USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 20
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On the 3d of February, 1872, Mr. Ashton was united in marriage to Miss Emma P. Knoll, whose birth occurred in Ridgefield township, Huron county, in 1856, her parents being Christian and Elizabeth Knoll, of Ridgefield town- ship. The three children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ashton are as follows : Clara, a graduate of the Zenaium Art School at Columbus, is now the wife of P. W. Clark, who conducts a business college at Louisville, Kentucky. Their union has been blessed with one son, William A. Alice, a graduate of the Monroeville high school, gave her hand in marriage to Professor Oscar Erf, who is profes- sor of the dairy department at the Ohio State University. They reside at Columbus and have one son, Lowell. Myrtle, likewise a graduate of the Monroe- ville high school, lives at home with her father. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 7th of September, 1907, her loss being deeply mourned by an extensive circle of friends as well as her immediate family.
In his political views Mr. Ashton was formerly a democrat and on that ticket was elected to the office of township trustee, in which he served for a number of
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years. At the present time, however, he gives his allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, believing its principles to be most conducive to good government. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church at Monroeville. A man of sterling character, he has always merited and received the confidence and respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
ISAAC MCKESSON.
The life history of Isaac Mckesson constitutes an important chapter in the annals of Huron county. He figured prominently in industrial and political circles for many years, but is now living retired from active business save for the interest which he feels in the world's progress. He represents a family whose name has long been interwoven with the early history of Ohio, the family arriving in this state in 1827, settlement being made in Venice in what is now Erie county. On the paternal side, Mr. Mckesson comes of Scotch lineage, his grandfather, John Mckesson, a Presbyterian minister, having come from Scotland to America in 1761 and locating in York county, Pennsylvania. He was a typical Scotch Pres- byterian, who proved a power for good in the community in which he resided dur- ing the early days of the "new world" as America was then commonly designated. He wielded a wide influence by reason of his strict integrity and honorable man- hood, while his life at all times measured up to a high moral standard.
His son, Isaac Mckesson, Sr., the father of our subject, was also educated for the ministry but his natural taste for mechanics led him to abandon that call- ing before he had completed his theological course and he later learned the trade of a millwright and civil engineer. Attracted by the favorable location for mills in Venice, Erie county, Ohio, he removed to that place in 1827, where for a num- ber of years he followed his trade of millwright and also did considerable sur- veying and civil engineering. Later he resided in Bellevue for some years and subsequently purchased a farm near Venice, where he engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1854. He had been a prominent figure in the development of the locality in which he resided, aiding very materially in the improvement of milling property, and was recognized as one of the leading and valued citizens of his part of the county. Ere coming to Ohio, he had married Miss Elizabeth Caldwell, and in their family were the following children: Jane ; James ; John ; Oliver ; William, who passed away in infancy; William; Elizabeth and Isaac, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of the last named.
Isaac Mckesson, whose name introduces this review, was born in Pennsyl- vania on the 12th of January, 1821, and was therefore a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. Spending the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, he is indebted to the district school system for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. Early in life, after giving careful thought concerning the work for which he was best adapted and which in his estimation would prove the most profitable, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, and under his direction and guidance learned the
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trade of a millwright and carpenter. This he followed for a few years, at the same time giving considerable time to the management of his father's farming prop- erty. He was married on the 28th of October, 1841, to Miss Zorada J. Hunt, a daughter of John and Nancy (Lord) Hunt, natives of New Hampshire, who came to Ohio about 1816, locating in Norwalk, where Mr. Hunt engaged in the cooperage business.
After his marriage, Mr. Mckesson located at Enterprise, Erie county, Ohio, where he operated a sawmill for about a year, and then for two years he was engaged in carpentering and was also identified with agricultural pursuits. Later, he rented a farm near Sandusky, which he cultivated for about two years, and at the same time worked at his trade as carpenter, erecting many houses throughout the community, most of which were constructed of hewn logs. Sub- sequently, he purchased a farm in York township, Sandusky county, and there he engaged in general farming for six years, when he bought a farm in Groton township, Erie county, upon which he resided until 1866, when he purchased property in Collins, Huron county, to which he removed in 1869 and which he has since continued to make his place of residence. After his arrival in Huron county, he became the proprietor of a sawmill and bending works, his plant being the first steam bending works to be established in that section of the county. He also engaged in the manufacture of force pumps, which were a new feaure at that time, and the fact that Mr. Mckesson added to his pump the double action caused his product to be a vast improvement upon that which had hitherto been placed upon the market. The Growth of the business, therefore, was very rapid and soon reached extensive proportions, the enterprise becoming one of the leading and important industries of Huron county. In 1880, however, he sold his interests and practically retired from active life. A man of keen business acumen, dur- ing his connection with industrial interests, he so capably controlled his various enterprises that he became recognized as one of the prominent business men of Townsend township. He also possessed considerable real estate, for as the years went by and he prospered, he invested in land, becoming the owner of property interests in Collins and also in Townsend township. For some years, he also operated a sawmill and turning plant upon land which he owned in Michigan, not far from Jackson, but since retirement from business, he has unfortunately lost most of this property.
Not merely because of the success which he won in the business world is Mr. Mckesson entitled to special mention in this volume, but also by reason of his deep and helpful interest in the public affairs of the community and the promi- nent position which he held in local political circles. He is a stalwart republican, and has been very active in the affairs of the party for many years, having been called to various positions of trust by his fellow citizens. He served as trustee of Groton township for eight years, was justice of the peace for three years, town- ship treasurer for two years, served for two terms as county commissioner of Erie county and was offered the nomination for a third term by the unamimous vote of the convention, but declined the honor. He was also elected trustee of Townsend township, serving for two terms, and in both Erie and Huron counties, he was a member of the school board for many years. He has been a prominent figure in county, district and state conventions, having been a delegate to the
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first republican county convention held in Erie county. He called the first republican caucus in Groton township, Erie county, and was a delegate to the convention that first nominated John Sherman for congress, held in Shelby, Ohio. He assisted in organizing the first county fair association in Erie county and was a member of the board of directors, while after his arrival in Huron county, he became a director of the Huron County Agricultural Society, which position he filled for some time. He was likewise active in the movement which resulted in the establishment of a children's home in Huron county and for twenty-two years served as a trustee of the home, eventually resigning his position on account of ill health. Mr. Mckesson was also very active in the affairs of Erie county and those of Ohio, during the period of the Civil war. He was commissioned by Gov- ernor Tod, lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and was active in securing Erie county's quota of troops. He also made it his duty to see that the families of the soldiers were properly cared for and gave not only freely of his time, but also liberally of his means to provide whatever was neces- sary for their welfare, thereby manifesting to some extent the spirit of philan- thropy that underlies his nature.
As the years passed the home of Mr. and Mrs. McKesson was blessed with two children : Lester and Nancy E. The daughter is now Mrs. George Liles, of Col- lins. The son, when only eighteen years of age, at the first call for troops enlisted on the 8th of April, 1861 as a member of the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and served for a term of three months. After his discharge, he imme- diately re-enlisted for three years, and throughout that period, he served with distinction, participating in more than seventy battles and skirmishes. He was thrice wounded, at Fredericksburg, later at Gettysburg and again at the battle of the Wilderness. The last wound was at first thought to be mortal but he re- covered. He was promoted from a private to the rank of lieutenant and the rec- ords show that he was a brave and courageous officer, remaining at all times loyal to the old flag and the cause which it represented. After the close of the war, he returned home and entered business life, being now engaged in the real estate business in Toledo, Ohio. He is a man of high character, who stands well in his community and is a worthy son of an honored father.
Mr. Mckesson was called upon, in the fall of 1878, to mourn the loss of his wife, and in March, 1880, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Harriet (Reese) Emmerson, the widow of Henry Emmerson. She, too, passed away on the Ist of July, 1886, and for his third wife, Mr. Mckesson chose Mrs. Rebecca (Balliet) Van Buskirk, whom he married on the Ist of November, 1887. She is the widow of Samuel Van Buskirk and a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Montz) Balliet, of Richland county, who originally came from Penn- sylvania and were prominent farming people.
Mr. Mckesson and his family have held membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church for many years, he having been a member of that denomination for more than seventy years. During his connection therewith, he has been very active in church work and has held every office in the church below the clergy. He has been especially active and helpful in the direction of Sunday school work, hav- ing organized and assisted in maintaining various Sabbath schools where none had previously existed. Mr. Mckesson is a great humanitarian at heart and has
A
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ever been a stalwart supporter of those measures which serve to promote general progress along material, political, intellectual and moral lines, and also to uplift and maintain a high standard of citizenship. He is a splendid type of the high- minded American gentleman and an excellent example of the power and force of honorable manhood, of earnest effort and of high principles. He has now reached the eighty-eighth mile stone on life's journey and he can look back upon the past without regret and upon the future without fear.
AUGUST SCHEID.
August Scheid, who has long been numbered among the most enterprising, energetic and successful agriculturists of Peru township, is the owner of a rich and arable tract of land of one hundred and forty-four acres. He is a native son of Huron county, his birth having occurred in Peru township on the 26th of October, 1858. His parents, John William and Catherine (Beilstein) Scheid, were both natives of Germany, the former born on the 9th of January, 1818, and the latter in 1826. In 1849 the father accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Peru township, Huron coun- ty, Ohio, where both the grandfather and grandmother of our subject passed away. John William Scheid, the father of August Scheid, continued to make his home in Peru township until called to his final rest on the 30th of November, 1903, being successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active busi- ness career. He assisted in the organization and erection of the Lutheran church in Peru township and served as one of its elders for a number of years. His wife, who had made the journey to the new world in company with her sisters and brothers, was called to her final rest in 1885. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, namely : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles J. Heyman and resides in Lyme township; August, of this review ; Henrietta, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Hass, in Sherman township; William C., living in Peru township ; Catherine B., residing in Sherman township, who is the wife of George C. Hass ; and L. H., of California.
In the district and German schools of his home neighborhood August Scheid obtained his education and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the line of activity which he later chose as a life occupation. He is now devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of a farm of one hundred and forty-four acres in Peru township, ninety-five acres of which he received from his father, while the remain- ing forty-nine acres were purchased by him from the Lewis Hoffman estate. As the years have gone by he has placed many substantial improvements on the prop- erty and annually reaps bountiful harvests which find a ready sale on the market. He likewise has charge of the Heyman Milling Company's interests at Pontiac, buy- ing grain, etc.
On the 21st of February, 1882, Mr. Scheid was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Heyman, a native of Sherman township and a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Longscheid) Heyman, of Sherman township. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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Scheid have been born ten children, as follows: George W., who is a teacher in the Ohio Normal University at Ada ; Estella, who is the wife of Fred Linder, of Town- send township; and Walter, Dora, Arthur, Herbert, Edwin, Ralph, Alfred and Harvey, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Politically Mr. Scheid is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. He has served as township trustee for seven years, was justice of the peace for three years and in 1890 acted as real-estate appraiser of Peru township. He has likewise been a member of the school board, the cause of public education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. The Lutheran church of Pontiac numbers him among its most active and helpful members and he has served in various official capacities therein. In the community where they have spent their entire lives both he and his wife are most widely and favorably known, the circle of their friends being almost coexten- sive with the circle of their acquaintances.
LOUIS ERF.
Louis Erf, who is extensively and successfully engaged in farming and dairy- ing, is the owner of the Hickory Dairy Farm, comprising a tract of two hun- dred and thirty acres of rich and productive land in Peru township. It was on this place that his birth occurred, his natal day being July 28, 1866. His parents, Philip and Dorothy (Heyman) Erf, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1832. When a young man of twenty-one years Philip Erf came alone to the new world and, securing employment as a farm hand, was busily engaged in the work of the fields for several years. Believing that the United States afforded broader opportunities than could be obtained in his native land, he then sent for his parents, Jacob and Kathryn Erf, and his two brothers, Anthony and Jacob, all of whom took up their abode in Huron county, Ohio. When he had accumulated sufficient capital, Philip Erf, the father of our subject, bought a small tract of land in Peru township and as his financial resources increased added to his holdings by additional purchase until at the time of his death he owned more than five hundred acres. The prosperity which he enjoyed was the direct result of his untiring and well directed labor and he was recognized throughout the community as a most successful, enterprising and representative citizen. He served as school director and township trustee in Peru township and also held other positions of public trust, ever discharging his official duties in a prompt and capable manner. His demise, which occurred in January, 1894, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his upright and honorable life had gained him the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom he was associated. His wife was but a little maiden of twelve years when she crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with her parents, William and Jo- hanetta Heyman. She still survives at the age of sixty-nine years and now makes her home with her son, Louis. Her other children are as follows: Wil- liam, who is a resident of Lyme township; Lydia, the deceased wife of A. P.
LOUIS ERF
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Horn, of Lyme township; and Oscar, who is professor of the dairy department in the Ohio State University at Columbus.
Louis Erf obtained his education in the schools of Monroeville, Ohio, and after his father died took charge of the old homestead farm, which has since been in his possession and which has remained his place of residence from his birth to the present time. It is one of the finest farming properties in the en- tire county and the commodious and substantial residence thereon was erected by his father in 1867, but he has since made many improvements in the way of modern conveniences. His place is known as the Hickory Dairy Farm and in the conduct of both his agricultural and dairying interests he has met with a highly gratifying and commendable measure of success, being a man of sound business judgment and unfaltering energy. He was one of the promoters of the Star Creamery Company at Monroeville and is now a member of its board of directors as well as one of its stockholders. He is likewise the president of the Farmers & Citizens Bank of Monroeville, one of the promoters and stockholders of the Hess Hardware Company of that place and a director and stockholder in the Perfect Silo & Cement Company of Sunbury, Ohio. Possessing excel- lent executive ability and keen discrimination, his cooperation has been sought in the management and control of various other concerns and he has gained wide and favorable recognition as a leading and respected resident of his native county.
On the Ioth of February, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Erf and Elizabeth Henninger, a daughter of Jacob and Kathryn (Spatz) Henninger, of Monroeville. By this union there are three children: Philip, Clifford and Dorothy.
In his political views Mr. Erf is a stalwart democrat and has served as school director in Ridgefield township, while at the present time he is treasurer of Peru township. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic lodge at Monroeville, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity by his own high moral worth. What he undertakes he accomplishes, for he possesses resolution, perseverance and reliability, and these qualities have caused him to be enrolled among the best citizens of this part of the state.
EDWARD MUSHETT.
Edward Mushett, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ridgefield township, Hu- ron county, Ohio, was born upon the farm on which he now resides April 18, 1871, a son of Alexander and Jane (Harpster) Mushett. The former, who was born in New York in 1825, came to Ohio when a young man in company with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mushett. The family home was established in Ridgefield township, where Alexander Mushett spent the rest of his life, devoting his time and attention to the occupation of farming. He was a democrat in politics and gave stanch support to that party. His wife was a native of Ridgefield township and a daughter of Philip Harpster and she passed away at an early age, leaving three chil-
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dren to mourn her loss, of which number Edward, of this review, was the youngest. Frank, the eldest, resides at Monroeville, Ohio, and Nellie, who married Fred Hoh- ler, lives on a part of the farm operated by Edward Mushett. Her husband is at present mining in the gold fields of Alaska. After the death of his first wife Alex- ander Mushett wedded Jemima Simmons and both are now deceased, the former passing away January 12, 1907.
On the farm upon which he was born Edward Mushett was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools and assisting in the work of the fields. He has never followed any other occupation than that of farming nor has he had any desire to engage in any other line of business inasmuch as he has been most success- ful in his agricultural pursuits. He now owns a third interest in the home farm upon which he resides. It consists of one hundred and forty-four acres of land, which was originally cleared by his father, who also placed all of the improvements upon the place.
On the 24th of October, 1900, Mr. Mushett was united in marriage to Miss Anna Enderle, a daughter of Charles and Louisa (Kerris) Enderle, of Groton town- ship, Erie county, Ohio, and unto them have been born three children, Leona, Clif- ford and Ellen, all at home.
Mr. Mushett belongs to the Lutheran church and he also holds membership in the National Protective Legion. He is highly esteemed throughout the community by reason of his genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character. He is public-spirited in citizenship and always lends his aid on the side of reform, prog- ress and improvement, while he stands inflexibly for truth and justice on all occa- sions.
AMBROSE FRAYER.
The man to whom above all others the village of Greenwich owes its progress and the excellence of its municipal improvements and also its financial prosperity, is Ambrose Frayer. This public-spirited citizen was born in Greene county, New York, in the Catskill mountains, July 7, 1820, and is a son of Isaac and Charity (Leming) Frayer, who came with their family to Huron county, Ohio, in 1832, and engaged in farming. They had seven children : Ambrose, Loren, Philea Ann, Elliott, Earl, Amanda and Evaline, all of whom grew to maturity, though Ambrose and Evaline are the only ones who have survived to the present. The father died in 1889, at the age of eighty-three, outliving his wife by twenty years, she having died at the comparatively early age of forty. They were a highly respected couple, for they possessed many sterling traits of character.
Ambrose Frayer grew up at home and remained under the guidance of his pa- rents until he was twenty-one years of age. He received his education at the little log country school and by reading at home in the chimney corner, with a hickory torch for a light. These were not large opportunities for winning a knowledge of books and men, but even as a boy he was a great reader, and through his associa- tion in later years with persons of high education has become a man singularly well informed upon matters of general interest and competent to render discriminating and good judgment. When he attained his majority he left the parental roof and
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engaged in farm work for others by the month. He soon was able to buy a tract of wild land, which he cleared, and to this kept adding until he had a farm of two hun- dred acres. He was successful from the start, and this place was but the nucleus of the six hundred and forty acres which he afterward possessed, all excellent land. For a number of years, in addition to his farming he raised fine thoroughbred horses and was about the first to introduce full blood merino sheep into Huron county. In these lines, as in agriculture, he prospered well, and he became known throughout the state and elsewhere as the breeder of roadsters of the finest quality. Upon both sheep and horses his judgment was often eagerly sought. Always alert to see the possibilities for improvement, he patented a fanning mill and a gate, the rights to manufacture which he sold in other states, thereby reaping a considerable amount. He established a factory for the making of the fanning mills at Plymouth, which was successfully conducted for a number of years. At the same time he en- gaged in general farming and the success of one seemed never to be gained at the expense of the other.
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