USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 38
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5, 1907. His widow still survives and now makes her home with her son, Elmer, their only child. In his political views John Townsend was a stalwart republican but ever placed the public good before partisan- ship, and at all times sought the welfare and progress of the community. which numbered him among its most honored and representative citizens.
Following the acquirement of his education in Oberlin College, Elmer E. Townsend took up the profession of teaching and for a time was identified with the high school at Fitchville. In 1873 he located on the farm, formerly the prop- erty of his grandfather and for twenty-five years was closely, actively, and suc- cessfully associated with the work of tilling the soil. It was not until 1898 that he put aside the plow and removed to New London, where he has since been identified with banking interests. The First National Bank was established in 1872 and in 1802 was reor, anized as the New London National Bank, from which time Mr. Townsend served as a director. On the death of his uncle, Ira Townsend, he was elected to the presidency and has since continued at the head of the institution, bending his energies to executive control and administrative direction. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in all of its phases and has made the New London National one of the safe, conservative and reliable moneyed institutions of the county. While he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking he has nevertheless been elected and served as mayor of New London, was trustee of the township for several terms and at the present writing, 1900, is corporation treasurer. He votes with the republican party. for his mature judgment sanctions its principles as most conducive to good govern- ment.
In 1873 Mr. Townsend was married to Miss Abbie Curtis, a native of Fitch- ville, who died in 1903. He has since wedded Miss Ida Robertson, a native of Pennsylvania and a talented lady who for several years taught in the New London public schools. Mr. Townsend is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is appreciative of the social amenities of life. He is never neg- lectful of any of the obligations of citizenship or of friendship, while his integrity in business has made his an unassailable reputation.
FRANK B. SEYMOUR.
Frank B. Seymour, a farmer of Lyme township and the owner of sixty-five acres of land, that lies mostly in Erie county, was born on this farm, October 24 1856, the son of George W. and Charlotte E. (Hotchkin) Seymour. The father was born in Gibson, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1824, and died on this farm, January 18, 1892, while the mother was born at Waterville, New York, May 15, 1827, and is still living at Bellevue, Ohio. George W. Seymour came to North Monroeville, Ohio, with his father, John Seymour, and his mother, Sarah (Thatcher) Seymour, in 1825. Her father, Moses Thatcher, who came with them, is buried at North Monroeville. For about ten years the family lived at North Monroeville, in which vicinity Mr. Sey. mour owned about four hundred acres of land. Later they removed to the farm
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in Lyme township, Huron county, which the grandfather purchased from a Mr. Russell, and improved greatly during his lifetime. John Seymour was a prom- inent man in this locality in early days when stage coaches were still running and he was located at the intersection of the stage routes between Cleveland, Maumee, Sandusky and Columbus. Here he had a general store and distributed the mail, in his capacity of postmaster, that the great wagons brought. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the little community he served and for a period of thirty years he fulfilled the duties of township clerk. He was ac- counted one of the pillars of the Strong's Ridge church, of which he had always been a member and of which he was a deacon at the time of his death. His eventful and useful life came to an end in his ninetieth year. George W. Sey- mour succeeded his father as deacon of the church and during the whole of his life was identified with farming interests. On the 29th of April, 1852, his mar- riage to Miss Charlotte E. Hotchkin was celebrated at Watertown, New York, and their union was blessed with three children: Anna K., who was born June 1, 1854, and married Albert Young, now deceased; Frank B., our subject ; and William, who was born August 16, 1866, but lived only till the following Decem- ber.
Frank B. Seymour lived on his present farm, receiving his preparation for life at home, under the direction of his parents and at the district schools, which he attended until he was thirteen and was then a student in the Bellevue high school for four years. His education completed, he engaged in the hardware business. working in Chicago, Illinois, and Cleveland, Ohio. This connection with the world of affairs he gave up when he received word of his father's illness and returned home to take charge of the farm. To this he has since devoted his attention and upon the old homestead he has resided.
On the 23d of June. 1897. Mr. Seymour married Miss Clara Barnard. who was born December 19, 1867, in Lyme township, and is the daughter of Alfred and Ruth ( Bemiss) Barnard, long residents of Huron county. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour's union has been blessed with four children : George B., born June 28. 1808: Ruth H., born October 3. 1900: Ethelwyn, born on the 18th of January. [904 ; and Alberta Y., born March 25, 1906.
Mr. Seymour is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and has passed all the chairs. In the work of the Lyme Congregational church he is also prom- inent and has been its treasurer for a number of years.
CARL C. THOMPSON.
Carl C. Thompson is now capably and faithfully discharging the duties de- volving upon him in the position of county recorder of Huron county. He was born in Fitchville township. this county, on the 23d of September. 1868, his parents being John C. and T. W. (Welsh) Thompson, the former a native of Noble county and the latter of Belmont county, this state. They established their home in Huron county, about the year 1859. The father was a Congre- gational minister and their residence lacked permanency on that account. He
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was a republican in his political views and represented Huron county in the state legislature for two terms during the '60s. A progressive and loyal citizen, he did not believe that his holy calling barred him from participation in affairs of public moment and his aid and cooperation could always be counted upon to further any movement instituted to promote the general welfare. When he passed away in August, 1891, the county mourned the loss of one of its most respected, influential and worthy residents. His wife, surviving him for more than a decade, was called to her final rest in May. 1902. Their remains were interred in the cemetery at Plymouth, Huron county. They reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Isyphene; Hershel, who is deceased ; Sumner ; one who died in infancy ; and Carl C., of this review.
The last named supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the pub- lic schools, by a course at Oberlin College, while later he attended the Val- paraiso Business College at Valparaiso, Indiana. After completing his own ' education he taught school in Huron county for a period of eight years, im- parting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Dur- ing some of these years he only taught in the winter terms and in the summer seasons was employed by Adriance, Platt & Company, implement manufacturers of Poughkeepsie. New York. The confidence and trust reposed in him by his employers is indicated by the fact that he was selected as their foreign repre- sentative during the seasons of 1893. 1895 and 1896. introducing the harvesting machinery manufactured by the concern into Germany, Austria, Hungary, Rou- mania and Bulgaria. He was married when about twenty-six years of age and established his home in Clarksfield. He has been in the employ of Adriance, Platt & Company at different intervals, his connection with the concern cover- ing twelve seasons altogether. In 1903 he established a warehouse at West Clarksfield on the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad and began dealing in hay, grain and coal, successfully conducting this enterprise until the summer of 1909. Throughout his business life he had made it his aim to do thoroughly whatever he has undertaken and he long since demonstrated his reliability as well as his enterprise.
In November, 1894, Mr. Thompson was joined in wedlock to Miss Alma Ronk, a daughter of Seneca and Zelma (Cooley) Ronk, of Clarksfield township. Their union has been blessed with three children, as follows: Marguerite, Harold and Jay.
Mr. Thompson gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy and has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as assessor of Clarksfield township for three terms and has also acted as school director for some years, being a stanch friend of the cause of education. In 1908 the Huron county democratic convention nominated him as their candidate for the position of county recorder. The fact that he had made no effort to secure the nomination and was not even present at the con- vention speaks in unmistakable terms of his personal popularity and well known ability. He was elected the following November and entered upon the duties of the office on the second Monday of September, 1909. A week prior to that time he became a resident of Norwalk. He is a valued member of Clarksfield Tent. K. O. T. M., and he and his family belong to the Congregational church,
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in the work of which they are actively interested. No breath of suspicion ha- ever assailed his good name and on the contrary he stands as a splendid type of the honorable, reliable, successful man, the public-spirited citizen and the trust- worthy friend.
DAVID DE FOREST BENEDICT.
David De Forest Benedict, now deceased, who for many years was actively and successfully identified with the mercantile interests of Norwalk as proprietor of a drug store, was long numbered among Huron county's most respected and honored citizens. His birth occurred in Norwalk on the Ist of August, 1833. His paternal grandparents were Platt and Sally (De Forest) Benedict and the former, who was one of the first settlers in Huron county, assisted in founding the town of Norwalk. The maternal grandparents, Henry and Harriet (Talcott ) Bucking- ham, were natives of Connecticut and the latter was a direct descendant of Gov- ernor Bradford, of Massachusetts. They celebrated their marriage in 1803. Henry Buckingham, whose birth occurred in 1779, likewise became one of the earliest settlers of Huron county and served as county treasurer for many years. He was recognized as a most prominent and influential citizen and his death, which occurred in 1845, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His son, George Talcott Buckingham, who was the organizer and editor of the Norwalk Reflector, was called to his final rest in 1847. In early manhood, he had wedded Miss Lovina Lindsey, of Monroeville, Ohio. Jonas Boughton Benedict and Fanny (Buckingham) Benedict, the parents of our subject, reared a family of four children, namely : Platt ; David D., of this review ; Mary Starr ; and Mrs. Fanny Severance.
David D. Benedict was reared on the old homestead place where his birth occurred and which continued to remain his place of residence throughout his entire life. The family home still stands on the same site. After completing his literary education in Kenyon College, he took up the study of medicine as a student in the Cleveland Medical College, being graduated from that institution in 1859. His patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to over- throw the Union. he offered his services in its defense in 1862, becoming a member of the Seventeenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a contract surgeon. being later commissioned a regular surgeon. He was the youngest officer of that rank in the regiment and continued in active service until honorably discharged on the 16th of July, 1865. He underwent many of the hardships and dangers incident to warfare and following his capture by the Confederates at the battle of Chickamauga, he was confined in Libby prison for about forty days. After the close of hostilities. he returned to Norwalk and became an active factor in its mercantile life, purchasing a drug store, which he conducted until within a few years of his demise. He was very successful in this undertaking, becoming widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen of his community. In addition to his other interests, he likewise served as one of the directors of the First National Bank and was a trustee of the Woodlawn ceme- tery, a member of the Loyal Legion, Mason, Delta Kappa Epsilon.
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D. D. BENEDICT
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On the 14th of October, 1856, Mr. Benedict was united in marriage to Miss Harriet M. Deaver, whese birth occurred in Watertown, New York, on the 4th of May, 1835, her parents being James and Harriet Deaver. By this union, there were born the following children: Mary Deaver, the eldest, to whom we are indebted for the material in this sketch, is a well known and highly esteemed resi- dent of Norwalk. Harriet M. gave her hand in marriage to William B. Benham, an attorney by profession, who is now compelled to live practically retired, be- cause of failing health. Agnes C. is the wife of Frank D. Wickham. Fanny B., the next in order of birth, was joined in wedlock to A. J. Hottel. Frederick Platt Benedict. the fifth in order of birth and the last of the line of the Benedicts, died May 11, 1885. Ellen E. is the wife of Louis W. Wickham. Susan R., who is a graduate of Smith College at Northampton, Massachusetts, and also pur- sued a course in Columbia College, is now a teacher in the former institution. She is very proficient in mathematics and has won the degree of M. A. The mother of these children was called to her final rest on the 25th of April. 1909. eight years after the death of her husband.
In his political views, Mr. Benedict was a stanch republican and served as a member of the school board for many years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Episcopal church, in which he was acting as senior warden at the time of his demise, which occurred on the 5th of January, 1901. He was a most public-spirited and loyal citizen, whose aid and influence were always given on the side of progress, improvement and upbuilding. A man of genial, kindly na- ture, he gained the friendship and regard of all with whom he was associated and well deserves mention in this volume as a worthy representative of an old and prominent pioneer family.
CHARLES STACEY.
A busy life has brought to Charles Stacey success in his undertakings as a farmer in Townsend township. He was born January 22, 1843, in Earith, Eng- land, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Leeden) Stacey. In the family were nine children and when the father decided to come to America he had only money enough to pay his own passage and that of two of the children. Crossing the Atlantic he first settled at Lockport, New York, where he eagerly availed himself of any opportunity to earn an honest living. As fast as he could accumulate a sufficient sum of money he would send for the other members of his family and after all had arrived in the new world the family removed to Norwalk, Ohio, in 1854. with the exception of the eldest son who was the last of the household to come to America and who remained in New York when the others sought a home in this state. The father became a farmer of Huron county and in the tilling of the soil provided a living for those dependent upon him.
Owing to the limited financial resources of his parents Charles Stacey early engaged in whatever work there was to do upon the home place and also worked
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on neighboring farms. He was educated partly in England, partly at Lockport. New York, and completed his course in the public schools of Huron county. When hostile feelings between the north and south terminated in civil war and the president issued his call for men to crush out the rebellion in the south, Charles Stacey, on the 13th of September. 1861, offered his services to the gov- ernment, enlisting as a member of Company D, Fifty-fifth regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This command was attached to the army of the Potomac until after the battle of Gettysburg and participated in a number of hotly con- tested engagements. At Gettysburg the regiment was suffering from the firing of sharpshooters and Mr. Stacey volunteered to go beyond the lines as a sharp- shooter and if possible locate the sharpshooters of the enemy. It was a perilous undertaking and he was constantly in danger from the balls of expert riflemen, who were coolly picking off their men one by one. He was finally successful. however, in silencing the shots from the sharpshooters in the Confederate line, maintaining his perilous position for four hours. In recognition of this service congress awarded him a medal of honor for conspicuous heroism displayed during the battle. Well may he prize this award highly. He never faltered in the performance of any duty, no matter how hazardous but with unflinching loyalty stood by his guns and fortunately escaped all injury during his strenu- ous service. Every one of his bunk-mates with the exception of one was either killed or wounded in the engagement. After the battle of Gettysburg the fifty- fifth Ohio Regiment was transferred to the army of the Cumberland. On the night of July 2, 1863, following the second day of the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Stacey was taken prisoner with a detail of seven men of Company D, who had been sent to charge upon a barn from which some of the Confederate sharp- shooters were firing. While executing this command the Union detail was surrounded and the men were taken prisoners. They were sent to Richmond, Virginia, and spent two days in Libby prison, after which they were transferred to Belle Isle. Their incarceration continued for eighty-nine days after which they were paroled and sent to Annapolis, while subsequently they were sent to Camp Chase at Columbus to await exchange. Mr. Stacey rejoined his regiment on the 26th of June, 1864, when the troops were located at Kenesaw Mountain. The Fifty-fifth participated in a battle there and he was in the thickest of the fight. He was also with his regiment in the Atlanta campaign and was at the front until April 12, 1866, making an actual service of four years, one month and seven days. On various occasions he received special mention for heroism and for conspicuous service and his record was one of value to the country and constitutes a chapter in his life history of which he has every reason to be proud. He has always maintained his interest in military affairs and is a member of Town- send Post No. 414, G. A. R., and has been post commander for a number of years. He has also served as adjutant of the post and that he is popular with his comrades is shown in the fact that he has been made a delegate to the state and national encampments and has served as aid on the staff of several national com- manders. He became a charter member of M. F. Wooster Post, No. 34. G. A. R., of Norwalk, the first one organized in the county, but later he transferred his membership to Townsend Post. The first regimental battle-flags of the Fifty- fifth Ohio, presented by the ladies of Norwalk, are in possession of Mr. Stacey
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and he gives them scrupulous care. His son, Charles L., was a soldier of the Spanish-American war, serving creditably in Company G, of the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
On leaving the army Mr. Stacey again came to Townsend township and on the 20th of October, 1866. he was married to Miss Lydia E. Sherman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Sherman, and a representative of a family prominent and prosperous in the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stacey have been born seven children : George E. ; Rose E, now the wife of R. D. Sly, of Clarksfield; John W., of Wellington; Sarah L., now the wife of W. F. Cronk ; Charles I .. , who has carried the rural mail out of Norwalk on route No. I ever since its establishment ten years ago; Grace E., now Mrs. Thom A. Speck, of Norwalk ; and James C .. also of Norwalk. All the members of the family are well located and are pros- perous in business. There are twenty grand-children in the family and the record is remarkable as no death has ever occurred among children or grand- children.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Stacey has followed farming and has been very successful as the result of his close application and energy. He keeps in touch with modern methods of farming and everything about his place, present- ing a neat appearance, is indicative of the careful supervision and progressive spirit of the owner. In his political views Mr. Stacey is a republican and has been very active in the affairs of the township and county. In 1906 he was elected county infirmary director and has served Townsend township for three years in the office of trustee, while for a number of years he has been justice of the peace. He has likewise been on the township board of education for a number of years. He belongs to the Congressional Medal of Honor Legion, of Ohio, of which he is now commander. A stanch temperance advocate, he has been an active worker in his opposition to the use of intoxicants and in fact has ever been active in movements and measures to advance good morals and promote the public welfare. The poor and needy find in him a friend who makes generous contributions for their assistance. He does not hesitate to extend a helping hand where it is needed and in all of his life has manifested sterling traits of honorable, upright manhood. He has been especially interested in the improvement of public highways, in the erection of modern public buildings. and in the adoption of a progressive school system, and believes that taxation with a judicious expenditure of the public money is always justified. In short there is nothing narrow nor contracted about his nature. He looks at life from a broader standpoint than that of self and realizes the obligations of man to his fellowmen as a factor in human society.
T. P. KELLOGG.
T. P. Kellogg, one of the representative members of the Huron county bar. who is now filling the office of city auditor, was born in Norwalk, October 2. 1874. His father, T. H. Kellogg, was a native of Tompkins county, New York. Arriving in Huron county, Ohio, in carly life he attended the old Norwalk
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Academy and after studying law in preparation for practice before courts he opened an office in Fairfield, this state, and entered upon the active work of the courts. In 1869 he removed to Norwalk where he continued in practice until 1903, figuring for many years as one of the prominent attorneys of the Huron county bar. In the year mentioned he went to Kansas City, where he engaged in journalistic work and later located in Pasadena, California, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1908 when he had reached the ripe old age of seventy-six years. He was very prominent in republican politics, his opinions carrying weight in the councils of the party. He possessed brilliant powers of oratory, being a logical, entertaining speaker, master of the art of rhetoric and ever forceful in the presentation of his thought. In the practice of law he was analytical, recognizing quickly the component elements of his case and so arranging them as to bring their combined weight upon the point which he desired to prove. He ranked for a long period as a leading attorney of the Huron county bar, served as city attorney, was also elected prosecuting at- torney of the county and filled the office of justice of the peace and member of the city council. His labors in behalf of public progress were far-reaching and beneficial, for while he reached up to high ideals he ever utilized the practical methods at hand. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Esther Penfield, was a native of Fairfield, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel Penfield, one of the first settlers of that locality, removing westward from Fairfield, Con- necticut. Mrs. Kellogg also died in Pasadena, California, being called to her final rest in 1908 when seventy-four years of age. By her marriage she had be- come the mother of seven children, five sons and two daughters: Charles R .. Clara E., Frederick W., Robert J., Mary F. and Edward S.
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