(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 650 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY March 9, 1852, Mr. Johnson married Miss Belle M. Gould. Their five children are as follows: Stella, wife of R. B. Roe, a druggist of Elyria, Ohio; William C., who is married aud lives at Creston, Wayne county, Ohio, where he is extensively engaged in truck farming; S. D., also married, is an employe of the Valley Railroad Company, at Cleveland; L. Grace, is a teacher; and D. Lloyd is at home. During his early life Mr. Johnson was a Henry Clay Whig, but since the reorganization of the Republican party he has been identified with it. He has always taken an active part in local politics, having been frequently sent as a delegate to county, district and State political conventions. He has been Township Trustee, was Township Assessor three terms, was Magistrate for eighteen years, and for nine years served as County Commissioner. During his service as County Commissioner, the Superintendent's building at the Infirmary was erected, and the county records were indexed. Mr. Johnson is a man of more than ordinary business ability. In addition to his farming operations and the duties of the various official positions to which he has been called, he has for the past thirty- five years served as executor administrator and assignee, and has frequently been appointed appraiser of the personal estates of deceased persons, and as one of a committee to appraise and partition real estate, in which way he has transacted a vast amount of business for - other people. He holds a commission as Notary Public, and has for several years transacted in that capacity such business as has been required of him by his neighbors. In the second year of the Harrison administration he received the appointment as Postmaster at South Newbury, a preferment which he still holds, the detail work of the office being assigned to a capable assistant. He has ever proved himself worthy of the important trusts reposed in him, performing his duty with the strictest fidelity. He has been vice-president of the Pioneer Society of Geauga county for several years, and has served as chairman of its executive committee. In early manhood, Mr. Johnson became actively identified with the noble work of temperance reform, and his interest in the cause has never flagged. For many years he was a member of Division 119 of the Sons of Temperance. His personal habits are consonant with the views he advocates, and it is a noteworthy fact that he has never used tobacco in any form. Of Mrs. Johnson, it should be further stated that she is a daughter of Rev. Simon Gould, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and that she was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, of which place her parents were early settlers. She has been a most devoted wife and mother, particularly gifted in the art of home-making, and in every way a support and helpmeet to her husband in his life work. Hers has been a life of ceaseless and unselfish devotion to her home, its interests and to all who came therein. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have ever maintained a home in which the refining influence of music has been manifest, and each member of the family has a marked taste for that beautiful art. The house has always contained a piano, and 'both vocal and instrumental music have conserved the pleasures and attractions of the home. JOHN W. LOWE, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Mentor, Ohio, was born in Brantford, Ontario, July 17, 1855, son of John and Ann (Wilson) Lowe, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 651 natives of Aberdeen, Scotland. John Lowe came to British America when a young man, and located n ear Brantford, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the old Scotch Presbyterian Church, as also was his wife. The latter died in 1892. Their family was composed of ten children, nine of whom are still living. Dr. J. W. Lowe was reared on his father's farm two and a half miles north of the city of Brantford, at a small place known as Tranquillity. His early educational advantages were confined to the district schools. At an early age he was engaged as business manager by Thomas D. Batson, of Tranquillity, who owned a 310-acre farm and fifty acres of pine woods. While in the employ of Mr. Batson, Dr. Lowe was assigned the work of superintending the building of Tranquillity Methodist Church, and was actively concerned in all departments of church work at that place. Being naturally a close and careful financier, he save his earnings until he had accumulated a sufficient amount to enable him to launch out in business for himself. At this time an opportunity presented itself. A general store on the confer of Duke and Waterloo streets, Brantford, was for sale on account of failure. He secured the assistance of an old schoolmate of some experience in mercantile business; the stock was purchased with the former's money, and the store re-opened under the name of Lowe & Atkins. He did a good business here, but could not endure the trust system, and soon sold out. His partner took up theology and medical science. In the mean time he had completed the four years' course of study prescribed by the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, being the first in the place to take advantage of the Chautauqua system of education. Having decided to enter the medical profession he was for some time at a loss to know which school of medicine was correct, for at that time there were from ten to twelve different theories advanced for the treatment and cure of disease. Each was successful in a measure, and each had a respectable following, but none of them had reduced medicine to an exact science. The science of electro-therapeutics being new, he took up that branch and graduated in 1882, at the Brantford Electropathic Institute, which was at that time a branch of the Philadelphia school and conducted by Prof. J. W. Braman and staff. In 1883 he located at Midland City, Michigan, where he practiced electro-therapeutics for two years. Being desirous of a larger field, he removed to Bay City, Michigan. Soon after this he was offered a position in the British American Medical and Surgical Institute at Detroit, Michigan, and he accepted the proposition, having charge of the electropathic department for two years. He also figured in the other departments of the institute, where he gained much valuable information that has been of practical benefit to him since. While there he passed an examination before the State Board of Censors, and was admitted to the State Medical and Surgical Society. Learning that the Vermont Medical College at Rutland was teaching some advanced theories, he entered that school, passed a creditable examination, and was granted a diploma in June, 1889. Desiring to locate on the Western Reserve he opened an office at 1,098 Pearl street, Cleveland, Ohio, until a better opportunity should present itself. Mentor seemed to offer the best inducement, and he at once prepared to make it his home and grow up with the town. He now enjoys a large and lucrative practice, owns his place of residence, which is central and one of the most desirable in the town, 652 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY owns property in Findlay, Ohio, and has stock in the Mollie Eppert Mining & Milling Company, of Colorado. He is Health Officer of Mentor, is secretary of the Mentor Improvement Association, and is Recording Steward and Treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Lowe is a Republican, but is not a political aspirant and consequently takes no active part in politics. While in Ontario he was a member of the Farrington Debating Society, and was prominent in temperance work. He passed through the society of Odd Fellowship to the highest degree in Brant Encampment of Patriarchs No. 4, I. O. O. F., of Ontario, was also a member of the Government militia known as the Dufferin Rifles, served as a non-commissioned officer in Company D, of that organization. Dr. Lowe is a married man. The maiden name of his wife was Jennie B. Ackley, and she was born at North Bloomfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, and is a descendant of a long line of American ancestors, many of whom were eminent in the early history of the country. Her parents, Bolter Scott and Martha Howe (Green) Ackley, are now residents of Mentor. EDWIN E. DOUGLASS, one of the oldest settlers of Claridon township and a typical pioneer, is closely identified with the development of Geauga county; it is therefore fitting that his biography should be recorded on these pages. He was born March 3, 1816, in Claridon township, Geauga county, Ohio, a son of Elijah Douglass, who was a native of Litchfield county, Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Douglass, was also a native of Connecticut, of Scotch descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and died when his son Elijah was a child of three years: The latter emigrated to the West in 1810, making most of the journey on foot. He bought land and returned to the East, but in 1811 came to stay, building a log cabin in the heart of the forest. Soon followed the war of 1812. One night he moulded some balls, and early next morning took his musket and started for Cleveland. Arriving there he heard of Hull's surrender, and as his services were not needed returned to his home. He performed a great amount of hard labor, clearing most of a large farm. He died in his seventy- ninth year. He was married to Betsey Cowles, a daughter of Judge Cowles, who was one of the early settlers here and a very large land-owner. He was one of the associate judges of this district, and was a man of broad intelligence and great benevolence. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass reared a family of three children: Samuel, Eliza and Edwin E. The mother bore her share of the burden and hardships incident to their settlement on the frontier; she spun for the cloth that she had woven for her family, and performed much difficult and heavy labor. She was nearly seventy at the time of her death. Edwin E. Douglass is the youngest of the family. He was reared amid the rude surroundings of the early settlements, and received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse. He assisted in the clearing of the land, and was often obliged to pen the sheep at night to protect them from wild animals that still infested this section. He was married in 1841, to Almira Taylor, who was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, and emigrated to Ohio in 1828. Four children were born to this union: Emily, Martha, Ralph C. and Howard T. The mother died January 7, 1890. Mr. Douglass OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 653 settled upon his present farm after his marriage, and with untiring energy began improving the land and making substantial improvements. Few men have labored with more earnestness, and few have been better rewarded, Howard T. Douglass succeeds to the old home farm, which consists of 150 acres with first-class improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Dougloss are enrolled members of the Congregational Church at Claridon, and since their early days have maintained an active interest in all religious work. Politically Mr. Douglass votes with the Republican party. In early times he was a Whig, and in 1840 voted for William Henry Harrison. He took a lively part in that campaign, assisting in th,celebration of Fort Meigs. A man of honor and unquestioned integrity, he has the confidence of the entire comm unity. DAN. H. FARGO.-As a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Ashtabula county, Ohio, the subject of this sketch is deserving of mention in this history. The Fargo family is of Welsh descent, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch having been at one time a loyal subject of the Prince of Wales. However, he emigrated to America in the early history of this country. His grandson, Ezekiel Fargo, was born, lived and died in Massachusetts, where he married and had five daughters and two sons, the latter being Thomas, who died in Illinois, and Jason, father of the subject of this sketch. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Fargo of this notice was Anan Harmon, who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and who was an efficient soldier in the war of 1812. He married Tryphina Harmon and they had seven children: Clarissa, Edwin, Roxy, Elizabeth, Folly, Anan, Jr., and Achsah. Jason Fargo, father of Dan. Fargo, was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, August 15, 1790. He was reared on a farm in that State and in an early day came West with a party of men, making the journey by water. He was married in Ashtabula, June 1, 1817, to Clarissa Harmon, a native of the same county and State as himself. Her birth occurred February 27, 1801. He passed the first year of his residence in this county in farm work with his father-in-law, and the second year he bought of Martin Smith 156 acres, covered with a dense forest, for which he paid $100 down, securing time for the payment of the balance. In order to discharge his indebtedness, Mr. Jason Fargo bought an ox on credit and at once began to cut and haul to market large quantities of cord-wood, by which means he was enabled to make payments on his land. Later, in company with his father-in-law, he contracted to build a portion of the turnpike road through the Maumee swamp, and with the proceeds from this labor he made final payment on his place. This became in time, under his industrious efforts and sagacious management, one of the best cultivated, most highly improved and most valuable pieces of property in the county. Industry and honesty were his strongest characteristics. His habits were good and his manner affable and kind. His parents were Baptists, but he never professed religion, feeling content to observe the golden rule. Public service had no charms for him, but he yielded to the desire of his friends and accepted the trusteeship of his town, in which capacity he discharged his duties with his usual uprightness, promptness and ability. He had no 654 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY military record, but was a member of a company in the old training days. His six children were: Dan. H., whose name heads this sketch; George D., born February 25, 1821, died December 25, 1890; Anan, boru October 21, 1823, died in Butte county, California, January 5, 1863; Edwin, born August 5, 1827, died at the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, June 25, 1852, of cholera; Ellen T., April 27, 1834, married Horace Dunshee, and died June 18, 1863; and Lucius J., born June 18, 1815. The devoted father died in Ashtabula, September 20, 1861, followed by the regrets of all who knew him, and who thus esteemed him for his many estimable qualities. His wife survived him until August 21, 1880. Dan. H. Fargo, of this notice, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser and worthy citizen of Ashtabula county, was born in this county, August 29, 1819. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the neighboring schools. Since then be has followed agricultural pursuits, he and his brother, Lucius J., being now equal partners in the farm, dairy and stock business. Dan. H. Fargo has for fifty years with the exception of 1892, made an annual trip to Buffalo, New York, for the purpose of disposing of his farm products, the sale of which has netted him a comfortable income. Previous to the construction of the railroad to Ashtabula, he marketed his stock in New York and Massachusetts, driving the animals the entire distance. Their farm contains 570 acres of the finest land in the county, adjoining East Village. The subject of this sketch has never married, but his brother, Lucius J., married Miss Belle F. Savage, an estimable lady, daughter of L. Savage, a widely and favorably known citizen. They have four children: Clara L., born in 1877; Dan. H., May 10, 1883; Julia Ellen, March 11, 1885; and Alonzo L., April 23, 1887. Mr. Fargo is a Republican in politics, and honorable, industrious, enterprising and progressive. Mr. Dan. Fargo has contributed as much as any other man to the advancement of the community and deserves the esteem which he so generally enjoys among his fellow townsmen. The following stanza, dedicated to the mother of our subject, was written by P. R. Spencer, who was a distinguished citizen of Ohio and whose uame is well known throughout the Union. The lines were penned many years ago, and the author, under date of November 16, 1863, presented them with " Respects to the friend and schoolmate of my boyhood, Mrs. Clarissa Fargo: " The Lord, the High and Holy one, Is present everywhere; Go to the regions of the sun, And thou wilt find Him there; Go to the secret ocean caves, Where man hath never trod, And there, beneath the flashing waves, Will be our maker, God. EDWIN D. WARNER, M. D.—The citizen who labors for the betterment of humanity, for the improvement of our civic institutions and the advancement of civilization, is a benefactor and is worthy of a place on the pages of history. Such a one is the man whose name is at the head of this memoir. Dr. Edwin D. Warner, who is a practitioner at Geneva, Ohio, and one of the leading physicians of Ashtabula county, was born at Madison, Lake county, Ohio, August 8, 1855, and is the son of Edwin D. and Mary (Green) Warner, of whom the former was a native of Scipio, New York, and his father, David, who was a cooper by trade, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 655 was a native of the Isle of Man. Edwin D. Warner was born in 1824, and when quite young came with his parents to Ohio, where he was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He was a representative man and took a prominent position in the community in which he dwelt, at all times being a strong advocate of. Democratic principles. He died at Cleveland, Ohio, March 31, 1890, and his father, David, at Madison, Ohio, in 1854. His good wife, Mary, was of English ancestry, and was of the family of Lovells who were distinguished for their literary attainments. She was a member of the Baptist Church, a devout Christian, and departed this life November 16, 1873. Amidst the quiet and peaceful pursuits of a pastoral life and the endearing surroundings of a happy home, the subject of this memoir spent his early years, received his preliminary education and laid the foundation for his future career. Quite early in life he decided that the medical profession was the best suited to his mind and tastes, and to the mastering of that profession he gave his whole attention, never relinquishing for a moment his high ideal. His parents were unable to render him much assistance, and therefore he was obliged to rely upon his own energies for development. He began. his medical studies at Madison, Ohio, where he also served as clerk in a drug store. He remained there three years, during which time he not only vigorously prosecuted his medical researches, but studied mathematics and the languages under the instructions of a private tutor. From there he went to Port Henry, New York, pursuing his studies and clerking in a drug store for a relative. After remaining there a year, young Edwin turns his face again westward, and is soon found living with an uncle at Marengo, Illinois giving his whole soul to his life's work. From there he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Homeopathic Hospital College, in the class of 1876. From this institution he graduated with high honors in 1879, having been chosen valedictorian of his class. During most of his college term Dr. Warner acted as first assistant to Prof. Bigger, which preferment was exceedingly complimentary to his ability. He stood an examination for prosectorship, which he secured, an honor highly prized. After leaving college, Dr. Warner located at Geneva, where he commenced his practice. His knowledge of medicine and surgery, and his skill and success in the treatment of cases, soon brought him into a large and lucrative practice, which he has steadily increased until now he is one of the foremost and most popular physicians in northeastern Ohio. He was surgeon for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad for seven years, when he resigned. Dr. Warner has recently been honored with the appointment as examining surgeon on the Board of Pensions for Ashtabula county. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding the position at present of Chancellor Commander. He was united in marriage, March 3, 1880, to Miss Maria, daughter of Wilmont and Eunice M. (Schovell) Crandall, and a native of Madison, Ohio. To them has been born one child, Raymond C. He has a beautiful home, which has all evidences of elegance and culture. Dr. Warner is a man of domestic tastes, is a devoted husband and an affectionate father. He is liberal in thought, affable and genial by nature, and benevolent, extending his charities largely into his profession in his 656 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY own quiet and unostentatious way. He keeps well abreast with the topics of the day, and is an interesting conversationalist. His mind is well and peculiarly adapted to the profession he has chosen and for the practice of which he has ably qualified himself by hard and constant study. He is devoted to his profession, and his chief aim in life is to excel in that, and to he useful to his fellowmen. His skill in his practice, combined with his character as a man and citizen, has established him in the confidence and esteem of the people. The value of such men to a community is beyond estimation; they bring honor to a profession, give tone to society, advance civilization, and make life brighter. ANDREW J. BECKWITH, a native son of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and a representative business man of Ashtabula Harbor, was born on a farm about two miles east of this city, on Christmas day, 1849. His father, Daniel Beckwith, was a son of Gordon Beckwith the latter a native of Massachusetts, and a pioneer farmer of Ashtabula county, where he did his share toward reclaiming the country from its uncultivated condition and making of it the civilized abode it now is. He had five children: Albert, Daniel, Marvin, Edwin and Phoebe. Daniel was born June 12, 1821, in the same vicinity as the subject of this sketch, and passed all of his life, with the exception of the time spent in the army, in Ashtabula township. He was reared on the home farm and received the pioneer educational advantages of his day, afterward learning the trade of ship and boat carpentry, which he followed in conjunction with farming. He abandoned these peaceful pursuits at the call of his country, enlisting in 1862, in the Sixth Ohio Cavalry. After eight months service he was honorably discharged on account of temporary illness, and later, in 1863, he enlisted in the United States navy, in which he continued to serve until the close of the war, being car penter-in-chief on his gun boat, the General Thomas. His wife, Mary L. Hatch, was a native of Vermont, from whence she accompanied her parents to Ashtabula county in an early day. This worthy couple had nine children. The father died January 27, 1880, greatly lamented by all who knew him as a good and industrious man. His faithful widow still survives, residing on the old homestead in Ashtabula township, where she has passed so many useful years. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, attending the district schools in his vicinity in the winter and sailing on the lakes in summer. He took a course in the Oberlin Business College, at which he graduated in the spring of 1874. He then served as mate on vessels on the lakes until 1876, when he abandoned the water and engaged in the merchandise business in Ashtabula. Here he continued until January, 1883, when he and others formed a partnership under the style of A. J. Beckwith & Company, and entered into the merchandise business at Ashtabula Harbor. Two years later this company started another store at Ashtabula, which was continued a year, when the company was dissolved, Mr. Beckwith continuing the business at the Harbor, of which he became sole proprietor. By careful attention to details, liberal methods and thorough uprightness in business, Mr. Beckwith's efforts have been crowned with gratifying success, and he is now numbered among the substantial men of his community. September 8, 1877, Mr. Beckwith was married to Miss Pruilla E. Gerald, an esti- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 657 mable lady of Saybrook, Ohio. They have had three children by this marriage: Gracie, Minnie and Andrew J., Jr. Gracie died August, 1881, and Minnie, August, 1883; Andrew was born June 9, 1889. Politically, Mr. Beckwith affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member in good standing of the Knights of Pythias and a Royal Templar of Templars, having passed all the chairs of both lodges. He and his worthy wife are useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Upright and public-spirited, Mr. Beckwith has done much to develop the resources of his city and county, of which he is a highly esteemed resident. SILAS M. RAND, a member of one of the prominent early families of Lake county, Ohio, is now living retired in Madison. Appropriate mention of his father, Martin Rand, will be found in this work in the biography of Henry C. Rand, brother of Silas M. Silas M. Rand was born in Madison township, Lake county, Ohio, May 9, 1839. He was reared on his father's pioneer farm, received his education in the district schools and the Madison Seminary, and was in the prime of young manhood when the great Civil war burst upon the country. He enlisted August 22, 1861, in the Second Ohio Cavalry, and was mustered into the service at Cleveland. The first year he was with the forces that operated in the West, being under Generals Wier and Kuntz, and going through Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Indian Territory. At the end of the first year he was transferred to Kentucky, and was in numerous engagements throughout that State, Vir ginia and Tennessee. In the winter of 1863 he re-enlisted, and subsequently was in the Army of the Potomac. When the war closed, however, he was on guard duty in Missouri, remaining there until he was mustered out, September 10, 1865. Among the engagements in which he participated were the siege of Knoxville and the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. At Hanover Court House he was wounded in the foot, from the effects of which he was laid up in hospital at Washington and David's Island for four months. Gangrene set in and he nearly lost his life as the result. After his recovery he joined the army at Petersburg and was in several small engagements before going West, as above stated. He now receives a pension of $8. The next important event in Mr. Rand's life was his marriage, which occurred January 3, 1866. Mrs. Rand, whose maiden name was Martha E. Bill, was born in Harpers- field, Ashtabula county, Ohio, daughter of Henry Hill, a native of Orange county, Vermont, and an early pioneer of Ashtabula county. Mr. and Mrs. Rand have one child, Ernest C. After his marriage, Mr. Rand located east of Madison on the South Ridge, and a year later bought seventy-five acres of land in the northern part of Madison township, for a consideration of $6,500. By honest industry and good management he was in due time enabled to pay the whole purchase amount with interest. He cleared the entire farm with the exception of ten acres and continued to reside there, carrying on general farming and stock raising, uutil the fall of 1884, since which time he has rented the farm and lived retired in Madison. Mr. Rand and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. Politically, he is a- 658 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Republican. For the past three years he has served as Township Trustee and is still the incumbent of that office. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 358. DWIGHT R. CARPENTER, a well known and prosperous farmer near Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in this county, May 17, 1825. His grandfather, Benjamin Carpenter, was married, in the East, to Olive Wright, and they joined the western tide of emigration to Ohio in 1813, settling in the woods and living for many years in a rude log cabin. His son, Jahaziel Carpenter, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester township, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, March 23, 1793, and accompanied his parents to Ohio in an early day. He was married in 1817 to Demaris Houghton, a native of Keene, New Hampshire. Her father was Rufus Hough ton and her mother was a member of the Richardson family, prominent in the New England States, who removed to Harpers- field, Ohio, in 1811. The mother died in 1816 and is buried in the cemetery at West Andover. Mr. and Mrs. Jahaziel Carpenter had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Of the five who attained maturity, four still survive: Louisa, who resides in Oberlin, Ohio; Dwight R., whose name heads this notice; Sarah, widow of Sylvester Searle, residing in Edgar, Nebraska; and Jahaziel, of West Andover. After marriage, the father of the subject of this sketch settled upon a good farm of 110 acres, which he industriously cultivated, and derived therefrom a comfortable income during the rest of his life. The family were first called upon to mourn the death of the beloved wife and mother, who expired at the age of seventy-seven years, greatly lamented by all who knew her. July 29, 1887, the father died from the effect of injuries inflicted by a runaway team. He was in his ninety-fourth year. He was a progressive and public-spirited man. Originally a Whig in politics, he afterward became a Republican with strong Abolitionist tendencies, and was a member of an underground railroad. He joined the Congregational Church October 18, 1817, and was ever afterward a faithful adherent to this cause, eventually serving as Deacon, in which capacity his father before him had acted and which position the subject of this sketch is now filling. Mr. Carpenter of this notice was reared on the home farm and received his education in the adjacent district schools. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age, when he settled on fifty-five acres of land, to which he has since added until he now owns 198 acres of the best realty in the county. On this he now has a comfortable residence and good barns, the lawn in front of his place being surrounded by a beautiful arbor-vitae hedge and the yard dotted with flowering shrubs and ornamental shade trees the whole offering an inviting retreat on a summer's day. He has an orchard of four acres, keeps eighteen cows, a number of fine horses, some sheep and other stock, all exhibiting evidences of a high degree of care and lending to the general air of thrift which surrounds the place. At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Carpenter was married to Charlotte Creesy, a lady of domestic tastes, who was born, reared and educated in Andover township, daughter of Trask and P. (Loomis) Creesy, early settlers of the county. They had two children: Amelia, now the wife of Lamore Seeley, of OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 659 Painesville, Ohio, who have four sons, Bondi- not, Coral C., Lamore and Arthur C. Arthur B., the second child, was a physician and surgeon of much promise and skill in Cleveland, but died at the age of thirty-seven years. In 1856, the devoted wife and mother died, leaving two children to the care of the afflicted husband. Jnne 3, 1857, Mr. Carpenter was married again, his second wife being Mary L. Seymour, a worthy lady, born and reared near Lebanon, Madison county, New York. She was one of the ten children consisting of five sons and five daughters—of Silas and Sally (Gilbert) Seymour, the former born in Hartford, Connecticut, and the latter in Pomfret, the same State, and both members of old and respected families. Both parents are now deceased. By this marriage there were born to our subject two children: Jennie, wife of Clarence Yates, of Cherry Valley, and Herbert D., at home. Mr. Carpenter is Republican in politics and has filled the office of Trustee of his township. He is prominent in the Congregational Church, in which he is Deacon, having acted in that capacity for a number of years. His prosperity is due to his energy and intelligent management, and in his success he has the best wishes of all who know him. CHARLES ABRAHAM McNUTT, of East Plymouth township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, an early settler, prosperous farmer and influential citizen of this vicinity, was born in Blandford, Massachusetts, April 17, 1833. When he was about six years of age his father, J. C. McNutt, brought his little family to Ashtabula county, Ohio. Here the subject of this sketch grew to maturity, attending the commou schools in the vicinity. In 1851, he returned to New England, for the purpose of learning the hatter's trade. Four years of close application amply fitted him for the business and he returned to Ohio, only to forsake that which he had spent so much valuable time to acquire. He immediately interested himself in farming and the sale of farming machinery, soon after which he engaged with his brother, James A., in the milling business, manufacturing soft and hard wood lumber, including vessel oars, continuing this enterprise for many years. Of late years Mr. McNutt's undivided attention has been claimed by the farm, in the cultivatiou and improvement of which he has been very successful, until he now has one of the most valuable pieces of property in the county, a circumstance due entirely to his own energetic and persistent efforts. In March, 1865, at the time of the Civil war, Mr. McNutt went to Brooklyn, New York, and enlisted in the United States Navy as a first-class fireman, being practically an assistant engineer, and worked on half a dozen or more vessels during his year's service. These vessels patrolled the coast as far south as the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, but without any encounter with the enemy. On being honorably discharged, Mr. McNutt once more returned to Ohio, and after closing up his interests in Richmond township, Ashtabula county, he moved to the city of Ashtabula, where he was four years a partner with his brothers in a machine shop. Since then he has continuously made his home in Plymouth township, where he is surrounded with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His business ability and integrity have commended him to the people of his township as a proper person to represent them in an official capacity, and he has been elected to the 660 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY positions of Township Clerk, Treasurer and Justice of the Peace, in all of which he discharged his duties to the full satisfaction of the public and with great credit to himself, his frequent re-election to the last named office amply testifying to his fitness for its requirements. At the present time (July, 1893) he is serving as Postmaster of Plymouth. Mr. McNutt was first married in Connecticut to Matilda Ellen Fox, a lady of superior culture and refinement, daughter of William Henry Fox, a prominent and esteemed citizen. They had six children: Henry C., William S., Robert E. L., Bert S., Hattie E., wife of C. T. Leonard; and Laura E., wife of Fred Newton, of Ashtabula. This family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted wife and mother, whose every thought had been to serve their interests and advance their welfare. April 12, 1877, Mr. McNutt was married to Maria Graham, a highly estimable lady of Ashtabula, who is well known and greatly respected. Mrs. McNutt is a lady who by her own superior business qualities, prudence and energy, has secured to herself a competence. This has not been acquired by means of sordid parsimony, for to the kindly deeds of charity she has ever devoted herself and her means. She has contributed most liberally to the support of St. Matthew's Church (Episcopal) at Plymouth, having been a prominent member and communicant in that parish. Her father, H. C. Graham, was a most thorough churchman, and it was largely due to his zealous efforts and pecuniary contributions that the erection of the church edifice at his old home, in Plymouth, was made possible. He was also prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity. The sorrowing and the unfortunate ever find in Mrs. McNutt a sympathizing friend, and one whose sympathy is not that of words alone, but of kindly ministration and of tangible aid when needed. It is scarcely necessary to say that to her has come the reward, in the love, respect and gratitude accorded her in the comm unity. She is a firm beliver in the virtue of economy, and this is exemplified in her domestic relations. By her nothing is wasted, and in her home are saved many articles of furniture, not a few of which were brought from England more than a century and quarter ago, being of value not alone by reason of association and practical utility, but also on account of their antiquity. Mrs. McNutt has a large family Bible, which was buried, in Canada, at the time of the war of 1812, in order to preserve it from destruction by the soldiers. Her father, Henry C. Graham, was a prominent and popular pioneer of Ashtabula county, Graham's road alone being sufficient to recall his public spirit and general interest in the county's welfare. This is a wagon road through the marsh between Ashtabula and Jefferson, and was proposed and mainly executed through his influence and efforts. He espoused the cause most ardently, and when the interest of others flagged he was to be found at his post, building corduroy road with his own force of men and team, feeding such of his neighbors as donated work, and often paying out his own money for some needed article. This commendable perseverance in a good cause was finally rewarded by the completion of the road, which is a perpetual memorial of his enterprise and public spirit. The right of way for the Jefferson & Franklin Railroad was given by him for a distance of more than a mile through his farm; but he did not live to see its completion, having built for others to enjoy, and being therefore entitled to the grateful remembrance of posterity. A brief notice of a OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 661 man whose efforts who were so largely instrumental in advancing the welfare of a community will be of interest to the people of this county. Mr. Graham was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1796, and when but a boy went with his father and the family to Niagara, Canada. Here he remained until shortly after the outbreak of the war of 1812, when his early love for his native country revived and prevented his joining the king's army. He bought a boat and with a few friends came to the United States, landing at Ashtabula, Ohio. Among those who accompanied him was Elizabeth Miller, a native of New York, born October 16, 1798, and who, in 1819, became the .wife of Mr. Graham. They had seven children: Henry; Robert; Hannah Maria, born October 9, 1825; Julia Ann, who married Daniel Wood; Levi, Joseph and John. Politically, Mr. Graham was a strong Republican, and religiously a member of the Episcopal Church. The Graham family was of English origin, the founder of the American branch being Robert Graham, who was born in London, in 1745. He married Hannah Claper and they had eight children: David, Henry C., Hannah M., Nancy, Joseph, Benjamin; Phoebe, who married a Mr. Haines; and Frances, who became the wife of James Lawrence. Many descendants have risen to distinction, but none have more unselfishly served the interests of the common people than Mr. Henry C. Graham, the Ashtabula county pioneer. WILLIAM F. MARQUETT was born at Lowell ville, Ohio, November 29, 1848, a son of Josephus Marquett, whose father was a native of Michigan. The father of the last mentioned was born in France. During the Civil war Josephus Marquett served as home guard in Ohio; he was a blacksmith by trade, and lived to a good old age. William F. is one of a family of six children, all of whom survive. He attended the district school until fourteen years of age, when he went as a driver on the old Pennsylvania and Ohio canal; he also worked on the Erie canal, receiving $8 a month for his service. When a youth of only sixteen years, fired with patriotic zeal, he enlisted in his country's service, joining Company E, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, General Hayes' old regiment. He joined the regiment at Charleston, West Virginia, in January, 1864, and his first engagement was in that State, May 13, 1864. He was taken prisoner while caring for the wounded, and sent to Andersonville where for four months he suffered all the horrors of the Rebel prison; he was then removed to Florence, South Carolina, and later taken to Charleston, where he lay under fire of the Federals during the siege of that city. He was afterward taken to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was paroled in March, 1865. He was held a prisoner of war nine months in all, and two months of the time was in the hospital in Wilmington; he was greatly emaciated, and did not rejoin his regiment for some time; he was mustered out at Cumberland Gap, Maryland, in 1865. After peace had been declared he resumed agricultural pursuits and followed farming for two years. He then bought a boat and was on the canal for a few years. He was a blacksmith by trade, having learned the business from his father, and also worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania at intervals for seven years. Locating in Youngstown, Ohio, he found employment in the factories and rolling mills for four years. In 1885 he 662 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY came to Geauga county, Ohio, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, purchasing a tract of sixty-five acres which he has well improved. Mr. Marquett was married in 1870, to Margaret; J. Scott, a native of Ohio. Three children have been born of this union: Mary, Carrie and William A. Politically, Mr. Marquett adheres to Republican principles. He has served as Constable for several years and has been an efficient officer. He is a member of I. N. Legget Post, No. 336, G. A. R., and has held the office of Commander. No man is more worthy a membership in that great fraternity, whose numbers are gradually falling by a death less violent than that of the field of battle, but which the coming generations may not re-enforce. The honor must be earned, not inherited. LIEUTENANT JOHN OLMSTED, a retired farmer living in Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Delaware county, New York, January 25, 1828. His parents, James and Hannah (Gilbert) Olmsted, removed from their native State, Connecticut, to New York soou after their marriage. They established their home and developed a fine farm, on what was then the frontier, there being only five white families in the county of Delaware at the time they settled there. Mr. Olmsted was keenly alive to the best interests of the farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He died at the age of fifty-five years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His life was characterized by honesty, simplicity and industry, his word ever being regarded as good as his bond. His good wife was for many years a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her parents were Allen and Polly Gilbert, and her father was a cavalry soldier in the Revolutionary war, carrying to his grave the scars he received during that struggle. Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted had a family of twelve children, the subject of this sketch being the youngest and one of the four who are now living. The other three are as follows: Lucy, widow of James Wills, living in New York city; Mary, the widow of Mason Saulisbury, Oswego, New York ; and Samuel, a farmer of Delaware county, Iowa. John Olmsted was reared a farmer, and the greater part of his life has been devoted to that occupation. In 1859 he made the journey to California, via the Isthmus route, returning to New York in 1862 by the way of Central America. While in the Golden State he was first eugaged in mining and afterward in various other pursuits. In February, 1865, he enlisted, at Oswego, in Company I, One Hundred and Ninety-third New York Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in February, 1866, his service for the most part being guard duty. He also assisted in gathering up the Government property through the Shenandoah valley. His regiment went first to Summit Point, West Virginia, where they remained in camp for three months, being then sent to Cumberland, Maryland, to do guard duty; thence were ordered to Harper's Ferry to dismantle all the adjacent farms there: they then proceeded to Winchester to gather up Government property, taking in all the towns along the the valley. They camped for a time at Harrisburg and were then again ordered to Harper's Ferry, whence they returned to Albany, where they were mustered out. After the war he turned his attention to the oil business in Pennsylvania, in which he was engaged OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 663 for ten years. Then he came to Conneaut, and has been interesed in farming ever since, being very successful in his operations. He takes little interest in political matters, never seeking nor accepting office, but always votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Olmsted was married February 14, 1849, to Miss Hannah M. Saulisbury, daughter of Daniel Saulisbury, of Oswego county, New York. They had five children, namely: Mary; Frank, who married Eva Robins, has three children,—Homer, Harold and Lottie; Addie, wife of Laurel Stone, has two children, Frank and John; and Nannie, wife of A. F. Gove, has one child, Jennie; and Jennie, who died at Bradford, Pennsylvania, May, 1876. Mrs. Olmsted died May 6, 1887, aged fifty- six years. She was a member of the Baptist Church, as are also Mr. Olmsted and two of the daughters. He has been a Trustee of the Church for many years and is also a member of the G. A. R., Custer Post, No. 9. He is one of the substantial and highly respected itizens of the county. WILLIAM DUDLEY MATHER, ex-Treasurer of Lake county, Ohio, and a prominent resident of Mentor township, appears as the subject of this article. Mr. Mather was born in Akron, Ohio, May 11, 1843, son of George Mather, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1819, and grandson of William D. Mather, a native of Vermont. Grandfather Mather emigrated to Ohio at an early day and located at Cleveland. He married Sarah Cozad, and a few years later died, leaving a widow and three children. Some time afterward his widow married Jonathan Hale, who located in Su mtuit county in 1810, and by him she had three children, one of whom, Samuel C. Hale, is still living and is now a member of the editorial staff of the Cleveland Leader. George Mather located in Cleveland in 1849, where he was engaged in contracting and building until 1871. Disposing of his property there he then came to his present farm in Mentor township, Lake county, where he has since lived. He has filled various local offices here. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca (Ailhouse), and who was a native of Chardon, Ohio, died in June, 1892. Her people were early settlers of Geauga county. William D. Mather is an only child. His boyhood days were spent in Cleveland and his education received there. When the war came on he enlisted, in 1862, at Cleveland, in Company E, Eighty- fourth Ohio Regiment, and was on guard duty four months, at the end of which time he was taken sick and was discharged on account of disability. After leaving the army he went to Pittsburg and spent some time in a telegraph office. Then he returned to Cleveland, where the following seven years he was bookkeeper in a wholesale coal office. In 1871 he came to Mentor township and settled on the farm which his father purchased and was operating, and in this township he has since resided. He now owns two farms here, each containing seventy-two acres, one of them located on Jackson street. This land is devoted to general farming. About four acres are iu grapes. Mr. Mather was married in Pittsburg, in 1864, to Miss Henrietta B. Speer, a native of that city and a daughter of James A. Speer, a prominent foundryman and plow manufacturer. Their eight children are as follows: George D., court stenographer, Painesville, Ohio; William D., deceased; Sarah R.; 664 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Frank L; Edwin H.; Fannie C.; Harry D., deceased, and Alice, deceased. Mr. Mather affiliates with the Republican party and has always taken an active interest in local politics. He has been a member of the County Republican Central Committee several years; was clerk of Election Board when Gen. Garfield voted in 1880; has been clerk of Mentor township twenty-two years. In 1888 he was elected County Treasurer. He was nominated for this office by acclamation, and at the election ran ahead of his ticket. Under the present Treasurer he served two years as deputy. He was appointed to serve as County Recorder in 1892 until an election could be held to fill the vacancy caused by death. Mr. Mather has always taken an active interest in educational affairs, and for several years was a member of the School Board. He is a member of Garfield Post, No. 591, G. A. R., of Mentor; is a member of the Masonic fraternity; and was identified with the Grange, of which organization he served as Secretary for a number of years. Both he and his wife belong to the Congregational Church. HOMER J. SHATTO, M. D., of Colebrook, recognized by the medical fraternity as one of the leading practitioners of northeastern Ohio, was born in Deerfield, this State, August 13, 1843. His parents were Joseph and Olive (Mills) Shatto, the former born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and the latter a daughter of Asheal Mills, widely and favorably known as a man of ability and upright character, and one of the earliest pioneers of Deerfield and Nelson townships. Joseph Shatto was a person of persevering industry and integrity, and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. He was a devoted member of the Disciples' Church and prominent in all good works. He died April 9, 1862, leaving many friends to mourn his loss. He left three children: Homer J., whose name heads this notice; Celestia M., born in Berlin township, Ohio, was married in 1857, to Charles Cook, of Hart's Grove, Ohio, and she now resides in Colebrook; Charissa M., born in Portage county, Ohio, now resides in Auburn, the same State. The mother of this family still survives and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. In her day superior education for women was uuknown, and she received but a common-school training, but has developed by self-culture a high degree of literary taste, which she retains at the age of eighty. Dr. Shatto, whose name heads this notice, was reared on his father's farm, and his early advantages were such as fell to the lot of other lads in his position at his time. His early educational opportunities were confined to two terms a year in the district schools of his vicinity, the remainder of his time being employed in labor on the home farm. He later attended Orwell Academy for two terms, where he applied himself so assiduously to his studies during that time that at their close he was enabled to obtain a license to teach. He divided the following three years between school-teaching in the winter and farm work on the home place in summer, devoting his spare moments to the study of medicine. In 1873 he entered the Western Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, from which he received a diploma in 1875. He was married the following year, and remained in the vicinity of Colebrook, where he was engaged most of the time in farming, incidentally practicing medicine, until 1883, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 605 when, finding his patronage so large as to demand his whole time, he moved to Colebrook Center, where he has since devoted himself entirely to his profession. November 3, 1876, Dr. Shatto was married to Elizabeth Delano. Her father, Horace Delano, was born in Wheatland, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1827, and when quite young was deprived of his parents by death. At an early age he was adopted by Silas Enos, of Andover, Ohio, with which gentleman he remained until he attained his majority. He then married and moved to Kings- ville, where he engaged in the tanning business. He was thus employed until the death of Mrs. Delano, which occurred in 1857, after which he returned to Andover, where he remained until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He then removed to Hart, Michigan, which remained his home until his death, August 9, 1874, being greatly lamented by all who knew him. His wife, before marriage, was Juliet Kile, daughter of Leonard Kile, a worthy resident of Andover, Ohio. They had two children: Horace L , born in Andover, May 15, 1853; and Elizabeth, born in Kingsville, Ohio, February 14, 1855. Horace Delano chose the profession of law, and obtained his legal education in the office of Judge Russell, of Hart, Michigan. He now resides in Muskegon, that State, and is recognized as a leading attorney of the Northwest. He filled for some time the office of Prosecuting Attorney, and discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Dr. and Mrs. Shatto have had six children, two daughters and four sons, four of whom survive, two daughters having passed away in infancy. Those living are: Hugh J., born December 1, 1878; Horace L., born November 11, 1882; Frank H., born December 30, 1883; and Lyle D., born June 26, 1892. Politically, Dr. Shatto is allied with the Prohibitory movement. He has held several offices of trust, including those of Township Trustee, Clerk, etc., all of which he has filled with eminent satisfaction to all. He takes an advanced position in regard to all political and moral matters, and his influence is ever felt on the side of right. Mrs. Shatto combined rare musical taste and ability with all of the essential qualities that go together to make the model wife and mother, and thus transmits to her children an endowment that must tell for success in life. DANIEL H. PARKER, one of the prosperous farmers of Ashtabula county, was born December 11, 1844, son of Nehemiah and Samantha (Cook) Parker. He received a district and high school education, and when he grew up became identified with the agricultural interests of the county. He is now the owner of 112 acres of land, one of the finest farms in the couuty, well improved and desirably located, being half a mile west of Orwell. His commodious residence, standing on an eminence, commands a view of the farm and much of the surrounding country. In his broad pastures are found some of the finest horses and cattle in the vicinity, his dairy especially being worthy of note. Mr. Parker has been twice married. April 17, 1871, he married Ann Eliza Rugby, whose untimely death occurred December 3I, 1875. Her infant son, two weeks old at the time of her death, survived her one year. August 4, 1876, he married Miss Sarah J. Lintern, daughter of Matthew Lintern. 666 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Mr. Parker is ranked with the leading and influential farmers of Ashtabula county, and is identified officially with the Orwell Agricultural Society. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He has held various positions of trust and responsibility in his township and county, and is at present serving as Township Commissioner. He is a fluent converser, is a man of most genial disposition, and few men in this vicinity have more friends than he. RILEY G. ALLEN, a farmer of Ashtabula county, was born in Geneva township, this county, November 19, 1845, a son of Joseph R. and Mary Ann (Robins) Allen, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of the State of New York. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Moses Robins, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Joseph R. Allen spent thirteen years in California, but many years of his life were passed in this county. He died here at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Allen died June 12, 1888, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of three children: Henry La Fayette, deceased at the age of four years; Riley G., our subject; and Dwight, who departed this life at the age of thirty-one years, leaving a widow and three children. R. G. Allen was reared -and educated in Ashtabula county, and in early life learned the cooper's trade, which he followed many years. In August, 1864, he enlisted for service in the late war, entering the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, Company D, under Captain R. H. Burr, and remained until the close of the struggle. April 3, 1877, Mr. Allen came to his present farm of ninety-five acres. In 1892 he erected a good two-story residence, 28 x 34 feet, has a barn, 40 x 60 feet, and many other conveniences. June 24, 1872, our subject was united in marriage to Cornelia S. Burr, who was born in this township April 20, 1844, and who was a popular and successful teacher. Her parents, Austin and Sarah (Haughton) Burr, were natives of Keene, New Hampshire. The mother taught the first school in Dorset township, Ashtabula county. Mr. and Mrs. Burr had eight children: Charles A., Mary G., Elmira D., Lydia R., John F., Captain Rufus H., Cornelia S., and one deceased in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have four living children: Rufus Riley, Corlia S., Arthur A. and Austin Joseph. Marshall Burr died at the age of eighteen years. In his political relations, Mr. Allen votes with the Republican party, and has served his township as Trustee, Assessor and as a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., Giddings Post, of Jefferson. EDWIN R. HATCH, a carpenter and contractor, of Conneaut, Ohio, was I born in Monroe township, Ashtabula county, this State, March 9, 1829, son of Daniel and Mary (Shoudler) Hatch, both natives of Vermout. Rufus Hatch, the grandfather of Edwin R., came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, with his family of five sons and four daughters, in 1824. His daughters married, and all his children settled on different farms in Monroe township. Not one of the number is now living. One son, Harvey, went to Michigan in 1848 and settled on a farm near Grand OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 667 Rapids, where he spent the rest of his life and died. The youngest son, Alpheus, moved to Kansas, and died on a farm in that State. The rest of the family spent their lives in Monroe township, where they were well known and highly respected for their many estimable traits of character. Daniel Hatch located, in 1824, at Hatch's Corners, which place was named in honor of him. He died in 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his good wife passed away in 1883, aged eighty-one. Both were members of the Universalist Church. They had eight children—seven sons and one daughter. Five of the sons are still living, four in Conneaut and one in Michigan. Edwin R. Hatch, when a young man, was engaged in sailing on the lakes, being thus occupied until after the time of his marriage, which event occurred November 24, 1850. After that he learned the carpenter's trade, including both house and ship carpentry, and has followed contracting and building ever since. During the war he rendered efficient service on the Monitor Wehawken for nine months. When Sumter was fired upon in 1862 by our Monitors, they became damaged and withdrew to Port Royal for repairs. Captain Ericsson, who built the vessels, said another deck could be placed upon them. Mr. Hatch was at that time in New York city, in the employ of the Government as ship carpenter. He and some twenty-five others were sent to Port Royal to do the carpenter work in putting on the decks. They took with them timbers, iron and all necessary material, and in due time arrived at Port Royal. The officers, however, would not permit the extra decks to be put on the Monitors, as they thought the additional weight would sink the vessels. Mr. Hatch relates that while he was on the Monitors, officers would come on board to, nominally, look around. They would incidentally remark: "This is a long boat," and would then be invited to the cabin to measure the length, which, as our subject facetiously explained, usually amounted to about two to three "fingers" in a common tumbler. Some of the ship carpenters went home, but Mr. Hatch remained and was engaged in repair work on the Wehawken. He continued on this vessel nearly nine months. During this time the ship Courier, a tea vessel that formerly ran between this country and China, came in under the United States flag. Mr. Hatch was transferred from the Wehawken to her for blockade running off the coast of Charleston. One morning three blockade runners came out of Charleston, loaded with cotton, and the Courier at once proceeded to capture them, which result was accomplished. Two of the three vessels were placed in command of the second and third mates of the Courier, and the third, the Maria Bishop, was put in command of the Courier's purser. Mr. Hatch was one of the crew on the Maria Bishop, and, taking the place of a sick officer, he steered the vessel for fourteen hours, the sea covering them all the time. Dripping wet, he remained all those long hours at the post of duty, without the least hope of ever seeing land again. In passing Hatteras they went on the inside channel next to the lighthouse. The weather then was fine until they neared Fortress Monroe, when, on account of a northern gale, they ran back to Chickatis, Virginia, and, missing the stakes, ran ashore. Here they intercepted a schooner, Tom Collier, belonging to some insurance companies of New York, transferred the cargo of cotton to this vessel and proceeded to New York. The 663 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Maria Bishop was unseaworthy and they abandoned her. They reached New York ten days before the draft for more soldiers was made there. Mr. Hatch's name was on the list of drafted, and it was not until after he had had some difficulty and had paid a lawyer to write a letter to the enrolling officer in Ohio, that he succeeded in proving the fact that he was enrolled in Ohio. After this he was sent in charge of fifteen men to repair the Great Eastern, which work was completed in twelve days. Then he went south on the Fulton to take charge of building docks at Port Royal, where he remained nine months, at times having under his charge as many as 400 men. On his return from Port Royal the second time, he made a visit to his family. February 1, 1864, in company with others, Mr. Hatch left Cleveland and proceeded south to assist in the building of gunboats for river defense at Bridgeport, Alabama, on the Tennessee river. Here he was at work at the time when General Sherman started on his memorable march to the seaboard. After remaining in Alabama for some five months, Mr. Hatch returned home. About thirty-five years ago Mr. Hatch invented a vessel for navigating the air. The draft of it is still in his possession, and was photographed and taken by him v the Columbian Exposition. He still thinks it feasible. It has a leugth of forty feet and a capacity of carrying from forty to sixty people. Since the war the subject of our sketch has been engaged in contracting and building in Conneaut, and many of the buildings of this city are the result of his handiwork. He erected the gristmill, papermill, the business block occupied by _Hoskins & Palmer, besides other busines houses and numerous dwellings. The date of Mr. Hatch's marriage has already been given. Mrs. Hatch, nee Amanda J. McElvain, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McElvain. Her father died in the summer of 1885, and her mother has been dead over fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch had four children, namely: Mary, a resident of New Bedford, Pennsylvania, has been twice married, by her first husband, E. Heiler, having one child, Fannie, and by her second husband, Wilson McCluskey, three children Clara, Nellie and Earl; Emma C., wife of Lou Naef, photographer, of Conneaut, has two children—Otto and Leo; T. R., foreman in Pond's planing-mill at Conneaut, married Louella Warren and has one child, Walter E.; and Frank H., baggage-master on the Conneaut accommodation, married Tillie Ellen, of Cleveland, their only child being Dorotha. Mr. Hatch has one great-grandchild, Benjamin E. Maltley, son of Fannie and James Maltley, of Geneva, Ohio. Mr. Hatch was buried Christmas, 1892. She was born September 10, 1829, and for forty-five years was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From her girlhood up, her life was characterized by the sweetest of Christian graces. A kind and obliging neighbor, a loving mother, a devoted wife, a true friend, an earnest Christian. Such a character was hers. During his long life in Conneaut, Mr. Hatch has ever been identified with the best interests of the place. In the days of slavery he was an ardent Abolitionist, and when a boy in his 'teens helped many a negro to make his escape to Canada and freedom. For thirty-eight years he has been a blue-lodge Mason, and for thirty years has been a member of the chapter. Politically, he is a full-fledged Prohibitionist. He has been a OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 669 delegate to various State conventions; was a delegate to the National Temperance Convention at Saratoga Springs in June, 1892, and this year (1893) is a delegate to the World's Temperance Congress at Chicago. He is a member of the Grand Lodge of Royal Templars of Temperance, of Ohio, a member of the Good Templars, and an honorary member of the Sons of Temperance, of New York. He has been identified with the last named organization since he was eighteen years of age. In many respects Mr. Hatch is a remarkable man. He never drank a glass of beer in his life, never used a drop of liquor as a beverage, never used tobacco, nor does he drink tea or coffee. A man of varied experiences, keen powers of observation, more than ordinary intelligence, and, withal, possessing a disposition to improve time and opportunity and keep pace with current events, Mr. Hatch has accomplished much in life. The above, while only a brief and imperfect sketch, will serve to show something of the life of one of Conneaut's best citizens. LUCIUS T. WILMOT, Vice President of the First National Bank of Chardon and of the Geauga Savings & Loan Association of the same place, was born in Claridon township, Geauga county, Ohio, June 3o0, 1824, being a son of Abraham Wilmot, a native of Connecticut, and grandson of Asa Wilmot, who was also born in Connecticut of Scotch-English, extraction.. Asa Wilmot was an agriculturist, and reared a large family of children; he was a man of small means but untiring industry; he died in Connecticut at a ripe old age. Abraham Wilmot first came to the West in 1816, when a single man, making the journey on foot with a solitary campanion, averaging 100 miles every three days. He remained six months and then returned to his home. He was married in 1818, his wedding journey being a trip to the West, this emigration being accomplished in a one-horse wagon. He had $300 to make a payment on land, and bought 100 acres in Claridon township, Geauga county, where he built a log house in the heart of the forest, and began the task of clearing and improving a farm. He was an expert rifleman, and often hunted wild game for his neighbors while they chopped for him. In early life he was strong and vigorous, but in later years suffered from fever and lameness. He died at the age of eighty-three years. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics was a Whig, being a strong Abolitionist. ,He married Nancy Tuttle, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had a family of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity: Lucina, Esther, Emily Ann, Charles, Lucius T., Abraham, and Thomas, deceased. The mother died at the age of seventy-seven years; she was a member of the Congregational Church, and possessed many admirable traits of character, being deeply attached to her home and family. Her father was a native of Connecticut, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, dying of cam p fever contracted in the service. Lucius T. Wilmot is the fourth-born of this family. He was reared amid the privations and hardships of life on the frontier, and received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of that day and in Kirtland Academy at the age of nineteen years he be- gain teaching in Portage county, Ohio. In 1845, he went to Shelby county, Kentucky, and followed his professionl during the winter season for five years. In 1846, he traveled 670 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY through Georgia and Alabama and had a good opportunity to study the evils of slavery. In 1847, he taught school in Washington county, Indiana, returning to Ohio in the summer of 1850. On the tenth day of September of that year he was united iu marriage to Mrs. Nancy (Taylor) Kellogg, who came to the West from Connecticut at the age of seven years. Her father, Childs Taylor, was an early pioneer in Claridon township, and owned 500 acres of land; he was born in 1782 and died in 1847, the father of six sons and six daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot are the parents of four children: Eugene is a farmer in this county; Stanley, is a practicing lawyer at Dunlap, Iowa; Alice is now Mrs. C. C. Kellogg; and Melva resides at home. After his marriage Mr. Wilmot located on 130 acres of land in Claridon township, where he farmed for twenty-seven years, making many fine and valuable improvements. In the meantime his operations were not confined to this one tract, as he bought and improved several other farms which he sold as they became desirable property. At one time he was the most extensive dealer in livestock in the township, shipping to poiuts in New England. He removed to Claridon in 1877, where he has since resided. He was one of the incorporators of the Geauga Savings and Loan Association, and also of the First National Bank of Chardon. He is vice-president of both institutions and a member of the board of directors. He began life without capital excepting that with which nature had endowed him, and he has made the most of his opportunities. Possessing sound judgment and keen discernment, years of experience have made him one of the best financiers in the county. He is a member of the Congregational Church, taking great interest in its welfare. Politically, Mr. Wilmot affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Trustee of the township three years. It was dnring his term of office and through his instrumentality that the town hall was built, the same having been erected in 1886. Mrs. Wilmot departed this life December 14, 1892. She was a woman of strong character, warm-hearted and charitable, and was in reality a helpmate to her husband in all his labors. She was much devoted to her family, was a devout Christian woman and an active member of the Congregational Church. She was deeply mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Wilmot is now enjoying the fruits of an industrious and successful business career, and the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, the result of honorable and upright conduct. CAPTAIN WILLIAM J. KEEN, a prominent citizen, now retired from active business pursuits, an ex-soldier and officer of the civil war, came to Andover, Ohio, in April, 1858. , He was born in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, January 27, 1831, and was a son of William and May (Aldridge) Keen, both natives of the same county as himself, his father being a shoemaker by trade. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native county, and at the age of fourteen began an apprenticeship at paper-making, at which he was occupied several years. At the age of seventeen and a half years, he entered the British army as a member of the Third Dragoon Guards, in which he served until 1853, when he was honorably discharged as a noncommissioned officer with the rank of Ser- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 671 geant. During his service, the regiment was stationed most of the time in Ireland, at various points, Dublin, Tipperary and Waterford. In the latter part of his service he was selected by his superior officers as recruiting officer and was stationed for some time in England. In April 1853, he sailed for New York city, where he followed the hotel business for eighteen months. He then removed to Buffalo, the same State, and was similarly engaged until April, 1858, when he came to Andover and bought the hotel with ten acres of ground, on the southwestern corner of the public square. This he greatly improved, making of it one of the most valuable pieces of property in the town. He was thus engaged at the outbreak of the war, when he was instrumental in organizing Company F and the Second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, into which the company was incorporated. He organized this company August 20, 1861, at Jefferson, Ohio, and it was mustered into service September 9, at Cleveland Ohio. For a time the company was stationed at Camp Dennison, Ohio, whence the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, Missouri, and was variously stationed at Weston, in Platte county, that State, at Leavenworth, Kansas, Fort Smith, Fort Gib, son, Fort Scott and other points. While in the field, he was taken with hemorrhage of the bowels on the line of march, and the disorder culminated in typhoid fever. On his return to Camp Chase, by advice of his physician, he resigned and returned home. He resumed the hotel business in Andover, which he successfully continued until 1881, when he sold out and retired from active pursuits. He has never recovered from the chronic disease contracted in the service. He is financially well situated. He has a comfortable home in Andover, where surrounded by numerous friends he is spending, his well-merited repose, the later years of a useful life. In 1853, Mr. Keen was married to Rosanna Thompkins, a lady of social accomplishments, who was born near Salisbury, the capital of Wiltshire, England, where she was reared and educated. They have no children but gave a home to Michael McNerney, who was a gallant soldier and color-bearer in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Regiment. Politically, Mr. Keen is a Republican, and before the war was a strong Abolitionist. He is a charter member of the Hiram Kile Post, G. A. R., and a Mason, belonging to blue lodge No. 506. Of fine physique, a good and open countenance, cordial, kindly man, ners and excellent conversational powers, the latter a result of a well filled mind, Mr. Keen would command attention wherever he might go, while his enduring qualities of honor and liberality could not fail to strengthen the favorable impression which his personal, ity had made. OLIVER WEBB, a venerable citizen of Austinburg township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, has long been identified with agricultural interests here, and is one of the most highly respected men of his community. his home is located two miles and a half west of Austinburg. Of his life we make the following record: Oliver Webb was born in Stanford, Connecticut, May 29, 1809, son of Henry and Hannah (Waterbury) Webb. For many generations the Webbs were residents of Connecticut. Henry Webb, the father of our subject, was captain of a merchant vessel which he owned. During the war of 1812, he was approached on the ocean by a vessel 672 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY that was flying the American flag, but which proved to be a British man-of-war and which made him surrender. Thus, having lost his vessel and cargo, he determined to retire from the sea and seek a home in the far West. A Mr. Weed, who had been with him joint owner of the boat, had come to Ohio the previous year; so in 1815, Mr. Webb came out here, landing at his destination with $6 in money, two or three old horses and a family of eight children. He lived with Mr. Weed until he could build a home for himself and family; and the house he then built in the forest is still standing, half a mile from where Oliver Webb lives. Here he cleared and developed a farm. He lived to be eighty-four year's of age, and to see prosperity once more smile upon him. He was a man of sterling character and exerted an influence for good in the community in which he lived. Both he and his wife were earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The latter was ninety- six years old at the time of her death. They had a family of ten children, only three of whom are now living. William is a capitalist and resides at Topeka, Kansas; Mehitable, a widow, is a resident of Austinburg, Ohio. Oliver Webb was a mere boy when his father came to this State, and here on their frontier farm he was reared. He was married in 1831, to Asenath Andrews, and they had six children, namely: Saphira, widow of Samuel Booth, Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio; Hector, of Davenport, Lincoln county, Washington; Naomi, now Mrs. G. P. Cod- ding, Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio; Emma, now Mrs. E. B. Cook, Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio; William H., who died in the army; and Oliver F., who died at the age of twenty-three years. The mother of these children died in 1863. September 13, 1869, Mr. Webb mar ried Mrs. Hannah Hardy, nee Belding. She was born in Otsego, New York,. in 1832, and at the age of eighteen married S. S. Collar, who was killed in the battle of Antietam. She subesquently married Henry Hardy, and he met his death in a railroad accident at Cleveland. Mrs. Webb has had five children, three of whom are living, as follows: D. S. Collar, a resident of Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Rollin S. Collar, of Ashtabula, Ohio; and Ida Webb, wife of Clayton A. Kittinger. Mr. Kittinger has rented Mr. Webb's farm and lives with him. The Webb farm comprises 161 acres. Mr. Webb has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is also a devoted member. Politically, he votes with the Republican party. H. A. MIXER, the leading merchant of Pierpont, was born at Unionville, Lake county, Ohio, October 6, 1853, a son of Albert K. and Mary P. (Stearns) Mixer, the former a native of Unionville, and the latter of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, New York. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Phineas Mixer, located at Unionville, Ohio, in 1802. Albert K. Mixer left three children at his death: Gertrude, the wife of Charles Cleveland. a nephew of the President, and they now reside in the city of Cleveland; Carrie is the wife of W. P. Mosher, a nephew of Susan B. Anthony, and they live at Duluth, Iowa; and H. A., the subject of this sketch. The latter received his education in the seminary at Madison, Lake county, Ohio, and was afterward engaged in teaching for a time. He was also engaged in the cheese business two years at Austinburg, and one OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 673 year at Pierpont. He spent the years of 1875—'76 in the northwestern States, was engaged in farming one year after marriage, and in 1885 embarked in the mercantile business in Pierpont. His store room is 21 x 58 feet in dimensions, and he carries a large and well selected stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, groceries, etc. In 1877 Mr. Mixer was united in marriage to Vesta Bates, a native of Pierpont, and a daughter of M. and Laura (Gould) Bates. To this union has been born one daughter, Grace, now fifteen years of age. Mr. Mixer votes with the Republican party, has served as Township Treasurer six years, and in 1892 was a delegate to the Cleveland Convention. He is a member of the Masonic order, Relief Lodge, No. 284, and of the Commandery, No. 27. A. A. STRONG, the efficient and popular agent at Ashtabula, Ohio, for the Lake Shore Si Michigan Southern Railroad Company, which office he has held for the last thirty years, was born in this city, September 5, 1827. His parents, Elihu C. and Caroline (Blakeslee) Strong, were both natives of Connecticut, the former born in Middletown and the latter in Saybrook. Nathan Strong, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of Connecticut and of English descent. About the year 1812 he joined the westward tide of emigration to Ohio, then on the frontier of civilization, settling with his family near Bunker Hill, Ashtabula county, being one of the earliest settlers of the county. At the call of his country in 1812, he patriotically responded and served with valor and efficiency in that war. He was a farmer by occupa tion and became possessed of large tracts of land, which he divided among his children, of whom he had thirteen. He was a man of energy and ability, of sterling qualities of mind and heart, and highly regarded by all who knew him. He was the first Sheriff of Ashtabula county, and served in that capacity ably and honorably. His son, Ellin', father of the subject of this sketch, was also a farmer and equally a man of high honor in the various walks of life. . He reared two children: a daughter, who died young; and son, whose name heads this notice. Mr. Strong, of this biography, was reared in Ashtabula, the place of his. birth, where he has passed his entire life. He obtained a common-school education and ,early in life taught for five or six years. In 1853, he entered the employ of the :railroad company and in 1864 he became the agent of the Lake Shore Railroad Company at Ashtabula, in which position he has ever since, remained holding one office longer than .any other employe of the company. In 1858, Mr. Strong was married to, Mrs. Sarah C. Crocker, a lady, of domestic tastes, and they have an adopted daughter, Fraternally, Mr. Strong is a Knight Templar Mason. His long services in one position speaks well for his stability and worth of character, and he justly enjoys the best wishes of all for his future prosperity. W. U. MINER, a farmer of Ashtabula county, was born, in Hartland, Connecticut, January 4, 1825, a son of Hori Miner, a native also of that State. The latter's father, Joel Miner, was born in Connecticut, and was a son of Christopher Miner, a native of New England. The mother of 674 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY our subject, nee Permelia Reed, was born at Granby, Connecticut, a daughter of Abner Reed, a Revolutionary soldier. His parents were also born in Connecticut. Hori Miner came to Ohio by wagon in September of 1825, via Buffalo and Albany, locating near Wick post office, formerly Lindenville, on lots 47 and 48. He purchased 165 acres of land, cleared twelve acres, and bought and moved into a school house. He was a blacksmith and hotel keeper, was the first Postmaster in Wayne township, holding that office twenty- four years, and was a Democrat in his political views. Mr. and Mrs. Miner had seven children, viz.: Sebra L. Sturgis, formerly a popular school-teacher; 0. H., deceased; Milton Reed, deceased; W. U., our subject; Harriett P. Kendal of Kane county, Illinois; Mary C., deceased; and Joseph, who died at the age of seven years. The father departed this life at the age of eighty-eight years, and the mother at seventy-eight years. W. U. Miner, the subject of this sketch, was educated in a select school in Wayne township, this county. He now owns ninety- six acres of rich farming land near the center of the township, where he has all the necessary farm conveniences. He also keeps a good dairy. In political matters, he affiliates with the Democratic party, held the position of Postmaster under Cleveland, and has served as Township Trustee several terms. Mr. Miner was married November 28, 1855, to Adella Falkner, who was born, reared and educated in Canada, a daughter of Joseph and Harriett (Landon) Falkner, a native also of that country. Our subject and wife have bad four sons, two now living; Porter Reed, who has taught school about thirty-five terms, and is at present Township Clerk, married Etta Oatman, and they have two children, Fanny and Fred; and Joseph H. married Julia Sheldon, and resides and is engaged in the grocery business in Ashtabula, Ohio. The deceased children were: Fred, who died at the age of nineteen years, and Willie, at the age of three years. The children were educated at Austinburg and New Lyme. The family are honored and respected by all who know them. G. E. COUGHLAN, proprietor of a , livery and also dealer in buggies, wagons and harness, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Erie county, New York, May 8, 1849, son of George and Mary (Ingles) Coughlan, natives of Watertown, New York. The Ingles family were great musicians and were also noted for their patriotism. Three of Mrs. Coughlan's brothers were leaders of bands in the Mexican war. George Ingles, another brother, took part in the Civil war, responding to Lincoln's call for 75,000. He died in January, 1862. Albert, her other brother, was an architect. George Coughlan, the father of our subject, was a farmer, cultivating land on shares. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he filled all the offices of the layman. He died in 1882 at the age of seventy-three, honored and respected by all who knew him. His whole life was characterized by honest industry and Christian acts of kindness. His wife, also a devoted Christian and a member of the Methodist Church, died when the subject of this sketch was a few years old, he being the youngest of ten children. Four of this number are still living. To of the sons, L. M. and A. M., are engaged in the grocery business in Conneaut, the latter having been at OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 675 the same location on Main street for the past thirty years. Only one of the daughters, Frances, is living. G. E. Coughlan learned the trade of painter in 1869, which trade he followed with good success for nineteen years. In I887 he turned his attention to the carriage business, in connection with which he subsequently opened out a livery. He has a good business, his location being on the corner of Mill and Madison streets. Mr. Coughlin was married July 19, 1874, to Miss Josephine Bartlett, daughter of Rev. Noah and Harriet (Wilcox) Bartlett, both natives and residents of Conneaut and among the most highly esteemed people of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Coughlan have one child, Bessie Gertrude. Mrs. Coughlan is a member of the Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Coughlan affiliates with the Republican party; socially, with the I. 0. 0. F., being a member of the lodge at Ashtabula. NATHANIEL FOLLETT, one of the wealthy and influential men of Conneaut township, Ashtabula connty, Ohio, dates his birth at Auburn, New York, in 1823. Gratis Follett, his father, was born in Ballston, New York, in 1792. From Ballston he moved to the central part of that State, and in 1839 came to Ohio, locating in Pierpont, Ashtabula county, where he spent the residue of his life, and where he died in 1880. He was a mechanic and worked at his trade in connection with farming. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. During the war of 1812 he enlisted his services in the American cause and acted as sentinel. He was one of a family of nine sons and one daughter, his parents being John and Sally Follett. The Folletts have been residents of America for many generations, having emigrated to this country from England. Mary (Hunter) Follett, the mother of Nathaniel, was born in New York in 1796, daughter of Francis and Mary (Millord) Hunter. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother of Scotland. Francis Hunter, in company with his two brothers, came to America during the Revolutionary period. For some time they were engaged in peddling. Finally one of them settled in Philadelphia, another in Mon treal, and the grandfather of our subject on a farm near Auburn, New York, being the owner of 600 acres of land at that place. Gratis Follett was married in 1816, and he and his wife became the parents of five children: Jane, deceased, was the wife of Henry Gaylord, of Pierpont, and had eight children, five of whom survive her; Dorcas, wife of James Tuttle, of Conneaut, Ohio, has had two children, one of whom is living; Nathaniel, whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Francis, who is engaged in farming; and Sarah, widow of Milo Huntley, has three children. Nathaniel Follett came to Ohio with his parents in 1839, and remained with them until 1849. He had the benefit of a good education, and during his early life rendered his father efficient service in helping to clear up the farm. When he married he bought the old home place, comprising 150 acres, and lived upon it until 1889, when he moved to Pierpont. This farm had been bought of the old Connecticut Land Company. Since 1890 he has resided at his present location in Conneaut township. Mr. Follett married Emily M. Bushnell, who was born in Connecticut in 1824, daugh- 676 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ter of Lynas and Harriet (Osborne) Bushnell, and who came with her parents to Ohio in 1833, settling in Monroe, Ashtabula county. Her parents are deceased. She was the oldest of their five children, the others being: Trumau, who died at the age of thirty-eight years; Cordelia, wife of E. B. Ford, is deceased; Rosann, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Martin, who died when sixteen. Mr. and Mrs. Follett have three children: Idela A., wife of Calvin Austin; Harriet L., wife of W. S. Ashley, has one child; and Frank W., who married Georgie Turner, owns and occupies the old home place above referred to. Mr. Follett is one of the self-made men of his vicinity, having by his own energy and enterprise accumulated a competency. Socially, politically and financially, he is ranked with the leading men of his township. He votes with the Republican party. For about fifteen years he has been Infirmary Director, and for several years he has also served as Township Trustee and Assessor. Mrs. Follett is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Follett, although not a member of the church, is one of its active supporters. Indeed, he is 'generous in his contributions toward all worthy causes. FRANK E. BURCH, East Orwell, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a young man who, as a trainer and driver of trotting and pacing horses, is well known in this county, especially among the lovers of the turf. Mr. Burch was born July 7, 1867, son of Jerry and Caroline (Plumley) Burch, and one of a family of six children, the others being: George; Emma, now the wife of Artemus Pryor; Phoebe, wife of Henry Hall; Hattie, with of Charles Pryor; and Lida, wife of William Clute. The father of this family died at the age of fifty-five years. The mother subsequently became the wife of Samuel Swartz, a farmer residing near Colebrook, Ohio. Frank E. Burch is in partnership with his brother George in training horses, both being especially adapted to the business in which they are engaged. The former began working with horses when he was eighteen years old. For a year and a half he was in the employ of J. B. Wilcox, a prominent horse dealer of Wayne, Ohio, and after that he was with W. P. Lossee, of Kinsman, Ohio, another distinguished breeder and trainer of fine horses. Although a young man, he has already had an extensive experience in horse training, and as such he and his brother have few equals any where in the country. OLIVER H. PERRY, a farmer, stock- raiser and fruit-grower of Jefferson township, was born August 19, 1838, a son of Samuel Perry, who was born in Connecticut, December 8, 1889. He grew to manhood and was married in his native place, where he learned the trade of edge tool maker. In 1835 he removed with his family to Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, afterward followed his trade two years at Youngstown, and next moved to a settlement on Mill creek, near the present village of Jefferson, where he built a shop and engaged at his trade. In the spring of 1849, hearing of the gold excitement in California, Mr. Perry started alone for that State, and after reaching a settlement called Kansas City sold his horse and wagon. With others he bought an OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 677 interest in an ox team, and the company made the hazardous journey to Golden Gate, suffering many privations and encounters with the Indians. In one of those encounters Mr. Perry had his arm broken, but soon recovered. After arriving at his destination he engaged in making tools for the miners, and eventually accumulated a fortune. He afterward went to Carson City, Nebraska, where he died in the winter of 1876. He was a Whig in his political views, later a Republican, and was of a wandering disposition. The mother of our subject was born in Connecticut, March 12, 1805. She grew to womanhood in her native land, and was first married to James Williams. They had two children. Mr. Williams died, and January 9, 1833, his widow married Samuel Perry. To that union was born seven children, five daughters and two sons. The mother was one of those courageous women peculiar to pioneer days, aud succeeded in keeping her family together until her death, February 23, 1869, at the age of sixty-four years. Her spinning-wheel was her constant companion. She united with the Baptist Church early in life, lived a devout Christian until her death, and was a loving and self-sacrificing mother. Oliver H. and his brother, Samuel, were thrown upon their own resources at the respective ages of eleven and thirteen years. They secured employment on farms near home, receiving from $4 to $5 per month, and devoted their earnings to the care of the mother and the education of the sisters. At the age of fifteen years our subject went to his uncle, Orpheus Perry, at Norwalk, Ohio, where he received his first schooling, and completed his education at the academy of that city. At the age of seventeen years he made his way to Youngstown, was employed as helper in a dry dock and boat yard, at $1 per day, but at the end of three months' service received $1.75 per day. Mr. Perry was next employed as calker, and after six months at that occupation was promoted as head calker, at $2.50 per day. Two years later he began work on the farm of Benjamin Applegate, of Trumbull county, Ohio, remained there two years, was engaged in a planing mill in Jefferson, Ohio, a short time, and then rented his father-in-law's farm for three years. While at that place he was engaged in farming in the summers, and worked at the carpenter's trade during the winter months. Mr. Perry also built extensive elevated coal roads for a coal company. In 1867 he bought the beautiful farm in Ashtabula county he now owns, then consisting of eighty acres. A small clearing was immediately made, a rough house erected, into which he moved before the windows or doors were put in, and then he worked by the day in a planing mill at Jefferson and chopped wood at night. During the first year Mr. Perry cleared six acres of his farm, which was immediately planted to Wheat, but during this time he never lost a day in the shop. He afterward, in 1871, worked at bridge building on a branch of the Lake Shore Railroad, at a salary of $75 per month, being thus enabled to save a sufficient amount to make the final payment on his farm of eighty acres. While he was engaged at this railroad work his wife and children remained at their home on the farm and cared for the stock, including the cow, which was pastured in the woods—no clearing for pasture having yet been made—and which was brought home each night by the children, who were able to find the animal by the sonnd of the bell which she always wore. While searching for the cow the children frequently encountered deer, foxes and 678 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY other denizens of the forest. In 1873 he built a stock and graiu barn, 40 x 45 feet, and iu 1878 erected his present residence, at a cost of $1,500. It contains twelve rooms. Mr. Perry has also a rock basement stock barn, 26 x 36 feet, built in 1881. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 135 acres, which includes a cultivated vineyard. He handles many tons of grapes each year, furnishing a large supply to the Youngstown, Pittsburg and Oil City markets, As Miller creek runs through the farm and as the bed of that stream has a deposit of valuable building stone, Mr. Perry has found a source of considerable income by the sale of this stone for building purposes at Jefferson and other points. He has furnished stone for a number of the most substantial bridges built by the township and county. The sale thus made, combiued with the revenue from the sale of lumber and firewood, have enabled Mr. Perry to carry out the many substantial improvements about his farm. January 26, 1858, Mr. Perry married the daughter of Benjamin Applegate. She was born on the old farm in 1838, and was well versed in the duties of a farm home. She was married at the age of twenty years, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Benjamin Applegate was born in 1804, a son of James Applegate, a uative of New Jersey. The latter went to Allegheny, Ohio, in an early day, and settled on a section of land in the southeastern corner of Liberty township. In 1800 he organized, for the war of 1812, a company of which he was elected Captain. He made a clearing on his farm, built a log cabin, and in 1801 brought his family to that place, guided only by the marks blazed on the trees. He made a road a year later, and then began the hardy life of a pioueer on what is now one of the finest and best improved farms in northeastern Ohio. Mr. Applegate afterward built and operated a gristmill and distillery, where his surplus products assumed the form of flour, bacon and whisky, and these were conveyed to ports on Lake Erie, and exchanged for provisions of various kinds. Benjamin Applegate, father of Mrs. Perry, was an early pioneer of Ohio, was a stanch Whig in his political views, and was a man of great push and energy. He spent the remainder of his life on his father's farm, dying in 1874. His wife departed this life in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver H. Perry have had six children, viz.: Mary, born March 5, 1859, is the wife of William Woodruff, of Geneva; Ida A., born June 2, 1861, is the wife of George Berry, also of that city; Oliver H., born January 13, 1863, married Miss Flora Tickner, of Griggs Corners, and they now reside at Ashtabula Harbor; Addie M., born May 10, 1870, is the wife of L. J. Brown, of Ashtabula; Hattie V., born December 2, 1873, is at home; and Jerome G., born April 20, 1877. In political matters, Mr. Perry votes with the Republican party. MERVIN GODDARD, a prosperous farmer and prominent citizen of Orwell township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in that township, July 27, 1845. He comes of New England ancestry, his father, Hiram Goddard, having been a native of Connecticut, born April 12, 1811, while his mother, nee Harriet Amidon, was born in 1816. This worthy couple were early settlers of Ohio, contributing their share to that prosperity which is now the OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 679 pride of the country. They were the parents of three children: Juliet, wife of W. H. Henderson, a well-to-do farmer of Orwell township, has four children, two sons and two daughters; Mervin, whose name heads this sketch; and Edwin, a prominent citizen of Ashtabula. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received his primary education in the district schools of his vicinity. He later attended Orwell Academy, after which he went to Oberlin College one term, and subsequently to Hillsdale (Michigan) College one year. He then taught school successfully several terms, which occupation not being to his taste, he discontinued it, and in 1868 commenced the study of law. He attended the Albany (New York) law school a year, graduatiug in 1869, and was admitted to the bar in the same year. He has, however, never practiced, his profession to any extent, which fact is a matter of constant perplexity to his friends. Shortly after returning from Albany he became collector for the Pennsylvania Lightning-Rod Company, in which capacity he continued five years. He then ceased traveling and purchased his present farm, on which he settled down for life. He here has 128 acres of the finest agricultural land to be found in the township, a good home and substantial barns, with all other modern improvements. Mr. Goddard is also a breeder of fine sheep, mostly of the Cotswold strain, and has a good number of Short-Horn cattle. He ordinarily manufactures large quantities of maple sugar and syrup, for which he always finds a ready market. His product of these commodities in 1893 is 1,000 pounds of sugar and 200 gallons of syrup. Mr. Goddard's prosperity is due to a thorough knowledge of his business, combined with unflagging industry and careful attention to details, and he is justly entitled to great credit for his enterprise. January 15, 1873, Mr. Goddard was married to Miss Frances M. McIntosh, a worthy lady of Windsor, Ohio, born April 12, 1850. She was educated in the common schools and the Orwell Normal Institute, and is a lady of culture and refinement, a good housewife and devoted mother. Her parents, James and Rachel (Rawson) McIntosh, were early settlers of Ohio. Her father died when she was but five years of age, leaving his widow with four children, two sons and two daughters. Her mother afterward married S. C. Wilson, a respected citizen of Windsor, Ohio, and they had four children, three sons and one daughter. The latter, born March 12, 1861, became Mrs. John Howes, and died February 17, 1893, at the age of thirty-two, leaving a sorrowing husband and seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard are the parents of three children: Roy W., born January 29, 1876; Jessie Louise, born May 23, 1879; and Mary Adelaide, born September 19, 1880. Politically, Mr. Goddard is a strong advocate of Democracy, and is ever on the alert to advance the principles in which he believes, being honest in his convictions and earnest in his espousal of the cause. He has represented his constituents in several offices of public trust, having served as Assessor of Orwell township one year, and in 1880 being elected Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he acted faithfully and efficiently for twelve years. At present (1893) he is the able Deputy Supervisor of Elections for Ashtabula county. He is also president of the Board of Education for the special district of Orwell, and has been a member of the School Board for many years. He is now Postmaster of Orwell. 680 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Fraternally, Mr. Goddard is a member of Orwell Lodge, No. 477, I. 0. 0. F. Of genial personality, upright character and enterprising, progressive disposition, he holds an enviable position in his community, and has the best wishes of all for his success and happiness. DOCTOR ALBON L. GARDNER, a prominent physician and surgeon and ) esteemed citizen of Painesville, Ohio, belongs to one of the oldest and most distinguished families in the State. His grandfather, Albon C. Gardner, was a native of Wayne county, New York, where he married Saloma Bancroft, when he was but nineteen and she fourteen years of age. They early joined the westward tide of emigration, coming overland by ox team to Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio, in the winter of 1822. Here they entered Government land and settled in the woods, occupying, on the start, a log cabin without doors, windows or floor, and being supplied with but 87 in money. With strong hearts and willing hands, they began life for themselves, and, by industry and economy, made for themselves not only a home but also accumulated a fortune. Here the grandfather farmed, conducted a store and an ashery, and, at the time of the war bought Government bonds at the lowest figure, being very wealthy at the time of his death. He was a strong Abolitionist, was actively concerned in the underground railway system, through the agency of which so many fugitive slaves were assisted to Canada and thus to freedom. He labored unceasingly in the cause of liberty for the downtrodden race, and aided to the full extent of his power in ridding the nation of the one blot upon its honor. A man of large intellect, keen perception, great industry and unimpeachable honor with strong convictions on the questions of the day, he naturally became a leader, and in 1858 was elected to the State Legislature in which he distinguished himself with resulting and lasting good to the State and honor to the name. Au admiring constituency sought to nominate him for Governor of the State at the time Governor Tod was nominated, but Mr. Gardner declined to permit his name to go before the convention. This great and good man died, at his home on Euclid avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of seventy-eight years, deeply lamented by all who knew him. A simple but stately shaft marks the last resting place of his mortal remains, in Lake View Cemetery at Cleveland. Albon B. Gardner, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Newbury, Ohio. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits in his younger days, but later became a farmer and simultaneously operated a mill at Chagrin Falls. He is a man of large financial resources, is geuerous, modest and honorable in his character. He has been Justice of the Peace for many years and is known as the " Chagrin Falls Peace-maker." His wife's maiden name was Sarah W. White, who is a native of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts; and a daughter of Harvey White, manufacturer of the famous White axes at Chagrin Falls. Both of our subject's parents still survive, and are residents of Chagrin Falls, where they are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and esteemed members of society. Harvey White was also connected with the operation of the famous " underground railway " of the later slavery days, was a Deacon of the Congregational Church, and an energetic and successful business man, possessed of much intellectual power and very liberal OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 681 his benefactions in all deserving causes. It is worthy of particular note in this connection that both grandfathers of our subject were originally Whigs in their political adherency, and that they were the two stalwarts of Chagrin Falls as long as they lived there, working shoulder to shoulder for the downfall of slavery and for the advancement of every good cause. Both were notable for their integrity, patriotism, honesty and ability; both were self-made men in the highest sense of the term. The subject of this sketch was born at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, September 18, 1847, being the oldest of seven children. He was educated in the seminary at Chagrin Falls and began the study of medicine, when eighteen years of age, under the direction of Dr. H. W. Curtis, of that city. He graduated at the Western Reserve Medical College in 1869, and afterward continued his medical studies at Cleveland, with Dr. N. Snyder as his preceptor. He then graduated from the Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College, after which he practiced for a time with Dr. Snyder at Cleveland. In 1871 he came to Painesville, which has ever since been his home and where he enjoys a large and lucrative patronage. His many years of experience and thorough grounding in the science of medicine render him an authority in all matters pertaining to his profession. October 6, 1873, he was married in Painesville, to Miss Kate M. Doolittle, a lady of education and refinement, daughter of M. R. Doolittle, for many years editor of the Painesville Advertiser and now Postmaster in that city. They had, two children: Albon G. and Kate S. January 7, 1881, the family were called upon to mourn the death of the devoted wife and mother, whose loss caused deep sorrow among her many friends. January 23, 1890, Mr. Gardner was again married, his present wife having been Mrs. Marion J. Thompson, a lady of culture and stability, widely and favorably known for her sterling qualities and sound sense. She is a daughter of Captain George Stone, of Cleveland. Politically, Dr. Gardner is a Republican and takes an active interest in local and national issues. He has been a member of the City Council, in which position he lent his influence to all measures which concerned the welfare of the municipality and the people. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and, fraternally, is a member of the Masonic and Foresters' lodge. Although identifying himself with no religious organization, he is a firm believer in a future state. He is a man of high moral character and is justly entitled to that unstinted measure of respect which is accorded him. CORYDON T. GROVER, M. D., is one of the prominent physicians of Orwell, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He is a native of Hart's Grove, Ohio, his birth having occurred December 5, 1840. His father, Gilbert Grover, is a farmer and still living in Windsor, Ohio, where he was born in 1814. The Doctor's mother, who bore the maiden name of Selima M. Alderman, was also born in Windsor some four years after her husband's birth. She became the mother of five children: Marian, who died at the age of eight years; Corydon T.; Luellen S., now Mrs. Thomas A. McElroy of Hart's Grove; Lavernon, who died at the age of twenty-nine years; and John who died when eight years old. Doctor Grover passed his boyhood on his father's farm in the usual work and play of 682 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY farmer lads, attending school during the winter months until he was about twenty years old, when he commenced teaching and proved quite successful as a pedagogue. Five years later he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. L. Pomeroy. In 1866, he attended lectures in what was then known as the Cleveland Medical College, but is now called the Western Reserve University, Medical Department, of Cleveland, having passed the intervening time, about equally divided, in the offices of Drs. William M. Eames and J. C. Hubbard, of Ashtabula, Ohio. He returned to the medical department of the University of Wooster, Ohio, where he finished the required years of study and graduated from the institution February 28, 1868. Returning to Hart's Grove, the scenes of his childhood, Dr. Grover began the practice of his profession and continued there until his removal to Orwell in October, 1885. He has built up a successful practice here and owns considerable property in the village as well as a desirable farm, comprising 150 acres of arable land. Dr. Grover is one who makes it a point to keep abreast of the times and in addition to completing a number of post-graduate courses and reading the best medical journals and literature of of the day, is a member of the Ashtabula Medical Society. In politics, he is a strong Prohibitionist. In Jefferson township, Ohio, March 5, 1868, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Eunice A. McElroy, who was born May 10, 1846. She is a lady of culture and much ability, but her educational advantages were limited, owing to the fact that her father was stricken with palsy; and as Mrs. Grover was the oldest living child in the family she was obliged to assist in the support of the others. She possesses a self-reliant disposition, ex ecutive ability, good judgment aud excellent literary talent, and in a large share, her husband's success both in a professional and financial way is due to the help she has afforded him. Two of her brothers are yet living: Thomas A., who married a sister of our subject; and Truman A., who lives in Montville, Ohio. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grover: Delo C., who was born May 29, 1869, graduated from the New Lyme Institute when eighteen years of age and was honored by being made valedictorian of his class. He espoused the cause of Prohibition and is a very earnest and able speaker in the cause of temperance- His oratory is almost faultless and delivery unexcelled for one of his years. Going to Oberlin College, he there pursued a course of study and graduated from that justly noted institution of learning in June, 1891, taking the degree of Ph. B. He next went to Cleveland, where he commenced the study of law with the firm of Norton & Pinney and after remaining with them for a year went to the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he passed an examination so creditable that he entered the senior class of the law department, taking the degree of LL. B. in June, 1893, following. Previous to graduation he, with other University of Michigau students from Ohio, attended examination at Columbus and was admitted to practice in the Buckeye State. He is now located at Clevelaud, his office being No. 716 Cuyahoga Building. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has preached occasionally. On the 19th of July, 1893, Delo C. was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Diedler, a well known Cleveland lady, who has been a prominent worker and teacher in the charity kindergarten in that city, and who is prominently identified with OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 683 the work of the Epworth Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. The younger son of our subject, who was called Gilbert J., was born June 1, 1871. When only fourteen years old, he was with his brother, a student at the New Lyme Institute, but was taken sick with the measles, his father being in Cleveland at the time, pneumonia followed and on April 21, 1885, he was called from the shores of time. His schoolmates familiarily called him "Little Grover," and by teachers and all he was greatly loved. At his funeral, they turned out en masse and strewed flowers over his grave. In religious belief, the doctor and his wife are Methodists, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Orwell. They are both energetic workers in the cause and the Doctor is one of the Church Trustees. He is a strong advocate of temperance and is an ally of the Probibition party. IRA KINNEY, a well-known farmer residing near Fullertown, Geauga county, Ohio, was born in Kinsman, Trumbull county, this State, March 17, 1818. Joseph Kinney, a native of Worthington, Massachusetts, emigrated to Ohio in 1813, and- settled in Trumbull county, making the journey here on foot. He took claim to some land and cleared up a farm. In 1837 he moved to Pierpont, Ashtabula county, where he bought a larger farm, on which he passed the rest of his life. In 1848, at the age of sixty-five years, he was accidentally killed by a falling tree. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sarah Mathews, was born near Steubenville, Ohio. She died in 1860. Five of their nine children are still living. Ira Kinney, the oldest in his father's family, was born in a log house and was reared amid pioneer scenes, receiving his education in a log schoolhouse. At the age of twenty he began working out by the month, working four years for one man and three years for another. In 1841 he located in Newbury township, where he purchased some land and where he has lived for more than half a century. He has been on his present farm for twenty-three years. For the first land he bought he paid $4 an acre, and worked out by the month to get the money to pay for it. Mr. Kinney has 175 acres of fine land, and for more than thirty years has given his special attention to dairying. In the spring of 1841, March 31, he married Achsah Higley, a native of Windsor, Ashtabula county. Her father and grand-. father emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and settled at Windsor. Hon. Jonathan Higley, her father, was a man of prominence in northern Ohio. He was a wealthy farmer, and in 1830 was a member of the Ohio Legislature. His death occurred at the age of eighty-seven years. He was twice married, and had five children by his first wife and twelve by the second. Mrs. Kinney died May 30, 1892, aged seventy-two, after a happy married life of fifty-two years. Following is a record of her children: Albert R., a member of Company B, Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisted in August, 1861, and died in the army in 1863; Ira, deceased; Frank, who was killed by lightning May 23, 1870: Emma, who died February 22, 1892; Jonathan, a cheese manufacturer in California; Martha, wife of Stephen Dunwell, a farmer in Newbury township, and Dollie L. Jonathan and Emma were teachers. Mr. Kinney is an excellent example of the self-made man. Honesty and industry have 684 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY characterized his life. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and for the past twenty-five years has been a member of the Board of Education. Eleven years he has served as Township Trustee. He has also filled various other local offices, and has occupied a place in the United States Grand Jury. Politically, lre is a Republican. HENRY J. DODGE is a prominent young farmer and stock-raiser of Dodgeville, residing near the home of his father, John J. Dodge, a well- known farmer of Ashtabula county. Henry J. Dodge was born in the village of Dodgeville, April 22, 1851. His district- school education was supplemented by a few terms at the Grand River Institute. On January 18, 1874, he married Alice Rose Swift, daughter of Oliver Swift, a prominent farmer of Kingsville, Ohio. Their only child, Hallie R., was born June 18, 1875, and is a graduate of the Commercial Department of New Lyme Institute with the class of 1893. GEORGE W. STAFFORD, of the firm of G. W. Stafford & Co., cheesebox manufacturers, Auburn Center, Ohio, is one of the prominent and wealthy men of this place. Of his life, we present the following resume: George W. Stafford was born at Auburn Center, Geauga county, Ohio, August 20, 1837. Christopher Stafford, his father, a native of New York State, was one of the early settlers of Auburn, having made the journey across the lake to this place about 1831. He bought sixty-three acres of land northwest of Auburn, returned to New York for his family soon after, and here on the frontier he built his cabin and established his home. The woods, abounded in game of all kinds, and it was not an unusual thing for him to kill a deer. He cleared up his farm, was engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and died at the ripe old age of eighty- four. His good wife, whose maiden name was Emily Rockwell, and who was also a native of New York State, lived to be seventy-two. Both were members of the Free-will Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Republican. They had a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third son and fourth child. Young Stafford was reared on his father's farm, and received his early education in a log schoolhouse near by. At the age of twenty he entered Hiram College, and for a part of two years was a student in that institution, being in some of Garfield's classes. He began life on his own responsibility at the age of twenty-one. He served an apprenticeship of six years to the carpenter's trade. In 1870 he bought an interest iu a cheesebox factory, in the operation of which he was engaged until the spring of 1874, when the factory burned down. This was a total loss, as it was not insured. The same year the present large factory was built, in order to accomplish which undertaking he was obliged to mortgage all the property he had. He has since been doing a prosperous business. He makes from 80,000 to 90,000 cheeseboxes per year, furnishing the snpply for four counties, and doing some custom work besides. He employs twelve to fifteen men in the factory, one of whom has been with him eighteen years. Mr. Stafford is also engaged in farming to some extent. His home farm comprises seventy-three and a OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 685 half acres. In 1882 he bought 104 acres in Anrora township, Portage county, this State, which he now has rented. He built a factory there of the same capacity as the one above described, and operated the same for a period of six years. Then he sold the machinery. Mr. Stafford was married in 1865, to Harriet Ellis, a native of Auburn. Her father, Horace Ellis, was an early pioneer of this place, and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have had no children. He is a member of the Free-will Baptist Church, while she is a Congregationalist. He affiliates with the Republican party. For five years he served as Township Clerk, and for the past eight years has been Township Treasurer. He is a Mason, having his membership at Chagrin Falls. Mr. Stafford is a fair example of the self- made man. He began life a poor boy, and the success he has attained is due to his own industry and good management. ASA K. SMITH, deceased, was nearly all his life ideutified with the agricultural and horticultural interests of Lake county, Ohio, and as one of the prominent citizens of the county for many years it is, appropriate that some personal mention be made of him in this work. Briefly given, a sketch of his life is as follows; Asa K. Smith was born in the State of New York May 12, 1821, son of Sylvester and Lucretia (Lyons) Smith, both natives of eastern New York. His grandfather, Asa Smith, was a native of Connecticut, and his great-grandfather Smith, an Englishman by birth, was one of the early settlers of that State, having located on the Connecticut river. Asa Smith was a bricklayer by trade, but was engaged in farming during the latter part of his life. He emigrated to Indiana, where he passed the closing years of his life, and died at Evansville at the age of eighty- six years. He was a teamster in the Government service during the Revolutionary war. Sylvester Smith emigrated to Ohio and settled in Willoughby township, Lake county, about 1827. This part of the country was then sparsely settled, and for several years the Smith family lived in a log house. Asa K., the subject of our sketch, was the youngest of three sons. He was reared on his father's frontier farm, and during his boyhood days rendered valued assistance in helping to clear and cultivate the farm, attending the district schools as opportunity offered. January 1, 1863, he married Miss Louise M. Smith, who survives him. His death occurred April 12, 1887. Few men in this vicinity were better known or more highly esteemed than he, and when his, remains was borne from his late home to their last resting place they were followed by a large concourse of neighbors and friends. Mr. Smith was a a self-made man. He was a great reader, a man of general information and broad views, and was a good converser and genial companion. Especially was he well posted on agricultural and horticultural matters. When the Grange was organized in Willoughby township he became one of its charter members, and was identified with it as an officer all the rest of his life. His farm of eighty acres on Waite hill he brought up to a high state of development, devoting much of it to the production of various kinds of fruits. He was not only an industrious and energetic man, but was also an excellent manager, always looking to the best interest of his 686 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY farm and providing well for his family. While his death was sudden and unexpected, being the result of heart failure, he left his family without a dollar of indebtedness. His widow and children still reside at the old homestead on Waite hill, which is beautifully located, commanding, as it does, a magnificent view of the country stretching away to the south and east. Mrs. Smith was born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1833, daughter of Joel and Charlotte (Buckland) Smith, both natives of Poultney, Vermont. Her parents emigrated to New York and settled on a farm in Chautauqua county, from whence they emigrated to Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, in 1837. Her father died May 21, 1879, at the age of eighty-three years, and her mother February 5, 1883, aged eighty. Both were members of the Disciple Church. Five of their seven children are still living, Mrs. Smith being the youngest. She received her education in the district schools, the Paines, ville high school and the college at Willough, by, and for several years prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching. Her four children are Edwin, Charlotte, Gilbert and Herbert all living except Edwin. All have had good educational advantages. The two sons have charge of the farm and Miss Charlotte is a teacher. HENRY C. RAND, ex-County Commissioner and owner of the finest 160 acre farm in Lake county, Ohio, was born here in Madison, June 11, 1830. Martin Rand, his father, was born in New Hampshire, December 26, 1801, and was left an orphan when a small boy. He was reared on a farm, and upon reaching his majority was married. In the early '20s he came with his wife and few household effects in a one-horse wagon to Lake county, Ohio, and settled one mile north of the present site of Madison, on what is known as the Middle Ridge, which at that time was practically a wilderness, being covered with a dense growth of woods. The country abounded in deer and wild turkeys then, and bears were occasionally seen. Mr. Rand, however, cared little for hunting. He was of an industrious turn and soon set about the clearing and developing of his farm. After making considerable improvement of this place he sold it and bought sixty acres, a short distance west of his first land, and in the same township, and also developed that farm. He began life on the bottom round of the ladder, and by honest and earnest toil worked his way up, securing a comfortable home and support for himself and family and doing his part to advance the interest of this part of the country. He died May 20, 1884, at the age of eighty-three years. His life companion bore the maiden name of Lucy Cummings. Her native State was New Hampshire, and the date of her birth August 28, 1807. They reared eight children, all of whom are still living, namely: Lucy A., now Mrs. McMackin; Henry C., whose name heads this article; Solon A,; Emily B., now Mrs. Ensign; Silas M.; Cassius C.; Cornelia, now Mrs. Haskell; and Elmer. The mother died December 18, 1886. Henry C. Rand attended school in the old town house on the Middle Ridge, which was fitted up with rude slab benches, the school being conducted partially on the subscription system. He began life on his own account when quite young, and was married April 1, 1851, to Miss Nancy McMackin, a native of this township, and a daughter of John McMackin, who came here from New York at OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 687 an early day. They had three children, viz.: Altha, who died at the age of six years; Kate M., now Mrs. Dayton; aud Harry M. Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Rand married Augusta Norton, also a native of this township and a lady of culture and refinement, their marriage occurring in 1880. The children of this union are Hazel H., Ethel B., and Henry Dane. After his first marriage Mr. Rand settled on a farm near the lake, in the northern part of this township. Four or five years later he disposed of that place and bought thirty-one acres on the Middle Ridge and improved the same. Subsequently he bought another farm, of fifty-three acres. In this way he continued buying and improving farms, being very successful. He lived two years in Painesville and also a short time in the village of Madison. In 1882 he bought his present farm of 160 acres, which lies on the west edge of Madison and is said to be the finest farm in Lake county. The land is gently rolling, is of a rich gravel loam, very productive and adapted to general farming. On the south end of the farm is a sugar orchard, containing more than a thousand trees, from which Mr. Rand makes large quantities of syrup, shipping the same to various parts of the county, some of it being sent as far West as California. His elegant and commodious residence is one of the best in all the country round, his home surroundings being indicative not only of wealth but also of culture. He built his large bank barn in 1887. Among his stock are some fine specimens of Durham cattle. Politically, Mr. Rand's opinions are in harmony with the principles advocated by the Republican party. He has served as Township Trustee a number of terms. In November, 1885, he was elected County Commissioner, was re-elected to the same office in the fall of 1888, and served most acceptably in that position six years, retiring in January, 1892. Mr. Rand began life with nothing but industry for his capital. He has been a hard worker and good manager and is now ranked with the most successful men of Madison township. Mrs. Rand is a member of the Baptist Church. ORSAMUS SMITH —The first settlement by New Englanders, and the first permanent settlement by any white men in Ohio was made' at Marietta, on the bank of the Ohio river, in 1788. In 1796 a similar lodgment was effected at Cleveland and east of that place, by settlers from nearly the same section of Massachusetts as those who went to Marietta, and by others from Connecticut. In both instances the settlers were mainly soldiers who had been connected with the Revolutionary war. Few families were more intimately associated with these movements than those of which the above named gentleman is a representative. The lifting bodily of so large a portion of Puritan Massachusetts and Connecticut over the whole length of the great States of New York and Pennsylvania, across hundreds of miles of forest and mountains, and planting the same so quickly and so securely in the dense woods through which savage tribes were still roaming unchallenged, was an achievement without a parallel in history, and possible of accomplishment only at the hands of those brave determined men, to whose courage, strength and devotion was mainly due the triumphant success of a few colonies, sparsely settled and poor, in a seven years' war with the mightiest nation the world has 688 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ever known, whose proud boast it was that she had " dotted the surface of the globe with her possessions and military posts, whose morning drum-beat, following the sun and keeping time with the hours, circled the earth daily with the continuous and unbroken strain of the martial music of England. " It is not a pleasant reflection, but truth demands its record, that when the brave men whose strong arms had given a continent to freedom, asked that of the illimitable expanse spreading from ocean to ocean, which they wrested from the British domain, a few acres each might be apportioned them for homes in lieu of the almost worthless script with which their priceless service had been paid, they asked in vain. But the Government was willing to sell them land. Some sort of organization had been effected in the asking, and this organization. of officers and soldiers was made the basis of a company which bought for $1 an acre a million and a half acres of land in southern Ohio. General Rufus Putnam, of Rutland, Worcester county, Massachusetts, who was one of the first organizers of this soldier movement, became a leader of a party of forty-eight men, his old - comrades in arms, mainly from Worcester and Middlesex counties, and left Massachusetts, December 1, 1787, landing at Marietta, April 7, 1788. This was the earliest settlement in Ohio. George Smith, also. of Rutland, the father of Orsamus Smith, and a comrade in the army with General Putnam, while a shareholder and promoter of the enterprise, did not accompany the expedition, having just married, in 1787, Mary Bent, the daughter of Captain Silas Bent and sister of Captain Silas Bent, Jr.. The younger Bent accompanied the first party to Marietta, his father and mother following the next year. Silas Bent, Sr., was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts, in 1744; was educated at Cambridge, Massachusetts; and married Miss Mary Carter. Be died at Belpre, Ohio, April 4, 1818; she, at the same place, June 10, 1831, aged eighty-five years. Captain Silas Bent, Jr., went from Marietta to Missouri in 1806, as Assistant Surveyor General; was afterward appointed Presiding Supreme Judge of Missouri Territory; died at St. Louis in 1827, His son, Charles Bent, was the first Civil Governor of New Mexico, and was with his cabinet assassinated in the insurrection of Taos in 1847. Several other members of the same family distinguished themselves in the Mexican and Indian border warfare as well as the political history of the West. During the earlier years of the Marietta settlement the settlers lived in a fort, built on the site of an ancient city and fort of the mound-builders, and suffered much from Indians, not less than thirty of their number being killed by the savages. Eight years after the settlement of Marietta, there landed, July 4, 1796, at the mouth of Conneaut creek, in the uortheast corner of Ohio, a band of pilgrims under the leadership of Major Moses Cleveland. There were fifty souls, among them two women and one young boy. This boy was the son of Elijah Gunn, and one of the women Mr. Gunn's wife. Elijah Gunn was the son of Lieutenant Nathaniel Gunn, who had served in the Revolutionary war, as also had his six sons: Nathaniel, Stephen, Elijah, Elisha, Elihu, and Moses, The Gunn family had for generations lived in the towns of Montague, Massachusetts, and Granby, Connecticut. The daughters of Nathaniel Gunn were: Dorothy, Submit, Jemima and Mercy. Mercy was the wife of Luke Kendall and the mother of Mrs. Orsamus Smith. This Mrs. Elijah Gunn, who OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 689 landed at Conneaut with her little son, was the daughter of a Captain Carver, an explorer who, just before the war of the Revolution, had secured a grant of land from the English Government, covering a large tract of land in northern Ohio, west of Cleveland. Captain Carver was in England when the war broke out, He was prevented from returning to America, and subsequently died in England, leaving two daughters, one of whom, as above stated, became the wife of Elijah Gunn, and the other married his—brother, Moses Gunn. These brothers spent many years and a large amount of money in unsuccessful effort to obtain from Congress a ratification of the English grant, Elisha Gunn settled in Cleveland in 1796, and was living in good health and in possession of all his faculties in 1847, being then past ninety. Orsamus Smith was born in Peru, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, November 9, 1807, son of George and Mary (Bent) Smith, the former a native of Rutland, Massachusetts, and the latter of Sudbury, Massachusetts. He came to Ohio about 1823. His father, as already stated, being a shareholder in the Connecticut Land Company, had given to each of his several sons a farm in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties. After spending a few years in the woods of Ohio with his married brothers, older than himself, who had preceded him (John in Dorset, and Renselaer in Bloomfield), he returned to his home in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where he married Melinda Clapp, the daughter of Erastus Clapp, of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Returning to Ohio, he settled on a tract of land at the center of Orwell, and, with his brothers, Pomeroy and Franklin, who with their father, George Smith, came to Ohio about the same time, at once began to lay the foundation for the present thrifty village. They erected several good frame houses, a large hotel —still standing in 1893—and other business places, inducing the location there of those two excellent business men, George A. Howard and R. C. Newell, so long identified with the prosperity of the town. In a single year the place was transformed from a dense forest to a busy village. The township was rapidly settled, and the town itself, being favorably located on the main thoroughfare of eastern Ohio, half way between Ashtabula and Warren, readily took a position abreast with older towns in the section, which position it has fully maintained. Here Mr. Smith lost his wife, who, dying at the age of thirty, left two little boys, George E. and Horatio M., and a little girl, Frances M. In 1840 Orasmus Smith was again married, this time to Elmira Kendall, of Warren, Ohio, the daughter of Luke and Mercy (Gunn) Kendall, of Deerfield, Massachusetts, before referred to. Of Luke Kendall, it is recorded that he enlisted in the service during the Revolutionary war, but, being very young, his brother David secured his discharge by going in his place. The latter was taken prisouer and was held several years by the British. Elmira Kendall was born in 1806, at Deerfield. She was a pupil of the celebrated Mary Lyon, of Mt. Holyoke, Massachusetts, and at the time of her marriage was a teacher in Warren, Ohio. The children of this second union were: William 0. and Emma L. Smith. Orsamus Smith was represented in the Civil war by his two sons, Major Horatio M. and William 0., both of whom served in the Army of the Cumberland from August 13, 1862, until the close of the war, a period of three years. Both enlisted as privates in the One Huudred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer In- 690 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY fantry. Major Horatio M. Smith served as Quartermaster in the field the first year and on the staff of Major General George H. Thomas the last two years. He died in 1890, leaving three sons: Ford R., Louis Ord and Horatio Hoyt, and one daughter, Maud W. Smith. The other grandchildren of Orsamus Smith are: Ida M. and Augusta E. Smith; daughters of George E. Smith who lives in New York city. Mrs. Frances M. Gilkeson, William O, Smith and Emma L. Smith, the remaining children of Orsamus Smith, live in Orwell. Orsamus Smith closed a long and busy life in Orwell, December 31, 1886, in his eightieth year; and his wife, Elmira, passed away at the same place, March 10, 1888, in her eighty-second year. Of these pioneer families, it should be further stated that Orsamus Smith had thirteen brothers and sisters; and that there were also fourteen brothers and sisters in Elmira Kendall's family, nearly all of whom lived to maturity and brought up families in Ohio. JAMES L. OSBORN, proprietor of the West Andover, Ohio, Saw & Planing Mill, was born in Andover township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, September 14, 1834, a son of Leverett Eli. and Harriet (Nims) Osborn, the father a native of Blanford, Hampden county, Massachusetts, and the mother of Fort Ann, Washington county, New York, who married March 26, 1826: They came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, about 1830, locating first at Jefferson, and then in Andover township. The father followed carpentering most of his life, and also owned a farm of 112 acres. He was a Whig and later a Republican, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a sincere and devoted Christian. He died in Andover, Ohio, May 28, 1858. Mrs. Osborn died in Jefferson, Ohio, September 16, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn had four children: Eliza M., deceased, was the wife of Edwin D. Knapp; James L., our subject; Helen L., widow of Allen R. Houghton, and now a resident of Jefferson, Ohio. Florine E., deceased, was the wife of G. W. Beckwith, then of Jefferson, Ohio, now of 647 Hough avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. James L. Osborn, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, received his education at district schools, and acquired the carpenter and millwright trades. He remained at home till he was twenty-four years of age, and subsequently, including the season of 1865, was engaged at his trades. August 28, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth United States regular band, for the late war, and served until discharged November 13 of that year. Since 1865, Mr. Osborn has been engaged in the milling business. The mill was first established in 1848, by George C. Dolph, now deceased, as a sawmill, and later planing machinery was put in per Britton and Booths- by, to manufacture cheese vats for H. A. Roe, but was not used long. The mill was operated by Dolph until June 30, 1851, then sold to Calvin Woodworth, who sold the same to J. E. Snow, July 5, 1852, who in turn sold to G. B. Mason, October 18, 1864. January 23, 1866, Mr. Osborn purchased the mill of G. B. Mason, adding at the time planing machinery, since then, oar and handle lathes, all of which equipment was destroyed by fire February 24, 1888, except the oar lathe. During the season of 1888, Mr. Osborn erected his present building, purchasing and removing the Hayward & Benson mill machinery from Sheffield, Ohio. September OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 691 10, 1890, he put in a planer and matcher, and also a moulder, and this season (1893) has added a band saw and turning lathe, for wood. In addition to his milling interests, Mr. Osborn is also agent for the Canton Steel Roofing Company, of Canton, Ohio. November 1, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie A. Wilder, who was born in Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, May 30, 1842, a daughter of Joseph and Cornelia (Rathbone) Wilder. To this union have been born two children, Leverett H., at Andover, Ohio, August 18, 1865, is now hand-car inspector for Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, from Toledo to Buffalo, Oil City and Youngstown, with residence at Andover, Ohio. He is a natural sketch artist and has done work in that line for the railroad company. Mary A., the second child, was born at Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 17, 1879, and is uow at home. In political matters, Mr. Osborn affiliates with the Republican party, and has held the position of Township Trustee. He is now a member of the Home Guards of Ohio, and was formerly a member of the John Brown Black String Com pany. Leverett H. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Isadore B. Kendall, September 25, 1890. To this union has been born one child, Pearl, January 12, 1892. JOSEPH C. RODGERS is the proprietor of the largest mill for the manufacture of staves and lumber in Ashtabula county. A sketch of his life and some mention of his business enterprise will be of interest here, and is accordingly here incorporated. Joseph C. Rodgers was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1859. His father, William Rodgers, emigrated from Ireland to this country in 1827 and located in that county. He subsequently removed to Butler county, Pennsylvania, and still later came to Colebrook, Ohio, where he purchased 428 acres of land, upon a portion of which he still resides. The mother of our subject, nee Mary Pettit, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. By a previous marriage with Catherine Crow, also a native of Pennsylvania, William Rodgers had three children: Andrew, a resident of Colebrook; Robert, who died in infancy; and Martha, now Mrs. David Humphrey, of. Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. By his second marriage he had twelve children, of whom the subject of our sketch was the fourth. Cassie and Mahala, the first and second, died in infancy; William H., the third, resides in Crawford county, Pennsylvania; the fifth, Samuel E., lives in Colebrook, Ohio; the next two were twins and died in infancy; David E. is a resident of Kingsville, Ohio; Daniel C., of Colebrook, is connected with the Salvation Army; Mollie I., is the wife of H. D. Allen, and they own a farm near Gustavus, but are at present living in Colebrook; Maud N., the eleventh, is the wife of Bert Allen, a prominent farmer and thresher of Austin, Minnesota; and Gaylord F., the youngest, is still under the parental roof. Of the original 428 acres, comprising the Rodgers farm, William Rodgers has given fifty acres to each of his surviving sons and divided eighty-two acres among his daughters. Joseph C. Rodgers lives on the land given him by his father. It is upon this place his mill is located, the same having been erected by him in December, 1885. Some idea of the proportions to which this plant has grown 692 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY may be gleaned from the following facts: During the past year M. Rodgers has cut and shipped 2,314,000 nail-keg staves. The present year he will manufacture not less than 3,500,000. From ten to fourteen men are employed during the entire year, while the pressure of business requires the constant operation of the mill by day and night during two or three months in the year. During the past year he purchased about 300,000 feet of timber, and this year the amount will reach 500,000 feet. This industry is of great benefit to Colebrook, and its people will use all proper endeavors to retain it. Other towns with superior railroad facilities are constantly negotiating for the plant, however, and it may eventually to be Mr. Rodgers' interest to accept their propositions. Mr. Rodgers also has a sawmill department, where he annually does custom sawing to the amount of about 200,000 feet per year. It is the only sawmill in Colebrook. The subject of our sketch has been twice married. In November, 1881, he married Maggie Kelley, a native of Pennsylvania, who died February 27, 1887, leaving an only child. This child, Martha Beryl, was born December 25, 1883. In 1889 Mr. Rodgers married Emma O. Andrews, whose maiden name was Thurber. They have had two children: Carlie, born June 20, 1890, died in infancy; and Joseph C., born May 4, 1892. By her former marriage Mrs. Rodgers had children as follows: Guy Le Roy, born March, 25, 1876 ; Myra Mahala, November 28, 1877: Lulu May, January 2, 1880; William F., December 19, 1883 all living except Lulu May, she having died in infancy. Mr. Rodgers is an active politician, being identified with the best elements of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is associated with the Masonic order and the J. O. U. A.M. In the latter organization he is Deputy State Counselor of his district. Mr. Rodgers is a liberal supporter of local institutions, a progressive business mau, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. FRED J. BISHOP, an attorney of Andower, was born in West Williamsfield, Ohio, in December, 1866, a son of John B. Bishop, who located in Ashtabula county in his infancy, about 1830. The latter's father, Thomas Bishop, was a native of Connecticut, of English descent, and his wife, Phoebe Palmer, was a descendant of Lord Palmerston. He came from his native State to this county, where he subsequently died. John B. Bishop, the father of our subject, was a farmer and surveyor by occupation, and a Republican in his political views. He married Amanda Ford, a native of West Williamsfield and a daughter of Shodrick Ford. They had five children: Fred, deceased in early childhood; Eliza, who also died when young; Mary, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of P. L. Woodworth, of West Williamsfield, and Fred J., the subject of this sketch. The latter was reared to farm life, attended the district schools of this county, and later the schools of Andover. He next took a thorough course at New Lyme, and also attended the Edinburgh College two terms. After teaching school one year, Mr. Bishop began the study of law, under the preceptor- ship of S. A. Northway, with whom he remained one year. He was then admitted to the bar, and since that time has followed the practice of law at Andover. He is a strong advocate of Democratic principles, and is one of the rising young politicians of Ashtabula county. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 693 Mr. Bishop was married September 21, 1892, to Miss Nellie W. Gibbs, who was horn and reared in Andover, a daughter of Edward and Lovenia (Thayer) Gibbs. JESSE M. TOWNSEND, a notable con- tractor -and builder, now supervising the construction of the dock work on the lake front, Ashtabula Harbor, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, September 4, 1844. His father, Samuel Townsend, was a native of the same State, but born in Montgomery county, in 1816. He learned the carpenter's trade when young, to which he devoted his entire life. This branch of the Townsend family came originally from York county, Pennsylvania, whence the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, J. M. Townsend, emigrated to Montgomery county, Maryland, where he passed the rest of his days. He also was a carpenter and builder, which business he followed all his life. On the call of the country in 18I2, he patriotically offered his services, serving with efficiency and honor during that war. He was the father of eight children, only three of whom now survive. Samuel Townsend, father of the subject of this sketch, married Catherine Ware, and they were the parents of five children: J. M., whose name heads this notice; Mahala, wife of J. M. Rheinhardt; Mary, who married J. Primrose; Almyra died at the age of five years; and L. J., the wife of J. Moore, a Maryland farmer. J. M. Townsend, of this biography, received a fair education, and after quitting school, worked a few months with his father. He was then variously engaged in farming and other legitimate work, that would provide him with the necessaries of life. When seventeen years of age, he went to Washington city, where he was employed in the quartermaster's department of the Government service for four months. In the meantime, his father had been drafted into the army, but was released when his son, J. M., presented himself as a substitute and was regularly enrolled. He was first in Company I, Eighth Maryland Infantry, Third Brigade and Third Corps, but was soon transferred to the Third Division, Third Brigade of the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. Hard service was the fate of this command, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and other notable battles being among the historic engagements participated in by Mr. Townsend, through which he passed without serious harm. He was discharged in 1863, and returned to Baltimore, where he completed his trade. He then eutered on the work of contracting and building, which he prosecuted vigorously in that State until 1871, at which time he went to Connellsville, Pennsylvania, where he engaged to work as a repairer of bridges, etc., for the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Company, with whom he severed his connection, at the end of fourteen years, as master builder. He afterward went to West Virginia, where he built twenty-live miles of what is now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system, fulfilling his contract, which called for everything complete except the grading. His next work was to construct the wood-work in the widening of the gauge of the Painesville & Youngstown Narrow Gauge (now the Pittsburg, Painesville & Fairport), under the supervision of J. R. Irvin. at present superintendent of docks at Fairport. Following this, Mr. Townsend was ordered to Pittsburgh to do important work as superintendent of way and yardmaster for the P____ J _____ Railroad 694 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Company, where he remained sixteen months. After the flood of the Conemaugh had destroyed Johnstown, Mr. Townsend, being well acquainted with the flooded district, was given charge of the wagon force engaged in cleaning the third division of that city. This done, he was ordered to Fairport to build 2,300 feet more of dock, being the total of all docks built at that point except 900 feet. In July, 1890, he came to Ashtabula in the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, to construct a dock and breakwater at the harbor. To give an idea of the enormous amount of work done in three years, and for which $1,000,000 has been expended, it is only necessary to state that 870 feet of breakwater, 1,800 feet of straight dock, and 1,100 feet of protection to the canal have been built, besides 1,800 feet of additional dock, now under construction. On December 8, 1867, Mr. Townsend was married in Maryland, to Sarah J. Brookhardt, a native of Baltimore and of Pennsylvania— German parentage. Three children have been born to them : Thomas E., born April 1, 1869, now a mechanic in the employ of W. S. McKinnon, a prominent business man of Ashtabula; Katie J. died at the age of ten years; and Jesse M., Jr., born May 21, 1873, is a machinist by trade and is assisting in his father's office. Politically, Mr. Townsend affiliates with the Republican party and although once a Councilman in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he has manifested no particular interest in public affairs until 1892, when he was quite active locally. That Mr. Townsend and family are firm believers in fraternities is evidenced by the several societies in which their household is quite conspicuously represented. Mr. Townsend is a member of the Masonic order, hav ing been initiated in Marylaud; is a member of the Western Reserve Chapter and the Columbian Commandery, a charter member of the Royal Arcanum of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, member of the Topeo Lodge of Knights of Pythias at the Harbor and of the Pythian Sisters, of which last Mrs. Townsend is also a member. The older son is a member of the same commandry as is his father, while the younger belongs to the order of American Mechanics. In considering the lives of the representative residents of the section and in incidentally touching upon the accomplishments in various lines of industry, it is but compatible that place be accorded to such men as Mr. Townsend, who has contributed his quota to the material advancement of the community. JOSIAH SMITH,—The death of few men has caused more general sorrow throughout northeastern Ohio than that of the subject of this sketch, who enjoyed a large acquaintance and was esteemed by all who knew him for his manly character. He came of good old New England, Revolutionary stock, his grandfather having fought ou the side of the patriots in the war for independence. His parents removed to Ohio in 1818 and settled in Claridon, Geauga county, where his father entered, cleared and improved a good farm on which the parents resided until death. The subject of this sketch was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, December 19, 1817, and accompanied his parents to Ohio the following year. He was reared on the home farm near Claridon and received a good education in the schools of his vicinity. When twenty years of age, he came to Orwell, Ashtabula county, near which city he pur- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 695 chased land that was then a wilderness, but which, tinder his skillful management and industrious labors, soon gave way to a highly cultivated and valuable farm. He was married at the age of twenty-three to Miss Martha Haskell, of Bloomfield, Ohio, and they had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Albert H., of Bloomfield; Charles, professor in Adelbert College, Cleveland, Ohio; Jesse, residing in Kansas; Julia, now Mrs. Anderson, of Orwell; and Mrs. H. E. Stetson, of Earlville, Iowa. In February, 1872, the devoted wife and mother died, leaving her family and many friends to mourn her loss. June 18, 1874, Mr. Smith was married to Mrs Emily A. Chislette, a lady of refinement and ability. Her maiden name was Hayward and she was born in Huishchampflower, Somersetshire England, February 10, 1839. Her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Hayward, were also natives of England, from which country they emigrated to America in early life. It was while on a visit to their native country that their daughter and only child, Mrs. Smith, was born. They eventually resided in England until the mother's death in 1850, after which the father came to Ohio, where he died in 1868. Mrs. Smith was first married February 22, 1860, to William Chislette, also a native of England, and they had two children: William H., now in business in Chicago; and Elizabeth A., book-keeper in a wholesale house in the same city. March 23, 1873, the family were bereft by death of the kind and affectionate husband and father, who died aged fifty-six years. The following year Mrs. Chislette was married to Mr. Smith, with whom she lived happily until his death in Orwell, Ohio, April 4, 1893, after twelve days' illness with typhoid pneumonia. Mr. Smith was a very successful instructor in vocal music, having taught in nearly every township in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, Ohio, and in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Among his pupils were Prof. N. Coe Stewart, of Cleveland; C. C. Case and other musicians of note. His services were in much demand throughout northeastern Ohio for the conducting of musical conventions, he having been a talented musician and vocalist of wide reputation. Later in life he did an extensive business as lightning-rod salesman and was also a successful farmer and more or less of a speculator. In politics he firmly supported the principles and policies of the Republican party, and, although not an office-seeker, was an active participant in local and national elections. In domestic and social relations he was kind, considerate and obliging; as a business man he was capable aud energetic, while as a citizen he was public spirited and progressive and held a high place in the esteem of the community. PROF. RALPH H. TALCOTT, one of the most widely and favorably known instructors of music, now residing in New Lyme, Ohio, was born in Jefferson, this State, December 3, 1860. His father, Henry Talcott, was one of the pioneers of the county, having come to Jefferson in 1853, with a trade and $50 cash capital. By industry and perseverance, however; he gradually rose to wealth and prominence. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Jefferson, in 1864, and in 1869, he with others, started the Jefferson Loan Association, of which he was president until a year after it became the Second National Bank, with increased capital, when he with- 696 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY drew. In the spring of 1873, he started a private banking house, known as Talcott's Deposit Bank. In 1854, he married Miss Cordelia J. Pritchard, and in 1867 built the fine brick mansion on Jefferson street, where he now resides. He reared five sons, all of whom attained maturity and fill business positions of honor. Prof. Talcott, of this notice, was reared and educated in his native town until he reached his eighteenth year, when he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and entered the Eastman National Business College, where he secured a thorough business education, and at which he graduated with distinction. It was then his intention to devote himself to a business career, but his love of music lured him away from his chosen vocation, and he began to prepare himself to teach that art. In 1879, he entered Dana's Institute of Music in Warren, where he remained a year, after which he went to Boston and entered the New England Conservatory of Music, remaining there four years under the personal instruction of the world-renowned musician and composer, Prof. J. B. Claus. He received his diploma from this institution in June, 1882, having completed the course in harmony, cornet and theory. While in Boston he studied violin under Prof. Julius Eichberg of the Boston Conservatory for nearly three years. In November, 1884, he received the appointment of examiner in cornet, harmony and theory from the New England Conservatory. In 1883, Prof. Talcott erected a handsome building in Jefferson, in which he established a music school. Beginning on a small scale, he soon found his school increased to sixty-four pupils, and, in 1884, found it necessary to employ an assistant. In the meantime, he conducted Talcott's Music School and Pierpont bands, also the orchestra of Talcott's music school, all the members of which are loud in praise of Prof. Talcott as an instructor. In 1886, the Professor found it necessary, owing to ill health, to dispose of his music school, and seek less confining employment, which he found in the management of his father's plantation near McMinnville, Tennessee. He remained there three years, and the pure, bracing air, with perfect mental as well as physical rest, resulted in recovering to him that health which he had formerly enjoyed. While there, he organized a colored band of fourteen pieces, and in two years made it one of the best companies of musicians within the limits of the State. At the time of the celebrated campaign of the Taylor brothers in Tennessee, this band furnished much of the music, and one of the distinguished brothers unreservedly endorsed its work, as " the best music" they had had "during the campaign." This band now enjoys a national reputation, and has recently closed an engagement to play forty-six weeks for a comedy company in Cincinnati. The following unequivocal statement comes from C, L. Morford, manager of the band: " We owe our success to the thorough instruction of Prof. Talcott. He is a grand teacher," In 1889, Prof. Talcott and his father traded the Tennessee plantation for the farm near New Lyme, Ohio, on which the Professor now resides. In the following fall, he began teaching in the musical department Of New Lyme Institute, and during his extensive experience in Ashtabula county, he has trained some excellent musicians. Among those of superior reputation may be mentioned, Forester Archibald, of Rock Creek; Mrs. Dr. Perry, Andover; Harry Wade, of Chicago; Mrs. Hattie (Prindle) Lee, of Padanaran; and a number of others, all of whom vie with OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 697 each other in praising the Professor as an instructor. He, however, needs no other endorsement than that of his own too-exacting self-approval, which stops not short of perfection and finds its greatest happiness in duty done. In January, 1882, Prof. Talcott was married to Marian T. Colson, of Boston, a lady of musical tastes and accomplishments, daughter of a former prominent citizen of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her father went to California at the time of the gold excitement and there engaged in mining. He subsequently went from that State to Galveston, Texas, to purchase supplies, and never returned, all trace of him having been lost, and it is supposed he was murdered. Prof. Talcott's married life has been an unusually happy one, and has been blessed by four bright children: Nellie May, born March 10, 1883, at Jefferson, Ohio; Henry Day, October 11, 1885, also born in Jefferson; Ralph H., Jr., a native of Tennessee, was born October 22, 1887; and Robert William, was born in New Lyme, September 8, 1889. In politics, the Professor is a Republican, but not active in public affairs, although deeply interested in the welfare of his country. He is essentially an artist in his chosen profession, a man of the highest character and a citizen of whom any community may be proud. JOHN REEVES, familiarly known as " Uncle John," whose bright, cheerful countenance is daily seen in Orwell, Ohio, was born February 25, 1803, in Glastonbury, Somersetshire, England. He comes of an old and respected English family, his father, George F. Reeves, having been a prominent citizen of Edington, Somersetshire, England. The subject of this sketch was one of seven children, but three of whom, two sons and one daughter, grew to maturity. Of these, Mr. Reeves of this notice is the oldest; William, his brother, was born in Edington, Somersetshire, England, August 26, 1806, and resided in that city until manhood. Determining to seek his fortune in the new world, William set sail for America May 8, 1830, arriving at his destination July 2 of the same year. He settled in Pompeii, now called Cardiff, New York, where he followed his trade of tanner and currier, in which he was a master workman. In 1835 he removed to Orwell, Ohio, where he became a prosperous and influential citizen, his death occurring, January 6, 1872; in that city where he was greatly regretted by all who knew him. Betsey, sister of the subject of this sketch, died in her native country. Mr. Reeves of this notice is a man of superior education, yet the opportunities afforded him after the age of ten years were obtained through his own hard labor and economy, and he deserves great credit for his perseverance and industry. He learned the trade of tanner and currier and that of fine leather dressing, at which he worked all his active years. He is a good Latin scholar and well versed in science, and is also a good penman. He is an apt mid accurate mathematician, and is the author of " Reeves' Tabulated Forms for Commercial Calculations," an exhaustive- and extended as well as valuable work. He is also a poet of some note, although his poems have never been published, as he has never tried to turn this talent to profit, but has written for pastime only. May, 1828, Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Ann Jeanes, a lady of many worthy 698 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY traits of character, a native of Lamyatt, England, and they lived happily together until her death in 1850, her loss being widely and sincerely mourned. They had no children. In 1851 Mr. Reeves came to America, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, being five weeks On the voyage. On his arrival in the United States, he at once began work at his trade, his skill readily finding and retaining employment in the best establishments. He worked in all the priucipal cities in the East, being employed all the time as a journeyman, with the exception of a few years during which he owned and managed a business of his own in Newburg, Ohio. This he sold, owing to his advanced age and its attendant infirmities. He has never remarried and being childless makes his home with a nephew, Captain Calvin Reeves, a genial, whole-souled gentleman and prominent citizen of Orwell, who is a son of William Reeves, deceased, brother of the subject of this sketch. In politics, our venerable subject advocates the principles of the Republican party. He is a useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and beloved and respected by all who know him. COLONEL WILLIAM CASSIUS HASKELL, the efficient and popular United States Marshal for the northern district of Ohio, is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born in Ashtabula county, July 24, 1845.. He comes of an old and respected family, several members of which have attained positions of honor in the State. He is the third of four children. The subject of this sketch was educated in the private school of William Hubbard, which gentleman was among the earliest settlers of Ohio and did much by his energy and worth of character toward the advancement of civilization in the western wilds. His school was one of the first in the State, having flourished in ante-bellum days, but is now extinct. Under the direction of this worthy schoolmaster, Mr. Haskell learned not only those necessary principles of education usually laid down for the youth of the land but also imbibed healthy ideas of honor, perseverance and industry, which have contributed to his present success. At the early age of sixteen he enlisted in the Civil war, and had an extended experience, of which we shall speak more at length further on. On his final return, and when twenty- one years of age, he entered the mercantile business, in company with his brother, D. W. Haskell, and was thus successfully engaged four years, At the age of twenty- four the subject of this sketch was married, and soon after went to Indiana, where he engaged in the lumber business, his operations extending to western Ohio, with headquarters at Waterloo, Kendallville, Frankfort and Crawfordsville, in Indiana, from which points he shipped largely of the Wabash export. He was thus occupied until 1876, meeting with gratifying success, when he returned to Ashtabula county, where he settled permanently aud engaged in the same business, his field of operations extending to western Pennsylvania. He was thus occupied until 1888, when he was ushered into public life by his election to the office of Mayor of Ashtabula, in which capacity he served efficiently one term, advancing by liberal pleasures the general welfare of the community. In February, 1892, he was appointed to his present position of United States Marshal of the northern district of OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 699 Ohio, succeeding Hon. B. F. Wade, an old and esteemed resident of Toledo. The able and prompt discharge of his duties in this capacity has served to increase the confidence of his friends in his energy and wisdom, and they are to be congratulated on their choice. Colonel Haskell's military record, an important one, has been reserved until now. In 1861 he enlisted in the Nineteenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three months, participating in the battle of Rich Mountain in West Virginia. He was then discharged, but soon resumed connection with the army, in the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, from which he was brought home sick. Before the regiment left Cincinnati. With patriotism undampened, however, as soon as he was able for duty, he again enlisted, under call of Governor Tod, as one of the Squirrel Hunters, and was afterward in Company A of the Fifty-sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania. This regiment was stationed at New creek, Virginia, most of the time, during the remainder of his service, and he was mustered out at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1867 the subject of this sketch was elected First Lieutenant of the Ashtabula Light Guards, and three months later became Captain of the same, which position he filled efficiently for seven years. The Ashtabula battalion was then formed, of which his company was a part, and he was elected Major. This battalion was one year later consolidated with the Tenth Regiment, of which Major Haskell was chosen Lieutenant Colonel, which rank he held until this regiment was incorporated with the Fifth Regiment, when Governor Foraker, of Ohio, appointed him Chief of Engineers of his staff, with the rank of Colonel. November 17, 1868, Colonel Haskell was married, in Ashtabula, to Miss Emma Kruger, an estimable lady, daughter of Prof. Jordan Kruger, who came from Hanover, Germany, and is an educator of ability. Prof. Kruger espoused the cause of the "Blind King" of Hanover, and upon the retirement of the latter the former left his native country, and, coming to America, settled in western Pennsylvania, near Erie, his daughter, Emma, wife of our subject, being at that time ten years of age. Colonel and Mrs. Haskell have had six children: John Winship, deceased; Isabelle D., now Mrs. Ray D. Lampson; John Moody; Jacob A.; Harvey, deceased; and Douglas Dysmar. Politically, the Colonel is stanchly Republican; fraternally, is a Knight Templar Mason. He is a man of strict integrity, generous-hearted and public-spirited, and stands high in the community of which he has been a worthy member for so many years. MRCUS WEST, a well-to-do and respected farmer of Saybrook township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in Middlefield, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, January 16, 1822. He comes of good old patriotic American stock, his grandfather, David West, having been a native of Connecticut, whence he emigrated to Massachusetts about the beginning of the present century, taking with him all his family, among whom was Horace, the father of the subject of this sketch. David was out on a small lake with an old sea captain shortly after his removal to his adopted State, when a squall came up and overturned the craft, drowning the occupants. Horace West, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ellington, Connecticut, and was a small boy