Huron County, Ohio - The whole text, 1909 (part 22 of 29)

Thomas Leak spent the first twelve years of his life in the land of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. They were attracted by the favorable reports which they heard concerning the business opportunities and advantages in the United States and after living for a time in the state of New York they remcved to Ohio. Here in the year 1862 Thomas Leak was united in marriage to Miss Apn Atyeo, a daughter of 1saac and Ann (Barrington) Atyeo. The parents had eight children, Ann, John, William, George, James, Charlctte, Isaac and Mary. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leak has been blessed with two daughters and three sons, Ann, Charles, Edward, William and Alice.

Following his marriage Thomas Leak took up the occupation of farming as a life work and through that avenue of business has provided a comfortable living for those depending upon him. He has manifested a spirit of unfaltering diligence and perseverznce in the development and improvement of his land and year after year through the careful cultivation of his fields he won that success which follows persistent, earnest effort. Prospering in his undertakings he became the owner of a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Ripley township, which he still owns and which returns him a gratifying annual income. He is well known as a man of financial responsibility, his name ever being an honored one on commercial paper.

In his political views Mr. Leak has always been a republican since age conferred upcn him the right of franchise although he has never been an office seeker he has always been loyal in his allegiance to the principles which he espouses. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, in which he is serving as deacon and their support of the church is generous and their cooperation in its various activities is a valuable element in its growth.

William B. Claus

William B. Claus is the owner of one hundred acres, constituting one of the best farms of Peru township. He is diligent and determined in the prosecution of his business affairs and his close application and energy are bringing to him success which he justly merits. He is a young man but already has made for himseli a creditable name in agricultural circles. He was born in Sherman township, Huron county, November 15, 1880, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of German ancestry. His parents were Mathias and Josephine (Schank) Claus, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was born October 20, 1834, was a son of Mathias and Mary Claus, who in the year 1852, crossed the Atlantic to America and made their way to Huron county, Ohio, settling in Sherman township, where they purchased forty acres of land. On this place was an old log house, which the father occupied for about five years, when the property was sold and another farm was purchased. On the second place, also in Sher- township, the grandparents spent their remaining days. The grandmother was only about forty years of age at the time of her demise, but the grandfather reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. Their family numbered a daughter and three sons: Mrs. Helen Fisher, who is now a widow and resides in Belle vue, Martin, a resident farmer of Sherman township ; Mathias ; and George, who is also living in Sherman township.

Mathias Claus, the father of our subject, was a young lad in his teens wheu he accompanied his parents on their removal from Germany to the new world. He had attended school in his native land and for a brief period continued his studies in this country, but his time and attention were largely given to farm work after he reached the United States. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and his labors have been attended with gratifying success. He married Miss Josephine Schank, a daughter of Frank and Helen Schank, of Sherman township, the wedding being celebrated January 7, 1867. Mrs. Claus was born in Germany, February 14, 1846, and came to Huron country with her parents when eighteen years of age, the family home being established in Norwalk township, where her father purchased land and developed a farm. He died there at the age of seventy-five years, but the mother passed away in Germany when forty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Claus are still residents of Sherman township and have lived upon one farm for about forty years. He has always been loyal and progressive in his citizenship and in 1864, he espoused the cause of his adopted country, enlisting as a member of Company C, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He joined the regiment at Sandusky and then went to Camp Chase and afterward participated in a number of battles and skirmishes. He was in the engagement at Nashville, Franklin and other places and was mustered out at Nashville in 1865. After the close of the war, he returned home and has since carried on general farming. He has worked diligently and persistently to attain the success which he now enjoys and his honest and upright life have won for him a firm hold on the regard and affections of his fellow townsmen. He has been active in community affairs as a member of the school board and as road supervisor and was called to this office as a candidate of the republican party. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Unto him and his wife were born nine children: Frank, who is living at home; Carrie, the wife of Frank A. Heddle, a resident of Monroeville, Ohio, by whom she has four children: Clarice, Loretta, Irene and Walter ; Mary, who is the wife of John Rossman, of Monroeville and has two children: Olive and Lucile; Josephine, who is the wife of Ed S. of Peru township, and has one child, Beatrice; William, of this review'; Louise, at home; Joe. who is in Pennsylvania; and Emma and Fred, both at home.

William B. Claus was reared on the old homestead farm in Sherman township, where he remained until twenty-two years of age, since which time he has lived in Peru township. In his youthful days, he enjoyed such sports as engross the attention of the children of the neighborhood and improved the opportunities for acquiring an education in the public schools. He also received ample training at farm work and determined to make the occupation to which he was reared his life work. companion and helpmate for life's journey, he chose Miss Florence Holliday, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

William Holliday, who are now residents of Norwalk, Ohio. In their family were six children, the eldest of whom is Mrs. Claus, the others being: William, Carl, Edward, Esther and Wanda. 'The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clause occurred April 15, 1902, and unto them have been born three children: Calla, Donald and Josephine.

It was in 1905 that Mr. Claus purchased his present farm, on which he has since made a number of substantial improvements. He has here one hundred acres of rich land which is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He studies the demands of the soil, knows what is most needed for the production of various cereals and by the rotation of crops keeps his land in good condition. He has made a number of improvements upon his place, utilizes modern machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and is now successfully engaged in general farming. He belongs to the Catholic church of Peru township and is known as a man of business reliability as well as of enterprise.

Charles. Brant

One of the prosperous farmers of Greenfield township, who has taken an active part in local affairs, is Charles J. Brant, who owns the one hundred and thirteen acres on which he lives. He was born in this township, May 16, 1848, and is the son of John K. and Catherine (Glasford) Brant. The former was of eastern birth but was only a young boy when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jabe Brant, came to Ohio and settled near Readtown. John K. Brant lived in Greenfield township the greater part of his life and became one of its well known and highly respected citizens. He devoted himself to farming, acquired two hundred and eleven acres of land and served as township trustee and as a member of the school board for a number of years. He was a man who advocated progress and the road on which his son's farm lies was cut as the result of his efforts. His wife was born in New York state and was only a child when her parents, John and Cynthia Glasford, removed to Ohio, casting in their lot with the early settlers of Greenfield township. Four children were born to John K. and Catherine Brant: Cynthia, who married Edwin Wiles, both now deceased ; Charles ].; Francis, who lives in Kansas; and George, of Norwalk. The life of the wife and mother was brought to a close in 1899, when she was in her seventy-sixth year, and her husband survived her until December 6, 1906, when he was called to his final rest.

Greenfield township has been the home of Charles J. Brant through all his life. At the old log school house of the district he received his training in the fundamentals of English education. It was meager enough equipment for life, even though it was supplemented with good home training in the way of farming. For many years Mr. Brant operated on rented land, but in the fall of 1893 purchased of George Strimple the farm he now occupies. This he has since greatly improved, both as to buildings and as regards the condition of the land itself. He has studied his soil with the intention of obtaining from it the best results, has practiced a scientific rotation of crops, employs the most up-to-date machinery, and in other ways has kept abreast of the progress that has been made in the methods of agriculture as in other branches of business.

On the 2d of July, 1873, Mr. Brant was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Boice, a daughter of John and Eleanor (Barlow) Boice. The former was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was sixty-five years of age when he died in 1879. In his family were four children: Drusilla, deceased; Elisha, deceased; Sarah and William, of this township. Mrs. Brant's mother died when she was but five years old and she went to live with her uncle, George Stetson, of New London, returning in later life to live with her father. She has become the mother of six children: Mary, born May 8, 1874, died March 26, 1886; Ella is the wife of William Gamble, of Chicago, Ohio, and the mother of three children, Lawrence, Dale and Wilma, deceased; Fannie married George Lindsey, of Toledo, and they have four children, Florence, Gladys, Eulalie and Thelma; Ethel is the wife of G. Gamble, of Norwalk, Ohio; Pearl is the wife of Frank Wolfe, of Richmond township; and Catherine married Ross Keesey, also of Richmond township.

A successful farmer and well known, Mr. Brant has on many occasions the citizens' choice for the several offices at their disposal in the township. Among those he has filled may be mentioned that of road supervisor and of school director, and his administration was distinguished by thought for the public welfare and a commendable spirit of progress.

Edward L. Conger

Edward L. Conger, a prosperous farmer of Greenfield township, Huron county, and the owner of ninety acres of land on which he lives, was born in this township and is the son of Lewis L. and Isabelle (Lowther) Conger. The father was born September 8, 1824, at Ludlowville, New York, and in 1833 came with his parents to Milan, Ohio, where his father started a mill, there working until 1850, when the family removed to Greenfield township, and twenty years later purchased the farm which was his home until his death and has since been the home of his widow. On his mother's side Mr. Conger is descended from a line of pioneers. His great-grandfather, Henry Lowther, was of Irish birth and came to this country at the time of the rebellion in his home land. He settled in New York state, where he followed the vocation of farming and attained to a prosperity and position among his associates that was above the average. one occasion, however, he lost a large sum, which was the result of years of toil, when a friend, who had appealed to him for aid, jumped his bond. His son, Edward H. Lowther, was born in New York city in 1800 and was seventeen years of age when he came to Greenfield township, to make it his home. He attained considerable local prominence, was known as Captain Lowther from his being a captain of the militia, and held several offices in the township. His wife, who survived him but a year, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio when the fields were covered with forests and Indians were seen almost daily. She died in 1887, after having brought into the world a family of seven children: Thomas, deceased;

Mariette, the widow of Ira Watterman ; Isabelle, the mother of our subject ; Sarah, the widow of William Graham; Helen, the deceased wife of Barnett Rowe; and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Conger were born four children: Edward Halsy, who died at the age of five months ; Julia, the deceased wife of Charles Palmer and the mother of two children, Florence and Charles; and Lewis, who married Miss Ada Daly, of this township, and has one child, Frances J. Mr. Conger died November 1899, but his widow still lives and conducts the farm he had bought.

Greenfield township has been the home of Edward L. Conger during all his life. He was born a deaf and dumb mute and attended the school for mutes at Columbus. While there he learned the trade of a shoemaker but has never worked at that occupation, having followed agriculture instead, Along this line he has been very successful, his fields producing as abundantly and the buildings being in as good repair as if he were not handicapped in the battle of life, and rightly so, for it is industry and hard work that counts, thus beinz able to surmount obstacles that might otherwise overwhelm one.

In 1871, while in school in Columbus, Mr. Conger met Miss Nellie Hall, also a pupil at the mutes' institution and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Hall, of South Lebanon, Pennsylvania. On the 8th of May, 1870, at her home, was read the service that made the two young people man and wife in the eyes of the law. Their union has been blessed with two children: Mary Bell, born May 13, 1883, and Ray, born August 30, 1887.

Mr. Conger is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and all his life and actions are ordered by what he believes to be the right and in accord with the teachings of his religion. He is a fine man, imbued with many noble traits of character, and those who know him hold him in high regard.

Calvin C. Brooks

Calvin C. Brooks, successful because of his unfaltering determination and inde'atigable industry, now lives on a farm of eighty-eight acres in Peru township, from which property he derives his substantial annual income. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Greenfield township on the 20th of April, 1860. His parents were William and Sophronia (Parsons) Brooks, The father, who was born in Vermont in 1809, came to Ohio with his parents when a young man and settled about three miles north of Chicago Junction. There he developed a good farm property, owning at one time about three hundred acres of land. His wife was a native of the state of New York and she, too, came with her parents to Huron county, the family home being established in Greenfield township. The death of William Brooks occurred in 1869, when he was sixty years of age, and his widow, surviving him for about thirty-five years, died in the fall of 1904. They were the parents of nine children: Francis L., who is now living in Fayette county, Pennsylvania; Mortimer, a resident of Oklahoma ; Darwin, living at Steuben, Ohio; Mrs. Lucy France, who is a widow now located at Oklahoma ; Parsons, deceased; Augustine, residing in Peru township; Calvin C.; Kate, the

Calvin C. Brooks was reared in Greenfield township to the age of twenty-nine years and in his youthful days attended the district schools, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the home farm. Since putting aside his text-books his entire time has been devoted to general farming. He went to Wisconsin a number of years ago and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he lived for five years, when he sold that property. He also worked at Spokane Falls, Washington, and after a brief sojourn on the Pacific coast he returned to Ohio and purchased his present farm from George Barman. He has since made a number of improvements the property and is busily engaged in the work of general farming, transforming the place into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers gcod harvests.

Mr. Brooks married Miss Kathryn Sysel, a daughter of James and Kathryn (Extine) Sysel, natives of Bohemia. This marriage was celebrated February 20, 1895, and unto them have been born seven children: Blanch, William, Ralph, May, Gladys, Elsie and Grace. Of this family all are yet living with the exception of Elsie and Blanch. Mrs. Brooks was born in Bohemia and when fourteen years of age came to this country with some relatives, her parents always remaining in their native land. Her father is still living there at the age of eighty years, but the mother died June 28, 1895. They were the parents of seven children: James, who is now in Minnesota ; Mary, a resident of Bohemia ; Anna, who is also in Minnesota ; Jacob, deceased; Kathryn, now Mrs. Brooks; and George and Joseph, both of whom are in Bohemia. By a former marriage Mr. Brooks had a daughter, Elizabeth Bell, who is now the wife of Fred Porter and lives in Waseon, Ohio. They have two children, Sylvester and Daniel. By her former marriage Mrs. Brooks had two daughters, Jennie and Agnes, who are now living with our subject.

Mr. Brooks is interested in the cause of education and has served as school director for a number of years, doing all in his power to advance the cause of public instruction. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, which finds in him a stalwart champion, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.

Martin Ellis

One of the men who has made a success of general farming in Greenwich township, is Martin Ellis, a member of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. He is the son of John and Rachel (Rickard) Ellis, whose parents were originally residents of Onondaga county, New York, and came to Mansfield, Ohio, in the early pioneer days, where the father followed the carpenter's trade for some years. At length, having accumulated the necessary funds, he bought one hundred acres in Greenwich township, Huron county, and took up the active life of the general farmer of that day. Game was very plentiful in the earlier years of his residence here and John Ellis secured many a deer with his ever present rifle. Although he had but twenty-five cents in cash and a small chest of carpenter's tools when he arrived in Ohio, before his death he became the owner of fully six hundred acres of Huron county land, well stocked and improved. Seven of the eight children of this pioneer family grew to maturity: Sidney, Thirsa, John R., Martin, Leona, Pauline, Hiram and Sarah, but the only ones now living are Martin, Pauline and Sarah. In March, 1890, at the age of seventy-three, the father, noted for his great moral and physical courage, and a respected participator in public affairs, was laid away by the side of the mother, who had died in 1887 and was buried in Ripley cemetery.

Martin Ellis was born on the old homestead in Greenwich township, May r3, 1847, and secured his education in the district schools of that township. He served the usual apprenticeship of the farmer lad until he was twenty, when he started out in life for himself. On December 28, 1871, was celebrated his marriage to Mary E. Stotts, who was the daughter of James and Eliza (Titus) Stotts, of Ripley township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have been born two sons: James H., deceased, and Ray.

Mr. Ellis settled on his own land soon after marriage and at present holds the title to one hundred and twenty acres of well tilled, well improved and well stocked farm land. He does not need to specialize, as all of the varied interests of the general farmer have succeeded under his hand. He has been amply aided by his son, Ray, who bids fair to make as good a farmer as his parent. He was married September r, 1909, to Miss Lotha McCarty, a daughter of George and Mary (Swope) McCarty of Greenwich township. He is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., and also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

The democratic party claims Mr. Ellis' allegiance, and he has been consistently active in public affairs, serving as road overseer and member of the board of education. While not a member of any church, he yet supports the cause of religion, and is always interested in all matters which are for the benefit of the race. He is referred to as one of the best farmers of the county and is universally respected for his progressiveness,

Otto Boehler

excellent farm of one hundred and forty-two acres in Lyme township, this county, pays tribute to the care and labor of Otto Boehler, who in his business interests is meeting with well merited success. He was born in Peru township, Huron county, September 5, 1869, a son of Phillip and Marguerita (Seibel) Boehler, natives of Germany. The former, who was born November 7, 1824, arrived in the United States in 1848 and settled in Huron county, Ohio, being employed in Peru township for about three years. He subsequently owned property in Lyme township, which he so!d, and later purchased a farm in Sherman township, which in turn he disposed of and secured a farm in Peru township. At the time of his death, which occurred May 3, 1897, in Monroeville, Ridgefield township, he was recognized as an extensive landowner. He was first married to Miss Mary Seibel, a native of Germany, who was born April 1831, and after her death he was united in marriage to Miss Jeanetta The children of the first union were William, Henry, Phillip, Otto, Minnie and Louise, all of whom still survive.

To the district schools of Peru township and also of Monroeville, Ridgefield township, Otto Boehler is indebted for his education, and he also learned many practical and valuable lessons while assisting in the work of the farm during the periods of vacation. He remained at home until 1890, when he began working for G. G. Horn, with whom he was connected for two years. He then began business on his own account, taking charge of the farm upon which he now resides, It was given to him by his father who had, in 1871, purchased the tract from a Mr. Smith. It is an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-two acres, upon which Mr. Boehler has placed many improvements. He is industrious, enterprising and persevering, and his good management of his business interests is bringing him substantial success.

On the 7th of January, 1892, Mr. Boehler was united in marriage to Miss Emma Horn, a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Seel) Horn, old German settlers of this county. She is a native of Lyme township, born March 18, 1871, and by her marriage became the mother of three children: Clarence, born October 25, 1892; Alma, born June 11, 1896; and Adolph, born November 20, 1898. The family is still unbroken by the hand of death, and all are yet at home.

The religious faith of Mr. Boehler is indicated in his membership in the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World Camp, No. 40. He has never sought to figure in a public light, yet his devotion to the public welfare is unquestioned, arising as it does from a sincere desire for the substantial and permanent growth of the community. Honest and upright in all of his business dealings, he has won the respect and good will of his fellowmen, while his sterling qualities have gained for him a wide circle of warm friends.

Benjamin F. Beck

The rich farming land of Huron county yields ready response to the care and labors of the agriculturist and if the farmer is wise and prudent he may in the course of years gain a substantial competence as the direct result of his labors. Such has been the history of Benjamin F. Beck, who is now living in North Fairfield but in former years was closely associated with general farming. He started upon the journey of life in 1851, his birth having occurred in New Haven township, Huron county. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Berlin) Beck, who were numbered among the pioneer residents of the county, settling here when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun. The Becks have always been thrifty people and Benjamin Beck was reared to habits of perseverance, industry and economy. His education was acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood and through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields as he assisted in the operations of the home farm. He was thus well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own when he started out in life for himself.

As companion helpmate for life's journey Mr. Beck chose Miss Hulda Sothern, a daughter of James P. and Mary Elizabeth (Stiles) Sothern. Her peo- ple, too, arrived in Huron county in pioneer times and her father was active in the early development of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Beck began their domestic life upon a farm and as the years passed Mr. Beck diligently and persistently carried on his work. He studied the matter of rotating crops, came to know the properties of the soil and what was needed for the production of different cereals. His farm work was thus intelligently directed and brought to him the prosperity which now enables him to live retired.

William S. Ruggles, who is the owner of a sawmiil and one hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Peru township, on which he lives, was born on this farm, March 31, 1853. He is a son of George W. and Mary Elizabeth (Snyder) Ruggles. His grandparents, Joseph and Mary Ruggles, came to Huron county from the state of New York, traveling overland with a yoke of oxen in I815, bringing with them the several children who had been born unto them in the east. They resided about a half mile east of the place on which William S. Ruggles now makes his home, and for a few years they lived in a little barn on the Henry Adams farm, which they converted into a rude dwelling, occupying it until Joseph Ruggles purchased the place which is now the home of our subject. It was a tract of timberland when it came into his possession but he at once began to clear away the trees and the brush and, in the midst of the forest, built a log house. It was abount 1817 that he established his home there and as time passed he vigorously prosecuted the work of the farm, transforming the tract of forest land into richly cultivated fields. Subsequently he built and operated the first cidermill in the county and was closely associated with the work of early development and improvement. He died in 1849 at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife passed away in 1850.

George W. Ruggles, the father, also lived in Peru township and for many years made his home above the old cidermill. In the early days he pursued his studies in one of the log schools of the township wherein but a few branches of learning were taught. Although his educational opportunities were limited his training in farm work was not meager and throughout his entire life he continued to actively till the soil. His lack of early educational advantages was obviated by the fact that he remained throughout his entire life a great reader and thus added continuously to his knowledge. His wife was born in Milan, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary (Norris) Snyder, who were early settlers of Huron country, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. The death of Mrs Ruggles occurred July 1, 1905. She was the mother of five children, namely : Mary B., the wife of James Clifford of Findlay, Ohio; William S., of this review; Walter and Charles, both deceased; and Loretta E., the wife of Frank Schlagater, of Bronson township.

William S. Ruggles has always lived upon the home place, the district being known as Ruggles Corners. He attended the schools of the neighborhood in his early days and throughout his entire life has carried on general farming and has also operated a sawmill for about twenty years. He married Miss Alice J. Owen, a daughter of Lafayette and Mary ]. (Clark) Owen, of Greenfield township, the wedding being celebrated on the 3oth of August, 1876. Mrs. Ruggles was born in Greenfield township, where her parents lived until they were called to their final rest. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children: J. C., whose birth occurred February 2, 1885, and who married Ethel Baxter, their home being now in Peru township; and Harry, who was born February 19, 1889, and is still under the parental roof.

As he prospered in his undertakings William S. Ruggles purchased the old homestead from his father and has since made many substantial improvements upon the place. He has built a fine barn, has remodeled the house and has added all of the accessories and conveniences known to the model farm of the twentieth century. In 1802 the sawmill which he owned near his home was destroyed by fire and he then built a steam sawmill on his farm, which he operated until 1902. In that year he sold out and two years later installed a gasoline engine and again entered the business of sawing lumber, which proves a profitable source of revenue to him. His fields, too, are carefully cultivated and return rich crops, which find a ready sale on the market.

Mr. Ruggles has been somewhat prominent community affairs. He served as township trustee for five years, having been elected on the republican ticket by a majority of twenty-nine in a township which usually gives over one hundred democratic majority, his election, therefore, plainly indicating his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. He has also served as school director and as road supervisor, and he withholds his cooperation from no measure or movement which he deems essential to the public good. He is a trustee of the Universalist church of Peru township and for twenty years has been a member of the Royal Arcanum of Norwalk. He represents one of the oldest families of the county, the name of Ruggles having ever stood in this community for progressive citizenship and for enterprise in business. The record of William S. Ruggles is in harmony with that of the others of the name and he is now numbered among the representative and valued citizens of Huron county.

Louis P. Heyman

Louis P. Heyman, who has but recently retired from the active cultivation of the hundred and forty-five acres he owns in Lyme township, Huron county, was born on this farm, March ro, 1857, a son of John P. and Jeanette (Scheide) Heyman. Both parents were born in Germany, the father July 9, 1833, the mother April 19, 1837, but both came to this country so early in life that they are numbered among the pioneers of this county. The mother was but fifteen when she came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scheide, to Peru township. John P. Heyman came to America in 1848, with his father, settling at Hunts Corners, Ohio, where his brother Philip had located the year previous and had bought about fifty-five acres of land. There the old people died, the grandfather in 1881, though not until after he had made a name for himself in the community, for he and his two sons, John and Philip, together owned about three hundred acres and were among those who contributed largely, both in gifts of land and money, to the establishment of the Reformed church. In fact the edifice was erected on part of the fifty-five acres which Philip had bought on coming to this county.

John P. Heyman was a prominent farmer in his locality. He was also interested in the Heyman Milling Company, of Monroeville, and as a school director and road superintendent served the people well for a long term of years. Likewise he was prominent in the Reformed church he had helped to build, having been an elder for a number of years and a deacon at the time of his death. When his earthly course was done, on the 19th of October, 1899, he was accounted one of the most prosperous farmers in his locality, being possessed of about four hundred acres. In April, 1856, he married Miss Jeanette Scheide, who bore him nine children: Lewis P.; Frank, deceased; F. D.; William O.; Jennie, deceased; Julia, the wife of William Kern; Flora, the wife of Calvin Heyman; Lillian, who married James Clinton; and one who died in infancy.

Louis P. Heyman has always lived in Lyme township. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and worked on the farm with his father during his youth. In 1898 he bought the place from his father, making it his own home to the present time. Since his acquisition of the property he has made many extensive improvements, one of them being the erection of a large and handsome residence. Although he has devoted himself with such diligence to the demands of his farm and is accounted one of the most successful agriculturists of this township, he has yet found time to serve the people as justice of the peace for a period of ten years, as constable, besides filling some other minor offices. He is vice-president and a director of the Heyman Milling Company, of Monroeville, and also a director of the Sherman Gas & Oil Company. Being very fond of good horses, one of his chief delights is in driving.

On the 18th of November, 1885, Mr. Heyman was married to Miss Elizabeth Hartman, a daughter of George and Cornelia (Mook) Hartman, of Bellevue, Ohio. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1828, the mother in 1831, and they were among the early settlers here, arriving long before anything approaching the present conveniences of travel came into vogue the journey being made from their old home to Black Swamp, Sandusky county, in ox cart. Mr. Hartman died in 1900, and his wife survived him but two years. In their family were three children, Isabelle, Frank and Elizabeth. The last named, who is now Mrs. Heyman, was graduated from the Bellevue high school and for several years successfully engaged in teaching. She and her husband still take an active interest in educational affairs and are giving their children the best possible advantages along that line, while Mr. Heyman is also doing effective service as a member of the board of education. They have two daughters, Mabel and Ruth, and the former is a graduate of the Bellevue high school and also of Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio, of the class of 1908, receiving the degree of L. B. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heyman were also born two sons, but Floyd, who was born April 25, 1891, died on the 21st of the following August;

Mr. Heyman is prominent in all the work of the Reformed church, of which he has been an elder and trustee for a number of years and his wife is also an active church worker, serving as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school and devoting some time every week to instructing a class in Bible study. In short, Mr. Heyman and his family are well and favorably known. He has now laid aside the active duties of life, bui the record of his past, both as a private citizen and as a servant of the people, is an enviable one.

Charles H. Wheaton

A history of Norwalk township would not be complete without mention of Charles H. Wheaton, who for many years has been known as one of the best judges and successful buyers of stock in Huron county. He was born in England on the 5th of February, 1840, and is a son of Daniel Wheaton, who came to America the early '50s and first took up his residence Monroeville, while a few months. later he removed to Norwalk. He was a butcher by occupation, and after his arrival in Norwalk he rented a building of Lester Clark, where he started in the meat business, continuing in this line of activity for many years, when the business was taken charge of by his two sons, Charles and Dennis. He was known as one of the best judges of stock, not only in England, but also in this country. Ere coming to America he had conducted a market in Cambridge College Place, where he engaged principally in supplying the colleges. He was eminently a business man, possessing keen sagacity and good management, and he became identified with various enterprises, all of which became factors in his subsequent success. About a year after his arrival in Norwalk he purchased the farm of ninety-six acres upon: which our subject now resides, this property having been in the family since 1852. Later he purchased the De Walt property, where Harkness and surrounding buildings now stand, including the row of brick cottages extending to Seminary street. He bought from Mr. Underhill the old American Hotel property, which site is now covered by the three stores commencing at Frazier's and extending east. This property is now owned by the estate. He also invested in three stores in Huron, which are now in the possession of his son Dennis E. Wheaton. He was a member of the Baptist church and affiliated with the democratic party, and was considered one of the alert and progressive citizens of his community. He passed away in 1898, leaving a very handsome estate.

Charles H. Wheaton, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his father to the United States, and his education, which was begun in England, was completed in this country. He continued under the parental roof until the year 1861, when, in response to President Lincoln's call for troops, he enlisted for three months' service as a member of Captain Sawyer's independent company organized under the laws of the state of Ohio. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned home and, in connection with his brother, Dennis E. Wheaton, took charge of his father's meat business, which they carried on for many years, or until the block was destroyed by fire. The brothers then went to Cleveland, where they were engaged in a similar enterprise for seventeen years, and at the end of that time our subject returned to the old homestead to take care of his father and his father's estate. The fine brick house which the latter erected still stands upon the place and is in excellent condition. Mr. Wheaton is engaged in the stock business and, like his father, is one of the best judges and one of the most successful buyers of stock in Huron county. He has purchased cattle since he was a boy of fourteen years and has the reputation of having bought more stock than any other buyer in this county. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which his industry and energy, have been salient characteristics. While engaged in the meat business he was recognized as one of the leading men in that line, and that he prospered and won a goodly amount cf success is indicated by the handsome competence which he has acquired as the result of well directed energy.

In November, 1860, Mr. Wheaton was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lydia Hoyt, who was born in March, 1834, a daughter of Acrebeach Hoyt. Unto this union have been born the following children: Minnie, who wedded George Crumm and later married Fred Smies ; Dora, the wife of Edgar Lee; and Mary, the wife of Walter E. Bateles, by whom she has two children, Elmer Darwin and Mary Mehn. In politics Mr. Wheaton 15 independent, reserving the right to vote for the men and measures which, in his estimation, are best adapted to conserve the public good. Although born across the water, Mr. Wheaton is as loyal to the interests of his adopted country as any American-born citizen, and he has gained high rank among the representative men of Norwalk township, not only by reason of the gratifying degree of success which he has attained but also because of his honorable manhood and true personal worth.

Hyatt Travis

Hyatt Travis, now living retired from the duties of business life, has for many years been actively and helpfully interested in the public affairs of Greenwich township and is, moreover, a well known and prominent figure in the political circles of his community. He was born on the roth of August, 1839, in New York city, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Hyatt) Travis, and remained in his native city until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied the family on their removal to New Rochelle, New York. They remained there for one year, when the father took the family to Yorktown, New York, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years.

The education of Hyatt Travis had been commenced in the public schools of New York city and after the removal of the family from that city he pursued a course of study for several terms in the district schools, remaining with his parents until 1860. In December of that year he came to Greenwich, where his brother Oscar had arrived six years previously, while the parents and the remaining members of the family followed him in 1862. On reaching this city he associated with his brother in the operation of a farm until the following September when, in response to his country's call for troops, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Third Regiment of Ohio Cavalry for three years. He served two years, however, when he veteranized and continued with the same company and regiment until the close of the war, his entire service covering a period of three years and nine months, being mustered out in August, 1865. During this time he saw much hard service under General Thomas, General Wood and later under General Wilson. He participated in many of the hotly contested battles of the war, in the meantime having two horses shot from under him. The first occasion was just after the battle of Stone River while engaged with his company in a slight skirmish. His horse was killed and he was taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia. After three weeks spent in that place he was paroled and sent home, where he remained until exchanged about four months later, when he returned to his regiment. He again had a horse shot from under him during the battle of Chickamauga but on this occasion escaped capture. Throughout his entire service, during which time he was often in the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded although he returned home very much broken in health.

After the close of the war he entered the service of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company as brakeman but severed his connection therewith after eleven months, owing to the state of his health. He was then married in 1868, after which he engaged in farming in Greenwich township for eight years. At the expiration of this period, however, he was compelled to give up agricultural pursuits, as his health would no longer permit of the strenuous duties that devolved upon him in that connection. He then came to Greenwich and became identified with general mercantile interests, being thus engaged for nearly four years. Again he attempted farming but found that the state of his health had not improved and was once more compelled to give up that pursuit. Consequently he sold his farm and returned to Greenwich, where he has since lived practically retired.

He has, however, been very active in public affairs, becoming well known in the political circles of the community, while since his retirement from business life he has been almost continuously before the public in an official capacity. He votes with the republican party and for several terms served as village and township treasurer. Something of his personal popularity was shown in the fact that he was elected mayor of his town and served as chief executive for two terms. He is now acting as justice of the peace, which position he has filled for several years, while from 1889 until 1893 he was postmaster of Greenwich. He has been clerk and also president of the school board, the cause of education at all times finding in him a stalwart champion. Active in the interests of his party, he has several times acted as a delegate to various conventions and has frequently been a member of the county central committee, being a prominent figure in the party councils. His career as a public official has ever been an exemplary one, performing his duties in every instance in a manner that gained for him the favorable commendation and the endorsement of his constituents. His position has never been an equivocal one for he has ever stood on the side of truth and right in all things.

On the 1st of September, 1868, Mr. Travis was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Hoag, a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Watson) Hoag, the former a prom- inent agriculturist of Greenwich township. Unto this union have been born seven children, namely: Ella, the wife of Frederick Miller; George, deceased; William ; Charles, who has also passed away; Ira J.; Elmer, residing in Youngstown; and Hazel.

The family, although not members, attend the Methodist Episcopal church. while Mr. Travis maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Greenwich Post, No. 279, C. A. K., in which he has filled all of the offices. He has also been a delegate several times to the state encampments of this organization. He has ever been an advocate of public improvement and exerts his influence toward the adoption of all those measures which have for their object the welfare and upbuilding of the community. He has now completed the Psalmist's allctted span of three score years and ten and in the evening of life he enjoys the full respect and confidence of all who know him.

W. B. Keefer is numbered among the men to whom Chicago Junction owes its growth, its development and its prosperity. His efforts have been of a practical nature, far-reaching and beneficial. He acted as the first postmaster of the new town and since that time has been most closely associated with its progress and improvement, figuring prominently now in its business circles as a representative of its banking interests. His birth occurred in Greenfield township, Huron county, September 9, 1848. His father, Walter Keefer, was a native of New York and in 1834 removed westward to Sandusky county, Ohio, residing in the vicinity of Bellevue, for a number of years. He afterward came to Huron county, but in a short time returned to Erie county, taking up his abode there in 1849. Five years later - in 1854 - he again came to Huron county and settled on a farm one-half mile from Chicago Junction, where he made his home until his death which occurred in 1896, when he was eighty-six years of age. In politics, he was a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and he was a splendid type of the pioneer citizen who recognizes and utilizes the opportunities for the county's development as well as for the attainment of his own success. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Wiles and was a representative of a family that was established in Sandusky county, at an early epoch in its development. Later, her father, Storey Wiles, removed with his wife and children to Huron county, taking up his abode north of Chicago Junction, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Keefer, there were born four sons and one daughter, who are yet living - all residents of Huron county - and three sons who died in infancy.

At the usual age, W. B. Keefer began his education as a pupil in the common schools and later, he continued his studies in Norwalk, being thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After putting aside his textbooks, he learned telegraphy and was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company for two and a half years. In 1875, when the subject of estab- lishing a postoffice was under discussion he wrote to the postmaster general, urging the claims of this village and suggesting the name of Chicago for the new office. His suggestion was acted upon and he was appointed the first postmoster of the new town, entering upon his duties in 1875. He continued to fill the office until 1888 and during that time he opened and carried on a jewelry store. In the latter year, realizing the possibilities for business development here, he opened a private bank which he conducted successfully until 1905. It was then reorganized as a state bank under the name of the Commercial Bank Company, of which Mr. Keefer was elected president, with E. W. Severnance as vice-president; W. K. Southard, cashier and W. M. Griffin, assistant cashier. Mr. Keefer now devotes his entire time to the bank. A general banking business is conducted and he has familiarized himself with every department of the work and makes the enterprise one of success. It has enjoyed a continuous growth from the beginning and well merits the liberal patronage which is accorded it.

In 1883, Mr. Keefer completed his arrangements for having a home of his own in his marriage to Miss Eva L. Shepard, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, who in her girlhood days accompanied her parents, Israel and Nancy Shepard, on their removal to Hillsdale, Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keefer was born a son, W. Dale, whose birth occurred July 9, 1800, and who died June 6, 1894. Mr. Keefer is well known in Masonic circles, taking the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery. His life record may well constitute an example and a source of inspiration to his fellowmen. He has made for himself a splendid name by reason of his industry and integrity, which have brought him success and the respect of his fellow citizens. The town of Chicago Junction is largely a monument to his business ability and enterprising spirit for, with several associates, he has been closely identified with its upbuilding and progress from the outset to the present time.

Jacob Schreiner

Jacob Schreiner, a general farmer and stockman of Greenfield township, Huron county, owns the one hundred acres of land on which he lives and fifty-six acres in another part of the township. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, October 19, 1862, and is the son of Michael and Mary (Koby) Schreiner, both of whom are of German birth. Michael Schreiner was fourteen when he went to Seneca county to fight the battle of life for himself. In the company of a few friends he worked around for different farmers in Seneca county for some time and then sent for his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schreiner, to come to the new world and make their home. This they did and passed the remainder of their days in the county to which their son had become attached. Michael Schreiner, Jr., always followed farming in Center township, in Seneca county, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land. Of late years he has retired from the active pursuits and at the age of seventy-seven enjoys the comforts and rest he so well deserves at the home of his daughter in Norwalk. He was prominent in local af- fairs, held several township offices and has ever been a devoted adherent of the Catholic religion. His wife was one year old when her parents removed to Sen- eca county, where she continued to live all her life, dying there in 1906 at the age of sixty-two. She was a dutiful wife and a mother of the following children: Joseph, who lives at Chicago Junction, Ohio; Mary, who married Anthony Scheibley of Seneca county; Jacob, of this review ; Peter, a resident of Fostoria, Ohio; Addie, deceased; Rose, the wife of Tony Hasselbauch, of Bellevue, Ohio; Philomina, the wife of Louis Schwartz, a prominent business man of Chicago, Ohio; Elizabeth, the widow of Andrew Nejedly; Martin, who lives at Akron, Ohio; Catherine, the wife of Lewis Steinmetz, of Fostoria, Ohio; Thresia, who married Andrew Adelman, of Norwalk, Ohio; Louisa, the wife of William Huffman, of Tiffin, Ohio; and Aggie, who married a Mr. Smith of Iowa. Two children died in infancy.

Jacob Schreiner lived in Seneca ccunty until 1884, and received his education in the schools there. He early devoted himself to farming and until he was twentytwo years of age continued in that occupation, after which he was engaged in the hotel business at Bellevue, Fostoria, Zanesville and Chicago Junction. His operations met with success but in the spring of 1907 he sold his interests in the hotel and cafe at Chicago Junction and came to Greenfield township, Huron county, where he purchased from Jennie Wheeler his present farm. Since he has assumed possession of this land he has greatly improved it, adding many modern conveniences to his fine house, making the barns more up-to-date and instituting many changes in the methods of farming which will increase the productiveness of the soil. His farm is well stocked with all things necessary for the prosecution of a successful business, and his animals are of the finest.

Mr. Schreiner has been married twice, his first union being with Miss Josephine Ball, and they had three children: Mary, Peter, deceased; and William. Mrs. Josephine Schreiner was divorced, and Mr. Schreiner afterward married Mrs. Flora Huntington, who by her former marriage had one daughter, Sadie, now the wife of William G. Ramsey, by whom she has a son, Russell Jacob. Mrs. Schreiner is a daughter of Emanuel F. and Sarah (Thompson) Grames, of Chicago Junction, who were old settlers of this county but are now deceased. They had five children who lived to maturity : Frank, William, Flora, Henry and Minnie, and others who did not survive the period of infancy. In politics Mr. Schreiner gives his support to the democratic party and in religious matters to the Catholic church of Chicago Junction. Though so recently a citizen of Greenfield township, he bids fair to be one of her prosperous farmers and one of her most public-spirited men.

Adolf P. Erf, successfully engaged in agriculture in Lyme township, Huron county, comes from an old and prominent family of this county. He was born upon the farm which is now his home June 22, 1867, a son of Anthony and Marie (Maurer) Erf. He comes of German and Swiss lineage, his father having been born in Freien Dietz, Germany, June 20, 1843, while his mother was a native of

Switzerland. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Jacob and Katherine Erf, sailed for the new world from Germany about 1859, and, coming direct to Ohio, settled in this county, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of this district and aiding in reclaiming the wild land for agricultural purposes. Mr. Erf at once started to clear the land, built a dwelling for his family, and here he and his wife resided until they were called to their final rest.

Their son Anthony Erf, the father of our subject, was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their journey to the United States and was thus early identified with the work of improvement and cultivation which was going on at that time in the section of Ohio where they settled. He assisted his father in establishing a home here, where the remaining years of his life were spent, for after his father's demise he took charge of the home farm and continued the work of improvement. He became a well known and respected citizen of this county, having served for several terms as trustee of Lyme township. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Evangelical church of Monroeville, honorable and upright in his relations with his fellowmen. He met his death by drowning in a creek near his place while returning home after attending to a little matter of business. When he failed to appear at his home a search was made for him and his body found several days later. He had fallen into the water and it was thought that, owing to an injury to one his arms, which he had sustained shortly before, he was unable to rescue himself, after having vainly attempted to do so - a fact which was manifest by certain marks left on the bank where he had endeavored to pull himself out of the water. He had gone to pay a threshing bill and still had ten dollars in his pocket after paying the bill. His wife had previously passed away in 1871, leaving, besides her husband, five children, Edward, William, Gustave, Adolf and Albert, the last named having since passed away. After the death of his first wife Mr. Erf was again married, his second union being with Miss Minnie Frenz, who, by her marriage, became the mother of five children, Hiram, Otto, George, Amelia and Louise.

On the old homestead which had been the property of his grandfather, Adolf P. Erf was reared amid the scenes and environment of rural life, devoting the days of his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of an education as a pupil of the district schools of Lyme township and of He early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad and as the years passed and his strength increased he aided more and more fully in the work of the fields, becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age when, on the 28th of December, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Beiler, a daughter of Henry and Philibina Beiler.

Mr. and Mrs. Erf began their domestic life in Richfield township, this county, where they resided for five years on a farm of sixty acres near Bellevue, which Mr. Erf purchased and operated. He then sold this property and in 1906 bought from the estate his present farm, which was a part of the original homestead. He later acquired forty additional acres from Robert Truman, his holdings now aggregating one hundred and sixty-five acres, fourteen acres of which are located in Sher-. man township. He has directed his energies to the improvement of this place and

As the years came and went three children were added to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Erf, but the first two died in infancy. The third and only surviving member is Olga, born November 20, 1901, who is the light and life of the home. Mr. Erf is connected with the Lutheran church of Pontiac and at all times holds to high and manly principles. He has been most successful in his agricultural pursuits, this success being but the visible evidence of well directed energies and good judgment combined with strict business integrity. Having passed his entire life in this district, he has become widely known throughout the county, and that he is most respected and honored where he is best known is indicative of the fact that at all times his salient characteristics are such as win esteem, trust and good will from all classes.

William Graham

Through the years of an active and useful life William Graham was identified with carpentering and farming, being recognized in Huron county as one of its worthy and respected citizens, arriving here in the period of early manhood. He was born in England, in January, 1835, and was a son of John Graham of that country. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in the land of his birth and during that period acquired his early education in the public schools. The favorable reports which he heard concerning America and the business opportunities here afforded led him to the determination to seek his fortune on the western side of the Atlantic, and acting on this resolution he came to the United States making his way at once to Huron county, Ohio. In early life he learned and followed the carpenter's trade, being identified with building operations here until soon after his marriage, when he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits.

In November, 1850, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Lowther, who was born in Huron county in February, 1839, and is a daughter of Edward and Martha (Lovell) Lowther. Her paternal grandparents were Heury and Sarah Lowther, in whose family were three children, Edward, Thomas and William. The Lowthers were among the early settlers of Huron county, establishing their home here in pioneer times when much of the land was still undeveloped, being covered with the native forest growth. Edward Lowther assisted in the arduous task of transforming the wild timber region into cultivated fields and for a long period was closely identified with agricultural interests. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Martha Lovell, a daughter of David and Mary (Chilcott) Lovell, in whose family were three daughters and a son, Martha, Rachel, Eleanor and Ethan. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lowther was blessed with nine children, namely: Sarah, Mariette, Isabella, Jackson, David, Helen, Martha, James and Thomas. Of this family Sarah gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Graham 1850, and as the years passed they became the parents of a son and daughter. Lewis, the elder, born in 1865, married Jessie Watts, and they have two sons, William and Bruce. Martha, born in 1860, is the wife of Mor-

Soon after their marriage Mr. Graham ceased to engage in carpentering and turned his attention to the task of tilling the soil, becoming owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Fairfield township. Year after year he diligently carried on the work of the fields, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. That his methods were practical and progressive is indicated in the large crops which he gathered and also in the well kept appearance of his farm. In all of his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable and his integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. He was a member of the Universalist church and gave his political allegiance to the democracy but did not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He died May, 1907, and is still survived by his widow, Mrs. Sarah E. Graham, who yet makes her home in Fairfield township. She has always lived in this county and has a very wide acquaintance, while the warm friendship of many with whom she has come in contact is freely accorded her.

John Lawler

John Lawler, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of his farm of one hundred acres in Lyme township, is a worthy native son of this county, his birth having occurred in Lyme township on the 25th of December, 1857. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Lawler) Lawler, were both natives of Ireland, born in the years 1825 and 1834 respectively. It was about 1850 that Thomas Lawler crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Huron county, working as a farm hand in Lyme township for a time. Subsequently he purchased a tract of ninety-one acres of land in the same township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he was successfully engaged until the time of his demise in 1882. In religious faith he was a Catholic and his honorable, upright life won him the warm regard and esteem of many with whom he came in contact. His widow still survives and is well known throughout the community as a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, namely: John, of this review; and Edward, Thomas, Patrick, Michael, Joseph, Mary, Margaret and Sarah, all of whom are deceased, with exception of Mary.

John Lawler obtained a good practical education in the district schools of his native township and has always continued to reside here, following the occupation of farming as a life work. In 1905 he bought his present place of one hundred acres from his father-in-law and has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity in his agricultural interests, the fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

On the 7th of April, 1891, Mr. Lawler was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Winzerl, who was born in Lyme township in April, 1864. Her parents, John and Eliza (Kehoe) Winzerl, were natives of Germany and Ireland respectively, the former having come to America in 1848, while the latter crossed the Atlantic 1851. Both were employed on farms for some time, but after their marriage, in 1861, Mr. Winzerl purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Lyme township, where they continued to make their home until called from this life. They were Catholics in religious faith and were the parents of three children, namely: John; Catharine, wife of our subject; and Julia, deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lawler have been born five children: Joseph, John, Sadie, Wilfred and Loretta, all at home. The parents are devoted and faithful members of the Catholic church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county in which they spent their entire lives.

Frank B. Gannett

Frank B. Gannett, a well known, successful and enterprising agriculturist of Fairfield township, was born in the state of New York on the 15th of February, 1869. When a little lad of six years he was adopted by Thomas Gannett, who had no children of his own and whose farm he inherited at the time of Mr. Gannett's death in 190r. Thomas Gannett, whose birth occurred in England in September, 1845, devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. It was in 1866 that he took up his abode on a farm in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, having purchased the property from James Buck, of Norwalk. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Sweet, was born in England in 1834. They were well known and highiv esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives.

Frank B. Gannett attended the schools of North Fairfield in the acquirement of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of life. Since putting aside his text-books he has given his attention to the work of general farming, in which line of activity he has won a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity, being the owner of one hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in Fairfield township. This is the oldest farm in the township and on it was erected the first frame house in Fairfield. The place is now equipped with a number of substantial buildings, which are kept in a state of excellent repair, and in addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Gannett also feeds sheep, hogs and cattle on quite an extensive scale. He likewise engages in the sale of machine oils and all lubricating oils, which he supplies through three townships, disposing of about one hundred and fifty barrels annually. In all of his business affairs he is alert and enterprising, meeting with the measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and well directed labor.

In September, 1898, Mr. Gannett was united in marriage to Miss Georgina Duncan, whose birth occurred in Ontario, Canada, the 4th of April, 1862. Her father, Robert Duncan, who was born on the roth of May, 1828, passed away June 1903. He was of Scotch descent and made his home at Bluevale, Ontario, of which town his father was one of the first settlers. The mother of Mrs. Gannett was born in 1829 and was a second cousin of Sir John A. Mc-

Donald, the premier of Canada. Her demise occurred on the 7th of April, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Gannett now have two children, namely: Norman Thomas, born February 28, 1902; and Robert Duncan, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 18th of March, 1904. A resident of this county for more than a third of a century, Mr. Gannett is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.

Success is not a matter of genius, held by some, but is the outcome of clear judgment, experience and indefatigable energy. This truth is manifest in an analyzation of the life record of all those men who are pushing their way to the front and seeking their advancement in the legitimate lines of trade. It is proven again in the history of C. E. Ward, a prominent regalia manufacturer of New London, where he has developed a business of large and profitable proportions, utilizing every advantage that has come to hand and carefully watchful of all details pointing to success.

Ohio numbers Mr. Ward among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Sullivan, Ashland county, on the 9th of January, 1873. His parents were Jacob and Ellen (Hubler) Ward, who were also natives of this state, the Hubler family coming from Pennsylvania at an early day. C. E. Ward was one of three children and an only son. He lost his mother when five years of age and in early life was thrown upon his own resources. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools of New London but the necessity of providing for his own support prevented him from obtaining a higher education. He is essentially a self-made man, one who has risen from the humble position of a clerkship in a grocery store to the head of an extensive, prosperous and growing manufacturing concern at the age of thirty-six years, an accomplishment which speaks for itself. He made his initial step in the business world as a grocery clerk, being thus employed for a few years when as a result of his industry, integrity and foresight, he was enabled to engage in business on his own account as a dealer in furniture.

The Regalia Manufacturing business which "has made New London famous" was established in a very modest way by W. S. Bellville and R. B. Powers in 1889 and after a short time, they sold out to W. E. Clemmons and S. O. Curtis. On the 13th of July, 1895, Mr. Ward purchased the interest of Mr. Curtis and carried on a business in partnership with Mr. Clemmons. The manufacturing department was conducted upstairs in connection with the furniture business below. In January, 1904, Mr. Clemmons was about to sell his interest to Mr. Powers, but before the deal was consummated, Mr. Ward induced him to sell to E. R. Stillson and in connection with the latter carried on the business as Ward & Stillson, until September 19, 1905, when Mr. Stillson bought out Mr. Ward's interest and organized an incorporated company under the title of the Ward Stillson Company. Mr. Ward then erected his present manufactory and organized the C. E. Ward

Company, of which he is president while his father is vice-president. He commenced business under this style October 1, 1905, in the manufacture of regalia and the enterprise has grown enormously, the rapid development of the trade being indicated in the fact that this year's business will reach over a quarter of a million dollars. They employ a superior class of help, both male and female, and the firm is represented on the road by seven traveling salesmen while the business extends throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Ward is a bright, genial man, energetic, far-sighted and progressive and while his success is notable it is equally well deserved.

In 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ward and Miss Daisy E. White, a daughter of Daniel White, an old resident of New London and a Civil war veteran. Mr. Ward's father was also a Union soldier, serving with the Twentyfifth Independent Battery of the Light Artillery. Two children, Sterling and Virginia, have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ward and with the parents constitute the members of the household. Mr. Ward is a valued representative of the Masonic fraternity in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also connected with other orders and while he is no office seeker, his business interests preclude the possibility of active participation in public affairs as an office holder. He is an ardent republican, stands for clean government and is opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs. He concentrates his energies upon his business, which demands his entire time and in its control, he displays marked executive ability, keen discernment and a power of wisely co-ordinating forces so as to produce an unified and harmonious whole. His business has been notably successful for within a brief period he has built up an enterprise second to no productive industry in New London or this part of the county.

5. J. Rummell, carrying on general agricultural pursuits, his time and energies being devoted to the further development, cultivation and improvement of a farm of sixty-three acres of land, is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ottawa county on the 1st of March, 1856, a son of Sebastian and Applelona (Diehl) Rummell. As a boy he was reared amid the wholesome influence and environment of rural life and later his time was largely divided between the work of the schoolroom and the duties of the fields. Arriving at years of maturity, he wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared and has largely devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He has, however, in the past given some attention to painting and butchering but is now engaged in general farming. His place of sixty-three acres has a well kept appearance and the fields, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, annually bring forth rich harvests. He practices rotation of crops, while the work of plowing, planting and harvesting is systematically done, due attention being given to the condition and quality of the soil.

In 1880 Mr. Rummell was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Vogus, a daughter of Fred Vogus, and unto this union have been born the following children: Mandy,

Fred, Anna, Nettie, Ida, Laura, Albert and Albertina. In politics Mr. Rummell is a stanch democrat, giving loyal support to the principles of that party and doing all in his power to extend its influence in the community. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church and are highly respected for their many good traits of character. Mr. Rummell has never sought to figure prominently in a public way, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, carefully conducted, are bringing to him gratifying returns. Although he has lived in this locality only nine years, he nevertheless has gained a wide circle of friends who entertain for him warm regard.

Charles W. Abbey

Charles W. Abbey is cultivating a farm of ninety-three acres in Norwalk township and is a farmer whose well directed energy and keen foresight are bringing to him a creditable measure of prosperity. He was born in the northern peninsula of Michigan on the 24th of August, 1849, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Todd) Abbey. On the paternal side he comes of Welsh lineage, the line of descent extending down from John Abbey, through his son Shuble, who married Sarah Sanford and in turn became the father of Aaron Abbey, who was born September ro, 1825, in Ashtabula county, Ohio. The mother of our subject was born in Buifalo, New York, November 14, 1829, and is a daughter of Augustus and Arna (Cole) Todd. On both the paternal and maternal sides the men have been longlived, Shuble Abbey, the grandfather of our subject, having lived to the venerable age of ninety-six years. He was extremely active during his entire life and when eighty-five years old climbed a chestnut tree and shook down the nuts. Henry Francisco, the great-great-grandfather, lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and thirty-four years. He was of French descent and resided in New York. When one hundred years old he plowed with a yoke of oxen, and at the age of fourteen years he played the bugle at the coronation of Queen Anne. In the family of Aaron Abbey and his wife were five children: Henry A., Albert A., Charles W., Edward A. and Walter S.

As a iarm boy Charles W. Abbey spent the days of boyhood and youth and in the public schools he acquired a fair education that qualified him to take up the more responsible duties of life when he put aside the tasks of the schoolroom. He remained at home until about eighteen years of age, when he purchased the farm upon which he now resides and started out in business on his own account. He has made this farm his home for forty-two years and in the meantime has brought it under a fine state of cultivation. He is up-to-date and progressive in his methods and'his well directed energy and close application to business have been the means of bringing to him a most gratifying degree of success.

Mr. Abbey was united in marriage the 1st of May, 1872, to Miss Matilda Florence Lockwood, a daughter of Eli and Anna (Howarth) Lockwood, of Huron county. Their home has been blessed with one son, Bernard, who was born February 3, 1875, and married Miss Orpha Allman. Fraternally Mr. Abbey is a Mascn and holds membership in a Michigan lodge, while his son, Bernard, belongs to the Elks and the Maccabees of Norwalk. He is independent in politics and is governed by the character of the candidates rather than by any feeling of partisanship. He is not neglectful of the responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship, but at all times lends his aid to further any measure which has for its object the substantial and permanent upbuilding and welfare of the community. As he has made his home for many years in Huron county, he has a wide acquaintance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a man of genuine personal worth.

E. W. Smith. a well known and prominent farmer and horse dealer of Ripley township, may well claim the proud American title of a self-made man, inasmuch as the prosperity which he now enjoys has been won entirely through his own efforts and has come as the result of indefatigable industry and well directed energy. Born on the 16th of February, 1865, in this township, he is a son of Otis and Mary Jane (Welsh) Smith, the former born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1832, while the latter's birth occurred in Ripley*township, Huron county, in 1838. The paternal grandfather, Henry Smith, was born in New York in 1800 and came to Ohio at an early date, purchasing the farm upon which our subject now resides in 1840. He married Caroline Redfield, and in their family were the following children: Otis, Henry, Jane and two who passed away in infancy. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Nicholas V. and Susan (Styles) Welsh, and was the eldest in a family of four children, the others being Peter, John and Rachel. Nicholas Welsh was born in 1819 in Maryland and is a son of John Welsh. His grandfather, John Welsh, Sr., was the founder of the family in America, coming from Wales when nineteen years of age and locating in Maryland. The family was numbered among the slave traders of that state at one time, but upon their removal to Ohio they freed all of their slaves. Mr. Welsh, like many other southerners, was raised by an old black mammy. The family of Otis Smith and his wife consisted of five children, namely, Warren, Charles, Ralph, E. W. and Verna.

Amid the scenes and environments of agricultural life E. W. Smith was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools, and when not engaged with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the fields, his training in general farming being most thorough and comprehensive. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then started out in business for himself. Most of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he now owns a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-eight acres of land which, in its well improved and attractive appearance, indicates the thrift and progressiveness of its owner. For ten years, however, he operated a livery and sale stable in Plymouth, and he now deals in horses, making a specialty of breeding trotters. He has been very successful in his various undertakings and is now ranked among the substantial and representative agriculturists of Huron county.

It was on the 19th of August, 1885, that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Watts, who was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, in January, 1866, a daugh- ter of Frank and Elizabeth (Lester) Watts. She was the sister of Hattie, Sarah, Grace and Alberta Watts, and by her marriage to Mr. Smith became the mother of two sons: Forest, born in December, 1888; and Charles, born in May, 1897. The eldest son, who is a graduate of the Plymouth high school, taught school for several years and in the fall of 1909 entered the Ohio State University. The family are members of the Methodist church of Plymouth, and are people of high repute in the community in which they reside.

Mr. Smith holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics is a stalwart republican, giving his unwavering support to that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Although he has confined his attention closely to business, yet he has found time to interest himself in those affairs which should always claim the attention of every good citizen, and his influence is ever on the side of progress, improvement, reform and advancement. His has been a life of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor, and in this community, where he has resided throughout his entire lifetime, he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends, who entertain for him high regard, while the fact that he is most liked where best known indicates that his salient characteristics are in accord with the principles of honorable and upright manhood.

Horace B. Silliman

One of the prosperous farmers of Ripley township and one of the extensive landholders, is Horace B. Silliman. Although not one of Ohio's native sons he early saw the great agricultural possibilities of the state and for more than half a century, has made it his home. He was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, September 13, 1832, and is the son of Joseph and Lucinda (Banks) Silliman. The Silliman family is of Dutch and English descent, but has for several generations been connected with the life of this country. The father, Joseph Silliman, was born in 1790 in the county that was later the birthplace of his son and was the eldest of the family of nine that were born of the union of Justice Silliman and Miss Ruth Jennings. The other children were: Abijah, Daniel, Stephen, Sarah, Ruth, Abigail, Marinda and Isaac. Mrs. Lucinda Silliman was also born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, but was two years younger than her husband, her birth having occurred in the year 1792. She was the daughter of Thomas Banks and his wife and the sister of Jane, Amelia, Sarah, Esther and Rachel. Through her marriage with Joseph Silliman she became the mother of three children: Horace B., George and Sarah Eliza.

Horace B. Silliman first came to Ohio in 1849, when he was but seventeen years of age and remained but ten months staying with his brother George who was a resident of Fairfield. The impressions formed on this visit, however, were so favorable, that he returned to his home with the intention of disposing of his property as quickly as possible and coming again to this state, which though not as well developed as at present, seemed to offer great opportunities, especially to the man who was willing to work. In 1855, he sold his property in Connecti- cut and came to Ripley township, where he purchased the one hundred and eighty-four acres on which he now lives. The years have proved the wisdom of his decision. He has been more successful than he had even dared to hope; the land brought him rich harvests, and when he engaged in the stock business, it too prospered, so that he has been able from time to time to add to his original land holdings until he now has three hundred and forty acres in Ripley township.

In the April of the year preceding his advent to Ohio, that of 1854, Mr. Silliman married Miss Abigail Hawkins, who was born August 20, 1833, in Fairfield county, Connecticut, and is a dauzhter of Eben and Clara (Wakeman) Hawkins. The parents had a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Silliman is the youngest. The others were Burr, William, Elihu, Arella, Sarah, Mary and Adaline. To Mr. and Mrs. Silliman have been born eleven children: Georgiana, William, Frank, Dwight, Edward, Clara, Mary, Ella and three who died in infancy.

In politics, Mr. Silliman affiliates with the democratic party and has taken a vital interest in the affairs of the township, having served for a number of years as trustee and at several different times as assessor. He is also responsible to some degree for the financial stability of the county, for he was one of the founders of the People's Bank at Plymouth and the Farmers Bank at Greenwich, and since their establishment has been upon their boards of directors. Yet the position of esteem which he holds in the community is due entirely to his own efforts, because he seized opportunities when they presented themselves and made others whenever he saw the slightest pcssibility of gaining and advancing by them. Fraternally, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Koya! Arcanum.

Isabella Conger

Isabella Conger, of Greenfield township, who is conducting the farm on the one hundred and acres of land left by her husband, was born in this township, June 25, 1831, and is a daughter of Edward and Martha (Lovell) Lowther. Her paternal grandfather, Henry Lowther, was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the time of the rebellion in his home land. He settled in New York state, became a farmer and acquired considerable property, which he lost by going bond for a friend. His son Edward Lowther, the father of Mrs. Conger, was born in New York city in 1800. At the age of seventeen he came west to Ohio, locating in Greenfield township, Huron county, where he purchased land and lived the remainder of his days. Captain Lowther he was generally called, for he was at one time captain of the militia and was otherwise prominent in his section of the county, for he held many township offices during the period of his residence here and was a conspicuous figure in the Universalist church. His life was brought to a close in 1886. His wife was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and came with her parents to Ohio when it was a dense forest and when Indians were frequent visitors to the homes of the white settlers. Quite a different county did she leave in 1887, when her eighty-one years of activity were ended by death. She became the mother of the following children: Thomas, deceased; Mariette, the widow of Ira Watterman; Isabella, of this sketch; Jackson, of Sherwood, Ohio; Sarah, the widow of William Graham; Helen, the deceased wife of Dexter Mason; Martha, the wife of Barnett Rowe; and James.

Greenfield township has always been Mrs. Conger's home. She was born here in a little log house and in the district schools received such an education as they were able to give. She took part in the work that was carried on at the home farm, such work as a girl could do, and was about twenty years of age when she was sought in marriage by Lewis Conger, the son of Elijah and Hannah (Ludlow) Conger. Mr. Conger was born September 8, 1824, at Ludlowville, New York, and in 1833, came with his parents to Milan, Ohio, where he worked with his father in a mill until 1850, when the family moved to Greenfield township. In 1870 Mr. Conger bought the farm on which his widow now lives from Jacob Noggle, and as it was in an almost rude state, the many improvements that it now possesses are to be laid to Mr. Conger's credit.

On the of February, 1853, Mr. Conger and Miss Lowther were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and the forty-four years during which they were permitted to travese life's pathway together were blessed with four children. Edward L., who lives in Greenfield township, married Miss Nellie Hall and has two children, May and Ray. Halsey died at the age of five months. Julia, now deceased, was the wife of Charles Palmer and the mother of two children, Florence and Charles. Lewis, who lives on the farm with his mother, was married to Miss Ada Daly, of Greenfield township and is the father of a daughter Isabelle. Mr. Conger was called to his final rest November 11, 1899, and during the subsequent years the son Lewis has taken full charge of the farm, has conducted its work and managed its finances.

Daniel Jay Morse

Daniel Jay Morse is now living retired in North Fairfield but for many years was closely associated with farming interests in Huron county. Prospering as the years went by he acquired a handsome competence and when relieved of the necessity of further labor to provide a means of living, he took up his abode in town, there to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. He is not actively engaged in any business at the present time, save in loaning money. Few men have longer resided within the borders of the county than Mr. Morse, who is one of the native sons, his birth having occurred in Bronson township, on the 23d of March, 1836. There were still many evidences of pioneer life here at that time, for the railroads had not been built, much of the land was still uncultivated and through the dense forests roamed wild animals, while various kinds of wild game were to be seen. Great changes have since occurred and with the work of general progress and improvement Mr. Morse has been identified. He comes of a family of English lineage. The first of the name of whom we have authentic record was John Morse, who was commissioned a captain in the Colonial army before the Revolutionary war by King George and the commission is still in possession of his descend- ents. At the time the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he became allied with American interests and participated in the war for independence holding the rank of captain in the Continental army. His grandfather, Ezekiel Morse, was born in Massachusetts and went from New England to Rochester, New York, during the war of 1812. He fought with the American troops throughout the war and took up his abode in Rochester when it was a mere hamlet, he and his brother Enoch laying out the main street of the city. He was also of the first aldermen of Rochester and was closely and prominently connected with the work of development and upbuilding during the formative period. At his death he was taken back to Rochester, where he was accorded a public burial by the city.