USA > Ohio > Huron County > Picturesque Huron; or Huron County, Ohio as seen through a camera > Part 7
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HON. EVERT BOGARDUS
Was born September 15, 1813. He died June 28. 1892. Asa man he was upright and honest in his dealings; as a citizen he was public spirited. He served the county twelve years, as commissioner, as representative in the general assembly, and as justice of the peace. As a christian his life was exemplary, and his memory is green and fragrant in the minds of his friends and neighbors.
SAMUEL SHERMAN
Was born in the state of Vermont, in 1778. He came to Huron county. Ohio, in 1817. In 1820 he was married to Miss Polly Barbour, a native
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of Delaware, who came to this county in 1818, when 19 years of age. Their first home was in Townsend. It was a log cabin in the woods, and contained only one room, 14 feet square. It was not only the kitchen, bed room and parlor, but also a miniature factory-for here stood the okl- fashioned loom and spinning wheel, on which she spun the wool and wove the cloth from which their clothing was made, In the construction of this house there was nothing of iron, not even a nail, and no sawed board or timber. The woods around the home abounded in bears, wolves, deer and other wild animals, and less than a mile distant was an Indian camp. In ISI they removed to their home on the Medina road, two and a half miles east of Norwalk. Here Mr. Sherman died in 1880, and Mrs. Sher- man in 1888. They were both, from their youth, esteemed members of the Baptist church. There were born to them seven children, only two of whom are now living: Mrs. Harriet Roberts, widow of Warren D. Roberts, and Mrs. Laney S., wife of Rev. G. E Leonard, D D.
WILLIAM PERRIN.
A representative business man of Norwalk, was born at Wilkesbarre, Penna., March 31, 1835. In 1837 his parents removed to Huron county, Ohio. The subject was educated at the Huren Institute at Milan, and in youth taught school in this county. Later he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, stone quarrying, and dealing in real estate. He assisted in laying out the route of the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway.
DEACON ALBERT BROWN
Was born in Thornton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, May 6, 1801, where he resided until 1812, when he removed with his parents to Hopkington, N. II. In 1817 his parents again removed to Middlessex, New York where they resided until 1823, in which year they removed to Ridgefield township, Huron Co. The subject of the sketch came in the fall of same year, covering the entire distance on foot. April 22, 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Bloomer, who died October 9, 1888.
When a young man he learned the trade of a carpenter, and though he became a master workman in that line he abandoned it, devoting his attention to farming. In 1882 he removed to East Norwalk where he resided until his death, which occurred May 22, 1894.
MRS. ALBERT BROWN.
Emma Jane Bloomer was born in Dorset, Vermont, May 18, 1808. She removed to Ridgefield with her parents, Reuben and Loi ; Bloomer, in 1817. April 22, 1832, she married Albert Brown, and for more than fifty- three years they were residents of Monroeville. Mrs. Brown united with the Presbyterian church in 1840 and was a consistent Christian and men - ber until her death, October 9, 1888.
URI BAKER THOMAS
Large land owner and stock raiser of the northern part of Greenwich township, second son of George Thomas and Adaline (Baker) Thomas, was born in the town of Exeter, Otsego county, New York, October 24. 1818; obtained a common school education in the district school of his neighborhood, and at a school academy at Clinton, New York. In the winter of 1840-41, taught district school at Birmington Flats, N. Y. Studied law for one summer in IS43, afterwards taught school win- ters and worked on his father's farm summers. April, 1846, he came to Ohio and settled on the farm where he now lives. In 1849 Mr. Thomas was united in marriage with Miss Ellen MeOmber, at Columbus, Ohio: from this union the following children were born: Orr Uri Thomas, George T. Thomas, present probate judge of Huron county, and Dora E. Thomas. In 1861 Mr. Thomas' wife died, and in 1864 he was mar- ried to Miss Myra B. Stowe of Huron, Erie county, Ohio. Mr. Thomas is a man of wide reading, highly intelligent and of great perseverance.
MARTIN HESTER.
Eldest son of Martin and Elizabeth Mason Hester, was born in 1787 in Greene county, Penn., and was there reared on his father's farm,
attending during the winter months, the subscription schools of tir community. When his parents removed to Columbiana county, ( .. h. accompanied them, where for four or five years he devoted his attention to farming. He then removed to Orange township, Richland (now .ishlatte county), where he became the possessor of 10 acres of land, and resule! until 1824, in which year he removed to Bronson township. Hune. county, settling upon land purchased from Judge Southgate, and ther. spent the remainder of his busy life, dying in 1870. In 1809 he married Miss Mary Stough, of Fayette county, Pa., and to the union were hr. five chiktren.
JAMES G. GIBBS.
This subject was born in Norwalk, August 7, 1-52, and there reared After being graduated from the Norwalk High School in IS69, he learned the trade of a printer. He then attended Lafayette College at Easton Penna., after which he became connected with the Chicago Inter Oceani. In 1873 he purchased an interest in the Norwalk Reflector, and has for many years been manager of that success!ut journal. He is vice president of The Laning Printing Co .; treasurer of the National Editorial Associa- tion of the United States; president of the Ohio Savings, Loan and Investment Co; president of the present board of education of the city of Norwalk, and is also connected with various enterprises calcu. lated to advance the moral and material interests of the community.
HON. JAY F. LANING
Was born at New London, O., May 15, 1853, where he resided until Jant- ary, 1882, when he moved to Norwalk, which city has since been his resi- dence. He was educated chiefly at the public schools. From the age of 15 to 21 his time was spent winters in teaching. During these year. his spare hours were devoted to the study of law. In 1 75 he was ad- mitted to the bar, and followed the practice for eight years.
After moving to Norwalk he gradually abandoned the law, and built up the publishing business in which he is now engaged.
In 1875 he married Caroline E. Sheklon, youngest daughter of Rutos and Mary Sheldon, for many years residents of Greenwich township, and six children have blest their union.
He was a member of the council of this city for four years, and is at present the member of the state senate, having been elected in 1-93 and! reelected in 18!5.
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A. M. BEATTIE.
A. M. Beattie was born June 10, 1853, in Ruggles township, Ashland county, (. During his early years he labored on his father's faim and attended the country school in the neighborhood. At the age of 19 h began teaching school, which occupation alternated with periods spent in attending higher schools, until 1879, when he graduated from the law department of the Indiana State University. In the spring of 1550 he was admitted to the bar, and located in New London and practiced the profession of law until 1885, at which time he removed to Norwalk to assume the duties of clerk of courts, to which office he had been elected in the fall of 1884. This office he continued to hold for six years. when he retired from it, and again began the practice of law. For seven years he has been a member of the city board of education.
II. H. HOYT,
Son of Elmon and Elizabeth Hoyt, was born October 22, 1800, at North Fairfield, this county. His boyhood was passed upon the farm and in attendance of the public schools. After clerking in a general store at North Fairfield for one year he was given the management of it and tor six years successfully conducted same. . In 1883 he and his father became owners of the stock, and erected, in the same year. a large brick building where Mr. Hoyt established perhaps the best country store in Ohio. In 1887 he removed to Norwalk, engaging in the dry goods business. In 18:3 he, with Mr. C. F. Jackson, purchased the lot upon which the old Methodist Church stood for many years, and erected the large building
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known as the Glass Block. In his ventures Mr. Hoyt has displayed ex- cellent judgment and as a gentleman and business man he is highly es- teemed.
S. A. WILDMAN.
Samuel A. Wildman was born in Clarksfield, Huron county, March 28, 1845. He is the son of Frederick A. Wildman, a resident of this city, At the age of 15 he entered a printing office, but when not quite 18 years old, in February, 1864, he enlisted as a private in the 28th Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and served until the muster ont of the regiment on June S. 1866, more than a year after the close of the war. llis rank at muster out was that of sergeant. In 1867 he entered Western Reserve college at Hudson, O., but did not complete his course. Upon leaving college he began the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1870, and has been engaged in practice ever since.
At present he is president of the Children's Home association of Huron county, president of the Norwalk board of education, was for years trustee of the Firelands Historical society, and has been for many years secretary of the Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was the nominee of the Republican party for circuit judge in 1887. Mr. Wildman is one of the leaders of the Norwalk bar, ranking as one of its brightest ornaments. His literary ability is of a very high order. He was married on July 13, 1870, to Ellen Elizabeth Howe, daughter of Samuel P. Howe, of Norwalk.
CHARLES H. STEWART.
Son of Hon. Gideon T. and Abby (Simmons) Stewart, was born in Norwalk, November 6, 1859. He attended the schools of Norwalk and completed his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, O., after which he commenced the study of law in his father's office and in 1882 was admitted to the bar. He spent some time in successful prac- tice, but at the same time was operating largely in real estate. He laid out and disposed of several additions to the city of Norwalk, and built a great many houses, a large number of which he retains. Ilis enter- prise has been a factor of importance in the growth of the city. He has been actively connected with a number of industries and business enterprises calculated to promote the growth of Norwalk. He was one of the founders and is Vice-President of the Norwalk Savings bank. His financial operations have not been confined to Norwalk, he having assisted in organizing the Euclid Avenue Savings bank of Cleveland and is now its president. He has been very successful in his undertakings and there is seemingly a brilliant future for hin.
DR. A. SHELDON,
Eldest son of Rufus and Mary Griffin Sheklon, was born in Greenwich township. He passed his early years upon a farm. At quite a juvenile age he commenced teaching school, and for several years divided his time between teaching and going to school at Oberlin. lle gradnated at the Cleveland Medical College, and practiced medicine, until in 1884, he became connected with the Laning Printing Co., and took up his home in Norwalk. His affable ways made him many friends, and in 1892 he was elected Auditor of Huron county. He has been a very popular official, and was re-elected in 1895.
FREDERICK CHRISTIAN WICKHAM,
The third son of Judge Frederick and Lucy Bancroft Wickham was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, August 5, 1842. When a lad he attended the public schools of Norwalk. When ready to complete his education enlisted in August, 1862, in the 123d O. V. I. regiment, serving as commissary of the regiment until mustered out with his regiment in June, 1865. Was postmaster of Norwalk for eight years. Is a printer by trade, and assistant local editor of the Norwalk Daily Reflector. He resides with his family in Norwalk, Ohio.
HON. 1 .. C. LAYLIN.
I .. C. Laylin was born in Norwalk, O., September 25, 1848. 1Ie
graduated from the Norwalk high school in 1867. In 1869 he was elected superintendent of the Bellevue public schools, which position he held for six years. He was admitted to the bar in 1877. He was city clerk of Norwalk for two years and member of the Huron county board of examiners, three years. In 1879 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Huron county and held that office for seven years. He was elected to the state legislature in 1857 and twice re-elected. In 1892 he was chosen speaker of the house of representatives. Mr. Haylin is now engaged in the practice of his profession, ranking among our leading attorneys and most public spirited citizens.
JOHN GARDINER
Was born September 5, 1816, at Gardiner's Point, Connecticut. 1831 he attended school at Bicon Academy, Connecticut. In the fall of 1532, he was persuaded by his uncle, J. M Latimer, to visit Ohio and in May, 1833, he arrived at Norwalk. After clerking for a time in the store of P. and J. Latimer he took a clerkship in the Bank of Norwalk and afterward became its cashier. In ISI he began the business of merchandising and continued in that until 1847, when he, with others, established the Norwalk branch of the State Bank of Ohio, with which he remained as casluer and manager until the bank closed its business in 1865. He then organized The Norwalk National Bank and has since been its President.
Mr. Gardiner was one of the original incorporators of the Toledo. Cleveland and Norwalk Railway company, which afterward became the Cleveland and Toledo Railway company. He was a director in that company and for a considerable time its president. He is a director of the Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark Railway company and has been it- president for a number of years. He has also been connected with other railway enterprises and projects of a similar character.
By industry, integrity and perseverance he has accumulated a hand- some fortune and is one of the largest property holders in Hutor county. He married, in 1845. Miss Frances Mary Josiin and four children have been reared.
HON. C. P. WICKHAM
Was born in Norwalk and had been admitted to the bar, after graduating from the Cincinnati Law School, shortly before the breaking out of the civil war. Enlisting in 1861 as a private in the 55th O. V. 1., he served all through the war and returned as Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment.
Resuming his law practice, he was elected prosecuting attorney and afterwards common pleas judge. He was elected member of congress. resigning from the bench to take his seat in Washington. He served through the 50th and 51st Congresses, being appointed by Speaker Reed chairman of the important committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures.
Since his public career terminated he has diligently practiced his profession, his practice extending to all the counties of northern Ohio. his services being frequently called for when important matters are in litigation. Judge Wickham is justly regarded at home and abroad as one of Ohio's leading citizens.
JUDGE FREDERICK WICKHAM
Was born in New York City, March 11, 1812. His boyhood was spent in Sodus, N. Y., where the family moved soon after his birth. At the age of 21 he and his brother opened a store in Norwalk, O., and there in 1935 he married Miss Lucy B. Preston, the only daughter of Samuel Presto !. who in 1830 founded the Reflector. A short time atter his marriage Mr. Wickham entered his father-in-law's printing office, and that occupation he has followed ever since. Aside from his editorial duties, Judge Wick- ham has taken a very active and prominent part in the affairs of his com- munity and state. He has been associate common pleas judge, a mem- ber of the Ohio senate, mayor of Norwalk, and has held many other hon- orable positions.
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HON. CALEB H. GALLUP
Was born in Norwalk, in 1834 .His grandfather, Platt Benedict, built the first house in Norwalk, in 1817. He graduated at Madison University, Hamilton, N. Y., in 1856, and at the Cincinnati Law School in 1858. Practiced law in Michigan until 1872, was prosecuting attorney in that state ten consecutive years, and member of its legislature in 1860- 7. Since his return to Norwalk in 1872, he has been an active friend and promoter of all worthy public enterprises and to his efforts and energy Norwalk is largely indebted for the possession of the Wheeling and Lake Erie R. R. and its shops, The A. B. Chase factory and many other im- provements. He is President of the Home Savings and Loan Co. of Norwalk.
MATTHEW McKELVEY
Was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., January 30, 1794. The records of the pension department show that his father, William MeKelvey, was granted a pension for six years' actual service in the Revolutionary war. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Portage county, Ohio, in 1804, from there to Trumbull county, in 1806, and from there to Greenfield township in 1815. Nancy Adams was born in Windom county, Vermont, July 30, 1798, and with her parents moved to Green- field township, in 1815. Her father, Bildad Adams, was one of the first three commissioners of Huron county, and she taught the first school in Peru township. It was at Maxville, and was one of the first in the county. Nancy Adams and Matthew MeKelvey were married March 27, 1818, in Greenfield township. Soon after their marriage they moved to the town of Portland, now the city of Sandusky, where the originals of the portraits appearing elsewhere in this volume were painted. They are believed to have been the first portraits painted in what was then Huron county, now Huron and Erie counties. Mr. MeKelvey was engaged in the mercantile business at Portland until 1825, when he moved to Paris, now Plymouth, Huron and Richland counties, where he purchased and completed the third frame building erected in that locality, opened the first general store, and materially aided in ad- vancing the growth of the town by building a considerable number of houses. In 1890 he created a building for the purpose and established a "Seminary for Young Ladies." They resided in Plymouth until 1841, when they moved to Hardin county, but returned to Plymonth in 1842. Mr. McKelvey died in Greenfield township March 18, 1853. They had ten children, seven girls and three boys. The three youngest of the children are still living: Martha, Mrs. E. C. Scovell, in Greenfield township, Matthew, in Tiffin, Ohio, and John, ir Sandusky, O.
HON. ELEUTHEROS COOKE
Died at his home in Sandusky, December 27, 1864. For nearly a half century, his name was identified with many publie enterprises and im- provements incident to the settling of the Firelands. He was the pioneer of railroad enterprise in the West, having been the original pro- jector and an earnest co-worker in the construction of the Mad River Railroad, which was the first railroad built west of the Allegheny Moun- tains and the fourth in the United States. Ile served in both branches of State Legislature and as a member of Congress. As a lawyer he had few equals in Ohio. He was born in Granville, N. V., December 25, 1787, the year in which the constitution of the United States was framed by the general convention, and his name Eleutheros was given in com- memoration of that event.
He was at one time a resident of Lyme township, at Cooke's Corners. this county, and a view of his home, the birth place of his son, the emi- nent financier, Jay Cooke, is given elsewhere in this volume.
F. E. WILDMAN.
Mr Wildman was born September 24, 1846, in Clarksfield town- ship, Huron county, where he was reared and became the recipient of a good educat on
When a young man he engaged as a helper with the milling firm of
Bates and Gilbert, of Norwalk. Later he removed to lowa Falls, lowa. where he was employed in a mercantile establishment. In 1550, having returned from the west several years previous, he embarked, in a small way, in the dry goods and potion business at Oberlin: and later at Kip- ton, Lorain county. In 1889 he removed to Clarksfield. and in Jabl to West Clarksfield, where, until 1895, he successfully conducted a large general store. Mr. Wildman is a staunch Republican and in April. 1×92, was appointed postmaster at West Clarksfield. He now resides in Norwalk, having retired from active business engagements.
CAPT. SAMUEL HUSTED
Left Danbury, Conn., early in the spring of 1817, and in the summer of that year located in Clarksfield township, and was the first white settler. He immediately began the work of the erection of the first dwelling. which was of logs and furnished in most primitive style. He soon after fe- turned to Connecticut and in the following year. 1818, he again made the journey to his log house in the wilderness of Clarksfield township, and later erected the first frame house in the township, it being situated in the "Hollow."
He was prominent in pioneer improvements, and assisted greatly in the advancement of all measures calculated to be of benefit to the com. munity. He was religiously, a Presbyterian, and conducted at his home the first religious services held in Claiksfield township, he reading from volumes of sermons brought with him through the forests to Clarksfiehl.
GEORGE HARSON GIBBS
Came to Norwalk, Ohio, from Norwalk, Conn., with his father's family in 1818. The portrait appearing elsewhere was made when he was thirty-five years of age.
THEODORE WILLIAMS.
Mr. Theodore Williams is a native of Norwalk. O., and was born Jan- uary 3, 1820. His father was a lawyer of prominence, and was for ser- eral years proscenting attorney of Huron county. Mr. Williams' cle- mentary education was obtained in the district and private schools of that carly date, and was completed in the Norwalk Seminary. In 1>34 he commenced clerking in the store ot P. and J. M. Latimer, in Norwalk. In 1837 he entered upon a clerkship in the store of Milton W. Goodnon. succeeded in a short time by the firm of Goodnow & Edwards. In 1-45 he became an equal partner in the firm of Goodnow & Williams. This partnership continued until January, 1851, when by the death of Mi. Goodnow it terminated, and Mr. Williams purchased Mr. Goodnow's interest in the business.
Mr. Williams continued in the business of merchandising until 19.5. a period of #2 years. Upon retiring he found himself the owner of two merchant flouring mills, one located in Norwalk, and the other near Toledo, and these together with the managing of his several larit -. occupy most of his time and attention. In 1882 he was elected presi- dent of the First National bank of Norwalk, holding the position for eight years, when he resigned after being re-elected to the position. He has also held other offices of trust and responsibility, and is at present president, secretary, treasurer and superintendent ot Woodlawn com- etery.
In 1870 he was elected on the State Board of Equalization. For seventeen years he was a member of the board of education of the public schools of Norwalk, and occupied during a large part of the time the posi- tion of president of the board.
In September, 1861, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Mary Isabelle Goodnow, by which union six children were born.
REV. JOHN HI. PITEZEL.
Was born in Frederick county, Md., April 18, 1814, son of Henty and Mary P. Pitezel ; moved to Licking county, Ohio, in the spring of 1823. Here his parents twice went into the unbroken forest, in each
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place building a log house and clearing land. May 15. 1528, the father died. In the spring of 1529 the mother with her six children, moved to Tiffin, O., where John, during five years, learned the saddler's trade. In the spring of 1834, he entered the old Norwalk seminary. The next year he entered the Methodist Itinerancy, with which, in Michigan and Ohio, he has been connected sixty-one years. He has been a member of the Methodist Church nearly seventy-two.years. Of a former wife one only child survives, Mrs. Carrie E. Painter, wife of Rev. W. HI. Painter, of Vermillion, Ohio, He married Mrs. E. A. Breckenridge, December 11, 1887, with whom his home has been of late, in Norwalk.
JAMES WHIPPLE BAKER,
The eldest son of Timothy Baker, was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., May 11, 1819, and came to Norwalk the same year arriv- ing September 27. Ilis education was in the Norwalk Academy, and a short time in Denison University, in Granville, Ohio. From 1841 to 1815 he was engaged in the mercantile business in company with his father, under the firm name of J. W. Baker & Co. And again from 1848 to 1851 with N. 11. Jennings, under the name of Baker & Jennings. From 1845 to 1858 he carried on the foundry and machine business, cor- ner of East Main and Medina (now Woodlawn) streets.
From 1841 to 1845, he held the office of township clerk ; 1845 and 6 he was a member of the city council. From 1877 to 1882 he was deputy collector of internal revenue, having the counties of Huron, Seneca and Crawford as his district. He has for many years been prominently con- nected with the Baptist church.
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