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 24
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
ORRIN H. BRISTOL. That Mr. Bristol is one of the leading exponents of modern and scientific husbandry in Erie County needs no further voucher than the statement that he is retained in the responsible posi- tion of manager of the magnificent landed estate widely known under the title of Woodside Farms, in Perkins Township. This finely im- proved estate, owned by Watson Butler, a prominent capitalist of New York City, is eligibly situated within a short distance of the City of Sandusky, at the south, and the efficient supervision that has been given to the property by Mr. Bristol has resulted in bringing it up to the best standard in all particulars and in giving him precedence as one of the most vigorous and progressive representatives of the agricul- tural and live-stock industries in this section of the state. He has retained his present executive post since December, 1912, and has proved distinctively the right man in the right place, the while his genial personality has gained to him the high regard of the community with which he has thus identified himself.
Mr. Bristol was born in Huron County, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1865, and is a son of Charles and Olive (Rogers) Bristol, the former of whom was born in Monroe County, New York, and the latter in the City of Watertown, Jefferson County, that state. The father of Charles Bristol was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, as a member of a New York regiment, and of collateral kinship to the Bristol family was the man who operated and gave his name to the ferry that in turn gave title to the town of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia,-an historic point in connection with the military operations in the Civil war. Family tra- dition amply justifies the claim that the lineage of the Bristol family traces haek to sterling English origin, and there is authority also for the statement that representatives of the name were among the early settlers of the Massachusetts colony and owned a part of the land on which the City of Boston is now situated. Charles Bristol became a prosperous farmer and representative citizen of Huron County, Ohio, and there he and his wife continued to reside until their death, secure in the high regard of all who knew them.
Orrin H. Bristol was reared in his native county to adult age and from his boyhood to the present has maintained fellowship with the fundamental art and industry of agriculture. He was afforded the advantages of the public schools and in later years has profited to the maximum degree from the lessons gained through active association with the practical duties and responsibilities of a signally alert and useful life. For a number of years he was engaged in farming in an independent way, first in Huron County and later in Paulding County. In July, 1894, he entered the employ of William H. Butler, owner of the large and well known Furnace Farm, in Paulding County. This estate comprised at the time 1,500 aeres, and there Mr. Bristol gained valuable experience in the conducting of agricultural and stock-growing operations on an extensive scale and according to the most approved and progressive policies. In 1899 he was made manager of the fine landed estate, and it was largely under his personal direction that much of the land was reclaimed from the forest into seven excellent farms which are now among the best in Paulding County. He continued his association with this enterprise until he assumed his present and equally responsible position, in December, 1912. The Woodside Farms com- prise 200 acres and the estate is given over almost entirely to the raising of the highest grades of live stock, including pure-bred Percheron horses and Guernsey cattle, besides which special attention is given to the rais- ing of the White Leghorn single-comb poultry, the farms having wide reputation in each of these departments of enterprise. Each year the farms also give an appreciable acreage to the various cereals, and every
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detail of the work receives the personal and careful supervision of Mr. Bristol, who is an enthusiast in his vocation and who gives close study to the scientifie phases of farm work.
It may naturally be inferred that a man of such vital energy and broad views could not fail to take a lively interest in community affairs, and Mr. Bristol is essentially progressive and publie-spirited in his civic attitude, his political allegiance being given to the republican party.
Mr. Bristol has been twice wedded, his first wife, whose maiden name was Jennie M. Clark, having been born and reared in Huron County, and she is survived by one daughter, Cora, who is now the wife of William H. Leeper, their home being in the State of Washing- ton. For his second wife Mr. Bristol married Miss Mary O. Swisher, of Darke County, this state, and they have two children, Myrtie O. and Ruth M.
LEONARD C. HILL. One of the citizens of Perkins Township is Leonard C. Hill, a resident of this community throughout the forty-two years of his life. Mr. Hill is the owner of 189 aeres of good land, aeeumulated through his own efforts, and two voeations, farming and the wholesale produce business, have occupied his energies and atten- tion. In each venture he has been successful in building up a satisfying enterprise, and the fact that all that he has gained has been acquired without the aid of others, makes his career all the more commendable.
Mr. Hill was born on his father's farm in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio, October 23, 1873, and is a son of Charles W. and Lueretia (Hoyt) IFill, and a grandson of Hazen Hill, who was one of the early pioneers of Huron County, Ohio, where he took up a traet of land, developed a farm, and passed his career in the pursuits of the soil, dying on his original homestead. Charles W. Hill was born on the Huron County farm and was brought up to farming, in which he was engaged in Huron County at the time of the outbreak between the North and the South. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in an Ohio regiment of volunteers, and fought bravely as a soldier until the elose of the ('ivil war, when he received his honorable discharge. Shortly afterward, Mr. Hill, having heard of the opportunities offered the ambitious in Erie County, came to this locality and after looking the ground over finally settled on the farm which is now occupied by his son, Leonard C. Perkins Township continued to be his home until the elose of his life, which occurred in 1906. He was a man of thrift, honesty and industry, having probably inherited these characteristics from Scotch ancestors, and was favorably known in his community as a good and reliable citizen. lle married Miss Lueretia Hoyt, a native of Perkins Township, and of their children four now survive: Oscar G., who is a resident of Huron, Ohio; Leonard (., of this review : Hattie L., who is the wife of Jesse Green, a farmer of Perkins Township; and Vernon W., whose home is at Sandusky.
Leonard C. Hill was brought up as a farm boy and spent his boy- hood and youth on his father's place, where he was carefully trained in the numerous lessons necessary to he learned by those who would succeed as farmers. In the meantime his literary edneation was not being neglected, for the public schools furnished him with the founda- tion for this and later he attended the Sandusky Business College. After leaving the latter institution he returned to the parental roof, and at the time of his father's death, in 1906, took over the management of the farm, where he has since continued to carry on operations. Ile now has 189 aeres of fertile soil under a high state of cultivation, and this he devotes to general farming, raising all the grains and other products for which this climate is suitable. His traet is supplied with comfort-
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able and commodions buildings and every facility for conducting agricul- ture to the best advantage. As a citizen he has shown himself intelli- gent and enterprising, with the courage of his convictions and a broad knowledge of current affairs, and being thus favorably situated is a valuable man for any up-to-date community to possess. He is a warm supporter of the cause of education, and has served capably for three years as a member of the school board of Perkins Township, during which time he did all in his power to better the school system. In political matters he has always been a republican. Mr. Hill is a valued member of the local Grange, and has also shown his interest in fraternal affairs by his membership in the Knights of the Maccabees at Bloom- ingville, Ohio.
Mr. Hill was married to Miss Rose V. House, who was born in Perkins Township, daughter of the late Lindsey and Mary A. (Young) House. Her grandfather, Julius House, was one of the earliest pioneers of Perkins Township, and her father, who is now deceased, was brought here when three years of age and became one of the leading citizens and influential agriculturists of the township, his homestead being loca- ted in the vicinity of Perkins Church. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ilill, namely : Hazen L., Lawrence L., Mildred J., Grant J. and Theodore.
LEROY J. PARKER. Agricultural conditions in Erie County have changed to such an extent during the past several decades, that the enter- prising and up-to-date farmer has been compelled to revolutionize in large degree, his methods of treating the soil. New discoveries have been made, powerful and intricate machinery has been invented and new innovations are constantly being introduced, with the result that he who would secure a full measure of success from his labors must keep himself fully conversant with the steady advancement that is being made. In Perkins Township, one who has shown himself capable of keeping abreast of the times and at the same time of serving his community in offices of public trust and importance is Leroy J. Parker, on the old Parker homestead, located on Sandusky R. F. D. 1. Mr. Parker has spent his entire life here, and was born on this property May 30, 1880, being the only son and child of George B. and Marian (Honse) Parker.
The Parker family originated in England, from which country came Joshua Parker, the grandfather of Leroy J. He located at Monroeville, Ohio, and subsequently was for a number of years engaged in farming in Huron County, where his death occurred. Born at Monroeville, George B. Parker was reared in Huron County, where he received a good education, and at the age of eighteen years came to Erie County, which continued to be his home ever afterwards. For a time he resided at San- dusky, but later moved into Perkins Township, locating on the farm which is now occupied by his widow. He was a skilled, industrious and thrifty farmer and was successful in the accumulation of a good prop- erty, on which he died September 23, 1914. For many years he served as a trustee of Perkins Township, winning the confidence and esteem of his community by the able and conscientious manner in which he per- formed his duties. Throughout his life, he supported the principles and candidates of the republican party, and was considered one of the "wheel-horses" of his party in this locality. He was a member of the local Grange and master therein. ITis religions faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he attended as a member of Perkins congregation.
Mrs. Marian (House) Parker was born in Perkins Township, in 1856, and is a daughter of Lindsey and Mary A. (Young) House, and a granddaughter of Julius House. The latter was born in Connecticut,
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and several years after the birth of his son Lindsey, emigrated to Erie County and settled in the woods of Perkins Township. There he passed the remaining years of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was one of the leading men of the community, served many years as justice of the peace, and was widely known as "Squire House." Lindsey House was also born in Connecticut and was three years of age when brought to Erie County and Perkins Township. He passed his entire life here in farming pursuits, accumulated a competency and gained a high place in the esteem of the community. Ile and his wife were the parents of the following children: Atha, deceased; Laura, the widow of John De Witt, of Perkins Township; Julius, a farmer of Perkins Township; Ada, the wife of Willard Curtiss of Pasadena, California; Mina, the wife of A. A. Storrs, of Perkins Township; Marian, who is now Mrs. Parker; Lewis W., of Perkins Township; and Rose V., the wife of Leonard Hill, of Perkins Township.
Leroy J. Parker received his early education in the public schools of Perkins Township, this being followed by attendance at the Sandusky High School. He next enrolled as a student at the Sandusky Business College, and when he had completed his course in that institution he returned to the home farm. As manager of this property he has brought it to a high state of cultivation, raising large crops and breed- ing good livestock, and the commodious buildings, the well kept fences and drains, the improved machinery and the general air of prosperity all testify to the presence of a eapable guiding hand.
Mr. Parker married Miss Ada L. Steen, daughter of Charles Steen, of Perkins Township, and to this union there have been born four chil- dren : Glenn, Steen, Paul and Jenet. A republican in his political affairs, Mr. Parker has taken an active part in public life, and has served eapably as clerk of Perkins Township for seven years and at present is deputy assessor. Ile is a valued member of the Perkins Grange, and has taken an active and helpful part in its work.
HERMAN W. Orro. A resident of Erie County since his childhood, Mr. Otto maintains his abode on his well improved farm lying con- tiguous to the City of Sandusky, in Perkins Township, and on the high- way that is virtually a continuation of South Hayes Avenue of the metropolis and judicial center of the county. He is one of the pro- gressive and substantial citizens of Perkins Township, earnest in sup- port of agencies and measures that tend to advance the general welfare of the community, and held in high esteem in the county that has repre- sented his home for more than half a century. His present farm, which comprises fifty acres, is one on which Mr. Otto at one time worked by the month. It is conducted as a dairy farm, in addition to its opera- tions in diversified agriculture and the raising of a considerable quan- tity of fruit.
Mr. Otto was born on Long Island, New York, on the 13th of Octo- ber, 1856, and is a son of Franz J. M. and Sophia (Hntter) Otto, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in England, where their marriage was solemnized. The parents immigrated to America in the early '50s and remained for some time on Long Island, after which they resided in the interior of the State of New York until their re- moval to Erie County, Ohio. After passing an interval in what is now the City of Sandusky, they removed to a farm in Perkins Township. and here they passed the remainder of their lives, the father having passed away in Mareh, 19II, and the mother's death having oceurred about 1890. Concerning their surviving children the following brief data are given : Franz T. is now a resident of the State of California ; Jennie A. resides in the City of Sandusky ; Frederieka H., Clara J. and
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Herman W. are all residents of Perkins Township; and Albert G. is a representative attorney at law in the City of Indianapolis, Indiana. The father was a man of sterling character, well fortified convictions and utmost civic loyalty, his support having been given to the cause of the republican party and he having been one of the honored pioneer citizens of Perkins Township at the time of his death.
Herman W. Otto was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and was afforded the advantages of the public schools of the City of Sandusky. IIe has made a success as a farmer, dairyman and man of affairs, and is one of the influential citizens of Perkins Township, where he has served ten years as a member of the school board, of which he has been the president since 1911, his political allegiance being given to the republican party and his co-operation being given in all things tending to promote the social and material prosperity and progress of the community.
Mr. Otto chose as his wife Miss Franceska Oswald, who was born and reared in Sandusky and who is a daughter of the late Andreas Oswald, an old and honored citizen of that place. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Otto: Walter H. and Elmer B. are identified with business enterprises in the City of Sandusky ; Jennie is the wife of Norman Ott, of that eity; and Edith B., Eleanora J., Frederick J. and Alverna R. remain at the parental home, which is known for its generous and unostentatious hospitality.
SIMON REIS. Located within convenient transportation of the cen- tral market of Sandusky is the fine dairy farm of Simon Reis, on Rural Delivery Route No. 3, in Perkins Township. Mr. Reis is an enterprising young man who spent his early career in the City of Sandusky, but about sixteen or seventeen years ago turned his attention to dairying, acquired a farm, and is now proprietor of the attractive "Long Green Farm." It contains ninety-eight acres and is devoted to dairy pur- poses. It has been the steady purpose of Mr. Reis to furnish the highest grade of dairy products and his success is due to the carrying out of well matured plans looking to that end.
Simon Reis was born in Erie County, Ohio, August 10, 1870, a son of John and Mary Reis. Both his parents were natives of Germany, eame to America many years ago, and after their marriage located in Sandusky, where they lived for several years and where the father died. Simon Reis spent his childhood and youth in Sandusky, attended the public schools of that eity, and made himself useful and self-supporting from an early age. He is the architect of his own fortune and has never depended upon anyone else to make his fortune. In 1898 he removed to Perkins Township, and since that date has been actively identified with the dairy industry. His farm is on the Columbus Pike and he thus has a convenient route of transportation to market.
Mr. Reis married Miss Dora Linkebach, who was born in Sandusky, a daughter of Charles Linkebach, a late resident of that city. To their marriage has been borne one daughter, Minnie L.
Mr. Reis is a republican in politics, and has never withheld his snp- port from any worthy enterprise in his locality. In November, 1913, he was elected a trustee of Perkins Township for one term, and has also served as a director of School District No. 5 in Perkins Township. He takes an interest in education, and accepts every opportunity to advance the welfare of his home community. He is successful as a business man, and is well known and enjoys the good will of a large acquaintance.
ALBERT UMBER. Coming from his German Fatherland to America as a young man of sterling integrity and ambitious purpose, Mr. Umber
MRS. J. WILIIELMINA RITZ
JOHN RITZ, SR.
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has been a resident of Erie County for more than forty years and has here found ample opportunity for the achievement of definite pros- perity through his well directed efforts in connection with the basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing. Now venerable in years, he is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Perkins Township, where he is living virtually retired on his well improved homestead farm of sixty-five acres. Ife still gives a general supervision to the farm, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation and is equipped with excellent improvements of a permanent order .- all this represent- ing the results of the thrift and enterprise of Mr. Umber, who has been the owner of the property for fully forty years.
Mr. Umber was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, on the 19th of July, 1842, and is a seion of a family there established for many generations. He is a son of Casper and Catherine (Sehlachter) Umber, both of whom passed their entire lives in Baden, where the father was a farmer by vocation. Albert Umber was but six years of age at the time of his father's death, but the position of the family was such that he was not thereby denied the advantages of the excellent schools of his native place. Ile received a good common-school training and continued to reside in the fatherland until he was about twenty- seven years of age, when, in 1869, he severed the ties that bound him to the land of his nativity and set forth to seek his fortunes in the United States. Soon after his arrival in the port of New York City Mr. Umber made his way to Ohio and became a resident of Erie County. He found employment in the City of Sandusky, where he remained until 1874, when he removed to Perkins Township, where he has continued his association with farming enterprises during the loug intervening years and where he has achieved success that is worthy of its name. Ile has exemplified the energy and mature judgment for which our valued German element of citizenship has always been notable, has retained the confidence and good will of the people of the community that has so long represented his home, and is one of the substantial and loyal citizens of Erie County. He is a stanch supporter of the eause of the democratic party, and both he and his wife are zealous communi- cants of the Catholic Church, in which they hold membership in the parish of St. Mary's Church in the City of Sandusky.
In the year 1866 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Umber to Miss Louise Walchle, who was born in Switzerland, and they have six chil- dren, concerning whom the following brief record is entered: Louise is the wife of Frank Keller, a farmer of Perkins Township: Albertine is the wife of John Oft and they reside at Peru, Huron County; Rose is the wife of Charles Ott and they maintain their home in the City of Cleveland : Leona is the wife of Frederick Dehe of Sandusky; Bertha is the wife of Charles Holtz, of the same city; and Miss Clara remains at the parental home.
Jonx Rirz, SR. For fully sixty years John Ritz, Sr .. has had his home in Erie County. Now in his eightieth year, he can look back upon many substantial accomplishments, and has the satisfaction of having acquired a liberal competence and having provided well for his children, giving each a good start in life. He himself came to Erie County with very little of this world's goods, and none of the oldter residents have spent their years more industriously, more uprightly, and have deserved a greater share of public esteem.
The Ritz Family came out of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. where they were of the farming class and for several generations had lived quiet, sober and industrious lives. John Ritz. Sr., was born in that province April 29, 1836, a son of John and Elizabeth (Fike) Ritz, who were Vol. II-11
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natives of the same town and province. His father was born in 1811 and his mother in 1809, and they were married there about 1833. Of their five children all died young except John. On July 4, 1855. the parents and this one son took passage at Bremerhaven on the sailing vessel Wilhelminia, from which they landed in New York City August 24th and arrived at Norwalk, Ohio, on the 30th day of August in the same year. They soon after reached their chosen locality in Berlin Township, where they established themselves in a humble log cabin, with twenty-five acres of stump land. Out of this they evolved a home and a considerable degree of prosperity before the parents died. The father and son worked together for a number of years and accumulated more land until they owned eighty-five acres. On their first farm the parents lived for a number of years, then moved to another small place now owned by Charles Sipp, and there Mr. Ritz's mother died in the fall of 1886. Ilis father about a year later returned to Germany with the intention of remaining there permanently, but in a few months became discontented and started again for America, taking passage in an emi- grant boat where the passengers were so ill treated that, being then an old man, he was injured in body and health when he landed on May 6, 1889. Setting out for the home of his son he reached his brother's place in Norwalk and died there May 11th. Ile and his wife were confirmed members of the Lutheran Church.
The only representative of the next generation in Erie County, John Ritz, Sr., secured his early education in Germany and was about nine- teen years old when he came to Erie County. In association with his father and independently he became a prosperous farmer and accumu- lated land from which he gave to his sons about 200 acres, and still owns a fine farm in Berlin Township on Rural Route No. 2 out of Huron, comprising fifty aeres. Nearly all this land has been well improved under his management and it contains four different sets of farm build- ings. He has laid many rods of tile and though the land has seen many years of successive cropping it is still highly productive and would bring as high price per acre as perhaps any other farm in Berlin Township. Mr. Ritz and wife have an attractive and comfortable home, an eight- room dwelling, and there is a large barn 36x60 feet. All the buildings are in good repair and as a farmer he has been successful in raising the staple crops of corn, wheat and oats.
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