(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) PICTURE OF H. M. KUNKLE HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 657 VOLUME II History of Ashtabula County BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY-CONTINUED H. M. Kunkle, president of the Farmers Bank of Ashtabula, is a leading citizen and prominent business man of Ashtabula County. He was born in Greensburg, Pa., July 15, 1859, and is the son of Daniel and Rebecca (Smith) Kunkle. Daniel Kunkle spent his entire life in Greensburg, Pa., and was engaged in the grocery and lumber business there. He and his wife are now deceased. They had two children: H. M., the subject of this sketch; and William, deceased. H. M. Kunkle came to Ashtabula shortly after his brother in 1880. He engaged in the lumber business at the harbor and in 1895 sold his business to Bredner Brothers, after which he entered the tug business with his brother. They were in this business for about five years and then again engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Kunkle in 1901, with others, purchased the Raser Tannery, which at that time was owned and operated by George Raser. The company was organized on Jan. 21, 1897. The men who purchased this business with Mr. Kunkle were : Edward Goddard, John Harmon, E. Dunbar, E. R. Pierce, Max Kohn, Kate Haskell Young, and Alfred Swedenborg. In 1902 the plant was enlarged and it now occupies a fine brick building, which was built in 1919. The Raser Tannery is among the leading enterprises of Ashtabula and manufactures carriage and automobile leathers, as well as book leathers. Mr. Kunkle is president of the Farmers Bank of Ashtabula, having succeeded John Harmon, deceased. He was one of the founders of the Ashtabula General Hospital and served as its first president. Mr. Kunkle was also one of the organizers and president of the Ashtabula Hotel 658 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Building Company, who built the Ashtabula Hotel which was opened in 1920. The Ashtabula Hotel is a modern fire-proof building and is recognized among the leading hotels of Ohio. Mr. Kunkle was married to Miss Levine Blair, a native of Ashtabula and the daughter of Henry and M. (Jafford) Blair, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Blair was a widely known lake captain and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle one son was born, William J., who is married to Miss Winifred Clark and they have two children: Rebecca Jane and William Clark. Mr. Kunkle's son is a leading building contractor of Ashtabula. In politics Mr. Kunkle is identified with the Republican party and he is a member of the Masonic and Elks Lodges. Mrs. Kunkle is a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle are highly esteemed citizens of their community. During the World War, Mr. Kunkle served on the Community War Chest Board. More than enough money was collected to fill the quota. He is a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce and has been an active member on the board for the past 15 years. Since 1905 he has been one of the Ashtabula Park Commissioners and has been president since the organization in September, 1905, and takes an active interest in the park, having been instrumental in establishing free public parks. The Farmers Bank of Ashtabula was organized in 1847 and is the oldest banking institution in Ashtabula. Its first location was where the present Peoples Loan Association now stands. It has a capital stock of $150,000, and a surplus of $350,000, with profits of $243,000. The officers of the Farmers Bank of Ashtabula 'are: H. M. Kunkle, president ; M. C. Robinson, vice president ; E. R. Pierce, cashier ; and F. B. Russell, assistant cashier. The Farmers Bank of Ashtabula has been a substantial institution and well merits the success that has been its achievement. Lucius A. Eaton widely known florist of Conneaut, is a member of one of Ashtabula County's prominent pioneer families. He was born at Springfield, Pa., June 16, 1868, and is the son of Clemens and Lucy Ann (Brewster) Eaton. Clemens Eaton was a native of Monroe Township, Ashtabula County, and the son of Samuel and Margaret (Hickernell) Eaton. Samuel Eaton was born in Orange County, Vt., in 1803, and settled in Ashtabula County HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 659 in 1822. He was among the early settlers of Monroe Township and became a prosperous farmer. His father, Samuel Eaton served as a colonel during the War of 1812, and his father, C. T. Eaton, served as a colonel during the Revolutionary War. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Eaton three sons were born: Albert, deceased ; Clemens, father of the subject of this sketch ; and Marshall, a veteran of the Civil War, now deceased. Clemens Eaton went to Pennsylvania when a young man but later returned to Monroe TOWnship, Ashtabula County, where he spent the remainder of his life. During the Civil War he was employed by the government to purchase horses. He died in December, 1894, and his wife died July 3, 1868. She was a native of Monroe Township, Ashtabula County, and the daughter of Lyman Brewster. The Brewster family is also one of the prominent pioneer families of the county. The Eaton family have in their possession an heirloom, which is highly prized by them, a watch which belonged to the Brewster family. It was brought to the United States in 1620 and still keeps perfect time. To Clemens and Lucy Ann (Brewster) Eaton one child was born, Lucius A., the subject of this sketch. Lucius A. Eaton received his education in the public schools and started life as a fruit farmer. In 1904 he came to Conneaut where he was employed for nine years by the Nickel Plate Railroad. He has been interested in the floral business since 1911, and now has a well established business. Mr. Eaton's green houses are located at 123 Center Street. On Dec. 15, 1887, Mr. Eaton was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Sharp, a native of Kingsville, Ohio, born Oct. 20, 1869, and the daughter of Willis and Elizabeth (Davenport) Sharp. Mr. Sharp died in 1904; his wife resides at Butler, Pa. There are four children in the Sharp family : Mrs. Eaton ; Nina, the widOW of Herbert Ward, lives in Cleveland ; Myrtle, married Wilbur Guy, lives at Erie, Pa.; and Lydia, married Dr. Edward Harding, lives at Butler, Pa. The Sharp family were early settlers of Ashtabula County, having come here about 1820. To Mr. and Mrs. Eaton two children have been born : Leo S., born Dec. 5, 1879, and Harry, born May 6, 1881. They are both in business with their father, and have a florist shop up town at 223 Broad Street. There are three grandchildren : Harry, and Elizabeth and Robert Eaton, twins. Mr. Eaton is a Republican and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the leading and representative citizens of Ashtabula County. 660 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY E. P. Doty, well known and capable tire man of Conneaut, was born at Springfield, Pa., July 20, 1876, and is a son of Albert and Ellen M. (Parker) Doty. Albert Doty was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ashtabula County prior to the Civil War. During the war he served with Company E, 29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in service three and one-half years, engaging in many important battles of the war. He was a Republican and member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Doty died in 1906 and is buried in California. His wife lives in Michigan and is 78 years of age. There were three children in the Doty family : E. P., the subject of this sketch; Lila, married Daniel Thomas, lives at Flint, Mich., and Alice, married Fred Morgan, lives in Michigan. E. P. Doty was reared and educated in Conneaut, and began life as a farmer. He later was employed at Conneaut Harbor as a mechanic and since 1915 has been engaged in his present business. He does general automobile, tire and inner tube repair work and carries a complete line of tires and auto accessories. Mr. Doty's place of business is located at 224 Broad Street. On June 15, 1919, Mr. Doty was united in marriage with Miss Lulu B. Stowe, a native of Hyland, Ohio, born Oct. 6, 1887, and the daughter of Charles F. and M. (Green) Stowe, who reside at Hyland, Ohio. There are seven children in the Stowe family, as follows : Stanley, lives in Marion County, Ohio ; Mrs. Doty ; Rheba, married Will Robbie, lives at Palm Beach, Fla.; Willard, lives at Hyland, Ohio ; Fannie, married Merritt Moore, lives at Hyland, Ohio ; Rev. Everett, a Methodist minister, lives in China ; and Marie, lives at Highland with her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Doty one son has been born, Kenneth Lee, born July 22, 1921. Mr. Doty is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is well and favorably known in Ashtabula County and takes an active interest in the affairs of his community. Danville W. Hayward, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers of Ashtabula County. He was born in a log cabin in Monroe Township, Sept. 9, 1845, the son of William and Mary Ann (Dorn) Hayward. William Hayward was born in Monroe Township, July 19, 1823, and died June 10, 1899. In 1846 he removed to Illinois, where he farmed eight years, afterward returning to Conneaut Township, Ashtabula County. He HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 661 was among the large land OWners of Ashtabula County and was a successful stockman. Mr. Hayward was a Republican. His wife, who was born in Monroe Township, Jan. 23, 1824, died Sept. 28, 1895. There were three children in the Hayward family : Danville W., the subject of this sketch, Laura Ann, who died at the age of two years, and Alzina was the wife of F. E. Sanford, she was born May 23, 1854, and died Dec. 8, 1894. Danville W. Hayward received his education in the Kingsville Academy and began life as a farmer and stockman in Conneaut Township. In 1899 he engaged in the insurance business at Conneaut, which he followed successfully until his retirement in January, 1924. He died April 8, 1924 and is buried in the South Ridge Cemetery at Farnham, Ohio. Mr. Hayward was married the first time in 1867 to Miss Cordelia Kinney, a native of Conneaut Township, who died in September, 1868, leaving a daughter, Edith Corlinda, now the widow of F. H. Crumb. Mrs. Crumb now lives at 163 Marshall Street, Conneaut. On Oct. 4, 1871, Mr. Hayward was married to Miss Rhoda A. Drum, who was born at Ashland, Ohio, May 19, 1843. To this union one son was born, Edwin L., who is engaged in business at Washington Court House, Ohio. Mrs. Hayward died Aug. 22, 1913. Edwin L. Hayward has one child, Marjorie Grace Hayward, born Feb. 20, 1905 ; Mrs. Edith C. Crumb had two children, Cordelia Sarah Crumb, born May 14, 1911, and Mabel Anna Crumb, born Dec. 21, 1907, and died Oct. 21, 1916. Mr. Hayward was a Republican and belonged to the Masonic lodge. He was a devout member of the South Ridge Baptist Church and served as Sunday school superintendent for 20 years. Mr. Hayward was one of Ashtabula County's active representative citizens in religious as well as business lines during his entire life, which was spent in Conneaut and vicinity. B. L. Gifford, a well known citizen of Conneaut, and a member of one of the early pioneer families of Ashtabula County, was born in Monroe Township, Ashtabula County, Oct. 29, 1858, and is a son of David S. and Mary Jane (Bushnell) Gifford. David S. Gifford was a native of New York and in 1836 settled at Conneaut. In 1842 he removed to Chicago, later returning to Conneaut, where he did carpenter and contract work for 15 years. He then operated a planing mill and was engaged in the mercantile business at Bushnell, Ohio, for 30 years. He served as postmaster of Bushnell during the Civil 662 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY War and was among the prominent citizens of his time. Mr. Gifford died in 1893, and his wife died in 1883. They were the parents of four children: Laura, deceased ; Coarlyn, deceased, was the wife of C. W. Pelton ; Gordon W., deceased ; and B. L., the subject of this sketch. B. L. Gifford was educated in the public schools of Conneaut and when a young man learned the painter's trade, which he has followed during his entire life. Mr. Gifford is now engaged in automobile painting and trimming and has a well equipped shop at 509 Liberty Street. On Sept. 30, 1881, Mr. Gifford was married to Miss Alice Marsh, a native of Conneaut, born in 1861, and the daughter of Hiram and Louise (Biffen) Marsh, the former a native of Ashtabula County and the latter of London, Eng. Mr. Marsh was a Civil War veteran and died Feb. 26, 1903. His wife died Feb. 1, 1911. They were the parents of six children: James H., deceased ; Lean, married J. G. Salisberry, lives at Kingsville, Ohio ; Mrs. Gifford; George, lives at Conneaut ; Fred, deceased ; and Clara L., married Don Waters, lives in Cleveland. To Mr. and Mrs. Gifford three children were born: Earl, born in 1883, lives in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1909 was married to Miss Jessie Fox, a native of Ashtabula ; Hiram, born in 1887, lives at Conneaut, was married in 1908, to Miss Jane Stillwell, a native of Toronto, Ohio ; and Coarlyn, born in 1893, lives at home. Mr. Gifford is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Methodist Church. He is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Ashtabula County. George W. Traver, who is successfully engaged in the insurance business at Conneaut, was born in Canada, Dec. 6, 1837, and is the son of Jonathan and Anna (Chapman) Traver. Jonathan Traver was born at Whitehall, N. Y., and when a young man went to Canada, where he became a prosperous farmer. He died in 1895 and his wife died in 1905. They were the parents of the following children: Cordelia, Angeline and Marshall, deceased ; George W., the subject of this sketch ; Rev. Albert, deceased ; and Charles M., Edward and Louise, all deceased. George W. Traver received his education in the schools of Canada and began life as a bookkeeper in a Chicago bank. He served throughout the Civil War and was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Traver later went south to the Canal and built three locks at Mussel Shoals, which are located seven miles from the big locks nOW being built HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 663 there. In 1890 Mr. Traver became engaged in the insurance business at Conneaut, which he has since been interested in. On Dec. 6, 1880, Mr. Traver was married to Miss Tillie A. Alexander, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of J. W. Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, now deceased, were the parents of the following children: Richard, lives in Alabama ; James and Verma, deceased; Mrs. Traver ; Salley and Elizabeth, twins, live in Alabama ; Edward ; and Frederick. To George W. and Tillie A. (Alexander) Traver have been born three children: Albert E., born June 8, 1892, an architect, lives at Lima, Ohio ; Velma, died at the age of 16 years ; and Anna, married Walter Watson, assistant postmaster of Conneaut. There are three grandchildren, Walter, Velma and Mary Watson. Mr. Traver is a Republican and has been a member of the Masonic Lodge since 1860. Since locating in Conneaut he has served as deacon of the Congregational Church and as Sunday school teacher. Mr. Traver is one of the dependable citizens of Ashtabula County and is favorably known. He was city treasurer of Conneaut eight years and a member of the council two years. Ralph H. Stone, owner and proprietor of the Haines Photograph Company, is a veteran of the World War and a prominent young business man of Conneaut. He was born in that city, March 3, 1894, and is the son of Jesse and Rachel (Stevens) Stone. Jesse Stone was born in Angola, N. Y., as was also his wife. In 1885 they removed to Conneaut, where Mr. Stone entered the employ of the Nickel Plate Railroad as engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Stone, who nOW live retired in Conneaut, have three children : Lillian A., teaches school in Cleveland ; Ralph, the subject of this sketch ; and Ethel, a bookkeeper, Cleveland. Ralph H. Stone received his education in the public and high schools of Conneaut and was in the employ of the Haines Photograph Company until the World War. On April 8, 1917, he enlisted in the Officers Training School at Fort Benjamin Harrison and was commissioned a second lieutenant on Aug. 15th of that year, and promoted to first lieutenant on Dec. 31, 1917. He was promoted to Captain on Sept. 1, 1918, and served overseas until the time of his discharge, May 24, 1919. In October, 1921, Mr. Stone purchased the Haines Photograph Company, which is one of 664 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY the leading commercial enterprises of its kind in the United States. Mr. Stone does a world wide business in this line of work. On Dec. 25, 1917, Mr. Stone was married to Miss Marjorie Abbott, a native of McKeesport, Pa., and the daughter of W. S. and Mary (Applegate) Abbott, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Abbott died Jan. 13, 1922, and his wife died in 1917. They were the parents of the following children: Herbert, lives at McKeesport, Pa.; Walter S., Jr., assistant private secretary to Albert Fall, Three Rivers, Mexico; Mrs. Stone ; John, lives at Conneaut ; and Mary and Louis, who live with Mr. and Mrs. Stone. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have no children. In politics Mr. Stone is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and Shrine and belongs to the American Legion, of which he was vice commander in 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are members of the Congregational Church and are highly esteemed young people of Conneaut. Dr. Orr A. Dickson, a veteran of the World War, is a successful and widely known physician of Ashtabula County. He was born on a farm in Sheffield Township, Ashtabula County, June 6, 1873, and is a son of James O. and Susanne A. (Vanslyke) Dickson. James O. Dickson was born in Ireland in 1843 and came to this country with his parents at the age of four years. He was the son of James William and Mary Dickson. Mr. Dickson became an extensive land owner of Sheffield Township and was a leading farmer and stockman of Ashtabula County for many years. He died May 15, 1922, and is buried in Sheffield TOWnship. His wife, a native of Sheffield, Ohio, was born July 4, 1856, and now lives at Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson had six children as follows : Dr. A. Orr, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Sarah J. Simmons, lives at Burton, Wis.; Maud Elizabeth Wescott, lives at Plymouth, Ohio; Mrs. Grace Leona Early, deceased ; Mary, died in infancy ; and Ray Nelson, a farmer, lives on the old homestead in Sheffield Township. Dr. Orr A. Dickson was reared on his father's farm and after finishing school at Sheffield and Ashtabula, entered Western Reserve University in Cleveland. After receiving his degree there he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, from which he received the degree of Medicine and Surgery in 1898. He then practiced his profession at Cortland, Ohio, for two years, and on Sept. 18, 1900, removed to Jefferson, where he has since been located. PICTURE OF ORR A. DICKSON, M.D. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 665 During the World War Dr. Dickson served with the 84th Division as Captain and of the 309th Signal Battalion. After nine months of service, three of which were spent overseas, he suffered an attack of influenza and returned to the United States. On Oct. 26, 1898, Dr. Dickson was married to Miss Arminta Wolcott, a native of Lenox, Ohio, who died Jan. 23, 1914, and is buried at Jefferson. To this union a son was born, Robert, now a student at Mt. Union College. On Jan. 6, 1916, Dr. Dickson was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Carlin, of Erie, Pa. They have a son John Arthur, born in 1919. Politically Dr. Dickson is a Republican, and from 1908 until 1917 served as president of the Jefferson board of public service. In 1923 he was re-elected to this office. Dr. Dickson belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. He is a substantial citizen of Jefferson and a progressive man in his profession. Fred E. Brydle, deceased, was a successful and enterprising business man of Conneaut. He was born at Monroe, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1861, and was the son of Charles F. and Harriet (Joiner) Brydle. Charles F. Brydle was a native of England and came to this country when a baby with his parents. He settled near Kellogsville, Ohio, and became one of the pioneer lumber men of that vicinity. He died Dec. 20, 1904, and ,his wife died in March, 1917. They were the parents of two children: Fred E., the subject of this sketch ; and Casper, a lumber dealer of Kellogsville, Ohio. a Fred E. Brydle was reared and educated at Kingsville and Kellogsville, and began life in the lumber business with his father. He followed in this business during his entire life, and at the time of his death, June 6, 1912, was associated with the Pond Lumber Company of Conneaut. On June 28, 1899, Mr. Brydle was united in marriage with Mrs. Zella (Durkee) Kimsey, a native of Monroe, Ohio, and the daughter of Charles C. and Emeline (Adams) Durkee, natives of Ohio. The Durkee family were among the earliest settlers of Ashtabula County, and the old homestead, where Charles C. Durkee lived, was owned by the family for 90 years. It is now owned by John Hale. Mr. Durkee is among the highly respected pioneers of the county and is widely known. He now resides with his daughter, Mrs. Brydle. His wife died Aug. 30, 1890. There were six children in the Durkee family : Milan C., a farmer, lives 1n Con- 666 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY neaut Township, Ashtabula County ; Bert E., deceased; Mrs. Brydle ; George A., deceased ; Frederick, lives at Conneaut; and Bertha A., married H. G. Kingdom, an attorney of Conneaut. Before her marriage Mrs. Brydle taught school for several years in Ashtabula County. To Fred E. and Zella (Durkee) Kimsey Brydle, two children were born: Harriet A., born Dec. 20, 1904 ; and Robert F., born Sept. 1, 1905, is a law student. By a former marriage, Mrs. Brydle has one son, Isaac Newton Kimsey, born Aug. 14, 1890, in Smith County, Kans. He is now employed by the Goodrich Rubber Company and resides in Conneaut. Mr. Brydle was a staunch Republican. His family are members of the Congregational Church. He was one of the founders of the Citizens Bank of Conneaut and has been a director of that bank and was vice-president of the Pond Lumber Company. Mrs. Brydle and her children live on West Main Street Road. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and takes an active interest in social and club life of Ashtabula County, of which her ancestors are honored pioneers. Mrs. Brydle has served on the Ashtabula County school board for the past three years and is vice-president of the board, and is now serving her seventh year on the Conneaut township school board. Gaylord F. Millard, a substantial and well known citizen of Conneaut, was born at Concord, Pa., Jan. 3, 1851, and is the son of A. J. and Henrietta (Lewis) Millard. A. J. Millard was born in New York and when a young man located in Pennsylvania, where he taught school for a number of years. In April, 1872, he removed his family to Ashtabula County, Ohio, locating on a farm in Conneaut Township. Mr. Millard served as a recruiting officer during the Civil War. He was a Republican and a deacon of the Baptist Church all his life. He died Nov. 18, 1896, and his wife died Feb. 27, 1893. They were the parents of the following children : Herman L., lives at Brighton, New Jersey, is a Civil War veteran, having served throughout the war with Company E, 145th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; Dr. Morris A., physician, lives at Topeka, Kan. ; Gaylord F., the subject of this sketch ; and Eva, who died at the age of 14 years. Gaylord F. Millard spent his boyhood in Pennsylvania and received his education in the public schools. When a young man he learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed for a short time. He then en- HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 667 gaged in general farming and stock raising in Conneaut Township, Ashtabula County, from which he retired in 1900. Mr. Millard is now in the employ of the Fred Smith Coal Company of Conneaut as weigh master. Previous to this he was connected with the Nickel Plate Railroad as freight checker for 14 years and with the New York Central Railroad for four years in the same capacity. On Sept. 1, 1875, Mr. Millard was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Buttler, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born April 23, 1856, and the daughter of Oscar and Hannah (Randall) Buttler, natives of New York, now deceased. Mr. Buttler served throughout the Civil War and died April 17, 1918. His wife died Feb. 14, 1907. They were the parents of the following children: Emma S., married William Taylor, both deceased ; Clarence L., lives in Massachusetts ; Eugene H., lives in California ; A. M., lives in California ; Mrs. Millard ; Ernest C., lives at Hamilton, N. Y.; Lillian E., married George Wellman, lives in Kansas ; Freddie, died in infancy ; and Edith M., married J. A. Oren, lives at Conneaut. To Mr. and Mrs. Millard two sons were born: R. Clyde, born June 12, 1876, a farmer, lives in Conneaut Township, Ashtabula County ; and Carl B., born Aug. 27, 1882, a teller with the Mutual Loan Bank of Conneaut. There is one grandchild, Julia E., born Aug. 16, 1906. Mr. Millard is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is known for his integrity and is among the highly respected citizens of Ashtabula County. Edward M. Curphey is a successful and well known business man of Conneaut. He was born at Painesville, Ohio, in 1856 and is a son of William and Ellen (Duke) Curphey. William Curphey was a native of the Isle of Man as was also his wife. They came to America in the early fifties and located at Painesville, where Mr. Curphey was successfully engaged in the tailoring business for over 50 years. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and belonged to the Masonic lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Curphey, now deceased, were the parents of the following children: William, deceased ; Edward M., the subject of this sketch ; Charles, a tailor, lives at Painesville, Ohio ; Cora, lives at Painesville ; Lena, deceased ; George ; and Harry, in business with his brother at Painesville. Edward M. Curphey received his education in the schools of Painesville and learned the cigar making business in 1873, in which business he 668 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY has since been engaged continuously. Mr. Curphey came to Conneaut in 1891, where he entered the employ of W. E. Masters. In 1907 he purchased the business, which is located at the corners of Main and Broad Streets. He also does a retail business in cigars and tobacco. On June 12, 1900, Mr. Curphey was married to Miss Catherine Hathaway, a native of Conneaut, and the daughter of John B. and Esther (Blakeley) Hathaway, natives of New York. The Hathaway family settled in Ashtabula County in 1850, at Conneaut, where Mr. Hathaway became a well known upholsterer. He died Nov. 14, 1882, and his wife died Dec. 21, 1906. There were two children, Mrs. Curphey and Sarah J., who died in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Curphey have no children. Mr. Curphey's wife is a member of the Congregational Church ; they are highly esteemed citizens of Ashtabula County. William H. Lillie, secretary of the G. M. Whitney Clothing Company of Conneaut, is among the substantial business men of Ashtabula County. He was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 25, 1876, and is the son of Chester and Sallie (Newell) Lillie. Chester Lillie and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Ashtabula County in 1884, locating at Conneaut, where Mr. Lillie became a well known building contractor. He served throughout the Civil War with the 145th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and was wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain. Mr. and Mrs. Lillie, deceased, were the parents of the following children : Franklin, deceased ; Dora, the widow of Sidney Stough, lives at Erie, Pa.; O. C., engaged in the real estate business in Cleveland ; Flora, married E. L. Hayward, lives at Washington Court House, Ohio ; Emmeline, deceased ; William H., the subject of this sketch ; and John G., lives at Sandusky, Ohio. William H. Lillie was reared and educated in Conneaut. His first business connection was with the E. T. Dorman Clothing Company, as clerk. He has been actively engaged in the clothing business for the past 33 years and has been secretary of the G. M. Whitney Clothing Company since 1919. On Aug. 26, 1910, Mr. Lillie was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Green, a native of Amboy, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Amelia (Stillwagon) Green, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Ashtabula County. There were 11 children in the Green family, of whom Mrs. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 669 Lillie was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Green are now deceased. To William H. and. Katherine (Green) Lillie two children have been born : Marion, born March 9, 1915, and William H., Jr., born July 16, 1917. Mr. Lillie is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Elks lodge. He has an excellent reputation in the town of Conneaut and is highly esteemed. John D. Riley, president and general manager of the Conneaut Packing Company, is a leading business man of Ashtabula County. He was born at Forestville, Mich., May 13, 1870, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Potts) Riley. Henry Riley was a native of Ontario, Canada, and when a young man settled at Forestville, Mich., where he was successfully engaged in the real estate business for many years. He died in 1886 and his wife, who is now 72 years of age, lives at Forestville, Mich. John D., the subject of this sketch, is their only child. John D. Riley was reared and educated at Forestville, Mich., and began life on the Great Lakes. He served as an engineer for 33 years and in 1906 came to Conneaut, where he became associated with the Conneaut Packing Company. Since 1919 he has served as president and general manager of the company, which is among the enterprising business establishments of Conneaut. On Dec. 30, 1896, Mr. Riley was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Snody, a native of White Rock, Mich., and the daughter of Daniel W. and Elizabeth Helen (Long) Snody, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Snody lives at Onaway, Mich., where he has been a prominent citizen for many years. His wife died in 1914. They had four children : James H., a druggist at Onaway, Mich. ; Reuben W., lives at Toledo, Ohio ; Charlotte E., married J. H. Trace, lives at Detroit, Mich. ; and Mrs. Riley. To John D. and Helen M. (Snody) Riley have been born three children: Charles W., manager of the Conneaut Packing Company, lives at Conneaut ; Elizabeth M., employed by the Packard Motor Company of Detroit, Mich.; and Daniel H., who lives with his parents at Conneaut. There is one grandchild, Marian Elizabeth Riley, born in 1923. Mr. Riley and his family hold membership in the Episcopal Church and he is a 32nd degree Mason. 670 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY William Edmund Kearney, a well known and successful young business man of Conneaut, was born at Meadville, Pa., Aug. 14, 1892, and is the son of William J. and Ella (Leehan) Kearney. William J. Kearney and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. He was a conductor on the Erie Railroad for a number of years and died in 1914. He was a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. His wife died in 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Kearney were the parents of three children : Alice, married Val J. Leone, lives at Meadville, Pa.; Frank, liveS at Mars, Pa.; and William Edmund, the subject of this sketch. William Edmund Kearney was reared at Meadville, Pa., and attended the public schools there. He began life as a shoe clerk, earning $1.75 per week. In September, 1912, Mr. Kearney came to Conneaut, where he entered the employ of T. R. Hatch, a pioneer shoe merchant of Ashtabula County. In 1918 Mr. Kearney purchased the business from Mr. Hatch, which he has since conducted in a highly successful manner. On April 28, 1914, Mr. Kearney was married to Miss Nellie Gorman, a native of Oswego, N. Y., and a daughter of Mathew and Mary (O'Neill) Gorman. Mr. Gorman died Nov. 18, 1892, meeting his death on a railroad tressle while going to work. His wife lives at Oswego, N. Y. Mr. Kearney has a sister, Mattie, who lives at Buffalo, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Kearney three children have been born: William, born Feb. 2, 1915 ; Joseph, born Aug. 27, 1919, and Aline, born March 15, 1924. Mr. Kearney is a Republican, a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and Elks lodge and the Rotary Club. Roy M. Sawdey is one of the progressive and successful young business men of Conneaut. He was born in Conneaut Township, Erie County, Pa., Aug. 23, 1898, and is a son of Frank and Nellie (Waite) Sawdey. Frank Sawdey was a prominent business man of Conneaut for many years. He was born in Pennsylvania and in 1900 brought his family to Conneaut, where he engaged in the furniture business. He was a 32nd degree Mason and prominent in all affairs of his lodge. During the World War Mr. Sawdey was an active worker in the Liberty Loan campaigns of Ashtabula County. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He died April 5, 1922, and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Conneaut. Mrs. Sawdey resides at Conneaut. Roy M. Sawdey, the subject of this sketch, was their only child. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 671 Roy M. Sawdey received his education in the public schools of Conneaut and when a young man engaged in business with his father. Since his father's death Mr. Sawdey has had complete charge of the business. It is located on Main Street and is among the up to date business houses of the city. Mr. Sawdey is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Masonic and Elks lodges. George L. Loomis, who is a member of the firm of the Loomis-McLaughlin Jewelry Company, is a veteran of the World War, and a prominent young business man of Conneaut. He was born at Eagleville, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, March 6, 1891, and is a son of Rush W. and Rhoda Ann (Chapin) Loomis. Rush W. Loomis was born at Jefferson, Ohio, and for a number of years has been a well known business man of Conneaut. He formerly conducted a livery business but is nOW engaged in the gasoline and oil business. There are four children in the Loomis family: Ward, a conductor on the New York Central Railroad, lives at Erie, Pa.; Ruby, married John Fortune, lives at Conneaut; George L., the subject of this sketch ; and Kenneth, lives at home. George L. Loomis was educated in the public schools of Jefferson and Conneaut and has been interested in the jewelry business since July 7, 1919, when he entered into a partnership with Mr. Herrick. On Feb. 15, 1923, The Loomis-McLaughlin Jewelry Company was organized. The company has established an excellent business in the sale of silverware, jewelry, clocks and watches. On May 22, 1922, Mr. Loomis was married to Mrs. Helen (Morrow) Jacobs, a native of Greenville, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Loomis one son has been born, George Richard, born July 6, 1923. By a former marriage Mrs. Loomis had one son, Robert Hay Jacobs. During the World War Mr. Loomis served with Company L, 145th Infantry, 37th Division. He enlisted on April 15, 1917, and served overseas ten months, taking part in many important battles and drives of the war. He was discharged April 22, 1919. Mr. Loomis is a member of the American Legion and belongs to the ElkS. 672 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY G. W. Chaffee, retired, is a member of one of Ashtabula County's oldest and most prominent pioneer families. He was born at Jefferson, where he nOW resides, Jan. 1, 1850, and is a son of N. L. and Mary E. (St. John) Chaffee. N. L. Chaffee, now deceased, was during his lifetime an important factor in the development of Ashtabula County. He was born at Tully, Onondaga County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1813. He came to Ashtabula County in September, 1831, without a relative in the state. He taught school during the winters and the rest of the year chopped and logged wood, until 1837, at which time he entered the law office of Hon. Joshua R. Giddings at Jefferson. After being admitted to the bar in 1839, a partnership was formed with Mr. Giddings which continued for six years. In 1842 Mr. Chaffee was elected prosecuting attorney and re-elected four years later. He was elected to the Ohio legislature in 1848 and became a judge of the Common Pleas Court in this district in 1861 and re-elected in 1866. After ten years' service on the bench he resumed the practice of law in which he was actively engaged until the time of his death in 1887. At one time Mr. Chaffee owned 1200 acres of land in Ashtabula County, as well as large tracts in Kansas. He was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and a charter member of the Masonic Lodge at Jefferson. N. L. Chaffee took an active interest in the underground railroad during slavery times. He secreted George Harris, the husband of Eliza Harris, of Uncle Tom's Cabin. His wife, who was born at Rock Creek, Ohio, died in 1859. She was the daughter of Col. G. W. and Cybelia (Hawley) St. John. Col. G. W. St. John was a native of Connecticut, having come to Ashtabula County at an early day. His wife was born in Austinburg, Ohio, her father being Dr. O. K. Hawley, one of the founders of the Grand River Institute of Austin- burg. Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee were the parents of nine children, as follows: Gay W., was killed by a kick from a horse in 1849 ; Mary, deceased ; H. C., lives retired in Manhattan, Kan.; Isabel C., the widow of Everson J. Hulbert, lives in Los Angeles, Cal.; G. W., the subject of this sketch ; Norman L., deceased ; Mary E., deceased, was the wife of Allison -Loomis, of Conneaut ; Julia R., married J. P. Jackson, both deceased; and Clara, died in infancy. N. L. Chaffee was married the second time in 1861 to Almira Ruggles of New York state, and she died in 1906. No children were born to this union. PICTURE OF N. L. CHAFEE HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 673 G. W. Chaffee received his education in the schools of Jefferson and after completing a course at Grand River Institute, was graduated from the University of Kansas, where he studied agriculture. In 1867 Mr. Chaffee went to Kansas and later engaged in the raising of stock there until 1876, at which time he returned to Jefferson, where he served as deputy recorder for 15 years and later as recorder of Ashtabula County for six years. In politics Mr. Chaffee is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Church and is one of the interesting pioneers of the county. B. E. Beardsley, the able and highly esteemed chief of police of Conneaut, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Monroe, June 16, 1878, and is the son of Eugene and Cornelia (Hicks) Beardsley. Eugene Beardsley was born at Monroe, Ohio, and was a well knOWn farmer of Ashtabula County. He also engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Beardsley died at the age of 38 years, leaving a wife and one son, B. E., the subject of this sketch. Later Mrs. Beardsley married a Mr. Waterman, and to this union one son was born, P. H. Waterman, captain of police department of the Ashtabula & Buffalo Dock Co., at Buffalo, N. Y., where he now lives. Mrs. Waterman is also deceased. B. E. Beardsley received his education in the schools of Pierpont, Ohio, and started life on his father's farm. After being in the employ of Herb Mixer at Pierpont, Mr. Beardsley engaged in the meat business there for four years, after which he removed to Conneaut. He served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Carey Sheldon and in 1913 became a member of the Conneaut police force. Mr. Beardsley has served in the capacity of chief of police since 1920. On Nov. 11, 1900, Mr. Beardsley was married to Miss Grace Aldrich, a native of Pierpont, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Sophronia (Hardy) Aldrich, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich died in July, 1922, 21 days apart. They were the parents of the following children: Chester, governor of Nebraska ; Chan, lives in Colorado ; Charles, a retired physician, lives in North Carolina ; Harley, lives in Oregon ; and Mrs. Beardsley. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have no children. Mr. Beardsley is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge. He and his wife live at 692 Main Street and are well and favorably known in Ashtabula County. 674 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY J. R. McLaughlin, a successful young business man of Conneaut, is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Falls Creek, Pa., Nov. 28, 1895, and is the son of John H. and Margaret (Patton) McLaughlin. John H. McLaughlin was born in Pennsylvania where he now resides. He lives at Falls Creek where he has owned a blacksmith shop for many years. Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin have five children : Zella, married Earl T. English, lives at Tiffin, Ohio ; Nellie, deceased ; J. R., the subject of this sketch ; Warren and Leslie, live at Falls Creek, Pa. J. R. McLaughlin was educated in the public and high schools of Falls Creek, Pa., and has lived in Conneaut since 1918. He was inducted into service during the World War and served with the 9th Batallion 33rd Depot Brigade. He was discharged from service in November, 1919. Mr. McLaughlin has been a member of the jewelry firm of Loomis-McLaughlin since 1923. The firm was formerly known as Herrick & Loomis. On August 16, 1921, Mr. McLaughlin was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Alter, a native of Conneaut, and the daughter of J. H. and Nannie (Olmsted) Alter, who live at Conneaut. To Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin has been born one child, Robert Morris, born July 5, 1924. Mr. Alter is an engineer on the Nickel Plate Railroad and is one of the pioneer railroad men of this section. He is a Republican and belongs to the Masonic lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Alter have one child, Mrs. McLaughlin. Mr. McLaughlin is a member of the Congregational Church and is identified with the Masonic lodge and American Legion. He is well and favorably known in Ashtabula County. H. H. Mead, Jr., who is engaged in the furniture business with his father in Conneaut, is among the substantial citizens of Ashtabula County. He was born at Corry, Pa., in 1882, and is the son of Henry H. and Jessie E. (Dingman) Mead. Henry H. Mead, who organized the H. H. Mead & Son Company of Conneaut, was born in Ireland, and when a young man came to this country, locating in Pennsylvania. In 1889 he brought his family to Conneaut, where he established his present business. Mr. Mead is a Republican and he and his family belong to the Congregational Church. There are three children in the Mead family : H. H., Jr:, the subject of this sketch ; James, lives at White Plains, N. Y.; and Thomas F., who lives at Elizabeth, N. J. H. H. Mead, Jr., attended the public schools at Erie, Pa., and when HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 675 a young man became connected with the Erie Daily Times, which was owned by John J. Mead. He has been associated in business with his father since 1923. The company deals in high grade furniture and house furnishings. In November, 1913, Mr. Mead was married to Miss Josephine S. Reid, a native of San Francisco, Calif., and the daughter of Jacob N. and Isabelle (VanDorn) Reid, natives of New Jersey. Mr. Reid is an authority on chocolate processes and is employed as an expert by various large chocolate manufacturers. There are three children in the Reid family : Ruth, married F. L. Alpaugh, lives in Maplewood, N. J.; Raymond D.; and Mrs. Mead. To H. H. and Josephine S. (Reid) Mead three children have been born : Henry H., deceased, Earl Van Dorn, and Eleanor Ruth. Mr. Mead is a Republican and a member of the Congregational Church. Hugh Marcy is a veteran of the World War and ranks among Ashtabula County's successful young business men. He was born in Conneaut, June 1, 1892, and is the son of Charles E. and Viola (Daugherty) Marcy. Charles E. Marcy, who is well known as a funeral director, is a native of Conneaut, born Feb. 6, 1872, and the son of Willard and Olivia (Ball) Marcy. Willard Marcy was the founder of the Marcy funeral establishment at Conneaut. He was born near that city and died in 1896. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1915. They were the parents of the following children: Eva, married A. B. Putney, deceased; Henry, deceased ; Emma, lives at Warren, Pa. ; Sylvia, married A. M. Weston, lives at Los Angeles, Calif.; George, an engineer on the Nickel Plate Railroad, lives at Conneaut ; Charles E., father of the subject of this ,sketch ; and Edith, married J. W. Saigeon, lives at Conneaut. Charles E. Marcy has always lived in Conneaut. After Ins father's death he succeeded to the business. He has a well equipped funeral home located at Harbor and Liberty streets. On Sept. 1, 1891, Mr. Marcy was married to Miss Viola Daugherty, a native of Conneaut, born Nov. 23, 1870, and the daughter of Hugh and Ruth (Blanchard) Daugherty, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Daugherty died in 1897 and his wife died in 1915. They were the parents of the following children: Helen, lives in Conneaut Township, Ashtabula County; Wallace, died in 1890 ; Mary Jane, married George Chapman, lives at Conneaut ; 676 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Julia Ann, twin sister of Mary Jane, married J. F. Sawtell, lives at Conneaut ; Anna, the widow of Harry Byron, lives at Conneaut ; Mrs. Marcy ; and Laura, married John Hale, lives at Conneaut. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Marcy three children were born : Hugh, the subject of this sketch ; Helen Esther, born in 1894, married C. A. Hyre, a professor at West Commerce High School at Cleveland, lives at Lakewood, Ohio ; and Robert Charles, born in 1909, at home. There are four grandchildren. Hugh Marcy was educated in the public and high schools of Conneaut and after finishing his college course at Oberlin, Ohio, engaged in business with his father at Conneaut. During the World War he enlisted with the Lakeside Hospital Unit at Cleveland and was overseas two and one-half years, being discharged from service, Aug. 5, 1919. On Sept. 9, 1919, Mr. Marcy was married to Miss Mabel Horn, a native of Bellevue, Ohio, and the daughter of August and Lydia (Erf) Horn, natives of Ohio. Mr. Horn resides at Monroeville, Ohio. His wife died in 1906. They were the parents of four children: Dr. Dora, lives at Cleveland, is a veteran of the World War, having served in the medical corps overseas throughout the war ; Lewis, a veterinary surgeon, lives at Redmondville, Ore.; Ella, who served overseas as a nurse during the World War, and now lives at Coquille, Ore.; and Mrs. Marcy, who also served as a nurse with the Lakeside Unit overseas during the World War. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Marcy, as follows : Charles Horn and Mary Jane. Mr. Marcy is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Elks and Masonic lodge. He and his wife are highly esteemed and have many friends in Ashtabula County. Dr. Harold Wilson, a well known and successful physician of Conneaut, and veteran of the World War, was born in New York City, Jan. 20, 1874, and is a son of Herman B. and Mary Ann (White) Wilson. Herman B. Wilson was a native of New Rochelle, N. Y., and when a young man moved to New York City, where he later became a street railway magnate. He died Jan. 16, 1890, and his wife died in June, 1883. She was a native of England. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson the following children were born : Charles, deceased; Albert, lives retired in New York City; Henrietta, deceased ; Herman B., lives retired, New York city ; Imogene, Dresden, Mary Frances and Alexander, all deceased ; and Dr. Harold, the subject of this sketch. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 677 Dr. Harold Wilson spent his boyhood in New York City and was graduated from the Medical School at Dartmouth College in 1896. He then began practising medicine at Steubenville, Ohio, where he remained two years, then coming to Conneaut. Dr. Wilson has built up a large practice and is a thoroughly competent physician. During the World War Dr. Wilson enlisted his services and was commissioned captain in the medical corps. He served for 21 months, a year of which time was spent in France. Dr. Wilson was discharged April 26, 1919. Dr. Wilson was married to Miss Mary M. Kerr, a native of Greenfield, Ohio, and the daughter of David and Hattie (Anderson) Kerr. To Dr. and Mrs. Wilson one son has been born, Harold David, who was born in 1920. Dr. Wilson is a Republican and is identified with the Masonic and Elks lodges and the American Legion. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church. Dr. Wilson is a substantial and representative citizen of Ashtabula County. Edward L. Wellman is a well known business man and substantial citizen of Conneaut. He was born there June 24, 1885, and is the son of Forest and Lavinia (Wright) Wellman. Forest Wellman was born at Madison, Ohio, and for many years has been a prominent farmer of Conneaut Township. He is nOW associated with the American Can Company of Cleveland and lives in Cleveland. Mrs. Wellman is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wellman three children were born: Monta, died at the age of 18 years ; Edward L., the subject of this sketch, and Ralph, lives in Cleveland. After receiving his preliminary education in Conneaut, Edward s L. Wellman attended a Cleveland business college and remained in that city four years. Since 1910 he has been associated in business with the Conneaut Leather Company and is now secretary of the firm. In 1907, Mr. Wellman was united in marriage with Miss Julia Chapman, a native of Conneaut Township, and the daughter of John and Lorain (Smith) Chapman, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Ashtabula County. Mr. Chapman died in 1908 and his wife died in 1896. They were the parents of the following children: Belle, deceased, was the wife of Charles Hedder, lives at Conneaut; J. D., deceased; George, 678 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY engaged in the real estate business at Conneaut ; Sylvia, married P. C. Gates, lives in Beaver Center, Pa. ; Warren, lives at Beaver Center, Pa. ; Grace, married F. E. Bernd, lives in Cleveland ; and Joe and Julia, twins. To Mr. and Mrs. Wellman have been born two children, John and Richard, students. In politics, Mr. Wellman is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge. Mr. Wellman is a reliable citizen, industrious and enterprising. Vern L. Neil is a veteran of the World War and a progressive and enterprising young business man of Conneaut. He was born at Bradford, Pa., March 1, 1893, and is the son of William Neil. Vern L. Neil received his education in the public and high schools of Conneaut. After leaving school he entered the employ of the G. M. Whitney Clothing Company, and is now a member of that firm. On June 10, 1917, Mr. Neil enlisted for service during the World War, from Erie, Pa., and was sent t6 Philadelphia for training in the naval service. He was discharged Jan. 4, 1919. Mr. Neil is a member of the American Legion and commander of Cowell's Post of Conneaut. He is identified with the Elks lodge, and is well and favorably known in Ashtabula County. Fred H. Heasman, a progressive and enterprising business man of Conneaut, was born in England, Oct. 29, 1869, and is a son of Thomas and Anna (Stubbs) Heasman. The Heasman family came to Canada from England in 1872, locating at Kingston, where Thomas Heasman engaged in railroad building. He is now deceased. His wife lives at Toronto, Canada, and is 82 years of age. There were six children in the Heasman family: Frank, lives in Toronto, Can.; Fred H., the subject of this sketch; Fannie, married David Reid, lives in Toronto, Can.; William, lives at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan ; Alberta, married J. S. Andrews, lives in Los Angeles, Calif.; and Earnest, lives in Canada. He served throughout the World War with the Canadian forces and has since been an invalid. Fred H. Heasman was reared and educated in Canada, coming to the United States when 19 years of age, locating first in Erie, Pa. In 1896 he went to West Springfield, Pa., and engaged in the general merchan- HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 679 dise business with W. G. Walker, under firm name Walker and Heasman. In 1898 Mr. Heasman came to Conneaut and engaged in his present business. He has been located in his present building, 382-394 Main Street, since 1911. He is a general merchant and has an extensive business. Mr. Heasman was married the first time to Miss Nellie Kerr, who died in 1918. To this union two children were born : Frederick Keith, and Darrell, who are both in business with their father. Frederick Keith Heasman was married to Miss Marion Rodgers, a native of Conneaut. Two and one-half years after the death of his first wife, Fred H. Heasman was married to Miss Gertrude Zundel, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Heasman is a Republican and a member of the Rotary Club. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church, and are held in high esteem in their community. Warren B. Risley is a substantial citizen of Ashtabula County. He was born in Conneaut Township, April 18, 1871, and is the son of Henry and Laura (Tripp) Risley, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively : Mr. and Mrs. Risley were the parents of the following children : Delilah, deceased, Was the wife of W. B. Carter; Emery, a farmer, lives in Conneaut Township, Ashtabula County ; L. L., also a farmer in Conneaut TOWnship ; Clara, married M. B. Lillie, lives at Conneaut ; Joseph L., lives at Conneaut; Warren B., the subject of this sketch ; and Warner, died in infancy. Mr. Risley died May 27, 1913, and his wife died July 27, 1889. Warren B. Risley spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Conneaut TOWnship and attended the district schools. He began life as a hardware clerk for Charles M. Traver in Conneaut, where he remained for three years. Since 1907 he has been in the employ of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad as telegraph operator and clerk, in which capacity he now serves. On June 8, 1898, Mr. Risley was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Mae Phillips, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of George W. and Eleanora L. (Fraiser) Phillips, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Phillips died April 7, 1899. His wife died June 11, 1924. Before her marriage, Mrs. Phillips taught school. There were five children in the Phillips family : Clarence I., lives at Evansville, Ind.; Mrs. Risley; Glenn G., lives at Toledo, Ohlo; Clara, a vocalist, married Dr. C. G. Shreve, lives at Martin's Ferry, Ohio ; and Georgia, also a 680 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY vocalist, married Frank Needham, lives at Cleveland. Before her marriage Mrs. Risley taught music. To Warren B. and Bertha Mae (Phillips) Risley have been born three children: Zatella, born March 24, 1899, died March 27, 1899; Clarence T., born March 29, 1902, attends college ; and Henry George, born Jan. 29, 1907, died in infancy. Clarence T. Risley is studying medicine at Denison University in Ohio. Mr. Risley is a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church. He is a reliable citizen, who is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. Henry Lawton Morrison. The name Morrison has been a fixed surname in Scotland for many centuries, and is an old name in the counties of Lincoln, Herfordshire and Lancaster, England. The first of this branch of the family to come to America was Robert Morrison, who came early in the 18th century, and settled in Massachusetts. William, son of Robert Morrison, married on Nov. 10, 1748, to Sarah Montgomery of Middleborough, Mass. He served in Colonial wars and during the French and Indian War was taken prisoner at the Bay of Fundy, and died on board the prison ship at Quebec, June 12, 1758. James, son of William Morrison, was born Feb. 28, 1757, at Easton, Mass. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he volunteered at the age of 18 and served through the war as a private and artificer, and was a pensioner under the act of 1832. He married Aug. 5, 1783, Hannah Gunn, of Pittsfield, Mass. In 1806 he came with his family to Harpersfield, Ashtabula County. James Morrison, Jr., son of James, married as his second wife, Sally Nutt, Feb. 13, 1812, and to them was born at Geneva, Ohio, on Aug. 12, 1820, Henry Lawton Morrison, the subject of this sketch. Life and death stood side by side in the humble home that August day and the hour of the son's birth was the hour of the mother's death. The little babe was given to the father's sister, Sarah, wife of Abisha Lawton, and in their home he was reared with wise and tender care. Mr. Morrison has written of them: "To their kindness and love I am indebted for all I have been, am or hope to be. I owe them a debt that can never be -estimated or repaid". His boyhood was like that of other boys of the day; work was abundant and pleasures few. At the age of six he began attending school at the "Line School House", which stood one-half in Geneva and one-half in Saybrook, about a mile from his home. In his PICTURE OF HENRY LAWTON MORRISON HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 681 "Recollections", he wrote at the solicitation of his children, Mr. Morrison says : "The first sentence I ever read was in Webster's Spelling Book, 'No man can put off the law of God'. I was very enthusiastic over learning to read, and my remembrance is that in less than three weeks I was in the first class, reading in the English Reader. I learned the multiplication tables, and to add, subtract and divide, and went as far in Daboll's Arithmetic as reduction before I was eight years of age. I had also read the Bible through and all the books in the house, the list of which was short, namely : The Foundling, by Fielding ; the Methodist Discipline ; Truth Vindicated, written by a Quaker; the Memoirs of John Luckington, a London bookseller, and a few stray leaves of the Arabian Nights and a book called "The Prompter." In the summer of 1830 Mr. Lawton sold the farm on the South Ridge Road and purchased one on the North Ridge about three and one-half miles farther west. On this farm stobd a new house, the first brick house erected in Geneva. This house, still standing, is now quite in the heart of the town. In 1836 the Lawtons moved to Ashtabula, and here Mr. Morrison began the mercantile career, which with the exception of a year or two spent in study, he followed for the remainder of his life. A list of those first firms for whom he clerked would recall men prominent in the history of Ashtabula. On June 12, the new firm of Root and Barnes, with Mr. Morrison as clerk, began business in the building, still standing on the same ground, now known as 181 Main Street. Here Mr. Morrison remained as clerk, partner and proprietor until 1892, when with his sons he built the block at 218-220-222 Main Street. Mr. Morrison firmly believed that every citizen owed a duty to the town in which he lived, and a service to the public. Though not an office seeker he accepted those that came to him and gave to the discharge of such duties all the diligence and judgment that he gave to his OWn affairs. After holding several minor offices, he was elected mayor of Ashtabula in 1857, an office which he again held several times at later dates. He was a member of the board of education from the inception of the public school system in 1856 until 1866. He served as county commissioner from 1875 to 1879. The last public office which he held was that of councilman in the years 1896-1897-1898, being president of the council in 1897 and 1898, at the age of 78 years. Undoubtedly Mr. Morrison did no greater service to Ashtabula than in promoting and pushing to completion the Pittsburgh, 682 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Youngstown and Ashtabula Railroad. Associated with him in this work were Henry Hubbard, Joseph D. Hulbert and Amos C. Fisk. The first two mentioned were the elder and the active work fell upon Mr. Fisk and Mr. Morrison. Mr. Morrison was a director in the Niles & New Lisbon Railroad, projected in 1852, but never built. The directorate body had maintained its organization and held the right of way, hoping that the future might bring favorable development ; but by reason of the Civil War and other vicissitudes, it was not until 1869 that the project was revived. The aid of Pittsburgh men was secured, and in 1870 the board of directors of the Pittsburgh, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad was elected, of which Mr. Morrison was one, an office which he held until his death. From resolutions adopted by the board at that time we quote the following: "H. L. Morrison was a director in this company and its predecessor companies during the entire period of 33 years of their corporate existence, beginning in 1870 and continuing to the day of his death. Throughout this long service he has been faithful in attending the meetings of the board, always displaying keen interest in the affairs of the company and zeal in promoting its welfare, his unfailing kind heart and genial manner endeared him to his associates on the board, who will miss him for his personal characteristics no less than for the wisdom of his counsel; and they offer to his family a sincere expression of sympathy in their bereavement. S. B. Liggett, Sec'y." Mr. Morrison was a member of the First Baptist Church and the church held a foremost place in his affections. To it he gave liberally of his time and substance. Regarding his personal characteristics it can be said he was, first of all, a Christian, possessing in a rare degree intense honesty of purpose, integrity and uprightness ; in addition he had the well balanced mind and sound judgment that made him a wise counsellor. To the end of his long life he retained his wonderful memory, and articles on the early history of Ashtabula written by him in 1901, at the solicitation of the press, were not only much enjoyed but are cherished in many a scrap book as invaluable records. The Ashtabula Beacon Record, which published these articles, said of them : "Beginning tomorrow, Jan. 3, 1901, the Beacon Record will from day to day publish a series of articles on the early history of Ashtabula and her pioneers from the pen of Henry L. Morrison. Mr. Morrison has been a resident of Ashtabula for 65 years, has always taken an active interest in all public affairs and has a more HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 683 extensive and definite knowledge of the history of Ashtabula than any other person living. With the vast fund of data at hand, and the clear mind and ready pen of the author, these articles will not only be interesting reading, but will be very valuable from a historical point of view, and they will be greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the readers of the Beacon Record." Mr. Morrison's death occurred on Dec. 11, 1903. In noting this event the same paper said: "Today a sadness pervades not only a home bereaved, but the entire city, whose residents share in an inestimable loss in the passing of its oldest business head and general benefactor, Henry L. Morrison. Well might the departed be regarded as one of Ashtabula's fathers, to whose determined efforts in its early history the city owes much of its present condition of thrift, prosperity and promise. He was one of the very foundation stones in the upbuilding of this municipality, and future generations will refer with pride to that chapter in the history of the great city on the lake which tells' of this one of its pioneers." On Oct. 7, 1846, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Nancy Pamela Castle, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Watrous) Castle, a union which lasted for over 57 years and was a most happy one. Mrs. Morrison survived her husband five years, passing to the Great Beyond on Dec. 4, 1908. A friend has written of her : "She was a woman of wide mental capacity, and an active worker in every good cause. Loyal to her country, her church, her home and her friends, she was a worthy representative of the long line of ancestors, home makers and officials both military and civic, which was her heritage. In loving devotion to her husband and children she passed her long life, her memory treasured and reverenced by all who knew her." The children of Henry L. and Nancy C. Morrison were : (1) Katherine Amelia, married Arthur H. Chapin, died Aug. 7, 1910, and their children are : Mary Vincent Chapin, married Walter F. Rawdon, and they have a son, Robert Morrison, born in 1916; Henry Morrison Chapin, married Florence Bertolette, and their children are Katherine Louise Chapin, born in 1917, Helen Mary Chapin, born in 1919, and Marjorie Bertolette, born in 1923. (2) Mary Watrous, who lives at 77 Park Street, Ashtabula. (3) Willard Henry, married first to Emma R. Harris, who died Oct. 6, 1918, and later to Charlotte Eva Hooker. (4) Frederick Root, married Edith Root, who died Oct. 9, 1918, and they had two children, Henry Frederick, born March 13, 1908, and Robert Stanley, born Nov. 19, 1910. 684 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Andy Nurmilahti, a substantial citizen of Conneaut, and manager of The Co-Operative Grocery Company, is a native of Finland. He was born in July, 1890, and is the son of John and Walbor Kormano. Mr. and Mrs. Kormano, who reside in Finland, are the parents of the following children : Nuutti, John, Matt, Mary, Andy, the subject of this sketch, Lydia, Aino, Anna, Hilja, and Helvi. Andy Nurmilahti came to this country in 1911 and since that time has been clerk of G. Rajala and manager of the Co-Operative Grocery Company of Conneaut, which is located at 985 Broad Street. On Feb. 24, 1917, Mr. Nurmilahti was married to Miss Laina Hautata, who was born in Finland, March 13, 1891, the daughter of Andy and Susan (Pakkala) Hautata. The Hautata family came to the United States in 1894 and located in Conneaut, were Mr. Hautata died in 1923. They were the parents of three children: Mary, married Mike Saarela, lives in Conneaut; Mrs. Nurmilahti ; and Emil, lives east of Conneaut. Mr. Numilahti is a Republican and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. H. J. Alward, pioneer business man of Conneaut, Was born in Crawford County, Pa., June 29, 1850, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah J. (McMillan) Alward. Benjamin Alward was a native of New York, born in 1818. He went to Pennsylvania in 1834 and became a prosperous farmer, and owned 700 acres of land. Mr. Alward was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. He and his wife, now deceased, were the parents of the following children : Cynthia Jane and Almeda, deceased ; H. J., the subject of this sketch; Anna, deceased; W. B., a farmer, lives in Pennsylvania ; Alsinia, deceased ; John D., a farmer, lives in Pennsylvania ; Sarah and Joseph, deceased; Lilly, lives in Pennsylvania ; Clark, deceased ; and Gilbert A., a farmer, also lives in Pennsylvania. H. J. Alward spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of Crawford County, Pa. He began life as a farmer in Pennsylvania and became an extensive shipper of stock. In 1893 he removed to Conneaut and engaged in the meat business at the corner of Main and Harbor streets. After many business interests, Mr. Alward retired and went to Florida in 1918, but returned to Conneaut in December, 1921, and established his present meat business at 311 Harbor Street. His son, Ralph, is in business with him. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 685 On Nov. 15, 1871, Mr. Alward was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Gibson, a native of Erie County, Pa., and to this union the following children were born : Ralph ; Theresa, married George McDonald, a railroad engineer, lives at Salina, Kan.; Pearl, a milliner, lives at Erie, Pa.; Forest, lives in New York City ; and Blain, is a World War veteran, lives at Erie, Pa. In 1904 Mr. Alward was married the second time to Miss Clara Hall, a native of Crawford County, Pa., and to this union one child was born, Marjorie, who died at the age of 11 years in 1917. There are three grandchildren: P. J. Alward, deceased ; Boyd McDonald ; and Gale McDonald. Mr. Alward is a staunch Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He has been a member of the Masonic lodge since he was 23 years of age. George Collinge, now living retired at Conneaut, has been among the prosperous and leading business men of Ashtabula County for many years. He was born at St. Clair, Mich., June 18, 1871, and is the son of Samuel and Harriet (HOWey) Collinge. Samuel Collinge was a native of Clayton, N. Y., and one of the pioneer captains on the Great Lakes. He died in Ontario, Canada, in 1919. His wife lives with a daughter in Canada and is 78 years of age. There are eight children in the Collinge family: William, deceased ; James, lives in Los Angeles, Cal.; George, the subject of this sketch ; Addie, married Frank Lewis, lives in Ontario, Canada ; John, deceased ; Della, married Peter Forbes, lives in Ontario, Canada ; Maude, married Ray Taylor, lives in Ontario, Canada ; and Grace, married Charles Wooliver, also lives in Ontario, Canada. George Collinge received his education in the schools of Walliceburg, Ontario, Canada, and in 1888 came to the United States, locating at Detroit, Mich., where he engaged in business. He later became an engineer on the Great Lakes, and for 12 years sailed the lakes. In 1899 he established a business at Conneaut, and supplied meats to the boats on the lakes and the tOWn. This was known as the Conneaut Meat Company and became one of the leading business enterprises of the city. Mr. Collinge has been a vessel owner and at one time invested many thousands of dollars in boats on the Great Lakes. He disposed of these interests in 1923 and now lives retired. 686 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY On June 9, 1897, Mr. Collinge was united in marriage with Miss Rachael Elliott, a native of Port Huron, Mich., and the daughter of William and Susie (Foster) Elliott, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, both now deceased, were the parents of the following children : Mary, married Samuel Sylvester, lives at Ashtabula, Ohio; Thomas, died in 1920; Ann, married R. Marshall, lives at Conneaut ; Lydia, married Walter Boyd, lives at Batavia, N. Y.; and Mrs. Collinge. To Mr. and Mrs. Collinge one daughter was born, Ruth, now the wife of Harold Lodner, and they reside in Conneaut. Mrs. Lodner was well known as a singer during the World War, and entertained the soldiers at Camp Sherman and in Cincinnati. She has a splendid voice and is one of the popular young women of Conneaut. Mr. and Mrs. Lodner have one child, George Collinge Lodner, who was born in October, 1923. Mr. Collinge is a Republican and a member of the Episcopal Church. He is a director of the Mutual Loan Association of Conneaut, a director of the Conneaut Shovel Company, and is prominent in the affairs of his community. Fay Lewis, a well known and successful merchant of Conneaut, was .born in Erie County, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1882, and is the son of George E. and Sadie (Gould) Lewis. George E. Lewis was a native of Bradford, Pa., and his wife was born at East Concord, N. Y. He was a successful dairy farmer and owned large tracts of land. He died in 1887 and his wife died Oct. 8, 1920. They were the parents of three children: George, who is in business at Conneaut with his brother ; Fay, the subject of this sketch ; and Eva A., married Peter Mullen, lives at Dunkirk, N. Y. Fay Lewis was educated in the public and high schools of Springville, N. Y., and attended Griffith's Institute there. He served as cashier of the American Express Company at JamestOWn, N. Y., for 12 years and on May 23, 1923, came to Conneaut, where he has since conducted a bakery business with his brother at 285 Main Street. They have already established a large business and have a modern shop and equipment. On Aug. 11, 1904, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Nellie May Peterson, a native of Jamestown, N. Y., and the daughter of Arvid and Louise (Hulquist) Peterson, residents of Jamestown, N. Y. There HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 687 are three children in the Peterson family : Mrs. Lewis ; Gertrude, married George Schwab, lives at Jamestown, N. Y. ; and Walter, deceased. George Lewis was engaged in the bakery business at Jamestown, N. Y., for 20 years and is a business partner with his brother at Conneaut. He was married on Jan. 22, 1907, to Miss Ethel W. Wilson, who was born at Jamestown, N. Y., the daughter of M. Wilson, deceased. Fay Lewis and his brother are Republicans and hold membership in the Episcopal Church. They are progressive citizens of Ashtabula County and stand well in their community. Richard Ritari, a substantial citizen of Conneaut, was born in Finland, Jan. 21, 1884, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Korpela) Ritari, natives of Finland, now deceased. There were five children in the Ritari family : Susan, married Charles Malnberg, lives in Finland ; Mary, married Charles Grant, lives retired in Florida ; Lizzie, deceased, was the wife of Herman Pakka, lives at Springfield, Pa.; Herman, lives in Washington ; and Richard, the subject of this sketch. Richard Ritari spent his boyhood in his native land and in 1902 came to the United States. He settled in Conneaut and in 1918 entered the employ of the Nickel Plate Railroad in the car repair shops. Mr. Ritari owns his home, which is located at 954 Broad Street. On Jan. 7, 1904; Mr. Ritari was married to Miss Lempi Sundberg, a native of Finland, born Feb. 13, 1883, and the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Rannanpa) Sundberg, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sundberg had five children: Susan, married Thomas Lahti, lives in Finland ; Mary, lives in New Hampshire ; Lizzie, married John Markko, lives in Finland ; Mrs. Ritari; and Josephine, married Matt Kainppi, lives at Springfield, Pa. To Richard and Lempi (Sundberg) Ritari seven children have been born, as follows: Arvo, born July 27, 1905, lives in Conneaut ; Lauri, born July 17, 1906; Ilmari, born Sept. 24, 1907; Eino, born Jan. 28, 1910; Waino, born April 28, 1913 ; Lillian, born Oct. 31, 1917 ; and Helen, born Oct. 5, 1922. Lauri Ritari will be graduated from Conneaut High School in the claSs of 1925. He is captain of the high school football and baseball teams and also president of the Hi Y Club. Mr. Ritari and his family are members of the Lutheran Church and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. 688 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY May A. Ruggles is the daughter of Joseph E. and Charlotte Ruggles, was born in Jefferson, Ohio, and was the next to the youngest of four children. Miss Ruggles was graduated from Jefferson High School, also from Business College in Cleveland, after which. she entered the treasurer's office as clerk. She was made deputy treasurer under County Treasurer R. E. Harper. On Aug. 8, 1922, she was nominated for county treasurer on the Republican ticket and elected to the office of county treasurer the following November, being the first woman to hold county office in Ashtabula County. On Sept. 1, 1923, she assumed the duties of county treasurer and is now serving her second year. On Aug. 12, 1924, she was nominated for second term. Otto Maukonen, an enterprising and progressive citizen of Conneaut, was born in Finland, Sept. 26, 1885, and is the son of Gabriel and Mary (Kempainen) Maukonen. Mr. Waukonen died in 1917 and his wife died in 1923. They were the parents of the following children : Ida, Eva, Selina, Helen, Anna, Otto, the subject of this sketch, Emil, and Oscar. Otto Maukonen came to this country in 1903 and during that year located in Conneaut, where he was employed on the docks. In 1918 he entered the employ of the Nickel Plate Railroad repair shops. On April 27, 1907, Mr. Maukonen was married to Miss Amanda Mackey, who was born in Finland in 1888, and came to this country when she was three years of age. She was the daughter of Thomas and Susan Mackey, who were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Maukonen ; William, lives in Cleveland ; Elizabeth, married Arthur Adams, lives at Conneaut ; Alma, married Matt Lutha, lives in Ashtabula ; Anton, deceased ; Susie, married Emil Hill, lives in Conneaut ; Arlene, lives in Conneaut ; Elsie, Conneaut ; Sarah and Thomas, who live at Conneaut. Mr. Mackey lives retired at 278 Park Avenue, Conneaut. His wife died in 1913. To Otto and Amanda (Mackey) Maukonen two children were born : Olive, born March 8, 1909; and Edwin, born July 19, 1911. Mrs. Maukonen died Aug. 8, 1922. Mr. Maukonen is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. PICTURE OF MAY A. RUGGLES HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 689 Richard Kangas, a successful merchant of Conneaut, was born in Finland, June 11, 1882, the son of Gabriel and Anna (Hietakangas) Kangas, the former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Kangas resides in Finland. There were five children in the Kangas family : Richard, the subject of this sketch; Elmer, lives at Warren, Ohio ; Anna, married Kansta Lahti, lives in Massachusetts ; Matt, engaged in business with his brother, Richard ; and Helen, lives in Finland. Richard Kangas came to America in 1904 and settled at Chester, Pa., later going to Canada, where he worked in the mines. He then went to New York and was employed in the building of the tunnel under the Hudson River. Mr. Kangas came to Conneaut in 1908 from Cleveland, and opened his present place of business in 1915. He employs four men in his bakery shop and has two trucks on the streets of the city. Mr. Kangas has been successful in his business undertaking and has an extensive trade. On Dec. 15, 1908, Mr. Kangas was married to Miss Emma Nimel, who was born in Finland. To this union have been born two children; Heimo and Ulyas, both students. Mr. Kangas and his family are members of the Lutheran Church and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is well known as a wrestler, having won many medals in that particular sport. Henry Partanen, well known building contractor of Conneaut, was born in Finland, June 28, 1888, and is the son of Henry and Anna (Niskanen) Partanen. Mr. and Mrs. Partanen, who live in Finland, are the parents of the following children : Powell, Christina, Maude and Mary, all living in Finland; and Henry, the subject of this sketch. Henry Partanen grew up in Finland and received his education in the public schools there. In 1910 he came to the United States and located at Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio, where he worked at his trade as carpenter. He also spent one year in Cleveland, and on Jan. 10, 1914, removed to Conneaut, where he entered the employ of Mr. Walton, a building contractor. In 1918 Mr. Partanen engaged in business for himself. He has been successful in his work and is favorably known in the county. The Partanen home is located at 1013 Buffalo Street. On June 3, 1915, Mr. Partanen was married to Miss Sanna Laituri, a native of Finland, born Jan. 22, 1891, and the daughter of Alturi and (40) 690 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Josephine (Karhula) Laituri, both deceased. Mr. Laituri died in September, 1913, and his wife died Jan. 23, 1924. They had five children : Matt, John, and Gustave, who live at Conneaut ; Mrs. Partanen; and Edward, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Partanen have an adopted daughter, Lillian, who was born May 15, 1911. Mr. Partanen belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Neal W. Smith is an enterprising and progressive merchant of Conneaut. He is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, born June 29, 1877, and the son of Stephen and Cornelia (Burt) Smith. Stephen Smith, deceased, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, as was also his wife. He followed general farming and stock raising during his life and met with success. He served as constable of Conneaut for a number of years and was a Democrat. Mr. Smith died in 1918 and his widow lives with her daughter in Conneaut. They were the parents of three children, as follows : Neal W., the subject of this sketch ; Lewis, a marine engineer, lives at North East, Pa. ; and Ada, married R. H. Thayer, a retired farmer, lives at Conneaut. Neal W. Smith spent his boyhood at Portsmouth, Ohio, and received his education in the district schools. In March, 1883, he removed to Conneaut, where he engaged in the ice business until 1919. At present he conducts a meat business at 491 Harbor Street, and has an up-to-date shop. On July 17, 1903, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Bertha May Christianson, a native of Andover, Ohio, born in 1877, and the daughter of Charles and Olive (Brau) Christianson, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Christianson, a native of Sweden, was a pioneer lumber man of Ashtabula County, and was in business at Andover for a number of years. He was also an extensive farmer. There were 12 children in the Christianson family, five of whom are now living, as follows : Flora, married Ashur Wright, lives at Andover, Ohio; Mrs. Smith; Frank, lives at Sharon, Pa.; Anna, married Frank Fickinger, lives at Meadville, Pa. ; and Carl, lives at Sharon, Pa. To Neal W. and Bertha May (Christianson) Smith have been born five children: Lewis, in business with his father at Conneaut ; Ruth, Ardis, Ada, and Robert, all students. Mr. Smith is a Republican and he and his family hold membership in the Methodist Church. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 691 Emil Sundstrom is a veteran of the World War and a progressive young business man of Conneaut. He was born in Finland, Aug. 24, 1893, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Karhunen) Sundstrom. The Sundstrom family came to this country in 1895, and located at Conneaut, where Jacob Sundstrom and his wife still reside. They have three children: Emil, the subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, deceased ; and William, lives at Conneaut. Emil Sundstrom received his education in the public schools of Conneaut, and began life as a clerk for T. Rajala, and in 1918 went with the Co-Operative Grocery Company, of which he served as manager for six months. During the World War, Mr. Sundstrom was inducted into service on Aug. 26, 1918, and sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he entered the officer's training school. He was discharged on Dec. 16, 1918. He then returned to his former position with the Co-Operative Grocery Company. On March 29, 1917, Mr. Sundstrom was united in marriage with Miss Anna Johnson, who was born at Conneaut, April 2, 1898, the daughter of Oscar W. and Louise (Alvo) Johnson, natives of Finland and residents of Finland. There are three children in the Johnson's family : William, died in 1911; Mrs. Sundstrom ; and John, who was graduated from the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland in June, 1924, as an electrical engineer. Mrs. Sundstrom is a graduate of Conneaut High School and Conneaut Business College. Mr. and Mrs. Sundstrom are members of the Lutheran Church and are well and favorably known in their community. Arthur J. Picard, an enterprising and successful young merchant of Conneaut, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born at Meadville, June 8, 1898, and is the son of Saturn and Ida (Balizet) Picard. Saturn Picard, a native of France, now lives in Conneaut where he has been general roundhouse foreman for the Nickel Plate Railroad for the past 12 years. He was in the employ of the Erie Railroad at Meadville, Pa., for 14 years as foreman of the boiler shop department. Mr. and Mrs. Picard are the parents of the following children : Arthur J., the subject of this sketch ; Regina, deceased ; Gerald, lives at Conneaut ; Claire, associated in business with his brother; Cletus ; and Paul and Pauline, twins. 692 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Arthur J. Picard was educated in the parochial schools of Conneaut, his parents having moved here in 1904. He began life as a bookkeeper for the Fred F. Smith Coal Company of Conneaut and later was employed as a clerk by the Nickel Plate Railroad. In July, 1920, Mr. Picard established his present business at 493 Harbor Street. He carries a fine line of groceries and has an extensive trade. Mr. Picard is a member of the Catholic Church and is highly esteemed in Ashtabula County. Mrs. Carl Prahl, who has successfully operated a maternity hospital in Conneaut for the past seven years, is a native of Ontario, Canada. She was born and reared there and is the daughter of Theron and Lydia (Flint) Patterson. Theron Patterson was a native of Canada and died in 1908. Lydia (Flint) Patterson is now the wife of Frank Kiser and they live at Conneaut. They were the parents of the follOWing children: Myron, lives in Ashtabula ; Mrs. Prahl; Jessie Ann, married Dr. E. W. Iden, lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio ; and Harvey Bruce, died in 1915. Violet M. (Patterson) Prahi was educated in Ontario, Canada, and has been a trained nurse since she was 16 years of age. After doing settlement work in New York City, she entered maternity work and since 1917 has conducted the Prahi Sanatarium at Conneaut. Mrs. Prahi has been most successful in her work and is widely and favorably known throughout this part of the country. Violet M. Patterson was united in marriage with Carl Prahl, a native of Finland, and the son of Andrew John and Amelia (Patterson) Prahl, both natives of Finland. Mr. Prahi died in 1904 and his wife died the following year. They were the parents of the following children: Matilda, lives in Finland ; Andrew J., died in 1896; Carl ; Victor, lives in California; and Emil, who died in 1920. Carl Prahl settled in Conneaut in 1894 and was a marine engineer on the Great Lakes. Since 1907 Mr. Prahl has been a helpless invalid. On May 14, 1896, Mr. Prahl was married the first time to Miss Isabel Hammell, a native of England, born May 14, 1876, and to this union two children were born : William F., died in infancy ; and Helen, born April 18, 1899, lives in Chicago. Mrs. Prahl died in 1899, and Mr. Prahl was united in marriage with Miss Violet M. Patterson. To this union five children were born, as follows: Carl F., died in infancy ; Victor Hiram, HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 693 died at the age of two years ; Martin Francis, died in infancy ; Lydia M., born in 1906, lives at Conneaut; and Eugena May, born in 1908, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Prahl are members of the Baptist Church and are highly esteemed citizens of Ashtabula County. Frank H. Mallory, a substantial and well known young business man of Conneaut, is a native of Ashtabula. He was born May 10, 1893, and is the son of Clayton and Minnie (Day) Mallory. Clayton Mallory was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ashtabula in 1890, where he worked at his trade as carpenter. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory are the parents of the following children: Frank H., the subject of this sketch ; Francis, a machinist, lives at Conneaut; Nina, married Ben Woodruff, lives at Girard, Pa.; Mildred, deceased ; Loren, lives at Conneaut; and Viola, at home. Frank H. Mallory received his education in the public schools of Conneaut and began life as a clerk in a local grocery store. In December, 1915, he engaged in business for himself, opening his present place of business at 508 Harbor St. He carries a good line of groceries and smoked meats. Mr. Mallory owns several pieces of city property in Conneaut and erected his own modern store building in 1924. He also owns 204 acres of good farm land in Conneaut Township, Erie County, Pa. In June, 1916, Mr. Mallory was married to Miss Florence A. Brown, a native of Kansas, and the daughter of O. L. and Cassie (Farley) Brown, natives of Montpelier, Ohio, and residents of Springfield, Pa. There are seven children in the Brown family, as follows : Alice, a member of the faculty of Cornell University ; Florence Mallory; Inez, married Edward Kirkenburg, lives at Montpelier, Ohio ; Ellen, married Rosco Kirk, lives in Ohio; Esther, married Otto Brown, lives in Pennsylvania ; Arthur, a veteran of the World War, lives at home; and Beulah, a student. Mrs. Mallory taught school for five years before her marriage. To Frank H. and Florence A. (Brown) Mallory two children have been born: William, born May 5, 1917 ; and Robert, born Jan. 28, 1919. In politics Mr. Mallory is identified with the Republican party and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family hold membership in the First Christian Church. 694 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY J. W. Marshall, owner and proprietor of the Perfection Laundry of Conneaut, is a progressive business man of Ashtabula County. He was born at Deposit, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1891, and is the son of George Henry and Stella (Burrows) Marshall. George Henry Marshall is among the early settlers of Conneaut. He served on the Nickel Plate Railroad for many years as an engineer and now lives retired at Conneaut. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. Stella (Burrows) Marshall is deceased. There were six children in the Marshall family, as follows : Reuben, lives in Conneaut ; Genevieve, married Birt Secord, and now deceased ; J. W., the subject of this sketch; Cordelia, married B. B. Sprinkle, lives at Geneva, Ohio ; Edna, married Frank Marion, lives at Conneaut ; and Clayton, lives at Conneaut. J. W. Marshall attended the public and high schools of Conneaut and became an engineer on the Bessemer Railroad; in which capacity he served for 20 years. On Jan. 19, 1920, he began the operation of the Perfection Laundry in Conneaut, which has developed into a thriving institution. Mr. Marshall employs 15 people and operates a truck in connection with his business. It is located at 177 Main Street. In 1903 Mr. Marshall was married to Miss Dorothy Clark, a native of Perry, Ohio, and the daughter of John and Emma Clark, residents of Ashtabula. Mrs. Marshall is deceased. In politics Mr. Marshall is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Congregational Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Elks and B. of L. F. and E. He has many friends throughout Ashtabula County and is highly esteemed. William W. Russell, stationary engineer with the Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company, is among Conneaut's highly esteemed and well known citizens. He was born in Mercer County, Pa., Oct. 28, 1865, and is the son of Joshua and Mary Jane (Fobes) Russell. Joshua Russell was a native of Mercer County, Pa., and his wife was born at Jackson, Mich. They were early settlers of Ashtabula County, where Mr. Russell engaged in general farming and stock raising. He died in 1906 and his wife died. in 1881. They were the parents of four children, as follows : William W., the subject of this sketch ; Flora, deceased ; Andrew, deceased ; and Lizzie, also deceased. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 695 William W. Russell was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and in early life was a farmer. On Dec. 31, 1900, he came to Conneaut and was employed as a fireman by the Nickel Plate Railroad. After one year he entered the employ of the Harper Norton Brick Company as stationary engineer, and in 1903 became connected with the Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company in the same capacity. The Russell residence is located at 624 Buffalo Street. On Nov. 25, 1885, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Anna M. Hagan, a native of Pennsylvania, born Aug. 5, 1860. To this union have been born three children : Harry W., deceased ; William Francis, lives at Conneaut, married Mildred Lawrence, and they have two children, Billy, born Dec. 21, 1917, and died April 26, 1919, and Betty Jane, born June 10, 1920 ; and Ida L., married Otis Cooney and they have one child, Harry Russell, lives in Conneaut. Mr. Russell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has many friends and acquaintances in Ashtabula County. F. A. Rowe is a veteran of the Civil War and an honored pioneer of Ashtabula County. He was born in Pennsylvania, April 29, 1833, and is the son of Henry and Helen (Smith) Rowe. Henry Rowe, deceased, was a native of New York and an early settler of Pennsylvania. He later lived in Michigan and then in Ashtabula County, where he engaged in general farming. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. There were four children in the ROWe family, as follows: William, deceased ; F. A., the subject of this sketch; James, died in infancy ; and David, retired, lives at Corry, Pa. F. A. Rowe was reared and educated in Warren County, Pa., and always followed farming, specializing in truck gardening. He settled in Ashtabula County in 1860, where he has since resided. During the Civil War Mr. ROWe served with Company G, 105th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. On Dec. 25, 1855, Mr. Rowe was united in marriage with Miss Valedia Smith, a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, born Feb. 20, 1835, and the daughter of Henry and Caroline (Lot) Smith. Mrs. Rowe died Jan. 20, 1917. There were six children in her family, as follows : Abagail, married Horace Hatch, both deceased ; Mary, married Milford Shepard, both 696 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY deceased; Mrs. Rowe ; Morrison, deceased ; Caroline, married William Porter, both deceased ; and one child died in infancy. To F. A. and Valedia (Smith) Rowe were born two children : Mabel, married on June 9, 1887, to Lorenzo Loomis and they live retired at East Conneaut, and have three children: Francis, a civil engineer, lives at Cleveland, Ohio ; Mildred, married on Nov. 1, 1917, to Homer H. Holdson; and Stanley, a farmer, lives in Conneaut Township. Mr. Rowe's second child is Helen, who was married to E. F. Hammond, and they live in California and have two children, Ruth and Ronald. Mr. Rowe has six great grandchildren: Barbara and Albert Loomis; Margaret and Joyce Holdson; and Glenn and Grace Loomis. Mr. Rowe is a Republican and an active member of the Methodist Church. He is favorably known throughout the community where he has spent so many years and has many friends. Charles H. Brant, deceased, was for many years a leading merchant of Ashtabula Harbor. He was a native of Finland, born Sept. 10, 1874. At the age of seven years he came to the United States with his parents and settled in Ashtabula. Mr. Brant was a well known meat dealer at the Harbor for 30 years and the business is now owned and operated by his son, Oscar Brant. Charles H. Brant was married, April 8, 1899 to Alma Mary Nieminen, born in Finland, Sept. 26, 1875, a daughter of Henry and Christena Nieminen, natives of Finland where they died. They had eleven children, Mrs. Brant being the fifth in order of birth ; she came to the United States June, 1893 and settled at Ashtabula Harbor. Mrs. Brant is a very active worker in the Red Cross at the Harbor and is a devoted worker in the Lutheran church. Mr. Brant died on March 6, 1923, and his wife now lives in Ashtabula. They had two children, Oscar and Alma, both of whom are unmarried. She is a graduate of the Harbor High School and attended Oberlin College one year, also Miami College one term, a business course two years at Ashtabula where she graduated and also two years at the Spencerian College at Cleveland, where she graduated. She is now teaching shorthand and typewriting in the Harbor High School. She is also secretary to Superintendent Wenner of the Harbor schools. She was born Nov. 6, 1900 ; Oscar Brant attended Miami College two years and then entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, but on account PICTURE OF CHARLES H. BRANT HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 697 of father's death had to give up his studies and return home to take care of the business. Oscar Brant was born in Ashtabula, Aug. 24, 1899, and is now conducting the business established so many years ago by his father. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. The Brant family is one of the prominent families of Ashtabula. Charles H. Brant served as a member of the school board for several years and at the time of his death was a director of the Marine National Bank of Ashtabula Harbor. He was a substantial member of his community. Ray A. Pease, agent for the American Railway Express Company at Conneaut, is a well known and substantial citizen of Ashtabula County. He was born at Ashtabula, Jan. 16, 1885, and is the son of Frank A. and Anna J. (Campbell) Pease. Frank A. Pease, deceased, was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and an early settler of Ashtabula. He was an engineer on the Lake Shore Railroad for many years and during the latter part of his life lived at Cleveland. His wife is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pease had six children, as follows : Frank, deceased ; Ida May, deceased ; Anna, married H. W. Fowler, a conductor on the New York Central Railroad, and they live in Cleveland ; W. H., a conductor on the New York Central Railroad, lives in Cleveland ; Mary, deceased ; and Ray A., the subject of this sketch. Ray A. Pease grew up in Cleveland and attended the public schools there. He was employed in the office of the American Railway Express Company at Cleveland for 16 years, and for the past six years has been located at Conneaut, where he is agent for that company. On April 16, 1911, Mr. Pease was married to Miss Gladys M. Taylor, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., and the daughter of H. G. and Emma (Dreager) Taylor, residents of Cleveland. There are nine children in the Taylor family, as follows : Pearl, married G. J. Lock, lives in Cleveland ; Robert, Delbert and Herbert, live in Cleveland ; Margaret, married Joseph Olsen, lives in Cleveland ; Irene, married H. G. Cowles, lives in Cleveland ; Hubert, deceased ; Lerene, deceased ; and Mrs. Pease. To Mr. and Mrs. Pease has been born one daughter, Ruth, born in 1914. Before her marriage Mrs. Pease was a trained nurse at Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland. Mr. Pease is a Republican, a member of the Congregational Church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Elks. 698 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Elmer C. Wiley, who conducts an oil and gasoline station and tourist camp at East Conneaut, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Kellogsville, Aug. 15, 1882, and is the son of S. M. and Nettie (Lewis) Wiley. S. M. Wiley was a farmer near Kellogsville and died in 1885. His widow lives on the state line two miles south of Conneaut. Elmer C., the subject of this sketch, is their only child. Elmer C. Wiley attended the public schools of Conneaut and began life as a machinist with the Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company, where he remained for 18 .years. He opened his present place of business in 1921, and has established a good business. On Oct. 11, 1906, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage with Miss Lola E. Wolcott, a native of East Conneaut, born Jan. 14, 1890, and the daughter of Charles and Meda (Childs) Wolcott. Mr. Wolcott was a pioneer merchant of Conneaut, having come here from Cincinnati, where he was born. He was killed in 1905 and his wife lives at East Conneaut. They were the parents of three children, as follows : William, killed in 1904; Bert, lives at Conneaut ; and Mrs. Wiley. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have one child, Evelyn L., born June 29, 1907. Mr. Wiley is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a reliable and efficient member of his community. Victor Perala, a substantial and well known citizen of Conneaut, was born in Finland, April 20, 1870, and is a son of John and Susan Perala. John Perala was a native of Finland, as was also his wife. They are now deceased. There were eight children in the Perala family, as follows : Lena, married John Cederberg ; Etta, married Alfred Cederberg; John; Jack, deceased; Victor, the subject of this sketch ; Frank, Conneaut, Ohio ; Sophia ; and Matilda, all of whom live in Finland with the exception of Frank and Victor. Victor Perala spent his boyhood in Finland and attended the schools there. In 1891 he came to the United States and settled at Ashtabula, later removing to Erie, Pa., where he remained two years. In 1899 he located at Conneaut where he entered the employ of the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company where he has since remained. On July 4, 1893, Mr. Perala was married to Miss Marie Rantaho, a native of Finland, born June 28, 1867, and the daughter of Alvius and Anna Rantaho, both deceased. Mrs. Perala has a sister and brother living HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 699 in Finland, Catherine and Valentina. To Mr. and Mrs. Perala have been born two children : John, lives at Conneaut, where he is employed by the Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company; and Victor, Jr., married on April 15, 1921, to Miss Lempi Hautala, and they live at 977 Buffalo Street, Conneaut. John Perala is a veteran of the World War, having served overseas with the 83rd Division. He was inducted into service on Sept. 18, 1917, and after taking part in many important battles was discharged May 26, 1919. On June 16, 1920, he was married to Miss Velma Kemppainen. Victor Perala is a Republican and he and his family hold membership in the Lutheran Church. E. A. Titus, a well known fruit farmer of Conneaut Township and member of one of Ashtabula County's leading pioneer families, was born on the farm where he now lives, Dec. 20, 1857, and is the son of Anson and Jane (Risley) Titus. Anson Titus was born at Landaff, N. H., Oct. 19, 1798. In 1825 he came to Ohio, driving through from his native state. The trip required six weeks time and after arriving in Ohio Mr. Titus settled at Kingsville, where he lived until 1852. He then purchased a farm in Conneaut Township, which is now owned by his son, E. A., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Titus became a successful farmer and improved his land from raw prairie. He was prominent in his time and was captain of the state militia. Mr. Titus died Oct. 20, 1888, and his wife died Dec. 27, 1893. They were the parents of the following children: E. A., the subject of this sketch ; Isabel, deceased, was the wife of John Irish, lives at Conneaut ; Mary Ann, the widow of Simon Keith ; Marcus E., deceased ; Almira, married M. Lawrence, both deceased ; Amanda, deceased; and Henry, deceased. E. A. Titus has always lived on the same farm. 1e attended the district schools and began farming with his father. Mr. Titus now owns 30 acres of good fruit land and is known as a successful business man. On May 6, 1886, Mr. Titus was united in marriage with Miss Cora E. Cole, a native of Fairview, Pa., born April 2, 1860, and the daughter of William and Lucinda (Hay) Cole, both of whom are deceased. They had eight children, as follows : Clara, married Joseph Law, both deceased: Harry, lives in Oregon; Mrs. Titus ; Arthur and Charlie ; Ernest, deceased ; Theodore, lives at Detroit, Mich.; and Raymond, lives at Conneaut. To