USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 35
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On the 29th of November, 1876, Mr. Hurst was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Pierce, a daughter of Elbert B. and Hattie A. (Beecher) Pierce, who were prominent pioneer settlers of Wakeman. This union was blessed with one child, Mabel E., who is now the wife of Clayton E. Ford, a well known agricul- turist of Clyde, Oakland county, Michigan. Mrs. Ida A. Hurst passed away when her little daughter was but five weeks old, and on the 22d of April, 1885, Mr. Hurst was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary M. Mor- gan. Her parents, David and Agnes (Scott) Morgan, of Camden, Lorain county, spent their entire married life, covering more than fifty years, on the same farm. They came to this district when it was a dense forest but with characteristic energy Mr. Morgan set to work to cut down the trees and grad- ually transformed the once wild tract into a productive farm and ideal home. Both he and his wife are now deceased and lie buried in the cemetery at Cam- den, Lorain county. Unto Mr. Hurst and his second wife were born the fol- lowing children: Edna M., now the wife of Sumner E. Todd; Blaine N .; Meryl L .; and one who died in infancy. With a full realization of the value of good
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mental training as a preparation for the practical and responsible duties of life. Mr. Hurst has given his children the best educational advantages obtainable.
In his political views Mr. Hurst is a stalwart republican and an enthusiastic advocate of all measures and movements calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development. He is especially interested in the efforts to keep the public highways free from weeds that may contaminate adjacent farms. A man of domestic tastes, he greatly enjoys the companion- ship of his wife and children and is a most loving and devoted husband and father. Both he and his wife possess in large measure the confidence and esteem of those with whom they have come in contact, and the hospitality of their pleas- ant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
NOAH YOUNG.
Noah Young is living retired in a beautiful residence in Collins, which has been his home since 1905, but he still retains possession of his farming property of one hundred and fifty acres, from which he derives a good annual rental. Mr. Young was born in Townsend township, November 24. 1840. a son of Mahlon and Orrilla (Young) Young. The father's people removed from the far east by teams to Ohio in 1812, making a location in Richland county, this state. At that time few families had settled in the county, much of the land in Richland county being still in possession of the Indians, while wild game was also abundant. The mother's people came to the Buckeye state from Vermont. Upon reaching the district on which Monroeville now stands, they sought a place to stay for the night at a cabin by the side of the old Indian trail. for as yet no roads had been laid out. The family from whom they sought shelter proved to be relatives of Mahfon Young, who, though of the same name, were not related to the parents of Orrilla Young. The family arrived about the year 1830, and being pleased with Huron county, the father here purchased a farm, and in the following spring made a trip to Indiana and purchased six hundred and forty acres there, but never removed to that state, Monroeville proving more attrac- tive to him as a place of residence. The children of the two Young families grew up together in that pioneer district and in due time Mahlon Young and Orrilla Young were united in marriage. They established their home on a farm near Monroeville, where they lived two or three years, and in the spring of 1840. Mahlon Young purchased a farm in Townsend township, on which he took up his abode. He was a cooper by trade and in connection with his farming inter- ests also followed his trade. His farm, consisting of one hundred acres, was to be paid for in barrels, a certain number to be made each year until the debt of the farm was liquidated. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Young were born seven children, Sylvia, Noah, John, Martha, Mary, Mahlon and Orrilla. Of these all are living with the exception of John. He served in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Third Ohio Cavalry, enlisting for three years. During his ser- vice he was drowned at Macon, Georgia, while bathing. Both the parents are now deceased, the mother surviving the father's death about five years. Both lie buried in the cemetery at Collins.
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Noah Young was reared on the home farm, assisting his father with the work of the fields during the period of his boyhood and youth. In the winter seasons he pursued his education in the district schools. When he had reached the age of eighteen years, ambitious to start out in life for himself, he left home and secured employment from William Manahan at farm labor, remaining with him two years. He agreed to pay his father one hundred dollars for his time until he attained his majority but the father released him at the end of that time by the payment of eighty dollars. While employed by Mr. Manahan, Mr. Young attended school for about ten weeks each winter, thus completing his studies. It was about this time that the father removed to Collins and Noah Young and his brother John rented the home farm, their sister Sylvia acting as their house- keeper. After about a year the brother joined the army and thus the entire man- agement of the farm devolved upon Mr. Young of this review.
Mr. Young further established a home of his own by his marriage on the 24th of November, 1864, to Miss Emma Jarrett, a daughter of Elias and Sarah (Siph- let ) Jarrett, a prominent pioneer family of Huron county. Following his mar- riage Mr. Young continued to operate the home farm until 1865, and then oper- ated rented land for three years. In the meantime, however, he purchased a farm in Townsend township and eventually took up his abode thereon, where he remained five years. He then disposed of that tract and bought one hun- dred and fifty acres, a mile and a half from Collins, in Townsend township He was engaged in the cultivation and improvement of this farm throughout a long period and in the years that have come and gone not only made it a valu- able property but also annually gathered good crops, thus greatly enhancing his financial condition. In 1905 he abandoned all business pursuits and removed to Collins, where he occupies a nice modern home but he still retains possession of his farm and derives a good rental therefrom. While on the farm Mr. Young also engaged in raising chickens on quite an extensive scale, being ably assisted in this enterprise by his wife.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young were born four children : Sarah, the wife of Lewis Krepps, a resident of Townsend township; Rosa, the wife of Joseph Bate, of Fremont : George, who is married and resides in Fremont ; and Arthur, who is also married and makes his home in Colorado. After a happy married life of forty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Young were separated by the death of the wife, which occurred October 19, 1906. Mrs. Young was a most estimable woman, active in every good work and beloved by all who knew her. She was a true friend, a faithful wife and devoted mother, and all who knew her are full of her praises and all mourn the loss of a good woman. Her remains were interred in the cemetery at Collins. Mr. Young was again married, April 15. 1908. his second union being with Mrs. Minnie Humphrey, the widow of Jefferson Humphrey, and a daughter of Henry and Eliza (Green) Alder, formerly of Cleveland but later residents of Elkhart, Indiana. Both parents are now de- ceased. By her former marriage Mrs. Young had two children: Ruth, now the wife of Robert A. Wise of Cleveland; and Katharine, the wife of A. B. Shellen- trager, also of Cleveland. Mrs. Young is an estimable woman and presides with gracious hospitality over her home, which is noted for its culture and refinemnt.
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A republican in his political views, Mr. Young has ever taken a deep interest in all public matters. For six years he served as township trustee, while for many years he acted as road supervisor and as a member of the school board. He is a member of Townsend Grange and is a charter member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is most public spirited, every movement calculated to benefit his home locality, receiving his hearty endorsement. Starting out as he did when but a youth, he has gradually worked his way upward until today, he stands among the substantial citizens of Huron county, respected and esteemed by all who know him.
WILLIAM A. CANFIELD.
The history of Huron county could not be written without mention of the honored name of Canfield, for the lives of the members of that pioneer family are indissolubly connected with her early development and progress. Augustine Can- field, grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads this review, was one of the sturdy New Englanders, who braved the hardships and uncertainties of pioneer life in the early years of the Nineteenth century to found a home for themselves and their progeny. With his family he left his Connecticut home, and in May, 1817, arrived in the almost trackless forest of Huron county. He soon located, choosing the spot in Wakeman township where William now resides. His was the first white family to settle in the township and the farm was virgin forest, not a clear- ing in the township. The usual log cabin was erected, bark roof and floor, with a greased cloth in the window for light, and the battle against the elements was begun. Theirs was the "simple life" indeed, but they were happy in it, even with the lack of the comforts and conveniences of civilization. As time passed these were added and were the more appreciated, because of their scarcity. The grand- parents lived out their time and laid down their burden, having been factors in the establishment of correct principles and a healthy moral status.
Calvert C. Canfield, the father of our subject, was a part of all this, being active in the county's affairs. He served two terms as county commissioner and held various offices of trust, all with efficiency. He is remembered as a man of strong character, virile and vigorous, and of uncompromising principle. He won success abundantly, becoming a large landowner with some five hundred acres. He reared a family of six children : Sarah E., Alban J., William A., Fran- cis A., Darwin and George E. Of these Alban J. and Darwin are deceased. On April 27, 1895, the father passed peacefully away, aged eighty-six years, his wife having laid down the burden of life May 14, 1882. She bore the maiden name of Mary E. Hanford and was also a member of an honored pioneer family.
Noting the more salient points in the career of the second son, William A. Can- field, his birth occurred at the old homestead, May 17, 1841. With a public-school education and the practical training of a well conducted farm, he began life, teach- ing school successfully for some ten years in the winter and tilling a farm near where he now lives, in the summer, this place having since been added to his hold- ings. Heeding the call of his country on May 2, 1864, he enlisted as a private
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CALVERT C. CANFIELD
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soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Sixth-sixth Regiment, O. V. I., serving in the Army of the Potomac one hundred days. He then returned and resumed his former life until 1874, when he went to Sandusky and entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, as a cashier. He remained with this company for seven years, doing efficient service, and then became station agent of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at the same place. In May, 1899, he removed to Cleveland, where he acted as shipping agent for several large coal companies, handling their lake shipping business. But the farmer boy never gets so high up in business or so far away from the farm that he can completely stifle the desire to return. The family came back to the old homestead in 1890, and in 1892, Mr. Canfield, himself retired from business and has since tilled the soil of his fathers. He has added to the original tract until his holdings aggre- gate five hundred and forty-seven acres. The different farms are thoroughly appointed, well tiled, and with ample equipment in buildings for the successful prosecution of a general farming business, to which Mr. Canfield now gives his entire time. His home is on the same site where, in 1828, his grandfather erected his house, which was the first frame house in Wakeman township.
Mr. Canfield's political allegiance lies with the republican party, his religious life being passed in the Congregational church, the whole family being active workers, and prominent in all its interests.
On the 24th of August, 1863, William A. Canfield married Jane A. Whitney, a daughter of Abel and Jane Levira (Beecher) Whitney, the family coming to Huron county from the Nutmeg state, in 1849. Their children were : Eunice O., Ruggles N., Hannah E., Charles P., Frederick A., Theodora B. and Jane A. Han- nah, Frederick and Mrs. Canfield are the living members, the father dying Aug- ust 8, 1887, and the mother February 28, 1889. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Canfield are : Calvert C., who is married and lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where he is engaged in the shipping business; and Mary Levira, who was graduated at Oberlin college and is now a successful teacher. The family are widely and favor- ably known and their home is a hospitable one, its appointments being such as to attract strangers and friends alike.
WILLIAM H. HOULE.
William H. Houle, who is successfully engaged in farming in Lyme town- ship, who is operating one hundred and eighty acres of land in Huron county, which is owned by his wife and her sister, and sixty-three acres that lie in Erie county, was born in this county May 11, 1854. His parents, William H. and Lucy (Gordon) Houle, were natives of Devonshire, England, where they were reared, became acquainted and were married, but almost immediately after the wedding ceremony they embarked on the journey to America. Seven weeks and two days was the length of time it took them to cross the ocean, and their de- parture to this country was a much more serious undertaking than it is regarded today. Upon their arrival in the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Houle settled in Lyme township, Huron county, Ohio, in 1853, where for several years the father
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was employed at various pursuits. Then he bought one acre of land near the church and rented other property, which he cultivated with so great profit to himself that in 1872 he was able to purchase the old homestead in Erie and Huron counties. On this the seven children, with which the couple were blessed, were reared and here the parents died, the father on January 2, 1892, and the mother in February, 1897.
William H. Houle was the eldest of this family of seven children : John G., the brother next younger, lives upon the old homestead; Jennie died in her youth ; Lucy has also passed away ; Frank G. is a teacher in the schools at Martin's Ferry; Ida Mary is deceased; and Fred lives on the old homestead. William H. Houle has always lived in this county. He received his early preparation for life under the parental roof and in district schools here and in the schools of Bellevue. As might be surmised his early years were closely identified with farming interests, but in 1881 he entered for a time the business world. In that year he went to North Dakota, where he remained for about fifteen months. selling farm implements. Upon returning to this section of the country he still continued in this line of work and had more than a fair degree of success in sales in this vicinity. When opportunity offered, however, he severed his con- nection with the business and has since devoted all his attention and time to the cultivating of the farm.
On the Ist of January, 1884. Mr. Houle was married to Miss Jennie A. Col- lins, a daughter of J. D. and Mary (Webster) Collins, who are old settlers in this vicinity and are well and favorably known. Mr. and Mrs. Houle have one son, Albert C., who was born August 21, 1887. At present he is attending col- lege at Ann Arbor, for he has shown more than the usual predilection for study. Before he entered the university he attended the schools here and was graduated from the high school at Bellevue, and during several summers attended the classes at Wooster, where Mr. Houle's brother was a teacher.
The hard, persistent work which Mr. Houle has put into the farm has resulted in the compensation which the years have brought him. He possesses those traits of character most needed by him who seeks his livelihood from the soil and has won a well deserved success. He has not given much time to local af- fairs, aside from casting his influence on the side of right and order, but has evinced considerable interest in the welfare of the Congregational church, which his fellow members have appreciated in electing him a trustee of the body.
JAY C. PARK.
Jay C. Park is the owner of three hundred, sixty-two and a quarter acres of valuable land in Huron county and is numbered among the leading agriculturists of his part of the state. He was born in Huron county, November 16, 1869. His father, Joseph Park, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1828, and came to America with his parents when a boy of eighteen. He located in Huron county with his father, Joseph Park, Sr. Joseph Park, Jr., worked on the farm for a few years and about 1847 he drove a transportation wagon through to California
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and after a few years he commenced mining. In that work he met with suc- cess and returned to Ohio with sufficient means to buy the old homestead which his son, Jay C., now owns. He was then identified with agricultural interests throughout his remaining days. He was active in public affairs and for several years served as assessor. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he held membership in the Presbyterian church.
Jay C. Park acquired his education in the district schools and the Norwalk high school, which he attended for three and one-half years. He has always been a farmer, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the field as he assisted his father through the period of his boyhood and youth. At the age of eighteen he took charge of his father's farm and continued as the manager until 1904, when his father died and Jay C. Park removed to his own farm of one hundred acres. He also inherited the old homestead of one hundred and eleven acres, which he still owns. He intends always to keep it and maintain it in honor and memory of his good and kind parents. In 1908 Mr. Park purchased eighty- five acres of land so that his title holdings are now three hundred, sixty-two and a quarter acres. This constitutes some of the valuable farming property of the county and in its management and control Mr. Park displays excellent business ability and unfaltering diligence.
On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Park was united in marriage to Miss Dora E. Mead, who was born December 28, 1875. They are now parents of one son, Frank Mead Park, born September 11, 1899. Mrs. Park is a daughter of F. M. Mead, of Huron county.
In his political views Mr. Park is an earnest republican and keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church and also in his life, which is in strict conformity with his principles.
GEORGE FRANCIS TITUS.
George Francis Titus, office manager for the F. B. Case Tobacco Company of Norwalk, in which responsible position he has figured for many years, was born in Erie county, New York, on the 17th of August, 1853, and represents an old New England family. His father, George A. Titus, was a native of Dedham, Massachusetts, where he resided until after his marriage, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Briggs, a native of Erie county, New York. Subsequently he removed to that county but after a brief period came to Norwalk, Ohio, where he located in 1854. Here he secured employment in the shops of the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad Company. He commenced as a car builder and was advanced until he became foreman of the car shops, so continuing until the plant was re- moved from Norwalk. He was well known as a prominent and worthy repre- sentative of the industrial interests of the city and his business enterprise and integrity won him the high respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. He died in Norwalk in 1905 at the age of seventy-seven years, hav- ing long survived his wife, who passed away in 1856. There were three chil-
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dren in their family : Willis A., who is now a resident of Cleveland; Nellie. now Mrs. Burkhardt, of Massillon, Ohio; and George F.
The last named was only about a year old when the parents removed from the Empire state to this city and at the usual age he entered the public schools where he continued his studies until he was graduated from the grammar de- partment. He then put aside his text-books and for two years was employed in a grocery store, at the end of which time he resumed his studies, entering Oberlin College, where he remained for a considerable period. When the F. B. Case Tobacco Company was formed he secured a position in the office and has been with the company continuously since, acting for a long period as office man- ager. He neglects none of the duties or responsibilities which devolve upon him in this connection and has the entire confidence of the company which he has thus represented for a long period. While in the employ of the Case Com- pany, Mr. Titus devoted his leisure hours to the study of law and in 1881 was admitted to the bar. He has since been a representative of the profession in Norwalk, although his attention is chiefly given to his office management.
In 1876, Mr. Titus was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Cook, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Jackson Cook, of Huntingdon, that state. Three daughters have been born of this union : Clara, now the wife of A. J. Trumble, a resident of Cleveland : Lura M., the wife of W. A. Fisher, living in Norwalk ; and Gertrude E., now the wife of C. G. Pheil, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Titus has always taken an active part in politics and public affairs. He gives stalwart allegiance to the democratic party, has served as a member of the board of education and on the water works board and in 1907 was elected vice-mayor. His fidelity and capability in the discharge of his official duties are salient factors in his life. At all times he has been a man loyal to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, and his worth as an individual and a cit- izen have won for him a firm hold on the regard of his fellow townsmen.
MANDERVILLE V. ARMSTRONG.
Manderville V. Armstrong, now living retired in a pleasant home in the sub- urbs of the village of Wakeman, was born in Otsego county, New York. on the 28th of August, 1837, his parents being William and Eunice (Gibson) Arm- strong. The father, who was a stonemason and plasterer by trade, assisted in the construction of the Erie canal and the entire canal system of the state of New York. In 1852 he brought his wife and children to Ohio, the family home being established in Sullivan township, Ashland county. He continued to work at his trade after becoming a resident of this state and in 1861 came to Wakeman town- ship, Huron county, where he successfully followed the stonemason's trade until enfeebled health necessitated his retirement from active labor. He was widely recognized as a man of many sterling traits of character and unfaltering integ. rity and his death, which occurred on the 24th of June, 1894, was the occasion of deep regret among his many friends. He lived to attain the venerable age of ninety-eight years and the record of his honorable and useful career is still
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cherished by all who knew him. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Wakeman, as were also those of his wife, whose demise occurred March 3, 1884. when she was eighty-four years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born eleven children, namely : Daniel, Harriet, Andrew, Elizabeth and William, all of whom are deceased; Manderville V., of this review; Ann; Henry, who died in infancy ; Emmer ; Ellen ; and Polly J.
Manderville V. Armstrong obtained his education in the public schools of his native county and in early manhood learned the stonemason's trade, working at that occupation in association with his father for twenty-five years, through- out the counties of Huron, Lorain, Erie, Medina, Ashland and others. Subse- quent to his marriage he took up his abode in Wakeman and has here since con- tinued to make his home. He worked at his trade for a number of years and also engaged in farming to some extent, while during the early period in Wakeman's history he conducted a dray line for eight years. In 1890 he was appointed superintendent of the Wakeman cemetery and continued in that capacity until the spring of 1909, when he resigned because of advanced age. He possesses considerable skill as a landscape gardener and met with great success in the care of the shrubs and flowers under his supervision, the Wakeman cemetery being recognized as one of the most beautiful "cities of the dead" in the entire state. The prosperity which has attended him in his various undertakings is but the merited reward of his well directed and untiring labor and enterprise and he has long been numbered among the most substantial, respected and progressive citi- zens of the county.
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