USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 47
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Levant W. Griffin grew to manhood on the home farm under the guidance of his parents and attended the public schools of Greenwich village, working around home while he pursued his studies. For one year after completing his education, Mr. Griffin taught school, and then, after his marriage. engaged in farming on the old home place, to which he had brought his bride. In 1892, he removed to Norwalk, where he was employed as book-keeper with Sprague & French. The following year he was engaged in the same capacity by Price & Stewart, a real estate and insurance firm, with whom he remained until 1895, when failing health compelled him to forsake the confining work of an office. He then removed to New London township and engaged in farming. His land consists
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of fifty acres, and while it is suited for general farming, he makes a specialty of potatoes and wheat.
On the 29th of November, 1884. Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to Miss . Carrie Miller, a daughter of John and Sarah (Jones) Miller, of Fairfield town- ship. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were English born, and after their marriage came with their respective families to America about 1850. Mr. Miller settled first in Norwalk, where he remained for three years, and then bought a farm in Fair- field township, on which he lived the remainder of his life. He died in October 1895, and his widow now lives upon the home place. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were born seven children, two daughters and five sons, all of whom are living. They are Claire, Vernon, Robert, Bernice, Kenneth, Christine and Howard. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in church and Sunday school work.
In politics Mr. Griffin votes with the republican party and is interested and well informed on all matters concerning the people. As road supervisor and a member of the school board, he has rendered the citizens of the township valuable service through a considerable number of years, for he is a public-spirited man, of high principles and progressive in his ideas. His home life is elevating, and his house abounds in good literature, both standard and current. In the one organi- zation to which he belongs, the National Union, Mr. Griffin holds the position of deputy.
CHESTER B. BROOKS.
Chester B. Brooks, one of the extensive land-owners of Fairfield township, where he is successfully engaged in general farming, is one of Huron county's native sons, his birth occurring in Peru township on the 6th of January, 1856. He is a son of Philo and Catherine (Noggle) Brooks, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respectively. The father, who was born in Windsor in 1811, came with his parents to Ohio in 1817, while the mother was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, in 1823. In their family were the following children: Helen, Homer, Virgil, Melvin and Chester.
The early life of Chester B. Brooks was passed under the parental roof, and he assisted his father in operating the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He later took up farming on his own account, and that his early training was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that he has since become very successful in his under- taking. As the years have passed his property holdings have increased until today he owns four hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land in four separate farms, each of which is under a high state of cultivation. He also engages to some extent in stock raising and his two branches of business are proving most grati- fying sources of remuneration to him.
Mr. Brooks was married, on the 12th of October. 1876, to Miss Ida Jennings, a native of Fairfield, Connecticut, and a daughter of Gresham and Polly (Wheeler) Jennings. She was born in 1858, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Anna M. Lee and Stanley Virgil. The parents are members of
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the Congregational church, and their lives are at all times in harmony with the teachings thereof. They are highly respected in the community in which they reside, while Mr. Brooks has gained many friends in Huron county, wherein his entire life has been passed, and the success which he has attained along business lines together with his honorable and upright manhood rank him among the prominent and representative citizens of Fairfield township.
WILBER G. FERVER, M. D.
Dr. Wilber G. Ferver has gained recognition as one of the able and success- ful physicians of Huron county and by his labors, his high professional attain- ments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by medical fraternity and the local public. A native of Penn- sylvania, he was born on the 22d of February, 1859, in New Castle, that state, a son of William and Eliza (Greer) Ferver, both of whom spent their last days in the Keystone state, the father passing away July 7, 1892, while the mother's death occurred July 8, 1898. In their family were six children, namely; Nancy Y., Samuel C., Elizabeth, William W., Wilber G. and Charles H., all of whom have passed away with the exception of Nancy and Wilber G. The father was a pros- perous and successful farmer and an extensive land-owner and it was his wish that his sons should follow the occupation to which they had been reared, start- ing out in their business career on a farm which he himself should finish.
Wilber G. Ferver, whose name introduces this review, however, was prompted to a professional rather than an agricultural life. His boyhood and youth were passed on his father's farm, his early education being acquired in country district schools, pursuing his studies in the "old brick schoolhouse on the hill." He later supplemented this training by a course in the Edinburg State Normal school of Pennsylvania and Alleghney College at Meadville, that state, and with his train- ing as a substantial foundation upon which to base his professional studies, he pursued a course at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1884. He first located for practice in Greenfield, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two and a half years. and then, in 1887, he opened an office in Wakeman, Ohio, where he has continued to engage in the practice of his profes- sion ever since. He is progressive in his methods, keeping abreast at all times with the advancement that is being made in the profession, while his excellent training and superior skill have brought to him not only success in his calling, but have gained for him high rank in the medical circles of this county, among the people and the profession alike. Aside from an extensive private practice, Dr. Ferver is examining physician for twelve or more of the best old line life in- surance companies, which fact testifies to the high place he occupies in the com- munity. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association and of the Huron County Medical Association, and frequently reads papers before the meetings of the latter society, his opinions being received at all times with in- terests by the members of the medical fraternity. Aside from his professional duties, he is also interested in the oil business, being now the president of the
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Wakeman Oil Company, incorporated under the laws of West Virginia and oper- ating in the oil fields of Indiana.
On the 15th of June, 1885, Dr. Ferver was united in marriage to Miss Emma V. Goodge, a daughter of Henry and Nancy ( Coover) Goodge, of Poland, Ohio. Mr. Goodge was a carpenter and builder by trade and occupied a very high place in the community. He and his wife still survive and make their home in Youngs- town. Ohio.
Aside from the success which he has attained in professional circles, Dr. Ferver has become widely known in the political ranks of this county, being a stanch republican and most actively and helpfully interested in the public affairs of Wakcman. He is a member of the republican central committee and has fre- quently served as a delegate to the district and county conventions. He has been for several years and is now clerk of Wakeman township and is an excellent official. Loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship to a marked degree, he is a firm believer in public improvements of all kinds, being especially strong in his advocacy of good roads, good public buildings and good schools, while every movement calculated to advance the best interests of the community at large, re- ceives his hearty endorsement. He is also well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Gibson Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M. of Wakeman in which he is a past master and senior warden, and is a Royal Arch Mason, while he also occupies the office of king in the chapter. He likewise is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Maccabees and is examining physician for both of these orders. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are in- terested in all of the various phases of church work, the Doctor being treasurer of the church for twelve years. He is very fond of a good horse and has bred some very fine specimens, while he is considered an excellent judge of an animal and knows a good horse as far as he can see one. This is his chief pastime and forms his principal source of recreation and relaxation from the strenuous duties of his profession. He has at all times recognized the obligations that rest upon him in his chosen calling and has, in the course of a successful business and professional career, given evidence of the possession of those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. A gen- tleman of learning and culture, he recognizes the truth of the universal brother- hood of mankind.
JOHN RINGLEIN.
Among the German-American citizens of Huron county who are meeting with success along agricultural lines is John Ringlein, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres of land in Sherman township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 17, 1826, a son of Andrew and Eva (Snyder) Ringlein. The father's death occurred in the fatherland and in 1845, when nine- teen years of age. John Ringlein, accompanied by his mother, came to the new world, seeking the broader business opportunities here offered. He landed in Baltimore and immediately came west. locating first in Peru township, Huron
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county. There he worked on a farm as a farm hand for two years and then went to Norwalk, where he resided for twenty-three years, being engaged in various pursuits during that period. That he was faithful, industrious and capable is indicated by the fact that during twenty-one years of that time he was employed by one man, Milton Goodnor, on his farm. Later, he came to Sherman township, where he had previously purchased seventy-five acres of land from a Mr. Mc- Kenzie, and began farming on his own account. He at once directed his ener- gies toward the further cultivation and development of his farm, and it was not long before his fields were returning excellent crops. As he gathered his har- vests, for which he found a ready sale on the market, and his financial resources were thus increased, he added to his property from time to time, first purchasing forty-one acres of land from Eli Horner and later thirty acres more from Miller Brothers, so that today his property consists of one hundred and forty-five acres, all well improved and cultivated. He carries on his agricultural pursuits along practical and progressive lines and is meeting with most gratifying success.
In 1852 Mr. Ringlein was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Waaheit, a daughter of John and Barbara Waaheit, both natives of Germany, where their entire lives were spent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ringlein were born the following children : Barbara, the wife of Daniel Miller ; William; Andrew ; Joseph ; Frank ; Aloise; Mary, who married John Wester, deceased; and Rosa, the wife of Wil- liam Hafner. The family are all members of the Catholic church and are well known and highly respected throughout the community.
In politics Mr. Ringlein is a stanch democrat and has served as road super- visor and school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart cham- pion. He has never found occasion to regret his determination to come to Amer- ica, for in this country of broad opportunity, where success comes as the sure re- ward of earnest labor and industry, he has won a gratifying degree of prosperity and is now comfortably situated in life.
HENRY W. CARPENTER.
Henry W. Carpenter, who follows the occupation of a carpenter and joiner and at the same time operates a farm of forty-one and one-half acres in New Lon- don township, was born on the 22d of May, 1847, a son of Henry F. and Esther M. (Sprague) Carpenter, the former a native of Neversink, New York, born in 1811, while the latter's birth occurred in Troy, New York. The paternal grandfather, Robert Carpenter, when in his twenties, came from England to New York in company with two brothers, Timothy and Seth. Timothy Carpenter purchased a farm on Long Island and later participated in the Revolutionary war, during which time he is supposed to have been killed as nothing was ever heard of him thereafter. Seth Carpenter located at Kingston, New York, while Robert came to Ohio in 1822, locating upon a farm of seven hundred acres, which he purchased at five shillings per acre. He was a carpenter and wagon maker by trade and continued to engage in that occupation, while at the same time he cleared his land and devoted some time also to farming, being thus engaged at the time of his death,
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
which occurred in 1862. Upon his father's farm Henry F. Carpenter, the father of our subject, was reared, and he also took up general farming as an occupa- tion. In 1834, he purchased the farm of which the property of our subject was then a part and continued to make it his home until his death in June, 1885. In his family were seven children, those still living being: Louisa M. Ketchum, J. R. Carpenter and Henry W. Carpenter. The deceased are : W. W., W. J., O. E., and Mary A.
Henry W. Carpenter, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district schools of New London township, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated in due course of time. He then learned the occupation of a carpenter and joiner and continued to follow his trade, while at the same time he carried on general farm- ing, being thus connected at the present time. Upon the death of his father the old homestead was divided and he came into the possession of over forty acres of land, upon which he now makes his home. He is active, alert and capable in the transaction of his business and his various enterprises, which, being well managed, are proving to him sources of substantial and gratifying income. His fields are under a high state of cultivation, yielding good harvests in the autumn, while many structures throughout the community stand as monuments to his skill and ability as a carpenter.
The year 1875 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Carpenter to Miss Alice Searles, and unto this union have been born three children, Walter S., Arthur B. and Alice L. Walter S., the eldest son, is well known in New London township and has served for four terms as township assessor, during which time he has given a uniform satisfaction that augurs well for re-election.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter both attend the Methodist church although the grand- parents were originally adherents of the Quaker faith. He is a stalwart republican in politics, and although he is deeply interested in the progress of the party and does all in his power to extend its influence, nevertheless he neither desires nor seeks office for himself, preferring to direct his entire energies to the conduct of his private affairs, which, carefully conducted, are proving a source of grati- fying income to him. Having passed his entire life in New London township, he has become well known throughout this locality, and the fact that his circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances indicate that his salient qualities are those which tend to inspire the confidence, respect and the good will of his fellowmen.
GEORGE A. BARBER.
The farming interests of Huron county find in George A. Barber a worthy representative and one who is meeting with success in his business enterprise. He was born in Sherman township, this county, January 30, 1856. and is a son of Samuel G. and Matilda ( Maltby) Barber, the former a native of Schenectady county, New York, and the latter of Fremont, Ohio. The grandparents of our subject on the paternal side were Edward and Desire ( Kenyon) Barber. while
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his maternal grandfather was David Maltby. Both the Barber and Maltby fami- lies are of Scotch lineage, while the Barbers rank among the old pioneer settlers of Huron county. The family was founded in this portion of the state by Samuel G. Barber, the father of our subject, who came here when but seven years of age, and grew up with the county, being a witness of the work of trans- formation and improvement that has changed the forests of Ohio into richly cultivated fields.
Our subject has in his possession many interesting relics of the old pioneer days, one of especial interest being an Italian violin which is over two hundred years old. He also has the old gun that his grandfather brought with him from the east, and also a letter received by the Barbers in the early days, directed to this state and dated February 1I, 1834. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Maltby, had three brothers who went to Texas, where they were residing at the time of the Civil war. At the outbreak of hostilities the youngest brother espoused the cause of the Confederacy and be- came captain in the Louisiana Light Artillery. The eldest brother was a soldier in the Mexican war and under General Scott went from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, participating in all of the battles of that campaign. After the war he went to Galena, Illinois, and later became a friend and associate of General Grant. During the Civil war he was a brevet brigadier general and assisted in capturing his own brother at the surrender of Vicksburg. Later he sought parole for his brother and sent him back to the south. He sustained a wound at the battle of Fort Donelson which, however, was not fatal. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Barber were the following children: Dora, George, Bayard, Jasper and Grace.
George A. Barber, of this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When not busy with the work in the fields he attended the district schools and thus acquired a good knowledge of the common English branches. Later he pursued a course of study during the years 1877-1880, in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and after leaving that institution he was engaged in teaching for about eighteen years. During that period his identification with educational interests was a source of benefit to the communi- ties in which he labored for he proved himself a most competent and able in- structor, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Subsequently, however, he withdrew from that profession and be- came identified with agricultural interests, purchasing a farm in Fairfield town- ship. He has resided upon this farm for about fourteen years, and it is now one of the well improved and valuable properties in the township. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, has introduced upon the place all the accessories and equipment necessary to facilitate farm labor, and his well directed industry and energy, which are the salient elements in his career, are winning for him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
It was on the 7th of April, 1885, that Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Maud Pratt, who was born in October, 1864, and is a daughter of Edwin D. and Elizabeth (Slyer) Pratt, natives of Huron county, Ohio, and East Liver- pool, Medina county, this state, respectively. Her father, who was a son of
HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Nelson and Finette ( Delano) Pratt, traces his ancestry back to the Mayflower. The Pratts were originally members of the Baptist church, but members of the family later joined the Mormon church and became stanch supporters of that creed. Hugh F. Barber, who was born on the 18th of May, 1891, is the only child born unto Mr. and Mrs. George Barber. The parents are both members of the Universalist church, while fraternally Mr. Barber is connected with the Masons at North Fairfield, Ohio. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, doing all in his power to promote the general welfare, while his influence and activity are always upon the side of progress, reform, improvement and advancement. These qualities constitute him a citizen of worth in the community where he has resided throughout his lifetime and where he has acquired an extensive circle of warm friends.
CHARLES W. HOPKINS.
Charles W. Hopkins, one of the pioneer residents of Huron county, where he has resided for more than sixty years, is one of the successful and influential agriculturists of the district in which he lives, his farm of eighty acres, situated in Ripley township, being one of the finest and best improved properties of the county. He was born in New Jersey on the 14th of March, 1838, and on the paternal side traces his ancestry back to a Mr. Hopkins who came to America in the Mayflower, founding the family in Massachusetts. His parents were John and Levica (Mott) Hopkins, the former a native of Massachusetts, where his birth occurred in 1807, while the latter was born in New Jersey in 1815. The father was the eldest in a family of eight children born unto Joshua Hopkins, the others being Orpha, Willard, Juliana, Sarah Hane, Amanda, Joshua and Samuel. The mother was a daughter of Henry Mott and the eldest of six chil- dren, the others being as follows, Allen, Job, Henry, Elizabeth and Marietta. John Hopkins, who came to Ohio at an early date, was among the pioneer set- tlers of Huron county and for many years his efforts were potent factors in the work of improvement and development which was carried on within its borders. He passed away in 1904 at the very remarkable age of ninety-seven years. His family consisted of the following: Charles W., Elizabeth, James Henry, John Norris and Levica, while another child, whose name was also James Henry, was burned to death in infancy.
Charles W. Hopkins was a little lad of five years when he came with his parents to Ohio, and here on his father's farm he was reared to manhood, spending the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads of that time. He shared with the other members of the household the priva- tions and experiences of life in a frontier district and was early trained to habits of industry and economy. He has devoted his entire life to farming and kindred pursuits. and throughout his business career his efforts have been actuated by a spirit of industry, perseverance and close application that has won its just reward in a substantial and gratifying success which is today his. He owns eighty acres of excellent land which constitutes one of the finest farming properties in Huron
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county, and everything about his place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. In connection with his farming he engages to some extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding horses, and both branches of his business-the raising of grain and the raising of stock-are proving profitable sources of revenue to him.
It was on the 28th of September, 1862, that Mr. Hopkins was united in mar- riage to Miss Ann Mitchell, a native of Michigan, born March 10, 1842. She was a daughter of Moses M. and Hulda ( Hale) Mitchell and a sister of Matilda, Lorana, Ada and James Mitchell. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins was blessed with nine children, namely: Ada, Rosella, Jennie, Artie, Maud, Lizzie, James, Fred and Roy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hopkins was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Reeves Lincoln, a daughter of James Lincoln, and unto them were born four sons: Frank, Carl, Lincoln and Leland. The parents are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Hopkins is a deacon, and they are greatly interested in the various phases of church work.
In politics Mr. Hopkins gives his allegiance to the republican party and on that ticket served as postmaster at Carson, Ohio, for fourteen years. He can well remember the time when dense forests covered much of the district and wild animals were seen in abundance. During the intervening years he has watched the steady growth and advancement of the community, has seen much of the land cleared and converted into productive fields and has witnessed the log cabin giving place to the modern and substantial residence, while in this work of improvement he has taken a willing part, at all times rejoicing in the progress which has been made and doing all in his power to advance the best interests of the community. Although he has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he nevertheless remains an active factor in life's work and is recognized as one of the substantial, influential and valuable citizens of Huron county.
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