USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 42
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ceding the Civil war he took a prominent part in the anti-slavery agitations and was glad to be able to send three sons to the war to fight for the Union. In Jan- uary, 1879, his earthly course was run and he was given release from earth's cares.
Henry C. Barnard has always lived on his present farm, which his father had purchased in 1834, except during the years he was at school and while he was in the army. In the district institutions of instruction he received his early education. later attending a select school in Medina county, where his brother was engaged as a teacher. At one of the first calls for men during the Civil war he enlisted in Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the school house in Lyme township, and during three years took honorable part in many battles and skirmishes. At the battle of Winchester he was captured and lay in prison at Belle Isle and at Libby, for about a month, when he was ex- changed. He served through the whole campaign of Petersburg, and in the first battle at Winchester, Virginia, he was wounded so severely that he had to remain in the hospital for four months. On June 12, 1865, he was discharged at Camp Chase, whence he returned home and engaged in farming, which he has pursued ever since.
Mr. Barnard has been married twice. He chose for his first wife Miss Sophia Carr, a daughter of Samuel Carr, to whom he was married November 22, 1864. while he was home on a furlough. Of this union there were two children born : Mary S., the wife of James Tice and the mother of one child, Ruth ; and Jennie C., who is married to Walter Bliss, the superintendent of schools at Bienssville, Louisiana, and is the mother of three children, Mary, Margaret and Henry B. Mrs. Barnard died April 19, 1898, at the age of fifty-four, and October 5, 1905, Mr. Barnard married Miss Alice Rushton, daughter of Henry C. and Mary (Avery) Rushton.
Mr. Barnard is closely identified with many local affairs. For a number of years he has served as township trustee, and by the republican voters of the county was elected county commissioner, to serve from January 1, 1893, to September, 1899. He is a deacon in the Congregational church and is superintendent of the Sunday school. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, he revives the memories of the days of fighting, oftentimes rehearsing the tales of a notable brave act, and he is a man of many excellent traits of character that have won for him the admiration and confidence of all with whom he comes into contact.
F. H. LANING.
F. H. Laning, capably and effectively filling the position of postmaster in Nor- walk, was born near New London, in this county. October 7. 1876, a son of J. F. Laning. At the usual age he entered the public schools. passing through con- secutive grades until he had completed the course in the Norwalk high school by his graduation with the class of 1804. He next entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, attending that institution for three years, or until 1897. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war his patriotic spirit was aroused
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and he offered his services to the government, enlisting as sergeant major of the Fifth Infantry, on the 26th of April, 1898. He continued with his regiment until mustered out on the 11th of November. 1898, and afterward remained with the Ohio National Guard as battalion adjutant in the Fifth Regiment for one year. Prior to the war he had been interested in military affairs in connection with the National Guard, and on the 20th of June, 1907. he was elected captain of Com- pany G, of the Fifth Infantry.
At the close of his connection with the National Guard, Mr. Laning returned to Norwalk and entered the employ of the Laning Company as secretary. To this position he brought the enterprise and energy of young manhood, concen- trating his efforts upon the upbuilding of the business. He has always been active in public affairs and has done not a little to shape the political history of Norwalk in recent years. In November, 1903, he was elected a member of the city council and continued to serve until January, 1905, when he resigned to accept the position of postmaster of Norwalk. This position he now fills, hav- ing been reappointed on the 26th of January, 1909, so that his incumbency will continue until 1813. In the office he is proving most capable, discharging his duties with the same business-like dispatch that characterized his connection with the Laning Company. He has carefully systematized the work of the office and his promptness and accuracy well entitled him to reappointment. Moreover he is a popular official, being always courteous and obliging.
On the 21st of December, 1899, Mr. Laning was married to Miss Myrtelle Lupham, a native of Akron, Ohio, who died on the Ist of November, 1904. They had one son, Paul F., whose birth occurred October 24, 1900. In his fraternal relations Mr. Laning is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also connected with the Knights of the Mac- cabees, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and other organizations of which he is an exemplary representative, being in hearty sympathy with the beneficent principles which underlie those societies. He is very widely known in this county where his entire life has been passed, and the fact that his record has always been an honorable and commendable one is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
M. R. COLEMAN.
M. R. Coleman, who is conducting a large warehouse in New London and is also operating a flax mill which is proving a profitable industry, was born in New London township, September 26, 1850. His father, Philip Y. Coleman, was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1816, and in 1843 came to New London town- ship with his wife, Sarah Coleman, whom he married in New York. He settled a mile and a half east of New London on a tract of land of one hundred and eighty acres, of which only six acres had been cleared, and there he gave his time and attention to the further development and improvement of the property save for the period of his service in the Civil war when he became a member of the Twelfth
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Ohio Battery and did active duty at the front. He died in 1895, while the death of Mrs. Coleman occurred in 1897.
M. R. Coleman gained his additional understanding of reading, mathematics, arithmetic, grammar and other studies in the country schools near his father's home and later continued his education in the New London public schools. He af- terward engaged in farming on the old homestead and as the years passed worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. In 1880 he began buying and shipping hay, thinking to find it a profitable field of labor and in this opinion he was not mistaken. In 1904 he came to New London and has since conducted a growing business, having an ex- tensive warehouse in which he handles coal, grain, lime, cement, et cetera. He still owns his farm from which he derives a good rental and he likewise operates a flax mill where he manufactures flax into upholstering tow. This is proving a profitable undertaking and his business interests in the different cases are bringing to him well merited and substantial success. For the past five years he lias also been a director in the New London National Bank.
In his political views Mr. Coleman is an earnest republican, giving unfaltering support to the principles of the party and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, in 1890, he was elected real estate appraiser for the township. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, becoming a charter member of Carnation Lodge, No. 734, in which he has filled all the chairs. He is diligent and enterprising, progressive and prosperous.
CHARLES J. HEYMAN.
Charles J. Heyman, a well-to-do farmer of Sherman township, is the owner of one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land, in two farms, part of which lies in Lyme township. He was born in the latter township, October 18, 1852, and is the son of George W. and Kathryn ( Moore) Heyman, both of whom were na- tives of Germany. The father came to this county with his parents, George and Margaret Heyman, in 1848, and settled at Hunts Corners, where they purchased about one hundred acres of land. Their home there was an old frame building situated where the church now stands and in this house both grandparents passed away. George W. Heyman later removed to Sherman township, where he bought land extensively, until at one time he was possessed of upwards of six hundred acres. He was a farmer all his life and a man of considerable local prominence, for he served as trustee of Sherman township and was active and influential in the Reformed church from its inception, assisting in the establishment of that body, and for many years serving as deacon. His wife came with her parents from Ger- many to Sherman township, but was not permitted to enjoy many years' compan- ionship with her husband, for she died in 1854, leaving Charles J., a small child. Mr. Heyman survived her for half a century lacking one year and was again mar- ried, his second wife being Miss Elizabeth Longscheid, who bore him ten chil- dren : George, deceased ; Emeline, the wife of August Schied, of Peru township; Daniel and Thomas, both of Lyme township; Mary and Philip, deceased : Jacob,
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C. J. HEYMAN
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of Sherman township; Mary, deceased; William C., of Lyme township; and Al- bert, of Sherman township.
Charles J. Heyman has been a life long resident of this county. He acquired his fundamental education in the district schools here, and also attended for one winter the German school in Sandusky. Farming has been his occupation during his entire life, from the time he was able to help around the home. In 1881 he bought his present farm from Hiram Latham and on it has since made his home. However, he has greatly improved the place during the years that it has been in his possession, and it is a fine tract of land well adapted to the line of general farming that he carries on there.
On the 22d of February, 1876, Mr. Heyman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Scheid. She was born in Peru township, the daughter of William and Kathryn ( Beilstein) Scheid, and is the sister to August and William Scheid, whose sketches will be found elsewhere in this volume. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heyman, all of whom are living : August, George, Lydia, Elmer. Mary and Anna. The family attend the Reformed church at Hunts Corners, in which Mr. Heyman has held various offices for years. A practical and successful farmer, he is also a man of public spirit who has not refused to give his time for the good of the community he serves. He has entered somewhat into politics and at one time acted as trustee of his township, as a choice of the democratic voters. The period of his incumbency of the office was marked by good judgment and up- rightness and afforded additional reason for the respect in which he is held here.
JOHN J. ANDREWS.
John J. Andrews, who since 1901 has lived retired in a beautiful home situ- ated in the suburbs of the village of Wakeman, was formerly for many years ac- tively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Clarksfield township. He was born in New York city, on the 10th of August, 1833, his pa- rents being Thomas and Maria (Goodheart) Andrews. His maternal great-grand- father, John Goodheart, served as a soldier in the British army and after leaving England came to America, making his home in this country until the time of his demise. He lived to be more than one hundred years of age. Thomas Andrews, the father of John J. Andrews, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in early manhood removed to New York city, where he followed his trade of shoe- making. He was married in the eastern metropolis to Miss Maria Goodheart, by whom he had nine children, two of whom still survive, John J. and Elizabeth.
John J. Andrews obtained his education in the schools of his native city and also of Philadelphia, living with an uncle in the latter city. When eleven years of age he went to a farm in Orange county, New York, where he attended the coun- try schools and remained until he had attained the age of fifteen. He learned the trade of a brass finisher but only worked at that occupation for two years. Subsequently he entered the employ of a large cooperage company in New York city, with which he was connected for a period of twenty-six years, his long re- tention in the service of the concern being unmistakable evidence of his efficiency
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and trustworthiness. In 1872 he established his home in Clarksfield township, Huron county, Ohio, and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he was also engaged in dairying to some extent, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. In 1901, having accumulated a comfortable com- petence, he left the farm and took up his abode in the suburbs of Wakeman, where he owns an attractive and commodious residence.
On the 16th of July, 1856, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Ann Alsdorf, her parents being Hiram and Ann ( Vandermark) Alsdorf, who were natives of Ulster county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have reared a family of five children, namely : Anna, the widow of Alfred Newhall: Jesse L., who follows farming in Clarksfield township; Sarah, the wife of Amos Scott, of Norwalk township; Thomas G., who is engaged in the mining business in Brit- ish Columbia : and Dora, who conducts a millinery establishment in Wakeman.
Mr. Andrews gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and, though not active in its ranks, is an intelligent and valued advocate of its principles. He has served his fellow townsmen in the position of road supervisor and also as a member of the board of education, believing that improved highways and good schools are important factors in the growth and upbuilding of a community. His aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement instituted to advance the general welfare and he is widely recognized as a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and he is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He finds his chief source of recreation and enjoyment in fishing and indulges his love of this sport at the expense of the finny tribe, who bask in the waters of the Ver- milion river, which flows by Wakeman. A congenial and courteous gentleman, he has a host of warm friends, and never lacks companions on his fishing jaunts. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community where they have now long resided and their home is noted for its genuine hos- pitality and good cheer. Mr. Andrews has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, knowing that his career has been an honorable and use- ful one.
CHARLES A. STOWER.
Charles A. Stower follows farming in Lyme township, Huron county, where he owns ninety-three acres of land, upon which he has made his home for a long period. He was born in this township, December 21, 1871. the son of Thomas and Emma (Dolling) Stowers, who were old settlers in this part of the state. Both parents were born and reared in England, where they were married and where the most of their children were born. In 1870 they came to this country. locating in Lyme township, Huron county, Ohio, where they engaged in farm- ing. At first they rented a tract of land, but in the spring of 1879 they pur- chased the farm on which Charles A. Stower now lives. When they took pos- session the land was in a comparatively rough state, but when death called them.
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the father at the age of seventy-three and the mother at the age of seventy, the farm showed the result of their long and arduous toil. They had improved it greatly and had increased its productive power, besides erecting several build- ings that were a credit to them. Mr. and Mrs. Stower were blessed with a family of ten children. Sabina, the eldest, now deceased, married Robert Rope; John is also deceased; Susie married William White, a farmer of Lyme township : Robert and James were followed by Samuel and William, both of whom have died ; Alexander was the next of the family: Anna married Allen Farr; and Charles A., the subject of this sketch, was the youngest and the only one of the family born in this country.
Charles A. Stower has lived all his life in Lyme township and has devoted his entire time to farming. From the district schools he received his fundamental education, which coupled with the training he received at home constituted his preparation for life. During his boyhood days he worked on the home place under the guidance of his father, thus acquiring a practical experience in farm- ing which was to be his vocation in later years when he was called upon to con- duct his own establishment. The years passed quickly and in the main unevent- fully, though bringing with them their recompense for hard toil.
On the Ioth of November, 1897, Mr. Stower was united in marriage to Miss Alice Maud Sherman, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Farr) Sherman. The parents were both natives of England. though the father was only six years old when he came to this country, and they were among those early settlers who have contributed by their efforts to the development of this part of the country. Seven children were born to them: Elizabeth, Maud. Jennie, Mollie, Gertrude, William and Josephine, all of whom are living useful lives. Mr. and Mrs. Stower have three children: Clarence, born March 22, 1899: Gordon, born August 26. 1902, and Bertha, born March 7. 1905. The family are all members of the Lyme Episcopal church and take active part in its religious and social work.
Mr. Stower is one of the prosperous young farmers of his localitv. He has not specialized in his cultivation of the soil but has given his attention to a va- riety of crops which have well repaid him for his diligent labor. Good fortune has attended his efforts and he has been enabled to add considerably to the im- provements his parents made upon the land. He is a man respected and hon- ored in the community and has the good will of those with whom he comes in contact.
CLAYTON E. TUCKER.
Huron county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied its offices, for the great majority of them have been loyal to the best interests of the community and have manifested marked ability in discharging the duties that have devolved upon them. Of this class Clayton E. Tucker is a representative. For six years he capably served as deputy probate judge of the county and in November, 1908, was elected clerk of the court, his term beginning in August, 1909. At the present time, however, he is filling out the unexpired term of Frank E. Miller and his experience is well qualifying him for continuance in the position
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to which he has been called by popular suffrage. One of the county's native sons, his birth occurred near Fitchville, on the 22d of September, 1873. His father, Ed- gar L. Tucker, was born at Miles Strip, Onondaga county, New York, on the Ist of March, 1847, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary L. Clark, was a native of Lorain county, Ohio. It was in the year 1870 that Edgar L. Tucker removed to Huron county, establishing his home in Fitchville, where he engaged in the butter and creamery business for twenty-seven years. He then turned his attention to general merchandising in West Clarksfield, where he still continued in business, being one of the enterprising representatives of trade re- lations in that locality.
Clayton E. Tucker pursued his education in the schools of Fitchville, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1892. He then further continued his studies in the Fostoria Academy, from which he graduated in 1894. He af- terward engaged in teaching school in the county for five years, or until appointed deputy clerk under C. D. Miles, in which capacity he remained until 1902 when he entered the probate office, there remaining until November, 1908. At the elec- tion held at that tinte he was elected to the office of clerk of the court, that office being left vacant by reason of the unexpired term of Frank E. Miller. He was appointed to the position and at the ensuing election, was chosen for the office, his elective term to begin in August, 1909. He has ever been an active republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but in the discharge of his duties he never allows partisanship to interfere, being thoroughly just and unbiased as well as accurate and reliable.
On the 3d of May, 1903, Mr. Tucker was united in marriage to Miss Gertha Dowler, and they have one son, Edgar, who was born April 1, 1904. Mr. Tuck- er belongs to the junior order of American Mechanics, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Baptist church. In his manner he is unassuming and in his work is efficient, while his many good qualities and social disposition have made him popular with a host of warm friends.
ROSWELL DERBY, SR.
Roswell Derby, Sr., a prominent and well known citizen of Wakeman town- ship, was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, on the 16th of August, 1823, his parents being David and Susan (Dutcher ) Derby. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers, David Derby and Cornelius Dutcher, participated in the struggle for American independence as soldiers in the Revolutionary army. David Derby, the father of Roswell Derby, who was a machinist by trade, in- vented the first wool carding machine ever operated in the United States. It was in almost universal use in the woolen mills of this country until about 1830. David Derby passed away in 1835, having for but one year survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1834. Their remains were interred in a cemetery at Cherry Valley, New York.
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Roswell Derby attended the public schools of his native town until twelve years of age, when, his father having died, he went to live with his brother Mor- gan, a blacksmith of Cherry Valley. He there worked at the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his brother, with whom he remained until he had attained the age of fifteen years, when he went to Persia, New York, where he made his home with his brother David, who was also a blacksmith by trade. He completed his apprenticeship under the latter's direction and remained in Persia until twenty years of age. During this period he had also gained a practical knowledge of the carpenter's and joiner's trade, at which he worked in the summer months, while in the winter seasons he gave his attention to blacksmithing. In the spring of 1844, he made his way to Ohio, arriving at Cleveland on the 18th of May. He remained in the vicinity of Cleveland during the summer of 1844, being employed at farm labor, and in the fall of that year he went to Newbury, Geauga county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the blacksmithing business in association with his brother John until February, 1845. At that time he removed to Springfield, this state, and purchased a tract of eighty acres of timber land, which he began clear- ing for farming purposes. During the first summer he cleared ten acres, which he sowed in wheat. The entire region was practically a wilderness and was sparsely settled, there being not more than thirty voters in the entire township. The county seat had been established at Bryan, where a log courthouse was erected. The locality was a most unhealthy one and Mr. Derby fell a victim to the ague but recovered in time to take charge of a school for the winter term. In the spring of 1846 he went to Lenawee county, Michigan, entering the employ of a Mr. Smith, who operated a distillery. He received a salary of fifty dollars per month, which was considered good pay in those early days and remained with Mr. Smith until the fall of 1846, when he was again stricken with ague and fever. After recovering from his illness he went to Adrian and became agent for what was then known as the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, receiving a monthly remuneration of seventy-five dollars for his services. His health again failing, in the fall of 1846 he returned to his home at Cherry Vailey, New York, where he remained until the fall of the following year, devoting his time and en- ergies to the work of farming. It was in the fall of 1847 that he returned to Cleve- land, Ohio, and became connected with the butchering business, engaging in the sale of meats. Shortly afterward he went to Michigan for a time and in 1848 came to Hartland township, Huron county, Ohio, here first working at the black- smith's trade and later at carpentering. At times he was employed at farm labor by the day and also at other pursuits, proving a capable man in many ways. In 1849 he went to Townsend Center, Huron county, where he opened a blacksmith shop, purchased property and erected a home. He was married in that year and then removed with his wife to Canandaigua, Michigan, where he worked at black- smithing for a short time. Returning to Townsend township, this county, he was here engaged in blacksmithing until 1863, when he went to Fulton county, Ohio, there purchasing a tract of land and devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until 1883. In that year he returned to Wakeman, Huron county, and has here since resided, working at various occupations. He was engaged in the coal business for a time and also conducted a mercantile establishment in associa- tion with his sons. Possessing a liberal education and being well read in the law,
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