USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 29
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Greenfield township has been the home of Edward L. Conger during all his life. He was born a deaf and dumb mute and attended the school for mutes at Colum- bus. While there he learned the trade of a shoemaker but has never worked at that occupation, having followed agriculture instead. Along this line he has been very successful, his fields producing as abundantly and the buildings being in as good repair as if he were not handicapped in the battle of life, and rightly so, for it is in- dustry and hard work that counts, thus being able to surmount obstacles that might otherwise overwhelm one.
In 1871, while in school in Columbus, Mr. Conger met Miss Nellie Hall, also a pupil at the mutes' institution and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Hall, of South Lebanon, Pennsylvania. On the 8th of May, 1879, at her home, was read the service that made the two young people man and wife in the eyes of the law. Their union has been blessed with two children: Mary Bell, born May 13, 1883, and Ray, born August 30, 1887.
Mr. Conger is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and all his life and ac- tions are ordered by what he believes to be the right and in accord with the teach- ings of his religion. He is a fine man, imbued with many noble traits of character, and those who know him hold him in high regard.
CALVIN C. BROOKS.
Calvin C. Brooks, successful because of his unfaltering determination and in- de fatigable industry, now lives on a farm of eighty-eight acres in Peru township, from which property he derives his substantial annual income. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Greenfield township on the 20th of April, 1860. His parents were William and Sophronia ( Parsons) Brooks. The father, who was born in Vermont in 1809, came to Ohio with his parents when a young man and settled about three miles north of Chicago Junction. There he developed a good farm property, owning at one time about three hundred acres of land. His wife was a native of the state of New York and she, too, came with her parents to Huron county, the family home being established in Greenfield town- ship. The death of William Brooks occurred in 1869, when he was sixty years of age, and his widow, surviving him for about thirty-five years, died in the fall of 1904. They were the parents of nine children : Francis L., who is now living in Fayette county, Pennsylvania ; Mortimer, a resident of Oklahoma ; Darwin, living at Steuben, Ohio; Mrs. Lucy France, who is a widow now located at Oklahoma ; Parsons, deceased : Augustine, residing in Peru township; Calvin C .; Kate, the
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wife of Samuel Hall, whose home is in North Fairfield, Ohio ; and one who died in infancy.
Calvin C. Brooks was reared in Greenfield township to the age of twenty-nine years and in his youthful days attended the district schools, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the home farm. Since putting aside his text-books his entire time has been devoted to general farming. He went to Wisconsin a number of years ago and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he lived for five years, when he sold that property. He also worked at Spokane Falls, Washington, and after a brief sojourn on the Pacific coast he returned to Ohio and purchased his present farm from George Barman. He has since made a number of improve- ments on the property and is busily engaged in the work of general farming, trans- forming the place into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers good harvests.
Mr. Brooks married Miss Kathryn Sysel, a daughter of James and Kathryn (Extine) Sysel, natives of Bohemia. This marriage was celebrated February 20, 1895, and unto them have been born seven children : Blanch, William, Ralph, May. Gladys, Elsie and Grace. Of this family all are yet living with the exception of Elsie and Blanch. Mrs. Brooks was born in Bohemia and when fourteen years of age came to this country with some relatives, her parents always remaining in their native land. Her father is still living there at the age of eighty years, but the mother died June 28, 1895. They were the parents of seven children : James, who is now in Minnesota ; Mary, a resident of Bohemia ; Anna, who is also in Minnesota ; Jacob, deceased : Kathryn, now Mrs. Brooks; and George and Joseph, both of whom are in Bohemia. By a former marriage Mr. Brooks had a daughter, Eliza- beth Bell, who is now the wife of Fred Porter and lives in Waseon, Ohio. They have two children, Sylvester and Daniel. By her former marriage Mrs. Brooks had two daughters, Jennie and Agnes, who are now living with our subject.
Mr. Brooks is interested in the cause of education and has served as school di- rector for a number of years, doing all in his power to advance the cause of public instruction. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, which finds in him a stalwart champion, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concen- trate his energies upon his business affairs.
MARTIN ELLIS.
One of the men who has made a success of general farming in Greenwich township, is Martin Ellis, a member of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. He is the son of John and Rachel (Rickard) Ellis, whose parents were originally res- idents of Onondaga county, New York, and came to Mansfield, Ohio, in the early pioneer days, where the father followed the carpenter's trade for some years. At length, having accumulated the necessary funds, he bought one hundred acres in Greenwich township. Huron county, and took up the active life of the general farmer of that day. Game was very plentiful in the earlier years of his residence here and John Ellis secured many a deer with his ever present rifle. Although he
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had but twenty-five cents in cash and a small chest of carpenter's tools when he arrived in Ohio, before his death he became the owner of fully six hundred acres of Huron county land, well stocked and improved. Seven of the eight children of this pioneer family grew to maturity: Sidney, Thirsa, John R., Martin, Leona, Pauline, Hiram and Sarah, but the only ones now living are Martin, Pauline and Sarah. In March, 1890, at the age of seventy-three, the father, noted for his great moral and physical courage, and a respected participator in public affairs, was laid away by the side of the mother, who had died in 1887 and was buried in Ripley cemetery.
Martin Ellis was born on the old homestead in Greenwich township, May 13, 1847, and secured his education in the district schools of that township. He served the usual apprenticeship of the farmer lad until he was twenty, when he started out in life for himself. On December 28, 1871, was celebrated his marriage to Mary E. Stotts, who was the daughter of James and Eliza (Titus) Stotts, of Rip- ley township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have been born two sons: James H., de- ceased, and Ray.
Mr. Ellis settled on his own land soon after marriage and at present holds the title to one hundred and twenty acres of well tilled, well improved and well stocked farm land. He does not need to specialize, as all of the varied interests of the gen- eral farmer have succeeded under his hand. He has been amply aided by his son, Ray, who bids fair to make as good a farmer as his parent. He was married Sep- tember 1, 1909, to Miss Lotha McCarty, a daughter of George and Mary (Swope) McCarty of Greenwich township. He is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., and also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
The democratic party claims Mr. Ellis' allegiance, and he has been consistently active in public affairs, serving as road overseer and member of the board of educa- tion. While not a member of any church, he yet supports the cause of religion, and is always interested in all matters which are for the benefit of the race. He is re- ferred to as one of the best farmers of the county and is universally respected for his progressiveness.
OTTO BOEHLER.
An excellent farm of one hundred and forty-two acres in Lyme township, this county, pays tribute to the care and labor of Otto Boehler, who in his business in- terests is meeting with well merited success. He was born in Peru township, Hu- ron county, September 5, 1869, a son of Phillip and Marguerita (Seibel) Boeh- ler, natives of Germany. The former, who was born November 7, 1824, arrived in the United States in 1848 and settled in Huron county, Ohio, being employed in Peru township for about three years. He subsequently owned property in Lyme township, which he sold, and later purchased a farm in Sherman township, which in turn he disposed of and secured a farm in Peru township. At the time of his death, which occurred May 3, 1897, in Monroeville, Ridgefield township, he was recognized as an extensive landowner. He was first married to Miss Mary Sei- bel, a native of Germany, who was born April 1, 1831, and after her death he was
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united in marriage to Miss Jeanetta Knoble. The children of the first union were William, Henry, Phillip, Otto, Minnie and Louise, all of whom still survive.
To the district schools of Peru township and also of Monroeville, Ridgefield township, Otto Boehler is indebted for his education, and he also learned many practical and valuable lessons while assisting in the work of the farm during the periods of vacation. He remained at home until 1890, when he began working for G. G. Horn, with whom he was connected for two years. He then began busi- ness on his own account, taking charge of the farm upon which he now resides. It was given to him by his father who had, in 1871, purchased the tract from a Mr. Smith. It is an excellent farm of one hundred and forty-two acres, upon which Mr. Boehler has placed many improvements. He is industrious, enterprising and persevering, and his good management of his business interests is bringing him substantial success.
On the 7th of January, 1892, Mr. Boehler was united in marriage to Miss Emma Horn, a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Seel) Horn, old German set- tlers of this county. She is a native of Lyme township, born March 18, 1871, and by her marriage became the mother of three children: Clarence, born October 25, 1892 ; Alma, born June 11, 1896; and Adolph, born November 20, 1898. The family is still unbroken by the hand of death, and all are yet at home.
The religious faith of Mr. Boehler is indicated in his membership in the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World Camp, No. 40. He has never sought to figure in a public light, yet his de- votion to the public welfare is unquestioned, arising as it does from a sincere desire for the substantial and permanent growth of the community. Honest and up- right in all of his business dealings, he has won the respect and good will of his fellowmen, while his sterling qualities have gained for him a wide circle of warm friends.
BENJAMIN F. BECK.
The rich farming land of Huron county yields ready response to the care and labors of the agriculturist and if the farmer is wise and prudent he may in the course of years gain a substantial competence as the direct result of his labors. Such has been the history of Benjamin F. Beck, who is now living in North Fairfield but in former years was closely associated with general farming. He started upon the journey of life in 1851, his birth having occurred in New Haven township, Huron county. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Berlin) Beck, who were numbered among the pioneer residents of the county, settling here when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun. The Becks have al- ways been thrifty people and Benjamin Beck was reared to habits of perseverance, industry and economy. His education was acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood and through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields as he assisted in the operations of the home farm. He was thus well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own when he started out in life for himself.
As companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Beck chose Miss Hulda Sothern, a daughter of James P. and Mary Elizabeth (Stiles) Sothern. Her peo-
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ple, too, arrived in Huron county in pioneer times and her father was active in the early development of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Beck began their do- mestic life upon a farm and as the years passed Mr. Beck diligently and persis- tently carried on his work. He studied the matter of rotating crops, came to know the properties of the soil and what was needed for the production of different cereals. His farm work was thus intelligently directed and brought to him the prosperity which now enables him to live retired.
WILLIAM S. RUGGLES.
William S. Ruggles, who is the owner of a sawmill and one hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Peru township, on which he lives, was born on this farm, March 31. 1853. He is a son of George W. and Mary Elizabeth (Sny- der) Ruggles. His grandparents, Joseph and Mary Ruggles, came to Huron county from the state of New York, traveling overland with a yoke of oxen in 1815, bringing with them the several children who had been born unto them in the east. They resided about a half mile east of the place on which William S. Ruggles now makes his home, and for a few years they lived in a little barn on the Henry Adams farm, which they converted into a rude dwelling, occupy- ing it until Joseph Ruggles purchased the place which is now the home of our subject. It was a tract of timberland when it came into his possession but he at once began to clear away the trees and the brush and, in the midst of the for- est, built a log house. It was abount 1817 that he established his home there and as time passed he vigorously prosecuted the work of the farm, transform- ing the tract of forest land into richly cultivated fields. Subsequently he built and operated the first cidermill in the county and was closely associated with the work of early development and improvement. He died in 1849 at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife passed away in 1850.
George W. Ruggles, the father, also lived in Peru township and for many years made his home above the old cidermill. In the early days he pursued his studies in one of the log schools of the township wherein but a few branches of learning were taught. Although his educational opportunities were limited his training in farm work was not meager and throughout his entire life he con- tinued to actively till the soil. His lack of early educational advantages was obviated by the fact that he remained throughout his entire life a great reader and thus added continuously to his knowledge. His wife was born in Milan, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary ( Norris) Snyder, who were early set- tlers of Huron country, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. The death of Mrs Ruggles occurred July 1, 1905. She was the mother of five children, namely : Mary B., the wife of James Clifford of Findlay, Ohio; William S., of this re- view ; Walter and Charles, both deceased; and Loretta E., the wife of Frank Schlagater, of Bronson township.
William S. Ruggles has always lived upon the home place, the district being known as Ruggles Corners. He attended the schools of the neighborhood in his early days and throughout his entire life has carried on general farming and
MR. AND MRS. W. S. RUGGLES
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has also operated a sawmill for about twenty years. He married Miss Alice J. Owen, a daughter of Lafayette and Mary J. (Clark) Owen, of Greenfield township, the wedding being celebrated on the 30th of August, 1876. Mrs. Ruggles was born in Greenfield township, where her parents lived until they were called to their final rest. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children: J. C., whose birth occurred February 2, 1885, and who married Ethel Baxter, their home being now in Peru township; and Harry, who was born February 19, 1889, and is still under the parental roof.
As he prospered in his undertakings William S. Ruggles purchased the old homestead from his father and has since made many substantial improvements upon the place. He has built a fine barn, has remodeled the house and has added all of the accessories and conveniences known to the model farm of the twentieth century. In 1892 the sawmill which he owned near his home was destroyed by fire and he then built a steam sawmill on his farm, which he oper- ated until 1902. In that year he sold out and two years later installed a gaso- line engine and again entered the business of sawing lumber, which proves a profitable source of revenue to him. His fields, too, are carefully cultivated and return rich crops, which find a ready sale on the market.
Mr. Ruggles has been somewhat prominent in community affairs. He served as township trustee for five years, having been elected on the republican ticket by a majority of twenty-nine in a township which usually gives over one hun- dred democratic majority, his election, therefore, plainly indicating his per- sonal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. He has also served as school director and as road supervisor, and he withholds his coopera- tion from no measure or movement which he deems essential to the public good. He is a trustee of the Universalist church of Peru township and for twenty years has been a member of the Royal Arcanum of Norwalk. He repre- sents one of the oldest families of the county, the name of Ruggles having ever stood in this community for progressive citizenship and for enterprise in busi- ness. The record of William S. Ruggles is in harmony with that of the others of the name and he is now numbered among the representative and valued citi- zens of Huron county.
LOUIS P. HEYMAN.
Louis P. Heyman, who has but recently retired from the active cultivation of the hundred and forty-five acres he owns in Lyme township, Huron county, was born on this farm, March 10, 1857, a son of John P. and Jeanette (Scheide) Heyman. Both parents were born in Germany, the father July 9, 1833, the mother April 19, 1837, but both came to this country so early in life that they are numbered among the pioneers of this county. The mother was but fifteen when she came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scheide, to Peru township. John P. Heyman came to America in 1848, with his father, settling at Hunts Corners, Ohio, where his brother Philip had located the year previous and had
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bought about fifty-five acres of land. There the old people died, the grandfather in 1881, though not until after he had made a name for himself in the community, for he and his two sons, John and Philip, together owned about three hundred acres and were among those who contributed largely, both in gifts of land and money, to the establishment of the Reformed church. In fact the edifice was erected on part of the fifty-five acres which Philip had bought on coming to this county.
John P. Heyman was a prominent farmer in his locality. He was also interested in the Heyman Milling Company, of Monroeville, and as a school director and road superintendent served the people well for a long term of years. Likewise he was prominent in the Reformed church he had helped to build, having been an elder for a number of years and a deacon at the time of his death. When his earthly course was done, on the 19th of October, 1899, he was accounted one of the most prosperous farmers in his locality, being possessed of about four hundred acres. In April, 1856, he married Miss Jeanette Scheide, who bore him nine chil- dren : Lewis P .; Frank, deceased; F. D .; William O .; Jennie, deceased ; Julia, the wife of William Kern; Flora, the wife of Calvin Heyman; Lillian, who mar- ried James Clinton ; and one who died in infancy.
Louis P. Heyman has always lived in Lyme township. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and worked on the farm with his father during his youth. In 1898 he bought the place from his father, making it his own home to the present time. Since his acquisition of the property he has made many extensive improvements, one of them being the erection of a large and handsome residence. Although he has devoted himself with such diligence to the demands of his farm and is accounted one of the most successful agriculturists of this township, he has yet found time to serve the people as justice of the peace for a period of ten years, as constable, besides filling some other minor offices. He is vice-president and a director of the Heyman Milling Company, of Monroe- ville, and also a director of the Sherman Gas & Oil Company. Being very fond of good horses, one of his chief delights is in driving.
On the 18th of November, 1885, Mr. Heyman was married to Miss Elizabeth Hartman, a daughter of George and Cornelia ( Mook) Hartman, of Bellevue, Ohio. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1828, the mother in 1831, and they were among the early settlers here, arriving long before anything approaching the present conveniences of travel came into vogue the journey being made from their old home to Black Swamp, Sandusky county, in an ox cart. Mr. Hartman died in 1900, and his wife survived him but two years. In their family were three children, Isabelle, Frank and Elizabeth. The last named, who is now Mrs. Heyman, was graduated from the Bellevue high school and for several years successfully engaged in teaching. She and her hus- band still take an active interest in educational affairs and are giving their chil- dren the best possible advantages along that line, while Mr. Heyman is also doing effective service as a member of the board of education. They have two daugh- ters. Mabel and Ruth, and the former is a graduate of the Bellevue high school and also of Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio, of the class of 1908, receiving the degree of L. B. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heyman were also born two sons, but Floyd, who was born April 25, 1891, died on the 21st of the following August ;
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and Gordon, born November II, 1898, died March 27, 1899. They now have an adopted son.
Mr. Heyman is prominent in all the work of the Reformed church, of which he has been an elder and trustee for a number of years and his wife is also an ac- tive church worker, serving as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school and devoting some time every week to instructing a class in Bible study. In short, Mr. Heyman and his family are well and favorably known. He has now laid aside the active duties of life, but the record of his past, both as a private citizen and as a servant of the people, is an enviable one.
CHARLES H. WHEATON.
A history of Norwalk township would not be complete without mention of Charles H. Wheaton, who for many years has been known as one of the best judges and successful buyers of stock in Huron county. He was born in England on the 5th of February, 1840, and is a son of Daniel Wheaton, who came to America in the early '50s and first took up his residence in Monroeville, while a few months later he removed to Norwalk. He was a butcher by occupation, and after his ar- rival in Norwalk he rented a building of Lester Clark, where he started in the meat business, continuing in this line of activity for many years, when the business was taken charge of by his two sons, Charles and Dennis. He was known as one of the best judges of stock, not only in England, but also in this country. Ere coming to America he had conducted a market in Cambridge College Place, where he en- gaged principally in supplying the colleges. He was eminently a business man, possessing keen sagacity and good management, and he became identified with va- rious enterprises, all of which became factors in his subsequent success. About a year after his arrival in Norwalk he purchased the farm of ninety-six acres upon which our subject now resides, this property having been in the family since 1852. Later he purchased the De Walt property, where Harkness and surrounding buildings now stand, including the row of brick cottages extending to Seminary street. He bought from Mr. Underhill the old American Hotel property, which site is now covered by the three stores commencing at Frazier's and extending east. This property is now owned by the estate. He also invested in three stores in Huron, which are now in the possession of his son Dennis E. Wheaton. He was a member of the Baptist church and affiliated with the democratic party, and was considered one of the alert and progressive citizens of his community. He passed away in 1898, leaving a very handsome estate.
Charles H. Wheaton, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his father to the United States, and his education, which was begun in England, was completed in this country. He continued under the parental roof until the year 1861, when, in response to President Lincoln's call for troops, he enlisted for three months' service as a member of Captain Saw- yer's independent company organized under the laws of the state of Ohio. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned home and, in connection with his brother, Dennis E. Wheaton, took charge of his father's meat business, which
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