USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 11
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FRED SEEL.
Fred Seel is a prosperous and energetic agriculturist, residing on and owning a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres in Lyme township, while he also has an- other tract of one hundred and eighty-eight acres in the vicinity, lying partly in Sherman township. His birth occurred in Germany on the Ist of October, 1855, his parents being John P. and Dorothy (Gap) Seel, whom he accompanied on their emigration to the new world about 1870. Coming direct to this county, they took up their abode in Lyme township with their son William, who had crossed the At- lantic about a year before. Both Mr. and Mrs. Seel continued worthy and re- spected residents of this community until called to their final rest, passing away at the ages of seventy and ninety years respectively. Their family numbered seven children, namely: William; Henrietta ; Philipena and Philip, all of whom are de- ceased ; Pauline ; Peter, and Fred, of this review.
The last named has made his home in Lyme township since his arrival in the United States when a lad of fourteen years. His education had been begun in his native land and he further continued his studies in the schools of Lyme township through two winter terms. On putting aside his text-books he gave his undivided attention to the work of general farming and has been successfully connected with that line of activity throughout his entire business career. In 1892 he purchased the farm whereon he now resides from Asa Haywood and as the years have gone by has brought the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He erected a commodious and attractive residence and the labor he has bestowed upon his place has made it a well improved and valuable farm, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision. He has led an active, use- ful and honorable life and now owns three hundred and thirty-four acres of val- uable land in Huron county as the result of his business ability and judicious investments.
On the 20th of February, 1888, Mr. Seel was united in marriage to Miss Dora M. Bolenbacher, who was born in Sherman township, Huron county, December 13, 1857, a daughter of John P. Bolenbacher, of Lyme township. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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Seel have been born three children : Rosa, Edna and Philip, all at home. Mr. Seel is a prominent and valued member of the Lutheran church of Lyme township, for the erection of which he contributed liberally and in which he has served as trustee, while for fifteen years he has been secretary. In the community where they re- side both he and his wife are much esteemed as people of genuine worth, manifest- ing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken con- fidence and regard.
JOHN A. STRUTTON.
John A. Strutton, closely identified with the banking business in Norwalk since 1889, is now secretary of the Home Savings & Loan Association. In a logical course of events he has risen to his present position of responsibility, his succes- sive promotions having followed as the direct result of persistent energy and ac- tivity and thoroughness in fully acquainting himself with the field of labor which he chose as his life work. A native son of Norwalk, he was born September 19, 1866.
His father, Louis de Hayes Strutton, was born in London, England, January 16, 1821, and came to the United States in 1849, settling at Milan, Ohio. He was first employed on the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad and as an expert ac- countant opened their books. In 1850 he came to Norwalk and studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1855. He then continuously engaged in practice up to the time of his death which occurred in April, 1901. He held various offices pertaining to the city's welfare and progress, being for some time a member of the city coun- cil and also of the school board. His political allegiance was given to the democ- racy and few men of the laity were better qualified to speak authoritatively upon the political problems of the day. He regarded the profession of law, however, as his chief life work and his devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial. He gave to those whom he represented in a legal capacity the services of great talent, un- wearied industry and comprehensive learning but he never forgot there were cer- tain things due to the court, to his own self respect and above all to justice and a righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success would permit him to disregard. He wedded Eliza Wiles, who was born in Ramsgate, England, in which country they were married in 1846. Their family numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters including William Strutton, who now resides in Bellevue, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. Taber ; and Miss Lucy Strutton, who is librarian of the public library at Norwalk. These three together with our subject are the representatives of the family in Huron county.
John A. Strutton acquired his early education in the public schools of Norwalk and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College. Having studied law he was admitted to the bar in 1889 but has never practiced. He has always given his attention to banking interests, with which he became identified in 1889 as teller in the First National Bank, thus continuing for twelve years. He then helped to organize the City Banking Company and became its assistant cashier while
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at the same time he was treasurer of the Home Savings & Loan Company. On the death of O. W. Williams, secretary of the latter institution, M1. Strutton was elected secretary and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time. He has bent his energies to the careful and correct solution of financial problems and in the management of affairs of the Home Savings & Loan Association, which come in his department, he has contributed in substantial measure to the success of the enterprise.
On the 15th of June, 1897, Mr. Strutton was united in marriage to Miss Caro- line Wooster Boalt, a daughter of Captain Frederick H. Boalt, a native of Huron county, who was a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Strutton lost one child in infancy and they have two children living, Charlotte Frederica, born October 16, 1906, and Louis de Hayes, born July 29, 1909. The parents hold membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church, of which he is a vestryman and treasurer. He is also one of the trustees and members of Whittlesy Academy, of which his father was a charter member. He is also the treasurer of the Young Men's Reading Room As- sociation and belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity. In all mat- ters relative to the public welfare he stands in the foremost rank of those who seek improvement and progress for he has carefully studied the purposes and prob- lems of life and realizes that above all money considerations is that of character building and of doing for others.
THOMAS CONE.
Thomas Cone, who is the oldest resident of Monroeville, has long been num- bered among the most prominent citizens of this county. His birth occurred in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 10th of February, 1819, his parents being Les- ter and Stella A. Cone. In the year 1830 they came to Ridgefield township, Huron county, locating on the farm which has since remained the home of our subject. The father was greatly interested in race horses and owned a number of fine specimens of the noble steed, while his son later owned the famous Joe Hoker. In 1835 he was shot and killed at Sandusky, Ohio, by Bob Hutchinson, of Kentucky, during an argument about the money which the latter owed Mr. Cone.
Throughout his active business career Thomas Cone has given his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, meeting with a gratifying and well deserved measure of prosperity in that line of activity. He has a highly im- proved and valuable farm of two hundred and thirty-two acres in Ridgefield township, lying partly in Monroeville, and the substantial and commodious brick residence thereon was erected by him in 1866. He also made the brick used in its construction. Like his father, he has always been interested in race horses and is widely recognized as one of the leading and representative citizens of Huron county.
Mr. Cone has been married twice. In 1842 he wedded Miss Henrietta Smith, who passed away in 1857, leaving two children, Lester and Charles E. Lester, who served as a soldier of the Union army during the Civil war, died at the
THOMAS CONE
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Soldiers' Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Charles E. is married and makes his home at Orange, New Jersey. On the 13th of October, 1858, Thomas Cone was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Hathaway, whose demise occurred on the 15th of April, 1908. Unto them were born two children, namely : Thomas H., who is deceased ; and Henrietta, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri.
In his political views Mr. Cone has always been a strong and inflexible re- publican and for two terms capably served his fellow townsmen in the position of assessor. Though not affiliated with any church, he has always endeavored to do unto others as he would have them do unto him and has been a worthy exemplar of the Golden Rule. He is most widely and favorably known through- out the community where he has now made his home for almost eight decades and receives the respect and veneration which should always be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey and whose career has ever been up- right and honorable.
ALBERT SAMUEL PRENTISS.
Albert Samuel Prentiss enjoys the well earned distinction of being what the public calls a self-made man. With limited opportunities in youth, thrown upon his own resources from an early age, he has made continuous progress and upon the foundation of physical and mental activity has built his success. He was born in Monroeville, Ohio, April 2, 1861, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. His grandfather, Jonathan Prentiss, arrived in this county when the work of civilization and progress seemed scarcely begun and established his home in Lyme township, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing for a long period but eventually retired from active life. He died in Monroe- ville at a very advanced age. His son, Samuel Prentiss, was a native of this county and died in 1861. His wife bore the maiden name of Lois J. Brown and was a daughter of Albert Brown, one of the old pioneers of Monroeville. He was born May 6, 1801, came to this county about 1820 and for more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten continued his residence here, passing away on the 27th of May, 1894. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Jane Bloomer, was born May 18, 1808, and died October 9, 1888. She was a representa- tive of one of the families that took up the work of development and improvement here in pioneer times.
Albert S. Prentiss, an only child, is indebted to the schools of Monroeville for his early educational privileges. His father died before the birth of the son and at an early age the boy faced the necessity of providing for his own support, but it is a well known fact that it is under the stimulus of need and in the face of opposition that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed, and Albert S. Prentiss soon became self-reliant as well as self-supporting, and learned many lessons of value concerning life, its possibilities and its purposes. He first turned his attention to the printing business in Monroeville and after learning the trade removed to Norwalk in 1879 and became connected with the Norwalk Chronicle,
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which he represented in various capacities for five years. In 1885 he became asso- ciated with Mr. Laning in the printing business and for many years has been treas- urer of the Laning Printing Company, thus being well known as a representative of the business life of Norwalk.
Mr. Prentiss has always taken an active part in public affairs, realizing the ob- ligations and duties as well as the privileges of citizenship. To this end he has stood for good government, for substantial progress and practical reform. For two terms, or four years, he was a member of the city council. He was also a mem- ber of the board of water works for two terms and while acting as a member of the board was made a member of the building committee, having charge of the construction of the new water works of Norwalk. He was also a member of the board of public service for three years and for ten years has been secretary of the public library. His labors have been far-reaching in their scope and influence and in the position of leadership he has done not a little to promote the best interests of the city.
On the 14th of October, 1884, Mr. Prentiss was united in marriage to Miss Ida D. Gilson who died in 1890. Later he wedded Florence N. Ruggles, a daughter of A. J. and Theckla A. (Lewis) Ruggles, who were of an old pioneer family of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss have one daughter, Corinne Florence. born in Norwalk, September 28, 1898. He and his family occupy a handsome new resi- dence on West Main street.
His fraternal relations are with the Masons and in the craft he has attained the Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the National Union and is a member of the Episcopal church. He is likewise a member of the Whittlesy Academy, and a director of the Firelands Historical Society while his political allegiance is stanchly given to the republican party. What he has accom- plished represents the wise use of time, talents and opportunities and indicates the chances which are open to the young man in this country where usefulness con- stitutes the path to public honor and prominence.
ABEL C. MILLER.
Abel C. Miller, one of the well known, industrious and enterprising farmers of Hartland township who is meeting with success in his agricultural pursuits, has also figured prominently in the public affairs of the community in which he has resided for a number of years, and his efforts have been potent elements in the progress and improvement of the township. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Jef- ferson township, Knox county, on the 21st of September, 1840, his parents being Hiram and Priscilla (Clark) Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Representatives of the Miller family have been identified with the interests of the state from early pioneer days, the grandfather of our subject, Jona- than Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, having come to Knox county, Ohio, in 1812. The Clarks also came from the Keystone state, and both families were very active in the early work of improvement and transforma- tion carried on in the pioneer days of Ohio, coming in 1818 They were adherents
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of the Quaker belief and were citizens of the highest type. Hiram Miller, the father of our subject, acquired a good education in spite of the limited opportunities then offered and was considered a fine grammarian and mathematician. He taught school for some years in Knox county and later became a landowner, also engaging to some extent in farming. He was a stalwart republican, deeply interested in all matters of public moment, and passed away in 1856, at the age of forty-five years, after casting his vote for John C. Fremont.
Abel C. Miller, who was reared upon his father's farm, attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education, and when not engaged with his text- books he assisted his father in the work of the fields, early learning lessons of great value in the school of experience.
After completing his studies he engaged in teaching for several years, being thus occupied during the winter months, while during the summer seasons he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits. An interruption in his business came, how- ever, in the spring of 1864, when he enlisted as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for one hun- dred days he served with the Army of the Potomac, experiencing all of the hard- ships and privation which that army, under General Grant, was compelled to en- dure. When mustered out he returned home with an excellent military record.
After his return home Mr. Miller again took up his former occupations of teaching and farming and was thus engaged until his marriage, which occurred on the 19th of November, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha J. Norick, a daughter of Hezekiah and Mary (Sell) Norick. Mrs. Miller was one of eleven children born unto her parents, who originally came from Pennsylvania and, ar- riving in Harrison county, Ohio, at a very early date, were numbered among the pioneers of this state. Subsequently they removed to Knox county and still later to Richland county, where both passed away. After his marriage Mr. Miller re- moved to Richland county, where he resided for four years, and in 1874 he came to Hartland township, Huron county, purchasing the farm upon which he has since lived. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and is progressive and up-to- date in his methods, and his untiring industry and well directed energy have proven the salient characteristics in the prosperity which he now enjoys.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with six children, five of whom still survive, namely : William E., who is married and resides in Massillon ; Hiram C., who is also married and follows farming in Townsend township; Mary, the wife of Charles Robbins, of Hartland township ; Emma F., who wedded Fred- erick Bedford and resides in Townsend township ; and Harriet, still under the pa- rental roof.
Although he has gained a creditable degree of success in his business activities, it is as a prominent figure in public affairs that Mr. Miller has become well known throughout the community. In politics a life-long republican, he has been active and influential in the local party ranks and for many years he was a member of the township republican executive committee, serving at various times as a delegate to district and county conventions. He has also been called to offices of trust and re- sponsibility, the duties of which he performed at all times in a manner which re- flected honor upon himself and credit upon his constituents. In the fall of 1900 he was elected county commissioner of Huron county and served six years, being
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reelected in 1903. He served as justice of the peace of Hartland township for fif- teen years and was also township trustee and member of the board of education for many years. He is a splendid type of the true American citizen whose influence is always upon the side of progress, reform and improvement, and he has ever done all in his power to bring about better conditions. While a member of the board of county commissioners he was very active and helpful in the matter of road build- ing and accomplished a great amount of good along this line.
He is a member of Townsend Post, No. 414, G. A. R., and is an active factor in its affairs. Although he does not hold membership in any special denomination, he is, nevertheless, a firm believer in the church and its influence for good in the community, and he never withholds his support from any matter which has for its object the material, political, intellectual and moral development and growth.
WILLIAM BARNES.
William Barnes is numbered among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Townsend township, where he owns a fine tract of land of seventy acres. He was born near London, England, November 24, 1848, a son of George and Sarah (Eath) Barnes, who emigrated with their family to the United States in 1852 and established their home in Cleveland, Ohio. There the father sought employment, working at anything that would bring to him an honest living for himself and family. Prior to coming to the new world he had engaged in farming on a small scale. On leaving Cleveland he removed to Camden, where he spent two years and on the expiration of that period he located on a farm in Clarksfield township, where he remained two years. He then took up his abode upon a farm in Wakeman town- ship and continued agricultural pursuits there until his demise in July, 1895. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, seven sons and one daughter : William, Charles, Thomas, King A., Elizabeth, Edward, George and Frederick, and these with the mother still survive.
William Barnes, the eldest of the family, did not enjoy very liberal educational advantages, as, the family being in somewhat straitened circumstances, his ser- vices were needed on the home farm, so that he was permitted to attend school only a few weeks during the winter months and it was not until he had reached the age. of eighteen years that he attended the Wakeman school for a full year. Since reaching mature years. however, he has added to his knowledge by reading and in- vestigation. During the summer months he assisted in the labor of the home farm, doing a man's work in the fields at an age when most boys are acquiring their edu- cation or enjoying the pleasures of life. In the winter months he worked in the woods, preparing the fuel to supply the household needs and comforts.
Mr. Barnes eventually started out in life on his own account and from his earn- ings saved the money that enabled him to purchase his present tract of seventy acres, located in Townsend township. He established a home of his own by his marriage on the 26th of February, 1876, to Miss Emily Westfall and on the 9th of March following they began their domestic life in the house that Mr. Barnes had prepared for his bride. He then began work in earnest and has continued to
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follow farming to the present time, his place being now one of the rich and highly cultivated properties of his section of Huron county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes has been blessed with five children : Anna R .; Cora, now the wife of William Sheffield, of Toledo, Ohio; Mary, Walter E., who is married and makes his home in Wakeman township ; and William C., who is also married and resides in Townsend township. Fully realizing his own lack of advantages he resolved that his children should receive an education suited to the demands of the time, that they might start out in life well equipped for the eager, strenuous service of this exacting age, and therefore all have graduated from either the Collins or Wakeman high schools, while subsequently the daughters were given the advantages of Oberlin College.
Mr. Barnes is a republican in politics and is well informed on all public ques- tions. Although he has frequently been urged by his fellow townsmen to accept public office he would never consent to do so, with the exception of filling the po- sition of road supervisor. He has also been a member of the township school board for several years and takes a deep and active interest in the schools, that his own and other children might be benefited. He and his family are members of the Wakeman Congregational church, Mr. Barnes having joined the society forty years ago. He has always been active in church and Sunday school work. Public spir- ited in an eminent degree, he favors all legitimate public movements and is num- bered among the enterprising and substantial farmers of Townsend township and Huron county.
JOSEPH MISSLER.
Joseph Missler is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Sherman town- ship, owning and operating ninety acres of land. He is numbered among the wor- thy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Sherman township on the 20th of August, 1876. His parents, Andrew and Caroline (Meyers) Missler, were both born in Germany. The father was but a small boy when he accompanied his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Missler, on their emigration to the United States in 1854, the family home being first established in Adams county, Ohio. At the end of a year, however, they took up their abode in Huron county, where the family has since been represented. Francis Missler, the grandfather of our subject, was called to his final rest on the 19th of March, 1871, and six weeks later his wife also passed away. Unto Andrew and Caroline (Meyers) Missler were born the following children : J. Andrew; Catherine; Mary ; Joseph, of this review ; John; Jacob, deceased ; Fred ; Otto ; and Clara, who is deceased.
In his youthful days Joseph Missler attended the schools of his native town- ship and on putting aside his text-books, at the age of seventeen years, turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, working by the month as a farm hand. The work of the fields has always claimed his time and energies and in this line of activity he has met with well deserved and commendable success, being now the owner of a rich and productive tract of land of ninety acres in Sherman township.
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