Wakeman Township (part 1 of 21)

Wakeman Township

It lies generally rolling, especially the east half, and was heavily timbered with oak, beech, maple, basswood, elm, black walnut, cherry, etc. The soil is clayey with a mixture of sand sufficient to make it easy to till.

Vermillion river enters the township from the south near the center of the town line, and running a wonderfully crooked course, passes about a mile east of the center and leaves the township a short distance west of the section line. Brandy creek enters the south line of the township, in the southwest part, and forms a junction with the Vermillion a short distance northeast of the center of the town. Chapelle creek rises in Townsend, enters this township south of the center road and leaves it a mile and a quarter east of the northwest corner. The stream is said to have derived its name from a Frenchman by the name of De La Chapelle, who discovered and explored it to its source, long before the country was settled.

Wakeman was attached to Florence for township purposes until February, 1824, at which time, on petition of the inhabitants, it was set off by the county commissioners, and organized independently. The election was held at the log school house near Mr. Canfield's, in April following.

The first road was that along the west town line, called the "Reed road," a man of that name having opened it. The first road within the township was that along the line of the first settlements, called the New London road. It is a mile east of the west line road, and runs a generally north and south direction. It was opened by the settlers, being at first merely underbrushed and originally ran a more crooked course than it now does, in order to avoid swales and steep hills. The east and west center road was opened west of the center in 1825 or 1826, and east of the center a few years after.

The first religious meeting in Wakeman was held at the house of Augustin Canfield, Sunday evening, January 10, 1819. Rev. Lot B. Sullivan, a missionary, was the preacher. Mr. and Mrs. Canfield, Dr. Clark and wife led the singing. They were the pioneer choir of Wakeman for many years.

The first church organization was formed at the house of Mr. Pierce, October 25, 1822, by Rev. A. H. Betts and Rev. Joseph Treat. The society was of the Congregational order.

The first wedding in Wakeman was that of Marshall Johnson and Marinda Bradley. They were married in October, 1820, at the house of Abram Bronson, Dr. Clark performing the ceremony. The next couple married was Nathaniel Hine, of Berlin, and Ruth Sherman, in the winter of 1821.

The first death in the township was that of Mrs. Hendricks, mother of Mrs. Abram Bronson, which occurred in 1820. The death of Mr. Bronson occurred a short time after that of Mrs. Hendricks.

The first burial ground was on the southwest corner of the crossroads, near where Mr. Mordoff later lived. Some of the bodies were afterwards taken up and removed to other burial grounds, and the former ground was abandoned for that purpose. The first interment in the cemetery at the center was that of Mrs. Justus Minor.

The first frame building in the township was the barn of Justin Sherman, in 1823. The first completed frame house was built by Mr. Sherman in 1827. The erection of a frame house had previously been commenced by Sheldon Barnes, but before it was finished, it was taken down and removed elsewhere.

The first and only murder committed in the township was 1843. The victim was the wife of Alexander Lawtha. She was strangled to death the hands of her husband, assisted by John Simpson, a neighbor. The body of the woman was thrown into a well, and when found, the prints of the fingers on her neck could be plainly seen. The murderers were convicted of the crime, and Lawtha was sentenced to the penitentiary for life, but before his removal to the county jail, he cut his throat with a razor, but before death he made a confession of his crime. Simpson was sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of ten

The first settlers went to Esquire Merry's mill in Milan township to get their grinding done,a distance of fourteen miles as the road originally ran. Subsequently, and until the erection of a gristmill by Burton Canfield in 1824, they obtained their grist at Ruggles' mill in Florence, and at Husted's mill in Clarksfield. In 1823, Burton Canfield built a sawmill on the Vermillion, east of Wakeman village. The next year he added a frame grist mill with one run of stone. The mill stones were made out of the ordinary "hard head" stone by Elder Phillips, a pioneer Baptist preacher of Berlin. He took the job for thirty-five dollars, and realized less than a shilling a day, the stone proving harder than he had estimated.

A sawmill was built on the La Chapelle in 1823 by Justin Sherman. This and the Canfield mill were erected at the same time, but the Sherman mill sawed the first log. On the same stream there were formerly three other sawmills, one built by Esquire Pierce about the year 1833, one by C. C. Canfield in 1840, and one by B. M. Canfield in 1848. That of C. C. Canfield was in operation for thirty years, and did an extensive business.

The first school was opened by Mrs. Dr. Clark in her own house, in the summer of 1818. Her scholars were Calvert C., Royal R. and Sarah Ann Canfield; Lemuel B., Bennett and Minott Pierce. Mrs. Clark taught for one dollar per week, and boarded herself. Her wages were paid, not in money, but in the products of the soil, the usual legal tender in those early times. The school was also kept by Mrs. Clark in the log house of Mr. Canfield. The scholars would each carry an ear of corn to school which the teacher would boil for them, this constituting the only dinner they had. School was kept in Wakeman only a few weeks in the year, and the children, or at least the boys, the eldest of whom was not more than ten years of age, attended a school in Florence, traversing an unbroken forest for a distance of three miles. In the year 1820 the first school house was built, of logs of course, on the farm of Augustin Canfield.

The log school house served the double purpose of a place of teaching and a house of worship for about nine years, when it was replaced by a comfortable frame school house, twenty-two by twenty-six feet in size, with a genuine shingle roof. The meeting to consider the question of its erection was held at the old school house, January 29, 1829. Bela Coe was chosen moderator of the meeting, and Augustin Canfield, clerk. It was decided to build the house by a tax, the cost of which was to be one hundred and seventy dollars. Among other things it was resolved that "we will have a chimney in said house," that "a writing desk shall be attached to the side of the house," etc. It was also stipulated that the house should be opened on the Sabbath to the Congregational and Methodist churches, each to occupy it one-half of the time, "but if it so happens that one denomination does not want to occupy their half of the time, and the other does more, it shall be their privilege to do so." The house had a kind of dedication by a union service of the two churches on Christmas eve, 1829, the Rev. Xenophon Betts and True Pattee officiating on the occasion. The house was trimmed with evergreens and illuminated. The first teacher in the new school house was J. M. Root.

In the year 1829 the inhabitants of Wakeman attained to the felicity of a weekly mail. Isaac Todd and Cyrus Minor drew up, or caused to be drawn up, a petition for the extension of the mail route from Grafton, Lorain county, to Norwalk, and carried it to Grafton to obtain the signatures of the settlers along the proposed route. After the mail was established, the settlers along the line turned out and under-brushed a road from Wakeman to Grafton. The first mailcarrier was one Cole, who carried the mail once a week, making his journeys on foot. The first trip he made through Wakeman he stopped at Isaac Todd's, whose house was the first on his route west of La Grange. No mail bag being visible, Mr. Todd inquired about it. "Oh, I've got it," replied the carrier, and he reached in his pocket and drew forth a large-sized pocket-book, on which was a padlock about the size of a silver half dollar. Mr. Todd, naturally taken aback at the apparent unimportance of the enterprise he had labored hard to establish, said: "You don't mean to say you carry the mail in that?" "Yes," rejoined Cole, "and it's large enough; there's nothing in it!" The route was established, and the mail-carrier had to make the trip, although there was not an item of mail to carry. It was not long, however, before a more capacious mail bag was substituted for the pocket-book.

A man by the name of Waldron afterwards carried the mail. He frequently stopped at Joseph French's, and on one occasion brought the family a piece of venison. On being asked where he got it he replied that he "shot the deer with the mail bag." He came upon the animal while browsing in the top of a fallen tree, struck it in the head with the bag, which so frightened the deer that he caught it and cut its throat with his knife.

The first postoffice was established January 1833, with Justin Sherman, postmaster, who kept the office in his house. He served for seven years and three months, when he was succeeded by Merritt Hyde, and the office was moved to his dwelling, west of the center.

As already stated, Dr. Harmon M. Clark was the first physician that practiced in the township. He had been engaged in the practice of medicine before he came to this country, and was a surgeon or assistant surgeon in the United States navy in the War of 1812.

The first store in Wakeman was kept by Justin Sherman near the center, on lot forty-five. He erected the building in 1839, and sold the first goods on the third day of July, 1841. His goods were purchased in New York city, and transported by way of Hudson river, Erie canal and Lake Erie to Huron, and thence to Wakeman by team.

The principal species wild animals originally found in the forests of Wakeman, were the bear, deer, wolf, wild-cat and fox. Bears, though not numerous, were occasionally seen. Deer were very numerous, and were frequently captured. They were the settlers' main dependence for meat, while their skins were used as an article of clothing by the male inhabitants. Suits made wholly of buckskin were worn only when absolute necessity required, a single wetting and drying making them very uncomfortable. It was more generally used for facing the exposed portion of the pantaloons.

The first election of a school board, of which there is a record, occurred Octobert 31, 1828, when Augustin Canfield was elected clerk; Justin Sherman, Philo Sherman and Samuel Bristol, directors.

Until 1827, the township constituted one school district. The location of the first school house being determined by the center of the population, it was built in the third section, as previously stated. In the spring of the above year a second school district was erected, embracing nearly three-fourths of the township, and a log school house built at the center of town. A few years after a frame school house was built there.

The first year of the settlement, wheat was two dollars and potatoes one dollar and seventy-five cents per bushel, pork thirty dollars per barrel, and oftener of the "shack" variety than otherwise. Until the land was brought under cultivation provisions were generally obtained in the surrounding earlier settlements.

'The character of the population that took possession of Wakeman was of the genuine Yankee sort; they were, almost without exception, from Connecticut. Most of them came from Southbury, New Haven county, some from Litchfield and Fairfield counties, and a few from other parts of the State.

The first family to take up its abode in the wilderness was that of Augustin Canfield. Mr. Canfield started from New Milford, Litchfield county, with his wife and four children, his brother Burton Canfield, Seymour Johnson and his hired man, for the Firelands on the 29th day of April, 1817. While journeying through the "four-mile woods" west of Buffalo, the emigrants experienced a breakdown, one of the axletrees of the wagon breaking off at the wheel. The company fortunately possessed sufficient mechanical skill to repair the damage, cutting out a piece of timber from a tree and splicing it on to the remaining part of the axle, and thus completed the journey without further mishap.

Many anecdotes are related illustrative of the condition of the roads through Cattaraugus swamp, or, more particularly, that portion of it known by early settlers as the "four mile woods." A traveler, seeing a hat floating on the mud, procured a pole and tried to secure it, when a voice from below cried out, "Let me alone; I have a good horse under me, and I shall get through all right."

Mr. Canfield and his associates arrived in Wakeman on the 23d day of May, performing the long journey in about three weeks. He settled on lot number twenty-three in the third section, building his cabin near the location of the present residence of John C. Sherman. The house was fourteen feet square, built of rough logs, with a roof of elm bark and a floor of the same. Two large boxes, or trunks, placed together constituted the only table in the house, and upon which the scanty meal was spread. The house being without a fireplace, the cooking was done by a log fire outside. This primitive habitation was occupied about six weeks, when it was replaced by a more substantial log house, in which the family lived until 1822, when it was sold, with seventy acres on the south part of the lot, to Justin Sherman, Mr. Canfield taking up his residence on the north part of the same lot, where he spent the remainder of his life.

The next man that penetrated the forests of Wakeman was Amial P. Pierce. He arrived with his family, consisting of wife and four children, and a hired man, about three weeks after the Canfields, making the journey from Connecticut with an ox team. He made his location on the adjoining lot, number twenty-two. He always resided on this location.

He was a man of large size and of great physical strength, excelling in this respect, any other of the pioneers with the exception of Mr. Bristol. He had borne the rank of captain in Connecticut, and the title was applied to him here for many years, and until that of "Squire," owing to his long service as justice of the peace, was substituted.

The first settlers found this township heavily timbered, the principal varieties being whitewood, white oak, beech, maple, black walnut, butternut, chestnut, hickory and basswood. On the river bottoms the sycamore, elm and sugar maple were chiefly found.

Among the early settlers of Wakeman township, were Barzilla S. Hendricks and family, in 1819. Abram Bronson and wife, in 1820. Sheldon smith and family and Burton French, in 1820. Justus Minor and family, in 1821. Chester Manville and Peter Sherman, in 1822. And about the same time came Justin Sherman, Philo Sherman, Leveritt Hill, and others. In 1823, Merritt Hyde, Amos Clark. A few years later came Russell Barnes, William Beers, Sheldon Barnes, Rufus J. Bunce, Johnson Wheeler, Isaac Todd, Elias Bell, Martin Bell, Simeon Brown, Cyrus Strong, Lewis Beers, Bela Coe, Reuben Hall, Mr. Parsons. Also comparatively early in different portions of the township: John Brooks, Jabez Hanford, Hiram Rumsey, Henry T. Peck, Isaac Haskins, Dr. Curtis and Captain Bell.

Having made careful preparation for the practice of medicine Dr. Hawley is now successfully following his profession in Norwalk, his ability bringing him prominently before the public in this connection. A native of Erie county, Ohio, he was born August 18, 1856. His father, Noah M. Hawley, was born in Connecticut and went to Rochester, New York, with his parents, removing thence to Erie county, Ohio, when twenty years of age. On this trip he also accompanied his parents and his father Allen Hawley, died in Erie county at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He served as a general in the Revolutionary war, giving effective aid to the colonists in their struggle for independence. He came of the same family as the Hawleys, well known in Connecticut. In Ohio Noah M. Hawley turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and throughout the remainder of his life was connected with farming interests in Erie county, being numbered among the representative tillers of the soil in that portion of the state. He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-six years, having long survived his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Olive Sayles and who passed away in Erie county in 1845. Later he married again, his second union being with Abigail Mowry. Dr. Hawley of this review, has one own sister, Laura, and three half-sisters and one half-brother - Dr. Charles A. Hawley, now living in Washington, D. C.

In the country schools Dr. E. N. Hawley pursued his early education and afterward attended the normal school at Milan, Ohio. He then taught in a district school for two years and for one year was employed as a teacher in the Milan Normal College, but he regarded this merely as a preliminary step to other professional labor for it was his purpose to become a member of the medical fraternity. He studied medicine for one year in the Bellevue Medical College of New York city, after which he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and matriculated in the medical department of the State University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He then commenced practice in Sandusky, where he continued for a year, and subsequently spent six years in Wakeman, Huron county, but seeking a broader field of labor he removed to the county seat

His ability in his chosen field of labor is widely recognized, both by the members of the medical fraternity and the general public. He is very careful in the diagnosis of a case, is conscientious in the performance of all professional duties and in a! of his work is actuated by a broad spirit of humanitarianism. The scientific side of the profession also makes strong appeal to him and he closely studies every phase of his work, keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress as manifested in the work of the medical fraternity. He belongs to the County and State Medical Society, the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, and the American Medical Association.

In 1900 Dr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss Abbie Riley, a daughter of John Riley, an old resident of Norwalk. They have one son, Edwin Charles Riley, born October 3, 1904. Dr. Hawley is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and other organizations. He has been termed a good man and a good citizen - a high measure of praise, indicating as it does fidelity and honor in all the relations of public and private life.

Hon. Geo. T. Thomas

Hon. George T. Thomas, ex-speaker of the Ohio house of representatives and recognized as one of the republican leaders of the state, is now engaged in the practice of law at Norwalk, where he has followed his profession since April, 1887, save for the period of his service as probate judge. He was born at Greenwich, Ohio, September 11, 1856, and is a son of Uri Baker and Ellen (McOmber) Thomas. The former was born October 24, 1818, and was a son ^t George and Adeline (Baker) Thomas. George Thomas was born in Rhode Island, May 9, 1795, and on the 16th of August, 1812, married Adeline Baker in Otsego county, New York. She was born November 25, 1796. They reared a family of nine children and Mr. Thomas became a well-to-do farmer of Otsego county, New York. About 1858 he removed westward to Ohio and settled on a farm in Greenfield township, Huron county. Throughout his entire life he carried on general agricultural pursuits and he died at Greenwich, November 5, 1882. He had long survived his wife, who died April 30, 1859. Their children were as follows: an infant daughter, who was born September 4, 1813, and died the same day ; another daughter, who was born and died on the 14th of March, 1815; George Hull, who wes born April r5, 1816, and died in February, 1905; Uri Baker, the father of George T. Thomas ; Levi Ward, who was born January 10, 1821, and died in 1861; a son, who was born and died June 3, 1823; Sylvanus Ward, who was born January 20, 1825, and died in May, 1885; Washington Lafayette, born April 15, 1827; Adeline Alvira, born March 1829; Andrew Jackson, who was born February 3, 1832, and died November 9, 1891; Lucena Icebenda, born February 24, 1835; and Walter B. Wallace, who was born December 18, 1839, and died April 4, 1862.

Of this family Uri Baker Thomas, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation and in addition to tilling the soil he raised and dealt in live stock and in wool. He was married April 16, 1849, to Miss Ellen B. McOmber, who was born May 21, 1829, near Castleton, Vermont. Both acquired a fair education in the schools of their native states, but neither were college graduates. Mr. Thomas came to Ohio in the year 1846 and settled on his farm in Greenwich township, Huron county, where he continued to live until his death, July 14, 1904. He long survived his wife who passed away March 25, 1861. By his first marriage there were born five children: Orr Uri, who was born May 30, 1850, and died February 10, 1904; Spencer, who was born in 1852 and died in infancy ; George T., of this review; Dora Ellen, who was born August 16, 1858 and died in May, 1887; and Luna A., who was born in 1860 and died in infancy. The mother of these children having departed this life in 1861, the father was married in 1864 to Miss Myra B. Stowe. Their children were Walter S., who died in infancy ; and Myra Augusta. The latter was born June 3, 1869, and is now the wife of Professor Lewis E. Akeley, of the University of South Dakota, at Vermillion, that state.

George T. Thomas attended the district schools and also the preparatory schools of Oberlin college. Later he was a student in the preparatory department of Buchtel college, at Akron, Ohio. He spent about a year in each place but did not graduate and in addition to the common branches he studied algebra, plain geometry, physical geography, Greene's analysis of the English language, physics, or the elements of philosophy, history, and later under Professor Mattison at Berea, Ohio, studied Latin to some extent. He has since supplemented his studies by considerable reading and by the study of law. After leaving school he was a teacher in the common or district schools for a number of terms, covering a period of about four years, this being his initial step in professional service.

On the roth of April, 1880, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Miller, a resident of Fairfield township, Huron county, and removed from his father's farm to the village of Greenwich in August, 1880. While engaged in teaching school he took up the study of law and after thorough preliminary reading was admitted to the bar February 2, 1886. He removed from the village of Greenwich to Norwalk in 1887 and here entered upon the practice of law, which he has followed continuously since save for six years, during which time he was probate judge of Huron county, so acting from February 9, 1891, until February 9, 1897. In his practice he is regarded as a safe counsellor and a strong advocate, his arguments being based upon a reasonably comprehensive knowledge of the law, while his application of legal principles is correct. His ability has brought him into prominence among the foremost representative citizens of this section of the state.

Mr. Thomas has long been recognized as one of the prominent representatives of the republican party in this part of Ohio. He has been called upon to fill various local offices and later higher political honors have awaited him. He served as mayor of the village of Greenwich from 1882 until 1884; was township clerk of Greenwich township for one term, in 1884-5; was a member of the board of education of the Greenwich village district in 1885; and treasurer of the board for one term. In 1891 he was chosen probate judge and by reelection was con- tinued the office for six years. For three terms he represented Huron county in the state legislature, taking his seat on the 1st of January, 1900, and thus serving.until January 1906. During the last term of two years, from January 1, 1904, until January 1906, he was the speaker of the Ohio house of representatives. A strict parliamentarian, his rulings were always just, fair and equitable, winning him the respect of the opposition as well as the members of his own party. He has been an influencing power in republican politics in Ohio for many years and served as chairman of the Huron county republican executive committee for three years, from 1894 until 1896 inclusive. His opinions carry weight in party counsels and he is recognized as a public speaker of ability and is clear, strong and convincing in argument in any position he assumes.

On the roth of April, 1880, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Emma J. Miller, at Norwalk, Ohio. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Jones) Miller, of an English family who emigrated from England abut the year 1849 and settled in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio. They reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, and Mrs. Thomas, who is the eldest daughter, was born December 13, 1859. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has been born an only child, Alton O. Thomas, who is a graduate of the Norwalk high school and of the Buchtel college at Akron, Ohio, of the class of 1902.

Mr. Thomas is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having taken the degrees of the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He has twice been representative in the grand iodge and also in the grand encampment for two terms. He is now past counsellor in the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is an alert, enterprising man, quickly utilizing the opportunities which are presented in the legal and in the political arena, and in a profession where advancement must depend entirely upon individual merit he has attained high rank.

Orrin M. Doane, a well known and prosperous resident of Bronson township, has been engaged in operating machinery for the threshing and pressing of hay throughout the greater part of his business career. He was born on the 7th of February, 1851, a son of Elon Doane, who in early manhood made his way from New York to Ohio, becoming one of the first settlers of Huron county. The district was still largely wild and undeveloped but with characteristic energy he set to work, cleared a tract of land for farming purposes and was successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. When he was called to his final rest in 1892 the community mourned the loss of one of its most worthy and respected pioneer residents. He and his wife reared a family of six sons and three daughters.

Orrin M. Doane attended the common schools in pursuit of an education and on starting out in life on his own account took up the work of general farming. During the greater portion of his business career, however, he has devoted his attention to the operation of machinery for the threshing and pressing of hay, making extensive purchases of hay, which he presses and bales and then sells to shippers. In all of his undertakings he has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity, owing to his untiring industry and capable management and is widely recognized as one of the substantial, progressive and representative citizens of his community.

On the 23d of December, 1873, Mr. Doane was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A. Templer, whose birth occurred May 11, 1856. Her father, Valentine Templer, was born in Rotterdam, Schenectady county, New York, on the 12th of May, 1832, being the youngest of nine children. On the 29th of December, 1853, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Christie Ann McDonald, whose birth occurred in Schnectady, New York, April 27, 1828, and by whom he had six children. In 1865 he brought his family to Ohio and continued an honored and respected resident of Huron county until the time of his demise, which occurred in 1895. Though not affiliated with any church, he was a man of high moral character, whose exemplary life well entitled him to the regard and esteem which were uniformly accorded him. His wife passed away at her home in Olena on the 13th of July, 1906. The marriage of Orrin M. and Harriet A. (Templer) Doane has been blessed with the following children: Arthur E., who was born July 1, 1874; George L., whose natal day was September 26, 1878; Mrs. Anna M. Garner, who was born on the 11th of December, 1880; and Roy V., whose birth occurred January 14, 1894. The family are well known the county and Mr. Doane and his wife have many warm friends who esteem them for their genuine worth and many good qualities.

Henry K Where

Henry K. White, a substantial and representative farmer of Bronson township, was born September 25, 1846, in Steuben, Greenfield township, Huron county. He is a son of William White, who was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, February 15, 1811, and was a son of Nathaniel and Nancy A. White. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and built the courthouse at Sandusky, Ohio, about 1833. He afterward removed to Huron county where he cut the timber and built a log house for himself. As the years passed and the country became thickly settled his carefully managed business affairs made him quite a wealthy man. He married Lucy Holland, who was born in Ireland July 2, 1814, a daughter of John Holland, who came from the Emerald Isle to Ohio. In the family of William and Lucy (Holland) White were the following children : Thomas, Lewis, Frances, Maria, Samuel, Henry, Fred, Jane and Charles.

Henry K. White has spent his entire life in this county, where he was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His life has been a busy and useful one, his business affairs being capably managed so that he has won a fair measure of success. He has also been quite active in other lines. He has always been a democrat in politics, taking an active and helpful interest in the party. He is associated with his brother, Fred A. White, in the ownership of a farm on which they live and they also have the agency for various kinds of fertilizers, having been connected with that line of business for more than ten years. They have also handled agricultural implements and machinery and have been very successful in that branch of their business. They also have some good track horses and some well bred colts.

Fred A. White, his brother's partner in business, was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, April 6, 1856, and was reared in the usual manner. of farm lads who divide their time between the acquirement of an education and the work of the farm. On the 12th of December, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Kennedy, who was born in September, 1856. She is a daughter of John and Priscilla (Fitzgerald) Kennedy, of Richland county, Ohio. They have become the parents of a daughter, Minnie May, who was born July 13, 1880, and is now the wife of Claude A. Terry, of Elyria, Ohio. Fred A. White and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and his political allegiance is given to the democracy, but he never seeks nor desires office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He and his brother have resided upon the farm where they now live for forty-six years and keep the property in most modern and up-to-date shape. They are well known as excellent farmers and horsemen and their business affairs, capably conducted, are winning for them substantial financial reward.

David B. Nims

David B. Nims, a farmer of Lyme township, Huron county, and the owner of one hundred and seventy-five acres of land that lies partly in this county and partly in Erie, was born on this farm, November 18, 1841, the son of Worthington and Betsy (Barnard) Nims. Both parents were born in Shelborn, Massachusetts, 1803 being the year of the father's birth. He came to this part of the country with his father at the age of twenty, selecting Strongs Ridge as his first abiding place. A few years later, he bought the farm his son now lives upon. Here he built first a log cabin, which he replaced some time later by a frame house, built on that section of the farm that lay in Groton township, Erie county, for the line dividing that county from Huron, passes through the farm. In this house, David B. Nims was born, but as the years passed and brought their measure of success in increased returns from the soil, this frame house ceased to satisfy, and Mr. Nims built a third house, a large and substantial one, which is now the home of his son and has well withstood the wear of time. Three children were born to Mr. Nims: William, deceased; Helen, the wife of Melvin Wood; and David B. He was a man prominent in the work of the Lyme Congregational church and when death called him, in 1896, he left many to regret his loss.

David B. Nims has always lived in Lyme township with the exception of a very short period. His education was derived in the district schools, but the more vital lessons for his preparation for life were obtained at home under the wise guidance of his parents. From his childhood, he has been learning the things that meant success in a farmer's life and wittingly chose agriculture as his vocation in life. When he first left the tutelage of the home and engaged in farming for himself, it was on a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Milan, Ohio. After a year's residence upon this, he sold it to purchase another, of hundred forty-five acres, in Huron county, buying it of Mr. Burr. Upon this, he lived and worked for perhaps ten years, when he was called home by the death of his brother to take charge of the farm where he has lived ever since, during the time having made many improvements that have increased the value of the land.

In November, 1866, Mr. Nims was united in marriage to Miss Sabra Stebbins, a daughter of Alfred and Eliza (Fanning) Stebbins of Lyme township. One child has been born to the couple, Alfred Nims, whose birth occurred on the 2oth of September, 1870. When he grew to manhood, he married Miss Jessie Wills, a daughter of George Wills. The couple make their home with his father on the farm.

Mr. Nims and his family are staunch members of the Lyme Congregational church, and in their daily lives put in practice those things which are taught especially on the first day of the week. A member of the older generation of those who till the soil, Mr. Nims is yet active in all his work and progressive, being quick to see and grasp any opportunity that will mean the improvement of his iand and an increase in the returns that it will render him.

Merritt H. Hyde

Merritt H. Hyde, a well known and successful agriculturist of Wakeman township, where he owns an excellent tract of land comprising ninety-two acres, has also been extensively engaged in threshing since 1895. This farm has remained his place of residence from his birth to the present time, his natal day being August 7, 1862. His parents were Merritt M. and Elizabeth (Church) Hyde. The paternal grandfather, Merritt Hyde, came with his family to Huron county from Connecticut in 1816, making the entire journey by ox team. The farm on which he took up his abode is the one which is now in possession of our subject. At the time of his arrival here, there were only thirteen white people in Wakeman township and the land was all covered with timber. He traded his Connecticut property for Firelands in this county and became possessed of about four hundred acres of land at one time, on which not a stick had been cut. The first hecessary task was the erection of a cabin home and with the assistance of the few neighbors a rude dwelling was soon constructed. Then began the work of cutting down the trees and preparing the land for cultivation and, by dint of hard and unremitting labor, this, too, was accomplished. Merritt Hyde was a man of strong character, who faced the hardships and privations of pioneer existence with undaunted courage and a resolute spirit. The country was yet thickly populated with Indians and he did considerable trading with the red men. Fora time he served as an Indian agent for the government and his official duties sometimes called him as far as the head of Lake Superior. In those early days he often found the struggle for existence a difficult one, but as time passed by and the district was gradually opened up to civilization, his efforts were rewarded with success and he became a prosperous and influential citizen, possessing a large fortune at the time of his death. His labors proved an important factor the work of early development and upbuilding and when he was called to his final rest on the rst of May, 1876, at the age of eighty-one years, the county mourned the loss of one of its most respected and honored pioneer settlers. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sallie Boyd, passed away on the 2d of Feb- 1889, when she had attained the venerable age of ninety-four years and ten months. Both lie buried in the Wakeman cemetery. Mr. Merritt of this review regards as one of his most prized possessions an old family bible tracing the ancestral record back to 1724.

Merritt M. Hyde, the father of Merritt H. Hyde, is a native of Huron county, being born on the farm which continued his home as long as he remained a resident of this community. He followed general agricultural pursuits while living here and was widely recognized as a prominent and representative citizen of Wakeman township. In the year 1883 he removed with his wife and daughter to San Antonio, Texas, and subsequently took up his abode in Fort Worth, that state, devoting his attention to the work of farming. At the end of about two years' residence in the Lone Star state he went to Elkmont, Limestone county, Alabama, where he has since made his home. addition to general agricultural pursuits he is also engaged in the sawmill business, meeting with well merited success in his undertakings. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Church, was a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, and in early life came to Ohio with her parents. She is now deceased, her demise having occurred on the 7th of September, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Merritt M. Hyde reared a family of three children, the record of whom is as follows: Merritt H., whose name initiates this review, was the first in order of birth. William D., a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, has been on the river for almost twenty years and has been a captain on the Lee line of boats on the lower rivers for a number of years. Sarah F. is the wife of Thomas Compton, who is associated in business with her father in Alabama.

Merritt H. Hyde was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the public schools of Wakeman. stated above, he has always continued to reside on the place where he was born and throughout his entire business career he has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, his farm comprising ninety-two acres of rich and arable land adjoining the village of Wakeman. In 1895 he bought a steam threshing outfit and every season since then has been extensively engaged in threshing, his operations covering Wakeman, Townsend, Clarksfield and other nearby townships. He has threshed in a single season as high as fifty-five thousand bushels of grain, while his average record is fully forty thousand bushels yearly. Alert, enterprising and progressive, he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity in his business interests and is well known and highly esteemed as a prosperous and substantial citizen of his native county.

Mr. Hyde has been married twice. On the 2d of July, 1887, he wedded Miss Martha Wood, a daughter of James and Sarah Wood, of Elkmont, Alabama. The child born of this union, May E., is now the wife of Werner McCoron, of Decatur, Alabama. Mrs. Martha Hyde passed away December 2, 1889, and on the 8th of April, 1893, Mr. Hyde was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Beam, a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Kessler) Beam, of Wakeman township. Ephraim Beam died on the sth of March, 1908, but his widow still survives and resides Wakeman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hyde have been born three children, namely: Cora, who is now deceased; Hazel L.; and Merritt L.

Politically Mr. Hyde is a stanch democrat but does not seek office as a reward for his party fealty, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private business affairs. He has an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community in which his entire life has been spent, and is well entitled to mention in this volume as a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Huron county.

George Stoll

This gentleman is one of the general farmers and breeders of fine stock in Wakeman township. He is of German birth, from Reinfeldt, Germany, born September 20, 1866, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Stork) Stoll. They never came to free America, preferring to remain in their own Deutschland.

In 1882 Mr. Stoll landed in Cleveland, but soon went to Henrietta, Lorain county, Ohio, and took up agriculture. The year 1897 saw him in Huron county, near Wakeman, in his present home. In 1800 he considered himself ready to wed, and on October 2d, married Miss Catherine Delafield, of Erie county, the daughter of Anthony and Margaret (Needing) Delafield. Mr. and Mrs. Stoll have a family of two daughters and two sons: Mary, Margaret, William and Harry.

George Stoll believes in progress in all things, and his thoroughly tiled farm and fine modern home, with first-class buildings, testify to the success of his theories. His holdings amount to one hundred and forty-three acres of fine, tillable fand, and under the hand of this specialist in fine crops and blooded draft horses, keeps itself in fine trim. His breeding of draft horses has produced some highly commendable specimens of horse flesh.

Although Mr. Stoll is German born, he has become a thoroughly acclimated American, voting the democratic ticket. He is a member of Wakeman Tent, No. 93, Knights of the Maccabees, and is highly respected for his sturdy German traits and his consistent position on the side of improvement and progress.

Benjamin Breckenridge Wickham

Among the younger and more successful members of the Huron county bar, thus representing a profession which has ever had important bearing upon the stable progress and prosperity of every community, is numbered Ben B. Wickham, who was born in Norwalk, October 28, 1875. He is a representative of an old New England family founded in America in early colonial days. His father, Frederick C. Wickham, was born in Norwalk in the house on Main street, which is still standing and which was erected in 1836. The natal day of Frederick C. Wickham was August 5, 1842. His father, Frederick Wickham, Sr., was born in New York city, March 7, 1812, and was for years a sailor on the great lakes, holding official rank in that connection. During 1842 he came to Norwalk and established his home. He had married Lucy Bancroft Preston, a daughter of Samuel Preston, who came from Nashua, New Hampshire, and was a prominent citizen and pioneer newspaper man of Huron county. He established the Norwalk Reflector, one of the oldest newspapers of the state. The Preston family has long been a prominent one in America and gave to the colonies five governors.

Frederick C. Wickham was educated in the public schools of this city and in 1862, when twenty years of age, enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, with which he continued for three years. He was first commissary and afterward became first lieutenant. At Winchester he was captured and remained for seven months in Confederate prisons. Later he was again captured by General Mosby's men near Charleston. He never faltered in the performance of any military duty whether it carried him to the firing line or placed him on the lonely picket line, and when the war was over he was honorably discharged and mustered out in June, 1865. He then returned to Norwalk, where he has since lived, being numbered throughout the intervening years with the prominent, influential and valued residents of the city. Few men have taken a more active part or had more direct influence upon the upbuilding and progress of the community. For eight years he served as postmaster, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. For many years he has been in the printing business and in this connection has been the champion of every movement or measure destined to advance the city's welfare and improvement. In 1865 he was married to Miss Susan C. Adams, a daughter of George Quincy Adams, who at one time served as probate judge of Huron county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Wickham were born a daughter and two sons: Charlotte, now the wife of Frank H. Jones, of Bay City, Texas; Ralph Preston, who died May 1895, at the age of twentyfive years; and Benjamin Breckenridge.

The last named is indebted to the public-school system of Norwalk for the early educational advantages he enjoyed, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1892. He afterward entered the Western Reserve University and was graduated in 1896 from Adelbert College. He taught school for four years, spending one year in the high school at Akron and one year in the high school at Fremont. He also taught for two years in Culver Military Academy, at Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana. Believing, however, that he would prefer the profession of law as a life work, he pursued a course with this end in view in the Western Reserve University and was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in June, 1903. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1902. In February, 1903 he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Norwalk and for a year was a partner of Judge F. H. Jones, but has since been alone, his individual merit, diligence, enterprise and thorough understanding of legal principles being the chief concomi- tants in his enviable success. In the preparation of his cases he has always prepared for defense as well as attack and in his practice has been absolutely fair, never indulging in artifice or concealment, never dealing in indirect methods but winning his victories, which have been many, and suffering his defeats, which have been few, in the open field face to face with his foe. He convinces by his concise statements of law and facts rather than by word painting and so high is the respect for his legal ability and integrity that his assertions in the court are seldom questioned seriously.

On the 16th of October, 1906, at Bellevue, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wickham and Miss Marguerite L. Asay, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of William C. Asay, an attorney of that city. Her grandfather, Dr. Amos Woodward, was one of the best known pioneer citizens of Bellevue, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wickham have two sons: Woodward Adams, born August 15, 1907, and Gurdon Frederick, born June 24, 1909. In his fraternal relations Mr. Wickham is a Mason, belonging to Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 64, E & A. M., and Huron Chapter, No. 7, B. A. M., and is also connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Maccabees. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and since 1907 he has been referee in bankruptcy for Huron county. He is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, however, but manifests a deep interest in the science of government and believes in practical politics which causes the individual to uphold the principles and measures which he deems most beneficial in promoting the general good.

L. E. Simmons, the enterprising editor of the Chicago Times, published at Chicago Junction, Ohio, was born in Monroeville, this state, on the 23d of December, 1869, a son of George and Mary Whaley Simmons, who were natives of England. The father became a resident of Monroeville in the '40s and there the family home was established. He conducted a successful grocery business until his death and was recognized as one of the representative merchants of that locality.

L. E. Simmons acquired his education in the schools of Monroeville and in Michigan, living in the latter state for some years with an elder sister. He then turned his attention to his chosen work and has since been identified with newspaper interests. He was in Monroeville for one year with his brother and subsequently went to Norwalk, where for four years he was connected with the Laning Printing Company. Recognizing the fact that there was a good opening at Chicago Junction, he came to this place in 1894 and entered upon journalistic work here as proprietor of the Chicago Times. He has since made good in every sense of the term. The paper was established in 1883 and in eleven years changed hands three times. It was not regarded as a successful venture when he took charge of it but he has made it a credit to the town and county and has demonstrated what can be done by a man who knows and tries.

His previous experience in the printing business had given him thorough and practical knowledge of both the mechanical part and the requirements of newspaper editing and he now sends to his subscribers - and the number is constantly increasing - a clean and interesting journal, devoted to the dissemination of local and general news.

Mr. Simmons was married in 1899 to Miss Julia Simmermacher, a native of Chicago Junction and a daughter of William Simmermacher, one of the pioneers here. They now have two children, Walter and Evelyn. Mr. Simmons is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds membership. politics he is an independent republican, standing in strong opposition to anything like misrule in public affairs, believing in clean politics and in competent and honest men in office. He is stalwart in his opposition to corruption and machine rule and has had an influential part in placing politics upon a higher plane. He works for the good of the town first, last and always, placing public welfare before partisanship and the interests of the community before personal aggrandizement, the nature and quality of his citizenship being unquestioned, for his patriotism and public spirit are factors easily recognizable in his career.

John Whitman

A feeling of sadness spread throughout Townsend township when on the 3oth of January, 1907, it was announced that John Whitman had passed from this life, for he was long numbered among the substantial and worthy citizens of that section of Huron county. He was born in Euchenberg, Lorraine, France, February 17, 1829, a son of Peter and Catherine Whitman, who spent their entire lives in that country. The son accompanied an uncle, Sebastian Remlinger, to the United States in 1847, being then a youth of eighteen years. He made his first location in Crawford county, Ohio, where he spent a year at farm labor and then took up his abode in Erie county, where he followed similar pursuits. It was while living in the latter place that he formed the acquaintance of Miss Abigail H. Richardson, whom he afterward made his wife, their marriage being celebrated on the 25th of September, 1804. She is a daughter of Joseph and Miranda (Sweet) Richardson. who were natives of Oxford township, Erie countv. The father came to the Buckeve state from Pennsylvania after he had reached vears of maturity and here engaged in general agricultural pursuits, maternal grandfather, William Sweet, came to Huron county from Monroe county, New York, and settled in New London township. There he planted the first orchard in the township, raising a large number of apple trees from the seed. He remained here until 1831 and then removed to Erie county, this state,

Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Whitman located in Wood county, but only spent a year there, after which they spent two years in Norwalk, Mr. Whitman being employed in a large warehouse in that city. In 1868, believing that farm life would prove more congenial to him, he purchased the farm which is still in possession of his family, the place comprising one hundred and thirty-five acres of rich land. In 1879, he erected a modern and substantial brick residence, which is yet considered one of the best in Townsend township. For many years, Mr. Whitman gave his time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm and was numbered among the substantial residents of this section of the county.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Whitman was blessed with three children, but only two of the number now survive: Tena H., the wife of Barton Rhoads, who lives with her mother, Mr. Rhoads operating the farm; and Cora M., at home.

Mr. Whitman was a staunch supporter of the republican party and for many years, served as road supervisor and as a member of the school board. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church, but after coming to America, was identified with no denomination. His fraternal relations connected him with Norwalk Lodge, I. O. O. F. In his daily life, he closely followed the principle of the Golden Rule and was numbered among the progressive and public-spirited men of the community. He lived to a good old age, passing away when seventyeight years old, and thus the county lost one of its most honored citizens, while his family mourn the loss of one who was most devoted to their welfare.

George E. Barney

George E. Barney is busily engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his fine farm of seventy-three acres in New London township. He was born in that township on the 3d of June, 1856, his parents being Edson P. and Sarah (Sprague) Barney. The father's birth occurred on the 11th of December, 1828, and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day in the year 1827. Edson P. Barney passed away in New London on the 12th of March, 1898, having long survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1865.

George E. Barney attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He lost his mother when a little lad of nine years and then went to live with his aunt and grandfather. After the death of the latter he made his home with his father until the time of his marriage. He then purchased his present farm of seventy-three acres in New London township, and his aunt, who came to live with him, made her home thereon until her demise. He has erected modern and commodious buildings and has placed many substantial improvements on the property, so that it is now lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He is practical in his methods and as the result of his work in the fields he yearly harvests good crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.

On the 25th of December, 1878, Mr. Barney was united in marriage to Miss Carrie J. Fenn, whose birth occurred in Sullivan, Ohio, June 27, 1859. parents, Kimball T. and Philena (Sutton) Fenn, were born in the years 1827 and 1837 respectively and celebrated their marriage 1857. They made their way to California when their daughter, Carrie J., was but five years of age, and after a residence of four years in the Golden state the mother was stricken with smallpox and died very suddenly. A month later the father also died of the same disease, so that Mrs. Barney was left alone in the world when a little maiden of nine years. She was at that time boarding with a family by the name of Mosier, with whom her father had placed her at the time of the mother's death. Subsequent to the demise of her father, her maternal grandfather, Alanson Sutton, sent a Mr. Golden to the Mosiers for his little granddaughter but they refused to give her up. The necessary papers were at once served through the sheriff, who took the child to Mr. Golden with whom she remained for five weeks or until the Union Pacific Railroad was constructed to Ohio. She made the journey from California to this state alone, riding part of the time on the engine and part of the time in the coach. Many took a friendly interest in the little orphan and her trip was rendered very pleasant by their kindly assistance. At the end of a week she reached Toledo, where she was joined by her grandfather, Mr. Sutton, by whom she was reared until she had attained the age of fourteen years. She then entered the home of a second cousin, Mr. Berry, where she remained until the time of her marriage to George E. Barney. She is now the mother of five children, as follows: Ross E., who was born June 23, 1880; Mrs. Nina Jones, whose birth occurred October 22, 1883; May, born February 9, 1886; Mrs. Lena Robertson, whose natal day was October 31, 1887 ; and George Fenn, who was born on the 9th of May, 1897.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Barney has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, being convinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is most widely and favorably known within its borders and that his career has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanchest friends.

Lewis J. Haas

Lewis J. Haas is one of the young and representative farmers of Sherman township, where he owns and operates sixty-eight acres of land, and as the name indicates he is of German descent. He was born on a farm in this township, March 5, 1875, a son of George and Minnie (Hankamemer) Haas. The former was born in Peru township, December 27, 1839, of the marriage of Jacob and Dora (Berringer) Haas, who were natives of Germany and on coming to the United States in 1834 settled on a tract of land of seventeen acres in Peru township, Huron county. This land was partly cleared but the grandfather further developed and improved it, built thereon a small frame house and in due time added to his holdings until he owned thirty-one acres. They reared a family of seven children, namely : Sophia, who became the wife of Fred Mitchell and both are now deceased; Lena, who was married twice, her first husband being Joseph Duffner and her second John Setchler, who is also deceased, her home being in Kansas; Mary, who became the wife of John Setchler and both have departed this life; Jacob, who resides Monroeville, Huron county; Elizabeth, the widow of Adam Glasier, her home being in Norwalk; Anna, the deceased wife of Jacob Schwam ; and George, the father of our subject.

The last named was reared on the farm in Peru township and pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-six years and then started out in life on his own account, choosing as his occupation agriculture, which has continued to be his work to the present time. After reaching years of maturity he wedded Miss Minnie Hankamemer, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Hankamemer, of Sandusky, their marriage being celebrated on the 21st of July, 1864. The birth of Mrs. Haas, however, occurred in Germany, whence she came to America with her father in 1861, the family home being established near Monroeville. The mother, who was born in 1810, died in 1857, prior to the emigration of the family to the new world. Her father was born in 1809 and died in Huron county in 1894, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Hankamemer had a family of seven children, Mrs. Haas being the third in order of birth. The other are: William, who departed this life in 1872; Jane, who died in 1889; Christ, who passed away in 1885; Carl, who lives at Plymouth, Ohio; Kathryn, who died in 1861 ; and Herman, who makes his home in California.

It was about two years after his marriage that George Haas purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Sherman township and to its further development, improvement and cultivation he has since bent his energies. A democrat in politics, he has taken an active part in public affairs and for three terms served as township trustee and he has likewise served as school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Columbus Pike and has served on its official board. Unto him and his wife have been born seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely: George C., who wedded Miss Kathryn Scheid and makes his home in Sherman township, his family numbering three children, Mildred, Esther and Walter; Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Leiber, of Lyme township, by whom she has three children, Olive, Ione and Harold; Emma, still under the parental roof; William, who is a teacher in the Central high school at Toledo, Ohio; Lewis J., of this review; Minnie, the widow of Ernest L. Beckstein, who departed this life December 2, 1908, her family numbering a son and daughter, Clarence and Gladys; and Amelia, who is still with her parents.

Lewis J. Haas was reared to the duties of the home farm, assisting his father in its operation during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district school at Weavers Corner. He remained under the parental roof until February, 1905, when he purchased of his father his farm, consisting of sixty-eight acres, lying in Sherman township. He has made improvements on this place and now has a good house and substantial barn and outbuildings. He gives his time to general farming and in his efforts is meeting with success.

Mr. Haas was married on the 8th of February, 1905, to Miss Louisa Beckstein, a daughter of Ernest Beckstein, of Lyme township, a sketch of whom appears in this work. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Haas has been blessed with an interesting little daughter, Freda.

Mr. Haas supports the men and measures of the democratic party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, in the work of which he takes an active part. For seven years he was a teacher in the Sunday school, while for three years he has been Sunday school superintendent. He works earnestly and persistently in carrying on his business affairs and if the present is any criterion, the future undoubtedly holds for him still greater successes.

Beer Role

Germany has sent to the United States many enterprising and progressive men who, by their industry and perseverance, have acquired a substantial measure of success. Among this number was Peter Roth, now deceased. He was born November 12, 1835, in Hamburg, Germany, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Roth. His early youth was spent in the fatherland, where he acquired his education in the common schools of that country. Rumors soon reached him concerning the business advantages offered by the new world, and thinking to find better opportunities for advancement here than in his native land, at the age of seventeen he bade adieu to home and friends, and, alone, sailed for the United States. He did not linger on the eastern coast but came direct to Ohio, locating at Sandusky where he was engaged as a farm hand by the month until he was twenty-eight years of age. He was not afraid of work and during the intervening years he labored earnestly and diligently, so that eventually, through well directed efforts and careful saving of his earnings, he had accumulated a sum of money sufficient to justify him in establishing for himself a home. Consequently, on the 27th of November, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Schoen, a daughter of Paul and Barbara Schoen who, in 1851, came from Germany to the United:States, locating in Sherman township, Huron county, Ohio, where the father was engaged in farming.

After their marriage Peter Roth and his wife took up their abode upon a farm in Sherman township which Mr. Roth had previously purchased. There he engaged in agricultural pursuits for thirteen years, during which period he met with most gratifying success in his undertaking. Subsequently he removed to Weavers Corners, Sherman township, and became identified with mercantile interests, his connection therewith continuing for twenty-nine years. He was progressive and up-to-date in his business methods, possessed keen discrimination, was actuated by the laudable desire, to succeed and the fairness and integrity of his business policy won for him a large and distinctly representative patronage which continuously expanded as he became better known throughout the community. In 1902 he retired from the active duties of business life and, selling his mercantile interests, he purchased a farm in Townsend township, to which he removed with his family and upon which he resided until his death.

As the years went by the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roth was blessed with thirteen children, namely: Henry; Peter; Mary, the wife of Paul Puffing, of Bel- levue; George; Joseph; Charles; Anna, who married Peter Weidenger; Anna and John, both deceased; John; Jacob; Elizabeth; and Josephine. Mr. Roth held membership in the Catholic church, to which his family also belong. In politics he was democratic, supporting that party at the polls and doing all in his power to extend its influence throughout the community. He was not, however, an office-seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention entirely to his business affairs. He had been singularly successful in both his agricultural and mercantile interests, and not once did he ever have occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in this new world where, although competition is strong, advancement is rapid and individual effort is unhampered by caste or class. His personal characteristics were such that, during his long residence in Huron county, he gained an extensive circle of friends who held him in high esteem and regard. He passed to his final rest April 16, 1903. His wife and family still reside upon the home farm and are prominent and highly respected throughout the community.

Charles F. Brown

Charles F. Brown, the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Peru township, was born in that township on the 15+ of January, 1867, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Adleman) Brown. The paternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary Brown, both natives of Germany, were among the earliest settlers of Peru township, this county, and here spent the remainder of their lives. At the time of their arrival this part of the state was practically covered with timber but they resolutely faced the hardships and privations of pioneer existence, built a little log cabin and cleared a tract of land for farming purposes. They were people of the highest respectability and their labors constituted an important element in the work of early development and upbuilding. Jacob Brown, the father of Charles F. Brown, spent his entire life in Peru township, where his birth occurred in the year 1837. He was an agriculturist by occupation and in 1871 purchased the farm on which our subject now resides from James Easton. He built a commodious residence, also barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and in fact equipped the place with all the accessories of a model farm. Subsequently he bought a tract of ninety-eight acres adjoining, on which his widow now resides, giving his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement until called to his final rest in 1904. He was widely recognized as a most successful farmer and public-spirited citizen, and for a number of years did effective service for the cause of education as a member of the school board. A Catholic in religious faith, he was a prominent member of that church and his upright and honorable life won him the respect and esteem of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact. His widow, likewise a native of Peru township, still survives at the age of sixty-four years. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Charles F., of this review; Alfred; Eva, who is the wife of John Grisner and resides at Norwalk, Ohio; Ida, also a resident of Norwalk, who 1$ the wife of Peter McEnroe; Arthur, Otto and Theodore, all of whom live with their mother and operate the old homestead farm; Eleanor, the wife of Peter Lynch, of Norwalk, Ohio; and Laura, who makes her home at Milan, Ohio, and is the wife of William Heddle.

In his youthful days Charies E. Brown attended the district and Catholic schools of Peru township, thus equipping himself by good mental training for the practical and responsible duties of life. Since putting aside his text-books he has been engaged in the work of general farming and in this line of activity has won a goodly measure of success as the result of his untiring labor and capable management. His property comprises one hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land, and oa the place are found many substantial improvements that indicate the progress that has been made in agricultural lines.

On the 14th of February, 1909, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Anna Heddle, a daughter of Adam and Anna (Harn) Heddle, of Huron county. Like his father, Mr. Brown is a valued and consistent member of the Catholic church. Having always made his home in Peru township, he is widely and favorably known throughout the community and well deserves mention in this volume as a worthy representative of a family that has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of this county from pioneer times down to the present.

Calvin Carl Heyman

Calvin Carl Heyman, a farmer of Lyme township, Huron county, and the owner of ninety-five acres of land on which he lives with his sister, who is part owner of the estate, was born on this farm, July 4, 1886. He is the son of William F. and Verena (Ballmer) Heyman, both of whom were of European birth. The father was born in Germany, February 18, 1839, but was only nine years old when he came to this country with his parents. The family settled in Lyme township in 1848, at a time when primitive conditions still prevailed. "Their first habitation was a log cabin and it remained their home during the life of the older people. William F. Heyman, on attaining his manhood, bought land extensively and became possessed of three farms in this county, aggregating about three hundred and sixty-five acres. He was a prominent member of the Reformed church, having been at one time one of its elders, and having given, with his brother, the most of the money which made possible the erection of its edifice in 1863. In 1863 he married Miss Verena Ballmer, who was born in Switzerland, May 7, 1844, but came to this country with her parents when very young. She died January 1901, her husband surviving her something over four years, his death having occurred April 3, 1905, on the home farm. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Heyman, all of whom are living, namely: Samuel; Julius; Oliver; Charlotte; Verena, who married William Longshied, of Lyme township; Walter; Arnold; William F., Jr.; Roscoe; Arthur; Paul: and Calvin Carl.

Calvin Carl Heyman has passed all the years of his life in this county. From the district school he received all that it could give in the way of formal preparation forlife. He early turned his attention to farming, in fact, he has known almost no other life, for as soon as he was able he was assigned his regular tasks in the economy of the home, which gradually increased in importance and responsibility until he was fully competent, when he reached man's estate to assume the management of his own farm. When he felt that the time had come for him to enter the battle of life for himself, his sister Charlotte united her money with his and the two bought the farm upon which they both live from their parents. To- gether they have shared the responsibility and the labor, though of course the heavier burden has fallen upon the man. During the period of their possession, however, the farm has been greatly improved and the soil coaxed to its greatest productiveness.

Mr. Heyman is a member of the Reformed church, in which all the rest of the Heyman family have also been confirmed, and he upholds the traditions established in it by his father. Heis a hard-working young man and a good manager, so that it is not surprising that he should be reckoned as one of the prosperous farmers among the younger generation in his locality. His life has meant a great deal of persistent labor, but even now he is beginning to see the generous returns this will bring him as the years pass on.

Mrs. Susanna Stimson

Mrs. Susanna Stimson, of Ridgefield township, is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and one acres. It was in Ridgefield township that her birth occurred, her parents being Ziba and Asenath (Jefferson) Surles, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. She traces her ancestry back to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Surles were early settlers of Monroeville, Huron county, Ohio, the father becoming a pioneer blacksmith of this community. They were married at Monroeville and continued worthy and respected residents here until called to their final rest, the father passing away in 1890, at the age of eighty-eight years, while the mother died in 1898, when eighty-two years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, namely: Cithera; Willard J.; Susanna, of this review; Sarah and Stella, who are deceased; James H.; one who died in infancy; and Lillie, Flora A., and Jessie, all of whom have passed away.

On the 4th of April, 1866, Miss Susanna Surles gave her hand in marriage to Garner Stimson, who was born in Cambridgeshire, England, January 2, 1836. his parents being Joseph and Mary Ann Stimson. He was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established near Monroeville, Ohio. His mother died about six weeks after her arrival in this county. Garner Stimson was the second in order of birth in a family of nine children, his brothers and sisters being as follows: Jane, Elizabeth, Joseph B. and Charles, all of whom are now deceased; Frank; John; Ruth; and Arthur.

In the fall of 1866 Garner Stimson purchased the farm on which his widow now resides and as the years went by made many substantial improvements on the property, winning a gratifying and well deserved measure of success in his agricultural interests. the 4th of September, 1861, he enlisted for three years' service in the Union army as a member of Company B, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted February 10, 1864, while on the 2d of August, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of Company I, December 2, 1864, and on the 2d of August, 1865, the day on which he was mustered out, received a commission as captain. That his military service was of a most arduous and hazardous character is indicated by the following list of battles in which he participated: Corinth, Mississippi; Gunther's Landing, Lexington, Kentucky; Hartsville and Gallatin, Tennessee; Stone River; Bradyville, Liberty, Snow Hill and Franklin, Tennessee; Elk River; Pulaski; Alpine, La Fayette and Chickamauga, Georgia; Farmington, Charleston, Cleveland and Loudon, Tennessee; Murphy, North Carolina; Moulton, Alabama; Big Shanty; McAfee's Crossroads; Tennessee Creek; Kenesaw Mountain; Atlanta and Lovejoys Station, Georgia; Good Hope Church; Gadsdin, Georgia; and Blue Mountain.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stimson were born seven children: Jessie L., is the wife of Fred P. Rosecrans, who was formerly a school teacher and is now the manager of a store on the Hawaiian Islands. They have two children, Garneffie and Rita O. Effie C., the wife of James B. McDonald, resides at Boulder, Colorado and has two children, Ronald J. and Thera G. William S. and Elver reside on the home farm with her mother. Susanna S. has passed away. Susie A. gave her hand in marriage to Allen C. Setchell and makes her home in Huron county. Ambrose H. wedded Miss May Bailey, of Norwalk, and lives on the old homestead farm. They have one child, Erma May.

Mr. Stimson was a consistent and valued member of the Baptist church, in which he served as a deacon and in the faith of which he passed away on the 2d of June, 1904. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of friends during the fifty-three years of his residence in this county, his life being characterized at all times by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. For many years he maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army post. Mrs. Stimson, who still survives her husband, has an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the county in which her entire life has been spent, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.

Hon. H. N. Donaldson, who is now acting as chief executive of Bellevue, where he is also conducting a dental office, his professional ability gaining him rank as a representative of the dental fraternity in this county, was born on a farm in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of June, 1869. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the family having been founded America by his great-grandfather, Jacob Donaldson, who on crossing the Atlantic settled on a farm in Mount Pleasant township, Washington county, Pennsylvania. His son, Isaac Donaldson, was there born and the same neighborhood was the birthplace of Dr. Donaldson and his father. The latter was Robert Donaldson, whose natal day was June 5, 1831. He is still living in the county of his nativity and is one of the worthy and respected citizens of the community. In early manhood he married Rachel Walker, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1832 and died in 1871. They were the parents of six children: Frank, who died in 1900 at the age of forty-two years; Flora, the wife of J. M. Dinsmore, living in Washington county, Pennsylvania; Anna, who became the wife of Dr. Hugh Hanna, of Philadelphia, and died in 1903; Sarah, the wife of J. M. Thompson, a resident of Washington county, Pennsylvania; Charles, who is living on the old homestead in Washington county; and H. M.

Dr. Donaldson spent the period of his minority in his native county and attended the district schools there, after which he continued his education in an academy at Buffalo, Pennsylvania. He prepared for a professional career by a course of study in the Pennsylvania Dental College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. In that year he came to Bellevue, Ohio, and succeeded to the practice and patronage of Dr. Kirk. He has since followed his profession here and is a capable dentist whose broad understanding of the scientific principles that underlie his work, together with his mechanical skill and ingenuity, make him one of the foremost practitioners among the representatives of the dental fraternity in Bellevue. He is very careful in all his work and his patience and courtesy as well as his professional skill have made him a popular dentist of Bellevue.

Dr. Donaldson has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Minnie Wade, a daughter of Lewis and Mary Wade, of Urbana, Ohio. The wedding was celebrated June 22, 1892, and they were separated by the death of the wife on the 4th of November, 1905, Mrs. Donaldson being then about thirty-five years of age, her birth having occurred April 9, 1870. They were the parents of two children, Robert and Mildred. Donaldson was again married at Bellevue in 1907, his second union being with Miss Emma May Barb, a daughter of James C. and Hannah A. (McDonald) Barb. Her father was born in 1834, and died in 1901 while the mother, who was born in 1835, passed away in 1891. Mr. Barb was a Lutheran minister, devoting his entire life to the work of the church. In his family were six children: J. Ernest, who is now a minister; John M.; Elsie L.; Ida; Bertha, deceased; and Mrs. Donaldson, the latter a native of. Tennessee.

Dr. Donaldson has been prominent and influential in community affairs and his fellow citizens, recognizing his public spirit, his business ability and his devotion to the general good, have called him to public office. He was a member of the school board for about thirteen years when he resigned and was elected mayor of Bellevue on the democratic ticket in November, 1905. So acceptably did he serve during the first term that he was reelected in 1907 and has now entered upon the fourth year of his service as chief executive of the city, in which connection he is giving a business-like and progressive administration charac- terized by retrenchment of all useless expenditure but by wise investment in lines of municipal progress, reform and improvement. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge and chapter at Bellevue and also to the Elks lodge of this city. He is likewise a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Congregational church and his life is actuated by high and honorable principles, to which he is loyal in every relation of life. He sustains a high reputation as a capable representative of his profession, as the city's chief executive and as well in all those relations of life where warm friendships and strong personal attachments are formed.

Mrs. Joseph Sweet

Mrs. Joseph Sweet, the owner of eighty-four acres of land in Lyme township, Huron county, is the daughter of Samuel E. Nims and comes of a family that has been intimately connected with the history of this country from the time the thirteen colonies battled for their independence from the mother country. Asa Nims, Mrs. Sweet's great-grandíather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and when his son Samuel came to Ohio, he accompanied him and participated in the struggles of the few pioneers here. This Samuel Nims was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, in 1790, and with his wife Mahala, came to Huron county, Ohio, in 1826, but she did not long survive the hard life and its struggles, dying in her thirty-sixth year. She left two children to mourn her loss. The older, Betsy, married Rufus Russell, and with her husband has passed beyond earth's worries. The second child was Samuel E. Nims, the father of Mrs. Sweet, who is still living, though at a very advanced age. For his second wife, the grandfather, Samuel Nims, married Miss Fannie Peck, who was born in 1800, and came from Shelborn, Massachusetts, as did his first wife. She became the mother of two daughters, Augusta and Ardelia. The former was born 1837, and in the course of time married Samuel Bemiss. She died October 22, 1907. Ardelia was born two years after her sister and married Edward A. Barton. She has since passed away, but her husband is living in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Samuel E. Nims, the father of our subject, has always lived in this part of the state. He received his early education in the district schools here and later attended the high school at Bellevue. In after years he demonstrated that he was a man of many capabilities, who took an active and practical interest in public affairs and he was elected a member of the school board and was also made township assessor. both capacities he acquitted himself with distinction, leaving a fine record behind him. the 5th of October, 1859, he married Miss Julia Stebbins, a daughter of Alfred Stebbins, and through her was blessed with two daughters: Mattie E., who is the subject of this sketch; and Nettie C. The latter married E. W. Avery and now lives in Erie county. They have three children: Helen, Leland Ford, and Myron M.

Mattie E. Nims was born in this county, October 7, 1862. She received the best education the schools of this locality afforded and also attended Lake Erie

College at Paynesville, Ohio, and spent two years at Oberlin Conservatory. She passed her days on the farm, fulfilling the duties around the house that fell to her share, but otherwise living in comparative quiet. On the 16th of February, 1888, she married Joseph Sweet, of Shelborn, Massachusetts, who was born September 27, 1858, and during the forty odd years of his life pursued the vocation of a farmer, becoming a most successful man. He was a stanch member of the Congregational church and a thorough Christian in his manner of life, and when he died, December 28, 1903, he left a large number of friends to mourn his loss. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sweet were born two children: Gretchen M., who was born January 19, 1890; and John M., born December 189r.

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sweet has carried on the work and business of the farm and has not found the task beyond her powers. In fact she has grown up to her responsibilities and has demonstrated how a capable woman can conduct a man's work. Some of the courage of her soldier greatgrandfather and grandfather, the latter having fought in the war of 1812, would seem to flow in her veins, for she never falters before a difficulty and valiantly comes out ahead in all her struggles.

Dr. Ira L. Wyant is an example of the self-made man, who has never sought success by devious methods but in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, has made continuous progress, proving his ability to cope with the intricate problems that continually confront the physician. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Sandusky county, on the roth of March, 1870, a son of Reuben K. and Sarah (Overmeyer) Wyant. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and in his boyhood days accompanied his parents to Sandusky county, Ohio. Both he and his wife died, however, during the early childhood of their son, Ira, and that he has attained to his present enviable position as one of the leading physicians of the county is an evidence of his industry, perseverance, determination and mental capacity. His early education was of a spasmodic character, being interrupted time and again by the necessity for him to provide for his own support. He spent two years as a pupil in the district schools, two years in Huron high school, and one year at the Ohio Normal at Ada. Becoming imbued with a desire to enter the medical profession, he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity that advanced him in that direction. During the summer months he sailed on the lakes in various capacities and during the winter seasons studied at the Homeopathic Medical College at Cleveland, thus continuing his course until he was graduated with the class of 1894. He then located for practice in Chesterland, Ohio, where he remained for twelve years, when, seeking a broader field of labor he came in 1906 to Norwalk, where he has since remained and in the intervening years has built up a good practice. By reading and research he keeps in touch with the most progressive ideas and methods of the profession and his close conformity to a high standard

Dr. Wyant was married in 1895 to Miss Mary Doane, a daughter of Silas and Eudolpha (DeWitt) Doane, who were old and respected Huron county citizens. The father came to this county when young, settling at Hartland. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Wyant has been born a daughter, Hilda, whose birth occurred January 20, 1898. The Doctor's interests center in his home and yet he is not unmindful of the social amenities of life, finding pleasant relations in fraternal organizations, being a Knight Templar Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Forester. His fellow townsmen recognize him as a citizen, dependable under all conditions, while his patrons manifest well merited faith in his professional skill and ability.

Christopher, G.. Galley

Christopher G. Galley, a substantial and representative agriculturist of Huron county, has resided on his present farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Greenfield and Peru townships for more than a half century. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Peru township on the 6th of August, 1829. His parents were George B. and Lydia (Wilson) Galley, the former being a native of New York, while the latter was born in Peru township, this county. The mother passed away when her son, Christopher G., was about seven years of age and since then the latter has never seen his father, who went to South Carolina about that time. Mr. Galley of this review was reared by his maternal grandfather, Asa Wilson, who was one of the first settlers of Peru township, coming here with Henry Coy. He lived in a log house and had about six hundred acres of land, which he cleared with the assistance of his son and grandson, Christopher G. Galley. Both Mr. Wiison and Mr. Coy took a prominent and helpful part in the work of early development and upbuilding and when the former passed away in 1855, at the venerable age of ninety-two years, the county mourned the loss of one of its most respected and worthy pioneer settlers. Asa Wilson was a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated in the battle of Plattsburg.

Christopher G. Galley obtained his education in the district schools, and has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career. With the exception of a period of two years spent at farm work in Seneca county, this state, he has always made his home in Huron county. The farm on which he now lives has been his place of residence since 1857, and is a valuable and productive tract of land comprising one hundred and twenty-five acres, lying partly in Greenfield township and partly in Peru township. He purchased the property from Asa Hanes and for the first seven years, lived in a log house, but in 1864 erected the commodious and substantial brick dwelling, which is yet seen on the place. The many other improvements with which the farm is equipped all stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise and everything about the place indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. At the present time, however, he has largely put aside the active work of the fields and spends the greater part of his time in the care of his bees, having a number of hives. He has met with a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity in his undertakings and has long been numbered among the most successful and enterprising citizens of the community.