USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume I > Part 43
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he was also for a number of years engaged in practice in partnership with his son, Roswell Derby, Jr., who is a lawyer by profession. Mr. Derby of this review has continued his legal practice to the present time and is widely recognized as a sound and safe counselor.
On the 27th of June, 1849, Mr. Derby was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ann Whitcomb, a daughter of Hiram and Hannah (Butler) Whitcomb. Her pa- ternal grandfather. Thomas Whitcomb, participated in the Revolutionary war, serving as what was known as a "cowboy." Hiram Whitcomb, the father of Mrs. Derby, came to this county from Herkimer county, New York, about 1842 and be- came identified with agricultural pursuits in Townsend township. At the time of his arrival here this district was practically a wilderness but he resolutely set to work, cut down the trees, grubbed up the stumps and soon had his land ready for cultivation. He hecame widely recognized as a prominent and prosperous citizen and will long be remembered as one of the worthy pioneer settlers whose labors contributed in substantial measure to the early development and improve- ment of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Derby have reared a family of six children, namely : Hiram W., a resident of Cincinnati, who is in the employ of the Cincin- nati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company ; Muriel, the wife of Elmer S. Hart, of Elkhart, Indiana ; Roswell, Jr., now living in Milan, Ohio; Frank, of Fulton county, Ohio ; and Joel E. and Darwin A., both of whom reside in Florence, Erie county, Ohio. The parents of these children have now traveled life's journey to- gether for six decades, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years have gone by.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Derby has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy but, though keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, has not been active in poli- tics as an office seeker. For one term he acted as justice of the peace in Wakeman township and also served as a member of the board of education, the cause of public instruction ever finding in him a stalwart champion. He has now passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey and receives the veneration and re- spect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has at all times been upright and honorable.
JOHN J. DIDION.
Jolin J. Didion, who owns an excellent farm of eighty-one and a half acres in Sherman township, dates his residence in that township since 1852. He was born in Germany on the 23d of December, 1833, his parents being John and Sophia (Bashob) Didion. The paternal grandfather, Gottlieb Didion, spent his entire life in the fatherland. John Didion, Sr., the father of our subject, was a wagon- maker by trade and followed that occupation while a resident of Germany but after coming to this country devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. It was in 1852 that he brought his wife and children to the United States, the family home being established in Sherman township, Huron county, Ohio, where bothi he and his wife remained until called to their final rest. They were people of
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. DIDION
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genuine personal worth and unfaltering integrity, whose upright and honorable lives won for them the respect and esteem of all with whom they came in contact. Their children were five in number, namely: Peter; John J., of this review; Bar- bara, the widow of Frank Koenig ; Christopher ; and Martin.
John J. Didion obtained his education in the schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the wagon shop. Sub- sequent to his arrival in this country he worked for a time at the carpenter's trade but afterward secured employment by the month as a farm hand and has since been identified with agricultural interests. When his well directed and untiring labor had brought him sufficient capital, he purchased a farm of his own and is now in possession of a tract of land comprising eighty-one and a half acres, which annually returns to him a gratifying income. Throughout the years he has suc- cessfully and energetically carried on the work of the fields and has long been numbered among the substantial, enterprising and representative citizens of the community.
On the 6th of February, 1866, Mr. Didion was united in marriage to Miss Rosella Herman, a daughter of Paul and Mary Herman, who were natives of Germany but became early settlers of Seneca county, Ohio, where they passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Didion have been born sixteen children, as follows: Mary : John and Frank, twins; Charles; August; Martin and Sophia, twins; Elizabeth : Rosa ; Cecelia : Susan ; Henry ; Andrew ; William ; and two who died in infancy. Of those living all are married with the exception of two, and Mr. and Mrs. Didion now have thirty-five grandchildren.
In his political views Mr. Didion is a stanch democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, of which the other mem- bers of his family are also faithful communicants. He has a very extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the community where he has now resided for fifty-seven years, and in this land, where labor is unhampered by caste or class, has met with a goodly measure of success in his undertakings. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and his has been a commendable record, actuated by honorable principles.
NORMAN S. CARTWRIGHT.
Norman S. Cartwright is the owner of an excellent farm of fifty acres in Bronson township, the attractive appearance of which indicates his careful super- vision and progressive methods. He was born in Norwalk township, this county, October 23, 1846. The branch of the Cartwright family to which he belongs traces its ancestry back to Colonel Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary war fame. The family has an excellent military record. The great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, while the grandfather, Orin Cartwright, defended Ameri- can interests against the English in the war of 1812. Mr. Cartwright of this review was a soldier in the Civil war, while his son Oliver donned the nation's uniform for active service in the Spanish-American war. The grandparents of our subject were Orin and Lydia (Hunter) Cartwright, both of whom were na-
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tives of Vermont and of English descent. They went to that state with their son, Milo Cartwright, the father of our subject, who was born in the state of New York in 1815 and came to Ohio in 1832. He settled in Norwalk township and became one of the pioneer residents of Huron county, manifesting an active and helpful interest in the work of public progress as the years went by. About forty years ago he removed to Bronson township, where the family has since been represented. He married Susan De Forest, who was born in the state of New York in 1812. They were married in the east when very young, being only about fifteen years of age. Their children were: Elizabeth, Jane, Charles, Lora, David. Mary. Cornelia, Norman and Emily. The mother, Mrs. Susan Cart- wright, was a daughter of Walter and Mary De Forest.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Norman S. Cartwright in his boyhood and youth. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the district schools, while in the work of the fields he was busily employed through the periods of vacation. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married on the 2d of July, 1878, to Miss Eva Thayer, who was born in 1852 and was a daughter of Oliver and Eliza (Waggoner ) Thayer, who were of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright have become the parents of five children : Allen, Oliver, Bertie, Roy and Mabel.
Mr. Cartwright is a member of the Grand Army Post at Norwalk and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old comrades. He was for a year and a half a soldier of the One Hundred and First Ohio Infantry, being on duty with Com- pany K. During that time he participated in several important battles and skir- mishes and was ever loyal to his duty. He is equally faithful to his country in days of peace and in every public relation manifests marked devotion to the public good. He has been constable in his township and also has done active work in behalf of the cause of education, serving for fifteen or twenty years on the school board. He usually gives his support to the republican party but in local affairs frequently casts an independent ballot, giving his allegiance to the men whom he thinks best qualified for the office regardless of party affiliations. In his business life he is reliable as well as enterprising and is now engaged in carefully culti- vating the farm of fifty acres, from which he annually gathers good harvests.
CHARLES W. HEYMAN.
Charles W. Heyman, an agriculturist of Lyme township, possessing ninety- three acres of land upon which he lives, was born in Huron county, February 14, 1867, the son of John and Sophia ( Upperman) Heyman, who were widely known as early settlers here. Both parents were natives of Germany but came as young people to this country. The father, as a young man, came with two of his brothers and located in this county, where for several years they worked around for dif- ferent farmers. After a short time, however, John Heyman felt the desire to pos- sess land of his own and bought seventy-five acres near Hunts Corners. It was in an uncultivated state and he started in to clear it and make it ready for a home, for he had already chosen the woman whom he hoped would be his wife. In one
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year's time the land was sufficiently cleared to permit of living upon it, and to it he brought his bride. The rougher work of preparing the soil for cultivation com- pleted, Mr. Heyman set about improving the farm and adding to it such desirable sections as he was able, with the result that at his death he had a tract of about two hundred acres. He was a man prominent in the Reformed church of Hunts Corners and was among those by whose generosity the erection of the first edifice was made possible.
Charles W. Heyman was the fourth in a family of five children. Of his brothers and sisters, John and Mary, the two eldest, have passed away ; Elizabeth is married to Charles Horn; and William is living with his mother on the old homestead. Charles Heyman has always lived in Lyme township, and in the dis- trict school received his elementary education. His practical training, however, was obtained under the wise guidance of his parents, who taught him the lesson of work and the value of character, besides initiating him into the secrets of the cultivation of the soil. He has been loyal to the occupation of his father and has never sought any other vocation than that of a farmer.
On the 19th of February. 1891, Mr. Heyman was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Haas, who was born in this county, in October, 1866, the daughter of Jacob and Kathryn Haas, who claimed Germany as the land of their birth. Mr. and Mrs. Heyman have four children: Amelia, Gertrude, Laura and Edgar, all of whom live at home.
The farm to which Mr. Heyman devotes all his time he received from his father, but during the period of his occupancy he has greatly improved it and in- creased its value. Up to the present he has not deemed it advisable to specialize in his business, but has followed general farming and has been successful beyond the average in the returns he has won from the fruitful soil. In religious mat- ters Mr. Heyman gives his allegiance to the Lutheran church of this township. He also belongs to the German Aid Society of Bellevue and has ever evinced a strong interest in its work.
A. B. BOWEN.
A. B. Bowen, well known as an enterprising and progressive citizen of Nor- walk, where he is now engaged in the general insurance business, has been the architect and builder of his own fortunes. Whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors. His birth occurred in Fairfield township, Huron county, on the 14th of February, 1862. His father, William Bowen, was a native of Tompkins county, New York, and when a lad of twelve years came to Huron county, Ohio, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Bowen, Sr. The family home was established in Fairfield township upon a farm, the grand. father becoming one of the early agriculturists of the community. William Bowen, the father of our subject, was there reared to agricultural life and con- tinued in the same department of activity, being numbered among the repre- sentative farmers of Fairfield township until he was called to his final rest in 1891 when seventy-four years of age. His wife survived him for a long period.
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passing away on the 21st of March, 1909, when eighty-six years of age. There were three children in the family, two sons and a daughter, but Caroline died in 1902 and Hamilton passed away in August, 1908, leaving A. B. Bowen as the only surviving member of the family.
Reared on the home farm A. B. Bowen acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward had the advantage of two terms of instruction in Oberlin College. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for ten years dur- ing the winter months. The summer months during that period were devoted to farm work and in 1893 he was called to public office through appointment to the position of deputy treasurer. His experience well qualified him for further responsibilities when, in 1897, he was elected county treasurer and served for two terms, his reelection coming to him in recognition of his faithfulness during the preceding years, and when he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of the general public-and took up the insurance busi- ness, he formed a partnership with A. D. Sanders, his deputy in the treasurer's office. The firm has been very successful in this line, writing a large amount of insurance annually, and representing the standard companies of the country.
In 1882 Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Fannie Newbury, a native of Green- field township, Huron county, and a daughter of Everland Newbury. who was also born in Greenfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen now have one son. Harold, who was born on the 16th of April, 1893.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bowen is connected with the Masons, attaining the Knight Templar degree in the commandery. His maternal grandfather, Samuel Terry, was a charter member of Fairfield Lodge, F. & A. M., in which Mr. Bowen also holds his membership. He is also associated with the Macca- bees, the Knights of Pythias and other orders, being in entire sympathy with their beneficent spirit and purposes. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church of North Fairfield, of which church his grandfather Bowen was a charter member. Well known in Norwalk, his sterling qualities are those of a progressive citizen, reliable business man and a faithful friend. In manner he is always genial and cordial, ever approachable and courteous, and wherever he goes he wins high regard and esteem.
ELBERT P. BEECHER.
Elbert P. Beecher, an enterprising and successful agriculturist and stock- raiser of Wakeman township, was born on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being June 2, 1855. His parents were Horace J. and Fanny M. (Pierce) Beecher. The paternal grandparents, Cyrus and Betsy ( Bates ) Beecher. came from Bridgewater, Connecticut, to this state in 1836 and took up their abode on a farm in Florence township. Erie county, the property being situated on the boundary line between Erie and Huron counties. This district was at that time still largely wild and undeveloped and the family shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. Cyrus Beccher, the grandfather of our subject, was a bridge carpenter in Connecticut but after coming to this state de-
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voted his attention to the pursuit of farming. Horace J. Beecher, the father of Elbert P. Beecher, who was a little lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on the journey to Ohio, gave his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. Subsequent to his marriage he came to Huron county, purchasing the farm on which his son, Elbert P., now resides. He was a firm and unfaltering republican and took an active part in local politics, serving as township trustee for several terms and also as township assessor for a similar period. A strong anti-slavery man, he assisted many a negro on his way to freedom in the north, his home being a station on the famous underground railroad. He was a man of strong convictions and sterling char- acter and his upright and honorable career won for him the regard and esteem of all with whom he was associated. He died on the 10th of April. 1893, at the age of sixty-four years and six months, having for a number of years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in May, 1876. Both lie buried in the Wakeman cemetery. Their union was blessed with five children, namely : Platt P., Elbert P., Julia A., Harriet A. and Jennie J., all of whom still survive with the exception of the eldest son.
Elbert P. Beecher was reared on his father's farm and obtained his prelimin- ary education in the district schools of Wakeman township, while subsequently he attended the Wakeman high school and for a few terms also prosecuted his studies at Oberlin College. He was married when about twenty-five years of age, and established his home in the village of Wakeman, where he was successfully en- gazed in the conduct of a livery business until 1886. In that year he returned to the old home place on which he was born and reared and has here since carried on both farming and stock-raising with excellent success. The property is well improved and under a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields annually yielding bounteous harvests of golden grain as a reward for the care and labor which is bestowed upon them.
On the 15th of February, 1880, Mr. Beecher was united in marriage to Miss Helen Josephine White, a daughter of Dr. H. E. and Roxanna (Denman ) White, of Clarksfield, both of whom are now deceased. The father, a physician by pro- fession, was for many years engaged in practice at Wakeman and Clarksfield and was widely recognized as a prominent and skillful representative of his call- ing. Both the White and Denman families were numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers of Huron county and took a leading and helpful part in the early improvement and upbuilding of this part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beecher have been born five children, as follows : Platt HI .; Ethel, who is now the widow of Elbert French ; Clara B., the wife of Charles Ginste, who follows farm- ing in Wakeman township; Glen W .; and Elbert P., deceased.
In his political views Mr. Beecher is a stanch republican and his fellow towns- men. recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. He has served as township constable for four years, as township assessor for five years and for about twenty years was a member of the district board of education. At the present time he is capably discharging the duties devolving upon him in the office of township trustee. He is a prominent and active worker in the local ranks of his party and has acted as a member of the township election board for some years, being connected therewith at the present
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time. He has also been frequently sent as a delegate to county, district and state conventions and is widely recognized as a most loyal and public-spirited citizen whose influence is ever given on the side of right, progress, justice and im- provement. He is a valued member of Wakeman Tent, No. 93, K. O. T. M., and Wakeman Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Religiously, he and his family are identified with the Wakeman Congregational church, giving liberally of their time and means to both church and Sunday school. The different members of the Beecher family are prominent in the intellectual, social and business life of the community and hold a high place in public esteem.
EDWARD J. HARLAND.
Edward J. Harland, a prosperous farmer of the older generation in Clarks- field township, was born in Ontario county, New York, February 7. 1835, and is a son of William J. and Abigail ( Blakeman) Harland, who came to Ohio in 1838 and settled on the farm their son now occupies. The father was a farmer but was also a man of fine education and before coming to this section had taught school and followed that profession during the first year of his residence here. His wife had also been a teacher in New York state, and the couple ever took a deep in- terest in the educational affairs of this county. Three children were born to them : James M., Edward J. and Mary E., all of whom are living. The eldest resides in California, and the daughter is now the widow of Lewis Blakeman, of Clinton, Michigan. Mr. Harland died in 1850, and his wife survived him thirty-four years, her death occurring in her eightieth year, on the 13th of July, 1884.
Edward J. Harland was but fifteen years old when his father died, and at that age assuined the management of the farm, which has been under his care and has been his home ever since. His has been a busy life from the day of his father's death and crowded with responsibilities which would have been heavy for a man many years his senior. His education was but imperfect and desultory, such as could be obtained from the district school during the few months it was in ses- sion and when affairs at home did not demand his time. At the outbreak of the Civil war his brother James M. enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and at the battle of Gettysburg, while supporting a battery of artil- lery, his hearing was badly impaired, which resulted subsequently in his becoming totally deaf. Edward J. Harland remained devoted to the arts of peace and stayed at home to care for affairs there. Under his management his farm, of ninety-four acres of fine land, has prospered. It is under excellent cultivation and is highly improved as regards buildings and appurtenances. Of recent years, Mr. Harland, now in his seventy-fifth year, does little more than superintend the work done, but now and again for the sake of exercise and diversion rather than tor any other reason, he will go into the fields and do a good day's work-one too that will put much younger men than he to their best efforts.
Mr. Harland has been twice married. On the 13th of January, 1863, he wedded Miss Sarah A. Case, a daughter of George E. and Philinda (Blackman) Case, of Clarksfield township. Of this union five children were born: William J., Jennie
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E. JJ. HARLAND AND FAMILY
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M., Frank E., Bertha B. and Raymond, of whom Bertha, now Mrs. B. McClaflin, of Clarksfield township, alone survives. Mrs. Harland died April 20, 1895, and on the 22d of June, 1900, Mr. Harland married Mrs. Mary J. Noble, who has also passed away, on October 2, 1906.
Mr. Harland has always been a republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for president in 1856. He has ever been a man interested in public af- fairs and has kept posted on all important questions of national and local concern, so that he is able to discuss issues intelligently. He has never aspired to public office, however, and yet his interest and exertion in the general good would many a time have recommended him and secured him election if he had so desired. The strong traits of his character are not unknown nevertheless, and he is respected as a fine man, one above reproach in his private life and in his intercourse with his fellows.
HENRY BOEHLER.
Henry Boehler, who is numbered among the prominent and progressive rep- resentatives of agricultural pursuits of Lyme township, was born in Sherman township, this county, September 7, 1854. As the name indicates he comes of German lineage, his parents, Phillip and Marguerita (Seibel) Boehler, having both been natives of Germany. The former, who was born November 7, 1824, left the fatherland for America in 1848, coming direct to Huron county, Ohio, where he engaged as a farm hand in Peru township for about three years. At the expiration of that period he purchased land in Lyme township, which he later sold, subsequently buying a farm in Sherman township. After operating this land for some time he disposed of it and secured a farm in Peru township. He was a progressive and successful farmer and at the time of his death, which occurred May 3, 1897. in Monroeville, Ridgefield township, this county, he was the owner of considerable property. He had been twice married, his first union being with Miss Marguerita Seibel, a native of Germany, who was born April 1, 1831. After her death June 22, 1883. he wedded Miss Jennetta Knoble. By his first union he became the father of six children, namely: William, Henry, Phillip, Otto, Minnie and Louise, all of whom still survive.
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