USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 40
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In the spring of 1804 Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Spohrer. a daughter of Joseph and Tracy Spohrer, who were natives of Ger- many and became residents of Huron county, Ohio. on their emigration to the new world. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Walter have been born two children. Adela and Albert, both at home. Mr. Walter is a devoted and faithful member of the Catholic church. He has been a resident of this county throughout his entire life 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 numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.
DANIEL E. SHEDD.
It is but proper that the name of Daniel E. Shedd should be mentioned in this volume in connection with the honored dead of Huron county, for he was for many years one of the progressive and public spirited men of Norwalk township, where he was engaged in farming pursuits. He was a native of this county, born in Peru township, February 23, 1839, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Shedd. The former was a native of New York state and was a Minute Man in the Revolu- tionary war.
Daniel E. Shedd, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Huron county and started out in the business world as a railroad employe, acting as con- ductor on a train for nine years. In 1874. however, he purchased a farm of seventy- five acres in Norwalk township, which he operated during the remainder of his active business career, or until his death, which occurred June 14. 1896, and this property is still in possession of his widow. In his work Mr. Shedd always dis- played a most progressive spirit and in his undertakings met with success so that he was numbered among the county's substantial farmers and public spirited men.
It was on the ist of January, 1863, that Mr. Shedd was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Jane Standish, who was born April 4. 1841, in North Fairfield, Huron county. Her paternal grandfather was Peleg Standish, who was born in New York. Her father, Zachariah Standish, was a farmer by occu-
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MR. AND MRS. D. E. SHEDD
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pation and is now deceased. He was a direct descendant of Miles Standish, a renowned military leader and the subject of Longfellow's celebrated poem en- titled The Courtship of Miles Standish. Zachariah Standish wedded Miss Lucy Smith, a daughter of Aaron and Esther Smith, residents of North Fairfield, Huron county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shedd was blessed with two sons and one daughter. Edward D., the eldest, wedded Miss Alice House, of Norwalk, a daughter of Hiram K. House, who once served as mayor of that city. Their chil- dren, three in number, are Charles G., Earl and Mary E. Charles S., the next member of the Shedd family, is with his mother on the home farm, which he is operating. Maisie, the only daughter, is the wife of Albert B. Kittinger, a resi- dent of East Townsend, Huron county, and they have one son, Clair Shedd Kit- tinger, who was born in 1898. All the children were accorded liberal educational advantages, completing their studies in the Norwalk schools.
Mr. Shedd was identified with the agricultural life of this section of the state for almost a quarter of a century and during this time took a deep interest in the advancement and progress that was made in this direction. He led a busy, use- ful life, was honorable in all business dealings, considerate of the welfare of his family, and thus his death, which occurred June 14, 1896, when he had reached the age of fifty-seven years, was mourned not only by the members of his own household but as well by a host of warm and admiring friends.
CHARLES GODFRED.
Charles Godfred, a well known and prosperous agriculturist of Bronson township, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1837, a son of Philip and Barbara (Hertl) Godfred. When but a small babe he was brought to this country by his parents, the family home being established in Huron county, Ohio. The brothers and sisters of our subject are as follows : Philip, Adam, Jacob, Peter, Louis, Harriett, Minnie and Caroline.
In early manhood Charles Godfred was employed for six years as the traveling representative of a firm dealing in agricultural implements and like- wise held a position as bookkeeper in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He worked in various capacities in different parts of the country but since the time of his marriage has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and still lives on his farm in Bronson township. By reason of his persistent and unflagging energy, guided by sound judgment, he has won a creditable and commendable measure of prosperity in his undertakings and has gained wide and favorable recognition as a substantial, representative and respected citizen of his com- munity. He can read and speak German, French and English and is well edu- cated in these languages.
In 1872, Mr. Godfred was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Brandt, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Casper and Mary Brandt, who came to this state from Switzerland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Godfred have been born the fol- lowing children : Henry C., Frank, Ralph, Louisa and Laura. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the German Reformed church and are highly
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esteemed as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives. Though Mr. Godfred has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime and his active and useful career has made him well worthy the respect and regard which are uniformly accorded him.
ALBERT C. WILLIAMS.
Albert C. Williams, a representative and prosperous agriculturist of Lyme township, owning a valuable farm of ninety-one acres, has continuously lived on this place from his birth to the present time, his natal day being April 5, 1837. His parents were C. C. and Mary Williams, the former born May 15, 1796. and the latter on the 22d of August, 1795. In the year of 1834 they made their way from Orange, New Jersey, to Lyme township, Huron county, the father purchasing the farm which is now the property of his son, Albert C. He was successfully identified with agricultural interests throughout his active business carcer and remained a worthy and respected resident of the community until called to his final rest on the 15th of June, 1862. His wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away December 23. 1887. in her ninety-third year, in the faith of the Episcopal church, with which Mr. Williams was also affiliated. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children. Sarah E., whose birth oc- curred January 27, 1823, died on the 25th of January, 1800. Abraham, born August 4. 1824, passed away September 24. 1824. Phoebe Harriet, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 27th of October, 1825, was called to her home beyond on the 8th of April. 1907. Abraham W., who was born Jan- uary 6. 1828, met death on the 16th of August, 1844. being kicked by a horse. Mary Frances, born May 6, 1830, passed away on the 28th of October, 1889. Caleb Dayton, whose birth occurred April 6, 1832, did active duty in the Union army as first lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the service on the 18th of July. 1864. Benjamin Heber, born May 13. 1834. likewise laid down his life on the altar of his country, being killed while serving as a private of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Albert C., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Charles H., who was born December 9, 1840, passed away on the 9th of November, 1890.
Albert C. Williams attended the district schools in pursuit of an education and early in life also became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. On attaining man's estate he chose as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared and in his farming operations has met with that measure of prosperity which is ever the reward of persistent and untiring labor when guided by sound judgment and keen discrimination.
On the 5th of December, 1866, Mr. Williams was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Frith, whose birth occurred in Lyme township. December 10, 1843. her parents being George and Elizabeth Ann Frith, who were natives of London,
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England. and in 1834 established their home in Lyme township. Huron county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born six children. Gertrude E. and Benjamin H., who reside at home, are engaged in the conduct of a dairy Herbert F., living in Lyme township, wedded Miss Mary Southworth, by whom he has one child. Albert F. Dayton A., who married Miss Julia Cavanaugh. makes his home in Tacoma. Washington. Alice F., is the wife of Dr. Rufus Southworth and has two children. Edward and Elizabeth Ann, twins. They reside at Glendale, Hamilton county, Ohio. Harold B. is a resident of Tacoma, Washington.
In his political views Mr. Williams is a stalwart and inflexible republican and has capably served his fellow townsmen in various positions of public trust and responsibility. He was township trustee for four years, acted as county commissioner from 1873 until 1882 and has also been a member of the school board, ever discharging his official duties in a prompt and efficient manner. He is a life-long member of the Episcopal church at Monroeville and for twenty years has been its senior warden. Having spent their entire lives in this county, both he and his wife are widely and favorably known within its borders, while their many excellent traits of character have gained them the respect and esteem of all with whom they have been associated.
W. H. SATTIG.
On the roster of capable and loyal public officials in Huron county appears the name of W. H. Sattig, one of the native sons of Norwalk township, his birth having there occurred on the 17th of September, 1861. His father. Martin Sattig, was a native of Alsace, Germany, born in 1811, and the year 1826 wit- nessed his arrival in Norwalk township. After a brief period he removed to Ashland county, Ohio, where he lived for a year and then went to St. Louis, where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Norwalk and after a short time passed in the city gave his attention to farming interests, which he followed about two miles from the county seat. There he lived until 1887, when he removed to the town, continuing to make it his place of residence until he was called to his final home in 1895. He was a man greatly respected because of his genuine personal worth, his good quali- ties winning him warm friendships wherever he was known. He married a Miss Humm, a native of France, and they became the parents of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, all born in the same house in Norwalk township Eight of this number are still residents of Huron county.
W. H. Sattig acquired his early education in the country schools and after- ward attended Milan Academy. He crossed the threshold of the business world as an employee of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, with which he continued until 1890, when he became night policeman in Norwalk. On his retirement from that position he spent five years in the employ of the Chase Piano Company, after which he was again called to public office, serving as marshal of the city for two terms. He had previously learned the carpenter's trade in his youth
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and after the expiration of his term as marshal he again took up work along that line. He also engaged in farming until he was elected sheriff of the county in 1907. He is the first democrat ever chosen to the office and in his election over- came a normal republican majority of fifteen to eighteen hundred, being elected by nearly seven hundred votes ahead of his opponent, which indicates his per- sonal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him.
In 1884 Mr. Sattig was married to Miss Lena A. Meyers, a daughter of Jacob Meyers, one of the well known pioneer residents of Norwalk township. They now have one daughter. Emma W. Mr. Sattig is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of the Macca- bees. He is familiarly known throughout the county as "Hank" Sattig. What is more pleasing than a nickname? It indicates close friendship and kindly regard, congenial companionship and attractive social qualities. All these are characteristic of Mr. Sattig, who has been a life-long resident of Huron county and in his official and business relations has made a creditable record. More than eight decades have passed since the family was first established in this part of the state and in the intervening years the representatives of the name have borne a commendable share in the work of general improvement and progress here.
MELVIN J. HURST.
Melvin J. Hurst, a prominent farmer of Wakeman township and a representa- tive of one of the pioneer families of the county, was born in Camden, Lorain county, Ohio, May 18. 1864. His parents, John and Mary (Longeway) Hurst, were natives of Quebec, Canada, where they resided until 1854. when they came to the United States and settled in Lorain county. There in a prosperous farming country they took up their residence with the pioneers, becoming one of them, not only by long residence, but by the substantial qualities of good citizen- ship. For sixteen years the father engaged in farming in Lorain county, when he moved his family to Wakeman, where they have since resided. There were four children in the family : Pamelia, Noble G., Margaret and Melvin J., all of whom are living except Pamelia. The father died in October, 1892, and the mother May 29, 1907. The three deceased members of the family lie in Wakeman cemetery.
Melvin J. Hurst, the youngest son, who forms the immediate subject of this review, was educated in the public schools of Wakeman. This schooling, to- gether with the experimental knowledge acquired during his youth, as assistant in the general farm work, laid the foundation of his present prosperity.
On January 4, 1890. Mr. Hurst married Miss Jennie Beecher, a daughter of Horace and Fannie ( Pierce) Beecher. Both the Pierce and Beecher families were among the very early pioneers of Huron county and were prominent in the development which followed. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hurst eight chil- dren were born, seven sons and a daughter : Horace B., John M., Lynn M., Helen M., Harold W., Kenneth, Elten and Charles W., all living at home. After mar- riage Mr. Hurst farmed in another part of the county until 1893. when he re-
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moved to the old homestead in the central part of Wakeman township, where he has since resided. His specialty is general and systematic farming, though he raises stock to some extent. He has a farm of one hundred and seven acres and the yield per acre is unusually large under his skillful management. Few farms in the township equal it in productive values.
Mr. Hurst exhibits fine public spirit and is always interested in the affairs of his county. He served a period of three years as trustee of his township. In politics he is a stanch republican, one of the stand-patters, but he takes only such part in the affairs of his party as is consistent with good citizenship, not caring for office. His beliefs are embodied in public improvements, good roads, best of educational advantages, and he insists on an honest expenditure of the public money.
Socially Mr. Hurst is a member of the Maccabees, and in Christian work the Congregational church claims his family's allegiance, the whole family being active workers in that organization. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hurst believe in higher education and the younger members of the family will be given the best. The home itself represents the character and thoughts of the family, being well sup- plied with good standard and current literature and bearing every evidence of its refining influence.
JOHN C. RANSOM.
John C. Ransom, who for more than six decades was numbered among the most prominent and respected residents of Huron county, was born in Lyme. Connecticut, on the 11th of August, 1819, and passed away June 4, 1903, when he had attained the age of eighty-three years, nine months and twenty-four days. His parents were Captain Judah and Nancy M. Ransom. The father was one of the pioneers of modern navigation on the great chain of lakes, having been the first navigator who sailed to the upper lakes and returned. Those of the early settlers of this county who still survive, well remember the fatal voyage of the "Helen Marx" in 1840. The boat left Sandusky in November with a cargo of wheat and was wrecked at Point Abino, twenty miles from Buffalo, carrying to a watery grave her heroic commander, Captain Judah Ransom, and his entire crew. Captain Ransom's widow and her children were left to fight the battles incident to life in the Firelands in those early days, the Captain having acquired several hundred acres of land in Hartland township, Huron county, Ohio. The children were three in number, as follows: Elizabeth D., Charles H. and John C.
The last named took up his abode in Hartland township in 1842, and by his well directed and unremitting efforts transformed a timber tract into a produc- tive farm and beautiful home. Surrounded, as we are in this day, with highly developed farms and attractive and palatial residences, it is difficult for those who are enjoying the fruits of the labor of those sturdy pioneer farmers who wrought this mighty change, to appreciate the task of the transforming hand. Coming from stanch New England stock, Mr. Ransom inherited all those noble
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qualities with which the Puritan was endowed. thus fitting him for the hard- ships he was called upon to endure. Success eventually crowned his labors and he became one of the most prosperous and influential residents of the county. He owned about one thousand two hundred and forty acres of valuable land and also had other financial interests.
In 1844 Mr. Ransom was united in marriage to Miss Gitty Ann Johnson, whose birth occurred December 28, 1823 in Middlesex county, New Jersey. her parents being William and Lydia Johnson, natives of the state of New Jer- sey. In 1835 they made their way to Hartland township. this county, becoming prominent factors in the pioneer development and upbuilding of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ransom were born four children, the record of whom is a- follows. George W., a resident of Wellington, Ohio, married Miss Olive C. Case. a daughter of Charles and Emeline Case, of Clarksfield township. They have one daughter. Anna E., now the wife of Frederick Frazier, of Pottstown, Penn- sylvania. Mary C. Ransom and her brother, Charles J., both reside on the old homestead in Hartland township. John H., the second member of the family. is deceased, having been called to his final rest on the 22d of February. 1899. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Sarah Ann Snyder, was a daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary (Biddinger ) Snyder, of Ashland county, Ohio. She stil! survives her husband and the two daughters of her marriage are also yet living. They are : Lena M., the wife of Holland S. Donaldson, of Cleveland ; and Mary I., who is the wife of Clifton D. Tucker, of Los Angeles, California. The death of Mrs. Gitty Ann Ransom, the wife of John C. Ransom, occurred on the 9th of March, 18)2. about eleven years prior to the demise of her husband.
Mr. Ransom exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party but, though a man of strong political convictions. he had no desire for the honors and emoluments of office, for he was quiet and re- tiring in disposition and preferred the seclusion of his own pleasant home to the glamour of publicity. He was deprived of educational advantages in his youth- ful years but had such an inherent fondness for books that he easily overcame this lack of early mental training and in later years became recognized as a widely informed and well educated man. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship. charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care. he commanded the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. As before stated, his son and daughter, Mary C. and Charles J., now live on the old family homestead in Hartland township-celebrated for its attractive surround- ings as well as for its hospitable and refined atmosphere.
S. H. COOK.
S. H. Cook, a well known business man of Bellevue, Ohio, was born in Seneca county, New York, October 22, 1844, the son of Elihu and Lorinda ( Hall) Cook. The mother died there two years after the birth of this son, at the early age of twenty-cight, and the father subsequently came to Ohio, settling in Huron county. He lived here but a short time, when he removed to Republic, Seneca county, Ohio,
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S. H. COOK
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where he made his home for some five years. From there he went to Michigan, and in Clinton county, that state, his death occurred in 1861, at the age of forty- six. By his first marriage Mr. Cook had two sons: Artemus, who lives in St. Louis, Michigan ; and S. H. Cook, our subject. By his second marriage, his wife being Miss Magdalena Burbick, he had two more children: William, who lives at College Place, Washington; and Elihu, whose home is in Bay City, Michigan.
S. H. Cook lived in Michigan some few months after his father's death and then came to Bellevue, where he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the First Piatt Zouaves. His experiences in the war of the Rebellion were numerous and the list of his campaigns, which is a long one, may be summarized as follows : he enlisted at Flat Rock, Ohio, August 22, 1862, joined regiment at Point Pleasant, Virginia, in September ; participated in battle of Buf- falo Gap, West Virginia, September 27, 1862 ; Manassas Gap, Virginia, Novem- ber 5, 1862; Wytheville, Virginia, July 17, 1863; Averills raid through West Virginia, August 25th to the 30th, 1863; Princeton, West Virginia, May 6, 1863; Cloyd Mountain, Virginia, May 9, 1864; Cove Mountain, Virginia, May 9th and Ioth, 1864; New River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; Salt Pond Mountain, June 1, 1864; Panthers Gap, West Virginia, June 3. 1864; Piedmont, Virginia, June 5, 1864; Buffalo Gap, West Virginia, June 6, 1864 ; Lexington, West Virginia, June Ioth and 11th, 1864; Buchanan, West Virginia, June 14, 1864; Otter Creek, Vir- ginia, June 16, 1864: Lynchburg, Virginia, June 17th and 18th, 1864; Liberty, Virginia, June 20, 1864: Salem, Virginia, June 21, 1864; Monocacy, Maryland, July 9, 1864; Snickers Gap, Virginia. July 17, 1864; Snickers Ferry, Virginia, July 18, 1864: Winchester, Virginia, July 20, 1864; Kernstown, Virginia, July 23. 1864; Winchester, Virginia, July 24, 1864; Martinsburg, Virginia, July 25, 1864: Summit Point, Virginia, August 21, 1864; Halltown, Virginia, August 24- 26-27, 1864 ; Berryville, Virginia, September 3, 1864; Opequan, Virginia, Septem- ber 19, 1864; Fishers Hill, Virginia, September 22, 1864; Strasburg, Virginia, October 9, 1864. Later he was sent to the hospital at Baltimore on the sick list, where he remained until discharged from the army, June 7, 1865. Upon return- ing from service he came to Bellevue, but remained here only two months, when he went to Michigan, which was the scene of his labors for about three years. From there he came again to Bellevue, where he has lived ever since.
On the 2d of December, 1873, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Baughman, the daughter of Hieronymous Baughman, of Bellevue. Mr. Cook's old regiment chaplain performed the ceremony and blessed the couple, such being the wish of the man who endured so much on the field of battle when the Rev. Collier's words of counsel gave added courage. No children have been born of this marriage.
In his youth Mr. Cook learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked for some time, and for a few years he served as a grocery clerk, but it is as the proprietor of a restaurant that he is best known, for he has been engaged in that business for the past twenty-five years. He has other commercial interests, for he is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Bellevue Kraut Company. He belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and in the company of his fellow soldiers revives the memories of those four years of fighting. His fraternal affiliations are with the Royal Arcanum, of which he
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is a devoted member, and in Masonry he holds membership in the blue lodge, chapter and council. Mr. Cook is one of that rapidly diminishing body of men who are living examples of a militant patriotism. As an old soldier and for the qualities of noble manhood which he possesses, he is respected among those who know him.
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