Person:George Opperman (1)

At the age of 15 he started to learn the Cooper trade. He worked at this for 4 years and was called to Army service. After serving 7 years as a non-commissioned officer, he was honorably discharged. This was about 1849. Soon after, he came to America, arriving in Sandusky, OH. He contacted an old friend who directed him to his relatives who lived near Hunts Corners, Huron Co, OH. Starting at Sandusky, he walked 22 miles through the woods toward his destination. Darkness had overtaken him when he came to a clearing where he met a man who could not speak German, and Father could not speak English. Somehow, by use of signs and motions, the man directed him to a man who was a German. When father arrived at the place, he found it to be the very place he was looking for, namely, Hyman's. He remained there for a few days and then hired out to an Englishman who had a large farm near Hunt's Corners. He remained there for 3 years. Shortly after (abt. 1851) he married Ruth Perrington and rented a small farm near the Wood homestead, where they lived for 3 years. They moved to Sandusky Co, near the hamlet of Hessville, where they purchased the Howard farm, and spent their remaining years. Ten children were born to this union, and all grew to maturity. (Have family picture taken about the time of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.)