USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 30
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they carried on for many years, or until the block was destroyed by fire. The brothers then went to Cleveland, where they were engaged in a similar enterprise for seventeen years, and at the end of that time our subject returned to the old homestead to take care of his father and his father's estate. The fine brick house which the latter erected still stands upon the place and is in excellent condition. Mr. Wheaton is engaged in the stock business and, like his father, is one of the best judges and one of the most successful buyers of stock in Huron county. He has purchased cattle since he was a boy of fourteen years and has the reputa- tion of having bought more stock than any other buyer in this county. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which his industry and energy, have been salient characteristics. While engaged in the meat business he was recognized as one of the leading men in that line, and that he prospered and won a goodly amount of success is indicated by the handsome competence which he has acquired as the result of well directed energy.
In November, 1860, Mr. Wheaton was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ly- dia Hoyt. who was born in March, 1834, a daughter of Acrebeach Hoyt. Unto this union have been born the following children : Minnie, who wedded George Crumm and later married Fred Smies : Dora, the wife of Edgar Lee; and Mary, the wife of Walter E. Bateles, by whom she has two children, Elmer Darwin and Mary Mehn. In politics Mr. Wheaton is independent, reserving the right to vote for the men and measures which, in his estimation, are best adapted to conserve the public good. Although born across the water, Mr. Wheaton is as loyal to the interests of his adopted country as any American-born citizen, and he has gained high rank among the representative men of Norwalk township, not only by reason of the gratifying degree of success which he has attained but also because of his hon- orable manhood and true personal worth.
HYATT TRAVIS.
Hyatt Travis, now living retired from the duties of business life, has for many years been actively and helpfully interested in the public affairs of Greenwich township and is, moreover, a well known and prominent figure in the political cir- cles of his community. He was born on the 10th of August, 1839, in New York city, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Hyatt) Travis, and remained in his native city until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied the family on their removal to New Rochelle, New York. They remained there for one year, when the father took the family to Yorktown, New York, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years.
The education of Hyatt Travis had been commenced in the public schools of New York city and after the removal of the family from that city he pursued a course of study for several terms in the district schools, remaining with his pa- rents until 1860. In December of that year he came to Greenwich, where his brother Oscar had arrived six years previously, while the parents and the remain- ing members of the family followed him in 1862. On reaching this city he as- sociated with his brother in the operation of a farm until the following September
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when, in response to his country's call for troops, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Third Regiment of Ohio Cavalry for three years. He served two years, however, when he veteranized and continued with the same company and regiment until the close of the war, his entire service covering a period of three years and nine months, being mustered out in August, 1865. During this time he saw much hard service under General Thomas, General Wood and later under General Wilson. He participated in many of the hotly contested battles of the war, in the meantime having two horses shot from under him. The first occa- sion was just after the battle of Stone River while engaged with his company in a slight skirmish. His horse was killed and he was taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia. After three weeks spent in that place he was paroled and sent home, where he remained until exchanged about four months later, when he returned to his regiment. He again had a horse shot from under him during the battle of Chickamauga but on this occasion escaped capture. Throughout his entire service, during which time he was often in the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded although he returned home very much broken in health.
After the close of the war he entered the service of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company as brakeman but severed his connection therewith after eleven months, owing to the state of his health. He was then married in 1868, after which he engaged in farming in Greenwich township for eight years. At the expiration of this period, however, he was compelled to give up agricultural pursuits, as his health would no longer permit of the strenuous duties that devolved upon him in that connection. He then came to Greenwich and became identified with general mercantile interests, being thus engaged for nearly four years. Again he attempted farming but found that the state of his health had not improved and was once more compelled to give up that pursuit. Con- sequently he sold his farm and returned to Greenwich, where he has since lived practically retired.
He has, however, been very active in public affairs, becoming well known in the political circles of the community, while since his retirement from business life he has been almost continuously before the public in an official capacity. He votes with the republican party and for several terms served as village and township treasurer. Something of his personal popularity was shown in the fact that he was elected mayor of his town and served as chief executive for two terms. He is now acting as justice of the peace, which position he has filled for several years, while from 1889 until 1893 he was postmaster of Greenwich. He has been clerk and also president of the school board, the cause of education at all times finding in him a stalwart champion. Active in the interests of his party, he has several times acted as a delegate to various conventions and has frequently been a mem- ber of the county central committee, being a prominent figure in the party coun- cils. His career as a public official has ever been an exemplary one, performing his duties in every instance in a manner that gained for him the favorable commenda- tion and the endorsement of his constituents. His position has never been an equivocal one for he has ever stood on the side of truth and right in all things.
On the Ist of September, 1868, Mr. Travis was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Hoag, a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Watson) Hoag, the former a prom-
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inent agriculturist of Greenwich township. Unto this union have been born seven children, namely: Ella, the wife of Frederick Miller; George, deceased ; William ; Charles, who has also passed away ; Ira J. ; Elmer, residing in Youngs- town; and Hazel.
The family, although not members, attend the Methodist Episcopal church. while Mr. Travis maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Greenwich Post, No. 279, G. A. R., in which he has filled all of the offices. He has also been a delegate several times to the state encampments of this organization. He has ever been an advocate of public improvement and ex- erts his influence toward the adoption of all those measures which have for their object the welfare and upbuilding of the community. He has now completed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten and in the evening of life he enjoys the full respect and confidence of all who know him.
W. B. KEEFER.
W. B. Keefer is numbered among the men to whom Chicago Junction owes its growth, its development and its prosperity. His efforts have been of a prac- tical nature, far-reaching and beneficial. He acted as the first postmaster of the new town and since that time has been most closely associated with its prog- ress and improvement, figuring prominently now in its business circles as a rep- resentative of its banking interests. His birth occurred in Greenfield town- ship, Huron county, September 9, 1848. His father, Walter Keefer, was a na- tive of New York and in 1834 removed westward to Sandusky county, Ohio, re- siding in the vicinity of Bellevue, for a number of years. He afterward came to Huron county, but in a short time returned to Erie county, taking up his abode there in 1849. Five years later-in 1854-he again came to Huron county and settled on a farm one-half mile from Chicago Junction, where he made his home until his death which occurred in 1896, when he was eighty-six years of age. In politics, he was a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and he was a splendid type of the pioneer citizen who recognizes and util- izes the opportunities for the county's development as well as for the attainment of his own success. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Wiles and was a representative of a family that was established in Sandusky county, at an early epoch in its development. Later, her father, Storey Wiles, removed with his wife and children to Huron county, taking up his abode north of Chicago Junc- tion, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Keefer, there were born four sons and one daughter, who are yet living-all residents of Huron county-and three sons who died in infancy.
At the usual age, W. B. Keefer began his education as a pupil in the com- mon schools and later, he continued his studies in Norwalk, being thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After putting aside his text- books, he learned telegraphy and was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road Company for two and a half years. In 1875, when the subject of estab-
W. B. KEEFER
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lishing a postoffice was under discussion he wrote to the postmaster general, urging the claims of this village and suggesting the name of Chicago for the new office. His suggestion was acted upon and he was appointed the first post- moster of the new town, entering upon his duties in 1875. He continued to fill the office until 1888 and during that time he opened and carried on a jewelry store. In the latter year, realizing the possibilities for business development here, he opened a private bank which he conducted successfully until 1905. It was then reorganized as a state bank under the name of the Commercial Bank Company, of which Mr. Keefer was elected president, with E. W. Severnance as vice-president ; W. K. Southard, cashier and W. M. Griffin, assistant cashier. Mr. Keefer now devotes his entire time to the bank. A general banking busi- ness is conducted and he has familiarized himself with every department of the work and makes the enterprise one of success. It has enjoyed a continuous growth from the beginning and well merits the liberal patronage which is ac- corded it.
In 1883, Mr. Keefer completed his arrangements for having a home of his own in his marriage to Miss Eva L. Shepard, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, who in her girlhood days accompanied her parents, Israel and Nancy Shepard, on their removal to Hillsdale, Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keefer was born a son, W. Dale, whose birth occurred July 9, 1890, and who died June 6, 1894. Mr. Keefer is well known in Masonic circles, taking the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery. His life record may well constitute an example and a source of inspiration to his fellowmen. He has made for himself a splendid name by reason of his industry and integrity, which have brought him success and the respect of his fellow citizens. The town of Chicago Junction is largely a monu- ment to his business ability and enterprising spirit for, with several associates, he has been closely identified with its upbuilding and progress from the outset to the present time.
JACOB SCHREINER.
Jacob Schreiner, a general farmer and stockman of Greenfield township, Hu- ron county, owns the one hundred acres of land on which he lives and fifty-six acres in another part of the township. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Octo- ber 19, 1862, and is the son of Michael and Mary (Koby) Schreiner, both of whom are of German birth. Michael Schreiner was fourteen when he went to Sen- eca county to fight the battle of life for himself. In the company of a few friends he worked around for different farmers in Seneca county for some time and then sent for his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schreiner, to come to the new world and make their home. This they did and passed the remainder of their days in the county to which their son had become attached. Michael Schreiner, Jr., always followed farming in Center township, in Seneca county, where he owns one hun- dred and twenty acres of land. Of late years he has retired from the active pur- suits and at the age of seventy-seven enjoys the comforts and rest he so well de- serves at the home of his daughter in Norwalk. He was prominent in local af-
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fairs, held several township offices and has ever been a devoted adherent of the Catholic religion. His wife was one year old when her parents removed to Sen- eca county, where she continued to live all her life, dying there in 1906 at the age of sixty-two. She was a dutiful wife and a mother of the following children : Joseph, who lives at Chicago Junction, Ohio; Mary, who married Anthony Scheibley of Seneca county ; Jacob, of this review ; Peter, a resident of Fostoria, Ohio; Addie, deceased; Rose, the wife of Tony Hasselbauch, of Bellevue, Ohio ; Philomina, the wife of Louis Schwartz, a prominent business man of Chicago, Ohio; Elizabeth, the widow of Andrew Nejedly ; Martin, who lives at Akron, Ohio; Catherine, the wife of Lewis Steinmetz, of Fostoria, Ohio; Thresia, who married Andrew Adelman. of Norwalk. Ohio ; Louisa, the wife of William Huff- man, of Tiffin, Ohio : and Aggie, who married a Mr. Smith of Iowa. Two children died in infancy.
Jacob Schreiner lived in Seneca county until 1884, and received his education in the schools there. He early devoted himself to farming and until he was twenty- two years of age continued in that occupation, after which he was engaged in the hotel business at Bellevue, Fostoria, Zanesville and Chicago Junction. His oper- ations met with success but in the spring of 1907 he sold his interests in the hotel and cafe at Chicago Junction and came to Greenfield township, Huron county, where he purchased from Jennie Wheeler his present farm. Since he has assumed possession of this land he has greatly improved it, adding many modern con- veniences to his fine house, making the barns more up-to-date and instituting many changes in the methods of farming which will increase the productiveness of the soil. His farm is well stocked with all things necessary for the prosecu- tion of a successful business, and his animals are of the finest.
Mr. Schreiner has been married twice, his first union being with Miss Josephine Ball, and they had three children : Mary, Peter, deceased; and William. Mrs. Josephine Schreiner was divorced, and Mr. Schreiner afterward married Mrs. Flora Huntington, who by her former marriage had one daughter, Sadie, now the wife of William G. Ramsey, by whom she has a son, Russell Jacob. Mrs. Schreiner is a daughter of Emanuel F. and Sarah (Thompson) Grames, of Chi- cago Junction, who were old settlers of this county but are now deceased. They had five children who lived to maturity : Frank, William, Flora, Henry and Minnie, and others who did not survive the period of infancy. In politics Mr. Schreiner gives his support to the democratic party and in religious matters to the Catholic church of Chicago Junction. Though so recently a citizen of Greenfield township, he bids fair to be one of her prosperous farmers and one of her most public-spir- ited men.
ADOLF P. ERF.
Adolf P. Erf, successfully engaged in agriculture in Lyme township, Huron county, comes from an old and prominent family of this county. He was born upon the farm which is now his home June 22, 1867, a son of Anthony and Marie (Maurer) Erf. He comes of German and Swiss lineage, his father having been born in Freien Dietz, Germany, June 20, 1843, while his mother was a native of
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Switzerland. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Jacob and Katherine Erf, sailed for the new world from Germany about 1859, and, coming direct to Ohio, settled in this county, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of this district and aiding in reclaiming the wild land for agricultural purposes. Mr. Erf at once started to clear the land, built a dwelling for his family, and here he and his wife resided until they were called to their final rest.
Their son Anthony Erf, the father of our subject, was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their journey to the United States and was thus early identified with the work of improvement and cultivation which was go- ing on at that time in the section of Ohio where they settled. He assisted his father in establishing a home here, where the remaining years of his life were spent, for after his father's demise he took charge of the home farm and continued the work of improvement. He became a well known and respected citizen of this county, having served for several terms as trustee of Lyme township. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Evangelical church of Monroeville, honorable and upright in his relations with his fellowmen. He met his death by drowning in a creek near his place while returning home after attending to a little matter of business. When he failed to appear at his home a search was made for him and his body found several days later. He had fallen into the water and it was thought that, owing to an injury to one of his arms, which he had sustained shortly before, he was unable to rescue himself, after having vainly attempted to do so-a fact which was manifest by certain marks left on the bank where he had endeavored to pull himself out of the water. He had gone to pay a threshing bill and still had ten dollars in his pocket after paying the bill. His wife had previously passed away in 1871, leaving, besides her husband, five children, Edward, William, Gustave, Adolf and Albert, the last named having since passed away. After the death of his first wife Mr. Erf was again married, his second union being with Miss Minnie Frenz, who, by her marriage, became the mother of five children, Hiram, Otto, George, Amelia and Louise.
On the old homestead which had been the property of his grandfather, Adolf P. Erf was reared amid the scenes and environment of rural life, devoting the days of his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of an education as a pupil of the district schools of Lyme township and of Monroeville. He early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad and as the years passed and his strength increased he aided more and more fully in the work of the fields, becom- ing familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He re- mained at home until twenty-six years of age when, on the 28th of December, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Beiler, a daughter of Henry and Philibina Beiler.
Mr. and Mrs. Erf began their domestic life in Richfield township, this county, where they resided for five years on a farm of sixty acres near Bellevue, which Mr. Erf purchased and operated. He then sold this property and in 1906 bought from the estate his present farm, which was a part of the original homestead. He later acquired forty additional acres from Robert Truman, his holdings now aggregat- ing one hundred and sixty-five acres, fourteen acres of which are located in Sher .. man township. He has directed his energies to the improvement of this place and
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his good management and modern methods have combined to make of it an excel- lent farm, returning to him abundant crops.
As the years came and went three children were added to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Erf, but the first two died in infancy. The third and only surviving mem- ber is Olga, born November 20, 1901, who is the light and life of the home. Mr. Erf is connected with the Lutheran church of Pontiac and at all times holds to high and manly principles. He has been most successful in his agricultural pursuits, this success being but the visible evidence of well directed energies and good judg- ment combined with strict business integrity. Having passed his entire life in this district, he has become widely known throughout the county, and that he is most respected and honored where he is best known is indicative of the fact that at all times his salient characteristics are such as win esteem, trust and good will from all classes.
WILLIAM GRAHAM.
Through the years of an active and useful life William Graham was identified with carpentering and farming, being recognized in Huron county as one of its worthy and respected citizens, arriving here in the period of early manhood. He was born in England, in January, 1835, and was a son of John Graham of that country. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in the land of his birth and during that period acquired his early education in the public schools. The favor- able reports which he heard concerning America and the business opportunities here afforded led him to the determination to seek his fortune on the western side of the Atlantic, and acting on this resolution he came to the United States mak- ing his way at once to Huron county, Ohio. In early life he learned and followed the carpenter's trade, being identified with building operations here until soon after his marriage, when he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
In November, 1859, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Lowther, who was born in Huron county in February, 1839, and is a daughter of Edward and Martha (Lovell) Lowther. Her paternal grandparents were Henry and Sarah Lowther, in whose family were three children, Edward, Thomas and William. The Lowthers were among the early settlers of Huron county, establish- ing their home here in pioneer times when much of the land was still undeveloped, being covered with the native forest growth. Edward Lowther assisted in the arduous task of transforming the wild timber region into cultivated fields and for a long period was closely identified with agricultural interests. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Martha Lovell, a daughter of David and Mary (Chilcott) Lovell. in whose family were three daughters and a son, Martha, Ra- chel, Eleanor and Ethan. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lowther was blessed with nine children, namely: Sarah, Mariette, Isabella, Jackson, David, Helen, Martha, James and Thomas. Of this family Sarah gave her hand in mar- riage to Mr. Graham in 1859, and as the years passed they became the parents of a son and daughter. Lewis, the elder, born in 1865, married Jessie Watts, and they have two sons, William and Bruce. Martha, born in 1869, is the wife of Mor-
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ris Tilson, and the mother of five children, Maud, Irving, Graham, Gardner and Murray.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Graham ceased to engage in carpentering and turned his attention to the task of tilling the soil, becoming owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Fairfield township. Year after year he diligently carried on the work of the fields, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and cli- mate. That his methods were practical and progressive is indicated in the large crops which he gathered and also in the well kept appearance of his farm. In all of his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable and his integrity stood as an unques- tioned fact in his career. He was a member of the Universalist church and gave his political allegiance to the democracy but did not seek nor desire office, prefer- ring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He died May, 1907, and is still survived by his widow, Mrs. Sarah E. Graham, who yet makes her home in Fairfield township. She has always lived in this county and has a very wide ac- quaintance, while the warm friendship of many with whom she has come in con- tact is freely accorded her.
JOHN LAWLER.
John Lawler, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improve- ment of his farm of one hundred acres in Lyme township, is a worthy native son of this county, his birth having occurred in Lyme township on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1857. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Lawler) Lawler, were both natives of Ireland, born in the years 1825 and 1834 respectively. It was about 1850 that Thomas Lawler crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Huron county, working as a farm hand in Lyme township for a time. Subse- quently he purchased a tract of ninety-one acres of land in the same township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he was successfully engaged until the time of his demise in 1882. In religious faith he was a Catholic and his honorable, up- right life won him the warm regard and esteem of many with whom he came in contact. His widow still survives and is well known throughout the community as a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, namely: John, of this review; and Edward, Thomas, Patrick, Michael, Joseph, Mary, Margaret and Sarah, all of whom are deceased, with exception of Mary.
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