USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 7
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While increasing the factory facilities, it was also found advisable to increase the line of machines and as a result the disc harrow business of the Dayton Farm Implement Company was purchased and removed to this place and made a part of the famous Ohio line. From that time, the growth of the business was very rapid and nearly every year has been marked by new additions being built to the factory and modern machinery being installed throughout all departments of the plant. The next important addition to the line of implements as well as to the plant of the cultivator company was the purchase of the buildings and equipment of the Bellevue Plow Company, whose property adjoined that of the cultivator company, lying on the opposite side of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad tracks. This gave to the cultivator company, one of the largest and strongest lines of small tools manufactures in the country and, with the increased and available capital at their command, this plant immediately entered upon a new and even more successful era. A few years later followed the purchase of the patents, good will, etc., of the Ohio Hay Press Company, whose product was at the time limited to but one style of press-a steam or belt power hay
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press. To this has been added a full and complete line of one and two horse presses that have rapidly sprung into favor with the progressive hay balers throughout the United States. This branch of the business within a few years has developed to mammoth proportions until a large two-story building, one hun- dred and thirty by eighty feet, is now utilized for its conduct. Later came the purchase of the Bissell chilled plows, manufactured by the Bissell Plow Com- pany of South Bend, Indiana. With the removal of this business to Bellevue the old foundry capacity soon reached its limit and a new foundry was placed in course of construction, ranking today as one of the largest and most modern foundries in Ohio. An entirely new power plant was put in operation in the summer of 1909, being driven by electricity and furnishing the power for every department of the works. With the purchase of the Bissell plow came a largely increased foreign trade for the output had been successfully introduced into European markets. No other agricultural implement factory in this country has enjoyed so rapid and substantial a growth as the Ohio Cultivator Company and throughout the entire period at its head, controlling and directing its interests, has stood H. C. Stahl. Branch houses have been established throughout the country, the company maintaining transfer stocks at Philadelphia; Rochester, New York ; Richmond, Virginia ; Columbus, Ohio; Lexington, Kentucky; Indianapolis, In- diana ; Peoria, Illinois ; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; Des Moines, Iowa ; Wichita, Kansas; and Kansas City, Missouri. The company owns its own building in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where the business has outgrown the facilities of the average transfer or distributing house of agri- cultural implements and the business is conducted under a branch house man- agement. At Kansas City, another large implement center, the company main- tains a branch house manager together with an efficient corps of traveling men, as is done at Council Bluffs. At Dallas, Texas, the business reached such propor- tions that it was deemed advisable to purchase a warehouse, which was secured several years ago. Throughout these years of expansion and advancement, H. C. Stahl has always been at the head, managing and directing the affairs of the company to its present successful proporitions. The capital stock has from time to time been increased until it is recorded today at one million dollars. More- cver, the enterprise has been one of immense value to Bellevue where, through- out the busy season in normal years, the factory has as high as three hundred men upon its pay roll, approximately one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars being paid to the employes. As his associate officers, Mr. Stahl, who is presi- dent and treasurer, has A. C. Stahl as vice-president ; E. A. King, secretary ; C. V. Brown, assistant secretary ; J. E. Marvin, auditor ; A. C. Dann, superintend- ent ; and Dan Seltzer, assistant superintendent.
Mr. Stahl's hand is also the guiding factor in other enterprises, although the interests of the Ohio Cultivator Company claim the greater portion of his time, attention and energies. He is the president of the Bellevue Savings Bank, is president of the Harrah State Bank, of Harrah, Oklahoma, and is interested in various other organizations. He is likewise the owner of several farms in the immediate vicinity of Bellevue and has considerable land in other sections of the | country.
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On the 21st of October, 1874, in Southbury, New Haven county, Connecti- cut, Mr. Stahl was married to Miss Annie C. Mitchell of that place, a daughter of Nelson Warren and Edna Eliza ( Platt) Mitchell, who were also natives of Connecticut. Her father married and took his bride to his father's home, there living for fifty years. The old home is still in possession of the Mitchell family. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Stahl was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have been born four children: Edna Rachel, now the wife of Joseph E. Marvin, of Bellevue, Ohio; Alice Emeline, the wife of Dan- iel Seltzer of Bellevue; Marion Belle, the wife of Henry N. Schofield of Dallas, Texas ; and Harlow Mitchell, who was born June 22, 1893, and is now attending the Culver Military College at Culver, Indiana.
Mr. Stahl is a member of the Masonic fraternity, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. A public spirit and marked philanthropy are strong characteristics of his nature and are manifest in his active aid and co- operation with every movement tending toward the development and improvement of Bellevue. His life work is notable by reason of the fact that without any es- pecially favoring advantages at the outset of his career, he has worked his way steadily upward, meriting the prosperity that he has enjoyed and which has led him into the most important industrial relations. He is honored and respected for what he has accomplished and none the less so for the means which he has em- ployed for the attainment of his success.
GEORGE H. GATES.
George H. Gates, who is serving efficiently as court bailiff of Huron county, is a native son of the Buckeye state, born in Newark, Ohio, May 26, 1858, his parents being Jacob and Rose (Chamberlin) Gates. The father was an engineer on the Pan Handle Railroad and was killed at Coshocton the morning prior to Thanksgiving day of 1872.
George H. Gates, the subject of this review, pursued his early education in the common schools and attended the Newark high school one year. Upon the death of his father, it was necessary that he provide for his own support, and ac- cordingly he secured employment with S. A. Parr, a grocer of Newark, driving a delivery wagon and clerking in the store. At the age of nineteen years, he en- tered the employ of Cherry & Woolson, proprietors of the eating house of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Chicago Junction and Garrett, Indiana, remaining in their employ fifteen years.
Entering public life, Mr. Gates then served as deputy under Sheriff N. O. Allen, four years, while for a similar period, he acted in the same capacity under Sheriff Seneca Rouk. He was then, in 1900, elected sheriff of Huron county on the republican ticket and was re-elected to that office in 1902, which indicated that his services were entirely satisfactory to the public at large. After the expiration of his second term, he was appointed court bailiff and is the present incumbent in that office. He is well qualified to fill the office to the satisfaction of his people and with credit to himself, as he has demonstrated in the past.
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Mr. Gates wedded Miss Lizzie A. Wilcox, of Centerton, Ohio, and their union has been blessed with a son and a daughter, Louis W., and Helen M. The family are prominent in the social circles of Norwalk, and all who know them entertain for them high regard, while as a public official, Mr. Gates has won the confidence of all with whom his business relations bring him in contact.
CALVERT A. MEAD.
A well developed and highly improved farm of ninety-three acres, situated within two miles and a half of the courthouse in Norwalk, is not only the present home of Calvert A. Mead, but was the place of his birth and here his entire life has been spent. He was born in a log house on this farm, June 9, 1834, and is the youngest in a family of ten children born of the marriage of Edmund W. Mead and Rachel Knapp. The former was born April 4, 1788, while the birth of the latter occurred February 14, 1790. They were married October 2, 1813, and it was in 1828, that Edmund W. Mead, with his family, then consisting of wife and six children, left their home in Putnam county, New York, and located in Huron county. Four years later, in 1832, the father took up his abode upon the farm which is now the home of his son Calvert A. He followed farming through- out his entire life, was industrious and prudent in his manner of living, and thus acquired a good farm. He eventually retired to private life, spending his last days in Norwalk, where his death occurred April 5, 1876, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-eight years. He was a republican in politics and was highly respected in the community in which he so long made his home. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund W. Mead numbered nine children, as follows : Jane E., who was born April 28, 1814; Elizabeth A., born February 26, 1816; Susan, born May 11, 1818; Silas K., November 19, 1820; Almira, born February 13, 1823; Alfred G., July 12, 1825; Rachel, born April 5, 1829; Charles E., Jan- uary 14, 1832 ; and Calvert A., born June 9, 1834. The last three named were born after the removal of the family to Huron county.
Calvert A. Mead, as above stated, was born on the farm which is still his home. As as boy, he was reared to agricultural pursuits and has made farming his life work. He has improved his place with good substantial buildings, having a com- fortable residence and ample outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. The place, comprising ninety-three acres, is conveniently located within two and a half miles of the courthouse in Norwalk. Near the house is a natural spring of water, supplying a small lake, which has been dug by Mr. Mead. He has stocked this with fish and it also affords a place for rowing, which adds greatly to the pleasure of the family and their friends, during the heated season. He formerly gave much of his attention to dairying, supplying a large number of patrons with milk, but he has abandoned this branch of his business and now gives his entire time to the cultivation of crops.
Mr. Mead chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Ellen Mesnard, who was born April 30, 1836, their marriage being celebrated in 1857. Her father, Eri Mesnard, was of French descent and served as standard
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county surveyor of Huron county for fourteen years. He surveyed the first rail- road in the state of New York and in early life, engaged in teaching school in Ithaca, that state. His death occurred in 1879, and his wife survived for two years, passing away in 1881.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mead has been blessed with six sons and one daughter, namely : Charles W., Byron L., Albert S., Gertrude Louella, Clayton B., Henry B. and Frank L., but the last named died in 1893. The surviving mem- bers of the family are all married. Mr. and Mrs. Mead celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1907, the date being the 24th of March. One peculiar feature on that occasion was the fact that out of a party of twenty-three, who sat together at the table, there was one guest present at the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mead.
Mr. Mead has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party. A inan of high ideals and manly principles, he is greatly respected in the community in which he has always resided, and through the companionship of his estimable, wife and the pleasant surroundings of his rural home, he is enabled to live a con- tended and happy life.
HENRY T. GRAHAM.
Enterprise, industry, thrift and economy are the characteristic elements in the life of Henry T. Graham, who is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Fairfield township, where he owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and two acres. His birth occurred in Greenfield township, Huron county, on the 22d of July, 1862, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Myers) Gra- ham, the former born in Durham county, England, on the 31st of May, 1836, while the latter's birth occurred in England in August, 1836. They were married ere their emigration to the United States in 1859 and on landing in this country at once made their way to Huron county, Ohio, settling in Greenfield township. There the father continued to make his home until called to his final rest. The mother still survives, however, and now resides in Norwalk, Ohio. Unto this worthy couple were born four children, namely: Henry T., Anna, Elizabeth and George.
General agricultural pursuits have claimed the attention of Henry T. Graham throughout his entire business career and in this field of labor, he has met with well merited and commendable prosperity. He remained a resident of his native township until 1900, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and two acres in Fairfield township and took up his abode thereon. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and each year gathers abundant harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life, Mr. Graham chose Miss Grace Ryerson, who was born in February, 1871, her parents being George and Catherine (Edsall) Ryerson. She was one of a family of nine children, her brothers and sisters being as follows : Price, Edsall, George, Delno, Esther, Sarah, Dora and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson were natives of New Jersey, but be-
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came residents of Huron county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have one child, Edsall, who first opened his eyes to the light of the day on the 4th of January, 1896.
Mr. Graham's study of the political questions and issues of the day, has led him to give stalwart support to the men and measures of the republican party. He is now serving as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. He likewise holds membership relations with the Fairfield Grange. His entire life has been passed in this community, and the fact that those who have known him longest, entertain for him the warmest re- gard is an indication that his life has ever been honorable and upright.
CHARLES A. McCULLOW.
The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore among the builders of a town are those who stand at the head of the business enterprises. Prominent among those who are closely identified with the business activity of Greenwich, is Charles A. McCullow, a native of Huron county, Ohio, born in Greenwich township on the 20th of September, 1857, a son of Joseph E. and Agnes (Bartlett) McCullow. The father, who was but four years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal from New Jersey to Ohio, de- voted his entire life to farming pursuits and passed away on the Ist of April, 1900. His wife, whose parents were also natives of New Jersey, was born in Huron county, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1860. But one child came to bless this union, the subject of this review.
Charles A. McCullow acquired his education in the public schools of Green- wich and his boyhood and youthful days were passed on his father's farm, in the performance of the tasks that commonly fall to the lot of the country lad. He remained at home assisting his father until eighteen years of age, when he became a clerk in the general store of Healey & Travis, continuing this relation for two years. At the expiration of that period, he went to Cleveland, where he clerked in the store of Louis Leon for one year.
On the 23d of November, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Lovezilla L. Riblet, a daughter of David and Caroline (Mathias) Riblet, of Galion, Ohio, and unto this union has been born one daughter, Mabel, now Mrs. D. L. Webb, of Greenwich. Mr. and Mrs. McCullow began their domestic life in Greenwich, where he became identified with the clothing business, in which he has contin- uously engaged to the present time. He carries a very complete and high grade line of mens' clothing and furnishings and the amount of business transacted over the counters of his store has already reached gratifying proportions and is constantly increasing in volume and importance. His place of business is one of the finest in the town and would be a credit to a city many times the size of Greenwich, while he is recognized as one of the substantial and prosperous citizens of the com- munity.
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Not only because of his success in the business world, however, is Mr. Mc- Cullow deserving of mention in this volume, for he is equally well known through his deep interest in public affairs and occupies a prominent position in political circles of his township. He gives his political support to the republican party and although neither desiring nor seeking office as a reward for party fealty, he has, nevertheless, been called by his fellowmen to fill positions of trust and respon- sibility in the township, which he has represented in the republican county com- mittee for many years and has frequently acted as a delegate to district, county and state conventions. He served as township treasurer for two terms and as village clerk for several years, was a member of the board of trustees of the water works for several terms and served for some time as a member of the board of public service, in which capacity he is still acting. He has also been a member of the village board of education for several years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion.
Fraternally, Mr. McCullow is a member of Greenwich Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M., and has filled most of the chairs of that lodge, while he also holds member- ship in O. K. Lodge, No. 616, K. P., and is a charter member and treasurer of the lodge. He belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and is a charter member of the Eagle Lodge, No. 22, National Union. His devotion to the public welfare is unquestioned, arising as it does from a sincere desire for the general good. He lends his influence to all movements calculated to advance the public interests and is particularly strong in his advocacy of improvements of the town streets, public buildings and water works. He is very fond of fishing and hunt- ing and as a recreation and relaxation from his work he takes annual trips into the woods and along the streams in the pursuit of his favorite pastimes. How- ever, he is eminently a man of business, never permitting any interruption to dis- tract his attention from his duties, and his close application and good management are potent factors in the prosperity which he now enjoys. Mrs. McCullow is a lady of superior traits of character and presides over her home, which is one of the handsomest in the town of Greenwich, in a charming manner, imparting thereto an atmosphere of refinement and culture which makes it an important factor in the social life of the community.
JAMES P. LIMBIRD.
A farm of seventy-eight acres in Ridgefield township, Huron county, pays, tribute to the care and attention bestowed upon it by its owner, James P. Limbird. He was born near Kimball, Erie county, Ohio, on the Ist of February, 1861, and is a son of David and Mary P. (Adams) Limbird. His father, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1834, came to the United States, landing at New York on July 6, 1852. Continuing his way westward, he located in Erie county, Ohio, where he worked for one year, hoeing corn, at first receiving but fifty cents per day in return for his labor. At the expiration of that period, he went to Van Wert county, Ohio, but in the spring of 1856, returned to Erie county and later went to California, where he was engaged in mining and ranching for some time.
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In June, 1859, during the great frost, he returned to the middle west and located in Illinois, where he resided for a short time, and then purchased a farm of eighty acres near Kimball, Erie county, Ohio. On the 19th of January, 1860, he married Miss Mary P. Adams, a daughter of John and Anna Adams, and in their family were three children: George, deceased; Olive, who has also passed away ; and James P., of this review. Mrs. Limbird, also a native of Lincolnshire, England, was born December 5, 1835. She and her husband still survive and make their home near the subject of this record. David Limbird, had four brothers who served in the Civil war : Anthony, Mark, Richard and James.
Reared under the parental roof, James P. Limbird is indebted to the common- school system for the education which he acquired. He also early learned the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting through assisting his father, and upon attaining his majority, he wisely decided to make the occupation to which he had been reared, his life wok. He continued to engage in farming in Erie county, until 1907, in which year he purchased his present place from the Bogardus estate. His farm consists of seventy-eight acres of finely improved land with substantial buildings upon it and the excellent appearance which the place pre- cents is indicative of the care and labor expended upon it by its owner. His en- tire time and attention are devoted to the farm and his business interests are: bringing him a gratifying financial return.
Mr. Limbird was united in marriage November 24, 1895, to Miss Anna Moos, a daughter of Edward and Mary Moos, of Erie county, Ohio, and unto this union have been born seven children, of whom Ruth, Grace, James, Helen and Arthur still survive, the others passing away in infancy. Mr. Limbird holds membership in the Congregational church, of which he was a trustee for a number of years and to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. He is a man highly esteemed in the community, his good qualities of heart and mind gaining the warm friend- ship of many with whom he has come in contact.
SEELEY BURDETT PALMER.
Seeley Burdett Palmer, a retired agriculturist residing in Norwalk, was born in Fitchville, Huron county, Ohio, on the 29th of May, 1848. Being reared on the old homestead farm, he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and continued to assist his father in the cultivation of the fields until nineteen years of age. He then became connected with the building department of the Western Union Telegraph Company, putting up wires and working in the eastern part of the United States and Novia Scotia. He was also employed on the construction of the line from St. Louis to Toledo and subsequently worked for Jay Gould in the same capacity for a year and a half. He has a very fine gold watch, chain and charm which were presented to his brother-in-law, D. Doran, by Jay Gould and given to Mr. Palmer by his sis- ter at the time of her husband's death. After leaving the employ of Mr. Gould, our subject resumed the work of general farming, with which line of activity he was successfully identified until the time of his retirement from active busi-
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MR. AND MRS. S. B. PALMER
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ness life in 1907. He retains possession of the old family homestead of three hundred and fifty acres, which is still under his management and is also the owner of some real estate in Cleveland. On putting aside the active work of the fields, he purchased a lot in Norwalk and erected thereon a handsome brick resi- dence, in which he has since made his home, enjoying in well earned ease, the fruits of his former toil. His energy, economy and perseverance constituted the basis of the prosperity which has crowned his labors and he has long been num- bered among the most substantial, enterprising and respected citizens of his native county.
Mr. Palmer has been married twice, the first union being with Miss Iola Martin, whose birth occurred in the year 1859. She passed away in January, 1876, leaving a daughter, Dora, who is now the wife of Hal Amsden .. For his second wife, Mr. Palmer chose Miss Elizabeth Chase, whom he wedded on the Ist of May, 1878. Unto them were born the following children. S. Burdett, Jr., who was born November 13, 1879, married Miss Lena May Jennings and now follows merchandising at Fitchville, where he is also serving as postmaster. Benjamin Chase, who was born April 7, 1881, and married Miss Catherine Kron- enbitter, is now manager of the Antiseptic Telephone Company of Los Angeles, California. D. Doran, who was born August 27, 1884, married Miss Evalina White. He was formerly a bookkeeper in the Huron County Bank for three years, but is now engaged in general farming. Lucy Thelma, whose birth oc- curred on the 25th of October, 1886, gave her hand in marriage to Edwin Mar- tin Thoma. All of these children obtained their education in Fitchville and the sons are graduates of the Sandusky Business College.
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