1100 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Columbia township, has three children, Emma, Vivian and Clare; Frank, born November 6, 1851, died at the age of nineteen, and three that died in infancy. In his political predilections Mr. Osborn was originally a Whig, and, since the formation of the party, has been a straight Republican. He and his wife have now for half a century traveled together the highway of life; and it is the earnest wish of their many friends that they may be spared to see many more anniversaries of the commencement of their married life. A. J. SNYDER. This gentleman, who for many years was a successful tradesman, is now justly classed among the progressive farmer citizens of Lorain county. He was born November 12, 1828, in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland Co., Penn., and is a son of Joseph Snyder, a farmer, who was born in Lancaster, Penn., July 1, 1791, and died January 8, 1872. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was twice married, the name of his first wife being unknown. For his second he married Mrs. Elizabeth Millet, a widow, née Noaker, who was born July 5, 1792, and she became the mother of the subject of this sketch. The parents both died in Schuylkill county, Penn. Grandfather Snyder, whose name was also Joseph, was a native of Germany, and came to Lancaster, Penn., immediately after marriage. A. J. Snyder received a good practical common-school education in reading and writing, mathematics being entirely omitted. When about sixteen years of age he was bound out as an apprentice for three and one-half years to Edward Finney, a shoemaker in Danville, Columbia (now in Montour) Co., Penn., with whom he remained from June 23, 1845, to March 1, 1848, at which time, having effected a compromise with Finney, he purchased his freedom. With what little money he had saved from his earnings he proceeded to Northumberland, then to Port Carbon, thence to Pottsville, in all of which places he followed his trade, successfully. While in Port Carbon he was married, August 21, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Plunket, daughter of Michael and Mary Plunket. Their wedding tour was made with a horse and buggy, and by the time they reached home they found themselves absolutely penniless, so poor was he when he plunged into the sea of matrimony. In the spring of 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Snyder came to Ohio, being accompanied by her parents, making among themselves quite a party of immigrants. They had some time previously started for Ohio, but were detained at Hollidaysburg, Penn., where Mr. Snyder worked at his trade. On their journey westward the party passed through Canton, New Lisbon, Massillon, Wooster and Ashland, finally halting at Plymouth, where our subject found himself forty dollars in debt. He worked at his trade in Norwalk and New Haven, and again at Plymouth, in the latter place for eleven years, saving a little money there, and providing a home for the family. Here he lost his first wife, she dying January 1, 1859, and here she was buried; she left three children, viz.: Lucinda A., now Mrs. Samuel Markle, of Ashland, Ohio; Willis, a farm laborer of Miami county, Ohio; and Antoinetta, now Mrs. Morris Risser, of Ashland, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Snyder married, October 15, 1859, Mrs. Melinda Shurter, a widow, and two children, both deceased in infancy, were born to this union. Mrs. Melinda Synder died December 18, 1861, and our subject on March 31, 1863, married Miss Mary Quinn, who bore him two children (twins): One deceased in infancy, and William, now in Bloominggrove township, Richland Co., Ohio. Mrs. Mary Snyder died January 4, 1864, and January 1, 1865, the thrice-bereaved husband wedded Miss Lydia LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1101 Simonson, by whom there were two chil-dren: Joseph G., a farmer of Richland county, Ohio, and Bertha M., who died at the age of fifteen years. This wife passed away December 21, 1872, and for his fifth and present spouse Mr. Snyder married, September 4, 1873, Miss Victoria McMillen, of Oliversburg, Richland Co., Ohio. To this last marriage five children were born, to wit: Etta A., deceased at the age of nine years; and Carlos L., Leroy V., Autha P. and Ralph V., all at home. In Plymouth our subject made his home until 1861; then lived on a farm a short time, after which he moved to Shelby, Ohio, where for a brief period he worked at his trade; thence went to a farm in Bloominggrove township, Richland county, and then again resided in Shelby a short time. In the spring of 1865 he came to Lorain county, settling in Rochester town-ship, where he had purchased of Erastus Knapp 150 acres of prime land (his present home), on which Ile has made many im-provements. Mr. Snyder is not only a good farmer, but a systematic business man, keeping a regular set of books, showing expenditure and revenue in all his dealings ever since he commenced on his present farm. Politically he is a zealous Re-publican, taking a lively interest in the affairs of the party, and has been a dele-gate to various county conventions. In Church relationship he is a member of the M. E. Church, his wife being a Baptist. J. B. PARKER, a prominent business man of North Amherst, well-known in insurance circles, is a native of the State of New York, born October 28, 1830, in Lexington, Greene county. He is a son of Abram and Elizabeth (Buel) Parker, of the same county, the former of whom, a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics, died in April, 1852, the latter dying in Williamstown, Oswego county, N. Y., in October, 1864, and was buried in Jewett, Greene county, N. Y. J. B. Parker received his education at the district schools of his native place, and was reared on his father's farm. In 1856 he moved to Wayne county, Penn., where be had charge of a store, and was book-keeper for Morse, Martin & Co. (later Morse, Cook 64 Co.) until 1862, when he proceeded to Williamstown, Oswego county, N. Y., and engaged in general merchandising, continuing in business there until 1869, the year he came to New London, Ohio. In that town he remained till 1874, and then moved to North Amherst, where he has since resided, intimately identified with the business interests of the place. In 1851 Mr. Parker was married, in Greene county, N. Y., to Miss Louisa Benjamin, who died without issue, and in 1855 he became united in marriage with Mrs. S. C. Pain, nee Wolcott, by which union there were four children (two of whom are yet living), viz.: (1) Metta A., widow of J. B. Norton, of Amherst; (2) Lillie and (3) Willie, twins (the former of whom died in Williamstown, Oswego county, N.Y., the latter in Ledge Dale, Wayne Co., Penn.), and (4) Carrie E., wife of E. E. Kimmel, residing at Cedar Valley, Iowa. Mr. Parker is a Democrat of the first water, and was elected a justice of the peace in 1891; is now serving his second term as notary public, and has been a member of the town council. In his fire, life and accident insurance business, in which he has been engaged the past six years, he represents, among other offices, the Glens Falls, Manchester, North Western and National and Wayne County Fire Com-panies, besides the New York Life and National Life of Vermont. In addition to all this he is secretary of the North Am-herst Shear Co., incorporated December 18, 1890, with which he has been con-nected since its organization. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, in 1102 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. the Sunday-school work of which, and in the choir, he has taken much personal interest. Mrs. Parker was born September 4, 1830, in Lexington, Greene Co., N. Y., a daughter of Reuben I. and Artemesia (Buel) Wolcott, natives of New York, who in 1831 came west to Huron county, Ohio, making their residence for a time in Fitchville, thence moving to Ruggles township (now in Ashland county). The mother departed this life in Huron county, Ohio, in 1842, the father in Ruggles township (then in Huron county) in 1863 or '64. He was a farmer of prominence, and in his day an active politician, first as a Whig, afterward as a Republican. Mrs. Parker was educated in Oberlin, and has been twice married, as already recorded. r. Parker's grandfather, William Parker, a native of Connecticut, was a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war; in after life he settled in Lexington, Greene Co., N. Y. Her grandfather, Munson Buel, also a native of Connecticut, moved in an early day to Lexington, Greene Co., N. Y., and died at the advanced age of eighty-two; he was a cloth dresser by trade, and also owned a flour and grist mill. JACOB SCHAIBLE, in his day a well-known Lorain county pioneer, was horn March 27, 1807, in Boulanden, Wurtemberg, Germany, and died February 7, 1874. When but five or six years old he lost both of his parents by death, leaving him and his only brother, Michael, orphans. After the death of the parents, his grandmother, on the mother's side, undertook the care of the two little boys, and gave them both a common-school education. Jacob took up the pursuit of farming (and it was in this career that he grew up to manhood), in which he was eminently successful. In January, 1834, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine B. Ramsayer, granddaughter of the then eminent physician and surgeon, C. H. von Ottein, who had engaged the best teachers money could procure and gave her a good education. Mr. Schaible, with his young wife, settled on his estates, on which he had made many improvements after his majority, and as they both liked country life their home life was attractive arid pleasant. Nothing, in fact, marred their every-day life until in the fall of the year 1846, when Mr. Schaible was suddenly stricken down with an illness so severe that his life hung in the balance for many a day; finally, however, his strong constitution prevailed over the disease, although he did not fully, recover his former health. Then his attending physician and several other physicians held a consultation, and their unanimous decision was that Mr. Schaible should take a sea voyage for the restoration of his health. Accordingly in May, 1848, with his wife and five children, Mr. Schaible wended his way toward the seaport of Havre, took passage there on a sailing ship, and after a tempestuous voyage of seven weeks landed at New York. Their stay there was of short duration, for they soon turned in the direction of Ohio, taking steamer on the Hudson river as far as Albany; from there in a canal boat to Buffalo, thence to Cleveland, whence they came directly to Elyria, arriving there August 1, 1848. The three months' travel restored Mr. Schaible to his former health. Elyria was then but a mere village, straggling out over several streets of ,mud and underbrush, and the only approaches at that time were by the way of lake and stage coach. Mr. Schaible soon after his arrival purchased land one mile west of Elyria, built a small house and settled on .his farm, which was nearly all covered with underbrush and forest. He immediately began to clear and improve his property until he had one of the best farms in the county, also buying more land from time to time until he had some three or four hundred acres of well-improved land at the time of his death. He was honest and indus- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1103 trious, kind and obliging, and his name became the synonym for integrity and uprightness. Being temperate in his habits, lie was a rare specimen of the hardy pioneer. He was a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church from early youth, and for many years was its stanchest supporter. In the family he was a loving husband, a kind and indulgent father. His faithful wife, who had so long shared his joys and sorrows, preceded him but eight weeks in death. His remains were placed beside those of his wife in Murry Ridge Cemetery, in the bosom of mother earth, in full hope of a glorious resurrection. Mr. Schaible left four sons and five daughters to mourn his loss, viz.: Agnes B. Theiss, of Cleveland; Margaretha M. Limb, of Wooster; J. Frederich Schaible, who died February 12, 1875; C. Henrietta Krieger, of Wooster, Ohio; Jacob E Schaible, of Elyria; Carrie Schaible, Charles H. Schaible, John G. Schaible and Sophia C. Schaible, all of Elyria. JACOB E. SCHAIBLE was born in Germany, and was but two years old when he came with his father to this country. He now lives on his farm of 140 acres on West Ridge, and is one of the most thorough farmers in Lorain county. Mr. Schaible has over sixteen thousand tile under ground, and has one of the best-improved farms. He and his two children are members of St. Paul's Church. In 1886 he took a trip across the ocean, and visited the principal cities in England, France and Germany, spending some time in his native country. ELIAS BAUMHART, one of the leading, most prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of Black River township, is a native of Erie county, Ohio, born in 1845. His father, Capt. Adam Baumhart, was born in Hessia, Germany, whence at the age of fourteen years he came to America and to Erie county, Ohio, with his father, Elias Baumhart. In 1846 Adam moved to Black River township, Lorain county. He was married in Erie county to Christina Herwig, daugher of Jacob and Catherine (Blech) Herwig, all of Hessia, Germany, who came to Um United States when Christina was eight years old. They were nine weeks crossing the ocean. Jacob Herwig was a miller in the Fatherland, but in this country he followed farming. He died in 1873, his wife in 1853. Capt. Adam and Christina Baumhart are the parents of eleven children, viz.: Emeline, wife of Benjamin Claus, of Brownhelm township; Elias, subject of sketch; Jacob, deceased at the age of two years; Henry, who died when aged fifteen years; Catherine, wife of Charles Hohn, of Black River township, Lorain county; Armina, at home with her parents; Martha, wife of Henry Furber, of Erie county, Ohio; Adam, Jr., studying medicine at the University of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Edward, who died when five years old; Jacob, on his father's farm in Brownhelm township, and James, also a farmer in that township. The parents are yet residing in Brownhelm township, highly respected and honored. Elias Baumhart received his education at the district schools of Black River township, whither he was brought when an infant. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and after attaining his majority bought fifty-six acres of land, which he cleared. This he subsequently rented, and bought his present fine farm of 240 acres, well watered by a good creek and equipped with all necessary buildings. In December, 1869, Mr. Baumhart was united in marriage, in Brownhelm township, Lorain county. with Miss Amelia Lutz, who died March .16, 1873, the mother of two children: Charles and Thomas, the latter of whom died when eight months old. On April 12, 1874, our subject married, in 1104 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Black River township, Lorain county, for his second wife, Miss Margaret Jacobs, a native of that township, and daughter of Peter and Dora (Smith) Jacobs. To this union have been born six children, viz.: Della, Benwill, Nelson, Armina, Robert, and Edward, who died when seven months old. The parents are members of the Evangelical Church; in politics Mr. Baum-hart is a Democrat, and has served his township as trustee. WILLIAM A. BATES. William Bates, the paternal grandsire of our subject, was born and reared in Connecticut, but passed the our subject, was born and reared in Connecticut, but passed the greater portion of his life in Lewis county, N. Y., near the town of Lowville. His vocation in life was that of a farmer. He married Mrs. Sarah Woods, and the results of this union were ten children; by a previous marriage five were born. In about 1836, then in his seventy-fifth year, he removed to the then wilds of Ohio, whither several of his sons had preceded him a year. The journey was made overland, the means of locomotion being four strong horses, and the conveyance a large covered wagon, into which were crowded the family and many personal effects. The remaining years of his life were passed with his children, all of whom were located in Lorain county, Ohio. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, bravely fought for liberty as a trooper, and was commended by his officer for gallantry and bravery in the battle against the British at Sacket's Harbor. He departed this life in 1848, at the age of eighty-four years. His good wife survived him some thirteen years, and was a like number of years his junior. She also lived to the age of eighty-four, and was remarkably well preserved and hale, in fact, a few months previous to her demise she thought but little of a walk of a half mile. They were formerly Presbyferians, but after removing to Ohio they joined the Methodists, and they were exemplary Christian people. The following children accompanied and located in Lorain county, with their father: Francis, Ottis, Bennett, Hannah, Moses, Lyman, Thaxter, Norton and Charles, all now deceased, Bennett being the last toass away, dying in De- cember, 1892. The father of these was a Highland Scotchman, and was a man of giant-like dimensions, being six and one-half feet in stature, and weighing over three hundred pounds. His sons averaged six feet in height, and were of massive proportions. Francis Bates, the father of subject, was born in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1800, and was there reared. He was possessed of skill in the use of tools of any sort, but his attention chiefly turned toward farming, and the trade of shoemaking. In 1835, at the age of about thirty-five years, he gathered together his savings and started for the then wilds of Ohio, almost immediately on his arrival locating upon 4 tract of fifty acres in the western portion of Lorain county. To pay for the land he was employed at working for others, his leisure being used in the clearing of his own land. At that period the wages received "at clearing" were fifty cents to seventy-five cents per day. At the time of his advent into this then "wilderness" there were several log houses in Camden township. In 1820 he married Miss Maria Obits, a lady of German parentage, though of American birth, and a native of the same county as her 'husband. To this union were born four sons and one daughter, namely: Nelson, Sallie Ann, Justin, Elbirge and William A. Of these the last mentioned and Justin, a prominent citizen of the Hawkeye State, are the only ones living. Francis Bates was, politically, an Old-line Whig, an earnest Abolitionist, and religiously a devout member of the Methodist Church, as was also his faithful wife. Both were well and kindly known LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1105 throughout. a large community, and their deeds of charity are traditional in many of the pioneer homes of the.county. In October, 1858, Francis Bates departed this life, his wife following him to eternal rest in 1869. William A. Bates, the subject proper of this memoir, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and there reared to the age of fourteen, when he came west with his parents to Ohio. Here he attended school in the old log school building with its slab benches. and other primitive furnishings. Soon, however, he was compelled to shoulder his portion of the labor of clearing his father's land, and working for others to assist in the payment of the indebtedness, into which his father had gone in the purchase of same. For such work he received twelve dollars per acre cleared, and, for only chopping or felling the timber, six dollars per acre. Mr. Bates' health was never robust, and he received many setbacks in his progress even in his youth, because of this misfortune. When about twenty-seven he had about two hundred dollars, all saved from his earnings, and he then linked his fortunes with those of Miss Sarah Sigsworth, the date of their marriage being June 29, 18,18. She is the daughter of Thomas Sigsworth (now deceased), who was one of the first, if not the first, of Camden township's citizens. He was a native of England, and by many of the older residents of Camden he is remem-bered as an industrious, loyal, thoroughly esteemed citizen. To our subject and wife were born children as follows: S. Olive, William Duane, Eta M., Mary A., Fran-cis W., Elma R., Willnettie and L. Clemant; the first three were born in Ohio and died in infancy, the others were born in Iowa. Of these Mary A. is the wife of Floyd Twining, of Henrietta township; Francis W. and Elma R. reside at home with their parents; Willnettie (Mrs. Ed-ward Bell) is a resident of North Royal-ton, Ohio; L. Clemant is a successful clerk in Lorain, Lorain county. In October, 1854, thinking a change of climate would benefit his health, be removed to the then new State of Iowa; accompanied by his wife he made the trip in a covered wagon. After remaining in Iowa thirteen years, he returned to Ohio in May, 1867. Mr. Bates has been a successful agriculturist, and is highly respected throughout his wide acquaintance. He has given his children the advantage of a good education, and that they appreciate the efforts of their parents in their behalf is shown in their devotion to them, in these their declining years. Mr. Bates is a Republican, politically, and takes an active and intelligent interest in local and national affairs, and has held several local offices. His farm displays the hand of enterprise and thrift, the many improvements bespeaking well his praise. Mrs. Bates and other members of the family are earnest and de-vout members of the Methodist Church. WESLEY HASTINGS, a worthy representative of one of the earli-est pioneer families of Penfield township, is a native of Wilna, Jefferson Co., N. Y., born December 21, 1822. He is a son of Curtice and Pattie (Groves) Hastings, the former of whom was born in Vermont, and when a young man removed to New York State, where he married and had children as follows: Ashley, who was accidentally killed by the explosion of a signal gun in LaGrange township, Lorain Co., Ohio; Wesley, subject of this sketch; and Submit, Mrs. Ly-man Crane, of Chatham Center, Medina Co., Ohio. Curtice Hastings followed the carpenter's trade, for which he had a natural inclination, and in. 1825 came west to Ohio, in company with Henry Townsend, walking the entire distance from New York State. He visited in Harrisville and Lodi, and, after looking over the 1106 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. land in Lorain and Medina counties, returned home. In June, 1826, he set out for Ohio with his family, being a long time on the road, as they drove the entire distance, and their team was the first one to enter the township. They made their home at the house of a family named Holcomb until their cabin of logs and bark was erected on the tract which Mr. Hastings had bargained for, which at that time was a dense wilderness, abounding with wild animals; and many were the exciting adventures and narrow escapes which the pioneers had in these forests. Their cabin was a rude one, and for the first year had no floor, and neither door nor window. At first they had to go a long distance east to have their milling done, hauling the grist on a sled drawn by oxen, the journey occupying five days and nights, and marked trees being their only guide, as there were no roads. After locating in LaGrange township the family was increased by the following members: E. H. and E. G. (twins), who were the first white male children born in the township; Samuel, a farmer of LaGrange township; a daughter that died in infancy; Edson, now a farmer of LaGrange township; and a son, who was adopted in infancy, on the death of his mother, by the Dreher family of Grafton township, who moved to Utah and joined the Mormons, which was the last heard of them and the child. Mrs. Hastings was interred in East cemetery, LaGrange township, and for his second wife Mr. Hastings married Asenath Arnie, who bore him one child, Frank, who served in the Civil war (he died in LaGrange township). After coming west Mr. Hastings engaged in agriculture, and also continued to follow the carpenter trade, erecting many of the first gristmills in his section. He also conducted the sawmill at Rawsonville for some time, and he was the builder of the Jonathan Rawson mill that stood at 'Grafton Station. He began to prosper, accumulated property, and at the time of his death was in very comfortable circumstances. His second wife preceded him to the grave. Politically he was a Democrat. Wesley Hastings was but a child of four years when he came to Ohio, at which time, and for several years following, there were no -schools of any kind in his district. The first one opened was of the subscription variety, but lie was unable to attend even this regularly, as his services were needed at home. He was reared to agricultural life on the pioneer farm, and learned the trade of a carpenter under his father. On April 2, 1842, he was united in marriage with Miss Elmira Loomis, a native of Jefferson county, N. Y., daughter of Justin and Sally (Sillick) Loomis, who came to LaGrange township in an early day, locating on Vermont street. To this union were born children as follows: Charles, a carpenter, in the employ of the D. L. Wadsworth Lumber Co., of Wellington, Ohio; and Irwin, who died young. After his marriage our subject located on Vermont street, LaGrange township, where he remained for a year, and then removed to a farm directly opposite this place and separated from it by the Black river. Here he lived four years, with Dorias Holcomb, a brother-in-law, in a house which they erected, thence moving to his present farm in Penfield township, where he has now had his home for over fifty years. The section was then a vast wilderness, and here Mr. Hastings purchased fifty acres at six dollars per acre, to which he has since added, and all of which has been cleared and improved by his own labor. In connection with farming lie continued to follow his trade until 1875, and he has erected more buildings in his section than any other man living; he has also worked in other parts of the county. For a number of years he has given his principal attention to farming, and, though he has passed his threescore and ten years, he is yet capable of doing a good day's work. In political matters Mr. Hastings has always sympathized with the Democratic party, LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1107 although he voted for Abraham Lincoln; in former years he took considerable interest in party affairs, and served in various local offices. He is a highly respected citizen of the community, and now, after many years of toil and hardship, enjoys a comfortable competence. E. A. TURNEY, a thoroughly representative farmer and influential citizen of Amherst township, is a native of Ohio, born in Lake county, March 23, 1815. The father of subject was born in Fairfield, Conn., October 15, 1759, and was married to Polly Downes, who was born in Reading, same State, December 2, 1768. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, his first enlistment being in 1777, and his first battle at Danbury, his second at Black Rock, both in Connecticut; later he served in the gage train of the army till the close of the war. From the year 1832 to the close of his life he was in receipt of a pension from the Government of eight dollars per month. While a resident of Connecticut he was for a time a sailor on merchant ships, trading with the West Indies. In 1809 he came' to Ohio, and bought 100 acres of wild land in Madison township, Lake county, which he improved; laterhe purchased 160 acres in Perry township, Lake county, and finally another seventy acres in Madison township, aggregating 330 acres, of which he gave to each of three sons 100 acres. In politics he was an Old-line Whig, his first vote being cast for George Washington, in Connecticut; after coming to Madison, he served as trustee of that township. He died April 5, 1833, aged seventy-three years, five months and twenty days; his wife on October 9, 1835, aged sixty-six years, ten months and twenty-three days; they were members of the Baptist Church. To this honored pioneer couple were born children as follows: Daniel Turney, a farmer, born May 11, 1788, died March 9, 1841, in Lake county, Ohio, whither he had come on foot from Connecticut; Phebe Turney, born March 9, 1791, who was married to Erial Cook, and died in Lake county, March 4, 1852; David Turney, born December 25, 1794, died in Lake county, March 5, 1826, aged thirty-one years, two months ten days; George Washington Turney, born March 13, 1797, died in Lake county, February 19, 1830; Charlany Turney, born August 20, 1799, married James Gage, and died in Lake county, in June, 1829; Asa Squire Turney, born March 20, 1804, died in Lake county, February 16, 1886 (he was a minister of the Disciple Church); Marvin Turney, born in Connecticut, August 11, 1807, who resided on a farm in Dearborn township, Wayne Co., Mich., where he settled in 1834, until his death, which occurred April 28, 1893, when he was aged eighty-six years; and Eli A., subject of sketch. Eli A. Turney received his education at the public schools of Lake county, Ohio, which were first held in a blockhouse, afterward in a log house, and he was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed for some time. He then engaged in shipbuilding at Black River, Sandusky, Vermillion, Huron and Milan, lake port towns of Lorain and Erie counties, Ohio. Subsequently he entered the Freewill Baptist ministry, was licensed to preach in 1850, and ordained in June, 1856, ever since which he has been a minister in that Church as a member of the Freewill Baptist Association. In 1833 Mr. Turney moved to Lorain county, and to Amherst township,. where he bought 118 acres of wild land, which he improved, erecting thereon the first log house he ever saw built, and, contrary to the prevailing custom of those days, no whiskey was used during the work. Prior to coming to Lorain county he resided for a time in Geauga county, same State. On May 12, 1833, our subject married, in Ridgeville, Ohio, Minerva Seeley, a native of Tioga county, N. Y., born September 15, 1815. The result of this union was seven children, of whom the following 1108 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. is a brief record: Albert Turney, who was educated at Oberlin, Ohio, is now a resident of Bowling Green, Wood Co., Ohio; he married Hannah Harris, of Oberlin, and has two daughters: Sophia and Cory. Cy ren a R. Turney became the wife of Perry Belden, of Amherst, and died in 1860. La Fayette Turney, born April 6, 1838, was educated at Amherst, and lives at Grand Rapids, Ohio, where he is a salesman; he has three children, one of whom, E.E. Turney, is studying for the ministry. David M. Turney, born March 20, 1848, a railroad man, lives in Kansas. Mary, born July 10, 1853, is the wife of Frank Bissell, of Columbus, Ohio. Henry Turney died in Lorain county October 21, 1858. Charles Wesley Turney, born October 1, 1841, died at the age of fourteen months. The mother of these died May 29, 1868, and September 11, 1869, Mr. Turney married Mrs. Arvilla (Crocker) Brauch, who was born in North Amherst, Ohio, daughter of Roswell and Perlina (Barnes) Crocker, the father a native of New York, the mother of Becket, Mass. They came to Lorain county, Ohio, in 1817, locating near Amherst, but in 1834 moved to Madison, Lake county, where Mr. Crocker died in 1868, his widow in 1880, at the age of eighty years. They reared a family of eight children, as follows: Eliza, widow of O. Barney, of North Amherst; Alonzo and Lorenzo (twins), born in 1819, the latter of whom' died at the age of sixty-eight; Arvilla, wife of subject; Fannie, whose husband, Dr. Martin Luce, died of cholera on Sand Bar in the Ohio river; John W., a resident of Lake county, Ohio; Hulda, wife of D. D. Fox, of Doylestown, Wis.; and Erastus W., a resident of Hawaii, Sandwich Islands. Mrs. Turney is the oldest living lady born in Amherst township. In 1840 she was married to S. G. Brauch, of Madison, Lake Co., Ohio, and three children were born to them, viz.: E. P., married and residing in Florida (he served in the Civil war); W. S., in Dakota; and Fannie, wife of C. M. Parsons, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Branch died in 1863. In politics Mr. Turney is a Republican-Prohibitionist, and cast his vote for W. H. Harrison in 1840; he has been a member of the school board for years. He is a member of the Freewill Baptist Church, Mrs Turney of the Congregational Church. PHILIP SIPPEL, well-known in Lorain county and elsewhere as a prominent contractor and builder, is a native of Hessia, Germany, born July 20, 1831. He is a son of George and Mary (Schaffer) Sippel, who both died in Germany, the father in 1836, the mother in 1871, at the age of seventy-seven years; they were members of the German Presbyterian Church. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native land, and in 1853 came to the United States, landing in New York with but three dollars left, which he afterward gave to a less fortunate comrade, who was unable to secure work. Our subject, finding employment in New York, saved his earnings, and when he had laid by enough to carry him westward, set out for Lorain county, Ohio, and, in about three months after first setting foot on American soil, he found himself settled in the then village of North Amherst, which has since been his home. In the Fatherland he had learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and for some time followed it in this country. Having bought a farm, he laid aside his trade for a time, and followed agricultural pursuits, but selling the property he resumed carpentry, at which he made a success. Mr. Sippel is now recognized as the leading contractor and builder of North Amherst, having the full confidence of the community, and has been the architect and builder of the M. E. and Presbyterian churches, besides various business blocks. In 1856 Mr. Sippel was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Keller. Polit- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO -1109 ically he is a Democrat, and for nine years was a member of the board of education, was township trustee one term, and served his town as treasurer six years. Socially he is a member of the K. of P. arid I. O. O. F., in which latter he has passed all the Chairs. E. BIGLOW, proprietor of the West View Tile and Brick Works, is a native of Lorain county, born in Columbia township in 1845, a son of Daniel and Martha L. (Stranahan) Biglow, also of Columbia township, where both are yet living. Ephraim Biglow, grandfather of subject, was born in Massachusetts, whence when a boy he moved to Maine, from there to New York, and from there migrated to Lorain county, Ohio, settling in Columbia township, where he passed the rest of his days. E. Biglow, the subject proper of this sketch, received a liberal education at the public schools of his native township, and lived on a farm up to the age of twenty-eight, when he embarked in mercantile business in West View, Cuyahoga county, continuing in same till the spring of 1893. In 1880 he became the proprietor of the West View Tile and Brick Works, which were built in 1880 for the manufacture of all kinds of brick and tile; they do the most extensive business and have the largest plant of any concern of the kind in the county. The capacity of the works is 400,000 brick each season, with a corre-sponding capacity for tile, and they generally have on hand a large supply of both products. The storage room is three stories high, 40 x 64, with a wing, two stories, 24x 80; engine-room 20 x24; drying shed 18 x 64, heated by steam pipes throughout; clay house, a brick building, 26 x 30, lo-cated on the " Big Four" Railroad, with side track running to the works. There is also an iron track for carrying clay. In 1874 Mr. Biglow was married in Columbia township, Lorain county, to Miss C. R. Osborn, daughter of Asahel Banner and Sophronia (Scales) Osborn, all natives of that township; both parents are deceased. To this union there is one child, Ernest O., at present attending Berea College. In politics Mr. Biglow is a Republican, and for eighteen years he served as postmaster at West View. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church of that town, and they are held in the highest respect by all who know them. DANIEL BIGLOW, a prominent, native born agriculturist of Columbia township, first saw the light in the year 1820. His parents, Ephraim and Nancy (Frink) Biglow, were natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and were mar-ried in New York State, whence, in 1816, they migrated westward to Ohio, coming, with a team. They located in the woods of Columbia township, Lorain county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1838, the mother in 1861. He was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Whig party, voting for Thomas Jefferson, and took an active interest in the politics of his day. Mr. and Mrs. Biglow had a family of eight children, but two of whom are now living, viz.: Daniel, the. subject of this sketch; and Amasa, married, who resides in Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Daniel Biglow was reared and educated in his native township, and during his early youth aided in clearing the home farm. He has made agriculture his life vocation. In 1852 he settled on his pres-ent farm, then consisting of seventy-eight acres, which he has since improved and from time to time added to until he now has 137 acres, 110 of which are cleared 1110 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. and in a good state of cultivation. In 1844 Mr. Biglow was married, in Columbia township, to Miss M. L. Stranahan, daughter of Joshua C. and Mary (Mason) Stranahan, natives of Connecticut, where the mother died; in an early day the father came to Columbia township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he passed away in 1859. To `his union were born three children, two of whom are living, namely: Ephraim, residing in West View, who is married and has one child, Ernest; and G. J., residing at home. In political matters our subject is a Republican, and has served as trustee of Columbia township. He is one of the three oldest residents of same. Mrs. Biglow is a member of the Baptist Church. PETER FORTHOFER, a prominent farmer citizen of Avon township, and trustee of same, is a native of Bavaria Germany, born July 14, 1841. He is a son of John and Joanna (Schwartz) Forthofer, of the same locality, who in 1853 immigrated with their family to the United States, coming to Ohio and locating in Dover township, Cuyahoga county, for five years, and thence moving to Avon township, Lorain county. Here the father, who was a lifelong farmer, died in 1880, the mother in 1885. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Joseph, who died in Avon township in 1891; John, married, residing in Avon township; Mary Susan, wife of George Nagel (both deceased in,1893), and Peter. The subject of this commemorative article was twelve years old when he came from Bavaria to America, so that he was partly educated in his native land and partly in this country. On coming to Avon township he engaged in farm labor, and was so employed until 1868, when he settled in same township on his present farm, which then consisted of fifty-four acres of partly-improved land, which he has since improved and added to until now it is a fine property of 193 acres, all under excellent cultivation. In 1865 Mr. Forthofer was married, in Sheffield township, Lorain county, to Miss Margaret Friedman, daughter of George and Margaret (Miller) Friedman, all natives of Bavaria, who immigrated to America, first locating in Ravenna, Ohio, and thence in 1852 moving to Sheffield township. in 1865 they finally settled in Mercer county, Ohio, where Mr. Friedman died in 1869, Mrs. Friedman in April, 1885. To our subject and wife were born ten children, as follows: Mary, wife of George Bohland, of Dover, Ohio; George; Joseph, married, residing in Avon township; John; Anna, wife of George Conrod, of Avon township; Peter; Andrew; Maggie; Anton, and Jacob. The parents are members of the Catholic Church at Avon, and in politics Mr. Forthofer isa sound Democrat. G. H. VAN WAGNEN, who for the past fifty-five years has been a leading agriculturist of Lorain county, is a native of the State of New York, born May 5, 1817, a son of Garrett C. and Mary (Welton) .VanWagnen, natives of New Jersey. They were married in New York State, whence in 1832 they moved to Portage county, Ohio, where they carried on farming, and reared a family of fifteen children, eight of whom are yet living, namely: Sally Ann, wife of Samuel Voorhees, of Elmira, N. Y.; Mary, widow of Ambrose Johnson, of Sullivan, Ashland Co., Ohio; G. H., our subject; Alonzo, married, and residing in Missouri; Evaline, widow of Madison Johelyn, late of Brownhelm township, Lorain county; Agnes, wife of Edward Frost, of Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio; Charles, married, residence Chi- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1118 cago, Ill.; and Sabrina, wife of Albert Hastings, of Kent, Portage Co., Ohio. The father of this family passed from earth in 1851, the mother surviving him till 1876. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm in New York State, and received his education at the schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth. In 1832 he came west to Ohio, making his home for a time in Portage county, and in the following year proceeded to Cleveland, where he learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked thirty years. In 1838 he came to Lorain county, plying his trade in Grafton and Eaton townships till 1848, in which year he bought ninety-six acres totally unimproved land in the wild woods of the last named township. This he set to work to reduce to a state of cultivation, subsequently adding to it thirty-eight acres, now presenting in the aggregate as fine a farm as can be found in the county. Here he carries on general agriculture, including the rearing of Holstein cattle. In 1840 Mr. Van Wagnen was married in Grafton township, Lorain county, to Miss Lucinda Cornning, a native of New York, daughter of Nathan and Clarissa (Smith) Cornning, both of Connecticut, whence in 1832 they came to Lorain county, Ohio, settling in Grafton town-ship, and here the father followed his trade, that of mechanic, up to the day of his death; he passed away about the year 1854, his wife surviving him some years, and dying in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Wagnen were born seven children, as follows: (1) Welton, married, and residing in Michigan. (2) Clarissa, wife of C. G. Reynolds, of Tuscola county, Mich.; have four children: Ida Ettie, wife of George Clark, of Brighton, Lorain county (have two children: Tracey and an infant, un-named), Hattie, Clark and Delos. (3) Irving, married and residing in Tuscola county, Mich.; have children as follows: Martin, Henry (married, and living in Michigan), Katie, Lo, Olive and Frederick. (4) Hattie, the wife of Thomas King, of Eaton township; their children are Eva, Grace, Myrtle, Clara, Minnie, Richard and Nellie. (5) Henry, a resident of Eaton township, a sketch of whom follows this. (6) Frank, married to Susan Chambers, and has three children, Lura, Cora and Gertrude. (7) Charles, twice married, first time to Elmira Bingham, and by her had one child, Ida; second wife Martha Bingham; he is a painter by trade, and they reside in Lorain. In politics our subject is an ardent Republican, and cast his first vote for William H. Harrison; he served his township as justice of the peace and as trustee several terms. HENRY VAN WAGNEN, a prominent farmer of Eaton township, was born February 5, 1848, in LaPorte, Lorain county, son of G. H. and Lucinda (Cornning) VanWagnen, early pioneers of Lorain county. Henry Van Wagnen was reared in Eaton township, where he received his education, and he has always followed agricultural pursuits. In 1884 he purchased a tract of sixty acres, which had been improved by John Allen, and here engaged in general farming. He was first married, in 1867, to Miss Clara Bennington, a native of Eaton township, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Robson) Bennington, early pioneers of Eaton township, where they died. To this union were born six children: Ada, George, Jennie (who married Edward Johnson, and has one child, Clara), Minnie, James and Alonzo. The mother of these children died. in Michigan in 1881, and on July 3, 1884, Mr. Van Wagnen married, in Henrietta township, Miss Florence Kelly, a native of Henrietta township, Lorain county, daughter of Richard and Jane 1114 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. (Peabody) Kelly, who reside in that township. To this union has been born one child, Dolly. In 1876 Mr. Van Wagnen went to Michigan, and engaged in farming in Tuscola county, where he remained until 1881; he was burned out in 1880. He is now engaged in general farming and stock raising, and makes a specialty of Cotswold sheep. He is a member of the Republican party. TRUMAN MOORE, for about thirty years a mariner on the Great Lakes, fifteen as captain, is a native of Lorain county, born in Sheffield township December 1, 1844. Theron Moore, grandfather of subject, came to Lorain county in about 1816, locating in what is now Avon township, whence he afterward moved to Wisconsin, where he died. His son, Theron, was born in Plattsburgh, N. Y., and came with his parents to Lorain county, where he was reared and educated. He was married in Avon township to Miss Delia Ann Case, a native of Ohio, and after marriage they made their home at .a place called Lake Breeze, in Sheffield township. He was by occupation a sailor and ship builder in his younger days, but later in life followed agricultural pursuits on a farm in the last mentioned township. He died November 28, 1877, on board a vessel at Detroit. He was a Republican and a Methodist; his wife survived him till 1880, being called to her long home while living in Trumbull county, Ohio. Eleven children—four sons and seven daughters—were born to them, of whom the following is a brief record: Menzies died in Kansas November 6, 1881 (he was a sailor); Leonard is married and resides in Lorain; Elmina is the wife of Thomas Gawn, of Lorain; Amelia is the widow of John Faragher, of Sheffield township; Melvina died in childhood; Truman is the subject of this sketch; Charlotte is the wife of Bert Briggs, of New York; Maria is the wife of Mair Poynton, of Yellow Medicine county, Minn.; Bert died in childhood; Rowena is the wife of Theron Merry, of Kansas; Mary is the wife of W. A. Jewett, of Cleveland. The subject of these lines received a liberal education at the public schools of his township, and early in life commenced sailing on the lakes, serving in different capacities on board ship till his 'appointment as captain some fifteen years ago. He is captain of the "Robert Rhodes," propeller, and has a controlling interest in the " Alice B. Norris " and the " Kate Winslow." In 1881 the Captain moved to Lorain and bought a residence lot, whereon he built a two-story house, in addition to which he owns three other houses, which he rents. In 1863 Capt. Moore was married to Miss Esther Carron, a native of the Isle of Man, by which union three children were born, viz.: Edward, married, and having his home in Green Bay, Wis. (he is captain of the schooner " Kate Winslow," plying between Buffalo and Green Bay); Rowena, wife of Mark Jones,. of Lorain; and Ettie. The mother of these died in Sheffield township in 1880, and in 1881 our subject was married to Mrs. Rosa Rice, a native of Medina county, Ohio. In his political sympathies Capt. Moore is a Republican, and has served on the town council. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of Tent No. 1, K. O. T. M. He and his wife are associated with the M. E. Church. GLOVER MILLER, a native born prosperous agriculturist and grape grower of Avon township, was born on his present farm in 1838. His parents, P. J. and Ruth (Houseworth) Miller, natives of New York, came in 1817 LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1115 to Ohio and to Lorain county, settling in Avon township on the farm above referred to, where they died, the father in 1851, the mother in 1893. Glover Miller, of whom this sketch is written, received his education at the public schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth, was reared to farm life, and has followed general agriculture with rather more than average success. He is owner of the old homestead settled by his parents, comprising some sixty acres of highly fertile land, on the lake shore, four of which are devoted to grape culture. In 1879 he was married, in Avon township, to Miss Hannah Titus, who was born in the township, daughter of Henry and Orrie (Cahoon) Titus, a sketch of whom follows. Three children were born to this union: Ruth, Orrie and Minnie. Mr. Miller is a Republican in his political views. HENRY TITUS, a truly progressive and well-to-do farmer and fruit-grower of Avon township, is a native of Essex county, N. Y., born in 1811, a son of Anson and Hannah (Moore) Titus, natives, respectively, of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The parents of our subject were married in New York State, and in 1829, with their family, came to Ohio and to Lorain county, making a settlement in the woods of Avon township, where they cleared a farm, erecting a sturdy and comfortable log house. Here the father died in 1865, the mother some time later. Five children were born to this honored pioneer couple, as follows: Treat, residing in Avon township; Henry, our subject; Mary, widow of Leonard Cahoon, of Avon township; Sarah, widow of William Curtis, of Port Clinton, Ohio; and Joseph, married, who is a resident of Iowa. Henry Titus, the subject of these lines, was reared and educated in Essex county, N. Y., until the age of eighteen, when he came with his parents to Avon township, where he assisted in clearing the home farm. In 1846 he was married in Avon township to Miss Orrie Cahoon, also a native of New York State, daughter of Wilbur and Priscilla (Sweet) Cahoon, of the same State, who in 1809 came to Ohio and to Avon township, Lorain county, where they cleared a farm and passed the rest of their busy lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Titus were born three children, namely: John, residing on the farm, who is married, and has four children: Arthur, Clarence, Marietta and Edith; Ora, married, who resides in Wisconsin; and Hannah, wife of Glover Miller, a sketch of whom appears above. Our subject is the owner of as fine a farm as can be found in the township, comprising 140 acres of highly productive land, twenty-eight of which are devoted to the growing of grapes, eighteen at the present writing being covered with fruit-bearing vines. LUCIUS R. MARSH. Among the many useful and enterprising citizens of Lorain county is prominently mentioned this gentleman. He is a well-known fruit farmer in Brownhelm township, the owner of thirty-five acres of fruit-growing land, whereon are a vineyard, peach, apple and cherry orchards, 300 plum trees (the finest orchard of the kind in the county), and all kinds of small fruit shrubs. Mr. Marsh is a native of Erie county, Ohio, born in 1848, a son of O. H. P. and Minerva M. (Rockwell) Marsh, whose antecedents are traced to Boston, Mass. They came west to Ohio, first locating in Painesville, afterward in Erie county, where he carried on farming, and also conducted a general store in Milan, in the palmy days of that town. He died there in 1860, and his widow subsequently married C. D. Perry. To O. H. P. and Minerva M. Marsh were born two children: Mary M., 1116 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. wife of A. D. Wilder, of Chautauqua, N. Y., and Lucius R., the subject of this sketch. Lucius R. Marsh was reared and educated in Erie county, and passed six years of his earlier life there, working at the carpenter's trade. In 1864 he came to Lorain county, and in 1876 bought his present farm. In 1870 he married, in Erie county, Miss Georgiana Ennis, a native of that county, and daughter of Alexander Ennis, a pioneer of same. To this union have been born three children: Willie, Lulu and Lottie Belle. In his political sympathies Mr. Marsh is a Republican. WILLIAM EDGERTON, a leading and prosperous agriculturist of fColumbia township, is a native of same, born in April, 1832, son of Austin Edgerton. The father was born in Connecticut, near New Haven, and was there married to Miss Mary Bradway, a native of. Massachusetts. In 1831 they came westward to Cleveland, Ohio, via canal, etc., to Buffalo, thence by lake, and from there proceeding by wagon to Columbia township, Lorain county, where he opened up a farm in the dense forest. For some thirty years he resided here, and then removed to Bloomingdale, Van Buren Co., Mich., where he and his wife passed the rest of their days, he dying in 1874, a lifelong Democrat, she in 1891. They reared four children, namely: William, our subject; Albert, a carpenter and joiner and farmer, of Michigan; Eliza, wife of A. J. Broadwell, of Berea, Ohio, and Mary, wife of Andrew Coy, of Van-Buren county, Michigan. William Edgerton, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated at the public schools of Columbia township, and reared on his father's farm. He bought his present place in 1855, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. His first purchase was fifty acres of wild land, which he improved and added to until he now owns eighty-five acres, all in a good state of cultivation. In February, 1855, in Columbia township, Mr. Edgerton married Miss Mary Elizabeth Worden, who was born in Liverpool, Medina Co. Ohio, a daughter of Virgil H. and Caroline (Goddard) Worden, natives of Connecticut, who in early times came westward to Ohio, locating in Liverpool, Medina county, thence removing to Columbia township, Lorain county. Mrs. Caroline G. Worden died in 1845, her husband in 1875. To Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton has been born one child, Carrie, wife of Thomas Healey, of Eaton township, Lorain county, by whom she has one child, Melvin. Politically our subject is a Republican, and has been a delegate to the party conventions, notably the one held in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1893. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M., Berea Lodge No. 382, and of Berea Chapter No. 134. CHAPMAN MORGAN COOK, a well-known retired agriculturist of Henrietta township, was born May 13, 1818, in Hamilton; Madison Co., N. Y., a son of Jesse and Nancy (Morgan) Cook, the former of whom was a native of Jefferson, N. Y., and died at the age of seventy-two years. He was a farmer and shoemaker by occupation, and in politics a Whig. They had a family of nine children, viz.: Orrin, Newell, Jessie, Nancy, William, Norton, Judson, Roxie and Chapman M., the last named being the only survivor. Their mother passed from earth when aged seventy years, after an illness of nine years. In Church connection she was a Baptist. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Oswego county, N. T., and at the age of twenty came to Lorain county, at that time a complete wilderness, with no roads and little clearing of any kind. His first purchase of land was one hundred acres in what is now Hen- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1117 rietta township, toward which he paid forty dollars, all the money he brought with him, the balance being paid after-ward. On this place he built a log house, and in course of time cleared every part of it with his own. hands. By and by, in 1855, he erected his present comfortable home, surrounded with commodious barns and other outhouses, and here he now lives in peaceful retirement, having rented his farm. He points with pride to a cer-tain tree on his grounds which he planted himself in 1853, at that time two inches thick, and which is now (1893) two and one-half feet in diameter. Lumber on his farm, worth five dollars per 1,000 feet fifty years ago, now readily fetches forty to forty-five dollars per 1,000 feet. In 1842 Mr. Cook was married, in New York State, to Fidelia Tinney, daughter of David Tinney, of Oswego county, N. Y., and three children were born to them, as follows: Theresa and Mary (both de-ceased), and Hannah, wife of Mortimer Brown, a farmer, living in Wakeman, Huron Co., Ohio. In politics Mr. Cook was originally a Whig, and later, since the organization of the party, a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church at Henrietta and Camden Center, Lorain county. CHARLES W. HILL, whose fine farm of 144 acres, in an advanced state of improvement, is one of the most productive in Eaton township, is a native of the locality, born in 1851. Edward Hill, father of subject, was born in England, where he married Miss Jane Gulliford, and on their wedding day they set sail with a fair wind for the shores of the New World—the loadstar of many thousands of England's best blood. On arrival at the port of debarkation, they proceeded at once westward to Ohio, where they made a settlement in Eaton township, Lorain county, opening out a farm of sixty acres. To this Edward Hill from time to time added until he was owner of 300 acres of good farming land at the time of his death, September 10, 1889, and where his widow is yet living. In his political preferences he was a Republican. Their children, five in number, are all residents of Lorain county, and a brief record of them is as follows: Charles W. is the subject of this sketch; George E., married, is a. farmer of Ridgeville township; Mary J. is the wife of George Osborne, Columbia township; Lucy A. is the wife of J. Z. Cole, of Eaton township; and Emma is the wife of Thomas Dair, also of, Eaton township. C. W. Hill, whose name introduces this sketch, received his education at the com-mon schools of Eaton township, and was early in life inducted into the mysteries of farming. For eighteen months he followed that vocation in Piatt county, Ill., and since his return to Eaton township has been most successful in general agriculture. In 1871 he married Miss Mary M. Hathaway, a native of Eaton township, and daughter of John M. and Sarah M. (Clark) Hathaway, of whom Special mention will be presently made. To this union have been born five children, viz.: Edward J., W. C., Ford, Mildred and Elmer. Mr. and Mrs., Hill are members of the Disciple Church at North Eaton; in politics he is a Republican, and has served as township trustee and supervisor. John M. Hathaway, father of Mrs. C. W. Hill, was born in Richland county, Ohio, in September, 1822, a sou of Elihu and Annette (Mallory) Hathaway, natives of Vermont and New York State, respectively. They were married in the last named State, and then moved to Medina county, Ohio, thence to Richland county, returning in 1836 to Medina county, and in 1838 locating in Columbia township, Lorain county, on a tract of wild land. Selling this, however, Mr. Hathaway moved to Crawford county, same State, and he died in Wood county, March 12, 1875, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1118 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Columbia township, Lorain county. October 31, 1865. In politics he was an uncompromising Democrat of the Jackson type. The children born to this pioneer couple were as follows: Phebe, widow of Charles Holbrook, of Eaton fownship; John M., of whom we write; Mary, a widow, who died in Wood county ; Baldwin, married, residing in Marion county, Ohio; Hiram, married, residing in Kent county, Mich.; James, deceased about 1888, in Wood county, Ohio; Hamner, deceased in Wood county; Lucy Jane, wife of Chauncy Ryal, of Ridgeville; Charles, married, residing in Ottawa, Ohio; William, residing in California; Alvira, wife of Dr. W. W. Hill, of Weston, Wood county. Jesse Hathaway, grandfather of John M., was a native of Vermont, where he died. Grandfather John Mallory served as a captain in the war of 1812, and while traveling on horseback with some important documents in his possession, from Lake George to New York City, he was lost, and not a vestige of either himself, horse or papers was ever afterward seen. John M. Hathaway was reared in Medina county, and educated in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse of the period, and when sixteen years old came to Lorain county, where for a time he worked by the month. He then commenced sailing on the lakes, a vocation he followed seven years, as mate one season, and wheelman, two. On abandoning this somewhat adventurous life, he came to his present farm of fifty acres well-improved land, where he carries on general agriculture. On March 7, 1852, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah M. Clark, born in Medina county, Ohio, daughter of Nathan and Nancy (Smith) Clark, natives, respectively, of Berkshire county, Mass., and Vermont; the father, a carpenter and joiner by trade, at the age of nineteen traveled on foot from New York to Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, and thence to Medina county, where he died in 1866, his wife in 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hathaway have been born six children, to wit: Mary M., wife of Charles W. Hill; Flora E., wife of Frank Lewis, of Columbia township, Lorain county (has two children : Raymond and Ivy); Perry T., married, residing in Columbia township; Anna N., in Columbia township; E. M., married, residing at Eaton Center (has two children: Blanche and Vira); and Fred C., a successful teacher of Lorain county, residing at home. In 1851 Mrs. Hathaway taught school in Columbia and Eaton townships, in an old log cabin, " boarding around ;" also taught in Strongsville, Cuyahoga county. Her great-grandfather, Nathan Turner, was one of the pilgrims who landed on "Plymouth Rock." GROVE HANCE, a popular and progressive farmer of Eaton township, is a native of same, born on his present farm in 1839, a son of Hiram and Rhoda Ann (Ames) Hance, the former of whom was born in New York, the latter in Massachusetts. In an early day they came to Ohio, where they married, afterward settling on the farm in Eaton township, Lorain county, where their son Grove now resides. The father died January 2, 1888, the mother July 2, 1887. The subject of this sketch received his education at the common schools of his native township, and was reared to farming, which has been his life vocation. He owns part of the old homestead of his father, as well as other land, aggregating 170 acres, all in a good state of cultivation. In September, 1861, he was married to Miss Susan Gregory, a native of Medina county, and four children have been born to them, as follows: J. G.. who resides on the farm, has one child, Lois; Minnie, wife of Burt Carr, of Liverpool, Medina county, has one son, Harlan; Gertie, wife of Elmer Tucker, of Elyria, has one son, Grove; Lilly, wife of Charles Austin, of Elyria, has one son, Hugh. LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1119 Mrs. Hance's father went to California in 1849, one of the many thousands of gold seekers of that period. Her stepfather, V. H. Worden, was the first man to cross Hance's swamp with a team, got "mired," but managed to pull through. In politics our subject is a useful and zealous member of the Republican party, and has served as constable of Eaton township. He is a member of Leonard Tent No 31, Knights of the Maccabees, at North Eaton. Mrs. Hance is a member of the Disciple Church at North Eaton. JOB ALEXANDER, a progressive, 1 wide-awake agriculturist of Eaton ) township, was born in .1841, in Grafton township, Lorain Co., Ohio. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Frank-um) Alexander, natives of Gloucestershire, England, who immigrated to the United States, locating first in New York State, whence in 1840 they moved to Grafton township, Lorain Co., Ohio, thence in 1844 to. Eaton township, where they were well-known agriculturists, and the home farm is still in the family. The father died in 1886, the mother in 1883, at the age of eighty and seventy-eight years respectively. They had a family of eight children. The subject of this memoir received a liberal education at the schools of Eaton township, Lorain county, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which have been his life work. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Third O. V. I., which was assigned to the army of the West, -Twenty-third Army Corps. He was in the battle of Resaca, Ga., and the capture of Atlanta, after which event the Twenty-third and Fourth Corps " took care of " Hood's army. When the latter had been defeated and broken up, our subject went with his regiment to Washing ton, D. C., and from there to North Carolina; finally reunited with Sherman's army there.. Mr. Alexander first started in Kentucky, and accompanied Burnside's expedition across the mountains into Tennessee, and he was present at the siege of Knoxville. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Raleigh, N. C., and returned home to the pursuits of peace, laying aside the rifle for the plough. He owns a highly cultivated fertile farm of 105 acres. In 1866 Job Alexander was united in marriage, in Carlisle township, with Miss Ann D. Pierce, daughter of Philemon and Diantha (Hovey) Pierce, natives of New York, who in an early day came to Lorain county; the father died in Carlisle township, the mother in Eaton township, at the home of her daughter, in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Job Alexander were born six children, as follows: Hattie (wife of Orlando Rose), Albert (deceased at the age of twenty-five years), Ida, Loren, Luther and Rosa. Politically Mr. Alexander is a Republican; socially he is a member of Richard Allen Post, G. A. R., Elyria. DORASTUS WAITE, one of the widest known pioneer citizens of LaGrange township, Lorain county, was born June 21, 1810, in Champion, Jefferson county, New York. His father; Dorastus Waite, a farmer, was a native of Vermont, where he married Miss Sally McNitt, and later moved into New York State, where he lived comfortably and reared a large family, all of whom are now dead but two—our subject and a half brother, Guverry M., who is a farmer in Jefferson county, N. Y. The mother of our subject was the second wife of Dorastus Waite, Sr., and at the time of her marriage to him was the widow of Rufus Blodgett; her maiden name was Malinda Canfield. Mr. Waite died in Champion, 1120 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Jefferson Co., N. Y., at the age of eighty-two years. But two of his family—James and Dorastus—came to Ohio. Dorastus Waite passed his early years on his father's farm, assisting in the many duties of the agricultural work, and received an education in the common schools, attending, however, only in the winter season, when he could he spared from home. In October, 1831, he was united in marriage with Miss Diantha Fitts, who was born in 1813 in Massachusetts, daughter of Daniel Fitts, who moved to Jefferson county, N. Y., where our subject met his daughter. After marriage the young couple began housekeeping on a small farm owned by his father, remaining there but a few years. In the fall of 1834 he rode to Ohio on horseback, the trip occupying three weeks, and after looking over the land purchased one hundred acres in Lot 86, LaGrange township, Lorain county, for which he paid four hundred dollars. He then returned to Jefferson county, N. Y., in the same manner, and remained over winter, in the spring of 1835 coming out with a one-horse wagon, and bringing his wife and only child, Sarahetta L., who is now the widow of Ferguson Zang, and makes her home in LaGrange village. They commenced life in Ohio in a log cabin on the pioneer farm, where he at once set to work clearing the land, and resided until 1871, when he removed to LaGrange village, where he has since lived a semi-retired life. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Waite in Ohio were as follows: James E., a farmer of LaGrange; Maryette, who became the wife of Frank Beckwith, and in 1855 died on the home farm, aged nineteen years; Everett L., who died at the age of four years; and Everett L., who died at the age of twelve years. The mother of these died in 1873, and was buried at LaGrange; in 1874 he married Mrs. Martha J. (Felton) Belden (widow of Daniel Belden), who was born in Middlefield, Mass. Mr. Waite has during his long life accomplished no small amount of hard work; when first settling on his place it was all in the woods, but by 'constant labor and untiring energy he has now one .of the most productive farms in the entire township. Politically he was originally an Old-line Whig, is now a member of the Republican party, and he has served in various township offices. In religious connection he was an attendant of the Congregational Church until the Society disbanded, when he united with the M. E. Church. He is remarkably well preserved for one of his years, and is a man of extremely temperate habits, does not use tobacco in any form, and has not even tasted spirituous or malt liquor for over sixty years. He had several great-grandchildren. [Since the above was written we have been informed of the death of Mr. Dorastus Waite, which occurred December 31, 1893.—ED. A. G. DAWLEY. In the front rank of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Eaton township, stands prominent this gentleman. He is a native of Portage county, Ohio, born in Ravenna township in 1825, a son of Daniel and Eunice Dawley, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Massachusetts. They were married in Portage county, Ohio, whither the father had come when a young man, in 1790, and here followed agricultural pursuits the rest of his busy life. He died in 1871, his wife in 1863. Four children were born to them, a brief record of whom is as follows: Cornelia is the widow of Miletus Clark, of Portage county, Ohio; Darius, married, is a farmer in Ravenna township, Portage county; Perry died in Portage county in 1882; A. G. is the subject of this memoir. A. G. Dawley was reared to farm life in his native township, receiving his elementary education at the common schools, and LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1123 attending select school one or two terms. In 1854 he came to Eaton township, Lorain county, where he made a new home for himself and family. In 1862 he located on his present farm, a highly improved one of 111 acres, on which be carries on general agriculture with much success. In 1847 he was united in marriage in Portage county, Ohio, with Miss Sophia Moulton, a native of Brimfield township, that county, a daughter of Harrison and Bethsheba(Coburn) Moulton, very early pioneers of Portage county; the father was killed in 1826 by a falling tree while out chopping, the mother dying some time later. To Mr. and Mrs. Dawley four children were born, as follows: William, married, residing in Norristown, Penn. (had five children—Frank, Addie Sophia, Carl Albert, one deceased in infancy, and Sumner E., deceased); Cornelia, wife of George Johnson, residing in Elyria, had ten children: Floren, Edwin, Gertie, Albert, 'Vernon, Georgie (deceased at the age of six years), Jennie, Cassie, May, and an infant; Clifton, married, residing in Eaton township, had five children: Lena, Perry, Wilton, Charles and Ivy; Mary was the wife of William Allen, and resided in Macomb county, Mich. (she died' in 1885). The mother of these was called from earth in February, 1888. In politics Mr. Dawley is an active adherent of the Republican party, and he is a member and deacon of the Christian Church of Eaton.M. M. B. JAMESON, a well-known successful agriculturist of Avon township, is a native of same, born in 1837, son of Joseph B. and Mary (Horr) Jameson. The father of our subject was born in 1787 in New Hampshire, and in 1824 came to Lorain county, Ohio, settling in the woods of Avon township, where be opened up a farm. Here he passed the remainder of his years, dying in 1867, in politics a stanch Whig; he served for many years as justice of the peace. He was married three times, first to Thankful Clement, who died in 1817, leaving two children, Thankful Jane, born in 1814, in New York, now the deceased wife of Ora B. Cahoon; and Mary, born in 1816. His second wife was Avis Smith, and she bore him six children, three of whom are now living—William (in Avon township), Joseph (married, a resident of Avon township), and Sarepta (wife of C. Blackwell, of Avon township); those deceased are David C., who died in 1833; Clarissa A., Mrs. R. Steele, who died in 1866 in California; and Mary E., Mrs. Collin Ford, who died in 1870 in Lebanon, Ohio. For his third wife Mr. Jameson married, in New York State, Miss Mary Horr, a native of Vermont, and to this union were born four children, as follows: M. B., subject of this sketch; Daniel, who died in Avon township at the age of ten; Robinson, who died in Colorado in 1873; and Lucina H., who died in Avon township in 1866. The mother of these died in 1893, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. M. B. Jameson received his elementary education at the common schools of his native township, and in early life was inducted into the mysteries of agriculture, which he has continued to follow. He subsequently attended college at Berea and Lebanon, Ohio, and for several years pursued the vocation of teacher. He was married, in 1860, in Avon township, to Miss Cordelia S. Wilder, also a native of same, daughter of Thompson and Sabrina (Fuller) Wilder, who were born in the State of New York, and in 1836 came to Avon township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives, he dying in 1874, she in 1876. Mrs. Jameson taught school with her husband several terms. To their union have been born five children, viz.: Clifton E., married, who resides in Montesano, Wash.; Torrey 1124 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. W., living at home; Mary B., wife of H. H. Carter, of Washington; Annette, and Flynn C., both living at home. Our subject is engaged exclusively in general agriculture, and he owns a fertile farm of sixty acres in a good state of cultivation. In his political sympathies he is a Republican, and in religious connection he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at French Creek. [Since the above was written, we have been informed of the death, December 9, 1893, of Mr. Jameson. H. D. STETSON, a native-born, wide-awake and enterprising agriculturist of Ridgeville township, first saw the light in 1850. Randall Stetson, father of subject, was horn in Massachusetts, where he was first married, and in 1832 came with his family to Lorain county, settling in Ridgeville township, where he had bought a fifty-acre tract of timber land, which he improved, adding thereto until he owned 215 acres (the homestead), besides other land in the county, and about one thousand acres in the West. He dealt largely in real estate, and was extensively engaged in stock dealing—buying and selling blooded animals. By his first marriage he had four children, viz.: Emily, widow of Willard Kemp, of Cleveland; Martha, widow of William Nelson, of Cleveland; Jane, wife of J. M. Seelye, of Ridgeville township; and Ellen, widow of Monroe Dean, of Michigan. The mother of these dying in 1836, Mr. Stetson married, in 1837, in Ridgeville township, the widow Loomis, who bore him three children, as follows: John, residing in Olmsted township; H. D., subject of this memoir; and Isabelle, who lives in Oberlin. The mother of these was called from earth in 1883, the father in 1886. He was a straight Republican, and served his township as trustee several terms. In 1884 he and his son, H. D., bought a gristmill in Ridgeville, which they improved and remodeled, putting in the new roller process, and this was operated by father and son until the decease of the former, when the latter bought out the interest therein of the heirs, and conducted same until 1889, in which year he sold it. The subject proper of this memoir received his primary education at the common schools of his native township, which was supplemented with a two years' attendance at Oberlin College. In addifion to the gristmill above referred to, he carried on general farming, and he is now the owner of 190 acres of the old homestead, besides 600 acres in the West. He was married in Ridgeville township, in 1871, to Miss Florence Simonds, a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, daughter of Simeon and Marcia (Beebe) Simonds, of Massachusetts and Ridgeville township, Lorain county, respectively. They are now residing at Dover, Cuyahoga county. To Mr. and Mrs. Stetson were born six children, to wit: Ray, who graduated from Oberlin College with the class of 1893, and is now Professor of Chemistry at the same college; Carl, residing at home; Marcia, deceased at the age of fifteen; Adaline, Dora and Merritt, residing at home. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he enjoys the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. JAY HART, who stands foremost among Penfield township's prominent citizens and thorough, successful farmers, was born November 10, 1851, a son of Lewis Hart, Jr., who was a son of Lewis Hart, Sr. When but a lad of eleven years our subject lost his father by death. Prior to this he had received such an education as LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO -1125 the common schools of the period afforded, and when a mere boy found employment as a farm hand. He worked at various places, and for different people, being employed for two years by Orrin Starr, a like time by Luther Penfield, and also by G. L. Starr, all of whom are well-known and successful farmers. He also spent several years in the employ of Miles Leech and Henry Whitbeck, of Litchfield, Medina Co., Ohio, receiving under such competent instructors a complete knowledge of agricultural life, in which he has been very successful. On November 5, 1876, r. Hart was united in marriage with Miss Ida Sheldon, who was born November 15, 1854, in Cortland county, N. Y., daughter of Abijah and Jane (Kill) Sheldon, and from the age of seven years made her home with her aunt, Amy Andrews, for whom our subject had worked some time, and where he and his young wife made their first home after marriage. They have three children, viz.: Amy, Ina and Rhe. Mr. Hart is a substantial representative farmer and leading citizen of Penfield township, and his progressive, active spirit is recognized throughout the community. He has prospered well in his agricultural operations, and has succeeded in accumulating a fine farm of 200 acres, the excellent condition of which is sufficient evidence of its owner's ability as a systematic farmer. In his political , preferences Mr. Hart is a stanch member of the Republican party. Mrs. Hart is a member of the Congregational Church. JACOB H. CLAUS, blacksmith, North Amherst, descends from an early German family, and was born in Brownhelm township, Lorain Co., Ohio, April 27, 1837. He is a son of Henry and Martha (Hilderbrand) Claus, the former of whom was born in Hessia, Germany, and in 1828 came to the United States, making a settlement in Brownhelm township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he followed farming, and the trade of carpenter and joiner. He and his wife both died young, at the ages of thirty- three and twenty-three, respectively. They had three children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Jacob H. Claus received but a limited public-school education, being left an orphan when yet a boy. He learned his trade in the shop where he is now working, and has been in business for himself more than thirty years. The cheerful ring of his anvil, and the merry sparks that burst from his forge, are not more welcome to the wayfarer than his own honest greeting; and his shop is the resort of customers and others, who come miles to visit his well-known smithy. In 1860 Mr. Claus was united in marriage with Miss Marie Geabauer. They have one child, a daughter. In politics our subject has been a Republican since Garfield's election, and he has held many municipal and township offices. He has been a member of St. Peter's Evangelical Church at North Amherst fir the past forty years, and for twenty-five years he has been a member of the I. O. O. F.; he is also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and of the K.O.T.M. JACOB SCHWARTZ, an old and highly esteemed resident of Russia township, was born February 20, 1819, in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, a son of Jacob Schwartz, who died in Germany in 1834. In 1846 Jacob Schwartz was married, in his native country, to Catherine Burg, and they had one child born in Germany, Daniel, who died in infancy. Our subject was a weaver by necessity, and also worked at anything else he could find to do. In 1848, in company with his wife, his widowed mother, his brother David, and 1126 - LORAIN COUNTY , OHIO. his sisters Elizabeth and Margaretta, he left the Fatherland, taking passage at Antwerp, and landing in New York after a voyage of forty-two days. They immediately set out for Cleveland, Ohio, traveling via the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, and thence proceeded to Russia township, Lorain county, where Jacob bought land. By gathering the funds of the entire party, which amounted to about three hundred dollars, he was able to purchase a tract of thirty acres, and then borrowing six dollars from a neighbor, John Schramm, purchased a cow. On this farm Mr. Schwartz resided until 1871, when he bought, from "Bachelor Bailey," his present farm, and sixty-one additional acres, which latter he has given to his children. A brief record of his family is as follows: Elizabeth, who married William Sump, died January 6, 1876, leaving four children, viz.: Charles, William, Millie and Alva; Mary is the wife of Alva Gibson, of Russia township; Carrie (twin of Mary) is the wife of Charles Albright. of Russia township; Margaret resides at home; Emma is married to Henry Bassett, of Russia township. Mr. Schwartz has always been a hard-working farmer, and has fully deserved the success he has won. He is an honest, upright, kind-hearted citizen, ever ready to assist those in need, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him. In his political preferences he is a Democrat, though non-partisan and but little interested in affairs of State. In religious connection he is a member of the Evan-gelical Church at North Amherst. JOHN A. MILLER, prominent among the prosperous agriculturists of Avon township, is a native of same, born in October, 1831. Peter Miller, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Palmyra, N. Y., August 10, 1803, and in 1819 was brought by his parents, Adam and Anna (Tea-mount) Miller, natives of the same State, to Avon township, Lorain county, they settling in the woods near the shore of Lake Erie, where they opened out a farm. Here Adam Miller died in 1834, his wife in 1848. They reared a family of ten children, of whom Peter was reared on the farm ; he followed agricultural pursuits, and also worked at ship carpentry at Black River, he having learned the trade of Captain Jones before he was twenty years old. There was only one house between the home in Avon township and Black River, and wild animals were numerous and ferocious. In 1821, as he was returning home from his work one Saturday evening, Peter Miller lost himself in the woods, and was treed by a bear that five times climbed after him, finally catching him by the feet, which were badly lacerated. The boy, however, managed to get away from Bruin, who was herself not a little alarmed, and ran for his life as fast as his wounded feet would permit, reaching the nearest neighbor's in a sorry plight. He was married in Black River township in 1828, to Miss Ruth Houseworth, a native of New York State, daughter of Jacob and Ruth (Hart) Houseworth, the father born on the ocean, the mother in Rhode Island; they moved to New York State, and thence in 1819 to Ohio, settling in Black River township, the journey being made by water from Buffalo. Here Mr. Houseworth died at the age of fifty-nine years, his wife passing away in her eighty-fourth year, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Peter Miller. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Peter Miller continued to reside in Avon township, where they successfully conducted a highly improved farm. The father died in 1851 at the age of forty-seven years, the mother on August 18, 1893, in her eighty-sixth year; She had been a resident of the county seventy-four years, and of Avon township sixty-five years, having lived on the same farm all her married life. They had a family of five children, all yet living, viz.: LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1127 John A.; Amanda, wife of Leonard Moore, of Lorain; Glover, married, residing in Avon township, on part of the old farm; Julia, wife of M. H. Lampman, of Lorain, and Jeanette, residing in Avon township. John A. Miller, whose name opens this sketch, received his education at the common schools of the neighborhood of his birthplace, and was brought up to farming pursuits, which have been his life work. In 1868 he was married, in Elyria, Lorain county, to Miss Catherine Burrell, a native of Sheffield township, Lorain county, and daughter of Hiram and Harriet (Hall) Burrell, pioneers of that township, he a native of Massachusetts, she of Dover township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Grandfather Isaac Burrell was an early pioneer of Sheffield township, Lorain county. By this union was born one child, Catherine, at home, who lost her mother March 26, 1869. In politics Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican, and has held several township offices of trust, such as trustee. Socially lie is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge at Elyria, and of Marshall Chapter. ALEXANDER PORTER, ship captain and vessel owner, well known on the lakes as a careful and skillful mariner, and respected on shore as a useful and loyal citizen, is a native of the town of Lorain, Ohio, born March 16, 1843. He is a son of Nathaniel and Clarissa (Nelson) Porter, the former of whom was a native of the North of Ireland, born in 1801, an Orangeman, one of twelve brothers who came to this country and to Ohio, settling in Elyria, Lorain county. In 1830 Nathaniel came to Lorain, about the commencement of the " boom," where he opened a brickyard, which he carried on in connection with farming and teaming. He was married in Massachusetts, and had a family of eight children, all yet living ex cept one drowned in the lake, in the fall of 1892, from the steamer "W. H. Gilcher." The father died in 1878; the mother passed away in 1857. Alexander Porter, whose name opens this sketch, received his education in part at the public schools of his native town, and in part at Oberlin College. At about the age of fourteen years he commenced sailing on the lakes, and in 1859 he was a seaman on the barge "Pierson," which sailed from Cleveland to Liverpool, England, touching at Bristol, and returning by same route lay in the Welland Canal, Canada, all the following winter. Since then he has sailed the lakes every summer, for the past twenty-five years as captain, and the first boat he was skipper of was the " Rescue." He and two of his brothers owned a vessel, the "Three Brothers," which -for several years successfully traded on the lakes. He is now owner or part owner of no less than five boats that turn in a good revenue every year. In 1871 Capt. Porter married Miss Dorliska Freeman, a native of LaGrange, Lorain county, daughter of S. V. R. Freeman, of Albany, N. Y., a farmer, who came to Lorain county in 1829, and settled on a farm at LaGrange. He was twice married, and he had four song and three daughters; he was born in 1801, and died in 1878. Capt. and Mrs. Porter have had no children. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he is a member of the F. & A. M., Knights of the Maccabees and Royal Arcanum. JOHN H. ECKLER, a well-known farmer of Carlisle township, is a native of Germany, born November 24, 1835, a son of Henry and Anna (Barber) Eckler, also Germans, born in Hessia. The father of our subject emigrated with his family to the United States in 1838, making his new home in Erie 1128 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. county, Ohio, where he first worked as a day laborer in Vermillion township, clearing land in the winters. In summer time he worked on the Maumee Canal at eighteen dollars per month, out of which he had to pay his board Sundays, and provide for his family, then consisting of wife and five children. He was very poor, and could not speak English, but he had a willing heart and hands, and by industry, prospered. For some time he lived in Vermillion township, Erie Co., Ohio, as already .related, thence, in 1852, coming to Carlisle township, Lorain county. He succeeded in accumulating 200 acres of land, and at the time of his death had money in the bank, notwithstanding the fact that he had given liberally to his. children. He died July 9, 1890, in his eighty-sixth year, his wife in 1866, aged fifty-six. They were members, first of the Presbyterian Reformed Church, afterward of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he was always a Democrat. They had in all seven children, as follows: Catherine, wife of H. M. Hempy, of Cleveland, Ohio; Margaret, wife of J. F. Irish, both now deceased; Ann, wife of Fred •Stroble, of Wood county, Ohio; Mary, wife of J. G. Kinsey, of Lorain; Elizabeth, wife of. Edward Bickle; John H.; and Emanuel, in Elyria. At the age of two and a half years the subject of these lines came to Ohio, and received his English education at the schools in Vermillion township, Erie county, and M the Center School in Carlisle township, Lorain county. He has been engaged all his life in farming, with the exception of six years he worked as a carpenter in Cleveland, and is now the owner of 213 acres, all in a good state of cultivation. Like his father before him, he votes the straight Democratic ticket, and at one time was elected trustee of his township, serving hut a few months, as he was elected against his wishes. In 1862 our subject married Miss Cornelia M. Hart, who was born in Carlisle township, Lorain county, and five children have come to them, as follows: Henry, married and living in Elyria (has three children—Hazel, Georgie and Edith); Bertha M., wife of Harold Hinkson, of Elyria (they have one child—Rollin); Catherine, wife of Arthur Champney, of Oberlin (they have one child—Bertha); Frank R. and Charles R., both at home. [Since the above was written we have been informed that Mr. John H. Eckler died of typhoid fever November 23, 1893, having been a great sufferer to the last.—Ed. W. J. FULLER, proprietor of livery and boarding stable, in the town of Oberlin, of which he has been a resident some nine years, is a native of Ohio, born in Portage county, in 1850, son of C. C. and Mary (Bierce) Fuller. The father of our subject was born in Nelson township, Portage Co., Ohio, in 1818, and was there reared and trained to farming, which has been his life vocation. He there married Mary Bierce, a native of the same township, born in 1830, who died there in 1885, aged fifty-five years. Grandfather Jeremiah R. Fuller, a native of Cornwall, Conn., came west in about the year 1804 to Portage county, Ohio, where he opened up a farm in Nelson township, dying thereon in 1853. Grandfather Horatio Bierce also died in that county; great-grandfather William Bierce, a native of Connecticut, served in the war of the Revolution, and died in Nelson township, Portage county. W. J. Fuller received a liberal education at the public schools of his native township, after which he was engaged in the milling business in Portage county; he was also three years in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. In 1884 he came to Lorain county, and commenced in his present LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1129 livery business, in which he has met with gratifying success, keeping a full line of vehicles. In 1874 Mr. Fuller was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary (Tinker) Tracy, also a native of Portage county, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Hopkins) Tinker, of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and who in an early day came to Portage county, Ohio, where the father passed from earth in 1877; the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Fuller has been born one child, Helen D. By her former marriage Mrs. Fuller had one daughter, Mary E., wife of J. C. Ball, of Pompey, N. Y. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he has served as constable. He and his wife are members of the First Congregational Church. JOHN SMITH TOWNSHEND, a rising young farmer of Sheffield township, was born there in 1860, a son of John and Ann (Smith) Townshend. The father of our subject was born in 1809 in England, whence at about the age of twenty-two years he came to America with his parents, the entire family first making their home in Cleveland, Ohio. Later John Townshend moved to Sheffield township, Lorain county, where he carried on farming during the rest of his life. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Hurst, by whom he had four children: Martha Fox, living in Sheffield township; Sarah, wife of Joseph Walker; Josiah H., married, and living in Sheffield township, and Alfred, deceased. His second wife, whom he wedded in Elyria township, was Miss Ann Smith, a native of Leicestershire, England, and two children were born to this union; Mary E. and Johu S., the former living with the latter. John Towns-bend died in Elyria April 15, 1875. John S. Townshend, the subject proper of this sketch, received his primary education in the district schools of his native place, and at the age of fifteen attended the high school of Elyria, after which he attended school one year at Oberlin. He then commenced farming, which has been his life vocation; he now works eighty acres of land, and is the owner of fifty-one acres well improved, and a sawmill. In 1889 our subject was married to Miss Carrie M. Buck, born in Avon township, Lorain Co., Ohio, and two children, named respectively Ann E. and John, have been born to them. Mr. Townshend's political views are Republican, and he is a member of the Baptist Church. CONRAD WIEGAND, one of the wide-awake progressive citizens of Lorain, is a native of Hessen-Cassel, Germany, born May 31, 1849. He is a son of Henry and Christina (Roth) Wiegand, also natives of Germany, and who were the parents of eight children—six sons and two daughters—two of whom are now living in America. John Wiegand, one of the sons, came here in 1857, and during the war of the Rebellion enlisted in the Seventh O. V. I., at Cleveland; he was wounded at the battle of Winchester, and taken prisoner, but was released,. dying soon after, however, in hospital, in 1862. Our subject was educated at the public schools in the Fatherland, and at the age of twenty (1869) came to the United States, totally ignorant .of the English language, but of which he soon made himself master. From the port of landing he made his way direct to Lorain county, Ohio, and first located in Elyria, working at his trade there till 1872, when he and a brother opened a boot and shoe stdre in Lorain. This partnership continued until 1883, in which year Conrad Wiegand bought out his brother, and has since continued in the 1130 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. business alone. He commenced with a small stock, about five hundred dollars worth, and has now one valued at as many thousands. His present brick building he erected in 1892, and moved therein November 1, that year, and he still owns his old store on North Broadway. He has a nice residence on Second avenue. In 1871 Mr. Wiegand was married, in Elyria, Ohio, to Miss Minnie Beese, and they have had three sons: Fred, Carl and Alvin. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and in religion is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has been a member of the board of educa-tion since 1882, with the exception of one year and eight months. Socially he is a member of the K. O. T. M. M. W. PHELPS. This gentleman, a member of one of the earliest families to settle in Lorain county, as a man of unbounded popularity and well-known generosity, and as one who has done much toward the progress of Eaton township and the establishment of the town of North Eaton, claims more than a passing notice in the pages of this Biographical Record. Our subject was born November 18, 1821, in Jefferson county, N. Y., a son of Joseph and Dollie (Waite) Phelps, the former of whom was born in 1800, in Jefferson county, N. Y., the latter in New York about 1801. They were married in Jefferson county, and in 1826 migrated westward to Ohio, traveling by water to Cleveland, thence by team to LaGrange township, Lorain county, having to cut their way through the timber and underbrush, Mrs. Phelps walking the entire distance with one child in her arms, and others toddling by her side. The farm they settled on contained 160 acres of wild land, and this by dint of hard and assiduous labor they succeeded in reducing to a state of culture. Their cabin was built with the assistance of men brought from Grafton. Occasionally the Indians, for the first two years, lived in their wigwams alongside of the Phelps family. Leaving the farm, Mr. Phelps kept hotel twenty-five years at LaPorte, Carlisle township, and then moved to Butternut Ridge, where he died in 1861; he was, in politics, a Whig, later a Republican. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1857, the mother of a large family of children, of whom we give a record of ten: George W. died in LaGrange township at the age of five years; Harriet A. resides in Chicago, Ill.; Roger (married) died in Sandusky, Ohio, about 1870; Erastus (married) resides in Elyria (he is the oldest engineer on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, having been on the road for forty years); Clarissa is the wife of Edwin Beardsley, and resides on Chestnut Ridge, Eaton township; Elvira resides in Minneapolis, Minn.; Jefferson (married) is an attorney at law in Chicago, Ill.; Elizabeth resides in St. Paul, Minn.; Joseph Elston (married) resides in Toledo (he is one of the best engineers on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad); George Washington, who was married and resided in Toledo, and was an engineer on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad for thirty years, was killed at Bellevue, Ohio, in February, 1891. Joseph Phelps brought the first yoke of oxen into LaGrange township, and they did hard work not only on his own farm, but also on those of his neighbors. At the time the family settled in the county, wolves, bears and other wild animals abounded, and the first cow they owned, also their first flock of sheep, eighteen in number, were destroyed by wolves and carried off, not the least part of the loss felt being the wool on the sheep, on which the family depended for future clothing. On another occasion, during the month of March, two or three hunger-driven wolves LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1133 got into the sheep pen, and would have made much havoc among the sheep but for a powerful mastiff that fought the wolves furiously, succeeding in driving them away, minus a considerable amount of fur they left behind in the pen. The brave dog was so sorely wounded that he lay as dead on the floor, but with careful nursing he recovered in the course of a week. The last grey wolf seen was killed on Mr. Phelps' farm in the winter of 1839; after being pursued two days it turned on its pursuers, and was then shot. In the summer of 1852 a doe reared two fawns, which the following winter were killed by hunters. Prior to this all large game, including the elk, panther and bear, had disappeared. Roger Phelps, father of Joseph, and grandfather of subject, was a native of Connecticut, where he learned the trade of tanner and currier. In an early day he moved to Jefferson county, N. Y., and in 1826 came to Lorain county, where he died. M. W. Phelps, the subject proper of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of LaGrange township, Lorain county (whither he was brought by his parents when a child of five summers), and finished his studies at a select school in Elyria. In his early manhood he taught school in Elyria and Grafton townships, and also at Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga county, at which latter he taught a number of terms. On retiring from his scholasfic duties he commenced farming operations, in which he has since continued with well-merited success in Eaton township, where he owns an excellent farm of 275 acres, all well improved. In addition to the usual grain and root crops, he does an extensive business in dairying, milking from thirty-seven to forty cows; and he has also dealt largely in live stock. In August, 1844, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage in Dover, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, with Miss Harriet Ann Grimes, a native of Vermont, daughter of Johnson and Amy (Hamilton) Grimes, also of the Green Mountain State, who came, in 1837, to Dover township, Cuyahoga county, and thence moved to Kalamazoo county, Mich.; the father died in 1869 at the residence of his son-in-law, our subject; the mother in 1891. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Phelps, viz.: Vernon Beresford, married and residing in Eaton township (he has five children); and Frank Herbert, who is married and resides in Elyria. Mr. Phelps is not only progressive, but also aggressive, and has proven to the county of his adoption a most useful, loyal citizen. To him is due the credit of having secured the Eaton Station (situated on his farm) for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, toward which he subscribed one thousand five hundred dollars, besides paying out of his own pocket $600 for labor done. Politically he was originally a Whig, then a Republican, voting for McClellan, since when he has been a stanch Democrat. THOMPSON CLARK, a well-known, native born agriculturist of Avon township, first saw the light April 7, 1822, on the farm where he yet resides. He is a son of Samuel and Polly (Seward) Clark, the former of whom was born in Connecticut, at the age of thirteen years removing thence to Vermont, where he was married in 1816. In the fall of the last named year he set out with a team for Ridgeville township, Lorain Co., Ohio, and in the spring of the following year settled on a farm, then entirely in the woods, where he built a log cabin and passed the remainder of his days. He passed from earth in 1867, preceded to the grave by his wife in 1865. They had born to them eight children, as follows: 1134 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Samuel, who died here at the age of thirty-two; Lyman, who died September 14, 1876, in Steuben county, Ind.; Daniel, who married and removed to Indiana, where he died in 1889; Thompson, whose name introduces this sketch; Clarissa, Mrs. Amos Moon, who died in Avon township; Anna, who married Justus Butler, and died in Indiana in 1885; Orilla, who married David H. Barnard, of Ridgeville, and died in Olmsted, Ohio, in 1885; and Naomi, who became the wife of Wilkes Rathbun, and died in 1885 at the home of our subject. Grandfather Gaylord Clark was a native of Connecticut, and in an early day removed thence to Addison, Vt., where he died. Thompson Clark received his early educational training in the log cabin subscription schools of that early period, and was reared from boyhood to agricultural pursuits, which he has made his life vocation. In 1841 lie was married to Miss Jane Young, a native of Addison county, Vt., daughter of Alvah and Lucretia (Wilkison) Young, also natives of that State, and early settlers of Medina county, Ohio, where both died. In 1871 this wife died, leaving no living children, and in 1873 Mr. Clark wedded, for his second wife, Miss Amelia Chandler, daughter of Harry and Beulah (Terrell) Chandler, all natives of New York State, whence in an early day they came to Ohio, locating first in Huron county, and subsequently taking up there home in Grafton township, Lorain county. Harry Chandler died in 1885 at the home of our subject, preceded to the grave by his wife, who died in Huron county, Ohio. By his second marriage Mr. Clark has one child, Samuel. Our subject now owns the old home farm, comprising forty-eight acres of fertile land, all in a good state of cultivation. In his party preferences he is a liberal Republican, though in local politics he takes an independent stand. In religious connection Mrs. Clark is a Member of the Congregational Church. r. Clark is now the only representative of one of the first six families who settled in Avon township. On the paternal side the family is of English origin, while on the mother's side they come of Scotch and French ancestry, who located in Connecticut in Colonial days. William Seward, an uncle of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. FRANK E. BONSOR, a well-known contractor and builder, of Lorain, is a native of Iowa, born December 28, 1860. Charles E. Bonsor, father of our subject, was born in England, where he learned the trade of brick mason and contractor. In 1849 he came to America, and here followed his trade in New York City, from which place he came to Cleveland, Ohio, thence moving to Indianapolis, Ind., and thence to Iowa, where he followed contract work for a number of years. He then returned to Ohio, locating in Oberlin, whence, after a residence of eighteen or nineteen years, he moved to Frederickstown, Mo., where he and his wife now reside. Mr. Bonsor married Anna Watts, who was also a native of England, and they had nine children - seven sons and two daughters—eight of whom grew to maturity. Frank E. Bonsor was reared in his native State until three years of age, when he came with his parents to Oberlin, Ohio, where he received his education. He learned the trade of brick mason with his father, and in 1871, then but eleven years old, he worked at same in Chicago. He was connected with his father in the contracting business at Oberlin for a few years, and when a young man superintended work undertaken by him. Among the many buildings erected in Oberlin under their supervision may be mentioned the E. J. Goodrich and the Henry Blocks, Carter Building, Carpenter Building, Ladies Society & Call Building, Morris LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1135 Building, Wooster Block, the Town Hall, besides many dwelling' houses. They erected the greater part of the brick buildings in Oberlin until 1880, when Mr. Bonsor came to Lorain, and he has since followed contracting and building in various places. He and his brothers took the contract for the Home State Building, in Knighfstown, Ind., and they received the highest recommendations for work done on this edifice. Mr. Bonsor has also done contract work in Columbus, Cleveland, and Vermillion, Ohio, and his record during his entire career has been second to none. In 1886 he and his brothers built the Bonsor Block, the largest business block in Lorain, a fine building 78 by 80 feet, and three stories in height. In 1892 he erected the Opera House, a handsome three-story brick building, 41 by 101 feet. In 1886 Mr. Bonsor was married to Miss Flora B. Mapes, and they have two children, namely: Frank and Cleora. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and socially he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and F. & A. M. Mr. Bonsor comes from a family of brick masons. It was the trade of his father and grandfather, and three uncles and three brothers also follow same. A. E. STIWALD, a progressive, enterprising citizen of North Amherst, was born in August, 1842, at Cleveland, Ohio. His parents, George Michael and Mary (Fox) Stiwald, were natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States in about 1838, locating at Cleveland, Ohio. They were the parents of six children, namely: Catherine, a widow, residing in North Amherst; John, who died in 1876 in Amherst township; Conrad, living in Michigan; Emma, who died in 1862; Gertrude, who died in 1875; and A. E. The father of this family died- in 1846, in Cleveland, and in 1852 his widow came to Avon township, Lorain county, settling on a farm, where she resided until her death, which occurred in 1885, in North Amherst. A. E. Sfiwald, our subject, was reared up to the age of ten years in Cleveland, where he received his early education, and in 1852 came with his mother to Avon township, where he assisted in clearing the farm. On August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventh 0. V. I., for three years or during the war, and was assigned to the army of the Potomac. He participated in the battles in Kentucky, and was also at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and most of the other engagements participated in by the army of the Potomac, and took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., where he was honorably discharged in 1865. He returned to Lorain county, and in 1868 came to Amherst township, there engaging in farming until January 1, 1870, when he came to North Amherst and engaged in the manufacture of cigars, in which he continued until 1880. Ile is now engaged in raising fruit. In 1865 Mr. Stiwald was united in marriage, in Lorain county, Ohio, with Miss Sarah Ann Jaycox, a native of Lorain county, daughter of Smith Jaycox. She died in 1869, and in 1878 Mr. Stiwald was married, for his second wife, to Miss Maria White, a native of England. She was a daughter of Robert White, who was also born in England, and came to America, locating in Amherst township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he died in 1885. To Mr. and Mrs. Stiwald were born the following named children: Florence Eva, Earl C., Maria G., Grace L. and Grover Allen. In politics our subject is a Democrat, very prominent in his party, and has been elected to various offices of trust; he filled the position of town clerk in North Amherst for twelve consecutive years, the longest period of time for which that office has been held; he was assessor of North 1136 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Amherst two years; served for twelve years as township trustee, and did much toward the improvement of Amherst; and was clerk of the joint board (township and village) during the building of the Town Hall. Socially he is a member of Rice Post No.148, G. A. R., in which he served as commander two terms, and is now officer of the day; of Plato Lodge, No. 203, I. O. O. F., in which he has been secretary (he has passed all the Chairs); and of Am-herst Lodge No. 74, K. of P., of which he is deputy grand chancellor. Mr. Stiwald is an energetic citizen, deeply interested in everything tending toward the improve-ment of the community in which he resides. WILLIAM JAMESON, a native born farmer citizen of Avon township, is a son of Joseph B. and Avis (Smith) Jameson, the father a na-tive of New Hampshire, the mother of Massachusetts, where they were married. In 1824 they came to Lorain county, Ohio, settling in the woods of Avon township, where they opened up a farm and made a permanent home. Mrs. Jameson died in 1834, and Mr. Jameson subsequently married Miss Mary Horr, who died in Avon township in 1893; to that union were born four children, of whom M. B., the only survivor, resides in Avon township. William Jameson, whose name opens this memoir was born in 1824, in Avon township, Where he was reared, and re-ceived his elementary education in the common schools, supplemented by one term at Norwalk. He taught school for seven winters in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties, since when he has chiefly engaged in farming. In 1849 he located on a farm in Sheffield township, which is now known as Randall's Grove, and first built a log cabin thereon, which was afterward supplanted by a frame house. On that place he resided for sixteen years, improving the land, and then, in 1865, bought an improved farm of 102 ½ acres in Avon township, to which he himself has made many new improvements, and where he has since been successfully engaged in general farming; at one time he worked on this farm for twelve dollars per month. In 1852 Mr. Jameson was married, in Birmingham, Erie county, to Miss Laura Lamore, who was a native of LaGrange township, Lorain county, and the adopted daughter of Dr. Beaman, an early settler of French Creek. Mrs. Laura Jameson died in 1859, leaving one child, Clyde Burton, who is married and has two chil-dren: Everett E. and Norris Morey; he resides in Buffalo, N. Y. In 1859 our sub-ject wedded, for his second wife, Miss Delia F. Stephens, who was born in Berk-shire county, Mass., daughter of Benjamin and Lovicia (Foote) Stephens, both natives of Massachusetts and early settlers of Avon township, where they died. To this union was also born one child, George Chauncy, who graduated from the Philadelphia Medical University, class of 1893, and is now located at Oberlin, Ohio. His mother died in 1887. In politics Mr. Jameson is a Republican, and has served as assessor of Sheffield township. In religious faith he is a member of the Baptist Church at French Creek. CLAYTON CHAPMAN, a rising and brilliant young attorney at law, and a justice of the peace, Elyria, is a native of Lorain. county, Ohio, born February 5, 1868, a son of Lucian H. and DeEtte (Phelon) Chapman, also natives of the Buckeye State, and descended from old Massachusetts families. He received a liberal education at the common schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth, and for a time taught school. At the age of about twenty he LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1137 commenced the study of law with A. R. Webber, the prosecuting attorney of Lorain county, whose office was in Elyria. On March 5, 1891, he was admitted to the bar, and at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Elyria. In November, 1890, being then but twenty-two years old, he was elected a justice of the peace of Elyria township, and is probably the youngest justice in the State of Ohio. He has already proven himself a jurist of considerable ability, and has the reputation of interpreting the law in its strictest sense and bearing, particularly in criminal cases. Politically he is an ardent Republican in politics, and socially he is a member and Regent of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Chapman was united in marriage August 31, 1892, with Miss Frances Mooers, of Elyria, daughter of A. H. and Arlette Mooers. W. E. CAHOON is a native of the city of Elyria, where he resides, and was born May 15, 1846, a son of William O. and Melissa (Eldred) Cahoon, the former of whom was born in the State of New York, and in 1810; then two years old, came to Ohio with his parents. Joseph Cahoon, grandfather of subject, was the first settler in Dover, Cuyahoga county, and the old home place is still in the possession of members of the family. Many changes have taken place on it in the lapse of years, but the old fireplace where they cooked their meals is still extant, also apple trees planted by Grandfather Cahoon, which have borne fruit ever since. On this place William O. Cahoon lived till he was about seventeen years old, when he moved to the southern part of the State for a time; then returning northward he finally, in 1835, settled in Elyria, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1878. His widow passed away in 1888. In politics he was a Republican and Free-soiler, and in church connection he was a Methodist. His family numbered five sons and one daughter. The eldest son, E. A., was a member of Battery E, First Ohio Artillery, in which he served two and one-half years, when he was honorably discharged. W. E. Cahoon received his education at the public schools of the neighborhood of his home, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth 0. V. I., one hundred days service, which regiment was sent to Virginia, Maryland, Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg and Maryland Heights, participating in the fight at John Brown's Schoolhouse. On his return home Mr. Cahoon learned the trade of tinner, which he followed about twelve years, but accidentally losing his right 'arm while firing off a cannon on Decoration Day, 1874, he closed up his business in 1878. In 1875 he was elected assessor of Elyria township, filling the office four consecutive years; in 1882 he was elected county recorder, serving till January 1, 1892, since when he has been abstracter of titles. Mr. Cahoon was married, July 30, 1874, to Mrs. M. P. (Bush) Tyler, who was born in Fremont, Ohio, daughter of Rev. Enrotus H. and Mary (Goodsell) Bush, both of whom were born in Rochester, N. Y. Politically our subject is a stanch Republican, and socially he is a member of the G. A. R. and Royal Arcanum. ROBERT COWLES, well-known in Eaton township as a well-to-do farmer and dairyman, and respected as a loyal and useful citizen, is a native of the Isle of Man, born in 1836. He is a son of William and Mary (Commode) Cowles, also natives of the Isle of 1138 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Man, who in 1837 immigrated to the United States, locating in Rochester, N. Y., where the father worked at his trade, that of hatter. In 1849 they came to Eaton township, Lorain county, and here in the wild woods the family made a clearing for a new home, there residing till about 1861, when the father moved to Fulton county, Ohio, thence to Lake township, Wood Co., same State. He died in 1875, his wife in 1854, while they were living in Eaton township. A brief record of the children born to this couple is as follows: John died about 1866 in Fulton county, Ohio (during the Civil war he enlisted, in Fulton county, in the Sixty-seventh O. V. I., served three years, veteranized, and served till the close of the war); Jane was married to Thomas Crane, and died June 14, 1889, in Wood county, Ohio; Robert is the subject of this sketch; Charles resides in Michigan (he enlisted in the Civil war in Fulton county, Ohio); Henry died in April, 1891, in Wood county (he enlisted in Fulton county in the Sixty-seventh O. V. I., and served till the close of the war); William also enlisted in Fulton county, Ohio (he died in Michigan); Mary, who was the wife of Peter Domito, died in 1875 in Adrian, Michigan. The subject proper of this sketch was, as will be seen, an infant when his parents brought him to this country. He received his education at the schools of Rochester, N. Y., and was trained to the arduous duties of the farm. In 1851 he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked in that city for some years. In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak by the overland route, and there labored, and followed his trade; thence proceeded to South Park, where he worked two years, making salt. From there, in 1863, he proceeded by overland route to California, and engaged in teaming at Sutter Creek until 1865, in which year he went to Boise City, Idaho, where he was engaged in the construction of a building to be used as a factory wherein to grind quartz rock. After one year he returned to Amador county, Cal., and from there, in 1873, came to Ohio, first tarrying in Wood county, and theu from there coming, in 1880, to Lorain county, finally settling in Eaton township, where he has since carried on farming operations, including dairying. In 1878 Mr. Cowles was married to Miss Betsy Jane Spaulding, born in Eaton township, a daughter of Jesse and Repta (Howard) Spaulding (both now deceased), natives of New Hampshire, who in 1836 came to Lorain county, and in 1839 moved on a farm in Eaton township now owned by R. Cowles, with their family of six children —four sons and two daughters. One daughter died at the age of twelve years; the rest grew up on the farm. In their wilderness home they lived for some time, the nearest neighbors being one mile distant, and the farm was slowly cleared. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding died on the farm, June 10, 1863, and April 22, 1875, respectively. The remaining daughter still lives on the farm. Politically Mr. Cowles is a Republican ; Mrs. Cowles is a member of the Baptist Church in Columbia township, Lorain county. SAMUEL BEAL, a leading agriculturist of Elyria township, is a native of Lorain county, born May 7,1846, a son of Philip and Eva (Smith) Beal, who were married in Germany, where three of their children were born. They came to the United States, and settled in Lorain county, Ohio, on a farm where the father died in 1866, at the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Eva (wife of Christopher Decker), Maria (wife of John Kolpe), Lewis (now in Michigan), Susie (wife of C. Heeg), Paul, Mary, Moses and Samuel. LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1139 The subject of this sketch received his education at the common schools of his native township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he was married to Miss Catherine Eppley, and eight children were born to: them, named: as follows: Frank (married to Mary Barth), Cora (wife of Vernon Bender, and has one child, Lydia), Ora, Samuel, Charles, Harvey, Earl and Elmer. Mr. Beal owns 144 acres of land, and by industry and perserverance has accumulated a snug competence. In his political preferences he is a Republican, and in Matters of religion he is an adherent of the Evangelical Church. AMASA WEST, retired farmer and blacksmith, the cheerful ring of whose anvil has been heard for miles around his " smiddy " for many a day in Russia township, is a native of Massachusetts, born June 9, 1817, in Berkshire county, a son of Joshua and Mary (Newell) West, both also natives of Berkshire county, the mother born in the town of Lenox. Joshua West, father of subject, was born in 1774, and his father hailed from the Cape Cod District. The family descend from one of three brothers who came from England to America many years ago, one of whom was entirely lost sight of. Joshua West was a lifelong farmer. He married Mary Newell, and in Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., were born to them eleven children, eight of whom reached maturity, as follows: Washington, a fanner, who died in Pittsfield township, Lorain county; Carlos, a blacksmith by trade, who died in Tabor, Iowa; Josiah N., a blacksmith by trade, who also died in Tabor, Iowa; Oliver, a farmer of Pittsfield township, Lorain county, where he died; Mary, who became the wife of Henry Wolcott, died in Pittsfield; Amasa; subject of this sketch; Jesse, who died in Tabor, Iowa, being the first of the family to pass away (he was a strong Abolitionist and a warm friend of the negro); and Jane, widow of Albert Root, of Pittsfield, Ohio. In the early spring of 1832 our subject and his brother Oliver came to Ohio by sleigh, there still being snow on the ground as far as nine miles west of Buffalo, N. Y., where, snow now disappearing, they traded their sleigh for a wagon, which brought them on to Wellington, Lorain county, where an older brother, Josiah Newell West, a blacksmith, had located, in whose shop our subject commenced an apprenticeship.' In the fall of the same year the parents, with four of the remaining children — Washington, Jesse, Mary and Jane — came to Lorain county from Massachusetts, making the journey with two wagons—a two-horse and a single. They made their new home in Wellington township, .two and one-half miles north of the center, on a totally unimproved farm then almost all in the woods; and after a few years' residence there the father moved to Portage county, Ohio, where he followed farming. In November, 1854, while on his way to Pittsfield on business, he .stopped overnight at a wayside tavern, some ten miles, southeast of Cleveland, where he accidentally fell downstairs and was killed; he was buried in Pittsfield cemetery. His widow died in 1861, and was laid to rest beside him. Mr. West in politics was a Whig, and in church relationship was a Presbyterian till coming to Ohio, when he united with the Congregationalists. At the time of his decease he was in comfort able circumstances, and in his earlier days he was one of the leading and most prosperous farmers of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Amasa West, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated at the common schools of the neighborhood of his home, and worked on his father's farm till fifteen years of age, when he commenced to learn. 1140 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. the trade of blacksmith at Wellington, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked out, earning various wages at different places, at one smithy receiving one hundred dollars a year and his board, a day's work often being twelve or fourteen hours. After his marriage he located at Windham, Portage Co., Ohio, and there followed his trade till November, 1843, when he moved to Pittsfield, Lorain county. Here he bought a farm. on which he resided till 1853, when he sold out, moved back to Windham, and bought a farm of 150 acres, where he lived till the death of his wife in September, 1854; in 1855 he sold his farm and traveled for two years. While in Pittsfield Mr. West had been for one and one-half years engaged in mercantile business, but failing health caused him to abandon it, and in 1859 he bought a farm in Henrietta, where he lived till the spring of 1879. He then moved to Oberlin in order to have his children educated, and while there he sold the farm in Henrietta township, buying his present one in Russia township, on which he has erected a modern residence, where he now lives' in retirement. On October 14, 1840, while working. at his trade in Portage county, Ohio, Mr. West was married in Windham to Miss Hannah Lyman, daughter of Jeremiah Lyman, the first settler in Windham township, Portage county, and by this union there were three children: Martha, who died at the age of twelve years; Mary L. (now Mrs. Ira D. Bryant, of Spencer, Medina Co., Ohio), and Hannah M., living at home with her father. This wife died in September, 1854, and for his second wife Mr. West married, on May 28, 1858, Nancy B. Dudley, a native of Vermont, daughter of Jonathan Dudley. By this marriage there were five children, three of whom died in infancy, the remaining two being Edward D., a plumber by trade, and Harriet A., at home with her father. The mother of these passed from earth November 20, 1885, and lies buried in Henrietta township, Lorain county. Polit-ically Mr. West was originally a Whig, his first Presidential vote being cast for William H. Harrison, and he is now a liberal Republican. He has been a mem-ber of the M. E. Church since 1843, and has frequently held office in same. I.S. STRAW. Prominent among the thoroughly representative agricultur- ists of Carlisle township is found this gentleman. He is a native of New York State, born April 29, 1830, a son of Ezra and Hannah (Colbeath) Straw, of New Hampshire birth. In an early day Ezra Straw moved to the northern part of New York State, and thence, in 1833, to Lorain county, Ohio, locating at first in Huntington township, afterward in Sheffield township, and finally settling in Amherst township. He died in 1854, his wife in 1887. In his political sympathies he was originally an Old-line Whig, in later years a Republican. They were the parents of seven children whom they reared to maturity, five of whom are yet living, namely: I. S., subject of this memoir; Ezra, a farmer of Black River township; Selina, widow of Sylvester Potter, of North Amherst; Marina, wife of W. P. Potter, of North Amherst; Sophia. wife of G. W. Barns, of Amherst township. On the father's side the family are German, on the mother's they are English. As will be seen, our subject was a small boy when his parents came to Lorain county, and he was here reared and edu-cated, receiving a thoroughly practical training to farming pursuits under his father's tuition. In 1864 he purchased his present farm in Carlisle township, one of the most fertile and best kept in the county. Mr. Straw has been thrice mar- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1143 ried: first time, in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1854, to Miss Jane Murray, a native of Carlisle township, Lorain county, and daughter of Abner and Betsey Murray. pioneers of that township, where the mother died; the father passed away in Norwalk, Ohio. To this marriage were born three children, viz.: Murray A., who died in Colorado; Charles (married), residing in Elyria (has three children: Isaac N., Earl and Nellie); and Jennie M., wife of Harvey Walls, of Elyria. The mother of these was called from earth in 1863, and for his second wife Mr. Straw married, January 8, 1864, Miss Betsey Lawrence, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Steven Lawrence, a pioneer of Carlisle township, Lorain county; she died August 6, 1889. In July, 1892, Mr. Straw was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah Penney Willson. In his political sympathies our subject is a straight Republican, active in the interests of his party. He has served as justice of the peace, and was a director of the County Infirmary sixteen years. He is highly respected and esteemed as a useful, loyal and progressive citizen. HENRY TOWNSEND. This gentleman, who ranks among the well-known farmer, citizens of Carlisle township, was born in 1831, in Warwickshire, England. His parents, William and Ann (Darlow) Townsend, were natives of the same county, where they passed their entire lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-five, the mother in about 1863. Henry Townsend was reared in England, receiving during his youth but limited educational advantages, and after his school days were over followed farming in his native country until the age of twenty-six. In 1857 he immigrated to America, proceeding at once to Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural work. He subsequently went to Sugar Ridge, Ridgeville township, and in 1862 came to Carlisle township, locating on the farm where he has since made his home. He purchased twenty-nine acres, then in the woods, cleared a place to build a house, and has made all the improvements on the tract with his own hands. He has added to the farm from time to time, and now owns one hundred acres, all highly improved and cultivated, upon which he has erected a good house and barn. A sister of our subject, the wife of John Smith, who came to Lorain county in 1857, resides on an adjoining farm in Carlisle township. In 1862 Mr. Townsend was united in marriage, in Eaton township, with Miss Ann Roach, who was born in Northamptonshire, England, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Eames) Roach. Her parents, who were also natives of Northamptonshire, in 1856 came from England to the United States, locating first in Amherst township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where they remained one year, thence moving to Ridgeville, where they resided for two years. The family next lived ayear at Plum Creek, and finally moved to Eaton township, where they opened up a farm, and made a per manent home. Mr. and Mrs. Roach were the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary, wife of Samuel Mattock, of Defiance county, Ohio; Ann, Mrs. Townsend; Joseph, married and residing in Hall county, Neb.; William, who enlisted, in 1861, in Company R, Twenty-third 0. V. I., and was killed November 15, 1861, at Camp Ewing, W. Va. (he was accidentally shot); Thomas, who died in infancy, in England; Betsey, wife of Henry Montague, residing in New Chanute, Kans.; Sophia, wife of Peter Watts, of Knightstown, Henry Co., Ind.; and Thomas, a resident of Eaton township. The mother of this family died in Amherst township in 1856, the father in 1888 at the home of Mr. Townsend. 1144 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. In politics our subject is a Republican, takes an active interest in the welfare of his party, and has served as trustee and supervisor of his township. He has always followed farming in the township, and he and his wife are among the most prominent and highly respected members of the community in which they reside. To their union have come two children, as follows: William, who on April 22, 1886, was united in marriage with Miss Celia Jane Philpott, of Elyria (he is engaged in farming on the home farm); and Martha Sophia, at home. A. E. SQUIRES, a well-known merchant at Turner's Mills, is a native of Lorain county, Ohio, horn August 16, 1837, in Carlisle township. His parents, Abner and Lois Squires, were natives of Vermont, and in 1831 migrated westward to Lorain county, Ohio, settling in Carlisle, where the father, who was a farmer, died in 1851, his widow in 1864. He was a Democrat in political faith. These pioneers reared a family of eight children (four of whom are yet living), namely: Emily, widow of Abel M. Thorpe, residing in Elyria township; Ida, who was married to A. Pang-born, and died in Elyria township; Anson, deceased in Elyria; Truman, married, and residing in Story county, Iowa; Susan, wife of Charles B. Sutliff, both now deceased; Ezra, married, and residing in Michigan; Louisa, Mrs. Raiford, who died in Pittsfield; and A. E. A. E. Squires was reared in his native township, receiving his education at the common schools of the district. In 1861 he enlisted, for three years, in Company K, Twenty-third Regiment, 0. V. I., was mustered in at Columbus, Ohio, and served with the army of the Potomac, participating in the engagements at South Mountain and Antietam, besides many skirmishes. In 1864 he received an honorable discharge and returned home, but subsequently re-enlisted, this time in the Eleventh O. V. I., and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, served throughout the Carolina campaign, and took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Dennison, and immediately returned to Carlisle township, where he commenced to follow the trade of carpenter and builder. On January 31, 1860 Mr. Squires was married, in Carlisle township, to Miss Catherine Cornell, who was born in Pittsfield, Lorain county, daughter of George Cornell, an early pioneer of the county, where he lived and died. To this union was born one son, Orville, whose mother died in 1883. On August 1, 1892, Mr. Squires was married, in Carlisle township, to Mrs. Emma Pember, widow of DeWitt Pember, of Carlisle; she is a native of Sum mit county, Ohio, daughter of William Manning, who removed from Summit county to Carlisle township, Lorain county, where he died in 1867. In politics Mr. Squires is a Prohibitionist, and served for one year, 1891, as postmaster at Turner's Mills, when the office was discontinued. He has been engaged in the grocery business at Turner's Mills since 1890. WARREN W. BLAINE, owner of as fertile and well-conducted a II( farm as can be found in Ridgeville township, is a native of same, born in 1837, a son of Richard and Fannie (Fuller) Blaine. Richard Blaine was born in Genesee county, N. Y., a son of Wilson and Hannah (Vannatten) Blaine, who were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1819, when Richard was a lad of six summers, they came from Genesee LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1145 county, N. Y., to Lorain county, Ohio, and made a, settlement in Ridgeville township, at that time all woodland. Wilson Blaine lived also for a time in Eaton town ship, but the greater part of his life was passed in Ridgeville, where he and his wife died, the latter in. 1861. Grandfather Warren Fuller came to Olmsted, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in an early day. Richard Blaine, father of subject, received his education at the common schools of Ridgeville township, and at La Porte. He made agriculture his life work, and became prosperous. He was married, in Olmsted, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, to Miss Fannie Fuller, and. they then commenced married life on the homestead in Ridgeville township, Lorain county, making their home in an old log cabin. The children born to them were four in number, as follows: Warren W., subject of this sketch; James, who resides in Cleveland; Vesty, wife of Noah Peck, of Ridgeville township; and Harlon, who died in Ridgeville township about 1856. The father of these died in 1877, the mother in 1886. He was at first a Whig in his political views, later a Republican, and served in various township offices. Warren W. Blaine, the subject proper of this sketch, received his primary education at the common schools of Ridgeville township, which he supplemented with a course of study at Berea (Ohio) College. He had a practical training in agricultural pursuits under his father's tuition, and has made farming his life work. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Watson, a native of Ridgeville township, Lorain county, daughter of John Watson (deceased), who was an English, man by birth and an early settler of Ridgeville. Seven children were born to this union, as follows: Martin, residing in Ridgeville, who is married, and has two children, Theodore and Melvin ; R. E., wife of Ed. Terrell, residing in Elyria, has two children, Orville and Elfa; Elfa, who was the wife of John Reed, and died in Cali fornia in 1888, leaving one child, Olive E.; Janie, Harlon, Fannie and Emma. Mr. Blaine owns the old homestead in Ridgeville township, aggregating 131 acres of well-cultivated land. Politically he is a Republican. ADDISON E. LORD, manufacturer of cigars, Elyria, is a native of Connecticut, born at Warehouse Point, Hartford county, October 16, 1842, a son of Chester Adkins and Lucretia (Moran) Lord, also natives of the Nutmeg State, and descended from old New England stock. The father, who was for over forty years a stationary engineer, lived to be eighty-two years of age. They had eight children (subject being the youngest), of whom one son and four daughters are yet living. The parents died in 1845, on May 17 and July 2, respectively. Addison E. Lord received his education at the common schools of the vicinity of his place of birth, and at the age of fourteen (1857) went on a whaling expedition to the sea of Ochotsk, east of Russia in Asia (eastern Siberia); thence sailed to the Pacific Ocean, visiting, among other places of importance, New Zealand. In July, 1861, he returned to his old home, to find the country about to plunge into a terrible Civil war, and he remained but one short month in peaceful quietude, when, fired by the spirit of patriotism, he joined the U. S. navy as a seaman. He served three years and four months, cruising along the coast from the, Mississippi to Galveston, Texas. In the winter of 1864 he once more returned to the pursuits of peace, coming .direct to Elyria, Ohio, where he had a brother engaged in the cigar-making business, with whom he found employment, learning the trade. With him he remained until 1874, when he opened out in the same town for his own account, doing an 1146 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. exclusively wholesale business till 1877, in which year be moved into his present building, and commenced the retail trade in company with F. H. Sudro (abandoning the wholesale); he has since done a flour-ishing business, keeping a large and choice stock, chiefly of his own manufacture. Mr. Lord was married in January, 1866, to Miss Louise Ward, a native of Elyria, and three children came to brighten their home, viz.: Burton H., died April 17, 1870; Ed. G. and Pearl. Mrs. Lord's parents, Lyman and Calista Ward, were natives of Vermont; the father died August 6, 1872, the mother November 8, 1876. Mr. Lord is a Republican in politics; socially he is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and a charter member of the K. of H., L. of H., and I. O. F. Of the I. O. O. F. he has been a member for twenty-three years, has filled the Chairs from warden to noble grand, and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge. Mr. Lord is a useful citizen, popular and pro-gressive, and has done his part toward the growth and prosperity of his adopted county and town. D. R. MOYSEY, the leading veterinary surgeon of Elyria, was born April 19, 1858, in Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, a son of R. R. and Sallie (Dennison) Moysey, both of whom were born in Lincolnshire, England. In 1852 R. R. Moysey came from England to Mansfield, Ohio, where he resided for six-teen years, and then moved to Kelley's Island, Ohio, where he has ever since made his home. For twenty-five years he has devoted his time and attention to grape culture and wine making, and he is one of the proprietors of the Sweet Valley Wine Company. The subject of this sketch received his education at the common schools of the vicinity of his place of birth, and was reared to his father's grape business on Kelley's Island in Lake Erie, until Ile commenced the study of veterinary sur-gery. In 1885 he entered the Veterinary College at Chicago, graduating from same in 1887. He then came to Elyria, and practiced his profession exclusively till about two years ago, when he opened a livery stable in connection, having as a partner J. L. Reed, and he does an extensive business in both interests. On April 24, 1883, D. R. Moysey was united in marriage with Miss Sallie D. Carpenter (who was also reared on Kelley's Island), daughter of Charles Carpenter, who was born in Norwich, Conn.; her mother was born at Rockport, Ohio, and was one of the old Kelley family. To this marriage children were born as follows: Lynne, Mildred, Mabel and Florence. Our subject is a Republican, and is a popular, loyal citizen. PHILIP RITZENTHALER, a mem-ber of the well-known firm of Breckenridge & Ritzenthaler, merchants, Kipton, is a native of Baden, Ger-many, born August 14, 1841, a son of Philip Ritzenthaler. In 1851 the family, consisting of parents, three sons and one daughter, left the Fatherland for the distant shores of America, sailing from Havre, France, for New York, where they landed after a voyage of thirty days. From there they proceeded to Dunkirk, thence to Sandusky, Ohio, and in Milan township, Erie county, the father bought land. Later he moved to Wakeman township, Huron county, where he sojourned a short time, and then, on account of impaired health, came to Norwalk, same county, where he lived a retired life, and died in March, 1861. He was well-to-do, but having financially assisted other German families to come to America, and failing to be repaid by them in LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1147 any shape, he lost a considerable amount of money. He had a family of eight children, of whom are yet living: Barnhart, a farmer in Baden, Germany; Charles, a farmer of Ontario county, N. Y.; George, of Erie county, Ohio; Philip, subject of sketch; Mary, Mrs. Anthony Siebolt, of Erie county, Ohio; and Emma, Mrs. Nahm, a widow, of Fremont, Ohio. Philip Ritzenthaler, whose name, opens this sketch, received a limited education at the schools of his native place, and at the age of fourteen, being now in Ohio with his parents, left home to do for himself. In 1857 he came to Kipton, and worked for O. Bowen, who then conducted a hotel, and was also ticket agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company at that place, and also attended the pumping station for the same company. Here he remained some four or five months, and then went to the farm of Hiram Prentice, near Kipton, with whom he worked for some years at from four to eight dollars per month, and board, in the summers, and in the winters for his board only, as he attended school a good part of the time. From Mr. Prentice he went in 1861 to live with John P. Lee, but October 31, same year, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-third O. V. I.; he participated in the battle of New Madrid (near Island No. 10), the Corinth campaign, and second battle of Corinth. After serving two years and three months, he reenlisted, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, experiencing all the hardships of that memorable campaign. He served in all three years and nine months. In July, 1865, he was discharged from the service at Louisville, Ky., returning to Camden township, Lorain county, and for two years following again worked for Hiram Prentice. In 1867 he went to Moore county, Minn., and cultivated a piece of land he had purchased there, but after a residence of two years and three months he returned to Kipton. In 1869, after his marriage, he and his young wife went into housekeep ing in Ontario county, N. Y., where he managed a farm for three years, and once more returned to Kipton. In 1880 Mr. Ritzenthaler entered the general store of William Douglass at Kipton, as partner, and after two years served as postmaster under C. A. Arthur, at the same time clerking in the store of Douglass & Rose. For some time thereafter he was in the creamery business with E. Jones, of Fostoria, Ohio; later became clerk for B. F. Breckenridge at Kipton, and in 1890 they formed a partnership which has since continued. In July, 1869, our subject married Miss Hattie M. Allen, born in Henrietta township, Lorain Co., Ohio, a daughter of Rose-well Allen. She died in 1875 in Kipton, and was buried in Oberlin, the mother of two children: Nellie M., now Mrs. William L. Moninger, of Waynesboro, Penn., and Laura M., now Mrs. L. C. Bates, of Lorain, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Ritzenthaler married, in 1879, Miss Annetta Eddy, who was born in Camden township, Lorain county, a daughter of Squire Eddy, a pioneer citizen of Camden township. To this union were born children, as follows: Nettie L.; Reuben E., who died at the age of six months, and Flossie E., all living. In his political sympathies our subject has always been a stanch Republican, has held various township offices, and is now serving as clerk with fidelity and ability.H HENRY PIFER. This representative, prosperous agriculturist of Rochester township is a son of Christian and Catherine (Garner) Pifer, natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In 1836 the parents came to Ohio, locating on a farm in Orange township, Ashland county, where the father bought thirty acres of wild land, that part of the country being entirely new, without a single 1148 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. road in it, only blazed trees marking a path through the woods. A temporary log house was built, and in course of time a better one; thirty acres were added to the first purchase, and, later, still more, until the farm aggregated 114 acres. Children as follows were born to this pioneer couple: Jacob, who resides in Marion county, Iowa; Elizabeth, single, who resides on the home farm; Martha, who makes her home in Brighton, Lorain county; Mary, who is the widow of Isaac Lydick, of Orange township, Ashland county; Samuel, a farmer of Orange township; and Henry, whose name opens this sketch. The father of this family died in July, 1881, aged seventy-five years; the mother on August 20, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, one month, fourteen days, and they lie side by side in Orange cemetery, Ashland county. They were members of the Dunkard Church, and in politics Mr. Pifer was a Republican. Henry Pifer, whose name introduces this sketch, was born September 11, 1841, in Orange township, Ashland Co., Ohio. In 1865 he came to Lorain county, where for a year he was employed on the farm of Josephus Clark, and then rented land. After his marriage he rented a farm in Ruggles township, Ashland county, for a few years, and in 1873 bought seventy-five acres in Rochester township, Lorain county, which is embodied in his present farm. Hither he removed, and there resided until his purchase from Thomas Knapp of the piece of land whereon he now has his residence, and which lies opposite his seventy-five acre farm. He now owns 118½ acres of excellent land, all greatly improved by him, and in addition to general farming he is extensively engaged in the dairy business. On March 24, 1864, Mr. Pifer married Miss Mary A. Krebs, who was born September 16, 1841, in Orange township, Ashland county, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Rickett) Krebs, and two children were born to this union: Jennie M., now Mrs. Henry Barnes, of Rochester, Lorain county, and Loran, at home with her parents. Politically our subject is a stanch Democrat, formerly as stanch a Republican, his first vote being cast for Brough for governor of Ohio. He and his wife are both consistent members of the Congregational Church at Rochester. GEORGE H. BRADNER, prominent in the farming community of Huntington township, was born in 1833 in Chester, Mass., a son of S. D. Bradner, who was born in 1800 in the State of New York. In 1833 S. D. Bradner came to Ohio, having secured by trade some 500 acres of wild land in Huntington township, Lorain county. In Massachusetts he had married, a year or two before, Miss Louisa Holland, a native of that State, and four children were born to them, viz.: Margaret, married to S. S. Warner, of Wellington, Lorain county; George H., subject proper of sketch; Frank, who died at about the age of forty years; and John H., in the coal business in Cleveland. The parents died in Wellington township, the father in 1875, the mother in 1870. George H. Bradner was, as will be seen, but an infant when the family came from the East to Lorain county, the common schools of which he attended, also Oberlin College two terms. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a large, highly improved farm in Huntington township, on which he erected a comfortable brick residence. Up to 1888 he lived continuously there, with the exception of two years he spent in Michigan, and he was a resident of Wellington some four years. In 1861 our subject married Miss Anna M. Benallack, a native of Cornwall, England, and six children LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 1149 have been born to them, as follows: Samuel Denton, residing in Wellington, who is married and has two children—Vera and Susie; Mary, wife of B. Royce, has one child; Margaret and Orrie, at home; and two that died in infancy. Politically Mr. Bradner is a Republican; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. JOSEPH STORROW, a leader in the agricultural interests of Wellington township, is a native of Upper Canada (now Province of Ontario), born August 7, 1828. Joseph Storrow, his father, born in England in 1780, immigrated to America when thirty years old, and his first vocation in the New World was in the lumber business in Schenectady, N. Y. He made frequent visits to friends and relatives in his native land, having crossed the ocean some five times for no other purpose. He married Miss Triphena Freeman, who was a native, it is supposed, of Pennsylvania, and five children were born to them, namely: Thomas, a farmer in Brighton township, Lorain county; Rowena (deceased), who was married to Miren Merls; Louisa, wife of K. Baird; May A., wife of Louis Barge, and Joseph. The father died in Wellington, Ohio, February 5, 1858, the mother on November 27, 1844. The subject proper of this sketch received a liberal education, and was reared to farming pursuits. On August 30, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Emily Bunce, a native of New York State, daughter of Isaac and Cornelia (Vosburgh) Bunce, of Vermont and New York birth, respectively, who in an early day came west to Ohio, settling in Brighton township, Lorain county, where the father died at the age of sixty-one years, the mother when forty-five years old; they were members of the M. E. Church; their chil dren were as follows: Emily, Mrs. Joseph Storrow; Christina, Mrs. Leonard, residing in Huntington; Susan, widow of A. Twaddle; Elizabeth, Mrs. George Gillett, living in Brighton township; and Mary, married to Horatio B. Beardsly, of Rochester township. To our subject and wife have been born two children: Hubert, born October 20, 1855, received his education in the district schools, and married Miss Eva Willard; they have five children: Emily E., Cynthiana, Cora Dell, Carrie Bell, and Joseph Hubert, an engineer on the Kansas Railroad, residing at Kansas City. (2) Byron A., born January 4, 1860, attended the neighboring schools, and on January 1, 1891, married Miss Delia Walters, a native of Spencer, Ohio. Mr. Storrow came to his present farm in Wellington township in April, 1838, nearly fifty-six years ago, then a boy of ten summers, and has made farming his life work. He now owns 150 acres of land. In politics he is a stanch Republican. HARVEY M. PEABODY, one of the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Russia township, is a native of the Green Mountain State, born October 20, 1837, in Irasburg, Orleans county, a son of David and Sarah E. (Taller) Peabody. David Peabody, father of subject, was born July 10, 1812, in Londonderry, N. H., a son of Andrew Peabody, born in 1759, who followed the dual trades of tailor and shoemaker. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was three times married; by his first wife he had no issue; by his second he had three children—Elias, Daniel and Andrew—and by his third, who was a Miss Hannah Beadle (sister to his second wife), born in 1777, he had nine children, as follows: Susan, born in 1797, married Richard Kelley, and died in Am-