Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 27

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 27
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

H. G. Gibbons received a liberal edu-

cation at the public schools of the vi- cinity of his place of birth, subsequently attending college at Canton, N. Y., after which he went to Canada and there taught school some seven years. Returning to New York State, he did not long tarry there, having concluded to try his fortune in the then Far West. After a brief resi- dence in Chicago, however, he "drifted" from there to New Orleans, whence after a stay of some three months he returned north, and in 1863 took up his temporary abode in Cleveland, Ohio. From there he once more proceeded to New York State, thence a second time to Canada, where he again took up the profession of school-teacher. At the end of about a year he returned to the United States, and in Riley township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, made a more permanent settlement. Here for twenty years he taught school, be- coming a representative "dominie," a veritable reproduction of the school-mas- ter Oliver Goldsmith had in his mind's eye when he penned the lines:

A man severe he was, and stern to view; I knew him well, as every truant knew; Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace

The day's disasters in his morning face.

After this extensive and honorable pro- fessional career Mr. Gibbons retired from the field of pedagogy to engage in other pursuits, among which may be mentioned the selling of farm machinery among the agricultural classes, more recently taking up the real-estate business, in which latter occupation he is at present extensively engaged in the city of Clyde.

Mr. Gibbons has been twice married first time in 1869 to Miss Sarah Van Bus- kirk, who was born in Riley township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and who passed away two years after marriage, leaving one child, Justin R., born February 11, 1868, died April 16, 1888. For his sec- ond wife Mr. Gibbons was married in 1871 to Miss Sarah Hawk, who was born in Green Creek township, Sandusky Co.,

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Ohio, November 1, 1848, and the record of the children born to this union is as follows: (1) Maude M., born March 14, 1874, is one of the most estimable young ladies of Clyde, and is at present assisting her father in his real-estate business; (2) Mabel L., born December 28, 1882; (3) Harry G., born October 21, 1886; (4) Clyde, born April 13, 1890, died Decem- ber 8, 1890. Mr. Gibbons is a man of impulsive yet sympathetic temperament, scourging all that is wrong with unrelent- ing lash, and cleaving to what is right with fierce tenacity. To his enemies he is generous, though antagonistic; to his friends he is faithful and sincere. In his political preferences he is an ardent Dem- ocrat, and he enjoys the esteem and re- spect of a wide circle of friends.

G EORGE A. ZIMMERMAN, one of the well-to-do farmers of Green Creek township, Sandusky coun- ty, and a citizen of high type, who is interested in all affairs of public moment, is by birth a Marylander. He was born in Frederick county, that State, October 29, 1830, and is the son of George and Rosanna (Barrack) Zimmer- man.

His father was of the old Pennsylvania- German stock, and was born in the "Keystone " State. He was by trade a shoemaker, and also engaged extensively in farming. He was a man of thrifty habits, and by industry accumulated a competence. He died in Frederick county at the age of sixty-four years. In relig- ious belief he was a Lutheran; while his wife was a member of the German Re- formed Church. The family of George and Rosanna Zimmerman consisted of eight children, as follows: William; Mary, now Mrs. Shank; Wesley (deceased); Minerva, wife of Oliver Lease; Barbara, wife of C. Myer; Theodore Jacob (de- ceased), all of the State of Maryland, and George A., subject of this sketch.

George A. Zimmerman was reared in Maryland, attending the district schools and assisting on his father'sfarm. In the spring of 1857, at the age of twenty-sev- en years, he came to Tiffin, Ohio, and in the autumn of the same year he moved to Sandusky county. On the 13th of Sep- tember, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary Ira, a native of Germany. The union of George and Mary Zimmerman has been blessed by the birth of four children, as follows: Francis (deceased) and Franklin (twins), born December 5, 1861; Rosanna, born January 2, 1864 (died March 2, 1893), and George Wes- ley, born June 14, 1875. The son Frank- lin is a prominent minister of the Ohio Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, receiving his collegiate and theological education at Delaware, Ohio, and Bos- ton Theological Seminary. Rev. Zim- merman began his ministry in 1889, and was married to Miss Mary Grove, of Find- lay, Ohio. Four children have been born to them, namely: Ruth, Paul, Helen and Kenneth. The younger son, George, is now engaged in tilling his father's farm, and promises to soon be one of the suc- cessful agriculturists of Sandusky county.

Mr. Zimmerman is a prominent and consistent member of the Green Spring M. E. Church, being a liberal contributor to all the Christian charities, and prae- ticing in his daily walk all he professes. Mrs. Zimmerman is no less known for her many virtues, being a life member of of the Women's Foreign Missionary So- ciety of the M. E. Church, and a cheer- ful laborer in all Church work.

A MBROSE KERNAHAN, deceas- ed. If character counts for aught, the subject of this sketch was a wealthy man. His neighbors learned by experience, if they did not ac- quire the knowledge by intuition, that the word of Mr. Kernahan was worth its face value any time, that he never made a

AMBROSE KERNAHAN.

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promise without fulfilling it, unless cir- cumstances, impossible to control, arose to prevent. This regard for his word, however, was not a hobby with Mr. Ker- nahan, nor was it the absorbing quality of his mind; it was only an index to the moral and mental soundness of the man.

He came of Scotch-Irish stock, and was born in Livingston county, N. Y., July 19, 1836, son of Alexander and Han- nah (Clapp) Kernahan. Alexander Ker- nahan was born in Ireland about 1800, and when a young man emigrated to America, settling first in Onondaga county, N. Y., where he worked for eight dollars per month, and subsequently moving to Livingston county, N. Y., whence, in 1854, he came to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he bought land and spent the remainder of his years, dying in 1876. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious belief a Presbyterian. Strict in his habits, he was universally esteemed. Hannah (Clapp) was a native of England, and died in Sandusky county. The children of Alexander and Hannah Kernahan were five in number, three of whom-Ambrose, James and Eliza-grew to maturity.

Ambrose Kernahan was reared to farming on his father's land in Green Creek township. He was a strong Union man during the Civil war, and was a member of the One Hundred and Sixty- ninth O. V. I., which in 1864 was called out in the one-hundred-days' service, and did guard duty at Fort Ethan Allen and Washington when Gen. Jubal A. Early was making a demonstration against the capital city of the nation. After the war he settled on the farm, and in 1870 he married Miss Elizabeth Mckinney, who was born in New York, July 29, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Kernahan had no chil- dren. Mr. Kernahan was a prominent member of Eaton Post No. 55, G. A. R., of Clyde. He was engaged in general farming, and was progressive and thor- ough in his methods, being recognized as one of the best farmers in Green Creek 12

township. He was a keen observer, not- ing with intelligent care the magnitude of the changes which occurred in doing business since his boyhood days, a half century ago. He was popular in the community wherein he had so long had his home, and when he was called from earth, on January 15, 1895, his fellow citizens mourned the departure of a much beloved and deservedly esteemed man.

H OMER BRUBAKER, a success- ful farmer and a prominent and popular citizen of Madison town- ship, Sandusky county, was born February 9, 1838, and is a son of John and Esther Brubaker.

John Brubaker was born in Bedford county, Penn., in the year 1801, and married Esther Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. Her father's name was John Miller. Mr. Brubaker came to Ohio in 1830, and located on an eighty-acre tract of timber land, where he afterward lived. He died there in 1848, and his wife, surviving him, died in 1889. They had ten children, namely: Jacob, married Susan Mills, a farmer in Indiana, and they have had nine chil- dren; Elida died at the age of twenty- one; Elizabeth married John Kelly, a farmer in Illinois; Susan married William Scott, they had nine children, and both parents are now dead; Mary was twice married, first time to Lee Mills, and they had four children; after the death of Mr. Mills she married Daniel Smith, and they live in Waterloo, Ind. ; Michael mar- ried Susan Miller, and they had six chil- dren; he died in 1864. Henry was twice married; first time to Elizabeth Kline, by whom he had two children, both of whom died young; his second wife was Mary Sturtevant, and they had three children, one of whom died young; Henry died in 1870, and the widow and her two children went west,

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where she married again. Mahelia died young. John, now a farmer, married Delia Garn; they have had seven chil- dren, and they now live in Jackson town- ship, Sandusky county; and Homer is the subject of this sketch.

During his earlier years Homer Bru- baker lived at home, and worked out at times until he married. On October 23, 1858, he was united in marriage with Margaret Ickes, who was born February 9, 1840, and they have had the follow- ing named children: Alfred, now an oil speculator and farmer, born March 1, 1862; Ida, born February 22, 1864, mar- ried Albert Klotz, and they have had two children, and live in Washington town- ship, Sandusky county; Cary, born March II, 1869, died December 25, 1879; Laura, born July 20, 1875, married John Allison, of Oil City, Penn .; Stella was born September 24, 1877; Lester and Lesta (twins) were born January 4, 1881, and Lesta died February 16, 1881.

Mrs. Brubaker's father, George Ickes, was born August 7, 1800, and died in 1890. Her mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Croyle, was born February 20, 1803, and died April 18, 1867. They had thirteen children, two of whom died young. The others are: Henry married Susan Stainer, and they had eight chil- dren. Adam married Mary Campbell, and they live in Indiana. Catherine mar- ried Ed Burkett, of Washington town- ship, and they have had twelve children. Thomas married Margaret Long, and they have had four children; they live in Scott township, Sandusky county. Bar- bara married John Valentine, and they have had two children; they live in Madi- son township. Susan died young. Sarah married David Miller, a farmer in Wash- ington township, and they have had six children. Michael married Ellen Russell, and they have had two children; they live in Nebraska. Margaret is Mrs. Homer Brubaker. Sophia married John Rosenburg, who died, and she afterward

married Jacob Clapper, and they have had four children; they live in Madison township. George married Mary Garn, and they have had one child; they live in Grand Rapids, Mich. George Ickes (Sr.) came to Ohio in the fall of 1832 and en- tered eighty acres of land in Madison township, on which he built a log cabin, wherein he lived. He was one of fifteen who attended the first election in Madison township, which was held in an old blacksmith shop owned by Jacob Garn. He did a great deal in making roads and settling up Madison township, and was well known far and near. At that time the nearest gristmill was at Fremont, Sandusky county, and it took them sev- eral days to make the trip.

About the time of his marriage Homer Brubaker rented 120 acres of land, on which he lived one year, then bought thirty-seven acres where Gibsonburg now stands, which cost him six hundred dol- lars. He lived on this land seven years, then sold it and bought ninety-five acres, and later twenty-five, after which he moved upon this property and has lived here ever since. He also has 120 acres in Madison township, Sandusky county, known as the George Ickes property. He deals in horses and cattle. His land is situated in the oil belt, and has been leased to the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Brubaker, as is also his wife, is a mem- ber of the Evangelical Church at Gibson- burg. He is a Democrat, has several times held different offices such as those of school director and supervisor, and is well liked in the community.

J OHN SNYDER, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sandusky county, his home being in Washington township, is numbered among the native sons of that county. where he was born May 25, 1846. His par- ents were James and Elizabeth (Fought) Snyder.

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His father was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, December 15, 1800. He was in his early life one of the hardy and exemplary young men who sought early a a home in the wilds of the Western coun- try, which was then principally inhabited by wild animals, savage beasts and veno- mous reptiles. His father was a mill- wright; also the owner of a large grist- mill, and his vigorous and reliable son James was the miller. This was his prin- cipal occupation until he arrived at the age of twenty-three years. Having never attended school, except about two months, in all his life, he had at that time a very limited knowledge of books, and nearly everything else save what his father as a millwright had taught him. The thrilling stories of Western hunters and adventur- ers, which he had frequently heard, had in- spired within him a desire to emigrate west- ward, and to obtain for himself a satisfac- tory knowledge as to the truth of these statements. The necessary arrangements were soon made, and in the spring of 1825 he bade adieu to the home of his childhood with all its endearments, and came, in company with his brother-in- law, Andrew Miller, in a two-horse wagon to the central part of Ohio, where he spent about two years in different parts of the State working at times for a shill- ing a day. He then concluded to return home and visit his father's family and friends. With but a few dollars jingling in his pockets, and with no friend to ac- company him save his rifle, he set out on foot for his father's home in Virginia. There was a long and dreary road stretch- ed out before him; but his determination, supported by his physical strength, was more than equal to the task. He accom- plished his journey in safety, subsisting principally upon what game he killed along the way.

He remained at home a few months, and again set out on foot, and came to Perry county, Ohio, where he soon after married Elizabeth, a daughter of Michael

Fought, with whom he lived peaceably and happily from that time until his death, which occurred July 20, 1876. He came to this county in 1830, and in Washington township entered eighty acres of govern- ment land, upon which he built what he called a snug little log cabin. He was now surrounded on all sides by large for- ests, extending for many miles in every direction. The tall and stately trees pre- vented even the sun from shining down upon the little log cabin which he had built. The hungry wolves and other wild animals would come at night and howl and bark around his door, as though they craved him for their prey. It was not long, however, until he had cleared away a spot of ground upon which to raise some corn, which was the only grain that he could raise for a number of years. Thus he obtained for himself and family a scant living, for a few years subsisting chiefly upon cornbread and wild game. His neighbors were few and far away, and, being as poor as he, could therefore give him but little or no assistance. He would frequently carry a bushel of corn to mill all the way to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), eight miles through the mud and water, and return the same day, and then take mush and milk for his supper. He was firm and determined in everything he undertook. Patience, per- severance and hard labor procured for him and his companion a comfortable and pleasant home which has been their en- joyment for a number of years. His companion died September 17, 1881, aged seventy-two years, six months, and six- teen days, a grand and heroic woman, no work being too laborious for her to do for the comfort of her family. There were eleven children in the family: Eliza Ann, wife of Philip Kluts, a Jackson township farmer; she was the eldest of the family of children, was born in Perry county, and died in Sandusky county May 12, 1890, aged sixty years, three months, five days; she was a faithful member of the

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United Brethren Church; her hope was very bright, and she requested her friends to meet her in heaven. Sarah, wife of Joel Dershem, a farmer, was born January 5, 1832, and died January 25, 1895; she was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, and her prayer was turned to praise before her spirit took its flight. Jacob Snyder, the oldest of the boys, a a highly respected citizen, in religious be- lief belongs to the Reformed Church. William Snyder died when about a year old. James Snyder died in Jannary, 1862. Levi Snyder, a farmer in Sandusky coun- ty, is in Church belief a Methodist. Sam- uel Snyder is living in Fremont, a respected citizen. Noah Snyder, by occupation a restaurant man, lives in Fremont. John Snyder, the seventh son, is the subject proper of these lines, and will be more fully referred to presently. Elizabeth be- came the wife of Jackson King, a Sandusky county farmer, who died, and afterward she was the wife of Samuel Lay, living in Fremont. Emma, the youngest, is the wife of James Seagraves, a farmer living in Michigan. The children are worthy representatives of that class which consti- tutes America's best citizens, and they owe it all to the training they received under the parental roof.

John Snyder can distinctly remember when he could sit in his father's half- bushel measure, twelve inches in diameter, very comfortably, and as soon as he was able to carry a hoe he went into the corn- field, and has ever since been accustomed to hard work. On October 2, 1873, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mahala Cookson, a daughter of one of the lead- ing farmers of Sandusky county, and they have one child, Mabel, born September 25, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are widely known throughout the community, and have a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. Mr. Snyder is a warm advocate of temperance principles, while in religious belief he is a Methodist.

T HEODORE BROWN, one of the progressive and highly-respected citizens of Clyde, Sandusky conn- ty, is a native of Ohio, born near Republic, Seneca county, December 8, 1844, a son of Elijah and Catherine (Sherrick) Brown.

The birth of the father occurred near Frederick City, Md., May 31, 1806, and his father, who was a native of England, and in this country kept a hotel, died when his son was quite young. In 1828 the latter emigrated to Perry county, Ohio, where he married Miss Sherrick, and to them were born seven children: Henry, born in 1837, was a telegraph operator of Baton Rouge, La., where he died of yellow fever in 1856; William, born in 1838, is a telegraph operator of Brainerd, Minn .; Eliza Jane, born in 1840, married Edward Crockett, and lives near Green Springs, Seneca Co., Ohio; Mary, born in 1842, died at the age of two years; Theodore is the next in order of birth; Ann, born in 1848, mar- ried Wesley Miller, and resides on the old homestead in Seneca county; and Sam- uel, born in 1851, is married and lives at Ottawa, Kans. In 1841 the father located in Scipio township, Seneca Co., Ohio, three miles northwest of Republic, where he entered a tract of land from the gov- ernment, which he cleared and developed, and on that place made his home until his death January 9, 1885. He identified himself with the cause of Christ in early life, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he first supported the Whig party, but later became a Dem- ocrat. His wife, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1811, is still living, mak- ing her home with her children, and she also is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

On the old farm near Republic, Theo- dore Brown was reared to manhood, at- tending the district schools, and assisted in the management of the home place until reaching the age of twenty-four

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years, with the exception of one year, which was spent as fireman on a railroad. He now began operating his father's farm on his own account, and there remained until 1885, when he located on a farm at Lakeside, Ottawa Co., Ohio, which he carried on for three years, when he again removed to Republic, thence to Lakeside where he lived nine months, thence to Green Creek township, Sandusky county, arriving here in 1886. Here he purchased 1 18 acres of fine land.

On September 2, 1868, Mr. Brown and Miss Nellie Hogg were married, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Ed- ward Jewett, of Sandusky, Ohio, one of the oldest ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has also baptized the two children of Mr. and Mrs. Brown -Robert H., who was born August 5, 1872, and Thomas W., who was born May 22, 1874, and on February 14, 1894, was married to Ida Smith; they now make their home with our subject. Mrs. Brown was born in Paterson, N. J., October 25, 1837; but her childhood was passed in Sandusky county, where she received an excellent education in the public and high schools, and at the age of fifteen years she began teaching, which occupation she followed in this locality and at Put-in- Bay Island until she was married.

Mrs. Brown is a daughter of Thomas and Jeannette (Lachlison) Hogg. Her mother was born in Preston, England, November 11, 1811, and in her maiden- hood came to America. In 1836, at Pat- erson, N. J., she wedded Mr. Hogg, and by her marriage became the mother of three children-Nellie, now Mrs. Brown; Robert, an engineer on the Lakeside & Marblehead Short Line railroad, and Isa- bel, living near Lakeside, Ottawa Co., Ohio. The mother died at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1844. The father was also a na- tive of Preston, England, born March 16, 1808. He learned the trade of a ma- chinist, and, after coming to America, worked for a number of years in the Rogers

Locomotive Works at Paterson, N. J. When the Mad River & Lake Erie rail- road was built, Mr. Hogg was sent west in charge of a locomotive for that com- pany, the first one purchased by it, and the pioneer railroad locomotive west of the Alleghany mountains. This was in 1837, and he made the trip over the Hud- son river, Erie canal and Lake Erie, land- ing at Sandusky, Ohio. After getting this engine, "Sandusky" by name, up and in operation, he was induced to remain as its engineer; and later he was made mas- ter mechanic on that road. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Hogg wedded Mary Driver, a native of Montreal, Can- ada, and by this union four children were born-Stella, Alice and Nettie (twins), and Thomas. The mother is still living and resides near Lakeside, Ohio. For many years Mr. Hogg followed railroad- ing, but in 1867 he retired to his farm in Danbury, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where his death occurred April 21, 1881. He was a man of unusual physical and mental vigor; of strong will and honest purpose, and made his mark wherever he went.

Theodore Brown, the subject proper of this sketch, attended the lectures given by Miss Frances E. Willard at Lakeside, Ohio, and by her was converted, becom- ing a strong Prohibitionist. He voted that ticket when only two others were cast in Green Creek township, Sandusky county. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They enjoy the friendship of a large circle of ac- quaintances, and are numbered among the prominent and influential citizens of Sandusky county.

0 RSON HIGLEY, a successful farmer and one of the oldest residents of Townsend township, Sandusky county, is a son of Hezekiah and Jerusha (Clock) Higley, and was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., June 24, 1827.

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Hezekiah Higley was born of English- Scotch ancestry in New York State in 1794. He enlisted in the American army, served during the war of 1812, and was honorably discharged. In 1824 he was united in marriage with Jerusha Heath, who was born in New York State in 1797, and they had the following children: Anson, who died at Hudson, Mich. ; Orson, the subject of this sketch; William, of Seneca county; George, who was a mem- ber of the Seventy-second O. V. I., and died in hospital; Laura, Mrs. Cyrus Dan- iels, who died in Riley township, Septem- ber, 1894; Sophia, Mrs. David Fuller (deceased); and Sophronis, who died at home in June, 1861. In 1829 Mr. Hig- ley moved to Erie county, Ohio, and five years later to the then unbroken wilder- ness of Riley township, in this county. The only means for finding one's way was to follow trails or "blazed " trees, as no roads had been marked out in the entire township. Mr. Higley bought and cleared forty acres which a few years after he traded for eighty acres of land in Town- send township, where he made his home during the remainder of his life. Shortly before his death the government began to substantially reward him for his services in the war of 1812, by granting him a pension. He died January 19, 1886; Mrs. Higley preceding him, having passed away in 1880.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 27

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040