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 68
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Oren A. Parker has spent practically all his life in Sandusky and Erie County. He grew up on his father's farm in York Township and the education which he was able to acquire from the public schools was supplemented by a term of attendance at the Northern Ohio University at Ada. Practical experience has also been one of his best teachers in life.
On July 17, 1895, he married Miss Maud Harris, who was born in Groton Township of Erie County, daughter of Samuel Harris, a resident of that township for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have two chil- dren, Odessa M. and Edith A., both of whom are graduates of the San- dusky Business College in addition to a local school training, and are very accomplished young ladies and popular members of the younger social cireles in Groton Township. Mr. Parker has lived in Erie County since 1894 and since his marriage has lived on his present farm already mentioned. His place comprises 112 aeres of highly cultivated land, and he has managed it for twenty years on the principles of mixed and general farming. Mr. Parker is a republican in polities, and he and his family are members of the Sand Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. llis publie spirit has shown itself in many ways, and he is particularly a loyal supporter of public schools and education and everything which means the betterment of his home community.
LORENZO W. HARRISON. For something like eighty-five years mem- bers of the family of Lorenzo W. Harrison, native son of Erie County and veteran of the Civil war, have found their homes in Florence Town- ship. and four generations of the family lie buried in the little cemetery
LORENZO W. HARRISON
HORTENSE HARRISON
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which is devoted exclusively to the family use, and which is a part of the original Harrison farm. This is a family that stands foremost in the community, and rightfully so. Through snecessive generations its members have proved their worth in no nncertain terms, and in time of stress they have never failed the expectations of their fellow men, under whatever circumstances. No name is more worthy of specific mention in this historical production than is that of Harrison, and brief mention will here be made of the foremost representatives of the family. through four generations.
Lorenzo W. Harrison is the son of John and Adelphia ( Washburn) Harrison, the grandson of Philip and Catherine ( Phillips) Harrison. and the great-grandson of Thomas and Peggy Harrison.
Thomas Harrison was a Revolutionary soldier. He was a native of New York State, and there reared his family. He was strongly imbued with the pioneer spirit that has meant so much in the development of our land, and late in life he left his old home and came to Ohio, settling in Florence Township. Here he died on December 16, 1838. when he was eighty-five years old, and he is buried in the family plot which was then dedicated to the family. His faithful wife survived him three years, and has lain by his side these many years, while the family fortunes have advanced, and the name of Harrison has in each suc- ceeding generation added something praiseworthy to itself. Undying credit is dne these fine old pioneers who left a settled country to try their fortunes in the wilderness of Erie County 100 years ago. What is called the Old Ridge Road runs through the territory pre-empted by old Thomas Harrison in that early day, and it would be indeed dif- fieult to estimate today the value that has accrued to the county through the advent of this one family.
Philip Harrison, one of the sons of Thomas, was born in Cattaraugus County, New York. He married there and his children were born in that state prior to the removal of the family to the west. All but one daughter came with Philip and Catherine Harrison to Erie County, Ohio, some time in the '20s, and settled in the heart of a virgin forest. Their home continued there to the end of their lives, and Philip died there on October 11, 1853, when he was sixty-nine years of age. ITis widow survived him for several years, and was past eighty years old when death claimed her. She lived through the Civil war and the early years of the reconstruction period, and when she died was monrned by all who knew her. They reared a large family of sons and daughters. and most of them are at rest in the family cemetery of the old farmstead.
One of their children was John Harrison, father of the subject. He was born in 1818 and died on the farm home of the Harrison family on June 20, 1862, when he was but forty-four years old. He was a farmer all his life, lived quietly and industriously and was a credit to the fam- ily and the community. He married Adelphia Washburn as has been stated elsewhere. She was a native daughter of Erie County, and spent most of her life in Florence Township. Following the death of her husband she took up her residence with one of their sons, Amasa, in Russell County. Kansas, and she died there ten years ago at an advanced age.
The surviving children of these parents are Lorenzo W. of this review : Amasa of Russell, Kansas; and Emma, the wife of William Vincent, of Charlotte, Michigan.
Lorenzo W. Harrison was born near the site of his present home on December 19, 1846. ITis life has been spent within the borders of Erie County with the exception of something like five or six years, which he spent as a fisherman on Lake Erie. During that time he lived in Canada and Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Harrison was still in his teens when he
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enlisted for service in the Civil war in January, 1864. His enlistment was from Berlin, Erie County, and he was discharged in August, 1865, at Lexington, North Carolina, as a private in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry. Ile saw much active service during the period of his enlistment, and participated in a good many notable engagements, inchiding Kilpat- rick's charge at Waynesburg, Georgia. His command was constantly in touch with the enemy through those months, and he was in the last engagement of the war at Chappel Hill, North Carolina. His brigade was a part of General Sherman's army, and on the march to the sea Mr. Harrison had nine horses from first to last on this trip. Barring a few weeks spent in hospital through illness, his service was unbroken, and at no time did he suffer injury in action. Mr. Harrison was a member of the scouting party sent out to apprehend Jeff Davis, but the capture was made by another party before his command caught up with Davis. The old Spencer seven shot repeating carbine and sabre which he carried throughout his service are still prized possessions of Mr. Harrison, which he values highly as trophies of his activities in the war.
After his return to his home in Florence Township Mr. Harrison engaged in farming and barring the time spent in fishing on Lake Erie he has not deviated from that work. He owns three farms in the township, aggregating 144 acres, all of which is highly improved, and on the home place are sturdy buildings which he ereeted years ago.
Mr. Harrison married Miss Hortense Deray, who was born in Loraine County in 1849, and who was the daughter of David and Penelope Hitchman Deray, natives of New York State. They came to Loraine County and engaged in farming, there spending the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Harrison passed away at the family home on July 26, 1908. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, a faithful and devoted wife and mother, and the friend of all who needed a friend.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. Melvin, the oldest, lives on the home place. He married Kate Slaughter, nee Bailey, in Kansas, and they have one son, Howard, and a daughter, Margaret.
George, a butter and cheese maker, lives in Birmingham. He mar- ried Lulu Sprague, and they have children. Madeline, Milford and Marion.
Alma is the wife of Frank Chisholm. of Toledo, Ohio. They have two sons and two daughters, Margaret, Donald, Raymond and Eliza- beth.
Sarah A. is the wife of Mike McGann, of Cleveland, Ohio. They have no children.
Mr. Harrison has been a republican all his years, and he has served his township in various official capacities. He was a member of a G. A. R. Post for years, but lately withdrew from the organization. IIe lives quietly in his boyhood home, and enjoys the high regard of young and old alike.
ALBERT C. KROMER. Of the families of German origin few have been longer and none more prominently identified with the agricultural and civic life of Erie County than the Kromers. Albert C. Kromer, who was born after the family became established in Erie County, has for many years directed the management of an excellent farm in Marga- retta Township, and his prominence as a eitizen is indicated by the various publie positions which he has held. Since 1900 he has been one of the directors of the Erie County Agricultural Society, and his own attainments as a farmer well fit him for that representative position in the community.
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Born in Perkins Township of Erie County November 21, 1853, Albert C. Kromer is a son of Charles and Apollonia (Herb) Kromer, both of whom were born in Baden, Germany. Charles Kromer when eighteen years of age came with his father, Andrew Kromer, and other members of the family to America, and after reaching Erie County lived for a time in Sandusky and later moved to a farm in Perkins Township. They were quite early settlers in that district, and few men were better known there than Charles Kromer, whose death at the age of eighty- four removed one of the substantial early settlers of Perkins.
Albert C. Kromer was reared to man's estate on the old farm in Perkins Township, and gained his education from the local schools, this early training having been severely modified and supplemented by prac- tical experience in after life. On May 11. 1880, a little more than thirty- five years ago, he married Miss Rosa Mainzer, who was also born in Perkins Township, a daughter of Peter and Christina (Smith) Mainzer. Her father was born in Prussia, Germany, but her mother was a native of Perkins Township. Her father died in 1900 and her mother is still living at the age of seventy-nine. Peter Mainzer was for many years a leading figure in agricultural and civic affairs in Perkins Township and for thirteen consecutive years served as township treasurer, and for a quarter of a century was one of the directors of the Erie County Agricultural Society. At one time he was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of infirmary director of the county. Peter Mainzer came to Erie County from Germany when about fourteen years of age with his father, Karl Mainzer, who located his family in Perkins Township, where Peter grew to manhood, and after his marriage spent many productive years as a capable agriculturist. He was a democrat in politics, and his activities as a farmer resulted in the clearing up of more than 100 acres from a wild state and the contribution of just that amount of fertile soil to the agricultural area of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Kromer by their marriage have become the parents of eight children. Adella B. is the wife of Dennis Messenburg of Marga- retta Township; Amelia M. is the wife of George Ritzenthaler of San- dusky; Rosa E. is the wife of Chester Christman, living near Galion, Ohio; while the other living children are all residents of Margaretta Township, their names being Alva J., Karl P., Tena W., Aaron A., while the daughter, Winifred, is now deceased.
Mr. Kromer and family are members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church at Sandusky. For seventeen years Mr. Kromer served as a member of the board of education of Margaretta Township, and part of that time was president of the board. He is actively interested in the improvement of schools, and his own work has set an example and model for the progressive and enterprising agriculturist. He and his family are highly esteemed in the social circles of Margaretta township.
L. K. BURGE. Many young men, when called upon to choose a career, are attracted by railroading, and this vocation has proven a rich field of opportunity to those possessed of the willingness to work hard and faithfully, to scorn inconvenience and hardship, to face unusual and often dangerous situations and to prove absolute fidelity to the systems that employ them. The great transportation companies, low- ever, do not reward those who have not thus proved up. Men of sterling character are found among the officials of almost every line who would have undoubtedly succeeded in almost any line of activity because of the possession of the traits aforementioned, but who, through natural training and inclination, have become particularly competent trainmen. In this connection may be mentioned L. K. Burge, general superin- Vol. II-29
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tendent of the Lake Shore Electric Railroad, who has won promotion from the very bottom of the ladder.
Mr. Burge was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, on his father's farm, May 13, 1874, and is a son of 1. C. and Margaret ( Kearny ) Burge. Ilis father, a native of Ohio, was an early settler of Tippecanoe County, where he still resides. 1Ie has had three children, L. K. being the second in order of birth. The public schools of Lafayette, Indiana, furnished L. K. Burge with his early educational training, following which he entered Stockwell College, and was duly graduated therefrom. He had decided upon a career in railroading, and in order to familiarize himself with every department started at the bottom as a street car conductor and motorman for the City Traction Railway Company of Toledo. In these capacities the young collegian worked for four years, in the meantime assimilating all the information he could gather and devoting his spare moments to studying problems in regard to the handling of railroad affairs. At the end of that period his faithfulness was rewarded and his ability recognized by his appointment to the posi- tion of train dispatcher for the D. M. & T. Railway, continuing in that office three years and then resigning to come to Sandusky and accept the position of superintendent of the Sandusky Division of the Lake Shore Electrie Lines. Still later, he was promoted superintendent of the entire system, which operates from Toledo to Cleveland, and in 1906 was made general superintendent, a capacity in which he is acting at this time.
As a railroad man Mr. Burge has become well known throughout the northern part of the state, and is recognized as an operator of superior eapacity and ability. He has thoroughly familiarized himself with all the details of railroad business and management, and his pro- motion has been earned by hard work and through honesty, intelligent effort and efficient service. Being a close student of what may be termed "the seience of railroading," and having a broad knowledge of the prineiples governing the operation of transportation companies, he was appointed a member of the committee for the training of employes on traction lines, and is the author of the first standard code for the opera- tion of interurban railways and interurban lines, a system which has been almost universally adopted throughout the United States. Mr. Burge is a Master Mason, has a number of friends in fraternal life, and in connection with railroading is popular with his men and has the entire confidence of his associates.
JOHN R. GRAHAM. The Graham family, of which John R. Graham, a retired farmer of Huron Township, is a member, is traced back to the time of King Edward the Pretender, among whose supporters were several bearing the name. When that professed monarch was defeated, the Grahams, with others, were compelled to flee from Scotland and to take refuge in Ireland, a number loeating in County Fermanagh, Ulster, where the family resided for a number of generations. There, in 1799, was born John Graham, the father of John R. Graham, and the only son of his parents, who, however, had several daughters: Jane, who mar- ried William Foster, came to the United States, lived in Ohio for a number of years and then moved to Lansing, Michigan, and at her death left no children now living : Mary, who married John Little, eame to the United States, lived in New York City until her death, and left one son and three daughters; and Eliza, who married John Carson and passed her entire life in Ireland, where she died leaving a family.
Jolm Graham, the father of John R. Graham, grew up on the farm of his father, Robert Graham, and when the latter died fell heir to the homestead, to which he had a fee simple, a rare document in Ireland. Hle was married in his native land to Jane Crozier, and in 1834 soll his
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title to his tract of forty acres for more than $5,000, and with his wife and four children set sail for the United States. After six weeks on a sailing vessel the little party arrived at the port of New York, from whence they traveled by way of the Hudson River and the Erie Canal to Buffalo, then down Lake Erie to Huron, and west to the Perkins Township line, about four miles from Iluron, and in Iluron Township about one mile from Sandusky Bay, in section 34. There Mr. Graham purchased 200 acres of timber land, partly improved, and settled his family in a frame house which had been built by the former resident, and which is still standing and occupied, a landmark of the early days. Mr. Graham added fifty acres to his first purchase, put in numerous improvements and erected large barns and other buildings, becoming the owner of one of the fine farms of the locality. There he died in 1855, when fifty-six years of age. He was a man of thrifty, industrious habits, and his chief recreations consisted of hunting and fishing, by which he kept the family larder well supplied with fish and game. He was a man of strictly temperate habits, and of stern probity in both public and private affairs of life. A free soiler, he voted for James G. Burney. His religious belief was that of the Methodist Church.
John Graham was married in County Fermanagh, Ireland, to Jane Crozier, the daughter of Rev. Robert Crozier, of Ireland, a prominent Methodist minister, a man of talent and influence, and an extensive traveler in his native country, where he preached in many of the prin- cipal cities. Mrs. Graham was reared and well educated in the City of Dublin, was a woman of more than ordinary accomplishments, and throughout her life exhibited many qualities of mind and heart that endeared her to a wide circle of friends. She died in 1887, at the age of eighty-one years. Until she was forty years of age she was a Meth- odist, but at that time her son John died, and she mourned so greatly that in an attempt to ease her agony of mind she was given some Uni- versalistie literature. In this way she was converted to the Universalist faith and continued to be a force and influence for neighborly love in her community during the rest of her life. There was room in her heart for those of all ereeds and denominations, and the Graham residence continued to be the home for the Methodist preachers who came to visit this locality for many years. There were thirteen children in the fam- ily, of whom four were born in Ireland and the rest in Erie County, Ohio. Nine grew to maturity, eight were married and four still survive, all living in this county. They are: John R., of this review; Sallie E., who is the wife of George Swift, a farmer of Huron Township; Anna, the widow of George Hinde, living on a farm in Perkins Township; and Gustavus.
Gustavus Graham was born March 17, 1838, in Erie County, Ohio, was well educated in the public schools, grew up on the home farm, and in 1878 was appointed to fill a vaeaney on the board of county commis- sioners, this appointment coming unsolicited. Later he was elected to the office for a term of three years, and in 1895 was elected county . treasurer on the republican ticket, serving from 1896 to 1900; he has also served the Township of Huron as assessor, during the period of the Civil war, and during the '70s as trustee. He has been a delegate to county, state and congressional conventions, and has always taken an active part in local polities. In 1881 he contributed to the upbuilding of his community by the erection of a handsome modern home on his farm of sixty-two acres, which is located on the shores of Lake Erie, in Huron Township, where he has lived for forty years. Mr. Graham is one of the substantial men of his community, and the confidence in which he is held by his fellow-citizens has been demonstrated by the estates which he has administered, including the Hinds and other properties.
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Mr. Graham was married in Huron Township to Martha Hughes, who was born here in 1840, and she died at the home April 9, 1910. One child was born to this union: Cora, who died in 1915 at the age of twenty-six years, unmarried.
John R. Graham was born on the old homestead farm in Huron Township, Erie County, Ohio, October 18, 1853. He was given good educational advantages in the public schools, and was reared amid agricultural surroundings and carefully trained in the work of the farm. When he reached the age of twenty-one years he came into possession of the homestead property, which is located in the western part of Huron Township and was purchased by his father in 1835, and here he has continued to make his home ever since. He has installed improve- ments of the most modern and substantial kind, has stocked his place with good livestock, has purchased the most highly improved machinery, and has erected substantial buildings for the shelter of his stock, produce and implements. Hle resided in the old residence until 1895, when he moved to his new home on the west side of the farm, on the township road between Huron and Perkins, a comfortable eight-room house with basement, which includes the most modern conveniences, including furnace heat and bath, and below stairs all finished in hard wood.
Mr. Graham was married in Perkins Township to Miss Jennie Van- natta, who was born in her father's old stone house at Bogart, Perkins Township, Angust 21, 1860, and reared there, receiving a good educa- tion in the public and normal schools. She is a daughter of Philip and Ann (Gnrley) Vannatta, the former born at Martins Creek, North- umberland County, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1838, and the latter born January 4, 1842, in Milan Township, Erie County, Ohio. Mrs. Graham's parents were married at Bogart, at the old historical stone house which in very early days was used as a tavern. They began life in Perkins Township as farmers and still make their home in that locality, now living on South Colorado Avenue, within the city limits of Sandusky. The father is seventy-seven years of age and the mother seventy-three, and both are in the enjoyment of the fruits of industrious and well- ordered lives. Mrs. Vannatta is a daughter of William and Nancy J. (Stephenson) Gurley, natives of Connecticut, the former of whom was brought to Ohio by his parents when a child of six months and grew up in Sandusky County. He was a son of Rev. William Gurley, a native of Ireland and a noted early pioneer Methodist preacher, who lived to be more than 100 years of age. William Gurley died at the old stone house in Perkins Township, when eighty-five years of age, while his wife, Nancy J., was sixty-four years of age when she passed away. Mrs. Graham is the eldest of five children, all of whom are living and married and have families, but of whom she is the only one now living in Erie County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Graham there have been born two children: Mer- rell R., who died at the age of five years; and Prof. John Bert. John Bert Graham was born January 18, 1886, and received his early educa- tional training in the publie schools. This was supplemented by a high school course at Sandusky, where he was graduated in 1903, and he then became a student in the department of music, Oberlin (Ohio) College, where he was graduated in 1908. At that time he took up music as a teacher, and was first located at Bryan, Texas, then returning to Ohio and being instructor at Hiram College for one year. This was suc- ceeded by three years at Fairmount College, Wichita, Kansas, and in 1913 he accepted a position at the Conservatory of Music, Waxahatehie. near Dallas, Texas, where he has since continued. He is possessed of much talent, and is widely known in musical circles throughout the West and Middle West. He is a Blue Lodge Mason. Professor Graham
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
married Miss Blanche Maxon, who was born in the West and educated at Oberlin College, Wooster, Ohio. They are the parents of one son, John Bert, Jr., aged one year. Professor and Mrs. Graham are mem- bers of the Congregational Church, as is also Mrs. John R. Graham, while the elder man is an attendant of that church. John R. Graham is a republican, and while not a politician is known as a man of influence in his community. He is the possessor of an excellent repu- tation in business circles, is relied upon absolutely by his associates, and in public affairs is ready to do his full share in supporting public- spirited movements and enterprises.
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