USA > Ohio > Erie County > A standard history of Erie County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, civic, and social development. A chronicle of the people, with family lineage and memoirs > Part 21
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Lester T. Chase lived in Margaretta Township until his marriage and then took charge of his wife's mother's farm of sixty-seven acres in Townsend Township of Huron County. At the same time he owned and operated twenty-seven acres of his own adjacent to his wife's home. That was the scene of his successful work as a farmer until eight years ago, when he returned to Erie County and bought 156 aeres in Per- kins Township. In 1913, having sold that property, he bought one of the best known farms in Berlin Township, formerly owned by John lloak. It comprises seventy-five acres, not far from Berlinville and Berlin Heights. About ten acres of fine native timber make one of the valuable features of the Weeping Willow Farm, Mr. Chase has sue- ceeded in growing everything that can he grown profitably in this elimate, and has made a feature of potato raising, also has a first-class
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apple orchard and about two aeres set to peaches. Ilis home is a large nine-room house, and there are two large barns, for the storage and shelter of his stock and grain. Mr. Chase raises good grades of live stock, and feeds nearly all the product of his fields so that none of their fertility is Iost.
On November 4, 1885, in Townsend Township of Huron County Mr. Chase married Miss Delia L. Owen. Mrs. Chase was born in that locality January 14, 1866, and as a girl attended the local schools. Her parents were Henry and Harriet (Graham) Owen, both of whom were natives of New York State and came when young to Ohio and were married in Seneca County. Not long afterwards they moved into the wilds of Townsend Township in Huron County where they seeured sixty-seven acres of land practically untouched by plow and isolated from the civilization around them. There were hardly any roads to speak of, the wolves howled at the door of their little one-room eabin, wild game was plentiful, and out of those conditions the industry of Mr. and Mrs. Owen finally evoked a substantial and valuable farm. Mr. Owen died there in 1881 when past fifty-five years of age and his widow, who was born April 17, 1836, died January 15, 1901. They were a Methodist family. Mrs. Chase has two sisters: Rosalia, wife of John Tompkins, of Castalia; and Amelia A., wife of Ernest Benson, of Norwalk, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Chase have two capable and vigorous young sons. Earl J., born Jannary 12, 1887. attended the Collins High School and is now the capable manager of the Nathan Hoak Farm in Berlin Town- ship; he married Eunice McGill, daughter of Warren McGill of Mar- garetta Township, and their three children are named Doris I., Gerald E. and Mildred. The second son, Henry M., born Mareh 31, 1892, was similarily educated, and is now giving his assistance to his father in the management of the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Chase attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, they are both members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics he is a republican voter.
JOHN HIUFF. The development of such an attractive rural land- scape as Berlin Township from the pioneer conditions which prevailed there within the memory of living man has been a task involving the labors of many successive years and of hundreds of individuals. It is a comfortable reflection to many of those who live in that fine distriet that they or their families before them have obeyed the scriptural injune- tion that by the sweat of their brow shall they gain their bread. This has been true of the Huff family, and John Huff, though of a younger generation, has himself increased the area of cultivation and in winning a comfortable prosperity has made the section in which he lives all the better for those that eome after him. His is one of the excellent farms in Berlin Township, located on Rural Route No. 2 out of Berlin Heights.
Ile was born on his father's old farm in the western part of Berlin Township June 27, 1860. His parents were Philip and Anna Barbara (Gundlach) Huff. Both of these worthy people were born in Hesse Darmstadt. Germany, the former on April 20, 1820, and the latter in April, 1827. They were of families of the German farming class. Though born and reared in the same country, their destinies were not united until they came to America by different routes and at different times. Philip Huff eame to this country in 1844, spending seven weeks on the voyage from Hamburg to New York City. He came on to Cleve- land, went up the lake to Huron and for some time labored as a farm hand in Huron Township. Several years later Miss Gundlach had also set out alone from Germany, traveled in a sailing vessel to Quebee,
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Canada, thence up the St. Lawrence River and Lake Erie to Huron, Ohio, and in that township these two people first became acquainted and were married. In the meantime from their earnings as young and industrions Germans both had furnished means for other members of their family to come and enjoy the advantages of American citizenship. Mrs. Uuff's parents and some of her brothers came to this country and Mr. Huff furnished the means by which his brothers John, George and Adam were able to enjoy the opportunities of the New World. His brother George died not long after his arrival, while Adam died in Pennsylvania, having prospered, and the brother John is still living in Michigan, having located west of Adrian and is a wealthy man, being now past eighty years of age.
When Philip Unff and wife were married they were exceedingly poor and only by the hardest work got far enough ahead to make their first investment as land owners. Their first ownership comprised eight acres in Berlin Township and to that they added from time to time until they had a farm of 121 acres. Philip Huff was a hard worker and the manner in which he acquired his land holdings was to buy a small tract of nucleared woodland, and after several seasons of hard work he had it in cultivation, had paid for it. and was soon ready to try his enterprise on another tract. In the meantime he had built a good home, and he and his wife spent their last years in comfort. Philip HIuff died on his farm in Erie County February 5, 1908. ITis widow subsequently went to live with her son John and died at his home May 5, 1912. Philip Huff was a Lutheran and his wife of the German Reformed Church, and in polities he was a democrat. They were de- voted parents, were respected citizens and reared their children to lives of usefulness and honor. Their oldest child, Anna B., who died in July, 1913, was a mute from childhood and married Samuel MeLanahan, who still lives at their home in Findlay, Ohio. The next child, Cather- ine, is the wife of Frank Peters, a farmer and buteher in Milan Town- ship. Mary is the widow of Ephraim Mills, and lives at New Haven, Michigan, and has two sons and five daughters living, and lost one son at the age of twenty-three. Lillie is the wife of Henry MeVetta, farm- ers in Milan Township, and three sons and four daughters were born to them, one of the daughters dying in childhood.
Jolm Huff, who was next to the youngest in this family, was reared and educated in Berlin Township and thongh starting in more pros- perous circunstances than his father and mother has largely worked out his fortune by relying on his own efforts. His first purchase was twenty acres of land adjacent to his father's farm. This was increased in 1903 when he bought his present home place of fifty-one and a half acres on Central State Road, and he has improved that land in many ways, having a substantial eight-room house and two large barns just across the road from his dwelling. At a later time he acquired his father's farm and homestead, and his land holdings now comprise 192 acres, some of it as good land as can be found in Erie County. Mr. ยท Juff is a farmer who believes in practical diversifieation. As a stock man he keeps the best hogs, cattle and sheep, and has also given con- siderable attention to fruit growing, having about 400 peach trees and three aeres of apple orchard.
In early manhood Mr. Huff married Miss Mary E. Otto, a resident of Berlin Township, though she was born in Brownhehn Township of Lorain County August 21, 1871. She was reared and educated in Berlin Township, and is the second child and daughter of Jacob Otto, who is mentioned on other pages of this publication. Mr. and Mrs. JEuff have two children : Philip O., born April 18, 1897, is in the class
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of 1916 in the Berlin lleights Iligh School. John Jacob, born Feb- ruary 13, 1905, is now in the fifth grade of the public schools. Mrs. Huff, who is a devoted mother and has helped her husband gain his prosperity, is a member of the German Reformed Church, while Mr. Huff is known as an independent democrat in his political activities.
CHARLES LANDER. More than sixty years ago a young Englishman named Lander arrived in Erie County. The only possessions he could claim were the clothes he wore on his back. His name was William C. Lander and he was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1830. He was an only child and his parents had died when quite small and his years up to nineteen were spent in the home of his grandparents. With the spirit of adventure strong within him, with a determined purpose to make his own way in the world, he set out for the New World and spent most of his money in the long voyage by sailing vessel of three months between England and New York, and on reaching Ohio first located at Akron. The next two years did not greatly improve his fortunes, and when he arrived in Berlin Township it was as a common lahorer that he worked for a farmer named West. Industrious, thrifty, faithful to the discharge of every responsibility, he was the type of young man who deserves encouragement, and found his benefactor in W. Henry Iline, who was his employer for six years. Mr. Hine, being a banker and one of the prominent citizens of Erie County, encouraged the young Englishman to buy land, offering to back him in his undertakings until he should get a foothold as an independent farmer. On this advice William C. Lander first bought thirty acres, and on that little farm his son Charles was born. While employed by Mr. Hine, William Lander married Miss Mary Jane Ceas, who was also an employe in the Iline household. She was born in Ohio, and died aged fifty-three on the old Lander homestead. After their first successful venture as independ- ent farmers, William (. Lander and wife bought 100 acres a short distance north of the first farm, and it was on that place, since known as the old Lander homestead, that William C. Lander spent the rest of his years. Ile died there November 10, 1913, when past eighty- three years af age. In the meantime he had secured another tract of 100 acres of farm land, and that is now the home of his son Charles. William C. Lander and wife had two children, the first being Charles and the second Miles. The latter was born in 1870 and is now owner and occupies the old Lander homestead in Berlin Township. He married Miss Catherine Oetzel, and their three children are named Ellen, William and Emma.
Charles Lander was born on his father's farm, the first mentioned above, in Berlin Township, on October 2, 1863. He now has the second hundred acres seeured by his father, located on the Berlin Township Line Road, and one of the best improved tracts of farm land in Berlin Township. Ten acres of his farm is a fine wood of native timber. Mr. Lander has a large and comfortable ten-room brick house, and has one of the largest barns found in Berlin Township, 120 feet long and 37. feet wide. Mr. Lander took possession of this farm home in 1898 and had previously lived on the Lander homestead. He has proved his ability as a thrifty general farmer, is a man of substantial education, and gives an intelligent direction to every undertaking.
In Berlin Township he married Miss Elizabeth Ritz, who was born in the old log cabin home on her father's farm in Berlin Township in March, 1863, and grew up and received her education in this locality, where she lived until her marriage. Her father is John Ritz. Sr., one of the capable citizens of Erie County, and a sketch of whom appears
MR. AND MRS. LAFAYETTE BURDUE
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on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Lander have two children, Edward, born February 22, 1888, on the old Lander homestead, was educated in the public schools and is now living at Ceylon Junction in Erie County. He married Elizabeth Nuhn of Vermilion Township and they have two children named Herbert and Charles. JJohn, the younger son, was born September 19, 1899, has finished his education and is still living at home. Mr. Lander and his sons are independent republicans.
LAFAYETTE BURDUE. Fully a century has elapsed since the Burdnes became identified with Erie County. The family is of French origin, and like many of the early settlers in this part of the okl Western Reserve they came from Connectieut. The work of practically three successive generations of the family has been accomplished in this region, and there are many things that can be associated with the name to the credit and honor of the individual members.
One of the first representatives of the family to come to this country was John Burdne, a native of Connecticut. and whose grandson, Lafay- ette Burdue, has long operated a small fruit and general farm in Berlin Township on Rural Route No. 2 out of Berlin Heights. John Burdue came to Vermilion Township a young man, making the journey with wagons and ox teams and accompanied by his brothers and sisters. At Cleveland the sisters took passage on a boat while the brothers drove through with their wagons and teams to Vermilion township. This was about the time of the War of 1812. Of those who came here the follow- ing are given record : John, Nathaniel and Rebecca. Rebecea married Ephraim Mingus. Nathaniel also married, and all of them lived and died in Erie and IFuron counties. John Burdue, the grandfather, was married in Vermilion to Rebecca Cudaback of Pennsylvania German parentage, who came in the very early days with her parents from Penn- sylvania to Vermilion. Some time after their marriage and after the birth of three children they moved to Townsend Township in Erie County. where they bought fifty acres of heavily wooded land. Like their neighbors, then sparsely settled over that country, they erected a rough log cabin, and devoted many years to the improvement and cultivation of their farm. Subsequently they moved to Lorain County, where John Burdne died at the age of seventy-nine, a short time before the Civil war. ITis widow died at Weston in Henry County, Ohio, when past eighty. Their early home in Huron County was in the midst of timber noted for its great size. It is recalled that a chestnut tree that stood near the home was eleven feet in diameter, and there were many other giants of the forest on their land. Before they left the county they had cleared a large part of this farm, and in this way performed an impor- tant share of the heavy pioneer labor. John and Rebecca Burdue were the parents of four sons and two daughters: George. Fred and Naney. who were born in Vermilion Township of Erie County ; Margaret, Wil- liam and Henry, who were born in Huron County. All these grew up and married and had children of their own, and are now deceased.
George Burdue, father of Lafayette Burdue, was born August 19. 1823. spent his early life in Townsend Township of Huron County, and was there married to Betsy E. Robison, nee Studley, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in May, 1817. She died in Huron County April 20, 1902. while her husband passed away December 20th of the same vear. She had been reared in Riehland County and was there when the historie cyclone devastated that section and performed so many remark- able freaks with people and homes.
After their marriage George Burdne and wife located on a farm in Townsend Township, and operated that small estate the rest of their lives. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he
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was a democrat. Their children : James N., who died after his marriage and left one son; Perey, who died after his marriage; Franklin, who is a widower now living in Galion and has two sons, James and Hughy; Lafayette; Sarah Almina, who is the wife of Bion Ames of Townsend Township, a farmer there, and they have two daughters, Ella and Ina; Newton, who died at the age of twelve years; and Nelson, who died at eighteen months old.
It was in Townsend Township of Huron County that Lafayette Bur- due was born December 3, 1850. ITis youth was spent in that seetion, where he attended the public schools, and having become thoroughly acquainted with farming enterprise subsequently adopted that as a per- manent vocation, though he also worked at a trade, as will be mentioned. In November, 1887, Mr. Burdue eame to Erie County and bought twenty- five acres on the State Road in Berlin Township west of Berlinville. There are many changes and improvements that can be credited to his enterprise since he occupied the farm, and a portion of it has been set to fruit. While the farm is not large, it has been so intelligently man- aged as to afford a good home and a means for the ample support of himself and family. Ilis farm is the old Oliver Peak home. In his early manhood Mr. Burdue learned the mason's trade, having served an apprenticeship of three years under William Ames, and thereafter fol- lowed that as a vocation conjointly with farming until about ten years ago. Ile was regarded as one of the most capable workers with stone, brick and plaster.
In Milan Township of Erie County Mr. Burdue married Matilda A. Gambee, who was born in that township May 8, 1851, and was reared and educated there. She was a thrifty and devoted companion until her death on January 10, 1915. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and that is also the church home of Mr. Burdue. In politics he is a demoerat. and has affiliations with several orders. He belongs to Erie Lodge at Milan of the Masonic Order, to Edison Chapter No. 112, R. A. M., at Milan, to the Chapter of Eastern Star, and is also a mem- ber of the Patrons of Husbandry at Milan. Mr. and Mrs. Burdue united with the Presbyterian Church at Milan in 1911.
GEORGE L. SPRANKEL. The quiet life and substantial aceomplish- ments of the farmer have been the lot of George L. Sprankel, though for a number of years he was also engaged in business as a dealer in general implements. By his enterprise he has accumulated sufficient against the days that are to come, and the respeet in which he is held is not less than his material aeeomplishments. He is now retiring from business as an implement dealer.
The home of Mr. Sprankel and family comprises 110 acres of farm land at Shinrock. The farm is well improved with two sets of build- ings. It is land of the highest fertility, with elay subsoil, and capable of growing large and abundant yields of corn, wheat, oats and potatoes. Mr. Sprankel usually plants from eight to ten aeres of potatoes and gets a yield as high as 300 bushels per aere. He also eultivates elover and has some excellent pasturage. Most of his land is thoroughly under- drained. Ile gives his attention to only the better grades of stoek. He has a large and comfortable home in the Village of Shinroek, and his house has been virtually rebuilt sinee he first took possession. His home has been in Shinrock for sixteen years.
George L. Sprankel was born in Erie County February 18, 1865, and has spent practically all his life in the Township of Berlin. With the exception of twenty years spent as a farm implement dealer he has devoted all his time and attention sinee reaching manhood to farming. HIis parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Zeller) Sprankel, and complete
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information regarding that old and honored name in Erie County will be found on other pages. Mr. Sprankel was reared in a good home and educated sufficiently to handle business affairs and to make him known as a man of intelligence and of general information. The habits of thrift and industry to which he was trained as a boy have served him especially well in his business career.
Mr. Sprankel was married in Berlin Township to Miss Anna K. HIoman, who was born in Germany forty-eight years ago, and both her parents died there when she was young. She came to this country when seventeen years of age, and for several years made her own way in the world, and well deserves the comforts of a good home and has proved a devoted mother and an excellent helpmate to her husband. They have a family of three children. Amelia, who was edueated in the grade schools of Berlin Township and is still at home; George, aged twelve, and now in the eighth grade of the public schools: and Fred II., also in school. Mr. and Mrs. Sprankel are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is an independent voter though he gives allegiance to the democratic party.
TUTTLE YOUNGS. One of the most purposeful and productive lives spent within the limits of Erie County was that of the late Tuttle Youngs, who was born at Sempronins, Cayuga County, New York, Jan- uary 20, 1832, and died on his beautiful estate near Shinrock in Berlin Township June 7, 1896, when in his sixty-fifth year. Along with the industry and enterprise which secures the best in material affairs, he had the sincere and high minded character which illuminates the life of a man in whatever sphere he expends his labors.
His parents were thrifty, hard working and honorable farming people of New York State, and from them he doubtless inherited many of the admirable qualities which were exemplified in his own career. His parents were James W. and Roxanna (Tuttle) Youngs, both natives of New York State. His mother was a sister of Nathan Tuttle, whose son, Hudson Tuttle, gained distinction not only in Ohio but elsewhere as an author and lecturer. The parents of Tuttle Youngs spent their lives in New York State and were quite old when they died.
Growing up in his native state, Tuttle Youngs received a moderate amount of sehooling and was trained to farm work under the direction of his father until twenty years of age. He then came out to Ohio, early in the '50s, and found work at the carpenter trade for a time, and then entered the employ of Isaac T. Reynolds, one of the best known farm- ers and successful old time citizens of Erie County, now deceased. After seven years of steady employment, in which he commended himself not only to his employer but to the respeet of the community, he was induced by Henry lline, an extensive land owner. to purchase a farm, sinee Mr. Hine was much impressed by the ability and worth of the young man and was willing to help him in getting a start. After he had worked and paid for his first tract of seventy-eight acres, he found a capable helpmate in a young woman of that community, a member of one of Erie County's oldest and most prominent families, and together they started the improvements which have sinee eventuated in one of the most beautiful farms to be found in Erie County. This farm is now occupied by Mrs. Youngs, with her son as its capable manager. In the course of his lifetime the late Mr. Youngs put nearly all his land under the plow, and erected fine farm buildings, including a modern eight- room house. Hardly any land in the county shows superior soil, and it has been thoroughly drained and brought to the highest degree of produetiveness. At this work for many years Mr. Youngs continued
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his active career, and was not only a large crop grower but always kept good stock and exercised the utmost care in its handling.
In his political actions he was a republican, but consented to hold only one offieial position, that of township trustee for several terms. Ile was a Christian in the principle of conduct rather than by creed. He was very domestic, and his home was the central point of his life's inter- ests and affections. From the time of his marriage it is said that he was never absent from home or his wife a single night, excepting when he at one time took a trip to Chicago.
On January 31, 1861, Tuttle Youngs and Miss Mary Ann Sprowl were united in marriage. She had lived up to that time in Huron Town- ship, and was a sister of Thomas Sprowl, cashier of the First National Bank of Huron. Mrs. Youngs was born December 17, 1840, and re- ceived her early training and education in the schools of Huron and Berlin townships, and has spent nearly all her life within a mile or so of her present beautiful home.
A great deal might be written about the Youngs place, known as Maple Street Home. The township has no better developed or more attractive property than this. It takes its name from the beautiful avenue of maples which in their sturdy grace and beauty comprise a mounment to the late Tuttle Youngs. Ile set them out along the road in 1862 and since then they have grown into large and beautiful trees. In April, 1861, a few weeks after his marriage, Mr. Youngs spent his last 50 cents after getting established in his new home to buy two cherry trees. These he planted in the front yard, and for fifty-four years one of these has stood, blossoming and bearing fruit almost every season, Only recently a wind storm destroyed the companion tree. In the first year following their marriage Mr. Youngs worked from day- light often far into the night getting his land cleared up and his home satisfactorily improved, and his loyal wife was a constant source of encouragement as well as practical aid to him in all his efforts.
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