USA > Ohio > Lorain County > A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the. > Part 44
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In the spring of 1860 he went to Roanoke, Indiana, and brought about the organization of the Roanoke Seminary, a co-educational institution. The building for the school was erected under his direction, and with his customary thoughtfulness for other generations set out a grove of young trees around it. For eight years he remained the honored and beloved head of the school and worked with self-sacrificing zeal and earnestness in behalf of its welfare. While always a deep student of books, his gifts as a teacher were not those of a mere book man. He was successful in developing enthusiasm and love of learning in his pupils, and in arousing in them those motives and desires which bring about well rounded and seasoned character. It is impossible to understand the far reaching influences of such a life as that of the late Frederick S. Reefy. The impress of his enthusiasm and lofty character was deeply laid in the lives of hundreds of young men and women who went out from his school to carry the message of his life to many diverse quarters and spheres of activity. While at Roanoke, in addition to his duties as head of the sem- inary, he also became superintendent of the sub-district schools of Hunt- ington County. Hard and constant work finally undermined his health so that at the end of eight years he was obliged to give up the seminary and other duties, and in 1868 he moved to Bluffton. There, after recuper- ating, he organized the graded schools and was superintendent for four years. His services in that community were highly appreciated as they had been in Roanoke, and it was with general regret that he was finally obliged to leave that section of Indiana, on account of the malarial condi- tions of the country.
Thus in October, 1872, Professor Reefy became a resident of Elyria, where his brother, the late Dr. Philip D. Reefy, had established himself in practice about three years previously. In Elyria Professor Reefy bought the Lorain Constitution, a paper that had been established some seven or eight years, but whose fortunes had been one of many vicissitudes. He soon afterward introduced two changes in the name of the paper. The little Town of Black River had become Lorain, and thus he substituted Elyria for Lorain in the newspaper title, and subsequently in accordance with his political belief changed the word Constitution to Democrat, and since then the Elyria Democrat has been under the management and editorial direction of the Reefy family. As an editor Professor Reefy made his paper more than a mere party organ. He was an independent thinker and writer, and its opinions could never be influenced by any consideration, monetary or partisan. He always kept its rudder true to
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the lofty ideals of his own character, and made the Democrat a worthy and frequently controlling influence in local affairs.
In his individual allegiance to the democratic party he showed all the courage and persistence of a real pioneer. For some ten or fifteen years after he took control of the Democrat, the party in Lorain County was in a hopeless minority, but in spite of this condition he never faltered in advocating the doctrines in which he believed, was the acknowledged leader of the party for many years, and in almost every campaign de- livered speeches so that he became familiarly known in every school dis- trict in the county. As a party honor there was never one more worthily bestowed than when Mr. Reefy was appointed postmaster at Elyria under both the Cleveland administrations. He was a district delegate to the national convention in Chicago in 1896, and in many ways served the party well.
Outside of journalism and politics there were many other services which he rendered and for which he should be remembered. He was one of the prime movers in getting a supply of lake water for Elyria, and felt something of a personal triumph when that improvement became a realty. For years, in season and out, he fought strenuously for tem- perance, and was fearless and independent in his war against the saloon. In October, 1888, he was elected first president of the Elyria Board of Health upon its organization, and served continuously in that capacity until the close of his life. He was an active leader in the public health movement when comparatively little attention was given to those matters of public sanitation and general health which are now almost axiomatic in any community. He was also president of the Lorain County Humane Society, and was largely responsible for the organization of the Lorain County Historical Society. Fraternally he was identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Knights of Honor and the Na- tional Union, and exemplified the best teachings of fraternalism in his own ready sympathy with need and distress. Though always a busy man, his studious pursuits gave him more than a casual knowledge of many branches of learning, and he was particularly interested in geology and archeology, and at the same time endeavored to make himself useful in such practical movements as farmers' institutes and in anything which would broaden and better country life. It was through his writings and descriptions and his personal leadership that the beautiful Cascade Park came to be appreciated by the people of the community. It is said that as a nature lover he knew the note and plumage of every native bird and knew the names and characteristics of all the trees and the varied flora of his section of Northern Ohio.
While living at Roanoke, Indiana, Professor Reefy was married July 10, 1862, to Miss Mary Shearer. At his death he was survived by Mrs. Reefy, a son Rollin T. Reefy, who had long been associated with his father in the management of the Democrat, and by four daughters: Eva L. Reefy, Ada H. Reefy, Alta M. Reefy and Mrs. P. H. Arnold.
It was in the words of an editorial written by the editor of the Elyria Telegram that the best appreciation of Professor Reefy's real life and service was expressed. The language of this editorial should be read as a proper conclusion to a brief sketch of one of Elyria's grand old men.
"On a bright sunny morning some fifteen years ago a gray haired man with a basket on his arm followed the winding river north of town. The basket was filled with butternuts, and inquiry revealed the purpose of the bearer to sow them along the river flats, so that butternut trees might be more abundant in this vicinity for the next generation. The gray bearded man who carried the basket was the late Professor F. S. Reefy. It is not important whether the trees grew or not. The spirit which in-
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spired the planting was the spirit of unselfish service. The act was sym- bolical of the life and character of this generous hearted man, who sowed that others might reap. Of such disinterested usefulness, his days were full.
"Professor Reefy belonged to an old school and an earlier era in Elyria. The 'flood of years' which bears all before it has been sweeping old time figures from the field of action in the last few months-men who knew Elyria when it was hardly dreamt of as the present bustling, manu- facturing community ; when its prosperity was the thrifty activity of a rural business center, its charm the charm of simple suburban life, and its greatest asset the scenic beauty with which nature endowed it. Coming at this period and for nearly two score years serving as the veteran com- mentator and chronicler of his time, Professor Reefy belonged in this set- ting as much as the trees and other natural fixtures he loved so well. His pen, ever directed in behalf of any righteous cause, was made especially active in urging the conservation of the shrubs and trees and flowers and birds of this section. To Nature he was a devoted editor and an ever faithful lover.
"The grind of present day business life, even in towns so fortunate in natural environment as Elyria, tends to deaden and choke out the love of the beautiful, but the temperament and early associations of Professor Reefy had imbued him with admiration for the graces of nature that no stress or artificiality could eliminate. He realized the paucity of the grandest auditorium on earth as compared with the blue dome of heaven; the finest pictures of the great masters to him could not compare with the sylvan retreats by the riverside, made by the Creator with real rocks and trees and water and green grown banks; the sweetest music in the world to him was the song of a bird, the rustling of leaves and the sighing of restless branches in the treetops. And all the beneficence and sweet philosophy which Nature teaches was woven into his kindly soul.
"Although the Professor sought truth and beauty at first hand, he did not neglect the intellectual heritages of the past. He was as well a reader and student of the best prose and poetry, and many a pleasant call is treasured in our memory of occasions when this good neighbor slipped over with a bit of verse, perhaps clipped from some distant exchange, some rhythmic derelict of the journalistic sea, which he would divide and enjoy with another, before it floated into oblivion. By those who knew him best he will ever be remembered in his prime as an able and scholarly writer, a lover of good literature, a public spirited citizen and an editor who was true to his ideals and to his constituency. A more wholesome, useful life than this was never lived in this community, nor a purer soul never departed from it, but it has been truly said 'To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.' "
ADDISON WELLS. Representing one of the fine older families of Lorain County, the late Addison Wells, though his life was not spared beyond his prime, should be remembered as one of the old soldiers who went out from this county during the critical period of the Civil war and who in all his relations bore himself honorably and faithfully.
Born in Lorain County in 1838. the late Addison Wells was a son of Harlow and Elmira (Kelsey) Wells. His parents came from Connecti- cut and settled in Lorain County in pioneer times, and established one of the early farms here. Addison Wells was educated in the district schools, learned farming and was already beginning an independent career when the war came on. He served with a creditable record in one of the Union regiments, and after the war returned to Lorain County and became identified with railroad work, being boss of a track
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gang and was killed while engaged in his duties in 1880 at the age of forty-two.
In 1859 he married Miss Cynthia Lord, of Elyria Township. Their children were: George, who grew up and married; Clara, who died after her marriage; Charles, who died in childhood; Jessie, who died at the age of nineteen; Eugene, who is a mechanic living on the west side of Elyria, is a member of the Sons of Veterans, of the Loyal Order of Moose and other fraternities, and by his marriage has one child, Loree, now ten years of age. Mrs. Addison Wells now lives on Lake Avenue in Elyria Township, has a comfortable little homestead of 41/2 acres, and is one of the highly esteemed women of that community.
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HARRY JAMES HECOCK, one of the older residents of Elyria Town- ship, which has been his home since birth, is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Lorain County and his family have so identified themselves with this community as to deserve a permanent record on the pages of this publication.
Born in Elyria Township, June 4, 1836, Harry James Hecock is a son of Erastus and Eunice (Burrell) Hecock. His father came to Lorain County in 1817, almost a century ago, from Herkimer County, New York, and located on a farm in Sheffield Township. The Hecocks were among the prominent early settlers of old Sheffield, the centennial anniversary of whose founding was celebrated only recently. Erastus Hecock established his home where the tube mills now stand at Lorain. Five years later he removed from his first farm and engaged in the milling business, operating both a flour and sawmill at about the center of Sheffield Township. He supplied a service as miller to the community for some six or seven years, and then bought another farm in the south- west corner of Sheffield Township. There he erected a home, lived for ten years, and after a brief interval of two years during which he resumed milling, he spent the rest of his life on the old farm. He was killed while crossing the Lake Shore track between LaGrange and Car- lisle townships, August 23, 1866. He was at that time seventy-three years of age. His widow survived him about thirty years, passing away at the age of ninety-four. Their seven children were: Permelia, born in 1828; Isaac, born in 1830; Hannah, born June 3, 1832; Harry J .; Celia, born in 1839; Hiram, born in 1841; and Silas. Of these children, Hannah, Harry and Silas are still living and are all residents of Elyria Township.
Harry James Hecock was educated in the district schools, and spent his boyhood and early youth on the homestead farm. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and has made that his main occupation throughout his career. On March 13, 1860, he married Miss Ellen Weeks, who was born in Dorchester, New Hampshire, but came as a girl to Elyria Township. The young couple began their housekeeping on Mr. Hecock's farm on Lake Avenue, and their first home was a few rods north of the present place. About thirty years ago Mr. Hecock moved to his present home, a neat and attractive residence, most eligibly located, since a few minutes ride takes him into the City of Elyria.' When he bought the property it contained about one hundred and one and one-half acres, and he operated it as a general farming proposition for many years. About ten years ago he sold 921% acres, and that tract is now cut up into town lots. Mr. Hecock has a comfortable little estate of about six acres, and that furnishes him all the employment which his energetic nature demands. He also owns an interest in a large greenhouse located near his home, a little east of Lake Avenue.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hecock was born three children : Vol. 11-19
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Arthur, born in 1861, died at the age of twenty-seven, after his marriage to Harriet Woodruff, who is now living in California; Stella died at the age of twenty-eight; Brackett is now in the lumber and coal business in Elyria. Mrs. Hecock died March 27, 1913, aged seventy-two years.
HENRY M. ANDRESS. One of the most influential figures in the busi- ness community of Elyria for nearly forty years has been Henry M. Andress. He was one of the builders and is still owner of a third interest in the Andwur Hotel, the largest and finest hotel in Elyria and one of the best in Northern Ohio. His associate in establishing this hostelry was Henry W. Wurst, and when it came to selecting a name they combined the first three letters in each of their individual names and thus evolved the present title by which the hotel is known all over Lorain County and to hosts of traveling men. Mr. Wurst finally sold his third interest in the hotel to Charles E. Wilson. Mr. Andress has for many years been one of the leading authorities on local real estate and has done much to improve a large amount of property in and about the city.
. His interests are of wide variety and extent. He is now serving as treasurer of the Lorain County Agricultural Society. For a number of years he has been one of the principal automobile dealers and agents in Elyria. Up to November, 1913, he handled the Studebaker car, but since that date his son George H. has assumed the individual management of the Studebaker agency. As automobile dealers the business was formerly carried on under the name of H. M. Andress & Son, but Mr. Andress is now a dealer under his individual name, and is handling the agency exclusively for the Cadillac cars in Lorain and Medina counties. It is a matter of interest to automobile circles that Mr. Andress sold at Elyria one of the first hundred cars ever turned out by the Studebaker plant. Since 1909 he has handled the Cadillac and has been very successful in promoting the sale of that popular car. In 1914 he built the new garage on Broad Street, a two-story building on a foundation 27x110 feet, the type of construction being what is known as steel girder. Two weeks from the time the first brick was laid, the roof was on complete, and this made a record job in Lorain County. Mr. Andress continued business in the old building while the new was being constructed, and this one loca- tion has been his headquarters for more than twenty-five years. A slogan by which his business is well advertised throughout Lorain County and which is singularly appropriate is "H. M. A. Here to Stay."
Born on a farm in Henrietta Township of Lorain County June 19, 1855, Henry M. Andress is a son of Carlo and Welthy (Smith) Andress. His father was born in Essex County, New York, November 6, 1804, and was one of the early settlers of Ohio, going to that state at the age of fourteen. He was one of the early farmers in Henrietta Township, cleared and improved the land, and lived there until 1868, when he re- moved to Oberlin College to educate his children. He died in that old college town November 8, 1870. His wife was born August 16, 1815, in Poughkeepsie, New York.
As a boy Henry M. Andress attended local schools, completed his edu- cation in Oberlin College, and after some experience as a teacher himself took up a mercantile career. He ran a meat market at Birmingham, but in 1876 was appointed bookkeeper in the store of Hannan & Obitts, grocers and hardware merchants at Elyria. Not long afterwards he became asso- ciated with Henry W. Wurst, who had also been an employe of Hannan & Obitts. Mr. Andress laid the foundation for his present enterprise as an automobile dealer a great many years before the automobiles were thought of. In 1877 he and John T. Houghton entered the livery business, but he bought out his partner in a year, and for twenty-five years con-
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ducted one of the best equipped barns in Northern Ohio. He also began dealing in horse vehicles of all kinds, keeping a large stock of carriages, and from that naturally turned to dealing in automobiles. For a number of years he has also been one of the leading dealers in local real estate. He is a director in the Elyria Savings & Banking Company, was formerly a member of the Elyria Public Service Board, and for two years its president, and his authoritative knowledge of real estate values caused him in 1910 to be appointed a member of the board of appraisers of real property for its quadrennial session in Elyria.
Mr. Andress' only fraternal relations are with Elyria Lodge No. 465, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce and of the Elyria Automobile Club. Mr. Andress has three children : Maude M., who completed her education in the Mary- land College at Lutherville, Maryland, married Kenneth Duryea, of El Paso, Texas; Jean, wife of J. V. Dillman of Cleveland, and they have two children, Harriet and John; and George H., who for a number of years has been his father's right hand man in business affairs, married Laura Waite, and has one child, Maude.
FRED L. HALL. In the last half dozen years the name Fred L. Hall has become very familiarly associated with the larger business affairs at Oberlin, and he is known as the man chiefly responsible for the introduc- tion of natural gas into this little city. Mr. Hall is an old and expe- rienced operator in gas fields, having been identified with the fields of Western Virginia, and he spent practically all his career in West Vir- ginia until his removal to Oberlin in 1909.
He was born at Wellsburg in the extreme northern end of the West Virginia panhandle above Wheeling on December 21, 1864, a son of Augustus C. and Mary Elizabeth (Morton) Hall. His paternal grand- father was Francis P. Hall, and both father and grandfather were natives of Germany. Augustus C. Hall was born in Germany in 1836 and died in August, 1904. His wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1840 and is still living. He came over to America with his parents when seven years of age, and after landing at New Orleans came north to Cincinnati and finally located at Wellsburg, West Virginia. Augustus C. Hall spent his active career as a merchant, and was in one store for fifty-three years. During the Civil war he served in Company K of the West Virginia Regiment and continued active until illness compelled him to leave the army. He was a democrat in politics, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Episcopal faith. Grandfather Hall was noted as a restless traveler, and in 1849 went out to the California gold fields and secured some modest fortune by his ventures in that district. Augustus C. Hall and wife are the parents of nine children. The six now living are: Clara McElroy, whose husband is a contractor at Wells- burg; William A., interested in the glass business at Wellsburg, West Virginia; John M., connected with glass manufacturing at Wellsburg; Leonard J., a merchant tailor at Wellsburg; and Mrs. Earl Mahon, a widow living at Wellsburg.
Fred L. Hall grew up in his native city, obtained his education in the local schools, and when only fourteen years of age began as a boy helper in a glass house. After a year and a half there he learned the tailor's trade, and that was his regular vocation in Wellsburg for thirty years. During the '80s, when the oil and gas fields were developed in South- western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Mr. Hall made some invest- ments along that line and has kept it up ever since, and has made most of his modest fortune in gas and real estate. In September, 1909, he
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moved to Oberlin where he established his sons in the merchant tailoring business.
On coming to Oberlin he leased and formed the Pittsfield Gas Com- pany of Oberlin, and this company began active drilling operations in Erie and Lorain counties. Prior to that time Oberlin was burning artificial gas at a price of more than a dollar a thousand. It is esti- mated that the introduction of natural gas through the company headed by Mr. Hall has effected a saving of fully seven thousand dollars per month during the winter season. The company is incorporated at $60,000 with Mr. Hall as president and general manager. More than any other person he has been responsible for the development of gas in Lorain County, and his company has invested fully two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in pipes and apparatus for supplying of gas and fuel.
In 1914 Mr. Hall leased over six thousand acres of ground in and about Vermilion, Ohio, and in 1916 a very strong company was organ- ized and incorporated under the style of the Ajax Gas & Oil Company. It is incorporated under the laws of Ohio and with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers are: T. B. Grant, of Oberlin, president; F. L. Hall, vice president, treasurer and general manager; W. S. Hall, secre- tary; and directors, E. M. Grant, F. L. Hall, J. H. McDermott, A. M. Snyder and J. H. McGrew.
At different times Mr. Hall has had some prominent financiers of the East associated with him, among them the late H. Clark Ford, who died in 1915. Another associate is Mr. Alonzo Snyder, of Cleveland.
On September 17, 1884, Mr. Hall married Mary E. Little, who was born in Newport, Ohio, daughter of Nathaniel Little of that town, who was a manufacturer at Wellsburg, West Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born six children: Carl N., associated with his father; Wil- liam S., a merchant tailor of Cleveland, and also interested in the gas industry ; Fred L., now in South Dakota; Lucy V., who is teaching in Florida and has attended the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin; Ger- trude B., in college in Florida; and Mary E., living at home.
JOHN BLAINE JOHNSON is general manager of the Lorain County Electric Company, which as the result of concentration and consolida- tion now has an immense plant supplying electrical energy for lighting and power purposes to all quarters of Lorain County and even beyond the county limits.
He is one of a staff of expert electrical engineers who have grown up in the service of the extensive public utility corporation known as Henry L. Doherty and Company of New York City. In his work Mr. Johnson has been associated with the Denver Gas and Electric Light Company at Denver, Colorado; the Fremont Gas, Electric Light and Power Com- pany of Fremont, Nebraska; the Massillon Electric and Gas Company of Massillon, Ohio, and the Lorain County Electric Company, all of which are subsidiaries of the Cities Service Company, operated by the Doherty corporation.
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