950 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. born in LaGrange, daughter of Dr. G. C. Underhill, the well-known medical practitioner in that place; they had met at Berea University, which institution both attended. To this marriage came three children, as follows: Hettie E., now the wife of Rev. W. W. Long, a Methodist Episcopal minister, of Ashland county, Ohio; Mary, who died in 1881; and George Judson, residing at home. After his marriage our subject located at Vermillion, thence removing to Cleveland and later to LaGrange. In 1875 he moved to Oberlin, returning to LaGrange in 1886, in which village he erected a very comfortable house, which he afterward sold, erecting another dwelling, which he still owns, and which is one of the pleasantest residences in the town. He now resides on eighty acres of land, bought from the tract of Dr. G. C. Underhill, where he now finds pleasure in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Greene is a self-made man, having by hard work and incessant toil risen to his present prosperous position, undergoing all the hardships incident to the lot of a twelve year old boy on board a vessel, and endeavoring to obtain an education. Mr. Greene is a Democrat, but takes little interest in politics; he was formerly a great admirer of Stephen Douglas. Mrs. Greene is a member of the Methodist Church. LESTER J. RICHMOND, a prosperous, self-made citizen of Penfield township, was born November 22, 1842, in Akron, Ohio, son of Charles B. and Matilda (Welton) Richmond. He was one of twins, the other named Lucy J. Our subject received the greater part of his education before reaching the age of sixteen, in the meantime being reared to farming pursuits on the home place, and also working out for other farmers. In August, 1862, he enlisted, at Penfield, in Company B, First Ohio Light Artillery, and went into camp at Cleveland, whence the command was sent to Louisville, Ky. They took part in the battles of Perrysville, Wild Cat, Murfreesboro, and Chickamauga, and thence went to Nashville, Tenn., where they remained for some time. Mr. Richmond was never wounded, but he lay sick three months with fever and other camp ailments at Hospital No. 1, Nashville, where he was his own physician. At the close of the war he was discharged at Nashville, and returned to Penfield, where he resided with his parents, and in the following season went to Geneva, Ashtabula county, where he worked as a farm hand. On November 13, 1866, Mr. Richmond was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Dolgleish, who was born December 10, 1843, in Penfield township, daughter of Robert Dolgleish, who came hither from Scotland. After marriage Mr. Richmond lived for a short time with his father, and then rented a farm in LaGrange township, where he made his home for one year. He next removed to the center of Penfield township, where he was employed one year in a sawmill, thence going to Wellington township, where he acted as superintendent on the farm of Edwin Hensdale. He then took up his home in Wakeman township, Huron county, and for three years took contracts for furnishing cordwood for the Lake Shore Railway Company. At the end of this time he purchased sixty acres of land in Ross township, Wood Co., Ohio, which he cleared and improved, and whereon he resided for seven years, when he rented it and returned to Penfield township, taking charge of the home farm for a year. He next rented a farm in the northeast corner of Penfield township, later removing to Wellington village for the benefit of his children's education, and finally, in March, 1889, returning to Penfield township, and locating on the farm of 198 acres which he still occupies. To Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have been born children as follows: Elmer A., who lives LORAIN. COUNTY, OHIO - 951 on the home place, which is the oldest farm in the township, having been taken up by Peter Penfield, after whom the township was named (the first sawmill built and operated in the township is on this place); Frank E., of Huntington; Nora, Mrs. Waller Hull, of Wellington, Ohio; Mamie, who died young; and Victoria and Robert, at home. In politics our subject is a Republican, and in religious connection he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, in which he is a deacon. JAMES GAWN (deceased) was born in the Isle of Man, in August, 1829, and died in Lorain county, Ohio, January 23, 1885. When three years old he came with his parents to the United States, and to Lorain county, Ohio. In Black River township he followed blacksmithing and fanning till 1848, in which year he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa E. Barnes, and the young couple then for seven years made their home in the village of North Amherst. In 1855 Mr. Gawn purchased the farm of one hundred acres in Amherst township, where he passed the remainder of his days, and where his widow now resides. Three children were born to this marriage, viz.: Ellen, wife of H. N. Steele, of North Amherst (they have four children); Henry J.; and Marion E., who died September 6, 1888. Henry J. Gawn, only son, of James and Louisa E. (Barnes) Gawn, was born in Amherst township, Lorain Co., Ohio, June 25, 1855. He received his education at the common schools on Middle Ridge, Amherst township, and learned the trade of blacksmith with his father, at which he works a little, but is chiefly engaged in farming. In 1888 he was married to Miss Melissa Swartwood, of Amherst township, and one child, Frank, has been born to them. Henry J. Gawn operates a nice farm of thirty-six acres devoted to general agriculture. Politically he is a Democrat, and takes a lively interest in all county affairs. Mrs. Louisa E. Gawn was born, reared and educated in Amherst township, when there was little else than wild woods, and settlers were, literally, "few and far between." She was born August 27, 1828, a daughter of Ezekiel G. and Elvira (Harrington) Barnes, the former of whom was born September 1, 1799, in Old Becket, Mass., and came with his parents to Amherst, Lorain county, in 1817. In 1825 he revisited the East, and was there married same year to Miss Elvira Harrington, who was born March 5, 1805, in Massachusetts. Returning to Amherst township, he continued agricultural pursuits, and became prosperous. He and his wife were the parents of five children, viz.: Gilbert H., a resident of. Amherst township; Louisa E., widow of James Gawn; G. Monroe, who died in 1891, leaving a widow; Henry D., deceased in 1869, and Sardis N., a prominent farmer of Amherst township. The father was called from earth December 18, 1881, the mother on January 29, 1888. DAVID BRICKNELL. The stalwart sons of England are to be found the wide world over, ever aggressive, plodding, loyal and honest. Such an one is the subject of this brief sketch. Mr. Bricknell was born March 8, 1840, in Northamptonshire, England, a son of John and Mary Bricknell, who both died in that county. He received his education at the country schools of his native parish, and was brought up a farmer lad. He hired out twelve years as farmers' servant, and in 1866 he married, in England, Miss Sarah Ann Townsend, who was born May 13, 1841, a native of Warwickshire, 952 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. a daughter of William Townsend. For six and one-half years he filled the position of under gardener for one employer, and during that time two children had been born —Ellen and Emily. In 1875 Mr. Bricknell immigrated to the United States, corning to Lorain county, Ohio, living and working in Elyria the first year. He then rented a small farm, and also worked in Elyria as gardener. For the next five years he rented farms, and during that time two more children were born—Rosa and Daisy Josephine. In 1882 he bought his present farm of fifty acres, all in a good state of cultivation, and here he successfully carries on general farming. Of the children, Ellen, who is the wife of Frank Bowman, resides in Eaton township (they have one child, Cora May); Emily, wife of Richard Tran, of Grafton township, has three children : Goldie May, Sylva Bell and Roy Richard. In his political preferences Mr. Bricknell is independent; he and his wife are members of the Disciple Church at North Eaton. He is a typical self-made man, having from a commencement of nothing accumulated all he owns by hard labor, honest toil, and judicious economy. LEGRAND ROOT, the only one left of the old settlers in the northeast quarter of Wellington township, is a native of Connecticut, born in Litchfield, March 18, 1831, a son of William R. and Serena (Terrell) Root. Grandfather Root was a native of England, and immigrated to the American Colonies before the Revolutionary war. In that struggle he enlisted in the cause of the patriots, and participated in the engagement that led to the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne; also served as one of Washington's aids, and was captured by the British, but subsequently exchanged. After the close of the war, he was leading his regiment on a march, and in crossing a bridge, the structure gave way, killing him and several of his men. His son William R., father of subject, was born about the period of the Revolutionary struggle in one of the New England States. He married Miss Serena Terrell, and when their son, Legrand, was four years old, they came to Ohio, locating first in Eaton township, Lorain county, then in Wellington township, on the farm now owned by our subject. Finally Mr. Root moved to Allegan county, Mich., where he and his wife died during the same year, she at the age of sixty-nine years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following is a brief record: Eliza married L. L. West, of- Minnesota, where they reside; Legrand is the subject of this sketch; Leroy lives in Kansas (during the Civil war he entered the Union army, and was with Sherman on his march from Atlanta to the sea); Amarilla, who married H. Oliver, resides in Michigan; Charlotte, who was the wife of John Everatts, died in Michigan ; Finette died when about eighteen years old; Rosette is married to A. D. Wallers, and resides in Dakota; Sarah Ann, who was a. school teacher in Kansas, married Abner Folk, of Rich county, that State; George is deceased; Benjamin Franklin died in childhood. Legrand Root, of whom this sketch more particularly relates, was married in 1855 to Miss Lucinda Kelsey, born in Huntington township, Lorain county, in September, 1835, and the young couple then settled on his present farm of 220 acres well-unproved land. Prior to this he had lived for a time in Eaton, then in Huntington township, same county, and in 1851 went to California on a prospecting tour, but soon returned. In addition to general farming Mr. Root carries on dairying to a considerable extent, and he is progressive and prosperous. The children born to this marriage, seven in number, were as follows: Those deceased are Leroy, who died when aged four years; Aner, when aged LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 953 two years; Albert, when aged twenty-seven years (he was married and had one child); Dennis, when aged sixteen years (this was the youngest child); those living are: Emery, married, who has one child, Elmer; Mary, wife of Arnold Taylor, of Lodi, Ohio; Ada, residing at home, who was educated in Wellington township, and is now teaching school in Huntington township. Politically our subject is a stanch Republican, and, during the dark days of the Rebellion, showed his loyalty to the Union cause by subscribing to the Government liberally of his means. Mr. Root is a man of more than average education and ability, and is well informed on all the public issues of the day. RAYMOND HAVEN, for forty-six years a resident of Eaton township, where his name is "familiar as household words," is a native of Portage county, Ohio, born in Shalersville in 1823. He is a son of John Haven, a native of Vermont, who came on foot to Ohio when a young man, settling on a farm in Portage county, and becoming prosperous and comparatively wealthy. He here married Miss Julia Sanford, and reared the following family of children: Annis, deceased in Portage county; Raymond; John, deceased in Portage county; Julia, living in Ohio; George, married, residing in Bloomingdale, Mich. The father of these died in 1882, the mother in 1853. Politically Mr. Haven was a Republican, and served as township trustee. Raymond Haven received a liberal school training in Portage county, Ohio; was brought up a practical farmer, and has always made general agriculture his business, principally dairying, in which he has met with unqualified success. In 1847 he came with a team from Shalersville to Eaton township, Lorain county, and bought eighty acres of partly improved land, having thereon a log house and barn, in lieu of which Mr. Haven in course of time erected a one and one-half story house, 24 x 40, with two L one-story wings; also a commodious barn. To his original purchase of eighty acres he has added from time to time until he now owns 321 acres. In 1845 Mr. Haven married, in Portage county, Miss Lucinda C.. Scouten, a native of that county, daughter of John Scouten, an early pioneer of same. To this union children as follows have been born: Ellen, wife of Locks Lemert, of Kansas; Alice, who married Laban Lemert, and died in Ohio, July 23, 1873; George, who died April 30, 1865; Julia, wife of Oscar Durkee, of Eaton township; Frank, married, residing in Eaton township, who owns a good farm given him by his father; Newton, married, residing in Eaton township (he owns a good farm); Hattie, wife of William Sawyer, of Eaton township; Jennie, who died January 23, 1867; and Myra, wife of Charles Sawyer, a merchant of Grafton. Politically our subject is a Republican, and he has served as trustee of Eaton township. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church, in which he has been a deacon for some forty-five years. He has made all he owns by industry and frugality, and is listed among the most successful of Lorain county's farmer citizens. ARTHUR WALKDEN, a leader in the agricultural community of Columbia township, is a native of England, a "Lancashire lad," born in that county in November, 1823, third son of William and Mary (Blundell) Walkden. The parents of our subject were natives of Devonshire, England, whence in 1826 they emigrated to this country, locating first in Lowell, Mass., where they worked 954 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. in factories, moving in 1833 westward to Ohio, living in Newburgh one year, and then settling on a farm in Cuyahoga county. The father died in Berea, Ohio, in April, 1873, aged ninety-two, the mother in September, 1857, in Cuyahoga county, at the age of sixty-four years. Mr. Walkden had been twice married, and by his first wife had three children, viz.: John, who remained in England; Jane, Mrs. John Bainbridge, who died in Ridgeville township; and William, who came to Lorain county in 1843, died oh the ocean in 1879. By his marriage with Miss Mary Blundell he had children as follows: Alice, who died in 1890 in Cuyahoga county; James, who died in 1875 in Lowell, Mass.; Thomas, residing in Cuyahoga county; Ann, widow of Eastman Bradford, of Berea; Mary, widow of Joseph Chevalier, of Berea; Arthur, residing in Columbia township; Peter, who came to Lorain in an early day, and died in Ridgeville township in 1880; Richard; Peggy, deceased; and Margaret, widow of Henry Woods, of Cuyahoga county. Arthur Walkden was a three-year-old boy when his parents brought him to the United States, and was about ten rears old when they came to Cuyahoga county, where he was educated and learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed for some years after coming to Columbia township in 1843. Here he made a settlement in the woods, having bought thirty-seven acres of improved land, to which he has from time to time added until now he has 226 acres all in a good state of cultivation. In 1846 he was married to Miss Tirzah Wetton, a native of Derbyshire, England, and daughter of Thomas and Mary (Holden) Wetton, of the same county, who, in 1833, came to Hamilton, N. Y., and thence in 1842 to Columbia township, Lorain county, settling where our subject now resides. The father died in 1879, aged seventy-eight years; the mother survived him till March 31, 1893; they were members of the M. E. Church, and politically Mr. Wetton was a Republican. Three children were born to them, namely: Tirzah, Mrs. Walkden; Harriet, who married Joseph Chamberlain, and died in Columbia township in 1856; and Samantha, wife of John Meehan, of Denver, Colorado. After marriage our subject resided on his present farm till 1857, in which year he went to. San Francisco, Cal., by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and there remained two and one-half years, working at his trade, at the end of which time he returned to Columbia township. Politically Mr. Walkden is a prominent Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at West View, Cuyahoga county, in which lie has been steward for several years, and is now serving as trustee. S. V. R. HOWARD. Prominent in the front rank of the wealthy and intelligent agriculturists of Rochester township is found the gentleman whose name is here recorded. He is a son of Morris Howard, a farmer, who was born in Andover, Windsor Co., Vt., where he married Hannah, daughter of William Smith. To them were born seven children—three sons and four daughters. In 1836 Morris Howard came to Ohio with his family, making the journey with three horses and two wagons, their first tarrying place being Elyria, Lorain county, whence after a month's residence with a relative there, they moved to Richland county, now Ashland county, locating for a year near the town of Ashland. The father at this time made a trade with one Smith for a farm in Rochester township, Lorain county, the same one whereon our subject now resides. At that time but a few acres were cleared on it, and for some years Morris Howard lived there. Later he moved to Racine, Wis., and died there at LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 957 the age of seventy-seven years; his wife had passed away in her fifty-seventh year. S. V. R. Howard was born September 3, 1817, in Andover, Windsor Co., Vt., at the subscription schools of which town he received his education. He was reared to farm life, and in early youth worked from home at fifty cents per day, at that time considered fair wages. He was, as will be seen, nineteen years old when he came to Ohio with the rest of his father's family, and when yet a young man he set out on foot for Illinois, his purpose being to make a tour of that then new territory, but returned eastward, satisfied that there was no place like home. On December 11, 1843, he married Miss Barbara Bowman, who was born June 11, 1821, in Orange township, Ashland Co., Ohio, a daughter of. John N. Bowman, and his next residence was in a house erected by himself immediately opposite his present home, Children were born to this marriage, the following being a brief record of same: Mary J. is the wife of H. K. Kob, of Findlay, Ohio; Laurilla is the wife of Chester Chorpening, of Benton Harbor, Mich.; Lydia is married to E. M. June, of Greenwich, Ohio; Lrllian is married to Thomas Whitney, of Benton Harbor, Mich.; Charles G. is a farmer of Rochester township, married to Miss Emma Fast, of Troy township, Ashland Co., Ohio; Cynthia is the wife of Thomas Landis, of Rochester. The mother of these died October 11, 1882, and was buried in Rochester cemetery; she was a member of the Lutheran Church. On February 2, 1885, Mr. Howard married Miss Emily Bowman, born April 18, 1835, in Green township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, a daughter of Joshua and Mary (Reed) Bowman, who came from Washington county, Penn., to Ohio, being among the first settlers of Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, at that time an unknown forest. Mrs. Howard, who is well educated and highly cultivated, taught district school no less than twenty-nine terms in Mahoning and Columbiana counties, Ohio. Mr. Howard's first purchase of land was seventy-five acres at eleven dollars per acre, which still forms a part of his splendid farm of over five hundred acres, lying partly in Lorain county, and partly in Huron. He is a typical self-made farmer, enjoying the most robust health, and still capable of doing a long day's work. In his political predilections he was originally a Whig, of later years a Republican, and has held the office of township trustee several years. Mrs. Howard, well-known, most popular and highly respected, is an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. GEORGE E. HILL. Prominent among the citizens of Ridgeville township, in both public and private life, stands this gentleman, who is a native of the county, born in Eaton township, October 16, 1852. Mr. Hill is a son of Edward and Jane (Gulliford) Hill, natives of England, who in the year 1849 immigrated to the United States, settling in Eaton township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where the father died September 10, 1889; the mother is yet residing at the old homestead. The subject of our sketch received a good practical education in the schools of his native township, and was reared to the arduous duties of the farm. In 1889 be left Eaton township, and moved to his present place in Ridgeville township, comprising some seventy-six acres of highly-cultivated land, the property being known as the "Homer Terrell Farm," though it was improved by Franklin Terrell. In 1874 he was married, in Columbia Center, Lorain county, to Miss Evalyn Terrell, a native of Ridgeville township,who was born July 26,1855, daughter of Homer and Mary (Kelley) Terrell, the former of whom was born on the farm now owned by our subject; the latter was born August 11, 1823, in Taunton, Mass.; the father died on his farm 958 - LORAIN COUNTY , OHIO. here August 16, 1888, the mother July 29, 1869. They were the parents of three children, namely: Evalyn (Mrs. Hill); Irving, born September 24, 1857, married, and residing in Ridgeville township; and Edward, born December 29, 1864, residing in Elyria. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hill settled on the Wescott farm in Eaton township, containing 148 acres prime land which he yet owns, and here remained till 1889, as already related. To them have been born five children, as follows: Freddie, born January 26, 1875, died March 16, 1875; George, born October 6, 1879, died March 24, 1880; Raymond, born June 14, 1881; Mary Jane, born January 23, 1884; and Ella E., born January 25, 1888. In politics our subject is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has served on the school board, and been trustee of Ridgeville township since 1889. A. BAKER, the well-known, wide-awake and enterprising clothier and tailor, of North Amherst, is a na-tive of Germany, born in Mechlen-burg May 22, 1857. At the age of ten years he came with his parents to the United States and to Illinois, where for about one year they lived on a farm near Mascontah, St. Clair county, after which they moved to town, where our subject attended school one year. About this time he was attacked with hip disease, which caused permanent lameness, although he went to St. Louis for treatment. The family then moved to Elyria, Ohio, and here Mr. Baker finished his school days in the German Lutheran Parochial School. He then commenced business life in a woolen factory, where he partly learned the cloth manufacturing business, which he would undoubtedly have followed but for his lameness. Having now learned how to make cloth, it was a natural transition for him to learn tailor-ing. He served two years with Moebius & Wimmers, and after they dissolved part-nership, Moebius came to Amherst, Mr. Baker remaining with Wimmers as a journeyman tailor, for another year. He then concluded to go to Cleveland for the purpose of learning more about his trade; and . after working for some of the best tailors in the city four years, he set out on a business tour throughout the States, in course of which he worked in Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, Omaha, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, Little Rock, Natchez, New Orleans, Mobile, then back to New Orleans, thence down to Houston, . Texas. After this he returned home to spend Christmas, and then traveled east, stopping for a time in New York to attend a cutting school, and before he had quite finished was given a situation on Third avenue as cutter. While holding this latter position he attended the Peter Cooper Institute in the evening. On ac-count of his widowed mother, who was still living in Elyria, he came nearer home, and accepted a position as cutter in Clyde, Ohio; after about five months he secured a position as cutter in Cleveland. Not being satisfied with this situation of things, Mr. Baker concluded to start in business for himself, and after many trials and difficulties, all of which he bravely over-came, in the fall of 1882, at the age of twenty-five, he opened up, in Elyria, a merchant tailoring establishment with a capital of three dollars, and a line of woolen samples furnished by a Cleveland woolen house. This was in a room upstairs in the M. W. Pond building, opposite the old " Beebe House," and here he remained about two years; then moved in the old Perry building, where now stands the elegant Sharp block. Here he remained about three years, by which time, with hard work and economy, he had saved LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 959 enough to build him a nice house on Middle avenue. He now traded his property for a clothing store in North Amherst, with his old boss, Mr. Moebius. It is here that Mr. Baker begins to take an active part in business and public affairs. He talks and writes in public, and often differs with men, but he has the respect of his community for honesty and fairness. He is a hard worker, and although he should now have all his work done, he still sticks to the work-bench, and in a little time-book to advertise his business he writes and encourages all laboring men to economize, and tells them that he himself never thought that he would some day be able to buy out his boss. He is yet in the prime of life, and unless some unforeseen misfortune overtakes him, we predict for him a prosperous future. We know that the men who move onward step by step are the safest and surest in the long run. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Rosenwald, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and five children have been born to them, viz.: Mabel, Cora, Alphabet, Lillie and Esther. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he is very active in municipal and county affairs. In 1891 he built a block in North Amherst, two stories in height, of which he occupies one of the lower rooms, rents the other, while the upper room, a hall, is occupied by Jaeger Lodge, I. O. O. F. D. C. BUNT, a systematic farmer of Penfield township, was born August 19, 1832, in Jefferson county, N.Y., a son of George Bunt, who was a native of eastern New York. His father came from Holland, and died when George was but six years old. George Bunt was married in early manhood to Elizabeth Cottrell, and followed farming in his native State, where children as follows were born to him: Stephen, Philip, Henry, and David C., our subject, who is the only survivor. In 1833 the family removed to Ohio, corning by water to Cleveland, and thence being driven to LaGrange township, where Mr. Bunt rented land for six years; and while living there one child was added to the family, Lucy Ann, who married Alvin Nichols and died in Michigan. He then purchased, at six dollars per acre, twenty-five acres of land in Penfield township where our subject now resides, settling thereon in February, 1839, at which time the place was entirely in the woods, and abounded with wild animals. At the time of their coming there was no bridge over the stream which they were obliged to cross en, route to Penfield township, but they contrived to float over. Mr. Bunt lived to the ripe old age of eighty-eight years, preceded to the grave by his wife, who passed away when aged seventy-two; both are buried in Penfield township cemetery. In religious connection they were members of the M. E. Church, and in politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican. D. C. Bunt was but an infant when brought by his parents to Ohio, and received such an education as the common schools of those pioneer days afforded, his first teacher being Caroline Blanchard. On April 14, 1859, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Mosher, who was born August 29, 1842, in New York State, daughter of Elihu and Rebecca (Freeman) Mosher, who came to Ohio in 1844, settling in LaGrange township, Lorain county, where the father, who was a cooper, followed his trade. Our subject held an interest in some land with his father, with whom he took up his residence after marriage, and here, with the exception of four years, he has ever since resided. Though having but twelve acres at the start, he now owns a fine tract of 170 acres, highly improved and cultivated, whereon he has erected a number of substantial buildings. 960 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. and Mrs. Bunt have had four children, as follows: Josephine, who died at the age of fifteen years; Grant W., of New Mex-ico; Frank C., who died when twenty-one years of age; and Elmer M., residing at home. Mr. Bunt has been engaged all his life in agriculture, of' which he has a thorough knowledge, and for some time also conducted a dairy business; he has been successful in the full sense of the word. He and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church, and in his political pref-erences he is a stanch Republican; his first vote was cast for John C. Fremont. He is actively interested in the welfare of his party, and has served as trustee and in various other township offices. He is very popular and highly respected and esteemed in his community. W. R. McCONNELL, owner of a highly-cultivated farm in Rochester township, where he is well and favorably known, is a native of New York State, born in Belfast township, Allegany county, December 17, 1825. His father, James McConnell, was born in Yates county, N. Y., where he was reared to pioneer farming, and in early manhood married Miss Margaret Rooraback, daughter of John Rooraback. The children of this union, eight in number, were as follows: Martha, who married Jonathan Bridge, and died in Quincy, Mich.; Mary, who married John Corey, and died in Quincy, Mich.; Nancy, who married Amos Darby, and died in New London, Ohio; Betsy, who married Henry Close, and died in Williams county, Ohio; Alexander, deceased in Clyde, Ohio; John, a soldier in the Civil war, who enlisted from Williams county, Ohio, and died in Rochester township at the home of our subject; W. R., whose name heads this sketch; and Jane, who married John Rooraback, and died in New London, Ohio. After marriage James McConnell and his bride moved to Allegany county, N. Y., where for some years he conducted a farm, small in extent, as he was a man of but limited means. In 1833 the family came to Ohio, making a fresh home in New London township, Huron county, where Alexander, a brother of James Mc-Connell, as well as several brothers-in-law, had previously made a settlement. The family made the long journey, which was a tedious one of three weeks' duration, by wagons to Buffalo, thence to Elyria, Lorain county, thence to Wakeman, Huron county, and from there to New London township, where the father bought fifty-six acres of land at five dollars per acre. The family found a temporary home at Alexander McConnell's, while a rude log cabin was being built for their reception, kind hearted and willing neighbors giving all the assistance in their power toward its completion. The land was entirely new, not a tree having been cut from the dense growth of beech, maple and black walnut, and wild animals were abundant; but bravely did the family set to work to make a clearing, and before long they had a small tract ready for a garden which the following spring produced divers kinds of vegetable foods. Coming to the new home in October, there was no time to grow any of the necessaries of life that year, and the entire support of the family for the ensuing winter fell on the father. For two days' labor for a neighbor he received a bushel of corn, which he had to carry to a mill in Ruggles township to be ground, his journey there and back taking him along the Vermillion river. The first corn he planted on his farm was dropped into a " gash " made in the soil with an old axe, but it grew, ripened, -and was harvested, and was found to make a few grists from which some sturdy johnny-cakes were made. The abundance of sugar maples around the clearing afforded them, by tapping, some revenue, and game being plentiful, there was after a time no lack of LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 961 provisions of all kinds. On this farm they lived till 1849, in which year they removed to Rochester township, settling on the 100-acre tract where yet lives the subject of this sketch. Here James McConnell, the brave pioneer, died September 28, 1867, his loving and faithful wife having preceded him. to the grave October 28, 1862; they sleep their last sleep in New London cemetery. Politically James McConnell was a stanch Democrat, and in Church connection he and his wife were devout Methodists. W. R. McConnell, whose name opens this sketch, received but a limited education in his boyhood at the subscription schools, and in later life, when other educational systems were introduced, he attended school a short time longer, but he was a studious youth, an apt scholar, and garnered not a little useful practical instruction. Reared to pioneer habits and cus toms, when but a young boy he was put to work at chopping in the clearing, experiencing all the hardships incident to backwoods life. On February 26, 1852, he married Miss Lydia L. Carvy, born May 3, 1833, in Rochester township, a daughter of William and Eunice (Thomas) Carvy, early settlers in that township from New York State. The young couple then took up their residence in a 14 x 18 addition of logs, built to the old home cabin of his parents on the 100-acre farm already alluded to. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. R. McConnell were as follows: Stewart N.; a farmer of Rochester township; Newell J., who died of diphtheria at the age of eleven years; Edwin L., a farmer of Rochester township; Etta L., at home; Ransom C., at home; Newell C., who attended Berea (Ohio) College, deceased when twenty-three years old; and Nellie E., at borne. Mr. McConnell has now 410 acres of as fine farm land as can be found in the county, representing, in the aggregate, years of honest toil, good management and judicious thrift. Besides the cereal and root crops he for some years was extensively engaged in dairying, and lre has always made the rearing of sheep a specialty. A. straight Whig and Republican, his first vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and he has never missed his franchise at the polls except once, on which occasion he was visiting outside the State. Popular in his party and the community at large, he has been entrusted with various township offices, such as justice of the peace and trustee, filling all with characteristic ability and honesty. D. C. HOLLADAY, a retired agriculturist of Grafton township, was born October 25, 1827, in Berkshire county, Mass., son of James Holladay, also a native of Berkshire county, where he followed farming. James Holladay served four years in the Revolutionary war, and justly deserved a place among the patriots. When forty-five years of age he was married to Mary Gibson, and to their union was born one child, D. C., the subject of this memoir. The mother died in December, 1827, the father in 1829, and both are buried in Massachusetts. The subject of these lines was reared by a maiden aunt, Ruth Holladay, who died in 1856, in Salt Lake City, Utah, whither she had gone to pass her declining years. When seven years old he came west to Ohio with his aunt and an uncle, Moses Holladay, the journey being made by canal and lake as far as Cleveland, whence they were driven to Litchfield, Medina county, where they settled. Mr. Holladay was early put to farm work, and attended school but little in Medina county, as the schoolhouse was four miles distant. He was subsequently reared by relatives who came to Grafton township, Lorain county, in 1836, and resided at Kingsley's Corners, remaining with them until twenty-one years of age. He was soon afterward united in marriage with Miss Roxina Sheldon, who was born 962 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO in Johnstown, Penn., and they became the parents of two children, namely: Alvira, Mrs. James Tucker, of Eaton township, and Erastus, on the home farm in Grafton township. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Holladay purchased the farm he yet resides on, where he was for many years success-fully engaged in general agriculture; of late years, however, he has retired from active farm work-, leaving the management of the place to his son. Mrs. Holladay passed from earth February 17, 1886, and her remains are interred in Nesbit cemetery. Our subject is a stanch member of the Democratic party, but has no desire for political preferments, having declined to serve as justice of the peace. Mr. Holladay is an excellent type of those sturdy old pioneers who have passed their lives in Grafton township, to whom too much credit cannot be given for the assistance they have rendered in the im-provement and advancement of the coun-try. He has seen the dense forest give place to fertile fields of grain, and has himself been instrumental in effecting these changes. WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, an enterprising agriculturist, and representative citizen of LaGrange township, is the oldest male representative of his father's family, which is one of the most prominent in Lorain county. He was born May 30, 1834, in LaGrange township, a son of Hon. Nathan Porter and Laura (Waite) Johnson. Hon. Nathan P. Johnson was of New England stock, his parents, Stephen and Phebe Johnson, having been born in Old Haddam, Conn., whence in 1785 they removed to Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., finally in April, 1801, migrating to Champion, Jefferson Co., same State. Nathan P. was born in Hartford, N. Y., January 30, 1801, and was, as will be seen, an infant when his parents removed to Jefferson county. He received but a limited education, the schools of those early days being very primitive in their character, but being an apt scholar, and of a bright and studious disposition, he made wonderful progress. In Jefferson county he was married October 20, 1822, to Miss Laura Waite, who was born in February, 1804, in Champion,,N. Y., a daughter of Dorastus and Sally (McNitt) Waite. While residing in New York State the following children were born to them, their names, dates of birth, etc., being given: Sarah L., September 14, 1823, now living in LaGrange, the widow of William F. Hubbard; William H., Sep-tember 19, 1825, died October 11, 1829; Cynthia A., September 25, 1827, wife of Charles A. Wilcox, of LaGrange; Mary L., June 29, 1830. now the widow of Spencer Lincoln, of LaGrange; and Phoebe M., April 24, 1832, married Henry Sterrot, and died April 4, 1866. In Ohio were born as follows: William H. (subject of sketch); Elizur G., November 24, 1836, living in Elyria; Ellen M., January 25, 1840, married Henry Noble, and died in LaGrange; and Ann Eliza, February 11, 1842, twice married, first time to Andrew J. Lemore, second time to Harry Nichols, and died in New York State December 4, 1869. In 1833 Nathan P. Johnson traded land in New York State for a tract in Lorain county, Ohio; in November, same year, came here with his family, a two horse wagon conveying them, while their house-hold effects were transported by water as far as Cleveland. The journey occupied twenty-one days, and on their arrival in Lorain county they made their temporary home at the house of Sylvester Merriams, a brother-in-law of Nathan Johnson. In the meantime a log house was erected on the farm south of the center of LaGrange township, into which, when completed, the family removed. Mr. Johnson was originally an ardent Whig of the old LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 963 school, later a Republican, and was elected to the Legislature in 1844, reelected in 1845; was a member of the Ohio Senate, 1847-48, from the Districts composed of Lorain and Medina counties; was, after his removal in 1862 to the village of LaGrange, appointed postmaster there by Abraham Lincoln; in fact he was a thoroughly representative man, a useful citizen, honored and respected. He died December 22, 1874, and was interred in LaGrange cemetery. At the time of his death he was a member of the Methodist Church, but was in the earlier days of his life a Congregationalist. Mr. Johnson's first wife died in 1846, and he afterward married Miss Mary Hart, of Elyria, by whom there was no issue. William H. Johnson, whose name opens this sketch, received his primary education at the common schools of his township, his sister Sarah L. being his first teacher, and, later, he attended the higher schools of Oberlin and Elyria. He was reared to farming pursuits, and lived on his father's farm until his marriage, at which time he moved to his fine property situated south of LaGrange, and there remained till 1891, in which year he came to his farm, lying in the center of LaGrange township, and which comprises 141 acres prime land, highly cultivated. On September 15, 1856, Mr. Johnson married Miss Mary A. Parsons, born in Windham, Portage county, Ohio, and two 'children were born to them: Laura V., now wife of M. W. Ingalls, and Mary A., at home. The mother of these was called from earth- in 1860, and in 1862 our subject married Mrs. Lucy H. Bruce (nee Bradley), widow of O. Bruce. By this union there were three children, viz.: William H. (1) (deceased in infancy), William H. (2) (also died in infancy), and Anita S., now Mrs. C. H. Curtis, of Berea, Ohio. In politics Mr. Johnson is a leader in the ranks of. the Republican party, and has held various township offices with credit and ability, such as assessor, trustee, etc. Formerly he was a Congregationalist, but of late years he has been a member of the M. E. Church, in which he is a class-leader. He is remarkably temperate in his habits, never having used tobacco in any form, and alcoholic liquor only occasionally for its medicinal properties. R. B. BELDEN is a native of Lorain county, born in Brownhelm township in 1846. His father, Martin Belden, was a native of Landisfield, Mass., born in 1810, and was married May 1, 1833, in Colebrook, Conn., to Eliza Murray, who was born in Delhi, N. Y., in 1811. In 1834 they came to Lorain county, Ohio, locating in Amherst township till 1842, in which year they moved to Brownhelm township, same county, and in 1854 proceeded to the village of North Amherst, where for two years the father was engaged in the dry-goods business. In 1860 they moved to Wood county, Ohio, where they resided till` 1872, in which year they returned to Lorain county. The father died November 6, 1888; he was a Democrat and served as county commissioner. The mother is yet living. They had a family of eight children, four of whom are yet living, namely: Eliza Ann, wife of Albert Aldrich, of East Amherst, Ohio; Prudence B., a graduate of the University of Philadelphia, who is a practicing physician in Chicago, Ill.; R. B., the subject of sketch; Clara L., the wife of Warren Bulsey, a druggist of Napoleon, Henry Co., Ohio. R. B. Belden received his education at the public schools of North Amherst, and was reared to farming pursuits, which he has successfully followed. He has resided in Lorain county all his life with the exception of nine years spent in Trumbull and Portage counties, Ohio, where he was engaged in the cheese business. He now devotes his attention exclusively to his farming interests. 964 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. On April 20, 1887, Mr. Belden was united in marriage with Mrs. Arthur Carr, a native of Huron county, Ohio, daughter of Robert and Mary (Wright) Curtis, the former of whom was born in Vermont, the latter in New York State. Robert Curtis came to Huron county, Ohio, locating in North Fairfield township, where he kept hotel; lie died in 1873 in the village of North Fairfield. His wife had passed away in 1866. Mr. Belden is a Democrat, and has served as trustee of Amherst. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Stonin ton Lodge No. 503, and of the I. O. O. F., Plato Lodge, No. 203, having passed all the Chairs. Mrs. Belden is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, Lodge No. 257, of which she is a charter member; she is also a rnern ber of the Ladies of the Maccabees. J. T. HENDERSON. The Oberlin Business College has for many years held an exalted place among the business schools of this country, and many young men and women, now prominent in the business world or as teachers, received their training in this school. We are pleased to be able to present to the readers of this book a brief biography of J. T. Henderson, whose portrait appears upon the opposite page, and whose ability as a teacher, good judgment and character as a man have had much to do in building up this useful school. About four miles north of McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, is found a quiet country home, surrounded by fertile hills and valleys, in which was born the subject of this sketch May 18, 1862. He is the son of John and Cecelia (Richardson) Henderson, also natives of the Buckeye State, the former of whom died in Morgan county in 1884, where his widow is yet residing. His early life was very much as that of other country boys, the summers being spent in work upon the farm, and the winters in the district school, except that he early manifested an unusual interest in his studies, and made such rapid progress in them that before he was sixteen years old he had secured a county teacher's certificate. This opened the way for him to a broader and more useful life, and after this the farm had little attraction for him. He began teaching when seventeen years old, and continued to teach in country schools for several years, with a degree of success not often attained by even older instructors. As evidence of this success, he was retained in his first school seven terms. During these years lie developed an extraordinary fondness for fine writing, and, by long and faithful practice, considerable ability to execute the same. To gratify this fondness, and to improve himself in this chosen profession, he was induced to attend the Muskingum Valley Normal School for four summers in succession. This school was under the able manage-merit of Prof. Jacob Schwartz, for twenty years superintendent of penmanship in the public schools of Zanesville, Ohio. This gentleman was a penman of rare ability, and to his competence as a teacher is due the great number of penmen and business educators which Morgan county has produced. As might well be supposed. in this association Mr. Henderson found plenty of fuel for his burning passion for penmanship, and his indefatigable labors were rewarded at the close of the last term by receiving the prize for being the best penman in the school, consisting of about one hundred competitors. This seems to have been the flood-tide in the affairs of this energetic young man, for the prize was a scholarship in the Zanesville Business College. We find that Mr. Henderson completed the business course in this institution in the spring of 1883, thereby climbing one round higher on the ladder which has brought him such abundant success. The summer of 1883 was spent in traveling through different parts of the LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 967 East, visiting Chautauqua, Niagara Falls, Ocean Grove, Coney Island, Asbury Park, Long Branch, New York and other cities, a part of his expenses being defrayed by card writing at the summer resorts. The year 1883-1884 found our subject occupying his first position as teacher of commercial branches in Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio. While connected with this college he devoted his spare time to further study, completing such branches as Geometry, English Literature, Rhetoric, etc. Pres. Schuyler says of his work in this institution : "He understands his business, is an excellent teacher and a worthy man." During the latter part of this year he was employed in the First National Bank of that city as bookkeeper, which position was filled ably and to the entire satisfaction of the management of the bank. The dream of his life now began to take definite shape, and possessing a mind quick to perceive and ready to appropriate useful information, he here obtained much practical knowledge that has been of inestimable value to him in the work upon which he was soon to enter—that of a business educator. In the fall of 1884 he purchased of Uriah McKee a half-interest in the Oberlin Business College, and since that time he has devoted his whole time and energy to building up and improving this old and well-known institution. Business education has had an interesting history in Oberlin. The history of such work dates back to the very earliest period when such instruction was given anywhere, and many men who are now occupying eminent places in the world have been associated with the work in this place as teachers, among whom we might mention William Warren, author of the Warrenian System of Penmanship; Platt R. Spencer, author of the Spencerian System of Penmanship, now famous the world over; Charles Griffeth, S. S. Calkins, Drake Brothers, Platt R. Spencer, Jr., W. F. Lyon, Mr. Howland, Mr. Cobb, U. McKee, and many others. It was the mantle of such men as these that fell upon the shoulders of Mr. Henderson, who has for ten years demonstrated his ability .to carry to a successful issue the work for which these men laid the foundation. In June, 1885, he was united in marriage in Morgan county,. Ohio, with Miss Ada Lawrence, a native of that county, and four children have been born to them : Fred (who died at the age of four years), Elmer Clinton, Harold Lawrence and Alice Estelle. In politics Mr. Henderson is a Republican-Prohibitionist, and he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, of which he is treasurer, as well as assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. The partnership between McKee and Henderson continued until June, 1892, when Mr. McKee was compelled to with, draw from the school on account of failing health, his entire interest being purchased by the junior member of the firm, who since that time has had the entire management of the institution. Since Principal Henderson was first associated with the Oberlin Business College, the patronage has almost doubled, and its present prominent position among similar colleges is largely due to his untiring efforts. He has been a close student of all subjects bearing upon his work, and for several years has been giving his students the benefit of his researches, in what is termed the " Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Course," when such subjects as "Elements of Success in Life," " Life Insurance," " Building and Loan Associations," " Our Domestic System of Exchange," " Post Offrce Money Order System," " Banking," " New York Clearing House," etc., are discussed in a manner which has long been popular with the students, not so much because of rhetorical flourish as because of the abundant practical information contained. Mr. Henderson takes a deep interest in the welfare of the community, and occupies a high place in the estimation of his 968 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. fellow citizens. The mayor of Oberlin said of him recently: " He is known here as an upright and conscientious teacher, a patriotic citizen, and an enthusiastic worker in the Church and benevolent Societies of the place." For several years he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Oberlin Y. M. C. A., and for some time past an efficient member of the Board of Health. He is also a member of the Executive Board of Associated Charities for Oberlin, and has recently been elected a member of the Board of Education. His superior skill as a penman, his practical experience in the banking business, together with his ability as a teacher and character as a man, render him an able instructor in the college over which he presides, a useful citizen in the community in which he lives, and place him in the front rank of business educators of the present time. REV. NICHOLAS PFEIL, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Avon, was born November 4, 1859, in Cleveland, on the so-called West Side, formerly known as Ohio City. The house in which he for the first time saw the light of day is still standing on the southeast corner of the intersection of Penn and Chatham streets. He is the second youngest of seven children—five boys and two girls—all of whom with their parents are still among the living. They reside in and about Cleveland, except his youngest brother, who at present is sojourning in England, near Liverpool, being a priest of the Society of Jesus. His parents were among the pioneers of Cleveland, having immigrated in the fall of 1847. They came from the northern part of Baden, in Germany, and are descendants of that loyal race of sturdy Franks, who through all the storms of centuries remained faithful to the Catholic Church, ever since the days of Franconia's apostle, St. Kilian, who, in the latter part of the seventh century, converted the Franconian people from heathenism to catholicity. His father, Lawrence Pfeil, hails from the town of Koenigsheim on the Tauber, and his mother, whose maiden name was Franciska Reinhart, comes from Gissigheim, a picturesque little village in the uplands of the so-called Taubergrund. Lawrence Pfeil was a baker by profession, and upon arriving in Cleveland began to ply his trade for a time; but, seeing that ship carpenters were in greater demand and better paid, he joined their ranks, to earn a living for his little family. After several years of trials, sickness and suffering, which were the common lot of pioneers in those terrible days of fever and agile, he, being assisted by his saving and diligent wife, succeeded in acquiring a little home on Pear street hill. Later on he invested his hard-earned savings in a more comfortable home on Chatham street. Here the subject of this sketch spent his early youth, watched over by a pious mother who taught him the first knowledge of God, and folded his hands in childlike prayer. Whet] seven years of age, he was sent to St. Mary's school on Jersey street, then as now taught by the Christian Brothers of Dayton, who enjoy a wide reputation as clever teachers. In the latter part of the " sixties," the family removed from Chatham street on to a little farm near the crossing of Lorain and Henley streets. Though the distance to the parochial school was now three miles, the subject of this sketch very seldom missed a day, despite rain and storm, footing it regularly there and back, summer and winter, and often through what now-a-days would be called impassible roads. From his eleventh year on he attended St. Stephen's school, which was opened on Courtland street in the spring of 1870. Here, in 1872, he made his First Communion under the guidance and direction of a pious and zealous pastor, the Rev. LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 969 Casimir Reichlin, for whom he entertains filial affection and devotion to this day. For, next to the grace of God, it was, in great measure, owing to the beautiful, priestly life of this good man that he gradually felt an earnest desire of consecrating himself one day to the service of God by entering the priesthood. Agreeably to his request, Nicholas, with his younger brother, was sent by his parents, in the fall of 1873, to Conjoins College, Buffalo, N. Y., under the able management of the Jesuit Fathers, where, for five years, he applied himself closely to the study of Christian doctrine, Latin, Greek, German, English, French, mathematics and other branches usually taught during a collegiate course. He was graduated in June, 1878, and the following September entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary on Lake street, Cleveland. Here he remained five years, studying philosophy and theology, church history, exegesis, canon law, rubrics, etc., in preparation for the reception of Holy Orders—the dream of his life. After so many years of patient and laborious study he received minor orders on the 17th of March, subdeaconship on the 17th, and deaconship on the 18th day of May, and priesthood on the 1st of July, 1883, being then in his twenty-fourth year. On the following Sunday, -July 8, he celebrated his first public Mass in St. Stephen's Church, amidst great solemnity and a vast outpouring of people, who had known him from boyhood days up. His first pastoral charge was St. Patrick's congregation, Hubbard, Trumbull county, where he remained seven months, when he was transferred to the 'pastorate of Holy Trinity congregation, Avon, Lorain county. It is now closely upon ten years that he has directed the temporal and spiritual affairs of this congregation, having arrived February 29, 1884. During this period he also attended St. Peter's congregation, North Ridgeville, for somewhat over four years, holding services in both congregations every Sunday and Holy-day. He is now solely pastor of Avon, having been relieved of the arduous work of the Ridgeville mission by Bishop Horstmann, November 12, 1893. The present pastor of Trinity Church loves to spend his leisure moments in his library among his books. He is fond of solitude because of the opportunity it affords him for reading and mental improvement, but he also loves the company of his friends, and highly appreciates a good joke when he hears it. Although born in the city, he prefers to live. in the country, regards with affection its plain people and their simplicity of life, delights in flowers and birds, and is passionately fond of music. His great pleasure, however, is to come to the relief of some poor suffering soul, and is ever ready, at any hour of the day or night, to exercise his priestly ministrations. J. M. VANTILBURG, M. D., a popular physician and surgeon of Lorain, was born January 19, 1849, in Ashland county, Ohio, and is descended from one of the early pioneer families of that county. His grandfather, Daniel Vantilburg, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, and in 1812 entered land in Ashland county, same State. He returned to Jefferson county, where he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Clinton, and in 1813 settled permanently in Ashland county, where lie became a prominent citizen, residing on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1866. He took part in the war of 1812, serving six months in an Ohio regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Vantilburg reared a family of six children—three sons and three daughters; two of the sons, John and Henry (twins), are practicing physicians in Ashland county. The Van- 970 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. tilburg family was originally from Holland, and Grandfather Vantilburg was of Pennsylvania German descent. Daniel Vantilburg, son of this old pioneer, was born on the farm in Ashland county (one mile south of Ashland), where he passed his entire life. He was married in Jefferson county, this State, to Miss Clarinda Myers, a native of same, and they had a family of four children (three yet living), namely: Margaret, who was married to Dr. Charles Campbell, of Ashland, and died in 1879; J. M., subject of sketch; William, residing at Ashland, and George, living on the home farm in Ashland county. The father of this family died in 1878, in Ashland county, where his widow still resides. J. M. Vantilbnrg was reared in his native county, and received his education in the common schools of Ashland and in the college at Hayesville. In 1864 he enlisted, for three years or during the war, in Company G, Twenty-third O. V. I., under Gen. R. B. Hayes, Captain William McKinley (afterward Governor McKinley). He was mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, being assigned to the army of West Virginia, and participated in the engagement of Cedar Creek and in many skir mishes. He was honorably discharged at Cumberland, Md., in July, 1865, and returned to his home in Ashland county, Ohio. In 1885 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and in October, 1888, came to Lorain, Lorain county, where he has since made his home, actively engaged in the duties of his profession. From 1881 to 1883 the Doctor resided in western Texas and Mexico, assisting for some time in the construction of the Texas and Pacific Railroad from Ft. Worth west. For nine months he was engaged on the construction of the Mexican Central Railroad, from El Paso to Zacatecas, and then located for a short time in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, after which he returned to Ashland county. Socially Dr. Vantilburg is a member of Q. A. Gillmore Post No. 752, G. A. R., and has been commander of same since its organization (this post at the present writing has twenty-three members); he is also a member of Woodland Lodge No. 226, K. of P., of Uniformed Rank No. 117 Loyal Legion, and Lorain Lodge No. 552, F. and A. M. For many years he has been a member of the Ohio National Guards, of which he was the first lieutenant. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as member of the town council. JOHN SAYE, farmer and keeper of boarding stable, Ridgeville township, is an Englishman by birth, born December 7, 1839, in Yorkshire, a son of James and Ann (Colley) Saye, of the same county, where they married. In 1850 they came to the United States, crossing the ocean in six weeks, and from their port of landing came westward to Ohio, taking the Hudson river, Erie Canal and Lake Erie to Cleveland, thence proceeding by wagon to their destination— Eaton township, Lorain Bounty, where they lived many years; they died in Ridgeville township, the father in February, 1881, the mother in 1871. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living, viz.: Watson, residing in Ridgeville township; Ann. widow of Albert Adams, of Saginaw, Mich.; Harriet, wife of John Watson, of Ridgeville township; Mary, wife of Ambrose Snow, of California; John, our subject; and Hannah, widow of Joseph Peterson, of Berea, Ohio. John Saye, whose name introduces this sketch, was a boy when he came with the rest of the family to America, and his education was received partly in England and partlyin Ridgeville township, Lorain county, where he was also trained to agricultural pursuits. In 1872 he bought his present fine farm of forty-five acres in Ridgeville township, and here he has since been successfully LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 971 gaged in general farming and boarding horses, in connection with which latter branch of his business he has had the care of horses of all kinds, from various parts of the county. Mr. Saye has been twice married: first time in 1863 to Miss Miriam Parker, a native of Henrietta township, Lorain county, by which union were born three children—all daughters—viz.: Amy, Ella (wife of Douglas Proudfoot; they have one child, Lester), and Miriam. The mother of these died in, 1879, and in 1883 Mr. Saye married Miss Ellen Gayton, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. In politics our subject is a Republican, and he is one of the useful, loyal citizens of his locality. LORRIN EMMONS, member of an early pioneer family of Ridgeville township, is a native of same, born in December, 1823, son of Chauncey and Charlotte (Porter) Emmons. The parents of our subject were both natives of Connecticut, the mother born August 26, 1789, and in 1810 they migrated westward, coming with an ox-team to Lorain county, Ohio, where they passed the rest of their long lives. They located in Ridgeville township, first on Butternut Ridge, and subsequently on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch. Chauncey Emmons took an active interest in the politics of the day. His death occurred in Ridgeville township, June 24, 1874, his wife dying September 21, 1847. These pioneers reared a family of eight children, a brief record of whom follows: Marina was first married to Newton Adams, and is now the wife of Mr. Brandy-burg; they live in Lansing, Mich. Beecher Porter removed to Missouri, where he died in 1890. Caroline is the widow of Frederick Hall, of Olean, N. Y. Susan is the widow of David Brainerd, of Wisconsin. Edmond died in Lorain country, is the subject of this biographical memoir. Harlow Chauncey resided the greater part of his life in Elyria; his death occurred in St. Paul, Minn. Spencer died in Elyria. Lorrin Emmons was reared in his native township, and received his education in the common schools of Ridgeville Center. He has made farming his life vocation, and now owns the old homestead of twenty-five acres, to which he has added twenty-five more, making a fine farm of fifty acres in a high state of cultivation. On March 27, 1849, Mr. Emmons was married, in Ridgeville township, to Miss Mary Burrell, daughter of Higby and Ann (Conrad) Burrell, natives of New York State, who in an early day came to Lorain county, Ohio; the father died in Ridgeville township at the age of eighty-one, the mother many years before. To Mr. and Mrs. Lorrin Emmons have come four children, namely: Lois, wife of Orrin Herrick, of Cleveland, has four children; Ada A., who married Elson Dye, died in January, 1893, leaving two children; Alice, wife of Howard Knevels, of Elkhart, Ind.; and Arthur L., married and living in Omaha, Neb., in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr. Emmons is a member of the Democratic party, and has been elected to the offices of assessor and trustee of his township, serving in the latter position many years. lie and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. S. H. SHAW, a leading agriculturist of Ridgeville township, and a representative citizen, is a native of New York State, born in Bristol township, Ontario county, in 1829, a son of Samuel and Charlotte (Hale) Shaw, also natives of the Empire State. In the fall of 1829 the family migrated to Ohio, making a settlement in Bath township, Summit county, the fourth or fifth family to come into that locality. 972 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO Here the father died January 31, 1837, and in 1839 his widow married Lyman Doolittle, who died in Summit county, Ohio. To Samuel and Charlotte Shaw were born six children, as follows: Allen, who died young; S. H., our subject; Corinthia, who died young; Lorenzo, who mar-ried and lived in Summit county, died about 1890; Dency, who married Walter Simmons, and moved to Medina county, died in September, 1891 (he died in September, 1890); and Richmond, married, residing in Bath township, Summit county. By the mother's second marriage there were five children, to wit: Eliza, who married William Wylie (they came to Ridgeville township, where she died in 1875); Erwin, who died young; Lucy, who died young; Orpha, wife of Virgil R. Shaw, living on the old home; and Genevieve, wife of Virgil E. Shaw, also residing on the old homestead. The subject proper of this sketch received a liberal education at the common schools of his boyhood home, and was reared to farming pursuits. In 1851 he came from Summit county, Ohio, to Ridgeville township, Lorain county, where he cleared a farm from out of the woods, at a time when wild animals, including all kinds of game, were yet plentiful. He bought eighteen acres of land, and after improving it sold out and moved into Medina county, where he resided till 1856; then returned to Lorain county and bought a ten -acre tract of wild timber land, which he cleared, and from time to time added to till now he is the owner of sixty-five acres all in a good state of cultivation. He has a comfortable residence, ample barn and other outbuildings, and confines himself now exclusively to mixed farming, although at one time he worked at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner, and for twelve years followed the business of building mover. In 1851 Mr. Shaw was married, in Sum-mit county, to Miss Juliette Wylie, a native of Erie, Penn., and daughter of Joseph and Anna (Shaw) Wylie, both of Connecticut birth, who in an early day moved to Erie, Penn., and thence in 1839 to Summit county, Ohio, locating in Bath township. The father died in Erie in 1838, the mother in Ridgeville township, Lorain county, in 1872. Their -family, seven in number, were as follows: Andrew, who has resided on his present farm in Medina county since 1848; Mary Ann, wife of Isaac Warren, residing in Oklahoma; Warren, who died young; William, deceased in 1887 in Ridgeville; Favian; Jane, who died young; and Juliette, Mrs. Shaw. To Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Shaw were born seven children, a brief record of whom is as follows: Zimri, agent at Shawville, where he resides, is married and has two sons, Archer and Stanley; Arthur, agent at Olmsted Falls, is married and has one son, Glenn; Dora died at the age of two years; Diana, wife of Lafayette Phillips, residing in Carbon, Ind., has one son, Claude; Oscar, married, resides in Clarksville, Tenn. (he has two children, Hattie and Cecil); Alfaretta, wife of Morris Bills, residing at Collins, Ohio, has two children, Grace and Stella; Lola is a graduate of Elyria High School. Po-litically our subject is an ardent Republi-can, and has served as township trustee and in other offices of trust. At one time there was in Ridgeville township a post-office, Shawville, named for the family, which was changed, however, but there is still a station on the L. S. & M. S. R. R. of that name. WILLIAM F. ESKERT. Among the well-known agriculturists of Elyria township stands prominent this gentleman. He is a native of Boston, Mass., born July 26, 1849, a son of George and Elizabeth (Abbenzeller) Eskert, who came from Germany to the United States, and were married in Bos-ton, Mass. The father, who was a rope maker by trade, died at the early age of twenty-nine years; the mother is yet living in Elyria. LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 973 The subject of this sketch received his education in Boston, and learned the trade of boiler maker, which he followed in his native city till 1868, in which year he came to Lorain county, and commenced farming, a vocation he has time prospered in. He has been a member of the board of County Infirmary directors since 1890, having been elected on the Republican ticket, and he was trustee of Elyria township for several years. On April 30, 1870, Mr. Eskert married Miss Frances Hoadley, daughter of Luther and Hannah (Smith) Hoadley, who are among the oldest pioneers of Lorain county. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eskert: Helen, wife of Allen E. Griffin, of Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Eskert is a member of the F. & A. M. HENRY WARNER was born October 17, 1801, in Middletown, Middlesex Co., Conn. On April 21, 1825, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Whitcom, of Wayne county, N. Y., by which union there were eleven children, viz.: William H,, John V., Esther A., Maria J., Malita A., Augustus A., Jerome B., Cyrenius P., Vandalia S., Irving N., and Valeria E., two of whom are living, Augustus A. and Cyrenius P. The subject of this memoir moved to Brownhelm, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1847, having previously purchased the stone quarry now owned by the Worthington Brothers. From this quarry he shipped, it is believed, the first stone that was shipped from Lorain county; this shipment was to Canada. Some time in 1854 or 1855 he was associated with Baxter Clough in the quarry business, and was owner of the Haldeman quarry in 1859. He spent his days on the farm where he died, which is now owned and occupied by his son-in law, S. R. Miller, and located about one mile west of North Amherst village, on the Lake Shore Sr Michigan. Southern Railroad. Mr. Warner died January 25, 1876, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. His wife died August 25, 1872. HENRY FOWL, one of the representative native-born agriculturists of Lorain county, first opened his eyes to the light of day in Amherst township in 1843. His father, Henry Fowl, came from Germany to Ohio when about eleven years old, with his father, Godfrey Fowl, and for a year they had their residence in Cleveland, thence moving to Amherst township, Lorain county. Here Henry Fowl remained till 1864, when he came to Elyria township, settling on the farm now occupied by our subject. He married Miss Sarah E. Baker, who came to Lorain county when five years old, and they reared a family of eight children, of whom the following is a brief record: Henry is the subject of this sketch; Charles E. is on a farm in Elyria township ; Catherine, the wife of L. Haserodt, of Elyria, died March 8, 1873; Lucy, who married Conrad Brandt, of Elyria township, died in November, 1883; Leonard died in January, 1892; Lena is the wife of Emanuel Eckler, of Elyria; Andrew, married, resides in Elyria; Philip lives in Carlisle township. The parents both died in 1890, of "la grippe," the father on May 13, the mother on September 22. Henry Fowl was reared in Amherst township, and received his education at the' public schools of the neighborhood, at the same time being trained to the practical duties of farm life. In 1889 he came to his present place in Elyria township, Lorain county, where he has since been engaged in general agriculture. In 1870 he 974 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. was married to Miss Sarah Pangborn, a native of Amherst township, Lorain county, an adopted daughter of Anson and Ida (Squires) Pangborn, he a native of Vermont, she of Whitehall, N. Y. Mrs. Pang-born came to Lorain county in 1816, Mr. Pangborn in 1827, and they both died in Elyria township in 1880 and 1888 respectively. To Mr. and Mrs, Fowl have been born six children, as follows: Sydney, Elfa (wife of E. Denman, of Elyria, who has one child, Ena P.), J. M., Ida, Leonard and Urr C. Our subject and wife are members of the Church of Christ, and in his political sympathies he is a strong Prohibitionist. HENRY A. PLATO, vice-president of the Savings Deposit Bank, and dry-goods merchant, North Amherst, is a native of Germany, born December 28, 1845, a son of John and Wilhelmina (Bodmann) Plato, also natives of Germany. In 1856 they came to the United States, and to Ohio, making a stay of four or five months in Vermilion, Erie county; then came to Amherst township, Lorain county, where they followed farming about three years, after which they moved into the village of North Amherst. Here for some eight or ten years the father operated a livery, assisted by his sons; also erected a grocery store, and conducted a business there till his retirement from active life, at which time his sons took charge of the grocery. He died in December, 1890, aged seventy-six years; his widow is yet living, now sixty-nine years old. Their family comprised three sons and one daughter, viz.: Henry A., John E. (partner in business with Henry A.), Herman J. and Matilda C., wife of Joseph Wesbecher, partner in the hardware business with Henry A. and John E. Henry A. commenced the grocery business with his brother, John E., in 1869, and continued therein about twelve years, or till 1881, in which year his brother-in-law (Joseph Wesbecher) being in the hardware busrness, our subject and brother, J. E., bought an interest in' same. Subsequently Mr. Plato, in conjunction with his partners, built a brick block, and up to January 1, 1892, he saw to the interest of the brothers in the hardware branch, which grew to be a thriving concern, while J. E., the brother, attended their dry-goods store; but being sickly changed positions with his brother, and went back to the dry goods store on January 1, 1892, at the same time retaining his connection with the hardware business. About two years ago the Savings Deposit Bank was organized in North Amherst, and Mr. Plato has ever since been vice-president of same. About four years ago he was instrumental in organizing the North Amherst Furniture Co., which .is one of the best equipped enterprises of the kind in Northern Ohio, putting up the building which is now occupied by the concern. In 1866 Henry A. Plato and Miss Elizabeth Hilderbrand were united in marriage, and six children were born to them, viz.: Matilda, a clerk in her father's store; Albert D., who was educated at Notre Dame, Ind., and is connected with his father in the dry-goods business; Wilhelmina, also educated at Notre Dame, Ind.; Cecelia, Louisa and Florence, all of whom have had the best possible educational advantages. They are possessed of rare musical abilities, and form within their own circle a talented band. They have for some years furnished the music in the Catholic Church at Amherst, and are in much demand at both public and private entertainments. The" Plato Band," as it is sometimes called, consists of two violins (played by son and one of the daughters , and flute (Mr. Plato himself). daughters ; piano and cornet (two other Mr. Plato is a stanch Democrat, and a leader of the party in his vicinity. In LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO -977 1887 he was elected township clerk, a position he still fills. In 1861 (then but sixteen years of age) he wished very much to enlist as a fifer, but his father prevented hisgoing out, being too young; however, in December, 1863, he enlisted, this time in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth O. V. I., and served till July, 1865, when he was mustered out at Camp Chase, the war coming to a close. ADAM BERRES, JR., one of the industrious and progressive farmer citizens of Ridgeville township, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1837, a son of Adam and Mary (Jacobs) Berres, also natives of the Fatherland. In 1857 the family immigrated to the United States, and settling on a farm in Ridgeville township, Lorain Co., Ohio, the parents passed the rest of their lives there, the father dying January 28, 1892, the mother in 1877. Their children, nine in number, were as follows: Peter, married, a resident of Wood county, Ohio; John, married, residingin Ridgeville township; Adam, our subject; Gertrude, wife of Joseph Schneider, of Michigan; Matt, a farmer of Avon township; Mary, wife of Mathias Myers, of Ridgeville township; Joseph, a farmer of Ridgeville township; William, residing in Elyria; and Casper, who resides in Ridgeville township. Adam Berres, Jr., was twenty years old when he came with the rest of the family to this country, and he has always followed farming. He is now the owner of an excellent property of ninety-one acres of land all in an advanced state of cultivation, his first residence thereon being a log shanty, which was superseded by a house 18 x 36, two stories in height, with an "L" 16 x 26, two stories; there is also a commodious and well-built barn 24 x 32. In 1862 our subject enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventh O. V. I., army of the Potomac, for three years or during the war, but served only eleven months, being honorably discharged in 1863 in the convalescent camp near Alexandria, Va., and returning home to Lorain county, where he has since carried on general farming. In 1867 he was married to Miss Catherine Myer, a native of Germany, and daughter of Andreas Myer, and to this union have been born ten children, named as follows: Peter, Gertrude, Mathew, Joseph, "William, Casper, Kate, Jacob, Christian and Frank. Politically Mr. Berres is a Democrat. Socially he belongs to the G. A. R. Post at Ridgeville, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. JACOB MYERS, well - known and highly respected as a well-to-do farmer citizen of Lorain county, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1814, a son of Joseph and Mary Snyder Myers, who were of Dutch descent. Joseph Myers was born March 11, 1760, in New Jersey, and was there married to Mary Snyder, who was born in the same State January 27, 1770. In an early day they removed to New York State, where the father died April 24, 1829, the widowed mother afterward removing to Ohio, and dying in Elyria township in 1853. Five children were born to them, named respectively: Margaret, Andrew, Catherine, Julia and Jacob. Of these, the youngest, who is the subject of this memoir, received his education at the subscription schools of Tompkins county, N. Y. In the winter of 1833 he came on foot to Ohio, first locating in Carlisle township, Lorain county, thence, in 1834, moving to Elyria township. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and in course of time became a contractor and builder, a business 978 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. he followed for years. In 1835 he bought his farm in Elyria township, whereon he now resides, and built himself a modern comfortable home. On November 15, 1835, Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bur-rell, a native of New York State, and daughter of Arnold and Mary (Hitchcock) Burrell, of Vermont birth, who removed to New York State, whence, in 1833, they came to Lorain county, Ohio, becoming pioneers of Sheffield township, where they both died. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Myers were born seven children, to wit: Andrew, who died when eight years old; Mary L., wife of Judson Kinney, of Sheffield township (they have three children: Lena, Elmer and Edith); Lorin, married, living in Ely-ria; Esther, wife of William Cox, has two children—Francis and Lorin; Andrew, living on a farm, who is married and has three children—Alta, Grace and Miles; Alonzo, residing at La Porte, Ohio, who is married and has two children—Jacob and Eva; and Alligan, wife of Charles Cox, has four- children—Lottie, Mary, Sumner and George. The parents celebrated, in 1885, their "golden wedding," in the old home where they had first settled as man and wife, and Judge Day, who officiated at the marriage, was among those present. Politically Mr. Myers is a pronounced Re-publican, casting his first vote for Van Buren, and has been a member of the township school board. EDWARD S. FITCH, who for three-score years has been a resident I of Avon township, Lorain county, where he has prospered well as a general farmer, is a native of Rutland, Vt., born in 1829. He is a son of Cyrus and Camilla (Garrett) Fitch, also of Vermont, where they were married, and whence in 1834 they migrated to Lorain county, Ohio, locating in the woods, and there cleared the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. They purchased, at first, sixty acres, built a log house, and continued to live there the rest of their days, the father dying in 1875; he was prominent in political affairs, first as a Whig, later as a Republican. The mother of our subject taught the first school in the district where the latter now lives, for the first six months of that onerous work receiving no salary; she died in April, 1892, aged eighty-four years. Three children were born to this pioneer couple, viz.: James, deceased when young; Edward S., subject of sketch; and Candace, who died at the age of six years. Edward S. Fitch, who is the only living representative of the family, was reared on his present farm, and educated at the schools of Cuyahoga county. In 1856 he was married to Miss Eliza Barrows, daugh-ter of Adnah and Clarissa (Day) Barrows, and three children were the result of this union, namely: (1) Daniel, married and residing in Avon township (has two children: Scott and Camilla Louise); (2) Charles, deceased in 1878; and (3) Delia. wife of Michael Henson (they reside in Avon township, and have one child, George). Politically Mr. Fitch is a Re-publican, taking a lively interest in the af-fairs of his party. M. H. LAMPMAN, prominent in mercantile affairs in Lorain county, and proprietor of a general merchandise store in the town of Lorain, is a native of the county, born in Avon township April 16, 1844. M. Z. Lampman, father of subject, was born in the State of New York of German parents, and his father, who was a hatter by trade, came west many years ago, dying in Wisconsin. M. Z. Lampman in early life came to Lorain county, Ohio, and found employment on the lakes, at one time sailing on the old steamship “Bun- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 979 ker Hill," long since passed away. After leaving the lakes he married Elizabeth Churchill, who was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1820, and he then carried on farming till 1850, in that year removing to a hotel at French Creek, which he kept till the spring of 1853, when he came to Lorain. Here he kept hotel for some time, first in a building which stood opposite the new "Griffin House; " lre then bought the place where the "Griffin House" now stands, and in that hostelry did a flourishing business till about 1872. Mr. Lamp-man was collector for the port of Lorain for about twenty-one years, from Buchanan's time, and he kept a store in the town for some twenty-five years, up till 1865 or '67. About three years before his death he opened a hotel at Lake Breeze, Lorain county, and he also owned a farm there. Politically he was first a Jackson Democrat, and then a Republican from the time of Buchanan. He died at Lake Breeze in 1875, aged sixty-seven years, his widow in the fall of 1892. They were the parents of four children, all of whom grew to maturity, viz.: C. A., deceased wife of E. K. Porter; M. H., subject of sketch; Augusta M., wife of Harry Jones, and George, born in 1847, a painter by trade, who was unmarried, and died in Lorain in April, 1892. M. H. Lampman, whose name opens this sketch, received a thoroughly practical school training, and from the age of sixteen till two years after his marriage was engaged as store clerk. In 1869 he went into the butchering business for a time, then worked at carpentry, remaining in the C. L. & W. R. R. shops at Lorain nine and one-half years, or till 1887, since when he has been conducting his present business, in which he has met with unqualified success. In 1867 Mr. Lampman married Miss Julia A. Miller, who was born in 1842 in Avon township, Lorain Co., Ohio, daughter of Peter Miller, who is said to have been the hero of the story related in the old-time school primers, to wit: There was once a bear that chased a boy up a tree, following him so closely that he was enabled to grab the boy's foot in his mouth, whereupon the latter let go his hold on the tree and came toppling down to the ground, bear and all, but boy on top; and so great was the surprise of Bruin, who was partially stunned, that he was unable to pursue the lad, who it is unnecessary to add took to his heels without wishing his bearship any ceremonial adieu. In his political predilections Mr. Lampman is a Republican. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and of the F. & A. M., K. P. and K. O. T. M. E. A. SMITH, for nearly half a century ,-1 an honored resident of Ridgeville 1 township, whither he came from Connecticut in 1840, is a native of that State, born in 1823. Our subject is a son of Edward and Sally (Hotchkiss) Smith, also of the " Nutmeg State," the former of whom died there in 1823. The widowed mother continued to reside at her old home till our subject was seventeen years old, so that he received his elementary education at the schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth. In 1840, as above intimated, the family came west to Ohio, making for themselves a new home in the wild woods of Ridgeville township, Lorain county; and here our subject labored with the rest in clearing away the timber and underbrush, and converting the somber forest into sunny fields. He had learned the trade of bone and horn button maker, which he followed in Ridgeville township. He is now owner of fifty-nine acres of land, all highly cultivated and well improved. In 1855 he was married in Ridgeville township to Miss Melvina Terrell, a native of same, and daughter of Willis and Sarepta (Phelps) Terrell, of Connecticut birth, who many years before 980 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. marriage became settlers of Ridgeville township, Lorain county. Mr. Terrell came here, when a boy, with his father, Major Willis Terrell, and clearly remembered the news of Perry's victory on Lake Erie. He died in 1881: his widow is yet living in Ridgeville township. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith one child has been born, named Charles P., now married and residing in Ridgeville Center. Politically our subject has been a lifelong Democrat, and has served his township as trustee, real-estate assessor (1870-1890) and treasurer. J. B. SHEAHAN, of North Amherst, is a native of Hamilton county, Ontario, Canada, born, June 21, 1863, a son of John and (Ann) Fox Sheahan. The father of our subject was born in Limerick, Ireland, and about the time of his marriage went to Canada by way of Quebec, whence he and his wife came farther west. About the year 1850 they came to the United States, where he followed various pursuits, all of a mechanical nature, till 1856, when they returned to Canada, and part of the time resided in Hamilton county, Ontario, until 1865. In that year they came to Lorain county, Ohio, locating west of North Amherst till 1872, when they removed to East Quarries, where the father died in 1876. He was a member of the Catholic Church. The mother of subject, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, November 1 (All Saints Day), 1839, is yet living, a resident of North Amherst. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the following is a brief record: Cornelius is foreman in quarries in Jackson county, Mich.; is married and has one child, Geraldine. Stephen is in Chicago, yardmaster for the Chicago & Great Western Railroad, operated by the Chicago, Kansas City & Nebraska R. R. Co.; is married and has five children, viz.: Mamie, Charley, John, Annie and Maggie. Maggie is living at home. The fourth in order of birth is the subject of this sketch. Lizzie and Jeremiah are still living at home. Patrick F. died in Michigan in 1888, at the age of eighteen years. Mamie is a teacher in the parochial school at North Amherst. Daniel died May 24, 1893, when eighteen years of age. J. B. Sheahan received his education at the public schools of North Amherst. For eight years he operated a stone sawmill in Michigan, at the end of which time he re-turned to Lorain county, in March, 1893, and is now in business in North Amherst. He is popular in the town, and is an active member of and official in Catholic Societies, among which may be mentioned the C. M. B. A. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Sheahan was married September 7, 1886, and has two children: Edith, aged five years, and Bernard, aged two years. NOAH H. PECK, one of the prominent representative farmer citizens of Ridgeville township, is a native of New York State, born in Oswego county, August 17, 1833, a son of Harmon and Lydia (Conkling) Peck. Harmon Peck was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., a son of Noah and Belinda (Roe) Peck, who had a family of seven children, named as follows: Hiram, Edward, Harmon, Lewis, James, Albert, Lavina G. T. The father of these died in New York State; he was a farmer, also a shoemaker, and a member of the Baptist Church. Harmon Peck, who followed the same vocations as his father, married in New York State, and from there in 1833 moved to Ohio, via water to Cleveland, and thence by wagon to Lorain county, where he bought wild prairie land in Pittsfield township. This he improved and LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 981 later sold, purchasing a farm in Ridgeville township, whither he moved in 1842; he died in 1870, his wife in 1880. The children born to them were as follows: Noah H., James, Harriet (now Mrs. George Burrell), and one that died in infancy. Noah H. Peck, the subject of this sketch, was an infant when his parents brought him to Lorain county, and he received his education at the schools of Ridgeville township. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, which have been his life work, and he is now the owner of sixty acres of pritne land, all well improved. In 1860 he was married to Miss Vesta Blain, daughter of Richard Blain, and children as follows have been born to them: Edith (now Mrs. Joseph Cutler, of Ridgeville township), Ida, Ella (deceased), Lydia (wife of Albert Hoftizer), Ernest (in Cleveland), Eddie and Lora, at home. Mr. Peck is independent in his political sympathies, and in matters of religion he is a member of the Disciple Church. A. D. JOY, a prominent progressive agriculturist of Carlisle township, engaged also in housemoving, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Aurora, Portage county, March 22, 1836, a son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth (Frost) Joy, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts in 1811. He came in 1831 to Parkman, Portage Co., Ohio, where he was married in 1834 to Elizabeth Frost, a native of Vergennes, Vt., who came with her parents to Portage county. In 1837 Nehemiah Joy came with his family to Lorain county, making a settlement in Carlisle township, where he carried on farming till 1871, at which time he moved to Lee county, Iowa, where he died in 1883; his wife had preceded him to the grave in Carlisle township, Lorain county, in 1882. They reared a family of three children, viz.: A. Marcia M., wife of Rev. William King, a minister of the Congregational Church, now in Michigan; and Orlando F., married, and residing in Carlisle township. Noah and Marcia (Williams) Joy, paternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Massachusetts, whence they came to Elyria, Ohio, in 1837. He was a millwright by trade, and in 1849 went to Walworth county, Wis., where his wife died the following year; later he returned to Portage county, Ohio, where he passed the rest of his days. Levi and Elizabeth (Slocum) Frost, maternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Vermont, and in about 1831 came to Portage county, Ohio; subsequently they moved to St. Charles, Ill., where they both died; he had served in the Revolutionary war. A. D. Joy, the subject proper of this memoir, received a liberal education at the schools of Carlisle township, Lorain county. For a trade he learned carpentry, which he worked at for some time; for about seven years he was railroading, from 1852 to 1858, commencing as brakeman on the Cleveland & Norwalk Railroad; then went west, and was employed on the Illinois Central, after which he was on the St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railway, as fireman, and later as engineer on the Racine & Mississippi Railway. In 1858 he returned to Lorain county, where he engaged in farming and carpentry, and since 1863 has done a considerable amount of business in house-moving. He owns a farm of fifty-one and a half acres, all in a good state of cultivation, and has accumulated what he owns by his unaided efforts, sound judgment and judicious economy. Mr. Joy has been thrice married, first time in 1858 to Miss Groveline C. Thorpe, a native of Carlisle township, daughter of Abel M. and Emily (Squires) Thorpe, early pioneers of that township, both of whom are yet living. To this union were born three sons: Elba, married, and residing in Elyria; William, married, and living in Denver, Colo.; and Frank, married, 982 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. manager of the Denver (Colo.) College. The mother of these departed this life May 4, 1865, and in 1874 Mr. Joy married Miss Charlotte Saylor, a native of Germany, daughter of David and Margaret Saylor, who were born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to America, settling in Carlisle township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where they both died. The children by this marriage, six in number, are named as follows: Ida, Charles, Alice, Edwin, Edith and Amy. Mrs. Charlotte (Saylor) Joy died April 14, 1887, and on September 25, 1887, Mr. Joy married, for his present wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Pember. In politics he is a Democrat. MATHIAS MYERS, one of the leading native-born residents of Ridgeville township, of which he rs a trustee, first saw the light in 1848. His father, Mathias Myers, was a native of Coblentz, Germany, where he married Miss Mary Dehn, of the same place, and they then set sail from Antwerp for the United States. After a voyage of seventy-two days they landed in New York, and thence proceeded to Lorain county, Ohio, locating in Ridgeville township in 1847, the place being at that time wild woodlands. Here they opened up a farm of six acres, clearing and improving it until it became one of the best in the county. They had a family of nine children, as follows: Mathias; Philip, a carpenter of Elyria; Peter, married, residing in Ridgeville township; Emma, wife of M. Pitts, Jr., residing in Ridgeville township; Joseph, married, also in Ridgeville township; Maggie, wife of Joseph Blazer, of Dover, Cuyahoga county; Adam, who died at the age of sixteen, his death resulting from the kick of a horse; Clara, deceased when three or four years old; and one that died in infancy. The father was called from earth in March, 1893; the mother is yet living. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of French Creek, and at the age of thirteen commenced working by the month, since when he has continued in agricultural pursuits, successfully conducting the homestead farm, which has been added to till now it comprises fifty-three acres. In 1874 he married, in Elyria, Lorain county, Miss Mary Berres, a native of Germany, daughter of Adam and Mary Berres, who about the year 1858 immigrated to America, settling in Ridgeville township, Lorain Co., Ohio. To this union have been born two children—John Matthew and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Roman Catholic Church at Ridgeville, of which he is treasurer; politically he is a Democrat, and is now serving, in a Republican township, his second term as trustee of same. E, NORTON, a representative farmer of Amherst township, is a native of Connecticut, born in 1810 to Seymour and Anna (Clark) Norton. The parents were also natives of the Nutmeg State, and in 1813 moved to Genesee county, N. Y., where the father followed farming, and died at the advanced age of ninety years; his wife passed away aged seventy-eight. Seymour Norton was drafted in the war of 1812, and his father served in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Genesee county, N. Y., and received his education at the schools of the vicinity. In 1833 he came to Lorain county, and made his home for a time in Elyria. For some years he lived in the South, and at Chattanooga, Tenn., was foreman of a large foundry about three years; then, in 1848, started one in Huntsville, Ala. lie is the inventor of various kinds of cotton machines. He also traded in coal, having shipped the first coal from East Tennessee to Chattanooga by flat- LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 983 boats, and was the first to make coke in Tennessee. From the South he went to New York, and thence in 1860 came again to Lorain county, and in 1863 took up and improved the farm whereon he now resides, in Amherst township, a fine piece of property of one hundred acres, all in a good state of cultivation. In 1856 Mr. Norton was united in marriage with Miss Adaline Matthews, of Attica, N. Y., and to this union four children have been born, as follows: Grove, a real-estate agent, who is a resident of Utah; Charles -E., in the real-estate business at Los Angeles, Cal.; Elnora, wife of George Snyder, of Lorain, and Seymour, at home. Mrs. Norton is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Norton, in his political predilections, is a straight Democrat. FRED WISE, a leading and well-known general farmer and stock breeder, of Eaton township, is a native of Germany, born in the Duchy of Baden in 1851, son of Peter and Louisa (Miller) Wise, also of Baden. The parents of subject immigrated to the United States about 1854, and coming to Ohio made their home in Medina county four years; then moving to Grafton township, Lorain county, there passed the remainder of their active lives in farm work, the father dying in 1888, the mother passing away in Grafton township in 1882. The record of their family of children, nine in number, is in part as follows: Recka is the wife of Jacob Clinet, of Grafton; Louisa, who married John Kline, died about 1873 in Cuyahoga county; Henry (married) lives in Grafton township; Louis (married) is a farmer of Grafton township; Fred is the subject of sketch; Chris (married) resides in Illinois; Hannah resides in Grafton; Katie is the wife of William Law, of Liverpool township, Medina county; Jacob (unmarried) resides at Grafton. The subject of our sketch was two and a half years of age when he came to Ohio, and received his education at the schools of Grafton township, Lorain county, gaining as well a thorough insight into the arduous duties of farming, which he has made his life vocation. In 1884 he moved to Eaton township, and here bought of W. H. Rowe the farm he now owns, comprising some ninety-two acres of valuable land, which he improved and subsequently added to until he now owns one hundred acres of prime land, all in a good state of cultivation. He is proprietor of the full registered Belgian stallion, "Gen. Chanzy," imported by Douglas & Howell. In 1873 Mr. Wise was married in Grafton township, Lorain county, to Sarah Goodman, a native of Grafton, and daughter of Jacob and Mary (Euga) Goodman, early settlers of Grafton township, both now deceased, the former of whom was born in Seneca Falls, Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1818. By this union there are font children: Nellie, Charles, Burt and Ella: Our subject takes a lively interest in politics, invariably voting the straight Democratic ticket; socially he is a memof Leonard Tent No. 31, Knights of the Maccabees, in which he has held office. JAMES M. JAYCOX, a well-known fruit grower of Avon township, is a native of same, born in 1849, son of George and Mary (Madison) Jaycox, both of whom were born in New York State. George Jaycox, father of our subject, was reared in his native State up to the age of fifteen years, and in 1828 migrated west with his parents, Samuel and Sarah Jaycox, who were also natives of New York. They settled in an early day in Avon township, Lorain Co., Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives. George Jaycox also took up a farm in the 984 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. woods of Avon township, where he became a prominent citizen. He was a lifelong Republican, an active member of the party, and held various township offices. He died in 1873, his wife surviving him three or four years. They wort the parents of ten children, viz.: Charles, who died at the age of seven years; Jane, wife of J. Dire, of Avon township, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Eliza, wife of O. Moore, of Avon township, who also served in the Civil war; James M.; Emily, wife of J. Ketcham, residing in Lorain; Alice, wife of H. G. Brown, of Lorain; Anson, married, who makes his home in Dover township, Cuyahoga county; Henry, a resident of Lorain; Minnie, wife of J. Brown, of Lorain; and William, living in Avon township. James M. Jaycox was brought up on the home farm in Avon township, in the common schools of which place he received his education, and later engaged in mercantile business in Lorain. He now gives his attention to the culture, as well as the buying and selling, of grapes, and since embarking in this business has handled over 400,000 baskets of that fruit. Since 1880 he has resided on his present farm in Avon township, where he has eight acres devoted to grapes, and he also raises other fruit; he is the owner of forty-one acres of land in Avon township. In 1879 Mr. Jaycox was married, in Elyria, to Miss Ida L. Hilliard, a native of Wisconsin, daughter of Joseph W. Hilliard, who was a blacksmith, and an early settler of Avon township, whence he subsequently removed to Wisconsin, where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Jaycox have been born three children, namely: Ethel, Lora and Frances. Politically our subject is a stanch member of the Republican party, and held the position of postmaster at Avon Lake for seven years. Socially he is a member of Avon Tent No. 1, K. 0. T. M., French Creek. He is secretary and treasurer of the Lorain County Grape-growers Shipping Association, which organization has a membership of 125, and in 1893 shipped 150 carloads of grapes from Avon Station. Our subject and wife are both active workers in all religious movements; Mrs. Jaycox is an ardent worker in the temper. ance cause, and is president of the W. C. T. U. of Avon Lake. They are both members of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. Jaycox holds the offices of steward and trustee, and he has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school for many years. JOHN E. PLATO, of the hardware 1 firm of J. Wesbecher & Co., in North Amherst, was born in the Kingdom of Hanover November 11, 1848, a son of John and Wilhelrnina (Bodmann) Plato, also natives of Hanover. The family came to America in 1857, and after landing proceeded westward to Ohio, locating first at Vermillion, Erie county, later settling permanently in North Amherst. The father was a professional musician, in his native land, but in this country he conducted a livery business. He died December 5, 1890, at the age of seventy-five years; his widow, now in her seventy-sixth year, is living with her son John E. They were the parents of four children. The subject of this sketch, who is second in order of birth, received his education at the parochial schools of New York, his attendance there covering some four years, after which he returned to North Amherst and engaged in the livery business. Later he commenced in the grocery and dry-goods business, and for the past ten years has been a member of the firm of Plato Bros., in that line; also one of the firm of J. Wesbecher & Co., in hardware, at North Amherst, and connected with the North Amherst Furniture Co. Of all these interests Mr. Plato now gives his sole attention to the hardware business. LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 987 The firm carry a full and complete line of shelf and heavy goods. He is also a stockholder in the Savings Deposit Bank of North Amherst. On November 29, 1877, Mr. Plato was nnited.in marriage with Miss Lena Menz, who was born at North Amherst, Ohio, July 26, 1856, a daughter of John Peter and Matilde Menz, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to America May 2, 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Plato have been horn five children, namely: Leonora, Agatha, John, Henry and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Plato are stanch members of the Catholic Church, and influential pillars thereof. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and is active in municipal affairs. Mr. Plato has for years been one of the leading business men of North Amherst, and is progressive and public-spirited. THOMAS FOX, an enterprising and wide-awake farmer of Sheffield township, is a native of County Roscommon, Ireland, born in 1833, a son of John and Mary (Dowd) Fox, farmers in that county, where they both died. They reared a family of nine children, two of whom came to Lorain county, Ohio—Thomas and John, the latter of whom arrived in about 1846, settling in Sheffield township, where he cleared a farm and passed the rest of his days. Thomas Fox came from his native Ireland to Lorain county in 1854, and worked by the month for some time. In 1858 he bought thirty-five acres of land in Sheffield township, to which he has added from time to time till he now owns sixty-six acres of highly improved land. The old log cabin in which he and his wife first lived has given place to a comfortable two-story house, 18 x 28, with an " L " 14 x 24, equipped with a good barn and outhouses, and all modern improvements. In 1858 Mr. Fox was married to Miss Catherine Coughlin, and two children—Anna and Katie--have been born to them. The mother was called from earth March 14, 1889. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Catholic Church. T. J. SQUIRES, a representative agriculturist of Carlisle township, is a native of Lorain county, born in 1835 in Elyria township. He is a son of Amasa and Jerusha (Carter) Squires, the former of whom was a native of New York State, the latter of Vermont. In early manhood Amasa Squires came westward to Lorain county, Ohio, during pioneer days, and here followed farming the remainder of his life, dying at the age of 'seventy eight years. Mrs. Squires died in Lorain county when aged fifty-five years. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Jegertha, deceased when sixteen years old; Grazelda, who died at the age of seven years; T. J., subject of this memoir; Fitzgerald, who was shot during the Civil war; Amasa, who died on Johnson's Island; Marcella, married to Thomas Sherwood; and one that died in infancy. The father of this family was an active politician, and was an ardent member of the Democratic party. T. J. Squires was reared on the home farm to the manifold duties of agricultural life, in the meantime receiving an education in the common schools of the district. When twenty-three years old he went to Nebraska, thence to Colorado, remaining in the West eight years, during which time was engaged in mining, and also in cattle dealing and droving, crossing the plains twelve times with stock. Mr. Squires was united in marriage, at the age of thirty-three, with Miss Perscis Farr, a native of Carlisle township, and they have five chil- 988 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. dren, namely: Arthur, Eubie, Orlin, Creta and Elwin. Since his return to Lorain county our subject has been engaged in general agriculture, and is now owner of a well-improved farm of 163 acres. In his political affiliations he is a stanch member of the Democratic party. MRS. PHEBE L. FARR, who has been a resident of Lorain county for the past three-quarters of a century, and has been an eyewitness to its full development, deserves more than a passing notice in the pages of this volume. She is a native of New York State, born in 1812 in the town of Ovid., a daughter of Henry and Eliza (Glazier) Halford, who were married in New York State. In 1817 the family set out with a team on a journey to the then "Far West," arriving in Lorain county, Ohio, in February, 1818, and settling in what is now Carlisle township, where they followed agriculture. The father died in Carlisle township in 1859, the mother in 1862, in her eightieth year. To Henry and Eliza Halford were born nine children, as follows: Reuben, married, died in Lorain county in 1858; Phebe L. is the subject proper of this memoir; Henry S. was married in Lorain county, and died in Michigan in 1892; Jeremiah, a widower, resides in Eaton township; Louisa and Laura are both deceased ; Humphrey served in the war of the Rebellion, and died from the effects of a wound; Rebecca is deceased, and Lorenzo died young. Grandfather Edwin Halford was a native of England, whence at the age of sixteen he came to New York. He was a soldier in both the Revolution and the French and Indian war. Phebe L. Halford was about six years old when she came to Lorain county with her parents, and she was educated at the schools of the locality. In 1832 she was married, in Carlisle township, to Lowell Farr, son of Abel and Polly (Smith) Farr, all natives of Vermont, who in 1817 came to Lorain county, where they passed from earth, Mrs. Farr's husband in 1861. Our subject is the mother of ten children, of whom the following is a brief record: Eliza is the widow of William Pember, of Eaton, Lorain county, and has two children: Odelpha and William; Rosalie is the wife of Elias Disbro, of Michigan, and they have six children: Minerva, Phebe, Emma, Ellsworth, Euba and John; Hannah is the widow of George Seeley, and has four children: Esther, Lemuel, Eliza and Frank; Perscis is the wife of T. J. Squires, of Carlisle township; Lowell, married, resides in Pittsfield township, Lorain county, and has three children: Cora, Williatn and George; Ephraim is married, lives in Michigan, and has five children: Eddie, Emma, Florence, Lena and Hazel; Lauren is married to Hermina Drusendohl, and they have four children: Edna, Earl, Herschel and Ruby (they all reside at the old home); Phebe was married to Lafayette Dumas, and died in 1871; Laura died in childhood; Bird is married, has two children—Ethel and Phebe—and lives in Amherst township, Lorain county. CHESTER A. PRESTON, a prosperous farmer of Carlisle township, is a native of Ohio, born in York township, Medina county, in 1840. Adolphus Preston, father of subject, of Connecticut birth, married, in New York State, Miss Charlotte Shaw, a native of same, and in an early day they came to Ohio. For a time they resided in Medina county, in 1847 moving to Grafton township, Lorain county, later locating in LaGrange township and finally in Carlisle, where they died, the father in 1878, the mother in 1874. He served in the war of LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 989 1812 in a battery of artillery. Four children were born to them, namely: Eliza, who married Joshua Wilbur, and died in 1856 in Medina county; Emily, who died in Medina county in 1843; Horace, who died in 1852 in Grafton township, Lorain county; and Chester A., subject of this sketch. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the British and conveyed to Van Dieman's land; after the war he was released and sent home, and died in New York State. Chester A. Preston received a good practical school training in the educational institutions of the vicinity of his boyhood home, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which have been his life work. He now owns a good farm of eighty-two acres in Carlisle township. In 1865 he was married, in LaGrange township, to Miss Mary Goodman, who was born in New York State, a daughter of George and Betsy (Leversee) Goodman, of New York, who came to Ohio in 1852, settling in Grafton village, Lorain county, where the father died in March, 1866, the mother some years before. To Mr. and Mrs. Preston have been born three children: Mary, Bertie and Grace. In his political sympathies our subject is a Republican. Mrs. Preston is a member of the Union Church. C. A. REAMER, general merchant, and one of the most energetic and enterprising citizens of North Amherst, is a native of Huron county, Ohio, born near Norwalk September 16, 1859. He is a son of Anthony and Mary (Eisenbeis) Reamer, the former of whom was born in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio. He was a merchant in Norwalk for some sixteen years, then in Monroeville, same county, eighteen or twenty years, from which place he moved to Toledo, where he now lives. The subject of this memoir received the greater part of his education. in Monroeville, after which he lived in Tiffin, Ohio, for two years. In 1884 he came to North Amherst, worked six months- at the dry-goods business, and then entered into a partnership with Plato Bros., in mercantile business, which continued three years, at the end of which time he commenced for his own account in North Amherst. In 1889 he put up his present brick building, and in 1891 added thirty-four feet to it, the dimensions at present being 30 x 90 feet, two stories in height, while his stock in trade consists of dry goods, carpets, curtains, wall-paper, boots and shoes, etc. Five clerks do the selling for this large concern. Mr. Reamer, himself, speaks German as well as English. On April 28, 1885, C. A. Reamer and Miss Maggie Weisenberger were United in marriage, and the following named four children were born to them: Esther, Leona, Norbert and Victor. In politics our subject is independent, and he is a member of the Catholic Church. He is active in all public affairs, and wields much influence in the community. GEORGE WICKENS, funeral director and furniture dealer, Lorain, and president of the Funeral Directors I Association of Ohio, was born July 19, 1852, in the south of England. At the age of ten years he commenced working in a furniture store, learning the trade of cabinet maker and joiner, and fully completing his apprenticeship when about nineteen years old. At that time (1871) he came to America, and for a time sojourned in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, whence in 1873 he came to Lorain, Ohio, making here a permanent settlement. He first engaged in carpenter work —contracting and building—which he carried on till 1883, in which year he em- 990 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO barked in his present undertaking and furniture business in Bowens Hall. He then, in order to further qualify himself for the profession of funeral director, attended lectures at the Embalming College, Cleveland, Ohio, and at Clark's School of Embalming, from which he graduated in August, 1888. He had also become, in 1886, a member of the Funeral Directors Association of Ohio, and at the meeting of June 2, 1892, at Columbus, Ohio, was elected its president. In 1891 he erected on Broadway, Lorain, a brick building, 36 x 114, three stories high with basement, two floors of which are occupied with his business, the upper floor, which is a hall, being rented by the I. O. O. F. In 1875 Mr. Wickens was united in marriage with Miss Celia E. Chapman, and they had one child, George B. This wife dying in 1876, our subject married, in England, in 1877, for his second wife, Miss Mary A. Colly, and three children have been born to them, viz.: William A., Elizabeth M. and Edward M. In politics Mr. Wickens is a Republican, and for many years he has been a member of arid local preacher in the M. E. Church, of the Sunday-school of which he has been superintendent for many years. He has visited his native land many times, on one occasion remaining there four years. Mr. Wickens is a representative self-made man, one who from absolutely nothing has, by intelligence, energy, business acumen and unquestionable probity, worked his way from the bottom rung of the ladder to prosperity and comparative affluence. He is now a leader in both branches of his business, in northern Ohio, and is well and favorably known throughout the entire State. " In all local matters, he is always to be found on the right side, aiming constantly to build up and improve the interests of his fellows and the city in which he lives. In addition to his many duties in connection with several Fraternal organizations, he is faithful in the discharge of the responsibilities which come to him as a di rector in the Lorain Savings and Banking Co., and also of the Citizens Home and Loan Association of Lorain. In all things Mr. Wickens has endeavored to exemplify all that is contained in one sentence, namely: An industrious Christian gentleman." HENRY BICKEL, a prominent, well-to-do agriculturist of Black River township, was born on his present farm March 27, 1844. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Wetzel) Bickel, who came from Germany to Ohio at an early day where the father worked for a time on the Maumee Canal and at other employment. They then settled on a farm in Black River township, Lorain county, where they passed the rest of their lives. When they came here Indians and wild animals roamed the forest, and the country was a comparative wilderness. The father died at the age of sixty-five years and eleven months; the mother is yet living, now aged seventy-one years. Of their children our subject is the only survivor. Henry Bickel received his education in the public and district schools, and when a youth, during the war of the Rebellion, was drafted into the army, but had not proceeded toward the seat of hostilities farther than Cleveland, when he secured a substitute, and returned home. On March 22. 1866, he married Miss Sophia C. Hildebrand, who was horn in Black River township, Lorain Co., Ohio, March 16, 1846, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Appemann) Hildebrand, natives of Germany. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bickel, viz.: Frances E. (wife of George Horn, car inspector for the C. L. & W. R. R. Co.), Emma E., Charley F., George M., Reuben E. and Arthur H. Mr. Bickel in his political predilections is a Democrat, and he is a member of the LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 991 Evangelical Church. He has been township trustee for three years, and school director, twenty-two. His line farm of 123 acres gives evidence of the care, thrift and sound judgment of the owner, who justly enjoys the confidence and good will of his neighbors. CYRUS L. WHITTLESEY, of Brownhelm township, is a native of same, having been born on his present farm August 8, 1831. He is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Sherman) Whittlesey, the former of whom was born in Stockbridge, Mass., April 30, 1786, the latter in New Haven, Conn., March 23, 1796. Solomon Whittlesey, father of subject, was twice married, first time in 1811 to Miss O. Kirby, who was born in 1784. They came to Brownhelm township, Lorain Co., Ohio, and settled on the farm on which they passed the remainder of their lives. By this marriage there were four children, viz.: Mary, born February 6, 1812, now the widow of Rev. L. D. Butts, and residing in Erie, Penn.; Edmund, born June 17, 1814, married and residing in Winnebago county, Ill. ; Eliphalet, born April 7, 1816, married and residing in Calhoun county, Iowa; and Calista, born May 29, 1819, deceased wife of H. Woodruff. The mother of this family died in 1823, and in 1824 Mr. Whittlesey married Miss Sarah Sherman. Solomon Whittlesey was a soldier in the war of 1812, and received bounty land. In an early day he worked in an ashery in Lorain county, and he was a noted hunter. In politics he was originally an Abolitionist, but in his later years he voted the straight Republican ticket. Among other public offices he held the position of township trustee. He died February 22, 1871; his widow was called from earth in 1873. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: David, born September 15, 1825, died at the age of nineteen; Solomon, born February 27, 1827, died aged fifteen years; Parmelia, born May 24, 1829, wife of Henry Stoddard, lives at Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio; Cyrus L. is the subject of this sketch; Sarah, born March 11, 1833, was married to Irvin French, of Winnebago, Ill., and died in May, 1890; John M., born April 19, 1837, died in March, 1838; and James Monroe, born November 10, 1840, died March 5, 1842. Cyrus L. Whittlesey enlisted in 1861 in the Union army, three months' service, and when the call was made for three years' men he enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, in Company K, Twenty-third 0. V. I. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Potomac, and our subject participated in the battle of Carnifex Ferry, the second fought in West Virginia; was at the capture of Morgan; Second Bull Run; South Mountain; Antietam; on scouting service in West Virginia, thence to Stanton, Va., after which they took prisoners to Columbus, Ohio. He was shot through the hand while in pursuit and capture of Morgan. He was discharged at Columbus, July 6, 1864, and returned home. In 1869 Mr. Whittlesey was united in marriage in Brownhelm township, Lorain county, with Miss Lucy Bacon, a native of that township, and daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Davis) Bacon, the father a native of Stockbridge, Mass., the mother of Connecticut; he was a manufacturer in the East, and coming to Lorain county, Ohio, in 1828, followed farming until his death in 1865; his widow followed him to the grave in 1875. They were the parents of ten children, viz.: Jane H., wife of Edmund West, of Oberlin, Ohio; George, who died at the age of nine years; Henry, deceased at the age of three; Samuel, who died in Lorain county, Ohio, when forty years old; Eliza, residing in Oberlin, Ohio; Benjamin, who during the Civil war enlisted in the one hundred days' service, and now lives in Anderson county, Kans.; Henry Clay, who in 1862 enlisted 992 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. in Brownhelm township, Lorain county, in Company F, One Hundred and Third O. V. I., and was in the army of the West with Sherman (he now lives in Wood county, Ohio); the eighth in order of' birth is Lucy, wife- of our subject; Charles B., who died at the age of forty-six, and Ruth A., whose home is now in Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Whittlesey have one child living, Hayes B., at home. In his political preferences our subject is a Prohibitionist. He is a member, and has been commander, of Rice Post, No. 148 G. A. R., and he and his wife are as-sociated with the Congregational Church. They have a fine farm of 112 acres con-fined to general agriculture. Mr. Whit-tlesey is a crack rifle shot, one of the best in the county, and takes great delight in hunting. H. B. MARTIN DALE, member of the well-known firm of Martindale & Leonard, dealers in general merchandise, hardware, tinware, tobacco, etc., French Creek, where they commenced business in 1890, has been a resident of Avon township since 1873. He was born in 1849 in Lake county, Ohio, son of Harrison L. and Ann E. (Brown) Martindale, also natives of that county, where the father still resides; the mother died in 1859. Grandmother Laura M. (Babbett) Reynolds, who is a daughter of David Babbett, a native of Massachusetts, who came to Ohio in an early day, was born in Ohio, and came to Mentor, Lake county, where she yet resides at the advanced age of eighty-five. Our subject was reared to manhood in Lake county, where he received his early education, and then engaged in farming and tree-grafting until 1873, when, as above related, he came to Avon township, Lorain county, where he now owns a snug little farm of eleven acres in a good state of cul- tivation. In 1879 Mr. Martindale was married, in Avon township, to Miss Carrie L., daughter of David L. Sawyer, an early pioneer of the township, and to their union have been born two children: Laura E. and Mary Eleanor, who died when twenty-three months old. In politics our subject is a Republican, and is at present serving as justice of the peace, which position he has held for seven years. Socially he is a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Elyria; and of the K. O. T. M., Tent 18, French Creek, in which he is past commander. D. L. SAWYER, a well-known pioneer farmer of Avon township, where he has resided since September, 1838, was born, in 1821, in Schoharie county, New York. John and Rhoda (Lynes) Sawyer, parents of this gentleman, were also natives of New York State, where they were married, and whence, in 1838, they removed to Lorain county, Ohio, settling near French Creek in Avon township, Where they made a permanent home. The father, who was a blacksmith, died in 1868, the mother in 1872. They had a family of ten children, a brief record of whom is as follows: D. L. is the subject of these lines; James died in Avon township in 1848; Polly became the wife of Riley Barrows, of Avon township, where she died; Philip died in Elyria, Lorain county; Henry, who was a sailor, was drowned in the St. Clair river; Ambrose, married, resides in Lorain; Betsy Ann died unmarried ; Sturgia died in Avon township; Adeline lives in Avon township; Phebe died in Michigan. Grandfather Lynes was a soldier in the Revolution, and was with Gen. St. Clair at the time of his defeat. D. L. Sawyer received his literary train. ing in the common schools of his native State, and was reared in New York up to his eighteenth year, when he came with his LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 993 parents from. Oneida county to Avon township, Lorain. county, where he has principally engaged in farming. He learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for thirty .years, since when he has given his exclusive attention to agriculture. He owns a good fruit farm of twenty-seven acres, besides another tract, his lands comprising in all seventy-two acres. On October 19, 1843, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage, in Avon township, with Miss Eliza Lyon, a native of New York State, daughter of Elexander and Alice Lyon, who came from New York to Lorain county, Ohio, in 1830, being among the earliest pioneers of LaGrange township. The father subsequently removed to Nauvoo, Ill., and thence to Ogden, Utah, where he now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have been born five children, namely: David, married, who resides in Avon township; Carrie L. and Emma (twins), the former of whom is the wife of H. B. Martindale, of Avon township, the latter the wife of Rev. F. N. Phelps, a Baptist minister of Tir6, Crawford Co., Ohio; Delia; and James, married, a resident of Ridgeville township. In his political preferences Mr. Sawyer is an ardent Republican, and has served as township trustee; he cast his first ballot for James G. Birney, and later voted for John C. Fremont. Socially he is a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Elyria. In religious connection he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at French Creek. CHARLES H. GLENN, a well-known contractor and builder, of Oberlin, was born December 20, 1857, at Delphos, Allen Co., Ohio, a son of George M. and Augusta L. W. (King) Glenn, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Prussia. He received his education at the public schools of Oberlin, then learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1884 he em barked in the contracting business with ate firm known as Glenn & Copeland, in which he has since continued, and he has done contracting in various places, among which may be mentioned Colorado Springs, his work, however, lying chiefly. in Oberlin, where he resides. He makes a specialty of dwelling houses, and conducts quite an extensive business, giving employment to from five to thirty men. Mr. Glenn was united in marriage December 20, 1881, with Miss Effie V. Tuck, who was born in Gallia county, Ohio, and reared in Oberlin, a daughter of John C. and Eliza (Dyer) Tuck. To this union have been born three children, namely: Lucretia, Wilhelmina, Frankie D. and Charles A., of whom Frankie died at the age of ten months. Our subject is a Republican, and takes an active interest in politics; he is now serving a second term' as member of the city council. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are both members of the First Congregational Church at Oberlin. ARTEMAS BEEBE, proprietor of book-store and dealer in books, stationery and mouldings, Elyria, is a native of that city, born May 26, 1869, a grandson of Artemas Beebe, who came of an old New England family, and son of Artemas and Nancy (Fisher) Beebe. Artemas Beebe, second son of the late Artemas Beebe, who came here from Massachusetts in 1817 with the late Homan Ely, and assisted in making an opening in the wilderness where Elyria now stands,. died at his farm residence on Cleveland street, August 27, 1891. Deceased was born in Elyria, October 10, 1825, and spent all of his nearly sixty-three years in Elyria. He attended the public schools until he was about fifteen years of age, when he entered the dry-goods store of the late Seymour M. Baldwin, where he 994 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. was employed as clerk for a few years, and then engaged in farming pursuits. On November 25, 1847, he married Miss Nancy L. Fisher, of Grafton, and soon after moved to his farm near the city, where, with the exception of two years, he spent his remaining life. On the death of hrs father in 1880, he became the owner of the "Beebe House," which he leased until 1886, when he took possession as manager and remained two years, then returning to his farm, which comprised 200 acres, and was located entirely inside the corporation of Elyria. The children born to him were William A., Mary, Frank and Artemas. His widow is still living on the old homestead. The origin of Mr. Beebe's illness dated from the winter of 1890, when he suffered from a severe attack of La Grippe, from which he recovered in a few weeks; but in January, 1891, he had a recurrence of the same disease, his heart becoming affected, resulting in dropsy, which terminated his life. In all his duties of husband, father and neighbor, he occupied a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens; and while his family, consisting of his wife, three sons and one daughter, will more deeply feel their bereavement, the Church and more especially the Sunday-schools of Lorain county, in which for many years he has taken an active interest, will miss his presence and counsel. Mr. Beebe was a member and a regular attendant of the Congregational Sunday-school of Elyria for sixty years. For ten years he was its assistant superintendent. He has also for many years been the Chairman of the executive committee of the Lorain County Sunday-school Union, and the success of its annual meeting has been owing more to his constant and efficient labor than to any other cause. Mr. Beebe was an active and honored member of the Congregational Church of Elyria for thirty-three years. In his official duties; in his intercourse with his fellow-members; in the largeness of his Christian charity and fellowship, as well as in his daily social and business life, he aimed to be true to his high calling of God. Artemas Beebe, whose name introduces this sketch, received a liberal education at the public schools of his native town, and graduated in the class of 1890. In April, 1891, he opened out his present business, and has met with well-merited success. On December 16, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Mapes, also a native of Elyria, and who had been a schoolmate of Mr. Beebe's. In political preferences our subject is a Republican, and in church connection he is a Congregationalist. H. G. REDINGTON, a prominent and widely esteemed attorney at law of North Amherst, is one of the rising young barristers of Lorain county, of which he is a native, born July 10, 1858. His father, R. N. Redington, a native of Massachusetts, came to Amherst township in 1819, being at the time three years old. He was a farmer all his life, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. He married Miss M. E. Tyler, who was born in 1823 of Connecticut people, and she is yet living; she is, as was also her husband, a member of the Disciple Church. The subject of this biographical sketch received his elementary education at the district schools, afterward attending Oberlin College, where he completed the junior year; thence went to Cornell (N. Y.) University, one term, after which he commenced to read law with Hon. J. F. Burket, now on the supreme court bench. On June 4, 1884, he was admitted to the bar, and at once opened an office in North Amherst, Lorain county, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has successfully carried LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 997 through cases versus railroads, involving a considerable amount of litigation, and succeeded in securing the compromise between North Amherst and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, the nature of which was as follows: The question involved was whether the railway company could raise the grade of its railway through the village and over the streets and narrow the streets at the intersections, without consent of the village or the payment of damages to abutting owners. The question was decided in favor of the village, that the railway company could not. In 1885 Mr. Redington was elected mayor of North Amherst, serving till 1893, in all four continuous terms. He is president of the Savings Deposit Bank, of which he was one of the chief organizers; is president of the North Amherst Shear Company, and assisted in organizing the North Amherst Furniture Company, of which he is a stockholder. Politically he is an uncompromising Democrat, a pronounced Cleveland man on the Tariff question. Socially he is a member of the K. of P., the K. O. T. M., and the I. O. O. F., of which he was District Deputy Grand Master. In 1884 Mr. Redington was united in marriage with Miss Lulu C. Moore, daughter of Dr. A. C. Moore, of North Amherst, and three children have been born to them: Harry M., Blanche G. and Horace Raymond. MICHAEL EPPLEY, one of theMICHAELty and prosperous agriculturists of Elyria township, is a native of Wittenberg, Germany, born December 7, 1821, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Keller) Eppley, also natives of the Fatherland. In April, 1832, the family set sail from Holland for the New World, and after a voyage of fifty-five days landed at Philadelphia. From there they proceeded westward to Ohio, locating at Zanesville, Muskingum county, where the parents passed from earth, the father at the age of eighty-six, the mother when seventy-six years old. They had eleven children—nine sons and two daughters—and seven of the sons are now living, all near Zanesville, Ohio, except our subject, while the two daughters reside in Michigan. Michael Eppley was reared to manhood in Zanesville, Ohio, where he received his education, and worked hard to make a little money which he saved in his boyhood. At the age of. twenty years he commenced carpentry, a trade he followed for twenty-one years; also farming, in connection doing a considerable amount in contracting and building. He was in the employ of the State of Ohio, constructing dams and docks in the Muskingum river. At the age of twenty-three he was united in marriage with Miss Rosina Harsch (daughter of. Mr. and Mrs. John Harsch), a native of Wittenberg, Germany, coming with her parents to America when six years old. Thirteen children were born to this union—five sons and eight daughters —namely: William, who went west and died (he was married to Mary Mauer; left two children); Mary, wife of Mose Beal, also died at an early age (left seven children) ; Katherine, wife of Samuel Beal, has eight children; Caroline, wife of Jacob Schaible, has two children; Jacob, married to Kate Martin, has four children; Rosa, died at the age of twelve years; Solomon, married to Nellie Bender, and has one child; Christena, wife of Henry Martin, has four children; Abram, married Mary Martin, has four children; Matilda, wife of Ernest Drunagle, has one child; Mose, married to Mary Spiegelberg, and has one child; Lydia, wife of William Spiegelberg, and Cora, residing at home. Shortly after: marriage Mr. Eppley purchased a farm in York township, Morgan county, containing 240 acres of 998 - LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. land, which he improved and then sold just before coming to Elyria. He came to Lorain county in 1874, and bought his present farm, containing one hundred acres (in Elyria township), bordering on the town of Elyria (on Murry Ridge, southwest of town), paying one hundred and twenty dollars cash per acre for same. After two years the mother died at the age of fifty-one years, which was a sore loss to the whole family, and here he has since remained as a widower (his daughter Cora keeping house for him). Mr. Eppley always was, and is to this day, for his age, an active man as well as ambitious; honest in all his dealings. In religion he is an earnest, steadfast follower of Christ, and has been from early life. He is a member of the Evangelical Church. His greatest aim is to reach his heavenly home. ALFRED E. HALE, farmer and cheese manufacturer of Carlisle township, is a native of Lorain county, born March 23, 1862, on Henrietta Hill. He is a son of George and Anna M. (Smith) Hale, the former of whom was among the pioneers of Carlisle township, having settled there when his son, Alfred E., was but ten days old. The subject of this sketch was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, received his literary training in the common schools of Carlisle township until sixteen years of age, and then studied for one term at the Elyria high school. For the next two years he was employed in the Hart Cheese Factory, at that time operated by William A. Braman, and then worked in Sullivan and Ashland counties, Ohio. When nineteen years old he pur-chased, in partnership with a brother, the farm on which his brother resides, and on which they have since made many im- provements, and there Mr. Hale carries on a prosperous cheese-making business, keep-ing twenty cows. He manufactures a full cream cheese, and receives New York State prices for all his dairy products, for which there is a constant demand. In 1886 Mr. Hale was united in marriage with Miss Buda Bell Peabody, and they have two children, namely: Gilbert N. and Cassie B. Our subject is a member of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in political questions. He is recognized as one of the thorough-going, progressive business men of Carlisle town-ship, where be has established himself in a profitable line of trade. CHARLES H. WARBURTON, master mechanic for the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad, at Lorain, was born September 17, 1846, at Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Thomas Warburton, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, married Martha Rummage, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and they reared a family of five children—four sons and one daughter—of whom Charles H. is the eldest. The mother died in 1878, the father is now residing at Birmingham, Ohio. Charles H. Warburton grew to man. hood in his native city, receiving his edu-cation in the public schools of same. At the age of sixteen Ile engaged with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail. road Company to learn the trade of ma chinist, and served some five and a half years. For some time after he worked as contractor in the Wilson Sewing Machine Shops at Cleveland, but again returned to the railroad business. In 1873 he came to Lorain county, engaged with the Cleve. land, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad as gang boss, and afterward as general foreman, in which capacity be served until 1882, after which time he held the position of master LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO - 999 mechanic, being superintendent of 334 men. In July, 1893, he resigned his position on the railroad to embark in his present business in Cleveland, Ohio, in partnership with E. C. Angell, the style of the firm being "Viaduct Machine and Tool Co." On November 13, 1873, Mr. Warburton was married, at Cleveland, to Miss May J. Anvll, and to their union have been born six children: Charles, Lewis, Henry, Katie, Cora and Frank. Politically our subject is a prominent member of the Republican party, in whose welfare he takes an active interest; he has served in various positions of trust, has been a member of the city council, and for five years was president of the City Water Works. Socially he is a member of Woodland Lodge No. 226, K. of P., and of the K. O. T. M.; he is also a member of the F. & A. M., K. T., and of the A. A. O. N. M. S. JOHN RILEY, JR., one of the prominent representative young men of Amherst township, is a nativeborn Ohioan, having first seen the light of day in Erie county in 1856. He is a son of John and Bridget (Welch) Riley, the father born in Ireland. Coming to America in 1844 he made his home in Erie county, Ohio, a number of years. About 1868 he removed with his family to Lorain county, and he now resides in Elyria township. He has been a lifelong farmer, and in politics a stanch Democrat. Eight children were born to John and Bridget Riley, all yet living. John Riley, Jr., received his education in the public schools of Elyria and Berlin Heights. For some years he followed agricultural pursuits, and he now owns a good farm of one hundred acres in Amherst township. In 1882 he commenced contracting for the Toledo & Cleveland Railroad, northern and southern division, and later has been employed in getting out ship timber. Mr. Riley has been twice married: first time in 1880 to Miss Jennie Davis, who died in 1883, and he subsequently, in 1889, married Miss Carrie Armert. He takes an active interest in politics, and is a strong, useful member of the Democratic party. Since September, 1893, he has been the efficient and courteous postmaster at North Amherst. HENRY HITCHCOCK, prominent in the farming community of Columbia township, of which he is a native, is a son of Samuel and Amelia (Osborne) Hitchcock. Samuel Hitchcock was born, in 1786, in Waterbury, Conn., whence in 1810 he came to Columbia township, Lorain county, traveling the entire distance with a team, the journey occuping some six weeks. Here he opened up three farms, and became a prosperous agriculturist. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a Republican. His wife, Amelia (Osborne), was also born in Connecticut, and died in April, 1892, a daughter of Asel and Mary (Hoadley) Osborne, who came to Columbia township, Lorain county, from Connecticut in 1810. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hitchcock were born seven children, of whom the following' is a brief record: Alma, who married James R. Ruple, died in Olmsted township, Cuyahoga county, in June, 1892; Julia, who was the wife of Cyrus Ruple, died in about 1882; Minerva, the wife of James Warnock, died in 1893; Marietta, widow of Winslow Shaw, resides in Michigan; Amanda, who was the wife of Abner Houston, died in Ridgeville township at the age of twenty-five; Amelia, Mrs. J. W. Doane, died in January, 1890; and Henry is the subject of this sketch.