USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 33
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Madison M. Fast was married October 10, 1882, to Susan Resh, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Thomas) Resh, both natives of Pennsylvania. where they were married, but later removed to Richland county, Ohio, and later to Huron county. Their children were: Henry; Catherine, who married Wesley Sparks ; Jacob, who went west and was never heard of afterward ; Joseph, who is decease 1; Samuel ; Mary Anne, who married George W. Ritz; Sarah, who died, married Isaac Snavley ; William ; and Mrs. Fast. Mr. and Mrs. Fast had six children : Ollie M., who married Joseph Mann; Orin; Leroy; Russell; Effie, who is de- ceased, and Daisy.
Mr. Fast owns ninety-six acres of fine farming land in Richmond township, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and he operates it in con- junction with the farm of his father. He has been road supervisor and school director, and in in his political views, he is a democrat and is earnest in the support of his party. His family belong to the United Brethren church. The standing of Mr. Fast in his community both as a farmer and citizen is high, and he has attained it through honorable methods and close attention to his work.
HUBBARD D. PALMER.
Hubbard D. Palmer occupies one of the most beautiful country homes of Huron county, situated in the midst of two hundred acres of valuable land in Fitchville township. He has other desirable property elsewhere and as the result of his well directed business affairs in former years, is now numbered among the men of affluence in his community. He was born in Fitchville township, this county. His father, Seeley Palmer, was one of the earliest settlers of the county and aided in building the first frame house in Norwalk.
Spending his youthful days in the place of his nativity, Hubbard D. Palmer pursued his education in the public schools, continuing his studies in the Fitch- ville high school of which Colonel De Wolff was then the superintendent. He en- tered business life in connection with the construction of the Western Union Telegraph lines at the age of sixteen years, gaining practical experience that was of the greatest benefit to the government when he became connected with the Union army in the Civil war. He was nineteen years of age when he started for California by way of the isthmus. They were about ten days in making the trip across Panama and it required more than forty days to complete the journey to San Francisco. On reaching the Golden state, Mr. Palmer turned his attention to mining and located and bought several claims. He followed hydraulic mining in the mountains and met with fair success, the largest pure nugget which he took out weighing sixteen and a half ounces. He wears a solid plain gold ring made from gold which he took out of the mines himself and cherishes it with much pride. Altogether, he was quite successful while in California and, well pleased with his trip, he returned to Huron county, Ohio, after a sojourn of three years in the far west. He spent three weeks in visiting with his parents and
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relatives and then went south to visit his brother-in-law, Dennis Doren, who was located at the general headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, holding the position of general superintendent of construction of heavy and field telegraph wires for the army. At that time, General Thomas T. Eckert was the general superintendent of the telegraph department and of the quartermaster's office in the general war department, and immediately after Mr. Palmer's arrival in the south, learning that he had been trained in the business of constructing tele- graph lines, General Eckert influenced him to become the assistant of Mr. Doren. He consented and remained at such work until the close of the war. When the war was over, General Eckert was made president of the Western Union Tele- graph Company, remaining as its chief executive until about two years ago, when he was elected president of the board of directors, which position he still holds. Mr. Doren became superintendent of construction of the Western Union Tele- graph Company in the United States and Canada, and was also made president of the Cable Construction Company, continuing in that capacity until his death. Mr. Palmer's duty while in the army included the laying of lines from the corps to the general headquarters. The heavy wires were laid on poles and the field wires were strung on light socket poles and could be taken down and removed almost instantly. The manner in which they were put up enabled one to construct from twenty-five to thirty-five miles per day. They were strung from a reel fastened to the back of mules and were taken in by a similar method. The corps wires were all connected in a wagon expressly constructed for that purpose containing a battery and if necessary the message could then be repeated from the wagon, over the heavy wire to Washington. Mr. Palmer was a wit- ness of every important battle in the east fought from the time that General Burnsides took charge of the Army of the Potomac until the surrender at Ap- pomattox Courthouse. Mr. Palmer was always at general headquarters except for the time he was out building lines to the general headquarters. A large number of their corps were captured and several died at Andersonville prison.
After the war, Mr. Palmer remained with the Western Union Telegraph Company for about two years, repairing its lines which had been destroyed during the period of hostilities. He afterward had full charge, under Mr. Doren, of the construction of overland cable lines from Bangor, Maine, to St. Johns, New Bruns- wick, through Halifax and Nova Scotia to Plastacove, Great Britian, connecting there with the cable. Thus he was busily engaged for several years, but at length his health failed him and since then he has spent most of his time in Missouri and Ohio. For a period he was engaged in the grocery business and was also busy in looking after his landed interests. He is the owner of more than three hundred acres of rich and productive land. His home place is a farm of two hundred acres in Fitchville township, supplied with all modern improvements, including a beautiful residence which he erected and which is one of the fine country homes of Huron county. He is also a director of the Huron County Bank and his in- vestments have at all times been judiciously placed, so that he is deriving there- from a substantial income.
Mr. Palmer has been twice married. In 1865, he wedded Miss Euphronia Knapp, who passed away about the year 1878. In November, 1906, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mina Waterhouse, a daughter of
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Israel L. Waterhouse, who was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1819. His mother bore the maiden name of Miss Hannah Davis and was a daughter of Aaron Davis, one of the heroes of Bunker Hill and a cousin of Commodore Perry. She had a great-uncle who preached a sermon in a Quaker church in Pennsylvania at the remarkable old age of one hundred and four years. She lived to the very advanced age of ninety-four years. The Davis family was of English lineage.
Israel L. Waterhouse, the father of Mrs. Palmer, came to Ohio in 1848. He was a well educated man and in his younger years taught school. Later he took up the occupation of farming which he continued to follow until his retirement from active business life in the '8os. He then removed to New London, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, save for the active participation which he took in the public life of the community. After his removal to New London, he was elected mayor of the town, also served as a member of the city council and in other offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. His political allegiance was given to the republi- can party. He assisted in building the numerous churches in New London and, although not a member of any, was always a strong supporter of and a liberal contributor to all. His death occurred October 16, 1897, when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. On the 4th of November, 1849, he had married Hannah M. Stowe, who was born in Skaneateles, New York, September 7, 1828. They had a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living. Among this number is Mrs. Palmer.
In his political faith, Mr. Palmer is also a republican and has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day although not a politician in the sense of office seeking. His religious belief accords with the teachings of the Congregational church. His has been an interesting and eventful life and if written in detail this history would contain many thrilling chapters covering his California experiences in the early mining days, his duty on the frontier in the Civil war and his connection with the construction of telegraph lines in the United States. While in later years he has lived more quietly he has manifested the same sterling qualities which have always been characteristic of him and which have gained him the high position which he occupies in the regard of his fellow- men.
MRS. EMALINE McFARLAND.
Mrs. Emaline McFarland is numbered among Huron county's residents who have long lived in this section of the state, and she has a very wide and favorable acquaintance, many who know her entertaining for her warm regard. She was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1836, and is a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Brubaker) Truxell. They, too, were natives of the Keystone state, where they lived until after their marriage and, on removing westward, they took up their abode in Ripley township, Huron county, Ohio, and became identified with the farming interests of the locality in which they settled.
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Their daughter, Emaline Truxell, was reared under the parental roof and was educated in the public schools and was early trained to the duties of the household so that she was well qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. In early womanhood, she gave her hand and heart to Archibald Mc- Farland, who was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 31st of October, 1822, and was a son of Archibald and Anna ( Easter) McFarland. Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in this county and throughout his remaining days Mr. McFarland carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He was a man of industry and his diligence and deter- mination, which were among his salient characteristics, brought him a comfortable living and enabled him to leave his family in pleasant circumstances.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McFarland were born two sons and a daughter, but the eldest, Frank Easter, who was born in 1858, is now deceased. The others are: Julia A., born in 1861 ; and Archibald Kent, born in 1863. At his death Mr. Mc- Farland left to his family seventy acres of rich and productive land and through the careful management of their property and wise conduct of their business affairs they have increased their holdings until the farm now comprises one hundred and eight acres of rich land together with a lot of two and a half acres at North Fair- field, whereon Mrs. McFarland now makes her home. She has passed the seventy- third milestone on life's journey and as she has spent the greater part of her time in Huron county she has a very wide acquaintance here, while her many good traits of heart and mind have endeared her to those with whom she has been brought in contact.
CLAUDE L. LATHAM.
Claude L. Latham, an energetic, enterprising and progressive agriculturist of Ridgefield township, is devcting his time and energies to the cultivation of his farm of sixty-cne acres. He was born in that township on the 13th of October, 1881, his parents being Hardica L. and Ida ( Fish) Latham. William Latham, the paternal grandfather of cur subject, made his way westward at an early day, becoming a pioneer settler of Lyme township, Huron county, Ohio. His family numbered eight children, those still living being Ortive, Clayton, Bretna and lonia, while the deceased are Zahm, Hardica L., Delilah and Hilda.
Hardica L. Latham, the father of Claude L., was born in Lyme township, this county, in 1849, was educated in the public schools of Monroeville and when a youth of eighteen years went west, traveling quite extensively over that sec- tion of the country beyond the Mississippi. Finally he arrived in California where he remained for two years. He was also at sea for a period, sailing between Cali- fornia and South American ports. Returning to Ohio he went upon the farm where his son, Claude L. now lives, in Ridgefield township, Huron county, and was successfully identified with agriculture throughout the remainder of his active business career. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was quite prominent politically, being recognized as one of the leading local representatives of the de- mocracy. He capably served in the position of township trustee for several years and was well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. He was a
HARDICA L. LATHAM
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lover of fine horses and owned a number of them. In manner he was genial, courteous and sociable, and these qualities made him very popular so that his death was greatly deplored by many friends when in 1904 he was called to the home beyond. His wife. who was born in Ridgefield township in 1852, was a daugh- ter of Major John Fish, who won his title by service in the war of 1812. He was born March 6, 1786, in New York, and served all through the second war with England. In 1815 he removed to Licking county, Ohio, and ten years later came to Huron county, where he made his home until called to his final rest on the 13th of September, 1866. Mrs. Latham still survives her husband and is yet a resident of this county. Their union was blessed with two children, Claude L. and Goldie C. The latter now makes her home with her mother.
Claude L. Latham attended the district schools in pursuit of an education and was also a student in Monroeville for a time. He was trained to farm work, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- turist, and this line of activity has since claimed his attention. He now owns an excellent farm of sixty-one acres in Ridgefield township, on which he has placed many substantial improvements. It is a well developed tract of land which is nat- urally rich and productive and the alluvial soil brings forth bounteous harvests in reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 3rd of January, 1905, Mr. Latham was united in marriage to Miss Ada Lockwood, a daughter of James C. and Sarah Lockwood, who were early settlers of this county. The Lockwood family, originally from England, settled at Nor- walk, Connecticut, while this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain, and several members of the family participated in the Revolutionary war which brought independence to the nation. Mrs. Latham's great-grandfather, George Lockwood, built what is known today as the Lockwood road, extending from Norwalk to Milan, Ohio. Her grandfather, Stephen Lock- wood. was a native of Allen's Corners, Huron county. He was the first white male child born in Huron county, his natal year being 1821. He served as a soldier of the Civil war, defending the interests of the Union. He became a prominent farmer and stock dealer of this part of the state and was engaged in general mer- chandising in Milan at the time of the disastrous fire there, which caused him losses amcunting to thirty-three thousand dollars. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Lock- wood, was a native of Norwalk, Connecticut, born in 1827 and came to Huron county with her parents. James C. Lockwood, the father of Mrs. Latham, was born in Huron county in September, 1854. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Sarah Beekley, who was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1853. Her fa- ther, Anthony Beekley, was a native of Baden, Germany, and came to America when sixteen years of age. He devoted his life to carpentering and to school teaching and was also a musician of considerable note. For eight years he en- gaged in teaching in the Catholic school at Milan. He, too, was a veteran of the Civil war and died in 1906. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Kel- lar, was a native of Switzerland and unto them were born six children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Claude L. Latham have been born two children, Ida L. and Howard L. Fraternally Mr. Latham is identified with the Masonic lodge at Norwalk and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He has always made his home in Ridgefield township and, though still a young man, has also attained a creditable
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measure of success in the conduct of his farming interests. The name of Lath- am has figured prominently in the annals of this county from pioneer times down to the present and the subject of this review has ever fully sustained the hon- orable reputation borne by his father and grandfather.
LOUIS W. WICKHAM.
The name of Wickham is well in Norwalk in connection with the practice of law, to which profession Louis W. Wickham gives his attention. He was born in this city, November 30, 1866, and is a son of Judge C. P. Wickham, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. His grandfather was Judge Frederick Wickham, a representative of an old New England family of Puritan ancestry. The first of the name to come to the west was William Wickham, a native of Rhode Island, and the grandfather of Frederick Wick- ham.
In the public schools of this city Louis W. Wickham pursued his early educa- tion and afterward attended the preparatory school of the Western Reserve Uni- versity, while later he became a student in Princeton University. He then studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar in 1889, after which he began practice in Norwalk. He has served for five years as prosecuting attorney of Huron county, being elected in 1903 and again in 1906. He was in partnership with his father until September, 1908, since which time he has practiced alone.
In 1892, Mr. Wickham was married to Miss Ellen E. Benedict, a daughter of David D. Benedict, of an old Huron county family. They have four children: Susan, Cora, Fred and Annabelle. Mr. Wickham is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Mount Vennon Lodge, F. & A. M .; Huron Chapter, R. A. M. ; and Norwalk Commandery, K. T., of which he is at present eminent com- mander.
FRED D. PIERCE.
Fred D. Pierce, a native of Wakeman township, his birth having occurred April 22, 1859, is a representative of a family long and prominently connected with the annals of this township. His grandfather, Amile P. Pierce, brought his family from South Britain, Connecticut, in 1817, arriving in this locality about the same time that C. C. Canfield and Samuel Bristol, accompanied by their families, settled here. These three families constituted the first while settlers in Wake- man township. The district was then wild, its lands unclaimed and its resources undeveloped and Mr. Pierce was obliged to clear the land, then covered by a dense forest, in order to build a cabin for the shelter of his family. Men of the present period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the pioneer settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. Mr. Pierce, with characteristic energy, participated in the slow, persistent work of development
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which was necessary to reclaim this land for the purposes of civilization and, per- mitting no obstacles to overcome his determination and undaunted courage, event- ually gained a gratifying measure of success in his agricultural enterprise, becom- ing a prosperous farmer and extensive land owner. He was a man of strong, sterling character, his help and counsel being sought by many of the early set- tlers. He married Miss Electa Blackman ere his removal west and in their family were six children, all of whom attained maturity, but have now passed away. This number included: Minott; Lemuel; David S .; Bennett, who was drowned in the Defiance river, leaving a family to mourn his loss; Fanny, who became the wife of Horace J. Beecher of Wakeman and both are now deceased; and Ann, who became the wife of Dr. Johnson, of Oberlin.
Of this family David S. Pierce became the father of our subject. He was reared upon the old homestead farm, which he later continued to operate, and was also very successful in his business affairs. A fine specimen of American manhood, he became actively and helpfully identified with the public affairs of the locality, also championing any causes that tended to better the conditions or fur- ther the development of the community. He was frequently called to fill various township offices and was always faithful and loyal to the trust imposed in him. He married Miss Julia A. Bunce and their family consisted of two children : Fred D., of this review, and Jennie I., now Mrs. Edward P. Canfield. The father passed away October 22, 1870, his remains being interred at Wakeman, while his wife is still surviving and in her eighty-fourth year is in good health and vigor.
Fred D. Pierce, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared upon the old homestead, his time being passed in the pursuits common to the country lad. He attended the schools of Wakeman in the acquirement of his education and re- mained upon the home farm for a number of years, cultivating the fields and making a specialty of raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle. In 1895, however, he sold the place and removed to Wakeman, where he engaged in the hay and grain business and became a very extensive dealer in those products. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and his close application to busi- ness and his excellent management have brought to him a gratifying degree of prosperity.
Throughout the years of his residence in Wakeman, Mr. Pierce has taken a deep interest in public matters. He is a stalwart republican in politics and served several terms as township trustee, while in 1897, he was appointed postmaster of Wakeman under President McKinley, and is still incumbent in that office, now serving in his third term and performing his duties therein in a way that has gained the approbation and approval of his fellowmen. At the time of his ap- pointment the postoffice at Wakeman was a fourth-class office, but during his terms of service, the business has greatly increased, causing the office to be ad- vanced to the third-class, the incumbent becoming a presidential appointee. Four rural routes have been established, thus supplying free mail delivery to every point in the township.
Mr. Pierce was united in marriage on the 18th of October, 1880, to Miss Ida E. Barnes, a daughter of George A. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Barnes. Both the Barnes and Sherman families are old residents of Wakeman county, engaged in agricultural pursuits and prominent in the affairs of the community. Mr. Barnes
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passed away in February, 1888, and is still survived by his wife. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce has been blessed with two sons, David E. and Idane B. The former is in business in Elyria, while the latter is associated with his father in his hay and grain enterprise. After nine years of happy wedded life, Mr. Pierce was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 16th of April, 1889. Mr. Pierce is public-spirited in his citizenship, advocating all meas- ures which tend toward the general welfare of the community, while the matter of public improvements is a cause dear to his heart. Honest and loyal in all rela- tions of life, he has gained the high regard and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact and the consensus of public opinion accords him a high place among the representative and prominent citizens of Wakeman.
SHERMAN O. NOBLE.
Sherman O. Noble, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Ripley township, owning and operating an excellent farm of three hundred and ten acres, was born October 8, 1867, in this township, his parents being W. P. and Eliza (Starkey) Noble. The former, who was born in Richland county in 1839, was a son of Harvey Noble and a brother of William, James, John, Margaret, Min- erva and Mary Noble. Throughout his active career, he followed the occupation of farming but is now living retired in Greenwich, in the enjoyment of well earned rest. In early life, he was a prominent figure in community affairs, serving as county commissioner for six years while he likewise filled the office of township trustee and also of land appraiser. He married Eliza Starkey, a daughter of James Starkey of Virginia and the eldest in a family of seven children born unto her parents, the others being Wesley, Reuben, Abraham, Anderson, Jane and Levina. Unto W. P. Noble and his wife were born eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. Those who survived were: Theodore, Sherman, Mina, Elmer C., Allen, Hayes, Winnie and Nellie.
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