550 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY the daughter of Homer and Diantha (Merriman) Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon, who died in 1914, was the son of Ezekiel Sheldon, who entered a farm of 112 acres from the government. He was one of the first settlers of Ashtabula County and became a prosperous farmer, as did also his son Homer. The latter Mr. Sheldon took an active interest in school matters during his life and was influential in obtaining the centralized school system at Kingsville. He was for many years township trustee and a member of the school board. His wife lives at North Kingsville and is 81 years of age. Mrs. Mack is their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Mack were born two children : Sheldon A., a graduate of Ashtabula High School and the Spencerian Business College at Cleveland, now lives with his mother; and Agnes, a graduate of Ashtabula High School and the University of Michigan, where she studied physical training. She is now in Cleveland. Mr. Mack was a Republican. His wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters, the Maccabees and the Rebeckahs. Mr. Mack was highly respected and the Mack family is representative of the best citizenship of Ashtabula County. A. C. Olson, a well known merchant of North Kingsville, and veteran of the World War, was born in Ashtabula, June 21, 1891, and is the son of Andrew M. and Anna (Johnson) Olson. Andrew M. Olson, who now lives retired in Ashtabula, is a native of Sweden, as was also his wife. After coming to this country he engaged in business at Ashtabula for many years and served as commissioner during Dr. I. H. Pardee's administration. His wife died April 1, 1916. To Mr. and Mrs. Olson the following children were born : Charles, lives at Ashtabula Harbor ; Herman, lives in Cleveland ; A. C., the subject of this sketch ; Ethel, lives with her father in Ashtabula ; and LeRoy and Amanda, both deceased. A. C. Olson was reared and educated in Ashtabula and after completing his schooling in 1906, engaged in the bakery business with his brother in Ashtabula. During the period of the World War, Mr. Olson volunteered for service and was sent overseas. Upon his return in October, 1919, he established his present place of business in North Kingsville, which is a wholesale and retail bakery. He also deals in confections. Mr. Olson maintains a delivery service throughout the surrounding community and has a well established trade. In 1921 Mr. Olson was married to Miss Gail Osborne of Kelloggsville, HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 551 Ohio, the daughter of Andrew and Olive (Grove) Osborne, residents of Kelloggsville. To Mr. and Mrs. Olson have been born two children : Donald and Luella Ruth. In politics Mr. Olson is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist church and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Reuben Harmon, who lives on the North Ridge Road at North Kingsville, has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Ashtabula County for many years. He was born on a farm at North Kingsville, Oct. 4, 1858, and is the son of Hollis K. and Zeviah M. (Ransom) Harmon. Hollis K. Harmon was a leading pioneer citizen of Ashtabula County. He was born at North Kingsville, April 12, 1830, and died Dec. 29, 1899. Mr. Harmon owned 110 acres of land and engaged in farming during his entire life. His wife, who was born in Maine, Oct. 1, 1828, came to this county with her parents when she was three years of age, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon, who were married at Kingsville, in November, 1854, were the parents of the following children : Reuben, the subject of this sketch ; Arthur C., lives on the home place, married Edith Potter, of Ashtabula, and they have one son, Glenn ; and Hattie M., married William H. Weaver, lives at Monroe, Ohio, and they had five children, Bertha, deceased, was the wife of Garfield Bisbee, Fred, Mabel, wife of Charles Kidder, Alice, deceased, married Eugene Kidder, and Walter. Reuben Harmon has always lived in Kingsville. He was among the most extensive stockmen of the county and owned 375 acres of land. Mr. Harmon is now living on his farm of 19 acres, which is located on North Ridge road, four and one-half acres are planted in fruit, and Mr. Harmon's residence, which was built in 1914, is among the fine homes of Ashtabula County. In 1880 Mr. Harmon was married the first time to Miss Charlotte Hammond, who died Sept. 12, 1889, leaving three children as follows : Catlin S., born in 1885, lives with his father, married Miss Hazel Dean, of Monroe, Ohio ; Ethel, married Harvey Walker, lives in Cleveland ; and Charlotte, married F. J. Nearpass, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. In 1892, Mr. Harmon was married to Miss Harriet M. Stanton, of Sheffield, Ohio, and to this union three children were born, as fol- 552 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY lows : John Hollis, lives in Seattle, Wash., married Ruth Dickinson, of Ashtabula ; Edwin L., a student in the Medical School of Western Reserve University, Cleveland ; and Ruth, who died at the age of eight years. Mrs. Harmon died Oct. 15, 1922, and is buried at North Kingsville. John Hollis Harmon is a veteran of the World War. Mr. Harmon is an independent voter. He is a reliable citizen, and was able to build up a successful farming business by his integrity and progressive methods. Robert E. Martin, retired, is a prominent pioneer business man of Ashtabula. He was born in Perry Township, near Massillon, Starke County, Ohio, July 3, 1849, and is the son of Anthony and Barbara Martin. Anthony Martin was a native of France, as was also his wife. He was born in 1806 and when a young man came to this country and located on a farm in Starke County, Ohio. Mr. Martin was a stone mason by trade but followed farming and also engaged in the mercantile business. He died in 1882 and his wife, who was born in 1806, died in 1875. Mr... and Mrs. Martin were the parents of ten children as follows : Anthony, deceased ; Philip, deceased ; August, was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with Company A, 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; Adam, deceased ; Barbara, deceased ; Catherine, married Adam Holsbach, deceased ; Caroline, married Jacob Holsbach, deceased ; Mary, the widow of Jacob Huether, lives at Sharon, Pa. ; Sarah, married Jacob Crone, both deceased and Robert E., the subject of this sketch. Robert E. Martin was reared and educated at Massillon, Ohio, and educated in the public schools, completing his high school course. In 1876 he came to Ashtabula where he engaged in the wholesale liquor business, becoming one of the most prosperous merchants of the city. He was later engaged in the grocery business until 1920, when he retired and now lives at 27 McGovern Avenue. Altogether Mr. Martin was in business more than 45 years. Mr. Martin was married to Miss Abbie O'Connor, a native of Massachusetts, who died in 1884. Mr. Martin is an independent voter and a member of the Catholic Church. He is among the substantial and highly respected citizens of Ashtabula County. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 553 Thomas G. Madden, mayor of Kingsville, is a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Ashtabula County. He was born at Oswego, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1862, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Griffin) Madden. Thomas Madden was a native of Ireland. At the age of 20 years he came to the United States and settled at Oswego, N. Y., where he became a merchant. He died in 1864. His wife, also a native of Ireland, died in Sheffield Township. Their only child was Thomas G., the subject of this sketch. Elizabeth (Griffin) Madden was married the second time about 1865 to James E. Lyons, a native of Ireland. They lived in Cleveland about 40 years where Mr. Lyons was a teaming contractor. About 1878 they moved to Sheffield Township, Ashtabula County, and both died on the farm here. To them three girls and two sons were born. Those now living are : Mrs. Bert Lyons of Ashtabula and Mrs. Aldin Whipple, now living in Plymouth Township. Thomas G. Madden grew to manhood in Cleveland and attended the public schools there. After completing his law course at the Cleveland Law School, Mr. Madden entered Baldwin-Wallace College at Berea, Ohio, from which he was graduated on June 4, 1914. He was admitted to the bar on June 25th of that year and on March 17, 1916, was admitted to the United States courts. Mr. Madden practiced his profession in Cleveland until 1920, at which time he retired and moved to North Kingsville. Before practicing law, Mr. Madden was captain in the Cleveland police force for 25 years. On May 24, 1883, Mr. Madden was united in marriage with Miss Florence Marie Merriman, of North Kingsville, Ohio. To this union a daughter was born, Grace, who married Edward Beckwith of Cleveland. She died in 1909 at the age of 23 years. Mr. Madden is a Republican and a member of the Catholic church. He is among the successful and dependable citizens of the community. George Hall, retired contractor of Ashtabula County and a veteran of the Civil War, is a prominent citizen of the community in which he lives. He was born at Spalding, England, July 25, 1842, and is a son of William and Mary (Hollingsworth) Hall. William Hall was a shoemaker by trade and died soon after the birth of his son, George, the subject of this sketch. In 1852 his widow and son came to the United States. She died in 1897 at Ashtabula. After 554 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY coming to this country Mrs. Hall was married to John Moffett, a native of England. George Hall received his education in the schools in England and in different localities in the United States. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted with Company H, 4th Michigan Cavalry, and served during the conflict. He then came to Ashtabula where he became a building contractor. In 1914 Mr. Hall retired from contracting. Since that time he has superintended the construction of several school buildings and factories in Ashtabula, among the latter being the American Fork & Hoe Company. He is now living retired at his home in North Kingsville Village on the North Ridge Road. In October, 1869, Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Eliz Sandhovel, who was born in Ohio, Oct. 25, 1848. To this union a daughter was born, Mary. She is employed in the Electric light office of the City of Ashtabula. Four other children are deceased, Bertha, Charles, Edna and Frank. Mary Hall is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Politically, Mr. Hall is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Trinity Church of Ashtabula and Miss Hall is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hall belongs to the Masonic lodge. He and his family are well and favorably known in Ashtabula County. J. J. Bourquin is an enterprising and practical farmer of Kingsville Township. He was born at Tidioute, Pa., March 11, 1854, and is the son of J. J. and Frances (Ducray) Bourquin. J. J. Bourquin, deceased, was a native of Switzerland and at the age of 20 years came to this country and located at Meadville, Pa., where he followed his trade as a blacksmith. Later in life he retired and engaged in farming. Mr. Bourquin died in 1895 and his wife, who was born in France in 1824, died in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Bourquin were the parents of ten children as follows : Julius, a merchant, lives at Tidioute, Pa.; Alexander, deceased ; Augustus, deceased ; J. J., the subject of this sketch ; Amos, lives in Colorado ; George, a Federal Judge, lives in Montana ; William, lives in Nevada; Mary, deceased ; Eugenia, married John B. Stitzer, lives in Colorado ; and Emma, married J. R. Raidor, lives at Denver, Colo. J. J. Bourquin spent his boyhood at Tidioute, Pa., and attended the district schools there. At the age of 15 years he entered the mercantile HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 555 business as a clerk, in which capacity he served for 25 years. Mr. Bourquin then went to Montana in 1890, at which time he was appointed United States Land Clerk during President Harrison's administration. Five years later he removed to West Virginia, where he became interested in a lumber business. On account of poor health Mr. Bourquin was forced to retire from business in 1905, at which time he purchased his present farm of 10 acres in Kingsville Township, where he has since lived. He specializes in the raising of fruit and berries. The Bourquin residence contains ten rooms and is one of the attractive homes of the community. On Jan. 8, 1884, Mr. Bourquin was married to Miss Eugenia Jannot, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Jannot, natives of France, and early settlers of Meadville, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Jannot, deceased, were the parents of the following children: Joseph, lives in Spokane, Wash.; Charles, Julius, Eugene and Mary, all deceased ; and Mrs. Bourquin, who was born July 29, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Bourquin have a daughter, Frances Josephine, who was graduated from Allegheny College in 1917. After teaching school at Conneaut for five years, Miss Bourquin accepted a position as teacher of French and Spanish at the Erie High School, Erie, Pa. Mr. Bourquin is a Republican and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Conneaut. He and his wife are well known in their community and have many friends and acquaintances. Thomas Asunmaa, manager of the Co-operative Grocery Company of Ashtabula Harbor, is a progressive and enterprising citizen of Ashtabula County. He was born in Finland, July 15, 1874, and is the son of Herman and Susanna Asunmaa. Herman Asunmaa, who lives retired in Finland, has been a farmer all his life. His wife is deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Andrew, lives in Ashtabula ; John and Mary, who live in Finland ; Thomas, the subject of this sketch ; and several other children who are deceased. Thomas Asunmaa spent his boyhood in his native land and in 1891 came to this country and located at Ashtabula Harbor. In 1906 he became connected with the Co-operative Grocery Company as manager. This is one of the leading grocery stores of the Harbor and maintains a delivery system throughout the city. Mr. Asunmaa was married in 1897 to Miss Susanna Arkki, and to this union three children have been born, as follows : Selma, lives in Cleve- 556 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY land ; Taano E., employed by the Pennsylvania R. R. ; and W. H., a clerk in the Co-operative store. Mr. Asunmaa is a Republican, a member of the Finnish Lutheran church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. William A. Risley is among the prosperous farmers of Kingsville Township. He was born at Conneaut, Aug. 29, 1861, and is the son of Charles and Mary (Hart) Risley. Charles Risley was a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the Civil War. When a young man he settled near Conneaut where he became a well known truck gardener. Mr. and Mrs. Risley had seven children, as follows : William A., the subject of this sketch ; Philip, lives at Conneaut, married Agnes Salisbury, and they have two children, Mrs. Paul Whipple and Charles; Mildred, wife of B. D. Southwick, lives in Cleveland ; Frances, married A. A. Warner, lives in Cleveland, and they have two children, Homer and Mrs. William Burke ; Angeline, married Owen Sherran, deceased, and she lives in Cleveland and has one child, Katherine ; Aleen, married William H. Gardner, lives in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and they have a daughter, Helen ; and Lois, married H. E. Fenn, lives at Ashtabula, and they have two children, Verna and Norman. William A. Risley grew up in Conneaut and attended the schools there. He owns 66 acres of well improved land in Kingsville Township and does general farming. On Oct. 3, 1886, Mr. Risley was married to Miss Jessie Dibell, of Kingsville, Ohio, who died in 1901. To this union five children were born, as follows : Fanny and Mary, deceased ; Clyde, lives at Ashtabula, is a veteran of the World War, married Martha Miller, and they have a son, William ; Mrs. Harold Roath, lives in Ashtabula, has one daughter, Helen ; and Nellie, married Harley Brewster, lives in Conneaut, and they have one daughter, Shirley. On April 16, 1902, Mr. Risley was married to Miss Hattie Payne, a native of Harpersfield, Ohio, and a daughter of Horace and Rhoda (Bates) Payne. Mr. Payne was born at Austinburg, Ohio, in 1839, and died at the age of 73 years. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a successful farmer. His wife, who was born at Harpersfield, in 1842, died at the age of 75 years. They reared a family of four children, three of whom are now living: Mary, the wife of F. G. Woodworth, now lives at New Castle, HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 557 Pa.; Mrs. Risley ; and Mrs. Ida Wolcott, lives at Warren, Ohio. To William A. and Hattie (Payne) Risley two sons have been born : Walter, who lives home ; and Edgar, a student. Before her marriage Mrs. Risley taught school for 17 years. She has been correspondent for the Ashtabula Star Beacon since 1891. Mr. Risley and wife are Republicans. She is a member of the Methodist Church of Kingsville. The Risley family is widely known throughout Ashtabula County and they have many friends. W. R. Mack, who is successfully engaged in the meat business at 499 Main Street, Ashtabula, was born in that city April 28, 1885, and is a son of J. S. and Clara (Wright) Mack. J. S. Mack was born at Sheffield, Ohio, and has spent his entire life in Ashtabula County. He is a painter by trade and lives at 49 McGovern Street, Ashtabula. Mr. and Mrs. Mack have five children as follows : Homer, lives in Cleveland ; Floyd E., lives at Camden, N. J., married Catherine Bonnell and they have two children, Clyde and Mildred: W. R., the subject of this sketch ; Clifford, lives at Home ; and Ethel Sherman, lives of 33 McGovern Street, Ashtabula. W. R. Mack attended the public and high schools at Ashtabula. For the past five years he has owned and operated the Bunker Hill Meat Market. He carries a fine line of meats, oysters, etc., and has an extensive trade. Mr. Mack has three children, as follows : Marion, 16 years of age, a student at Ashtabula High School ; Dorothy, 13 years of age, and Gordon, 11 years of age, both students. Mr. Mack is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Lions Club. Mary L. Gee, who is widely known throughout Ashtabula County as a highly esteemed citizen, is a native of Pennsylvania. She was born in Erie County, and is the daughter of Richard and Louisa (Barr) McCreary. Richard McCreary, a native of Erie, Pa., was an early settler of Kingsville, having settled there in 1855. He purchased 200 acres of land and became a successful farmer. He died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. McCreary were the parents of the following children : Harrison Lee, deceased ; Elizabeth, lives at Amboy, Ohio ; Mary L., the subject of this sketch ; Harriet M., lives near Kingsville ; Ellen, deceased ; Richard, deceased. 558 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Mary L. McCreary was reared on her father's farm and received her education in the district schools. After teaching school for several years in Ashtabula County and Erie, Pa., one year, she was married at North Kingsville, Sept. 13, 1871, to Francis W. Gee, a native of Mahoning County, Ohio. To this union four children were born, as follows : J. M., lives in Cleveland, where he is engaged in the real estate business, married Helen Mills, of Mayville, N. Y. ; S. J., a farmer, lives at North Kingsville, married Gertrude Culbertson, and they have three children ; Clyde W., who died in 1919, was married to Jessie Blair; Louisa, lives at home with her mother. Mr. Gee died March 8, 1897, and is buried at Kingsville. His wife and daughter still live on the home place of 127 acres, which is located on Lake Road, about a mile north of North Kingsville. Mrs. Gee is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. The Gee family has always been held in high regard by a large acquaintance. Joseph Napoletano, a notary public of Ashtabula Harbor, who is successfully engaged in the real estate business, is a prominent citizen of Ashtabula County. He was born in Italy, June 6, 1867, and is the son of Salvatore and Mary V. Napoletano. Salvatore Napoletano and his wife were born in Italy, where they had always lived. He was a city clerk of his town which was a life time position ; he died in 1912. His wife died in 1918. They were the parents of the following children : Alfred, lives in New York ; Joseph, the subject of this sketch ; Attilo, lives in Italy ; Pasqualine, Esther, who also live in Italy. Joseph Napoletano received his education in the schools of his native land and practiced law there for five years, after having served in the Italian army for five years. In March, 1894, he came to the United States and located at Ashtabula, where he was employed on the docks. Later he engaged in the insurance business for 12 years and represented the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Mr. Napoletano studied law in the law offices of Mr. Goddard at Ashtabula Harbor and during Mr. Goddard's absence in the west for 18 years, Mr. Napoletano had complete charge of his practice. He is also interested in the real estate business and does a large volume of business. His office is located at 681- Bridge Street, Ashtabula Harbor. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 559 Mr. Napoletano was united in marriage with Miss Madeline Daniel, also a native of Italy, and to this union five children have been born, as follows : Albert, married May Pearson, and they have three sons, Charles, Frank, and Edward ; Joseph ; Vincenta, a teacher, married in 1921 to G. A. Simpson, lives in Detroit, Mich., and they have two children, Madeline, and Franklin ; Joseph, married Iva Mitchell, and they live in Detroit, Mich., and have two children, Richard and Doris ; Thomas S., married Hilda Peters ; and Mary. The above children all live in Detroit, Mich. Mr. Napoletano is a Republican, a member of the Elks lodge and the Order of Sons Italy. Mr. Napoletano has held many public offices and during the World War took an active part in the affairs of the county in promoting drives of various sorts. In 1921 he was elected township trustee of Ashtabula Township and has been chairman of the board since that date. He is a stockholder in the Marine National Bank of Ashtabula Harbor and is also connected with the Ashtabula Harbor and Peoples Building & Loan Associations. Mr. Napoletano is progressive and public spirited and one of the substantial and widely known citizens of Ashtabula Har- Abram L. Sage, a well known citizen of Ashtabula, and agent for gasoline, is a leading business man of Ashtabula County. He was born at Cortland, Ohio, March 2, 1852, and is a son of James and Mary (Everett) Sage. James Sage was killed while in service during the Civil War. Before enlisting for service he engaged in farming in Trumbull County, Ohio. Mr. Sage was a member of the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was 38 years of age at the time of his death. His wife died in 1908, at the age of 79 years. Mr. and Mrs. Sage were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living. Abram L., the subject of this sketch, was the fourth in order of birth. Abram L. Sage received his education in the schools at Bristolville, Ohio, and at the age of 21 years, entered the employ of the C. F. Dunbar Company, who at that time were dredging the Harbor at Ashtabula. Ten years later Mr. Sage became a foreman on the docks at Fairport, Ohio, Installing machinery, and three years later went to Cleveland. There he was employed by the Andrews and Hitchcock Company for three years and for 20 years was employed by the New York Central Railroad Company. In 1916 Mr. Sage came to Ashtabula and opened a garage and 560 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY salesroom on West Prospect Street. He did a general repair work and also carried a complete line of accessories and tires. Mr. Sage was associated in business with his son, Abram Leo. They are now wholesale dealers in gasoline and handle Empire High Test and Standard Oil products. Storage tanks owned by this company have a 44,000 gallon capacity, and with their stations, total 50,000 gallons. Mr. Sage owns four filling stations and delivers to Geneva and neighboring towns. In 1882 Mr. Sage was married to Miss Mary Clark, a native of Fowler, Ohio, who died in 1917. A son, Abram Leo, married Mildred Isham, of Ashtabula, and they have two children, Warren Abram and James Abner. In politics Mr. Sage is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Dredge Engineers Society of Chicago. Mr. Sage is among the representative citizens of his community. On June 25, 1924, Mr. Sage leased his garage and the retail business on Prospect Street. Sept. 15, 1924, Mr. Sage moved to 529 Main St., where he owns a fine residence. He also owns 83 acres of land in Saybrook Township. Frank J. Blair, civil engineer, is among Ashtabula's enterprising and substantial business men. He was born in Ashtabula, July 26, 1873, and is the son of Henry James and Cordelia V. (Jeffords) Blair. Henry James Blair was born in Waterford, Pa., March 31, 1831, and came to Ashtabula at the age of 12 years, when his parents died. He was one of the pioneer lake captains of this section and died Feb. 14, 1907. His wife was a native of Chautauqua, N. Y., born Nov. 28, 1837, and came to Ashtabula with her parents when she was two years of age. She died Feb. 28, 1915. After coming to this county from New York Mrs. Blair's parents settled on a farm near Rock Creek. Her father served throughout the Civil War and died in Nashville, Tenn. A sister of Henry James Blair, Sarah A., married Charles V. Bowers, lumber dealer. She is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Blair the following children were born : Jennie A., Ashtabula ; Joseph, born Oct. 25, 1863, died Sept. 27, 1904 ; Laverne L., married H. M. Kunkle, a sketch of whom appears in this volume ; Charles, barn Jan. 7, 1876, died Nov. 1, 1902 ; Frank J., the subject of this sketch ; and John, born Aug. 29, 1871, died July 23, 1921. Frank J. Blair spent his boyhood in Ashtabula and attended the public schools. When a .young man he entered the employ of the city of Ashta- HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 561 bula for 16 years. Mr. Blair has been connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central Railroad in the capacity of civil engineer. He was also located in Cleveland and Youngstown at various times. He was also connected with the Great Lakes Engineering Company and with H. E. Mann of Ashtabula. Mr. Blair is now in business for himself and handles all kinds of. engineering. Politically, Mr. Blair is a Democrat. He holds membership in St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Masonic and Elks Lodges and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Blair with his sister lives at the old homestead at 531 Lake Street. He is a man esteemed throughout Ashtabula County for his reliability and industry. Oscar E. Osborne, retired building contractor, is one of the well known and dependable citizens of Ashtabula County. He was born in Sweden, May 14, 1867, and is the son of P. 0. and Augusta (Osberg) Osborne. P. O. Osborne was a blacksmith in early life. After coming to this country from Sweden he engaged in carpentry and cabinet making in Milwaukee, Wis., where he died in 1904. His wife died in 1909. They were the parents of eight children, as follows : Charles, deceased ; John, lives in Milwaukee, Wis. ; Edward, deceased ; Oscar E., the subject of this sketch ; Hilda, the widow of H. Swanson, lives at Milwaukee, Wis. ; Gus, deceased ; Fred, lives in Milwaukee ; and Delmer, died in infancy. Oscar E. Osborne was reared and educated in his native land and in 1886 came to the United States and located in Milwaukee, where he worked at his trade as mason. Three years later he came to Ashtabula and engaged in the building business, in which he met with marked success. For the past ten years Mr. Osborne has lived retired at 34 Bond Street. Each winter is spent at Daytona Beach, Florida, where Mr. Osborne owns a $17,000 home. He constructed many of the well known buildings in Ashtabula, including the J. T. Smith building, the Ashtabula library, the J. L. Wilson building, the Ashtabula old Telephone Exchange, the Duero building, and the Kunkle building at the Harbor, numerous school buildings and the receiving vault in Chestnut Grove Cemetery. On Aug. 18, 1891, Mr. Osborne was married at Ashtabula Harbor to Miss Gertrude Wright, a native of Plymouth, Ohio, born Aug. 8, 1869, and the daughter og William O. and Nancy (Bartram) Wright. Mr. Wright was a native of Lake County, Ohio, born in 1839. He was a (34) 562 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY farmer and later in life conducted a general store at Carson, OhiO. He died Oct. 4, 1911, and his wife, who was born in 1844, died Aug. 15, 1915. They were the parents of four children: George E., born Sept. 8, 1863, died in 1906; Lyman 0., a grocer, at 389 Main Street, Ashtabula ; Florence D., born Feb. 24, 1887, lives with subject ; and Mrs. Osborne. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have a son, R. L., who was born April 24, 1893. He was a graduate of the Ashtabula high school. While a student in Wooster College he enlisted during the World War in Company C, 34th Ohio Engineers, and served overseas throughout the war. At the time of his discharge he held the rank of sergeant of the engineering corps. Mr. Osborne is engaged in the battery business in Ashtabula. On April 5, 1919, he was married to Miss Ruth McClelland, of Wooster, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church. Oscar Osborne is a Republican and a member of the Congregational Church. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Osborne is past president *of the Ohio Rebekah Assembly and for many years has taken an active interest in its affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have an extensive acquaintance in Ashtabula County and are highly esteemed. Mike Laurello, grocer, is an enterprising young business man of Ashtabula Harbor. He was born in Italy, May 23, 1892, and is a son of John and Jane Laurello. John Laurello came to this country from Italy in 1921. He was a stone mason by trade and is now retired. There were seven children in the Laurello family as follows : Mike, the subject of this sketch ; Charles, Pascolina, Louise, Anna, Cosma, and Adeline, all residents of Ashtabula. Mike Laurello spent his boyhood in his native land and attended the schools there. At the age of 18 years he came to the United States and located in Ashtabula, where he followed his trade as a stone mason. Mr. Laurello has been engaged in the grocery business at 235 West Street since 1923. Mr. Laurello was married to Miss Mary Steffans of Ashtabula and to this union four children have been born : John, Nicholas, Harry and Olanda. Mr. Laurello and his family hold membership in the Catholic church and he is held in high regard throughout the community. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 563 Asa Brassington, who conducts a general merchandise store in Saybrook Township, is a member of a well known pioneer family of Ashtabula County. He was born at Saybrook, Ohio, in 1850, and is the son of John and Eliza (Brondage) Brassington. John Brassington was a native of New York, as was also his wife. They were married there in 1833 and five years later came to Ashtabula County and located on a farm on North Ridge Road near Saybrook. He was a wool buyer and died in July, 1901, at the age of 93 years. His wife died Oct. 25, 1900, at the age of 87 years. Mr. and Mrs. Brassington were the parents of 12 children ; four of whom are now living : Frank, a retired hardware merchant, lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio ; Asa, the subject of this sketch ; Mary Savage, lives in Detroit, Mich. ; and James W., engaged in the real estate business in Cleveland. Asa Brassington was educated in the schools of Saybrook and engaged in farming and stock raising until about five years ago, at which time he established his present business. Mr. Brassington was married on December 27, 1917, to Miss Addie M. Preston, a native of Michigan, born Oct. 11, 1872, and the daughter of Levi R. and Lucinda O'Brien Preston. Mr. Preston was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, Dec. 24, 1849. His wife died Feb. 15, 1915. Two sons, Glen Y. and Elton, live in Michigan. Mr. Brassington married the first time to Helen M. Brown and to this union three children were born, as follows Charles E., lives in Toledo, Ohio, married Nettie Johnson, and they have one child, Dorothy; Ray, deceased ; and Mrs. Gertrude Lewis, lives in Detroit, Mich., and had one child, Helen, now deceased. Helen Brown Brassington was born in 1852 in Erie County, Pa. She died Aug. 28, 1917. Mr. Brassington and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and are highly respected citizens of Ashtabula County. W. W. Cosner, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Kingsville Township, and the owner of 88 acres of good farm land, was born in West Virginia, Jan. 6, 1856, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Roby) Cosner. Henry Cosner was a native of Grant County, W. Va., and a farmer during his entire life. He died in 1886 and his wife died in 1920. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living, as follows : Thomas, a farmer, lives in West Virginia ; Otto, also a farmer, lives in 564 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY West Virginia ; Hesther, married Elihu Sanders, lives in West Virginia ; Aldina, married George Bennett, lives in West Virginia ; and W. W., the subject of this sketch. W. W. Cosner spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He owned 123 acres of land in his native state and in 1906 sold his interests and came to Ashtabula County and located on his present farm in Kingsville Township. The place is well improved. Mr. Cosner was married to Miss Rebecca Keith, deceased. To this union three children were born : Rosa Bell, wife of George Parks, New York state ; Charles W., lives in Pennsylvania ; and Martha Ann, the wife of Earl Gardner. Mr. Cosner was married the second time to Miss Sefrona C. Johnson, and to this union two children were born, as follows : Clareta, married Ed Bisby, a linesman, lives in Kingsville ; Hettie, lives at home. In politics Mr. Cosner is identified with the Democratic party. He is an industrious farmer, highly esteemed in his neighborhood. Marshall Carter Wright, who now lives retired in Saybrook Township, is a member of a well known pioneer family of Ashtabula County. He was born at Saybrook, June 26, 1850, and is the son of Moses and Caroline (Sweet) Wright. The Wright family came to Ashtabula County from Vermont in 1815 and settled on a farm on South Ridge Road, near Saybrook. Moses Wright was the son of Jesse N. Wright, who died at Saybrook, at the age of 82 years. He was a prosperous farmer, as was also his son Moses. The latter died in 1897, and his wife, a native of Ashtabula, died at the age of 59 years. They were the parents of the following children : Henry, deceased; Marshall Carter, the subject of this sketch ; Edward, lives in Saybrook Township ; Charles, deceased ; Jesse N., lives in Saybrook Township ; Adelaide, deceased, was the wife of Lewis Hemminger ; and Ruth E., lives at Saybrook. Marshall Carter Wright was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of Saybrook. When a young man he engaged in farming and later became interested in the basket making industry, in which he was successfully engaged until 1908. Mr. Wright's factories were located in Ashtabula and New York. Since the time of his retirement he has. lived on his farm of six acres on North Ridge Road between Ashtabula and Saybrook. HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 565 On Jan. 29, 1879, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Eliza M. Crook, a native of Watertown, N. Y., and the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Rose) Crook, natives of England who settled in Ashtabula County in 1876. Mr. Crook died in 1886 and his wife died in 1898. They were the parents of the following children: Rebecca, Benjamin, Joseph, Anna, Helen and John, all deceased ; Mrs. Wright ; and Martha, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright three children were born: Maud B., born Feb. 1, 1880, the widow of John V. Haskell, and she has two children, Maud Lois and David L., lives at Alliance, Ohio ; Grace M., born in 1885, married John Brocklehurst, lives in Florida, and they have four children, Clinton, Bruce, Marion and Helen; and Howard M., born Aug. 25, 1896, married Helen Okerson, and they have two children, Iona and James M. Howard Wright is a graduate of Ashtabula High School and was a veteran of the World War. Mr. Wright is a Republican and has served as township assessor for 20 years, and is a member of the school board. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is one of the substantial citizens of his community. W. A. Gran, who is the owner of one of Ashtabula County's most modern stock farms, was born in Finland, Dec. 30, 1862, and is a son of Frank W. and Mary (Tornikoski) Gran. Frank W. Gran, deceased, was a native of Finland and spent his entire life there and was a farmer. His wife is also deceased. At the age of 29 years W. A. Gran came to this country and settled at Ashtabula Harbor, where he worked at his trade as a carpenter for two years. He then purchased 50 acres of land on the Austinburg road in Saybrook Township, where he now lives. He has added to his land holdings and is now the owner of 186 acres of good farm land. The place is well improved with all modern appliances. Mr. Gran specializes in dairy farming and has 30 cows. There is also a complete machine shop on the Gran farm, and two large tractors. On April 20, 1886, Mr. Gran was married in Finland to Miss Sophia Berg, who was born Aug. 22, 1858. To this union eight children have been born, as follows: Emily Sophia ; Mrs. Nestor Mackey, lives at Saybrook ; Mrs. W. R. Beckwith, lives at home, and has a daughter Catherine Emily ; William T., lives at Saybrook, married Ilene Cummings, and they have two children, William T. Jr., and Robert E.; Edward L., married 566 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY Thelma Lintella, lives in Ashtabula, and they have one son, Edward L. Jr.; John B., at home ; Ida and Dora, both of whom died in infancy. William T. Gran is a veteran of the World War, having served with the 331st Ohio Infantry. Mr. Gran is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. He is well known throughout the county, where he is highly esteemed as a man of progress, industry and initiative. Emory C. House, a successful and enterprising farmer of Saybrook Township, is a native of Ashtabula County. He was born on a farm in Morgan Township, June 8, 1869, and is a son of Earl and Elmira (Roth) House. Earl House was born at Lenox, Ohio, in 1848. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a leading farmer and stockman of Morgan Township for many years. In 1918 he sold his farm and removed to Saybrook, where he died two years later. His wife, who was born in Ohio, now lives at Austinburg, with her daughter and is 73 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. House had four children, as follows: Emory C., the subject of this sketch; Lettie Bissell, lives near Austinburg, Ohio ; Edgar L., lives at Conneaut ; and Hattie Cowlter, lives at Austinburg, with her mother. Emory C. House grew to manhood on his father's farm in Morgan Township and was educated in the district schools there. In 1900 he purchased his first farm of 50 acres in Saybrook Township and in 1919 purchased the adjoining farm of 55 acres which was owned by J. J. Willey. He specializes in dairy farming and has a well improved farm. Mr. House was married first to Miss Winifred Baldwin, and to this union two children were born: Earl and Mildred, both deceased. On March 23, 1904, Mr. House was married to Miss Etta Calloway, a native of Austinburg, Ohio, and a daughter of Carmi and Lestina (Strong) Calloway, natives of Ohio, both now deceased. Mr. Calloway died in 1920 at the age of 78 years and his wife died in 1908. They were the parents of the following children: Edward and Mary, deceased ; Ella Haywood, lives at Madison, Ohio ; Stella Lapham, lives at Unionville, Ohio ; Kate Duncan, deceased ; Adelbert, lives in Plymouth Township, Ashtabula County ; Albert, lives at Austinburg, Ohio ; Frank, lives at Austinburg; Susie Root, lives at Austinburg ; Mrs. House ; Alice Harris, lives at Madison, Ohio ; Cora Spring, lives at Geneva, Ohio ; Arthur, lives at Unionville, Ohio ; HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 567 Orion, lives at Farmdale, Ohio ; and Myra Warren, lives at Ashtabula. Mr. and Mrs. House have one son, Howard C., a high school student. Mr. House is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church at Rock Creek, and a respected citizen of his community. E. E. Welton, a substantial and well known farmer of Saybrook Township, is a member of one of Ashtabula County's oldest families. He was born at Harpersfield, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1849, and is the son of Nathan and Chrinthia (Griffin) Welton. Truman N. Welton, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Connecticut, and among the earliest settlers of Austinburg. He was a teacher for many years and later purchased a farm of 100 acres in Saybrook Township, where he engaged in dairy farming. His son, Nathan, was born in Ashtabula and became one of the farmers and stockmen of the county. He died at the age of 65 years and his wife died at the age of 57 years. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are now living: E. E., the subject of this sketch ; and Arthur, who lives in Ashtabula. E. E. Welton grew up on his father's farm and attended the schools of Austinburg. When a young man he entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad as a switch tender, where he remained until 1908, at which time he purchased his present farm. At one time Mr. Welton owned 112 acres, 40 of which were later sold to his son-in-law, Harry Bolte. Mr. Welton was married first to Miss Fannie Starkweather, deceased. She net her death while preparing breakfast for her family, when her clothing was ignited and she died from burns. Mr. and Mrs. Welton were the parents of five children : Edward, who died in 1917 ; Ernest, lives at Akron, Ohio ; Robert, Ashtabula ; George, lives at Saybrook ; and Mrs. Pearl Parker, lives at Kenmore, Ohio. On March 24, 1886, Mr. Welton was married to Miss Catherine Frambaugh, a native of Liverpool, Ohio, and the daughter of Leobold and Margaret (Mott) Frambaugh, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Frombaugh the following children were born : Margaret Offenburg, lives at Lenox, Ohio ; Lena Neff, Helen Walton, and Jacob, all deceased ; Henry, lives at Akron, Ohio ; Anna Hill, Mary Walton, Theodore, George, and Charles, all deceased ; and Mrs. Welton. To E. E. and Catherine (Frombaugh) Welton, ten children were born, as follows : Frederick, born Jan. 16, 1886, lives at Ashtabula ; Willard, born Nov. 16, 568 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY 1888, lives at Ashtabula ; Lewellyn, born May 2, 1890, lives at East Ashtabula ; Harry, born Sept. 4, 1892, died at the age of 18 years ; Cora, born July 23, 1894, wife of C. J. Lockwood, Madison, Ohio; Harvey, born July 26, 1896, a veteran of the World War, lives at home; Elsie, born Aug. 12, 1898, wife of Harry Bolte, Ashtabula ; Bernice, born Oct. 10, 1902, wife of Willis Mosier, Garretsville, Ohio; Earl, born May 11, 1907, and Lillian, born Jan. 4, 1909, both at home. Mr. Welton is one of the highly esteemed men of his community. Edward Bjerstedt, owner and proprietor of the Ashtabula Bakery, is a successful and highly esteemed business man of Ashtabula. He was born in Sweden, July 7, 1868, and is the son of Per and Martha (Rasmusson) Bjerstedt. Per Bjerstedt and his wife, who now live retired in Sweden, are the parents of the following children : Edward, the subject of this sketch ; Anton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, lives at Conneaut, Ohio ; Bror, employed by his brother, Edward ; and several other children who live in Sweden. Edward Bjerstedt was reared and educated in Sweden and in 1888 came to this country and located in New Hampshire, later removing to Wilcox, Pa. In 1894 he came to Ashtabula, and the following year engaged in the bakery business on Bridge Street. In 1901 Mr. Bjerstedt built the building at 31 Lake Street, where he is now located. The Ashtabula Bakery ranks among the finest bakeries in the county and during his many years of business here, Mr. Bjerstedt has established an excellent trade. He employs 30 people and operates six trucks throughout Ashtabula and the surrounding towns. Mr. Bjerstedt lives at 18 Fairfield Avenue, where he owns an attractive home of 11 rooms. He also owns a well improved farm of 20 acres north of Ashtabula on the Ridge Road. On Oct. 16, 1897, Mr. Bjerstedt was united in marriage with Miss Mary McCarty, of Ashtabula, born Feb. 1, 1879, and the daughter of Dennis and Harriet (Poole) McCarty, both deceased. Mr. McCarty, a native of Ireland, died at Ashtabula in 1898 at the age of 54 years. His wife, who was born at Ripley, N. Y., died in 1888 at the age of 38 years. Calvin Poole was a native of Connecticut and at the age of 20 years removed to New York, and it is said he taught the first school west of HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 569 the Genesee River. He was born April 22, 1811, and in February, 1873, came to Ashtabula County and settled at Conneaut, where he was engaged in the mercantile business with J. A. Caldwell for many years. Mr. Poole was Mrs. Bjerstedt's maternal grandfather and a leading pioneer of Ashtabula County. To Edward and Mary (McCarty) Bjerstedt three children were born, as follows : Harriet, born Sept. 25, 1898, married Dr. H. K. Porter, a dentist at 8 Center Street, Ashtabula ; Edward, born Nov. 14, 1899, a graduate of Ashtabula High School, was married Oct. 4, 1924 to Dorothy Durkee, now lives in Amboy, Ohio ; and Robert, born June 2, 1910, lives at home. Politically, Mr. Bjerstedt is a Republican. He and his children are members of the Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Elks, the Exchange Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bjerstedt is held in high regard throughout the community and is an excellent citizen. J. Wallace Lapham, a leading farmer and stockman of Saybrook Township, and a member of one of Ashtabula County's oldest families, was born in Lake County, Ohio, March 14, 1863. He is a son of Jacob and Harriet (Scribner) Lapham. Jacob Lapham was born in Duchess County, N. Y., and became one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of his time. His father and two uncles came to Ohio from Connecticut many years ago, making the trip on foot. Mr. Lapham died June 24, 1900, at the age of 96 years, and his wife died in 1877, at the age of 48 years. They were the parents of five children : Alonzo, deceased, and his widow, Stella Calloway Lapham, lives at Unionville, Ohio ; Marlin, married Almeda McClelland, both deceased ; Catherine J. Smith, deceased ; Evelyn, deceased, was the wife of William Hazen ; and J. Wallace, the subject of this sketch. J. Wallace Lapham was reared and educated at Geneva, Ohio. He began his career as a farm hand and in 1910 purchased his present farm of 50 acres which is located on the Austinburg road in Saybrook Township. Mr. Lapham does general farming and dairying. On Jan. 2, 1899, Mr. Lapham was united in marriage at Andover, Ohio, with Miss Julia Baldwin, a native of Saybrook Township, and the daughter of John and Eliza (Brown) Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin was born at Gustavus, Ohio, and died at the age of 46 years, in 1886. His wife, 570 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY who was born at Ashtabula Harbor, died in 1911, at the age of 73. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Ellen Bennett, lives at Saybrook ; Truman B., lives at Ashtabula Harbor ; Elizabeth, married Albert E. Long, lives at Dover, Ohio ; Mildred, married R. A. Barber, lives at Conneaut, Ohio; Anna Eliza, lives in Ashtabula ; Sarah, married F. A. Miller, lives in Ashtabula, and Mrs. Lapham. Mr. and Mrs. Lapham have one son, Leslie, who was born April 22, 1908. He is a student at Ashtabula High School. In politics Mr. Lapham is identified with the Republican party. Leslie and his mother are members of the Congregational Church of Austinburg and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Geneva. He is one of the progressive and substantial citizens of the county. Ernest F. March, a well known citizen of Ashtabula County, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Saybrook Township, was born in Tripoli, Syria, May 9, 1887. He is a son of William and Jennie (Hill) March. William March was born in Massachusetts, as was also his wife. After their marriage they went to Tripoli as missionaries but later returned to this country. Mr. and Mrs. March are the parents of the following children: Anna, died in infancy ; Arthur W., a professor of science, biology and astronomy in Hangchow Christian College, China ; Elizabeth H. Freidinger, lives in Syria, where her husband is a Presbyterian minister; Ernest F., the subject of this sketch ; Amy, wife of Dr. Douglas Forman, lives at Alabad, India, where her husband is a physician; Alice Nelson Martin, lives at Ashland, Ohio ; and Harold M., a teacher of French in Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Ernest F. March received his education in the public schools of Wooster, Ohio, and was graduated from the schools there in 1907. In 1912 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami College, and later took graduate work at Ohio State University in agriculture. In November, 1913, Mr. March purchased his present farm of 100 acres in Saybrook Township. He is a fruit farmer and also raises poultry. Mr. March was married to Miss Angie Richmond, a native of Ashtabula, and a daughter of Sylvester and Ella (Wyman) Richmond. Mr. Richmond died July 25, 1887, and his wife is also deceased. Mrs. March HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 571 was their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. March has been born one child, Eleanor Jean, born Aug. 8, 1917. Mr. March is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He is one of Ashtabula County's broad-minded and public-spirited citizens. Howard S. Foote, a prominent business man of Ashtabula, engaged in the insurance business, is a member of one of Ohio's honored pioneer families. He was born in Ashtabula County, and is the son of Lauren B. and Cornelia (Ballard) Foote. Lauren B. Foote was born at Torrington, Conn., in 1802, and came to Trumbull, Ashtabula County, in 1830. He owned the first grist mill in that section and also operated a woolen mill. In later life Mr. Foote became a prominent building contractor and built Grand River Institute. He died at the age of 80 years and is buried at Austinburg. Mr. Foote was married the first time to Miss Abagail Moses, and to this union three children were born : Irenus, Sarah and Derrow, all deceased. By his second marriage to Cornelia Ballard, four children were born, as follows : Mrs. Ellen VanLevnun, lives at Lime Spring, Iowa ; Howard S., the subject of this sketch ; Charles E., lives in Iowa ; and Mrs. Abbie Metcalf, lives in Ashtabula. Howard S. Foote was graduated from Grand River Institute and the State Normal School. After serving as superintendent of schools in Ashtabula, Geneva and Lake counties for 35 years, Mr. Foote engaged in the insurance business in 1913. He represents the Midland Life Insurance Company. His office is located on Main Street, Ashtabula, Ohio. In 1886 Mr. Foote was married to Miss Abbie Tourgee, a native of Andover, Ohio, born in 1865. She died in 1920. To Mr. and Mrs. Foote two sons were born : Dr. Paul D., a scientist, is a graduate of Western Reserve University, Nebraska University, and the University of Minnesota, now practicing his profession in the Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.; and Ralph L., railroad inspector for the Pennsylvania Railway, lives at Ashtabula, married Winifred Starkweather. Doctor Foote was married to Miss Bernice Foote, who was graduated in his class at the University of Minnesota. Mr. Foote is a Republican, a member of the Congregational Church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge. He is a man of progressive ideas in his business and a citizen of whom the community is proud. 572 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY J. M. Amsden, general superintendent Of the Ohio & Western Pennsylvania Dock Company at Ashtabula, is a representative citizen of his community. He was born in Ashtabula, Oct. 5, 1876, and is a son of Austin O. and Mary (Dickinson) Amsden. Austin O. Amsden was born in Vermont and came to Ashtabula in 1860. He clerked in the jewelry store of Mr. Dickinson, in whose employ he remained for many years. He died in 1914 at the age of 74 years and his wife, who was born at New Haven, Conn., died in December, 1921, at the age of 84 years. Mr. and Mrs. Amsden celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1909. They were the parents of the following children: Fred, who died at the age of 16 years ; Mrs. Elizabeth Sawyer, lives in New York city ; Lewis A., retired, lives in Ashtabula ; Arthur D., lives in Pasadena, Cal. ; Dr. George S., a prominent nerve specialist of Albany, N. Y., and Jay M., the subject of this sketch. Jay M. Amsden received his education in the public and high schools of Ashtabula and at the age of 16 years entered the employ of the M. A. Hanna Company. In 1903 Mr. Amsden was made superintendent and on July 22, 1924, was made general superintendent of the company, including the lower lake docks. In 1900 Mr. Amsden was married to Miss Laura Gillette, of Indianapolis, and the daughter of Oscar Gillette. Mr. and Mrs. Amsden have one child, Jane, born in 1907. Mr. Amsden is a Republican. He is a member of the Reformed Episcopal Church of Ashtabula and a 32nd degree Mason. He has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and as president of the city council. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Ashtabula. Mr. Amsden is well and favorably known in Ashtabula and takes an active interest in the affairs of his community. Walter Edward Putnam was born in Conneaut on Feb. 14, 1886, the second child of Charles Sumner and Laura E. (Stone) Putnam. With the exception of short periods, when the family home was located in Geneva, Ohio, and Washington, D. C., he has resided in Conneaut continuously. The beginning of his education was in the old "Academy" building on Main Street and he continued through the public schools, graduating from Conneaut High School in the class of 1903. It must have been a trace of printers' ink in the blood, inherited from his father, that caused this subject early in life to become identified HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 573 with newspaper work and to enjoy the following of the printing and publishing business up to the present writing. About as soon as he was able to shoulder a sack of newspapers and face the storms, he became a carrier boy on the daily Evening News, P. E. Bissell's second newspaper undertaking in Conneaut. He continued this until he was old enough to assume the responsibilities of city circulator, which position he held until Mr. Bissell sold his newspaper property to the first The Conneaut Printing Co. Upon graduating from school in 1903, Mr. Putnam again joined the Evening News force, this time as a cub reporter under Editor V. V. McNitt. He gradually worked up through the editorial organization and continued on after the birth, Jan. 1, 1907, of the News-Herald, the result of the consolidation of the Conneaut Evening News and the Conneaut Post-Herald. In 1909 he took a heavy financial interest in the company and became editor and general manager which position he has held to date. This subject is a descendant of John Putnam, who, with three sons, emigrated from England to the colony of Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. He follows along the same branch of the family as General Israel Putnam and General Rufus Putnam, both of Revolutionary War fame, and the latter the founder of Marietta, Ohio. He comes directly, however, from the branch of Captain Andrew Putnam who moved from Massachusetts to Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1817. In 1919 he was united in marriage to Charlotte E. Bartlett Laughlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellery C. Bartlett, of New York city. Mrs. Putnam is a descendant of the Bartlett family of early Puritan history, who came to this country from England in 1634. She is descended from Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Putnam is a member of Conneaut Lodge No. 256, B. P. 0. Elks, Conneaut Rotary Club, and a number of civic organizations. Harry A. Gleason, the well known and efficient secretary and treasurer of The Citizens Banking & Trust Company of Conneaut, was born at Meadville, Pa., Oct. 4, 1886, and is the son of William B. and Gertrude R. (Hunt) Gleason. William B. Gleason brought his family to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1889 and settled on a farm near Conneaut. He died in 1908 and his wife now lives in Conneaut. They were the parents of three children : Harry A., the subject of this sketch ; Dana Elizabeth, lives in Conneaut ; 574 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY and Ethel Adelaide, married Glen H. Marcy, who was disabled while in service during the World War. Mrs. Marcy is deceased. Harry A. Gleason received his education in the public and high schools of Conneaut and his first business connection was as stenographer with the Cleveland Trust Company of Willoughby, Ohio. After one year he entered the employ of the Conneaut Leather Company and in 1908 became associated with the B. F. Goodrich Company at Akron, Ohio. In November, 1910, Mr. Gleason accepted the position as assistant treasurer of The Citizens Banking & Trust Company of Conneaut, where he remained until Dec. 26, 1913. He then went to Cleveland where he acted as secretary to John Sherwin, president of the First National Bank there. In 1915 he returned to Conneaut to accept the position as secretary and treasurer of The Citizens Banking & Trust Company. In 1913 Mr. Gleason was married to Miss Bernice D. Chapman, a native of Conneaut and a daughter of George and Jennie (Daugherty) Chapman, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Chapman was a prominent real estate man of Conneaut for many years. There were four children in the Chapman family : Ruth, married Charles J. Dow, lives at Conneaut ; Mrs. Gleason ; May H., married Mark L. Weil, lives in California ; and Louis, who also lives in California. To Mr. and Mrs. Gleason have been born three children, Harry Chapman, George J., and Mary Alice. Mr. Gleason is a Republican and is identified with the Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations. He also belongs to the Elks lodge. The Gleason family are members of the Baptist Church, and are favorably known in Ashtabula County. The Citizens Banking & Trust Company was organized in 1907, with the following officers : F. E. Gordon, president, and Charles R. Dodge, secretary and treasurer. The first directors were : F. E. Gordon, B. E. Thayer, C. H. Simonds, C. W. DeVoe, F. E. Brydle, E. A. Titus, F. L. Whitmore, C. W. Pelton, and Charles R. Dodge. The present officers of the bank are : C. Henry Simonds, president ; C. L. Whitney, vice-president ; T. C. Herrick, vice-president ; H. G. Kingdom, vice-president and trust officer ; H. A. Gleason, secretary and treasurer; K. W. Cowden, assistant treasurer ; and William C. Whitney, assistant secretary. The directors are : C. Henry Simonds, E. A. Titus, Theodore C. Herrick, Harry G. Kingdom, W. Sprague, F. A. Jones, Charles L. Whitney, U. E. Kanavel, John Boyink, C. V. Carr, William Fortune, F. H. Heasman, M. R. Smith, and H. A. Gleason.