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MANTUA TOWNSHIP.
SAMUEL ALVORD, farmer, P. 0. Mantua Station, was born in Kirtland, Lake Co., Ohio, August 19, 1823; son of Elijah and ilary (Barker) Alvord, the former of whom was born at Colchester, New London Co., Conn., June 12, 1773, and the latter in Dutchess County, N. Y., June 14, 1793. They were married in the latter State May 25, 1819, and the same year removed to Ohio. Our subject came to Mantua in April, 1833, where he was educated, and November 17, 1847, he married Serena, daughter of Phineas U. Jennings, born July 12, 1823, on the old homestead, Lot 39, Mantua. By this union there is one child, a son—Phineas Elbert—born October 24, 1868, the only grandchild of P. U. Jennings. Our subject early learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He is strictly temperate; has never bought a glass of liquor at any bar for himself or any one else yet, or used tobacco in any way. He now resides on his farm, which is a part of Lots 38 and 39, in Mantua, and 71 in Shalersville Townships, where, by honest industry and fair dealing, united with a systematic and practical knowledge of the wants and duties of life, he has surrounded his home with the comforts and conveniences necessary for the enjoyment of rural life.
ALLEN A. BARBER, merchant, Mantua Station, was born May 1, 1833, in Freedom Township, this county; son of Capt. Harmon and Lucena (Daniels) Barber, natives of Ohio. Capt. Harmon Barber, an eccentric citizen, was elected to the command of a company of militia after the war of 1812 and proved himself to be one of the best commanders of the day. He was one of sixteen children, and he himself raised a family, whose names are Calvin, mar- ried to Louise, sister of Gen. Leggett, and residing in Iowa; Allen A. ; Chester T., married to Ursula Halstead, also in Iowa; Brewster 0., died in Garrettsville, Ohio, of disease contracted in the army, during the late war of the Rebellion (he was married to Ann Henry); Polly (deceased). Our subject was married, January 9, 1856, to Helen, daughter of William and Chloe McClintock, by whom he had four children: Fred A., married to Florence Burroughs; Will H.; Frank M. and George A. Mr. Barber for many years has been a member of the firm of Barber & Smith, one of the oldest in Garrettsville or Portage County, and for a long period was senior member of the firm of Barber & Sons, of Mantua. He is a Knight Templar, and W. M. of Mantua Lodge, No. 533, and was the first Odd Fellow initiated in Garrettsville Lodge.
FREDERICK P. BARD, furniture dealer, Mantua Station, was born February 3, 1845, in Kent Township, this county; son of Pelatiah and Hannah (Lanning) Bard, the former of whom was born in Connecticut in 1802; the latter, a native of Upper Canada, was born in 1801. They were the parents of
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nine children: Caroline, Martha C., Frances L., Mary C., Helen H., George W., Charles H., William F. and Frederick P. During the late war of the Rebellion three of the sons enlisted in the service of their country: Charles H. was a member of Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he is now a resident of St. Louis, Mich.; William F. was in the Forty-fifth Mounted Infantry and died in Andersonville Prison; Frederick P. served for a time under Gen. Garfield in Company A, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but received an honorable discharge on account of disability caused by sickness from which he has never fully recovered. He was married, May 30, 1871, to Jennie A., only child of Charles and Sarah Baker, of Irish descent, with whom they make their home. By this union there is one child—Sarah A. Mr. Baker, a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., came here in 1869, bought the land on which they live from John Craft, and built a fine brick residence. His family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bard is a reputable citizen of Mantua Township; a member of the G. A. R.; also a Good Templar. He is now engaged in the furniture business, which was established in 1881.
C. A. BARTHOLOMEW, farmer, P. O. Aurora Station, was born August 31, 1828, in Auburn, Geauga Co., Ohio; son of Jonathan P. and Mary (Wilson) Bartholomew, natives of Onondaga County, N. Y., and Montpelier, Vt., respectively, and who came to Ohio in 1814, passing en route through Buffalo at the time that city was in flames, it having been fired by the British, settling permanently in Auburn Township, Geauga County. They had a family of twelve, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, eight now living: Perleyett (Mrs. Frazee) in Burton, Geauga County; Julyann (Mrs. Redfield) in Fayette County, Iowa; C. A.; N. S.; Betsey (Mrs. L. Reed) in Burton; Mary (Mrs. Canfield) in Auburn; Alonzo D. in La Fayette County, Iowa; T. C. P. in Auburn. Jonathan P. Bartholomew died February 5, 1863; his widow survived until February 22, 1884. Our subject was married, in 1852, to Emily, daughter of Chauncey Winchell, a native of Suffield, Mass., and whose history will be found elsewhere. Mr. Bartholomew is a prosperous farmer; he is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge 213, Twinsburg.
SYLVESTER BEECHER (deceased) was born at Milford, Conn., January 23, 1786, son of Jonathan and Polly Beecher. He removed to Ohio when twenty-one years of age, having, prior to leaving his native State, contracted with a party named Canfield, to superintend the building of the first mill ever erected at Newton Falls, Trumbull County. He made the journey to Ohio on foot, and being robbed, en route, of $4, which comprised his wordly possessions, he arrived at his destination penniless and a stranger. He completed his contract, however, after which he was employed as a laborer in the brick yard of Wilcox & DeWolf, of Vernon, Trumbull County, and while with them he made the acquaintance of Miss Betsey Bushnell, who subsequently became his wife. Upon the dissolution of his connection with this firm he visited an uncle, then residing at Shalersville, Mr. Hine, father of the late Abel Hine of that township. While with his uncle he was induced to purchase the old homestead. which was then in Middletown, now Shalersville Township, from a Mr. Shaler, after whom the village of Shalersville or Shalersville Center was named. After Mr. Beecher purchased his first 100 acres he entered Mr. Shaler's service, and made his first payment on his land by clearing the village lands and adjoining roads of timber. About. this time he enlisted in the war of 1812, but returned after a four months' service, having been slightly wounded in the head during a skirmish with the Indians, and began to improve his purchase.
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He then visited his native State, working there in a woolen and button factory until he had earned more than enough to complete the payment on his land. Investing in a stock of goods he came back to Ohio with a team and wagon, defraying his expenses by selling a part of his stock, and renting a room in Vernon Township. Trumbull County, he disposed of the residue. Soon after he made a third trip to Connecticut, returning with another stock of goods, which were placed on sale where now stands the village of Palmyra. On July 16, 1816, he married Miss Betsey Bushnell and by her had twelve children, seven of whom survive: Rosella (Mrs. Horr, a widow), Samuel, Austin, Harriet (Mrs. W. W. Patton, of Kent), Lura (Mrs. Dr. C. S. Leonard, in Ravenna), Electa (Mrs. George R. Miller) and John H. The last mentioned was born in Shalersville Township, June 21, 1841, was educated at Hiram College, where Garfield received his training, and married March 29, 1880, Miss Georgia, daughter of A. N. Farr, Esq., one of the leading citizens of Mantua Township, this county. He (John H.) is now General Agent for the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company; be is prominently connected with the I. 0. 0. F. and Lodge 533, F. & A. M., of Mantua Station. The subject of this sketch (Sylvester Beecher) died in 1855, leaving an estate estimated at $95,000, most of which is in Mantua Township. His widow departed this life June 10, 1884.
AUSTIN S. BEECHER, hardware merchant, Mantua, was born February 1, 1830, in the township of Shalersville, this county, son of Sylvester and Betsey (Bushnell) Beecher, natives of Connecticut, who came to Obio at an early day. They were parents of twelve children, seven now living: Rosella (Mrs. Haw); Samuel S. ; Austin S.; Harriet A.. (Mrs. Patton), in Kent; Laura A. (Mrs. Dr. Leonard), in Ravenna; Electa (Mrs. George R. Miller), in Freedom Township, and J. W. Our subject's father made several trips between this State and the East before settling permanently. The first journey he made on foot, bearing articles of merchandise to sell while en route; then in a wagon laden with commodities. He located in Shalersville, where he became a prominent merchant and a large land-holder. The subject of this sketch was married February 9, 1857, to Olive A., daughter of Jesse Brewster, and to this union was born one son—raiik, educated at Oberlin and Hiram Colleges, from which he graduated in 1872 and 1873 respectively, and at the law school, Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1874. He is now an attorney at law in the latter city. Our subject is one of the leading citizens of Mantua, and has lately opened a complete line of hardware, etc., in the new building erected by Charles Thomson. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Overs4er of the Poor for several years, and is a member of Mantua Lodge No. 533, A. F. & A. M.
CHAUNCY BLAIR, farmer, P. 0. Mantua Station, was born in Mantua Township, this county, February 7, 1819, son of John and Pattie (Smith) Blair, natives of Massachusetts, who immigrated to this county in 1810, settling near where our subject now resides. John Blair built the first frame house in the township, procuring all his material from Pittsburgh (the nails used in its construction being hand made, with peculiar heads). It was formerly used as a hotel, and for many years was the temporary abiding-place for transient guests and for those who came into the county to settle. It stands on the farm of our subject, near the village of Mantua. John Blair was twice married, and his family consisted of ten children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Annie Patterson, eighty-two years of age, and Chauncy. Our subject was married April 23, 1840, to Martha, third child of Lansing and Mary (Vanfleet) Story, who were natives of Massachusetts, and the parents of seven children, four now living. Mr. Story came to this county in 1835 and settled near Mantua
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Center, but after a few years went West, subsequently returned and here died. To Mr. and Mrs. Chauncy Blair were born eight children, seven now living: Harriet, Delia, Jennie, Addie, Nettie, Frankie and Cora; Anson is deceased. Our subject and wife are enjoying the fruits of years of labor on their well improved farm, which comprises 450 acres of land.
ELSTON R. BLAIR, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born August 8, 1826, in Mantua Township, this county, son of Alfred and Julia (Miller) Blair. His grandfather, John Blair, came to Mantua Township, this county, in 1806, and built and conducted the first hotel in Mantua, the same being constructed of frame, supplied with glass, etc., purchased at Pittsburgh. The venerable building is still intact and stands on the farm of Chauncy Blair. Our subject was married June 15, 1852, to Lucy A., daughter of Avery and Annie Patterson. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have no children. Mrs. Blair s father, Avery Patterson, was born in Chautauqua, N. Y., October 27, 1792, and came to Ohio when but sixteen years of age, and here married Annie Blair, born in Blandford, Mass., in 1802, daughter of John and Pattie (Smith) Blair, who bore him two children, only one now living—Lucy A., wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, pioneers on the borders of civilization, began life in the most primitive manner, and lived to see cities rise up in the wilderness and the fields to blossom as the rose. Mr. Patterson at one time owned over 900 acres of land. He died in 1859. His widow, now over eighty-two years of age, resides with Mr. Blair.
FRANK BLAIR, farmer, manufacturer and dealer in cheese and butter, Mantua, was born January 6, 1846, on the farm where he now lives in this township, and on which his father first settled in 1827, son of Benjamin and Cynthia (Jefferson) Blair, former a native of Blandford, Mass., born December 9, 1802, latter of Wrentham, Mass. Benjamin Blair was brought to Mantua Township, this county, in 1804 by his father, who was land agent here for the early settlers, and who subsequently revisited Massachusetts, but returned to Mantua, Ohio, in 1806, and was accidentally killed while "raising" a cabin in 1807, when Benjamin was but four years of age. Benjamin Blair married, in Mantua, Ohio, May 17, 1827, Cynthia Jefferson, who bore him eight children, four of whom are now living: James J.; Nelson B., died October 28, 1884 (he was married first to Caroline, daughter of Alfred Blair, afterward to Mary Frost); Henry. C., died in 1856; Newton, died April 18, 1851; Wallace B.,. married for his first wife Sarah Eggleston, and for his second married Emma Talbot; Edwin, died in 1844; Austin A., was married October, 1876, to Minnie Hazlet; and Frank. Our subject was married January 22, 1872, to Annie, daughter of Carnot Mason, of Hiram, this county, who was a native of Vermont and parent of ten children, of whom Mrs. Blair is eighth. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have four children: Claud C., Frank B., Harry M. and Nina M. Our subject is a leading citizen of Mantua Township, where he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of cheese for the past twelve years. He is a F. & A. M., connected with Lodge No. 533, of Mantua. In politics he is a Democrat.
PETER CARLTON (deceased) was born June 3, 1787, in Stafford, Conn., and was a son of Caleb and Margaret Carlton, who were the parents of Hannah, married to John Bestor; Caleb; Lucy, married to Alvin Bestor; Peter; Elias; Sallie, married to Willis Kneeland; Dudley. Our subject was the first Carlton to settle in this county, coming in 1811, his parents following in 1814. He was married, November 29, 1810, to Clarissa, daughter of Daniel and Persia (Davis) Ladd, and born February 25, 1779, one week before the inauguration of George Washington as President. Says a writer: "Here, amid the influence of the crude and imperfect civilization that existed in those early
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days, she was reared to habits of industry, and enjoyed only such educational advantages as the limited means of her parents were able to bestow, until she was twenty-one years old." Soon after their marriage our subject and wife left for Ohio, and after a toilsome journey of twenty-seven days arrived at Painesville, Ohio, where they met Horace Ladd, who had preceded them a short time. With Mr. Ladd, Peter Carlton and his wife left their wagon and goods, mounted their horses and struck out for Mantua, and on their way, at Welshfield, they met a man whose track in the leaves served as a guide to their right course. At night they reached Blackbrook, a small stream with muddy bottom, which with care they managed to cross. While making preparations to cross they started a hog, which ran away, as they supposed, toward a house. They followed it, and soon came to the clearing of .Elias Harmon, and from there went to the clearing of Mrs. Carlton's brother, Eleazer Ladd, reaching there about 10 o'clock. They were desirous of settling in Geauga County,but the settlers of Mantua, being solicitous about increasing their settlement, offered to build them a house and render other necessary assistance. They were induced to make a final settlement. In 1812 the war broke out, and Mr. Carlton went forward to defend his country. After several years spent in clearing the farm, it was traded for the home now owned by their youngest son, P. A. Peter Carlton died in 1861; his widow survived him several years. One evening she listened to the rhading of an excellent book, retired in her usual health, and was found the next morning apparently in a gentle sleep, but it was soon discovered that she was stricken from life's roll on earth and gathered into life eternal. She was the mother of ten children: George, born September 5, 1811, died August 29, 1836; Sherman, born June 21, 1813, died February 20, 1851; Caleb D., born May 22, 1815, died December 19, 1867; Francis, born April 29, 1817; Clarissa, born June 30, 1819, married September 27, 1841, to I. P. Sperry; P. A.; Sallie, born August 1, 1823, died May 27, 1845 (she married Robert McMurdy); Lydia, born August 14, 1825, died September 27, 1845; Percis A., born July 4, 1829; Huldah E., born November 21, 1833. P. A., who was born February 26, 1821, in Mantua Township, this county, attended the country schools and the school at Kirtland, and was brought up on a farm. He was married September 27, 1848, to Sallie A. Parker, born November 8, 1829, in Aurora, Ohio, daughter of Horace and Achsa (McElwain) Parker, natives, the former of this county, the latter of Vermont. The father, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church, died leaving her and Huldah, and the mother subsequently married James Pease, by whom she had eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Celia, Malinda, Sylvia, Helen, Abner, Samuel and Frank. The mother was a member of the Disciples Church. To P. A. Carlton and his wife were born ten children, nine of whom are now living: Arah, married to Carrie Donnel (he is a dentist at Mantua Station); Herbert, married to Tillie Parker; John and James (twins), the former married to Hettie Cobb, and the latter to Lou Whittier; Clara; Guy E.; Persia E.; Horace P. and Lucy A. P. A. Carlton and wife are members of the Disciples Church. He owns the old homestead of 200 acres. Mr. Carlton was drafted in the late war and hired a substitute. In politics he is a Republican. His brother Sherman's son, Charles, was said, by James A. Garfield, who preached his funeral discourse, to have been the first Union man to shed blood in a regular engagement in the late war of the Rebellion. After being seriously wounded he was brought home by Francis Carlton, whose sketch appears elsewhere. In this volume will be found the portraits of Peter and Clarissa Carlton, who were exemplary Christian people.
FRANCIS CARLTON, farmer, P. 0. Mantua, was born April 29, 1817,,in Mantua Township, Portage Co., Ohio, son of Peter and Clarissa (Ladd) Carl-
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ton, natives of Stafford, Conn., and Marlboro, Mass., respectively, and who were the parents of ten children, five now living: Francis; Clarissa (Mrs. Sperry), in Tallmadge, Summit Co., Ohio; P. A., residing on the old homestead; Hulda (Mrs. Sperry), in Tallmadge, and Pelvis% A., widow of Charles Taylor, also in Tallmadge, Ohio. Peter Carlton and wife came to this_ county in thq spring of 1811, and settled in Mantua Township, where he bought a farm, which in a few years he traded for one owned by B. F. Blair. He was a pioneer farmer of Mantua Township, and died May 27, 1861, aged seventy- five years. Clarissa (Ladd) Carlton died January 10, 1883, aged ninety-four years. Our subject was married October 23, 1839, to Polly, daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Squires) Bidlake, who came to Mantua Township, this county, in 1810. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have been born seven children: G. W.. married to Chloe Hotchkiss; F. M., married to Mary Nelson; Lydia A., wife of S. T. Thayer A. P., married to Helen Cobb; Abbie, wife Charles Parker; Ida B., wife of Caleb Kettring, and Emma M.
LEVI E. CARLTON, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born March 7, 1824, in Mantua Township, this county, son of Dudley and Lydia (Eaton) Carlton, natives of Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn., former born September 3, 1796, latter August 31, 1791, and who were married in 1814, and moved to Ohio in the same year. There were born to them five sons and one daughter, two sons and the daughter being deceased; two sons living in Mantua and one in Kansas: E. D., a widower, residing in Mantua; B. P. in Kansas; and Levi E. in Mantua. Dudley Carlton died in 1878, and his wife in 1868. Capt. Caleb Carlton, Dudley Carlton's father, was a soldier throughout the entire Revolutionary war, serving seven years. He moved to Ohio with his son, Dudley, and died in 1823. Our subject was married, October 16, 1851, to Mary L., daughter of Capt. John and Betsey W. Esty, and born December 18, 1830. To this union were born two sons, both of whom died in infancy.
HENRY COBB, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born April 22, 1821, in Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., son of Samuel and Harriet (Sheldon) Cobb, natives of Connecticut. His paternal great-grandfather was Dr. Samuel Cobb, born August 25, 1716, in Wales, and who emigrated to New England, where he remained for a time at Barnstable, near Cape Cod, Mass. In 1743 he removed to Tolland, Conn., and was a celebrated physician and magistrate. He died universally lamented April 6, 1781. He married Mary Hinkley, who died December 9, 1746, leaving two children. On April 11, 1749, he was again married, this time to Hannah Bicknell, by whom he had twelve children. David, one of his sons, born June 6, 1761, at Tolland, Conn., married Hope Norris, June 25, 1782, and by her had thirteen children; one of his sons, Samuel, was born June 2, 1785, and married, June 1, 1820, Harriet, daughter of Oliver Sheldon, who bore him three children: Henry (our subject), Newton, born October 6, 1823, and Harriet, born February 18, 1828, now the widow of J. M. Taylor, of Toledo, Ohio. Our subject's father purchased several hundred acres of land in the Western Reserve, and in June, 1833, removed with his family to Mantua Township, locating on Lot 19, known as "Cobb's Corners," a postoffice being established there, of which Mr. Cobb was Postmaster for seventeen years, receiving his commission from Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General under Andrew Jackson. Mr. Cobb was a stanch Democrat and died December 22, 1852, his widow surviving him until December 16, 1860. Our subject passed his early years in Connecticut, and after coming here assisted his parents to clear up the farm. His education was acquired during the winters in the primitive log-schoolhouse and by studying at nights. He thus fitted himself to be a teacher, and
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for many years followed this profession. On October 10, 1849, he married Antoinette H., daughter of Hezron Taylor, natives of Connecticut, by whom he has had five children: Helen F., born July 16, 1850 (married January 15, 1874, to A. P. Carlton. They have four children: Henry Lee, born October 26, 1875; Howard A., born June 25, 1880; Grace G., born November 3, 1882, and Emma A., born October 24, 1884); Frederick H., born July 12, 1854 (married Harriet A. Folder October 1, 1882, and died December 23, 1884, leaving one son, Birchard F., born February 26, 1884); Hattie A., born April 26, 1859 (married John D. Carlton, November 9, 1882); Clara B., born March 2, 1866, and Frances E., born January 17, 1869, died February 2, 1885. Our subject has been an active citizen of. Mantua Township for years, and has filled all the important township offices acceptably. He holds two commissions for Justice of the Peace, issued by R. B. Hayes.
NEWTON COBB, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, brother of Henry Cobb (whose sketch appears above), was born in Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., and came to this county with his father, Samuel Cobb, in 1833, locating on Lot 19 in Mantua Township. He was united in marriage March 2, 1854, with Annie C. Carlton, and by this union has one child-Lura A., married to John B. King, April 7, 1877.
STEPHEN J. DAVIS (deceased) was born October 10, 1816, in Delaware County, N. Y. ; son of Aca and Anna Davis. He was married August 31, 1848, to Philena, daughter of Alonzo and Emily (Mount) Gates, of Harbor Creek Township, Erie Co., Penn., who were the parents of five Children, all now living, viz. : Grandison, married to Lucy Dailey, residing in Dakota; Abby, wife of S. Brown, at Chautauqua Lake; Pamelia, wife of William Trimble, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, now of Erie, Penn.; Philena, the widow of our subject, and George, married to Julia Bostwick, in Springfield, Penn. Mrs. Davis was born in Erie County, Penn., and came here with her husband (on account of his failing health) and here bought a home. To our subject and wife was born one son--Clinton married to Jennie, daughter of Ebenezer McIntosh, of Mantua, Ohio. Stephen J. Davis departed this life in August, 1878. His widow makes her home with her son, Clinton, and is carrying on a flourishing millinery and fancy goods store at Mantua Corners, where she is known as an affable, conscientious lady.
J. H. DITTO, of the firm of J. H. Ditto & Sons, dealers in flour, feed and groceries, and proprietors of a livery, Mantua Station, was born November 1, 1828, thirty miles southeast of Montreal, Quebec; son of Peter and Mary (Bucheau) Ditto, who were the parents of twelve children, eleven now living. Our. subject came to the United States in 1846, and during the year 1856 was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Lawson and Emily (Ferris) Stearns, of Newbury, Geauga Co. Ohio. They have a family of three children: Frank S., Henry E. and Charles J., all of whom are associated with their father in business near the railroad depot. Our subject and his sons are leading citizens of Mantua Township, and are regarded as enterprising, public-spirited men.
JOHN ESTY was born in Phelpstown, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 30, 1793, and his wife, Betsey W. (Jones) was born in Middlefield, Berkshire Co., Mass., February 1, 1799. They moved to Mantua, this county, in 1818, and were married the same year. There were born to them four sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. The four sons and two daughters lived to have homes of their own, and all resided in this State but one son, who died in Missouri August 13, 1871, aged forty-seven years; one daughter died in infancy. John Esty was a soldier in the war of
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1812, and received a commission as First Lieutenant in 1825 from Gov. Morrow. In 1830, during the administration of Gov. Trimble, he was promoted to be Captain of the First Regiment of Rifles. He was a Demociat until the organization of the Republican party, with which he allied himself, and which he supported until his death. He was a man who maintained the best interests of his country, and was loved by all who knew him. He died November 15, 1863, aged seventy-one years; his wife died November 10, 1869. Our subject is a citizen of wealth, influence and enterprise. He has served as Trustee of his township for two years.
ALONZO N. FARR, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born in East Claridon, Geauga Co., Ohio, November 28, 1822, son of Abel and Betsey (Mastic) Farr, the former of whom was born in Chesterfield, Mass., May 6, 1795, and the latter in Dunsmore, Vt., July 16, 1'796. Mrs. Betsey Farr's grandfather, John Mastic, was born in Scotland in 1717, and married Sarah Coy, born in 1712 in Farmington, Mass. He was pressed into the English service, where he remained until reaching Boston Harbor, when he escaped, and in his flight exchanged clothes with a man digging a cellar under a mill, and also changed his name from Salter to Mastic, by which he was always known thereafter. Nathaniel Mastic, Mrs. Farr's father, was born in Massachusetts July 8, 1772, and married Lydia Caryl, born in 1771. Abel Farr, father of our subject, was married in 1819, came to Ohio the same year, and for two years resided on the present site of Elyria; thence he removed to Claridon, and in March, 1829, to this county, where he lived until 1837, when he went to Troy, Geanga County, where he remained until his death, April 20, 1864. His children, ten in number, survive: Lorenzo A., Alonzo N., Lovell L, William H., Arvilla L., Edwin A., Lutheria E., Asenath M., Eri M. and Orren S. Our subject was married November 20, 1845, to Annah P., daughter of Eber Kennedy,.and by her has four daughters: Adell N. (Mrs. L. Turner), Edna M. (Mrs. S. Sanford), Frinda A. (Mrs. F. R. Munn) and Georgie A. (Mrs. J. H. Beecher). Mrs. Farr's grandfather, Simeon Pryor, came to Ohio in 1800, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He settled in Portage County, Ohio, and died June 29, 1837. Mrs. Farr's father, Eber Kennedy, came to Ohio from Blanford, Mass., in 1804; settled in Aurora, Portage Co., Ohio; married Polly Pryor July 4, 1808; died May 15, 1837, aged fifty eight years. Polly, his widow died February 15, 1880, aged ninety-one years. Our subject has held the offices of Justice of the-Peace twenty-one years, Township Trustee, Postmaster eight years, and is now a Notary Public. He is a Democrat in politics, a valued citizen and an enterprising man.
J. W. FOSTER, merchant, Mantua, was born June 26, 1817, in Mantua Township, this county, son of Jonathan and Betsey (Eggleston) Foster, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts respectively, and who first came to Suffield Township, this county, subsequently moving to Mantua Township, where they remained until their death. Jonathan Foster was a farmer by oectipation, alive to every improvement. He endeavored to raise sheep, but his efforts proved a failure, as the first night three of his six sheep were devoured by wolves. He was a Justice of the Peace for many years, a Representative of this county in the Legislature, Associate Judge, a man of very decided ability. His children were seven in number, three now living: Martha and Mary, maiden ladies residing on the old home farm, and J. W. Our subject was married in April, 1855, to Aurelia, daughter of Joel and Julia Chapman, latter the first white child born in Mantua Township, this county, a daughter of Elias Harmon. By the union of J. W. Foster and wife were born four children, only one now living—Jessie A. Our subject has been
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engaged in mercantile trade in Mantua for forty-four years, and as Postmaster of the village nineteen years. He is one of the substantial business men of this place.
JAMES FROST (deceased) was born in Blandford Township, Hampden Co., Mass., son of John and Eleanor Frost. His educational advantages were limited, as his father died when he was but eleven years old, and he•was then put out to work. At the expiration of one year he returned home and took charge of the farm, remaining thus occupied until he was seventeen years of age. In May, 1816, being then twenty-five years old, he came to Ohio, and soon after married Semira, daughter of Samuel Forward, who came to Ohio in 1803, and whose family was the second to settle in Aurora Township, this county. Our subject and wife were the parents of seven children: Charles; Frank; John, a bachelor, a thorough business man, who is proprietor of the Mantua Steam Flouring Millsi Elmer, who was born October 22, 1826 (is now Trustee of the township, and has held other official positions; was married November 8, 1848, to Rhoda, daughter of L. Reed, and they had two children: James B., married to Perris Barker, and Eva A., who died in infancy); Madison and Benton, living in Auburn Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, and Mary, wife of Nelson Blair (have two daughters now residing in Parkman, Ohio).
FRANK FROST, farmer, Mantua Corners, was born March 9, 1821, in this township, son of James and Semira (Forward) Frost, and grandson of Samuel Forward and James Frost, natives of Massachusetts and early pioneers of Ohio, the former settling in Aurora Township, this county, in 1803, and the latter in Mantua in 1816. The father of our subject had six sons (five now living) and one daughter, viz. : Charles, Frank, John, Elmer, Madison, Benton and Mary, wife of Nelson Blair (have two daughters residing in Geauga County, Ohio). Our subject was married November, 1844, to Rhoda C. Bump, who died in 1865. He subsequently married Marcia A., daughter of Lot Mitchell, of Windham County, Conn. Mr. Frost has no children. He is a leading farmer and cheese manufacturer of this county, and has served his township as Assessor and Trustee. Politically he is a Democrat.
JOHN FROST (deceased) was born in Mantua Township, this county, March 21, 1823, son of James and Semira (Forward) Frost, the former a native of Massachusetts, and came to Ohio in 1816, the latter born in Connecticut, came in 1803. They were the second family in Mantua Township, and settled two miles west of the present site of Mantua Station. They reared a family of eight children, of whom five are now living: Frank, John, Madison, Mary and Benton; Elmer and his wife died of pneumonia, former, February 14, latter, February 17, 1885, and their funeral obsequies were both held on same day. Our subject was a farmer and miller by occupation, and head of the firm of John Frost & Co., of the Centennial Mills, an establishment employing the new process roller system and possessing a capacity of turning out seventy-five barrels of flour per day. The Centennial is the leading mill in the vicinity. John Frost died of pneumonia February 22, 1885, aged sixty- one years. He was a citizen of capital, enterprise and public spirit.
EDWIN M. FROST, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born August 22, 1832, in Mantua Township, this county; son of Marvin and Mary Ann (Demaw) Frost, former of whom, a native of Blandford, Mass., came to Mantua Township, this county, in 1818, settling on Lot 33, now occupied by Nelson Brann; latter a French-Canadian. They had four children, three now living: J. K., who was a resident of Hudson, Ohio, where he died 1882 (leaving a widow and two children: Sallie and George); Lorenzo L. and Edwin M. In 1864 the parents of our subject removed to Hudson, where they passed the remainder
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of their days with their son J. K. Frost. In 1854 Edwin M. was married to Agnes A., daughter of Garrett C. Vanwagnen, who came to Ohio from New York State and was the parent of a family of fifteen children, of whom Mrs. Frost is twelfth. To Mr. and Mrs. Frost have been born three children: R. F., a physician in Ashtabula County, Ohio; Lou Y. and Arthur E. at home. In politics our subject is a Democrat.
DEMAS HARMON (deceased) was born January 11, 1805, in Suffield, Conn., son of Cephas and Deborah Harmon. He was married to Rachel Gillett, April 21, 1830, by whom he had five children: Maria R., wife of C. B. White (had six children: Elbridge G., Arthur H., Charles C., Fred H., Mary E. and Marcia M.; three are still living: Charles C., Fred H. and Mary E.); Eloisa C., wife of E. M. Kent (have five children: Anna A., Demas E., Zenas A., Eleanor E. and Arthur A); Mary A., wife of F. Canfield, of Austin, Ill. (had two children: Louisa and Hattie B.; Hattie B. is still living); Horace A., married Tryphena Reed (have two children: Vernie I. and Demas), and Silas D., a bachelor. In 1833, accompanied by his wife, he came to Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1834, when he moved to Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio, and bought 215 acres of land. He died May 19, 1842. His widow, in October of the same year, married King Nooney, a brother of Capt. Nooney of the war of 1812, and by him had one daughter— Sarah .R.—now the wife of G. O. Reed. Mr. Nooney died October 9, 1848. His widow still resides on the farm located by her first husband many years ago. Her son, Silas D., who lives with her, has charge of the farm, dairy, etc., and• is one of the leading farmers of the town.
SAMUEL HARMON, farmer, P. O. Mantua, son of Alexander and Mary (Hanchett) Harmon, was born in Suffield, Conn., July 30, 1808, came to Ohio in 1834 and settled in the northern part of Mantua Township. In 1835 our subject married Jane Deming, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Smith) Deming, and born in Sandisfield, Mass., November 1, 1815. By this union eight children were born, seven now living: Esther A. (Mrs. H. L. Moore, in Kansas), Orcelia J. (Mrs. H. H. Converse), Martha A. (Mrs. G. W. Stitt), Carrie L. (Mrs. H. J. Sanford), Rhoda J. (Mrs. M. H. Case, in Illinois), Samuel (who married Sylvia, daughter of Charles Streator, of Shalersville, this county), and Fred H., residing with his brother Samuel at the old home. January, 1875, Mr. Harmon buried his wife, and March, 1878, he married Mrs. Wood; they live near the old homestead. Our subject has held several offices of trust in the township, and is a quiet, unassuming, well-to-do farmer.
HORACE D. HINCKLEY, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born August 29, 1817, the second white child born in Auburn, Geauga Co., Ohio, son of Charles and Nancy (Turner) Hinckley, the former born in 1793, in Connecticut, and the latter in 1791, in Massachusetts, but afterward removed to New York State, settling near Albany. They were married during the fall of 1816, at Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y., and the following winter moved to Geauga County, Ohio, making the journey on sleds drawn by oxen, and,en route, the party narrowly escaped death. While passing a clearing two trees fell, crushing one of the sleds and delaying the venturesome toilers in the unfrequented pathways two days. They arrived at their destination in safety, however, and lived for many years, Mr. Hinckley dying in 1842, and his widow during the year 1866. They reared a family of seven children, three sons now living: James B., Gilbert and Horace D. Our subject was married October 21, 1846, to Sylvia, daughter of Moses and Celia Bradley, natives of Vermont and Russell, Mass., respectively, and who had four children, three now living: Martha (Mrs. Burnett), Lydia (Mrs. Zabriskie), both residing in Geauga
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County, and Mrs. Hinckley. Our subject has resided in this county since 1865, and is one of the oldest members of Masonic Lodge, No: 553.
PHINEAS U. JENNINGS (deceased) was born May 4, 1796, in Craftsbury, Vt., son of Benjamin and Serena (Bigelow) Jennings, former born August 29, 1752, died April 14, 1836; latter born March 16, 1765, died April 16, 1835. They were married November 13, 1786, and were the parents of eight children: Betsey, born October 16, 1'787; Anna, born January 8, 1791; Lucretia, born October 13, 1793; Phineas U., born May 4, 1796; Talmon, born July 4, 1198; Lucy M., born December 21, 1801; Elial, born July 15, 1804; Benjamin, born May 1, 1807. Our subject, when eight years old, was bound out to Daniel Freeman, a farmer and hotel-keeper, and with him remained until he reached his majority. He then started on life's career with one suit of clothes. When with Freeman he out a cord of wood, hauled it seven miles, and with the means obtained by the sale of the wood he purchased a " Scholar's Arithmetic," dated 1814, which is well preserved by his daughter, Mrs. Alvord. In 1821 he came to Ohio, driving a team for Benjamin Dow, whose wife was a sister to Judge.Foster. The journey was made with a sled, and while crossing a lake the ice broke, and Mr. Jennings' cabinet got wet and with it his family Bible, the only gift of his father, which is also held in good preservation by his daughter, Mrs. Alvord. It was published in 1789. His first purchase of land was in 1821 in Mantua Township, this county, the tract being sixty-four acres of wild forest, and clearing it, he made it his home for life, adding thereto, from time to time, until he became the possessor of 300 acres besides considerable other property, all acquired, not by fortunate speculation, but by honest and patient industry. With a limited education he was a close observer, and with a strong and vigorous intellect he rapidly formed an accurate Judgment of men and things, and in active life was one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the township. Being stricken with blindness in his old age, he bore the afilic.tion with cheerfulness, patiently awaiting for his eyes to be opened in the "home over there," where his aged companion had preceded him about two years. He was certain of good treatment by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord, and hence chose them to care for him to the close of his life, which ended June 26, 1882. June 16, 1822, he was married to Cleona Wilmot, born April 23, 1806, in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Conn., and in 1814 she came to Ohio with her widowed mother, sister and brother, Ella Wilmot. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were born Serena, July 12, 1823; Cordelia, born May 28, 1828, died March 9, 1832; Roena C. born September 5, 1880; Cordelia E., born July 25, 1832, died December 7, 1835. Mrs. Jennings died March 26, 1880. They united with the Disciples Church in 1838, and died in full faith. Their property was divided equally between their two daughters. Through a kindly regard for the memory of the deceased and a desire to perpetuate his name, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord have contributed to this work a portrait of Phineas U. Jennings. Elsewhere in this volume will be found a brief biography of Mr. Alvord, who has always been closely identified with Portage County.
EDGAR M. KENT, farmer, P. 0. Mantua, was born November 22, 1828, in Aurora Township, this county, son of Amasa and Eleanor (Johnson) Kent, natives of Tolland, Conn., who came to Mantua Township, this county, at an early period and here passed the remainder of their days. Amasa Kent died January 4, 1881, his wife having preceded him May 1, 1870. Our subject, their only child, was married June 17, 1852, to Eloisa C., daughter of Demas and Rachel Harman, who were the parents of five children, Mrs. Kent being the
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second. Demas Harmon died in 1842, and his widow subsequently married King Noney, and is now a resident of Mantua. Mr. and Mrs. Kent have five children: Annie A.., wife of Albert A. Giles (have one child-Georgians); Demas E. ; Zenas A., married to Emma E. Plumb; Eleanor E. ; Arthur H. Mr. Kent, who lives on his father's old farm, is one of the leading farmers of Mantua Township, a member of the Disciples Church; he is a Republican in politics.
HORACE LADD, SR. (deceased), was born in Vernon, Conn., October 18, 1789, and came to Ohio in 1811, settling in Mantua Township, this county. Four years later, in 1815, he married Eunice R., daughter of Samuel Moore, a native of Connecticut, and who moved to this State in 1806, locating on Lot 20, in the eastern part of Mantua, but dying on Lot 27, where Horace Ladd, Jr., now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Ladd were born seven children, five now living: Calista R. (Mrs. H. Hart); Eunice (Mrs. C. Wood); Horace, Jr.; Perley (Mrs. A. W. Seymour) and Rodolphus, who married Harriet C. Chapin. Horace Ladd, Jr., was married, January 9, 1453, to Abigail C., daughter of Lorenzo and Maria Chapin, and widow of Mr. Griffen, by whom she had one child-Frank P. Griffen, married to Mary J. Jones; and to Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have been born six children, five now living: Willie H., George C., Hattie E., Henry K. and Eva J. George C. married Charlotte A. Jones, of Indiana (have two children: Jesse and an infant) and resides in Malcolm, Neb. Horace Ladd, Jr., has served twelve years as Justice of the Peace, also for many years as Township Clerk and Trustee. He is a Republican in politics. His grandfather and five brothers served in the Revolutionary war and his father in the war of 1812.
RODOLPHUS LADD, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born July 27, 1830, in Mantua Township, 'Portage Co., Ohio, son of Horace Ladd (a soldier in the war of 1812) and Eunice K. (Moore) Ladd, former of whom came to this county in 1811; the latter, a daughter of Samuel Moore, came to this county in 1806. They settled in Mantua Township, and were the parents of follow- ing children: Calista (Mrs. Hart), Eunice S. (Mrs. Wood), Lucy (deceased), Perley (Mrs. A. W. Seymour), Rodolphus and Horace, Jr. Our subject was married January 25, 1854, to Harriet E., daughter of Lorenzo and Maria (Kent) Chapin, parents of seven children, four of whom survive: Henry A., Abigail, Charles E. and Harriet E. (Mr. and Mrs. Chapin settled in Mantua Township, this county, in 1814, owned the farm where our subject now resides, and died here, the former March 14, 1875, and the latter six years later.) Mr. and Mrs. Rodolphus Ladd have had three children: Emma (Mrs. Bliss) in Ellsworth, Kan., Frank C. at home, and Charlie G., who died at the . age of ten years. Our subject has served his township as Treasurer for two years, and School Director many years.
JESSE LING was born March 3, 1842, in New York State, son of Edward E. and Betsey Ling, who were the parents of Mary A., Edward, James, Jane, Walter, Jesse and Robert. He was married October 15, 1866, to Roena C., daughter of Phineas U. and Cleona (Wilmot) Jennings (who were married June 16, 1822), former born May 4, 1796, in Craftsbury, Vt., son of Benjamin Jennings, who was born August 29, 1752, and Serena (Bigelow) Jennings, who was born March 16, 1765; latter born April 23, 1806, in New Haven County, Conn. Phineas U. Jennings came to Ohio in 1821 and purchased sixty-four acres of land in Mantua Township, paying $8 per acre, and this he made his life home, adding to it from time to time till he became the owner of 300 acres besides much other property. He was a rugged pioneer living in a rude cabin on his farm until 1833, when he erected a frame house in which he resided all
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his days. He made four. trips to the East, sometimes by sleigh and sometimes by wagon, and also by rail; his last trip was made in 1870. His wife was a sister of E. Wilmot, who, accompanied by his mother and her family, came to Ohio in 1814 and settled in Mantua Township. They were parents of the following children: Serena, born July 12, 1823; Cordelia, born May 28, 1828, died March 9, 1832; Roena C., born September 5, 1830, and Cordelia E., born July 25, 1832, died December 7, 1835. Phineas U. Jennings died June 26, 1882; his wife, March 26, 1880. Jesse Ling was at one time a mariner, and for three years served in the United States Navy. He and his wife have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter named Sadie J. Ling. They occupy a large tract of land in the southern part of this township, a portion of which is Mrs. Ling's share of her fat4ler's estate.
HEZEKIAH MAY (deceased) was born April 3, 1782, in Pomfret, Windham Co., Conn., son of Ithimer May. He was married February 10, 1812, to Artemesia White, who bore him four children: Jude S., Olivia S., Delos W., and Norman (deceased in 1850). Jude S. was born in 1815, in Otsego County, N. Y., and married, September 3, 1845, Zelia, daughter of A. Patterson, by' whom he had two children: Hezekiah and Florence, the former married to Bessie Luce, September 25, 1877, and has one child-Zelia. Olivia S., the second child. is married to E. Mitchell, and resides in Nebraska. Delos W. was born in New York State, May 15, 1822, and has been twice married; his first wife, Miranda Mitchell, was a native of Connecticut, and died February 3, 1853, leaving two children: Adelbert D., married to Lillian Bidlake, and Norman L., married to Cornelia Lester. On August 21, 1853, Delos W. married his second spouse, Elizabeth A., daughter of George W. King, also of New York State, and by her has two daughters: Emma M. (Mrs. A. Carlton) and Cora D. Our subject accompanied his family to Ohio in 1829 and settled in Mantua Township, where he had purchased a tract of 100 acres from the Sheldon heirs, the deed being drawn up by Judge Harmon. This property was in an unbroken wilderness and contained but a small improvement, a building reared by Mr. Olney for milling purposes. He cleared this land, however, erected the second mill in the township and accumulated a productive estate. He died in 1854. Delo's May has been a successful miller for many years and is universally esteemed for his probity and enterprise. He has served his township in various official positions, such as Trustee and School Director.
CHAUNCEY MESSENGER, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born December 9, 1821, in Mantua Township, this county; son of William and Ruth (Miller) Messenger, natives of Connecticut and pioneers of Ohio, whither they came in 1815, and to this county one year later, settling on the farm where Mr. Kilby now (1885) resides. They were the parents of twelve children: William A. (deceased), married to Elizabeth Skinner (deceased), afterward to Betsey Douglas; Jerome, now residing in Coldwater, Mich., married to Miranda Thomas (deceased); Clemon, married to Pletus Skinner; Zerina (Mrs. H. Coe) now a widow; Voyla, married to Mrs. Eliza Willcutt Judson, a widow (deceased); Cobra (deceased); Milton (deceased); Rectina (Mrs. Rufus Edwards), a widow; Chauncey; Franklin, married to Caroline Goddard; Affa (Mrs. R. E. McIntosh), and Henry, married to Harriet Fuller. Our subject was twice married, first occasion September 23, 1857, to Susan Phelps, who died May 29, 1859, leaving one child-Mary S. He next married, March 11, 1860, Clarissa Walker, daughter of Josiah and Eunice (Wiswell) Walker, by whom he has had five children;.. L., Susan A. (deceased), Jenny E., Grant and John W. Mr. Messenger is one of the most substantial men of this township, and has served as Trustee, School Director, eta, etc.
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FRANKLIN MESSENGER, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born October 13, 1824, in Mantua Township, this county; son of William and Ruth (Miller) Messenger, natives of Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., who removed to Ohio in 1814, settling in Mantua Township, this county, where they reared a family of twelve children: Alvira (deceased); Jerome, residing at Coldwater, Mich. ; Clement, in Geauga County, Ohio; Zernia (Mrs. Coe), a widow; Viola, in Mantua; Sebradid; Milton (deceased); Rectina (Mrs. Edwards), residing in Oberlin, Ohio; Chauncey, in Mantua; Franklin; Affa (Mrs. McIntosh), in Mantua; Henry, in Mantua. William Messenger, who was a farmer by occupation, died November 18, 1853, aged seventy-three years and his widow August 13, 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-one. Our subject was married, October 5, 1847, to Caroline Goddard, daughter of Dryden and Maria (Merriman) Goddard, the former of whom died in 1871, aged sixty-eight, and the latter in 1872, aged sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Messenger have had nine children: Ellen (Mrs. Rogers), George (deceased), Alvirus (deceased), Har- riet (Mrs. Cox), Flora, Mila A. (Mrs. Dines), Martha (Mrs. Russell), Frank and Alice.
SAMUEL NOBLE, manufacturer of cheese, P. O. Mantua Station, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was born July 27, 1854; son of William and Elizabeth (Meggs) Noble, natives of Ireland. who came to Ohio in 1844, settling in Trumbull County. Here they reared and educated their family of nine children and fitted them for the various duties of life. Our subject was one of twin brothers, and after completing his studies, acquired the art with which he has so long been identified. He now owns and operates a cheese factory, located in the southern part of Mantua Township, which is well organized, fully equipped and supplied with every facility for the business in which our subject has scored a very pronounced success. The factory is operated eight months in the year and has a capacity of turning out 520 cheeses per month, most of which is shipped to Boston, Mass. Our subject was married, March 9, 1882, to Miss Emma, daughter of Capt. Bissell.
GEORGE NOLD, miller, Mantua, was born March, 1840, in Fairfield Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio; son of Jacob and Catharine (Ziegler) Nold, natives of Bucks and Lancaster Counties, Penn., and among the earliest settlers in Columbiana County, Ohio. Jacob Nold was a miller, and brought into that county the first set of French buhr stones for milling purposes. He and his wife lived and died in Columbiana County after raising a family of fourteen children, twelve of whom are still living: Elizabeth (Mrs. Yoder); John, married to Esther Huber; Susan (Mrs. Esterly); Mary (Mrs. Blosser); Abraham, married to Sarah Sitler; Barbara (Mrs. Detwiler); Jacob, married to Nancy Kindy; Samuel, married to Velina Sitler; David, married to Emaline Moyer; Nancy (Mrs. Stauffer); Catharine (deceased); George, married to Lydia Schwartz; Alevia (deceased); and Sarah (Mrs. Newcomer). George Nold and his partner, John Frost, are now running the leading flouring-mill in Mantua. This mill is provided with all the latest improvements, rollers, etc., with a capacity of turning out seventy-five barrels of flour daily, and is of great advantage to the village.
COL. C. H. RAY, merchant and Postmaster, Mantua, is a native of Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio, born October 31, 1835, and now owns the farm on which he was born and reared. His grandfather served in the Revolutionary Army, his father in the writsi of 1812, in a Mantua company, and himself, with five brothers, served in the Union Army in the war of the Rebellion, He attended school at Hiram in the early days of that very excellent and popular school at that place, and at the time Rev. Sutton Hayden was President of the
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institute, and James A. Garfield a student and teacher of classes. Our subject worked on his father's farm in summer and taught a district school in winter. From first to last Mr. Ray was an enemy of the slave power, and when Kansas commenced her struggle for freedom his attention was attracted in that direction, and in 1856, while yet a boy, with an older brother, he drove a team of horses attached to a covered wagon from Wisconsin to Kansas, a distance of nearly 1,000 miles, camping out and sleeping in the wagon nights during the whole journey, a trip he enjoyed very much. He remained in Kansas for two years clerking in a store for an elder brother and working in a mill. Here he voted against the Pro-slavery Constitution and its propositions, and for a Free State Constitution for Kansas. While here he was honored with an introduction to John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame, who frequently called at his brother's house during those troublesome times, and whom he has ever regarded as a man of very high character, and a man of pure principles, a prophet born before his day, and in 1883 wrote a lengthy article for the National Tribune, Washington, D. C., on John Brown's work in Kansas, that was well received by the public and read with much interest. He returned to Ohio in the spring of 1859, worked on the farm at home and taught a winter term of school in his home district where he had learned his A B C's. He enlisted in the army in the early part of the summer of 1862, being the fifth one of a family of six boys to join the Union Army. On the fourth day of July, 1863, Mr. Ray was elected Captain of a Mantua company of Ohio militia and commissioned as such by His Excellency, David Tod, Ohio's great war Governor, and on the 22d day of September of the same year he was elected and commissioned Colonel of the First Regiment Ohio Militia in Portage County. At the close of the civil war he engaged in the milling business for a few years, and in 1867 engaged in mercantile business, which pursuit, together with farming, he is now in, having carried on the mercantile business in Mantua and in the same building for more than eighteen years. He is now and has been Postmaster at Mantua for the past eighteen years, having received his appointment under Andrew johnson's administration. Col. Ray was married, on the 22d day of June, 1868, to Miss Martha A. Cochran, daughter of the Hon. Leverett Cochran, who represented Portage County in the Ohio Legislature in 1854 and 1855. Our subject has always taken an active part in politics, being a stanch and uncompromising Republican, and upon Gen. J. A. Garfield receiving the nomination for President in 1880, he at once took the stump for his old teacher and neighbor and labored hard for the Republican cause in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and was rewarded for his labor by seeing his old friend seated in the Presidential chair. Born to labor and inured to toil, Col. Ray has led an active and industrious life, and by strict economy and close attention to business has accumulated a handsome competency, but has at no time allowed his business to occupy his whole time and attention, but has traveled quite extensively in this country, and seconded by a good wife, tries to enjoy life by getting the most out of it as it comes along. During the summer of 1884 Col. and Mrs. Ray crossed the continent, traveling quite extensively in the great West, and visited the Pacific Coast and the wonderful "Yellowstone National Park." He wrote up the country and their tour for a home paper, and on their return the Colonel took the lecture platform, where he has delivered his lecture entitled " The National Park." Col, Ray is one of the charter members of Mantua Lodge, No. 533, F & A. M., also a charter member of Richardson Council, No. 63, R. & S. M., Cryptic Masonry, Ravenna, Ohio, and a charter member of Bentley Post, No. 294, G. A. R., of Mantua.
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SAMUEL S. RUSSELL, retired coal dealer, Mantua, was born May 14, 1807, in Jefferson County, N. Y.; son of Return and (Jerusha) Osborn Russell, natives of West Windsor, Conn., who removed to New York at an early day, thence to near Cleveland, in Warnersville Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in 1822, where they lived and died. They were parents of eleven children, seven of whom are still living: Edward A.; Samuel S.; Rachel A. (a maiden lady residing with the society of Shakers); Robert E., in Iowa; Mary A. (Mrs. Philips), in Glenville; William H., in California; Sanford H. (a widower). Our subject was married April 1, 1860, to Adeline H., daughter of Elijah Russell, who died December 26, 1883, without issue. Mr. Russell was formerly a Shaker, and filled all the prominent offices in that society. He resided for a time in Wisconsin, where he was Justice of the Peace, but removed to this county in 1866, and is now one of the leading citizens of Mantua. He has an adopted son, George S. Russell, a photographer, married to Lovetta Kyle, by whom he has two children. Our subject is a Republican in politics. and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
C. H. SAGE, proprietor of the Mantua House, Mantua Station, was born July 28, 1847, in Freedom Township, this county; son of Roswell and Minerva (Hawley) Sage, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Portage County, Ohio, in about 1830, and settled in Freedom Township, where the father has remained to the present time. Roswell Sage was twice married, on first occasion to Miss Hawley, who bore him seven children: C. R. ;H. H.; Dwight; C. H.; Roswell; Clita, wife of E. Tuttle, Jr., and Harriet, widow of S. S. Hurlburt. Mrs. Sage died in 1850, and Mr. Sage subsequently married Mrs. W. Parshall, by whom he has three children living: Theodocia, Flora and George. Our subject, September 3, 1879, married Anna Hare, whose parents are natives of Maryland. For a time Mr. Sage engaged in the grocery business at Mantua, but subsequently disposed of same to Mr. Beecher and took possession of the Mantua Hotel, located near the railroad depot in Mantua, and which is known as one of the best appointed and conducted establishments of the kind in the township.
JASON SANFORD (deceased) was born December 30, 1800, in Massachusetts, son of Samuel and Rhoda Sanford. He came to this county in 1816 and lived for a time with Squire Atwater, an early settler, when he learned the trade of a blacksmith. On November 1, 1827, he married Hannah, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Burt) Ladd, the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts; settled in Mantua Township in 1811, and here passed the remainder of his days. He was a tanner, currier and shoe-maker. He reared a family of nine children, three of whom now live: Mary (Mrs. Denman); Daniel B., residing in Claridon Ohio; and Hannah, widow of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford were born seven children: Persia J., Martin B., Henry J. and Laura L. living; Delia M. died June 15, 1855. Alice A., May 22, 1862, and Sylvia, August 21, 1877. Persis J. became the wife, in 1853, of W. H. Bowen, a native of Vermont, and has borne him two children: C. H. and Willie R., both educated at Hiram College and Akron College, the former of whom married Emma Wespeaker, and the latter Hattie Baldinger. Mr. Sanford died in 1848, and his widow now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Bowen, whose husband's family came from Vermont and settled in Hiram in 1833, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Bowen is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 533, of Mantua. He is a leading man in the community.
H. J. SANFORD, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born in November, 1838, in Mantua, this county; son of Jason and Hannah (Ladd) Sanford,
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natives of Massachusetts, who came to this county and settled in Mantua Township in 1811. They had seven children, four of whom are now living: Persia (Mrs. Bowen), Martin, H. J. and Laura (Mrs. Crane). Our subject was married April 10, 1867, to Carrie Harmon, the fourth of nine children, whose father, an old settler, now resides in the north part of Mantua. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are the parents of three children: Alice J., Mary C. and Rhoda M. Our subject is now located on a farm in the central portion of Mantua Township; he has been Trustee of this Township three terms, School Director, Assessor, etc., besides filling offices of minor importance. He is one of the leading citizens of this county; a prominent member of the Disciples Church.
SAMUEL SANFORD, farmer, P. 0. Mantua, was born March 7, 1844, in Mantua Township, this county; son of Edwin and Harriet (Wilmot) Sanford, natives of this county. The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Sanford, with the Atwaters, came to this county at an early day and settled in Mantua Township. Edwin Sanford was a farmer by occupation. He reared a family of two children: Lucia, now Mrs. Johnson, who has one child, Anna M.; and Samuel. Our subject married October 4, 1870, Edna M., daughter of A. N. Farr, by whom he has two children: Hattie A. and Annie B. Mr. Sanford is now building himself a handsome brick residence of modern style.
C. M. SEIBEL, cultivator of small fruits and music teacher, P. 0. Mantua Station, was born in Germany, October 5, 1823, son of Andrew Seibel. He immigrated to America in 1844, accompanied by one brother, and after a brief. sojourn in New York, removed to Cleveland, Ohio. Here they founded a school of instrumental music, which has included upon its roster of pupils the names of the most celebrated leaders of bands in Cleveland. The brothers are now attending to their music classes in Cleveland, Ravenna, and other cities of this State. Wearying of the rounds of city life, some years ago, our subject became a resident of Mantua, and purchased a small estate, on which he has made many improvements, among which might be mentioned a fishery, stocked with the choicest varieties of the finny tribe, principally black bass. The larger specimens are retained in an aqueduct, so to speak, supplied with spring water, while the smaller ones are developed in an addition. The runway leading to the fishery is shaded with grape vines, highly cultivated and productive, and here the Professor enjoys the fullest complement of pleasures peculiar to a German gentleman of taste and leisure. Mr. Seibel has been twice married, on first occasion, in 1851, to Maryann Johnson, by whom he had two children: Lottie and Maria. This wife dying, he subsequently married, in 1861, Lepoldina Heitzman, who bore him two children: Lillian and Andrew.
SYLVAN SKINNER, farmer, P. 0. Mantua, was born February 16, 1845, in Mantua Township, this county, son of William and Delight (Pinney) Skinner, natives of Massachusetts (Mrs. Skinner had been previously the widow of Mr. Wait, by whom she had two children, one now living—Otis Wait, in Hiram). William Skinner, Sr., and wife came to this county in 1806, settling on the farm where their grandchildren now reside. William Skinner, Jr., was born September 9, 1804, a son of William Skinner, Sr., and by trade was a maker of scythes, snaths, rakes and wagons, but in later life turned his attention entirely to farming. He had a family of three children, two of whom are now living: Adelbert L. and Sylvan. a Our subject was married, February 25, 1865, to Pastoria, daughter of John C. White Kirtland, by whom he has one son—William. The Skinner family was the twelfth to settle in Mantua Township, this county, and the land on which our subject resides was entered by his grandfather eighty years ago, who also built the house, and this property at his death descended to his son (our subject's father) encumbered with a mort-
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gage of $1,800, which the latter cleared, and in the course of time, by industry and perseverance, he became a well. to-do man worth upward of $10,000. Our subject is a progressive man, highly esteemed by the community. He has filled the office of Constable for three years.
WILLIAM A. SMITH, proprietor of saw-mill, tub and bucket manufacturer and lumber dealer, Mantua, was born April 13, 1832, in Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Conn., son of Minus and Emma (Blakeman) Smith, who came to Ravenna Township, this county, in 1833, thence removed to the northeast part of Shalersville, where Mr. Smith operated a saw-mill for about twelve years. Our subject, the second in a family of five children, was married, September 4, 1861, to Martha, daughter of Seth and Nancy (Perkins) Sanford, who were the parents of four children: Mary J., married to H. S. Granger (they reside in Phillips County, Kan.); Sarah, wife of S. Peck, in Elkader, Iowa; Mrs. Smith; and Delos C., a soldier under Garfield, serving in Company A, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and who was wounded, from the effects of which he died at forty years of age. The Sanfords are of English origin, and trace their genealogy back through ten generations. The grandfather of Mrs. Smith enlisted when sixteen years of age in the war of 1812, and at his death, when ninety-three years of age, he was buried with military honors befitting the last soldier of that struggle. Mrs. Smith is carrying on a millinery and fancy notion trade in one of the finest business houses in the village, in the Smith & Bowen Block, which she built in 1883. Our subject and wife have no children of their own, but have adopted a daughter named Clara.
CHARLES M. TAYLOR, farmer, proprietor of saw-mill, and cheese-box manufacturer, Mantua, was born September 11, 1818, at Suffolk, Hartford Co., Conn. ; son of Hezron and Mary Ann (Mix) Taylor, who, in 1831, came to this county and settled in Mantua Township, on the farm where our subject now resides. They here raised a family of five children: Charles M.; Mary H., deceased in infancy; Joseph M., married to Harriet Cobb (he died in 1879).; Antoinette, wife of H. Cobb; Andrew H., married first to Mary McFarland, subsequently to Almeda A. Curtis. Hezron Taylor served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a farmer by occupation. He brought his family here by way of Albany in wagons, and came across the lake during the prevalence of the equinoxial gales. He purchased the "Blackburn tract" of Mr. Trimble, and here died in 1866, his wife having preceded him in April, 1863. Our subject was married in September, 1840, to Sabrina A., daughter of Alfred Day, by whom he had six children, five now living: Henry C., Laura M., Lusira V., Lillian E., Herman H. and Herbert T. (deceased 1878), all of whom save the last mentioned have been heads of families. His wife dying in 1852, Mr. Taylor was married, October, 1855, to Clara Parker, by whom he has eight children: William, Edward, Charles, Ezra, Frank, Minnie, Mettle and John. He carried on a farm at the old homestead, and for the past twelve years has been proprietor of a cheese-box factory and saw-mill located in the northern part of the township. He is an enterprising citizen, a member of the Methodist Church; a Republican in politics.
ANDREW H. TAYLOR, hotel proprietor, Mantua Station, was born May 1, 1834, in Mantua Township, this county; son of Hezron and Mary A. (Mix) Taylor, natives of Hartford County, Conn., who came to Ohio in 1828, and settled in the west part of Mantua Township, near what was known as "Cobb's Corners," where they began life in the woods. Of New England stock, they were earnest workers in the cause of civilization in the wilderness, and devoted their lives to the education and happiness of their children. Of the five children born to them, three now live: Charles M., Antoinette, wife of
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Henry Cobb, and Andrew H, Our subject has been twice married, the first time, January, 1863, to Mary P. McFarland, who died July 8, 1865. His second marriage, April, 1868, was with Almeda A. Curtis, by whom he had one child—Bertha M., at home. Mrs. Taylor died in March, 18'75. Mr. Taylor was raised on his father's farm, but early in life began business on his own account, for the past thirteen years in Mantua, where four years ago he erected the hotel which he has since successfully conducted.
LEWIS TURNER, farmer, P. 0. Mantua Station, was born, March 30, 1816, in Wayne County, N. Y.; son of Amasa and Polly (Thayer) Turner, natives of Connecticut and New York respectively, and who came to Geauga County, Ohio, in 1817, remaining until 1827, when they removed to this county, where they lived until their death. The father of our subject kept hotel for many years (during this time McCarson was hanged) but finally became a farmer. His family consisted of six sons and two daughters, four of the former still living: Norman in Geauga County; Preston in Mantua Township, this county; Henry in Freedom, this county, and Lewis. Our subject married Sarah Merriman, in 1836, by whom he had the following children: Harry (deceased); Lewton, married to Adell Farr; Lomira M. ; Sanford; Charles, married to Ella Nelson; Stanton, married to Martha Benninger; Egbert, married to Ida Clark; Emma (Mrs. Chalker), and Bell (Mrs. VanAllen). Mr. Turner occupies the old homestead, a large tract of land one and a half miles north of Mantua Station. He is a genial, hospitable gentleman.
G. C. WAY, physician and surgeon, P. 0. Mantua Station, was born June 26, 1848, in Shalersville Township, Portage County, Ohio; son of Robert and Lucinda G. (Work) Way, who were the parents of eight children, of whom the following survive: J. H., residing on the old homestead in Shalersville; W. 0.; A. B.; Celestia M., wife of Dr. S. L. McCarthy, of Altoona. Penn., and Dora E., wife of H. W. Fields, also residing in Altoona, and G. C. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Way, formerly of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1835, and settled in Shalersville, where they remained until the death of the former, May 10,1867; his widow now resides with G. C. Our subject was educated at Jefferson College, Penn., and at the college at Alliance, Ohio. He began the study of medicine under Dr. George M. Proctor, of Shalersville, in 1866, and afterward with Dr. Johnson, of Alliance, and his brother-in-law, Dr. McCarthy, of Altoona, and matriculated at Michigan University, Ann Arbor, whence he graduated at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in the spring of 1874. He began the practice of medicine with Dr. S. L. McCarthy in 1873. After graduating he practiced alone at Allenville and Altoona, and in 1881 he came to Mantua. The Doctor has a large and successful practice and is considered the leading physician of Mantua Township. He was married, May 9, 1883, to Caroline, daughter of Chauncey and Percis (Parker) Winchel. Mr. Winchell was an early settler of Mantua Township, and a very successful man, owning 'at one time nearly 1,000 acres of land, which is now inherited by his children.
SYLVESTER K. WILCOX, physician and surgeon, Mantua Corners, was born August 4, 1824, in Chester, Hampden Co., Mass.; son of Ralph and Betsey (Noney) Wilcox, latter of whom was a sister of Capt. Noney, of the war of 1812. The father of our subject, Ralph Wilcox, a farmer, came to Ohio in an early day and settled at Mantua Corners, where he passed the remainder of his life. His children were Norman (deceased); Reuben G., &blacksmith at Hiram Rapids; Eliza (deceased), and Sylvester K. Our subject was educated to the profession of medicine, at the Medical Department of Western Reserve College, Cleveland, Ohio, whence he graduated in 1846, and then settled in Mantua Township, Ohio; thence he removed to Hiram Township, but after ten
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years' residence there, returned to Mantua Township, where he has since remained: Dr. Wilcox has been twice married; the first time, September 10, 1845, to Harriet M. Stodard, by whom he had two children: L. D., and Harriet, wife of Delos Peck, in California. His second marriage occurred in Mecca, Trumble Co., Ohio, in 1862, with Olive S. Whitney, by whom there is no issue. The Doctor is a grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, and is an accomplished physician, a valuable citizen. In politics he is a Democrat.