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THADDEUS
S. FANCHER, farmer and stock grower of Greenwich township, was born
April 8, 1809, in Ulster county, N. Y., a son of THADDEUS
FANCHER, a
native of England, where he was born in 1777, and where he learned the
harness maker's trade.
Emigrating to the United States, Thaddeus Fancher found
a home near Stamford, Conn., followed his trade, and there married Sally
Mead, a daughter of Gen. Mead, of Revolutionary fame. To
that marriage twelve children were born namely: Mary, Caroline, Daniel,
Mead, Eliza, Thaddeus S., Amy, William, Sarah, Mathew, William and
Varney P. of whom Sarah , Mathew and Varney P. of whom
Sarah, Mathew and Varney P. were born in Huron county.
About the year 1808 the family moved from Connecticut to Ulster county, N.
Y., where the father followed his trade until the war of 1812 called al
loyal men to arms. Mr. Fancher was drawn into the maelstrom,
and took up arms against the troops of his native land. After the war
he resumed his trade and resided with his family in Ulster county until
1815, when he set out on the long journey to Huron county, Ohio, to see for
himself whether the glowing reports about the "Firelands" were reliable.
The journey was made on foot, and satisfied Mr. Fancher that the land
was all that was claimed for it, however wild the country. He returned
to Ulster county, but in 1819 revisited Ohio, selected a tract in Greenwich
township, Huron county, and went home to prepare for the removal of the
family to a new home in a new land. In November, 1820, the family
started on a journey to Ohio, a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen with a horse
for leader being used during the long trip, which occupied five weeks and
four days. When passing through Cleveland only eight huts marked the
site of that now prosperous city, and along the route via Oberlin and
Fitchville Caucasian life was scarce indeed. On Christmas Eve, life
was scarce indeed. On Christmas Eve, 1820, the family found shelter in
a cabin occupied by a man named Waters. On Christmas Day they
arrived in Greenwich township, and took possession of an old hut, which
stood on the farm now owned by C. A. Sutton. Within a day or so
they had a visit from
David Briggs, their first neighbor, who lived about two miles away,
and in the walk over that short distance he killed seven deer. He
informed the new comers of his feat, and with Mr. Fancher's help
gathered in the game and insured to his new friends enough meat to supply
the table for the winter. The father died Dec. 26, 1865, the mother
May 1, 1857. He was truly one of the pioneers of northern Ohio,
was a leading Whig of this section, and though not an adherent of the
Democratic party the men of that faction, who knew him, admired him for his
sincerity and honesty of purpose.
Thaddeus S. Fancher came to Ohio with his
parents when eleven years old. There were no schools in Huron county
for six years after his arrival, so that the boy was compelled to tramp
three miles to and fro daily, in winter, to a school which had been recently
established in Ruggles township, Ashland county. He grew to manhood on
the home farm, in the improvement of which he assisted materially. On
Sep. 8 1833, he married Annie M. Chapman, of Richland county, who was
born at Simsbury, Conn., Oct. 8, 1817, and came to Richmond county with her
parents, Cyrus and Chloe (Case) Chapman, to 1819. The children
born to them are named as follows: Reuben, of Lake county,
Ind., engaged in farming, real estate and insurance; Louisa, Mrs. Albert
Flint, of Emporia, Kans.; Lavina, widow of ____ Warren, of
Chicago; Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and
Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated -
Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894; Varney P., who
served in the One Hundred and Second O. V. I., suffered the horrors
of Libby Prison and lost his health, dying in Missouri, after the war;
Salathiel, a real-estate man in Kansas City; Lewis, also a
resident of Kansas City; George, a carpenter, residing at home;
Maria, Mrs. William Dennison of Topeka, Kans.; Stephen, deceased
when six months old; Semore, an attorney at Crown Point, Ind., and
Luella, Mrs. Alva Tubbs, of Osawatomie, Kans. In September, 1833,
our subject settled on part of his present farm, increasing the area of his
lands gradually, until his large estate was formed. In 1859 fire
destroyed his buildings and much farm produce; insurance had expired fire or
six days before, so that he suffered total loss. He found himself one
thousand seven hundred dollars in debt, but going to work with redoubled
energy he reached the front again, and his progress has since been
unchecked. He provided well for his children, and to-day enjoys the
comforts which such a man should have.
Mr. and Mrs. Fancher are the oldest married
couple in Huron county. They well remember the days when the bear,
wolf and deer were ordinary visitors, and when deer would come to browse on
the leaves of the fallen trees in the clearing. Indians in parties of
thirty-five or forty often passed their pioneer home, en route to the
hunting fields of central Ohio. Formerly a Whig, and a Republican
since 1856, he has always been faithful to his party, and he and his wife
have been members of the Methodist Church forty years. Both are
identified with the pioneer history of northern Ohio, and are honored by all
old and young, who know them.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and
Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 -
Page 285 |
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J. WHITBECK FOSTER,
manager of the Norwalk Incandescent Light and Power Company, is a son of
John H. Foster, who was a native of New York, and in 1834 came to
Ohio. He was a school teacher, afterward a stockman and drover, then
served in the Civil war as major of the Third Ohio Cavalry. On his
return home from the war he conducted a commission establishment in Norwalk
for some time. He was married to Nancy M. Boardman, also a
native of New York. The father died in 1874 (his death being hastened
by his wounds and exposure during the war), and was followed to the grave by
his wife in 1886. In their family there are, besides our subject, two
sons - Frank B. and William S. - and one daughter - Maria
Louise - all yet living.
J. Whitbeck Foster was born July 25, 1844,
in Norwalk, Huron Co., Ohio. He attended the high schools of his
native place, then took a two years' commercial course in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
graduating in 1865. After leaving school he returned to Norwalk, and
entered the sewing machine business in partnership with N. S. C. Perkins
and W. A. Mack, with whom he remained until the firm dissolved; then,
in company with N. S. C. Perkins, manufactured the Queen and
Dauntless sewing machines, until they too went out of business. He
afterward became connected with the Norwalk Light and Power Co., continuing
with them until April, 1891, and in April, 1892, he accepted the management
of the Norwalk Incandescent Light and Power Company.
On October 22, 1888, Mr. Foster was married to
Clare A. Morehouse, who has borne him one son, Vernon W.
In politics our subject is a Republican, and has served four years as a
member of the council, during which time he was very active in securing
electric lights for the city; also served on many important committees.
He is secretary of the National Union at Norwalk, and president of the City
Board of Equalization.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of
Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co., 1894 - Page 257 |
