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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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Erie County,
Ohio |
Biographies
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to Biographical Index>
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HENRY FABER, Perkins,
Sandusky P. O., was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, November
2, 1831. He came to New York in 1846, and in 1848 settled in
Sandusky, where he remained until 1850, when he went to
Detroit. March 4, 1852. he joined a company of 42 persons,
and started for California by overland route via Salt Lake.
They lost seven men and eight horses on their journey, and
arrived in California in August, 1852. He remained here five
years engaged in mining and prospecting, and returned home
via the Panama route. He again settled in Sandusky in 1857,
where he purchased his present homestead farm of 100 acres.
He was married in 1857 to Elizabeth Zund, who
was born in Pennsylvania. She died January 28, 1885. They
had a family of six children: Joseph, Lewis, Lena, Fred,
Henry and Philomena. Mr. Faber's father died in
Germany in 1835, leaving a widow and three children, who all
came to America. |
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VALENTINE FRIES was born in
the small but picturesque village of Beteshein in Germany.
When five years old his parents made the then perilous voyage to
the New World. Four weeks were spent in making the voyage
from Havre aboard the sailing vessel before New York was
sighted. And then followed the long and tedious trip by
way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo to Cleveland by steamboat, and
the last lap by way of the Ohio Canal to Kindel (now Massillon,
Ohio) Later on Mr. Fries entered the
employ of J. W. Watson, a wholesale druggist.
After five years, having through strict economy saved a little
money, Mr. Fries decided to try his fortune.
After various experiences he located at Milan, Ohio, where he
established himself as a retail grocer, which business he
continued for twenty years. In 1852 Mr. Fries
in partnership with J. P. Gay established a
ship-building yard. Five years later Mr. Fries
began the construction of vessels independently. At that
time he built the Schooners: - Wm. Slupe, Hyphen, William Raynor,
Atmosphere and Amaranth. This yard was abandoned in 1868.
Ten years later however, he again commenced the construction of
vessels, this time about three miles down the Huron River at a
place that became known as Fries Landing. The
Marion Page (named for Marion Edison Page,
sister of the great Thos. Edison and neighbor
of Mr. Fries); the schooner Charles Foster, the
Steamer William Edwards and to climax his ship building
operations, the famed Golden Age, the biggest schooner of its
day on fresh water was launched. So large was this vessel
that the Huron River had to be dredged for a considerable extent
to permit her to reach Huron Harbor. The name of Milan -
Huron - Erie County - became known throughout the Great Lakes
region through these vessels. Though not an aspirant for
the honors but conceding to the wishes of his friends an
neighbors the office of Mayor of Milan and Township Trustee were
accepted by him but when later asked to accept different county
offices he declined as he had not desire for a political career.
On Nov. 28, 1889 Mr. Fries was married to
Anna Crone of Massillon, Ohio. From this
alliance was born one son, Valentine A.
Later on he retired from the active managements of his various
enterprises and spent his days on his farm about one and one
half miles from Fries Landing. He was
identified with the Weideman-Holmes Company of Cleveland, Ohio,
Fries & Rand Banking, Lumber & Fisheries of Huron, Ohio; F. N.
Ellis & Company, Putnam County; Paul & Company of Massillon,
Ohio; Sandusky, Milan & Norwalk Electric Railroad Company; the
American Shipbuilding Company, Ship Owners Dry Dock Company;
Milan Canning Company and extensive real estate interests.
Mr. Fries was a man of retiring disposition and avoided all
notoriety - fond of reading - of genuine charity - ever ready to
join any enterprise that had for its object public improvement
or tending toward the general welfare of the community. He
died April 2, 1900 and was buried from St. Anthony's Church at
Milan, Ohio.
Source: Centennial History of Erie County,
Ohio Vol. II - 1925 - Page 676 - Milan Twp. & Village |
VALENTINE A. FRIES was born
May 13, 1890, at Huron, Ohio, the son of Valentine Fries
and Anna M. Fries. He was educated at the
University School, Cleveland, Ohio, and during the World War
enlisted at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.,
his military record bringing him a commission. Following
his service in the army, he has devoted his time and attention
to managing the large property left him by his parents and has
devoted his time and attention to managing the large property
left him by his parents and has shown considerable ability as a
financier.
He married Irma
Brockett of Marion, Ohio, in 1922, the daughter of
Don E. J. Brockett and Florence Brockett, and
to this union have been born two children - Valentine
Albert Fries, Jr., and Jacquelyn Ann Fries.
Mr. Fries is a member of the Cleveland
Athletic Club and of the Plumb Brook County Club of Sandusky.
Source: Centennial History of Erie County, Ohio Vol. II -
1925 - Page 678 - Milan Twp. & Village |
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