A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the., Part 68

Author: Wright, G. Frederick (George Frederick), 1838-1921, editor
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, New York, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 805

USA > Ohio > Lorain County > A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the. > Part 68

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Their only son, M L. Disbrow, Jr., was born in Penfield Township June 9, 1878, was educated in the district schools and at Oberlin, has a farm and is one of the successful agriculturists in Penfield Township. He married Clara May Barbour, a daughter of H. O. Barbour of Well- ington Township. To their union has been born one son, Herbert Myron.

W. J. KREBS is one of the most highly respected citizens of Penfield Township, where through his business activities, his varied service to the people in a business and official capacity, he has made his life count

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for benefit and of notable usefulness both to his family and to the com- munity.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Orange Township of Ashland County, December 13, 1846. His grandfather was Christian Krebs. His father, Daniel G. Krebs, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 14, 1814, and was married in Orange Township of Ashland County to Catherine Rickett, who was born at East Bethlehem, Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1818, a daughter of Christopher Rickett and Mary (Horn) Rickett. The Rickett family went to Ohio in June, 1823, and was the third family to locate in Orange Township of Ash- land County. Daniel G. Krebs was a farmer, was a democrat in politics, and died when still young of typhoid fever on January 19, 1857. He was laid to rest in St. Luke's cemetery in Orange Township. His widow survived him many years until her death on November 9, 1902, and in that year the body of Mr. Krebs was removed and lays beside his wife in Lawnwood cemetery, Lodi, Ohio. After her husband's death she was left with the care of seven children, and in very limited circumstances. She had learned the trade of weaver, and spent most of the summer months in making homespun cloth.

W. J. Krebs was about ten years of age when his father died, and he soon left home and worked for Peter Snyder, a farmer, getting wages of five dollars a month during the summer and half of this amount went to his widowed mother. During the winter seasons he continued his educa- tion in the local schools. He saved every penny he could and in the spring of 1864 moved to Rochester Township in Lorain County where several years later he and his mother and one brother purchased a small farm.

On November 17, 1872, Mr. Krebs married Sarah H. Andrews, who was born August 4, 1850, in Wiltshire, England, daughter of Thomas Andrews, who came to the United States in 1852, locating in Spencer Township of Medina County.

After his marriage Mr. Krebs moved to a farm in Rochester Town- ship, renting from A. B. Stroger for three years. Then having sold his third interest in the homestead of 140 acres, where the family had located in 1867. he bought a place of his own of ninety acres, but after a year sold out. On March 1, 1877, he moved to Penfield Township and with his brother R. B. engaged in the mercantile business which he conducted successfully for twelve years. During the administration of President Hayes he served as postmaster of Penfield, and was reappointed by both Cleveland's administrations, serving altogether ten years. For thirty-three years Mr. Krebs was justice of the peace, and finally retired from that office on January 1, 1916. He also held the office of township clerk fourteen years and was real estate assessor one year. He has been a trustee of the Children's Home of Lorain County ever since it was organized in 1900.

His chief business for several years has been clerk at sales, and his services have been much in demand for clerking for thoroughbred sales all over the state, and during a recent season so many demands were made upon him for this work that he could not fill all his engage- ments. He now handles real estate and is guardian and executor for a number of estates and individuals. He is a stanch democrat, and has always been temperate in habits and a man of absolute integrity in all his dealings. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he has served as trustee and in other offices and was secretary of the Sunday School for several years.

Mr. and Mrs. Krebs have two daughters: Stella and Carrie May. Stella is the wife of Guy Smith of Spencer Township in Medina County,

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MRS. GEORGE W. HOLLINGSWORTH

GEORGE W. HOLLINGSWORTH

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and their three children are Gladys, wife of Royal Waltz, a teacher in Spencer Township; Doris and Robert, both at home. Carrie May mar- ried A. J. Andrews, a farmer of Penfield Township, and their three children are Howard, Illa and Karl.

GEORGE W. HOLLINGSWORTH. A resident of Lorain County from the time of his birth to the present, Mr. Hollingsworth is one of the success- ful farmers and stock growers of the county and is a steadfast, sincere and loyal citizen who commands the respect and good will of community, his well equipped farm being situated in Pittsfield Township and one of his important departments of enterprise being that of conducting a successful dairy business, his products from the dairy farm being shipped principally to the city of Cleveland. He raises thoroughbred cattle and his fine little farm of forty acres also yields excellent returns in the field of diversified agriculture.

Mr. Hollingsworth was born in Lorain County on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1861, and is a son of George and Sarah (Oxby) Hollingsworth, both natives of England, the former born in the year 1832, and the lat- ter in 1833. Their marriage was solemnized in Lorain County, Ohio, where their acquaintanceship was formed. George Hollingsworth was reared to manhood in his native land, where he received a common school education, and he was twenty-one years of age at the time when he estab- lished his home in Lorain County, Ohio. Here he was employed for a number of years in connection with the operation of a stone quarry and he then purchased a farm of fifty acres, in Pittsfield Township, where he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 18th of February, 1915, his devoted wife having passed away in September, 1912. Of the seven children the subject of this review is the elder of the two now living, and Richard resides in the city of Oberlin, where he is a carpenter by trade and vocation. George Hollingsworth gave his allegiance to the democratic party until the campaign that resulted in the election of President Cleveland, and thereafter he was a supporter of the cause of the republican party until the time of his death. His wife had been in her native land a communi- cant of the Church of England, but in Ohio she united with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, of which she continued a zealous member until her demise.

George W. Hollingsworth gained his early education in the district schools and has been identified with farming from his early youth, his success having been won through industry, close application and good management. He takes a lively interest in community affairs and is progressive and public-spirited as a citizen, with his political predilec- tions indicated by his alignment as a supporter of the principles of the republican party. He has passed the various official chairs in the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is affiliated also with the ancient-craft body of the Masonic Fraternity and with the local Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.

In 1885 Mr. Hollingsworth wedded Miss Ella M. Keihl, who was born in Stark County, this state, where her paternal grandparents set- tled in an early day, both having been natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth have no children.

HARLEY O. BECKLEY of Rochester Township has lived at one home in that locality forty years, and is accounted one of the most successful citizens in Lorain County. He represents some solid old American stock in Northern Ohio, and his family have lived in this part of the state fully a century. The Beckleys were New England people. Selah Beck- Vol. 11-29

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ley was born in Connecticut in 1767, and in 1812 came to Ohio, locating in Summit County. In 1787 he married Caroline Beckley, who was born in 1768. Their children were: Hepzibah, Noel, Lotan, Hepzibah second of the name, Rowena, Elnathan S., Lois, Edwin, Ahira and Sally. Selah Beckley was a blacksmith by trade, and died in 1817.

Elnathan S. Beckley was born in Berlin, Connecticut, April 2, 1801, and was eleven years old when the family came to Ohio. He grew up on a farm and spent his life as an agriculturist. On June 1, 1825, he married Polly Wilcox, who was born in Berlin, Connecticut, in 1805. Of their two children Eloise is now Mrs. Madison Andrews of North Am- herst, Ohio. Elnathan S. Beckley and wife lived for some years near Cuyahoga Falls, but in 1842 moved to Huntington Township, Lorain County, and lived in the southwest part of that township for a number of years. In 1863 they moved to Rochester Township, where Elnathan died December, 1872, his widow making her home with her son Lyman until her death in May, 1890. Both parents were members of the Uni- versalist Church and in politics he was a democrat.

Lyman Beckley, only son of this pioneer couple, and father of Harley O. Beckley, was born April 5, 1827, in Stowe Township of Summit County, Ohio, was educated in the district schools and was fifteen years old when his parents moved to Lorain County. For a time the family lived with an uncle in a single room cabin and experienced all the prim- itive hardships of the time. October 26, 1848, Lyman Beckley married Mary J. Sage of Huntington Township, where she was born October 16, 1831, a son of H. P. and Susan (Mallory) Sage, who came from New Haven, Connecticut, to Ohio about 1825. H. P. Sage was a man of culture and great influence in the new country, and taught public school and also taught a class of music and in higher mathematics, and at one time assembled in his home some students of theology. He held several offices of trust and was especially a leader in religious worship, being a minister of the Universalist Church. He died in Huntington in 1887 and his wife in 1870. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Beck- ley settled on a farm he had toiled to improve, but in 1863 moved to Rochester Township, where he spent most of his time in dairying. In 1869 in partnership with a neighbor he built what was known as the Beckley Cheese Factory. In 1876 he sold his farm to his oldest son, and then bought a farm in Huntington Township. He and his wife were active members of the Universalist Church and he was a democrat. Their four children were: Alma R., who was born September 13, 1849, and died at the age of fourteen months; Harley O .; Ellis S., who was born in 1848 and died in 1861; and D. I., born May 26, 1861, died July 10, 1900.

Harley O. Beckley was born in Huntington Township of Lorain County, June 6, 1851. Besides the district schools he attended the Well- ington High School for two terms. In addition to working on the farm, he occupied himself with dairying, and then entered the Beckley Cheese factory under George Bush. This factory was located near the old home, but after two years in the factory he returned to the farm.

On October 4, 1871, Mr. Beckley married Miss Mary A. Peet, who was born in Rochester Township, a daughter of Homer and Charlotte (Kel- sey) Peet. Mr. and Mrs. Beckley began housekeeping in a little house on his father's farm, and subsequently he bought that little place and it was the nucleus of his extensive operations as a farmer and land holder. Mr. and Mrs. Beckley have one daughter, Chloe A., the wife of Henry Laughery, a carpenter, and they live with her parents.

In 1876 Mr. Beckley moved to his present farm in Rochester Town-

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ship. Since then he has operated extensively as a dairyman, although his operations also class him as a general farmer. In 1892 he built a large barn at the cost of $2,000 which is considered one of the most substantial structures of the kind in the county. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church, and he was a church trustee a number of years and also superintendent of the Sunday School. Mr. Beckley is a trustee of Rochester Township, an office he has filled six or eight terms. His good judgment in business affairs has brought him a generous prosperity, and he is now reckoned as the heaviest tax payer in Rochester Township and one of the largest land owners. He owns over four hundred acres of highly improved and well cultivated land. For two terms he was township real estate assessor. Mr. Beckley is a democrat in politics.

GEORGE F. BURSLEY is a citizen of Lorain County who has made farm- ing pay by the exercise of the same qualities of business enterprise which makes a successful merchant, manufacturer or professional man. His home is in Rochester Township, and his farm comprises 238 acres of improved land, which is devoted to mixed farming. He has a flock of thoroughbred Delaine sheep, and formerly raised some fine Holstein full blood cattle, and still keeps a registered Holstein bull. He has built a large barn, and has made many other improvements to increase the value and productiveness of his place.

He is a native of Huron County, Ohio, born at Wakeman, February 13, 1862, a son of Israel and Susan (Fletcher) Bursley. Both parents were natives of New York State, and came to Huron County when quite young. His father was born in 1826 and died December 28, 1888. His mother was born in 1824, a daughter of William Fletcher, who came from Pennsylvania to Huron County and spent his active career as a farmer there, and the Fletcher family was represented in the Revolu- tionary war by William Fletcher's father, who was a gallant soldier in the war for independence. Mrs. Susan Bursley did in 1884. She was an active member of the Congregational Church. Israel Bursley, who was a republican in politics, followed a career as farmer, and made a success, leaving an estate of 157 acres. Of eight children born to their union five now living are: Elvira of Kipton; Melvina is the wife of S. M. Hanes, a farmer in Camden Township, and they have three chil- dren, Albert, Iva Effie, Everett; Lovina lives with her brother; George F .; and Henry, a farmer in Camden Township, married Gertrude Tilling- hast and has two children, Charles and Harold. The three children who are deceased are Dennis, Ellen and Milo. Ellen married J. D. Bates and left two children, Earl and Lynn. George F. Bursley grew up on a farm, attended the Wakeman schools, and also had a course in the Northern Indiana University at Valparaiso. He made his start as a farmer in his native county, and in 1893 came to Rochester Township, where he bought 115 acres, and has since more than doubled his landed possessions.

In 1886 Mr. Bursley married Ida Lang, a daughter of John B. and Ruth (Boone) Lang. The father was a well-to-do farmer of Huntington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bursley have one daughter living, Neva May, who is still at home with her parents, and a daughter, Edna, died aged six years. The family are members of the Methodist Church, and politically Mr. Bursley is a republican. He has shared his time and work for the community benefit, and for fifteen years served as a trustee of Rochester Township, his official service being represented by many local improvements.

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FRANK S. WHITNEY was born in Pittsfield Township, this county, on the 24th day of June, 1871, and his paternal grandfather, Joseph Whitney, was numbered among the sterling pioneers who played a large part in the civic and material development and upbuilding of Lorain County. Joseph Whitney was born in the state of Massachusetts and became a farmer in Vermont, where he remained until 1837, when he came with his family to Ohio and settled on a tract of wild land in what is now Pittsfield Township, where he reclaimed a productive farm and where he continued his residence until his death, at the exceedingly venerable age of ninety-four years.

He whose name initiates this article is a son of Mark and Cordelia (Gifford) Whitney, the former of whom was born at Peru, Vermont, in 1818, and the latter of whom was born in New York State in 1825. Mark Whitney acquired his early education in his native state and was about seventeen years of age at the time of the family removal to Lorain County, Ohio. Mr. Whitney was about eighty-eight years of age at the time of his death, in 1906, and his loved wife passed away in 1916. He was one of the representative farmers of the county for many years and was the owner of a large and valuable landed estate at the time of his demise.

Frank S. Whitney was reared to manhood in Pittsfield Township and after duly availing himself of the advantages of the public schools he further fortified himself by the completion of a course in a business college at Oberlin. From his youth to the present time he has been a loyal and effective exponent of agricultural and live stock industry in his native county, and he established himself on his present home- stead in 1892. Here his original farm comprised only forty-six acres, but he has added to the area of his estate until he now has a fine demesne of 259 acres. In addition to the many other substantial im- provements he has made on his farm he erected his attractive and modern two-story frame residence, which is one of the pleasant and hospitable rural homes of the county. In connection with his general agricultural operations Mr. Whitney gives special attention to the dairying and the raising of high-grade Holstein-Friesian cattle, of which he is a successful breeder from blooded stock. His landed estate is divided into three separate farms, and on each of them he has fine herds of cattle, the milk and other products from his dairy being shipped principally to the city of Cleveland.

Mr. Whitney accords unwavering allegiance to the republican party and has served long and efficiently as a member of the school board, of which he was president for ten years. He is secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Lorain County and has been influential in the developing of its substantial and prosperous business. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and they are popular factors in the representative social life of the community.

In 1892 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Whitney to Miss Lou Emma Green, daughter of William Green, a venerable and honored citi- zen of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volume. In conclusion is given brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Whitney : Herbert, who continued his studies in the public schools until he had profited duly by the advantages of the high school at Well- ington, also spent two terms in the Oberlin Business College, and owns a farm in Pittsfield Township; Roena is the wife of James M. McCon- nell, and they reside on their farm in Pittsfield Township, she being a graduate of the Wellington High School; Perry is a member of the class of 1916 in the high school at Wellington, as is also Eva; Blanche is

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CHILDREN OF FRANK S. WHITNEY

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CHILDREN OF FRANK S. WHITNEY

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a sophomore in the same school; and Arthur is still attending the graded schools.

WILLIAM GREEN. Though he has been a resident of Pittsfield Town- ship, Lorain County, since his boyhood days, Mr. Green has the dis- tinction of claiming the "right little isle" of England as the place of his nativity. During the period of more than sixty years of his resi- dence in Lorain County he has been unwavering in his allegiance to the basic industry of agriculture, of which he has been a prominent and suc- cessful exponent, and he still resides upon his fine homestead farm, his landed estate comprising 250 acres of most productive and well im- proved land. Mr. Green is one of the honored and influential citizens of the county and is entitled to definite recognition in this history, for he has lived and labored to goodly ends and made his life count for good in all of its relations.

William Green was born near Lincolnshire, England, on the 4th of October, 1848, and is a son of William and Mary (Marshall) Green, representatives of staunch old English families. William Green, Sr., was born in 1805 and thus was nearly eighty years of age at the time of his death, in 1884. His wife was born in 1809, and was summoned to eternal rest in 1873. Of their three children the subject of this sketch is now the only survivor. Soon after immigrating with his family to America Mr. Green came to Ohio, and in 1854 he established his per- manent home in Lorain County, where he purchased fifty acres of land, in Pittsfield Township. He reclaimed and improved this farm, and with increasing prosperity he added to the area of his landed estate and became one of the substantial agriculturists of the county, even as he was one of its honored and public-spirited citizens. He was a man of superior intellectual force, and kept himself well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day, besides having always manifested studious proclivities and having been an earnest and appreciative reader of the Bible, both he and his wife having been zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his political allegiance having been given to the republican party.

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A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the., Part 68

Author: Wright, G. Frederick (George Frederick), 1838-1921, editor Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago, New York, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 805

Author: Wright, G. Frederick (George Frederick), 1838-1921, editor
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, New York, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 805