USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 37
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OTIS SYKES.
Otis Sykes, who is filling the position of postmaster of Chicago, where he is also successfully conducting a grocery store, was born in Richmond township, this county, on the 2d of May, 1847. He is a son of Daniel Sykes, a native of Vermont, and Arabella (Butler) Sykes, a native of New York. In 1836 the father came with his wife and one child to Huron county and for one year re- sided in Greenfield township, where he engaged in farming. He then removed to Richmond township where he settled upon a tract entirely uncultivated. He at once devoted his attention to its reclamation, made the land ready for culti- vation and in course of time gathered rich crops as a reward for his labors. Upon that place he reared his family and made it his home until his death in 1882. when he was seventy-six years of age.
In the family were four children, of whom Otis Sykes is the youngest. The country schools afforded him his educational privileges and at the age of fifteen years he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company C of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in August, 1862. He took part in all the engagements with his command in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and in September, 1864, was wounded, in consequence of which he lost a limb. He was then but seventeen years of age. He sustained this wound at Winchester while fighting under Sheridan and because of his injuries received an honorable discharge in June, 1865.
Mr. Sykes at once returned to his home in Huron county. His was a most creditable military record, characterized by loyalty to duty in every relation. When he again came to the north he took up the study of medicine and dentistry and continued in the practice of the latter with success for a number of years, fol- lowing the profession in Plymouth and in Findlay. He afterward engaged in
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the drug business in Wabash, Indiana, and in 1876 came to Chicago Junction, where for two years he practiced dentistry. On the expiration of that period he opened a drug store which he conducted for fifteen years and then turned his at- tention to the grocery business, which he carries on in partnership with A. C. Byers, under the firm name of Sykes & Byers. They conduct a high class business. carrying a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and their trade is constantly increasing owing to their honorable methods and straight- forward dealing. Throughout the years of his residence here Mr. Sykes has also been active in connection with public affairs, being deeply interested in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of the community. In March, 1906. he was ap- pointed postmaster of Chicago Junction and is now most capably filling that posi- tion. He has never been a politician in the ordinary sense of the term but since age conferred upon him the right of franchise has been a warm adherent of the republican party and its principles. In fact he is actively interested in every- thing connected with his town and county. He has served for several years as president of the board of education and three terms as a member of the city council, during which time he has put forth earnest and effective work for the best interests of the community. He is a conservative and safe adviser and a progressive citizen.
In June, 1873. Mr. Sykes was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Miller. a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and they have two children : Maud, who died at the age of thirteen years, and Doris M. The family are prominent socially and have many friends in every part of the county where they are known. Mr. Sykes be- longs to the Masonic fraternity and also holds membership relations with the Maccabees. Leaving the army at the age of seventeen years, handicapped by the loss of his limb, he has possessed and displayed the resolute spirit which does not stop at obstacles nor is impeded by difficulties but continues on with firm de- termination to the objective point. He has manifested many sterling qualities in both his business and official life as well as in all the ties of home and friendship.
ADAM S. LEIS.
Adam S. Leis, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sherman township, was born in this township on the 20th of Jannary, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Margaret ( Frish) Leis, both natives of Germany. The father, who was born February 16, 1829, was a son of Joseph and Agatha ( Hover) Leis. He came to the United States in 1848, making the journey in about forty-two days, and came direct to Ohio, locating in Sherman township, Huron county, where he worked as a farm hand for some time. Dur- ing that period he was employed by John Wright for a number of years and then began farming on his own account, purchasing eighty acres of land, which he cul- tivated and upon which he continued to reside until a few years ago. He is still living in Sherman township. He was married in January, 1865. to Miss Margaret Frish, who was also born in Germany and who passed away in 1896. He helped to erect the Catholic church in 1857 and has continued an officeholder
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therein most of his life. He and his wife became the parents of thirteen chil- dren, namely : John, residing in Kansas ; Paul, making his home in Indiana ; Peter, of Putnam county, Ohio; Adam, of this review; George, deceased; Anthony, living in Sherman township; Mary, who married Anthony Ruffing, of that town- ship ; Sophia, the wife of Anthony Brown, also of that township; Helen, residing at Fremont, Ohio; Maggie, the wife of Frank Gerdeman, residing at Findlay, Ohio; Anna, who married Anthony Corps, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio: Tillie: and Rose.
Adam S. Leis acquired his education in the schools of Sherman township. His boyhood and youth were spent on the home farm, during which time he he- came familiar with the duties of the farm, and he remained at home until twenty- six years of age, when he went to Indiana. There he was employed as a farm hand for about six years and then purchased a farm of his own, consisting of one hundred acres in Pulaski county. He operated that place for about twelve years and then sold out, returning to Sherman township, Huron county, Ohio where he purchased the old homestead. He has since directed his efforts to its further improvement and development, and as the years have gone by the place has become one of the valuable and desirable farm properties of this township. He is engaging in general farming, and in his undertaking is meeting with sub- stantial success.
On the 19th of January, 1892, Mr. Leis was united in marriage to Miss Anna Westrich, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Brown) Westrich, the wedding occurring at Norwalk, Ohio. Mrs. Leis was born in Seneca county, Ohio. and her parents, who were old settlers in this district, conducted the general store at Bismarck for a number of years. In their family were ten children, as fol- lows: Anna, Victor, Peter, Fred, Albert, Alvin, Theodore, Carl, Tillie and Ida. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Leis has been blessed with six children, namely, Ver- onica, Fred, Monica, Carl, Alma and Agnes, all at home. The family are mem- bers of the Catholic church of Bismarck and are respected and esteemed in the community. Politically, Mr. Leis belongs to the democratic party and is public spirited in citizenship. Industrious and enterprising, he has gained a goodly amount of success and is today ranked among the leading farmers in Sherman township.
WILLIAM HIMBERGER.
Prominent among the energetic, farseeing and successful business men of Norwalk, is William Himberger, a lumber merchant, who in spite of disastrous fires and other obstacles which have barred his path to success, has steadily worked his way upward and today enjoys an extensive patronage in his chosen field of labor. His energy has been most intelligently directed and, wisely utiliz- ing every opportunity that has come, he has gradually advanced to a place among the men of affluence in this city. His birth occurred in Hessen, Nassau, Ger- many, November 23, 1841, his parents being William P. and Wilhelmina (Horn) Himberger, both of whom were natives of the same place. The family came to the United States in 1855. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world, they made
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their way to Bloomingville, Erie county, Ohio, where the mother had a brother living. The same year, however, they removed to Monroeville, Huron county, where the father engaged in general farming. In 1863 he was accidentally killed, being then forty-nine years of age.
William Himberger was a lad of about thirteen years when he sailed across the broad Atlantic with his parents and came with them to Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until September, 1861, when he responded to the coun- try's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south, enlisting as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry. He afterward enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Kentucky Infantry and did active service in Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and West Vir- ginia until the close of the war. He took part in a number of hotly contested battles and in the long. hard marches of wearisome campaigns and was mus- tered out on the 24th of June 1865, at Knoxville, Tennessee. He had witnessed the close of the war when Victory perched upon the Union banners and with a creditable military record he returned to his home in Huron county.
Here Mr. Himberger started in business life as a common laborer but has worked steadily upward to his present position as one of the representative and prosperons merchants of the city. In 1866 he came to Norwalk and in 1867 became employed in a lumberyard, learning the trade, in the place which he now owns, with David D. Moorehouse. He afterward spent five years as an employe of the lumber firm of Brown & Goodnow and when those gentlemen dissolved partnership the firm became Lawrence & Brown and afterward Lawrence & Gilson. Mr. Himberger remained with the business throughout all its changes in partnership until 1880 when he felt that his previous extended experience and careful expenditure justified him in engaging in business on his own account. He then became a partner in the firm of Smith, Himberger & Company for the conduct of a general lumber business which was carried on under that name until 1886 when the firm became Smith & Himberger. In April, 1901, Mr. Him- berger purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone until March, 1907, when the Himberger Lumber Company was organized. It is exclusively a family concern and Mr. Himberger is the president of the Com- pany. Between 1880 and 1901 the firm had three disastrous fires, one occurring on the 8th of March, 1881, another on the 30th of October, 1891. and the third on the 2d of August, 1901. Not disheartened by these disasters Mr. Himberger resolutely set to work to retrieve his losses and his honorable business methods secured him a liberal patronage which has brought him substantial success as the years have passed. The company today owns one of the largest lumberyards in this part of the state and its trade is extensive and profitable.
In February, 1866, Mr. Himberger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hundsdorf, a native of Germany and a daughter of John Hundsdorf, an old resident of Huron county who came from the fatherland in 1853 .. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Himberger were born four daughters: Minnie, now the wife of Charles Prechtel, who is manager of the Himberger Lumber Company : Katherine. now Mrs. Smith: and Zedona Elizabeth and Louise Frederica, twins. The wife and mother passed away on the 30th of January, 1904, when fifty-eight years of age and her death was deeply regretted by many friends who had come to know and esteem her for her many sterling traits of character.
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In his political views Mr. Himberger is a stalwart democrat with firm belief in the principles of the party but has never been an office seeker. He has, how- ever, served as a member of the council from 1890 to 1892 and from 1905 to 1907, was a member of the board of public works. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship nor does he neglect to give hearty aid to the measures and movements for the public good. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Knights of the Maccabees and maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Wooster and Bolt Post, G. A. R. He is a devoted member of the Episcopal church, in which he has served as warden for many years. He is a splendid specimen of the self-made man who owes his suc- cess entirely to his well directed efforts, his persistency of purpose and his un- daunted energy. He is public-spirited, unassuming in manner and thoroughly reliable. Throughout his entire life he has always been the same genial, courte- ous gentleman, whose ways are those of refinement and whose word no man can question.
ORIN P. REYNOLDS.
Orin P. Reynolds, a representative of the farming interests of Hartland township, was born in that township, on the 3d of December, 1854, his parents being Theodore M. and Malissa (Sholes) Reynolds, who were natives of Con- necticut and New York respectively. The father, who came to this county with his parents in 1835, was an agriculturist by occupation and for many years was numbered among the prominent and respected residents of Hartland town- ship. His upright and honorable life won him the esteem and friendship of all with whom he was associated and his demise, which occurred on the 12th of July, 1903, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He took an active part in public affairs and for many years capably served in the position of town- ship trustee. His wife, who came to this state in early womanhood, is also now deceased, having passed away on the 14th of June, 1905. Unto this worthy couple were born three sons : Dayton, Orin P. and Bion, all of whom are still living.
Orin P. Reynolds was reared to manhood on his father's farm and obtained his education in the district schools of his native township. When not busy with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the old home farm and continued to reside thereon until twenty-eight years of age, when he was married. Subsequently he removed to Lucas county, Ohio, where he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits for two years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Hartland township and cultivated his father's farm for a year. In 1886 he became identified with mercantile interests at Hartland Center, success- fully conducting a general store of that character for about sixteen years. At the end of that time he once more took up the work of the fields and now owns the old home farm in Hartland township, in the cultivation of which he is meet- ing with a most gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion and has gained
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enviable recognition among the substantial, progressive and representative citizens of the community.
On the 7th of March, 1882, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Asenath Sisson, a daughter of Jabez and Lydia (Payne) Sisson, of New York. Mrs. Reynolds made her way to Ohio in early womanhood, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Carl, Glen and Fern, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Reyonlds is a stanch republican in his political views and an active worker in the local ranks of his party. He has served in the office of township treasurer for twenty-two years, was a member of the board of education for many years and has also done effective service in the position of road super- visor. For a number of years he has been a member of the republican county committee and he is a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He always gives his influence and aid to progressive public measures and stands as a stalwart defender of justice, truth and right in public as well as private re- lations. In the community where practically his entire life has been spent, he is regarded as a leading and valued citizen, being held in high esteem for his manly bearing and his integrity of character.
JOHN L. PRATT.
John L. Pratt, living in Bronson township, is engaged in farming, his posses- sion now aggregating three hundred and seventy-five acres in Huron county. He is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred September 7, 1852. His parents were DeMorris and Mary (Roberts) Pratt. The father was a native of Washington county, New York, born on Christmas day of 1808, while the mother was born in Massachusetts, September 6, 1814. DeMorris Pratt ac- companied his father-in-law, Abijah Roberts, to Fitchville, Ohio, in 1836, where each purchased a farm. Mr. Pratt was a local preacher of the Methodist de- nomination but never accepted a salary for his services. He performed many marriage ceremonies in his district and the money he received for his services in this connection he always presented to the bride. He served two. terms in the Ohio state legislature and in many ways took an active and prominent part in the development and improvement of the community in which he made his home. His family numbered five sons and two daughters, namely : A. R. and Jesse, now deceased ; and one daughter who died in infancy; Phillip; J. F .; Mrs. Frances Pond ; and John L. of this review.
The last named acquired his early education in the district schools of Fitch- ville township and later attended the schools of Oberlin and Berea, afterward pursuing a business course in a college at Poughkeepsie, New York. When start- ing out to make his own way in the world, Mr. Pratt engaged in farming and in connection with E. L. Tucker conducted a butter and cheese factory for twenty years. During this time they did a very extensive business, controlling the largest enterprise of its kind in this section at that time. However, Mr. Pratt now de- votes his entire time to farming and as the years have passed and he has pros-
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MR. AND MRS. De MORRIS PRATT
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MR. AND MRS. LEWIS MANAHAN
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pered in his undertakings, he has added to his holdings until his possessions now aggregate three hundred and seventy-five acres, all valuable and well improved land. A valuable work which Mr. Pratt assisted in performing in this section was the organization of the Olena Telephone Company, of which he is now the pres- ident. This is one of the finest systems to be found anywhere, connecting with the Bell Company and the local company.
Mr. Pratt was married November 4, 1873, the lady of his choice being Miss Delia Manahan, who was born in Ohio, July 23, 1852. Her father, Lewis Man- ahan, at one time owned the farm on which Mr. Pratt now lives, and this has been the home of Mrs. Pratt since she was four years of age. Mr. Manahan fol- lowed farming throughout his entire life and during the time of the Civil war was an extensive buyer of horses, which he sold to the army, and he also dealt heavily in all kinds of stock. His death occurred in 1897, when he was seventy- nine years of age, his birth having occurred in 1818, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Chapin, was born in 1828 and departed this life in 1908, when in her eightieth year.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pratt has been blessed with two sons. The elder, DeMorris C. Pratt, who was born January 11, 1875, was educated in the village school and is now engaged in farming. He is a republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religious faith, while his fraternal relations are with the Macca- bees. He was married April 7, 1898, to Miss Lela Burrows, a daughter of W. L. and Ella Burrows, and their home has been blessed with a little daughter, Mar- garet B. Pratt, who was born August 27, 1904. The younger son, Worthing C. Pratt, was born September 10. 1877, and is cashier of the Huron county bank.
Prominent in public affairs as an adherent of the republican party, Mr. Pratt has filled the office of township treasurer sixteen years and also served as justice of the peace but refused to accept the latter office for another term. He is a Methodist in religious faith and also belongs to the Maccabees Tent. Quick to discern opportunities for advancement in a business sense, Mr. Pratt has worked his way to the front until today he stands as one of the largest and wealthiest landowners in Huron county. However, his success has been honorably won, and his record also in public life has been one of unremitting and tireless energy and there is no blot or stain of dishonor upon his name. He represents one of the oldest and most prominent families of this part of the state and all who know him have for him high regard.
ELMER E. TOWNSEND.
Elmer E. Townsend, president of the New London National Bank and closely identified with financial interests of the county since 1898, was born in Fitch- ville. Ohio, September 22, 1852. His father. John T. Townsend, was born in New London township, July 22, 1824, and was the second of the eight children of Hosea Townsend, who was born in Greenbush, New York, in 1794. His father. William Townsend, was a native of Massachusetts and a millwright by trade. At the time of the birth of his son. Hosea Townsend, he was temporarily em-
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ployed at his trade in Greenbush. His wife bore the maiden name of Rhoda Skinner. Their son, Hosea Townsend, was reared and educated in Massachusetts where he resided until 1815. when he came to Huron county on a tour of in- spection. After a brief period he returned to Massachusetts, but that he was pleased with his western trip was indicated in the fact that in the following year he again came to Ohio and settled on lot 23 of the third section in New London township. Only a few years before had Ohio been admitted to statehood and many portions of the state were still unclaimed and unsettled by the white race. In fact Ohio was regarded as on the very border of civilization and Mr. Town- send belonged to that class of sturdy and representative American men who ex- tended the frontier by introducing all of the evidences of modern civilization into his region. In the development of a farm here he built a log house and cleared his land which in the course of time was made to bring forth rich har- vests. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his holdings and at length became a very successful and influential citizen of his part of the state. In 1820 he married Sophia Case, whose family came from New York and settled in New London township, her father being Tracy Case, well known in carly pioneer times. Mrs. Townsend was well educated and taught the first school in New London township. She reared a family of eight children who were a credit to her superior training. It is worthy of note that she never allowed a book to pass into the hands of her children without first reading it herself that she might know whether its contents were detrimental or injurious to the moral training. The only members of the family now living are H. W. Townsend and Mrs. A. F. Johnson. The father, Hosea Townsend, continued to engage in farming until 1874, when he removed to New London and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Johnson, until his death, in 1884. He had survived his wife for an entire decade. He was a man of strong, sterling characteristics and enjoyed the esteem and trust of all who knew him. In antebellum days he was a strong opponent of the system of slavery and when the republican party was formed to prevent its further extension he joined its ranks and as one of its representatives was called to a number of local offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. John Townsend. the father of Elmer E. Townsend, was reared to farm life in the usual manner of boys who spend their youthful days amid agricultural environments. Good educational oppor- tunities were afforded him for after attending the country schools he was per- mitted to become a student in Oberlin College. Later he engaged in teaching at Clarksville, Fitchville and New London and did good work as an educator, his instructions being clear, cogent and forceful. He married Elizabeth Palmer, a native of Clarksfield township and a daughter of Linus Palmer who located in that township in pioneer days, as did her mother, who bore the maiden name of Jemima Rowland. After his marriage John Townsend abandoned teaching and concentrated his energies upon farming pursuits in Fitchville township, care- fully operating his fields for many years. In 1880 he was elected county com- missioner and served for two terms, while for the long period of thirty years he was justice of the peace, his 'retention in the office plainly indicating that his opinions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and equity in the case. In 1898 he removed to New London, where he died, March
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