public schools of Huron county, and later for two terms was a student at Ada, Ohio. Upon the completion of her own training she engaged in teaching, first for a number of years in the schools of Huron county, then for two terms in Seneca county, and lastly, for two 520 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY years in the Chicago high school. She was successful in her profession, but gave it up that she might be at home and assist in the conduct of the farm. Catherine Biuerle attended the district schools until twelve years of age and then devoted her time to assisting her mother, who was in ill health and needed her help in carrying on the work of the home. Adam Biuerle obtained all his education in the district schools, and though he remained at his lessons until he was twenty-one, it was for but a few months a year, and even then his summers and spare time was spent in work on the farm. He became a skilled agriculturist, however, with the passing of ,the years, able to take charge 0f affairs and competent to conduct the farm upon a paying basis. He has also taken part in the public life of the community to a slight extent, following in his father's footsteps in the various offices he has held, for like the older man he has been road supervisor and one of the directors of the educational interests of the township. He too has espoused the cause of the democratic party, finding that its platform is more in accord with his own views. The brother and two sisters conduct the affairs of the farm that was left to them by their father and unite their efforts in making it one of the most fertile and productive tracts in Richmond township. They are members of the Lutheran church, stanch in their support of its doctrines, which find practical application daily in their lives. HENRY LUTMAN. Henry Lutman, one of the prosperous farmers of Ripley township, who owns one hundred and ten acres of land in the vicinity of Boughtonville, was born in France, May 15, 1853. He is the only son of Philip and Christina (Noacher) Lutman, who came to America when he was but eighteen months old, for they were anxious to make a start in life where conditi0ns seemed more favorable than in the turbulent land of their birth, and they were desirous that their son should have the many advantages that need only be grasped by the young men of this country. Reared to the life of a farmer, Mr. Lutman has devoted himself unremittingly to the culture of fields since he attained his majority. He never shunned hard work, but with the determination to succeed, which is characteristic of his race, he pushed straight ahead, exchanging one piece of land for another wherever he saw an opportunity to better himself. About nine years ago he bought his present farm in Ripley township. To this, too, he has given his attention with practical enthusiasm and has felt fully repaid for the privations which he endured and the hard work which he had spent, when at harvest time each year he was better off than he had been the year before. His labors have not, however, been all selfishly directed ; he has for thirteen years found time to devote to the educational interests of the township, serving the people faithfully as a member of the school board. In 1877 Mr. Lutman was married to Miss Sarah Grover, who is a daughter of Solomon and Catherine Grover and the sister of George, Isaac, John, Susan and Mary, the other children of her parents. T0 Mr. Lutman and his wife have been HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 521 born three children : Anna, who married Arthur Watts ; Dora, who became the wife of Clifford Knight ; and Lewis, who married Miss Nettie Palm. When called upon to exercise his right of franchise Mr. Lutman invariably casts his ballot for the candidate of the democratic party, for he is a firm believer in its principles as defined in its platform. An American in all but birth, by his industry, his frugality, which constitute his example to his neighbors and friends, he is deserving of the success which has rewarded his hard work. and it is without the bitterness that taints the good fortune of those who have built their little world on the ruins of the hopes and aspirations of others. WILLIAM G. CHANNING. One of the native sons of Huron county who have continued in the life to which they were reared, that of a farmer, is William G. Channing, who owns ninety-one acres of land in Richmond township. He was born, however, in Greenfield township, December 11, 1852. His parents, Joseph and Charlotte (Fox) Channing, were born, reared and married in England. In 1848 they came to America and joined their forces with those of the other early settlers of Huron county who were doing their share toward the great development which the last half of the preceding century witnessed. Six children were born to them: Ellen, who became the wife of William H. Callin ; Joseph R. ; Susan, who married Thomas A. McClain ; Louisa, who became the wife of A. M. Cole ; Lydia, who married S. S. Lloyd ; and William G., who is the subject of this sketch. William G. Charming received the fundamentals of his education in the district schools of Huron county. The meager instruction which they were able to afford during the few months they were in session he has greatly supplemented, however, both through practical experience and by extensive reading and study. One of his largest assets being a capacity for hard, unremitting toil, he has secured from his farm a substantial income due also to the scientific study he has made of agricultural methods and the nature of his soil. Reared to the life of a farmer, he has followed that calling but at the same time has found exercise for the business ability which is his on the stock and grain market and in the buying and selling of hay and fertilizer. Mr. Charming has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Alice Leply, a daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth Leply. The one son, Elmer, who was born of this union, is an electrician at Niagara Falls. When Mr. Channing married again Miss Eliza J. Dawson became his wife. She was a (laughter of James B. Dawson by his first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Dickinson. The others of this family were J. W., A. H., G. H. and J. E. By his second wife, who before her marriage was Miss Julia Sweetland, Mr. Dawson had five children: H. S., D. F., C. A., R. A. and Mary. The daughter is now the wife of D. W. Hillis. Of Mr. Channing's second union there have been two children born : Charlotte, who is the wife of John W. Mowery and Finace J., who lives at home. Mr. Channing gives his support in political matters to the republican party, with whose platform he is most in sympathy. He is not a man who aspires to public 522 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY office, however, though he has on occasion served the citizens 0f his township well and takes an interest in local affairs. For several years he acted as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board advanced the cause 0f education in the township. In 1900 he was appointed to take the census in Richmond township., The family are members of the United Brethren church, to which they have given unfailing and substantial support for a number of years. JULIUS HAGMAN. Julius Hagman, one of the most prominent German-American residents of Chicago, Ohio, is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his extensive property interests. He was born in Germany on the 2d of September, 1858, his parents being John B. and Frances (Leis) Hagman, both of whom passed away in that country. The father's death occurred on the 26th' of November, 1871, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1903, when seventy- six years of age, Their family numbered nine children, as follows: Monica, who is a Sister of Charity in Germany ; Catherine, who is the widow of Joseph Kimmer and lives in Wittenberg, Germany ; Julius, of this review ; Joseph, a resident of the fatherland ; Otto, who is deceased; Krezenz, living in Switzerland ; Paul, of Germany ; Richard, who also makes his home in that country; and Bridget, the wife of a Mr. Habercan, of Germany. Julius Hagman attended the schools of his native land and in early manhood served as a soldier of the German army for six months. The year 1881 witnessed his emigration to the United States and after landing on the shores of this cowl- try he made his way at once to Sandusky, Ohio, where for two years he worked as a day laborer, Subsequently he took up his abode in Chicago, Huron county, Ohio, securing employment in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops and, by dint of untiring industry and close economy, at length accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account, It was in 1891 that he started out for himself, becoming the proprietor of a restaurant, which he successfully conducted until the 5th of September, 1905, when he sold the establishment to Lewis Schwartz. Since that time he has lived practically retired from active business cares save for the supervision which he gives to his invested interests, being the owner of considerable town property, The prosperity which has crowned his efforts has come as the direct result of his own well directed and indefatigable labor, and he is now widely recognized as one of the most substantial, respected and representative citizens of the county. On the 9th of September, 1901, Mr, Hagman was united in marriage to Mrs. Gracens Schandorfer, a daughter of John N. and Mary Batch and the widow of Valentine Schandorfer, of Port Clinton, Ohio. She was born in Germany and when a maiden of sixteen years accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world, the family first locating at Sandusky, Ohio, while later they took up their abode in Port Clinton. this state. John N, Batch, a carpenter by trade, still survives at the age of eighty-nine years and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hagman. His wife is deceased, however, having passed away in 1908, when HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 523 eighty-seven years of age. They reared a family of seven children, namely ; Joseph ; Edward, who is the present mayor of Port Clinton ; William ; Mrs. Hagman ; Matilda ; Hubbard ; and Henry. By her former husband Mrs. Hagman had six children, the record of whom is as follows : John, who died in 1907, when thirty-eight years of age, wedded Miss Anna Weisbaker, by whom he had three children : Vernice, Beulah and Ruth, Edward first wedded Miss Sallie Henry, and after her death was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Rae Townsend. They make their home at Painesville, Ohio. Frank, who married Miss Bessie Ashley, is foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio shops at Zanesville, Ohio. Tillie, living at Garrett, Indiana, is the wife of Leo Mager, by whom she has two children, Leroy and Lucile, Lewis is a resident of Painesville, Ohio. Cornelius, a twin brother of Lewis, is deceased. Politically Mr. Hagman is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and on that ticket was elected a member of the city council, the duties of which office he is n0w discharging in a most capable and faithful manner. Religiously he is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and is now serving as one 0f the trustees. His fraternal relations are with the Eagles and the Knights of Columbus at Steuben. Although born across the water, he is thoroughly loyal to the stars and stripes and to the interests of his adopted land. As the years have passed he has so directed his business affairs that he is now enabled to enjoy all 0f the comforts and many of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, but on the contrary has found here the business opportunities he has sought and in their utilization has won a goodly measure of success. WILLIAM O. VAN LIEW. William O. Van Liew, wh0 has had a varied experience as a business man, is now operating his excellent farm of sixty-four acres in Richmond township, where he has become thoroughly identified with the best interests of his locality, and prominent in the republican. party. He was born in Norwich township. June 22, 1862, a son of William C. and Charlotte (Burdge) Van Liew, both of whom were natives of New York state, and were brought to Ohio in childhood. The father was a farmer of Norwich township until within three years of his demise, when he retired to Centerton, and there he died, September 6, 1903, aged seventy-five years, as he was born in 1828. His wife had died March 7, 1896, in Norwich township. During the Civil war he served as a ninety-day man in Company H, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The following children were born to him and his wife : Allen, who is deceased ; Alberta, who married B, F. Denson ; Mary, who married Joseph Robinson ; William 0. ; Fred; and Ada, wh0 married Edward Silter. William O. Van Liew was given more than ordinary opportunities for securing an education for after he finished his course in the public schools of Norwich, he entered Ada College at Ada, Harding county, Ohio, and after a term there he entered the Attica high school. He then learned the trade of painter and paper hanger by working in Chicago, Ohio, and pursued this occupation for thirteen 524 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY years. At this time his services were required by his father and for the following three years he operated the homestead. Having by this time decided that he preferred an agricultural life, he purchased his present farm from John Dellinger and has been devoting himself ever since to improving and cultivating it. On March 17, 1885, Mr. Van Liew married Emma Shanks, a daughter of James and Sarah Jane (Tanner) Shanks, farmers of Richmond township. They had the following family : Lucy, who married Dr. H. G. Blaine ; Mrs. Van Liew ; Odella, who married Clayton C. Sanford ; Anna, who married F. A. Richards : Estella, who married V. E. Cole ; Arthur and Lilly. Mr. and Mrs. Van Liew have three children : Leo, born January 28, 1887 ; Cora, born January 21, 1889 ; and Ruth, born March 29, 1895. Mr. Van Liew has served as school director of Norwich township one term, and 0ne term as road supervisor in Richmond township, being elected both times on the republican ticket. The family are Methodists in religious faith. Mr. Van Liew has always been a hard working man, earnest in his endeavors to produce the best results and to live up to a high standard of right living, and that he has succeeded, his popularity with his neighbors and friends amply testifies. GEORGE WILLIAM BRINSON. George William Brinson, a farmer and successful stock breeder and raiser of Ripley township, was born on the farm on which he now lives September 6, 1868. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Mervin) Brinson, who were of English birth and education. James Brinson, the son of Thomas Brinson, was born in Somerset- shire, England, June 2, 1822, and at the age of twenty-six he emigrated to this country, where for about seventeen years he worked at the trade of stone-cutter. In 1865 he married, forsook his former means of livelihood and started to farm, purchasing the land upon which his son now lives. His wife, who before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Mervm, was born in 1836 in Leicestershire, England, and is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Mervin. She came to Ohio in 1855, and through her marriage became the mother of a daughter Altha and a son George William, the subject of this sketch. Reared on the home farm, Mr. Brinson received such an education in the district schools as the average country boy obtained in the few winter months that were devoted to schooling because it would be impossible to spend them in the fields. With the first sign of spring the school doors were closed and George William Brinson, like the other boys of his neighborhood, returned to the farm to assist his father till the fields and tempt them to give a greater and greater harvest each year. Difficult though the work may have been at times the success of his later years has fully repaid him for the outlay of exertion, for not only did he learn' the methods of cultivating the soil but the equally important lessons of industry, thrift and good management which have enabled him to maintain his farm in such an excellent condition that it is frequently the cause for comment. A number of years ago he added stock raising and feeding to his purely agricultural interests, and in this branch also has been very successful. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 525 On the 12th of April, 1905, Mr. Brinson was married to Miss Mary Hannan, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Brennstuhl) Hannan. She was born December 30, 1884, and was the eldest child in a family of six, the others being James, Edward, Agnes, Cassie and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Brinson have three children, two sons and a daughter : Mildred E., born July 28, 1906 ; James E., born May 16, 1908; and Glen R. born September 8, 1909. When called upon to exercise his right to vote, Mr. Brinson invariably supports the candidates of the republican party, as he is most in sympathy with its principles. He devotes little time to politics and public matters, however, for the care of his one hundred and seventy-three acres and his business interests leave him but little desire for anything but the enjoyment of a few quiet hours in the bosom of his family. CHARLES L. WILLOUGHBY. Charles L. Willoughby is one of the well known men of Richmond township. A prosperous farmer, owning and operating one hundred and seventy-three acres of land, he has also taken an active part in the local public affairs and at the expressed desire of his fellow citizens has held important positions. He was born in Norwich township, January 2, 1867, and is a son of Arthur and Mary J. (Ringle) Willoughby. The father, who was the son of James and Margaret (Patterson) Willoughby, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1827, and was a farmer throughout his life, As a boy he worked on the home place and then sought employment on the farms of the neighborhood, receiving a small compensation for the services he rendered. When he became desirous of establishing his own home, he came to this county, locating in Norwich township, which was then entirely covered with timber. He was not discouraged, however, but bought his first farm of one hundred acres in the midst of the woods. He built a log cabin, cleared his land, and as the years brought good returns for the labor he expended in the fields he was able to add to the original farm, until at his death he owned three hundred and seventy-five acres in Norwich and Richmond townships. He passed away in August, 1889, but his wife, who was born in 1833, lived until May 21, 1908, when she was buried beside her husband in the cemetery at Attica, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children : Simon A., who departed this life in 1893 ; Harry E., a resident of Melton, Wisconsin ; William M., of Richmond township ; Alice May, who died in 1897 ; Charles L., the subject of this sketch ; Clara B., who became the wife of Jasper Barber and lives in Lorain county, near Oberlin ; and Walter J., who conducts a physical culture school in Cleveland, Ohio. Charles L. Willoughby received his frrst lessons in the fundamental branches of English education in the district schools of his native township. Later he attended the public school in Attica, and after three years continued his training in the high school of that city, remaining there two years. His formal education completed, he went west to Kansas to farm with a brother but stayed only one year, after which he removed to Wisconsin, where for three years he followed the carpenter's trade. Upon the death of his father he returned to his home and assumed 526 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY charge 0f the farm, which has been his care ever since and on which he has prosecuted a line of diversified agriculture which has been very profitable. Though of necessity the greater part of Mr. Willoughby's time is consumed by the cares of his farm, he has evinced a commendable interest in the public affairs of his township. He is at present one of the directors of the county infirmary, and though his duties are sometimes onerous and his responsibilities trying he is fully able to take charge of them. For three years as trustee he assisted in the administration of the affairs of the township and for a term of one year acted as assessor. The local school board benefited by his counsels during three years, for he has ever been deeply interested in the problem of education. In political matters he allies himself with the democratic party, but he gives allegiance to no religious denomination. ELMER A. STOTTS. Elmer A. Stotts, one of the successful farmers and prominent business men of Ripley township, whose farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres lies near the little village of Boughtonville, was born in this township, June 1, 1867. He is a son of Abram and Mariette (Boughton) Stotts. The parents were of Ohioan nativity, the mother's birth having occurred in Fitchville township, this county, in the year 1834. Abram Stotts, who was born December 5, 1822, was the son of John Stotts and became one of the prominent men of this locality. Successful in his farming , and business operations, he was also a man in whom the people put their confidence, for besides filling many minor offices in his township he was a Huron county commissioner for six years. During a period of more than twice this length of time he was president of the Huron County Insurance Company, guiding its finances with a wise hand. He passed away July 21, 1909, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Four children were born to Abram Stotts and his wife: Flora, Della, Clarence and Elmer A. Elmer A. Stotts, the youngest of this family, has followed largely in his father's footsteps. Reared and educated to life on the farm, of his own volition he has continued in that calling, finding exercise for his many other capabilities in the world of finance or in the service of his fellow citizens. His farm is one of the model places in the vicinity of Boughtonville.. On it are seen fine, substantial buildings, strictly conforming to the most advanced ideas as regards construction and maintained in first class repair, His fields, in their excellent condition of tillage, bespeak the industry and good management of their owner, As for his business operations, he is a stockholder in the Boughtonville Telephone Company and for the past eight years has sold farm implements in the village. This business he is closing now, however, for he contemplates moving t0 Plymouth in the fall of 1909, having already purchased a home in that city. On the 7th of June, 1888, Mr. Stotts was married to Miss Mildred Kaylor, who was born September 7, 1868, and is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Yarnell) Kaylor, of Plymouth, Ohio. This union has been blessed with one child, Blanche, wh0 was born November 9, 1896. Mrs. Stotts is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Delphi, while her husband gives his religious adherence HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 527 to the Baptist denomination. Politically he affiliates with the republican party though he is not active in its ranks. He has, however, served the people of the township efficiently for several terms as a member of the school board and for more than ten years has been a trustee of Ripley. Though still a young man, Mr, Stotts has been successful and is highly respected. Accordingly, the best years of his life which lie still before him, should be a golden guerdon of his earnest endeavors in the past. JOHN H. DONALDSON. John H. Donaldson is a respected and honored citizen of Greenwich township, and has passed most of his life within the bounds of Huron county. He was born near Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, February 24, 1834, a son of Joseph and Sarah G. (Matthews) Donaldson. The father was a West Virginian by birth, and the mother was a native of Ohio. Joseph Donaldson came to this state and took up the time-honored occupation of his ancestors, that of farming, which he followed for the remainder of his life. 'The year 1819 marked his location in Richland county, but in 1863 he sold out there and settled in Allen county, Indiana, where he died July 27, 1891, his wife following him in November, 1897. In their family were three sons and four daughters: Francina, John H,, Mary, William S,, Jemima, Levi J, and Emily. all living except Francina and Jemima. John H. Donaldson was quite liberally educated for his times in the district schools and at Oberlin College, He taught successf ally for a number of years in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, this at a time when it was the custom to "board round," He finally purchased land, farming in summer and teaching in winter, after his marriage, which event occurred March 27, 1860, His wife, Miss Lura P. Barker, was of a prominent pioneer family, her parents being Daniel G. and Eliza (Baker) Barker, of Huron county. The father was originally from New York and the mother from Connecticut. They came to Ohio in 1829, shortly after marriage, and were thrifty and hardworking people. With a debt of one hundred dollars, an ox-team and an ax, they began life in the virgin forest and amassed a competency. Mr. Barker was prominent in public affairs. In 1856 he was commissioned by Governor Robert Lucas of Ohio as brigadier general of the First Regiment, Second Brigade, Eleventh Division of the State Militia, and was also connected with other public affairs during life. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs, Donaldson, all of whom are occupying honorable and useful positions in society : Clara R. was well educated and is now in the Philippines serving her second three-year period as a teacher ; Joseph D. is a traveling salesman ; Frank D., a farmer, is serving as clerk of Ripley township ; May D, is the wife of Dr. Austin S. McKitrick, a physician of Kenton, Ohio ; Grace A. is the wife of Dr. A. C. Matthews, physician of Poughkeepsie, New York. The mother of these children passed away in April, 1897. She was a woman of great strength of character and beloved by all for her wide charity and gracious kindliness. Mr, Donaldson continues to reside on the old homestead, a well tilled farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is a republican in politics and because of his con- 528 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY servative and wise counsel is prominent at all the gatherings of his party. He interests himself in the affairs of his local community and has served as trustee, president of the board of education, etc. A successful farmer, he is prominent in all that pertains to agricultural interests, having been for years secretary of the local branch, No. 707, of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is an active, working member of the Congregational church, is chairman of the board of trustees, and teaches a large adult Bible class in the Sunday school. A broad-minded, public-spirited citizen, always alert and active in every good movement, Mr. Donaldson has won a large place for himself in the affairs 0f Huron county. PHILLIP HAWN. Among the farms of Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio, which have remained in the families of the hardy pioneers that cut them out of the wilderness, is that of one hundred acres on which Phillip Hawn lives today, It was the place of his birth, where on the 17th day of May, 1850, he was born, a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Coder) Hawn. His grandparents on both his father's and his mother's side were natives of Pennsylvania, Phillip Coder, the maternal grandfather, lived to be ninety-four years of age and witnessed the many changes that separated the nineteenth century from the eighteenth as by a gulf. His wife was Elizabeth Coder. Benjamin and Margaret Hawn, the father's parents, came to Ohio in the days of the pioneers and did their share toward preparing the virgin country for the farms which are now its pride. Benjamin Hawn, the father of Phillip, was reared in Medina county, Ohio, but came to Huron county in 1849, purchasing from Sally Busch and from the government the farm on which his son now lives. It was his home for the remainder of his life, and he was associated with conditions which at the time of his death, in 1898, had entirely passed away and were but memories in the minds of the older settlers, who had been pioneers. When he bought the farm his first concern was to build a log cabin, which should serve him as shelter while he cleared the land of its timber and made the fields ready to receive the seed. As the community of Richmond township grew he became active in its affairs; was made supervisor and was elected to the sch0ol board, using his influence to make it possible for the farmers' boys to obtain something more than the meager education they received in early days. In politics he was a democrat and in his religious faith an adherent of the United Brethren church. Mr. Hawn was twice married. Miss Cassie Showalter, who became his first wife, bore him six children : George, John, Thomas, Margaret, Henry and Lavinia. The three eldest sons were soldiers in the Civil war ; Margaret became the wife of Jackson Schilts ; and Lavinia married Jacob Kissinger. On the occasion of his second marriage Miss Hannah Coder became his wife. Of this union there were four children: Caroline who married Darwin Brooks ; Phillip, the subject of this sketch ; Lucy, who became the wife of John Patten ; and Benjamin A., who was the youngest of the family, Phillip Hawn received his preparation for life fr0m the district sch00ls of Richmond township, though it was supplemented in a practical way by work on HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 529 the farm which occupied the summer months and the hours that were not devoted to his lessons. Upon leaving school he seriously took up the work of the farm, t0 which he has given all his time and energy since. Under his father's instruction he learned the first principles of soil culture, but this knowledge has been vastly supplemented by his own practical experience and by the advancement that has been made in farming methods as in other lines of work in the last half century. On the 13th of April, 1880, Mr. Hawn was united in marriage to Miss Jenni Foster, a daughter of John and Sarah Foster. The father was a shoemaker by trade and came from Pennsylvania, though he was for a number of years a resident of Attica. Mrs. Hawn was the youngest of four children, the others being Addie, Thomas and Charles. The last has passed away. To our subject and his wife were born five children: I. Estella, Alta Florence, Charles H., Frederick F. and Jessie T. The eldest is now the wife of Harry Jocelyn. Mrs. Hawn passed away August 19, 1908, and was buried in Bethel cemetery, Richmond township. Mr. Hawn does not give his political allegiance to any party but votes for men and measures as he thinks right, and he is not an office seeker, though he is always interested in the welfare of the citizens of the township and gives his influence toward the betterment of the conditions that surround them, He is particularly concerned for the educational advancement 0f the township and toward that end served as a school director and at present exercises his influence as a member of the school board. He has also acted as superintendent of road construction. He is a collector of rare coins and has in his possession some that were coined in the early days of this republic, a half-dozen that were made in Philadelphia, and others that were struck off at Harrisburg in 1786, GEORGE G. SEIBEL. George G, Seibel, a well known and successful agriculturist of Ridgefield township, is the owner of a rich and productive farm of seventy acres. It was on this place that his birth occurred, his natal day being June 20, 1857. His parents. William and Kathryn (Sheth) Seibel, were both natives of Germany. The father crossed the ocean to America in 1848 and when a year had passed he returned to Germany for his parents, Casper and Margaret Seibel, whom he brought to Huron county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. William Seibel first secured employment as a farm hand and, carefully saving his earnings. was at length enabled to purchase the farm which is now the property of his son. George G. It was nearly all covered with timber but with characteristic energy he set to work and gradually transformed the place into a good farming property. The first home of the family was an old log house and they experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. William Seibel was called to his final rest on the l0th of September, 1861, his demise being the occasion of deep regret to all who knew him. His wife was about twenty years of age when she came to this county with her parents, Mr, and Mrs, William Sheth. She long survived her husband, passing away 0n the l0th of May, 530 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY 1907. Their family numbered four children, as follows: Minnie, who is deceased ; George G,, of this review ; Lettie, the deceased wife of Charles Leiber ; and William. George G. Seibel obtained his education in the district schools and has always continued to reside on the farm where his birth occurred. Through the assistance which he rendered his father he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and this occupation has claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career. As before stated, his place comprises seventy acres of valuable and well improved land in Ridgefield township and the success which has attended his labors as an agriculturist is the outcome of clear judgment, close application and excellent business ability, On the 11th of October, 1888, Mr. Seibel was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Loey, who was born in Germany, December 4, 1861, her parents being Philip and Mollie Loey, of Lyme township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seibel have been born five children, namely: Rosie ; Elmer ; Walter ; and Edna and Carl, who are de- ceased. Mr, Seibel has served as a member of the school board for, about twenty years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church, of which he is serving as a trustee, Well known in the county where he has always resided, he has a wide acquaintance here and has won uniform trust and good will by reason of a life which in all of its phases has been straightforward and honorable. FRED JARRETT. Fred Jarrett, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits on his farm of one hundred and four acres in Bronson township, was born in Fitchville, Huron county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1876, his parents being George and Emma ( Jenkins) Jarrett. The father, whose birth occurred in 1838, is a son of John Jarrett, who was of English descent. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas Jenkins, who was likewise of English lineage, lived to attain the remarkable age of one hundred and one and a half years. As above stated, Fred Jarrett is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and four acres in Bronson township, to the cultivation of which he devotes his time and energies, annually gathering rich harvests which find a ready sale on the market. On the 25th of December, 1901, Mr, Jarrett was united in marriage to Miss Clara Isabella Park, whose birth occurred October 7, 1876, her parents being James and Mary Ann (McPherson) Park. Her paternal grandfather was Joseph Park. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett have been born tw0 children : one whose birth occurred April 6, 1903, and who passed away in infancy ; and James McPherson, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 19th of March, 1905. Mr, Jarrett gives his political allegiance to the republican party and at one time was elected justice of the peace but declined the office, as he has always preferred to confine his attention to his private affairs. He has, however, done effective ser- HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 531 vice as a member of the school board. A valued and helpful member of the Presbyterian church, he has acted as president of the church society and also as superintendent of the Sunday school, He has passed through all the chairs in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is recognized throughout the c0mmunity as a most enterprising, progressive and prosperous citizen. In this county, where he has always resided, he is most widely and favorably known, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. JOSEPH B. STOCKMASTER. Some men seem able to succeed in the battle of life without the advantages given by a thorough educational training, for they make the most of every opportunity and never neglect any duty that devolves upon them. That this is true is proven in the careers of Joseph, B. Stockmaster. of Norwich township, Huron county, and his father the late Frank Stockmaster, Jr., both of whom received but few educational advantages but were able to make a comfortable living notwithstanding. Joseph B. Stockmaster was born on the farm he now occupies, which lies in both Norwich and Sherman townships and was the homestead of his parents, Frank and Catherine (Hill) Stockmaster. His grandfather, Frank Stockmaster, Sr., was one of the very early settlers of Huron county, His son, Frank Stockmaster, Jr., was born in America, but his wife was a native of Germany, and Joseph B, Stockmaster without doubt inherits from her side of the family some of the excellent German characteristics which make sons of the fatherland such desirable citizens. Frank Stockmaster, Jr., was a farmer in Norwich township all his life. At the age of ten years he was forced to leave school for the couple of months during the winter, which constituted his opportunity for securing an education, and to take up the burden of a struggle for existence. In his family were three children: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Peter DeMeyer ; Emma, who married Jacob Fritz ; and Joseph B. When he was only sixteen years of age, Joseph B. Stockmaster left school in order to give all his time to his father's interests. A year later the father died and the young man assumed the management of the farm and continued to operate it for his mother until her demise, when he bought the interests of his sisters and now owns one hundred and ten acres, fifty of which are in Norwich township and sixty in Sherman township. He has been improving this property until he now has one of the best farms in the locality. On November 23, 1897, Mr. Stockmaster married Miss Amelia Bauman, a daughter of Anson and Rosa (Meyers) Bauman, natives of Germany and America, respectively. Although for years residents of Huron county, where they were engaged in farming, Mr. and Mrs. Bauman died in Havana. Their children were : J0seph ; Louis ; Odella, the deceased wife of Jac0b Hay ; and Mrs, Stockmaster, The latter has borne her husband two children : Celia, born October 12, 1898; and Ralph, born May 5, 1904. Mr. Stockmaster is now serving as road supervisor, having been elected to that office on the republican ticket. He belongs to the Chicago Lodge, K. 0, T. M., 532 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY and in religious faith the family are Catholics. He is one of the best and most thoroughly modern farmers of his locality and his methods are followed by many who realize the worth of his example. SETH H. TODD, Seth H. Todd, respected and esteemed as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Huron county and as a representative of one of its pioneer families, was born in Wakeman township, November 22, 1833, his parents being Isaac and Fannie (Booth) Todd. The father came to Ohio from Connecticut with his brother, Woodward Todd, and made arrangements for the family to come later or about 1828. The grandfather of our subject was Moses Todd, who originally located in Wakeman township, since which time the Todds have been prominent here, their labors contributing in substantial measure to the growth and development of the community. Isaac Todd was a farmer and the tract of land which he owned was originally all covered with timber, not even a road being cut through, The cabin home was built of logs cut from the ground whereon the house was later built. As the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings, Mr. Todd acquired adjoining land until he had over two hundred acres and he was numbered among the self-made men of the county, for he started out in life empty- handed and won his property through his own diligence and perseverance. In these early days ready cash was very hard to obtain and when Mr. Todd desired to be married he did not have a sum of money sufficient to enable him to purchase a license so according to the customs of the times the anticipated marriage was publicly announced from the pulpit on services held in the log house for two Sundays preceding the event—and thus the cost of a license was avoided. The wedding took place in due time and happiness and prosperity followed, notwithstanding the fact that during the first eighteen months after his marriage, he only had fifty cents in money. The labor at that time brought only about twenty- five cents per day and wages were payable in such products as the employer happened to have. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Todd were born three sons and two daughters: Sarah B., deceased ; Seth H.; Mary A, ; Charles M., who has also passed away; and Millard I. Charles was a soldier of the Civil war and died in a hospital at Columbus, Tennessee. The father died at the advanced age of eighty-four years and was laid to rest in Wakeman cemetery. His wife was also interred by his side when she had reached the age of eighty-four years. She was a most hospitable lady, kind and charitable to all and is yet lovingly remembered by many who knew her. Mr. Todd was an ardent abolitionist in antebellum days and was instrumental in assisting many a poor slave on his way to freedom in the north. Seth H. Todd spent his boyhood upon the home farm and assisted in the usual work necessitated by the care of the stock and the cultivation of the fields. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Wakeman township and he spent three terms at Oberlin College. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for five terms and was regarded as a very successful instructor. In HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 533 1857, he went to Kansas and assisted in the suppression of the border ruffians, experiencing some exciting times when the contest between the advocates of freedom and slavery were at their height. He remained in Kansas for eighteen months and pre-empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, after which he returned to Ohio and has remained continuously in this state. His land in Kansas was located near Topeka and after a time he sold the property. Two years ago, he visited the state and land that comprised his former claim is now worth one hundred dollars per acre. On the 20th of March, 1860, Mr. Todd was married to Miss Martha E. Strong, a daughter of Cyrus and Susan (Curtis) Strong, who came from Woodbury, Connecticut, to Ohi0 about the time of the arrival of the Todd family in this state. The father was a farmer by occupation and a man of influence in the community, highly regarded for his sterling qualities. Both he and his wife died a number of years ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Todd have been born seven children: Alva, now the wife of James Burhands ; Jennie, who became the wife of the Rev, George Laird and died in July, 1895 ; Charles A., 0f Wakeman ; Albert S., also of Wakeman; Sarah A., now the wife of Charles Bartholomew, of Chicago ; Mabel E.: and Sarah Grace, now Mrs. Bruce Spears, who is in the government employ in Alaska. Mr. Todd has always been a farmer, conducting his labors along progressive and scientific lines. He has made a careful study of soils and the rotation of crops so that he annually gathers good harvests and he has also been a successful breeder of hogs, "Todd's Chester White hogs" becoming famous throughout the United States. Those which he exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, carried away champion prizes, amounting to twenty-three hundred and seventy dollars, received on twenty-three head of hogs. He became recognized throughout the entire country as a foremost breeder of Chester Whites, He was also a breeder of Shropshire graded sheep and at the International Fat Stcck Exhibit held in Chicago in 1907, he won the grand champion prize for the best car of fifty lambs, establishing his record as the champion sheep man of America. His idea has always been to have the best of anything he handles and his success proclaims the wisdom of this course. The total amount of his cash premiums taken at different stock exhibits amounts t0 over twenty-six thousand dollars. For fifteen years Mr. Todd was active in farmers' institute work and was a popular lecturer. He has lectured in every county in Ohio at least twice and in some of them eight times and he has also done institute work in Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan and spent one entire winter in that way in the state of Maryland. His services were in demand everywhere, and his lectures were only limited by his inability to be in two places at one time, It is said that at one time Mr, Todd was the most widely known man in the United States, this being due to his stock exhibits at all of the best state fairs in the country, to his institute work and his stock sales which were held in every state m the Union. He is a charter member of Wakeman Grange, No. 1399, Patrons 0f Industry, has been very active in this work and for a year was a lecturer for the organization. He has done everything in his power to promote agricultural and live stock interests and his efforts have given nim prominence among the live stock men of the entire country. Mr. Todd was 534 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY also active in the organization of the Wakeman Banking Company, in 1897 became its first president and has served in that capacity continuously since. This is a reliable banking enterprise managed along safe and conservative lines and capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. It has proven of great benefit to the business community of Wakeman. Mr. Todd and his family are members of the Congregational church, with which he united when fourteen years of age, since which time he has been active in church and Sunday school work and most generous in support thereof. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty-two years and for forty- eight years, has been a trustee of the church. In his political views, he was an abolitionist in the early days and then joined the republican party on its organization to prevent the further extension of slavery. For a few years he joined the prohibition ranks, being an intense temperance advocate but is now again giving his support to the republican party. He has been active in public matters and has frequently clone some campaign speaking and usually represents his township in the different party conventions. He is also in favor of public improvements and gives his voice and his influence to the betterment of general conditions. In 1897, he and his wife left the farm and removed to the village of Wakeman, where they have since resided. At that time Mr. Todd was the owner of over four hundred acres of fine farming land, all well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Since then he has sold to his. sons a part of the land, yet holds a goodly share himself. His acres are all well tiled and no farm of this section of the state is more productive, his crops being always the best and largest in the neighborhood. In all at his undertakings, he has been very successful and has acquired much more than a competency. His sons too, are prosperous and are well kn0wn for their sheep raising interests, feeding for the New York markets to which they send choice dressed lambs. WILLIAM B. McCLAFLIN. William B. McClaflin, a well-to-do farmer of New London township. Huron county, Ohio, and prominent in local affairs, was born on the 25th of March, 1847, in Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, a son of Timothy P. and Miranda (Briggs) McClaflin. As children both father and mother came with their respective parents from Vermont when Royalton township was a dense forest and assisted in clearing the land and making it one of the most fertile section of the state of Ohio. Timothy McClaflin followed the life of a farmer in Royalton township for a time and then in Branch county, Michigan, to which he took his family in 1861. After several years of successful farming there he brought them back to Clarksfield township, Huron county, where he lived and worked for about ten years, later returning to Eaton county, Michigan, which was his home until his death, in March, 1890. His widow survived until December, 1907, when she died at the age of eighty-seven years. William B. McClaflin was reared at home on the farm and received his education in the public schools of the district. He contemplated continuing his train- HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 535 ing for life at higher institutions of learning, when the Civil war broke out and interfered with his plans. In April, 1863, he enlisted at Coldwater, Michigan, as a member of Company B, Forty-fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was to have been recruited for sharp-shooter service but at the time of equipment it was found to be impossible to fit them out for this field of work and they were mustered into the regular infantry. Attached to the Army of the Cumberland, the regiment took part in all the battles that fell to the share of that active army and during the Atlanta campaign was practically under fire for one hundred days. Mr. McClaflin said that at any hour of the day or night might be heard the crack of musketry or the boom of cannon, and yet he escaped all injury, was never taken prisoner, though he but narrowly escaped capture on several occasions and saw but little of the hospital. He served as a private and was mustered out at Camp Irwin, Texas, in December, 1865. Upon leaving the army, Mr. McClaflin returned to Bright0n, Lorain county, Ohio, whither his family had moved during the war and there he engaged in farming with his father, In the fall of 1866 he entered Oberlin College and the following year went to Wisconsin t0 teach school. The school house which he occupied was one of the old log buildings of that state and its pupils were mostly large boys and girls of unruly disposition. Indeed they had acquired the reputation of being able to put every teacher who came to them out of the school. All unknowing 0f this state of affairs, Mr. McClaflin entered upon his work and experienced no difficulty, much to the surprise of the neighborhood and to the gratification of the school board, who tried to persuade him to remain another year. He declined the appointment, however, and returned to Ohio to assist his father on the farm. After his marriage, in 1868, he removed to Brighton, where he engaged in agriculture and ten years later went to Clarksfield township, Huron county, which was his home until the fall of 1893, when he removed to Oberlin that he might educate his children at the college there, In 1902, he went to Spencer, Ohio, Mrs. McClaflin having died during their residence in Oberlin, and he farmed his own land for five years. In 1907 he sold his farm and went to California on a pleasure trip, traveling through the greater part of the country in the west and southwest. The winter of 1907-8 he spent in Florida and on his return to Ohio bought the land in New London on which he and his two sons, Hugh M. and Elmer P., now live. The farm embraces one hundred and thirteen acres, on which Mr. McClaflin conducts general farming. He has also engaged in stock raising and in dairying, sometimes milking as many as thirty cows. In all branches of his business he has been very successful. On the 5th of July, 1868, Mr. McClaflin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Mosher, a daughter of Hugh and Hester (Smith) Mosher, of Brighton, Lorain county. During the Civil war Mr. Mosher was a fifer in the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was known as the "Yankee Fifer," and was a celebrated character, immortalized in war songs and traditions. He pursued farming and was a man of strong character, who exercised a wide influence. He died in August, 1891, his widow surviving him four years. Mr. and Mrs. McClaflin are the parents of nine children : Orin is married and lives in Medina county, Ohio ; Benjamin W, is also married and lives in Clarksfield township ; Ernest E. resides in Huntington, Ohio ; Lillian is now Mrs. Charles Cook, of New London : Lottie 536 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY married Winfield McConnell, of Wellington, Lorain county ; Hugh M, and Elmer P. ;re at home with their father ; and two others, Walter and Maggie, died in infancy. Mrs, McClaflin died in Oberlin, May 29, 1894. Mr. McClaflin affiliates with the republican party and has always been prominent in local politics, frequently being a delegate to various conventions, For a long period he served the people as trustee of the township and for fourteen years filled the position of road supervisor. On the township board of education he took an active interest in promoting the welfare of the schools. He is a charter member of J. C. Ronk Post, No. 298, G. A. R., of which he was post commander for a number of years and has frequently been a delegate to state and national encampments. In religious matters he gives his support to the Methodist Episcopal church and has always played an important part in the work of this denomination, having been for a considerable period a class leader and the superintendent of the Sunday school. In short he is a man possessed of a great deal of public spirit, who stands high in his community because of his principles and the integrity of his life. His sons, too, are fine young men who give fair promise of active and useful lives. JOHN M. VAUGHN. John M. Vaughn has well earned the proud American title of a self-made man. Necessity forced him to start out in life for himself at a very early age and he has since been dependent upon his own resources. For about forty years he has been connected with the building interests of Norwalk and in this connection has gained the reputation of being one of the best contractors in the locality, many of the important buildings of this city and the surrounding towns standing as monuments to his ability. Mr, Vaughn was born on the 8th of January, 1848, in Steuben county, Indiana, at a time when much of that district was still wild and uncultivated. He is the youngest in a family of six sons and three daughters born to Lewis B. and Katharine (Smith) Vaughn. The parents came from Genesee county, New York, to Steuben county, Indiana. about the year 1846, where the father engaged in the occupation 0f farming. The five brothers of our subject all enlisted in the Civil war and practically all remained in active service throughout the period of hostilities. Also six cousins, the sons of Loran Vaughn,, entered for service and continued until the close of the war, most of them receiving serious wounds although none met death on the battlefield, One died, however, soon after returning home. John M. Vaughn was left motherless at the age 0f five years and from that time on he was practically without a home until his marriage. He drifted about from one place to another, living with different people, until sixteen years of age, when he crossed the threshold of the business world in the capacity of farm hand. He was thus engaged for three years, when he came to Norwalk and learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. He worked as a journeymen for two years and then, when twenty-two years old, engaged in businesss on his own account. Although little more than a boy in years, he nevertheless gained almost immedrate HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 537 success and is today one of the most prosperous and well known contractors of the community. Many of the most prominent: and expensive structures in and around Norwalk were constructed by Mr. Vaughn and are the visible evidence of his superior ability and skill. The first large contract which came to him was the erection of the large Presbyterian church at McMinnville, Tennessee, which he constructed when only twenty-four years of age. He was awarded the contract for the Norwalk Opera House at a cost of five thousand dollars, and within ninety days it was completed and had offered its first performance. He erected many of the beautiful homes in this city, among them being the residence of Drs. Simmons, Dr. Merritt, Ex-Mayor Anderson, Dr. Billmyer, Dr. Goodsel, George Cline, Charles Bostwick, Frank Roth, Ors. Roth, the Altaffar residence, the Pearl home, the Dowd residence, St. Mary's parsonage, The Prentice, the Keiser, the Nichols, Aldeman, Snyder and Cook residences, remodeled the Harley home and also Dr. Hawley's residence, and a great number of homes throughout the surrounding country. He built the Huron County Infirmary Hospital and remodeled the Huron County court house and the old St. Charles—now the Avalon—the leading hotel 0f Norwalk. His own home is situated a mile and a half south of the court-house on Norw0od avenue and, although outside of the corporation limits, has all of the conveniences and accessories of the up-to-date city home and is one of the most comfortable and conveniently arranged houses of Norwalk. It is located on the old Rogers homestead, which property has been in his wife's family for nearly fifty years. In 1872 Mr. Vaughn laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage to Emma J. Rogers, who was born in Huron county in April, 1855. Their home has been blessed with two daughters, Edna L, and Eva L., twins, born in 1873, the latter being now the wife of Elbin Vaughn of Toledo. The children received their education in the Norwalk schools and also pursued a very thorough course in music there, having been extremely well trained in this art. They have each taught music and are proficient on the piano, the violin and many other instruments. Mrs. Vaughn is the daughter of S. J. and Fanny M. (Wilson) Rogers, who were numbered. among the early pioneer settlers of Huron county. She is a descendant of Martin Kellogg, who passed away at the age of one hundred and five years. She and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Vaughn holds membership with the Tribe of Ben Hur. The Vaughn family have all been republicans, a fact of which Mr. Vaughn is very proud, inasmuch as he is himself a very stanch and loyal supporter of that party. He is entitled to wear the G. A. R. button inasmuch as he enlisted three different times in the union army at the time of the Civil war, although he was but a mere lad at the outbreak of hostilities. Although Mr. Vaughn had to depend upon his own efforts entirely for the educational training which he enjoyed, nevertheless he has always remained a close student and wide reader. A close observer, quick to recognize and appreciate the lesson which comes with each new experience in life, he gained in the school of experience a thorough practical knowledge that has been of the utmost value to him in his business career. A man who looks well into the future before laying his plans, he possesses a resolute and determined spirit that carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor, while his honorable business methods and his true personal worth have 538 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of the entire community. He is one of the finest mechanics in the state of Ohio and his efforts along contracting lines have not only brought to himself gratifying success but have been of great assistance in the substantial growth and upbuilding of Huron county. JAMES S. EVANS. The farming interests of Ridgefield township, Huron county, find a worthy representative in James S, Evans, whose birth occurred in London, England, on the 14th of December, 1848. He is a son of Thomas and Sophia (Smith) Evans, also natives of England, who cane to the United States in 1849, landing at Sandusky on the 12th of August. For a period of one year, they resided at Hunts Corners, Ohio, and then the father went to California, where he conducted a general store at Eldorado and also engaged in mining for some time. He returned home in 1865 and in 187o removed to Wood county, Ohio, His death occurred in 1879, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of eighty years. In their family were six children, namely : Thomas, residing at Danville, Illinois ; Mary Ann, the wife of Hiram Latham, a resident of Bellevue ; Elizabeth, the wife of Philip Schuyler, residing in this county ; Sarah, the deceased wife of Joseph Setterly ; William, who lives at Hunts Corners ; and James S., of this review, Coming to Ohio when but one year of age, James S. Evans has therefore passed almost his entire life in this state. He acquired his education in the common schools of the district and the period of his boyhood and youth was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the-playground and the tasks assigned him by parental authority. Upon attaining his majority, he was married in Wood county, Ohio, to Miss Nancy L. Neiblong and resided in that county for about six years, during which period he worked for his mother-in- law. In 1877, he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in the teaming business for about one year, after which considerable time was spent in moving about from one place to another. Subsequently he located upon his present farm and has since continued to devote his time and attention to its further improvement. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and year by year has carried on the work of the farm until it has become a very desirable property, from which he annually gathers rich crops that bring to him a good financial return. Unto Mr. and Mrs, Evans was born one child, Lillian, now the wife of William Heyman, of Hunts Corners. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Clifford, Clarence, Willard, Eva and Mary. On the 21st of March, 1889, Mr, Evans was again married, hi, second union being with Miss Sarah James, the widow of Edward James. Mrs. Evans is an old settler of Ridgefield township, having resided in her present home since 1853. She is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Mann) White, both natives of England, who spent their entire lives in that country. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 539 Robert, Mary Ann, Thomas, Mrs. Evans and William John grew to maturity, the others passing away in infancy. Politically Mr. Evans gives his allegiance to the democratic party and served for two years as township constable and likewise as road supervisor. He is recognized as a violinist of considerably ability and for the past thirty-five years his services as such hale been in great demand for parties and various social gatherings. He is known extensively throughout the county and is held in high regard and esteem by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. JOHN WESLEY HOLTZ. John Wesley Holtz, one of the well-to-do and enterprising farmers of Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio, was born in that township, March 5, 1851, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Holtz. The father was born in Pennsylvania, but the mother was a native of Richland county, Ohio, though of German descent, her grandfather having come from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Jacob Holtz was a farmer during the whole of his life. The first land he bought consisted of fifty acres and was purchased for seven dollars per acres, for it was heavily timbered and had to be cleared before it was cultivable, After building a log house and barn Mr. Holtz began to cut down the trees and with the rude farm implements of those days, make the soil fit to receive the seed. It repaid well the labor that was put upon it and made possible the purchase of more land, which from time to time, Mr. Holtz procured until at his death he was possessed of one hundred and fifty-eight acres. Six children were born to him and his wife William. deceased ; George Washington and John Wesley, who were twins ; Sarah, deceased, w ho was the wife of George Elston ; Simon, deceased ; and Jennie, who married Elmer Lyons. John Wesley Holtz has always followed farming from his youngest days, for even during the period when he attended the little district schools his vacations and such time as was not required for the preparation of lessons, were devoted to performing the chores about the house or participating in the heavier work outdoors. For about ten years he worked for different farmers by the month and then purchased a farm in Richmond township. Here has always been his home though he has occupied several farms at different times, buying, selling or trading where- ever he thought it was to his advantage to do so. The place on which he is living today was known as the old Henry Dunston farm and was well improved when he located thereon, It is rich and arable and well supports the general farming which he pursues, On the 4th 0f November, 188o, Mr. Holtz was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Frederick, a daughter of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Frederick. The mother died in July, 1909, in her eighty-first year, and was buried on the fifty-ninth anniversary of her wedding. She had four children: James ; Frank August ; Mary E., now Mrs. Holtz ; and Ella, who is the wife of Frank Hough. Mr. and Mrs. Holtz have five children: Nellie, Fred, Bessie, Erma, Irene and Eulalie. 540 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Nellie has married Charles Keesey and they have two children : Marion and Harold. Mr. Holtz and his family are members 0f the United Brethren church and in their daily life try to uphold its teachings. Politically his sympathies are with the democratic party, though he is not active either in its ranks or in the public life of his township.. He has, however, served for one term as road supervisor and conducted his administration creditably. A good farmer, hard working prosperous, he is also a good business man, making the most of the opportunities that are put within his grasp. ED. A. EVANS. Ed A. Evans, the present editor of the Chicago Times, is a native of Ohio, born in Licking county, and is a son of William D. and Amanda (Bell) Evans, His grandfather, Joseph Evans, was a native of Wales and was the first of the family to come to America, locating in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and later removing to Licking county, Ohio. William D. Evans, the father of our subject, has engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout life and is still residing upon his farm in Licking county. In his family are the following children : Ed. A., 0f this review ; Cora, the wife of Albert Slater, wh0 is postmaster and also c0nducts a general store at St. Louisville, Ohio, and by whom she has one son, Edward F. ; and Charles, express messenger at Newark, Ohio, who married Jennie Holmes and has two children, Holmes and Elizabeth, Ed A. Evans began his education in the district schools of Licking county and later attended the Hanover high school, after which he was a student at Pataskala, Ohio, for a time, He next entered a private normal school and 0n finishing his course there began teaching. After four years' experience as a teacher, he entered the University of Michigan and for some time pursued a special course at that institution, although he did not graduate. In 1887, he became identified with the district schools of Licking county as teacher and, his ability soon being generally recognized, he was called to St. Louisville four years later t0 organize a high school at that place of which he became superintendent. He had the honor of graduating the first class from that institution, which, under him, developed into a high grade school. Later he was principal of the high school at Pataskala for two years and afterward continued as superintendent for four years, resigning at the end of that time to accept the offer made him by the board of directors of Chicago, Ohio. The educator of today must of necessity be a man of scholarly attainments who has been carefully trained for his work. In addition t0 this, in order to succeed, he must be a man of sympathetic manner, possessing infinite tact and patience and being a good judge of nature. Such a man is Mr. Evans, who for the past eight years has filled the responsible position of superintendent of the schools of Chicago, and during that time has brought the standard of excellence in them to its present high grade. He is a member of the Ceu tral and Eastern Ohio Teachers Association, holds membership in the Ohio Teachers Reading Circle, is secretary of the Ohio State Teachers Association HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 541 and is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Teachers Association. He has been county examiner for three years, served as a member of the executive committee and was president of the county teachers institute. Perhaps no man has done inure in his locality to bring about efficiency and thoroughness in school work. His methods are practical and have been adapted by many of his fellow teachers. 1900, Mr. Evans was granted a life certificate by the board of examiners of Ohio, but will resign from his present position as soon as he can be replaced, for on the 16th of October, 1909, he purchased the Chicag0 Times from L. E. Simmons, and will now devote his time and attention to the conduct of that newspaper. it is with considerable regret that the board of education gave up the services of Mr. Evans, who has been a most important factor in the school development of this section of the state. ()n the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Evans was united in marriage t0 Miss Sarah Locke, a daughter of Albcrt and Isabel Locke. Her mother died in May, T897, and her father, who is a native of Ohio, now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Locke was born in Licking county, her parents having c0me t0 this state from New York. She was the mother 0f two children, namely : Mary, the wife of Walter Drake, who is an undertaker and furniture dealer of Monroeville, Ohio, by whom she has 0ne son, John F.; and Sarah, now the wife of 0ur subject. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of the following named: Isabel, born in November, 1896 ; Ruppert P., in January, 1898 ; Edward A., in 1899 ; Ellen M., in October, 1901 ; Samuel S., in July, 1903 ; and Sarah Louise, in August, 1907. Fraternally, Mr. Evans is a member of Chicago Lodge, K. P., and of the Pataskala Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A, M. In politics, he is a democrat but has never had time to devote to public affairs outside of his profession. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church and stand very high in the estimation of their associates there, as they do in the community at large where they have countless friends. OTTO A. BETSCHMANN. Otto A. Betschmann, residing upon a farm of forty acres in Norwalk township, Huron county, is successfully engaged, in connection with his general agricultural pursuits, in the conduct of a profitable dairy business. He was born on this farm, November 27, 1874, a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Zimmerman) Betschmann, the former a native of Switzerland, his birth there occurring in 1822. When about twenty-five years of age, he came to the United States and located in the German settlement in Peru township, where he operated a blacksmith shop in connection with general farming. He later engaged in the blacksmith trade on the farm upon which our subject now resides, where he continued to live until his demise in 1886. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Reinick, and in their family were five children, namely : Frank ; John ; Robert ; Rose, deceased ; and Francis. He was later united in marriage to Miss Margaret Zimmerman, and unto this union were born four children, as f0llows: 542 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Otto A., of this review ; Julius, born May 24, 1877 ; George, born May 25, 1880; and Theodore, born February 12, 1882, Julius Betschmann resides at Fremont, Ohio, while the two last named make their home with our subject. Mrs. Nicholas Betschmann was born May 16, 1835, in East Liverpool, Ohio, and still survives, making her home with her son, Otto, having resided upon this farm for over fifty years. She also was twice married, her first union being with Roman Indelkafer, who was the original owner of the farm which is now in the possession of Otto A. Betschmann, of this review, Unto this union were born five children: Mary, Lucy, Julia, Roman and Joseph. Otto A. Betschmann was reared upon his present farm and acquired his education in the schools of Norwalk township. When not busy with his text books, he assisted in the work of cultivating the fields and early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad. The practical experience thus gained proved of the utmost importance to him when, after attaining his majority, he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He has always followed general farming, bringing his fields under a fine state of cultivation. About twelve years ago, he instituted the East End Dairy, which he has since continued to operate, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him a high degree of prosperity and success in this undertaking, Mr. Betschmann and his two brothers, Julius and Theodore, are members of the Eagles Lodge of Norwalk and hold membership in the Catholic church He has passed his entire life in this community and has become recognized as a public-spirited citizen, while he has gained a wide circle of friends. In his business life, he made good use of his opportunities, has utilized his possibilities to the best advantage, and as the years have passed by, he has gained a place among the substantial representatives of this county. MICHAEL GIES. Michael Gies, deceased, possessed many strong and salient characteristics which won him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact and thus his death, which occurred in 1904, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends. , He was born August 15, 1830, and reared under the parental roof. After attaining man's estate he started out in the business world as an agriculturist and eventually became the owner of the farm which is still in possession of his family, a tract comprising one hundred and seven acres, conveniently located within three miles of Norwalk. He also owned an additional tract of ninety-nine acres, which he sold prior to his demise and divided the proceeds among his children. For many years Mr, Gies was engaged in farming and each year, owing to the care and labor which he gave to his fields, he gathered good harvests. He also proved his place with good buildings, which were always kept in an excellent state of repair, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, he left his family in possession of a valuable farm, which today supplies them with all the HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 543 necessaries of life and which had been the home of Mr. Gies since 1863, or for a period of forty-six years. It was in 1861. that Mr. Gies established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Blandina. Remelee, who was born on the 7th of May, 1840, They became the parents of six sons and one daughter : August, Ferdinand, Lawrence, Frank, William, Leo and Mrs. Amelia Shnord. All acquired a good education in the district schools and are now married and have homes of their 0wn. Mr. Gies gave his political support to the men and measures of democracy, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. A man of domestic taste, outside of his business duties, he spent his leisure time within the family circle. Of a genial and kindly disposition, he was a friend to all, and thus his death was mourned by many friends but most of all by the immediate members 0f his household, RICHARD T. SLATER. Richard T. Slater is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer, owning and operating a tract 0f land of fifty acres in Hartland township. His birth occurred in North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio, on the 17th of August, 1857, his parents being John and Isabelle (Crow) Slater, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter 0f Quebec, Canada. Tile Slaters are of English lineage but have been represented in this country ever since the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, one of the ancestors coming over on tile Mayflower. John Slater, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith by trade and for many }ears worked at that occupation in North Fairfield. He was fifty-two years of age when he enlisted as a soldier of the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-Third Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He was twice captured by the enemy and was incarcerated in Andersonville prison and also at Belle Isle, being eventually exchanged in both cases. His demise occurred in 1887, when he had attained the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, and his remains were interred in the North Fairfield cemetery. His wife, surviving him for more than two decades, was called to her final rest on the 28th of September, 1908, and lies buried at New Buffalo, Michigan. Richard T, Slater obtained his education in the schools of his native town and was employed at farm work as soon as his age and strength permitted. He was married when about twenty-three years of age and then carried on general agricultural pursuits in Fairfield township for a number of years, while later he spent seven years in Greenwich township, devoting his time and energies to the work of the fields. In 1898, he came t0 Hartland township, taking up his abode on the farm of fifty acres which has since remained his place of residence. It is a well improved and valuable property and the rich and fertile soil responds to cultivation in bountiful harvests. On the 3oth of May, 1880, Mr. Slater was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A, Odell, a daughter of William and Rachel (Phillip) Odell, both of whom are natives of this county and now make their home in North Fairfield, Unto Mr. and 544 - HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY Mrs. Slater have been born two children: Burt A., who is married and resides in Laport county, Indiana ; and Blanche B., the wife of Horace Davis, wh0 follows farming in Hartland township. Mr. Slater has always supported the men and measures of the democracy and is now serving for the fourth year as township trustee, while he has als0 been a member of the school board, maintaining a deep interests in the progress of public education. His cooperation and aid can always be counted upon t0 further any movement instituted to advance the general welfare and he is widely recognized as a most progressive, loyal and public-spirited citizen. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives, having won the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom they have been associated, GEORGE W. PARKER. George W. Parker, who as proprietor 0f the Parker Greenhouse is conducting a profitable and successful retail and wholesale business, was born on the 31st of October, 1834, in Bronson township, a son 0f Rial and Achsah (Snow) Parker, both natives of Cayuga county, New York. The father, who comes of English lineage, was born in 1800, a son of George and Phoebe (Russell) Parker, while the mother, whose birth occurred in 1802, was a daughter of Asher Snow. In their family were three children: Phoebe, Asher and George. The boyhood and youthful days of George W. Parker were spent under the parental roof and he is indebted to the common school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. After laying aside his text books and starting out in life on his own account, he was identified with various lines of business, being engaged at different times as a druggist, grocer, brick and tile manufacturer and a farmer. For a number of years, however, he has conducted a growing and successful florist's business, his greenhouse, which has been in existence for sixteen years, having been one of the first to be established in Huron county. He has met with most gratifying success in both his retail and wholesale departments and enjoys a constantly increasing patronage which has already reached gratifying proportions. The size, color and variety of his product are such as to insure a ready sale and good prices on the market and his flowers are in demand not only in Norwalk, but throughout the adjoining territory, He owns about twenty-five acres of land in the city of Norwalk upon which stands his greenhouse, while he also has an attractive and comfortable residence upon this property. Mr. Walker was united in marriage in 1862 to Miss Harriet M. Beard, who was born in Seneca county in 1840, a daughter of John Beard. Unto this union have been born three children. Achsah, who was born in 1865, is now teaching in the normal school at Greeley, Colorado. Phoebe, who was born in 1872, is the superintendent of a library in Bay City, Michigan. Willard, the youngest of the family, was born in 1875 and is his father's partner in business. He took part in the Spanish-American war and spent two years in the Philippine Islands. HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY - 545 Mr. Parker has figured actively in local political circles, being recognized as a stalwart supporter of the democracy, to the principles of which party he gives loyal support. He was for s0me time a member of the school board and did all in his power to further the interests of education. His life has been one of continuous activity, each forward step m his business career bringing to him a wider outlook and broader opportunities. He possesses keen business ability and g00d judgment, and his careful management of his affairs, together with his honorable and upright methods, have been the salient elements in the success which he now enjoys, JOHN V. BARKER. John V. Barker, the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Bronson township, is numbered among the worthy native s0ns of Huron county, his birth having occurred in that township 0n the 14th of February, 1877. His parents, John and Phoebe (Morse) Barker, are likewise natives of this county and were born in the years 1844 and 1848 respectively. The father, an honored veteran of the Civil war, served for four years as a member of the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His family numbers five children, namely : Myrtle, Edgar, John V., Jay and Lucy. John V. Barker has always made his home on a farm and early became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As above stated, he now owns and cultivates a tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Br0nson township and in the conduct of his farming interests has won a commendable measure of success, owing to his untiring and well directed energy and good management. He also 0perates a cider press which his father built in 1886 and which has been in operation ever since. It was one of the first steam presses in the county. In 1901, Mr. Barker was joined in wedlock to Miss Frances Coyt, who was torn in 1883, a daughter of James and Nellie (Hall) Coyt. Mrs. Barker has two sisters, Grace and Marguerite. The political faith 0f Mr. Barker accords with the principles and policy of the republican party. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Norwalk, and he is a worthy exemplar of the craft. As he has lived in this county throughout his entire life, he has a wide acquaintance here and his many friends know him as a young man of enterprise and worth. -Row 1, Cell 1-