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 69
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ARDEN A. STORRS. In his extensive agricultural operations, which he is carrying on in Perkins Township, on his handsome farm of 135 acres, Arden A. Storrs has adopted modern methods, which he has directed in an intelligent manner that has brought him a full measure of returns from the labors he has expended upon his property. While general farming has interested him principally, Mr. Storrs has also been engaged quite extensively in the raising of stock, an occupation to which he has given much thought and study, and in both lines he has come to be accounted an expert by those who have watched the increasingly successful results of his undertakings.
Mr. Storrs is a native son of the community in which he now lives, born on a farm in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio, November 19, 1852, a son of Elisha C. and Jerusha (Taylor) Storrs. His grand- father, Reuben Storrs, was born in Connecticut, and some time after his marriage left his native state and started in ox teams on the long and perilous journey overland to the then new country of Ohio. When the family reached Dunkirk, New York, a stop was made and there was born Elisha G. Storrs, April 25, 1821. Subsequently the little party started again on their migration, and finally, after traveling a number of miles over Indian trails, the only roads to be found at that time, arrived at their destination, the woods of Perkins Township. There the grandfather continued to spend the remaining years of his life in agricultural pursuits, and died well advanced in years, one of his com- munity's honored pioneers. His son, Elisha G. Storrs. grew up amid pioneer surroundings and acquired his education in the little school- house visited by the subscription teacher. His boyhood and youth were passed in learning farming methods, and when he attained his man- hood he began to farm on his own account, that vocation receiving his attention throughout his life. Like his father he was widely known as a man of integrity and straightforward dealing, and his community suffered a distinet loss in his death. Mrs. Storrs, who was a native of Perkins Township, and also a member of one of the pioneer families of this locality. also attained advanced years. Both she and her husband were members of the Perkins Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and took an active and helpful part in its work.
Arden A. Storrs was reared on the old homestead farm in Perkins Township and obtained a good education in the Perkins Township School. Subsequently, he entered the Sandusky High School, where he was duly graduated in 1870, and at that time entered upon a career as a school- teacher. After several years thus spent, Mr. Storrs returned to the home farm and began to engage in the vocation which his father and grandfather had followed before him and in which he has continued to be occupied to the present. His farm of 135 acres is now under a high state of cultivation, and under Mr. Storrs' excellent management yields large erops. Since early manhood he has been foremost in the public enterprises which have proved advantageous to his home locality, and is now, and has been for a number of years, serving as vice president of
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the Erie County Mutual Insurance Company, of which his father was one of the founders. He is a charter member of the Perkins Grange, in which he has served as master and in other capacities, and his political views correspond with the platform of the republican party. A con- sistent member of the Perkins Methodist Episcopal Church, he has held various offices therein and for a long period has been superintendent of the Sunday school. All in all, he is an active and stirring citizen, and a worthy representative of the best agricultural element of Erie County.
Mr. Storrs was married December 7, 1876, to Miss Mina HI. House, daughter of the late Lindsley and Mary A. (Young) House. Her father, a native of Connecticut, was brought to Erie County when three years of age and passed the rest of his life in Perkins Township, where he became a man of influence and a prominent and successful agriculturist. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Storrs: Edith V., who is the wife of Ross Sour, a resident of Fremont, Ohio; Maud, who is the wife of Jesse C. Seymour, of Elyria, Ohio; Harry E., who is engaged in farming with his father in Perkins Township; and Blanche E., who is deceased.
JAY C. SMITH. Of all the multifarious occupations of mankind, probably the most indispensable is that of agriculture, for upon the farmer all other classes of society depend in large measure. The extent of the obligation is not always recognized by those in other walks of life, nor do they appreciate at its full value the extent of theoretical and practical knowledge required to pursue this calling successfully at the present day. The fact, however, that colleges are established all over the country for teaching this important science should be con- clusive evidence to everyone that the cultivation of the soil, with its related branches of dairying and stockraising, is much more than a mat- ter of mere manual labor. To have attained rank among the sneeess- ful and prosperous farmers of any up to date American community implies the possession of qualities that would compel success in many other important callings. A conspicuous example of this kind is the subject of this memoir, Jay C. Smith, proprietor of the well known Smith farm in Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio. Mr. Smith was born in this township, November 8, 1844, a son of Samuel II. and Rachel (Mack) Smith. His paternal grandfather was a pioneer settler here and resided in the township many years, following the occupation of a surveyor. He was a Master Mason and a prominent member of Mount Vernon ( Ohio) Lodge. Abont 1852 he went to Texas, where he found a wide field to exercise his professional skill, doing a large amount of surveying in the neighborhood of Houston. Although he died during the Civil war period, he had by that time acquired a large amount of land, at his death owning something like 50,000 acres in that vicinity.
Samuel HI. Smith, son of Samuel and father of Jay C., spent the entire active period of his life in Margaretta Township. this county. operating the farm now owned by his son. Jay. In early years, when he settled here with his parents, the land was heavily timbered and deer and other wild game were plentiful in the forest. To him in large measure devolved the pioneer task of clearing the farm, and many years of arduous labor were necessary before the rank forest growth gave way to the smiling, fruitful fields of today. But our pioneer forefathers were never lacking in either courage or energy and in course of time the beneficial change was effected. A man of much force of character. Samuel H. Smith was well and favorably known both in Erie and adjoining counties. He was strongly opposed to slavery, and after the
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formation of the republican party he became one of its most stanch supporters. To the cultivation of the soil he added the raising of stock, carrying on both branches of farm work with prosperous results. He died in 1871, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife, Rachel Mack Smith, was a native of Erie County, Ohio. Of their chil- dren the subject of this memoir is now the only survivor.
Jay C. Smith, who was his parents' only son, acquired his literary education in the public schools of Margaretta Township, this county, and the Sandusky High School, at the same time acquiring a practical knowl- edge of farm life and work. In June, 1863, when a young man not yet nineteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company M, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, under Capt. Henry J. Bly, who subsequently became the father of the famous Nellie Bly, journalist and war cor- respondent, now or recently following her vocation on European battle- fields. After two years' service in Kentucky, Tennessee aud North Caro- lina, during which time he saw plenty of good fighting and took part in many a long and weary march, he was honorably discharged in 1865, after the close of the war, and returned home to Castalia, Ohio, his present place of residence. Ilere he took up farm work, including dairy- ing and stock-raising, and applied himself with the energy of his fore- fathers to achieve success in his chosen calling. Ilow well he has done so is known to every inhabitant of Margaretta and the neighboring town- ships. Ilis farm contains some 400 acres of excellent land, a considerable portion being highly cultivated and the rest utilized for grazing pur- poses, as he makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Holstein cattle. In this branch of his work, as in all the rest, he has been highly successful and his name figures among those of prominent stockmen in this part of the state. For over a quarter of a century he has furnished the milk for the State Soldiers' Home, near Sandusky. A public- spirited citizen, Mr. Smith is always ready to lend his aid and influence to any plan for the improvement of local conditions and the general welfare of the community. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army Post at Castalia.
Mr. Smith was first married to Miss Alice Sewell, of Louisiana, of which union there were three children, all sons, namely: James, Jr., residing in Castalia : Jay B., who is a member of the heavy artillery, United States army, and is now stationed at Boston, Massachusetts, and Floyd S., a resident of Castalia, who is a veteran of the Spanish- American war. Mr. Smith married for his second wife May O. Pahner, of Castalia, Ohio, daughter of V. Palmer, an esteemed resident of this town. By this union also there have been three children, as follows : Flossie, wife of Carl Ketter, of Sandusky, Ohio; Mary, a student in a ladies' college at Nashville, Tennessee, and George L., of Castalia, who is carrier on a rural mail route connected with that postoffice. The members of Mr. Smith's family are typical representatives of the best American citizenship, who do eredit to their upbringing, and are re- spected and esteemed wherever they reside.
MICHAEL McGOOKEY. This venerable citizen of Erie County, now past seventy-five years of age, who with firm step and unelouded mind still attends to the daily routine of affairs, has during his long and nse- ful life in this county witnessed the greater share of its development and has borne a part in its material and eivie progress. Though now living somewhat retired at his comfortable farm home in Margaretta Township, he still manifests a keen and intelligent interest in all that affects the welfare of his native county, and is widely and favorably known as a man of progress and public spirit.
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The MeGookey family have been identified with Erie County since early pioneer times, and Michael McGookey was born at Venice in this county December 28, 1839. ITis parents, James and Catherine MeGookey, were both natives of Ireland, and after coming to this country settled at Venice, where they lived a number of years, but when their son Michael was seven years of age the family went to Margaretta Township and bought a farm half a mile west of where Michael now resides. At that time Margaretta Township's lands were covered with a heavy growth of forest, and the MeGookey family for a number of years lived in the woods and gradually worked out the process of clear- ing and planting the soil. Both parents died there, and James McGookey should be remembered for his pioneer part in that com- munity. Nearly all the early childhood associations of Michael Me- Gookey are with Margaretta Township, and while subject to the influ- enees of the rural environment. he also attended the publie schools, and came to manhood with a good preparation for the serious duties of the world. Ile was not yet twenty-two years of age when on May 13, 1861, he enlisted in Company C of the Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with that regiment into the Army of the Ohio and subsequently the Army of the Cumberland. His most important battles were those of Pittsburg Landing, Stone River and Perryville, and he did his duty faithfully as a soldier in the great campaign which wrested an important part of the Mississippi Valley from the Confederacy. At the end of his three years he received an honorable discharge on June 22, 1864, and then returned to Erie County. For more than half a century now his home has been in Margaretta Township, and with farming as his principal vocation he has prospered in proportion to the hard work and intelligence which he is well known to have applied to all his undertakings.
On December 11, 1864. not many weeks after he returned from the war, he was married to Sarah W. Wiegel. She was born in Huron, Ohio, February 12, 1844, a daughter of Bernhardt and Anna (Mantz) Wiegel, both of whom were natives of Germany, and early in their lives settled in Margaretta Township. A family of five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McGookey: Harry B., who lives in Sandusky ; Anna S., wife of Frank J. Fitz, of Margaretta Township : James W., of Margaretta Township; Jay M., whose home is in the State of Georgia; and Carrie, who is a professional nurse and lives with her parents in Margaretta Township.
While seenring his share of prosperity which rewards the efforts of the thrifty farmers of Erie County, Mr. McGookey has also attended to the publie aff. irs of his community. He served two terms as town- ship assessor, and since war times has been a regular republiean in politics. He is affiliated with the Grand Army Post of Castalia, and is a member of Crystal Rock Tent of the Knights of the Maeeabees, in which tent he has served as record keeper for a number of years.
AUGUST B. APPEMAN. Some of the eapable and successful farm en- terprise of Florence Township has been eondueted for a number of years by members of the Appeman family. The late Angust B. Appeman possessed unusual ability in agricultural lines and was also a eitizen who commanded the respeet and regard of all who knew him. Mrs. Appeman sinee her husband's death has shown herself the equal of many men in business affairs and with her children growing up about her has looked well after the duties of her household and has thriftily managed the farm, which both in appearance and in substantial value should be elassed with the best country estates in the vicinity of Flor- enee Village.
AUGUST B. APPEMAN
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The late August B. Appeman was born at Amherst in Lorain County, Ohio, June 15, 1862, and died October 24, 1912, when a little more than fifty years of age. His parents were John and Catherine (Smith) Appeman, who were born in Germany, came to this country when young, and were married in Lorain County, where they after- wards spent their lives as farmers near Amherst. They were mem- bers of the German Reformed Church. For further information con- cerning the Appeman family see sketch of Charles P. Sebolt.
August B. Appeman grew up and received his education in the vicinity of Amherst and made his home there until about thirty years ago, when he moved into Florence Township and bought 176 acres half a mile south of the Village of Florence. On that farm he spent the rest of his active career, and before his death had brought all the land under cultivation and had effected many improvements, so that he left his wife and children with a handsome property. The home is an eight-room house, with a good barn 20 by 40 feet. The late Mr. Appeman was a man to be relied upon, and his word could be im- plicitly trusted whenever it was spoken as a promise. He was a demo- crat in politics but sought no participation in local offices.
In Florence Township he married Miss Anna M. Stickreth. She was born in Germany, March 14, 1867, but has no recollections of her home in the fatherland since when nine months of age she was brought to the United States by her parents, August and Elizabeth (Peter) Stickreth. The family at that time also included her brother, August, who died at the age of nine years. On leaving Germany the Stickreth family embarked on a sailing vessel at Bremen and some weeks later were landed in New York City, coming on west as far as Huron in Erie County and after a few years moving into Florence Township, where her father bought a farm south of Florence Village, but later sold that place of thirty acres and secured a larger farm of sixty acres north of the village. There her parents spent the rest of their useful careers. Her father died in 1901 at the age of seventy-four and her mother passed away December 7. 1912, also at the age of seventy-four. They were members of the German Reformed Church, and her father after seenring citizenship voted as a democrat.
Mrs. Appeman for the past three years, aided by her growing son, has proved herself a capable farmer as well as a home maker. She is the mother of children who are growing up to do their honor and are proving themselves competent in their tasks whether at home or in school. IIer oldest child, Carl, died when seven years of age. Elsie C., the oldest daughter, completed her education in the common and high schools, and is now employed as a stenographer with the C. E. Ward Company at New London, Ohio. The next in age is Harold J., aged nineteen, who has finished the course of the local schools, and is now his mother's capable assistant in running the large farm. Maude is now a student in the Berlin Heights High School and a member of the class of 1917. Florence M. is in the seventh grade of the public schools, while Esther G. is in the fourth grade and Hazel V., the youngest, is in the second grade. Mrs. Appeman and family are members of the Con- gregational Church.
PROF. I. LEE DAVIS. The surest measure of the degree of advance- ment to which a community has attained is to be found in the efficiency of its public schools. Universal education is a thing of modern times and is intimately associated with modern progress. From the time early in the nineteenth century when Lord Brougham uttered the pithy phrase, "The schoolmaster is abroad," to the present, the tendency in
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all the most advanced nations has been toward increased educational facilities for the masses. The famous Ordinance of 1787 for governing the Northwest Territory, which included the State of Ohio, contained the provision : "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary for the welfare of mankind, schools and the means of education shall for- ever be encouraged," and although the ordinance was later superseded by the constitution, Ohio has always lived up to that provision. Prob- ably no community of equal size in this state has any advantage over Castalia, Erie County, in the high standard attained and maintained by its public and high school, which, since September, 1913, has been under the direction of Prof. I. Lee Davis, as principal. As the school as it is today is much what Mr. Davis has made it, a brief sketch of his career will not be without interest to the readers of this volume. Mr. Davis is a native son of Ohio, his birth having taken place at HIa- mersville, Brown County, October 8, 1888. His parents were William L. and Lillie ( Pask) Davis, of whom the father is now deceased, he having died when the son was but three weeks old. Mr. Davis' mother is still living and is now a resident of Cineinnati.
I'ntil he was sixteen years of age, I. Lee Davis resided in his native county, attending school at Locust Ridge, where he acquired the first elements of knowledge. His mother then removed with their family to C'ineinnati, and here for a time he was a student at the Norwood High School. He then taught school for about a year, subsequent to which he attended the academy connected with Marietta College, at Marietta, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1909. The next year was spent as a student at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, where he made an excellent record for scholarship. Ilis ability was now beginning to be recognized and when he left Kenyon he found no difficulty in secur- ing a position as teacher in the Boys' Industrial School at Lancaster, Ohio, where he remained for one year. At the end of that time, or in 1910, he came from that place to Castalia and for two years subsequently taught the seventh and eighth grades in the public school here, showing a high degree of capacity. An opportunity for a vacation now occurring, Mr. Davis spent a year in domestic travel, visiting various parts of the United States, improving his acquaintance with mankind and increasing his general stock of knowledge. When he resumed his educational labors here it was as principal of the school in which he had made so good a record as teacher. Capable and progressive, he has brought the school up to a high standard of efficiency, and that his efforts have been appreciated is evideneed by the fact that in April of the present year, 1915. he was elected superintendent of the publie schools of Margaretta and Groton townships, Erie County, Ohio, his duties in this office to begin in the coming month of August. Professor Davis' record is the more creditable to him in that he acquired his education chiefly through his own exertions. Although not yet twenty-seven years of age, he has already taken rank among the successful edneators of the state and his future career will be watched with interest by his friends.
On June 11, 1914, Prof. I. Lee Davis was married to Mary L. Jones, daughter of Rev. Thomas I. and Ellen D. Jones, of Gallia County, Ohio. Her parents were both of Welsh extraction; her father, now deceased, was formerly a well-known minister of the Congregational Church in Gallia County. Mrs. Davis is a graduate of the Department of Music of the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio. Both she and her husband are highly esteemed members of the best society of Castalia.
GEORGE F. PARKER. The business of agriculture, although entailing plenty of hard work, and not free from occasional losses and disappoint- ments, is one, nevertheless, that possesses some peculiar advantages.
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The master farmer is, perhaps, of all men who labor with their hands, the most free and independent. As a rule he owns his lands and home- stead and every improvement he makes thereon redounds to his own benefit. His life in the main is a healthful one, much more so than that of the city toiler, for he gets abundant exercise in the open air and is not subject to anything like the same extent to those temptations to vice and dissipation which beset the city man and cut short so many a prom- ising career. Neither is his work as hard as it was in former days, when practically all the land was a forest, diversified by streams, lakes and swamps. The labor of tree-felling is practically a thing of the past- at least in the middle states-and no farmer wishes it back, though accompanied by all of its subsequent log-rolling festivities so familiar to our ancestors. and which compensated them for many a long day of back-breaking labor in the woods, with the constant danger of ambush and massacre by savage foes. No, compared with the lot of one of those old pioneers, that of the modern agriculturist is one to be envied and desired. Although removed from the city, he is not without its best advantages. The railroad brings him within easy reach of some large center of population, the rural mail carrier passes daily with letters and papers, bringing news from loved ones or of the events occurring throughout the country, or in other parts of the world ; and if he wishes for immediate communication the telegraph office is not far away and in his own home is the telephone, by means of which he can talk with his neighbors in any part of his township or county, or in places still farther away. ITis farming operations are largely conducted with the aid of improved machinery, which would have made his grandfather, or perhaps even his father, open his eyes in delighted surprise, while in a convenient building on his homestead there is, not infrequently, a high-power automobile in which. on Saturday afternoons or on Sun- day he can take his family out to distant points with all the speed and luxury of a city millionaire.
A good example of this independent and prosperous class of citizens is George F. Parker, of Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio, who has a wide reputation as a successful agriculturist and fruit grower. Mr. Parker is no rolling stone, for he has resided in Margaretta Town- ship all his life up to date, having been born here January 12, 1861. Ilis parents were Jackson and Catherine (Shock) Parker, and he is a grandson of Isaac Parker, a native of Pennsylvania, and of English ancestry, who, at an early date, removed to Seneca County, Ohio, thence to Sandusky County, this state, and finally to Lansing, Michigan, where he died.
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