USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of Huron County, Ohio, Its Progress and Development, Volume II > Part 9
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
chusetts to Ohio, starting in October and arriving in his father's home in Huron county in December, 1819, after about six weeks spent on the road. He purchased land near his father's home and at once commenced its cultivation and improve- ment. In 1827, however, he returned to Massachusetts, where on the 17th of July of that year he was married to Miss Ann Ide, a daughter of Joseph Ide, of Attle- boro, Bristol county, and accompanied by his bride he then returned to his Ohio home. They became the parents of six children, namely : Rufus A., Abby N., L. Curtiss, Alonzo L., Emily and Ann. The father passed away March 21, 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother departed this life on the 30th of May, 1877. He took quite an active part in public affairs. The first singing school as well as the first choir in Greenfield township was organized under his leadership. In politics he was originally a Jacksonian democrat but in 1856, on the organiza- tion of the republican party, he joined its ranks.
Alonzo L. Simmons was reared under the parental roof and obtained his early education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. He also attended the high school at Norwalk and North Fairfield, and for seven years he engaged in teaching during the winter months, while the summers were devoted to the work of the farm. He eventually became the owner of several hundred acres of rich and productive land, which returned to him a gratifying annual income. In 1871 he purchased an interest in the Phoenix gristmill, to the operation and management of which he devoted much time and attention throughout the remainder of his active business career. He likewise served as the vice-president of the North Fairfield Savings Bank until the time of his death and was well known and highly esteemed as a most prosperous, progressive and representative citizen of his native county. The success which attended his undertakings was entirely the result of his untiring industry and capable management and he justly earned the proud American title of a self-made man.
On the 24th of April, 1862, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Elizabeth Minges, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on the 28th of Feb- ruary, 1842. Her father, John E. Minges, was born in September, 1813, in Fayette township, Seneca county, New York, and during his boyhood developed rare me- chanical genius, being able to work at several trades. In 1833 he came to Ohio, fol- lowing his father, John Minges, who was drowned while crossing Lake Erie, and the son came on to Huron county to settle up the estate and take charge of the prop- erty. After working for some time on a farm in Greenefild township he removed to Seneca county, Ohio, where he purchased land and turned his attention to its de- velopment and cultivation. On the 12th of June, 1836, Mr. Minges was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Seed, who was born in New York, May 25, 1819, and came west with her parents, locating in Venice township. Seneca county. She died May 12, 1839, leaving no children, and was buried at Attica, Ohio. Mr. Minges was again married April 27, 1841, his second union being with Miss Lydia F. Wil- bur, who was born in Cayuga county, New York, January 30, 1820, a daughter of Nathan and Esther (LaBarre) Wilbur. In 1826 her parents settled in Sherman township, Huron county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their children were : Caroline E. ; Sarah Jane; Esther Cornelia ; John ; and Emeline E. The children born to John E. and Lydia F. Minges were : Margaret E., the widow of Alonzo L. Simmons, of this review ; Flora M., the wife of Frank Marriott, a law-
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
yer of Delaware, Ohio ; and Dessie M., the wife of George A. Waggaman, a broker of New York city. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Marriott are : John Minges ; Wil- bur Mcclellan ; Florence Dale ; Francis Marion ; and Merrick Joy. In 1855 Mr. Minges returned to Huron county and located in North Fairfield village. He had previously engaged in merchandising at AAttica and in this county he continued to carry on the same business for some time before establishing himself on a farm in Greenfield in 1858. Ten years later he removed to Peru township, where he was variously employed until his death, which occurred on the 26th of January, 1885. He was widely known as an active and enterprising citizen and had the respect and confidence of ali with whom he came in contact. His political support was given to the republican party and prior to the Civil war he was a stanch abolitionist, carry- ing his principles into practice by harboring fugitive slaves. In religious faith he was a Wesleyan Methodist.
In his political views Mr. Simmons was a stanch republican and for a num- ber of years served as trustee in both Greenfield and Fairfield townships. He was a great lover of music and, being a vocalist of considerable ability, his services as a singer were much in demand at social gatherings. His death, which occurred on the 8th of July, 1908, when he had attained the age of seventy-two years, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had an extensive circle of friends throughout this county, where his entire life was spent. His widow still survives and is now very comfortably situated financially. She is a gentle, kindly wo- man, charitable in her estimate of every one and her many excellent traits of heart and mind have won for her the esteem and admiration of a host of warm friends.
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AUGUST BORES.
August Bores has found in the rich, fertile soil of Huron county ample scope for his activities, and in the years that have come and gone has accumulated a val- uable property, comprising one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Sherman township, on which he resides, while he also owns another farm of one hundred and eighty-six acres in the same township. His birth occurred in Pontiac, Huron county, Ohio, on the Ist of March, 1862, his parents being David and Anna Marie (Fauchinger) Bores. His paternal grandparents, John and Catherine (Klepel) Bores, spent their entire lives in Germany. The grandfather was a soldier in the German army and participated in the war with France, fighting against Napoleon. Unto him and his wife were born five children, namely: John; Louis; Elizabeth ; David: and Minnie, who is now the wife of Philip Thoma, an agriculturist of Peru township, this county. The two last named are the only members of the family who crossed the Atlantic and established their home in the United States.
David Bores, the father of August Bores, was born in Germany on the 22d of January, 1833, and made the voyage to this country in the year 1853, in com- pany with his sister Minnie. After landing in New York, he at once made his way to Ridgefield township, Huron county, Ohio, where for three years he worked by the month as a farm hand. About 1856, he rented a tract of land and was success- fully and energetically engaged in its operation for a period of six years. By
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
dint of close economy and careful expenditure, he at length accumulated capital sufficient with which to purchase a farm of his own and eventually became recog- nized as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists as well as represen- tative citizens of the community. He now owns a well improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Sherman township, which annually returns to him a gratifying income. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has served as road supervisor and also as trustee of Sherman township, holding the latter position for twelve years. In the year 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Marie Fauchinger, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in company with her brother Joseph. They became the parents of six child- ren, as follows: Joseph, who is now deceased ; Elizabeth, the wife of C. Wilhelm ; Henry ; August, of this review ; John ; and Emma, who is the wife of William Ringlein.
August Bores, whose name introduces this record, obtained his education in the district schools and early in life became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He has always given his atten- tion to the work of the fields and that his efforts in this direction have met with success is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of two well improved and valuable farms in Sherman township, comprising one hundred and twenty- six and one hundred and eighty-six acres of land respectively.
On the Ist of June, 1886, Mr. Bores was joined in wedlock to Miss Helen Bauman, a daughter of John and Barbara Bauman, whose family numbered three children, as follows : Emma, the wife of Anthony Hammersmith : Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Bores, a brother of our subject ; and Helen, now Mrs. August Bores. The mother of these children has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Bores now have five children : Otto, who was born in 1887 ; Alpha, whose birth occurred in 1889 ; Rosa, born in 1891 ; August, in 1893 ; and Arthur, in 1900.
Like his father, Mr. Bores is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the demo- cratic party and has served as a member of the school board and also in the posi- tion of road supervisor. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Colum- bus at Monroeville, Ohio, in which organization his sons, Otto and Alpha, also hold membership. The different members of the family all belong to the Catholic church. Throughout the county in which his entire life has been spent, Mr. Bores is well and favorably known, having won the kindly esteem and regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
PRICE VENOSTRAN RYERSON.
Price Venostran Ryerson, who for the past five years has been living retired in North Fairfield, was formerly actively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Huron county, owning a farm in Peru township. His birth occurred in this county on the 6th of November, 1851, his parents being George M. and Sarah Catherine (Edsall) Ryerson. The paternal grandfather, Peter Ryerson, had a family of eleven children, namely: Paul, Nicholas, John,
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
Martin, Dolly, Jane, Libby, Eliza, Sarah, William and George M. The maternal grandparents of our subject were David and Hannah ( Pcrry) Edsall, the latter being an aunt of O. H. Perry, of Lake Erie fame. Their family numbered nine children, as follows: Joseph, Benjamin, John, Bricc, William, Thomas, Margaret, Hannah and Sarah Catherine. George M. Ryerson, the father of Price V. Ryer- son, who was born on the boundary line between New Jersey and New York about 1824, passed away in the year 1902. The birth of his wife occurred in Vernon, New Jersey, in 1830. Unto this worthy couple were born the following children : Price V., Edsall Farber, George E., Deleno P., Sarah, Esther, Dora, Catherine and Grace.
Throughout his active business career Price V. Rycrson was engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits in Peru township and, though he has now been living retired for five years, still owns his farm there. The success which attended his labors as an agriculturist, was entirely the result of his untiring industry and cap- able mangement, and he has long been numbered among the substantial, cntcr- prising and respected citizens of his native county. As stated above, he now makes his home in North Fairfield.
On the Ist of January, 1879, Mr. Ryerson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Hinkley, whose birth occurred in Bronson township, Huron county, on the 16th of June, 1857, her parents being William S. and Lucy (Snyder ) Hinkley. Her paternal grandparents, Benjamin and Maria (Paine) Hinkley, were both natives of Tompkins county, New York, born in the years 1809 and 1811 respect- ively. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Ryerson were John and Harriett (Watros) Snyder, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, the former born in 1804 and the latter in 1818. Their children were eight in number, as fol- lows: Henry, Vincent, Sylvester, John, Maria, Lucy, Caroline and one who died in infancy. The great grandparents of Mrs. Ryerson on the maternal side were Peter and Hannah (Wells) Snyder, the former being a native of Holland. Will- iam S. Hinkley, the father of Mrs. Ryerson, was born near Syracuse, New York, on the 17th of October, 1832, while the birth of his wife occurred near Catskill, Greene county, New York, on the 26th of April, 1837. Unto Price V. and Mary (Hinkley) Ryerson has been born one child, Roxy, whose natal day was January 23, 1898.
Mr. Ryerson is now serving as trustee and treasurer in the Methodist church, of which he is a most consistent and faithful member. Having spent their entire lives in this county, both he and his wife arc widely and favorably known within its borders, their many excellent traits of character having gained them the warm regard and esteem of all with whom they have been associated.
WILLIAM H. DARLING.
No history of Huron county would be complete without special mention of William H. Darling, who for a long period has been closely identified with the public interests of this, his native county. Born in Hartland township on the 25th of April. 1867. he is a son of John B. and Mary E. (Noble ) Darling, the former a .
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
native of Northumberland county, England. He came alone to the United States when twenty-seven years of age and settled in New York, where he followed the machinist's trade which he had learned in his native country. Later he went to Sus- quehanna, Pennsylvania, where he engaged as foreman or master mechanic in the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad shops, while the year 1860 wit- nessed his arrival in Ohio, locating in Norwalk, where for a time he was employed in the railroad shops. Subsequently, he was compelled to give up this line of ac- tivity on account of failing health, and he purchased a farm in Hartland town- ship, where he resided until his death, which occurred in August, 1903. His widow and three children still survive him, the children being: Jennie, now the wife of F. H. Rumsey of North Fairfield ; Sate B., a teacher in the Shelbyville, Illinois, schools; and William H., of this review. One daughter, Annie; passed away when five years of age.
Spending the years of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, William H. Darling attended the district schools in the acquirement of his early education and later supplemented this training by a course at the Western Reserve Nor- mal School at Milan, while he also pursued a course at the Northwestern Univer- sity at Ada, Ohio. Thus well equipped, he took up the occupation of teaching and for several years was engaged in that capacity in the schools of Huron county, proving a most capable instructor who imparted readily and clearly to others the knowledge he had acquired. Giving up that profession, he took a course of study in the Euclid Avenue Commercial College, at Cleveland, with the idea of entering the business world. The failure of his father's health, however, caused his re- turn to the home farm, where he decided to remain and take charge of his father's interests. He has since continued to make the old homestead his place of resi- dence and has directed his efforts to the further cultivation and improvement of the place, his activity along general agricultural lines meeting with most grati- fying and substantial success.
On the 25th of January, 1904, Mr. Darling was united in marriage to Miss Jane Chaffee, a daughter of George W. and Anna ( Phillip) Chaffee, of Hartland township, where both parents were born and have always resided. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Darling has been blessed with one daughter, Dorothy B., who is the life and light of the household. Fraternally Mr. Darling is connected with East Townsend Lodge, No 322, F. & A. M., and also with Olena Tent, No. 58, K. O. T. M., in the affairs of which he is deeply and helpfully interested.
Although Mr. Darling has become well known throughout the locality by rea- son of the success that he has achieved in his business activities, it is, however, the active part which he has taken in the public affairs of Huron county that has brought hin prominently before his fellow citizens and has made him one of the valued representatives of the community. Republican in politics, he has always done all in his power to further the influence of that party in the district and has been a prominent and influential figure in the party councils. For several years, he served as county central committeeman and is constantly being sent as a dele- gate to the district, county and state conventions. His fellow citizens, recogniz- ing his ability and worth, have frequently called him to office, and for a number of years he served as township clerk and also clerk of the board of education for the township, which positions he still holds. He is also acting as justice of the
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
peace and was census enumerater for Hartland township in 1890. In 1908, he was the candidate on the republican ticket for county recorder, but with the rest of the ticket was defeated. He had been nominated by acclamation, a very rare occur- rence in Huron county politics. He is now serving as notary public and carries on considerable business in that connection. A man of splendid attainments, he performed the duties of each office in such a capable and satisfactory manner, that his efforts reflected honor not only upon himself but also upon his constituents. Progressive in his citizenship, he is an advocate of advancement and improvement in all forms, but he is especially zealous in the matter of good roads and advanced schools, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. His various interests have made his a well rounded nature and he stands today as a splendid type of the high-minded American gentleman, with whom contact means expan- sion and elevation. Huron county is proud to number him among her native sons.
GEORGE W. SHERMAN.
George W. Sherman owns and operates a good farm of sixty-one acres of land in Lyme township, and his business qualifications and his genuine personal worth entitle him to mention with the representative citizens of Huron county. A native of this township, he was born a half mile south of Hunts Corners on the 22d of April, 1861, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Carpenter) Sherman, old settlers of this district. The parents were natives of England, the father's birth occurring March 9, 1838, while the mother's natal day was March 20, 1843. Samuel Sherman was but fourteen years of age when he left England with his father, William H. Sherman, and his brother, Joseph, and came to Ohio, locating in this county. The father, however, did not remain in this country, but returned to England, leaving his son Samuel with Alonzo Husted, to whom he was bound out as a farm hand to work until twenty-one years of age, when he was to receive one hundred dollars and two suits of clothes. He worked so diligently and faithfully, however, that at the age of twenty years Mr. Husted released him and offered him the money and clothing. He accepted the latter but left the money with his former employer on interest. He then worked for Luther Avery for eleven dollars per month, until, by earnest toil and careful expenditure, he had saved another one hundred dollars. He then drew his original one hundred dollars from Mr. Husted, with the interest which had accumulated in the meantime, and embarked in business on his own account, renting a farm of Mr. Husted on shares. About this time he married Miss Mary Ann Car- penter and afterward purchased thirty acres of land which now forms a part of the farm owned by his son George W. As the years came and went he was suc- cessful in his undertaking and by judicious investments extended his possessions until his home farm consisted of sixty-one acres and he had accumulated other property throughout the county, his holdings today amounting to three hun- dred acres of land, aside from the tract now owned by the subject of this review. He is a prominent member of the Episcopal church, regulating his life at all
G. W. SHERMAN AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY
times by its teachings. He now resides, at the age of seventy-one years, in Monroeville, Ohio, but his wife passed away December 25, 1908.
George W. Sherman came to his present home when four years of age and has since lived in this county, spending his boyhood days in the acquirement of an education as a pupil of the district schools. When not busy with his text-books he devoted his time to the tasks that usually fall to the lot of the farm lad and at an early period became familiar with the work of the fields, assisting more fully as his age and strength permitted, so that he was well equipped to take up the work on his own account when, after attaining his majority, he secured the farm upon which he now resides. It consists of sixty-one acres. It is a finely improved property that yields abundant harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon it. He is a progressive, up-to-date farmer, capably managing his business interests, and the success which he has attained ranks him among the representative agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Sherman was married on the 26th of January, 1887, to Miss Florence Sarah Fry, a native of England and a daughter of David and Martha ( Button) Fry, also natives of that country, the former born in 1847 and the latter in 1848. Leaving their native land at an early date, they became early settlers in this county, where they still make their home. Mrs. Sherman is the eldest of a family of six children, the family remaining unbroken by the hand of death. The others are Byron W., Daisy S., Roland G., Elizabeth M. and Alice. As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman has been blessed with six children, namely, David H., Mildred P., Frank T., Clements G., Blanche G., and Joseph B., all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Sherman holds membership in the Lyme Trinity church, while his fra- ternal relations are with the Woodmen of the World, Camp No. 40. He also is a member of the Protective Horse Association of Lyme township. He is a mem- ber of the school board and has served thereon for several terms. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he does not seek public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his personal affairs. He is, however, public spirited, taking a helpful interest in all matters pertaining to the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the com- munity, while his personal traits of character have gained him the esteem and good will of his fellowmen.
WAKEMAN O. MAYNARD.
Wakeman O. Maynard, of Greenwich township, was born September 21, 1849, in Peru, Huron county, his parents being John G. and Angeline (Osborne) Maynard. Both the Maynard and Osborne families were originally from Tomp- kins county, New York, and came to Huron county when John G. and Angeline were young people, the latter becoming a teacher in the county schools and follow- ing that occupation until marriage. They were farming people, and became promi- nent and influential in their chosen occupation.
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The family of John G. Maynard consisted of five children : Charlotte A., Wake- man O., John T., Ornan .A. and Louis, two of whom, Charlotte A. and Louis, are deceased and lie buried in the Edwards Grove cemetery in Ripley township. Here also the mother was laid to rest in the summer of 1885, and the father in the fall of 1887.
Wakeman O. Maynard had no educational privileges or opportunities outside of the district schools of Ripley township, except one term in a select school in Green- wich. He grew to manhood on the home farm, assisting in the usual work and manifold cares of the business, unconsciously adding to a meager school educa- tion the experience and handicraft of manual labor.
On September 6, 1886, Mr. Maynard married Miss Almeda Burge, one of the successful and popular teachers of the county, who was a daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Burge. Her death occurred in 1895, and left a vacant place in the wide circle in which she moved, for, during the years she taught, she made many true friends who held her in high esteem. On September 21, 1897, occurred the second marriage of Mr. Maynard, his wife being Miss Isabella Lowrie, a daughter of David and Agnes (Smith) Lowrie, of Cleveland, Ohio. Before her marriage Mrs. Maynard was a teacher of ability and a great favorite of patrons and pupils. To meet her is to meet a cultivated and superior mind, an intelligent and hospitable woman, and to know her is to know a friend and companion.
Mr. Maynard has lived on the farm where he now resides since 1886. It is lo- cated one mile northeast of the village of Greenwich, and consists of one hundred and thirty-two acres of well improved land under a high state of cultivation-a farm to be proud of.
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