Source:
Commemorative Biographical Records
of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio
- Illustrated -
Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co.,
1894

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C. H. Gallup	CALEB HATHAWAY GALLUP   Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 124
John Gardiner	JOHN GARDINER   Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 7
	EDWARD GEYER,  a well-known prominent farmer citizen and wealthy landowner of Sherman township, was born in Saxony, Germany (on the Austrian frontier), in 1834.      He is a son of Christian and Evan Geyer, who, in 1840, came to American, bringing the family, and settled in Sherman township, Huron County.  Christian was by trade a tanner, and operated a tannery in Sherman township many years, in his later days following farming as well.  He died in 1872 at the age of seventy-six years, a healthy, strong man up to within a short time of his death.  His wife died in 1869, aged sixty-six years.  They were the parents of ten children, Edward being fifth in the order of his birth.      The subject of these lines was, as will be seen, seven years old when brought to this country.  He received but a meager English school education, as in early boyhood he was put to work in his father's tan-yard, where he remained till he was fourteen years old, at which time he went on the farm.  After his marriage he commenced agricultural pursuits for his own account, in a small way, from which limited commencement he has, by good business sagacity and indomitable perseverance, amassed a fortune.  He is now the owner of 500 acres of land, and one of the finest residences in Huron county, if not the finest, being quite palatial in its design and equipment.  The house is of modern style of architecture, built of pressed brick, and fitted up to be heated with steam and lighted with gas.  The outbuildings - barns, etc. - are keeping, big comfortable and commodious.  He ahs devoted his attention to al kinds of farming, including cereals, root crops and stock.      In 1859 Mr. Geyer married Miss Eliza Sowerine, by whom he has an interesting family of ten robust children, namely: to a Mr. Miller,  and has one child, Levi), Jennie, Emma, Cora, Alice, Lawrence and Rosa.  It may be here stated that so healthy is the entire family that Mr. Geyer has never had to pay a doctor's bill for either himself, wife or children.  Our subject is a public spirited Republican, and, though not a member of Church, contributes liberally of his means to both churches and schools, as well as to all charitable institutions.  During the war of the Rebellion his duties to his parents, who needed his filial care and help, prevented him joining the Union army, and thus he was compelled to pay heavy amounts for substitutes, although under other circumstances he would rather have shouldered his rifle and gone to the front. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 381
James G Gibbs	JAMES GILBERT GIBBS Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 214
	MRS. DAVID L. GIESECK is a daughter of Henry D. and Hannah J. (Harris) Smith, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born in Knox county, the latter in Licking county.  The father died at the age of sixty-five years.      Carrie S. Smith was born on the home place in Knox county, where she grew to womanhood, attending the common schools of the vicinity.  She also received a year's training in the normal school, then taught two years in Licking county, Ohio.  On Jan. 29, 1885, she was united in marriage with David L. Gieseck, whose father was a native of Germany, his mother an American, born of German ancestry.      David L. Gieseck was born Mar. 8, 1858, in Black Lick, Ohio, passed his youth in his native county, and after his marriage came to Huron county, locating in Monroeville, Mar. 20, 1885.  Here, in partnership with his father, he founded the tile works, the product of which was sent to the eastern and western part of Ohio, and also as far south as Columbus.  In the following April they employed eight men.  Mr. Gieseck in politics was a Democrat.  He was a member of the school board, and a justice of the peace, holding the latter position at the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 9, 1892.  He was baptized in the Lutheran Church; his widow is identified with the Baptist denomination.  Since the death of her husband Mrs. Gieseck has conducted the tile business with great success.  She has had three children, namely: Henry L. (deceased at the age of two years and nine months), Emma T. and Mable H. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 499
	AZRA B. GILSON, SR., one of the most prominent of Huron county's representative farmer citizens, and one of the most prosperous, deserving more than a passing notice in this work.      The first of the family to come to America was his great-grandfather, who arrived in New York from Ireland about the middle of the eighteenth century.  He was one of two brothers, the other remaining in Ireland.  The one who emigrated settled in Saratoga county, N. Y., and there reared a family of thirteen children, of whom one, named Joel, was born about 1750.  The latter was a lifelong fanner in Saratoga, his native county, and in connection operated a sawmill.  He was a collector, in the service of the United States Government, of Continental money, and had, it is alleged, in his possession the sum of forty-two thousand, eight hundred and forty dollars worth of that scrip when Congress repudiated the payment of same, and he thereby lost all he had. in his political affiliations he was first a Federalist, later a Whig, and he was a man of considerable prominence in his section, straightforward in his dealings, and highly respected.  He died in 1820.  His wife was a Miss Adams, of Saratoga county, N. Y., and they had a family of seven sons and three daughters, named as follows: Norman, Eli, Jonas, Joel, John, Asa, Naum, Mary, Anna and Rhoda, all of whom lived to a ripe old age, and are all now deceased.      NAUM GILSON, father of the subject of this sketch, was born Apr. 27, 1793, in Saratoga county, N. Y., and received but a limited education at the subscription schools of the period, but by hard study at home he became quite a proficient scholar.  In 1817 he came to Ohio, walking the entire distance to Norwich township, Huron county, and hewed out for himself a home in the dense forest.  He built there the first known log house in the township to be used as a residence; put up the first pair of rafters, and made the first plow and harrow ever used in the township.  At this time Indians and wild animals, including game of all kinds, were numerous.  He served in the war of 1812 as did also his six brothers and father.  His wife was Miss Sally Ormes, of Northumberland county, Mass., a daughter of Chauncy Ormes, a capitalist of that section, and tire children born to them were Giles J., deceased; Manila D. Spaulding and Sarah A. Holliday, both deceased; Eugenia M., now Mrs. Abram DeGroff, of Grand Lodge, Mich.; Arza B., subject of sketch; Elon W., of Norwalk, Huron county, an ex-treasurer of the county; and Ardelia A., now Mrs. S. W. Owen, of Norwalk, Ohio.  The father died in 1864, mourned by all who knew him.  He was a man of ability and considerable business tact.  At one time he was land-agent for John W. Allen, of Cleveland, who owned a large tract of land in Huron county; was township clerk thirteen years, and postmaster at North Norwich eighteen years, being the first postmaster in Norwich township.  He entertained at his house the first minister that came to the township, and was converted by him on the occasion of his first visit, being received into the fold of the M. E. Church. Politically lie was originally a Whig, afterward, on the formation of the party, a stanch Republican.      A. B. Gilson, the subject proper of these lines, was born Apr. 23, 1827, on the farm whereon he now lives in Norwich township.  He received a fair education at the public schools of the locality, and being an apt scholar and close student, soon fitted himself for the position of teacher.  At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school, and continued in that profession fourteen years; he also taught vocal music thirty-five years.  In 1863 he raised a company of 115 men , and was elected captain of Company E, Sixty-third Regiment O. N. G.  On May 2, 1864, this regiment was called upon by the General Government for one hundred days service, and on that day he was chosen as major.  On arriving at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, this regiment was joined by the Seventy-ninth Battalion O. N. G. from Medina county, Ohio, and was then known as the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth O. V. I., the field officers of which were Harrison G. Blake, Col.; Randolph Eastman, Lt. Col.; and Arza B. Gilson, Major.  He served the regiment in this capacity until the twelfth of May, 1864, when by reason of an attack of pneumonia he was relieved from duty, and returned home.  He was mustered out of the regiment September 9, following, at Cleveland, Ohio.  He then engaged in farming, in which he has met with well merited success, now owning 228 acres of land, besides property in Chicago, Ohio.      On Feb. 8, 1860, Mr. Gilson married Miss Eliza A. Baker, of Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Chauncy Baker, and two children have been born to them: Aida Belle, who was a pupil of the Conservatory of Music at Cleveland, Ohio, married Nov. 22, 1893, to John M. Elder; and Arza Baker, at home and at school.  Our subject, in addition to his many other interests, is a notary public, and pension attorney, in which capacity he enjoys a large practice, covering several States. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 284
	NAUM GILSON - See AZRA B. GILSON, SR. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 284
	HIALMER GRIFFIN, a successful farmer of Fitchville township, and a progressist in all agricultural affairs, was born in Greenwich township, Huron Co., Ohio, May 6, 1842, a son of Riley and Philena (Washburn) Griffin.      His youth was passed much in the manner of boys of that time and place - attending the district school and working on the farm.  Miss Clarissa Parker was his first teacher, and for many terms he was present as a pupil in her school.  Later he attended an academy at Greenwich Center, which was conducted there for one year, completed his education and returned to the farm.  On Aug. 4, 1864, he married Amanda Knapp, a native of Westchester county, N. Y., who came to Ohio with her presents and after marriage the young couple moved to Montcalm county, Mich., where he purchased a farm.  One year later they returned to Ohio, and renting a place in Fitchville township, Huron county, for two years, resumed farming here.  In 1869 he located on his present farm, two miles south of Fitchville village, and has since made the place his home.  From boyhood Mr. Griffin inclined towards carpentry.  He has cultivated his mechanical talents to a practical extent, utilizing them in the construction of new building on his own farm and in the repair of old buildings.  A systematic agriculturist, and consequently a successful one, he finds time to devote to a very important branch of farming - poultry raising.  In this department he employs the most modern appliances, and the most approved methods; he is a supporter and reader of the leading poultry journals, and a strict observer of scientific methods in the poultry-yard.  A few years ago fire destroyed the hennery, entailing a heavy loss, but he at once went to work and built a larger and more complete one.      A lifelong Republican, Mr. Griffin has always been a loyal member of the party; for twelve years he held the office of township trustee, and during that time the public affairs of Fitchville went forward with precision and harmony, for he took an interest in every public and private enterprise which promised benefit to the township.  His children are as follows: Blanche, Mrs. George Black, of Birmingham, Erie Co., Ohio; Loren, a farmer, and Lola W., an accomplished young lady, both residing with their parents. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 337
	RILEY GRIFFIN, grandson of Gersham Griffin, was born Apr. 29, 1812, in the town of Hunter, Greene county, New York.      Gersham Griffin was a farmer of Westchester county, N. Y., at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, and suffered repeatedly from marauding parties of the British soldiery.  On one occasion he was plowing in a cornfield, when some British cavalry galloped forward and seized upon the only horse he possessed.  On sundry occasions they visited the farm, destroying fences and burning what they could not carry away.  It is not known why he did not enter the Continental line, but his young wife and family probably restrained him, or mayhap some political notions may have militated against his service with the patriots.  Whatever the cause, he did not serve in the army, but removed with his wife and children to Greene county, N. Y., where he hoped the wilderness would not only shelter them from the wrath of war, but would also enable him to make a new property as good as that which he abandoned.  Ten days before his death, in 1831, as a patient, he made his first acquaintance with a physician, but medical aid was useless, for his race was run, and he passed away at the age of eighty-eight years, one month and two days.      Abijah Griffin, son of this old pioneer, was born in Westchester county, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1773, and when eighteen years old was brought by his parents into Greene county.  There he grew to manhood, and in 1795 married Abigail Bloomer, who was born in Westchester county, N. Y., June 5, 1770, and when twenty-one years old came to Greene county with her parents, who, like the Griffins, were pioneers of that section of New York.  To this marriage came the following named children: Esther, born July 8, 1796, married Joseph H. Miller, and died in New York State in 1843; Ezekiel, born Oct. 21, 1799, settled in Ohio in 1836, and died in Greenwich township, Huron county, in 1872; Phoebe, born June 4, 1803, married James Williamson, of Fitchville township, Huron county, and died in 1881 (she was the mother of J. A. Williamson, a leading attorney of the Huron county bar); Tamer, born Apr. 15, 1806, married Jeremiah Kingsbury, in Greenwich township, and died there in 1855; Robert B., born June 11, 1809, a farmer and carpenter, died in Greenwich township, Aug. 9, 1891, and Riley, the subject of this sketch.      In May, 1833, the father of the family visited Ohio, to examine the lands of Huron county.  Selecting a tract of one hundred acres in Greenwich township, he purchased it for four hundred dollars, returned to Greene county, and in September following brought his wife and children (excepting Esther and Ezekiel) to take possession of their Ohio home.  The journey was made via canal and lake to the village of Huron, and thence by wagon to Greenwich township.  The weather being stormy, the boat on which they traveled from Buffalo to Huron was driven to the Canadian shores, where it lay for two days, rather than risk a trip across the lake.  The land which Mr. Griffin purchased was slightly improved, a small log cabin in a small clearing indicating that some pioneer had been there before.  Some short time after settling here another tract of one hundred acres, opposite the first, was purchased for ten dollars per acre, and to the new land the family removed their residence.  A new house with erected thereon by his sons, and there the father died in May, 1856.  His remains were interred in Fitchville cemetery, in or near the grave where his wife was buried, she having died Nov. 20, 1840.  Both were Methodists, and in politics Abijah Griffin voted with the Whigs.      Riley Griffin was born Apr. 29, 182, and passed his boyhood on the farm and in attending winter school.  When a youth he learned the carpenter's trade, but still continued to give his attention to books.  He taught school for ten dollars per month in New York State, and after settling in Greenwich township taught one term there and two terms in Fitchville, the highest salary paid being fifteen dollars per month and "boarding round."  On Jan. 21, 1839, he was united in marriage with Philena Washburn, who was born June 8, 1817, in Ulster county, N. Y., and was brought by her parents, Henry and Mary Washburn, to Greenwich township in 1819.  To this marriage came the following:  Mary, born Feb. 10, 1840, died Dec. 5, 1882; Hialmer, born May 6, 1842, a farmer of Fitchville township, Huron county; Ermina, born July 18, 1843, Mrs. T. W. Fancher, of Lorain county; Corwin, born July 7, 1845, a physician of Clyde, Ohio, and Stanley, born May 20, 1848, proprietor of the "Hotel Griffin," Lorain, Ohio.  The mother of this family died Feb. 20, 1863, and was interred in the family burial ground, in the northeast corner of Greenwich cemetery.  On Jan. 21, 1864, he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Jane (Carl) Baker, who was born Nov. 22, 1813, at Salem, N. Y., whence in 1815 she was taken by her parents, William and Martha (Weed) Carl, to Greenwich, Conn.  In 1830 the family moved to Greenwich township, Huron Co., Ohio, where the father purchased one hundred acres at one dollar per acre, and here Mary J. Carl married Marshall Baker, and after his death united with Mr. Griffin.  They knew each other in their youthful days.      In 1834 Riley Griffin located on the second tract of one hundred acres purchased by his father, while Robert B., a brother who also married about that time, locate on the first tract.  The highway alone separated the brothers' farms, and for twenty-two years they worked as one man.  The earnings of the two farms were equally divided annually, and this division closed the year's business.  Riley Griffin resided on the second tract until 1876, when he moved to the town of Greenwich, where he has since lived a semi-retired life.  The trade of carpenter, which he learned in his youth, enabled him to build his own houses, fences, etc.  This trade, with his natural aptitude for agriculture and proverbial industry, brought him wealth, so that now he can enjoy the reward of his early labor.  In politics formerly a Whig, he became a Republican on the formation of the party, and was one of the first fourteen men in Greenwich township who voted the new ticket.  He is a great reader of newspapers and is well versed in the political history of the United States.  His memory of dates and events is phenomenal, and for a man of his age there are few who can be compared with him in physical and mental strength.  He has held several township offices, but he had no political aspirations.  In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Griffin attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are in every way worthy of the esteem in which they are held. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 431
	MARTIN GROSS, senior member of the firm of Gross & Weber, proprietors of the lumber and planing mills at Bellevue, was born in 1843 in the Province of Nassau, Germany, a son of William and Catherine (Fritz) Gross.       In 1860 he immigrated to America, and having learned the cabinet maker's trade, followed that business for about one year in Rochester, N. Y., where he first learned to speak English.  In 1861 he began working on a farm near Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, and soon afterward enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Regiment, O. V. I., in which he served three years with the army of the Potomac.  He took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and during the former engagement was wounded in the leg and taken prisoner, but twelve days after his capture he was exchanged.  At the close of the war he was discharged, and has since drawn a pension.  On May 1, 1866, he selected a life companion in the person of a Miss Angel, who died a few years afterward.  Her children were as follows: Louise, Lizzie, one deceased in infancy, and Minnie.  After the death of the mother of these children, the father was united in marriage May 26, 1874, with Phillipena Schwenk, who has borne him five children, namely: Katie, Emma, Willie, Martin and Charlie.      In 1867 Martin Gross opened a furniture business in Bellevue, in which he continued fourteen years; then sold out, and bought a half interest with J. H. Weber in the lumber and planing mill at Bellevue.  In 1888 Mr. Weber sold his interest to Charles D. Stoner, who died Jan. 16, 1893, when M. Gross and J. H. Weber bought the interest of Mr. Stoner.  The well-known firm of M. Gross & J. H. Weber carry on an extensive business in lumber, shingles, etc., their yard and planing mills being located on the east side of and in close proximity to, the Nickel Plate Railroad.  Mr. Gross is a successful, enterprising business man, active in all matters tending to public improvement, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio - Illustrated - Published: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894 - Page 364

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