USA > Ohio > Huron County > Picturesque Huron; or Huron County, Ohio as seen through a camera > Part 6
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Mr. Stewart was also an editor of distinguished ability. He edited the whig organ at Norwalk for three years, and in 1861 the Dubuque Daily Times. He owned at one time a one-half interest in the Toledo Daily Blade, and later a half interest in the Toledo Commercial. In politics Mr. Stewart is known throughout the United States as a prominent Prohibitionist, receiving many honors at that party's han Is. He has been a nominee for supreme judge and for governor of Ohio, on the state ticket, and also candidate for vice president on the national Prohibition ticket. He is one of Norwalk's most able and distinguished citizens.
HENRY P. STENTZ
Was born in Middletown, Pennsylvania, in 1838, coming to Huron county with his parents in 1840. His early years were passed in Plymouth and in Galion, but in 1866 removed to Monroeville, where he had been ap. pointed cashier of the Exchange Bink, succeeding the late S. V. Harkness. the well known standard oil magnate. The Exchange Bank has since become the First National Bank of Monroeville, and Mr. Stentz, who was the moving spirit of the bank, was years ago made presiden'.
He is also a director in the National Bank of Plymouth, and of Gahon. Mr. Stentz is, apart from his banking interests, one of the largest real estate owners in northern Ohio, owning and operating over 1500 acres of the best land in Huron county.
Without recourse to hazardous speculations he has accumulated one of the handsomest fortunes of all this region, and his success is a shining example of what an honest and capable young man may do by his own unaided efforts.
GEORGE W. MANAILAN
Was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., October 1, 11, and came to Mon- roeville, Ohio, in 1833. Mr. Manahan was,a carpenter by trade. Many fine buildings in Norwalk and vicinity still remain as inte witnesses of his skill, one of which was the female seminary, now occupied by Mr -. F. II. Boalt, on West Main street. In 1849 he moved to Hartland township, purchasing a farm of 316 acres, a large part of which was unbroken forest, and resided thereon until 1571, devoting his energies to farming and operating a steam saw-mill. In the autumn of 1-71 he removed to Norwalk, where he resided until his death in Is?1. Mr. Manahan was an active, energetic man, pleasant and companionable, and will be kindly remembered by many friends in Huron and adjoining counties.
TIMOTHY R. STRONG
Was born April 7, 1817, in Cayuga county, N. Y., a son of William and Laura Strong. He received his education at a seminary in Onundago county and at Fredonia Academy, Chautauqua county, same state. Aller reading law for some time he was admitted to the bar in 1843, and began a general practice at Norwalk, O. He conducted many extensive cases of a civil nature but was especially eminent in criminal law. He posses. el an inexhaustable fund of dry humor and keen sarcasm, with a wonderful power of moving his audience at will to laughter or to tears. His death occurred July 11, 1894.
MARTIN KELLOGG.
Was born September 21, 1786, in Bethel, Windsor Co., Vt. He mar- ried in 1809 1,uey Fay, also of Windsor county. In June, 1815, Mr and Mrs. Kellogg located in Huron county, where they remained the balance of their lives. At the age of 105 years, ten months and twenty-seven days. Mr. Kellogg died August 17, 1892.
HON. E. A. PRAY.
lthan Allen Pray was a native of the town of Killingly, Windom county, Conn., born June 15, 1813. In about 1817 his father, Jacob Pray, a native of Providence, R. 1., removed with his family to Cayuga. county, N. Y., and permanently settled there. Here the subject wa- reared and received a liberal education. Soon after the conclusion of
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PICTURESQUE HURON.
his attendance of Skaneateles Academy he began a very successful career as an instructor in the public schools.
In 1839 he came to Huron county and soon after located in Fitch- ville township, where he remained until 1855, when he was appointed superintendent of the Waron county infirmary, a position which he filled with great credit until 1stil. He was then elected justice of the peace in Norwalk township and served twelve years. During the war he was elected mayor of Norwalk. While fulfilling the duties of this office, assisted in laying out many of its streets. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and for two years hell the office of city solicitor, after which he devoted himself to commercial law.
After a long and valuable lite, replete with deeds of kindness, Mr. Pray died in June, 1895.
EDWIN GAGER
Was born in Pleasant Valley, Duchess county, N. Y., Marsh 4, 1808. In 1831 he married Miss Permelia Rose, and in 1834 they settled in Camden, Lorain county, where they resided a number of years, and where Mr. Gager did a vast amount of pioneer work in the then unbroken wilder- ness.
In 1851 he came to Norwalk and for a number of years was actively engaged in mercantile pursuits. His death occurred April 14, 1894.
ERI MESNARD
Was born in Norwalk, Coun., in 1797, and was there reared. He received his education and was gradnated a practical engineer at Ithaca, N. Y. He assisted in the location and construction of one of the first railroads constructed in the state of N. Y., known as the Ithaca and Oswego rail- road. In 1836 he moved to Huron Co. He first located upon a farm in Fairfield Township., but after a brief period, became a permanent resi- dent of Norwalk Township. In 1850 he was elected county surveyor, and for fourteen consecutive years he performed the duties of that office with great credit. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. and a man of sterling integrity and christian virtues. He died Jan. 28. 1879.
JAMES RILEY GRIFFIN
Was born April 29, 1812, in the town of Hunter, Greene county, N. Y. His boyhood was passed upon his father's farm and in attending win- ter school. When a youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, though he continued to give his attention to books. After settling in Greenwich township he taught several terms of school in Fitchville township, the highest salary paid being $15 per month and "boarding round." Jan- uary 21, 1839, he married Philena Washburn, who was brought by her parents to Greenwich township in 1819. She died February 20, 1863. January 21, 1864, he married Mrs. Mary Jane (Carl) Baker. Mr. Griffin settled upon a farm of 100 acres in Greenwich township in 1834 and there resided until 1876, when he removed to the town of Greenwich, where he has since resided, living a semi-retired life.
JOHN M. WHITON,
Whose portrait appears elsewhere in this volume, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1830. About 1831 the parents of the subject, J. M. and Sallie Bradley Whiton) removed to the "Western Reserve," and settled in Huntington, Horain county. Here the subject was reared, attending such schools as the community afforded, and when a youth learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1849 he left for California and for several years devoted his attention to gold mining. 1852 found him returned to Lorain county, and embarked in mercantile pursuits at Hunt- ington.
In 1855 he removed to a farm purchased and pre-empted in Hardin county, Iowa, where, in ISSt, he assisted in the organization of Pleasant township of that count ;.
In the spring of 1857 he again returned to Lorain county, and until 1872, was engaged in business at Brighton. He then purchased a farm
in Wakeman, Huron county, which he conducted until the opening of his present business establishment in Wakeman village.
Hle is a member of the Congregational church and has for years been an active Sabbath school worker. He is also a valued member of the Fireland's Historical Society.
GEORGE T. THOMAS.
Probate Judge of Huron county, son of Uri B. Thomas and Ellen (McOmber) Thomas, was born in Greenwich township. Husen county. Ohio, September 11, 1856. He attended school for some time at Oberlin College, and Buchtel College at Akron; then studied law and was admitted to practice February 2, 1886. He was mayor of the village of Greenwich. 1883 to 1885, and about the same time held the offices of township clerk. member of board of education and secretary of The Greenwich Land and Building Association. In November, 1886, he began the practice of law at Norwalk. In 1890 he was elected Probate Judge, and was re- elected in 1803. He is a fluent speaker, and is often called upon to make public addresses. Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Emma J. Miller, of Fairfield township, this county, April 10, 1880, and they have one child, Alton Orr Thomas.
WILLIAM H. PRICE.
William Henry Price, one of our energetic business men, was born in Wales. Educated in England, he came to America in his twenty- second year, locating in Cleveland. O., where he was for several years engaged in the shipping and packing business. His health failing him he sold out and went to Europe where he spent one year. After his return, and three years more in business, his health again failing him. he sold out and located in Norwalk on a farm within a short distance of the city.
As soon as he had recuperated, he again established himself in busi- ness, engaging in several enterprises. In 1889 he with C. 11. Stewart and W. O. Monnett, organized the Norwalk Savings Bank Co., of which con- cern he is now president. He is vice president of the First National bank, and is also interested in Cleveland Banks, and a great many indus- tries of Norwalk. When the Sandusky, Milan and Norwalk electric railroad was projected he took an active interest in it, and was for a considerable time one of its directors. He, with Mr. C. 11. Stewart has built more than 100 houses in Norwalk and has done a great deal toward the extension and building up of the city.
REV. GEORGE E. LEONARD).
The son of Jacob Drake and Nancy Brown Leonard, was born in the state of Maryland in 1832. His boyhood days were spent in: Marietta. O. He received his education in Marietta Academy, Granville College ( now Denison University ), and in Newton ( Mass.) Theological Institution. He graduated A. B. from Granville College in 1852; received the degree of .V. M. in 1855; and the degree of D. D. from same institution in ISSs.
He was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Mt. Vernon, O., in 1854, and, subsequently, served as pastor of Baptist churches in Lock- land, O., Ironton, O., Elyria, O., Wanseon, O., and 1871 to 1882 in Peru, Ind. In 1882 he was elected secretary and superintendent of missions for the Ohio Baptist Convention, and having accepted. removed to Norwalk where he resided until August. 195, when he removed to Granville. O. During the rebellion he was in the service of the christian commission, on the field, and in hospitals.
Mrs. Leonard is the youngest daughter of Samuel Sherman, de- ceased, one of the pioneer citizens of Norwalk.
HON. R. C. POWERS
Is a prominent attorney, residing at New London, O. He came to that place at an early day, and has for many years been one of its most es- teemed citizens. In 1852 he was chosen to represent Huron county in the state legislature and served for two years.
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REV. CHAS. V. CHEVRAUX.
Father Chevraux was born in the eastern part of France January 22. 1848. When a boy of six years his parents emigrated to America and located in the town of Louisville, Stark county, Ohio. Here he attended the local schools and subsequently the diocesan college at that place. He later entered St. Mary's seminary at Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1874, and was ordained at South Bend, Indiana, by Bishop Gilmour. He was then stationed at the cathedral, Cleve- land, for more than eleven years, and proved himself a priest of eminent qualities. In 1885, when the pastorate of St. Mary's, Norwalk, was made vacant by the death of Rev. Father Halley, Father Chevraux's appointment to the incumbency was eminently fitting and to his eforts may be aseribed the excellent parochial schools, conducted by the sisters of St. Joseph, and the erection on the corner of State and League streets. Norwalk, of St. Mary's, one of the most handsome church edifices in northern Ohio.
BENJAMIN G. FANNING
For many years a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Clarks- field township, was born in Ontario county, N. Y., September 11, 1823. At about the age of ten years, he accompanied his mother, brothers, and a sister, to Huron county, Ohio, locating in Clarksfield township. While a youth he learned the trade of a shoemaker, and after devoting some years to that industry he transferred his attention to the cultivation of fruit, fruit trees, and general farming, which proved a successful venture. He married on July 4, 1846, Miss Sabra, daughter of Sherman Smith, of Clarksfield township, and to them were born five children. Mr. Fanning died December 11, 1891, at his home four miles north of New London.
IRA S. TOWNSEND.
The subject of this sketch was born in New London township. Huron county, June 14, 1831, and was the first chill born in a frame house in that locality.
Upon the completion of his studies at Oberlin college, he returned to his father's farm, sharing in the labor of its successful conduct until he embarked in personal enterprises.
September 27, 1855, he married Miss Mary A. Ward, of Milan, Ohio, who died October 14, 1881. Later in life he married Miss Ellen L. Ward, a sister of his deceased wife.
His entire life was passed upon his excellently conducted farin in New London township, where he died September 12. 1893.
He was a director of the First National Bank of New London, from its incorporation in 1872, and for eleven years served as its vice presi- dent, and its president for six years. In 1892 the institution was reorgan- ized under the name of The New London Bank, of which he became presi- dent, serving until his death. Upon the seas of commerce and in the fields of agriculture he was alike successful.
MRS. PHOEBE COUTANT
Was born in Newburg, N. Y., January 22, 1796. She with her husband' were residents of Greenwich township for a great number of years. She died May 7, 1896, at the home of her son, Gideon B. Coutant. At the time of her death, she enjoyed the distinction of being a centenarian and the oldest resident of Huron Co.
HOSEA TOWNSEND.
The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneers of Huron county, and of New London township. He was born at Greenbush, N. Y., May 25, 1794. On August 15, 1815, he first visited New London, and after a few weeks of investigation became convinced of the desirability and the fertility of the soil, and despite the exceeding wildness of the land and the many dangers to be encountered, determined to estab- lish his home here. He, however, first returned to his eastern home. and on February 4. 18Hi, accompanied by a brother. Hiram Townsend, started for their future home in the then wilds of New London. After
fifty-two days of travel, with an ox team, they arrived at their destina- tion on March 28, 1816.
With him he brought the iron from which was made the first plow used in turning the virgin soil of New London. To Bim also belongs the credit of having planted the first orchard (in 1820) and the erection of the first frame dwelling (1:26; in the township. March 25. 1821 he married Miss Sophia Case, who taught the first school established in the township. He was a soldier in the war of 1$12, and by an act of Congress he was granted 10 acres of land, to the cultivation of which he always gave his attention, and at his death he was the presser at more than one thousand acres in New London and Fitchville township.
At the time of his death, which occurred December 1s, 18-4. he was a citizen of New London village, having resided there and in the town- ship for nearly seventy years. He was indeed a pioneer.
JOHN T. TOWNSEND
Of Fitchville township, the eldest son of Hosea and Sophia Town- send, was born July 22, 1821, in New London township and there renred. In youth he attended the public schools and Oberlin college, after which he devoted his attention during the winter months to teaching in the schools of Fitchville and Clarkshell township -. September 20 1849, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Lenins Palmer, who was the youngest of the four Palmer brothers who settled in litchiville township in 1818.
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Mr. Townsend has always been an agriculturist. though he ha- devoted much time to the interests of his township and county, as is evident from the fact that for more than twenty-three years he per- formed the duties of the office of justice of the peace, and resigned at the expiration of the period mentioned. In 1850 he was elected a mem- ber of the board of county commissioners, serving until Isse.
NICHOLAS D. WELSHI
Was born January 11, 1819, in Arundel county, Maryland. In1536 he be- came a resident of Ohio, Champaign county. In September, 1, he re- moved to Huron county. The country was yet new, thinly settled and neighbors were few and lar between. Mr. Welsh now resides in Green- wich, houored and respected by a large circle of acquaintances.
ABRAM D. STOTTS
Whose portrait appears elsewhere within these pages, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1822, and in 1823 he came with his parents to Huron county, locating in Ripley township. The absence of schools rendered our subject's earlier education very meager, but in youth, by close study after hours of toil in the forest, he acquired a knowledge of the common branches much in advance of the average. In 1850 Mr. Stotts married Miss Maryetta Boughton, of Fitchville township, in whose honor the village of Boughtonville was named.
Although devoting his attention almost exclusively to agriculture. Mr. Stotts has, since 1879, been the president of the Huron County Farmers' Insurance company.
He is a member and liberal supporter of the Fairfield Baptist church.
HIRAM SMITH.
Was born in Essex Co., N. Y., Jan. 23. 1816. At the age of fourteen he " bound " himself to an apprenticeship of nearly seven years, learning the trade of a machinist and moulder. He was employed at various points in New York state until 1846 when he removed to Norwalk, making the journey from Dunkirk, N. Y. to Milan, Ohio, by boat. Until 1850 he was employed at making threshing machines, in the old building now known as the Empire Building, Norwalk. Then followed two years with the Michigan Central Railroad at Detroit. In 1853 he became connected with the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland Ry. For thirty-six years he was em- ployed by that line, and during that time made many valuable improve ments in mechanical devices. He now lives in retirement. in Norwalk.
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PICTURESQUE HURON.
JAMES BRECKNERIDGE.
A native of Charlot, Vermont, came to Ohio in 1816 or '17, settling for a brief period in Venice, Ohio. He then removed to Monroeville, where he passed the remainder of his life.
ELI PETERS
Was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated. In [850 he came to Norwalk and embarked in the clothing business.
His parents having died when he was yet a boy, he had to shift for himself; and his remarkable success in life-considering his advantages - was entirely due to his plodding perseverance, sound judgment in business transactions, and unquestioned integrity. It has truly been said of him that his character was without a blemish and his honor pure and unsullied.
On December 15, 1852, at Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, he was married to Mary Jane Weed, a native of Wayne county, and two children were horn to them.
Mr. Peters was a member and senior warden of the Episcopal church at Norwalk for many years. He died December 12, 1890, at the age of 65 years.
JOHN G. SHERMAN.
Mr. Sherman was born in Wakeman township, Huron county, No- vember 14, 1830, and his entire life was passed upon the farm of his nativity. In the active years of his life he was a successful farmer. but gave some attention to newspaper reporting. For thirty-five years he kept a diary, recording not only events of a personal character, but those also of general interest. His weather reports were published by many of the leading newspapers.
Though not a politician he was frequently a delegate to the conven- tions and councils of the Republican party, and had the honor to assist in the renomination of President Grant at the National Republican convention at Philadelphia in 1872. He was for years an active member of the Congregational church at Wakeman, and was one of its deacons at the time of his death, which occurred May 27, 1893.
D. J. BRADY
Was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1816. In 1817 his par- ents moved to Staten Island, New York, and there the subject was reared. In 1824 they removed to Greenwich township. Huron county, locating in the woods, and Mr. Brady assisted greatly in clearing the forest and opening to cultivation the present broad and fertile acres of the southern portion of the county. Mr. Brady, at a ripe okl age, is still residing amid the scenes of his labors.
WARREN SEVERANCE
A well known resident of Chicago, Ohio, was born October 9, 1896, in Sandusky county, Ohio. After having received a thorough education he devoted some nine years to teaching in the schools of his native county and Huron county. In 1803 he purchased a farm near New Haven which he conducted successfully without interfering with his profes- sional duties as instructor.
That Mr. Severance possesses great energy and progressiveness is proven by the fact that in March, 1878, at the age of forty-two, he was admitted to the Huron county bar, and immediately began the practice of that profession, at Chicago. In 1891 he was appointed local counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company.
He has been identified with every movement calculated to advance the moral and material interests of the community in which he resides.
FRANKLIN D. READ
Was the first white child born in Huron county, which event occurred April 25, 1812, in what is now Greenfield township, of which his father, Hanson Read, was one of the first, if not the first settler. He married Miss Melvina Fitzgerald, a native of New York state, May 6, 1834, and
they reared five children. In his youth he learned the trade of a stone mason, though nearly, or quite his entire hte was spent as a farmer. In the earlier days when wild game abounded, he gained considerable fame as a hunter, and his ability as a naturalist was widely recognized. He died August 13, 1891.
LEMUEL SHERMAN
Was born in Barre, Vt., September 20, 1811. He came to Huron county with his parents early in life, settling in what is now Townsend township. In 1831 he married Miss Polly Jones. They settled upon a farm in Nor- walk township and began their united career in a log cabin with its primi- tive furnishings. Industry and frugality soon brought a competence, and pioneer structures gave place to more pretentious buildings. He built and operated the first sawmill in the Firelands, and lumber for all pur- poses, for miles around, came from that mill. He was a staunch Aboli- tionist and was one of the leaders in the operation and maintenance of the underground railway. He died in Norwalk September 24, 1891.
WILLIAM GATHERGOOD.
This subject was born March 10, 1823, near Kingslynn county, of Norfolk, England, and was there reared. He married July 2. 1846, Maria Starling, also of the county of Norfolk, and to the union nine children have been born, five of whom were born in England. August 16, 1854, he embarked for America, arriving at New York October 6. 1854, and immediately proceeded to Monroeville, this county, where le has since resided. In 1865 he was engaged by the officials of the county to establish certain grades, to improve roads, etc., and the success and skill with which he performed the labor was so great as to recommend his services to those having such work in charge, even to this date.
It may be truly said that "when Unele Billy" fas he is familiarty known), completes a job, it displays the master's touch and remains for years a monument to his genius."
MARTIN M. HESTER
Was born September 23, 1822, in Orange township, Richland (aoy Ash. land) county, Ohio. He removed with his father's family to Bronson township, Huron county, Ohio, 1827.
He has lived for sixty nine years on the same farm, a man of untir. ing industry, activity, perseverance and integrity.
He was married May 21, 1850,to Miss Mary Finlay of Coshocton county. Ohio. To them were born three children : W'm. J., of Cambridge, Ohio : Catherine E., wife of Rev. E. J. V. Booth, of Doyleston, Ohio, and Finlay on the home farm.
While he has been diligent in business he has been faithful in church service. For forty nine years, a member of the Methodist Epis- capal church. For forty-seven years continuously recording steward of the circuit, and for over forty-two years has not missed being present at quarterly meeting. He was absent but twice on account of sickness. out of 188 quarterly meetings. Hehas been forty-five years secretary and treasurer of board of trustees: twice chairman of building committee ; has had charge of building two churches. He has been forty years a class leader ; more than twenty years district steward : more than twenty years Sunday school superintendent : more than thirty years Sunday school teacher, and twenty-four years continuously Justice of the Peace.
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