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THOMAS HOWARD, a surveyor and a
Revolutionary War veteran, came from New York to the Maumee Valley, then
an unbroken wilderness, with his wife and three sons and their wives and
two children. In 1822 they built homes at the Head of the Rapids and
became the first settlers of our village. One son, Edward,
who fought in the War of 1812, had two children - Dresden and Anjanette.
Dresden, who had come from New York with his parents, became a great
friend of the Indians. Anjanette married George Laskey, Jr.
JEREMIAH E. HUFFMAN was born
August 2, 1844. in York county, In 1888, Mr. Huffman leased his farm and removed to the Rapids, where he opened a jobbing business in Poultry and Eggs, shipping direct to New York. In the spring of '94 he opened a retail grocery in his business property on East Front street, and discontinued ,practically, the purchase of eggs from the trade; but his books show that he has not entirely dropped out of the egg trade yet, as he has taken in individually an average of something over 2,000 dozen weekly since then. He still continues to do something in the poultry line, especially during the holiday season when he scatters, $500 to $600 daily among the neighboring farmers. "Jerry" Huffman is one of the most popular citizens of Grand Rapids township. Years ago it was the custom to elect him annually to the office of assessor whether he wanted it or not, but he finally flatly refused to serve. He has served on the council and school board, and is always among the foremost in contributing to anything for the good of the town. He is a member of Bond Post, G. A. R., and is always ready to serve an old comrade. In trade he is always pleasant and obliging, and, as he sells good goods at fair prices, his trade is constantly increasing. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries, smoked meats, foreign and domestic fruits, and pays the highest price for produce. If you don't know Jerry Huffman it will pay you to call and get acquainted. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have two children, Verne P., who was recently united in marriage with Miss Edna Peters, and Lillie, a young lady, who is still at home. They have a handsome home on Second Street, and still own the old home farm.
JOHN HUFFMAN August 17, 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Alfred and Eliza Mains. They have but one child, Floyd D., now a young man of 24, who is the editor and proprietor of the Grand Rapids Triumph, and the publisher of this work. Referring to Mr. Huffman's fruit business, he has about 6,000 grapes, 2,000 blackberries, 2,000 raspberries, 1,000 currants, an acre of strawberries and about 1,000 peach, pear, plum, apple and quince trees, all carefully selected, choice fruit. He is also a considerable manufacturer of grape wine, his average annual output being about 1,OOOgallons. Persons desiring a mature and pure wine for medicinal or family use should consult Mr. Huffman before buying. He is selling a very choice wine as low as fifty cents per gallon. Merchants and others desiring large or small quantities of choice fruits, in season, should address John Hutfman, Graud Rapids, Ohio.
B. F. Kerr For more than thirty
years, a period covering more than Benjamin F. Kerr was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 7, 1843, son of Jesse and Eliza (Evans) Kerr, who were, respectively, of Scotch and Welsh origin, and natives of Pennsylvania. In 1848, Jesse Kerr removed with his family from Richland to Lucas county, where he purchased and improved a considerable estate. He died July 2nd, 1862, thirty years prior to the death of his wife, which occurred in 1892. Our subject was educated in the graded schools of Maumee City, and at the age of eighteen enlisted in Company I. of the 14th O. V. I , a regiment of which every citizen of Ohio has reason to be proud. August 22, 1862, Mr. Kerr was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability. In February, 1864, he returned to the army, accepting a clerkship with Capt. S. H. Lunt, a disbursing quarter-master; in which position he remained until November 20th, 1865, serving in the Atlanta campaign. After the surrender at Appomattox he assisted in the removal of the dead from the battle fields of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge to the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, this work being in charge of the quarter master's department. At the close of the war Mr. Kerr purchased an interest in a general store business at Chattanooga, which interest he retained until April 1866, when he sold out and returned home. In September 1866, he, associated with Lewis Bortle, purchased the general merchandise and grain business of Laskey & Bro. In February, '75 he purchased Mr. Bortle's interest, and for more than twenty-two years past has been the sole proprietor and manager of one of the largest business enterprises of this part of the country. In the grain trade he owns and operates two large elevators, one in the Rapids and the other in Elery, Henry county. In the general merchandise business he carries a heavy stock of staple and fancy dry goods and notions, hats, caps, boots, shoes and clothing, and a full line of family groceries. The house is especially noted for fine foot-wear and clothing; Mr. Kerr having sole control in this section of the output of several leading manufacturers in each of these lines. Always clearheaded and conservative himself, B. F. Kerr has always conducted his business on the principle that the great majority of the people are not fools; that they know that goods cannot be handled successfully without a fair margin of profit; that the best class of custom is seldom gulled by the "Annual Clearance," "50% off"' and "Below Cost" sales; that people of ordinary common sense soon tire of trading at a place where they can save half a cent on a pound of sugar, and afterwards find they've paid a dollar extra on a suit of clothes; that each family will appreciate the fact that a child or a servant may be sent to his store and will receive the same full value as the most expert shopper. Oct. 24, 1867, Mr. Kerr married Miss Ann S. Pratt, the youngest daughter of Jonas and Susan (Reed-Griffith) Pratt, who were of the pioneers, and of whom detail will be found in that connection. The family at this date consists of five children: Carrie, who married J. K. Williams, of Delphos, Clifton C., who married Miss Zella Kershner, of Fostoria, Jessa May, Frank E. and Glen B., yet at home.
W. E. KERR was born on the farm in
Monclova township, Lucas county,
Mr. Kerr engaged in the general store business in the Rapids about six years ago. With an active experience of some eighteen years in all the minutia of the trade, both wholesale and retail, and occupying premises specially built to his order, the business has been successful from the day of opening until the present time. About three years ago his business had increased to such an extent that it became necessary to double the capacity of his store room, and the result is the large double store rooms which he now occupies, and which for convenience, light and capacity are among the best in the county. W . E. Kerr is a natural merchant; always courteous and attentive, stock always full and fresh, and displayed in the best manner; constantly examining the markets for anything new and desirable, and maintaining an ample credit east and west, his business moves with the precision of clockwork. Courtesy and square dealing, a full stock, and high grade goods at low prices are the secrets of his success. September 18th, 1878, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage with Miss Nelly
J., the handsome and accomplished daughter of B. F. and Josephine
(Perrin) Pratt. Mr. B. F., better known as "Foster"
Pratt is a member of the great Pratt family referred to in the early
history of the village, and which from the opening of the settlements
until the present date has been considered one of the leading families
of the Maumee Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have one child, Jesse
Foster, a bright, handsome boy of six. They have a very pleasant
home, and are among the most highly respected citizens of the
village. Mr. Kerr is one of the most prominent and active members
of the M. E. church society, of which church he has been a member since
childhood. He is a great lover of children, and is never too busy
to devote lots of time to the instruction and amusement of the little
ones; and it is safe to say that no citizen of the Rapids is more highly
regarded by the youth of the village.
The late Dominick Labino, internationally known glass craftsman, was a resident of Grand Rapids for many years. As a glass artist, he was a co-founder of the studio glass movement in America. There is a great collection of his artworks at the Toledo Museum of Art and there are permanent collections in over 60 other museums in the U.S. and around the world. Mr. Labino was a tireless and resourceful researcher as a scientist and inventor in the challenging properties of glass. He is credited for developing the insulating tiles covering the space shuttle Columbia and the Apollo, Mercury, and Gemini spacecrafts.
Edward George Laskey was born at Gilead (Grand Rapids), May 25, 1852, son of George and Anjenette (Howard) Laskey. He
received his education in the Grand Rapids schools. He showed great
DR. B. A. MANOR
was born Oct. 20, 1871 at St. Mary's, Ohio, son of John
B. A. Manor received his education in the public schools of Celina and Napoleon, Ohio. While yet in his boyhood he had the great misfortune to lose both of his parents by death. But, if it is possible for the place of parents to be filled, it has certainly been filled in this instance by "Aunt Martha" Manor; a lady who, in this section at least, has few equals in intelligence, education or refinement, and with whom Bert has had a home for many years. A few years since Mr. Manor entered the Ohio Medical University, and from which he graduated a short time since with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. This is a profession to which he seems singularly adapted, as he is a natural mechanic, and several years prior to taking the regular course he had made sets, and parts of sets, of artificial teeth which were accounted by competent authority to be first-class in every respect. His later work has a style and finish peculiarly his own, and is the equal of the best in the country. And not only has he received high praise for his mechanical work, but his treatment and care of the natural teeth gives the greatest satisfaction. He does everything in the line of high grade dentistry. The improvement in dental work during the past few fears will be a great revelation to those who have not had an opportunity to observe the same. The best talent of the profession have been studying and working for the better protection and prolonged usefulness of the natural teeth, and modern crown work and transplanting is the result. Then, the disagreeable cumbersomeness of the old plate work has been entirely done away with, and the thin, light aluminum plates, and bridge work have come to stay. Call on Dr. Manor and observe the result of scientific study and experiment. Dr. Manor is a general favorite in the community, and it is to be hoped that he may be induced to remain with us for some time to come. AZOR THURSTON Was born on the
farm, in Oxford township, Erie county, In 1885 he opened his drug business, in the Rapids, and from that day to this has met with the splendid success which he so richly deserves. On Oct. 14, 1886, Mr. Thurston married Lulu A., daughter of Dr. Justin N. and Ann E. (Ashley) Mead. In 1888 he formulated the now celebrated Thurston's Pills, his purpose being to produce a mild but efficient substitute for the harsh, drastic, sickening and debilitating mixtures of the official and Standard Formularies. His success is a matter of history, as the Thurston's Pills are today known and appreciated over a large section of the United States and the Dominion of Canada. As a tonic, laxative and alterative they are unequaled; giving tone and vigor to the alimentarv tract and to the entire nervous and muscular system. There's no griping, no sickening or debilitating effect. They clear the complexion, brighten the eyes. and impart a general condition of health and vigor. The wonderful success of the Thurston's Pills induced the formulating and manufacture of the other well known Thurston Remedies. To those
intimately acquainted with Mr. Thurston, the splendid success of his
remedies is a foregone conclusion. His thorough knowledge of drugs
and their compounds, his mastery of chemistry, organic and inorganic,
and his unquestionable integrity could only produce an article of the
highest merit. A very fair illustration of the character of Mr.
Thurston is found in the construction of his new building, completed in
August of last year. He first
All of which, as we have said, is an illustration of Mr. Thurston's character. Solid, sound, safe; no shams, no guesswork; nothing but the best is good enough. Thus, in purchasing any of the Thurston Chemical Company Remedies you may be sure of tried and proven formularies, pure drugs and expert compounding. A peculiarity of Mr. Thurston is that every order made by him for drugs bears stamped across its face the warning. "All goods shipped must conform strictly to the Ohio Pure Food Law, or they will be returned at shipper's expense." We will now mention a few facts which are uncontrovertible evidence of the professional standing of Azor Thurston. The first is that leading physicians in various parts of the country, whose reputations depend upon the unvarying purity and strength of the drugs used, have their fluid extracts specially manufactured by Mr. Thurston. The price is the same, and the name is a guarantee of standard goods. Again, as an analytical chemist, he is consulted upon matters of the greatest importance. As an authority, he has been interrogated by the compilers of the latest standard dictionary as to the definition of certain technical terms pertaining to chemistry. As an author, he is a valued contributor to several of the pharmacal and chemical journals, and his tabular chart of alkaloids and alkaloidal salts, giving physical and chemical properties, physiologic action, doses and antidotes, received the highest commendation, and is to-day in use in leading schools of pharmacy. Mr. Thurston is an active member of The American Pharmaceutical Association The Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association and The American Chemical Society. Here, also, we may mention that he is a subscriber to all of the leading pharmacal and chemical journals, such as The Parmaceutical Era, The Western Druggist, and Merck's Report, of all of which he has complete, bound volumes to date; The American Druggist, The Analyst (London), and The Journal of the American Chemical Society; of which he has a goodly number of complete, bound volumes. He, also, has a complete set, bound, of the Proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical Association. In short, he has in these journals alone, a library of goodly proportions and of inestimable value to his profession. Socially, and as a citizen, Mr. Thurston is
held in the highest estimation. He is at this date Master of Grand
Rapids Lodge No. 289, F. & A. M., Treasurer of Turkey Foot Lodge No.
5291. O. O. F.; a member of Rapids For the convenience of his large business, Mr. Thurston carries a balance with the First National Bank of Toledo, and The National Park Bank of New York, which are respectively, West and East, two of the strongest and best managed banking institutions of the United States. He takes advantage of every discount, and is considered good for his wants in every part of the country.
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Pennsylvania, son of John and Nancy (Wire) Huffman. The family
carne to Ohio in 1850 and located on the farm now owned by our subject,
being in section 3 of this township. J. E. Huffman was educated in
the common schools, and worked on the farm until 1863 when he enlisted
in the 68th regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served until the
close of the war. After the war he returned to farming, and in October,
1867 rmarried Elsie, daughter of John and Elsie (VanVoltenberg)
Phillips.
of
the well known horticulturist of Grand Rapids township. He was
born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1849; being the fifth son
of John and Nancy (Wire ) Huffman. The year following the birth of
our subject the family removed to Wood County, Ohio; buying land on the
south bank of the Maumee river, in what is now Grand Rapids
township. John Huffman, Sr., died in 1864, leaving his wife and a
family of twelve children. Nancy Huffman died August 12,
1880. All but one of the children are living at this date.
Our subject attended the common schools and worked on the farm until he
was sixteen years of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter and
builder. Later, he accepted employment in the flouring mills of
Isaac Groff and learned the miller's trade, still later; he became
superintendent of the Purdy saw and planing mills. In 1887 he
purchased the land and planted his now famous island nurseries and
vineyard, and in 1889 he supplemented these by the purchase and
improvement of that portion of the Howard estate located upon the river
east of the village. Here, in a lovely grove of young hickories,
he built his home, and here, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, and
enjoying one of the most beautiful prospects on the Maumee, he now
resides.
three-fourths of the corporate existence of the village, Benjamin F.
Kerr has been the leading merchant of Grand Rapids. Compared with
many of the cities, towns and villages of this wonderful country, the
growth of Grand Rapids has been so slow as to excite the gibes and
sneers of a few mushroom, and other municipalities of the genus fungi
order; but, let it be remembered that only sixty-four years ago the only
established merchant in Grand Rapids, yea, verily, the only one in a
howling wilderness of more than 250 square miles in extent, was Nicholas
Gee, who in 1833 placed a wagon load of goods in a little log cabin near
what is now the south-west corner of Front and Beaver streets. Now,
leaving out partnerships, Hinsdale succeeded Gee, Laskey succeeded
Hinsdale, and B. F. Kerr succeeded Laskey; thus Mr. Kerr is the
legitimate successor to the first real business enterprise of the
village, and has conducted the same for a period nearly equal to that of
his combined predecessors.
Ohio, March 2, 1853; son of Jesse and Eliza (Evans) Kerr. He was
educated in the graded schools of Maumee City, which are among the best
in the country. While yet a lad he learned telegraphy and at the
age of seventeen entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Co.,
where he remained about three years. About the year 1873 he
entered the employment of Kerr & Bortle, who succeeded Laskey &
Bro. in the general store and grain trade in 1866. In 1875, Mr. B.
F. Kerr, brother of our subject, purchased the interest of Mr. Bortle,
and Mr. W. E. Kerr continued as book-keeper and salesman, in which
connection he remained for a period of ten years. He next engaged
with the leading dry goods jobbers of Toledo as a traveling
salesman. During this engagement he had erected the west half of
the business block which he now occupies.
aptitude for business at an early age, and before he was twenty-one he
engaged in the general hardware trade at Ottawa, Putnam county.
Oct. 17th, 1872 he married Annie, daughter of Dr. Springer.
Shortly afterward he returned to Grand Rapids and entered into
partnership with Capt. A. H. Gruber in the hardware trade. Later
he sold his interest to Mr. Gruber and, afterward, engaged with his
brother, Sherman, in a general store business. After some years the
brothers divided the stock, Edward taking men and women's furnishing
goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., and Sherman taking dry goods and
groceries. Sherman removed to Michigan, and Edward retained the
old Laskey stand, where he is now located. Mr. E. G. Laskey has
been in business continuously almost from boyhood, and is considered one
of the best salesmen in the country. His large store room is
stocked with the leading lines of Gent's, Ladies', Youths' and Childrens'
shoes. Everything in the line of Men's and Women's Furnishing
Goods, Hats and Caps, and a full line of Rubbers of best
manufacture. He is sole agent for two of the largest merchant
tailoring establishments of Chicago, and makes a specialty of fine suits
to order. He also carries a line of men's pants, overalls, work
suits, sweaters, etc., etc. Ed Laskey is one of the most genial and kind
hearted men that ever lived. There is hardly a poor boy in the
country to whom Ed has not extended credit when he most needed it.
Hundreds of poor people, without a penny of security, have to thank Ed
for shoes and clothing for themselves and children, when all other doors
were closed to them. It goes without saying that he has lost
thousands of dollars in this kind of work. But he never lost
confidence in humanity, and believes every man is honest until he proves
himself otherwise. Mrs. Laskey is fully as kindhearted as her
husband, and wherever there is poverty or sickness there she is found
with a helping hand.
and Cordelia (Haskins) Manor. The father of our subject was a son of
Frank Manor, who was a son of the Peter Manor heretofore referred to as
having been given a section of land at the head of the Grand Rapids by
his Indian friends, and who was the pioneer of pioneers in the
settlement of Providence township, Lucas county.
Ohio, January 6, 1861, son of Asher and Mahala (Montross) Thurston.
Shortly after his birth the family removed to Wood county, and soon
after purchased land in section 10 of what is now Grand Rapids
township. Our subject worked on the farm in summer and attended
the district school in winter until he was fourteen, when he came to the
"Rapids" and took a 4 years course in the graded schools. I n
1879 he entered the Ohio State University, Columbus, and took a course
in chemistry. In 1883 he entered the University of Michigan, where
he took the course in pharmacy and continued analytical chemistry.
made
up his mind as to what he wanted, and then looked for architects of such
standing that there would be certainty of having his ideas executed in
the best possible manner. Such architects he found in the well
known firm of Geo. F. Barber & Co., of Knoxville, Tenn. The
result is the building of which exterior and interior views are herewith
given. This building is 30x75 feet, with two stories, 14 and 12 feet,
and basement, 8 feet. The foundation is upon the solid rock 8 to 10 feet
below the surface, and contains more than fifty cords of stone.
The front is of rock-faced, pressed brick of granite shades, from the
celebrated Findlay Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. The side walls are of
first-class common brick, and 18 inches in thickness. The front
windows are of French plate; the front of show window being 6x10 feet,
with corresponding half circle above, and the sides are 4x6 feet with
corresponding squares above. The floors are all double, the sub floors
being tongued and groved the same as the top; the surface floors are of
two-inch strip maple, dressed and polished after laying. The
vestibules are tiled. The ceiling is of stamped steel, decorated
in tints. The furniture is all in quartered oak, and in every part
made expressly to Mr. Thurston's order. It is the crowning
feature, and attracts the close attention of every admirer of fine work
who visits the establishment. The furniture was manufactured by
Mr. James Schlappi, of Delta, Ohio, in competition with the leading
concerns of Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit and Toledo, and the designs,
execution and finish are a revelation to buyers in more pretentious
quarters. The lower story contains sales room, laboratory and
library. The laboratory is large in size and complete in every
detail. It must be seen and examined by the expert chemist to be
appreciated. The library contains one of the largest purely
private collections of standard medical, scientific and technical
works to be found in the country and is constantly being added to.