USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 31
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
Digiized By Google
292
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
in the work of early development and upbuilding and when he was called to his final rest on the Ist of May. 1876, at the age of eighty-one years, the county mourned the loss of one of its most respected and honored pioneer settlers. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sallie Boyd, passed away on the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1889, when she had attained the venerable age of ninety-four years and ten months. Both lie buried in the Wakeman cemetery. Mr. Merritt of this review regards as one of his most prized possessions an old family bible tracing the ancestral record back to 1724.
Merritt M. Hyde, the father of Merritt H. Hyde, is a native of Huron county, being born on the farm which continued his home as long as he remained a resident of this community. He followed general agricultural pursuits while living here and was widely recognized as a prominent and representative citizen of Wakeman township. In the year 1883 he removed with his wife and daugh- ter to San Antonio, Texas, and subsequently took up his abode in Fort Worth. that state, devoting his attention to the work of farming. At the end of about two years' residence in the Lone Star state he went to Elkmont, Limestone county, Alabama, where he has since made his home. In addition to general agricultural pursuits he is also engaged in the sawmill business, meeting with well merited success in his undertakings. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Church, was a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, and in early life came to Ohio with her parents. She is now deceased, her demise hav- ing occurred on the 7th of September, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Merritt M. Hyde reared a family of three children, the record of whom is as follows: Merritt H .. whose name initiates this review. was the first in order of birth. William D., a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, has been on the river for almost twenty years and has been a captain on the Lee line of boats on the lower rivers for a number of years. Sarah F. is the wife of Thomas Compton, who is associated in busi- ness with her father in Alabama.
Merritt H. Hyde was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the public schools of Wakeman. As stated above, he has always continued to reside on the place where he was born and throughout his entire business career he has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, his farm comprising ninety-two acres of rich and arable land adjoining the village of Wakeman. In 1895 he bought a steam threshing outfit and every season since then has been extensively engaged in threshing, his operations covering Wake- man, Townsend, Clarksfield and other nearby townships. He has threshed in a single season as high as fifty-five thousand bushels of grain, while his average record is fully forty thousand bushels yearly. Alert, enterprising and progres- sive, he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity in his business interests and is well known and highly esteemed as a prosperous and substantial citizen of his native county.
Mr. Hyde has been married twice. On the 2d of July, 1887, he wedded Miss Martha Wood, a daughter of James and Sarah Wood, of Elkmont, Alabama. The child born of this union, May E., is now the wife of Werner McCoron, of Decatur, Alabama. Mrs. Martha Hyde passed away December 2. 1889, and on the 8th of April. 1893, Mr. Hyde was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Beam, a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Kessler) Beam.
Digitized by Google
293
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
of Wakeman township. Ephraim Beam died on the 5th of March, 1908, but his widow still survives and resides in Wakeman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hyde have been born three children, namely: Cora, who is now deceased; Hazel L .; and Merritt L.
Politically Mr. Hyde is a stanch democrat but does not seek office as a reward for his party fealty, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private business affairs. He has an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community in which his entire life has been spent, and is well entitled to mention in this volume as a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Huron county.
GEORGE STOLL.
This gentleman is one of the general farmers and breeders of fine stock in Wakeman township. He is of German birth, from Reinfeldt, Germany, born Sep- tember 20, 1866, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Stork) Stoll. They never came to free America, preferring to remain in their own Deutschland.
In 1882 Mr. Stoll landed in Cleveland, but soon went to Henrietta, Lorain county, Ohio, and took up agriculture. The year 1897 saw him in Huron county, near Wakeman, in his present home. In 1800 he considered himself ready to wed, and on October 2d, married Miss Catherine Delafield, of Erie county, the daughter of Anthony and Margaret ( Needing) Delafield. Mr. and Mrs. Stoll have a family of two daughters and two sons: Mary, Margaret, William and Harry.
George Stoll believes in progress in all things, and his thoroughly tiled farm and fine modern home, with first-class buildings, testify to the success of his the- ories. His Ifoldings amount to one hundred and forty-three acres of fine, tillable land, and under the hand of this specialist in fine crops and blooded draft horses, keeps itself in fine trim. His breeding of draft horses has produced some highly commendable specimens of horse flesh.
Although Mr. Stoll is German born, he has become a thoroughly acclimated American, voting the democratic ticket. He is a member of Wakeman Tent, No. 93, Knights of the Maccabees, and is highly respected for his sturdy German traits and his consistent position on the side of improvement and progress.
BENJAMIN BRECKENRIDGE WICKHAM.
Among the younger and more successful members of the Huron county bar, thus representing a profession which has ever had important bearing upon the stable progress and prosperity of every community, is numbered Ben B. Wick- ham, who was born in Norwalk, October 28, 1875. He is a representative of an old New England family founded in America in early colonial days. His
Da zed by Google
294
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
father, Frederick C. Wickham, was born in Norwalk in the house on Main street, which is still standing and which was erected in 1836. The natal day of Frederick C. Wickham was August 5, 1842. His father, Frederick Wickham, Sr., was born in New York city, March 7, 1812, and was for years a sailor on the great lakes, holding official rank in that connection. During 1842 he came to Norwalk and established his home. He had married Lucy Bancroft Preston, a daughter of Samuel Preston, who came from Nashua, New Hampshire, and was a prominent citizen and pioneer newspaper man of Huron county. He established the Norwalk Reflector, one of the oldest newspapers of the state. The Preston family has long been a prominent one in America and gave to the colonies five governors.
Frederick C. Wickham was educated in the public schools of this city and in 1862, when twenty years of age, enlisted for service in the Civil war, becom- ing a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, with which he continued for three years. He was first commissary and afterward became first lieutenant. At Winchester he was captured and remained for seven months in Confederate prisons. Later he was again captured by General Mosby's men near Charleston. He never faltered in the performance of any military duty whether it carried him to the firing line or placed him on the lonely picket line, and when the war was over he was honorably discharged and mustered out in June, 1865. He then returned to Norwalk, where he has since lived, being num- bered throughout the intervening years with the prominent, influential and valued residents of the city. Few men have taken a more active part or had more direct influence upon the upbuilding and progress of the community. For eight years he served as postmaster, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. For many years he has been in the printing business and in this connec- tion has been the champion of every movement or measure destined to advance the city's welfare and improvement. In 1865 he was married to Miss Susan C. Adams, a daugliter of George Quincy Adams, who at one time served as probate judge of Huron county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Wickham were born a daughter and two sons: Charlotte, now the wife of Frank H. Jones, of Bay City, Texas; Ralph Preston, who died May 19, 1895, at the age of twenty- five years : and Benjamin Breckenridge.
The last named is indebted to the public-school system of Norwalk for the early educational advantages he enjoyed, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1892. He after- ward entered the Western Reserve University and was graduated in 1896 from Adelbert College. He taught school for four years, spending one year in the high school at Akron and one year in the high school at Fremont. He also taught for two years in Culver Military Academy, at Lake Maxinkuckee, In- diana. Believing, however, that he would prefer the profession of law as a life work, he pursued a course with this end in view in the Western Reserve University and was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in June, 1903. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1902. In February, 1903 he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Norwalk and for a year was a partner of Judge F. H. Jones, but has since been alone, his individual merit, diligence, en- terprise and thorough understanding of legal principles being the chief concomi-
Diazedby Google
295
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
tants in his enviable success. In the preparation of his cases he has always prepared for defense as well as attack and in his practice has been absolutely fair, never indulging in artifice or concealment, never dealing in indirect meth- ods but winning his victories, which have been many, and suffering his defeats, which have been few, in the open field face to face with his foe. He convinces by his concise statements of law and facts rather than by word painting and so high is the respect for his legal ability and integrity that his assertions in the court are seldom questioned seriously.
On the 16th of October, 1906, at Bellevue, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wickham and Miss Marguerite L. Asay, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of William C. Asay, an attorney of that city. Her grandfather, Dr. Amos Woodward, was one of the best known pioneer citizens of Bellevue, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wickham have two sons: Woodward Adams, born August 15, 1907, and Gurdon Frederick, born June 24, 1909. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Wickham is a Mason, belonging to Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M., and Huron Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., and is also connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Maccabees. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and since 1907 he has been referee in bankruptcy for Huron county. He is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, however, but manifests a deep interest in the science of government and believes in practical politics which causes the individual to uphold the principles and measures which he deems most benefi- cial in promoting the general good.
L. E. SIMMONS.
L. E. Simmons, the enterprising editor of the Chicago Times, published at Chicago Junction, Ohio, was born in Monroeville, this state, on the 23d of Decem- ber, 1869, a son of George and Mary Whaley Simmons, who were natives of England. The father became a resident of Monroeville in the '40s and there the family home was established. He conducted a successful grocery business until his death and was recognized as one of the representative merchants of that locality.
L. E. Simmons acquired his education in the schools of Monroeville and in Michigan, living in the latter state for some years with an elder sister. He then turned his attention to his chosen work and has since been identified with newspaper interests. He was in Monroeville for one year with his brother and subsequently went to Norwalk, where for four years he was connected with the Laning Printing Company. Recognizing the fact that there was a good opening at Chicago Junction, he came to this place in 1894 and entered upon journalistic work here as proprietor of the Chicago Times. He has since made good in every sense of the term. The paper was established in 1883 and in eleven years changed hands three times. It was not regarded as a successful venture when he took charge of it but he has made it a credit to the town and county and has demonstrated what can be done by a man who knows and tries.
Digitized by Google
296
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
His previous experience in the printing business had given him thorough and practical knowledge of both the mechanical part and the requirements of news- paper editing and he now sends to his subscribers-and the number is constantly increasing-a clean and interesting journal, devoted to the dissemination of local and general news.
Mr. Simmons was married in 1809 to Miss Julia Simmermacher, a native of Chicago Junction and a daughter of William Simmermacher, one of the pio- neers here. They now have two children, Walter and Evelyn. Mr. Simmons is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds membership. In politics he is an independent republican, standing in strong opposition to anything like misrule in public affairs, believing in clean politics and in competent and honest men in office. He is stalwart in his opposition to corruption and machine rule and has had an influential part in placing politics upon a higher plane. He works for the good of the town first, last and always, placing public welfare before parti- sanship and the interests of the community before personal aggrandizement. the nature and quality of his citizenship being unquestioned, for his patriotism and public spirit are factors easily recognizable in his career.
JOHN WHITMAN.
A feeling of sadness spread throughout Townsend township when on the 30th of January, 1907, it was announced that John Whitman had passed from this life, for he was long numbered among the substantial and worthy citizens of that section of Huron county. He was born in Euchenberg, Lorraine, France, February 17, 1829, a son of Peter and Catherine Whitman, who spent their en- tire lives in that country. The son accompanied an uncle, Sebastian Remlinger, to the United States in 1847, being then a youth of eighteen years. He made his first location in Crawford county. Ohio, where he spent a year at farm labor and then took up his abode in Erie county, where he followed similar pursuits. It was while living in the latter place that he formed the acquaintance of Miss Abi- gail H. Richardson, whom he afterward made his wife, their marriage being cele- brated on the 25th of September. 1864. She is a daughter of Joseph and Miranda (Sweet) Richardson. who were natives of Oxford township. Erie county. The father came to the Buckeye state from Pennsylvania after he had reached years of maturity and here engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Her maternal grandfather, William Sweet, came to Huron county from Monroe county, New York, and settled in New London township. There he planted the first orchard in the township, raising a large number of apple trees from the seed. He re- inained here until 1831 and then removed to Erie county, this state.
Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Whitman located in Wood county, but only spent a year there, after which they spent two years in Norwalk, Mr. Whitman being employed in a large warehouse in that city. In 1868, believing that farm life would prove more congenial to him, he purchased the farm which is
Da zedby Google
-
MR. AND MRS. JOHN WHITMAN
Dig med by Google
THE ST' ยท YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LISOX AND T ! . . .. .. T.UNS R
L
Digweed by Google
299
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
still in possession of his family, the place comprising one hundred and thirty-five acres of rich land. In 1879. he erected a modern and substantial brick residence, which is yet considered one of the best in Townsend township. For many years, Mr. Whitman gave his time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm and was numbered among the substantial residents of this section of the county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Whitman was blessed with three children, but only two of the number now survive: Tena H., the wife of Barton Rhoads, who lives with her mother, Mr. Rhoads operating the farm : and Cora M., at home.
Mr. Whitman was a staunch supporter of the republican party and for many years, served as road supervisor and as a member of the school board. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church, but after coming to America, was identified with no denomination. His fraternal relations connected him with Norwalk Lodge, I. O. O. F. In his daily life, he closely followed the principle of the Golden Rule and was numbered among the progressive and public-spirited men of the community. He lived to a good old age. passing away when seventy- eight years old. and thus the county lost one of its most honored citizens, while his family mourn the loss of one who was most devoted to their welfare.
GEORGE E. BARNEY.
George E. Barney is busily engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his fine farm of seventy-three acres in New London township. He was born in that township on the 3d of June, 1856, his parents being Edson P. and Sarah (Sprague) Barney. The father's birth occurred on the 11th of December, 1828, and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day in the year 1827. Edson P. Barney passed away in New London on the 12th of March, 1898, having long survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1865.
George E. Barney attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He lost his mother when a little lad of nine years and then went to live with his aunt and grandfather. After the death of the latter he made his home with his father until the time of his marriage. He then purchased his present farm of seventy-three acres in New London township. and his aunt, who came to live with him, made her home thereon until her demise. He has erected modern and commodious buildings and has placed many substantial improvements on the property, so that it is now lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He is practical in his methods and as the result of his work in the fields he yearly harvests good crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
On the 25th of December, 1878, Mr. Barney was united in marriage to Miss Carrie J. Fenn, whose birth occurred in Sullivan, Ohio, June 27, 1859. Her parents, Kimball T. and Philena (Sutton) Fenn, were born in the years 1827 and 1837 respectively and celebrated their marriage in 1857. They made their way to California when their daughter, Carrie J., was but five years of age, and
Digitizedhy Google
300
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
after a residence of four years in the Golden state the mother was stricken with smallpox and died very suddenly. A month later the father also died of the same disease, so that Mrs. Barney was left alone in the world when a little maiden of nine years. She was at that time boarding with a family by the name of Mosier, with whom her father had placed her at the time of the mother's death. Subsequent to the demise of her father, her maternal grandfather, Alan- son Sutton, sent a Mr. Golden to the Mosiers for his little granddaughter but they refused to give her up. The necessary papers were at once served through the sheriff, who took the child to Mr. Golden with whom she remained for five weeks or until the Union Pacific Railroad was constructed to Ohio. She made the journey from California to this state alone, riding part of the time on the engine and part of the time in the coach. Many took a friendly interest in the little orphan and her trip was rendered very pleasant by their kindly assistance. At the end of a week she reached Toledo, where she was joined by her grand- father, Mr. Sutton, by whom she was reared until she had attained the age of fourteen years. She then entered the home of a second cousin, Mr. Berry, where she remained until the time of her marriage to George E. Barney. She is now the mother of five children, as follows: Ross E., who was born June 23. 1880; Mrs Nina Jones, whose birth occurred October 22, 1883: May, born February 9. 1886; Mrs. Lena Robertson, whose natal day was October 31, 1887 ; and George Fenn, who was born on the 9th of May, 1897.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Barney has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, being con- vinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is most widely and favorably known within its borders and that his career has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still num- bered among his stanchest friends.
LEWIS J. HAAS.
Lewis J. Haas is one of the young and representative farmers of Sherman township, where he owns and operates sixty-eight acres of land, and as the name indicates he is of German descent. He was born on a farm in this township. March 5. 1875. a son of George and Minnie ( Hankamemer) Haas. The former was born in Peru township. December 27, 1839, of the marriage of Jacob and Dora ( Berringer) Haas, who were natives of Germany and on coming to the United States in 1834 settled on a tract of land of seventeen acres in Peru town- ship, Huron county. This land was partly cleared but the grandfather further developed and improved it, built thereon a small frame house and in due time added to his holdings until he owned thirty-one acres. They reared a family of seven children, namely: Sophia, who became the wife of Fred Mitchell and both are now deccased; Lena, who was married twice, her first husband being Joseph Duffner and her second John Setchler, who is also deceased. her home being in Kansas: Mary, who became the wife of John Setchler and both have
Digitizedby Google
301
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
departed this life ; Jacob, who resides in Monroeville, Huron county ; Elizabeth, the widow of Adam Glasier, her home being in Norwalk; Anna, the deceased wife of Jacob Schwam; and George, the father of our subject.
The last named was reared on the farm in Peru township and pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-six years and then started out in life on his own account, choosing as his occupation agriculture, which has continued to be his work to the present time. After reaching years of maturity he wedded Miss Minnie Hankamemer, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Hankamemer, of Sandusky, their marriage being celebrated on the 21st of July. 1864. The birth of Mrs. Haas, however, occurred in Germany, whence she came to America with her father in 1861, the family home being established near Monroeville. The mother, who was born in 1810. died in 1857, prior to the emigration of the family to the new world. Her father was born in 1800 and died in Huron county in 1894, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Hankamemer had a family of seven chil- dren, Mrs. Haas being the third in order of birth. The other are: William, who departed this life in 1872; Jane, who died in 1889: Christ, who passed away in 1885; Carl, who lives at Plymouth, Ohio; Kathryn, who died in 1861 ; and Her- man, who makes his home in California.
It was about two years after his marriage that George Haas purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Sherman township and to its further development, improvement and cultivation he has since bent his energies. A democrat in politics, he has taken an active part in public affairs and for three terms served as township trustee and he has likewise served as school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Columbus Pike and has served on its official board. Unto him and his wife have been born seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely : George C., who wedded Miss Kathryn Scheid and makes his home in Sherman township, his family numbering three children, Mildred, Esther and Walter; Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Leiber, of Lyme township, by whom she has three children, Olive, Ione and Harold : Emma, still under the parental roof; William, who is a teacher in the Central high school at Toledo, Ohio; Lewis J., of this review; Minnie, the widow of Ernest L. Beckstein, who departed this life December 2, 1908, her family numbering a son and daughter, Clarence and Gladys ; and Amelia, who is still with her parents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.