USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 43
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Mr. Hershiser was born in Caroline City, Seneca county, Ohio, December 19. 1854. and is a son of Peter M. and Catherine (Person) Hershiser. Peter M. Hershiser came to Seneca county from Pennsylvania in 1836, while his wife who was born in Keystone state was brought to Ohio by her parents when a little girl. Both a miller and carpenter, he worked at those trades, but for the last thirty years of his life he was engaged in farming, and in 1864 he bought fifty acres of land which is a portion of the present farm of Frank C. Hershiser. When his country had need of his services, he responded by enlisting in Com- pany H, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under General Thomas and served during the last year of the conflict. His only injury during this time was the loss of the end of one finger. In May, 1907, this most excellent man was called to his last reward, when he was in his eighty-second year, to join the wife who had died thirty years before, in 1877. Four children were born to them, but none survived childhood but Frank C.
While securing an excellent district-school education, Frank C. Hershiser learned the carpenter's trade from his father, and worked at it during the sum- mer months until he was married. When he became the head of a family, he began farming and has continued to follow that occupation ever since with considerable profit. In November. 1877, Mr. Hershiser married Mary B. Miller, a daughter of Thomas and Eliza ( Stone) Miller, farmers of Richmond township. Mr. Miller served in the same company during the Civil war as did Peter M. Hershiser, and he too proved himself a loyal soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had three children,
PETER M. HERSHISER
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of whom Mrs. Hershiser was the eldest, the others being: Samuel F., and Amanda, who became the wife of D. A. Frye and now lives in Richmond town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Hershiser have a family which is as follows: Edna, who married William H. Crabaugh, a young man who served in the Philippines ; William T., who married Pearl Frost ; Chester P .; Ralph C. and Sam P.
For four years Mr. Hershiser was township treasurer, and he has also served as road supervisor and school director, being elected on the republican ticket. In each case he discharged the duties pertaining to the office efficiently and ac- ceptably. Fraternally he belongs to Attica Lodge, No. 197, I. O. O. F. The family are important factors in the United Brethren church, of which they are members, and in it and throughout the neighborhood generally they have many friends who esteem them and appreciate their true worth.
WILLIAM R. BELL.
Among the residents of Ripley township, who are seeking their fortunes along the line of agricultural pursuits, is William R. Bell, one of Ohio's native sons, his birth occurring in Richland county on the 24th of January, 1841. His parents were Nathaniel and Nancy A. (Reynolds) Bell, of whom the former was a min- ister of the Methodist church and a son of John and Hannah (Finch) Bell, who were also the parents of Robert, Jesse, John, Enoch, David, Joseph and Stephen. The mother was a daughter of William Reynolds and a sister of Rachel, Sarah, Benjamin, William, John, Shadrick and George. In the family of Nathaniel Bell and his wife were: Jesse, William, John, Harriet, Hannah and Jane.
William R. Bell was reared in Huron county and at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the district schools. He early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lost of the country lad, for the periods of vacation were devoted to the work of the fields. After laying aside his text-books, he remained under the parental roof for a number of years, continuing to give his father the benefit of his assistance in the operation of the home farm. He had scarcely attained his majority when Civil war was declared and, responding to his country's call for troops, joined the Union army as a member of Company D, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With this command he went to the front and saw much active service, participating in several hotly contested battles, among which were the engagements at Perryville and Lancaster. He received honor- able discharge on the 13th of March, 1863.
After returning home, Mr. Bell took up the occupation of farming on his own account and has continued to direct his energies along that line to the pres- ent time. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, owning a farm of ninety- three acres in Ripley township, and every thing about his place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. His close application and good management have gained for him a credit- able degree of success, and he ranks among the representative farmers of the community.
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It was on the 11th of January, 1904, that Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Cloe Jeney, a daugliter of Abram and Sally (Griffin) Jeney and a sister of James, George, Warren, Charles, Cornelia and Mary Jeney. They are mein- bers of the Methodist church, in the work of which they are deeply and help- tully interested, while fraternally, Mr. Bell is connected with the Masonic body. He gives stalwart allegiance to the principles of the republican party which in his opinion are best adapted to conserve the public welfare. For a time, he served as first lieutenant in the state militia, and is a loyal, public-spirited citizen, at all times upholding those things which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride.
GEORGE E. PROSSER.
George E. Prosser, alert, energetic and enterprising, has won his success by persevering effort directed by sound and intelligent judgment. He now figures in the business circles of New London as one of the organizers and the cashier of the Savings and Loan Banking Company. He represents one of the old families of the county, his birth having occurred in New London township, January 7, 1859. His father, William S. Prosser, was a native of Yates county, New York, and in his boyhood days, removed westward to Ohio with his father, Abraham Prosser, who brought his family to the Western Reserve and purchased a large tract of land from the government at the usual price of one dollar and a quarter per acre. It was covered with a native forest growth, the trees standing in their primeval strength, but with characteristic energy he reclaimed the land from the wilderness, developed the fields, made a home and spent his remaining days there. His son, William S. Prosser, succeeded him in the ownership and in the cultivation of the farm which he continued to operate for many years, but in the evening of his life retired from active business cares and spent his remaining days in New London. A splendid citizen, ever loyal to the best interests of the community and equally faithful in friendship and all the relations of private life, he enjoyed in unqualified measures the confidence and good will of his fel- lowmen. He was no office seeker but a stanch republican and ever maintained a stalwart position in support of his honest convictions. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Johnson, was a native of the state of New York and dur- ing her girlhood days accompanied her parents on their removal to Hartland township, this county, when that district was still regarded as a frontier region. The family of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Prosser numbered three children, the daughter, Mary Amanda, who married Hastings H. Hart, being now deceased, while the brother of our subject is Spencer Prosser, a resident of Norwalk.
In restrospect one can see George E. Prosser as a school boy, pursuing his early education in the country schools and when he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught, be continued his studies in the normal school at Milan and in Oberlin College. He was identified with educational interests for three years as a teacher, after which he became superintendent of schools at Milan but, withdrawing from that field of labor, he concentrated his energies upon general agricultural pursuits, purchasing the J. R. Sutton farm in New London
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township. This he carefully cultivated for seventeen years and still owns the property. He was systematic in its management, practiced the rotation of crops, closely studied the conditions of the soil and brought forth rich harvests of those cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here.
Mr. Prosser was called from private life to public office in 1891, when he was elected county commissioner and the trust reposed in him was well merited, his record in office being a most creditable one. In 1896, he was appointed by Gov- ernor Bushnell as a delegate to the Farmers National Congress, which met in Indianapolis, being chosen as one of the representative agriculturists of the state. He continued in the office of county commissioner until 1901, and retired from the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He helped to organize the Savings & Loan Banking Company in 1900, at which time he was elected cashier and has since continued in the position, his asso- ciate officers being : Charles McClare, president, and S. F. Blackman, vice-presi- dent. While carefully controlling his affairs, he has at the same time been more or less active in political circles and in official connections. In 1894, he was elected secretary of the state board of county commissioners and served until 1898. He has been an active republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and his advice and counsel have frequently been sought by his party. For many years, he served as treasurer of New London township.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Prosser was married on the 3Ist of January, 1883, to Miss Anna Truxell, a native of Peru, Ohio, and a daughter of S. S. and Catherine (McFarland) Truxell. Their three children are : Minnie Louise, the wife of A. I. Adamson ; Dean T .; and Georgiana.
Mr. Prosser is an exemplary Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter at New London and to Norwalk Commandery, K. T. He also belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Methodist Episcopal church, and these associations are indicative of the rules which govern his conduct and the prin- ciples whereby his actions are directed. Public opinion accords him a place of prominence not only by reason of the success he has achieved, but owing also to the straightforward business methods he has followed and the public-spirited and patriotic citizenship which he has displayed in connection with all affairs of gen- eral moment.
J. A. WHEELER.
J. A. Wheeler, a retired farmer and business man of Greenfield township, makes his home in Steuben, Ohio, which was his place of birth. His paternal grandfather, Rev. John Wheeler, was one of the historical characters of Green- field township. He was born in New York state, was ordained a minister of the Baptist church, and came to Ohio in 1819, settling in the northwest corner of Greenfield township. Those were primitive days and parishes and parishioners were few and scattered, so that the minister was often compelled to make long journeys, covering as much as three weeks on horseback, to hold religious meet- ings and to preach the gospel. He was very strict, especially in his observance of Sunday, and it is told that during one of his absences a large bear stole one of
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his hogs, but as the day was Sunday, the sons of the family refrained from an attempt to kill the intruder, knowing that their father would care less for the loss of one of his hogs than that a gun shot had desecrated the sanctity of the Sabbath. Rev. John Wheeler was the first preacher in the Baptist church at Steuben and was all his life connected with the congregation of faithful there. He had in fact helped to build the churchly edifice in 1842, and his grandson has in his possession the record book of all the meetings and all the members from that early time to the present. Rev. John Wheeler was twice married. By his first wife he had eight children: Sylvester, John H., Benona, Aaron, Calvin, Elmira,. C. B., and Bradley. All were members of the Baptist church of Steuben and all have departed this life. C. B. Wheeler served in the war of the rebellion and was quartermaster of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Calvin Wheeler, the father of J. A. Wheeler, was born in New York state, January 19, 1818, and was one year old when his father came to Greenfield township. Here he lived, pursuing his education in an old log school house, and engaging in farming in his early youth. He filled many of the township offices, was for a time trustee, and was a strong republican. To the Baptist denomination he gave his religious allegiance and was ever accounted one of the pillars of the church at Steuben. In February, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary Richards, who bore him twelve children : Nancy J., born January 15, 1843, died March 18, 1868. the wife of E. T. Trimner ; Agnes, born March 9, 1844, married M. M. Parsons, of Shiloh, Ohio; D. M., born December 29, 1845, died March 27, 1901 ; B. R., was born November 20, 1847; C. J., born July 31, 1850, died February 2, 1908; C. B., was born January 3, 1852; Jesse and J. A., twins, were born Jan- uary 22. 1854. The former was a prominent business man of Chicago, Ohio, and died October 2, 1909. Alice and Alfred, also twins were born January 18, 1857. Alice has been married twice, first to Henry Bronson and second to C. J. Barber, of Chicago, Ohio. By her first marriage, she had one son, Charles Rich- ard Bronson, who was born January 8, 1886, and died January 1, 1896. Lillis, born November 14. 1861, married Dayton Green, now deceased. Linda Bell, born October 3. 1863, married E. K. McMorris. Mrs. Wheeler was born in New York state, January 27, 1821, and died March 22, 1868, leaving her husband to survive her for twenty-eight years, his death occurring May 27, 1896.
J. A. Wheeler was born in Greenfield township, January 22, 1854, and has always been a resident of this county. He attended the district schools of Green- field and then the business colleges in Sandusky and Republic, Ohio. At first he worked for his brother D. M., in a general store at Steuben, and in 1875, went into business for himself in the same town, where he conducted a large general store and was successful in his operations until 1887, when, on Decoration Day, his whole stock was consumed by fire. He lost a large sum of money as well, but was able to open a store in Chicago, Ohio. This he conducted until 1889, when he sold his interest to his brother and sister and returned to the farm. In 1886, he bought from Levi Platt, the farm on which his son now lives. The deed which Mr. Wheeler holds is only the third that has been given for that farm.
On the 15th of October, 1873, Elder Root pronounced the words that united Mr. Wheeler and Miss Charlotte Ashley in marriage. She is a daughter of
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Dennis and Lurna (Bliss) Ashley, of Greenfield township, and has become the mother of five children. Charles N., born July 28, 1874, married Miss Mary Lowery, of Chicago, Illinois, which is his home and they have four children: Marshall, Calvin, John A., and Robert P. Charles N., is a graduate of Oberlin college and is at present political editor on the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and during the past presidential campaign, traveled through the country with Taft and Bryan in their private cars. George M., the second son, born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, was born November II, 1875, and now lives at Chicago Junction, Ohio. Mary L., born November 8, 1877, married Robert E. Campbell. They live at Chicago Junction, Ohio, and have one child, Winona. J. A., Jr., born May 9, 1885, lives on his father's farm. He married Miss Maud Robinson and they have one son, Van. Ruth, born July 5, 1892, lives at home.
In 1908, Mr. Wheeler bought a home in Steuben, where he now lives in re- tirement. He has been a man prominent in township affairs, was elected county commissioner in 1891, holding the office six years, and has filled nearly every other office within the gift of the people of Greenfield. He is a stockholder and one of the board of directors of the Home Savings Banks, of Chicago, and of the local telephone company. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar, Mason, and has been a conspicuous figure in Masonic circles, belonging to Norwalk lodge, No. 18. In the Baptist church his grandfather established he is active also, attending its services and contributing to its maintenance. In short, Mr. Wheeler is a man, who with many years still before him, can look back on the past with grati- fication, assured that he holds the good wishes of his friends and neighbors.
JAY E. SMITH.
Among the men who enjoy the support and respect of the citizens of Huron county, is Jay E. Smith, who entered upon his duties as auditor of this county, in October, 1909. Fitchville, which was the place of his birth, has of recent years been his home, and here he has made a reputation as a fine business man, im- bued with high principles and of sterling integrity. His parents, Thomas J. and Johanna (Van Vecten) Smith, come from families who were among the early pioneers of Fitchville township, the Smiths, perhaps, being slightly the older settlers. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Dr. Van Vecten, who for a number of years practiced his profession in this township, and also carried on a substantial mercantile business at the time when Fitchville was a prominent and prosperous trade center. He later removed to New London, which was the scene of his labor, until his death, which occurred a few years ago. Thomas J. Smith also became a resident of New London, where he was engaged in the butcher business for a number of years, and then removed to Michigan, where he died in June, 1899, at his home in Grand Rapids. His widow has since married Preston Palmer, of Fitchville township.
Jay E. Smith was born in Fitchville township, January 2, 1861. He received his training for life at home and in the schools of this county, working on the home farm when his time was not given to his lessons, and as he grew up finding
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employment on the farmns of neighbors. He was able after a few years to attend the Cleveland Commercial College, and at the age of twenty-six began his career as a teacher. To this work he devoted himself for seventeen years, the schools of Fitchville township profiting by his services for fifteen years, the other two years of his professional activity being spent in the state of Michigan. He was a popular and progressive instructor and his withdrawal from the teacher's pro- fession was regarded with sincere regret. In 1904, Mr. Smith came to Fitch- ville and engaged in the farm implement business, which he gave up in the sum- nicr of 1909, preparatory to assuming his new duties as aduitor of Huron county.
In politics, he has always been a democrat and has for years taken an active part in party and public matters. Although living in a strong republican township, he has served three years as justice of the peace and for two years as a member of the school board. In 1899, he was the democratic candidate for member of the Ohio legislature from Huron county, and the following year was the county's choice for state senator, but was defeated for the nomination in the district convention. In 1902, he was again the democratic candidate for county recorder, but as in 1899, when he sought election as a representative, he was de- fcated because of the strength of the republicans in Huron county. He was not destined to defeat, however, in 1908, when he was nominated for what is probably the most important office at the disposal of the people of this county, that of audi- tor. The republicans still boasted of a twelve hundred majority over the demo- crats, yet in the election of November, 1908, Mr. Smith received two hundred more votes than his opponent and entered upon his duties the Ist of October, 1909.
On the 10th of June, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. Lazell, a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Burras) Lazell, of Fitchville town- ship, and seven children have been born to them, four now living, namely : Ruby, Donald, Annabel and Ruth, while John D., Rhoda and L. D. have passed away.
The incident of Mr. Smith's election to an important office is an indication of the attitude of the people, not only of his township, but of the county as well, to- ward him. He is recognized as a splendid citizen, whose business methods are unquestioned and whose high principles can be relied upon. That he will ad- minister his affairs to the best of his ability there can be no doubt. He is a member of Floral Lodge, F. & A. M., of New London, and is active in Masonic circles, and those that have opportunity to see him at closer range, his fraternal brothers, hold him in even higher esteem than those who are compelled to know him onh from a distance.
FRANK CARPENTER.
While Frank Carpenter is one of the recent arrivals in this county, he is a native son of Ohio and during the period of his residence in Chicago Junction, has made for himself many friends and gained a prominent place in public regard. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, January 16, 1882. His father, William
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Carpenter, was also born there. The Carpenters are of an old New York family, but representatives of the name removed westward and settled in Seneca county, when it was a pioneer district. There William Carpenter was born and reared and having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Mary Cory, a native of Ohio.
Frank Carpenter was educated in the schools of Seneca county and is a graduate of Heidelberg University of the class of 1904. He studied law in the office of his brother, Ray Carpenter, a prominent lawyer of Seneca county, and after passing the required examinations, was admitted to the bar in 1906. In January of the following year, he located for practice in Chicago Junction and in May of the same year, was appointed city solicitor. He is building up a good practice for he has demonstrated his ability in successfully handling intricate legal problems and is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. A young man of high character, respected and esteemed by all who know him and display- ing marked ability in professional lines it seems that a bright future is before him and that his further success is only a matter of time.
MARSDELL E. REEVES.
Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Ripley township who are meeting with success in their agricultural pursuits, is Marsdell E. Reeves, the owner of one hundred acres of fine land upon which he has resided for eleven years. Born on the 12th of April, 1850, in Fitchville township, Huron county, he is a son of Elias and Mabel (McIntire) Reeves, and the youngest in a family of ten children, the others being; Herman, Munson, Cordon, Mary, Mehitabel, Charlotte, Rosette, Marsden and one who died in infancy.
Marsdell E. Reeves spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of the country lad, acquiring his education in the district schools and during the periods of vacation assisting his father in the work of the home farm. He early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the agriculturists and upon attaining his majority wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He began business life on his own account as a farm hand, working by the month, and was thus engaged for many years. Being desirous, however, of some day owning property of his own, during the intervening years, he labored with unceasing industry and untiring perseverance, carefully saving the money which he received in return for his services, until eventually he had accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase one hundred acres of land in Ripley township, upon which he has since made his home. The farm has now been in his possession for eleven years, and during this period he has directed his energies toward its further improvement, having brought his fields under excellent cultivation. He has equipped the place with all modern conveniences and ac- cessories for facilitating labor. while his business methods are progressive and up-to-date, characteristics which have been salient elements in his prosperity.
It was on the 29th of March, 1898, that Mr. Reeves was united in marriage to Miss Anna Howard, who was born on the Ist of March, 1860. Her parents
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were William Howard, born March 12, 1823, and Eliza ( Case) Iloward, whose birth occurred in 1829. The father, who served as a soldier in the Union army at the time of the Civil war was a prominent figure in the community in which he resided and was familiarly known to many close friends as "Uncle Billy." He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Adeline, Wesley, Frank- lin. Edward, Anna, Willard, Marvin, Melvin, Sherman, Burton and Sarah.
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