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 33
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Mr. John Ebert spent his early life in Oxford township, attended the public schools of that locality, but before reaching manhood had already fitted himself for the practical duties of life by experience. For a number of years he has been in business for himself as a wholesale butcher, and in 1909 located at his present home at Bogart. He owns a farm of fifteen acres, and cultivates it to general crops in connection with his business as a butcher.
On April 2, 1902, he married Cora E. Biehl, who was born in San- dusky, a daughter of Jacob A. Biehl of Sandusky. There are three chil- dren : Margaret C., Willard F. and Charles L. Mr. Ebert is a member of the board of education of Perkins township, and was previously a candidate for township treasurer. He is a democrat and carries his public spirit into all his relations with the community. He has shown himself a progressive friend of schools and public education, and is well entitled to the confidence he enjoys. Fraternally he is affiliated with the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Milan.
JEROME H. NORTON. Of the residents of the agricultural community of Perkins Township who are carrying forward the work commenced by their fathers many years ago, mention is due Jerome H. Norton, who is now operating the Norton homestead, one of the valuable farming tracts of this locality. While not a native son of Erie County, Mr. Norton has resided here since his fifth year and has watched and participated in its development, adding his contribution to the movements which have made it one of the richest sections of the Buckeye State.
Mr. Norton was born in Huron County, Ohio, October 1, 1865, and is a son of Henry C. and Charlotte (Henderson) Norton. His grandfather, James Norton, was born in New York, and several years after the birth of his son, Henry C., left his native community and turned his face toward the West, seeking his fortune in the new country of Ohio. IIe finally arrived in Huron County, where he took up his residence in the woods, established his little family in a small home and at once set about the great task of clearing and developing a farm from which to gain a livelihood. Years of industrious labor followed and were finally rewarded with success, and when he died Mr. Norton was one of the substantial men of his community.
26. 6. Aalton
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Henry C. Norton was born in New York, and when the family started from the Empire State on their western journey was three years of age. He grew up in the vicinity of Norwalk, in Norwalk Township, Huron County, Ohio, and there received a good education and began farming. Later on he came to Erie County, and after moving about for a short time finally settled on the farm in Perkins Township on which his widow and son still survive. As a farmer and stock raiser he accumulated a good property and became one of the substantial men of his community, the interests of which he always had at heart. Ile was a valued and enthu- siastie member of Perkins Grange, and in politieal matters was a repub- lican, but was not particularly active in the affairs of his party, pre- ferring the peace and quiet of his pastoral duties to the strife and doubt- ful honors of the political arena. His death occurred September 26, 1912. Mr. Norton married Miss Charlotte Ilenderson, who was born in the State of Connecticut, in 1835, daughter of Joseph Henderson. She was five years of age when the family made the trip overland to Ohio, settling in Perkins Township, Erie County, where the father was engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Norton still survives her husband and resides on the home farm, and while she is in her eightieth year is still active in body and alert in mind. During her long residence in Perkins Township she has formed a large acquaintance, in which she numbers a wide circle of friends.
Jerome II. Norton was five years of age when he was brought by his parents to Erie County, and in the public schools of Perkins Township he secured his education. Ile was brought up as a farmer, and agricul- tural work has always occupied his attention and activities. The Norton homestead, of which he is manager, is a tract of seventy-five acres, under an excellent state of development and devoted to all departments of farm- ing and stock raising. Its buildings are commodious and modern in character and its improvements of the best, so that it is accounted one of the valuable properties of the locality. Mr. Norton keeps fully abreast of the advancements being made in agricultural science, and is an inter- ested member of the Perkins Grange, to which Mrs. Norton also belongs. Ile has had no time for activities in publie life, but has given his sup- port to those movements which his judgment has told him will benefit the community.
FRANK E. LINDSLEY. It is to the efforts of such energetic and pro- gressive agrieulturists as Frank E. Lindsley that the great advance in agriculture and stock raising during the past decade in Erie County is due, and it is to such as he that Perkins Township looks for a continu- ation of its present prosperity. His active life has spanned an importam farming era and his labors have gained him independence and success, while at the same time he has been able to contribute to his community's advancement.
Mr. Lindsley belongs to one of the old and esteemed families of Erie County, and was born on the farm which he now ocenpies in Perkins Township. July 12, 1878, being a son of Dell D). and Helen (Covell) Lindsley. His grandfather, Hon. William D. Lindsley, was born m Kentucky and as a young man became an early settler and the founder of the family in Erie County, Ohio. On his arrival here, he settled in the woods of Perkins Township, on the farm which is now owned and occu- pied by his grandson. He here built a small house, commenced the work of elearing and development, and after many years of hard work sne- ceeded in the development of a good farm and the establishing of a com- fortable home for his family. Although he was not in the Civil war he was made general by the state militia. In his later years he became one of the most prominent and influential men of the county, was sent to
1
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numerous public offiees by his appreciative fellow-citizens, and finally was eleeted congressman to represent the district in which he resided and served as such two terms. As a soldier he was brave and courageous, winning the confidence and admiration of his men, as a public official he was conscientious in the performance of the duties of his office and possessed of great executive ability, and as a farmer was able to gain success through well directed management and good judgment. He died when seventy-five years old, rich in a material way as in the respect and regard of those among whom he had spent so many years. Mrs. Lindsley, who was a native of Connecticut, was also an early settler of Perkins Township, and was well advanced in years when she died.
Dell D. Lindsley was born in Perkins Township, was edueated in the district sehools, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he was engaged for several years. At about this time, however, farming machin- ery was beginning to reach its present high perfection, this offering a prolifie field for men of foresight who were possessed of the qualities which made the good salesman. Accordingly, Mr. Lindsley turned his attention to this vocation, met with immediate success therein, and for many years traveled all over the Union, selling farming machinery, appliances and implements. Throughout his life, however, his home continued to be in Perkins township, and here he died in 1890. Mrs. Lindsley, who was also born in Perkins Township, still survives and continues to make her home here, being seventy-six years of age. She has been the mother of the following children : Alice, who is the wife of D. D. Rogers, and lives near Castalia, Ohio; Dell D., who is a resident of Perkins Township; Wil- liam H., also of this township; Carrie, who is the wife of Myron Caswell, of Sandusky, Ohio; John M., of Perkins Township; Frank E., of this notiee; Mae, who is the wife of llarry Hayes, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio ; and Minnie, who is deceased.
Frank E. Lindsley was reared to man's estate on the farm on which he now lives and on which he has passed his entire life. His edueation was gained from the distriet schools of Perkins township and the Milan (Ohio) High School, where he passed over three years, and he then took up his life work as manager of the homestead plaee. He has been success- ful in its operation, has added to its improvements and general worth, and may be classed among the thoroughly progressive and energetie agricul- turists of this part of the state. He is a valued member of Perkins Grange. While he generally votes the democratie tieket he has inde- pendent politieal proclivities and at all times endeavors to give his sup- port to the best men and the most beneficial movements. He is not an office seeker, but at times has been active where the publie welfare has been at stake. With his family, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Lindsley married Miss Elizabeth Horn, of Perkins Township, daughter of Henry Horn, now a resident of Sandusky. To this union there have been born four children: Grace M., who is deceased ; Florence M., Clifford E., and Wayne Solon.
JOHN A. STRONG. The farming interests of the community of Oxford Township are ably represented by John A. Strong, who is widely known in his field of operations and directs a valuable estate in that vicinity, also operating as a dairyman. As a citizen he has rendered his community excellent serviees of a publie eharaeter and though not an office seeker or politician is a supporter of all worthy and beneficial movements.
The Strong family in America was planted about the time of the May- flower pilgrimage, and John A. Strong is descended from some of those early colonists in New England. He was born in Lime Township of
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Huron County, Ohio, December 4, 1847, a son of Pelatiah and lantha (Boalt) Strong, the former a native of Courtland County, New York, and the latter of Norwalk, Connecticut. Pelatiah Strong was only a boy when he came with his father Abner Strong from New York state to Huron County. Abner Strong was one of the early settlers there, and he and three of his brothers at one time owned all the land on Strong's Ridge, a little village and social community in Huron County which per- manently testifies to the activities of this early family. Pelatiah Strong grew up in Huron County, lived for a number of years at Strong's Ridge, and for a time was a country merchant there. Later he brought his family to Ilenry County, Ohio, and after several years moved with his family from Henry County, Ohio to Fayette County, Iowa, in February, 1854, with a team of horses and covered wagon. They were three weeks on the road, and, strange as it may seem, they were not hindered by any bad storms on the journey. They crossed the Mississippi on the ice at Clayton, and the mother would not ride nor permit her son John to do so, as she thought it dangerous, though the ice was probably two feet thick. She took her son by the hand and they walked all the way aeross. The family lived in Iowa for eleven years and then returned East in 1865 and settled in Erie County. John A. Strong at that time was in his eighteenth year. Pelatiah Strong then became a farmer in Oxford Town- ship and located on the place now owned by his son John, living there until his death which occurred February 25, 1881. Ile was a successful farmer, and frequently employed his judgment and energy for the benefit. of the community. He was a republican, always publie spirited, and took a great interest in the publie schools and the general uplift of his home locality. In character he was noted for his strict integrity and his honorable dealings with his fellow men.
John A. Strong secured his early education in the schools of IIenry County, Ohio, Fayette County, Iowa, and Erie County, Ohio, and since the age of eighteen has continuously been a resident of Oxford Township. Ile has learned a great deal by experience and practice as a farmer and has always kept himself apace with the best methods of handling the soil and its resources. At the present time he is the owner of a fine place of one hundred sixteen acres in Oxford township and nses it for general crops and stock and operates a first class dairy.
He married for his first wife Samantha E. Beare, who was born in Perkins Township of Erie Connty, a daughter of Hiram Beare, for many years a farmer both in Perkins and Oxford Townships. By this union there were three sons: Earl G. of Milan, Ohio; and Charles R. and Howard C., both living at Avery, Ohio. The wife of Hiram Beare and consequently. the mother of Mrs. Strong was Abigail Kelley. Mr. Strong married, for his present wife Emma Idella Fox, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, a daughter of Allen and Catherine Fox. Her father for a number of years was a farmer in Perkins Township of Erie County. There are also three sons by this second marriage: John B., Dean A., and Arthur W.
In a publie way Mr. Strong has proved himself a loyal and stanch friend of schools, churches, and every moral institution. Politically he is a prohibitionist, and does what he can to advance the cause of temperance in his county and state.
MATTHEW O. PUCKRIN. In Perkins Township, along the Rural Deliv- ery Route No. 1 out of Sandusky, is the highly cultivated and valuable farm homestead of Matthew O. Puckrin and family. Mr. Puekrin has been a farmer in Erie County since coming to manhood, and altogether has spent nearly seventy years in this section of Northern Ohio. During
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his lifetime he has gained the things most worthy of effort, a good home, ample provision for his children, and the esteem of his fellow men. Ile is one of Erie County's valuable citizens.
Matthew O. Puckrin was born in Erie County, December 10, 1847. He was one of the children of Thomas and Martha Puckrin, who were natives of England and came to America nearly a century ago. Their first home was in Sandusky, and from that city, then a pioneer village, they removed to Perkins Township, where the father did his part as an early settler. Ile cleared up and cultivated a large tract of land, and was frequently honored by his fellow citizens with township offices. Of the children born to Thomas Puekrin and wife the four now living are: George W., of Sandusky ; Mary, widow of J. C. Parker, formerly residents of Erie County, while she now makes her home in Columbus, Ohio; Matthew O .; and Edward, also a resident of Perkins Township. The late IIon. Joseph Puckrin was also one of the children. He represented Erie County in the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature, and was one of the very prominent citizens.
Matthew O. Puckrin grew up on his father's homestead, attended the public schools of Perkins Township, and for a time was a student in Oberlin College. Early in life he made choice of farming as his vocation, and to that calling has directed his efforts with more than ordinary success.
On March 18, 1870, Mr. Puekrin married Mary A. Hills, who was born near Ilartford, Connecticut, a daughter of W. M. and Eleanor (Jacobs) Hills. When she was three years of age her parents, also natives of Con- neeticut, moved from that state to Erie County, Ohio, and became sub- stantial citizens in the rural community of Perkins Township. Both par- ents died there many years ago. Mrs. Puckrin has one sister, Martha C., wife of II. F. Byington of Perkins Township. Mrs. Puckrin grew up in Perkins Township and received her education in the local schools. To this union have been born five children: Bertha A., wife of Adelbert Parker of Blissville, Michigan ; William M., of Perkins Township; Martha C., wife of George J. Rogers of Oxford Township ; Dora C., wife of Ernest Moyer of Clyde, Ohio; and Carrie M., wife of Walter Otto of Sandusky.
Mr. Puckrin is a republican in polities and has regularly voted for the candidates of that party for more than forty years. In all his rela- tions with the community he is public spirted and stands for local im- provement and progress. Hle and his wife are both members of the Maccabees Order at Bloomingville in Erie County.
JOHN II. BARNES. It is not only as a prosperous agriculturist, but also as a business man and citizen, that John H. Barnes is known to the community of North Monroeville. Oxford Township, where he has spent practically all his life. The Barnes family has been identified with that community nearly seventy years, and all the various members have been noted for hardworking ability and shrewd business judgment.
Boru at North Monroeville November 18, 1855, John H. Barnes is a son of Walter S. and Alma (Iloyt) Barnes. His father was born at Gouverneur, New York, and the mother was also a native of that state, her father, John Hoyt, having served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The Barnes family is of English origin. Walter S. Barnes came out to Erie County about 1846 with a brother, Norman, and both settled at North Monroeville, where Walter conducted one of the old-time taverns or hotels for a short time, but later engaged in farming, a business which was his primary vocation throughout his life. His brother Norman was for a few years a harnessmaker at North Monroeville, but later became well known as a buyer and shipper of live stock at Bellevue, Ohio, where
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he is still living, at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Walter S. Barnes died May 12, 1897. While his activities as a farmer brought him considerable success, he is also known in a public way, and served a number of years as trustee of Oxford Township and at one time held the position of justice of the peace. He was a republican in politics and was one of the best citizens Oxford Township ever claimed.
John Il. Barnes, who is the only one now living of the six children of his parents. was reared to man's estate in North Monroeville and his education in the public schools there was supplemented by one year of attendance at Oberlin College. Since the age of twenty he has been on his own responsibilities and has been able to provide liberally for the needs of his family and acquire an enviable position in the community.
On September 18, 1878, Mr. Barnes married Miss Ella Fisher, who was born in IInron County, Ohio, a daughter of Moses Fisher, long identi- fied with the farming interests of that county. Six children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, two of whom died in infancy. Alma is the wife of George Strecker, of Bellevue, Ohio: Issa May is the wife of Harry Bounds, also of Bellevne; while Ennice and Lois are both at home in North Monroeville.
As an agriculturist Mr. Barnes owns and directs the operations over 100 acres of land in Oxford Township, and also has sixty-one acres in HIuron County. Among other interests, he is connected with the Strecker Implement Company, Incorporated, at Bellevne. This company handles farm implements, Studebaker automobiles, and all machinery used in the agricultural community surrounding Bellevue. Politieally, Mr. Barnes has always supported the republican party. His own service includes an active participation in local school affairs, and for a number of years he has been a member of the North Monroeville School District Board, and a portion of the time was president of the board. Ile is a member of the Congregational Church at North Monroeville, and has always stood for the best things in community life.
JOIN A. CRYSINGER. Most eligibly situated in Perkins Township, on Rural Mail Route No. 3 from the City of Sandusky, is the well-improved farm of Mr. Crysinger, who is a native of Erie County and a representa- tive of one of its honored pioneer families. He has here found ample scope for productive enterprise and the achieving of definite success and prosperity through his identification with the great basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing, has never faltered in his loyalty to and appreciation of his native county, and is a citizen whose worthy character and accomplishment have given him high place in popular esteem, his being the prestige that attaches to the pioneer citizen of the community, for within his life he has witnessed a wonderful trans- formation in conditions and influences in Erie County and has himself contributed his dne quota to civic and industrial development and progress.
Mr. Crysinger was born at Sandusky on the 1st of September, 1848, and is a son of Christian and Catherine ( Rohrbacker) Crysinger, both of whom were born in the Grandduchy of Baden, Germany. Christian Crysinger was abont twelve years of age at the time of the family immi- gration from the German Fatherland to America, and his father, who likewise bore the personal name of Christian, became one of the pioneer settlers in Erie County, Ohio, where he secured a tract of wild land and instituted the reclamation and development of a farm, this old homestead, in Perkins Township, having continued the abiding place of himself and his wife until they were summoned from the stage of life's mortal endeavors-folk of industrions habits and sterling integrity, well merit-
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ing the popular confidence in which they were uniformly held in the community.
On the pioneer farm Christian Crysinger, Jr., was reared to maturity and he finally initiated his career as an independent farmer by purchas- ing and establishing his residence on the fine homestead now owned and occupied by his son, John A., of this review. He was long known as one of the substantial agriculturists and stock-growers of Erie County, achieved success through earnest and well-directed industry, was signally steadfast and true in all of the relations of life and commanded inviolable place in popular confidence and esteem. He passed to the life eternal in 1908, at the patriarchal age of ninety years, and he was at the time of his death the most venerable of all pioneer citizens of Erie County, his wife having preceded him to eternal rest by a number of years, and both having been zealous communicants of the Lutheran Church. Of the sur- viving children, John A., subject of this sketch, is the eldest ; Catherine is the wife of William Simpson, and they reside in the State of Michigan ; Margaret is the widow of George Simson and still maintains her home in Michigan: Sarah is the wife of IIenry Wright, of Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Elizabeth is the wife of Frederick Rohrbacker. a prosper- ous farmer in Oxford Township. Erie County ; and Miss Fredericka re- sides in the City of Toledo.
John A. Crysinger was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm which he now owns, received his early education in the schools of Perkins Township, and during his entire career has never deviated from a line of close allegiance to the industry of agriculture. Ile is the owner of about forty-six acres of excellent land, his homestead place containing twenty-five acres, and he gives his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of good grades of live stock. He is always ready to do his part in aiding in the support of measures and undertakings projected for the general good of the community, and though he has never manifested any desire for political preferment, he is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the republican party. He is well known throughout his native county and here his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances.
AUGUSTUS LEICESTER MOSS. Among the families whose activities and lives have been distinctive contributions to the progress of Sandusky, probably none deserves more credit than that of Moss. More than three- quarters of a century ago the then head of the family came to the flourishing lake port town of Sandusky and established one of the early mercantile stores of the place. From that time to the present the name has been associated with the merchandising, banking, the promotion and building of railways and other public movements, and members of three generations have contributed their abilities and resources to the financial and eivie life of this community.
Augustus Leicester Moss, active representative of the present gen- eration, was born at Norwalk, in Huron County. Ilis ancestry goes back to the old country. In the direct line his earliest American ancestor was John Moss, who lived in Connectient, as early as 1639, and subsequently removed to Wallingford, Connecticut. In the next genera- tion was Joseph Moss, who married Mary Alling. Their son was Nathaniel Moss, who married Keziah Royse. In the next generation is found Jared Moss, who married Patience B. Hitchcock. Of these parents, Augustus Hitchcock Moss was born at New Berlin, New York, in 1810. The last. named was the founder of the Moss family in Sandusky. He was a graduate of Yale College, and afterwards taught school at New Berlin, New York. Business life made a stronger appeal to him than a profes-
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