Henry Erford, II

Henry II bought the farm and raised 10 children there. His wife was Mary Mack. Her folks also moved to Hamler in 1891 from the New Cleveland area in Putnam County. They owned a clay tile mill and later the Johnson-Mack Grocery Store in Hamler. Mary clerked at the store before she married Henry II. Her folks were Michael Mack and Teresa Schmenk. Later they lived in Toledo.

Henry and Mary's children were: Lenore, Marvelle, Mack, John, Reynold, Margaret, Jean, Eileen, Arthur, and Mary Ann. Lenore married Albinus Gerschutz. They live at New Riegel and have 11 children. Marvelle married Del Clausen and they live in Lyons, Ohio. They have 6 children. Henry III or Mack married Rita Kruse. They operate a restaurant where they live in Miller City. They have 6 children. John married Ann Eicher. They live in Toledo and have 7 children. They lost one boy, John in the Viet Nam War. The fifth child is Reynold. He married Opal Kinsel and they have 10 children. They live on a farm on the north side of Hamler. Margaret married Harold Punches and had 6 children. Harold died in a car accident. She married Jerry Zachrich and had 2 more children. Jean married Wilton Hammer and they live in Hamler. They have 3 children. Eileen married Max Reese and they have 4 children. They live near Hamler in Bartlow Township. Arthur married Mary Brat-ton. They now live on the Erford farm and they have 5 children. Mary Ann married James Gebers and they live near Custar, Ohio. They have 2 boys.

Sugar beets have been grown for 70 years on this farm along with tomatoes for 40 years. The home Henry I built has been torn down and a new one built. Only 2 acres of woods remain.

I remember my grandpa with a long white mustache, carrying his cane, and driving a Whippit car. He always had a jolly personality and was fun to visit with.

The farm has been in the Erford name for 78 years and many descendants are still living in this area.

Submitted by Arthur Erford