USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 12
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On the 7th of June, 1904, Mr. Missler was united in marriage to Miss Nora Miller, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Seisley) Miller, who were farming peo-
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ple of Seneca county, Ohio. The father was a native of Germany but the mother was born in this country. Mrs. Missler was one of a family of eleven children, her brothers and sisters being as follows: Rosa, George, Mary, Charles, Caroline, Fred, Anna, Joseph, Ottilla and Otto.
Mr. Missler gives his political support to the democratic party and while he keeps well informed on the political progress of the country, he has never been ac- tive as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private interests. Both he and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the Catholic church. He has always made his home in this county and his upright and honorable life commands the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM CLEMENTS.
The agricultural interests of Huron county find a worthy and successful representative in William Clements, who is the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres'in Ridgefield township. His birth occurred in Bathford, Somersetshire, England, on the 9th of August, 1854, his parents being Henry and Mary Clements, who spent their entire lives in that country.
On the 5th of January, 1878, while still residing in his native land, Mr. Clements was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hughes, a daughter of John and Anna (Shore) Hughes, of Wiltshire, England, by whom he had four chil- dren. Ada L., the eldest, who was born November 26, 1878, was drowned on the 29th of July, 1898, while boat riding at Cedar Point in company with Howard Fish and another young couple. The boat was overturned and she and Mr. Fish lost their lives, the other two young people being saved. George, whose birth occurred September, 20, 1880, and who makes his home in Ridgefield town- ship, wedded Miss Ethel Daunter, by whom he, has one child, Ada L. Rose, whose natal day was March 8, 1882, gave her hand in marriage to Harry An- drews and they reside in Groton township, Erie county. They now have two chil- dren, Ada M. and Everett W. William J., born August 15, 1884, makes his home in Monroeville. He wedded Miss Emma Dirilbliss and has two children, Eunice M. and William.
In March, 1889, Mr. Clements crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his wife and four children, the family home being established in Ridgefield town- ship, Huron county. Securing employment as a farm hand, he was thus busily engaged for four years, and then engaged in farming on shares until 1905, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres from Mrs. Anna M. Stentz. As the years have gone by he has made many substantial im- provements on the property and in the conduct of his farming interests has met with a most gratifying measure of prosperity by reason of his untiring industry, indefatigable energy and excellent management.
Mr. Clement is a trustee of the Baptist church, of which the other members of his family are likewise devoted and faithful members. He is also identified with
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM CLEMENTS
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the Foresters and the Protective Legion, acting as chaplain of those organiza- tions. He is well known throughout the community as one of its substantial citizens and progressive farmers who owes his advancement in life entirely to his own perseverance and well directed labor, and is well worthy the regard which is uniformly accorded him.
CHARLES HEYMAN.
The agricultural interests of Huron county find a worthy and successful repre- sentative in Charles Heyman, who owns a well improved farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres in Peru township. He was born in Sherman township, this county, on the 16th of November, 1858, a son of William A. and Janetta (Moore) Heyman, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, whose birth oc- curred in August, 1830, was a young man of eighteen years when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode in Huron county, Ohio. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad W. Heyman, who emigrated to this country two years later, established their home at Hunts Corners, while subsequently they re- moved to Weavers Corners, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
On arriving in this county William A. Heyman, the father of our subject, worked as a farm hand for different agriculturists of the community but, carefully saving his earnings, was at length enabled to purchase one hundred acres of land in Sherman township and began farming on his own account. As the years passed by and his financial resources increased he added to his landed holdings by addi- tional purchase, buying a tract of two hundred and fifty acres in Sherman town- ship and another of one hundred and twelve acres in Lyme township. He became widely recognized as a most substantial, progressive and representative citizen of the county and at one time owned about six hundred acres of rich and productive land. His political allegiance was given to the men and measures of the democracy and he acted as justice of peace in Sherman township for more than twenty years, did valuable service as a member of the school board and also proved a capable in- cumbent in other positions of public trust. He assisted in the erection of the Ger- man Reformed church at Hunts Corners and the Lutheran church at Pontiac, in both of which he held membership and also served in an official capacity. His demise, which occurred on the 12th of May, 1903, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of friends by reason of his honor, integrity and uprightness in every relation of life.
His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Janetta Moore, was about eight- een years of age when she accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Sherman township, Huron county. She was called to her final rest in 1873, when forty-three years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of fifteen children, as follows: Mary, who is now the wife of William Boehler ; Emma, who wedded Henry Bishop, of Nebraska ; Louisa, who is deceased ; Charles, of this review ; Sarah and David, who have like- wise passed away; Adam, a resident of Michigan; Isaac and Henry, who make their home in Lyme township; William ; Jacob, likewise living in Lyme township ; Clara, who is the wife of H. Hacker and resides in Michigan ; Ben, of Kansas ; and
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Henry and Isaac, who are deceased. Subsequent to the death of hs first wife Wil- liam A. Heyman was again married, his second union being with a Mrs. Weirmas- ter. a widow, by whom he had two children: Hugo, who has passed away ; and Otto, a resident of Bellevue.
With the exception of ten months spent at Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, Charles Heyman has always resided in Huron county. He obtained his education in the district schools of Sherman township, where he made his home until twenty-three years of age, when he took up his abode in Lyme township, there remaining for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Peru township and has here since resided. He owns a valuable and finely improved farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres and in the conduct of his agricultural interests has met with a measure of prosperity that entitles him to recognition among the successful and progressive citizens of his native county.
On the 9th of March, 1882, Mr. Heyman was joined in wedlock to Miss Louisa Boehler, a native of Peru township and a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Seibel) Boehler, of that township. By this union there are two children: Gotthold W., whose birth occurred April 13, 1883; and Anna L., now the wife of J. C. Linder, of Peru township.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Heyman has given his political allegiance to the democratic party and is now serving as township school director. He acted as constable of his township for two years and was also elected justice of the peace but declined the honor. He is an officer in the German Luth- eran church at Pontiac, in the work of which he is most actively and helpfully inter- ested. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and his fidelity to honorable, manly principles has won for him the good will and friend- ship of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
SAMUEL L. HARVEY.
Samuel L. Harvey, the well known proprietor of the Fairfield Plow Works, was born in Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 26th of January, 1852, his parents being John and Susanna (Ash) Harvey, both of whom were natives of Leicestershire, England. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States about 1846 and came direct to Fairfield township, this county, locating on a farm which the father purchased within a year after taking up his abode thereon. On that place he successfully and energetically carried on his agricultural interests until the time of his retirement from active business life. Unto him and his wife were born the following children, namely : Frances, the widow of Merrett Tuttle; Mrs. Diana St. Johns ; Richard, who was killed by a tree falling upon him ; David, who wedded Miss Anna McCrary ; Samuel L., of this review ; and John LeGrande, who married Miss Fanny Johnson, of Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Samuel L. Harvey obtained a good practical education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage. He then took up his abode on his father's farm, where he continued to reside until 1881, when he came to North Fairfield and worked at painting and carpentering for about two
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years. In 1884 he became engaged in the boot and shoe business, with which he was connected until 1887, when he formed a partnership with Homer Lamoureaux and Olen O. Olney for the manufacture of plows, the enterprise being known as the Fairfield Plow Works. At the end of a few months, however, Mr. Olney and Mr. Harvey purchased the interest of Mr. Lamoureaux and the concern was then con- ducted under the name of Olney & Harvey until 1893. In that year Mr. Harvey bought the interest of his partner and has since remained as the sole owner of the business, which is now known as the Fairfield Plow Works. The concern manu- factures both steel and chilled plows and Mr. Harvey has gradually built up the trade until it is now one of large proportions, shipments being made throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and other states. The factory turns out what is known as the Fairfield Burch plow, of which Nicholas Burch, a resident of North Fairfield was the patentee. On February 24, 1906, the entire plant was de- stroyed by fire but it was immediately replaced by a new one on the same site. Mr. Harvey himself sells most of the output, spending about six months of each year on the road. He possesses in a remarkable degree the qualities desirable in the execu- tive officer of a large manufacturing business-energy, industry, tact, a retentive memory, quick assimilation and mastery of details and a wide knowledge of the needs of the trade.
On the 23d of April, 1874, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Cinde L. Godden, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Butler) Godden, of Fairfield township, Huron county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Godden reared a family of eight children, as follows: Harriett, Elizabeth, Mary, Jennie, Sarah, Cinde, Emory and John. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born two sons. Fay Hendrickson, whose birth occurred June 22, 1875, wedded Miss Edith Baumgardner, a daughter of Israel and Mary Baumgardner, of Ridgefield township. They now have two children, Vera Fay and Barbara. Fay H. Harvey is in the employ of his father. Charles Durward, the younger son, who was born on the 2d of July, 1877, is en- gaged in the undertaking business. He married Miss Laura Bishop, a daughter of David A. and Sarah Elizabeth Bishop, by whom he has one child, Elizabeth Shirley.
Mr. Harvey is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian church, associations which are a clear indication of the principles which govern his life and guide his conduct in his relations with his fellowmen. He is now serving as one of the elders in the church. In the county where his entire life has been spent he has an extensive and favorable acquaintance and is widely recognized as a prominent and successful representative of its manufacturing interests.
FRED H. SMITH.
Fred H. Smith is at the head of The Smith Monumental Works, one of the largest establishments of its kind in the country, the business being located in Norwalk, the annual sales amounting to between thirty and sixty thousand dol- lars. Mr. Smith is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Sandusky, Erie county, February 27, 1860. He acquired his education in the public schools
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of his native city and when a youth of fifteen years, began learning the marble cutter's trade, being bound out by his father for a term of three years. His term of indenture being completed, in 1878, when eighteen years of age, he learned that A. T. Davis, then conducting a marble shop in Norwalk was in need of help and Mr. Smith accordingly applied for the position, which he secured, receiving as compensation a dollar and a half per day. He continued with Mr. Davis a year and a half, his wages being advanced to two dollars and a half per day. Severing his connection with that firm, he then engaged with R. R. King, with whom he worked at intervals for two years, while later he entered the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, cutting stone for their bridge work and receiving a salary of three dollars per day. Still later, he was employed for a time by the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Company, doing marble cutting for bridge piers and receiving a good salary for the same.
In December, 1883, having saved a small amount of money from his earnings, Mr. Smith formed a partnership with W. V. McKnight, a former fellow work- man, and on the Ist of January, 1884, they began operations in the marble busi- ness. Their joint capital amounted to but two hundred dollars but they were young men of determination and energy and during the ten years in which they did business together, they built up a large and lucrative trade. After a decade Mr. McKnight died and Mr. Smith purchased his interest in the business from the heirs and continued in the same line, the firm name, however, being changed from McKnight & Smith to The Smith Monumental Works, which continues to the present time. The business was first located at the corner of Seminary street and Linwood avenue. During this period the business had grown to such proportions that it became necessary to seek larger quarters. Accordingly, in June, 1900, Mr. Smith purchased the builders' supply business at the corner of Prospect and Monroe streets, which was formerly used as a supply yard by the Norwalk Brick and Stone Company. On this ground he erected a plant, thirty- six feet wide, one hundred and eighty feet deep and twenty feet high. Here he is now conducting business and in addition to monumental work, also handles all kinds of builders' supplies, with the exception of hardware and lumber. He has secured a large patronage in all branches of his business and especially in the monumental trade, specimens of his work being found in the various ceme- teries over a radius of thirty miles. He employs twenty skilled workmen, and being himself well versed in the monumental business in its various phases, he is thus able to give the utmost satisfaction to his patrons. Perhaps the most notable work which he has done is to be found in the Milan cemetery-the Fries Mausoleum, which was erected for the late Valentine Fries, one of Ohio's great- est shipbuilders, at a cost of seventeen thousand, five hundred dollars, it being one of the most expensive individual mausoleums to be found in all northern Ohio. The annual sales now amount to between thirty and sixty thousand dollars and are still increasing. Mr. Smith has connected with him in business his two step-sons, James J. and Harry G. McKnight, both bright young men, who will undoubtedly become experts in their particular line. Both are graduates of a business college.
Mr. Smith was married in 1895, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Katharine (McKnight) Burger, who was born in Norwalk, April 17, 1863. Her father, Joseph Burger, was born in Peru township, Huron county, in 1832. When young,
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he learned the carpenter's trade and has spent his entire life in this city, being one of the worthy pioneer citizens of this section of the state.
Mr. Smith is a republican in his political views, while in religious faith, he is a Congregationalist. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He may truly be called a self-made man, for, starting out with comparatively nothing, he has through the inherent force of his nature and the utilization of opportunities, passed from the unknown into prominence, ad- vancing from a humble place in the business world to a position of distinction as head of The Smith Monumental Works, an establishment of wide reputation throughout northern Ohio.
SAMUEL C. SHERMAN.
George Washington said that "agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man ;" and it is to this line of activity that Samuel C. Sherman devotes his time and energies, owning a well improved and productive farm of ninety-eight acres in Lyme township. His birth occurred in that town- ship on the 5th of March, 1865, his parents being Samuel and Mary Ann (Car- penter) Sherman, both of whom were natives of England and became early set- tlers of Huron county, Ohio. The former, whose natal day was March 9, 1838, was a lad of fourteen years when he accompanied his father, William H. Sher- man, and his brother, Joseph Sherman, on their emigration to the new world, a settlement being made in this county. Subsequently William H. Sherman re- turned to England, leaving his son Samuel with Alonzo Husted to whom he was bound out. It was agreed that the lad should work for Mr. Husted until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, when he would receive one hundred dollars and two suits of clothes. He proved so faithful, energetic and industrious that Mr. Husted gave him the money and clothing a year before his apprenticeship had expired. Leaving the money with Mr. Husted, who agreed to pay interest thereon, Mr. Sherman went to work for Luther Avery at a wage of eleven dol- lars per month. He remained in that employ until, by close economy, he had saved another hundred dollars and then Mr. Husted gave him the money which he had earned during his term of indenture, together with the interest that had accrued thereon. Mr. Sherman was at this time about twenty-three years of age and started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting a tract of land on shares from Mr. Husted. He also made further preparations for establishing a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Ann Carpenter, who was born in England on the 20th of March, 1843. When his well directed labor and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital, Mr. Sherman purchased thirty acres of land in Lyme township and afterward extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until it comprised sixty-one acres, which farm is now in possession of his son, George W., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. As the years went by and his financial resources increased, Mr. Sherman gradually added to his holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred acres of rich, productive and arable land in this county and is widely recognized as
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a most substantial, enterprising and respected citizen. Beginning with absolutely nothing but his own willing hands and indomitable courage, he has made his way to success and prosperity and well merits the confidence and esteem which are uniformly accorded him. He now makes his home in Monroeville and is a valued member of the Episcopal church, in which he has served as deacon. His wife was called to her final rest on the 25th of December, 1908.
Samuel C. Sherman was reared to agricultural pursuits and acquired his education in the district schools. He has always made his home in Lyme town- ship and has followed farming throughout his active business career, purchasing his present place of ninety-eight acres in 1895. For six years prior, however, he had operated the farm as a renter and has made many improvements on the property, remodeling the dwelling, erecting barns, etc. In fact, the place is lacking in none of the accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twen- tieth century and the fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor that is bestowed upon them.
In November, 1887, Mr. Sherman was joined in wedlock to Miss Carolina Peadon, a native of Lyme township and a daughter of George and Anna Peadon, who were born in New Jersey and became residents of Lyme township, this county. By this union, there are seven children, namely : Bertha M .; Henry G .; Mabel Ann ; Charles C., who is deceased ; Carl L. ; Samuel L. ; and Laura E. The surviving children are all at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Sherman has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served as road supervisor for several terms. Like the other members of his family, he is affiliated with the Episcopal church of Lyme township, of which he is acting as deacon and sexton and in the work of which he is deeply and help- fully interested. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have always resided in this com- munity and have an extensive circle of friends who esteem them for their gen- uine personal worth and upright, honorable lives.
CHARLES A. SUTTON.
Charles A. Sutton, a wealthy farmer of Greenwich township, Huron county, and well known for the active and influential part he has played in this locality, owns three hundred and ninety-six acres of excellent land, upon which he lives. It was also the place of his birth, which occurred July 4, 1844, and the modern brick house which is his home stands not very far from the little log cabin which was his father and mother's first home when they came to this county still in the state of a wilderness. He is the son of J. Aranson and Emiline (Brady) Sutton, both of whom were parties to experiences in the pioneer days that rival any that are told of persons who have by virtue of circumstances attained to historic prom- inence. Aranson Sutton, who was born April 1, 1802, and two companions, his twin brother Alanson and James Carver, formed a trio who came from New York state to Ohio in 1824. They were all single men and spent the first night in Greenwich township, Huron county, with the family of Willis Smith, who
MR. AND MRS. C. A. SUTTON
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then lived about one mile east of Greenwich village. The three young men first took up a tract of land in Ruggles township in what is now known as Ashland county, and began the work of clearing. Aranson, however, after a time, sold his interest in the land to Mr. Carver, who remained there. For a few years he worked at whatever there was to do, until in 1828 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and built his cabin home. About this time he married, and his wife who had to share the rude cabin and the few conveniences, did her share toward relieving the hardships of the men. Even the simplest domestic duties were performed with difficulty, for when Mr. Sutton and the men who helped him were out in the woods clearing land for the crops, his wife would be cook- ing their meals over a log fire in the open air. He had come to this, county with three hundred dollars in money, a log chain, an ax, and a few other belongings, but he went to work with the determination to win. His acres grew to the num- ber of six hundred, and when an accident in the woods brought about his death, November 17, 1870, a train bearing down upon his wagon, which passed over his body, he held good securities to the value of twenty thousand dollars, besides a large amount of personal property. Not only had he been a man who was active in advancing his own private interests, but he was also deeply interested in public matters. For a period of twenty years he served as justice of the peace, and it is said that during that time almost all the marriages of this locality were solemn- ized by "Squire Sutton." He was an active worker in the Methodist church, being known as an exhorter, and he contributed liberally to all church and charit- able work. In his family were five children: Charity, Mary J., Sarah, Louisa and Charles A. Louisa, who is now Mrs. J. A. Fancher, and the son, Charles A., are the only members of the family now living. Mrs. Sutton died January 28, 1873, and with her husband lies buried in Ninevah, Greenwich township.
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