USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 52
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WILLIAM G. CHANNING.
One of the native sons of Huron county who have continued in the life to which they were reared, that of a farmer, is William G. Channing, who owns ninety-one acres of land in Richmond township. He was born, however, in Greenfield town- ship, December II, 1852. His parents, Joseph and Charlotte (Fox) Channing, were born, reared and married in England. In 1848 they came to America and joined their forces with those of the other early settlers of Huron county who were doing their share toward the great development which the last half of the preced- ing century witnessed. Six children were born to them: Ellen, who became the wife of William H. Callin ; Joseph R .; Susan, who married Thomas A. McClain ; Louisa, who became the wife of A. M. Cole; Lydia, who married S. S. Lloyd; and William G., who is the subject of this sketch.
William G. Channing received the fundamentals of his education in the district schools of Huron county. The meager instruction which they were able to afford during the few months they were in session he has greatly supplemented, however, both through practical experience and by extensive reading and study. One of his largest assets being a capacity for hard, unremitting toil, he has secured from his farm a substantial income due also to the scientific study he has made of agricul- tural methods and the nature of his soil. Reared to the life of a farmer, he has fol- lowed that calling but at the same time has found exercise for the business ability which is his on the stock and grain market and in the buying and selling of hay and fertilizer.
Mr. Channing has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Alice Leply, a daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth Leply. The one son, Elmer, who was born of this union, is an electrician at Niagara Falls. When Mr. Channing married again Miss Eliza J. Dawson became his wife. She was a daughter of James B. Dawson by his first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Dickinson. The others of this family were J. W., A. H., G. H. arid J. E. By his second wife, who before her marriage was Miss Julia Sweetland, Mr. Dawson had five children : H. S., D. F., C. A., R. A. and Mary. The daughter is now the wife of D. W. Hillis. Of Mr. Channing's second union there have been two children born: Charlotte, who is the wife of John W. Mowery and Finace J., who lives at home.
Mr. Channing gives his support in political matters to the republican party, with whose platform he is most in sympathy. He is not a man who aspires to public
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office, however, though he has on occasion served the citizens of his township well and takes an interest in local affairs. For several years he acted as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board advanced the cause of education in the township. In 1900 he was appointed to take the census in Richmond township. The family are members of the United Brethren church, to which they have given unfailing and substantial support for a number of years.
JULIUS HAGMAN.
Julius Hagman, one of the most prominent German-American residents of Chicago, Ohio, is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his extensive property interests. He was born in Germany on the 2d of September, 1858, his parents being John B. and Frances (Leis) Hagman, both of whom passed away in that country. The father's death occurred on the 26th of No- vember, 1871, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1903, when seventy- six years of age. Their family numbered nine children, as follows: Monica, who is a Sister of Charity in Germany ; Catherine, who is the widow of Joseph Kim- mer and lives in Wittenberg, Germany; Julius, of this review ; Joseph, a resident of the fatherland; Otto, who is deceased; Krezenz, living in Switzerland; Paul, of Germany ; Richard, who also makes his home in that country ; and Bridget, the wife of a Mr. Habercan, of Germany.
Julius Hagman attended the schools of his native land and in early manhood served as a soldier of the German army for six months. The year 1881 witnessed his emigration to the United States and after landing on the shores of this coun- try he made his way at once to Sandusky, Ohio, where for two years he worked as a day laborer. Subsequently he took up his abode in Chicago, Huron county, Ohio, securing employment in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops and, by dint of untiring industry and close economy, at length accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account. It was in 1891 that he started out for himself, becoming the proprietor of a restaurant, which he success- fully conducted until the 5th of September, 1905, when he sold the establishment to Lewis Schwartz. Since that time he has lived practically retired from active business cares save for the supervision which he gives to his invested interests, being the owner of considerable town property. The prosperity which has crowned his efforts has come as the direct result of his own well directed and in- defatigable labor, and he is now widely recognized as one of the most substantial, respected and representative citizens of the county.
On the 9th of September, 1901, Mr. Hagman was united in marriage to Mrs. Gracens Schandorfer, a daughter of John N. and Mary Batch and the widow of Valentine Schandorfer, of Port Clinton, Ohio. She was born in Germany and when a maiden of sixteen years accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world, the family first locating at Sandusky, Ohio, while later they took up their abode in Port Clinton, this state. John N. Batch, a carpenter by trade, still survives at the age of eighty-nine years and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hagman. His wife is deceased, however, having passed away in 1908, when
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eighty-seven years of age. They reared a family of seven children, namely: Jo- seph ; Edward, who is the present mayor of Port Clinton ; William ; Mrs. Hag- man ; Matilda ; Hubbard; and Henry. By her former husband Mrs. Hagman had six children, the record of whom is as follows: John, who died in 1907, when thirty-eight years of age, wedded Miss Anna Weisbaker, by whom he had three children: Vernice, Beulah and Ruth. Edward first wedded Miss Sallie Henry, and after her death was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Rae Townsend. They make their home at Painesville, Ohio. Frank, who married Miss Bessie Ashley, is foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio shops at Zanesville, Ohio. Tillie, living at Gar- rett, Indiana, is the wife of Leo Mager, by whom she has two children, Leroy and Lucile. Lewis is a resident of Painesville, Ohio. Cornelius, a twin brother of Lewis, is deceased.
Politically Mr. Hagman is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and on that ticket was elected a member of the city council, the duties of which office he is now discharging in a most capable and faithful manner. Religiously he is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and is now serving as one of the trustees. His fraternal relations are with the Eagles and the Knights of Columbus at Steuben. Although born across the water, he is thoroughly loyal to the stars and stripes and to the interests of his adopted land. As the years have passed he has so directed his business affairs that he is now enabled to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, but on the contrary has found here the business opportunities he has sought and in their utilization has won a goodly measure of success.
WILLIAM O. VAN LIEW.
William O. Van Liew, who has had a varied experience as a business man, is now operating his excellent farm of sixty-four acres in Richmond township, where he has become thoroughly identified with the best interests of his locality, and prominent in the republican party. He was born in Norwich township, June 22, 1862, a son of William C. and Charlotte (Burdge) Van Liew, both of whom were natives of New York state, and were brought to Ohio in childhood. The father was a farmer of Norwich township until within three years of his demise, when he retired to Centerton, and there he died, September 6, 1903, aged seventy-five years, as he was born in 1828. His wife had died March 7, 1896, in Norwich town- ship. During the Civil war he served as a ninety-day man in Company H, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The following children were born to him and his wife: Allen, who is deceased; Alberta, who married B. F. Denson ; Mary, who married Joseph Robinson ; William O. ; Fred ; and Ada, who married Edward Silter.
William O. Van Liew was given more than ordinary opportunities for secur- ing an education for after he finished his course in the public schools of Norwich, he entered Ada College at Ada, Harding county, Ohio, and after a term there he entered the Attica high school. He then learned the trade of painter and paper hanger by working in Chicago, Ohio, and pursued this occupation for thirteen
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years. At this time his services were required by his father and for the following three years he operated the homestead. Having by this time decided that he pre- ferred an agricultural life, he purchased his present farm from John Dellinger and has been devoting himself ever since to improving and cultivating it.
On March 17, 1885, Mr. Van Liew married Emma Shanks, a daughter of James and Sarah Jane (Tanner) Shanks, farmers of Richmond township. They had the following family: Lucy, who married Dr. H. G. Blaine : Mrs. Van Liew ; Odella, who married Clayton C. Sanford; Anna, who married F. A. Richards : Estella, who married V. E. Cole ; Arthur and Lilly. Mr. and Mrs. Van Liew have three children: Leo, born January 28, 1887; Cora, born January 21, 1889; and Ruth, born March 29, 1895.
Mr. Van Liew has served as school director of Norwich township one term, and one term as road supervisor in Richmond township, being elected both times on the republican ticket. The family are Methodists in religious faith. Mr. Van Liew has always been a hard working man, earnest in his endeavors to produce the best results and to live up to a high standard of right living, and that he has suc- ceeded. his popularity with his neighbors and friends amply testifies.
GEORGE WILLIAM BRINSON.
George William Brinson, a farmer and successful stock breeder and raiser of Ripley township, was born on the farm on which he now lives September 6, 1868. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Mervin) Brinson, who were of English birth and education. James Brinson, the son of Thomas Brinson, was born in Somerset- shire, England, June 2, 1822, and at the age of twenty-six he emigrated to this country, where for about seventeen years he worked at the trade of stone-cutter. In 1865 he married, forsook his former means of livelihood and started to farm, purchasing the land upon which his son now lives. His wife, who before her mar- riage was Miss Elizabeth Mervin, was born in 1836 in Leicestershire, England, and is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Mervin. She came to Ohio in 1855, and through her marriage became the mother of a daughter Altha and a son George William, the subject of this sketch.
Reared on the home farm, Mr. Brinson received such an education in the dis- trict schools as the average country boy obtained in the few winter months that were devoted to schooling because it would be impossible to spend them in the fields. With the first sign of spring the school doors were closed and George William Brinson, like the other boys of his neighborhood, returned to the farm to assist his father till the fields and tempt them to give a greater and greater harvest each year. Difficult though the work may have been at times the success of his later years has fully repaid him for the outlay of exertion, for not only did he learn the methods of cultivating the soil but the equally important lessons of industry, thrift and good management which have enabled him to maintain his farm in such an excellent con- dition that it is frequently the cause for comment. A number of years ago he added stock raising and feeding to his purely agricultural interests, and in this branch also has been very successful.
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On the 12th of April, 1905, Mr. Brinson was married to Miss Mary Hannan, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Brennstuhl) Hannan. She was born December 30, 1884, and was the eldest child in a family of six, the others being James, Edward, Agnes, Cassie and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Brinson have three children, two sons and a daughter : Mildred E., born July 28, 1906; James E., born May 16, 1908; and Glen R. born September 8, 1909. When called upon to exercise his right to vote, Mr. Brinson invariably supports the candidates of the republican party, as he is most in sympathy with its principles. He devotes little time to politics and public matters, however, for the care of his one hundred and seventy-three acres and his business interests leave him but little desire for anything but the enjoyment of a few quiet hours in the bosom of his family.
CHARLES L. WILLOUGHBY.
Charles L. Willoughby is one of the well known men of Richmond township. A prosperous farmer, owning and operating one hundred and seventy-three acres of land, he has also taken an active part in the local public affairs and at the ex- pressed desire of his fellow citizens has held important positions. He was born in Norwich township, January 2, 1867, and is a son of Arthur and Mary J. (Ringle) Willoughby. The father, who was the son of James and Margaret ( Patterson) Willoughby, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1827, and was a farmer throughout his life. As a boy he worked on the home place and then sought em- ployment on the farms of the neighborhood, receiving a small compensation for the services he rendered. When he became desirous of establishing his own home, he came to this county, locating in Norwich township, which was then entirely cov- ered with timber. He was not discouraged, however, but bought his first farm of one hundred acres in the midst of the woods. He built a log cabin, cleared his land, and as the years brought good returns for the labor he expended in the fields he was able to add to the original farm, until at his death he owned three hundred and seventy-five acres in Norwich and Richmond townships. He passed away in August, 1889, but his wife, who was born in 1833, lived until May 21, 1908, when she was buried beside her husband in the cemetery at Attica, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children : Simon A., who departed this life in 1893; Harry E., a resident of Melton, Wisconsin; William M., of Richmond township; Alice May, who died in 1897 ; Charles L., the subject of this sketch ; Clara B., who became the wife of Jasper Barber and lives in Lorain county, near Oberlin; and Walter J., who conducts a physical culture school in Cleveland, Ohio.
Charles L. Willoughby received his first lessons in the fundamental branches of English education in the district schools of his native township. Later he at- tended the public school in Attica, and after three years continued his training in the high school of that city, remaining there two years. His formal education com- pleted, he went west to Kansas to farm with a brother but stayed only one year, after which he removed to Wisconsin, where for three years he followed the car- penter's trade. Upon the death of his father he returned to his home and assumed
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charge of the farm, which has been his care ever since and on which he has prose- cuted a line of diversified agriculture which has been very profitable.
Though of necessity the greater part of Mr. Willoughby's time is consumed by the care of his farm, he has evinced a commendable interest in the public affairs of his township. He is at present one of the directors of the county infirmary, and though his duties are sometimes onerous and his responsibilities trying he is fully able to take charge of them. For three years as trustee he assisted in the adminis- tration of the affairs of the township and for a term of one year acted as assessor. The local school board benefited by his counsels during three years, for he has ever been deeply interested in the problem of education. In political matters he allies himself with the democratic party, but he gives allegiance to no religious denomination.
ELMER A. STOTTS.
Elmer A. Stotts, one of the successful farmers and prominent business men of Ripley township, whose farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres lies near the lit- tle village of Boughtonville, was born in this township, June 1, 1867. He is a son of Abram and Mariette ( Boughton) Stotts. The parents were of Ohioan nativity, the mother's birth having occurred in Fitchville township, this county, in the year 1834. Abram Stotts, who was born December 5, 1822, was the son of John Stotts and became one of the prominent men of this locality. Successful in his farming and business operations, he was also a man in whom the people put their con- fidence, for besides filling many minor offices in his township he was a Huron county commissioner for six years. During a period of more than twice this length of time he was president of the Huron County Insurance Company. guiding its finances with a wise hand. He passed away July 21, 1909, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Four children were born to Abraham Stotts and his wife: Flora, Della, Clarence and Elmer A.
Elmer A. Stotts, the youngest of this family, has followed largely in his father's footsteps. Reared and educated to life on the farm, of his own volition he has con- tinued in that calling, finding exercise for his many other capabilities in the world of finance or in the service of his fellow citizens. His farm is one of the model places in the vicinity of Boughtonville. On it are seen fine, substantial buildings, strictly conforming to the most advanced ideas as regards construction and maintained in first class repair. His fields, in their excellent condition of tillage, bespeak the in- dustry and good management of their owner. As for his business operations, he is a stockholder in the Boughtonville Telephone Company and for the past eight years has sold farm implements in the village. This business he is closing now, however, for he contemplates moving to Plymouth in the fall of 1909, having al- ready purchased a home in that city.
On the 7th of June, 1888, Mr. Stotts was married to Miss Mildred Kaylor, who was born September 7, 1868, and is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Yarnell) Kaylor, of Plymouth, Ohio. This union has been blessed with one child, Blanche, who was born November 9, 1896. Mrs. Stotts is a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Delphi, while her husband gives his religious adherence
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to the Baptist denomination. Politically he affiliates with the republican party though he is not active in its ranks. He has, however, served the people of the township efficiently for several terms as a member of the school board and for more than ten years has been a trustee of Ripley. Though still a young man, Mr. Stotts has been successful and is highly respected. Accordingly, the best years of his life which lie still before him, should be a golden guerdon of his earnest endeavors in the past.
JOHN H. DONALDSON.
John H. Donaldson is a respected and honored citizen of Greenwich township and has passed most of his life within the bounds of Huron county. He was born near Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, February 24, 1834, a son of Joseph and Sarah G. (Matthews) Donaldson. The father was a West Virginian by birth, and the mother was a native of Ohio. Joseph Donaldson came to this state and took up the time-honored occupation of his ancestors, that of farming, which he followed for the remainder of his life. The year 1819 marked his location in Richland county, but in 1863 he sold out there and settled in Allen county, Indiana, where he died July 27, 1891, his wife following him in November, 1897. In their family were three sons and four daughters : Francina, John H., Mary, William S., Jemi- ma, Levi J. and Emily, all living except Francina and Jemima.
John H. Donaldson was quite liberally educated for his times in the district schools and at Oberlin College. He taught successfully for a number of years in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, this at a time when it was the custom to "board round." He finally purchased land, farming in summer and teaching in winter, after his marriage, which event occurred March 27, 1860. His wife, Miss Lura P. Barker, was of a prominent pioneer family, her parents being Daniel G. and Eliza (Baker) Barker, of Huron county. The father was originally from New York and the mother from Connecticut. They came to Ohio in 1829, shortly after marriage, and were thrifty and hardworking people. With a debt of one hundred dollars, an ox-team and an ax, they began life in the virgin forest and amassed a competency. Mr. Barker was prominent in public affairs. In 1856 he was com- missioned by Governor Robert Lucas, of Ohio, as brigadier general of the First Regiment, Second Brigade, Eleventh Division of the State Militia, and was also connected with other public affairs during life.
There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, all of whom are oc- cupying honorable and useful positions in society : Clara R. was well educated and is now in the Philippines serving her second three-year period as a teacher ; Joseph D. is a traveling salesman ; Frank D., a farmer, is serving as clerk of Ripley town- ship; May D. is the wife of Dr. Austin S. McKitrick, a physician of Kenton, Ohio ; Grace A. is the wife of Dr. A. C. Matthews, physician of Poughkeepsie, New York. The mother of these children passed away in April, 1897. She was a woman of great strength of character and beloved by all for her wide charity and gracious kindliness.
Mr. Donaldson continues to reside on the old homestead, a well tilled farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is a republican in politics and because of his con-
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servative and wise counsel is prominent at all the gatherings of his party. He in- terests himself in the affairs of his local community and has served as trustee, presi- dent of the board of education, etc. A successful farmer, he is prominent in all that pertains to agricultural interests, having been for years secretary of the local branch. No. 707, of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is an active, working member of the Congregational church, is chairman of the board of trustees, and teaches a large adult Bible class in the Sunday school. A broad-minded, public-spirited citi- zen, always alert and active in every good movement, Mr. Donaldson has won a large place for himself in the affairs of Huron county.
PHILLIP HAWN.
Among the farms of Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio, which have remained in the families of the hardy pioneers that cut them out of the wilderness, is that of one hundred acres on which Phillip Hawn lives today. It was the place of his birth, where on the 17th day of May, 1850, he was born, a son of Ben- jamin and Hannah (Coder) Hawn. His grandparents on both his father's and his mother's side were natives of Pennsylvania. Phillip Coder, the maternal grand- father, lived to be ninety-four years of age and witnessed the many changes that separated the nineteenth century from the eighteenth as by a gulf. His wife was Elizabeth Coder. Benjamin and Margaret Hawn, the father's parents, came to Ohio in the days of the pioneers and did their share toward preparing the virgin country for the farms which are now its pride.
Benjamin Hawn, the father of Phillip, was reared in Medina county. Ohio, but came to Huron county in 1849, purchasing from Sally Busch and from the government the farm on which his son now lives. It was his home for the re- mainder of his life, and he was associated with conditions which at the time of his death, in 1898, had entirely passed away and were but memories in the minds of the older settlers, who had been pioneers. When he bought the farm his first concern was to build a log cabin, which should serve him as shelter while he cleared the land of its timber and made the fields ready to receive the seed. As the community of Richmond township grew he became active in its affairs, was made supervisor and was elected to the school board, using his influence to make it pos- sible for the farmers' boys to obtain something more than the meager education they received in early days. In politics he was a democrat and in his religious faith an adherent of the United Brethren church. Mr. Hawn was twice married. Miss Cassie Showalter, who became his first wife, bore him six children: George, John, Thomas, Margaret, Henry and Lavinia. The three eldest sons were soldiers in the Civil war ; Margaret became the wife of Jackson Schilts ; and Lavinia mar- ried Jacob Kissinger. On the occasion of his second marriage Miss Hannah Coder became his wife. Of this union there were four children: Caroline, who married Darwin Brooks ; Phillip, the subject of this sketch ; Lucy, who became the wife of John Patten ; and Benjamin A., who was the youngest of the family.
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